Loving Michelle O

Okay, it's official. I'm so in love with Michelle Obama, and not just because she makes us women of color P-R-O-U-D. She's gorgeous, she's stylish, she's smarter than her husband, and she seems to handle the incredibly high-profile, super-busy life she leads with unflappable grace and elan.

Oh, and apparently, she says Hell-to-the-no to pantyhose. I'm over the moon.

I guess I'd noticed it on occasion, but I didn't realize that she totally eschews pantyhose. She may have donned some when she met the Queen of England -- it's hard to tell in the few photos available if she did or not -- and likely at the inauguration, too, but she didn't in her meeting with the Sarkozys in France, and in most events she's seen with her legs au naturel. Love. It.

I can't stand pantyhose. I can't stand the expense, the discomfort, the unnatural appearance, the feel, the efforts required to put them on without tearing them. They're the bane of my professional existence, and when I have to wear a suit I generally either just grin and bear it or I eschew the skirt altogether and don pants. Not the most elegant look -- although they're certainly more comfortable and allow for more movement than a skirted suit would -- but it gets the job done and doesn't require me to wear anything other than knee-highs at the most.

Now I think I'll take Michelle Obama's lead and just avoid pantyhose altogether. In fact, I say that all women around the world should put pantyhose makers out of business entirely. We worked damn hard to free ourselves from corsets and bone-breaking shoes and lead-filled makeup. Why torture ourselves more with such antiquated notions as pantyhose? What's wrong with our natural legs?

It'll be interesting to see the reactions (if any) from potential job interviewers, for example, if I were to come in wearing a nice suit, pumps and no pantyhose. But then again, would you want a job where your entire worth as a professional and an intelligent human being rests on whether or not your legs are encased in scratchy, itchy nylon? I don't think so.

Beauty Review: The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night and Day Creams

The Body Shop can be found just about anywhere in the world...outside of the United States, that it. I knew of it when I lived in Japan, having seen it in a mall or so back in Dallas, but it enjoys enormous popularity overseas. In England, for example, they have a lovely shop inside Heathrow Airport, where you can score full-sized bottles and tubes of sweet-smelling lotions and potions for less than you would pay back home. (How they can do that, I've no clue, but it's a godsend if you forgot to pack for the cold, dry climates of northern Europe.) In shops throughout Southeast Asia (at least, in the Philippines, Singapore and Japan, where I've visited Body Shop outlets), women and men pack the aisles, trying out the different products and usually leaving with at least a bottle or two of a favorite item.

I'm not sure why it's less well-known here, but it does have a presence, albeit a small, unassuming one. The stores haven't changed much in terms of interior design -- they still sport the dark green paint and the atmosphere is reminiscent of one's fantasy of an old English shoppe -- but if there's one thing that the Body Shop is known for throughout the world, it's their fierce environmental consciousness. The late Anita Roddick -- the Body Shop founder and environmental advocate -- and her shops were proudly green long, loooong before Al Gore made the movement hip. I don't know if they still offer this service, but for years they would allow customers to bring in their empty Body Shop containers for refills. To this day they still make a point of sourcing ingredients from sustainable farms, and they still eschew flashy marketing and design to focus their efforts on the quality of their products.

My favorite Body Shop product of late is their Aloe line, specifically the Soothing Night Cream. It comes in a small pot and is especially made for those with sensitive skin. Although my face isn't very sensitive -- it's very oily and acne-prone, but not sensitive -- my neck is a different story. I've yet to find a sunscreen that it can tolerate, and forget about any kind of moisturizers. A mere drop of a forbidden lotion, and an angry red rash will flare up that won't go away for at least a day or two.

Not with the Body Shop's Aloe Soothing Night Cream, though! It's not super-rich, so if you have very dry skin you might need something more emollient, but for those with normal to slightly oily skin with dry patches, this could be the perfect solution for you if you're sensitive. With shea butter and sesame oil, it moisturizes very well but doesn't leave a greasy film; rather, it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin touchably soft. And it has never ever given me even the slightest hint of a rash. My skin has responded very well to this product.

The Day Cream, which has a slightly lighter texture, works equally well. However, the downside is that it doesn't come with added sunscreen protection at all, so you'll need to make sure to include that in your routine if you wish to use this. Personally, I don't use day creams or lotions that don't include sunscreen, since I prefer to minimize the number of products I use on my oily skin.

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream: $20.00 for 1.7 oz.
The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream: $16.00 for 1.7 oz.

Looking for cheap, chic fashions?

The economy has curtailed (somewhat!) my shopping habit, which is fine with me as I'm not that big of a shopper. My sister-in-law is a pro and has scored some amazing deals, but I can't be bothered. Not just because my wallet isn't that generous, but because quite frankly, I'd rather be reading or hanging out with friends than roaming massive malls for a pair of jeans. Most of the time, they either don't fit or are way too trendy. Nothing wrong with being up with the times, but unfortunately most department stores and boutiques carry trends that are better suited to teenagers and very young adults. I'm 37, dammit, and have way more money than the average twentysomething, but I guess retailers sometimes forget that.

Instead, what I do is buy a few timeless pieces that will remain in my closet for years and which will always be in style. I'm talking about dark wash denim that sits just below the waist and are slightly flared at the leg. Sure, today it's all about the skinny jean (just like the '80s!) and bright yellow and the latest It bag, but these are momentary trends that will disappear within mere months, so why spend all your hard-earned money for something with such a short shelf life? Yes, you can always store them for a couple of decades (lots of '80s-style clothes are roaring back at the runways), but then you'll have to spend money to have that storage and space. Why not just buy clothes that you can wear year in and year out?

You don't necessarily have to buy classic-but-uber-pricey brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, either. Heck, even those lines have their share of fleeting togs. The great thing about dressing simply but elegantly is that, once you have a wardrobe rich in such timeless classics, you'll rarely have a problem getting dressed again. Streamlining can not only simplify your busy life and schedule, it can be very, very cost-effective.

My favorite place to score well-priced classic pieces is my little network of consignment shops and thrift stores. Not every town is going to have them, but most will. In Dallas you have a huge array of choices, from the enormously popular Clotheshorse Anonymous to the neighborhood Goodwill. I used to be a devoted Clotheshorse shopper, but since the early 2000's they've started pricing their goods quite high. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, I could nab a beautiful designer wool suit for less than $50, but nowadays you'd be lucky if you could escape the store spending less than $100. Want a genuine Prada for less than $300? Try eBay. If you dare.

Still, I'll go there on occasion. I check out the suits, skirts, blouses, and of course, purses. They've since relocated to a much bigger location, one that showcases more of their gems. Sometimes you'll find good deals, but be prepared to spend nearly as much as you would at the mall.

Other shops worth checking in the Dallas area include Revente on Mockingbird Lane and Clothes Circuit near Northwest Highway and Preston. The latter is similar to Clotheshorse in pricing, but if you're on the hunt for upscale designer clothing, that's a fantastic place to shop. They also have a better, larger purse selection than Clotheshorse, too, IMHO.

In Irving a decent place for an afternoon hunt is Chapter Two, located on the southeast corner of O'Connor Rd. and Rochelle. Their purse selection is so-so (rare designer finds, and many of them are of older vintage, like Dooney & Bourke handbags from the 1980's), but the staff is friendly and the selection of clothes is great.

I usually go to Goodwill for books, but if you pick the neighborhood, you can get some wonderful clothes and accessories. A while back (before designer knockoffs were common), my mom once found a slightly damaged but genuine Gucci purse at the Irving Goodwill. Minor water stains had slightly warped the interior lining, but otherwise it was in gorgeous condition. Price? Six bucks, baby. And yes, it really was a genuine Gucci handbag.

Chances are you won't be able to find such jewels very often -- if at all -- but especially in these straitened times, you might be surprised at what people have been unloading at their neighborhood thrift shop. Sure, more people are holding on to their stuff longer, but there are still lots of good buys to be had. I like to keep an eye on fashion trends by browsing through several fashion magazines a month, but then I head out to Goodwill and my local thrift shop to find some similar pieces, specifically those that might work for today's fashion but doesn't necessarily scream TRENDY. An example would be last fall's signature color, deep violet/purple. Designers came up with a lot of beautiful pieces in that shade, but a lot of them were fleeting designs that wouldn't survive another year's fashion scrutiny. You can, however search through the Goodwill racks for, say, a vintage Polo in eggplant or deep violet and be able to satisfy your sartorial demands without spending a fortune.

When searching for consignment shops near you, just Google "consignment [name of your city here]." Chances are you'll come up with several to choose from. If not, start with your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Garage/yard sales can make for great treasure hunts, too, and their prices are often the lowest you'll find anywhere, but if you're looking to save gas and drive time as well, you should definitely head out to your local secondhand/vintage/thrift/consignment boutiques and stores.

Beauty Review: Paula's Choice Sheer Matte Tint Part 2

Okay, if you read the previous review you know I was kind of lackluster about Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20. I tried the Sheer Beige, which was a wee bit darker than my actual skin tone; it stood out and made it obvious that I was wearing some kind of shade on my skin, which in my book is against what a tinted moisturizer is supposed to do.

I tried out the Sheer Neutral, however, on my medium-olive skin, and lemme tell ya, it's an almost perfect match. Nothing short of Prescriptives' custom-blended foundation (assuming you find a really good counterperson who knows what they're doing, which you definitely should) will likely give you the perfect match, but this comes pretty close. In the muted light of my bathroom mirror it blended perfectly and disappeared almost immediately into my skin, even with the thicker-than-recommended layer I applied (I want the full SPF without having to add an additional product on my skin!). Once I stepped outside in natural light, even my husband thought it looked really good, very natural, and he ordinarily likes me sans any makeup, even a sheer tint. It's extremely lightweight and feels like nothing on my skin, a big plus for my ordinarily oily complexion.

Bottom line: This is an excellent tinted moisturizer for folks with normal or oily/combination skin who want to eschew traditional foundation. You'll still need to tote some blotting sheets with you, especially if you live in a humid climate, but otherwise this will provide not only sheer coverage but a decent overall matte finish. And if you hate piling on the products, the broad spectrum SPF 20 will be a godsend; just wash your face, apply this tint and go.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20: $14.95/1 oz tube. Excellent value.

Beauty Review: Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint

Particularly during the hot, steamy days of Dallas summer, I don't especially care for wearing makeup of any kind. Not foundation, not powder, not blush -- nothing. It worked well for me when I lived in Grand Junction, Colorado, but Dallas, however, can be a pretty demanding, high-maintenance kinda town for women, especially professional women. Even the creative artiste types tend to dress up over here. No paint-splashed smocks in public, please. We have a rep to protect. (This may be why I'm having a hard time readjusting to life back in my own hometown, but I digress.)

I reviewed some of Paula Begoun's Paula's Choice skincare line yesterday and absolutely love love love the products. They're super-light and make my skin feel so smooth and well-nourished. I do use Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in Hydrating Treatment (2% salicylic acid) for exfoliation and Clean & Clear's Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin as my cleanser, but I've added Paula's Choice toner, day sunscreen and antioxidant serum to the mix.

When I ordered the skincare products from PC (they have an awesome distribution system, so that I received the products a mere two days after I placed the order, even though I chose Standard Shipping), I also threw in a few samples, including two of their Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20. Like I said, I'm not a big fan of foundation, but I might tolerate a tinted moisturizer, especially if it has SPF. The fewer products I layer on my skin, the better, and with a tinted moisturizer, I could just wash my face, tone and put on the tint. Voila! A touch of lipstick and/or gloss, and I'm out the door.

My two cents? The sample I received was in a sweet little black pot and was enough for at least two applications. It glided on well and absorbed quickly, and the color (Sheer Beige) was pretty close to my skintone, albeit a wee bit darker. I might try the next lighter color, Sheer Neutral, the next time.

Still, it's not the perfect solution that I was (foolishly?) hoping it would be. I dream of someday having a foundation or tint that would provide the kind of sheer coverage that isn't obvious to anyone who doesn't know me. I have fairly decent skin, but I'm 37 and have had acne problems in the past, and with my brown complexion -- scars easily -- I could use a bit of coverage. The only "perfect solution" I've found is the Prescriptives custom-blended foundation, but it's expensive -- albeit totally worth it if you have the money -- and ever since I've been trying desperately to approximate its effect with cheaper solutions at the drugstore.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint is a decent option, but B. (that would be my husband) told me that it does tend to settle a bit around the cheek areas when I smile. I don't see it myself, but I probably needed to see it in bright, natural light. It does provide a good matte finish, but by mid-morning my nose was shinier than usual, so if your skin tends to the oily side you definitely will want to bring a powder or at least blotting sheets.

The sunscreen is excellent, with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, so this might work for someone with sensitive skin. Paula's Choice offers four shades: Sheer Beige, Sheer Neutral, Sheer Ivory, and Sheer Fair, and the Web site points out that since it's supposed to be sheer, the shades are meant to suit all skin tones. Still, you might want to try samples of a couple of different shades to test out their look on your skin. Since they are sheer, if you rely on this tint solely for your sun protection, you'll need to layer it on in order to get the full effect. Otherwise you'll need additional sunscreen. If you have oily skin like I do, the fewer products you have on it, the better, so make sure you have a good match so that you can apply a generous amount.

Bottom line: Good option for those who don't like foundation but still want some sheer coverage, plus the added bonus of a high SPF sunscreen. Bargain priced, great shipping. Samples are offered, which you should definitely take advantage of, especially if you're going to be ordering other products from Paula's Choice anyway.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20: $14.95 for a 1 oz. tube.

Review: Paula's Choice skin care products

Like tons of other women and [some] men, I've been a huge fan of Paula Begoun for at least a decade, ever since I discovered her book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition. Cosmetics companies loathe her, some people don't trust her, but anyone with a healthy skepticism about the oft-inflated claims made by the beauty industry and its handmaiden, the women's magazine industry, should celebrate her intelligent, balanced, detailed, and often funny reviews of just about every beauty product you can think of.

Not to be outdone, Ms. Begoun has created a fairly extensive and well-reviewed product line of her own, including everything from cleansers to cosmetics. What distinguishes her from many -- if not all -- her competitors is that she's happy to recommend worthy products made by other companies. She just thinks hers is just as good, and rightfully so.

I recently tried out a number of products from her skincare line, Paula's Choice, specifically, the Skin Balancing Toner for Normal/Oily and Combination Skin; the Skin Balancing Super Anti-Oxidant Mattifying Concentrate Serum for Normal to Very Oily Skin; and the Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15 for Normal and Oily/Combination Skin. I love them all.

Finally! I have a wonderful, affordable and effective skincare line that works with my fussy complexion. The toner, which I used morning and evening, feels silky soft and soothing to my skin right after cleansing. The serum does the same thing, depositing tons of valuable antioxidants into my skin and making it feel touchably smooth. It's the last thing I put on at night; with my oily skin, especially in this humid Dallas climate, I don't need any additional moisturizer. The daily mattifying lotion is a godsend; it's very lightweight and easily absorbed, giving my skin a clean, matte finish. I still need to use blotting sheets several times throughout the day, but hey, this is the hot and moist Southwest; I'm happy that it doesn't make my face look like an oil slick by the end of the day, which is the frequent problem I have with a lot of daily suncreens. The only thing I wish for it is that it provided a higher SPF -- say, 30 or even just 20 -- but if you're mostly officebound or otherwise spend little time outdoors in a day-to-day basis, this is perfect either under your foundation or on its own. It's probably my very favorite product in the Paula's Choice skincare line, as it makes my morning routine so much easier: cleanse, tone, lotion, voila! I'm done in less than five minutes.

The bottles are pretty simply designed, all plastic and white with either blue or green lettering, but I would guess that Ms. Begoun would rather focus her efforts on creating effective products than on pretty packaging, and that's fine with me. Antioxidant-rich products are contained have pump-style dispensers, which is ideal because open jars and bottles would expose the potent ingredients to air, rendering them useless.

You can only order these products online, but they're definitely worth the purchase. I ordered mine on Wednesday and received them by Friday via USPS, even though I only requested the Standard Delivery. Now's a good time to order, too, as Paula's Choice is offering a great sale. If you want to try them out, the company offers cheap samples (you're also offered free samples with any full-sized order). Folks with oily/acne-prone skin will especially benefit, as the PC line specifically targeting that skin type is well formulated and is the best I've seen anywhere.

Note: the antioxidant concentrate may seem pricey, but remember that you only need to use less than a pea-sized amount for your entire face. I've had mine for a week now and use it every night, and I'm nowhere near the bottom of this tube. I would guess that it will last me a month and a half, if not more.

Toner: $15.95/6 oz.

Mattifying Lotion SPF 15: $20.95/2 oz

Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate: $24.95/1 oz

Welcoming myself back!!!

I've been away for so long, I'd forgotten that I haven't blogged here in months and months!!! I'm so sorry for neglecting this wonderful site! It's been a hectic few months, what with traveling overseas in the fall (Singapore for nearly the entire month of September), running my freelance writing business, the holidays, and then...drum roll...a move to one of the fastest-growing cities in the country -- and one of my two hometowns (the other being Manila), Dallas!

Yup, my husband and I decided to head back and be closer to our families again. He landed a good job at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the area, so we're back in the arms of the Big D and are trying to get our bearings once more. (We moved here about a month ago.) We're not completely settled in yet -- our new apartment won't be ready for move-in for another two weeks -- but we're getting there. In the meantime, I'm lining up my projects and am getting back on track with some that I've neglected the past few months, including Beauty in Mahogany!

I have a backlog of products to review and am planning to concentrate on that for the next few weeks. My plan of action is to review three times a week, not including shorter, more pithy posts about fashion, events, and other articles that may be of interest to stylish, gorgeous women of color. Now that I'm back in Dallas, I'll have even more opportunity to check out the latest and best in beauty and fashion, not to mention all the fantastic cultural events that this city has to offer.

I still miss the quiet life out in the rural West, but I'm adjusting back to city life. I guess I found out that I'm really a rural girl at heart, but I'm taking advantage of all that Dallas has to offer. So far, so good.

To those of you who've stuck by Beauty in Mahogany throughout its hiatus, thank you! It's so good to be back.