I don’t know about you guys, but wow am I overwhelmed lately.  It’s been quite the year for me… I can’t even begin to tell you.  I could write a book… or maybe a soap opera? Hmmmm….  Anyway, anything to help me de-stress and relax is aces in my book.

A few months ago I picked up some Elemis Muclease Oil and Refreshing Gel while I was on vacation.  Let me tell you, they’re awesome!

I’ve kept these on my nightstand and they are true aromatherapy mixed with a lovely cooling sensation to easy my tense muscles.  If you’re like me and your shoulders are basically a pile of knots, this won’t get rid of them… but it sure can help you forget they’re there!

I’ve even put these on my feet after a long day out Christmas shopping.  I put a quarter sized dollop of gel mixed with a few drops of the oil.  It’s such a refreshing and relaxing smell all at the same time that cools my muscles and helps me put my stress to bed.

Are you wondering why I posed the title “New perfume for Mother’s Day” as a question? Well, it all started with a magazine ad and my bad (good?) decision to have my husband smell it.

“Mmm, that smells really nice!” I had no idea that such a simple statement would make Mother’s Day more difficult. My hubbs smelled the ad in the magazine I was leafing through and fell in love. Two days later, as I was getting ready to leave for the grocery store when he told me to make sure to stop at Ulta on my way home and buy it! He said he couldn’t get that scent out of his head. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is!

How could I refuse? Hubbs is actually SENDING me to Ulta to buy something? I mean come on! Seriously… take a moment and think about the last time your significant other SENT you to Ulta? Other than the time my hubbs wanted some sunscreen that wasn’t oily, I can’t remember him ever sending me there. Not even once! So I stopped and bought the perfume and there you have it. But, I am a mom and I just got a new perfume. That’s weird right? I mean, Mother’s Day is coming up in a little over a week and perfume is a perfect gift! So now what?

I’ll have to get back to you to see if my hubbs and the teenager come up with any good ideas for for Mother’s day now that the tried and true option of perfume is already covered. But, if you haven’t picked out a gift for your mom, perfume might be the answer! There are always great sales and incentives on perfume this time of year.

At Ulta you can get a free bag with purchase (I got the cornflower blue one!). Sephora is offering extra points on fragrance purchases. Pretty much every store that sells perfume has some sort of incentive right now. Really, what mom doesn’t love a new bottle of perfume? Well, except for that mom with really bad allergies. I know her personally… definitely don’t buy her perfume.

Oh! And in case you’re wondering, my new perfume is My Burberry Black. It’s not a summer smell in my opinion, but it is beautiful. It has notes of sun-drenched jasmine flower and peach nectar with a touch of rose that are deliciously intoxicating. I know my hubbs is loving it!

Are you going to be gifting (or wishing for) new perfume for Mother’s Day? I’d love to know!

Have you ever had one of “those” weeks?  I know you have. We all have them from time to time.  One of those weeks where everything just feels a little sideways and nothing gets done like you want it to.  I sure had one of those last week.  This week has to be the opposite just based on odds, right?

In the spirit of starting fresh, I have some recent empties to share with you.  I’ve used up a bunch of different things recently and thought I would share them.

Product: It’s a 10 miracle leave-in plus Keratin
Pros: Supposed to offer everything + the kitchen sink to your hair, great price
Cons: Weighed my hair down and didn’t add shine
Would I use it again?: No
Do I need to restock?: No

Product: Matrix Heat Resist Blowout Tamer
Pros: Made my curls look defined and bouncy, heat protection
Cons: Hmmm…. I can’t think of one
Would I use it again?: Absolutely
Do I need to restock?: I will

Product: Pureology Colour Stylist Volumizing Mousse
Pros: Volume, softness
Cons: No hold, no shine
Would I use it again?: Probably not because I prefer more hold
Do I need to restock?: No (more…)

Today I have deodorant to share with you.  Deodorant isn’t something I tend to think about a lot.  I’ve pretty much used the same kind forever and ever.  But, I received this new Dove Dry Spray from Target through Influenster and I do have some thoughts to share.

First of all, they sent us two cans!  One for me and one for the hubbs.  Mine is cucumber scented and smells really refreshing.  But, I did notice that it has a bit of a metallic scent over time that I didn’t totally love.

The one for the hubbs is called Extra Fresh.  It has a manly smell that’s hard to describe.  It’s fresh and clean and has a bit of masculinity to it.  We both actually liked the scent.

I don’t generally reach for sprays.  For me, I just like the precise application of a stick. My hubbs agreed.  He doesn’t like the “cloud” you get when you use a spray.  Maybe it’s just what you’re used to.  We can be creatures of habit after all.

Do you use spray?  Have you tried these?  I’d love to know!

I feel like I’m absolutely always on the hunt for a compact that I love. I suppose I usually “like” them, but it never fails that there is a one or two things I would improve. For me, compacts are a necessary evil pain in the butt. Those of you who have oily skin know what I’m talking about. So, I’ve been trying IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder with SPF 50+. If the name that goes on for 10 miles doesn’t give a girl high hopes, I don’t know what does!

This is no mini compact. It’s pretty big in my opinion. But, it does come with a little sponge that rides along under the compact (why I forgot to take a picture of it before it got all clogged up with makeup I have no idea… oops!) That’s a really nice feature when you need to pop a little powder on your nose in a rush.

I do prefer to apply this with a brush when I have more than a few seconds to spare because it does have a lovely airbrush finish like the name suggests and it’s buildable.

To make sure I’m covering all my bases, I need to take a moment and discuss the SPF 50+. I’m sure it does offer that SPF, but I’d imagine that you have to lay it on pretty thick to achieve it. I raise an eyebrow with all powders that profess to offer sun protection. I really don’t think I ever apply enough to get that kind of protection. But, even if it gives me 5+ SPF I suppose it’s worth it. Something is better than nothing as they always say at the casino roulette wheel! I may or may not have some experience with that… tee hee!

The color I went with is called light. I wish it was darker. Or, maybe I wish my complexion was darker. I suppose it’s the latter since the color matched me really nicely. I did try to swatch it on my hand, but it didn’t show up in pictures. That’s probably a good sign that it’s the right shade? Here’s a closeup on my fingertips. The thing I liked the most is that it doesn’t lean too pink or too yellow. It’s slightly on the yellow side, but not too much. I really struggle with this when picking out powders and foundations.

Have you tried IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder with SPF 50+? Did you find the color builds really nicely? I’d love to know!