HUGE NEWS! Urban Decay Naked Pallete 2!

I just read online that Urban Decay will be coming out with a NEW naked palette!  I have the first one (I was one of the lucky people that got it online before it sold out)  and while I like it, I don't LOVE it.  The shades are a little too glittery for me.  I have to say thought, that even though I do not use it all that much, I still think its worth it for the money.  You get a lot of eye shadows, all together in one convenient palette.  I will definitely be checking out the new version when it comes out in February! How about you?

These are the eyeshadows

Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

and it looks like it comes with a mini lip gloss (I'd prefer the mini primer since the UD primer is so great)

Nars One Day Sale!

I have Friday off so I am VERY tempted to go hit up this sale! What would YOU get?

Alpha Beta Glow Pads Review

I'm sure many of you have heard of the well known Alpha Beta Daily FacePeel by Dr. Dennis, a gentle exfoliant that promises enhanced radiance and skin clarity, and it delivers!  Well the "summer" version has just been released - the Alpha Beta Glow Pad!

What it is:
An exfoliating self-tanner with antiaging properties and vitamin D.

What it is formulated to do:
Alpha Beta Glow Pads provide a radiant, sun kissed glow year-round, without exposure to the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays. Formulated with the sun vitamin, Active Vitamin D, these pads give the face believable, natural color.

Whats in it:
-Alpha & Beta Hydroxy Acids: Exfoliate dull dry skin and help minimize the appearance of dark spots and pores.
-Vitamin D: Helps relieve dry skin, itching and flaking; makes other vitamins work better.
-Soy Protein: Kick-starts collagen production and ensures a more natural hue for rich, long-lasting color.
-Encapsulated DHA: Provides time-released color.


What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
Microencapsulated DHA and soy proteins deliver odorless, streak free color deep into skin to prevent fading through surface exfoliation. Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids penetrate the skin to exfoliate, tighten pores, eliminate blackheads, and help fade existing sunspots for an even, streak-free glow. Vitamin D is known for enhancing the benefits of other vitamins and antioxidants found in the formula. This product is gentle enough for all skin types, vegan, and cruelty-free

My Experience -
I heard it was coming out and went to Sephora looking for it, unfortunately its an online exclusive right now, so its not in stores. I am lucky enought to also live near a Blue Mercury, so I made my way there to pick it up!  I also noticed it at Nordstrom (while purchasing a Chantecaille Sea Turtle Eyeshadow Palette! i have issues! review coming soon!)

Anyway!  The first time I used it was when I got home from work on Thursday,  which wasn't really such a great idea considering  I then went to the gym, and took a shower when i got home.  Had i really thought that one through, I probably should have waited til I got home, but turns out, my stupidity just proved how great the product is!  I had a nice tan when I woke up the next morning, which was totally even and streak free, and not at all orange!   The fact that I washed my face AFTER applying made me nervous that the next time I may be too dark or orange if I actually left it on all night, which is how I intended to use it!  but no worries, I put it on at night last night, and today, i am just slightly tanner than last time.  I got three separate comments at work today, asking what I had done differently today (two of the people seemed to think I had lightened my hair, I assume since in comparison to my new glowing tan, it looked lighter)  but they all said i looked great, but couldn't put their finger on it!  My skin also seems more even, and some leftover red marks from blemishes look faded. 

I also love this product, because as someone with sensitive/combo/occasional breakout skin, I am generally nervous self tanners will break me out.  The Alpa Beta Pads I know would be great for my skin since they exfoliate as well, and wont clog pores.

Where its available  - sephora.com (not in stores yet)
Blue Mercury, Nordstrom, or anywhere that carries Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare!
Price:  $32 for 20, which is pricey, but I used one wipe Thursday, and then one today, and have maintained the nice tan glow.  So I would use AT MOST two a week, probably closer to once a week, so the product will definitely last me a long time.




I like it so much I'm thinking of surprising my sister by sending her some!

My Fitness Pal

So most of my life, my weight has never been an issue at all.  I generally ate what I wanted, and worked out if I felt like it.  I actually did some swimwear modeling when I was around 21-22.  I am now,  dun dun dun...... 29 years old!  Things do not work the same anymore! 

for example, at my physical "prime"  I looked like this....and survived on a diet of bagels, Auntie Anne's pretzels, ramen, pizza, and lots of beer.... and I didn't work out.   If I ate that way now, I would be well over 200 lbs!  A few years after this picture, I got into running, and ran about 15 miles a week.  I think that counter acted any possible age related metabolism changes.   

That brings me to current day.  Ive had knee problems since last summer, which limits my running.   I also have a newish boyfriend, who enjoys indulging my sweet tooth by bringing me desserts regularly (hes gotten better lately, bringing one or two things as opposed to a whole dessert tray)

Ive been very frustrated about my knee problems and limited running, mostly because I love running, but also because it allowed me to eat whatever I wanted.   Now that I can only run about a mile at a time,  I've had to start watching what I eat much more.  Since I hurt my knee, and have been eating more desserts, I have definitely noticed that I have put on a few pounds.  Since i cant increase my exercise (I am limited to what my physical therapist allows)  I obviously need to adjust my diet. 

And here is where My Fitness Pal comes in.  I actually downloaded this app on my phone long ago, and never used it.   A few weeks ago i figured I would check it out.  You can use My Fitness Pal on your phone, or by visiting their website, myfitnesspal.com.

This app has nutritional information for EVERY food there is!  Its all entered by other users.   I searched for the McDonald's southwest salad, which is one of my favorites, and someone had already entered the nutritional information, for my modified version, which is without the tortilla strips, and half the dressing!  

Ive been entering what I eat, and you can also enter your workouts, so for example if you aim to eat 1200 calories a day, but burn 300 at the gym, it shows that you can actually eat 1500 calories.  Below I added a screen shot of my food for today.  

I have steadily lost weight since doing this. Not tons, but about 1-2 lbs a week which puts me on track to be back to "fighting shape"  by bikini season!

Mac Peacocky Collection

So Ive been avoiding getting sucked into the large amount of Mac collections continually coming out because i was broke from Christmas present shopping!  But when I was Tempalia gave these shadows an A+ rating (she NEVER gives A+ ratings) I knew I had to check them out. And boy am I glad I did.  The texture of these shadows is perfection!  I went straight to the nearest MAC counter after work on the day this came out.  Heres pics of all the shadows, and lipglosses.

Mega Metal Eyeshadow = $19.50

• Peek-at-You – Frosted yellow white
• Dalliance – Light champagne
• Prance – Frosted mauve pearl
• Top of the Posh – Frosted white pink
• Tweet Me – Gold bronze
• Mating Call – Dirty frosted violet
• Odalisque – Deep teal
• Sexpectations – Metallic burgundy
• Paparazz-she – Deep copper bronze
• Ego – Forest green
• Noir Plum – True purple with silver pearl
• Dandizette – Navy with silver pearl
• Spectacle of Yourself – Deep bronze
• Centre Stage – Frosted chocolate brown
• Unflappable – Frosted black with purple pearl

Kissable Lipcoloe $18

• Enchantée – Light blue pink
• Woo Me – Light pinky nude
• So Vain – Muted dirty coral
• Vanity Fair – Mid-tone blue pink
• Exxxhibitionist – Red-toned coral
• Strut Your Stuff – Bright true red
• Scandelicious – Blue fuchsia
• Peacocky – Sky blue with red pearl
• Super – Muted neutral brown
• Temper Tantra – Mid-tone reddish brown
• Flaunting It – Grey mauve
• Love Peck – Blackened blood red 

So of the lipglosses I got Enchantée (Light blue pink), and Scandelicious (Blue fuchsia)  They are both awesome!  Enchantee is the perfect pale pink, and Scandelicious is a bright beautiful fuchsia pink!

As for eyeshadows I got Mating Call (Dirty frosted violet), Tweet Me (Gold Bronze), Unflappable (Frosted black with purple pearl), Prance (Frosted mauve pearl ), and Center Stage(Frosted chocolate brown)

It was so hard to limit myself to just those!  Tweet Me is the only one Im not sure of, its a beautiful color but is a little to red/orange based, and I thought it made me look sick when I had it on my lid.

I've heard a lot of good things about Specktackle of Yourself, and I might be going back to check it out!

I will be posted swatches tomorrow!