My Lovely Sister and her great stories!

At first I wasn’t going to name any names here, but we both found this story so hilarious, that I will mention her name. My lovely sister Christe had attended a huge Italian wedding back in September a couple of years ago. The people at her table were urging her to try the chili peppers. After saying, “ok, ok!”, she oddly had put some in her purse for later.

Fast forward-four months later. After COMPLETELY forgetting about the chili peppers in the forgotten clutch, they shriveled up and turned to dust. Basically my sister had chili powder amongst her MAKEUP! Not thinking anything of it, she tried to merely dust the powder out of her purse with her hand. Again, not paying attention, she started to touch up her makeup with chili powder fingers. She started to put eye shadow on and SURPRISE, her eyes started to burn. Panicking, she flew back to the bathroom is find her eyes were red, and thinking she had an allergic reaction to the eye shadow, 'Dumb Dumb' realized she had chilies in her purse. :)

Love that story Crit!!

(If you have a story that you would like to share either something embarrassing or fabulous, please, share and I will post for a good laugh or inspiration.)

Blog

My blog was having some technical difficulties, but now I'm back and will be posting again.
Thanks! See you soon!

MBT

Masai Barefoot Technology or MBT are shoes not in the ordinary sense. A new revolutionary fitness aid from Swiss Masai. This product will not only change the way you use your muscles, but will improve the use of your joints and spine. The uniquely designed sole, combined with correct training, achieves a more active and healthy posture and walk.

Benefits include:

• Strengthens and tones muscles in the feet, legs, buttocks, abdomen and back
  
• Increases muscle activity and circulation which may help reduce cellulite and varicose veins
  
• Relieves muscular tension, back and joint problems
  
• Leads to relaxed upright posture
  

Well how does it work you ask?

Through it's unique design of it's multi layered sole, MBT transforms flat, hard artificial surfaces into natural uneven surfaces, simulating the walking action of our barefoot ancestors, like the Masai tribe in South Africa. Unlike most conventional training shoes that support and cushion your feet, the unique construction of the MBT challenges the sole, and the muscles used to form your posture, to be more active. This reactive, more supportive muscle action increases shock absorption for joints and discs. Walking more upright not only looks better but automatically makes us healthier and stronger. The back and joints are strengthened, circulation is increased, and breathing is more efficient. MBT lengthens and strengthens the whole body while standing, walking or running.

Availability

MBT's have appeared in Lucky magazine, Bliss website, and Dr. Phil. MBTs are available on their website as well MBT site.

Ebay also has a few shoe retailers selling them at just below retail. These shoes are pricey at $245 a pair.

Attractive?

You might think that these look look a bit like moon boots or some kind of "special" shoes, but really who cares, it's benefiting your health which is most important.

Youth by Bliss

New York based salon Bliss, has a new innovative line called the "The Youth As We Know It" collection. 

The Bliss exclusive anti-aging collection includes a creamy cleanser, a gel toner, a skin plumping serum with radiance boosters, moisture cream to hydrate and a powerhouse eye cream with 10 eye-beautifying ingredients.  

The whole Youth set is retailing at $262, which is not bad considering everything you are getting and it also includes a handy tote.  I personally have not yet tried this product, but have used Bliss in the past and it has done wonders for my skin.  

Don't think that just 20-30 somethings can benefit from this product, mature skin can also see favourable results from this collection.

Brows

So full brows are making quite the come back-Keira Knightly, America Ferrera and Beyonce are all rocking a full brow.  I've found a few products to  keep your brows in place.  

MAC's Brow Set in "Show Off" and Benefit's "Brow Zings".  

Some tips to get the look:

• Leave them alone.  Let brows grow in for at least two weeks.
  
• Get rid of strays.  Pluck only the hairs that fall well outside your natural shape.
  
• Trim.  Brush hairs straight up and use cuticle scissors to even them out.
  
• Enhance.  Choose a gel, powder or pencil one shade lighter than the darkest part of your hair.
  
• Or, you can always get your eyebrows waxed and shaped by a professional.

Stila's Talking Smokey Eye

Have trouble creating that smokey eye for that night on the town?  Try Stila's new talking palette. All you have to do is press a button and the palette walks you through 5 easy steps to the perfect smokey eye!  Down side to this new innovation?  It doesn't include brushes, and the palette refers to which brush you should use.   

Check out the website:  

Brushes

Palette

There are 3 different palettes-The Bronzers, The Originals and The Emeralds.  Click here if you are looking for step by step tips to getting the smokey eye just right.

MAC loves Fafi

If you loved 'Barbie Loves MAC' last year, you will adore MAC's new collection 'Fafi for MAC'. Fafi is a street artist from France. The spring line is bursting with fun new colours and awesome packaging exclusively designed by Fafi.

The collection includes 6 lipsticks, 4 lipglasses, 2 eyeshadow quads, 6 paint pots, 1 fluidline, 2 eye kohl liners in Smolder & Fascinating and 2 blush....one in Fashion Frenzy and the second is a new limited edition shade. And.......there is also 2 irridescent powders, 2 nail lacquer and 3 Fafinette character makeup bags. The collection is scheduled to be released on or around Februray 13, 2008!

Paradise in a Bottle

There's nothing better than the smell of "summer". Whether it be that gorgeous smell of coconut or the sweet smell of freesia or honeysuckle. Whatever your "summer" fix is for the winter blahs, perhaps dabble in True Blue Spa's "Glow & Steady" a daily moisturizer, SPF 15 and gradual self tanner. Smells AMAZING! I usually start with L'Oreal's Sublime spray on self tanner, and maintain with Glow and Steady. The colour is a deep bronze, never orange.

Other self tanners have that awful DHA smell, but this product reminds me of the beach. The scent lasts on your skin all day, and also has a lot of moisturizer in it to keep your skin hydrated. I noticed with a lot of self tanners, especially in the winter, really contributes to dry skin.

Glow and Steady Daily Moisturizer and Gradual Self Tanner SPF for Body has been endorsed and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.  This is a great product for using all year long and safe.  It can be purchased online or in store from Bath & Body Works.  

Tips to Applying a Gorgeous Self Tan:

1.  Skin Preparation - If you have dry skin--and most of us do when it comes to arms and legs--start prepping a few days before applying the tanning product. Moisturize two to three times a day, especially right after bathing. Use a gentle exfoliant all over three days beforehand as well as the day of applying self-tanner (beforehand). Also, apply a thick salve-like cream to especially dry parts like elbows, knees and hands and let it soak in to soften skin. Self-tanner will "grab" on especially dry areas and look unnatural, so get those areas softened before proceeding.
2. Before Applying - Test the self-tanner on an inconspicuous part of your body (like the inner elbow) before slathering it on all over. I know you never test, even though you are always warned you that you must, but trust me on this one. Self-tanner doesn't wash off easily at all. Testing will save you from having an hilarious story that you won't find funny.
3. Start with clean dry skin - Give yourself a few minutes if you've just bathed to ensure that your skin is completely dry. Do not apply any lotion/moisturizer, you might get uneven patches that will be hard to correct. Also, with dry, unmoisturized skin, it will be easier for you to tell if you've missed a spot.
4. Work Quickly - Whether it's spray, cream or gel, the key is to work quickly and evenly. Cover a single area all at once. If you're doing a leg, don't do the lower leg, then the knee and then the thigh; do the entire leg at once. Use enough self-tanner so that you can get the whole leg at once, working quickly. (It's good to practice with lotion a few days before, just so that you're used to quick, all over coverage.) And work evenly. I've found that downward, fanning strokes worked best for even coverage.
5. Go lightly on knees, ankles, elbows and chest
   These are the areas that typically have dry skin patches, so just barely brush over them. You can always apply more if you want.
6. Wash hands often. If you're doing your whole body so that you won't have tan lines, wash the palms of your hands at least once during the application. This stuff works fast. Your palms will have the most exposure, which is another reason to work quickly. And absolutely wash your hands when you're finished. You want colour on the top of your hands, but you don't want your cuticles and palms to look like you've been playing in wood stain. Rub your hands with soap, and rinse both top and bottom of hands, and use a fingernail brush lightly on their cuticles (if you have a fingernail brush that is).
7. Don't touch anything! The instructions on some of these products state that you can dress immediately or within 30 minutes of application, but most suggest waiting one to two hours. I usually wait around 10 minutes depending on the product. If you feel "dry" then you probably are. Otherwise paint your nails, fix your hair, and let at least an hour go by before putting something on. And don't sit on any white sheets or furniture (just sit on a dark-colored towel).
8. Don't Shower! Ever again. Just kidding. But wait at least three hours before swimming or showering.

Maintenance Your tan will last a long time if you continue to use the product. It will start to fade once you discontinue use (obviously). You don't have to wait for your entire tan to be gone before reapplying. When you first begin to notice that your color is fading, go ahead and reapply. Reapplying will also give you a better idea of how dark you can go.

True Blue Spa products are available in the states at Bath & Body Works. 

Back at it! An all new 2008!

Happy New Year!

It's been a LONG LONG while, since my last post. My resolution this year to make more time for this blog because I love my products and makeup. They might think I don't love them anymore if I don't share them with you. :)

Over the next couple of days you will see a few posts as I've tried many products over the past 6 months that I would love to share.

See you soon!

Absolutely Heavenly

I know, it's been a while since my last post, but I have a few things in the works to be posted soon.

First and foremost, how lovely is the Victoria's Secret "Heavenly" line? I was rummaging in my cream drawers and stumbled across last summer's fragrant creams that I put away. What a delight to find the Heavenly Angel Touch Lotion! The scent is amazing. I completely forgot about it! Which reminds me-go through the products drawer. Can't wait for my next long lost discovery! (ha!)

As described on the website, "this cream nourishes and conditions skin. Is lightly scented."

Lightly scented? After I had a shower I could still smell it! You do not need both the perfume and the lotion if you are a layering type of gal.



Fragrance type: vanilla oriental
Ingredients: wild ivy, mandarin, waterlily, white peony, freesia, iris,
violet, poppy and orchid vanilla.

Honestly you only need a little bit. You could wear it day or night, but I prefer to wear it in the evening.

You can order online at www.victoriassecret.com.