Whimsical Wonderland - My Favorite Red Coat

After Sunday's Earthquake, I feel something has awakened within me.  Maybe it's a grounded awareness of how fragile our lives really are.  Quite possibly it's a newfound desire to actually take life for all it's worth while the delicate balance still appears to be so. 

Suddenly, certain things don't seem as important as they were a week ago.  All I really want to do is pull my loved ones close as I take on this journey while wearing my favorite things.

Perhaps I'm ready to just be me.

*mushroom VIA rozalia sebokova2005*

 

One Love,
xBRB

Update on Beauty S.O.S. for Burns

Well, I'm on a roll this morning with reviews so I'll also do a brief update on my research with Moshi's Burn Solution.  Let's just say I was cooking *gasp!*...(quiet all you in the peanut gallery...) and let's just say that I went to unplug the rice cooker and burned myself. 

I don't think my forearm made contact for more than a second, but yowwza...that hurt!  I stuck my arm under the cold running water for many minutes.  When I looked at it, the skin wasn't even pink.  But it was still painful and gave my skin this sensitivity thing.  Where was the mark?  How was I supposed to gain any sympathy from anyone if I look unscathed?  Hmph.

So, seeing as that it was "minor" I took the initiative to explore the Toothpaste option.  I used a whitening gel because that's what was at the sink.

Here's what it did:

-Eased the pain and gave a refreshing, cooling sensation
-Got all over my couch and clothes
-Tightened the skin on my forearm
-Gained me a little sympathy;) (heehee, such a drama queen!)
-8 hrs later, I removed the toothpaste and there was no blister, just a little red mark.
 (5 hrs earlier I could see a distinct bump on the burn site)

Anywho, great tip!  My arm still feels cool and minty fresh (it even made me cold - see the goosebumps?).  Wow.  Toothpaste alleviated my pain.  I did put a dab o bacitracin and a band-aid so there's no funny business with scarring.
More later.

xBRB

Review of Recent LUSH Haul

UPDATED LUSH REVIEW

Easter went well and we have already had the opportunity to give a few moments to revisit the last haul  from LUSH and give you some details:)

LEMONY FLUTTER CUTICLE BUTTER:

You'll find yourself smelling your hands all day. You will re-apply only for kicks.  Rich and Amazing. Thickly whipped cream. Absorbs quickly and Does Not leave hands oily. Astonishingly effective for heels.

OCEAN SALT CLEANSER:

Exfoliant. Think sand, salt, ocean - Less as a grainy aqua concoction but More like a gift from the sea. Fresh, like I like My Man... Ahem...where was I? Very effective in getting the dead skin off and revitalizing the top layer. Cooling and Refreshing.

DREAM CREAM:

Light with hints of chamomile, lavender, geranium and tea tree. Easily Absorbed despite the luxurious oils that ravage your skin. Leaves a sheen without the slide. Use a wooden popsicle stick like they do in the store.

CURLY WURLY SHAMPOO:

The thickly concentrated sample of shampoo with the grated coconut had me worried.  Turns out, once you put it in your hair, it lathers easily and All Of It washes out even easier.  I have thick, wavy hair and I could actually feel the instantaneous taming of the frizz with my hands.  Upon looking in the mirror after many, many hours of hair pulling moments, my tresses are smooth and well-behaved (as in non-frizzy and shiny).  Smells like Real Coconutty goodness without the industrious aftertaste (still, don't eat it). 

I'm going to have to invest in this one. DARN YOU SAMPLES!!

The following is a quick rundown for those of you who haven't tried this brand and have not seen the bazillion reviews on these things in particular (Elle Fowler also does a review on Porridge, Rockstar, Buffy, Bath Bombs and Bubble Bar; I told her I would review different things, so I'll briefly skim over some important caveats even though some are the same product...):

SOAP:
(very enticing. you may find yourself just standing and sniffing...) I think this is such a personal choice, I will just say that you have to check it out for yourself and see. It is so unexpectedly enjoyable. Do it with a loved one. Pick your favorite. That's how I did it at least.

I love the creamy colored ones, they are nice to my dry skin. These are the ones I've tried:

CHOX AWAY - A chocolate mint marries playdoh. But has pretty starflake exfoliators and was VERY moisturizing.

NOUBAR - so overpowering to me the first time I smelled it. loved the color and the concept. When we brought it into our bathroom, it wasn't bad. Very moisturizing. I think it's more of a masuline scent. Maybe that was it. I like to smell my man but I don't want to smell like a man. See the difference? After it was gone, I couldn't wait to get back with it...hmm.

PORRIDGE - Smells sooooooooo good:) It's like smelling a beautiful cake-like oatmeal with shea butter and milky, sweet honey. Yummy. Messy. The glossy, brown oats get everywhere so you might want to watch the drain action - the oat wrapped in hair to available open drain space ratio...or something like that.
Or be good friends with a plumber. You with sensitive skin may find the oats too abrasive still. I love it and I have sensitive skin too.
ROCKSTAR - Yummm Yummmmm Yummmmmm. Creamy Pinksicle Smell (my personal take on it). Moisturizing. Delicious. Devine.

BUFFY:

Not a soap. Body Exfoliant. Seems to melt under water (do not try dry).  Very abrasive but gets the job done if you can get through it ok. Lemongrass with Tea scents the shower. The oils are very accommodating and generous to the skin and leaves a nice sheen for the duration of the day. Slippery, be careful, it makes the tub floor slippery too.

Smells like Spa.

BATH BOMBS:

(brief release of sodium bicarbonate but no resulting bath bubbles)

My bathroom (yeah and my house) smells lovely after dropping one of these in the tub. BUT the fizzle does just that after only a few minutes.  However, Even though the sizzle didn't last, the soothing soak certainly did.  The bathwater did seem softer and quite possibly some of the carbonated bubbles were still present in smaller form much, much less noticeable.  Good, but I didn't really get  the feeling that I was soaking in seven-up like I thought I would.  The water does take on the colorful characteristics of the BB, and is so aromatic that it just may be worth the price. 

TIPS:

1. According to someone's YT video that was featured on the LUSH website, using a pair of old nylons would help prevent some of the contents of the BB (flowers, nuts, confetti...) from clogging your drain.  Can't say whether or not it helps keep the glitter under control or not.
2. You can drop this in the yellow bag they give you and hit it once with a Tenderizer and it should break into some workable pieces that result in a few baths.  BUT you may still be tempted to use the whole thing due to the short duration of the bubble show.  Either way, you're fine.

CREAM CANDY BUBBLE BAR:

(awesome. results in foamy bath environment)

Now this is the one you crumble under running water (key) and it too has wonderful aromatic properties (esp. this one - yum.).  I do agree that cutting this bar for multiple uses is a wise choice.  Not only foams under running water, but Laura, the rep, also pointed out that you can use a container to repour the bathwater into itself to form more foamy bubbles.  Between the toy pitcher and the toy teapot, I think the kids had a blast with this particular feature:)

That's it for now:)

xBRB

Lalala Love Lush - Dry Hands Get Help

Seduced through a Doorway...

I've been trying to publish a Lush Haul post, but due to technical difficulties, what I've already produced is held up in "Drafts."  Oh well, nothing is on accident.  So let's try a different approach.  First, I'll admit and agree that Lush is nothing short of Luscious.

*deeply inhaling the delicious smells currently permeating my room*

So many of you have done reviews and videos, so today I'm going to focus purely on BRB territory:

DRY SKIN
...or specifically Dry, Cracked Skin on Hands

Why, oh why, are the hands on my skin like a black hole for moisture?  After a year of washing to the extent that rivals someone with OCD in order to prevent the spread of well, EVERYTHING, I am left with ashy, cracked, and red hands. I don't want wrinkles on my hands.  I don't want my hands to age me. I don't like petroleum products, they suck the life out of my largest organ.  After constant abuse from the fickle weather and anti-bacterial invasion, I have been in search of:

Relief.

Moisture.

After being pleasantly surprised by my cousin, C, with Chox Away and Noubar soap, I noticed a significant difference in levels of moisture on my legs long after my usually hot shower.  And after seeing all the hype on YT, my curiosity was peaked.  So I set a goal to seek out this revered brand.  And luckily, lo and behold, I found a store (not so close, but not too far).=)

I think I floated behind my nose, through the glass doorway, and into a vividly colored and soothingly scented mecca. Basically, it's everything I ever wanted in my bathroom, but didn't know it til that moment.

Am I in Heaven?
Everyone was smiling in there.  There were gatherings around glass bowls of water into which the reps would drop things that would fizz and bubble.  I constantly spotted people dramatically closing their eyes to smell items in a slow and luxurious manner.  I thought, 'What's going on here people? What must they be pumping through the vents?'

Then someone, Laura, spotted me and swept me away into an hour long (not that I noticed time) journey into product demo 411 a.k.a. my mini-spa tour.

The first stop was here:

Restore, Revitalize, Replenish

Step 1: Cuticle Cream that soothes the most stubborn skin and permeates the air like Lemongrass Tea

Step 2: Aqua Blue Exfoliator that sloughs dead skin and leaves a cooling herbal ocean scentsation

Step 3: A decadent light yellow, chamomile scented Body Lotion that truly is "as good as it gets,".

SCORE.

And it's organic and environmentally friendly?

SOLD.

Yes, it is a bit pricier than your drugstore brands, but it's worth it.  A little seems to go a long way.  Besides, if you turn in 5 clean, black pots, you get a free fresh face mask.

As a matter of fact, Laura did demonstrate four masks on my hand from what I refer to as the "salad bar" area.  It's made fresh and refrigerated but it does smell more like veggies...

The most moisturizing seemed to be Sacred Truth (green).

Anyhow, I left the store last week with samples (amongst a few of your recommendations like Buffy and Porridge) but couldn't get myself back there fast enough to get the three items for my hands (why do samples make us do that?).  Why?  Well, my hands looked great well into the week even after much contact with soap and water.  And these work on feet so you have something to do between pedis...

I guess it's all well and good, because I also picked up some of the Easter Bath Bombs and the Giant Egg (filled w/goodies) for Baskets;)  Well worth the 2nd trip.

May your hands remain undeniably holdable this season.

Happy Easter!

xBRB

I Love Your Blog Award:)

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A Huge Thank You! to my lovely fellow blogger, Miss Vintage Vogue for nominating me for the I Love Your Blog Award=)  I'm honored that you take the time to visit!  It's exciting to know you're enjoying it and I love to hear from you always.  If you get a sec, make sure you visit her to give her some encouragement for her "MVV Goes Slim Challenge" right now; it's always easier to get through these things with support;)

So, the rules are as follows:
♥Post the award on your blog♥Link the person who has given you the award♥Pass the award to 10-15 other blogs you've discovered
It was difficult to choose but, I nominate the following (in no particular order...):♥ Fantastical Fashion
♥ The Bite Me Kitchen
♥ 20 to Life
♥ --What Could I Really Say
♥ With A Wink And A Smile
♥ GLAM LATTE
♥ Elle Fowler
♥ Observation Deck
♥ Kandee Johnson
♥ Organic Meatbag

xBRB

Got Burned?

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Have you been burned lately?  No, no,  Physically.  Well, here's something I also picked up at the counter the other day - a perfectly appropriate BRB Tip.  My friend Moshi uses toothpaste on barely there but unfortunately there burns (we're talking MINOR barely burned skin like a tiny curling iron mishap, you hear?  Otherwise call 911 because burns are no joke).   This would have helped me last week when I decided to drop the flat iron on my ear and it produced a really cute red mark that looked like a hickey.  Thank goodness for hair...

I'm not looking forward to my next bout with this issue, but I'm curious to see how toothpaste actually works:)  *Disclaimer: Try it at your own risk.  

As a responsible beauty advisor, I must EMPHASIZE that you should Go Here to the MayoClinic.com for the 411 on Burns.  PLEASE.  It walks you through identifying what level burn you have and deciphers what to do when working with Chemical burns (may help some of you at-home colorists).  It also helps you determine whether or not to go to the ER STAT.

Quick stop-drop-and roll call (this is directly copied from the above site as of today for those of you too lazy to click the link)

By Mayo Clinic Staff

To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the extent of damage to body tissues. The three burn classifications of first-degree burn, second-degree burn and third-degree burn will help you determine emergency care:

First-degree burn

The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin is burned, but not all the way through. The skin is usually red, with swelling, and pain sometimes is present. Treat a first-degree burn as a minor burn unless it involves substantial portions of the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or a major joint, which requires emergency medical attention.

Second-degree burn

When the first layer of skin has been burned through and the second layer of skin (dermis) also is burned, the injury is called a second-degree burn. Blisters develop and the skin takes on an intensely reddened, splotchy appearance. Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling.

If the second-degree burn is no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, treat it as a minor burn. If the burned area is larger or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, or over a major joint, treat it as a major burn and get medical help immediately.

For minor burns, including first-degree burns and second-degree burns limited to an area no larger than 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter, take the following action:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cool (not cold) running water for 10 or 15 minutes or until the pain subsides. If this is impractical, immerse the burn in cool water or cool it with cold compresses. Cooling the burn reduces swelling by conducting heat away from the skin. Don't put ice on the burn.
• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage. Don't use fluffy cotton, or other material that may get lint in the wound. Wrap the gauze loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the burn, reduces pain and protects blistered skin.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Minor burns usually heal without further treatment. They may heal with pigment changes, meaning the healed area may be a different color from the surrounding skin. Watch for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, fever, swelling or oozing. If infection develops, seek medical help. Avoid re-injuring or tanning if the burns are less than a year old — doing so may cause more extensive pigmentation changes. Use sunscreen on the area for at least a year.

Caution

• Don't use ice. Putting ice directly on a burn can cause a burn victim's body to become too cold and cause further damage to the wound.
• Don't apply butter or ointments to the burn. This could cause infection.
• Don't break blisters. Broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

Third-degree burn

The most serious burns involve all layers of the skin and cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white. Difficulty inhaling and exhaling, carbon monoxide poisoning, or other toxic effects may occur if smoke inhalation accompanies the burn.

For major burns, call 911 or emergency medical help. Until an emergency unit arrives, follow these steps:

1. Don't remove burned clothing. However, do make sure the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat.
2. Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a drop in body temperature (hypothermia) and deterioration of blood pressure and circulation (shock).
3. Check for signs of circulation (breathing, coughing or movement). If there is no breathing or other sign of circulation, begin CPR.
4. Elevate the burned body part or parts. Raise above heart level, when possible.
5. Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, sterile bandage; clean, moist cloth; or moist towels.

Get a tetanus shot. Burns are susceptible to tetanus. Doctors recommend you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. If your last shot was more than five years ago, your doctor may recommend a tetanus shot booster.

Be Careful out there my friends,
xBRB

Waking Up With CHANEL-Why We Should Go Back to the Make-up Counters

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 Well,  I certainly hope I will be more of a blessing than a curse on this earth.  It's hard though.  What do you think? Yeah? I suppose on that note, I'm letting you know that the page is open for business but under construction.  Please excuse the mess.  There's method and madness in it.  What was that quote from TB's Alice? Anyway, too bad for us all that procrastination waits in the wings. *sigh* So tempting...

How's everyone doing?

Me? Happy. Today I went to an event for some playtime and guess where I went? 

CHANEL

...take the time once in a while to go back to the Counters and seek Professional Help.

Yay! Gorgeous.  Today was a make-up day.  Ever do that?  Just visit the counters to say, "Hello Lovely,"?  There's something to be said about seeking out advice about a specific line from someone who consistently attends training sessions held by their label.  They are given information fresh from the runways.  I highly recommend revisiting some soon:)
 I'd like to thank Moshi and Tracy (hope I spelled it right) for a fun girl morning.  You glamour girls are great!  M and T were not only knowledgeable about the product, but they also explained specific artistic technique and shared health savvy that far surpassed my expectations.  Love finding solid consultants!! Awwwwesommmmee... They even taught me a few tricks.  Seriously, you gals are so helpful!!  I'll Definitely be back! Ok, you ready?

First, though, there's a couple of things you should be aware of:

1. Not too much sleep last night.

2. Drank more coffee than water this month.

3. Hormones are cruel.

4. Milia (tiny hardened calcium on the skin) is a beyotch.

Now, shall we?

Top: No Makeup

Left: HydraMax Serum, Beaute Initiale Moisturizer

Right: #30 Concealer applied w/brush #1

Bottom: Beige Lumiere Translucent #3 applied with sponge and Brush #16

*isn't the fluorescent lighting so flattering? not.

Imprevu Blush

Eyebrows (and excuse my designer bags), Kaska Beige Eyeshadow, Ambre Liner

 Lips (a coral I can wear): Spice Liner

ta da!

Couldn't leave with out The Poudre Douce, and HydraMax Lip Care

(BRB approved!)

I tried to show the makeup under different lighting so you could see how it's blended really well.  It looks dewy.  It looks soft.  It looks great under sun, indirect sun, fluorescents, and flash:)  

Epic Win. 

 did not receive these as product/brand endorsements. 

Quite frankly, some of these pics are a bit close for comfort, but I really wanted you to see how the Poudre Douce (pink miracle powder) really highlights certain parts of the face (mountains vs. valleys) in a flattering way.  It seems to soften it Big Time. Love. Love. Love.  And really Great for pictures (even though I'm feeling a bit self-conscious with my face all over this post) if you have a date, dance, performance, whathaveyou!  And as for the HydraMax Lip Tx, it seems to be working so far...

 Happy Weekend Friends!  Hope you get to catch some moments of pure indulgence too;)

xBRB

Polyvore Collage: Look What I did Today Mom...

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Added my collage to the RUGBY theme challenge.

Via Rugby.com

Wish I could've filled the white background in with Green Grass...
*sigh*
Just not that savvy. yet.
Let's See How it Looks on Grass... by BrowRaisedBeauty featuring TopShop dresses

Items in this set:
Nautical Jersey Dress by Annie Greenabelle**, $58
Crumpet Diamond sequined cashmere cardigan, $660
Amber Chatting triangle bra, $150
Unisex Stripe Calf-High Sock, $8
blackstone L501, $89

xBRB

All Tied Up and Sprung for Spring

Dear Monday, hate is such a strong word, but I think it's the right word sometimes. Lucky for you today is not that day. 

xBRB

Ok, I confess, I actually am liking today.  I am feeling quite peaceful and content after a lovely weekend of nothing in particular.  In my little world, that's a good thing, you know?

So I've decided to spread the lightheartedness.  I was just visiting fellow blogger, GLAM LATTE, and was impressed by her ability to transition What's Hot into her wardrobe.  (You should definitely check it out if you haven't already:) )  I couldn't put my finger on why reading my Blog Roll while drinking a cup o' joe is my preferred way to start the day.  And then it hit me:  

Fashion is my favorite way to work out issues...  

Creativity Cures my Blues.  Beautiful things soothe me.  I love to read.  Is it the same for you?  So I've decided to do an homage to my past week with a few items representing my feelings of angst.  What a great way to leave the dreary, wet winter behind (even though I Love Snow) and, then, maybe, we can move onto sunny beaches in the warmth of the bright sun.  

Today's Strip Down
(It's a net-a-porter day...)

Enjoy your day,

xBRB