Bronze Bombshell

It's raining today, but it has been quite spring-like in Bombshell-land and I'm getting a bit spring feverish.

The remedy? Start to cultivate a hint of a sun-kissed glow. I love, love, love a perfect porcelain complexion, but the California Girl in me yearns for a tan in the summer. I am not willing to subject my skin to frying, so I only go the fake route. I've done the Mystic Tan spray booth (kind of expensive, but worth it for, say, a summer trip to Vegas), self-tanning lotions, sprays, mousses, etc. Everything but the booth is a little too much work for me. The upkeep anyway...and the mess in the bathroom, and on my white, high thread count sheets, and the stink...

So last night I tried something new. There are tons of brands of body lotion with the "gradual tanning" thing going on. I've tried some in the past. Last night I tried L'Oreal Sublime Glow. It smelled pretty good, just a hint of the tell-tale self-tanner smell after about an hour or so. But the best thing was how soft it made my skin- like silk or butter, or silky-butter! And, I woke up with a, well, Sublime Glow! Just the hintiest of hints of a tan. I put lotion on every night after my evening bath, so I can put this on just as easily. We'll see how long my desire for a tan lasts, but I think I can safely say that I'll be glowing sublimely until mid October...

Making the right Choice

Paula's Choice is a line of skin care and cosmetics by Paula Begoun, the self proclaimed "Cosmetics Cop". I first became familiar with Paula when my dear late friend Adrienne A. introduced me to Paula's book- Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Paula has personally tested thousands upon thousands of cosmetics and written concise, informative, and useful reviews of all of them.

She then created her own line of products that do the job without skin irritants and without breaking the bank.

I have been using a couple of her products for a few weeks now and was so impressed that I recently placed another order on her website. I plan to continue replacing my existing products as I run out with her fabulousness!

Product # 1- Final Touch Toner for normal to dry skin. As I've mentioned before- I don't generally use toner daily, but this sometime usage is a thing of the past. Since this is formulated for dryer skin types it feels great and NEVER makes my face feel tight after use. I just feel like I've prepped my skin for the next step. I use it TWICE a day now- morning and night!

Product #2- Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion for all skin types. This contains 2% hydroquinone- the highest legal percentage. I've not been using this long enough to see any actual 'lightening' effects- I have a few hyper-pigmented spots around my eyes- but it's also filled with anti-oxidants and other 'good-for-your-skin' stuff so my face looks more 'glow-y' (what I'm always after) and feels really soft.

You are also able to purchase sample sizes of most of the products for 50-80 cents each. With my first order I got the 8% alpha hydroxy acid solution, essential moisturizing sunscreen spf 15, one step cleanser, essential moisturizer, and some other stuff. I fell in love with it all- so I placed another order for the full sizes of the AHA and the sunscreen. Reviews to come...

How Cheeky!

I am a blush fanatic. I once made a list of all the blushes I own and it was ridiculous. But I actually use them all, depending on my mood and what I'm doing. Cream for most days, gel for out of doors-y days, powder when I'm in a hurry, or for staying power over the creams, etc.

However, the blushes in my train case might start worrying about their status...I have found something fabulous that I have worn daily since I received it in my most recent Sephora order...drum roll please...

Stila Convertible Color in Lillium. It is quite peachy and I was a little leery at first because I tend towards the berry shades. After the first swipe of this creamy, dreamy product I was hooked. It gives a dewey, fresh look. I have constantly been receiving compliments on how "glowy" I look since I started using it. It blends easily, and a little dab will do ya.

Peach blush, the fountain of youth?

Red Lipstick

Red lipstick- it is quintessential bombshell. I'm not always the diligent red lipstick wearer I should be. I fall into the low-maintenance trap and wear mauve, or nude, or gloss, or chapstick. These all have their place in a Bombshell's artillery of lip wear....but the perfect red....

I was recently inspired by some photos of an ex-beau's current flame's red lips. It's interesting how seeing someone you used to interact with on a daily basis can bring back such a flood of memories. But the real impact came from seeing his lady's chic red lips-so striking- I thought, "Wow- I should put in the effort to maintain the red lip all day- even during the mundane work day". Its so glamorous.

So the past few days I've made the effort. I've felt extra glamorous and even filing papers has felt more exotic.

Red Lipstick- ambassador to the world!

Ode to Drugstore Gems Part 1

The Bombshell Biker doesn't need expensive cosmetics- she wants them! There are times, though, when funds may be either low, or needed for other things (ski lift tickets, gas for a road trip, slot machines, etc...)

I have found many Drugstore Gems that I continue to use even when I can afford to go luxe. Some of these items I've happened upon in my many wanderings of the drugstore aisles (its quite therapeutic), some I've read about in magazines or other beauty blogs, or on Makeup Alley, some I've searched for when I needed a replacement for a higher end item that I either couldn't afford at the time, or needed access to right away (no Sephora in my town).

So today I will sing the praises a few of my favorite cosmetic gems that I use daily:

• My absolute # 1 product- expensive or cheap- is L'Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara in Blackest Black. At about 6 bucks a tube, you get thick, dark, dare I say..."Voluminous" lashes. Sometimes I apply about 10 coats, but one or two will still get you amazing thickness. It stays put through an hour of Turbo Kickboxing! But amazingly, washes off with regular foaming face wash.


• Almay Line Smoothing Compact Makeup spf 15. I use the shade called Buff 140. This is a very creamy foundation that comes in a little compact with a mirror and a separate, ventilated compartment underneath that houses the sponge applicator. I discovered this Almay makeup when I ran out of my beloved Stila stick foundation and the 'powers that be' had regrettably decided to take my Stila counter at my Macy's away from me! I use my Stila foundation brush #27 to apply the Almay (if I'm in a hurry I use the little sponge that lives in the compact). It has nice coverage, feels cooling on my skin, is moisturizing, AND has spf 15. Its about $12-14. About 1/2 the price of the Stila (although the Stila seems to last longer). I still buy the Stila when I'm near a Sephora, but the Almay is great for everyday use- whether I'm just going to work, or if I'm riding on the back of a motorcycle in 100 degree heat all day!


• Jane Eye Zing in Goldie Looks. I really just stumbled upon this subtle, but shimmery champagne-ey gold eye shadow. I was looking for something as a warm counterpoint to my signature cool, silvery NARS Bombshell. I saw it at Rite Aid for about $2 and thought I'd give it a whirl...yay! I love it by itself or over a matte beige from Clinique.


• Cherry Chapstick- my staple, staple, staple! I keep a tube everywhere. It imparts the tinyiest hint of color, moisturizes like crazy (without being greasy which is my complaint about most lip balms), and makes me feel good! AND its about 99 cents a tube!


• Last but not least today- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks in Cherries in the Snow and Mauvy Night. The classic black tubes with gold trim are so vintage-y and very Bombshell! They are about $6 and you get long wearing, but not drying, color. The Cherries in the Snow is a perfect blue red and the Mauvy Night is a very "me only better" color for my lips.

I like to mix my Drugstore Gems with my higher end products, that way I feel pampered and fiscally responsible at the same time.

Bombshell Ball Game!

This afternoon I'm going to a football game. My beloved local junior college is playing in the second round of the championships!

Being a Bombshell Fan is probably one of the easiest looks to pull off. Basically, one must stay warm, wear appropriate footwear for navigating steep stadium steps, and protect one's skin from the sun and wind.

Fortuitously, my team's colors are red and white. This means I can wear my red wool coat with the faux leopard fur collar and cuffs! (I will also have my giant red foam "We're #1" finger proudly displayed- but that's not very "Bombshell-ey" so I won't discuss it further, although having 'team spirit' and being enthusiastic are very Bombshell)

Lately my sunscreen of choice is Cetaphil daily moisturizer spf 15 for everyday use. If I'm going to be out in the sun all day then I definitely use something stronger. But the Cetaphil will work fine for today- the game doesn't start until 4pm which means it will be dark an hour into the game.

If you are attending a sporting event of any kind, this basic Bombshell look will work:

• Dark jeans (bootcut jeans with boots (duh)/heels/wedges-I recommend wedges for the comfort factor at these types of events or cuffed jeans with sneakers/ballet flats)


• Cotton or Cashmere sweater layered over a close fitting t-shirt or blouse


• Glamorous coat, preferably in a color that coordinates with your team, but not necessary, and definitely NO team logo jackets (unless your boyfriend gives you his letterman jacket ;) and a team jersey is another topic all together that I will discuss at a later date.


• scarf and gloves (and a hat if you live in a really cold climate)


• wool blanket for sitting on or wrapping up in...


• Sunscreen


• neutral makeup, but red lipstick would definitely be appropriate if desired!

Go Team!

Bombshell Battlescars

One of the conundrums of being a Bombshell Biker is loving Las Vegas but hating second hand smoke!

I recently returned from 3 days in Sin City. You cannot escape the cigarette and cigar smoke in this town- it is permitted everywhere! We were lucky enough to have a non-smoking room at the lovely Palms Resort & Casino , but had to sacrafice a King size bed and settle for two Queens to get it.

In order to keep my skin from suffering the carcinogenic onslaught, I was diligent about my skin regime while there and am continuing with the damage control at home.

I've been using the Re 9 anti-aging line from Arbonne for about nine months. Two of the products from this line were especially important during my trip. The toner and the serum. I don't use the toner every night, generally, but while in Vegas it seemed to really help get my skin extra clean and get rid of a (possibly subconscious?) layer of smokey film on my skin. Then the serum... I am a huge fan of serums anyway and use them nightly, but felt like the smooth, anti-oxidant rich gel was really helping to combat any negative, aging effects on my face.

Upon my return home, I've been using Estee Lauder's Advance Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex Serum(just the name makes my face feel younger-looking!) This feels stronger to me than the Arbonne serum, so I usually use it only once a week or so, or after I've been out in the elements. I'll use this nightly for about 3 days before switching back to the Arbonne serum.

The second thing I'm using (actually tingling on my face as I type) is Arbonne's Thermal Fusion Enzyme Masque. You apply this oil-based mask to your clean, dry face and then 'activate' it with water. It starts to get warm, the more water you apply the hotter it gets. It is supposedly a natural alternative to Retin A, Renova, and Glycolic Acid- all I know is that my face always feels exceptionally smooth afterwards and it has a nice glow that lasts a while.

Beyond this, I'm drinking plenty of water, exercising daily, taking my multi-vitamin, and getting TONS of sleep to recover from Viva-ing in Las Vegas. But no matter what- I had the best time!