The Rumors WERE True.

So did you get free make up? cologne? shower gel? moisturizer?

I went to Macy's on day 2 of this fiasco, and all that was left to choose from were 2 different moisturizers, and 2 different shower gels. I chose Clinique moisturizer. I was happy. Free stuff makes me smile. :) I was back at the mall yesterday and the deal was DONE. Big red stickers that said "OUT OF PRODUCT" were plastered over the sign about the event. I live in a decent sized town, so maybe smaller towns still have some goods left. Check your Macy's or Dillard's if you haven't already.

The reason for my trip to the mall was to visit the Clinique counter anyway. I have had great success for a year now, using products other than their 3 step skincare line. However, in recent weeks, my skin has FREAKED out and I've had a constant breakout. Not sure what is going on just yet, but thought the 3 step was the FIRST step in the right direction. Oh how I've missed the "Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion". They say it's like a drink of water for the face and OMG. It is.

So anyways, just an update on the make up freebie. It's legit and if you run really fast, you might find something left for you. :) Good Luck!

My Fave Things

These are a few of my favorite things...

1. Smith's Mentholated Salve by Rosebud Perfume Co.
Awesome stuff. The only cure for chapped lips. Also good for bug bites, irritated skin or dry nose when you have a cold. I even used it on my tattoo while it healed. Comes in a tin that is about 2 in. across and a little under an inch deep - one tin lasts a long LONG time.


2. Clean and Clear Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser
I used Clinique 3-step for most of my life, but i felt like my skin became immune to it or something. After trying products of all kinds, i found that i really like Clean & Clear. It doesn't burn my eyes out or taste like I've swallowed anthrax if i accidentally get some in my mouth. I use it every day and one bottle at about $3 lasts for months!


3. Clean and Clear Daily Pore Toner
See above. This stuff is also awesome and doesn't burn like some astringents. I love it!

4. Q-tips.
Do i need to explain why? Accept no imitations. I hate generic Q-Tips. Can't live, if livin' is without Q-Tips.

5. (Anything by) Soap & Glory
Very distinct scent that isn't too soapy and isn't floral/sweet. I just love their Righteous Butter. Their Body Scrub is the perfect thing to use to exfoliate before putting on your sunless tanning products..

6. Bare Minerals Foundation
The key ingredient to a flawless yet natural looking face. You don't need all that heavy liquid stuff and cakey powder. Seriously. And best of all it's the fastest of all my beauty routines. Getting my face on in under 5 minutes means more time to play with my eye makeup!

7. Loreal Telescopic Mascara
I've used so many mascaras and i love this one best. (plus, i'm not spending over $10 for mascara when i go thru it so fast!) the brush takes some getting used to but it's the best stuff.

8. My Shower Cap
Okay I don't have a link for this because a shower cap is a personal choice that i just can't begin to make for you. lol. I used to use one that i had from a hotel stay and it actually lasted me a very long time, cheap as it was... During the great NYX/Big Lots event a few months ago, I picked up two caps for $0.80 each and they are super cute. Very girly and not old-lady-ish. I am an every other or every 3 days shampoo-er so I can't live without my cap.

9. Manicure Buffing Block
Besides cuticle removal (and well, painting them like you AREN'T drunk) using a good buffing block is the best way to get a good salon finish for your nails when you manicure at home. I especially like how now they have the order of things numbered right on the block itself. Buffing smoothing and shining your nails is literally as easy as 1-2-3.

10. The RockSTARR FAM
once upon a time, before I was a ROCKSTARRMOM, i was just plain old Cara Starr. Sometimes i miss how easy Cara had it back in the diz-ay, but i always wonder if i could be anywhere near as fulfilled without my little fam. So, here they are, my sexy hubby and my rockstarr kids. Make up and beauty stuff is to stay attractive for one, and in spite of the others. It's my "me-time" stuff. :)

My Hunny.

Caleb

<--- Riley & Tyler --->

Bath & Body Works Sale + 2 Year Old Gift Card

Here's the crazy amount of lotion, gel and bubble bath that I bought yesterday at the Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Sale.
I have had a $50 B&BW gift card in my wallet from Christmas 2 years ago! I bought lotion and shower gel in a new (for me) scent "Mango Mandarin" and it smells so yummy! Those, (along with all their regular products) were $5 each. Even my hubby liked it.
I also bought all they had of Plumeria, Magnolia Blossom, and Pearberry because they are my all-time faves. All of those items were 75% off, so i paid $2.38 each for them. I am so upset that they are doing away with all of the "classics". If any of you know of Plumeria, and know a lotion that is similar in scent (it has a sweet smell in addition to the flowery smell...) PLEASE comment here and let me know.
I also got 2 hand soap pumps for $2.50 each. I picked up a few 4 oz. bottles of gel and lotion in Pear Blossom to keep in my last minute gift closet. Those were only $1.50 each! I got small bottles of body splash and lotion for my purse for $1 each, and a bottle of Ginger Verbena self-tanning lotion for $3.63. My shopping bag was so freaking heavy, I had to wrap up my shopping trip because I was exhausted carrying it!!

Watch this clip of the goodies:

Boots No. 7 Restore and Renew

So, my British "mate" Katie told me about this product a few months ago and I went right out and bought it. It is like, a MIRACLE wrinkle serum. Seriously. I guess it was scientifically proven to help repair damage to your skin, and when the study was publicized in Britain, people went berzerk buying out shelves of the stuff. In the UK it is called Protect & Perfect, but here in the US it is called Restore & Renew and sells for ONLY $21.99 at Target. I have a really deep crease between my eyebrows that makes me look mad all the time but since i started using Boots, it is going away! *Rating ~ 5 STARRS*

Here is a Today Show segment on the phenomenon:



I'm also in love with MANY other Boots products. Because I am a bit obsessive, I'll probably own one of each soon.

Plumped Lips

So, two of my new fave things are anything Soap and Glory, and anything Boots No. 7. Soap and glory is another British line of bath and beauty products available at Target. They all have a signature bright pink packaging, and old 50's black and white photos in the advertising. The scent of their lotion and body scrub is WONDERFUL and according to my friend Jaime, (The Eyeliner Maven) their plumping lip gloss equally rocks:

"I got the 3-pack of the "Sexy Mother Pucker" it was $25, but well worth it. It smells like chocolate, and tingles like MAD...........the package says it activates with water............I haven't put water on it, but I'll see what it does ;)

Hopefully I wont look like Daisy from Rock Of Love!"

I'll be making my almost daily trip to Target to score mine!

How to apply sunless tanner quickly, easily and EVENLY!

A how-to about sunless tanner, just in time for summer! :)
(And an alternative if you just aren't confident about applying it.)

Coming Soon

DIY French Mani Pedi Tutorial

How to Tease/Backcomb Your Hair

How to apply sunless tanner

Blow drying with a round brush

Bare Escentuals Review