I write to you a lot. Like, 3 or more times a week. I give you recipes. I tell you little stories sometimes. I get paid to offer you reviews of some products. I’m tired of hearing about myself just thinking about it.
And yet, you keep coming back, for whatever reason.
Thank you for that.
Today, I’m not going to write specifically about food. Or about products I’ve been paid to tell you about. Or a trip, or a vacuum, or a recipe for S’mores covered brownie pudding.
Nope. I’m just going to tell you a few things that have been on my mind – a couple of things that have made my life a little better. And, I have a few questions that I hope you all can advise me on. No pressure, but I’m counting on you.
You see, I am going on lots of trips in the next few days/weeks. I get my picture taken a lot when traveling. Some bloggers? They have great wardrobes. The rock the skinny jeans. They seem to have their signature pose down. They know their good side (not sure I even have one); they know their makeup and how to use it. I am a makeup dumbass. I’m in my “upper” thirties, and yet I am makeup challenged. Oh, the issues I have. I’ve been experimenting, and luckily, a few things have been great finds.
First thing, and to me, this is MIND BLOWING. Eyeliner.
No, wait, hear me out. Eyeliner for me has ALWAYS been an issue. I have very watery eyes, so, within just a few minutes, despite powder, despite expensive eye creams – that eyeliner would end up under my eyes, in a funny raccoon ring. So, I would spend the rest of the day or night constantly rubbing under my eyes, trying to erase the ring.
Suckage.
But, on an off chance at something working, I came across this GEL Lasting Drama Eyeliner from Maybelline the other day at Rite Aid. It stays on! In fact, it stays on ridiculously well. I even slept in it, you know, as an experiment, not because I was lazy…and it STAYED ON. So, if you have eyeliner issues, I really do recommend this stuff. I’m thinking I may need to get a little brave and get it in another color or two. I’m a chicken, hard for me to change. Do grown ups without backup singers wear colored eyeliner? I just don’t know. Do they?
Mascara I have the same issue with – and so far I am liking this one I picked up at the same time. Mega Plush by Maybelline. I have resisted doing two coats, but I feel it may need it. I’m not getting the length and volume it advertises, but it does stay on. So, that counts for something. I’ll give it two coats once I have a special place to go. If you have a recommendation on a great mascara that stays on (waterproof, for sure), please let me know.
And speaking of lashes, I’ve been wondering about Latisse. Have any of you tried it? I’ve heard it can stain light colored eyes, which I have. That scares me a little. But, I have very sparse eyelashes, and they are blonde. So, I have lash envy. Have you seen Seven’s? So not fair. His eyelashes put mine to shame at 6 weeks old. So help – have you tried it or know anyone who has? What do you think?
On a similar token, and this is because of the good fortune I have had on being able to take trips to fancy hotels like The Four Seasons, I have fallen in love with L’Occitane Verbena Lotion. It smells so clean, and not overpowering. Lemony, but not too much. I could drink it, but that probably wouldn’t taste so good. It feels great and moisturizes like you wouldn’t believe. I need a vat of it. Try it.
So…do you have any tips for me? Any brands you love, eye makeup, blush, lipstick, anything you want to share? I am feeling the need to mix things up, try new things. But I want good, solid, recommendations. That’s where you come in! Help me out, and quick…I leave tomorrow!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite mascara is Rimmel Sexy Curves–it does such a great job of curling your lashes and making them look long!
I’m terrified of Latisse, too–plus I have pretty long and dark eyelashes to begin with, so for me I wouldn’t risk it. For you, though, I think there are also some mascaras out there that have Latisse-like effects. I can’t remember which ones though…google it!
This made me laugh. I’m excited to meet up with you at the Ohio Dairy Farm event in a few weeks…and I kind of don’t want anyone to take my picture because I have the same wardrobe I’ve had since college practically. And makeup? Ugh I hate that I’m no good with makeup still
I know JUST how you feel…as a very pale-skinned red-head with light lashes and lighter skin, I feel like I have spent my life chasing the perfect make-up. Here are my faves: Eucerin facial moisturizer for sensitive skin (super-light and has sunblock!), Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse foundation (really gentle and gives you that kind of “air-brushed” look, but in a good way!), Clinique Lash Power mascara (lasts all day, waterproof, not all thick and yucky), Stila eye shadow, and my very favorite, Benefit blush in Sugarbomb, a color that I read somewhere looks good on everyone (it works great for me!). Hope this helps, and one way or the other you will be beautiful, inside and out!
I rarely wear makeup and hate eyeliner! My eyes are so sensitive that trying to draw that line is almost impossible-pencils are a no, not smooth; liquids are too cold it’s scary and I haven’t perfected the line with some of the crayon like ones-keeping that perfect point is hard. As for colored liner for adults, I think it depends on who you are & the type of person you are, I have a neighbor who wears flashy makeup & uses colored liners, myself-I stick to grey or brown, if I’m feeling adventurous maybe plum. Latisse unless you know someone who has used it with good results, I wouldn’t, I would use mascara or if it really bugs you use false eyelashes, I know a woman who for years has worn false ones and they now come in individual or smaller sections not just the whole thing if you need help in a small area. And yes, what is with boys getting the gorgeous eyelashes, one of my sons are 3/4 of an inch long or more and curl perfectly naturally. As for wardrobe, I’ve found a couple of pieces I like & buy multiple colors if possible. I have a shirt I love in 2 colors and a cardigan sweater in 3 colors.
I always say that I could use a little vanity, I am not the best at makeup or hair do’s! You are beautiful and I always think you look great in pictures. Honestly the perfect posed people do not look natural. I think I’m using the same mascara as you are. I bought some fancy stuff from Sephora when I did my cooking demos but I only wear it on special occasions, it’s called Makeup Forever HD. I am also a huge fan of L’Occitane, the Ultra Rich Body Cream in Shea Butter is the best stuff ever. Good luck on your trips and just relax, you will look great!
Love your honesty here.
I’ve been a work in progress since about 7th grade LOL….having not grown up with a fashion/style savvy mom definitely adds to my late blooming. Thanks to great girlfriends & the online world, I’m finally starting to get my bearings.
As far as makeup goes…I’m so frugal that I don’t spend much, and I just keep it pretty basic. I’ve found that an eyelash curler is essential to my daily routine, and I still use the schoolgirl trick of using a lighter on my pencil eyeliner to soften it up. I thought nothing of it till a friend of mine saw me do it and asked what I was doing. I thought everyone knew this trick.
Anyway…turns out she doesn’t wear makeup…ever & never has. She has gorgeous skin.
You always look great in any pictures you post!!! Almost every woman I know wants at some point to change things up. I have the same problem with mascara. You can go to Belk and ask for help. They will show you how to get the best techinque for applying it. The stuff with the vibrating wand seems to work really well. Also,Jaunita Wilburn has been selling Mary Kay ,here in town for years. She is very good with matching make up to the person. She will fix you up with the make up that looks best on you. I bet if you give her a call – she can fix you up before the plane takes off.
I love that Four Seasons stuff too, so nice. As far as mascara, I’ve tried so many, but right now I’ve been buying L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara, Waterproof, Blackest Black, with 2 – 3 coats (shiny gold container). I have pitiful eyelashes and it helps, alot.
I am a MAC fan. I love their products. They have an undereye cream that I put on before concealer. I’d definitely recommend that you go to a MAC store (or counter at Macy’s, etc) and let them teach you how to do your makeup for at least one “part” of your face. They revolutionized my life. LOL. I usually stick to drug store mascaras – Maybelline Great Lash has been one of my faves since…high school? College? I like the Rimmel one in the fat pink tube, as well. Good luck!
I love gel eyeliner! I use Bobbi Brown’s, but that’s only because of allergy issues. When it comes to mascara, I’ve found that you get what you pay for, and part of the watery-eye problem may actually be the mascara you’re using. Diorshow mascara is awesome, but at $28 a tube, it’s not exactly budget friendly. Bare Minerals Buxom mascara is awesome, as is Fresh’s Supernova mascara, which are ~$15. As for Latisse, I’d avoid it like the plague. The few patient’s I’ve had that tried it out were not happy at all. Also, try out some of the BB creams. Maybelline’s my favorite, but they don’t carry it at the commissary here, so I’ve been using the L’Oreal version. The BB cream is kind of the shit because it makes your skin look awesome on days that you just don’t feel like putting on foundation, and you can use it on as a primer on days that you do without feeling that you have a thin layer of gel sitting on your face. But I agree with the above, you always look awesome in your pictures!
I am FAR from the make-up queen (most days you’ll find me in sweats with un-brushed hair)….but…I do love:
Bare Essentuals powder with SPF
Mac Zoomlash mascara
Origins lip gloss
Sephora eye shadow – golden shimmery ones
Sephora blush
Let me know how you end up finding your “signature look” – I need one too!
As to the Latrisse it really works. I was noticing a woman at work whose eyelashes seemed to be getting longer by the day. I asked her if she was wearing false eyelashes and she said no it was Latrisse. Her eyelashes were gorgeous. A couple of things to know, one is it is prettty costly, two is that it takes a while to work, three if you continue to use your eyelashes will continue to get longer, and fourth once you stop using your lashes go back to how they were. Hope this helps.
I’ve been using Maybelline lash Define mascara for some time now and I love it. The brush is an unusual shape that seems to get the mascara right where I want it without leaving globs. I’ve got pale blonde, invisible eyelashes that literally disappear without it. I would avoid the Latisse too, if you’ve got light color eyes. The idea of my blue eyes turning brown and blue doesn’t sound too appealing to me. As for eyeliner, I never use black, simply because it just looks too harsh against my pale skin. And I’ve always has a problem applying liquid eyeliner; my hand isn’t steady enough to apply it evenly. Quite often, I simply use a flat makeup brush, moistened and pick up a bit of eye shadow in a darker shade and gently run it along my upper and lower lash lines. It works very well and I can coordinate it to whatever color shadow I’m wearing (usually something in the neutral shades). I do sometimes use colored eyeliners pencils, but I try to keep it confined to the less vibrant shades; electric blue eyeliner on a
50-something woman is not attractive. I’ve recently started using BB creme instead of foundation; it seems to give me much smoother coverage and it feels really light. It doesn’t sink into the lines on my face the way foundation always seemed to.
Maybe the best thing for you to do wold be to go to the makeup counter at one of the local department stores (I guess Belk and Macy’s would bill the most likely in your area) and have them show you how to apply your makeup. It’s hard to learn without actually seeing the proper way to do it; all of our advice is nice, but unless you actually see how to put it all together, it’s not too helpful. Good luck and enjoy all those upcoming trips!
Just say no to Latisse. There is a new option on the market that is showing great results with NONE of the side effects. The miracle product is Elizabeth Arden Prevage Lash and Brow Enhancer. At $98 it sounds pricey, but it really isn’t when compared to Latisse. I have been using it for a week and I am noticing improvement. I had one spot on my lash line where my lashes had just simply stopped growing. Guess what? They’re back!!! I’m definitely noticing longer and thicker lashes. The literature says that you will see results in 2 weeks. I love it when I get results sooner than I expect them.
Mascara has always been a sore spot with me. I don’t like goopy mascara with a lot of fibers. There are two that I love by Clinique that are water resistant, but, ironically, gentle enough to be removed with warm water. They are the High Impact CURLING mascara and the Lash Power mascara. (The regular High Impact mascara and the new High Impact Extreme mascara are NOT the water resistant formula.) FYI, I always put people in black mascara. It looks more natural and the darkness helps define the lashes.
The eyeliner that you found is a good one. Other good, long wearing choices are the Clinique Quickliner INTENSE eyeliners ($15) and the Lancome Artliners($29.50). They both last until you take them off.
L’Occitane has wonderful creams for the body AND the face. A favorite of mine is their Immortelle Eye Balm ($38). GREAT stuff.
Let me know if you want any cosmetic or skin care recommendations.
I have no advice for you but tons of empathy. I remember looking around the courtroom once back in the days when I practiced law (pretty shortlived) and realizing I was the only woman without make up on lol. Hate the stuff. I buy whatever my sister tells me to and wear it 1-2x a year. My daughters practically have a party when they see me putting it on! So good luck!
I will say that I think having a makeover done at a good counter is a good idea–like at a Nortstrom’s or something. And be honest with them about how little you wear makeover.
MAC Cosmetics are the best! Last all day and as a result, you only need to purchase new makeup a few times a year. I am an addict,
So looking forward to meeting you next week!!
I have the watery eye problem too. Always see these cool new mascaras and have to wait for the waterproof version! I really like Colossus Mega Lash by Maybelline (its a neon yellow tube)
As for Latisse, don’t try any of the Elizabeth Arden stuff like said above (sorry poster) but the only thing with medically approved eyelash growing abilities (longer and more of them) is the ingredient in Latisse and similar doctor prescribed stuff. No makeup or OTC stuff is gonna do squat. Just expensive placebos for your eyes! Check out beautybrains.com. I remember at least a handful of times them giving scientific backed up reasoning why those other things don’t work. Lol that aside, I did Latisse for a few months before my wedding. I had incredible lashes BUT the big caveats: Yes they go away once you stop, you have to use it every day to make it work and, my favorite part, it takes about 2-3 months to be full effect and in the process, you may (read: will) lose most of your lashes you started with. There’s a phase when its kicking in when a lot of women shed their eyelashes. Not all at once, so you’re not creepy looking, but I remember looking a little weird there for a little! They results are pretty crazy though! Oh and fun fact- it’s really not that expensive if you have a doctor not trying to get you ripped off. The active ingredient in Latisse is the same thing in some glaucoma medication drops. The brand I had was called Lumigan. A bottle of that will set you back I think 50 bucks (I don’t think my insurance covered it) and a bottle will last you pretty much forever. One drop in the cap and paint it on your lashline with a clean thin paintbrush (I got a new one and used it exclusively for that) and you get the same results as Latisse without wasting money. If you decide to try it, ask your doc about Lumigan. I still have a half full bottle in my drawer. I stopped doing it just because I got lazy.
I’m a magazine junkie so I read all the “best buys” articles but don’t buy much. Some things I have found: DiorShow mascara. I buy it for Tracy for Christmas. She loves it. Primer helps my getting older complexion. I used to buy pricey MAC but now drugstore companies have it. I don’t usually wear blush but Nara Orgasm shade in stick form is amazing. Mine has lasted forever. Hope this helps. Tracy and mom did Latisse with no problems but didn’t stick with it. Someone should investigate why the boys always get the lashes lol!