{shop} my morning routine ...

last night i went shopping w/ my best friend laura. w/ my november clothes money burning a whole in my pocket (yes a bit premature) and feeling all kinds of courageous, i set out determined to come home w/ something fun. and then ... i bought the exact same pair of skinny jeans that i've bought 2x before! {these fantastic skinnies from banana.}

okay okay - so maybe i'm a creature of habit. i prefer to believe that i live by the expression "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". at least that's the way i feel w/ my morning routine ...

i used to fuss w/ new products each month. every trip to the grocery store or pharmacy included a new lip gloss or facial concoction guaranteed to make me look like a supermodel. i was a total sucker for items on sale - 2 for the price of 1 ... a major bargain shopper - but bargains add up!

my method today is to enlist a few good men products:

1 // la roche-posay's toleriane purifying foaming cream & anthelios sx daily moisturizer w/ spf 15. i firmly believe that if you spend a bit more on facial care to create a healthy palette - you'll spend less trying to cover up flaws in the long run. the foaming cream is extremely gentle on sensitive skin (believe me!) and the moisturizer is winner of 12 beauty awards including: women’s health 2010 “expert’s pick" and instyle 2009 best beauty buy “daytime moisturizer with spf”. not gonna lie - i've also purchased the effaclar dual action acne treatment (2011 allure best of beauty award winner - beauty breakthrough) and the effaclar toner in the past - and love them both. 

2 //  everything glominerals! their products are a bit pricier than other mineral makeups. but again ... if you have healthy skin you won't have to use as much product ... and that means it LASTS. i bought their pressed base, protective liquid foundation in satin, and oil-free camoflauge before our engagement pictures in may of 2010 and i've only had to replace the pressed base once! plus the product is non-comodogenic and free of perfumes and dyes plus it includes antioxidants, vitamins A, K, C and E and green tea extract. healthy stuff.

3 // mac cremesheen glass. this was a recommendation from one of my makeup artists & has quickly become the only lip gloss i'll buy. the 2010 SHAPE of beauty winner, it's extremely moisturizing and yet not sticky ... so appreciated during windy fall days. i keep a tube of richer, lusher and geo pink on me at all times!

4 // i've mentioned the dermorganic argan oil hair treatment system before ... here! it's a shampoo, masque and leave-in treatment w/ argan oil, omega-6, antioxidants and vitamin e (plus it's vegan & gfree). i started using this product back in june ... and i'm hooked. shiny, healthy looking hair - yes, please! especially while i'm growing it out and possibly going a bit too long between trims. (ps - i also LOVE pure argan oil on my under eyes - a bit of crow's feet prevention.)

5 // my best friend whitney has the most beautiful eyes ... and her secret? ulta's eye shadow collection.  okay and really good genes! they have over 90 colors to choose from. i could definitely waste a day exploring all the options! 

6 // want to know a little secret? i didn't start wearing mascara until about 5 years ago. wanting to purchase the best, i asked one of my makeup artists what she recommended. and i was surprised when she recommended maybelline's great lash mascara (you know ... the one in the pink and green bottle) not some $50 bottle. did you know it's been around for over 40 years!?! still within maybelline's mascara line ... i've graduated to using their colossal volume express mascara.

7 // last but not least ... a pink cheek just makes me feel better not to mention look better. i currently use sonia kashuk's beautifying blush in melon. sonia was the creative director of cosmetics for aveda from 1989 through 1997. aveda first noticed her for her great colors! then in 1998, she launched her beauty line w/ target - determined to make her new makeup line prestige-quality makeup in elegant packaging at an accessible price point. bonus - have you checked out her brushes?

okay okay ... plenty about me. so what's in your beauty arsenal?