Powerful Winter Lotion Potion

Jergens New Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer is fling-flanging fantastic!

You know, dear readers, how picky I am when it comes to lotions— searching, searching, searching for that great smelling, affordable, hydrating holy grail— and Jergens New Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer is QUITE the contender!

It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly with no sort of greasy feeling and my skin felt soft and hydrated all day. Furthermore, since I started using it, I have seen a noticeable improvement in my usually dry, flaky winter skin. Yes indeed, my "Black Winter Tights Test" results were much improved since I began daily use. 

Beyond its sensational skin softening abilities, my favorite aspect is its wonderfully fresh scent. It’s not too flowery or too citrus-y … just clean and fresh, and lingers on the skin without being overpowering. 

Also, get this— after all my raving about it to my husband, he tried it too and even noticed a difference! Jergens will definitely be our new daily lotion stand-by. Consider us converted!

The Jergens New Daily Moisture Dry Skin Moisturizer described above was provided to this author free of charge. The product can be found at drugstores nationwide. 

Unite Beach Day Texturizing

This, like other texturizing products, is not my thing. After applying a few pumps to my stick-straight, fine, thin strands, my hair was limp and heavy. Per my usual about about texturizing sprays, these are best for the lucky ladies who have existing bounce and curls. One thing I LOOOVE? The smell-a lovely combo of sand, tanning lotion and a good beach read. Can I get it in a perfume in time for summer?

Emmetts Ginsing, Sage & Sunflower Texture

This styling creme "gives definition and hold for deconstructed styles." It's probably true but when I used this creamy and somewhat tacky texture cream my hair was left feeling, well, flat. This is probably best for someone with natural texture and wave.

Modernize the Way You Make Up

Let's just state the obvious shall we: The beautyblender Cosmetic Sponge looks more akin to Easter hunts than make up bags. Yet with its unique shape, texture and material trifecta, it works foundation into that coveted overall even, crease-free coverage.

This ovoid applicator was the brainchild of Rea Ann Silva, one of Hollywood's top make up artists, who "knows the key to the perfect face is the perfect blend."  (Side note: I wonder how many flawless Oscars faces last night were achieved with its help!). Beyond Tinsel Town, this tool is also a well known Fashion Week backstage essential.

As I generally apply my foundation with my fingers, I wasn't sure how the beautyblender would fit into my daily routine. The tip sheet that accompanied it assured that even with my preferred technique, the beautyblender would smooth and refine my make up to a clean finish. Incorporating it this way was fun and did seem to make a noticeable, albeit slight, difference.

Other suggested uses include to use the round base to apply blush and the pointed end to "stipple and twist" concealer to perfectly camouflage blemishes. My pedestrian maquillage talents will surely need a bit of practice to fully utilize the beautyblender's magic, but I'm happy to take the road that eventually leads to complexion perfection.

beautyblender retails for $19.95 at major retailers nationwide including Duane Reade Look Boutique, CO Bigelow, Henri Bendel and Beauty.com.

Purely Pro Simply Delivers

There are so many reasons to choose Purely Pro Cosmetics- They're a Michigan-based company, they're not tested on animals, they're guaranteed to weather long days (the line was originally created to meet entertainment industry demands), they integrate "cutting edge technology and the purest ingredients"... Really the list could go on, but the most important aspect is that Purely Pro really does deliver fantastic, quality products.

A few stand outs:

1) Stuck on You Eyeliner Fixative 
This guy is a total game changer. It allows you to transform any eye shadow into a long-lasting gel eyeliner. Simply wet a brush with a few drops and mix into powders to create a smooth, creamy consistency and apply. I cannot even tell you how obsessed I am with this product. It truly opens up a whole new eye palette world.

2) Cream Hilites in 56 Hi Glow
A cream formula that can be used on the face or body for subtle to dramatic shimmer. #56 is a gorgeous bronze that I found ideal as an all over eye shadow base right now, but I know will also be a go-to face/cheek bone highlighter in the warmer months once I have some semblance of a tan.

3) Small Pointed Face Brush
A vegan brush with a nice weight and crazy soft bristles, this is meant for defining and highlighting your cheek bones. I liked using it to apply liquid foundation around my nose, chin and underneath the eyes.

Feeling Frieda

For too many years to count I have sadly been involved in BHB- Bad Hair Behavior. 

That's right. I straightened. I colored. I curled. I even crimped. Not to mention using the blow dryer on high in order to speed up the primping process. And I did all this without any sort of hair protector. The damage is currently evident in my split ends and daily frizz. Even with a great hair cut, if I don't change my ways, this damaging cycle will continue. Which is why I am so excited to have found the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Original Formula Hair Serum. 

Frizz-Ease is beloved across the beauty industry board and was even voted Allure Magazine's 2011 Reader's Choice Award. The accolades are well deserved. Dispensing one pump of this fine concoction throughout the lower ends of my battered soaking wet tresses truly brought it back to life. My hair felt soft, looked shiny and those wretched split ends weren't so noticeable. I can only imagine the wonders it shall do once I get a necessary upcoming trim! 

Lipstick in a Different Wei

When I popped open Wei East’s Lip Sensation my initial thought was, “What the?!” and then, ‘Where am I supposed to wear this insanity? A rave?”

But then I remembered this seemingly intimidating gold “reacts with your personal skin chemistry to transform and create a custom lip color.” Whew!

Once applied it did indeed morph into a pretty peony pink that lasted throughout the afternoon, even with subsequent drinking, snacking, and Aquafor applications. In regards to the latter, Lip Sensation is decently hydrating on its own, with a non-drying formula that includes soothing Aloe, but as I’ve mentioned before, I have a problem!

I really loved the polished pop of color it gave… just a subtle kick of my natural lip hue that is perfect for every day. I’m definitely stoked to add it to my spring make-up arsenal. You can snag your own for $12 online at www.weieast.com, or at www.hsn.com. 

Red is the new.....red.

Our ginger friends really do have it rough...they are often labeled as soulless individuals allergic to sunlight and hit with beyond personal inquiries regarding the coordination of their "carpet" and "drapes".

I have a beautiful, red headed gal pal whose soul I adore and contrary to popular belief, we sun bathe together often. As for the carpet color...Let's allow a lady some mystery. But pondering the discrimination my red hot friend goes through, simply for rocking copper toned locks, made me want to gift her with something special.

As a huge Pureology fan, I decided to treat my bud with their new line: Reviving Red,
Haircare for Red and Copper Colour-Treated Hair.

Designed to Replenish ( Concentrated Shamp'Oil maintains vibrancy and replenishes hair ), Condition (Reflective Condition detangles and helps restore hair fiber), Boost Shine (Illuminating Caring Oil adds shine to red and copper shades), and Enhance (Reviving Red Red Reflect Enhancer colour depositing conditioning treatments infuse hair with
red tones).

So, major kudos goes out to Pureology for developing this luxurious line and mad love to you Annie, Shaun White, Reba McIntyre, Alyson Hanigan, Emma Stone, and my very good friend, the beautiful Sarah Bennan.

Wei? Yes, Wei!

The new Wei To Go Fresh Start kit provides 90 days of clean, clear skin..not a bad way to wake up, huh?

I could definitely feel Wei's Real Clean cleanser doing it's job of ridding skin of impurities and really appreciated the portably packaged 10ml tubes ( me AND the TSA, right!?).

Check out this gel oil cleanser at weitogobeauty.com

Motor City Magic

We at Brainy Beautys have sincere Detroit pride and therefore seize any opportunity to get our paws on some homegrown product! Enter: Purely Pro Cosmetics!

Founder Margery Krevsky boasts that her products are designed as long stay solutions, with versatile options and often multiple purposes. I am convinced that once you give this line a try, that you will never again run to your local drug store when you find your eye shadow at tray scraping status or when you're wiping your cheek stain compact in hope of one last hurrah. The quality, longevity, and luxury of these professional quality cosmetics will hook you and turn you.

A few of my faves:

5 WELL EYESHADOW PALETTE: Available in 15 combos, this silky shadow comes in a family
perfect for blending.

LIP GLOSS: Quality lip gloss, at it's finest. Long lasting and no stickiness!p I am rocking a natural pink hue called "petal" and can't wait to get my hands on some more statement making shades.

FACE HILITES: Is it a cheek stain? Is it an eye lid highlighter? Is it for body shimmer? Is it a bronzed booster? Yes, yes, yes, and yes! I love, love, love, the versatility of this light weight, creamy, feminine must-have. I am a huge fan of the shade "pop tart".

Pureology = Pure and Heavenly

I love all things Pureology. Their products are 100% vegan and use an unparalleled anti fade complex that makes super color treated babes like myself jump for product junkie joy!

I've recently found three Pureology goodies that I am salivating over...

COLOUR STYLIST ROOT LIFT: This is a spray mousse light enough to not weigh hair down, but strong enough to aid in achieving hair volume by starting at the root. And of course, this foam includes antioxodants and UV inhibitors to protect your mane while allowing your color to shine!

COLOUR STYLIST LUSTROUS VOLUMIZER: This tiny tub of lovely packs heat protection and volume prior to your at-home blow out. I find this weightless, sweetly scented goo to be an absolutely essential intervention in my arsenal.

COLOUR STYLIST STRENGTHENING CONTROL: I love this hairspray because it provides a major two for one benefit-I get touchable hold, while also receiving enhanced color retention with each use.

A Delicate Situation

If you're like me, then there are certain soft items in your life that require delicate treatment and that deserve a sweeter scent. I have recently introduced Laundry Delicate Wash by TOCCA into my life for special items such as lingerie, silks, cashmeres and bed linens. TOCCA’s laundry delicate wash is available in 4 scents: Cleopatra (which is a delicious blend of Grapefruit & Cucumber), Stella (a juicy Italian Blood Orange), Florence (reminiscent of Orris Rose), and Touch (a lovely marriage of Pomegranate & Tiare Flower). Use this luxurious, gentle product for hand-washing or in the washing machine on the delicate cycle and then rest your head on a pillow case emitting floral femininity, or dress yourself in freshly fruity underoos.