Skin MD Natural

My skin has always been on the dry side and midwest winters only make it worse. I love going to the spa and having moisturizing facials and I am a lotion addict-my bathroom closet looks like a Bath and Body Works store. Needless to say, I was excited to have the opportunity to review the new Skin MD lotion, a natural skin care product that creates an invisible shield to lock in moisture.

When I received the lotion, the first thing I noticed was that it passed my "smell test". I don't like lotions that have strong or medicinal smells that overpower my perfume. The scent of Skin MD had a very light, pleasant scent.

The other thing that I noticed about this lotion is that a little goes a long way. If you use too much at one time, as my daughter and I both found out, it feels greasy and hard to absorb. But when just a small amount is used it does not feel greasy at all and absorbs much better. If you feel you need more lotion, it's best to just apply one small layer at a time.

As I stated earlier, the lotion creates an invisible shield over your skin. Why is this beneficial, you may wonder?

"Shielding Lotions are a new type of skin care product based on years of research into how skin heals. They form a protective shield with the outer layer of skin and help keep out irritants. They allow the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better and they're light in texture so they go on without a greasy mess. Your skin needs help to keep out these moisture-robbing irritants.

A fundamental difference between Shielding Lotions and traditional skin care lotions is that Shielding Lotions enhance the skin's own natural protective abilities by turning the outer layer of skin into what could be described as a hydrating invisible shield making them many times more effective than mere protective lotions and moisturizing creams."

~Dr. Brian Zogg, board certified dermatologist

This is a high quality lotion that I would recommend for dry skin, it really made my skin feel soft and hydrated. It would also be helpful for skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. If you'd like to find out more information or would like to order a bottle, you can check out their website. The lotion sells for $18 a bottle, but as you only need to use a small amount, 1 bottle will last a long time. If you have dry skin, this is definitely one to try!

Laura Mercier Flawless Face

I am a SUPER HAPPY mom today because of this incredible deal that I just ordered from Sephora (please tell me I'm not the only one who buys herself stocking stuffers).

Laura Mercier cosmetics are best known for their fabulous foundations, they are a celebrity favorite. This kit is perfect for someone new to the line.

It comes with:

Foundation Primer (Step 1)

Tinted Moisturizer (Step 2)

Translucent Loose Setting Powder (Step 3 and 4)

Undercover Pot Shade #3

Secret Camouflage Brush

Camouflage Powder Brush

Velour Puff

Egg-shaped Sponge

This all comes in a travel cosmetic bag and is a $159 value for.....$65! The brushes purchased individually would be worth more than that. I'm most excited to get the concealer pot-I LOVE their concealer, it's the best, but it's so expensive, I rarely buy it. It is GREAT for covering dark circles if you've been up all night reading blogs ;).

It's shipped free and you also get to pick out 3 samples with your order, I picked 2 perfume sprays and a facial peel. Check out all the holiday gift sets at Sephora, whether buying for yourself (guilty) or someone else, they have a lot to choose from.

Finding Your Signature Scent

Do you have a hard time trying to find your signature scent? If you like trying different perfumes but don't want to pay a lot of money for full bottles only to discover it gives you a headache or the scent doesn't work for you, Sephora has a Scent Sampler to help you find your perfect scent.

When you buy the Scent Sampler Bestsellers for Her(the cost is $50 but it's an $80 value), you get 10 samples of Sephora's bestselling perfumes. They're good ones, too. They include:

Aquolina Pink Sugar, Bulgari Omnia Crystalline, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual, Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B., Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Philosophy Amazing Grace, Stella McCartney Stella, and Vera Wang Princess.

Along with the samples you get a gift voucher to redeem at a Sephora store for a full-size bottle of your favorite. You still get to keep all the sample sprays, which are a great size to stash in your purse.

So my question for today is: do you have a signature scent or a few favorite perfumes that you rotate?

My Favorite Mascara

I told you that you'd find a little bit of everything here, didn't I?

I think mascara is sometimes an overlooked cosmetic, people will just buy the cheapest one since a tube is only good for 3 months. But then you sometimes end up with raccoon eyes. Raccoon eyes do not look good on anyone, not even raccoons. My favorite everyday mascara is Clinique's Naturally Glossy mascara. LOVE THIS! It never clumps, smudges or leaves bits of mascara falling on your face. It's not a dramatic look, but it makes you look like you have beautiful natural lashes, long and glossy.


My second favorite mascara is Diorshow. This is the perfect mascara to wear when you're going out. It's more dramatic than the Clinique one and it makes my lashes very thick and full. You can buy it at Sephora. If you have a lot of holiday parties to go to this year, you have to get this mascara and see how beautiful it makes you look.