Shaving is something fifty eight percent of you could probably do without, according to last week’s poll.  There does come a time when the hair gets to possibly be a bit much, as I hit that mark probably two months after the birth of my daughter.  It was winter and I’d had a C-section, so bear-like limbs were the norm until I personally missed the feel of smooth legs.  Twenty percent said they would get rid of the hair no matter what, and eighteen percent said they would willingly stop the removal process altogether.  Think of the time you would be saving!

Today, I want your reaction to something Mel B. aka Scary Spice said on the George Lopez show recently.  If you don’t feel like watching (the quote is pretty early on) she said that one of her secrets to being fit was having sex with her husband five times a day. Five times a day?

When I was getting ready to be married lo these eight years or so ago, I had this idea that I would pick out a special fragrance for my wedding day. One that I could break out for special occasions and remember the night my husband and I became legally wed.

After a fairly exhaustive search, I decided to purchase Flower by Kenzo. It was beautiful. Soft, delicate, and a little bit powdery, I fell in love with it almost instantly. And I’m not the only one, as Chandler Burr, perfume blogger for the New York Times, thinks it’s practically perfect as well.

Problem was, my husband for some reason hated the scent. He likes “strong” perfumes, and Flower could never be categorized as strong. So, since he disliked it so much, I used up the bottle I had and haven’t bought it since. But, I’m definitely thinking of buying it again in the very near future, as I figure he isn’t around me 24/7, right?

Just like the lovely perfume sampler I talked about earlier in the year, Sephora has just come out with a new sampler for those of us who are looking for that perfect mascara. The only difference is that this is does not have a certificate good for one full sized version. La Petite Acadienne, I think this has your name written all over it! 

For just $40.00, you get to sample eleven different mascaras! I happen to think this kit is well worth the price, because how many of us are hesitant to try on a mascara sample at the store? And then we go ahead and buy the full-sized version to try it out, and then wind up being horribly unimpressed and having to take it back. Or if you are like me, swearing I will return the thing one of these days, and then never getting around to it.

They also have a waterproof mascara set, although it doesn’t give you quite as many options as the one above.  But it does come with four mascaras, makeup remover, and an eye pencil.

I think this just might be the way to go if you are looking for a new favorite mascara, but are loathe to keep buying full sized versions until you find the right one.

Usually, I am a huge fan of Benefit cosmetics. I’ve found that their products are high quality, and do what they say they are going to do.

Which is why I was so surprised with BADgal Mascara. To me, the name conjures up criminally long lashes. So long that everyone will think you are a rebel and not a “nice” girl. Am I wrong on that?

With much anticipation, I applied this mascara, thinking I would perhaps go and ready my membership application for the local rollerderby team, or maybe the Pink Ladies, at the very least.

Alas, I would be receiving no stares of disapproval from the other moms on the playground.

I found BADgal to be overwhelmingly underwhelming. There was no oooomph, there was no wow factor. It goes on very nicely, and has a very smooth formula that does not clump. But it just didn’t thicken my lashes at all, it just darkened them. Which is fine for going to work or whatnot.

While it is a perfectly acceptable mascara for having tea with the ladies, no one will ever mistake you for someone who would go out with a T-bird.

You wouldn’t know it by the weather in my neck of the woods, but summer is officially here! How do I know this for sure? Why, my son is now out of school and ready to drive me crazy for the next three months.

But as things get hotter and we all start spending more time at the pool and in the sun, I wanted to share with you one of the best sunscreens I have ever used. As an extra bonus, it is the ONLY sunscreen that the Munchkin will allow me to put on his face without screeching in protest. He hates the feel of heavy lotion on his face, and the gel-like quality of this sunscreen is the only one that meets his approval.

Which brings me to why it’s also great for adults, too. Because of the “extra smooth” touted in its product name, it has no greasy feel and will not leave your face looking as if you just spent some time working the deep fryer like so many other sunscreens. A little of this product goes a very long way. And if that wasn’t convincing enough, it is waterproof, blocks both UVA and UVB rays, is PABA-free, and carries the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of recommendation.

Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 36

To me, the beauty of beauty is that it is entirely possible to buy high and low end products and be happy with both.

For those that don’t like to wear a whole lot of makeup, or for those who tend towards a lighter palette in warmer weather, ChapStick True Shimmer might just be the product for you. Because even if you don’t like wearing lip gloss or lipstick, you’ve got to hydrate and protect your lips somehow.

Imparting the sheerest of shimmers, this ChapStick comes in many nice scents, including berry, tropical, orange cream, and banana cream. The shimmer is pretty, and definitely does not look overdone. The scents are noticeable, but not too strong. And, I would have to say that the moisturizing benefits of this product far outshine (ha!) that of Burt’s Bees shimmers, but there is a definite lack of color. All you get is the subtle shimmer.

Dare I say that you might even be able to give this to your young daughter who is clamoring to wear lip gloss and not feel as if she is on the road to looking like Lady GaGa.

ChapStick True Shimmer

Baby, 80’s neon is baaa-aaack! The easiest way to display this trend is, of course, with nail polish. OPI has some truly day-glo options that will look perfect with a tan. Obtained either via lotion or copious amounts of sunscreen, natch.

OPI Nail Polish Need Sunglasses

OPI Gargantuan Green Grape

OPI Atomic Orange

I’m sure we all have our own opinions about this:

Just, stay away from the capris if you want to make the grade. I’m just sayin’.