Most Wanted for Holiday 2011

My number one Must-Have for the holiday this year is most definitely the newest palette from Stila Cosmetics! It is Gorgeous! I had to talk myself out of buying it for myself the other day since I've already told my husband this is all I want for Christmas! The website product description states...


Inspired by fantasy and dreams, Stila's Holiday Dream in Full Color Palette offers endless awe-inspiring color combinations. This is destined to be your go-to palette for all of your holiday events this season.

Included with the palette is a step-by-step artistry lookbook to show you how to apply each eye shadow shade and create countless looks for day and night.

Palette includes:
- 29 eye shadow shades
- 7 cheek colors
- Best-selling Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray
- 16-page lookbook

It reminds me of a gorgeous stained glass window. It has everything you could ever need/want! I can't wait for Christmas morning!!!

Bath and Body Works

I love Bath and Body Works. To me, it's a favorite part of my holiday traditions! Each year I purchase gift sets for the ladies in my family and the ladies that work for my husband. I love everything about the store...the products, the packaging, the prices. Typically, you will get a coupon with your purchase that causes you to come back and make another purchase, getting another coupon...it's a cycle. But I love it.

My newest favorite scent is the Paris Amour. So feminine. So sweet. Light and lovely.

B&BW Description:

Our exclusive Paris Amour is a dreamy blend of French tulips, apple blossoms and sparkling pink champagne, inspired by a romantic stroll through the streets of Paris

Key fragrance notes: French tulips, apple blossoms, and pink champagne

This gift set is a holiday must-have at $24.50. Hit up your local Bath and Body Works for the complete holiday line of gift sets.
Also, check out their website at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/

Bottle Returns for Craft Supplies

My oldest daughter Skylar decided yesterday that her 4 million pieces of crafting supplies just wasn't enough. As she begged for me to take her to Michael's I realized I could make this work for me as well. I am pretty bad about returning the empties when we grocery shop and my garage is pretty well taken over at this point with plastic, glass and aluminium. (Here in Michigan we pay a 10 cent deposit on every soda can, beer bottle or 2 liter we purchase and then get the deposit back when we return our "empties" at the grocery store.)
We made a deal.
She helps me load up the car with the empties and return them all and her and Lily, (my youngest daughter who is 4), can split the cash and use it for whatever they want. They get new craft supplies and I get a little piece of my garage back. So off to the grocery store we go. She excitedly helps and very excitedly passes the receipts to the cashier who gives us $18.40. That's $9.20 each! She was rich! She stuffed her $9 in her wallet made of duct tape and sang the entire way to Michael's. Once there she was a little discouraged at first, the pottery wheel was triple her money. After a little looking around her spirits lifted and she stretched that $9 further than I knew it could go! She ended up with quite a few things and so did Lily. They each were rung up separately and they each payed with their hard earned bottle return money.
It was cute. I was proud.
And with that I made a promise. I will no longer be the card swiping Mom that just gets them whatever they want. I will put them to work and let them spend their money. It was fun for everyone and they were so careful in their decisions. They really made sure that they got the most out of their 9 bucks!

This is the Foam Beach House Kit that Lily bought for $3.99. They had a blast making this together. That's Skylar on the left and Lily on the right.

Teenage Skin Again!

Olay Total Effects Body Wash. Olay's most advanced body wash, Total Effects goes beyond cleansing to deeply moisturize and fight 7 signs of aging all over your body. For soft, smooth skin in 1 shower, improved elasticity in 1 week, young-looking, radiant skin in 1 month. 7 Anti-Aging Benefits: Improves elasticity, Relieves dryness, Deeply conditions skin, Brightens dull skin, Evens skin tone, Smooths rough skin and Minimizes the appearance of dry lines. 7 skin benefits in 1 anti-aging body wash.

This body wash does all that it promises so insanely well. I love it! After just one wash I was hooked. My skin felt amazing and my husband even noticed how smooth my skin looked and felt. After a week I kept caressing my own skin...I couldn't believe it...I was back in my teenage skin! No joke. This stuff is amazing. My skin has never looked or felt better.

I purchase my Olay Total Effects Body was from my local Target, but you can also buy this at most all drug stores and grocery stores.

John Frieda

Oh how I love John Frieda products. They always work amazingly well, they are easily accessible, and they are perfectly affordable.
I am currently using the Frizz-Ease line but I have also enjoyed using the Sheer Blonde line as well.
The shampoo and conditioner provide ample moisture while taming frizz and mending broken ends. My hair always turns out super soft, shiny and smooth to the touch. I also use the Frizz-Ease serum to really get the polished, sleek look I'm after. I simply apply a small amount of the serum to wet hair and then style as usual.

I purchase my John Frieda products at my local Target, but they are available almost anywhere hair products are sold. As an added bonus, Sunday papers frequently boast coupons for John Frieda hair care and color.

A Good Girl Needs A Good Make-Up Remover

I fancy all sorts of eye make-up. Black eye liner has got to be my all time favorite. I love a good eye shadow and I need two coats of mascara....so a good make-up remover is an essential for my beauty bag. There are plenty to choose from; creams, lotions, oils and wipes. Over the years I find myself reverting to the same basic one.

AVON Moisture Effective Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion

This stuff works great for everything from a heavy crayon liner to a simple shadow. I love how it moisturizes while removing the day's gunk. Simply squirt a small amount of remover on a cotton ball and wipe away!

I purchase my AVON from a wonderful representative here in metro Detroit, Jennifer Schneider. You can order from her site at www.youravon.com/jschneider2158 and have it shipped directly to your home. Shipping is almost always free with a $30-$40 purchase. Check the website for details.

I also want to share a new favorite of mine. I tried this for the first time recently and I fell in love! It's an oil based remover so it's a different texture than the AVON lotion I like, but this works equally as well.

MOODY SISTERS Organic Skincare Eye Make-Up Remover

I love a good organic product and I love supporting fellow Etsy shops. This remover is made with love by two sisters in their Cashmere, WA home. It contains Apricot Kernel Oil, Sunflower Oil, Water, and Vitamin E so you can feel great about what you're wiping on those peepers of yours. This formula works wonderfully and is safe for the most sensitive of skin types.

I purchase mine from the Moody Sisters Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/moodysisters

Best Lip Balm Choices

I need my lip balm. Especially as temperatures drop and moisture leaves the air in the fall and winter months. I've tried quite a few along the way but I keep going back to my favorites.

1. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm
2. Yes To Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in Coral Sunshine
3. Nivea A Kiss of Shimmer Pearly Shimmer Lip Care

All work equally well. Each provides a significant amount of moisture while successfully combating chapped lips.
I choose Burt's Bees when no color is needed. I like the Yes to Carrots for the nice coral shine it leaves on my lips. I use the Nivea when I'm wearing pink since it leaves a cute pink shimmer on my pout. Very Elle Woods!

I purchase all of these lip balms at my local Target, prices range from $2-$5.

What's in the Gypsy's bag today?

I like to change up my make-up routine often as to not become bored with the same product day after day. I went for a simple, clean peachy/pink look today.

1. COVERGIRL Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation with SPF 10 in Sandstone.
2. Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer in Glistening Sun
3. Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin
4. Clinique Almost Powder Make-Up in Medium
5. ELF Liquid Eye Liner in Black
6. COVERGIRL Natureluxe Water Resistant Mascara in Very Black
7. Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon

This combination of products gives me a fresh, glowing look that lasts all day. Simple, Clean and Easy.

I purchase the Covergirl, Maybelline and ELF products at Target and I purchase the Clinique products at the Clinique counter inside Macy's. (My two favorite stores!)

Reasons I love these products:
*The Covergirl Natureluxe Liquid Silk Foundation is just that...liquid silk! This foundation is light, smooth and all sorts of wonderful! This is not a heavy foundation, it feels more like a tinted moisturizer. I like that it glides on smooth and provides adequate coverage.
*The Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer and Blush are both equally smooth. These go on evenly with little effort. They both provide a great dose of color without being too obvious.
*Clinique Almost Powder Make-up can be worn two ways. Use the sponge for heavier application or apply with a powder brush for lighter application. I apply with a brush lightly so my bronzer and blush don't get covered up.
*Elf eyeliner is a great buy at Target for only $1. It glides on smooth and at just a dollar I can't complain!
*Covergirl Natureluxe Mascara is another favorite of mine. It goes on easily, drys quickly and doesn't flake. It's water resistant yet it comes off easily at night with make-up remover.
*Clinique Chubby Stick is awesome! It provides great sheer color along with the comfort that comes along with it being a tinted lip balm.

Sun Goddess (without the sun)

I was once a sun bather, tanning bed addict...but no more. Jergen's Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizing Lotion is AMAZING. I always felt guilty worshiping the sun, knowing that I was damaging my skin and putting myself at a higher risk for developing skin cancer, so I decided to give some self tanners a try. I wasn't pleased with the majority of the contestants. Streaks, splotches and orange spots. I all but gave up. But then I tried one more product. Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer provides a natural, gradual tan that is believable. I am constantly being told I have such a great tan and people are always amazed when I tell them it came from a tube of lotion. The smell is pleasing, the texture absorbs quickly and I am left with a natural looking tan year round. I can't say enough great things about this product. I've always got it on hand for whenever I feel I could use some more color. With just one use I see results with best results after 5 or more days of constant use. I simply rub lotion evenly all over my body and face after my morning shower and a few hours later I'm a glowing sun goddess!
TIP: If you have dry patches of skin around elbows, knees, feet, etc. I suggest first using a normal moisturizer in those areas to prevent too much of the Jergen's absorbing here.
Also, for a great sun kissed look, apply Jergen's Daily Glow to a clean face before bed wherever the sun would naturally hit; forehead, cheek bones and nose.
I usually purchase my 7.5 fl. oz. Jergen's Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizing Lotion from Target, CVS or Walgreen's for $8.49.
You can check out the full line of Jergen's Natural Glow products at www.jergens.com
There's a quick quiz on the website to help you make the right Daily Glow purchase for your skin type.

Review-Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula

I have always been a fan of a good exfoliating face wash. There are plenty to choose from but I figured I'd simply write about my favorite. The 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula by Clinique is by far my number 1 choice. Typically you should only exfoliate your face 1-2 times a week but I find this to be gentle enough of daily use. This is not your harsh, lose 10 layers of your face wash. This gentle scrub cleanses and exfoliates so well I can't bare to ever be without it. After scrubbing this formula rinses off clean to reveal the gorgeous glowing skin you knew you had under there!  And because it's a cream it doesn't dry my skin out like other products do. My skin is left clean, fresh and moisturized. It actually moisturizes so well I can skip applying a moisturizer after.
I purchase my Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula in a 3.4 fl. oz. tube from the Clinique counter at Macy's for $18.50.
You can also get yours from other department stores or online at www.clinique.com

Welcome to my Beauty Blog!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me introduce myself. My name is Christina Young and I am and always have been a lover of product! Make up, hair, fragrance, everything. As a preteen I was obsessed with fashion, fashion magazines and fashion TV. I studied the models and learned the designers at a very young age. I began putting together my own fashion magazines and I dreamed of the day I would grow up to own a magazine of my own. Real life took me to college, a job in marketing, marriage and children...and now a stay at home mom who still thoroughly enjoys all things fashion...especially beauty products. Over the years I have always been the one to turn to for beauty advice, fashion questions and hair and make up fixes. I cut and style the hair of my friends and family, I am always doing some one's hair and make up for special events...and I love doing it! I am constantly being asked, "What are you wearing?", "Where did you get that?", and "How do you do that?" This blog is the merger of all of those questions and more. This is my way of fulfilling the dream of owning my own magazine...so here it is...The Gypsy's Bag...a beauty blog.