The liquid liner look

Ok, I'm about to admit something pretty embarrassing. I am not, nor have I ever been, coordinated enough to apply liquid liner. In high school I'd see all of my friends sporting the cat's eye look, and try as I may to do the same, I would always come away looking like a raccoon. Luckily, makeup has improved over the years, and I can finally get the look without the raccoon.

To good to be true
NYC Liquid Eyeliner
Where to get it: Any drugstore.
Price: $3.00

The first product I tried was inexpensive enough for me to be willing to take a risk. Ok, it was downright cheap. The premise seemed good. It touted a "mistake free applicator" that seemed right up my alley. The eyeliner comes in a felt pen like package and has a felt type tip. Sounded fool proof to me.

Unfortunately, the tip is very long and this makes for less control when applying. Despite my most valiant of efforts, I once again ended up with the hated raccoon look. The eyeliner itself does have staying power, but if you can't apply it with control this actually works out to be a negative (as I learned). Unless you're quite handy with all things makeup, I wouldn't recommend this product.

The real deal
Smashbox JET SET Waterproof Eye Liner
Where to get it: Beauty Boutiques like Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart. Also online at Smashbox, and Amazon (link below).
Price: $22.00

After my failure with the NYC eyeliner, I once again gave up on the whole liquid liner idea. That is, until a good friend raved to me about a new product she tried. Smashbox JET SET waterproof eyeliner comes in a gel formula and can be painted on with a brush. The formula stays pliable for about a minute before becoming set and waterproof. 

Because of the condensed consistency of the gel formula, I found it very easy to control the application of this eyeliner. I was actually able to apply it in a subtle way, and add more if I wanted to. The bottom line is that even a makeup flunkie like me can use this product and get a great result. It's on the expensive side, but well worth the money. I love it so much I have two! The brown and copper are my favourites, but a good friend has black and she swears by it.

One thing to note is that to use this eyeliner, you'll need a good eyeliner brush. More on that later. 


The inexpensive alternative
Loreal HiP Colour Truth Cream Eyeliner
Where to get it: Any drug store.
Price: $11
As mentioned, I was so impressed with the Smashbox liner that I splurged on two colours. Since I don't have a huge amount of disposable income, I was interested in seeing if there was a less spendy offering out there.  

I got a pleasant surprise in Loreal's HiP Colour Truth Cream Eyeliner. As the names states, the product comes in the form of a cream. It's slightly softer than Smashbox, so you have to be more careful with the application, but if you ensure that you don't load too much product on the brush it delivers a great result. The other bonus is that it comes with a great slant tipped brush. At half the cost of the Smashbox version it's a winner in my book.

Baste those dry hands in moisture

I don't know about you, but the crazy weather has left my hands dry and chapped. So, I decided to try out a few hand moisturizers to see what works best. I wanted to see what worked best for the most money, and here's what I came up with.


OPI Avojuice
Where to get it: Most any salon or beauty supply store.
Price: $16

The spend.
It's not that expensive, but in comparison with the others I tried it's a bit more. If you love OPI products than you've probably already tried their line of Avojuice Skin Quencher lotions. They offer a variety of scents, but my favorite is the Grapefruit. It has a light clean scent that I find really refreshing. It's good if you want a light lotion and don't need serious care, ideal for everyday frequent use. It's actually my lotion of choice for the summertime. I really like the way it absorbs into skin so quickly, never leaving hands feeling greasy. If however, you have some serious dryness, it probably won't fit the bill.

Glysomed Hand Creme
Where to get it: Any drugstore
Price: $5

The good old standby.
For the past year I've been carrying a tube of Glysomed in my purse. It's a nice thick hand creme that does a good job of ridding skin of that dry rough feeling. I prefer the fragrance free version, don't care for the scent of their other one (the green bottle). While it is a great product, I must admit that it doesn't absorb into my hands as fast as I would like it to. So, I continue on the search for the best of both worlds. If you don't mind a waiting for the moisture to absorb in, this is a good product at a very reasonable price.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream
Where to get it: any drugstore
Price:$8

The Ultimate.
If you have seriously dry hands, then I highly recommend going for this one. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream has been around for a long time (I can remember using it as a teenager) and still delivers on it's promise. A thick, concentrated formula that really works to get rid of dryness. It's completely non-irritating. I have often applied it to my nose when it gets chapped from constant over blowing due to a cold and it doesn't even make it sting! I do find that it takes a little while to absorb, so I'd recommend this as one you keep by your nightstand for evening or after shower applications. Just visited their website and found out they offer a fast absorbing formula, so I guess I'd better check it out!

Nivea SOS Hand Cream
Where to get it: any drugstore
Price: $5

 The steal.
Ok, I'll admit it. This one was a bit of an oops that turned out well. I was looking for Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Creme and thought I was picking an unscented version of it, but it turns out I actually grabbed a misplaced bottle of Nivea SOS Hand Cream. Don't you just love it when distraction actually works out for the better? I really like this cream. It's almost as thick as the Norwegian, but absorbs about twice as fast. It swathes my skin in a thick protective layer that really lasts. The best part? It's almost half the price.

Mascara, thickening or lengthening - why can't we have both?

I don't wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis, but I must admit that I'm loathe to leave the house without my mascara on. Oh the shame! Needless to say, mascara is my main thing far as makeup is concerned. As such, I've been searching high and low for the perfect one for YEARS. Here's what I've found out.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume
Where to get it: available at most grocery and drugstores.
Cost: $10

My favorite.
Cover Girl Last Blast Volume (waterproof) is currently my go to tool for luxurious lashes. I like a mascara that gives a lot of volume and this one really comes through. The waterproof formula never smudges and it also provides a good amount of length. Of all the mascaras I've used, this is the best. A sweet price doesn't hurt either!


Loreal Voluminous
Where to get it: available at most grocery and drugstores.
Cost: $9

The alternate.
Before discovering my new best friend, I was a faithful user of Loreal Voluminous (waterproof). I liked the way it provided length yet gave me the full lashes I love. The only downside for this one is that the waterproof formula is not as un-budgable as others. If you're an eye rubber or contact lense wearer like me, try the Cover Girl.




Maybelline Volum' Express
Where to get it: available at most grocery and drugstores.
Cost: $9

The OK substitute.
Maybelline Volum' Express is an acceptable alternative to the Loreal or Cover Girl mascaras mentioned above. While it doesn't provide quite as much of a boost to your lashes, it does the trick pretty well and the waterproof formula stays put.



Maybelline's Falsies
Where to get it: available at most grocery and drugstores.
Cost: $9

Not impressed.
I was very intrigued when I saw the commercials for Maybelline's The Falsies Volume Express. Mascara that gives you thick, long, beautiful lashes without having to mess with glueing on fake ones? Sold. Unfortunately, this is just not the case. Falsies gave me neither volume or length comparable to my other faves. And the waterproof formula left me looking like a raccoon by the end of the day. Falsies indeed...



Kiss Me Mascara
Where to get it: Beauty and cosmetic stores such as Sephora
Cost: $24

Neh.
When I heard about the concept behind Kiss Me Mascara I must admit I was intruiged. The premise: this mascara forms tiny water resistant "tubes" around each individual lash. Once it's dry, it doesn't flake or smudge like traditional mascara. When you want to remove it, you just loosen the "tubes" with warm water and then slide them off your lashes.

The product does work as stated, but I found that it didn't provide me near enough volume or length to make it worth paying the higher price. And while it's great to have an easier way to take it off, I choose my mascara for the way it LOOKS not the way I remove it.

If you like a subtle look from mascara I'd recommend this, if not, give it a pass and save yourself the money.

Keeping the ENVY in Nail Envy

If you don't know about it yet, you should. Nail Envy is a savior for all things fingertips. However, the product offerings are not all the same. As a faithful user of the original Nail Envy, I decided to try Nail Envy Matte. Thought that sometimes it would be nice to have a strong nail without the shine.

Unfortunately, while the original delivers on every promise, the matte does not. It wears off easily and takes on a blueish cast as it wears. By two days in, it's dirty and unkempt. No good in my books.

The original is still a good buy, and the rest may be good!
x.opi.com/trNenvy.asp
Where to get it: available at most salons, beauty supply stores and the occasional drug store.
Cost: $20

More on the dry shampoo

Good friend has something to add on the dry shampoo front...
This is from one of my Diva friends. Important to note that she would spend as much as needed for a good product, so if she chooses on that's cheaper, you KNOW it's good...

The one I like the most is Batiste, which I've found at Shoppers Drug Mart for around $8-9.

http://www.batistehair.co.uk/

The scent seems strong when applying but isn't that strong when it's dried and set, and it effectively sops up the oil and gives you a bit of oomph. All the other ones I've tried (baby powder, TresEmme, the higher end ones at Sephora, etc.) have either not been effective or have clogged up at the spray opening so you can't use it after 1 or 2 uses! So my suggestion is to try Batiste.

What's the deal with oil?

To Moroccan or Macadamia?
Hmm, there's really not a clear cut choice here I'm afraid. I've tried both, and here's the deciding factor - what type of hair do you have?

Both are great products, and will protect your hair from humidity while rebuilding it's strength and shine. However, if you have fine hair that easily gets oily, then Moroccan oil is the clear choice. If, however, you are unblessed with hair like mine - kinky, curly, and will turn into a frizz ball at the drop of a hat - you want to go with the Macadamia. It's a little bit thicker, and will give you that added boost of shine and protection against humidity.

Moroccan oil, as already said, will work great if you have finer hair that gets weighed down by to much product. I have many friends (blessed with lovely Barbie like hair - hate 'em all) who use it and swear by it.

Moroccan Oil

Macadamia Oil

Luscious lips on the go

I'm a busy girl and I must admit that although my purse if FULL of lipstick, I never remember to apply it. When I finally do, my lips are so dry that I just don't want to use a traditional lipstick.

Clinique Almost Lipstick
Where to get it: available at most department stores and cosmetics stores (such as Sephora).
Cost: $18
My solution? Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. It's touted as their best selling lipstick ever, and believe me - there is a reason for that. This half gloss/half lipstick is a warm raspberry shade that suits almost any complexion. It also cures dry lips instantly. While it's price tag is a little higher than most of the lipsticks that I buy, it's worth it since it's the only one I actually USE.

I've recommended this product to almost all of my friends, and they have been thrilled as well. I've been stocking up on the stuff since 2008. LOVE IT!

I've finally cleared my purse out of all those old lipsticks, except for one other. Will spill soon...