September Issues

A few weeks ago, I woke up and it was just barely not hot, so I threw some chili in the crockpot and drove down the street and bought the September issues of Vogue and Marie Claire. I'd like a one-way ticket to fall-town, please!

I used to buy the September issues of a lot of magazines, but I've found anything over two gets repetitive, plus Vogue is $10 this year and I wasn't in the mood to drop $30 on magazines. I like Elle and Harper's Bazaar, but Vogue and Marie Claire consistently deliver, so I went with those.

Who knows if anything I flagged is actually on trend - I mean, probably, it's in a magazine - but I flagged things that would work with pieces I already own, or feel like I could own, hashtag:  WomenBeThrifting.

This year's September issue of Vogue costs $10, weighs in at 800 pages and comes with a fold-out poster of Kendall Jenner for your dorm room. So... worth it?

You can call these whatever you want. I'm calling them Formation jackets. And luckily, I own a few. Back before they were trendy, I would pick them up at thrift stores, drawn to the bright red and gold. I have two or three. These jackets were in all the magazines last year too, but they're styled differently this year, more formal, and I like it.

I would almost, almost, go back to Corporate American just so I could wear a full-length, velvet (?) animal print skirt suit. It may surprise you to learn that I do not own anything animal-print. I try, but it's tricky because there's good animal print and bad animal print, and I can usually only afford the bad kind. But I'm on the prowl! (Prowl, heh.)

1.  Suuuuuper into patches. It had previously not occurred to me to put them on anything besides a denim jacket.

2.  Love a retro secretary blouse. They're a dime a dozen at thrift stores, but the fit is boxy. I'll keep trying.

3.  This is a Dolce & Gabbana "sack coat". You can't tell, but the polka dots glitter. I love this coat. I also love the punk styling:  the exaggerated safety pin earring and the knee high silver combat boots.

4.  I don't pick up what Kate Spake's putting down, but I would rock the shit out of this black swan bag. Believe that.

I flagged this first picture for the messy beach waves I will never get right, but I also like the eyeshadow story. This Chanel ad I love - the eyeshadow, the bright red lip - yes!

A much more wallet-friendly magazine, Marie Claire cost me $5 and has 316 pages. Totally worth it.

A full page of Formation inspiration. I'm into all of this. That red cape (Saint Laurent)? YES. That red and gold square bag (Dolce & Gabbana)? Yes.

This Longchamp ad is meh, but I'm interested in figuring out a cool way to tie silk scarves and bandanas around my neck. This isn't quite it, but it's a reminder to figure it out. Oh hey, silver boots. I thrifted a pair of you this summer for $5, which thank God because these are $1,190 from Proenza Schouler.

Upon first glance, these pictures are crazy. I mean, there's a monkey. But if you look at them as a sum of their parts, there's a lot of good stuff there:  silk robes/kimonos, animal print, houndstooth, mixed patterns, large clutch, etc. There's a translation of these outfits that I would wear, and I would 100% carry that monkey.

I like the dark purple lip on the first face and the eyeshadow and lipstick on the second. I've bought three different kinds of purple lipstick and I have yet to figure out how to wear it. You won't beat me, purple lipstick!

Pinterest! Every year I make a new fall inspiration board. Here is my new one for this year. I'm still adding to it, but it's real clear what direction I'm headed in, and that direction is crazy. Stay tuned!

P.S. I wonder if I followed through on any of my 2015 fashion promises. Probably not. I never did figure out that black and white manicure.

P.P.S. Are we following each other on Pinterest? Know that I will text you to mock your pins, but it's done in love. I mean, someone has to tell you that you can't make pizza out of cauliflower.

Birchbox Review: July

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid, $39

I receive a lot of Dr. Jart+ samples from Birchbox and I like them! I've been putting this ceramidin liquid on at night, under my moisturizer, using it more as a serum. Actually, I may save the rest of it for this winter when my skin gets dry from running outside in the cold.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray, $29

I don't have thin hair, but in the long history of me buying hair products, I've bought this one a few times. It also gets used on me a lot by hair stylists. It's a legit product. Unfortunately I rarely blow my hair out, so I don't have a lot of use for it, but everything by Bumble and Bumble is great.

stila look at me liquid lipstick, $20

I was so excited to see this little sucker in my Birchbox! I got one of these a year or two ago and LOVED it. These stila liquid lipsticks are sooooo good! If you haven't tried them yet, go get one. I like Beso and Venezia.

COOLA SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray, $36

I really like the COOLA brand. They have a cucumber moisturizer with SPF that I LOVE. This matte setting spray is great. I used it a few times and I could definitely tell a difference by the end of the day. My makeup still looked fresh. Unfortunately, after a few uses, the spray nozzle got clogged and I had to throw it away. I didn't see any other Birchbox reviewers complaining about this, so I'm hoping it was just me and my hot and humid bathroom.

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer, $25

I love this stuff! I'm real into Liz Earle. When Kiehl's quit making the face wash I've been using since 2000, I bought Liz Earle cleanser and LOVE IT. This little spritzer has been super awesome this summer. I read an article recently on how the worst thing you can do to your face mid-day is apply more makeup; that adding or re-applying makeup makes your skin look dry. Instead of adding more make-up, you should spritz your face. I started doing this and it totally works! You think it won't, but it does. Trust. If you've got $25 burning a hole in your pocket, buy this spritzer.

The September Issues

A few weekends ago, John and I holed up in a cabin in Big South Fork. To pass the time (4 days without internet), I took a big stack of magazines and books. Luckily, our trip coincided with the release of the September issues.

Fall is my favorite time of year to refresh my clothes and makeup. It's the only season where I'm excited to buy new things, or veer in a different fashion direction. I like to pour over the magazines and then make a fall inspiration board. My new fall Pinterest board is still under construction, but here is what piqued my interest.

First up, the mecca of September issues, Vogue. Oh hey, Beyonce. How YOU doin'?

I dog-eared this J. Crew ad because I have a thrifted blazer similar to this and I'm always looking for ways to wear it. A wool red blazer is harder to pull off than you'd imagine. I have two Equipment tops (blouses?) and I have so much trouble styling them. A) these shirts are meant to be over-sized, but B) I bought them when I was bigger, and I paid too much for them to let them go. So I persevere. Maybe if I just wear them braless and half unbuttoned, no one will notice they're too big.

I love a new fall bag! Here is my take away from the September issues:  if you don't have a new, cross-body satchel, you may as well stay at home, loser. I'm real into the Altuzarra one in the bottom picture with the fringe. It's $3,000, so I'm sure I'll get one.

I love a black and white manicure! My last attempt looked like 10 little Hitler mustaches, so I need to practice. But I'm inspired! In the bottom picture, I'm into that black Rachel Zoe ring. It's on Amazon for $67. Maybe?

Not pictured, but there's a scent strip for the first fragrance by MIU MIU and it smells AMAZING. I'm kind of obsessed with it.

Miley, Miley, Miley. I was annoyed to see Miley Cyrus on the cover of Marie Claire's September issue, but then I read her cover story, and now I like Miley Cyrus. Sorry, not sorry?

Can we all take a minute to appreciate Michelle Williams? I saw her pushing a stroller in Park Slope right after Heath Ledger died and I've always had a weird affinity for her. She's beautiful, obviously, and I love her baby blonde hair in this Louis Vuitton ad. Hair goals.

I dog-eared this Calvin Klein ad because I'm still working through how to style my clyde work pants from Elizabeth Suzann and I like the idea of a high-heeled boot, but not in red.

There are some great articles in this issue of Marie Claire:

This Sophia Amoruso article is really more of a column, but it's worth reading. I read #GIRLBOSS and liked it a lot. I like Amoruso's perspective and I like that she fails big and talks about it. I feel like there are a lot of millennials who are becoming a new type of female role model, and Amoruso is definitely one of them. See also:  Tavi Gevinson.

This article on the female entrepreneurs coming out of Harvard Business School and how the school has had to re-work it's class and teaching system to be less male-driven is a must-read. It's an interesting look at the women who have come out of this school, the businesses they started and the challenges they've faced, like getting venture capitalists to invest in female-owned, fashion and makeup based companies.

This last article is on PTSD and how in some severe cases, women are being treated with the hallucinogen MDMA. The street name for MDMA is ecstasy. This article is rough and talks about real-life combat and sexual trauma. As someone who has experienced PTSD, I found this article heart-breaking and fascinating.

The last magazine I read on my horsey, country vacation was Elle. I didn't find a lot here, probably because I had already seen it all in the first two magazines.

Okay, this is important. All of the drugstore makeup brands have knockoffs of the Naked eyeshadow palette. I went to Walgreens to check them out and they look legit. Loreal and Maybelline both have two different palettes, one in classic nude and one in blush/pink tones. They're like $14. DONE.

I haven't had luck using Maybelline eyeshadows. I like their cream shadow pots, but their powder shadows don't have enough pigment for me. Loreal, on the other hand, is fantastic! I've used their eyeshadows for years and they're legit.

That top pictures is a neat list in Elle of the top 30 books from the last 30 years. It starts in 1986. It's a great reminder of all the books I meant to read and never got around to.

And last, but not least, another black and white manicure! I'm determined to perfect the two-toned nail this fall.

Stay tuned for an update on my Fall 2015 Pinterest board!

Birchbox Review: June

Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water, $32
This is "cleansing water" which is mineral water with active hydrogen. I don't know what that means. It's supposed to remove makeup and brighten skin.  I didn't use it to remove makeup (because I hardly wear makeup), but I did use it at night to wipe the day off of my non-makeup face. I liked it. I wouldn't buy it, but it was an interesting sample to try.

La Mav Green Clay Detox Mask, $29.95
I think clay masks are typically for people with oily skin, which is not me, but I love clay masks! This one may be great, but I won't know because the ingredients in mine separated during shipment, rendering it impossible to apply. I read the Birchbox reviews and several people complain about it being runny, so maybe it's the product and not the shipping. Who knows!

Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner, $11
Meh. I'm getting a lot of eyeliner pencils from Birchbox lately. At first, I was excited because I was getting waterproof ones, or black ones with glitter, but now I'm just getting a new blue or black eyeliner every month. This one is okay, the color isn't as dark as I'd like and I have to go over it a few times back and forth. Meh.

Temple Spa Good Hair Day Shampoo, $14
This, I'm actually annoyed about. I've stayed in hotels with better shampoo. It was super drying. And this is now the second shampoo Birchbox has sent me with sodium laurel sulfate. I have color-treated hair! Come on, Birchbox. You're better than this.

Temple Spa In Good Condition Conditioner, $14
See above.

Pura Vida Lace Headband, $18
This was a Birchbox extra and it actually is kind of cute. It doesn't 100% stay on my head, but I wear it around the house and like it. I tried wearing it to yoga, but it just popped off mid down dog.

Birchbox Review: May

Another good haul from Birchbox! Here's what I got.

Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume, $90

This 'not a perfume' is terrible. And it's the second time I've received it. Enough, Birchbox. Enough.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular CC Cream, $39

The first thing to know about this is it has a weird scent. The shade is a tad dark for me, but every time I wear it, I get compliments on my skin and makeup. I don't think I'll buy it, but this sample should get me through the rest of the summer. Below is a picture of me wearing wearing this CC cream.

Marcelle Hydra-C 24H Energizing Hydrating Gel, $24

I like this fine, but it doesn't seem to do anything. I do like the Marcelle brand overall though. Heads-up, there is no SPF in this, so sunscreen up before you head outside for the day.

Harvey Prince Sea Salt Texturizing Mist, $22

I haven't used this yet. I'll try and remember to use it and report back in next month's review. For what it's worth, all the Birchbox reviewers love it.

Mally Evercolor Waterproof Automatic Eyeliner, $18

I like this! This makeup line is by Beyonce's makeup artist, so, duh. The eyeliner is waterproof, smudge-resistant and automatic, so it doesn't need a sharpener. I got the Black Cherry color, which is good for my green eyes. It glides on easily and stays on all day. I could stand for the color to be a little bolder, but this eyeliner is legit.

Birchbox Review: April

The April Birchbox was so cute! I've been a big fan of all things Rifle Paper Co. for a long time and was excited to get this cute little box in the mail. Here's what was inside!

Cargo Swimmables Water Resistant Blush, $26

Years ago, possibly even back when I lived in NYC, I remember Cargo blush being THE BLUSH. You could only buy it at Club Monaco, I think - ? Anyway. I don't typically use powder blush, preferring stain or cream, but this peach color is right-on. It's supposed to be sweat-proof, which will definitely come in handy during the sweltering, Tennessee summer.

WEI Manuka Bee Venom Mask, $60

I used this mask one night and loved it. It was super moisturizing and felt amazing on my skin. But then... I got up early the next morning and went for a run and my face caught on fire. Not really, but kind of. After the run, my friend Melanie looked up the ingredient list and reported it's 50% chemicals and 50% acid, thus explaining the stinging sensation on my sweat-drenched face. I don't care. I still love this mask. I take a real 'no pain, no gain' approach to skin care. Also, LOL the negative comments from people allergic to bees.

Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Moisturizing Shampoo, $15
Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Repairing Conditioner, $16

I'm reviewing this shampoo and conditioner together, because duh. These products are marketed as "restorative formulas that repair strands and strengthen dry hair".  I was real into it, and loved the scent, then I started seeing comments about how it has sodium laurel sulfate. So... not color-safe. Bye bye, Beaver.

Not Soap, Radio Body Wash - Bathing with sharks, $16

I didn't love this. It didn't lather up enough for my taste. The scent is fine, but it did remind me of old school, late 90s Bath & Body Works. Meh.

Birchbox Review: March

I love the actual box of the March Birchbox. So cute! They've really upped the game on their boxes lately. Here's what I got.

amika Bombshell Blowout Spray, $24

I don't blowout my hair, but I did recently just so I could use this product. I think it did something? It's hard to tell because my hair is so long. It smelled great and my hair was super soft. I'm a big fan of the amika brand in general, so I'm sure this is great. I LOVE their Nourishing Mask.

Beauty Protector Protect & Oil, $26

Wow, I guess this is the post where I confess to being a hippy. Y'all, I for real do not blow dry or style my hair. AT ALL. But I used this because A) I love the Beauty Protector brand, and B) I'm real into hair oils (see above hippy reference). This oil is great. It protects against UV rays and heat damage. I love the scent. If I didn't already own enough hair oil to carry me through to my golden years, I'd buy it.

Paula's Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster, $35

We all know how I feel about serums (thumbs down), but I like this product, and according to Birchbox, it's not a serum - it's a treatment to go along with your serum or moisturizer. I used it under my moisturizer twice a day and my face felt extra moisturized, but in a non greasy, pore-clogging way. I don't know if I'll buy this, but I would use it if I owned it.

Harvey Prince Signature, $55

Nope.

Jelly Pong Pong GLOW GETTER Highlighter, $14

I was suspicious of this because it looks like nail polish, but when I finally used it, I loved it! A lot of reviewers don't like it because it's "glittery". No, it's not. At least it's not on my 39 year old face. On me, it's as described: pearlescent, giving a "subtle, luminous shimmer". I love it. I'm buying it! And in related news:

7 Things You Never Knew You Could Do With Highlighter

Birchbox Review: February

My February Birchbox was about 50/50 on meh vs. yay. Here's what I got.

BeeKind Shampoo, $16

Meh. This is a fine shampoo. I liked the scent and it made my hair soft, but it didn't knock my socks off. If you're into chemical-free shampoo and environmentally friendly packaging, give this a try.

Benefit Posiebalm, $18

Yay! I love a tinted lip balm and this one is great. It's moisturizing and the sheer pink shade looks natural on me. I've been wearing a bright matte orange lipstick lately, which dries my lips out, and I've been using this Posiebalm instead of my Kiehl's lip balm because the Kiehl's smears my lipstick, but the Posiebalm moisturizes and keeps my lipstick in place. I mean, a tinted lip balm is a tinted lip balm, but I like this one.

Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner, $11

Yay! I love this little guy. I don't change my eyeliner very much, but I've gotten so many compliments since I switched to this Mansha-Plum color (I have green eyes). I quit using eyeliner pencils years ago because they're just terrible. But not this one! It's 100% non-stabby and it blends really well. It also stays on all day, which is something because I'm in the midst of terrible allergies and this shizz doesn't move, run or smear. I'm real into it.

Marcelle Gentle Make-up Remover for Sensitive Eyes, $15

Yay! I was kind of annoyed when I saw this in my box, but I dutifully tried it, and guys, it's the best eye make-up remover I've used. I didn't realize how much my current Neutrogena irritates my eye zone until I switched to this. No more redness or irritation! In addition to taking off your eye make-up, it also "diminishes dark circles and undereye puffiness". I don't know about all that, but my eyes do feel soft after using it. It seems a little precious to spend $15 on eye make-up remover, but I want it.

Miss Jessie's Original Super Sweetback Treatment, $14

Meh. I love the Miss Jessie's packaging, but I don't like their scents. Plus, they sell it at Target now, so it seems less special to receive it in my Birchbox. I've used this twice, but it's not as moisturizing as the amika mask I like. Plus, I just can't do this scent. Sorry, Miss Jessie's.

How To Only Wash Your Hair Once A Week

It started innocently enough. I clicked an article on Pinterest titled, 6 Mistakes You're Making When You Wash Your Hair. Then that led me to this article on Bustle where they list step number one as, stop washing your hair. Yes... Tell me more.

I haven't cut my hair since February of 2014, it's color-treated, and I swim. So yeah, you could say my hair is dry, which makes me an ideal candidate for dreadlocks not washing my hair. I'm on my third week of only washing my hair once a week and I swear, my hair is healthier.

Here's how I'm making one wash a week last. I swim on Mondays, so that's when I wash my hair. My hair looks nice and normal Monday-Wednesday. On Thursday, I'll wash my bangs, which tricks the casual observer into thinking my hair is clean. Nope, just my bangs. I may use a little dry shampoo if needed. On Friday, I get in the shower and rinse my hair (no shampoo) and put conditioner on the ends, then reapply product and style as usual. It looks like brand new hair! For a day. Shit starts to get real on Saturday. I have to either amp up the dry shampoo or do another rinse cycle. Oddly, my best hair of the week is Saturday night. Sunday is rough, but no one sees me, so I just embrace my inner dirty hippy and go with it.

Tricks of the trade: buns, dry shampoo and not touching your hair. If you're a hair twirler/stroker, you're going to have to sit on your hands, especially towards the end of the week. You can't touch hair that hasn't been washed in 5-6 days.

The one day a week I wash my hair, I also deep condition it. I use this. And I use this if I rinse later in the week. I've also stopped combing through my hair when I get out of the shower. Instead, I took the advice in the article and comb through it in the shower while it's wet and then leave it alone.

I'm using two different dry shampoos right now, Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo and Dove Dry Shampoo. I bought the fancy Amika because it smells so good, but I'm kind of hooked on the $4 Dove. Next in line is Suave Keratin Infused Dry Shampoo, which everyone on Instagram raves about. Target was out of it, so I'm still on the hunt.

Questions? Concerns? I feel like you are going to have a lot of concerns about me only washing my hair once a week. And to you I say, don't hate the player, hate the game.

Birchbox Review: January

The Birchbox game was pretty on point in January. It may not look like much, but these little samples delivered. Here's what I got.

Manna Kadar Lip Locked - All of Me, $24

Once I figured out how open this, which took a surprisingly long time, I fell in love. Contrary to the almost nude color of the cap, the actual gloss is a deep berry color. But spring berry, not fall berry. It's peppy. It doesn't stay on "all day" as advertised, but it stays on plenty long for a gloss, and a heavy pigmented gloss at that. I love this. I'm buying it. I'm interested in the brighter colors, too, Siren and Manna Babe.

Curl Keeper Gel, $17.50

I was initially aggravated at this because it looked cheap and dumb, but this shizz is legit. I applied it wet and then dried my hair with a diffuser. It really did keep my curls from frizzing. My hair was super curly and bouncy, in a good way. If you have curly hair, I recommend trying this. I tend to wear my hair more wavy than curly, but this makes me want to wear my hair curly more.

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45+, $39

I feel like every time I turn around, I'm getting another Dr. Jart BB cream sample, but I don't care because they're all so good! I haven't bought one yet because I get so many samples, plus I have a full-size bottle of Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. If I ever run out, it'll be hard to decide between Laura Mercier and Dr. Jart. These BB creams have more coverage than my tinted moisturizer, and they feel good on my face, which I like. To be continued!

Harvey Prince Hello Liquid Loofah, $22

So this "liquid loofah" is supposed to be used sans loofah. The directions say to smooth directly onto damp skin, work into a lather, and rinse away. Who touches their own body? I'm not washing my body with my hands. Gross! I squeezed this onto a loofah and commenced scrubbing a couple layers of epidermis away and it worked great - very moisturizing. I love the scent of everything in this product line. I'm not buying this because I don't need a $22 body wash, but I like it.

Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Body Lotion, $19

I got the body wash version of this recently and loved it, so I was excited to see this little bottle in my box. It's almost impossible to use as body lotion because of the sample container, so I'm using it as hand lotion. I've been putting it on when I get into bed at night, which is in direct conflict with the "wake up" product description. Whatever, it's a nice, relaxing scent for me, and I like it when I'm powering down for the night. The scent is really strong, but I'm fine with that. It's not as moisturizing as a legit hand cream, but it's moisturizing. I like it.

Weekend Wrap Up: Organize It Edition

My friend, and graphic designer to the stars, Meg, bought a totally rad new house in East Nashville and invited us ladies over to check it out. I have a huge crush on Meg's new digs and won't rest until my entire house is painted grey.

You know some days you wake up and your brain's like, 'Not today, bitch'? Saturday was one of those days. I published this post about maybe not doing my race, which begged the question, if I'm not doing the race, am I still going to ride my trainer for an hour? Turns out, no. But then I sat on the couch and beat myself up for not riding my trainer. Then I started eating. Then I closed the curtains, laid down on the couch and started watching House of Cards. Thankfully Carolyn texted and asked if I wanted to go shopping. Yes! Yes I do.

I was on a quest for acrylic makeup organizers, but needed to expand my search beyond Nashville West and Bellevue, so we went to Rivergate. We hit that Rivergate TJ Maxx HARD. I think we were in there for three hours, #2Legit2Quit. Then we went to Goodwill where I scored this vintage Pendleton blazer. I tried it on, then decided I didn't want it and set it down, but Carolyn made me go back and get it, and after looking at these pictures, I'm glad she did. I don't know what I was thinking (probably that I was hungry), but good save C-Bass!

My entire existence hinged on whether or not I worked out on Sunday. The only answer was to do the GD run, so without giving it another thought, I got dressed and drove to Belle Meade Blvd. I ran 7 miles. Alone. In the rain. I rewarded myself with Tequila's. John and I feasted on fajitas, and not just any fajitas, Fajitas Texanas, because sometimes you have to splurge for those two pieces of shrimp.

When I'm stressed out or working through a big decision, I clear my mind by tackling an organization project. I typically organize existing systems, like shoes, scarves, jewelry, etc. But sometimes I have to go buy new systems and re-work the whole thing. I've been real pissed off at my makeup zone lately. I need to see it all in one place. And I need acrylic organizers.

I realized these suckers exist all over the place, but the ones I found were either the wrong style, or the right style, but broken. I finally found what I wanted at the Rivergate TJ Maxx. So I sat at the dining room table yesterday, pulled all my makeup out of everywhere and organized it into this thing. It was very cathartic. I only kept what I actually wear, or new samples from Birchbox that I haven't tried yet. I threw away a ton of stuff and made a give-away bag of stuff I've only used once or twice. I feel so much better!

Birchbox Review: December

My December Birchbox had a lot of good stuff in it. Of particular interest is this $7 Rusk texture spray, which I'm pretty sure is going to replace the $40 Oribe I've been buying. Trust. Here's what was in my box.

Rusk Texture Spray, $7-$18

I was a little bit annoyed when I saw this because I'm pretty sure it's a brand you can only buy at Walgreens, but turns out, I really like it! I know! I am as surprised by this as you are. Have I been wasting my money on Oribe all these years when I could have been using Rusk? Maybe. It's the same product. It doesn't have that amazing Oribe scent, but it does smell really good. I'm pretty into this stuff. All you texture spray users should give this a try. If you hate it, which you won't, you'll only be out $7.

Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask, $58

Okay, I really love this mask. It's purple, which is strange, but it's sooooo good. It smells delicious and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. No idea if it's firming anything, but I kind of don't believe in that anyway. It's just a nice, clay mask that feels too luxurious for something you can do at home. The price is a little steep for me, but I'd like to own this.

Number 4 Hydrating Shampoo, $34

I don't spend this much on shampoo anymore, but if you do, this is a solid option. It smells a tad medicinal for the Number 4 brand, but not too bad. Also of note, it's concentrated and doesn't lather, which makes for an odd shampoo experience. Every time I used it, I either used too much or too little.

Number 4 Hydrating Condition, $36

I'm a fan of the Number 4 brand and have bought their products before. I'm not in the market for a $36 conditioner, but if you are, this one is great. It's super thick and moisturizing.

W3LL People Bio Brightener Stick, $33

Ugh, this thing. First of all, the actual product is a stick, but the sample came in a pot. Very confusing for application purposes. It's apparently a highlighter stick, but I'm not into it. It has too much shimmer and it's too creamy - it doesn't stay on. It's impossible to spread, so I'm not sure how you're supposed to even get it on your cheekbones. I've tried dabbing it onto my brow bones, but, meh. In comparison to what I currently use, Benefit Watt's Up, I prefer Benefit.

Mirenesse iCurl Secret Weapon 24Hr Mascara, $29

Man, it's real hard to hate mascara, but I hate this mascara. The brush/wand is terrible. If you have long lashes and need volume, like me, this is not the mascara for you. Also, it's just black, not "jet-black Taylor Swift at the Grammys" black. And you do have to use makeup remover to get it off.

Weekend Wrap Up: Popping Tags Edition

Oh hey, my face. While it was sleeting on Friday night, I kept warm under a blanket of chemicals and aluminum foil. Like the US Postal Service, neither rain, sleet, nor snow can keep me from my bi-monthly hair appointment. Also, for those keeping score at home, I didn't cut my hair. I'm not stopping until I achieve Crystal Gayle status. Apparently.

So the good news is, my fancy, new bike trainer is so quiet that Linda can sleep through my living room work-outs. The bad news is, Linda sleeps through my living room work-outs, #rude.

My friend April started an Article Club. She posted three articles online and we met at her house to discuss. We read this, this and this. As you may have deduced from my going off of Facebook for a month, I don't search out opportunities for tenuous conversation. But I've known April a long time and I trust her, plus few things get me going like group activities and meeting new people. There was also pizza and wine, so... duh.

I had a blast! April did a great job curating the right mix of attendees. We varied in age from 29-40+, single/divorced vs. married/re-married, children vs. no children, corporate vs. self-employed, cat vs. dog. It worked. We had real awesome, real respectful, real-talk. I had so much fun and can't wait for the next one.

My Sunday lady gang is a little disbanded at the moment, so I ended up running on my own yesterday. Sundays are supposed to be my long runs, but I keep not actually running long distances. I hurt my knees running that half marathon in December, so I've been slowing building back up. I ran five miles in Shelby yesterday, pretty fast:  10:22, 10:25, 10:26, 10:04, 9:34. Hooray, almost negative splits!

Because I don't have any friends anymore (kidding, kidding), I didn't do my post-run breakfast biscuit at Dose, so I was STARVING. John and I went to lunch at Kien Giang. Y'all, I'm not even kidding, I ate that banh mi as an appetizer.

File under: Duh. John and I are going to the Grammy's next week. There are three events that I need outfits for and finding those outfits will stand to be the greatest stressor of my life. Have I enlisted the help of a stylist? Yes. Have I ordered everything from everywhere? Yes. Do I have any idea what I'm wearing? No.

I found a gold blazer on Nasty Gal that I tried to buy only to find it exists solely in Mary Kate Olsen size. I've since made it my mission to find a gold blazer. I kind of found one. I think. I found this guy at the Rivergate Goodwill yesterday, where, pro tip, their blazer game is ON POINT. It's Calvin Klein and it appears to be brand new. It may need to be taken in a little, so we'll see (more pics on Flickr). To be continued...

Birchbox Review: November

Hey, remember November? It was last year! I got my January Birchbox this week and realized that A) I hadn't opened my December box yet, and B) I hadn't posted my November review yet. Oy. November - go!

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, $43

I actually wear this product, but the sample is too dark for me so I'm giving it away. I think everyone I know is familiar with Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, but if not, you should try it. It's kind of the best out there.

dr. brand pores no more vacuum cleaner, $45

I'm not a person who has an issue with large pores or blackheads, so I don't really have a use for this. I used it once, but I have no idea if it did anything. It's a pretty large sample. If you want it, let me know.

Perlier Absolute Comfort Body Butter, $34

Meh. Not bad, not life changing. It's hand lotion; it smells good - whatever. I wouldn't spend $34 on it.

Bain de Terre argan oil, $14

I'm going through a huge hair oil phase. I just bought a bottle of Davines Ol/Oil, which I LOVE, but I dutifully tried this. I like it! And it's substantially cheaper than my $40 Davines. But too late, that Davines bottle will last me the rest of my life. If you're interested in trying hair oil, I'd start with this $14 bottle.

theBalm cosmetics Cindy-Lou Manizer, $24

I'm pretty sure this is the product my sister uses as blush and eyeshadow, and loves. She got it in a box and kept buying it. I never received it until this month. I like it! I have a blush I already like, so I'm using this as a highlighter on my cheekbones. It's a great color for me. I'm into it.

Pop Corn ChocoPod, $1

This was a freebie Birchbox threw in, but it was much appreciated, and devoured. I love these little guys!

Birchbox Review: October

Lots of good stuff in my October Birchbox. Let's dive in!

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, $38

I have an eye cream that I like, so I don't go into eye cream samples with high expectations. I like this Balance Me eye cream, but I don't love it. The creamy texture is nice and it goes on smoothly, but afterwards the skin around my eyes is a little tacky. If you're younger and looking for a natural eye cream, this may be for you.

Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm for Lips, $14.5

I love this stuff! Months ago, my friend Jenn let me try hers and I've been waiting patiently to receive my own sample. The name is weird, I know, but this stuff is legit. It's similar to Aquaphor, but thicker (and better). And you basically never have to re-apply it. I put it on before bed and it's still there when I wake up. This is going to be a game-changer for my lips during cold, winter runs.

Lord & Berry Paillettes Glitter Eye Pencil in Black, $18

I haven't used this yet. Honestly, it looks a little cheap. It's small and the packaging isn't great. Plus, I don't typically wear products with glitter. I may try it for holiday parties and report back.

Essential Elements Wake Up Rosemary Shower Gel, $19

I love this stuff, too! The minty scent is super strong, which I like. It's a very Christmas-y scent. Apparently mint and rosemary are natural mood-boosters, so maybe that's why I like it so much. The formula also has honey extract, which my dry, sensitive skin appreciates. I don't know if I can swing $19 for shower gel, but I want this.

Harvey Prince Petaly Noir, $55

No.

Birchbox Review: September

I loved this Birchbox despite being a little behind posting the review. Here's what I got!

Noir Cosmetics Long-Wear Eyeliner, $15

I've received a couple of good black eyeliner pencils via Birchbox lately. Maybe the universe wants me to wear black eyeliner. I like this one from Noir. It feels great going on, not stabby or pointy. It's made with vitamin E and jojoba oil. It's also waterproof, which I like. I still prefer my Bobbi Brown gel liner, but this is a great pencil.

Ruffian Dressing Room Nail Lacquer Remover Towelettes, $12

As someone who does her own nails once a week, I have a lot of opinions about nail polish remover products and their varied effectiveness. I love these towelettes! First of all, the towelette is a lot bigger than the typical ones you buy at drugstores. These don't have acetone, which means they don't smell and they don't strip your nail. They're actually scented, which seems like a bad idea, but isn't. And they remove the polish! A lot of towelettes I've used dry out or fill up before you finish all 10 nails. Not these! I love these a lot, but I'm going to have to think about $12 for a box of 10 (plus shipping).

Juliette Has a Gun Romantina, $120

Skin and Co Sicilian Light Serum, $47

My opinion still hasn't changed on serums. I don't believe in them, but I keep using the samples. No idea if this one does what it alleges to do, which is "restore firmness and clarity". Meh? Until someone proves me wrong, I think serums are a way to make women in their late thirties spend money in Sephora.

Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Naked, $10

Yes, finally! I've been in the market for a neutral/tan nail polish and this one is perfect! In a month, I've already used almost the whole bottle. Looks like I'll be buying this one.

Microdermamitt Makeup Remover Mitt, $28.50

Okay, this guy is why my review is so late. I didn't want to publish it until I tried this weird magnet mitt. The questions I have for this mitt couldn't fit into a Suburban. I'm so confused about how it works. How does it take off makeup, especially mascara and gel eyeliner, without cleanser? How does rinsing it with hand soap every night not make your face explode? How does it not have chemicals? HOW DOES IT WORK?

But it totally works. It's super soft and feels great on my dry, sensitive skin. And it really does take off all of my stubborn eye makeup. I don't know what kind of black magic makes this thing work, but I'm real into it. This mitt is the "Miracles" of Birchbox. (video NSFW)
 

These My Nails

I love painting my nails. Always have. I have a pretty extensive array of polishes and decorative (read: glitter) top coats, which I like to spread out on the floor while waiting on inspiration to strike. Once I've decided on a color, with surgeon-like precision, I arrange my tools on the coffee table, find an eighties movie on Netflix and commence to paintin'.

My manicures always last a week, usually longer if I let them. With short nails and light polish, I can usually make it 10-12 days. That's pretty good for an at-home manicure. And I'm using regular polish, not gel.

The secret to my nail success is two-fold:  Orly Bonder and Sally Hansen Ultra Wear Top Coat. That's right, Sally Hansen. My love for things you can buy at Walgreens is unparalleled. 

I've probably used every basecoast you can buy, including the fancy $20 ones at Sephora. None of them work as well as this Orly basecoat. It'll change your nail polish life. Same with the Sally Hansen top coat. It's on the high-price-end of Sally Hansen products, but it's worth it.

The most recent addition to my nail arsenal is this Sally Hansen (duh) I Heart Nail Art Pen. I've definitely gotten $5 worth of fun out of it, although John did have to draw the stripe on my right hand the first time I used it. I've gotten better at it, but it takes some practice to get used to drawing with your non-dominant hand.

See! Check me out, drawing triangles with my left hand! This is my attempt to DIY Door Sixteen's much-coveted calgel manicure. Close! Ish...

I am nothing, if not a copycat. I get most of my nail inspiration from bloggers and Birchbox. Feel free to follow my copycat ways on Pinterest. You can find my Beauty & Makeup Board here. Happy painting!