You know, it's funny when it comes to our personal reactions to bad things. Let me explain, because you're probably all, "what the f?" I have a friend whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was fine, thank goodness, but my friend made a lot of lifestyle changes in her own life based on the experience. I can relate. My mother was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor almost four years ago, and there were certain things that I just didn't do anymore. Aspartame? Not in my house. Mobile phones up against my head for hours during a day? Hello, bluetooth headset. So I totally get it. These things may not really make a difference, but they make us feel better - they give us a feeling of control over a horrible situation.
Going back to my friend, one thing that she really focused on was a more natural deodorant/antiperspirant. I'm not entirely certain, but I believe there were questions about whether or not aluminum chlorohydrate contributed to or had an effect on cancerous growths, especially in regard to breast cancer. I do hope they have sorted that all out, but it made me aware of more "natural" options other than the standard choices on the drugstore shelf. But back to those choices she had for the natural products: most of them just didn't work out. I mean, they really didn't help keep matters under control, if you know what I mean. I specifically remember her thoughts on the underarm crystals that were popular for a time. Not good.
So when I was asked to try out Lavilin Underarm Deodorant
Let me give you the basics on the product before I share my experiences with it. Lavilin
Apply the product to clean, dry skin, preferably at night. Place a small amount on a fingertip and spread gently over the area that can be problematic, especially where hair grows. The cream will absorb into the skin in just a few minutes, leaving no white marks, even on dark clothes.
Okay, okay. I know you want the good stuff. You want to know if it really works, right? Do you really only have to apply it once every seven days? Does it really keep the smell away? Do you sweat when you wear it?
The first day I applied Lavilin was a Saturday, it was very warm outside, and I was planning on taking the kids to the local carnival before my new furniture was to be delivered at 1 PM. I took a quick shower, shaved, and applied the Lavilin exactly as directed. Then, because I was all sorts of crazy, I threw on an Old Navy tube top, shorts, sandals, and called it good. I spent about two hours in the hot sun, and I was NERVOUS. But no problems, certainly no smells. A slight bit of wetness, but nothing dramatic at all, and it didn't show up on my shirt or anything. After the fair, we were back home and moving furniture around. I also put another coat of paint on my bedroom walls and chased my kids around. I took a sniff check, and no problems. I was prety impressed at this point, because I was giving it quite a workout. After the furniture arrived, we set to opening boxes and putting all that stuff together. And if you have put hardwood furniture together (thanks EQ3 - I needed that exercise), you know it can be some serious work. I had a dining table, six chairs, a bed, two dressers, and two nightstands that day. A few checks of my underarm regions were surprising - there really wasn't any odor at all.
Next day, another shower, but it's waterproof, right? Right. Another full day of no odor. I was seriously amazed. More physical work, and then by Monday it was a work day. By Monday morning I decided I need another application. That application lasted three days as well. And so far I'm averaging every three days. Not the "up to seven days" that the literature mentioned, but still far more than what I get with my Secret antiperspirant.
I'm impressed with this product, and would recommend it to anyone. Especially those who are interested in reducing certain chemicals or a more natural/eco-conscious lifestyle. But even people like me, who never thought they would give up their Secret, it's something to try. You never know, you may love it. And I found it worked extremely well. Much better than I thought it would.
There is also a foot deodorant product that works exactly the same. I've found it to be really helpful on those days that you're just wearing your flats or sandals. You know what I mean.
You can purchase this product at Amazon
Product Review: Lavilin
Total Beauty Web Tour
Greetings from (chilly!) Estes Park, Colorado! While the rest of the family is out hiking, I decided to stay in and see what the super cool bloggers at Total Beauty were talking about this week. Seriously, I have over 2000 items in my reader, and I have a full afternoon to get caught up, but here are the highlights, just for you!
Tink at Casual Lavish reviews Burt's Bees Avocado Butter pre-shampoo treatment. Does this give her hair the shine she wants? Check out the review to find out.
The Beauty of Life bares it all with Bobbi Brown's new Yogi Bare Lip Balm!
Talking Makeup's Marta Walsh interviews IMAN
for Beauty Interviews!
Beauty Anonymous invites you to Peach-a-Boo! from OPI.
Laurie at Beauty's Spot has started a new feature detailing her personal product all-stars.
Alison, (aka. "Advice Sister Alison" ) shares five fast, easy and fabulous ways to brighten your smile without products or dentist's bills on the Advice Sisters Guide to Happiness Blog
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having such an amazing giveaway...your lips will thank you if you win!
Toya of The Life of A Ladybug introduces you to Laura Mercier's Bronzing Duo in Pink Bronze , another in her "Bronzers for Brown Girls" series!
Kitiya from Mischo Beauty invites you to enter her SPINLASH giveaway!
Monique at Beauty Girl Musings lets you know all about her new favorite hydrating product.
A Mom in Red High Heels embraces her curly-girl side! Discover which product leaves her hair soft and full!
Product Review: Stila Summer Eye Shadow Palette
I was super excited to try this one out. I had heard so much about Stila's Kitten eyeshadow, and I had never tried it. So I decided to get the Stila Summer Eye Shadow Palette
I absolutely love these shadows! They are almost creamy in consistency, and heavily pigmented. They remind me of Urban Decay's triple pigmented eye shadows, in that they have amazing color and last well without creasing or smudging all over the place. The shades included in this palette are: Ray (shimmering golden copper), Mystic (shimmering aqua blue), Kitten (shimmering nude pink), Wheat (pearlescent beige), Prize (soft gold shimmer), and Sun (shimmering golden peach). As you can tell by the 
color descriptions, this palette is all about the shimmer. Not glitter - shimmer, thank goodness for those of us over the age of 22.
What I like the most about these shades is that they were intended to be sheer washes of color. This means that they are buildable - you can go light all the way to dramatic with only a few layers.
I've swatched them here for you, in order listed above. I'm excited to wear these this summer! And now, I really must stop buying summer makeup. I have way too much.
Product Review: Pop Beauty Tan Popper
I confess, I don't have many things from Pop Beauty, nor do I know much about it. But researching this post, I learned quite a bit! Founder Sara Strand is actually a Swedish-born singer who founded Pop Beauty on her own after cooperating with her sisters on the Pixi line. Her philosophy is to bring color back and encourage each woman to find her inner rock goddess. Sounds fun! And that is exactly what the Pop Beauty Tan Popper
Touted as a $198 value for $38, you know I couldn't refuse. It includes nine eyeshadows, one blush, one bronzer, three eyeliners, one brush, and something called Face Glow, which is different than bronzer or blush, apparently. No matter! I can find something useful to do with it, I am sure. So, I swatched it all for you, aren't you excited?
And because I love my readers so much, I did it against my shower curtain again. No applause, please.
Okay, so here we have the nine shadows, ranging from a turquoise blue at the bottom all the way to a yellowish-green at the top. Really, they are quite beautiful colors, and I can imagine using all of them in different combinations. These aren't for the neutral lovers, though - these are bright and somewhat unexpected. There are one or two neutrals in this collection, as you can see, but overall, it's all about the brights. Shadows are nicely pigmented and easy to apply, especially with primer. I had no trouble blending them at all, and loved the different color combinations that I came up with.
In this photo, I swatched the blush (bottom), Face Glow (center), and bronzer (top). The eyeliners (black, deep blue, and plum from left to right). The blush is very shimmery, as is the bronzer. Almost too much for me for a daytime look, maybe not office appropriate. You can't really see it here, but I wouldn't hesitate to wear it out and about when I'm wearing some body shimmer lotion and living it up. The eye liners are superb - soft, long lasting, and easy to work with. They blend well, don't smudge all over the place, and are nicely pigmented.
All in all, this is a fun palette that is well worth the price I paid. I am sure that I will be using it quite a bit this summer.
Get Daily Dose of Coffee Anywhere on Your Mobile
Because all the cool bloggers are doing it, I had to do it too. Daily Dose of Coffee is now available on your mobile device. Just point your browser to http://m.andanza.com/dailydosecoffee_blogspot and enjoy!
Nordstrom Has Free Stuff For You Again
Because Nordstrom is my favorite store, and because I am addicted to all things beauty, I thought I'd share with you the greatness that is the Nordstrom Beauty Event. Right now, with your $100 beauty or fragrance purchase, you will receive this cute tote with the following in it:
- Anastasia Brow Gel
- Anthony Logistics for Men® Self-Tanner with Anti-Aging Complex
- Clarins Sunscreen Soothing Cream SPF 20 (0.28 oz.)
- Cover FX 'Skin Prep FX' Treatment & Priming Serum sample
- Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel (0.1 oz.)
- Freeze 24.7® IceCrystals™ Anti-Aging Prep & Polish sample
- Hanae Mori 'Butteryfly' Eau de Parfum (0.04 oz.)
- John Varvatos Eau de Parfum (0.05 oz.)
- KORRES Natural Products Guava Body Butter (0.85 oz.)
- Lancôme Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara (0.07 oz.)
- Laura Mercier Eye Colour in Sandstone (0.03 oz.)
- Origins 'A Perfect World™' White Tea Skin Guardian (0.17 oz.)
- PHYTO Phytodéfrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm (0.5 oz.)
- TanTowel Self-Tan Towelette (1 application)
Fun New Design, More Posts to Come!
So hopefully you all have noticed my fun new design! I know I said that I was going to stop messing with it, but I can't help myself. It's like redecorating my room! Although I haven't done that until recently in almost 10 years. But anyway, I do hope you like it. I will be escaping Virginia Beach on Thursday to go to my sister-in-law's wedding in Denver, but not to worry, the posts will keep coming, and I'll still be around. Look for some fun stuff in the next few days on new summer lines.
e.l.f. now has mineral line
I know there are a lot of mineral converts out there, and e.l.f. has thrown it's hat into the ring when it comes to mineral makeup, plus, the price is certainly right.
For only $30, you can get a complete starter kit, including a Mineral Starter Kit that includes everything you need to get up and running with the mineral craze. In a nice little canvas case, you get foundation (SPF 15), concealer (SPF 15), mineral blush, total face brush, and a blush brush. Not bad! Not into a full collection? No problem. There is a nice selection of individual products too, including mineral blush, foundation, eye shadows, and brushes. A nice way to ease yourself into the mineral makeup craze and decide if it's for you or not, without investing tons of cash.
New Find: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion
My seven year old son has eczema. Not badly, and no one would really notice it at all, except for occasionally he would get a dry rough patch on his cheek, and it would stand out for all the world to see. He's always had sensitive skin, and I have to watch what sort of laundry detergent I use and what kind of soap/shampoo he has (he's probably the only kid in his class that uses exclusively Lush products!). But I've never been able to get rid of that one patch on his cheek, poor kid.
So I decided to give Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion a try. It's supposed to be very different from traditional lotions - using a special proprietary formula that is far more effective than the standard (glycerin) that is used in most lotions available. What makes this product different from everything else is the fact that it is a skin protectant - it literally creates a shield that doesn't allow irritants to enter the skin, nor does it allow natural moisture to leave, keeping skin far more moisturized than regular lotion alone.
We've been using it consistently for two weeks, and I'm happy to report that the patch is completely gone. Vanished. Not even a patch of redness to mark where it once was. I've never had such good luck with a product for eczema before, and I've tried quite a few.
With that success in mind, I've started to carry a bottle in my purse. I wash my hands a lot throughout the day (I'm not a germophobe, but I hate being sick) and usually end up with dry, rough cuticles for my efforts. In the few days that I've been using Skin MD Natural, I've seen a rapid improvement in the condition of my hands and cuticles. And soft hands and skin are a big priority for me. Next up is my feet. If they can keep my dry heels under control, I will officially declare this a miracle product. I will keep you posted!
Yves Saint Laurent Passes Away in Paris
A fashion icon, YSL, passed away today. His touch will forever be on fashion, and he will be missed.
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