October 27, 2010

I love my Pink Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System.  No, that's a lie.  Let me be completely honest.

I'm actually addicted to my Clarisonic and use it every single day.  Sometimes twice a day.

It helps me keep my persnickety skin clean and smooth.  It enables my serum and moisturizer to work better, since the skin is clear and able to absorb products easier.  I think of it as lessening the barrier of product build-up, dead skin cells and makeup.  Without that barrier, my products have an easier time of getting down into the skin to do what they're supposed to do.

There's only one thing wrong with my beloved Clarisonic.  It's not pink!  It's white!

Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System in Graphite Gray, Pink and White

I know, it's shocking that there is a pink product on this planet that I don't have.  I truly am the Queen of All Things Pink.

But I don't have a pink Clarisonic.  And I'm just the teeniest tiniest bit pouty about that.

Do I need a pink Clarisonic?  No, my white Clarisonic works perfectly.

Do I want a pink Clarisonic?  Uh, YEAH, of course I do!

Now, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you don't have to wish and pine for a pink Clarisonic like I am.  You can get your very own Pink Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System and donate to breast cancer research at the same time.  Plus you can get it with free shipping!  AND you can add free engraving to your Clarisonic to make it absolutely your own.  Add your name, a nickname, or a fun or motivational phrase.

How would I engrave my pink Clarisonic?  “Queen of All Things Pink”, of course!  😀

~BigSis

October 23, 2010

I'm known for wearing some unusual colors on my toes but I haven't worn color on my fingernails in years. I usually just keep a clear coat on or maybe a pale, pale pink or an occasional french manicure for a special occasion.

We mentioned the launch of the MAC Venomous Villians Collection last month and luckily both of us got our orders in the day the collection was available online. If you wanted any of the awesome products in this collection you had to act fast because there were items already sold out on the very first day.

MAC Venomous Villians Mean & Green Nail Lacquer

For some reason, I could not resist this Mean Green Nail Lacquer. The photos just don't do justice to this color. This duochrome polish has a green base filled with a shimmer that flashes rose, gold, copper and pink depending on how the light hits it.  The base color adds a greenish glow at the edges.

I definitely stepped outside my comfort zone when I put this color on my fingers, but I'm so glad that I did. 🙂

This one was taken outside in the sun so it really shows the sparkles!

(Thanks to my budding photographer, HayHay for helping with this photo shoot.)

~LilSis

October 4, 2010

I have grumpy skin.  You know the kind.  Let down your guard for about 3 seconds and you get a breakout.  Or two!

Some people – like LilSis – have happy undemanding skin that's perfectly satisfied being casually swiped with a facial cleansing wipe and going on its merry way.

Did I get that low maintenance skin?  Oh, heck no!  I'm on the other end of the spectrum.  My grumpy skin demands to be clean clean clean…deep cleansers and exfoliators are not an option or an occasional treat.  They're a must.

It takes a whole regimen to keep my skin clear:

• DHC Deep Cleansing Oil followed by DHC Pure Soap

• Serious Skin Care's Glycolic Cleanser

• Serious Skin Care's C-Clean Cleanser

• MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (sadly it is a limited edition product and is not currently available)

• Origins Modern Friction

• Clarisonic

I talked about some of these products in a Sister Showdown on Skin Cleansers a while back, but these products are so incredible I think they deserve another mention.  Let's start at the top with DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and Pure Soap.

I've been using the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and DHC Pure Soap for years and years, and always come back to it.  Why?

• It works!  This oil cleanses more deeply than any other cleanser I can think of. Plus your skin feels incredibly soft afterward.

• It's gentle; there is none of the scratching or scraping that you can get from some scrubs.

• It's so simple!  It contains olive oil and vitamin E and rosemary leaf oil; not a long list of artificial this and fake that.

• It's economical.  It only takes one little pump to clean your whole face, so a 6.7 ounce bottle lasts a long long time, and costs only $25.

• DHC does not conduct animal testing.

To use Deep Cleansing Oil, I just dispense one pump into my palm, and apply to dry skin with my fingers.  I massage it around for a minute or so, and then add some water to make it slightly foamy.  I remove it with a wet washcloth, and then use the bar of Pure Soap to cleanse quickly with wet fingers to make sure there is no oil left behind. Rinse well and behold your clean skin!

I know what you're saying…”BigSis, I have oily skin and there is no way that I'm putting MORE oil on it!”  I thought exactly the same thing since I have oily skin too.  It hasn't been a problem whatsoever though.  Just remember, you're washing it off.  You're not sleeping in it.  And there's something magical about the way oil dissolves makeup, dirt and dirty pores that makes it worth a try!

Guess what? I'm not the only one who loves this Deep Cleansing Oil! I just heard that Valerie Bertinelli thinks DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is magical too and tells Prevention Magazine that it's a beauty must-have!  I'd agree with that!

~BigSis

September 20, 2010

Listen up all you MAC lovers! Just in case you haven't already heard about the release of the new MAC Venomous Villains Collection, inspired by four favorite Disney villains, it's scheduled to be available in stores on September 30th in the U.S. and on October 10th internationally.

This YouTube video from temptalia's channel gives a great overview of all the products and the fabulous colors in this collection, not to mention the ADORABLE containers.

I just CANNOT wait to get my hands on some of these eye shadow containers! I think even after they're empty, I may have to hoard these cute little pots instead of turning them in to MAC for their recycling program. And, even though I'm a loyal OPI nail polish user, I'm going to have to try some of these nail polishes on my toes! They are some of the most amazing and unique colors!

I heard through the grapevine that sometimes MAC releases the products online a few days before the debut in the stores. It's probably safe to say that most of these products will sell out quickly, just like the ones from the Barbie and Hello Kitty collections!

So, if you love MAC products as much as we sisters do and if you've already got a little wish list from this collection, like we do, you may want to mark your calendar for September 28th to see if they're available online. 🙂

~LilSis

September 15, 2010

A while back, LilSis showed us how much Urban Decay Primer Potion is left inside the cute little genie bottle even after you think it's empty.  I heard from an Urban Decay rep at Ulta one day that the owner of Urban Decay was committed to her purple genie bottle even though lots of us girls are grumbling about the waste it causes.  Her solution was to give us a bent wand, which may work a bit better but lots of us are still grumbling.

Guess what, we now have a breakthrough!  Urban Decay Primer Potion in a tube!

For $29, you get .85 oz of Primer Potion, compared to .34 oz in the genie bottle for $18.

I can't wait to grab a tube of this.  I apply the Primer Potion with my ring finger anyway, so the applicator isn't necessary in my world.

Lest we forget, let me take this opportunity to remind you how much I love Urban Decay Primer Potion.  I've tried several primer products, and this is my absolute favorite, hands down.  Why?  A normal day in my life is why:

• Makeup application with Urban Decay Primer Potion at 6 am

• 8 hours of stressful work

• Errands in 100 degree temperatures with 100% humidity

• 2 sweaty workouts

• Makeup removal at 10 pm: eye shadow is still perfectly intact!  No creases.  No fading.  Voila!

Bonus: this is a vegan product.  No animal testing, and no animal-derived products.

Run, don't walk, to get your tube.  Just don't get in my way!

~BigSis

September 13, 2010

Score! I think I've found a new mascara to replace the Maybelline Great Lash that I've been using for years (up until I recently learned that Maybelline tests their products on animals)!

I happened to be in Macy's last week and decided to stop and take a peek at the Clinique counter to check out their mascara. After looking over six or seven different choices, I bought the Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara for $14.00 and just kept my fingers crossed that I would like it.

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara

I can't say that this mascara magnifies your lashes to twice their size, as Clinique claims, but so far, I like the Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black even more than I liked the Great Lash.

It glides on easily because it's thinner than some mascaras, which is one reason that I liked the Great Lash. This mascara didn't clump, flake off, or smudge, even after a workout.

I also love the size and the shape of the tapered brush because it separates the lashes nicely and reaches each and every little lash.

(After several uses, you may find that you need to dab off a little product from the point of the brush, but it's not near as bad as some thick mascaras.)

The best thing about this product, and the reason for me switching mascaras, is that Clinique is on the list of companies that DO NOT test their products on animals.

A couple of months ago, after BigSis revealed the story about the beagles being rescued from a testing lab, she and I both committed to not purchasing any more products from companies that animal test. Unfortunately that list is longer than you may realize. It's really easy to go to www.caringconsumer.com to check out the list of companies that DO test on animals and those that DO NOT test on animals.

I've still got a lot of work to do to get my household purged of all products made by companies who animal test, but little by little, as I run out of something, I make sure that I replace it with a product made by a cruelty-free company. 🙂

~LilSis

July 22, 2010

Got a minute?

If you'd like to feel like you've just had a luxurious spa manicure without spending the time or the money to go to a spa, then look no further. The answer is right inside this little jar.

Truebath and Body Works Blue Spa "Just a Minute"

When BigSis came to visit me last month, she brought me the nicest little gift and I finally took a minute to try this Truebath and Body Works Blue Spa Just a Minute 60-second Manicure Hand Scrub.

This sugar-based exfoliating scrub really does works like magic! You simply massage the scrub into wet hands for a full minute, paying special attention to nail beds and any rough areas, then rinse, and voila! You can say goodbye to dull, dry skin and dry cuticles forever! My hands haven't felt this soft in a long time and my cuticles are noticeably in better shape. The scrub also has a very light orange-citrus scent which happens to be a real favorite of mine.

The 5 ounce jar retails for $12.00, which I think is a great bargain considering the jar will probably last for months. And, since BigSis just mentioned the big Beagle Rescue and the fact that there are still major companies performing animal testing on their products, I went to caringconsumer.com to verify that Bath and Body Works is on the list of companies that DO NOT test on animals.

So, for just a little bit of money, you can pamper your hands AND know that no animals had to suffer to bring you that product!  Score!

~LilSis

July 14, 2010

After just revealing how Gaga she is over her new Urban Decay Naked Palette, BigSis also spread the news that the palette was already sold out on the Urban Decay site.

If you were as disappointed as I was after hearing that these beautiful palettes were already sold out, then you're going to love this news!

Urban Decay Naked Palette

We just received an email from Sephora announcing that the Urban Decay Naked Palette is now available online at Sephora even though the palette won't be in the stores until July 29th.

And, don't forget, the set comes with an adorable, travel size Urban Decay Primer Potion and a double ended 24/7 glide on eye pencil!

So…

If you want to get your hands on one of these gorgeous Urban Decay Naked Palette sets, you will probably want to get on the Sephora site ASAP!

~LilSis

July 13, 2010

I missed out on Urban Decay's Alice in Wonderland kit a while back, and I'm still mad at myself for dawdling on the purchase, so when I locked eyes with their new Naked Palette, I was NOT going to disappoint myself again.  The minute I got the email from Urban Decay announcing their new fall catalog, I raced to the site and saw this palette.  The rest is history!  My credit card was snatched from my wallet so fast that it's numbers were spinning, and within a minute – literally – my order was in.

The exterior of this Urban Decay Naked Palette would be even more beautiful without the cat hair embellishment! Just wait til you see the inside though...

The next morning, I saw a tweet from Urban Decay confirming my intuition…the Naked Palette sold out in a matter of hours, and as of today, it's still out of stock.  The good news?  It isn't a limited edition palette to the extent that the Alice one was, so it IS expected back in stock.  My recommendation?  Sign up for the email on UrbanDecay.com to be notified when it's back, and then make a bee-line to get yourself one!

Why am I getting all-Lady-Gaga about this palette? Just look at it:

12 gorgeous colors AND 2 eyeliners AND a primer!

Can you believe these colors?  You get a whole wardrobe of eyeshadows in one slim package: neutrals for work, shimmer for evening (maybe shimmer for work if your workday is more sparkly than mine), and some deeps for smoky eyes.  You also get a double-ended 24/7 eyeliner pencil with Zero (black) and Whiskey (a brand new beautiful brown), and a travel-size Primer Potion.

I've kept my little mitts off this palette until I got a photo of it, so I haven't tried any of the colors yet.  LilSis and I are both in love with our Summer of Love palettes though, so I know the quality of Urban Decay shadows is fabulous and I can't wait to play with these.  I think these are incredible colors for blue eyes like LilSis and I have, but I can also see them being equally gorgeous on brown eyes, green eyes, hazel eyes, and black eyes.

I'm going to show you some swatches of these colors later on – with and without our favorite Primer Potion eyeshadow primers – so you can get an idea of what they look like.  Meanwhile though, sign up for that email and if you get the chance, buy one of these palettes! I promise I paid full price for my palette (a steal of a deal at $44) and I'm not making a dime if you buy one.  I just don't want you to be disappointed when your friends get one, and you kick yourself for not listening to me!

~BigSis

July 9, 2010

Ever wake up with puffy eyes?

Unfortunately, for me, it's more often than not.

Whether it's from too much sodium, staying up too late, or a bad case of insomnia, most mornings I'm greeted in the mirror by tired, puffy eyes.

What's a girl to do?

Believe me, I've tried a ton of products to try to solve this problem and I've had some okay results with most of the products I've used but I've never been completely satisfied with any of them until now.

BigSis first mentioned the Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller a few months ago after she had been using it for a couple of weeks. When I heard that she had found a product that really worked as it's advertised, I knew that I had to try it. I had been using the Garnier Nutritioniste anti-puff eye roller and I did like it but I couldn't say without a doubt that it worked as well as it should.

I've been using the Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller for over six weeks now and I must tell you that I love it!

Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller

Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Anti-Aging Roller, 0.2-Ounce

I keep my eye roller in the fridge and the first thing I do every single morning is take about 20-30 seconds to roll a little bit of the product under my eyes. (It's quite refreshing when this is applied cold.) This product goes on more creamy than other anti-puffy products that I've used in the past but it soaks in quickly and you can actually see results within a very short period of time. I'd say that within 30 minutes, my eyes are noticeably less puffy! 🙂

We sisters take the “puffy eye” problem seriously and we don't recommend a product unless we have tried and tested it and are 100% happy with the results. So, ladies, if you have this problem, do yourself a favor and try this Olay Regenerist Anti-Aging Eye Roller. I don't think you'll regret it.

~LilSis