Beauty | vmac+cheese

Andalou Naturals Skincare Giveaway!!

Posted on January 5, 2012 by vmacandcheese

Of course I love doing giveaways for you guys, but today I’m DOUBLY excited because these products are something I use on the regular (like, everyday), and I’m stoked to be able to share them with you!

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that since last spring, I’ve slowly converted nearly all of my beauty products to those that are formulated without the use of parabens, pthlates, and other unnecessary chemical junk. I’ve seen such an amazing difference in my skin, so much so that I no longer wear foundation or powder! That’s right. Only a dab of concealer (a natural one, of course), and I’m good to go.

Part of the secret of course is a great skin care program. And lately, Andalou Naturals has played a huge role in that. I use their Probiotic +C Renewal Cream, which uses apple and grape fruit stem cell cultures and hyaluronic acid to deliver smooth, perfectly moisturized skin. It soaks in SUPER fast, with no gross greasy, oily feeling. Plus, I like that it’s easy to find at my local Whole Foods.

Once they heard about how much I was digging their stuff, Andalou Naturals was kind enough to send me their Luminous Eye Serum. It’s been a lifesaver given some long nights and the fact that I’m in my late 20s and my skin just isn’t what it used to be. The extra bit of under eye moisture has really helped with lines! I also got to sample their brand new Grapefruit +C exfoliating peel, which had me a little nervous at first. Mention the word ‘peel’ to me, and I somehow always envision that episode of Sex and the City where Samantha has a chemical peel gone awry. I had zero reason to worry though. The peel soaks into your skin, and after 10 minutes and a rinse, you’re left with soft skin that for me, seems to make moisturizer work better! It’s gentle enough that you can use it up to 3 times per week.

Andalou is a fantastic company that uses all fair-trade ingredients, with a minimum of 70% organic content. Additionally, for every single sale of their products or newsletter subscriptions, Andalou donates $1 to one of four charitable organizations! And of course, none of their products are ever tested on animals. Beauty you can actually feel good about? I’m so down.

So today, I’m sharing the love with you guys. Andalou has been kind enough to offer one reader a full-size Probiotic +C Renewal Cream and the Grapefruit +C exfoliating peel to try — probably before the latter even hits stores! These two are sure to help perk up your winter skin routine.

Want in on the free beauty goodies? Here’s how to enter (up to six times!)

1. Leave a comment below. Whatever you want to say!
2. Like Andalou Naturals on Facebook and comment telling me you did so (or do already)
3. Like vmac+cheese on Facebook and comment telling me you did so (or do already)
4. Follow Andalou Naturals on Twitter and comment telling me you did so (or do already)
5. Follow me on Twitter and comment telling me you did so (or do already)
6. Sign up for Andalou Natural’s exclusive newsletter on their website or via Facebook. Remember, for every sign up, they donate $1 to one of four amazing organizations!

And that’s it. Enter once, enter six times, it’s up to you! The giveaway will stay open through next Friday, January 13, and a winner will be announced the following week. Good luck!!

The full disclosure part: all opinions are my own. Samples and prize provided gratis by a very generous Andalou Naturals. Yes, I really like and use their products.

Filed under: Beauty, Blogging, Giveaway | 117 Comments »

I fell in love…

Posted on January 2, 2012 by vmacandcheese

…with an eyelash curler.

Prior to NYE, I popped into Sephora to pick up a few little false lashes (as I mentioned in this guest post on Viviana’s blog Fashion Truffles last week (I can’t believe I forgot to mention it!), NYE has historically been the only day I will bust out the falsies). I’d been in desperate need of a new eyelash curler too, and decided to check out Molly and Sally’s recommendation of the Tarte version.

I was so surprised to find that this baby was only $15, AND it came with a deluxe sample of Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. Score!

I’ve been using it for the last few days and while it took a minute to get used to the handle design, I love that you only have to press on your lashes once to get a nice curl — no need to press along the length of the hairs! The only other lash curlers I’ve ever used were from drug stores (I’ve never gotten my hands on one of the famed Shu Uemura’s), so I don’t have much to compare it to…but I like it! No, scratch that, I love it. Because my other curler was in sad, sad disrepair. Slash, kept pinching my lids. Ouch!

What do you swear by to get your lashes looking lovely?

Filed under: Beauty | 11 Comments »

New obsession: Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum

Posted on November 3, 2011 by vmacandcheese

New favorite product alert! Last week, a sweet reader named Aeshna recommended that I try a moisturizer from the Juice Beauty collection. I’ve been wanting to try Juice products forever — I’ve heard all kinds of amazing things, and have eyed them a few times at Sephora, but never bit the bullet.

Then, last weekend, I spotted a big collection of Juice goodies at my local Whole Foods. While I wasn’t looking for a moisturizer, one thing did catch my eye — the antioxidant serum. I am such a sucker for “in-between” products like this (that is, you typically use them in between cleansing and moisturizing) because they can add that extra little jolt to get your skin looking super good.

I’ve been using the serum since Sunday, both in the morning and in the evening and I’m in LOVE. The product smells fruity and well, juicy, but without being too sweet and cloying, and it has no added fragrances. It has hyaluronic acid in it (which I’ve talked about over here), along with lots of organic oils and extracts to give your skin a huge dose of antioxidants. The texture is thin, but not so thin that it runs everywhere. While it feels a bit sticky going on, the serum soaks in almost immediately. I’d say it’s less than a minute between application and being ready to add moisturizer.

And the results? Smooth, firm skin that glows. I’ve noticed my skin has held moisture better throughout the day too. Each bottle will set you back about $45, but quite honestly, you only need a couple drops to cover your entire face, so it should last a while. Double that if you decide to only use it once a day.

You can get it here or here, or at Whole Foods, too. Juice also makes a soothing serum for sensitive skin, and a blemish clearing serum for troubled skin. Check them out — maybe they’ll be just the thing for you.

Filed under: Beauty | 11 Comments »

I did it all for the cookie

Posted on October 6, 2011 by vmacandcheese

1. J.Crew stripe shirt in crepe de chine 2. J.Crew hacking jacket 3. J.Crew Pixie Pant
3.5 J.Crew Mona Pumps in brick red (forgot to number, wah) 4. Disco sweater
5. Rosel boxy sweater dress 6. Sanctuary cowl pullover

I’ve mentioned it a little bit on Twitter, but this week I’m doing a mini-cleanse/detox thing. Don’t ask me which one, I made the medically sound decision to semi make it up as I went along. But no need to call the paramedics yet, it’s pretty simple — lots of raw veggies, limited cooked ones, no meat, no dairy, no gluten, no ultra-processed foods of any kind (I say ‘ultra’ because I’ve been noshing on Lara bars for snacks). Lots of low sugar juices. Lots of kombucha. Tons of water and detox tea.

This is the first time I’ve done anything like this. What brought it on? Oh, let’s see. I’ve been to a party of some sorts for 3 of the last 4 weekends. I made carnitas. Sunday night we had steaks. I kind of want to throw up a little bit even thinking about it.

I had noticed my skin getting a little weird, and while at first I chocked it up to the changing seasons, eventually I had to face hard facts. Side note: Did you know your skin is a great indicator of what’s going on inside your body? Stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, lack of water — they ALL show up in your skin. So if you’re not glowing, it might be time to make a change!

HOWEVER. Even though after a few days I’m feeling pretty good and have definitely dropped a few el bees, the craving for food has settled in. Not like pizza or anything gross. Ok, that’s a lie. You know what I’m craving? Some fried chicken. And mashed potatoes. Without the side effects, please!

I’m doing the gentle cleanse/detox diet thingy until Friday evening; it ends just in time for my regular date night with Joe (how convenient). I can’t get too crazy, first regular meal out of the shotgun. Any suggestions? I’m kind of thinking veggie or fish tacos at our favorite little Mexican joint might be the ticket.

Mexican food. Surprise, surprise.

Have you ever done a cleansing program before?

{Image Credit: Martha Stewart; Bon Appetit}

Filed under: Beauty, Food, Just thinking..., Style Files | 17 Comments »

Beauty Confessions

Posted on July 18, 2011 by vmacandcheese

Remember when you were in sixth grade and you desperately wanted to wear that one shade of lip color, or regularly shave your legs, or get that amazing perm and your mother’s answer to all three were, “NO,” and you felt super awkward and embarrassed that you were such a mutant? Just me?

Well, in any case, today I felt like coming clean and confessing some of my more embarrassing beauty secrets. Call it Beauty Therapy 101.

Ok, here we go. No judgement.

1. I can probably count the number of manicures I’ve had in my life on one hand. I don’t know what it is…they’re just not my thing. I really hate having nail polish on my fingernails, because I feel like they’re getting dirty but the color masks it. It just grosses me out. Also, I can’t stand having long nails. So what do I do? I cut my nails, and I keep ‘em short. I know, GASP!, so un-lady like. I was also never really into pedicures until recently, when I had to take better care of my talons because of pilates. But I will admit, there’s nothing like having a foot scrub and leg massage while you sit in a recliner and zone out.

2. I can easily go 10 days between shaving my legs, if not more. This one is less gross, and more just good genes and luck, I SWEAR. My hair grows in sooooo slowly, and even when it does, it’s very thin and barely visible. To prove my point, as I was writing this post, I got up from my computer and asked Joe if my legs looked hairy. He said no, and even copped a little feel (on my shin!). I haven’t shaved my legs since the day before I left for Cabo. Don’t hate me.

3. I never had my eyebrows waxed until college. Yeah, this one is just embarrassing.

So spill it. Everyone has one (at least, I hope so!). What’s your embarrassing beauty secret?

{Image Credits: The Sartorialist; Made By Girl; Into the Gloss}

Filed under: Beauty, Conversation, Just thinking..., Monday Musing | 9 Comments »

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