Butter London - Natural Luxury

Per a recommendation from a friend (Thanks Sandy!), I recently tried Butter London nail polish. Butter London "3 Free" that is!  Because it contains NO formaldehyde, no toluene, no DBP (dibutyl phthalate). No, this stuff isn't going to kill you, but with the new waive of ultra natural and ultra organic products...why not try something you just may love that's super safe for you too! Especially if pregnant, or nursing, or on your little one's toesies!

(Insert this into my previous posts on Pregnancy Switch-outs and Baby Luxury).  Multi-tasking :)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/butter-london-3-free-nail-lacquer/3117709?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=393

Lots and lots of colors to choose from along with several glittery ones, metallic ones, matte ones, and new shades I have yet to see somewhere else.  Love the bottle, love the easy application!













The big question...chip factor??  I'm not going to say it doesn't chip.  But to me it chips like every other polish out there.  It depends on how much you use your hands and for what.  No nail polish is a miracle worker when it comes to chipping, except if you get gel manicures.  I like this simply for the color selection, and the "3 free" lacking ingredients.  I put it on my little girl's toes, she loves it, and I feel good that random chemicals are not invading her body.  I have also of course used it on my own toes, and for me, it did last a long time.  I have not tried it on my finger nails and probably wont because, as you know from my last post, I'm a slave to gel manis.

I think I also like it because the "3 free" seems to add a luxury to it, that you all know, I'm kinda addicted too! :) 

New Year, New You (and gel manicures)

Resolutions aside, it's time to make a change in that boring routine makeup and fix those flaws that have plagued you all last year!!  Try some new products and new colors to change up and re-awaken your look!!  I have plenty good ones from my previous posts...let me know what you tried and loved or didn't.
However, if you discovered something you loved last year, don't change it!!

My biggest indulgence last year and one that will continue forever is gel manicures!!  They last people!  Literally for weeks.  I have never seen a chip in any of my gel manicures even through lots and lots of heavy dish washing, weightlifting, baby care-ing! :)  That being said, their are some cons (but none to make me stray)...

PROS -
- last for 2-3 (sometimes more) weeks
- great for french manicures because when your nails grow you cant tell that the bottom of the nail is showing (not so great though for dark colors)
- dries upon contact at salon, so you can immediately pay, get car keys, whatever you want (no waiting to dry and no being extra careful when you leave)

CONS -
- more expensive than a regular manicure (but justified for the time is lasts)
- kinda annoying to take off and you usually have to go back to salon (although with some patience you can do it at home)
(so no CONS - woohoo!)

As for the argument about your nails being under that UV light repeatedly and that being harmful to your skin...I have researched this.  Most of the research says the amount of exposure is very minimal and therefore not a problem.  Also, I have noticed that my local salon, and probably all the experienced ones, put a glove on your hands which just exposes the nails. 

Several companies are now offering at-home gel mani kits. (Sephora by OPI gelshine and Sally Henson)  They come with the polish bases and top coats, a small UV machine, buffing tools, remover tools etc.  I have yet to try these, as to me, the salon is just so much more convenient. 

Here's Sephora's...pricey but is it worth it over time??  $160.00
http://www.sephora.com/gelshine-at-home-gel-colour-system-P374809?om_mmc=Googlepla&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-{keyword}&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1434554

You can remove at home with some patience...just file of the top layer and then soak your nails in acetone or soak cotton balls and attach to your nails with foil.  Wait like 10 minutes and then start buffing away.

I love a good manicure!  I think they make you look polished and put together.  So, for 2013, why not show the world how flawless you truly are!!

On the Wishlist!

Christmas gift to myself this year....

Urban Decay's Naked Basics Palette
http://www.sephora.com/naked-basics-palette-P376213?skuId=1458157

Very excited to try this one out!!  The Naked palettes line by Urban decay is a HUGE best seller for several reasons.  They make the most wearable colors all in one set, the array of shadows blend well together, they are rich in pigment, and one little portable case has every eyeshadow you could want for a day to night look!

That being said...I do not own a Naked palette.  Naked (1) has been around for some time and Naked2 made its debut earlier this year.  The second naked swapped out a few more basic colors from the first.  Why don't I have a Naked palette yet?  Well...because I kinda hate palettes!!  I don't like little windows of eyeshadow all in one package because typically I'm just not going to use all of them.  I usually will stick to 1 or 2 and then the rest is a waste.  And most of the time, you can get that exact shade you use more frequently in its own little pot!

However, along came Naked Basics...and that means along came my favorite types of shadows....MATTE!!!!!!  See earlier posts on where I rant and rave about how I love everything Matte!

This palette has your everyday basic shadows all in one place. For the smoky eye look, the golden taupe look, the pink look, the natural crease look, the fully awake look, and even slight concealing and setting! (Yes, I made up some of those names but I can picture in my mind what the look is, and can send pics and info if you so desire :).  Naked Basics may not translate to night if you want some shimmer, however, any well blended shade can be enhanced by a separate shimmery topping...a little frosting on top as I like to call it!

I plan to buy it soon...review to come!

 

Luxury is for Babies Too!!

Before and after the birth of my daughter...baby products have been very high on my shopping list.  And not just any product...the BEST, SAFEST, and MOST LUXURIOUS!  Considering how much time, effort, and money I put into the products I buy for myself, how can I not want the absolute best for my little one?!

We all know baby skin is super duper sensitive and so only the most natural and gentle products will do.  However, gone are the days where Johnson and Johnson ruled the market...as now you can find literally 100s and 100s of babies and kids goodies online and in stores. 

Here are some of my favorites.  There are actually many more brands that I use, but these are probably my most favorite.  I did not include a description on each of them because I love them all for basically the same things.
They are:
- Organic and/or Natural
- No: Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates
- Gentle
- No odd scents or odors
- They do what they claim to

Sunscreen
LaVanilla The Healthy Baby Block 
http://www.lavanila.com/The-Healthy-Baby-Block-SPF-40_p_64.html

Bath Wash
J.R. Watkins Baby Wash
http://www.jrwatkins.com/jrwatkins/productdetail.cfm?Store=E4C33ACF-2542-3708-4D6BFDC7F0F83A31&Group=6DBA1EAA-C3FF-9D4B-27B50DAC3218953F&Family=86DAEA1B-A5E2-0152-969B8EC38B5C7D4C&Product=FDF0D01E-B3F4-D181-40C7E187A5B8C94C&Country=Usa

Diaper Cream
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/baby-mom-diaper-care/baby-bee-diaper-ointment.html

Shampoo
Earth's Best Tear-Free Shampoo
http://www.earthsbest.com/products/product/7852200735

Lotion
LaVanilla The Healthy Baby Lotion
http://www.sephora.com/the-healthy-baby-lotion-P261605

Bug Spray (you never know)
California Baby Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent
http://www.californiababy.com/natural-bug-blend-bug-repellent-spray-6-5-oz.html

Face/Nose Wipes
Yes to Carrots Face and Nose Wipes
http://www.yestocarrots.com/product/face--nose-wipes?product_id=4421009

Hand Sanitizer
BabyGanics The Germinator
http://www.babyganics.com/Hand_Sanitizer_250ml_The_Germinator

True Beauty!

Nothing like seeing your baby girl start to love all the same things you do!  In this case...that would be makeup!  ...Much to the hubby's dismay. ;)

The Beauty of Giving

'Tis the season to give!  And there's nothing better than doing your part (however big or small) in helping those who need it most.  Even better...shopping for and buying beauty products that then turn around and donate a portion or even all proceeds to a great charity!

If you are going to give to yourself, why not make sure it also helps out a worthy cause!  There are many, many products out there that participate in charitable profit donations...and here are some of my favorites!

MAC Viva Glam Lipstick
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/8376/20927/New-Collections/Viva-Glam/Lips/Viva-Glam-Nicki/index.tmpl

It's a deep pink that may not suit everyone but you can blend it with other colors or glosses to suit your skin tone.  Best part - long wearing and a soft creamy consistency.  Even better part...EVERY PENNY goes to those affected and living with HIV and Aids.












Philosophy Shower for the Cure
http://www.philosophy.com/charity-shower-gel/00560700,en_US,pd.html

A light, relaxing scent that doubles as a spa-like experience in your own home!  And...ALL proceeds go to breast cancer research!












Lush Charity Pot
http://www.lushusa.com/Charity-Pot/02674,en_US,pd.html

Super duper soft body butter that will leave you moisturized for days! EVERY CENT goes to carefully selected humanitarian, environmental and animal rights charities.












Clarins Feed 10 Set
http://www.clarinsusa.com/FEED-10-Set/0012040,en_US,pd.html?start=3

I call Clarins the medicine of beauty as they make some very good "treatments" for several skin concerns.
Each purchase of $40 provides 10 school meals through the United Nations World Food Programme.  The set includes deluxe travel sizes of Beauty Flash Balm, UV Plus HP SPF 40 Day Screen, Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector (01 Rose Shimmer), Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch.










These are just a few of my newest favorites.  There are so many more out there.  Give a little, get a little!!!

VOTING for Beauty!

Election day is upon us!  It's a great time for people to come together, share their views, and make individual impact on this great country we live in!

And while it's not nearly as life-changing, voting for your favorite beauty products is super fun and super helpful to all us product junkies!!

This post is just to show some of my favorite "Best of" lists that change year to year.  They are great to check out year round when you are looking for a specific product and don't know what to try.  The confidence of beauty editors opinions and those of the general public are always a good place to start.  Even more fun, is when the lists open up voting and you get to chime in with your "bests". 

http://www.allure.com/beauty-products/readers-choice/2012/2012-readers-choice-awards#slide=1


http://www.instyle.com/instyle/best-beauty-buys/


http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/beauty-awards-2012


Always fun to know you use something everyone else loves too!