Mary Kay is Not Just for Your Mom Anymore.

Mary Kay Ash (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I went to a Mary Kay party a number of months ago, pre-hoochie days. A good friend was hosting and her mother-in-law, Diane, was the consultant. Never having been to a cosmetics party (I’m full of surprises, aren’t I?) I was pleasantly surprised at how much went on. First off, we cleansed our faces and Diane dished out portions of moisturizer and face primer. She handed out clean brushes and headbands, and we applied colors she suggested. She gave us some tips and tricks from the school of Mary Kay. It was a lot of fun- I was with my friends, there was sangria, the summer was just starting, and I purchased a number of products, from skin care to eye make-up. I used them for a bit and the moisturizer didn’t work out for me but the colors worked well all summer. I even ordered the magnetic palette in order to customize what I use.

The outside of my compact.

The holidays rolled around and Diane sent me an adorable flat make-up bag with a red gloss (which you know I love), hand cream, and a few other samples. BUT it was during my birthday week that Diane sent me a plethora of products to try. I was so surprised (and happy!) and I want to share some of my thoughts with you.

I have been very sad since I finished my NYX HD Eye Shadow Primer. I have tried a few and lied to myself that they did the job. Diane sent me Mary Kay’s Eye Primer. It is fragrance free. What I like about it is that it dries very quickly and is pretty sheer. It holds eye shadow in place all day and though it works will all eye shadow, I find that more vibrant eye shadows do not look as bright. It doesn’t irritate my eyes, which is a plus. ($12 US .3 OZ tube)

Mary Kay Eye Primer- holds eye shadow and dries sheer.

What is eye primer without eye shadow? Of course, Diane sent me three colors of Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color. She went more neutral in this case, which was very smart! I have used them a few times and I have to say that the shadows go on smoothly and last a long time with the primer. They are very silky, pleasant to apply, and the colors are on trend. Honey Spice is a shimmering beige, Hazelnut, a true light to medium brown, and Cinnabar, a reddish brown. (Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color Single $6.50 US)

Three times a charm! From top: Honey Spice, Hazelnut, Cinnabar

A face is never complete without a great lip. I rarely use lip liner but when I do I try to keep it natural. In my birthday package, I received Mary Kay Lip Liner in Neutral. It goes with most lip colors and creates a base so color stays on your lips and doesn’t wander. (Mary Kay Lip Liner $12 US)

This color doesn’t take sides.

When I am ready to pucker up, I usually go for a red pout. Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in Apple Berry is a lovely fusion of shimmer, berry, and red. It isn’t loud but really soft and pretty.I have to say that it didn’t bleed and was long wearing.

Pucker Up!

All in all, I am very pleased with the Mary Kay products I tried. I asked Diane if it was okay if I posted her website. If you would like to check out any Mary Kay products, feel free to pay her a visit http://www.marykay.com/dleschina/en-US/Pages/default.aspx?lcov=1

My full compact! The colors on the left are the ones mentioned in this post.

*These products were sent to me as a gift and had no bearing on my review. I am not personally affiliated with Mary Kay or any other cosmetic company. I just like to try stuff!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Barneys Makes Me Love Myself.

The week of my birthday, Barneys had their “Love Yourself” promotion. If you spent $200, you would receive a cosmetics bag filled with all sorts of products. There are some great treats, some that are okay,and others that make you go “hmmm.”

Of course I got my purchase gift wrapped. It is free and since I spent $205 on Tom Ford Neroli Portofino, I figured I would give myself a present.

Let’s tear into this sucker.

Noble Isle (The New Tradition) Willow Song Lavender Walk Bath & Shower Gel: An English brand, Noble Isle came on the scene in 2011. I can’t find it on the Barneys site, which makes it more valuable. Oh and 250 ml for the full size bottle is 20 British Pound Sterling or $30.25 US. My bottle is 75 ml which makes this worth roughly $8-$9 US. That’s a lot of money to shower.

Willow Song will have you singing in the shower with “floaty green florals and and soothing willow and water.” The vial of Tocca’s Stella is classy.

Tocca Stella (0.5 FL. OZ.) smells pretty and clean but I’m not sure if it is for me. It’s a bit heavy on the orchid, though it is described as having blood orange, spicy lily, white freesia, sheer musk, and sandalwood. I’m not quite sure I detect the citrus but I can feel the musk. Maybe if I wear it, it will smell different. 1.7 ounces is $68 US.

Cle de Peau Beaute Le Coton (a nice amount of pads): I guess this is fancier than my Swisspers (or knock-off  ones that I buy in Costco) but I can’t wrap my head around spending $20 US for something that I have to use and throw away everyday.

Fancy Cotton Pads. Should I go out on a limb and make an inappropriate comment. I am sure they are lovely.

(Malin + Goetz) Vitamin B5 Body Moisturizer: I have to say I really like M + G products. Their face lotion is actually quite good. This lotion seems to be multi-talented and has super fatty acid properties that your skin just sucks up. I’m game.

Not that my butt needs more fat and a delicious blood orange lotion. It smells real

Red Flower Moisturizing Body Lotion in Blood Orange (50 ml/1.69 fl oz): The Red Flower website is fun! Their blood orange scent really smells as if you were just plucked off an orange tree, ready to be juiced. $26 US 8 oz/ 237 ml. My tube is worth about $3.25 US.

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water Cloth (one cloth- could they spare it?): Your face should be erased with one cloth but at $39 for thirty cloths (!), I really think it should do more than take off waterproof make-up. By the way, the KohGenDo website has a whole section about how to use their products. It is pretty cool.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Resist 24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream (.08 oz/2.5 ml sample) Ultra rich  and improves all kinds of eye wrinkles. I will use this little sample when my Clinique runs out. $55 US for 15ml /.51 oz.- that is tiny.

My face is not a cheap date.

Chantecaille Jasmine and Lily Mask  (.27 oz/8 ml sample): It doubles as a night cream and claims to calm skin. The Chantecaille website also says it is good on sunburned, windburned, or jet lagged skin.  $70 US for 1.7 fl. oz./ 50 ml which makes my sample worth a little less than $7 US.

Radical Skincare Anti-Aging Replenishing Extreme Moisture (.27 fl. oz./8 ml sample): Products that focus on Trylacel tchnology, Radical products are clinically proven to increase skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, and a slew of other stuff. I think it is interesting that two sisters created the line based on their childhood experiences with their doctor father that worked in a burn unit. At $150 at 1.7 oz./50 ml, this better deliver. (That’s more than La Mer!) My sample should be valued at around $12.

Radical!

3Lab The Cream (.2 oz/6ml sample): Well, duh. I guess the name of this facial elixir needs no introduction. I got the M Cream in my last Love Yourself bag and I gave it away, as I am too oily for such hydration. The Cream locks in moisture and is “luxurious.” $140 for 1.7 fl oz/50 ml makes my sample aabout $6 US. And I will probably give it away.

Creamy creamy CREAM CREAM

We are almost done.

I received two face primers in the gift bag. One, Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (.16 fl oz/ 5 ml sample) is derived from titanium (oxide) and zinc oxide. With an SPF 15 and the ability to minimize shine and create a smooth facial canvas, you can throw a cape on it and it will save you from an oil slick. .33 oz for $18 US or 1 oz at $52 US, it isn’t a terrible price and makes my sample roughly worth $9 US.

The second primer is NARS Pro Prime Multi-Protect Primer SPF 30 (.07 oz/2 ml sample) is anti everything and balances skin. A one ounce tube is $34 US. Oh and do the math.

Smoothing, soothing- like Spanx for the face.

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi  Moisture Foundation HD Make-UP (5 tiny packets): Available in 12 colors and paraben free, Koh Gen Do will cover your problem areas and seal in skin’s natural moisture. I got packets in the ivory/pink (evens tone to a natural finish) and ochre (corrects red undertones) families. I could use either. And Koh Gen Do does some serious teaching, even on the little card they sent with the samples. I just might be sold on all the teaching points!  $62 US for Net Wt. 0.71 / 20 g.

The packets look like uh, protective sheaths.

By Terry VIP Expert Perfecting Foundation Brush in 5 Vanilla Light(.06 fl oz/2 ml packet): I have a hard time with By Terry products. The rose balm is $60 US and not terribly impressive. I guess this sample is the foundation that fills the brush. It blends and fills in lines. $62 for 17 ml which I guess isn’t too expensive but I would for sure go to a counter and not risk without a swatch.

Sue Devitt Defining Eyeliner in Vaasa (full size): I got the same pencil in the fall bag and I never used it so my sister will probably get this one. It is an emerald green and on trend for spring $20 US.

Luminizing face, vibrant eyes- oh my!

And finally…

Smoochie, smoochie…

Kevyn Aucoin The Elegant Lip Gloss in Cloudaine, a gorgeous pink for warmer weather. I was itching to try this, so I am happy it was in my bag. It is also full size and $27 US.

Just a few things

1) Barneys should really include a list of products in the bag with prices. They would be so much easier to find.

2) I noticed that the same brands were included, with the exception of Noble Isle, the fancy cotton, and Red Flower. I couldn’t even find Noble Isle on the Barneys website, so I would imagine they should be carrying it soon.

3) And what is with the Hourglass primers?

4) If you were wondering, I am wearing Zoya Nail Polish in Carmen.

Coming up in a few weeks… February GlossyBox, E.L.F. review, and Mary Kay review. Be on the look-out!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Like Sands Through The Hourglass…

Emotions (Mariah Carey song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I finally tried OPI Liquid Sand Polish from the Man Repeller curated GlossyBox. The liquid sand polish is from the Mariah Carey collaboration with OPI. I received “Can’t Let Go”- a purple matte glitter. Cue Mariah, “Oooh hoooo… Can’t let go…. Oooh baby… Ahhh (in Mariah’s 8 octave voice/scream/screech).”
Maybe it’s because I started doing my nails at 9:55 PM EST. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to use a quick dry topcoat because it will make the matte glitter polish shiny. Or maybe, just maybe the polish just stinks. I know the Silver Nail reviewed the polishes and I read her post. She has much more patience than me but I found the swatches to be gorgeous and this woman knows her nail polish. Seriously! Check out her post when you HAVE the time- that means just do it http://thesilvernail.wordpress.com/?s=liquid+sand.

Oh no, I just can’t get you out of my mind. I never can say goodbye

I applied a thin coat and it covered but seemed a bit streaky. I applied coat #2 and messed up four nails. Both thumbs and pointer fingers, not to mention my left pinkie. Annoying.

The overall effect is pretty. I like the texture and it isn’t loud or flashy but edgy enough that I can wear it to work and still feel cool. Yes, I still like to feel cool. I guess that means I shouldn’t bring my portable CD player and my Mariah Carey “Emotions” CD. I’m kidding. Well, maybe I’m not. Anyway, if you like textured polish and have a bit of patience, give these a go.

Picture was taken the next morning with flash.

Update: I did my nails Wednesday night. By Friday, I needed to cover up some chips. I also suggest getting some drying drops. I bought cheap ones at Sally Beauty Supply. It didn’t seem to change the color and help me not nick the polish before it dried.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Scentual Obsession

English: Tom Ford at 2009 Venice Film Festival Italiano: Tom Ford alla 66° Mostra internazionale del cinema di Venezia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ah, me. I welcomed myself back to Brooklyn last night after a four day trip to see my grandparents. It never gets easier leaving them, even though almost 23 years have passed since they moved to the Sunshine State. I think it is especially difficult knowing their age. I have to remind myself to enjoy their company while realizing time ticks on. When I got back to my apartment last night, I jumped in the shower. I decided I needed a little bit of pampering after a trying day (leaving grandparents, airport ride in a shuttle, delayed flight, getting felt up in security- you get the picture).

I have to preface the products I am about to discuss with a little info (obviously, the picture above is a hint):

1. I have a problem with this line. Specifically the second saleswoman.

2. I think the prices are way too high for the products.

3. I got one of the two as a gift. I hoarded one of them because well, I’m a product hoarder.

Drum roll…. Today is the day I am going to reveal my affair with Tom Ford. It is torrid, tawdry, and fast. But I might want this relationship to go on for a long time.

It all started last year when my college roommate, Debbie, sent me a box of goodies. She works for a cosmetics company and among the Bobbi Brown eye shadow (why did they stop making the nude palette? Why?), blush and bronzer, to the jar of La Mer that my husband can’t believe costs as much as it does, to Tom Ford body scrub and body moisturizer in Neroli Portofino. Debbie credits me with her own cosmetics obsession and Sephora soirees-she told me so. When I received the package on a Sunday December morning, you would think I hit the lottery. I started using them right away- except for Tom Ford.

It was nothing personal. The truth was I was DYING to try ANYTHING by Tom Ford. The $200+ price tag for a bottle of eau de parfum made it a mere fantasy. I was lucky enough a few weeks later to have a gift certificate to Bloomingdale’s and I purchased a Tom Ford lipstick in Violet Fatale. The case weighs about five tons and though it is rich, thick, faintly scented, and long lasting, I just can’t justify spending $48 US on another tube. But damn does it look classy. The saleswoman, who was young, also gave me a mini-bottle of Violet Blonde, which did not catch my attention. After this, I kind of forgot about the Neroli Portofino moisturizer and scrub and used other neroli perfumes. Tom was always in the back of my mind but never obvious. A few months back I went to Bloomindale’s to smell Cafe Rose. The saleswoman at the counter (again very young) was a snotty know-it-all. I’m the only (perfume) know-it-all I need to know. I spritzed Cafe Rose on a test strip and let it sit. I smelled it about 30 minutes later. It smelled like car air-freshener. I think it was Tom Ford’s saleswoman that tried to break us up but Tom would soon teach me that he never failed me.

The scent that started it all.

You see, about two weeks ago, I discovered that I never used the Neroli Portofino body moisturizer. It was after the Nemo storm and Brooklyn wasn’t hit terribly hard. I was going to go out so after I showered, I squirted some of the lotion into my palm. Already I could smell the beach. Neroli is the essence of the bitter orange tree. (It’s kind of funny since I wore orange blossom water as a kid. I would buy little bottles in Tarpon Springs and pretty much pour it on myself.) But neroli is different. It is sophisticated and fun. It smells familiar yet foreign. I only needed a little lotion to cover my legs, arms, and anywhere else I deemed necessary. The scent lasted all day. All day. I got home and I could still smell Tom Ford on me. He left a lasting impression.

Last Friday was my birthday and Barneys must have known because they had the “Love Yourself” promotion. I was going to buy myself Neroli Portofino with the Bloomingdale’s gift cards I got but wanted the gift bag (wait for the post- it is gooood) so I bought the $205 50 ML of eau de parfum. The bottle looks like the sea, turquoise and glittering with gold. I sprayed it on this morning and was instantly happy. (Sadly, I didn’t find the parfum to last as long as I had hoped, so when I wear it tomorrow, I will dab a bit of the lotion on my wrists.) And that is my story about Tom Ford, Neroli Portofino, and the bottle of lotion that started it all.

I am relieved that scentual obsession is not grounds for divorce.

I did not match my nails to the bottle. I swear.

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Body Moisturizer, Scrub, and Eau de Parfum are $65 US, $80 US, and $205 US for 1.7 FL. OZ./50 ML respectively.

Man Repelling Birch Box?!

Okay, okay… I have had my GlossyBox for over two weeks and I really couldn’t try anything because I got sick. Today, I’m going to empty two subscriptions boxes with one lipstick swipe- GlossyBox The Man Repeller Edition and Birch Box February.

I ordered the Man Repeller curated box because MR it is a cool blog about fashion- it’s a little twisted which is why I like it. GlossyBox has shipping issues. Boxes come late, I am always worried I won’t get it, customer service is pretty impossible, and having OCD, I worry someone has managed to mess with my subscription and credit card. Paranoia aside, I got my GlossyBox on a Saturday morning. Actually, I got two of them.

The GlossyBox magazine, squared.

Two, you ask? Yes, I was pretty curious as to why I got two boxes and of course, I thought they charged me twice. They didn’t- GlossyBox sent out an email, assuring that subscribers were not charged for the second box and to keep and enjoy it! I would have liked if the boxes differed a bit more than they did, though! My sister got  the second box and I only took one product from it that I knew she would not use.

Contents did not explode, considering there were two of everything in my Glossyboxes.

Today, I received the February Birch Box, which stinks as usual. I’m really so annoyed with BirchBox. Can’t wait to say good-bye. I’ll give you a quick rundown of the products and some pictures, too. I finally got a new camera, so I just might start taking real photos soon.

GlossyBox Contents:

I just realized the sticker comes off of the box. Excellent. I will stick it on my forehead.

Sebastian Professional Potion 9: I mix hair cream with my gel, so this will get used eventually. It is a nice size, too, at 1.7 FL OZ/ 50 ml.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum: The product I took out of my sister’s GB because I am a greasy beast. The tube mentions the serum controls shine. Sold.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Mascara in 01 Extreme Black: The name says it all and will it multiply by two since I got two boxes?

Le Metier De Beaute Replenishing Daily Solution: SPF 50 is good, described as “rich and emollient” bad for this oil heiress. My mom will get this packet.

Narciso Rodriguez for Her Eau de Toilette: I wear this. It is musky and warm.

And the TWO full size products are…

Liquid Sand by O.P.I. in “Can’t Let Go”: I was excited to see this in the Man Repeller box. It is from the Mariah Carey collection and is a beautiful blue/purple depending on the light. It’s a matte glitter. I’ll let you know! $8 US

I have to admit when I read the name of the polish, I almost peed myself.

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance Lipstick in Fierce: I am snapping my fingers in a Z formation. I love this color. It is a bright red. My sister got Wild, a cool red which suits her better. This lipstick is $26 US, so alone it covers the GlossyBox cost.

Fierce! Lipstick

Birch Box will be quick.

At least I got the polish I saw in the sneak peek.

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: It has papaya, micro-crystals, and aloe. It’s a scrub and a full size tube is $34 US for 120 ml. The sample is 20g.

Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting Make-Up Primer with Smoothing Effect: $42 for a full size bottle on the Lancome website, this primer is supposed to smooth out your bumps, lines, wrinkles, creases, pores, low self-esteem, bad body image- oh! Sorry! Ranting.  I have a few primers. My favorite is by Too Faced so I will most likely pass this along.

Color Club Professional Nail Laquer in  Wild Cactus: A pretty emerald green in a mini-version. I like CCP so I will use this up. BirchBox sells it for $8 US but there is a nearby store that sells it for $6 US.

Have and Have

Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls: I use this already and have a bunch of samples. It smells like Downy, cuts frizz, and makes big, bouncy curls. 8.5 oz is $22 US.

Ghirardelli Caramel Chocolate Square: Love these.

This box was not worth $10, even with shipping. Just sayin’.

I got my ipsy bag this week but I wasn’t impressed. It was still better than BirchBox. I really don’t like BirchBox anymore. Can’t you tell?

Keep Calm & Primp On!

This post was a guest post for Audrey over at notquitecarrieb.wordpress.com. Check her out!

not quite carrie

when I offered up the idea for guest post for my blog I didn’t know if I’d get any bites… it is a baby beauty//lifestyle blog. to my surprise Jessica over at Product Hoochie not only replied but definitely gave an amazing post a bout her search for love. Her blog is one of the first I followed here on WordPress and I always enjoy the way she speaks to her audience through reviews, hauls, and just about anything she feels like adding to her corner. I urge you all to check out her page and enjoy her post here as well!

I visited Buenos Aires in 2006. I had a lot of meat… from a cow.

I was never a girl with boyfriends. I knew there had to be a couple of boys that liked me but I never had a steady boyfriend longer than four months. I didn’t…

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A-HA with AHA’s!

When I was a kid, alpha hydroxy acids were just starting to make waves in the beauty world. I only remember because it was the late 80s and the commercial was always on when I was at my grandmother’s house. She probably was watching a game show or something and since women were  the beauty product target, the commercial was on a lot. The brand advertised eventually disappeared and though fruit acids are considered great exfoliators, I have not really used them. I do use Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Enzymatic Peel which is serious and makes me look brighter in ten minutes but this is not about Caudalie. This post is about Garnier USA and their new product, Skin Renew Dark Spot Overnight Peel.

Lovely box!

I received a bottle of Garnier Skin Renew Spot Overnight Peel from BzzAgent.com. It was sent to me complimentary. I happen to think BzzAgent is really cool. I’ve gotten to try some new cereal and veggie burgers, all free. I was happy to finally get a beauty product- not that I’m complaining. Last night I threw on a face mask and some pore strips (the Rite-Aid brand if you need to know) just to brighten up my complexion. After being sick, I was looking a little dull and wanted to brighten up. Since I got the Skin Renew Dark Spot Overnight Peel yesterday, I figured it was a prime opportunity to try it out.

This is me last night.As you can see, I party hard.

Glycolic peels are supposed to gently exfoliate skin and help fade dark spots, brighten and even out skin tone, and smooth skin texture. Skin Renew Overnight Peel claims to be gentle and can be used every night. Sounds easy enough, right? Using it overnight, I should have glowing, brighter, and more even toned skin. After four weeks, dark spots and discoloration should be more diminished  and will look more uniform and smoother.

There is A LOT of information on the box.

I always make this face when applying products.

The Skin Renew Overnight Peel comes in a pretty green bottle with a pump. Like most Garnier products, it has a pleasant scent- something between fruit and floral. As for texture, the peel reminds me of a serum. It is clear and really not thick. I pumped some on the back of my hand and it started to creep right on down towards my thumb. I applied it to my face and it didn’t feel terribly goopy. It was not greasy (a plus in my book) and non-comedogenic and will not clog pores. After a few minutes I noticed that it did feel a little sticky and I was afraid I would dry out (shocking!) and applied a light moisturizer and my usual eye cream.

The bottle is 1.6 FL OZ/48 ml

Can be a creeper…

When I woke up this morning, I washed my face with Cetaphil. My skin feels really soft and a bit tight so I might have to actually moisturize. I am not sure how much glowing I will do today but the texture of my skin feels good. I think that in a few weeks I will see a difference but you never know! Oh! Another thing- make sure you use SPF during the day when using any peel. A peel leaves skin more vulnerable to sun damage and you do not want to burn.

I’m only one cup of coffee in. I need at least another 10 oz before I’m likable.

Garnier Skin Renew Overnight Peel is available at most mass retailers for $16.99 US. Many thanks to BzzAgent.com for my free bottle!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Eye Have It!

I am still having fun with my European goods from Lindz, GirlintheGlasses.com, and started using the Kiko Milano Colour Seduction Eye Shadow Palette she sent in our swap.

I love this box! Looks so luxe!

This palette is really great because it is the “Sensuous Burgundy” palette, which is different from my usual eye shadows. I tend to go more neutral and throw in a pop of color here and there, or I use purple. The burgundy feels neutral enough for daily wear, yet gives that bit of punch without being obvious.

The palette name and the description of the palette.

The palette was in a velvety pouch, which I removed and put away because I need to get into my make-up fast. This eye shadow case is very sturdy and looks beautiful. For the price Kiko Milano charges, I can’t wrap my head around how they can make such well-made and attractive palettes. This eye shadow case looks better than Maybelline’s or Cover Girl’s and costs 5 Euro, roughly $6.76 US. A Revlon Colorstay Eye Shadow Quad is $7.99 US on Ulta.com. (They are offering buy one, get one 50% off right now, so if you bought two, the price of each would be comparable. BUT STILL! Look at the packaging)

Brushed gold and it is very sturdy but not at all heavy.

The palette includes four colors that can be used wet or dry. I tried the palette both ways today and took my pictures at 7 AM before I left for work.

The colours! The photo on the left is without a flash.

I started with ELF Eyelid Primer. I picked it up because it was $1.00 US but I miss my NYX HD Primer. I find the ELF Primer to only be okay- I don’t think it holds eye shadow as well as the NYX. I let it dry and then applied the color on the upper right side of the palette. The picture without flash looks a bit more rose gold and with flash, a truer gold. I think that this might be a good gauge for how it may look in natural light.

Top picture is no flash.

Then I grabbed Urban Decay‘s Eye Shadow Transforming Potion. I’m not sure they still make it but one end has a thin brush and the other end is a wider brush. I used the thin end because I wasn’t quite sure how strong the color would be and dipped it in the darkest shadow in the palette (right hand bottom corner.) It took me a few times to get the line I desired on my upper lid. I think I will just use water next time and save the UD Transforming Potion for loose pigments. I drew a thin line across my top lid and this is what I got…

Pardon the no mascara and unplucked brows.

The color is subtle and I think it’s because I really don’t take my time in the morning! I grabbed my Sephora Nano Pure Beige Eye Pencil and added some to the corners of my eyes and along my brow bones. (It really makes a difference. I swear.) I curled my lashes and applied a coat of Clinique‘s High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara (in black). The brush is HUGE and I do like it but the formula is a little thick.

UD Transforming Potion, Clinique High Impact Volume Mascara, and Sephora Nano Eye Pencil in Pure Beige. Can you spy my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler?

Here is the final eye look. I only took eyes up- I’ll spare you the rest of my face! Oh! The bottom right picture was taken when I got home from work at 4:30 PM. There was a bit of fallout but not terrible and it did wear off a bit. I really blame the primer.

Here’s looking at you, kid.

My overall opinion: I really enjoy using this palette and I will use it over and over again. The shadows are very smooth and silky. I wish they were a bit more pigmented but I need to work with them some more before making a final call. Thanks again to Lindz for being so awesome and sending me Kiko Milano Colour Seduction Eye Shadow Palette.

Zappin’ It to Ya!

Okay… I am going to let you in on a dirty little secret. I have a serious facial hair problem. I know, I know- you probably are thinking, “I’ve seen some pictures. It’s not that bad.” But let me tell you- it is that bad and I do as much as I possibly can to hide that shit. Pardon the expletive. For the past 15 years, I have been good friends with Tweezerman, Nair Wax Strips, Nads, Sally Hanson Hair Remover, Veet, and Jolen Bleach.

English: Male facial hair (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don’t know exactly when this problem started. I remember being in 7th grade and having a mustache. The hairs were long and dark but somewhat thin. My friend also had this problem so we became experts at bleaching it, just mixing the right amount of powdered bleach into the cream and then spreading it over our upper lips. We had to be careful with timing, too. The package always said stuff like, “No less than four minutes but no more than seven” and you had to figure out the exact moment to take off the cream. If you didn’t wait long enough, you had light mustache tips and if you waited too long, you ended up with a red, irritated, and burnt upper lip.

English: “Portrait of Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, officer of the Federal Army”. Negative: glass, wet collodion. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I got more savvy and brave as I got older. More and more of my friends had mustaches, so we would buy waxing strips and wax ourselves happy. One of my friends got really smart and held the pre-waxed strip near a light bulb to warm up. It was genius. I never thought anything else was wrong, until that fateful day I went for a haircut and my hairdresser mentioned the hair on the side of my face. I never really cared about it but she said, “Honey, have you tried Surgi-Cream here?” as she motioned to my sideburns. I was confused because I never heard of Surgi-Cream and didn’t think my sideburns were a big deal. I was mortified. I know she was trying to be helpful but dear lord, what people say to young women! I soon became self-conscious and headed home, stopping for some Surgi-Cream on the way. I couldn’t find that, so I bought some Nair and used that on my ‘burns and then on my upper lip. I was hair-free and embarrassed that not one person told me how awful I looked.

Die Gartenlaube (1874) b 061 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once I got to college, I was still Nairing myself when I noticed my chin was starting to sprout. And not only a hair here or there. Nope- these were full out patches of dark, strong hair. I bought myself a Tweezerman and went to town every few days. I would tweeze those suckers out of my face while sitting under a strong light looking in a magnifying mirror. H-O-T.

It only got worse from there. As I got older, the hair on my face grew thicker. I would remove and it would grow back, mocking me. I would pluck, wax, chemically remove, even in times of dire circumstance, shave my face. Until last year. I got tired of this crap. I decided I would start with laser hair removal.

Facial Hair comic (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I found a local place and got a Groupon for six sessions under $100. I started with my lip and in less than five minutes, I was zapped. The sensation is not pleasant but way easier than waxing. I just started getting my sideburns and chin done, too. After one session, my chin is smooth and my sideburns are pretty obliterated. My lip needs a few more sessions but the hair grows in very slowly. I was so afraid that people could see the hair and it annoys me that it bothers me so much. Such a first world problem, right?

We are so afraid to talk about facial hair because it is a beauty taboo. Truth is, I can’t understand why we don’t find Brazilian waxes gross. I also don’t find hairy legs to be a problem either. I shave them, once a week in  the winter, and pretty much every other day in the summer. I don’t like armpit hair– it itches, so I keep them clean for my own sanity. But the face- it is what we put forward first. It makes us recognizable and it shames me to say that I don’t want to be the person remembered as, “You know- the woman with the hairy chin.”