Beauty Blog

Have you seen the commercial for the prescription eye lash thickener, Latisse? I’m sure you probably have. It stars Brooke Sheilds, who raves about the wonders of thicker eye lashes and then towards the end of the commercial they throw in the following information “May cause your eyelids to darken or turn yellow”. Whoa, WHAT? First of all, is the need for thicker eyelashes such a problem that we now need to go to the doctor for help? Shouldn’t science be working on a cure for cancer or AIDS before they worry about our wimpy eyelashes?

Interestingly enough, I recently read that the Food and Drug Administration has come down hard on Allergan, the manufacturer of Latisse, for misleading consumers about the risks associated with the product.

The agency said the Latisse website either doesn’t mention potential side effects including bacterial eye infection, allergic reactions, excess hair growth outside the intended treatment area, and permanent changes in iris and eyelid pigmentation, or presents them in small text that is much less prominent than statements about the product’s effectiveness.

The drug is approved to make eyelashes thicker, fuller and darker. The FDA approved it for that use last December. Latisse, or bimatoprost, was already on the market as a treatment for glaucoma.

Hair growth outside of the treatment area?! GROSS! I’ll keep my wimpy eyelashes, thank you very much…

Need a good mascara for your poor un-medicated eyelashes? I have been using this one for years:

Paula Dorf in Chocolate: $20.00

It’s waterproof and it thickens. It comes in several colors, like chocolate, which is great for me. I’m a redhead so my eyelashes are lighter and look a little strange with black mascara.

Shop for affordable mascara at Smarter.com.

Creating dramatic eyelashes is one of the easiest way to get a glamorous look. Avoid using fake eyelashes because the more you glue them onto your eyelids, the more susceptible your eyelashes will be to falling out.

If you want to make your eyelashes stronger, dab a small amount of Vaseline on your eyelashes now and then and you’ll definitely notice a difference.

It’s also advisable to avoid using eyelash curlers because they definitely pull out eyelashes each time you use it. But don’t worry, if you use the right mascara, your eyelashes will curl with the upward motion of your hand. I know that there are even heated curlers available on the market–but do you really want to be spending so much time and effort? Why use four average products when you can just use one excellent one and get the job done in less time and money?

Now, the hardest part: picking the right mascara. Aside from foundation, your mascara is the only other makeup product that you shouldn’t skimp out on. Your lashes speak volumes.

If you already have relatively long eyelashes, the best clump-free mascara that thickens and separates is the Givenchy Phenomen’ Eyes Mascara.

It’s the newest revolution in mascara because of its sphere shape. It really grabs a hold of your roots and when you wiggle the wand around as you gently stroke your eyelashes in an upward motion, each lash is individually enhanced 360 degrees. This is definitely not for those of you with very short, thin eyelashes–using this would be really messy. The Givenchy costs around $23, but the price is totally worth it.

If you have thin, short eyelashes, you should go for the classic, surefire Fatale Mascara from Lancome. It’s got a gentle wand but the amazing formula completely transforms and lengthens your eyelashes like no other product out there. Professional makeup artists use the Fatale and say it’s the best product out there. Whats more, it’s really easy to apply.  Just one stroke will get the job done. Your eyelashes will be long and curled to perfection. It’s around $21 but it’s the perfect splurge for a birthday present.

For the most optimum eyelashes that you can physically create, use the lengthening Lancome mascara AND the Fatale Mascara. Since both products are high quality, there’s no risk of not looking classy. You’ll surely wow the crowd at your next party.

Image sources: Allwomentalk.com

According to 50connect, new research released reveals that the age of 28 has been identified as the “Perfect Age”, when women feel most happy with their love life, self confidence and body shape.  By the time women turned 30 the study however concluded, they are increasingly worried about graying, thinning and unmanageable hair with 72% believing that aging hair (defined as thinning, coarsening, graying) is most likely to reveal their age followed by wrinkles (67%).

I think women should take a page from the adorable The Proposal star Sandra Bullock who is well into her mid 40’s but has retained her enviable youthful looks.  She is one of the rare breed of stars who has aged gracefully without any glaring plastic surgery, yet has managed to retain her “girl next door” charm including her endearing , effervescent personality.  Sandra told Britain’s InStyle magazine recently that her beauty regimes only takes eight minutes.  Can you believe it?  With any other actress, I would be like “Yeah, right!”  But I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.  She comes across as someone who does not take herself too seriously and would totally go for an effortless, easy to maintain beauty routine.  She says:

“I use a face cloth and Artistry cream for my daily beauty regime. I put mascara on today because I wanted to make a bit of an effort.  My entire routine takes eight minutes since I have this mop on my head I need to wrangle.  I wash, condition, put product in if it’s a little haywire.  I like it when it’s messy-in-your-face bedhead.  It looks like it just happened.”

But she did concede that her fitness regime is a little more time consuming: “People ask, ‘How do actresses do it?’  Um - they pay us to do this in order to look good on film.  I do pilates, kickboxing, weight training.  When I’m at home, I run or ride a bike.  If I can work out every day I will.”  Very wise, for how often do we pay excess attention to the face only to ignore the body?  If you find Sandra Bullock as adorable as I do, you may want to pay attention to her professed beauty tips:

1. Artistry Time Defiance Night Recovery Cream, $ 61

2. Artistry Time Defiance Day Protect Cream SPF 15, $61

3. Artistry essentials mascara, $ 14

Also check out Smarter.com for fresh Pilates and kickboxing ideas.

Find discounts on anti-aging cream.

Photo Courtesy: http://movies.msn.com

 
YouTube - Watch MASCARA - Speed Painting Bette Davis Eyes

Wow that was awesome! Thanks to the Jack & Hill Beauty Blog.

While in the Land of Smarter Beauty: 

•  Searching for a great Mascara? Check out the Dior Black Out Mascara! 
•  Awesome Fing’rs Nail Decor - Rockin’ Nails Make a Comeback
•  Dye your Eyelashes - Should I DO it?!

My friends and I are going to Vegas in a few weeks and we are all going to a spa together. Part bonding, part we don’t gamble and don’t have anything else to do while the guys gamble… 

So we were perusing the features available at the hotel we are staying at and we all decided that we want to get facials, massages and one of my friends suggested we get our eyelashes dyed!

Hmm… interesting. I have never done this and I was wondering if it’s a good idea? I mean not to be silly but if you don’t have much lashes (I’m Asian) to begin with how remarkable will it really be to dye the few strands present? Then again I suppose the sole purpose of mascara is to darken and thicken the eyelashes you have correct? So maybe this whole dyeing eyelashes thing does that for you without the fuss.

What I want to know from anyone who comes across this is:

• Is dyeing your eyelashes worth it?
• Is it safe?
• How long does it last?

That is all. Maybe I’ll do it and keep you guys posted, that way I can expense the process and chalk it up as research for this blog. Ha! 

Well my sister and I were having lunch on Saturday and while we were waiting to be seated I asked her if I could borrow her mascara because in my laziness I did not wear any makeup and now that I was surrounded by moderately good looking people, I regretted it.

So she handed me her tube of Dior Black Out Mascara - OMG - loves it!

It’s really great when you come across great products on the spur and when you have no idea or conception that you are looking for something.  So there I was no eyelash curler present, just my tube of Dior mascara and plumping wand…. a few strokes thru my pathetic lashes later and BAM! - thick, black long lashes.

Great product, really works seriously. I went to Sephora immediately after lunch and bought my very own tube. Tis’ now my current favorite mascara.

If you are searching for show stopping black eyelashes - try DIOR BLACK OUT MASCARA.

For more  Discount Mascara, Click here!

So one of the gifts I received this Christmas was a package of assorted “colored” mascaras!

I hesitate to name the brand I received because I have yet to try them and don’t feel like endorsing them just yet. I want to see if they are any good first before I give them a thumbs up.

Anyhow, the mascara package contained the following colors; blue, maroon-ish, yellow and green. Umm, Hi! It’s like mascara by Dr. Seuss. Well being the adventurous freak I am at the core; I dig it. I definitely want to give them a try for New Year’s! I don’t think it is a look that I intend on featuring day to day at thee ol’ office but clubbing and parties sound fun.

Anyone try or use colored mascara often? What do you recommend I use? I have brown eyes and pale skin, I was leaning towards the blue…

If there is a particular brand or color that you already favor and would like to discount shop for colored mascara, click here! 

I have been searching for the perfect mascara since I was old enough to wear it.

I have found so many “nearly perfect if…” mascaras, tried about 3 dozen completely dreadful mascaras and have just plugged along with some good ones. My short list of “good” mascaras over the years has been Yves St. Laurent Faux Cils, Lancome Intencils, Maybelline Full N’ Soft and L’Oreal Voluminous. While good, they all have ingredients I choose to avoid.

Finding a paraben-free, phthalate-free and palm oil free mascara is HARD. Most “natural” mascaras, including L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Mascara, still contain palm oil derivatives. If you’re an animal lover like I am, then you’ll want to skip palm oil in your products because the palm oil trade is singlehandedly responsible for probable extinction of the orangutan population within the next decade.

At a recent trip to Sephora , I came across Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara. It has everything I was looking for (or not looking for) on its ingredients list: no parabens, no phthalates, no mineral oil, no palm oil derivatives! With all of those requirements met on just the package, was it possible that this be a match made in cosmetics heaven?

I’ve been using Lash Hugger for about 3 weeks now. I am in love. I think it was love at first sight. It’s everything I have searched for in a mascara. It really adds volume to my lashes. I have naturally long lashes, but they are pretty light and fine. Lash Hugger lengthens without looking artificial. I do my makeup by 6am. I don’t take it off until 10 or 11pm. This lasts all day without flaking. It doesn’t smudge. My eyes are very sensitive and can water easily. I also have allergies. This normally causes my mascara to get into my eyes when that happens and then my eyes get red and burn. Zero, zip, nada redness. This truly is mascara perfection.

I should also mention that this eco-friendly mascara comes in a recycled aluminum tube as well.

If Tarte ever discontinues this $18 gem, I am going to be lost without it. It is a truly phenomenal product. I honestly thought I’d have to keep settling for decent mascaras. Now I have found “the one.”

Check out the Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Mascara, click here. 

If you are still searching for your favorite mascara, click here!  

Are you a finicky mascara user? Not even halfway done with the tube and your already eyeing bigger and better products at the makeup counter? Well then this deal is for you..

Try the Lash Stash from Sephora! It’s 7 of Sephora’s bestselling mascaras for $28 dollars.

(Source: Beauty and the Blog)

The incessant press coverage of Obama’s family could be argued that it comes with the territory of “Running for President” but the focus on his wife and children angers me. Especially when a racial perspective is added:

“i thought i might give the obama’s a tip. although hip-hop is more popular with suburban than urban youth in the u.s., no one in the apalachians gets cornrolls.” - ACCESS HOLLYWOOD

First of all it’s corn-ROWS stupid, not corn-ROLLS and more importantly what does that have to do with ANYTHING?!!

(Source - Afrobella)

While in Smarter Beauty Blogging…

Having fresh breathe is easy and portable! Check out Dentaburst…

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