Sunday, March 11, 2012
A couple months ago I received a package from Somme Institute containing their skincare 5-Step Regimen. I decided to finish up the bottles of my regular skin products before giving Somme a good 30 day run. I'm pretty sure it was just my commitment issues kicking in. I wanted to give the products a good month long run to give a fair, honest opinion. It was worth it.
These products do a great job working together as a system, but I'm going to say my piece about each individual item. They deserve it.
Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser (Blue Dot)
This is a vitamin packed, gel based cleanser. It does a good job cleeaning deep, doesn't dry you out, and leaves skin with a touchable texture.
Step 2: Transport Pads (Lilac Dot)
These pads pack a punch!!! Possibly my favorite product of the 5, Transport pads are loaded with AHA to bust up and remove nasty dead skin cells. They have a nice, citrusy scent. When I first started using them, I thought they made my skin feel plasticy (is that even a word?), but that was my ignorance. They were actually improving the firmness of my skin.
STEP 3: Serum (Orange Dot)
Serum is just that, a silky serum that works on fine lines and evens skin tone. It does a really nice job. I had the start of some smile lines, which are far less noticable. It is big on vitamin C and has a cocktail of 5 others thrown in for good meausre.
STEP 4: A-Bomb (Green Dot)
A light weight cream that also has the vitamin cocktail. It soothes the skin rather well and is great at keeping dryness at bay. It also has the nice, citrus scent.
Step 5: Double Defense (Pink Dot)
I admit I'm not a faithful user of this product. Not because it lacks anything, I honestly just forget to put it on daily. It is a wonderful moisturizing lotion, has an SPF 30+ and a really nice texture.
All in all, I think this is a great system, it works well and the color dot packaging is adorable.
Over the course of my use, I have noticed fewer visible lines, less redness and a better texture and firmness. Buy this system!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
I have made no secret that I have oily skin. It's sucks, but for the most part I got it under control. Except for my damn eyelids!!!! Not only are they greasy, but my eyes are deep set, so I got the double whammy for creasing eye products.
Nothing I had ever tried had worked at keeping things in place and it was so frustrating. I found Make Up Forever Aqua Creams and my cosmetics prayers were answered.
The first one I tried was in #17- Plum. It is a gorgeous violet/burgundy/brown with a good amount of shimmer to it.
Right off the bat I noticed how light and moist the cream was, which made me think " There is no way this is sticking around for long." I figured 30 minutes, tops. My eyelids are the destroyers of shadows, powder or cream.
I spread a thin layer of my lid and within a minute it had dried and set.......and did not budge. I wore that layer for a total of 12 hours the first day and it held up the entire time.
The next day i layered some powder shadows over the top and it worked wonderfully as a base. The look stood up to 9 hours of wear.
I swear these amazing creams are waterproof. Once they set, they set.
I am so completely in love with this product I plan on ordering as many as I can.
I have also used #17 as a cheek contour and a lip color. Some people will complain about the price, but I feel they are worth every penny. Plus, it takes the tiniest amount to get good color coverage.
Snatch these puppies, they are a game changer!!
Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams
-Jess
Snatch these puppies, they are a game changer!!
Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams
-Jess
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Having never used a Make Up Forever product before, this lipstick alone has made me a huge fan.
It is an orange based red with a wonderful, creamy finish. It has not sparkle or glossiness, which I love.
It is a pure sex kitten, old Hollywood red. The double pigmentation in this product is very noticeable. It only takes one layer for a good 6 hours of opaque wear.
When it does finally start to fade, it does it in a way that leaves you with a lovely stain, not a nasty, dried out lip. It is a pretty moisturizing lipstick.
The packaging itself is incredibly charming. The Moulin Rouge writing and red foil windmill are so cute!!!
There is no taste with the lipstick, but I do pick up a very slight floral scent.
All in all, Make Up Forever has created a genius lip color, I love it almost as much as Christian loves Satine ♥
-Jess
Saturday, January 21, 2012
As I sit down to write this in my flannel pajamas, cup of cocoa in hand, my house is getting blasted with 30mph winds and 9 inches of snow. Normally, I would be pretty sullen about this, but I'm not too concerned this time. All I can think about is sand beaches, fruity umbrella drinks and suntan lotion. I have Pacifica to thank for my tropical state of mind.
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| Yeah buddy!! I have been using Pacifica's Color Quench Lip Tint in Blood Orange to protect my lips from the harsh winds and cold we have been experiencing, but this is a vacation in a tube. A beautiful pink and orange tube.  This 100% vegan lip tint leaves your lips smooth and hydrated, with just a hint of color. The pretty pink shade is flattering on most skin tones. I had been the victim of an unfortunate case of the dreaded scaly lips, after using this for 2 days it was gone and my kisser was silky smooth.  The citrus scent is beyond yummy, but not over powering. For the past couple years I have been dedicated to another lip balm, but I'm calling it quits. I have fallen for another. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I was kind of obsessed with winter scents a couple months ago, but you can only huff so much balsam, cinnamon and nutmeg. Now I'm loving all things delicate and sweet. Pacifica's Island Vanilla Perfume Roll on is sent from scent heaven. This perfume is the most amazing combination of Tahitian vanilla, jasmine and some magical fruity notes. It smells like a delicious mix of summer air and the most decadent cupcakes, or maybe I'm having a stroke, who knows??? What I do know is that I am completely hooked on it's pure, natural scent. There is nothing artificial about it, which can be a hard thing to achieve when it comes to vanilla scents, most have an underlying alcohol odor.  The packaging is beautiful, convenient and durable. I just toss it in my purse and I'm set. The scent seems to last a good 5 hrs, but I find myself applying more often just because I'm greedy. So, while the wind may be howling and the snow & ice making heels a questionable choice, I'm at peace with it. I've got a one woman tropical vacation right at my fingertips. Now if only I could bust out the flip flops and tank tops already! -Jess |
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
- Flannel Pajamas are a must. There is nothing better than lounging about the house and being toasty. Nick and Nora make fantastic ones in playful, fun prints. I have light blue sock monkey ones that I adore.
- Now that our body is warm, we need to work on our piggies. Sweater Slippers are great on chilly nights. I like having some foot freedom, so slip ons are perfect for me. A faux fur lining makes them extra toasty. You're pigs will thank you.
- Another essential is flannel sheets. These ones from L.L.Bean are ultra soft and never cold to the skin. They don't pill like alot of flannel either. It's like a big flannel hug every time you get into bed.
- So you don't own a fireplace, but love the smell??? Bath and Body Works has the solution. If you love the earthiness of a fire burning in the hearth try their Fireside candle. If you want it a little sweeter, their Marshmallow Fireside candle is perfect. I can not stop burning these, total comfort.
- Is there anything better than a mug of warm hot cocoa??? Most of us are used to the packets in the light blue box with the chick that looks like Heidi on it and that's fine, It's decent stuff. But to really spoil yourself try the Godiva Hot Cocoa Sampler box. It is a completely different taste sensation that anything I was used to. Chocolate decadence in a mug.
- Cocoa is not the only good thing to come in a mug. Let's not forget about soup people!!!! Nothing warms you up faster after a long day working in the pumpkin patch ( cuz everyone does that once fall hits right?). I know that homemade soup is best, but sometimes you just want easy. Bear Creek has glorious soup mixes that taste just like mama made them. I recommend the Cheddar Broccoli and Creamy Wild Rice.
- When mother nature sucks all the moisture out of your skin, leaving you with a dry, itchy mess, all you want is relief. A body butter is your best bet for curing dry skin. Thick, fast drying and loaded with hydrating elements, they make even the worst skin supple.The Body Shop butters come in a large variety of scents, something for everyone to enjoy.
- Cracking lips are part of the cold, dry season but let's be honest, they are gross and painful. A good lip balm will prevent the cracking before it even starts. I have raved about the EOS Lip Sphere in the past and I'm raving again. Not only does it work wonderfully, if you purchase the Strawberry Sorbet flavor part of the proceeds help the fight against breast cancer.
- When it is freezing outside a hot bath full of giant bubbles puts a huge smile on my face. A couple of my favorite items to use are any of the Philosophy Bath & Shower Gels. They have alot of seasonal and holiday scents. If you want gigantic bubbles that just don't quit, LUSH Bubble Bars are unbeatable. Break off a small chunk and you will have tons of suds that don't disappear as soon as you slip in. Christmas Eve and Gingerbread house are great this time of year.
-Jess
Monday, October 17, 2011
In Norse mythology, Freya is a goddess of love and fertility, and the most beautiful and propitious of the goddesses. I'm thinking she was so beautiful because she used the skincare line bearing her name.
Freya Skincare is hands down the most amazing product I have used this year....possibly ever. I am in my late 20's and noticed I had the start of some sneaky crows feet developing and my skin just seemed kind dull. It has always been a battle finding moisturizers and eye creams due to my combination complexion, so when I got these I had my doubts. I had heard really good things about the line from friends who had purchased it, which is what I listen to most when choosing a product. The line uses something called the LEXA complex, which stimulates collagen production and repairs free radical damage. It also contains salmon roe, full of antioxidants and an insulin like growth factor. Lots of science speak, in short??? This line is the cat's pajamas.
First up is the Intensive Anti-Aging Serum (130.00)
I swear it is like they found the fountain of youth and bottled it. The first time I used this light weight miracle my skin instantly looked and felt different. Redness went away, lines looked reduced and it felt like satin. I don't think I will ever stop using this product. In the time I have been using it my skin just keeps looking better and better.
Hydrating Day Cream (90.00)
This product was honestly the one I was most worried about. I figured when it met the oily/dry mess that is my face it would be all sorts of horrible. Wrong. The formula in this cream is not heavy, but hydrated all my dry spots, kept any oily patches under control and made my skin look like it had a nice, healthy glow. I used it over the serum like the package said and it stayed nice and smooth until I washed my face before bed. And the smell is too die for, it's a clean, fresh scent. Kinda smells like a spa in a bottle.
Firming Eye Cream (85.00)
The amount of product in this jar is so generous. You only need the smallest bit to cover your eye area, so it's gonna last a long time. This cream seems like it would be thick and heavy but it's velvety and light. It absorbs into the skin quickly and doesn't leave a nasty residue. The lines that had started around my eyes are basically gone and it hasn't even been a month I have been using this.
The packaging is an added bonus, it is beautiful and high quality. The soft, aqua glass just looks nice setting on the counter.
These products speak for themselves. They do what they are meant to do, I can not praise them enough. The price might scare some people but it is completely worth it. It's radiant, healthy skin priceless???
-Jess
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Blustery winds, hot apple cider, crunching leaves, caramel apples, fireplaces, the smell of cinnamon.... I can not wait for Autumn!!!
It is hands down my favorite season, not just for the great sweaters and boots, but because it's a sign the holiday season is right around the corner. That means it's time to start buying gifts for others, but you don't want to put yourself in the poor house, eating ramen everyday for the next 4 months. I have found some items that anyone would be happy to recieve, but don't make you weep and your wallet bleed.
- EOS Lip Sphere is the best lip balm I have ever used. Lemon Drop is my flavor of choice, tastes great and has an SPF 15. With it's unique look and price of $3.95 it's a steal.
- The Comforter Bubble Bar from Lush might seem expensive at $9.95, but it is a large bar at 7oz. and it takes the tiniest bit to get a huge tub of long lasting bubbles. The scent is a decadent berries and cream type, delicious.
- Crabtree and Evelyn glycerin soap in Lavender is a light, calming scent that is exactly how I picture the french countryside smelling. It is a vacation every time you soak in the tub. And at $8.00 a bar it's a heck of a lot cheaper than most flights.
- Cupcake solid shampoo bar from Fortune Cookie Soap is perfect for travel or if you just want to be tempted to eat your hair. It thoroughly cleans your hair and makes it smell like the sweetest of bakeries.Yum! $8.00
- Philosophy Double Rich Hot Cocoa is a shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath all in one for $10.00. I like to use it with a mint bubble bath, it smells like winter.
- Slide On Pencils from NYX Cosmetics are a dream to work with. They are super pigmented and last 24/7, no smudges or melt away. At $8.00 they are also half the price of a similar, more expensive brand. A must for anyone who likes bold eye looks.
That is it for the moment. I really enjoyed doing this little guide, I might do a few others in the next few weeks. Hope it is helpful!!!!
-Jess
Thursday, July 14, 2011
In 1991 Terminator 2 graced movie screens and I had a bejsus scared out of me. The T2000 terminator was the worst thing I had ever seen just for the fact he was liquid metal, could change into anyone, and WOULD NOT FREAKIN' DIE! Basically, he was pure evil.
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Don't tell me this wouldn't make you piss your pants when you were 9 years old. |
He was always running, melting, morphing and poking parts of him thru people. And not in a nice, friendly way. Well guess what buddy?? I'm older, my pants are dry and I no longer fear liquid metal.
In fact, I happen to love it now.
I got my grubby little hands on 2 of Illamasqua Liquid Metal pots and a Pure Pigment. These products are amazeballs.
The Liquid Metals are in the shades Solstice and Superior.
Solstice is the best gold item I have ever owned. It goes on so opaque it's almost like a paint for your skin. I have used it on my eyes, as a highlighter on my cheeks and as a lip color. It is so versatile, one of my friends puts it down the front of her legs as a highlight for her tan.
Superior is plain and simply gorgeous. I've never been a huge blue fan but this is such a deep, rich blue it's making me change my ways. I wore it in an eye look yesterday and 2 people asked what I was wearing. It's got the perfect amount of shimmer and would work well for evening looks year round.
It's also very buildable color.
Keep in mind I have oily skin and am prone to eye shadow creasing so I never wear creams, but these did not crease in the slightest.
The Pure Pigment I got is in the shade Android. It is a great black with tons of silver shimmer. It is a super fine powder and you only need to use the smallest amount. It reminds me of a night sky full of starts, all dark with little, sparkling diamonds. I think it is ideal for smokey eye looks.
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| L to R: Android, Solstice and Superior |
This was a super fast 5 minute look using Solstice and Android. Horrible picture but you get the idea. They are easy to blend, great to work with and hold up to wear really well.
You can snag these darlings at Illamasqua's website.
-Jess
Saturday, June 11, 2011
My last post let it be known I was on the prowl for bright, almost neon eyeliner for summer. Well, that has not changed in the slightest, but I have had my heart stolen. I love attention getting eye looks, but not if it's due to my eyeliner melting and mascara running. So the combination of a long wear eyeliner in a fantastic color is an answer to my prayers and Jemma Kidd is my angel.
Jemma Kidd Make Up School Define: Stay Put Liner had to have been created in heaven. The name does not lie, it really does stay put. Like 10+ hours in 90 degree heat stay put. It is brilliant. The one I have is in the color Peacock, a deep, rich purple with a slight shimmer. It's dark enough to define but colorful enough to make my gray eyes pop.
I put this liner on at around noon and at midnight it was still going strong. My eyeshadow was long gone, but Peacock would not tap out. With its creamy consistency and easy application I thought the staying power would be lacking, I was completely wrong.
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| Please excuse the beastly brow, it's getting fixed TODAY!!! |
This is my first time using Jemma Kidd cosmetics and I am shocked at how perfect this product is. I will be checking out more items from the Romantic Revolution collection for sure.
-Jess
You can snag a little Peacock for yourself at :
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The black cats eye is easily one of the most classic looks in make up. One little flick of the liner wand and boom! instant sex appeal. Often worn on screen by bombshells and flirty ingenues, it is purely iconic.
The black is timeless, but I want something more. So I got a few items from Mark cosmetics to try an remedy this situation. First up is Metalliner in Blue Chrome. A bright royal blue with a metallic sheen, this definitely gets your eyes noticed.
Next is another Metalliner in Quick Silver. I have used "silver" liners in the past that were pretty lack luster. They were either silver specks suspended in a clear base or severely lacking in pigmentation. This is not one of those liners. It is a straight up metallic, look at me silver. It reminds me of winter.
Get in Line liner in Deep Aqua is the stand out for me in this group. It is an intense turquoise with a gold shimmer. It reminds me of the saris worn by Indian women. Gorgeous, loving this for summer. The only drawback is it does stain the skin. Even using eye make up remover it sticks around for awhile.
Now, I know this is not a liner but it is an eye product so I'm tossing it in here. Scanda-Lash
in Indiglow has stolen my heart. I love purple hued mascaras, but most turn out being pretty weak. They more towards the plum/ burgundy side of things and that is just not for me. This color however is pure purple bliss. How could you not want to wear this??
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| Deep Aqua, Quick Silver, Blue Chrome, Indiglow |
I'm still going to keep hunting for a lime green, hot pink and whatever other punch you in your face colors I can come across. Until then I'll be thanking Mark for his wicked products and amazing summer ready eyes. THANKS MARK!!!!!
-Jess
Monday, May 30, 2011
This weeks links are probably gonna have you thinking I went off my meds or got into someone else's, because they are all over the place. Before I jump into things I have to post this Pic of Tom Hardy as Bane in the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.
This has me sooo stoked!!!! I was really curious how Bane's appearance was going to be handled and this looks PERFECT. Tom Hardy looks like an absolute beast, he's amazing!
Ok, now that that is out of my system onto the insanity.
- Love beauty products?? Hate paying the hefty price tag for a product only to find out it's not for you??? Say Hello to Birchbox. Every month you will get sent a box containing 4-5 large size samples of high end products to try. It's $10.00 a month and totally worth it.
- I am a film lover, freak, some might even say psychopath. Bottom line, I love me some cinema. For that reason, I adore Comingsoon.net. This site keeps me in the loop with current trailers, set pics and tons of info.
- My obsession with candles is borderline sickening. My all time favorite candle is one I found at a small shop that is simply called "Leather". I lit, it burnt and now it's no more. Ergo Candles are great candles that have been filling the void. They are totally soy wax and burn nice and clean with delicious scents.
- My friend Clare directed me to The Oatmeal, I have no words, just give it a test drive :)
- HBO has been my love as of late. With Game of Thrones being f***ing epic right now and True Blood returning June 26th, this network can do no wrong.
- You must check out 1 girl 5 gays on the LOGO network. This show makes me laugh hysterically, cry like a child and most importantly think. It is incredible.
That's it for now kiddos, see you on the flip side!!!!!
-Jess
Friday, April 22, 2011
Here are a few more British bits.
- Jamie Oliver is a brilliant British chef, healthy eating is a huge focus for him. But he does do the traditional stuff like Shepard's pie and fish & chips.
- You can find nice home decor items in your home town, but Bodie and Fou has some really great items, be it throw pillows or furniture.
- Miss Selfridge has some of the cutest damn clothes and accessories I have ever seen.Some are a real bargain as well.
- I am bat shit crazy in love with The Graham Norton show. It airs on BBC America and it is hilarious. Very naughty and creative.
- Beautique has a wide selection of beauty products, some american but the real gems are the brands you can't find at the local Sephora.
- Let's not forget the most important British thing of all.....the men.
I'll add more links if I think of them, but until then here are some films with a British connection you must watch.
Jess
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