Office Beauty Survival Kit

With the next two weeks being crazy at work -- so crazy that outfit posts will be pretty scarce -- I thought that a look into my workplace beauty survival kit would be appropriate!

1. Oil absorbing sheets (buy) / 2. Bobby pins (buy)

3. Ouchless hair ties (buy) / 4. Nail file (buy)

5. Lotion (Profuse hand washing = dry paws.) (buy) / 6. John Frieda Secret Weapon (buy)

7. Burt's Bees Super Shiny lip gloss (buy)

xo, Kellie

Hair Necessities

The hair products that I can't live without:

1. Wide-tooth comb for wet hair / 2. John Frieda Heat Defeat spray (buy)

3. John Frieda Sleek Finish flat iron (buy) / 4. Dove Refresh + Care dry shampoo (buy)

5. Bobby pins (I have them everywhere!)

6. Bed Head Ego Boost (for both split ends and fly aways) (buy)

7. Ouchless hair ties / 8. John Frieda Secret Weapon (I keep it in my desk at work!) (buy)

xo, Kellie

PS - I use a lot of John Frieda products. They haven't given me anything for free (or been in contact with me at all) and I don't work for them. They just make really great products for a good price!

Face Time

Through trial and error and recommendations, products I have come to rely on for my daily face routine:

1. Coppertone Faces sunscreen (buy) / 2. Cetaphil moisturizing cream (buy)
3. Rimmel foundation primer (buy) / 4. Almay Smart Shade Smart Balance foundation (buy)
5. Covergirl Clean sensitive skin pressed powder (buy)
6. Rimmel Lasting Finish powder blush (buy) / 7. Covergirl Perfect Point eyeliner (buy)

8. Maybelline Falsies Volume Express mascara (buy)

xo, Kellie

The Burt's & the Bees

Photos from Burt's Bees

Recently, I have been experiencing a run of good skin days -- akin to good hair days, but better, as you can't put a hat on your face. I owe a portion of this good fortune to my grownup diligence towards skin care, but most of the credit is due to Burt's Bees. As much as I love Clinique's makeup, I found that their skin care was not quite right for my skin (oily, with absolutely no dryness). I've always loved Burt's Bees' body wash, shampoo and hand lotion, so I thought I'd try out their facial care line. Here's a run down of the products that have become my favorites:

1. I had been using a cleanser + a moisturizer, but my skin always felt greasy and gross. Realizing that I needed a little less moisture, I tried the Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, which feels like lotion but cleanses like soap. It is wonderful, and leaves my skin feeling clean and nourished.

2. If a blemish may arise, the roll-on treatment of the Herbal Blemish Stick stops it in its tracks. I'm still in love with my Clinique mask, but the benefit of this product is that I can toss it in my purse and manage my complexion during the day, sink and mirror free.

3. I have always been bad about taking off my makeup at night. After brushing my teeth, taking my vitamins, and finishing any leftover homework, the task of washing my face is far too daunting. However, the Facial Towelettes with White Tea Extract are an easy way to scrub up, suds (and effort) free.

I've got a few more products I'd like to try, and I'll keep you guys posted on how they work out. As for now, give these three a try, and let me know how it goes!

Smiles, 

Jess   
  

Water Need Not Apply

(Image from Bella Sugar)

I have a lethal hair combination, it is both baby fine and oily, requiring me to wash it nightly, and to wash my bangs again every morning if I'm keeping them short. Like Jessica, I have been longing for a dry shampoo that would keep me from having to wash my hair every day without looking like an unwashed, stringy-haired bum.

For quite a while I was using Salon Grafix dry shampoo, and the main reason why I was using it for so long was because it didn't work well, so I seldom utilized it. Well, I finally ran out of the stuff a couple of weeks ago and I promptly headed to Target to find a new product to try.

The pickings were a bit slim at Target, I'm sure I would find more options at a beauty supply store, but so far John Frieda products haven't let me down -- I used both his flat iron and his Heat Defeat spray and love both of them -- and the price tag on this Volume Refresher dry shampoo spray was appealing. For the past week-and-a-half now I have been washing my hair every other night instead of every night, and it has been wonderful. Here's a quick breakdown of my review of this product:

Cons: 

- The bottle is small, it seems to run out after three or four uses

- It leaves a white powder behind that requires a good deal of rubbing to get worked in

Pros:

- The price is worth washing my hair half as often

- The smell is pleasant

- It actually works

All in all, I think I will continue to buy this product. I may still look around for other dry shampoos, mostly because this one runs out so quickly, but for the time being I plan to just stock up with a couple of bottles on my next trip to the store.

Anyone else have a dry shampoo they absolutely love?

xo, Kellie

Jessica's Top 20 Beauty Products for 2011

Marie Claire, among other publications, does a "Top Products" list every year. Here's my version. Please share your own top beauty product for the year! 

Hair

Redkin Scalp Relief: The minute the weather turns chilly, my scalp gets as dry as my cuticles. This shampoo is a lifesaver, and I don't even have to use it every day. It also doesn't dry out my hair like Head and Shoulders does.

A good round brush: I rarely have to use a hair straightener because I blow dry my hair using a round brush and a little patience. I recommend correlating the size of your brush to the length of your hair--I have long hair, and find myself getting frustrated with the smaller brushes. 

A paddle brush: After my hair is dry, I turn the dryer on cool and run a paddle brush through my hair. It calms the frizzies (my hair does not handle extra product well) and sets the style.

Redken Clear Moisture Instant Polishing Prep: Just like the detangling spray you used when you were 8. This one also smells yummy. It does a grown-up job of not making my hair greasy and taming flyaways if I've curled my hair.

Face

Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser: I've had a struggle finding the right cleanser for my skin. I've been wandering around like Goldilocks; none of them were quite right. I received a sample of this cleanser as a bonus with a mascara purchase, tried it, and LOVED it.

Nivea for Men Revitalizing Face Scrub: I use this every 3 days and it is something I can't live without now. James gets mad when I sneak it into my bathroom, but I clean the kitchen so he can deal with it. I don't know if there are fewer chemicals because it is a men's formula or I just have a manly complexion, but it works.

Clinique Acne Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask: When I tried Proactive, they had a spot treatment mask that was the bee's knees. This mask is a similar product. If I have a blemish, I dab a bit on and leave it for a few minutes (or overnight with a thin layer). POOF! Any issue is on its way to clear.

Clinique Moisture Surge: This is the moisturizer for those who really don't moisturize. This includes me. I have a propensity to shine, and hate when my skin feels greasy. This magic stuff is oil-free and feels like I splashed water on my face. 

  

Color

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm: Yum. Pretty. Easily lost but cheap to replace. 'Nuff said! My favorite is Hibiscus, it's a lazy way to wear lipstick.

Almay Smart Shade Makeup: I have already extolled the virtues of this product; it is still one of my favorite makeup products ever.

Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Super Shimmer: Sadly, my favorite eyeshadow shade has been discontinued (I found out last month when I went to restock, *tear*) but this shade is similar. 

MAC Eye Shadow: Rather than a black smokey eye, I use this Espresso shade to do a day-friendly smokey eye. I get compliments on it when I pull it off, and I find the MAC stays where it's put. 

Mary Kay Liquid Eyeliner: One of my best friends' moms is a Mary Kay sales rep, and gave me some product as a belated birthday present last year. Among the swag was liquid eyeliner, and I've had an interesting experience with it. While I had to put in some practice time getting the technique down, it definitely makes a statement. For low-fuss days I stick to my stick, but when I need a confidence boost or am dressing up, I take the time to do this stuff. Try it, it's worth it! 

Clinique High Impact Mascara: I got this as a sample when I bought the mask, and was an immediate convert. To the point where I'd give up my Almay and MAC to keep this mascara. Seriously, don't make me stop buying it... 

Body

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash: My go-to body wash. My mom swears by all of their products, face and body. I like this plain wash because I mix it with...

Burt's Bees Citrus & Ginger Body Wash: I told you kids, I love ginger! I like both these products, and use a little of each of on my loofah.

Giovanni Cool Mint Lemonade Salt Scrub: Two of my 37 favorite scents, in one luxurious scrub. It will clear your sinuses and your scaly bits. 

Jergens Shea Butter Lotion: Jergens has been around forever; I am sure everyone's grandma has a little bottle of hand lotion in their purse. I can't argue with an institution. I like the Shea Butter, but the Ultra Healing is a close second.

Revlon False Eyelashes: I was Magenta for one of my Halloween costumes this year, and the makeup requires a double set of fake lashes. I had never worn them before, and was stunned to see what an impact they made on my peepers. I have been using them since then for date nights and whatnot. I know there are other brands, but Revlon works for me.

Essie Nail Polish: Kellie is a self-proclaimed OPI snob, but I own a breakfast club of nail polish brands. I love Essie, especially when it comes free with my hair products. I had to include my foray into the greige trend in this list. I went with a plum-taupe color called Mink Muffs that I plan to layer under black glitter for my 12-30 birthday celebration.