February's Crushes

This past month I have been exercising.  Yes, as much as I hate exercise, I've been super consistent!  As a result, this month's crushes are much more sporty and practical than posh and fashionable.  Though my prediction that all ten would be apps for my iPhone didn't come true, there are a couple of exercise apps on the list.

Zeno Hot Spot heats up to kill acne bacteria to clear up blemishes in much less time.  Combined with the Clearasil Adult Treatment Cream from last month's crush list, I have allies in the battle against my moody hormonal skin.  Find it here. 

RGB Cosmetics Nail lacquer in Buff is that perfect almond-hued polish that my friends love teasing me about being so addicted to.  It creates a classic mani or pedi that goes well with everything and always looks finished and classy.  Find it here. 

This foundation primer makes all of the difference in the application of my make-up on those days when I am looking more polished, like my pre-exercise-nut self.  This award winning primer is the product that made the Smashbox brand what it is (even more than the last name the founders inherited from the iconic Max Factor).  Find it here.

My favorite iPhone app these days, Nike Training Club is my own little free personal trainer.  With just a medicine ball, some hand-weights and a jump rope, I have been conditioning and toning for weeks now.  With videos that demonstrate proper form for the exercises and the encouragement of international trainer Marie Purvis on Twitter, you can get the results of working with a personal trainer for no money.  Find it here.

The sophomore album of the Brit with the power-house voice isn't due out until the end of the month, but I've already become addicted to "Rolling In the Deep", "Rumour Has It", "He Won't Go" and "One and Only" from hearing it on NPR's "First Listen".  Find the pre-order here (released in the US on February 22).

While no shave compares to a good wax, this is as close as a girl can get.  With its delectable scent, thick texture, non-aerosol pump action and recyclable bottle, the makers thought of everything.  I also often find 2-for-1 deals on it at Target.  Find it here.

With all of the exercising that I'm doing, it's pretty unreasonably to flatiron my curly hair regularly.  As a result, I'm becoming reacquainted with all of my curly hair care products.  This one is a deep conditioner that gives my curls renewed energy and order.  I already loved the Fresh Curls line from Redken, this product is definitely the star of the line.  Find it here.

Even though the Nike Training Club App mentioned above has cardio workouts, I have been doing a combo of running with Nike+ GPS app and focused toning with Nike Training Club.  It really does make running less of chore, they have awesome support on the Nikeplus Twitter account and makes me much a much more effective runner.  Find it here.

Easy, effective and cute ways to wear my hair while exercising are a new necessity .  These thin headwraps, which come in a multitude of colors and can be found at drugstores, Walmarts and Targets everywhere are perfect for me.  Find them here.

The shorts that I find myself wearing more and more frequently to exercise are these Nike Phantom Training shorts.  The double-layer shorts are a combo of spandex bike shorts and loose running shorts with a fold-over band for more comfort.  Available in a variety of colors and in a Livestrong version.  Find them here.

January's Crushes

December was a month full of renewal for me.  My own personal renaissance.  So many things in my life changed and grew and evolved in that month that it led to a new start in so many different areas: new eating habits, new spending habits, giving up old addictions, changes in interpersonal relationships.  Just about the only thing that did not change was my drastic hate for exercise.  In my new, careful about spending mind-frame, my favorites for this first month of 2011 are some oldies and a couple of thrifty goodies.  (Also, along with this theme, let me recommend to all my fellow shopaholics Tara Siegel Bernard's NYT article on "Why Budgets Don't Work" and how to do it better).

This keeps my Beauty Blender in tip top shape so there's no need to buy replacement make-up sponges.  (Also cleans my make-up brushes)  Available here.

These aren't thrifty - especially in the short term - but for an audiophile like me, they are a must.  Plus, with their long-lasting quality and Bose's excellent customer service they definitely beat paying for new iPod headphones from Apple every year.  Available here.

It really is a crying shame that I never put this on a crush list before now.  My go-to scent since 2007 and still my favorite little pick-me-up whenever my mood isn't its greatest.  Available here.

A favorite of mine and SPiCY's throughout 2010, there is no better little monthly gift for the shoeaholic.  I even like to go just to window shop during my spending freeze.  Look for the upcoming "Brands We Love" on them.  Available here.

After months of loving this little tube (its sulfur ingredient is the same thing that makes many acne masks effective)  it definitely deserves to be acknowledged for how often it ends up on my face.  Available here.

My Yoga Online has been awesome at getting me (occasionally) off my tuchus  - a really huge feat.  There is also a good anti-insomnia yoga video that works wonders.

This Stella & Dot necklace given to me for Christmas by one of my best friends is a definitely a new fave!  Available here.

I've been loving this website since my friend introduced me to it in late 2008.  I've been in love with the facebook app for just as long and, now, I'm in love with the iPhone app as well.

I have become absolutely obsessed with iPhone apps.  From news services like AP and the NYT to social networking apps like facebook to things to help with my huge insomnia issues, I can't get enough.  I fully expect February's crushes to be full of iPhone apps.

I have gone veggie and have completely cut sucrose out of my diet.  These nutritional shakes (along with a good multi-vitamin) help me maintain healthy levels of nutrients as I transition into an entirely new way of eating and they are the only grocery item with sucrose in it that is allowed in this house, so they are my one sugary, yet healthy treat.

Mask-erade

One of the best ways to clear up and hydrate the skin is by applying a facial mask (especially if application is preceded by exfoliation).  Here are some of the facial masks we like the most.

Sulfur (for acne & blemishes)
Murad Clarifying Mask
Origins Out of Trouble
DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Sulfur Cooling Masque

Clay/Charcoal (for clearing pores)
SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque
Origins Clear Improvement
NARS Skin Mud Mask

Peel (for exfoliation & renewal)
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel
Ren F10 Smooth and Renewal Peel Mask

Hydrating (for moisturizing)
Elemis Exotic Cream Moisturizing Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Masque
NARS Skin Aqua Gel Hydrator

Nutrient (for renewal & prevention of future damage)

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask
Perricone MD Hydrating Nutrient Mask

Oxygen (for brightening & freshening)
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask
Peter Thomas Roth Radiance Oygenating Masque
BORBA Replenishing Quench Masque

Exfoliators (to use before masks)
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Rejuvenator
LORAC Make-up Prep
Elemis Skin Buff

Beautiful for the Cure

I considered writing this post on the first day of the month, when I discovered this video and that Commando Underwear was donating $5 of every product sold on their website to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.  Thinking that I was probably the only one that is a tad bit overzealous about buying things that donate to breast cancer research (since my mother died of the disease when I was a child), I decided against it, opting just to post a few of the more interesting ones on this facebook page when I came across them.  

It was one of these, OPI's "Pink of Hearts", which interested a reader.  I promised to do more extensive research to tell you all about other beauty and fashion products that benefit breast cancer research and awareness and spent that entire day doing so, but wasn't able to write the piece right away.  Though it is the end of the month, there are still quite a few awesome buys.  

Made Her Think Talon Pendant (50% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Network of Strength)

AHAVA Hope Blossoms Bath Salts (Unknown portion is donation to National Breast Cancer Foundation)

Clinique Great Lips, Great Cause Lip Gloss Set and Great Skin, Great Cause Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or direct donation ($5.00 donation from lip gloss, $20.00 donation from moisturizer or amount of your choice from donation to National Breast Cancer Foundation)

Kim Kardashian Pink Ribbon Rollerball Fragrance (10% donated to Young Survival Coalition) plus 10% discount with coupon code CURE at checkout.

ULTA Windows of Love Campaign (helps fund their $50,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil and Red Roses Cologne or direct donation (helps fund their $14,000 donation to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Elemis Sparkling Beauty Skincare Collection (helps funds their £10,000 donation to Breast Cancer Care)


Hatley Pink Elephants Collection (20% of sales supports John Wayne Cancer Institute for Breast Cancer Research)

Limited Edition Clarisonic Plus Sonic Skin Cleansing System (50% of proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

Paul Mitchell Pink Express Ion Dry and Ion Smooth (unknown portion supports the American Cancer Society)

Origins Peace of Mind (helps fund their $35,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Philosophy Shower for the Cure (100% of net proceeds donated to the Women's Cancer research Fund)

La Mer Moisturizing Creme (funds their $30,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Jane Iredale Sugar and Butter Phoenix Lip Treatment ($2 donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer) - similar to the one SPiCY mentioned in Sugar Lips yesterday.

Regis Salons Designline (10% of October net proceeds to Regis Foundation for Breast Cancer Research)

Drugstore.com has an entire selection of products that benefits CCosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers

Baccarat Scarabee Pink Pendant Necklace ($40 donation to the breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Gorjana has 5 pieces of jewelry (60% of sales goes to Breast Cancer Connections)

Aveda Hand Relief ($4.00 Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Shiseido Lip Gloss in Pop Life ($5 to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Trove Tkees Gloss Sandals in Pink Lemonade (15% to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Urban Outfitters Young Survival Coalition Tee (100% to Young Survival Coalition)

Beauty for Real Lighthearted Lip Gloss (10% benefits Jackson Cancer Center)

Tory Burch Limited Edition Umbrella (15% to Breast Cancer research Foundation up to a $10,000 donation) 

Coach Breast Cancer Research Foundation Mini Maggie (20% to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Dermstore has quite a few products (brands donate various percentages of their proceeds to various organizations; Dermstore donates an additional 5% to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Smashbox Limitless Longwear Lip Gloss (100% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Arcona Magic Pink Ice ($2.00 to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Decleor Aromatherapy Aromessence Sets ( Up to 10% to Cosmetic Executive Women's Cancer and Careers)

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Pink Shimmer Brick (help funds their $35,000 donation to the Breast Caner Research Foundation)

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist (funds their $15,000 donation to the breast Cancer Research Foundation)

Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea Line (50% to American Breast Cancer Foundation)

Dior Limited Edition Couture Palette (unknown portion to American Cancer Society)

Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley Lip Design Collection (funds Estee Lauder's $500,000 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation)

CHI Limited Edition Ionic Flatiron Set (unknown portion to breast cancer research)

AVON has quite a few products

Also, if you are not interested in buying a product, but want to help somehow, a friend did the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk at the beginning of November and is a bit short of her goal.  You can donate to her here in whatever amount you choose.  Even small donations help her get closer to her goal.  She must reach her goal by November 3.  In addition, RightatHome.com has a way to turn your profile picture pink to show your support for breast cancer awareness and research.  

Last, but certainly not least, th best way that you can help defeat breast cancer is detection and prevention in yourself.  Be sure to get regularly scheduled mammograms as recommended by your doctor and do your monthly self-exams.  Pick a day of the month that will stick in your head or schedule them on your calendar or enlist the help of your significant other and be sure to do them every month.  Early detection is the best way to stay happy and healthy.  If you have risk factors, you may need to have mammograms at a younger age so be sure to speak with your doctor.  The Estee Lauder companies have a pledge that I really like that each of us should take.  Four very good sources for more information on breast cancer are National Breast Cancer Foundation,  Young Survival Coalition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society.  

Sugar Lips

The winter months are fast approaching and with it comes that familiar, dry skin we all dread.We've all got our favorite methods; salt or sugar scrubs, creams, lotions, moisturizers, etc. Everyone has a routine that they swear by and what works for me won't necessarily work for you. But exfoliating and moisturizing your body is a story for a different day, because my biggest concern, all winter long, is my lips. Dry, cracked, chapped and just plain mad at me, for staying in this frigidly cold, dry city for yet another winter.

I'm a loyal product junkie. I find something I like and I stick with it. That is not to say that I'm not open to new products, because I'm always down for something new and improved. But, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, you know? And this goes DOUBLE for my lip moisturizers.

My current, can't live without, winter love of my life, is tarte's fRxtion natural sugar exfoliator and lip balm duo. From the day I found this product, I was hooked (and as an added bonus, it's only $15). I'm picky when it comes to lip balms, moisturizers, et al. I hate it when they're sticky, or when it smells like candy and tastes like wax. But this one... this one is just LOVE. It's soothing, calming and my favorite part? It's sweet like vanilla. Plus it makes my lips SO soft and as another bonus? He likes it too. ;-)

Now I don't expect everyone to fall head over heels for this product the way I have, so in true Sequins fashion, I've got a few others for you to check out:

Emulsion Lip Exfoliant by Smashbox (sugar-based peppermint exfoliator - $18)

Pop Beauty's Sweet Good Morning Kiss ($18)

Lip Silk by Laura Mercier (Not only does this bad boy exfoliate, he also holds lip color in place and reduces feathering. $20)

Philosophy's Kiss me Exfoliating Lip Scrub (Infused with peppermint to add a breath-freshening effect - $15)

Sugar and Butter Lip Exfoliator and Plumper by Jane Iredale ($18.36 via Amazon)

Lip Exfoliator by Colorescience ($10)

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Buffer (Sugar crystals for exfoliation and mint for fresh breath - $7.50 via Bath & Body Works)

Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cocoa or Peppermint (SaraHapp.com is currently under construction, but luckily you can buy these darlings from Amazon for $24)

Sugar Lip Treatment by Fresh (Regular, Rose or Plum tinted - $22.50)

Lip Scrubs by Treat (Various flavors and types. $8-$15)

Niki's Navy Nails

If you read our piece on RGB Cosmetics, you may have read that I love creamy beige or almond-hued polishes that my friends insist are all the same color (see: Zoya Clover, Zoya Vivienne, Zoya Corrine, Zoya Sadie, essie like linen, essie allure, Lippman Collection Satin Doll, CND Buff). They say that I need to expand my horizons and be more daring and try some color and, honestly, I've been trying. There has been more nail polish remover used than nail polish lately, but, after a day of whining about it (sorry Rach!), I have stumbled upon a new nail color that I think is HOT! I loved when Lea Michele wore it on the red carpet with her Oscar de la Renta gown (and even tweeted about it), but thought, "I'd never wear that, I'm too chicken."

In the intervening six or seven or weeks, without even thinking about it, I've been wearing navy more and more - a navy minidress one day, a pair of navy tights the next, a navy scarf thrown around my neck on the third. I even redecorated one of my bathrooms in navy this month. When trying to find a "daring" polish for my nails on Tuesday about which my friends would not tease me, I chose a mini bottle of OPI Ink I received free from ULTA back in the spring. Matched with a long blue Rachel Pally skirt and a pair of silver sandals the color really stood out and looked so good I ended up completely reversing my opinion about the color. Now, I am completely enamored with navy nails and think they make the perfect stand-out nail color for this fall.

Now, I am perfectly aware that the biggest "trends" in nail colors at the moment are mint greens, gunmetal grays, jet blacks and metallics; but, I have decided that navy nails should really be the "it" color this fall. This is especially true since Lea Michelle is on board. (If you'd rather stick with the trends declared by fashionistas other than me, see below*). After deciding that I would declare navy the nail color of the moment, I searched for others that would back me up and found that Glamour is with me and Refinery 29 sort of agrees.

To make this trend you and I are starting together even more providential, navy nail colors are relatively easy to find right now. Some of the best shades are OPI Yoga-ta Get This Blue, Butter London Big Smoke, Zoya Ibiza, ULTA Blue for You, China Glaze First Class Ticket, Borghese Mezzanotte Blue, OPI Russian Navy, China Glaze Calypso Blue, NARS Midnight Express, OPI Play 'Til Midnight, Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia, M*A*C Ming Blue, Chanel Blue Satin and Dior Poison Blue.

*Polishes that fit nail trends:
Mint Greens
M*A*C Peppermint Patti
RGB Minty
essie mint candy apple
OPI Hey! Get In Lime
Chanel Jade

Gunmetal Grays
CND Hyde in the Dark

CND Asphalt
Lippmann Collection Hit Me With Your Best Shot
M*A*C Nightfall
Zoya Freja
Zoya Dovima
Chanel Steel
Lancome Le Gris L'Wren
RGB Slate
OPI Brand New Skates

Jet Blacks
OPI Black Onyx
Zoya Raven

M*A*C Nocturnelle
Chanel Black Satin
Dior Black Sequins
essie licorice
Butter London Chimney Sweep
Lippmann Collection Fade to Black

Metallics
Butter London's West End Wonderland
Butter London The Full Monty
Lippmann Collection Nefertiti
Lipmann Collection Marquee Moon
Lippmann Collection Boom Boom Pow
Lippmann Collection Today Was a Fairytale
OPI Bring on the Bling
OPI Glow Up Already
OPI Rising Star
essie shifting power
essie silver bullions
essie golden nuggets
Zoya Goldie
Zoya Richelle
Zoya Penny
NARS Versailles
Dior Czarina Gold
Dior Bronze Libertine


Update 10-23-2010:
Now, I have found that both Vogue and Temptalia have given the thumbs up to navy nail polish.


Update 11-7-2010:
After some serious experimentation, I have come to the conclusion that these three colors are my favorites for navy nails.

For a really dark navy bordering on black: Chanel Blue Satin

For a traditional navy with a bit of shimmer: OPI Yoga-ta Get This Blue

For a slightly lighter blue with shimmer: OPI Blue My Mind

Key Ingredients

Some of the highest feedback posts and pieces lately were the ones about a recent "Brands We Love" piece on RGB Cosmetics and post on OPI's new color for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Both of these nail polish brands contain no Formaldehyde, Toluene or dibutyl phthalate (DBP), three toxins often found in nail polishes that have gotten a lot of attention over the last 4 years. Some brands of nail polishes have begun eliminating them from their nail polishes, but not necessarily from other nail care products in their lines and some brands still contain these ingredients. A couple of these ingredients have been banned or partially banned by the European Union. The same is not true for the United States yet. Some specific nail polishes listed as having a high toxicity* by the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database are Orly Nail Lacquer, Sally Hansen Hard As Nails, Maybelline Express Finish, Maybelline Fast-Dry, N.Y.C. New York Color Long-Wearing, essie (one of Hippi's faves that she now has to reconsider), Milani and Nail Tek.

A few nail polishes that we here at Sequins celebrate for their proactive elimination of these three ingredients from their nail colors are:

Zoya Nail Polish $7 per bottle at zoya.com

NARS Nail Polish $16 per bottle at narscosmetics.com

OPI Nail Lacquer $8 per bottle at drugstore.com

RGB Cosmetics $14 per bottle at rgbcosmetics.com

Lippman Collection Nail Lacquer $16 to $20 per bottle at lippmancollection.com

Adoree Nail Lacquer $6 per bottle at esthersnc.com

Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer $14 at ulta.com

Rimmel London Nail Enamel $4 per bottle at ulta.com










*We considered all nail polishes rated as having a toxicity of 7 or above on their 10-point scale as having a high toxicity.