Things that boost my happiness, aka happy boosters
- Purr machines. Sometimes Tabs takes pity on me and actually behaves like a nice kitty. I love when he climbs onto my lap while I’m blogging. He drapes his girth across my right arm, tucks his nose into the crook and purrs himself to sleep. It’s so sweet.
- Lens flares. Ridiculous? I think not! One can never have too many lens flares.
- Pizza crust. Some folks skip it, but it’s my favorite pizza part.
- Inspired running. Gotta love those rare kick-@ss running days when everything goes right. No muscle cramps, nothing aches, my iPod’s shuffling in all the right ways, and I feel like I’m flying. Best part is when I ask myself, “Can I keep going?” and the answer is an enthusiastic “Yes!”
- Free fro-yo. Filling up my “frequent flyer” rewards card at Tuttimelon and getting a free frozen yogurt.
- Dance movies. Nothin’ like watching a cheesy dance movie after a long day — you know, where the main character, against all odds, lives out his/her dreams using the power of the pirouette! There’s always that big finale scene with the ensemble cast and a freeze frame shot right at the end. See: Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Honey, and Step Up (the first one, with Channing Tatum).
- Bronzer/blush combos. Extra points when there are hearts
on the pan, like the new Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush ($13.95; available in two shades, Bronze/Natural and Bronze/Rose).
Happy Booster Glow, a new bronzer/blush combo from Physicians Formula, was actually designed to foster feelings of joy, and since regular blushes already make me happy (swirling a little bit of color on my cheeks always boosts my mood), I half expected to explode! 🙂
So how, exactly, is it supposed to bring the joy? Well, the ingredients. According to Physicians Formula, that is. They gave it arctic rose, which they claim mimics the effects of endorphins, as well as a supposed mood elevator called euphoryl. The violet and citrus fragrance is also supposed to promote feelings of positivity.
Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Bronzer Blush in Bronze/Natural, $13.95; also available in Bronze/Rose
pH Matchmaker Powdered Blush, Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Blush in Pink, Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Bronzer Blush in Bronze/Natural, Cashmere Wear Ultra Smoothing Blush in Natural and pH Matchmaker pH Powered Lip Gloss in Light Pink
Do I believe it works? Maybe, but more because of the cute factor than anything else. It’s not a cure for crankypants, but the cute pan, light fragrance and sheer, warm peachy pinkish bronze (when it’s swirled together) are bringing a smile to my face. 🙂
And I like how flexible it is. I can wear the Bronze side by itself (a slightly shiny golden peachy brown), or swirl it together with the hearts in the pan for a peachy pinkish bronze flush. It’s like a sheer blend of NARS Laguna and Orgasm, with the intensity dialed way down. Super pretty! — and it lasts pretty long, too, fading slowly over the course of about six hours.
PRICE: $13.95
AVAILABILITY: Available now at drugstores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
i bought the blush and love it!! the smell is awesome and it has the perfect amount of sparkle!
Hi Nabel,
Ooh, the one with the hearts that cover the pan? That one’s cute too!
It looks so cute! 🙂
Super cute! Happy Friday!
One of my most favorite guilty pleasure dance movies is Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Can’t go wrong with the good girl/bad boy fall in love over a good dance routine story line. 🙂
Hi Rose,
I loved that movie when I was in sixth grade. I watched it every day when I got home from school, LOL! I love the end part, when SJP and her guy do the routine to “Dancing in Heaven”!
Ever since I posted this, I’ve been thinking about that same routine. It’s on Netflix instant play so I might just have to watch it tonight. 🙂 (or is that totally inappropriate since it’s Good Friday?)
This does look cute! I’m not sure about the happy hormones but just looking at it makes me smile already 😀
Hi Paris,
Yeah, it seems a little like a stretch! I do love the design though. So cute!
Happy Friday, btw. What are your weekend plans?
This is so cute! I also love purr machines (who doesn’t, seriously?) and pizza crust! I always get so sad when I see people throw it away!
These are really cute! If you like blush/bronzer combo, I think Guerlain is coming out with one. Also, have you tried Cargo Beachblushes? That’s the ultimate marriage of bronzer and blush! Now come to think of it it’s time to take it out again now the sun is shining! xx
Haha, I love the crust! I save mine for last so I can dip them in ranch dressing. Have you ever tried that? It might be an American thing…
They are so pretty! I would have to admit PF is one of the spendier drugstore brands but when there is a good sale on, I am so in!
Hi Nina!
Happy Friday! I like PF too, especially for their blushes and bronzers. I wish their liquid face products had a wider color range, though!
You are so right. I am almost too dark for most of their liquid face stuff! 🙂
Happy Friday – we had some bagels and lox at a nearby diner type place and then went to the comic book store. For dinner – its Pasta Puttanesca. Ive been simmering the sauce since last night!
Drugstore has come a long way in terms of shade selection, though, hasn’t it? I remember in the ’90s how I could never find anything to match my brown skin.
You just described El Hub’s perfect day! He could easily spend hours at the comic book store. 🙂
I bet your sauce is gonna taste amazing. I’m no foodie, but I can definitely tell when something’s been cooking for a really long time. The flavors get so interesting and complex. Did you make yours in a slow cooker?
I didnt buy much, other than a little Yoda action figure. Soft spot in my heart for Yoda, I have. 🙂
And yep! There have been such great drugstore products lately, it gives mid end brands a run for their money.
I used my precious Le Creuset dutch oven. Its meatless, but the depth of flavor from the olives, capers, onions and garlic is pretty yummy! 🙂
Dance movies are definitely a guilty pleasure….Flashdance. Gotta love the 80’s lol!!
Mine too. I haven’t seen Flashdance in years! I need to re-watch it again. Happy Friday!
It’s about time I pick up one of PF’s happy booster products. They look so fun in the pan! BTW Karen, what are you wearing on your lips? It’s gorgeous.
It looks gorgeous, Karen. Might have to pick this one up. 🙂
Hi Laura,
It’s a really pretty drugstore blush! And aren’t the hearts too cute?
Hope you’re having a lovely Friday so far. What are your plans for the weekend?
My two fav dance movies that I have watched countless times — Center Stage and Save the Last Dance. Love them.
Karen, did you find the smell overpowering at all? Thanks in advance!
Karen, I have 6 purr machines and the big orange tabby male does exactly the same thing Tabs does. I love except when he starts drooling on my arm. And for us it’s the left arm 🙂
love it on you! The gloss looks so rosy and natural. I just happened to read today that Blake Lively loves the Physicians Formula Bronzer!