Imagine voluminous lashes so intense in only one stroke, they look like falsies. That’s what Lancome’s new Hynose Drama mascara promises. For $24.50, you can swipe your way to the thickest, darkest, clump-free lashes you’ve ever seen.

Well, Lancome, if you say so but I chose to believe otherwise. Sure, the strange wave-shaped brush seems unqiue and I love to use as little product as possible, but I did not achieve the results that Lancome says I should have.

While the formula is nice, it clumped terribly on my lashes. After a quick comb through with a clean mascara wand, my lashes looked decent. To achieve the promised volume, though, I had to do several coats, combing through with a clean wand each time. It was more work then necessary. Honestly, most Lancome mascara seems to clump on me, so perhaps the formula is not compatable with my lashes.

If you like to layer your mascara or find that most Lancome mascara’s work for you, it’s worth a try. Just know that the brush is a little difficult to work with, given it’s shape, and you may need to do a few layers.

I was having a marvelous day off last Monday. I slept in, got a little holiday shopping done, and was on my way to get my brows waxed when I heard a loud BOOM. It sounded as if something had hit the roof of my car and I was worried it cracked the glass on my sunroof. I pulled over, checked the top of my car and all looked fine. I also checked the rest of the car and everything looked fine so I drove on for a few miles. Nothing sounded or seemed out of the ordinary until I suddenly wasn’t able to accelerate. Shortly afterward, I started slowing down even though I was pressing the gas. I pulled over again, got out, and saw that I had a flat. I’ve only ever had a flat tire once before and also didn’t realize it was flat for quite some time (until a nice lady  flagged me down).

Even though I didn’t have many warning signs of a flat that I immediately recognized, it’s good to know what to look for. I can’t tell you how to change a flat (I know it’s supposed to be easy but I still haven’t learned how) but I can inform you of the basics of tire care:

-I always get my tires rotated on schedule. This helps them to wear evenly and it’s also a great way to know if you need any repair work done (retreading, etc.) or if your tire shop expert notices any potential problems for the future. They will also usually check your pressure (if not, ask them to). I take great care of my tires since they are pretty big investment and sometimes no matter what you do, flats will still happen. If you don’t know how many thousand miles to have them rotated, ask your local shop.

-You should also always check your tire pressure at least once a month. To do this, you can purchase a gauge, which is relatively inexpensive, at your auto parts store or any store that sells basic auto products (Target, Walmart). I prefer to have my own so that I can check the pressure anytime and anywhere. Most gas stations also have air you can fill your tires with and the hoses usually have a gauge that you can use for free. Side note for Californians: It is now illegal for gas stations to charge you for air use. To find out the desired pressure for your tires, there is often a chart on the driver side door of your vehicle, in your owner manual, or you can ask when you purchase your tires or have them rotated. The place I purchase my tires from will also check my levels for free and fill them if needed. Many places will also do this for free or a small fee.

-If you are in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately!  If you need to pull over due to a flat or stall (for any reason), try to do so safely and pull off to a safe spot. Grip your steering wheel firmly and steer carefully, minding traffic conditions around you. Do not slam on your brakes and don’t stop in traffic as it may cause an accident. Turn on your blinker to alert drivers of your lane change. If you remember to turn on your emergency flashers, now would be an ideal time to do so. Carefully exit your car (preferably on the side NOT adjacent to the road) and stand off to the side of the road.

-If you carry emergency flares, place them 300 feet away from your car. If you have a second pair, those should be placed about ten feet from the first set. Flares are especially needed at night or in bad weather to warn other drivers that you are on the side (or middle) of the road. There are now LED flares on the market that can be re-used several times.

-If you are not able to accelerate, it’s a good idea to pull over and inspect your tires. This, for me, has always been a sign that I had a flat.

-Some people hear a flapping sound or a boom when they have a flat. It’s always good to pull off and investigate.

-If you have a cell phone, always make certain it is charged or that you have a car charger in case of emergency. It is also a good idea to have emergency numbers on hand to refer to: road side assistance or a tow company, your highway patrol, and someone you can count on for a temporary loan if you don’t have charge or cash on hand (or someone who will be nice enough to drive you to a bank or ATM).

-I believe that it is best to over prepared then not prepared at all. I keep an emergency kit in my car that consists of: a blanket, plastic rain gear (pants and jacket), a change of warm clothes, socks, old shoes, two jackets, a gallon of water, flares, bungee cords, jumper cables, a travel-friendly tool kit, a large towel, paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, and a personal toiletry bag (new disposable razor, sample packs of cleanser, moisturizer, spf, eye cream, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, a small brush, extra hair pins, and a tooth-brush and tooth paste. Plus, I always carry two flash lights and I check the batteries every six months.

It’s always good to expect the best and also be ready for the worst.

I want one when it comes out! It is designed to help to diminish signs of aging immediately and over time. While my skin is well-cared for and I’m too young to see aging, I still want this to keep my skin looking that way. Click here to see the sneak peek: Clarisonic Opal (there is a vid full of info you can check out).

Halloween: The one day you can dress up as anything or anyone you want without getting strange glances. It’s also a day when many people have their makeup done by someone else. This should be a great and fun experience but sometimes things can get in the way. Here are some of my favorite tips for helping things run smoothly any time you are having someone else do your makeup, Halloween or not.

1. Have an idea of what you are looking for and bring examples (color swatches from fabric, photos, or anything that inspires you). If you aren’t certain of what you want, brainstorm with the artist to help come up with some ideas.

2. If you bring a photo of what you want, remember that may not be the exact look you get. A good makeup artist will try to work with your own unique features to replicate the look, but sometimes our faces are different then our inspiration model’s and things might have to be tweaked. For example: You may have a more delicate eye area then the model in your inspiration photo, and doing the same dramatic smokey eye in exactly the same way might make you look like someone punched you in the eye.

3. Relax! When your body is relaxed, we are able to work more efficiently. It’s hard to apply eyeshadow on someone who is closing their eyes tightly and it’s harder to enhance the brows of someone who is moving their face. Relax your face and follow the directions of the artist of when to open, close, and look up.

4. Know that there will usually be a fee to have your makeup done. If makeup is “free” you are expected to purchase at the end of your makeover session. Having worked cosmetics retail myself, I can tell you that it is very rude to get your face done and simply walk away. The associate/artist is spending valuable company time with you. Most counters and stores nowadays charge a fee up front to ensure their time is not wasted. If yours doesn’t, it’s because the company has good faith that you will purchase something. Freelance artists (individuals that do not work at a counter or store) will usually discuss a fee up front when you book your appointment.

5. Do not think that it’s okay to bring a friend to your appointment and expect to have their makeup done. Most companies assign someone to do your face and will not often have the time to accomodate an extra face, especially on a busy day. If you plan to bring someone with you who also wants a make-p application, call before hand and see if you can book an appointment for them after yours.

6. If you do not like the direction your makeup is going, please speak up. We want you to be happy, so please let us know how we can better help you. There’s nothing worse than having a client proclaim they love what you’ve done only to find out later that they didn’t like it.  Things you can say if your wishes aren’t being meant, “I was hoping we could try it another way,” “I thought I’d like that color/look/method/etc. but it may not be for me afterall. Can we try something else?” Just be honest, and be polite. It’s much easier to fix something as it’s being done then at the very end.

7. And the most important: BE ON TIME (yes, I am yelling). It seems like people these days have either A.) No sense of time.  B.) Respect enough for themselves (it’s YOU that looks bad when you show up late) and the other person to be on time.  C.) Some other reason, which is still no excuse for tardiness. If you will be late, please telephone to let your artist know. Often times there is only a certain amount of time alloted for your appointment and your time will be cut short by being late. Give yourself enough time for travel, finding the location (if you have never been there before), and time for parking and walking to your destination. Also, give yourself at least 15 extra minutes, just in case there is unforseen traffic or other circumstances.

I’ve not had much time for myself lately, let alone post any blogs. My days off are spent pretty much going crazy; errands, helping my mom, working on projects, and trying to (unsuccessfully) catch up on missed sleep. I was also stressed out for a few weeks because there was something terribly wrong with my car. I promise there will be more blogs to come in the next few weeks.

I have also had a little lapse in going to the gym. Most of the time after work I make the excuse that I’m too tired to go or I have too many other things I need to do instead. So to re-motivate myself, I’ve booked more personal training appointments, purchased a few cute new workout outfits, and uploaded a new workout music mix. We’ll see how it goes.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer: You will see instant gratification from this primer. Pore perfecting, smoothing, and longer lasting makeup are just a few of the perks. Mulberry extract is added for a boost of brightening. This also contains vitamins A & C plus a small dose of retinol to refine the skin over time. Always make sure to wear sunscreen whenever using a retinol product, no matter how small the concentration. The texture feels like that of a typical primer-. It does contain dimethecone and I have not yet broken out from it. To me, it doesn’t feel like I put anything on my skin and I like it a lot. I have been using it for over a month now and I don’t notice a huge difference in the texture or my pore size when I am not wearing this. All in all, I feel like it’s a decent primer and I might be inclined to buy this again. $30 for a 1 oz tube at Sephora.

Carmindy for Sally Hansen Luminizing Primer:  This pretty primer features subtle luminzing particles to give a radiant glow to the complexion. It helps to subtly brighten the skin while smoothing over fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, and pores. Like the Too Faced primer, it feels soft, slightly slick, and smooth. I don’t really notice much of an added glow after I apply a fuller coverage foundation. When I am wearing this under a sheer tinted moisturizer my skin looks slightly more radiant. I tried this on my mother who happens to have dry skin, noticeable pores, a little redness, and minimal signs of aging (mostly around the eye area) and it seemed to suit her skin type much better then mine. If you are curious, I would recommend trying it, just take caution if, like me, you are on the more oily side. For where to buy near you, check http://www.sallyhansennaturalbeauty.com/where-to-buy/

This nail and cuticle treatment has been around for a very long time and has a cult following. It hydrates, strengthens, and encourages nail growth. A small amount is all that’s needed to be effective and can be used before or after using polish. It’s $23 and you get plenty of product in one little pot.

I know a lot of people really dig this product but I did not like having to physically dig into the pot to get any out. I’d much rather invest in products with user friendly packaging. It is hard to close a screw top pot after one has goo residue on his or her fingers from hydrating the cuticles.

I tested this product in store and did not buy, so I can’t report on if it actually helps with nail growth. Like other Dior products, it is fragranced. That’s fine and dandy, however, the fragrance they used for this product is less than satisfactory to my nose. Very grandma-like (though not my grandma, she’s hip and smells lovely).

I love Fresh bunches and I also love their original Sugar Lip treatment. It contains sugar, a natural humectant, to help keep your lips hydrated. It also feels smooth and makes my lips look and feel healthy. It also contains a ton of ingredients to keep your pucker in top condition. Plus, it features SPF 15 to prevent sun damage and burns.

The “new” Rose tinted treatment has all of the same benefits of the original, now with a little hint of tint. The color is sheer, buildable, and is a very soft rose color. I liked it at first because it was great when I wanted a little color and hydration. Then, I left it in the heat and it melted everywhere. So no more Sugar Rose for me. Oh well, I think I prefer the original better since I can wear it to bed without turning my pillow pink.

At $22.50 for both the original and roseversion, it is a bit steep. Keep in mind, though, that this is more of a treatment then a lip balm. A little goes a long way and you just want to use a little dab instead of slathering it all over your lips, especially with the rose version. Either is a great treat for yourself or a gift for someone else.

Celebrate Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish’s 10th birthday! Fresh Stores will be hosting events every Thursday from 5pm til closing during the rest of September. There are two events remaining, check the website for details: http://www.fresh.com/content/TenYears

If you have not tried this body scrub, it will knock your socks off. It’s a very luxurious body polish that softens and hydrates with essential oils. It’s almost like having a pricy spa body exfoliation treatment in your own tub at home.

Dear readers,

There is an issue I would like to bring to your attention that will hopefully help to prevent some disappointment from future purchases of certain beauty items.

So, lets say I’m in the market for a new hair dryer. I want salon quality without the price tag but any old drug store dryer just won’t do. The dryer I want is $150, but I see there is a travel size for only $100! Should I:

1. Pick the travel size because it will save me some money and save space.
2. Go with the original size.

If you are like most consumers, you probably picked the first option to save a bit of money. The best answer is really 2. By the way, this is just a pretend scenario. I happen to love my Conair from Target.

Most electric “travel size” beauty accessories (i.e. hair dryers, flat irons, styling tools, and skin care items that require an outlet or batteries) are just that- travel size and only for travel. They often have shorter warranties and are not intended for daily use. They will not usually hold up to every day wear and tear and are meant for occasional use, hence why they are for travel.

Think of it this way: If you wash and condition your hair at least five times weekly, little travel sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner would last, at most, only for that one week (maybe longer if you have shorter hair). You would possibly end up spending more on the smaller size items then to just shell out for full size shampoo and conditioner.

It is the same concept for beauty appliances. You might be saving a little money for the moment, but you’ll spending more in the long run, having to purchase a new one when the manufacturer deems the warranty void because it wasn’t used as intended. And, as previously mentioned, the warranties are often much shorter in duration, sometimes by up to a few years.  

If you really do intend to use it occasionally then you will be fine with purchasing the travel size with no problems at all. Just make sure that if you find yourself using it more often to invest in the full size/original size version.

XOXO,

A.

In an ideal world where money is not an issue, I wouldn’t mind all of my beauty products to be the creme de la creme of their category. In the real world, I am more prone to spending a lot on some items, while others make no sense for me to drop a small fortune on. Here are some of my suggestions on when to shell out the big bucks and when to be thrifty.

Invest in:

• Quality brushes: Trust me, quality makes all the difference. “Quality” by the way, does not necessarily equal pricy. I have a $15 blending brush by brand A and the same one by brand B that was $25. I like brand A the best and it’s $10 less!
• Foundation: Go to a counter or beauty store and get matched for color. Some places will even offer you a sample to try first so you can see how it will look on you. If they don’t do samples, see if they will apply it for you so you can see how it looks.
• Fragrance: Even this little luxury can brighten the gloomiest of days. If you can’t afford the whole bottle a lot of lines now offer less expensive travel sizes or rollerballs for much less. It you love the scent and want the best value, look for gift sets because they offer a lotion (and/or shower gel) along with the fragrance. Tip: Sometimes places like TJ Maxx or Costco will have the same fragrances at a lower price.
• Skin Care: Spring for acne or anti aging products.
• Sun protection for your face with both UVA & UVB protection (or broad spectrum).
• Brow, face, or body waxing: You usually get what you pay for in this category.
• Clothing staples: Investment pieces that are timeless, high quality, and go with everything.
• Handbag/Purse: Choose a style that is durable and has structure. Neutral colors are best. Or buy designer at a lower price from stores like TJ Maxx or from websites like Hautelook (membership is required and is free).

Save on:

• Sun protection for the body: Drug store is just fine. Still look for UVA & UVB protection (or broad spectrum).
• Lipstick: This age old mood enhancer is very cheap for companies to manufacture. A lot of drug store colors and textures are very similar to higher end lines.
• Brush Cleaner: Make sure to purchase brush cleaner to protect your investment. Most brush cleaner is fragrance and alcohol, so I say why spend $20 on a bottle when a $10 bottle has the same ingredients?
• Body lotion: Look for hydrating butters (shea, coco, etc.) and essential oils on the label.
• Shave gel, lotion, or cream: There isn’t a huge difference in expensive vs cheap.
• Clothing trends: Why spend $200 on a piece that will be out next year?
• Handbag/Purses that are trendy: Target usually has a good selection of trendy bags.
• Manicures (if not getting faux nails): Basic mani’s are done the same way at pricy salons and budget friendly salons.