gimme madison marcus

I saw a girl prancing up the street this morning in something similar with tights and ankle boots. LOVE IT!

Madison Marcus Short Sleeve Button Tunic Dress at shopbop.com $260

gimme skinmilk

Incredibly silky, with a clean, fresh smell that is like bathing in comfort food. Indulgence without the fat and calories and at a steal of a price!

Skin Milk at drugstore.com Most products around $5.49 each

gimme at-home facials

I LOVE microdermabrasion. I LOVE how flawless my make up looks and how soft my skin feels just after a treatment. I DON'T LOVE being a broke New Yorker, who can't afford regular spa visits for said microdermabrasion and facials.

This could come in handy in the meantime. And for the price of one microdermabrasion treatment, you get a year+ worth of at home delight! It's not microdermabrasion, but And you can use it in the shower because it's even waterproof!! Babyface skin, here I come!


Clarisonic System Kit at SpaLook.com $195

gimme a reason to live in my shower

No time for coffee? One capful of this refreshing mixture can revive even the most tired soul! Add 1 capful to full bath or apply to body before showering.

Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil at SpaLook.com ($54)

From Molton Brown: "This is one of our most skin pampering formulas ever and is already a Molton Brown best-seller. Bathe your senses with exotic gingerlily, richly moisturizing oils leave the skin refreshed. Luxuriously smooth and infused with an intoxicating aroma. Oils of Tamanu and Macadamia nut have been used for their nourishing and moisturizing properties."

Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Moisture Bath & Shower Therapy

gimme boots no. 7

This was initially available at Target when Boots arrived in the U.S. it quickly and completely disappeared. Well, it's back! Hopefully, here to stay!

"Helps to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles in just 4 weeks. With concentrated levels of our unique antioxidant complex and skin-firming pro-retinol complex to boost and maintain skin's elasticity. Known in the UK as No7 Protect & Perfect, Britain's #1 anti-ageing sensation proven by independent scientists to really work."


Boots No. 7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum $21.99

Working Girl's Survival Kit

This chic silver train case is filled with 22 working-girl gotta-haves:

• a toothbrush
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• lip balm
• breath mints
• pain reliever
• hand lotion
• emery board
• nail clipper
• clear nail polish
• nail polish remover
• hair brush
• a mirror
• deodorant
• tampons
• lint remover
• a mending kit
• stain remover
• static remover
• shoe shine wipes
• band-aids
• tissues

Working Girl's Survival Kit at wishingfish $39.95

gimme a childhood icon

When I was a little girl, I had about 30 Barbie's. My grandparents had the vintage Barbie's at their house and I adored and cherished them. That lady knew how to dress.

In this dress, I am channelling Barbie. All I need now is some cat eye sunglasses and smoky blue eyeshadow.

Black Halo Jackie O Dress - SHOPINTUITION ($305.00)

gimme an investment worth the investment

If you're like me, you probably don't think twice when it comes to spending $10 - $20 on shampoos, conditioners, and the like. I don't care what Suave says. I see the difference!

The investment I make in shampoo, conditioner and hair products that last only a few months is probably staggering. So why haven't I invested in better tools to go along with my fabulous products? Time to give my Duane Reade cheapy brush the boot...

Classique (L) Round Styling Brush - First Cut Natural Boar Bristle ($46.95)

Prestige Hairbrush - First Cut Natural Boar Bristle ($46.95)



From the Jeane-Pierre website: "With frequent use, a premium quality natural boar bristle hair brush can do more to promote healthy, shiny hair than many of the hundreds of shampoos and conditioners available in today's market. And when used in conjunction with a good quality shampoo and conditioner, it's tough to find a tool that offers as much "beauty benefit". Not to mention, that with a life expectancy of approximately 10 to 20 years, a premium quality boar bristle hair brush packs a ton of benefit for well under five dollars a year--a real beauty bargain!"


Jean-Pierre-Creations - Home of the World's Finest Hairbrush!

gimme multi-tasking, multi-wonders

If your skin is anything like mine, the wonderful anti-wrinkle treatments sometimes cause my skin to retain too much oil and break out, and my make up gets all sorts of cakey with too much product on the skin. I need a lightweight, anti-wrinkle treatment, that also fights break outs and is oil free to wear daily. Enter AlphaHydrox Oil Free Formula.

Once I started using this my skin was like something I had never seen before. My regular breakouts were gone, my tone and firmness improved and the long term effects will be spectacular. I use this daily and save the heavy duty stuff for overnight treatments. Plus, with all of the expensive treatments out there, you can't beat an inexpensive product like this!



From Drugstore.com details: " If you're looking for a concentrated alpha hydroxy acid product that won't clog your pores with excessive moisturizers, here's your answer: an Oil-Free Gel that packs a serious dose of glycolic acid (one of the most effective AHAs on the market), plus natural ingredients like red sea kelp, green tea, and vitamin B-5. This powerful combination helps nourish skin while working to rid complexion-dulling flakes and roughness.

- 10% AHA Anti-Wrinkle Treatment
- Recommended for: Oily, Normal/Oily & Problem-Prone Skin. Not for Delicate/Sensitive Skin.
Oil-free. Fragrance-free. Alcohol-free. Effective pH 4.
- Proven to significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Safely lifts dead cells from the skin's surface to revitalize and help restore youthful, healthy, radiant looking skin.
- Balances natural oils, refines texture, improves elasticity and skin tone.
- Combines the anti-oxidant benefits of Red Sea Kelp and Green Tea.
- Contains 10% pure Glycolic-AHA. "

There is a drawback. This product is hard to find. I usually have to buy it in bulk from drugstore.com (free shipping for orders over $49) and then am set for half the year.

AlphaHydrox AHA Oil Free Formula $10.99 at Drugstore.com http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3347700958396036959

gimme just a taste

If this blog wasn't proof enough, I am a product junkie. I love to shop. I love to find new things.

Since I don't qualify for quartlerly bonuses, this is the quarterly highlight of my life. And I must say, this may be better than any bonus I could ever qualify for..

Have you ever dropped way too much money at unmentioned beauty stores because you were looking for the right product that delivered but weren't sure as to what to buy? I've probably invested more money in unused products than any other purchases in my life. The answer to my financial ruin?

Test Tube!

Every 4 months, for only $29.95, I get a plethora of samples and full-sized beauty, anti-aging and skincare products to try and decide if I want to purchase them in the future. In the past I have received the following items (only a small sampling of the samples):

• Obage Vitamin C Serum (full sized bottle) retails for over $80 . (that alone paid for that test tube and then some)


• GoSmile 1-week sample whitening treatment (monthly pkg. retails for approximately $100+)


• GoSmile full-size nighttime therapy treatment toothpaste (retails for $16)


• Dermaquest C-Lipolic Lip Enhancer (retails for $48. wow! My lips definitely swell. It doesn't always feel good - but it works!)


• Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion (sample)


• Bioelements Pumice Peel & Sleepwear (samples)


• Coupons for various providers in amounts ranging from $15-25 off a purchase. (practically pays for the test tube if you find a product you like OR if you already have a favorite you need to restock.)

I do have to admit. My shopping sprees have been exponentially curved since this program. Do the math, the tube more than pays for itself.

From the website:
"HOW THE TESTTUBE™ PROGRAM WORKS:
STEP 1:Place your order now, and your first TESTTUBE™ will arrive via in 3-4 weeks.
STEP 2:Try your new products and read through the enclosed TESTTUBE™ Beauty guide, which is filled with valuable information on each product and directions for use.
STEP 3:Provide your feedback on the TESTTUBE™ products and it may be used in upcoming issues of NewBeauty! Your comments also help us decide what will be in your next tube.
STEP 4:Look for your next TESTTUBE™ to arrive at your doorstep in a few months.

New Beauty Test Tube ($29.95/tube) http://newbeauty.com/testtube.aspx

*Editor's opinionated, but not professional Tip:

When in doubt? Exfoliate and Hydrate. It's the best regime to fight off wrinkles. (for young skin) Exfoliate with scrubs regularly, but use a "turnover, regenerating" & moisturizing product at night and sunscreen during the day. It should be your beauty bible.

Worried about being able to afford a new upscale beauty regime? Go half and half with drug store brand and your upscale purchases to make your investment last longer. A little goes a long way...something is better than nothing, especially when you are younger. The earlier you start, the easier you'll have it later on...

gimme a glow

Thank goodness for free samples from TestTube! I tried my sample this morning. It's like foundation and bronzer in one - only with a less made up look. Loving it. Perfect while I glow at the gym and tonight on the town.

Sephora: Fresh High Noon Freshface Glow, ($36)

"What it is formulated to do:
Illuminates and plumps the skin and camouflages small imperfections as it instantly revives the complexion, delivering a hint of sun-kissed radiance to all skin tones."

gimme bette davis eyes

While fashion sometimes requires a pretty penny to know you are getting a good thing, beauty doesn't necessarily fall under the same guidelines. Exfoliation and hydration is proven to be one of the strongest fighters against preventing wrinkles.

Exfoliating is one of my most favorite beauty routine activities. Now, I can do it gently for my eyes.... (take caution when exfoliating the eye area!)

"Regenerist derma-pod eye puts the benefits of 3 treatments at your fingertips...for radiant, younger-looking eyes.
- resurfaces regenerates surface cells, revealing younger-looking skin.
- decongests puffiness massage helps remove excess under-eye fluids.
- fills lines and wrinkles, micro-spheres help to fill creases for an smoother look"

Regenerist Derma Pod Eye ($27)