Category Archives: Reviews

My favorite beauty brands: NUDESTIX 

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                                          NUDESTIX eye, cheek and lip pencils and storage tins 

I thought I’d start an intermittent series of blogs featuring some of my favorite brands. Today, let’s talk about NUDESTIX — a high-concept company that makes makeup super easy.
The premise behind NUDESTIX is that women can create clean, light looks that don’t appear overly made up. The tool of choice is chubby pencils. In fact, all of the company’s products come in space-saving, simple-to-use and easily transportable chubby-pencil form. We’re talking eye pencils, cheek pencils, contour pencils, correcting pencils, concealing pencils … the list goes on and on.

                                       NUDESTIX Cheek & Lip Pencil in ‘Sin’ 

The NUDESTIX pencils I reach for are the eye and lip products. In fact, one of my go-to eye looks is created with three of the company’s easily blendable bronze-tone eye pencils. My favorite nude lipstick is Whisper. And when I say “favorite nude,” I don’t mean favorite of the NUDESTIX nudes, I mean favorite nude of any shade, any brand.

I mentioned that NUDESTIX are transportable. Each NUDESTIX or NUDESTIX set comes in a cute little storage tin, complete with pencil sharpener. They’re great for travel, but I store my NUDESTIX out of their tins because they’ll fill up a drawer rather quickly.

Anyway, sample a NUDESTIX. I’m glad I did!

From lustworthy to losers 

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Not so lustworthy after all

Have you ever had a crush that ended in disappointment? Lusted after a guy (or girl) for weeks or months, only to realize the fantasy was better than the reality? I’m pretty sure it happens to all of us at one time or another. When I look back, I realize I had pretty good taste in guys, with the notable exclusions of a couple of losers I dated briefly (very briefly) in college.

Beauty products are similarly lustworthy. Slick packaging, strong word of mouth, beauty gurus’ reviews, company reputations … all of these things conspire to convince us that, yes, we absolutely must have certain makeup, hair care and skin care items.

As the number of my Instagram followers grows and I improve my makeup skills, I receive more and more messages from women saying, “I bought (insert product name) because you like it.” I take those messages seriously; I sincerely don’t want to lead people wrong. While some products work well for certain individuals and others don’t, you can count on me to tell the truth — and here’s the truth about four products from well-known companies:

  • Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser: I used this for a week or so, then shoved it in a drawer. Why? Simple reason: It doesn’t take all of my makeup off, even when I use a micellar water to pre-cleanse.
  • Zelen’s Z Pure Cleansing Balm: It’s not particularly cleansing and it’s not at all balmy. I like my cleansing balms to feel thick and emollient on my face — to have that slippery, sliding, soothing texture. Z Pure fails on all of these points. I’m sticking with Sunday Riley Blue Moon Tranquility Balm, which is heavenly. I also like Jordan Samuel Skin Plié Cleanser.
  • Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep: I love sleeping masks. It’s so luxurious to apply a product that repairs your skin while you sleep. This one, though, didn’t repair my skin. Instead, it left it irritated and red. Surprising, given that I don’t have particularly sensitive skin.
  • Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes: I bought this mascara for two reasons. First, because I have other CT products that I love. Second, because it was getting rave early reviews from some of the YouTubers I follow. Let me be clear: I don’t like this mascara. At all. It leaves big, black smudges of transferred product under my eyes, every time. I don’t have oily skin and this isn’t a common problem for me, so I have to blame the formula.

So there you go. My honest, unfiltered opinions about four products from respected companies. Again, what doesn’t work for me might work for you, but these four items went from lustworthy to losers in my book.

Anyone can do it: An easy, bright makeup look

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A lot of my Instagram followers are asking me to start a YouTube site so they can follow step by step as I apply my makeup. I do plan to do it, but so far I haven’t had time to learn to edit video. I will make time soon, I promise!

To tide folks over, I thought I’d provide instructions for the simple look I’m wearing today, which is eye-catching but easy. Here’s the finished version:


So, how do I go from bare faced to ready to go? Here’s how:

1. I always start by applying my primer (Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer is my current favorite) and my foundation. Here, I’m wearing YSL Touché Eclat — the liquid version.

2. It’s time to conceal. I have under eye blueness, which I hide with a peach-toned cream concealer from Judith August, but you can use whatever brand is your favorite. I go over the peach tone with Tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea liquid concealer. I apply it in a triangle under my eye and blend it into my skin with a damp Beauty Blender sponge. I then set my concealer in place with a light dusting of RCMA No Color Powder, using that same damp sponge.

3. My eyes are next. First, I apply a lid primer to increase lasting power. I usually use Mac’s Paint Pot in Painterly. For the pictured look, I applied white eyeshadow all over my lid, then swept a light beige shadow in a windshield-wiper motion into my crease, just to give my eyes some depth. Any white and beige shadow you have on hand will do. I applied black pencil liner to my top waterline and white to my bottom waterline.  I finished things off with black liquid liner and Red Cherry lashes in Wispy. The liner and lashes are completely optional. If you want, you can go with a nice coating of mascara.

4. With my fingers, I applied liquid bronzer under my cheekbones, at my hairline and just beneath my jawline. This gives your face a bit of contour. The goal is to create natural-looking shadows. Foundation alone can give you a “flat” look; adding bronzer or contour powder returns angles to your face. I went over the liquid bronzer with a powder bronzer for additional depth, but that’s optional.

5. I applied a pretty pink-tinged-with-purple blush to my cheeks, just above where I placed the bronzer. Make sure to blend the edges, as you never want to see a harsh line. In fact, it’s crucial to make sure all of the color products you apply flow seamlessly into one another. Blend, blend, blend!

6. I always leave my lipstick for last. Today I chose a bright pink to go with both my outfit and to offset the gentle shades on my eyes.

7. Spray your face with a setting mist to keep everything in place longer. I like Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray.

That’s it! You’re ready to head out the door. This is one of my go-to looks because just changing your  lipstick makes it completely different!
Here are some of the products I used:

Foundation: YSL Touché Eclat

Eyes: Rock & Republic White Heat all over lid, beige from Viseart Cashmere Palette, Easy Ride black liner from Ardency Inn (no wing), Red Cherry “Wispy” lashes

Lips: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Amalfi

Blush: Lorac Buildable Blush in Vivid

Bronzer: Bare Minerals Bareskin Sheer Glow, Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light from the Ambient Palette

My ‘Misfit’ love 

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My Misfit Shine 2 Activity Tracker

This blog isn’t about a misfit romance — although I’ve had plenty of those in my life. Nope, it’s a about a different kind of love: my affection for my Misfit Shine 2 activity tracker.

Here’s a confession: I hate exercise. I took three hours of ballet and tap daily when I was in my teens. That kept me slim and trim, no matter what I ate. Although it was exercise, it felt more like fun. After I started college, I avoided anything that would make me hot and sweaty (well, anything exercise-related, anyway). You can guess what happened. The pounds began to pile up. And up. And up.

Of course, I’d go on periodic diets, some more successful than others. But, inevitably, the diet would end and I’d go back to eating normally and … you know the story.

In February of this year,  I decided enough was enough. What I needed was a lifestyle change, as opposed to a diet. I could feel my resolution building. I know you’re going to ask what diet I’m on, so I’ll tell you. It’s simple: poached eggs or a fruit smoothie for breakfast; fruit with cottage cheese or a salad for lunch; and a small portion of salmon, chicken or steak for dinner with veggies on the side. I’m an ice cream fiend, so I replaced my nightly bowl of Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate with orange, pineapple or mixed tropical sherbet. Sometimes I’ll eat string cheese for a snack, or perhaps some low-cal popcorn.

Anyway, the pounds started to fall off … 10 … 20 … 30. I purchased a treadmill and began walking every day. I currently do three to five miles. By some standards, that’s nothing. For me, it’s a big deal.

My latest gadget is my Misfit Shine 2 activity tracker. It’s a slim, rose-gold disc that looks like a watch. I wear it on my arm during the day and attached to my shoe when I’m on my treadmill. That’s because I usually walk with my hands on the treadmill bars, and because my arms aren’t swinging with each step, the Misfit can’t track my activity.

In addition to counting my steps, my Misfit Shine tells time, monitors my sleep, vibrates when I get a phone call or text message, and tracks my daily goals. A series of small lights at the edge of the dial provides me with all the info I need. Of course, a well-thought-out app also helps. I use my Misfit in conjunction with the Misfit app as well as the Lose It app, which I use to record my food consumption.

Another thing I like about my Misfit? It’s more elegant than many other types of wearable trackers. Mine is currently on my wrist in the black rubberized band that comes standard, but Swarovski makes pretty accessories. I’ve asked my husband for the gray-suede, crystal-studded slake band for my upcoming birthday. That way, I can switch out the rubber version for something more feminine.

In the meantime, I’m sticking to my lifestyle change. I’ve lost a total of 40 pounds and hope to lose 30 more by the holidays!

Let’s talk about your breasts … er, chest

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Summer is here in full force — at least in North America — and that means a lot of people are spending time either poolside or at the beach. They’re working on relaxing as well as their tans, and they’re sharing their fun-in-the-sun moments on social media.

Those bronze glows often look perfect from a distance, but if you’re a woman over the age of 40, try enlarging your photo. You might see something like this:

Sun damage on a woman’s chest. (Note: not my chest.) 


Full disclosure: That’s not my chest. It’s the chest of a woman whose skin is prematurely wrinkled due to sun damage. This isn’t even a worst-case scenario. I’ve seen Facebook and Instagram photos of women whose entire chest areas, from armpit to armpit, look wrinkled, dry and — frankly — old.

The truth is that a bronze glow can be gorgeous, but also (in the not-unlikely event of skin cancer) scarring or deadly. As tempting as it might be to bake your way to brown, it’s smarter to slather yourself in sunscreen from forehead to neck to chest. And the higher the SPF, the better. Not only will it protect this delicate area from the sun’s harmful rays, but it will also help keep wrinkles at bay. After all, a wrinkled neck and chest — as well as the sagging skin that’s also a sunshine side effect — are extremely aging. My personal choice when it comes to face, neck and chest protection is Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection Cream, which has an SPF of 50. It hasn’t failed me yet!

My go-to sunscreen: Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection Cream


I personally don’t mind having a peaches and cream (translation: very pale) complexion. But if you can’t face going to the beach or pool with a “ghost tan,” give self-tanners a try. The newest versions are l0ng-lasting, streak-free and minus the distinctive chemical odor that accompanied earlier concoctions. I usually reach for Vita Liberata, which elicits an olive cast instead of the dreaded orange tone.
So remember: Protect your face, neck and chest from premature aging with a powerful sunscreen. Your skin will thank you.

My first box from Influenster = Sleep success

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image.jpegI was so excited last week to receive my first box from Influenster containing a free product for review. I’m a noted insomniac, so it was only appropriate that I receive a sample of Zzzquil, the nighttime sleep aid.

I usually take prescription sleeping pills so I was a bit skeptical. The good news is that Zzzquil worked for me. I slept soundly for seven hours and wasn’t even groggy the next morning.

If you’re have trouble sleeping, why not give it a try? If you’re like me and get grumpy from tossing and turning, your family and friends will thank you for it.

Quick and easy hair options 

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My hair is naturally wavy, something I battled with for years. When I was young, I actually liked the texture. I’m a child of the 70s, so I let it grow long and when I used hot rollers, the curl would last forever. The problem came as I grew older. I tried so many hairstyles — even, regrettably, the Dorothy Hamill bob. My hair would look great at the salon, but I could never recreate the look. I’d end up with a wavy mess. (Obviously, I was not adept with hair tools.)

My 70s hair

It took me years to discover that I actually have perfect hair for the scrunch-and-go style. I just take any type of hair mousse, scrunch it into my towel-dried hair and either blow dry or air dry. That’s it. Easy-peasy. (Photo at top left below).

Still, there are times when I want a smoother, straighter look. (Photo at bottom left above.) After years of trial and error, I stumbled across an easy way to get it. I comb Nios Shield Leave-In Conditioner and Marc Anthony Perfect Smoothing Cream through towel-dried hair, then let it sit for awhile, usually while I apply my makeup. Then I finish up with a blow dryer and vented brush. My hair ends up shiny and straight!

If you have wavy or curly hair that leaves you frustrated, try one or both of these easy styling methods!

Modern Renaissance: The new ABH palette is different and gorgeous

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette, liquid lipsticks in Soft Lilac (l) and Dusty Rose (r)

When it comes to makeup products, I’m wildest about eyeshadow palettes and lipstick. After all, there’s something incredibly sexy  about a fresh tube of lipstick. And eyeshadow? The tiny, colorful pans just beg for imagination and creativity. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills takes eye artistry to a new level with its just-released Modern Renaissance Palette. If you’re looking for colors that go beyond the usual neutrals, Modern Renaissance is for you. Mixed in with the shades needed for brow highlighting and crease transitions are rich, unexpected shades in wearable reds, oranges and purples that set this palette apart from the rest. Their names even hit an artistic note, with monikers such as Raw Sienna, Golden Ochre, Tempera and Red Ochre. 

The palette features a nice mix of metallic, satin and matte shades. Fallout is minimal and the texture is creamy and smooth, with easy blendability. Standout colors include Realgar, Love Letter and Buon Fresco, all which are included in the look I created below. 


Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Rennaissance Palette and Liquid Lipstick in Soft Lilac, available at anastasiabeverlyhills.com. 

Other products used: YSL Touché Eclat Foundation, Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Pansy Pop, Giorgio Armani Maestro in Liquid Summer (contour), Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow (bronzer), Crushed Pearl from the Anastasia Beverly Hills “Gleam” Glow Kit (highlighter), Red Cherry lashes.  Top is from Hautelook.com/Nordstrom Rack.  

A frog worth kissing

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imageSometimes the packaging and concept suck me in, and such was the case with Lipstick Queen’s Frog Prince lipstick and blush. After all, what girl hasn’t kissed a frog or two? And who doesn’t want to believe that our lives are touched by the transformative power of magic?

The Frog Prince lipstick and blush are shades of green that would do any hopping reptile proud, but once applied to the lips and cheeks, they turn to a pretty shade of pinky mauve. A bit kitschy? Well, yes. But fun nonetheless, and actually lovely in action. Warning: These shades are fairly light, so they’re probably best suited to fair-to-medium skin tones.

The bottom line? These two handsome princes have something magical going!

Amazing in April: Monthly favorites in makeup, music and more

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 All I can say is, “Thank goodness the first four months of 2016 ended on a high note!” I’ve just returned from a wonderful cruise that reset my attitude and snapped me out of a two-month funk (more on that later, because it had a definite impact on my music favorites for the month). But first, let’s talk about my beauty loves for April:

  • Josie Maran Vibrancy Foundation — The gorgeous pop-of-color packaging caught my eye. But as a foundation connoisseur, I have to say my first Josie Maran foundation is a winner. The Argan Oil-infused formula provides great medium to full coverage and leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. It also provides just the right amount of radiance without veering into greasy.
  • Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara — If you’re looking for inky-black lashes with major volume, give this a whirl. I prefer “dryer” mascaras, so I liked the formula better after using it for a few weeks.
  • Benefit Cosmetics Cheekathon Blush and Bronzer Palette — This value-packed bundle includes four full-sized pans of Benefit’s best-loved blushes, as well as the beloved Hoola bronzer. Although the packaging is somewhat bulky, it’s still a great take-along for extended vacations.
  • Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Summer — This is a cult favorite and I can see why. It truly is like summer in a bottle. I use it two ways: mixed with my regular foundation for an all-over bronze look or as a bronzy liquid contour. It is pricey, so if that’s a concern, Perricone MD’s No Bronzer Bronzer is a good alternative.
  • Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Primer with SPF 35 — A great combo product that did right by me on the beaches of the Caribbean. I remained burn-free and clear-skinned.
  • Givenchy Memoire De Forme Pop Up Jelly Blush in Rose Extravagent — A cream-verging-on-liquid blush in a cute little pot that provides a long-lasting, moisturized glow. Don’t let the color scare you — it’s intense! But on the cheeks, it provides a natural, rosy flush of color.
  • Surratt Beauty Prismatique Eyes in Style Eyes — These convenient pots include a matte cream shadow in one compartment and a shimmering topper in another. Style Eyes is described as an ambiguous heather. I’d say it’s a dusky purple-mauve that provides an air of elegance. It pairs well with Nars’ new Dominique Audacious Lipstick, which is a deep pink-lilac. img_0781
  • Lipstick favorites, pictured clockwise from top left: Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme in Oh Miley!, a bright strawberry red; Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Dusty Pink, a muted nude rose; Tarte Lip Sculptor and Lip Gloss in Renegade, a rich, gleaming berry rose.

Movie favorites: “Joy,” starring Jennifer Lawrence as a struggling single mom working to bring her innovative invention to market (Amazon.com, Netflix); “The Witch,” a creepily enthralling film about witchery in the Puritan era (theaters); “Nothing Left Unsaid,” an engrossing documentary about the lives of Anderson Cooper and his fascinating mother, Gloria Vanderbilt (HBO On Demand).

Television favorites: “The Amazing Race,” always a favorite (CBS); “Mercy Street,” about the lives of nurses and doctors in Civil War hospitals (Amazon.com), “Game of Thrones,” which is back with a vengeance and a fast-moving plot (HBO).

Music: As I mentioned, it’s been a rocky year thus far. I lost two friends to cancer and a dear mentor two weeks ago to a freak head injury. My playlist, for those reasons, might have been a bit darker than usual. Album-wise, I’ve been listening to tried-and-true classics: “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” by Derek and the Dominoes, Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” and Carole King’s “Tapestry.” As for singles, I’ve been into Prince’s “Purple Rain” and “Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” Sam Smith’s “I Know I’m Not the Only One,” and “Take Me to Church” by Hozier.

Remember, strength is beauty. Hold your head up, smile and look to the future. – Ronda