Free Sample Secret Clinical Strength

With 1000% humidity quickly approaching in Chicago, I was very intrigued to see the commercials for Secret's new Clinical Strength. I signed up for a free sample and have to say that I was really impressed. I tested it out during my run along the lake on an almost 90 degree day and there was no sweat under my arms! I know, I can't believe it either! If you want to get a free sample too just click here to get your sample.

Sephora Coupon Codes

Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone! I hope everyone is out and about enjoying the holiday weekend and not spending too much time on the computer! I had to get my internet fix in before I head out to the Sox game this afternoon and then fireworks at Navy Pier tonight. Yes, I'm so happy that the Wednesday and Saturday night fireworks have started up again at Navy Pier. Anyways, before I head out for my day, I wanted to share a few new Sephora.com coupon / promo codes.

First, use coupon code LIFTED and receive $50 off Fusion Beauty LiftFusion for face and eyes. You get both bottles of product for only $179. I personally have not tried this product out, but if you are a fan of LiftFusion this is a pretty nice deal so I thought I'd share it with you.

Second, use coupon code SURVIVAL3 and receive a deluxe sample with your order. Get your choice of Jonathan Product "Silky Dirt", DDF "Enhancing Sun Protection SPF 30", Makeup Forever lip pencil, or Guerlain Aqua Allegoria.

Third, use coupon code DKNY and receive a DKNY Be Delicious eau de parfum mini roller ball with your purchase. But, if you're going to be out and about at a brick and mortar Sephora store, simply click here to print out a voucher to get your free sample without any purchase while supplies last.

If I hear of anymore I will definately share them with all of you!

Philosophy Skincare

Someone posted a comment asking for recommendations on what to use to combat adult acne. I responded in the comment, but thought it would also be useful to write an actual post as well. My sweetie is 31 year and has dealt with acne since his early 20s. Unfortunately for him, his mother always told him to simply wash his face with regular old soap!!! Can you believe that??? When we began dating and he would complain to me about his skin and told me that he was just using soap I literally let out a load gasp. I told him he should at least be using Noxzema to wash his face. When he started using Noxzema, at least half of his acne went away. After that, I told him he needed to use something a little stronger and he began using my skin regimen which pretty much cleared him up. He still has the occassional outbreak (don't we all), but that's nothing in comparison to what he used to have to deal with. So what is my skincare regimen? Philosophy products.

While a lot of people think of great 3-in-1 shower gels when they hear the name Philosophy, the company actually started out as a skincare company. Creator and founder, Cristina Carlino first founded BioMedic, a medically based skincare line that catered solely to physicians. Soon afterwards, she realized that she wanted to make these products available to people at home. And so, Philosophy was created. Everything from cleaners to microderm abrasion treatments to peels to moisturizers are available from Philosophy. They have something for every age. Whether you're in your 20s looking to combat acne or take preventative measures against aging or you're in your 50s and you want smoother looking skin with less fine lines and wrinkles, Philosophy has the product for you.

To my comment poster, Philosophy Acne Kit may be what you are looking for. "Philosophy offers a four-step approach to treating acne that is benzoyl peroxide free. Step 1 - suppress excessive oil production, Step 2 - shed the pore wall (exfoliate), Step 3 - help sanitize the skin to protect against bacteria, and Step 4 - seal the skin to help keep the good treatments in and the bad elements out. The result? Clear, glowing skin that's free from blemishes and impurities."

I personally use the items available in the Philosophy Makeup Optional Set. "Set includes an 8 oz Purity Made Simple cleanser, 2 oz Hope In A Jar moisturizer, 1 oz When Hope Is Not Enough A.M. Serum, and a .5 oz Hope in a Tube Eye and Lip Firming Cream, plus two (two-applications) Microdelivery Vitamin C Foils." The Purity Cleanser is my staple skincare product. Even on those late nights when I just am too tired to go through moisturizing and what not (I know, shame on me), I at least cleanse my face with Purity. The Hope in a Jar moisturizer is like a drink of water for my skin. I love it. My skin always feels so soft and nice when I wake-up the morning after putting this on. This kit is also available for dry, sensitive skin and congested skin.

If you're not sure if Philosophy is for you, you might want to check out the Philosophy Best of Sephora Beauty Insider Kit. It's essentially a try me sampler of Philosophy's greatest hits. "Filled with four pint-sized portions of Philosophy favorites—the pH balanced, pore-purging cleanser, Purity Made Simple; the cult favorite, skin brightening moisturizer, Hope in A Jar; two at-home facial Microdelivery Peel packets; and the multitasking, floral and musk-infused Amazing Grace Bath, Shampoo & Shower Gel—this sought-after sampler has everything you need to get glowing." You do have to be a Beauty Insider to get this deal, but it's free to sign up at Sephora.com.

These are just a few of the highlights of Philosophy's Skincare Collection. You can check out their full line of products here. Not only do I swear by these products, but my best friend, my sister, and my mom all do as well. Personally, I have never heard a negative word about Philosophy, but I also realize that everyone's skin is different. So while it may do wonders for me, you may not love it as much as I do.

One other tip when it comes to cleansing your face, always rinse your cleanser off with a damp wash cloth, do not simply splash water on your face. By wiping your face with the damp cloth you are exfoliating your skin. It's much more effective to wipe the dead and dry skin cells and impurities off of your skin than to simply splash water on them.

Carrie Weston Sandwich Ring

I am not a ring person. I have no idea why, but I just do not like to wear rings. Even so, I wanted to share one of the cutest rings I have seen with all of you. A few months ago (yes, I've been meaning to post about it all this time) I saw this cute Sandwich Ring and the Rachael Ray Show. It's actually not just one ring, but a set of five stackable rings. Each ring represents a piece of the sandwich. You get lettuce, cheese, bologna, and two pieces of bread to stick them between. I just think this is the cutest ring I've ever seen. My friend is obsessed with funky pieces of jewelry like this and purchased one of these rings when I told her about it. She absoultely loves it and tells me that she gets compliments all of the time. Just thought I would share it with you. It's available from CarrieWeston.com. Check out her site...she's got a lot of other unique, funky pieces to choose from.

Tarte Sunglosses

It's no secret that I love Tarte Cosmetics. Each season I anxiously await their latest limited edition release of lip gloss and make-up kits. This season, I am definately not disappointed. I absolutely love the new Tarte Sunglosses. In this kit you get 3 FULL SIZED double ended super shimmery lip glosses in Gidget & Moondoggie (pale pink/shimmering sand), Frankie & Annette (coral pink/watermelon), and Zack & Kelly (peachy pink/cotton candy). The come cutely housed in a super chic denim sunglasses case that is actually large enough to hold your favorite pair of shades.

What I love most about all 6 gloss shades is that fact that there is literally just a hint of color, but a ton of shine. I am someone who gets very tan in the summer. As a result, certain shades of make-up that look great on me at the beginning of the season make me look like a clown when I get more color. Nothing drives me crazy than that. Due to the subtle color in these glosses, you don't have to worry about the shades not working with your current skin tone. They will work with any tone. This set just screams summer.

Waterproof Make-Up

I grew up with a pool in my backyard. My parents still have a pool, my apartment building has a pool, and I live right on Lake Shore Drive so the beach is just footsteps away. As much as I love the water, if I'm not wearing waterproof make-up then forget it. Now, obviously when I'm at my parents house or even my apartment and just feel like spending the day lounging around in the pool, I don't even bother with make-up. As much as I love make-up, I'm not one of those people who refuse to leave the house without it. But what about those times when your going to a party at a friend's who has a pool...like there's not a chance someone will got tossed in the pool unexpectedly??? If that someone is me, I don't want to go into the pool looking totally normal and come out looking like Alice Cooper with runny eye make-up. In these situations, water proof make-up is a must.

A few people have been emailing and asking me for some suggestions for waterproof make-up. In my opinion, eye make-up is what you really need to be concerned with when thinking water-proof. Blush and lipgloss usually just wash off and don't leave you with a streaky mess. Mascara and eyeliner, on the other hand, can leave you looking like an extra in a horror movie. A lot of make-up brands offer much of their eye mak-up in both regular and water-proof varities. If you have a favorite brand of eye make-up that you just couldn't live without, just check and see if they offer a water-proof version. If you are looking for something new and waterproof, check out some of my latest finds.

CARGO Swimmables Summer Beach Collection - I came across this set on HSN.com earlier this week. This is an HSN exclusive. This kit is just too cute. I love the name...Swimmables! You get water-proof mascara and eyeliner as well as a lip tint in a handy sports case making it easy to toss into your beach bag. Both the mascara and eyeliner are in shades of black and the lip tint is a berry shade. I just bought this kit for a friend of mine getting married in July (she's a 7-7-07 Bride) who is honeymooning in Hawaii and plans on spending a lot of time on the beach. This kit is available for only $25 with FREE SHIPPING!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof Mascara Black - I first tried Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! about a year ago and fell in love with it. I was overjoyed when about two months ago I learned that Tarte had finally come out with a water-proof version. The mascara brush has tons of tiny "lashes" that are able to get in between each and every eyelash and give them a nice even layer. The packaging is adorable too...a very chic denim wrap is adorned with a little anchor patch. Available for $18.

Dior Eye Show - If you're looking for a waterproof eye shadow, Dior Eye Show is your best bet. This cream shadow packs a lot of punch in its color contains just the right amount of shimmer. It's texture is smooth and feels so lightweight you won't even realize you have it on. Available in 6 great shades for $30.

Bourjois Intensely Luminous Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow - This is another great choice for water-proof shadow, especially if the $30 price tag on the Dior Eye Show is just too much for your wallet. These shadows are packed full of pigment, but appear irredescent when applied to your lids. These shadows also stay put without creasing. I absolutely love the Electric Beige shade. It also serves as a great base for layering shadows. Available in five shades for only $13.

Another thing to keep in mind as summer approaches, water-proof make-up is also helpful for those who tend to sweat a lot...especially, obviously, on your face. Now I know most women do not want to admit that they sweat a lot, but come on, we all sweat. In Chicago, where the summers are full of 90 plus degree heat and 1000% humidity, I sometimes sweat just sitting in the shade! Don't be afraid to reach for water-proof make-up when you're off to a BBQ or a fundraiser walk.

Clinique Shimmering Tones Bronzers

I am right smack dab in the middle of finals, so most of my time has been spent trying to cram about a million tons of information into my brain. I decided to take a break and do a little internet window shopping. I was happy to find that the Clinique Shimmering Tones Bronzers are back! It's ironic isn't, being as we were just talking about these. I've already ordered mine in Golden Bronze, but for those of you with fairer skin who think that bronzers just won't work for you will want to check out Bare Bronze. It still gives you a nice tan look without being as dark. As usual, these are limited editions.