Kick off the first weekend of Fall 2011

I'm finally getting into the swing of things for the Fall semester, so expect a little more activity on the blog.  Sorry, for leaving you hanging.  Anyway, I thought I'd keep this post short and sweet.  Below are a few deals as well some new products to check out as we officially start the Fall season!

1.  Chanel is offering complimentary shipping (no minimum purchase!).  Check out their Blue Jeans nail polish line.  I really like the Blue Rebel shade!  Promo code is 0911WELCOMEFALL

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Nails-LE-VERNIS---BLUE-BOY-125679

2. Bath and Body Works has a 4 for $15 of 6 for $20 on Foaming Hand Soaps.  My new favorite scent for the Fall - Orchard Leaves!  The scent is a blend of apple, cinnamon, and cider.  It's very refreshing, crisp like the autumn air; any guy(s) in the house will appreciate it because it's not too girly or fruity.  The discount is a great deal, especially if you have several rooms in your house that need restocking for the holiday season!

3. Kate Spade is having FREE ground shipping (no minimum amount!).  Check out their new lipstick line, Supercalifragilipstick!  Catchy name and attractive shades!  

http://www.katespade.com/beauty-products/designer-cosmetic-bags/beauty-supercalifragilipstick,default,sc.html

Celebrate the Fall season by treating yourself to something that will carry you through the Fall season!  Have a wonderful weekend!

True Blood Limited Edition Lip Tint

Are you a "True Blood" fan?  Well, I personally am not an obsessed fan, but I do follow the show whenever I can.  Whether you're a fan or not, I really love Tarte's True Blood Limited Edition collection.  I picked the LipSurgence lip tint a few weeks ago, because I was in search of a red shade, and the one in this collection looked appealing.  I have to admit, despite being obsessed with makeup, I've never really been "comfortable" enough to wear bright red lipstick, but I thought I'd start with subtle red shade and work my up to the bright reds.  

The True Blood lip tint is perfect for a starter red lipwearer.  Because it's a lip tint, the red color isn't so bold unless you want it to.  By adding a few more layers, you can get it to a bright/deep red.  It's perfect from going from day to night.  It's also very moisturizing and with it's "skinvigorating" ingredients, it helps maintain healthy lips!  A definitely must-have in the makeup bag!

Excited over X'ed Out (Updated!)

This past Spring, I won a Giveaway on a friend's fashion blog, My Fashion Juice.  One of the items in the Giveaway was X'ed Out Cream by Strip: Ministry of Waxing NYC.  This stuff is amazing!  I use this after using one of Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads (my next post!).  It does not contain alcohol, which can irritate sensitive skin.  But it does contain ingredients such as Bromelain, a pineapple enzyme that prevents inflammation; Vitamin A, which prevents ingrown hairs by opening the follicles; and tea tree to calm irritated skin.  It looks like a thick product like a lotion (which you are not supposed to use on newly waxed areas!).  But when applied, it's more like a light topical cream that glides on easily on the skin.  It even has a sweet scent to it, but not like perfume (because that would contain alcohol).  I applied a little to newly shaved areas on my leg, and it works great there too.  This is definitely a MUST-HAVE.  Post-Brazilian waxing, I applied the product twice a day every other day.

Unfortunately, you can't buy this at a local salon or beauty store.  I guess I'll be making a trip to NYC soon, seeing as I plan on getting more Brazilians/bikini waxes in the future.  If anyone knows where this product can be bought, please let me know!  Or maybe my NYC friends can send some down to Maryland. ;)

OK, I totally overlooked the fact that there's a SHOP ONLINE link on their website.  So, I retract my statement that you can only buy in their salon in New York City.  X'ed Out is just a few clicks away!

Bare It All

For a couple years now, I've always been a bikini line waxing gal.  Earlier this summer, I decided to take the plunge and try Brazilian waxing!  A little nervous about it, I must have read almost every website about Brazilian - pre-waxing, post-waxing, health concerns, prices, best waxing salons, etc.  I ended up at Bluemercury in Bethesda with an esthetician, who literally loves to wax!  She promised me that once I get one Brazilian, I'll be back for it again.  Low and behold, I was back after six weeks.  Bluemercury uses a "gentle poetic-lycon aloe wax from Australia" (Bluemercury.com), which isn't burning hot, and when it hardens pulls everything it touches in one smooth, quick pull.  Kudos to my esthetician who really knows her skill.  And when I went the second time, it really was a lot less painful than the first.

Some tips I've learned along the way:
1.  Don't trim too short or else the wax won't stick and avoid shaving (if that was normal maintenance routine)
2.  Research salons that perform bikini/Brazilian waxing professionally (a.k.a. make sure they are a licenses Esthetician, not your neighborhood nail salon that just happens to have waxing as a service)
3.  If you're nervous about the pain, start off with a bikini wax, like I did.
4.  Use post-waxing care products, such as exfoliating pads and anti-inflammatory ointment
5.  Avoid exercise for at least a day
6.  Don't wear super tight clothing (panties, jeans) for a few days.  Keep it airy!

Websites to look at:
http://www.mywaxing.com/
http://beauty.about.com/od/hairremoval/ht/bikiniwax.htm