Splurge or Save: Mascara Edition

To splurge or to save? That is the question...

As in life, when it comes to beauty products, there must be a delicate balance struck between a product that actually works and its price tag. This is its intrinsic value and while it is easy to be distracted by a label or big name, it's truly what's inside that counts. A good example in the beauty world is mascara. I have very big, very sensitive eyes and have had to practice good optical hygiene from a young age. This includes the discarding of mascara every three months, rather than the suggested six, at the behest of my ophthalmologist. As you can imagine, this adds up quickly and I had to cut my mascara budget in half. Luckily, CoverGirl seemed to be on the same page and delivered quality mascaras in their LashBlast line that are both safe for sensitive peepers and actually do what they say they do. A fine example is their LashBlast Clump Crusher which I have previously raved about.

However, the last month or so, the winds of change have begun to blow in the favor of more high end brands. I began to feel a shift when I tested CoverGirl's latest LashBlast Flamed Out Mascara which I found to be a step backwards in terms of anti-clumping and flaking.

2 coats of CoverGirl's Flamed Out: color not as black, began to flake right away, as far as I could get without major clumping. Lashed are sill quite wild and all over the place. 

Later the same week, I found myself visiting an old friend at a Bare Minerals boutique and she asked if I had tried their latest Lash Domination 10-in-1 Volumizing Mascara. Initially, I was hesitant as I had tried their others and not achieved resultas that were any better than my LashBlast of the moment. I also hesitated because it seemed to be promising a lot of things and I have learned to be somewhat skeptical of something that claims to do 10 things at once. It was just by chance that I did not put mascara on that morning and decided it couldn't hurt. At first I was impressed by the results so I purchased one and brought it home.

2 coats Bare Minerals' Lash Domination: Better in color and in definition but clumped MAJORLY with any more coats. Not very helpful in the volume department.

 Enter the REAL problem: when testing masacra in department stores or boutiques, you are given wands that have not actually been sitting in the mascara tube (thank goodness) but the catch is they don't actually mimic what the real wand does. The solution would be to clean your wand every time you use it but AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FO THAT!!! Or you could just make a mascara that has a brush that volumizes and remains clump free...which Cover Girl already did with Clump Crusher.

Oh thanks, Clump Crusher, for...you know...crushing it

So if it ain't broke, there's really no need to but the pricey stuff as long as your reasonable one does the job. I have yet to find one of the high end brands that has done the job better than this one.

VERDICT: Save your dollars, darlings, and go get an iced coffee/tea/chai. Don't forget to bat your fabulous fringe at the barista. ;)

BREAKING NEWS: As I was researching for this post, I discovered that Cover Girl has telepathically heard my rants (finally) and is re-launching Clump Crusher with a twist - Clump Crusher Extensions which will apparently provide more length for a perfect balance of volume and length...I see a follow up post in the very near future...

Till next time!

Calling Captain America!!

Let's kick off the holiday weekend right - with a patriotic mani/pedi!! This was super simple - all the nail colors were from Essie's Winter 2012 collection (Butler Please, Leading Lady, & Beyond Cozy.)  To make the stars, I used a hand punch from Michaels and scotch tape. I recommend putting a top coat in between your main color and your stars. Also, allow each star to dry at least 5 minutes before removing the tape and applying another top coat.

Happy 4th and have a happy and safe weekend!!

Power to the Petal

Happy May Day!! May is my favorite month and not just because it's the one I was born in but really because everything comes to life! Gone is the crappy weather and in rush the new flowers and vibrant colors of Spring. Are you ready for all this delicious change? I am cause I've got the new Sugar Petal Tinted Lip Treatment from Fresh and it's a beauty!

Fresh Sugar Petal Tinted Lip Treatment

Ordinarily, I would never go for something this shade as I like nude, deep lip tones rather than something soft and feminine. However, whilst perusing around Sephora a few weeks back, I noticed this new shade had been added to their already impressive lineup. There was no way that this mauvey pink could look good on me. I already own almost every shade as these truly are universally flattering but at some point, there has to be one that just doen't work, right? Wrong! Its a warm but subtle pink - not really bright or striking but still gives that great balance of tint and treatment that Fresh is known for.

Pretty Petal Pink

All of the Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments have SPF 15 along with a blend of various oils like jojoba, oli, and avocado. They really do contain sugar which is a natural humectant that stops moisture from leaving the lips. I love them ALL - I just can't get enough! A quick swipe puts a spring in my step which is quite appropriate, given the season.

Juice Beauty makes CC Cream Silicone-Free

When BB creams first hit the US market last year, I was ecstatic. As a beauty junkie enthusiast, all-in-one products are as tempting as they are plentiful - needless to say I jumped right in. Alas, this "enthusiasm" led to a silicone allergy discovery as many BB Creams are made with a lot of silicone in order to create that smooth, flawless look. After months and months of searching for an alternative, Juice Beauty skipped the line and debuted its Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream. At first, I thought it was a typo but as "BB" stands for "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm", "CC" means "Color Correcting" and is designed for people are hyper-pigmented or those with sun damage. There are ingredients that lighten those dark spots while also protecting from further damage with SPF.

Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream in Warm Glow

I am very familiar with Juice Beauty and their use of organic ingredients and juices as the foundation for their entire skincare lineup. Personally, I enjoy using this creme as a primer under a mineral power or my MUFE Pro Finish as it is a tad on the thicker side but really smooths things out nicely. I also wear it alone for sheer coverage day to day; its not pigmented enough to cover like a foundation but it definitely evens skin tone. But the BEST part of this CC cream is that it really does fade all my old acne scars - naturally! Pretty soon, I might not need this product at all! Just kidding, Juice Beauty, I'm hooked on this multifaceted product as it just continues to find ways to make my skin happy.

What about you - do you have a favorite BB or CC Cream?

Earth Day is every day for OCC!

There has never been more eco-friendly, vegan, and organic products on the market so don't be shy - try something new! I for one am flipping over the Lip Tar and Concealer from OCC or Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Your eyes and lips are the most delicate parts of your face - not to mention the most fabulous! It feels so good to treat them right and show them just how beautiful they can be. OCC's products are 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free and the range of shades is outstanding.

(l to r) OCC Lip Tar in "NSFW" and OCC Skin: Conceal in "Y2"

Choosing just one Lip Tar seemed unfair but with "NSFW" a "True, Balanced Red", I feel like I made the right choice. It's light in texture but saturated with color. Made with castor seed oil, hemp, peppermint and Vitamin E, its also surprisingly moisturizing.

Silicon-free concealers are very hard to find - especially in a shade that's perfect for me. OCC Skin: Conceal has it covered on two fronts, incorporating skin undertones (Red or Yellow) as well as your shade (0 is the palest, 5 is the darkest). It gentle but long-wearing - a new staple in my makeup bag.

So today, in addition to papering yourself, do something nice for Earth - she works hard for us but she can always use a little help. Any little bit counts so even is it's installing a smaller garbage bin in your house for recycling, always leaving a reusable tote in your car so that you don't have to use paper or plastic ones when running errands, or buying a reusable self-filtering water bottle instead of another case (one filter saves 300 plastic ones!!) There are so many things but I feel like these are easy to incorporate into anyone's routine. Start something today and stick with it tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that. Change starts with you and so why not say thanks by showing you do care.

Make Up For Ever + Pantone Color of the Year = LOVE

I have huge - scratch that - MASSIVE love and respect for Make Up For Ever ever since I was first introduced to the brand over a year ago. What started as an idyll fascination has developed into an active, working relationship based on learning and developing skills that no other make up brand has taken the time to teach. How does that old saying go - something about teaching a man to fish instead of just giving him one and sending him on his merry way? Well, though different programs like one-on-one Make Up School and weekly Make Up Mastery Courses, MUFE has put education first, ensuring a loyal customer base that includes make up artists and beauty enthusiasts alike.

Last night at the "With Flying Colors" Event at the Robertson Blvd boutique in L.A., the focus was obviously on color and how to incorporate it into your makeup repertoire. What a great excuse to play with my favorite shades including, by some celestial coincidence, Pantone's Color of the Year: Emerald. I could not have planned this better as it was an ideal pairing of the new Technicolor Palette and Aqua Shadow 8E to create a look that is 100% me!

Eyes by Make Up For Ever
Products used: Technicolor Palette and Aqua Shadow in 8E

The lovely duo: Technicolor Palette and Aqua Shadow in 8E

 What is so unique about the palette is that it combines neutrals with brights, ensuring experimentation and wearability. To achieve this look, almost every color was used, starting with the white in the inner corner, all over the lid (white under a color makes it POP) and to highlight the brow bone. Then the lighter champagne color was swept all over the lid and the darker brown concentrated in the crease. A touch of the black added depth when placed in the outer corner. (For an everyday smokey eye, I could have stopped here but where's the fun in that?!) Next came the color in the form of that light green. With color this bright, it is very important to place the color by patting it on the eye, not swiping or blending. You'll be much more color payoff and won't diffuse the color all over the place. The green is placed in the middle of the lid, where it will have the most impact. The yellow is added to the inner corner and blended in towards the green so that it comes off golden. The blue was added on the outer lash line before adding the green Aqua Shadow pencil in a diagonal shape towards the middle of the eye. This sounds like a lot but the whole thing took less than 5 min including mascara (blue makes eyeballs look whiter!) and brows (Aqua Brow is da bomb!!) The result is totally wearable, emerald green smokey eye that begs to be taken out for a night on the town.

Color is EVERYWHERE this spring so don't be afraid to play and have fun! I, for one, can't wait to try some other looks even though this combo might be a hard one to top.

Nailing it: butter London Spring 2013 Nail Lacquers

Spring is my favorite season so when it came to looking for new nail hues, I wanted colors that were fun, flirty and mirrored my excitement.  There was no shortage of collections to choose from - everyone from Essie to O.P.I. to Zoya attempted to catch my eye but the best shades seemed to come from across the pond. butter London's Lacquers may all be pastels but they seem to have popped right out of a pretty box of delectable macaroons. Aptly named Sweetie Shop, the collection includes (from left to right): Fiver (the prettiest mint you ever did see) Fruit Machine (a true bubblegum pink) Molly Coddled (a lovely lavender) and Kerfuffle (very cantaloupe-esque).

butter London Spring 2013:
(l to r): Fiver, Fruit Machine, Molly Coddled, and Kerfuffle

Having tried butter before, I know to expect a smooth, shiny finish with none of the bad stuff. Their 3 free formula and über pigmented polishes make them a guilty-but-actually-good-for-me pleasure.

(l to r): Molly Coddled, Fruit Machine, Fiver, Kerfuffle

Two additional shades that I did not purchase are Cuppa (yep, its coffee colored) and Jasper (a bright, sunshine yellow). Both are cute but not as fab as the other four - I had to have them! Could. Not. Leave. Them. There. The summer collection is about to debut in stores but this Sweetie Collection will be a tough act to follow.

Goodebox - The Subscription Beauty Box That's Actually Good For You

My favorite Goodebox samples from my last five boxes

It is sooooooo difficult to resist the temptation that is the subscription beauty box. Birchbox, Sample Society, Ipsy, Beautyfix - there are too many to just choose one! I had finally resolved to abstain completely as each box would most likely contain products that I could not use due to my silicone allergy UNTIL I stumbled upon Goodebox. For a reasonable $16 a month, 6-7 beauty, health, and wellness samples are delivered to my door from companies that are conscious of what we are putting into our bodies. Products are usually all-natural, organic, vegan or all of the above making silicone rare and me a happy girl. What's really great is that there are new and upcoming companies as well as already well-established ones like Pacifica and Weleda. After reflecting on six month's worth of boxes, here are some breakout stars:


Sugared Beauty's Happy Face Foaming Scrub Cleanser - This was in my first box back in October. It's a multitasking wonder that cleanses, polishes and leaves your face soft and naturally moisturized. At first it was confusing to think that this little pot packed with sugar could do all that but I was pleasantly surprised. Sugared Beauty combines the healthy benefits found in nature with with the joy of dessert and the result is definitely sweet.

Bar Beleza Multi-Use Beauty Bar from Me and The Girls - In the spirit of multitaskers, this organic bar can do anything - no seriously - ANYTHING! Its a cleanser, moisturizer, primer, and conditioner all in one twist up tube that makes it super portable. The secret is Cupuacu Seed Butter which melts from a solid to a liquid on contact. It could replace half of the items in my medicine cabinet...which is terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

Sweet Libertine Cosmetics' Mineral Eyeshadow in Dragonfly - It's not all that common to find makeup in this box (one of my only complaints) so it was a surprise to finds a versatile mineral eyeshadow in the holiday box. It's subtle iridescence was perfect for the season but also natural enough for everyday. The vegan darling is sadly discontinued but there are plenty of other shades to choose from.

Lavender Whipped Shea Butter from Metropolis Soap - Lavender is my weakness so this vegan whipped shea butter from Brooklyn, NY was bound to become a quick favorite. Made by hand from only 4 ingredients this is perfect for my seriously dry skin. It really doesn't get any better than this!

Moom Hair Removal Kit - Last but certainly not least is a certified organic, heatless sugar wax that is honestly the least painful hair removal system hat I have ever tried. When it came in last month's box, I was super skeptical  I have had one too many bad eyebrow waxing experiences that have left me looking like a surprised cartoon character (my sister's words, not mine). So, we decided to let sleeping dogs lie and test this product on our upper lip. Neither of us have ever waxed or threaded our ladystaches but we were surprised by how easy it was to render our lips virtually hairless. This is something I would definitely repurchase even though the sample will last me a loooooooong time.


Overall, Goodebox does a great job of elevating lesser known brands and keeping their boxes fresh. While I'm sure everyone would like a little more say as to what is in their boxes, I am looking forward to what new brands the next box will introduce me to.

Does anyone have a subscription box they really love? Let me know in the comments section below!

Why (K)not Knit?

At Unwind in Burbank, knitters both seasoned and novice can find a place to call home. Here, knitting is truly a communal pastime that requires a unique balance of encouragement and creativity. With a slogan that encompasses all that they do - Knitting for the body and mind - the real question is: Why not knit?

Unwind is located at 818 North Hollywood Way in Burbank, CA 

There are cozy couches and plenty of space for people to get crafty

My knitting bag - can't wait to get started on my next project so stay tuned!

Tuesday's Treat: Georgetown Cupcake in LA

To kickoff my newest segment, I think it's only fitting to start with my biggest weakness: cupcakes!! I was on my way to the MUFE boutique in L.A. when I saw that they had gotten a new neighbor whilst I had been travelling for the holidays. Georgetown Cupcakes, made famous by the TLC show DC Cupcakes, has taken residence across the street at 143 S. Robertson and I could not be happier! I have always wanted to try their fun flavors and now I can without booking a trip back east.

Georgetown Cupcakes is located on Robertson Blvd 

Now, I consider myself a serious cupcake consumer, not just a gal with an overdeveloped sweet tooth. I LOVE cupcakes and there are three things that make a cupcake great:

1. cake - The most important thing here is texture - doesn't matter how it tastes if its tough to swallow (milk is for cookies!) Then comes the flavor where
2. frosting - The best frosting balances well with the cake - can't be overly sweet or thick and it needs to compliment, not overpower.
3. presentation - This may seem obvious but it does matter - creativity is key.

So, what did I think of Gtown's cupcakes? The store was simple yet adorable and they have a collection of staple flavors in addition to daily specials. I decided on two unique specials: honey banana
(as honey is not commonly a main ingredient) and vegan apple cinnamon (sugar and spice and dairy-free). The fresh fruit flavors were grounded by earthly spices while still being light and well-balanced. The did not disappoint and I, for one, will most definitely be going back for something a bit more decadent and chocolaty. Have you tried Georgetown Cupcakes? Share your favorite cupcake place/flavor in the comments section below!

Two Georgetown Specials:
Vegan Apple Cinnamon (l) and Honey Banana (r)

Three Oscar Races That Just Got Real

Forget "Surprises and Snubs" - this is the long and the short of when the Academy got it right and where it went off its rocker.

1. Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

The Academy better watch it's back - one more DiCaprio shutout and things will get ugly. Look at him and that hammer! 

At the unusually entertaining Oscar Announcement, presenter Emma Stone wittily pointed out all of the nominees in this category have already won before. Co-presenter and this year's host Seth MacFarlane went even further by quipping “Breath of fresh air in that category…” to which the crowd laughed earnestly if not nervously, really begging the question: WHAT IS THE ACADEMY’S PROBLEM WITH LEO???? At this point, this is just getting ridiculous. I have gone over almost every scenario in my head and it just doesn’t make sense. Was Robert De Niro great? Of course! All of them were but DiCaprio’s role was unique in that it required abandon and control that we rarely get to see except when you pair a great actor with a contentious role. He was remarkable and vile - you could not stop watching him and yet you could not wait for him to die horrifically as you knew he must. I cannot fathom a single reason as to the Academy’s continued dismissal of him as an actor. For the time being, I abstain from choosing one of these fine performers because as far as I’m concerned, the BEST is not among the nominees.

2. Best Director

Ben Affleck graciously poked fun at his Oscar snub as he accepted the Critics Choice award - take that, Academy! 

The half-cocked director category was missing major contenders as favorites Ben Affleck (Argo) and Quentin Tarantino (Django) were bypassed for David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), Michael Haneke (Amour), and Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild). Also overlooked, although not as surprisingly, was Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) which I suspect is partially due to the controversy that continues to surround the film’s depiction of torture. The same can be argued, in a way, about Django but then why would both film be nominated in the Screenplay categories? It’s a mystery and a shame but the real loser here is Mr. Affleck.  As last night’s Critics Choice winner for Best Director, this clearly was meant to be his year.

3. Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

There once was a Hushpuppy who was a total badass and became the youngest Oscar nominee EVER!

In searching for a lead actress, age apparently doesn’t matter to the Academy. This year was extraordinarily diverse in terms of each particular actress and the roles they took on. We have an 85 year old Emmanuelle Riva (Amour) going up against 9 year old (but was 6 years old when she actually made the film) Quvenzhané Wallis – the pint-sized powerhouse from Beasts of the Southern Wild. Neither may be able to beat the formidable Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) and Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) – both of whom have been nominated before, despite their youth and relatively recent arrival on the Academy’s radar (Lawrence was nominated in 2010 and Chastain in 2011.) Clearly these two are the future of Hollywood yet as Riva and Wallis show, it’s never too late – or early – to get into the game.

So Lincoln leads with 12 noms and Life of Pi follows closely behind with 11 - not surprising but what is interesting to note was the Academy’s attention to the little guy over the blockbusters. Silver Linings Playbook and Les Misérables both received 8 nominations, Amour tied with Django Unchained and Zero Dark Thirty for 5, and Beasts of the Southern Wild earned 4 which is 4 more than expected considering they were pretty much shut out of the Golden Globes. It certainly will be an interesting season so keep your eyes out for my coming reviews of all the Best Picture nominees. Happy watching!