(after a much-needed trip to Sephora last week. Wearing James Perse exclusive Birkenstocks, AllSaints dress)
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That makes it sound way more exciting than it is…I just needed a few (important) things –
What I Bought:
Wen healthy hair care kit
Lavanila deodorant
Josie Maran Argan Oil
Marc Jacobs nail polish
Sephora nail polish remover
I also ordered the Amore Pacific CC cream from Net-a-Porter on Thursday because of their free next-day shipping. Of course, I haven’t received it yet…so much for next day shipping. At least it was free! Then, with 20% off at Skinstore (FALL20), I ordered this Bliss hair remover (the best I’ve ever found), and Caudalie set.
So, now I’m set for all things skin & hair related for quite some time. I needed shampoo and conditioner and while shopping with a friend in Austin I smelled the Wen stuff and loved it. I had also been hearing more about non-lathering shampoos and was interested to try it. I’ve used it twice so far (I wash my hair every 3 days) and I’m VERY impressed.
My biggest hair “issue” is that it looks so dry and damaged at the bottom where it’s been bleached. I like the texture that I get with that, but not how dry it looks most of the time. Maybe it’s now the combination of the new shampoo (I was using Fekkai) and argan oil at the ends instead of just the cleanser, but I think it has a lot to do with the cleanser. My hair looks smoother and healthier now, I think.
The cleanser doesn’t seem like it will last very long: I use 6 pumps with each “shampoo” – and I do it twice, so 12 pumps total, but if you have longer hair, you could use 20 pumps total. I don’t know how many pumps are in a bottle, but it seems like it will only last a month this way, but we’ll see. Also, it’s not going to be ideal for traveling – you’d have to take a lot!! But so far, I’m happy with the way my hair looks and feels, even a couple days after.
I had to try a new deodorant because the Lush powder that I love doesn’t hold up to 100+ degree heat very well…So far, I like the Lavanila (even the smell – I don’t like vanilla) and it seems to do a good job. I apply it twice during the day. (and I haven’t seen any residue on my clothing…)
I also got a couple of James Perse things from Shopbop last week: the slim sweatpant and the daily tank in white, but I sent both of them back. **gasp** I have NEVER done that, especially for things I really like. I liked both of the items, the sweatpants especially, but I just don’t need them right now; I really think I have enough slouchy pants. And the tank top was great, but still very sheer and I’ve been searching for a basic tank (NOT RACERBACK!!!) with more coverage I can wear under cardigans. I think I’ll get another Vince tank, or just one or two more white Ryan tanks from Everlane since the one I have always seems to be in the laundry…
What I Got rid of:
Nothing – and although I was supposed to take back the Madewell chambray shirt I bought last week (and wrote about…), I haven’t yet. I tried it on again with my Helmut leggings and sneakers, and I don’t know what I missed before, but the look was exactly what I wanted. I’m still not convinced I’ll wear it instead of my white shirt, but I’ll hang on to it for a little while longer and see if I reach for it when the weather cools down. I guess I’m not ready to completely give up on a chambray shirt yet…
What I did:
As you’ve seen, I did a lot of shopping last week. Everything within budget, since I used what was allocated for Pure Barre (since I didn’t have to spend it on that…). The new studio by my house opened up yesterday, so I did start back again. After almost four weeks off, I’m SORE. REALLY REALLY SORE. But so happy to be back 🙂
What I Read:
Not a lot actually. Some September issues, but nothing memorable. Time is taken up with Dagny and work lately, so I haven’t made any extra effort to read much, sadly.
What I Ate:
A whole lot of junk. I didn’t do a great job planning meals for myself last week, so I didn’t have a lot of my usual things readily available. Yesterday I made an effort to get back on track and prepared two bunches of kale (cleaned and de-stemmed so I can just steam it or use it in a smoothie), baked a sweet potato, shredded a chicken, cut up some peppers, cooked some quinoa and soaked some beans for the week. I think that will help, but man…I’ve been craving candy like no one’s business lately. Fruity, sour candy. My favorite 🙂
I hope you had a good week last week and an even better one this week! Happy Monday!!!
I had a similar weekend, but no clothes shopping!! I also cleaned out a bunch of medications, combines same medications into one bottle and separated my black & brown eye liners (whoo hoo!).
I also made quinoa so I could make these quinoa cakes (delish) and I roasted some sweet potatoes, but ya know .. unless the hot weather breaks – I’m not heating up that darn oven again. I do have air conditioning .. but ugh, too hot.
I use Wen (sweet almond mint) every couple of shampoos. I find that four pumps is plenty, so I do that twice, so 8 pumps.
I’ll have to try the Bliss hair removal .. tried the Olay version – it sucks and irritates my skin (and I do not have sensitive skin).
Monica.
i saw those quinoa cakes on your instagram – did you link to the recipe somewhere? i’d love to try them…i usually eat quinoa with steamed kale and tahini sauce or with lettuce as a salad, but that gets quite boring!!
i’ll try 4 pumps next time – thanks for your feedback!
the bliss stuff is really the best i’ve found – i did try the olay version but found it sort of lacking for how expensive it was. last time i used the bliss stuff it did irritate my skin, and i’m not sure why, since it never has before. but it’s worth a try if you’re up for it. i always get it at skinstore with a coupon, but they have it at ulta, they just don’t let you use coupons on bliss.
So, did you give up on the four-step beauty routine with lower budget supplies? I’ve been considering cutting down on some of my products, but I am afraid that I will just regret it and end up buying them all over again in a month or so.
I hope you follow up on the Wen shampoo. I tried a sample, but it wasn’t enough to figure out if it was going to work for my hair…
haha! yes. i guess i gave up on finding lower budget supplies. here’s why:
for one thing, the acure oil smelled TERRIBLE. I think it was just a bad batch, but still. And i noticed after i’d been using it regularly that my face looked bumpier and splotchy. could have been anything, really, but since the only difference i had made in my skincare routine was the acure oil, i attributed it to that. i use it in my hair now, and will stick to josie maran on my face. maybe it’s unfair, or silly, but i don’t mess with my face. i used to LIVE IN everything kiehl’s, but got something that made my skin breakout and swore off the brand forever.
also, i’ve determined that whenever i’m constantly searching for “something else” or something cheaper to try, or something to replace something else i love, i ALWAYS END UP SPENDING MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. buying 5 different $5 products that i don’t like doesn’t take the place of buying one $25 product that i do like…you know? and i have always been a sucker for trying new beauty products and skincare whenever something interesting pops up, but it always ends up that i go back to using the things i really loved to begin with. only rarely do i find something better.
this has been my pattern with clothes, makeup, whatever…i’m always looking for something new, when i have things i love already – i need to just stick with what i like, and stop searching for the next great thing. and i really really like josie maran’s argan oil, the amore pacific cc cream and i think i like the wen cleanser, although i can’t be sure yet.
i still don’t “do” much with makeup, or whatever, my routine is very minimal, but i’m definitely ready to give up on trying new products for a while, and just stick with what i like.
a note on the amore pacific…i did look at the it stuff mamavalveeta mentioned in a comment on my last post, but it doesn’t come with an applicator sponge, or a refill package – it’s also not “as natural” as i think amore pacific is. i didn’t actually TRY it, but it’s $30, so basically the same as the amore pacific (since it’s $60 and you get a refill sponge) . the amore pacific stuff lasts FOREVER, longer than you think it possibly could.
so what about this dress???
Ah! the dress…it’s from last year, it’s this one – and sold out at AllSaints – this one is sort of similar, but not really 😉
Neglected to post the link in instagram .. here’s the little quinoa cakes recipe:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Little-Quinoa-Patties-365029
They were quite good and I’d make again .. 🙂
M.
thanks monica!!