Without further ado, here are the loves of my life right now:

Brightly Twisted Scarves

Check out these gorgeous one of a kind hand tie-dyed summer scarves:

I am obsessed. Gus has an amazing supply, but you can get also these darlings at Intermix or Tootsie’s here in Atlanta.

Oribe Hair Products

Ok I have blogged about the Anti-Humidity spray before (check it) and I still swear by it… I just picked up some “beautiful color” shampoo and conditioner and it’s amazing.

My color looks great, my hair feels super healthy and This. Stuff. Smells. Incredible.

Shoes!: I am the proud new owner of a couple of pairs of fantastic wedges for summer!

First, to continue the tie dye trend – I scooped a pair of these bad boys by Bacio 61:

Bacoli Tie Dye Wedge in Lily Purple

I happened to wear a pair of white pants and a black top Saturday when I spotted these and they complimented my outfit so much – I asked Katie to box up my Torys so I could wear them out! Who (past the age of 6) does that?

I also scored super cute pair of black and raffia Franco Sartos I plan to LIVE in this summer:

Trish Beauty Booster Cream with SPF15

I’ve officially replaced my regular SPF15 moisturizer with this marvelous “Anti-Fatigue” cream, which acts as a moisturizer and primer while brightening and firming… and protecting you from the sun’s harmful rays. Talk about a bang for your buck!

(Helpful hint for Alabamians: All of the above can be found at Gus Mayer at the Summit in Birmingham!)

Other recent MVPs:

The gorgeous and perfectly neutral Kendra Scott earrings I wore with my watercolor Halston Heritage dress to Camp Dance:

(Scored them at Nordy's)

My new Laura Mercier lipstick/gloss combo:

Hibiscus Bloom Gel Lip Color/ Bellini Lip Glace

and the Triple Oxygen facial at Bliss Spa.

I’ve blogged about it before, and I’ll blog about it again. Go to the midtown location inside the W Hotel.  Ask for Anila. Tell her I sent you.  You can thank me later.

And that, as they say, is that!

Enjoy!

xx, L

]]> http://www.thequickanddirtydirty.com/a-few-of-my-favorite-things/feed/ 3 http://www.thequickanddirtydirty.com/new-product-obsessions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-product-obsessions http://www.thequickanddirtydirty.com/new-product-obsessions/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:08:53 +0000 Lauren http://thequickanddirtydirty.com/?p=5954 Continue reading →]]> Ok, I got some new stuff and I just need to share:

Prive Shining Weightless Amplifier

The Q+DD: Distributes like a foam, goes on kind of like a gel.  Creates amazing volume and gives gorgeous shine without making my hair stiff.  Plus, it smells SO GOOD I quite literally want to taste it.  But don’t worry, I don’t.

Mac

Everything old is new again! My old love affair with Mac makeup has resurfaced in a BIG way. Sorry, Trish, but my old boyfriend Mac is slowly occupying more and more of the surface space in my bathroom…

Like Linds, I also recently made the successful switch to mineral makeup and have absolutely loved it:

Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation

Mineralize Skin Finish Powder

And started using a primer:

And last week I rounded off my collection with a tinted moisturizer for those days when I don’t need as much coverage:

Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15

LOVE. Light, smooth, flawless.

Next, after my Almond Oil purchase, I found myself wandering back into L’Occitane for their famous shea butter hand crème:
There is a reason this stuff is a #1 seller.  It really does the trick for dry hands and cuticles.  My fabulous friend Gretchen swears by it and as a former flight attendant, she knows her stuff when it comes to moisturizers of all kinds.  Plus, she is gorg. Witness:

Finally, while I was going to town at L’Occitane, I figured, why not go all out?  So I also purchased: Shea Butter Liquid Soap with Verbena. Loves it.

Just one thing, though: is it weird that I think “Verbena” smells a lot like “Froot Loop?” And that I like that?

Just wondering…

xx, L

Sooooooo, I’ve been using mineral make-up for several weeks now – and I’m totally sold on it.  I love how it sits on my face and doesn’t feel heavy.  I love that it is so easy to apply.  I love not feeling like I need to wear concealer in addition.  My only complaint, though, was that I felt like the amazing coverage that mineral make-up was initially giving me upon application was seriously fading over the course of the day.

All I want to know is:

1 – Who, exactly, do my minerals think they are?

2 - And, WHERE do they think they are going??

I went back to Ulta @ Buckhead Station and explained my situation to one of their make-up specialists:  I’m constantly on the go and sometimes don’t have time or the opportunity to reapply make-up after work and before one of my bajillion obligations or social commitments.  But, I still want to look like I have make-up on!  She recommended that I start using this bad boy under my make-up every day:

my secret weapon

She told me that SMASHBOX’s Photo Finish Primer is silky + lightweight and will increase the longevity of my make-up.  In fact, it’s frequently used in photo shoots – make-up artists and photographers love it, apparently.  She said Photo Finish will also reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores and it’s oil-free.

I told her that products with a name like “SMASHBOX” were most likely going to be wayyyyy too sexy for my really sensitive skin.  She told me that she, too, has very sensitive skin and she’d never broken out from it.  I was skeptical. Most of my make-up comes in organic-looking packaging and is plastered with “dermatologist approved” or “hypoallergenic.”

(So what, I have allergies…)

Alas, I tried it and I am pretty sure this product was made by angels – totally heaven sent!! It’s holding onto my minerals and giving me great all day coverage even into the evening, without irritation.  Now, I put it on each morning after my moisturizer.  It seeps into my skin almost immediately - and then I start working with the minerals…

Ooh ooh ooh – as far as eyeliner is concerned, I really need for it to stay on all day, too.  No time to reapply! I swear by Revlon’s Colorstay Eyeliner.  Swear by it! It’s pretty cheap and will stay on all day long.  Fact.

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

Finally, I used L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara for the first time today and I really like it.  It has a teeny tiny application wand that I think is supposed to help you avoid getting clumps.

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara

I’ve been known to jump around from mascara to mascara with no loyalty whatsoever.  For the last few months, I’ve been using Maybelline’s XXL Volume + Length Microfiber Mascara and have been very pleased with it, but it definitely gets clumpy quickly.  I absolutely looooathe that!

Maybelline's XXL Mascara

I’m seriously considering a semi-permanent (at least) switch to L’Oreal Telescopic after using it this morning.  It just looks so natural and came out very evenly on my lashes.  I am impressed with the length of my lashes, too.  I’m definitely not married to it, but I think I’ll at least switch to it for a few months.  Will let you know how it goes…

That’s all! 

xx, L

Bare Minerals Starter Kit

I have to admit that I am a teeny-tiny bit skeptical, but I am hopeful that Bare will be everything that it touts in all of its advertisements.

Bare Minerals

I used it for the first time today - following all of the steps detailed in the Starter Kit DVD.  Immediately, I could feel a difference between using mineral make-up and the junk I’d previously slathered on my face for years.  My favorite item so far is the mineral veil; it leaves such a pretty glow.  We shall see how this goes…  It just may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

xx, L

However, this past year I finally found “the one.” Now, my boss, my mom, my aunt, my roommate and a number of my girlfriends all use it – and, although it is found at the drugstore, it feels like I’ve always imagined designer lip gloss should feel.  Fo’ reals.

***Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss***

I use #20 "Dreamy"

Product Description: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss brings long-lasting shine and sheer color to lips, without the stickiness.  Actually moisturizes, softens and smoothes lips because each shade is packed with moisture-boosting emollients and nurturing botanicals.  Lips look healthier and feel softer.

Pick it up for around $8.00 at your local CVS.  I hope you love it as much as I do!!

xx, L