Diva checks back in...

I've heard if you can do something for 21 days it becomes a habit.

Well, today I decided I am diving back into my love of writing and pretty much thinking out loud and in "print".

I have a long list of things I want to write about. Divacheck may not be the right place for all the stuff I want to discuss, but I can sort that all later.

My goal is to put what I want out there and to see what happens.

Ready, set, write...

The Laundress does it again!!

The Laundress has a couple of great deals going on right now.

You can get 15% off your website order by using the code "lindseysbday" until July 31st.  Just use that code at checkout and it will apply to your entire order.

As if that's enough, the Laundresss is also offering bulk pricing on 8 oz., 16 oz. and 32 oz. bottles of fabric care and detergents; buy five, get one free!!  You'll see the offer in the drop down menu when making your selection of a product.  

Yes, you can get 15% off any bulk priced detergents too!!

Great deal, stock up now!!

What's in a name?

Who wouldn't want to be a "Supervixen" or "Misbehave"?  That's what I was thinking as I was looking at the names of the new Nars summer lip glosses.

  

Since this is Nars, these glosses deliver more than just a fun name and notion. Supervixen is a slightly shimmering perfect shade of nude beige and Misbehave is a lovely sheer pale red with just the right amount of glitter.

Both glosses are a great way to inject some fun into your summer makeup routine. They glide on smoothly and have good staying power without a distracting smell or taste.  

Did I buy the glosses because the names were so great and sassy?  No, but I do smile when choosing between my new glosses and think, "Do I want to misbehave or be a Supervixen?".

worth sharing

I just cast my votes in Sephora's "2008 best of sephora" beauty product ballot.  At the end they ask you, "What's your beauty secret/tip?".  Well, I thought since I was willing to share it with Sephora, I should share it with you.

My eyelashes are very straight.  To give my shu uemura eyelash curler a little help, I tilt the eyelash curler (while holding lashes) back towards my upper eyelid.  Instead of pressing and pressing and pressing, I just hold and tilt that curler.

That's just one of my beauty habits.

Any beauty secrets or tips you want to share?

knowing when

Sometimes you just have to know when to say when.  When there's chaos going on around you and you don't know what to do next, maybe the answer is to walk away.

Seriously.

Take a mental time out.  Close the door.  Take the phone off the hook.  Hide all the open windows on you computer screen.  Go to the bathroom.  Yes, give yourself permission to relieve your bladder.  And while you're in there, take a few deep breaths and enjoy the solitude.  

Figure out what nourishes your soul and work that into your life.

Two of my closest friends live a thousand miles away from me (one in Texas, one in Florida) and getting together with them always nourishes me.  When we can't physically be together we connect over the phone or via e-mail.  Sometimes just hearing one of their voices makes everything seem right in the world.  

What's your nourishment?

happy music

I re-discovered my love of disco music recently.

I was reminiscing about Donna Summer's 1978 hit "Last Dance" when I remembered I had her 2-disc anthology set.  I put both CD's in the car CD player on my way to work that day.  It has been awhile since I've listened to Last Dance, Bad Girls, Hot Stuff and let's not forget the duo with Barbra Streisand, Enough is Enough, but there I was singing every word like there was no tomorrow.  

I sang the entire time I was driving and managed to get a little car dancing in at red lights.  I arrived at work in an amazingly good mood and a bit hoarse (if you're going to sing in the car you might as well belt it out at the top of your lungs).

What makes you sing in the car?

Oxymoron

I first mentioned Lipstick Queen's Oxymoron last May.  

I purchased the shade Honest Politician a few months ago  and I'm not sure what surprised me more, the color depth or texture.

As promised it glided on like a gloss and looked like freshly applied lipstick.  The color depth took me by surprise and had real staying power.  And my lips never felt dry (occasional lipstick effect) and the color didn't disappear (often a lipgloss effect) after an hour.

Poppy King has indeed done it again and created an innovative lip product every woman can use.  

Stila Cherry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain

I was intrigued when I found out Stila's new Cherry Crush & Lip Stain reacts to the pH levels in your cheeks and lips to create a personalized look.

Sephora touts it as a "multi-tasking lip and cheek stain".

I liked the convenience of this product being in a click pen.  I used this on my lips and it turned my lips too red.  I would not use this daily because every time I looked in the mirror all I saw was bright red lips.

I admit that I didn't try it on my cheeks because I was afraid it would also turn too red on my face. 

When I went to give the pen a second try, some of the product had leaked through and it was a little "goopy".  

I really like a lot of Stila products, but give this one a thumbs down.  The innovation was a cool idea but didn't deliver for me.  

Any one else try this?

    

Catalog Choice

Yes, I'm still around.  

I am working on new product reviews and other fun stuff.  But I discovered something fabulous and out of the ordinary last week and just had to let you know.

It's called catalogchoice.org.  It's a free service that helps you clean up your mailbox.  How?  All you do is create an account, then you get to opt-out of catalogs you no longer wish to receive.  It's really that easy and think of all the paper you'll save.  

I joined because I was fed up with getting a new Pottery Barn catalog every month that just worked it's way into the recycling bin after sitting on the counter for  a week.  Catalogchoice.org helps me get to the source so I don't even get the catalog.  

Check it out and help take a baby step in cutting out the clutter (not to mention helping the environment).  

Holiday shopping

I enjoy giving gifts and if you haven't figured this out yet, I really like shopping. The only time I don't like shopping is during the holiday season. Too many people are shopping because they think they have to, not because they want to.

While in Dallas this past weekend, I decided mall parking might be the biggest obstacle a shopper has to overcome. My friends parents' had to leave the swanky North Park Shopping Center because after 20 minutes of searching they couldn't find parking, while a friend and I had a stress-free jaunt at the Galleria where we had been dropped off.

Check out my tips from a previous blog that will make your gift-giving easier: http://divacheck.blogspot.com/2006/10/holiday-considerations.html.

Happy Holidays!

worth the mention

The Laundress knows how to kick off the holiday season.

They are offering a very generous 20% off all products until December 5th with the code holiday (just enter at check-out). This is a great opportunity to stock up on your favorites and to do a little holiday shopping.

Laundry detergent as a gift? Here's a few ideas.

Treat your friend who always has the latest and greatest pair of designer denim to The Laundress Denim Wash. She might already know about it, but she'll thank you for re-stocking her supply or be excited to find out about this great product. Either way, you both win.

For your sister who travels every other week, introduce her to The Laundress Wash & Stain Bar. It's airplane friendly (it's like a bar of soap, so it doesn't take up valuable space in the quart sized "liquid" bag) and easy to use. You might also want to pick up a box of the Wool & Cashmere Shampoo pacquettes for her so she can take care of her sweaters when travelling too.

Your friend who has a High Effiency or front loading washing machine will be eternally grateful that you found her this great low-sudsing, yummy-smelling laundry detergent she can use with her delicates and her everyday clothes.

Just don't forget to stock up on all your favs.

Really?

I just found a great tip in the Real Simple August issue to help all divas prevent sweat stains from ruining their gorgeous summer white shirts.

All you need to do is sprinkle a little baby powder on the underarms and collar of a shirt, then iron. The powder forms a barrier that prevents oil and dirt from seeping into your shirt.

I haven't tried this out yet; but it's so quick and easy I hope it works!!

Thanks to Real Simple for teaching us new ways to take of ourselves.

what's in your bag?

Allure magazine recently polled 2,600 women, ages 18 - 64, online and found that most women leave the house with at least four beauty items in their handbag. Lip balm, hand/body moisturizer, lipstick and lip gloss, in that order, are what topped the list.

What else? Beauty implements, fragrance/perfume, mascara, foundation, blush or bronzer and eye shadow can also be found in our handbags.

After reading this, I had to look in my handbag and see exactly what beauty products I leave home with. Here's what I found: comb, eyelash curler, eyebrow pencil, lip palette that has six glosses inside, three lipsticks, one (individual) lip gloss, hand lotion, blotting papers and one cream eye shadow.

I was surprised by how many lip products were in my bag and was happy to find the blotting papers. I removed two of the lipsticks and kept the rest.

What's in your handbag? Any surprises?

L'OCCITANE Sale

While all the clothing retailers are bombarding you with their summer sales, it's only fair that I mention one of my favorite product lines has a "sale" too.

French beauty brand L'OCCITANE has a great selection of their products discounted 20 to 50 percent until July 10, 2007.

I love the luxurious feel of the Shea Butter Body Lotion and couldn't pass up the larger 16.9 fl. oz. size for $36. It's pricey, but definitely worth every cent.

And since they're 20% off and I've never seen them on sale before, I had to purchase a few of the Extra Gentle Soaps. The Milk, Verbena and Lavender scented soaps are great for sensitive skin and last a long time.

The L'Occitane sale prices are only valid at L'Occitane stores and usa.loccitane.com. All products are available while supplies last, so act sooner rather than later.

Real Simple July issue

Real Simple's July issue is jam packed with lots of good information.

The beauty section has two can't miss articles; stubble trouble and summer hair help. Stubble trouble (pgs 91-97) lists the pros and cons of four hair removal methods then provides six product recommendations. Summer hair help (pgs 99-103) provides the quick-fix and preventive measure for four common summer hair dilemas.

My favorite section, road tests (pgs 155-174), tackles bras, teeth whiteners, ice cream makers and pickles. Such an interesting, and odd, combination that I found myself carefully reading each category. While all four categories were very informative, I was most impressed by the 10 "winner" bras and the fitting tips.

All my fellow laundry fanatics will be drawn to the hints on how to keep white clothes white (p. 189). But y'all probably do that stuff already. ;)

The July Real Simple issue is available now wherever magazines are sold.

remember to look down

Summer officially arrives in the Northern Hemisphere next week.

I'd like to take this opportunity to remind every one to look at their feet, especially their toes, when choosing their shoes for the day. No matter how tempting, if you look at your toes and wouldn't want anyone else to look at them, DO NOT wear open toe shoes.

Here are a few guidelines for summer toes:

You do not have to have the perfect pedicure day after day to show off your toes. You do need to cover up (better yet, remove) chipped nail polish.

You don't need to wear toe nail polish. You do need clean, filed toenails.

Use a pumice stone on your feet at least three times a week.

Know when to call in a professional. If you are completely helpless when it comes to your feet, get a pedicure and watch what the technician does.

Feel free to pass this information along to any "known offenders".

Band-Aid Blister Block

This product might be the answer to every diva's new shoe dilema, "Should I wear these out tonight? I don't want to get a blister."

Band-Aid's Blister Block promises to invisibly prevent blisters. It's a natural based lubricating formula packaged in a small roll-up stick that reduces rubbing on the skin. The stick formula makes it non-messy and easy to apply. It's ideal for open toe shoes (no exposed band-aids).

I bought one but haven't had the opportunity to try it. It does glide on easily without leaving you feeling slippery and has a faint, pleasant floral scent. I did read a few reviews on drugstore.com and the reviewers said it worked, but needed to be re-applied.

I'd love feedback from anyone who has already tried the Blister Block. I'm wondering if it works on "corns" too.

Band-Aid Blister Block is available at most drugstore chains, mass retailers (Target, Wal-Mart) and online at drugstore.com.

Pantene Texturize Moussing Foam Wax

Last month's "trust the expert" post discussed some new hair products I had purchased. I mentioned that I discovered a category I had never heard before, gel wax.

The May issue of Lucky Magazine introduced me to another category I wasn't aware of, mousse wax. I was intrigued by Lucky's write up because they mention you can use this on wet hair for volume and dry hair for extra texture. And, I'll admit it, I spent part of the 80's with a perm so mousse makes me a little nostalgic.

I decided to try the Pantene Texturize Moussing Foam Wax. It's only six bucks and readily available.

Pantene is right on the money with their description, "easy-to-use whipped foam wax crosses a wax with a mousse for lightness and stability". When I used it on wet hair, I had volume without fly-aways after blow-drying. I had amazing results when I applied a small amount to dry hair (sans product before blow-drying). I ended up with so much volume and texture that my husband called me "Rock and Roll Diva".

This product seems like a regular mousse until you start to work with it. The directions say to (after dispensing) "rub hands together, making a thin layer", then applying. The mousse wax seems to turn into a thin layer of slighty tacky water. I noticed a texture change when I was working this into my dry hair. The longer I had it on my hands the tackier it became.

My diva haircare experiment continues and I'd love to hear from anyone who has other haircare product suggestions or questions.

Why I Love Cream Eye Shadows

Last month I told you how eyeliner pencils can leave a mark in the crease of my right eye.

Unfortunately, that's not where my eye makeup issues end.

Powder eye shadow collects in my crease within a couple hours after application. I've tried numerous makeup techniques and products and they just don't prevent this from happening.

So how does this high maintenance diva dress her eyes up?

My solution to all day, crease-proof, smudge-proof eye lid color is cream eye shadows. They're easy to apply and dry quickly. Squeeze a little out of the tube, one quick swipe of color to each eyelid, a little blending and you're done. I apply with my fingertips (if that's too messy for you, use a nylon brush for application).

Who makes cream eye shadows?

Dior, Clarins, Clinique, Bourjois, MAC, BeneFit and Rimmel all make great ones.

If you are trying a cream shadow for the first time, look for formulas that say they dry to a powder finish. And remember that a little goes a long way.

High Maintenance

Toby Keith has a song called "High Maintenance Woman".

Whenever I hear this song on the radio I am reminded of the time a friends husband called me high maintenance.

He was listening to us chatting about people and said, "Boy, you are high maintenance".

My immediate response was, "Yes, I am. I've got standards. I mean who wants to be low maintenance?"

My friend chuckled and appreciated the way I spun the negative connotation. Her husband was somewhat surprised by my response, but didn't have anything else to say on the subject.

So what exactly is high maintenance?

Someone who takes care of themselves? Someone who spends money on personal grooming habits? Someone who likes nice food? Someone who likes to dress nicely? Someone who treats others with respect and dignity? Someone who expects others to treat them with respect and dignity?

I color my hair. I wear makeup. I love good food. I usually look put together. I'm also nice, hard-working and a great friend. I am not mean nor do I feel entitled to anything.

Is that all sooooo bad?

If anyone tells you that you're high maintenance - smile and say, "thank you".