Ahhh, so I have finally decided to give this whole “mineral” make-up thing a try! Anything that is supposedly good for your skin, while concealing your blemishes and providing a healthy natural sheen is worth giving a shot. I will cross my fingers that the products live up to the hype.

So I scoured the web and according to Beauty Polls consumers raved primarily about Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals), followed by a small cult following for Everyday Minerals.

Well after reading all the rave reviews for Bare Escentuals I went to my local Sephora and bought a starter kit. The tarantula eyed sales rep assured me it was the best, and that for only $60 dollars I was getting a $181 dollar value kit.

Click on image to check out Kits at Sephora.com!

So I went home and tore into my little kit. I immediately bypassed the instructional video (Who has time for that? Plus I regard myself as a makeup Svengali - ha!) What follows is what I liked and dis-liked about the Bare Minerals makeup.

HITS

• the bare vitamins serum they include in the kit, to prep your skin pre-application was light, scentless and absorbed readily into my skin without leaving any yucky heavy coating
• Believe me, I was skeptical, however the powder did manage to mask my facial flaws (I mainly suffer from red/pink zones and the occasional crop of 1-2 big zits during certain times of the month). It was not heavy or cakey and I was complimented at work that my skin looked specially “glowy” that day!
• Attention Gym Fans! - you can wear it to the gym! Does not streak, or sweat off or have that “oh my god, why is she wearing so much makeup to the gym vibe”… but enough coverage to entice the cute gym chaps.

MISSES

• It’s messy! - I guess I was just not use to it. Being a lifetime foundation and pressed powder user. Plus I tend to wear black, alot! The first time I used bare escentuals I made the mistake of wearing my shirt first and I got tiny specs of powder all over it. First time, last time situation.
• Also, initially I felt that it dried my skin. Another humbling moment for yours truly, I should have watched the instructional video because I have come to find out that a “little” goes a long way. In my skepticism, I was using too much and it started settling in my wrinkles and drying my skin. Now I use just a sprinkle and blend with the brush so I get a nice soft result.
• The “tan” or “bronzer” powder was too dark for me, I am really fair and I felt I looked like an Oompa Lumpa. But you guys may not have that problem.

So does it work? Answer, YES!

It was slow going at first, trying to change my habits and get use to my new facial cosmetic regime. But I will say that I do get complimented on my skin tone when I use it, and I have not had any additional break-outs or skin irritations.

During my research there are some who swear that EverydayMinerals is better, that it’s more pure and does not cause any irritation or itching. Well I did not experience those symptoms with Bare Minerals but if you want to give EverydayMinerals a shot, the company sends free samples!

EverydayMinerals starter kit costs $75.00, click here or the image to go to EverydayMinerals.com!

To shop for Bare Escentuals Makeup & Cosmetics, click here.

It’s long been said that CRANBERRIES help keep your “hoo-ha” fresh and UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) Free!

Ever since I heard that news I made it a point to drink cranberry juice whenever available and possible. The only drawbacks are that cranberry juice tends to stain your teeth, and the cocktail mixes available at common grocery stores are ripe with sugar! My gynecologist said that I should purchase 100% cranberry juice blends to get the full advantages to my urinary track. Which is usually only available at specialty grocery stores like: Trader Joe’s, Henry’s Grocery, Dean & Deluca, Whole Foods, etcetera etcetera…

Suffice to say 100% cranberry juice is pretty pricey and has a very tart taste that you either love or loathe!

My solution is to purchase Cranberry Tablets!

You can take a cranberry tablet with every meal. They don’t taste bad, they don’t make your breathe smell, they don’t stain your teeth! It’s perfect! Not to mention the purpose of taking them at all which is to help maintain the health of your urinary tract. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria-usually the E.Coli bacteria. Studies have shown that cranberry helps block the attachment of the E.coli bacteria to the urinary bladder wall.

Super Bonus! A box of 50 tablets only costs: $5.29

Which believe me is much cheaper than chugging the real juice down, much more pleasant on your waistline and blood sugar level as well!

To purchase the Azo Cranberry Tablets, click here.