Lip Gloss Rehab!

My Prettiest Red Carpet Picks

2010-03-09T23:46:00.000-05:00

There is rarely a general consensus on the best dressed at the Oscars each year, although it's much easier to pick worst dressed (I'm looking at you Zoe Saldana). Here are my picks for the prettiest on the red carpet, including gown, hair, and makeup - the whole look - in no particular order.

I love Sandra's gold dress with her super-shiny, yet simply styled dark hair and red lips. Perfect.

I'm not a big Cameron Diaz fan, but I loved her look. She went a similar route as Sandra, with a beaded metallic dress (slightly fuller), old Hollywood fingerwaves (again, fuller), and the red lips. The hair could be a little more modern for me, but I think it works for her. She mentioned on Oprah that the red lips take attention away from a tired face, so that's a good tip to take away.

I mean, Meryl Streep is always talked about for her talent, but people often overlook how stunning she is. I think I would have added a giant diamond necklace here, but otherwise she is just flawless. Hell, I wish I looked this good now, and I'm half her age.

Love it, love it, love it. Rachel McAdams is naturally beautiful, and doesn't overdo it with too much of a smoky eye or strong lip. She keeps her makeup soft in keeping with the soft colors of the gorgeous gown she's wearing. I do prefer her hair a bit darker, since her skin is so fair, but who am I to complain?

I'm not really sure why Elizabeth Banks was at the Academy Awards, but I thought she looked beautiful. Love her dress and her makeup. Her hair could be a little looser, but I think it goes well with the overall look.

I think a lot of people disliked SJP's dress, but I thought it was great, especially from behind (sorry I don't have the over-the-shoulder pose). Would you expect her to wear something that just anyone would wear? It's beautiful, it's Chanel, and it suits her.

Wish List: Tarte Natural Lip Stain

2010-03-01T20:07:00.000-05:00

Are you sensing a trend here? Yet another lip stain is added to the wish list. This one is from Tarte, an all natural lip stain in a convenient felt-tip marker applicator, that has LipSurgence Technology. I'm not exactly sure what LipSurgence Technology is, but it claims to increase lips' moisture content by 6000 percent. That's a lot of moisture if you ask me. My biggest problem with lip stains, is while I love the sheer, long-lasting color they provide, they usually dry the hell out of your lips. As a double-whammy, they highlight any dryness, so don't even try to wear them if your lips are chapped. And my lips are usually a little chapped for most of the winter, no matter how much balm and gloss I apply. Hopefully Tarte has solved this lip stain conundrum!

Get the Most Out of Your Products

2010-02-18T23:40:00.000-05:00

Even though it takes me a long time to get to the bottom of my lotions and potions since I tend to be fickle, it does happen eventually, especially with my favorites. Even though I have a ton of products, I don't like wasting them. So when you get to the bottom of a tube, and can no longer squeeze any more out, don't throw it in the recycling bin just yet. Using regular old scissors, cut the tube in half.

Now you can use your fingers or Q-tips to scoop out the rest of the product that's left inside. I find that there's usually at least a few applications left. So that the product doesn't dry out, just tuck the bottom half into the top half. It fits neatly together, though I recommend scooping out the product from the top half first, as I've done in the photo above, so when you put the pieces together, it doesn't get all over the bottom half of the tube.

Review: OPI Moon Over Mumbai Nail Polish

2010-02-10T23:45:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that my love for light colored nail polished goes hand-in-hand with inability to get weekly manicures and unwillingness to do may nails every few days myself. Light colored polish doesn't show chips as much, so manicures, be it at a salon or at home, can stretch much longer. While I love my Essie Mademoiselle and OPI Bubble Bath, I felt the need to get something with a slight edge while everyone else was rocking the blacks and navys. Side note: even light colored polishes turn my nails yellow while wearing a base-coat, so the effects of wearing round-the-clock dark polishes would be frightening. So I turned to a soft shade of gray.

I discovered OPI's Moon Over Mumbai in CVS of all places almost a year ago, and have been wearing it almost exclusively ever since. I'm still working my way through the same bottle, so if you're hesitant about spending $8.50 for a bottle of nail polish, you really get a lot of use for your money. The color is sheer, so I usually put on 3 thin coats (seen above), allowing drying time between each, and finish with an acrylic top coat. The bottle I bought advertising having an extra-wide "professional" brush. I'm not sure if all bottles in this color come with this larger brush, but it does make the polishing go faster. I generally get about a week out of my home manicures, with a few small chips here and there, but I have only myself to blame since I definitely use my nails as tools. Sometimes I just assume that everyone knows how to do their own nails, but I'd be happy to do a tutorial if that's not the case!

Bottom Line

Product: OPI Moon Over Mumbai

Website: www.opi.com

Retail Price: $8.50

Category: Nails

Recommendation: My favorite, long wearing, every day nail polish

Try This At Home...Olive Oil Baths

2010-02-08T23:55:00.000-05:00

I'm not one for baths. I am the unfortunate combination of being somewhat of a germaphobe and an incredibly lazy housekeeper. I don't enjoy the idea of sitting in my own dirty water, much less dirty water in a dirty tub. Once I get a giant 2-person tub (have you seen the one on this season of House? Love it, it looks like an egg) and have a live-in housekeeper, I'm sure then I'll be a bath person.

However, per doctor's orders I need to start taking regular baths in Epsom Salts, which can be very drying. Since I don't have bath oils lying around (per above reasons), I decided to pour in a glug of regular olive oil. At first I didn't think it would do anything, since of course it just floated around on the surface of the bath (oil and water don't mix!), and it didn't smell like pomegranates or exotic flowers, and it sure didn't make any bubbles. But I don't use baths to get clean, I use them to soak. Then I take a shower. So back to my point. The olive oil really worked to make my skin silky and soft. I could definitely tell the difference between the skin that had been soaking in the water and the skin that hadn't - and the skin that had been in the bath wasn't dry at all. If I really want to indulge next time, I'll add in a couple drops of Lavender oil along with the olive oil, but it's really not necessary.

Next to try....olive oil in place of moisturizer. As long as I don't smell like salad dressing.

Holy Tarantula, L'Oreal!

2010-02-04T18:48:00.001-05:00

So as I mentioned in my last post, I am testing out L'Oreal's Last Boosting Serum. I haven't really paid much attention to the campaign until I started flipping through this month's Marie Claire and noticed Frieda Pinto's absolutely ridiculous fake lashes jumping out from the page. I'm all for fake lashes, and it's really no secret that they are used in mascara ads, but this has taken it to a whole new level. I think drag queens would look at this ad and think, hmm, it's a little too much. Whether these are actual falsies or the photo-shopped kind, L'Oreal has pushed it to the level of me saying "gross" instead of "gorgeous."

If you're not convinced that this is 100% fake, check out this still from the movie Slumdog Millionaire:

I realize it's not as zoomed in as the ad campaign, but you would notice if she had two tarantulas hanging off her eyes. I still think it's possible that the serum can boost lashes, but definitely not by that much. I hate it when products ridiculously over-promise, because then users can't help but feel either a) ripped off, and/or b) somehow not pretty enough to live up to expectations. And for what it's worth, I think Freida is ridiculously beautiful without the need for any photo-shopping.

Currently Testing...L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum

2010-02-02T23:59:00.001-05:00

I think every woman alive would love to have longer, thicker eyelashes. Since I (and most women I know), can't afford lash extensions or Latisse - these can run you hundreds of dollars over time - makeup companies are finally jumping on the bandwagon and selling lash boosting products over the counter.

Sorry Coco, but I am cynical about how effective these potions are, so I decided to do a little test. For the last week or so, I've been applying L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum to my right eye, and will do a comparison after 4 weeks are up to see if it really does boost lashes. It's interesting to note that on the package, the product claims to make lashes appear fortified, nourished, and strengthened. That's great and all, but if I'm going to apply a serum twice a day, I want my lashes to appear thicker, longer, and flirtier.

I'll let you all know how it goes!

A Blast From the Past

2010-01-28T23:11:00.001-05:00

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

2010-01-27T23:58:00.003-05:00

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

2010-01-22T21:38:00.001-05:00

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

2010-01-21T20:54:00.002-05:00

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

2010-01-20T23:54:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-19T23:43:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-13T19:49:00.001-05:00

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

2010-01-13T03:07:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-11T11:12:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-06T23:45:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-04T23:52:00.000-05:00

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?

Review: Clairol Perfect 10 Haircolor

2009-12-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I reviewed my experience with Frederic Fekkai at-home hair color. Over Thanksgiving, I noticed I had almost an inch of roots coming in (different lighting at my parent's bathroom). This time, I decided to change it up and dye my hair using Clairol's Perfect 10. I've used it once before, so I felt comfortable going with the drugstore brand. I did a lot of research on at-home hair coloring kits prior to my first time using Perfect 10, but since it was touted as a great, innovative product by all of the major beauty/fashion magazines, I was sold.

The hype around this product is that it only takes 10 minutes to process...up to 15 if you are covering grays. This makes it a bit quicker and easier to use than the Fekkai, which takes about 3 times as long to process, but really once it's on, who cares? The other thing that sets it apart is it's comb applicator. The comb screws onto the bottle of color, and has holes that deposit color as you comb through hair. It's supposedly easier for beginners and those who have trouble applying color to their own hair. I found it a bit difficult to use. For one, I had applied color to my roots using the traditional applicator tip and let that process for 5 minutes before moving on to the rest of my hair. After that I tried to distribute color through my hair with the comb applicator, but eventually gave up and used my gloved hands. The application process was still easier for me than the Fekkai bowl and brush set, especially since I realized a couple of days later that I had missed a large section of hair when I was using the brush.

Processing time was short and sweet - well, not literally, but the smell wasn't too bad, and wasn't overwhelming. I do like the conditioner that's included in the kit, which you are meant to apply once a week for 6 weeks. They probably figure by then you're ready to color your hair again. I used shade 4G, Dark Golden Brown, which was within a couple of shades of my color. My hair came out glossy and evenly colored. I've heard some people have had issues with their color fading fast using Perfect 10, and I'll be keeping a close eye on that this time. For now, I'm still happy with it, but I also only shampoo my hair a few times a week, always with color-formulated products, and I try to deep condition once a week. I use Pureology ColourMax spray to help prevent UV fading.

A tip if you do decide to purchase - go to Target. I bought mine for full-price at CVS for $13.99, and a couple days later was at Target, where I noticed it retails for $9.99, and that's not a sale price. I have no idea why CVS would be almost 50% more, but that's a big difference when we're talking discount hair color.

Bottom Line

Product: Clairol Perfect 10

Website: http://www.clairol.com/

Retail Price: $9.99 - 13.99

Category: Hair Color

Recommendation: A good alternative to the pricier Frederic Fekkai

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume + Length = Love

2009-12-20T10:48:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I reviewed CoverGirl's new LashBlast Length mascara (yellow tube), and while it did add length, I was disappointed at how sparse my lashes looked. I had already been using LashBlast Volume mascara (orange tube) for a few months, so I decided to so a little experiment. Since the magic of mascara isn't as much about the product formula as it is the brush itself, what would happen if I layered LashBlast Volume on top of LashBlast Length? Great looking lashes, that's what. Now why they couldn't put this together in one tube...well like I said, it's about the brushes. Maybe they could make a double-wand tube of mascara that would eliminate the need to use 2 tubes, but for now I'll make do. If you have a mascara that you're not in love with, but aren't ready to toss, try layering if with another formula and see if it adds up to great lashes.

e.l.f. Available at Target

2009-12-16T23:19:00.000-05:00

As if there weren't enough reasons to love Target, here's another one for all those beauty recessionistas out there. e.l.f., which stands for eyes, lips, and face, is now being sold at Target. I'm not sure which other retails stores sell it, but I personally never saw it available except online. For those not familiar with the brand, it's decent quality makeup, with each piece being sold for $1 (they have added some "premium" mineral items that may go for a buck or two more now).

I've always wanted to try many of the items, but couldn't justify spending as much on shipping as I do on products - not that shipping is more expensive than other places, but when the items are so cheap, you'd need to buy a bucket-full to make it worthwhile. While trying to finish up my Christmas shopping today, I came across the e.l.f. display and allowed myself to pick up a trio of Plumping Lip Glaze. This specifically is a product I've been wanting to try. The colors in the trio are gorgeous, and look exactly like the Bare Escentuals Buxom Lip Polishes that I love. Each gloss has a dual applicator - one side a clear plumping gloss, and the colored gloss on the other end. I'll be back with a review once I've had a chance to try them all out, but anything from this line would make a great stocking suffer!

Inspiration for the New 'Do

2009-12-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

I'm getting my haircut tomorrow, and this is the pic I'm going to show my stylist for inspiration. Ted Gibson created the look, and while Ted has opened a salon in DC, I think his haircuts run about $700-$800. Hmmm, I think I'll just use his design for inspiration.

It's Hair Week!

2009-12-09T00:29:00.000-05:00

I'm finally getting my haircut this week after 6 months. 6 months people!! I haven't gone this long without getting my hair done since I've had control over making my own appointments. I really can't wait. I'm also dying my hair. This time I'm going with Clairol's Perfect 10 instead of the Frederic Fekkai I went with last time. I'll report back and let you know if it's worth paying twice the price.

Tip: Creating Waves

2009-12-02T23:58:00.000-05:00

For as much as I love beauty products, I consider myself to be somewhat hair-styling challenged. I did the perm, big bang thing during middle/high-school, but for the most part keep my styling routine to a minimum. Granted, I have about 20 shampoos and conditioner at any given time in the shower, boxes of styling products, and the latest and greatest ionic tools, but if I have to spend more than 10 minutes (blow drying time included), I start to get antsy. I've even been trying to take top stylists' advice to wash your hair as least often as possible (not working helps, but I can't get up to the recommended week), just so I don't need to deal with styling it.

However, there are those times that call for a little something extra, and just love the look of long loose waves/curls. My experiences with curling irons haven't been too great. They've involved either curling my bangs in the late 80s/early 90s that involved cans of hairspray, or somehow burning my neck. But always, always, they've involved a little crimp at the ends. I hate that little crimp. So I found a way to get rid of it, and it's so simple that it's genius. Instead of opening the clamp, wrapping hair around the barrel, then closing the clamp - just don't use the clamp at all. Some people actually use tools to remove the clamp, but it works just as well to wrap hair around the closed iron all together. Your hair will need to be long enough to wrap around the barrel at least a couple of times while keeping a tight grip with your fingertips on the ends. I've used this technique a bunch of times now, and have yet to burn my fingers, so don't worry too much about that. And the best part? Use enough hairspray or styling product, and the waves look even better a bit messed up the next day. So no need to restyle.

Beauty Bargain! 20% Off Bobbi Brown

2009-11-30T11:00:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season to not pay retail for beauty products. It may take a little extra effort, and you may have to search for online coupons (or find them here!) and buy direct from your favorite brands, but it makes sense to stock up on the essentials while you can save 20%. The good ones never go on sale at department stores, and rarely at big-box beauty retailers.

The latest comes from Bobbi Brown, which in my opinion carries the best gel eyeliners out there. Pick up a basic, and a fun color for your holiday parties. The deal is 20% off and free shipping with any order totaling more than $65 - not hard to rack up when shopping at Bobbi Brown. Click here to start your shopping!

Wish List: Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray

2009-11-29T23:59:00.000-05:00

Ever wish you could spray your face with hairspray (hypothetically) the same way you can to your hair so your makeup will stay in place all day? Well now you can, with finishing sprays from Skindanavia. Available at drugstore.com, various formulas are available that promise to keep makeup in place, keep skin looking dewy, matte, or whatever you like. Word on the street is that they use it on the models of Project Runway. I guess they don't advertise this since it's not part of the L'Oreal line...

Review: CoverGirl Lash Blast Length

2009-11-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

It seems like once or twice a year there's a big drugstore mascara launch, and the most recent is CoverGirl's Lash Blast Length. The original Lash Blast Volume mascara was a big deal, so I was fairly excited to try out this new one, since frankly what girl couldn't use a little extra lash length?

I've been using this now for several weeks, and I have mixed emotions. I can't argue that it makes my lashes appear longer. The long, thin brush is specially designed for this apparently, and a couple of coats makes a noticeable difference. However, I've been using CoverGirl's Lash Blast Volume mascara before, and maybe I was expecting too much - like an improvement on that formula. This mascara doesn't thicken at all. Zero. Zilch. I might try combing the two, doing a couple coats of each to see how that works out. For now, I'm using this as my daytime mascara since it looks pretty natural and doesn't flake off, but I probably won't buy it again. Frankly, I need more from a mascara.

Bottom Line

Product: CoverGirl Lash Blast Length Mascara

Website: www.covergirl.com

Retail Price: $7.99

Category: Mascara

Recommendation: Pass on this one if you're looking for more than length

Beauty Bargain! 20% Off Lancome Friends & Family Event

2009-11-24T22:53:00.000-05:00

A friend who's family actually works at Lancome (so lucky!) passed this deal along. Now through November 30th, take 20% off everything AND get free shipping on all purchases by entering HOLIDAYJOY2 at checkout.

My pick to try is the new Oscillation Power Foundation - a mineral foundation with a vibrating applicator, similar to the vibrating mascara wands that have been popping up all over the place. Supposedly it offers up flawless coverage and smoother skin. It sounds like a gimicky concept, but I'm always a sucker for new things.

Beauty Bargain! Perricone MD Friends & Family 25% Off

2009-11-24T02:30:00.000-05:00

Perricone MD is having a pre-Thanksgiving friends & family sale. Score some products you've been wanting to try at $25% off through November 25th. Go to perriconemd.com and enter code friends at checkout. Happy shopping!

Tip: Leftover Bananas

2009-11-20T19:51:00.000-05:00

Bananas are my cheap go-to fruit. No matter what season and how broke I am, I can still feel slightly virtuous about getting some sort of fresh produce into my system by buying bananas. However, sometimes I do overestimate how many I'll actually eat, and they do all ripen at the same time. So what to do when you're left with an extra banana or two that's just a little too ripe for your liking? Put it on your face, not in your face. Mash up half a banana and apply to clean skin like a mask. Leave it on for 15 minutes to fight dry winter skin. Rinse off well (you don't want to walk around with food on your face). Now you don't have to feel guilty about not eating all your fruit, and you'll have soft skin too. A win-win situation.

Wish List: New York Nat Headbands

2009-11-19T23:51:00.000-05:00

Hair accessories count as beauty products, right? I am currently lusting over several styles from New York Nat's Fall 09 and Holiday collections. Two of my favorites are

The Sophia:

The Cleopatra

Unfortunately these are pretty pricey - $88-$98 a piece. However, DailyCandy is offering a 25% discount for a week if you enter DCNYNAT at checkout. These would look great with party dresses for New Years Eve!

Tip: Use Body Scrub Before Showering

2009-11-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

It's important to exfoliate the skin on your body, just as it is to exfoliate the skin on your face. Now that it's getting colder outside, and dryer inside, skin starts to suffer. For an extra super treatment, use your favorite body scrub on dry skin before you get into the shower next time, for a spa-like experience. Rinse off and shower as normal, with the added benefit of getting a smoother shave.

I find that I do this almost exclusively now (as opposed to using body scrub while showering), as long as I remember before getting under the spray. It just seems like a lot of scrub slips off of wet skin and is wasted. Plus, the lack of moisture on dry skin causes more friction with the scrub and violia, more dry skin gone.

Beauty On A Budget: Baking Soda Exfoliator

2009-11-10T23:53:00.000-05:00

If the economy has got you down, and you can't spend as much on products as you would like, eliminate the need to buy an additional product by making your own face exfoliator with products you already have on hand. Add a small amount (1/2 tsp or so) to your regular facial cleanser, and apply as usual. Take extra care not to get in your eyes, and for God's sake don't use the baking soda that's been sitting in your fridge for 2 years. Otherwise, you're good to glow!

Beauty Bargain! 40% Off Shu Uemura

2009-11-09T12:11:00.000-05:00

Hautelook.com is having a sale on Shu Uemura - 40% off select items from the line. A must-have is the Shu Uemura lash curler. It's the only kind I use. If you're not a member of Hautelook, sign up here: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/66257

Beauty On Board

2009-11-08T23:39:00.000-05:00

So I have a hard time packing light in normal circumstances, but flying across the country with a dog as my carry-on called for some serious purse cleaning. Even though I checked a bag, there are necessities that a girl needs on hand for 12 hours of travel. Since I wasn't sure if lipgloss would count as a liquid or gel, I wanted to make sure everything fit into my little 1-Quart plastic bag. I wasn't about to risk having lipgloss or expensive hand cream getting confiscated.

I realized on my return (I'm still carrying around my little ziploc bag in my purse - it's kinda convenient) that even though I took out at least 6 lip products before I left, I still went with 3 glosses (including my Amber and Destiny), a lipstick, a lipstain, a lip balm, and a long-wearing lipstick/gloss. Is that too much? Apparently, since I only used about half of them. But I've realized they are my safety blanket, so I'm okay with it. Do you have a beauty safety blanket too?

Halloween Makeup Looks From MAC

2009-10-29T15:15:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween! Lipglossrehab will be on vacation for a week, but celebrate with these great looks from MAC. You may want to leave these to the professionals....

A step-by-step guide to this look can be found at http://www.maccosmetics.com/looks/print/Halloween1.pdf

Great Face: Kristen Stewart in Allure

2009-10-28T14:20:00.001-04:00

Kristen Stewart (of Twilight fame) is on the cover of this month's Allure magazine. She has a very small spread inside, but the makeup job done by Dick Page is amazing in this shot:

I am loving her smoky eye, done in a shimmery charcoal, along with a pretty nude lip. All makeup is from Lancome, however of course not all products used are listed. It would be fabulous if that eye could be achieved with one eye shadow and some black liner, but I seriously doubt that's the case. Regardless, I'm adding Lancome Color Design Eye Shadow in Volcano to my wish list. Throw in the L'Absolu Rouge Lipcolor in Rich Cashmere too please.

New Product Alert! Maybelline Super Stay 24HR Makeup

2009-10-27T23:25:00.000-04:00

Maybelline has come out with a new (well, new a month ago) foundation called Super Stay 24HR Makeup. Supposedly, it will stay on, and stay flawless for 24 hours, through heat, humidity, sweat, etc.

Has anyone tried this? I'm hesitant to put it on my wish list since I've been a Bare Escentuals addict for years, but 24 hour coverage is so tempting....

Tip: Mirror Height

2009-10-26T23:44:00.000-04:00

Many women use makeup mirrors (either magnifying or non) to apply cosmetics. While there are many important aspects that go into achieving great face (lightening, brushes, etc), one that isn't heard about much is mirror height. When applying make-up you want to be looking directly into the mirror, something that may need to be adjusted if you are using a table-top or vanity makeup mirror. I actually put mine on top of a makeup case so when seated at my vanity (aka dining room table) I'm no longer looking down at the mirror. Looking down at a mirror causes shadow and darkness under the eyes that might not actually be there, enticing you to cake on concelear.

I don't recommend looking up constantly moving your mirror around, but here's a fun trick. Next time you're out touching up powder or checking yourself out in a compact mirror try looking at yourself while holding the mirror at 3 different heights - first at chest level, then eye level, then above your head. You'll always look best (and youngest) when you're looking up at a mirror instead of down at one. Keep looking up, ladies!

Ultimate Beauty Bargain!! Sephora 20% Off

2009-10-24T23:07:00.000-04:00

Ladies, start your surfing! Sephora is having a very rare Friends & Family sale, with 20% off everything online. Now's the time to stock up on your staples like skin care and foundation that never go on sale. Enter code FF2009at checkout and maybe pick up a few fun finds or get some Xmas shopping done early while you're at it.

Battling Breakouts

2009-10-22T23:33:00.000-04:00

Everyone gets breakouts from time to time, but what should you do if you constantly have issues with acne? Luckily there are many skin care brands out there with lines dedicated to treating all kinds of pimples. I happen to like Mario Badescu products, but I think it's important to experiment and see what works best with your particular skin. There are some great drugstore products out there that work just as well as the department store brands. Some tips to keep in mind:

Hormones have an impact on breakouts. The reason some birth control pills help with acne is because they regulate hormone levels. If you're on a "natural" cycle, you may notice that your skin gets super-oily right before and/or during your period. You may want to use a different cleanser and a different routine during that time of the month.
Determine your skin type. While everyone can get pimples, you need to know what you're starting with. An easy test is to determine skin type is to rip off pieces from a brown paper bag and press on your skin first thing in the morning. If if you can see oil has absorbed into the paper, that area of your face is oily. Do this on your forehead, nose, chin (T-zone) and on cheeks. If all areas are oily, you have oily skin; if none are, your skin is normal or dry, and if the T-zone is oily, you have combination skin. The following are tips for treating breakouts for oily and combination skin:

Wash your face morning and night (but not more than that - stripping your skin causes oil glands to work overtime, defeating the purpose). Use a cleanser with salicylic acid, such as Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, or Clean & Clear Oil-Free Continuous Control Acne Wash
Make sure your skin is hydrated. Hydrating skin and using a moisturizer are two different things. Some skin may be oily enough that you don't need to use moisturizer, or perhaps not in the T-zone. Dr. Perricone makes a good Skin Clear Hydrator, as part of his acne line. Almost every skin care company makes an oil-free moisturizer if needed.
Exfoliate. The number of times per week to do this depends on the product you use. Some can be used daily, but work your way up to see how skin reacts. Make sure you are exfoliating clean skin so dirt and cells aren't driven further into pores, and follow up immediately with a hydrator or serum so clean pores are filled with "good" stuff. This is a case when synthetic is better than natural - some natural exfoliators (those with apricot pieces for example) can actually damage skin instead of help it. Microscopic jagged edges of natural exfoliants can cause microscopic tears in pores and skin.
Use spot-treatments as needed. Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion is my personal fave. Again, just be careful not to overdo it, since the only thing worse than a pimple, is a pimple surrounded by dry, flaky skin. For daytime, Almay, Revlon, Rimmel and more all make concealers containing salicylic acid to heal pimples while concealing.
Prevent scarring. Well all know we're not supposed to pop and pick, but it's SO tempting. I don't know why. However you get there, once the pimple is drying up, dab a bit of Neosporin on it. It helps to moisturize the area, keep bacteria out, and prevent scarring all at once.

How Sweet! Bare Escentuals Sweet Obsessions

2009-10-21T22:50:00.001-04:00

Bare Escentuals has come out with the cutest eyeshadow kit, bareMinerals Sweet Obsessions (note: Bare Escentuals labels its loose mineral cosmetics as Bare Escentuals bareMinerals. I have no idea why, but that's too convoluted for me, so I drop the bareMinerals). This kit contains 9 different eyeshadows, and retails for $48. I'm not planning to buy it, but I'm just a sucker for cute packaging. Each shadow is in a little foil cup, as though they are little chocolates or truffles. Less calories here though.

Review: L'Oreal ReFinish Chest, Arms & Hands Micro-Dermabrasion Kit

2009-10-20T23:08:00.000-04:00

We all know by looking at Madonna, SJP, and loads of others that you can botox, tighten and lift all you want, but your hands will give away your true age. I think that while a lot of women are good about moisturizing, they don't think about anti-aging for hands. A major tool in the anti-aging aresenal is exfoliation. I use at-home micro-dermabrasion products on my face, so why not on my hands. The skin on hands is thicker, and has a different texture than facial skin, so it stands to reason that facial dermabrasion products won't be "tough" enough for hands.

The L'Oreal ReFinish Chest, Arms & Hands Micro-Dermabrasion Kit is designed (as the title implies) is great for exfoliating hands. The kit comes with 2 products, an aluminum oxide crystal exfoliant and a post-treatment moisturizer. The exfoliator is applied to clean, damp hands and massaged on for 1-2 minutes. Immediately after rinsing, you will notice a difference in the texture of your hands, and over time it's supposed to reduce the appearance of sun-spots and discoloration over time. Follow up with the post-treatment moisurizer, which is labeled as being good for stretch marks, but I've only used it on my hands. It seems to me to be just a regular moisturizer. The kit should be used 2-3 times a week, and to be honest I don't remember to use it that often. But I'll keep it next to my kitchen sink to serve as a reminder to use it more often. After all, I'm not looking to get a "hand-lift" anytime soon.

Bottom Line

Product: Review: L'Oreal ReFinish Chest, Arms & Hands Micro-Dermabrasion Kit

Website: www.lorealparisusa.com

Retail Price: $24.99

Category: Hands

Recommendation: It looks like L'Oreal has discontinued their "Body Expertise" line that this was a part of, but you can still snap this up on Amazon.com. Click here to get it a great price of $6.98 plus shipping.

Skin Care Tips From Dr. Oz!

2009-10-19T23:55:00.000-04:00

If anyone out there hasn't heard of Dr. Oz, he's a doc that knows everything about everything. He's the co-author of all the YOU books (YOU On a Diet, etc), and went from being on a few episodes of Oprah a year to now having his own syndicated show. On today's episode, he gave some tips for keeping your skin looking and feeling soft.

Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to your bath. I would do this if I actually took baths, but I don't.
Exfoliate and moisturize at the same time, by cleansing with a poof/washcloth/body brush, etc using a moisturizing body wash. Check and check. Ideally you should do this while taking your olive oil bath, so the oil can penetrate into skin at the cellular level.
Dry skin off after cleansing and apply moisturizer. Again, check.
Make sure you nourish your skin from the inside by getting enough zinc in your diet. This is a new one to me. Good food sources of zinc are meat and oysters. Yeah, I don't eat much meat and definitely don't eat oysters. However, this is a good time of year for non-meat eaters and zinc, since pumpkin seeds contain about 70% of the RDA per serving. Roast seeds in the oven after carving your jack-o-lantern, or buy them pre-roasted year-round at most supermarkets (also called pepitas).

The Problem With Palettes

2009-10-17T22:32:00.000-04:00

I have a love-hate relationship with makeup palettes. When I see a good one, like the new Bobbi Brown Washed Rose Palette (currently available at QVC), I want to put it on my wish list. But then I remember something. I've had a few palettes in my day, including last year's Limited Edition Bobbi Brown Mauve Face Palette (pictured above). The colors in the Mauve Palette were all beautiful and worked well on my complexion. But in the end, I never used the lip colors. Sure I suppose there were times when I was getting ready that I'd fish out a lip brush, or apply the color with my fingertips, but it always seemed unnecessarily messy and complicated. Plus, how many times do you apply lipstick and/or gloss during the day? I'm not going to toss it in my bag and take out with me just to re-use the lip color throughout the day. And since most palettes that I've seen don't come with brushes that are even close to usable, you'd have to throw in a travel brush kit in your bag just for shadow and cheek touch-ups. Seems like a lot of makeup to carry without having the essentials (liner, concealer, powder). Is it worth it to buy palettes if you're not going to use a third of the products? I can't decide.

Beauty Bargain! Korres 30% Off

2009-10-16T19:16:00.000-04:00

Korres is a Greek company that makes environmentally friendly beauty products with all natural ingredients. My personal favorite is the best-selling Guava Body Butter. It smells fabulous, and makes skin super-soft. I don't exclusively use all-natural products, but someday I'd like to be so virtuous. Korres makes it easy, and until the end of the month, get 30% off of everything at www.korresusa.com, using code luckybreaks1 at checkout (courtesy of Lucky Magazine).

Review: L'Occitane Ultra Rich Cream

2009-10-15T22:49:00.001-04:00

It's getting to be that time of year again, when the air is crisp, football reigns supreme, and my hands get impossibly dry. The lack of humidity and cold air just sucks the moisture out of skin, and combine that with my need to wash my hands a million times a day, and my hands are toast. Even worse, dry hands look like old hands, and I'm sure not ready for that.

Enter L'Occitane Ultra Rich Cream. Although it's not just for hands, that's primarily where I use it. The cream is 25% Shea Butter, which is an expensive ingredient, so it's not cheap. Luckily, a little goes a very long way. It's very thick and rich, ans has a slight almond smell, but nothing that is overpowering. I can wash my hands after putting this on and not feel the need to put moisturizer on right away. Even with anti-bacterial super-soaps, hands will still feel supple and smooth.

Bottom Line

Product: L'Occitane Ultra Rich Cream

Website: http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Home.aspx

Retail Price: $21.00

Category: Body

Recommendation: Great for parched skin

Wish List: Silk'n SensEpil™

2009-10-13T23:45:00.000-04:00

Imagine living in a world where you never have to shave or pull your body hair out by its roots. No, I'm not talking about living in the 1970s, I'm talking about laser hair removal. Professional laser hair removal is way out of my price range, and probably will be until I don't care about being 100% silky smooth.

Enter the Silk'n SensEpil, an at home laser hair removal system. Available at Sephora for $499, this is still out of my price range, and replacement lamp cartridges run $50 a pop. But considering professional sessions run in the thousands per area, the Silk'n SensEpil seems cheap in comparison.

I'm Torn! Bare Escentuals Freebies at Sephora

2009-10-12T23:25:00.000-04:00

It used to be that you could never get any deals or discounts at Sephora, but I suppose the upside of the recession is that stores are throwing in bonuses for our business. This week, not only is Sephora offering 5 free samples with purchase instead of the usual 3 (although to be honest, the selection isn't great), there are some Bare Escentuals freebies to be had as well. Beauty Insiders (sign up for free on the website) can choose between a Buxom Lips mini, which we know I love, and a 10-day sample of the new Matte Foundation, which is on my wish list. Maybe I just need to place 2 orders so I can get both....

Something's Fishy About Perricone MD

2009-10-09T22:15:00.000-04:00

Dr. Perricone has been a leader in the anti-aging business for years. He has written books, promoted the use of certain supplements, and of course, created his best-selling skin care line, Perricone MD. Perricone MD products have long been on my wish list (see Cold Plasma), but are generally out of my price range. Well, several weeks ago I came across the Perricone MD blog, which offers up Value of the Day specials. Generally these are travel sized products sold for a special price, which has allowed me to try out a few items.

Unfortunately, Perricone products stink. Literally. They smell like fish. Most of them do anyway. One of the anti-aging ingredients that Perricone uses is DMAE, derived from sardines and anchovies. DMAE is effective at firming skin, so there are other lines on the market that use this ingredient. I wonder if they also smell fishy. I'm still willing to give Perricone MD a chance, since the odor isn't too overwhelming (and I hate fish), but only if I see some major results.

Review: Frederic Fekkai Salon Color

2009-10-08T23:57:00.001-04:00

When I heard that Frederic Fekkai was coming out with at-home hair color for $30 a kit, I mentioned it to my colorist. Her response? He better be coming home with you to put it on for that price! Fast forward a year later and I'm unemployed, have seen (gasp!) a gray hair or two, and am the maid of honor in my sister's imminent wedding. Screw it, I'm using Fekkai.

I admit, while I am an equal opportunity beauty shopper (Wet & Wild eyeshadow is the best!), I still believe that Frederic Fekkai hair color will be better than what I can get at the drugstore. Don't get me wrong, I have used drugstore brands before - prior to having a "real" job, and again after losing that "real" job - but I'm a sucker for a salon brand, and I was able to get it 25% off. So it ended costing me about what I would tip one person if I was getting my hair done at the salon. There are a few other things that set apart Frederic Fekkai Salon Color from other brands. First, it comes with a pre-color treatment that you apply to dry hair to prevent color over-saturation on damaged areas. The delivery system is like that of a salon - brush and bowl. Honestly, it's harder to get this right than it looks. I've used Fekkai twice now, and both times got color all over myself and the bathroom counter. Luckily, this formula wipes right off with a damp cloth without staining. Finally, it comes with a post-treatment mask that I am fairly certain is the Technician Color Care Mask (an amount worth $8).

So the application is a little tricky - it might be best to get help from a friend - but does it work? Absolutely. Of course I wouldn't try to go more than a couple of shades lighter or darker than my current color at home, but I've gone from light/medium brown to dark brown both times with no problem. I have dry, coarse hair naturally, and hair color isn't going to change that, but what really strikes me after using Fekkai is the increase in shine. Usually at a salon if I'm making a color change I need base color, highlights and then a clear glaze to get this amount of shine.

Processing time is 35 minutes, a bit long for at-home kits, but about what I would expect at a salon. Of course when you mix the colors, there is a chemical odor, but it's not overwhelming and didn't bother me at all during processing. My scalp can be sensitive, and there was no stinging or burning at all. The kit also comes with some good tips, such as not shampooing 24 hours prior to coloring, and to dab - not press - color onto hair. There's enough of the treatment mask to last for weeks, which is important in keeping up the color. The only drawback for me is that most women go to a salon and get highlights and lowlights, and the Fekkai color doesn't provide much dimension. I've heard that when dying hair at home, you should use at least 2 different shades (of the same formula) to give your hair dimension, but I'm not at that level of skill yet. Maybe next time.

Bottom Line

Product: Frederic Fekkai Salon Color

Website: http://www.fekkai.com/

Retail Price: $30

Category: Hair Color

Recommendation: A good salon alternative, better when it's on sale

Beauty Bargains! Bare Escentuals

2009-10-07T22:59:00.003-04:00

Update! Sign up as a new member with Rue La La before October 10th and receive a $10 credit good towards any purchase. Credit will show up in your account within 48 hours of joining!!

The members-only sample sale website, Rue La La is having a sale on Bare Escentuals tomorrow! Unheard of! It starts at 11am EST.

If you're not a member, follow http://www.ruelala.com/invite/lipglossrehab and sign up. See you at the sale.

Tip: Free Lip Scrub

2009-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Next time you go to your favorite coffee place, make sure to pick up a few extra packets of raw sugar, and grab some honey of they have it out for tea. At home, mix some of the raw sugar (the grains are much bigger than normal sugar), with a small amount of honey - just enough to make a paste. Rub over lips to exfoliate. It's free (or cheap) and you can just lick of the excess. Yum.

Wish List: Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder

2009-10-05T23:46:00.001-04:00

Another product that's been around for a while is on my wish list, MAKE UP FOREVER HD Microfinish Powder. I have a huge pot of Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil that's kept me from purchasing this, which serves essentially the same purpose - and I don't use loose powder over foundation every day. However, I just can't ignore MUFE HD Powder. Every beauty editor raves about it, and it's won awards, which makes it irresistible to me. It was created to combat the effects of HD cameras on actors (I don't have HDtv yet, but I hear it's not always pretty). It's made completely of mineral silica powder, and comes in only one shade - translucent - so it's supposed to be appropriate for every skin type and shade. I'm willing to pay $30 for the promise of radiant, flawless-looking skin, aren't you?

Tip: Shave With Conditioner

2009-10-03T21:22:00.000-04:00

This is an oldie but a goody. Instead of buying shaving cream, use some old conditioner (or buy the cheapest you can find), and use that to shave your legs. Not only will you get a smoother shave, but your legs will be moisturized in the process.

Wish List: Perricone MD Cold Plasma

2009-10-02T11:45:00.002-04:00

There's been a lot of buzz recently about Perricone MD's new Cold Plasma. It took 5 years to develop and is supposed to work for all ages and all skin tones. It claims to solve basically every skin problem, since it delivers what each individual cell needs to repair and regenerate. There's a lot of information on the website, that goes deeper into the science and technology. At $150 per ounce, Cold Plasma doesn't come cheap, but if it does what it claims to do, it could be worth it. All I know is that I, like most women, are searching for that magic potion that will be the fountain of youth. Could this be it?

Review: Boots No7 Deeply Moisturizing Lipcare

2009-10-01T22:29:00.001-04:00

I was so excited when Target started carrying Boots products a couple of years ago. When I studied abroad during college, Boots drugstores were all over the place, and they carried the most magical, affordable products. Although I was slightly disappointed at the limited selection of products available here at the states, I had to still try some of them out.

No7 is Boots' best-selling skin care and makeup line, and there are many products available that are so good that they have cult followings. The Deeply Moisturizing Lipcare is not one of them. It's one of those products that you use because you have it and you can't find the lip balm that you really love. The lipcare is a white with the consistency of a lotion that absorbs fairly quickly. Lips stay moisturized for about 30 minutes - not the 24 hours like the product claims. After that, lips feel drier than they started out. After a few days of using this, I've noticed that my lips are now dry and flaky - and it's no where near cold enough for that to start happening. Unless you're going for that dehydrated, walking through a desert look, pass on this one.

Bottom Line

Product: Boots No7 Deeply Moisturizing Lipcare

Website: http://www.us.boots.com

Retail Price: $6.99

Category: Lip Balm

Recommendation: Bad Boots!

New Product Alert! Bare Escentuals Deluxe Mineral Foundation

2009-09-30T23:53:00.001-04:00

I've been using Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Foundation almost exclusively since I first discovered it several years ago. It's one of the very few products that I actually use up and need to refill. I keep 2 shades on hand, one for most of the year, and one for when I go fake tanning in the summer (spray-on, not the cancer kind). When I heard about their new Matte Foundation, I knew that would be next on my shopping list. Well, I didn't get a chance to buy it before I heard that they have a Deluxe Foundation in Vanity Jar available for pre-order.

From what I can tell, the formula of the foundation hasn't changed, what makes it Deluxe is that it's twice the size of a normal jar (.6oz vs. .3oz), and of course it's in a fancy jar. It's available for pre-order at QVC.com for $42.72, with a regular price of $50.00. So even with the intro price, add in shipping and you're basically paying the same price/oz as the "non-deluxe" foundation. But with this one you get a shiny lid. I think it's just a matter of personal preference. When I need a refill, maybe I'll pick it up, but more likely will go for the Matte.

Wish List: Clarisonic

2009-09-29T23:46:00.000-04:00

By now most people have heard of (and many use) Sonicare toothbrushes. A few years ago, the guy who invented that sonic technology that cleans our teeth so well, came out with a brush that cleans your skin. The same theory that applies to the toothbrush, applies to the Clarisonic brush. In 60 seconds, the brush moves a million (or so) times to get your face squeaky clean. There are different brush heads depending on the sensitivity of your skin, and they now even have brush heads for the body.

So why have I been lusting after a product that costs between $195-$225 for something I can do with my own two hands? Well, evidence shows that it cleans much better than manual cleansing:

Clarisonic claims that using this brush will improve skin tone, wrinkles, pore appreance, etc. And from all the reviews I've read on this, I believe it really works. What sells me most is that using the brush preps your skin to better absorb all the serums, eye creams, moisturizers, etc. that I spend so much money on already. You wouldn't spend $200 to get your hair colored and then use dollar store shampoo to wash it, right? That's how I justify my need for the Clarisonic. Plus, it comes in pink!

Review: Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

2009-09-28T23:58:00.003-04:00

A few years ago, Olay came out with their In-Shower Body Lotion, and I was totally into it. Since it's an uncontrollable urge for me to try out all new products, I started using it instead of body lotion. But somewhere along the line, I stopped using it and went back to regular lotion. Recently, I realized I have a bottle in my shower (that gives you an idea of how many products are piled in there), and started using it again. While I'm not going to give up my many bottles of lotion anytime soon, there are situations when using the in-shower lotion is more convenient than regular lotion.

We all know that lotion is best applied right out of the shower, to damp skin. On cold mornings, the first thing I want to do right out of the shower is dry off and throw on a robe. Putting on lotion in the shower, eliminates the need to stand freezing in the bathroom to get properly moisturized. Even though putting lotion on in or out of the shower takes the same amount of time, you can multi-task in the shower if you're waiting for a deep conditioner to process. Finally, the best case to use the in-shower lotion is if you have to get dressed immediately after showering (usually if you have guests staying with you, or are someone else's guest). The worst thing ever is to try to dry off, put on lotion, and then put jeans on in a hurry - it's nearly impossible. Being able to put on your lotion, rinse it off, and then dry off makes dressing in a hurry a breeze. Plus, most importantly, this stuff actually works. And it smells great, fresh and clean. The only reason I don't use it more is because I'm so used to my shower routine, that I forget to put it on. Fortunately, it's not like shampoo; lotion can now be used in or out of the shower.

Bottom Line

Product: Olay In-Shower Body Lotion

Website: http://www.olay.com/

Retail Price: $4.99

Category: Lotion

Recommendation: Great in addition to your regular lotion

Retail Therapy: QVC

2009-09-25T12:49:00.001-04:00

Ok, hear me out. Like most people in my age bracket, I assumed that QVC, or any home shopping channel, was for old people and shut-ins. You know, people who buy those creepy dolls, and maybe some sparkly sweatshirts. My experience with QVC was limited to the clips shown on The Soup with Joel McHale. Until last summer when I found myself with a lot of extra free time during the day, and not much on my Tivo. Somehow I came across a beauty product show and I was hooked.

I was stunned at the high-end brands that are being sold there - Philosophy, Ojon, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, and the list goes on. I was even more surprised at the great deals being offered. The great thing about QVC is that you can super-size some of the most popular products, and they don't cost much more than the standard sizes offered at the high-end retailers.

If you're a fan of Bare Escentuals, Philosophy, Ojon, Kate Somerville, and Laura Geller, it pays to keep your eye on the website, or sign up for Beauty notifications. A lot of times these brand will launch products on QVC, meaning you can only buy it there for a certain period of time, and usually you can get them at introductory prices, cheaper than retail. Another plus is that a lot of QVC shoppers provide reviews, so you can get unbiased opinions before you buy. Finally, QVC accepts returns on ANYTHING within 30 days. If a product doesn't work for you, no problem. Even if you used half the tube, you'll get a full refund.

You can't get a deal on every product though. Sometimes there's no difference in retail price, and it's almost unheard of to get free shipping. In those instances, it makes more sense to shop at Sephora and get your free shipping, free samples, and beauty bank points, for those of us who are Sephora Beauty Insiders (if you haven't signed up yet, it's free. Do it.)

Set aside your preconceptions and go over to QVC.com. Peruse the Beauty shelves, and do a little comparison shopping. I can almost guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Some of my favorites:
Philosophy Purity Made Simple, 32oz - $42.50
Bare Escentuals Deluxe Mineral Veil, 1.04oz - $30.00

Review: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

2009-09-24T23:58:00.002-04:00

I don't use a primer every day, but when I'm doing "full" makeup, or want to feel especially secure, I use a foundation primer. Smashbox Photo Finish is the many-times-over award winner that is the gold standard of primers. I use the original clear formula. Smashbox also makes a version with SPF and color correcting formulas. Next time I'll go for the one with SPF, since you can never really be too protected.

One pump of the primer covers the entire face, and leaves it velvety-smooth. The primer basically melts into skin and doesn't feel thick or greasy. It dries almost instantly, and leaves your skin as the perfect canvas for foundation - or to go without makeup, but who does that? It does have some vitamins and extra beneficial ingredients to help skin, but that's what serums are for. What Smashbox Photo Finish does best is it preps skin to be a great base for what comes next.

Bottom Line

Product: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Website: http://www.smashbox.com/

Retail Price: $36.00

Category: Primer

Recommendation: Award-Winning with good reason

Review: Essie Ballet Slippers

2009-09-23T23:57:00.003-04:00

I have been wearing pale pink nail polish almost exclusively for as long as I can remember. Ever now and then I'll mix it up a bit and throw in something trendy, but there are major advantages to wearing the almost-white hue. One, with place shades, it's not so obvious when the polish starts to chip. Since I do a lot of typing, my index and middle fingers tend to chip first (maybe I'm not doing it right). Two, my nails stain easily. If I wear dark polish for even a week, my nails will be yellow until they grow out. And yes, I wear a base coat.

I've gone through a few brands and a few shades of the paleness, but I think I've found the perfect one - Essie Ballet Slippers. I know this isn't a new product to most, but I like it so much, that I had purchased a bottle, and then a few weeks later went to get a mani, and bought it again. I didn't know I was buying a dupe of the same shade - I thought I had Mademoiselle at home. But with the amount I go through, having a backup is a good thing. Two coats gets the perfect opacity - not 100%, but not light enough to see any yellowing or imperfections. The level of chipping depends on the polish, application, but most importantly, the condition of the nails. Since mine vary, I can attest that if your nails are in good shape (and not used as tools) this will go without chipping for days.

Bottom Line

Product: Essie Ballet Slippers

Website: http://www.essie.com/products/

Retail Price: $8.00

Category: Nail Polish

Recommendation: The perfect pale pink

Fill Your Prescriptives Now!

2009-09-22T23:07:00.000-04:00

If you're a fan of the Makeup/Skin Care line that is Prescriptives, stock up now. Although not mentioned yet on their website, Prescriptitves is shutting its doors:

Estée Lauder Companies announced today that it would close the global wholesale distribution of its Prescriptives brand by January 31, 2010. The brand plans to continue to sell online for United States shipping at www.prescriptives.com to help service consumers for replenishment of key products, while inventory lasts. Prescriptives products are currently sold in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

I never really got into this line, but I feel like it's been around forever. I guess it's not selling like it used to. I definitely don't think of it as a hip, modern line, but I do remember it being known as the go-to for "customized" foundation. On the one hand, I'm tempted to buy and try before I can't get my hands on it anymore. On the other, why get addicted to something I won't be able to get my hands on again.

I wonder if Prescriptives will be missed.

And The Award Goes To...

2009-09-21T01:56:00.003-04:00

January Jones definitely has one of my favorite looks of the night. Loving the dress, and the hair and makeup doesn't distract or detract. Wish I could get a close-up though.

Mila Kunis has my favorite makeup of the night. Her dress might not appeal to all, but I'm loving the fall colors, the mauve-y smoky eye, and overall freshness of her look.

It looks like Gennifer cut her hair short again. This look also might not appeal to the masses, but her skin is glowy and flawless. Also loving the color of her dress and the necklace.

I was kind of surprised at how many hot messes there were on the carpet, from a hair and makeup standpoint. A few of the ladies had on some great dresses, that were ruined by the hair (I'm talking to you Gossip Girls). There were a couple that really stood out to me:

Ok, Hayden Panettiere is like 20 years olf or something, and this look ages her about 15 years. I can see she's going for classic Hollywood Glamour, but it's too severe.

Why would Kim Kardashian think this is a good look? She's channeling J-Lo circa 2001. The over-highlighted white-out eyeshadow with spider fake lashes is just scary. Her hair is too severe, and she just looks dated.

Finally, Padma proves that even models can make themselves look like crap if they put enough effort into it.

2009 Emmy Awards - Most Beautiful Actress on the Red Carpet

2009-09-20T19:33:00.002-04:00

So we all know awards shows are all about the fashion. But hair and makeup are just as important as Spanx and jewelry in order to make it the perfect look. The best place to see everyone on the red carpet is to watch E!. But seriously, it just gets more comical each year, and not in a good way. Now I love me some Real Housewives on Bravo, but why is NeNe helping out with commentary? I don't know if they could have found someone less qualified. She'd be my go-to to back me up in a fight, but not so much for fashion and beauty advice. Bring back Kathy - best red carpet commentator ever! I'm most looking forward to seeing the women from Mad Men. Once photos from the carpet are available, I'll post my favorites.

Seriously. I'm thinking I should just watch this on mute. Who approved this NeNe move? Even Jay Manuel can't stand her and he works with Tyra. She said Debra Messing's gown looks like something she'd wear to the grocery store, and that everyone looks boring. Umm, she's wearing a cap-sleeve black cocktail dress. Bam!

Review: Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes Lip Polish Duo Featuring Destiny & Amber

2009-09-20T17:45:00.000-04:00

Since this blog is called Lip Gloss Rehab, I clearly have an obsession with lip gloss. As most girls can attest, it's difficult to find that perfect combination of color, texture, and staying power. Throw lip-plumping abilities into the mix and it's near impossible to find a good gloss. My love for Bare Escentuals Buxom lip glosses - excuse me, lip polishes, began with a full-size tube of Amber - the elusive, perfect shade of shimmering peach, and coincidentally the name of my best friend. Since these are intended to be plumping lip glosses, you get a fabulous little tingle when applying, not a slow burn of raging inferno that can come along with other plumping glosses. How well the plumping actually works is debatable. I personally think that a real difference in lip volume only comes with injectables, but the combination of the tingle and shimmer does make for a somewhat fuller look and feel.

The packaging and application also contributes to what makes up a good gloss. The full size tube is somewhat large, and doesn't make for subtle application or compact carrying. However, Bare Escentuals also sells some of their glosses in mini sizes (usually in packs of 2 or 4). The minis solve the large-tube issue, and still maintain the other positives. The top of the caps are silver, and shiny enough to be used as a mirror when applying. The tube itself is clear so you can see how much gloss is left. And the applicator is my favorite kind - a wand with sponge tip. When I saw the Amber & Destiny 2-pack, I had to pick it up. First, because I was out of Amber, and I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've actually finished an entire tube of gloss and gone back for seconds. And second, because I wanted the opportunity to try out another color.

The second color in this duo is Destiny, is described as "peach nectar", which doesn't tell me much about the color. It's a slightly more intense, brighter color than Amber, but still very wearable. Amber is great for those days when you're going for a more natural look, or are wearing a smoky eye. It's versatile and is my go-to everyday color. Destiny is almost equally wearable, and I would wear it with a smoky eye when going out at night. I often interchange the two during the day, surprising since I don't think of myself as a peach-lip kind of girl.

Bottom Line

Product: Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes Lip Polish Duo Featuring Destiny & Amber

Website: www.bareescentuals.com

Retail Price: $18

Category: Lip Gloss

Recommendation: You can't go wrong with these

Girls and Their Toys! The Ped Egg

2009-09-19T17:41:00.001-04:00

So I think everyone generally accepts that the things you see on infomercials aren't going to work. However, I'd heard some whispers that the Ped Egg might actually work. So when I cam across it at BJs, I decided to pick it up. It doesn't take much for me - I'm weak, I admit it.

They say "The original PedEgg® is the revolutionary foot file that you’ve seen nationally advertised on TV. It’s the newest and fastest way to make your feet feel smooth and healthy with NO MESS! The secret is PedEgg®’s precision micro-files that gently remove calluses and dead skin to give your feet the incredible baby soft look and feel that everybody loves." I say, this cheese-grater in the shape of an egg actually works.

Getting it out of the package was one of the hardest parts. Otherwise, it's a snap (literally) to put together. You just rub it lightly back and forth over the dry or calloused areas and the shavings get trapped in the bottom of the egg. It can be a little difficult to twist the cheese-grater top off of the egg to toss the disgustingness that trapped inside, but you definitely need to toss the shavings frequently, otherwise they can sneak their way out of the cheese-grater holes when you're doing the filing. Also, be careful not to overdo it, which can be tempting. The callouses on the bottom of your feet are there for a reason, and you don't want to leave them completely raw.

Now, I do have to say that I don't get pedicures as often as I should, in order to save money. Plus, I never have them use the razor on my feet because I think it's gross and unsanitary. That may mean I have more dry/calloused areas on my feet than others, so obviously that would make my results seem more dramatic. I don't care, I think it's worth the $10 bucks I spent.

Bottom Line

Product: Ped Egg

Website: www.getpedegg.com

Retail Price: $10

Category: Toys, Pedicure

Recommendation: Not a bad investment to keep your feet looking fresh

Battle! Kate Somerville vs. Mario Badescu

2009-09-19T15:48:00.003-04:00

It's the battle of the blemish potions. I discovered Mario Badescu's Drying Potion a couple of years ago, and it really was slightly life-changing (previously reviewed). I suppose it's not surprising that it's been copied by other skin-care lines. Well, I recently needed a refill of what I call my Magic Potion. I had a few things to order at Sephora, and I noticed that one of my new fave lines, Kate Somerville has come out with EradiKate Acne Treatment which looks and sounds exactly like my Magic Potion. I decided to give it a try.

And I tried. I really did. But it just didn't work for me like my Magic Potion from Mario Badescu. I was honestly disappointed, especially since the Kate Somerville is more expensive. To give you an idea of how unimpressed I was, this is the only thing I have ever bothered to return to Sephora.

Bottom Line

Product: Mario Badescu Drying Potion

Website: www.mariobadescu.com

Retail Price: $17.00

Category: Skin Care, Acne

Recommendation: Buy gallons

Product: Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment

Website: http://www.katesomerville.com/

Retail Price: $22.00

Category: Skin Care, Acne

Recommendation: Pass on this dupe

The Blog is Back!

2009-09-19T13:15:00.000-04:00

So it's been a couple of years, but I've decided to resurrect the blog. I've been sharing my opinions, tips and tricks with friends and family, and it's just as easy to write it all down. I figure that as my product purchases have increased, so has my expertise. I do have to put in the disclaimer that what works for me might not work as well for someone else, and vice-versa. Hair and skin products are especially tricky, but all I can do is share my personal experiences.

Damn You Ulta

2007-06-19T21:41:00.001-04:00

I Went a Little Wet and Wild

2007-04-20T00:10:00.000-04:00

I try to be an equal opportunity makeup addict, but I do admit that as I've gotten older, my purchases have become increasingly high-end. While I regularly buy items from the Sonia Kashuk line at Target, I haven't spent much time perusing the drugstore cosmetics aisles. While waiting for a prescription to be filled last night, I remembered the rave reviews of Wet and Wild products over at Blogdorf Goodman. Aside from the occasional 666 cult-fav lip liner, I've only considered buying Wet and Wild products for Halloween or totally off-the-wall colors I would only use once or twice. But after hearing their new eyeshadow compacts are comprable to the color and quality of some NARS products, I had to reconsider the brand. And honestly, everything is so affordable that I had nothing to lose. I have more than enough Lancome, Chanel, Stila, etc. that didn't work out for me, I might as well have some inexpensive items to be wasting my money on. I spent less than $20 on five products, and managed to try all of them out this morning. I'm happy to report that it wasn't a waste! My eye makeup is still intact almost 18 hours later. The eyeshadow went on very smooth and didn't cake or get all "creasy" (when your eyelids get oily and all the color gets caught in the crease). The liquid liner is waterproof and has a felt-tip applicator. I'm not usually a big fan of liquid liners because I prefer the smudgy look, but it's always good to have one in your repertoire. I never feel "done" unless my bottom lids are lined too, but it's too much to use liquid along my lower lash line. Enter the self-sharpening pencil liner that is black with subtle glimmer. I was just looking at a similar liner at MAC for 6 or 7 times the price, without a built in sharpener and smudger on the other end. The verdict is still out on on the mascara - I put on my usual brand out of habit, and used the Wet and Wild curling mascara as a second coat. It wouldn't be me if I didn't also buy a lip gloss. I chose a melon-pink lip plumper that looks similar to one in the Bare Escentuals collection (which I LOVE), but was a 6th of the price. It smells and tastes like cinnamon, and doesn't burn or make my lips too tingly. I actually like the tingle I get from other brands, but come on, it was 3 bucks. I don't know how much it actually plumped my lips, but the color is cute and sheer and I will definitely put it in my regular rotation. I am so surprised at the quality of Wet and Wild these days - and even more surprised at myself, because I can't wait to get back to CVS and try out more of the collection!

Magic Potion

2007-04-19T13:33:00.001-04:00

Combination skin isn't a glamorous thing. Those of us who have it get the worst of both world - dry patches on our cheeks, whiteheads and blackheads everywhere else. Blackheads have been the bane of my existence since I can remember. I've probably spent a significant amount of money on facewashes, scrubs, masks, etc, all promising to get them out of my pores. Well imagine my joy when I found something that actually works!

I had been meaning to buy the Mario Badescu drying lotion for a while, but never got around to it. While placing an order at Nordstrom (to receive a huge bonus gift), I put this in my cart. It's this crazy pepto-bismal stuff at the bottom with liquid on top....dip a q-tip in and dab on pimple. Well, I did just that the other night, but had some extra on the q-tip that I didn't want to waste, so I put on my nose for shits and giggles. The next morning I washed my face and my blackheads had almost all disappeared. I think I am going to buy a couple of cases of this stuff. You should too.

Barbie Loves MAC Again!

2007-04-17T17:14:00.000-04:00

I thought I had missed out on my chances to own more of the Barbie Loves MAC collection without having to pay through the nose on eBay....but while purusing MAC today, I saw that they re-stocked about half of the sold-out items! Of course they don't have everything I want - no more lipsticks or lipglass (more on why I don't mind that later). I broke out the Springtime Skipper I bought a while back and I love love love it. I am off to buy more eye shadows. These are my favorite looks from the collection that I hope to recreate.

Le Sigh

2007-04-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

Please excuse me while I wipe off the drool. This phone is to die for....and is a steal at only 1,000 Euro - about $1350 at today's exchange rates.

Perfection

2007-04-16T00:34:00.000-04:00

Admit it, Gwen is hot. She has the best individual style of any celebrity out there (ok, minus the pink/purple hair phase with No Doubt), but I've never seen her look as good as she does in the May issue of Harper's. I loved Marilyn Monroe growing up, and Gwen is the spitting image of her in this shoot. I would love to see a shot of her without the makeup and lighting - I'm sure she's beautiful without it, but the power of a good makeup artist is a wonderful thing.

One Stomach Flu Away From My Goal Weight

2007-04-02T00:45:00.000-04:00

Okay, so maybe not quite just one away, but I have to disagree with the Devil Wears Prada. The "diet flu" is just so not worth it. It's about 6 days since I started puking my guts up, and am still not fully recovered. On the plus side, I've definitely dropped some lbs...but I've thrown up in every sink, toilet and tub in the house. With not working for a week, you'd think I'd get a lot done, but no dice. Will update on my shopping escapades from before I got sick soon!

What a Girl Wants

2007-03-10T01:28:00.000-05:00

So Gloss.com is offering free shipping on everything this weekend, and of course I had to check things out. So I'm making a list, but the first thing that caught my attention is the Bobbi Brown Violet Face Pallete. This has been out for a little while, and I've had my eye on it for a couple of weeks. To buy or not to buy.... I've been loving the ease of using palletes lately, and these colors are just gorgeous....let the justification begin!

Magic Concealer

2007-03-06T19:59:00.000-05:00

So I've been using Lancome products in my regular rotation for a couple of years now. It started with Juicy Tubes, of course, but I've started to realize that there are some great other every-day products. I tend to find my basics and stick with them, but in order to take advantage of a free gift with $50 purchase (I am such a sucker for product samples), I decided to move beyond the Juicy and Proenza. I've been using Bobbi Brown concealer for a few years now, but have been looking for something different. Taking a leap (after doing a little digging), I bought the Flash Retouche in Voile de Lumiere....and it is AMAZING! I can't believe how well it covers while brightening and looking natural. I have even considered going without foundation after using this. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new way to look like you actually sleep.

To Proenza or Not

2007-03-04T15:43:00.000-05:00

So I've had my Proenza Pink lipstick from Lancome for a couple weeks now, but haven't been able to "break the seal". Everyone who has seen this lipstick in person, knows that it's not immediately viewed as a very wearable color. It definitely has potential, but I would feel so guilty "testing" it out on myself and then deciding it doesn't work for me. I guess I will just have to keep waiting until I'm ready to experience the Proenza!

SWF ISO The Perfect Makeup Case

2007-03-02T23:29:00.000-05:00

So being a beauty addict, I have boxes, bins, and shelves overflowing with products. I've been forever searching for the perfect train case or something similar that I could at least store the majority of my haul. All that I've been able to find are cases that are way to small for my stash. On the other side of the spectrum, I've seen huge roller cases for hundreds of dollars that would be great if I were a makeup artist, but unfortunately I'm not. Please, please leave suggestions in the comments if you know of a great case!

Beauty Bargains!

2007-03-01T20:48:00.000-05:00

SheFinds sent out a fabulous deal today on some cult favorites. They are offering 20% off on DuWop, Anastasia (I have one of her excellent brow kits), and much more.

GlindaGirls.com is home to the gals behind the beauty and fashion industry's most inspiring success stories. DuWop Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Cake Beauty, Alora Ambiance and more. Exclusive for SheFinds Readers: Enter Promo Code SheFinds and receive 20% off everything thru to March 7th, 2007

Happy Shopping!

Step 1: Admitting you have a problem

2007-02-28T19:25:00.000-05:00

So now that I've begun documenting my lip gloss addiction, I started to wonder exactly how many tubes of gloss I actually have (including sample sizes). My goal for this weekend is to get them altogether in one place and count. That will include those that I have in all my office desk drawers, so my homework is to make sure I grab all of those before the weekend. I'm going to take a blind stab and say....53.

Tivo Meltdown!

2007-02-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

Sorry, this isn't beauty related, but my Tivo just had a meltdown, which in turn, gave me one. It just froze on the program list screen, and I had to unplug it to reboot....right in the middle of Veronica Mars! I hope by some miracle that it didn't cut off 10 minutes of the show, but I don't think I am so lucky. Damn you double-edged sword that is technology.

The whole reason I discovered this problem is because I wanted to see if I am smarter than a 5th grader - some 2-bit show that's on Fox. Based on the one question I saw (the first President to be impeached), I am not smarter than a 5th grader. But I make more money then they do, so suck it.

Jeff Foxworthy is hosting, so I don't know if I can stand to watch for much longer than 2 minutes, but it is fun to see how much of what I learned as a kid has been replaced with useless celebrity facts, makeup brands, and calories per-ounce in every food known to man.

Barbie Loves MAC and So Do I

2007-02-26T22:18:00.000-05:00

Of course everyone knows about the Barbie Loves MAC collection. I got my first pieces last week, and am already considering a second round. I didn't go too crazy, I just bought a few things.

Being a lip gloss addict, I of course had to get a lipglass, in Malibu Barbie. Sweetness and Happening Gal are already sold out online.

I wanted the lipstick in Real Doll, but that's also sold out online...I did get Sweet & Single and was very pleasantly surprised - it's a great every day color. It's just slightly darker than my natural lip color, with a tiny bit of sheen.

Finally, I ordered nail polish in Steamy. It was on back order, so it hasn't arrived yet. I've noticed a lot of the collection is sold out on maccosmetics.com. I wonder if people are collecting pieces because it's Barbie branded, or if they're stockpiling to sell on eBay or something. It's unfortunate, because make-up is made to be worn ladies! Collect the dolls if need be, but the products will only last for so long.

I'm lucky enough to have a MAC store nearby, but I do most of my shopping online (if I'm going to have to pay to park, I might as well pay for shipping). I may have to bite the bullet and actually go to the store for round 2. I'm trying to restrain myself with these limited edition collections. The companies sure know how to get us addicts buying more!

Thoughts on the Red Carpet

2007-02-25T18:10:00.000-05:00

First impressions.... Seriously, E!'s coverage of the red carpet has really gone downhill. Ryan Seacrest is a fiasco. Guiliana (sp?) dress is a horrible color. I know mustard is supposed to be big for spring, but it's not translating well on camera. Plus, she looks like an alien. Debbie looks fabulous, and I am so glad she admitted she doesn't eat. Maggie Gyllenhaal - looks fabulous! I can't believe she just had a baby, it looks like she lost all the weight.

I wonder how many cans of Aquanet JLo used... I can't get a good view of Jennifer Hudson's dress, but the fug metallic jacket does not look like Oscar material to me. Looks much more like an outfit for the Grammys. Rachel Weisz - love the dress, she looks beautiful, but the hair is a bit too deconstructed for me....I think she had the same hairdresser as Cameron Diaz, who's dress looks too casual. I bet some people will slam Penelope Cruz for her dress, but I like the drama of it. I just wish her hair was a bit softer, and her makeup a bit brighter....it just blends too much with the neutral color of her dress. Some pop would be nice. Jessica Biel - she has a sick body, and that dress doesn't highlight it for her. There's something about the fit of the dress and width of the belt that I can't put my finger on. Just saw Gwenyth, and love love love the color of her dress, but not the lipstick. I think she could use a haircut. Beyonce....I just don't get it. It looks like the same old costume that she always wears. Nicole Kidman is stunning of course...but I feel like I've seen her in a similar dress before...maybe in a Chanel ad? Naiomi Watts is one of my favorites, and I especially love the yellow dress. She's already starting to show!

Reese's hair and makeup are flawless. The bangs look great on her...can't get a good look at the dress. Ok, what? Meryl Streep is a size 14? That cannot be possible - Prada doesn't make sizes that big!

Oscars Tonight!

2007-02-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

As everyone knows, the Oscars are tonight! Does anyone really care about the ceremony? For me, it's all about the red carpet. I used love it when Kathy Griffin did red carpet coverage for E!, but now all the commentators are so boring. Who are you looking forward to seeing? I can't wait to see Sienna Miller, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchette, and Jennifer Hudson. It's so good to see a "full-figured" girl on the red carpet. Of course she's probably only a size 12 or something, but I wonder where she gets her clothes. I'm sure they are custom made by designers by now, but they usually only make sample sizes and maybe slightly bigger for superstars. I'll definitely be back to discuss all the fashion winners and losers.

Lip Gloss Addicts Belong in Rehab!

2007-02-25T12:24:00.000-05:00

My addiction started innocently enough; as a child I coveted the small metal tins with the sliding tops, filled with brightly colored goop that tasted of strawberry shortcake, root beer, and countless other sugary sweets. I moved onto Bonnie Bell with the roller-ball applicator, just as sweet and tempting, but it gave me the ability to get that sweet nectar directly to my lips, cutting out that time-consuming hand to mouth action. Fast forward 20 years and my fixation is well known to family, friends, and co-workers. It has spawned drinking games, workplace diversions, and made a sizeable dent in my bank account. The first step in the road to recovery is admitting I have a problem. Do I really want to be cured? Hell no!