Cheap Tricks

A friend who once said that perfume was the single best luxury women are afforded. I love the sentiment, but I am just too fickle to stick with one fragrance all year. And, given the price of some of my favorite scents, my fickleness was lightening my purse a bit too much. If you’re like me, instead of splurging on a bottle each time you have a change of heart, try selecting a scent from manufacturers who put out travel size, roller ball or solid versions. To name a few, L.A.M.B., Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera all have roller ball versions of their major fragrances. Tocca and Stila put out travel friendly solids. Philosophy, Kenzo and even Thierry Mugler put our purse sized spritzers. Michael Kors and Clinique even have mini fragrances with lip gloss built right in! And the piece de resistance... Sephora offers an entire perfume sampler package containing 10 or 11 perfume samples from famous perfumeries, allowing you to dip your toes in the water before jumping in. Trying on different personalities has never been so easy!

Eye Carumba!

In my experience, finding a product to treat under eye dark circles and lines is like finding a needle in a haystack. Truth be told, lotions and creams serve only to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines, they don’t fix them. And generally, dark circles are the result of blood vessels peeking through the delicate eye skin. So, skip out on products that promise to get rid of dark circles – it is just not possible. In my opinion, the best products treat fine lines with fillers and contain enough pearlescent color to scatter light and act as a highlighter on the dark circles. These provide a great base for concealers and can help you skip a step in your morning routine. Lucky for you, over the years I have found a needle in a haystack! Or 3, to be exact…

Cristal: Bliss Wrinkle Twinkle. This star uses intensive, time released line fillers to fill existing lines for 8 hours, exfoliates over time to reduce depth, and has a pearly tint to reduce the look of dark circles. Wear alone or under makeup. The downside – it’ll run you about $40 for 1.8 mL! Its like wishing on a star finally came true!

Signature Cocktail: Kiehl’s Line Reducing Eye Brightening Concentrate. This luxurious under eye gel contains Vitamin C and bitter orange to treat and reverse damages and wrinkles, and patented Haloxyl to brighten and reduce the impact of dark circles by supporting capillaries. Orange you glad Kiehl’s thought this one up?!

PBR: RoC Retinol Correction Deep Filler Eye Cream. RoC’s under eye cream uses Retinol, Hyaluronic acid and essential minerals to fill lines, smooth skin and increase circulation and lessen the impact of wrinkles and dark circles, all while providing superb hydration that can keep you looking youthful even after RoC-ing out all night.

Mineral Makeup - Miracle of Science

Darlings, I haven’t forgotten you! Over the holiday, I was relaxing and ruminating over my makeup obsession. It occurred to me (ok, it was pointed out by a lovely friend) that I often mention mineral makeup, but have never really explained what it is or why I think it’s so great. Well, I confess, I wasn't sure why mineral makeup is special. I just appreciate what it does for my look. Ah, vanity... Anyway, my curiosity was peaked and I shut myself in the lab to do some research and testing. According to WebMD (yes, you read that right - http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/features/the-lowdown-on-mineral-makeup), mineral makeup is makeup made from naturally occurring minerals have natural pigment and don't contain the usual chemicals, dyes and preservatives found in other makeup. It is believed that some of the chosen minerals may have skin benefits, acting like vitamins applied directly to the skin to help reduce redness and puffiness, soothe skin and aid complexion. The glossies often recommend mineral makeup for sensitive skin implying that the gentler minerals will not aggravate skin as much. Personally, I have never liked wearing foundation and will do anything to even out my skin without the aid of gloppy tinted liquids. Mineral makeup has provided light coverage that makes my skin feel velvety smooth and look airbrushed-ly flawless. I suppose that’s because the chemical composition of the products doesn't irritate and allows for a much finer mill without clumping (less moisture in the crushed minerals than typical talc based powders means powders spread easier and absorb oils better), but I am no chemist. The smooth, soft look of my skin proves this theorem for me just fine! Interested in performing your own litmus test? Jane Iredale and bareMinerals are the most known mad scientists in this lab, but most drug store brands and even e.l.f. and Jane cosmetics have introduced mineral products, making a beautiful complexion budget friendly. Organic is not just for the body anymore!

Cheap Tricks

Now that you've applied your self tanner, you're wondering what to do about those streaks on your hands, knees or ankles. I've heard tons of possible solutions - exfoliate well before and after application, apply with a soft cloth to ensure even coverage, use a lemon wedge or hair color remover to remove stains, and, strangest of all, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! I know that the Magic Eraser is a pretty amazing little do-hickey. I'm not entirely sure how it erases those crayon marks or the baked on grease, but it does. So why not self tanner stains? Well girls, I tested it out for you. Much to my surprise, this puppy really works! The (intentional) streaks along my left elbow appeared to be a lot less noticeable after a few swipes with the Eraser and after a day or so are unnoticeable without close examination. Next time you're planning spring (er, or fall...) cleaning, add a box of Mr. Clean Erasers to your kit and squirrel one away for your makeup bag.

Here Comes The Sun

Our little blog face lift got me thinking about preserving the youthful glow of summer skin. Ok, really, I pretty much always have this on my mind this time of year, but that's besides the point. I am a big advocate of self-tanners for several reasons. First, of course, is that sun damage can lead to health problems and premature aging. Second, not all of us live in climates that allow us to safely soak up the sun all year round. Finding the right one can be tough, so here are a few suggestions for facial self-tanners that will keep your summer glow right through the fall.

Cristal: Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint. This liquid bronzer is a bit unwieldy for the clumsy or the casual self-tanner, but produces even, deep bronze tones with a simple application. Soak a cotton ball with this liquid and smooth over exfoliated skin, or mix with your moisturizer for a softer glow. Mix with your body lotion for all over tanning.

Signature Cocktail: Lancome Soleil Flash Bronzer. This lightweight, oil-free self tanning lotion, stocked with vitamin e, conditions skin and offers a tint to instantly perk up skin while the self tanner works its magic over the next hour. Simply massage onto exfoliated skin, being sure to blend well onto the jaw and hairlines for a lovely bronze glow.

PBR: Neutrogena Build-A-Tan Gradual Sunless Tanning for Face. Neutrogena's creamy formula dries quickly, smells lovely and offers subtle sunless tanning, allowing you to build to your ideal shade of bronze by continued application. Neutrogena's customizable coverage makes this version especially good for fair skin tones or those who want a subtle touch.

Siren Song

In scouring the glossies and the most recent Sephora catalogue, one thing is clear. This fall, makeup is all about new takes on the classic smokey eye, adding more drama and bright colors into the otherwise dreary fall backdrop. Although a black-and-grey smokey eye is my preferred Friday night look, I thought it could be fun to try to recreate some of these looks at a lower price. These looks are fun and flirty, but definitely not for the faint of heart and certainly not for every day. Here's my take on the "mermaid" smokey eye (not to be confused with the "fish eye" or the "stink eye").

Choose two shades of green that work with your skin tone and complement each other. To steal from Stacey London - they don't have to "match", they just have to "go"! In Style recommends one shade from Cle de Peau and one from Bobbi Brown, but since this trend will surely ebb and flow like the tide, I suggest starting with something less expensive and like ULTA's house brand eye shadows in Envy (emerald) and Luna (teal). Or, if you're looking for something that will stand the test of time and trend, try Stila's Eye Shadow Duo in Kaijiki.

First, here is where I differ from In Style - I recommend lining your upper lash line and the the outer 2/3 of your lower lid with a darker green eye pencil like Elizabeth Arden's Smokey Eyes pencil in Pine. To me, a smokey eye is all about definition and blending, and I think the look really loses something without the inclusion of an eye liner to kick things off.

Next up, apply the emerald color on the lids and line the outer 2/3 of the lower lash line. Then sweep the turquoise shade from lash line into the creases on your eye lid, blending well into the green at the crease. Bringing the shimmery teal around your whole eye and into the inner corners will add light to an otherwise dark shadow, bringing all the focus to your eyes. Finish off with two coats of mascara - maybe even try a navy one, if you're feeling daring - and let your inner Siren sing!

Cheap Tricks

Relaxation is the key to making it through the school year, getting the kids back on track, or just unwinding after a long day at work. One of my favorite ways to unwind is to relax in a long hot bath. I used to spend my cash on bath bombs and fancy bubble baths, but to tighten the budget, I decided that I could live without expensive bath products like Lush's (AMAZING!) Bath Bombs. Instead, I fill a tub and add about 1.5 c of epsom salt and a few drops of Johnson and Johnson's Lavendar Calming Baby Oil. The epsom salt soothes sore muscles and the baby oil softens skin. If you're really a multitasker, mix some salt and oil in your hand (2 parts salt to 1 part oil) and use as an exfoliator to smooth out soles and 'bows.