The Daily Beauty Break

Frickin’ FINALLY!! I have been looking for Loreal’s NEW Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara ($<10) for going on weeks now….and lo and behold!, I got the SECOND to last tube yesterday at Target (almost bought the Elnet too…wants vs needs my dears….it’s a tough call in my beauty obsessed head).

So if you haven’t heard already Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes is a dual-process mascara….the white primer side goes on first  to coat and create “tubes” around your lashes….and then the real magic occurs when you coat it with the black mascara…….resulting in (what Loreal claims) 80% longer, lusher lashes!

So did it deliver? TOTALLY…..I had a party last night so it was perfect timing to take this new mascara for a test run….my lashes got incredibly long and thick with minimal (if any) clumping at all! I was pretty impressed I must say……I really wanted to take a picture for you beauties but my (new) camera is on the fritz….I loved the Beauty Tubes because it easily filled in the broken spots in my lash line (what’s up with that?) and gave me that “perfect” almost-falsie look.  BTW….This mascara is an IDEAL way to take it up a notch in your makeup routine for Holidays…esp for gals that are hesitant to go whole-hog and wear falsies (more to come on that later…)!

The wash-off was definitely interesting but super easy ( looks like spider legs in your sink)…I’ve used other tube mascaras in the past and you had to kind of pinch your lashes to release the tubes (kind of scary until you get used to it) but the Beauty Tubes released without any pressure at all……..VERY NICE.

So YES, Beth ( fellow Austin-based addict) you were RIGHT! Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara rocks…I would highly recommend this one to everyone (if you can find it……)

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!

I know…I know.…I didn’t want to think about it either until I went shopping with a girlfriend last week( selfishly for moi only) and she BOUGHT HALF OF HER XMAS PRESENTS!!!!! Holy crap….and since I have to ship half of our gifts up north to Seattle, the sooner I get started the better. So I’ve decided to devote an entire column to Holiday Beauty and will be peppering you off and on these next two months with ideas……

As some of you know I have this weird fascination with hand soap….I’m always on the lookout for new ones.. especially soaps that are good for me and the environment.

I’ll be lining my bathroom sinks this season with Farmhouse Liquid Hand Soap ($8.95)…part of Sweet Grass Farm’s Limited Edition Holiday Greenery Collection…this sweet, Xmas-tree scented soap is preservative and petrochemical-free…..This soap contains essential oils and is vitamin-packed…and won’t hurt anything on it’s way down the drain….

Sweet Grass Farm’s products are definitely  “Good For You Beauty” …. all their products are “handmade in small batches” by the folks at the farm……Living the dream for the last four years, the folks at this small family-run farm in Greenland, NH offer Tons of great AFFORDABLE gift ideas for the Holidays…Be sure to visit their website for some Holiday Gift-giving Inspiration my beauties……

TIP: Every year about this time, I stock up on my favorite Holiday Hand Soaps and Lotions for last minute gifts and Hostess presents…I love the fact that every time a recipient goes to wash their hands they will think of moi ( I know, I know..but it’s all about ME!!)…

So, hopefully this post will help nudge you in the holiday direction (and be sure to share your gift-giving ideas with moi)…..

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!

Girlfriends & Shopping & Cocktails & Freebies= INSTANT FUN. Sound like what you need? Well Shecky’s Girls Night Out is hitting Dallas, Thursday and Friday..Nov 14 & 15 from 5-10pm at the FIG (Fashion Industry Gallery) at 1807 Ross Avenue in downtown!

General Admission is $10 bucks but if you spend $25 you get admission plus a KILLER goodie bag (I heart me some goodie bags)…..

But don’t get out your checkbook just yet because my girl Katie over at D magazine’s ShopTalk is giving away 10 FREE TICKETS….all you gotta do is email her to enter her drawing….but do it soon because she’s giving them away tomorrow….(and I would highly recommend adding ShopTalk to your reader because EVERY Friday is giveaway Friday there……..)

Hopefully I’ll get to see you there………

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!!!

Hello there beautiful people. So I went from blond to brown again this week…..sad, but necessary…just can’t afford the 7 week touch ups being blond requires…bittersweet because for moi brown really does flatter my skin tone better and requires way less makeup. But I digress….that must be why I am all about the hair lately…

Anyhoo- been meaning to tell you about my love for Matrix Sleek Look Shampoo & Conditioner (both <$15) for months now…I love,love this stuff…..it really tames my course mane and gives great shine…..it’s super thick and literally can clog the shower drain if you don’t watch it….Just what my fried-n-died do needs! When I have the dough that’s where my money goes!!!

BUT (nothing new) I am so broke…..and after seeing my girl Lianne’s video and post about her Suave experience over at TheMakeupGirl…..”silky,silky now” (btw she’s giving away a YEARS worth of Suave so go check it out!!!) I decided to “get real” and bought the way cheaper Suave Professional Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner (both under $3 bucks..). at Walmart the next day.

THE VERDICT: While the Suave didn’t feel anywhere near as luxurious, thick and creamy (okay that sounds REALLY gross…get your head out of the gutter J) I was pleasantly suprised at the final results…the Sauve conditioner is especially thinner but it washed out extremely slow leaving my hair coated and soft. My blowout afterwards was just as shiny, just as soft…Not bad for $6 bucks VS $26!!! So funny because when I told my hairdresser she was like, “GIRL, just call me and I will TAKE you to the supply house so you don’t have to use that crap”. But really, Suave did a great job……..

So until that Xmas bonus comes in I’m a Suave girl……….

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!! (and if you have any Hi/Lo Beauty Booty coups you better dish…)

(my girl Faith…working her magic at the Marc Bouwer show….)

New beginnings….that’s what it’s all about. I am so hopeful after last nights election and hopefully you are too my beauties!! So ANYWAYS…I told ya’ll that I would have tips for days after my Bobbi Brown Uber Master Makeup Class at Fashion at the Park this season and here’s a good one…….

MY personal Bobbi Brown makeup artist Faith Edwards told me the CUTEST way to know whether or not your mascara needs to be tossed...If it doesn’t make that K-I-S-S noise when you open it (you know the suction-y sound as you pull out the wand) it’s time to say GOODBYE to that tube….NO K-I-S-S means that A. your mascara is totally dried out and B. it is probably loaded with all kinds of “goodies”!!!

Now (of course) this little lesson wouldn’t be complete without me sharing with you what mascara you need to replace your old…..Get it while you can,  you MUST HAVE Bobbi Brown’s Limited-Edition Everything Lash Glamour Mascara Combo ($28)!!!

Now I gotta admit, when I first opened this bad-boy I wasn’t sold….the first few times I used it I ended up with some SCARY spiderlashes…But I honed my skills…and if you start with the “Everything Mascara” and really work it into the base of the lashes and then fill out the ends with the “Lash Glamour” formula you’ll have lashes for days…….(suprising bonus, this mascara really seemed to help my lashes retain thier curl, too!!

Here’s to new beginnings……

Be Beautiful Ya’ll!!!!

Hey beautiful people. I have SO been meaning to tell you about this wonder product….if you have hair like moi (fried-n-died) then Sebastian’s Whipped Cream Light Conditioning Style Whip ($18.99) is SO for you….I’ve never been a “mousse” type of girl (except for in the early 90’s) but this is SO not your typical mousse.

This creamy whip (yes, it really does have the EXACT same texture as whipped cream) gives good blow-out………It’s got tons of protein and moisture so your hair dries shiny and hydrated.  I got to say GOODBYE to my usual brittle blow-out…and let’s just say Whipped Cream makes for a very satisfying hair-twirling experience…..

Oh, and I got mine from the wonderful people at my favorite mag, Allure. If you want your own FREE STUFF go check ‘em out…they are giving away the ENTIRE NARS Fall Collection. Holy Orgasm….Believe the hype my beauties!

Be Beautiful……..

Hey girls. I am so in love right now, can I just say? …Care of makeup artist extraordinaire Bobbi Brown..just in time for the holidays are these little lovelies…..Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Glitter Lip Balms ($18). …Part of Bobbi’s new collection for the holidays called the Copper Diamond Collection.….Glitter Balms come in three shades: Crystal Diamond, Pink Crystal and Copper Diamond (the shade I tested….).

Love,love….the darling litte round compact contains a generous portion of the cushy, hydrating balm PLUS a mirror…perfect for your holiday hand bag. And the formula? Whoever said that the over 40 ( or 30) crowd can’t wear glitter has NOT tried these balms….the perfect amount of sheer color, shine and sparkle this balm is soooo in my bag!!!!

Leave it to Bobbi to do glitter for every age………

More reviews from Bobbi’s Copper Diamond Collection coming up soon….so stay tuned. xoxo

Be Beautiful…….

CONGRATULATIONS reader Emily Nichols! This lucky girl ( how come I never win anything?) will be receiving:

1 Instant Definition Eye Shadow Pallete in “Mountain”, 1 Natural Powder Blush in Cherub, 1 Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming, 2 Comfort Color Lip Colors in Perfect Pink& Plum Shimmer and 1Natural Shine Lip gloss in Bronze Berry…all from the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty….inspired by CARMINDY makeup line!

Have fun with these gorgeous colors Emily and be sure share the love with another if some of the colors don’t work for you sweetie!!!

I can’t thank all those that entered enough…… I seriously wish that I could have each  of you over to my place…No girlfriend ever leaves my house empty-handed……

Be Beautiful and don’t forget to Share the Love…

Btw…..Don’t forget to vote tommorow!!!!

Hola my beauties….so that 12 Step Program I’m in I keep waxing poetic about?….It’s for food. I know, I know….but after 7 years and 70lbs off my cosmetic addiction has helped to scratch “certain itches” that  would have me running straight for the kids trick-or-treat stashes right now (if you know what I mean)……

Don’t forget Whole Foods health and beauty isle next trip out….these guys keep some goodies that won’t (totally) break the bank or break your diet………

I recently picked up Pacifica’s Mexican Cocoa Body Fragrance ($19.99). As soon as I smelled it I knew I had to “treat” myself….except the price wasn’t marked. The sales guy and I set a little wager betting on the price. I said $25 bucks, he said “even if it’s more I think you deserve it“….I think he was right. I just want to eat myself!!!!!

Also, did you know that Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Aromatheraputic Household cleansers line has new flavor…Holy, BASIL!!! I’m not sure that this stuff smells like basil, but whatever it is it’s HEAVENLY…..So I had to pick up the Basil Liquid Hand Soap ($5).  I use Mrs. Meyers all over the house…all their cleaners/lotions/potions smell so glam and the packaging is to die for…..besides, if I HAVE to clean might as well do it beautifully………

So Ya’ll don’t be afraid to treat yourself.….Hey, if a little thing like hand soap can help keep my head out of the fridge and my butt in my designer jeans then I”m all for it!!!!

Be Beautiful………..

And Hey, did you enter my Sally Hansen Natural Beauty….inspired by CARMINDY drawing yet? I pick a winner tommorow….

Happy Halloween my beauties!! You got your costumes for the weekend all figured out? Well, rather then re-invent the wheel I wanted to show you all the great How-To’s on one of my favorite beauty websites Total Beauty. Total Beauty is one of my sources for all the latest and greatest beauty finds, professional makeup tutorials and   “real people”  cosmetics reviews. They aren’t afraid to keep it real and I love that they do lists like “Editors 9 LOWEST rated body lotions”.

But seriously, TB’s Halloween makeup How-To’s are off the hook!!! There’s the “Twinkling Fairy” (pictured above), “Glamorous Mask”, “Sexy Kitten” (why do women always have to be either “sexy” or “dumpy” when it comes to Halloween…I soo don’t get that), “Classic Pin-up” (think Vita Don Teese), “Sexy Vampire” and MY favorite “Retro 60’s Girl”.

The step-by-step instructions are SUPER easy to follow and you don’t have to be a professional makeup artist like moi to re-create the looks…….Total Beauty Rocks!!!

So I hope you have a totally fun, totally safe (sorry it’s the mom in me) Halloween this year my pretties!!!

Be Beautiful and send pictures…..

*OH and don’t forget to enter my Sally Hansen Natural Beauty….inspired by CARMINDY giveaway (it will just take you a second….)!