New Series Starting in January

A friend of mine has a blog totally unrelated to make-up or beauty. It started out as a personal blog and over time she has take it in many different directions. After reading her blog last week and her "Interview Wednesdays" I decided to borrow her idea and adapt it to fit my blog :). For those of you on YouTube this is somewhat similar to Nat's "Spotlight Guru," but in blog form and with my own spin and I will be including my favorite blogs in addition to make-up Gurus and Beauty Chanel favorites. I'm also hoping to make this either a twice a month post or at the very least once a month.

I already have a list of people who I'd like to interview and am working on a list of questions which will include some standard ones that I will ask everyone and some personalized ones depending upon who the interviewee is. Now if you're wondering why I'm telling you all this its because not only do I want you to keep your eyes out and come back for this series but also because this is your chance to get involved. I'm not going to list who is on my list of interviewees if given the opportunity what are some questions that you would like to ask? Post them in the comments section and I may include a few in my list. No promises but I'd love your input.

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season (Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa) and hopefully you are ahead of me with your shopping.

BeautyFix Giveway

Beautyfix is one of the latest beauty sampling subscription programs out there. For just $50 a quarter, you get an incredible Beautyfix mini train case filled with some of the most innovative beauty products out there. Each kit includes 7 - 10 products, most of which are full sized, and others being deluxe samples. All of the products are chosen by a team of beauty industry experts and promise to please any beauty junkie out there!

You've already seen my video on what is in the case and some of you even commented on how you would love to try these products. Well now's your chance!

Starting Wednesday December 17th through Monday December 29th, 2008 you can enter to win the first edition set of the Beautyfix case that you saw me talk about in this video!

And just in case you missed the post I made on it last week, here's what's inside:

Amarté Aqua Veil Pure Hydration Serum
Amarté Natural Wonder Cream
Jane Iredale Shimmer Powder in Rose Gold
Kronos Phyx Overnight Repair Masque
M LAB Anti-Aging Treatment Cream
PCA SKIN pHaze 9 Purifying Mask
PerriconeMD Firming Neck Therapy
Redpoint Noc-Out Cover-Up Compact
Sensa Weight Loss System

Rules:
1. You must be a Follower or Subscriber of my blog.
2. To enter this giveaway enter your name, email address, and answer the question in the contest machine box below.
3. One entry per person, do not try and use multiple email addresses.
4. Deadline is at midnight (PST) Monday, December 29, 2008.
5. ONE winner will be chosen and will be announced here on It's Just Maintenance as well as on my YT channel.
6. I will not share your email address with anyone, and I will only use your email address to contact you if you are a winner.
7. This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada only.

Let me know if you have any questions and GOOD LUCK!

BeautyFix Goodies!

A couple weeks ago I received my 1st BeautyFix package and WOW. I was so surprised at all the great goodies in this box (really more of a soft travel case) and the sizes are so generous. Thank you Christina for allowing me the opportunity to review these great items!

Goodies in the case:

*Aqua Veil Pure Hydration Serum by Amarte "A fresh, hydrating serum from Korea makes its US debut at Beautyfix and works its magic on our skin. We often hear that our dehydrated skin needs more water, and now we finally have that cool drink our skin has been clamoring for."

*Natural Wonder Crean by Amarte "The combination of pine extract, argan oil and sulfur help to soothe and hydrate the skin."

*Jade Iredale 24-Karate Gold Dust Powder "A versatile powder adds shimmer to face, body and hair."

*Kronos Phyx "Beauty sleep takes on a whole new meaning with an overnight repair mask for your hair. "

*MLab Anti-Aging Treatment Cream "The Rolls Royce of skin creams, this super concentrated moisturizer will rev up your skin like a slick V12 engine. Loaded with collagen building peptides, free radical-fighting antioxidants, and intense moisturizers, the formula’s 68%
clinically active ingredients work to repair skin on the face and neck."

*PCA skin pHaze 9 Purifying Mask (trying this one now - full review to come soon) "
Smooth skin in 3 to 5 minutes, you say? This fast-acting, dual-action refining mask and exfoliating scrub delivers on all its promises. The formula contains an antioxidant-rich concoction of algae from the Red Sea, French red clay, and red wine extract that brightens weary skin, while essential oils of tea tree, orange and eucalyptus hydrate. A dermatologist favorite, this medical-grade formula is just what the doctor ordered. Simply apply the mask, let sit while you multi-task for five and then rub off. Skin is baby soft, thanks to the gentle, micro-fine pumice. "

*Pericone MD Cosmeceuticals Firming Neck Therapy "This lightweight and non-sticky formula quickly absorbs to start undoing the neglect your neck has endured over the years. It immediately smoothes the texture of aging skin below the jaw line, leaving it soft and moisturized. Over time, your neck looks firmer, and your lines begin to fade away. Hooray!"

*Redpoint NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact "Neutralize, Obliterate and Conceal for flawless-looking skin. This compact contains a generous amount of concealers that are as diverse as your skin’s needs. The yellow cover-up combats pesky redness and inflamed blemishes; the peachy beige is best for hiding those telling under eye circles; and the salmon base masks age and sun spots, as well as veins and other dark discolorations."

*Sensa (I will not be reviewing this product since I don't really need to lose significant weight and I don't have an issue with overeating.) "Effortless weight-loss? Unlike "good-for-you" cupcakes, here’s one oxymoron that’s not too good to be true. Sensa doesn’t require you to change your diet or exercise routine to lose weight. All you have to do is sprinkle the powders on your meals and snacks."

Over the next few weeks I will be trying and reviewing all of these products except for the Sensa, so stay tuned to hear how I like each item. In the mean time head on over to BeautyFix and sign up for their next Beauty kit. Membership is limited so sign up today so that you don't miss out!

Check out my video if you want to get a better look at each product.

Also stay tuned later this week for a contest featuring BeautyFix products!

Bliss discount code 10% off till Dec. 15

Shop till you Drop!

40% off Tarte code FF08

20% off at Restoration Hardware through 12/15/08 Code 52E816

20% off use code MACYSFRIEND

15% off at Sephora code: FYP96 at checkout through 12/14/08

Michael's 40% off till 12/13/08

My Beauty Routine - Skin Care

I get a lot of questions an comments on my skin almost daily. Fortunately for me genetics plays a HUGE part and I must thank my mother for passing on some good genes :). That and instilling the importance of maintenance at such an early age.

Some of you have already seen my skin care video but for those of you who haven't or can't here is a little breakdown:


Products/brands that I use: Arbonne, Almay, Aveeno, Shu Eumura, Jason, Kiehl's, Bliss, Revitalash, Neutragena


Daily:
-Arbonne face wash (was using Arbonne Intelligence Daily Cleanser but recently switched to the RE9 REnewing Gelée Crème Hydrating Wash, I'm all about preventative care).

-Currently using Shu Eumura Cleansing Beauty oil to wash off eye make up. This is a large sample so once it's gone I'll go back to my Aveeno Face wash for my eyes. I prefer to wash off my eye make up than use make-up remover.

-Arbonne Intelligence Daily Balancer Toner

-Arbonne BefoRE Sun Damage Control Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 30. I will not leave the houe without this on. If you wear nothing else people PLEASE remember your sunscreen!

-I also use an exfoliator like the Jason Apricot Scrubble 1-3 days a week depending upon how my skin is looking and if I used the Kieh'ls peel the night before or not.

-The mornings following the Keihl's peel or right after exfoliating I also like to use the Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask. I typically use this 1-2 times a week on a good week.



If I remember to wash my face at night, yes I said remember, I get lazy sometimes and just don't do it. I know its bad for me but sometimes I just need a break.
I use:

-Shu Eumura Cleansing Beauty oil to wash off eye make up

-RE9 REnewing Gelée Crème Hydrating Wash (or Aveeno face wash if I have that just to keep it simple)


Here is where it gets complicated. After I wash my face I use one or more of the following;

-1-3 times a week (on a good week), I use the Kiehl's Over-Night Biological Peel

-If I don't use the peel then I will apply Kiehl's Abyssine Cream +

-1-3 times a week (based on how my eyes feel and if I remember) I use Revitalash

-I've been trying to remember to use the Arbonne Corrective Eye Crème every time I wash my face at night but I haven't been very successful.

Oh and once a week, usually on a weekend I like to do a clay mask or some other deep pore cleansing mask.

WOW, that sounds like a lot doesn't it? It really isn't once you get into your routine. Just think of it like washing your hair and brushing your teeth. All in all my night time routine takes 10-15 minutes depending upon what eye make up I have on (water proof takes longer to get off). And I don't even think of the morning one since most of it is done in the shower.

So what do you do? How do you care for your skin and what do you use?