THIS WEEK'S RECOMMENDATIONS (BEAUTY AND SKIN CARE BLOG POST)

Blog post contains affiliate links.

FOR YOUR SKIN

Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream

With few and natural ingredients including olive oil, bees wax, honey and royal jelly, the EGYPTIAN MAGIC CREAM (affiliate) achieved what it promised--to hydrate skin.

Please beware that it looks and behaves dissimilar to other skin cream: a waxy consistency, as opposed to a succulent, white paste, that dissolved into oil after gentle rubbing. 

Though oil promptly absorbed into skin, there was slight residue; but such annoyance can be overlooked considering that the cream, after a week of consistent use, accomplished healthier appearance.

The cream is all-purpose and suits all skin types, and that is allllll-right with us. 
 

Appearance at first.

After gentle rubbing.

Almost fully absorbed after a few minutes.

FOR YOUR NIGHT TIME ROUTINE

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Solid product, trusted brand, and affordable price too (around $12 - 15), this NEUTROGENA ANTI-WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM (affiliate) combats the appearance of wrinkles while protecting skin at night, when you cannot hydrate and therefore lose moisture the most.

FOR YOUR MAKEUP BAG

Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Custom Blush

The product's natural shade and pleasing presentation give it that "everyday-wear" factor. Its ingeniously-designed compact, with a pop-up layer that encases brush and mirror, adds more reason to love PHYSICANS FORMULA (affiliate).

FOR YOUR NIGHT STAND

Fun Classic Reads

Entertaining books. But of course, you already know that; as well as how, instead of helping you asleep, they might keep you up. :O)

FOR MONDAY MORNINGS

Inspirational Speeches

Seattleites suffer not the Monday-Blues but the Monday-Grays--thanks to the Upper-Left's moody weather--and therefore need extra fuel to rev our engines for the week.

After coffee, inspirational words please! And please consider AmericanRhetoric.com's Inauguration Speeches. Reason being: as recommended by TEDx TALKS Donauinsel (How to be confident -- and lay down on the street for 30 sec by Till H. Groß), "if you want to be really good at something...you have to learn from the best."

And it would be nice to have a good, productive week. :O)

Thank you for your time!

Friday's Fab Five

* This post contains affiliate and sponsored links.

Happy Friday to you!

Hope the New Year has been fabulous so far. And if you want more fun and fab treats, please enjoy today's recommendations.

Friday's Fab Five

1. Stretch Cuff with Purple Stones

Cuffs make a bold statement--and one in gold and purple is even more loud and proud. 

Find it at B.young clothing.

2. Avena Hand and Body Moisturizing Cream

Protect winter skin with an all natural moisturizing cream that brings elasticity, softness and nutrition. The formula is rich, creamy and non-greasy; and it smells amazing!

Find it at Avena Cream.

3. Nutri Ninja Juice Extractor

900 watts of professional power, plus extractor blades that break down fruits and vegetables to their finest to extract the most nutrients. Then, all you have to do is turn the cup upside down, and enjoy.

Sold at Nutri Ninja.

4. Fruit Topped Salads

Add healthy fruits to luscious greens; drizzle your favorite organic dressing, like today's poppy seed, on top; and a super food salad is done.

5. Date Nights In

Flowers and wine are always fabulous, especially when you share them with your sweetheart on date nights in.

Thank you for your time!

Happy Friday, and have a FABULOUS weekend!

Marc Jacobs Highliner Eyeliner Review

Today's review is not sponsored.

The Marc Jacobs Highliner (affiliate) deserves attention because it's simply exquisite. Suppose you already know my opinion; but in case you've interest in the details, please read on.

After depleting a treasured 24/7 Glide On Pencil (by Urban Decay) to a stub, I wandered into Sephora, intending to repurchase the glide-on pencil when, surrounded by so many girlie things, a shelf full of various try-me's stole my attention. 

Why must Sephora target our Achilles Heels? 

Before coming to senses, I was already acquainted with one, two, three, four different eyeliners by drawing them on the back of my hand--and Marc Jacobs Highliner drew the most pronounced line.

About Marc Jacobs Highliner

Marc Jacobs Highliner is a gel crayon eyeliner by Marc Jacobs Beauty, with features including intense color, waterproof property, and extreme wear, and a "breakthrough formula" adhering exclusivity to the brand. Described as "super-malleable," the liner is said to glide on smoothly, apply precisely, and stay put all day.

It also includes Vitamin E and Rosa Canina Seed Extract as ingredients, both of which soothe, soften and protect your skin.

Application

An eyeliner's application holds the utmost importance; because liners contact the sensitive skin around your eyes. Quality eyeliners mustn't easily crack, irritate or run, and should apply effortlessly.

Formula-wise, Marc Jacobs Highliner gave an outstanding performance! Compared to the Urban Decay Eye Pencil I previously owned, which created intensity but watered my eyes and failed to stay put; the Marc Jacobs liner felt lighter and lasted longer, while providing similar intensity.

Similar, but not the same.

The Urban Decay eyeliner has richer pigmentation, and exuded sensuality. Its deep, powerful color enhanced eyes with darker pupils. 

The Marc Jacobs eyeliner appeared duller. However, if you seek super-charged intensity, simply draw the same line two or three times for a darker shade.

Staying Power

Ah! My favorite feature of this eyeliner! It lasted, and lasted, and then some. The only way to take it off was with an oil of some sort. (I used coconut.) 

And again, it stayed put all day, didn't smudge, and provided the quality it promised.

After Washing With Soap

After Removing With Coconut Oil and Cleansing Towelettes

Packaging

The liner encased in a sheen and simple black-and-white box, reflecting the brand's minimal style. The pencil itself, also dual-colored--instead of white a gleaming silver--delivered a sense of luxury. When you hold the box, you know something special resides inside.

The pencil also has a built-in sharpener (see below). It's concealed at the end tip, and twists off. It's quite an innovative feature: because the pencil is a twist-tube; the tiny, feather-weight sharpener need only to fit the tip of the crayon. It keeps crayon sharpened, save production cost, and adds value to the product.

Price

For $25 (per 0.01 oz), you can acquire the liner at your local Sephora. It's a fair price for a brand-name. You can also find it on Amazon here. (Affiliate)

Re-Purchase?

Believe so.

Before

After Applying Liner Only

After Applying Rest of Eye Makeup

Thank you for reading today's Marc Jacobs Highliner Review!

Have you tried it?

Weekend's Wise Words

You don't have to agree, but I hope you do.

Hope you had a fabulous weekend!

#GIRLSCAN - BEST COVERGIRL COMMERCIAL YET - BECAUSE, #GIRLSCAN

This Week's Beauty and Skincare Recommendations

Feels comforting returning to The Girlie Blog. 

Like reconnecting with a long-lost friend.

After nine months of locking down at the county library and surviving on cheap coffee, my minuscule Internet Marketing Business is, at last, up and running, and close to breaking even.

People are assuming. 

When a few acquaintances heard of "internet" and "marketing," they presumed the business to be a type of Network Marketing or Pyramid Scheme--the kind that obligates friends and family to purchase useless products. Some people have canceled plans or even dropped off of the radar completely! But I don't blame them. If I was assuming, and thought that all internet marketers would pressure me to join a nebulous network with the promise of a million-dollar paycheck, I'd flee too.

It's not network marketing or pyramid scheme.

Just a business model that was "dreamed" up while laying sideways breastfeeding our first born. It's a tiny, insignificant business model, but promising enough to formulate a business plan for, and offers the possibility to stay home with our children while supplementing income and cultivating a new career path.

For three years, small updates were added to the business plan each time I laid sideways breastfeeding. Thank God for smartphones! When our second kid stopped breastfeeding, planning wrapped up, and "proof-of-concept" began. It was an arduous and sensitive phase in the "master" plan. Good thing I locked myself in the library with cheap coffee to avoid driving the husband crazy.

Real friends, including you, fellow beauty and fashion bloggers, don't ask questions.

They give you space to do what you must do, and spare you the embarrassment of explaining if plans falter. They also check in once in a while when you update your blog with these cool beauty and skincare finds:

1. Milani Grandissimo Lashes Mascara

For drug store mascara, Milani Grandissimo performed well. The creamy formula created thickness; the fat wand separated lashes; and the drug store price saved a few bucks. I've been using it for two weeks, and am happy with the results. 

2. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

According to Estee Lauder's product detail, this serum contains an exclusive ChronoluxCB™Technology, which "reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles, leaving skin feeling smoother, hydrated, and stronger, and looking younger, radiant, and more even toned." Sounds like a bogus promise, but my skin does feel lubricated each morning!

ChronoluxCB™ contains hyaluronic, which is a natural substance in the human body. Its highest concentration is found in fluids around eyes and joints; and its lubricating properties add value to both medicine and skin care. In skin care, hyaluronic is used in fillers and anti-aging products like today's night serum.

This serum holds onto moisture through the night, leaving my skin dewy and glowing in the morning. I absolutely love it! A 1.7-ounce bottle costs around $90. I think it's worth every penny!

3. Biore Charcoal Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Charcoal's purifying property and high absorbency gives these strips an edge over others. These strips pulled some nasty stuff out of my pores. Definitely getting these again.

4. Biore Self Heating One Minute Mask

Also made with natural charcoal, this face mask leaves skin fresh and soft. It also creates a warm, tingly sensation upon touch, which feels relaxing. 

5. Cover Girl Single Eye Shadow

Affordable, long-lasting and natural-looking, these Cover Girl singles are go-to's.

6. Cover Girl Lip Lava

Drug store lip gloss doesn't last long. Actually no gloss does. But the lip lava has lush, pretty color, and is fun to wear. I also like its easy-to-apply brush.

7. Burt's Bees Shae Butter Hand Repair Cream

No need to explain what this hand cream does or how well it works. Love it, and use it all the time!

8. C.O Bigelow Mentha Tingling Foot Cream

Outside of the county library, I chase two little ones around all day, leaving feet dry and cracked from heel to toe. A powerful foot cream like C.O Bigelow's Mentha Tingling Foot Cream pampers abused feet with cooling mentha and soothing aloe. I've been using it every night for two months, and cracked heels are now smooth.

I don't expect you to visit.

After all, I've abandoned this blog for so long.

In case you do visit, though, I hope you found the recommendations above useful.

See you...hopefully.