Absence

I just wanted to apologize for my complete lack of posting recently.  A lot has been happening; short version, my dog tore his ACL and had reconstructive surgery on the first and I'm moving in mid March.  I will do my best to post something useful on here in the coming week or two as the dog improves, but towards the end of the month I'll probably drop off again as moving preparation gets going full swing.  Good news though, I've already started packing and the dog isn't flipping out like he did the last time I moved.  So that's where I've been and we're I'll be again in a few weeks.  I'll try to get something posted this week.  This blog is meant to help others and it's pretty useless if it's sitting here blank.  :(  My sincere apologies again.  See you soon!

The Best Book Club

I've always wanted to join a book club.  I've always thought that it would force me to read outside of my typical genre.  As much as I've always wanted to join a book club  it's always been one of those things that I've just never made time for.  And then I received an email from my amazing sister and everything changed.  She had read my post about reading Falling for Me and trying to read books outside of my comfort zone.  It turns out that she had been contemplating doing the same thing.  So she pitched a great idea - start our own book club with just the two of us.  Here's how it will help us get out of our comfort zones.  We'll read one book each month and every month we each take a turn choosing the book.  She suggested Sex and the Single Girl for February.  It's a book that she's been wanting to read as well and that will give us each time to finish our current books.  We have a week to go before we jump into our new undertaking, but I can't wait!  I still need to track down a copy of S&SG but that shouldn't be too difficult.  I even made a trip to the bookstore this week just to peruse different sections and get some ideas for what I will be selecting.  I have a few things in mind.  So that's my latest improvement undertaking at the excellent advice of my sister.  I'm lucky; I get to do something I've always wanted to, improve myself at the same time, and I get to do it all with my best friend.  Is there anything better?  I'll post what we're reading as we go.  Now for February to arrive.  Let's get the party started!

New Music, New Books

I decided last night in my car on my way to get take out Mexican that I need to broaden my comfort zone.  I have a rather small comfort zone, that I've pushed once or twice in my life, but I've never made a consistent effort to make it bigger.  This blog is one of  my sad attempts.  For me, music and books have always been two of the things that I have used most to define myself.

So on the way to get Mexican last night I decided that I needed to begin listening to music that I never have before, pop, for example.  I hate pop; I'm an oldies and classics kind of girl.  I've always rocked out to Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, Cheap Trick, and anything else that 107.3 in Tampa plays, not Katy Perry, Lady Gage, or Gym Class Heroes.  But there is a time and place for everything and as I'm not getting any younger I decided to listen to what the young crowd is listening to these days before I no longer belong to it, and so I discovered 100.7 which plays an accumulation of pop songs by the above listed artists and several others.  I began listening to it last night in the car and then I turned it on at the gym this morning and had a solid hour and a half of Rihanna,  LMFAO, and David Guetta.  Mostly artists that I hadn't heard of and all artists that I was certain I didn't like...and then I surprised myself.

 I still can't put my finger on what it is that I like about The One that Got Away by Katy Perry, but damn it's catchy and I can't get it out of my head.  The same thing goes for Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes even though I don't like rap and don't really care for the middle bit, the chorus is addictive! After trying to get these songs out of my head all afternoon, I finally surrendered my opinion that pop and new music are so terrible that they should not be classified as "music."  I flew the white flag when I logged into ITunes and spent the last remaining dollars of the gift card that I got last Christmas on The One that Got Away and Stereo Hearts.  I'm still pinching myself as I write this while listening to Katy Perry, but you know, this blog is about changing and where better to start than with the things that I've always defined myself most by.

As for books, I've resigned to reading something other than my usual English major, non-fiction, and sailing genres.  I'm currently reading two delightful books - A Guide to Elegance by Madame Dariaux and Falling for Me: How I Hung Curtains, Learned to Cook, Traveled to Seville, and Fell in Love by Anna David.  Elegance has taught me so much about what to wear and when as well as good manners, behaviors, and an extensive list of gestures that an elegant woman would never make like scratching one's head (I need to work on that one).  I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and I'm sad to say that I've almost finished it.


Falling For Me is Anna David's memoir about living by the principals laid down in Helen Gurley Brown's 1960's sensation, Sex and the Single Girl.  I have yet to read S&SG, but it's next on my list.  David went through a similar phase to the one that I'm in now during which she deeply questioned who she was and whether she was happy as that person, only she did it in her early thirties rather than her late twenties.  I had to order it on Barnes and Noble's website as no one seems to carry it in store, but it came on Friday and I've had my head in it ever since.  I'm trying to make it last longer than the usual day or two that a book this size would.  I'm only on page 72, but so far I've found much understanding, appreciation, and celebration in David's memoir as it reflects so much of my experience in its pages.

These books don't cover sailing hardware, tacking, or a Hemingway skeletal writing style but I love them as though they included all of these things.  Madame Dariaux and Anna David have reminded me both of where I'm coming from and where I'm going.  I'm fortunate to have stumbled upon both of these books as they're pushing me out of my comfort zone and into a challenging place where I'm not only learning to be what I've always wanted to be, but where I'm also learning how to trust myself again.  My only regret is that I didn't discover these books, especially Falling for Me, sooner but you know, these are not books that you discover, they are books that discover you and help you find yourself.

So that's my progress for the week - I bought a book that let's me see a little further down my current path than I've traveled myself, and I've completely changed my opinion of what good music is.  My mind feels so open right now that I think I feel a breeze between my ears and it's nice, really nice.  I never realized how much of a sheltered life I've lived (I've done it to myself) and going through all of this changing is more like an awakening than just trying to improve myself.  I have some tough moments but on the whole I'm already so much happier than I've ever been!  Taking a risk on being happy has been so much better than being certain that I'm miserable.  My boyfriend and I actually had a big conversation tonight about getting outside of our comfort zones and doing things that are more exciting like renting jet skis when summer arrives again or maybe even taking a trip to New York or Key West or even just visiting some of our old stomping grounds around here like Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Bar Louie, or Mad Dogs and Englishmen.  It looks like comfort zones will be expanding in the near future, and I can't wait!

This post ended up being much longer than anticipated.  I guess Katy and I just got a little carried away.  It's been fun.  The post about a nightly facial routine will be coming shortly.  Oh, and if anyone has anything specific that you'd like to learn about just leave it in the comments and I'll see what I can do to accommodate.  One of the purposes of this blog is to help others, after all.  I hope you guys had a great weekend.  I did!  See you next time.  (Still rocking out to Katy.)  :)

Morning Facial Routine

Your morning facial routine is probably the most simple grooming routine that you will have, but it is also one of the most important.  The most important thing about doing makeup successfully is to always begin with a clean, unblemished face.  Begin every morning by washing your face with a gentle, moisturizing facial cleanser.  There are different types of cleansers for oily, dry, and combination skin.  Be sure to keep your skin type in mind when choosing a cleanser.  If you're skin seems to always be shiny then you most likely have oily skin.  If your skin always feels tight or is a little flaky then you probably have dry skin.  If most of your skin is one type but you have areas of either dryness or shiny, oily skin then you have combination skin.  Personally, I have predominantly dry skin with a few oily patches around my nose so I use a moisturizing cleanser for dry skin.

There are several brands of cleansers and facial products that come highly recommended.  Some of the most well known brands include, Cetaphil, CeraVe, Aveeno, and O'Lay.  My two favorites are Cetaphil and CeraVe followed by O'Lay.  I highly recommend using the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for all Skin Types.  It is made for sensitive skin which I have and it has a lot of moisturizing capabilities which is always a plus.

I've never used cleansers made by CeraVe or O'Lay but I'm sure they would be excellent options in case Cetaphil doesn't quite do it for you.  Also, all of the aforementioned brands can be found at Target, Publix, CVS, or Walgreens.

Once you have selected your cleanser of choice you will need to choose a quality facial moisturizer that has an SPF from at least 15 up to 30 included.  I was never a big daily user of sunscreen until I moved to Florida four years ago and began getting sun damage just from normal sun exposure.  After enduring two chemical peels though to have the damage removed I have become quite the advocate so unless you live at the North or South Pole and never plan on going outside, make sure  your moisturizer has sunscreen.

My morning moisturizer of choice is O'Lay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion UV Defense with an SPF of 15.  This moisturizer has won several awards and has been my go to for relief from dry skin for four years.  My boyfriend has even been known to use it occasionally.  It's light but effective and it will provide relief for tightness and dryness for most of the day.  I swear by it.

My dermatologist has suggested CeraVe Day Time Facial Moisturizing Lotion, SPF 30 due to the higher SPF, but I have yet to try it.  I have also been unable to find it at Target.  I have used the CeraVe PM Moisturizing Lotion though, and I love it.  No moisturizer goes on as smoothly as that one.

Once you have cleansed and moisturized you will be ready apply any other additives that you may desire.  I have puffy bags under my eyes that are caused by genetics and although I cannot eliminate them completely I do have a couple of products that I use to reduce the puffiness.  I apply Origins No Puffery cooling mask for puffy eyes once I have cleansed and moisturized.  A tiny amount of the No Puffery goes an exceptionally long ways so the small bottle will last several months.

Once you have applied any additional products you will be ready to begin applying your makeup.  Be sure to let the moisturizer and any products completely dry before beginning to apply makeup.  Oh, and be sure to apply a little moisturizer to your eyelids - it will help your eyeshadow stay on longer.  Consistency is the most important aspect of any beauty regiment.  None of the products above will improve or maintain the quality of your skin if you use them sporadically, only if they are used daily.  It's a bit of a commitment but it's also one of the best investments you will make as it is an investment in yourself.  I hope the above was useful.  I'll be following it up with a post on night time facial routines.  Until then, I hope everyone had a good Christmas and a happy New Year's.  Here's to 2012.  Let's make it the best year we've had!

Change of Plans

I know that I said in my last post that the next post would be on foundation but I am going to rescind that idea.  I was just in the middle of writing it and decided that we can't begin with foundation.  We will need to begin with basic facial maintenance.  It doesn't matter what type of foundation or makeup you use if the skin is not in a good condition it will not yield the proper results.  As such, the next post will be on  general facial routines; one for morning and one for night.  My apologies for the abrupt change of course.  Until the next.

Let's Start at the Very Beginning

It is after all, according to the Sound of Music, a very good place to start.  Most of the problems that I encountered when I first began trying to learn makeup were caused by not starting at the beginning.  I was trying to learn everything at once as I had realized at 25 just how far behind everyone else I really was.  I panicked.  First rule, don't panic.  Second rule, begin with the very basics.  Third rule, learn to do makeup one aspect at a time.  I tried to throw a face together instantly - the result was hideous!  Then my boyfriend suggested breaking it down.  He suggested beginning with foundation and going from there.  The suggestion was fantastic and suddenly my efforts began leading to results rather than frustrations.  I am going to add a layer of advice to that which my boyfriend gave me.  Begin at the beginning, yes, but begin by collecting a good set of tools rather than by choosing your foundation.

I thought that a $30 foundation brush from MAC would work as well as a cheap sponge that comes with drugstore foundation.  I was wrong!  I know that makeup brushes and other accessories can be pricey, but, trust me on this, invest in a good set of brushes.  I've had mine for over three years and I have no intentions of replacing them anytime soon.  They don't have to be MAC brand.  Sonia Kashuk is a good drugstore brand that can be found at any Walgreens, CVS, or Target and there are also good brands to be found at any Sephora or Ulta store (for those who may not know, these are both beauty stores.  Ulta has everything from hair products, make-up, and nail polish to home pedicure kits.  Sephora has counters at most department stores, as does MAC, but Sephora carries a variety of brands and specializes in makeup.  Both Sephora and Ulta are cheaper than MAC.)

Rather than making this post excessively long, I will cover brushes for each aspect of makeup as I cover it.  Hence, when we cover foundation, I'll cover foundation brushes.  I should also mention in this post that makeup can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it.  For example.  I've probably spent $100 on makeup brushes, but then I use a $10 foundation from Target.  The tools are what will make $10 foundation from Target look better than $50 foundation by Christian Dior - yes, this was learned from personal experience.  So when I say invest in a good set of brushes, I mean it.  It might be a small financial blow now but it will save you much grief in the end.  I use a mix of a few high end products with several low end products and the result is quite nice.  If you're going to only buy one high end thing let it be the tools you use.  You can't paint a masterpiece with a toothbrush.

A post on foundation will be coming soon so that we can actually get started with some quality progress.  Oh, and for anyone who is looking to learn what fashion and elegance are all about then pick up a copy of A guide to Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux.  It was originally published in the 1940's but as Madame Dariaux stated herself in recent years, the fashions may have changed but the principles haven't.  I received it as a Christmas gift from my boyfriend, and I've had my nose to the  page ever since.  Enjoy!

Chemical Peels

I've never been one to endure self-inflicted pain in the name of beauty, however, I've under gone a series of two chemical peels over the past month and I have to admit the end result is stunning.  I originally began having chemical peels done because I had a couple of spots of sun damage on my left cheek that my dermatologist seemed worrisome enough to want to have removed.  The most effective way to remove hormonal sun damage like I had was through a chemical peel.  So, for the first time in my life I made an appointment with the aesthetician at my dermatologist's office and experienced the "hot" sensation that is a chemical peel.

The first one I had done a month ago sent me for a little loop.  I was told by the aesthetician that my face would feel "hot" once the peel was applied.  The chemicals were to remain on my face for about five minutes and then water was to be applied to stop the reaction.  About two minutes in the "hot" sensation was too much to tolerate as by "hot" the aesthetician meant that it felt like someone had rubbed hot sandpaper onto a sunburned face and then put your head in an oven.  I had the peel stopped about three minutes too soon.  I peeled over the weekend (for about three days) but it was more like flaking a bit than really peeling.  Still though, the sun damage was mostly gone by the time it was done.  In fact, when I went for my follow up the dermatologist was so impressed that she decided that I only need one more peel rather than three more!

I had the second one done last week and this time I was prepared.  It was painful, but I managed to suffer through two different layers of chemicals and a total of ten minutes in beauty hell.  One of the peels turned my face yellow for about thirty minutes afterwards but I had the afternoon off so no worries there.  They say that you should begin peeling about 48 hours after you have a peel done.  I began peeling the next afternoon!  Aside from one day at work when I looked unbelievably hideous, the peeling part went rather well.  I actually peeled, like a boss if I may be so bold.  Sheets of skin were coming off.  I had to go to a Broadway production on Saturday night so I had to put makeup on over the peeling, not fun.  Also, because I began peeling sooner than was anticipated some the new skin was still a little raw, red, and tender.  After applying a base layer of concealer with my fingertips, I was able to cover it with foundation.  I actually looked surprisingly normal.

It's been a week since I finished peeling after receiving two of the strongest peels that are offered.  The raw, red skin eventually healed and peeled a little again.  It took some time but I've finished peeling and all of the skin has healed.  The sun damage is completely gone and the few acne scars that I had are virtually gone.  Also, my charming adult acne has cleared up beautifully and has not come back over the past month.

Are chemical peels painful, truthfully, yes they are, very much so.  However, they do provide the results that they promise.  They remove dark spots, acne scars, wrinkles (allegedly), and they definitely clear up moderate acne.  Granted you have to shed a layer of skin like a snake but what lies beneath it is as smooth as a baby's bottom.  I'm supposed to have "maintenance" peels done once every three to six months as the sun damage will continue to come back as mine is supposedly cause by my skin pigmentation and my hormones.  The maintenance peels will not be as severe as the last peel that was done.  They will be more like the first peel although I should peel more than I did the first time around.  As for working while peeling, yes it's humiliating and I found myself giving verbal warnings to co-workers who walked up behind me before I would turn around, but once they saw me the following Monday they all said that they wanted to have a peel done too!  Trust me, it's a few minutes pain and a couple of days of discomfort for months of healthy skin.  By the way, the actual peeling doesn't hurt.  Your skin will just feel really tight like it would right after a bad sunburn.  The peeling is usually welcomed as it relieves the tightness.

Hopefully this post inspired rather than frightened.  I've had two of the strongest peels they make, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, minus having to go out to a Broadway show while peeling, of course.  Give it a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised.  I certainly was.