My Equinox Resolutions

OK, I’ll admit it. I hate making New Year’s resolutions. Winter is the time when I feel like hibernating, not getting out and doing new things. However, now that February is drawing to a close and Daylight Savings Time will soon lengthen our days, I feel like it may be time to set some goals that will help me improve how I look and feel. I’m not planning on losing 30 pounds or running a marathon, but on actions that will improve my health, both physical and mental, and make me feel better about myself. Low pain, big gain! If you’d like to join me in my spring equinox resolutions, let’s get started.

My first resolution is deceptively simple, and doesn’t cost much, if anything: drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Water is great for your body; it flushes out toxins; fills you up when you feel hungry; doesn’t have lots of empty calories, additives, or preservatives; and just helps you to feel better. If you’re not a fan of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon, lime, orange, or–my favorite–cucumber to add a hint of flavor. Or try sparkling water, like San Pellegrino. Start with 2 to 3 glasses and work your way up to 6 to 8. You will notice a difference quickly! Some women prefill Ball jars with flavored waters so they are ready and waiting for them in the fridge when they feel thirsty or need a drink to take along.

My next resolution is to eat close to the source. This means eating foods as close to their origin as you can. A baked potato is great; French fries, not so great. An apple is faboo—apple tarts, not so much. Opt for fresh fruit and veggies when you can, and stay away from processed foods with additives and chemicals to the extent you are able. You’ll feel better and your body will appreciate it.

My third resolution is one that I talk about a lot, but still have a hard time doing: keep moving. As little as 30 minutes of movement a day–walking, running, yoga, playing sports, doing chores–can help get you fit and keep you fit. It doesn’t have to be all at once—break it into 10 minute chunks if that works for you. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, carry groceries in from the car one bag at a time, walk your dog a little further each day. Sitting too much is not good for you, so if you are desk bound, take a break at least every hour and move around.

My next resolution is to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Your body rejuvenates during sleep, so if you get too few hours of rest, you may find yourself cranky, out of sorts, and feeling poorly. Too much sleep and you may start to put on pounds. So, I’ll aim to get 7-8 hours each night whenever possible.

My final resolution is to wear sunscreen every day. I have purchased a good moisturizer that is SPF 30 and will use it on my face and neck every day. When the weather gets warmer, I’ll look for a body moisturizer with a strong SPF rating and use that on my body every day, too. Sunscreen is for always, not just in the summer time. The winter sun is just as strong if nor more so, especially when reflected it reflects off snow of ice. I’m hoping these resolutions will take me from spring into summer feeling better and looking good.

So Many Products, So Little Time, Part 3

We complete our overview of WWD Beauty Awards for 2013. For the Mass Brand of the Year, NYX Cosmetics (named for the Greek goddess of the night) won with its assortment of makeups and colors. It is affordable (products range from $6 to $9) and has funky, fun items such as an ergonomically shaped eye liner (the Curve Liner), a great matte lipstick in a range of 21 shades, and a multipurpose Wonder Pencil. Fun and flirty, the best news is that these items are available at Target so you don’t have to sacrifice your budget for beauty.

The winner of the Prestige Brand of the Year, according to WWD, was—what else?—Chanel. Chanel has produced luxurious skin care products and cosmetics, and last year was no different. Their Les Beiges color collection helped to make nude shades hot once more, while their Le Lift skin care products were popular with women hoping to give their complexions a boost. Chanel’s packaging speaks of opulence while being minimalist at the same time, not an easy feat. And the brushes they provide with their blushes and powders are as amazing as any top of the line brush available for separate purchase.

The WWD Launch of the Year, Mass Market, went to L’Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare. The Advanced Haircare line was in development for 5 years, was tested on 5,000 women, and holds more than 23 patents. It consists of five lines: Total Repair 5, Smooth Intense, Power Moisture, Color Vibrancy, and Triple Resist; each line contains a shampoo, conditioner, and treatment. So, you can tailor your regimen to your specific need. And, best of all, products are available everywhere and run in the $8 to $15 range.

The final category to cover is Prestige Launch of the Year, which was awarded to Mark Jacobs Beauty. This line consists of 122 stock pieces and comes in four witty categories: Smart Complexion, Hi-Per Color, Blackquer (get it?), and Boy-Tested/Girl-Approved.  I have his mascara and one of his lipsticks, and am over the moon about both. Jacobs’ love for the transformative power of clothes has infused this line of cosmetics, and the results are the stuff wow is made of.

So Many Products, So Little Time, Part 2

In WWD’s Prestige Beauty Winners of 2013, the Color Cosmetics Category winner was Giorgio Armani Rough Ecstasy CC Lipstick. This 36-lipstick collection is Triple-C for color, comfort, and care. The colors are fabulous—some soft, some brilliantly intense, all beautifully tinted. These lipsticks treat as well as color to lips, marrying lip balm and lip stick in a dynamic duo. At $34, they are luxury purchases, but are still flying off the shelves in the U.S.

Ibuki by Shideido took the Prestige Skin Care category. Seven products comprise this offering, which targets 20-somethings and their specific skin issues: lack of sleep, oiliness, visible pores, and rough skin from shall we say less-than-optimal nutrition. The cleansers, moisturizers, and refining products tackle all of these problems and constitute serious skin care for millennials who want a product formulated specifically for them rather than their mothers or grandmothers. Products are in the $25 to $45 range, so let’s hope those millennials have disposable income.

The Prestige Hair Care category went to Color Wow Root Cover Up, a product that covers up gray between sessions with the hairdresser. This solid powder pigment is applied with a brush, and is selling like gangbusters at Ulta and on QVC, and is part of a line of products crafted to address various problems that occur with color-treated hair. It comes in a range of tones so that you can best match your color. Ulta offers Color Wow for $29.50.

The final category in Prestige Beauty Products, Fragrance, was captured by Modern Muse by Estee Lauder. Modern Muse mixes feminine notes (jasmine) with strong notes of wood to create a modern, stylish scent, a break from so many of the Estee Lauder perfumes that remind me of what my grandmother would wear. The 3.4 oz. eau de parfum retails for $98 at Macy’s.

So Many Products, So Little Time (Part 1)

At Doris’ Closet Consignment, we realize that looking great is more than what you wear–it encompasses your face, your hair, your body, and your attitude. We love beauty products, and are always eager to hear about new ones to help us look and feel our best. Therefore, when Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) recently came out with their 2013 Beauty Awards for new products that rock cosmetics, skin and hair care, bath and body, and fragrance, we took notice. We’ll share these winner with you over the next few posts–after all, we need to keep up on what is available if we’re going to look (and know we look) the best we can.

First up, in Mass Market Color Cosmetics, is Cover Girl’s Clump Crusher by Lashblast Mascara. It may be a mouthful, but this mascara features a curved brush that is designed to deliver 200% more volume after 30 strokes. Cover Girl’s research showed that many women use 100 to 300 strokes to get the volume they desire (giving me the image of Tammy Faye Baker), so this saves quite a bit of elbow grease and women of the world should be grateful. The bristles prevent clumping, so that the clumps don’t even form on the brush.  At $6.89 (drugstore.com), this is well worth a try.

WWD Beauty Product of the Year in the Mass Skin Care Category is L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil ($24.99, drugstore.com). Facial oils have been growing in popularity, and this blend of eight essential oils works as a moisturizer, nighttime treatment, make-up primer, and neck cream, making it a great multi-tasker (and money saver) for your skin.

The Infinity Pro by Conair Curl Secret captured the WWD Mass Hair Care category. At $99.99, this tool curls hair without clamping or rolling, heats up in 30 seconds, and has style settings for curls, waves, and ringlets.  I can’t quite picture how it would work, but sales and response have been phenomenal, and this method definitely is kinder to hair than curling irons.

The final category in the Product of the Year Mass Color Cosmetics is Fragrance, and Target’s own Sonia Kashuk took this honor with her bath and body collection. Items include oils, lotions, creams, and body washes in fragrances as luxurious as tuberose, amber, and magnolia; and grapefruit, verbena, and musk. Prices top off at $19.99, providing luxury for a sensible amount of money.

What’s in My Make-up Bag?

I was complaining to my ever-patient hairdresser about my problem styling my hair. Because I color, I don’t like to wash it more than once a week. It looks great the first day or two, but becomes quite limp and body-less after the third day. He suggested Bumble and Bumble’s Thickening Dryspun Finish, and I am officially in love.

A lifesaver for limp hair needing a bit of oomph.

I spritz this spray on my roots and fluff up with my fingers. It gives me flexible body at the root, and eliminates my need for hairspray in that it holds quite well. An added benefit is that it acts like a dry shampoo and absorbs some of the oil in my hair. I style it with a brush and comb, and I’m ready to roll. LOVE IT! Just a small spritz works wonders, so it is well worth the $29 at Sephora. Make way, other hair products! This baby is going into the make-up bag for good.

What’s In My Makeup Bag?

News flash: my skin isn’t as clear or young as it used to be. Thinking I needed a little help, I thought I’d give Peter Thomas Roth’s Anti-aging Buffing Beads a try. I like the fact that it isn’t as abrasive as some of the other buffing products I’ve used. The jojoba beads supposedly help to lift dirt and debris from skin pores, and melt away blackheads. I don’t know about that, but I do know after several weeks that my skin looks clearer and I haven’t had any breakouts.

It also contains glycolic and salicylic acids to smooth the skin and reduce the look of fine lines; and the aloe keeps it from drying my skin. I like that I can use just a little bit to cover my face and neck (at $36 a bottle at Sephora, that helps). I also appreciate the fact that it tones and prepares my skin to easily absorb moisturizer and sun block . This is a keeper, and I intend to continue using it morning and evening.

What’s in My Make-up Bag?

This time of year, my normally well-balanced skin takes a beating from the heat and humidity, and turns oily. My forehead, nose, and chin are shiny by early afternoon, and in need of a pick-me-up. That’s why I love Shiseido‘s Pureness Refreshing Cleaning Sheets.

These moisturized cotton wipes clean my skin with a few swipes. They are big enough to handle my face and neck (and feel great on the back of the neck, too), and are sturdy enough that they don’t tear while wiping. The sheets have a pleasant smell and do a thorough job refreshing and cleaning skin. And they are alcohol and oil free, so they don’t dry or put unneeded oil on your face.

Summer is my favorite time to use them, but they come in handy in my desk drawer at work year round when I’m going out for the evening and want to freshen up. And at $18 (from Sephora) for a good-sized pack, they don’t break the bank.  Come to think of it, it’s time to use one right now…

What’s In My Make-up Kit?

It has only been recently that I’ve begun using eyeliner again. I had a few nightmarish encounters with eyeliner before, and usually have an awful time getting it to go on they way I envision it going on. You could tell when I was applying it before because of the exclamations coming from the bathroom that would make a sailor blush. It went on too thick, it smeared, it went way beyond my lid, I looked like Cleopatra on steroids, you get the picture.

A friend recently recommended Ardency Inn’s PUNKER World’s Baddest Eyeliner ($19 at Sephora) to me. After I stopped laughing, she explained that she was serious. So, I gave it a whirl. And I’m happy to tell you it IS the baddest as far as I’m concerned.

I like the chunky tube that I can grip and control, and the larger, tapered tip that lets me put on as little or as much as I want to apply. I can be modest for day, a bit less so for night. And it dries fairly quickly, so I’m not smearing it all over my lid. It is a rich, midnight black, like black crude. It’s my go-to liner now.

What’s in My Make-up Bag?

It’s official. I am addicted to eos lip gloss, and I’m not ashamed to say these little rubber eggs are not only to be found in my make-up bag, but in my purse, on my dresser, and often in the pocket of my jacket.

I love the different flavors and the crazy, candy colors. But what I really love are the shape and the texture. The round globe of gloss goes on evenly, and it’s difficult to glob on too much given the firm formulation. It makes my lips feel smooth and moist.

And I appreciate the fact that even on hot days, it doesn’t turn into gloop in my purse. At $6.99, the price enables me to have several in rotation in different colors and flavors. I’m going to ask for these in my Easter basket next year, instead of eggs.

What’s In My Makeup Bag?

I’ve been trying to rein in my spending on cosmetics lately (I think of it as my Sephora addiction). However, I still want to take the best care of my skin that I can. With that in mind, I’ve switched off my more expensive skin cleanser for Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser. It removes my make-up and the dirt and oil of the day without stripping my skin of essential oils. It’s gentle enough that I can use it several times a day in the summer, when hot and muggy weather makes my skin an oil field.

Best of all, it saves me money that can be better spent on moisturizers and SPF creams to protect my face. That’s the better use of my money, for my beauty dollar.