Makeup Monday

I adore summer time and the break it brings from Oregon’s nearly ever-present rain. However, when the mercury rises it can cause carefully applied eye makeup to melt right off. The result is streaked and smeared makeup, with eyeliner migrating up near your temples. (If you have seasonal allergies, all that sneezing just compounds the problem).

The best way to prevent (and almost elimnate) eye-makeup creep is to use waterproof eyeliner and mascara. My fave eyeliner is Maybelline's "Unstoppable Eyeliner". These products will be much less likely to smear or run in the heat. I am a self-professed mascara junkie, so allow me to share a couple of my favorite (waterproof) types:

 {Left} Cover Girl's "Lash Blast" is just a really really good everyday mascara. The brush bristles are rubber, and make your lashes seem huge. You can also just pile this stuff on; if you seem to need a little more later in the day, just add a few more coats.

Buy it here.

Maybelline's "Volum' Express The Falsies" {at right} is amazing. It really looks like you are wearing false lashes! When I am running late or don't have the time (or desire) to apply a whole "look" for my eyes, I'll just curl my lashes and apply a couple coats of this.

This baby is my (current) favorite lash aid.

Buy it here.

And when I am feeling the need to turn up the intensity on my lashes, I use Maybelline's "Volum' Express The falsies: Black Drama" {pictured left}. A little thicker than the original version (above), it takes your lashes to the next level.

Buy it here.

Tip: To prevent clumps and aid in lash-sepreration, wiggle the wand ever so slightly at the base of your lashes, than swoosh it up through to the tips. Repeat a few times. Every other "swoosh" or so, roll the brush as you go up through your lashes. This will help ensure every lash is coated.

Ok…it’s time for me to take a stand against something. And it’s not going to be popular, especially in my age demographic. But sometimes you just have to stand your ground, no matter what those surrounding you think.

So here goes: I hate the feather hair extensions thing. Detest, even. The natural colored ones are bad enough, but don’t even get me started on the hot pink or cyan ones. Ridiculous is all I can say about those.

{She Knows}

Many of the ladies my age (and many younger and {yikes} older) seem to be enamored with these feather hair extensions. If you haven’t seen them, they are a rooster feather clipped into your hair, in much the same way as regular hair extensions. Everybody loves them and thinks they’re so cool and edgy and hip and boho. 

But when the mom in line in front of you at Trader Joe’s is sporting multiple, it’s not edgy anymore. When nearly every salon offers “feather hair extensions”, it’s not bohemian. When The New York Times is calling something a trend, you can be pretty sure it’s dead. It was kind-of neat seven or eight months ago, when I’d only seen them on a couple of girl’s. Then they were everywhere.

And this is just my own personal neurosis coming through here, but there is something vaguely dirty about sticking a rooster feather in your hair.

So please, leave the poor roosters alone. 

Also: apparently, anglers (aka fisherman) are supes peeved because all the feathers they use for lures are being bought by hair dressers. So the moral here is let the anglers do their...angling.

Today marks the end of my academic career. Today I graduate from university!

Of course I could never let the occasion pass without injecting a dose of fance into my graduation ensemble.

Behold, my cap:

So, if you happen to be at Oregon State's Reser Stadium tomorrow, I'll be that glistening sparkle. 

{Semi-vague how-to: I printed the "OS" logo, and then after cutting it out, positioned it on my cap so that from behind, the logo would be right-side up. I then applied all the diamonds. I let them dry overnight before removing my stencil. Using the logo as a guide, I applied the black sequins as the border of the OS, before finally gluing in the orange gems. It was simplest to squeeze some glue down (I used E-6000) and then spread it around using a gloved finger. The gloves also prevent getting glue all over the gems, as when your gloved hand begins to get sticky, you can just grab a new glove!}

Anyone need something bedazzled? I'm very reasonably priced!

Makeup Monday

Let’s talk nail laquer.

{While not technically makeup, I’d argue that nail polish falls under the head of “Beauty Products” so maybe Monday’s should be “Beauty Monday’s”, but I prefer the alliteration, okay?}

I adore having painted nails. Absolutely love it. It makes me feel like a grown-up; it makes my child-sized hands appear a little more normal (at least that’s what I tell myself). And don’t get me started on getting manicures. Those things are pure bliss.

However, I detest chipped nail polish. Hate it. I know the mags are always saying “let your nails chip a little, it looks cool” and Kate Moss or whomever is always saying perfectly lacquered nails look too perfect or something. But I have to say…I think it just looks sloppy. It looks like you don’t care, and maybe a little bit like you also are doing lines of coke in the bathroom. (Okay, maybe that’s a bit extreme.)

So, how do I marry these two feelings? A love of mani’s but intense hatred for chipped polish?

Enter the CND Shellac Manicure.

So many beautiful colors...including some with sparkle!

Ladies, this thing last for two weeks. Two. Weeks. 14 days. Guaranteed. 

Between every coat of base, color, and topcoat, your nails are “cured” in this little UV light box. Your nails are instantly dry. The manicurist gives you a hand/arm massage with lotion after painting your nails…it’s a little crazy. No more gingerly removing your credit card from your wallet; you can paw through your purse immediately after. Shellac is also available for your toes, so if you forgot to bring a pair of sandals, you can slip your feet right back into your shoes without fear of damaging your fresh pedi.

The shellac manicure will run you a little more than a regular mani (around $25), but considering it lasts for a guaranteed two weeks (or more), it comes out even.

If you live or work around Beaverton, head to Moda. Best (and most reasonably priced) shellac mani’s and pedi’s around.

Live elsewhere? Find a shellac salon near you, and read all about the science behind the glory that is shellac.