Product Review: Auriderm Illume Eye Cream

I've been on this quest to maintain my sexy.  Since turning 40, I don't want to let myself go and we all know how easy that is.  An extra helping of mashed potatoes, those cokes, daily happy hours, I'll exercise tomorrow (which rarely comes); oh, yes it is very easy to lose your sexy at 40 and older.   Ladies, I know we are tired of it all and want to do what we want to do, but we will just feel worse when it "all" creeps up on us then we bemoan when did xxx happen?  So, instead of those extra cokes, apple martinis, frappucinos and other yummy but not great for you items let's spend the money on making ourselves look and feel better.  Trust me, in the end this is much better for your self-esteem and health.

Stepping off of my soapbox.

Remember, when I went to the dermatologist for my hyperpigmentation?  I also had circles under my eyes.  Pretty (ugly) I know.  I purchased a product for that also.  I would like to report it is working wonders!  I no longer look like the other person won the fight or like a panda cub (cute as they may be).  

Auriderm Illume Eye Creme - $50

Use twice daily (with your regular eye cream) and you are good to go.  You should start seeing results in 4-6 weeks (I did).  

Auriderm is now part of my beauty arsenal!  Great product!  

Does anyone else use anything for dark circles?  

The Late Night Infomercial Suka

Yes, I'm the one who stays up late and (cough) makes infomercial purchases.

I've gotten:

A super duper drill that cuts through anything...love that thing!  Whatcha got?  I'll cut it for you!

A table saw...my brother broke it.

The Magic Bullet blender...so-so.

Free Money Books...didn't get a dime.

Real Estate Investments...I own one house, mine!

A vacuum...I think???

Feet for a sewing machine to create new stitches...gave them away still in the box 2 months ago with the receipt from '99.

Windsor Pilates...I do it occasionally, as a matter of fact I took it out today!  

Some book about health...that should tell you because I can't even remember what it was.

Another money book...I just got it today, I'll tell you later.  I'm determined to find some free money, apparently, to pay for these things I keep buying off of infomercials!

I'm sure there are more that my memory has blocked out, but I've saved the best for last.

AND I'm ashamed to say...I bought Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty 3 months ago!  ROTFL

Sorry, I didn't take a picture and I couldn't find a larger picture online, okay I got too lazy.

Go ahead, I know you are laughing at me.  My dermatologist looked at me like I was crazy and had a good laugh.  I figured I might as well try it, she is beautiful, what do I have to loose.  Yes, I am the perfect consumer.  I should try sleeping more, it would keep me out of trouble.  So, here is the scoop on Cindy's product.

First, there are wayyyyyy too many products: eye, masque, decollete, morning, night, toner, cleanser, serum, creams.  Oy vey!  I was in the bathroom too long, but I admit I did like pampering myself...in the beginning.  In the end, I was like give me a break.  I don't have Cindy's money, I have crap to do.  So, I started skipping steps and that was that.  Did the products work you ask?  Somewhat.  I think they are good for sensitive skin, which I have.  I can't say that I saw any noticeable changes but things didn't get worse either.  My skin did feel nice.  I do really like the mask I will admit.  Oh, I also really like the serum but it is so small that it doesn't last a month so that could be kind of pricey.  The one thing that this kit did get me in the habit of doing is using a toner.  I now see the benefit and will continue but will probably use Burt's Bees as I really like their all natural products.  

Ok, there you have it.  Have at me or you can admit to your infomercial purchases also.  

Product Review: Obagi Nu Derm Clear

As you read in my post yesterday Obagi Nu Derm is some strong stuff.  Apparently, there are people who swear by Obagi, but I am not one of them.  I have sensitive skin and it didn't work for me, it burned me thus making my hyperpigmentation worse.  My dermatologist (the real one) said I could use it on my back but I'm afraid to even use it there.  

As with most name brands it is expensive.  90 bucks!  But a little goes a long way.  I imagine this bottle would last a few months...If anyone uses this I have a bottle going real cheap.  

Has anyone had success from this or any Obagi product?  

Youthful Looking Nails?

Is there a such thing as youthful looking nails?  Do men really pay attention to your nails?  Do I really feel better if my nails are done?  I used to think the answer was no until recently.  

I used to be very high maintenance but it was hard on my purse and on my nerves.  I made (and am still making) an effort to pare down my lifestyle which included getting rid of those acrylic nails.  I continued to keep my nails trim and clean but I gave up fingernail polish (the toes stayed done) because it never stayed on very long.  I did find a few that stayed on a few days but it became too much trouble, so I just didn't bother.  

One of the things I have promised myself (for my 40s and beyond) is that I am always going to look good just for me which includes my nails.  As a result, a few months ago I started polishing my fingernails again, however I was using a neutral polish.  I loved the way it looked but I didn't think anyway else noticed.  I was wrong.  

The past few weeks several men (even twenty-somethings) have said how nice my hands and nails look.  One man said what color is that, peach?  WOW!  I always do my nails now.  The neutral dries fast and gives a quick gloss.  I can do my nails in 15 minutes (or less) and I'm  good to go. I've branched out to lighter neutrals and may even try fashion colors again...as long as they come from OPI or Essie.  Love them!

Do you do/get your nails done regularly?  What is your favorite polish brand?

Yummie for my Tummie

No matter how much I exercise (ok I'm not really doing it that much), my middle seems to be the bane of my existence.  I haven't had kids, but those terrible surgeries (myomectomy and hysterectomy) left my once flat stomach looking like a fallen souffle.  UGH.  Occasionally, I think about a tummy tuck and lipo, but then I think about clothes and a remodeling my home (bathroom, kitchen, etc.)...a dream deferred.  So, instead I just buy Spanx and clothes that accentuate the positive.  However, I'm always on the lookout for something to help with my challenge area, especially since I haven't gotten to the gym as much as I would like or started martial arts yet...enter Yummie Tummie.  

They have tanks, t-shirts (long and short) and slips which have a secret midsection panel that smoothes and shapes your middle, eliminating approximately five pounds off your appearance.  They even have a built in shelf bra (I'm wondering if the shelf is big enough for what I'm carrying but that is a different story).  That is just what the doctor ordered!  Now I only need to loose 5 pounds instead of 10!  

Disclaimer: I haven't purchased one yet because they are kind of pricey ($62-$82 for t-shirts up to $132 for slips), but I do intend to get one.  I'll let you know how it works out when I do.  

Has anyone tried Yummie Tummie yet?  Do you have any other slimming apparel to recommend?

Yellow No More

One of my "To Do's" on my Rocking 40 List is to get my teeth whitened.  Not only are yellow teeth unattractive, they age you so...change the things you can change and don't worry about the others (you know the exact saying I'm sure).  

While I'm readying my purse to part with the $600 my dentist requires I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I went to TarJay to look for a short term alternative and came across the Advance White product line from Arm & Hammer.  Not only was there a toothpaste (which I had used before with no memorable change) there was now a booster.  The booster promised to make your toothpaste work 3x better to get those yellows pearly white a nice shade of tan (well, it said 3 shades).  

$3.99 for the Advance White Toothpaste and $5.79 for the Whitening Booster  

I've been using the products a couple of times a day (when I'm not too lazy) and I love the combination.  My teeth really feel clean when I brush and....drum roll please....

...my teeth are actually brighter!  Almost off-white now!  YEAH!!!!!  I'm still getting them professionally whitened but this will keep me happy until I can stomach that vanity dental bill.

I should have taken a before yellow picture but I didn't.  It's a good thing this blog is about being 40 and not a beauty blog because I would fail for sure!  

Bottom Line:  Great buy!  

Has anyone else tried Arm & Hammer?  Have you had any good results with another at home whitening product?

Vichy: Still Dry

It's test time again!  A few weeks ago I was in CVS and since I can't walk past a sale bin I looked to see what was interesting.  Low and behold there was a beauty product for a steal.  Vichy Laboratories: Masque Thermal Rehydratant, sounds highfalutin enough for me...I'll take it!

Vichy promised to sooth my parched skin with thermal spa water and moisturize those ever so fine lines such that my skin was like morning dew.  Okay, maybe it didn't say all of that but I read between the lines (pun intended).  In the end, after two weeks, Vichy did nada, nilch, zip, zero, not a thing!  My skin is still just as dry as the Sahara Desert and after each use I find myself rushing towards the nearest bottle of serum and moisturizer.  It's a good thing my French product was on sale for $1.99 US and not the normal $15-$20 in Euros or I would have had a very tight face.  

Bottom Line:  Skip Vichy Masque Thermal Rehydratant, there was a reason it was in the sale bin... :-(

Tell me, what do you use to provide extra moisture to your skin in the winter months?  

Go Green, Go SuperFoods

Ah…a new year!  Gotta love that.  I don’t know what it is with the psyche that makes us believe it is better to start a new program in January versus June, but I buy into that also.  Maybe it’s the fact that all of those other programs we started in June or September and didn’t work we can brush them under the rug and say okay I can always start anew in January.   I try not to get all caught up into resolutions anymore in lieu of trying to live my best life everyday.  But I must admit, I’m still struggling with my best life though. 

I haven’t made it to the gym at 6am yet, too cold and rainy.   I haven’t started eating my raw foods, I have to go to the grocery store first.  So, how about this...more nourishment.

Dr. Shultz SuperFood Plus: $36.00 14 ounces, 1 month supply

Even if you take a multi-vitamin you still can benefit from a scoop of SuperFood daily.   I can’t express how much I love this stuff.  Just mix it up with some juice or in a smoothie and it's great.  Ok, in all fairness I'm used to the way (as my family says) "funny foods taste" so it may take a minute to get used to, it is green, but most importantly it is full of good for yous.  About 4 years ago I was extremely ill and should have died.  The doctors said my body and immune system were so strong that I was able to fight illness better than a person of normal health would have. Why was I so healthy? I was taking vitamins, eating right, exercising and drinking SuperFood 2x a day.

Read up on it, I wouldn't steer you wrong.  SuperFood Plus helps with energy, provides protection against free radical damage, and when I was consistent I was never sick.  Never had a cold and was full of energy.  After being sick already this season and thinking about the free radical support (remember, we love that) and looking at my dark circles (not a pretty sight), I decided I’m back in!  So...

Drink up!  Be healthy!  Be Happy!

My recommendation for your health is… Dr. Shultz SuperFood Plus

Do you have any health recommendations?

The Finishing Touch

Beauty can be painful is a phrase I often remember when I make my bi-weekly trip to have my lip waxed.  As I’ve gotten older the trips have become more frequent.  I remember laughing at my grandmother as she plucked the hairs on her lip and chin…now, not so funny.  Even with waxing trips I still have a need for in between plucking or an increase to my waxing budget.  Karma or age?  You choose.  

Since I’m looking for every place where I can save a few dollars, I thought why not look here also.  I’ve stopped going to the salon as often, I do my own manicures and pedicures now, but it is mandatory that I get this here lip waxed.  I do pluck but have you ever plucked the entire top of your lip in lieu of waxing? OUCH!  $#@!  Beauty can be painful, there has to be a better way.  

The Finishing Touch $9.99

I let the little hairs grow out a couple of extra days because I wanted to make sure I could see the little suckers (don’t worry, no dates on those days).  I must be honest, I was a little skeptical about The Finishing Touch, but I tried it anyway.  I kind of felt like my brother shaving his moustache, so ladies do this in private.   In the end my lip was just as soft as if I had waxed minus the OUCH.  The downside is (because this isn’t a wax) the hair will probably grow back twice as fast (imagine that) so I plan to continue waxing, but this will help cut down my budget just a tad and will eliminate the OUCH factor.

Bottom Line: I thought The Finishing Touch was a great buy.  Has anyone else tried The Finishing Touch and have any comments?

I Heart Coconuts

Coconuts where have you been all of my life?  I ignored you I know.  You weren’t sexy enough for me, so I thought.  Yes, I read you were full of antioxidants and that you do a body good. Okay, you told me that you would keep my hair and skin silky, soft and smooth.  Yes, I know my family back in the Dominican Republic respect and adore you.  You know how we do when we move to America. But, I had no idea…

On a normal day my skin is a dry as an alligator’s tail but add winter to that and it is not a pretty sight.  No kidding.  It was always dry but as I’ve gotten older and I received my early gift (that’s what we are going to call my early menopause from now on) boy oh boy… I’m always looking for a cure all for this skin. I finally gave in and tried an inexpensive jar of coconut oil from Whole Foods. My only words are I Heart Coconuts! 

I have only been using my new found dry skin cure all for a week, but I can totally see a difference in my skin.  Using it twice a day, my skin is wayyyyyy soft, no longer dry, scaly and ashy.  When I take a shower I don’t feel super dry any more, I feel like the antioxidants from the coconuts are still in my skin…that’s a nice feeling.

I also use the coconut oil on my hair overnight before I wash as a pre-conditioning treatment. It makes a difference in how my curls feel and fall.  It helps take the frizz out.  I sometimes use what’s left as a moisturizer for my face, the verdict is still out on that one, but it can’t hurt.  Remember, antioxidants and we like that word!

I’m getting rid of all of that cutesy, smelly stuff in my cabinet that doesn't help with my dry skin.   It just takes up too much space.  If I want to smell better than a coconut I’ll put on perfume…right now smelling like a coconut and being soft works for me.  

So, this is my formal apology to Mr. Coconut for all my years of neglect. I’m sorry, you are so sexy and do a body good…I heart you!

Does anyone else have a love affair with coconut oil? I know I can’t be the only one.