GREAT CHEAP BEAUTY SUBSTITUTES

Recently I had to travel to Virginia for my brother-in-law's funeral. I made my list, as usual, of everything I would need for my trip and packed. We picked up the rental from the airport, drove to Norcross to pick up my sister-in-law and got on the highway and headed on our way.

Somewhere along the way when we got to Raleigh, I wanted to freshen up my makeup and realized that I had left all of it neatly packed in the makeup bag on my bathroom sink! I don't know about you guys but like American Express, I don't leave home without my makeup, and I don't leave home without my Body Magic on purpose. However, I had left home without my makeup accidentally. I knew for sure that I did not want to spend an exorbitant amount to replace my regular makeup so I asked my husband to stop at Walgreen's where I knew I would be able to find some stand ins.

Let me tell you I am pleased with my selections and will continue to purchase most of what I bought that day. For $60 I bought everything I needed, including a kabuki brush! Here is my absolutely fabulous cheap chic makeup: Maybelline Matte Mousse in Carmel went on so smooth and felt so lite on my skin. I did not use a primer, only Johnson's baby lotion instead of a primer. I also purchased L'oreal Translucide with vitamine C loose powder just in case I got a little shiny later but I only had to use it once. Wet N Wild Ultimate Expressions Eyeshadow Pallete has the most beautiful colors with really rich pigments in just the colors that I love. I even purchased an extra eye shadow pallet by NYX with a beautiful gold and green combo because the price points were so great! Wet n Wild Silk finish blush in rouge actually gave my Iman blush a run for the money. Wet n Wild Mega Protein Mascara in black was not fabulous but it did the job for the days that I needed it. Wet n Wild pencils in kohl black and kohl brown for liner and brows were great, and the little kabuki brush by Studio Beauty 35 came in very handy for the loose powder. Milani Lipstick was the bomb and there were so many gorgeous colors to choose from I wanted them all! I controlled myself, however. I chose the bronzy/orange one. The best part about my purchase was most of the Wet n Wild was BOGO and the rest was on sale! I love when that happens!
I even bought a few more items that I needed that was included in the $60! Now that is cheap Chic!

I still got compliments on my makeup about how flawless it looked. Now that says a lot. I am still wearing my cheap chic makeup. Who knows....I may not ever go back to the other stuff. Hummmmm.....

Beebe Love's Must Have Beauty List

I have been wearing makeup since I was fifteen year old. I learned at an early age that looking your best is key to feeling your best. At least it is for me. I also learned that it is best to start with clean skin. I actually started out using baby lotion to clean my skin. It was gentle to my skin and back then, I did not require so much deep cleansing in my opinion. As I grew older, I discovered the Buf Puf or something similar to exfoliate my skin and keep it smooth and also discovered some gentle cleansers as well. I was always looking for something better. In my 20's I sold Avon, so I utilized some of those products as my daily regime for some years. I then discovered Mary Kay and was so enamored with this woman's story about what her product did to the leather that I started selling Mary Kay and has been off and on for years.

My blog this time is about products I just can't seem to do without. I experiment with different products for months, sometimes years at a time. I add, subtract, and fall in and out of love with some things. But you know there are sometimes when you just know what works for you. My list may be a bit long because I am going to tell you what I like to use from head to toe the products that works for me, the products that make me feel good, makes my skin soft and all of that stuff. So read on....

My hair.... Although I love to wear weaves and wigs I take care of my hair which is a must. Although I may change my shampoo and conditioner from time to time I always come back to Mizani's Moisturfuse and Fulfyl.

My Face...Like I said earlier, I have experimented with different products and I am not afraid to try new things. I received some Dermologica products to try and was skeptical at first so the products just sat on my bathroom shelf for a bit. One day I had a client who was visiting from London and I noticed how beautiful her skin was. She was my same complexion and I have always been complimented on my good skin, however, her skin was somehow baby smooth. When I asked her what skin care products she used, she told me Dermologica Microfoliant was her main product. What do you know; I have that sitting on my shelf! She said that she has always had problem skin but she started using Demologica six months earlier and the results were obvious. I have been a fan since that time. I use the Daily Microfoliant as a cleanser and just mix it with water to form a past to cleanse and exfoliate each morning and night and follow with the Toner and Active Moist. The Daily Microfoliant is a blend of Green Tea, Ginkgo, and Colloidal Oatmeal calms inflammation, leaving the skin clear and refreshed. Gentle enough to use on a daily basis and it is fragrance free. It also helps to balance uneven skin pigmentation.

I love soft skin and I love to pamper my body. I don't care how busy I am, I have to find some time to have some me time. I feel incomplete if I don't get a good soak in the Jacuzzi often, a pedicure every few weeks, get my nails done, a massage here and there, you get the picture. I still love 'Calgon take me away', and I get the one that you use in the Jacuzzi so the bubbles don't overtake the bathroom. If I just want to soak I just get the scented bath salts and sometimes I just make my own. I mix dead salt and my favorite lavender and Ylang scented oils. In my shower I actually like to use Shampure by Aveda. It smells awesome and it does not burn my sensitive areas like some shower gels do. Sometimes I use other gels but that is one of my must haves. After getting out of my bath or shower, I have to moisturize. I love baby lotion or baby oil. I used one for years that is no longer made so now I use Johnsons oil gel and lotions. If I don't have these, I use olive oil scented with essential oils.

My list is pretty simple but as you can see, most of my items are not very expensive. I splurge on some things but most of them are drugstore prices. Now for my makeup.... Here is my must have list I hope to never have to do without....

SMASHBOX PRIMER-'This silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish.' I looooooove this primer. I have been using this for maybe 3 years I think or at least since it was introduced at a manager's conference a few years ago.

PUR MINERALS- 'This is a 4 in 1 talc-free pressed foundation derived from micronized, natural minerals to provide custom coverage with a flawless finish. It serves as foundation, concealer, finishing powder and SPF 15 protection, in one compact. It also contains light defusing properties to diminish the look of lines and wrinkles.' I love, love, love this make up. My sister, Janice, introduced me to this one. I was a slave to something else before but this make is so lite. Combined with the Smashbox primer, I apply once in the morning and I am done for the day unless I get shiny and I use....

MINERAL VEIL BY BARE MINERALS-'Completely sheer and ideal for all skin tones, Mineral Veil gently absorbs oil and minimizes the appearance of lines and pores without the buildup of pressed or loose powders that contain parabens, waxes, dyes and binders.' I can apply this anytime I want. You have to try this!

MASCARA - Max Factor Eye Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara, Black Velvet Fabulous stuff! My new friend!

EYESHADOWS- My favorite shadows for the past 16 years has been bronze, gold, brown family. These colors are timeless and never seem to go out of style. My favorite company discontinued my shadows and I purchased about 8 of the bronze and gold shades about a year ago. I just sadly finished my last compact and I have not seen anything that I like as much since. I am still looking for a replacement for those shadows. I always receive so many compliments when I wear them. Boo hoo hoo...sniff sniff

Iman's blush in the color Peace is my favorite blush. I have not found any that can replace this one. It is not too red not too sedate. Perfect for my skin tone. Thanks Iman!

LIPSTICK/GLOSS Iman's Paprika lipstick gives me a subtle bronzy look to my naturally dark lips. I also love the Exotique and Edgy lip shines.

EYELINER/LIPLINER- I use Iman's liners in Expresso for my lip liner for depth lightly lining my lips and defining my brows if necessary, and I love her Black Silk liner for defining my eyes. They go on smoothly and rarely smudge.

So there you have all of my beauty secrets. Of course a girl has to keep some Secrets to herself, so you know I have left out something. It is up to you to try and figure out what.....Oh come on now...what's a little secret between friends? We are friends, are we not? Well, check me out next time. Be blessed.

TRUE BEAUTY

You wake up in the morning and get out of bed,
go to the mirror....oh my...enough's said.

Can the one in the mirror who's starring back at you
be the valued and loved creation of God? Yes, it's true.

You spend forty-five minutes with primping and paint,
working hard to make that image look more like a saint.

But look further than the image starring back at you__
Look deep down inside to find what is true.

Is there a heart filled with hatred, jealousy, envy and pride?
Or is there real love, real joy, real honor there abide?

Does the outer beauty you see there reflect the true beauty within?
Or is it a mask that only covers the darkness of sin?

I challenge you, my sisters, be you black, brown, yellow,
or white to search deep within you...you may get quite a fright.

By understanding true beauty, we can begin to be free
from self-consciousness, comparisons and continuous fault-finding sprees.

We must not be blinded to our own self-worth,
but be fulfilled in our own uniqueness...it's a blessing, not a curse.

Discover your True Beauty through God's holy word,
you will feel wonderful and joyous and free as a bird.

Beebe Love (10-25-95)

In order to look good at 50, you need to start taking care of yourself at 20. When you are in your 20’s, most women at this age are fairly resilient. They may, however, take that for granted by keeping late hours, not exercising and eating whatever they want, mostly unhealthy foods. The young don’t usually worry about the predisposed illnesses that might catch up with them like hypertension and diabetes. At 20, some may even be less careful about practicing safe sex, drinking enough water or enough veggies. The 20’s is the time to lay a foundation for the future, so it would be a good time to form good habits.

As women move into their 30’s they begin to gain weight if they are not careful. As we age, have children, our metabolism begin to slow down and we begin to have less muscle and more fat. Between our work, our families and other stresses of life, we sometimes opt for fast foods and quick meals that contain saturated fats and high salt content. Our busy lives can sometimes get in the way of our healthy eating and we begin to consume way too many high fats and such due to lack of time. We think that our exercise is all the running around we do during the day.

In our 40’s, we come into ‘real womanhood’. We feel good about whom we have become and the skin we are in. We know by now what we want in life. However, we may be struggling with the bulges that started to develop in our 30’s when we were running around with the kids to the fast food restaurants while running them to soccer and basketball and never taking the time to sit down for a balanced meal. By now those kids are pretty active and off to college developing their own bad habits, and you are left with your bulges and trying to figure out how to get rid of them.

Now here comes the 50’s, which is the affirmation that the vitality we can possess is no different than when we were 30. They say the 50’s are the new 30’s and that is exactly how it should be. It is never too late to look great, but you can look fantastic if you just start good habits early. It is important to take preventive measures if your family has a history of illnesses. Make regular Doctor Visits starting in your 20’s and take care of yourself. Get enough rest in your 20’s. I know that a party will sometimes last till time to go to work the next day. But sometimes a body must be smart enough to just say ‘I have had enough.’ Exercise is always important even if it’s just a walk around the park or your neighborhood just to keep your joints flexible. Try dancing or yoga or tai-chi or even belly dancing. They can be a lot of fun. Take care of your sexual health. Be careful who you sleep with. Abstinence can be really amazing. Try it in your 20’s…your friends will be in awe of you. In your 30’s, take time for yourself and make sure you eat healthy. Find time to go to a farmers market and buy and prepare lots of vegetable based lunches and dinners for your family. It may take some extra time at night but the rewards are huge. By the time you are in your 40’s, you won’t have the problem so many have with trying to get rid of the gut that came about from the 30’s. Your 40’s can be a time of excitement even if you might be going through the ‘change’. That’s a whole other articleJ.

That brings us to the fabulous 50’s…make sure you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D and fiber. You have a newfound since of freedom. Your children should be on their own and your focus should be on YOU. If you stayed in practice with the Kegel exercises in your 30’s, your pubic muscles should be nice and tight. With the kids out of the house, you can do whatever you like….

I invite you to read my past posts in 'My Age Not Your Business', however, I am excited to tell you about Shear Connexions.....

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True Beauty

My Husband, my youngest daughter and I went to my sister in law's to celebrate her birthday tonight. She is a beautiful lady, inside and outward. You can tell she takes care of herself. She got great skin, and takes pride in everything she does. Truly a woman of good taste.

While sitting around the table talking, I announced that I had started writing a blog entitled "My Age, Not Your Business." Of course some thought this was an interesting subject, some had no response, probably just because. My cousin said "You guys look fabulous. I would tell the world my age if I were you." Great compliment.... She's younger than I am and maybe don't mind telling age. That is okay for her. My sister in law has no problem telling her age either. It's just me with the zipped lip about the age thing. You know...my age...my business :) Maybe one day when I am 80 and hopefully looking 60 I may tell too. Who knows?

In my last blog I talked about starting with good skin. It is the foundation of staying beautiful. Most beauty books will tell you that when you get in your forties you should start using night creams and serums because as you get older, you tend to lose elasticity, and you become dryer due to lack of collagen. However, I truly believe that early preventive measures are the best bet for great skin. I started taking care of my skin at age fifteen. But I think if a woman at least starts serious skin care even as early as her twenties or thirties, she will have less regrets in her fifties and sixties. She can avoid the dryness which can lead to wrinkles so moisturizing should be a priority. Even if you have oily skin, there is an oil free moisturizer for your skin type.

When I wear makeup, and I like to wear a mineral makeup, and I also use a primer. I wear less makeup, it last all day and does not clog my pores.

My neighbor is retired and I believe she told me she is about 72 years old. I could not believe it because she looks so terrific. She keeps her hair cut in a cute and current pixie hair style. Her hair is snow white and gorgeous but her face is smooth and almost wrinkle free. Certainly not the face of a 72 year old. She walks every morning around 6am. I see her working in her yard on a regular basis. She stays active. Sometimes I see her outside playing ball with her grandchildren. She truly enjoys her life. That is what I call true beauty. She eats right, gets exercise, drinks lots of water and takes care of her skin. Comparatively, I see other women younger than this woman, some in their 60's who could easily pass for late 70's. I am sure they probably don't even own a jar of anything that resembles a cream. If they walked, it is probably from the car to the pharmacy counter to pick up a prescription.

What does true beauty have to do with all this? EVERYTHING! Did you know that if you just eat right, exercise, drink water, you can literally flush toxins from your body which will lead to good skin? Its all relative. Lets get moving. Just because you're over 40 doesn't mean you have to look it, doesn't mean you have to feel it, and certainly doesn't mean that the world has to know it. See how I brought that subject right back to 'my age, my business?" :)

Until next time. Have a fabulous day.

Becoming An Aging Female Is a Matter of Birth

Becoming An Aging Female Is a Matter of Birth.....HOWEVER, being a gorgeous, ageless woman is a matter of choice. That is my line and I am sticking with it. When I was 23, I was taking an interior design class and my instructor was 37. She was absolutely gorgeous. At 23 I saw 37 as mature, older, maybe even ancient. I truly admired the way she dressed, and the way she wore her hair and makeup. She also had great skin. When she told us she was 37, I remember saying, "Wow! I hope I look that good when I get that old". I am sure she was probably thinking 'what is old about 37?' Of course 37 is not old to anyone unless you are under 30 :)

I have always been intrigued with the care of good skin. Of course I love makeup. But what I love more is great skin. One of the first steps in taking care your gorgeous self is to start taking care of your skin if you have not already. Your face is the first thing that you see in the morning, so spend some time taking care of it. It is the first thing that people see as well. Even if you don't wear makeup to cover the imperfections, you really should be determined that you should take care of the 'skin you're in'. I don't even mean just your facial skin either. You should take care of the whole body. Soft, smooth skin is wonderful. If you don't have it, you must experience it. Pay attention to your feet, your hands, your knees and elbows.

Stand in front of the mirror and look, really look at yourself. Do you see or feel any rough spots on your face or body. Well they have to go! NOW! This means you first have to cleanse your face or body with appropriate cleanser or shower gels or creams, then EXFOLIATE. If you don't know what that means, you can email me later. After you exfoliate, then you must tone and moisturize. Now don't even tell me that you don't have time for all of that. You need to just take time. You owe it to yourself. Just get up a little earlier. Make a date with yourself.

You might ask what products to use. I am not endorsing any specific products at this time. Over the years I have actually used products right out of my kitchen to smooth my knees and elbows, give myself facials, condition my hair, soften my feet, soak my body, the list goes on. However, my point is you have to start now thinking of yourself as ageless, gorgeous, and beautiful, because somewhere under the dry skin, if that is you, the oily skin if that is you, the 'I don't know what to do with my hair, my skin, my body, myself', if that is you, is a gorgeous woman who wants to emerge. Please let her out.

Until next time. Have a fabulous Day!

My Age: Not Your Business

Hi all,

This is my first post. I have never blogged about anything but let me start by talking about something that has always irritated me.

I have six sisters and one brother and I am the oldest of the eight of us. I have two adult daughters and two granddaughters. I manage a salon where I have worked for almost six years. Over the years my staff has tried to guess my age or try to find our something about me so that can just tell them. Maybe to other people, it's no big deal. However, I have decided that my age is nobody's business but my own.

People always ask my age and I tell them in a playful way, "If I tell you, I have to kill you." I say the same about my recipes. Some things are just sacred, you know. Like some people ask me, "Is that your real hair?" I could ask them, "Are those your real teeth? Are those your real breasts?" I don't, but I could. I simply say sometimes, "If I say yes or no, would you like me more or less? Just curious. Is it really important for you to know? I mean, if it is, I will tell you." Of course by now they are embarrassed that they asked. I mean, really, what does it matter if a woman looks good...just say "You really look nice today." That should be sufficient.



For years, I didn't even think about my age...I just knew I had birthdays. I was too busy running my salon, taking care of my children and living my life. I remember one day having a conversation with someone who asked me how old I was. I immediately said 32...and I meant it. It had been so long since I had acknowledged my age , it just came out of my mouth. I continued to talk and in the middle of my sentence, I realized that I had lied...not intentionally but just the same I had lied. At the time, I was 39. I stopped talking, took a deep breath and realized that I was not 32. Out loud I said, "No...I am not 32, I am 39. I can't believe that seven years has happened to me and I have not noticed." That was a scary moment for me. That age thing is not what I want to address. I also realized that that age thing is not really important.

However, no matter how good you look, people may judge you because of your age. Example: A client of mine who looks about 27, but is really 41 told me that she had been approached by some women in a class she was taking. They had networked for about a month and had made some very important strides. She invited them to her home for lunch one day and they were so amazed that a 27 year old had such a beautiful home. That was when she told the ladies that she was actually 41. The winds changed after the luncheon and two of the young ladies decided to drop out of the networking group because they felt that they had nothing in common with my client. It seemed once the age was revealed, it became a problem. Of course, in this scenario, they both seemed like idiots to me. My friend was prepared to expand her business and had high hopes of them joining her. Of course it was good that true colors emerged at the right time to save her heartache in the future. There are other examples where good employees are passed over because of their age. I know of a situation where the promotion was given to the 26 year old who had worked in the company for 3 months instead of the 59 year old who had been in charge of the company for 2 years while the owner was out of the country. I was a blow to her for sure. By the way, she did not look 59 or dress the part. It is what it is.
Of course it is what it is. It is going to happen. Just like the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, age happens. Some people notice, some people don't. I decided I would be one to make a conscious effort not to notice.

My sister had her __th birthday recently (aha! you thought I would slip and tell, didn't you?) If I tell you her age, you can guess mine...NOT! She was going around telling everyone how proud she was of her age because she knew she looked good for her age, yada, yada, yada. That is fine for her, but then she goes on to say, "Now my sister B is older than me." Now what does my age have to do with her conversation? Just leave me out of it thank you very much. My sister loves me and would never hurt me. But I think she knows now that i am serious about her keeping me out of the age conversation.

In the meantime, I intend to take care of myself as the aging process takes place. Thank God in my family, we've got great genes, but I have to meet those genes half way. I still have to do my part. I have to eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, drink lots of water and pamper myself. If i don't, who will?

What I don't understand is why do I see women, some younger, some older, just withering away? Why don't women take care of themselves? It's not just the married ones either. Some are married and some are single. The single are wondering why they have no one and the married are wondering why the husband don't pay them attention. We have lots to talk about in these future blogs, don't we? The way I see it is, with all of the tools and resources these days, no woman has to look unattractive. Like the commercial says, "I can show you how."

Well, I have blogged enough for the night. Got to get some rest 'cause it is late. Until the next time....