Kisses by Australian Gold

 When it comes to after-tan lotions, I have to admit- I have a favourite brand. Austrailian Gold is certainly the most well known brand out there. So,  I just wanted to write a quick note on this inexpensive, quality after-tan product that will keep your skin absolutely kiss-able (clever, right? Ha-ha.)

When I first used this lotion- the answer to Australian Gold’s Forever After- I was instantly enthralled by the scent. To me, Kisses smells like a combination of melon and cucumber. Not only does it smell amazing (and trust me, people are constantly asking me what I’m wearing), it applies like a dream and is thick enough to keep your skin hydrated all day long (seriously!). The nourishing hemp seed extract and additional lipocare anti-wrinkle & firming formula is a must for bikini season. (I’ve actually noticed my tummy is firmer. I repeat, firmer.)

                   My favourite after-tan product! Have another favourite? Comment below & let me know!

 Now go get this must-have for $20.00 at your local salon. OR go here to get your fix delivered- http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Gold-Moisturizer-Extract-Anti-Aging/dp/B0012C8TXU

PS- For best results: Apply 2-3 hours after outdoor or indoor tanning.

Love, 

  

Beauty essentials for your gym bag..

Hi beauties! If you’ve ever hit the gym mid-day, you know firsthand that it can be tough to get your skin and hair back to normal in time for that afternoon shift or class. Throw these beauty essentials in your gym bag to make the transformation from fitness babe to effortless goddess a little easier.

-Tresemme DRY shampoo- 5.7 oz

Dry shampoo is something I’ve just started using. The nice thing is that dry shampoo is great for both curly and straight manes. If you’re like me and you sweat your little ass off at the gym, but you also don’t like to wash your hair EVERYDAY—then this little guy is a PERFECT quick fix. I’ve also had many hairdressers tell me that if you have to buy drug store shampoo, Tresemme is the one to go with. Spritz this lovely smelling stuff near your roots after your work out- and voila! fresh, post-gym tresses every time! Cost? About 5 bucks!

-Dove Go Fresh Body Mist-

I LOVE this product for my gym bag. Energizing scents like lemongrass or cucumber with a hint of Dove moisturizer really assist with that post work out..errr..aroma. Try not to use perfume to mask the scent of your hard work, a lot of the time, smelling like you bathed in your perfume can be just as bad as that sweaty scent.

-OXY cleansing pads-

 You’d think once you turn 22, acne breakouts would be a thing of the past. Not so! Personally, I have very oily, combination skin so I love this product. 2% salicylic acid penetrates deep into your pores and instantly begins to unclog them. These are SO key for us fitness freaks! Hint: OXY pads can be a little intense, so if your skin is extremely sensitive, swap Oxy pads for baby wipes!

Above: my soccer team & I (far left) looking like beauties :)

Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes..

I have always considered myself a bit of a mascara connoisseur and when I heard the name "doll lashes"-- I knew I had to try out one of Lancome's best selling products for myself (Also a best seller at Sephora stores). From the get go, I could tell Doll Lashes had a bit of an edge on the competition. Though it sells for about $31(Canadian), Doll Lashes is both paraben AND sulfate free- a nice bonus for those of us who hate all the added junk in our make up.

                                                      Above: myself-- getting beautified :)

So, what exactly are Doll Lashes you ask? Well let me answer that- "Doll Lashes" provide a fuss free, wide eyed look (think doe-eyed and flirty). The brush is also noteworthy- a sort of "cone shaped" brush that allows you to easily grab tiny, unruly lashes with the end of it. Further, the unique brush grabs the proper amount of mascara which helps to hinder clumps and goop. I have also noticed that the mascara holds very nicely for a full 24 hours, and by that I mean you get little to none of that annoying mascara crumbling late in the day. The wand allows you to grab just the right amount of mascara, leading to volumized, thick, to-die-for (REAL) lashes.

Above: Doll Lashes unique, "cone shaped" brush promotes both lash length and volume.

Stash or Trash? This is another keeper, ladies! If you're sick of wearing false lashes (can I get an a-men?!), Doll Lashes by Lancome is a MUST.

Oh for the love of strawberries!

  

  Need a do it yourself mask that’s strong enough to handle those zits that have their own area code? Don't panic! This quick and easy DIY face mask is amazing for soothing the skin while cleaning bacteria.. PS- it tastes phenomenal.

• ¼ cup strawberries (Fresh... Not frozen. Duh...)
• ¼ cup sour cream or non flavoured yogurt

  Mash together your two ingredients, spread on your face and wash after 10-15 minutes. Since strawberries are an amazing, natural source of salicylic acid—they will do away with those skin imperfections, pronto. :) Enjoy!

By the way beauties, spread some of those strawberries on your teeth while you’re at it for a whiter smile. Strawb’s are also efficient in whitening your chompers because they contain quite a bit of malic acid (crush up strawberries, mix with a little baking soda and leave on teeth for 5-7 min.) How ever.. strawberries contain lots of natural sugar, so if you do decide to rub some strawberries on your teeth, make sure you brush well afterward, dolls. :)

Xo, 

ABJ

Revitalizing, natural face mask your skin will drink up!

                                                                   The facial you already have...  

  Actually putting aside time to put on a face mask is one of the biggest favors you can do for your skin. Enjoying a face mask while watching TV or doing the laundry can go a long way—and you don’t even have to go to the drugstore.. ‘Cause guess what!? You already have the ingredients in your kitchen, girlfran!

And I know what you’re asking, you’re saying, “now Annie, dahling, why would I want to make my OWN face mask when I could just drive my Bentley to the store and BUY some shitty $65.00 facewash?” 


  Why should you make your OWN face mask, you say? Well I’ll tell you why! Now’a’days more than ever- beauty products contain artificial chemicals. For instance, sodium lauryl sulphate- ever heard of it? No, probably not since it’s the ugly stepchild ingredient those big facewash distributors don’t want you knowing about. They basically strip your face of natural oils and are sometimes even contaminated with a carcinogen called 1,4-dioxane. (BBM “cant look” face).. Not convinced? What about polyethylene glycol that can be found in almost any of your skincare products? This petroleum additive dehydrates your skin and leaves it vulnerable to even more bacteria. So, now that I’ve convinced you, go to your kitchen… and cook up this facemask (that I swear by) before bed tonight:

ABJ’s Revitalizing Face Mask

• ½ cup chopped cucumber
• ½ cup chopped avocado
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp. powdered milk

(BTW- the vitamins in the avocado hydrate your skin without drying it out, beautifully.)

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender, apply the mask to your face, neck and décolletage using circular motions. Leave on for 30 min... Rinse and finish w/ cold water rinse. Enjoy your beateeful, hydrated, young looking skin, beauties!

Xo,

     A.B.J

The Tangle "Pleaz"er?

                                                 Tangle Teezer: just a tease?

  Since what seems like the beginning of time, I have been on a crazed mission to find any and all products to help me tackle the bane of my existence- my exquisitely tangled hair. If you have fine, long hair like myself- you just might be able to relate to the physical pain and the “OMG IM GOING F*CKING BALD” panic attack that comes after using most combs and brushes.

 SO- on to the product! The Tangle Teezer’s claim is pretty basic: It will detangle your bowl-of-spaghetti-like mane painlessly by using a firmer pressure. PLUS, the Teezer gives a relaxing head massage for even the most sensitive of scalps. Too good to be true??...

  One word my little beauties- PHENOMENAL. I am not kidding when I say I’m completely obsessed with this product. After my first use- there was absolutely no pain and better yet- no tangles. I literally cannot remember the last time I could run my fingers through my hair. Beyond the lack o’ tangles?: The Tangle Teezer ALSO left my hair where it belongs- on my head! I only lost a few strands and my ends looked dramatically better almost instantly. It’s bliss, ladies. BLISS.  

  Stash it or trash it?: Truthfully, I'm convinced this brush could de-tangle dreadlocks. I am so happy to have found a brush that is great for wet and dry hair. If you’re starting to notice hair loss as you get older (our follicle weakens as we get old, yes all of us) then definitely invest in this invention. Visit their webby at www.tangleteezer.com and change your life for $29.99 Canadian dollars.

Xo

Beauty Junkie


PS- the Tangle Teezer is a perfect for unruly extensions! <3

A "Tummy fix" in a tube!?

I initially heard the words "tummy fix" and thought oh YES please! "Tummy fix" 'Ab' sculpting gel comes to us here in North America from the United Kingdom as recently as last year. The entire line sounded intriguing, a real no-muss no-fuss product line that promises big results with their "Tummy fix" as well as the line's supporting products like "bust fix", "frown fix" and "dry leg fix" - among others. The 'Ab' sculpting gel is sold as a product that will help one to firm the appearance of the abdominal area as well as reduce its girth. Further, the idea is to apply the gel to your, eh-hem, soft spots twice a day.

above: Nip + Fab "Tummy Fix" : Miracle in a tube or marketing scheme?

I am nearing the end of my tube of Nip & Fabs "Tummy Fix", and I have to say- I am on the fence with this one. This summer I had to wear a bikini quite a bit as I went on a few different trips to a few resorts and a *shudder* - waterpark. Anyway, the difference maker in this product is caused by a substance called Armashape. Armashape helps sculpt and promote elasticity. The active substances are synephrine and good old caffeine. Both of these ingrediants, as you may already know help activate the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Because of these ingrediants, I often noticed a slight slimming and firming effect within several minutes of applying it (usually directly before putting on that dreaded bikini.) Not great, but certainly not bad. (BTW- Marie Claire magazine recently dubbed it as the toning product of the year.)


Stash it or Trash it? This is a tough one for me because I do like the product and I do believe in the Nip & Fab line as a whole and it did help give me a boost of confidence before slipping into that swimsuit or tight number, how ever, I failed to see any major results in the long run. It's slightly pricy at about $20.00 for an 100 ml bottle. It is a decent value and I could potentially see myself purchasing it again come bikini season... (Psst.. ingrediants and what they supposedly help with- Below!)

Tummy Fix contains: 

• caffeine active -supposed to burn + eliminate fat cells

• synephrine- smooth + tighten

• lecithin -soften + hydrate skin

While the "ab sculpter" is fun for a try or a quick fix-- don't expect it to make you look like this in three weeks.