Everything and Nothings

My Ulta’s “21 Days of Beauty” picks

I get weirdly excited when I get an Ulta catalog in the mail–which is funny–because I’m notoriously terrible at going through my mail! I’m seriously going to miss jury duty and be jailed. I’m sure of it.

But there’s something about getting that pink catalog with all the pictures of makeup and skin care that has to be what it was like for straight boys in 1981 to get their magazine in the black wrapper. I shouldn’t even look, but of course, I’m going to. The objects are unattainable for anyone pretending to be on a budget. And it’s possibly all fantasy anyway.

It didn’t stop them, and it’s not stopping me.

So let’s manage our excitement for spring colors, new palette launches and BOGO50s together, shall we?

These are my picks for the “21 Days of Beauty” sale that starts on Sunday, March 18th–our own version of March Madness–if you will.

(and reminder–i’m still trying to go cruelty-free–so my picks reflect this ethic.)

March 23: Urban Decay, Eye Shadow singles (Was $20/Now $10) $10 is a great price for these shadows. They are super pigmented, there are tons of color options, and they last and last. And loading up a palette customizes your favorite shades and looks without wasting money on shadows you never use. My recommendations are Sin (an E&N classic), Mushroom (warm gray shimmer)and Spike (a super wearable orange matte).

I’ve got my eyes on picking up X (peach shimmer w/gold shift), Rockstar (deep aubergine shimmer) and Fireball (peach w/pink shift).

Continue reading My Ulta’s “21 Days of Beauty” picks

What’s the deal with the Nurse Jamie beauty roller and her weird bear pillow?

I was scrolling through my YouTube feed last night and randomly came across this video by Jenna Dewan Tatum which is funny because I don’t remember subscribing to her channel or ever watching any of her videos.

But what caught my eye was the Nurse Jamie, UpLift Facial Massaging Beauty Roller that she’s using in the cover image.

In the long list of products I’ve purchased because of YouTubers, this one makes my list.

I’ve had it for well over a year, but for some reason, I’ve never mentioned it before today.

Continue reading What’s the deal with the Nurse Jamie beauty roller and her weird bear pillow?

My Five Minute Face

The past two weeks, I had a bunch of work meetings that required travel.

Because I’m also in rehearsals for the show I’m working on, I needed to be in town at night, so I did a number of up and backs–Madison to Northern Wisconsin and back–i.e. lots of windshield time.

Basically, that means early mornings on the road. I hate getting up early anyway, but when I get up, usually my eyelids are super puffy so putting on eye makeup doesn’t work.

And now that I’m older, I have to get out and walk around during a drive to cut down the amount of time I just sit. #problemsafter40

My new drive routine is to get up, shower, moisturize–lately, I’ve been alternating between the Glossier, Priming Moisturizer and the Too Faced, Hangover Replenishing Face Primer –and then do my makeup in a bathroom somewhere on the drive.

Continue reading My Five Minute Face

This $8 kit provides the pampering you need now

Is it something about this week? I feel like everyone is super overwhelmed, tired, a bit crabby and suffering from the week that won’t quit.

Or maybe it’s just me?

Regardless, I’m holding tight to anything that gives me even a moment of peace and an opportunity to take a deep breath and chill.

This $8 find gave me what I needed–and maybe what you need, too:

EcoTools Facial Mask Mates

With an Ulta gift card burning a hole in my wallet, I strolled through the aisles after a meeting last week. I wasn’t really looking for anything in particular.

I like looking at brushes, even though I have plenty, and I found this little kit in the EcoTools section.

I really like all of the EcoTools line I’ve tried and I appreciate that they are affordable and environmentally-friendly.

This little pack caught my eye.

Continue reading This $8 kit provides the pampering you need now

Why I Hate Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

People joke that I can never review movies or concerts or shows–even though I go to a lot of them–because I like everything.

And they are right.

I don’t generally have negative things to say–if anything–I love it all! Every song is my new favorite and every movie is the best I’ve seen.

I say this just to lay the foundation that I’m not a hater.

But I’ve been wanting to write this post for almost two months and haven’t because every time I start thinking about it, my blood pressure soars and I become completely filled with rage.

In fact–mentioning this movie to me has become something of a pastime to friends and family who want to torment me. (yes, that’s a hobby, especially with family members.)

Because I hate this movie with the white hot energy of a thousand suns.

Continue reading Why I Hate Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

My Recent Media Binges!

Thanks to the drudgery of winter, I’ve have time to catch up on some shows and podcasts. Let me tell you about my recent binges!

Younger

Catch up on Hulu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BdmRx-yOBY

Several friends tipped me off to this one- I love Sutton Foster, so once I had access to Hulu, it was first on my list. This is a 22 minute rom-com about a 40 year old woman who, for reasons, has to pose as a 26 year old millennial to get a job. With Darren Star as the producer, it fills that Sex and the City shaped hole in all of our hearts. It’s dumb, fluffy, somewhat predictable, has great outfits, and is just all around delightful- who knew Hillary Duff was so lovable? It also has some great commentary on a 40 year old’s view of youth (“are you one of those millennials who’s never smoked a cigarette and thinks your parents are heroes??”), which is obviously relatable. I binged this so fast I might need to watch it again.

Difficult People

Catch up on Hulu

Another justification of my Hulu subscription is this irreverent entry from Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner (whom I adore). It’s about best friends living in New York trying to make it as comedians, and they are kind of terrible people, but not so much in a cringe-y way, more in a “yeah, I would totally want to do that” way. The jokes fly fast and the cameos are amazing, and hey! Lyn’s sister worked on this show, so give it some love! Also, is there a list somewhere of all Arthur’s terms of endearment for Julie?? Wait, there is!

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst

Continue reading My Recent Media Binges!

Try, try again.

Since I am STILL not allowing myself to spend money on new things and even on some repurchases, I’ve recently been re- trying some beauty products and things that I have had tucked away in my drawer. Could be that I didn’t initially like them, or had just forgotten about them…. either way, here are a few things I’m having a second moment with.

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Incandescent

Am I missing something with Hourglass? Why is this stuff supposed to be so great? I remember two holiday seasons ago being pretty excited to get this in the Sephora “Glow For It” set, and at that time also being pretty unimpressed. I didn’t use it for very long. And now giving it another shot, I feel the same. It’s not that good! And it’s too expensive to be not that good. Time to give this one away.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Continue reading Try, try again.

What’s more satisfying than a good scrub?

Not much, IMO. Ever since I was a kid scratching my skin off with way too much St. Ives Apricot Scrub, I’ve loved the feeling of getting my skin as clean as possible.

Of course, now we know it doesn’t have to be harsh to be effective, but I still get so much satisfaction from a good exfoliating scrub.

With winter trying it’s best to flake all my skin off, here are my favorite ways to take control of my exfoliating game and get that so fresh and so clean feeling today.

JUARA Radiance Enzyme Scrub

This one is by far my favorite. I’ve mentioned it before in an empties post, but it’s definitely worth bringing attention to again.

Continue reading What’s more satisfying than a good scrub?

Empties: some old favorites but new reasons not to repurchase

It’s that time again! Time to go through my trash with you, aka my empties.

Giovanni 2chic Ultra Sleek Body Wash, Brazilian Keratin & Argon Oil: This is my favorite body wash. Period. It’s exfoliating and moisturizing. Adn I blow through these. Luckily, they are pretty cheap. Only $8.99 and I can get it at Festival Foods. So yup–repurchasing.

Dermalogica, Antioxidant HydraMist: I know we talk A LOT about the Mario Badescu spray–and for good reason. But I have a secret love for this mist. I bought it several years ago after getting a facial at Indulge Spa on the eastside and loving how it smelled. But then I didn’t love it when I got home. So I texted Pamela to see what the deal is with the spray and how to use it. (this whole talking products thing has been going on a long time, folks!) She gave me a nice primer on it–use it sparingly and give it time to soak in before going on to a next step. Since then I’ve been hooked. But because it’s kinda pricey, I only use it in the mornings and I’ve been using it just as a post makeup spritz to make it look a little more fresh and less make-upy. Pamela has recently told me I should use it as a toner and spray it on after washing my face at night–so I’m doing that now, too. I love this stuff. And it has already been repurchased.

BareMinerals, Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil: : I’ve already told you how much I love this and that I already repurchased it!

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl Gel Cream Treatment: So yeah. I’ve had this for a minute.

Continue reading Empties: some old favorites but new reasons not to repurchase

Cracked, chapped, dry? My winter lip saviors

One of the hilarious jokes of winter–like how the brightest, sunniest days are also the coldest–is that the season calls for a dark, bold matte lip, but your lips are in the worst position to support the look.

So what do you do? Bail on the bold? Or find ways to help your lips fight back?

Well–you know nothing stops me from rocking not only the darkest colors I can find–but also obsessively wearing the most drying of all formulas, the liquid lip.

By following a strict three step lip care strategy, my lips have been hanging tough all winter.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

Continue reading Cracked, chapped, dry? My winter lip saviors