Lancome LA BASE Review!

I was shopping with my mother a couple weekends ago at Macy's.  I couldn't help notice that Lancome was offering a GWP (Gift with Purchase) so my mother and I headed over to the makeup counter.  I've used primers in the past but never really committed to using one on a full time basis, so....I decided to give Lancome LA Base Primer a try, plus my GWP included Flash Bronzer, juicy tube, Absolue eye, Absolue premium and Quad eye shadow...Oh and the bag is so cute :)

 The primer is amazing, it only took one full pump to cover my whole face which to me is a plus due to the price.  My foundation went on so smoothly and it took less foundation, another plus.  I've noticed that my makeup stays on longer or at least it holds the color all day.  Typically my makeup looks non existent about half way through the day but the first day I used the primer my makeup was still looking good by the time I removed my makeup that night! Lancome LA Base evens out your skin tone is very lightweight and is fast-absorbing!

I have received many compliments on my makeup lately and the only thing I'm doing different is the Lancome LA Base Primer!  Retail price is $42.00 but keep in mind, this will last you at least 6 months!

Polish Crazy this week!

 I had an amazing weekend with family visiting from the Netherlands!  My Aunt and uncle flew in on Friday and its been non stop ever since!  Had an amazing time last night at my mothers house enjoying some of the best Spaghetti and meatballs around.  Oh, and the cocktails were good too :) 


So, I went a bit polish crazy this week.  I purchased four new lacquers and I chose brands I've never bought before.  See, I'm addicted to a couple brands and I'm pretty much loyal to them.  I'll share in posts to come those brands and why I'm so addicted to them.  Any who....

I was at Ulta last weekend and this pretty soft pink caught my eye.  It's called baby doll.  The lacquer goes on very well (I'm actually wearing it now but the pics came out bad) and I'm a huge fan of the bottle shape and the brush was pretty darn close to the thickness I like.  This color almost reminds me of my ballet tights when I was a youngster :)  Retail price is $6.00, however this is currently on sale for $3.00.  Now that's a deal! 

My next stop was Walgreens with my Mother-in-law.  They were offering buy one get one 50% off on a ton of different products so I thought I'd give L'Oreal Colour Riche nail polish a try.  I first chose Satin sheets which is frosted white.  The bottle shape is nice and the brush is close to the thickness I like.  It's definitely a two coater as one left it too transparent.  I also bought Versailles romance which is a gorgeous peach color.  Again, this looked much better with two coats.  Retail price is $5.99

My last lacquer purchase of the week was from Avon.  I very rarely ever buy anything from Avon and decided to give their lacquer a whirl.  I chose a color called Sea Breeze, it's a light greenish color and very matte.  I'm not a fan of the bottle and the brush thickness was not to my liking.  The lacquer is thin and required multiple coats.  I found it to be a bit runny but the color selection they offer is outstanding.  Retail price is $6.00, BUT....I also bought from Avon the sparkling nail art...WOW, what a great price of $3.99 and the Rhinestones stayed on well!  I'll definitely buy these again!

My current daily skin care régime and the importance of a clean face

I must say that I wasn't always the "take my makeup off before bed" girl or the girl that had a daily skin care régime.  As I have gotten older the importance of taking care of my skin has become so essential to me.  Why I just realized this, since I have a sister that has an impeccable skin care routine?  That girl could be three sheets to the wind, praying to the porcelain god and she STILL removes her makeup, tones and moisturizes.  note to self: video tape this if at all possible :)

It's just as important to have a good skin care routine just as you have a makeup routine.  The following are products that I love and that I'm currently using.  This is also the order in which I remove my makeup at night.

 
Eye Make-up Removal:  It's so important to remove your eye make-up properly.  The eye area is very delicate and should be treated with care.  I use any drug store brand cotton pads with Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover.  This product retails for $27.00 and is my favorite eye makeup remover.

Cleanse Your Face: I prefer to use my finger tips to do the cleaning however some folks may prefer a wash cloth or some type of sponge.  I find using anything other than my fingers tips and hands is too abrasive for my skin.  I work in a circular pattern taking extra caution to be gentle to my skin.  My current fav, and when I say fav I mean FAV, is Clarins gentle foaming cleanser with cottonseed.   This product is AMAZING and it only takes a smidgin.  I've had my current tube since December and I have a good month or two left.   Retail price is $21.00.   Just an added note:  Clarins is one of those not so popular products here in the USA.  Give it a try, it's probably one of the best skin care products out there.  In Europe, Clains is the King, I mean Queen of beauty!   

Exfoliate Your Skin:  I exfoliate every night and I am very careful.  Exfoliating helps to remove the dead skin and dirt that clogs your pores.  My current bargain buy is Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub.  Retail price from your local drug store is around $5.00.

 





Tone Your Skin:  A toner should always be part of a good skin care routine.  It removes extra oils and dirt that straight washing can not.  It's very important that you choose the proper toner for your skin type, you don't want irritation from choosing poorly.  I currently use Clinique Clarifying lotion 2.  This is a bargain toner and Clinique makes several types.  The 6.7 oz. bottle retails for a low $12.50.  You can't beat that price!

 Anti-Aging Serum: I've learned in the last few years the importance of cellular renewal.  I highly recommend all ladies use an anti-aging serum.  My current Anti-Aging serum is Clarins Multi-Active Renewal Serum.  I have truly fallen in love with Clarins and this product is a big reason why.  Retail price is a bit hefty but well worth the money at $63.00 for 1 oz.

 


Moisturize Your Skin: This is a biggie and is Vital!  Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!  You need to re-hydrate your skin and what a better time while you're asleep.  I'm currently using Clarins Multi-Active Night Youth Recovery Comfort Cream.  I have really loved using this product and I'm almost out, so my big decision will be to buy this again or try something new.  Such a hard decision!  This retails for $59.00

Eye Care: As you age, the lines around your eyes become more noticeable and a good eye cream is essential to any skin care routine.  I use (Not currently ALWAYS) Lancome Absolue Eye Premium Bx.  I have received this as a gift twice and will not be trying anything in this price range any time soon as I have a full one left!  Retail price is $93.00 for .05 oz.  I know, it's a bit pricy but the Absolue line from Lancome is amazing!  Always make sure to get this gem in your gift with purchase if possible!

Well there you have it!  My nightly routine which takes less than 10 minutes and makes a world of difference.  One last note:  For healthy radiant skin, it's very important to drink lots of water, eat a healthy diet and exercise!

Fekkai Full Blown Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

I was perusing different sites on hair products, looking for product to provide a bit of volume and found myself on the Fekkai site.  I was a bit sticker shocked, so I scoured Ebay and found both the shampoo and conditioner.  I bid and voilà I won both!  So, the product I bid on and won is called Fekkai Full Blown Volume Shampoo and Fekkai Full Blown Volume Conditioner.  According to their site "This sheer conditioner detangles, builds up and plumps out fine, flat strand, and works to protect the hair without the weight. Fekkai Advanced with new Hair Plumping Complex amplifies the diameter of each strand to visibly lift from roots to ends. Plump up the volume."   I received these treasures in the mail yesterday and took them for a test drive today.....WOW!  I am shocked!  I have a lot of hair, not thick, but a lot of thin hair and was so pleased with my results.  The shampoo lathered so nice and the smell of the shampoo was absolutely amazing.  The conditioner did it's job and provided a smooth combing after.  Now, the reason I bought it, the volume.  Did it make any difference?  Did it make my limp hair fuller?  YES!  I was shocked after blow drying my hair at how much fuller my hair was.  I even flat ironed my hair and it still had volume.  I give Frederic Fekkai Full Volume Shampoo and Conditioner 2 thumbs up and will gladly buy this again.  Matter of fact, I was at Ulta today and they carry this and I was pleasantly surprised to also find it today at Marshals.  I still got a better deal on Ebay :)
 
Fekkai Full Blown Volume Shampoo and Fekkai Full Blown Volume Conditioner retails for $25.00 each for an 8oz bottle.  It is in my opinion one of the best volumizing shampoos I've used and it did a great job at providing me with fuller hair!  I totally recommend you give this a try!  If your unsure due to the price, I highly recommend swinging by Ulta because they carry this in a 2 oz. travel size for around $9.00 each.