2009 Favorite Things Countdown

In case you missed it, here is the complete list of my Top 10 Favorite Products of 2009:

1. Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder
2. Kai Perfume
3. Jan Marini AntiOxidant Sunscreen
4. Bare Escentuals Matte Foundation
5. Marini Lash
6. EverPure Shampoo and Conditioner
7. Mally Beauty Lash Illusion Liner
8. Jan Marini BioGlycolic Face Wash
9. Payot Softening Deodorant Spray
10. Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Balm


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2009 Favorite Things Countdown #1

My number one favorite product of the year won't surprise anyone who has been a Gouldylox Reviews reader since I began this blog. It is something I wear everyday and definitely a product I won't be without. My favorite adventure this year? This one is easy. We liked doing it so much, we went somewhere else to do it again.

Favorite Thing #1 : Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder


After my Twitter pal, Pro Makeup Artist, Melissa Street, raved about Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder, I had to check it out. This powder claims to give you an aura-like glow, without all of that sparkle and glitter other similar finishing powders have.

Your face will have an airbrushed look. This fine powder has a photoluminescence that subtly illuminates a blue glow invisible to the naked eye which decreases the appearance of wrinkles. The diamond powder bends and refracts light to reduce the visibility of those imperfections while giving an aura of "je ne sais pas"! It is so finely milled that it does not give off a shimmer. This is more of an "aura" - like that of someone who has a pleasant secret they're keeping to themselves.

I have lots of secrets, but they tend to make me blush, not glow, so I am definitely a candidate for this powder! I need some help with fine lines and dark circles, but we have been over that. I am hopeful that this powder, which is infused with real diamonds, will seriously help conceal my imperfections and brighten my skin.

When I first dove into this very light powder, I was surprised by how white it was. That said, once thoroughly buffed on, it looked really, really nice. Some of my fine lines were not as noticeable and my skin felt positively smooth. My face did look brighter, which I love. My husband said I looked as if I had finally gotten a good nights' sleep. And if he noticed, than something must be working! One word of caution, I am not sure how this looks on someone who is not as pale as I am. I know all of these type of finishing powders (made by several companies) say this is a universal color, but I am curious to know if that is true. Since I am so fair, I can't speak for you gals who can actually get a tan.

This powder is comparable to Makeup Forever's High Definition Powder (according to the Purely Cosmetics website) and was recently listed as Must Have Summer Product by BeautyLuxe.com. I was recently on the local news (for my non-profit) and wore this finishing powder on camera. When I watched the broadcast back in high def, I was really pleased. I also received lots of comments that my skin looked great!

I purchased this product. A few times!

Zorbing in Pidgeon Forge

Day Two of my Glamping in Gatlinburg extravaganza was unique. We started the day hoping to go whitewater rafting and when we had called on Wednesday, we were told the river was dam-controlled and Thursdays were a no go. We excitedly called on Friday to schedule our rafting tour. Turns out, Friday was a no go because of the dam as well. When we asked why were weren't told this on Thursday, it was because we didn't ask specifically about Friday. Ugh.

Not off to a great start, I insisted on Zorbing. Why I wanted to do this, I have no earthly idea. Basically, Zorb is the "sport" of rolling down a huge hill in a hamster ball, with or without water. It started in New Zealand and it just so happens that Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is one of the only places you can officially Zorb in the US. I don't like roller coasters and I generally dislike fun (my co-workers will agree, as I have almost never gone to a happy hour in 13 years). But I wanted to Zorb!


I understood from the Zorb website that I would get wet. Really wet. I also knew my family had no plans for me to take the time to retouch my makeup, so I tried to plan a day that would allow me to not look like a train wreck while not getting sunburnt. After Zorbing, we were planning on spending the day at Dollywood, where I had hoped, but doubted, they would have large breast themed attractions. Rides or no rides, I didn't want to look like a drowned rat, so here is what I was banking on to help me maintain some kind of decent appearance:

Tarte Eco Cheek Stain: a gorgeous creamy peach stain.


Jan Marini Skin Research AntiOxidant SPF 30: Waterproof UVA/UVB SPF 30, my new fave sunscreen.



Tarte Lights, Camera Splashes Waterproof mascara: the waterproof version of their amazing mascara.


Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in Grey 22L: a beautiful gray liner for blue eyes that lets you look glam without looking like you are trying too hard - especially when you are Zorbing in Pigeon Forge.

Once I saw people leaving Zorb, I realized that getting wet wasn't really what was happening. It was more like being put in a washing machine. I left my hope of not being a hot mess in the red van that took us to the top of the hill. I got out of the vehicle, into the ball, and went down the hill.

Two fun facts before you watch the video:

1. If you crank the audio, you can hear me screaming the whole way.
2. My shorts fell down.




After my trip down the hill, how did I fare? My eyeliner was almost gone, my mascara stayed put, and my cheek stain held its own, although slightly worse for the wear. I did reapply my sunscreen, as I am not willing to risk burning my skin for my blog. All in all, I would say Zorbing is the ultimate test for makeup (and the closest thing you can get to actually being put in a washing machine. And while my slightly made-up face held up ok, it didn't matter. This is one of those times my inner beauty took over and out-shined my makeup.





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2009 Favorite Things Countdown #2

I am really picky about perfume. I don't like the really strong smelly scents, I prefer softer florals that remind me of my childhood. Hands down, I had one favorite scent this year, which is why it is my number two favorite product of the year.

I was also lucky enough to get a chance to chat with one of the makeup industries icons, Leslie Blodgett. Check it out the complete interview below.

Favorite Thing #2: Kai Perfume


Kai Fragrance Perfume Oil is a roll on fragrance that literally stopped me in my tracks when I received a sample from B-Glowing.com. (Technically, I made Mr. Lox pause the television and smell me.) According to the packaging, it smells slightly different on everyone. On me, it reminds me of when I was little, playing near the fence where my Mom grew a bit of honeysuckle. Other perfumes have similar notes, but on me, this is a true honeysuckle, without being too sweet. I can't stop smelling myself. This scent just makes me happy.

Interview with Leslie Blodgett (Part One and Two)


I recently had the pleasure of meeting mineral makeup icon Leslie Blodgett, the CEO of Bare Escentuals. Leslie was making an appearance at an Ulta, where hundreds of fans gathered to meet her and have makeup artists give them a Bare Escentuals Makeunder. In case you don't already know, Leslie has been at the helm of Bare Escentuals since 1994, making it one of the most successful brands of cosmetics on shelves today, the number one beauty brand sold at Ulta, Sephora and QVC.


Bare Escentuals is one of my favorite brands, for many reasons. Partially because of an emotional connection I made to the brand, but more so because of their amazing selection of colors, quality of products and never ending line of new mineral goodies. But the best part is how wearable the products are on so many people. Every woman can look fabulous every day, easily with these products. They aren't intimidating like other "haute couture" cosmetics companies. Bare Escentuals is about every woman looking great naturally, every day.

Not surprisingly, meeting Leslie was like chatting with a girlfriend. With so many questions, what to ask first?


(The Surprise Collection and The Happiness Collection shown above)


GR: What products are you really excited about this season?


LB: I am really excited about our bareMinerals foundation for life Get Lucky ticket promotion. We have three kits, The Surprise Collection (Bare Escentuals Boutiques), The Happiness Collection (Sephora) and The Jewel Collection (Ulta ) that all have a very special ticket inside. Three of these kits have wonderful tickets inside that will give the winner our foundation for life! It's like that movie with the chocolate factory for BareEscentuals fans. Plus each kit is full of amazing products.(Envy Eyeshadow pictured above)


GR: What is your favorite eyeshadow color?

LB: We have so many, it's impossible for me to choose! Although since you asked me to, I'll pick Envy. It's one of the first colors I created and I still love to use it today. It's a beautiful light green shimmer that looks great on everyone.

GR: What is your favorite trend of the season?

LB: There are so many trends right now and they are all so striking. I love the look of a really red, vampy lip, but it is really hard to pull off frequently. I only personally wear that once a month, when I have somewhere special to go. However, I love to find ways to make the trends work for real women everyday. For example, the red lip. Try a peachy gloss underneath a red lipstick for an everyday, wearable red lip. I really love Buxom Lip Polish in Eva paired with the Buxom Lip Stick in Barcelona. It's creamy, glossy and just red enough.



(Eva Buxom Lip Polish and Barcelona Lip Stick)





When I had the chance to chat with Leslie Blodgett, CEO of Bare Escentuals, at a recent appearance, I had to ask her about her favorite makeup tricks. With almost limitless combinations of over 200 eyeshadow colors and countless blushes and radiances, the possibilities are endless. Here are some of Leslie's favorite tips and tricks.
Tip Number One: Wear Flawless Radiance. It's a must have. It gives a dewy sheen, without being glittery or sparkly. It looks very natural and brings a new level of freshness to any blush. If you need to go somewhere and look like you aren't wearing makeup, add a little Flawless Radiance to your cheek bones or to your eyelids. It's subtle enough to make you look as if you really just look that great, with no makeup.Tip Number Two: Use a color like Twig on your eyelids. Then line your eyes with Midnight Sky, a really pigmented indigo blue. The Twig has just enough sparkle and color shift to really play up the deep blue. It's a striking color combo that a lot of people don't put together. Try it! Depending on how heavy handed you application, the look can range from smoldering to really natural and effortless. Either way, it will make your eyes pop!


Tip Number Three: Layer Flawless Definition Mascara with Buxom Lash Mascara for incredibly long and thick lashes. The key is to curl your lashes first and then put on a coat of Flawless Definition Mascara. While that layer of mascara is still wet, add a coat of Buxom Masacara.

This one blew my mind. While I have used chafing cream as a face primer and hydrating Visine as a mixing agent for mineral eyeliners, I have never thought to layer my mascaras, beyond what comes with a mascara primer. I immediately ran out and bought Buxom Lash Masacara (and Eva Buxom Lip Polish in this nifty bargain combo, A Wink and a Kiss) to try this for myself. One of my co-workers thought I was wearing false lashes. She literally got in my face and examined my lashes, from a few inches away. She was impressed. I was blown away.


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2009 Favorite Things Countdown #3

Happy New Year!

It is getting close to the end of the countdown (and close to when I have to go back to real life). Here is the one product I have used faithfully every day since we originally met, over the summer. My number three favorite story is about one of my favorite things I had when I was growing up. I am happy to tell you I was recently reunited with it while digging through my old closet over Thanksgiving.

Favorite Thing #3 Jan Marini AntiOxidant Sunscreen


My Jan Marini Antioxidant Waterproof SPF 30 protected my face from the sun all day, which is ultimately the most important thing you can do to stop aging in its tracks. The formula is really light and non-goopy. It has one of the best sunscreens available to combat UVA and UVB rays, Parasol 1789, and it dried quickly to an oil-free matte finish that worked well with my tinted moisturizer. Plus, it's waterproof and perspiration proof. I am not sure I can go back to using any other sunscreen!

Product was sent to me for the purposes of review.

Adventures in Beauty Land : The Clariol Mirror

I am obsessed with a quest for the best cosmetics products. I love and have tried almost everything. Drug stores, department stores, closeout stores, it doesn't matter. Sadly, this includes investing a lot of money in new consumer lines that always make me sad. Remember when Old Navy launched a cosmetics line? Mr. Lox recently asked me when I started my cosmetics obsession. I think it was when I got one of these for my birthday, in the sixth grade.


This mirror was awesome. It had four different light settings and mine had "doors" that closed when I wasn't using it. I could put on my Wet and Wild liner in brown, ever so lightly, with my clear Cover Girl lip gloss my Mom got me for special occasions. Specifically the 6th grade Valentine's Day Dance. This mirror let me see what my brown liner and clear gloss looked like in the sun, on a cloudy day, in the office and at night. (By the way, I wasn't allowed to wear the brown liner, but lightly lined my lower eyes so you couldn't tell) Soon, I saved my allowance for two weeks and bought one Maybelline single eye shadow at the Jarrettsville Pharmacy. It was called Silky Taupe, and it matched my eye lid skin. But I knew it made me look fresher, prettier and possibly thinner. (It always comes back to somehow making me look thinner - at least in my mind).

I spent countless hours in front of this mirror trying to curl my very straight hair to look like someone from WKRP in Cincinnati (for those under 35, go with Charles in Charge. If you're under 25, please sub the Pink Power Ranger). I also spent hours trying to get my lashes to curl, without a lash curler, which I was also not allowed to have. I remember going to the Jarrettsville Pharmacy and thinking how different the nude eyeshadows my Mom couldn't detect would look in my fancy mirror, depending on their sheen or sparkle. And when we would go to a fancy dinner at Sir Walter Raleigh at the nice mall, I would spend at least an hour getting ready using the very special "night lighting" setting. The possibilities were endless.

That's what I love about makeup. The possibilities.


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2009 Favorite Things Countdown # 4

I love mineral makeup, so it's about time my favorite mineral makeup company makes the list. Here is also one of the most popular posts of the entire year, the day Loxy realizes why the Hair Cuttery has so many bad nicknames.

And of course, Happy New Year!

Favorite Things #4 Bare Escentuals Matte Foundation




I like mineral-based foundations. In fact, I really like a lot of Bare Escentual products. I am not sure I am on board with their skin revival night-time products and no matter how many times they say it, it's better to wash your face at night than to wear your makeup to bed (although I have done a lot of both). That said, I have quite a collection of BE to back up my love for this line. (My fave kit so far is definitely the Rocker Eye kit.) I like BE so much I am a part of the BE Angel's Program - people selected by BE and given product to give out to friends. Sometimes, Leslie herself even writes me back when I have questions (she's really nice).

However, each summer, I have to put away my BE foundation because I am one of the unlucky girls who has a reaction to bismuth oxychloride in warmer weather and in humidity. Most BE products contain bismuth (many companies use this, not just BE). The way I understand it, it is what gives the luminous look, allows for the swirl, tap, buff application method and is a fairly inexpensive ingredient. Many other mineral foundations have cropped up that specifically avoid bismuth (a by-product of lead and copper metal refining, with chloride and water) because they know there is a need for mineral foundation sans this ingredient.

So how excited am I that Bare Escentuals has finally come out with a bismuth-free, matte version of their foundation? The matte version of the foundation does not contain bismuth oxychloride and after wearing it over the previous holiday weekend, I am happy to report it didn't make me itch! The coverage was definitely a little more matte, which I am ok with. I think it wore well, looked great and most importantly, felt great!

I purchased this product with my very own money.

What To Do When Haircuts Go Wrong.

I recently got a call from my husband, Mr. Lox, who was upset about a haircut he had recently gotten at the Hair Cuttery in our neighborhood. He claimed it was horrible and that he looked ridiculous. While his hair actually grows in a circle and is difficult on a good day, I wondered how bad it could actually be.

When I got home, he stood up and pointed to his head, looking mad and embarassed. Ever the considerate and caring wife I try to be, I said, "I am so sorry for what I am about to do. Seriously."

I then burst out laughing.

"Oh Loxy, that is really awful! Did you pay for that? What happened? Did you ask for that? Did you tip? Why did you leave looking like that?"




I can't say it's never happened to me. Once, I let an really popular stylist, who had worked for the famous stylist, Garren, give me a mullet. I paid, tipped, and walked out of the salon. I looked at myself in the car mirror and wondered what the hell just happened? I lived with it for a day (Sunday) and then on Monday, I found the one salon open in Baltimore and got my hair cut off ala Annie Lennox from the Sweet Dreams days.


There were no other options, as my short hair on the "business side" was really, really short - the only solution left was to chop it off, making it almost even all over.

It grew, I lived. I went back to the same almost-famous hairstylist again and never spoke of the mullet. But what should I have done?

When you are getting a service from someone, always remember:

You have the right to speak up if you don't like what is happening. It's better to say, "wait! not so short" and stop them before you end up with something that will send you home angry or in tears.

You don't have to tip for a service that you don't like. But please don't use this as an excuse to be cheap if you didn't like the hot towels or if the music was too loud. If they did something you asked them not to or if they send you home looking crazy (Loxy, are you listening?) don't tip.

If you get home and you are still unhappy, call the salon and speak to the manager. I am positive they would rather retain you as a customer then lose you forever and will be happy to have you come back in and fix your flawed mane, usually for free.

On this flip side, don't take it out on your stylist by calling and saying they did a poor job, when in reality, they didn't make you look like Jennifer Aniston. If you show a haircut with the longest layer falling to your chin, don't be surprised when your hair ends up chin length. Discuss what you really want before you are shampooed, way before the shears come out of their sheath.

As for Loxy, shellshocked from his experience at the Hair Cuttery, he went to another local barber shop that was literally calling his name, Drew's Barber Shop, located in Parkville, MD. This barber shop took one look at him and said they had seen that cut many times before, from our friends at the Hair Cuttery. They showed him the big screen television, offered him a beer and fixed him up for $17. While his hair is a little short, it will grow and he can show his face in public.



And I can finally stop laughing.



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2009 Favorite Things Countdown #5

Today is the halfway point of my countdown. In the past 6 months (plus) I have been blogging, I have reviewed well over 225 products. Number 5 in my countdown is the one product that has made a visible, lasting, amazing result. The halfway point is also the day where I remind my Mom I was kind of chased by a bear. Atleast I didn't break an ankle while escaping. Anyone who knows me knows that breaking an ankle is the most likely ending to that story...



Favorite Thing #5: Marini Lash

I have mentioned that I have puny lashes. In fact, I have mentioned this over and over. While I have had success in the past, I have also tried products that left my lashes limp.

I recently tried Jan Marini Lash. Unlike Latisse, Marini Lash contains no prostaglandin, which is an FDA-approved drug to help those with minimal lashes grow longer, thicker lashes. Latisse has a great track record for results, but can also permanently darken your skin where the medicine is applied and it may change the color of your iris permanently.

According to their website, Marini Lash is totally safe to use and claims to help grow longer, thicker lashes by conditioning them with proprietary peptides. I used Marini Lash for 5 weeks. But for $160, can it possibly be worth it? When I started, my lashes looked like this:



You can see how short they are - they are almost impossible to curl! Even the best, most thickening and lengthening mascara can only do so much.

Here is what my lashes look like five weeks into this experiment. These next photos were all taken on the same day at the same time, with and without mascara. While my lashes will never be enviously long like some of my co-workers, they are border-line long for me.
It worked! I love it!





While Marini Lash is expensive at $160 (compared to Latisse's $115, one tube of Marini Lash, will last about 6 months. Latisse only lasts for one month. Compared with the cost of lash extensions or the prescription solution, for those with short, thin lashes who are nervous about the permanent side effects of Latisse, this is definitely worth considering. UPDATE! I have now been using this product for several months and my lashes are continuing to grow. It's truly amazing stuff!

This product was sent to me for the purposes of review.

Glamping Day Four: The Bear
On our last day in Gatlinburg, I was awoken by Abz yelling, "OMG! A bear got into our trash! It's everywhere!" Like any good sleuth, I immediately put on shoes and ran outside to the scene of the crime. It was there that my father-in-law and I, he in his robe, discovered that our large protective trash bin had been carried from one end of the porch to the other. (These are claw holes from where the bear grabbed the bin.)



Our house happened to have a wrap around porch that went almost the entire distance around the cabin. You could only exit from the one side. The bin had been carried past several chairs that did not give a wide berth, a grill and my wet clothes from Zorbing.

The bear then apparently shook the large bin until the metal piece that kept it closed fell off. The doors then opened, the trash cans fell and the bear dragged the trash bags into the woods. It was everywhere. However, the bear kindly did not disturb the chairs, grill or my wet clothes, which was really nice, all things considered.


Everywhere we went in Tennessee, I saw the same message. Garbage Kills Bears. Being an animal lover and certainly NOT wanting to kill bears, I decided to pick up the garbage. While my mother-in-law later pointed out I didn't need to clean it up (??), I couldn't fathom leaving the trash there.


Picking up the stuff on the driveway was easy. Climbing down the muddy, steep hill in my MBT shoes and a skirt was a different matter. Not wanting to negligently kill a bear, I risked falling in mud to pick up gross leftovers. I continued to brace myself (which always yields a 50/50 chance of falling) on branches and rocks down the short incline to the tree line to retrieve the trash. (It is steeper than it looks here. Trust.)


When I made it to the tree line, I stood up and took a breath, looking back over my shoulder at all of the trash I had cleaned. Feeling proud, I looked down the mountain and then up at the clear blue sky. I was filled with pride from my good deed.



In the next breath, I heard the loud crackle that is only accomplished when something very large and very heavy moves in the woods. Instantly knowing the bear hadn't yet left the very trash I was collecting, I did what any good non-bear killer would do. I hiked my skirt up to my hoo-haa so my legs could take wide steps up the steep hill and I ran like nobody's business back into the house.

I would like to point out a few things:

1. I carried the collected trash with me and left it in the drive way.
2. I pulled my skirt down before running into house, where I almost smacked into my father-in-law, who looked perplexed as to why I was running.

I then hurried around telling everyone what happened. Loxy's bro and sister-in-law actually went outside looking for the bear. Don't ask, I don't know what they would have done if they found it. Perhaps just photographed it, I suppose. Loxy himself saw the bear from an upstairs window, but I was the only one with a close encounter of the bear kind.

What does this have to do with makeup?

After my encounter, I was visibly shaken and looked a little "off". Not wanting to go to breakfast at "Little House of Pancakes" looking disturbed, I turned to my new favorite trick to make your eyes look naturally amazing.I used Mally's Lash Illusion Liner under my eye, just along the base of my lower lashes. Then I lined the inner corner of my upper lash line with the same liner. Here is the key. I used Tarte's Rest Assured pencil on the inside rim of my lower eyelid. Then use the Rest Assured just under the line I already created under my lower lash line with the Mally pencil. I finished off my eye with the creamy shimmer part of Rest Assured just dotted and smoothed out in the inner corner. This makes your eyes pop while looking refreshed, without looking like you are wearing any makeup!



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2009 Favorite Things Countdown # 7 and #6

Here is a look at my favorite shampoo and conditioner as well as the most overlooked product you probably don't own. (But you should!)

And here's two of my favorite interviews from the year. It's fitting they should be next to each other, since they are in cahoots about telling me I am perimenopausal.

Favorite Thing # 7: Mally Lash Illusion Eye Liner

I have been spending a lot of time lately, checking out liners that will work for the inner rim of the eye, the waterline. Some go on really nicely, some melt away and some can stay on like rock stars. But more on those later. In the meantime, I came across a liner that is slightly different from your normal pencil liner. It's still a pencil, it's still a black liner, but it's different from all of your other pencils.


Mally Beauty Lash Illusion Liner is a teeny, tiny pencil that is to be used to fill in spaces between your lashes, giving you a fuller lash line without looking like you're wearing liner. It's a time honored makeup artist trick, one you probably have been reading about since you were 15. You know the one: "gently dot right along your lash line and then connect the dots, making sure to stay right inbetween your lashes." And probably, like me, you tried. I tried for hours to make the dots work without looking like I was wearing liner. The problem? ALL pencils are too thick to make a line that isn't noticeable (see below for regular pencil "dots" vs. Mally).



My hands aren't steady enough to pull that off with a liquid liner and skinny brush, so it never worked for me. I can't get enough eyeshadow pigment on a tiny brush to make a noticeable difference.


Mally Beauty's Lash Illusion is a little pencil that does the job perfectly. How tiny is tiny? We are talking three-of-them-can-fit-in-the-width-of-my-middle-finger tiny. They are very pigmented and easy to use. You get two black/brown liners in a cute little case and luckily, they come with their own sharpener. Mally (makeup artist to super-performers like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Mary J. Blige) suggests you hold the pencil up and down, perpendicular to your lash line and gently dot along your lashes, filling them in. While I can't seem to manage to do that, I have no problem just getting between my lashes and filling them in. This pencil specifically kicks butt for the lower lashes, where you can easily line lightly in between the lash line. You won't look like you are wearing eye liner, while making your eyes pop. It's a great trick, but you can only do it with this pencil (I am sure a pro can do it with something else, but I can't!). For $20, plus shipping from the Q, you'll get 2 pencils, the case and the sharpener. You have to have these little pencils in your bag of tricks. Especially if you don't like to wear a lot of makeup, these give your eyes some kick without looking like you are trying too hard.

I love them. Check them out!
(These were sent to me for the purposes of review.)



Favorite Thing # 6 Ever Pure Shampoo and Conditioner



So this review isn't really for a new product. In fact, I know news about this shampoo has been everywhere. But here's the deal - I didn't want Loreal's EverPure Moisture Shampoo to work. I told my friends they shouldn't use it. Over and over again.

Why? I feel like Loreal is playing on consumers' interest in the green initiative to get rid of harsh sulfates in a soap, with no real intent to be kind to my hair and the environment. That doesn't seem like a bad goal to have, being green, but I don't like to be so openly manipulated. It also bothers me because by saying that having sulfates (which are in everything) makes your shampoo bad, equals saying that every other hair product Loreal makes for colored hair is bad for your colored hair. As if they are admitting they have been pulling the wool over our eyes until the release of this product. The big sulfate we all know you must avoid is the harsh ammonium lauryl sulfate. Lauryl does have a sister detergent, Laureth, and she is not quite as harsh and is typically accepted to be better for color treated hair. That said, you may want to consider avoiding sulfates in general, but that is up to you.

Now, I eat crow.

This stuff really does work. My hair color, which is bright, bright red, has lasted longer for the last month than ever before. I haven't found myself reaching for a color depositing shampoo or conditioner and my hair is really, really shiny. I mean out-of-this-world, getting-compliments-all-of-the-time-shiny. My color hasn't faded. And for a red, that is saying something. The shiny, may be due in part to a conditioner (I'll get to that later). But for a product I wanted to fail, I really, really liked it!

I bought this item. Several times.



Quick Chat with Paula Begoun, The Cosmetics Cop


Paula Begoun has to be the original beauty blogger. Before blogs, before lightening fast Internet, there was a series of books called "Don't Go to The Cosmetics Counter Without Me". If you aren't familiar with this title, and you love cosmetics, these books will change your life. Paula reviews cosmetic products by their chemical composition, not by her opinion of what she personally likes.

Her reviews are like neutral ground; stable compounds that are packaged properly will get high marks. Outlandish claims or harsh unneeded fragrances will not do so well. If you ever want to know what products live up to their claims from a cosmetic chemist point of view, Paula is your gal. Better yet, become a paid subscriber to Paula's website, Beautypedia and never miss a thing. I am constantly reading her reviews and her online ingredient dictionary is my go-to resource for quick research.

I recently had the chance to chat with Paula very briefly on her Blog Talk Radio show. My question? What is going on with my skin? Why is the skin around my nose taking on a spongy appearance while the rest of my face still looks nice and smooth? Her answer? I might be perimenopausal.

WHAT? Wait, I am slipping into menopause? I'm 36! Paula mentioned that one thing that effects the size of pores is androgen. As the body doesn't make as much estrogen, pore size can increase. All of which, is a side effect of perimenopause.

OK. I would like to forget that portion of the conversation happened.

So let's skip ahead to what she said I could do to improve the size of my pores. "Avoid irritating ingredients in all of your skin care products. Be sure to use products that do not contain things like alcohol, peppermint and many plant extracts. Try to avoid fragrances, they just aren't needed. Look for a really great exfoliant. Salicylic acid is a great exfoliant that can help bring about changes in your skin and the texture. There are quite a few out there, but, call me biased, I really like my 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel. It really helps exfoliate the skins surface, as well as the pore lining."


I mentioned that as a blogger I change products often, every four to six weeks, and Paula exclaimed, "Oh my. I guess bloggers have to do that, but everyone else shouldn't. Skincare is like your diet. Can you imagine if you ate all kinds of random foods constantly? You would have the worse case of indigestion ever. If you can find a regimen you like, stick with it. The better it is for you and the more consistent you are, the better your skin will look. And of course, be sure to wear your sunscreen protection."

Even if I deny I could be perimenopausal, it was so much fun to chat with someone who has been such an influence in my life for the last 15 years. Thanks, Paula!

Jan Marini Gets Serious About Skin Care
I recently had the chance to chat with skin care aficionado, Jan Marini, the woman behind JanMarini Skin Research. Jan's line is known for being a leader in new anti-aging, resurfacing and repairative skin technology. Since I am all about the science behind the products, I was thrilled to get a chance to speak with her and find out what products she would suggest to help my skin, as it begins the newest phase of the aging process.



First off, I should tell you that one of Jan's newer products, the Age Intervention Regeneration Booster uses topical Telomerase Enzyme therapies to deliver truly dramatically skin rejuvenation benefits. This therapy is so ground breaking, three scientists were recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work surrounding the anti-aging properties of telomeres. Clearly, her products go way beyond the glossy hype that surrounds so many of her competitors. I can't wait to get my hands on this tiny bottle of dramatic rejuvenation. More importantly, I couldn't wait to learn more from Jan herself.

Before I dive in to my skin care overhaul, here are some facts I learned by chatting with Jan Marini:

- Wrinkles are actually wounds to the skin. Wound research has shown that topical agents have the ability to help heal wrinkles. If you concentrate on skin cell communicating ingredients that aid in wound healing, you will have the ability to heal wrinkles (ie greatly diminish their appearance).

-80% of sun damage occurs before the age of 10. (10!?! I was thinking of how I could meet The Karate Kid and make him fall in love with me, not about wrinkle prevention!)

-If you have a blemish, dab a bit of cortisone cream on the spot and cover with a band aid. This yields a similar (although not exactly the same) result as getting an injection would.

While this isn't a fun fact, I did enjoy this portion of our conversation immensely (when speaking about another brand who uses a myth about mineral oil to promote their products):

"Mineral Oil is not bad for the skin. It is one of my favorite myths about skin and skin care - that skin needs to breathe. No one has ever shown me lungs within the skin and skin does not breathe. Mineral Oil is actually organic and it's job is to be occlusive. It's not a bad thing. It isn't causing the death of skin by not allowing it to breathe. Again, skin doesn't have lungs."

I love it when science trumps hype.

I was excited to get a chance to chat with her about what products would actually work for me. Perhaps someone can get to the bottom of this sponge-like appearance near my nose (which Paula Begoun said was due to being perimenopausal) and the fine lines around my eyes.

I explained to Jan that I had nice skin, with lots of (undeserved) melasma, that was very dry, with fine lines and had the spongey next-to-my-nose skin. Without missing a beat, Jan said the change in skin texture was no doubt due to becoming perimenopausal. If I didn't know better, I would say she and Paula Begoun were in cahoots.

Jan suggested an intensive treatment regimen to revamp my skin, help diminish fine lines and improve the radiance and texture of my skin. Thank goodness she sent me a checklist of what to do, because it is some serious skin care. It doesn't take any more time than what I usually do, but it is intensive.

Here is my plan:

Wash (in a specific way) using BioGlycolic Facial Cleanser twice per day. I have been doing that prior to our chat, so be on a the look out for a review soon!

Follow up with C-Esta Face Serum twice a day and BioClear Lotion in the evenings.

Use Age Intervention Face Cream and Age Intervention Eye Treatment twice each day.

Once per week, cleanse and treat with two enzyme treatments, Clean Zyme and Skin Zyme and use the Age Intervention Regeneration Mask (but not on the same day).

Of course, each day use the SPF 30 AntiOxidant Sunscreen (which is my favorite sunscreen of all time). I can't stress how important it is use to sunscreen anytime you are outside between the hours of 5am and 10pm. It's not about being sunny and needing sun screen. It's about preventing damage from the UVA and UVB rays you can't see. Rainy, cloudy or after 3pm, you still need to protect your skin from the sun.

It's intensive, but as I start week three I am seeing a difference. My skin is definitely smoother and is glowing. I am hopeful the fine lines will begin to diminish soon. You know I will give you the scoop, as soon as I can. For now, here's to fewer lines and glowing skin!


Products were sent to me for the purposes of review.




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2009 Favorite Things Countdown #8

I am obsessed with getting magazine perfect skin. And I realize that isn't realistic. But I still want to have the best skin I personally can have. Here is my favorite cleanser from 2010.

One of the stories I love from this year is about my favorite foreigner who has more chutzpah than I ever dreamed. Being a soldier in the Israeli Army takes guts. Walking into a high end department store and asking for something totally foreign to you in another story.

Favorite Thing # 8: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Wash

I was thrilled when I was asked to review a facial cleanser by Jan Marini. She makes my all time favorite SPF and her lash treatment made my lashes lush, so I was excited to see what else she had to offer.

Jan Marini BioGlycolic Facial Cleanser is a cleansing lotion that Jan recommends for all skin types. I like to think of this cleansing lotion as more of a treatment than a cleanser. It contains glycolic acid, or Alpha Hydroxy Acid, which is known for it's incredible exfoliating abilities. We all know that putting something on your face and washing it off seconds later will not yield astounding results. However, I have found that since this cleanser is thick, you can leave it on your face for several minutes. I like to use it in conjunction with the Age Intervention Regeneration Facial Mask. This one-two punch really reveals younger-looking skin, leaving you glowing. Think of it as a booster for this amazing facial mask. Or on days when I don't have to wash my hair, I like to put it on while I take a shower. It really stays put and the extra minutes in a steamy shower open pores and give you more visible benefits. But be careful - this cleanser contains glycolic acid, so never use it around your eyes!

This product was sent to me for the purposes of review.


My Israeli Sister-In-Law Shocks Me With Sue Devitt Beauty

Why is this post worthy? I fall for new cosmetic lines all of the time. So what's the big deal? First, a little back ground info on my favorite Israeli sister-in-law.

Aya, my sis-in-law, was born and raised in Israel. In fact she lived in this lovely land (her home looked like a resort) until recently, when she went from the seaside Mediterranean lifestyle to the harsh, cold winters of Chicago & Michigan.


Aya is the antithesis of me. She loves the outdoors, she doesn't own a television and she has never worn makeup on a regular basis. She likes the water, she knows Krav Maga and she can back down the side of a mountain in a giant rental car without breaking a sweat. (I was there. It was terrifying.) I love her no matter what, but I am sure you can imagine how excited I was when she asked me for makeup advice on applying eye shadow on our "glamping trip".

Aya recently found herself far away from her home, where many women opt for a natural, no makeup look. That is certainly not to say that all Israeli women don't wear makeup, I am sure many do. But not my Aya. She just didn't feel it looked right on her. She loves to wear sunscreen to protect her fair skin and get out and enjoy the outdoors. She doesn't want to bother with runny mascara or lipstick as it interferes with her kayaking in Alaska. Aya had only worn makeup twice in her life. Once at my wedding and once at hers.



Then one day, Aya landed a nice job and started working with all kinds of women. Wanting to look more professional and polished, she bought some stuff at a drugstore, but didn't know how to apply it on or even how to make it stay on her face. So she did what any brave, self respecting girl would do.




She marched into her neighborhood Barney's and asked for help.

A makeup artist from Sue Devitt Beauty was happy to help. Aya told the artist she wanted to achieve a look similar to her friend, who swore by Sue Devitt. Aya wasn't interested in getting the same colors, but wanted to have the same beautiful, natural, easy, glowing look.

The makeup artist spent quite a bit of time showing Aya how to re-create a similar beautiful natural face and she ended up leaving with Foundation, Lip & Cheek Gel, Mascara, Under eye Corrector, 2 Eyeshadows, 2 Eye intensifier Pencils and a Sharpener. Considering she had barely ever purchased any makeup, I was shocked!

Aya couldn't stop telling me how much she loved the Eye Intensifier Pencils. She loved how smoothly and easily they glided onto her eye, giving her eyes some oomph. It's no wonder she loved them so much - they are a seriously technologically advanced eyeliner! These liners are smudge-proof and water resistant. They are formulated not to move, crease or smear, thanks to special ingredient Nylon-12, which expands and contracts with each facial movement.

The foundation evened out her skin and was a snap to apply. Aya actually enjoys putting makeup on now and loves how she looks. I thought she was gorgeous before, but I am sure she is now more polished, professional and sanguine.

What is the lesson of this story? Makeup doesn't have to be complicated, trendy or hard to apply. It can make you feel better about your appearance and more confident in your daily life. Just march into Barney's or Ulta and ask someone behind a Sue Devitt counter for some help. If Aya can try it, so can you!


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