Work It

When I was a pre-teen I used to love, love, love Bath and Body Works. Sun-Ripened Raspberry was my favorite scent, and I had every conceivable product - shower gel, body cream, body splash, all of it. As I got older though, I stopped liking Bath and Body Works. I felt it was unsophistocated and too "common." And after I discovered Sephora, there was no turning back. However, a few weeks ago, I was in a Bath and Body Works looking for Mother's Day gift ideas (my Mom loves the Coconut Lime Verbena scent and any type of pedicure product) and I was very pleasantly surprised by how much the store has changed over the years. They still have many of the same scents they had in the beginning, but they have a much larger array of new, innovative products.

Bath and Body Works now also carries the limited-edition VINYL line of nail polish by Deborah Lippman. I picked up this polish in "This One's On Me," a bright, shiny hot pink that looks very similar to LORAC's Lip Polish in "Amuse," one of my favorite shades e.v.e.r. And, it was only $8.50!

Bath and Body Works also carries a small line of cosmetics that remind me of the FUSION BEAUTY products (only much less expensive and not as preposterous in their claims) I believe the line is called Colorfill, but I could be mistaken. Anywho, I picked up the Extreme Plump Tinted Lip Gloss in Barefoot Pink, a very sheer, beachy, glossy, nude-pink that looks perfect with bronzed skin. As I said, the gloss is similar in scent and sensation to the $38 LipFusion glosses. It doesn't burn like most plumpers, but it does have a tingly, numbing feeling. After repeated use, lips are definitely softer and more lush. As with the Deborah Lippman nail polish, this lip gloss is a steal at only $12.50, and it's also available in clear and a sheer red shade.

Finally, one of my favorite lines carried by the new and improved Bath and Body Works is called True Blue Spa. I admit, this line is sort of a rip-off of the Bliss Spa products because the packaging looks very similar and the names are, like Bliss, quirky and fun. I am a BIG fan of Bliss Spa products, particularly the Lemon and Sage Body Butter. But the True Blue Spa products are more affordable and comparable in quality. They have an interesting new line of summer bronzing products, from gradual self-tanner, shimmering/"tan enhancing" dry oil spray, and SPF 30 sunblock with a healthy dose of bronze shimmer for an instantly improved bikini-body. While I didn't purchase any of these products, I did test them out in store and I think I'll have to go back and check them out again and maybe bring home a few goodies!

I have tried True Blue Spa's foot scrub called Toe the Line, and I really like it. It contains walnut shell powder for extra exfoliation power, tea tree oil to deodorize and disinfect, and peppermint oil and rosemary extract to "refresh and stimulate tired feet." I absolutely love the way this stuff smells, and it works well in conjunction with a good pumice stone to smooth rough, dry feet. It's great to use right before slathering on some Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream for serious softness!

Another fun find was the Liplicious Tasty Lip Color. This gloss is tasty, and it's available in a variety of flavors and colors, from grape soda (a creamy berry shade with a bit of shimmer) to cinnamon red hots (sheer, clear red, also with a bit of shimmer). I picked up "Limeade," a clear, sparky gloss that tastes exactly like a cold sip of limeade. Perfectly refreshing on a hot spring (soon to be summer) day!

(I forgot to mention that Bath and Body Works also carries Dr. Patricia Wexler skincare products, the full line of C.O. Bigelow products, and gorgeous candles from Henri Bendel, too!)

If you need a beauty fix and you don't live near a Sephora or you're a little tight on cash, stop by Bath and Body Works and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Real + Simple = Perfect

Along with beauty products, I have a real obsession with cleanliness and organization. I make my bed every morning and I clean out my purse every night. All of the papers I've ever written for school are all filed away in an accordian folder sorted by class name and the grade level I was in at the time. I have seperate drawers for my "nice" panties and my "everyday" panties. Each time I use my debit card I immediately deduct the amount in my transaction register. The contacts in my Sidekick III are alphabetically arranged and include physical addresses, e-mail addresses, and birthdays. I am constantly making lists and dividing them into categories: shopping, to do - house work, to do - personal, etc. Before I work on a big school project, I will make sure that every last bit of laundry is clean, folded, and put away and that the fridge is sparkling clean with its contents grouped properly on their designated shelves. I don't know why, but these little menial tasks are so soothing and satisfactory to me. Perhaps its because I can actually see my progress, and I feel as though I am accomplishing something, even if I'm just procrastinating or ignoring the fact that I have a eight page term paper that's a week overdue! I dream of the day that I can own a home (or at least some sort of space) with rooms that look like they came from the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog.

All of this to say that one of my favorite magazines is Real Simple, a "lifestyle magazine" that focuses on a chic but simple approach to beauty, fashion, food, fun, family, finances, and more. They also offer tips for organizing and "simplifying" all aspects of daily life, from the clutter on the bathroom vanity to the excess stress that may be weighing you down.

I'm particularly pleased with this month's issue because one of the main articles is about drugstore beauty, a topic that I've blogged about repeatedly. The article features blurbs (from readers) about sixty different budget beauty buys. Some are no-brainers (Q-tips, Vaseline), but there are a few other suggestions that I certainly recommend. Two of my favorites on the list are Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream and SunSilk De-Frizz Conditioner. The former makes feet smooth and pedicure perfect within a few nights of repeated use and the latter really works wonders for curly/wavy hair that can be unmanagable - and I'm all for in-shower styling!

In addition to the the drugstore beauty article, this month's issue also includes an informative sections about eyeliner application, dressy tops, and swimsuits for all figures.

Next time you're at Borders or just the grocery store, check out Real Simple and trust me, you'll be glad you did!


(I couldn't find a pic. of the May cover for this post, but in case you're looking for it in store, it's pink w/ face creams, pearls, and q-tips on the front!)

If It's Good Enough for Oprah...

Awhile back I wrote a lengthy review of some of my favorite drugstore makeup products. As I've stated before, I live in a very non-glamorous area that is majorly lacking in the "shopping" department. Don't get me wrong, I adore my home state and my home town, but oh, how I wish for a local Sephora and/or Nordstrom. Sigh.

Anyway, while running errands and picking up some mundane items like dogfood and papertowels at the lovely Wal-Mart, I strayed into the "health and beauty" aisles, as I always do. Seriously, I cannot leave a Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, CVS, or Target store without purchasing something beauty related, whether it be a few new barettes or some Chapstick. But on this day I was searching for an inexpensive, non-oily body scrub since fake tan season has finally begun. While weighing my options, I noticed some little tubs of shea & cocoa-based body butters by a company called J.R. Watkins Apothecary. The one that immediately jumped out to me was the vanilla scented one. I think that because I grew up in the Bahamas, I have an affinity for any scent that's reminiscent of the islands - specifically vanilla, coconut, and the smell of suntan lotion/oil!

Sadly, the vanilla scented body butter was a bit too heavy for me. I browsed the shelves to see what other scents were offered. There was Lavender, which I DO NOT like. Unless it's the actual lavender flower, I think lavender scented things are a bit skunky smelling. Bleh. There was also a Green Tea/Aloe scented body butter which was nice, but not amazing. Then I saw the little jar labeled "Lemon Creme." I opened the tub, took a sniff, and immediately fell in love. It smells exactly like a lemon flavored sugar wafer. Along with islandy/beachy scented things, I like desserty scented things, too. However, I do think that they can be a bit sickening (and too "tweeny") if not handled properly-but this stuff smells delicious and so summery!

Like most shea and cocoa butters, the texture is thick and rich. I like to put it on after a nice, long bath right before I go to bed so it can really sink in. I wake up feeling soft, supple, and smelling divine (plus it makes my sheets smell good, too!)

I looked up the website just out of curiosity and discovered that this same Lemon Creme body butter was featured in "O" Magazine as one of Oprah's favorite things! Never would I have believed that something that can be purchased at Wal-Mart would be used by the Almighty Oprah!

The best part is that it's only $4.23 for a 4.6 oz. tub! (at least at Wal-Mart...but for some reason it's more expensive online? Weird.) Though it's inexpensive, it certainly isn't cheaply made! So, the next time you're at Wal-Mart, treat yourself to some Lemon Creme Body Butter from J.R. Watkins Apothecary.

Summertime, and the Livin's Easy...

Again, I have to apologize for my lack of posts lately! This semester is finally over, thank goodness, so I should have more free time to dedicate to this little blog before I begin summer classes in July. Sometimes I get discouraged because I don't feel like I have much of a readership and there's no point in writing for an audience that isn't there; however, I am trying to rid myself of those negative feelings so that I can keep up with posting and hopefully increase my popularity. I know how frustrated/impatient I get when I repeatedly check on a blog that hasn't been updated for some time, so sorry to any of you who have been checking the site lately! Within the next few days I should have posts on Sudzz FX Haircare, perfect pedicure products, the Real Simple magazine guide to drugstore beauty, my rediscovery of Bath and Body Works, and one of Oprah's favorite beauty products (it's surprisingly cheap and widely available!) Stay tuned! <3

Brush(es) with Greatness...continued.

A couple months ago my friend, Geoff, contributed to this site with reviews of some of his favorite LUSH products. Today, Geoff is back to talk brushes, offering an even more affordable/accessible option for those of you who are short on money and live far away from shopping civilization!

Everyone loves Target. From their cute, affordable designer clothing to their darling stationary sets, Target stores prove that you can be chic on the cheap. Geoff devels into Target's beauty aisles, discussing the exclusive Sonia Kashuk cosmetic brushes.
Geoff says:


"Jess—

I just wanted to piggyback on your previous post about drugstore beauty, which was super informative and enjoyable, and then also fill everyone in on great product I’ve recently discovered.

First off, I think when you’re a product whore (like we are), it’s easy to shirk off other beauty essentials, like accessories and brushes. Personally, I don’t have too many quality brushes, but as I’ve acquired some in the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize how important a good brush is to a flawless makeup application.

A great introduction to quality brushes and a nice compromise between really expensive brushes and really cheap ones is the Sonia Kashuk brush line at Target. All of Sonia’s brushes are relatively cheap and they are unquestionably the highest quality brush line on the drugstore market.

One of my favorites is the Contoured/Angled Eye Shadow Brush, which is awesome for defining brows. And it’s a steal at $9.99. The bristles are silky— sable hair I think— and they deposit tons of pigment.

The ergonomic handle is more helpful and comfortable than you would think, and the design is much more attractive than any of Kashuk’s other Target brush lines."

Thanks, Geoff! : )

I haven't tried any of the the Sonia Kashuk brushes, but my little sister bought a powder/bronzer brush from her line last winter before our trip the Bahamas and the bristles were extremely soft and the application seemed even and glowy. I'll definitely have to look in to trying some of these brushes!

Have you tried any of these brushes? What do you think? How do they compare to their more expensive and less expensive counterparts?

Brush(es) with Greatness

Like Meg over at Faking Good Breeding, I'm no makeup application master. I can blend my concealer, puff on some powder, brush on the bronzer and blush, and line my eyes - but I know I'll ever be able to perform the miracles that Kevyn Aucoin mastered during his lifetime. That being said, I do believe there is a big difference in quality between high end and low end brushes. Being a poor college student, I certainly cannot afford the brushes that range into the hundreds of dollars - but there are some good, affordable brushes that I recommend for the ladies who hate the cheap little things that come with many makeup kits.


First, I've been using a Sephora brush set for a few years now. I received it as a Christmas gift, and it's one of the only gifts that has given me tons of mileage! Sephora offers a wide range of brushes, and their sets are great. The prices range from $15 for a mini-set to $150 for an amazingly comprehensive 15 piece set. They even have a clever, unique set with brushes that are double ended - perfect for girls on the go...or girls (like me) who don't have anymore room in their makeup bags!

The set I use is pretty basic - powder, blush, two different eyeshadow brushes, and a lip brush - but they're soft and effective, and if treated with care, they're supposed to last for five years (some say that brushes can last a lifetime, but others say that it's best to fully replace them after an extended period of time). There are many companies that offer specialty brush cleansers but I usually use my face cleanser (Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser), baby shampoo, or Jonathan Product Add Moisture Moisturizing Shampoo (I hate it for my hair, but it's great on my brushes!)

Sephora also offers brushes a la carte if you want to add to your collection. My favorites are the Long Handle Sable Eyeliner Brush ($8) and the Retractable Powder Brush ($12-$19 and perfect for on-the-go touch-ups). I use the Long Handle Sable Eyeliner Brush with a bit of Smashbox Off-Set Shadow Converter to create the look of liquid liner without the hassle!

I also have a handful of favorite brushes from different companies. First is Stila's #9 All Over Blending Brush for the Eyes. This brush seamlessly blends eyeshadow, and it's great for applying a tiny bit of shimmery shadow to brighten the inner corner of the eyes. Another winner from Stila is the #11 Concealer Brush. I couldn't find it on the Sephora website, so maybe they've stopped making it. I got mine a few years ago so it's possible they could have discontinued it, but it's a good concealer brush, especially for smaller areas around the nose and mouth.

Speaking of concealer brushes, a genius concealer brush is the Nars #9 Precision Concealer Brush. The brush looks like a thin, pin-pointed paint brush, and it's perfect for applying concealer on individual breakouts which is great when you're short on time or don't need or want a full face of makeup.

Finally, two of the all-time best tools available on the market are the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and the Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezers. Both products are staples in almost every make-up artists' kit, and thousands of beauty editors can't be wrong as each of these tools has been featured in multiple magazines and won dozens of awards. IF you don't have either of these, they're definitely worth the investment! They provide unparalled lash and brow perfection!

How do you feel about brushes and tools? Are they worth the money? Do you have any particular favorites? Leave your comments!

Shear Genius - Better Than Your Average Hair

This post has very little to do with beauty products, but it does sooort of have to do with beauty, so bear with me!

Did anyone watch Shear Genius last night? I did, and I loooooved it! I love pretty much all of the Bravo Channel reality shows (Project Runway, Top Chef, and Top Design)...and actually, I love most competition based reality shows (especially America's Next Top Model and even the ridiculousness that is The Search for the Next (Pussycat) Doll) as embarassing as that may be to admit. However, I think Shear Genius will soothe my Project Runway withdraw because, like ProjRun, it's highly creative and all of the contests have unique, bold personalities (which makes for great television drama)! So, based on first impressions, who is your favorite/least favorite stylist? Would you let them touch your hair? What did you think of last night's creative challenge? Comment, comment, comment!

And if you haven't tuned it, Shear Genius is on the Bravo Channel on Wednesday nights at 10pm Eastern time!