Yesssss!! I just received the much talked about Stimulus Tax Refund, and I feel it is my civic duty to boost the economy and spend every last cent. Sure, I could use the money to pay off a nice chunk of a credit card or do the responsible thing and stick it in my dwindling savings account but you and I both know that I shall re-circulate that six hundred dollars back into our American economy.So let’s get to the crux of the matter, what to spend it on?

1. Korean Spas & Massages

Well I was recently introduced to the hidden realm of the Korean spas by my friend Kyung. Once you get over the blatant nudity and hard core “full body loofah” scrub it’s actually an awesome deal and every time I leave my whole body feels like butter. I recommend the: Olympic Spa in Los Angeles Read reviews on Yelp so you are prepared for the “culture shock” but it’s a definite “must do” if you have never gone.

2. Cosmetics & Makeup

I have been wanting to buy a gold eyeshadow of some sort. Not sure what brand yet, but gold eyeshadow. Anyone have any recommendations?

3. Sunglasses in Vision Care

I have been browsing this pair of Dita Sunglasses called “Xanadu” from ShopBop.com. I like the style and color, I like over sized frames and colors that are not common. These sunglasses cost $350.00! For that price I hope they instantly transform me into this model, but I have to admit designer sunglasses is my shopping weakness.

So far that’s what I plan on spending my Tax Refund on … what are you going to buy with your six hundred dollars?

So I have undiagnosed OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) I am not kidding, ask any of my co-workers! I literally have this routine in the morning when I will notice if anyone has touched my desk and will spend the following 5-10 minutes adjusting and re-adjusting my stuff. It drives my peers nuts.

Second to that is my fixation with washing my hands, I can imagine thousands of little germies just hunkering down and making condos on my fingers. (I’m warped right?)

The unfortunate side effect of all this hand washing is that my hands get super dry and cracked. Depending on my mood and level of dryness I have an assortment of lotions in my desk drawer to suit my mood.

My friend Valentina recently told me about Gloves in a Bottle lotion and gave me a bottle as a gift.

Turns out the stuff is pretty cool, here is what I like about it:

• it’s not sticky
• it really does moisturize my hands without feeling greasy as other lotions that moisturize do
• non -scented - so it doesn’t compete with my lovely natural scent (aka my current fave perfume dujour)
• they have this whole scientific formula that basically boils down to bonding with your outer layer of skin, locking moisture in thus preventing dry cracked hands and nail beds
• plus it doesn’t wash off when you wash your hands so for someone like me, its a dream

It works, if your like me and can’t stop washing your hands every few hours or you just like to keep you hands moisturized, give it a shot.

Retails for $12.95 for 8oz of Gloves in a Bottle

That’s the bottle up there next to “Sammy” the Samurai salt fish dispenser on my desk. What? I like salt on stuff?

To purchase or check out Gloves in a Bottle, click here.

I have been hearing about this StriVectin SD cream for quite some time now. Reportedly it is the best selling stretch mark and anti-aging over the counter lotion available.

Well with claims like that, I can almost forgive the price tag. Almost. The only problem is I have been in this beauty business too long to fall for the advertising hype just yet, if it works then I don’t mind shelling out $63 dollars for 2 ounces of product. But given my gut to product ratio I am going to need some feedback before I invest.

On top of magically reducing stretch marks StriVectin also claims to reduce the length, depth and volume of wrinkles. Here’s a direct quote:

“StriVectin SD was originally developed to repair stretch marks but has grown in popularity as a wrinkle reducing cream and claims of being “Better than Botox.” “

To shop or purchase the StriVectin SD lotion, click here.

Well that pretty much seals the deal, if I was a cat I would be sitting here dead! My curiosity has reached it’s peak! Has anyone tried this stuff? Does it work?

Well back to my pale blubbery reality. It’s warming up, we are in the midst of Spring and on the cusp of SUMMER! So… time to get the ol’ bikini region funderwear friendly.

I started shaving my zone sophomore year in high school, prior to that I use to let my garden grow wild and free. Well like every other novice the only advice I had to go on was my friends. Who told me to just use a regular shaving razor and soap. Ugh!

Horrible advice, this may work for some ladies but all it got me was razor burn and stubbies. Yeck! I guess my skin was super sensitive and I don’t know if it is just me but the hair would grow back within 2 days and be really short and harsh. I really didn’t like the outcome.

My solution was to start getting waxed at my local nail salon. Which in high school became an expensive and let’s face it semi-humiliating experience. At sixteen you are pretty self conscious of your stuff, when in hindsight it was probably the prettiest it will ever be, go figure. As it were I tried some home remedies;

I tried Nad’s Hair removal kit thanks to the infomercial. Let me be the first to tell you that stuff is utterly bogus. Here is the lowdown:

• It’s messy, it’s sticky, it sucks!
• It doesn’t work and I nearly scalded myself when I applied the gel.
• Plus when left unattended the stuff morphs into this crystallized science project.
• Don’t get it!

I finally settled on Nair’s Bikini Cream and have been using it for years. What I like about it is it’s very easy to use, it leaves your area silky smooth and I swear through the years that the growth has dwindled. I have been trying to convince my best friend to use it instead of shaving, and on her last trip to Cancun she finally did and she loves it too. It’s just my personal recommendation. All you do is apply it to the desired growth, leave it on for about 5 minutes (recommended is three, I do five) and wipe hair off with a hand towel. Leaves your skin really smooth and stubble free, plus in my experience it does not grow back as quickly. Price - $5.95

Well that’s my recommendation, what do you gals use? Sharing is caring, let’s all help each other!

She is living proof why we should all invest in sunscreen, ASAP! Well in all honesty who didn’t see this coming? I have a teeny confession though, I actually liked her when she was little and felt not only was she a decent actress with plenty of potential, but that she was cute. Boy did I bet on a losing horse, huh?

Keep in mind this was circa:

Way before she became a freckled, crack smoking, belligerent, prostitute …

Honestly though I am fair skinned myself and everyone knows natural red heads are the fairest of them all. I always cringed when I would see photos of her donning a bikini in full sunlight completely unprotected from the SUN! She was either tangerine fake bake orange or tomato red or crack head gray. All I am saying is we aren’t living in the 70’s anymore, its a whole new planet kids. Minus a protective ozone layer, coupled with the green house effect of gases means sunscreen isn’t a selective beauty notion, it’s become a necessity! For all ye’ doubters, please refer to La’ Lohan gorgeous and fresh 21 year old face, I rest my case. Remember I preach because I care…

LESSON OF THE DAY:

+ + =

Excessive Drinking + Heavy Drug Use + No Sunscreen = Premature AGING

Class Dismissed!

Hahahahaha! I am sick I know, but that scene cracks me up!

Well is it just me or is my skin dry? I think that now that it’s warming up I need to get back to applying lotion regularly. I tend to stop well shaving and putting lotion on in the winter. Ha! I know I am gross but it gets cold, it’s my theory that fewer people see my ashy legs in the winter.

So I have been thinking of trying out those “firming” lotions, nothing to fancy or pricey.
I have been eyeing the ads for Jergens Natural Glow Firming Lotion for awhile, I like their regular lotion so I think I will give this stuff a shot. Has anyone tried it?

My sister swears by GLOW by Jennifer Lopez firming body cream. I was extremely skeptical at the mention of Ms. Jenny from the Block but she says it keeps her skin moisturized, smells good and leaves a light sheen that makes her feel sexy. Go figure? Was: $35.00 Now: $22.49 (click on the image to shop)

Another product I have heard good reviews on in the arena of firming is the Shiseido Body Creator Aromatic Firming Cream. This silky cream glides on effortlessly and provides intense firming and moisturizing benefits for a toned, youthful look. Formulated with advanced SLM fragrance technology for an invigorating sensory experience of grapefruit oil and spices. Leaves a refreshingly cool sensation upon application. Retextures skin by imparting dramatic firmness and hydration. Price $55.00 at Nordstroms.

As for my personal use, I love Eucerin lotions, in all forms and styles! I use the Extra Protective Moisture Lotion (SPF 30) on my face everyday. Not oily, not smelly, not cloggin, Loves it!

+ = clear skin!

Read about the Fragrance of the Year Awards, otherwise known as the “Oscars of the Perfume World” at SugarShock Beauty Blog …

Glow this spring with Lancome’s Color Ideal Illuminateur! Learn how to highlight your features, mix with foundations or lotions for an all over shimmer or simply use as eye color. Finish reading at Beauty Daily Blog!

Searching for Acne Scar Fading Tips? Dermatologist Jeffrey Dover, MD and regular folks like you and me chime in on what are effective treatments to remove acne scars at TeenVogue.com!

Editor’s Note:

Well this week I got rear ended by a Mercedes, so I have to confess my blogging took a back seat to my back pain! But I should be re-charged and highly medicated next week…

Stay tuned! Same beauty time, Same beauty channel…

Well unless, I get hit by a bus? Whoa..that wasn’t even funny huh?

Michelle

I’ve already announced my fandom for BioElements, and now I have a new favorite product from their illustrious line of skin products: Flash Foam Cleanser ($32).  It’s so great.  I’ve been using it for a couple of months, and it has really done a good job battling my blackhead affliction.

I’ll admit I was skeptical at first because, well, it just looks like foam, but it actually melts the makeup off your face.  It didn’t dry me out either, and it’s true about the enzymes sweeping dead skin away–I haven’t felt the need to exfoliate in a long while.

Interestingly,  I didn’t use if for four days during December, and I was rewarded with two giant pimples in the center of my face that absolutely will not die.  Let that be a lessen to all.

Interesting fact:Burt’s Bees was just purchased by Clorox in November for close to $1 billion.

The price of entry is based on more than just the brand’s ability to bring in big bucks, though. Clorox also wants to learn a thing or two about being green, and they want the Burt’s people to teach them. It’s no secret that eco-consciousness is where things are going, and what better way to learn the ins and outs of sustainable business practices than buying up a sustainable business? Pretty savvy, and pretty amazing if Clorox is willing to incorporate some of the policies of Burt’s Bees into their own business (i.e. rewarding hybrid-driving and carpooling employees, offsetting 100% of their carbon emissions and keeping waste out of landfills).

That’s what Burt’s Bees is telling their once devoted fans who feel a little put off by the company’s new owners. For their part, they’re asking their legions to take a wait and see attitude and have even promised to report on whether Clorox is taking to the green initiatives on the Burt’s Bees website.

We’ll see.

Read the full story at NYTimes.com

The Promise: Relish Enriched Moisturizing Sunscreen is suppose to

• “shield your skin from harsh sunrays,”
• “revitalize and condition skin” with Ginko Biloba, Gingseng and licorice extracts
• “protect your skin from free radical damage while preventing redness, rough skin and peeling”
• be “light enough for oily skin”

The Smell and Feel:

Relish is definitely light–there’s no greasy aftermath or white residue, which would be a deal ender for me. I tried it out under makeup instead of my regular moisturizer, and I was pretty satisfied with the results as it didn’t affect my primer or foundation in the least. Despite the promise that it’s unscented, it smells exactly like every other sunscreen I’ve ever used–I wouldn’t say it’s an unpleasant aroma but there’s a definite smell.

The Gist of It:

I like this Relish product because it’s pretty hard to find an affordable SPF 30 lotion that doesn’t dry your skin out. This Moisturizing Sunscreen is just that….moisturizing, so if lotion is already the first step in your daily routine, you don’t have to add another one. Also, a little goes a long way, so you get your money’s worth.

Relish Enriched Moisturizing Sunscreen, $23 for 4 oz.