Skin Goodies!

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Indulge in these goodies and you will be well on your way to glowing skin. 
Sephora's Ultimate Dual Exfoliating Face Brush
$18, SephoraI bought this fun little tool on a whim, not really expecting anything magical. Numerous rants and raves about the uber pricey Clarisonic cleansing system had me wondering if maybe a facial cleansing brush tool of sorts might be a worth-while investment. Of course, college student that I am, the Clarisonic is far beyond my reach. I bought this during my last trip to Sephora without doing any research, and I must admit, I am HIGHLY impressed. Both sides of this gadget feel much different from what I expected. The synthetic bristles on the brush side are much finer than I had thought they would. They feel soft to the touch but are fine enough to do an impressively thorough job cleansing the skin. I expected the nubby pink side to be harsh and kind of stiff, but the little pink scrubbers are thinner and softer than I expected, enabling them to exfoliate gently while massaging the face and increasing blood-flow to the skin. I find myself using both sides to cleanse and then sometimes using the pink side to also apply toner. This is a great buy and after just a few uses I saw improvement in my skin.Derma E Hyaluronic Hydrating Mist  $13.50, 2 fl oz, drugstore.com
I'm pretty much addicted to this stuff. A few spritzes of this and my skin feels instantly revitalized. After just one use, my skin is noticeably firmer and plumper. It restores hydration instantly and absorbs quickly, without clogging pores or making skin look oily. You can even apply this stuff over a full face of make up--although I don't particularly recommend it. The mist is not quite fine enough to ensure that it won't cause make up to get blotchy or run. But still, this stuff is amazing. Keep it in the fridge for an extra cooling experience or keep by your bedside to refresh before you sleep, and first thing in the morning.
Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner $7.99, 12 fl oz, drugstore.com
Ever feel like your skin is missing something? Well, if you're skipping applying toner, your daily skincare regimen is lacking a vital step. A good witch hazel toner can help even your complexion, diminish redness and inflammation, and reduce blemishes. Witch hazel toners are relatively easy to come by, but this one has a few noteworthy specs that set it apart from the competition. First off, it is 100% free of drying and irritating alcohol. It contains organic aloe vera, which helps this toner hydrate as it clarifies. Lastly, it smells beautiful and rosey.
Supracor Stimulite Body Scrubber $35, Supracor.com
Supracor claims that this fabulous double-sided body scrubber even helps break down cellulite. While I'm not certain that I would go so far as to say it reduces my cellulite, I adore this exfoliating scrubber tool. It is the perfect shape and length to reach my entire body. One side is covered in firmer scrubbing cells; the other side covered in softer cells, making this tool perfect for all your scrubbing needs. I also really enjoy that, due to the material of which it is made and due to how it is constructed, I can hang this scrubber up in my shower without worrying about it getting nasty or mildewy. It is a very hygienic shower tool.

Ahhh....the little things...like: hair ties

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Sometimes something so small and so simple can make you feel like....ahhhhhhhhhh.

I was at CVS last week browsing the haircare aisle and I noticed something interesting. Scunci has released a new line of hair ties called "Scunci Evolution." From a distance, these might look like your average "ouchless" or snag-resistant hair ties . . . but they are so much more.

I needed some new hair ties and this new evolution line was fairly priced so I figured I might give them a try...but then I saw this 21 piece pack of smaller, thinner black evolution hair ties. The included hair tie holder sold me. I had to take the plunge and try them out. I was so impressed that I went back and bought a 14 piece pack of translucent white hair ties in the larger size.

They are smooth and composed uniformly of a gelly silicone-like substance (so they are also snag-free). But these hair ties magically seem to just stay put. They really don't slip. I can put my hair up in a bun on top of my head using one of these and go to sleep...and my hair will actually STAY in that bun until morning. I move around quite a bit during my sleep...so this is quite a feat.

I've also worn these new hair ties working out (ya know...jumping, dancing around, etc.) and my ponytail or bun stays exactly where it's supposed to. These hair ties are godsend for athletes and dancers.

But that's not the only reason these things are amazing. They are STRONG. Over the years, I have a few friends with super thick hair who constantly break hair ties. They only could use the thicker hair ties because the smaller ones didn't stand a chance. Well, I can say with certainty that even the thickest of hair is no match for these bad boys. They STRETCH. Even the smaller ones would be perfect for super thick hair.

And, since they really don't slip, you don't have to wrap them around a million times to make them stay put. I don't even need to wrap the little black ones around a second time to get them to stay in place (but I usually do anyway just to be extra safe).

As an added bonus, I am absolutely in love with the hair tie holder that my first set came with. Such a simple but such a GENIUS idea. As you can see in the image above, I added my white hair ties to this little pink thing. It's made of the same non-slip silicone-like gelly stuff that the hair ties are made of, so there's no real danger of it coming loose on one end. I constantly lose my hair ties so this is a great thing to have.

But...I am super confused. I cannot seem to find the smaller hair ties online anywhere. I wanted to find a site that carries the pack that includes the hair tie holder and link to it in this post. But I couldn't find them in cyberspace. However, I can assure you that they do exist and that CVS is currently carrying them in its stores. I have seen them at two different CVS stores as recently as yesterday.

I highly recommend these new hair ties for all hair types. My only warning is to (as you always should) remember to be gentle when removing the hair ties. They are completely smooth, so they are less likely to get tangled in your hair than traditional hair ties which have fibers and grooves. But, since they are so slip resistant, you should remove them slowly instead of yanking them out all at once. Unwrap the hair tie slowly if you wrapped it around. You want to be careful not to accidentally create too much friction and yank out some stray hairs.

But that's just common sense. These things are amazing! I will never go back to traditional hair ties. Head over to CVS and grab some!

<3 Bee

The Sh*t List

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Until now, I have mostly just posted about products that I love. This post right here is my living breathing product sh*t list. I will frequently be editing and adding to this post as I encounter (or remember past encounters with) products that are more than disappointing: they're AWFUL. If a product makes it to this list, it's safe to say that it should be avoided at all costs.

• Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy 30-day Smoothing Treatment 

 I really cannot think of a more perfect inaugural member of the ASBB Sh*t List. Really, if you value the hair on your head, read what I have to say before you consider slathering your tresses in this horrible hair death trap of a product.


First off, it's important to mention that this product aims to mimic a true salon Keratin treatment. That means that it is NOT a simple application process. You need to follow the instructions to a T. You need to wash your hair with a specific product that they include, and allow time for the stuff to sit in your hair, etc...and you MUST have a decent HOT flat iron to complete the treatment. Furthermore, your hair should be heavy, volume-less and stick straight once you have finished the process. You have failed if if you do not get your entire head of hair bone straight (so you had better be good with that flat iron of yours). Oh, and you have to leave your hair looking like that for two whole days. You can't apply any other product during that period and you can't really touch your hair. You can't put it up in a hair tie. You can't tuck in behind your ear. If you mess with it, you might end up ruining the result or even ending up with weird creases and bumps in your hair. Oh...and, like with any other keratin treatment, if you want the treatment to last at all, you need to make sure that all the products you use in your hair are sulfate free or you will prematurely strip the keratin from your hair.


For those of us who have gotten a professional keratin treatment before, the above paragraph should come as no surprise. In fact, it might even sound like a good reason to try your hand at doing this yourself at home....DON'T DO IT. I have gotten a professional Coppola Keratin treatment by a seasoned professional at a fancy salon. It involved a ridiculously hefty price tag, hours at the salon, and 3 days of tolerating bone straight hair and being unable to wash it or touch it. But the result was (roughly) six months of soft, healthy hair. So I would say it was somewhat worth it.


The Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy 30-day Smoothing treatment is NOT worth it.  I was looking for something to touch-up the professional Coppola treatment that I had gotten done a few months earlier. I did my research before I bought this stuff. I even contacted Organix to make sure that this product would be safe to use on top of my already keratin treated hair. When I finally did decide to take the plunge and try it, I was a good girl and I followed the instructions to a T. Despite being totally careful, I LOST A TON OF HAIR. The product made my hair super brittle during the process and, at the step when you're supposed to gently comb through your hair, my hair ripped out in chunks. Need I say more? Despite my horror, I knew I had to continue with the process if I wanted to salvage my remaining hair. It took forever. And after two days of ugly greasy hair (a much greasier look than you get from professional treatments), my hair was a tad bit smoother for just a few washes. It was absolutely not worth the time it took and the huge hunk of hair I lost.


In the salon, professionals are specially trained to use these proteins. It makes sense that dealing with this stuff at home might be a huge risk...any hair product containing protein should always be used in moderation because it can cause major breakage. Oh, and in the salon, the stylists use special super hot flat irons for these treatments. They are way more intense than even the most high end flat irons we use at home (I have a GHD). All in all, I would steer clear of in-home keratin treatments in general. And DEFINITELY DO NOT PUT THIS ORGANIX BRAZILIAN KERATIN THERAPY 30-DAY SMOOTHING TREATMENT CRAP ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR HAIR.

• Tarte EmphasEYES High Definition Eye Pencil

I touched on my disdain for this product in my Cure for the Common Eye Pencil post, but it's worth mentioning again. I was drawn to this automatic eye pencil because it is SOOOO skinny. It's the perfect size for sculpting a perfect fine line or building on a larger, heavier line with the utmost precision. So why do I hate it so? I seriously bought this thing like ten times before I realized that each pencil was not a just a fluke and that there was no operator error going on--the pencil just sucks. I wanted it to work well so badly. But IT BREAKS. The formula of this pencil is just too damned brittle. It breaks just about every time you try to use it. So it won't last you very long at all. And, of course, it's too dry to provide a smooth application. It's just not worth your money. I did, however, find a perfectly heavenly alternative product. Check it out in my Cure for the Common Eye Pencil post.

• Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Shampoo, Colorific Plumeria

The packaging is cute. The product is natural and eco-friendly. It smells good. But...that's about as far as the redeeming qualities go here. Simply put, this shampoo does not do an adequate job of cleansing hair. And that's kind of the point of shampoo. If your hair ever gets greasy, you definitely should not go anywhere near this crap. If you ever get an itchy dry scalp or dandruff in any form, regularly using a shampoo as weak as this would be disastrous for you. The bottle says, "new & improved!" I shudder to think how horrible the previous formula must have been.

• Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Conditioner, Real Repair Cocoa Butter

AGAIN, The packaging is cute. The product is natural and eco-friendly. It smells good. But...that's about as far as the redeeming qualities go here. I'm beginning to think that Alba just doesn't know how to make hair products. There is nothing hydrating or repairing about this product. It does nothing to strengthen, soften, or smooth hair in any way shape or form. The thin, runny formula seems to be incapable of being absorbed by my hair. It does nothing. This bottle also says, "new & improved!" Again, I shudder to think how horrible the previous formula must have been.

• Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

I have oily hair and I like to use dry shampoo to refresh my hair and add some volume. I have tried so many dry shampoos. Believe me when I say that there are tons of affordable dry shampoos that actually work. This is NOT one of them. I don't understand how it's possible to get a product so wrong. Seriously this stuff somehow magically combines with the oil in your hair (instead of absorbing it) to make a nasty matted gunk around your hairline that doesn't go away no matter how much you try to brush it out.  And it's not just me...everyone I know who has tried this crap has had the same gross experience. Don't waste your money.

• Tresemme Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo 

There really isn't that much to say about this one except that it just plain doesn't work. It does NOTHING. It doesn't absorb grease. It doesn't do anything. It just watery foam.

• Oh So Wet! Quick Dry Topcoat

I have read some glowing reviews of this product and I just don't understand how that's possible. I got this topcoat at Sally Beauty and hoped for the best. It's supposed to be a quick-drying, super glossy topcoat (kind of similar to Seche Vite). After just one use, I knew this topcoat was a major fail. It does dry pretty quickly (although I still think Seche Vite dries faster), but it does not look smooth or glossy at all. Instead it bubbles like crazy!!! It bubbles and gets this gross frosty look. To try and remedy the goopy, globby, bubbly disaster that is this topcoat, I added some polish thinner. It helped temporarily, but by the time I was done painting one hand the nasty bubbles had returned. Avoid this disaster of a topcoat. If you want a high gloss, quick-drying alternative, you can typically find Seche Vite online at some very reasonable prices.

• Earth Therapeutics No Mess Toenail Clipper with Catcher 

A few months back, my friend from France was staying on my couch. Out of the corner of my eye, I witnessed him wildly clipping away at his toe nails with no apparent regard for where the clippings fell...in my living room! I immediately panicked and yelled at him to stop and go get a trash can otr something and he looked so confused. He then explained to me that he was using a toe nail clipper that actually caught the clippings in its handle--no mess! I was astonished since I had never seen such a thing. I asked him where he got it and he simply replied that they are everywhere in France. He demonstrated the use of his magical clippers at closer range to assure me that he was not making a mess. It really worked! I knew I had to find one for myself.

I scaled the internet in search of similar clippers. I settled on this Earth Therapeutics model. I've had Earth Therapeutics products in the past and they have always been decent, so it seemed like a fine choice.

IT WAS NOT. The catcher does not work. About 80% of the clippings just fly everywhere as they would with a normal set of clippers, missing the catcher alltogether. The clippings that actually make it into the catcher fall right out pretty much no matter which angle you choose to maneuver the damn thing at.


Grrr. Annoying.




Much, much more to come.

 Until then,
<3 Bee 

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Hello, world.

I apologize for my long absence. I've been a bit busy...and...It's been kind of hard to stay motivated with this thing. You see, I haven't told any of my friends or family that I've been keeping this blog. I've been trying to see if I can build a readership without the benefit of friendly word of mouth. It's been a bit tedious--even disheartening at times...

But I'm over the slump! Audience or none, I have tons of content just sitting in my head waiting for me to devote the time it takes to share it with...cyberspace.

Expect an influx of new posts, tips, and product reviews in the very near future.

Til then,

<3 Bee

Fab 5 Under $4

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Feeling thrifty? These five fabulous products will leave you feeling beautiful AND practical.

e.l.f. Flat Top Powder Brush$3, TargetI am amazed that I found a flat top brush that I absolutely love for just $3. It has become my absolute favorite powder brush. The bristles feel smooth and soft, but are dense enough to stand firm and buff powders into the desired level of coverage. Helps me achieve the matte coverage I prefer when applying mineral foundation, but also works wonders with blush and finishing powder. So far, no shedding (which is a major plus). I don't think it will last forever (I predict that the metal brush head will detach at some point). But for the price, I could just stock up on these and be as rough on them as I want!

N.Y.C. Matte Me Crazy! Mattifying Top Coat$1.99, drugstoresI absolutely love the look of matte nails and I was looking into purchasing some Zoya or O.P.I. matte colors. While shopping around, I discovered that you can buy matte top coats and just paint over the colors you already have to give them that matte effect. The top coats I found weren't cheap, but I figured they would be worth it since they would keep me from purchasing all new matte colors. Before I decided to pull the trigger and just buy one, I saw this N.Y.C. matte top coat at Target. For a $1.99, I figured it was worth a shot. Works like a charm! Completely dulls away the glossy shine of any polish. It's fun playing around and seeing how different polishes look with the matte coat on top. Turns out there is no need to shell out the extra cash on a high end brand to achieve perfectly matte nails after all.
e.l.f. Essential Mechanical Eyelash Curler$1, e.l.f.This is a great little eyelash curler! It works well, comes with a replacement rubber pad, and is easy and comfortable to grip. What more could you want from an eyelash curler? At just one dollar, this little guy is a total steal!
EOS Lemon Drop Lip Balm with SPF 15$2.99, TargetEOS lip balms smell great and actually make my lips feel softer, smoother, and healthier. I just had one quibble with these little spheres of goodness: where's the SPF!? The other flavors don't provide any protection. But for some reason, this deliciously scented flavor contains SPF, making it a total must-have.Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me$2.99, Target
This pretty much universally flattering light punch of color has enough moisturizing power and enough sun protection (SPF 20!) to bring a smile to even the pickiest of pouts. And it's only $2.99!
See? Beauty pick-me-ups for any budget!
Enjoy!
<3 Bee