Why I love the Color-Blocking Trend

One of this seasons hottest trends is the contrast between two unconventional colors set side by side for a visual pop.  This trend is being seen on runways everywhere; on everything from casual wear, high end couture gowns, pumps and even hair styles.

I don't know about you all, but I have been working on saving any extra cash wherever I can get it.  But realistically it's hard to pass on my favorite beauty splurges.  Since I can't do without my gel manicures, color-blocking has come to the rescue to not only help me save a few bucks but also have a do it myself fashion go to!

By going a couple extra weeks between a new manicure I have taken the gross grown-out look to my advantage.  This week I took about 5 minutes to fill in those grown out areas with a contrasting color conventional polish and touch up the dulled-out tips on top. The benefit of the gel manicure allows you to use your at home polish and switch it up with nail polish remover without damaging the gel color. Having fun with it!   I added a few rhinestones to my thumb for a little sparkle! Trendy and money savvy! Check it out!

I Buy Based on Looks - Yea I said It!

Today I took particular care to notice which counters I avoided, because these are counters I always avoid, I tried to figure out why.  Here’s a picture of the Bobbi Brown counter that I can tell you right now I have literally never visited and until today don’t even remember ignoring.  

 Just look at it! The counter is SO cluttered and overwhelming that I wouldn’t even know where to start. For someone well versed in skincare and beauty products this might be heaven but to me it is a complete and utter nightmare.  I have also taken a picture of a recent MAC display that the MAC Pro told me has done amazing in sales. 

HUGE DIFFERENCE!!  This display has the eye shadow cream product in all the colors and one type of mascara in the new shades – a photo example of what you can do with these two products and that’s IT!   Perfect, great, I can handle that!  This is exactly why I am drawn to MAC in their more visually appealing displays, because in all reality I need as much handholding as possible when it comes to this type of stuff! 

Today I walked out of Nordstrom with a wish list a mile long.   The two items that are no question at the top of this list are the Clarisonic life-saving brush as well as the brightly colored mascara’s from MAC.  I also have set a mental date for the pre-release of MAC’s summer collection which I was told will arrive on May 18^th!  Oh, I will be there with bells on!

Nordstrom is Where You Will Find Me

Today I took a usual trip down to Nordstrom at Scottsdale Fashion Square.  This mall is where I go to think, relax, peruse the stores, and when the time is right – I shop like no one’s business!   Not only do I enjoy visiting this mall to see what is new in stores but I also love to go and see what people are actually wearing.  This mall, and Nordstrom specifically has become the center of Arizona fashion and beauty products. First and foremost I love Nordstrom because of their friendly and never pushy sales associates.  Even more-so I feel comfortable trying out new products purchased from Nordstrom because of their notoriously liberal return/exchange policies.  I know that if a product doesn’t deliver what it promises, I can return to the store with literally no hassles for expecting the product to produce the desired results.  Other than this Nordstrom carries about all the same beauty and skincare product lines that most other high-end department stores do with the exception of its main draw; MAC Cosmetics. 

Typically at Nordstrom I buy my Bare Minerals products, check out the other counters like Smashboxx, Benefit and Chanel just to see what’s new, but more often than not you can find me at the MAC counter.   They have no question the largest beauty product section right next to the escalator and they always have about 6 extremely well trained MAC beauty experts to help you right away.   Their counter is so well organized that it is easy to select an entire skincare regimen based on your needs by yourself if it just so happens that pigs have begun to fly and there isn’t anyone around to help you.  This is also a counter directed specifically for my age group.  I feel comfortable here and feel welcomed to ask questions or ask for help.  I am telling you if MAC had never come into my life I would probably be sporting a clown face right now; I was absolutely clueless before them! 

The feeling of being welcomed is ever-present throughout all of Nordstrom, though the sales associates at the other counters are slightly less relatable to me as a 25 year old though they really are nice enough.   Today I took a trip over to the skincare products and accessories section which I admit is the most daunting of all department store sections to me.  It just LOOKS expensive, foreign and overwhelming.  For the sake of this blog I ventured over and was greeted by a gorgeous six foot something European model-looking woman asking if she “cooould ‘elp me en eny whay”.   Between being flawless and sweet I asked her if there were one item in the skincare section I had to have what it would be.  Without hesitation she took me to the Clarisonic counter and completely sold me on the $150 pore minimizing, skin buffing, ultra cleansing gift from heaven that I will be running back to the store for as soon as my play money fund allows it!   

 I think that even if Giselle Bundchen weren’t telling me how the Clarisonic will revolutionize my life, I probably would have been drawn to this product even on my own.  The display was clear, concise and honest.  I could pick up the product and try it out if I wanted. The price was shown bluntly and the advantages of owning this expensive equipment were made abundantly clear right away.  To be honest the other sections were terrifying as usual; being mostly in French, unpronounceable and for maladies I didn’t even knew existed. 

It Never Hurts to be Open Minded

I would have to say that I do the least skincare work compared to most of my friends.  I should probably do more preventative maintenance for aging and exfoliation but I simply dread working too hard on beauty routines.  I like to simplify and get to the basics and be done with it!!

My very best girlfriend is extremely religious about her skincare routine; I've seen that girl cleanse, tone and moisturize her skin while black out drunk! Phew, now that is dedication that I simply do not have!   My cousin has the most gorgeous milky white complexion that I am not exaggerating, is absolutely flawless.   She has more skincare products than anyone on the planet and her routine could stump a rocket scientist, but whatever she is doing is clearly working for her.  I've tried to take pointers from her, but like I said before what works for her just doesn't work for me; our complexions and skincare needs are completely different.

It's Been A Learning Experience

Over the years I can safely say that I have tried dozens and dozens of different skincare products and routines.  I've jumped on the band wagon of so many products that so many of my friends swear by and been disappointed.  I've splurged on beauty magazine must-haves and strongly regretted the "investment".  Unfortunately this is the essential truth of beauty products in that they are different for everyone and we all will have different results.   Very rarely have I been lucky trying out the product I painstakingly selected after 30 minutes of careful label reading at Target.

For me, the surefire route to the most cost effective and helpful products is to visit a licensed Aesthetician who you know works with a variety of different product lines.   I have found aestheticians to be truly helpful because of their wide knowledge of skin and how to best treat what ails it.  But like anybody who sells anything it is important to be wary of the "up-sell".  Ask for samples of their products.  They shouldn't have any qualms with this as they know better than anyone that all of our skin types are different and react differently to products.

The most important thing I have ever learned about skincare is to be diligent in the care of your skin.  The frequency and consistency of cleansing and skin treatments are vital to skin health.  A product that I absolutely could not live without that I have yet to mention are my SPF products!  I live in Scottsdale, Arizona...it is sunny here practically every day of the year which is great, but not great on my skin.  I always buy makeup with at least a small amount of SPF in it, and always be sure to put on a strong sun block like Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Sunblock Liquid SPF 70, if I know that I will be out in the sun for any prolonged amount of time.   I like this product in particular because it has a very light consistency, no strong scents, doesn't look or feel greasy and will not make you break out -- oh and not to mention it is only $7!

I was never too careful with my skin around sun.  I grew up running around for hours out doors or splashing in the pool frequently getting at least a dozen severe sun burns each summer. At 25 I am starting to see the effects of this carelessness and for the past couple years have been very careful about my sensitive skin on my face, neck and chest.  Take a look around at those weathered bodies you see at the pool...the leathered, wrinkled skin just isn't pretty ladies.  I am sure by the time I am 30 I will probably require some sort of laser resurfacing treatment or another to help repair the damage I caused when I was young and reckless.  But that doesn't mean I should go ahead and further the damage I have already caused.

Hats, hats, HATS are now my best friend in the sun!

My Mirror

Written from the perspective of my bathroom mirror:

I've seen how you look at me, frankly I miss absolutely NOTHING.  I think that may be why you give me those looks sometimes.  I am always so glad to see you in the morning, sometimes I don't think you feel the same.  I know I don't have the best lit room in the house, but I do my best to reflect you beautifully!    Sometimes I wish you would smile more at the positive attributes of your skin rather than focus on those blemishes sometimes!

You do a great job with your skincare routine, you are very diligent and consistent.  I wish I were as well cared for as much as your face is!  No need to stress, you are beautiful, even those little blemishes can't hold you back!

A Day In The Life of My Skin

8:45 am - I wake up to my 4 lb Chihuahua standing on my chest licking my forehead.  Ugh, it's sweet but I'm not the only one with morning breath! Time to hop in the shower and get the day started!  I like to run the water pretty hot while I make my morning espresso to get the bathroom pretty steamed up to get my pores open, then cool the water a bit before I hop in so I don't over-dry my skin.  I apply one full pump of the RA Pumpkin Cleanser and spend about 45 seconds massaging it into my face and neck.  I let it sit for about a minute before rinsing to get the most benefits.

9:15 am - First thing I dry my pat dry my face and apply two sprays of the RA Raspberry Lotion toner to a cotton pad and swab my face and neck with this delicious smelling toner.  This product does a great job of killing off any remaining bacteria, cleaning out the pores I missed in the shower and evening my skin tone.  The natural raspberry ingredients also help fight oil production throughout the day, which I definitely need!  I then apply a pump of the RA Aloe Matte Moisturizer with my finger tips paying special attention to under my eyes and my neck.  I usually fan my skin dry with my hands and apply a pump of the Bare Essentials Oil Control Primer to help block oil production throughout my day.   Alright, it's makeup time!   I apply my Benefit Erase Paste under my eyes and on the troubled acne spots.  I am feeling better about my skin already!  I place two pumps of my beloved MAC Pro Longwear Foundation to the back of my left hand and I use my MAC 191 Square Foundation Brush (well worth the dough) to smooth the foundation evenly across my skin.  I like to section my face into four quadrants so that the color looks even and well blended.  At this point my skin is glowing and I am almost ready to leave the house, thank goodness because I hate spending too much time getting ready.  I dust and blend my foundation with the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder to set the foundation and get just the right glow.  I curl my lashes, apply MAC Studio Fix Mascara in Black Fix.  I dust my cheeks with the MAC Mineralize Powder Blush and I am all set for the day!

12:30 pm -  I've just had lunch and catch a glimpse in the mirror for the first time since this morning.  It's been a busy day at the office.  I grab the e.l.f. Shine Eraser Oil Blotting Sheets I bought at Target for .99 out of my purse to pick up some of the oil that has managed to surpass all the oil blockers I have applied today.  Not the products fault, I swear my skin is rich in oil like Exxon, I only wish it were as beneficial to me as it is to them.

5:15 pm - Leaving the office and headed out for an after work cocktail with my gals.  I re-apply the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder to freshen my foundation.  I glam up a bit and throw on some Bare Essentials Buxom Plumping Lip Gloss.

9:45 pm - It's been a great day, but time to get all this stuff off of my face!! I first remove my eye makeup with a generic eye makeup remover and a cotton pad because I like to wash the oily residue off as soon as possible.  I warm up the water and cleanse my skin with the RA Pumpkin cleanser again.  I pat dry and apply the RA Raspberry Toner again followed by the Aloe Matte Moisturizer.  For the seemingly inevitable blemish I carefully apply a tiny amount of product to a q-tip and sparingly dab directly onto the intruder.  I am super allergic so I try to use as little as possible and let it touch my sensitive skin as little as possible.   Time for some beauty sleep girl!