Manicure Monday : STRIP IT!!

When I was little, like most pint sized girls, I wanted to be a "big girl." This meant wearing dangly earrings--out of the house, carrying a purse, collecting as many Avon lipstick samples as I could find in grandma's room, and putting on eyeshadow with my index finger. But no such item was quite as coveted as having long nails. I yearned for it. The desire to outstretch my arm and fan my fingers to see long, red, gleaming oval tips (it was the 80's) was insatiable. To me it symbolized the utmost in sophistication, glamour and "big girl-ness." I begged for Lee Press-On Nails, but they were to big for my little fingers. So my Mother, always creative, used scotch tape to make fake stick on nails. She would cut the edges into perfect ovals and I'd run all over the apartment picking things up and putting them down, admiring my fingers at every turn. Since they were pretty fragile I could really only get one use out of them. But try telling that to an obsessed 6 year old. Every night we'd stick them onto the refrigerator door to use again "tomorrow." And of course the next day mom would cut me a new pair. Eventually the fridge was covered in scotch tape.

And here I am today, twenty-five years later and I'm still sticking things onto my nails. Which brings us to this weeks product, Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. Inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Bneato, I decided to give these fun, flirty strips a try. Now these have been in the stores for a little while and initially I just sort of glanced over and dismissed them. I'd felt the pictures looked to graphic-y and was skeptical about their ability to "stick on" effectively to your nail. But low and behold I've been proven wrong by a fellow blogger. Basically, they're exactly what they claim--nail polish strips that you press onto your nails. Each strip feels very similar to paint that's dried on skin and been peeled off. Sort of like dried acrylic paint or very thin vinyl. They even smell like nail polish but not in an overwhelming way. They come in a variety of cool graphics, colors, and shimmery glitters. Each box contains 16 nail polish strips, a small file, cuticle stick and direction sheet. Use regular nail polish remover to dissolve each strip once worn.

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CONSENSUS

Let's start with the cons : the price/one-time wear, application. 

The strips retail for $10 bucks a box. Considering the long lasting wear ability, cute little file/cuticle stick and coolness factor, ten dollars should be reasonable. BUT! Technically the box only comes with 16 strips, enough for one application. Now for those who are not savvy, thrifty, or don't want to fuss with it ---this can be a bad thing. For ten dollars you should be able to get more than just one use out of the product. Being the Recessionista that I am, I decided to use each strip twice. Once I'd applied one end to a nail, I carefully ripped the second half and applied its other edge to a different nail. So I was able to get more use out of the product than the directions listed. All it takes is a little time and patience. 

Again for those who don't want to fuss with it, application might be an issue. I found it to be really easy, and honestly don't see why anyone else wouldn't feel the same. You start with clean/dry nails, find the strip that best fits, press, give it a slight stretch and press some more. Pull the remaining tab off and file the edge for a clean look. That's about it. But I have read some reviews from people who found it very difficult to apply and were unsuccessful in getting the strips to stay on the nail? I did not experience this so I feel if the desire is there it probably won't be that difficult. 

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Pros! This product is pure fun. Cool graphics, neon colors and glitters all to fit any funky mood. I love that there's no drying time! You can press and go in literally the same amount of time it takes to paint your nails. The first two you try might be a little awkward but stick with it, application does get easier. And as you can see with my shorties, they look good on nails of any length.  I would recommend covering them with a top coat for long lasting wear. 

*find them at CVS, Walgreens or any other drug store. I had no luck at Target. 

Trending : Teenage Dreams...Shattered

Normally I wouldn't post a product without trying it myself first---BUT! I'm having trouble actually finding this hot new item, hence the urgency in this weeks trend report. Our friends over at O.P.I Nail Lacquer have teamed up with pop princess Katy Perry, to name a few new colors and launch their newest trend in nail art : Black Shatter Nail Lacquer. The trick to this rockin new coat? When applied over any dry nail color, it splits and separates, resulting in a crackled/shattered paint look. 

The Katy Perry colors are pretty cool and cued from her latest album, Teenage Dream. Listed from left to right (above) Last Friday Night, Not Like the Movies, The One That Got Away, Teenage Dream. The most noteworthy and aptly paired with Black Shatter is Not Like the Movies. It's a smooth gunmetal shade with an iridescent cast of purple or green depending on the light. I'm a little disappointed they didn't come up with a cool color for her single, Firework. But seeing how O.P.I released an entire line of  encrusted, show stopping shades for the movie, Burlesque, I'm sure glitter was the last thing on their minds. Visit the O.P.I  website to create your own hand and model any color in their library. 

CONSENSUS

Personally, I'm all over it. It's a fun way to showcase crazy colors you might not wear everyday and it adds an edgy touch of black to your look. I've been told the product can dry out quickly so it's important to keep the wand twisted tight. Also, the thinner the coat - the more detailed the crackle effect will look. Like big chunks? Than lather it on! Again I wouldn't normally recommend a product that I haven't road tested BUT! We're talking about O.P.I here people. You will not find a better nail lacquer on the face of this planet. I've worked in salons, I've tried them all. Truly, the only high quality nail polish to trust is O.P.I. It retails anywhere from $7.50 - $10 bucks, depending on the outlet.

 A beauty fortune : I predict this product will be fairly BIG. Perhaps mostly amongst Twilight reading tweens and Rihanna...and me! But give it about a month or two and you're sure to see Revlon or Sally Hansen jumping on the Shatter bandwagon. Fooled be not! Comrades in Beauty! O.P.I is the only way to go.

  *Trade Secret : If you have a friend or family member currently working in the hair industry, hit them up! Licensed Cosmetologists get products like shampoo, waxing items, nail care etc. at cost from stores like Cosmo Prof or Maly's. At cost, meaning sold under the recommended retail price. So they might be able to score you a bottle of O.P.I for $5 bucks...if you provide the cash and maybe take their hot ass to lunch!

One important note : Black Shatter does have a matte finish, so its important to follow it up with a superb top coat. I always use, Gena's Healthy Hoof Hi-Gloss Protectant. Its a high quality top coat that will make your Mani last and last! Dishes, puppies, kids, hard core Diva Arm Waving...you name it! It's the Energizer Bunny of Top Coats and worth every penny. Its costs anywhere from $3-5 bucks. Find it at Sally's Beauty Supply or sometimes CVS might carry it. After a generous application, I've experienced that its chip proof for at least 5-7 days. This does not include chipping via neurosis.....you know who you are! 

" Winter, spring, summer or fall...all you have to do is call... "

In my still warm spirit for the holiday, I write this valentine to a good friend. 

To often, I think we discount everyday elements that contribute to the health and survival of our own personal beauty. Sometimes it isn't the perfect gloss, beefy mascara or miracle cream that makes us beautiful. Maybe a word, a good cup of tea, someone holding the door for you, gardening, cooking, or sometimes just a friend can be the very key to your glow. 

This week I took some time to spend my Tuesday at Disneyland with a close gal pal*. We toured the park, chatted while waiting in line for Pirates of the Caribbean, delighted over The Haunted Mansion and lunched over New Orleans Square. And it was half way through my first ever Monte Cristo Sandwich that I began to feel invigorated. Of course anything THAT deeply fried and lovingly spatted with powdered sugar MIGHT illicit strong feelings of any nature! But I do believe it was the quality time and sincere, gentle camaraderie that was lifting my spirit. A gesture I find myself so desperately in need of right now. Now, during this time of awkward and uncertain transition in my life, these very moments are worth their weight in gold. 

So my beauty advice for this week: never underestimate the power of friendship. The one hour chat over lattes, laughing over the phone with your mom or sister, those snarky back and forth Instant Messages about a dreaded coworker, wine glasses clinking, crafting, lunching, child monitoring---all these and more. Anything you can do with or for a friend can be the ultimate beauty boost to your soul. 

* Thanks for beautiful day Beanie! 

" I have been blind, Lady in Reeeeed...."

In honor of Valentine's Day, I implore you all to wear red lipstick. Red lips are classic beauty. They will never go out of style or be forgotten. They beg, plead and command attention. Wanna feel like the only girl in the world? sans Rhi Rhi of course! Believe me, there are a few essentials every woman should own: black heels, a damn good pair of jeans, lip gloss, mascara, diamond solitaire earrings and a tube of hot sexy red lipstick. 

And I don't want to hear the sob stories about how,"I can't wear red, there's no shade that looks good on me!" BLAH BLAH BLAH! Beauty Blasphemy!! EVERY woman on this planet can wear red, it's our god given right like batting eyelashes or nagging. And the key to your birthright : Find the shade or hue that works best for you. Trust me. It can be done.

Now there are hundreds of guides online on how to choose a red that's best for you. Some will tell you if you've got fair skin to pick a "cool" shade and darker skin = warm shade. Which is all fine and dandy if you so choose. But I'm here to offer you a short cut: Clinique's Different Lipstick in Angel Red. It is hands down, the best red lipstick on the planet. And this coming from a makeup artist that doesn't usually wear or like lipstick. Personally I'm a gloss girl but this lipstick is a divine article created by the gods. 

First, Clinique's Different Lipsticks are fabulous because they're a lot lighter in weight and texture than your average stick. Light, smooth, creamy and with just a touch of gloss for perfect sheen. It's probably the only line of lipstick I would ever dare to wear without a lip liner. And finally the true genius, it's color. Now most resources will list Angel Red as a "cool" shade. On the contrary, I have olivey-latiny-goldenish undertone skin and it looks fabulous on me. That's precisely what I love about this product. It looks great on everyone! No matter the skin color or undertone, it works. 

It also works with a variety of lip liner shades, giving it more versatility. Pair the lipstick with a brownish, brick or umber shade of liner for a warmer tone. If you're feeling cool and calculating, try using a plum, wine or cranberry liner like MAC's liner in Quartz. Feeling extra bold with a side of spicy? Pair it with my personal favorite, MAC liner in Cherry (also perfect for rockabilly chicks). It works on so many levels! And at $14.50 a pop you really shouldn't resist. 

Still don't believe me? Hustle on over to your nearest Clinique counter and ask the sales girl if they have Angel Red in stock. I guarantee one of two things will happen: either they will have one left or be completely out of stock. Happens every time. So run don't walk to your nearest Clinique counter or just bump into me. I always have a tube of hot sex in my purse. 

Night of the living Sick Girl...the morning after.

creature comforts brining me back to life as we speak...

I’m back! And no, I didn’t die. But I am reporting to you live from Command Station Kitchen Window, Kleenex piled high and teacup in hand. Boy, this round of the Flu Season meant business at our house. Two weeks behind in posts and to make matters worse, Aunt Flow was in town. How’s that for a double whammy?

Now there’s nothing beautiful in the business of sick, in my opinion anyway. The snot, chapped skin, under eye circles, granny panties---let’s face it! You’re a walking TB ward!! But aside from Mucinex and a good ol’ hot shower, there are a few products to keep you on the mend during your short stay in Fluville. Two of my favorites: Carmex External Analgesic and Desert Essence’s Blemish Touch Stick.


CARMEX 

Carmex, most of us know, has been around FOREVER. Since 1930 to be exact. From a small family stove, to being sold out of the trunk of a car, Carmex is one of the leading brands in today’s lip balm market. Still producing its original formula, the company presently employs about 100 people and is still under the ownership of the founding family. Just an interesting tidbit I discovered. I love those intriguing details that tell the history of a company or product that hasn’t been compromised by time.

Did you know theres MINT Carmex?? what a luscious green cap!

But they aren’t the only reason to heart the magic tub with the classic yellow cap. Lip balms to me are like pens, a complete fetish. I have eighty million of them everywhere at any given time. But when I want complete relief, there really is nothing better than the cooling sensation of Carmex. It contains Camphor: a waxy, white solid derived from large evergreen trees called, Camphor Laurel. It’s the main ingredient responsible for the scent and popular tingling sensation of Carmex. It also instantly relieves the burning, itching pain associated with chapped skin and cold sores. And when I’m in pain, I’m allll about instant relief. Camphor also acts as a mild anesthetic and antimicrobial agent against germs, which satisfies my inner hypochondriac.

Carmex is also a multipurpose product! A quality I cherish!


Use it as/to:

· an antiseptic for minor cuts, burns or insect bites

· relieving the itch of athlete’s foot

· drying out a pimple

· softening cuticles, elbows and knees

· (and my personal favorite) to heal the chapped skin of your nostrils after blowing your nose a billion times.

Something fun to do this Valentine's Day, send that special someone a Carmex kiss and message! Just go to mycarmexkiss ...

as you can see I chose the "french kiss" application...of course i did.

BLEMISH TOUCH STICK 

I don’t know about you but my Aunt Flow usually brings a visitor. The pesky pimple. So on top of the flu, cold and non-stop coughing, I had a ginormous zit to combat. And of course it wasn’t just any ordinary zit! It had to be the dead center of my forehead, dreaded by all, Unicorn Pimple. OH JOY.

Who better to fight this demon than Desert Essence’s Blemish Touch Stick! The website will boast about its powerful blend of botanical extracts like chamomile, lavender and calendula. But it’s the combination of these natural agents with my all time favorite, Tea Tree Oil. Together they pack a special punch. Tea Tree Oil is known as the universal healing agent. It’s also a very good anti-inflammatory when applied topically. This makes it perfect for combating that one irritating zit or blemish. Dab a touch of product over a blemish and let it do the work for you. Any redness or swelling should be gone within a day.

This product in particular comes as a .31 oz roll-on stick. Its small and compact making it a perfect purse companion as well. But note: because of its roller-ball applicator, it is best not to share this product. Impurities and other substances could be transferred to one another via the roller-ball.

The touch stick is also a multipurpose product! I’ve used it on burns, cuts, and cold sores! Anything with redness or inflammation? Your touch stick can save the day! Typically it costs around $8.00 or less. I get mine from Trader Joe’s. It can also be found online or at any Whole Foods store.

Beauty is in the eye of the REMOVER!

I woke up this morning at 4:54am. What would cause such an early rise on a Saturday morning? Well after rubbing my left eye, I realized that I’d gone to bed without removing my makeup. And nothing feels quite as wonderful as rubbing twelve-hour old mascara into your eyeballs. Not to mention the effect it can have on your delicate eye skin. Not to mention the twelve eyelashes I probably lost in the process! And without those eyelashes I can’t bat my eyes at the cute neighbor in apt. 24. So! Removal of all makeup is crucial. Aside from protecting your sex appeal, makeup removal has many health benefits as well…especially at night.

Most of us may not even consider it, but your skin is the largest organ of your body. Apart from housing your internal organs, it protects the body, regulates body temperature and facilitates the sensation of touch. One of its most important functions takes place at night, while you sleep. Cell Regeneration or “turnover” is the process where fresh, new skin cells replace the old, dead skin. The purpose of regeneration is to replace your outer skin layer, the epidermis, which is turned over about every one to two months. Makeup that is left on over night can impede this process or worse, block pores, which can cause acne. It is especially important for the delicate skin around your eyes.

Your skin houses microscopic glands called, Sebaceous glands. Found nearly all over the body, these glands secrete oil and a waxy substance called Sebum, which is responsible for lubrication of the skin and hair. The delicate skin around your eye area is highly prone to dryness because it has very few Sebaceous Glands. Unlike the skin around other parts of your face and body, your delicate eye area is substantially thinner and doesn’t produce enough sebum to keep it moisturized at a healthy level. Along with pulling, rubbing and stretching, lack of Sebaceous glands is also attributed to fine lines and wrinkling around the eyes. So in short, for healthy skin and wrinkle-free eye skin, it is important to: get plenty of sleep, remove ALL makeup and keep your eye skin moisturized.



CONSENSUS
Of course to achieve perfect makeup removal, you need the perfect product. In my humble opinion, I happen to love Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover, cleansing towelettes. Pre-moistened, these beauties effectively dissolve ALL traces of dirt, oil and makeup. Even those pesky MAC, RuPaul-grade liquid liners that don’t want to budge. They leave your skin feeling clean with only a slightly faint, cleanser residue. Even though the package states that it’s unnecessary, a light rinse is recommended.

This product is also Alcohol Free, making it perfect for the sensitive eye area and contact lens wearers. But beware of supposedly “comparable” generic brands. Read the ingredients! I have found that most generic, CVS or grocery store brands that compare themselves to this product, contain Alcohol-Denat or SD Alcohol. Both are forms of Ethanol Alcohol, a denatured alcohol that is used in cosmetics. Not something I would advise using on your skin or eye area if possible. It won’t kill you buuuut I advise against it. We’ll revisit the family of Alcohols and their functions in cosmetics during future posts! Stay tuned!

One last note, a personal favorite about this product: if you happen to let the wipes dry out, I’ve found that you can re-moisten them with tap or any water of your choice. Provided they aren’t dry and a hundred million years old.

Brandywine...aged to perfection.

I am not a Rite Aid kind of girl. Maybe it’s the less than favorable, surly characters I tend to see more of in there? Or the line/cashier set up? That for some ungodly reason has each cashier positioned at a slant! SLANTED!! It baffles me…truly. Whatever the laundry list of complaints, I usually avoid the Rite Aide at all costs. For me, it’s late night CVS all the way.

However, this method of direction does not always prove to be accommodating. Say for instance when you run out of your vitally favorite, everyday use – Burt’s Bees Moisturizer! And because of some despicable humans, every retailer within a five-mile radius is completely OUT OF STOCK! Cheekbones are reaching new highs of critical dryness and suddenly you have no choice! No choice but to brave the slanted checkout line in search of relief. And this is why I recently found myself entering…a Rite Aid Zone.

Upon arrival the boy and I split up to divide and conquer as quickly as possible. Skimming through the aisles, I began to hear the soft symbol/bongo drum beginning of a song. Playing over the store speakers was Freedom 90, by George Michael. “At least there’s that,” I thought. And just as the piano started to call out, my sneakers whistled to an abrupt stop. There. In a lone aisle side caddy was the complete Wet n’Wild collection. A collection I thought had been forsaken! After not seeing it at Target or Wal-Mart for months, I had just assumed it didn’t exist anymore. But there it stood, somewhere deep in the San Fernando Valley, tall and proud in the back of a Rite Aid convenience store. 

My fingers glided through lipsticks past until settling on lip liners. “Thar she blooooooow,” I whispered aloud. Color Icon Lip Liner #666, or better known to some as, Brandywine. Now to fully appreciate the capacity and weight of the situation, I’d have to take you on a little trip. A trip down the halls of Santa Clara High School, back in the year good ol’ 1990-something. It was the era of Cindy Crawford and the birth of Supermodels. A heyday of big bangs, Bongo Jeans and Chola lip liner.

 After school we raided the aisles of Long’s Drug Store across the street. We stocked up on cool: Revlon lipsticks, Maybelline’s classic pink and green Great Lash Mascara, and of course Wet n’ Wild cosmetics. Some girls wore Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Rum Raisin or Iced Mocha. EVERY girl wore Toast of New York. And Colorstay! At the time, any brand of Colorstay lipstick was the new phenomena. But no other product shared quite the same popularity as Wet n’Wild’s #666 Lip liner. Famous for its light brandy cast but ubiquitous for its unfortunate serial number, we all wore it. Alternative, Hip-hop, Grunge or Prep (as much as one could be in a uniform)—whomever the makeup bag belonged to—it was there.

So you can imagine my elation at its discovery. Like uncovering a split second time capsule belonging to a period that feels to over-the-shoulder to be so far behind. Waiting to checkout, I clutched the soft pencil in my hand. Thinking back, I saw myself with a lighter, firing up my Maybelline Expert Eyes eyeliner in brown. Ending a perfect line, the red pencil with gold writing, still warm in my hand. Chris Cornell crooning in the back round, something about it being, “ an all night thing.” I reached down for lip liner #666…and the rest is history.

I felt this was a good little tale for the beginning of this blog. I often discount certain little details that really end up being important signposts. Breadcrumbs from my past, assuring me that there is a master plan. I’m on my path and its constantly unfolding. Welcome to the journey.

CONSENSUS:

                                                                    click to enlarge

Somehow I remember this lip liner as being somewhat more of a frosty purple? Maybe I’m just old now. It’s definitely a very Brandy-Winey color. A light enough hue to wear alone under lip balm (shown above) or under any red, blue-ish red or purple tones. It does have a slight golden shimmer to it, which is nice. The gold also makes it a choice color for a wide variety of skin tones. Personally I think it’s a fabulous color for white girls. Once sharpened and warmed up (over the back of your hand) it distributes evenly and has the glide of a soft crayon. Measuring out to a lengthy 6 inches, you’ll get a long ride out of this pencil. At .99 cents, you can’t beat the value.  Buy this bitch!