So I know this is totally not exciting, but my cuticles have been looking GREAT lately! I’ve been taking the Sephora Stimulating Lavender Cuticle Oil Pen to ’em a lot (every few hours and then also before bed). I’ve also been unusually good about remembering to use hand cream after each of the 3,456 times I wash my paws throughout the day… Not gonna lie, I’m a bit of a germaphobe. This isn’t something I say very often, but damn my cuticles look sexy, haaay! 🙂
My bangs, for sure. They’re starting to stress me out, always getting in my grill, and you should see them when I get up in the morning… Um, do you remember those troll dolls? Yeah, like that.
What were your best and worst beauty experiences this week? Please share yours in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Best: Found a supposedly hideous bottle of Sally Hansen in the back of my nail polish box… turns out “Dusk” (a creamy, earthy pink) is actually a gorgeous color on my nails.
Worst: Of course, the day before I have to do an English presentation, a nice lurking zit crops up on my forehead. Fortunately, Neutrogena 2-in-1 fight and fade gel is a bleachy smelling miracle.
Hi Molly,
Tell me about this fade gel! Is it really all that?
I’ll first get to the bad…
My right eyelashes are disappearing by the minute! I don’t know why, but the fall-out is terrible- I can literally see gaps between lashes. And my left ones are normal, which is just double the weird because I use the treatment/make up removal/ eye make up on both, obviously.
I’m thinking of getting that DiorShow Primer&Maximizer, maybe it’ll help the growth?
On the good side…
Er, my left eyelashes look great. Like, false lashes great. And, I’ve been told that I look ”healthy”. Which got me thinking- did I look ”sick” before?
Ah… being a woman is so weird sometimes.
Hi Sonja,
I’m sorry to hear about your lashes. I wonder what it could be. Are you right handed? Perhaps you could be using more force on that side when you use your lash curler? Or maybe you’re sleeping on that side of your face?
Nope, don’t use the curler, don’t sleep on that side either.
Maybe it’s just my lashes, maybe they need to, I don’t know- recuperate, restore, reboot…
If they keep falling out you might want to see a doctor.
And there’s always false lashes, right?
My best would be playing with some of my new goodies that I got at Toronto IMATS last weekend. I’m especially excited about my Face Atelier foundation.
I didn’t really have a bad beauty experience this week, maybe when I realize my nail polish was chipped just before I went out last night. It really bothers me when that happens when I’m wearing a vampy shade. It’s super noticable – to me at least!
Hi SoVeryFabulous,
Oh how cool! What else did you pick up at the IMATS?
my worst — bad nails bec of the move; a bit of breakout on my chin bec of the same reason!
my best — learning more and more each day about using pigments not only as eyehsadows but for other purposes as well!
Hi Nina,
Oh, tell me about what pigments you’ve been playing with!
lately, its been the tartan tale pigments – so perfect for fall! 🙂
Speaking of fall, it was close to 80 degrees here today… didn’t feel like fall at all!
Do you have the MAC 239? It’s my fave brush for pigments.
yes i do 🙂 i also like using a small but fluffy brush for it for a softer effect!
it was cold-ish here yesterday (70s) and i think it will be the same today! 🙂
Oh, those are great, especially for washes of color over the lid. 🙂
today i used bloodline on the crease w/ amber lights all over the lid – a bit of sunshine on a dreary, gray morning!
My best would be continuing to play with my Lorac Box Office Sensation kit from Sephora. Even though I don’t always feel comfortable using really bright eye makeup (I tend to use neutrals a lot), the colors in it are very wearable.
I have two worst experiences: the first is that my eyebrows are out of control. I’ve been putting off getting them waxed, and now I’m at the breaking point. The other bad experience is that the NYX smoky purple eye palette keeps reminding me that I suck at using darker colors. Whenever I try to do a dramatic eye, I usually look like I’ve gotten in a fight 🙁
Hi Terri,
Hang in there! For me it took a lot of practice to finally get purples to look non-Fight Club. You’ll get there!
Maybe start off with something super easy, like one of lighter purples as your lid shade and then a little bit of a darker shade in the outer third?
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the idea – I tried your tip, and it totally worked! Now I just have to find some reason to wear a smoky purple eye out in public (since I work in the education field, I tend to be a little conservative with my makeup).
Hi Terri,
YES! I’m so glad it worked! If you want to up the drama even more, you could always wet an angled brush and use it to apply one of the darker shades along the upper and lower lash line. Pop your fave black liner on the waterlines for even more smokiness.
And if you wanna keep going add some false lashes. 🙂
Funny you should mention needing a reason to go out… I’m sitting here all done up in a bronze/black eye look and the only place I’m going tonight is to the local pizza joint to get our take out, LOL!
Best: My lashes have been looking longer a thicker, and have been falling out less. Guess Revlon Grow Luscious actually works.
Worst: My gray hairs are taking over! It’s not cute. Time to dye.
Hi Tammy,
You officially don’t have to worry about gray hair until you find one in your eyebrow!
(I’ve had them since I was 15, btw… now that’s not cute, LOL!).
How’s your weekend been? Good, I hope!
I started getting grey hair really early too, probably when I was 14. It’s such a pain to dye because it’s so resistant.
I hear you. When I was in my teens and 20s the gray hairs were in the back, but last year they started popping up near my forehead… and in my eyebrows!
The day I find a gray chin hair will be a sad, sad day!
best: tried Nars Deep Throat blush and oooooooooh why didn’t I buy that years ago?? so gorgeous!
worst: went to 5 stores looking for the revlon photoready in caramel because the shade above it, cappucino was PERFECT over the summer so I thought that one shade down would be gorgeous for winter skin….WRONG, looked like i jumped out of a casket, after doing all of that work to find it 🙁
Hi Vonnie,
Oh no re: the lighter shade. That happens to me when there’s too much pink in a foundation. 🙁 Did you buy it from a store with a good return policy? Hopefully you can get your money back.
yup, thankfully walgreens let me take it back, no questions asked 🙂 went out to breakfast with the funds, win! lol….Just bought DiorSkin foundation off sight alone on the Sephora website, we shall see if it’s a color match…have you used their foundation?
I used their Air Flash once years ago and remember liking how light it felt. I have a tinted moisturizer from them that I really like!
Funny you should mention foundation, because I was looking at a couple from Make Up For Ever when I was at Sephora today. Have you ever worn any of their foundations? I think I’m going to try either the HD or the Velvet Mat… I couldn’t decide between the two and just walked out of the store!
The HD had amazing coverage and photographed brilliantly, BUT broke me out badly….my friend on the other hand glows with it and has no breakouts, so it seems to be just me and my wonky skin 🙁 It was a great foundation and I really was sad to take it back.
Thanks for the info, Vonnie. My skin is pretty sensitive so maybe I’ll just ask for a sample first.
I absolutely LOVE Deep Throat, especially during the winter months. So much more realistic and flattering than Orgasm.
I wasn’t a big fan of Orgasm, either, ’til I tried the Orgasm/Laguna duo. Together those two make magic, I tell ya!
Best: hitting the $1 store cosmetics jackpot…also finding a real book by an actual author that I actually wanted to read at same dollar store.
Worst: winter dry skin is starting already!
Hi Knownever,
What book did you pick up?
Best: I found that applying loose powder with the MUFE HD powder puff produces the most porcelain-like, realistic looking finish to skin I have ever seen.
Worst: I tried applying some argan oil to my damp hair, and after letting it air dry, it looked like I hadn’t showered in a week! My hair was greasy, piecey, and flat. But I literally had five minutes before I had to leave for school, and just had to deal with it all day. An utter embarrassment.
omg, lol, that sounds like a nightmare with the hair! so sorry that you had to go through that 🙁
At least you had a win with the powder puff, that sounds like you looked gorgeous! I really am loving MUFE, may have to get the powder puff
Oh no! How much oil did you put in your ‘do?
BTW, I used to keep a hat in my locker for those hair emergency days!
ohhh @ the argan oil experience !!! i get that a lot when i try to change up my hair routine and my hair ends up looking greasy and oily! 😀
i sympathize, sam!
My Best: I went to this new international grand market that opened by my house and bought organic brown rice shampoo and conditioner. It smells wierd but my hair is super soft =)
My Worst: My nails look like i have been stranded on an island for a few weeks. My tumbnail broke and it hurts! ouch =(
Thumbnail… I really need to proofread.
Hey Hana,
What’s the brand? I’m so curious about the scent!
Not even that much! Like, a dime sized amount… I finally figured out that it needs to be blow-dried in, or it just won’t absorb. So odd…
And no hats in school! I hate it! Although, I’ve found a hat I actually look good in… Still on the hunt, though!
Really? That would’ve seriously cramped my style back in the day (and now). I’m a hat person, especially in the winter.
BEST – FINALLY purchasing yes to carrots night cream and yes to cucumbers day cream. My skin hearts me!
WORST – I am seriously the worst nail polisher in the world. I have the cutest nail polish but I cannot paint my nails to save my life. ANOTHER FAIL!
I am a bad nail polisher too, so I feel your pain!
Hi JaNelle,
Oh, I’ve been meaning to try that cream. I have to ask — how does it feel when it’s on your neck? Does it leave you feeling sticky?
Anywho, there are many beauty things that I can’t do, like coloring my own hair. I used to do it on my own until I realized that I’m terrible at it.
It’s very smooth, not sticky at all. I use the yes to cucumber in the morning because it’s a soothing cream and my face tends to be red in the morning. I saw the yes to carrots and they had a day and night cream; so I got the night one. It too is very light and smooth. Not sticky at all.
I wish I could polish my nails; it would save me a TON a money with manicures!
Thanks for the heads up on the texture of the creams. I think I’ll give ’em a go. 🙂
As for polish, which hand is your dominant hand? I’m right handed, and I always use my left hand to paint my right hand first. Sounds odd, but it makes a little bit of the a difference in the neatness.
Also, having a nail polish remover pen around helps too. I run along the edges to remove excess polish. It keeps my nails looking nice and neat!
My dominant hand is my right hand and I use it to paint my left hand first lol… maybe I’ll switch it up this time. Thanks!
My Best: I have never been able to do winged eyeliner and have been making myself do a little flick to try and get better. (Even though it always looks horrible.) This week though was a break throough! I think I finally got it down! So exciting! Even my husband noticed! I always think when your man notices and compliments its a good thing! Also no breakouts which is unusual for me!
My Worst: Thats funny you say that about your bangs. I cut my in May and have been growing them out ever since! They are driving me crazy! They are still not long enough to tuck behind my ears and have just made styling my hair impossible!
Congrats on getting the winged eyeliner down! But for anyone still looking for help, try this super easy tip to get it every single time. Take a piece of paper or a notecard and create a line from the outer corner of your nostril to the outer corner of your eye on the same side, and continue this line up. Draw your eyeliner out along this line. The paper will ensure a perfectly straight line, as any wobbling will just be drawn onto it instead of your face, and the line you make creates the most flattering angle for everyone!
I’ve totally done this! Scotch tape works too!
Hi Traci,
I’ve been doing all sorts of creative things to push the bangs out of the way — clips, bobby pins, scrunchies (!)… it hasn’t been very cute, LOL!
Best: Picked up this acne-fighting toner by Neutrogena that seems to be fighting breakouts like a dream! I feel as if my skin hasn’t looked this nice in the longest time!
Worst: I’ve recently become obsessed with finding split ends in the length of my hair and trimming them, which wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that it makes me paranoid about the health of my tresses… Hmm, I really need to lay off the heat styling.
Neutral/frustrating: I’m trying to find out what to do with my bangs. I love having a fringe, but I don’t know if I want to grow them a bit longer or to trim (and if I do, in what style). Decisions, decisions…
Hi Mai-Huong,
What’s the name of your new toner? I just might check it out.
Hey Karen! Sorry it’s late, but the toner I have is Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple Action Toner. It’s a bit drying due to the high alcohol content, but great for the oilier parts of my face.
Best-Finally getting my NARS Taos blush. Beautiful color!
Worst-My dry cracking winter skin! It is ridiculous.
isn’t taos a DREAM? i’ve been wearing it for about a month straight, can’t seem to use another blush lol
I have had that shade on my want list forever and keep forgetting to pick it up!
My best experience: My MAC Tartan Tale 5 Sassy Lipgloss in Neutral. Love the shades.
My worst experience: Ummm, realizing that One of the Lip Bags has bascially “O” with a new name.
Hi Staci,
Aren’t the Tartan Tale glosses great this year? I have the coral one and every single color is a winner.
Have you picked up anything else from the collection?
best: escaped my manic office to get my eyebrows threaded – they look super amazing
worst: after having my brows threaded the annoying white hair i had plucked ever so long ago has popped up again ( DEPRESSING) i ripped the sucker out before anyone had the chance to notice
grey hairs are tap dancing at my nerves these days lol a few weeks back i chopped my crazy curly hair to a curly super layered bob just above my chin – they greys are laughing at me
ahhh i miss commenting !!! but do know that i am still reading your blog daily miss karen – you are as fabulous as ever!
YADI!!!!
Where have you been? I miss you!
I can’t do bangs-I have a mean widow’s peak and they never sit right. Plus I hate hair on my forehead. I applaud you and your bangs!
Best: Finding out that Laura Mercier pressed mineral powder doesn’t itch me!
Worst: My skin is too dry to wear it!!
Waiting for The Walking Dead tonight! Woot!!
Hi Tracy,
This is the shortest I’ve ever gone… we’ll see if I actually keep it up.
Walking Dead in less than 20 minutes — YES!
Seriously, this site is turning into Makeup and Beauty and Zombie Blog.
Hahaha I love it! Makeup and Beauty Zombie Blog! You should totally do a post on beauty products for Zombies… 🙂
Okay, did you watch it? We need to dish, LOL!
Of course I watched! Maybe we can catch up in a different post LOL!
Best: finally finding my perfect shade of red nail polish!
Worst: banging my head on the ground while trying to get a good picture of my makeup. I still have the bruise.
Hi Makeup Morsels,
Sorry to hear about your fall! Are you okay?
Best: eyelashes were like BAM this week and eyeliner was on point!
Worst: skin is flaky as hell from my at-home peel. Changing weather doesn’t make matters better.
Hi Amber,
Do tell me the secret of your BAM lashes! Did you get a new mascara?
I wish I knew so I could have a repeat — they were just awesome this week and I didn’t do anything different! I think it was just perfect timing of the growth cycle — lately I’ve been really careful to avoid breakage during makeup removal. I am impatient so I usually have a few little stubbies here and there.
Well if you ever figure out the secret sauce you have to let me know! 😀
My best: finding a forgotten unopened can of Sally Hansen’s Airbrush Legs in my cabinet, just in time for me, my sister and daughter to apply as we were getting ready to go see Wicked.
My worst: fixing my sister and daughter’s hair and then realizing I have left my velcro rollers in WAAAAY too long and having “poofball helmet head” while their hair looks amazing
Hi Beth,
What did you think of Wicked? 🙂
Wicked… Is my favorite musical. Might be that I saw it on Broadway with the original cast, but… Kristin Chenoweth is kinda my idol. I think my Glee Club is gonna do a Wicked mashup for national qualifiers!
I saw it here in SF in 2003 at the Curran Theater and really enjoyed it.
It’s not my fave musical though — that title goes to West Side Story!
i <3 kristin chenoweth too! and wicked is my 2nd most fave musical. 1st is rent. 🙂
My best – I found my Holiday party makeup last night while getting ready for a surprise date with my hubby. I have a few Christmas parties coming up and have been playing with different looks, but nothing I loved until last night. I looked great! (if I do say so myself, hah!)
My worst – I have been battling breakouts on my forehead and my skin is a mess! This is totally unusual, so I have no idea on how to deal with it!
Hi Jennifer,
Work it, boo! What makeup are you using for your holiday party look?
Thanks! I kept trying heavier smokey looks, and they just weren’t right. But then I tried simple, and its perfect!
MAC paintpot in Bare Study over the lid
Black liquid liner, winged out
Deep charcoal eyeshawdow over the liner to help lightly smudge out the inperciseness (I think I just made up a word!) of the liquid liner hah!
Very little bronzer to contour just a tad (I’m pretty fair in the winter)
Deed red lips (Revlon Colorstay Sheer and a Revlon gloss over top).
Classic and sexy!
Best – Playing with my new Lorac Front of the Line Pro in black. I usually stay away from black liner because I have such pale skin. But, I love this liner in brown and decided to splurge. It is too intense for most things, but if I apply it under shadow it give a soft, smoky eye a little extra pop.
Worst – A huge layer of nail peeled off. Even after I filed the nail down, there is still about 5 weeks of growth needed before it’ll be gone. I’m going to have to avoid dark polish (the dent will be too noticeable) for prime dark polish season!
Hi Steph,
Do you have an angled eyeliner brush? I bet your black Front of the Line Pro would look really pretty if you popped a little teal or gold on top of it.
I do. I bet those colors would look gorgeous on top. I used a little bronze the other day and really liked that. I’m going to try teal next.
Best: Finally finding a skincare line my face loves — derma-E, available at Whole Foods. Amazing products!
Worst: My dry hands! Ugh! So tired of applying hand cream 50 bazillion times a day!
Hi Heidi,
That’s great news! What products from the line are you using and loving?
BTW, my hands have been crazy dry too!
They have a great glycolic cleanser, love their eye makeup remover, and their hyaluronic acid day cream is wonderful, softens, hydrates, and no grease! Oh, and at night I use their Retinol cream to fight off those nasty first wrinkles.
Best: 1)went to a fancy shop to browse and the lady gave me 4 samples of each of the Dermalogica cleanser! If I have to spend money, I might just as well might the right choice. 😀
2)finally tried out those Darphin serums samples I’d had for a while, and they are A-MA-ZING. For the first time since the summer my skin is plumped, glowy and no tightness or dryness anymore!
3)after much procrastination on the naturallycurly forum, I figured what was wrong with my hair – too much protein! (unfortunately I’d just bought an Aveda curl stuff that’s packed with proteins :/) I did a SLS shampooing and applied tons of aloe vera conditioner, and my hair’s waaay better.
Worst: 1)now I want to buy very expensive Darphin serums. 🙁 Dry skin can be a nightmare.
2)errr I cut my bangs, then trimmed my hair the next day. It’s not TOO bad, except the locks I trimmed immediately got their bounce back while the layers I couldn’t trim are moppy. I should cave in and go to a hairdresser’s.
Oh and I so hear you about the morning bangs! 🙁 Bangs can be shmexy, but definitely not pre-styling..
Hi Advah,
Dermalogica makes some fabulous cleansers. Which ones are you trying right now? I used to use their Microfoliant back in the day and remember liking it a lot.
Yes the Microfoliant is incredible, I’m addicted! So far I’ve tried the Essential Cleansing Solution and the Special Cleansing Gel, and I like the second one best. Soo gentle and it has a light lavenderish fragrance that’s really nice.
Best: Have been really taking care of myself lately. Yesterday I did a protein treatment and deep moisture treatment on my hair. I’ve been using Orly cuticle cream religiously and slathering my hands and feet with Vaseline a few times a week (works better than anything I’ve tried). I’m using my Retin-A and Latisse.
Worst: Haven’t been wearing makeup! I’ve been at home and just feel depressed when I get all dolled up and have no place to go!
Hi Marian,
Good for you for taking care of yourself. I think we all need to do that more often.
Best: Finding out from a makeup artiste at MAC that my concealer (Studio Select) and foundation (Studio Fix Liquid) are not a good combination for oily skin as Studio Select gives a dewy finish but Studio Fix gives a matte finish. I’ve been battling melting concealer for awhile now. Switched to Pro Longwear Concealer and it’s starting to look so much better.
Worst: Breakouts :/ During vacation mostly – I have no idea why but I guess it’s impossible to travel with your whole beauty arsenal. Why do women require so much maintenance? 🙂
This is off topic, but I love San Francisco. Thanks for all the tips. I had a great time and fell in love with Westfield. I went there at least three days in a row *blush*.
Hi Fieran,
Glad you had a fun trip! Would you believe the weather here’s been crazy here lately? Yesterday it was hot enough to wear shorts and a tee shirt outside.
Oh, darn bangs! That’s the thing – they look good for a couple of weeks (not on me, but on bang-friendly people) and then they get shaggy! 🙁
My best and worst were the same. I had to clean up the dark glitter fallout from my Private Affair pallet on Sat evening (since I wasn’t going out as Cinderella pre-makeover) and that was a bit of a job. However, you know I love the light tan/gold glitter fallout and there was plenty of that to make me pleasantly sparkly. You’ll be happy to know that I didn’t get anyone staring deeply into my eyes (bummer) but also didn’t get any “yikes!” looks. 🙂
Hi Kim,
Any night where you can avoid the “yikes” looks is a good night. Trust me, I’ve gotten plenty of ’em before. 🙂
HAHAHA! I’m going to make that my motto! And bless that poor barroom lighting, btw! 🙂
Sorry your bangs are hella frustrating. When I had them, they would get horribly greasy at the end of the day, even if I didn’t touch them. I finally just grew them out because I was sick of them. :/
Best: My soon-to-be mother-in-law got me a filter for my shower head. This doesn’t sound too fun, but the water at her house makes my hair the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen it! My fiance is going to install it today! 😀
Worst: I ran my first half-marathon yesterday, and my feet are to’ up! I have blisters everywhere and my toenails are raggedy. The stress from before the race gave me a massive breakout, and I got a little sunburned during the race. The funniest bit? I had a fake tattoo in the shape of a skull for the race (it was a pirate theme) and that part is still pale! 🙂
Hi Kerry,
Congrats on finishing your half-marathon! I did one a few years ago and that was all I ever needed to do in this lifetime, haha!
Did you enjoy it? Do you think you might do another one?
Hi Karen! I just wanted to say I’ve totally been following your blog for the longest time and it is absolutely one of my FAVES! I visit it every day. 🙂
Best: Attending a Nordstrom event Saturday morning and getting delicious samples! Burberry lipsticks in Nude Beige, Rosewood, Blush, and Brick Red. Definitely going to be buying Blush in the full.. it’s so pretty.
Worst: I’m feeling you with the bangs. Two weeks ago I tried my take on the Nicole Richie bang and while it’s cute the first week, I find it to be annoying as ever now. Taking the easy way out and just swooping them to the side now! That and my eyebrows are becoming messy…gotta get them fixed!
Ah, the bangs. I have a love-hate relationship with bangs myself. If it’s behaving, which is a rare occasion, it makes me feel like the prettiest girl ever, doing that mysterious hidden eyes flippity hair thing. But the rest of the time.. Let’s not go there. It ain’t pretty. Haha!
Best of the week: I am a beauty junky on rehab (namely P10P), which in practice means I have not bought any makeup product for (deep breath) 4 months. The good thing is that, knowing this, friends and colleagues have been giving to me a lot of makeup they don’t like/use. You should see the gorgeous nail polish I am wearing on my toes right now, and the marvelous peach/purple look I created for the weekend using that stuff! ^_^
Worst of the week: I did not find the time to colour my hair and at present it really looks… baaah. Last time I tried a lighter colour, but stupidly overapplied at the roots. As a result a month later my hair features three colours: natural blackish brown interspersed with white hairs at the roots, then a stripe of chestnut brown and finally a darker brown on the lengths. Not very classy… :-\