Yesterday I paid a visit to the LUSH store in the mall at Mohegan Sun (don’t judge, I went for the mall). I browsed through the store and tried a few products. I was first introduced to LUSH by daddy dearest, he would bring me these massive chunks of soap that he thought I would like. He was right and it was love at first scrub. I discovered these awesome shampoo bars at LUSH. Solid shampoo? Who knew? They would be Ahhhhh-mazing for travel, especially for me since bottles have a tendency to explode in my suit case. They also have solid conditioner. I only grabbed the solid shampoo bar for dry hair, Godiva. On the way home I was browsing through the catalog and found a few more items I am definitely going back for.

Tea Tree Toner Tabs

Lately my skin has no respect for me. I have no idea why but I thought we were getting along fairly well and then all of a sudden BOOM! I see many at-home facials in my future. I have a face steamer that has been neglected lately. Hopefully these tabs will stop the bickering.

There’a also an fresh face mask that I am dying to try. Unfortunately LUSH does not sell it on their website, that’s because it is kept in a fridge in their store (these masks really are fresh). Cosmetic Warrior is an  “anti-bacterial face mask to combat oil and spots”. Garlic, green grapes and honey are just some of the ingredients.

The excitement is building!

Photo: LUSH.com

M.A.C. has always been my first love but I frequently cheat on them with Urban Decay. Some love paint pots as an eyeshadow base, I prefer (and pretty much swear by) primer potion. No creases on these lids BAY-BAY! Primer potion keeps my lids oil free and my eyeshadow bright plus everything glides over it super smooth. So imagine my delight when I realized UD now has a Complexion Primer Potion to wear under foundation? I predict a trip to sephora in the very near future.

   Photo: Urban Decay

Errrr. . .not really. Nordstrom’s annual Anniversary sale begins on July 17th. While there are a few things I definitely want to check out, I’m very excited about the beauty sets. It’s no secret that I’ve had a love affair with M.A.C. for a long time (just ask my bf and his credit card. He will confirm.) Nordstrom has put together some exclusive sets just for their sale. Unfortunately I own most of the colors already (love nectar lustreglass has a special place in my heart I have 4 tubes currently in rotation. Don’t judge me!). I’m contemplating buying the box set for the bronzer and giving my best friend most of the goodies. I like buying her presents.

Pic: Nordstrom.com

My skin and I tend to have a love/hate relationship. Mostly I love it and it hates me. Occasionally we put our bickering to the side but never for too long. In steps Organic Fiji Coconut massage oil (que the superhero music), I don’t know how to describe it. Liquid gold? Crack for your skin? Heaven sent? Call it what you want, but run, don’t walk (cheesy line) to your nearest health food store and pick it up. When I first started my journey to being healthy, NY Naturals became my bestfriend (Brooklyn!!! 6th Ave and Flatbush). I was talking about coconut oil with my mom in the store about  how I heard it was so good for your skin. Her response, (que trini accent) “We use to practically dip you in that when you were a little girl! I’ve been telling you about it for years. You neva’ listen.” Then it started. . .

A girl from two aisles over shouted over the racks, “It’s true! I use it in my hair and on my face.” She then proceeds to run over to our aisle to show me her scalp. It was hilarious. Slowly but surely about 3 other shoppers joined in on the discussion about how I should try this magical solution. They all had one thing in common, beautiful glowy skin. I was sold. I walked over to the cashier and asked his thoughts on this special potion. He said nothing, just smiled then proceeded to walk around to the front of the register and model his skin. My eyes kind of bugged out, not only was his skin glowing and not greasy (super important) but he was cute! I got my hopes up only to be told that it was sold out, and that a new shipment comes in every Tuesday at noon, but the oil usually sells out before 2pm. That Tuesday afternoon I drove over to the store (politely of course like all NYC drivers ::eye roll::) to see only two bottles left on the shelf, and it was not even 1 o’clock yet! I grabbed a bottle. Victory was mine. We’ve been in love ever since.

* apply onto body right out of the shower. While skin is still wet. Pat dry and let glow. Sit back and wait for compliments. They will come. Get it here. I picked mine up at NY Naturalsfor $16.

Sorry I’ve been so MIA. Why didn’t anyone tell me senior year is so busy?! Eh. It will officially be over next Monday and graduation is on the 16th. I still have yet to find a graduation dress. Feel free to help me =]. So on to bigger and better things. Have you ever heard of Dr. Bonner’s castile soap? It’s AMAZING! You can use it for almost anything. Traycee over at KISS (http://keepitsimplesista.blogspot.com/) has an amazing you tube video on how to make your own shampoo using Dr. Bonner’s. I have been using it as a face and body wash. I have oily skin so my face is loving this. It gets me squeaky clean without drying me out. There is no residue left on my skin at all. I also made a body scrub. It is by far my favorite and trust me I’ve used a lot!

Talya’s Body Scrub:

1/4cp Dr Bonner’s

juice of half a lemon (it helps fade dark spots)

1/2 cp of each brown and white sugar (brown sugar has larger grains to exfoliate white sugar buffs skin smooth)

Olive Oil (I eyeball this. It adds moisture to the skin)

Mix in a container and throw it in the fridge after using. The lemon juice can spoil. Plus cold body scrub on a hot day sounds good to me.

I picked up my bottle at a natural food store but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them at Whole Foods in the city. Of course you can always go to  www.drbonner.com. Just google Dr. Bonner’s and you will find multiple uses, from laundry detergent to multi purpose cleaner. This is a recession. You better stretch your dollar.