Make up · Review · Weekly Product Highlight

~Weekly Product Highlight~ Bronzer ~Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess~

Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Tarte's Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comWhile I often try to give recommendations for affordable drugstore products, this is one that I just have to recommend a high end product for… Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess is the best bronzer I have ever used!  None of the other bronzers I have tried have even come close to this one!  This shade works great for most skin tones. It is subtle enough to give a natural looking sun kissed glow and is not overly dark or muddy looking. Sometimes I will even use it as an eyeshadow, it is perfect in the crease. It is also very long lasting, buildable, and little bit goes a long way.

At $30.00 for 0.32 oz this bronzer is not cheap, but it is so good that it is definitely worth the price.  I highly recommend this bronzer!

What does the Tarte Website have to say about this bronzer?…
“Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer is tarte’s best-selling bronzing powder in the iconic park ave princess™ shade.
Product Performance: Want to create that perfect seamless, sunkissed radiance? It’s now easier than ever to bronze & glow™ with tarte’s best-selling, multi-tasking bronzer formulated to blend and build your perfect level of uniform bronze. Available in tarte’s signature park ave princess™ radiant bronze shade, the waterproof formula adds instant warmth and dimension across a variety of skin tones as Amazonian clay helps improve overall skin clarity, texture and tone for an overall lit from within complexion.

Powered By:

• Amazonian clay: nature’s most perfect ingredient for better, longer, truer wear
• vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an emollient and antioxidant
• mineral pigments: soothe and soften skin”

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Flab to FAB · Health/ Fitness

Flab to FAB Tools

Every great craftsman has tools to assist him in his trade.  Carpenters have hammers, saws and planes; doctors and nurses have stethoscopes and sphygmomanometer (that is the fancy name for blood pressure machine); hair dressers have blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons; and makeup artists have brushes, beauty blenders, and eyeshadow palettes.

I have some tools that have been assisting me in my Flab to FAB journey. 

Flab to FAB Tools | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comI love numbers!  I love lists.  I love setting goals and keeping track of things!  If I have a plan I can get almost anything done!  Knowing this about me, for Christmas a few years ago, my husband got me a fitbit one fitness tracker.  I LOVE it and have been obsessed with the thing ever since!

Yes, I do totally realize that it is not completely accurate, but it totally has a positive placebo effect on me!  The numbers on my fitbit definitely help motivate me to stay active and increase my activity. I also use it as my silent alarm clock in the morning.  It wakes me up early to workout without unnecessarily disturbing the other people in my house.

(If you are interested in reading more about fitness trackers, here are some articles that compare some of the top brands.  http://fitness-trackers.specout.com/  or this one http://time.com/516/26-fitness-trackers-ranked-from-worst-to-first/)

Besides just wearing the fitbit device, I also use their website and phone app. There are so many features to aid in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  I use the app to track my sleep, water consumption, and daily food intake. Speaking of food intake that leads me to my next tool…Flab to FAB Tools | salter scale | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Like I said, I love to keep track of things.  One of the most important parts of my flab to fab journey is my diet.  I really don’t know what I would do without my Salter Aquatronic Digital Kitchen Scale!  I weigh everything I eat!  (I prefer to use the grams measurement because I feel as if it is more precise.) Using my fitbit food tracker I can log my food intake and be sure not to overeat.  I have been guilty of overestimating my exercise and underestimating my caloric intake. When I weigh out my food it takes all the guesswork out of it.

While eating right is so important, exercising is as well.  My goal is to get in 10,000 steps a day. My Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 shoes help me accomplish that daily goal.  These shoes are absolutely the most comfortable athletic shoes I have ever had!  I love that they come in so Flab to FAB Tools | Brooks Adrenaline GTS 15 | lookingjoligood.wordpress.commany colors and options.  I don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort and function.

When preforming any type of extended physical activity you need to have the proper type of footwear!  Your feet and legs will thank you over and over again.  If you don’t have the proper type of footwear for the type of physical activities that you are doing, you may end up with an injury.  I have learned the hard way (more than once) that one injury can delay or even hinder any progress.  While I prefer these Brooks shoes, there are all kinds of different athletic shoes to choose from. One brand doesn’t necessarily meet everyone’s needs, and just because they are the most expensive or have the latest innovation doesn’t make them the best choice.  It takes a little while to figure out just which brand and type is right for you, but it is totally worth the time investment!

If you are interested in buying your own fit bit this link is for you: http://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Wireless-Activity-Tracker-Burgundy/dp/B0095PZHYU

Here is where you can buy your own salter scale: http://www.amazon.com/Salter-Aquatronic-Digital-Kitchen-Scale/dp/B001DQOEDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1442603516&sr=8-1&keywords=salter+scale+model+2006

You know these are some sweet kicks!  If you want to buy your own pair click the link: http://m.zappos.com/brooks-adrenaline-gts-15-hawaiian-ocean-hollyhock-lime-punch

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Delicious Recipes · DIY · Make up

In Case You Missed It…

Hello to all those that are new to Looking Joli Good!  

I really appreciate you stopping by to read what I have to say!  While some have been with me from the start, others may have just joined in!  Here are a few of the earlier post that you may have missed…

Easy DIY Makeup Remover
Easy DIY Makeup Remover

I love to save money, and one way I do it is making my own makeup remover.  Click HERE for an Easy DIY Makeup Remover

Creamy peanut butter bars | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Creamy peanut butter bars

Click HERE for the recipe for delicious Creamy Peanut Butter Bars You definitely want to check these out and try them for yourself!  So yummy!

Click HERE for a list of all of my delicious recipes!

Did you know about the CVS Beauty Club. For every $50 you spend, you’ll earn $5 ExtraBucks. It is free to join and you don’t have to spend the $50 at once.  Click HERE to learn more about the CVS Beauty Club

COVERGIRL + OLAY TONE REHAB 2-IN-1 FOUNDATION
COVERGIRL + OLAY TONE REHAB 2-IN-1 FOUNDATION

Each week I feature a product I love in my my “Weekly Product Highlight”

Click HERE  for my feature on COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-In-1 Foundation

Click HERE for my feature on Jordana Easyliner for Lips Lipliners and Essence Lipliners

Click HERE for my feature on all of my Weekly Product Highlights.

Thanks for visiting!

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Free/Good Deals · Make up · Review

Mini Drugstore Haul

Remember those Maybelline and Garnier coupons I posted at the end of August? Well, I finally used them (and a few others) and picked up a few things at the drugstore today.

As you may remember, I love the Maybelline SuperstayBetter Skin Foundation.  During the summer I was a wearing the shade 20, but now that the fall/winter is coming I need a lighter shade so I picked up 15, the next shade down.  I love that this foundation has a pump!

Do you keep tabs on recommendations from other beauty “gurus”?  I have heard so many great things about the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation, so I wanted to try it out for myself.  I bought the shade 115.  I’ll let you know how I like it.

The Maybelline Great Lash mascara is basically like the most iconic of all mascaras.  As much as I love mascara, surprisingly, I have never tried this one.  I am looking forward to seeing what I think and if lives up to the hype.

I have been using Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub for about a month or so now, and I do really like it.  I figured I would try out the Garnier Grapefruit version and see how it compares.

The Simple MicellarWater and Aussie 3 Minute Miracle are both product that I have heard so many YouTubers talk about.  I figured that since I had a $2 off coupon for both of them, it was definitely worth giving them a try.

As for the Suave lotion, I have been using it for years and know that it is something that I love and will repurchase over and over again.  Not to heavy or greasy, not to overly scented.
Mini Drugstore Haul | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Weekly Product Highlight

~Weekly Product Highlight~ Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge~

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

This sponge is amazing even for full coverage foundation. It hides blemishes much better than a brush giving a more natural skin like finish.  The flat side is really good for stippling foundation, allowing you to build up more coverage where you need it and get rid of excess foundation where you don’t. The pointy side is great for application of makeup under the eye area.  The sponge can also be used to blend in liquid highlighter and cream blushes.

While you can use it damp or dry, I suggest that you definitely use it damp!  When damp, it makes application easy and gives a flawless look.  To dampen it, hold under running water and squeeze it until it has almost doubled in size.  Once the desired size is reached squeeze it out extra hard to remove all the excess water.

Pros:
The price is great!  ($4-$6)Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge |lookingjoligood.wordpress.com
Very close dupe to the Beauty Blend
Give an even and flawless application
Soft and Easy to use
Works for any skin type
Easy to clean when used damp

Cons:
Although the sponge doesn’t seem to absorb too much makeup, I do find myself needing to use more foundation than when I apply foundation with just my fingers.
When used dry it is not as easy to clean

What does the Real Techniques Website have to say about theMiracle Complexion Sponge:
“Optimize your beauty routine with this 3-in-1 multi-functional sponge.

  • Rounded sides blend large areas of the face with a repeated dabbing or “stippling” motion.
  • Precision tip covers blemishes and imperfections.
  • Flat edge for the contours around the eyes and nose.

Its versatile design evenly blends makeup for a smooth, enhanced finish.
Made from polyurethane foam which is latex free.
For best results, replace the miracle complexion sponge every 1-3 months.”

 

Laura lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

I would love for you to follow me on TwitterInstagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

 

Health/ Fitness

Do Detox Teas and Waters Really Work?

Detox |lookingjoligood.wordpress.comBesides a being lover of makeup and trying to look beautiful, I am also a Registered Nurse.  I love all the science behind health and wellness and how the body works.

Unless you have been living under a rock, or don’t ever go on social media, I am sure that you have heard about Detox Teas and Detox Waters.  Many of these products claim to flush fat and toxins from your body.

While this sounds like a great way to lose some extra weight, generally if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  And… in this case, it is too good to be true.  These drinks do not melt away the extra pounds.

While many of these detox waters include cucumbers, lemon and tea, which have a natural diuretic effect (A substance or drug that tends to increase the discharge of urine.) you aren’t losing any actual body fat.  What you are losing is just a bit of excess water weight.  This water weight will return once you drink fluids or eat again.

Unfortunately, no detox tea or detox water or magic drink can flush out fat or toxinsDetox |lookingjoligood.wordpress.com from your system.
Do you know what can flush out the toxins your system?  Your kidneys, liver, skin (and even your lungs do a bit too.)  These organs are specifically designed to be constantly removing toxins from your body.  If you are a healthy person with properly functioning organs, you can not make them work better by drinking a detox drink.

(You know all those popular cleanses?  They can’t do it either.  Your healthy body is also designed to cleanse itself.)

Save your money and drink more regular plain old H2O.

Detox | lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Drinking plenty of water provides many health benefits.  Some of these include, more energy and improved brain functions.  Drinking water before a meal can help you to lose weight due to having a feeling of fullness which in turn causes one to eats less.  Consistently drinking plenty of water will also help you to have regular bowl movement as well.

How much water should you drink a day?  Well, that depends on a lot of things.  Your height, weight and sex, how active you are as well as where you live.  The rule of thumb is to daily consume between 0.5-1 oz per pound you weigh.  For example, if you weigh 130 pounds, that would be between 65 to 130 ounces of water a day. (1.9 -3.8 Liters)

Healthy living Detox |lookingjoligood.wordpress.comClick HERE for an easy more specific hydration calculator.

So in the end, unfortunately, there is no quick fix to weight loss and health.  If you want to lose weight and be healthy there is no way around it, you have to eat right, exercise consistently, get enough sleep, decrease the stress in your life, and drink a lot of water.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com

Health/ Fitness

First Day Back to Work

Nurse | lookingjoligood.wordpress.comToday was my first day back to work at the hospital as a nurse.  I have greatly enjoyed being a stay at home mom over the last 8 years, but I am also excited about being back in the world of the employed.

There is just something about being with a group of like minded people that is exciting.  Plus, if you are a nurse or a nursing student, you know what the meal time conversation is like… revolting to some extremely interesting to others. 🙂 I am even looking forward to going back again tomorrow…we’ll see how long that lasts.

lookingjoligood.wordpress.com