Purity Cleansing Bar

I was quite intrigued when I heard that philosophy was coming out with a purity bar! I love the original purity and wanted to love the foam, but for me the foam was great as a morning cleanser. But it just didn’t do as good of a job as the original purity at complete cleansing. The wipes I love for a quick cleansing when I’m not wearing a lot of makeup or don’t have major cleaning to do. The wipes are also great for taking while I’m out exercising so I’ve kept using those.

I picked up my purity bar from Nordstrom this past weekend and I’ve been using it daily for four days now. It’s a HUGE bar, 7oz to be exact. That’s quite a big bar of soap compared to most. It has a bigger price tag than most bars of soap as well, but then again it’s not most bars of soap. philosophy says it’s the same as the original purity and can be used on face or body, the only difference is that it is in soap form. I haven’t used it on my body but have been using it on my face as I would the original purity. And so far so good! It foams up but not the massive foaming of the foaming purity; it does cleanse as well as the original and has the same scent. It doesn’t seem to be dissolving too quickly but I have had it in a soap dish that drains.

What I’m going to like the most I think, is that it will be easily portable especially when I’m traveling. One less thing to pack! Soon I will be able to bypass checking my back and just have a carry on that will actually have all of my needs in it. For the $20 price point this needs to have everything I want in a bar soap, it doesn’t hurt that its purity. But it still needs to live up to the purity reputation. So far so good!

Say YES to Cucumbers

I am always on the lookout for a quality product that delivers without costing an arm and a leg. With the economy as it is, it never hurts to save a few dollars where ever you can. I picked these up on a recent drug store haul and have been using them daily for about two weeks now. I have my favorite facial clothes but figured with the $5.99 price tag, I really couldn’t lose. Plus, if they didn’t deliver they would work just fine as a hand cloth. And they are organic and made with all natural ingredients so they caught my eye and certainly worth a try.

Having used a cleansing and makeup remover cloth from a favorite brand, I was not reallylooking to change. The ones I’ve been using work and I am willing to pay the cost since they were so effective. However, I am pleasantly surprised with the Say Yes to Cucumbers clothes; part of the Say Yes to Carrots line of organic products. They are extremely mild, pleasantly scented and made of organic ingredients. They removed a substantial amount of makeup, dirt and grime yet they are extremely gentle to even sensitive skin such as mine. I found them to be very effective at removing eye makeup; this is where most others fail. But Say Yes to Cucumbers cleansing clothes did an exceptional job. Thus leaving my cleanser to really get down and clean rather than removing grime. I don’t know that I would use these as the only method of cleansing at the end of the day, but I certainly use them as a morning cleanser and even as a mid day refresher.

I pay much more for the ones I’ve been using, so I love that these are so affordable and fits into any budget. I am reluctant to give those up but am considering adding the Say Yes to Cucumber wipes to my “keep” list of products. If they continue to perform without any skin issues, they will be a keeper! I found mine at Walgreens but Target and Wal-Mart carries them as well.

My Best Products for 2010

With the new year upon us, I wanted to recap on some products that were a constant in my routine in 2010. Some of the goodies have been a long time staple but some are new found loves that I think will be around for awhile! With so many new product releases and promises of the best and brightest, it’s a chore to weed through them all and find things that I absolutely love enough to use consistently. Since I love trying and testing things, I use all kinds of stuff that I like and use here and there, but these are just a few of the items that are staples in my routine. Believe me, there are more that I use regularly but you would be here forever; hence my name Product Junkie! I hope all had a safe and happy New Year and thumbs up for the best and brightest in 2011!

Edward Bess Lipstick-Edward Bess is my long time love, and at the top of my list are his decadent lipsticks. The shades are fabulous for any skin tone and regardless of any shades I’ve tried they all seem to work fabulously with my skin tone. The formulation is super creamy, wears well and super sleek in packaging. I’m not thinking this item is going to disappear from my list of favorites any time soon.

 Origins re-usable water bottle- I have several of these bottles that I use almost daily. In an attempt to buy fewer bottles of water I'v began using my home water cooler and filling these for use during the day. Originally the bottle cost $15 for a 16oz bottle which seems a bit expensive, until you look at the cause you are supporting. The purchase of each bottle helps support Origins campaign to replant tree's in area's that have been depleted. So, in my opinion purchasing this bottle has helped to to be a bit more environmentally friendly in two forms, using less plastic and replanting tree's. I"ll go for that!

 philosophy purity made simple cleanser-this cleanser is my life saver and will never leave my routine. It is a simple product to use and tackles several issues at once. It removes makeup, tones and cleanser all at the same time. However, for me it’s the mildness that hooked me. My skin is finicky and sensitive and this cleanser has never irritated it.

Chanel Hydramax + Active Lip balm- I love the creamy texture of this lip balm not to mention its excellent moisturizing capabilities. Now that winter is upon us it can wreak havoc on our skin and most importantly the lips. This balm keeps them soft and moisturized and absorbs quickly so if you want to apply lipstick immediately after, you can.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Polishes-I love this brand for what it doesn’t have! No toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and absolutely no animal testing. Not to mention that the lounge itself is just an absolute joy to visit. The polishes offer less of the “nail polish” smell and wears exceptionally well considering what is missing from the formulation. I recommend using a ‘sticky’ type base coat, even better is theirs, and you are set for a beautiful manicure for a week.

L’occitane Apricot Flower 95% Shea Butter- When all else fails; Shea Butter is the perfect treatment for all of your skincare needs. I use this on my cuticles, lips, dry heels and even on my hands when they are going to be exposed to the elements. It’s perfect for travel and its compact tin fits perfectly into your pocket, just in case you will be without your purse.

Laura Mercier Body Wash- I love Laura Mercier for her gourmand bath and body line, the products are creamy and non drying and oh so yummy. I could probably do with a less expensive body wash, but this is my little luxury at bath time!

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau foundation-With my never ending search for the foundation that would make me look perfect but still look as if I'm not wearing any, this has come up top so far this year. It becomes one with your skin and gives a perfect airbrushed look. It has a sheer to medium coverage and an ever so slightly luminous look for that fresh appeal. So far so good, so lets cross fingers that it lasts through 2011!

Teavana Tea’s- Teavana teas are a pure indulgence for me, And I just cannot live without them! This is truly an investment in my health and wellness, not to mention the superb cup of tea.

philosophy purity made simple cleansing cloths

I am a sucker for a good deal so every year I tune into Qvc for philosophy’s anniversary event. There were some new items being introduced exclusively for QVC this year so I was tuned in for the long haul. And this year was no different than past years, I bought way too much. How could I pass on such great deal?
One item in particular was catching my eye, the new purity made simple cleansing cloths.
These genius little cloths are fabulous for on the go cleansing. You get the same cleansing quality as the purity made simple cleansing but without water. It also has the same fresh scent, which I love! I used these to remove the majority of my makeup prior to night time cleansing, and they worked great in taking off just about everything. For my personal preference I would not use these as my normal cleansing. I just don’t feel clean without the cleanser/water routine. But for those times when I just feel like the day will never end and I just want to get into bed, these will be perfect. I also like these in the morning when I don’t really need a deep cleansing; they don’t leave a residue so I can go right into my skincare and makeup application. Right now they are only available on QVC.com at $20 for a package of 45. Over all, I like them. I will just have to be a bit more frugal with how I use them, for cost purposes!

KenzoKi Part 2-Sensual Enveloping Wash

The ‘Sensual’ fragrance from Kenzoki is based on the scent of steamed rice, soft and sensual; the soft scent of skin. I first encountered the skincare and bodycare of the KenzoKi line when Nordstrom used to carry it. It then went onto Sephora for awhile and I was thrilled that we were starting to distribute this fabulous line in the US. It is based on Japanese skin care technology and we all know and see how advanced they are; ever see a Japanese woman with bad skin? Unfortunately, it’s one of those lines that the mass markets here didn’t catch onto. But its fabulousness is not diminished because of it. It’s now only sold on Kenzousa.com, one site I visit often for replenishment of my KenzoKi products. It’s an extension of the Kenzo line and we all know and love Amour, so just imagine this scented line to be of that family, just a touch lighter and softer.

In continuing the collection, I am switching to the KenzoKi facial care line. It too is part of the ‘Sensual’ fragrance line but ever so slightly scented as to not irritate those sensitive to fragrance in their skincare. I have extremely sensitive skin and this has not caused irritation in my time of usage. The Enveloping Wash is an oil gel type of cleanser and makeup remover. We wouldn’t expect any other kind from KenzoKi since the Japanese are the ones who came up with this innovative concept. The Enveloping Wash removes all traces of dirt and grime from your face without stripping. You’re left with silky skin that is clean and soft. Apply the oil gel onto dry skin and massage in to loosen dirt and makeup. Add a bit of water to your hands and massage into the oil. It begins to emulsify when the water is added so you can simply rinse it off or use a washcloth to remove. Again, the skincare line pair’s technology with science to balance performance with pleasure, and of course the scent of the ‘Sensual’ line is just as fabulous! This comes in a 5.1oz bottle for $28 at Kenzousa.com

Estée Lauder 'Take It Away' Towelettes

I am all about fast, effective and convenient and with the holidays fast approaching, it is more of a need than a want these days! These portable, pre-moistened towelettes quickly remove makeup and freshen skin without water. Advanced cleansing emulsion hydrates, softens skin and are perfect for on the go cleaning. Airport friendly, these are perfect for your carry-on and make getting clean, hydrated skin a breeze. No need to worry about the 3-1-1 when traveling on a plane with these beauties, just pop the whole package into your carry-on and away you go. Perfect for travel and just as grand for your home routine! I give these five stars!

Beauty on a Budget: part 1

With the economy so bad most of us are tightening the reigns on how much money we spend, no more $6 latte’s, eating out everyday is a no-no, luxury jeans are gone to the wind! In this series, I’m going to show you how beauty does not have to break the bank! You can look and feel fabulous for very little coin. For product junkies like us, cutting down is very hard and causes major anxiety! Fortunately it does not have to be that way, you can still indulge in your obsession and it doesn’t have to cost you your first born. You can still indulge and pamper yourself with items that will be budget friendly.

Eye Makeup Remover: Sephora Waterproof Makeup Removing pads

Removing makeup at night is an essential to having clean healthy skin. Sephora’s Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads not only remove waterproof makeup from your eyes but are superb for your whole face. Each cotton round is pre-soaked with gentle fragrance, paraben and oil free remover, so no more oily residue! Even those with the most sensitive skin can enjoy the ease and convenience of these. Best of all, only $8 for 30 pads!

Facial Cleanser: Cetaphil Cleanser

CETAPHIL® cleanser is a gentle, non-irritating cleanser for even the most sensitive skin. A non-soap cleanser, CETAPHIL is completely non-alkaline, non-comedogenic, and fragrance free. It soothes and softens as it cleanses, helping the skin retain moisture yet it thoroughly removes all traces of dirt and makeup. For some this cleanser may take getting used to since it does not foam up. I usually rub the cleanser onto my face and massage off the dirt and makeup and just rinse. It is so gentle you can use for babies and children, even those with skin conditions like Eczema can use this without irritating side affects. I must mention that a 16oz bottle will only put you out $11.49!

Brush Cleanser: Johnson’s Baby Shampoo

With all of the money we invest in our makeup brushes, caring for them properly is absolutely essential. Cleaning your brushes properly not only keeps them free of germs and bacteria but keeps them in tip top shape! There are so many brush cleaners out there and they are all excellent, but I have found that baby shampoo works wonderfully. They work exceptionally well for your natural hair brushes but synthetic brushes fare just as well. I have used Johnsons’ Baby Shampoo for my brushes for years but the store brand baby shampoo’s work just as well. A 20oz bottle of Johnsons usually runs around $5.49 and last about 9-10 months. I just use a cup or bowl and make a “bath” out of water and shampoo, swish the brushes in the solution, rinse with clean water and lay flat to dry.