A Fragrance for Everyone
Have you ever been in a room and someone in that room is wearing an obnoxious amount of perfume? You may feel nauseated if you don’t get out in time but, you know it would be rude especially in a professional environment. Many people have allergic reactions to different scents. Most of the time, these reactions usually occur from the floral or spicy variety. For instance, I love cinnamon and nutmeg but, if I apply it to my skin when wet, there will be a major allergic reaction. My friend, J.K. has horrible reactions to strong floral fragrances that permeate a room. Here I will provide a different approach to wearing fragrance in small amounts where the wearer controls the output. These scents are neither floral nor spicy.
Lush Cosmetics, a Canadian company, is filled with natural products, some vegan, and don’t affect the skin as harshly as products containing chemicals. Most all their products are unisex and customer reviews are available to read regarding each product. The little gems I’ll discuss are the solid perfumes that come in little tins that can easily be thrown into a purse or pocket if the heat is not too extreme.
"Honey I Washed The Kids" (4 ½ out of 5) is for the sweet tooth. The scent is pure honey and toffee but, isn’t overwhelming. I love anything containing the smell of honey so this is the ‘sweet’ one for me.
"Go Green" is a total non-floral with notes of grapefruit, neroli oil, smoky vetivert, fennel, thyme, and cedar wood. Many men like this one because it’s earthy and provides an invigorating jolt of inspiration. It received 5 out of 5 stars.
"Olive Branch" is probably my favorite for both men and women alike. (4 ¾ out of 5) One reviewer stated "I don’t like scents that stay in the room 30 minutes after the person leaves". This was their choice too. It’s not fruity or floral, but contains notes of mandarin oranges, olive oil, bergamot, and lemon oil. This is a calming and relaxing fragrance. On my skin, I detect a hint of something "pine" which is nice and it is definitely woodsy and herbal with a hint of citrus. This one is a classic. Olive Branch also has a shower gel bearing the same name. These little solids don’t take much and they last a long time in the container. At $12.35 that’s a steal(lush.com or (888) 733-5874). We can’t control what other people wear but, at least we can censor our own tastes in fragrance.
Kim Myers - tipsfromthemakeupgal.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Dry Shampoo Comes to the Rescue
Technology is so advanced. Your bad hair days can now be turned into good hair days with the use of something as simple as dry shampoo. Can you believe for many centuries washing the hair was considered to be an act of pure necessity? Well, bathing was also. Can you imagine the stench? At some points in our history, putting water on the hair to wash it was considered to be a health hazard. I suppose this was akin to the idea of the world being flat.
Dry Shampoos have multiples uses such as if you’re running behind and late for work, just work a little in and “walla” you’re good to go. Those who have had physical limitations or medical conditions and cannot properly wash benefit from these in hospitals. It boils down to the fact that this shampoo is just merely “convenient” and is not time-consuming. It does its job by absorbing oil and leaving the hair clean, soft, fresh, and ready for re-styling. Be sure to read the directions because some of the powders come in spray form and some come in tubes of powder. Start at the roots and scalp where oil is heaviest and work your way to the ends by massaging throughout the hair. You can restyle regularly or blow out with a blow dryer. No water is required. The shampoos are wonderful for de-greasing in between washes.
The following are a few brands to choose from in order to find your favorite:
Rene Furterer Naturia dry shampoo
Oscar Blandi Pronto dry shampoo
Aveda Pure Abundance hair potion (for a more matte texture)
Klorane Gentle Shampoo with oat milk
Salon Grafix spray powder shampoos for a variety of hair colors
Samy Dry Spray Shampoo with oat extract (this is my fave)
Most all dry shampoos contain similar ingredients such as rice, silica, cornstarch powders, clay, oat extract, and peppermint oils, caraway, and basil to soften.
(drugstore.com, sephora.com, Aveda salons, hsn.com)
Kim Myers
tipsfromthemakeupgal.blogspot.com
Dry Shampoos have multiples uses such as if you’re running behind and late for work, just work a little in and “walla” you’re good to go. Those who have had physical limitations or medical conditions and cannot properly wash benefit from these in hospitals. It boils down to the fact that this shampoo is just merely “convenient” and is not time-consuming. It does its job by absorbing oil and leaving the hair clean, soft, fresh, and ready for re-styling. Be sure to read the directions because some of the powders come in spray form and some come in tubes of powder. Start at the roots and scalp where oil is heaviest and work your way to the ends by massaging throughout the hair. You can restyle regularly or blow out with a blow dryer. No water is required. The shampoos are wonderful for de-greasing in between washes.
The following are a few brands to choose from in order to find your favorite:
Rene Furterer Naturia dry shampoo
Oscar Blandi Pronto dry shampoo
Aveda Pure Abundance hair potion (for a more matte texture)
Klorane Gentle Shampoo with oat milk
Salon Grafix spray powder shampoos for a variety of hair colors
Samy Dry Spray Shampoo with oat extract (this is my fave)
Most all dry shampoos contain similar ingredients such as rice, silica, cornstarch powders, clay, oat extract, and peppermint oils, caraway, and basil to soften.
(drugstore.com, sephora.com, Aveda salons, hsn.com)
Kim Myers
tipsfromthemakeupgal.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 7, 2009
No Dread for Makeup in Bed
Over the years haven’t we all been told at some time or another not to wear our makeup to bed? Well, I can say for sure it’s something I’ve never done because it was always drilled into my head but, for some women that is not an option. Just the thought of going to bed without makeup is like bearing the sacrificial lamb to them. Ramy Cosmetics has conquered part of that problem with a product called “Sleep in Beauty”.
This is a tinted moisturizer cream ($48) that can be applied as a foundation but, can be worn to bed unlike other foundations. The cream is actually a treatment containing 2% salicylic acid which acts as an agent to prevent breakouts and diminish blemishes. This won’t affect acne-prone or sensitive skin types. Instead, it is a night cream for all skin types. The product is loaded with anti-age defying ingredients and contains an anti-wrinkle treatment. Your skin will look positively radiant.
Included in “Sleep in Beauty” are peptides that smooth away rough skin, prevent redness, and increase collagen to plump up skin. It also contains ‘Matrixyl’ which activates the skin in preventing wrinkles and fine lines. Add to this a tinted lip balm with treatment and you should be set. No one needs a full face of gunky makeup in bed. Think of all the pillows you’d have to wash. “Sleep in Beauty” leaves no pillow residue. The product would be applied as you would apply any foundation or wrinkle cream. I also apply it over moisturizer on some occasions. The shades come in light, medium, and dark. The consistency is very light and comes with an attached spatula for sanitary application.
This is a tinted moisturizer cream ($48) that can be applied as a foundation but, can be worn to bed unlike other foundations. The cream is actually a treatment containing 2% salicylic acid which acts as an agent to prevent breakouts and diminish blemishes. This won’t affect acne-prone or sensitive skin types. Instead, it is a night cream for all skin types. The product is loaded with anti-age defying ingredients and contains an anti-wrinkle treatment. Your skin will look positively radiant.
Included in “Sleep in Beauty” are peptides that smooth away rough skin, prevent redness, and increase collagen to plump up skin. It also contains ‘Matrixyl’ which activates the skin in preventing wrinkles and fine lines. Add to this a tinted lip balm with treatment and you should be set. No one needs a full face of gunky makeup in bed. Think of all the pillows you’d have to wash. “Sleep in Beauty” leaves no pillow residue. The product would be applied as you would apply any foundation or wrinkle cream. I also apply it over moisturizer on some occasions. The shades come in light, medium, and dark. The consistency is very light and comes with an attached spatula for sanitary application.
Also, try Ramy lipstick in “Goddess”. It’s a light to medium shimmery pink shade with a bit of interwoven coral. It’s a limited edition shade for summer that was launched for Laurie Graff’s new book “The Shiksa Syndrome”. Some proceeds of this book will go to cancercare.org. You’ll find this lipstick quite moisturizing with avocado oils (hsn.com, ramy.com, drugstore.com).
Kim Myers
Friday, February 6, 2009
Tips from the Makeup Gal
By Kim Myers
Geisha by Aroma M – The Whimsical Roll-On Perfume
This week the focus will be on the spring/summery fragrances of Geisha by Aroma M. I call these little babies "pocket perfumes". Don’t let their small size fool you though. They are pure concentrated long lasting perfume oils.
Geisha "Pink" is probably the most girly girl of all the Aroma M scents with its flaming pink blossoms perfect for anyone who loves pink or wearing pink. It’s for that "Betsey Johnson" kind of gal. You know the one. This fragrance is a flirty concoction of sugared plum, tart orange, and vanilla. It’s a very bright scent indeed if you think of it in that respect. It reminds me of melons and citrus blended with grapefruit.
As mentioned before, I’m a violet kind of gal and Geisha "Violet" is my favorite for the summer with notes of lilac and Japanese lotus mixed with bitter chocolate. Imagine it as a quilt of ethereal veil of beauty. This is a refreshingly cool violet enhanced by lotus flower topped with just a hint of chocolate but, not cloyingly sweet. I would describe it as a "dignified original" and think of it as my pocketed little Japanese garden in a bottle.
Geisha "Blue" is the calm, quiet, magical one. The significant ingredient here is the peaceful and tranquil blend of blue chamomile (soothing properties), green tea, leafy greens, jasmine, and honey(which provides the sweetness it deserves). Being that blue is my favorite color there is just something about this one that calls to me. I like peace in my life and this is the one I always reach for in time of need.
Geisha "Green", the last of the group is probably the coolest (as in a cool green sort of way) scent of them all. This green is like an aroma of a drink, or per se an "aperitif". Its tart licorice-flavored liqueur, slightly bordering Sambuca, but not, is sugared up with black currant, mandarin, violet and seduced with hints of amber and tonka bean. As Aroma M tells us "absinthe is a legendary creativity enhancer which inspired the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Hemingway, not to forget all of whom had their own demons. "Absinthe was known in Belle Epoque Paris as ‘the green fairy’ because it cast such a narcotic effect at cocktail time it came to be known as l-heure verte (the green hour) because of its dazzling green color, according to Aroma M." (luckyscent.com)
Geisha by Aroma M – The Whimsical Roll-On Perfume
This week the focus will be on the spring/summery fragrances of Geisha by Aroma M. I call these little babies "pocket perfumes". Don’t let their small size fool you though. They are pure concentrated long lasting perfume oils.
Geisha "Pink" is probably the most girly girl of all the Aroma M scents with its flaming pink blossoms perfect for anyone who loves pink or wearing pink. It’s for that "Betsey Johnson" kind of gal. You know the one. This fragrance is a flirty concoction of sugared plum, tart orange, and vanilla. It’s a very bright scent indeed if you think of it in that respect. It reminds me of melons and citrus blended with grapefruit.
As mentioned before, I’m a violet kind of gal and Geisha "Violet" is my favorite for the summer with notes of lilac and Japanese lotus mixed with bitter chocolate. Imagine it as a quilt of ethereal veil of beauty. This is a refreshingly cool violet enhanced by lotus flower topped with just a hint of chocolate but, not cloyingly sweet. I would describe it as a "dignified original" and think of it as my pocketed little Japanese garden in a bottle.
Geisha "Blue" is the calm, quiet, magical one. The significant ingredient here is the peaceful and tranquil blend of blue chamomile (soothing properties), green tea, leafy greens, jasmine, and honey(which provides the sweetness it deserves). Being that blue is my favorite color there is just something about this one that calls to me. I like peace in my life and this is the one I always reach for in time of need.
Geisha "Green", the last of the group is probably the coolest (as in a cool green sort of way) scent of them all. This green is like an aroma of a drink, or per se an "aperitif". Its tart licorice-flavored liqueur, slightly bordering Sambuca, but not, is sugared up with black currant, mandarin, violet and seduced with hints of amber and tonka bean. As Aroma M tells us "absinthe is a legendary creativity enhancer which inspired the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Hemingway, not to forget all of whom had their own demons. "Absinthe was known in Belle Epoque Paris as ‘the green fairy’ because it cast such a narcotic effect at cocktail time it came to be known as l-heure verte (the green hour) because of its dazzling green color, according to Aroma M." (luckyscent.com)
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