What's In My Shower: Winter Edition

With the winter feeling the coldest it's ever been in NJ (...hello 9 degree evenings...except for the past few days, of course...), I have mostly gravitated towards comforting and sweeter scents in the shower.After all, if I have to be in my freezing bathroom I want to be using something that will make me feel nice and cozy.

Unlike with my Fall Edition, I decided to group the shower gels, lotions, and scrubs that I've been using this season into categories, as opposed to brand...so here we go...

Please Note: I am well aware of my shower gel addiction and have taken the proper steps to overcome (you can read more about that Here)...please don't judge me.

~Fruity Scents~
*Philosophy's Have A Cherry Christmas=white cherries

*Philosophy's Partridge In A Pear Tree=white pear

*Philosophy's I'm Dreaming of...White Peach=white peach

*Philosophy's I'm Dreaming of...White Cranberry=white cranberry

(note: You can also read more about my review of the I'm Dreaming of...set Here)

~Minty Scents~

*Philosophy's Candy Cane=total mint experience and a staple in my shower; perfect to use when you''re sick or need a pick-me-up

*Philosophy's Peppermint Bark=mint chocolate

*Bath and Body Works' Twisted Peppermint=candy canes and vanilla

~Comfort Scents~

*Philosophy's Fresh Cream=homemade whipped cream

*Bath and Body Works' Vanilla Bean Noel=warm vanilla and caramel

~Foody Scents~

*Philosophy's Gingerbread Girl=fresh baked gingerbread

*Philosophy's Gingerbread Man=sparkling gingerale

*Philosophy's Christmas Cookies=buttery sugar cookie

*Philosophy's Cherry Berry Crisp==a mix of cherries, berries, coconut & vanilla

~Body Scrubs~

*Philosophy's Candy Cane=smells exactly like the 3in1; gives off a cooling sensation

*Philosophy's Gingerbread Man=smells exactly like the 3in1; gives off a warming sensation

I apologize but given the fact that most of these are sold for a limited time, unless you search amazon, I don't think these products are available.As far as I'm aware, though, I believe these are all returning customer favorites.

As always, I truly appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchange for a positive review. For more information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Favorites of 2012

For the most part, putting together my list of H.G. items was pretty simple, especially since I like to keep a bag of back-ups under my makeup table. The following are all the products that I've used throughout the year and have repurchased.

~Hair~
*Wen*

Even though I've been using this product for a couple years, back in the Spring, I started using it more as a conditioner than cleanser. With regular shampoo, it makes my hair look shiny and feeling healthy. I did attempt to try out different products but nothing else could compare. For the winter months, I'll be using Fig, which is more moisturising than the other "flavors".

*TRESemme' Thermal Recovery Shampoo*

After spending over a year of only using a cleansing conditioner on my hair, the search for a great shampoo proved to be a tad difficult. Luckily, on my second attempt, I found my now go-to product. Just like Wen, I absolutely love the way my hair looks and feels...plus, there's the added bonus of heat protection.

*TRESemme' Tres Two Extra Hold Hairspray*

I didn't notice this until it was mentioned in an Emilynoel83 video and have been using this ever since. Not only is it affordable, but the hold is great without leaving any sticky residue.

~Face~
*bareMinerals Foundation in Golden Fair*

I started using this in the beginning of January, when I was suffering from horrible breakouts and acne scars. Over the past 12 months, it has not only covered up any imperfections but my face has also cleared up wonderfully. This is a product that I simply can't imagine being without and has been the absolute best foundation I've ever tried.

*bareMinerals Bisque*

Adding this to the mix has given me even more coverage and truly erases everything from dark circles to the occasional breakout.

*bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil*

This offers such a great airbrushed look and really evens everything out. Before I initially tried this I really didn't understand the purpose for a "finishing powder", however, this have been a product that I never leave the house without.

*bareMinerals Prime Time*

When I use this, my make-up stays on all day and rarely needs to be touched up...plus, it hasn't caused any break outs.

~Eyes~
*Tarte Lights Camera Splashes Mascara*

I've been using this for over two years and have continued to repurchase. I love everything about it from the way my lashes feel and look to how bulletproof it is. I don't doubt that this will be on my H.G. list for quite some time.

*Smashbox Limitless Liner in Onyx*

This is another product that I have been using for over two years. Over the past twelve months I've been having a lot of fun using a colored liner on the top on my lids and Onyx in the waterline. It's quite rare when I need to reapply in the middle of the day.

~Skincare~
*Philosophy Hands of Hope*

Last year when I bought my first tube, I didn't think I'd repurchase...ironically, I've had HOH in my bag ever since. It's so moisturising, especially perfect for the cooler months, and has no scent so I don't have to worry about it competing with my perfume. I'm yet to find a cheaper dupe for this.

*Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Neck Cream*

I absolutely love this product! After the first month of use, I could see such a difference in the tightness of my neck and decollete area...the smooth feeling is a bonus as well.

*bareMinerals Exfoliating Treatment Cleanser*

Last January after using BEs makeup for a few weeks I decided to venture toward their skincare and haven't looked back since. I use the exfoliating cleanser first thing in the morning and as a mask once a week. I also really like the fresh scent it has.

*bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser*

I use this every other night and it's such a gentle cleanser that takes the day off.

*bareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam*

I use this on nights when I don't reach for the Purifying Cleaner and it applies almost like a mask.
I've been using all three cleansers for a year and not only has my skin cleared up immensely but it also looks a lot brighter. I don't think I'd want to use anything else.

*bareMinerals Skin Rev-Er Upper*

I use this morning & night and it's really helped to clear my skin without drying it out.

*bareMinerals Active Cell Renewal Night Serum*

This is such a light serum that goes right into the skin. My face has looked amazing since I've been using this product and I fully believe that this is what helped to erase all my acne scars...that and the Skin Rev-Er Upper.

*bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer*

This moisturizes my face without causing any breakouts, which is what I think was initially my problem, using the wrong face cream.

~Shower~
*Philosophy Candy Cane*

This 3in1 is part of the holiday collection, however, I keep it in my bathroom all year long. I'm not 100% sure but this has to contain Menthol because it really opens up your nasal passages and gives off a nice cooling sensation. I love using this when I'm sick or on hot summer nights....I use this on my son as well.

~Lips~
*EOS Lip Balm*

These are great to use prior to applying lipsticks or glosses. They're not greasy, smell really good, and leave my lips nice and soft. I take these wherever I go.

*Laura Geller Italian Marble Lipstick*

As of right now I have seven shades from this line and love all of them. The colors range from sheer to a bold pink and feel just like a lip balm.

*bareMinerals Moxie Lip Gloss*

After I tried a couple out, I soon became addicted and loaded up on more...and more. They're long lasting with shades ranging from clear to a deep berry. What I love it the candy scent they have and the minty feeling I get when I wear them.

So there you have it-my list of 2012 Go-To/Holy Grail/Repurchased items. I apologize for the long length of this post...thanks for sticking with me :)

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchange for a positive review. For more information, please check out my Disclaimer.

What's In My Shower? Fall Edition



Over the past few years I have become a total shower gel & body lotion addict. I now have so many (collected over time) that I've started switching out between what stays in the bathroom and what gets stored away...it basically depends on the time of year and change in weather.
Now that it officially feels like fall, all the fruity scents (or flavors as some people call them) are now stored under my bed as I'm gravitating more towards warmer food-type fragrances.

To make this easier, I've decided to separate this post by brand.

~Bath and Body Works~
-Charmed Life=This was around for a little under a year before becoming discontinued. The scents that are listed on the label are guava, pear, and vanilla musk. In my opinion, it starts very sweet, followed by a warm musky scent. My favorite part is after it dries it smells like marshmallows :)

-Be Enchanted=Notes in this line include iced pomegranate, Asian pear, whipped vanilla, sandalwood, and creamy musk. I have loved this ever since it first came out...it's perfect for cool nights with it's mixture of sweetness and warmth. (I used this one last night!)

-Winter Candy Apple=This is part of the holiday line and even though it contains the word "winter", I only reach for it during the fall. After all, it contains fragrances of apples, candied orange, and cinnamon...when I smell this I immediately think of Halloween or Thanksgiving. (My son used this last night and loved it!)

~Philosophy~
-Homemade Pumpkin Pie
-Pink Frosted Cut-Out=This came in a trio that I received as a Christmas present last year so I'm not sure if it's available anymore.
-Goody Graham Cracker=This came in the same trio as PFC-O.
-Cinnamon Buns
-Partridge In A Pear Tree=This has a lightly sweetened pear scent.
-Strawberry Shortcake
-Sweet Creamy Frosting

Please Note:I didn't go into much detail with the Philosophy products because they smell exactly like what they're called. However, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to help.

If you're interested in any of these products you can find them at the following:
-Bath and Body Works
-Bath&BodyWorks.com
-Macy's Beauty Impulse
-Macys.com
-Nordstrom
-Nordstrom.com
-Philosophy.com
-QVC.com
-Sephora
-Sephora.com
-Ulta
-Ulta.com

As always, I thank you for you continued support :)

Comfort Shower: Favorite Gels & Lotions for A Stressful Day

Yesterday was one of those days...yep...just one of those days...
There are moments when I need comfort food, others I need a glass of wine, but then there are the times when I just need some good aroma therapy and that is when I head to the shower.

I have a fairly decent sized shower collection with all different brands but my personal favorite, the one that usually hits me on a personal level, is Philosophy. There is something about the scents in their products that are just so amazing and can do anything from make my mouth water to even make me cry (yes, it's that good).

The following are the three sets that I turn to when I need a  good stress reliever:

Pure Grace

The only way I can describe this is to use the word "clean". In my opinion, it's a very simple scent but it just smells so good. I use this one a lot when I don't feel well or, like yesterday, when all I want to do is wash the day off like wiping the slate clean.

Baby Grace

This has more floral notes to it but it's very soft and is a lot like being cuddled. This gets a lot of use when I'm really tired or feel like I need a hug.

Inner Grace

This is the one that made me cry the first time I smelled it. It has a more mature scent with stronger floral notes and reminds me so much of my grandma. I got this as a Christmas present a few months after she passed and between the smell and the beautiful writing on the bottle I just broke down. I reach for this when I feel I need support or when I'm missing her.

These fragrances all mix quite nicely together and more often than none I end up doing just that. For me, using these is almost like therapy, they create such a nice experience for something so basic as showering.

Favorite Winter Lip Products

Just like everyone else, I spend the winter fighting the war against dry, chapped lips. Here are some products that I've found to be quite helpful and effective in keeping a kissable pout.

Laura Geller's Lip Makeover Kit

The Lip Strip is a great scrub that contains organic Brazilian sugar cane along with peppermint and spearmint oils. It feels soooooooo good and is quite tasty too! I use this every other night and the result is nice, soft lips. The second part to this kit is the Heal and Seal Gloss which has soothing ingredients such as Shea, aloe, and jojoba butters. This gloss gives off a nice comforting and cushioned feel.

Philosophy Lip Glosses



I collect these like a kid would collect baseball cards. Their scents are wonderful as everything else they make. I like to use these at night over my Heal and Seal-what amazes me is not only do they lock in moisture but they stay on through the night!



Laura Geller Italian Marble Lipsticks



I love these sooo much! They're a lot like her baked products with swirls of different colors and contain wild mango butter so they feel like a lip balm. I've been reaching for these more than any product because their so comfortable on my lips and the colors are all very pretty. 

Revlon Lip Butters

These feel quite similar to the Italian Marble Lipsticks. I don't reach for them quite as much because for the most part I like to have a more natural look on my lips where as these are a little bolder.

EOS Lip Balm

I finally tried out these lip balms over the summer and really like them, especially before bed. Not only do they smell nice but they're fun to apply...and they have actually made a difference in my lips since I started using them.

Between the cold air outside and the dry heat indoors, your lips really take a beating. I feel like I have a little more of a handle on the situation in using these products.

My New Addition

I am so excited! A couple weeks ago I found this great storage container in the corner of one of our empty offices literally forgotten about and collecting dust. After permission from my boss, I took it home with me over the weekend.

It's a six-drawer container that fits perfectly next to my little make-up table and is such a dream! Everything has it's own place, doesn't get knocked down, and can be easily accessed. I organized the drawers by what I use first (face, shadows, lipsticks, etc). What I really love is that there's space for my beauty magazines and diary.

Upon looking this up online, I found it retails for about $30...I got it for free :)

Favorites of 2011

I really wasn't sure if I wanted to do a favorites list until I realized there were a lot of products that were used almost on a daily basis, therefore, I felt they each deserved shout-outs. So without further ado I give you my H.G. items of 2011....

~Lotions~

*Philosophy Hope In A Jar: This was the first facial cream I've used that wasn't super oily. It's light in texture and gives the skin a nice rosy glow.

*Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Neck Cream: Before using this my neck had these little lines across it. I've been using this product since February and since then my neck and decollete look tight and amazing. I'm in love with this cream and what it's done for me.

~Washes~

*Philosophy Purity Made Simple & Microdelivery Wash: I've been using these washes since Dec. 2010 and have seen such a difference in my skin. My face has a nice glow and is so smooth. The added bonus is that you don't need to use a moisturiser immediately afterwards.

~Treatment~

*Philosophy Microdelivery Peel: I use this on a weekly basis and love the way it makes my face feel, not to mention I think it's helping to lighten my acne marks.

~Eye Makeup Remover~

*Philosophy Just Release Me:Not only does this easily remove eye makeup, it also conditions the eye area and works great when applied after plucking your eyebrows (takes away the redness).

~Face Primer~

*Laura Geller Spackle: This is a product that I use every single day...and have even found multiple purposes for it! Not only does it keep my makeup on all day but it works great at night for locking in any kind of moisturizer, feels amazing after you shave, and works wonders on sunburn!

~Mascara~

*Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes:It gives lashes the same length and fullness with the added benefit of being completely waterproof...or should I say bulletproof. There have been times I've washed my face before taking off my eye makeup and it was still on!

~Eye Shadow~

*Laura Geller Baked Eyeshadow/Eye Rimz Duo in Vanilla Toffee and Black Cherry: I got this in her Vanilla Nudes kit and every time I wear these I get compliments. I just love the pretty colors and the way it makes my eyes look more awake and brighter.

~Highlighter/Blush/Contour~

*Laura Geller Baked Cheek Dreams in Neapolitan: This also came in my Vanilla Nudes kit and I can say that this comes everywhere with me. Sweeping all three colors gives a really pretty blush but on a daily basis I use the highlighter and contouring portions. I use the French Vanilla highlighter to lock in my eye liner and to give my face a little more light . I also love the chocolate colored section to contour my cheeks, nose and chin. Love this!!!!!

~Lip Gloss~

*Laura Geller Lightbeams in Skinny Dip: I love using this to give my lipsticks a boost, especially for a nude lip. I find myself reaching for it at least twice a week. To me it has the perfect amount of shimmer to make your lips pop.

~Lipstick~

*Laura Geller Italian Marble Lipstick in Dolce: This is my perfect pink color. I actually had to try to stop using it so much because I felt bad that I was neglecting my other lip products. It's so pretty, gives a little bit of a glossy look, and feels just like a lip balm. This really is my perfect lipstick.

Well, that concludes my list. I have other products that I used on a daily basis but these were my favorites. If you haven't tried any of these I highly suggest that you do!

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.