September 2021 – Sweat & Sparkle

Review: Almay Biodegradable Eye Makeup Remover Pads

I have been meaning to write more product reviews on my blog, but just as quickly as I think about it, I forget about it. Not today!

I have been using Almay eye makeup remover pads for quite some time for a simple reason: they work. I hate scrubbing and scouring at my eyes to get eyeliner and mascara off at night, and the Almay pads were quick, gentle, and got the job done.

At least, they used to. Almay changed the formula to the new biodegradable packaging, and quite frankly, they suck.

The biodegradable makeup remover pads are disgustingly greasy. We’re talking cooking oil consistency. It’s like rubbing Crisco on my eyes to remove my makeup. It leaves a shiny, thick, oily ring around my eyes, and I can’t wash my face fast enough to remove it.

The pads used to be a soft, slightly textured material. Now they are some sort of cheap-feeling, scratchy material. Definitely not pleasant on the eye area!

I find myself having to use two pads to remove all of my eye makeup now, and it’s not like I cake the stuff on like Tammy Faye Baker. At least that means I should go through this jar faster so I can finally throw it away and move on to a much better product.

My review in a nutshell: I hate the new formula for Almay eye makeup remover pads. They are absolutely awful, and I do not recommend them!

Happy Monday!

After a busy, hectic week, I was relieved to see the weekend finally show up. We managed to get a lot done yet still give ourselves the luxury of relaxing and just having fun.

I was surprised to see a loss at weigh-in on Saturday. I was sure it was going to be a gain. One benefit of manual labor, I guess! I was happy and will certainly take it.

My husband mowed the lawn on Saturday morning while I weeded and trimmed, then extended a flower bed at the side of our house, planted, and mulched. It was a lot of work, and hot, and sweaty, but I love taking a break to catch our breath and just stand in the yard with him, talking about other things we want to do. I love when he gets excited and wants to show me something, like a wild morning glory blooming on our fence.

I wasn’t done yet when he went inside for a shower, so he brought me a glass of ice water and told me, “Don’t overdo it.” I didn’t stay outside much longer. It was too hot, and I was drained from working in the sun.

On Sundays, my husband and I do our best to take a day just for us, to unwind, rest, and relax. Both of us work very hard during the week, usually end up doing some sort of home project on Saturdays, and we need the time to recharge before launching into another work week.

My older stepdaughter was home over the weekend, and my husband repaired a large, ugly dent in her car’s bumper. For the record, she did not cause the dent. I thought the jackass who caused the damage should have to repair it. Some people are not adult enough to take responsibility for damaging someone else’s property, though (but would shriek and howl if someone did the same thing to them.)

After that was done, though, we had fun just hanging out, talking, enjoying the day. It was beautiful and sunny, not cooled down enough for my liking yet, but it will get there.

This will be another busy week. I woke up before the alarm this morning for some reason. As I rolled over to get comfy, my husband, still asleep, reached out and slipped an arm around me like he was snuggling a teddy bear. It made me smile as I drifted back to sleep…just in time for the alarm to go off!

Happy Monday!

Protected: Nice Try, Bitch

Hello, Fall!

I adore the fall. Brilliantly colored leaves, cool air, the smell of fireplaces, the crackling of a camp fire (soon), sweaters, snuggling under a blanket in the evening with my husband…I love all of it.

Here in the south, it doesn’t feel a whole lot different than yesterday: warm, muggy, humid. We get the hassle of having to rake leaves but very little of the gorgeous red, yellow, and orange colors. But fall is still my favorite season.

Cooler temperatures are around the corner, which means finally being able to sit on the back deck with a candle lit; eating dinner outside with my husband; lighting a fire in the fireplace and being lulled into peace by the flickering and crackling flames; and finally breaking out my favorite comfortable sweaters and sweatshirts!

I am also looking forward to taking my tablet onto the deck and working out in the great outdoors, with squirrels and rabbits and birds cheering me on…or just wondering what the hell I am doing, making all that racket.

Happy first day of fall!