Beauty Challenge #1

Never have I take pen to paper to write down my New Year's resolutions. Never would I think to actually have this list available on a blog for all to see.They say that goals are easiest achieved if written down. Now it seems the universe is forcing me to achieve one of these goals which happens to be one of my greatest challenges: Finish what I start. Finishing all products before I purchase new ones. I'm always going to need something right?...Eventually! I can't ignore new packaging, new products and sales.This is what I do best. The situation is that I am moving, yet again. This time around I prefer not to have to carry boxes and boxes filled with magazines and beauty products. Considering I have little furniture moving should actually be a breeze for me. This is what I am passionate about, magazines and beauty. I buy them when I'm happy and sad. I have a whole reward system which I won't get into right now but you understand.
The challenge is the not buying part. I can deal with throwing away stuff because it makes more space to replace. I guess once I'm settled I can always refill. But in the meantime, what am I supposed to do? Ignore the new product launches, not buy the latest issue of Glamour U.K for my annoying subway commute and ignore emails from Sephora and Origins? Inconceivable! But it must be done! Good timing since spring is coming. Start fresh and new. I have exactly one mont to achieve this task. Seems like an eternity but now that I am writing this I feel oddly motivated.
Wish me luck and willfulness. This girl will need serious encouragement.

Au Revoir.

Ms. Lynn

Image Of Perfection: Halle Berry

When is she ever not perfection? This photo made me stop dead in my tracks. In this moment, I want to look like her: the hair, the dress, the manicure. I love her whole look! I am talking about the new advertisement campaign for her second perfume Pure Orchid. Notes are of blackberry cream, Italian lemon and Masdevalia orchids. I was sold at blackberry but looks can be deceiving as I learn over and over in the perfume department. I will run to the nearest mass market retailer and sample this new juice. If I can't look like her then I shall smell like her.

Bisous les cocottes xxx

Ms. Lynn

Emergency Beauty Kit

We all need some rescuing from time to time. It is no different for our skin. Look in the mirror, see if the warning sighns are there: zits, blotches, dry skin, eczema. It's all there, the evidence of your negligence. We're all very busy and stressed out and our skin often suffers. I can't seem to keep my eczema at bay. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how great your beauty routine is, lack of sleep and stress will undo any effort at clear skin. Is it possible that a clear mind = clear skin?
I can't confirm that just yet but it seems to be a major factor. Until I master my beauty resolutions, I will be turning to these products when things get too intense.

Ambi Fade Cream: Clears up discoloration from past blemishes and scars. This is not about skin bleaching (can Lil' Kim hear me?), just unifying your skin tone from past boo boo's.
Application Tip: Do not apply allover! Squeeze product unto a Q-Tip applicator and apply to the area to be treated.

Hydrocortisone 10: I like to use the extra strength and extra moisturizers version. Cortisone can be drying and over usage can cause skin thinning. the over the counter brands are safe and mild enough on minor eczema outbreaks. Anything above 1% should be prescribed.
Application tip: Apply a fair amount to the area that has erupted in rash or small little bumps. If I get an all over attack, I will spread evenly to my entire face like you would a mask. I do this for a few nights and sometimes I mix it with my moisturiser.

Salicylic Acid: My favorite ingredient to treat pimples and mild acne. It decloggs pores, exfoliates and smooths skin. You name it, it does it. I apply it everywhere and anywhere, bikini bumps, corns or any bump that was not there at birth.
I recommend Rapid Clear Fight & Fade 2-in-a gel from Neutrogena or Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment.
Application tip: Don't overdo it. Do the Q-Tip application. when I have been wearing a lot of make up or when my skin gets unusually oily, I will do an allover treatment nightly for a week. Seven nights are usually more than enough to bring things back to normal without causing additional irritations.

Vaseline: This is great for wind burned skin or lips. When nothing seems to work I just put a thin layer before bed. Tyra Banks approved!
Application tip: Put thin layer on skin after thoroughly cleansing. you can do this day or night depending on climate. Great on really cold winter days.

Bio Oil: You've all seen the ads and counter displays at your local walgreens or CVS.
this can be smoothed on face and body. Not to be used if you are pregnant since it does contain vitamin A. Claims to reduce stretchmarks?!? One can only dream.
Application tip: To be used just like any body lotion or facial moisturizer. I love to mix this with a cortisone cream, it creates the almost perfect facial moisturizer. Add to runny body lotions instead of throwing them away.

Et Voila! You may not need to run to ther derm with these tips.

Bisou xxx

Miss Lynn

Camera Ready

A few days ago I booked a last minute photo shoot. So excited but wait, my skin is not at all ready! A few days are needed to recuperate from all the late nights, dehydration and nutrient deficient diet. I had all of 36 hours to make the best of my skin. The camera does not forgive and without a good make up artist you can be plagued by horrendous pictures for the rest of your life. And I'm not even being dramatic. The theme for the shoot was very film noir on acid. This can be a great addition to my portfolio or blackmail material. I pray that I will get photo shopped to death. For the rest of that day I only drank water, ate fruits and swallowed several spoons of olive oil. Gross but it works. Failed to go to bed at a decent hour. Woke up to a massive zit on my chin staring back at me in the mirror, mocking me. Totally my fault. I should be good to my skin all the time. I should always be ready for my close up! I get to the shoot and there is no make up or hair stylist! No panick! I will have to do my best with what I've got: good genes, a maybelline concealer, a tube of Voluminous Mascara from L'oreal and a tube of black lipstick. Creative I will have to be and I was. I pinned all of my hair forward, since it was slightly dirty it had that wavy texture. Next, I applied countless coats of mascara and finally the lips were immaculately painted black. I always pay very close attention to every and any make up artist that has ever touched my face. All in all: I did an amazing job. All hair, lashes and lips! Fab! I don't know how the pics turned out just yet. Promise I will post it as soon as I receive the digitals.
A lesson to be learned: If you're on your best behavior all the time you then don't have to worry about the odd snap of camera phones or hanging out with those friends need to document every second of their life. Yeah, I have a few of those and I always put a little extra on for them. Who wants to be tagged on a photo on facebook not looking their immaculate best?
Girlies always be camera ready.

More Exciting Than Fashion Week

Unless you're one of the lucky few who will be sitting in the front row of this year's New York Fashion Week, there is one thing more exciting: All the beauty launches! I'm tingling just thinking about it all. Perfume launches, new color make up collection. I can't wait to test them all! For the next several weeks a visit to Sephora, Space Nk and Henri Bendel (to name a few) will be holding a little surprise. Don't get me wrong, this girl looooooves her fashion but it is beauty pulls it all together. You hair and make up will make or break an oufit. You know, you watched the Golden Globes. Jennifer Anniston was a desastre! Disheveled only works on Kate Moss and Brigitte Bardot. Ok! Rihanna is the poster girl for "the complete look". Her hair and make up, nothing is neglected. So, when the Avaatar like creatures will be descending upon us, I will be constructing my "complete look" from all the gorgeousness coming from the runway. If I don't make it to the rows or the runways of NYFW then I'll catch up with you at the after parties!

Ciao les belles!

Ms. Lynn

Victoria's Beauty Booty Secret

It was my favorite time of year: The semi-Annual sales!!! All stores do this twice a year, in january and in july. I wait patiently and when the time comes I make sure I stack up on all my favorites. One unlikely place to hoard beauty stuff is at Vicki's. While most will be clamoring for dainty little under things I prefer playing in the beauty section. Sexy and dainty their lingerie are but not my favorite brand of undergarment. Sorry, they just don't fit me well enough.
So when you see me entering a Victoria Secret store be certain that I will not be fighting you for the last black lace miracle push up in a 34D. No, no, no. I am skipping the madness and beelining straight to the discounted beauty bins.
Don't get it twisted, I'm still very selective about my beauty products and Victoria Secret has the ability to relieve my insatiable desire to acquire more beauty goodies. And at up to 75% off, the task becomes easier to achieve without any shoppers remorse.
Here are some of the goods bought:
- Naturally Victoria Secret body lotion in tonka bean
- Naturally Victoria Secret body scrub in tonka bean.
Like your underwear, products should match.
From their organic Pink line
- Lip balm in Fresh. Light rose balm that moisturises like balm but has the coverage of a sheer lipstick.
- Energizing sugar scrub with organic citrus and mint
- Moisturizing body wash with organic shea butter
Love, love these last two. They really make your skin feel soft post shower. I don't know if this line is being discontinued and if it is they have big shoes to fill.
In the meantime, I will be enjoying my goodies until that time comes around again.

Ms. Lynn

Double or Nothing

I have a disease! It's a real sickness! I've done research to find the meaning and maybe even the cause of this impulse.
I buy everything in double! I cannot purchase an item in a uneven amount. It must come in 2's and 4's, even samples must be given to me in pairs. I have no shame asking the sales person for a second sample on pretext of frequent travel.
If there is only one of a beloved product, I will go hunting for the pair. Sick, I know! So obsessive compulsive.
The good thing is, I rarely run out of anything. Not suggesting that you develop a mild behavioral disorder but I recommend doubling up. Body wash, nail polish remover, facial cleanser and body lotion are some of the items you will be glad you have in #2's.
Other great reasons to double or nothing are: It foams and requires frequent use. It's on a sale! They're just begging you to grab a second one. The product is being discontinued and if you don't buy a whole supply now, you will later desperately search for it on the web. How sad when you'll find yourself scraping a jar or worse cutting the tube of a product to get to the last 0.001 oz of it. I'm talking from experience here. Don't take that chance.
If you're going to gamble, I say double or nothing!