Makeup and Beauty Blog: Makeup Reviews, Beauty Tips and Drugstore Beauty Finds

The Battle Against Dry Skin Continues!

You know that Gnarls Barkley song, Crazy (“I think we’re crazaaaay”)? God I hate that song. However, I can’t help but sing it to myself whenever I look for moisturizers in the wintertime, because when the temperature drops I feel like “My skin’s going crazaaaay!”

Don’t fret; there’s hope for the scaly-skinned. Here are two choice products which I’ve found recently that fight the good fight against dryness: Clinique Moisture On-line for my face and Dove Ultra Rich Creamy Oil Body Wash for my body.

I’ve been on a Clinique skin care kick lately, which is kind of odd because I’ve never been a 3-step kinda girl. But certain products within the line really deliver, like Moisture On-line face moisturizer.

I have combo, pimple-prone skin. I use benzoyl peroxide for my acne, and although it really works for me it dries my face out, especially around the mouth area. I *always* have to layer a moisturizer on top of the BP.

For the last week I’ve been putting on a layer of Moisture On-line after applying benzoyl peroxide and it has really helped relieve the dryness. I was afraid at first that it would break me out because most heavy moisturizing creams do, but I haven’t had any pimples so far. In fact, my skin has been clearing up nicely since the introduction of this along with the Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion into my skincare routine.

It has a clean, slightly medicinal smell that I like. I wish it wasn’t in a jar, but whatevs, it works and that’s all I really care about.

In a weird twist of irony, I had some trouble finding this at the Clinique counter and at Sephora. Looks like I’ll have to be ordering Moisture On-line, well, on-line.

You might like this if you have combo, pimple-prone skin. If you’re younger and oilier this might be too heavy for you so you might check out H20+ Face Oasis, which is a slightly lighter gel moisturizer that is still very hydrating.

A 1.7 oz fl jar of Moisture On-line is $36.00.

My legs get really dry in the winter, so I need to switch to a more hydrating body wash. Dove’s Cream Oil Body Wash was a random drugstore product I picked up last week and woo hoo, I love it!

This thick body wash lathers well and gets me squeaky clean. Even though it says it’s a cream oil wash, it rinses off thoroughly and easily. It has a slightly spicy scent (reminds me of cloves) that can be overwhelming if your nose is sensitive, but it fades quickly.

A combo of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour moisturizer has totally made a difference. I can especially see it on my legs, which now look and feel soft all day long. No more alligator-eque, scaly skin. Yay!

There’s just one tiny beef I have with this product. I am not crazy about the packaging. It looks a little cheesy and reminds me of a space ship. Because of this, I’m glad it stays in my shower and not someplace highly visible like my dresser, where I’d find reason to hate it every chance I entered the room.

Despite this minor issue, Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is a winner in my book. There are three types available which offer various levels of moisturization: Delicate, Creamy and Ultra Rich. If you’re super dry like me then pick up the Ultra Rich.

A huge 19.4 fl oz bottle of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is about $8.00.

Do you ever get on a kick where you can’t stop listening to a song? I’ve been listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Love Like This” non stop. It makes me happy every time I hear it. I guess it’s pretty new so there’s no video yet, but if you want to give it a listen here it is:

What song do you have stuck in your head today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Stocking Stuffers Galore - More Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday Wishlist 2007

My favorite part of holiday gift giving is getting fun stocking stuffers. Forget practical stuff like socks, underwear and dental floss. BLAH! I want fun makeup. Here are a few choice Holiday 2007 stuffers that the girls (and boys) in your life will dig.

More MAC Finery! Plum Lips - Oh La Lovely

Yesterday I posted some pictures of Coral Lips, my favorite group out of MAC’s Limited Edition Finery sets. Here are a few pics of the Plum Lips set, which comes a close second.

By far the stand out lippie here is Culture Class, a rich plum frost. I especially love it with a layer of Contessa Lipglass.

If you’re waffling between the two sets then I’d suggest looking at what colors you have missing in your lipstick collection. The Coral Lips set is definitely my favorite, but because I have so many coral colors I’d probably skip the set and go for the Plum.

In addition to being super cute, the lil’ tweed clutch is actually really handy! I put a compact and lipstick in one yesterday and popped it in my purse. Yes, I do see the irony of putting a little purse in a big purse but I was able to find my lipstick THAT much quicker.

Each set is $32.00. Buy a set for yourself and another one for your sister-in-law or best gal pal.

Lola Holiday 2007 Spellbound Palette - For the Glamour Girl

Lola’s Spellbound Color Clutch ($38.00) is one of the most beautiful palettes this Holiday season. It’s very vintage and 40s looking, with a pretty velvet design and rhinestone accent. You get: a mirror, three lip glosses, two crème blushes and 18 shadow shades in coordinating pans.

This palette gives a makeup newbie all she needs for plenty of fun hours of experimentation. Plus, it’s so handy and portable and hello, really super cute. The stand-outs are the crème blushes and lipglosses. They wear well and feel great on my cheeks and lips.

Your favorite niece or closest cousin will love it!

Bye, Bye, Dry! Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream RULES

My skin in the wintertime becomes a mess of alligator-esque, ashy dryness. I just discovered Elizabeth’s Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and THANK JEEBUS! Now I can’t live without it.

I’m not the only one who loves it. The Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is so great that it recently won an Allure Beauty award. Unlike lame-o Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (puke!) which wins every year for no good reason, Eight Hour Cream really deserves the title.

It’s thick and rich (I barely have to use any) but it sinks into the skin easily and doesn’t leave an oily film. It has a slightly herbal, unisex smell that you’ll either love it or hate. I don’t mind it so much because the product leaves me completely moisturized, and my skin feels soft all day. No scaly, itchy, or uncomfortable legs, hooray! It’s really all that and a bag of Cheetoes, people!

The Hand Cream is now a staple in my purse. Like the Body Treatment, it’s rich and moisturizing and doesn’t leave your hands feeling slick or oily.

Put this in everybody’s stocking. Your favorite metrosexual will forever be in your debt.

One huge 6.8 oz tube of Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is $25.00. The Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment is $17.00.

Need a Beauty Book Editor? Services fo’ Hire

Oh gawd! So yesterday I had all these plans to work on the blog but I got distracted by a little thing called sleep. I came home, sat on the couch, and next thing I knew it was eight or nine.

Anyway, I’m so glad that today is sunny. I am going to run a few errands, and then I get to read the manuscript of a beauty book that I’m working on for work. Yay! I’m so excited.

Hope your day has been fun so far! Doing anything exciting?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Taking it Back to the Old School

Sometimes it’s fun to visit your roots. I’m feeling nostalgic today, so here’s a compilation of a few classic Makeup and Beauty Blog posts.

Work those high heels at the club with these Tips for Making High Heels Comfortable.

Got lash envy? Here are a few MAC tips and tricks for perfect lashes.

A little self-promotion never hurts.

It’s time to start Christmas shopping. Pick up a few gifts for your family, then pick up a few MAC Favorites from Allure Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards for your bad self.

Remember MAC Sheer Mystery Powder?

Ha! I actually brought a tube of Rimmel After Dark Lipglass to the club last night.

The Beauty Blog Network Hotties are in the House

But wait! There’s more beauty to be had with the best o’ the week from The Beauty Blog Network!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic - Christine Tries out Sara Happ’s Lip Scrub
A Touch of Blusher - Foundation Face-Off: Chanel & SUQQU
All Lacquered Up - Check out Essie’s Winter Collection Before It Hits Stores
Beauty and Fashion Tech - Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming - Facial scrubs for dry skin
Elke Von Freudenberg - Elke finally (gulp) loves pink lipstick
Etailers Mall, The Blog - Sarah features the Deadly Kiss Choker from After Dark Jewelry.
Makeup Moxie - Customized Clinique Happy Photo Bottles
Musings of a Muse - MAC Formal Black 2006 vs MAC Antiquitease 2007 with Photos and Comparisons
Mystical Beauty’s Musings - The Body Perfumery Gloss Me! Hair Serum Review
Savvy Skin - Laser Hair Removal - Worth Another Chance?
Temptalia - Antiquitease: Royal Assets & Heirlooms Review & Swatches
The Life of A Ladybug - Toya’s ode to Kevyn Aucoin
Makeup Loves Me - Lancome’s Color Fever Gloss in Volcanic Pink
And just in case you missed it (oh no you didn’t) my post from earlier in the week covering Makeup Trends from LA Fashion Week and Tips from Smashbox Makeup Artist Lori Taylor.

Booty Short Stress

I report with a touch of sadness that last night’s pole dance class did not happen. Our instructor never showed up (BOO) so all of my booty short stress was all for naught. We ended up going to get suishi and then to a club called Suede. For the record, it’s hard to dance with cat ears on.

Club cuties

How was your Saturday night? Did you go to any pre-Halloween parties? ‘Twas a fun night but now I’m exhasuted. I think I’m gonna chill out for the rest of the day.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Twenty-four hours. One beauty blogger. Three random acts of beauty.

Random Act of Beauty: October 24, 2007, 11:37 a.m.
I go to a local burrito joint hungrier than a hippo, and I find out after I order my food that they only take cash. I’m short $1.50 and the walk to the atm seems farther than a trek through the Sahara. Plus my stomach is rumbling like crazy.

I dig through the cusions and crevices of my car and I find nickels, dimes and pennies. When I add them all up, I find that I have exactly one dollar and fifty cents. Yes!

Random Act of Beauty: October 24, 2007, 5:35 p.m.
I finally find sunblock that doesn’t leave my neck feeling sticky, Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55 for Face & Body, at my local Macy’s Shiseido counter.

That’s it on the right in the funny shaped bottle. The formula is a thin liquid that spreads easily and absorbs quickly. It has a nice smell and the finish is matte, so my neck doesn’t feel sticky and gross after application.

On the left is the Face version. It’s incredibly moisturizing and so far hasn’t broken me out.

Before I leave the counter with these goodies the nice Shiseido lady hooks it up! In addition to the gift-with-purchase, she gives me a generous handful of extra samples. Yes!

October 24, 2007, 8:50 p.m.
I finally get enough time to sit my bum down to watch the newest episode of I Love NY 2. I admire one contestant, Buddha, and can’t help but think of El Hub.

Smile? Check. Muscles? Check.

Spaghetti strap tank top?

I thank the stars above that El Hub has the good enough sense to not sport this fashion faux pas. Yes!

And while I’m at it, I also thank jeebus I’m not on a reality TV show looking for love amongst closet psychos, like The Entertainer. Yes!

Any random acts of beauty happen to you lately? Please say yes!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen