Confessions of a Skincare Junkie

17 May 2013

Friday Fitness: Hanging out on the plateau

It’s been kind of a blah week with not much going on. My weight has held steady. At least it didn’t go up. But it didn’t go down either.

I realize I just added extra pressure in my head because my birthday is in 7 weeks — and I found out that we will be in Hawaii that week (hubby has a conference on the Big Island). So I will be spending my 50th on a beach in Hawaii… and even if I lose another 15 lbs by then, I’ll still be too fat to look good in a bathing suit… and with no weight loss this week, it’s looking doubtful that I’ll be down that much by then.

But since it’s in Hawaii, I won’t know anybody, so it won’t matter what I look like. I’ll just be another white, fat tourist.

The diet: I am still fasting twice a week, which is still a struggle and last night I ended up succumbing to the allure of a chocolate hazelnut bar… those cravings are deep and I try to satisfy them with other things, but sometimes only real chocolate will do.

I have been reading “Eat to Live” by Joel Fuhrman and as a result have been trying to add more fresh vegetables and fruits into my diet. I feel virtuous, but have yet to feel any increased energy, vitality or weight loss. However, hubby is out of town until Monday, so I’ll continue eating mega-salads through the week-end. They taste good and they’re easy to prepare for just one person. Hubby’s not a salad kind of guy; he likes the idea in theory, but in practice, his salads go uneaten so I just stopped serving them when he’s around.

So, hopefully I’ll have better news to report next week. Until then, I’ll just keep on keeping on. One foot in front of the other.

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16 May 2013

review • skincare

Decoding Sunscreen Labels: New Rules, Newspeak

It’s practically summer here in Southern California and with the clearing of the May Gray, I have started shopping for sunscreens again. (If your sunscreen is older than 2 years, you should start shopping, too, since most sunscreens expire within 2 years.)

If you have checked your store aisles lately, you may have noticed some differences on new sunscreen labels. Since the new FDA regulations took effect in January 2013, there have been a few changes. And this chart from the Target blog, Bullseye View, explains the new terminology (with thanks to Beautiful Makeup Search for their original review:

1. Broad Spectrum: This refers to protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin, causing damage which results in age spots and wrinkles. UVB radiation is the stuff that makes skin red and causes burning. Both can lead to skin cancers. It’s good to have a sunscreen that protects against both. In addition, in order to carry the broad spectrum label, a sunscreen must offer at least an SPF of 15.

Some broad spectrum ingredients to look for:

Avobenzone
Cinoxate
Ecamsule
Menthyl anthranilate
Octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyl salicylate
Oxybenzone
Meroxyl
Titanium Dioxide
Zinc Oxide

2. Sunscreen vs. Sunblock: Since it’s physically impossible to block ALL of the sun’s rays with a lotion, manufacturers can no longer label their products as sunblocks.

3. and 4. Water resistance: It is as unrealistic to claim that a lotion is waterproof as is is to claim that it fully blocks the sun. So, now sunscreens can be labelled as water resistant if they meet certain tests. Also, there are only 2 categories of water resistance: 40 minutes or 80 minutes. If a sunscreens only makes it to 30 minutes in the test, it cannot be labelled as water resistant. Alternatively, if a product lasts an hour and a half, it can only be labelled as 80 minutes. And there must be the added advice on the label to reapply after swimming and/or towelling off.

5. SPF: Sunscreens can no longer be labelled as anything higher than 50. Theoretically, an SPF of 15 would let you stay in the sun for 15 minutes before you started to burn.

Here is what the Sun Protection and Products Guide has to say:

SPF-15-30-50 Guide:

•15- 1/15 of the UVB rays get through to your skin – blocking about 93%.

•30- 1/30 of the UVB rays get through to your skin – blocking about 97%.

•50- 1/50 of the UVB rays get through to your skin – blocking about 98%.

As you can see, there is not a lot of extra protection between SPF 30 and SPF 50, although I personally feel “safer” with an SPF closer to 50.

And how you wear your sunscreen is another huge variable. Slathering it on thick and heavy gives more protection than a thin coat. The recommendation is for 2 oz of sunscreen to cover your whole body. Apply your sunscreen BEFORE you put your clothes on so you don’t miss spots. And wait 30 minutes after applying before going outside. The 30 minute wait is not so crucial for physical sunscreens such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, but it is crucial for all chemical filters.

The sun is fun, but too much can be dangerous. If you practice “safe sun”, then you should be able to enjoy the outdoors without burning or increasing your risk of cancer.

In addition to sunscreens, there is also sun protective clothing. Made with special fabrics and weaves, sun protective clothing can be both stylish and breathable. If you work outdoors, are on a boat or surfing, or just don’t want to worry about reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours, then this is a good option. I have sun protective hats and wraps for when I work outdoors; it really helps!

And be sure to check out the UV index for your area: you may be surprised!

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12 May 2013

photos

Sunday Pictures: Happy Mother’s Day!

A bit of silliness brought to you by NekoFont… a Japanese website that turns whatever you input into catput….

Too much fun!

Anyways, Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there! This is your day to celebrate your triumphs and sorrows and all your tireless hard work.

I am not a mother… it just didn’t happen. Miscarriages happened and after a few of them, I just decided I didn’t want to try any more. I didn’t have the driving desire to a mother that some people have and I’ve made my peace with non-motherhood. But sometimes Mother’s Day is not the easiest day for me.

The Bloggess posted this today that speaks beautifully to people like me.

I hope that whatever your state (male, female, mother or non-mother or not-yet-mother, or not-even-contemplating motherhood-yet…), this day brings you happiness and beauty and joy.

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10 May 2013

fitness • weight management

Friday Fitness: Running fool…

Um… that’s acually, walking fool…

This was an excellent week for walking with 4 days of more than 10, 000 steps. Thanks to my Fitbit who sends me text messages when I’m close and encourages me to take those extra 1000 steps to get to 10, 000… And yesterday, I walked 6.2 miles as a trial for a 10k coming up on May 25. (Of course, that was more than I’ve done at one time before and my plantar fasciitis complained for the rest of the day…but it’s fine now).

I also started doing a 10-minute strength-training routine 3 times per week as part of the Prevention 28-day Challenge. It’s amazing how such a short workout can actually make me feel stronger, but I am noticing it’s easier to lift groceries from the trunk of the car and that I’m going uphill more gracefully.

Still sticking to the 5:2 Fast Plan. It’s not getting easier… but at least it’s not getting harder. Yesterday I ate mostly raw foods as part of a spa day, and it was gratifying to be able to eat a ton of food knowing that it was all within my limits. I will have to plan for big salads for my next fast days…. they are more satisfying than eating tiny portions…

This week’s results:Down: 1.8 lbs!
Down: 1 more half inch around my arms: I can now wear 3 more blouses!!! Yippee!!
Down: .5 inch from waist and hips!

I can see real progress as I’m able to fit back into my favorite clothes. It’s a great feeling — reclaiming my body and my life!

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09 May 2013

beauty • recipe • skincare

A day at the spa… at home…

I had today off… and with the hubby away on a business trip, it seemed the perfect time to turn our little home in suburbia into a luxury spa for a day…

So I turned to the household experts and we created a plan for a day at the Spa de Pause (or is that Paws)…

Although I have never been to an actual spa (other than spending half a day at the Aqua Day Spa in San Diego…note to self, must return as soon as possible), I have read numerous magazines about week-end spa retreats where weary people go for a few days of fresh air, stretching, healthy foods and beauty treatments… re-emerging with renewed energy and glowing skin.

I am truly lucky to live with not one, but TWO relaxation specialists and they vowed to help me destress and unwind… at no extra fee (but wet food would be appreciated…)

Sahara is a highly trained specialist in stretching and sleeping

Java showing off her sleeping style…

So, with time on my hands and two trainers ready to nap, I started my spa day.

Actually, I started the evening before, right after I got home from taking hubby to the airport. I read The Skin Regime: Bootcamp for Beautiful Skin by Dana Ramos and was inspired to try it for myself. It’s a really simple program based on sound dermatology. Dana writes as she sees it — and with honesty and humor, she lays out her plan to take care of skin that needs help: acne scars, mild acne, sun damage, aging, and hyperpigmentation among other problems are all helped with her method.

Here it is in a nutshell (but check out her book and website for more details):
A simple and gentle chemical peel done at home once a week for 6 weeks will yield amazing results.

So I got the stuff she recommended:

What you need for an at-home chemical peel.

Not pictured: gentle cleanser and rubbing alcohol to clean the skin before the peel. I used Dove for sensitive skin as recommended by Dana.

I got the glycolic acid solution (30% as recommended for a first-time peel) from Skin Obsession and followed the directions. It stung a bit, but I held on for the minimum of 3 minutes, then rinsed with a baking soda solution to neutralize the peel. Afterwards, I slathered on CeraVe cream to gently moisturize my newly peeled and very pink skin.

This morning, my skin looked a little more clear. It was no longer pink, but back to its normal pale shade. I will try this again next week — and in 6 weeks will make a full report of how weekly peels work for me.

And now I am officially in LOVE with CeraVE moisturizing cream! It’s not greasy; it’s super moisturizing thanks to ceramides and hyaluronic acid. I used it all over today and my skin feels soft like butter!

Ingredients
Purified Water, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20 and Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide I, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.

That was last night.

This morning, I woke up bright and early, drank several cups of spa water ( water with sliced lemons and cucumbers) and headed off to Lake Murray in La Mesa for a 6.2 mile walk. I figure that if I want to walk a 10k by May 25, I’d better do a trial run today when I have the time. So I grabbed my fanny pack with water, camera, keys and MP3 player and hit the trail. I took my time on the outgoing 3 miles, and even snapped a picture of a chollas near the trail.

A claret colored chollas

But once I reached the halfway mark, I cranked up the tunes and walked a fast 5k back to the car.

Woo hoo! And it took an hour and 45 minutes. Not bad for a first attempt at a 10k.

Afterwards, it was home to shower and have my spa breakfast:

FruitSalad_copy

Festive Fruit Salad

1 pear, 1 apple, 1 mango (all chopped)1 package each: fresh raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds

Mix together. Enjoy!

Drink more water.

After breakfast and some time catching up on email, I did some stretching and decided it was time for a bath. I had originally planned on an evening bath, but my complaining muscles decided earlier was better. So I slathered my hair with deep conditioner (a souvenir from last year’s Israel trip), filled the tub with hot water, dead sea salts and a few drops of lavender essential oil, and engaged in some home thalassotherapy (aka bathing in sea water for curative purposes). I opted to eat my seaweed instead of putting in the bath.

A yummy seaweed snack!

Post-bath, my meditation coaches led me through a guided petting relaxation which involved gentle repetitive movements, soft sounds to stimulate the beta waves and both kneading massage and deep-tissue weighted relaxation techniques (think rock therapy with a 12-lb furball)… then we took a nap.

Salad and spa water for lunch:

Spa Salad

1 pkg spring salad mix
2 cups chopped red kale
1 cup chopped watercress (it was on sale)
1 each: zuchini, cucumber, celery stalk, avocado
1 package cherry tomatoes
1 can chickpeas, rinsed
juice from half a lemon

Makes tons.

This afternoon, I did some art, read a book and did some strength-training.

More salad and spa water for dinner (along with some un-spa-like Chicken Channa Masala leftovers.)

And tonight, I plan more of the same (minus the strength-training), followed by more purring-therapy.

All in all, a fabulous spa get-in.

Have you ever taken a whole day just to relax and pamper yourself? What did you do?

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08 May 2013

beauty • review • skincare

Mary Kay: Timewise Skincare…was it my solution?

After my experience with Kleraderm, I wanted to try something mild for my next skincare experiment.

The Timewise Miracle Set for Normal/Dry Skin

And after my Mary Kay makeover, I decided to try the Timewise Miracle Set (trial size in normal/dry) and the TimeWise Repair™ Volu-Firm™ Night Treatment With Retinol .

The Timewise Miracle Set consists of Mary Kay’s famous 3-in-1 Cleanser, Age Fighting Moisturizer, the Day Solution Sunscreen and the Night Serum.

Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser:The Mary Kay website says:

The TimeWise® 3-In-1 Cleanser is part of the TimeWise® Miracle Set® – a customized collection of age-fighting products formulated to work together to deliver visible results, even for those with sensitive skin and rosacea.* The Miracle Set® offers 11 age-defying benefits:cleanses, exfoliates, freshens, hydrates, smooths, visibly firms, softens, protects, energizes, renews and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a younger-looking you.

I had trouble getting a full list of ingredients. Here are the key ingredients from the Mary Kay website: “Gentle cleansing beads in TimeWise® cleansers remove dead skin cells through exfoliation. A patented* complex in TimeWise® cleansers reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by accelerating the skin’s natural renewal process.”
My take: This has a good idea, but I didn’t really like using it. There weren’t really enough beads to feel exfoliating and my skin felt a bit greasy afterwards. Not my favorite product.

TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer (normal/dry):

The Mary Kay Website says:

TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer is formulated with a patented^† complex that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains a powerful antioxidant to help guard against free radical damage. Hydrates for up to 10 hours.

Dermatologist-tested.
Suitable for sensitive skin.
Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy.
Oil- and fragrance-free. Hypoallergenic.
Non-comedogenic (will not clog pores).

Ingredients: Water, glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, cettearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, triethanolamine hydrogenated lecithin, behenyl alcohol, propylene glycol, dimethicone, bis-diglyceryl polyacladipate-2, ceteareth-20, linoleamidopropyl PG-dimonium chloridephosphate, silica, carbomer, diazolidinyl urea, lauramine oxide, disodium EDTA, betaine, glyceryl polyacrylate, methylparaben, sodium PCA, C9-15 alkyl phosphate, tocopheryl acetate, sorbitol, propylparaben, serine, threonine, proline, arginine, glycine, alanine, lysine, glutamic acid, thermus themophillus ferment. Comination to Oily: Ingredients: Water, glycerine, isododecane, dimethicone, propylene glycol, betaine, ethylene/acrilic acid copolymer, boron nitride, ammonium acrloyl-dimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, PEG-12 dimethicone, polyacrylamide, phenoxyethanol, C13-14 isoparaffin, lauramine oxide, disodium EDTA, methlPARABEN, triethanolamie, C9-15 alkyl phosphate, DMDM hydantoin, tocopheryl acetate, laureth-7, linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium chloride phosphate, sodium PCA, sorbitol, serine, thermus thermophillus ferment, threonine, prosline, arginine, glycine, alanine, lysine, glutamic acid.My Take: I really like this moisturizer. It absorbs quickly and leaves my skin soft and smooth. I had no dry patches at all during the day and it didn’t exacerbate my oily spots.

TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35*

Mary Kay’s website says:
TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35* helps prevent sun damage such as lines and discoloration before it occurs by shielding skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays.

Dermatologist-tested.
Suitable for sensitive skin.
Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy.
Oil- and fragrance-free. Hypoallergenic.
Non-comedogenic (will not clog pores).

Ingredients: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Octinoxate (7.5% W/W), Octisalate (5%W/W), Zinc Oxide (3.88% W/W), Oxybenzone (3% W/W) OTHER INGREDIENTS: Water/Eau, Isododecane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Betaine, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Plankton Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Squalane, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Butylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Crithmum Maritum Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethycellulose, Polyhydrostearic Acid, Ceteareth-20, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Triethoxycaprylysilane, PEG-4 Laurate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-75, PEG-150, PEG-8, Cetyl Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Laureth-3, Disodium EDTA, Iodoproynyl Butylcarbamate, Methlparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Titanium Oxide, Mica

My Take: This is a nice broad-spectrum daily sunscreen. It absorbed quickly, left no white cast and played nicely under my cosmetics (e.g. did not cause pilling or streaking of foundation or bb cream). The two drawbacks for me: 1) it left my skin very shiny — although that was easily taken care of with a dusting of powder, and 2) SPF 35 is not as high as I would like for a daily sunscreen in the summer.

Timewise Night Solution:

What Mary Kay’s website says:

A unique delivery system of Nutribeads® microcapsules contain highly effective antioxidants essential for skin’s renewal process.

Dermatologist-tested.
Suitable for sensitive skin.
Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy.
Oil- and fragrance-fee. Hypoallergenic.
Non-comedogenic (will not clog pores).

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Gum Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Fruit Extract, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Mannitol, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Triethyl Citrate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium Edta, Talc, Methylparaben, Dmdm Hydantoin, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines, Red 30

My take: This was a nice serum that felt refreshing, but I wasn’t really sure it did much more than moisturize.

TimeWise Repair™ Volu-Firm™ Night Treatment With Retinol

Mary Kay’s website says:

When it comes to fighting the advanced signs of aging, retinol is considered a superhero.

That’s why TimeWise Repair™ Volu-Firm™ Night Treatment With Retinol is one powerhouse skin care product. And because the retinol is encapsulated, it’s protected against degradation from air and light which helps preserve its stability and maximum efficacy. Encapsulation also provides a more controlled release to help minimize potential irritation. In addition to retinol, this ultrahydrating cream – enriched with highly effective botanicals – delivers other important skin benefits, like replenishing precious moisture.

In fact, when skin moisture levels were measured after applying TimeWise Repair™ Volu-Firm™ Night Treatment With Retinol, testing showed that skin hydration was not only immediately tripled, but also was still significantly higher after 12 hours. Add all those benefits to those of the TimeWise Repair™ Volu-Firm™ Complex, and your skin has never had it so good.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isocetyl Stearate, Retinol, Punica Granatum Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Tripeptide-1, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Tricaprylin, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Chlorphenesin, BHT

My take: This is a really nice moisturizing retinol cream. After 1 month of use, I noticed fine lines around my eyes and lips softening. I LOVE the pump container; it dispenses just the right amount while protecting the product from air and my fingers.

SUMMARY:
I love the Timewise Moisturizer, Timewise Daily Sunscreen and Timewise Repair Retinol cream. I will keep using these until they run out and I’ll seriously consider re-purchasing.

I am not so fond of the 3-in-1 Cleanser nor the Timewise Night Solution. They did not work for me.

Have you tried Mary Kay skincare products? What do you think?

If you want to try a Mary Kay facial, get a skincare consultation or get more information about Mary Kay’s products and company, check the website for a consultant near you.

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07 May 2013

beauty • review

When you say Pink Cadillac….

I think Mary Kay… (actually, I think of the song by Natalie Cole, and then I think of Mary Kay…)

The petite blond lady in pink from Dallas with the BIG hair and the big make-up business, and of course, her famous pink Mary Kay cadillacs. (That color is patented by MK…)

I think of floral-scented lotions and grandmas. And the grandma of multi-level marketing.

Mary Kay Ash was a pioneer. In 1963, she took her whole savings and started the business which was her dream and her passion, and she built that dream into a multi-million dollar industry that at 50 is poised to continue to grow exponentially.

I really had no idea about Mary Kay the person or much about Mary Kay the company other than the pink packaging and its popularity with my mother’s generation.

But I met a woman at WINK, my home networking group, who had a challenge to makeover 30 faces in 30 days. She, Karen, is a Mary Kay representative and her story is typical of many MK ladies. She started selling because it was a way to get products that actually worked for her skin at a big discount. Later, she started to enjoy doing skincare demos and makeovers and her Mary Kay business began to build.

Karen invited me to the Mary Kay office in Kearney Mesa for my evening of pampering and a new look. It turned out the makeovers were done after the weekly Mary Kay meetings — which were more like a pep rally than a sales strategy session. High sellers were recognized, praised and asked to share hints with the rest of the group. The rest of the group was encouraged and the leader knew all the sales reps by name and gave each one a personal greeting and focused tip.

Cindy, the regional leader, motivating her team.

That was when I learned that Mary Kay operates on the principles Mary Kay Ash set forth 50 years ago in her vision: “praising people to success” and “sandwiching every bit of criticism between two heavy layers of praise.”

Following the Golden Rule, Mary Kay representatives are treated with respect and have pensions and perks based on their earnings. Pensions? From a part-time sales income? Yep. Mary Kay takes care of her own… and if you earn a lot, you get a lot back. If you earn less, you still get some.

Mary Kay, the company, is also dedicated to making charitable donations to fight domestic violence, donating funds and educational supplies to children across the world and providing assistance for places affected by major disasters such as Haiti and post-tsunami stricken Japan.

And I just showed up for a make-over…

Mary Kay built her success on solid skincare products, so that’s what we started off with.

I’ll discuss the skincare routine in further detail in a later post since I have been test-driving it for the past month. But before we got to the glamour portion of the makeover, I used the Timewise 3-in-1 cleanser, then used the night serum, and the moisturizer for normal-dry skin. (Both oily and dry skin formulations were set out just in case)

This is me without any make-up, after using the Timewise cleanser and the serum and moisturizer.

First we added Mary Kay Mineral Powder in .05 Ivory. Then I was instructed to apply my lip color next. The idea was to match the rest of the make-up to the intensity of the lips. I used a complimentary sample of lip liner in Soft Blush to line (starting with a cross at the bow), and then filled in the lips with Pink Passion Satin lipstick. It was a bit more pink than I usually wear, but surprisingly it was very soft and pretty on.

Then came the blush.

Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Bold Berry

This seemed REALLY BRIGHT to me, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, so I tried it. I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

Then came the eye color.

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Garden Sky

We used the blue all over the lid, the beige in the crease and the green under the brow. To fill in the brow, we used Mary Kay Mineral Eye Shadow in Hazelnut which looked very dark going on but really framed my eyes beautifully.

Then we learned the Cameron Diaz trick of tightlining the upper lids… a feat I found rather difficult, especially without glasses or a magnifying mirror…but I managed using Mary Kay Eyeliner in black (also a complimentary sample). Then we learned how to use mascara for a false eyelash look (using a complimentary sample in black).

The final look without glasses

The final look with glasses

It defintely took me out of my comfort zone to wear such a bright blush and use green under the browbone, but the overall effect is not garish at all. I think it’s fresh and pretty.

When I got home, my husband noticed right away and said I looked radiant…

Squee!

Definitely putting that blush on my wish list…

And definitely paying more attention to Mary Kay.

Have you tried Mary Kay products? Tried them recently? Ask your local Mary Kay representative about a free skin consultation/facial or a makeover.

admin | 2 comments

03 May 2013

fitness • life • weight management

Friday Fitness: Starting to see the light

It’s been another great week for fitness. I increased my speed and time on my long workout and felt great! I was concerned that 54 minutes at 148bpm would be too much, but I was exhilarated by the end… and now I’m wondering if I am ready to walk a 10k…there’s one in Lake Murray on May 25 which is coming up fast, but I might be ready. I won’t have time to test myself on walking 6.2 miles until next Thursday… so I will hold off on registration until I know for sure that I can do that distance. But I’m feeling very strong and positive I can go the distance.

I also signed up for the Prevention 28-Day Challenge to learn some new toning exercises and get more motivation to do strength training. I’m doing great with cardio because it’s fun, but lifting weights not so much…

The 5:2 diet continues to go well. And I’m starting to see some steady losses. Don’t get me wrong; it’s still not EASY to limit my calories to 600 for 2 days per week, even if they aren’t consecutive days…and I haven’t been perfect about it. Monday is my regular fasting day, but this past Monday we had to go to an awards dinner on campus…fortunately, the options were very healthy and I was able to stay within calorie limits…

But then there was the flourless chocolate cake with a hazelnut crust…you only live once and that was one FINE cake. Amazingly it had fewer calories than the chocolate fudge caramel brownie from a couple weeks ago…so it worked out…not strictly, but good enough.

Click on the picture for a recipe that sounds pretty close to what I had… I have not tested it out, but will need to soon!

I also had a major slip-up on Sunday… I was totally exhausted after getting in at 1:30am from a prom up in Pomona Saturday night, and then after working at the Women Rock! event, all I wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep…But old friends from Phoenix were only in town for one day… and we had to meet for dinner… Mexican… and when the chips were all gone, I logged my calories and discovered I’d gone over my daily limit by 800… wow. I guess that when I’m exhausted I lose perspective and also the signals that tell me I’m full. There was a moment of chagrin… but no regrets for having spent time with dear friends…. maybe next time we’ll meet at some place with diet-friendly options…

STILL… I lost 2.1 lbs this week. I can finally fit into last summer’s capri pants — just in time for the unseasonable hot weather we are having right now! And I notice that my “fat” pants are getting looser. Also, I FINALLY lost a half inch from my upper arm! I can now wear 1 blouse with long sleeves, although it will be at least another inch before I fit back into my other blouses.

Doing the happy dance! (which also burns calories!)

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