Lash love aka Latisse Week 0

Here's a little background on my lashes: I used to have very long, lush lashes with blonde tips. Which just means that mascara really made them pop. Then I got mascara happy in the late 90s/early 2000s. The side effect was that my lashes broke off. Ever since then I've been very careful of the mascaras that I use.

I tried many mascaras over the years, looking for one that is soft yet adds volume. I tried one that vibrates (too clumpy so not an everyday mascara more of a going out mascara), cheap but standards (Maybelline Great Lash) and pro (MAC). The one that I love the best so far is NYX's Doll Eye Mascara. Check out the reviews on MakeupAlley.com  It really is amazing and gives me the look and feel that I want. Light, no clumps, adds volume, stays put, comes off easily at the end of the night. What's not to love?

But like most beauty junkies, I need to try everything out there. Almost two years ago, I visited my first spa show where lash conditioners were THE product. I couldn't avoid purchasing of Revitalash, they almost threw it into my bag! I took it home, used it every once in a while, and then realized that it wasn't for me. Revitalash, like all the last conditioners, needs to be used every day to be effective.

Since I've been working at a MedSpa, I've learned more about lash conditioners, and specifically Latisse. Latisse is one of those products that's been around for a while, even before the lash conditioners came out. It actually has an interesting product history, where Jan Marini (facialist/skin care product company) licensed the main ingredient from Allergan. No one at the company wanted to use the main ingredient cosmetically because they didn't think that women would spend $100 a month on their lashes. Ha! I think the lash conditioner market is now a billion dollar market. Jan Marini was pulled from the shelves because Allergan wanted to start selling the product itself. Because it turned out that women will spend mucho dollars on lashes.

Now the market is flooded with Lash Conditioners, from prescription strength Latisse to OTC versions (Jan Marini and Revitalash are the big players) that use similar ingredients to Latisse, but at lower strengths. Technically, lash conditioners can't (and usually don't) use the exact same active ingredient as Latisse (bimatoprost) because Allergan has a patent on it.

I've wanted to try Latisse for a while, but I've been worried about the side-effects (turns hazel eyes to brown). And I also thought the price-point was out of reach ($100 per month). But I've watched and listened as people at the MedSpa where I work have been prescribed Latisse. First, the increased brown pigmentation of your eye (which comes from an increased Melanin production) is a side effect for a very small amount of people who were using the product in their eye. And secondly, most users of Latisse need to use it regularly the first month and then only once or twice a week going forward as maintenance. Its interesting that Allergan doesn't really talk about that part of Latisse. I know why they don't, they want to sell more bottles. But I think their overall market would explode if they were more honest about the usage habits. Instead of $1200 a year on lashes, it's more like $400 a year.

So here's a picture of my lashes before Latisse that I took this morning (7/15/11). They aren't that bad. I have a decent amount of lashes. I'm just annoyed by the blonde tips. And I would love to have them longer. So I'm actually going to do the work and use the product daily, at least for a month. Then repost!

Just one note, I went lash conditioner crazy at the Spa show in Vegas this year. I bought liquid liner and mascara that has lash conditioners from Beauty Society and Lash Food just to see if they did anything. I haven't really noticed a difference in the month since I started using them. Maybe my lashes are a tad bit fuller. But I want length! That's what Latisse POD (Point of Difference) is. It really does add length. I've seen Latisse lashes up close and personal and honestly its amazing.

BizAstrology July 2011

BizAstrology.com™

Let the Stars Guide You to Business Success!

Hello Master Astrologers!

We did it! We got up early Thursday Morning at 8:30am and put together our first BizAstrology Horoscope for you to enjoy!

You can read it below and you can listen to our compelling conversations and insights about being an entrepreneur and using the stars as a guide to create your most abundant business!

You can use the time codes to fast forward to sections you would like to hear the time codes are as close as possible - we of course recommend that you take the time to listen to the whole audio to get the full picture of what's happening for your sign and the signs of the people in your business and personal life.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it for you!

In Joyful Service!

Welcome to the first column of Biz Astrology!

Hello I'm Jenn August, Business Hypnotherapist & Success Coach. I help business owners remove their blocks so their business rocks! I have been looking for a business astrologer for years. I knew how energetically sensitive I am and my clients are and wanted to have a way to look at astrology through the scope of being an entrepreneur. Not just any kind of entrepreneur but one who has a big calling and ache to make the world a better place through your gifts and your business. What I call WooPreneurs :).

Ilana and I came into each others lives to create this for you! So you can use the stars as a navigation tool coupled with your intuition. We both believe in free will. This horoscope is about empowerment and helping you listen to what's true for you so you can create a life and business that make you leap out of bed in the morning and say Woo Hoo! I love my life!

Hello It's Ilana! My goal is to help business men and women connect the power of the stars with female energy to feed the engine of their career. I'm interested in sharing my love and knowledge of astrology so that everyone can apply what is going on in nature their life and career. My dream is for you to use this horoscope to deepen your understanding of yourself, as well as your entire network of partners, friends and family who help make your business possible.

What makes this horoscope unique will be its focus specifically on coupling female energy and career growth. I personally have always used my monthly astrological horoscope as a self-help check in. I like to look at the stars as a reminder of what I should focus my energy on, with lights shining on different parts of my self every month. This focus has allowed me to make radical, sometimes difficult, changes in my career with confidence, since I feel a greater sense of security knowing that the Universe is out there watching my back. I'm so grateful for a monthly reminder to help me reach my full potential.

Overall Themes in July 2011

Eclipse Season Culmination

I don't know about you all, but I feel it's definitely time to take a break from the swirl of energy out there! We've been going through an intense series of eclipses for the past month, starting with a solar eclipse in Gemini on June 1, a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on June 15th and culminating with another solar eclipse on July 1. Eclipses are intense time periods where there is more excited and emotional energy in the air than usual. That is because eclipses are the astrologically equivalent of "revelation". In June, we found ourselves starting new ways of communicating, while at the same time letting go of long-held philosophies. For example, I was able to fully embrace Jenn August's call for an astrologer this past month as soon as I let go of seeing myself as purely a theoretical researcher. These two eclipses were very intellectual in nature, revealing entirely new ways of impacting the world around us.

Your mind must be truly buzzing from all the radical ideas that have surfaced in June.

Take a moment at the beginning of July to think about the shifts that you've made in your core philosophy. Eclipse's revelatory energy follows a pattern of shaking things up, having everything settle, revealing a new reality and then forcing us to act on this new reality. The shake up happens up so that we make room for new energy in our life. Because of the intensity of emotion during this time, one thing to work on in July is letting things settle before you react. Revelation can be a mixed bag of fresh ideas, long-held secrets, negative influences and new wonders. Eclipses in particular can shake us to the core by giving us health challenges. One absolutely fierce Leo friend of mine suffered a huge health shake up in June when she experienced seizures for the first time ever in her life. She's gotten a thumbs-up from her doctor on her health, but she's still dealing with the emotions associated with a big shakeup of her core values. When it comes to action in this month, I'm encouraging everyone to just act, instead of react or overact.

Sun, New Moon, Venus in Cancer

The beginning of the month is about the Sun, Moon and Venus deepening their journey into Cancer. Cancer is known as the mother of the zodiac. Our mother found a renewed sense of self every time she nurtured, protected and loved. Cancer is a water sign so connecting with our hearts will be highlighted this month. Cancer is also a cardinal sign, which signifies beginnings and initiation. Therefore you should note carefully any new emotions that enter your life in July. They may not be permanent just yet but they will be making their presence known!

With Venus making a tour of Cancer this month, it's a perfect time to beautify your home. If you work from home or bring work home (and who nowadays doesn't?), take a moment to re-evaluate your home office. Do you love coming to work every day? Is where you work at home your dream space? If it isn't, make one simple change to help you fall in love with where you work at home. For example, I do most of my writing from home, in my special corner of the living room. Every day I would sit down to write and notice all of the electrical cords coming together in a jumbled mess. This is the month for me to finally take an hour, unplug everything and rearrange. It may sound like not such a big deal, but it turns out these cords have been cluttering my life for a while now. Perhaps I will use the literal and metaphorical unplugging of cords to eliminate things that are keeping me from writing longer.

Jupiter in Taurus

In the beginning of June, Jupiter made its annual move from one sign to the next, leaving Aries and entering Taurus for the next year. Jupiter is the planet of luck and expansion, so all of us should let out a big sigh of relief as we expand our material wealth. This can manifest itself in an increase of money, clients and possessions. However Taurus is a sign that delights most simply in a wealth of experience. Don't just look for more dollars coming into your bank account, although that will feel nice! Start to deepen and expand your relationship with food, art, beauty and love, areas of our life that Taurus touches. Look at different ways you can build your wealth through each of your five senses. For example, I've recently made a commitment to take more time and appreciate all of the art (performing and fine) that Los Angeles has to offer

Individual Signs

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19)

I want my Aries to focus on their foundation this month. More than any other sign, your responsibility in July is to make changes in your home environment that will set you up for success in your career for the year to come. You will make up for the loss of energy when Jupiter left your sign by renewing your focus on your business. By the middle of the month, your career should be your primary focus, with a work project coming to culmination and the spot light focused on you. The strong foundation that you have created in the beginning of July will support you as your project transitions into actuality in later months.

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20)

I want my Taurus to work on expressing their inner feelings about their home this month and how it relates to your career. Don't be afraid to speak your mind about a typical taboo subject, money. Allow your loved ones, friends, family and business partners into your home where you can brainstorm new ideas over coffee in your kitchen. Get out that dream board and update it to reflect any changes you've made in your life recently. By the middle and the end of the month, you'll you're your dreams transforming into powerful realities.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

I want my Geminis to trust their gut instinct this month in their career. Mars is in Gemini until August 4th, which means that any project you undertake right now will have forward motion in a way that you haven't felt in a while. By the middle of the month, Geminis should be looking towards a more instinctual career path. Don't be afraid to focus your gift for language on talking yourself up. For the next year, any wealth will come from an expansion of your subconscious, so take special care to write down your dreams from the night before.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

I want my Cancers to embrace their queen energy this month. The Sun and Venus are both shining on you during the beginning and middle of the month, giving you energy and an alluring glow. It's time to leave your most comfortable spot of the house (typically the bedroom) and venture into the other areas such as your home office. Friends, including partners in love and in business, will be particularly helpful in helping you expand your business. Call your most trusted courtesans so you can share your regal energy with them!

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22)

I want my Leos to use speech to build bridges throughout your vast network. Mercury enters Leo at the very beginning of the month, giving you a renewed ability to communicate, convince, and compel those around you. Because your language will be true and clear, everyone will be more receptive than usual to your ideas. Jupiter will be spending the next eleven months traveling through your career sector so make sure that you are well prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that are coming your way.

Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)

I want my Virgos to embrace their regal energy this month by steering all conversations towards your career. You might feel intense emotional energies and sometimes even distractions from your friends this month. Virgos must use July to take one step back from the every day drama of life. Instead plot the course of your career aspirations with your closest advisors. If you don't have a council of mentors that you go to regularly with career planning questions, then this is the time to build one.

Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22)

I want my Libras to reexamine the connection between home and career. Are you feeling safe and supported emotionally at home? Once you feel grounded at home, you will have a freedom of energy to grow your professional status. The middle of the month will bring a culmination of a project that may have started in private but is now ready to be shared. My Libras love finding balance in everything, so now is the time to find the balance between the inner and the outer through the reconciliation of the home persona and the public life.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)

I want my Scorpios to put on their entertainer hat when it comes to their career. The beginning of the month is a perfect time to plant seeds with your strongest prospects, while the middle of the month is when you should schedule presentations that showcases what you can do for other. Look towards harnessing the power of your seductive nature to help your projects grow, as you feel the warmth of the sun in your career house all month.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)

I want my Sagittarii to solidify their relationships both at home and in their careers. You'll be experiencing powerful emotions about rebirth that might surface deep conversations with your lovers and your business partners. Talking about the deeper meaning of the world is what Sagittarii do best, so enjoy being the center of any discussions about important world topics this month.

Capricorns (Dec 22 - Jan 19)

I want my Capricorns to spend the month luxuriating in the beauty of your business partners. The full moon will be in your sign by the middle of the month, giving you extra insight into both your emotions and the feelings of those working with you. My Capricorns find strength in crafting systems to grow their empire, so this is the month to work with partners who enable your business ventures to flourish.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)

I want my Aquarii to create something new this month in their career. You will find a renewed sense of self in the simple act of attacking the blank page with abandon. Share your new projects through posts on Facebook or even putting them on your refrigerator door. These actions will jumpstart a conversation with your extended family, who will be one of your main sources of wealth in the next eleven months. Be open to ideas from your family about where to take your career.

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20)

I want my Pisces to work quietly at home on their inauguration speech. July should be spent planning, plotting and piecing together the puzzle of your career in preparation for August, which will be focused on the day to day realities of your career. Mid-month will find you working with friends to help unravel any questions that may have come up around how to execute your plan. Look to your vast network for answers to any questions, for your friends will be key in helping you turn around a business problem that has been troubling you.

July Homework

Identify your elemental tribe! What are the signs that you are most attracted to? Do you have more fire people in your tribe or water? Who do you need to add into your life to find greater success?

To Your Great Success!

Jenn August, C.H, C.L.S.C

Business Hypnotherapist & Success Coach

http://www.beyondbusinessforwomen.com

Musical Philanthropist

http://www.thesoundofgiving.org

Ilana Weiner, L.E.

Beauty Magician

http://www.beautybyilana.com

Have a wonderful month! Celebrate yourself - You deserve it!

Beyond Business LLC All Rights Reserved TM® Copyright © 2011

BizAstrology.com is a TM property of Beyond Business LLC

Beyond Business for Women PO Box 817 Reno, Nevada 89509 United States (800) 815-7681

Believers

I met Jenn August through my favorite massage therapist Jenny Karns. Jenn had a facial emergency (poison oak I think) and needed some TLC. So I sat down to give her a session and launched into a discussion of Astrology, as well as Skin Care. I can definitely talk your ear off about both the stars and product ingredients. Must've been an alchemist in a former life!

It turned out that Jenn had been looking for an astrologer to help guide her and her clients. She is a hypnotherapist and coach who works with business women to help them "remove their blocks so their business rocks!" You can learn more about Jenn at www.beyondbusinessforwomen.com.

We talked for about an hour about her sign, Pisces, and all the cosmic stuff that was going on in the stars lately. Big heavy planets like Uranus and Jupiter were making moves in the Spring of 2011 and everyone was feeling it. I even threw in a little Tarot for good measure. At the end of the facial, I offered to send her a link to an astrologer she could talk with. She looked at me, the way that a lot of people look at me when I say goofy things, and said, "You're the astrologer that I want to talk with."

AWESOME! I've studied astrology for the last 10 years so I'm able to speak fairly knowledablely on the subject. Jenn's gentle but firm confidence in my abilities pushed me into a totally different realm. Sometimes really all it takes is one person to believe and then there you go. I've been saying that for years to my boyfriend Paul and now it seems that I should have been listening to my own advice. Thanks Jenn (plus all the other believers i.e. Mom, Tia, Paul, Taylor, Kirsten, Kate, Bianca, Candise, Ken, Dad, Daka, Jodi, Debbie, Tannis, Dale, Meribeth, Gabe, I'm sure there are others that I've forgotten don't worry if you email me I will update).

I guess my point in this post is to encourage everyone to surround themselves with believers. It's hard enough to go through this world as it is. So you might as well make it a whole lot easier if the really important people that are touching your life on a day to day basis just get it. It's not that easy to find the believers but once they are in your life, you'll know. Because they are the ones that will tell you that you can do things before you even realize that you can do them.

P.S. this is a super dooper Pollyanna post but I'm just going to chalk it up to the fact that Jupiter is in my twelfth house. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and the twelfth house is the house of the subconscious.

P.P.S. in the course of trying to figure out how exactly to spell Pollyanna, I discovered through the magic of Wikipedia, The Pollyanna Principle. From Wikipedia, "Research indicates that, at the unconscious level, our minds have a tendency to focus on the optimistic while, at the conscious level, we have a tendency to focus on the negative. This unconscious bias towards the positive is often described as the Pollyanna principle." I'm all over the pollyanna principle except I'm all about integrating the unconscious with the conscious so we are all a little more optimistic.

Sephorasipration!

I love love love visits to Sephora. Not necessarily to buy a lot of stuff since I can get some of it at a discount at other beauty supply stores. But Sephora is my go-to store when I need a little beauty pick me up. Sephora gets the color flowing back into my beauty world with it's fun mix of eye catching marketing and playful atmosphere. Products literally beg to be tested and girls with awesome make-up try to convince you that someday you too could pull of lime green shadow (hey it's happened a couple of times!)

What first caught my eye on this trip to Sephora was the newest addition to the Korres make-up line.

To the left of my blessed Korres lip butters were lip glaze versions! It's like the good people at Korres read my mind. The biggest problem that I have with their lip butters is that I don't love applying them with my fingers. I usually use them on other people (they work really well with lip brushes). But for myself, having to stick my finger in there and then get it all messy, well, lets just say the lip butters have been gathering dust. I didn't buy any glazes since I have more lipglosses than I know what to do with (thanks Elisa and double thanks for introducing me to Korres). I'll probably buy some lip glazes in 2020, assuming we make it past 2012!

Next I noticed some of their new marketing end-caps.

Love these. Helpful in pointing out what the bestsellers are in every category. I'm a big believer in the wisdom of the crowd. I love that everyone tells me to buy Benefit's Erase Paste, Dior Mascara and Nars Orgasm Blush. It means that I don't have to test a million different products to find the best stuff.

The funny thing is that I went into Sephora with the idea that I was finally going to buy concealer from Benefit. Then I ran into this display.

I started chatting with the Givenchy Guest Make-up Artist. She used to work for MAC and Sephora and was now freelancing for Givenchy. She was so cute and convincing that I decided to give Givency's concealer a try.

She basically sold me by saying that Erase Paste was just for one thing (dark under eyes) but Mister Light could be used for both my dark undereyes and my red rosacea chin. I knew she was right about the Erase Paste (it looks weird on other parts of the skin).  What the heck. She was nice and deserved some commission! Plus I know I should know Givenchy (aren't they a fashion brand) but I don't. It's fun to try a new brand. And I'm digging the name. I sound fancy when I say it to myself. Geevahnsheee.

I did buy the one thing I was really excited to buy.

My friend Bianca recommended an awesome eye makeup remover from The Body Shop that's been feeling really nice (it's got rosewater and chamomile). So I decided to pick up the full sized version. I love that The Body Shop has franchised into Sephora. Smart. I got Sephora points when I went there, plus I spent more than the $15 on just the make-up remover.

On my way out, some sparkle liquid color liner that has my name written all over it caught my eye.

Dammit! I resisted but it was pretty tempting. Glitter everywhere! Stilllllllaaaa! Next time, next time. Glitter never gets old.

Fluffy products

I LOVE this article I found on Totalbeauty.com.

http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/unnecessary-beauty-products

It's about 9 unnecessary skin care products. I don't agree with everything the author says, but for the most part, my beauty philosophy is always less is more. You don't have to buy a skin care system, you don't have to spend a million dollars to get the best skin care, you don't have to use products just because the beauty magazines tell you to use them. You do however have to: go to a facialist regularly, use high quality facial products, and wear sunscreen every day.

Here are the 9 "unnecessary" skin care products and my thoughts:

1. Separate creams for face, neck and chest: Most women forget that they even have a neck and chest when applying moisturizers and SPF. I would be thrilled if my all my clients remembered to put their creams on their face, neck and chest, let alone get them to buy a separate cream. There is a great separate cream for neck and chest problem areas that Revision makes called Nectifirm that is targeted for that specific area. If you have a problem in that area, then by all means, you can buy a specific cream for that area. Sure, your facial moisturizer will work there. But targeted creams will work better. Just like eye creams work better around the eyes.

2. Super expensive skin care products: I don't think you need to buy crazy expensive skin care products, especially if you are in your 20s and have normal skin. But if you have problem skin (acne, dry skin, rosacea) or are over 30, you should invest in, at the very least, a great moisturizer with SPF 30, a fabulous night time cream with Retinol and a face wash that doesn't irritate your skin. Sometimes the more expensive products are less irritating, because they use higher quality ingredients. Unfortunately, a lot of skin irritation is trial and error.

3. Toner: Ha! No on toner. Unless you have oily skin or enlarged pores (then it's an astringent). Or you need a little light hydration. My war on toner continues....

4. Hydrating serums: I just discovered that I'm not really a serum person. Either you are or you aren't. They are great for people with really dry, dehydrated, aging skin. But if you have combo, normal or oily skin, serums probably aren't for you.

5. Creams for specific body parts: This one I disagree with, only because there are lotions that work on my legs, but just aren't strong enough for my feet. LacHydrinFive. That's the most amazing lotion I have ever found for my cracked dry heels. You can use it on your legs, it's fine, but it works best on your super dry feet and elbows.

6. Age-reversing products: I love this point because it talks about how products aren't really going to work wonders, unless you have a strong active ingredient, like Retinol.

7. Body firming products: Okay everyone knows that these products are bunk and don't work right?

8. Sunscreen over SPF 30: It's okay to wear something that's higher than 30, just don't be fooled into thinking that it's amazing stuff. SPF 30 is the most effective SPF that you can get.

9. Facial masks: Here's the only point where the author and I really disagree. Facial masks are great at a spa, especially after a chemical peel, as a soothing treatment. As at home treatments, they can be crucial for clients with problem skin, especially acne clients, to help them maintain their skin in-between visits to the facialist. Kinerase makes a great mask specifically for acneic skin called the Kinerase Clear Skin Regulating Mask.

Awesome Product Alert: Revision Brightening Facial Wash

Freckles. I've had them as long as I can remember. And hated them for a very long time. Not to the point where I used lemon juice (that's what my friends recommended to me as a kid) but I never thought they were cute or becoming. Then I turned 12 and a guy at a theme park told me that some man was going to fall in love with me because of my freckles. I must've blushed furiously, stammered something and then walked away awkwardly as any tween would do if they were told such a thing. Of course it changed my whole perspective on freckles. I vowed to embrace them. And find a man to love me because of them.

Later as I entered my twenties and thirties, the freckles started getting worse and worse. I was dillengent about applying sunscreen but nothing seemed to keep the skin discoloration at bay. I met my boyfriend Paul and he got glasses after we had been dating for 3 years. The first thing he said when he put on the glasses was how he never noticed that I had freckles. Seriously? At that point, I was more than ready to give up on my freckles.

I've been searching for just the right brightening system to use on my freckles for a while now. I'm not a fan of hydroquinone since it can irritate your skin if you over use it. Instead I've been looking for more natural solutions for brightening such as White Tea, Licorice and Shitake Mushrooms. I tried brightening products from Aveda and Dermalogica, but I didn't like the smells and didn't see that much of a difference.

My boss Rita took one look at my face and steered me in the direction of Revision, a brand that markets itself to dermatologists. She recommended the "Brightening Facial Wash" and gave me a small sample to try at home. The first thing I noticed is that a little bit goes a long way with this face wash. I have noticed that about more expensive products that on a cost per use, they typically end up being cheaper. I started using a nickel size (what they recommend) but a dime size is more than enough. I loved the creamy consistency that turned into a foaming cleanser; to me that's the best of both worlds with the cream giving extra hydration and the foaming action doing an extra job of cleansing. The smell was one of my favorite parts of the cleanser, a very light orange scent that was neither too medicinal or acidic. The product washed off easily and left my skin feeling soft and supple, not tight the way that typical foaming cleansers leave my skin.

I broke my cardinal rule of not touching my face the first time I used it because my skin felt so soft. I've experienced mild breakouts from using the product because the alpha & beta hydroxy acids are unclogging my pores, but nothing compared to the other times I've used face washes with salycilic acid. I love the combination of ingredients: Glycolic & Salycilic Acid (exfoliation), Vitamin E (hydration), White Tea & Licorice (lightening). After about a week of using the product, I have noticed a small amount of lightening; already I love how different my skin's texture feels (more hydrated and smoother).

One last note on the packaging: Revision comes in all black packaging with silver lettering. I know, it's just a package. But to me, nice packaging makes a difference. Beauty products are all about the entire user experience. And I have to say, I absolutely love the Revision packaging. From the cardboard box that it comes in, to the simple black plastic bottle with the label stamped on (rather than stickered on which always looks so cheap to me). Also the fact that it is black is great since Paul and I are going to be sharing this face wash. Sometimes there is something to be said for unisex packaging (Paul Mitchell is a great example). So many men can't be bothered to buy their own beauty products and instead just steal their wives/girlfriends products. This is one product that I'm happy to have Paul steal since I know it will do such great things for his face too!

Love of my beauty life: Target

Oh Target. Our love affair has been for so long. Since the days back in the 80s when my dad took me shopping there for my first clothing purchase as a tween (leggings) to today when I have to keep myself from spending more than $100 each trip, I've loved you so.

I especially love browsing the clothing and cosmetic aisles. Target is one of those fast fashion places to me, filled with disposable clothing and quick beauty finds. I also have a new buddy now, Sandi, who loves browsing Target almost as much as I do. So partners in crime we hit up the Target in Silverlake. We meander around for hours looking at cheesy, Donna Martin Graduates inspired fashions (if you get that reference you are a child of the 90s!) and searching for a compact to replace my broken one. I didn't buy any clothes but I did get an organic, refillable, green compact from Physicians Formula that smells funny (is it the fact that it's made from bamboo) but does make me feel better that it's refillable.

One of my favorite thing about Target is that they have different merchandise depending on the Target you go to. And we have such an amazing variety of neighborhoods in LA and a huge assortment of Targets within a 50 mile radius that you can find some unique items. My everyday Target is in Burbank, my fancier Target is in Woodland Hills and my Target to get cool stuff from is in West Hollywood, Ladera Heights and Silverlake.

What sparked this outpouring of Target love? An article I found today in The New York Times talking about Target and Manhattan:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/fashion/05Skin.html?hpw
I would love to visit all 9 Targets around Manhattan to see the diversity of merchandise that they have. I bet the Lower East Side Target is totally different (in a good way) from the Upper West Side Target.