Almost Pretty

100% Pure Shea Butter

We are beginning to feel like we have full body chap with the frigid temperatures we have been experiencing. Having been up in the mountains we began to experience serious aprés ski skin on our face with full on red blooms and peeling skin.

We somehow ran out of our facial moisturizer and left in a bind we began applying the 100% Pure Shea Butter we had purchased at our favorite hometown herbal apothecary Rebecca's. And low our ski skin was repaired! We are seriously considering using shea butter on our entire body and chuck the rest of the products we dabble in. We would even go so far as to suggest bulk ordering shea butter as the prices one sees for shea butter products can be pretty astronomical. But if you like L'Occitaine has 100% Shea Butter. Its quite pricey at $8 for .25 ounces when you consider that buying in bulk will give you a pound for 7 dollars.

Are You a MAC Original?

M·A·C Cosmetics announced the “Are You A M·A·C Original?” contest to launch their new limited edition collection The Originals.  The contest is a celebration of one’s individuality and originality—qualities intrinsic to the M·A·C brand.  Launching nationally through the M·A·C website, the contest will also run regionally in 6 key cities across the United States: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Houston.

The Originals pays tribute to popular product shades both discontinued or existing that consumers covet and can’t live without.  The Originals, a collaboration of the new and the old, introduces new textures and modified formulations of must-have Lipsticks, Lipglass, Eye Shadows and Pigments. We personally love the creative that goes with the campaign.

MAC has always celebrated the unusual and even though too much  deliberate originality can in fact have the opposite effect we think MAC toes the line perfectly.

Beauty Classic: Pantene Pro-V

We took a trip to Chicago this weekend. In order to avoid checking our bags we decided to forgo bringing most toiletries with us. Instead we went to a local Walgreens and picked up sample sizes of shampoo and conditioner. We ended up with Pantene-Pro-V and truth be told we had forgotten just how great it was.

Something about the scent evokes simpler times. It brings a smile to our face for reasons we can't just discern. We couldn't help but giggle and say "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" as we lathered up just like Kelly LeBrok. Though our hair certainly isn't nearly that big.

Beauty Classic: Epsom Salt

We like fancy bath salts as much as the next girl but when it comes down to it they all contain pretty simple ingredients. And while it may not look very glamorous you can get the basics for a couple of bucks. Epsom Salts form the foundation of any good soak.

Mix 3 cups of epsom salt, 2 cups of baking soda and 1 cup of table salt and viola instant relaxation. Buy some essential oils and you have spa grade products for next to nothing. Maybe it takes some of the glamour out of things but we think its important to remember that beauty isn't just about dumping a lot of money on the table for miracle products and novel new potions. Not that we dislike those of course!

MAC's Stylistics Collection

MAC, ever on the new product launch bandwagon, has just released images for their new Stylistics Collection.

The pearls, classic colorings and downtown twist really do evoke the message that this is for those with taste, style, and a certain je ne sais quoi.

We are guessing that they hope to attract that ever elusive PTY (pretty young thing) crowd and the women who wish to live that life. Heck the brush bag is just the sort of bag a true "it" girl would re-purpose as a clutch!

We love the lipstick and compact in particular. Styling indeed!

Beauty Classic: Great Lash By Maybelline

We swear by Maybelline Great Lash. Sure we have used a lot of fancy mascaras in our time and we still do pretty regularly. But when we want a consistent easy to apply product we go straight to the pink and green case. It conditions, it rarely clumps, its hypoallergenic, and even a sensitive skinned girl like ourselves can use it.

We love it so much that whenever we see a racoon we think Maybelline eyes! We mean that in the best possible way of course. Its just that its dark rich color has a hold on the metaphorical soul of anything with smoky eyes.
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Beauty Classic: Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil

Sometimes there is a reason a beauty product has been around forever. One of our favorite classics is unsurprisingly Avon's Skin So Soft Bath Oil. We first encountered it in the shower of our aunt's guest bathroom after a long afternoon of horseback riding. She only had drying soap instead of our preferred shower gel so we found ourselves reaching for the oil after the thorough scrubbing of the dust and grime left our skin feeling a little parched. 

We fell in love! Like the copy says Adored, raved about, idolized....it's the bath oil that outsells and out moisturizes the competition. Sure the bottle is boring, the ingredients are nothing new or novel, but i it works what is not to love?

Beauty Classic: VO5 Moisturixing Hot Oil Treatment

We used to dye our hair blond despite our natural deep brunette's lovely hue. Don't ask, we enjoyed the tan skinned blond haired sorority thing. But despite our constant heat and foil abuse our hair was still healthy. How? We used an old staple treatment VO5 Moisturizing Hot Oil Treatment. So this fall even though we love the crisp crackling of brown leaves and warm fires of the season make sure your hair doesn't do the same!