It's been three weeks today since I got home. 3! I miss New York. I miss it's pizza. I miss all it's alone time. I miss it's endless glasses of wine. And summery weather. But most of all, I think I miss my friend Mrs Woog. We really had such a wonderful time together - so much fun - and laughing. What great memories I have.
I also have a few things that she passed onto me during our travels. Some stuff she made me buy along the way to help me be more grown up and finally understand make up and self care (I am notoriously bad at all that stuff). Thought you might be interested too? I know it certainly has opened my eyes up to a few things. I am pretty sure you can get all these products here (I got most of them at Sephora with prices so cheap you would cry).
1. Stila Correcter thingy
This strange cream is used as a primer base UNDER foundation or your lighter BB cream. My face can be quite red in patches and this blue/green cream is meant to even out the tones. I love the look of the stuff and it's light and lovely when you whack it on.
2. Exfoliation. Plain and Simple
The first thing Mrs W did when we arrived in NY was to hot foot to the local Duane Reade (Chemist) for some exfoliation gloves. She explained to me that I needed to exfoliate every square inch of my body each and every time I shower. I did. MY GOD THE DIFFERENCE. All those nasty dry patches? Gone. Baby fresh, soft skin is now my norm. And while I forgot to get some new gloves for a few weeks when I got home I'm back and I'm a total convert. That tingly, squeaky clean feeling doesn't get much better for this old girl.
3. BB Cream & Dark Spot corrector thingy
These were actually sent to me just before I left and I am converted. My Mum had told me about BB cream from Sarah at A Beach Cottage, who got it from Nikki, and the circle passes on! It's such a great every day cover with SPF in it. The Dark Spot corrector is a new moisturiser that is meant to reduce the dark spots on your skin - I think?! I have THE world's ugliest dark spot on the side of my face from my first pregnancy. Thanks Daisy. I hope this does the trick over time.
4. Stila blush thingy
I discovered that my cheeks have apples, and it's ON those apples that I must brush in a little of this stuff. It's a wee pop of colour and it's the bees knees. Used only when I have a full face (so FUNNY that I can now DO a full face) it really does bring the whole thing together.
5. Benefit Eye brow pencil
My brows are STILL holding up. Yay! I did however, pluck TWO GREY MOFO HAIRS from them the other day, but let's not speak of that now shall we? I have never used an eyebrow pencil before, and now I use it almost every day. My patchy brows that suffered from years of over plucking now have a better shape to them. I think I look a little more grown up. Or something.
6. Boing!
So. After you have put on your Stila primer thingy and then added your foundation, you then pop on some BOING around your eyes and over that dark pregnancy spot on your face and BAM! Fresh as the day you were born! I am loving the Boing. I am noticing the Boing on others and I think that Ronan Keating is partial to a little on X Factor at the moment. Just saying.
7. Pantene Luminating Elixir
Now this is something that Mrs Woog did NOT teach me but I am a total lover of. When I was in bathroom taking shots I couldn't NOT throw this into the mix. It was sent to me by a PR company and seeing as I have TOTALLY distressed hair from years of bleaching the shit out of it, it's perfect for me. A few sprays into my hair post washing, pre blow drying, and it just makes your hair shine and feel great. AND you can get it in the supermarket (unlike my ridiculously expensive Redken shampoo & conditioners and treatments I have to get).
Riddle me this Batman - why is it that in NY that OPI was $7.50 each and my Redken that I usually pay $35(!) a bottle for was just $14.95? WHY MUST WE PAY SO MUCH? I say bullshit. It's quite the business to try and make yourself look half way decent here.
So there you have it. THE START of something. I'm trying to care more. Make more of an effort. And take the time - all that time - that I had in New York to myself. Nails are out the door though - all that washing of dishes and chopping wood does NOTHING for a lady's manicure.
So. Tell me. What's your favourite item in the bathroom?