Holy Grail of Eye Primers - MAC Paint Pot

Ladies, as many of you may have noticed, our eyelids can darken as we age. And don't even get me started on under eye circles which have been the bane of my existence for my entire life (doesn't matter how much sleep I get or which eye creams I try, nothing seems to make much of a difference). And then there is the issue of our eyelids drooping a bit with age, which means we can't afford to have eye shadow creasing going on - so with all these things we need a super hero when it comes to an eyelid primer, and boy have I found one. 

Let me introduce you to my holy grail of eyelid primers - MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre. And if you put a very moisturizing eye cream under your eye, it even can be used as primer before concealer to help give those dark circles the boot. Here are the pics and tips for using:

Important application tips:

1. Apply with a concealer brush - this is critical. This goes on initially with a creamy consistency, but very quickly dries to a matte finish. Once it dries it is impossible to blend any further - it is like spackle - it is not gonna budge. So trying to blend with your fingers or a sponge just isn't as clean or efficient as using the concealer brush - apply it and blend it with the brush all in one motion.
2. If you want to use to conceal dark circles - here is what I do. Make sure you've used a very moisturizing eye cream under your eyes. Then apply the Paint Pot with the concealer brush and be sure to blend it well so there are no streaks or uneven areas - don't forget that dark spot in the inside corners of your eyes. Warning, this will settle into any fine lines/wrinkles under your eyes if used by itself. But, the magic happens when you apply your regular creamy concealer over the Paint Pot (like Bobby Brown corrector or concealer). Because of the Paint Pots spackle-like consistency, the concealer on top glides on and doesn't seem to settle into the fine lines & wrinkles like it would by itself. 

To give you an idea of how it covers - I have a fairly dark birth mark on my hand - below are the before & after photos - for the after shot I used the concealer brush in a stippling motion with two coats - pretty decent coverage.

This product gets 4.5 Cheers - the only reason it doesn't get a 5 is because it's a bit pricey at $21 per pot, but the offset is that a little goes a very long way, so I'm guessing this pot will last me at least six months, maybe longer.

If you are already a fan of Paint Pots or you're trying it for the first time - I would love to hear your comments about it!

Pilates Reformer - My Exercise Miracle!

For me, the challenge with physical fitness has been finding a type of exercise that is an ideal blend of fat-burning cardio, slenderizing toning, and strength training, but that is also absolutely low impact. As a teenager (which was a million years ago, I know) I ran on the high school varsity track team as a sprinter. And my knees took a beating as a result. So for years I have been unable to do any kind of exercise that is high impact. Jogging, forget about it. Running, no way Jose. Dancing, who are you kidding? Jumping Jacks, impossible. Jumping Rope, out of the question. Plyometrics, are you out of your freakin mind?

So that left all of the low impact forms of exercise that either didn't give enough of a cardio burn, were just plain boring, or required donning a bathing suit and getting into a pool. On a treadmill the only way to get a decent cardio workout was to crank it all the way up to 10 incline like I was walking straight up a hill and even with the best workout music mix on my iPod, it was still monotonous. Then I had to do something else for toning and still something else for strength training. Ugh. I'm not retired yet, so I certainly don't have that much time in the day. I loved Yoga, but many of the moves still put too much pressure on my knees and it was a challenge to get a decent cardio burn. People suggested Bikram yoga, but the thought of doing Down Dog in a room heated to 105 degrees while simultaneously having a hot flash left me with one thought - heck no! I had tried mat Pilates which I also enjoyed, but it still lacked the fat burning cardio that I needed for a well rounded exercise program. Keep in mind - whatever I'm doing, I'm always doing it at home. I have tried gym memberships a few times and I always hate it - I'm too intimidated by trying to figure out all the machines and the times I'm able to go to the gym are the same times everyone else is able to go too - standing around waiting for machines just seems counter-productive, not to mention worrying about what I'm wearing and spending time driving there and driving back. It began to feel like the perfect exercise program was as illusive as the fabled unicorn.

Then I began to do research into Pilates Reformers - particularly those that come with Cardio Rebounders. From all appearance, these machines seemed to be the perfect combination of all the things I was looking for. And then I found a brand on QVC that was being offered at an unbelievable price (under $500 and with Easy Pay). So after fulfilling my promise to my husband that I would sell my treadmill (aka coat rack) before buying any other piece of equipment, I ordered my Stamina AeroPilates Reformer from QVC and anxiously waited for it to arrive. Was I going to be disappointed? Was it going to be too good to be true? After using it every day for almost a month, suffice it to say that it has exceeded all of my expectations. I have my found my exercise miracle! Below are photos of my actual machine, along with two videos that describe the machine and also how the cardio rebounder compares to a treadmill and eliptical in terms of cardio benefits. Don't let how easy it looks on the videos fool you - it is unbelievable what an intense cardio workout, ab workout and leg/glute workout you get LYING DOWN! And no stress on my knees! For reference - at first I could only do 10 mins on the cardio rebounder without being completely winded (I've worked myself up to 20 mins now).

Here is my actual machine the AeroPilates 5-Corded Reformer with Cardio Rebounder - the only item not shown in these shots is the padded foot rest which is also included (along with two beginner workout DVDs).

Here is the video talking about the 5-corded reformer and modifications for various exercises:



Here is a video (featuring an older 3-cord machine) that talks about the benefits of the Pilates Reformer in general and specifically the increased heart rate/cardio benefits of the cardio rebounder as compared to both a treadmill and elliptical (not viewable on mobile devices):




And it's even PET APPROVED!

Improve your strength, endurance, and flexibility - shop QVC for AeroPilates equipment today!


So if you are looking for the perfect, low impact cardio, toning & strength training exercise program, I highly recommend you check out the AeroPilates Corded Reformer with Cardio Rebounder. This absolutely gets 5 Cheers from me especially at the price offered on QVC. If you're thinking of ordering it through QVC, here's a tip - the first time I tried to order it on QVC it was sold out, but I checked back a week later and they had it back in stock, so if you have that problem, keep checking back - I think this is an item that will be offered for a long time to come. You can probably also do equally well with the 4-cord reformer. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

Simple Ideas to Make Life EASIER!

I'm always looking for creative, simple ways to make life easier. These first three ideas are so simple you'll be saying "why didn't I think of that?!"

And these all involve food ~ hmmm, I must have been hungry when I wrote this post, lol.

Let me know if you try these ideas and what you think. Especially what kind of cookie dough you used for the cookie bowls!

Scarves Aren't Just for Staying Warm

Scarves aren't just for keeping warm ladies. They make a fantastic, quick, stylish accessory that you can throw on in a hurry as you're dashing out the door to completely change the look of your outfit. Let's say that you're wearing jeans and a simple black tee shirt. Nothing special and a little bit blah, right? But quickly throw on a light-weight black & grey scarf and now your look becomes casual chic!

If you're one of those people who hasn't experimented with how to wear a scarf, here is a very simple (but sophisticated looking) way to tie it. I call it the Figure Eight technique. Make sure you have a nice long scarf - shorter ones won't work for this style. Here is the diagram on exactly how to tie it and then underneath is how it looked when I wore one of my scarves this way.

Try it out - it's so easy!

And here's how it looked on me - dressing up that simple black tee shirt! Send me photos of you wearing a scarf with this technique so I can include them in an update!

Getting Caught in Seaweed - Seaweed Bath Co Wildly Natural Seaweed Bath Powder - Review

If you read my last review where I raved about the Everyday Shea Bubble Bath, well as much as I loved that bath product is equal to how much I dislike the Seaweed Bath Co Wildly Natural Seaweed Bath Powder. It's just yucky. There is no other way to describe it. The instructions on the back of the package read:

"Shake well prior to opening. Empty contents of pouch into running water in the bathtub. Swirl with hand until powder dissolves and water turns light brown color."

Swirl until powder dissolves? Really? I started with swirling ... which then progressed to vigorously stirring the water with my hand ... multiple times mind you ... and there wasn't much dissolving going on. Fortunately I only put a handful into the water to test it (thank god it wasn't the whole pouch). The water literally looked like it had dirt floating in it, even 10 mins later. I finally gave up and drained the tub only to find it left a horrible mess of debris stuck to the bottom of the tub. Personally, I think this is taking the "wildly natural" element a little too far (right up there with the ladies who don't shave their underarms and don't use deodorant - no offense, but that's just not how I roll).

It always saddens me to have to give a product a negative review, but hey, sometimes the truth ain't always sunshine & rainbows, now is it?

This product comes up completely empty for me. No cheers for this one...

Tiny Bubbles - Everyday Shea Moisturizing Shea Butter Bubble Bath - Review

So if you are a "bubble bath girl" then this product review is for you! I take a bubble bath almost every night to de-stress and decompress from the day and the Everyday Shea Moisturizing Shea Butter Bubble Bath is my new favorite. This is a humungus 32oz bottle of bubble bath goodness, I'm telling you! The description from the product site reads:

"This naturally foaming, non-irritating, gentle bubble bath is handmade with moisturizing, Certified Fair Trade shea butter to nourish and soften your skin.™ Infused with fresh herbal extracts - clary sage to uplift the spirits and calm nerves, and African yam to help regulate mood and promote relaxation.™ "

I love the Vanilla Citrus Mint scent and what's really fantastic is how little you need. Just one small capful under running water when you start your bath will fill your tub with an amazing plume of luxurious bubbles that last your entire soak! And I have a really deep tub! I've never had bubbles last so long.

At around $13 per bottle it is an excellent buy because of how little you actually use for each bath, especially given it's packed with such healthy skin-nourishing ingredients and it's a Fair Trade product. You can purchase on Amazon or check your local health food store:



This product absolutely gets 5 CHEERS!

The Balm - All About Alex Eyeshadow - Product Review

Ladies, you know how you have those special, favorite products... the ones that you feel would be a devastating loss if they were ever discontinued? Well, this eye shadow falls into that never-to-be-understood-by-men category. Let me introduce you to the shade All About Alex by The Balm. Don't let the greenish color in the package on their site scare you - it actually goes on like a fantastic golden taupe. It's highly pigmented, very blendable, with just the right amount of shimmer (no glitterratzzi here). It's a wonderful shade for your crease and outer corner of the eye. Excuse the tattered look of the case, it just shows how much it's been lovingly used!

The cost at $16 is the only reason it comes in at 4.5 Cheers. Although you may be able to get it on Amazon for less:

Tropical Colada Mango Smoothie

I don't know about you ladies, but I love Pina Coladas. And this is my favorite breakfast smoothie right now (without the alcohol of course). This makes one large serving (or 2 small) about 300 calories for the large or 150 calories each for the small.

Tropical Colada Mango Smoothie

- 1 cup Frozen Pineapple Chunks
- 1/2 cup Frozen Mango Chunks
- 1/2 cup Coconut Almond Milk
- 1/2 cup Pineapple Coconut Water
- 1/2 cup Pineapple Juice
- 2 tablespoons Ground Flax Seed
- Scoop of your favorite Protein Powder
- Handful of Shredded Coconut

 

Mix all ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

  

 

Something's Fishy (and that's a GOOD thing) Norwegian Gold Super Critical Omega - Fish Oil Product Review

Unless you've been living in a cave with no access to the outside world, you've probably heard that Fish Oil supplements are good for you. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Adding regular fish oil supplements can help promote better relationship between HDL and LDL cholesterol levels which helps to battle heart disease (we can all benefit from that!)
2. Improving bone density - as we grow older, especially those of us who are entering the menopausal years (or like me, have been circling there for quite some time) we could begin to experience osteoporosis due to hormonal imbalances that affect our bone density. Studies have shown women who consume long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, along with getting enough calcium, tend to have healthier bones and decreased occurrences of stress fractures or other bone related conditions. (Amen to that - ladies, a cast or crutches does nothing for your outfit!)
3. Balancing and improving our mood - fish oil consumption helps to increase the levels of serotonin in the body, which is often termed the 'feel good' hormone. (our significant others will certainly appreciate this!).
4. Joint health - taking Fish Oil also helps lubricate our joints and reduce joint inflammation! (think about that the next time your knees are complaining about going up those stairs...)

So, we know that Fish Oil is good for us - but how to choose? There are so many different brands and types out there it can be quite overwhelming. With all the other supplements I take, it better be a brand that only requires me to take one pill at a time (if I see "serving size equals two" or more, forget it, I move to the next brand). And then, if you're like me, almost every Fish Oil supplement I've taken in the past ends up "revisiting" me via fishy burps throughout the day. Ugh, no thanks! Well all my fish oil worries went away when I discovered Norwegian Gold Super Critical Omega! Here are product images for you so you know what to look for:

This product is AMAZING! Here are my main two reasons why:

• Special enteric coating that really does make them easier to swallow and burp-free. Hallelujah!
• Very high potency in only one capsule!

It can be purchased from Amazon with the link below or just check your local health food store - for me it's worth every penny. If you're looking for a high potency, truly burp-free Fish Oil supplement - I highly recommend you try Norwegian Gold Super Critical Omega.




It gets 5 CHEERS from me (the highest rating on this blog).

5MABNSPEA3GM

Bikini Soft Shaving Oil - Review

After reading a few other posts in the blogosphere about Bikini Soft, my curiosity was definitely peaked. So I contacted the folks at Bikini Soft who were kind enough to send me samples of their products for review. Yes, I did receive the products for free, but it in no way affected my impression of the products, and what comes next is my unbiased, honest review. So ladies, let's get to it...

First - product photos:

 













Now, the review: I didn't want to try the products on a fresh razor blade - the blade would already be delivering a smooth, close shave out of the sheer fact that it was brand new. So when I tested these products, I intentionally used them with a two-week old razor blade that was on the verge of being switched out (I shave every single day without fail; let's just say those little moisture strips were a pale image of their former selves and it was taking multiple passes to get that close shave). 

Directions from Bikini Soft instruct you to:

1. Generously wet the area to be shaved.
2. In a moist palm, massage 8-10 drops of Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil.
3. Massage into the area to be shaved and wait 5-10 seconds.
4. Shave as usual (be sure to rinse and clean your razor often)

One thing you need to know about me, I have been using liquid soap that lathers up nicely to shave for over 35 years. To say that I'm engrained in that habit would be the understatement of the century. So I wasn't crazy about shaving just with the oil. I did try it, but I wasn't a fan - it just seemed like I needed a ton of oil that way to get the smooth glide I was used to, and I gotta be honest, I missed my coconut-scented lather. However, in their "helpful hints" section, Bikini Soft suggests to get a really close shave to also put a few drops of the Smooth Shave oil directly on your razer, including on the lubricating strips. So next I tried lathering up with my regular liquid soap by itself and then only putting the oil on my razor before shaving. Wow! Now this I loved! I kid you not, my ready-for-the-trash blade suddenly felt like it was brand new. In fact, I would go so far as to say it actually shaved better than new - let me explain. I use the Schick Quattro women's razor and have for years. I actually prefer the closeness of the Venus razors, but I always (and I mean ALWAYS) cut myself with that razor. When I use the Schick Quattro, the shave isn't as close, but at least my legs aren't covered in dozens of  "tissue bandaids" when I'm finished, so that has always seemed like an acceptable compromise. ENTER Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil and viola - my Quattro blade now performs like a Venus blade - but I'm not getting any nicks or cuts. This is a very good thing!

Their other product, the Razor Saver Oil, is used to preserve the life of your blade - after thoroughly rinsing your razor and gently dabbing it dry, you just brush on a thin coat of the Saver Oil and let the razor sit. I haven't been using it long enough to know exactly how long it preserves your blade, so I can't give empirical data on that. However, this is what is stated on their website: "Shaving doesn’t dull your razor, oxidation is the culprit. The combination of water and air on steel causes oxidation (or rust). In fact, the period between shaves does more damage to your razor than the shave itself. Exposure to moist air corrodes blades quickly, leading to a jagged edge resulting in nicks and cuts. Bikini Soft Razor Saver Oil has been shown to slow the effects of oxidation and extend blade life up to 300%." So the science behind it seems to make sense.
Here are the claims from their website and my reactions:

"Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil gives you the smoothest, closest shave and leaves your skin silky soft."  Absolutely true, it was pretty amazing.

"You’ll be amazed at how comfortable your shaving experience will become along with the disappearance of nicks, cuts and razor burn." It was definitely comfortable once I switched to applying the oil only to the razor itself - definitely no nicks, cuts, or razor burn.

"Your razor will literally glide over your skin as if it is floating." Definitely true, especially combined with my normal lather.

They also offer a 30-day money back guarantee.

Cost: $14.95 - Kit includes a 1 oz. bottle of Bikini Soft Smooth Shave Oil as well as a ½ oz. bottle of Bikini Soft Razor Saver Oil with applicator brush. Your kit also includes a step by step instruction guide for both oils along with a Bikini Soft Recycling guide.

And I really love how they encourage their customers to recycle by providing the Recycle Return Label - not just for their empty product bottles, but for old razors and cartridges as well. Bravo!

So this product gets 4.5 CHEERS (almost the highest rating available on this blog). The only reason it doesn't get a 5 is because for some the cost may be a factor, although a little goes a long way. Personally, after trying the complimentary sample for 3 weeks, I will definitely be placing an order - I don't think I want to shave without it!

If you're interested in trying Bikini Soft you can learn more on their website at: https://www.bikinisoft.com/index.html. If you've tried it, I would love to hear what you thought about it, so feel free to leave your comments.