It's Beginning to Feel Like Summer

Here in Los Angeles, many of us are taking our fans out of storage in preparation for another California summer. My own little apartment is slowly turning into a sauna and I’ve been using my SPF 50 sunscreen on a regular basis. Although many of us wear sunscreen on our faces, we often forget about protecting our lips. As a matter of fact, I have noticed that my pigmented lips become a deep pink by the end of the warmer months.

Exposure to UVA and UVB rays is dangerous but having to cover natural lip pigmentation prior to using trendy lipstick shades is just plain annoying. The solution for your health and vanity comes from an old favorite: Softlips. With an SPF 20, smooth texture, and a multitude of great flavors (my favorite is Strawberry), you can’t go wrong! I wear Softlips underneath lipstick to combat my notoriously dry lips and create a good base for my lipstick. Since Softlips is neither oily nor pigmented, there is no need to blot. And although your lips will feel moisturized, you won’t mind reapplying after meals to ensure that your lips are protected from sunburn.

Do you remember keeping a tube of Softlips in your backpack throughout middle and high school? I find myself doing the same as an adult; it makes me nostalgic for summer vacations from school and running through the sprinklers with friends.

Tell me about your favorite summer essentials!


Image Credit: Softlips.com

In Case of Emergency, Bring on the Rogaine

If you’ve exhausted all your other options and still find gaps or “holes” in your eyebrows, Rogaine may be your solution. Please note that the active ingredients in this product, along with potential danger in application (i.e. blindness if you aren’t careful), make Rogaine less than an ideal choice if your goal is rapid results. I trust you to do your own research and weight the benefits and risks prior to purchase. Nevertheless, the results are pretty much a guarantee. I’ve used Rogaine to encourage growth in an area of my eyebrow that never grew brow hair as a result of many years of tweezing and was able to grow a fuller brow in approximately two weeks. If you bleach or dye your eyebrows at home, the application should be easy. Otherwise, here are a few helpful tips:

1. Apply to a clean eyebrow at night as the Rogaine will interfere with any brow products you may choose to use during the day.

2. Pour a small amount of Rogaine into the cap and lightly saturate a cotton swab, spoolie, or a lip brush. I recommend using a disposable applicator or designating one that you will only use for Rogaine application. Be sure to avoid over-saturating so as to reduce the risk of the liquid dripping into your eye.

3. Apply to the desired area a little bit at a time and tilt your head back slightly. You may also want to close the eye below the chosen eyebrow as a precaution.

4. Be sure to apply only where you’d like to grow hair because you will grow hair in any area that the product touches. I accidentally dripped some Rogaine down the side of my cheek and got some “baby hairs” even though I washed and scrubbed after the accident took place.

5. Please don’t use this on your eyelashes!

Image Credit: drugstore.com

The Brow Epic Continues

This post is for those among us who, like myself, have plucked and failed. Despite of your best efforts, your brows remain an unmitigated disaster (at least for the next two months). Meanwhile, here are some of my favorite products to disguise your poor spermies as you wait for them to grow back to normal.

1. Physician’s Formula Brow Definer in Black-Brown:

My primary issue with most brow pencils and waxes is their tendency to oxidize into a very warm orange color. Although I have a warmer skin tone, my eyebrows are a neutral black brown. The other problem tends to be in the color choices: either the product is too light or so dark that it turns me into Bert with only a couple of swipes. The Physician’s Formula Brow Definer is my current favorite. A thin, waxy led allows me to apply in small hair-like strokes and the pigmentation is sheer enough to look natural with even a dark color such as Black-Brown. And the best part is that the wax stays put and grooms your brows as you shade. The convenient brush on the cap is helpful in distributing the product for a natural, blended look.

2. MAC 208 Brush:

I use my 208 with brow powders or pencils for a more precise application or to feather and blend an otherwise harsh brow. This brush is quite stiff and can easily serve double-duty as an eyeliner brush for gel, cream, and liquid liner.

3. Wet n’ Wild Ultimate Brow Kit:

This is another great budget buy. The kit comes with a small angled brush, tweezers, two shades of brow powder, and a brow wax. I purchased “Ash Brown” to avoid the aforementioned oxidization and brassyness. The lighter shade was a lot darker than I anticipated, matching my dark eyebrows perfectly.

4. Covergirl Great Lash Clear Mascara:

Although I have never understood the appeal of Great Lash Mascara, the small wand and reasonable price tag make it the perfect brow gel. Sometimes a little clear gel is all it takes to make an average eyebrow look amazing. Just use the gel to brush the inner 1/3 of your eyebrow (the part closest to your nose) up and groom the rest of the eyebrow into the direction the hair naturally grows. Even though the product is clear, your brows will look slightly darker.

5. Wet n’ Wild Kohl Brow-Eyeliner in Mink Brown #649:

Wet n’ Wild scores another point with this soft, inexpensive pencil. I tried the same pencil in Taupe and while it would be great for blondes and those with lighter brows, it just didn’t work for me. However, I do have to use a brush to apply this color or else risk the Groucho Marx effect. Mink Brown is the perfect color for someone with very dark brown or black eyebrows who is looking for a smooth application.

A Belated Triple Awards Post

I was so touched to be nominated by the lovely Happy Face, Happy Wallet that I (almost) forgot to mention it here. Better late than never, right? This award really made my day and I'm grateful for the opportunity to nominate some of my favorite bloggers. Without further ado, here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3. Be sure to link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I nominate, in no particular order...drum roll please...

1. The Lip Print
2. Blogdorf Goodman
3. Lipsticks & Lightsabers
4. All Lacquered Up
5. Padmita's Makeup Blog
6. Nessasary Makeup
7. Fashion Under $100
8. Scrangie
9. Babyassface
10. Fabuless Beauty

These Are a Few Of My Favorite...Tools

The crux of human evolution revolved around our ability to use tools. Before you go stabbing yourself in the eye with the same pair of dull tweezers you’ve had since the sixth grade, consider these options, listed in order of appearance.

1. Clean Spoolie, Clean Mascara Wand or Lash Comb: You will need this to brush your eyebrow hairs up to see if any of the hairs are too long. I recommend trimming your brow hair prior to tweezing so to avoid accidental bald spots. This way, you can groom your eyebrows conservatively and with minimal collateral damage. I prefer to brush my brows in the direction I’d like them to go (rather than up) and only trimming the hairs that disrupt the shape. Trim in small sections (rather than one fell swoop) to avoid cutting the hairs too short and creating too severe a shape.

2. Small, Sharp Cuticle Scissors: You didn’t think you could trim with the spoolie alone, did you? You will need a pair of scissors that is small enough to single out each hair. I have tried scissors (with an attached comb) designed especially for eyebrow grooming but the comb made it difficult to see which hairs were being trimmed and the resultant gaps in my eyebrows were not pretty.

3. Mini Razors: I know you see them at your local drugstore and think they look scary. Fear not, my dears. You will not shave off your epidermis or your eyebrows (unless you’re too aggressive) but you will achieve that clean, waxed look without having to neither pluck maliciously nor pay through the nose. I don’t have a preference as to brand but the smaller, the better. Razors will allow you to get all of those tiny hairs that you don’t see around your eyebrows in one go.

4. Tweezerman Slant Tip Tweezers: All the hype about these babies is spot-on. I really don’t know how I groomed my brows without them. They can be pricey but they stay sharp for an insane amount of time (mine haven’t been sharpened in at least three years) and the best part? Tweezerman offers to sharpen them for free. The slanted tip allows you to get at the tiny hairs without ripping out the majority of your eyebrow in the process. Since you likely have only a few stray hairs, the tweezing step should be last to avoid going overboard.

Please don’t groom your eyebrows after a trip to the bar, a breakup, or a very long, exhausting day. The results will be on your face for the next few weeks so it helps to be of sober mind and body.

All About Brows

Before I say anything further, I have a confession to make: my eyebrows aren’t twins. In fact, even calling them cousins would be a stretch. Each could happily reside on another person’s face without so much as missing her counterpart. The quest for perfectly matching brows has driven me to the very edge of sanity; in high school, I allowed a friend to pluck me into a very surprised, Ronald McDonald wannabe which brought my mother to tears. Nevertheless, I persisted in my quest only to conclude that only brow powder or pencil can make my brows look similar. If you suffer a similar affliction, I urge to put down the tweezers and pick up some brow gel. You may find solace in the fact that even celebrity eyebrows aren’t identical.

The next controversy is the debate of thinner brows versus the fuller, more voluptuous option. We are so shocked to see anything thicker deemed trendy that we automatically jump on the bandwagon whether it flatters our facial features or not. Again, I will be the first to admit my own wrong doing. I am obsessed with Brooke Shield’s full, perfectly groomed, straight eyebrows and have tried to replicate the look on myself. Unfortunately, not own do my brows grow with a natural arch but they aren’t nearly as thick. Most of my attempts at channeling Brooke have resembled Graucho instead.

What’s my point? You can’t fight your natural features. If you are blessed with naturally full brows, please, keep them a (groomed) version of full. However, if you have a petite face and naturally thinner brows, Mother Nature might be trying to tell you something. I find that the best eyebrow is a refined, enhanced version of the one we have naturally.

In celebration of all things eyebrow, I plan to discuss tips, tricks and products to improve the brows you have and fix some of the mistakes that may be keeping you from full eyebrow satisfaction.

Wet n' Wild Creme Eyeliner: A Review

I stumbled upon an entirely new display of Wet n’ Wild products at my local Walgreens. I was curious at first but stricken in awe when I saw a bevy of beautifully packaged, colorful products. In my humble estimation, this is the jackpot of all Wet n’ Wild collections so be on the lookout for more reviews; I purchased a few products.

The focus of this post is the coveted Mega Eyes Crème Eyeliner. If you can look past the superfluous repetition of the word “eye” on the label, this cream eyeliner is quite a bargain at $3.99. I purchased the Eggplant but this is also available in Black for those seeking a more traditional option. Eggplant is a blue-toned, blackened plum without a hint of red; nearly an indigo. For reference, I’ve taken a picture of Eggplant along with my other purple cream liners. If you’d like to try a purple liner but find that it accentuates redness, this is the liner for you. I found that this color makes eyes appear whiter and brighter and made my (normally blue-green) eyes look a vivid blue.

There is a liner brush included but I found it too wide. However, it is the perfect size for shading eyebrows.

My only qualm with the liner, one which some may find beneficial, is that it does not budge! It took several Jojoba Oil soaked cotton pads to get it off. In fact, I was scared that it stained my skin but luckily, that was not the case.

This can be purchased in various drugstores and if all else fails, you’re sure to find it at Kmart!

Castor Oil: Another Beautiful Cheapie

I have been M.I.A. for quite a while and for that I apologize. I had to do some soul searching and felt generally uninspired. Excuses, I know, but I do love my blog and what few readers I have. On to the topic at hand…Eyelashes!

Castor Oil has been touted as a great eyelash conditioner on Makeup Alley and some even reported experiencing lash growth. After trying Talika and Ardell, I was convinced that there was nothing that could stimulate eyelash growth short of miraculous lab engineering. I decided to try Castor Oil as a lash conditioner in an attempt to combat the fact that no less than three eyelashes fell out every time I removed my makeup. Before you admonish me for being too rough, I assure you, I do not rub and make every attempt to remove my makeup in the gentlest way possible. To my surprise, the Castor Oil really did make my lashes grow! Unfortunately, they did not grow uniformly and some eyelashes look more like unkempt, stray hairs that found their way onto my eye but I’m happy with the overall effect.

Unfortunately, I did not think to take a “before” picture, nor is my camera sophisticated enough to capture something as detailed as an eyelash. I don’t promise that Castor Oil will give you a set of lashes that rival falsies but it’s worth a try and it’s cheap! Worst case scenario, you can always use it for its intended purpose when prunes alone aren’t doing the trick.

If you’re wondering whether it is safe to use in the eye area, check the ingredient list of Ardell Lash Growth Accelerator and you will find Castor Oil, combined with a few unfamiliar chemical compounds. I did not experience any irritation nor did I detect a scent.

I apply using disposable mascara wands—these are available in most beauty supply stores. The Castor Oil absorbs quickly; you can apply mascara on top without any problems. Better yet, if you want to add a little bit of something to your eye area but feel lazy, Castor Oil gives eyelids and lashes that wet, glossy look. Just be careful if you wear contact lenses or are prone to milia. If you are brave, you can even try it to stimulate hair growth on your head and tell me all about it!

Spray Yourself Gorgeous

I have heard the Aquafina Advanced Hydration Hydrating Spray praised by many for various reasons. Some have compared Aquafina Hydrating Spray to MAC’s Fix+ for its ability to finish makeup and provide lasting power while others like the way it can be combined with mineral foundation to make it more dewy instead of powdery. As for myself, I’m thrilled to have found a moisturizer that doesn’t cause me to break out!

This was part of a Big Lots haul and quickly obtained Holy Grail status. I use my Aquafina spray prior to makeup application, spray my MAC 187 with it before applying foundation and give myself another good mist after I have finished applying. I get a bit of a glowy finish, makeup that lasts all day long without fading and absolutely no oiliness. Needless to say, I purchased many backups!

If you manage to locate a bottle, BUY IT! Trust me, this is one purchase you will never regret. And yes, you can spray it on your face throughout the day during hot weather (as per bottle instructions) too.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua Purificata) Purified, Nitrogen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum).’

Image Credit: Aquafinaskincare.com

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap—Oily Skin Formula

Why would Spend or Save review a facial cleanser that costs $14.50? It’s that good. I am all for scrimping and saving on superfluous items but skincare items that make a difference merit the extra expense. If your skin is normal and not prone to acne, you are lucky in that you needn’t be as selective in your skincare regime; a good sunscreen, a cleanser that actually removes makeup and an anti-aging product (if you need it) are the bare necessities.

Those of us with oily or acne-prone skin need to be cautious of the ingredients in our cleansers. Did you know that there’s glycerin in the Cetaphil face wash designed for oily skin? That’s right, glycerin--the sticky, gooey, oily stuff you use to create Mixing Medium. For many years, I wondered why Cetaphil was leaving my skin feeling oilier than before I washed it despite the fact that everyone else was raving about how wonderful a cleanser it is. Different people react differently to different ingredients so what may work for me may not work for you and vice versa.

The best part about the Clinique Liquid Facial Soap is the fact that the “Oily Skin Formula” does not leave my skin feeling tight or stripped the way some cleansers can.

Did I mention that a tiny blob of product goes a long way and makes tons of foam? The only thing that makes this product fall short of Holy Grail status is the fact that it does not seem to remove my eye makeup even though it does a great job with the rest of the makeup on my face. I do tend to use a separate makeup remover on my eyes and it’s probably best to avoid using anything created especially for oily skin on one’s eyes since it may be too harsh or drying. The gelatinous texture also makes it a perfect match with Aspirin.

Image Credit: Clinique.com

What a Difference Scrub Can Make!

We’ve all heard of Aspirin’s role in preventing heart attacks and even the less than stellar side effects it can have on one’s stomach lining. For better or worse, this post will not delve into the relative utility of Aspirin in the medicinal world, opting to discuss Aspirin’s potential contribution to our beauty arsenals instead.

I’m sure many of you have heard of an “Aspirin mask” or “Aspirin scrub” before, so for the sake of sparing you a boring read, I urge you to move on. If you have not, prepare for a potentially skin altering experience!

As I may have mentioned in previous posts, I am prone to a bit of snobbery when it comes to purchasing skincare items; I presume that better quality ingredients are pricier. I have had negative experiences with drugstore scrubs such as St. Ives and while my experience with Dermologica’s Microfoliant was marginally better, I never saw a dramatic difference in my skin until now.

I can honestly say that dissolving five or so uncoated Aspirin pills in a bowl moistened with water has created the best scrub I have ever tried. My skin has become a lot less blotchy and has developed a bit of a glow. Even a bit of the fine lines on my forehead have diminished.

I originally learned about the beauty benefits of Aspirin through Makeup Alley but was quickly turned off when my first experience with it proved negative. Let’s just say that it’s a very, very bad idea to mix Tea Tree Oil, a known skin irritant, with salicylic acid.

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, breaks down to create salicylic acid in the body. This is likely the reason some experience stomach irritation upon consumption. Salicylic acid also happens to be the primary ingredient in many skin care items designed to slough off skin or fit acne.

If you’d like to try an Aspirin scrub, purchase the cheapest uncoated Aspirin you can find—this will dissolve better. You can mix honey, face wash or any other liquid with your Aspirin provided that you use caution when combining potentially irritating active ingredients. I suggest you experiment with using Aspirin as a scrub prior to leaving it on your face for a significant amount of time as would be involved in a mask. It is best to stagger the frequency of use since the scrub is very potent; you don’t want to slough off your epidermis in its entirety, do you?

Is Aspirin your favorite skin care product? Tell me all about it!

Image Credit: drugstore.com

Beeautiful

I woke up this morning with a terrible cause of the oilies despite having washed my hair last night. Apparently I am guilty of the same error as most women: not washing the conditioner out of my hair well enough. Ladies, please take the extra time to rinse and rinse well if you want to avoid washing your hair two days in a row.

This review isn’t about a problem as much as the solution: Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder. Yes, this is yet another solution to bad hair days and an oily scalp, I’m sure you’re beginning to see a pattern. I promise I am not a disgusting, smelly pig (most days); I just happen to enjoy how much texture I get from dry shampoos and powdery products on my scalp and find them to be more gentle solutions to hair spray and gel.

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder has been an H.G. (Holy Grail) product of mine for multiple reasons, the first of which is the fact that unlike most face powders, it contains absolutely no talc. If your skin has ever felt itchy or raw after using a face powder, I’d be willing to bet you’re allergic to talc. Even though I have no such allergy, at least that I’m aware of, I find that powder products that do not contain talc glide on more smoothly, have better color pay off and do not emphasize fine lines and wrinkles the way other powdery products can. And since kaolin clay is often used in acne-fighting face masks and oil zapping products, this ingredient makes Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder even more effective.

Now that I’ve already interrupted the linear sequence of my little anecdote, I will hurry up and get to the point: my love of Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Dusting Powder stems from the fact that I’ve been able to find many uses for the product. It zaps the oil on my scalp, makes my hair look lighter, works well as a highlighter or under one’s eyes to catch eye shadow fallout, cooks, cleans and does the dishes!

How To Use:

1. Hair—

Dust the powder on your hairline or just shake it into the parts of your scalp that are oiliest. If your hair is a level 6 (light brown) or lighter, Baby Bee you need not concern yourself with brushing the powder out very well and can even expect a subtly lighter appearance to your color.

Platinum blondes that need a root touch-up can expect some (temporary) assistance from this product until you’re ready to hit the bottle (or salon chair) yet again. Using a fluffy face brush, apply the products to the visible portion of your roots.

For hair that is level 5 (medium brown) or darker, be sure to brush the product out really well; the powder combs out very easily so you will not look like Marie Antoinette unless you want to.

2. Face—

Pale lovelies can use a light dusting of Baby Bee as a finishing powder; most skin tones can use this to highlight cheeks, the bridge of the nose and just about any area of the face where the light would naturally hit. Baby Bee is absolutey matte so the highlight will look very natural rather than shimmery—just as if that part of your face is slightly lighter than the rest.

Baby Bee is also effective as an under-eye powder for use while applying eye shadow. Not only does it dust away dark shadow particles easily but it does not irritate the delicate under eye skin nor does it settle into those little lines most of us have in the area. I find that the brightening effect of the powder (under my eyes) often makes concealer unnecessary. I warn you against using eye creams prior to application: the powder will stick to the cream.

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda), Kaolin (French white clay), Bentonite (Natural clay), Rosebuds (Powdered), Myrrh (Powdered), Slippery Elm Bark (Powdered), Fragrance

Scent: Baby powder without the cloying, sickeningly sweet aspect.

Price: $6-$9 for a 7.5 oz container but worth every penny. Aside for the multitude of possible uses, the product goes a long way.

Availability: Anywhere!

Image Credit: drugstore.com

I Got Tagged?

I have been tagged by Anastasia's Ball of String and now you get to learn things about me that you may or may not care about, lucky you!

Rules: Each player answer the questions themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

10 Years Ago (1998):

1. I was 16-- man, I'm an old fart!

2. I was (and still am) the only one of my friends that didn't drive a car

3. I was a year older than my peers because we moved here from the USSR; as I did not speak English, I had to start first grade when I should have been in second grade (based on age).

4. My favorite class was Honors English.

5. At this point in time, I got my very first job as a tutor for a second grader. Desi, if you're out there, I'd love to know how you're doing in Mathematics ;).

5 Things on Today’s “To Do” List:

1. Find a tall building with minimal security

2. Jump.

3. *Splat*

4. ...

5. ...

5 Things that I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Buy a modest home and tell my fiance to quit his job; pay off his student loans and give him a huge chunk of change for any future academic plans.

2. Finish the repairs on my parents' house and set aside money to make sure neither of them ever have to work again.

3. Get my engagement ring adjusted to fit my finger and run off to Vegas!

4. Buy a car and pay a chauffeur to drive me around.

5. Donate money to ASPCA and/or establish my own charity for animals.

5 Places I have lived:

1. Zhitomir-- it was part of the USSR at the time but is currently part of the sovereign country of Ukraine.

2. Various parts of West Hollywood with my parents; also #3 and #4.

5. I currently reside in Culver City with my wonderful fiance and evil cat, Bojangles

5 Jobs I have had:

1. Tutor

2. Ice Cream Scooper for Ben & Jerry's; I gained no less than 10 pounds in the three months I was there.

3. Intern at a local newspaper where a few of my articles made it onto the cover.

4. Paralegal (don't ask).

5. Bum.

Now I’m tagging the following lovely ladies:

1. Stephanie

2. Fabuless Beauty

3. Bigboo

4. Lady Beccie

Life and Beauty Lessons from a Cat

Felines have often been used as a symbol of femininity—they are elusive, fickle, and far more selective with who they trust than they’re canine counterparts. In truth, a cat is only ever loyal to his or herself. Although I don’t really agree with the women-to-cats comparisons, I am an avid cat (and dog) lover and think there is a lot to learn from feline grace.

Groom For Yourself-- Anyone that has ever been around a cat has probably had the pleasure of seeing that cat’s extensive and often incredibly intricate grooming rituals. They can “wash” the same spot for hours without a care for what anyone else thinks, aside from the occasional irritated glance if interrupted.

Taking hours for personal grooming is certainly ill-advised, but the ritualistic aspect of caring for oneself can be a great boost to self-esteem; it reminds us that we are worthy of the effort. I often find that I get dressed up and apply makeup to impress others rather than to make myself feel great. I am trying to change my perspective to become more like my cat. I hope you enjoy the picture of Bojangles having her own beauty moment.

Stay Determined-- One of my cat’s more annoying habits is her ferocious sense of focus. Once she’s decided to climb onto the kitchen counter and knock down all of my cleansers, nothing can deter her. Humans tend to lose sight of a goal, particularly when failure is eminent, but cats understand that a little patience goes a long way. My cat just waits until I’m not looking.

Ask For What You Want-- I am of Eastern European decent and have been raised to be extremely polite, to a fault. My parents have taught me never to ask for what I want because it will be offered to me if and when I deserve it; I have come to learn that this is not generally the case. In contrast, cats never think twice about whether they are worthy of what they want and they know that a little bit of gratitude, like rubbing against a leg or purring, can go a long way.

Don’t Compare—It can be hard to maintain one’s self-esteem in our beauty and media-driven world. There are just so many beautiful, talented people out that using them as a meter stick for one’s achievements is inevitable. Members of the feline persuasion have interesting survival tactics in this respect: when another cat is favored above them, they fight to re-establish dominance. Cats use feeling threatened by others to motivate themselves instead of feeling inferior. I’ve never seen feel badly about not being pretty enough, smart enough or thin enough, have you ;)?

Trends I Just Can't Understand

We often hear that “You can never be too rich or too skinny” but Ms. Beckham is among the many (female) celebrities that tend to prove otherwise, at least when it comes to “skinny.” I know it’s rude to criticize someone’s body type since it’s often a matter of natural predisposition but I assure you, I have seen Victoria Beckham look much better than this. I doubt she is a member of the small portion of the population whose metabolism makes it difficult for them to put on weight try as they may.

I suspect that becoming so skinny that she resembles Christian Siriano is a matter of personal preference here. And since so many of us have a tendency to idolize celebrities, I felt compelled to encourage all of the Victoria Beckham fans to please, please eat a sandwich in her honor. Yes, you do have to be slender to wear haute couture but there’s something amiss when your hangers have more curves than you do.

Now if only I could figure out the disadvantage of being too rich--aside from the tremendous amount of work it would take to get to that point.

Image Credit: Peoplestylewatch.com

NYX Doll Eye Volumizing Mascara, A Strange Affair

Do you ever buy something and love it so much that you buy two when you run out, only to discover you don’t love it that much any more? Well, this is at the crux of my relationship with my once beloved NYX Doll Eye Volumizing Mascara.

I chased her down all over Los Angeles, checking one store after another, until I finally found her at a store in the Citadel Outlet--I think it was Perfumania. Love can be a fickle thing; once I discovered her true nature, my little NYX mascara no longer had the same appeal. She’s the type of girl you would only take out at night, you know, one of those.

I like a full fan of lashes but the NYX Doll Eye Volumizing Mascara is a drama queen in a bad way. She has the tendency to clump and flake off at the end of the day, leaving you broken-hearted with raccoon eyes. The effect is very similar to fake lashes so if you have a mascara comb handy to brush out the clumps and are diligent in checking for and removing any consequent flakes, you may like NYX Doll Eye Mascara for a night out. I don’t remember it being this flaky in the past, perhaps they changed the formula or I got a bad tube?

Alas, I must return to my old, faithful Jane.

Image Credit: NYXcosmetics.com

A New Beauty Dialogue

Is it just me or is society far more open towards womens’ grooming habits than it once was? I was watching an episode of I Love Lucy and couldn’t help but notice the huge taboo surrounding Lucy and Ethel’s hair color—do they dye or don’t they?

There is such a stark contrast between this type of secrecy and our modern attitude. We discuss everything ranging from Highlights to Breast Augmentation, often entering into the gray area of too much information. Do you think the honest attitude is a sign that the general public has become more open? Could it be a consequence of women’s increased role as working members of society and the resultant boost in buying power—are we more viable consumers now that we have an income of our own?

Or perhaps it is far more sinister, like cosmetic companies exploiting insecurities to create a greater need for products by constantly advertising, thereby raising our social awareness of the necessity of grooming? I certainly have my opinion but I’d love to hear yours! What do you make of willingness to discuss grooming habits that were once only whispered amongst girlfriends?


Image Credit: TVLand.com

Inexpensive Solutions for Sensitive Ears

My sensitive ears made it nearly impossible to find cute, affordable earrings that didn’t hurt or cause an infection so I hope my “discoveries” help those of you with a similar affliction. The first step in the process is determining what type of metals one’s ears are not sensitive to—for some, this may only be gold or sterling silver; the only way to know for certain is to experiment and gauge for a reaction. The majority, like myself, are only sensitive to nickel. Also, please don’t dismiss the role of proper hygiene, such as disinfecting your earrings with alcohol, in the prevention of infection.

Be on the lookout for earrings labeled “nickel-free” or “for sensitive ears” when shopping for earrings that are not at least 14k gold or sterling silver, they shouldn’t cause problems for all but the most sensitive of ears. Obviously, you should remove your earrings at the first sign of discomfort or infection no matter how cute they may be.

Target— The Xhiliration line of earrings is labeled nickel free and features constantly updated stock that reflect the trends of the season. Target would be my first choice when searching for something funky or vintage-inspired. The majority of the pieces are no more than $10 per pair.

Claire’s—My only qualm is Claire’s limited and frequently juvenile stock. I have found a few great pairs of simple hoops and studs but for the most part, the earrings here do not really fit my taste. The pairs I have purchased have gotten a lot of use and have not caused me any problems. Claire’s often has buy two, get one free offers so you can everything you want at once.

Sally Beauty Supply—I’ve recently discovered that Sally’s stock of hypoallergenic earrings meant for piercing is also rather cute! While the variety is limited in comparison to Target’s, the studs and small shapes tend to be more practical for daily wear. The best part is the price, most pairs are significantly less than $5! The earrings are typically located within a plastic display case but don’t let that fool you, the Sales Associates will gladly open the case to allow you to see the earrings inside.

If you should discover that you are only able to wear gold or sterling silver, you can still find great deals on 14k jewelry at retailers such as Ross, Marshall’s and TJMaxx.

Image Credit: Target.com, Sallybeauty.com

To Your Season Be True

Rumor Willis is a lady I can definitely relate to, especially since she's had just about as many hair disasters as yours truly. Remember that atrocious, bleached-out, nearly shaved pixie? Just when I thought she'd finally gotten it right with her glossy, black bob, she throws me for a loop with this new color.

Don't get me wrong--auburn hair can be stunning on the right person. What's the problem here? The fact that warm shades are completely wrong for Ms. Willis' cool-toned skin. She is what is labeled as "Winter" due to the pink undertones in her pale skin and sharp contrast between her skin tone and (natural) hair color. Winters are the Snow Whites among us.

Notice that no amount of bronzer or fake n' bake can make this color look flattering? In her attempt to copy Ashlee Simpson, she veered into Oompa Loompa terrain. Staying within a color palette that is flattering to one's natural coloring is a valuable lesson that will spare the majority of us from looking like Morticia Adams or Bozo The Clown. As for Ms. Willis, a true red with blue undertones or even a burgundy would be far more flattering. I guess even celebrity hair pros can lead their clientèle astray.

Image Credit: JustJared.buzznet.com

Huge Halloween Sale At Sally's!

Ready? Set? Get to clipping! Sally Beauty Supply's circular is full of amazing discounts on their already low prices. If there was a Sally's product you've been waiting for a sale to purchase, it will likely be on sale now! Just navigate to the "In Store Specials" section of the Sally's website, www.sallybeauty.com, and see all the great deals. Did I mention the 2 for $10 deals on eyelashes? Perfect for Halloween, right? It sure beats the paying more than that for one set...um...elsewhere. And in case you were wondering, the lashes are great quality.