Love Me Some Lemonade.

My new handbag staple: Philosophy's Old-Fashioned Lemonade Moisturizing Hand Cream ($15). It's rich enough to keep my hands smooth after several washings with my office's standard-issue soap, doesn't leave my hands too greasy, and the smell. is. divine. I'm not into super sugary scents (or super sweet food, for that matter.) But this dream cream's refreshing tartness with just a modicum of sugary sweetness is utter olfactory luxury to me. It smells JUST the way my favorite lemonade in the WORLD, Chik-Fil-A's diet lemonade smells.

Have we discussed this? I LOVE CHIK-FIL-A. Their nuggets are to die. Every time I eat there, I think about Stuart MacKenzie's feelings about KFC and how certainly, they must also apply to Chik-Fil-A as there is most definitely an addictive chemical in their nuggets that makes you crave them fortnightly. I actually ate there this past weekend with Daneen after we took in a showing of Twilight (what else?) and I mused during Edward's explanation that Bella's blood is like "his own personal brand of heroin," that I know how he feels. Because I feel that way about Chik-Fil-A's chicken nuggets with one of their large diet lemonades.

Oh and just like the real thing - it comes in a pink lemonade scent as well! Chik-Fil-A: Are you listening?

Happy Wednesday!

Q&A: Shun that Shine!

My friend/former coworker Sarah writes:
Q: I used to use this Mary Kay product called Oil Mattifying Lotion and boy, it sure worked like a charm. But because Mary Kay is a pain to order as you have to deal with a person and an appointment, generally, I stopped using it. However, I battle shine every day! Do you know of similar products that combat such unbecoming facial glare, oh Beauty Blogging Junkie princess?

A: Oh, Sarah, I can SO relate. And BT dubs, flattery, espesh of the royal variety will get you EVERYWHERE. I deal with reflective facial skin ALL of the time. I also don't deal with pushy MK or Avon ladies. As I have an addiction, I try to limit my interaction with pushy salespeople who are peddling my personal equivalent of heroine. You know? Anywho, here's what I recommend:

Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine ($20) is a fantastic pre-makeup primer that absolutely ASSASSINATES gleam on your grill.
















Origins Zero Oil Mattifier ($11) is a liquid shine inhibitor that will reduce reflection in your lifestyle, stat. Also, in the same post (click the link above), check out the review of Benefit Dr. Feelgood, a perf powder alternative to tote around in your purse for touch-ups.





Do let me know how you fare, SD!

Hair Hoorahs

You GUYS. You KNOW how I feel about hair. It is my everything. I never understand why some gals premiere their new expensive, phenom outfit with boring or bad hair. You know. Hastily thrown up into a ponytail (and not a fab one with volume at the crown, for example.) Or they just don't take the time to blow-out their situation. I plum don't GET it. Your hair should match your entire look. It's the best accessory there is. Make the MOST of it, I implore you.

As such, I've been doing extensive labs in my shower involving a hypothesis, control, and a variable just as my fave science professor EVER, Professor Beverly Yu (who went by Prof B. Yu at BU) taught me. Don't think I'm kidding, 'cause I'm not. I typically use shampoo, conditioner, a volumizing product - either a spray or a mousse - and smoothing serum or creme. I will ONLY introduce one never-before-tested item into that mix so that I can isolate the variable to figure out what exactly is causing my hair to look better than ush (when that is indeed the case.) AND I experiment with different combinations of different items that work well together for many different cocktails yielding great hair. Many straight-up suck, many are decent, and many are good--but I really only report the ones that are truly fantastic. I've identified a new combo that makes my hair look voluminous, bodified, shiny, and hydrated - without making it weighed-down or greasy for at least 48 hours. What is it?

Philosophy Shear Splendor Daily Shampoo ($22) and Extra Silky Daily Conditioner ($18)
You FEEL the hydration/manageability commence in-shower. Both the shampoo and the conditioner smell like a dialed-down version of their popular Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Body Wash & Bubble Bath. Heat-damaged and color treated hair drinks in the moisture this winning combo provides with utter ease and more importantly, with no residue or heavy feeling.


Blow The Heat is on Mist ($18)
Light as air, this light conditioning mist acts as a protective glossy shield to heat. Your follicular knight in shining armor (from a long time ago...), if you will. It's a lot like my former fave heat-protectant, The Big Blow-Off, which is no longer produced by Philosophy. Blow's formula is very similar and keeps my mane bodified and bouncy without weigning it down. I apply it on clean, towel-dried hair and do household chores for, say, an hour. My hair air-dries looking unbelievably silky, frizzless and shiny with NO heat. Then, I simply blow out the kinkiness (my hair is wavy/curly) for smoothness and then twist it up into a bun so I can do the "sexy secretary" (unclip my bun and shake out my hair with wild abandon) to reveal luxurious waves. Can also be used on dry hair for a quick touch up.




Blow Weather or Not Climate Neutralizer ($20)
A little of this on your ends will keep your strands polished and without flyaways - whatever the weather. Use just on tips for dryer days, from ears to tips during especially humid times.

What hair care items are working especially hard for you lately? Tell me in the comments!

It is Easy Being Green.

I'm so 2004 about this, but since seeing Wicked this weekend, I'm on a mage Elphaba-green products kick. The play's story was so ridic clever, I'm seriously miffed I didn't think of it myself. Here are my fave verdant picks, the use of which will surely render you "popular," though the color didn't have the same results for our misunderstood gal, E.

Philosophy Spicy Pear Cobbler High Foaming Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath ($16) This pearliciously-scented gel tempered with a warm spicy, baked-good essence generates a rich, foaming lather and gently cleanses for an sensory shower sensation.

LUSH Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub ($9) Sea salt, lemon and mimosa are an unlikely combo to create a laundry scent, but somehow, that is exactly what this stuff emits.
After scrubbing, the formula dissolves in water, leaving your shower drain free of rogue bits and pieces.


Tracy Stern Lip Balm Tea: The Romantic (picured, right - $22 for a set of four)
This all-natural lip treatment hydrates like whoa with the sophisticated flavor of Tracy Stern SALONTEA’S Original and Beauty Collection.
The kit contains: The Society Hostess, vanilla black tea; The Romantic, green tea with jasmine flowers; The Writer, chai tea, cinnamon and cardamon; The Fashionable Dandy, black tea and rare bergamot oil.

MAC Pearlglide Eyeliner in Bankroll ($14.50) This creamy kohl eye liner yields a sparkly, reflective finish with fantastic color pay-off with phenomenal glide. A gem of MAC's new Suite Array collection.

Mirror Face Giveaway Announcement!

New YORK is where I'd rather stay!
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view!
Dah-ling, I love you, but give me Park Avenue.
--Eva Gabor, Green Acres Theme Song

Dolls, I am signing the lease tomorrow for my very own stu stu studio! I know it's totally snotty, but I am most happy about the fact that I got to keep my Park Avenue (South) address. I'm moving just five blocks downtown (exactly) to 23rd and Park. Yes, the apartment is the size of a kitchen table. But it's close to the subway, closer to work, and it's so unbelievably CONVENIENT! Every time I write my address, I feel like I get to channel Eva Gabor in the Green Acres theme song. I used to watch that show on Nick at Night with my brother when I was little. And I was fascinated by Eva's 1960s glamour. But even then I knew: that shit is a CAUTIONARY TALE. You know? Moving from a penthouse on Park Avenue to a FARM? Ish don't think so.

So anyway, I'm readily anticipating all the things I'll be able to do once I live by myself. On top of the list is storing beauty products in the kitchen cabinets--simply because I can. Wearing lingerie mid-day on a Sunday--again, because I can. Drinking a glass of lemonade and telling anyone who phones I'm "Master Cleansing"--all together now--BECAUSE I CAN! I'm gearing up for a very Holly Golightly lifestyle (minus the implied escort vocation). Obviously, I will rock the heck out of this. But most of all? I'm looking forward to making my mirror face all the time. What's a mirror face? Allow me to explain:





Again, here's a list of what one winner will get:

Olay PRO-X Deep Wrinkle Treatment
Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Plus Smoothing Essentials Fast Absorbing Lotion
Yes to Tomatoes Terrific Day Shower Gel
Sally Hershberger Finishing Cream for Wavy Hair
Philosophy Candy Hearts Pink Bubbly and Angel Food Cake Flavored Lip Shines


So that's the deal, girls! Email me a photo of your best mirror face and a short explanation via email to beautybloggingjunkie[at]gmail[dot]com with the subject line "Mirror Face Giveaway" and you'll be entered to win! You can enter now until next Friday, March 13. I'll announce the winners on Monday, March 15, so check back then!

Good luck!

Philosophy's A Diet You Can Live With

Dolls, I have a serious case of the Februaries.

I loathe the month to begin with, but this year I thought I was home free when it was February 26th and I'd managed to make it through the month without getting my annual February Flu. Wrong. Thursday night I was hit with the most vile stomach flu. I won't get into too much detail. Suffice it to say that yesterday, I could only eat a piece of toast and a bite of matzoh ball soup (my flu panacea) and lost a cool three pounds. In a day. That's not a diet I (or anyone) can live with, but Philosophy's got you covered on one that EVERYONE can.

The gift set is called A Diet You Can Live With (natch). The set includes three bottles of their famous shower gels in Pink Frosted Layer Cake, Creme Brulee, and Classic Fudge Cake. For $30, you get 6 ounce bottles of each. A perfect gift with which to butter up your pal with the Hamptons house early, n'est-ce pas?

Here's to the last day of February!

For Nighttime Showerers

Philosophy's Falling in Love Perfumed Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath ($22) is the perf "wind-down" nighttime shower accoutrement. I LOVE the way this stuff smells. Love. It's very subtle and sophist [side note: do you not ADORE "sophist?" My work friend Michael came up with it.] and inspires romantical behavior. Yes, I realize that's not a word.


A hot shower before bed plus a pillow spritz of The Body Shop's Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow & Body Mist ($16) smells fresh and calming and ensures sweet dreams will ensue.

I'm a night showerer (most of the time) because of my hair vanity situation. I just can't spend that kind of time in the morning straightening this haystack in addition to everything else. I also like to wake up as late as is humanly possible so I typically pick out my clothes and get everything I'm taking to work in the morning ready by 11pm the night before. In the morning, it's a mad rush of face washing, makeup and super-speedy hairstyling. What's your shower routine? Let me know!

poll by twiigs.com