Skin and Juice

Haven’t posted anything in almost 6 months! Time surely flies! Needless to say, I kept saying “I’ll do it tomorrow…” but ya know how that goes. So I guess I have quite a few things to update you about.

I’ll start with my skin, since it seems to be the simplest to update. At the beginning of the year I was using Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power Cream Wash with my Clarisonic Mia and moisturizing with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. But after using this combination and not seeing any results for 60 days I was on the hunt again for something else.

First I switched up my cleanser and started using Cetaphil Gentle face wash with my Mia. It was ok. On a scale of 1-5 I give it a 3.  I also purchased Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner (the cucumber one) and incorporated it into my regimen. I would have kept using the Cetaphil/Thayers/DDMG combo, but I went in Ulta one day a saw a new skin care line geared towards teens called Bellaboo. I went home, did a lil’ research and by the end of the week I had purchased the 3 piece kit and a mask. It did take me a week or so before I decided to give Bellaboo a try, but I am SO happy that I did. I’ll give a full review later, but I can honestly say that I’ve seen an improvement in my skin. My face, though not totally clear yet, has been slowly but surely turning over a new leaf. I still use the Thayer’s with the Bellaboo line, and I’m really pleased with the results.

As for my hair, where do I begin? *sigh* By February the longest point of my hair had grown to my bra strap, but since I hadn’t had a relaxer or trim in the 5 months prior, a trim was definitely needed.  So I got a lil bit trimmed off. All was well. But as my hair became less and less manageable, my level of care for it slowly declined. Not because I didn’t care, but because I had grown frustrated. I did purchase a flat iron and I’ve flat ironed my hair 3 times in the last 2 months (the first time was just the roots).  Even though I had not used any direct heat on my hair since January 2011, my hair hasn’t suffered from any heat damage (I heat protect the hell outta my hair before using direct heat now out of paranoia). My hair however, has broken off around the nape and has caused my ends to look extremely thin and wispy.  I’ve also noticed that my hair is broken off at the very front and at certain parts around the crown. I know the breakage is due to my shady detangling techniques and ponytails. Since the breakage can’t be reversed, I’ve come up with a plan of action to get my hair where I want it by the end of the year. I’ll go into more detail later, but for now all imma say is: braids and sew-ins.

WHEW! That was a long ass update, but I guess that’s what happens when you don’t update for 5 months!

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to save money on beauty stuff. One way to do that is by taking advantage of coupons! Before I go any further though, let me drop this little bit of advice. Don’t abuse your coupons. Yes, the coupons are for consumers to take advantage of, but don’t be greedy. You don’t need to buy 15 papers and print off 26 coupons and wipe the store out of their whole supply of whatever it is you want. Trust me, you can’t use a bagillion liters of shampoo and conditioner before it goes on sale again. No need to go off on the cashier for enforcing store/vendor policy. So just chill. That said…

January is the month that most brands put their cleaning products on sale. That includes everything from shampoo to Clorox. If it involves freshening up or making a fresh start then it’s probably on sale. I scanned my newspaper for deals at my favorite stores and on my favorite brands and here are a few that caught my eye:

Ulta

–       $12:99 shampoo/conditioner: Rusk, American Crew, ArTec, and Wella

–       $14.99 shampoo/conditioner liters: Matrix, Redkin, Abba, AG, Joico, Sexy Hair and Brocato

–       $2-$4.99 nail polish – I bought the whole On Stranger Tides by OPI line for $4.99 each!

Walmart

–       $5 twin packs of Crest Vivid toothpaste (plus coupon in the P&G brandsaver!)

Target

–       $8 Venus Embrace razors/refills (plus coupon in P&G brandsaver!); Target is also offering a $5 giftcard when you buy two        Venus embrace products

–       $4 Dove beauty bar 4-pack

Bath and Body Works

–       Semi-Annual Sale! Includes $3 antibacterial hand soaps and seasonal body care

CVS

–       $3 in Extra Bucks when you buy Schick refill cartridges (coupons on Schick’s Facebook page)

Extras

–       Check your coupon inserts from Sunday’s paper! P&G’s monthly insert went out this week and has coupons for all of their brands (Gillette, Pantene, Olay, Crest, Covergirl, Secret, Aussie, Herbal Essences)

–       Office Depot has good deals on storage bins that can be used to organize cosmetics and toiletries

–       Lots of stores have sales on Crest White Strips (plus the P&G coupon)

–       Lots of stores have sales on water filter pitchers, water bottles, and refills (I got a GE pitcher from The Home Depot for only $4.98!)

I know a lot of people advise against making New Year’s resolutions, but I’m not one of those people. I make resolutions every year. Do I stick with them? Eh, sometimes. But I’m a chronic list-maker so making a list of resolutions is like watching the ball drop. It just wouldn’t be New Year’s Day without it. So without further adieu, here’s the list.

1. make a beauty budget and stick to it: I spend way to much frivolous money on skin stuff, hair stuff, lip stuff, nail stuff, etc. I’m just going to set aside some money every month to buy this kind of stuff and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
2. stick to a hair regimen: I don’t necessarily mean specific products, I just mean washing every week, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing, and babying my ends a lil better
3. drink more water: this has been a resolution for like, 10 years now *shrug*
4. get rid of old cosmetics
5. organize cosmetics/skincare/haircare/nail polish
6. eat better: when I say eat better, I don’t mean throwing everything out and eating only organic wheatgrass. I mean cutting way back on fast food and takeout and incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. in my diet
7. stop procrastinating: this is always on my list too…it’s a work in progress