Shopaholic in Alabama

You know by now - I am totally addicted to skin care, hair care and makeup products. There is nothing I love more than trying something new. Once I find something that works, I stick with it.  For years, I had been using ____ brand of eye cream. It wasn't doing a bad job, but it seemed like my eyes weren't looking so great anymore. Father Time was beginning to catch up to me - along with a consistent lack of sleep and immense stress. I tried many concealers to make me look more "awake" and "bright eyed" but they didn't deal with the source of my problem - dark, puffy eyes with the beginning of crows feet. Time to bring out the big guns - something new and more powerful!  Enter Rodan + Fields Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream . From the first day I used this product, I knew it was something special. The formula is highly concentrated, and it only takes a little bit. (A full jar lasts me almost sixty days, and I use it morning and night). The Redefi...

Did you know? I am proud to be an Independent Consultant for Rodan + Fields . I have been using their products for over 90 days, and I can honestly tell you – my skin hasn't looked this good in at least 10 years, maybe even longer. I started out using the Anti-Age Regime (available HERE ), and quickly noticed results. Within a few days, my skin felt so much better and had an incredible texture. I might be 42 years old, but I have no desire to look 42 years old! The Anti-Age Regime has really helped my skin in a short period of time. My visible pores have been significantly reduced, which is a huge deal to me as I did not like the way my pores had been looking. It’s no wonder they call the Anti-Aging Pore Minimizing Toner “Spanx for Pores”! Another one of my favorite products is the Anti-Age Multi Function Eye Cream (available HERE ). Now I will admit – I have always been a fanatic about using a good eye cream. I started using eye cream when I was a teenager and ...

More details on this for you later in the week - but I want everyone to know, I've been using the Rodan + Fields Anti-Age regime for almost 90 days and I LOVE it!  Matter of fact, I like them so much that I decided to become an independent consultant for Rodan + Fields! :-)  There is a solution for your skin - no matter what issue you might have. Interested in anti-aging? Reversing previous damage? Soothing sensitive skin? Dealing with acne and blemishes? Dr. Rodan + Dr. Fields have something to help.  Start your appointment with the dermatologists by using the solution tool HERE . This will show you what the doctors recommend for your skin. With the highest concentration of peptides available without a prescription, this is dermatology based skincare and the results speak for themselves... More info and advice regarding skin care is available on my website HERE . Please message me or comment if you have any questions...I love sharing what works, and this...

When your Ulta Reward Certificate is a level 11, does that mean it's time to stop shopping? Here's what it does mean: you spent at least $550 in one quarter at Ulta.  My question is this: wonder how close I was to a level 12?!!? Makes me mad I didn't do a better job of keeping track of my spending! Is anyone else obsessed with Ulta?!?!

Do you have a specific nighttime skincare regime or system? It's almost a big joke here, when I tell the DH I have to "get ready for bed" - that means I'll be in front of the mirror for at least fifteen minutes before retiring for the evening. And all because of my nightly regime!  I like to think that I have pretty decent skin and a fairly nice complexion, but it comes with an investment of my time and a little money. I've always been one of those girls who took care of her skin. Heck, I lay out in the sun for eight months out of the year - I know I must do this! :) Even when I was a teenager and in my early 20's, I didn't go to bed with makeup on my face or eyes. I can clearly recall the day my Mother took me to the Clinique counter and I was introduced to the 3-step system, some of which I still use today. Over the years, my skin's needs have changed and the products have changed as a result.  Just for fun, here are the products that I use ...

Happy Thursday, Shopaholics! Hope you are doing wonderful and having a lovely week! Recently I was introduced to the website "Beauty Ticket" by a Facebook friend who knows I have a serious *ahem* addiction to all things cosmetic, skin and hair care related. Ask those who know me best, I have cabinets and containers full of goodies here at home. And yet, I continue to purchase more. Of course this begs the question "what is wrong with me?" but that's a topic for another day! :-) Anyway, enough about the therapy I need and back to talking about Beauty Ticket (website link HERE ). They advertise "premium brands at VIP prices" and a joke it isn't. Beauty Ticket has "private sales" - similar to Rue La La, Gilt Groupe, etc. but the focus is on all things beauty. Since I've been a member of the site, I've seen private sales with Stila, Lumenesse, Rock & Republic, and many others. Many of the items are priced at up to 85% of...

Happy Thursday everyone! Are you like me and running around getting ready for the Memorial Day holiday? Today I wanted to share my tanning secret with you! I know, I know.....we shouldn't "lay out" in the sun. It's bad for us, and skin cancer is rampant. Yep - I understand. Here's my theory - we all have bad habits that might kill us later. For some, it's smoking. I don't smoke. For others, it's drinking. I don't....well I enjoy the occasional beverage but I don't "over" indulge. I'm married and lead a rather calm existence, but I do lay out in the sun. Unlike the days of youth gone by, now I always use sunscreen with SPF - every time I'm in the sun! I always start the season with SPF 30, later backing down to SPF 15 and eventually SPF 8. (just so you know - I'm using 15 and sometimes 8 right now). I never use LESS than SPF 8. Years ago, I found the Australian Gold tanning products. They're available everywhere...

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope you're doing great and getting ready for a wonderful Memorial Day holiday. Later this week I will have some special treats, including my Beach Bag Essentials! Even though it's not "officially" summer yet, it might as well be. We've had temperatures of 90+ degrees for days, and more coming. This is the time of year I take 2-3 showers a day. Before exercise, after exercise; Before beach, after beach; one right before bed because it makes me rest so well. Heck, sometimes you just want to take one after walking outside on the deck to water the plants! All this showering, scrubbing and skin exfoliation brings a new problem - dry skin. I loathe dry skin, can't stand it. In the past, I have used fairly expensive products like Creme de Corps from Kiehls. However, I discovered something much more economical that I'd like to share with you! Welcome to my daily routine, Olay Quench Body Lotion (Deep Moisture). A while back, I receiv...

TGIF, my Shopaholic friends! What do you have planned for this Mother's Day weekend? We are having a "girls night out" on Saturday - just me, Mom, Nanny and my baby sister. Then on Sunday, DH and I will go visit the in-laws. There's only one down side to all this - everything is inland so no beach for me. THAT I'm not loving! :-( Today I wanted to share one of "My Favorite Things" from Philosophy. If you're not familiar, Philosophy is a skin care, cosmetics, bath and body/fragrance line that is fantastic! I use many of their products (especially love their moisturizers, but I'll blog about those another day). Yesterday I remembered that I had a brand new bottle of Senorita Margarita, one of the 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash products. Note: I would NEVER wash my hair with this. My stylist would kill me dead for fear of ruining highlights that he slaves over.....However, I absolutely LOVE this product as a Shower Gel. I also shave my l...

Happy Tuesday, and w elcome to DAY FOURTEEN of Shopaholic Giveaway Days to celebrate Mother's Day!!! Today I'm excited to introduce you to a skin care line named Votre Vu. This line is French made and natural skin care products. Votre Vu was previously available only in select European salons and spas, however now it's available for delivery directly to your door! Recently I met one of their star directors, Michelle, through blogging and Facebook. Michelle is a fellow "Bama Girl" although she lives in the Northeast these days, so we formed an instant friendship! Hello, she had me at "Bama"! Anyway, Michelle mailed some samples to me to try. I just received them and can't yet speak to my experiences - but I know several other bloggers use a variety of their products and am more than willing to give it a try. I am especially interested in trying the "Portait Collar" product, a lush creme for the neck and decollete. Some of you may re...

Happy Wednesday, AKA "hump day", my Shopaholic pals! Hopefully you're having a great day! Welcome to DAY NINE of Shopaholic Giveaway Days to celebrate Mother's Day!!! Today I'm very excited to introduce you to a new favorite online store called PeaceLoveLipgloss. Hello, the name sucked me in immediately!!! For those of you who have met me in person, I'm 100% certain you will not be surprised.... The rest of you will learn in time, this Shopaholic has a serious product (skin care, makeup, bath & body) addition. I absolutely do not discriminate! I will try anything at least once, and I've never met a lip gloss I didn't love. Shopaholic confession: I usually carry at least 10-15 in my handbag at all times. I met the owner of PeaceLoveLipgloss, Madeline, through blogging and twitter. She also has a blog that is fantastic! You all should be following her if you aren't already, click HERE and check it out. Madeline is always recommending, r...

Good evening, my Shopaholic pals! As promised, my Clarisonic story for you tonight. Get ready to LAUGH! :-) Two weeks ago, I ordered the Clarisonic Facial Cleaning System from QVC (see link HERE ). For those who've been following a while, you'll remember I was recently complaining about the appearance of my skin and how I didn't like the Bare Escentuals on my face any more. Sooo I made the big switch to the Smashbox foundation, and purchased the Clarisonic. Double whammy! And what can I say? I'm a SUCKER for the QVC "easy pay"......after all, they don't call me Shopaholic for nothing! I have to admit, I kept the unit in the box for the first week after it arrived. I had been shopping so much recently (dare you say!) that I hated to fess up to another new goodie. Last Friday, I took the plunge and charged the unit for the required 24 hour period prior to using for the 1st time. Saturday night, I followed the instructions (read them carefully - confusi...

Hello Everyone! It's FRIDAY! The temperature is going to reach 70 degrees here today and I plan to be out and enjoying the weather! Are you like me and constantly searching for the perfect skin care treatment, the perfect lip gloss or the perfect shade of eye shadow? Cosmetics and skin care are an obsession of mine, I love to try new things and see the results. However, there are a few (VERY few) things I absolutely do not change. My eye cream is one of them. I have used "All About Eyes" by Clinique since it was released. I honestly can't even remember how long it's been now, but I think 8-10 years. When I first started to use the product, I was beginning to notice dark circles and tiny, faint lines that looked like crow's feet when I smiled. After all, I do love to bask in the sun (I know; please don't fuss at me but tan fat is more attactive than white fat)....plus I wear contacts and therefore I'm never outside without sunglasses. This makes me ...