Well, here’s an easy way to feel like I’ve done nothing with my life: when Lani Lazzari was 11-years-old, she was already a budding entrepreneur. With the help of a small investment from her parents ($2,000), she turned her basement into a lab of sorts, experimenting with organic ingredients from her local Whole Foods in an attempt to concoct all-natural skin products that would suit her own sensitive skin (she dealt with bouts of eczema). Today, she’s turned that into a line she named Simple Sugars. And make no mistake about it — the products she’s come up with are kind of phenomenal.

My introduction to the line have been her Green Tea Facial Scrub and Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub.

The Green Tea facial is loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging properties, and although it’s a sugar scrub, the oils make it gentle enough to use everyday (as I have been for a few weeks now). It’s been leaving my skin extra smooth, and soft without irritating it at all.

The Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub is another product with aromatherapy benefits (it helps you feel uplifted and revived), but grapefruit oil is also known as a great lymphatic drainage massage to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. It left my skin like velvet. I can’t wait to check out more from the collection now!

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A chapter from the beauty blogger transgressions: Lately I’ve been averaging less than 5 hours of sleep on weekdays. But Benefit’s latest, Fake Up has has been aiding me in being deceptively well-rested.

The twist-up undereye concealer comes in 3 shades (light, medium, and dark..I use Medium), and applies like butter. The standout feature of this concealer though is the ring of moisturizer — a healthy dose of vitamin E and apple seed extract for immediate hydration — around a core of color.

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Sometimes I get products sent my way from places I’ve never heard of, but my “Sunday Spa Days (at home)” are the perfect time to test them out. This weekend’s choice: MudPot by Black Rock Mud Company.

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The illite clay is harvested from a private hot springs in Nevada's Black Rock Desert and contains no additives -- just naturally found minerals (including calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc).

Pros: Organic, all-natural, and draws out toxins in your skin.
Uses: A weekly “reset” to deep clean your skin and tighten pores.
Things to consider: You will probably definitely look scary with it on, so try not to alarm the SO’s (and if you must, only wear it around the most non-judgmental of friends). Also, you need at least 20-30 minute to spare for it to set. Not for those who are constantly running around and need those on-the-go masks. Then again, this could be a good excuse to concoct your well-deserved me-time.

I used it after a shower and loved the super fresh skin that appeared after washing it off. I do think with masks like these, like a great facial with extractions, you will notice a little bit of effects of the toxins coming up to the surface so I’d use an anti-bacterial cleanser right after, and a rich moisturizer to finish.

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YOU KNOW it’s freezing when you see that it’s 14 degrees outside and you think, “That’s not bad for this week!” Coming back to this cold from sunny Miami has been…jarring. But it’s OK people! Cold is character-building! Smile! AND it gives you a reason to use those super-rich, delicious creams that you can’t quite get away with in warmer temperatures. Shiseido’s Bio-Performance Advanced Super Restoring Cream has been keeping my skin baby-smooth through these arctic conditions.

The indications are to smooth and firm your skin, but it’s also super hydrating. I noticed a difference in only a few days of using it and, I haven’t had to deal with any dryness or irritation since then (my skin is pretty combo). Another thing I love is that it’s rich, but not greasy and absorbs super quickly. A little goes a long way, so if I’m in a rush or about to put my makeup on, I don’t have to worry about it getting messy. Plus, can you imagine how pretty this looks on my nightstand?

It doesn’t come cheap: $99 for 50 mL and $124 for the 75mL. But when it comes to skin creams that work, I’m all for it. What moisturizers are carrying you through this cold? For those of you who are in the cold. The rest of you, I’m jealous.

x
Shy
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I’m not what you would call…the most organized of peoples. I hate to admit that, but there are many layers of “organized chaos” in my life. People think I’m joking when I dedicate almost all my Friday nights to just cleaning out my closet– without it ever completely being done. It’s a big priority for me every weekend though. So you can iamgine how my makeup stash(es) look like. I finally resigned to having a random bag just dedicated to traveling so I won’t have to pack and re-pack my makeup for every trip, but it usually ends up a mountain of a mess where I can’t find jack when I need it. Recently, however, I’ve been introduced to a game-changer: Mocha Moon’s Perez Beauty Case. You just have to see to understand:

I can see everything I have and make sure I take everything I need at a glance. Here are some of the deets:
1) Two transparent removable pouches that fit easily in your purse, handbag, or carry on for touch ups
2) Soft, sleek faux leather for the ultimate product that looks good and feels good to the touch
3) Lightweight design holds all your makeup and saves some serious space in my carry one
4) Organization Bands that eliminate digging and put makeup and makeup brushes at your fingertips, and helps ensure you don’t leave anything behind!
5) Compact size: 4″ x 7 ½” x 4″

And in case you’re wondering what makes up my essentials for a bachelorette party weekend in Miami:

From left to right: 1) Benefit See & Be Seen Sasha perfume vial; 2) Benefit Laugh with Me Lee Lee perfume vial (BOTH which I’ve already gotten a ton of compliments on..these smell heavenly and are a perfect size for travel); 3) Buxom mini lip polish in April; 4) Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in RS 404 – Disco (magenta) and 5) RD 203 – Portrait (nude beige)

From top to bottom: 1) Laura Geller Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner (This does NOT smudge — even after a day at the pool); 2) Bobbi Brown lip liner in Soft Rose; 3) It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in Tan; 4) Japonesque Heated Mini Lash Curler; 5) BareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener; 6) Laura Geller WOW Factor All in One Mascara in Black (you have no idea — this gives so much gloss to lashes and body without getting clumpy…love); 7) Joey Healy Brow Structure Clear Set.

Assorted: 1) Lancome Hypnose Star (another mascara that coats lashes like no other); 2) Nanoblur (a European-craze that’s come stateside: pore-blurring and line-reducing in one); 3) BeautyRX Skincare by Dr. Schultz Gentle Exfoliating Eye Therapy Cream; 4) Reach total care plus whitening mint floss; 5) Laura Geller Lip Pops Lush Waterproof Lip Gloss in Palazzo (this tastes like candy too!)

Left to right: 1) Bare Minerals Precision Face Brush; 2) Smashbox blush brush (was part of a set); 3) Benefit High Brow Glow; 4) Lise Watier Feline Eyeliner HD; 5) LaVaque Tweezers; 6) Anastasia Covet Waterproof Eyeliner in Noir (new obsession and the latest from the brand!); 7) Joey Healy Duo Brow Brush; 8 ) Anastasia Covet Waterproof Eyliner in Azure; 9) It Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Eyeliner in Brown

Assorted Mess: 1) BareMinerals READY SPF 20 Foundation in Golden Tan; 2) Laura Geller Dream Creams Concealer & Highlighter Palette in Regular/Tan; 3) Laura Geller Ombre Baked Blush in Peach Blossom; 4) Lise Watier Portfolio; 5) Joey Healy Luxe Brow Powder in Raven; 6) BareMinerals Correcting Concealer SPF 20 in Medium 1; 7) Benefit Hellow Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup in Beige; Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit in 1; 9) Ruby Kisses HD Set N Forget Setting Powder in Banana; and 10) Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lip Shine in Wink (the latest from Burt’s and something you all NEED to own…post on this soon!)

Seriously, these are all some of my current favorites — what are some of your travel essentials? And let me know if you have any questions about the products above .

x
Shy
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Happy Friday everyone! Thought I’d give a boost to your weekend by holding another amazing giveaway . To get your skin holiday-ready, I’m giving away a DDF Revolve 400X Micro-Polishing System, which promises professional-grade microdermabrasion — right at home. No really…in tests, they compared a diamond-cutting microderm session that you would get at an esthetician’s office to this DDF device and found the latter to be even more effective at exfoliating, improving skin tone and evenness, pore appearance, fine lines, and overall skin brightness. Women who participated also found that after just four treatments, there was smoothing of bumpy surfaces and improvement in overall skin texture. Even better, it’s lightweight, travel-friendly, can be used in the shower, and is a fraction of the price (the kit costs $98). But enter today’s giveaway to get it free .

The kit includes: A brush head to use with the device for daily deep cleansing and to help maintain results between treatments. Includes – 1 Micro-Polisher, 2 Foam Microdermabrasion Exfoliators, 1 Deep Cleansing Brush, DDF Polishing Crystals – 2 oz., 2 AA Batteries. TO ENTER: (Do either of the following to qualify, both to increase your chances):
1) LIKE Beauty and the Feast’s Facebook fan page and leave a comment on this giveaway’s post
2) Follow @BeautyNDFeast on Twitter and tweet “RT Follow @BeautyNDFeast to win #DDFSkincare’s Revolve 400x system (a microderm treatment at home!) http://ow.ly/g6AT6!”

MAKE SURE to leave a comment below letting me know how you entered (either on FB or with your Twitter handle). Winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 18th. Thanks for entering and good luck!!

x
Shy
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