How Far can you Stretch Your Genes?

I would like to preface this with the fact that I was told the other day that I was blessed with great genes.  I would also like to state that I am writing this solely out of thought and that I am not of a science background.

While I appreciate the compliment and it made me feel very happy, I started to think about the fact that I work really hard to keep myself healthy on the inside and I feel that the work shows on the outside.  I started to think about the fact that so many people are blessed with good genes, but they don't stay healthy and others may not have good 'genes' but they work very hard and it shows on the outside.  I wanted to write this article simply because it came to my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about it. 

While I completely understand that we all start out with genes which lead to a set of certain phyiscal characteristics, I also think that we can 'stretch' these characteristics naturally with work and dedication.  It's amazing what a clean diet, consistent workouts, a ton of water and rest can do to stretch these genes to reach their full potential.

This was just a quick thought, but I truly feel that we all have the power and potential in us to make the best 'us' we can imagine.  If you put the work into anything, you can reap the reward you aim for.

Live life to the fullest and you will receive a full life. 

Lacey

One Step Away From A Flawless Tan

It's that time of year again, when the sun is shining and the air is getting warmer so the shorts and skirts come out of the closet for the first time.  It's also the time of year when you might start realizing that your skin is not as bright as you would like it to be. 

I came to this realization when I went out to the lake last weekend and felt too pale to be wearing a sleeveless blouse.  I have a light Olive complexion so I am not completely pale, but it's still rather light.  If you're like me, then you want to stay wrinkle-free and therefore UV tanning is not an option.  One option is spray tan, but it is costly and I don't necessarily want the spray tan on my face because I do have problems with clogged pores. 

Luckily, I found another excellent option to spray tan and it's called Xen Tan Transform Luxe Daily Self Tan.  I purchased the product at Nordstrom and it comes in a large tube.  The consistency is that of lotion and it's white so you will not see the color for a few hours.  The directions are on the tube, but you will need to apply and leave on for a few hours before bathing or swimming.  I think the best bet is to apply in the evening and let your tan develop as you sleep. 

After just two uses, I already have a beautiful tan.  This particular product is a daily self tan and I like that because you can build the tan to your perfect color and then stop for a few days.  I will report back with how long the tan lasts, but I do know it does not just come off in the shower, it has to wear down. 

This is a grade A+ product for me. 

Happy Shopping!

Lacey

Top Picks for Eyes that Stay Put

When I discovered MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack I was ecstatic because that was the first gel liner I had ever used and it had the most staying power for my oily skin.  Since then, I have recently discovered something I think could possibly take first place in my eye makeup routine.  The product is Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.  The beauty about this product is that it's a liquid liner, but it's actually a pen so it makes it much easier to apply, especially for those of us who have never really mastered the art of the liquid eyeliner.  This pen is almost as easy as a kohl liner, but with the precise line and drama you get from a liquid.  This product makes the outer edge winged look much easier (also called the cat eye).  I highly recommend the liquid liner pen as it sets in your skin rather than sitting on top and seems to have amazing staying power.  It also gives you the freedom to have a little fun with the eye area and play with the flirty looks we all love. 

In addition to this, I picked up Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara in Black.  I was as equally impressed with this mascara as I was the Stila liner.  From the first application, I saw lashes I had never (let me repeat, never) seen before.  I think it has to be the combination of the formula and the amazing brush because this product held up to all of its claims.  Below are the claims that are made on Sephora.com and I saw every bit of this in my own experience.  As a connoisseur of beauty products, that doesn't happen very often.  A+ product in my eyes.

Directly from Sephora.com

Research results:
-94% saw dramatic length and volume*
-90% saw base-to-tip curl*
-94% saw visible lift*
-100% saw long-wearing results*
-*Results observed in a consumer panel survey

Happy Shopping!

Lacey

Tried and True: A Winner in the Anti-Aging Eye Category

I turned thirty a couple months ago and just that small change to a number three from two was a huge change for me to comprehend. I mean before that I was in my twenties so I felt like anti-aging creams and serums where just a plus at this point. Now my frame of mind has changed and I covet my serums and creams more than ever, so I wanted to share my take on a specific line that I have found to be a winner.

I spent my college years working at a cosmetic surgeon's office so I have had a chance to try so many great products so when I came across a brand that I felt was truly remarkable I wanted to share. The brand is Dr. Perricone and my favorite product is the Vitamin C Ester Serum for eyes. The serum is very lightweight and almost the consistency of water. It glides on easily and absorbes quickly- which makes me think that my skin just soaks it up and maybe that's why the product is so effective. I originally chose the product for the antioxidant benefits of Vitamin C and the fact that I wanted to protect my eyes from lines as much as possible. Since antioxidants protect and provide a barrier against the free radicals that cause cell damage I thought this could be my product. What I didn't realize is that I had finally found a product that I felt worked good enough to use daily and even repurchase. If you're like me, then you have tried so many products and most of them don't even make it to the repurchase category- they just don't give the results you expect to see. The bottle lasts many months because you use such a small amount so you do not have to repurchase too quickly and it's worth its price tag.

Vitamin C has been touted to lighten, brighten and tighten and I truly feel that this product does all of that. I feel that it's a great barrier to protect my delicate eye area and I feel that it lightens up some of the dark that can plague the under-eye area of many women.

I have been using the serum for years now and felt it was utterly deserving of a 'glowing' review since it has given my eyes a glow of their own.

Happy Shopping!

Lacey

Amazing Lipgloss That Never Fails....

If you're looking for an amazing lipgloss with great pigment that actually stays, look no further, because L'Oreal has us covered with Infallible Plumping Gloss. What is unique about this gloss is that it stays- most lip color options that actually stay put look rather dry on your lips and that's what makes them stay put. This gloss actually looks and feels like a gloss and the color stays put, in other words, your lips look fresh and moist rather than dry and cracked. Run out to your local drugstore and pick up your favorite color- you won't regret it. My personal favorite is "Modern Mauve" which looks great with my brown eyes/hair and medium skin tone.

Happy Shopping

Lace

Eyeliner...To Stay or Not to Stay

Finally, after 28 years, I have found an eyeliner that actually stays put all day and doesn't run or disappear off of my skin. I have had an ongoing battle trying to find an eyeliner that would stay since my skin is on the oily side and I have sensitive eyes that tend to be watery at times. During these 28 years I have tried every popular drugstore, specialty and department store brand available with ok results but never great. The best drugstore brand is, by far, Revlon colorstay- this even leaves many of the more expensive brands in the dust.

So, during my most recent expedition to find an eyeliner (remember these tend to happen frequently so it started to affect my pocketbook) I headed off to Saks Fifth Avenue to try to Bobby Brown gel liner which has rave reviews all over the internet. As I approached the counter, I told the salesgirl about my problems and she actually pointed me to Estee Lauder Double Wear liquid liner and said that she thinks the BB would run because it requires an oily liquid to take it off. I thought her truthfulness about the effectives of her products on my skin type was very admirable- what a great salesgirl! She took me over to the liquid eyeliner and then she recommended I give MAC paint pots a chance because they can act as a base shadow for your lids and act almost as a barrier between the oil and your shadow and liner. I went ahead and purchased the paint pot in bare study (amazing color for my skin) and the liquid liner.

The next morning I decided to give my new products a try. First, I applied the MAC paint pot all over the lid and a little in the crease. After letting that dry for a minute, I applied the Estee Lauder Double Wear liquid liner- let me tell you, this is difficult. If you haven't tried to apply liquid liner before, it is much harder to make a straight application than pencil or gel because it's a thin liquid and it's kind of runny. Well, I applied it (somewhat ok) and went on with my workday. Typically, by lunch my liner would be almost gone and by the end of the day it will be nonexistent and as I looked in the rearview mirror before driving home at 5pm I noticed that it had stayed put- didn't budge. I was excited that I had finally found something that stayed, but not so excited that it didn't look so great when I applied it.

The following day, I decided to give MAC fluidline gel eyeliner a shot because I had seen so many rave reviews as I was searching out Bobby Brown gel liner. I walked to the counter and picked up the eyeliner pot in Blacktrack and the MAC 266 brush (small angle) as well. The following morning I woke anxiously, ready to try my new eyeliner in hopes that I had found the magic formula. I was happily surprised when I found that the brush made it quite easy to apply the gel liner and the finish was close to a liquid but looked so precise because it was a gel. Another plus is that it had an opaque finish- you don't want to wear a liner that has a shiny, patent finish during the day because it's too harsh (this type of finish looks great with a smoky eye for night).

Now for the test, at lunchtime my liner and shadow looked completely fresh so I was pretty ecstatic by this time. When I got into my car I checked in the rearview mirror and it was just as perfect as when I applied it that morning- I had finally found my "magic formula" and I was a happy girl.

I would highly recommend MAC paint pots and MAC fluidline for you girls that have trouble finding an eyeliner that will stay put on your oily skin. Good Luck!

Lace