Reader Question of the Week

Q: What is the last beauty product you have used up?

A: Ahh, that's a good one! Especially for a 'product junkie'! The last item I've used up was my Makeup Forever High Definition Foundation. I love it and am ready to purchase another. But holding off for now!

Reader Question:

What one product do you think everyone needs to use?

Sunscreen, I can’t stress that enough . We all slather it on our infants and children, but tend to slack off when it comes to ourselves. Sun damage can occur at any level of exposure and is often deep within the dermis so it goes unnoticed, until it’s too late. I prefer to use at least SPF 30 but any level is better than none.
Thank you, Pink Haired Beauty Student for the question!

What to do with all of those gift set shower gels, do tell!

Ever buy a perfume gift set because it was a mere few dollars more than the price of the lone bottle. Especially now, with the Holidays fast approaching and the fragrance gift sets are abundant! And once again, the skilled sales associate has convinced you that you must have it. But you know you will never use the shower gels that come in them and you know they will sit and collect dust and just take up room in your beauty treasure trove. What to do with them?

I’ve come up with a few things that I do with mine, they don’t go to waste and I have new uses for my favorite scents! One thing I love to do is use it as a delicate wash. Add a bit to your sink full of cold water and soak your delicates. I’ve also added it into my wash cycle in the washing machine for softly scented clothes. I have a front loading washer these days so I fill the detergent dispenser to about ¼ the detergent capacity, this is plenty since they use very little detergent to begin with.

Another use I get from these is to use them as a hand wash. My guest’s always muse over this! For the 1.7oz tubes that normally come in the sets, I add all of the contents into my soap dispenser and fill the rest with unscented hand soap. I use an unscented biodegradable and sulfate free base I get from a craft supplier. It comes in various sizes and is great for making any thing in liquid soap form such as shampoo, detergent, liquid soap, etc.

These are just a few suggestions; there are many more things you can do with them! Waste not; want not, I’m sure my Mother has told me this many times. Maybe this one stuck!

Reader Question:

What is your favorite look for a night out on the town?

I love a dark smoky eye with a pale “J-Lo” lip! I think that is sexy on everyone! Right now, I’m loving a smoky eye when done with a black shadow with gold shimmers in it. I just got one from the Christian Siriano Collection for Victoria’s Secret and it’s just stunning!

The other look I absolutely love is a pale complexion and eyes with a true red lip. This works for anytime or any occasion! You can take this from the office to a romantic night out. It’s just a classic look!

Reader Question:

I don’t wear a lot of makeup but for the holidays I’d like to do something special. Any suggestions?

That would be the perfect time to do something special! Even if you don’t wear a lot of makeup, you can look luminous and angelic for the winter and holiday months! Add a bit of lumination to your cheek bones or the bow of you lip. This brings out those features as well as gives you a healthy angelic glow. Lips will look fuller with just a touch of luminizer in the cupid of your lip, and cheek bones will radiate. A luminizer in a champagne shade looks great on just about anyone but a white shimmer looks fabulous for the winter months as well! Kevyn Aucoin has a white shimmer cream that is fantastic! So go ahead and experiment, find one that works for you and go to town!

Reader Question:

What is your favorite splurge item?

Good question! I like to splurge on lipstick. If I find a shade and texture I absolutely love, there is no amount of money I wouldn’t spend on it. Well, maybe there is, but it would be hard in convincing me it’s not worth it! Even if I don’t wear much in means of other makeup, I always wear lipstick. So for me, lipstick is my love!

READER QUESTION:

What is your favorite cosmetic line?

That is a hard question! I have not one favorite in particular. I have some I use more than others, but I tend to use a bit from each line. I love what each line has to offer so I don’t use one exclusively!

Reader Question

How many shades of eye shadow do you use when doing your eye makeup?

It really depends on the look. If I am doing a quick natural eye, I use two shades; one for base and one for contour. For a smoky or dramatic eye, I use four shades; one for base, one for contour, one for highlight and one to accent the outer corner or lash line. There is not set protocol, play and have fun! Anything goes!

Reader Question:

What is your favorite drug store brand shampoo/conditioner?

My favorite drugstore brand for shampoo and conditioner is Pantene Pro-V. I especially like the Moisture Renewal products. I love how it seals my hair for shine and softness. No matter how much I’ve abused my hair when I’ve used this, the dryness and split ends seem non-existent! For around $8 for each, this is one of the best deals. Lately I’ve been able to find the huge bottles at Costco, so you get an even better deal!

Fall 2009 Collections

Okay ladies, just getting all of the preview's for the upcoming fall collections! I can tell you this right now, save your money! You will need it to get all of the fabulous items coming out. As they are fabulous! The colors are rich, the collectiions are diverse and you will have a hard time picking and chosing. With the economy so bad, these brands knew they had to do something extraordinary to bring in the customers and keep them buying! They did not dissapoint, I will go broke with the fall collections, there will be no picking and chosing for me. Keep an eye out for the Chanel, Dior, Ysl and Givenchy collections in particular, they are stunning! August is the month for the awaited collections so cancel your vacation plans and head to the department stores! I'll see you there!

Natural or Not

I get alot of questions on all natural and organic cosmetics and skincare so I thought I'd give my thoughts on it. With the hype of all things eco-friendly, natural and organic, how do we really know which way we should go? Being one who tries to be as eco-friendly as possible, eats organic and really does want to do what’s best for myself and my world, I find it very confusing at times. I have used, tried and love many of the new up and coming lines that are organic and natural, and let me say, they are fabulous! So what about my coveted lines, my long loves that are not natural and organic?

We could drive ourselves crazy on the subject of what should and should not be used in cosmetics, how they are tested and on what. Not all synthetic ingredients are harmful, the magic of modern technology has allowed scientist to create ingredients that are beneficial and safe. And not all natural ingredients are beneficial to all, some essential oils set off an array of allergic reactions for me. So what is one to do? My only suggestion is to investigate what you are using, what the effects are, good and bad. Then weigh out whether or not it’s something you should use or want to use.

Recently, I was watching a show on how crude oil is manufacturing, and up popped a word I’ve seen many times in various cosmetic items; propoline. This is the product that is produced when crude oil is distilled and separated in to different components for use in industry. Personally, I can’t stomach the thought of using propoline on my skin, as beneficial as some reports say it is, so gone are all things containing propoline. Now, I know that the form used for cosmetics is not necessarily harmful, but it’s my choice not to use it. Its everyone’s choice, what may be good for one, may not be good for another!

Makeup Junkie Asks....

What is your current makeup obsession? What items are you drawn to this season?

Right now my current obsession is bronzer, all types and shades! I can't seem to get enough of them!

Makup Junkie asks

Do you buy back up's of items you like? How many of a particular item have you bought to keep as back up's?

I always buy back up's of things I like. If its a limited edition item, I'll buy one to use and one to keep! Of other things I like and can't live without, I'll have one I'm using and at least one in waiting, sometimes two. It's the OCD in me, if I don't have a back up of an item I love, I get nervous and anxious!

Makeup Junkie Asks....

With the current out break of swine flu, what precautions are you taking when you are out shopping for makeup?

Well, since I won't stop doing my favorite hobby just because there is some flu outbreak, I am just very cautious and make cleanliness a priority! I try to test colors on the backs of my hands rather than directly on my face. And I sanitize, sanitize sanitize! No flu will keep me away from my precious beauties!

Makeup Junkie Asks....

What is the one cosmetic item you can't live without?

During the summer months, its my Boscia Blotting Linens. It get so hot here and oiliness is unavoidable. So Rather than load up on the powders, blot, blot, blot!