Skin Care Blog Post - AVEENO CLEAR COMPLEXION FOAMING CLEANSER REVIEW

I'm always striving for even, clear skin — Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser seems to promise that.

With salicylic acid and blemish treatment, this product sounds promising, don't you think? Let's find out if it really worked.

What it promises

 "...helps improve skin's tone and texture and clears up blemishes without over drying, leaving skin soft, smooth and even-looking."

My take

• Over a period of use (about a week or two), my skin tone definitely evened out.

• My skin always felt refreshed, soft and clean after use

What it promises

"This mild, hypoallergenic, oil-free formula won't clog pores and is gentle enough for everyday use."

My Take

• Nope, pores were definitely not clogged. My skin felt super clean after use.

• The product was certainly gentle. I had no irritations what so ever.

Additional words

• Love the pump. So easy to use.

• Great price. Only about $6.50 at Wal-Mart and Amazon.

• One bottle lasted for a long time

My only dislike?

• The foam didn't stay when I put it on my face. It kind of settled and absorbed into my skin. I wanted it to be thicker.

Overall Rating

4/5

Re-purchase?

Yes!  It is a fantastic cleanser!

Want to see some pictures?

The pump bottle was easy to use

Foam felt nice and soft on my skin

Used Clarisonic to help scrub and clean

Afterward, I tested the cleanser's cleaning power by wiping my face with Stridex pads.

Very good! There was no leftover dirt at all after washing my face with the cleanser.

What do you think? 

Have you used Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser before?

CHANNELING ELAINE HEARN (OF CLOTHED MUCH)

I interviewed Elaine Hearn of Clothed Much on my other blog, The Geekette Gazette, some time ago — such a pleasure getting to know the fashionable Hearn, by the way — and fell in love with this outfit she wore:

As always, Ms. Hearn looks ravishing.

Pencil skirts and nude heels are two of my favorite things to wear. Oh how I wanted to re-create her outfit!

Today, while the kiddo soundly napped, I stole a moment to myself to channel Ms. Hearn's fabulous outfit.

Thanks to hubby, who left his homework for a brief photo session, I was able to capture the recreation in full.

Did the best I could with bad lighting.

Of course, Seattle is not as sunny as L.A. But we did our best.

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. I hope I made Ms. Hearn proud.

 

GIVING THANKS TO MY BLOGGER FRIENDS

Dear Girlies,

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope everyone is gobbling up something yummy.

On this day of thanks, I'd like to express much gratitude to my fellow bloggers, who have supported me with kind words and encouragement. 

Girls don't often give each other enough support, so it feels especially warm to find a group of people who do.

To honor my appreciation, I got a card for everyone. Because it is impossible to send it to each of The Girlie Blog's supporters, I'll just put it on this post, and send it out virtually.

After all, it's the message that counts.

Love,

The Girlie Blogger

See the reflection in the background? I'm working on this post as I write the card.

A girlie card for girlie bloggers

A few words of gratitude. Please excuse the sloppy handwriting.

Put it in the envelope, and send it out to all my girlies in blog-o-sphere.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

MAKEUP TUTORIAL - EVERYDAY BLUE AND GRAY

It has been so long since my last makeup post — time to do something about it.

Today's tutorial is an easy everyday blue and gray. 

Blue eyeshadow does not normally produce a subtle look. However, when it has been toned down with an earthy color like gray, you can certainly wear it during the day.

Don't believe me? Follow the steps below, and try it out yourself.

Step 1

Using a shadow brush, mix blue and gray eye shadows together.

Step 2

Apply the mixed color to your lids, but only below the crease lines.

Step 3

Rim top and bottom lash lines with a pencil eyeliner.

Step 4

Smudge top liner with a sponge to create a smokey effect

Step 5

Using a blending brush, apply a highlighter to all surface of the lids.
Make sure the highlighter goes over, and blends with, the blue shadow you already applied.

Step 6

Curl lashes and apply mascara

DONE!!

See? Blue and gray do make perfect wear for day.

 

WEEKEND HAUL - BETSEYVILLE WALLET, ELIZABETH ARDEN MOISTURIZER AND MORE

Girlies, how was your weekend? 

Seattle met a cold front in the past few days. It really does feel like winter now. 

It also feels like the holidays are nearing, and I better get the shopping started.

After attending a chess tournament for the paper, I picked up a few goodies from the stores.

Wanna see? It was a pretty productive haul.

Leopard prints are in right now.

Why not get a fabulous wallet with all sorts of wild prints and hearts?

Wallet by Betseyville

And another one for a deserving gal pal. 

It's almost her birthday :O)

Logo print wallet by Tommy Hilfiger

A new moisturizer to try.

Hang on girlies! A review is coming out soon.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Time Complex Moisture Cream with SPF 15

Scored this for only $36 at Sam's.

A cool getup for my adorable God son.

I can't believe he's almost one — yikes!

Awww. Little J will look so handsome in this outfit.

Last but not least — Christmas dresses for two little ladies

One for the big cousin.

One for the gooly.

Let the Holidays begin!

Skin Care blog Post - CLINIQUE REPAIRWEAR FOUNDATION REVIEW

Why must manufacturers stop making good makeup?

Clinique Repairwear Foundation, which I just purchased over the summer, has fallen victim to discontinuation.

Sad for me, I really like using it. 

Because this product has been discontinued, my review will be short and sweet. Here goes...

Likes

• Smooth, matte finish
• Flawless, full coverage
• Easy-to-use pump bottle

Dislikes

• Discontinued (lol)
• Formula is a little heavy

 Anti-Aging Effect

• I honestly can't tell a difference right now, but since it contains SPF 15, it at least minimizes sun damage
  

Overall Rating

4/5

Repurchase?

I wish!

Let's see some pictures, shall we?

Before:
Hmm...not too pretty

Add a tiny bit on the hand

Apply evenly with a foundation brush 

using: M.A.C 188

After:

skin appears much smoother

What do you think? Not bad, right?

ALL THAT GLITTERS - SEATTLE GOODWILL'S ANNUAL GLITTER SALE

Despite rain, hundreds of deal divas waited in line for Seattle Goodwill's Annual Glitter Sale this morning.

Since 1983, the Seattle Goodwill has been offering a fantastic two-day sale.


What's special about the Glitter Sale is that it offers high end fashion at unbelievable prices. 

Brands include Coach, Dooney and Burke, Chanel and other quality second-hand that you cannot normally get.

All proceeds from the Glitter Sale benefit The Goodwill and will contribute towards job training for the less fortunate.

Lucky for me, a friend saved a spot in the an otherwise impossible line.  

After two hours of digging for goodies, we both walked away with great finds.

Deal divas hunting for good finds through racks of glitzy fashion.

Here is the perfectly conditioned Coach purse I found that made the trip worth while.

A fabulous takeaway from the Glitter Sale. This Coach flip top only cost $30.

A versatile shoulder bag, don't you think? Matches just about anything.

Does your local Goodwill have a Glitter Sale too?

GETTING HAPPY WITH IT - AN OUTFIT POST

Don't you think a Happy Hour is the perfect start for a weekend?

I certainly entertained the idea with a drink...or two.

Ever the minimalist, I wanted to "get happy" in something easygoing and still presentable.

Ah-ha! A printed top with skinnies and boots — not too much, not too little.

A feeble attempt at casual ensemble.

Add a bulky scarf to battle the cold weather.

(Please pardon the horrible lighting.)

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Now go get happy.

 

STRIPES AND BRIGHTS

Here's a confession: I have a TERRIBLE sense of style — so bad that you barely see any outfit posts on this blog. (I know. What's a girlie blog without outfits, right?)

But I am trying to change that.

So here goes my first outfit post in a long, long time...

To add casual yet pleasing pieces to my wardrobe, I chose this long striped knit top.

It is very comfy to wear, and flatters the figure.

I LOVE it.

A while ago, some readers suggested adding colors to my outfits — totally agree!

Here is one of my favorite shirts in a lovely shade of yellow.

A bright idea, right?

Any other fashion suggestions?

I would love to hear from you!

REVIEW - SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRI NAIL POLISH

If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, you certainly don't have time to beautify your hands. 

Forget weekly manis and pedis. Just a quick polish eats up a precious half an hour that you could use for doing something productive. 


Plus, doesn't sitting idle and drying your nails seem to take forever? It's like watching paint dry...literally.


To polish my nails with quicker speed, I picked up Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri nail polish. (You like the classy, nude color I chose?) 

The polish is supposed to dry instantly. Let's see how it worked...

The Claim: 

"Nail color covers in just one coat, brilliantly."

My Take:

- One coat looked light and transparent. To get a creamier result, I applied two coats.

 

The Claim: 

"The exclusive Flexiglass Complex combines beautiful, brilliant shine and super strong wear."

My Take:

- Yes, the finish was shiny...right after I finished. But nails became dull in the next couple of days.

- The polish chipped and rubbed off as usual — not any more special than others I have tried.

The Claim:

"The Perfectionist Brush™ contours to any nail, so color always glides on precisely, quickly, flawlessly."

My Take:

- Now this is what I really liked about the polish. The flat brush head was very easy to use. 

- Totally glided on easily. It provided a smooth finish.

Did it dry instantly?

Heck no! Do they ever do what they claim? 

However, the polish dried faster than normal nail polish, in about half the regular time.

One coat took about two minutes. Two coats took five minutes.

Overall Rating: 3/5

Re-purchase? Yes. Because it did save me half the time and provided a decent result.

Choosing a more age-appropriate color.

Flat brush head made application easier and smoother.

After one coat, nails looked light and sheen.

After two coats, nails have a creamier, heavier finish.