Beauty on my Budget #1

July 2012 - The Budget

BUDGET GOAL: $50-$100. Spending only $50 would mean I had an excellent month full of self-restraint and self-confidence. I could live with spending $100. Spending more than $100 would mean I let the insecurities get the best of me and wallowed in them at Ulta.

THE PURCHASES: 

$10 Glam Bag subscription

This is born out of that YouTube guru fascination I mentioned. The thing I don't really like it that much and should cancel, but I'm afraid I'll miss out on something good if I cancel. Check out my unboxing post.

$10 Birchbox subscription

Check out my unboxing post.

$11.86 Physicians Formula  Happy Booster Blush in Warm and

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes

Notice the cost $11.86 that is because CVS had a sale $7.00 off all Physician Formula products. So I only paid $6.29 for the blush and $4.79 for the eyeshadow. A sale has the ability to make me lose my reason. Also, the blush...OMG! Mood boosting blush. In my article I mentioned sadness and the desire to feel better as a reason I and a lot of women spend so much on cosmetics. So PF cut to the chase and went straight for a blush that claims to make you feel better. I'll let you know in a later review if it works. The nude eyes I bought because everyone is obsessed with Urban Decay's Naked Palette but I refuse to spend $50 on 1 eyeshadow palette so I have been looking for a dupe. Again I'll let you know what I think about this one in a review later.

$0.85 Flower Fimo Sticks for nail art

Youtube strikes again. I am so on board the nail art trend, but at least supplies like these can be purchased really cheaply on ebay.

$50.53 1- 16oz. Pomegranate and

1- 16oz. Sweet Almond WEN by Chaz Dean

OK, so much for the $50 end of the budget, but at least these won't need to be purchased every month. Why this purchase? I, like everyone else in America, have seen the infomercial. Hands down though this is the BEST beauty purchase I have ever, ever, ever made. Keep watching this blog for a future rave review. This stuff is amazing. 

FREEBIES - New products that didn't contribute to my monthly bill, but I still want to mention.

$0.00 Influenster Box

Influenster is a company that provides free samples to people for the purpose of testing and promotion. Check out my post for more details.

$0.00 .24oz sample of Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+R

If you follow me on Facebook then you saw my post about Estee Lauder counters giving this freebie away. I update my blog every Monday but I post beauty news, contests, and announcements about freebies throughout the rest of the week on my Facebook page, if you don't already follow me then click the link at the side and like my page.

$0.00 Nail Tatoos

I love nail art and I won these great nail tatoos on a nail blog I follow called Glitter She Wrote. I'm sure there will be a tutorial in the near future.

THE TOTAL: $83.24 Not bad. I feel like this was a good month, especially since $50 of that was spent all at once on the WEN.

Beauty on my Budget #1

July 2012 - The Why?

The cosmetics industry earns a huge $160 billion dollars a year and in America we spend more on cosmetics than we do education. You would think that when times are tough, like our current economic recession, women would tighten their belts and spend less. However, a recent study shows that actually the opposite is true. During financial lows women spend more on cosmetics. The study also showed that the average woman age 16-24 has $108 worth of make-up in her collection and the average woman age 25-34 has $111. 

My exact thought when I saw those numbers was that I don't even want to know how much my collection has cost. I know it is more than $111 but I don't know exactly what and I am not sure I want to. The study proved that contrary to expectations women actual spend more on cosmetics during a recession, those conducting the research have theorized that it is because women spend money on things to make them look better, so that they will feel better. I know that is my problem. Sometimes I lack confidence, and I just don't feel attractive, or successful and I want to. So I "fix" myself by doing my nails or make-up and buying the latest trendiest thing. At the end of the day I know that I could buy L'Oreal's entire line but that none of it would make me look like Beyonce. I know it, but it doesn't stop me from trying. It is as if somewhere inside I believe that one day I will pick up that one bottle, or palette that will magically transform me into the woman I have always wanted to be. Watching Youtube gurus also hasn't helped. Most of them are about 15 years younger than me, reinforcing my delusions about finding youthful beauty at the bottom of a make-up pan, and they all have huge cosmetics collections that would put even my bloated one to shame. Unfortunately, I do not however posses and endless stream of cash and I need to put limits on my spending. I restrict myself to mostly drugstore cosmetics which allows me to make frequent "feel better" purchases without breaking the bank and lets me try out the latest trends without much risk. I also try to limit my spending. 

So one of the things I want to do on this blog is really examine this issue for myself. Try to curb my spending habit and try to examine what keeps me on this cosmetics hamster wheel when to be honest I have enough. So at the end of every month I will publish a "beauty and the budget" log, a list of purchases made that month along with how much I spent. Along with that log I want to publish a monthly article like this one, examining the reasons behind the spending and issues of women's confidence and self esteem and how the cosmetics industry cashes in on and in some cases can cause our insecurities. 

SOURCES: 

Recession Makes Women Spend More

The Economist

Do you know how much you spend on cosmetics? Have you ever examined your spending habits or the reasons behind them? Do you have any beauty insecurities that you struggle with? Share your feelings in the comment section below.

Lip Balm Face Off Week 2

THE NYX - The first thing I noticed is the scent. It smells really good, just like fruit punch. The second thing that stands out is the color. The reason I wear tinted lip balm is because I don't always wear full make-up and it's a nice way to add a bit of subtle color to my face so I can still feel pretty without a lot of make-up. I always feel like tinted lip balm would be a good way for a young girl to start trying out make-up, because it is so subtle. This lip balm however, is so heavily pigmented you might as well be wearing lipstick. I don't wear lipstick when I am not wearing make-up because I feel like, on me, it looks strange to have a strong block of color on my lips but not anywhere else. This lip balm left me with that strange look. Thank you is a really dark, in your face berry color - not subtle at all. The lip balm is also very glossy (which again just makes the color standout more). Balms always have a bit of gloss since they are made to add moisture, but this one is really shiny (although not shimmery - no glitter or anything). On the plus side it is not overly sticky or tacky on the lips the way lip gloss can be. An explanation of the 6-?hrs thing. The gloss wears away quickly, but the moisturizing effect of this product is really good. My lips stayed soft and feeling good for 6hrs. through eating and drinking. After 6hrs my lips felt like they could use more moisture, but the color was still really strong so I didn't re-apply. In a non-testing situation I probably would have just used a non-tinted lip balm to moisturize so as not to add even more color. The "?" is because the color acts like a lip stain. I put the balm on in the morning and when it was time for me to wash my face for bed my lips were still stained with the color, it was finally subtle but still clearly visible. So I have no idea how long the color actually lasts, because I threw in the towel and went to bed.

THE PALLADIO - Right off I was disappointed by the lack of scent. I know smell isn't crucial to lip balm, but most have one and it really starts to become something you expect. The tint in this one is really lovely. It is sheer and subtle, but noticeably pretty. I actually prefer this type of tint, it delivers that light naturally pretty color I look for in a tinted balm. It has a medium gloss nothing overly strong or shiny and isn't sticky. It also has a really long staying power. The gloss fades but the color stains and it left my lips tinted and moist for 6hrs. through eating and drinking. 

OVERALL: These balms are actually pretty similar. Very close in staying power and feel. Individually I would recommend both, and actually if you are a young girl or buying this for a young girl who is just starting to wear make-up I would recommend the Palladio because of the delicate color. Both are really moisturizing and leave your lips feeling great. However, despite the close race I do have to pick a winner and I'm going to go with NYX. The in your face color is a bit too much for my taste, but I went with NYX here because of the yummy scent that Palladio just didn't have and the cheaper price (I am a beauty on a budget after all.)

NEXT WEEK: E.L.F vs. Neutrogena

Have you tried either of these balms? What did you think? Leave a comment and let me know.

The British Are Coming!!

The Olympics started this weekend! Have you been watching? I normally don't care about sports at all. Football...huh? Soccer...what? Baseball...meh. But for some reason J'adore the Olympics. So I was really excited to watch the opening ceremony Friday. Watching it made me miss living in London. So I decided to share some of my favorite Brit things with you here.

1. The V&A Museum

If you are in London GO. Just GO. Admission is always free (admission to all of the national museums is free) It is my favorite museum. The European Sculpture room is AMAZING. In one room you can see plaster cast reproductions of all of the greatest works of sculpture from across Europe. Standing there surrounded by all of that beauty and history is literally breath taking (and I do mean literally I suffered Stendhal Syndrome the first time I saw it). Plus there is a fashion room...CLOTHES & SHOES!!!!

2. History

3. The Scenery

4. The Television

Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, Misfits, Being Human, Ab Fab, My Family, Rosemary & Thyme, Midsomer Muders, Keeping Up Appearances, Last of the Summer Wine, The Good Life, House of Cards, Poirot, Ms. Marple. There are so many good shows, in so many different genres, I could make an entire blog about noting but British television.

5. Beauty Products! (Pictured: The Kate Moss Collection for Rimmel)

Getting back to the overall theme of the blog. My fave Brit cosmetics. No. 7 by Boots, Butter London, Rimmel, Soap & Glory, Lush, and The Body Shop.

Do you have any faves from Brit culture? Let me know.

Lip Balm Face Off Week 1

This product is really great. It is inexpensive and leaves my lips feeling soft and conditioned for hours, even after eating. It is nicely pigmented and gives my lips the little touch of color I look for in a tinted lip balm. It makes me feel like I'm pulled together without the heavily made up look of lipstick or gloss. I also really loved the smell of this one, so peachy and delicious smelling, although the fact that this smells great isn't a surprise since Bonne Bell is the same company that makes the lip smackers I loved as a kid. My favorite were the soda ones like Coke, A&W, and Dr. Pepper.

I wasn't thrilled with this one. Within 30 minutes of putting it on my lips felt dry and tacky even though they were still shimmery. I wanted to constantly keep reapplying it because of the weird feeling on my lips. Honestly not having any lip balm would have been less annoying. When I removed the cap it looked as if this would have a deep pink color as well as shimmer but it didn't deposit any color on my lips only a really sparkly glittery shimmer. I feel like it was too shimmery, it is something that a small girl might love but as an adult it was too much. It did have a nice strong minty smell but that was really all I liked about it.

Bonne Bell was the obvious winner for me. It smells great, conditions well, leaves a nice color on the lips, and lasts for hours.

NEXT WEEK: PALLADIO VS. NYX

Have you tried either of these products? What did you think? Leave a comment below.

Birch Box Unboxing

Birchbox is a subscription service, for $10 a month you receive 4-5 deluxe samples. Occasionally the boxes are sponsored by different companies, July's box was sponsored by Glamour magazine. The theme for the box was the 5 senses.

See it

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

Hear it

Neon Ear Buds

Taste it

Tea Forte Minteas in Ginger Pear

Touch it

Color Club Nail Polish in Blue-Ming

Smell it

Harvey Prince Eau Flirt Perfume

Bonus!

Supergoop Sunscreen Serum

I have had a Birchbox subscription since March. I have to say I love it. I have never opened a box and been disappointed.

Do you have a beauty subscription? Tell me about it?

Glam Bag Unboxing

I subscribe to My Glam Bag. For $10 a month you get a bag filled with 4-5 deluxe sized samples. Every month the bags have a theme for the products, July's theme was beach beauty. 

The bag and inserts

Nu Me Hydrating Conditioner

Yes to cucumber Facial Towelettes

Buxom Lip Polish

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF Moisturizer

Circus by Andrea's Choice Nail Polish in Somersault

I have been a subscriber to My Glam since January. It is ok, but I'm not convinced I'm going to keep it.

Do you have a beauty subscription? Do you like it? Let me know in the comments.

New at the Drugstore

Most of my cosmetics are drug store brands. So from time to time I go by my local stores (Ulta, Harmon/Face Values, CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens) to see what's new.

I haven't been in awhile so I found a few new things. You may have already seen them around but like I said, it's been awhile since I've been out. Also I didn't get to Ulta, it is the one furthest from me and I just didn't have the time =(

Liberty Belle and Study in Style by Sinful Colors

Also at Walgreens, Wet and Wild Fergie nail polishes.

A word about Harmon/Face Values: I LOVE this place. Between this place and the drugstore side of Ulta I could spend a small fortune if I didn't control myself. So know that when I was taking these photos I was going crazy. I didn't purchase anything but I wanted everything!

Essie Metallics $7.79, China Galze Safari $6.49, OPI Minnie Mouse $7.49, NYX Bohemian Chic Pallette $17.99, Wet and Wild Magnetics $4.49, Wet and Wild Chrome $3.59

The Wet and Wild magnetic polish seems like a great deal at $4.49 since other magnetics can be $10.00 or more. The only reason I didn't pick one up is because I have a Sally Hansen one I received to test, so I want to try that one first. I've never used magnetic polishes before and don't know if I'll like it. 

The NYX palette is all matte colors. I LOVE matte colors for everyday wear. This may end up getting purchased, especially if I can get a Harmon's coupon somewhere.

Have you tried any of these? Are you looking forward to trying them? Have you spotted anything new in stores near you? Let me know in the comments below.

Blogger Giveaway

Me and My Glambition is a make-up and nail art blog by Iambabypanda, and she is having a Rainy Day Giveaway! The prizes include: music, bb cream, Make up Forever blush, Nyx lip creams, Etude House highlight me, Mascara, and liquid liner. Check out her page and good luck if you enter.

Follow my Facebook page (there is a link on the side) for a lot more contest and giveaways from around the internet.

Do you know about any great contests/giveaways? Let me know in the comments below.

Lip Balm Face Off

I have a small collection of tinted lip balms. I love the colored lip balms because they give me a quick and simple way to add a touch of color to my face. When I don't want to or feel like I don't need to put on a full face of make-up I can put on some tinted lip balm and feel like I am pulled together and pretty.

So, what I have decided to do is take my collection and have a lip balm face off.

How it will go down:

Every week I will pair off two lip balms from my collection and spend the week testing them.

The following Monday I will post a review of each of the balms I tried and pick the one I preferred.

After round 1 is complete I will match up the "winners" from each group and start testing again, repeating the process until I have named a favorite.

This Week BonneBell vs. Simply Shine

Have you used any of these lip balms? What do you think? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments.

Hawaiian Tropic Review

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen.

The Claims:
With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 12 hour moisturization when out in the sun. Water resistant for 80 minutes.

Let me start by saying that SPF is IMPORTANT, even if you're a brown girl like me. Sometimes I forget that. I always remember to use SPF if I am going to spend any prolonged amount of time in the sun but it never occurs to me to use it if I am just heading out for an ordinary day (although I always, always, use a facial moisturizer with SPF. I am going to be 80 one day and I plan on having the skin of a 60 year old). Then recently I began to notice a pain and irritation on my left arm. We have been having a heat wave and the sun has been really intense, intense enough to give me a driving sunburn (that's why only the left arm - the one that hangs out the window). So even before my influenster box showed up I had placed a bottle of SPF by the front door, so I would forget to apply it on my out. When I found this in my VoxBox I replaced my drugstore SPF with this one.

1) The smell is the first thing you notice about this lotion. It smells like coconut and every time I put it on I could picture myself sitting on a beach. I don't know why that tropical scent immediately brings the beach to mind, but it does and it's divine. The smell doesn't linger too long though, which for me is a good thing. I hate when I am wearing a lotion or cream and I can smell its scent on my hands while I am eating or drinking.

2) As a 12 hour sunscreen its good. It was effective. I put it on everyday on my way out, the heat wave persisted but my burn didn't get any worse. In fact thanks to the protection of the sunscreen it had a chance to heal. The one I was sent is an SPF 30 but it also comes in SPF 12 and SPF 50. SPF 30 is plenty for a brown girl (the melanin in brown skin provides its own protection from sun damage) but if you're pale please choose the 50. My hubby is very pale and we normally keep an SPF 45, 70, and 100 around the house so he can choose one appropriate to our plans for the day. Stay healthy and keep your skin looking young by choosing a high SPF.

3) As a hydrating lotion it was surprisingly effective. I didn't expect much from the login aspect. Most SPFs are creams, but they don't absorb like lotions or offer any moisturizing effects. This one does. When I rubbed it on, it acted just like a body lotion. It was especially nice on sunburn. The skin on my arm was painful and had started flaking, the lotion aspect of this was instantly soothing to it. The lotion also left a beautiful light shimmer on my skin, that I imagine would look amazing on the beach with the sun glistening off of it.

4) $8.99 for a 6 oz. bottle. This is a good lotion for a good price. Most drugstores carry it, so it is easy to find and won't break the bank.

*Note: I didn't have a chance to hit the pool with the SPF so I can not make any statement about the water resistance claims.

OVERALL:
I really loved using this product. For me the selling point is the smell. I looked forward to putting it on everyday. I will definitely be buying a full size bottle once this one is empty.

Disclosure: Hawaiian Tropic and Influenster provided me with this sample for the purpose of testing and review.

What do you think? Leave me a comment below.

Sally Hansen Nails & Cuticles Hand Creme Review

According to the package this is a manicure creme, made with shea butter, that provides 24 hour moisture to soften hands, smooth cuticles, and condition nails. 

Right away I liked this product for 2 reasons: 1) Shea Butter. Shea Butter is my second favorite lotion butter (after cocoa butter). It both moisturizes the skin and seals in that moisture so it lasts. 2) Multi-tasking. I love that this is one creme for your hands, nails, and cuticles.

The claims:
1) 24 Hour Moisture that lasts through hand washing - Honestly, when I saw that written on the bottle I didn't believe it. I wash my hands a lot. My hands get washed after using the bathroom, while cooking, while cleaning, washing dishes, showering and more. My hands get very dry throughout the day, as a result I keep a bottle of lotion in my purse, on a table in the living room, in the bathroom, and in my nightstand. So to test the 24 hour claim I put away all my usual lotions and put this one on the table. When I put it on before leaving in the morning I was so tempted to throw the bottle in my purse, just in case. Surprisingly, 3 hours later my hands felt great. 5 hours later still good, 8 hours later I am still amazed, I went to bed stunned. The next morning, 24 hours later and my hands still felt soft. They were not as soft as when I first applied the creme but I definitely didn't have that dry, uncomfortable feeling that usually drives me to reach for my lotion. I re-applied but I didn't need to.

2) Soften Hands - This is one of the nicest hand lotions I have used. It has a fairly thick texture that absorbs quickly and left my hands feeling really soft to the touch but not oily. More important than soft my skin felt thoroughly moisturized.

3) Smooth cuticles and condition nails - As I mentioned I love that this is a multi-tasking product. I use my hand lotions as nail and cuticle creams anyway, so this product makes perfect sense to me. As a cuticle creme it is good. It worked to soften my cuticles but didn't seem to last as long as it did as a hand creme. I really wanted to put more on my cuticles before the 24 hours was up. It was the same as a nail creme, it was good in that it worked. My nails still feel strong and aren't peeling, but I for regular use I would re-apply it to my nails before the 24 hours was up.

Other points:
The smell is great. It smells of oranges when you first put it on, but the smell isn't overly strong and doesn't linger long enough to become irritating.

The price. $5.99 for a full size bottle. Sally Hansen products always offer great quality for a great price so this isn't a surprise, but it is good news.


Overall:
I love it and will definitely purchase a full size bottle. It is a wonderful hand creme, a good nail and cuticle creme, and for $5.99 it does the work of three products.

Disclosure: Sally Hansen and Influenster provided me with this sample for the purpose of testing and review.

What do you think? Leave me a comment below.

Orly FB Contest

Orly is having a nail art contest on FaceBook. You could all 22 Shades of Flash Glam FX their new collection of chunky glitters . The glitters are meant to be built up in layers on top of a base color for a 3D effect. You can see them on the Orly website. "Ridiculously Regal" looks AMAZING. It looks like the glitters will cost $10.00 for a .6oz bottle.

While you're on FB don't forget to like my page!!! HorrorBoo

Which is your favorite? Will you be entering the contest? Have you tried them yet? Let me know in the comments below.

MILANI’S 14 DAYS OF SUMMER SURVIVAL CONTEST

From now until June 24th Milani cosmetics is giving its FaceBook followers a chance to win a summer survival kit every day. Each day they announce either a trivia question or a challenge on FB along with a time limit for entries. Then a winner is chosen at random from the valid entries. Follow Milani on FB to see the daily announcements and check their Blog for heads up on what challenges to expect. Good Luck Boos.

While you're on FB don't forget to like my page!!! HorrorBoo

I LOVE Milani products. Have you tried them? Tell me in a comment below.

Summer 2012 VoxBox from Influenster.com

Influenster is a market research company. They send out free boxes of samples every  few months to people who fit into specific categories. Some of the categories I noticed on the site are moms, students, brides-to-be, and pet owners. What do you get from them? Like I said a box of free samples. What do they get from you? You promote and review the products you receive on your social network, blog, or vlog. Everybody wins!

I received the summer beauty voxbox. 

Inside:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen

Tampax and Always Radiant Collection

Quaker Soft Baked Bar in Banana Nut Bread

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color

Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy

I am really excited about these products (especially the Sally Hansen nail polish!!!). I will be trying most if not all of them out this week and posting reviews next Monday. Stay tuned Boos!

Have you tried any of these products yet? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Midnight in Paris

Description courtesy of Wikipedia:
Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy fantasy film written and directed by Woody Allen. Taking place in Paris, the film follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a screenwriter, who is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his fiancée and their divergent goals, which become increasingly exaggerated as he travels back in time each night at midnight.


Hubby and I got this one out on Netflix this weekend. What a happy surprise! I LOVED it. This movie is beautiful, charming, romantic, and funny. It makes me want to go to Paris and get swept away in the romance of the city. Owen Wilson is wonderful in it, I have never liked him more in a movie. The story is well constructed, and well directed, this is clearly Allen's love letter to Paris and it doesn't falter for a second. Sometimes romantic comedies can get a bit slow and tedious during the second act crisis, but that never happens in this film. I was fully there, present in Paris for every minute. I know I'm gushing, but this movie definitely makes my list of all time faves. Put it in your queue Boos, you won't be disappointed.

Have you seen it? What did you think? Have you been to Paris? Tell me about it. Leave a comment below.

Protect Your Natural Hair While Swimming

I am a NATURAL DIVA boos! I am chemical free, choosing to wear my hair in it's naturally curly and fabulous state but I also LOVE to swim. Swimming is my favorite form of exercise and my favorite way to beat the heat. I swim at the gym 3 times a week (when I'm not being lazy) and during the summer frequently head to family's house to jump in their pool. The problem is CHLORINE. Chlorine is bleach, it can dry out and destroy your hair. 

So here is how I protect my hair while enjoying the pool:

For Exercise:

1) I pull my hair up in a bun at the very top of my head.

2) I use a spray bottle to dampen my edges.

3) I smooth some leave in conditioner on my edges (my current fave is Mane n Tail).

4) I put on a swim band. You can buy them commercially, but honestly I made my own by cutting the top off a regular swim cap. 

These steps work out really well for me when exercising. Wetting my edges and coating them in conditioner gives my hair a chance to soak up some good stuff before the chlorine gets to it. I swim laps, so there isn't a lot of splashing or opportunity for the rest of my hair to get wet. When I'm done I spritz my edges again with tap water to rinse the chlorinated water off. 

For Play:

1) Before I go to the pool I get in the shower and thoroughly wet my hair. When playing in a pool I usually end up underwater so by soaking my hair with tap water I try to get it to maximum saturation so it sucks in as little chlorine as possible.

2) I liberally apply my Mane n Tail to my hair.

3) I also coat my hair in a thicker, oil based, hair dressing. My current fave is Alberto VO5 Conditioning Hairdressing. The heavy oils in the VO5 help form a barrier against the chlorinated water. 

4) I separate my hair into for sections and braid each section.

5) Lay the braids flat against my head. You can manipulate them in whatever way is easiest for you. I tend to take the two front braids and lay them across the top of my head. I then take the back braids and lay them across the back of my head. The key is that they are as flat as possible so when you place a swim cap on they don't create gaps.

6) I place a nylon swim cap or sleep cap on. The nylon doesn't protect against water, but it will protect your hair from the latex cap rubbing against it, which can cause breakage. 

7) I place my swim band on.

8) I place a full latex swim cap on. A swim cap will not prevent your hair from getting wet, but it will limit the amount of chlorinated water that comes in contact with your hair. That along with all the other layers of protection should keep your hair pretty safe.

9) When the day is done be sure to rinse your hair with clean water and CONDITION.  

How do you protect your beautiful locks? Leave a comment and let me know.

Urban Decay Decides NOT To Sell In China

Last week we talked about Urban Decay's decision to sell their cosmetics in China, a country that tests on animals. This week UD has released a statement re-confirming their dedication to being cruelty free, and announcing that they will not be selling in China. UD placed their ethics before their wallets, something that unfortunately doesn't happen that often. I'm thrilled, maybe if more cosmetics companies took a page from UD's book China would stop requiring animal testing.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Madea's Witness Protection

Description courtesy of Wikipedia:
George Needleman (Levy), a high level CFO in New York City, promises his son that he will take him to his baseball game after he gets back from the office. He gets to his office and arrives to a harrowing scene. His co-workers are shredding documents and are in a state of chaos. He sees his boss who informs him that his company is a Ponzi scheme run by the mob. He is being accused of spearheading the scheme involving the mob and has to enter his family into a witness protection program. The program's location is a place that absolutely no one will think to look for them: Madea's house down south with her brother Joe and nephew Brian.

The hubby and I went to see Madea's Witness Protection this weekend. It was ok. It wasn't the best of Tyler Perry's Madea movies. Perry was funny as was Eugene Levy, but overall the acting was terrible. The story while superficially being what we have come to expect from a Madea movie had huge plot holes, and seemed to be missing large chunks of the story. The movie is pretty predictable but there were times when I was expecting something to happen and then just nothing, nothing at all happened. Also it was clear that in dealing with the issues of race and the preconceived notions different groups have about each other Perry was out of his comfort zone. In his movies that deal with topics like domestic violence he is able to write a story that is heartfelt, funny, and insightful, but this script had none of that. Madea's Witness Protection had no genuine emotion, had no revelations, and delivered very few laughs.

Have you seen it? What did you think? What's your favorite Madea movie?

Other highlights of the week

Played this game with friends. SO FUN, great for parties and large groups. Will definitely give a full review later.

Made this yummy cake from Married an Irish Farmer - Irish Coffee Cake