Hello Beautiful Friends!
I am going to share a few remedies from your kitchen that really work! I have been using these concoctions for years, but I got the recipes from Self magazine since I can't really articulate my actual measurments. Enjoy!
For Clear, Bright Skin
1TBS of plain ol' baking soda
1 TBS of lemon juice (either fresh or bottled, but make sure it is 100% pure lemon juice, not the one with lemon oil)
Combine citrus juice with baking soda and watch it fizz. Stir until bubbling lessens, apply, leave on for 20 minutes, rinse. I wet my hands with warm water before rinsing and scrub the mask for one minute sometimes, but don't scrub too hard.
This mask tingles, especially on sensitive areas like the nose and lip line, but hang in there—the sensation subsides after about five minutes. The mask dries taut and flakes if you talk. Enjoy some quiet time! And please follow this up with a moisturizer!
Citrus fruit (lemon, grapefruit, orange) is composed of alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate and brighten skin and help keep pores clean.
Baking soda's mildly acidic nature gently sloughs away dead skin cells in minutes, helping to prevent blackheads.
For Shiny, Healthy Hair and to Lock in Color
1 cup apple juice
1 cup pear juice
1 cup of apple cider vinegar, unfiltered
If the liquids aren't at room temperature, microwave the mixture for 10 seconds to take the chill off. (It will feel better on your scalp.) Shampoo, pour treatment on hair and let it soak in for 3 to 10 minutes. Rinse, then condition.
I'm a redhead. And this keeps me that way! ;)
I have to use a double batch for my thick, long hair. Also, the scent of vinegar won't linger after you rinse it. So, don't worry.
Vinegar (fermented juice) is very acidic, so it quickly removes waxy product buildup, as well as too much oil, from a greasy scalp, leaving hair shiny and more manageable.
Pear juice has a low pH balance. This alters hair's electric charge, making the cuticle lie flat, which in turn helps reflect light.
Apples contain vitamins, potassium and tannins, which maintain hair's strength. Healthy hair dries faster and its color lasts longer. (That's because less water seeps in—and less dye gets out.)
For Soft Hands and Feet
4 tbsp organic cold-pressed sunflower oil
1/4 cup blueberries
1 cup heavy cream
Whip ingredients in a blender for about 30 seconds. Pour mixture in a bowl large enough to submerge your feet or hands; massage the creamy concoction into skin for 30 seconds, Marrone suggests. Leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Let hands and feet soak for a bit longer (20 minutes instead of 10), then wrap them with plastic wrap so the moisture penetrates deeper into skin—this trick soothes even the roughest patches on heels and palms.
Sunflower oil is loaded with oleic and linoleic acids, as well as vitamin E, all of which are ultra-hydrating. Opt for a cold-pressed version; heat processing melts away some skin benefits.
Blueberries are rich in the antioxidant anthocyanin, which studies suggest help protect capillary health, increase circulation and make your skin brighter.
Heavy cream moisturizes because the lactic acid gently dissolves proteins that bind dead skin cells together so its omega-3 fatty acids instantly soak into skin.
Soft, Pink and Plump Lips
A pinch of brown sugar
a few drops of olive oil
Mix together in your palm, and then buff onto your dry lips (it works better right after a shower). Buff for one minute. Rinse and apply a lip balm.
Do NOT use white sugar or salt. Too abrasive and salt stings.
That's it! Happy Grooming Friends!
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
Monday, November 1, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Undereye Circles or "It's Rude to Tell Someone That They Look Tired" (Requested)
Hello, Beautiful Friends!
Today we are going to talk about undereye circles and what to do about them. I am fortunate that undereye circles do not necessarily run in my family (under eye bags are a different story, and I will be writing about them next.) I know it is so frustrating to be going about your business, sometimes even thinking you look extra fantastic one day,and to have someone come up to you and say "Wow, you look tired. Are you ok?" ARRRGGGHHHH! So, what to do about undereye circles? Is there some magic cream I can use to banish them permemnently?
Well, first lets talk about what undereye circles actually are, so we can divide, conquer and address your actual needs.
There are a few different reasons for undereye circles; heredity, lack of sleep, allergies, skin tone and age. There are also two different shades of undereye circles: blue-ish/purple and green/yellow/brown. Undereye circles are just blood vessels that show through the delecate, thin skin of your eyelid. Sometimes they are combined with pigmentation issues. Sometimes the blood vessels are weak, leak and darken the undereye area (like a black eye). If you are tired, have allergies or have very fair skin, usually your undereye circle are of the blue variety. If you have hereditary circles and are not fair or are above a certain age, they are usually of the green variety.
Here's the part that is going to make you want to throw your computer out a window. Ok, deep breath. If your undereye circles are not from lack of sleep or allergies (in which case you can change a habit or environmental stimuli and they will go away), there is NOTHING you can do about under eye circles. Don't waste your money on creams for circles. Any undereye cream that hydrates well will diminish the LOOK of undereye circles, because it will temporarily plump the skin and widen the distance between the upper layer of skin and the blood vessels, but NOTHING will get rid of them.
I know, I know. I'm sorry. I just don't want you to spend money on expensive creams that won't help. Now, I will tell you what actually WILL help. Makeup.
So, first things first. Go ahead and look in a mirror without any makeup on. Assess those circles. Are yours of the blue/ purple variety or the green/yellow variety? Once you decide what undertone those circles are, now you can cover them. If your circles are blue/ purple, you will need to use a concealer with yellow undertones. If you have green/yellow circles, you will need to use a concealer with pink undertones. Why? Yellow is the OPPOSITE of blue on a color wheel. Pink is the opposite of green. Choose one shade lighter than your skin. ONE not FIVE!!! You will look like a reverse racoon and it will actually call attention to dark circles.
Apply your normal eye cream and let it soak in for at least 5-10 minutes. I just brush my teeth and do my hair. I apply my concealer last, because I tend to wear quite a bit of eye makeup and don't want the fall out to get into my concealer. You can do it before or after, but I recommend after. First, make sure your fingers are CLEAN! If you use a pot concealer, you can get it out with a q-tip. Apply your concealer with your ring finger.Tilt your chin down and look up into a mirror. It will show you exactly where your dark areas are. Just take a bit and pat it on where ever you see dark, starting from the inner corners. Start with just a little and add as you go. Once your circles are covered, of you still have some darkness in the inner corners of your undereye (lots of people do ), use a highighter pencil (a concealer pencil in a much lighter color than your skin. Benefit makes one called "Eyebrite". Carmidy for Sally Hanson makes one in a pot. It's pink. So does NYX). Just draw a bit of that over the shadows ONLY, pat it a bit with your ring finger to blend it, but make sure you don't blend it completely away. Now that your circles are covered, take a bit of translucent or silica powder on a fluffy eyeshadow brush and dust it under your eyes. If you put too much powder under your eyes or apply the powder with a puff, it will make your undereye look crepey and make you look older.
It does take some getting used to not to just slap your concealer all over your under eye area and call it a day, but trust me if you do it this way you will use less concealer and get much better results.
My favorite concealer of all time is Maybelline's Dream Mousse Concealer. I love it. It has a whipped texture and is the ONLY concealer that doesn't settle in my fine lines.They are mostly yellow based. If you need a yellow corrector, Cover Girl makes a good one with eye cream in it. It's called the Simply Agless Corrector and it only comes in one color. Maybelline Instant Age rewind concealers have a highlight on one end, a concealer on the other and are mostly pink based.
Good luck, Bright Eyed Beauties!
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
Today we are going to talk about undereye circles and what to do about them. I am fortunate that undereye circles do not necessarily run in my family (under eye bags are a different story, and I will be writing about them next.) I know it is so frustrating to be going about your business, sometimes even thinking you look extra fantastic one day,and to have someone come up to you and say "Wow, you look tired. Are you ok?" ARRRGGGHHHH! So, what to do about undereye circles? Is there some magic cream I can use to banish them permemnently?
Well, first lets talk about what undereye circles actually are, so we can divide, conquer and address your actual needs.
There are a few different reasons for undereye circles; heredity, lack of sleep, allergies, skin tone and age. There are also two different shades of undereye circles: blue-ish/purple and green/yellow/brown. Undereye circles are just blood vessels that show through the delecate, thin skin of your eyelid. Sometimes they are combined with pigmentation issues. Sometimes the blood vessels are weak, leak and darken the undereye area (like a black eye). If you are tired, have allergies or have very fair skin, usually your undereye circle are of the blue variety. If you have hereditary circles and are not fair or are above a certain age, they are usually of the green variety.
Here's the part that is going to make you want to throw your computer out a window. Ok, deep breath. If your undereye circles are not from lack of sleep or allergies (in which case you can change a habit or environmental stimuli and they will go away), there is NOTHING you can do about under eye circles. Don't waste your money on creams for circles. Any undereye cream that hydrates well will diminish the LOOK of undereye circles, because it will temporarily plump the skin and widen the distance between the upper layer of skin and the blood vessels, but NOTHING will get rid of them.
I know, I know. I'm sorry. I just don't want you to spend money on expensive creams that won't help. Now, I will tell you what actually WILL help. Makeup.
So, first things first. Go ahead and look in a mirror without any makeup on. Assess those circles. Are yours of the blue/ purple variety or the green/yellow variety? Once you decide what undertone those circles are, now you can cover them. If your circles are blue/ purple, you will need to use a concealer with yellow undertones. If you have green/yellow circles, you will need to use a concealer with pink undertones. Why? Yellow is the OPPOSITE of blue on a color wheel. Pink is the opposite of green. Choose one shade lighter than your skin. ONE not FIVE!!! You will look like a reverse racoon and it will actually call attention to dark circles.
Apply your normal eye cream and let it soak in for at least 5-10 minutes. I just brush my teeth and do my hair. I apply my concealer last, because I tend to wear quite a bit of eye makeup and don't want the fall out to get into my concealer. You can do it before or after, but I recommend after. First, make sure your fingers are CLEAN! If you use a pot concealer, you can get it out with a q-tip. Apply your concealer with your ring finger.Tilt your chin down and look up into a mirror. It will show you exactly where your dark areas are. Just take a bit and pat it on where ever you see dark, starting from the inner corners. Start with just a little and add as you go. Once your circles are covered, of you still have some darkness in the inner corners of your undereye (lots of people do ), use a highighter pencil (a concealer pencil in a much lighter color than your skin. Benefit makes one called "Eyebrite". Carmidy for Sally Hanson makes one in a pot. It's pink. So does NYX). Just draw a bit of that over the shadows ONLY, pat it a bit with your ring finger to blend it, but make sure you don't blend it completely away. Now that your circles are covered, take a bit of translucent or silica powder on a fluffy eyeshadow brush and dust it under your eyes. If you put too much powder under your eyes or apply the powder with a puff, it will make your undereye look crepey and make you look older.
It does take some getting used to not to just slap your concealer all over your under eye area and call it a day, but trust me if you do it this way you will use less concealer and get much better results.
My favorite concealer of all time is Maybelline's Dream Mousse Concealer. I love it. It has a whipped texture and is the ONLY concealer that doesn't settle in my fine lines.They are mostly yellow based. If you need a yellow corrector, Cover Girl makes a good one with eye cream in it. It's called the Simply Agless Corrector and it only comes in one color. Maybelline Instant Age rewind concealers have a highlight on one end, a concealer on the other and are mostly pink based.
Good luck, Bright Eyed Beauties!
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
Thursday, October 14, 2010
How I'm Making My Pores Smaller and Saying "Goodbye" To Acne!
Hello, Beautiful Friends!!
I just wanted to let you all know about something very amazing I stumbled across. This is truly so cheap and so effective. Are you ready?
I wash my face with baking soda. Yup, that's it! I remove my makeup, then I dry my face. Then, put about 2 Tbs of baking soda (any brand will do, I use Arm and Hammer) in my hand or a bowl and add enough water (purified) to make a creamy paste. Then, I rub (don't scrub) my face for 30 seconds or a minute. Rinse and follow with your nighttime ritual.*
Once or Twice a Week: Put 2 Tbs of baking soda in a bowl. Add enough lemon juice to make a paste (it will foam up). Smear it on your face like a mask and leave it for 20 min. Rinse off and follow usual ritual.
So cheap, so effective and so much better than any medicine I have ever been prescribed. If your skin is dry, don't do this every night.
Baking soda has been used as a gentle exfoliant since our great-grandmothers were girls. While you are at it, why don't you sprinkle a little on your toothpaste (on a toothbrush) and whiten your smile?
You look gorgeous!
Happy Shopping!
Love, Thrift Store Barbie
*This might make you break out right at first. It's called "purging" and is totally normal. it brings all of that junk that's trapped in those poor pores and brings it to the surface. You were gonna get a pimple eventually. At least the baking soda will kill it WHILE it's coming out. Your skin WILL clear up after about a week.
I just wanted to let you all know about something very amazing I stumbled across. This is truly so cheap and so effective. Are you ready?
I wash my face with baking soda. Yup, that's it! I remove my makeup, then I dry my face. Then, put about 2 Tbs of baking soda (any brand will do, I use Arm and Hammer) in my hand or a bowl and add enough water (purified) to make a creamy paste. Then, I rub (don't scrub) my face for 30 seconds or a minute. Rinse and follow with your nighttime ritual.*
Once or Twice a Week: Put 2 Tbs of baking soda in a bowl. Add enough lemon juice to make a paste (it will foam up). Smear it on your face like a mask and leave it for 20 min. Rinse off and follow usual ritual.
So cheap, so effective and so much better than any medicine I have ever been prescribed. If your skin is dry, don't do this every night.
Baking soda has been used as a gentle exfoliant since our great-grandmothers were girls. While you are at it, why don't you sprinkle a little on your toothpaste (on a toothbrush) and whiten your smile?
You look gorgeous!
Happy Shopping!
Love, Thrift Store Barbie
*This might make you break out right at first. It's called "purging" and is totally normal. it brings all of that junk that's trapped in those poor pores and brings it to the surface. You were gonna get a pimple eventually. At least the baking soda will kill it WHILE it's coming out. Your skin WILL clear up after about a week.
Friday, September 24, 2010
My Super Secret, Super Cheap Botox Alternative!
I am letting all of you beautiful friends in on my super cheap alternative to botox. But, shhhhhh don't tell anyone. ;) Don't you just love when people say that on the internet? And. you know, reality shows. lol
Anyway, I am not necessarily against botox, but I am against paying hundreds of dollars for a temporary fix that paralyzes your face.
I woke up one glorious morning and realized that, much to my horror, I had developed the dreaded 11 lines between my brows! What could I do about this that didn't involve a needle and toxins? Then, one day, I read in a magazine that Peggy Lipton's secret to looking so young was a product called Frownies that she applied while she slept. Frownies are basically adhesive paper that you put between your eyebrows to keep you from frowning in your sleep. They have been used for almost 100 years and, gasp, they really work.
Frownies, however are about $18 a box. $18?? For sticky paper???? No way!
Soooooo, here's a secret. I use Nexcare Surgical Tape. The plasticky one, not the paper one. I rip a piece big enough to fit between my eyebrows. The I rip it in half lengthwise. I apply one strip diagonally between my eyebrows then layer the second piece over it. Then, I rip off another piece and repeat that so it forms an "X". Then, I rip another piece, but don't rip it in halp lengthwise and put it over the "x". Then I got to sleep. When I wake up, my furrow lines are almost gone! After 3 days, the WERE gone! I sleep that way every night. I frown in my sleep a LOT.
As a side note, if you stop doing this at night, your lines will come back. It's because even though the tape won't let you frown, you will still try to frown. So, if the tape isn't there... you get the picture. Honestly, though, it's worth it to just wear it.
Until next time, Beautiful Friends!!
Anyway, I am not necessarily against botox, but I am against paying hundreds of dollars for a temporary fix that paralyzes your face.
I woke up one glorious morning and realized that, much to my horror, I had developed the dreaded 11 lines between my brows! What could I do about this that didn't involve a needle and toxins? Then, one day, I read in a magazine that Peggy Lipton's secret to looking so young was a product called Frownies that she applied while she slept. Frownies are basically adhesive paper that you put between your eyebrows to keep you from frowning in your sleep. They have been used for almost 100 years and, gasp, they really work.
Frownies, however are about $18 a box. $18?? For sticky paper???? No way!
Soooooo, here's a secret. I use Nexcare Surgical Tape. The plasticky one, not the paper one. I rip a piece big enough to fit between my eyebrows. The I rip it in half lengthwise. I apply one strip diagonally between my eyebrows then layer the second piece over it. Then, I rip off another piece and repeat that so it forms an "X". Then, I rip another piece, but don't rip it in halp lengthwise and put it over the "x". Then I got to sleep. When I wake up, my furrow lines are almost gone! After 3 days, the WERE gone! I sleep that way every night. I frown in my sleep a LOT.
As a side note, if you stop doing this at night, your lines will come back. It's because even though the tape won't let you frown, you will still try to frown. So, if the tape isn't there... you get the picture. Honestly, though, it's worth it to just wear it.
Until next time, Beautiful Friends!!
Cleopatra's Man Grabbing Milk Bath (Minus Poisonous Asp)
This is just a recipe. You can use any scents or oils you like, but make sure your skin isn't sensitive to them.
In the warm running bath water add
one cup (or as much as you would like) of powdered (dried) milk, try to find full fat
a few drops of almond oil
a few drops of any soothing essential oils you like (try lavender, rose, clary sage or bergamot)
A few notes: Don't use liquid milk instead of powdered. The warm water will make it curdle. So not sexy.
Try to add the milk to the tub right away so it has time to dissolve. Nothing is LESS relaxing than trying to wash powdered milk down the drain after a bath.
You don't HAVE to use the oils. You can just add powdered milk to the bath and be done with it.
That's it. Smear on your tomato mask, sit back, , light a candle and enjoy. And, if you have kids, don't forget to lock the bathroom door. They can't burn the house down in 10 minutes, right?
Right???
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
In the warm running bath water add
one cup (or as much as you would like) of powdered (dried) milk, try to find full fat
a few drops of almond oil
a few drops of any soothing essential oils you like (try lavender, rose, clary sage or bergamot)
A few notes: Don't use liquid milk instead of powdered. The warm water will make it curdle. So not sexy.
Try to add the milk to the tub right away so it has time to dissolve. Nothing is LESS relaxing than trying to wash powdered milk down the drain after a bath.
You don't HAVE to use the oils. You can just add powdered milk to the bath and be done with it.
That's it. Smear on your tomato mask, sit back, , light a candle and enjoy. And, if you have kids, don't forget to lock the bathroom door. They can't burn the house down in 10 minutes, right?
Right???
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
The Cheapest Acid Peel EVER!!
Hello Beautiful Friends!
As you may or may not know, glycolic and lactic acid peels can do wonders for your skin. However, they are very expensive and usually have a huge downtime.
Acid peels are used in place of abrasive exfoliation for a more gentle and thorough exfoliation without scrubbing. I have sensitive skin, so I can't use anything abrasive. I wondered what I could use instead that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. And then, I had my AHA! moment. Glycolic acid and lactic acids are naturally found in food. What can I use instead of getting expensive peels? I know! TOMATOES!!!
Tomatoes are naturally very acidic (as are lemons and you can use lemon juice instead if you want. I find it stings) and work very well as a glycolic acid peel. You can smash up raw tomatoes and just smear it on your face, leave it for 10 minutes and rinse it off. Follow with a moisturizer. I, however, am lazy and don't like having to lie down to keep chunks of tomato on my face. So, I use no salt added canned tomato paste. I smear it on my clean face like a mask, leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off in the shower. I follow it with my moisturizer. Try doing it 1-2 times a week! It really works! ( the other day someone I didn't know thought I was 19. I kid you not. I am actually almost 30.)
A nice, not so tomato-y alternative to this is full fat yogurt. I mix a dollop of yogurt with honey and smear ir on. The yogurt contains lactic acid, which exfoliates and softens really well. The honey is naturally antimicrobal (kills bacteria) and softens and clears my skin. leave it on for 30 min and then wipe it of with a warm, wet towel. I use this mask more often, simply because I can't stand tomatoes. They are gross.
If you are going to do any type of exfoliating mask, please do it at night right before putting on any serums or moisturizers. The removal of dead skin helps the good ingredients in your products penetrate deeper and work much better. Also, please use a sunscreen during the day. Your skin will be a bit more sensitive to the sun.
As a side note, Cleopatra used to take baths in milk to keep her skin youthful and soft. I guess acids have been used for skin since ancient times. I think my next topic will be how to take "Cleopatra's Man Grabbing Milk Bath". It certainly worked for Cleo, right? (Except for that whole snake thing).
Enjoy your cheap holistic spa night!
Love,
The Beauty Diva
As you may or may not know, glycolic and lactic acid peels can do wonders for your skin. However, they are very expensive and usually have a huge downtime.
Acid peels are used in place of abrasive exfoliation for a more gentle and thorough exfoliation without scrubbing. I have sensitive skin, so I can't use anything abrasive. I wondered what I could use instead that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. And then, I had my AHA! moment. Glycolic acid and lactic acids are naturally found in food. What can I use instead of getting expensive peels? I know! TOMATOES!!!
Tomatoes are naturally very acidic (as are lemons and you can use lemon juice instead if you want. I find it stings) and work very well as a glycolic acid peel. You can smash up raw tomatoes and just smear it on your face, leave it for 10 minutes and rinse it off. Follow with a moisturizer. I, however, am lazy and don't like having to lie down to keep chunks of tomato on my face. So, I use no salt added canned tomato paste. I smear it on my clean face like a mask, leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off in the shower. I follow it with my moisturizer. Try doing it 1-2 times a week! It really works! ( the other day someone I didn't know thought I was 19. I kid you not. I am actually almost 30.)
A nice, not so tomato-y alternative to this is full fat yogurt. I mix a dollop of yogurt with honey and smear ir on. The yogurt contains lactic acid, which exfoliates and softens really well. The honey is naturally antimicrobal (kills bacteria) and softens and clears my skin. leave it on for 30 min and then wipe it of with a warm, wet towel. I use this mask more often, simply because I can't stand tomatoes. They are gross.
If you are going to do any type of exfoliating mask, please do it at night right before putting on any serums or moisturizers. The removal of dead skin helps the good ingredients in your products penetrate deeper and work much better. Also, please use a sunscreen during the day. Your skin will be a bit more sensitive to the sun.
As a side note, Cleopatra used to take baths in milk to keep her skin youthful and soft. I guess acids have been used for skin since ancient times. I think my next topic will be how to take "Cleopatra's Man Grabbing Milk Bath". It certainly worked for Cleo, right? (Except for that whole snake thing).
Enjoy your cheap holistic spa night!
Love,
The Beauty Diva
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Eyeshadow: Spend or Save?
Hello Again, Beautiful Friends!
Today we are going to discuss eyeshadow. If you are like me and have a moderate addiction to magazines, you will know that almost every beauty editor ever known has said to spend on foundation, powder and moisturizer and save on lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara, blush...ect. Well, let's examine that, shall we?
It is my personal belief that, if something is cheaper but you have to use much more of the product to acheive the same results you would get from a more expensive product, then that cheaper product is not actually cheaper, because you would have to buy more. Such is the case with eyeshadows. Eyeshadows need to have a certain quality to them to look good. That doesn't mean that you have to shell out $50 for an eyeshadow quad a la Dior, but you do need to know what you are looking for in a quality shadow.
Fisrt off, I firmly believe that you need to get a quality eyeshadow primer You will notice such a difference in the way your shadow looks and stays on. I use a shadow primer by Urban Decay in the color Edun, but if you don't want to spend that much, then just hop over to your local Sally's and pick up Palladio Herbal Shadow Primer. It's fantastic! If you use a primer to get a blank canvas on your lid, then the quality of your eyeshadows doesn't matter as much. If you do use a primer, be sure to brush a flesh toned shadow or some loose powder all over your lid after applying the primer and before applying your shadow so your colors don't just stick to one spot and refuse to blend.
Now, on to eyeshadows. What you are looking for in a shadow are texture and pigmentation. If you buy a super cheap shadow, it ususally doesn't have much pigment or color pay off to it because pigment is expensive. It will also have a slightly grainy or chalky texture to it, which will make it very hard to blend, again because pigment is expensive, but talc is not. Cheap shadows are mostly talc. So, if you can, try to run your finger along the shadow and see how much color you get on your finger from one swipe and then rub your thumb and forefinger together and feel the texture. Is it silky? Almost creamy? Can you see your skin through the color?
Ok, now for the normal people who can't feel shadows because they shop at drugstores and there are no testers, here is a cheat sheet of great quality shadows at low cost and where to get them.
1. NYX shadows (Ulta, cherryculture.com) These are my favorite low cost shadow. The color pay off is excellent, the texture is excellent and right now they have smokey shadow kits in a few different colors (my fave is the bronze one) with lipstick in them for about $10. They also have fantastic jumbo eyeshadow crayons. Check out French Fries in those. Try to stay away from the glitter shadows. Not the shiny ones, the really chunky glittery ones. As a side note, at cherryculture.com they also carry NYX blushes, which are amazing as well. Try the powder blush in Peach. It looks good on everyone.
2. L'oreal HIP- These are ok and have a better color pay off than most drungstore shadows, but it varies from shade to shade.
3. Cover Girl- Yes, I said it. Cover Girl has reformulated and SOME of their shades are actually pretty good. Try Mink and Brown Smoulder. Do NOT use the Smokey Shadow Blast Sticks. A total waste of money and time.
4. Avon- The quads are great and a good quality.
5. Urban Decay- AMAZING shadows but also expensive. In this case, you get what you pay for though. I barely have to touch my brush to the shadow and almost get too much color instead of going back again and again trying to get a color pay off.
A Side Note about Brushes-
My fave eyeshadow brushes are actually from Essence of Beauty. They are called the Crease Brush Duo for Eyes and come in a 2 pack. You can get them at CVS. I love them.
I also love my 217 brush form MAC. I use it for literally everything.
I welcome all of your comments and questions. Happy Shopping!
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
Today we are going to discuss eyeshadow. If you are like me and have a moderate addiction to magazines, you will know that almost every beauty editor ever known has said to spend on foundation, powder and moisturizer and save on lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara, blush...ect. Well, let's examine that, shall we?
It is my personal belief that, if something is cheaper but you have to use much more of the product to acheive the same results you would get from a more expensive product, then that cheaper product is not actually cheaper, because you would have to buy more. Such is the case with eyeshadows. Eyeshadows need to have a certain quality to them to look good. That doesn't mean that you have to shell out $50 for an eyeshadow quad a la Dior, but you do need to know what you are looking for in a quality shadow.
Fisrt off, I firmly believe that you need to get a quality eyeshadow primer You will notice such a difference in the way your shadow looks and stays on. I use a shadow primer by Urban Decay in the color Edun, but if you don't want to spend that much, then just hop over to your local Sally's and pick up Palladio Herbal Shadow Primer. It's fantastic! If you use a primer to get a blank canvas on your lid, then the quality of your eyeshadows doesn't matter as much. If you do use a primer, be sure to brush a flesh toned shadow or some loose powder all over your lid after applying the primer and before applying your shadow so your colors don't just stick to one spot and refuse to blend.
Now, on to eyeshadows. What you are looking for in a shadow are texture and pigmentation. If you buy a super cheap shadow, it ususally doesn't have much pigment or color pay off to it because pigment is expensive. It will also have a slightly grainy or chalky texture to it, which will make it very hard to blend, again because pigment is expensive, but talc is not. Cheap shadows are mostly talc. So, if you can, try to run your finger along the shadow and see how much color you get on your finger from one swipe and then rub your thumb and forefinger together and feel the texture. Is it silky? Almost creamy? Can you see your skin through the color?
Ok, now for the normal people who can't feel shadows because they shop at drugstores and there are no testers, here is a cheat sheet of great quality shadows at low cost and where to get them.
1. NYX shadows (Ulta, cherryculture.com) These are my favorite low cost shadow. The color pay off is excellent, the texture is excellent and right now they have smokey shadow kits in a few different colors (my fave is the bronze one) with lipstick in them for about $10. They also have fantastic jumbo eyeshadow crayons. Check out French Fries in those. Try to stay away from the glitter shadows. Not the shiny ones, the really chunky glittery ones. As a side note, at cherryculture.com they also carry NYX blushes, which are amazing as well. Try the powder blush in Peach. It looks good on everyone.
2. L'oreal HIP- These are ok and have a better color pay off than most drungstore shadows, but it varies from shade to shade.
3. Cover Girl- Yes, I said it. Cover Girl has reformulated and SOME of their shades are actually pretty good. Try Mink and Brown Smoulder. Do NOT use the Smokey Shadow Blast Sticks. A total waste of money and time.
4. Avon- The quads are great and a good quality.
5. Urban Decay- AMAZING shadows but also expensive. In this case, you get what you pay for though. I barely have to touch my brush to the shadow and almost get too much color instead of going back again and again trying to get a color pay off.
A Side Note about Brushes-
My fave eyeshadow brushes are actually from Essence of Beauty. They are called the Crease Brush Duo for Eyes and come in a 2 pack. You can get them at CVS. I love them.
I also love my 217 brush form MAC. I use it for literally everything.
I welcome all of your comments and questions. Happy Shopping!
Love,
Thrift Store Barbie
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
How can you tell a cartoon girl chipmunk from a cartoon boy chipmunk??
The eyelashes! Yup, it's true. Apparently, the only differences between the genders in cartoon land are lashes and lips. And in this blog, we are going to talk lashes, or rather mascara!
Mascra is just one of those highly personal things. Women will be true to their mascaras for longer than they are faithful to their husbands and some will think nothing of plunking down $30 for a tube of Lancome, but then use all coupons at CVS!
I, however,have a slight problem with paying that much for a product I am going to have to throw out 3-6 months later. (Yes, ladies, you DO need to throw it out at 3-6 months. It is a moist environment and a bacteria breeding hotbed after that and you are just asking for trouble. Seriously, do you really want issues with your EYES? You kind of need those.) Not to fear, Beautiful Friends, the Beauty Diva is here to save the day! I have found some AMAZING mascaras for under $10 that rival and, in most cases, are far superior to, gasp, dare I say it... DIORSHOW!!!! LANCOME!!! CHANEL!!! YSL!!!!!!!
I have tried pretty much every mascara known to man, and I have to say that mascara, unlike foundation, really is something you can and SHOULD save on. This is one of those cases where more exspensive certainly does NOT equal better!
So, here are the top 3 (BTW, I have actually owned Diorshow, Lancome...well...everything, and Chanel. I am a mascara junkie and these 3 beat those high end brands hands down, no contest. Lashes and lips, right?)
1. Prestige "My Blackest Lashes"
Colors: It only comes in black
Price: Around $6-7
Where Can I Get It? You CAN get it at CVS or Rite Aid, but I get mine at Ulta because of the coupons and drugstores are always out of it.
The Scoop- This mascara delivers long, thick, dark sexy fringe with very minimal clumping (if you do get some clumping, don't let it dry between coats and use a lighter hand). I get asked all the time if my lashes are real when I wear this mascara and it makes me giggle like a school girl. My lashes are med length, med thickness and straight as an arrow, and this mascara holds curl very well. Also, my very sensitive eyes (Diorshow was a joke. It felt like my eyes were stung by a swarm of wasps) were perfectly fine with this. Even after crying. No racoon eyes on my oily eyelids either. I wore it through an entire 6 month run of shows instead of false lashes and it looked great, even after being under those hot lights for two hours. Could you ask for anything more?
Will I like this if...
I already have long, thick eyelashes? You might end up looking like a drag queen. But, in the best way. Also, stop bragging.
I have very sparse lashes? Probably not. You would probably like the next mascara I'm reviewing better as it is a bit more natural looking
2. Prestige "My LONGEST Lashes"
Colors: Black and Black Brown
Price: $6-7
Where Can I Get It? Same as above
The Scoop:
This mascara is like "My Blackest Lashes"'s little sister. To give you more of a visual, if "My Blackest Lashes" were Marilyn Monroe, then "My Longest Lashes" would be Audrey Hepburn; still there, still striking, but not so "in your face". When I wear this one, people assume I just have naturally beautiful, impossibly long lashes (nope) instead of asking if they are falsies, if that makes sense. Still no sensitive eye reaction. Definitaly a gorgeous mascara and was my favorite before "Blackest Lashes". It still is some days because I can wear it on "no makeup" days without any other eye makeup and still look pulled together. This mascara delivers loooong, medium full lashes and is great for redheads and blonds, as it comes in a dark brown shade. No raccon eyes. Holds curl very well. The only negative is it is a little difficult to remove, but a two step eye makeup remover takes care of it quickly. Actually, I found the L'Oreal "Hydrating" eye make up remover (a cream in a light blue tube) and Clinique "Take the Day Off" work best.
3. L'Oreal Voluminous
Colors: Blackest Black, Carbon Black, Black Brown, Soft Black
Price: it varies but between $7-9
Where can I get it? Any drugstore, Target. WalMart or Ulta
The Scoop:
What can I say? It's a classic. Celebs love it, makeup artists love it, and I used to like it until I found the Prestige line. It's a pretty straightforward mascara. Negatives are that it flakes and doesn't hold curl. It's also serously the EXACT same formula as Lancome's Definicils mascara, so if you are a hardcore Lancome fan, you can save about $20 by just getting this one. The only thing is that Definicils has a bit more pigment and a lot more fragrance.
That's it! I hope you go out and try those mascaras, and if you get them from Rite Aid or Ulta and don't like them, they will take them back with a reciept, no problem. :)
Happy Shopping! See you next time!
Mascra is just one of those highly personal things. Women will be true to their mascaras for longer than they are faithful to their husbands and some will think nothing of plunking down $30 for a tube of Lancome, but then use all coupons at CVS!
I, however,have a slight problem with paying that much for a product I am going to have to throw out 3-6 months later. (Yes, ladies, you DO need to throw it out at 3-6 months. It is a moist environment and a bacteria breeding hotbed after that and you are just asking for trouble. Seriously, do you really want issues with your EYES? You kind of need those.) Not to fear, Beautiful Friends, the Beauty Diva is here to save the day! I have found some AMAZING mascaras for under $10 that rival and, in most cases, are far superior to, gasp, dare I say it... DIORSHOW!!!! LANCOME!!! CHANEL!!! YSL!!!!!!!
I have tried pretty much every mascara known to man, and I have to say that mascara, unlike foundation, really is something you can and SHOULD save on. This is one of those cases where more exspensive certainly does NOT equal better!
So, here are the top 3 (BTW, I have actually owned Diorshow, Lancome...well...everything, and Chanel. I am a mascara junkie and these 3 beat those high end brands hands down, no contest. Lashes and lips, right?)
1. Prestige "My Blackest Lashes"
Colors: It only comes in black
Price: Around $6-7
Where Can I Get It? You CAN get it at CVS or Rite Aid, but I get mine at Ulta because of the coupons and drugstores are always out of it.
The Scoop- This mascara delivers long, thick, dark sexy fringe with very minimal clumping (if you do get some clumping, don't let it dry between coats and use a lighter hand). I get asked all the time if my lashes are real when I wear this mascara and it makes me giggle like a school girl. My lashes are med length, med thickness and straight as an arrow, and this mascara holds curl very well. Also, my very sensitive eyes (Diorshow was a joke. It felt like my eyes were stung by a swarm of wasps) were perfectly fine with this. Even after crying. No racoon eyes on my oily eyelids either. I wore it through an entire 6 month run of shows instead of false lashes and it looked great, even after being under those hot lights for two hours. Could you ask for anything more?
Will I like this if...
I already have long, thick eyelashes? You might end up looking like a drag queen. But, in the best way. Also, stop bragging.
I have very sparse lashes? Probably not. You would probably like the next mascara I'm reviewing better as it is a bit more natural looking
2. Prestige "My LONGEST Lashes"
Colors: Black and Black Brown
Price: $6-7
Where Can I Get It? Same as above
The Scoop:
This mascara is like "My Blackest Lashes"'s little sister. To give you more of a visual, if "My Blackest Lashes" were Marilyn Monroe, then "My Longest Lashes" would be Audrey Hepburn; still there, still striking, but not so "in your face". When I wear this one, people assume I just have naturally beautiful, impossibly long lashes (nope) instead of asking if they are falsies, if that makes sense. Still no sensitive eye reaction. Definitaly a gorgeous mascara and was my favorite before "Blackest Lashes". It still is some days because I can wear it on "no makeup" days without any other eye makeup and still look pulled together. This mascara delivers loooong, medium full lashes and is great for redheads and blonds, as it comes in a dark brown shade. No raccon eyes. Holds curl very well. The only negative is it is a little difficult to remove, but a two step eye makeup remover takes care of it quickly. Actually, I found the L'Oreal "Hydrating" eye make up remover (a cream in a light blue tube) and Clinique "Take the Day Off" work best.
3. L'Oreal Voluminous
Colors: Blackest Black, Carbon Black, Black Brown, Soft Black
Price: it varies but between $7-9
Where can I get it? Any drugstore, Target. WalMart or Ulta
The Scoop:
What can I say? It's a classic. Celebs love it, makeup artists love it, and I used to like it until I found the Prestige line. It's a pretty straightforward mascara. Negatives are that it flakes and doesn't hold curl. It's also serously the EXACT same formula as Lancome's Definicils mascara, so if you are a hardcore Lancome fan, you can save about $20 by just getting this one. The only thing is that Definicils has a bit more pigment and a lot more fragrance.
That's it! I hope you go out and try those mascaras, and if you get them from Rite Aid or Ulta and don't like them, they will take them back with a reciept, no problem. :)
Happy Shopping! See you next time!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Revlon Color Stay: Is it really all that??
Hello, Beautiful Friends!!
It's time for another mostly unbiased review on a budget friendly beauty product, and this one is somewhat controversial.
Revlon Color Stay Foundation seems to be one of those products thats some swear by, and others detest. So, here are the facts, because let's face it, $13 when it's not BOGO is quite a chunk of change.
Here goes:
Revlon Color Stay Foundation with Softflex: The difference between the fomulas-
The normal to dry formula is not as matte, is a tiny tiny TINY bit shimmery, and honestly doesn't wear as long. However, it's not as opaque, so it looks more natural. It also has an SPF of 15. The bottle says it is moisturizing and balancing.
The combination to oily formula is far more matte, far more opaque (some say chalky even), wears a little bit longer and has a lower spf than the dry.
They are both oil-free.
Price: around 13 bucks, depending on where you get it and when.
The Scoop- This foundation has good points and bad points, frankly. The first good point is it does actually do a good job of staying on, even on oily skin. Notice I did NOT say it stays on as long as the bottle says.If you use the combo/oily formula,it will give you lots of coverage, too, but please use sparingly as it can tend to cake up. It also has a sort of retro "Mad Men" kind of look to it on the face, if you are in to that.
Now, the negatives. First of all, the colors do NOT match from the normal/dry formula to the combo/ oily formula, ie Buff in dry is way more pink than buff in oily. ( I could go on and on about drugstore foundations being way too pink, but i'll save that for another time) and the colors are sort of off for darker skin tones and, in my opinion, don't have a wide enough shade range. It doesn't cover acne scars well. Some don't like the perfumy scent, so if you have a sensitive nose, this one is not for you. Also, once it dries it takes on a strange grayish cast. Some girls say it breaks them out and I found that it made me look super made up, even when I was trying to look natural. I see that as a negative, but it's all a matter of perspective. Some girls love that. One last thought, it MUST be taken off with an oil based remover (like cold cream) and, even if it is no longer giving you coverage, it's still there! So, please never go to be with it on your face (I know, I know, but I had to say it.)
Does it photograph well? Nope. You will look like Casper in all flash photos.
Is it worth the savings? Sigh, I hate to say it ladies but...no, not really. It is an outdated formula and there are far better ones out there for the same price or slightly higher. Instead of being perfect for all types of skin, this foundie seems to be sort of OFF for all types of skin. I wouldn't waste your money on this one. It's just O.K.
I know I am going against all of Makeup Alley with this review, but I have to be totally honest. It isn't a BAD foundation, but our dollars are precious and better spent on something else.
Thanks for stopping by, Beauties and Happy Shopping!
Warmly,
Thrift Store Barbie
Next Time on Beauty and Brains: E.L.F Eyeshadows! Can I really get a good shadow for a dollar??
It's time for another mostly unbiased review on a budget friendly beauty product, and this one is somewhat controversial.
Revlon Color Stay Foundation seems to be one of those products thats some swear by, and others detest. So, here are the facts, because let's face it, $13 when it's not BOGO is quite a chunk of change.
Here goes:
Revlon Color Stay Foundation with Softflex: The difference between the fomulas-
The normal to dry formula is not as matte, is a tiny tiny TINY bit shimmery, and honestly doesn't wear as long. However, it's not as opaque, so it looks more natural. It also has an SPF of 15. The bottle says it is moisturizing and balancing.
The combination to oily formula is far more matte, far more opaque (some say chalky even), wears a little bit longer and has a lower spf than the dry.
They are both oil-free.
Price: around 13 bucks, depending on where you get it and when.
The Scoop- This foundation has good points and bad points, frankly. The first good point is it does actually do a good job of staying on, even on oily skin. Notice I did NOT say it stays on as long as the bottle says.If you use the combo/oily formula,it will give you lots of coverage, too, but please use sparingly as it can tend to cake up. It also has a sort of retro "Mad Men" kind of look to it on the face, if you are in to that.
Now, the negatives. First of all, the colors do NOT match from the normal/dry formula to the combo/ oily formula, ie Buff in dry is way more pink than buff in oily. ( I could go on and on about drugstore foundations being way too pink, but i'll save that for another time) and the colors are sort of off for darker skin tones and, in my opinion, don't have a wide enough shade range. It doesn't cover acne scars well. Some don't like the perfumy scent, so if you have a sensitive nose, this one is not for you. Also, once it dries it takes on a strange grayish cast. Some girls say it breaks them out and I found that it made me look super made up, even when I was trying to look natural. I see that as a negative, but it's all a matter of perspective. Some girls love that. One last thought, it MUST be taken off with an oil based remover (like cold cream) and, even if it is no longer giving you coverage, it's still there! So, please never go to be with it on your face (I know, I know, but I had to say it.)
Does it photograph well? Nope. You will look like Casper in all flash photos.
Is it worth the savings? Sigh, I hate to say it ladies but...no, not really. It is an outdated formula and there are far better ones out there for the same price or slightly higher. Instead of being perfect for all types of skin, this foundie seems to be sort of OFF for all types of skin. I wouldn't waste your money on this one. It's just O.K.
I know I am going against all of Makeup Alley with this review, but I have to be totally honest. It isn't a BAD foundation, but our dollars are precious and better spent on something else.
Thanks for stopping by, Beauties and Happy Shopping!
Warmly,
Thrift Store Barbie
Next Time on Beauty and Brains: E.L.F Eyeshadows! Can I really get a good shadow for a dollar??
Monday, September 13, 2010
Worth the Splurge?: Why this Blog Was Born
Hello, My Beautiful New Friends!
Thank you for stopping by my brand new blog on everything beauty! I wanted to create a blog to help people make informed decisions on their beauty products because, lets face it, most of us are thinking twice nowadays on where we are spending our hard earned money and sometimes, a $60 foundation is not worth the splurge. And...sometimes it is!
The blog was born out of a frustration with other sites not giving enough information (I can't tell you how many time's I've read a blog and said things like, "Yes, but how does that foundation PHOTOGRAPH??"), only basing reviews of products based on their skin type/coloring or only reviewing high end products. I am here to tell you, that in this day and age, many drug store products are just as good as high end or, in some cases, better! However, I promise to let you know when someting is worth the splurge (in my opinon) and can not be replaced by a lower end item.
I promise to try not to steer you wrong, and welcome all of your comments and suggestions.
I will blog about my first product tonight!
Talk to you soon!
Thrift Store Barbie
Thank you for stopping by my brand new blog on everything beauty! I wanted to create a blog to help people make informed decisions on their beauty products because, lets face it, most of us are thinking twice nowadays on where we are spending our hard earned money and sometimes, a $60 foundation is not worth the splurge. And...sometimes it is!
The blog was born out of a frustration with other sites not giving enough information (I can't tell you how many time's I've read a blog and said things like, "Yes, but how does that foundation PHOTOGRAPH??"), only basing reviews of products based on their skin type/coloring or only reviewing high end products. I am here to tell you, that in this day and age, many drug store products are just as good as high end or, in some cases, better! However, I promise to let you know when someting is worth the splurge (in my opinon) and can not be replaced by a lower end item.
I promise to try not to steer you wrong, and welcome all of your comments and suggestions.
I will blog about my first product tonight!
Talk to you soon!
Thrift Store Barbie
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