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.

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!

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

Better Tools, Better Results

Typical discussions about the “perfect” eye shadow brush normally involve the same slew of criteria: How soft is it? How densely packed are the bristles? Very rarely does anyone ask how small the brush is. If you are new to eye shadow application or have small eyes, little eyelid space or hooded eyes—anything that makes eye shadow application challenging—a smaller brush will serve you well. Why? A small brush makes for precise application, so you can reach every area of your eye with ease. And if you’re having a problem defining your crease, it will allow you to deposit the darker shade only where you want it.

The densely-packed brush by Studio Tools (a Target brand) also makes it easy to “pack on” the color to create vibrancy. Of course, the Studio Tools Smudge brush can also be used for smudging eyeshadow or eyeliner to a smoky effect. And the price is just under $2, nowhere near the typical range for brushes. This brush is not soft, nor is it meant to be; denser, precision brushes are supposed to be stiff so that you can move your eyeshadow around and control the application whereas fluffy brushes deposit a sheer amount of pigment to larger areas. The Studio Tools Smudge brush has been an integral part in my learning to create complicated, multi-toned looks and I hope it helps you as much as it has me!

Save on Fall Accessories

Fashion is fickle and so am I, which is why I am not the type to invest in a designer handbag. While I can see the advantage of something that is made of high quality material, I always find them to be too trendy to reuse and too expensive to toss.

Target handbags have been the perfect solution for me because they are made of durable material--I have not torn or broken a single purse despite the fact that I tend to put them on the floor, burden them with weighty objects and just use and abuse 'em to my heart's content. Unfortunately, a great selection is not always a guarantee. Luckily for you, Target has a rather fetching shape for around $23 this season and in all those impractical (but adorable) trendy colors that you'll likely regret investing big bucks on. I prefer the cobalt blue but other available colors include purple, gray, green and black. This Mossimo Hobo Bag is great for those who, like myself, like to carry all of their belongings with them wherever they go.

Want to save even more money? It will likely go on sale in a few months, although there is always a possibility that the color you want will be gone if you wait too long.


The Facts on Mossimo Large Hobo Bag--

Fabrication: Faux Leather, fully lined
Styling: Snap closure and short strap handle
Dimensions: 24x14x1
Availability: Target stores and Target.com

Image Credit: Target.com

A Great Foundation Brush for Under $2

I intimated (in an earlier post) that I use a foundation brush to apply my Shiseido Sunscreen and this E.L.F. Foundation Brush is my favorite for that purpose. The fiber is synthetic which prevents it from absorbing a lot of (expensive) product. It features a rounded head with flat, elongated bristles that pick up a good amount of product and enable one to apply quickly and evenly. I have used the same E.L.F. Foundation Brush for several years now, washing it daily, without so much as a hair shed or out of place. And the brush has more than paid for itself as it has prevented me from using too much of the more expensive skincare products I own.

While I would wholeheartedly suggest the E.L.F. Foundation Brush for use with moisturizers, primers, sunscreens and masks, I don't find that its as good for achieving its intended purpose (applying foundation) because of the very fact that it does not absorb much product. In the case of foundation, all of it ends up on your face and makes for a caked on effect. Since I'm an advocate of the "airbrushed foundation" look, I prefer to use stippling brushes such as the MAC 187.

Image Source: Drugstore.com

Rimmel Eye Twist for Shadestick Users

MAC Shadesticks are generally used as an eyeshadow base or to create an all-over wash of shadow in a hurry. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative or have eyelids that are too oily for Shadestick, give Rimmel's Eye Twist a shot! There is a creamy eyeshadow on one side and a matching eyeliner on the other for only a fraction of the Shadestick price; Eye Twist retails for approximately $4 in drugstores. The cream shadow applies easily without pressure, dries to a shimmery, powder finish and managed to stay crease-free on my oily eyelids all day long (without a primer underneath). Unfortunately, the eyeliner side has not seen much action because it is too thick to draw a precise line. I have tried the NYX Jumbo Pencils and found that they crease without a base whereas the Rimmel Eye Twist does not. The color I own is Double Trouble: A peachy, champagne shadow on one side and a dark, coffee brown eyeliner on the other.

Image Credit: Rimmel (the color featured is Two's Company).

Wet N' Wild Has Changed...

For the better! Can you believe that the brand that once produced stinky, waxy lipsticks and dry eyeliner that was impossible to apply has now become one of the better brands among drugstore cosmetics? If you haven't tried them yet, these colorful eyeliners are a wonderful bargain for $1 a piece. This is especially good if you normally wear neutrals and wish to experiment with a bit of color.

I cannot vouch for the staying power as I have only worn them with primer underneath but (with primer) they remained smudge free and just as vivid as when first applied for a minimum of 6 hours. They were a breeze to use and did not tug on my delicate eye skin at all. It goes without saying that I was pleasantly surprised after purchasing one; I bought three more!

My crappy camera doesn't do these pencils justice but I assure you, the colors are bright. I have:

653E Cool Green: The "cool" is a bit of a misnomer. It is a medium tone, clear green with a hint of yellow and shimmer (not glitter) thrown in for good measure.

650C Lilac: Pastel, light lilac/purple. This one has the tiniest bit of blue-violet gleam and reminds me of a light version Urban Decay's Deluxe eyeshadow in "Fishnet" or MAC's "Stars N' Rockets".

659C Turquoise: A deep, dark forest green, no shimmer.

654B Sky Blue: Pastel sky (or robin's egg) blue with shimmer.

Also available in Taupe, Dark Brown, White, Silver Blue, Bronzed, Mink Brown, Black Black (not a typo), Charcoal, Deep Blue and Violet.

I don't need to tell you where these are sold (nearly everywhere) but I hope I've enticed you into giving them a chance! Wet n' Wild is an animal cruelty-free brand, making this a guilt-free buy on multiple levels.

Maintain Your Hair With Cream of Nature

Exorbitant prices at the salon combined with a terrible economy has made some of us dye hard "blondes" return to our natural brunette; what else can be done to trim the proverbial fat off our maintenance routine? If you haven't considered it in the past, now is the time to keep your hair as healthy as possible to extend the life of your hair color (if you dye) and increase the interval of time you can go without a trim by guarding against split ends.

How frustrating is it to see your expensive dye job go down the drain every time you wash your hair? How tired are you of seeing your highlights turn yellow or orange a month or so after getting foils? The reason for this happening is the harsh ingredients (such as sulfates--any ingredient with the suffix "sulfate" such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, etc.) that strip the color out once your hair cuticle is opened with the heat and steam when you shower. These harsh detergents attach to your hair shaft and wash away your natural hair oils along with the color resulting in hair that feels dry and flat.

Creme of Nature is designed for relaxed hair and is sulfate-free. It truly is a creamy, conditioning shampoo and delivers upon its claims to condition and cleanse all at the same time. While it does leave one's hair feeling conditioned, I suggest you use a moisturizing conditioner anyway because the protein in the formula may build up and leave hair feeling dry otherwise (*An Aside on Protein: it is good for your hair in small quantities and absolutely must be followed by moisture since the hair structure is a combination of a protein layer combined with moisture--water. If you use a protein mask regularly, it may not be necessary if you plan to wash your hair with Creme of Nature more than a couple of times per week). This is another one of those inexpensive miracle products that one expects to find in a designer haircare line but it can be purchased at Sally's at a price of $6 for a 15.2 ounce bottle. Be sure to get the REGULAR FORMULA (for normal hair) as the other variations in this line have inferior ingredients. Speaking of ingredients, they are:

Water, Trideceth-7 Carboxylic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Glycol Stearate, Polyquaternium-10, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (this is just plain ol' aloe), Hydrolyzed Milk Protein (*don't forget to moisturize!), Honey, Citrus Medica Limonium (lemon extract), Triticum Vulgare (wheat germ oil), Abies Balsamea Resin, Pectin (according to Wikipedia, pectin helps to bind cells together and regulates water in the plant), Lecithin, Foeniculum Vulgare (fennel extract), Barosma Betulina Leaf Extract, Commiphora Abyssinica Extract, Origanum Marjorana Leaf Extract, Iris Florentina Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Quarentium-15, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Red 4, Yellow 5, Red 33, Blue 1

Creme of Nature made my hair feel clean but not the slightest bit dry. But on a less than stellar note, this does smell like your grandmother's old Chanel No. 5 (a.k.a. rat poisoning). Luckily, the scent did not remain in my hair after it dried. All the more reason to use a conditioner afterwards ;).

Similar Items for Less: Stila Haze Eyeshadow

If you're on the market for a gorgeous matte purple eyeshadow or are looking for an inexpensive alternative to Stila's Haze, Ulta Wild Heart is the product for you! Here's how the two compare:

Color: Ulta Wild Heart is more vibrant and purple; Stila Haze is a dirty plum with a tinge of brown. *The photograph on the left was taken without flash in natural lighting conditions to best demonstrate the color of the products.

Texture: Both are absolutely matte--no glitter or shimmer whatsoever. Great as eyeliner (if applied wet) or a crease shade. The two products have equally good staying power and color payoff.

Price: Stila Haze is $15+; Ulta Wild Heart is regularly $6.50 but is currently (and often) buy one/get one free at Ulta *There's a 20% off one item discount available through August 30th.

Life Preserver for Your Strands

Your hair is dry, unmanageable and frizzy. Your wallet is near empty and your bathroom cabinets are full of hair products that aren't as effective as you'd hoped. What to do? If your hair is anything like mine, the solution is in your local drugstore's "ethnic" aisle!

Those who know me will be amazed to hear that I am impressed with a drugstore hair product. I insist on purchasing only the best high-end products for my hair (damaged, dry and coarse) and skincare regimen as drugstore products normally contain ingredients I prefer to avoid. I am also the type that will read every single ingredient in a haircare product prior to purchase. Yes, I'm the one in your way as you maneuver your way to that shampoo. Sorry, but you probably don't want it anyway as its primary ingredient (sodium laureth sulfate) will likely trash your hair. If your hair is damaged and/or dry, the ingredients you put on your head are as important as the ones you put in your mouth. On to the review...

I bought this deep treatment on a whim. I was perfectly happy using my Redken Buttertreat at the time but wanted a product without any silicone ingredients for daily use. For those on a 'cone-free diet, there isn't a one in sight! Take a gander at the ingredients:

Water - Aqua , Cetearyl Alcohol , Mineral Oil - Paraffinum Liquidum , Dicetyldimonium Chloride , Ceteareth-20 , Cetyl Acetate , Phenoxyethanol , Propylene Glycol , Fragrance - Parfum , Polyquaternium-22 , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol , Panthenol , Butylphenyl Methylpropional , Amyl Cinnamal , Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde , Benzyl Salicylate , Limonene , Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone , Olive Fruit Oil - Olea Europaea , 2-Oleamido-1 , 3-Octadecaniol , Jojoba Seed Oil - Simmondsia Chinensis , Coconut Oil - Cocos Nucifera , Avocado Oil - Persea Gratissima , Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.

These components make for a very moisturizing and smoothing conditioner without the side effect of buildup in your hair. No matter how dry my hair feels, I leave Optimum Oil Therapy Ultimate Recovery Conditioner on towel-dried hair for about 30 minutes, rinse and my hair feels smooth again. This doesn't weigh my hair down but if your hair is thin or fine, it may be too heavy for you. I wouldn't recommend this for ladies who chemically straighten their hair on a regular basis; an emollient, oil-based conditioner might be more effective.


Image and Ingredient Source

Dupe Requests?

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative to an eyeshadow or lipstick, just ask! I may not be able to find one 100% of the time but I will do my best and almost always locate a similar item. It's one of my "talents." I will respond to requests in the order they are received so hurry or you may be last in line ;).