OK, ya'll have inspired me to clean off my bathroom counter. And it's Tuesday!  I clean it off every weekend so there is nothing except my comb, a few makeup brushes I keep in a cup, foundation (now its winter so Revlon age defying for dry skin) and moisturizer (trying Garnier ultralift the past few days). It is amazing the assortment of stuff that finds its way there by the following Friday. LOL I really have no business buying any makeup for the next 5 years or so since I only wear a little to work so it lasts forever. I just can't resist trying something new especially if I get a good deal.

You might also find a CAT on the bathroom counter when I am actually putting the makeup on. He will jump up on the counter and purr and purr and try to rub on me! I had to work on Christmas eve and he did this to me while I was getting ready. Talk about guilt trips! Luckily for me, he doesn't do this often. He saves it for when he REALLY doesn't want me to go. Where do they learn this stuff?

Katty, welcome!  Don't know if this has already been mentioned, but Everyday Minerals offers a 5-peice sample kit free + 3.97 shipping on their website (www.everydayminerals.com). Cheap enough to try over and over until you find the right shade!  Since you get to keep the generous size samples, you get to play w/ them and see how they look in lots of different lighting, not just for 1 day after trying a bit at a dept. store makeup counter.  Hope that helps!

Not to change the subject but...
I went to my first sephora store yesterday...WOW!!! I was like a kid in the candy store. Of course my husband was at my side just looking at me.  He continued telling me, YOU have all that MK BS at home...once It is gone I have no problem with you trying and using other things!!    is what I was thinking of doing to him.  Of course he is right, I have entirely too much, thank GOD...he wasn't home with I got my small shipment of urban decay    (which was hidden in the bathroom, he found it)    

BOP, do you use the BHA/AHA just for exfoliating purposes or for acne too?  I'm thinking of trying something w/ those for mild acne & stubborn blackheads (sorry, TMI) but I've got combo skin on the dry-ish side.  My top layers can get kind of flaky if I'm not careful.  Thanks to some MUA reviews, I got the Shiseido 55++++ sunscreen cream and I really like it.  It costs too much for such a tiny tube so I'll never get it again.  That DDF organic kind sounds wonderful!  I love the idea of organic sunscreen, esp. when I'm constantly slathering my kiddos with it.  But $30?  Ouch.  Better be a liter bottle!
Have you tried Loreal Voluminous mascara?  That was my fave in high school.  I recently tried Too Faced Lash Injection and was so underimpressed.  I actually returned it to Sephora (by mail, no Sephora here).  My next try might be the Diorshow... but I'd have to wait another 6 months to save up the spending money.  I seriously do not want to get another MK mascara (I would get one here if so, but, it's the principle!).  What was this thread originally about?  Oh ya, countertops!
I just bought some of those stackable rubbermaid mini-drawers in the office section of a store and organised all my makeup/skincare junk!  I actually have things separated into sections, and the counter all cleared off.  You guys would be so proud of how neat it is now if I showed you the before pictures (which are too scary to post!).  I also got a pencil holder w/ different sections and I put all my brushes/applicators in there.  Those office organiser things are really great for makeup!  And inexpensive too. 

Anyone have experience with Aveda?

I got my very first REAL facial a while back (and they call MK facials facials?  DON'T THINK SO!) and the esthetician was pushing Aveda in a rather familiar way...  *rolling eyes*

OK. Another one to add. New bronzer by Tarte--called Park Avenue Princess. Great bronzer for those who are more fair skinned, and who don't like a lot of heavy shimmer/glitter.
Its gorgeous.
Not too orange, not too muddy, not too anything---just a great bronze shade w/ the tiniest hint of shimmer, but it doesn't look shimmery or shiny on my face (I don't think a lot of shimmer looks good on fair skin, personally)

love it!

  I could never bring myself to call it that. I would call it a 'demo' LOL because it's really "washing your face in front of someone" LOL ya know like the cat does. 

Totally agreed, Snoopy. It killed me that they called it "pampering yourself" when you were really just washing your face and putting on makeup like you do ALL THE TIME!    But a real facial is just heaven.  Not to mention how your face feels great for days. OOOh I think I might have to go get one now.