Report Card - Antioxidant Serum

Well I have a new report card to hand out and I am sad to report that I find this product to be a hard to grade item.


Kate Somerville Total Vitamin Antioxidant Serum - $65 for 1 oz.
(Sephora and online at Sephora.com)

I was turned on to this product by a lovely Sephora associate. She took notice of my large shopping bag and my fair freckled skin and just knew that I was ripe for the picking.

Now all of you BGNDers know that I love the high end as well as the cheap - and while I was in the market for a new antioxidant serum to add to my morning routine- I was not just gonna plop down a cool $70 for 1 oz of product. (Even if it did come from the lovely Kate Somerville - a skin genius.)

So while I did not buy this product when first introduced to me many many months ago - I finagled a rather large sample. After using the sample everyday for about a month (I told you she gave me a good amount) - I was convinced this was worth an actual purchase so off I went to help that one gal's commission for the day.

So now here I am, a few months of use under my belt, the entire bottle completely dry and my thoughts on the matter - ehhh.

That's right - I give this product an "ehhh".

For those of you that don't know what that is - think of your lovely husband saying "Hey honey, aren't you excited to see my boss and his wife tonight? You guys are great friends!" To which you think...."ehhhh...she's okay but it is Saturday and I was hoping for a hot date."

Yup - this product is ehhh.

Now to be fair - the main reason I think this product is just blah is because I think it is not for my skin type (although it claims to be for normal to dry skin).
I think on the right face - this would be a good product. (Not great - just good.) For me - it really didn't do anything.

The Positives
- Chock full of the good antioxidants you need and want to fight those evil free radicals
- Nice opaque bottle so the lovely vitamin C inside doesn't lose its mojo
- Lovely smell (not so of all antioxidants) and texture
- Quickly absorbed and leaves nice finish on skin - no grease, no sheen, no weird pastiness

The Not so Positives
- Not a great product for those that have anything less than combo to oily skin
- For a product that touts major sun damage reversal - after 3 months of daily use - I saw nothing - and I am a majorly freckled woman!!
- Price

So now you may look at these positives and negatives and wonder what I am thinking? Well for me - the negatives definitely out way the positives. What good is a product if it doesn't work? Even if food is made with the best ingredients - sometimes it doesn't taste that great...Hello - Top Chef?!

So my grade is this...

If you are older, have dry skin or serious skin damage - skip this.
I give it a C+ for your skin care needs.

If you have oily skin or are just starting to see the signs of damage - try it but don't expect a miracle.
B/B+ at most.

Like I said - even if I had the right kind of skin for this product - I am not sure it would do what it promises...and at $65 a bottle - that is not worth it.

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

P.S. One disclaimer - when I was using the sample it was summer - perhaps my skin was a bit more oily and reacting better to the product....so if you are set on this item- perhaps use this in summer and switch to something with more moisture for the winter...just a thought....

Decisions Decisions

Doesn't it sometimes feel like we are all always looking for that one perfect product? I have one friend who is always buying new blush- striving for the perfect glow. I have another friend who has a trash can filled to the brim with discarded mascara in search of the best lash. And of course- the ideal concealer is something that eludes many.

Well lately I have a new product I am constantly hunting. For the first time in my life - I need foundation. Now truth be told, I have dabbled with foundation in the past. But I have always been lucky enough to use it only on special occasions or for when I really wanted to look polished. However with my twenties further and further in the rear view mirror - the reality is that my skin needs a little help.

Now mind you, I know that I am lucky. For the most part, I am not dealing with super deep lines or sun spots or acne scars or any of the other myriad of skin issues that women face. My biggest issue is splotchy skin. I crossed 30 and all of a sudden I was a little more red around the nose and a little uneven overall. Suddenly, my usual powder and concealer combo was not working. It was time for something a bit more serious. I have used mineral foundation in the past and had great success but I am feeling liquid is my future.

So here I am - in search of something that will allow my skin to show through but will still even me out.

The first thing I purchased was this...

Stila One Step Correct - $36 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I have been using it for a couple of weeks. I like that it is a primer that addresses many skin issues. However, I am not totally impressed. I think that there are better primers out there for less money. I don't feel it evens me out all that much and while I do like the moisturizing feel - I am not loving its work on lines or pores. Regardless, I am willing to stick with this primer for a bit longer. At least until I can see what this primer mixed with the right foundation accomplishes.

Now for the real issue....

The reason I am in a deep quest at the moment is because I cannot get my hands on this....

My long time favorite. But Prescriptives, alas is no more and my shade of Traceless is sold out on line and everywhere else I have checked.

So in a quest to find a new fave for natural coverage - these are the two new foundations I am going to try:

1 - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 - $45 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

This little bottle promises exactly what I am looking for - "invisible, lightweight coverage that looks like skin, not makeup." If that statement is true - I have found my new best friend.

My second option if good ol' Bobbi Brown fails?

2 - Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation SPF 15 - $38 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I love Smashbox and am currently a huge fan of this...so I have high hopes for this foundation as well - even though I am going to give Bobbi Brown the first draft slot.

So wish my luck BGNDers....and tell me what products are you constantly hunting for?

And of course - check back in with me to see how these foundations held up....

Keep looking fabulous,

BGND

Smashing Smashbox!

I love Smashbox Cosmetics. They make quality products, invent new make up bag staples year after year and they give back to the community- AMAZING.

Today I have to give a little shout out to the new Smashbox 2009 Holiday Collection. Not only are there some fantabulous finds in this year's event (hello 8 awesome choices - I am loving the Smashbox Sampler Kit myself!) but with each purchase a donation goes to the Children's Miracle Network.

So go ahead - get a beautiful gift for a friend and something special for yourself. It's a charitable donation right? Tax write off!! (Hehe- just kidding...)

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Freebie Fun!

So this weekend when exiting the movie theater with my lovely significant other, a shiny blue package was shoved into my hands. I immediately thought that whatever this was would end up one of two places - the garbage or the bottom of the family junk drawer. However when I looked down..I saw that this was not a flier or some odd new candy treat I was being handed - it was a sample of the best kind of freebie- a beauty freebie!!

Dove Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner - $4.77 each (Online and nationwide at mass retailers)

So there I was holding 5 FREE SAMPLES!!! of both the shampoo and conditioner - who am I not to give them a try? Well today in the shower I braved these new sweet smelling hair products and I was pleasantly surprised. I have never been a big fan of Dove shampoo and conditioner- I have found it to be more fragrance than substance. However, this newer version of their product performed decently well on its first outing.

It is winter time so my hair is on the dry side...as a result it literally sucked up the moisture in this "therapy" shampoo. In fact, the shampoo had that feeling of more a shampoo/conditioner combo than it did pure shampoo. It was sudsy and it lathered well but my hair felt smooth and soft- almost conditioned after the wash. The conditioner was pretty standard.

So my final thoughts on this freebie? Good at first use- definitely worth a try in the winter. However, I would be concerned on hair like mine (fine and wispy) that this product would be too heavy over time. However, if you have coarse or thick hair I think this could be just what the hair doctor ordered.

All in all, I think perhaps I will give this a go for a few days in a row to see what the buildup is like on fine hair and if it is too much for a regular everyday shampoo/conditioner- this will have a spot as a once a week treat for my winter dry hair.

And good news - if you are interested in trying these Dove products out - drugstore.com is having a buy 1, get 1 50% off sale....click here for all the details.

Happy Monday and keep looking fab,
BGND

Handy Information....

The following is a post from last October but considering my hands are cracked and bleeding AGAIN and I have gone to this product as my savior - AGAIN - I thought it was worth sharing...
AGAIN!!

Hehe....


Ah the crisp fall weather has arrived AT LAST. Now for some of you in the eastern or northern parts of the country, the weather has been deliciously fall-like for some time. However, for those of us here in Southern California (and other warmer climates) mother nature has been taking her sweet time getting around to fall. Well, it has FINALLY cooled off (no more 90 degree October days hopefully!) and here at BGND we are loving it.



Well, as much as I love the cool, along with it comes a host of beauty issues that arise from cooler outside climates, drying inside heaters and inclement weather in general. Today's issue of choice?
DRY HANDS.



I love me some hand lotion....I have several tubes dotted all over the place...in the car, on my nightstand, in my purse, at my computer...the list goes on and on. Well, in these frigid times my hands really take a beating. They get red and dry and sore and cracked and it is NOT fun. So today I bring to you my favorite hand creams for fall...a little something for everyone if you will. The following list includes some classics, some personal faves and some hand lotions with a little something extra. Mix and Match- I know that you will love them all!





My absolute #1 pick? (aka the ROCKSTAR hand Cream)
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream - $4.49 (Drugstores nationwide and online at Drugstore.com)

This hand cream is no joke. It is scent free, goes on without any greasy residue, absorbs quickly and a little goes a long way. Best of all? When my fingers and knuckles start to crack and bleed from dryness (yes - gross but true for me in the winter) this is the ONLY thing that will bring them back to life. LOVE IT. (Side note - there is a version with SPF that I also enjoy but don't find it quite as effective at hard core moisturizing and repairing.)

Other great choices:
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Concentrated Cream with Vitamin E - $4.04 (Drugstores nationwide and online at drugstore.com)
- smells great, rich and creamy and feels ultra-soothing
Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Lotion (Travel Size) - $3-4 (Nationwide at Bath & Body Works and online at bathandbodyworks.com)
- great scent choices, good moisturizing and anti-bacterial..perfect for your car or on the go
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream - $11.69 (Nationwide at drugstores or online at drugstore.com)
- scent free, great for sensitive skin and all skin, not just hands

Of course, you know my love for this lotion as well...http://beautygirlnextdoor.blogspot.com/2008/08/product-of-week-august-7th-2008.html.

So go forth and may your hands, fingers and knuckles survive the cooling outside!

Keep looking fabulous for fall,
BGND

Color Me Mine

As you BGNDers know- I love finding things meant for one thing and using them for something else. It is truly how some of my best product finds have come about. But this urge to think outside the box spreads not just to the product category but to accessories as well. For example, I love to use a concealer brush for any kind of shimmer or glow application - it is just the right size for precise illumination.

Today's think outside the box moment I think is something that will benefit any of us who need help with organization (me!!). I saw this item advertised in In Style as an answer to organizing and storing menus and coupons in your junk drawer...but as soon as I saw the pic- something else came to mind...it is so pretty and color coordinated- it made me think of an eyeshadow palette.

Semikolon Accordion File Folder - $32 (Available online at seejanework.com)

I love this pretty pretty file folder. It is so bright and cheerful and in my opinion - a great organizer if you are someone whose eye make-up is all swimming around in a bag or a drawer somewhere. Simply put each color eyeliner and eye shadow in its coordinating folder and you will always know where your favorite black eyeliner or your favorite pink eye shadow is. So easy!!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

P.S. www.seejanework.com is a SUPER cute website so even if you aren't into the file folder- check out all their other goodies!!

Pop go the eyes!!

So my good friend Anne always hooks me up with free stuff - she has some killer connections! And since she is a very tan blonde and I am a very pale brunette - we don't use the same cosmetic colors and the ones she can't utilize get thrown my way.

Her most recent freebie is one that has been amazing since the first use....

Eyecake by POP Beauty - $19-$20 (see link below for locations)

I seriously have been blown away by this set. Not only are all the colors beautiful and perfectly coordinated AND they highlight whatever color eyes your momma gave you -best of all - they last.
Yup, you read that right- they actually last from when I put them on in the morning at 7am all the way through till 11pm when I am washing my face for bed (and yes that included going to the gym and sweating it up...). In a word- these eye shadows are solid quality. And what is most telling to me is the fact that when it is very early in the morning and I am staring at my make-up kit thinking I have nothing to use (you know the same feeling we all get in front of the closet) - I inevitably grab for this eyeshadow palette just like we all reach for that killer black dress. Yup - these eye shadows are that great.

Totally recommend this pack and a huge thank you to Anne for giving me my first taste of POP Beauty. I am already making a list of the other products I am going to try. So no worries POP- I will be paying money for these eye shadows and more soon enough!

If you are as into this new find as I am - click here and POP will hook you up with the retail location closest to you.

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

Clearly Amazing...

Okay so all I have to say is - YES PLEASE to this device.

Recently my lovely fiance treated me to a facial (the man knows what a girl wants!) and during the wondrous event the facialist pulled out a contraption that I have heard about a TON and have been super curious about.

The Clarisonic Skin Cleaning System - $149-$225
I had seen this baby advertised everywhere and recommended by all the mags and stores as a major breakthrough in skin cleaning. But I was skeptical by all these endorsements...did I really need it? Did it really work? And holy cow that is a lot of money for a face cleanser!!!


I was not disappointed.
This tool is FANTASTIC. Made by the same folks behind the Sonicare toothbrush...think of this as the ultimate cleaning tool for your face. It gently and smoothly works your cleanser deeply into your skin but does so without irritating, hurting or damaging a thing. It reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, gently exfoliates, allows your moisturizers and serums to absorb more effectively, reduces the appearance of pore size, helps with acne and dry patches alike- this baby does it all. It can be used with any cleanser or any exfoliant with spherical beads (this is important- they must be the round exfoliating beads otherwise you will damage your skin.)

So what convinced me that this brush was a wonder to be appreciated?
Well - The facialist started the gently buzzing brush towards my face and the moment it touched my skin I was seriously impressed. I was so blown away by the sensation, the exfoliation and the soothing nature of the brush that when I saw what my skin looked like after the facial I headed straight to Sephora to check one out in person. Then when three days after my facial my fiance said- wow your skin is still really soft- I was sold.

Now this does have a hefty price tag but there are Clarisonic options for everyone. You can buy the base model (1 speed), waterproof (2 speeds) or the one that can be used on other body parts other than the face. I will be buying the waterproof for myself in case I want to use it in the shower. I think the body Clarisonic is a bit much- I don't need to spend that much more just so I can scrub my elbows and knees. But if you want one of these and you don't want to spend too much I think the base model is also great.

Anyway, I wanted to share my love with you all and perhaps you can give your family or significant other a holiday gift idea?

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Old but still sad news...

So this information has been out there but I still wanted to address it now that I am back to blogging...

Two of my go-to makeup brands are going out of business! They have been staples for years but unfortunately we all know that in this economy no business or individual is really safe!
In case you don't know who these companies are....

Max Factor and Prescriptives...so sad.

Now Max Factor has been around forever...If you want some background on the company - check out their Wikipedia page here. They have made countless innovations in nearly every field of cosmetics - umm...they created foundation, lip gloss and waterproof mascara for goodness sakes!

And Prescriptives, while not as old as Max Factor was seriously formative for me in middle school and high school and they are a current favorite of makeup artists and celebrities. They have done amazing things in many areas of cosmetics and skin care including being the first company to really come out with any kind of cream highlighter or reflective makeup with their *Magic line. ( Some day I will share with you my nightmare black light experience with one of their early reflective lotions!)

Anyhoo - the saddest part for me of both of these companies going out of business (besides the obvious real world concerns of job loss etc..) is that these two companies carry two of my ultimate go-to products.

Max Factor makes the AMAZING Lash Perfection Mascara. A perfect separator, lash-coater and darkener for each and everyone of your lashes. Plus it is UBER affordable at $8.99!!
I will be going out and purchasing many many of these tubes of mascara...They are amazing and will be sorely missed! If you go out to buy this - just remember LASH PERFECTION- sometimes the packaging is different.

Prescriptives makes more than one product that I have used over the years - from eye shadows to concealer to fragrance. One that I have purchased over and over is the awesome Traceless Foundation. It is light, smooth as silk and provides great coverage without looking like you are wearing foundation. It literally just makes your skin the very best it can be. I am SO sad that Prescriptives is going away- this is THE ONLY liquid foundation I buy. Not surprisingly - Traceless is totally out of stock on line. You are going to have to hit a Prescriptives counter if you want a container of this gem.

Both of these companies are being shut down and pulled off the shelves in January 2010. So if you are a Max Factor or a Prescriptives fan- get your goods now!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

Holiday Time!

Okay okay - I know that it is only a couple days after Halloween but I can't wait to talk about all the fun that is happening over at Sephora!
This time of year is one of my favorites at everyone's destination for beauty supplies...
Why you ask?

Well....the winter holidays at Sephora equal one thing....

GIFT SETS!

All that fabulous packaging, all the fun little goodies waiting to be found! Now of course, these are designed to be purchased for others- so they say! I believe that Sephora and all the cosmetic companies put out these multi-faceted wonders to tempt those of us who are regular Sephora goers. They know the glossy pics and the promise of something new inside will convince us to buy more than we intended when we walked in ( like that doesn't already happen anyway!)

My favorites so far this year...

Too Faced Glamour Revolution - $39.50

Stila Smudgepot Collection - $32

These are just two of the gift sets I will be getting this year....I have seen a ton of other awesome choices in the store and online but these two will be the first of many that I pick up. I love Too Faced for many reasons and their shadows are the ones that I use almost daily. And Stila's smudgepots are the gold standard when it comes to cream eyeliner.

What gift sets are you going to get for yourselves and others?
Do you already have a favorite?

Have a great Monday and keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Happy Halloween!!

Well it is official! I'm back (and with any luck - for good this time!)

Things have been C-R-A-Z-Y around here but now as they seem to be settling down again, I have been re-invigorated by some awesome new finds and am so excited to blog!!
Before I jump right back into today's post let me just tell you a few things. In the next few months there will be some awesome and fun new changes here at BGND. We are getting a new look, a new layout and more fun columns and features. I hope you guys are as pumped as I am....

So what you may ask brought me back from my blogging slumber? A FABULOUS new product by Lancome that has me thinking about and looking at my skin in a whole new way. I had recently been feeling a bit lost when it came to my powder and foundation. I am getting older (aren't we all..sad...) and while my skin still looks pretty good, I have felt lately like I needed something a little bit more involved than what I had been doing in the past. I wanted something light but with enough coverage that I would be evened out but not caked over. And what did I find?

Lancome Oscillation Powerfoundation SPF 21 - $48





This is the new IT product. I had seen little mentions of this here and there and thought ultimately this might be just what I was looking for. I headed straight for the nearest Lancome counter, got a fabulous tutorial and walked away with a new lease on my skin. This product is simply put, a wonderful vibrating powder puff that gently applies mineral powder foundation, while softly buffing and smoothing your skin along the way. It gives me great coverage (which like all mineral make-up I can customize) and blends seamlessly. And hello - SPF 21!! Overall a killer new powder foundation that I think will be hanging around my make-up kit for quite some time.

Now of course (as with most new products) there are downsides...

1 - The PRICE! YIKES!
$48 is insane for a tiny little container of powder but I guess that lovely motor causing the puff to vibrate does not come cheap.

2 - The Amount of product/durability of the motorized puff
The nice sales associate at Lancome was a pro with application of this new wonder but could not give me a straight answer as to how long the motor in the puff with last. You can't replace the battery so when the motor dies it dies. Also, you cannot buy the powder separate from the motor so I see imbalance in the future.

If you buy a new motor before you have used all your powder you will have a surplus of powder continually. Or if you use all the powder before the motor runs out you will end up with extra motorized puffs. Annoying and a downside but not a huge issue since a) you can always apply your extra mineral powder with a traditional kabuki brush and b) we all do not replace our applicators when we should so the motor dying causes us all to throw out the bacteria filled old applicator and get a new one.

Regardless of these two downsides, I am loving this new Lancome beauty. Hey- it brought me back to the blog so you know I am seriously into this thing!

If you decide to try it out - make sure you check out the online tutorial at www.Lancome.com or talk to a sales rep - there are a few techniques to know for application.

Have a great Halloween and keep looking fabulous!
BGND

P.S. If you do any fun Halloween makeup tricks on yourselves or friends or family - send me the pics and I will post them!

Daily BGND - Giveaway!!

Did you guys get this morning's Daily Candy? Not only are they recommending my go-to travel essential (the cleanser towelette) they are having a fab giveaway! Partnering with Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes they are offering some great travel essential gifts as prizes. Plus, you can print out a $1.50 coupon even if you don't win.

Now usually I use the Garnier cleansing towelettes but for $1.50 off I will definitely be trying the Ponds wipes.

Click here for all the info on the giveaway - good luck!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND

Budget Swap

As all you BGNDers know- I love me some face scrub. I consider it to be one of the best ways to not only keep your skin healthy, but to make it glow with less lines and younger texture all around. Well today, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of a scrub that I have heard loads about.

Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub - $7.49 (Drugstores nationwide)
This scrub is fantastic. Not only does it smell wonderful, it has the small microbeads that are so hard to find in the less expensive scrubs. I found this scrub to be more runny than my favorite Clinique scrub but to have the same essentials- tiny, tiny microbeads that polished my skin just enough. A great exfoliator but definitely gentle enough for everyday use.

I would highly recommend this product to anyone who loves the Clinique scrub (like I do) but needs something for less money (who doesn't) and is sick of the St. Ives (who isn't). St. Ives makes a great product but sometimes you just want something new.

Go get this- totally worth the money!

Have a great Monday and keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Disappointment of the week - July 16th, 2009

I have a sad review to deliver today. I was pretty excited to try this product being as how I loooove mascara. And while I can't give this lash beautifier a perfect score by any stretch of the imagination- it is not all bad. Which is why I am still reviewing it today but calling it my disappointment as opposed to my product of the week.

Revlon Double Twist MascaraLet's start with the good of this mascara. The formula is actually excellent. Seriously defines, lengthens, thickens...all the things you want a mascara to do. It is actually one of the best formulas I have ever used. It doesn't flake or smear and it can easily be layered for a more dramatic effect. If I was simply reviewing the product inside the tube - this mascara would be an A+.

Now for the bad news...the brush is HORRIFIC. I know that is what they were going for when designing and marketing this product but the brush is the downfall of this Revlon item. First off, it is huge. You can barely get it through the opening in the tube. And the combo of the thickening brush and the silicon separators just creates a clumpy mess. When you pull the brush out of the tube the top half of the brush is cleanly covered with mascara while the bottom half looks like you spread the mascara on the bristles with a thick Spackle. It is BAD.

The only way I have managed to still be able to use this mascara is to clean off the bottom bristles with a tissue when I pull the brush out and then try to focus the application with the upper bristles. You waste a ton of product when doing this so sadly I am not expecting this tube to last very long.

So if you have a coupon for this mascara and you need one....I say go ahead and buy it. Or perhaps if you don't care about the brush- the formula is still worth a try. But really- it is just a big fat disappointment.

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Bad Bad Blogger

Sorry folks!! I know I have been totally MIA recently...I am getting married and was out of town doing wedding madness!!

However, I am back and ready to blog! Today's fun tidbit:

Benefit's Summer Sale-Abration!



Benefit is having a HUGE sale right now! 50% off a giant selection of Benefit Cosmetics products and major discounts on countless others - totally worth a look. Plus, with every $35 order you get a FULL SIZE California Kissin AND if you enter PRETTY50 at checkout you get free shipping on orders over $50.
Now that IS a Sale-abration!

Happy Shopping!

Keep

Spring Break lives again!

So do any of you folks out there have some old shot glasses gathering dust?
Perhaps they say something like "Cancun Spring Break 1999"?
It's going to be okay, I promise. You are not alone in your shame.

Now there is a legitimate use for that sad little relic of your college binge drinking past....(Not that shots are off limits now - they are just served the right way now- hidden as martinis- ha!)....

Drum roll please.....
Sunscreen serving utensil!! That's right ladies and gents. As I am sure you have read, you should use at least a full shot glass full of sunscreen to cover your body when heading out into those UVBs and UVAs. And recently I read a fabulous tip about actually using a shot glass to portion out your sunscreen...not just guesstimating a "shot glass amount" as most of us have been told to do. But literally keeping a shot glass in your bathroom next to your tube of sunscreen. And when it's time to protect that lovely skin - fill up that shot glass and go to town.

So now, not only are you guaranteed to be protecting yourself in the right way with SPF, you FINALLY have an excuse not to throw out your old mementos - no matter what your boyfriend or wife might say....

Keep looking fabulous!
BGND

Follow Up

Hey all...
I don't know if you remember but a while ago I did a blog posting on bikini waxing?
(Click here for the original post.)

Well yesterday MSN.com had a great article about the same topic that I think is worth the read - especially now that bathing suit season is here.

Bikini Waxing (according to MSN.com)

Keep looking fab - in those swimsuits!
BGND

Manic Monday

Have you guys heard of this site?

www.CouponCabin.com

Daily Candy featured it today in one of their emails and I am shocked to say I did not know about it!! ( I like to think of myself as being up on all the cool spots in coupon cyber space...)

It has tons of deals and coupons, not only for things like groceries, cleaning supplies and pet products but beauty items too!!! They have active discounts for drugstore.com, beauty.com, Bath and Body Works and SpaFinder among others. And these aren't all one kind of coupon either- some are online discount codes, some are printable coupons.

Click here for the full low-down as told by Daily Candy.

Keep Looking fabulous!
BGND

Charity of the day....

So in light of the fact that we don't always need to focus on products (nor do we want to)...today I thought I would talk about one of my favorite charities that you may or may not be familiar with.

Look Good...Feel Better (From the American Cancer Society)

LGFB is one of my all time favorite organizations. LGFB was founded to help women suffering from cancer feel their best and their most beautiful at the most difficult time in their lives. Volunteer beauty professionals teach these brave women how to deal with skin/nail care, make-up application, dealing with hair loss and how to overcome the appearance related side effects of cancer treatment.

It is such a cool foundation and you do not have to be a licensed Cosmetologist to volunteer. (If you are - that's great - they need you!) But if not, there is always room for those who simply believe in the cause and want to help out.

For more information and to see some inspirational before and afters - check out the website...

www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org.

Have a great Thursday and keep looking fab,
BGND

A Summertime Classic...

There is just something about summer...the sunshine, the cool breezes (when you are lucky!) and just being outside more...it is glorious. And every year without a doubt I want my make-up to look fun and summery and just glowy.

So every year I go back to Sephora and get a new eyeshadow. And by new, I simply mean a replacement for my go-to summer shadow combo. Because once I found this baby I never looked back when it came to my summer eyeshadow needs.

Eye Shadow Trio in Bronze Glow by Stila Cosmetics - $ 28 (Sephora, Sephora.com and Stila counters nationwide)

This shadow is in a word - magnificent. I never thought that the colors would look good on me - I am a very pale Irish gal with blue eyes and freckles. However, this trio is one of the best color combos on my ever. It makes my eyes pop, my skin glow- it even makes my hair look good!

I can wear one of the colors or all three at once and Stila's makeup magic makes the color sheer and saturated and blendable all at the same time. Seriously, if you are looking for a good summer shadow combo and you don't have a ton to spend- this is the way to go. For $28 you get three awesome colors to mix and match.

Plus, if you go to Sephora and try this color combo (Bronze Glow) and are not blown away on your skin tone - there are two other trios - Champagne Glow and Gold Glow - Each as equally awesome as the bronze.

For a night out on the town, any of these combos mixed with the Stila Smudge Pots will deliver you the smooth smokey eye you only dreamed possible. And of course, just because it is summer and we all want to be bronze - it doesn't mean that this shadow can't travel to fall/winter because believe me when I say I have used it plenty in those seasons as well.

And just in case you needed one more thing to prove the awesomeness of the Bronze Glow - it is sold out on the Stila website! People love this trio! So get your butt to Sephora before they are all gone!

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND