Deep Cleaning

Oil of Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System: $29.99 (Drugstore.com)

I've been wanting to try this new Oil of Olay product since it came out just a few months ago, and I finally found it in stock at Bed, Bath and Beyond (by the way, you can get it for $24.99 if you have a BB&B 20% off coupon handy). I've been eyeing 2 products for sometime now that are higher-priced but similar devices to this: Clarisonic ($150) and DDF Revolve ($100). E! Host, Giuliana Rancic, swears by the DDF and I've heard great things about Clarisonic, so I was set to try one, until I saw an ad for the Pro-X system. It comes with a little massager with 2 speeds, brush head, batteries and a sample of the exfoliating cleanser. The massager is soo nice and actually very soothing to use. It's not rough or too harsh even at the highest speed, which means you can use it dails. The scrub is good too, still figuring out if I love it, but it definitely left my skin feeling so smooth and so clean. The best thing is that you can always use a different cleanser of your choice with the brush and still get the same results. Also, if you're looking for an even deeper clean, try using the massager with a microdermabrasion scrub like Oil of Olay's Microdermabrasion treatment with derma-crystals, once a week. The brush head replacements are only $9.99 and you can get by with 3-6 months of use with the one it comes with depending on how much you use it. I personally like to deep clean 1-2 times a week so I may not need to replace my brush head for even 6 months. Definitely worth a try in my book!

Gettin' That Colgate Smile =)

Plus White 5 minute Whitening Gel: $7.49 (Walgreens)

Hands down one of the best teeth whiteners out there, and so cheap! This is my go-to when I need a quick and super fast perk-up to my smile. Big help is having your own teeth whitening trays because the generic one's sold at stores don't really fit your teeth so the gel doesn't get to all those hard-to-reach spots (quick tip on how to make your own trays at the end of this post). Also, make sure you DO NOT sleep with this gel on. Trust me, I've tried it and my teeth were sooo sensitive the next day. I like to put them on for about 20min maximum, maybe when getting ready or doing things around the house. 10 minutes 2x a week also helps, but I personally don't like doing it too often because all whiteners break down the enamel on our teeth so I use it sparingly. For those of you that don't have trays and don't want to spend the money having some made, here's an inexpensive and easy way to make your own:

-Purchase athletic mouthguards from your local Target/Walmart or even Sports Chalet, etc.

-Submerge both top and bottom guards in boiling water for a few seconds

-Place trays in mouth while hot and mold to your teeth for about 20 seconds

-Let trays cool and you will have individual mouth trays that fit your teeth

Under Eye Primer

MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl: $16.50

Many of us already use or know about primers that we put on our upper lids to prevent eyeshadow creasing and caking. You can use these same products for your lower lids, or undereye, before you apply your concealer. This will help diffuse any oilyness, wrinkles and fine lines. This one by MAC is a great option for the lower lid because it's not heavy and the pearl color works as a highlighter for your undereyes and helps the process of covering dark circles. The best part, no smudging of eyeliner that we often times find after a day of running around without touching up and no creasing!

The Perfect "FIT"

Maybelline FIT Me Foundation: $6.49 (Target.com)

I know it's been some time since I last posted an entry, sorry for lagging! But this product definitely made me want to blog away!! I first read about it in a beauty magazine explaining it to be one of the first drugstore foundations that offers the largest variety of shades (18 total). I'm not a huge foundation fan in general for every day wear, but I'm always looking for that particular something that will help make my skin look flawless for big events and special occasions. And, my general rule of thumb is for concealer and foundation I tend to go to department stores because you can really test out the colors and the higher-end brands offer more variety. So, I was so excited to try this when I read about it..and I'm SO glad I did! It seriously is competition for some of the best name brand foundations out there (think Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, etc). Now for matching the color, I definitely opened the bottles to test them out while at Target (I mean come on, who doesn't really do this!), but the consistency is so nice. It's really light and blends in so naturally, while still offering a ton of coverage. I wore it all day out just to see how well it would last and it did just that! For a mere $7, it's even cheaper than some of the other drugstore brands and I promise it delivers! So, try it out before heading out for your next bottle of foundation that's over $40!

PS- When weather changes, so does the consistency and coloring of our skin, but that doesn't mean you have to completely stop using your current concealer/foundation. If you have an expensive product you already have, just pair it with a lighter/darker shade of a less expensive foundation to mix and blend the perfect shade for your current complexion.

Best Drugtore Matte Bronzer..Seriously!!

Physcians Formula Bronze Booster Glow- Boosting Pressed Bronzer ($13.29- Target.com)

With winter fast approaching, I've been on the look out for a bronzer that will still give me that summer glow, and can't believe I didn't discover this sooner! For sometime now, people have the misconception that bronzer needs to be really shimmery, but it doesn't! Shimmery bronzer should only be applied to certain parts of your face (ie- the apple of your cheeks), and if you're not careful it can also heighten the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections. Matte bronzer, on the other hand, is easier to work with when contouring and you can apply it evenly for an overall glow/tan. I also like it in Medium to Dark so I can use it as a blush. I recommend using a kabuki brush to help blend in the color..and remember a little goes a long way! The best thing about this product is that it reminds me of the Bobbi Brown Natural Bronzing Powder, which retails for $33, almost $20 more than this drugstore find!

Nice Nails!

Revlon Hot For Chocolate Nail Polish: ($4.79 Drugstore.com)

If you like dark nails, this is a new color I recently came across, and I love it! It's chocolate brown, so a variation from the dark purple and black everyone's been seen wearing. I also tried the Essie Little Brown Dress polish, which I love too, but this is a few bucks cheaper. Enjoy!

Favorite Drugstore Foundation!

Loreal True Match Foundation: $10.95 (Drugstore.com)

This is hands down my favorite drugstore liquid foundation. There's plenty of shades to choose from to help match your skin exactly and it goes on super smooth. It works with almost every skintype and also provides SPF, which we all should be wearing, especially on our faces! My favorite thing about this it doesn't flake or rub off. It's light and provides awesome coverage without feeling heavy. Definitely set it with some powder after applying to prevent creasing and to help make it last all day long! Considering how affordable it is, you can easily mix and match different colors to achieve the best look for your skin tone, without breaking the bank. Also, with summer behind us, many women might be looking for a lighter shade to fit their fading tans for the fall/winter ahead.

*Helpful tip: When trying to match your foundation to your skin, I've always found it useful to put a streak on your jawline and let it sit for a few seconds...it should almost disappear into your skin. If it's too orange/too light/too dark, keep looking or mix 2 colors together. It's ok for concealer to be a shade or 2 lighter than your natural skin, but not your foundation! Also- I've found it useful to sometimes swatch the foundation on your chest in months that you're maybe a little more tan or not your usual color. The last thing you want is your face to be a completely different color from your neck and chest! And, remember to blend foundation down to your neck for even application.