Rimmel Eye Glistener

I've been reading several makeup blogs that have mentioned many eyeliners/eye pencils are manufactured at the same plants, re-labeled and then sold at various price points under different brands. With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to try Rimmel's Eye Glistener. At first glance it looks like an Urban Decay fat liner and I was feeling cocky. Confident even. Big middle finger to the MAN who's trying to steal my cash. I'm SO much smarter than that.

Except. I'm not.

I picked up this Rimmel liner at Target for $6.89, the color 'Eyeful' is a light, spring-like green shade. I was so excited to see how it would look I peeled the paper off and applied it with the help of my car's rear view mirror.

I applied one line. Nothing. Not visible.

I applied more. Nothing.

I went to town and smeared the stuff heavily. There. I could see the color, I liked it OK, but didn't love it.

And here's what I also did not love. The feel. This feels like you've smeared your lids with Vaseline. I felt I needed a face wash not like I had a fresh made-up face.

I blended it a little with my fingers and this was better, but still not great.

This did not wear long, 2 hours or less before I needed to blend again. My lids looked like a greasy mess and I never did get over the "wet" feeling.

I can't imagine anyone liking this one. It's not even in the same ballpark as Urban Decay. I would NOT buy this again.

Next I'm going to try NYC's fat liners. I think I can get this fat liners at the fraction of the cost of Urban Decay with better results than Rimmel's. I'll let you know what I find.

Until then, I need to head back to Target. I have a return to make.

30 Day Health Beauty

I'm on a personal journey for beautiful cosmetics, great books/music and first and foremost weight loss/great health.

I found this somewhere on the web, and I'm going to do it! Starting on the proverbial Monday. Cliche I know, but tomorrow it is.

I'll report here periodically as to how I'm doing.

I've explored Primal eating before and read Mark's Daily Apple for inspiration so the Primal diet concept is not new to me, BUT following it precisely for 30 days will be a personal challenge.

I know I can do it. The bummer is I'm already missing cream in my coffee and I haven't even started yet. I love starting my day with coffee and cream. Tomorrow it will be black.

I'll keep you posted. I hope you'll consider joining me in this venture. Nothing says beauty to the world better than good health. And an appropriate BMI.

Let me know how it goes. Best of luck to both of us!

I Landed My Own Doctor Pepper

I'm always looking for a quick easy look for when I head out to the gym. While it's true I sweat like a mofo and most of my makeup is off by the end of the workout, I don't want to head to the gym NAKED. I must apply a little moisturizng, tinted lotion, light blush and something on my lips.

I never do anything without something on my lips. Even when I'm tucking in for the night I can be found wearing some Burt's Bees tinted gloss.

I was excited to find Sugar Plum at Sephora. I've read other bloggers like this product so this gave me the go-ahead to purchase. And at $22.50 a tube, I think it's a little pricey so I definitely needed approval before clunking down my check card.

I wore Sugar Plum to the gym last week. The tint gave me a nice, well, tint. Not gaudy, not too pink or red, actually just perfect.

I love the tube the product comes in, it's a larger than average width, and it feels like a strong metal. You screw the top off and I like this too, it makes the product feel secure, strong and maybe worth $22.50?

I say MAYBE because when I put this on I was transported back to 6th grade, where my ultimate beauty product was LipSmacker's Dr. Pepper.

Remember Dr. Pepper? It's the perfect stuff for a girl who is too young for makeup, but old enough to know she can't wait to be in 7th grade and mom will let her wear mascara. (BTW - this was my mom, for my girls I allowed mascara in 6th grade and now that one is in high school I BEG her to let me do her makeup in the morning)

Dr. Pepper gives the best tint. Not too pink, not too read. It tastes and smells sweet.

Just like Sugar Plum.

But, unlike Sugar Plum, Dr. Pepper only costs $1.49.

Verdict?

I would buy Sugar Plum again because I can afford to and I like it. BUT, I'm not foolish enough to not know I can bet similar results for much less money. Therefore, Sugar Plum for me and Dr. Pepper for my girls until they're old enough to foot the bill themselves. (Sorry daughter #1 if you're reading this)

Um...It's My Lipstick

I was walking through MOA and what did I spy? Wonder Woman!

I loved Wonder Woman when I was growing up. Remember Linda Carter, squeezed into her teeny, tiny little bikini? She kicked ass. While my friends wanted to play Charlie's Angels, I was partial to Wonder Woman because she was STRONG. I like that in women.

Back to MOA. There's an employee in their MAC store dressed as Wonder Woman except she's wearing a god-awful bright yellow eye shadow. I don't know how anyone thinks yellow eye shadow is attractive and I feel the same way about yellow nail polish. Really? Yuck.

There wasn't a lot in the makeup line that turned me on to be honest. The colors were fine, but nothing special, except the lipstick.

I love MAC lipstick, so moisturizing, wears well and generally pretty colors.

I bought 'Heroine' which is a bronzy, brownish shade.

I like this shade a lot. I don't LOVE it, but I really like it.

On to the lipstick tube design. Doesn't it look like something you'd buy at the Smitten Kitten? It does now that I mention it doesn't it?

My husband thought so.

Also, the tube also looks like a fancy-dancy tampon holder.

Can't you just see it? A Wonder Woman tampon?

Or better yet, the Wonder Woman adult toy.

It's all in the design people.

All in all, this is a fun item. Nice wearing lipstick.

Lemony Delight

During my weekly Target run, I spotted 'Sun Drenched Lemon Sugar Scrub' created by One. There was only one container on the shelf and I debated whether or not to treat myself.

I'm so glad I did.

I brought the container home and after opening I was greeted with a heavenly lemon scent - it smelled like a lemon drop tastes. Delightful!

The first time I tried I scrub I was in the shower. I wouldn't recommend this approach - I had a hard time opening the jar and then I was worried I'd get water in it. This product should be revered! Save it for when you have time to soak in the tub, preferably with dimmed lights, candles going, a glass of wine. You get the picture.

Anyway. Back to the shower.

I applied the scrub to my loofah and scrubbed my arms, back and feet. The scrub feels gritty in a good clean way and again the smell is so wonderful.

After drying off I felt invigorated, my skin felt soft and my bathroom smelled of fresh lemons.

Next time I'll soak in the tub, get my hubby to scrub my whole back and I'll have lemon drops on hand so I can taste the wonderful smell.

I contacted the One company because I couldn't find the product anywhere on the web or the Target website and I wanted a .jpg. I was informed this is a brand new item to Target - I had the great fortune of spotting it early! They have other items for sale at Target and I plan on making my way through the line. I really like their company web site and here's a blip on their philosophy I like too:

'ONE is committed to promoting natural beauty without compromising the beauty of the earth, providing eco-friendly products in recyclable, plastic-free packaging to rejuvenate the spirit and save the planet.'

You can find them at onebathandbody.com

This is a must buy if you deserve a little treat. And even if you don't.

I also think this would make a great gift in someone's Easter basket - maybe my mother-on-law's?

Enjoy and let me know what you think of this great find.

Is There A Team 'Jodi Piccoult'?

I'm reading Piccoult's newest, "Sing Your Way Home" on my fabulous, best Christmas gift EVER, Nook.

I've read all of Piccoult's work because she's timely, intriguing and easy. Sometimes easy is nice.

But then, it gets ROUGH. (Are you catching my plagarism from Ike and Tina?)

I started "Sing" late at night next to my snoring hubby. I figured I'd read a little, relax, turn out the light and call it good.

It was NOT good. The beginning chapters of this book are so compelling, so wretching I found myself holding my breath. This coming from someone who is usually too lazy to be bothered with emotion while reading.

Then I was crying. What the hell?

I FINALLY shut down the Nook 100 pages into the story because it was 1 AM and Christ I need my sleep already.

THEN I proceed to dream about what I had just read. I dreamt I was pregnant. With a boy (cue husband's excitement), except in my dream I was less than thrilled. And due to my husband's vasectomy I was slightly puzzled about paternity.

But, I digress.

I woke up feeling disturbed and bothered, so of course I picked up the book as soon as possible and now I'm hooked.

Piccoult writes in different character voices and her topics are timely and on-point. Almost so observant and poignant it makes me wonder how she does it? Then I came up with the conspiracy theory that she doesn't. She has a team. This is why the differnet voices - who can tell the author? It also explains how she is so prolific while other authors of her ilk take a few years to produce new work.

The jury's out for me on this one. I am certainly thinking about it when I'm not reading. I'm looking forward to bedtime tonight when I can get back to the story and I have no idea how this one will end (downside to the Nook, I can't read the final chapter first, which I like to do with 'real' books).

I give this a thumbs up, but it could wait until the paperback is out. Or not.

If you want to wait and guarantee a great summer poolside read, this may be a book to remember.

Stuff's Come A Long Way - Shampoo

A few years ago I had an appendectomy. I was in the hospital a few days and I mentioned to the nurse I really wanted a shower. "Oh, honey," she said. "Tomorrow you can shower, how about I give you a dry shampoo for now to freshen you up?"

Kind of her. Except she didn't mention while my hair might feel squeaky clean, it would feel like straw and look even worse. I have no idea the product brand I used. I vowed to never use dry shampoo again unless I was hit by a bus and laid up for WEEKS, not days.

Fast forward to yesterday, when I spotted this at Target:

Suave Dry Shampoo.

Here's what I wrote on the Target review:

'I picked up Suave Dry Shampoo yesterday at Stillwater Target. I'm not one to go without washing, but I was asked to review this product from a friend and at under $3, who can go wrong?

I sprayed my daughter's hair this morning at the roots, her hair looked fresh and she commented on how soft it felt. Added bonus - the stuff smells fantastic! Truly great smelling.

If you're in a pinch and don't have time to shower, or have kids who are reluctant to shower, this is your go-to product.'

There you have it. I personally would have to be bed-ridden again to skip a shower, but this would be fine in a pinch and great for my daughters.

Thumbs UP.

Ah, Does Something Smell Funky? Oh. It Was Me.

I'm currently focusing on becoming certified in Spin and Kettlebell. I've been working out hard and pretty intense.

I love the rush of a tough workout, the sweat pouring off me. But. The smell, the wet armpits? Not so much.

I sweat like a woMAN, I am fierce, I am strong. I smelled like a gym locker room and so did my tshirts.

I went to the dermatologist to see what the heck was wrong with me. She gave me a prescription for some super-strength, toxic potion. It gave me a rash. A very, very painful rash.

I was then told by the same doctor that she could Botox my pits, stop the sweat all together. Are you kidding me? Poisin to stop the toxins my body is trying to rid me off?

I thought I would have to live with stinky old me, ROAR at my athletism, curse anyone who questioned where the rank odor was coming from.

Until.

This:

I have run. I have lifted. I have done Spin sprints and hills. I have put this product to the test.

And it's passed! A+!!

I have had no rashes. No irritation. No problem, no worries.

I recommend this one. And it can be found...where else? Target, the rock star of all stores!

Crazy Life

Hello!

I don't know if anyone is reading me (yet!), but in case you're checking in I've been on an obvious hiatus.

Work became really busy and my girls are on Spring Break, but trust me, I have some product reviews coming soon. Really soon.

I'm heading to Mall of America today with my list of goodies to check out for you (and me!) and will start writing manana!

Cheers!

Exercise Motivation

My goal this week is to attend 3 spin classes and run 4 days. I also will do some kettlebell workouts. Going for beauty through exercise. How about you?

Here's my favorite new workout list for running, spinning, kettlebells:

Born This Way, Lady Gaga
She Bop, Cyndi Lauper
S&M, Rihanna
Circle the Drain, Katy Perry (explicit)
Animal, Neon Trees
Bulletproof, La Roux
If You Seek Amy, Britney Spears
Proud Mary, Ike & Tina Turner
Animal, Nickelback
Black Betty, Ram Jam
Ventura Highway, America (this is one to relax your mind)
Howlin' for You, The Black Keys
You Spin Me Round, Dead or Alive
Ray of Light, Madonna