New Beauty TestTube

It was a delightful surprise today to see this hot pink box at my door!  About a month ago I signed up for New Beauty TestTube which is a product sampling program. The TestTube comes out quarterly and is filled with excitement in the form of assorted products and New Beauty magazine (I enrolled prior to deciding to give up makeup for Lent).  My first impression was great; hot pink box, fun hot pink test tube, a super thick issue of New Beauty mag and a brochure detailing each of the items received. So what was in my tube?  A full sized Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour blush in Flush, a sample sized Vichy Liftactiv Serum, a sample sized Vichy Liftactive Eyes ("potent anti-aging formulas that target the most stubborn signs of aging"), a sample pack (5 pack) of Simple cleansing face wipes, a deluxe sample of Stila Face the Day multi-use moisturizing gel cream, a full sized Dr. Brandt Pores No More cleanser and a deluxe sample of Phyto Botanical hair relaxing balm (the only product I will be passing on since I dont straighten my hair). All in all, a great introduction to New Beauty TestTube!  I love getting full sized products in Birchbox but its not always a guarantee...seems like I wont be disappointed in this department with TestTube!  However, I am curious as to whether or not I would enjoy the QVC TestTube more?  I love Mally Beauty, Philosophy, etc but am hoping that those brands may be in the regular Tube. I'm already excited for my next Tube to show up at my door!

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Happy Fat Tuesday!!  One last day of gluttony and indulgence before Lent...aka the 40 days of spiritual preparation prior to Easter.  During this time, Catholics (and other denominations) fast and give up certain luxuries as a form of penitence.  Well, this year I am making the ultimate sacrifice.  For the next 40 days I am giving up purchasing makeup, purses, shoes and all other accessories.  I can honestly say I don't know that I have ever gone 40 days without purchasing makeup, a purse (or two), shoes, etc.  It will be a true test of willpower.  It may sound like a silly thing to sacrifice for Lent, but if you know me or have read this blog, you probably know its a big deal!  So, I will be spending the next 40 days "shopping" for makeup in my overstocked vanity and blogging about this experience :)  Wish me luck and send lots of prayers!!

The Unforgivable Beauty Sins!

So, I'm all about trying new and exciting things in the world of beauty to help me look and feel my best.   However, there are a few beauty no-no's that I will NEVER try or subscribe to...

1. Tanning:  Come on, girls.  Its 2013.  We know all about the dangers of indoor and outdoor tanning.  A tan (from the sun or from the bed) is your skins way of letting you know its been burnt.  Literally.  UVA and UVB exposure alters our DNA, damages our skin, causes wrinkles and causes cancer.  As a pale skinned, blue eyed, fair haired girl, I know that I am at the highest risk for developing skin cancer but that doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind if you have darker skin.  I know too many girls my age and younger who have faced skin cancer issues due to destructive tanning habits.  And honestly, tan skin may make you look youthful but that's only for a short period of time.  Consistent tanning WILL age you prematurely and it doesn't take years for the damage to show.  A college acquaintance who shall remain nameless tanned obsessively...she tanned four or five times a week and finally thought she'd save money and bought a tanning bed for her apartment.  She was mistaken for my mom in a photograph...I'm older than she is.  Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.  Stop doing it...its that simple.  Sunless tanning products have improved and the variety of bronzers out on the market is unbelievable.  Give those a try!

2.  Curl Wars:  Trust me, I understand the curly hair battle.  I fought mine for years.  But I'm going to be brutally honest with you straightening iron freaks...your hair doesn't look very pretty.  In fact, it looks like a broom.  Those aren't easy words to say, so please don't think I'm being snarky, vicious or nasty.  I wish someone had told me "Hey, Ash, when you straighten your curls, your hair looks like straw!".   I paid stylists actual money to make my hair look like a broom.  That fact baffles me today, even when my hair is crazy, frizzy or just grumpy.  Love your curls!  Take the time to take care of them.  Save up and splurge on a great cut and style (go see Larry Bragg, curly girls!).  Check out message boards (Naturallycurly.com) for inexpensive product suggestions to help make your hair look gorgeous.  

3.  Lip Service:  A visible lip liner terrifies me.  Unless its Halloween, your lip liner should ALWAYS match and be blended with your lip stick or gloss.  

4.  The Mask:  Foundation should help create a smooth, flawless canvas, not look like its been applied with a spackling tool.  If finding the right shade is daunting, don't be afraid to stop at a makeup counter at Macys or go to Sephora or Ulta for assistance.  If you have problem skin, there are some great full coverage foundations that won't give that caked on mask appearance.  And don't forget your jaw line...your face and neck should match.  Start with a small amount of foundation and blend, blend, blend.  

5.  Nailed:  My final beauty sin is chipped nail polish.  Now, I know I am OCD about my nails...I'm the girl who will bite off my polish if one nail has chipped.  But aside from a rushed morning or not realizing your polish has flaked off until you've gotten to work, there's no excuse for it.  If you've got a busy week or don't have time, leave them bare.  Or, try the at home "gel" polish mani described here.  


BIG news coming tomorrow!  I'm taking a plunge that already has me shaking in my shoes.  Its something I've never even tried before.  Here is a hint...its going to last 40 days!

The Magic's in the Makeup

Makeup can be magic and one of the first magicians I can remember knowing was Kevin Aucoin. If you don't know of Kevyn Aucoin, please Google him!  The man was a renowned makeup artist and his books are truly the Bibles of beauty. He sadly passed away in 2002, but not before leaving a permanent mark on the world of makeup artistry. His books, specifically Making Faces and Face Forward, have been my go-to beauty books since high school. I remember pouring over them in college, attempting to replicate the gorgeous faces on the pages before me. I still go to these books for inspiration and ideas. These books not only cover the basics, from skin care to foundation, highlighting to lips and provide step by step instruction, but provide celebrity makeovers and glimpses into Kevyn's life. I couldn't have a beauty blog without singing his praises ♥ Time to go find a look for the Luke Bryan concert tomorrow night! 

Did this fuel my lipgloss obsession?

My favorite look 

These are a few of my favorite things...Benefit edition

Benefit makeup is fun...the names, the packaging and most importantly, the products. I thought I'd take a minute and share a few of my Benefit favorites ♥
Pore-fessional is a primer that minimizes the appearance of pores. It also provides a great matte finish and feels makes me skin feel incredible. When its time for a new primer, the full sized version of this will be coming home with moi!
Boiing is an industrial strength concealer; its good but I think I'll be trying something else next time. Maybe Benefit Erase Paste? I've heard great things about it. I have a hard time with concealers...and am open to suggestions!
Next up is Watt's Up, a gorgeous gold toned soft focus highlighter. The full sized product has a blending sponge on opposite end of the product. I love this stuff!!  I also got a little tiny Watt's Up from Sephora which has lasted a really long time.
Speaking of highlighters, my other ♥ is High Beam, which is a gorgeous luminescent, pearly soft pink shade. Its perfect for my pale skin.
My last Benefit fave is They're Real mascara which does wonders with my lashes. Its my favorite mascara!!!

My need to try list of Benefit products is always growing...Im interested in their new foundation. If you've tried it, let me know!  What other Benefit goodies are on your favorite list?

Obligatory Super Bowl Post

On this snowy Super Bowl Sunday, I'm wishing I had a Mountaineer to root for today.  I'm pulling for San Fran; supporting fellow adoptee Colin Kaepernick!  I'm eagerly anticipating the obvious...Beyonce's halftime performance and of course, the commercials.  Like everyone else, I loved the leaked Budweiser Clydesdale commercial!  I will be participating in helping name the foal during the game...I'm brainstorming names as we speak.

Bare Miner-ows!!

My FB feed has been lit up today with questions about Bare Minerals. A couple years ago, I ordered the little travel kit from Sephora. It came with a little kabuki brush, foundation, mineral veil and maybe blush. I dove right in and was sold...my skin looked great!  I ordered the full size kit with excitement. I had found the holy grail of foundation!  About a month into use, my skin started looking and feeling funny. My eczema was flaring up, my skin was painful in some areas and I had little bumps everywhere. Not connecting that I had recently started using Bare Minerals, I kept my makeup routine and broke out every salve known to man to help my irritated skin. A few weeks later, it clicked. Bare Minerals was eating my face!!!!  I Googled and found other who had experienced bad reactions as well. Problem solved...several weeks after discontinuing use, my skin calmed down. Sephora even returned both kits, no questions asked (their customer service is fab ♥).  I now stay away from all mineral makeup and share my experiences with as many inquisitive girls as possible.  I recommend getting the travel kit to start if you really want to try it.  Or buy from a place with a great return policy :)
On a side note, I can use their eyeshadow and love the READY shadows!!  The Buxom gloss is also fab!