What Does a $1000 Luxury Mask Look Like?

Lionesse Gem Golden Sapphire Mask 

 I am a contest junkie. I spend the majority of my online time looking for hair inspiration, working on my portfolio using social media, and entering every contest that I think I have a chance at winning. I've been lucky enough to win palettes, hair care, skin care and toys for my friend's kids. Take a look at this incredible luxury skin care item that I was so LUCKY to win, as I would never be able to afford this super high end skin line called Lionesse.

 Everything about the packaging tells you this is a LUXURY product, from the thick golden logo box with magnetic closure to the dense, heavy gold and clear packaging. Absolutely beautiful, something to really show off in your bathroom or on your vanity to be sure. My nail color is Margit by Julep, a soft frosty greige lavender, one of my new favorites. 

 With a price tag of $1,000 (yes, ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS), you may say that the packaging is all well and good and so flossie but.... WHAT IS THE PRODUCT REALLY LIKE? 

 It is UNLIKE any product I've ever tried. It is a "mask" made with fruit extracts and gems, according to their promotional material. I cleansed with warm water, as I had already used a cleanser that morning and didn't want to overdry my skin. I applied the Lionesse mask in a very generous pump's worth and worked the light, slightly opaque white lotion down from my hairline to my chin, making sure all my facial surfaces were covered, including my T zone. The smell was heavenly, very high end and not overwhelming or of a single note. My poor skin has been blasted by harsh acne products and is in recovery and this "mask" felt so soothing, never oily or heavy as it sat on my face for ten minutes per instructions. You do not wash this mask off, just massage it into the skin. I did have some moisture bead up on it here and there, had the same results with those who used it at the salon, and you just smooth that back into the skin.

 Amazingly, I had NO BREAKOUT after use. No pimples, no redness, no congested pores, just soft skin that really stuck with me for DAYS. Recommended for weekly use, I decided to pass my luck onto the cosmetology school's salon for use with their facials as there's no way I could use all of that huge rich container myself. I hope the clients are delighted as I was when the box if presented and they enjoy a soothing massage with Lionesse.

                                  

On Being Counter-Intuitive About Oily Skin

On Being Counter-intuitive

 I will turn 44 in a few days and am feeling the self esteem pain of being stuck with both fine lines and acne. Consistent peels done at the skin spa are the only thing that works for me but the cost is way too much to keep up with the consistency, thus my skin lapses into congested pores, rough patches and fine crinkly lines along with some awesome lumpy white heads. I work in the beauty business and am expected to be the branding of my products and knowledge, so the skin issue worsens when I attempt to cover the acne and fill in the lines with primer and concealer and foundation and powder and.... well, now you see how I was at the point to try a trending product that I wasn't sure was *right* for my acne wrinkle combo. What if I broke out? What was the worst that could happen?

As if it were meant to be, Amara Organics provided me with a very generous size of their Vitamin C Serum in exchange for my honest review. I have never used a serum outside of recovering from a peel and wasn't sure what to expect as far as possible breakouts from putting a hydrating serum on my acne-prone skin. My first application was a drop to my fine line at the edges of my eyes, in the upper cheek area, as well as a drop to the creasing "laugh lines" that have suddenly popped up at the lower edges of my mouth. 

 My skin was so incredibly thirsty for this wonderful, slippery serum! 

The product is clear and has such a velvety feel, not slimy or gummy or oily. After the first day's application without any ill effects, I applied a drop or two to area between my nose and my cheeks, where I have not only acne scarring and large pores but am blessed with my cheeks sort of deflating and giving me a bulldog look in certain lighting and poses. Sisters, believe me when I tell you that within four days of generous application, starting in my smaller, drier lined spots and then spread all over my face, over my jawline and into my neck and cleavage:

This Amara Organic Vitamin C Serum softened my lines and pores.

My outer eye crinkles are lessened.

My nasal-labial fold pores and roughness have blurred and softened.

The laugh lines at the base of my mouth are less noticable.

My decollete looks smoother.

I am hooked on this product.

I am excited to recommend it.

                            

 This isn't the greatest photo but does allow you to see the eye crinkle just above the beauty mark that is now hydrated and lessened and I couldn't be more pleased. I wash my face with a gentle cleanser each night, using my Clarisonic face brush. I pat dry, then apply a drop or two to each area I'm concentrating on, spread the serum to all parts of my facial area. I then continue down my neck and onto my chest. I usually only need one dropperful of this serum per day, so this is an item that is well worth the money as you will get quite a few uses from it. You *may* feel a slight sting as is the nature of acids, I didn't have an issue with it. Store in a cool, dark cabinet as the Vitamin C serums do tend to break down when exposed to light.
 I am ordering bottles of Amara Organic Vitamin C Serum for both my teen daughters and for my mom as I want to share this effective, reasonably priced product and the chance at improved skin with my family. Amara Organics is a family owned company with excellent customer service, please give this serum a try. I thought it was counter-intuitive to put a hydrating product over my acne and -boy howdy- am  glad I was proven wrong.

 *This is a sponsored post, powered by Brand Backer*

Braids, Braids, BRAIDS

Claire's Braids

 Can I take a moment of your time to brag about how awesome my daughter Claire is doing in cosmetology school? Since she won't make her own blog/portfolio, someone has to show the world her style.

 Her braided pompadour was done by her classmate Glammed by Yasmika. The creativity found in cosmetology schools is endless, you should support your local school with a visit to their salon.

My Emo Phase

It's Not a Phase, Mom! It's Who I Really Am!

The 43 year old me version of the meme. I say it to my mom every time she questions my style but she isn't into memes so...

 The really best part is how many teenagers liked/followed my instagram when I put this up. My running joke is how if I bothered to white out and overexpose my pics, that no one would guess I'm an old fossil with teen girl hair. I'm their mom's age. *gasp*

Live and Let Dye!

Used A New Color Product

  Part of the edgy hair color experience is being pleasantly surprised when my color doesn't come out exactly as I had hoped. What is totally unprofessional to do for a client is pretty freakin' fun to do on yourself as far as experimenting with dyes and a "plop it on and see" attitude.
 My roots are at least an inch plus and very dark against the silver grey blue tones of my current color, which breaks up the layers great in some points but looks kinda yuck as a face frame. I didn't want to bleach out my roots yet so my plan was to tone the brass between my old bleach (silver blue grey) and my roots (just yuck) with Wella T18. Armstrong & McCall closes so early that I find myself at Sally with the Wella T18 and a tube of Ion Color Brilliance Lavender and I pick up the new-to-me Ion Ash Intensifier, which you add to the color process to drab that brassy red brown ick that makes blues and purples go all green. This product is VERY POTENT, please use the minimum amount unless you're cool with surprises like I am.

 Here's how the drabbing went down.

Back of the hair is getting more brass than ash, making green tones.

I liked the dark roots in the crown and bangs but -ugh- not against my face.

What a difference sunlight makes! Same day, hair looks platinum silver grey outside.

To blend in my dark roots more, I decided to add a whole tube of Ion Ash Intensifier because it was suggested in the instruction pamphlet to use up to .5 ounce (size of the tube) to make a dramatic difference. Oh, I would say DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE was had here.

SO... WHAT I LEARNED IN BEAUTY SCHOOL IS:

Always do a test strand! Or not, because I'm cool with this blue hue too.

T.G.I.S.!

T.G.I.S. (Thank Gawd It's Saturday)

My work/school week is Tues-Sat, with open salon on Th-Sat, so we get one weekend day and one weekday to relax before getting back to relaxers. And roll sets. And color.

                                                   
Photo ops at Target with the cute Bull Terrier. I look like Lumpy Space Princess, I'm aware of that. My color is achieved with twice weekly Joico Color Endure Shampoo to cut the brass in my level 9 Wella T18 toned hair. I apply to grungy dry hair, leaving the shampoo in for about an hour and keeping it OFF the scalp, then a warm rinse followed by a few minutes of conditioner.

 My daughter Claire is a NATURAL with cut and color. She went into her freshman year at a major university, living in the dorms, and just felt the time wasn't right for academics so she's now in cosmetology class and already has clients asking for her. Her color is Ion Color Brilliance in Lavender and Magenta. Her thick but fine hair is naturally spiral.

 After looking through the picked over clothing selection at Target, we had some ice cream at Marble Slab. She had vanilla bean with cookie dough mixed in put into a white sprinkle cone. I had a brownie sundae with caramel sauce and the cookie dough flavor, which lacks chocolate chips and tasted like buttered pecan. WHICH MEANS DELICIOUS. I'm a bit lactose intolerant so I don't eat ice cream often and always get the percolating gut afterward, so it has to be worth it.

Winter Blue Dog

I Guess It's Spring?

The temps are up in the 70s here outside Houston, Texas. I'm hoping it won't be too hot for long sleeved tunics yet as I haven't bought many. 

Larkle is enjoying the sunny days after weeks of cold wet gloom. 

 I took Claire on her first visit to Trader Joe's earlier this week. She spent about $100 on a week of unusual and healthy foods that were very reasonably priced, comparable to what Kroger or HEB stocks. She brings her own lunch to cosmetology class and needs a nutritious variety to prevent wanting fast food.

 Lastly, I've been using my Julep gel eye liners more and am considering just going back to liquid liner. I'm almost 44 and my lash line is skipping a bit too much when I pull the pencil across it so I'm not able to put it on in a precise thin to thick line. Julep makes a quality gel eye pencil, it sets very quickly and is smudge resistant and Claire looks fabulous in it. My older eyelids tend to drag on the lash line and even primer can't prevent the crease transfer. Back to Almay liquid liner in the felt tip! Also, I need to learn to fill in my non-existent eyebrows. My body hair is sparse and I'm not overplucking, I swear.

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Julep Box Review January 2015

My January Julep Box Review

I've been a Julep Maven since October 2014 and my subscription boxes just keep getting better. This January box was *free* thanks to my Jules points which add up with every purchase or when I accept my monthly boxes.

 The Maven boxes are shipped toward the end of the month and you get to view your selection before accepting shipment, which allows you to switch out items from a fairly extensive list of other Julep items. Most boxes are two premium polishes and another cosmetic, so if you aren't into highlighter, you can switch out for eye makeup or another polish or maybe an application brush. Items are also available for way below half price as "add-ons" too. 

 I received a FREE nail polish from their new Metamorphic Top Coat line! SO I paid only $6 for this box which included three premium polishes, a really rich eye shadow and a soft bright lip gloss. The cost was for the add-on polish alone... WHAT A STEAL. 

 I wasn't really a polish person until I started getting Julep and my teens swear their formulas are worth the price, wearing better than OPI or Butter. 

 Treat yourself to a FREE Julep box, you just pay a small shipping fee:  https://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/1377017/

 The monthly Maven box is a splurge but I assure you, it is WORTH it. You can skip the delivery for the month if finances are tight and just pick up the next box. You will find yourself looking forward to your monthly pink Maven box, just like me. And my teens. Who I have to beat to the mailbox.