Wishing y'all the best and happiest Fourth of July ever! Goddess Granny is celebrating in rainy South Texas but wherever you are I hope you have a fun-filled day, even if you're outside the USA because we really don't need a reason to pop a few corks and polish off some snacks (healthy of course?) here at Meg's because anytime is a great day to celebrate feeling good and looking great!

For us here in the US, the 4th usually means that the official Summer-party season is ON and that anything normally only worn, eaten, or done in mass-quantities of steamy indulgence is allowed for a few short weeks so break out the bikinis and enjoy like you did when you were a kid!

It can be a bit more challenging to keep one's face and self cool and collected when the temps soar but we've already chatted about some ways to be your prettiest when you're hot (and not in the good way...) by lightening up on your makeup and giving your hair a break from all the heat-styling and products and how to use self-tanners to fake your glow safely. I've also "noticed" that it can be a time to re-evaluate what you choose to smell like as well: the sexy-scents that might be memorable the rest of the year sometimes end up smelling like fruit salad left out in the sun when it's warmer and anything that is considered "heavy" can really be overwhelming and unpleasant when you're trying to be fresh and inviting on a truly humid day!

"How fickle is woman..." Rhett Butler, Gone With the Wind.

Those in the know often refer to a product as one of their "HG" favorites,short for "Holy Grail" but what does that really mean? Without boring you to tears that will smudge your perfect smokey-eye, Goddess Granny has the basic info for you: "Holy Grail" refers to a sacred object in literature and/or certain Christian traditions so a  "Holy Grail" product would then be one that is "sacred" to the user aka most loved, most used, above all others and very possibly perfect in their eyes...Cherished even? I do get a bit emotionally-invested in my products sometimes so it's all possible as I see it...

I tend to shift my personal HG items around like they were the "Q" Scrabble tile! They're fighting to be used but that's mostly because I probably own more products than anyone should or needs to-oh well! It's somehow comforting to know that no matter what my mood or disposition, I have products at my fingertips to indulge or create the "me" my fickle-self chooses to be on any given day!

I do have a few things that if the TSA threatened to take them I'd probably be a beast about. Overall, most things are pretty much subject to change or rotation in my vanity:I have textures and colors for "seasonal use" and also that border on theatrical because hey,you just never KNOW when you might need 2" blue eyelashes, right? The possibility exists in my mind but that's another post.

I believe that if there were one single product that most women would say is their "HG" item, it would be something they use on their lips. Our lips are probably the one area we want to protect, define, show off, and even flaunt a bit! Our lips are where the opposite sex tends to focus if we're lucky! Eyes are amazing for flirting and yes,we'd all love to have flawless skin and glossy hair but they're really the "foreplay" when it comes to getting busy with your products: even woman I know wants their lips to stand out in a crowd for obvious reasons and yes, some overdo their "enhancements" but the desire to attract and seduce is still the same. I have literally stopped women in their tracks to ask "what color are you wearing?" If it's one that SCREAMS sexy to me. The women are always happy to share. You're lucky I'm sharing THIS product with y'all because it seriously has magical powers. Unleashing it on the world might come with some interesting consequences! We at Megsmakeup.com of course, claim no responsibility if a stranger grabs you and starts smooching away!

I am such a girl: I love all things glittery, pink, ethereal and impractical. The highest heels, the reddest lipstick. the biggest diamonds...you mention any stereotypical "girl thing" and Goddess Granny will love it! I really do try and fit myself into the geekette and jockette molds at times but like most of us,I'm also a study in contrasts and make no excuses for it! I believe in ALL the latest and greatest procedures, products, and techniques and take no issue with products that aren't quite so "green" if they produce fabulous results on my skin and hair but when it comes to my body and baths?

I am a freak for products so wholesome and pure it's ridiculous.

I stalk and browse and take great joy in tracking down bath and body products that are swoon-worthy by anyone who adores a hot shower or bath and who doesn't: I literally had an addition put onto our house so that I could indulge in my spa-baths on a nightly basis and the fact that I LOVE to supply my shelves with fabulous products intended to cleanse and soothe is a "bad habit" I take full responsibility for! Scrubs and salts...soaps and bath teas...lotions and creams...I love them all and really enjoy the fact that while incredible companies like "LUSH" have it covered, there are also MANY equally fabulous boutique-brands on Etsy  and elsewhere online as well as beautiful batches of goodies cooking up in small-biz kitchens all over the place! I recently found the most beautiful fruit-based body scrub I've ever seen or used at a local Farmer's Market...who knew?

I wear makeup almost everyday: if I don't have it on, start worrying because it means I'm either in a hissy fit snit or sick and trust me, neither state endears this Goddess Granny to anyone! I love the stuff and never cease to be amazed or fall victim to the latest greatest or not so and new to the market brands available: a generic "Sephora newsletter" basically translates as personal correspondence with my name on intended just for ME because I believe they might suspect (due to the amount of cash I leave at their counters per year...) that I take the art of makeup and beauty in a serious way?

Odd thing is that although I wear and enjoy cosmetics most days, I hate to fuss and like to get the task done once so I can be free to pursue other pastimes that don't leave me obsessing over perceived flaws quite so much: sewing a seam or baking cupcakes can be a bit more relaxing therefore, I appreciate high-quality products that wear like the devil, come in flattering colors, and that do what they say they will as again, I am a sucker for them but at the same time I do hold my pretties to a high standard of quality and performance-a lot like my men!

I also LOVE "boutique brands" as much as I do the giants of industry and am a serious online shopper: you ask, "You buy MAKEUP online?" Yep...a lot of it and most of the time, it's a satisfying process! It's mostly a matter of location with me and if I CAN get into town to browse it's great but most weeks I'm simply too busy for the luxury of it so I do a LOT of my browsing and shopping online with excellent results overall. I have also found that in terms of "customer service", many physical storefronts can't and don't even try to compete with the usually excellent and genuine service so many online retailers offer. I scout, plot, question if need be, and order without regret in most cases. Many places even offer color matching...

So I am literally in awe over the concept of doing biz that the folks at Michael Todd Cosmetics obviously understand perfectly: their incredible and interactive website is "entertaining" and offers over 200 pages of virtual-products, photo "look" galleries that show how products are used to achieve the face of your dreams, and over 1,100 products in a dazzling array of colors and textures to choose from! THIS is a "virtual reality" I personally could get lost in and never want to leave! Michael Todd himself has been an actor, model, and makeup artist. He sought to present his line of incredibly high-quality and pure product-line in a most original and rather spectacular manner and truly showcases the pro- makeup artist mantra, "Perform...Reform...Transform" in conjunction with his company and internet superstore! There's even a "Live Chat" feature onsite that encourages questions of potential customers because Michael believes that, "It's not enough to have the best ingredients or formula but that you also much treat your guests like a Queen!" That sure works for me. Most "service" I've received at physical cosmetic-counters recently has been less than royal.

"The women come around every time I'm pourin' shots..."

LMFAO...no,not laughing: that's the name of the group who sings that nasty but damn it's catchy song "Shots!" Goddess Granny is SO not cool enough to know this on her own, it's a song on the playlist my Zumba (high-intensity FUN and fabulous workout classes!) instructor kicks our butts playing. I am not a big drinker but yes, an occasional "shot" is actually good for both the experience and the memories if the conditions are right and I prefer mine to be Tequila if possible. Gotta' love that it's still one of those things in life that you KNOW will have an outcome that's unpredictable if you're lucky and in the right place with good people! Shots...

You have also gotta' love a highly-successful beauty company that designs it's self after a cocktail lounge and names the fabulous products in the line after cocktails: where else can a girl indulge without caring what her hair and face look like or if she'll do something stupid that will get her blasted out on YouTube? You can take a trip to the "Tini Bar" and actually come away prettier than when you entered without the benefit of a "shot" for courage! You can "stir up custom looks and colors to suit any taste" and then choose from literally dozens of way to make YOUR specialty beauty-cocktail a reality! Your "mixology class" can be credited to your nails,your lips, or your eyes and I promise it's just about the most fun you can have sober or online. There are some "physical" Tini locations as well and the website allows you to see if there is one near you so you can REALLY get giddy and goofy over cocktails with the girls!

"Summertime...and the livin' is easy!" In the words of the immortal Janis Joplin, it CAN be but for many of us, it's also the "least pretty" time of the year because you HAVE to be outside, near water, deal with heat and humidity and yes, even put on a swimsuit and brave the depths once in a while!
A girl's self-esteem and routine really can change when the season does,right?

Goddess Granny is MUCH more a creature of dark rooms and indirect lighting who prefers the shadows of Autumn to the bright sunshine of Summer but alas, I married a "sunshine-y" kind of guy and currently live in the parched and HOT South of Texas so I'm obliged to make an attempt once in a while but believe me, I do NOT look my best when the 100 degree temps start rolling in! My hair blows up and does a weird sort of wave without style thing, my skin protests both the sun AND the heat and my makeup? I am not a girl who can simply slide out the door with nothing but a smile on her face and have finally found products and a system that works so I can still enjoy my life without looking like Shiny the Clown in sorry smeared makeup when I go out and about!

We all have that "one thing we HATE about ourselves, right? I know, I know...we're supposed to accept and love unconditionally but we still have that tendency to focus on it because well...it BUGS us! In my case, it's my thin, sparse, wayward, shapeless eyebrows. You with those luscious ones have my spite in a nice way but seriously, it seems that this topic is one that MANY of us are dealing with for a variety of reasons: a bad wax or pro-job, medications that cause thinning-hair, age related changes, over plucking...you name it, I see it as a rather constant issue in the world of beauty that SO many fight with on a daily basis! We will refrain chatting about those who have fallen prey to "permanent" methods of correction because I have seen some that are VERY well done but alas, many are not and it's another topic altogether.

I have been hopping all around the country like a maniac for the past 6 weeks or so, some "work" and some fun but this Goddess Granny is certain of ONE thing: it's getting harder and requires more patience every trip in order to navigate the shark-infested airline/TSA waters as you attempt to reach your final destination... oh... you actually expect to GET there when you buy a ticket? Silly rabbit! And your baggage? Naw... you don't need that stuff, we'll do you a favor and REALLY test your shopping skills in a BIG way and require you to replace your extensive shoe and makeup wardrobe on OUR piddly standard replacement budget, HAHAHA! Do these people have any earthly idea how much products cost?

The thing about it all though is that I still love to travel and love the fact that every frustrating flight and bumpy touch-down holds infinite possibilities for fun and adventure even if it's not all roses along the way, you end up someplace else and I for one think that's rather fabulous indeed! I had a LOT of time recently while sitting in airports waiting for wayward planes to show up to catch up on my magazine reading which I love to do but seldom sit still long enough to enjoy at home. There is a publication out there for any/all interests but of course, I am drawn to those "slicky-back" magazines that feature gorgeous girls on the covers and promise to be FULL of info and pictures to inspire and annoy my sense of style. My carry-on was actually twice as heavy at one point but hey, it's THEIR fault for making me sit so damn long and buy so many mags, right?

This may not be the most "beautiful" of reviews but for many, might be the most profound: Goddess Granny has been "testing" this product for a few weeks now and I finally feel I can write a review that will do this product justice... I will start with my "backstory" and we'll chat about this revolutionary product from there. As well y'all know, I review many glam and gaga products so for me to honestly take the time and write about such a clinical and medically evolved product as this, you just KNOW I "believe!"

Around 10 years ago, I had the biggest freak accident you can imagine happen while re-hanging a heavy saucepan lid overhead on my ever so stylish "hanging rack" in the kitchen: the hook swiveled as I went to hang the commercial-weight stainless lid and it came down like a projectile, knocking me across the room with the edge landing smack dab on my face/nose in the process. I will downplay here and only share that it was a horrible experience but one that ended well as I had the connection to and means for an emergency surgery to fix my extremely shattered nose within the four-day window that I was given before it would become almost impossible to correct. I underwent an open rhinoplasty two days later and the cartilage from my ears was used to rebuild my nose which ended up rather nicely thanks to one of the best plastic surgeon's in Texas!

I am SO over all that and although the emotional scars have healed, the redness/scarring under my nose from the involved repair procedure is still obvious and I have relied on my makeup to correct this until recently when I was sent "InviCible" scar treatment to review: I will start by saying that the website is literally a WEALTH of info, testimonials, and answers most questions. My intent is to share with you the results of this product personally and they are rather amazing! I know many of us suffer with some sort of "scar", disfigurement, discoloration, and/or other skin ailment that we WISH we could make better or go away all together and I honestly believe that this single product to be the the MOST incredible one available for precisely these issues!

Is there anything better than feeling truly GLAMOROUS? I mean the way women since the dawn of time feel when they absolutely know without a shadow of a doubt that THEY will be the one to watch when they enter a room! Goddess Granny thrives on glamour: like Meg I love the "old school" accessories, colors, styles, and even the process/ work that goes into making a women look and feel like she's straight out of the pages of a dream! I know...sometimes it's just not realistic to believe that it can happen these days when everything is moving at the speed of sound but I have found a FABULOUS way to indulge my inner-starlet and couldn't wait to share it with y'all!

I have a "vanity" of sorts but it's actually an antique British writing desk that over time has evolved into use as a vanity and honestly, it's just a mess! The drawers are narrow, the top marred, and it's simply become too small for the evolving array of products and tools I need these days to get my act together! So, I have decided that it's high time I upgrade and have designed the ultimate admittedly over the top piece which I hope to have in place in the weeks ahead. I am lucky to have a husband that has the talents to create fine-furniture who will yet again, indulge me. Marie Antoinette would gasp at what I have in mind for my little beauty-corner, HA!

One thing I couldn't get quite right that is THE most important component of what I'd like in my whimsical yet practical design: the ultimate in a lighted-mirror that will allow me to not only see what the heck I'm doing (no small feat these days...) but also to illuminate properly so as to avoid that "What the HELL?" feeling when I look in the rear-view after applying makeup in my current less-than ideal environment. I started to browse trying to find out what the pros use that allows them create the perfect look and discovered  the ultimate niche-company based in Hollywood named "Vanity Girl" whose mission statement is simple: to "bring a little piece of Hollywood glamour to women" by creating FABULOUS lighted Hollywood style mirrors and vanities just like the celebs and the "best of the best" in the beauty world use backstage to induce the "mood" and allow the perfection we all covet!

Flowers are nice but short lived... candy? Great but no one I know really want to admit they eat it anymore, and forget about those "As Seen On TV" items unless you want to be on the receiving end of her patented eye-roll!
Goddess Granny could go on for a while about what might be a nice gift for Mom next week but if y'all are like me, you're saying, "I have a whole week, I'll come up with SOMETHING!"
Do it one better than that for her and check out my personal list of things I'd LOVE to be gifted with on this special day or at anytime, brownie points guaranteed and she'll be delighted to know you think of her in a such cool and stylish way!

Cat Cosmetics: The "Hello Gorgeous" Palette simply cannot be beat and is my Holy Grail item for that 10 minute face! Beautiful neutrals that flatter all and go on effortlessly,everyone needs this and everyone can use it. You can use code MEG for 20% off! Clck on link above!

Dr. Dima's Galactic Glove: Another of my HG items, there is NO better non-irritating and clinically created skin care/primer out there IMO and it takes years off my face under makeup, I use it everyday, elegant and effective product! Anything Dr. D creates is genius!

Ellen Sirot Hand Perfection: Can't say enough about these products if your Mom is hand-conscious, they are simply the best and most targeted products on the market for flawless hands and they work! Use code MEG30 for a whopping 30% off!

Saltwater Cowgirl jewelry designs: I adore the newest "Grace" design (3rd from the top) with the chunky crystal and pearls, my Mom is actually getting these! When you're ready to pay if you message Lexy, she'll give Megheads 20% off.

Farmhouse Fresh: Anything and I do mean anything at all from them is giftable- perfection! Luscious handcrafted products and the packaging reeks of class and style just like her kid of course! CUTE and inexpensive gift-wrapping option for those ship to Moms.

Urban Decay: Give her look and confidence a boast and consider adding some color to her life with a FUN "Rocket Rocket" lipgloss that she'd be proud to pull out of her purse during lunch with the girls! One of my FAV gifts for anyone of all time and how cute is the new "Colin" shade of orange-red? So affordable and unique!