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Deeglam2's Journal

deeglam2
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04/23/2010 13:03 #51441

Mario Badescu-my personal facial routine
Category: skincare
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:
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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!
tinypliny - 04/25/10 19:29
I know its pretty tempting to believe in all these cosmetics, but the best solutions in dermatology are preventive nutrition and natural biodegradable food grade substances. The general rule is that if you can't eat it without getting really sick, you shouldn't be applying it on your skin for extended periods. Remember that your skin absorbs many of these cosmetics - so my sincere advice would be to pause before you get anything and read the ingredient list.
tinypliny - 04/25/10 19:25
:-) Yeah, if you enjoy it, I guess it's worth all the money.

BTW, if you are having trouble with pimples, I would recommend increasing your fluid/water intake. Calamine lotion (ZnO + Fe2O3) is an astringent to "dry up" pimples (or abscesses with pus). Looks like this badescu cream has that in part. It's an incredibly cheap generic solution for pimples. I am not sure you should be paying through your nose for something like this. After the pimples dry up, a deep massage with unfiltered extra-virgin olive oil will get rid of the scars.

deeglam2 - 04/25/10 18:40
I don't think I have ever calculated it, but A LOT of money. But like anything you are passionate about and really enjoy, it's worth it. :)
tinypliny - 04/23/10 22:26
If you don't mind my asking, how much do you spend on cosmetics in a year?

02/25/2010 15:03 #51074

New Nail salon and spa
Category: nails
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!

02/09/2010 14:59 #50990

Wen, Cleansing Conditioner
Category: hair
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:
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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!
deeglam2 - 02/25/10 14:53
I have fine oily hair, so i am obsessive about making sure I am using the product completely the way you are supposed to- and what I have been doing is actually cleansing twice in a shower since I do have oily hair. It will leave your hair oily if you aren't using enough, and if you don't rinse it out well enough. I would recommend to try a small bottle of it, and if you don't like it, then not much lost....but I really do love this product.

I have to say though, I have shampooed my hair since I started using it, just to switch it up and get a good deep clean. So maybe you can use it as a once a week treatment....or even just as a conditioner. I know some people use a low sulfate shampoo, then use this as their conditioner....so even if you dont' like it as a cleanser at least you can use it still as your conditioner!

Let me know what you think if/when you try it.
leetee - 02/09/10 18:51
I've seen the late night adverts, but i have been waaaaaaaay too scared to try it. I have oily skin and hair, and i know better, but i like the squeak of clean hair in the shower.....

I'm glad you love it. What kind of hair do you have? If it's oily (you mentioned that it does not make your hair oily in your post), does it keep it clean and oil free longer than regular shampoo? And does your scalp actually feel clean?

I have a million questions about this product, sorry...
jenks - 02/09/10 18:12
My mom ordered it off tv, but didn't like it for herself, so she gave it to me... and I liked it, I guess, but I didn't LOVE it. I think I prefer my Bumble and Bumble and stuff. But it DOES smell good. and I'm super picky about my hair products. My hair is curly and I can't STAND for it to be frizzy, and I have found that shampoos really make a huge difference (much to my surprise).

03/09/2010 16:43 #51139

Top 10 Favorite Hand Creams!
Category: top ten
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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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!
ladycroft - 04/29/10 06:43
body shop's hemp cream is awesome!
tinypliny - 03/09/10 20:15
  1. 0: And there is also pure extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil.
jenks - 03/09/10 17:10
ooh yes, I love that aveda cream. They have "foot relief" too that has some peppermint in it so it's cool and soothing. But I think my favorite hand cream is actually some industrial stuff they have in the hospital. I have no idea how/where to get it, but I think I am going to have to 'borrow' a bottle.

ha! I found it. Looks like it's $60 for a case of 12 16oz bottles.

02/24/2010 13:09 #51070

Top 10 favorite lipglosses!
Category: top ten
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
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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
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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
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A popular favorite for many reasons- good shine, great tingle, fresh breath and cute colors!

7.) Lancome Juicy Tubes (Loreal Color Juice)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!

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

heidi - 03/01/10 20:46
I had the strong urge to go to Walgreens tonight and check out the Nivea lip gloss. It took me over 10 minutes to find it because I had to look thru the entire girly section. I chose the Kiss of Flavor Passionfruit, went up to the check out counter and the check out woman said, "I think that's on sale" and gave me a $3.00 off coupon! So it was only $.99! As I walked outside I unwrapped it and tried it. EW! passionfruit is gross. I went back in and got the "Kiss of Moisture" which looked unflavored. She gave me the coupon again (and then asked me if I knew of anyone hiring). I like it much better. I like the smooth not-sticky texture but it doesn't have the sparkly-shimmery of the Clinique stuff. Is there a distinction I'm missing?

But I thought you'd wanna know... $.99 @ Walgreens right now! (Make sure you get the coupon.)
paul - 02/27/10 23:20
I love lip gloss. It's the only thing that makes me want to be a girl.
tinypliny - 02/25/10 23:10
Not to be a spoil sport and all but you should also visit this :::link:::

jenks - 02/25/10 16:40
I dunno... I feel like it's girl blasphemy, but I kind of can't get into lip gloss. I like lipstick, and I am totally addicted to chapstick... but I don't like that sticky goopy feeling. And then I go outside and the wind blows and my hair gets stuck in my lips- yuck. or maybe I just don't have the right kind.
deeglam2 - 02/25/10 14:56
OH! I forgot a major one! Kiehl's tinted lip gloss is awesome too...

and yes, there are thousands of lipglosses to try! It's a wonderful world of product out there! and some at a great bargain.

I have totes and containers filled with lipgloss alone- it's one of my weaknesses and addictions.

I highly recommend the Nivea one, and honestly, for $3, if you hate it, nothing lost!

Clinique lipgloss I actually am not a fan of- except for the plumping line, which is good. Clinique doesnt have good scents or flavors, and I agree, they are yucky sticky...so try some of these on the list and see if you like any.
theecarey - 02/25/10 00:36
Oh, I did NOT need to see this post! (btw, I'm loving these product posts!) I have a decorative receptacle with dozens of lip glosses, balms and sticks. Maybe 35 or so? I should count them and post a picture. It is insane, I can't help it. I always want to buy more gloss and I use it obsessively (as a plus, no man has ever minded the tasty soft make out sessions!).
From expensive to super cheap, it is a matter of trial and error. I agree, for the same reasons, The Body Shop products are wonderful and the Nivea Kiss of Shine is really nice (actually, come to think of it, YOU got me into Nivea!).

Seriously I have to stop myself from buying more every time I pass by a shiny new pretty gloss. If I wear nothing else, I have my lip gloss.
heidi - 02/25/10 00:17
Last time I got make up (a once-every-two-years project), the Clinique lady gave me lip gloss. I don't quite like the stickiness of it, but gee it shure is purty. I think I'm gonna try that Nivea one.
jenks - 02/24/10 20:21
"talking to"
heh, jay, you're so cute. ;)
jason - 02/24/10 15:08
I had no idea there was so much lip gloss. This is too overwhelming. Too many choices. Do you pick one and run with it? Or constantly change it up? Thank God I'm a man. Even in my hair gel days I found one thing and stuck with it. The girl I'm talking to uses lip gloss. I don't know what kind, and I don't think there is any flavor. All I know is that her lips are soft.