I have already professed my love for all things makeup and health and beauty "stuff"so be prepared, the next few blogs will be about just that....LET THE FUN BEGIN!!

I've compiled a list of 10 things I've been digging lately, some things are newer items, some are oldies but goodies, not only for me...but for ALOT of people out there.

1. The first product is a new item I received in a recent Birchbox( a monthly sample program I'll have a separate future post about) I don't like to wear alot of heavy makeup in the summer, it's hot, I'm tan..and I just don't like the feeling of alot on my face, so when i tried this..it was PERFECT!!  

"STAINIAC" from The Balm ( in color beauty queen)

 

It's the perfect color enhancer for your lips, even better than Benefit's Benetint, and while I haven't tried it on my cheeks..I LOVE the flush of color I get on my lips, it has no scent, dries in seconds and isn't flaky or sticky..try this with some blistex on top..and there's your summer lip color. 

 

2.This is also a new product for me, and believe it or not I bought this from Ebay, from a recommendation from an internet friend in England.  

 

"DERMA V 10"

 I am always searching for great anti-wrinkle face and eye creams..and this one is a keeper. Why?? It's lightweight, absorbs quickly and it's only 6 BUCKS!!!!

I will say it has  a slight old lady-I should have my hair in rollers, smell.. but thankfully that also dissipates quickly, and doesn't leave you wondering if you smell like you're eligible for a senior discount.

 

3.This next product is probably one of the more recent products that has truly changed my life ( yes, highly dramatic, but let me explain) I NEVER plucked or even gave my eyebrows a second thought until after I graduated from high school, mine were never ever bushy and well, I should have just left well enough alone..but no....I got a tweezerman and plucked and waxed them within an inch of their lives ( I was in search of the perfect Drew Barrymore skinny brow....hey, it was the early 90's)...fast forward to present day, after trying EVERY brow booster, serum, etc..my brows simply will not come back....exit Drew Barrymore, enter...Coco the clown.

"TARTE EYEBROW MOUSSE"( In color brown)

 This helps me fill in my brows, with (semi) natural results and I can make them thicker, thinner, darker, lighter etc..it comes with the brush( got this on QVC) and it glides on , stays put and call me crazy...but I think I see a hair sprouting up here or there....the jury is still out on that one.

 

4.I have had a recent mascara obsession...especially waterproof formulas that offer volume and separation that I want. BEHOLD!!! My new fave ...

"SUPER SHOCK MAX" from Avon

Confession time again.....I am a sucker for Avon mascaras..if you've never tried them, you need to...there are a bunch of different formulas, colors and brushes...and they're almost always on sale.

(..like beauty crack, so go call your dealer..uh, I mean representative...and get your fix.)

 

5.Here's an oldie but goodie..I've been using this for years and don't see a need for anything else....

"PONDS COLD CREAM"

 I use this as my makeup remover, and it takes it all off..mascara of all kinds, foundation, lipstick, even glitter....yes, glitter, don't judge me...sometimes my inner Ke$ha comes out to play.

Not only does it work to remove makeup and help condition your eye area, prevent tugging and wrinkles...some of the oldest women I've known with the most GORGEOUS skin said this was their secret weapon...and well, that's evidence enough for me.

 

6(7 and 8).This next product, is actually 3 different products that I use for the same purpose..I'm a nurse and my hands go through hell, but I love keeping up with my manicures and fun nail polishes...these products help me keep my cuticles from fraying and my hands from shriveling in one washing....

BURTS BEES LEMON BUTTER CUTICLE CREAM

Perfect size to stow away in your pocket..lemon scent and great solid to semi-solid consistency.

BOOTS OLIVE WONDERBALM

Available at Target..I've been known to have pots of this stuff stashed everywhere, the smell is unique with olive oil and sage, and a slightly greasier feel make this the perfect before bed hand remedy.

"ONE LOVE ORGANICS SKIN SAVIOR"

Another Birchbox gem, this product is a hybrid of the previous two products..slight lemon scent, semi-solid consistency..and get this..it can also double as a facial cleanser..perfect for a 2 in 1 travel product!!

9.Remember I said I'm tan?? Well, with a great tan comes great responsibility..like keeping it glistening and smooth...

HELLLLOOOOOOOOO "MOROCCAN /ARGAN DRY BODY OIL"

Light clean scent, instant dry time, silky smooth, non staining moisturizer......yup...I'll take it.

 

10. Last but not least is actually a product I DON'T like.....

I know, I know...it's ALWAYS in the magazines and it's an ICON..has it's own following, loyalty program..whatever....fact is..."ROSEBUD SALVE" ...well, smells like roses....so much so, that I could never bring myself to keep it on my lips for a nano second...and it was just too greasy for elbows, etc. I'm sure some would turn their nose up at me for not liking this..but it's my blog...and what I say goes..besides...I REALLY hate the word.."salve"..who says that??? Let alone put it on a container..ok...my rant is over.

 

May your summer be filled with smooth, "salve-free" skin...Until next time, Lauri :)

Lazy man's elbow grease....

First, let me apologize for being a bit MIA, trying to get back in a blogging groove after vacation was hard enough..but then my laptop has been kidnapped by a 6 year old, home for summer vacation, who wants nothing more than to zone out to his favorite new video game. Although I'm thankful he's occupied, I NEED to read my 200+ e-mails before my friends think I was the one lost on the island.

I also hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable 4th of July, mine was wonderful spent with family and our very own fireworks display, so fun and such a wonderful time.

OK, onto the post....

One of the thorns in my side are those round pans under my stove( the official name is stove" thingies") actually I think it's "drip pans" but ok..the other day in my domestic bliss, I had a boil over...which left my pan looking like the picture above.Gross. I KNOW.

My solution?? That wonderful cousin to bleach..AMMONIA!!

Now, this is not for the faint of heart..ok it's not THAT crazy just don't breath in the fumes, or mix it with any other chemical ESPECIALLY bleach, use in a well ventilated area...blah, blah, blah.

So here's what you need: 

Approx. 1/4-1/2 cup of ammonia per pan.

1 ziploc bag large enough to cover each pan.

Place ammonia and drip pan into ziploc, and zip it up, let it sit for as long as you can stand it( I keep mine overnight, but at least an hour or two will do)

 Once it's been sitting for a while, I like to shake it a bit, play some ammonia hockey and make sure the entire pan is coated....you can see the difference between newly added and soaking a bit.

Can't you???? 

Once you're happy with your "soak time", open the ziploc AWAY from your face and in an area with some type of ventilation..or since it's nice out GO OUTSIDE!!!

Rinse with warm water and a soft cloth..and VOILA!!!

 Beautifully clean, with NO elbow grease!!!

One less thing to sweat over during your summer cleaning...

or just barbecue, and keep your stove looking great all summer long!!!

Here's to fireworks..big and small. Until next time. Lauri :)