Product Rave: MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask

After hearing lots of great things about this mask, I got myself down to the MAC counter at Macy's and picked up a tube. The woman who sold it to me seemed even more excited about it than I was and promised that my skin would look firmer and smoother at once, without any of the nasty drying-out effects of some "other" masks I may have tried. She sent me on my way with the helpful warning, "Just so you know ... it's really dark!"

There's nothing cute about a face mask so I'm sparing you a photo of me in the midst of the actual experience, but I really love this product. It warmed on contact with my skin and felt quite nice. I left it on for about 5 minutes, then washed it off -- I used it right before my shower so I just washed it off in the shower, which proved less messy than later in the week when I washed it off with a face cloth!

My skin did feel smoother right away, and my pores looked smaller, hooray! I'll probably use it once or twice a week. I sort of feel as if there isn't much to say about this product that you probably haven't A) already read on another blog or B) already discovered for yourself, by using it! Suffice to say that I highly recommend it. For $20 at Macy's it was a little bit of a beauty splurge, but our skin is worth a splurge once in a while, right?

Of course, if a bargain product can produce the same results as a splurge product, I'm all for that too, and that is the theme of my next review (tomorrow? Maybe?) ...

Fall Shopping Fun

I did some fall shopping today! This is my favorite season and I really love breaking out the warmer clothes, scarves, boots, jackets ...

Fun list of fall things ... now edited to include links for shopping!


1. Arns Boots from Aldo

I have a pair of black boots and I have my trusty, comfy, decidedly un-cute Uggs, but I didn't have a pair of brown leather boots. These look great over skinny jeans and I could wear them under dressier, roomier trousers if I needed to.

I got the Cognac color in the picture, but this style also comes in Black, Dark Brown & Taupe. I ended up going up half a size and will probably need some gel inserts to make walking a little more comfortable. Sometimes there is just no escaping that feeling of "oh my goodness, this heel is 4 inches high."


2. Ultrafine Turtleneck Sweater from Gap

Basic, but nice and warm for my HVAC-challenged office. It's very soft and comfortable. I got one in a deep eggplant color and may (read: will) end up going back for another color or two.















3. MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask

(I got mine at Macy's but it doesn't seem to be on their website. Hmm. Anyway, $20 at the MAC counter at Macy's.)

I've been hearing good things about this and since my skin is in a bit of an uproar, I'm giving it a try! Review coming soon ...










4. Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Buffing Brush

Also from Macy's, this is the holiday special version which comes in a metallic pinky red and is pre-filled with Mineral Veil (and therefore costs you $5 more). I've linked it to the Bare Escentuals main site because, once again, I can't find this particular item on the Macy's website. I love me some Mineral Veil and this way, it can come with me each day without making a huge mess when I try to use it on the go.