Okay...so Buffalo isn't exactly a desert island, but when I packed in a hurry last week, let's just say I didn't snag a lot of options. When you're left with one or two choices, as opposed to an entire beauty closet, you learn to work with what you've got. Which products became my hero?
1: Maybelline's The Falsies Waterproof Mascara
Not only should summer be renamed sweatummer, but when tears are guaranteed, it's time to bring your very best. Naturally the only mascara I brought was The Falsies in waterproof, my summer mainstay. No matter how hard my mother and I sobbed, we never entered Monet territory.
2: Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Polish Strips
My mother and I spent a painful amount of time in Target, trying to gather all of the things that we needed to get ourselves feeling like we had it together. We debated appropriate nail polish colors and while I verged on a Sinful Colors metallic navy, I spotted Sally Hansen's Salon Effects in Kitty Kitty. Leopard nails aren't always the most appropriate (especially when you ask Mamacita) but I finally won the battle. Not only were they super easy to apply (less than 30 minutes, max), but they saved me from any embarrassing polish application mistakes.
3: Clarisonic Opal
Let's face it, when there's a family emergency, you're likely to lose sleep, cry and drink heavily. The only thing that kept me looking remotely depuffed was my Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System. That's right - it's a Clarisonic for your eyes. Not only does it work with your own eye cream (though I love their serum), it also helps to depuff and reduce undereye circles, aka how not to look like a zombie.
4: Dior DiorLiner Liquid Eyeliner
If you know me in real life, this next statement is going to be shocking: I only packed one eyeliner for the trip. My dear friend Ricky Wilson, a Dior makeup artist, insisted that I had to give it a try, even though I was monogamous with my L'Oreal Lineur Intense. As much as I hate to admit it - he was right. It's a fantastic brush tip liner that goes on as black as night.
5: MAC's Warmth of Coral Mineralize Blush
I've always had such a tough time finding more natural toned blushes that don't look overly brown/orange/etc. Now that I have red hair, it's easier for me to play up coral tones and MAC's Warmth of Coral fits the bill perfectly. It gives the healthy peachy flush without being overpowering or looking too bronzey. It worked perfectly with MAC's Ruby Woo, my lipstick of choice for the trip.
The last time you packed in a hurry, did any unexpected items step up to the challenge? Have you discovered any beauty heros recently? I'd love to hear about them!
Beauty Best: My Desert Island Products
Beauty Bite: Space NK Expands To New Canaan, CT
Connecticut - you've been blessed! Space NK, the legendary UK beauty mecca has opened a standalone outpost in New Canaan, CT. This marks the sixth freestanding location, in addition to the 14 shop-within-shop locations found in Bloomingdale's across the country. The New Canaan space is very similar to the Upper East Side location that opened late last year and will carry over 60 brands, including Tata Harper, Diptyque, Eve Lom, By Terry, Kate Somerville and Clarisonic, just to name a few faves. If you live in the area, this outpost is definitely worth checking out.
Space NK
Store Address: 36 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: 203.801.0868
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Photo courtesy of Space NK
Spa Saturday: Rethinking How I Use The Clarisonic
$65.00 at SkinStore
During a recent trip to Haven Spa for a little ME time (more on that soon), I had an interesting discussion with my facialist - she told me I was over-using my Clarisonic. My first thought was: how can this be? I was only using the device once a day, during my morning shower. The next thing she told me was that I should be using an exfoliator with my Clarisonic. This was a whole new world that I hadn't considered - could I have been wrong?
While I'm still not convinced that I shouldn't be using my Clarisonic daily, however I have cut back in favor of trying out a scrub with the brush. She was very specific about the type of scrub that I should be using - a super-refined formula without any large particles. I mentally went through my product library and realized I had the perfect scrub on hand to experiment with.
Goldfaden's Daily Scrub is made of very refined particles, just like my facialist insisted. The superior exfoliating comes from ruby crystals, along with antioxidant and anti-aging ingredient red tea, the foundational element of Goldfaden's entire line.
The whole conversation has me wondering if I should reduce how often I use my Clarisonic to maybe 2-3 times a week (let's be honest - I just can't give it up). How frequently do you use your Clarisonic? Have you tried a scrub with the brush? I'm so curious as to how other people use their devices!
Clearly, I Have Been Missing Out: My Time With The Clarisonic Mia
Clarisonic Clarisonic® MIA with GoClear Clarifying Cleanser
$149.00 by clarisonic at Sephora
There are some cultural phenomenons that I avoid like the plague: anything relating to Twilight, The Lord of the Rings, Justin Beiber, and previously - the Clarisonic. How can something so expensive, although evangelized by so many people, be effective? Wouldn't "scrubbing" your face every day irritate, rather than help, your skin?
I know all of this sounds crazy, but with some things, I just need to experience them for myself before I even consider giving all the hype one shred of credibility.
When I received the opportunity to test drive the Mia, I couldn't resist. After receiving my sunshine yellow device, I plugged it in and allowed it to charge the required amount of time (much longer than I expected, about 24 hours). The Mia has only one speed (as opposed to the Classic's two or the Plus' three), which I don't mind, since the Mia's speed works well for my skin.
After I used the Mia for the first time, I was blown away. My face felt so smooth, so fresh, and so clean. I've always struggled with my skin's texture and have previously turned to microdermabrasion and peels to correct the the damage and scaring my face has sustained from years of acne. Within one week of using the Mia, I was seeing noticeable changes in my skin's texture and clarity.
Its been over two months since I first started using my Clarisonic Mia. I've only charged my device twice (each charge lasts me about four weeks) and my face hasn't become irritated once. My morning doesn't begin until I've used my Mia in the shower and I've never been able to achieve such a clean feeling, even through the numerous treatments I've tried over the years.
As much as it pains me to say it, I am now a believer. After spending over eight weeks with the Clarisonic Mia, I cannot imagine washing my face without it.







