schick

The Best Summer Beauty Buys, Aruba Approved

Packing for Aruba was intense.  Literally, I had a carry on sized suitcase just for my toiletries and I wouldn't even consider myself high maintenance.  I was (naturally) elected by my family to bring as much sunscreen as I had for the 13 of us on the trip and of course packed different forms of UV hair protection, cream based cosmetics and you know, hair removing essentials.  Here's a peek at the products that proved their worth from my packing list...  

Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream - I tried a variety of sunscreens while I was in Aruba with SPF's of 30 to SPF's of 60.  This was one I used often on my face.  It has an SPF of 35, protects from UVA and UVB rays and is water resistant.  I liked that it was light weight and didn't clog my pores.

L'Oreal Sublime Sun SPF 50 - I found myself liking the spray version of this SPF.  I started out using the 50 since I'm so pale and the sun was so strong.  As the week went on I switched to 30.

Philosophy Here Comes The Sun Age Defense SPF 30 - This is the spray I used once I switched to SPF 30.  The mist is more targeted than the L'Oreal one, but no matter which one I used, I made sure to rub them in as well.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor & Skintimate Shave Gel Pack – I really like this razor because it has five blades and dispenses a smoothing serum when it gets wet, but this pack came with a travel sized shaving cream so it was convenient and a great bang for my buck.

Bumble & Bumble Color Minded UV Protective Polish – After drying my hair at night I smoothed a dime sized amount of this lightweight serum through my strands and it gave my hair a great sheen while protecting my color.  Since I didn't wash it again when I woke up to go to the beach, it continued to protect it from the sun all day long.

Avon Glow Eyeliner in Copper Paradise – This is my fave summer liner.  The creamy consistency glides on smoothly and the shade makes my hazel eyes pop especially when I'm by the ocean.  It's a nice change from a sharp black or brown.  Perfect for a beachy locale.

 

The Best $100 Ever Spent, Plus WIN Katy Perry Tickets!

After a spontaneously fun and relaxing weekend with Schick in Miami, they dared me to pamper myself for a full day (I know what you’re thinking, what kind of dare is that, but wait for it…) unplugged! No tweeting my manicure polish shade, catching up with my bestie on the phone during my pedi or obsessively checking my iPhone for that big email I’ve been waiting for. I felt like I was paralyzed. My day of pampering was more like two and a half hours and included a mani and pedi plus and extra ten minute foot massage and twenty minute back massage while my nails dried, of course (who has patience to sit under the drier).

It made me realize that I never take the time out to relax and enjoy these treatments that I get weekly. Instead they always feel more like a chore. Keeping my phone in my bag and laptop in my apartment, I flipped through weeklies and zoned out. It was awesome!

I dare you to take the challenge!  Plus, I'M GIVING AWAY KATY PERRY TICKETS!Put your phone away during your next mani and pedi. Pamper yourself and get those extra ten minute massages. Make your weekly manicures pampering instead of chores. Give those texting fingers a break and really enjoy it!

Participate in the giveaway by commenting below telling me about your best "unplugged" experience.  The tickets are for Katy's LA concert on 8/6 at the Nokia Theater.

A winner will be chosen at random and announced in the comments section under this post.  Good Luck.

Spontaneity Leads to the Unexpected, Bring It On!

It's amazing what you'll discover about yourself when you step out of your comfort zone.  Me – a super detailed, anally organized, to-the-minute type of girl who structures her freelance lifestyle to the T so she doesn't end up tumbling like a rolling stone.  The new me – still a super detailed, anally organized, structured girl who isn't afraid to be spontaneous. This past weekend I went on a press trip to Miami with Schick and the theme of the weekend was "Dare to be Spontaneous."  My "detailed" itinerary for the three day trip left out all activities and times of obligation and only included our flights, hotel and car service information.  I took on the challenge of this go-with-the-flow lifestyle, and packed a few rompers and bikinis.My favorite beauty girls and I didn't know what we were in for and all felt a little uneasy not knowing when we could fit in nap or gym time.  The next thing I knew, I drove a jet ski (never in my life did I ever trust my self to DRIVE anything before, let alone in the ocean), had a massage, a few cocktails and are you ready for this... not only did we sit in a VIP box at a Katy Perry concert, but we had a meet and greet with her too!  The craziest part, Russell Brand decided to interrupt it!

I had to ask Katy Perry about her guiltiest pleasure and her answer – cats!  "I used to think cats were c*nts, but after learning about them I like how you have to gain their respect.  I love having my cat lick my face."

My Top Beauty Buys

Being in the world of beauty has been far from boring.  Every day I receive packages of new products to try, test and share with you.  I receive emails, tweets and facebook messages from friends and fans (even guys) asking questions about their skin concerns and what I'm using.  So I decided to dedicate a post to share some of the products I'm using right now.  Even though this may seem like a lot to you, this isn't even half! Fragrance: Pure DKNY

Makeup: Mally High Shine Liquid Lipstick Pens in Super Natural, MAC Zoom Lash Mascara,Nars Blush in Orgasm

Skincare: ROC Multi Correxion Skin Perfecting System, Mario Badescu Enzyme Revitalizing Mask

Hair: Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Mask, Pssst Dry Shampoo, Blow Hair Spray

Body: Degree Natureeffects Invisible Solid, Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion, St. Tropez Self Tanner, Schick Intuition Plus

Nails: Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment Hardening Formula

Deadline: Miami

I have exactly five weeks until my plane touches down in South Beach and guess what?  I'm taking you along on the journey through fitness with me.  Five weeks is just enough time to make sure I'm looking right in a bikini.  God knows I would never go to Miami with flab!  And who knows... maybe my posts will encourage you to start moving too! My silky, smooth legs and I will be joining the Schick team on a mini vaca in mid July and you know since the razor brand is all about being hair free everywhere (come on, you've seen the TrimStyle commercials) I'm sure we'll all be in the tiniest bikinis!  However, I'm not fretting (yet), because they enlisted Celebrity Trainer Gina Lombardi to be our trainers for the next month (well, virtual trainers).

My first goal: to get a pedometer.  Even though I work out on the regular, I think I'll listen to her here.  Seeing my steps in numbers may encourage me to keep going and help challenge me  to take my run a bit further.

"If you're looking for weight loss your goal should be a minimum of 10,000 steps, but if you're on a tight deadline, increase it to 15,000," she commented.

So here I go, I'm considering five weeks a tight deadline and being that I live in NYC I may even be able to do 20,000!  We'll see... I've also began reading her book "Deadline Fitness."  Wish me luck!