tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82446320851547928152024-03-14T01:35:13.958-07:00PufferyDiverseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07223051288955314760noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-1509632040812579312009-05-29T14:26:00.000-07:002009-05-29T14:44:29.910-07:00New Traveling Mascara (but not "traveling" in a bad way)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.maybelline.com/images/products/thumbNails/695LC_xl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 238px;" src="http://www.maybelline.com/images/products/thumbNails/695LC_xl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />A quick update before dinner:<br /><br />So, I'm at a three-day-long conference, a mere two hours from my home. I pack my suitcase the night before I have to go, and leave out my makeup and toothbrush where I can find them in the morning to use in the morning and then throw in my bag. Of course, when I wake up late and have to dash out the door, I completely forget all of it. Because I'm awesome.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have to make a detour to a mechanic when I near my destination, and one new muffler pipe later, I realize that... aha! the mechanic is next to the drug store! I run into the friendly local Rite Aid, grab a toothbrush, figure that I should at least wear some mascara to go along with my suit-separates and the lipstick that, just for occasions like this, never leaves my purse. Mascara is a must-wear for me, because my eyelashes are so blond they're practically transparent. I do want to look like a professional adult at this conference, not a ghost.<br /><br />I'm pretty loyal to my simple <a href="http://www.neutrogena.com/econsumer/ntg/productdetail.browse?segment=women&catId=2&subCatId=5&productId=138&target=/products/cosmetics/weightless-volume-wax-free-mascara.jsp">Neutrogena Weightless Volume wax-free mascara</a>, but this particular Rite Aid didn't have any Neutrogena makeup. I decided this was my opportunity to try something I wouldn't normally use day-to-day. Plus, I didn't have my eyelash curler and wasn't about to buy a new one just for this weekend, so I made the foray into the self-curling mascara department.<br /><br />I think I totally lucked out. Not only does <a href="http://www.maybelline.com/product/eye/mascara/sky-high-curves-washable-mascara.htm">Maybelline's Sky High Curves </a>mascara actually curl your lashes -- and keep them curled all day -- even when you have to walk across a college campus in the rain to get to the dining hall or your dorm room! BUT it also was on sale for $1.79. There was no sale sign, it just rang up that way at the register. A $7 mascara for less than $2! Sure! Also, did I mention that it works? Because it does! Really well! Not clumpy, not obnoxiously "lengthening" or "voluminizing" (both code words for "clumpy but you pay extra for it"), just a nice clean black mascara... that works in a pinch when you don't have a lash curler.<br /><br />Guess my travel bag has one more permanent fixture!HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-86520976147192730042009-01-13T15:20:00.000-08:002009-01-13T15:25:23.186-08:00Benetint<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SW0i0XbHIEI/AAAAAAAAAT8/jRIISXZHaOE/s1600-h/benetint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SW0i0XbHIEI/AAAAAAAAAT8/jRIISXZHaOE/s200/benetint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290923420266471490" border="0" /></a><br />Well, I've been using Benefit's <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000FBK5HW/sr=1-1/qid=1220977090/ref=sr_1_1/102-9600973-7372915?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core&SR=sr2bc18go438gx525pi8ai8&ext_id=ps_ggl_SBUS/GXUS_Generic/Generic/#652994_benetint">Benetint</a> lately for blush. It's a red liquid that comes with a nail-polish like brush. You brush it on your cheeks and then blend before it dries. It's subtle but there and I really like it. It looks completely natural.<br /><br />I can't decide if I like it $28 worth though. The big draw for me is that it's also lip stain. I had just been applying it with the brush, even though I just see that it's supposed to go on under my lipstick and applying with a cotton swab (won't I then get a mouth full of cotton?) Anyway... I'm not a fan of it plain. It dries my lips and worse yet, makes them look dry. Red, but dry. And it doesn't last. I'll have to try it as a lipstick base. Hmmmm.<br /><br />But, it does smell and taste like roses. Yum.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-81442734248782628592008-12-30T14:01:00.000-08:002008-12-30T14:04:44.334-08:00Great Skin!And... in a Puffery first we have a post that isn't a product review, but rather a link to another article. I saw this on my Yahoo! news feed and thought it worth reposting:<br /><br /><a href="http://health.yahoo.com/experts/skintype/13025/the-6-biggest-skin-care-mistakes/#post">The 6 Biggest Skin Care Mistakes</a><br /><br />Really simple things we can all avoid for better skin. I know I tend to wash my face while my conditioner is sitting in my hair, and there are a lot of oils in the conditioner, so I'll be changing when I wash my face!<br /><br />Happy New Year!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-58009965628582785522008-12-29T11:28:00.000-08:002008-12-29T11:38:57.440-08:00Love at First Sight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SVknMFE37dI/AAAAAAAAASw/dj1sJAUQUiU/s1600-h/buxom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SVknMFE37dI/AAAAAAAAASw/dj1sJAUQUiU/s400/buxom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285298726170521042" border="0" /></a><br />This fall, I <a href="http://puffery.blogspot.com/2008/09/eyes.html">blogged </a>about mascara, mainly my sadness that I couldn't tell the difference between Stila multi-effect and L'Oreal Panoramic Curl.<br /><br />I have a new love in my life. It's only been, like, 2 days, but I think this may be forever. Love at first sight!<br /><br />I got a sample of Bare Escentuals new <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P228204&categoryId=B70">Buxom mascara</a>. Va-Va-Voom. Barely half a coat and my lashes are almost too obscene for day wear. No clumps, amazing definition, and lashes that go on for miles. I haven't noticed much volumizing (which is fine, I have thick lashes, if I added too much volume I'd just have a solid mass of lash, and that's not good) but seriously, the length is amazing. Also it wears really well.<br /><br />I highly recommend.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-62488583585299452532008-09-30T09:06:00.000-07:002008-09-30T09:26:14.881-07:00Foundation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SOJTBwjA5EI/AAAAAAAAANk/OtDL5EDNeZg/s1600-h/truematch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SOJTBwjA5EI/AAAAAAAAANk/OtDL5EDNeZg/s400/truematch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251851405144155202" border="0" /></a><br />Has anyone out there tried the <a href="http://www.lorealparis.ca/en/cosmetics/index_truematch.asp">L'Oreal True Match</a> foundation yet? I saw it in the store the other day and nearly passed out due to the excitement that it looks like it has shades that are <span style="font-style: italic;">too pale</span> for me. This never happens. Usually I buy the lightest shade available and hope it's not too dark. (My complexion is rather pasty white.)<br /><br />Basically, it has divides the collection into cool/warm/neutral and offers six shades in each category, including several versions of deathly pale. Sadly, it doesn't look like there are as many options for darker skin--I think if they had gone for eight shades in each category than the collection really would be complete.<br /><br />But, I don't need new foundation right now, so I haven't tried it yet. Have you?Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-34555915902191698132008-09-12T19:49:00.000-07:002008-09-12T19:49:00.823-07:00Eyes! part 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SMiIOObiGNI/AAAAAAAAAMI/L6VRD3DtNAA/s1600-h/stila_534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SMiIOObiGNI/AAAAAAAAAMI/L6VRD3DtNAA/s200/stila_534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244591544046065874" border="0" /></a><br />And now unto the best of Stila...<br /><br />I could write a love poem to Stila's eyeshadow in the shade of <a href="http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?pmid=58&sku=S00F19&category_id=4&pos=1&viewall=yes">Kitten</a>. Perfect for all shades of skin and just... yummy... not that I've eaten it but...<br /><br />I have NEVER been in love with an eye shadow like this. Well worth the $$$-- check it out as soon as possible. Great on its own, or as a base shade for an excellent smoke eye.<br /><br />I'm seriously lusting after <a href="http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?PMID=534&category_id=4&pos=1&viewall=">Silk Eye Shadow Wash</a> in the same shade--that looks truly spectacular.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-30204783230667891892008-09-11T19:23:00.000-07:002008-09-11T19:23:02.030-07:00Eyes! part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SMiFIDsa1EI/AAAAAAAAAMA/hsNLJoOX9zw/s1600-h/stila_77.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SMiFIDsa1EI/AAAAAAAAAMA/hsNLJoOX9zw/s200/stila_77.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244588139550004290" border="0" /></a><br />So, next up of the Stila mix pack is the Smudge Pot.<br /><br />These are really popular. Maybe I just need more practice. The one I got is in black. I put it on as thinly as possible, and for someone who usually only lines in powder shadow, it was vampire-goth-scary looking. And then I couldn't get it all off when I took my makeup off.<br /><br />But then? When I woke up the <span style="font-style: italic;">next</span> morning? After trying to remove it and sleeping in the left overs?<br /><br />PERFECT. ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY PERFECT!<br /><br />So... I just need to learn how to apply that <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> bedtime...Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-6182914719736230702008-09-10T18:48:00.000-07:002008-09-10T19:22:46.891-07:00Eyes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SMiA0UizKzI/AAAAAAAAAL4/C8grTOiJyEo/s1600-h/stila_444.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SMiA0UizKzI/AAAAAAAAAL4/C8grTOiJyEo/s200/stila_444.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244583402429164338" border="0" /></a><br />So, this summer I used my Cashback bonus and some birthday $$$ to buy some silly-expensive make-up, all by Stila.<br /><br />I don't dislike any of it. Some of it I love. We'll get to the love bit later...<br /><br />First up is <a href="http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?PMID=444&category_id=4&pos=1&viewall=yes">Multi-Effect Mascara</a>.<br /><br />I've been using this as my daily mascara for a few weeks now.<br /><br />There is nothing overly wrong with this mascara-- it's not too clumpy, good definition, good volume... but there is nothing overly right with this either.<br /><br />When push comes to shove, I can't tell a difference between this and <a href="http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#page=top%7Bnav%7Cmedia:_blank%7Coverlay:productdetail//objectid+Cos27b_1//%7Cdiagnostic%7Cmain:beautyfilter//brands+LOP_Brand_PanoramicCurl;category+F1_Cosmetics_Eyes_Mascara//%7Cuserdata//d+d//%7D">L'Oreal's Panoramic Curl</a>, which is easier to find and much cheaper and also comes in waterproof varieties (good for weddings! if you're a crier like I am!)Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-87774851202606894712008-07-18T11:39:00.000-07:002008-07-18T11:41:21.217-07:00RETRO LUSH!<a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/catzoomretro.html?cat=all&expand=retro&sexpand=none&expandr=none">Retro Lush</a> has hit the US! Finally!<br /><br />For a limited time, online only, some discontinued products are back. <a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/00193?expand=Bath&sexpand=none">Including World Piece.<br /></a><br />Also, my birthday is next week. *hint hint*Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-62314273999718882712008-07-11T15:42:00.000-07:002008-07-11T15:52:01.578-07:00When It's Good to Have the Blues<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Back in elementary school, I was cool enough to be friends with Bridie Krishini. And trust me, folks, that was cool. She was exotic, her parents were divorced, and her dad lived in Hollywood and was married to That Chick From The Star Trek Movie. Being friends with Bridie was a big deal. We were going to start a band -- I wrote all the songs, she designed the costumes (and then I redesigned them).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Every summer, Bridie would go out to California and stay with her dad and His Famous Wife for a couple of months. She'd return tanned-to-a-crisp and fabulous, sporting whatever was the latest fashion of the Children of Hollywood Movie Stars. The year we started fifth grade, she showed up wearing Electric Blue Mascara.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">I thought it was the most glamorous thing I'd ever seen. Electric Blue Mascara! I was completely awestruck, and knew I'd never have the guts to wear mascara that wasn't eyelash-colored. Wow. Blue. (Shortly after that, I stopped being cool enough to be friends with Bridie. Oh well, at least I went to college. And her dad didn't stay married to the Movie Star for very long anyway.)</span><br /><a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KJcKabDgL._SS265_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KJcKabDgL._SS265_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Flash-forward twenty years or so. I wear brown mascara. I've worn brown mascara since about midway through the ninth grade. The only time I've ever really worn black mascara, even, was on my wedding day, and that was only because one of my bridesmaids made me do it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">So I will never know what came over me this past spring when I grabbed a giant tube of Benefit's </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000KYXEBI/ref=sr_11_1/102-4074254-2116161?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core&nodeID=APS">Bad Gal Blue</a><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> and threw it in my basket in Sephora. I purchased it. I brought it home. I put it on the next morning, just to see what it looked like on me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">And then I went to a meeting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">I wore that blue mascara the whole day. And the next. I wore it for a week, then two weeks, and suddenly a month had gone by. And not one person said anything to me about it. My bright-red toenails get all kinds of buzz at work, but my cobalt-colored eyelashes? Not a word.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kGXs0alKL._SS265_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kGXs0alKL._SS265_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: times new roman;">So, it turns out that unless you are in direct sunlight, this stuff just looks like regular mascara. If I were to have meetings outside at noon in the parking lot and invite everyone to put their faces six inches from mine, they would be able to tell that my eyelashes were coated in blue mascara rather than, um, any other color. And I'm okay with that. It's like having my own secret superpower -- nobody but me knows that, in the blink of an eye, I can go from mild-mannered brown-mascara-wearing HolyKnitter to Fabulous Eighties Hollywood Moviestar Whose Stepdaughter Steals Her Makeup.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">As the spring turned to summer, I stopped wearing the Bad Gal Blue every day. But I've also taken a hiatus from wearing much in the way of makeup right now. I like the Bad Gal Blue. The brush is oversized and therefore cumbersome, but has good bristles and a good tip. There's no real clumping.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;">And I've discovered that I can layer a tiny bit of brown on the tips of my lashes for a slightly more subtle effect when I know I am going to be out in the sun.</span>HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-69889765696353770852008-06-20T13:38:00.000-07:002008-06-20T13:45:40.478-07:00Aveda Hair UpdateI'm still torn on how I feel about <a href="http://www.aveda.com/templates/products2/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY11408&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5798">Aveda's Madder Root shampoo/conditioner</a>.<br /><br />On one hand, I've been getting a million compliments about the color. Every day someone asks me if I've dyed my hair. (Nope! Just the shampoo/conditioner!) And the color has gotten less eggplant-y as I've been alternating conditioners (with <a href="http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/all-soft/all-soft-conditioner">Redken's All Soft Conditioner</a>, which makes my hair a little heavier than the <a href="http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/all-soft/all-soft-heavy-cream">Heavy Cream</a> does...)<br /><br />So, my hair looks FANTASTIC.<br /><br />But... on the other hand...<br /><br />The staining has gotten worse. Usually, I just have to wash my hands a few times and my fingernails stop being pink (I do soap up my hands as soon as I've put the conditioner in...)<br /><br />But... it's hard to do that on my scalp, which is sometimes pink (no one's commented, but I'll just tell them I sunburned it)<br /><br />And finally... y'all know I shower and then go to bed. The neckline of my pajamas (right where my wet hair sits) is now pink. Grrrrrrr...<br /><br />So, where I really like how it looks, when I'm done, I'll probably go back the All Soft Heavy Cream for conditioning. The dying seems to be more with the conditioner than the shampoo, so we'll see what my color does then!Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-43466221198984942222008-05-27T18:50:00.000-07:002008-05-27T19:42:30.865-07:00This Lipgloss = Summer 2008<a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/images/color/lips/lipgloss/main_lipgloss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.narscosmetics.com/images/color/lips/lipgloss/main_lipgloss.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;" >I usually pay very little attention to makeup trends. Trends in makeup generally strike me as a pretty stupid phenomenon, because it's not like your skin tone is going to change to accommodate whatever color lipstick or eye shadow it's cool to buy this week. Duh. Wear whatever flatters you, trendy or no. Damn the Man!</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;" ><br /><br />But I changed purses before flying to California recently, and discovered in the airport (stupid plastic bags!) that none of my lip things made it into the traveling purse. Which meant that I needed to make a stop at Sephora.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;" >I, <a href="http://puffery.blogspot.com/2008/01/your-cheeks-will-thank-you.html">like Natasha</a>, love the <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/">NARS</a> products, particularly for lips. So that's where I beelined. And when I saw this gloss that is clear with zillions of itty-bitty gold glitter pieces, I knew that I at least had to try it. It's called Greek Holiday -- how could I resist? And I am happy to report that Greek Holiday totally looks hot on me. The bonus? Since it's clear gloss, it goes over any ol' lipstick and also looks amazing.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;" >I don't even care that this lipgloss is the epitome of the summer 2008 makeup trend. One month, Lucky Magazine is hailing the complete-and-utter-<span style="font-style: italic;">now</span>-ness of including copper/gold glitter in all sorts of makeup items, and the next month, I'm buying a gloss called Greek Holiday and applying it every chance I get. Before 9 a.m. While driving. I swear I don't know what happened.</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-family:times new roman;" ><br /><br />Anyway, this stuff is genius. Clear gloss. So much glitter you can't tell that there's no actual color (the <a href="http://www.narscosmetics.com/Lip-Gloss-C11_category_7.aspx">NARS website</a> claims it's "sparkling pink sand," but I promise you that it's just gold glitter). Great for daytime when you wear it plain, awesome at night when you wear it over a matte lipcolor. I think I'm in love. Either that or I've been transported to Greece.<br /></span>HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-36351984532005172282008-05-24T15:54:00.000-07:002008-05-24T16:12:32.031-07:00Victory Is Mine!<a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.niveausa.com/images/scaled_images/packshots/12497_40d2f5c1b2d0c8d4870c10d3ffd7a9a8.jpg?1210177622"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.niveausa.com/images/scaled_images/packshots/12497_40d2f5c1b2d0c8d4870c10d3ffd7a9a8.jpg?1210177622" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So, remember back when, fueled by childhood memories of my mother's post-shower winter ministrations, </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://puffery.blogspot.com/2007/11/baby-its-cold-outside-response.html">I went on that quest to find mineral oil and was completely stumped</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">? Not in the Big Box Store. Not in the drugstore. Not in the lotion aisle. Not in the baby aisle. I even tried a couple of hardware stores, just in case. No dice.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Well, the other day I dropped into a Rite-Aid on my way from Meeting A to Meeting B to pick up some sunscreen, and I stumbled upon a new product from Nivea called </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.niveausa.com/products/show/11648">Smooth Sensations Body Oil</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. Main ingredient? Mineral oil. Second ingredient? Some kind of triglyceride. Third ingredient? Avocado oil. And that's it. Victory! If I can't find just-plain mineral oil (and I apparently can't), a product that is approximately 99% mineral oil is the next-best option.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">And, y'all, I completely love this stuff. It soaks in to my skin right away, and holds in all that shower moisture still on my skin after toweling. It smells like mineral oil (and maybe a hint of rancid avocado, but it goes away quickly), not like chemical fragrance. My skin is still soft the next day, even! I swear, I've been having fantasies that this must be what having normal skin feels like.</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> My skin is pretty much as smooth and happy as it's going to get. Ever. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">My one beef is with the cap on the product: there's a little too much packaging-spillage for my taste. After all, I spent all that time and effort and gasoline looking for mineral oil: now that I've found it, I don't want to waste a single precious drop!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Still, though. I'm thrilled. Now to figure out what the heck a tryglyceride is, and how exactly that's good for my skin.</span>HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-16016269573148950762008-05-22T12:25:00.000-07:002008-05-22T12:46:16.353-07:00New Shampoo and Conditioner...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SDXNYdH9tYI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/wwwApymsp9A/s1600-h/shampoo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SDXNYdH9tYI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/wwwApymsp9A/s200/shampoo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203290764515063170" border="0" /></a><br />Things I hate: Parking in Georgetown. Seriously. Georgetown, I hate you. Plus, you're to NIMBY to have a metro stop. Getting to Georgetown is a pain in the ass, which I'm sure helps it's whole up-scale snooty feeling.<br /><br />Sadly, the only Lush in DC is in Georgetown. I went to go buy more shampoo, and a new pair of shoes, and got so frustrated I said "SCREW THIS!" and went to the Pentagon City mall. Where there's a ramp that costs a mere $1.50 NOT $10.50. DID YOU HEAR THAT GEORGETOWN?! I SHOPPED SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE YOU SUCK SO MUCH!<br /><br />But, that meant no Lush shampoo for me, so I'm currently using Aveda's <a href="http://www.aveda.com/templates/products2/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY10515&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5798">Madder Root Shampoo</a> and <a href="http://www.aveda.com/templates/products2/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY10523&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5808&SKU_ID=SKU12985&cm_sp=Cross_Sell-_-hair_care-_-Madder_Root_Color_Conditioner">Conditioner</a>. It's supposed to enhance the auburn and warm tones in my hair.<br /><br />I've been using it for almost 2 weeks now. Comments:<br /><br />I love the fact that this shampoo bottle is HUGE. It smells a little more chemically than I'm used to, but the smell doesn't linger in my hair. When the conditioner bottle says to "rinse surfaces immediately, as product may stain" they ain't kidding. Nothing some spray bleach can't get out but... also, one day my fingernails were dyed a pinkish tone. Sadly, sometimes my scalp is, too.<br /><br />It is <span style="font-style: italic;">definetely </span>enhancing my color. Multiple people have commented "did you dye your hair?"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SDXNddH9tZI/AAAAAAAAAJY/4WYPx3YBD0w/s1600-h/conditioner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SDXNddH9tZI/AAAAAAAAAJY/4WYPx3YBD0w/s200/conditioner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203290850414409106" border="0" /></a> but I think I need to only use the condition every other time I condition, because it's starting to get a little "boy that's eggplant" as Diversery calls it.<br /><br />I miss the weight of my hair from when I was using the <a href="http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/all-soft/all-soft-heavy-cream">Redken All Soft Heavy Cream,</a> so I've been using more product. BUT without product, my hair is fairly frizz-free. Also, it's super-super shiny. It's still very soft and not tangly.<br /><br />I probably won't continue to use this in the future, but I probably will try out the Aveda <a href="http://www.aveda.com/templates/products2/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY10515&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5796">Clove</a> combo, which is supposed to enhance the brown and alternate it with my All Soft.<br /><br />Or, one day I will once again brave Georgetown and pick up some <a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/00143?expand=Haircare">Ultimate Shine</a>.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-81925813826890578452008-05-14T09:16:00.000-07:002008-05-14T09:28:47.763-07:00Skin Milk Body Polish: too much milk, not enough polish<a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:fGwAH7TBthF_oM:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11Z2896ZFWL._AA160_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:fGwAH7TBthF_oM:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11Z2896ZFWL._AA160_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.skinmilk.net/">Skin Milk</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">'s slick packaging caught my eye immediately. I like the spare coloring, the sans-serif font, the homey blue-and-white, the subtle shape of old fashioned milk bottles (on some items -- not this one)(sorry the photo's so terrible; that's all I could find on Google Images). I would have tried any of their products just because the packaging was pretty, but I was specifically looking to test out a new facial scrub. The price also was rather appealing: the Body Polish was $2.59 on clearance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Maybe that should have told me something.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">On first squirt, I noticed the pearly-white sheen of the scrub and thought "hm, that reminds me of something. But what?" Turns out, that "something" was yeast infection cream. This scrub has the exact same appearance and viscosity as Monistat -- and yet, I'm supposed to slather it all over my body? Ew! But I did it, in the interest of science (and blogging). Well, okay. I tried it on my legs. And boy am I glad I went the leg route, because...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The next thing I noticed was the fragrance. Vanilla. Really sugary-sweet cloying vanilla, that smacks you upside the head. I double-checked the packaging -- y'all know how much I hate the smelly products, and vanilla in particular -- and sure enough, the front label doesn't say anything about being vanilla-scented (turns out it's all over the website -- but that's not particularly helpful when you're standing in the bath products aisle). The ingredients list "fragrance," but there is no mention of what kind. I was glad I'd only put it on my legs, because they're the farthest from my nose.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So now I'm grossed out and also vaguely annoyed at the company.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The scrubby texture of the product itself isn't bad. But there's something about the slippery feeling of the base -- it's probably the milk itself, what with all those proteins and whatnot -- that made me feel like I was counteracting the scrubbiness itself. Like the proteins made a barrier that didn't let the scrubby-bits get all the way to my skin. It just didn't feel like it was as effective as it should be. Kind of like putting on lotion but then immediately washing it off. What's the point? I didn't feel "polished." I didn't even feel "mildly buffed." I just felt like I'd wasted a minute of my life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">I really want to be able to recommend this product, because it looks pretty on the shelf and is widely available in grocery and drug stores all over the country, but is also affordable and isn't produced by a big "family products" conglomerate. And milk is good for your skin. Hell, 5% of their gross proceeds goes to <a href="http://www.heifer.org">Heifer International</a>, which is a program I've been supporting since I can remember. I like all of that.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">But I can't say that using the actual product was an enjoyable experience. I cannot tell you that I felt adequately "polished." And really, who wants to be reminded of yeast infection cream when you're supposed to be getting clean? And vanilla... yuck.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So I guess in the end, all I got was something pretty to send to the landfill. Good thing it was on clearance. I'd rather just <a href="https://secure.heifer.org/site/apps/ka/rg/ecreg.asp?c=edJRKQNiFiG&b=551395&en=dmJPL6MPKcJYIgOSKbJVKdP3LwK2KhP3JjL0KjM2KiJSIiMeG">send Heifer International a direct contribution</a>.</span>HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-28409656173011278302008-04-30T17:08:00.000-07:002008-04-30T17:20:27.116-07:00Bath Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SBkMt1cTCdI/AAAAAAAAAJA/AMKN81Fh2cU/s1600-h/jas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/SBkMt1cTCdI/AAAAAAAAAJA/AMKN81Fh2cU/s200/jas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195197626727991762" border="0" /></a><br />It's the end of the school year, so the kids at work are stressed, and I'm a part time grad student, so I'm stressed.<br /><br />This Sunday, after spending all day working on my research paper, it was time for a bath to relax a bit.<br /><br />Now, I long for a full soaking tub. Preferably with feet. But I have the standard tub/shower duo that most people have that I can stretch my legs out in if I'm sitting up straight. Now, one thing I do to make the water a little deeper is to duct-tape the over-flow drain, so I can get a few extra inches of bath water.<br /><br />Then, I dropped in an <a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/00018?expand=Bath">All That Jas</a> bath bomb.<br /><br />It smelled really nice (jasmine with a hint of vanilla-- nice for spring) and turned my bathwater a lovely shade of green. Also, it made my skin really soft and the smell lingered lightly for the rest of the evening. It was also blissfully free of glitter, flower petals, tea, confetti, or anything else that floats around and later clogs the drain.<br /><br />This is going into rotation with <a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/00157?expand=Bath">Sex Bomb</a> for my bath time standard.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-14815934911775248222008-04-23T15:11:00.000-07:002008-04-23T15:22:31.426-07:00Stupid Solutions that Totally WorkSo, one of the problems with solid shampoo is the same problem you get with a bar of soap-- when you get down to the end you have that little chunk that is too small to be useful but is still GOOD SOAP.<br /><br />Through a long, yet boring, series of events, I had several pieces of the now-discontinued Retread, several too-small-to-use pieces. I was seriously wondering if melting them down to form 1 big piece would cause lasting damage to one of my pots when I got a different idea.<br /><br />On the Lush forums, people often suggest putting a bath bomb in the toe of an old nylon to keep flower petals or glitter or something from getting all over your tub.<br /><br />So, I took an old trouser sock (those ugly little nylons that only go up to your knee that I hate, but I'll be damned if I'm wearing a full set of panty hose just so I can wear most of my shoes with trousers) ANYWAY! I took one, stuck all the little bits of shampoo in it, and tied of the end and cut off the excess, so it's like a shampoo bag that I now rub all over my head. YES, IT WAS CLEAN BEFORE I DID THIS!<br /><br />It looks really funky and I hope my house guests (and you, dear reader) don't judge me, because HOLY COW IT WORKS. And now I probably have a few more months of Retread-y goodness. Well, maybe just a few more weeks, but I did this over a month ago, so I have gotten a lot of use out of the little bits I was about to throw away.<br /><br />Other random hair news:<br /><br />This morning, I woke up and realized I had forgotten to take a shower last night. How does one forget to do that? I have no idea, but, I did. But I was on my way to physical therapy, so I was going to get a little manky and have to reshower tonight anyway, so I didn't wash my hair. I just got it wet and combed it out.<br /><br />I didn't even style it, because as soon as I was done seeing the doctor, I was just throwing it into a ponytail to do my therapeutic workout. (Don't you love it when you have a prescription for deep squats? Yeah, me too.)<br /><br />So, I get there, I look in the mirror, and my un-styled, fake-washed air-dried hair? LOOKED ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Perfectly lightly tousled with some curl at the ends, it looked salon-perfect. And it did it all on it's own.<br /><br />And then I put it in a ponytail and got all sweaty. Ergh.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-69653716601098012692008-04-21T15:55:00.000-07:002008-04-21T16:17:33.790-07:00Hair WoesI have a bunch of posts written in my head about my hair.<br /><br />We'll start by talking about <a href="http://www.aveda.com/templates/products2/spp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY14959&PRODUCT_ID=PROD5923">Aveda Light Elements Finishing Solution</a>.<br /><br />This post is prompted by the fact that <a href="http://www.dooce.com/daily-style/2008/04/11/aveda-elements-finishing-solution">Dooce completely loves it</a>. I'm a more "meh."<br /><br />I like the fact that you don't have to use barely any of it, and that it comes in a bottle small enough to carry on airplanes.<br /><br />On the other hand, it leaves my hair really heavy and if I'm not completely sparing in my application, it even leaves my hair greasy.<br /><br />I usually save it and use it if I'm going to be flat-ironing my hair. If I want frizz-free air dry, then I use my <a href="http://www.redken.com/products/styling/medium-control/align-12">Redken Align Ultra-Straight Balm</a>, which makes me hair not-frizzy, but only makes it straight if I blowdry/flat-iron.<br /><br />stay tuned for adventures in shampooJenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-19248428086020794132008-03-28T08:49:00.000-07:002008-03-28T09:27:04.031-07:00Quick Fixes etc.I disappeared from the blog scene because of a cross-country move and a brand new baby, but the baby is now 5 months old and I'm all settled in to the new house, so I'm back! Product-wise, having a baby has taught me to be fast and efficient, so I've learned a few new tricks.<br /><br />First: Clinique's "<a href="http://www.clinique.com/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4923&PRODUCT_ID=PROD11667">City Block</a>" lotions are fabulous. They come in SPF 25 and 40 and are slightly tinted, so they moisturize, protect against sun damage, even out skin tone, and conceal. No need for powder or foundation unless you have problem skin. They are oil free, so if your skin is particularly dry you may need some extra moisturizer. My skin is extremely dry, and I live in Utah, and at the risk of sounding like a Clinique commercial, I find that <a href="http://www.clinique.com/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4918&PRODUCT_ID=PROD6047">this</a> is quick and easy to put on before the City Block.<br /><br />Second: For lips, I swear nothing is better than Eucerin's Aquaphor ointment. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find in any other container than a large tub. I have run across sample sizes for sale in Target before, but it's all about timing. I have a seemingly endless supply of samples-- I get one every time I order diapers online, and I don't leave home without it. It's basically Vaseline, but it's clear and odorless. It heals and protects, plus gives you some glossiness without the goop. While you're at it, go ahead and buy the big tub. Use this stuff on your feet between pedicures.<br /><br />As for what's in my bag besides diapers...<br /><br />-City Block<br />-Aquaphor<br />-mirror<br />-Clinique lipstick in "Bamboo Pink"<br />-Purell hand sanitizer<br />-Burt's Bees Baby Bee buttermilk lotion<br />-(and this isn't exactly a beauty product in a direct kind of way, but it's handy to have for those times when you spill strawberry margarita on your white blouse) Oxi Clean Spray Away travel size (it's in with the laundry detergent at the grocery store)Mrs. Deanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00396541406969020799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-85960531322784054012008-03-24T17:14:00.000-07:002008-03-24T17:19:31.075-07:00What's in your wallet?Or purse? Or desk?<br /><br />What, product wise, do you travel with?<br /><br />My messenger bag contains the following:<br />Handmirror<br />Burts Bees Lip Balm<br />Hand Lotion<br />3 Burts Bees Lipshimmers in (Nutmeg, Coffee, Merlot)<br />1 CoverGirl lipslicks<br />Hairbrush<br /><br />My desk contains:<br />Burts Bees Cuticle cream<br />Various lotions and hand sanitizers<br />Assorted lip balms and chapsticks<br />2 Burts Bees Lipshimmers (Coffee and Merlot)<br />Hairbrush<br />Emory boards<br /><br />If I'm going out, I'll grab a small mirror and whatever lip color I'm wearing.<br /><br />What do you carry with you?Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-39854265183655456632008-03-13T08:30:00.000-07:002008-03-13T08:42:41.645-07:00Right on the Lips<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/R9lLaODoojI/AAAAAAAAAHI/vQDN-GYRmH8/s1600-h/burt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2X87hqqiJDE/R9lLaODoojI/AAAAAAAAAHI/vQDN-GYRmH8/s320/burt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177252160461120050" border="0" /></a><br />I think my lips are fairly average. They get dry and a little chapped during winter, but nothing crazy. I don't have a lot of issues with them.<br /><br />If you have normal lips, I can't think of anything better than <a href="http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1&categoryId=10001">Burt's Bees</a>.<br /><br />I'm currently completely enamored with their <a href="http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryId=10001&subCategoryId=-108&productId=-95&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1">Replinishing Lip Balm</a>. It has pomegranate oil, so it's really tasty as well as being nice and moisturizing. (But it is a *little* girly.)<br /><br />I'm not a huge fan of lipstick, because I eat it like no one's business. Seriously, if I apply right before I leave for work, it will be gone by the time I get there, so I tend to stick to lighter stuff that's easier to apply, because I need to reapply <span style="font-style: italic;">constantly</span>.<br /><br />That's where their <a href="http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?categoryId=10001&subCategoryId=-113&productId=-92&catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=-1">lip shimmer</a> comes into play. It has lip balm qualities with a light coat of awesome color! My one complaint is that every time I find a color I love, it goes away. :(<br /><br />I currently regularly use: Coffee (no longer available, which is sad because it is the PERFECT shade of brown for pale girls) Rhubarb (a dark, pinky pink) Merlot (a darker, bluer red) and Nutmeg (just a little browner and shimmier than my normal lips.)<br /><br />Tip: if you go to the website and click on the magnifying glass over on the left, it will show you the actual gloss, not just the tube, which will give a better sense of the color.<br /><br />On the other hand, at $5 a pop, you can just buy a bunch and experiment. Your lips will thank you.Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-45171808413911714192008-03-03T07:24:00.000-08:002008-03-03T08:57:31.803-08:00Fragrance Rx: il faut cultiver notre jardin!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.perfumegifts.com/proimages/Product_1944.w-un-jardin-sur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.perfumegifts.com/proimages/Product_1944.w-un-jardin-sur.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Another very tardy perfume prescription! This time, my apologies to dear reader Le, who wrote in several weeks ago and wondered what perfume I might recommend for her.<br /><br />Well, the blogging spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. I did the occasional poking around in the perfume section, but never got my report in order. Here it is at last! And I hope you find it useful, or at least interesting, Le! Write back when you can and let me know what you think.<br /><br />Here are the guidelines Le gave me for a perfect signature scent:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Some things I like:<br />ginger, the park after it rains, wearing glasses, fountain pens<br /><br />Some things I don't:<br />fake sugar, patchouli, people who say "smart" and mean "industrious",<br />floral anything (that isn't actually flowers)<br /><br />A perfume I tried and didn't like:<br />Bath & Body works moonlight path body cream. Ok, not really a<br />perfume. But this was scented and seemed so promising in the store,<br />but then it gave me a migraine. Bad! My lesson: no shea butter,<br />nothing overwhelming.</blockquote>First off, I decided to check out the Bath and Body works culprit: <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/sm-moonlight-path--pi-2095163.html">Moonlight Path Body Cream</a>. Four of the strongest, most overwhelming florals known to fragrance lovers make appearances here: Tuberose, Lavender, Rose and Lily of the Valley.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Whew</span>. That must be like three prize-fighters duking it out for the title of "Most likely to give your bus seat companion a) nostalgia for Grandma's powder room and b) motion sickness."<br /><br />Then, there is the cloying and overindulgent basenote trio of Sandalwood, Vanilla and Musk. Reminds me of the ice cream parlor my dad used to take me to as a kid where you could order "The Kitchen Sink." The Kitchen Sink was a house specialty that threw together eight different scoops of ice cream, bananas, whipped cream, nuts, cherries, butterscotch and chocolate sauce in a stainless steel container that resembled the plumbing it was named after. If you managed to finish the whole thing, you got a t-shirt advertising your gluttony.<br /><br />These kinds of sensory excesses aren't really for me, but I am definitely always wowed by them. I'm sure there are many girls who would feel positively queenly with this stuff on their skin. You and me, Le, should probably stick to the luxury of minimalism.<br /><br />A little perfume background: when perfume got big towards the end of the 1800s, there were about six traditional categories for it. A scent was either organized around a single flower, a bouquet of flowers, an animal musk, leather, moss, or citrus. But nowadays, with so many perfumers mixing scent cocktails and so much chemistry involved in making new, cleaner, artificial scents, the traditional classifications aren't super-helpful. Admirable perfume site <a href="http://www.basenotes.net/articles/families.html">Basenotes </a>points us to <a href="http://www.basenotes.net/images/fragwheel2.jpg">Michael Edwards' perfume wheel</a> as a great tool to classify scents and pinpoint one's preferences.<br /><br />From your email, Le, it seems like you fall squarely on the southwest wedges of the wheel. Ginger, rain, and the more cerebral pleasures of spectacles and fountain pens are all things that make sense to me as "fresh notes." No wonder the Moonlight Path Body Cream wasn't for you! That concoction would be situated on the exact opposite side of the spectrum from you.<br /><br />I prescribe you one of the finest perfumes ever to hit the "fresh notes" side of the circle: <span style="font-style: italic;">Un Jardin sur Nil</span> by Hermès.<br /><br />Hermès' "Garden on the Nile" is one in a series of "Garden" scents that they have been intermittently introducing since 2003. I believe they've all been masterminded by perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena who seems to have an almost eerie perfection in perfume creation. (In fact, you can read about the process he went through to create this particular perfume in his "Garden" series right <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/03/14/050314fa_fact">here</a>.<br /><br />I dare anyone reading this to try one of the "Garden" scents - or for that matter, any other perfume by Hermès - and conclude that it is anything besides flawlessly balanced. Sure, you may personally not like what you sniff, but their scents are indisputably harmonious.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Un Jardin sur le Nil </span>smells like green mango, lotus flower, sycamore wood, and just a little incense to tamp it all down. A lot of reviewers call this a classic summer scent, but you might find that something so restorative and quietly bright is plenty good year-round. It is subtle and settles nicely onto your skin. I don't find it the least bit sharp <span style="font-style: italic;">or </span> sweet.<br /><br />This perfume is gonna set you back some, Le, but the good news is that the perfume is old enough for you to find some good cut rates online closer to $50 than $100.<br /><br />One last thing: Ellena's <a href="http://www.wwd.com/beauty/article/122805">newest "Garden" perfume</a> is about to drop: <span style="font-style: italic;">Un Jardin après la Mousson</span>! It is India-inspired ("A Garden After the Monsoon" in English). Although it will certainly cost more it may really tickle your ginger-loving fancy since it purports to be a lot spicer than the two previous perfumes.<br /><br />Happy gardening!Natashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09654573202967306341noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-67886422359771268102008-02-23T11:37:00.000-08:002008-02-23T13:02:21.776-08:00Shampoo WoesWhy is it that every time I find a Shampoo I looooooooooooooooooooooove, it gets discontinued?!<br /><br />It happened with Body Shop's Peony and something or other.<br />It happened with LUSH's Gentle Lentil<br /><br />And it looks like it has happened again with LUSH's Reincarnate shampoo. :(<br /><br />I'll probably switch over to LUSH's <a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/2009?expand=Haircare">New</a> shampoo (not that it's a recently unveiled product, the name of the shampoo is New) or their <a href="http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/143?expand=Haircare">Ultimate Shine</a>.<br /><br />I do like their solid shampoos-- they last forever and are an excellent value. Plus, they travel well.<br /><br />But, alas. As soon as I really start to like one, it'll be the kiss of death and it will be discontinued. :(Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-18797696626869916772008-02-20T21:16:00.000-08:002008-02-20T21:54:13.828-08:00Smelliness I Actually Enjoy!<a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/shop/products/img/PROD0414.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/shop/products/img/PROD0414.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">My brother-in-law is one classy guy. He's a fancy-shmancy magazine editor, and travels all over the world on a constant basis, and loves my sister very much and takes care of her every need and wish and desire. And when he found out that I was going to be alone on Christmas, he insisted that I come spend the day with them, even though (a) his very-high-maintenance mother was visiting for a week and (b) I would be arriving at 2 a.m.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">He and my sister then proceeded to shower me with more books than I could carry (they're both editors -- they get sent ten advance copies of things every day, and will never actually read all that stuff), plus she gave me some yarn and he gave me a gorgeous bottle of <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/">Jo Malone perfume</a>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Now, I am an unscented gal, for the most part. You probably know this about me. And I never buy perfume for myself because I have never been one to have money lying around for those little luxuries (when I do, I try to pay a little extra on my student loans). I've found precisely two perfumes in my entire life that I could tolerate. One was <a href="http://www.perfumeshop.com/women-s-n-navy-by-cover-girl-for-women.html">Cover Girl's Navy</a>, and I was about ten years old, and I held my little sample vial of Navy very dear because my mother forbid me to wear perfume at such a young age (I recently found the vial while I was cleaning out my bathroom drawer in my parents' house last month -- it was fully evaporated, and I was sad). The other perfume I have ever really liked is <a href="http://www.sephora.com/brands/bare-escentuals/brand_assortment.jhtml?brandId=5737&categoryId=C108&pCat=C108&cm_mmc%3dus_search-_-GG-_-br%20bescen%20tm-_-bare%20escentuals">Bare Escentuals</a>' now-discontinued-in-spray-form <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/BARE-ESCENTUALS-Perfect-Black-Dress-Perfume-2-oz-NEW_W0QQitemZ180214369392QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0802090872a24702">Perfect Black Dress</a>, which my sister gave me a few years ago and I rarely wear, but I did bond with another woman who eventually introduced me to my husband, because we both love Perfect Black Dress. I occasionally try Givenchy's <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P193312&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=1133">Very Irresistible</a> (also a gift from my sister) because I really do like the scent, but it always ends up being overpowering -- I get overwhelmed in the car driving to whatever event we're attending, and my husband hates it and gets angry that I smell different, so I just don't wear it very much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Back to Christmas... I unwrapped this present from my brother-in-law, saw that it was a very generously-sized bottle of expensive perfume -- and perfume is such a personal gift, you really have to know your recipient's tastes like you know your own -- and was both overwhelmed with his thoughtfulness and a little bit apprehensive about having to wear a scent I might not like. I sprayed a little on my wrist right there under the Christmas tree... and to my surprise and delight, I love love love this scent. And through the whole day, I continued to love it. (Even better, my husband likes it too: he mostly doesn't notice it, which is just as good considering that he doesn't like anything that makes me smell not-like-me, but when I asked him directly, he said that yes, he doesn't hate it.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">The scent is <a href="http://www.jomalone.co.uk/site.nsf/shop/ProductsPage?readform&subcat=CAT0013&cat=frag&product=PROD0414">Jo Malone's White Jasmine and Mint</a>, which the website claims is a "light green floral" fragrance. I've always tried to steer away from florals because they tend to be too cloying to my nose. Not that I wear much perfume, like I said, but I think of myself as a person who likes the spicy spectrum of scents (and maybe a bit of citrus in the morning, but not if it's going to last later into the day). The White Jasmine and Mint has floral notes, obviously, but has woody and spicy notes as well (coriander and cardamom on top, cedar wood and vetiver underneath). And the mint is so subtle as to be almost unrecognizable at first sniff. I looked at the label after I spritzed it on and thought "really? there's mint in here?" But it becomes apparent -- in a really good, not overpowering way -- after a few seconds. And be sure to <a href="http://www.whitejasmineandmint.co.uk/wjm.nsf/story?readform&CartID=1043-52538">Discover the Story</a> of this fragrance, because this is one "sensorial journey" definitely worth discovering!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">This stuff is expensive. I would never buy it for myself, but I do so love having such a beautiful bottle sitting on my shelf, and I love wearing it. (Last Friday I wore it to a work dinner and I kept trying to smell my wrists -- through my gloves -- while driving. Not safe! But Mmmm! I smelled good! And it's great for daytime wear, too; I felt so grown-up and professional wearing it to work this week.) And if I ever come across another free sample vial, I will hoard it like the ten-year-old I used to be, in preparation for the day that I use up the giant bottle sitting in my bathroom cabinet.</span>HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8244632085154792815.post-38484064812169498502008-02-13T13:10:00.001-08:002008-02-13T13:25:12.947-08:00Scraping and Scrubbing<a style="font-family: times new roman;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/girl_strigil2a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/girl_strigil2a.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Back in Ancient Greece, bathing was a social ritual. It wasn't so much about getting clean, because baths were public; it was more about the see-and-be-seen phenomenon that we now experience at swimming pools and beaches. Getting really clean, though, happened after all that soaking in the pool. Getting clean involved rubbing olive oil all over your body, and then scraping off the oil (and the dead skin and toxins!) with a special scraper called a strigil.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Sometimes I wish the oil-and-strigil method were still the order of the day. I love me a good scrubbing, the kind where you can feel that top layer of dead skin scraping off. But since my skin is also painfully dry, the water's inevitable removal of my natural oils is a rather unpleasant side effect of any bathing/showering/washing activity I do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">So I've found a compromise. First I scrub, then I oil. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">I know you're not supposed to use scrubs that have big pieces of shell in them because they are too abrasive and actually can scratch your skin... but I really don't care. Because good ole' </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.stives.com/skin-care-products/facial-invigorating-scrub.cfm">St. Ives Apricot Scrub</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> feels so good -- so scrubby -- that I use it on my face every single time I shower. My face doesn't feel clean unless I scrub it, gently (not like I'm trying to scratch myself!), with the St. Ives goodness. And even though I've been using this stuff for years, just this morning I noticed a little bit of a sweet-citrusy smell that really helped me to wake up and feel more energized. I checked the back of the tube for ingredients and found some kind of flower extract oil, but I'm not quite certain if that's the source of the deliciousness. Still, it's nice to have a bit of aromatherapy (and refreshing that it's not marketed as an aromatherapeutic product and priced accordingly!) to start off the day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">When I'm feeling really splurgey (maybe once every couple of weeks), I also use Sephora Super Stars Body Scrub (which apparently isn't out anymore, but </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P167002&categoryId=S1000&shouldPaginate=true">this link</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> goes to something like it). The scrub has a creamy which smells amazing, and has giant jojoba oil beads and sugar and a ton of other good stuff that gives you a very scrubby-but-not-scratchy clean feeling.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">After I've gotten all washed and scrubbed, I have to replenish those lost oils immediately. My solution has, for the last several years, been </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.aveeno.com/productDetail.do?prodid=3660">Aveeno Shower and Bath Oil</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">. I love this stuff. I love the way it feels, I love the way it smells. I love that one bottle lasts for a very long time, and makes me feel like I'm really getting my $7 worth. But I don't so much love the way it gunks up the floor of my tub, and so I think I am ready to start looking for something else. I'd love to hear your suggestions and recommendations.</span>HolyKnitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16251399361322545558noreply@blogger.com0