Mineral Make-up

Another lovely treat during pregnancy is blotchy skin. Mine hasn't been that bad, but the sun-kissed look that slowly develops in the summer months that I used to love has only served to amplify the weird pregnant lady blotchiness. I tend not to wear foundation in the summer because of the heat, but with three weddings scheduled this summer, I figured I needed to invest in some quality products. I've been meaning to try the bareMinerals line but didn't want to commit $60 to the starter kit. Instead, I pranced over to the Mac store at Dillard's, where I could spend an old gift card. I ended up with the Mineralize Foundation, which includes SPF 15, in addition to their Mineralize Skinfinish.

In the store with just the former, my skin looked dewey and had a nice glow. The Skinfinish adds a nice luster. Of course, when I get home and apply the stuff myself, it doesn't look nearly as good -- I think it has something to do with the brush I use, Mac's 187 duo fibre brush.

The 190 foundation brush is probably more appropriate. Brushes with make up are key - even though they tend to be pricey, you save money in the long run because the products are easier to apply and you use less of them. So I like, but don't love, my Mac mineral products. Has anyone tried mineral products they love? Wanna share?

Shellacked

I love getting my nails done. It's frivolous, though, and lately I've been doing it less and less. It's easy to justify pedicures because the polish lasts f o r e v e r. On the other hand (!!), I don't know about you, but manicures remain unchipped and flawless for all of two days on me, tops. A salon around the corner of our new house, Albert Brown Salon, advertises that they do Shellac manicures, which to be honest, I had to go home and google. Creative Nail Design, or CND, came out with a way to make polish on your real nails last like gel or acrylic nails. I don't know if they're the first to do this, but I think the company is the most widely used one at salons. Basically, after filing, trimming cuticles, and buffing your nails, the manicurist puts you under a UV light after every coat (base, first and second coats, and top). The downside is that you don't get the usual lotion massage, though I've heard of some places doing it after the polish is dry. The polish dries instantly, by the way - as soon as your hands are out of the UV light for the last time. I got my nails done Tuesday and it's Friday and they look perfect. And don't worry folks, it's safe for pregnant gals. Check out these fall colors coming out from CND soon. Love the teal.

Monthly Beauty Fix

I am super lazy when it comes to my beauty routine. Up until I lived in New York, my skin care and make up regimen consisted of whatever came in the Clinique free gift my mom would receive every few months. I'm still a bit of a loyalist - I almost exclusively use Mac make-up, half because I'm so familiar with the products but half because the ladies and stores are just so damn sleek and trendy. Despite my content with with my current beauty bag, I know there's some great stuff out there that I'm too lazy/poor to try out. Enter Birchbox.

Like Jewelmint, Birch Box is a subscription deal, only you can't opt out while remaining a member. You get a monthly box of beauty product samples plus tips on beauty and styling on the website. There's minimal commitment but you get to try out some neat brands, among which are Kiehl's, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Nars, Stila, and Too Faced. I haven't committed just yet. Polish and Pearls features a good review of the concept, but I'm wondering if anyone else out there has tried it or what you think of this concept in general? I like that the sample boxes are personalized and the samples are larger than what you would normally get at the store. You can also cancel anytime. But I'm always skeptical about where I spend my dough, even though it is only $10 a month, so I'll need just a little while to think it over. Thoughts?

Just Keep Swimming

Just keep swimming just keep swimming, swimming swimming...I love finding Nemo. And I love swimming. I've been to the Audubon Park Pool a few times this past week, as it opened on Monday. They always have two lanes open for laps an hardly anyone is ever there. It's a great pool and I love it. What I don't love is what the chlorine is doing to my hair. Aveda to the rescue.

Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser is the business. It smells great and makes me feel a little better about the havoc I am wreaking on my hair. It smells citrus-y and great, and a little goes a long way because you can lather up and use the bubbles to clean the rest of your self. $21 at Aveda stores. Definitely worth it.

I Know it's a Little Tacky

And I pretty much can't stand Katy Perry, but her collab with OPI is pretty nifty. You just put the black shatter polish over any color and a cool geometric splintery look turns out. I got it put on at my new favorite nail place in NOLA, Aristocat Salon and Nail Spa. These aren't my nails, but you get the idea...

Pretty Lips!

My first buy in Montreal was some Chanel lipstick. I bought from the Rouge Coco line - so great. The texture is really smooth and velvety - there are extra moisturizers in it. Shea butter maybe? Dare I say...coco butter?? I bought it in #30, Baroque.

I got it from Murale in 1 Place Ville Marie after getting my eyebrows done at the Benefit brow bar. This trip has been awesome so far. And oh yeah, my research presentation at the Society for Research on Child Development, the whole point of me being here, went well, too :o).

Browsing Around

For the past 10 years, I've been faithfully and exclusively buying MAC products. It's just always been so easy to stick to one collection with which I'm familiar who makes fabulous makeup - lipstick, blush, foundation, I love it all. But lately, I've been a little more adventurous. The wedding was a huge impetus to leap out of my comfort zone and try products that really work with my skin and look versus products that are convenient. I got my eyebrows done at the Benefit Brow bar in North Carolina and fell in love. They waxed me in about 5 or 6 different sections per eye, which is great, and spent about 25 minutes doing everything - just enough time for me to feel cared for, without feeling like my time was wasted. I walked out of there with this brow zing compact. It comes with powder and wax, a mini angled brush, mini blending brush, and teeny tweezers. It's insanely convenient and only $30. I highly recommend! I will begin to post more beauty finds, and I'll also post more wedding pics this month. Bet you can't wait :o)