Thursday Three - Noella's Picks

On this gloomtastic Thursday I am going to talk about some real pick-me-ups, for these reasons: My girly bits are in knots, my face is broken out and I feel about as pretty as a Chinese Crested (see left). So in the spirit of still putting a little effort in, even when you're not feeling so hot, in hopes of maybe feeling slightly prettier, here are a few of my favorite things.

Stila Wonderful in Waikiki Palette

Nothing brightens up my face/day more than using this handy kit. It has four eyeshadows: Wahine (a nice shimmer cream shade, perfect for highlight), Sarong (a metallic peachy/orange/pink that is quite flattering for my baby blues, thanks Melissa!), Coconut (very versatile brown with just a hint of shimmer), and Surf (a matte, BOLD, bright blue that is perfect over my UD Flipside eyeliner). North Shore, (peachy blush, very nice) and Hanauma Bay (bronzer) finish out this set. Now, I would love these colors regardless, but the $14 price tag for all of this is just too good to pass up! What value! And Stila’s quality is second to none. The formulas are smooth, pigmented and easily blendable. The packaging is cute, to boot. I can’t resist anything with a hula girl on it!

Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Pink

This is my favorite everyday lipstick. Trust me, I would wear it EVERY day if it hadn’t been so expensive. I’m savoring it! The formula is very moisturizing and lip softening but it has a much nicer, more “mod” finish than just a lip balm or gloss. The natural pink color is very nude on me, which I like for feeling put together but not necessarily looking all made up. The finish is dewy but not shiny, no shimmer, no stickiness. I will definitely add more of these to my collection in the future!

Sonia Kashuk Eye Make Up Remover 

So this isn’t really a “pick-me-up” except that it makes you happy that you aren’t wiping residual mascara on your nice new white face towel. This is seriously the best remover I have found. It is one of the dual layered, “shakey” kind that has to be mixed up, then applied to a cotton pad. It needs a moment to do its job, but if you are patient and gently dab away, your eye make up will be totally gone. It doesn’t sting, it doesn’t feel greasy, (it’s oil free) and you get 4oz for $10. 

What's in My TSA Approved, Quart Sized Ziploc

Traveling is stressful enough without the threat of a surly TSA agent tapping your inner thigh and then confiscating your make up bag. Avoid the muss and fuss by having your shoes already off and your adorable clear zip up neatly packed with the following travel friendly essentials at the ready.

-Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheer SPF30. This oil free formula gives light coverage and great SPF- perfect for laid back, yet radiant vacation skin.

-Mini Coppertone Sport SPF 50. DO NOT skimp on sun protection, especially on vacation! I know you want a tan! But you can’t have one! You’ll get wrinkles on not only your face but your chest, neck, knees etc. 

-MAC Select Moisture Cover. This concealer is ever so portable and easy to pat on any blemishes or under eye circles when you want to look all foxy-mama for a night out.

-Clinique Naturally Glossy. This mascara rules so hard it actually stays put in the water if used sparingly. You know how much I love this. Go buy it. Build it up for sexy times or leave your lashes fresh and pretty for every day. Just don’t rub, as it is not *technically* waterproof.

-Benefit Creaseless Cream in Birthday Suit. Find the Creaseless Cream in the best shade for your skin and buy it and never look back! If Benefit’s shades don’t suit you in that easy-breezy, every day neutral way, try Make Up Forever Aqua Creams which are equally as awesome and come in a wider range of colors. The creamy formula won't budge if you sweat or swim and you can rock nice, glowing lids and bright eyes even whilst traipsing around a new city or whatever mischief you're up to on vacation. 

-Aveda Conditioner. Whichever one you fancy. They come in the most convenient wee bottles and really keep your hair looking fancy even with weird hotel water. I usually take a chance on hotel shampoo and just bring my nice conditioner to save space.

-Aveda Brilliant Damage Control Spray. The only hair product I travel with. Detangles, protects, de-frizzifies, smells delovely. Done.

-Philosophy Purity Made Simple. This cleanser is perfect for travel because it removes make up so effectively in addition to cleansing your face to a nice, comfortable, moisture balanced glow. And it you can buy it in mini size.

-Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap. The only shower gel for this ex-hippie. Once you get this Dr's prescription, nothing else compares!

-Contact Lens Solution. You’ll save a lot of room if you don’t rely on this like my blind ass blind eyes do!

This next part takes some tiny jar hoarding throughout the weeks leading up to your trip, (get free samples from Origins, Sephora, MAC, Clinique, then save the jars!) resulting in the freedom to bring ten scrillion skin care products in your carry on! All for the price of **FREE**

Tiny Jar of Clinique Moisture Surge

Tiny Jar of Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer

Tiny Jar of Origins Out of Trouble Mask

Tiny Jar of Origins Modern Friction Scrub

Tiny Jar of Origins Ginzing Eye Cream

With these miniature essentials your suitcase will boast an array of gels and liquids without unnecessary bulk! And wherever you're headed, you'll be looking wicked pretty!

--Noella

Thursday Three - Noella's Picks

Hi WPs (stands for Wicked Pretties), Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

This week I’m going to get a little biased and go all AVON on your asses. Yes, I know it was just a matter of time since I signed up to sell, but I am now for real crazy about AVON’s offerings. I treated myself to some “research related” purchases with my first order and wanted to say a little bit about my favorites from the bunch.

Nailwear Pro Polish in Vintage Boutique

Not only is the muted grayish brown color quite chic right now, but the formula also happens to rock. It applied evenly and smoothly, dried quick and hasn’t chipped (yet). A nice, opaque finish after three coats. An added bonus which has recently become trendy in upscale nail companies is “Three Free” meaning that this polish is non-toxic, (made without three known harmful ingredients, Formaldehyde, Toulene and DBP). Also paraben free, this polish is on par with designer ones that cost literally five times as much!

Super Extend Mascara

I’ve never been one for the new-fangled, nubby, uniform, rubbery mascara wands, but I wanted to give this a chance. Whaddya know-- It’s great! I’m left clump-free, rocking demure, featherlike lashes. And no smudges even though I sweat like a sow in heat, (*pause* for mental image of Noella wallowing, panting in the sun-baked mud, very much as a sow would). I’m very stubborn about new mascaras and I don’t like to waver from my two Clinique favorites. I like this one though, and I will delight in using it as an every day staple.

Super Shock Liquid Lip Shine in Melon

So, besides this lip gloss’s supreme shine and lovely scent, I could basically kill a man with the packaging. So that’s an added safety feature. I’m not kidding around here, it’s literally the size of an Oscar Mayer Wiener (My baloney has a first name…). So part billy club, part cosmetic, hmmm are we onto something here, Avon? Maybe next it will be a switchblade eyeliner? Kidding aside (It's HUGE), this is a highly pigmented, shiny, un-sticky gloss. The wand is honestly so massive I could easily paint the house (2 coats) and that makes it a little clumsy to apply. I'll live though-- I still really recommend it.




Avon's products so far seem to be the poster children of affordable quality. Though the packaging isn't as sleek or sexy as some of my favorite brands and I am still an Avon beginner, I look forward to trying more bits and letting you all know what's what! 
Want some Avon delights of your own? http://www.youravon.com/noelladelaney has all the products I've mentioned and waaay more!


-Noella

Fun with Fine Hair

When I was 13 I had a quite bushy, chia-pet-esque head of hair. A lot of it. Where did it go? In recent years I have felt like I have had scalp peeking through all over my head and I watched as my pony tail’s diameter shriveled to the point where I needed to buy little girl hair ties.

So what can be done?  Well, Nioxin can be done. It’s not going to give you Sofia Vergara hair, but it will make a difference you will notice. Along with fine-friendly styling products, you can be on your way to Pantene commercial body and bounce.

Nioxin is a brand of hair products designed to encourage hair growth, stimulate your scalp and rehabilitate your precious hair follicles. The basic kit comes with three products based on the condition of your hair. Whether you have natural or chemically treated hair (colored, relaxed), medium/coarse or noticeably thinning hair, there is a specific kit for you.

I use kit #3, for normal to thin chemically treated hair. Start with the shampoo and conditioner (the pepperminty conditioner makes my scalp tingle oh-so-pleasantly). Then follow with the sort of “serum” you spray directly on your scalp after your shower. This treatment, paired with Nioxin’s Intensive Therapy Recharging Complex vitamins taken daily, made a difference so lovely I would dare call it dramatic.

The hairs in the shower drain have gotten sparser until a few days ago I was left with only a few of Nick’s chest hairs stuck to my toe as I felt around for the usual clot of my fallen strands. My hairdresser noticed a difference and I have even upgraded to adult sized hair ties again. I can still (literally) pin my hair into a bun with ONE (1) bobby pin, but I promise, this is an improvement.

Nioxin is by no means my favorite shampoo for overall shine, body, manageability etc however I will continue to use it a couple times a week, alternating with Aveda Color Conserve or my favorite, (though it was waaay too expensive to repurchase) Alterna Caviar. The vitamins however, will remain a daily staple. I am trying a bottle of biotin tablets (Nature’s Way brand from Target) in lieu of the Nioxin brand which are quite on the pricy side and biotin is a main ingredient meant for hair, nail and skin health. I have to say, though my skin is nice and smooth lately, I am beginning to see little hair dolls in my drain again…we’ll see…

The only other advice I have for those with cornsilk soft, wispy-fine locks is: blowdry! A spritz of Aveda Brilliant Damage Control protects my hair from the heat and gives it a generally frizz-free finish. Many root boosters and “bodifying” products still leave my hair weighted and limp by the end of the day, so I say less is more. Blowdrying is a sure-fire way to make the most of what you’ve got!

If you are feeling extra saucy, for a special occasion or daily if you’ve got the time, a couple of large hot rollers to the crown of your head will even further the illusion that your hair is thick, bodacious and wicked, wicked pretty ;o)

--Noella

Quick Review: Origins Out of Trouble

Do you have delightful hormonal breakouts like I do? Turns out, most women deal with their hormones playing a game of duck duck goose on their face every once in a while. For me, it's every month.

I try not to cry myself to sleep over these spots, as there is very little that can be done to thwart them entirely. You'd think putting all of this time and attention into my skincare would result in a flawless, glowing countenance every day-o...but no...wrong-o. Enviromental factors like mega humidity (welcome to Maine!), a dry spell, sun damage and pollutants in the air can all cause break outs, even if I am a diligent face washer. Throw hormones in the mix and my chin = doomed.

Remember that your face is always changing due to these day to day variables. Skincare has to change along with it to keep everything balanced and clear.

Origins Out of Trouble is a 10 minute mask that is pretty much your best friend when it comes to these vicissitudes. It has helpful ingredients like sulfur (which helps dry and clear blemishes), camphor (which calms down inflammation of any kind) and zinc oxide (which helps absorb excess oil). 

So spread this clay-like goo on your problem areas, wait about 10 minutes and voila! world peace has been solved...on your face. Seriously though, once you rinse (I use a warm washcloth and gently massage-never scrub!) you'll find your mug feels refreshed, smoother and just plain lovely. The real miracles happen overnight though. I've given up on every other acne spot treatment since I discovered Out of Trouble. Just a dab overnight on any 'hot spot', budding blemish or blemish I couldn't help but pop, (I know, I know I'm a bad person), and once more, voila! in the morning the redness has been greatly reduced, the spot doesn't feel hurty anymore and Noella can face the day. The pricetag is steep but the tube will last you FOREVER. 

(NOTE: If the price tag makes you want to puke, a very close contender for Out of Trouble is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask which can be found at drugstores for under $5. The differences I noticed are smell, (Out of Trouble = Camphor and Mint Julep = toothpaste) and drying (Out of trouble = mildly drying and Mint Julep = mega drying). For a fiver, the Queen Helene is a great tool to have in your kit, even if you don't use it as a full face mask. I like to use it on particularly ugly blemishes overnight or on any spots that pop up on my chest, arms or shoulders, (I call these bumps chest-ne and arm-ne, respectively).

For my delicate face though, nothing beats Out of Trouble. For it's natural ingredients, gentle problem solving and small miracle working, I love it. 

--Noella

The Thursday Three-- Noella Style

There are too many products I love right now to just choose three favorites, but Melissa said "The Thursday Thirty Threes" might get a little long winded so here goes:

The Naked Palette

This is frankly the Holy Grail of neutral palettes. Urban Decay really outdid themselves with this collection of twelve shadows ranging from light pearlescent cream to smoky, sparkly gray. There are matte shades, satin finishes, shimmery ones…pretty much all you could ask for as a blue eyed gal like myself. Most of the colors are very nicely pigmented and the more sheer ones are easy to build up if you desire. I feel that for practical every day use and even practical getting dolled up and hitting the town this is the only palette I will ever need. The combination possibilities are just shy of endless and you can use these colors for both natural and smokin hot eye make up endeavors.

 Clinique Even Better Liquid Foundation SPF 15

This has been a recent switch up for me, as the Clinique Superfit Liquid Foundation has been discontinued. I love that it is oil free, has an SPF of 15 and is actually quite good coverage. The benefits do not stop there, however.
This is a make up that claims to improve clarity, even skin tone and correct dark spots over time even without make up on.
 I have been using this for about 2 weeks and I daresay my skin is doing remarkably well! I find that the redness in my cheeks is more easily toned down when I apply it, (this can be attributed to the higher level of coverage too though), and my face overall feels fresh and even the slightest bit less oily. So magic, in my opinion. Clinique's foundations are quality, come in a $#!%-ton of shades and are quite reasonably priced compared to many prestige brands. I think if you are going to splurge on one high end beauty item and one only, it has to be good foundation. It can make or break your face. Harsh but true reality.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liner for Eyes in Flipside

This eyeliner may be one of the top three things that has ever happened to me, (the other two things being sliced bread and Nick). It is the brightest turquoise color, soo-ooo smooth and creamy and these pencils, folks, they stay put. I love having fun with with a bright color in a safe, eyeliner environment.
Flipside can go on top of the lash line in a nice thick flick or it can go on the lower waterline for a subtle pop. It's best to leave other shimmery eyeshadows or liners out when using such a bright product, as that gets a little clowny.
This pencil works as a vibrant base for other bright blue eyeshadows in the event of the need for an electric blue look, (80's night, anyone?) and basically just makes the bluest statement a girl could ask for. When you are feeling frisky and fun, try this!

-Noella

*Ding-Dong* AVON Calling!

So let's all think back at how cool Peg was in Edward Scissorhands, shall we? Modern woman, fashionable...an Avon lady :o)

Okay so I'll just get to my point: I'm officially an Avon lady!

I'm very excited at the prospect of playing with make up and skin care as a job and I am exceedingly enthusiastic about Avon as a company. They are the oldest cosmetics company in the country (it's their 125th anniversary this year! That means they were established way back in Eighteen-eighty....old...I don't do math)... They do NOT test on animals, and they are the biggest corporate contributor to breast cancer awareness/research in the country!

So if you are interested in learning more about Avon's products, feel like browsing a new brand's goodies or have a favorite product that you need an Avon lady for-- hit up my new Avon website or email me at noelladelaney.avon@gmail.com
Thank you!
--Noella

Easy Interview Make Up with Rage

Our first go at a tutorial :o) Let us know what you think. Please request fun looks so we can delight in putting more make up on our friends and family!

1st Birthday

Have you seen the latest news? I’m surprised it wasn’t on your AOL homepage, I’m shocked Matt Lauer didn’t mention it on the Today Show and I’m appalled that the Portland Press Herald didn’t feature it on the front page of Life and Leisure.

I was thrown a Surprise Birthday Party.Me. The First Noel. Christmas Miracle. No Birthday Nelly.

Turns out, when your birthday is Christmas day (yes, the 25th) people tend to have other “important things to attend to” (like their own families pffff-LAME) and your birthday gets a little pushed aside. So since the days where my dear mother would plan a party around the first weekend in December, (piñatas, relay races, dress-up competitions…she gets excited), I have had generally low-key birthdays. On my 21st, mom asked me if I’d like a glass of white wine…You get the picture.

But enough of my Lifetime Channel, made for TV movie, birthday tragedy. The point is, my amazing friend Joy and my amazing husband Nick decided “to hell with Christmas/Birthday” and threw me a surprise birthday party this past weekend. In August :o)

To my supreme delight, my dear girl friends collaborated and Nick, attentive man he is, schemed and even our housemates (boys) braved the line in Sephora to make me the luckiest girl in town. And here I am, spoiled and thankful and sooo loaded with amazing new toys.

Here it is, The Most Epic Birthday Haul:

*Urban Decay Naked Palette! Weeeee! Review/Tutorials coming ASAP!

*Origins Modern Friction scrub! Let’s just say that my face feels much like a baby’s...face.

*Sephora Gift Certificate! Hey, they’re men, how could they have known I wanted...

*Too Faced Nice Stems eyeshadow! So smooth, so vibrant, yet still wearable.

*Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Pink! Feels like lip balm, looks juicy/pretty pink!

*A Kindle! Cannot be applied to face. Can look pretty whilst reading with application of above products though :o)

Certainly the most generous array of bedazzling pretty bits any girl could hope for. Let me repeat, I am the luckiest girl in Maine if not the entire World. 

Thank you so much to Nick, Joy, Patches, Shumie, Melissa, Tom, Roberta, Tina, Ian, Jarek and Tori who all made me feel so special and loved. Special shout out to Rage (my lil sis) who spent the morning weaving an intricate web of lies to keep me occupied at the mall/Goodwill/Target, little miss "I have to hit the bathroom just one more time," and all of you who kept me so far in the dark about all this I may have wet myself a little when I saw you all standing there in my kitchen. Thank you!

--Noella

A Not Late for Work Morning Routine

I've got my routine down to a science pretty much. I know if I don't stick with the schedule I won't have time to walk the doggies before work and then they poo on the carpet and then I get in trouble. So things are pretty strict, beauty-wise. For instance, I don't have time to painstakingly apply liquid eyeliner in that cute pin-up way I so covet. I'm too slow. It takes about seven Q-tips worth of clean up and my crinkly eyelids crinkle in that un-cooperative way and next thing I know I'm calling in sick because the stress of my eye make-up has given me a mini-stroke.
Thus, the routine:

In the morning I don't actually wash my face. I rinse in the shower and then moisturize (See previous skin care post). I use a foundation brush to blend a scant amount of Clinique Even Better Foundation, mostly on the center of my face. Note:

(Red nose + red cheeks + red chin + red forehead)x = No Bueno/Not Pretty

If you solved for "x" in that equation, (and got an A++ in Pre-Calc like I did), the answer on your beauty calculator would be x= environmental stimuli of any type. Heat, cold, sun, a gentle balmy breeze--all these things just make my face redder. So even if I'm having a clear skin day, I still like to tone down the tomatoface. So everyone doesn't think I'm just sitting there mortified about something all day. (Maybe I am sitting there mortified, but you'd never know because I have a lovely foundation on :)

The next bits are easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. With my finger I apply a bit of Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit, (which evens out my eyelids and gives them a nice sheen).
I smudge a little dark brown liner into the outer corners of my lashes on the top, (I like Clinique Quickliner in Dark Chocolate or Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Bourbon. Then I have fun with some black mascara. My favorite, favorite mascara, for it's buildability, non-clumpivity, no-flakocity staytastic-ness (all those are words, look them up), is Clinique Naturally Glossy. Go buy it.

And seriously, that's about it. But it is summer so I am a little bronzer-happy lately. I do usually slap a bit of that on too, time permitting. As I said though, I already have plenty of ruddiness in the ol' cheeks so I have to be careful with products in that region.

I toiled to find the greatest and best bronzer in the world and I do believe I now own it. It is a waterproof, cream bronzer that smells like the beach, Too Faced Aqua Bunny. I blend a tad just below my cheekbones with my fingers. Then I pause for a moment of morning serenity whilst quasi-creepily sniffing my coconut scented fingers.
And because I'm a damn FOOL for cute packaging as well as lovely scents, I'll dust on just a hint of rose fragranced Coralista blush by Benefit, mostly as a nice, sheer highlighter. I appreciate that it does add a certain glow to my complexion without making me lobster face-y.

But seriously, that's it. Except for powder, I will dust my forehead with some powder for fear of US government agents pulling me aside during the day and asking if I would please consider solving the country's oil crisis with my T-zone. So a little powder keeps the wolves/oil at bay. Now remember, this is a day at the office so the mere SPF 15 that my foundation humors me with is sufficient. I will delve further into the SPF abyss later..

Okay, so pop some Softlips on your kisser and you're set to make all the construction boys do double takes as you saunter down the street looking wicked pretty, off to your big day at work!

--Noella

A Tale of Two Ittie-Bitties

It all started with those adorable little Sephora sample jars. Had I but known a year ago that you could simply ask a sales girl to give you something for free and they’d do it—I would need a kiddie pool to store all of my wee loot in. As of now, I just learned this helpful nugget a couple of weeks ago and I have a modest collection of 8 sample jars. Not just from Sephora, either. Did you know that Clinique, M.A.C, Origins and all of those Macy’s counters will just hand you over a tiny, adorable taste of whatever product you want for FREE? I don’t know how I missed that train but I’m certainly on it now!

I needed a new moisturizer. Nothing against Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, ever—it has stood by me faithfully for years. But as I reach my late-mid-twentysomethings it has become clear (the situation is clear, not my face, or I wouldn’t have this issue…clearly) that I need more nourishing hydration.

The Pixiwoo girls recommended Embryolisse which I love, but it is a tad too rich for my oily T-zone in summer (I knew it would be, but those beauties have me so wrapped around their YouTube channel and blog they could say it’s great to use just a dab of cat shit to tint your eyebrows and I’d do it). So I went sample-jar crazy until by fortuitous luck a combination of two new moisturizers struck a chord with my face. 

The first winner is Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer. Now I was the first person on the phone, (yes, I ordered it by phone, that’s how long ago it was), at the end of the Bare Escentuals infomercial to get my hands on the Bare Minerals starter kit with the swirl, tap, buff mineral foundation and the “handy buki” brush and all that. I gradually moved on to different products over the years, but I loved my time with Bare Minerals.

I trust Leslie (I’ve watched so many of her tutorials I feel like we’re on a first name basis) and her company to have gentle ingredients that aren’t going to irritate my irritable face. This moisturizer is packed with their proprietary ActiveSoil Complex and about 10 plant extracts from sunflower to olive, Lavender to soy. Though it isn’t oil free, it absorbs very quickly and leaves my face feeling nourished and plumped. I have definitely noticed a difference in the texture of my sometimes rough and bumpy cheeks. Overall redness has subsided as well. I mostly rub this one into my cheeks and neck at night. The tiniest bit on my cheeks does the trick in the morning but for mainly for daytime I found…

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. I knew I would love this but I still opted for the sample first, since the stuff is dear as gold bullion ($34 for 1.7oz, sigh). The good news is only a scant dab of Moisture Surge magically smooths and luxuriously cushions my face. You need, seriously, half as much as you are going to initially try to put on. So the jar is going to last. This one is oil-free, yet very refreshing and nourishing. It feels so light whilst still giving enough moisture. Like a splash of cool, pink water. At first glance you’ll think it’s a jar of your grandma’s cold cream but forgive the frumpy packaging and trust me. Wait, don’t trust me, just go get a sample of your own. Then, thank me.

-Noella

Danger's My Middle Name

What did I miss? Four days out of the ol' timezone and I'm lost! So seeing the west coast for the first time was certainly epic, but MUCH more importantly ;o) the two treasures I ordered early last week actually made it to me in time to lovingly pack and bring to California.

It's kind of a big deal, it's like your first period, your first kiss, your first love...that's right it's your first M.A.C lipstick! And this week my M.A.C lipstick cherry was popped by the enigmatic Lady Danger. Call it coral, call it orange, call it clown shoe, I don't care. I am in love with it. Not only does the tube have a nice, prestigious weight in your palm but it smells nice and actually stays on your lips! Seriously it feels nice and doesn't dry your pucker out, yet maintains for hours. Oh, so that's what it's like when you spend more then $3.99 for a lip product, weird!


The second gem I splurged on arrived just in the nick of time, the afternoon before we left. This was another first for me, an Urban Decay Shadow Box. Of course the Naked palette is on my Christmas list this year (and it should be on yours, too), but the Preen palette was on sale and definitely has the colors to tide me over. These shadows are silky smooth, divinely luminous (not sparkly) and really do stay all day. I am thrilled to be trying out UD's Primer Potion for the first time as well after hearing legendary things about it's eyeshadow staying-power-ocity-ness. How do I know it works amazingly well so soon? See photo.

Epic Laguna Beach wedding ceremony = weeping openly in 80 degree heat and sun. I was honored with the privilege of doing the bride's eye make up (I used Smog and Toasted from the Preen Shadow Box) and along with some steadfast UD Bourbon 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil and our trusty Primer Potion kept the make-up where it needed to be, (not rubbed off on new husband's chest).
It was a gorgeous setting, simple ceremony, presided over by yours truly-- thank you, thank you hold your applause for the end please--and all eye make up endured, even through the heat and tears. You may applaud now.

--Noella

Let's Start with Skin Care

I cannot stick with skin care. I've tried it all. Drugstore, infomercial, department store make-up counter. I torture myself researching reviews and watching youtube videos to the point of sweaty palms and acute buyer's remorse. I pick a product up, walk around with it in the store for an hour whilst halfheartedly browsing other things I know I won't buy...I read the back of the packaging...put it back on the shelf. Walk away. Run back and pick it up again. Buy it. Return it.

I know, pitiful. I just hate spending hard earned cash on an overpriced, sometimes overhyped 1.7 ounces of goo. If there is one thing I've learned about skin it's honestly to leave it the hell alone. Wash it gently then moisturize it gently. The picking, stinging, scrubbing has no place on your face. My oily, sensitive, acne-prone, rosacea tinged face, (I know I'm blessed, right?), stays in check with just a couple simple steps.

I'm done with gimmicky cleansers that brighten this and refine that. Deep clean my ass, cleansers, you're not worth it! I love Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, (from Target, under $6), for it's simplicity. My face ends up clean and soft. Done. I recently splurged on Philosophy Purity Made Simple, (Sephora, $10 for the wee size), and was very impressed with its make-up removal prowess. May go full size on that one, as it smells nice and I'm a sucker for that.

Either at night or in the morning, (definitely only once a day), I'll sweep a cotton pad across my nose and forehead with some toner. I am using up my Clinique Clarifying Lotion #3 though I'm not crazy about it,  (it has alcohol and feels stingy), but I alternate with simple witch hazel which I find refreshing.

After weeks of pining, begging for samples at make up counters and some weeping openly in the bathtub with the shower running while fully clothed, I have decided on not one but TWO new moisturizers. Bare Minerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer in conjunction with Clinique Moisture Surge.  Both feel gorgeous on the ol' mug and I use them both sparingly. The Bare Minerals is slightly thicker so I like that over night, whilst the oil-free Moisture Surge is really nice and refreshing for daytime.

I'll discuss trifles such as masks, exfoliation and eye treatments as we delve into this blog adventure together but in the meantime just remember that sometimes keeping it simple can be more effective than too much fuss when your skin is hanging by a thread like mine is. I know I'll switch it up again in six months but I know when I do I'll keep it pure with no funny firming, clarifying, youthifying shenanigans.

-Noella

Welcome to Our World

I don't expect him to understand, he is male after all. He washes his face with the same bar of soap he uses on his ass crack. He says, "Sweetie, you don't need make up, you look pretty naturally." Poor, poor fool. He doesn't realize that "naturally" looking pretty doesn't just occur “naturally”for most girls. And frankly, if you are a "naturally pretty" girl who can actually get away with not eating right, drinking enough water, washing your face before bed no matter how tired/tipsy you may be and lovingly moisturizing from head to toe with near obsessive compulsive dedication, then I hate you. And you'll have wrinkles soon. Just kidding, I don't hate you, I'm just wicked jealous. Men don't grasp how much daily effort we put in to achieve a fresh faced and glowing visage. They think we're obsessed and over-zealous and that it's all a waste of time but I bet my left foot they'd speak up if we all quit our beauty regimens and let our body hair grow freely. "Oh, but Darling you said I'm just so pretty just natural" and he's thinking, "Cool, I married some creature from National Geographic magazine. Just great."

Now please don't get me wrong, I'm half hippie myself and I appreciate all natural things, states of being, vegetables and make-up. I swear by Dr. Bronner's Hemp Castile Soap and I promise you the best exfoliation money can buy isn’t from a tube, it’s from a day at the beach. Trust me, I got the memo about beauty being more than skin deep. I know that I'm beautiful with my naked face nestled into the pillows, grinning in early morning sunlight. All women abound with natural beauty that I know our partners appreciate and love. Having said that, reality called, it wants its nice tan and smooth skin back. Without taking care to nurture and protect our skin, the wrinkles set, the luster fades and we are left looking something like a catcher’s mitt by middle age. Not sexy. But not only is a beauty routine important for maintaining healthy skin, (the body's largest organ, remember), it's a big part of feeling good. What a difference it makes just adding a few touches to a clean face--Sweep of mascara here, highlit cheekbone there. Enhancing our natural beauty is the name of this game, not haphazardly glooping glitter, (I call that technique “slut-dusting”), and caking on eyeliner willy-nilly. Taking a few minutes for yourself to pamper each day, between work and kids and dogs and this thing they call “the grind” gives you the chance to pause, really look at your face in the mirror and say, “I’m wicked pretty.”

-Noella