Self Tanning Lotion: 2 Ways

For this post I'm going to write 2 short reviews of 2 different self-tanners, both of which you can purchase at your local drugstore or superstore. While professional spray-tans have improved since they first came out (does everyone remember how they literally turned people orange at first?), they can be costly and only last 7-10 days per session. While you can get do-it-yourself spray tanners, I'm always afraid of missing a spot. Gradual self-tanning lotions are great alternative if you want to skip the sun damage or you don't want to look like a ghost when you arrive at the beach. They allow you to build color slowly so that if you miss a spot one day, you will probably get it the next.


Dove Energy Glow Gradual Tanning Body Lotion

I use the bottle for fair to medium skin tones because although I tan, my natural skin tone is not that dark.

Upsides: Does a good job at gradually tanning your skin and smells great. I had a guy in college constantly say I smelled good whenever I used this stuff. It also makes your skin really shimmery, which is awesome for summer.

Downsides: It didn't provide enough moisture for my skin so I had to use it every other day, alternating with my normal daily lotion. I have eczema and if I don't use the right lotion my eczema will come out. This problem depends on your skin type though, so if you have dry skin you might run into a similar problem.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Again, I chose the bottle for fair to medium skin tones. One of my friends used this so I thought I would give it a try!

Upsides: Tans your skin pretty quickly and provides a thick layer of moisture.

Downsides: Smells like an old-school self-tanning lotion. I only use this stuff if I take a shower before bed, put it on, and then shower in the morning as well. While the smell isn't that bad and may be only noticeable by the wearer, do you really want to be thinking about how you smell all day?

Who wins?: Dove

Top Ten Must Have Products for Summer

Summer brings many good things: baseball games, beach vacations, tan skin, and usually a little romance. Unfortunately, summer also brings heat and humidity which can wreck your hair and makeup. I've compiled a list of my top-ten products for the summer. While I use more then these 10 products throughout the summer, I think that these 10 are essential to keeping yourself put together and fresh, even on those triple-digit days.

1) Smashbox Photo-Finish Light Makeup Primer: I know, I know. I talk about this product all the time. But ever since I reviewed it, I haven't gone a day without using it! This stuff is fantastic at keeping your foundation on through heat, humidity, and rain. If you are sporting heavy eye makeup, I would also suggest adding an eye-primer to your routine. But remember, during the summer less is more when it comes to makeup. Your skin is already tan, let your beauty shine through! (as corny as that sounds)

2) Physicians Formula Bronzer: I always have trouble finding the right shade of bronzer because they are usually too dark and orange for me. I need something in the more peachy tones. Physicians Formula has many shades of bronzer that will work for everyone. While bronzer is mostly used to highlight the cheek bones, it is great at smoothing out your skin tone all over your face in the summer.

3) Neutrogena SPF 15 Oil-Free Moisturizer: You cannot go through the summer without protecting your skin from the sun! I use this product year-round because sun damage is the number 1 cause of wrinkles. The moisturizer is light, non-comodegenic, and protects your skin. What more could you ask for?

4) Lancome Artliner: This liquid liner stays on, even through the most humid days. Super easy to apply, it's an essential ingredient to your summer makeup routine.

5) Aveda Anti-Humectant: You can read my earlier review for a full description of this product. But it will keep your hair frizz-free all summer long.

6) Neutrogena Body Oil: With a light sesame scent, this body oil will make your skin look, smell, and feel  irresistible. It gives you a light shine and moisturizes skin. If you are baring any skin in the summer, this body oil is a must-have (Tip: Apply this oil when your skin is still wet from the shower).

7) Covergirl Lashblast Length Water-Resistant Mascara: In the summer you won't want big clumpy lashes, you want your eyes to look fresh yet still noticeable. This mascara won't melt off and it will give you the length and definition you are looking for. Don't use waterproof mascara all the time though, it will make your eyelashes fall out over time (truth!!).

8) Covergirl Outlast Lipstain: I also reviewed this product earlier, but it's a great solution for summer because you won't have to worry about touch ups! Just throw on some chapstick containing sunscreen afterwards and you are ready to go.

9) Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock: Can you tell I love Neutrogena products? This spray sunblock not only protects you from the sun, but it will actually cool your skin off temporarily! Even if you don't want to buy it, you should at least try a cooling mist sometime for the entertainment (Bath and Body Works sells them as well). Neutrogena sunblock is great because it has UVA/UVB protection, but its also non-comodegenic, and it doesn't contain parabens (preservative chemicals found in most cosmetic products that are linked to cancer). Remember to always wear sunblock!

10) Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Defining Cream: For you curly haired-girls this curl cream is a great way to fight frizz. It is light and flexible, as opposed to gels and serums. Your curls will be soft but defined every day.

You Asked: Bumble and Bumble Defrizz

I'm back with another "You Asked" Column. Many of you asked for reviews of Bumble and Bumble products, and since I use and love them, I will be reviewing Bumble and Bumble DeFrizz.

Description of the Product

Cost: $20-25 for 4oz.

Bumble and Bumble's Defrizz is an anti-frizz product to protect hair against humidity and smooth flyaways while leaving the hair soft, not greasy. This product is good for those with straight or curly hair (and even those of you in-between!).

Using the Product

You can use this product during any point in your styling process. I personally use it at the end of my styling process, but I have occasionally put it on wet hair to protect against frizz if I don't have my regular curl cream. Put a dime sized amount, or smaller, on your hands. Rub your hands together. Run the product through your hair from back to front, from your tips to your roots. Like any smoothing product, you want to avoid putting too much of it near your roots because it can leave your hair looking greasy. I would start with a little and then use more later if necessary.


Review of the Product

I think that this product is great for every-day smoothing needs. As advertised, it is very light unlike other smoothing products loaded down with silicone. While it won't protect your hair from the most humid situations (for that I would recommend Aveda's Anti-Humectant Pomade) it is dependable enough to keep your hair looking smooth until it's next wash.

Recommend: (y/n) Yes, for every-day usage.

Review: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

As I was wandering through Target the other day I found myself in the cosmetics aisle (Surprise, Surprise). I genuinely did need to buy makeup sponges, but I remembered that I was getting low on foundation as well. I used to use Lancome foundation, but I found that it always left my skin a little oily. After that, I started to use Covergirl's CG Smoothers All-Day Hydrating Makeup. This is doubly convenient because it saves money and I've never had a problem with the foundation. I will say that I do use some makeup products from department store brands, but I don't see any reason not to mix and match between high and low end brands as long as the product works for you. Anyways, I decided to try the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation because I'm drawn to their TV commercials. I'm a sucker for advertising. If you have great advertising, I will probably buy your product (although I'm good at resisting infomercials)....

Description of the Product


This foundation is made to adjust to your skin color as you put it on, providing an exact match so you don't have to be stressed out over picking the exactly correct shade. I settled on 115 (second to lightest shade). Although I tan pretty well, my skin is fairly light throughout the rest of the year. I might change over to shade 120 in the summer. The product is advertised to give you a natural and dewy finish, so if you are looking for a matte finish foundation this is not the product for you. It does not provide a high amount of coverage so it won't work for covering up highly blotchy or red skin, severe acne, or sun spots.


Using the Product

I applied the foundation after using my Smachbox Makeup Primer (*read my earlier review, I've been using this stuff every day since I got it!). I used a makeup sponge to apply it all over my face, and you can actually see the foundation changing color to adjust to your skin tone. Apply the rest of your makeup as normal.

***Note: always apply concealer AFTER foundation, not before***

Review of the Product

So far I like this foundation because it does give me a dewy finish, whereas my former foundation gave me more of a matte finish. It depends on your personal preference, but because I like a natural makeup look (I would go without foundation if I had perfect skin), it works for me. I read a couple of reviews that said this isn't a good choice for oily skin, but since I use a makeup primer I havn't had many problems so far. Because this foundation doesn't give heavy coverage I wouldn't suggest it for important events such as weddings, proms, etc...but it has worked so far for normal wear.


Recommend (y/n): Yes, but it may depend upon your skin type and coverage needs. Great buy for $7

Review: Goody Spin Pin

My roomate asked me to try this because she wanted to try it before she bought it. That's the purpose of my blog, so here's my review of the Goody Spin Pin.

Description of the Product

The Goody Spin Pin is a hair accessory designed to hold your hair in a bun without the use of hair ties or bobby pins. The package comes with 2 spin pins. You are supposed to use both, facing in opposite directions, to hold up your bun. They also sell mini spin pins for wearing your hair half up, or if you have thinner/shorter hair.

Using the Product

These pins are surprisingly easy to use. You gather your hair into a ponytail. You can do high, low, or off to the side. Don't use any hair ties. Twist your hair into a bun, tucking in loose pieces. Then insert one pin, twisting clockwise to secure your bun. Insert the other pin from the opposite direction. Do not interlock the pins! This will tangle your hair. You can either insert the pins vertically or horizontally. I found that vertically worked best for me, but it probably depends upon your hair length and the amount of layers in your haircut. Once your finished your hair should be in a secure bun!


Review of the Product

While I was a little skeptical of this product actually performing as it said it would, the pins created a secure bun for me! They were easy to put in and remove, and I think they would cause less damage then hair ties and bobby pins. I do have a few tips for using the product though...

1) I think these spin pins work best with hair that has a little texture. I tried them out when my hair had been flat ironed, and my bun just looked really small and tight. I'm excited to use the pins for when my hair is curly. If you have flat or thin hair, I would try using either a curling iron or a texture spray before putting your hair in a bun (this is true even if you aren't using the spin pins).

2) If you have layers in your haircut, you still may have to use bobby pins if you don't want a couple loose pieces coming out from your bun.

Review (y/n): Yes

You Asked: Sally Hansen Salon Effects-Real Nail Polish Strips

I've always been horrible (and I mean horrible) at painting my own nails. I have shaky hands and I'm extremely right-handed, so using my left hand to paint is a disaster. Furthermore, polish never sticks to my nails for long, even when I pay for a manicure. One of you asked me to review this product, so i thought it would be a good opportunity to see if these are a good option for my polish-challenged nails.

Description of the Product


Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips are made of real nail polish and are made to stay on your nails for up to ten days. While they look like stickers, they have to be removed with nail polish remover. They come with detailed and easy to understand instructions. I bought them in Frock Star color. The benefit of these strips....

1) You can look like you've had a manicure without going to the nail salon
2) No dry time! So you don't have to worry about smudges
3) For those of you with shaky hands, you won't have any nail polish to clean off of your skin after applying these strips.

Applying the Product

First you can use the included cuticle stick to push back your cuticles. I would suggest soaking your hands in warm water first to get the best result. Then clean your nails with nail polish remover to remove any excess dirt or oil. Then to actually apply the nails...

1) select the correct size strip for each nail
2) peel off the protective film
3) detach the polish strip from the backing
4) press on to the nail and file off the excess


Review of the Product

I was pleasantly surprised with these nail polish strips! I had no idea how they would work and I hadn't even heard of them until recently. They were a little difficult to apply, but once I got the hang of it the process went a little quicker. I didn't have any problem with the strips tearing. They look good and they have stayed on for 2 days without any chips (seriously, my nails usually chip within 24 hours). The benefit is that I get a smooth line of polish whereas normally I would have a lot to clean up because I'm not good at painting my nails. The designs are also fun and playful without looking cheap. I would say that the downside is that they are a little pricey ($10) so I don't think I will purchase them in a plain color, but I will definitely be buying more of the patterns in the future.

Recommend (y/n): Yes

Review: Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade

Today the hot and humid weather rolled into the DC Metro area. While it probably won't stick around permanently with some cold weather surely to return again before summer, a girl should always be prepared for hair disasters.

 

Description of the Product

Aveda's Anti-Humectant Pomade is a styling pomade produced to protect hair against frizz and flyaways caused by humidity and other weather anomalies. This is some serious stuff that isn't made for people with a little frizz. We are talking about curly haired, bushy tailed, I-Might-Be-Mistaken-For-A-Wild-Animal kind of frizz. 

Cost: $19.00

Applying the Product

This product is thick so it should be used sparingly. Although the directions say that you can use it before or after styling, I always use it after. In my previous review, I talk about Bumble and Bumble's Straight, which I use when wet. On really hot and humid days I will apply this product after I am finished straightening my hair. Take a little pomade, rub it between your hands, and apply to hair from roots to tip . Do not start at your roots! You will look like you didn't wash your hair. Use as much pomade as you think necessary for how frizzy your hair is, how curly it is, and weather conditions.

Review of the Product

While this product is pretty heavy duty and can weigh down hair, it really works. It is the only thing that will keep my hair straight on a hot and humid (and I mean really humid) day. Besides controlling frizz, it keeps my straight style. I would recommend it to anyone with thick or unruly hair. I would not recommend this product for anyone with fine or limp hair, as it is a heavy pomade rather then a light cream or serum. Although the directions say that it can be used on curly hair I will admit that I have never tried this. On humid days I just give up on wearing my hair curly, and if I do I will put it up. My sister on the other hand does use this to style her curly hair and she likes it. 

Recommend (y/n): Depends. Yes if you have frizzy unruly hair that is affected by the humidity, No if you are looking for light frizz-control.