THOSE CHEEKS...

Lorac PLUM Blush
For years I had leaned heavily toward the subtle shimmer of earthy tan blushes. I just couldn't make the pink, rosy shades work for my warm undertones. (This is where I talk about gift with purchases and how fate can change life). I was making an phone order from a LORAC counter when I was informed of a special gift with purchase offer. The gift with purchase I received was an amazing collection of black mascara, MEG (pale, neutral, brown, pink) lipstick and the PLUM (it's plum!) blush. Immediately I was thinking of all of the "pink" people that I knew that might like the MEG lipstick and the PLUM blush because both items were so not my color. (This is where I talk about what Saturdays are for - Experimenting!). On a Saturday, as a fluke, before I threw it in the giveaway pile, I spent a day wearing the LORAC Plum Blush. It was one of the most significant days of my beauty life because suddenly I was new and fresh. My healthy flush was fake but it looked so natural I was in love! I haven't really turned back since that day. Each time I pick up a tan blush I see the error in my old ways. This is my warm, pale, girl's pick of picks! I blush in total happiness. :)

THAT SKIN...

Neutrogena HEALTHY SKIN ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM
It's a retinol rage, and some rages are worth waiting for. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream is finally a skin smoother that doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. This stuff is gentle. I hardly know what it is doing. The changes aren't dramatic. What I can say, after nearly six months of use is: I haven't had a flaky attack. I haven't had any irritating reactions. And most importantly I haven't busted the bank - at $12 it's a steal and a true, gentle way to exfoliate the skin.

Neutrogena SENSITIVE SKIN SUNBLOCK SPF17
The fire department was getting really tired of me calling everytime I experienced one of those 3 alarm face-on-fires each time I attempted to try a new sunscreen. "The sun is your enemy", "In this day and age only fools go outside without an SPF", "You will look OLD from the damaging rays of the solar system" - so many warnings, so little time. I couldn't find a cure that didn't kill my face. That's when a little help from an online friend and another two thumbs up from my dermatologist guided me toward the protected light. Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock be thy name! WARNING: this sunblock is very emollient and pasty white, which could be a real detractor if you aren't pale and/or always looking for products like CHANEL's White Colour Perfector or FACE's White Matte Foundation to create a lighter foundation match. Warnings aside, I love this sunblock and the creamy, pearly, delicate white residue that it leaves behind. It's gentle as milk and my skin drinks it up with absolutely NO irritation. Watch out sun!

THAT HAIR...

Aveda PURE-FUME BRILLIANT Shampoo
The truth is my hair had been in a doldrum state for months. Summer's harsh, dry, horror had not improved the condition of my long, straight, color-treated, fine hair. It was Aveda's Brilliant shampoo that pampered my hair back to life. This shampoo is very rich and not for the light of heart when it comes to a moisture enhancing foam. Smells amazing and adds enough moisture to the hair that only a light conditioner, if any, is needed.

Phyto PHYTOBAUME Untangling Balm
My hair is always a tangled mess after shampooing. In my driven search to find a detangler that didn't leave my hair oily and ready to be shampooed again the minute I got the tangles out, I stumbled upon something extra special - PHYTOBAUME with Mallow (!). Applied after shampoo on well-rinsed hair and rinsed thoroughly again, it leaves the hair strong and tangle free. It's an absolute Marvel.