Hair

Latest Beauty Buys List, March 11, 2022!

March 11th, 2022 by Karen 3 Comments

1. Pattern Leave-In Conditioner

I low-key freaked out recently when my ends felt like straw, so I zipped over to Ulta to buy some things from Pattern, a hair line by actress Tracee Ellis Ross made especially for curlies.

First up was a tube of this medium-weight leave-in conditioner. I’ve used it before and my wavy hair likes it! It’s rich and hydrating, and maybe it’s a touch too intense as it tends to stretch out my waves so they appear straighter, but I don’t mind. The dainty honeysuckle scent agrees with me, and I like that you get such a big bottle for the price.

2. Pattern Lightweight Conditioner

This doubles as a sheer conditioner and a co-wash! It has the same delicate honeysuckle scent as the rest of the Pattern products, and the 13-ounce bottle is huge. I used it last night as a co-wash, and my hair felt so clean. No silicones! LOVE.

3. Pattern Travel Size Medium Conditioner

I bought the travel-size version of this because I want to be sure I love it before committing to a full-size bottle. Anywho, it’s richer compared to the Lightweight Conditioner. I like it. My hair feels soft and moisturized.

4. Pattern Travel Size Hydration Shampoo

Lovely. Hydrating but not heavy, and my hair felt clean and soft afterwards.

5. Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers’ Invisible Oil Ultra Rich Trial Set with Shampoo, Conditioner and Hyaluronic Treatment Oil

DUDE. Like I said, I’m on a mission to rectify this dry hair sitch, so this fell into my basket in case the items from Pattern didn’t work out. I haven’t tried it yet, but I used Bumble & Bumble for years in my 20s and 30s, and my hair always liked it. I’m going on a trip soon, and I might just bring this with me.

6. Dermalogica Travel Size PreCleanse Oil

Also for my upcoming trip because I need a travel-friendly makeup remover. I used this back in the day and liked it.

Re: Innersense

There was some great feedback from reader E.D. on the hair brand Innersense in the comments yesterday, so if you’re interested in the line, you might want to skim through her quick reviews. Thank you, E.D.!

I decided to hold off buying anything from Innersense for now, but if you’re already a fan, the entire line is currently 20% off online at Beauty Heroes. No code needed.

Fun fact! Beauty Heroes is based in my town of Novato.

One last thing…

Connor is going to her first dance tonight. Her school is hosting a father-daughter dance, and El Hub will be her date! Last night when we were getting ready for bed, I explained what happens at a dance: how your date picks you up, tells your parents they’ll have you home by curfew, opens your car door, gets you punch at the dance and so on. I’m so happy she’ll be able to go to her first dance with her dad. Just thinking about her going on a real date makes me tear up a little, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Latest Beauty Buys

February 10th, 2022 by Karen 10 Comments

I’m only realizing JUST NOW that I still haven’t purchased the one beauty thing I actually needed to buy this week (an Ilia eyeliner to replace the one I finished). Still haven’t made it to Sephora. Sigh. I did manage to grab some things at Target and Ulta to replace other items that were running low, though!

Side note: while I was at Ulta yesterday, I overheard a mom telling her teenage daughter that she was done waiting and that 45 minutes was plenty of time to pick out a nail polish, and they needed to go, like, NOW. Ahhh! Will that ever be me and Connor?

Anywho, I bought a bottle of Zoya Remove+ (works great on glitters) and an oil cleanser that’s new to me, Tula Skincare #NoMakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil. I tried it last night and I think I might be returning it. It didn’t sting my eyes (yay), but after I rinsed it off, my eyes felt dry and kinda itchy.

Honestly, I don’t know why I keep trying new cleansing oils when I know the DHC one is the bomb dot com. You know how it is when you’re a beauty lover, though; you might already something is great and it works, but you’re always on the hunt to find the next best thing.

Onto hair. I’ve been wanting to try Function of Beauty for a while, so I finally grabbed a few things from Target from the Wavy Hair Line: the shampoo, the hair mask, two of the boosters (one for heat protection and one for fighting frizz) and the leave-in treatment.

Have you purchased anything lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Beauty Hacks on the Fly to Tame Frizzy Hair

January 14th, 2022 by Karen 2 Comments

Did I really just tame my crazy mane with deodorant spray and hand cream?

Ahh, the weird and wonderful things we discover when we’re pushed to do beauty improv on the fly!

This morning I was asked to jump on an unexpected video call for work at the last minute, and so of course, I’d just finished exercising and hadn’t showered or combed my hair. (Isn’t that always the case, though?)

I didn’t have much time to get ready, so I wiped my face and body with a damp washcloth, changed out of my sweaty workout clothes, sat down at my computer and then turned on the video camera. That’s when I realized just how crazy my hair looked, LOL! Leave it to the camera to always reveal the brutal truth.

Anyway, no one was on the call yet, and I figured I had a minute or two at the most. So, I took down my ponytail, raked my fingers through my hair and looked at what products I had on my desk. Then, I grabbed an organic spray deodorant and hand cream to do some improv hair stying.

First, I sprayed my hair all over with the deodorant spray to take down the overall frizz a notch (this particular deodorant is packed with essential oils, which I guessed would help with that). Then, I used a tiny bit of hand cream as an improv styler my bangs, baby hairs and ends to tame the flyaways.

And you know what? It actually worked out!

Was it the smoothest and most sophisticated hairstyle? Hell, no. But at least I looked somewhat presentable.

It’s so funny how a time crunch can lead you to discover the most random beauty hacks, hahah!

Can you remember the last time you had to do beauty improv on the fly? This was by far one of my most creative attempts.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! I hope your Friday was smooth sailing.

Food-Related Things, Beauty and Otherwise: dpHue Hair Products, Chocolate Hummus and PIE!

November 10th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

Hey, babe. Talking about food today, with a little bit of food-related beauty, of course, because you’ll always and forever be my virtual sister — but without the sibling rivalry, hahaha! –across the keyboard in all things makeup, hair, nail polish and perfume.

I just started using a couple products from dpHuE, a hair care line known for their star ingredient, apple cider vinegar. They make shampoos, conditioners and stylers for all hair types with products available at Ulta and Sephora ranging from $26-$57.

My hair is wavy on dry side, and my color is naturally dark brownish black peppered with gray. I just started using the Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse to shampoo and the Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask as a conditioner.

You might be thinking, “Eww! That sounds like it could be potentially funky smelling,” and yes, you are correct. Their ACV shampoo definitely smells vinegary, but trust me on this, you won’t be walking around smelling like a side salad doused in vinaigrette. Once it rinses out, you don’t really smell it, and if you follow up with the hair mask, your mane will not only smell like a bottle of expensive perfume, but those strands will feel so damn silky you won’t even know what to do with yourself. Because, truth be told, I didn’t. I wondered for a moment if my consciousness had been uploaded into a different body in the Matrix because 1) I’m a sci-fi nerd like that, 2) my hair NEVER feels this soft after using just shampoo and conditioner. I always have to layer an additional leave-in conditioners or hair oils, always. But with just these two products, it was crazy soft.

FYI, the Hair Rinse isn’t like a traditional shampoo because there’s no foam. Still, my scalp and my strands felt surprisingly clean for shampoo that didn’t have any foam or bubbles.

How to use the hair rise, step by step

Both the rinse and mask are made for all hair types, and I think you’ll love it if your hair is dyed, going gray or dry too, or if you work out a lot, or if you just like to wash your hair everyday. I am full-on obsessed and want to try the Hair Gloss, the Apple Cider Vinegar Leave-In Hair Therapy spray and the Color Fresh Oil Therapy now.

Both items are on the pricey side, but know that a little goes a long way. If you’re looking for soft, bouncy hair that feels clean and refreshed but not weighed down by product, look into them ASAP!

OK, while we’re on the subject of food, I tried this Chocolate Hummus from Trader Joe’s for the first time ever, and it is absolutely delightful.

I put off trying it for the longest time because I was kinda grossed out by the idea of sweet hummus, but it doesn’t taste like hummus at all. It’s more like a pulverized, mushed up brownie in a dip, and it’s especially yummy with sliced fruit (Honeycrisp apples for the win) or dried banana chips. Try it!

If you were around earlier this week, I hope you got a chance to check out the comments in the Monday Poll and 5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately posts because there was a LOT of really great information about making pies from scratch, along with a couple of recipes for pecan bars (I’m so intrigued). Thanks, gals, for always coming through with the baking advice! Now I’m feeling confident enough to tackle pie again.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Empties! Skin Care and Hair From CeraVe, Pattern, Hawaiian Tropic and More

August 3rd, 2021 by Karen 9 Comments

empties august 2021 — Stuff I’ve finished!

I’ve used up quite a few beauty items over the last month! Mostly, skin care (I’m obsessed, apparently), but a smattering of hair care products, too. Consequently, here are my two cents on what’s worth your time…

Pattern Leave-In Conditioner

One of the BEST leave-ins I’ve ever tried — ever! — so I’m totally buying another bottle. For reference, my hair is wavy, on the drier side, and it needs a lot of hydration. If your curls/waves desire major moisture as well, just squeeze a dollop into your palms (it smells faintly of honeysuckle), and then work it through your strands for smooth, hydrated hair with plenty of volume.

FYI, it’s silicone-free! $25 for a 9.9-ounce tube.

CeraVe Healing Ointment

This thick, rich petrolatum-based moisturizer has become a staple at our house because it does a bit of of everything. I use it on all of the dry parts that frequently require extra TLC, like my lips, cuticles, heels and hands, and when I overdo it a little on the chemical exfoliators or retinol and it hurts to smile 😬 (you know the feeling), I dab a little at the corners of my mouth and around the base of my nostrils, and all is well with the world…

It’s also a minor miracle worker on the scrapes, scratches and bug bites Connor seems to get daily from playing hard on the playground. It seems to speed up the recovery process, too. I love this enough to get it in a large size.

$10.99 for a 3-ounce tube.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Why do all of my favorite skin care things run out at the same time? LOL! I’ve been steadily using the CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser in the morning and the Hydrating Facial Cleanser at night for several months, and I’m quite happy with the results. They’re gentle and don’t strip my combination dry and oily skin, and they don’t aggravate my acne either. Good stuff.

I love trying new face washes, so I’ll probably get some fresh blood into the mix, but I also plan to keep these guys on standby for when I need something familiar and comforting. An 8-ounce bottle of the Renewing SA Cleanser is $13.99, and a big 16-ounce bottle of the Hydrating Facial Cleanser is $16.99.

Trader Joe’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Body Gel Cream

Grab this quick-absorbing gel cream if you see it at TJ’s, and be sure to use it before fall, because it’s lightweight but yet hella moisturizing — perfect for the dog days of summer. $6.99 for a 12-ounce bottle with a pump.

Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

I found this on one of those “best of” lists, and although I like 1) how well it shields my skin from the sun, and 2) how it doesn’t stain my white shirts, the scent bothers me… It smells like plastic and artificial coconuts, and it churns my tummy. I won’t be rebuying it because of that, but if you can get past the smell, it’s a decent and affordable sunscreen. $13.99 for a 6-ounce bottle.

Bliss Block Star Invisible Daily Sunscreen SPF 30

My love for this mineral tinted sunscreen knows no bounds! Totally buying this again. If I find it on sale, OF COURSE I will let you know, girl. $24.49 for a 1.4-ounces tube.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion 50+

This sunscreen was a staple of mine years ago, and I forgot about it for a bit. All I have to say about it now is that we’re reunited, and it feels so good! I still really love it. Yes, it’s pricey, but if your skin is combo and/or dry like mine, you’ll probably love it as well. It’s not drying, doesn’t leave a cast, and it isn’t sticky on skin. It’s also extremely waterproof, so if you’re sweating up a storm like I’ve been lately, trust that it will not run off your face. It smells like a fresh lemon drink and vacation, too. I’ve gone through countless bottles and predict yet another one in my immediate future. $49 for a 5.07-ounce bottle.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2%

I love the price of this hydrating serum. It’s super affordable. I’ve been layering it underneath face cream for a moisturizing boost, but I can’t tell if it’s actually doing any heavy lifting… I probably won’t buy it again, but it might be worth trying if you’re curious and have dry skin. $6.80 for 1-ounce bottle with a dropper.

Have you finished anything lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Yummy Things: The New Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Shampoo, and a Quick and Easy Healthy Lunch Idea

July 13th, 2021 by Karen 11 Comments

briogeo superfoods mango and cherry — (Almost) good enough to eat

OK, how good does this summer fruit trio sound — mango with cherry and papaya? Yum, right! I would totally smash that in a triple fruit smoothie, which is why it’s funny there’s a line on the Briogeo website for their new mango-cherry-papaya shampoo and conditioner that states, “External use only. Do not eat.” HA HA HA! Gotta make sure the hungry people don’t go eating their hair care products. ?

The Briogeo Superfoods Mango + Cherry Oil Control & Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner are the latest dynamic duo to join the Briogeo Superfoods collection, which is their line of shampoos and conditioners made with yummy-sounding ingredients — apple, banana, coconut, avocado and kale (yes, some people like kale). Like all Briogeo hair products, it’s silicone-free, cruelty-free and vegan, and antioxidants are front and center:

This sulfate-free and silicone-free shampoo and conditioner duo harnesses the power of papaya enzymes to help balance oil production on hair and scalp. The formula also contains antioxidant-rich fruits, vitamins, and nutrients to support healthy-looking hair. The shampoo is formulated with 93% naturally derived ingredients, and the conditioner is formulated with 96% naturally derived ingredients.

— briogeo.com

If you often find yourself with greasy roots (it happens to the best of us), this set could be your jam. I’ve been using both the shampoo and conditioner after super sweaty workouts, and when we’ve had very hot days (of which we’ve had a few lately), and I like them a lot.

The shampoo lathers up into luxurious, creamy bubbles, and my hair feels clean but not stripped after I rinse the product out. The conditioner’s lovely too. It makes my hair feel silky, yet light and bouncy at the same time, and not weighed down.

Oh, and the scent! It smells refreshing, delicious and unironically like a fresh smoothie made from cherries and mango…but I don’t pick up on any papaya notes.

For me, this set is as a once-or-twice a week clarifying treatment, rather than a daily sort of thing. If I use it for too many days back-to-back, my ends start feeling a little dry. But if your roots and scalp tend to build up oil very quickly, you might like using it every day, or every other day.

Briogeo Superfoods™ Mango + Cherry Balancing Shampoo
Water/Aqua/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Betaine*, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate*, Glycerin*, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Cerasus (Bitter Cherry) Fruit Extract*, Papain*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil*, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside*, Citric Acid*, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Juice*, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Panthenol, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract*, Sodium Benzoate, Punica Granatum Bark Extract*, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate*, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract*, Glyceryl Caprylate*, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate*, Sodium Surfactin*, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum), Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene CI 40800*

Briogeo Superfoods™ Mango + Cherry Balancing Conditioner
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Behentrimonium Chloride*, Isopropyl Palmitate*, Brassica Alcohol*, Cetyl Esters*, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Cerasus (Bitter Cherry) Fruit Extract*, Papain*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract*, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil*, Brassicyl Isoleucinate Esylate*, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Behentrimonium Methosulfate*, Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract*, Cetrimonium Chloride, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Juice*, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Averrhoa Carambola Fruit Extract*, Citric Acid*, Panthenol*, Punica Granatum Bark Extract*, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Fragrance (Parfum), Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Beta-Carotene CI 40800*
*Coconut, vegetable, or plant derived

The shampoo and conditioner are $28 each for an 12.5-oz. bottle, which breaks down to $2.24 per ounce. You can purchase the two as a set for $49 and save a little bit of money ($1.96 per ounce).

Speaking of yummy things…I made a delicious lunch yesterday, if I do say so myself, and it took less than five minutes. Caribbean-style brown rice with black beans, pan-fried halloumi cheese made with avocado oil, and sauteed spinach.

I apologize for the severe lack of food styling, LOL! I was ravenous, and I also now have the bad habit of eating while still standing up in the kitchen. I don’t even bother to find a seat anymore. #momlife

I’ve been eating meatless meals lately, and this one was fast and filling. First, I warmed up a pre-made packet of Caribbean-style brown rice with black beans in the microwave. FYI, it’s not too spicy (I’m a wimp), and you can find it at Target by Good & Gather. Good & Gather also makes a ton of different pre-made microwaveable rice and grains side dishes in packets, and they’re all pretty good IMO.

Then, I sautéed a few big handfuls of fresh spinach coated with avocado oil spray in a nonstick pan. When the spinach wilted, I took it out, topped it with lemon pepper, and reused the same pan to fry the halloumi cheese. The spinach, avocado oil spray and halloumi cheese are all from Trader Joe’s.

Have you ever tried halloumi cheese? It’s a semi-firm cheese made from a mix of goat’s and sheep’s milk (occasionally, cow’s milk is also up in the mix) that hails from Cyprus, and it’s a favorite in Greek cooking. It’s similar to mozzarella in texture but has a high melting point, so you can fry or grill it without it turning into mushy goo. It’s great for getting some protein into a meatless meal, so if you see it at TJ’s or someplace else, grab it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

FOTD: Glowing Rose Gold Lids With Black Winged Liner for Anniversary Date Night, Laura Mercier Rose Glow Caviar Sticks, and an Excellent, Affordable Hair Oil by Hask

July 8th, 2021 by Karen 23 Comments

I brought a whole bag of makeup with me to Hawaii last week, and I did not crack it open once…

I know! Pandemic-era K-Dawg continues to amuse me. ? Packing that bag wasn’t for nothin’, though, because I used it yesterday to put on some makeup. We went out to dinner last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary (15 years!), and, yes, I actually painted my face. Then I had to snap a few shots because if ya don’t take a pic (or two) with your cat, then it officially didn’t happen.

FYI, in case you were wondering what 15 years of marriage is like, in a nutshell…it feels like lugging around your husband’s pain-in-the-butt XXL bottle of gluten-free tamari in your Kate Spade purse when you go out to eat sushi (fun fact: soy sauce isn’t gluten-free), but then having so much fun once you get to the restaurant, HA HA HA!

The Warriors Roll from Sushi Tri restaurant in Novato: real crab and avocado topped with spicy mayo, seared salmon, tobiko, crispy fried onion and scallions with unagi sauce

The Pretty Lady Roll with fresh salmon and avocado topped with fresh scallop, ikura, lemon slices and special sauce

Anyway, MAKEUP! I HAZ IT! This look uses a mix of the products from the makeup bag I packed to go on my trip (so, lots of tried-and-true Chanel faves because I’m on a Chanel kick) and some new cream shadow sticks from the recently launched Laura Mercier Rose Glow collection, which, side note, IS GORGEOUS!

The shadows have shimmer, but it’s a low-level glow, not a high-shine metallic frosty finish, and it’s dreamy! The shadows blend like butter, too, so my eye makeup came together in a flash.

All in all, the look took about 20 minutes from start to finish…

laura mercier rose gold swatches — These swatches are Rosie-Pose approved!

I’m really happy with how it turned out, and I’ll definitely wear it again soon.

Before my Hawaii trip fades away to a distant memory, I’ve gotta give a shout-out to these travel-friendly hair oils by Hask I found at Ulta. I originally brought the Argan Oil Repairing Shine and Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Shine Oil vials with me because they were super compact and just $2.99 each, but I ended up LOVING them.

They’re great if you’re looking for an oil to apply to freshly washed and conditioned hair and want mega moisture without weight or greasy strands.

FYI, the oils do contain silicones, so keep that in mind if you’re particular about silicone-containing hair care products.

I spent a lot of time last week at the beach and the pool, and my hair would have looked and felt rough if it hadn’t been for these bad gals. Good stuff, and so, so affordable!

Hard to believe that we’re already in full-on summer, isn’t it? Back-to-school is just around the corner, and I’ve already noticed the beach items and swim suits at stores are starting to be replaced by notebooks, pencils, highlighters and book bags. It’s been so long since I’ve lived with the rhythm of a school year, and it’s just sinking in right now that since Connor will be starting kindergarten in the fall, this will be my schedule for the next few years.

Before you go, take a second to let me know what the weather’s like on your end. It’s been comfortable and relatively cool here in the North Bay Area…for now. It’s a dreamy upper 70s, which won’t last but a moment, I know, but I’m enjoying it while I can.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: Sales at Ulta, Snail Skin Care, Sunscreen and More!

July 7th, 2021 by Karen 21 Comments

Aloha, amiga! We’re back from Hawaii. Today was the first day I haven’t been surrounded by my family in almost two weeks, and ya know…’twas a little weird. Maybe even a little lonely.

So, naturally, the first place I went for emotional comfort was Ulta. ?

Girl, I know you do the same thing. ? Some days it’s just nice to browse and be out around other beauty lovers.

Some good sales going on right now, like this one on Sun Bum, one of my favorite sunscreens at the moment. The entire line is buy one, get one for 40% off. I was sorely tempted to get backup bottles of my favorite SPF 70 lotion and spray, but I’m well-stocked up at the moment, so I passed.

By the way, I used both the Sun Bum 70 lotion and spray in Hawaii all last week, and they rocked once again. I usually tan merely by walking to/from my car to the house on a sunny day, but I barely picked up any color on this trip, which NEVER happens, ever.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — I’m really, really happy with this line. If you decide to try it, definitely wait for a sale, because it seems to go on sale a lot, at least at Ulta.

Neutrogena skin and sun care items are also on sale (also buy one, get one 40% off). If you like quickly absorbing sunscreens that don’t leave a behind a sticky film, Invisible Defense Lotion SPF 60+ is the way to go. Totally worth buying two bottles.

Interestingly…while I was browsing, I also ran into a new-to-me brand called Peach Slices with three products called Snail Rescue…

Yes, each item contains 95% snail concentrate. ? Um…gross, and wow?

It caught my eye because, I mean, Snail Rescue? Also, while we were in Hawaii, I saw this ginormous snail on one of my morning walks.

That’s my slipper next to it for scale, and I wear a size 7, so it was a fairly massive snail. So crazy!

I’ve never used any skin care products with snail ingredients in them (that sounds so weird)… I like to keep an open mind, but I don’t know if I’ll “go there,” especially not while that giant Hawaiian snail I saw on the side of the road is still fresh in my mind.

I mean, it was almost as big as my foot! ?

Also on the walk with the snail sighting, I ran into another interesting item — a patrol car celebrating the female rear end.

Say hello to The Booty Patrol Car. Side note: Hawaii has the weirdest cars, man.

It has a siren on it and everything!

Goodness gracious, I have so many questions… First of all, who is the driver, and do they ever turn on the siren? Assuming they do, is it only used when they spot “booties of note” passing them by? Also, when they turn on the siren, what exactly do they expect to happen? Because if I had a big, juicy butt, I would NOT get into a car marked “Booty Patrol.” NO WAY. ?

Everything about this car cracks me up, but the oversized peach stickers are particularly amusing to me.

Oh, and speaking of peaches, I’m deeply intrigued by this Peach Pudding Makeup Cleanser, which is also from the same brand that makes the snail stuff.

I may have to buy it eventually just to touch it.

Additional sales of note: there’s a free two-piece gift with any $28 Briogeo purchase (I highly recommend the Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask because it deeply moisturizes without weighing strands down), and Real Techniques is BOGO at 50% off (I bought the brush set years ago and still use and love it).

When you get a chance, please pop in and say hi. I’d love to hear from you. Let me know how you’re doing.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen