Hey Little Birdie!

I am enamored with this perfume. I must have it. And soon. Why do the best fragrances have to be so darn expensive? And why do they never go on sale like everything else? The scent is fresh, feminine, delicately floral and reminds me of my favorite flowers- peonies. And did I mention it is perfect for me? And did I mention my birthday is next month? (I’m hoping my husband is reading this.)

In all seriousness, are there any fragrances you are loving right now? Tell me about them! I am on a bit of a perfume kick lately and would love to hear the details on your favorites.

Tell me I am not the only one out there with  oily hair? I have always been super jealous of everyone who can save time and not shampoo on the second (or sometimes 3rd) day. I, on the other hand, have many stories involving family camping trips as a teen where I force my mom to pour a bucket of freezing water over my head just so I can be spared the embarrassment of the oilies. Yes, I will gladly suffer for beauty.

However, I recently discovered a solution that has revolutionized my hair routine. First, I picked up an adorable shower cap at Safeway. You can get it here at Amazon but it’s like $2 cheaper at the grocery store so check there beforehand.

The reason why a shower cap is crucial is because the moisture and humidity from your morning wash are going to make your oily hair even worse. Sealing it all inside a cute little cap while make you smile and preserve some of your hair dignity if you are going to attempt this second day ‘do. Next, find yourself a bottle of Batiste Dry Shampoo available at Ulta.

Then take off your shower cap, shake up the dry shampoo can and spray it all over your tresses, especially the roots. The next step is vital- don’t touch anything and let the spray sit in your hair for a minute. Then comb, shake and fluff out out your mane. Brillance! Your hair now looks fresh and clean and you feel confident to go out in the world after kicking the oily monster’s butt.

Tell me- do you have a useful beauty solution? a secret remedy to a common problem? Give me the details!

I am the Imelda Marcos of lip gloss. It is by far my favorite cosmetic product and I am a proud connoisseur.  One formulation I go back to over and over again is Korres Cherry Full Color Glosses. They have the most pleasing cherry taste (very subtle by the way), are uber eco-friendly and natural, and have the prettiest shades (both light and bright). Korres Lip Glosses are also one of the few glosses that are non-sticky. Huge bonus points for that! I hate when your gloss is like a magnet for stray hairs-yuck! Add super moisturizing and benefical vitamins and oils to their check list and you have one stand out gloss. Korres is available via their website or at any local Sephora.

Do you have a go-to lip color? Give me the details!

One of my most beloved beauty products is Tarte’s Cheek Stains. You may scoff at dropping thirty bucks on some measly blush but first hear (or read) me out. It lasts FOREVER. I have had mine for at least a year and it is still going strong.

Gel cheek stains are the ultimate rouge for any skin type but are particularly perfect for the not-so-youthful face. Powder blushes dry you out and look cakey. But Tarte Cheek Stains are super blendable, sheer and chock full of skin-loving ingredients.

Another great thing about Tarte Cosmetics? They are one of the most natural, eco-friendly brands around! Artificial fragrance, oil, alcohol, petroleum, paraben, phthalate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and cruelty free. Phew! That was a mouthful! But honestly, once I started thinking about all the icky crap in most beauty products it made me first get the willies and secondly want to bring my business to companies that take this kind of thing seriously.

I am making you a promise. This will become your new favorite cheek color (lots of color choices at either the Tarte site or Sephora) and you will wonder why you ever used anything else before.

When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing but princess style to the infinity degree. I’m talking lace covered canopy beds, sketches of my pink dream house, and refusals to wear pants. I was THAT little girl. One of my favorite princess-y places was my great grandma Esther’s bedroom vanity. The little padded stool, the drawers of pretty baubles, the glass bottles of feminine perfumes- I loved it all. And one of my favorite parts was the dainty tray where a collection of powders, lotions and cosmetics just waited for a curious little hand to explore.

I spotted this lovely green tray while hunting on etsy’s vintage area and it brings me back to those days when I was first mesmerized by anything I deemed princess worthy.

I’d love to see it in my bathroom displaying handmade soaps, gorgeous packaging and pretty little bottles. An etsy search under vintage for “vanity tray” turns up endless options for your own grown up fairytale dreams.

We all know “going green” has been quite the trend in the last few years and although the phrase may be getting over-used, being more conscious of how the things we use on a daily basis impact our bodies and our environment is always in-style to me.

Here’s a perfect way to celebrate tomorrow’s Earth Day and embrace you inner beauty queen at the same time- Stila Cosmetics new Earth Day eyeshadow palettes. If you adore makeup like I do, then you have to know that Stila’s shadows are the best around. Superior quality, lasting colors, beautiful pigments! They are the go-to shades of beauty editors and fashion designers around the world. (My everyday fave shadow is Stila’s bestselling Kitten, a shimmery nude pink.)

The two palettes give you the choice between three shimmer or matte shades plus a free liquid liner and free shipping! And how are they earth friendly you ask?

- refillable compact can be reused to support waste reduction
- eye shadows are produced locally, reducing gas emissions
- metal eye shadow pans are 100% recyclable

I love the fact that with Stila products, I can toss my used shadow pan in the recycle bin and then reuse my compact by filling it up with new purchases. The palettes are $49, and considering all you get (three shadows, liner, refillable compact and free shipping) that is a stellar deal from an award winning brand!

Today we have an aesthetician hanging out with us to talk skin care!  She is super sweet, a bit of a health nut, and is one of my sisters (the twin mentioned here).  She is (drum roll):

Jamie, Friendly Aesthetician

I am lucky to have someone to go to with my skin concerns.  When I asked, she gleefully agreed to answer a couple of questions that might help our readers. See?  Totally friendly.

HLB: Do you have a brand you especially love?  Why?

Jamie: I cannot say that I have a favorite all-around brand. It is forever changing.  Right now I am really interested in learning about natural skin care lines.  They boast high concentrations of antioxidants, essential oils, and minerals with amazing results. They are without parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. Which, of course, is fantastic.  The high efficacy that natural skin care can provide frequently goes unnoticed. Natural does not mean “not effective”. Look into it for yourself!

Not many skincare lines can say they’re preservative-free. Boscia is one of them. And, it uses ingredients that are gentle, yet effective. That’s a big deal!

HLB: What is the best way to prepare your skin for spring?

Jamie: SPF! SPF! SPF! Springtime is the perfect time to be outdoors.  When you spend time outside, you need to make sure your skin is protected from the sun. If you REALLY can’t live without your tan, seriously consider tanning alternatives such as bronzer and sunless tanning products. These will give you a tanned appearance without the sun damage. Remember: a tan today equals wrinkles (or worse- skin cancer!) tomorrow.

Dermadoctor body Guard spf30 is a great lightweight sunscreen for face and body.

Clarins is well known for their self-tanners and they are fantastic.

HLB: How about one last tip.

Jamie: Of course remember that it’s always important to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.  That’s so healthy for your skin.

HLB: Thanks for your words of wisdom, Jamie!

There you have it.  Some good basics and a place to start from a real professional.

Now say that title three times fast! It may be a silly name but let me tell you, this lovely body wash is my favorite beauty find of the year.

Backstory- I am a Trader Joe’s addict. If you do not have one located in your general vicinity, then I personally weep for you. Let me extol the virtues of TJ’s: 1) They are smaller than your big box grocery store, which means I can do my shopping in my cute high heels and not pay for it in blisters. Thank you. 2) They have a huge selection of organic produce, meat, dairy and pantry items and it is all much cheaper than other stores. 3) They also carry amazing, unique products you can’t find anywhere else. For example? This body wash.

I have to admit, I was cautious at first because my brandname brainwashing has left me to believe that I have to pay for real quality. Consider me enlightened. One large bottle of Tea Tree Tingle is $3.99. I usually spend 4 times as much on my “designer” body wash. And after my first shower with Mr. Tingle, I was hooked. Yes, you do feel tingly. You also get a fresh botanical scent of tea tree, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils. It contains a blend of Certified Organic Ingredients, no Laurel/Laureth Sulfates and is a Cruelty Free Product. I also find it lathers nicely, rinses clean and does not leave my skin feeling dry. A money saving, widely available, exceptional quality bath product? Yes, please!

Medium Zippy Pouch- $18

I have a secret to share with you all. If you were to come by my house and happen to wander into my master bathroom (hey! what are you doing in there?!) and take a peek into my vanity cupboards (how rude!) you would find a super giant heap of various makeup products (sorry- my love of organization refuses to enter that abyss.)

It’s embarrassing really. And stresses me out every time I have to go searching in there for something. Yes, I have my trusty little bag of daily cosmetics ready and waiting-but my penchant for impulse buys, free gifts with purchase and “maybe I’ll use that blue eyeshadow again…someday” excuses have landed me in a heap-load of trouble. I can just picture my beloved makeup stash neatly enclosed in these beautiful pouches from Carissa Black on etsy. Convenient interior pockets and adorable fabrics- they are the ultimate organizer to pretty up your bad habit (or mine!)

Divine Bath Salts – $26.50

From Delight.com

Everyone – and we mean EVERYONE deserves a good soak. French parfumerie Fragonard has done it again with this luxe set of divine bath salts in 6 glorious scents: Verbena, Fresia, Orange Flower, May Rose, Cherry Blossom and Figiuer Fleur.  Packaged in a lovely floral gift box, and guaranteed to Delight anyone who receives it!