A Blast From the Past

I've been wanting to get some hot rollers for a while now.  I occasionally will curl my hair with a curling iron for special occasions, but I think rollers would be easier - and okay, I'll be honest.  I found out that Gretchen from The Real Housewives of Orange County uses them (or used to last season), and I LOVE her hair. 

Glamor Shots!

Anyway, due to my (non) employment status, I've really trying to cut back on things I don't need.  My best friend can even attest that I recently took a trip to Ulta and left without spending a penny.  So instead of buying new things, as much as possible I've been trying to use up what I already have - and trust me on that, I could go on blogging for years with what I have.  Not only do I have tons of beauty products at my home, but at my parents house too.  These aren't things I just keep there for a visit, but leftovers from my teenage years.  Of course the makeup and skin care haven't survived the years, but I did find something kind of amazing tucked underneath the sink in the bathroom I used growing up.

It still has the $24.99 price tag on it from a store that no longer exists - Lechemere anyone?  I'm not sure if this was ever actually used, because it looks pretty pristine.  I'm not too surprised.  The "curlers" are plastic doohickeys that you heat up and roll your hair around.  Part of the plastic flips over the hair to lock it in place.  I tried to put one in cold, and it was really hard to do.  

I highly doubt it will give me the look I'm going for, but for you, I'll give it a try.  On a day I don't need to go out in public, so people don't think I just got an 80's perm.

If anyone is having an 80's themed party, let me know!  I'll totally have the hair covered.

Review: Sephora Nail Patch

Dear Sephora,
You know I will always love you no matter what.  But that doesn't mean you should deliberately test my devotion.  When I saw that the Sephora Brand nail patches I had been eyeing were half price and then an additional 20% off on top of that, I had to try them out.  The glowing reviews posted on Sephora's website made them sound amazing.  But you know what?  They were crap.

The idea behind this product is that instead of regular nail polish, you can put these nail patches (aka stickers) on your nails, and they will basically be chip-proof until you take them off.  Fourteen patches come to a pack, giving you a variety of widths in order to custom fit the width of your nails.  They are long enough that they will fit most natural nails (except those really gross ones that get so long that they curl, eew).  The inherent flaw with this product is that you are putting a flat sticker onto a curved nail, so there's no way they are going to stick seamlessly.  The patch crinkled up in the corners of each nail, not only making it obvious that this was not regular nail polish, but made it torture washing my hair, since hairs would get caught in the ripples and feel like the patches were being pulled off.  Crinkles aside, the main selling point of the patches is that they are suppsed to be chip-proof.  Mine were chipped within 12 hours of application.

This picture was taken shortly after putting on the patches.  It doesn't look too bad from afar, but pay attention to the index finger.  Craptastic.  Trust me, it looked 10 times worse the next day.  And the worst part?  It took about a half a bottle of nail polish remover to get the suckers off.

Bottom Line

Product: Sephora Brand Nail Patches 

Website: www.sephora.com 

Retail Price: $10 - currently on sale for $5

Category: Nails

Recommendation: No.  Just don't.

Beauty Gimmick: L'Oreal True Match Roller Foundation

So I'm not on the beauty ball, since this was released a few weeks ago in the U.S., and months ago abroad, but L'Oreal True Match Roller Foundation is the latest gimmick to hit the shelves.  On the one hand, I'm a little intrigued because it is a beauty product after all, but on the other it just seems totally unnecessary.  For those that haven't heard the details, it's a creamy foundation in a compact that comes with a roller applicator - picture a mini paint roller.  The roller supposedly provides a flawless application and gets to those hard to reach contours of the face.  Sorry, but I'm dubious.  How can what looks to be a 2 inch roller really provide smooth coverage around the nose area better than fingers or a brush?  I just picture the roller getting caked with makeup, and there's no way to clean it.  I think I'll pass on this gimmick, but I'll let you know if I change my mind!

Beauty Bargain! Great Sephora Sale

If you're not like me, and don't check the Sephora sale page every day, then I'm happy to report that tons of new stuff has been added.  I remember the days when you could never find anything on sale at Sephora, so this is all very exciting for me.  It looks like the majority of the new items are from Kat von D (does being a tattoo artist qualify you to create a makeup line?), Kevyn Aucoin (one of the best makeup artists ever), Sephora brand seasonal items, and what looks like the entire Cargo line - which means that Sephora is no longer going to carry their products.  I'm a sucker for a sale, but some of my top picks are:

Cargo High Definition Lip Gloss, now $12

Cargo Eye Bronzer, now $11

Korres Eyeshadow, now $7

Sephora by OPI in Metro Chic Matte, now $5

Sephora Brand Natural Believer Palette - Star Gazer Edition, now $15

Frederic Fekkai Golden Shimmer Mist Gelee, now $10

Wish List: TheBalm For Keeps Watercolor Lip Stain

I've been really into lip stains lately, though not to worry, it hasn't detracted from my love of lip gloss.  I have yet to find the perfect stain - some are too drying, some dry out too quickly, and others just don't last long enough.  I am very intrigued by TheBalm's new watercolor lip stains.  They come in powder form, but as the name implies, just add water and paint on to desired intensity.  They come 2 colors to a compact at Sephora for $28.  Adding it to the wish list!

Madhatter Makeup

In advance of the upcoming Tim Burton movie, Alice in Wonderland themed makeup has been hitting the market.  Most notable is the Urban Decay Book of Shadows.  It contains 16 of Urban Decay's best selling shadows (renamed with Alice-themed titles), 2 travel size eyeliners, and a travel size eye primer.  I think what makes it irresistible is the packaging.  You can't really tell from the picture above, but Alice and the mushroom designs are pop-ups, surrounding a mirror in the center.  The eye shadows and located in a slide-out drawer beneath all the artwork.  If you want to get your hands on it, head over to urbandecay.com, and you might be able to get your hands on this insane eyeshadow palette.  Limited quantities were produced, and officially went on the market a couple of days ago.  Already on the website, you need to enter your name and email address in order to try to get a kit, so there's no guarantee that there are any still available. 

You'll have a better, and more economical, chance of getting dolled up like Alice with OPI's 4 new shades.  I haven't personally seen these in stores yet, but I'm sure they'll be out soon to tie in with the movie.  You can get them now from amazon.  My personal favorite is the dark berry shade, Thanks So Muchness, but I also like the red, Off With Her Red, and the glittery purple, Mad As A Hatter.  Probably the only shade I wouldn't really wear is the glittery blue, Absolutely Alice. 

My Picks from the Urban Decay Sale

I checked in on the sale earlier, and there were a couple of items sold out, but it looks like Hautelook has re-stocked the sale, wohoo.  Here are my picks:

Ultraglide Lip Gloss in Heat - $3.50

Ultraglide Lip Gloss in Lust - $3.50

Acid Rain Eye Shadow - $4.00

Brow Beater Brunette Bombshell - $3.50

Maui Wowie Smoke Out Eye Pencil - $3.50

Lingerie & Galoshes for Lashes - $4.25 (a genius product that has build-able primer on one end, and a waterproof sealer on the other - both work with your favorite mascara)








Basically you can get an update for your whole face for about $25, or the same as it would cost you to get 1.5 regularly priced Urban Decay products!  I wasn't going to shop the sale because I really don't need any products right now, but these prices are just so tempting...

Beauty Bargain! Urban Decay Sample Sale

If the winter doldrums are setting in, it might help to add a little color and sparkle to your look.  A cheap and easy way to do so might be to head over to Hautelook.com at 11am and check out the Urban Decay sample sale.  While we don't know in advance exactly what will be available, all items will be sold for under $10. 

Per the website, "Urban Decay is beauty with an edge. Known for their innovative products, high-quality ingredients, and risqué shade names, Urban Decay injects femininity, danger and fun into everything they create.
From the mind-blowing array of eye products, to one of the widest shade ranges available, to their cult favorites you can't live without, Urban Decay has stayed on the forefront of cosmetics for over a decade."

If you're not yet a member of Hautelook.com, which has all sorts of great sample sales daily, you can join at the following link: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/66257
Because as the site says, friends don't let friends pay retail!

Beauty Bargain! Bare Escentuals Sample Sale

It may not even be worth posting this, because these are selling ridiculously fast, but one of my favorite sample sale websites, Rue La La is having a final sale (meaning extra savings!) on some of their winter stock.  There are a few great Bare Escentuals kits if you get the chance to snap one up before they are gone.  The Bare & The Beautiful Kit shown above is only $19!  Grab one for yourself or stock up on some gifts. 

If you're not currently a member of Rue La La, don't fret - sign up here at http://www.ruelala.com/invite/lipglossrehab

New Product Alert! NARS Orgasm Illuminator

It's safe to say that anyone who even slightly pays attention to beauty news and trends has heard of NARS blush in Orgasm.  It's consistently on all of the "best of beauty" lists, and has seen the inside of many celeb's beauty bags.  Well, now NARS has gone ahead and turned this award-winning shade into a cream illuminator.  Basically what that means is that it's a cream blush that's sheer and shimmery.  It can be used as blush of course, but also all over the face (I'd suggest under or mixed with foundation).  Because that natural flush that comes from, uh, the product's namesake isn't limited to just cheeks!  Available at Sephora for $29...a bit pricey for 1.1oz, but I'm guessing a little will go a long way.  Onto the wish list it goes!

Beauty Resolutions for 2010

Happy 2010!!  Now that all the parties are over and the new year is settling in, it's time to solidify my beauty resolutions.  I didn't make any other resolutions this year since there are just so many things many things to work on that I'm just going to try to be better than last year.  That being said, in regards to my beauty regime, I resolve to do the following

1. Remove my makeup every night.  Despite having a face wash that I love - Philosophy Purity Made Simple - there are some nights when bedtime creeps up so quickly that it seems daunting to brush my teeth much less shock myself awake by splashing water in my face.  That's where face wipes come in.  Similar to baby wipes, there are tons of products out there that are specially formulated to remove face and eye makeup, and even help to improve skin.  By keeping a pack in my nightstand, I have no excuse to go to sleep with my face dirty.

2. Stop neglecting the neck.  I'm pretty good about applying my face serums and moisturizers, but not as disciplined at using creams on my neck.  I think it's important to be in preventative maintenance mode before signs of aging start to hit, since I don't know of botox or restalyne treatments that are injected in the neck.  Even if there are treatments out there, the thought of needles anywhere near my neck is enough to make me pass out.  So by keeping neck cream next to my computer, I can't help but see it every day to remind me to actually use it!  Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Neck Cream is a great one.

3. Use eye cream daily.  Since I'll have clean skin every night, it will no problem for me to apply eye cream before going to bed (eye cream over eye makeup = a mess).  I'll keep a jar next to the face wipes, since convenience is key here.  Are you sensing a theme?

4. Deep condition twice a month.  Ideally I would use a deep conditioner every week, but that's not always in the cards.  Frederic Fekkai Technician Color Care Mask only needs to stay on for 2-5 minutes, much faster than the 10-15 most deep conditioning treatments take. 

5. Play!  I tend to get into the same makeup routines for seasons at a time.  I have tons of products that rarely see the light of day, so this year there will be a lot more color-combination and experimentation.

Has anyone else made beauty resolutions this year?