I just wanted to let everyone know that Sigma's SS197 is back instock!!

It's back after being out of stock for months! For those of you who are interested and would like to have it soon, go order now before they run out again. If you are considering it, but not just sure... I will be posting my review soon, so check back with the Pretty Little Cajun Queen for that.

I ordered mine last night along with another of the SS224. The SS197 is a large synthetic flat top kabuki. I'm hoping it will be what I wanted the MAC130 to be. The MAC130 was a total let down because it is so frickin little. I guess the MAC130 would be ok for a cream blush or some detailed foundation work, but I wanted a true foundation brush. You know, a big one, kind of the size of the MAC187. I hope it is. Well, they should be here in a few days and I'll let you know how if I love it or hate it.

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Rose Facial Mist (MAC Fix + Rose) Review & Recipe: Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Rose Facial Mist (MAC Fix + Rose): For those of us who were lucky enough to get to try MAC's Fix + Rose and are soooo sad that we have ran out, here's an alternative. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel & Thayers Alcohol Free Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera. The ingrediants are so simular. The only two main ingrediants that the Fix + Rose has that the Thayers mixture doesn't have is Green Tea & Matricaria/Camomile Extract. I was a little put off by this, knowing how great these ingrediants can be for the skin. But, after doing some detailed research I found out that Aloe Vera contains just about the same minerals, vitamins, etc. as the missing ingrediants, and preforms the same job as they do. Actually, the Aloe Vera is even better and has more skin benifits than Green Tea and Camomile combined. Amazing. This can be used before you apply your makeup to give a moisturized base, as a setting mist after your foundation is applied, or you can drop a bottle in the frig for a refreshing recharge in the hot summer months.

Now, lets talk price. The regular price of MAC's Rose Fix + was $19.50 USD. That means that this stuff is $5.74 per ounce. I was lucky enough to find mine at the CCO for $13.75 USD, still $4.04 per ounce.
The Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel is $9.95 for a 12 oz. bottle on the Thayers web-site, which brings it to $0.82 per oz. The Thayers Alcohol Free Cucumber Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera is the same price for the same amount. You can find these at you local GNC for a little cheaper too, but just incase you can't find it this is what the maximum price would be. You can pick up a 12 oz. bottle of destiled water for about $3 just about anywhere. The destiled water is $0.25 per ounce. So, since we are using 1 oz. of each product in each 3 ounce bottle of mist, the price per bottle is around $1.89 per 3 ounce bottle. Now that's what I'm talking about! You will have enough product to make 12- 3 oz. bottles of mist for $23.00. That's damn near the same price as one bottle of MAC's Fix + Rose.

Do you love it? Give it a try. Please comment and let me know what you think about it.

Rose Facial Mist Recipe:
1 empty 3 oz. spray bottle (I'm using my empty Fix + Rose bottle)
1 oz. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel
1 oz. Thayers Alcohol Free Cucumber Witch Hazel
1oz. Distiled Water

Directions: Combine all your liquids in the empty 3 oz. bottle shake and viola! Rose Facial Mist!

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Rose and Cucumber Witch Hazel, Asprin Toner- Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Rose and Cucumber Witch Hazel, Asprin Toner Recipe:
1 empty 2.5 bottle- I used an old bottle of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion, which has a pump.
1 1/4 oz. Thayers Alcohol Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel
1 1/4 oz. Thayers Alcohol Free Cucumber Witch Hazel with Organic Aloe Vera
5 325 mg. uncoated Aspirin (2- 325 mg. aspirin per ounce of Witch Hazel)
1/2 tsp. warm water
1 disposable, paper bathroom cup

In the disposable bathroom cup drop in your 5 aspirin and your warm water. Mix the aspirin around a bit with your finger or clean spoon. To the aspirin paste add about 1/2 of either of the witch hazel blends. You just want enough liquid so that it is easy to pour. Bend your paper cup to form a sort of spout and carefully pour the mixture into your empty bottle. Add the rest of the witch hazel blends and shake it up. All done!

When you use the toner just pump a bit on to your fingers and dab on your face. If you would like you can then come back and wipe your face with a cotton pad. Applying the toner directly to the cotton pad wastes your product, because it is absorbing in the pad and not going on your face.

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Tiffany's Daily Skin Regimen- How To

I have hormonal acne prone skin, that tends to be mostly on the slightly dry side, and is sensitive to any changes I make in skincare or foundation. I have to be very careful with my routine, any change in my products will make my skin freak out causing acne, dryness, or oilyness on my nose and/or in between my eye brows. I'm also in my late 20's, so treatment and prevention go hand in hand as far as skincare is concerned. I treat my acne and skin discolorations. I have a few slight discolored spots on my cheeks from sun exposure in my late teen years, trying to be a bronzed goddess. Very dumb of me, but your clueless about these things when your young. I try to prevent acne, more discoloration, wrinkles, and dryness. I am a total drugstore gal when it comes to skincare. There are great products you can find for a good price at the drugstore instead of spending big bucks on department store products that work just the same. You just have to know what to get. I have been using this skin regimen for the past 9 months with great success and a soft, clear face. I know that we all have different skin types, but even if your skin type is totally different than mine this regimen could work for you by just adjusting a bit to fit what your skin needs. If you're oily slack up on some of the moisturizers I use or don't use any at all. You may have to play around with it a bit to get the perfect regimen for you. For me, this is the best. To see my full review for each of these products just click the names. So here we go...

Every Morning: (Mon.-Sun. am.)
Step 1: AcneFree Oil-Free Purifying Cleanser with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide (Acne Treatment Cleanser)
Step 2: AcneFree Renewing Toner Skin Balancing Formula (Acne Treatment/Toner) or my homemade Rose Water Witch Hazle & Aspirin Toner

Step 3: Eucerin Sensitive Skin Everday Protection Face Lotion SPF 30 (SPF Moisturizer)

I start off cleansing my face with the AcneFree Cleanser using my face brush in a circular motion. I rinse the cleanser off, pat dry. Then, I apply the AcneFree Toner to my fingers and  pat it all over my face, kind of like a guy uses aftershave. After, I fallow by applying the Eucerin SPF moisturizer by dotting tiny dots all over my face and gently rubbing in. I allow that to fully soak in. Make sure you rub this moisturizer in very well because it contains a sunscreen and it will leave a yucky white cast on your face. Then I apply my foundation.

Every Night: (Mon.-Sun. pm.)
Step 1: Johnson & Johnson's Baby Oil Gel (Eye Makeup Remover)
Step 2: Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Toilettes (Makeup Remover)
Step 3: AcneFree Oil-Free Purifying Cleanser with 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide(Acne Treatment Cleanser) (skip Thurs. pm)
Step 4: AcneFree Repair Lotion Time Released Benzoyl Peroxide (Cream Acne Treatment)
Step 5: Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting Serum Night (Discoloration Treatment)
Step 6: Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Creme (Moisturizer/ Wrinkle Prevention)

First, like everyone else I stark by taking off my makeup. I apply a fragrance free baby oil gel to my eye lids and rub it in a bit to loosen my eyeliner and mascara. Then, I use the Almay Toilette and  finish removing the residue on my eyes and the makeup on my face. After that, I cleanse my face with the AcneFree just like I do in the morning. Then, I fallow by applying a thin layer of the AcneFree Repair Lotion to my forehead and my temples. I use my hands to apply the thin layer and I do not rub it in. I just let it soak in on its own. Next, I apply the Neutrogena Tone Correcting Serum to my undereye area and along my cheek bones. I don't rub this in much either. I let it do it's own thing. After everything has  soaked in a bit I apply the Eucerin Q10 by dotting it on the bottom 1/3 of my face, starting with my nose down to my chin and message it in until all of it has absorbed in my skin.

Every Other Night: (Mon., Wed., Fri. pm)
Step 3: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power Clear Scrub
I add the Neutrogena Oil-Free Scrub to the beginning of my nightly regimen, after I have taken off my makeup. Then, I just fallow my same nightly routine as I normally would. For the scrub, I start with a damp face then I apply the scrub and message it in circular motions with my fingers just to get it evened out all over my face. Then, I come back with my face brush and really give it a good scrubbing.

Once a Week at Night: (Thursday pm.)
Step 3: Homemade Honey and Asprin Mask (click here for my Asprin Mask Recipes)
Once a week I use my homemade Honey and Asprin mask instead of the AcneFree cleanser. I use it on a night that I will not be using the Neutrogena Oil-Free Scrub. This mask is great and helps along with the rest of the AcneFree System to keep my skin blemish free.
I know this is the longest freaking post ever, but I hope that it is full of useful info that you can use to help keep you face looking like you are 22 yrs. old or at the least out of the acne stage. If you have any questions or would like to share how you keep your skin as clean as a whistle please comment. I love to hear from you. :)

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Asprin Mask Recipes For All Types of Skin- How To

Basic Aspirin Mask Recipe:
6 uncoated aspirin
1/2 Tbs. warm water
1 1/2 Tbs. Facial Product

Directions: Place 6 aspirin in a paper plate or plastic tray. Drop warm water over the aspirin to dissolve. Mix the aspirin around a bit to form a gritty paste. You will then mix in the paste with the appropriate facial product from the list below according to what skin type needs. After your mask is all mixed up you will apply it with you finger in a even layer on your face. The mask doesn't really need to be thick. It just needs to be evenly distributed all over the face. Then, let your mask dry for at least 10 mins. You can increase the time depending on your skin type. Very Dry for 10 min., Dry for 15 min., Oily and Very Oily 20 mins. I don't recommend leaving it on for more than 20 minutes, because it can easily be to drying. After your mask has dried dampen your finger tips and lightly scrub in your mask. Do not remove the mask, we're just trying to get off the loose particles right now. When the loose particles are all gone, we will then wet our finger tips again and scrub more vigorously. Wet your finger tips again and scrub. Repeat until all the mask is gone. Just a * Tip: For this step I like to use my facial brush to scrub with. I scrub and run the brush under the water and repeat until the mask is gone. After, I splash my face with lukewarm water just to make sure no residue is left behind. I always fallow the mask with a moisturizer suitable for your skin type, unless your skin is extremely oily.

Large Pores:
1 1/2 Tbs. Queen Helen Mint Julip Mask

Aging Skin:
1 1/2 Tbs. Queen Helen Mud Mask

Sensitive Skin:
1 1/2 Tbs. Aloe Vera Gel

Dry Skin:
1 1/2 Tbs. Honey or Plain Yogurt

Oily Skin:
1 1/2 Tbs. Cleanser for Oily Skin

Very Oily Skin:
1 1/2 Tbs. Cleanser for Oily Skin
1 tsp. Lemon Juice

Very Dry Skin:
1 1/2 Tbs. Honey or Plain Yogurt
1 tsp. Jojoba Oil or Vitamin E Oil (you can squeeze out about 3 gel capsules)

* Tip: Jojoba Oil or Vitamin E Oil (1 tsp.) can be added to any of the other recipes for added moisture.
* Tip: Lemon Juice (1 tsp.) can be added to any of the other recipes to zap oil.

Zap That Zit: Night Time Spot Treatment:
1 uncoated aspirin
2 drops of warm water
1 pea size drop of acne spot treatment

Directions: Place the aspirin in your clean palm, add the drops of water on top of aspirin, dissolve. Add the acne spot treatment of your choice, and mix with your finger a bit. Apply the mixture directly on your blemish. Go to sleep and let it work it's magic. In the morning the zit has been zapped. If you catch the pimple as soon as you feel it start to come out, it will be completely gone. For a serious monster zit, you may have to use this for 2 or 3 nights, but it will be gone after that.

* Tip: I like to use an acne spot treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide instead of the salicylic acid. This gives that zit a one, two punch. I mix the aspirin with either the AcneFree Repair Lotion or a little Clean & Clear PersaGel 10. They both work great.
Aspirin = salicylic acid
      +
AcneFree Repair Lotion or Clean & Clear PersaGel 10 = Benzoyl Peroxide
      =
Zap That Zit

I know you will love your clear skin!

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Asprin Masks- Review- Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

The aspirin mask is a life saver for many people including myself. It's a tried and true home remedy for acne, enlarged pores, and redness. Aspirin contains a derivative of salicylic acid and an anti-inflammatory which work wonders for treating these skin problems. I must say that the aspirin masks may not be for everyone. The salicylic acid found in the 6 aspirin that are recommended in the mask recipes are a much more concentrated level than you find in most over the counter acne treatments. Therefore, the aspirin mask can be extremely harsh and drying on very dry, sensitive, or rosacea skin types. I'm not saying that people with these skin types should not try the mask. But, I am saying that you may need to adjust the amount of aspirin you use to accommodate your skins reaction to it. You may also need to adjust the amount of time you leave the mask on for. If your skin gets dry and flaky, I would decrease the aspirin by one pill and decrease the time by 5 minutes. Then, try again until you get the results you desire. I also recommend fallowing the aspirin mask with a moisturizer suitable for your skin. I have skin that is on the dryish side so I always fallow the mask with a nice coat of Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Creme. I have used various recipes of this mask approximately once a week for the past 5 months and my skin looks fantastic. You can use the mask more often than I do especially if you acne is more on the severe side, but I wouldn't use it more that 3 times a week. I think it would be way to drying if you use it more than that.

Bottom Line: It's great stuff just use it carefully and experiment with it until you get it right for you.
Aspirin Mask Recipes For All Types of Skin- How To

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Acne Free Treatment System Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%- Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

This acne 3 step treatment system has been said to be better than ProActive. I can't say whether or not I agree because I never bought the ProActive line. The only reason why is because the AcneFree System works great for me. I feel like why should I buy a more expensive product when the cheaper one works for me? You can purchase this stuff at just about anywhere, CVS, Walgreens ect., Wal-Mart, Target, and SAM's carries it too. It costs about $20 USD, but I bought some at SAM's for $17 USD a while back.

I fall in the 25-30 yrs. age category and it wasn't until I reached this age that I ever had any problems with acne. All through my teen years when we're supposed to get acne I never did. I mean, I would get the little "warning acne" letting me know that it was almost "that time of the month". Even then, I never had a true break out, always just one or two. Back then I would just spot treat the blemish and be on my way. Ever since I turned 25 it has been an on going battle to keep my face clear. I guess my hormones fluctuated from having my 2 babies and the consequences is "hormonal acne". Darn it! I wouldn't call my current acne breakouts either. It's more like "acne prone"...I get these tiny bumps on my forehead and by my temples. I think that these are probably caused by my sweat and the natural oils from my hair (my hair is not oily) clogging my pores. Occasionally, I get one on my chin at the corner of my mouth. I used Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser (salicylic acid) for a long time and it worked pretty good. But, in the summer of '09 my skin went crazy and it seemed like nothing I used was working. I was still getting the bumps on my forehead, and my Avenno wasn't doing a thing to get rid of them or prevent them. I tried spreading the Clean & Clear spot treatment all over my forehead and going to bed to let it soak in. Nothing...

I went on the hunt for something that would really help. I had seen the AcneFree System at my Wal-Mart and wondered what it was all about. I turned to my trusted MakeupAlly for reviews, it sounded great to me, and I purchased it the next time I went into town. I got the exact set that is pictured in the MUA reviews. The results were great for me, but you must give it at least two weeks to really start working, at least that was the case for me.

 I use the cleanser in the morning and at night. I remove my makeup and smooth a small amount all over my damp face with clean fingers. I prefer to use my fingers because if you use a cotton pad like the bottle suggest, the product soaks in the cotton pad and you don't get the full strength on your face. Then, I scrub the cleanser in using circular motions with my hand held face brush ($2 from Sally's). Next, I rise and fallow with the AcneFree Renewing Toner.  Again, I don't use a cotton pad for this either. I pour a little at a time into my hand and apply it to my face like a guy applies an aftershave. I know it sounds weird, but it works, and you're not wasting your product. I only use the toner in the morning, because I found it a little to drying to use both am and pm. But, that's just me. If your skin is on the oily side you might want to use it morning and night. Last, comes the AcneFree Repair Lotion. I use my fingers for this one too, and only at night. I don't like using it in the morning because of the heaviness of the moisturizer. It seems to make my skin to oily for day. I tried using it day and night, but when I applied my foundation after the moisturizer dried, about 2 hrs. later my face looked yucky. My skin looked oily and my foundation looked really caky and flaky. So I just stopped using the Repair Lotion in the morning. When I first started using the system it took about 1 week for my skin to stop purging. Within this time my skin was pretty broken-out. I had several blemishes. The beginning of the second week they started clearing up. By the third week I was all clear and have been ever since. So, as far as the AcneFree System Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% goes, I love it!

I do have a skin routine that I fallow like religion so that my skin always looks it's best. I will tell you more about all of that stuff in my Daily Skin Regimen post. I will be posting that this week, so keep an eye out for more good info.

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NYX Runway Collection- Versus 10 Color Palette: Rating ♥♥♥♥1/2

Top Row: This is a great palette to have in your collection. I love these to travel with, compact and no fuss. The top row is full of creamy, taupey brown tones with a shimmery shade of black. The first shade is a creamy beige tone that has a finish/texture that is simular to the MAC matte2 shades. The second, is a mid-tone camel brown with a satin finish. Third, my favorite, we have a frosty shade of light creamy brown tinged taupe. Fourth, we have a frosty grey/brown taupe with a buttery soft finish that is comparable to a veluxe pearl, and is very simular to MAC's Smoke & Diamonds. Last, is the dark charcoal black with silver pearl shimmer. The texture of this shade is slighly more chalky than the others, but is still nice for the price.

MAC DUPES (L to R): Shade 1: Blanc Type- Shade 2: Era- Shade 3: Dazzlelight- Shade 4: Smoke & Diamonds- Shade 5: Black Tied with a slightly chalky texture.

Bottom Row: On the bottom row we have some softer shades of purple with a slight pink base.The first shade is a deep plumed purple with a soft texture and a satin finish. Second, is what I would call a medium toned spring purple with a velvet finish. This shade is slightly chalkier in texture than most of the shades. Third, is a blue based pink with pink pearl that has a very soft texture and a veluxe finish. Forth, is a pale lilic with a velvet finish and a slightly chalky texture. Last is a creamy/white shade with a frost finish and a buttery soft texture.

MAC DUPES (L to R): Shade 1: Fig. 1 with a soft satin finish- Shade 2: Purple Haze with a velvet finish and chalky texture- Shade 3: Swish with a soft veluxe finish- Shade 4: ??? pale chalkish lilic- Shade 5: Nylon with a finish and texture that screams veluxe pearl.

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China Glaze- Purple Panic (neon) Rating: ♥♥♥

Let's start with the things I love about this polish....The Color!! It is the most vivid, hot fuchsia pink with a slight reflect of a purple undertone. Perfect for a hot, flirty summer nail. I just wish the formula for this polish was as knock-out as the shade is. Aw man, this stuff was a pain in the butt to get right. Purple Panic is a neon shade and neon shades are notorious for having a dull/flat/matte looking finish. This one is not an exception to the rule. That is the easy part to deal with though. You just need to add your most glossy top coat to the top and vahla, just that easy. Hum I wish, this polish also had some major drying issues. The first time I applied this polish I applied 1 medium coat and 3 min. later fallowed up with a 2nd medium coat, 3 minutes after the 2nd coat I added my Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Top coat. I ended up with a gloppy mess that never dried. So, I started over...1 very thin coat of polish, 5 minutes to dry, 2nd thin coat of polish, 5 min. to dry, 3rd thin coat of polish, 5 min. to dry, then Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Top Coat. It was quite time consuming. I must say that the final result was gorgeous. A beautiful mani with a brush stroke no where insight. So, yeah I'll be keeping it and using it again this summer, but I will have to use this one when I have the time to spend on the application. I will also keep my neon polish collection down to Purple Panic and Turn Up The Turquoise (another CG neon) and that is it. These two shades were just to pretty to pass up and since I only have two I should be able to find the time to apply them.

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My Summer Mani and Pedi: China Glaze: Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I am a sucker for a beautiful bright mani/pedi for the spring and summer months. For the most amazing color selection I turn to China Glaze. It doesn't matter what your favorite shade may be, they are bound to have several that you fall in love with. I like pretty much any color as long as it suits me. I do tend to lean towards blues, purples, pinks, corals, and reds, but I'm easily swayed in any color direction. China Glaze finishes range from a sheer, cream, shimmer, and glitter. I tend to stick with either a shimmer or a cream finish. I sometimes will do a sheer on my mani, but never on my pedi. I never go for the glitters. I'm over 21 so no glitter for me. I know is probably just me. I wore glitter nail polish before I could wear makeup on my face, so it reminds me of a young look. Though, I have seen ladies my age wear it and pull it off. I just don't think I could.

China Glaze's (CG's) formula is usually great (you always have a few bad apples) and gives results that last in between 3-5 days, depending on the top coat I use. Seche Vite gives me the most lasting results. I would compare the formula and the staying power to Essie's polishes. The only formula I like better than Essie and China Glaze is OPI, we're talking 5-7 day long mani with OPI. I must say that regardless of which formula I use my manis tend to be slightly more short lived than most ladies would be. I put my mani through the ringer, with taking care of my three ^sweet♥'s^ (dh included), cleaning, cooking, and digging in the flower beds my mani takes some extreme abuse. So most lady's manis will stay going strong long after I have made a new color selection. Honestly, I have a routine of changing my polishes on Monday and Thursday nights. I do it this way so that I will have a new shade for the weekdays and another shade for the weekends. I know, pretty silly, but I love it!

I will try my best to post swatches of both of my weekly manis for you this summer. So, keep an eye out for that. It won't be hard to miss as bright as they all are- lol ; ) I hope you love it!

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