Today I learned a very important lesson. Walking into Sephora alone is a very very bad idea. Lol. I’ve actually been really good about not going in there since we moved here, no matter how much I want to or how many times I walk by it. But, today I ran out of my regular loose powder from Cover Girl and the boy suggested I find some at Sephora since it lasts so long. So, see, this can all be blamed on him! Lol. Anyways, I ended up spending way too much time in that place drooling over, well… Pretty much everything. Like a disgusting amount of time. Really. Lol. I ended up walking out of there with a little more than just loose powder, but that’s okay. By the way, I ended up going with Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush because I was finally able to find a shade that matches my skin tone flawlessly.

I had heard a lot of amazing things about a lot of products in there, and since it was the first time I actually allowed myself to really look, I figured that I should make the most of it. After hearing so much about the great benefits of using a make up primer, I decided to pick up the one that I’ve heard the most about. So, I picked up Smasbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer To Go. I’m so excited to try it!! Ever since Heather sent me tons of MAC pigment samples, I’ve noticed just how little color my regular shadows (which are all drugstore) actually leave on my lids. I can’t wait to see the effects of this primer on my foundation and eyecolor!

Another product that I’ve heard great things about and made sure to pick up was Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve. Anyone who knows me knows that I am fanatical about moisturizing my skin and that I love to try new things. I’m loving this salve already! I used it on my cuticles and hands and they have stayed super moisturized without being greasy, like a lot of hand creams leave them. The smell is great too because it’s such a light floral scent. My mom makes bath products and I am her guinea pig for most of the creams, which have all been cocoa butter based and amazing. But so many of the products on the market, and that she finds recipes to try out, end up leaving your hands greasy feeling or don’t smell all that great. This product doesn’t do either. I’m going to have to send her some of it fairly soon so she’ll realize what her products have to compete against in my home. Lol.

Speaking of moisturizing, one of my all time hands down favorite moisturizers is extra virgin olive oil. For the face, hair, skin… Everywhere. If you haven’t tried it before, use a few of the following suggestions and you’ll be converted.

For your face, warm 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon honey, add some instant oatmeal if you wish to help exfoliate. Smooth it onto your face and neck, leave for around 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water and a washcloth. Smooth as a baby’s butt. Seriously.

For hands and feet, I warm about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, smooth them all over my hands and feet, rub in really well (it’s a great excuse to give yourself a hand and foot massage), then slip on some cotton socks and gloves. If you can leave them on overnight, do so! The pay off is great.

For your hair, massage a couple of tablespoons of olive oil (warm or room temperature) from roots to tips. Cover your head with a shower cap or, in a pinch, a plastic grocery bag. Let sit for 30 minutes or more. Now get in the shower, and rinse it with warm water. Use a gentle moisturizing shampoo and fully wash hair twice. Make sure to really rinse it before you shampoo and after each wash because rinsing is essential. Rinse until you think you’ve done it enough, then rinse it some more! Lol. Condition the ends if you have really dry or damaged hair, otherwise, don’t worry about applying a conditioner.

Plugs for comments : Nicolah, Marsadie, Helga