Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

This foundation is Estee's lighter version of their original Double Wear. I have to say, it did perform much better. The problem I had with the original was the packaging, and the heaviness of the foundation made it a little cakey after swims. The Light is in a tube form, which is MUCH better. They still have only an SPF 10, which is still a bit low, but at least it has a little.

It wears really well, it is a thicker foundation, similar to the original as well so you do have to move quickly and carefully when you apply it. It stayed through the day, through runs, bike rides and swims. I am impressed with its performance actually.

However of the 3 I have tested, I still like Merle Norman's foundation the best. It just glides on so smoothly and leaves such a clean, smooth, powder finish.

My next test is Maybelline's 24 Hour Super Stay Makeup.

Swim, Bike, Run and Live Pretty!!

True Inspiration

Last year, I had the honor of meeting Charlie Plaskon. Not only is Charlie a 66 year old grandfather of 3, he is a phenomenal athlete, motivational speaker and one of the most inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He has competed in 5 Ironman events including the World Championships in Kona Hawaii and has been featured in 2 NBC documentaries. Oh and did I mention that he is blind?

I met Charlie in March of 2009 when I was one of his guides for the Shamrock Marathon. It was, needless to say, an EYE opening experience. Imagine not knowing your pace, what mile you are at, seeing the course, the pot holes, the cheering fans, and signs of encouragement. Imagine having to have someone tell you when to spit so you don't spit on someone else and to have someone walk you to the port-a-potty because you can't find it on your own? Imagine not seeing the finish line and having to depend on someone else to narrate the experience for you because you can't see it and you don't even know that you have crossed the finish?? How many of us visualize the finish line as we train? Time and time again, I picture in my head what the Ironman finish will look like, and feel like. Try to imagine what it would be like to just  have half of that?

I have so much respect for Charlie because he hasn't let anything get in his way. And the best part is, he has such a great attitude about it. And that's the best part. Charlie is one of the warmest, happiest people I have ever met. He just sparkles with this infectious personality that is impossible not to love. And honestly, THAT is what makes him special. Not the fact that he is blind, or even an athlete.

He ran the Shamrock again this year,  and we met up at the expo. I didn't get the privilege of guiding him this year, but it was still wonderful to see him. He is now on the board of C-Different and even more dedicated to spreading the word about visually impaired people being able to lead active lives. I feel very lucky to have met someone like him because I feel like people like Charlie come into our lives very rarely, but when they do it is such a wonderful experience.  I truly believe certain people have a lasting effect on you and occupy a special part of your heart for the rest of your life.

I hope that I can have the honor of guiding Charlie again at another race.


Below is a story about visually impaired athletes.. check it out.


ABC 13- KTRK Feature


Charlie's website: http://www.charlieplaskon.com/

C-Different: http://www.cdifferent.org/

Swim, Bike, Run and Live Pretty!!

IronPretty, IronWusie, IRONBUSY!!!

I feel like all of those things in the last few weeks! I not only started a new job I want to focus on, I am also building a home and as you all know, training for an Ironman. I was sick recently as well.. that's where the ironwusie comes in. I wanted to die for about a week. I did nothing for about 5 days, and then when I started working out again, my runs and bike rides were so awful, I seriously wondered how I will finish an Ironman when my legs just won't GO! When my chest hurts because I can't catch my breath. When all I want to do is curl up and nurse my ear infection and strep throat. Yes, that's what I had. The strep- although not too common, I can handle, but the ear infection.. what is that even about? What am I six years old? It sucked... but I got through it. The bad part is, the 10 days after that were so discouraging because I still wasn't quite right. Needless to say, I was feeling like a great big wuss. Couple that with being insanely busy trying to be good at my job and keeping my house clean so someone will BUY it.

It brings up the question.. how do we do it? How does anyone training for an Ironman manage their time, their kids, husbands, jobs and life? What has to give for us to get in the 4 hours of swimming, 4+ hours of biking and 4+ hours of running in? Is it keeping the house less clean? Do we ignore our husbands for 6 months? Is your social life non existent? So I ask you, what do you give up to train?

And that poses another question...WHY????

For me, becoming an Ironman is something I want because as a girly girl that grew up doing ballet, cheerleading and dance team I never considered myself very athletic. But to me, an Ironman proves that if you prepare appropriately, and work hard, and are dedicated to a goal, you can do ANYTHING.


Swim, Bike, Run, and Live Pretty!!

Virginia is for Lovers 14k!

As many of you know, I just started training three weeks ago. So racing anything fast wasn’t really going to happen. So what’s that leave? A day to run, have fun and RUN PRETTY! So, I am posting a video of after the race and as you can see my make up really hung on. And the weather was crazy! It was freezing, so what probably happened is the makeup just froze to my face. But seriously, I have never tested anything in snow and everything held up pretty well!

The race was great, good course, good set up, good food (Yeungling and Moes!!! Yuuuuummmmmmmyyy) and even with the snowy weather a sold out day! There were good sports that even chose dressing up in the Valentine’s spirit over warmth and that kept us all admiring and laughing at the great costumes through out the course.

Swim, Bike, Run and Live Pretty!

Virginia is for Lovers 14K

IronPretty Gets Goggles

So after two years of having the same pair of goggles, it was time. I posted on here and on Facebook about my goggles leaking and leaving marks and I got so many responses from women out there with the same issues! So, I got a new pair per my friend Nicole's recommendations. Speedo Women's Vanquishers.

Lets see how they do!!

Swim, Bike, Run and Live Pretty!!

Estee Lauder Double Wear- how did it stack up?

I think that Estee Lauder did a great a job on this foundation, however, it did have some problems. First off, this stuff does have GREAT staying power. And I’m guessing this is because it is THICK. It applies pretty well, but it is a heavier foundation and you do need to blend it relatively quickly so it doesn’t dry in smears. The container is the old school glass bottle, which as I mentioned before I just hate. It’s much messier and you have less control of how much you get on your finger. It did give me great coverage, although while wearing this foundation, I do feel slightly more “made up” than with other foundations, probably due to it being a thicker formula. I had no big issues throughout the day, although I felt like I got more T-zone shininess using this product. It made it through swims, bike rides and runs, but I did have some cakiness in the chin area as well as anywhere I used it as cover up on occasion. This happened particularly after hard (sweaty) runs and swims..
But, it did in fact last, although not as nicely as I would have hoped. Estee Lauder does make a “Light Double Wear Foundation” that I am going to try next. It wasn’t part of test originally, but I feel it would only be fair to Estee Lauder to see if the lighter version can stay cake free.

Swim, Bike, Run and Live Pretty!

Yes, leaky goggles do suck…

I posted the above comment on Facebook after a swim recently and boy did I get a lot of commentary. I came to one conclusion after I read the posts and spoke to some ladies about it. Girls hate goggles.

And, it’s not tough to guess why we hate them. We spend our lives trying to cover up bags under our eyes and dark circles and prevent eye wrinkles and what do goggles go and do? Give you the biggest, baggiest, purplest nasty under eye circles you have ever seen! We get marks on our faces that last 24+ hours and then get accused of being hungover at work, or severely depressed or just tired and sick looking!

After my first time in the pool learning to swim I clearly remember being in the locker room and after I changed, I went to a mirror to brush my hair.

Dear Lord, I was a MONSTER. It was like someone had applied some serious suction to my eye sockets. I had no idea I was going to be so hideous. That was coupled of course by the fact that my mascara was also smeared under my eyes. Would this ever go away I wondered?? I had no idea…

Was I doing permanent damage? Would I slowly but surely give myself gigantic under eye bags with every single swim??? I was horrified. And not to mention that after I thought about it, I swear my eyeballs kinda hurt. And my biggest thought was someone please tell me they make a cream for this!!!

In retrospect, I was so terrified of the water at the time, that I spent less time in the pool worried about the deformities I was making my eyes into and just focused on not drowning. However, now that I can swim and no longer fear that a great white is going to break through the grates in the pool and eat me, the eye suck, well, SUCKS!

My friend Nicole swears by Speedo’s Women’s Vanquishers. And since the goggles I have are 3 years old and just don’t “suck”, maybe it’s time to try something new. The ones I bought were for surviving in the pool and I had no idea what I liked or what was comfortable. Now I do.

Here is my other dilemma. I have HUGE hair. If you have seen me at a race or at the pool, you will notice that my head, with a swim cap on is, like, well, like two heads smashed into a rubber casing. My mass of hair forms this giant ball that makes it really hard to get my whole head under water without swimming on the pool floor (ok, slight exaggeration..) But seriously, most of the time, my goggles are too tight because once I wrap the strap around my two heads they are super tight and smashed to my face.

So, lets just say finding a pair that I like, might be tricky.

So I invite any of you that have a photo of yourself after a swim and looking like a raccoon, please post them here!

My last quick note for you swimmers (I can’t help myself). Wet your hair first with fresh water before you swim and smother it in conditioner and then put on your cap. It’s like you are getting a warm, deep conditioning treatment every time you swim and will keep your hair in great shape. And if your under eyes are gonna droop down to your knees you better keep something lookin good!!!

Swim, Bike, Run and Live PRETTY!!!

Training Week One

So I got through week one of training and it went pretty well overall.

Two things happened: I gained 5 pounds. I realized I do in fact have 3 swim speeds. Except they aren't, Warm up, Sprint, VO2 Max and steady state which is what is on my training schedule per super coach Diane. For me, it's more like, floating, swimming and drowning.  But hey- I get credit for trying right?

And the 5 pounds... my hubby says it due to my muscles retaining water. Geez I hope so. If I was trying to lose weight this would be so disheartening!!

My workouts went well though, I say well instead of great because I am OUT OF SHAPE. It's gonna be a long road I tell ya. And it's freakin freezing around here so that doesn't help. Is it just me or when that sharp cold wind whips in my face I can hardly catch my breathe? But I got through it. My runs were slow and my legs hurt like I just started running. My first bike ride felt decent, but adjusting to being in that seat and with your back curved into aero position, well... it sucks.

During my training for B2B 70.3 I HATED the bike. Hated it because I hated the seat. I got fitted over and over again, I did everything I could and I was still miserable. Then I discovered (now imagine some background soprano going "AHHHHHHHHH") ADAMO.

Let's take a look at this little miracle.  This is the one I have. It's the Adamo Typhoon.

My husband loves these too. He has the Adamo Racing Saddle and swears by it. He says, "It made my long rides (5 hours++) possible when a regular saddle wouldn't."

Funny looking, I know, but if you have a chance to try one of these, you should. They aren't more expensive than most nice saddles. Brian, my husband thought it took more time to get used to. But not me, to me it was a glorious, welcome relief. 

Why is this even important? Well, in my opinion it is tough to focus on your ride and the workout when you are completely caught up in being uncomfortable. This is the most comfortable seat I have ever been on!

So, at this point I'm still just getting used to riding, but this baby really helps. Get one.

My First Test Foundation-Merle Norman's Luxiva Long Lasting Foundation

WOW. There is a reason I have worn this foundation for so long. IT ROCKS! I always liked it, but I never paid attention to its performance under specific conditions, like a full day of work, a hard run at lunchtime and swim in the evening.


Let's recap what I'm looking for:


1. Coverage, heavy, light, does it cover blemishes, dark circles etc?
2. Application, how does it apply? What's the container like? Does it dry quickly, too quickly?
3. And of course, does it make it through the workday? A Run? A Swim? A Bike ride? If it come off, how does it come off, evenly in patches, where glasses or goggles rub? Does it crease or get crusty? And how much of it is left? Am I even close to presentable when I'm done?


This baby has great coverage, and although its mat, it glides on smoothly and seamlessly. It has wonderful "concealer like"  coverage (I used it on some scars I have). It does dry quickly but not too quickly, plenty of time to smooth it evenly all over your face, dot it on blemishes and have time to go back and blend them. I do use some nice concealers, but this worked well as cover up.  I like that it matches up nicely with my skin. It comes in a nice tube so it wasn't messy to use.


Now, did it stay all day? IT DID! And it stayed nicely I might add, even after my swim, it did a great job of still maintaining my blush in place. It did fade a little but it faded evenly enough that it didn't look funny. It didn't smear, cake, crease or crust. On my runs, it didn't budge, in fact it stayed pretty gorgeous throughout the run and even hours after it was over. It didn't give me greasy spots or stick in any dry ones. It didn't coagulate in any of my "wrinkles" either, which is a bonus. So- outside of the goggle marks, I looked pretty good after an entire day of work, a lunchtime run and an afterwork swim. Merle Norman's Luxiva Long Lasting Foundation is a winner!

And the training begins....

February 1st was a big big big day. I started a new job (the coolest job EVER!).  My husband and I put a contract on a home and it was accepted (our dream home I might add!) and I STARTED IRONMAN TRAINING!!!!!

Technically I started Sunday January 31st. My awesome guru coach Diane gave me my training plan and I had a bike ride in there that was optional- so I went ahead and hopped on the trainer and did my ride. It felt great.. I had the usual soreness, shoulder and neck and "other stuff" but it felt great! But boy can i tell how out of "bike shape" I am.

Due to some crazy unexpected weather here in VA Beach, I wasn't able to get to an open Rec Center to  get my Monday swim in, so Ill be doing it this weekend.

Tonight- I did a Fartlek. Shuga say what?? Yes- I said Fartlek, for all you none runners reading this, it's isn't as gross as it sounds. It is basically a running workout were the intensity varies. Due to the snow, I hit up the YMCA and it went by pretty fast actually. For example, I ran a 1 mile warm up followed by 5 minutes hard and then 4 minutes easy, then 4 minutes hard, 3 minutes easy.. and so on... I watched the Wendy Williams show which is about the WORST TV ever, but it kept me entertained. Anyway- it felt great!

So... what about the makeup? This week I am going to test my personal favorites of long lasting products. I have used Merle Norman's Luxiva Lasting Foundation for a while now,  but never really paid attention in a test such as this.

So- here is what I'm looking for:

1. Coverage, heavy, light, does it cover blemishes, dark circles etc?
2. Application, how does it apply? What's the container like? Does it dry quickly, too quickly?
3. And of course, does it make it through the workday? A Run? A Swim? A Bike ride? If it come off, how does it come off, evenly in patches, where glasses or goggles rub? Does it crease or get crusty? And how much of it is left? Am I even close to presentable when I'm done?

I will giving each item a full week of testing to see how it does and get an overall feel for its performance.

I won't be making any changes through out this experiment to my face creams or any other makeup other than what I'm testing in an effort to eliminate any variables.

So, let the games begin! Please post suggestion, comments and ideas!

And lastly- for all of you interested in what this kinda training can do for your body. I have weighed and measured myself and will post by percent what kind of changes I made.

                                                Live, Swim, Bike and Run Pretty!!!

Jacelyn's Favorite Things- The Face and Lips

Since I talked extensively about all my favorite products for the eyes, I wanted to make sure I covered the face and lips! I want to note that when it comes to the face and foundations, a lot is going to depend on your skin type, the coverage you want, and the texture you like after it dries. Some people like a dewey moist finish, some like a matte feel. Point being- you have to know what you like. Some foundations have lots of SPF so choosing the right foundation is going to depend on you and not only what you like, but whether you are willing to put your sunscreen on separately or not. Because remember- sunscreen is a MUST. So- the two I'm going to talk about are both wonderful choices, but both are lacking enough 
sunscreen. 


The first is what I have worn for years. It's Merle Norman's Luxiva Lasting Foundation- SPF 12. It has a wonderful, soft, creamy application and great coverage. It dries mat and does have some serious staying power. I like it because it has never felt heavy or cakey. It even does well when used as spot coverage for a blemish. Per Paula Begoun, the color selection isn't great, for me, the creamy beige is perfect, but depending on your skin color these may not work. I also like that it is in a tube. It's easy to get out exactly what you need and no annoying, drippy glass bottle.

The other is one I recently discovered. Estee Lauder has an entire line of Double Wear- Stay in Place products and trust me, I will be testing these. However, I got a sample of their foundation a few months ago and it was a must have. It has more coverage and is certainly heavier than Merle Norman's, but that extra coverage is excellent and really lasts. The biggest drawback to me is the bottle it is  packaged in. I find it messy and really old fashioned. The other problem is that it is only SPF 10. Paula's has criticized them for this as well. Why so low? Maybe they will change that and the packaging eventually. They have a light version of their Double Wear as well, which I have tried and liked. So if coverage isn't something you are after, it might be an option. It dries mat and you do have to blend quickly  before it sets and make sure that your face is moisturized. Estee's will not go on smoothly if it is not and really, none of these heavier duty ones will.  

So speaking of smooth, I don't use this everyday, but on occasions or days that I really want my makeup to last, I use Smashbox's Photo Finish oil free foundation primer. This stuff will leave your face feeling silky soft. I actually have a friend who likes to wear this alone over her moisturizer and no makeup at all. She likes how it is silky and has a matte finish. It feels so light and your makeup will glide on after using this.

I wanted to touch on a moisturizer that I thought everyone should know about. I know I've already talked about skin care, but this product is something I use only on occasion. That occasion being for example, when the season's change and my skin feels extra dry, nothing quenches it like this stuff. If my face is feeling even a little dry (or scalp!) I use Osmotics Cream Extreme Barrier repair. I discovered this darling a few years ago after a trip to Vegas where I returned home with my under eyes literally so dry they were peeling. It's hard to cover up a dark circle when your skin is dry lemme tell ya. So, I hit up www.beautipedia.com and found this. I picked it up at Nordstrom and I have it had it forever. A little goes a long way and the jar is $75 but  well worth it. This stuff is good for the face, body and even works well for eczema (although I can't say I have used it for that). But literally after one application my eyes were better. I actually take this stuff and once a month or so, just pack this on my face and go to bed. My skin wakes up fabulous the next morning.

So, any of you girls or guys (the package is NOT girley at all) this is a must have. I plan on using this on my face as protection before a long bike ride or run and after., especially in the winter so I'm not chapped. 


Cheeks- in truth, I buy blush's more based on the color I want than the brand but the long lasting qualities as well. But these are my two favorites, not only for the selection of colors, but for the long lasting qualities.


 L'Oreal True Match super-blendable blush. This little compact will last me forever (not that I should keep it that long) because this stuff is so pigment rich and yes, it lasts. With a good brush (not the one in the package) this goes on and blends beautifully. 

In addition, Maybelline has their Dream Mousse Blush. It's this fluffy cream ( I almost want to eat it) and it goes on sheer, smooth and with a tiny hint of sparkle. This stuff is great for layering, which is exactly what I do depending on my mood. A bronzer goes nicely over this. 

Lips- Ahhh, another area where I struggle. I barely have a top lip and when I smile, it pretty much disappears. So- dark harsh colors just make my lips look smaller (thanks Natalie for finally breaking that harsh truth to me). The darkest I go is  Estee Lauder's Double Wear lipstick. What do I like about these babies? What don't I like? They go on like a lipstick, but stay in place without getting dry or cakey or peely. Any of you that have tried some of these other long wear lip products know exactly what I'm talking about. These wear off like a lipstick as well, instead of coming off in weird rings or patches. And, the don't feel dry at all and you can still add some shine from a gloss without ruining it and making it all sticky.

But my other favorite and purse/makeup drawer/car/jacket pocket while I run or bike- is L'Oreal's Infallible Lipgloss. It claims to last 6 hours and although I have never timed it, it does last, especially compared to most lipglosses. It isn't sticky like fly paper and they have some great colors available. If I was on a deserted Island, this would be with me. 

I haven't combined these two favorites yet, but plan on it soon! A full report will follow!


As you can see, some of these products are pricey some are not, so whether you have a big budget or not, you can find great products out there. And, FYI-Nordstrom is really great about returns, even for makeup. So,  if you try something and don't like it you can bring it back! 


Swim, Bike, Run and Live Pretty!

My First Swim in a LONG Time.

So I have been pretty focused on products at this point, but I do have an Ironman in 7 months. YIKES. The shock still hasn't worn off. I went to the pool today for the first time in around 8 months. Thank goodness, for me, it is a bit like riding a bike. I always worry that I'm going to lose that swim fitness and not be able to swim 50 meters without hanging on for dear life on the side of the pool catching my breathe. This was not the case, luckily. My arms were getting fatigued after 1600 meters or so, but I lived. It did occur to me as I was swimming though that I have to do 3 times that on race day! My time in the pool is going to be extensive.... my biggest fear in regards to the swim is not making the cut off. But I do believe that if I do the training, I'll be just fine. I think I can do it in 1 1/2 hours. I think the cutoff is 2 hours.

Did I test any products? No- I dabbed on a bit of concealer so I didn't look monstrous in front of the general public but that was it. I have been researching what I will be testing though, so more to come on that.

I'm just reveling in the fact that I can still swim! As a new swimmer I always feared that I am going to get in that water and I will have to overcome all the same fears and challenges. Learning to swim is HARD. It's scary and so frustrating. Someone told me once you can drown on a teaspoon full of water. That's all it takes?? Wow- now I'm super motivated. I joke that in another life i was eaten by a shark and although I know there aren't any in a pool, my fears of water weren't logical enough to know that. But- the good news is I was OK- no heart palpitations, water up my nose or moments of panic. I swam. And I will have to keep swimming to be able to complete 2.4 miles and still have the energy to bike 112 miles and run 26.2. YIKES.

Now will someone please rub my shoulders? They hurt.

SWIM, bike, run and LIVE Pretty!!

Jacelyn's Favorite Things- The EYES (move over Oprah)

I wanted to touch on some products that were somewhat part of the inspiration for this blog. I have found some fantastic long lasting products in the last few years. Mostly, courtesy of my sister Natalie's trial and error, but also my own. So, I thought that this was vital information to share with you all. I'll start with the eyes...

So I like eye shadow...in theory anyway. I see the magazine ads and commercials and like everyone else I think wow- if I buy those colors and that brand- my eyes will look THAT GOOD. Wrong, wrong wrong...I don't have strangely shaped eyes or anything, but for me, eye shadow looks good for about 2-3 hours, maybe, and then its creased into a gross greasy line. So lets just say after trying at around age 16
to wear it successfully up until around ohh...5 months ago, I thought I just wasn't one of those eyes that could ever wear eye shadow well. And then BAM- my sister, again, makeup expert extraordinaire discovers Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCreme. My life was changed forever.

The discovery happened when Natalie found out I was engaged to be married. And being the most awesome sister ever- she researched on her own to find stay put makeup for me on the big day (she knows me well and anticipated a lot of tears). On my wedding day- September 7th, 2009 she finished my makeup at around 1:30pm for a 5:30pm Wedding. The next morning at around 10am, I woke up blissfully happy to be married to my dream guy- but also with my eyes still looking absolutely fabulous!!! What the heck? I have never had eye shadow make it through that many hours, much less that many tears, sweat (outside in Napa, CA at 5pm in September is still HOT...and add nerves to that too!), dancing, my wedding night, sleeping and just the sheer number of hours it stayed on! I will never forget staring at myself in the mirror the next morning and not only finding myself married but looking good too! Dreams do come true I tell ya!

I was hooked. I went and bought every single color they have as soon as we got back from the honeymoon. It opened up a whole new world for me! Here's the beauty about these babies- not only do they apply smoothly, but they are sheer enough that you can layer any of your regular powder eye shadows over them and all of sudden like magic- POOF- those last forever now too!!! My favorite color is Pink Amethyst because it's a soft, rosy color that is great to use as a base for layering. For highlighting the brow bone- Ivory Lace adds that perfect amount of shimmer. And Antique Gold is just rich and warm and yummy! I love these shadows. $17.50 is what you will pay, but with the purchase of just one of these you could add a whole world of possibilities o your existing powder shadows, or like me, say goodbye to creases and have gorgeous eyes all day long. Bravo Estee Lauder- you outdid yourself on this one!

My next little darling that I can't live without is my Smashbox #21 arced liner brush. When it comes to creme eye liners, this is what you must have to apply it. It rocks. As far as the eye liners themselves, I like two- Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner- in bronze. It's a warm brown color with a nice shimmer to it that goes great at night or day. It lasts all day long too- and yes, if you rub it, it will smudge which is a good thing so you can soften the line. You should not have a hard line around your eyes EVER. And- you shouldn't be touching your face- EVER after your makeup is done right? So this shouldn't be an issue. And Merle Norman has a nice one as well, Luxiva Lasting Creme Eyeliner. I have that in black and it's great for evening or when I want a little more drama. And again, this one smudges nicely too. Both have great staying power and with the arced liner brush application is easy!

When I was in Paris on my honeymoon I bought some mascara that at the time was more of a splurge, but I have actually really fallen in love with it. Givenchy Phenomenon Eyes Effet Extension. No flakes, no smears, quick dying time and it is applied to your lashes with the spherical brush. A little scary in the beginning, yes- it did take getting used to, but now I love it. I can tackle each and every lash individually. It is pricey however (around $28), but I swear it seems to last longer than other mascaras.

The next product is just a fun one and an inexpensive one. Victoria's Secret has a Liquid Glitter Liner in various shades of sparkle- gold, silver, copper, etc.. They go great OVER your eyeliner which if it's either of the ones I mentioned above give this one great staying power as well. The best part.. it's usually around $6.

There are a lot of powder eye shadows out there, Estee Lauder has wonderful ones, as does Mac and many many others. I got the Tigi Bed Head Party Palette from my sister one Christmas and alas, because I had yet to discover the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place ShadowCremes I adored the wonderful collection of colors but didn't wear them much per my above "creasing problem". I have two of them now and they are filled with 8 brilliant shades each. The apply smoothly, the density of color is just right to make it light or darker depending on the look you want. They are a must have.

Now lets talk under eyes. Ugh... I hate mine. regardless of how much sleep I have gotten, I have circles. It's just my DNA I guess. So- if I was stranded on a desert island, what one product would I want (aside from sunscreen)?? Under eye concealer. So my current favorite- Coverblend by Exuviance (available at Ulta). It's a multi-function concealer and guess what? It even has SPF 15! It has great staying power and really good coverage. My only caveat- make sure you have nicely moisturized under your eyes or it won't go on as smoothly as you might want.

OK- so for you ladies like me that might have a teeny crease or two around the eye area. Don't ya hate it when a few minutes after you have applied your concealer you look in the mirror and the concealer has creased in that little wrinkle or line? I absolutely do, because what happens next? You take your little finger and smudge it of course! And we all know you shouldn't be touching our faces after we are done with our makeup! So, I discovered my miracle. Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder. Basically it sets your concealer and lightens the under eye area slightly because it's white with the teeniest shimmer to reflect the light. To me, I can't have concealer without my setting powder.

So there you have it- my favorite must have products for the eyes. After all, they say that our eyes are mirrors to our souls right? So shouldn't they look fabulous?

Swim, bike, run and live PRETTY!!

The Basics

I want to begin by saying thank you for all the great feedback. I love knowing so many of you are excited about my findings! I'm still in the research mode of what products I want to test. But I realized that I really need to get back to the basics. I mean, no one WANTS to wear makeup right? We all just want blemish free skin with rosy cheeks and lips and big eyelashes naturally. But how often does that happen? Most of us are lucky to be blessed with maybe one of those things! So we all want to start with the perfect palette at the very least. And then if the skin isn't quite perfect we use foundation or concealer, if our eyelashes aren't big enough we pack on the mascara and before you know it, we have decided that we don't like any of our face and we need ALL those products to look pretty... it's a downward spiral. So today- I want to talk about skin care. I'm obviously no expert, so I will again defer to the master, Paula Begoun.

First off and this may seem pretty obvious, but you have to keep your face CLEAN. You need to use a cleanser that is gentle yet effectively takes off your makeup. I use Paula's Skin Balancing Cleanser and love it. It' creamy and gentle but takes off all my makeup (eye makeup included) really well. But there are LOTS of great ones out there. The other key point is that it doesn't irritate your skin. Did you know irritated skin not only looks bad but that's another way you get blemishes??? I also recently discovered Clarisonic. My sister, the beauty product guru told me about it and I LOVE IT! Imagine a sonic toothbrush for your face! It only takes 1 minute of your time. I wet my face and smooth on some cleanser and start the brush. You get 20 seconds for your forehead, 20 seconds for your nose and chin and 10 seconds per cheek. Then I get another dab of cleanser in my hand and remove my eye makeup and wash it all off. Voila! My face feels extra clean. When I first got it, I had some dry patches on my face, just the usual dryness I get from using my weekly treatment of SkinCeuticals maximum strength refining night cream with 1% pure retinol. I'll get into what that is later... The point is, the Clarisonic made the dry flakes just disappear!! It just gives your face a wonderful, painless yet thorough scrubbing. The maintenance is easy too and it holds a charge for like 1 week so you can even take it on vacation without he cradle! I obviously love it. The only drawback? It is pricey, if you can find it at a discount it's still around $150. I got mine at spalook.com.

So- your face is clean. Now what? Paula recommends a toner, but I must admit that I don't use mine that much. It is supposed to remove the last bits of makeup, add a little moisture and soothe the skin. In the Summer, after a hard workout , one of those where even after you get out of the shower you keep sweating, I like using it. It's refreshing and feels great.

My next step- and I only use this at night, is to apply alpha hydroy and beta hydroxy. As I have said before, I'm not a scientist, so I am going to give you Paula's description from her website because she explains it well.

Step 3 (AM & PM) – Exfoliate ( Alpha Hydroxy Acid-AHA; and Beta Hydroxy Acids-BHA)
A gentle exfoliant makes a dramatic difference in the skin's appearance, feel, and function. Exfoliation removes built-up layers of skin that aren't shedding on their own due to sun damage, age, hormonal changes, chronic dry or oily skin, genetics or the use of poorly formulated skin care products. There is a great deal of research indicating that AHA and BHAs increase collagen production and smooth the surface of skin dramatically.

Paula's Choice offers multiple textures of Beta Hydroxy Acid for all skin types. Beta Hydroxy Acid exfoliates inside the pore to improve how the pore functions. Additionally, BHAs have anti-bacterial properties that attack blemish-causing bacteria so they are highly recommended for skin that is prone to blemishes or blackheads. Paula's Choice 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acid Gel uses glycolic acid and is best suited for normal to dry skin. It can take some experimentation to find the right exfoliant for your skin type.

I'm a big believer in this because my skin has improved SO much since I started using AHA and BHA. You don't have to use Paula's necessarily, there are lots out there.

Then I moisturize. Personally, I use a day cream with sunscreen (so important, but I'll get back to that) and at night I use a heavier cream. Of course these things vary depending on the condition of my skin. I went for a run outside yesterday and it was freezing and windy. Guess what, I woke up with extra dry skin today because it's a bit chapped! I use the moisturizer though in conjunction with an antioxidant serum. Again, I'm going to quote Paula here:

Step 4 (AM & PM) – Treat (Antioxidant Serums)
Antioxidants defend your skin against the harmful effects of environmental free radicals which come from sun damage, pollution, and the very air we breathe and is essential for any product to help battle wrinkles. There is a tremendous amount of research that indicates that antioxidants are one of the best ways for making your skin look and act younger. Antioxidants can also help skin heal, create new collagen, produce healthier skin cells, and improve skin's resilience. All Paula's Choice antioxidant serums are formulated for use around the eyes as well as the face and neck.

Finally- and this is especially important for athletes but does apply to everyone. Sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen!!!! I can't say it enough!! And this isn't just for women either. Whether you are going to the beach or a long bike ride or an hour run, YOU NEED SUNSCREEN!!!! When I first got into running and triathlon I noticed a few things, one was how tan everyone was and the other was the "leather face" some people had. My husband Brian was one of those that thought, sunscreen, yeah, I don't need that unless I am going to the beach and then I told him I didn't want him to look 40 years older 20 years from now and he changed his mind.

Personally, I'm a fan of SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30. Its "delicate care broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with transparent titanium dioxide and zinc oxide". The key things to note are that it is safe for sensitive skin, it has some extra antioxidants in it, great protection and it is transparent. Why is transparent important? Because if it's not you will get what I call "white face" that other sunscreens give you. You can buy it for around $37 for 3oz. I only use this on my face as my daily sunscreen. And mind you- my moisturizer has SPF 15 and so does my foundation. Another bonus of wearing foundation for a workout! So I'm very covered on my face. And why exactly am I so concerned with this? Well, aside from the leather face I don't want to get, it's the only real ways to prevent wrinkles. And as an athlete, you have to be conscious about this . That hour after work that you go running, if you do that 4-5 times a week etc.. you will age yourself quickly. And if we are going to be so fit on the inside we should take just as good a care of the outside!

For the body, I do use Paula's sunscreens as well as a few other ones. I like her Ultra Light sunscreen Spray Lotion SPF 55. I even use that on my face on days I will be out on a long run or long bike. Paula also has an Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30+ with antioxidants that I like for my neck and shoulders too and the body when it's summer and I'm in shorts and a sports bra. I will add though that the exception is a long bike ride, I HATE those awful bike shorts tan lines and I will use the 70+ spray sunscreen. It's like spraying yourself with starch, but it does protect you well. The drawback- those have lots of alcohol so they aren't good for your skin. So there's the trade off. But- a bike ride is not like being at the beach where you can reapply often. I would NEVER put that one on my face though.

So to answer what you are all probably thinking, yes, I am like most other people and I like looking tan as well. But, not at the risk of looking like an old lady at 50. There are plenty of sunless tanning products that work well and bronzers, etc for your face to mimic a tan. And there is of course, the spray tan.

So, now that I have run through the basics that will keep the canvas in tip top shape a couple of other pointers. NEVER touch your face after you have put on your makeup. Your hands have soooo many germs and junk on them and you are just transferring that to your face. Most people don't even realize they are doing it, But pay attention and try NOT TOO. I know even for me, when I feel a little something popping up on my face or a dry spot or something, it is so hard to resist messing with it, but don't. You are just transferring gobs of bacteria and crap to your face. The second tip- don't forget to put sunscreen on the backs of your hands. That's an area, especially on women, that shows your age more than the face even. It's not a place we think to put it on, but especially on a long bike ride or run, how much sun are your hands getting?? Don't forget about them!!

And of course, don't forget to swim, bike and run pretty!!

The Idea

On December 19th, after watching the Ironman Championship in Kona, HI on NBC, I signed up for my own Ironman. Ironman Louisville on August 29th, 2010. What is that you ask? Am I crazy? Maybe so.. but I'm thrilled really and because of this challenge, another idea was born that in my opinion will be something women everywhere will benefit from. But we'll get into that shortly.....

First off- what is an Ironman? Well, it's a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and then you top that off with a full marathon, a whopping 26.2 mile run.

WOAH. Why did I do that?? I'm not some fabulous athlete, I never even enjoyed running, or biking and swimming... well, putting my face in the water-ANY WATER- wasn't something I liked to do.

3 years ago, shortly after I started dating my now husband, Brian, I went to race in Hampton Virginia to watch him race. It was a short race, a sprint triathlon I believe. Which is typically a 500-800 meter swim, 16-20 mile bike and a 3 mile run. I was horrified watching these people, why would anyone do that to themselves?? It looks hard, and getting in the water and swimming that FAR. Forget about it!! After the race was over, I had one of those moments that I think I knew even then would be a moment I'd remember for the rest of my life. This girl asked me when I was going to do my first triathlon. I laughed and said, no way, never, not in a million years. And I meant that statement whole heartedly. I couldn't even imagine, mostly because the last time I rode my bike was around the cul de sac at my parents when I was 16 years old, I hadn't run since my last soccer practice, sometime in 1994 and swimming.. well as I said before I just don't do. I joke that in a past life I was eaten by a shark because I have always been really really afraid of water. I mean, yeah, I get in the pool and ride in a boat and all that, but the thought of swimming, putting my face in water that is dark is my worst nightmare. So before I go on, a little more history. I'm not completely insane in signing up for this race.

It really all started when I got an email from my office about a 5k race we were sponsoring. I forwarded it to Brian and he responded to me, "Sure baby, I'll do that with you."

WHAT? No, no no, I never wanted to do it, I just thought he might. But then I started thinking, what the heck, I can train and run a 5k, that's only 3.1 miles. So I did, I trained and I did the race. At mile 2.8 I thought I might die, but I did it. And crossing that finish line was awesome. I was so totally and completely hooked. That was in October 2006. In March of 2007 I ran my first full Marathon with a time of like 5:35 (the Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach, a fabulous race). Everyone thought I was insane to go from a 5k to a marathon, but the challenge really motivated me. Then I ran the NY Marathon in November of 2007 and then the Shamrock again in 2008 where I ran my personal record of 4:24!!! I was thrilled to have taken so much time off. And at this point I need to add that I had help, not only did I have an athlete boyfriend who gave me all the inside scoop on what to do, but I had a VERY fabulous coach. The one and only, the great Diane Haupt. I couldn't have made these kinds of improvements without her expertise. But, clearly, I'm not very fast compared with the folks that actually win and compete, but I get it done and I'm good with that.

So, around the same time, I took my second step in the world of crazy. I decided I was done being a wienie and I wanted to learn how to swim. What better motivation could I possibly give myself than to sign up for a 70.3 triathlon. What is this now you ask? Well, this is half the distance of a full Ironman. Its a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. The race was Beach 2 Battleship in Wilmington NC in November of 2008.

So, yes, I did it and I LOVED it. Especially the swim!! Coming out of the water was the most amazing feeling. I had done it, conquered my fear and swam 1.2 miles! There is really no words to describe how happy I was.

2009 was a crazy year for Brian and I. There were no big races really or much in the way of training because on February 13th, 2009 we got engaged and we married on September 7th, 2009. So, it was a busy year for us, just not training. And as 2009 was coming to close he decided to ramp up his training and I thought, well if he is going to ramp it up a notch, well so should I. And what could be more challenging than an Ironman!!

The last bit of history for you here- if you have never been witness to an Ironman than you really have no idea what an extraordinary finish line it is. Brian had the privilege of competing in the Ironman Championship in Kona HI in 2008. The athletes are of all types and backgrounds and the pros are just awe inspiring. Every person has an amazing story and as each one crosses that line, whether they crossed it in 9 hours or 16 hours and 59 minutes you can't help but wonder about the journey that got them there and what crossing that lines means to them.

So back to the question I have been asking... am I crazy? Maybe, but who doesn't want to accomplish something as great as this?

Ok- so here's the thing that surprises my family and friends when I tell them I am doing this. They think it's crazy because of the obvious reasons but also because I am close to being THE GIRLIEST GIRL on the planet. I am in no way shape or form your typical triathlete or runner. My friends refer to my hair as "pageant hair" because it's really long and thick and wavy. They also always wonder how I manage to cross the finish line with makeup on, particularly lipstick on. They joke that I don't sweat and make fun of my pink running skirts. I'm ok and used to it, I embrace my girlieness and firmly believe that you should look good for important moments of your life. And isn't crossing the line at your first marathon or 70.3 or Ironman exactly that? You get your makeup done for your wedding right? Isn't this also a lifetime achievement that will be captured by tons of photographers? YES YES and YES!! So, my idea was born...

I am going do a little experiment while I train. The experiment being that I am going try different long wearing make up products and see which ones actually last like they claim they do. Foundation, blush, mascara, eye shadow, concealer, all of it! And once I have narrowed it down to which ones I like the best in each category, then I am going to put them all to the ultimate test. I am going to wear them for Ironman Louisville. What could be more challenging I say? I have 17 hours to finish the race and if my makeup can last through a swim, bike, run, sweat, tears and the elements, well, I think it's safe to say it might make it though a night out, or a work day.

Do I think a lot of athletes will care about this? I don't know, but I do think that there are a lot of women out there that if they just knew what to use, and were educated about the right products, they would use them. And for the women out there that could care less about triathlon, this is for you too. This is the ultimate test I say.

So, let the trials begin and the training begin. My official Ironman training starts in February. January is time for me to do some light running, and some weight training mostly and research. I have two secret weapons in which to do this with. The first being my sister Natalie. She is not only the best hair stylist in the world, but makeup artist extraordinaire and general expert on all things beauty related. The second is the maker of my favorite skin care line- Paula's Choice. Paula Begoun has done all the research of what products are good for your skin, do what they say and are generally good products and in relation to how much they cost. I love her! Check her out at www.cosmeticscop.com or where all her reviews for her products are- www.beautypedia.com.

My plan is to try each product during the day while I go to work, put them all to a running test if they can even last the work day, then a bike test, then a swim test and so on. By the time I get to the hard core workouts where I have 4-5 hour bike rides followed by an hour of running I hope to have narrowed it down to the best of the best.

So- the experiment begins with Estee Lauder. I am trying their double wear foundations, eye shadow, and eye liners this week.

I hope many of you will join me on this journey whether it be for the training for Ironman aspect or my mission to find the longest lasting makeup, regardless, it will be fun I'm sure.

Please feel free to suggest products as well!

And remember to run, bike and swim pretty!!