MaxineShaw's Blog

HelloBeautiful is giving away a $50 DSW Gift Card.

For a chance to win click here.

So HelloBeautiful is at it again with a giveaway.  This week they're giving away a $100 Sephora Gift card.  Click here to find out what you've got to do.

Good luck!

Hello Everyone! I know I know, I've been away for awhile. The new year started off with a bang and I've been running ever since.

But I'm back now just in time to talk to you about taking some time out for yourself. In all the ripping and running I've been doing I've learned that I have to have some "me" time EVERY DAY. The place that's become my second sanctuary (the first is my bedroom) is my bath time.

I love that time of the day when I can draw a nice warm bath and as the commercial used to say, let the moment take me away. So I wanted to take this time to talk about how to make your bath time your own private spa.

Of course I know most of you have some sort of ritual, so if I miss something please feel free to share in comments. We all could use extra tips.

Turn on the music

I find music is a great way to get ready for the bath. Some of my favorites: Incognito, Sade, Earth Wind and Fire (gotta have the elements), Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis (Love Songs).

Lighting

If you've got a dimmer in your bathroom great, if not they aren't hard to install. You can get one at your local Home Depot or Lowes. Of course you can also use some candles (just be very careful) to set the mood. Scented candles are great and there are several on the market that are perfect for bath time like: Diptyque, Bed Bath and Beyond has a pretty extensive selection of more moderately priced candles too.

Bath Oils, Beads....etc.

Of course no bath experience is worth talking about with bubbles, oils and beads or the fragrance.  My favorite CAROL'S DAUGHTER they've got everything from the smell of the ocean to almond cookie scented products.  Of course if you're on a tight budget, like alot of us are right now, there are some really good bath products at your local drugstore.  Some you might like to check out: Neutrogena Rainbath Butter Creme is just luscious, Burt's Bees Buttermilk Bath Soak or Skin Milk.  You can find all of these at Drugstore.com.

Don't forget a nice fluffy towel, slippers and robe for after your bath.  And check back to my previous blog on winterizing your skin for some great moisturizers after the bath.

So once you've got everything you need to set your atmosphere, make a cup of tea or whatever your drink of choice is and settle down in the water and release the cares of the day.

If anyone is interested there's a contest going on and you can win a Saint Parfume candle and diffuser set.  The perfect pair to help make your bath time special.  Click here to enter.

Until next time....see you in the compact!

Hello All!

Just wanted to let you know that Hellobeautiful is at it again.

Today they're giving away a bottle of TOCCA's Bridgette perfume.

So if you want a chance to win just click here and follow the instructions.

Good luck and see you in the compact!

Ladies, I just had to pass this info onto you!  Forest Whitaker's wife Keisha has created her own line of lip gloss called KISSABLE COUTURE.  She was interviewed on Hellobeautiful.com and they have a contest where you can win her Smooches set.  She's put together colors that look great on women of color.

If you want a chance to win just go to hellobeautiful.com.

Enjoy!

See you in the compact!

Well ladies I'm back. I've been spending some time trying different moisturizers just so I could report back to you. Once again I've found some in different price ranges that will keep your skin glowing during the winter.  Of course you should always test any new product on your wrist to make sure you're not allergic.

Drugstore Delights

Back to basics.  Now that we're officially in a recession you want to make sure you get the best bargain for your money.  When it comes to our faces we definitely want to put our best face forward.  These products will help you do just that.

Olay Complete -- This is my staple. When all else fails I reach for Olay Complete for sensitive skin.  It's light and non-greasy. Oh and it has a sunscreen.  Remember that even though the sun is not as strong in the winter you still should use a sunscreen.They make formulas for normal to dry as well. You can find it in any drugstore for about $9.

L'Oreal Active Daily Moisture -- This is a great moisturizer.  Gives your face a really nice glow.  At a really great price of around $6.50 you can't beat it.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- This is an alpha hydroxy lotion which helps to exfoliate dead skin to reveal new healthy skin beneath.  You should definitely test this before you use it to make sure you're not allergic.  A great moisturizer at around $10.

Lip care

Of course the one thing we all use in the winter is some sort of lip balm and there are tons on the market now.  Prices range anywhere between $2 - $5 I'm sure you'll recognize some old favorites and maybe something new too.

Chapstick -- Yes the black and white package. This old fav is still around and has reinvented itself with naturals, flavors and shine. Around $1.99.  Chapstick has branched out with some new products as well.  Such as the two listed below:

Botanicals -- Natural shea butter base forumal.  Around $3.00

Shimmers -- slight shine along with moisture.  Priced around $2.50

Neutrogena Lip Care -- This is my personal favorite.  It has an SPF 15.  Wears great under any lip color. A little under $4.

Palmers Cocoa Butter Lip Formula: Dark Chocolate and Peppermint -- Ok THIS is my new favorite.  It smells so good you will be licking your lips ALL DAY.  You can never go wrong with cocoa butter, chocolate and peppermint and at around $1.80 you can't beat the price.

Boutique Beauty

Of course if you want to spend a little more on a lip balm there are some really nice ones that you can find.

Carol's Daughter Face Butter -- Ok how could you resist something called Face Butter?  However, this is really for people with DRY SKIN, so you ladies with t-zone skin or really oily skin may want to pass this one by.  Cost around $10.50 at carolsdaughter.com.

For lips they offer the following balms that will make your lips kissable!

Lip Butter -- $7 -- You already know how I feel about anything with the word BUTTER in it!

For my friends who want a little something sweet try these.

Mango Wet Shine - $6

Coconut Wet Shine -- $6

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer w/SPF 15 -- Kiehls has been around since the 1800's so they know their business.  While a bit more at $18.50 this moisturizer keeps your skin from feeling chapped when the hawk is out.

Lip Balm #1 -- With a sunscreen this lip balm from Kiehl's will keep your lips moist. About $6.50.

Haute Skin

In this spot the best face creme was Lancome's Renergie for about $77.  This is pretty much the perfect moisturizer for all skin types.  They have an oil free version for us ladies with oily skin.

Lips -- Prada Shielding Lip Balm/tinted -- Comes in a mini 8 pack for about $38.  Jo Malone also has a really nice lip balm called Vitamin E Lip Conditioner about $20 for one tube.

Honorable Mention

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer $22.50 -- department stores.

Ok ladies that's it until the next time. Please share your tips for great skin with the rest of us.  And remember that drinking water will help to fight dry skin.

See you in the compact!