Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shopping. Show all posts

Sunday, June 2, 2013

More Glow, Please!

Cleveland E. 9th Pier @ Sunrise
I think I'm scaring my Mom. I am a self-proclaimed make-up aficionado who, yesterday, declared that "I think I am going to start trying to be more cognizant of the ingredients in my cosmetics and what I put on my skin..."

Oh boy.

I have always been aware that there is scary stuff in cosmetics. I even read somewhere once that mascara is one of the worst things on the planet you can put near your peepers. However, you are reading the thoughts of a girl who suffered through debilitating acne in high school (from which, I'm pretty sure, my self confidence has never fully recovered). I use products to exude different moods and perceptions, much like I do with clothing. Am I really going to ditch my favorites because they contain scary stuff I can't pronounce? Well, maybe.

Lorain-Carnegie Bridge Guardian
a.k.a. My Boyfriend
I used to fall back on the idea that our skin is a canvas... A barrier between our insides and the outside world. This theory crumbles when one considers medicinal patches such as birth control and nicotine... Obviously something passes through this barrier and is effectively absorbed into the bloodstream. Oh, crap.

There is more science there and probably some arguments for the barrier theory; however, it was enough to get me to start researching kinder skincare and cosmetics. I'll save you all the trouble and just tell you: it is flipping overwhelming. I can't suggest any products yet, because I haven't tried anything. That will be for later posts. What I will say is that a girl who knows nothing about natural beauty products found a diamond in the rough at The Spirit Beauty Lounge website (please Google, some people are weird about linking to their website).
Nothing is better than Ohio grass on
barefeeties.

Spirit's website lets you request nine samples of almost any of her products for $25, which includes a coupon off your next purchase (an assumption that you will buy one of the items). All the products I had read reviews on went on my list. I'm super pumped. Most of these products are only sold in specialty brick and mortar locations, so this practically eliminates the risk of the product collecting dust in my make up drawer. Natural cosmetics are a tad more expensive, which makes sense, so this would give me much heartburn than normal.

Have any of you thought about this? Apparently there are documentaries that scare people silly about it. I haven't drummed up the nerve to watch them yet.

PS- Since I haven't bought anything yet, I had no pictures to go with this post. Therefore, these are random pictures from my life the past couple weeks. You're welcome.

Who needs junk food when you have this?  West Side Market
organic heaven.  Swoon.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Lipstick and Love Stories

I'm pretty cautious with my money. I rarely eat out, I don't take many trips and I seem to over research most purchases. However, every so often when my closet feels bare and I have some events coming up, I will throw caution to the wind and partake in some good old fashion retail therapy. The goal was simply to find an outfit for Toresil's bridal shower in Chicago this weekend. But alas, I found much more... and I refuse to feel guilty about it. All in all, it was a material focused weekend.

This Saturday was the first Saturday I didn't go into the office, thus giving me ample shopping time. My favorite purchase wasn't my bridal shower outfit, my Oribe hair products (stellar, everyone must look into these) or what appears to be the greatest concealer I have come across. I think my favorite purchase was my first step into true womanhood- I bought a REAL lipstick. Tom Ford came out with a line of lipsticks not too long ago and they have been getting rave reviews ever since. The packaging is heavy and high quality. The pigment range is vast but not overwhelming. You just feel luxurious even being at the counter browsing. I will admit- I hate lip color. I feel it is too high maintenance. I love makeup, but I love putting it on at my apartment and then not thinking about it the rest of the night. Who wants to excuse herself to the restroom after every sip of scotch to reapply? Not this girl. However, Tom Ford's formula wears evenly and, without reapplying, I was left with a high pigment lip stain after four hours at a bar. Awesome.


I wrapped up my weekend by wearing my pjs all day Sunday and watching about four movies on Netflix. My fave? Broken English. Quirky (!) and closed off thirty something meets a "fly by the seat of his pants" hot Frenchman who teaches her to lower her philosophical walls? Yummy. I watched it while eating my pancakes this morning. They were also yummy.

Tomorrow is our office "end of busy season" party. I heard the band takes requests. I've been practicing my set list all weekend. Sorry I am not sorry.