After that, went to Independent Grocery store, bought some fun, not our usual types of food. Chocolates, scallops, black tiger shrimp… that sort of stuff. Parents are going away tomorrow until Sunday night so I’m planning on experimenting with some tiger shrimp and fresh ravioli pasta. I’ll let you know how it went, including some pictures too!

Next, we went to a local bakery to get some fresh whole wheat buns, black forest ham, dill havarti, sharp cheddar, yuummmm.  Made some sandwiches for lunch to go along with some classic Timmy’s coffee ! : ) Ahhh, bliss.

I understand this post is the typical “blog” type of post, but I figure if I leave you with something that makes me smile, you’ll forgive me!

The boyfriend sent my this photo and I always laugh because I can totally see him doing this!!

Kimmie.L

I first heard about this amazing product while reviewing YouTube videos one cold, lonely night…  BrushingOnBeauty on YouTube introduced this product to me. So being a typical Virgo, obsessive-compulsive, must-google-everything– type of gal, I did Google this product. Not only did Jess from BrushingOnBeauty rave about this product, so did all the reviews I read online! Now I know if the majority of online reviews are good, the product must be legit.  I went to bed, dreamed of this miracle product, and bought it the next morning. Oh how I <3 Cosmo Prof.

Expensive at first? Absolutely. I saw the price and nearly had a coronary. The SMALLEST sized bottle was around $15 … Remembering back to the YouTube video and all the great reviews online, I quickly found myself walking out of Cosmo Prof with a bag full of goodies; including the It’s a 10 Leave In.

After using the leave in, and absolutely loving the way it made my hair feel, I made a video. Fast forward to today (December 17, 2009), and I find myself at home, making another video, and using the It’s a 10 Shampoo this time.

The Miracle Leave-In claims to do 10 things:

1.) Repairs dry damaged hair
2.) Adds shine
3.) Smoothes & controls frizz
4.) Seals & protects hair color
5.) Detangles
6.) Prevents split ends
7.) Stops hair breakage
8.) Creates Silkiness
9.) Enhances natural body
10.) Flat iron spray & thermal protector

The Shampoo lists 10 essential nutrients:

1. Vitamin C
2. Sunflower Seed Extract
3. Acai Extract
4. Ginger
5. Pomegranate
6. Tahitian Noni Oil
7. Moringa Extract
8. Aloe Vera
9. Rooibos Tea
10. Comfrey

I have not even heard of half of those “nutrients”.

Now, keep in mind I have only used this shampoo once (today), so I should probably re-review this again in the near future.  From what I’ve read online, a lot of people noted it left their hair feeling greasy… how? I do not know. First of all, it takes quite a bit for my hair to get greasy, and LOOK greasy.  Secondly, I need as much moisture as I can get so that’s why I decided on this shampoo.

It lathers super nice, smells amaaaazing, rinses clean, and generally does not have an overly drying effect on my hair, unlike all other shampoos I have tried.  Like I mentioned above, I have to use this a few more times before I can accurately state that I do in fact like this product or not.  I will continue to use my AG Silver shampoo to keep brassiness out of my blonde hair, so I will just switch up opposite shampoos with this sucker.

Packaging: too much boxing; but all It’s a 10 products seem to waste packaging.
Consistency: Runny, opaque white, foams well
Price: decent; $16 CAD for ~300mL.

It’s my first time doing a review. What else should I include?

Have you ever tried the It’s a 10 products? What do you think of them? What is your favourite product, and why?

We’re (or just myself) going to try something! I’m going to randomly post a list at the end of some blogs, and I will answer them … but I also want you to post also. So comment, and fill out the list also! It’s always interesting to see your responses.

The list

1. Mood:
2. Three things that bring you joy:
3. How’d ya sleep last night?
4. Something you’d like to improve about yourself in 2010?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. What’s one skincare product you find yourself buying over and over again?
7. One type of holiday food that you refuse to eat:
8. How do you feel about ’90s fashion?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

1. Mood: I’m generally content; not feeling like I am done another semester of school … or that I’ll have to go away in January! : (

2. Three things that bring you joy: My boyfriend, cuddling with my boyfriend, and shopping.

3. How’d ya sleep last night? Pretty fantastic considering I studied all day and had to wake up at 0700 to write a final exam!

4. Something you’d like to improve about yourself in 2010? I’d like to do what most people say they’re going to do: lose a couple lbs.

5. Eyes/lips/cheeks: Lately I have not been wearing much makeup – usually due to the lack of time or interest to fully wear makeup. I have just been wearing a bit of foundation, powder, bronzer, and light shimmery eyeshadow on my brow bone. Simple.

6. What’s one skincare product you find yourself buying over and over again? Skin care. Hmmm. I love this Neutrogena Healthy Face Lotion (daytime AND night one).  It’s so great – light, but still moisturizes ++.

7. One type of holiday food that you refuse to eat: Bad fruit cake. You know the kind I’m talking about; hard as a rock, with random coloured “fruit” (?) in it. Yuuuck.

8. How do you feel about ’90s fashion? I suppose it depends on what it is.

9. Outfit: Currently PJs.

10. Weekly goals: Nothing for once! Pffew. JK. They’re just not school related: put up the outdoor Christmas lights, bake for Christmas…

Kimmie.L

So the real question is, what can we do about this?

You can panic, run to your nearest department or drugstore, and spent major $$$ on specialty creams and serums for the skin on your neck, when in reality there’s a simple solution to combat this issue. Extend your regular products used on your face downwards.  This means exfoliators and moisturizers – you can most definitely utilize these great products on the neck and decolletage area (upper chest).  Choose a moisturizer with Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) in it to act as a chemical exfoliator as well. This will promote cell turnover, supporting the structure of the skin to keep it soft and smooth.  Ahhh.

What else can we do? Sunscreen. Slather it on, ladies and gents. Many of us, including myself, don’t even think twice about not using it — when it’s the one thing we shouldn’t be leaving the house without! Don’t bother with just using sunscreen in the summer months either; winter for us Northern gals is just as bad, if not worse, than the blazing sun and sand on the beach.  Many moisturizers and makeup products label the inclusion of “15 SPF” … but in order to properly protect our precious skin, ensure you use a sunscreen with full protection.

Final thoughts: hydrate and protect whatcha got.

Can you recommend any specific products you’ve used that has made a difference?

Kimmie.L

Product I can personally recommend:

• Eucerin Plus Smoothing Essentials – with AHA.  Fast absorbing, non-greasy. Leaves my skin feeling smooth due to the AHA acting as a gentle exfoliator.

]]> http://lushlife411.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/esthetic-tip-true-age-via-neck-and-hands/feed/ 0 lushlife411 getty_rr_photo_of_girl_with_tan_lines Screen shot 2009-12-17 at 8.49.58 PM http://lushlife411.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/tips-to-keep-your-teeth-sparkling/ http://lushlife411.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/tips-to-keep-your-teeth-sparkling/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:13:29 +0000 lushlife411 http://lushlife411.wordpress.com/?p=18 ]]> I’ll be the first to admit; I love coffee.  So when people say skip the caffeine in order to maintain gorgeous, white teeth that everyone lusts after, I laugh.

So no, you don’t have to switch to Chardonnay or give up your daily cup to keep your smile sparkling. Use these simple tips instead!

• Chew sugarless gum, or have a quick swish with water after you eat or drink to eliminate stains. So grab those reusable water bottles and packs of Stride gum, and enjoy your cuppa!

• When drinking dark-coloured fluids such as coffee, or pop, try to keep them from touching the front of your teeth. A simple way of ensuring this is to use a straw a la Mariah Carey.

• Snack on celery — or carrots or cucumbers.  These foods require a lot of choewing, which steps up saliva production and flushes away stains.

• Floss!! It helps to erase those icky stains between teeth. Plus helps freshen breath, as food particles often get stuck between teeth and start producing an unpleasant odour.

• Stop smoking. Tobacco is the top tooth stainer — and you don’t want all those at-home whitening trays to go to waste. They’re not cheap!

With these simple tips, you can ensure you’re camera ready anytime. It’s your life; smile!

Kimmie.L

Now that I informed you a bit about this blog, Lush Life, I wanted to tell you a little bit about me.  Hmmm. There’s so much to tell! It would be so much easier if this was in question form.  So I’m urging you to feel free to comment below, or send some questions, and I’ll be sure to answer them with another post.

I’m born and raised Canadian; have lived in Ontario all my life. Currently I do not live in the same city as I did when I was growing up — I think we moved when I was about 3 or 4.  I am going to school and still living at home with my parents. I will be placed at a hospital about 2-3 hours away from my home, and living there for approximately 3 months to complete the allotted hours required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program that I am in.  I was 22 years of age as of September 11th of this year.  By May 2010 I will be an RN (Registered Nurse), as I graduate from the BScN program after next semester (YAY only semester 8 left!).  My boyfriend of over a year and a half (May 10, 2008) will be 23 in January, and is pursuing an apprenticeship.

Straight out of highschool (2005) I went to “Beauty School” for 11 months. I graduated as an Esthetician in August of 2006, and started Nursing School in September of that year.  Soooo in essence, I had a 2 week summer that year! Pffew.  I think a lot of what you’re here at this blog for is to read about everything I learned while doing esthetics; everything beauty. I’m talkin’ facials, skin care, makeup, manicures, pedicures, waxing, hair, etc. SOOO girly!

I’m sure you may (or may not) be wondering, so why nursing? Well, my mom had a huge influence in that decision.  Esthetics was great and all, and I definitely learned a lot (and spent even more), however it just was not a practical thing for me to do.  And beyond that, I love a good challenge. That’s what life should be all about; continuing your skills and education.  Esthetics never challenged me; I got the 4.0, but felt like I was never fully engaged in the learning because it wasn’t difficult for me. PS, I am not cocky, for real.  It just didn’t challenge me.  I’ve always been interested in medicine. I worked as a lifeguard for almost 5 years, and loved studying the human body and how it can adapt.  Why not nursing? I cannot say I’ve loved every minute of it, and it is definitely a challenge! Breakdowns? Mental exhaustion? Check, and check! But that’s a whole different story. Nursing for sure tests your willpower and determination. Those who graduate with me are there for the RIGHT reason! *HOLLA fellow BScNers!*

Hmm, so what else? iiick, I hate this sort of thing! I have an idea: post any questions you have about me thoughout this journey, and I will have no problem answering them : ) I realize this blog IS brand new, and there probably aren’t a lot of readers yet, but feel free to post a question or comment! I always love feedback.

Ohh, and double-PS, I could probably leave you with a small picture of myself, seeing as this post is “about the girl” : ) I am also on Twitter and Facebook, so leave a message and I’ll give ya the link! : ) xx.

This is a picture from a classmates Wedding I attended in September 2009.

Kimmie.L

Gwen Stefani <3 being Uber Glam

Welcome! This is definitely the beginning of an interesting blog! I have had the opportunity to create many blogs in the past, however I soon lost touch and interest in writing as school got the best of me. Now that the Christmas Holidays is here I decided to recreate a whole new one; and using a different site for blogging. I will for sure have to get used to this type of blogging.

I also plan on not divulging too much of my personal life on this blog, as it will be public so everyone is free to read it. Perhaps that is why my other blogs failed and I got disinterested in them; I’m not an overly exuberant person, so possibly telling the entire www (worldwideweb) about the happenings in my life is not a great idea.

I think what I am trying to get at here is that this blog will pretty much be free-range for me. I studied Esthetics before I started Nursing (don’t worry; my background I will brief you on later!). For this reason, esthetics and anything related to beauty holds a huge part of my interest. Who doesn’t love being a girly-girl? Heels, dresses, jewellry, getting your hair done….

The only thing I ask of you, the readers, is to keep an open-mind at all times. I am not limiting myself to one specfic area to blog about; so be aware of your expections!

Kimmie.L