Beauty Review - Olay Foaming Face Wash

Olay Foaming Facial Wash for Sensitive Skin

This is a good cleanser if you do not use too much of it at one time. I have combination skin. When I used this product it had a slight drying effect on the drier areas of my face. I suggest using less than a pea sized amount. Also take the time to rinse off all the foam after cleansing. This may add to the drying effect I experienced.

The product itself is like a pearly soap. It is really gentle and cleans very well. It does not win over my favorite Cetaphil but it comes close. I use just a little(smaller than a pea size) with a warm washcloth or facial brush on my face and neck. Be gentle with your skin, there is no need to scrub.

When I apply any cleanser, I will take a few moments to do a light facial massage. This has many benefits for the skin and the muscles underneath.

I bought the product to try something different from Cetaphil that is good for sensitive skin but I don't think I will be repurchasing it. It was fine it just wasn't amazing and it wasn't very moisturizing. My blog review on Cetaphil is here.

Olay website

Have you used this product before? Did you find it drying?

Thank you for reading!

Beauty Review - Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Pac

Montagne Jeunesse Dead Sea Mud Pac

This clay mask is for normal to oily and T-Zone skin. Ingredients include sea kelp nutrients. It has a fragrance bergamot fruit oil and lavender oil. This was the main downside to the mask, I really didn't like the way it smelled. Not overpowering where I wouldn't buy it again but definitely noticeable.

I don't usually use the entire product when I use these facial masks. The 0.7 fl oz was enough for two applications. The consistency is thick and it goes on very smooth.. The drying time was about ten minutes and it wasn't unpleasant feeling on the skin.

To wash it off, as I do with all clay masks to prevent tugging at the skin, I gently dab a warm wash cloth over my skin and neck repeatedly until the mask is removed.

I was very pleased the the results. My skin definitely felt clean and refreshed. I would repurchase this mask and recommend it to others. It was purchased at my local Walmart for about $1.34 before tax. Inexpensive and effective.

 Montagnejeunesse website.

Read my review of Freeman Facial Peel Off Mask Cucumber here,

What is your favorite clay mask?

Thank you for reading!

My Mermaid Home is Calling Me

When I'm away for the ocean for too long, I start to become uneasy. Stress tries to creep into my daily life. My ocean home is calling me. Whispering to me to come. The most peaceful place I can be is at the beach. Soon. Very soon I will come for a long visit but I will not be able to stay.

Where is your most peaceful place?

Thanks for reading!

Beauty Review Freeman Facial Peel Off Mask Cucumber

This product has everything I love all in one: Inexpensive, easy to use and provides good results. Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Peel off Mask Cucumber feels amazingly refreshing and cool when you apply it to the skin. This is the perfect mask for the upcoming hot dry days of spring and summer.

You have to put on a thick enough layer for it to dry and be easily peeled off. I did manage to get two applications out of this 0.5 fl oz package.The consistency of this mask is like sticky clear glue with the scent of cucumber and aloe but it is not too strong to be bothersome. I apply this mask to my face, neck and even to the tops of my hands.You only have to wait about five to ten minutes for the mask to dry completely.

After I peeled it off, my skin felt moisturized. I used my usual cleanser Cetaphil - I reviewed this product on my blog here.  Warm water on a wash cloth, I just gently dabbed at my skin.The residue of cucumber mask washes off quickly.

I purchased this mask at Walmart for about $1.34 and will be definitely repurchasing it in the future. It contains cucumber extract and aloe. This cucumber mask is for normal to combination skin.

What masks are you using for your beauty routine?

Thanks for reading!

VHS Exercise Tape of the Day - Karen Voight - Cardio Strength

Karen Voight is hands down one of the best fitness instructors I have ever experienced. She knows how to choreograph exercise routines that target the entire body. Excellent instruction on how to obtain the best form for each exercise move for the maximum benefit to the body.

This fitness program provides me with an opportunity to dust off my step and get in a strong workout for my legs. Voight is the kind of  teacher where the warm ups alone feel like workouts.  The routines are challenging in a good way. There is a warm up and a cool down.

On you tube, I have noticed that a lot of the exercise programs will not include warm up and cool down segments in the same program. As someone who hurt her knee quite badly once from not taking the time to get my muscles warmed up and stretched, I am annoyed by this.

Another great thing about Cardio Strength and all Karen Voight's other workouts, she offers a beginner level to those who may not be able to do the regular or advanced moves. This is BIG gripe of mine about some very popular fitness gurus on youtube. If I cannot do the exercise at all, how will the workout help me? 

I would recommend any of Karen Voight's exercise DVD (or VHS) programs because I haven't been disappointed by any of her exercise routines I've purchased so far.

Thanks for reading! 

Necklace of the Day - Turquoise, Silver and Rhinestone Choker

This vintage dainty necklace is puts me in the mind of a bright warm breeze spring day. It looks like the previous owner really loved this flowery piece. Slightly wounded pieces never stop me from wearing them. I love the history and character of vintage jewelry.

This is a very feminine necklace that will compliment any tank top or flirty spring dress. It is just the right length as a choker and sits beautifully on the neck. I really wish I had matching earrings, pin and bracelet for this piece. Research is in order. Maybe there is more to this necklace than I imagined.

Thanks for reading!

The Evil Queen Disney Puzzle and Thoughts about Maleficent Trailer

Don't eat this apple!

150 pieces is about my limit for puzzles

This is the most beautiful drawing of  Disney character the Evil Queen from the story Snow White I've ever seen . She is so elegant, powerful and cruel in this intense image on the puzzle.

 I would love this puzzle as a regular sized poster for my wall. The Dollar Tree store had this 150 piece puzzle a while back and I am so glad I got it. Only a dollar. The colors are so vivid and the composition is perfect.

Now on to Maleficent the movie. This evil villain beauty is from the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

This movie with Angelina Jolie coming out on May 30. Honestly, I'm not very impressed with the movie poster of Angelina in the costume.When a actor doesn't impress me in the character costume in the poster, I usually end up not liking the movie. Believing the actor is the character and totally forgetting the actor is actually in costume is very important to enjoying the movie experience.

 After watching Maleficent movie trailer - it looks like a mixture of the movies Legend and Lord of the Rings (battle scene with the running tree things). Maybe a little hint of Wicked the musical too. The horns on Jolie's head are as distracting as the razor sharp cheek bones. Less would have been a lot more.

 I'm not a  fan of Jolie as an actress. But I can definitely see why she would want this iconic role and how she would think she could be perfect to portray Maleficent. But it really throws me out of the film when the actor is enjoying playing the character and it obvious to me they are REALLY enjoying being filmed playing the character. I caught a hint of Jolie maybe chewing scenery but I hope I am wrong. It's about time for another strong adult woman fantasy character in a leading role.


I can't suspense disbelief for Angelina as Maleficent (from what I've seen so far) exactly like I couldn't accept Anne Hathaway as Selina in Batman. Hathaway played a version of Catwoman but I never believed her performance in the role like I believed Michelle Pfeiffer's incredible feline portrayal.

And as Darkness,Tim Curry was amazing and terrifying and wore the horns a whole LOT better.

Are you going to see the Maleficent movie? Click here for the Rotten Tomatoes site review, trailer and pics.

*June 2, 2004 Update: The critics seem to be split on whether it is a good or bad movie. I have read some reviews that agree with my guess that Jolie would be overacting a bit. I will wait for this movie to go to the local $1.50 discount movie theater before I see it. Still hating the razor sharp cheek bones...

Thanks for reading!

Necklace of the Day - Red Bead with Silver Flat Beads

This is another red colored beaded necklace in my collection. This color can be described as a cranberry. A dark rich warm color. I like wearing this piece in the winter with a black sweater. For spring, any pastel colored tank would compliment this color.

I like the graduated sized beads. Usually I prefer my beads to be small to medium sized. One of the best things about these vintage necklaces is that you can just throw it on and go. It was a statement necklace before there was the term "statement" necklace.

Here is another red necklace I've written about in another post. Link

Thanks for reading!

Cassette of the Day - Everything But The Girl -The Language of Life

Everything But The Girl- The Language of Life 1990

This is such a relaxing cassette to listen to. Driving is my favorite song. Tracey Thorns' vocalizing at the beginning of Driving  just sets the cool mood. Get Back Together is another favorite track to listen to.

The band's name is in reference (I heard in an interview a loooong time ago) to a store that sold household goods named Everything But The Girl. I guess to clarify - a place where a guy can get everything for the home except a lady friend to share it with him.

 Off topic, I used to past by a store that was no longer in business named We May Have it. They probably didn't have it because the building had been long abandoned. I always laughed when I read that sign.

One of my biggest gripes about the music of today is how so few of the singers have amazing strong interesting voices. In the 80s and the 90s even if I didn't like a band, I would at least have to admit the vocalist could really sing or the band could really play. This is not true today in my opinion. There are just a few singers that have quality voices in today's music industry.

Give Everything But The Girl a listen and tell me what you think.

Thanks for reading!

Beauty Review - Cetaphil

This has been a skin care favorite for years. I have repurchased it many times.

This is of course a cult favorite. Cetaphil

We have all heard how gentle it is for the skin. This has been my holy grail face wash cleanser for years and years. Easy to use and inexpensive. Definitely a win win. 

 I can use my Earth Therapeutics facial brush from Ulta (the “ghetto Clarisonic” as Brittney Gray from the youtube channel Brittney Wins eloquently put it. LOL! ) or a cotton washcloth.I use only a pea sized amount and warm water.

I use can use this in the morning or at night without it drying my skin. It’s easy to find at your local drugstore or Walmart.

It is a decent no frills cleanser. As far as a makeup remover, I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup but it you build up a decent foam the majority of your makeup will dissolved to be rinsed off.

Speaking of rinsing, a very important step when using any facial cleanser is to make sure you rinse off any residue left by the product. This can prevent that dry tight feeling experienced afterwards. 

It’s not natural product with natural ingredients but it is definitely gentle to the skin. The slight soapy scent is not unpleasant. I usually only the smallest amount if I’m not removing a full face of  makeup. Since I don’t have to use a lot of product, it lasts a long time and this is definitely a money saver.

Do you use this Cetaphil?