CONFESSIONS of a 50 Y.O Makeup Junkie...

Why hello there!

How are y'all doing today?

It's just me, your friendly, LAZY blogger:)

What can I say.........

I've been getting a few things ready for my friend's shop AND for some reason,

I've had a run on tutu orders.

The Beach Gypsies are back in business!! 

 I think. LOL

But more about that another time.

For today it's a beauty blog..........

for us chickies who are over the magic number of 50.

(And everyone else, too:)

So let's get to it!

I really am a makeup junkie.

But fortunately, I am a CHEAP makeup junkie!

And when I love something, I will use it to death.

(Or at least until something else catches my eye;)

HOWEVER,

this time, I feel really good about what I have chosen

AND

I have been using this stuff for quite awhile now.

See what you think..........

First up is SKINCARE!

OOOOOHHH.......this is a biggie for us over 50 chickies:)

Some things go unspoken but assumed.

Like...........SUNSCREEN!

~Considering the fact that I grew up BAKING in Michigan as a teen,

and have lived in South Florida (ahem.......the sub-tropics, technically)

for just over 20 years, I know a bit about sunscreen.  

Actually, I know about the PRICE you pay for baking in the sun,

which led me to know a little about sunscreen:)

Here is what I have to say about it...........

Use ingredients that have it added so when you forget, you have some help.

If not, use at least 30 SPF.  50 SPF if you really want to.

But most dermatologists will say the 100 SPF is just hooey.

Don't ditch your 30 and run to the store for 100 thinking it's better.

That's just good ol American marketing at work!

I like SunBum, Australian Gold and Neutrogena.  But that's just me:)

But here's what I really want to show you and it's for every day skincare.

For less than $40.00, 

y'all can keep your skin soft and mostly wrinkle free!

* Prices above are approximate, within 20cents, from Amazon.

Let's face it.........most of us are fighting dryer skin in these magical years.

And wrinkles.

So those are the issues I'm addressing here.............

#1 Coconut Oil  

I've talked about this (as everyone else has) many times before.

But in a nutshell, it's the BEST I have found for removing makeup (especially eye makeup),

moisturizing skin all over your body, and adding shine to hair.
Oh.......and it is a FABULOUS shaving cream:)

Seriously!  

I use the brand pictured above 

but just make sure you get any extra-virgin coconut oil.
I also use Lou-Ana, found at the grocery store.

#2 Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum

It's actually a very light cream in a tube, but we'll go with serum;)

Now, it boasts the claim that you will see improved skin in seven days.

And guess what?????

I DID!!!  I really LOVE this product and slap it on AS WELL AS coconut oil.

#3 Pond's Cold Cream

 If you are buying expensive cleansers, you're kinda crazy.

Sometimes you have to give Grandma credit for her soft skin back in the day.

My absolute FAVORITE cleanser is Pond's Cold Cream.

Again, I'm SOOOOOO SERIOUS!

Makeup...........

For simplicities sake, I am sharing my number #1 favorite drugstore line.

After that, I'll show you a few favorites from other lines.

But for me, the winner in the all-around make-up line,

the one that makes you say your friends are crazy for buying expensive stuff is.............

NYX.  (NEVER to be confused with NYC makeup)

I was a bit of a M.A.C junkie..........and I still could be.

(more about that later:)

But this is a copycat line that is significantly cheaper!

My advice is to go to Ulta for your NYX.  

They carry a HUGE selection and drugstores are only just adding in bits and pieces.

In the above photo, you will see the items I use.  

Shades are individual but I can say I like the brown, purple and black eyeliner,

 mascara in jet black, blush in desert rose

 and the lipstick is awesome in Audrey, Tea Rose or Natural!

Honorable mention goes to:

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer, 

which I also use with the desert rose blush.

Since my eyelashes seem to have disappeared, 

I use a primer before my mascara.

My fav is M.A.C Prep + Prime.

Lip Pencils........

You're gonna love these, cause they are awesome and even CHEAPER than NYX,

 which are pretty cheap:)

ESSENCE Lip Pencils (at Ulta) are $1.49!!!!!

And their lipstick is pretty great too...I like Natural Beauty.

Okay, I think that covers makeup:)

Moving on to HAIR.........

Mine is short these days.  (Very short!) 

So I wear it piecey and I like it soft and shiny.

So.........Garnier Fructis is my choice, partly because of the AMAZING scents;)

I love Pixie Play for the tousled/messy look:)

And next to Coconut Oil, I am in LOVE with shine serums.  I use this one,

 but most work great.

And not just for hair.........they are AWESOME for dry skin too, everywhere:)

Okay BEAUTIES, I'm done.

Rambled enough.

Showed you how cheap I am:)

Shared my confessions with you.

Hope you enjoyed this and found something you want to try also!

Suzanne

Wait.........I forgot to show you what I'm excited to see.

M.A.C Cosmetics CINDERELLA line, coming out this week.

So pretty............

Aaahhhh...stay tuned.  I'll be sure to let you know if I try it;)

Yummy, SWEET Valentine's Treats That You Can Make in a Hurry!

Happy Hearts Day!!!!!

Need some last minute ideas for your sweethearts?

 (big and small ones alike:)

well I've got you covered.......and I can vouch for them all! 

(and i'm starting to look like it;)

Let's get to it.........

Oreo Cookie Balls (or Oreo Truffles)   

 So good and SO easy!

What you need:

1 pkg.  (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

40  OREO Cookies, finely crushed, divided

4 pkg.  (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces, melted

MIX cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until blended.

SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan.  (Tip: use a toothpick to dip)

Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm.

(Substitute white chocolate if desired)

We have a tradition of making pink or red foods on Valentine's day.

This next drink is on the menu:)

Maybe I should stop here and get to dinner rather than dessert:)

No complicated dish here.........

Pizza with heart pepperoni!

Or take it a step further and shape your own dough in a heart:)

Me?  I'm lazy.  It's the heart shaped pepperoni for this girl:)

Okay, okay........you want something healthier, right?

How about fruit kabobs?

(Well, there IS fruit!  And marshmallows too!)

Don't you just love vintage Valentines?

The good old days:)

Sweet and Salty Valentine Popcorn

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn

1 bag Colorburst Pastels Candy Melts 

(Wiltons............or use any white chocolate to melt)

1 bag Valentine M&Ms

Sea Salt to taste

Lastly, I share you cookies made by my own little Valentine:)

Love, Love, Love on Valentine's Day!

XOXOXO

Suzanne

Michael Kors is Pretty in Pink, Tan and White, just in time for Valentine's Day...and SPRING!

Can you believe it's already Valentine's Day?
Me either!!!
Today, I thought I'd share my favorite picks for a truly
SWEET Treat........for yourself or for your Valentine to give you,
straight from Michael Kors.
(HINT: just send him this blog post and direct him to the
nearest MK lifestyle store;)

Michael Kors Pretty in Pink

I suppose I should say that my daughter works for
 Michael Kors in Naples, Fl.
In fact, she just got a promotion!!!!
Happy, Happy, HAPPY!
She even had a few other offers at the time but when
she got the offer from MK, that sealed it.
She loves working there and she loves the product. (Me too:)

Actually, I liked MK well before she started working there.

She just helps feed my habit;)

Funny thing is, I'm not a "designer" person.

I will shop at MK and then stop at a thrift shop on the way home.

Walmart carries my favorite leggings.

I really like the sundresses at the beach store.

And I'm a regular at Target.
See.....I spread the love and help out a variety of stores!

But I do LOVE Michael Kors.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, (YIKES..........need cards!)

I thought I'd share my favorite goodies from the new line.

According to Taylorina, they are flying out of the store so act fast.

And if you're near Naples Waterside Shops, 

pop in and see Taylor.

Check out this GORGEOUS line of "Pink".
Complimented by the camel color, it's so fresh!

Are you a fan of Rose Gold?

It's my absolute favorite.

Well before I knew about MK, just sayin:)

In fact, back in the day, I had a ROSE GOLD fingernail on my pinky.

For real.

No kidding.

(although maybe I wish I were;)

And nobody does it better.....see for yourself..........

I just feel that unless you have the skin that is made for silver,

rose gold is such a warm, attractive metal.

Maybe now I should mention two of the things I love about the MK line.

1.  Michael uses a lot of Rose Gold, which I love. (as we already know, right:)

2.  He believes in mixing metal.  Layer it on.  

You don't have to have ALL silver or all gold or rose gold. 

 Thank you!  (This is especially great for us indecisive types:)

Fun fact...........Michael Kors calls his camel color "luggage". 

 It's a best seller, goes with everything and is his own personal favorite color.

And if you don't have anything in that shade, get it:)

And with spring coming, mix it with WHITE!

I also included my first ever, favorite grown up perfume.........

Michael Kors Signature.

It has scents of gardenia, vanilla and more but he had me at gardenia.

Seriously, I wore my daughters perfumes...sweet, surfer girl perfumes:)

Now we all love this.

It's pretty and light enough for life in Florida.......or wherever.

Well, see anything you like?

I know you did;)

Like I said, find a store or shop online at Michael Kors.

If not, I have one more tip!

Someone sent us Shari's Berries for Christmas.

I'd seen and heard the ads but thought.........ewww!

They''ll be rotten before they get to Florida.

Was I WRONG!

We fought over these berries and devoured them in record time.

And these are some seriously big berries!

I just sent some to my Mom for hearts day and her reaction was the same as mine.

Oh My Heck these are good!!! :)

They ship quick so if you need em, there's still time.

Although shipping may be $$$ at this point.)

But keep Shari's Berries in mind!

See ya!

Suzanne