More! Beauty!

I’m still riding the safe cosmetics/products high over here. I think I’ve wrapped up replacing and rebuilding my bathroom. I’ve found some really great things throughout this process, and I’m feeling good about spending my money this way.

I’m going to shut up about all of this, but had to post one last time on the topic, because I need to tell you about WATER BASED NAIL POLISH.

I’d heard of this stuff, but was pretty wary that nail polish without fake stuff could be viable or pretty. I’m a nail polish lover. I can wear no makeup with no problem, but walking around with ragged or sad looking nails is just uncouth in my world. I love Essie nail polish, but I know it’s full to the brim of chemicals. I’ve been buying Butter polish for awhile since it’s free from the 3 main nail polish baddies: Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde and Toluene. I like the colors, but the polish wears off quickly and once I looked them up in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and saw a big red “6″ I decided I needed something better.

I found the site for Spirit Beauty Lounge and kind of felt like I was in Hog Heaven. They had a few water-based polish types to choose from (I picked Scotch and Acquarella brands) as well as products from my new favorite, RMS Beauty. So I ordered some polish and the two RMS things I’d been dying to try. They came in the mail today and HOORAY they are awesome!

The polishes had some materials with them that explained how best to use them — you need to deep condition your nails first since they need to be moisturized for the polish to look its best. My nails always look a wreck after a week in polish so I’m excited that these polishes won’t wreak that kind of havoc, and that using them encourages me to treat my nails well. I got a nice bright color and a lovely light pink shade and I’ve painted one color on each hand to see how I like them. So far they both look great. It was so refreshing to put on nail polish that literally smelled like nothing. The remover is made of oils, so it doesn’t smell either.

I love the RMS products: a nice pink all over color that I can wear on my lips and cheeks, and the Living Lumizer highlighting type cream which makes me look awake and glowy (and not sparkly like a vampire in the sunlight). I think of how my makeup box on my dresser used to be full of products and I’m pretty pleased to see that now I have just 3 little pots and a container of powder that makes me look just as put together, if not more so. Plus it’s super easy so I’ve found that I’m actually walking out the door in the morning feeling pretty and well groomed, instead of slapping on lipstick as I jump on the bus.

The best part about the package was the box full of samples. Like, a lot of samples. 15 I think. I’m going on a trip next week so I’m thrilled to have special little travel-sized treats to take with me, including some very useful sunscreen, after sun spray, and yummy eye cream.

I’ll return from my library conference with more to write about next week, so if you’re sick of hearing about makeup, you’re in luck! I’m going to be meeting up with Sky in New Orleans for the first few days. It’s hot there! I can’t wait.