Let's Talk Skin Care

I didn't know what to do with this post. I didn't know if I wanted to talk about my routine, current favorites, some new stuff I picked up or what. So how about a little bit of this and that? My goal has always been to keep it simple and try not to use a lot of products. BUT the older I get, I realize that my skin has certain needs and what not. So I have to adjust my routine and products accordingly. And compared to some folk's routines, I don't use a lot.

I had been using a mix of products that I liked for a while. Some I've mentioned in past favorites posts, but I felt like my skin needed "more". So I started to reevaluate the products I had been using and what I wanted to address. First off my skin in oily/combo. In the spring/summer it's oily. During the fall/winter months it's combo. I'm also prone to breakouts and I'm like seriously. I'm in my doggone 30s! Good grief!! Anywho...

Back in March I picked up Proactiv Solutions's Super Size 6pc Day & Night Acne Treatment set from QVC. I have always been curious about Proactiv. So I was like why not and QVC gives you 30 days to return a product. I honestly like everything in this set. The only thing not pictured above is the toner (step 2). I used that up pretty quickly. I purchased Dickinson's Witch Hazel toner (pictured below) and it's just as good as the Proactiv one.

The standout products for me in the Proactiv set are the Repairing Treatment (step 3), Clarifying Night Cream and the Oil Free Moisturizer. The Repairing Treatment helps keep the oil at bay during the day and keeps my skin smooth. The Clarifying Night cream is a rock star and replaces 2 products (Bare Minerals Skin Rev-er Upper and Alpha Hydrox Res Q) that I used to use and loved. This has salicylic acid and retinol in it. Addressing acne and anti-aging! Loooove! I am very picky when it comes to daytime moisturizers. Especially those with sunscreen in them. I usually don't like ones with sunscreen in them because they make me oily. The first time I used Proactiv's I was like oooooh! Sinks into my skin nicely and doesn't make me oily! It's only SPF 15 but I did see that they have an SPF 30 one that I may check out.  I am on auto delivery for this set and have one more shipment coming but I haven't decided if I am going to get it or not. I have repurchased the Repairing Treatment and Clarifying Night Cream via eBay since I was getting low and didn't necessarily "need" the whole kit.

A few weeks ago I got the urge to use Philosophy's Purity Made Simple again. So I went to Ulta and picked up the 3 oz bottle. I've really been enjoying using it in the evening with my Clarisonic to take my makeup off. I have mentioned that Bare Minerals Purifying Cleanser before as a favorite cleanser to use for removing my makeup up. I still like it but I think I like Purity just a lilllllllttle bit more. So now I'm trying to decide if I want to purchase a large size of Purity, play around with Bare Minerals cleanser again or something else all together.

So I felt like the majority of my skin issues were being addressed with the items mentioned about but I still felt like my skin needed an extra boost in terms of brightening and some lingering acne scarring. Soooo let's backtrack to September.  Serious Skincare had a Today's Special on HSN (Serious Skincare Resurface, Smooth and Brighten). I was curious when I saw the email in my inbox but really didn't think much of it. I think I forward the email to my beauty pusha (Crystalis007) and she said she loved the brand. I was like realllly now. So I watched the video on the presentation, decided it was good deal ($49.95) and caved. I waited too long to order and the option I wanted was on extended delivery. I just got set last week. I've used all the items except the CC cream. First initial use, the products are not bad. The C Extreme Results Advanced Vitamin C Skin Resurfacer 2-Part Beauty Treatment reminds me of a similar product from Philosophy but not as abrasive. Still I can't call anything a favorite since I haven't been using it long. I can say that it has played with the Proactiv items I've been using. They did mention during the presentation that this was a good set to incorporate if you already have a set skincare routine in place. Hopefully I'll get some good results in the next couple of weeks.

In terms of eye creams, I haven't found a favorite. Well I take that back. I had received Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Eye Cream when I had purchased some other items at the makeup counter. It's pricey so when I used it up I didn't purchase it. So we shall see if I ever purchase it or find a less expensive one that does the job.

Last but not least, a quick shout out to my Clarisonic. When I first got it, I used it twice a day. Now I use it pretty much every evening when I remove my makeup. It helps get everything off. I actually have two. I originally got the Mia from QVC. Then I ended up getting the Clarisonic Plus. Also from QVC. Can you tell that I like to shop at QVC? I debated on selling the Mia but it good for travelling and I use it when I have to charge up the Clarisonic Plus.

The only items I didn't mention were some masks I use. Maybe another day. This post is long enough as is. And there you have it. Just a mix of this and that of what I've been liking and playing with when it comes to skin care.

If something doesn't make sense....my bad lol.

Current Obsessions - TV Shows

There are very few current shows that I keep with. Most of the time you can find me watching reruns or marathons of various shows like The Golden Girls. But there are a few shows that I have to watch.

The Big Bang Theory

My coworker turned me on to this show and it's hilarious! It pretty much focuses on a group of "nerd" scientists and their everyday life. Simple premise yet not. Bazinga!

Sleepy Hollow

This is a new show in this year's fall lineup and I'm digging it. It has a mix of history, mystery and supernatural things going on. Some of it is kind of creepy. Have me thinking I need to watch this in the daytime LOL!!!!

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Ok can I say that I LOOOOOOOVVEEEDDD the Avengers movie. Like LOVEEED! I need to pick up the DVD but it has been On Demand for a while. When I heard that a TV show was coming, of course I was curious. I've watched the first few episodes. It's not bad. We shall see if it makes the cut and gets picked up for another season.

Football

Football is back baby! Woooooo!!! I've watched football for years. But within the last maybe 2 or 3 years I've been really getting into. Picked a team, paying attention to football news and stuff lol. This year I was itching for football season to start! I didn't know how to act when football was finally back on TV. And my team is 5-0! WHODAT!!!

Scandal

On Thursdays at 10pm, I am here for Scandal! Yes Gawd! It is not a game! This show right here baaaabbbbaaaayyyyeee! Gives me LIFE EVERLASTING!!! After every show it does seen like folks are ready to check into rehab. The show goes so fast. I feel like if you blink you'll miss something! Every Thursday I say that damn Shonda!!!! If you are a Scandal fan then you have to watch Funky Dineva's recap of the season 3 premiere. Hilarious!

 

Current Obsessions - Food

Every now and then I get the taste for something and I get stuck on it. So I'm currently crushing on...

Hot chocolate - I had been drinking hot chocolate even before the temps turned cooler. When I was younger I would drink hot chocolate like people drink coffee. Hershey's syrup, some milk and helllooooo hot chocolate!

Tuna - has been my go to for lunch at work. Especially since it's inexpensive and usually on sale.

Almond Milk - one of my sorority sisters turned me on to almond milk. I had tried it a while ago but it was just ok. Now I like it a lot.

Candy Corn - a fall favorite that has been around the office a lot lately.

Pumpkin Spice Latte - it is not fall until I have me a Pumpkin Spice Latte!!!!! When the weather was still warm I would get a frappuccino too. I also like the Via Pumpkin Spice packs. Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's and 7-Eleven have their version. I tried 7-Eleven's yesterday. It'll do in a pinch.

Pretzels - this has been my go to when I have tuna. Nice change up from potato chips

Raisin Bran - my go to cereal.

Peanut Butter - I go through phases with peanut butter. I always get Jif but Skippy was on sale and I'm watching my pennies as best as I can.

Current Obsessions - Music

I love music. I know a lot of people say that but I loooooove music! Here are some songs/artists I've have been lightweight "obsessed" with lately.

Bruno Mars

I had been digging on Bruno Mars when his first CD came out. But when he did the song "It Will Rain" I was like oh ok Bruno! Then when he dropped his second CD! I was like dat boy be sangin!!!!!!  There are very few CDs I can listen to from beginning to end without skipping a song. His one of them. My three favorite songs from Unorthodox Jukebox are Gorilla, Locked Out of Heaven and If I Knew. He came to the DC area over the summer and I am so bummed that I didn't go see him! I am looking forward to him performing during the Superbowl.

Jay-Z and Beyonce - On the Run (Part II)

I heard this song on the radio one morning and instantly fell in love with it. I love it so much that I bought the single from Amazon and play it non stop on my phone via their mp3 app.  I love it when these two collaborate together. Its not forced. It just works.

Justin Timberlake

I've always been a JT fan but when he dropped The 20/20 Experience, I was like Justin's getting his grown married man sexy on! I bought his CD when in came out last March. I has been in constant rotation okay...constant! I gushed over this in my April 2013 favorites. I need to pick up part 2.

Drake - Hold on, We're Going Home



I know some people clown Drake but I like him. When his new song, Hold On, We're Going Home came out I was like I'on know. But it has grown on me and I really like it. I've heard some songs of his newest release and I like what I've heard. I'll probably pick it up at some point.

Sevyn Streeter

When heard her sing I Like It and I was like this is nice. But when I heard It Won't Stop, I was like yes yes!!! Definitely has an Aaliyah vibe to it. Was just talking to some friend the other day on how much we missed Aaliyah and where we were when we got the news that she had passed.

Mario - Somebody Else

I've always liked Mario and he always comes out with that one good hit when he has album that's about to drop. The beat on Somebody Else is vicious! The is a song that gets turned waaaay up in the car ;)

Kanye West - Graduation



I've been playing Graduation like it JUST came out. I love me some Kanye. Yes he does the most at times but he is talented. When Good Life comes on mannnnnn!!! \O/

And there you have it. Maybe I'll do this once a month. Nice change up from all the "pretty" talk. We shall see.

Perfect Palette Tag

I watched NickiRothBeauty's video on this tag. She mentioned who started this tag and I watched iluvfaces1042 video that she did with her daughter. It was cute video. Since I don't make videos, a blog post was in order! I do own a lot of palettes. I  love palettes. I'm not a big fan of single eyeshadows in pot form. I do have a lot of single loose Bare Minerals shadows that I do enjoy. Anywho let's jump into the tag! For some of these I may have two responses. That's just how I roll ;)

1. Best Packaging

I don't like bulky palettes. They are hard to store and not convenient for traveling. So for me, best packaging is something sleek, easy to store and doesn't get dirty too easily (especially with fingerprints). So my first choice would be Urban Decays Smoked palette. My second choice would be the Bare Minerals Ready eyeshadow palettes but they pick up fingerprints easily. I've shown this in previous posts.


2. Best Color Payoff

Oh gosh, I could name a bunch of palettes for this one. Any of the Bare Mineral Ready palettes.  You barely have to touch your brush into the eyeshadow to get a good color payoff. I've mentioned these shadows in my four or more tag post as being my top 3 for eyeshadows. The come in duos (2.0), quads (4.0s) and palettes (8.0s). My favorite 2.0 is The Epiphany. My favorite 4.0 is a tie between The Truth and The Happy Place. My favorite 8.0 is The Cocktail Hour. My favorite 8.0 may change since I have The September Issue and The Power Neutrals 8.0s on my wish list.

I'm going to "cheat" and mention another palette but on the lower end of the spectrum. The Wet n Wild and Black Radiance 8 pan palettes (they are made by the same company) have excellent color payoff. The Wet n Wild palettes are around $5 and the Black Radiance ones are around $6 or $7. But of course you can catch sales and use coupons to get them cheaper. If I had to pick one from each brand then I would pick The Comfort Zone (Wet 'n Wild) and Downtown Browns (Black Radiance).


3. Most Versatile

I've gushed over the original Naked Palette so many times. So of course I would talk about it here. I think this is the most versatile because it can take you from a simple daytime look to a dramatic/bolder look for night time. It's the main palette I reach for when I don't know what to do.

4. Best for Traveling

I'm going to cheat here and mention two palettes again. I had mentioned this in my August 2013 favorites. I took the Urban Decay Smoked palette on a work trip and it was so handy. It has quite a few neutral shades along with some pops of color and a black liner which is my favorite black pencil liner Perversion. This is another palette that can give you a wide variety of eye looks.

I'm also going to mention Smashbox's Photo Op Mega palette. This joker has EVERYTHING you need. The only items you would need to add are your face products (foundation, powder, etc). This has a TON on eyeshadows, you get 2 blushes, cream liners, highlight powders, brow powders and lip products. Seriously this is all you. I have traveled with this palette before and it was so handy have all this together in one palette.

5. Biggest Regret

I would say the Tarte True Blood palette. This was a hype product for me. I don't even watch the show. I do like Tarte eyeshadow but I honestly don't reach for it. Tempted to see if I can sell it. We shall see.

6. Best Color Names
I think Urban Decay has the best color names. Border lining on risque even lol. I mean come on now, the dark brown eyeshadow in the Smoked palette is called Backdoor!!! o_O. Some other fun names are Booty Call, Virgin, Sin and Pain Killer.

7. Least Used
Again the Tarte True Blood palette (shown above). I just don't reach for it.


8. Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island

This one is a no brainier for me. I looooooooove Urban Decay's first Naked palette. For me it's a complete palette where I don't have to reach for another palette or eyeshadow to complete an eye look. Every time I pull this out I fall in love with it all over again. I have to force myself to put it away. Plus I'm a neutral eyeshadow lover and this palette make my inner neutrals whore happy :D

Book Lovin: The "Series" Trend

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

Ok soooooo...before the explosion of ebooks, I know authors would do a series. But I feel like authors didn't drag them out (in some cases) as they are doing now in the ebook world. The e-serial seems to be a new "popular" trend. Some of them are so "bad" you have authors selling a few chapters at a time. Having the price ending up being more that a doggone print book!

This trend makes my azz itch! A bunch of times I'll run across a free book or on sale for 99 cents and it turns out to be an e-serial with 4 or 5 books. I'm like come on now! If it's the first book that's offered up as a "deal", I don't trip as much. BUT when it's like the third of fourth book, I'm like really....REALLY! In some cases you may luck up a find a series that you don't necessarily have to read from book 1. But that doesn't happen all the time.

Hell even larger "traditional" series books are working my nerves! What happened to authors writing trilogies and quartets?! *sigh*. There's only so much you can draw out a series before it becomes redundant.

*sigh* and *ends rant*

Is it just me? I've had this conversation with one of my book lovin sorority sisters and she feels the same way.

TTFN - Ta ta for now!

Election Day Is Coming? Are You Ready?

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 is Election Day. It is not a Presidential election BUT it just important nonetheless. Are you ready? Do you know who and what issues you'll be voting on? Do you know your polling place and the hours? Does your employer allow you time off to vote? Google is your friend. Visit your city/county/state websites. Now is the time to get familiar! Even if you think an issue doesn't necessarily pertain to you, think how it will impact your family, your friends, your nieces, nephews, etc. Now is not the time to get complacent. Get the polls and VOTE! Let your voice be heard! Those mofos up on the Hill have their jobs because the PEOPLE put them there. There are SUPPOSED to be focusing on the PEOPLE.  Not their own personal doggone agendas. With everything that  has been going on lately, SHIT is real out here and this foolishness cannot continue! People are HURTING and STRUGGLING! I am very passionate about this and I know those who follow me on various social media outlets probably get sick of me. But you know what? I don't care. I reflect back on the people who fought and died for me to have the right vote. So you damn well believe if there is a vote to be cast, I will be there!! Take someone with you to the polls. Occupy the booth! Get it done!