Tuesday, March 29, 2011

20% off Josie Maran Products - Tomorrow Only

Josie on Today Show! Celebrate with 20% off!

In honor of Josie Maran's appearance on the Today Show, all products will be 20% off March 30th only! The code to be entered at checkout is "todayshow." I was ecstatic when I saw this on Twitter as this is the ONE brand I'm obsessing over lately. My no-buy has encouraged me to more carefully consider my purchases, but I want everything from Josie Maran! Here are my top three lemmings (and probably what will be in my cart tomorrow!):

1. Bronzing Argan Oil ($52) - I have mentioned before that my skin loves argan oil. With my Garden of Wisdom routine, I am hoping that my skin is close enough to perfection this summer that all I'll need is a little of this beautiful bronzing product for a healthy glow.

2. Argan Color Stick ($22) - This stick is the perfect lip color that can double as a blush. My lips always seem to be dry so the argan oil will be a blessing.

3. Argan All-Over Face Palette in Lovely ($36) - This palette is filled with four beautiful colors that are so effortless. I imagine myself in a long sundress, swiping one of these colors on my lids, adding a touch of the bronzing oil and finishing off with the color stick. (Can you tell I am ready for summer?) 

Will you be taking advantage of this deal? What catches your eye? I'm curious to hear!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Garden Review: Week 1



I have a confession to make. This past week was the first week of my Garden of Wisdom experiment. I was scheduled to use one product, but I ended up using....

Wait for it....


Five!
I couldn't help myself. I have a reason (aka excuse) for all of the extra products, but really, it was just because I could not resist. And two months of incorporating products was just way too long for me. Not when the solution for perfect skin was sitting on my dresser. Keep reading for my reviews!

Oats, Milk and Honey Cleanser
This was the product I chose to test this week. I figured that I should start at the beginning of the routine. I loved the texture of this product; it almost reminded me of the First Aid Beauty cleanser, which has great reviews on Makeup Alley, that I have tried a sample of. There was almost no smell and a little goes a long way, so my half ounce container was a generous sample size. At this point, my routine was this cleanser, a Thalgo toner and coconut oil for a moisturizer. However, a few days into this, my nose started flaking with dry skin and it was probably the driest looking it has been all winter. This leads me to my second product sample.

As you can see, the ink will smudge if you get it wet. 
I plan on taping over the labels to prevent this in the future.





Jen's Green Tea and Shea Cleanser
I then switched to this cleanser sample because I attributed my dryness to the other cleanser. This cleanser also has a smooth texture, but is green in color. A pea size amount is enough for my whole face and after working it between my hands for a few seconds it becomes a little milky (not foaming, which can be harsh on dry and sensitive skin). I also really enjoyed this cleanser, but I was still seeing some flaking on my nose.




Fruity Meow Meow Lotion
Since my skin was dry, I figured that what it really needed was some moisturization. So a few days into the week I added in this lotion. I have the kind with wax (which has not seemed to irritate my skin or clogged my pores). This lotion has a purple tint, glides on easily, and dries to a somewhat matte finish. Because of this matteness, it is not the most moisturizing product that Garden of Wisdom offers. It almost acts as a sealant.




Bluberry HA Serum
I then decided I must fully commit to the moisturization technique that GoW recommends. This includes an HA serum. I selected Blueberry to try first. I love the way this feels and the faint smell of blueberries is very pleasant. Once I added this into my routine, the flakes were gone. My current routine is: wash with Jen's Green Tea and Shea Cleanser, apply the HA serum to a barely damp face, let dry, add some type of oil at night (I rotate between Jojoba, Argan and Coconut) and then seal it all in with the Fruity Meow Meow Lotion.



As for the fifth product, I am still working on my review, but it will appear in some later post.

I do not think that the cleansers dried out my skin appreciably. However, I feel that with a consistent, effective routine, my skin could calm down enough to show what it was really lacking. Before this experiment, I used different products every night. Finally, it had a chance to slow down. I have always had skin on the drier side. This school year it has been somewhat oily, which probably means that I was stripping my skin with products that were too harsh for my skin (I'm looking at you Arcona).

My skin is already looking a bit more even and I have had only one breakout (which could be purging). The spots I did have have cleared up nicely. This week I will be working in a few more products (hopefully I can limit it to one or two) and I am already planning another order from GoW.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Yoga Journal: Entry 1


It's been a few weeks since I decided to commit myself to yoga and a healthier lifestyle. So far it has been an interesting journey.

It has been a struggle to fully commit to yoga. I have been attending yoga classes every now and then since freshman year of college. (For reference, I am now a junior.) I always loved the high that I felt after class. I was shaky and exhausted but I felt like my body appreciated the work and that all the sweat was flushing my system. But then I wouldn't return for weeks or months at a time. Excuses piled up. I am prone to headaches and any time I felt one coming on, the last place I wanted to be was at my mat in downward dog. I am claustrophobic so I do not like being in a crowded studio, too close to sweaty people. And so, my practice remained fragmented at best.

This year, my yoga practice seemed to feel the same. My busy schedule was just another excuse not to walk to class. However, I started to think continually about the practice. While I am still not at the frequency level I would hope for, I am starting to increase my class number per week. One of the biggest motivations came two or three weeks ago. When coming out of half pigeon, yogis would pop their back leg up to give themselves a further stretch. I have never been able to do that. I was convinced my body did not move that way. But miraculously, one day I felt my muscle flex as I watched those in front of me reach back for there leg. When I tried, my leg popped right up. It's an incredible feeling to be able to do something that just a day or two before seemed impossible.

In class earlier this week, I had yet another new experience. Whenever the instructor has us in a particularly challenging position, he tells us to feel the heat. I always thought I knew what heat he was talking about. I was sweating buckets after all. But this class, while in a long and tortuous downward dog, I did not let myself quit. While pushing myself to the limit, I felt "the heat" in a way I never have before. It was hotter than that sweaty mess I was feeling before, but it felt like strength, not weakness. It was a great motivator. The next day, my muscles were sore, but I felt so much stronger. I finally felt like it was "paying off."



It's not just the physical rewards that make yoga so fulfilling. An hour class of yoga is like an hour session of therapy for me. Yoga is linked with the idea of  meditation. When you come to your mat, that is a time for you to focus solely on your practice. In a world of computers, cell phones, etc. it is hard to slow down enough to focus on one task. Multitasking is praised. Yoga is a break, an opportunity to put all your care and focus into one thing. In this way, yoga becomes a reward, not simply a workout. And I always remind myself: "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it" (Sydney J. Harris). Another  great lesson I have learned from yoga is a phrase that is often repeated at the studio where I practice. "You are so much stronger than you think you are." Often, we let our mind convince us we are unable to achieve something. In reality, if we go for it, putting in the effort rather than thinking about the possibility of failure, we are likely to succeed. Yoga has become a metaphor for life. The philosophy has inspired me on and off the mat, and because of this, the more I practice yoga, the more I want to do yoga. I am not yet at a point where I feel the need (or find the time) to practice everyday, but I do not doubt that I may get to that point someday.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Entering the Garden of Wisdom


I have not been faithful in a long time... to a skincare routine that is. I have gone on many dates, even had a short relationship with a few, but they always disappoint. They all hold the hope of skin perfection, but I have yet to discover that ideal state.




Enter Garden of Wisdom. Tall, dark and handsome, this website of natural skincare may just get me to commit, for life. Garden of Wisdom offers "Finished Products" as well as raw ingredients for those who like to experiment with their own concoctions. Their website is a little overwhelming at first as there is just so much to choose from, but because of this, I feel like I will eventually find a routine that works for me.

I have extremely sensitive skin. "Sensitive skin" isn't a type listed on Garden of Wisdom, but a condition. After being subjected to the dirty city air, it is no wonder my skin is out of whack. And as it is winter, it has been on the drier side. On top of that, I seem to always be fighting one or two breakouts and I always get little bumps on my chin. I would like to clear up my spots, even out my skin tone and fade some old acne scars, all without stripping or abusing my skin.

Perhaps one of the best aspects of Garden of Wisdom is their forum. Skincare lovers can get together to offer each other advice or rave about a current favorite product. Jen (Camellia Rose) is great at getting back to everyone quickly. After looking through the website for weeks and reading the forum, I narrowed my focus enough for a first purchase. With the help of Jen, this is what I chose:

-the Cleanser Sampler Pack
   Jen's Green Tea and Shea Butter Cleanser
   Oats, Milk and Honey Cleanser
   Creamy Cleanser
-Sensitive/Irritated Skin HA Sampler Pack
   Crisp Apple
   Blueberry
   Honeycomb
-Concord Grape Antioxidant Serum
-Fruity Meow Meow! Facial Lotion
-Mandelic Acid 5% [yes: alcohol yes: seaweed] Serum
-CocoBasil Clarifying Tonic
-GoAway Scar Cream
(Note: GoW also frequently includes carrier oils in their routines. I did not order any as I am currently loving my coconut oil and argan oil. I will continue to use these oils.)


Instead of shocking my skin with an inundation of new products, I am going to phase in one product each week. This way my skin can adjust slowly and I will be able to tell whether a product is working for me or not. Each week, I will report back on the product I am phasing in. It will be hard to control myself, but I believe with all the options that GoW offers, I will eventually find a routine that is right for me. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.


*Here are the links to the finished reviews:
Garden Review: Week 1
Garden Review: Week 2

Monday, March 14, 2011

Detox for the Box




Today marks my month long makeup no-buy. You may not know this, but I have been on major detox from my makeup buying addiction. If you have watched Missglamorazzi on YouTube, then you have probably seen her videos of her unwrapping her BirchBox. If not, I will explain. BirchBox is the best $10 a beauty lover will ever spend. It is a monthly subscription program. Each month, BirchBox sends you 4-5 deluxe beauty samples in an appropriately cute box. That was enough for me; $10 to satisfy my need to try something new? Sold. But the best part is the samples are from brands that are actually desirable. Among these are Korres, Benefit, Laura Mercier and Nars.

However, while looking at my growing piles of makeup and skincare last month, I couldn't justify my purchase just yet. So I made a deal with myself: a one month beauty no-buy (not including skincare as my skin is going crazy, but that's a different story) and a "Project 5 Pan" (using up five products in my collection) before I could place my order for lemming satisfaction. As of today, I have reached my goal!

Here is what I finished:

-Elnett Hairspray


-Mac Cleanse Off oil


-Trind Nail Strengthener


-Neutrogena Face Wipes


-Buxom Mascara

I realize that two of these products don't really fit into the category of skincare or makeup, but anything that cuts down on the products cluttering up my apartment works for me. I cannot wait to place my order; I will be sure to photograph it when it arrives.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

In-Flight: Make-Up and Food

As I'm packing to go home for Spring Break, I thought I would share what I'm bringing with me on the plane.

Make-up:
I've always believed in looking pulled together for a flight. I fly in jeans and a sweater, not sweatpants and I would always go with a full face of makeup. Now, I realize how drying these flights actually are. For my flight tomorrow, I am slathering my face in Josie Maran Argan Oil for the flight and holding off on the makeup application until the end of the flight. I discovered the wonders of argan oil a few weeks ago: it hydrates my skin, leaving it soft, full-looking and glowing. When I first got it, I got a little too enthusiastic and used it day and night which resulted in my skin freaking out and then breaking out. Lately, I have been using it every second or third day and I have had no adverse reactions. (I have also been using it nightly as an eye cream which has not caused any problems. A few drops make my hair look shiny, thick and hydrated). Here is a picture of the products I am bringing on the plane:



Mac Mineralized Skinfinish - This is my current foundation as I am beginning to suspect my Bare Minerals is causing the little bumps on my chin. I am going to look for a more "natural" mineral makeup in the future, but for now I like the finish and wear of this product.

Smith's Rosebud Salve - I have literally been through multiple tins of this lip balm. It is one of the only products that keeps my lips moisturized and I love the finish. I have pretty pigmented lips so this comes off almost like a lipgloss. If you are looking for some more color, I highly recommend the Fresh Lip Treatments in Rose or Plum.

Rimmel Lash Accelerator - This is my current mascara. I don't have a real opinion on it; it works (as a mascara; I'm not sure about the lash acceleration). 

Tarte Lock and Roll Shadow in Sandstone - One side is a hardcore cream shadow that does not crease. The other is a roller ball powder eyeshadow. This is perfect for the plane as it's a two-in-one product. And sandstone is the perfect champagne color to make you look awake after a long flight. Quick tip: Roll the eyeshadow onto your finger and then apply over the cream eyeshadow. Your eyes are gentle and this rollerball is a little too harsh applied directly.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Zero and Whisky - A cult favorite; as you can tell I love the Whisky color (I originally wrote "I love Whisky"...not quite what I meant). 

This look requires only a few products, takes no time to apply and is easy to do from the plane seat. There is definitely more makeup coming with me in my checked luggage, but I could get away with just this. 

Food:
I hate that "travel stomach" feeling so I have been much better about stocking up on food pre-flight. I finally learned that M and Ms, while delicious, are not going to cut it for a cross-country flight. For this flight I picked up:



-Fage Yogurt with Strawberry - my breakfast, pre-flight. I find that eating something filling, like dairy or protein, before boarding helps me avoid that horrible stomach feeling. 


-Go Macro MacroNutrient Bar in Chocolate Crunch - I have never tried these bars before, but I'm hoping I like them as they are "organic, vegan, macrobiotic, and an excellent source of Omega-3." And of course, gluten-free.


-Rice Works in Sea Salt - I just read the back of the bag to write down the nutritional facts, only to discover that this product contains sesame seeds. I have had these before, reaction-free, but I am not going to risk it (especially while up in the air!). These are staying home.

-an Apple - I have been bringing apples on long flights since I was little. They just make you feel healthy, fresh and hydrated.


-Tea's Tea in Green Jasmine - Obviously this is not coming on the flight with me, as no liquid is allowed past security, but I'll have this in the cab ride to the airport. Antioxidants and a little bit of caffeine, the unsweetened way.

-Cadbury Crunchie bar - I'm a chocolate fiend, so this is my chocolate of choice. Cadbury says there are trace amounts of gluten in this product, so if you have Celiac, stay away.

I am very excited to have a break from my hectic homework schedule. I'll be spending time with my family and friends, getting ahead on some reading, applying for summer internships, and shopping with my mom. I plan to keep up with this blog so look for a post about my current skincare routine (including my upcoming experiment), my Birchbox challenge, a review of the Go Macro bar, and perhaps a "haul" if I find some good spring clothing with my mom. 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

No Gluten for the Glutton



I have never had any airborne allergies and always thought I was relatively lucky. However, as I got older a developed a few food allergies such as MSG and sesame (my mom is allergic as well). Last summer, I spent two months in Paris for a study abroad program. So of course, my life for two months centered around food. I am in love with Paris, like any true francophile, and so I was busy trying to jam a life time of Paris into two short months. However, I started feeling so tired after my morning French class that I would forgo shopping at Bonne Marche to take a long nap. I would sleep for hours on end, only to wake up feeling even more worn out and falling back asleep for a few more hours. I figured this was due to the heat (Paris does not believe in air conditioning...or ice cubes) as well as living in a country with a different language and different customs. About a week before I was scheduled to return home, things took a turn for the worst. My stomach felt as if someone had inflated a balloon inside of me. It was so painful that I could barely move, let alone navigate the metro. This happened a few more times after the first incident, but luckily never to the same degree.

When I returned home, I spoke to a family friend who performs acupuncture and who focuses on the relation of the body to nutrition, etc. He said that it was most likely an intolerance to gluten, a condition that often develops later on in life. I promtly cut out gluten from my diet and I was feeling better within a matter days. I regained my energy and my stomach stopped hurting. After a few weeks of trying to avoid gluten completely, I started testing my limits to see what does and doesn't affect me. For example, a slice of sourdough bread does not bother me at all, but a bagel causes my stomach to turn against me.


When I returned to school, I was at a loss for how to continue eating gluten-free. I had Jamba Juice for lunch everyday because it was close by and I couldn't think of anything else to eat. While I love Jamba Juice, the thought of only consuming that for the rest of my life made me a little hysterical. The thought of drinking Jamba during a snow storm brought tears to my eyes. So I made an appointment at the health center and ended up getting a blood test. Three days later I was calling everyone who had been a victim of my selective diet to invite them out for cupcakes. No Celiac markers to be found.

Since being tested, I went back to my regular diet (or non-diet, you could say). I have had a few "relapses"since last fall. After eating a bagel a few months ago, my stomach "balloon" inflated again. I had many bagels in between my negative Celiac test and that particular bagel, but for some reason, at that time, I was susceptible to it. The other week when I decided I needed to eliminate gluten again, I was feeling tired again. I am a college student, so not being tired would be a weirder symptom. But gluten-induced sleepiness feels different. It was that same feeling of just wanting to go home and never get out of bed, even though that doesn't feel too good either.

As you can see, I am still trying to find my balance. I have begun to find some great resources as well. Follow Sarah on Twitter for tons of great recipes/information @glutteny. And check out Helene's blog "Tartelette." She sometimes posts gluten-free recipes such as these Nutella Cupcakes and her photography is to die for.

As for me, this is one bad boy I can't wait to test out: