MY FAVORITE SUNSCREEN

I know adding one more step to your morning regimen is never exciting, but sunscreen is one step I am not willing to forgo. I have tried SO many different facial sunscreens but usually found that they left my skin greasy or weren't strong enough. I also try to use as many natural skincare products as possible, although I don't always succeed. One day at Wholefoods I came across this great product. It's called Mineral Sportblock by Nature's Gate. I was looking for a natural daily sunscreen that was fragrance-free that contained Zinc Oxide. It is light weight and has UVA/UVB protection. You have to make sure to blend it in very well otherwise the Zinc will leave a white layer on your skin. It is great because it lasts for a long time, so that means less re-applications. It has never irritated my eyes or skin like other sunscreens and never feels heavy under my makeup.

Nature's Gate - Mineral Sportblock Suntan Lotion Fragrance Free SPF 20 - 4 oz. (118 mL) Available at Wholefoods or online at Luckyvitamin.com for $6.00

LAST MINUTE BEAUTY GIFTS......

I normally wouldn't recommend saving your Christmas shopping for Christmas Eve but if you need to brave the malls on this crazy day, here are some great ideas for him and her. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

For her~

1. Noel Vanilla Bean spray and lotion
$10-$12 available at Bath and Body Works
2. Beauty Flash Balm(for brightening and tightening) by Clarins
$45 available at Nordstroms
3. Fracas Perfume by Robert Piguet
$45 available at Sephora
4. Bare Minerals Shimmer and Shine Collection(for eyes, cheeks and lips)
$54 Available at Sephora
5. Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System(professional quality skincare brush)
$149 available at Sephora

For Him~

1. Grey Vetiver Cologne by Tom Ford
$85 available at Sephora
2. The perfect shaving kit by Anthony
$50 available at Sephora
3. Sonicare Flexcare UV Toothbrush
On sale, was $215 now $169.99 available at Bloomingdales
4. Braun Silk Epil Shaver
On sale, was $190, now $149.99 available at Bloomingdales
5. Jack Black Performance Ready Set(contains lotions, SPF creams, lip balm, and hair and body cleansers)
$32 available at Bloomingdales

DEBORAH LIPPMANN NAIL POLISH

I recently purchased a few Deborah Lippmann nail polishes from the 2010 Holiday collection. I am like a little kid when it comes to sparkles. I may be at the age when you are supposed to give it up, but I just can't resist! I tried out the gold color tonight called Boom Boom Pow. You definitely have to apply a few coats but the results are great! It looks fantastic on its own but can also be worn over a solid colored polish. She offers an array of colors and they are all fun and unique. They are great for Holiday parties and make great presents. They are available at Nordstroms and go for around $20.oo each.

LILASH 2 MONTH UPDATE

Here is a picture of my lashes and how they currently look. I can't believe how much they have grown in the last 2 months! I don't even need to curl my lashes anymore. They have gotten so much longer especially in the past couple weeks. I can still see some shorter ones that need to catch up but I am really excited with the results. I put a picture of my lashes below so you can see how they looked prior to using the serum. It is a picture from February 2010 and wow were my brows thinner! My one complaint is that I have encountered a new problem that I have never experienced before. Now that my lashes are so long, the mascara rubs off on my upper lids. The result is that I now get black smudges bellow my eyebrows. But I have to say, I will definitely put up with it to have my long lashes. I will never go without LiLash now that I know the results. On a separate note, I have the YSL Mascara Volume Effet on in the picture above. I went back to my tried and true mascara after my Makeup Forever Smoky Lash mysteriously disappeared. I am bummed and will probably buy another one after I finish my YSL.

LAURA MERCIER MINERAL ILLUMINATING POWDER

I love this Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder! I bought it a few weeks ago and I am really enjoying it. It is a loose mineral powder that provides sheer coverage. It gives your skin an instant glow with a radiant shimmer rather than an overdone sparkly look. You can use it all over your skin or just as a highlighter on your cheeks, brow bone, or decollate. I like to use it over my Laura Mercier tinted foundation. Either way it makes your skin look luminescent. Make sure to check and see how it looks in the natural light because it's easy to go overboard. Nighttime application can definitely be more forgiving. It is available in 2 colors. "Candlelight" for a rose nude radiance and "Starlight" for a golden nude radiance. It's available at Sephora for $32.oo for 0.34oz. I applied a bit of the Starlight on my hand so you can get an idea of effect.

MAKEUP FOREVER SMOKY LASH MASCARA

I have been dying to try Makeup Forever's Smoky Lash Mascara after hearing rave reviews. I finally got it today and thought I would post a before and after of my lashes with and without the mascara. Also, you can get an idea of how my lashes look without anything on them. The product claims to add volume, length and curl. I am pretty happy with it. It does a good job at separating and looks very dark. You can find MF Smoky Lash at Sephora for $22.00.

BEFORE


AFTER

LILASH 1 MONTH UPDATE

So....it's been about a month since I started using Lilash and I am beginning to notice some changes. My lashes are getting a bit fuller and longer. Just when I was about ready to give up due to the slow start, something happened. I washed my makeup off as I do every night and I saw something that I usually don't notice, my lashes! They are usually straight and barely noticeable without the help of mascara or a curler. So sadly enough, noticing anything at all is impressive. The full effect of the serum is supposed to happen by the 6th week. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
*The one con I have noticed is that my eyes get a bit irritated and red. I can handle it if the results continue to improve. I can always use eye drops!