Botox in a Bottle

{the coveted bottle that travels between my bathroom and my mom's}

I think Emily Maynard said it best when she said she'd be "living under a bridge wrinkle free" when it came to spending money on skincare. You only get one crack at your skin... so I think it justifies spending a little extra moola on the good stuff, and this, my friends, is the good stuff. 

I was first introduced to Nerium AD when my sweet baboosh, EZ E, brought it on our Memorial Day beach trip. She said she'd found this ah.maze.ing. new cream we all had to try. Everyone was skeptical, but me being a junkie for anything beauty-related, I gave it a whirl. I remember saying it smelt like apples. Not bad, eh?

After the trip, I didn't think much of it until I started noticing my forehead wrinkles grow increasingly more visible. I'm one of those lucky gals that has overly expressive eyebrows anyway, and that, paired with arching them every day when I put on my mascara started to take its toll at the age of 23. yikes. 

Then, a funny thing happened. I started noticing Nerium AD pop up everywhere. Molly and Sally swear by it on A Piece of Toast, Catheirne Giudici of the Bachelor even has people wining cars selling it! I was 100% sick of looking like grandma wrinkles in my 20s and decided to give it a try. Baboosh was sweet enough to send me a bottle to try (fo free). I used it, and instantly fell in love. I've recently gotten compliments on my skin, and my mom said she noticed that my forehead wrinkles had nearly disappeared, even when I raise my eyebrows! 

This stuff is that good. I'm even sharing with my mama to see what kind of results she gets.

I agree with Molly when she says this stuff is truly "botox in a bottle," and I'd be willing to guess it's less expensive and more natural-looking than it, too. 

So, maybe I'll living under a bridge since I spend my paycheck on skincare and beauty products, but at least I'll be wrinkle free... and in good company (cough, Emily Maynard).

The Eyes Have It

This time of year, these last few weeks particularly, I've been running in a million different directions. Don't get me wrong, I love fall, but the transition from relaxing summer to busy autumn has always been a tough one to master. 

With no rest for the weary in sight, and my first event for MBQ as project coordinator (and still assistant editor of the publication), I've been tasked with creating a phenomenal breakfast event for Memphis big-wigs in my spare time (which hasn't been much).

My hectic schedule wouldn't bother me so much if the signs of it weren't starting to show up... on my face in the form of dark circles and less-than-sparkling eyes. Not cute; especially when you'll be greeting the equivalent of Memphis dignitaries while making sure table linens are pressed, table arrangements are on mark, and the script and program run smoothly.

Thankfully, I have a few secret weapons to help stave off unwanted puffiness, dark shadows, and lackluster ojos. I give you my magic potions.

 

Save: Roc Retinol Correction Eye Cream $20

*I use this as part of my nightly regimen, but usually only every few nights since it's strong and I have uber sensitive skin. Can be found at you neighborhood Walgreens, Utla and the like. P.S. this stuff will last you for.ev.er. A little goes a long way and I still have a nearly full bottle after a year.

Splurge (on the real deal): La Mer Eye Balm Intense $185

*Thankfully my dearest Merebear got me samples from Nordstrom because the real deal would have beyond broken my piggy bank. Although, I'm running out and considering asking for it for Christmas/my bday. This stuff is that good. It's gentle enough to use day and night even on my sensitive skin, and seriously helps with the puffiness.

These weapons + some gold shimmer shadow (try "half baked" or "snakebite" in this lil lifesaver) + Maybelline Great Lash Mascara + a matte red lip (my new favorite is MAC Retro Matte in Dangerous) = my go to look these days. 

Easy way to look polished, on trend, and best of all...awake.

{case and point: last night's Flyer party with Sara}

  

Cheers to the Amurica Photo Booth and looking rested when there's no rest in sight.

Beauty Product-aholic

You know it's bad when: Your sister and brother-in-law stop by where you live to freshen up for dinner date (side note: my bro-in-law is a coach and they live "way out east"/passed exit 25, hence the need to freshen up for dinner without going home), and the only comment he made about my bathroom was "I've never seen so many products in my whole life."

Yep. That about sums it up. 

{no, this isn't actually mine. don't call TLC just yet}

I've often considered a parlaying my unadulterated love of beauty/skincare products into a career, but alas, the majority of jobs in the industry aren't located in good ole M-town.

I don't discriminate between high end products and drug store finds, all I ask is that it smell pretty and at the very least pretend to work (some might call this the placebo effect). Nevertheless, I'm a self-professed beauty product junkie, and I don't care who knows it. My aunt even gave me this ah.maze.ing. storage case for my birthday.

For fellow junkies who allow the downward spiral of trying celeb-endorsed products, I've found a few gems for you.

I've already mentioned my love of Emily Maynard, and her blog, but my new obsession is her skincare routine. (and yes, I'm dying for someone to gift me La Mer if it's even half as good as she says it is.)

{for specifics of Emily's beauty buys click here} 

Another recent obsession is Bobbi Brown (Katie Holmes is the new face of BB) make up and skincare, but considering it'd be a pretty penny to completely switch over..looks like I'll keep dreamin'.

{for the 5 Anti-Aging tips click here}

{click here for above link}

{Bobbi's book, "Pretty Powerful"}

til next time...