Beauty Tuesday: Double-D Recovery to be Double-D Ready

Double D is for …

Dissertation Defense * Dr. Dispo * BiG Day: December 8 ~ Save the Date!

After I passed my presentation with full faculty on Veterans’ Day, I followed my Bestie Evie‘s advice:

Take a Me QT Day.

While I still worked on revising my paper, I also set aside Spa Time this past weekend!

Facial Mask

Based on Fleur De Force‘s The Glam Guide, I used these ingredients for *acne  and **dark spots:

• Banana*
• Honey*
• Lemon***

Manicure

Then I treated myself to an at-home mani with the following gift sets:

• Mary Kay Satin Hands from María Elena
• four-step nail block from my R.E. student
• buffer and shine sticks from my Tita Susan

and polished my finger nails with my own lacquers:

• starting with Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener
• painting red for the season and plaid accents
• finishing off with Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

O•P•I Got the Blues for Red & Sally Hansen 18K Gold Hardener + Revlon Orchid & Silver Screen + Sally Hansen i ♥ Nail Art Striper in black

My top tip to achieving a lasting nail paint job:

Run freshly coated nails in cold water and dodge hot water!

• Cold water seals in moisture, while hot water repels and drys it out
• If I hand wash dishes, I wear special gloves
• I also wear gloves during hands-on activity

Massage

My good †Christian† friend and fellow prayer warrior, Lisa, came through again, introducing me

• previously to the rolling pin technique
• plus post-massage detox mocktails
• and this time to Biblical oils!

Thank GOD for these special gifts of blessings and wonderful company!

Beauty Tuesday: All-Weather Non-Leather

Regardless of the season, we must treat our skin, hair and nails as we would our finest silk and favorite fabrics ~ with the best care!

One of my main go to basics: Eucerin Aquaphor (petroleum-based ointment)

I dig the *NEW* Eucerin Aquaphor “no-touch” applicator ~ with user-friendly sponge surface & plastic cap (sometimes packaging works if it’s functional)

• I started using it several years ago to keep the ink on my tats fresh, but it now goes way beyond my body art
• I apply it under my eyes before bedtime as a safe buffer from those dark circles (especially after pulling all-nighters)
• I lather it on my lips with or without color to keep them soft and moist (and kissable)
• I dab it on any areas that are prone to getting ashy or chaffing ~ its purpose is to soothe dry skin, after all
• I smooth it on my feet, then cover them with socks while I sleep for  the ultimate moisturizer

Now here’s one of my newbies: L’Oréal® Nutri-Gloss Gylco-Silk

You too can score a *FREE* sample of L’Oréal® Advanced HairCare here! Choose among different selections depending on your hair type & needs ~ endorsed by celebrities (such as Ryan Reynolds wifey Blake Lively)

• smells refreshing
• shiny and nourishing
• soft and manageable to comb through
• great for two days between washing
• my first time to gloss my hair since my college grad photos!

Beauty Tuesday: Summer Edition ~ S is for …

Summer ☼Sun☼-kissed Skin!

My neck of the woods has reached our peak heat lately. How about you?

Bearing this in mind, as much as some of us out there crave the great outdoors, we must take care of our skin.

My fave go-tos for fun ‘n the sun 

☼ Sunscreen (even when the skies are cloudy because my skin’s still exposed)

• including SPF for your Lips ~ one of my top’s from Tone It Up!

☼ Lotion that reduces …

• visibility of hair (especially on my legs ~ after laser hair removal)
• and cellulite!

☼ Aloe Vera ~ to help repair the skin from sun exposure and bug bites, both in

• topical form
• and oral! The drink tastes amazing (like bubble tea) and is nourishing!

☼ H2O ~ so we can glow from the inside out!

What about when we’re back inside to cool off?

Introducing …

CeraVe!

Special delivery, thanks to promo!

Since I received this two-step skin care pack, I’ve observed more softness from my skin ~ which needs hydration after being out and about in the ☼sun☼

You can $ave on CeraVe too!

Happy Last Day of my ☼Summer☼ Speech Class!

Sink Space Solutions: As my decluttering continues past ♣Spring♣ Cleaning into ☼summer☼, I’ve packed skin care sets my R.E. experiment vases ~ CeraVe * MK‘s Satin Hands * R+F

Beauty Tuesday: Mary Kay Everyday!

My good friend, María, never ceases to amaze me.

Latest Mary Kay from María: Travel Case with Brushes for * Powder * Cheek * Eyeliner/Eyebrow * Eye Color * Eye Crease + Lash ♥Love♥ Mascara & Lash-Lengthening Mascara both in I ♥ Black * SatinLips Lip Mask & Lip Balm * Lip Gloss in Pink Luster (lighter) & Berry Tart (darker) | Nourishine Plus | SatinHands Tote with Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub * Hand Softener * Hand Cream * Trial-Sized Fragrance-Free Hand Cream & Peach Hand Cream + Mint Bliss Energizing Lotion for Feet & Legs * 2-in-1 Body Wash & Shave * Hydrating Lotion

She was generous enough to give me more Mary Kay!

Brush Rush: Ready-to-Go!

 

The reason why she rewarded me with all of these products was because I tutor her grandson, who we rooted on in his basketball playoffs ~ yet I’m the one who’s reaping the rewards.

The compartments keep my cosmetics organized!

All of these will come in handy when I take off for my professional and †spiritual† trip tomorrow!

My fave must-try is the Mint Bliss Energizing Lotion for my lower bod ~ I may lather on before I run on the beach!

 

I’m extremely grateful for these gifts ~ especially because I’ve been so busy with attending to my students and my own studies to bother with enhancing my beauty lately!

Of course, I need cotton balls and swabs for makeup and skin care application and removal.

Therefore, my CVS ExtraCare card came in handy!

Due to the BOGO FREE promo, I bought two of each and spent less than 2 dimes!

Plus, I have another amazing massage lined up today before I leave town!

Tuesday Beauty: Legs Bare and Grin It!

How do you bare and grin your legs?

Make sure you don’t show hair or dimples!

If you’re like me during this time of year, you prefer to strut your stuff in shorts or skirts.

Solutions: hair removal and cellulite reduction

I’ve had my share of ways to bare, including spa treatment: laser hair removal and cellulite massages.

But what if we can’t afford expense of money or time for those sessions?

Here are my at-home alternatives…

I’ll review this bad boy in 4 weeks, when I’m expected to see results! So far, I savor the sweet scent ~ smells o’so good!

I was disappointed that Jergens discontinued its Naturally Smooth lotion to minimize shaving but am glad that it still produces this for cellulite…

Jergens Skin Firming

Check my Beauty Tuesday debut for more of my moisturizer recommendations.

Last, but not least, here’s a no-brainier to blasting cellulite:

Eat less fat!

Yeah, tell that to yours truly who indulges in YOLOs lol…

CHEERS for here’s to smooth sailing this summer!

Beauty Tuesday Review: Fave Raves & Some Rants

Now that I’m doing Spring Cleaning during this Spring Break, I shall share my favorite beauty products, as well as a few reviews…

Since I love to stimulate my senses, I tend to stock up on stuff that is visually-appealing ~ you know, eye candy ~ and smells good to yours truly.

Matrix® Biolage Hydrathérapie & Smooththérapie

Biolage by Matrix®  is my #1 brand of hair care because I feel like I’m in a spa whenever I use it! It’s a sweet treat for my hair since I always experience an enticing scent and a smoothing effect.

• Matrix® Biolage Hydrathérapie  Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioning Balm in the shower, plus Hydra Seal Softening Mist as a daily protectant (provided by my former student/hairdresser in the Valley)
• Matrix® Biolage Smooththérapie Smoothing Gel as a serum when styling
• Matrix® Biolage styling sprays: Thermal-Active Setting Spray before applying heat through blow-drying and ironing, Hydro-Glaze Soft Styling Spray for sheer hold or Finishing Spritz Firm Hold Spray to last all day

Pantene Pro-V & TRESemmé + Conair & Revlon

However, I also rely on TRESemmé and Pantene Pro-V styling products when using my Conair and Revlon hair appliances.

• TRESemmé Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo when I don’t have time to wash ~ which is a quick fix from sweaty hair at the gym ~ and America’s #1 Mousse for volume
• Pantene Pro-V Anti-Humidity Hairspray for staying power and Repair & Protect Overnight Miracle as a serum while I sleep [I also lavish in the Ultimate 10 BB Crème to condition my hair throughout the day, among many other functions]
  
• Conair®  Ionic Cord-Keeper Retractable Styler 1875 to dry [similar: Ionic Cord-Keeper Compact Styler 169XR] and Infiniti Pro Styler Flat Iron to flip   
• Revlon Limited Edition Leopard Tapered 1″ Curling Wand ~ which gives me princess curls [I’ve been want the Conair® Infiniti Auto-Rotating Curling Iron]

What’s in My Shower? More Pantene & Herbal Essences + Garnier Fructis

• Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection Age Defy Shampoo (not a fan due to sulfate content that tends to dry hair) and Conditioner (I like the moisture with Oil of Olay collab)
• [not pictured yet worthy of mentioning: Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain strength in my long hair and supports Breast Cancer Awareness]
• Clairol Herbal Essences  Body Wash in Hello Hydration is refreshing with coconut aroma
• Garnier Fructis Ultimate Cleanser 3-in-1 Clean that does triple-duty as cleanser, exfoliating scrub and mask

Are You Sure? Raise Your Arms!

I stash deodorant in my bathrooms and my bags, so I’m always ready to combat b.o.

• Lady Speed Stick Stainguard and Invisible Dry to prevent white/yellow stains ~ particularly when I wear white or black
• Adidas Deep Energy that I roll on after a workout
• Dove® Clinical Protection Visibly Smooth to reduce shaving (I haven’t shaved in five years since I started laser hair removal anyway) ~ especially when I wear sleeveless or strapless tops
• Secret Outlast ~ my personal favorite due to the soft glide that lasts all day
• Tom’s Long Lasting in a floral fragrance just in time for spring plus Naturally Dry trial sizes for trips
• Avon Night Magic for my evenings out

N for SkiN Care: Neutrogena & Nivea Rock!

To treat my oily-dry combination skin, I need a variety of skin care products that treat acne and moisturize!

• Neutrogena® Clear Pore Astringent, Healthy Skin Face Lotion (I dig the dial to snap shut when not in use and the SPF 15) [similar: Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15], plus Eye Makeup Removers Hydrating Lotion and Cleansing Towelettes (I love the cucumber and aloe extract that soothes the under-eye area, and it works for the whole face)
• Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Scrub to energize me as soon as I wake up and Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser to wash my face at bedtime
• Eucerin Aquaphor ~ this was recommended to me to aid in healing my fresh ink (new tats at the time), but now I have other reasons: petroleum-based to delay aging in under-eye skin plus to moisturize lips and chapped skin
• Nivea Soft Refreshing Soft Moisturizing Creme as my sweet-smelling night moisturizer after I use the fragrance-free Neutrogena with sunscreen during the day, plus the Lip Care Kiss of Protection with SPF 30, Recovery with SPF 15 and Smoothness with SPF 10 [not pictured yet also recommended: Kiss of Moisture with jojoba oil and shea butter plus Kiss of Cherry with cherry red tint]
• I also have for allergy relief Vicks VapoRub both to inhale and rub on muscle aches and Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief Eye Drops

Neutrogena Skin-Clearing® w/ Microclear® Technology

Neutrogena Skin-Clearing® w/ Microclear® Technology

	FALL/WINTER (fairer complexion)	SPRING/SUMMER (more sunkissed)
Oil-Free Makeup	Warm Beige 90	Natural Tan 100
Blemish Concealer	Light 10	Medium 15

Hello Kitty for M•A•C & Forever 21 Limited Editions

Hello Kitty Happiness

• Forever 21 Limited Edition (2013) Scarf Print travel bag for my jewelry and toiletry bag
• Sephora Hello Kitty roller ball fragrance in Pink Bow (also below) [similar product: Hello Kitty Parfum Rollerball]
• M•A•C Limited Edition (2009) makeup bag and lipstick bag, plus Beauty Powder in Pretty Baby, Eye Shadow Palette in Too Dolly, Lustre Lipstick in Most Popular and LipGlass Lip Gloss in Sweet Strawberry

Signature Fragrances for Each Season

These are just a few of my favorite fragrances, in rotation by season.

• Sephora Hello Kitty Pink Bow roller ball when on-the-go
• Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Summer Edition
• Coach Legacy for Fall
• VS Angel Gold for Winter

Sephora Fragrance Sampler mini vials come in handy for travel

My sample bottles, including from this Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler for Her and from VS, are the perfect size to fit into my array of purses! 

More Sephora Fragrance Samplers

See how Sephora samples accumulate?

What’s in My Purse? Coach Handbags for Each Season + Bare Essentials I Don’t Leave Home Without

I should have enough scent samples to fill all of my handbags, including a couple of my classics and a couple of my seasonal

• Coach [counter-clockwise, from bottom right]: Madison Maggie Shoulder Bag in chocolate-doe/gold hardware with matching wristlet that I change out with larger bags, Poppy Denim Whipstich Hippie with matching wallet that has Legacy Stripes lining, Signature C Tote in tri-color, Poppy Pop C backpack in pastel/gold hardware
• Bath & Body Works® PocketBacs are in all of my bags
• As you already know, I also keep deodorant in handy
• A first-aid kit, or at least Neosporin and bandaids (like in this keychain container) aid in the event of a boo-boo
• My generous students have gifted me with other beauty needs worth mentioning: blush and eye shadow palette and manicure set from one plus Breast Cancer Awareness compact mirror from another!
• Miniature lotions and fragrances (such as those that appear above) ~ including this Juicy Cologne in Sprightly Sparkle from the Philippines ~ help my body smell nice
• Last but most definitely not least: gum freshens my breath, and floss picks are a must-have between meals!

Bath & Body Works® Aromatherapy & Fragrances to Get Through the Day

Certain scents are perfect for the senses at a specific time

• This B&BW® P.S. I Love You Spring Fling Lotion and Body Spray is great for the upcoming spring days and sunny rays!
• Orange for energy ~ such as B&BW® Orange Sapphire or Aromatherapy Energy with Orange + Ginger upon awaking 
• Eucayptus for destressing ~ such as B&BW® Aromatherapy Stress when relieving anxiety [I also apply the aforementioned Vicks VapoRub to tense muslces]
• Jasmine for romance ~ such as B&BW® Night Blooming Jasmine or Aromatherapy Sensual with Jasmine + Vanilla at bedtime [I also use vanilla to relax, such as from the Summer Vanillas collection ~ Berry, Lemon and Coconut] 
• Lavender for rest ~ such as B&BW® Aromatherapy Sleep with Lavender + Vanilla at bedtime

NOTE: None of these aforementioned rants and raves are endorsements; they all simply come from my own opinion [other similar product mentions appear in brackets]. 

4:44 ~ make a wish!!!