For some, shopping for stocking stuffers means grabbing an old apple and orange out of the fruit bowl, stealing a candy cane from the Christmas tree and throwing in a few pieces of chocolate left over from Halloween.  That doesn’t fly for this girl.

I think some of the best gifts can be found in a stocking…many times because the smallest gifts are the most expensive, but that’s another blog.  No, I’m thinking a little more budget friendly here…that’s right, beauty products, my bread and butter.  And don’t worry guys, you won’t be left out of the occasion, we’ve got some treats for you too.  So here it is, my list for the best stocking stuffers for 2009…and beyond!!

To:  Your Favorite Teenager-  How could anyone under (or over) the age of 18 resist this ridiculously fou fou palette by Too Faced?  The French and Fabulous palette includes six wonderful shimmery eyeshadows (the black can moonlight as an eye liner), a dual bronzer, as well as a cheetah print highlighter.  Me personally, I’m a sucker for the Marie Antoinette packaging.

 To:  Your BFF-  She’s been there as you vented about your boyfriend problems, she’s helped you decide which pair of black pumps make your legs look longer,  and she never makes you feel guilty when you cancel on the gym.  So, why not give her a gift that tells her know how amazing she actually is?  Philosophy’s Amazing Grace mini collection will do just that with their 3-1 shampoo, bath and shower gel, fragrance and body butter.  Give your bestie some much deserved “me” time.

To:  Your Mom-  This isn’t your mama’s cold cream…oh no, it’s Egyptian Magic all purpose skin cream.  Use this cream on your face, hands, body; anywhere that you want gorgeous skin.  Made from all natural ingredients from only living plants and organisms, this cream will leave your mom looking not a day over ______ (I’ll allow you to fill in that blank).  Buy two, you’ll want one too.

To:  Your Girlfriend or Wife (but not both)- Guys, how many times have you been stuck at a fragrance counter trying to figure out which fragrance suits your significant other the best?  Well fret no more!  Sephora has made life easier with their Deluxe Fragrance Sampler.  $50 will set you up with 12 deluxe samples of Sephora’s best selling fragrances (which include Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy and Michael Kors Very Hollywood, among others) that your lady can sniff and try on until she finds one that she likes best.  Once she decides on a match, she turns in the fragrance certificate that comes with the box and voilà she smells great and you’re an instant gift giver genius!

To:  Your Brother-in-law-  That shriveled bar of Irish Spring that he’s been using to wash his face, body, and oh my, hair for the last 10 years just isn’t going to cut it any longer.  Get him spruced up and looking good with Anthony Logistics for Men A Clean Start Kit.  The kit includes everything he needs to cleanse, exfoliate, prep, shave, and even soothe.  Now, if you could just work on that wardrobe…

To:  Your Main Man-  What guy doesn’t like a clean, close shave?  The Art of Shaving’s ‘The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave‘ will help make this tedious task a little easier.  The kit includes everything he needs to achieve a close shave, minus the ingrown hairs, nicks, and razor burn.  Plus, your guy will love the fancy shave brush…all he’ll be missing is a hot towel.

So, put a little thought into those stocking stuffers this year…or one of your Hanukkah presents or if you celebrate Festivus…hmmmm, maybe not…those are typically grievances.  Either way, happy holidays and don’t be a lame gift-giver!

I love the winter months.  Snuggly sweaters, cozy fires, dry, parched skin…wait, what?

It’s sad, but true that the colder months bring a lot more than turkey dinners and hot cocoa.  Winter is not the kindest season to our hair and skin.  It leaves us with dry hair, static, flaky and dry skin, and lips that are anything but soft.  But, by tailoring your beauty routine to suit the elements, you too can take solace during the cold nights knowing that your legs are still soft and silky (even if they are covered up by flannel pj’s).

Below, is a list of a few of my favorite products I use during the winter months.

Skin:  Cold air, wind, indoor heaters, and dry air can all leave your skin looking less than luminous.  But, don’t worry…just by switching or adding some products can help your skin look good all year around.

Face:
Eucerin Everday Protection Face Lotion:  This is a great face lotion for the day because it’s lightweight and doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy; a perfect combination to wear under your makeup.  I also like that it contains SPF 30 (there’s an SPF 15 formula as well).  You might think that you can skimp on SPF a little in the winter time, but don’t be fooled; even on a cloudy day you can be exposed to both UVA and UVB rays.  This lotion provides 24 hour moisture and is fragrance-free, oil-free, non-irritating, and non-comedogenic…perfect for dry, sensitive skin.

Hope in a Jar:  Your skin repairs itself at night, so it’s very important to wear a good moisturizer to bed…especially during the winter months.  I became a fan of Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar a few years ago and have been hooked ever since.  The great thing about the line is it comes in two different formulas to suit different skin types.  You can choose from the original formula (shown) and the dry, sensitive skin formula.  I love this moisturizer because it leaves my skin looking luminous and it helps prevent/treat wrinkles.

Body:
Dove Nutrium Body Wash:  A moisturizing body wash is essential to me, especially in the winter months.  During the summer I sometimes like to play around with scented body washes, but in the winter I go for creamy, moisturizing versions that are fragrance-free.  I’ve been using the new Dove Nutrium body wash the last few months and I love it.  The line has three different formulas, but I prefer the fragrance-free version for the winter because it’s less likely to strip my skin of moisture or cause irritation.  And what’s so different about Dove Nutruim?  Instead of the moisturizers sitting on your skin, they actually can be completely absorbed into the skin because the moisturizers are 100% natural.  The result is clean moisture, that your skin can actually use.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion:  The worst part of winter for me, besides missing the warmer weather?  Dry, itchy skin.  There are a ton of great formulas out there, but I happen to keep going back to Aveeno’s Skin Relief lotion.  I love this formula because it keeps my skin moisturized for 24 hours, it absorbs quickly and it doesn’t feel greasy.  The Triple Oat formula contains shea butter extract which helps soothe itchy, extra dry skin.  So, instead of your skin feeling like sandpaper it feels like a baby’s bottom…smooth.

Sally Hansen Radiant Creme:  This is another product that I’ve had in my arsenal for several years.  I use this 3-in-1 cream all year around because it helps to moisturize your hands, nails, and cuticles.  I keep it extra “handy” in the winter because my hands tend to get really dry.  I love this formula because it keeps my hands soft, my cuticles smooth and it strengthens my nails.  It’s also great because it smells nice, yet subtle and it absorbs quickly with no greasy aftermath.

Hair:  Thanks to the lack of moisture in the air during the winter, hair lacks…well, moisture.  You can thank your heater at the office, the wind, and that hot shower you take every morning.

L’Oreal Nutri-Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner:  Over the past few years I’ve actually tried a few drug-store hair care brands that I’ve actually really liked.  The Nutri-Gloss line from L’Oreal Paris was one of them.  This is a great shampoo and conditioner choice for the winter because it moisturizes without weighing hair down and it leaves your hair with a glossy finish…which is something your hair can easily lose when it’s dried out.  I also like this line because there are several different formulas depending on your hair type…not to mention that you can own both the shampoo and conditioner for under $10.

Garnier Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo Dryness Treatment:  Whether you do it once a month, once every two weeks,  or once a week, you MUST deep condition your hair in the winter.  Depending on your hair type you can focus the deep conditioner either on your ends or all over your head, but you do need to use one.  Why?  Because, it helps restore moisture by penetrating the hair shaft deeper than your normal conditioner does.  It also leaves your hair extremely soft and manageable.  Honestly, I’ve tried expensive deep conditioners and inexpensive ones and they all do the same job.  I like this new one by Garnier because it is fast with only a 3-minute wait time and it combines olive, avocado and shea oils to deeply nourish hair without weighing it down.

Got 2b Styltini Laminating Shine Hairspray:  Winter can turn my relatively flat looking hair into a electrocuted-looking mess.  If static is getting you down, there are all sorts of products that can help tame your mane.  Some products you can use include:  a dryer sheet (yes, really…if you don’t mind smelling like Downey), smoothing serums, shine spray, hair spray, etc.  I personally love Got 2b’s shine hairspray that gives you the best of both worlds; flexible hold AND all-day shine.  This product is perfect for those of you with a static problem or those who don’t want to lose their coif to the elements.

Catch All:  That product that will save you from all of your winter woes and then some.

Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment:  There’s always a product out there that can do a million different things…this one is mine and I find it especially essential during the winter months.  Aquaphor is an ointment that protects dry, cracked and irritated skin while helping to reduce healing time.  It’s great for things such as cracked cuticles, extra dry elbows and knees, rough heels and I especially love (love, love, love) it for my lips.  It helps to make them extra soft and smooth and it’s perfect during the winter, especially for those of you in extremely cold climates.  I’ve also used it on dry patches of skin and even the ends of my hair (I recommend you trying this before you have plans to go out!).  This product is fragrance-free, preservative-free, non-irritating and oh so wonderful!

I hope this list helps you stay beautiful, moisturized and polished…it’s up to you to stay cozy!

…today started out like any other Saturday morning for my husband and I.  He woke up too early, I slept in.  We went to Starbucks where I was a little too thrilled with the fact that pumpkin spice lattes are back.  We came home watched a home improvement show then I brought up the idea of getting a pedicure together for like the 20th time.

But today was different, because Scotty said yes. 

Now, I’m not here to turn my husband into a metro-sexual or anything.  And for the record, when it comes to men’s feet, my husband’s aren’t too shabby.  The only issue we have is the overdeveloped callus on the ball of his foot, thanks to the fact that he has worn Converse everyday of his life since middle school.  Love Converse, but there isn’t a lot of cushion on those soles. 

You’re probably wondering why I care about a callus…I mean, I have a lovely one that resides on both my heels due to the fact that I refuse to wear shoes and when I do they are usually ones that fall into the flip-flop category.  But, you see, my husband wants me to rub his feet sometimes and I just can’t…can’t rub them with that callus hanging out on the ball of his foot.  So, my compromise was that if he got a pedicure, I would rub his feet.  This deal has been open for well over a year now and was finally sealed today.

We ended up going to your average, local nail salon.  I could tell Scotty was nervous off the bat, asking questions such as, “do guys go there” and “why would I have to wear flip-flops”.  I assured him that guys do get their feet groomed and that it is also okay to trade in his Converse for an hour.  He agreed.  Once in the nail salon, Scotty relaxed and I think enjoyed the overall experience.  Here are some highlights from the day:

“I don’t have to wear nail polish, do I?”

“Does it tickle?”

“Wow, this chair massages you!”

(Asking the nail lady) “How often do guys come in here?”

(While waiting for my nails to dry) “Do they tell you when to get up?”

“You actually tip here?”

$46 and a tip later we were on our way.   Scotty informed me while he wouldn’t do it regularly, he would come back again.  Although his callus was not completely removed, I do think that he deserves a foot massage.  Going to get a pedicure at a nail salon, full of women, with my husband by my side, was priceless.  Something even more priceless?  My husband reading about our little adventure on my website.  (What?  I did manage to protect your identity).  xo

…well, obviously that’s not all I have to say.  I have to start out with the new Les Garçonnes collection because it has become such a hit with me.  I love that this line, while scrumptious, is a little bit more sophisticated then other CrazySticks collections.  I was privileged enough to have the chance to try the Rose À Saïgon fragrance, Hommage À Gabrielle fragrance and the Tamara Charleston fragrance.  I’ll give you a mini synopsis of each…and just so you know, it was a tough choice, but I ranked them in order of my favorite.

Rose À Saïgon is a super feminine scent worthy of anyone with a vintage spirit.  The notes include passion rose, passion fruit and guaicacum wood.  The rose scent, while powerful, is laced with a touch of softness.  This scent is your perfect companion for date night (or any night really!).

Hommage À Gabrielle is such a pretty scent that reminds me of the south on a warm summer night (for those of you who are not privy to a warm southern night, think white flowers and musk).  The notes include peony, cedar, crystals of elemi and Russian leather.  To me, this scent embodies a perfect sultry, summer scent.

Tamara Charleston was a really difficult choice to put at third, because this scent is so pretty and unique.  The scent has a bit of a woodsy scent, which could easily make it unisex, but it still has a sweet side to it.  I love this scent because I have nothing like it in my arsenal and one of the main notes is absinthe, how cool is that?  The notes include lisylang, absinthe and green mandarin.

I was also able to try out the first CrazySticks cologne, which I’d personally consider unisex, but if my husband is extra nice I might actually let him have it (I’m sure he’s waiting on pins and needles).  The cologne is called 26 Juin (June 26th, for my non-French speaking readers) and is a clean scent with a bit of a tart and woodsy scent.  The notes include orange, plum, peach and rose.  Even though those scent combinations might  seem on the girlish side, I promise you, a guy would smell amazing wearing this scent.  As for my taste, I would rather my husband wear this than I, but these note combinations might just be up your alley even if you are a girl.

It doesn’t end here though, there are a ton of reasons to run out and buy yourself a CrazyStick or seven and not just because they smell divine.  One of the biggest reasons is that they are all free of alcohol, parabens, and coloring agents.  They are also budget-friendly, easy to carry with you (they live in my purse for those moments I need a fragrance touch-up), they won’t break and you will get everyone’s attention because the bottles are all oh-so-cute…and not to mention, you will smell fabulous!!

Make sure to check out the Crazylibellule and the Poppies website to see all their amazing products, to read up more about the scents, and to find a collection that you might just fall in love with…trust me, it won’t be too hard!!

I have to say I’m a bit of a pro when it comes to finding the best shave gels.  I can’t remember the last time I purchased a bottle of your run on the mill shave gel out of a tin can at my local supermarket.  Why be so choosey?  Well, because there SO many better options out there that are around the same price.

I have to take a quick second to pay homage to one of my favorite shave gels, King of Shaves.  This was the brand that actually stopped me from buying all those girlie, fruit smoothie flavored options in the pink razor section of the drugstore.  But, I wouldn’t be much of a beauty blogger if I didn’t try out other brands, so I am always on the look out for something different.

About a month ago, I was shopping at my husband’s favorite store in the whole entire world, the Grocery Outlet.  It wasn’t love at first visit for me and the Grocery Outlet, but I have come to really enjoy perusing its beauty aisle and I’ve come across some really great finds on the super cheap (Kiehl’s, Nexxus, Olay, etc.)  During one of our outings, I ran across Nature’s Gate cucumber mint shave gel…for like two bucks.  For those of you who don’t know, Nature’s Gate is a mid-priced organic line that you can find in certain drug and health stores…among other places (obviously).  I popped the top to give the scent a little inspection and it passed the test, I read that it was organic and that it was a creamy shave gel and that was pretty much all I needed to know, so in it went into my basket and I was on my way.

It took me all of about 30 seconds to realize I was slightly obsessed with this shave gel.  The first thing that caught my attention was how completely yummy the scent was.  Now, cucumber mint isn’t a new concept…I’ve smelled this combo many times before, but for whatever reason this scent was less earthy and more, I could wear this all over my body.  The product itself went from a gel to a creamy texture right away and I needed less than a dime size amount to cover my whole leg.  I should also add that my husband is slightly obsessed with this shave gel as well, as I always find it by the bathroom sink where he shaves. 

I’ve also noticed while using this gel that I have had zero nicks, no razor bumps or irritation and my skin has been nice and soft…sans moisturizer!  And the scent…well, Nature’s Gate just so happens to make a cucumber mint body wash, so I managed to pick that one up as well (…and at the Grocery Outlet!). 

I understand that some of you probably don’t put this much thought into your shave gel…but, that’s probably because you’re using one of those ho-hum fruit swirly, cocktail versions.  I’m telling you, be it King of Shaves or Nature’s Gate, once you try it you will not want to go back.

*And if by any chance some big wig over at Grocery Outlet finds this post, my husband is a super fan and majored in marketing and would love to work for you guys…he’d probably do it for free.

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary which just so happened to mark another milestone; two years since my husband had last had a professional hair cut…not joking.

This is not to say that he hasn’t had his hair cut in two years, quite the contrary actually.  He’s actually been cutting his own hair for the last two years to my disapproval.  We’ve been through two years of nicks on the back of his head, weird fading, short spots, military buzz cuts, grown out frizzy ends and not to mention a hair collection on our bathroom floor that I can’t seem to completely terminate.  You might ask yourself why he doesn’t just get it professionally done and save himself the effort and by asking this question you would be making a valid point.  But, Scotty would tell you that it’s not worth the money and that he’s saving $40 a cut.  Okaaaaay.

For the last two years I have bit my tongue, but the other day I finally suggested going to get a hair cut by a professional.  I told him that it wasn’t really necessary to go to a hoity toity salon since his choice of hair cut is quite simple, so I suggested a place like Super Cuts, Sports Clips (he doesn’t watch sports…another reason to love him!) or even the well-loved Great Clips.  And you know what?  He caved!  I promised him that if he didn’t like how it turned out and if he thought he could do better, then he would never have to get a professional cut again and he could go back to cutting his own hair in our bathroom.  We had a deal. 

So, tonight we walked (it’s literally walking distance from our house) over to a place called Smart Cuts and in less than two minutes he was in a chair and I was giving instructions to the lady…”not to short on top, keep the sides clean, no buzz cuts, he doesn’t wear product…”.  You get the idea.  A few sweeps of the razor and a few clips with the scissors and a few awkward glances from Scotty later and all of the sudden we had a whole new look for the bargain price of $14.95; shampoo would have cost $3.95 extra (we’re trying to save here!) and if we would have come in tomorrow it would have been “Men’s Day” and the cut would have only cost $12.95 (put that in my pocket for next time).

As soon as we walked out and Scotty started running his hands through his hair I knew that I had got him.  He was loving his new cut and already admitting how much better it looked.  He even stopped to check himself out in the mirror when we walked in the front door.  That was enough reason for me to snap a few pictures of him and put him on my blog for the world to see…after all, it’s been a while .

For Christmas, I received a sample of the Art of Shaving shaving cream in my stocking from my husband.  I still have no clue where he got the sample, but I was excited to try it out.  I was tempted to just let him use it, but I thought it might be good for me to try it out for a review.

I honestly thought that there would barely be enough shaving cream in the small packet to get half of my leg done, but I was pleasantly surprised with how far the product actually went.  There was enough product to shave both legs and my underarms and there was even a little left over. 

The cream lathers up really richly and thick and gives the most luxurious shave…it’s by far the best shave cream I have ever used.  Like I said, it doesn’t take much to use and once mixed with a bit of water from your shower you are good to go.  The sample I used was unscented, but there is also a lavender, lemon and sandalwood essential oil formulas.  I think the sandalwood scent would smell amazing, but unscented is great for sensitive skin.

The shaving cream comes in a generously portioned 5 oz tub and will set you back $22.  Yes, it’s a little spendy for shaving cream, but this stuff is amazing and your husband or boyfriend could also benefit from this moisturizing shaving cream (see how I justify things?). 

And if you want to spoil your certain someone, you’re in luck because the Art of Shaving is having a 30%-50% off sale on their website right now.  You can splurge on a ridiculously expensive old-timey razor (that was even more ridiculously expensive before the sale) or you can get your hands on a starter kit for under $30.

Some of my favorite Christmas presents have come in my stocking and if I were to get any of the following on my list below, I would be a very happy girl on Christmas morning (hint-hint).  So, for those of you who still have some last minute shopping to do check out my list below for must-have stocking stuffer ideas!

Philosophy Warm by the Fire gift set:  I’m a sucker for all things Philosophy and this is one gift that I would be super excited about.  The set includes a 4 oz. double rich hot cocoa shampoo, body wash and shower gel, 2 oz. melting marshmallow cream souffle and a ooey gooey s’mores flavored lip shine.  Yes please!

Too Faced World Domination Tour All Access Backstage beauty collection:  The name might be a mouthful, but it goes along great with this jam packed beauty box.  I happen to own one of Two Faced beauty boxes and I love it.  This one includes several shadows, blush, highlighters, liners, bronzer and glosses.  The box is fashioned as a super cute jewelry box that actually plays Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy when opened as a mini figurine twirls inside.  This set is perfect for that glam girly girl in your life.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy To Go:  I love mini perfumes for several reasons.  One, they’re easy to store in your purse and to travel with, two, it’s not a huge commitment and three, they are the perfect size for stockings!  There are so many different mini fragrances to choose from, but I’m digging this new fruity floral from Juicy Couture. 

Aveda Refreshing Trip set:  I actually received this set last year from my mom and I was super excited about it.  I love the rosemary-mint collection from Aveda and this travel size set was a treat to use.  I used up the shampoo and conditioner pretty fast but I still have the foot and hand cream.  This set is great for women as well as men!

The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave by The Art of Shaving:  Don’t forget about the men on your lists, their stockings need love too!  This set is perfect for the guy that likes to keep groomed in style.  It includes a 0.5 oz pre-shave oil, 1.0 oz shaving cream, 0.5 oz after-shave balm and a shaving brush.  And if your husband, boyfriend, son or brother is anything like the man in my life, he will appreciate that the whole collection is unscented.

So, there you have it, my last minute stocking stuffer ideas!  Honestly, I could have gone on and on with ideas, but these are some good ones to either buy or at the very least get some inspiration from.  Happy Holidays!

When it comes down to it, we ladies can’t really complain.  If we have a pimple, we can conceal it.  If our complexion looks sallow, we can luminate it.  If our skin is a bit pale, we can bronze it.  But, what about our friends from the opposite sex?  When they have a pimple, the whole world gets to see it.  If their complexion looks sallow, they have to deal with it.  And if they’re looking a bit pale, well, they have to hope the sun works its magic…which is bad, because this can lead to wrinkles and skin cancer and really we should all be wearing sunscreen everyday.  But, that’s a whole other story.

Thanks to Jean Paul Gaultier men can cover up their flaws with his Monsieur line dedicated to the brawn.  The line includes such products as a energizing face balm and eye cream, but my favorite product has to be the fragrance-free concealer (and according to my husband, fragrance-free products are a must for guys).  Now lets be honest here; in all reality guys can wear any old concealer, but what are the odds that your boyfriend who hits the gym everyday will want to be caught dead with your concealing compact?  Not likely.  But, thanks to Gaultier’s clever packaging, your man can feel safe knowing that his manhood will be intact while his pimple and dark circles are kept under wraps.

The concealer comes in three natural looking shades to keep any man looking handsome and at his best without all the fluff.  Done and done!

For all you women out there who have tried with no avail to get your boyfriend or husband to trade in their bar of Irish Spring please know that the struggle will forever end thanks to a new line of manly-man shower gels.  All you need to remember is the name Zirh and Warrior Collection.  Have your ears perked up yet?

Whoever came up with the name ‘Zirh:  The Warrior Collection’ is a marketing genius.  I can’t think of a more perfect, yet absolutely hilarious name for a line of men’s shower gels.  Each bottle is even printed with a famous male leader, I mean how can you get an argument out of that?  But, the coolness factor does not stop there.  Each of the five shower gels in the collection are formulated with natural ingredients that actually originate from the region of the warrior it represents. 

The tricky part is trying to decide what male figure your significant other will relate to.  Here are your options:

• Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome (refreshing, citrus scent)
• Charlemagne, King of Franks (cooling, icy scent)
• Cyrus, Persian Ruler (sensual, smooth scent)
• Alexander the Great, Ancient Greek King (empowering, spicy wood scent)
• Ulysses, Legendary Greek King (light, exotic scent)

Just make sure to apply those little non-slip pads to the bottom of your shower floor.  I’m sure they’ll be some sword fights in your shower’s future.  Oh, and you MUST check out the Zirh website it’s almost too amazing to handle!