Bag Peek

What’s in a bag?

As a woman I feel that I can’t go anywhere without my oversize handbag and all it’s goodies inside.  Without my bag I feel completely naked and sadly, out of balance.  I switch bags depending on the outing but find myself going back to this particular one, Jessica Simpson bag.  It is the most comfortable and roomy bag I’ve ever owned … well, maybe my Coach bag is just as roomy but this one just looks sturdier. 

What is in MY bag?  All my little treasures, necessities that must stay with me at all times for that “just in case” moment.

Are you ready?  Here we go …

• Hand Lotion: Yes To Carrots hand lotion.  I need to always have lotion for my hands; I cannot stand having dry hands and/or cuticles.  Yuk!

• Hand Lotion:  L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Crème.  Because having one hand lotion is not enough.  I need to have options ;)

• Coach Wallet: Gift from my little sister.  I love how small this little wallet is yet it fits all my discount cards and change.

• Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses (Polarized): My favorite pair.  They go everywhere with me and I like how light they feel, the polarized is a big plus when driving on a sunny afternoon with the sun in your face.  If you’ve never owned a polarized pair I recommend you look into a pair.  There is a big difference.

• Compact Digital Camera: Sony Digital Camera.  You never know when you might want to capture a moment.  Carrying my Nikon would be too heavy so this is my compact camera … for now.

• Perfume: I like having options and how many do I need?  In my case three.  Daisy by Marc Jacobs, FlowerBomb byViktor & Rolf and Sinner by Kat Von D.  This has got to be one of the best things out there; roller scents are great for people like me who want options without spending on a full size bottle.  The down side, in my opinion, is that they do not last as long as I would hope for … meaning the scent on my skin.

• Eye Drops: Blink makes the best eye drops for contact wearers.  I’ve tried all brands and these are my favorite.

• Pressed Face Powder:  Benefit in No. 2.  This is my second Benefit compact for on the go.  For days when I am slightly oilier than I’d like to be, I use a blotting sheet before lightly dusting a bit of this powder.

• Blotting Sheets:  Shiseido Blotting Sheets.  My favorite!  They aren’t the cheapest but they are the best.  I worked for Shiseido a few months back, before I left I made sure to purchase backups using my discount, which wasn't much :(

• Lip Sticks:  I was so surprised to find that I only had 7 sticks in my purse.  Most times I put a lipstick in for the day/ night out and never take it out again.  Is this just me or does this happen to all girls?  Here go the names: NYX in Orange Soda and Pumpkin Pie/ MAC in Hue/ Rimmel in Airy Fairy/ Revlon in Silver City and Blush/ Hourglass in Enchant.

• Lip Gloss:  Victoria Secret Brilliant Lip Shine in Undress

• Lip Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Naked/ Rimmel in Natural/ MAC in Stripdown, Dervish, Hover/ Lorac in #18

• Eye Kohl: MAC in I Get No Kick.  I use this in the inner part of my eyes to make me look more awake on days I’m not so awake.

• Breath Mints:  LifeSavers in PepoMint … because you never want to be caught having funky breath.

Well, those are all my goodies that travel in my bag everyday, unless I’m working out.

If you’d like to know what is in the bag of a cute Irish/ Italian/ American gal, check out Anna Saccone’s blog.  Thanks Anna for sharing your bag insides with us.  ;)

What’s in your bag? 

-Hizles

Simple Sundae Sunday

What a way to end the day ... this goes totally against what my goal is for this year but there are days when you just need to indulge and that is exactly what I did last night.  After my tribe was sound asleep I made myself comfortable on my living room couch with a bowl of my homemade sundae ... on a Sunday!  Ha!  I had to amuse myself.

I also was probably one of the last people to be watching this movie but I have been looking forward to having this film come out on DVD and it finally did ... The Social Network.  It was totally worth skipping some Z's last night, although, I am paying for that now *yawn*.

My house was full with sleepy people upstairs while I enjoyed my sundae and a flick on a cloudy Sunday.  I love staying home and watching a movie far more than sitting in a theater paying way too much for a movie and snacks.  It's the simple things right?

Hope you all had an awesome weekend.  I will have a few upcoming posts with my new skincare routine ... I'm totally digging it too.  Enjoy and don't forget to visit Simple As That for Rebecca's weekly challenge of the simple things.

Hizles

Simple Things - Weekend at the Zoo

What an amazing day with my little family.  It began with brunch at our local diner followed by an afternoon at the zoo.  The day was just magnificent; just perfect … I wouldn't change a thing.  After brunch we took a nice drive to the wildlife zoo and drove around the as we snapped pictures of all the wild animals.  Normally when we visit the zoo we are exhausted in about 2 hours after walking around, up and down, the hills and puzzle that is the zoo.  Driving though the zoo was great because we snacked while we watched all the animals run around.  My family and I agreed that it was the best zoo we had ever been to (in the U.S.), we don’t enjoy seeing the animals caged and with limited space to roam around in.  Once we had driven through the wildlife zoo we wandered into the park to ride on the carousel, Ferris wheel and I paddled the boat.  Once we were ready to head home we had to treat our tummies to funnel cake and strawberry ice cream.  What a nice way to end our day, ice cream on a pleasantly warm day.  I took this photo as we were getting ready to leave and I was holding onto my funnel cake, balancing my plate and trying to take this shot with my right hand … not bad, huh?

This photo will also be participating in Rebecca's, The Simple Things weekly challenge.  As always, visit her blog to see all the other entries.  I promise you will be inspired.  

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and were surrounded by the ones you love.

-Hizles

Should I give in to the hype?

YAY!  Finally! Back to beauty talk!

This past week I had a friend stay with me for the New Year.  During her stay she mentioned the Clarisonic System ... of course, I cannot justify such an expense so I never bothered to look into actually purchasing one.  Instead I looked for a dupe after seeing so many people online express how well the Clarisonic had been working for their skin.  

I don't have dramatically problematic skin but do have those annoying little bumps, clogged pores around my nose and sometimes around my jaw.  

i-Skin Pore Perfecting System

Rather than forking out hundreds of dollars (maybe I am exaggerating a bit) for the Clarisonic I decided to do some research.  Another friend had mentioned that she had seen great results in her sister's face after using the Clarisonic.  I know, too many people raving about that machine aaaah!  I took a nice drive over to my local Sally's Beauty Supply and found the i-Skin Pore Perfecting System for far less than the Clarisonic.  Keep in mind that I have not used the Clarisonic but have read that the i-Skin cleans as well as the Clarisonic.  Don't believe me?  Google it!   

So far it has been two whole days of using the i-Skin morning and night.  I understand that I should probably use it a few days a week but my skin is not as sensitive, if anything it has helped a lot.  My face feels like it has been deep cleaned.  The system comes with it's own cleanser but I frankly don't care for the smell or the feel after I use it.  Instead I use Cetaphil's face wash with the i-Skin system.  Going forward I will be using the i-Skin only 2-3 times per week, just to avoid my skin becoming too sensitive due to everyday brushing.  Although, the brush is very soft.  At first I was afraid that the brush might be too harsh on my skin.

This is what I have read and researched so far:

 The Clarisonic:

- has a timer so you can focus on certain parts of your face at a time

- the brush is round

- system is rechargeable

- starting price to be around $119 for the Mia

The i-Skin:

- no timer, no beeping

- the brush is a tear drop shape, which I like better because I can get into those hard to reach places around my nose, the main problem areas!

- the system uses AA batteries, a plus for me since I do travel and would hate to lose my charging equipment.

- sold at Sally's Beauty Supply for $29.99 

I wish I could give you a better comparison of the two products but I have not used the Clarisonic so at this point I can tell you that the i-Skin is a much less price to pay for a system that is similar to the higher end item.  

If you have used both, please share your experience down below on the comments.  I would really like to know if the Clarisonic is worth no coffee for 3 months.

;)

-Hizles  

 

Beauty Faves of 2010

Happy New Year!!!!

It is so hard to actually believe that we have officially entered a New Year.  Each year has seemed to go by a lot quicker than than the past, must be part of getting older I suppose.

I thought I would share my favorite makeup products of 2010.  These little treasures will be accompanying me into 2011.

I can honestly say that I love each of these items.  Some have been in and out of my  makeup collection but  still remain a staple in my kit.

So let us get started:

Make Up Forever HD 

I did not want to buy into the hype of the HD products when they had initially came out but this foundation truly makes a big difference in my pictures.  My imperfections seems almost invisible when I use this foundation in conjunction with another great product ....

Eve Pearl Concealer

Perhaps the one of the best concealers out there ... I use this concealer under my eyes (for those mornings that you can clearly see I didn't sleep well or was up half the night catching up on all my TV shows).  I love how you get two tones in this little package.

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation

As I have mentioned before on this blog, I have oily/ combination skin, during the winter time I can still be a bit oily in certain areas of my face.  Which is why this is also one of my favorite foundations.  I don't find this foundation to be extremely matte but it is just enough to look like real skin and not a caked on, powdered donut face.  My favorite part about NARS foundations is that they have yellow undertones, much like Bobbi Brown.  And speaking of Bobbi Brown ....

Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper

Does just what the bottle states.  Shapes my brows when they decide to go a little nuts.

MAC Mineral Skinfinish

If I am looking for that J.Lo glow look, this is my go-to item.  This past year I have been using the Soft and Gentle on my cheek bones, brow bones and cupid's bow nearly every single day.  I have received tons of compliments when I wear it and it just give my face dimension.  Another one that I love is the well-known, Stereo Rose.  This baby makes my cheeks look naturally flushed without giving it that over the top rosy cheek look.  This item was a Limited Edition MSF so you know I have a backup.  :)

MAC Sculpting and Contouring Powder

I love this compact!  Why? Well, it's easy to travel and it gives me a highlight and contour in one compact.  This past year I did a bit of traveling and this little item went with me each time.  The contour color reminds me of MACs Blunt while the highlight might not be as shimmery as the MSFs I mentioned above but it still does the trick while trotting around.

Anastasia Brow-Express (Brunette)

If I am wearing makeup, even if it's just tinted moisturizer, I am wearing this.  I love the Brunette shade and this packet has two shades, the wax, and highlighter.  Perfect for traveling and even home. ... did I forget to mention it includes a brush?  Because it does!

MAC Drops (Sun Rush)

For those nights I want a little more *umph* or just want to look like I've got the healthiest looking skin, I use this in with my foundation or just certain areas on my face to accentuate.  A little goes a long way with this item which is one of the reasons I love it.  Sadly, it's another one of those items MAC decides to put out only as a Limited Edition.  Booo!

MAC Cream Color Base (Shell)

Can you tell I love having a glowy, dewy looking skin? But lets not get it twisted with oily and with my skin type it can sometimes be a very thin line.  This I also use to apply over my foundation, but before the MSF Soft and Gentle.  I use this so that my MSF powder has something to adhere to and the bonus is that it makes the highlight last longer and not move around my skin.

NARS Blush (Deep Throat)

Perhaps one of the best blushes ever created.  I love how this is a peachy pink color with golf flecks, it's just lovely.  If you have a retailer near you that carrier NARS I suggest you take a look for yourself.  I think it's far better than the over-hyped Orgasm.

L'Oreal Extend Tubes Mascara

If you prefer to save your money instead of paying $20+ on a mascara that will dry out in a few weeks, then I suggest you give this one a whirl.  I love both the blue and red tubes.  The blue mascara tube is said to have serum to help condition your lashes and just like the red tube it needs warm water for it to come off.  I have small eyes and even if I don't cry or sweat, my mascara tends to appear on my lower lashes and smear all over the bottom of my eyes creating a dark looking shadow.  I love the department store mascara but can't alway afford to pay the price so these are a great alternatives at half the price.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I absolutely love to do a natural look on my eyes and this palette is perfect for gals such as myself.  Again, it's all there, crease shadow, lid color, highlighter and even an awesome couple of shades you can use to create a dark smokey look.  I like this palette because it also came with a dark whiskey brown and ebony black eyeliner duo.  Another little package that is great for travel.

Brushes

.... and lastly, my brushes.  I could go on and on about brushes but I thought I would show you my favorites that I could not live without....

Kirkland Flat Brush:  I use this for my foundation when I want a flawless, seamless look.

Crown Angle Brush:  I love this brush so much I am going to purchase 5 more.  The cost for these brushes in comparison to some of the cosmetic name brand brushes is waaaaaaayyyyyy less.  Check out Crown Brushes I think they have great brushes and the quality is phenomenal.  Seriously, why pay so much when  you can pay a whole lot less for good quality brushes?

Revlon Eye Lash Curler (not in this photo)

I think that pretty much explains itself.

Well, this completes my favorite items of 2010.  I have lots more that I could just rave about on this blog  but if I only had to pick a few, these would be it.  All my other products get swapped out eventually ... hahahahha!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's celebration and wish everyone the best for this year.  Before you know it we will be saying good-bye to another year full of great memories and welcoming a new year with lots of wonderful opportunities.  

Best wishes for the New Year,

Hizles