Of course, I am a philosophy girl and swear by everything they make, but I have been trying a few new products that I really like and wanted to offer suggestions.... Mario Badescu has been in the skin care business making amazing and affordable products for over 40 years. I have always read about his products and so many celebrities list his drying lotion as one of their favorite products ever... so I thought, hey, I am always looking for the magic cure all- why not try it?

So, I went to a local apothecary and purchased a bottle of the strange looking 'drying lotion' for $17. I was surprised that his prices were actually reasonable- I also purchased the orange face wash for $12 and Lip wax for $5.

I was so excited to get home and do my personal version of a spa facial, using my new products. I washed my face with my philosophy purity face wash, then used the mario badescu orange face wash with my clarisonic. I then steamed my face with a facial sauna for 15 minutes with a clarifying mask (I used Caudalie purifying face mask) (you can steam your face placing your head over a sink and towel over your head). Steaming, I have found, is amazing for your skin and truly makes a world of a difference in terms of how well your product works- helps open the pores, soften the gunk in the pores to get it out, and helps your products absorb and work better.

I then took the mask off with a warm wet wash cloth and put on my anti aging serum (when hope is not enough), eye cream (I use Olay total effects eye cream), then hope in a jar as my moisturizer. After all of the steps are in place, I am ready to apply my new drying lotion, which I am dying to use!

The lotion comes in a little glass bottle with 2 tones of product in it. It looks like this:

You do not want to shake it, because the idea is that you dip a q tip into the 2 products together, dab it on your already erupted pimple, and let the magic begin.

I could instantly feel it tingle, but in a good 'drying my pimple up and good for my skin' kind of way. Just dab it on and let it dry, and you sleep with it on overnight- and wash it off in the morning.

I was glad to see that my huge pimple on my forehead had minimized greatly, although it wasn't completely gone. It was though, after a second evening.

The drying lotion is great for already erupted pimples, but it is not to prevent pimples from forming. I am going to purchase a few more of his products to try- he has some great masks and creams that look wonderful. I will definitely give a full report on them as I try them!

Another beauty product I can't live without: Hand cream. There are a ton on the market, but these are the best I have tried....

10. Eucerin Plus- Intensive Hand Cream

You can buy this at your local Walgreens or Rite Aid, and it's a great lotion- small enough to carry in a purse, but don't use too much as a time! It is thick and creamy- but does absorb quickly. It's great for very dry skin.

9. Clarins Hand and Nail

Clarins is a great skin care company founded on science and comfort- and I love the therapeutic scent of their products. This hand cream is a bit expensive, but a little goes a long way, and it just feels so good on your skin- non greasy and it feels like silk- and the scent just gives you a break from everyday stress. I love this stuff! It can be purchased at your local Clarins counter at Macy's or you can also get it at Sephora.

8. CrabTree and Evelyn- Rose or Lavender hand therapy

I love this cream so much I buy it for everyone. It's amazing. Seriously. Talk about a silky feeling. It was originally designed for gardeners dry hands, but is now and international hit. You can even buy it on Elmwood at Positively Main Street. It's a fairly big tube and it's lasts a while- and the Crabtree store in the Galleria sometimes has specials where you can get 2 for 1 and other deals. I love this stuff! It comes in a variety of scents, but Rose and Lavender are my favorites!

7. Body Shop Hemp Hand Cream

Okay, some people may argue this should be number one. It's awesome. I do love this product to pieces. My only grip about it though is that it does kind of leave you hands greasy for a bit till it absorbs, but it seriously is a great product. Body shop has a bunch of Hemp products (the lip balm being my favorite in the line). Hemp is actually the most moisture you can get out of plant and get into your skin- so soak up the moisture people!!!!

6. L'occitane Shea Hand

What would a hand cream list be without this gem? This stuff is awesome. You can get smaller tubes of it for $10 to try the product out- they have it in Cherry blossom and rose, but this is the classic. It's super absorbent, really smooth and just feels great. And it's French. From Provence! How quaint. You should try this stuff out. You can get it at Sephora or the L'occitane store in the Galleria Mall.

5. Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream

I have to admit, I just bought this over the weekend, and I can't stop using it. I got it at Sephora, and I love it. I have been contemplating purchasing it for a while, but I love all Bliss items that I have tried, and with no exception of this one. It smells great, and it really is a nurturing hand cream, making your hands feel renewed.

4. True Blue Spa- Look Ma, New hands!

This is MY all time hand classic. I have been using this product since it came out years ago, and it's awesome. I buy the spa size bottle for $20 at Bath and Body works, and it's just amazing. When all else fails, turn to Look Ma, New Hands!

3. Sally Hansen 18 Hour Protection

The bright orange bottle in the manicure section of your local drug store- I am sure you have seen it. You should really buy it though. It's a good deal and approximately $6 a tube, and it's fabulous. It smells like a fresh clementine, and it feels like cashmere and absorbs quickly. It leaves your hands looking youthful and pretty!

2. Philosophy Amazing Grace Hand Cream

As you have probably read in some of my previous entries, I am a HUGE philosophy fan. This stuff smells so beautiful, womanly (sorry dudes), and it's a great feeling to put on such a luxurious hand cream. I love this stuff with a passion, and I get sad when I run out :( This product can be purchased at Sephora (although it was sold out this weekend when I went to buy some) Philosophy.com, qvc.com, and ulta


And Number One!!!!


1. Aveda Hand Remedy

Honestly, this is the best hand cream in the universe. At $19 a tube, it lasts forever, smells absolutely phenomenal and it just feels so refreshing to put on. I could put it on and on and on. I love this product so much and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an awesome hand cream. It's hard to find places that sell Aveda- but there is a salon in the mall called Euphora that is an Aveda retailer. They are also a participating Pure Privilege Member so you can rack up points to get free stuff! There are a few salons in Buffalo, including Papillon on Delaware and Chippewa that are also Aveda dealers!

And there it is folks! Tell me what you think!

Ok Ladies-

I am always getting manicures and pedicures, but I always hate how gross and dirty most nail salons are in the area- but no need to fret anymore because I found the most amazing nail salon in the Buffalo area!

It's called Nail Style and Spa- address is 1727 Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda (next to the Panara in that new plaza near Delaware RD).

I went there yesterday for a fill (I have acrylics on right now, who knows how long that will last), but I went in for a fill only after a week of having them on- I got them originally done at the nail salon in Allentown on elmwood at North, and they sucked so bad, and the place was horribly dirty. My nails were horrible, they were already turning yellow, and they just did a horrible job.

So, I just so happened to realize there was a new nail salon on sheridan on my way home from work yesterday so I thought I would stop by. My old manicurist from AB nails actually runs the place, Andy, and he is great.

The prices were the average- about $15 for a manicure and $25-$45 for a pedicure (depending on whether you would like an express or spa), and about $15 for a fill. They have a customer card too that you can get punched for every manicure and you get a 10th free.

It was very nicely decorated, the staff was very welcoming, and the place was CLEAN. Hardwood floors, comfortable chairs, and calm soothing colors on the walls.

They take appointments and walk ins- number is 873-9400.

Happy Manicure!

So, I thought I need to start rating my favorite items- and why not start with Lipgloss! Here are my top favorites, with a few extras!

10.) Ulta Super Shiny Lip gloss


This lipgloss literally makes your lips look like glass. And it's not a super sticky formula. I love it- and it comes in a nice variety of colors! And it's cheap- and generally on sale buy one get one....

9.) Korres Lip Butter

This stuff is great- super moisturizing, and a high pigment color. I recently bought the mango and really like the color, and the flavor!

8.) CO Bigelow Mentha Organics

A popular favorite for many reasons- good shine, great tingle, fresh breath and cute colors!

7.) Lancome Juicy Tubes (Loreal Color Juice)

Lancome and Loreal are owned by the same company, and if you have tried both of these products you know that they are virtually the same thing, one is just much cheaper than the other (and the color selection in the Loreal collection isn't as vast as the Lancome collection)- Either way, they are both originals and are staples in any makeup lovers lipgloss collection!

6.) Covergirl WetSlicks- Amazemint

A bargain, and a great lipgloss. I love this stuff. It comes in a slue of great colors and feels great on your lips!

5.) Body Shop Hi Shine Lip Treatment

Forgive me- I am partial to all Body Shop products- one a store manager for the shop, I have fallen in love with virtually every product they sell, not only for the niceness of the products, but the way the Body Shop is involved in a ton of great world wide programs and is really conscious of it's impact on the world. All of their products are made with such care, and this lipgloss is wonderful.

4.) Liplicious

Another Bath and Body works favorite, I love this collection. I especially love the color shown- it's the raspberry- beautiful color!

3.) Aveda Lip Shine

Great scent and flavor to these lip products, and are pretty colors and just feel right on your lips. I like the fresh scent- very natural!

2.) Nivea- A Kiss of Shine- One of the best new lipglosses I have found this year, and probably the cheapest. Comes in 3 colors; can be found in the skin care section, and is amazing. I love this lipgloss, i love the colors, and I love the way it makes my skin on my lips feel. And it's tastes delicious!

1.) And the number one favorite- it's actually a set- Philosophy Kiss Me- very emolliant red for day and the balm for night.
I got this as a valentine's day gift from my man (after begging him for weeks) and it's the best lip stuff ever. It moisturizines, give you great color, feels amazing, has a minty feeling and it's just superb. The balm is the best product EVER. It's made as a night treatment, but honestly, I use it all day- it stays on, and really penetrates the skin on your lips. Highly recommend it!




Others to try: Chanel lip gloss, bare minerals 100% natural lip gloss

I have found a ground breaking hair product that everyone needs to try, men and women, dogs and cats. It's called Wen Cleansing Conditioner....and it replaces any hair product you could think of... shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner, styling cream, etc...

So here is the deal. You have to use a lot of the product to get the best results, so I recently ordered the giant 32 ounce bottle since my hair is getting long. You have to use 20 pumps initially, put it in your hair as if it's a conditioner, and just comb it through. It doesn't lather or foam like shampoo, which is actually stripping agents that take all the healthy natural oils and strips your hair of the color. You leave it in for about 5 minutes, so start with putting the conditioner in, and then end the shower with rinsing it out....

I chose the Lavender scent. I absolutely love it. It smells so fresh and clean, and leaves my hair absolutely amazing- light and bouncy and filled with life. It is made with all natural products and has essential oils to stimulate your scalp.

It is kind of expensive, but when you have been working on your hair for as long as I have, you are willing to pay the price to keep it healthy- and think about all of the products you will no longer need to buy...

Now the average person probably gets a little scared about using a creamy type conditioner as a cleansing agent, and I was weary of it as well, but just in the few days I have been using it, my hair is shiny, clean, not oily, not weighed down, and just healthier.

I highly recommend it....

here is what the product looks like:


You can get it at Sephora and even the Wen website (it is designed by Chaz Dean I think the guys name is...), but I would recommend getting it on QVC (of course) since they are an exclusive dealer of the products and get the giant sizes at a good price.

And they have the product on easy pay, so you can pay like $15 to get the product home, and if you don't like it, send it right back, but if you are anything like me, you will never want to use shampoo again....I am so excited about my hair.

It comes in a variety of scents, sweet almond mint, lavender, cucumber, a whole slue of them...

Let me know if you decide to try it, and if you like it!

I can honestly say that I am a philosophy girl. There isn't a product that Philosophy makes that I have tried I am not a huge fan of. Three products I can not live without are as follows:

Purity Made Simple


Microdelivery Wash


Hope in a Jar


These 3 products are amazing.

Purity is a clean, fresh, gentle wash that leaves no residue and is all natural. It feels great on your skin and removes make up and other impurities, along with toning your skin while you use it. I use this face wash in conjunction with my clarisonic brush. It's wonderful.

Microdelivery is amazing as well. The key to using this product though, is to not use too much water. You want the tiny microbeads to exfoliate, and when you combine too much water to the product, it doesn't seem as effective. It's one of the best exfoliators out there.

And last but not least, Hope in a jar. I love this moisturizer. Nothing beats it. It goes on your skin like water, and has the best feel when you put it on. It is extremely moisturizing, and as of yet, I don't have a single wrinkle on my face.

I have all 3 products in super size bottles.... QVC sells them for great deals, and honestly, the huge sizes last forever. All of Philosophy's products are reasonably priced as well. If you want to sample the products before you invest in the giant sizes, I would start with the make-up optional kit that you can get at Ulta or Sephora. It has everything you need in it to get a jump start on your new beauty regimen!

This weekend I went to the Massage Therapeutic Arts on North next to the Lennox Hotel. I went for an hour massage. Walking in, the building is pretty cool- an old mansion turned into a little massage/spa heaven. It has 3 floors of treatment rooms, and the business offers many different types of massages, facials, and spa services.

I was taken to the 3rd floor into a naturally lit room with soothing decor and music playing. The linens on the massage table were very soft and warm.

My massage therapist, which I think her name was Lauren or Laurie, was very kind, soft spoken and very soothing, started with my legs and feet, worked up to my lower back, neck and arms. I then flipped over and she repeated the routine. The massage was an hour, and was very nice and relaxing.

I told the therapist that I have been having lower back pain and neck pain, and she worked on the knots in these areas by racking them out.

The prices are the best I have come across, with a 60 minute massage being $55. Great price, a ton of therapists on hand, great atmosphere. I highly recommend going to the Massage therapeutic arts on North.

So, yesterday I was just so fed up with my nasty knarly hair that I decided to go get it cut- nothing extreme since I am growing it out, but I needed some pretty and nice long layers put in and some more shape to give me some oompf!

I went to Imagine Salon and Day Spa on Hertel near Bob and Johns. My hair stylist was Brandi. All in all it was a great hair cut experience. I highly recommend going to Imagine Salon since the prices are affordable, everyone is pretty nice, and I have had a few hair cuts by different people who have done great jobs. Brandi was wonderful, and very knowledgeable in the health and wellness department on top of hair cut techniques and what works best with your face (I have such a round face, and we talked about how important it is for people to understand face shape in terms of hair shape.)

My hair cut was only $40 with tip, and that included an in depth consult, a wash and condition, cut, blow dry and style.

And of course, I couldn't walk out without product. One of my favorite haircare style inventions/potions is Goldwell Unlimitor Spray Wax



I like it because I have such fine and thin hair, which is getting pretty long- it doesn't give you a greasy feeling, just a good textured non-gross feeling. It's around $15 at the salon, and a can has lasted me for about 6 months, so it's a pretty good deal. And it is a spray, so you don't have to get your fingers sticky! Extra bonus...

For years I have been blogging on this site off and on with no real purpose or reason, just bored and needed someplace to put my thoughts. After reading through most of my entries though, I realized I had to delete some things now that I becoming a professional and god knows who reads this...

so with that said, I came up with idea to have a purpose driven blog- a fun hobby based on something that I love: beauty and health products. Those of you who know me know that I am the queen of lipgloss, but my love goes way beyond just lip products- I love all makeup, all bath and body products, all skin care, all hair care, health products, etc. So, why not share what I try/work with daily?

My whole life I have been a beauty product nut. Even as a child I would spend hard earned cash from chores on tubes of lipgloss and the latest edition of Marie Claire or Cosmo just for the beauty products that they reviewed.

I am currently very happy in my career as a Research Specialist at Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, but I would love to have something to work on as a fun thing to do during down time, and maybe help others find things that make a little happiness in their life. Besides, have you ever come across something that you love so much you could never part with? I have, hence why I need to write about these things...

So, with that said, check back regularly if you are interested in all things health and beauty related. I will even review mens products/items (I am lucky enough to have a man in my life who also loves to try new things, so I will update you on things he tries as well).