Archive for April 3rd, 2008

Product Review: Aveeno Creamy Moisturizing Oil »

Reviewer: Cinnamon Kitten

Brand: Aveeno
Name: Creamy Moisturizing Oil
Size:
Approx. Price: $12 CAD

A few months ago I reviewed the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. It was my first use of an Aveeno product and I was very, very happy with the results. My only complaint about the Daily Moisturizing Lotion was that although it moisturized my skin better than any other lotion I’ve tried, it wasn’t “silky smooth”.

So I was excited to try the Aveeno Creamy Moisturizing Oil when I read about it on the Aveeno site since it promises to “moisturize all day long to leave skin feeling soft and silky, without the greasy feel of body oil.” I went out and bought it the next day.

To Purr About:
- light, creamy formula is super-hydrating and the moisturization lasts a long time
- absorbs quickly, without any greasy residue
- this “oil” (it’s a cream) leaves my skin silky-soft - it’s amazing

Claws Out:
- it’s fragranced - i don’t mind the smell (a light, almond scent), but I would much prefer it to by unscented

Final Comments:
I use this cream after my shower every day now and love the feeling of my skin - it’s well-hydrated and actually “silky-soft”. Also, the pump is super-convenient. This product would have gotten a perfect score if it was fragrance-free.

Rating (out of 5):

If you have a product that you’ve tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found in the left-hand sidebar.

image: aveeno.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

turn around bright eyes, blue mascara is back »


A little while ago, you may recall I was singing the praises of blue eyeliner . Well, turns out I’m crushing on another of your favorite fear-instilling makeup trends of the 80s: blue mascara. But fear not, friends, blue mascara may look scary in the tube, but when applied only to the top lashes and with a light hand, it actually looks surprisingly subtle. Plus, blue has the added benefit of making your eyes look whiter and brighter - a big bonus for the sleep-deprived gals among us. Try it out for yourself and you’ll see what I mean - you almost can’t tell you’re wearing it unless you look really closely, but it somehow fools the eye, creating an optical illusion of “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.” My current pick of the moment is Benefit BAD gal Blue Mascara , a deep royal blue shade with a tinge of violet added in.

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Best Mascara for Your Eyelashes »

Mascara Mania – Only the Best for Your Lashes
By Kathryn M. D’Imperio

Sometimes simplicity makes all the difference. Getting all dolled up doesn’t have to become a hassle every time you have somewhere to go. A nice dress or outfit can be complemented with a few jewelry items, a fashionable hairstyle Haute Hair (or hair brushed out straight) and a light smattering of makeup - see Carmen diva look.

Whether you are going for all-out glamor or girl-next-door gorgeous, a coat or two of mascara will work wonders for bringing out your beautiful eyes and long lashes Lashes Unlimited. If you don’t regularly wear makeup, you may want to consider these questions before selecting mascara from among countless brands and styles.

What type of eyelashes do I have? Are they long, curly, thick, thin, short, just right?

Once you answer this question, you can learn what positives your lashes have going for them and what element could be easily enhanced with the right kind of mascara. Shorter lashes could lash out with a length enhancing type of mascara. Thinner lashes will become fuller with a thickening formula and longer lashes will really benefit from curling mascara.

What will look best with my complexion? What will complement my outfit and wardrobe in general?

Mascaras are available in a wide range of colors and styles, from blackest black and dark brown to lighter shades of both, or even fun colors like blues and greens. Most times black and brown hues are most appropriate and work well with any skin tone, eye color and choice of wardrobe.

Do I plan to go swimming? Is there a chance I might cry, or laugh so hard that I cry? Am I going to take a quick shower at some point and hope to avoid re-doing my makeup entirely?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, waterproof mascara is the way to go! Great for preventing soppy scenes at sad movies or emotional times – weddings, graduations and the like, waterproof mascara can save the day, or at least your face. Available most often in shades of black and brown, this type of mascara can be difficult to remove unless you have a makeup remover that is capable of gently washing away water resistant makeup.

Do you cringe at the thought of that archaic metal eyelash curler getting within a foot of your face?

If so, you will want to keep an eye out for mascara that has a curling element to it. Sometimes these products come with multiple characteristics, like thickening or lengthening aspects as well. First determine your needs and then seek out mascara that will satisfy them.

Do you feel that your eyelashes are very blonde - Blondes Have More Fun, or not so noticeable? Do you often feel like you have to glob a lot makeup onto them just to make them stand out?

If this problem seems to haunt you, try a lash thickening mascara, or possibly one that lengthens and thickens. A thicker formula will be better for your lashes than a product that cakes on layer after layer. Even if your eyelashes are still a bit subtle, you can always further accent your eyes with eyeliner and darker eye shadows. If you still seem to have trouble making your eyes more defined, consider checking into fake eyelashes - be a bombshell for special occasions.

No matter which mascara suits you best, remember to pair it with a pretty shadow and eyeliner - see Artistic Palletes if you so desire. To prevent smudges on your pillows and bits of makeup irritating your eyes overnight, remember to remove mascara and other makeup with a gentle cleanser before bed.

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Six Steps To Perfect Eyebrows »

1. Brush brows upward. Carefully trim any excess hair above the top of your natural arch. Be careful not to take off too much at the ends or you’ll have brow “bald” spots.

2. Look closely at the shape. Your brow should begin at your tear duct, peak at the outer edge of your iris and end at the outer corner of your eye. “Many women make the mistake of taking off too much at the outer corners,” says Weston. “This slants the brows upward and makes the person look perpetually angry.”

3. Prep your skin: Soak a cotton ball in astringent and wipe the brow area.

4. Hold a pencil in line with the outer side of your iris and note where the peak of your arch naturally occurs. From the arch to the outer corner of the eye, your brow should fall in a straight or slightly curved line, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve.

5. Hold the tweezers at a 45 degree angle and pluck the stray hairs below the brow line. “Pull in the direction of the hair growth, or you may end up breaking the hair mid-shaft,” says Engle. Follow your natural brow shape, not the trends. “It’s very difficult to let your brows grow back into their natural shape after you’ve plucked them to death trying to achieve a particular look,” she says.

6. Fill in sparse areas with a freshly sharpened brow pencil - be a bombshell; use light, quick strokes to draw in hair. Brow powder will give thin brows overall definition, and is great for a more natural look. Using the brow brush, sweep powder up and outward over brows. If you’re a brow novice, a tinted brow gel is a foolproof way to keep brows in place. Lightly coat brows using upward and outward strokes. Wipe off any excess and allow it to set. Get Glowing!

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WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - Linzishoes.com »

www.linzishoes.com

This budget shoe website is the ideal place to grab bargain sandals this summer. The site has stores in and around the Essex area which are worth a visit too and there are regular offers to look out for including the genius fold up pumps shown below.


They just so happen to be stockists for the Ipanema range of sandals endorsed by model Gisele Bundchen, proceeds from which go to charities that support the WWF project ‘Springs of Brazil’. The project focuses on the need to preserve fresh water and you can find out more by clicking here.

See… you can buy pretty shoes, and donate to charity at the same time and you need not feel so guilty about that extra purchase.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Trend-Filled Thursdays: Purple Eyeshadow »

I have long been a fan of purple eyeshadow. I truly believe it’s flattering on all skin tones and for all eye colors. So I’m happy to report that purple lids were seen all over the runways for Spring 2008! From the bold lined eyes at Behnaz Sarafpour to the beautiful wash of color at Thakoon, looks of ethereal beauty were all the rage. Whether you’re in the mood for dramatic glamour or are going for a more muted, angelic look, here’s the gorgeous trend broken down step by step.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usAt Thakoon, eyes were subtly brushed with a lavender hue that swept out toward the cheeks and browbones, creating the stunning look of a water sprite. While the color was subtle, the overall effect was anything but!
ExampleExampleTo get the look, brush eyes and the upper cheekbones with Sugar Cosmetics Color Stick Cream Eyeshadow in Grape Soda ($14). The formula doesn’t crease even after hours of wear, and it provides just the subtlest hint of color. Since eyes aren’t overly dramatic, lips stand out here. Slick on a coral-hued gloss like Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Almond ($18), but leave it off the corners for that just-bitten look.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usEyes at Behnaz Sarafpour were anything but subtle. An intense mulberry-esque violet was heavily pressed into the upper and lower lashlines to form a gorgeous almond shape. While it might be too much for every day, this would be an absolutely beautiful look for a night out!
ExampleTo get the look, try DuWop Smoke in Plum Wine ($28). The palette of creamy cake eyeliner and shimmering powder eyeshadow can be used together to create the ultimate smoky eye.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usThe eyes at Bottega Veneta were definitely this beauty chick’s favorite. Offering up a unique take on the classic cat eye, creamy lavender shadow was brushed to the crease and then winged out at the sides. But what really made this look pop was the long, lush, blacker-than-black lashes — taking it from your average pretty feel to one of complete and utter vivaciousness and glamour.
ExampleExampleTo get the look, start with a great cream eyeshadow that has intense staying power. NARS Single Cream Eyeshadow in Pearl Beach ($21) is a beautiful, blendable hue that can be built upon until you reach the desired shade of lavender. Finish with a set of false eyelashes, like the False Eyelashes Luxe by Shu Uemura ($20). The criss-crossed design provides added volume, and they’re available in either black or brown for a truly versatile look.

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usA different tack was taken at Bill Blass, with eyes brushed in a rose-tinged plum and heavily lined in black. Far from being precise, however, the colors bled subtly into each other and out toward the cheeks and brow bones for that fantastic “I-was-out-all-night-and-didn’t-have-time-to-redo-my-makeup-before-work” look. The overall effect is just that gorgeous, subtle whisper of sexiness that every woman tries for!
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
ExampleTo get the look, start with the Heatherette Trio 2 Palette by M.A.C ($32.50). Limited-edition shades of Baby Petals, V.I.P and Cassette can be layered to create a gorgeous, rosy-hued rouge hue. Finish with a cream eyeliner like Stila Smudge Pots in Black ($18), which can be used for that slight imprecise hand that really takes this look to the next level!

Image Hosted by ImageShack.usWhat would John Galliano be without the fantastical? So much was going on in this look — not only was there vibrant violet shadow up past the eyebrows, but it was accented with vibrant orange, turquoise, a subtle pop of yellow and dramatically long lashes for absolute wonderment. Yes, this is over-the-top. Yes, it’s probably best left to the runway. But if you do want to create the look on your own, here’s how.
ExampleExampleExampleThe Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box ($36) contains many of the shades you’ll need to make this work. The velvety, pigment-rich shadows are even accompanied by a miniature Eyeshadow Primer Potion to really make them stick! Working from the top down, sweep Fishnet from the inner corners up above the crease and past the eyebrows. Brush Make Up For Ever Flash Color Pot in Orange ($17) over the entire lid for a pop of vibrancy. Next, swipe Turquoise from the Urban Decay palette below the lashline from your inner corners to your outer corners, creating a subtle winged look that connects to the purple hue at both ends. Dab Honey in the inner corners to brighten and open up the eyes. Finish with spider-like false eyelashes like these ones from Sephora ($8), whose spiky graduated strips are accented with glittering rhinestones.

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