Long time...

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Sorry it's been such a long time since I posted. I have been very busy looking for work.

Just received the latest ULTA Beauty flyer and here is an overview of some cool things:

Skipping the fragrances because they're not my thing...although if you buy $30 or more you can get a FREE weekend bag, which I don't need!

• Page 7 Earth Therapeutics items - 20% off but excludes sets and clearance items
• Page 8 $4.99 Little Black Book 24-piece Beauty Boutique. I loved these mondo makeup collections and always wanted the monster one, but couldn't justify it since I don't wear much makeup.
• Page 9 Ulta has it's own line of mineral makeup as made popular by Bare Minerals, which can also be found at Ulta. I've never tried any of Ulta's private label makeup (I really like Sephora's), but it's a good way to try something if you don't want to spend a lot on the "name brand" product of the same type such as lip plumper. There's also a Buy 1, get 1 free of Ulta makeup that excludes the mineral makeup, eyeliners, lip liners...kits, and brushes. What DOES it include??
• Pages 10-11 Ooooh, Japonesque brushes & beauty tools are "buy 2, get 1 free." Normally, $7.50-$60! Not bad.
• Other 2/1 promotions include: Jane, Physician's Formula, Rimmel, Nic's Sticks Paint & Go by OPI, Neutrogena Cosmetics, Max Factor, Cover Girl, and Almay.
• Page 12 Stila Fall Palette $38 for a $90 value (or so they say!) Looks very neutral, but definitely fall oriented.
• Page 15 bare minerals (by Bare Escentuals) Face Fashion $34 for a $55 value. Very dark and glittery eye shadows definitely not for me!
• Page 16 New!! ULTA Professional Cosmetics Brushes & Tools! $10-$39.99.
• Page 19 Free (sample) Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel.
• Page 20 $1.00 Garnier Nutriste Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller This looks really interesting and want to try it sometime.
• Page 21 Nioxin Buy 2, get 1 free.
• Page 22-23 Hair product discounts by Matrix, Sexy Hair, TIGI, Rusk, and CHI/Biosilk, Ojon & Jonathan (of Bravo's Blown Out show).


• The last section is all about hair styling tools...I'd love to get a new hair straightener.

There's nothing here that I need at this time and really the only thing I'd like to try is the Garnier anit-puff eye roller. That looks cool.

Speaking of hair styling, I'm not sure where I initially saw this, but I wrote down a reminder in the notepage section of my cell phone. It's the Remington D4444 hair dryer. It sounds really cool...literally.
This hair dryer has a place where you can put a misting cartridge to mousturize your hair as you dry it.

Here are its specs:
2-Pack Replacement Cartridges; 1875 Watt; 3 Heat & 2 Speed Settings;
Ionic Conditioning; Ceramic Even Heat Protection; Built-In Vitamin Shine Technology Emits Delicate Sheer Mist During Styling; User Controlled Mist Mist Contained In Disposable Cartridges That Last About 30 Uses Mist Is A Light Blend Of Shine Enhancing Moisturizers & Avocado Oil, Rich w/ Vitamins A, E, & D; Included FREE: 2-Pack Replacement Cartridges

Remember, I'm not promoting any particular product or store, and receive no compensation for anything written in the blog...

Hope you're keeping cool & fresh!

Makeupista!

New Purchases @ CVS

Friday, July 25, 2008

Yesterday, I went shopping at CVS since I hadn't been there in a while except to get the stuff for my burn last weekend. Of course, just as I walk in there in front of my face is the makeup section. What luck!!

Did a quick browse of the Maybelline displays and nothing caught my eye so I proceeded on back and saw...Rimmel! I like Rimmel. It may be a drugstore brand here in the US, but apparently, it's quite high-end in the UK. Usually, I only see this brand at Walgreen's so I was shocked to see it in my favorite CVS store.

Allure magazine had just profiled the Mousse Blush and that really caught my eye. I often use my lip glosses as quick blush just for a hint of color that looks fresh. Juicy Lychee is the color I selected since it's a neutral and will look good all year round. Plus, this cute little pot only cost $4.99, which seems to be a great price! BTW, I had no idea this was an Oprah pick. Is that a good thing?

While I was at the kiosk, I also looked at the eyeshadows. Last year, I thought I'd try a green eye shadow. Not that the old-fashioned electric green shadows, but the modern less bright shadows. My friend and makeup enabler (in a good way), Kieran, suggested I purchase a less expensive one to try out. So we went to Walgreen's at lunchtime and saw that Rimmel has a nice trio of eyeshadows for the whole eyeshadow experience. I have to admit that eye shadow application is not my strongest suit. What I'm trying to get at is that I also purchased another Rimmel trio in Spice. Nothing outrageous. This was also a steal at $4.99.

While I'm on the subject of eye shadow, I have to talk about eye shadow application. As many/most of you know, I'm not working and have been meeting with a career counselor from Lee Hecht Harrison an outplacement service my company has been paying for. She's a great help, but I can't help but notice that she has very deep set eyes and wears very dark eye shadow. This makes her eyes look like they're sunken, and her mascara is clumpy, which emphasizes it. I would love it if she used lighter eye colors and instead of dark mascara, maybe a brown or even clear. She's probably in her mid-to-late 50's and would help her look years younger or at least not like her eyes are sunken. This was the first thing I noticed about her and that's not a good thing.

Every few years, take stock of the makeup you're wearing and make sure it's age appropriate. Dark eyeliner at 18 is much different than dark eyeliner at 35. It's different if you're going out to dinner or to a club or at a dance recital. Day to day makeup should be light, almost as though you're not wearing any.

Thankfully, I couldn't decide on any facial products and I got out of CVS with no extra stuff like notebooks and pens!

~~~

Day 6 of the sunburn: Well, it's finally calming down so my leg looks medium rare rather than fully rare. It no longer feels warm or hot to the touch. Now I have a little bit of a tan, but I will wear better sunscreen next time!

Makeupista

10 Reasons for More Makeup!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I KNOW everyone can think of more*...Feel free to post!

1. You resisted eating a donut at lunch, so a new eye shadow is an obvious non-food reward.

2. You've just bought a three-tier make up case, and it really would be a shame if you couldn't fill it to the brim.

3. Because what would be the point of buying that new pair of shoes if you didn't have a nail polish to match? Hmm... (Even if it's another black pair!!! kabc)

4. For hygiene reasons. Mascara only lasts three months, so it's always nearly time for a new one. (And the reason you're keeping the old one is for emergencies.)

5. Your quest for the perfect lip gloss is a life long dedication. Therefore you need to test as many varieties as physically possible.

6. Because you can feel it in your bones that this is the fake tan that will finally turn you into a Gisele-like bronzed goddess.

7. This new blusher really could help you get that promotion. You read once that employers look for signs of healthiness in their employees.

8. Now that it's almost summer, it's imperative you replace everything in your make up bag with versions that contain SPF. After all, make up will never be as much fun if you have wrinkles.

9. Because you're having a bad hair day - you need something to help detract from your frizzy mop.

10. And if all else fails. Because you want to (and can kabc), and ain't nobody gonna stand in your way.

These are from another fun and more established makeup blog: *Kiss and Makeup.

All joking aside, besides eating there's nothing that get's me back in a good mood than beauty products! This means I'm waaaay overdue.

***

Burn: Day 4. My burn is getting much better. I hardly feel it and is fading except in a few bloctchy areas on my right leg.

Toodles,
Makeupista

Sunburn: Day 2 & More

Monday, July 21, 2008

Well, day 2 is a little better. I spend most of the day inside an office building so the air conditioning was a great thing. Couldn't use the CVS-brand-Aquafor until this evening since I was wearing nice pants, but a little Aveeno dry skin lotion really helped.

The burn on my upper thigh is a tiny bit better but still there. Not fun.

***

I'm mourning the loss of one of my favorite products: St. Ives' Cucumber & Elastin Eye & Face Stress Gel. Seriously, I have no idea how long I've had this container and just used the very last bit of it tonight. Howevevr, St. Ives has discontinued the product! What is that? It had a very clean, fresh scent that wasn't overwhelming, which is rare in the over-scented bath-product world (I'm looking at you Bath & Body Works!).

It went on light and cool and just sort of melted into the skin, and...discontinued. However, someone is selling a four-pack of it on eBay for over $32! It used to cost no more than $3.50! Sigh. Anyone know of another product that does the same thing?

I'm watching the eBay sale, but I'm really sad about it.

***

Today, I actually wore makeup: a light undereye coverup that ended up also used as coverup since I ended up with too much on the brush tip (Physician's Formula Cover ToxTen50); Bobbi Brown blush in Tawny, Maybelline's famous pink-and-green Great Lash mascara, and Rimmel eye shadow duo in Bavaran Green. All of this was topped off with Sephora's compact powder that has a slight shimmer to it.

When I worked with Dress For Success Morris County, Bobbi Brown was very generous and held a fundraiser for us in a salon that she co-owned in a salon in Montclair, NJ. There was a donation of $50 and one of her professional makeup artists would make you up. DFSMC received all the proceeds. Of course, her products were available for purchase and I bought this blush. It's hardly been used this since I think it's a little dark for my fair skin, but could be a nice bronzer in the cooler months if it's mixed with a little powder.

***

I also got a manicure/pedicure and eyebrow wax today. SPLURGE!! I have an interview tomorrow and my nails were a mess. Esther at Karousel in Chatham (some of you have been there with me) was glad to see me.

Day 1 of Sunburn

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Day 1 of the Burn (reminds me of the show Burn Notice with Jeffrey Donovan and Bruce Campbell :))

I put some more salve on before going to sleep, before the gym this morning, and again afterward. It still hurts, but does seem a tiny bit less red.

Just now I sprayed on some Lanacane and some Avene Eau Thermale spray water because I'll try anything to get this to go away!

Going swimming in a bit and that should help with the heat. Another Advil/Tylenol would also help with some of the pain.

I just want to let anyone reading this blog (anyone???) know that I'm not getting paid by any of the companies I mention and I purchase these products with my own money. None are sent to me and no company is providing any compensation for these reviews. This is only for you.

A sad Makeupista!

Here I go again!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

What is it about the beach that make me not very careful about taking care of my skin? I get caught up in wanting sun but forgetting to reapply sunscreen after getting in the water.

Today, before even getting to the actual sand part of the beach, a friend sprayed SPF 30 sunscreen on my back and I sprayed the rest (I thought) and still got burned! It could be my very pale, non-sunlight-exposed skin and by the time I got home, I realized I would need the big guns to help out on this one.

A friend provided me with some Aquaphor to use after my sunburn last year (you'd think I'd learn), and so I needed to buy some for myself. At the local CVS, a small container (probably 4.0 oz.s) of Aquaphor was $16.99, when the CVS version was $13.99 for 14 ozs. Why would I purchase the brand name?

Well, it's not exactly like Aquaphor. From what I remember, the original product was yellowish and more solid than the CVS type, which is a lot more like petroleum jelly. It contains mineral oil, celesin,and lanolin alcohol. Alcohol?? Doesn't that dry skin out, not make it smoother? Hmmm. Aquaphor has the same ingredients, adding in Petrolatum. Mineral oil supposedly isn't recommended for long term use since it's said that it can clog pores.

Makeup artists swear by Aquaphor for all kinds of uses apparently. My first knowledge of the product came from reading a Allure magazine article about what products makeup artists must have in their kits. For them it's not expensive since they use it all the time, and it's for business. I have a harder time justifying spending that much for something I don't think I'd need all that often. I'll try out the CVS brand and let you know.

Will post pics of my beach day when I get them.

In the meantime, stay cool, and be SURE to put on sunscreen!!!!!

Makeupista!

Is Expensive Worth It?

Thursday, July 17, 2008

When is it ok to buy expensive products? As a slurge, when they actually make a difference? In April, I went to the manicurist's and one of her customers sells Arbonne similar to Avon and Mary Kay but from Switzerland. I was persuaded to try the product line.

I'm not much of a "line" person so right off the bat I was a little weary, but Esther (my mancurist) looks great whatever her age is so I thought I'd try it. I decided to use the products on half my face and my usual products on the other half.

The products were nice and while it seemed overly complicated with the many steps, the true test was how my skin actually looked. After 3-4 days I asked my husband which side of my face (not knowing which side was which) looked better and he picked the Arbonne side. I was a bit surprised; I didn't think there would actually be a difference.

However, after a couple of days of using the products, I started getting a breakout that sort of itched and hadn't gotten before. I asked the representative about this and she said it was a reaction to a new product. It didn't feel like that and didn't continue with the testing. Plus, the set was $143 which I think is a little steep. What I was sort of grossed me out was the fact the products were full-sized and ones that she passed around from person to person. Ugh.

I'm a softie so I decided to purchase only the serum. It was good, but again, my face broke out so I returned the product. I do love the idea of serums so I ended up purchasing the Lumene Vitamin C+ Age-Defying Artic Cloudberry & Caring Cranberry serum from CVS.

It seems to work great, but it's always hard to tell if it works as well as a more expensive product, but for $19.99 it's worth the chance. I use this morning or night not both. My face definitely feel softer and still get a nice glow.

I'm not against sets or expensive products, but when they make you break out, it's time to get rid of them.

Good luck and great product hunting!

Makeupista!!

P.S. I'm trying to format this so it can be read easier but blogger insists on making it look this way!

Who am I?

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Hi there again.

I just wanted to post to let you know more about me and this blog. As of April 26th of this year, I turned 40 years old. Yes, you read right, 4-0! So many people have nicely said, "you don't look 40." But then I wonder what DOES 40 look like? I mean, when I ws 30, I thought 40 was ancient, but time flew by and 40 doesn't look a lot different than 30, except with a few more lines around my eyes from smiling and crying because that's what life is.

My parents & me on my 40th birthday.

Would I ever consider plastic surgery or other "help" with staying young? Maybe. I don't want to rule it out since I won't know until I do it. One area that you can't change much are your hands, neck, and feet unless you get some sort of laser or chemical peel. Ninety-percent of being young is attitude and your health.

My lovely husband and I take a lot of vitamins and eat ok. We're not health nuts, just people who want to feel better longer. Our cholesterol is low, our triglycerides are good and have no obvious joint problems (except for my frozen shoulder syndrome), but I'm prone to tendonitis. I dance at least 3 nights a week and try to exercise while I'm watching TV; however, I don't think I need to go crazy to be stick thin. One of these days I would like to try Weight Watchers though.

As I mentioned in the first post, I don't wear a lot of makeup, but I try to take care of my skin. I can't lie, I also sometimes don't wash my face at night. I'm not a makeup or skincare expert, but sometimes it's easier not to be when you want an honest opinion!

Makeupista

Makeupistas Unite!

You ask, do women really need another makeup blog? Well, probably not. There are ton out there that I read, but hey another one isn't going to bring down the net!

One of the goals of this blog is to help find lower-cost alternatives to high end products. I hate spending a ton of money on products, but will on occasion if need be. Plus, I don't wear a ton of makeup and try not to overdo the facial products.

Here's my take, and maybe a few friends takes as well, to help guide you through the wilderness of the world of makeup products.

I don't wear a ton, but want to wear them well!

Face Polishers:
I had a spa day at the Hilton at Short Hills in February and they recommended that I use a face exfoliator/scrub/polisher 2-3 times a week. Finding the exact one from the myriad of products available can be a nightmare. This is when I started making my own. My recent favorite is using brown sugar as an ingredient.

I love using natural products on my face, and have made a few scrubs/polishers modifying recipes from around the web. The hard part is that they are natural and the ingredients spoil and/or my husband determines that he doesn't like having science projects in the fridge (since we don't have kids, it's not a natural thing!)

While browsing in Sephora, Mecca to makeupistas, I found the Fresh Sugar Face Polish.

Priced at $55 for 4.2 ozs., it was a bit expensive so I asked the sales woman for a sample. It was heavenly! Literally, only a dab was needed for my whole face. My face was silky smooth and it smelled so wonderful (and tasted great, too). What a treat!

Not long after that, I was laid off, so I could hardly justify spending this even though it would last for a long time.

I was going to save up some money from some freelance work, but all that changed yesterday during my trip to Bath & Body Works. It wasn't a remodeled store, but that was fine because I still found C.O. Bigelow's Brown Sugar Crystal Face Polish # 1181.

This product contains both brown sugar and strawberries as does the Fresh version. This 4.0 oz. container sells for only $19.00 - a steal. I tried it this morning and my face felt soft and smooth, if a little oily. I don't remember if the Fresh version felt this way, but it's really only a bad thing if your face might be prone to breakouts.

It also smells really good and seems a little grainier than the Fresh version, but isn't that the point? I still only needed a little bit to get the same effects as the more expensive product.

I'm sure using this product will continue to make my face smooth and touchable (and younger-looking), I just have to remember to use it!

So you save $36, and still get a wonderful product, and sometimes you just have to have it!

There are times when you want to splurge and finding great products like this make it easier when you want to spend the extra money.

Happy Making UP!