Drug Store Beauty Booty

 

1 ~ got2b rockin it encore fresh dry shampoo

i have never used the got2b products before and kind of find them a bit gimmicky.  i was forced to try this dry shampoo as it was the only option at the grocery store and i was in dire need of some.  well my friends, turns out jokes on me, because not only is this stuff totally cheap but it always totally works and makes your hair smell amazing.  it isn't the best dry shampoo i have ever used but i much prefer it over the dove and suave dry shampoos. 

 

2 ~ clean clear morning burst skin brightening scrub

this goodie was recommended to me by mr. b himself.  when we were home in may for the young wedding my parents had this in their shower and b kept raving about how much he liked it.  so i thought i'd surprise him with a tube of it at my house.  well wouldn't you just know that it turns out i quite enjoy it myself as well!  the scent is incredible and it really does do a lovely job of exfoliating and leaving your skin clean and clear and under control!

 

3 ~ maybelline color show nail color "green with envy"

i kept seeing this color at the drug store and picking it up and then putting it back because i needed another nail polish color like i needed  a hole in the head, but it turns out that i did need this color for the wedding i attended in september!  the color is very similar to the essie "mint candy apple" but a lot less goopy.  it required two coats (like most polishes) and lasted at least 3 days without chipping.  i received many compliments on the color and will definitely be exploring the other colors in the collection for my next special event. 

 

4 ~ garnier fructis body boost conditioner

i have extremely fine hair that is so easily weighed down.  finding the right shampoo and conditioner is down right difficult.  i usually stick with the bumble & bumble thickening products but always require a little extra conditioner for my ends and don't want to waste the expensive stuff on that.  i recently purchased this conditioner for less than $4 and i absolutely love it!  it has a lovely scent and leaves my ends soft, straight and healthy.  in fact since i started using it, people have complimented me on my hair a lot more frequently. 

 

THE FAIL

 

organix nutritional acai berry avocado shampoo

after raving last post about organix coconut conditioner, i figured i would absolutely love their acai berry avocado shampoo which smelled wonderful.  wrong.  i have pretty normal hair, neither oily nor dry, but when i began using this shampoo i noticed my hair looked really flat, dry and dull.  not at all what the bottle promised.  i also felt as though i had to use a lot of the shampoo to get my hair clean.  not a fan at all.  after about two weeks it was back to bumble and bumble and my hair has been a lot happier. 

Red Carpet Rundown ~ Emmy's 2012

i'm back from jury duty!  nothing makes you more grateful to return to work than a day of jury duty. blech.

 

the emmy's came and went and overall i found myself rather bored with the award show.  i wasn't bored however, by the fashion!  i loved the bright colors, daring necklines and body hugging dresses. 

 

below are my winners and my one major loser of the night.

 

(all photos here)

 

i loved the abundence of sweetheart necklines that appeared on the red carpet.  whether it was zooey's beautiful periwinkle reem acra dress, padma's incredible fiery orange monique lhuillier or julianne hough's george hobeika mermaid gown the laides have never looked prettier!  i am still not 100% sure but i think, padma was my favorite look of the night.

 

 

another ever present guest on the red carpet were some plunging necklines.  kat dennings really wowed me in her j mendel gown - i mean she looks just gorgeous!  while i still don't know who moreno baccarin is, she definitely made me take notice in this basil soda gown.  the color, the neckline the bodice, just incredible.  and then came miss heidi klum, either a hit or miss often in my book was most definitely a hit in this seafoam gown that left little to the imagination. 

 

i am always a sucker for glimmer, shimmer and gold on the red carpet.  i mean talk about the event to sport all of those trends.  kerry washington is always flawless and this vivienne westwood did not disappoint.  when guilana interviewed her she was just radiant and oh so lovely.  my shocker of the evening...edie falco in stella mccartney.  the girl has never looked better and the gold belt just made her look so tiny!  i just think lucy liu is about the cutest and i loved her mirrored, metal versace gown which must have been so heavy to wear on her little frame.  when she presented on stage she looked like liquid metal and i loved it!

 

i didn't have too many absolute hate looks for the night but i did feel real bad for lena dunham and whomever let her walk out the door in this prada number...

 

i literally cringed at the screen when i saw her in this as i makes her look so big and dumpy.  i mean the dress does NOTHING for her figure and for such a bright star and her first emmy debut, this look just really failed big time for me.  here's hoping she speaks to a stylist stat (might i recommend brad goreski) and wows us all on the golden globes red carpet!

Drug Store Beauty Booty

it's that time again!  below are some of my favorite (and some serious fails) beauty products you can pick up at your local drug store. 

1 ~ l'oreal paris hip studio secrets professional color chrome eyeliner in silver lightening. i use this for my inner eyelids to lighten thing sup a little and it glides on so easily and stays put.  great product!

2 ~ organix nourishing coconut milk conditioner.  i love anything and everything coconut and tried this fabulous conditioner when a friend was in town.  it is a thick conditioner that really moisturizes and smells amazing.  i buy the travel size since i just use it at the ends of my hair and the scent in the shower is luxurious and the softness of my hair after using it is incredible.

3 ~ maybelline eye studio master precise liquid eyeliner.  i thought i my search for an over the counter liquid eyeliner was over when i found this one, but my thoughts they are a changing and i am now in love with this maybelline product.  it is about the easiest liquid liner to use and the color is true black and the thin tip allows you to really make it simple or layer it up and make it all dramatic.  amazing stuff.

4 ~ dove refresh+care invigorating dry shampoo.  if you have read my blog at all, you know that i rely heavily on dry shampoo to make my shampoos last that much longer. i have tried may dry shampoos and definitely have my faves but finding one for under $5 that actually smells good and works was sort of like hitting the jackpot for me (okay not even close - but i was happy). 

5 ~ l'oreal voluminous power volume 24h washable mascara is the mascara to beat all other mascaras.  i think that i am done searching for mascaras and it feels great to have one that is so wonderful and comes with such a little pricetag.  if you like any of l'oreal mascaras i am pretty darn sure you will love this one as well.  one coat provides great coverage and elongates those lashes.  two coats leaves you with a phenomenal set of lashes, no falsies needed.  seriously, do yourself a favor and give it a try.  it is a mascara to put an end to all other mascaras.

6 ~ burt's bees radiance serum.  i am a big fan of serums under my daily moisturizer and can no longer go without using one.  my fave serum is a bit of the pricey side ($65 min) and i am always on the hunt for a good serum for under $30.  when one of my fave bloggers sequins & stripes shared that she loved the burt's bees i set out to buy it immediately - only to find that it is really hard to find or always sold out wherever i go.  luckily one day i found it at cvs and i have been using it for over two months now and while i haven't noticed anything dramatic, i do think it has had a good effect on my skin.   

and now onto the fails, which luckily are outnumbered by the loves!

maybelline volum' express mega plus mascara - before i found my trusty l'oreal i tried out this mega plush one and was excited at the potential.  well i was a bit of an idiot and bought it in waterproof (which i hate) but had already opened it and was so mad at myself i went back and bought the normal version as well. 

big mistake.  the bendy brush that is supposed to be so helpful and allow for great ease of applying didn't bend at all and was actually on the flimsy side and annoyed me.  the mascara was also very wet and made my eyelashes stick together in wet long clumps leaving a less than desirable look.  i gave it 5 tries and then tossed it.  boo.

covergirl lineblast eyeliner - this little diddy was purchased for $12 in a von's grocery store in estes park underneath the stanley hotel in colorado.  i was low on my maybelline precise liner and wanted to get another one in case for the wedding and unfortunately all they had was this covergirl one.  i was hopeful and optimistic that this shorty would be even better than my maybelline product. 

not so much.  this liner is very wet and does not go on black even though the color is enduring black.  in fact my first time using it straight out of the package required me to go over the line i just drew three or four times to get the proper coverage i wanted.  i don't use the word hate very often (except when discussing magic) and i quite hate this product. 

there you have it my friends.  my fave (and least fave) drug store finds that are all under $10!  isn't it nice to save some cash-ola and spend it on something nice? 

any other drug store beauty i am missing out on that i must try!  please share!

TKO

oh hey.  hello.  i'm lyndsy and i have been a terrible blogger.

i am not quite sure where the month of may went, but i know i had an excellent time!  and yet, here stood my poor neglected blog not having any fun at all. 

between friend time and work, blogging has taken the backseat and i am REALLY going to work to change that starting now. 

so please continue reading and checking in, because it is summer time which means summer essential guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers (and they should be yours too) and hopefully some posts that will have you feeling inspired or happy like all the other blogs i read out there do. 

i'm calling a tko on my blogging in may and hopefully will be able to pick myself up and be ready to knock your socks off with some great blogging this june.

xoxo

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Sensational Stripes

this past weekend in whistler i tried on the lululemon stride jacket above and fell instantly in love.  not much of an impulsive shopper, i thought it best to wait and pickup in the states.  dumb move.  it is no longer available and if i want to make it mine i have to buy it on ebay.  tear.

also, i am loving this topshop giant pansy stripe bodycon dress which was in 3 magazines i read over the weekend.  don't worry...sold out as well.  mother trucker. 

those two sold out striped goodies got me in an all things stripe mood and has me thinking i shouldn't delay in purchasing the stripes below.

diagonal stripe 4 / skipper beach duffle / stripe bandeau bikini top / striped cotton dress

Major Douchebag

i hate to start a monday with a downer post, but thought it best to share the above picture of the douchebag who stole my phone on saturday. 

the picture above is from the security camera at the bar which caught the thief above take my phone right off the table when my back was turned.  what allowed this dbag to feel entitled to steal something that wasn't his, is beyond me.

so i feel it only fair to share this dbag's face with all of you and also let this dbag know that your picture has been circulated around main street santa monica and you are a piece of sh*t.

i am lucky that my phone will be replaced and at the end of the day, it is just a phone.  but pieces of sh*t like the guy above, do not deserve to get away and deserve their actions to be shared with all. 

i want to thank all the nice employees of o'briens for helping me track down the thief above!

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself - February

{via}

so i had a bad february, it's in the past and time to move along.  my resolutions took a bit of a dip in accomplishments, but i thought it best to document it regardless and aim to get back on track and kick ass this march (and the rest of the year for that matter)!

goal #1 ~ workout 75% of each month

results:  worked out 15 of 29 days = 52%

goal #2 ~ stick to a pure, healthy, clean diet

results:  i slipped a bit this month.  birthday and surgery mostly to blame.  i would say i followed the paleo diet about 60% of the month.

goal #3 ~ save, save, save!

results:  well, i did try to save and didn't splurge on any new items, but the unexpected cost of two new tires (at $200 a piece) did not help with my savings plan.

goal #4 ~ travel

results:  no travel this month.

goal #5 ~ take more pictures

results:  did a pretty good job last month capturing pictures, below are a few of my faves from the month (follow me on instagram @lyndsylee)

new b*day bracelet from girlies at work

b*day blooms that made me smile

b*day wishlist item completed courtesy of b

absolutely incredible bruch (twice!) this month at mb post with carebear, live.to.the.point.of.tears, sweet nothings, and this is not your life.

got to see mrs r - twice this month!  what a treat!

sweet b

the morning after my b*day collection

finally got to try ink. - awesome experience

my new pumped up kicks from mom, dad & sister that i designed!

pinz in studio city - bowled the best game of my life!

incredible sunset from my work parking lot - gosh i love california!

waldo just knows how to melt my heart

greatest invention ever

embracing coffee and pastels one early monday morning

goal #6 ~ read a book a month

results:  got through 37% of a place of yes - now much finish that book in march as well as another.  must remember to stop watching televsion so much and start reading. 

my results for february are nothing to be too proud of, but they are reminders for what i need to fix in order to suceed this march and the rest of the year. 

how are your goals going? 

Boo-Hiss *Tear* Waah-Waah

(forgot where i found this)

oy.  i REALLY wanted to start 32 off with a smile and much happiness but am sad to report that so far...no es bueno. 

please excuse my minor pity party, but...

my b*day weekend was fabulous!  one for the books.  great friends.  good food.  fabulous prezzies.  a punky brewster sighting.

also included: a flat tire due to a stinkin' LA pothole, a replacement tire that ran me $200, oh yeah...and my car was broken into. 

recently stolen, iPod from the parents, bff's iPad, bff's array of giftcards, my spare car key.  you get the idea.  it's a long story, with an unhappy ending and i am trying to remember it could have been worse, but am still feeling a little less than optimistic. 

so, i am indulging myself in my own pity party today and will look on the bright side tomorrow and start all over again.  thank you for indulging my pity party for one. 

xoxo

 ps - thank you all for the really sweet b*day wishes on the blog, via text and via twitter.  they really made me smile!

Sh*t Nobody Says

I would like to personally add:

 "I really hope the people who used by debit card fraudulently are enjoying the purchases they made at the Polo Factory Store in Ohio."

NOT!! In an effort to stay positive and rise above I will not share the choice words I have for the jerks who spent $900 of my money as if it were their own. Instead I will say...

Drug Store Beauty Booty

I've been really trying to pinch my pennies (I am thinking a fabulous vacation somewhere abroad is so in need) and start utilizing drug store beauty products.  At half the cost, I really can't be too disappointed if they turn out to be a dud (and there have been a few). 

Whenever I think of the Shick Intuition Razors I automatically think of the commercial and start singing Jewel's Intuition (Album Version).  I will say when I first saw the commercial, I thought who would ever use that big bulky razor?  Turns out the answer was me!  I received a free sample and tried it out to find that it works really well and removes the requirement for shave cream at all.  Perfect for vacations, house-sitting, the boyfriends place, or even home. 

Only negative thing is the cost for 3 refills is almost $20...not sure how much you are actually saving...but it is indeed the perfect travel companion razor. 

A gal at my work has very fair skin at work like me and always has the prettiest glow.  I finally just asked what product she used, and it turns out Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers helps her achieve this look (I think her being in her mid 20's doesn't hurt either). 

As a devoted user of Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer I was hesitant to try it out, but seeing as the tube was under $15, I was easily swayed.  While I did not end up with the same glow as Megan, I did end up with a tinted moisturizer that provides decent coverage and a built in SPF of 30.  I am quite happy with this product and while I am not sure it will replace Laura Mercier it has provided a great alternative when money is tight.

I ran out of my eye moisturizer recently and set out to purchase a new one.  Eye creams can get very pricey (even at the drug store) so it was essential I found one that I could use both day and night and focused on moisturizing (anything additional was a bonus). 

I came across the Olay Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream and felt it fit my needs best.  That was until I saw the CVS version right next to it for $3 less.  I will admit I didn't expect much from this eye cream, but I have to say that I am really pleased with just about everything from this jar.  A little goes a long way and it is very moisturizing and silky.  I use it day and night and it may be my imagination, but I think there has been a slight improvement in my general eye area.

I tried the Almay One Coat Dial-Up Mascara after reading a great review on blog (which blog has escaped me right now).  I am always game for a mascara that promises full volume and this one seemed especially great since I could decide how full I wanted that volume to be. 

Turns out it is a decent mascara but I am not loving the plastic bristle brush and tend to go right for level 3 which often has me wiping off the excess on the side of the tube.  I am happy with the coverage but will not be purchasing this tube again.  If you like those plastic style brushes, I would recommend trying this one out.  If you like Dior Show, skip it!

Call me stupid, but when I saw the commercial and magazine ad for the L'OREAL Studio Secrets One Sweep Eyeshadow I was totally sold.  Loved the colors and the idea that someone did all the work for me and all I had to do was swipe the brush across my eyes and voila!  Such a time saver! 

Only it didn't work like that at all.  Not even a little.  This product is a total FAIL.  Luckily I can still use the shadows individually and try to achieve a similar look but, please take my advice and save the $10 this shadow is going to cost you.  Just go buy the individual shadows that will last longer and you will inevitably be happier with. 

Do you have any great drug store beauty items that I need to try?  Do you love any of the products above or had better luck with the one sweep?

Prints Gone Wild

Yikes...I just checked out the photos from Us Weekly's Hot Hollywood Style Issue Event and I gotta say there wasn't much "hotness" to be found. More "hot messes" if you ask me.

Aubrey O'Day was the worst by far.  This number is wrong on so many different levels.  The color, the print, the fit, the belt?  Whoa.

Anna Kendrick looked frumpy and dumpy is this number. 

Sheryl Crow looked matronly and weird in this dress and shoe combo.

I normally think Ciara is drop dead gorgeous and I do love me some yellow but this dress is just too much all at once. 

It is kind of a sad day when I say the best dressed and best makeup for the event belonged to Stephanie Pratt who looked absolutely gorgeous in her navy dress and her makeup is one I would love to replicate.

Love the shoes, bag, and cut of the dress on her.

Her makeup is perfectly sun kissed and her hair gorgeous.  Makes me want to run out and find a new bronzer that achieves this golden glow. 

TreSemme Freshstart Dry Shampoo

You know what I hate...

When you think you have found a new product that will replace its predecessor, that is not only cheaper, but also just as good, only to find out it's not even close.

Well sadly TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo was a big FAIL in my book. This product went on wet and needed time to dry (strike 1), in the areas I used it my hair was white and dull as well (strike 2), the smell is gross (strike 3) and by the middle of the day my bangs still looked greasy (strike 4 - wait a minute).

(Remember this sketch on In Living Color - loved it!)

So, it's back to Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo 5 Oz. for me until I find the next great dry shampoo. Better luck next time!