Mascara Wars: Day 2 – Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

Make Up For Ever – Smoky Lash Mascara

Color: Extra black

Brush: Tapered brush with uneven bristles. Handle is beveled for easy grip.

Consistency: Light.

Application: Because of the way the bristles are shaped, there appears to be a lot of mascara on the brush. But it does not go on clumpy. It goes on nice and even and doesn’t weight down lashes.

How It Looks: Professional. My lashes look long, curled, and without too much mascara on them.

Removal: Easy. And it does not stain, so you can easily repair mishaps.

Reaction: Impressed.

Notes: It is so light that it does not feel like it’s working until you realize you are done and the effect is lovely.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Grace Magazine.

Mascara Wars: Day 1 – Vincent Longo

As promised, here is the first of my mascara reviews.

Vincent Longo – The Curl Mascara

Color*: Black, highly pigmented

Brush: Small, tightly packed curved brush

Consistency: Light. Either it’s very thin or there isn’t much in the tube.

Application: Not much mascara ends up on the brush so it takes time and layering to apply to my liking.

How It Looks: Thin. My lashes still look like lashes instead of thick and clumpy, which is a plus. But they don’t look very long. And the promise of curl did not happen.

Removal**: Easy

Reaction: Unimpressed

Notes: Perhaps this sample has been sitting around for awhile?

* all of the mascaras in the test are black
** removed with Bliss Labs Lid & Lash Wash

Congratulations Philadelphia!!!

Phillies World Series Champions

I was born and raised in Philadelphia and I attended the World Series celebratory parade in 1980. The second championship has been a long time coming.

Congratulations, Philly.

The Great Pumpkin Wants To Know

Help for Thinning Brows

I was looking at a picture of myself from about 8 years ago. Actually, it was my driver’s license. I had to get a new picture taken this year. I was looking at myself in the same pose, in the same unflattering light, eight years apart.

The thing that stood out to me most, besides my age, was my eyebrows. They are the same shape they were 8 years ago but they look much sparser. They don’t frame my face the way they used to when I was younger.

So I took action.

I bought the Essential Brow Kit from Bare Escentuals. But first I watched a video demo of the product on QVC.com to decide if it was right for me. I’m not a fan of pencils so I was happy to see this kit is a powder.

The kit includes:

• bareMinerals Brow Color
• Angled Brow Brush
• Brow Finishing Gel

Choose your color. Ash for blondes, Auburn for redheads, Brunette for dark blondes through medium browns, and Dark for black hair. They’ve also added a new color for strawberry blondes.

I chose Brunette, the company’s most popular color. If you’re not sure which color to choose, go lighter.

You can use the gel before or after your apply the powder. I’ve tried it both ways and I think I prefer using it before.

The effect is very subtle, not at all like using a pencil. But it fills in the missing pieces. It doesn’t look like you’re wearing makeup on your brows. I’ll post before and after pictures when I get more confident in my application abilities.

You can buy each piece separately if you run out. I can’t imagine ever running out of the powder. You use so little of it for each application. But you’ll probably want a new tube of gel in a few months.

$32 for the kit.

I feel pretty.

Beautiful Christmas Gift Idea

Here’s a great gift idea for your loveliest friends.

Too Faced World Domination Tour All Access Backstage Beauty Collection

Kit contains:

8 eyeshadows
6 lip glosses
1 blush
bronzer duo
face illuminator
brow powder
eyeline cake

AND it’s a music box. It plays Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy while a little twirling figurine dances, just like your ballerina jewel box when you were a kid.

Only this time, the goodies are for big girls.

$42 at Sephora

Quantum of Solace Trailers

It’s only a couple of weeks until the newest James Bond movie hits the U.S. Theaters on November 14.

I’m looking forward to it. Daniel Craig is badass and the car looks fantastic.

Watch the two trailers and then take the poll. Enjoy.

Favorite Literary Heroines

I’ve always been a big reader. I especially love to read books about women.

Here are some favorite fictional heroines from my youth who have helped to shape my life.

Nancy Drew – independent, smart and popular. This attractive teenage sleuth drove around in a convertible and was allowed to vacation with her boyfriend. That was pretty modern for the 1930s.

Becky Sharp – precocious star of Vanity Fair. Witty, sardonic and smarter than all the men in the book, she goes after what she wants and gets it, without conscience.

Elizabeth Bennet - everyone’s favorite. Intelligent, honest and proud. Elizabeth Bennet gets the biggest catch of all in Pride and Prejudice. Who hasn’t dreamed of their own Mister Darcy?

Who are your favorite literary heroines?

Pucker Up

bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipcolor Palette w/Lip Brush – $28 at QVC

You can’t have too many lippies.

Try this lip gloss palette by Bare Escentuals. It contains 8 shades of mineral-infused lip glosses and a mini brush in a handy mirrored compact.

Colors include:

Ripe Fig, a lilac mauve
Rose Crepe, a blush rose
Berry Glace, a raspberry rose
Red Zin, a rich cranberry
Bread Pudding, a tawny nude
Parfait, a neutral pink
Sweet Apricot, warm apricot
Spiced Rum, a rum brandy

I Want This.