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.