Category: My Life

Building A Winter Skincare Routine

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FYI: I’ve used ALL these prods (below) and recommend them highly. For reference, I have Combo-Dry skin now in my mid-40s. If possible, look for minis (IF unfamiliar w/ the brand) and comparison shop (to get the best deals). Products I’m currently use (Fall/Winter 2025) are marked w/ a star (*).

1) Cleansers

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser*

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Tatcha Rice-Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser

2) Exfoliators

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads (gentle exfoliator; can use ea. day)

Ole Henriksen AHA Lemonade Smoothing Scrub (use 2-3 x per wk.)

Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder (3 types: Classic, Gentle, or Deep)*

3) Toners

Fresh Rose Toner

Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Alcohol-Free Toner*

4) Serums & Eye Creams

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright 15% Vitamin C Serum (can be used daily)*

Ole Henriksen Double Rewind 0.3% Pro-Grade Retinol Serum (use 2x per wk at night, IF new to retinols)*

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Eye Crème for Dark Circles (can be used daily)*

5) Moisturizers

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

Ole Henriksen Strength Peptide Barrier Boost Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid*

Tower 28 SOS Recovery Cream*

6) Sunscreens

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 36 Sunscreen​

Tower 28 SOS Face Guard SPF 30*

Sephora VIB Sale Wishlist (Fall 2025)

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As (regular) followers on IG know, I mainly shop at Ulta. I’m on a low buy (some mos. are no buy).

Here is a (small) wishlist for current Sephora sale:

1. Glossier Cloud Paint Plush Blush: I’d like a red blush (esp. for holidays), so interested in color Burst. I have tried a few lip products from this brand.

2. LANEIGE S’more Kisses Set: One of my fave brands for lips! This is a limited-edition set w/ 2 items: Vanilla Lip Glowy Lightweight Hydration Balm (full size) and Chocolate Sleeping Mask (mini).

3. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Stain: The color I wore last Fall/Winter is Delight; however, ALL colors look FAB (checked in-store before).

4. Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench™ Moisturizing Shower Oil for Dry Skin: I loved the scent (of the body spray I tried)! The brand’s body washes and lotions are better than the sprays, so check those out.

Winter is Coming: Lip Products for the Season

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Lip Exfoliation

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish Exfoliator: One of the few products I like for exfoliating dry/chapped lips.

Lip Balms

Fresh Sugar Hydrating Lip Balm: My recs are the Caramel and Coconut scents.

Laneige: Lip Glowy Balm (var. scents); Lip Sleeping Mask (var. scents; can use during day)

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm: Iced Coffee (sheer cocoa) is my current choice; there are a variety of choices. For a more affordable alternative, try the Cocokind lip balms (I’m trying now).

Lip Color

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna: Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick: Riri shade will look good on tan skin; Gloss Bomb Cream Color Drip Lip Cream: Cookie Jar (chocolate caramel) is a FAB Fall/holiday color.

    Winter is Coming: Skincare Recs for the Season

    EmmaLeave a comment

    Cleanser

    First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Facial Cleanser: My personal fave cleanser for Fall/Winter; I have used it off/on for almost 10 yrs.

    Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: Another of my top choices which have used 5+ yrs; good for any season/type of skin.

    Serum

    Estee Lauder Advanced Night Serum: The (one and done) serum for ALL ages/skin types; I’ve used it off/on for several yrs.

    Lancome Génifique Ultimate Recovery Face Serum: This is a V popular product for mature skin; my mom has used several products in this brand for 20+ yrs.

    Moisturizer (Face)

    Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator: This is esp. recommended for those w/ acne-prone (as is entire brand) or sensitive skin in Fall/Winter.

    Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Moisturizer: This product feels fancy (& works); also V popular holiday gift idea (as part of a set) for moms, aunties, & gal pals.

    Moisturizer (Body)

    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration: This is THE best moisturizer for cold climates &/or dry skin (can use on face also); good for ALL genders (I gifted to my super-dry skinned dad)!

    Native Moisturizing Lotion: My fave scents are Coconut & Vanilla and Lavender & Rose; I’ve been using this (affordable) brand for 5+ yrs.

    Osea Undaria Algae Body Oil: The (viral/popular) product that really works; I see women (all ages) flocking to get this product at my local Ulta store (whenever on sale).

    Noir City DC 2025: “Tension” (1949) starring Richard Basehart, Audrey Totter, Cyd Charisse, & Barry Sullivan

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    Introduction

    Hey y’all, thanks for visiting! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy; I was sick w/ a bad cold/cough for 4+ wks (had NOT happened before)! I went to my doctor (2x), took prescribed meds, and even got chest x-rays (no issues found). I had a work deadline to meet, so ended up taking just 2 days for sick leave. I got the (latest) COVID booster and flu shot last weekend, then was able to have a couple more days off. Aging is NOT fun…

    This is my 5th year attending Noir City DC film fest; it’s held at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD (my neighborhood). Sadly, Eddie Muller (TCM; Film Noir Fdn.) didn’t attend the opening wknd/intro the movies. I’m trying to save money (V tough to do in current economy), so chose 3 films (I’d never seen before).

    All the best,

    EMMA.

    Review & Analysis

    In Every Two-Timing Kiss You Will Feel… TENSION -Tagline

    Freddie: They’re still at it. Tryin’ to find out who owns Germany, who owns the A-bombs, floods, cyclones, earthquakes, riots!

    Foster Hirsch (film historian/author) did the intro for this (lesser-known) MGM noir; it was a box office failure. “MGM (which projected a wholesome Americana) was NOT the studio for noir,” Foster commented. “This story is about post-WWII disillusionment,” he added. The score was composed by Andre Previn (then just 21); portions were recycled as title theme for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). Director John Berry’s Hollywood career was cut short after He Ran All the Way (1951); he was was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). He went to work in England and France, returning to the US in the early ’70s.

    A meek pharmacist creates an alternate identity under which he plans to murder the bullying liquor salesman who has become his wife’s lover. -Synopsis

    Warren Quimby (Richard Basehart) has been suffering in silence (for several yrs) over his wife’s shameless flirting and cheating. His sympathetic employee, Freddie (Tom D’Andrea), thinks he needs to take some action. After WWII, the couple met in San Diego and married in a hurry; Claire bitterly recalls: “you looked kind of cute in your uniform then.” When Warren decides to confront Claire and her rich/brawny liquor salesman lover, Barney Deager (Lloyd Gough), he ends up getting a humiliating beating!

    Warren: Gee, it’d be wonderful to live out here, darling. Fresh air. Room to entertain. It’s a great spot for kids.

    Claire: You want to know something? I think it’s a miserable spot. It’s 30 mins. from nowhere.

    Here we find one of the nastiest femme fatales of the genre, as Foster noted. In one revealing scene, Warren (hopeful) takes Claire to the suburban house he intends to buy: she doesn’t even get down from the car to look. When he starts to talk about having a quieter life, she (annoyed) takes the wheel, honks the horn to drown him out, and asks him whether he’s coming w/ her or staying. Then, Claire hits the gas pedal to throw fumes in Warren’s face as he (meekly) gives in to her rejection. Who knows IF this toxic pair were ever in love!? There is no respect in their relationship!

    The cuckolded hubby starts thinking of revenge; there are murder tales in mags and the eye doctor points out (cutting edge) contact lenses “which can change your entire personality.” Warren creates the identity of Paul Sothern, a traveling cosmetics salesman; he rents an apt and makes friends w/ aspiring photographer/girl-next-door, Mary Chanler (Cyd Charisse). At last minute, Warren (AKA Paul) can’t go through w/ the murder; he tells Barney that he can have the tramp. The next morning, two cops arrive at the Quimby’s apt, explaining that Barney was found dead! Lt. Collier Bonnabel (Barry Sullivan) drives the plot in the 2nd half of the movie (available on HBO MAX).

    [1] Tension is one of those diamonds in the rough you find when you least expect it.

    [2] Unlike some noir thrillers that get too clever to make sense, Tension is well-plotted. The pacing keeps Basehart and Totter twisting until the end.

    [3] Though there are a few ridiculous elements to the story, standout performances, good direction and fine camera work make this one a winner.

    -Excerpts from IMDb reviews