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 ;)?