Teen Vogue Beauty Awards

I was browsing through Teen Vogue online and I saw that they are taking votes for the Third Annual Teen Vogue Reader's Choice Beauty Awards and decided to take some time and fill out the questionairre. It was actually kind of fun thinking of all the products that I use and all of the products that I have used before to find my favorite. I look forward to seeing the results.

Best Body Lotion:
The Body Shop Vanilla Spice Body Butter

Best Face Scrub:
Estee Lauder Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser

Best Body Scrub:
Philosophy Coconut Frosting Salt scrub

Best Body Wash/Soap:
Dove Cream Oil Ultra Rich Velvet Beauty Bar

Best Self-Tanner:
Lancome Flash Bronzer Transfer-Resistant Self-Tanner Ultra-Natural Instant Tan

Best Razor:
Gillette Venus Divine

Best Shampoo:
Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Shampoo

Best Conditioner:
Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Conditioner

Best Hair Product:
Winter: Frederic Fekkai Winter Hair Thermal-Restore Insulating Treatment
Summer: Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Beach Waves

Best Hair Dye:
Never colored my hair, don't plan on doing so.

Best Lipstick:
Estee Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Nude Rose

Best Lipgloss:
Estee Lauder High Gloss Ultra Brillance in Clear

Best Eyeliner:
Dior Crayon Eyeliner in Precious Violet

Best Eyeshadow:
Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Palette

Best Mascara:
Estee Lauder More than Mascara Moisture-Binding Formula in Rich Black

Best Perfume:
Burberry The Beat

Best Nail Polish:
Chanel Moscou Nail Limited Edition Russian Nights Collection in Nuit de Russie

Best Acne Product:
Don't use any.

Best Face Wash:
listed earlier - Perfectly Clean

Best Face Lotion:
Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Lifting Creme

Best Sunscreen:
Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock in SPF 30

Best Blush:
Don't use it.

Best Foundation:
Don't use it.

Best Concealer:
Don't use it.

Best Tooth Whitening Product:
GO SMiLE Touch Up Ampoules in Pear-licious and Peach-licious

Vote @ www.teenvogue.com

Layers Layers Layers

In light of the fact that it is holiday break and I have time on my hands; it's time to add more layers to my volume of brunette-ness. I started cutting my own hair a long time ago..

Once upon a time, there was an innocent 7th grade girl hoping to get her hair trimmed with a few layers before the dance. Little did she know she would come out of the salon with an uneven, above the shoulder "semi-bob?". From that point on she vowed to never again have her hair cut in Poland. (too lazy/traumatized to search for another stylist)

And so, ever since, I have cut my own hair. The orange handled "kitchen" scissors are my favorite, they are sharp and easy for me to control, the black handled ones were a gift from a friend and are better for smaller adjustments, and the silver ones are actually called "thinning shears" and have teeth. (Just bought at Sephora U.S.A so I havn't used them yet) So basically, the message is; be inspired to try something out for yourself? You might be surprised (in a good way) with the results.

Photo creds to my new Sony Cybershot DSC-W300

Day Dreaming

Right now I'm in California, which is awesome except I just found out that there is no American Apparel nearby. Which is really disappointing, but I'm turning to technology and ordering things online. If you order by the 23rd, everything will get there by Christmas!

But, to the picture. I cannot wait until the 27th, when we jet off to Puerto Rico! And so above are some of my poolside/beach essentials:

1.) Limited Edition Frédéric Fekkai Summer Hair Collection: I love this collection. I got it this summer before I went to Santorini and it's amazing. It gives you the "just off the beach" look, while protecting your hair from chlorine and sun exposure.

2.) Estee Lauder High Gloss in Clear: this lip gloss is very natural since it's clear, but ultra-glossy and has amazing moisture that keeps lips supple all day. The only downside: no SPF.

3.) Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock in SPF 55: This sunblock is amazing. I've never gotten sunburned while wearing it and it goes on like lotion. It's not too greasy (considering that all sunblock is a little greasy) and it smells nice too.

4.) VOGUE: Every girl should sit on the beach with the latest copy of VOGUE in her hands. It's my beach must-have. No matter how many times you flip through it, there's always something new that you missed the last time.

5.) Product Red iPod Nano: I love my iPod. I've had it forever and I've never had any problems with it. Laying in the sun listening to music is the definition of my vacations. Just be careful not to drop it in the pool ;)