Aging gracefully

Since turning 33 last Summer I have noticed my skin doing things I never thought it would do. I always assumed the good genes in my family would keep me from having to do too much with my skin. Not to mention, the years of bangs I thought were protecting my forehead from wrinklage. Naivity gets you nowhere folks! So, just a few months ago I started researching affordable wrinkle creams and moisturizers. After about a week I decided on the products and went out to buy them. As soon as I got in front of them at the store, my mind suddenly changed. Was I really ready to plunk down $100 on a system that some people liked but others did not? What if the products didn't do anything for my skin? What if they worked so good I now had to pay up everytime they ran out? Needless to say, I walked out of the store with nothing more than a basic moisterizer. 

Fast forward a few weeks when I came home to a package that I was hoping would get me started with anti-aging products. Through a fabulous service  called Influenster I received the L'oreal Revitalift system to try out. I could not wait to get started! I read and re-read the instructions to make sure I had it all down before getting started. Here are the products that I received: 

The eye cream. This product promises to plump the under eye area while decreasing dark circles. Two things I desperately need. My battle with my bluish under eye hollows dates back to middle school. No concealer or cream has ever helped! 

The serum. This product promises to plump the skin filling out any wrinkles. Who knew you get wrinkles everywhere on your face?! 

The Moisterizer. This product promises to plump and hydrate the skin making it smooth and flake free. 

And finally, the night cream. Now this is an interesting product; it acts like a face mask that doubles the work of the other products, all while you sleep. 

I have been using the products every morning and night since receiving them exactly 2 weeks ago. While the instructions don't state to do so, I have tried to apply each item with a break in between. As in, apply eye cream and face serum then brush teeth. Apply moisterizer, do some quick chore then go back to apply the night cream or start with my morning makeup routine. It's hard because I usually just want to put everything on at once and be done with it. However, most products tend to work better if they have some time to sink in before putting anything else on. 

The products have more of a serum or primer feel than a cream feel, which Is nice because I don't like feeling greasy. The smell is pretty nice too. I don't know how to describe it but it's light and pretty. Application is really easy due to the innovative packaging. The syringe for the face serum keeps you from overdoing it and wasting product. If I had to give the packaging, application and scent a grade it would definitely be an A+. 

After 2 weeks my thoughts on the effectiveness of the products are still kind of up in the air. While I haven't noticed dramatic results I have noticed a slight improvement. Most people tend to give up on products if they don't work within a few weeks but most products need longer to work their magic. I will say, that once I am done with all of the testers, I will most likely buy the line to see how they work long term. In the meantime, I will keep at it morning and night in hopes of diminishing and preventing any and all wrinkles!! 

**I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Creamsicle

Bad Twin

I've been super busy building up my jewelry stock for craft fairs this spring and  summer. I had The Punk Rock Flea Market two weeks ago that was a huge success. My next is The Rotary Craft Fair in Lititz, Pa. They close down the streets and have hundreds of venders from all over! I am getting a little nervous for that one as I haven't done something that large yet. Here are some pictures from the punk rock flea...

My neighbors were my good friend Alana of Bow and Arrow Calligraphy and her sister Lizzie who makes amazing scarves and bags. 

I am also busy working on my website badtwinjewelry.com and will announce once it's finally up and running. So many good things on the horizon!

Go bold

I have only two regrets in life. One being the over plucking of my brows as a teenager in the 90's. My grandmother warned me that I would regret it and my mother told me they'd never grow back. As much as I hate to admit it, they were right. 

It never really bothered me until recently when bold brows started appearing everywhere! Since I am not one to turn away from a beauty trend I figured I would try it out. 

I wish I could say it was a success but instead I looked like an angry cartoon character. My boyfriend cringed every time he saw me filling them in and I couldn't stop staring at the strange person in the mirror. Thankfully, I don't give up easily and love to practice new beauty routines. Now, I have it down pat and even get compliments on my brows! 

I have yet to purchase any brow products since I have such an array of eyeshadows and pencils so I don't have any product recommendations. However, I do have some tips...

1. While it's personal preference, I've found that the powder looks more natural than the pencil. 

2. Start in the middle of your brow and work towards the outer corner of your eye. Then, do the inner corner of the brow but with a lighter hand. 

3. Place the powder or pencil on the brow hairs NOT the skin under the brow hairs. That is what will make you look cartoonish. 

4. Start with a lighter color and build the color as needed. I am currently using a brown eyeshadow with a slight red tone which looks amazing with dark lashes and light pink lips. 

5. Most importantly...practice, practice, practice until you find a shade and technique that works for you!

Time keeps on slippin

I've been very busy pretty much since 2014 started. I've revamped my jewelry line right down to the name and products offered. With two major craft shows coming up in May and August I've been working hard to create new items, settle on a proper name and brainstorm display ideas. 

Besides that I've been trying to maintain a social life, work, see family and keep up with the everyday tasks of life. It's not easy. Sometimes all I want to do is create or sometimes I just wanna hang and drink beers with friends or sometimes I just want to veg out in front of the television but there never seems to be enough time to do it all. So, I've had to let a few things suffer in order to fit in the important things at the moment. 

Thankfully, friends will always be there, tv can be recorded and the dishes wont mind waiting another day. Now if only I could discover a way to keep my paycheck without putting in the 8 hours,  I'd be golden! 

Part time hoarder

Whenever I would buy a jar candle I'd save the lids with the hope that I would one day repurpose them. Sadly, they hung around a little too long before the epiphany came and I tossed almost all of them. Thankfully though, I couldn't part with every last one and saved a few. I've since used them for a myriad of things but my favorite so far has been the ring holder. It's just so much easier to scoop them out than to take 50 rings off a holder to get to the one at the bottom. Lazy girl organization. Just my style!

Boots and Blistex

Today's much needed essentials.