Been A Long Time Away, But I'm Back with Some Goodies!

Dear readers:

Many apologies for the amount of time in between posts. Life sure does have a crazy way of piling up! To be fair, I work in education so it should really come as no surprise that the past month has been eaten up entirely by the start of a new school year.

That said, I've been keeping a running tab on a bunch of new products that I'm excited to share with you.

1. Tresemme Climate Control Finishing Spray:

This hairspray is formulated to protect hair from humidity, wind, static, and UV rays. I'm not normally a fan of hairsprays because I can't stand that stiff, sticky feeling it leaves on my hair. This formula actually leaves my hair feeling soft. It definitely holds curls really well, and for the most part it really does do what the marketing says it will. It's not perfect, but my hair is mostly frizz free when I use this. Will definitely purchase this again!

2. L'Oreal Telescopic mascara in carbon black:

I was honestly on the fence when I originally bought this. I wasn't a fan of the itsy-bitsy wand or bristles, and I wasn't excited with the way it applied to my lashes. I tried it once and thought my lashes looked like spider legs. Then a colleague at work complimented my lashes and asked whether I was wearing mascara or not (um, say what?!). I objectively gave this mascara another shot and it's been true love ever since.

It is a small wand, yes, but it's marketed as a lengthening mascara, not volumizing. My lashes are naturally full but pretty short. This formula actually lends my lashes a lot of length and holds the curl really damn well. True, my lashes aren't super full, but they do look long when I wear Telescopic, and I'm loving it at the moment.

3. Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System:

I'll be honest, part of the reason I haven't been in the mood to post lately is because my skin has gone totally hay-wire. I've had some really epic nodular acne breakouts that has been kicking my ass for about three weeks now.

I don't usually like Neutrogena because a long time ago my dermatologist told me that Neotrogena products are really terrible for the skin. They're full of parabens and chemicals that only address skin problems in the short term. So I've stayed away from Neutrogena for the most part. Then on one really bad day, I knew I needed something ASAP or else my face was gonna look just like the Himalayas. I purchased this kit because I had a $4 off coupon and nothing to lose.

At first I wasn't sure it was working, but this morning I've noticed a big difference in how my skin looks. I've only been using it for about a week now, and the formula is supposed to be similar to ProActiv's. Fingers crossed it heals my skin because otherwise I don't know what else to try.

4. Yankee Candle Fall Harvest scent: A gift from my awesome SIL Em. Being the good New Englander I am, Fall is my favorite time of year. The food, the smells, the cool, crisp air; it's Heaven on Earth for a few gorgeous, far too fleeting months. This candle is all that wrapped up into one lovely smell. I close my eyes and think of apple cider, burning leaves, pumpkin patches, and caramel. HEAVEN!

5. Estee Lauder High Gloss in 03 Honey:

A sheer, pretty honey gold lipgloss, this product gives a beautiful wash of nude shine to my lips. It's perfect when paired with a rich burgundy eye. Very much in conjunction with my inspiration of Fall-colored makeup looks the past few weeks. This was also another gift from Emily.

6. Loew-Cornell 4650 Spotter brush:

Yeah, I use a paintbrush to apply my gel liner. What? Wanna fight bout it?

I have a background in art, and I'm always pretty retentive about applying gel liner; it has to be perfect! I love precise lines but frankly, the little liner brush that came with my E.L.F. gel liner just wasn't cutting it anymore. I read online about Loew-Cornell dupes for MAC brushes and decided to stop by an A.C. Moore and pick one up. I was not disappointed. This thing is amazing! Way cheaper than the $25 Bobbi Brown liner brush I almost bought.

7. Cover Girl Eye-Enhancers eye shadow in Mink:

This shadow is supposed to be a dupe for MAC's All That Glitters. I don't own ATG so I can't say for certain if it is. It looks like it, based on swatches I've done at the MAC store. It's a champagne-colored shadow with orange-gold undertones and lots of glitter. The formula isn't great, really. The pigmentation is just ok unless you do two swipes  of the brush to really build the color up. But once you pack enough color on, it's really a gorgeous, warm bronze color and it totally loves my green eyes (see the close up of my eye above).

What's important to note about Mink is that it's not a unique shade. I feel like every large scale eyeshadow palette has a similar color. Case in point:

(1st row, L to R): NARS Kalahari duo, MAC Honey Lust, CG Mink

(2nd row, L to R): L'Oreal Lavender Smokes quad, Stila Champagne

(L to R): Stila Champagne, MAC Honey Lust, CG Mink, L'Oreal Lavender Smokes quad, NARS Kalahari duo

Again, apologies for the long absence. I'll try not to let it happen again!

Want to share a product you're loving right now? I'm always on the lookout for something new, so let me know what you think I should check out next!

The Dead Sea Spa Experiment

Hello, hello!

I'm back from Israel, winding down after enjoying two of the most amazing weeks of my life. Israel was so different from anything I'd ever imagined, and I have to say it was truly the coolest vacation I've ever had!

I promised a blog post on my trip to the Dead Sea, and now I'm finally delivering! I did actually try to blog while in Israel, but unfortunately Blogger was not having it. It kept freezing and yelling at me in Hebrew, and because I neither speak nor read Hebrew, I abandoned the effort completely and drowned my frustrations in a glass of Israeli shiraz while sitting in a Mediterranean beach cafe. Impossible situation, right? ;)

So onto the good stuff!

During our first weekend in the Holy Land, Kyle and I drove out to the Dead Sea, which is about an hour and a half outside of Jerusalem. If you're not familiar with Israel's geography, the Dead Sea is just south of the West Bank, on the Israeli-Jordanian border, right dead smack in the middle of the desert. We decided to make an overnight trip of it and spent the night in Ein Bokek, an all-inclusive hotel community comprised of a dozen or so resorts. Our hotel, The Lot Hotel, was a smallish but adorable spa resort right on the shores of the Dead Sea.

View of the hotel community from our hotel's beach

Wine and a hammock = a happy Tiffany!

On our first night at the hotel, we decided to explore the grounds and sneak a quick dip in the warm waters of the Dead Sea. There are signs posted throughout the resort, and your room (and the Internet) warning you not to shave for at least forty-eight hours prior to going in the water. This is because the salt from the water will cause any abrasion on your skin to sting with the fire of a thousand burning suns. And they totally mean it. I stupidly ignored the warning and as a result bore some lovely ankle irritation for the next two days. So bear this in mind should you find yourself at the Dead Sea sometime.

But back to the Dead Sea experience....

The beach is made up of yellow, salty sand. You have to wear flip flops or dock shoes because there are small, sharp salt formations along the shoreline and you can easily scratch your foot.

The water itself is very clear, but almost has the consistency of melted plastic wrap, meaning it is very heavy and almost slick on your skin. It feels a bit like wading through olive oil. The point is not to swim (in fact, there are signs warning you against it; imagine getting that water in your eyes! OUCH!), but rather to float and immerse your body in the water, which contains high levels of sulphur (which is supposed to oxygenate the skin and heal tired muscles).

I think it would be impossible to sink in this water, even if you wanted to. To even touch the bottom, you have to curl your body into a cannonball position, and force your legs down! As Kyle so aptly described, "This place defies the laws of physics."

After you get out of the water, it immediately starts to crystalize on your skin. You end up brushing off small amounts of crusted salt from everywhere. The crusted salt excretes some kind of oil on your skin, rather than drying it out, and the oil leaves skin feeling silky-smooth. Don't ask me how this works, but it does, and it's really strange.

Unfortunately our hotel did not have the famous freestanding mud baths that the Dead Sea shore is known for. Because the Lot Hotel is a spa hotel, you have to book an appointment in the spa if you wanted to actually lay in the mud. However, you could stop by the hotel spa and grab a pre-packeged packet of Dead Sea mud for about $2 US and just apply it yourself on the beach. I picked up two bags and after the quick dip pictured above, applied the goopy, thick mud all over.

Dead Sea mud contains Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Calcium, Bromides, and trace elements of Lithium, Zinc, and Sulfates. According to chemists and skincare specialists, these elements are supposed to cleanse and revitalize tired skin, and activate cells in the skin that absorb moisture. Dead Sea mud is also used to aid in the healing of aching and tired muscles and improve blood circulation.

As far as how the mud actually feels, it feels so good! The mud is cold and thick, and when you're in the middle of a desert under a hot sun, nothing feels as good as slathering this stuff all over your body!

Even the husband got in on the action :)

You're supposed to leave the mud on until its dried, which is between 15-20 minutes. You're not supposed to put the mud on your face, which I didn't realize and was a bit disappointed to discover. When it dries, it looks gray and cracked, so you know its time to wash it off in the sea.

Kyle makes an excellent arm model, no?

It mostly just flakes off you as you immerse yourself in the water, but you are supposed to use the water to rub the mud into and off the skin. The salt in the water exfoliates your skin while you do this. That process actually tickles a bit, but in my opinion, it works really well.

So what's my conclusion on the Dead Sea treatment?

Kyle and I noticed a distinct difference in our skin and muscles after our day at the Dead Sea. We both remarked on how soft our arms and legs were, and how we felt like we'd had a full body massage after floating in the sea for a couple of hours. My skin felt moisturized and supple, and I felt stretched out and relaxed. This feeling lasted for a few days afterwards, even after several showers and a few very hot and sweaty days.

It was definitely a very cool experience and if you find yourself in Israel some day I highly recommend spending a night in Ein Bokek and enjoying a leisurely float in the Dead Sea and a nice cooling mud bath!

Skincare

Like many, I've had problems with my skin for as long as I can remember. Redness, bumps, flakiness; I've seen it all. I've had my fair share of dermatological consultations in my time. I've even resorted to medication.  I've worn foundation masks that would make a porn star jealous. And as I've grown older, the bumps has slowly started to ease into fine lines, which of course presents a whole new set of problems.

All of those women you see on the street with perfect, clear, and glowing skin? Freaks of nature. All of them ;P

Ok, so that might be an unfair statement. Some people are just genetically blessed with smooth skin. As I am not one of those chosen few, I have to work to keep my skin looking healthy and young. 

The following are a short sampling of the products I use routinely to prep and pamper the skin on my face.

Face wash:

Trader Joe's Spa Gentle Facial Cleanser: a newer addition to my routine, this liquid cleanser gently removes dirt and makeup without drying skin. It's loaded with vitamins C and E, as well as orange extract. It leaves my skin feeling refreshed and airy, so you know your pores are open and breathing! It also smells like Ricola cough drops taste. Very citrusy!

I've been using this product for about two weeks now, and I haven't noticed any adverse reactions to the formula. Naturally if this changes, so will this review.

Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub: first of all, let me state the obvious: this is not really a daily scrub. You should never exfoliate your skin every day. Daily exfoliation leaves your skin prone to irritation, and even infection. In my opinion, exfoliation is a two to three times a week process. 

That said, I swear by exfoliation. Sloughing off dead skin and grime is a must for healthy looking, bright skin. This product has tons of little micro beads, which you can really feel when you're using it. I've found this is a great product for ridding myself of those annoying dry skin flakes and annoying blackheads. This Aveeno product can always be found in my shower!

Olay Refreshing Toner with Witch Hazel: There is a right way to use toner, and surprisingly I have found most people are not familiar with it.

Toners are meant to balance one's facial PH levels and to remove residual dirts and oils. They are formulated to address individual skin concerns, so when choosing a toner, be sure to pick one that is suitable to your needs.

The very simple toner process:

1. When using a toner, it's important to have clean skin, so start with a recently washed, dry face. 

2. Use a cotton ball or pad to apply the toner.

3. Blot the toner across your T-Zone (forehead, bridge of the nose, chin). NEVER rub toner into your skin as this could cause irritation.

4. Allow the toner to dry completely before moisturizing.

This particular toner works wonders for me. The witch hazel is cooling and tingly, but it can leave my skin feeling a little dry, especially in the winter, so I always make sure I hydrate my skin immediately afterwards.

Masks and Facials:

Dead Sea Premier Lifting Mask: I've read lots of varying reviews on this product. Some people love it, and some people hate it. I'd always avoided it because it makes me think of those annoying mall kiosks, where it's marketed poorly and priced at a ridiculous amount. For the high price, you expect it to work miracles. Fortunately, the husband picked this up for me in Israel, so U.S. price points don't matter here and I feel perfectly fine in stating that this product, while OK, is definitely not worth the price.

I only use this product when my skin feels really dry. It definitely does not "lift and revitalize" like it claims to, but it does help a bit with dry skin. It is an oil-based cream that once applied to the face, draws out your skin's natural oils. It's kept my skin relatively hydrated in the winter, but this product should be avoided in the summer, as it can leave your skin feeling a bit greasy afterwards. 

One should also avoid this product if you plan on applying your makeup immediately afterwards. It will cause it to slide right down your face unless it is entirely absorbed into your skin.

Hot, no?

I'm not certain I'd recommend this product to anyone else.

Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleaner and Mask: for the longest time I avoided Neutrogena products. A dermatologist had told me how damaging the acids and chemicals could be on skin, and so I tossed all my Neutrogena products and never looked back.

Cut to five years later and the endless complaints about how clear Neutrogena had left my skin and how nothing else even came close. Finally, after an epic battle with some stubborn cystic acne,  I said, 'screw it!" and picked this mask up.

Genius. Perfection. A Godsend in a plastic bottle.

My skin cleared right up and I haven't had any serious issues since I started using this. As it does have some slight exfoliant in it, it works wonderfully as a facial scrub. You can also apply it as a mask or spot treatment, washing it off after several minutes. It literally clears pimples up overnight (though I wouldn't recommend wearing it overnight as I found it tends to bleach pillowcases. Oops).

Be sure to moisturize with this baby. It's very drying, but such is the price one pays for no pimples.

As a facial scrub

As a drying mask

Moisturizers:

God old Cetaphil. There is a reason why this product is consistently ranked as one of the better, low-cost moisturizers. It works really well, and you only need a little to tide your skin over throughout the day. It's definitely a heavier moisturizer but I haven't had any issues in using this daily yet *knocks on wood*.

Dead Sea Premier Moisture Cream Complex: Again, something my husband got for me in Israel, and significantly cheaper there than here in the U.S.

This is a water-based moisturizer so it absorbs quickly into skin. Unfortunately, it can also leave a immediate, thin residue on the skin, which, for a texture person like me, can feel greasy and slimey. However, most of the time this residue wears off within minutes and skin is left feeling soft and silk.

The packaging comes with a small pumice like tablet of soap. It doesn't lather, but you can feel a gentle smoothing of your skin while you're using it. 

Not a bad product, but certainly not worth the U.S. price. If you're lucky enough to travel to Israel, I'd recommend picking it up, since apparently the cost there is equivalent to any drugstore brand here.

For a side by side comparison of the two moisturizers:

Cetaphil (top) vs. Dead Sea Premier (bottom)

Any recommendations or must-have products you want to tell me about? I'm always on the lookout for skincare products!