Lorac Neutralizer: A Miracle in a Bottle (Only $10)!

Do you suffer from enlarged pores?  Have you tried product after product searching for one that transforms your pores from the Grand Canyon to "Pores?  What pores?"  If so, you'd better sit down and read on.  If not, you are one lucky human being.

Lorac cosmetics was a featured brand on HauteLook a few weeks ago and after hearing several positive reviews, I decided to give them a try.  I've always been too broke and/or cheap to try more expensive brands like Lorac but at 50% or more off, it was the perfect time to buy this surprising miracle worker:

Lorac Oil-Free Neutralizer; $10 at loraccosmetics.com

Unfortunately, HauteLook was sold out of a few things that I wanted to try so I decided to try my luck with Lorac's own site.  I was successful, obviously, and they still have some great products (including the neutralizer) on serious discount here!  (Many times products featured on HauteLook are still sold at the same discount on the company's own website.  If something you want is sold out or you missed the sale, be sure to check the brand's site!)

I was actually expecting this to do more for redness than anything, but I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed my pores were practically gone after just one use.  I use this before applying my foundation, which Lorac doesn't recommend, but it works just fine for me.  You can also just add a pump or two to your foundation and you'll get the same results.

Why September?

I have about 5 fashion magazine subscriptions at the moment, although I swear I've only paid for two (don't ask me how this happened - they just find me).  I suppose I should be used to the giant issue that comes but once a year, however I still opened my mailbox the other day shocked to find a behemoth slab staring back at me.  At first I thought, What is this, a Sears catalog?  Do they even make those anymore?  It took me a moment and a glance at the cover to realize it's that wonderful time of the year.  It's a time when fashionistas worldwide flock to stores to snag their favorite mag's September issue.

This got me thinking - why is the September issue so important?  Also, why is it so freaking huge?!

Is it a novel?  Nope - it's just the September issue.

Like any first-world gal I took my questions to Google and here are really the only explanations I found:

Because its fall and there's new clothing. (au.answers.yahoo.com)

There are other seasons which produce "new clothing" so that doesn't quite explain the extra hype.  Let's try again:

The September issues are generally the biggest issues of the year, because they have the most advertisements (and also the most articles).  It's a combination of the run-up to the Christmas shopping season, new fall fashions (like back-to-school clothes) and new perfumes/makeup lines (perfume and makeup, for example, aren't big sellers in the summer because it's hot and women have other things to worry about, but sales pick up in the fall).  (au.answers.yahoo.com)

 Yes, September issues are bigger but the question is WHY are they bigger?  Although Christmas is nearing, I doubt many people are thinking that seriously about holiday shopping in September (women have other things to worry about anyway) and back-to-school shopping is usually catered towards kids which fashion magazines certainly don't cover.

 I suppose this is partially due to the fact that fall provides big ticket items such as boots, coats, holiday party dresses and the like. But I think the big reason is the lingering mentality of back-to-school shopping.  (fasshonaburu.com)

I agree that fall churns out big ticket items but I'm not quite convinced that it's a sufficient enough answer to legitimize such a difference in popularity and size of the September issue.

First I thought that maybe it had to do with the popularity of the fall season and fall wardrobe (I do love fall!), but I think summer and summer fashion demands just as much attention as the fall/winter collections.

This September question really has me stumped, though I am glad I'm not the only one who wonders about and is clueless about this strange tradition!  Is there actually a reason behind this special issue, or is it just a tradition with no known motive?  Maybe there really are more people who enjoy fall fashion more than any other season...

What do you think?

Zoya BOGO Free Through 08/25

Zoya nail polish is my absolute favorite polish brand so I just had to share this sweet deal: now through 08/25 all Zoya polish is buy one get one free (excluding Nail Treatments and Color Spoons)!

I've tried many a nail polish and although I'd never tried the brand until a few months ago, I am hooked.  It lasts longer than most and the color selection is HUGE.  If you've been waiting to stock up on Zoya or just try it out, now is the time - you can get up to 6 free polishes by using the promo code SCHOOL at checkout.  Be sure to check out Zoya's blog for all the details!

Need a color suggestion?  I'm loving the new for fall Pixie Dust polish in Tomoko.  Happy shopping!

Ipsy Glam Bag: August 2013

It's here!  I'm pumped to show you guys what I got in my Glam Bag this month!  Although I was really hoping to snag an Urban Decay lipstick that others received, I can say that I'm not entirely disappointed.  Read on to see what I received and read my first impressions.

Loving It: Wet n Wild Fergie Shimmer Palette

Just thought I'd give a quick review of something I've found myself using quite often recently - the Wet n Wild Fergie Shimmer Palette in Rosé Champagne Glow.  First of all, this is marketed as a trio, but I'd like to see someone try to get three distinct shades from this guy.  Nevertheless, it is a lovely block of swirled goodness.

$5.99; available at Walgreens

Marie Claire's Luxe for (A LOT) Less

Have you ever browsed through your favorite fashion magazine wondering how people afford those designer duds?  You then stop to read the "bargain" page only to lose any and all hope when you see a $200 necklace and $400 clutch (what a steal!)  I shared the exact same sentiment while reading my August issue of Marie Claire.  If you're trying to appeal to the style-savvy on a budget, Marie Claire, you're going to have to try harder.  Don't get me wrong, MC, I still love you and you'll probably always be my favorite mag, but clearly you and I have very different ideas of what a bargain is.  This is why I am taking it upon myself to see if I can top the out-of-reach offerings from MC's Luxe for Less.  Here goes...

MC's pick: Joe Fresh studded leather pants; $129.

Image Credit: FashionMagazine.com/Jenna Marie Wakani

Scores of the Month: July 2013

As a frequent bargain hunter, I come across some serious deals.  Here's just a couple of scores deemed worthy of sharing:

Cynthia Rowley pink tweed jacket from T.J. Maxx ($10)

It's only 100 degrees out, why wouldn't I want a tweed jacket?  I won't be able to wear this until at least November here on the Gulf Coast, but for $10 I'm more than happy to wait to wear this Chanel-esque jacket.