Birthday Goodies!

Hooray for birthday's and birthday goodies! When I recieve gift cards or money as gifts, I like to spend it on things I usually can't go out and buy. Money is tight for a stay at home mom! So of course when my birthday rolled around I decided to splurge! Here is what I picked up ...

MAC Lipstick in Angel and NARS Blush in Orgasm - I have been dying to own these! I also picked up the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette as I have been eyeing it for awhile now! I can not wait to start playing with my new goodies!

I was also given a birthday gift from Sephora! Just by going in and mentioning that my birthday was tomorrow I recieved a free gift! Who doesn't love free beauty items?

They gave me this cute deluxe sample of Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Duo! I love the "Happy Birthday Sugar!" on the box, hahaha!

These are really nice! I love how soft they make your lips feel as soon as you put it on. They are great to keep in my purse! I think I might have to pick up a full size one when these run out. Thanks Sephora!

So that's just the beginning of my birthday! In a couple of weeks my friend is taking me to Ikea so I can splurge on some home decor, and my husband is planning to take me out to a nice dinner that will be a birthday/valentines celebration! I guess getting older isn't so bad after all!

♥ Alicia

Review: Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Ever since I added this face cream to my skincare routine about a month and a half ago, I wanted to do a review. I call this cream my "miracle cream" and have raved about it to a couple of people.

Product Description: (Source -  neoteric cosmetics website)

Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Cream (10% Glycolic AHA)

• For all skin types
• Effective pH 4
• Fragrance free, oil free
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• Helps prevent fine lines and creases
• Refines texture and evens tone
• Improves elasticity

Proven to significantly reduce and delay the onset of fine lines, wrinkles, forehead creases, crow's feet, laugh lines and more. With 10% Glycolic AHA at an effective pH 4, Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Crème effectively and safely lifts dead cells from the skin's surface, revitalizing & helping restore younger, healthy, more radiant-looking skin. Renews moisture, refines texture, improves elasticity and skin tone.

The Glycolic Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) used in Alpha Hydrox products are advanced natural exfoliants that gently and gradually “peel away” dead surface skin cells, allowing fresh, new cells to emerge. AHAs, particulary glycolic, are recommended by Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons throughout the world because they actually improve the skin.

You can read more about what AHA is here or read more about understanding BHA and AHA here. Both sites were very helpful for me, as I never knew anything about AHA and BHA.

My feelings and thoughts about this product:

I absolutely love it! I could tell a difference in my skin within a few days. I remember seeing my mom about a week or two after starting this cream and she noticed a difference in my skin. It was like I was glowing! I do see a slight difference in my forehead wrinkles. They are not completely gone but are less visable. My skin feels so smooth, less dry and flakey due to it exfoliating, and my pores look better also! I use this only at night and I use a moisturizer with SPF in the morning as it is highly recommended. If you have sensitive skin, this may be a little too intense. The first night I used this it stung pretty bad but only for a minute or so. I dealt with it and haven't had it sting like that since. You only need a little of this product so it should last awhile. The price on this is around $10 - $12 and you can find it at most drugstores or on their site here.

I highly recommend this if you are looking for a good and affordable AHA and anti-wrinkle cream. I am very happy with this product and will be repurchasing!

♥ Alicia

My Skincare Routine!

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great New Year! I have never really been good at making New Year resolutions simply because when I do they last maybe a month or so. I did make one that I hope lasts, and that is to blog more! So starting that off I thought I would share my skincare routine.

My skin... well I would consider my skin, frustrating! I guess it would really be combination? I have very oily skin but it can also be very dry. My skin is like this all year except in the winter months when it can get even more dry and even more oily in the summer months due to it being very humid where I live. If I don't exfoliate regulary I can expect flakey skin, which can be even more frustrating! As for it being oily, within an hour or less my entire face is oily! Not a pretty look.

I have never been good at keeping a skincare routine because I am always wanting to try new things or just get off track and not be as commited to it as I was when I first started it. Since sticking to only these products and the same routine for a month now I am really happy with how my skin feels and looks! I have noticed my face is less dry and flakey, and also not as oily so soon after it is washed and moisturized. Even though you can not get rid of pores completely, you can shrink them which I have noticed with mine.

Morning Routine:

• Wash face with Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (because of all the oil my skin produces overnight, I like to clean my face with cleanser before I exfoliate) and rinse;
• Exfoliate with Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System and Purpose Cleanser, rinse and pat dry;
• Use one Oxy Cleansing Pad all over face and let dry;
• Moisturize with Olay Complete Moisturizer in combination/oily or Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Moisturizer (If I feel like I need some color I will use Jergens Natural Glow Healthy Complexion Daily Moisturizer in medium to tan).

Night Routine: (If I'm not wearing any makeup, steps 1 and 2 are skipped.)

• Take eye makeup off with L'Oreal Clean Artiste Eye Makeup Remover;
• Wipe eyes and face with Neutrogena Make-up Remover Towelettes;
• Exfoliate with Olay Pro-X Cleansing System and Purpose Cleanser, rinse and pat dry;
• Use a cotton round and T.N. Dickenson's All Natural Astringent all over face and neck, let dry;
• Moisturize face and neck with Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Anti-Wrinkle Cream;
• Apply Smith's Rosebud Salve to lips.

Other Products:

• I like to use a mask once to twice a week due to my enlarged and clogged pores. I love and swear by Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.
• When I feel a pimple coming on I like to dab on some Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10.

I know it seems like a lot of products but really it's simple. You just have to be commited and the results will show within weeks.

I plan on doing reviews of some of the products mentioned that I just love! So stay tuned to my blog for those! I hope you all are having a wonderful day!

♥ Alicia