Beauty Bites

If someone would have told me a few years ago that adding oil to my hair would make it look healthier, I would have uttered a “coo-coo” while rolling my eyes and motioning my finger in a circular motion. Crazy as it may have seemed, using argan oil on my hair has today become one of my favorite beauty must-haves for achieving and maintaining healthy locks. A couple of years ago I started using Moroccanoil Oil Treatment and have in recent months added Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment to my arsenal. Both help restore my hair’s moisture so that it looks shiny, feels soft, and smells heavenly. The Agadir Argan Oil Spray Treatment is super convenient to use with it’s spray nozzle, and I love using it after washing my hair to help detangle and quickly dry it. I tend to use the Moroccanoil after blow drying or straightening my hair, and also find it ideal for freshen up my tresses. Both will keep your hair looking and feeling beautiful.

There once was a time when I would only wear my favorite perfume on days deemed “special” or those few and fleeting “fancy” occasions. I was like Gollum and only wore my coveted scent sparingly; afraid to use it for fear that it’s pricey beauty would be spoiled on something unworthy. However, I’ve long since abandoned that silly notion and now favor the idea that every day is special and I’m worth the scent splurge. Now I spritz on a favorite fragrance even if my day simply includes a comfy pair of sweatpants. Oh yeah, super fancy . . .

I actually tend to rotate fragrances depending on my mood, and one of my current faves is Chance by Chanel. I received the Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette Spray (thanks to a loving husband) for my birthday last year and then the Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Sheer Moisture Mist for Christmas (thanks to my thoughtful mom). The mist bottle is a wonderful way to freshen up your scent during the day since it’s super convenient to just throw in your handbag (or even your gym bag).

It’s a dreamy and delicate scent that is both sweet and seductive. I get compliments and “what are you wearing?” every time I wear it. If you’re looking for a new scent, I recommend taking a chance on Chanel Chance. You won’t regret it, and you’re worth the splurge.

(available at Sephora, Saks, Nordstrom, Macy’s)

Confession: There are many days that I do not wear makeup. Gasp. I know. My daily beauty routine is often as simple as a freshly washed face. To keep my skin looking tip-top though I rely on a good moisturizer to lock in that clean-glowy look. During the dry, winter months my skin is especially desperate for a good moisturizer – so skipping that step is a big no-no. Currently, I’m obsessed with Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Relief, a fragrance-free moisture miracle worker. My skin drinks up the light cream-gel and receives the instant hydration it needs. I in turn get the healthy, plumped-up complexion that I crave. Don’t you just love a beauty story with a happily-ever-after?

Mascaras are a lot like boys. Some are better than others and every girl has a type that she prefers. No matter the type though, we’re all looking for Mr. Perfect. That elusive perfect mascara that makes our lashes lush and lovely. In fact, we’ll try several mascaras in the hopes of finding “the one.”

Currently, I’m in love with Blinc Kiss Me Mascara. It’s sort of hard not to with a name like that. What do I like about it? The length and volume creating mascara uses “tube-technology” to create these tiny water-resistant “tubes” around your lashes instead of just painting them like conventional mascaras. Once applied, the tubes bind to your lashes so you don’t have to worry about it running, smudging, clumping, or flaking. It’s perfect for sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers like myself, and ideal for tear-inducing situations like weddings or Nicholas Sparks’ movies (damn you, The Notebook. You get me every time).

Surprisingly, these little stay-put tubes come off easily, which is another reason why I absolutely love it. You don’t need any mascara remover. Just a little warm water and pressure and the tubes slide right off your lashes. I’d say this mascara is a “keeper.”

When it comes to facial cleansers I like alternate between a few. Sometimes a girl needs a different wash for different reasons or for different times of year. Peter Thomas Roth’s Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel (available at Nordstrom, Beauty, Sephora) is just one of the cleansers in my current rotation. The oil-free foaming cleanser uses salicylic acid, brightening botanicals, and a gentle form of glycolic acid to exfoliate and clarify the skin. It detoxifies the pores and helps improve skin texture. I like to use it every other day to really rid myself of dull skin and give it a more youthful appearance. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and as you can see from the photo it looks like I’ve barely used it. A little goes a long way, so you really get your money’s worth.