Health & Beauty

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream Review

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream Review

Today I’m looking at Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream. Disclaimer: my dermatologist got me started in Neutrogena land long ago. In general, I’m a fan of Neutrogena products, but I will try to be unbiased here with this new product. So … here goes. I love it! The buzzword used in this product is hyaluronic acid. I’m no chemist, but according to www.paulaschoice.com: “When it comes to skincare, hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate can reduce the appearance of fine lines, promote younger-looking skin, and help create a healthier barrier. When these ingredients are combined with an anti-aging routine that includes gentle products and daily broad-spectrum sun protection, you’re stacking the deck in your favor for younger, supple looking skin!” So—that’s good! But … how […]

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This Drugstore Foundation Is Worth a Try!

This Drugstore Foundation Is Worth a Try!

Today I’m looking at Maybelline’s Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation. In classic Ivory. This mousse-like foundation is best for normal or combination skin, and I’m not sure someone with oily or super dry skin would like it. It has a medium coverage that drys to a soft matte finish. Color matching with a drugstore foundation can be tricky, because there is no MUA (makeup artist) or test samples to help you pick a shade. So, I just do my best in the store. I save my receipt and the packaging until I am sure, and return and/or exchange until I find my right shade. Most stores will give you a full refund if you have your receipt and packaging. I am using the classic ivory right now. I have

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How to Live out of Your Strengths, Not Weaknesses

How to Live out of Your Strengths, Not Weaknesses

Knowing who you are is something most of us strive for all the time. While watching the 2016 Summer Olympics, I was struck by a common theme—all of those athletes lived and worked within their strengths. They knew what they were best at and honed those skills and abilities. We should learn to do the same. How many times have you been jealous of someone else’s skills? Your sister-in-law cooks like a gourmet chef. Your neighbor’s house is immaculately decorated. You have a friend who is great at gardening. Your sister has your dream job. It’s enough to get a full-blown pity party started! It’s possible that too often you’ve been told to focus on your weaknesses. You want to be great on the balance

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Lusting After an Illusion—The Perfect Woman

Lusting After an Illusion—The Perfect Woman

Without a doubt, I am a creeper. I can sit with my coffee at the mall and watch people. All. Day. Long. It’s not just the mall. I’ve discovered the best place to pursue a degree in anthropology is at our local bluegrass festival (ROMP). Here, there are people with glow in the dark hula hoops, bare feet, no showers or razors, flowers in hair, and, as my son observed, there are “lots of belly buttons.” It’s a people-watching paradise. In my years of being a stalker, I have observed one thing: women are constantly sizing each other up. If a man were to look at random women the same way that we gawk at one other, we might call him a

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Why I Use Simple Cleansing Micellar Water Daily

Why I Use Simple Cleansing Micellar Water Daily

Today I’m reviewing Simple Cleansing Micellar Water. Micellar Water has been around for a long time, beginning in France. Ooh la la! So chic! There are tiny oil molecules, called micelles, suspended in water that are attracted to dirt, oil, makeup, etc. … and they draw the lil’ nasties away from your face without a harsh stripping cleanser attacking your skin and drying it out. Your skin should feel hydrated after using a micellar water. Directions: Apply the water to cotton rounds and wipe away grit, grime, and makeup. I think it works great! I really love using Simple Cleansing Micellar Water to remove makeup or to freshen up a makeup-less face after exercising. I would like to add that this particular micellar water does

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God knows your life, your needs and the hair on your head

My False Eye and Clear Perspective on Life

I have a prosthetic eye. Now, here are answers to frequently asked questions about having a prosthetic eye: 1. Yes, I can take it out. No, it doesn’t bleed or hurt when I do. I only remove it for occasional cleanings. 2. No, I do not/will not take it out for people to see. 3. I have a custom eye created about every five years. In the simplest term, custom means having a mold created specifically for my eye socket and then hand painting the prosthesis to match my eye color. It’s really a fascinating process that takes several days. 4. No, I don’t have any weird custom eyes (cat or snake eyes, bloodshot eye, different color, etc.). It is always a

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Maybelline New York Super Stay 24 Color 2-Step Lip Color

Today I’m looking at Maybelline New York SuperStay 24 Lipcolor (2-step system). I’m all in for a long-wearing lip color! The issue that people have with these are that they can leave your lips feeling dry, or can cause this kind of gummy ring to form inside your lips after wearing for a while. I haven’t experienced those issues with this particular lip color. It has a micro-flex formula that glides on easily, dries fast, and has an all day staying power. I’ve used this for a long time and I don’t have issues with crumbling, caking, fading, feathering, or transferring. Both of the two steps are in one convenient tube for carrying and application. In addition, it’s available in 30 long

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My-Best-Beauty-Decisions-of-the-Year

My Best Beauty Decisions of the Year

I am a firm believer in making small, gradual changes. I’ve never been an all-or-nothing type of girl; I’m more of a little-something day by day kind of lady. I wanted to comment with a million clapping emoji’s on the article Can I Be a Hippie in Heels? Balancing a Healthy Lifestyle because I am in the same boat, rowing right along into what works for me. This year I did a lot of browsing for products that could effortlessly help me bring about my best outer-self. I ended up adopting a few new gems that I hope I never have to live without. 6 Ways I Improved My Hair and Skincare Routines: 1. Formed a skin care routine (and stuck to it). Cleanser, toner, serum,

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Sometimes Lazy is Really Giving Yourself Grace

Sometimes “Lazy” is Really Giving Yourself Grace

Do you ever suffer from a laziness hangover? I thought about the unfortunate condition this morning as I was walking through my office. I was feeling alert and ready to attack my day, and then I recalled the prior night’s activities … or perhaps I should say lack of activities. I’ve never had a hangover from alcohol, but I think I’ve heard enough about them to get a general idea of what happens. The tiredness, the disconnectedness, the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, the regret (I understand there could be lots of vomiting, too…). Oh, the regret! Why did I make those choices? Why didn’t I do something? Anything! I came home from work the evening before, feeling tired but

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I’m at the Grammys and She’s Wearing My Dress!

I’m at the Grammys and She’s Wearing My Dress!

We are heading into the season of Christmas Parties and New Years Events. You’ll be going places that will make you want to shop for something new … that special dress to wear for that special occasion. It can add another layer to an already stressful time. But we do it anyway. The day arrives and you put on that amazing new purchase. You want to feel special, pretty, and stand out in the crowd (who doesn’t?) … looking in the mirror, you do! Then later that evening the other shoe drops. During the years we were in the music business we attended award shows. We worked with some pretty talented musicians, so they were often nominated. I truly loved seeing these bands awarded because

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What to Wear When You Feel Less Confident

What to Wear When You Feel Less Confident

Even though I have a passion for fashion, there are many (and I mean a whole lot of) days when I wear an old t-shirt and shorts with no makeup on and my hair thrown up into a ponytail. This is partly because I’m most comfortable in this type of outfit and partly because getting dressed up takes more effort and hours than I’m willing to give at times. We all have days when our body feels unhealthy and larger than it actually is (AKA the “gross” feeling) but we still have to get dressed up to go to work or an event. There are some places where yoga pants are just not acceptable. I tend to feel this way when I’m on my period, I haven’t been taking

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4 Dark Lip Colors You Can Rock (on Any Budget)

The bold red lip is a timeless, classic look that any woman can pull off. And this fall, it’s coming back with a vampy spin; introducing … the dark red lip. If you’d like an even more dramatic look, try a dark plum lip, which is also huge this season. Whether you’re a plum or a red girl, you absolutely cannot go wrong. If you aren’t sure which color to rock, I’d encourage you to visit your local Ulta or Sephora and ask one of the skilled gurus to test some shades on you. They will help you figure out which color and shade works best with your skin tone! Here are four dark lip colors that I’ve tried and highly recommend. They

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Makeup Hack Essential Oils and Mascara

Makeup Hack: Essential Oils and Mascara

I feel like all of the oily ladies out there are going to love me for this one! Essential oils have become big, and I bought into the craze purchasing a full box of assorted oils. Honestly, I struggled to use them daily, until I discovered this trick! When I open a new tube of mascara I always add 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil. It helps boost my eyelash length and fullness! I’ve definitely seen a noticeable difference! Plus, it smells great! Warning, don’t add the drops if you plan to apply the mascara right away. I usually add the lavender oil when I don’t plan to use it for at least several hours, preferably the next day even. I usually

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My Thoughts on Maybelline Color Tattoo Concentrated Crayon

My Thoughts on Maybelline Color Tattoo Concentrated Crayon

Today I’m looking at Maybelline Color Tattoo Concentrated Crayon in 705 Pink Parfait. This is a creamy, super pigmented, convenient stick format of eye shadow. Sometimes I have an annoying allergic reaction to pink eyeshadows. My eyelids turn red, puffy, itchy, and kind of scaly. Once this happens I have to go without makeup for about four days for every day that I wore the pink offender. People that have this problem are often affected by purple eyeshadows too, but I don’t seem to have that problem. And … I don’t always have it with pinks. I’ve been told that the reason this happens is because of an allergic reaction to the crushed up shellfish in the product, or to the red dye in the

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The-Perfect-Tank-Top-and-How-to-Style-It

The Perfect Tank Top and How to Style It

I have staples in my closet, and then I have staples. You know what I’m talking about … those trusty pieces we all have and gravitate toward, wear on repeat, and purchase in every color possible. Well, I’ve recently discovered a new staple, and it’s the perfect tank top—the Free People LA Nite Tank. One of the best things about my new found staple is that it’s only $20.00. This perfect tank is very flattering because it cuts in right below the shoulders, creating a slimming effect. It’s also very lightweight and breezy—you won’t give a second thought to it. The LA Nite Tank has a bit of flow at the bottom, so it gives good coverage for those who don’t like tightness across the midsection.

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Why You Should Try Marc Jacobs Re(Marcable) Foundation

Why You Should Try Marc Jacobs Re(Marcable) Foundation

Today I’m looking at Marc Jacobs Re(Marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate in Ivory 14. I am on a quest trying out new foundations. I don’t personally feel that there is one, perfect foundation for every single day and for every occasion, but I do like to check out new ones from time to time. I do not typically wear a full coverage foundation as a rule, but I do prefer full coverage for a more formal event. Also, full coverage foundations can tend to make a face break out, so I walk very carefully towards these. The other day I was wandering the aisles at Sephora, and I stumbled on the Marc Jacobs Re(Marc)able Foundation. It piqued my interest, but the price was a

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