eeny, "Mia", miny, mo

I’m about to hit you with some hard truth. While you can get by with buying the majority of your make up from drug stores, there is one tool that you simply cannot skimp on, a facial cleansing brush. Believe me, at first I thought I’d be able to buy a beauty store brand or drug store brand and get the same result that you would with the Clarisonic Mia. Clearly, I was wrong. Before getting the Clarisonic Mia, I tried the Pretika and i-Skin Pore Perfecting brands.  I purchased the Pretika at TJ Maxx and after 2 months it simply stopped turning on. I spent about $30 for that particular brush. Sally’s Beauty offers the i-Skin Pore Perfecting brush. Don’t even waste your time with this; it’s like cleaning your face with a toothbrush. This was also about $30. So, I ended up spending $60 before realizing I should have “invested” my money into the Clarisonic brand.

What separates the Clarisonic from the rest is the fact that the middle section of the brush-head actually spins. Clarisonic offers everything from sensitive skin to deep pore cleansing brush heads.  See, there’s a brush head for everyone!

Now don’t get me wrong, the advertising that other brands do will make you think that what they offer is just as good if not better than the Clarisonic brand. Do not let them fool you. The brushes do not spin like the Clarisonic, they give a pulsing sensation (Yes, I am still talking about facial brushes) and lack the “clean feeling” after each use that the Clarisonic gives.

So, please don’t make the same mistake that I did. Save a little bit each month till you’re able to purchase the Clarisonic Mia. It’s a sound investment and your face will thank you.

Clarisonic Mia -  http://www.sephora.com/mia-skin-cleansing-system-P285163

Eye Brow To Never Over Tweeze....Again

Once upon a time, I was in the ninth grade and discovered a tool called tweezers. Knowing what I know now, I would have never started tweezing. Pencil thin eyebrows went out as fast as glitter jeans (Remember those? My point exactly.)  If time travel were a possibility, I would travel back to my ninth grade self and hide every pair of tweezers that I owned. Also, I would gift myself with a flat iron, trust me, my hair was scary. I was in serious need of a frizz serum and high lights.


So, here I am at 24, with eye brows that are less than fabulous. What do I use to create the impression of “fabulous eyebrows”? I rely heavily on eyebrow kits and pencils. Now keep in mind, even with these tools, my eyebrows are not even close to what I want them to be. I’ve read a gazillion articles on growing your eyebrows out and from what I gather that’s next to impossible. I still hold out hope though.


Word to the wise, before attacking your eyebrows with tweezers, please, go to a professional (not just anyone, you probably want to avoid the nail salons) and have them wax your brows. Yes, it’s painful but beauty is pain. They are able to shape your brows and create an even look that is symmetrical for your face. Just make sure that you do go to a professional and don’t be afraid to ask questions.


Here are the products that I use to create sort-of-but- not-even-close “fabulous eyebrows”. Keep in mind, using eye brow pencils & powders is a trial & error system. You have to sit down and figure out how to apply your products, you want to avoid looking like Charlie Chaplin (Google him).  

1.) E.l.f Studio Eye Brow Kit (I have the medium color kit)
http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-studio-eyebrow-kit-medium/-/A-13586131
2.) Maybelline Expert Eyes (I use the Blonde shade)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Maybelline-Twin-Brow-Eye-Pencils-107-Blonde-Expert-Wear/10450497

Get Your Shine On

One of my many “guilty pleasures” in life is lip gloss. It seems every time that I’m at the store I find myself wandering down the makeup isle looking for a new gloss, because the 4 that I have in my purse aren’t enough right?  On a recent trip to Target, or if you like to keep it classy, “Tar-jet”(Remember to say it in a French accent), I found a lip-gloss that I have not been able to part with. E.L.F’s Hypershine lip-gloss has become my absolute favorite. I keep one in my purse and one at my desk.

What’s so great about this product? Applying it is easy (if you’re like me, sometimes my hand gets loose and lip-gloss ends up everywhere but my lips). The applicator is sponge-y and keeps the lip-gloss from traveling around while you’re applying it. The moisture and shine alone sells this product. This lip-gloss doesn’t leave your lips with that sticky feeling that some tend to do. You know how after applying a lip gloss it feels like you need a crow bar to pry your lips apart? Yeah, this lip-gloss does not leave you with that feeling.  

The absolute BEST part of this lip-gloss is the price. At $1 a tube it’s pretty hard to beat. Currently, I own Perfect Pink and Pink Lemonade. If you’re looking for a new gloss, look no further, E.L.F’s Hypershine is the gloss for you.
 Starting from the left: Perfect Pink, Pink Lemonade  
E.L.F Hypershine Lipgloss

Smooth Feet Here I Come!

If you’re anything like me you end up buying a foot file every time you’re in the store because you’ve lost your previous one. Let’s be honest, it GETS expensive. You end up spending anywhere from $5-$10 per foot file. What’s a cheap way to cut down on cost and get more “bang for your buck”?  Dry Wall Screen. (I know, I thought the same thing when I first heard about it).

 Depending on your local hardware stores, you can buy a 5 pack for $5.98.  With the screens being so big, you’re able to make about 4 files per screen. If you bought 4 foot files at $5 a piece that’s $20! Why do that when you can buy 5 screens and make 20 foot files for $5?

To get the best result, you’ll want to file your foot when it’s wet. I’d recommend after you shower or after a foot soak (if you’re lucky enough to have time to soak your feet I’m jealous!).

Afterwards, follow up with a moisturizer. 

Your feet AND  wallet will thank you!

Thick Luxurious Eyelashes In 5 Minutes Or Less!

Every girl on the planet wants long, thick, & luxurious eyelashes.  Latisse (about $120 for a bottle) and Eyelash Extensions ($75 for initial application, $45 for fills)  are two of the more popular methods to achieve the look that we all want. What’s not popular is the price tag that comes with both. So, if you’re in the same boat that I am, neither of those are options. Recently, I’ve found a trick that gives you the same look without the $price-tag$ of Latisse or Eyelash Extensions.  Ready?

First, you’ll want to find a translucent powder. I use Hard Candy Welcome Matte Mattifying
Translucent Powder ($8 at Wal-mart).

Next, you’ll apply the powder on your eyes; make sure you get it on your eye-lashes. If you have a smaller brush you can swoop it across your eyelashes rather than applying the powder all over your eye.

Finally, apply your mascara. I use Maybelline Volum' Express Curved Brush Mascara (got it on sale for $3.25 cha-ching!) or Maybelline Volum' Express Mega Plush Washable Mascara, Blackest Black ($5.94).

Your result will be thicker  voluminous lashes!  The look is easily achieved for $15 or less. Way cheaper than Latisse or Eyelash Extensions!







Dry Shampoo

Let’s be honest. Washing your hair every day is an absolute hassle. At least for me it is. So, when I found out about Dry Shampoo it was a dream come true.  I’ve used just about any brand of dry shampoo that I can get my hands on.

 Favorite Dry Shampoos

 Suave - Dry Shampoo $1.99 - $2.99I was a little skeptical about using this when it first came out but the price tag of $1.99 was too good to pass up. Needless to say this is my absolute favorite dry shampoo. It makes your hair feel great and you’re still able to style your hair after spraying it in.  I will say that if you have darker hair you may have to comb it through your hair so you don’t look like you have gray hair. I use this daily and I keep a back up ready for when I run out. The scent is a very clean smell. So it's not too overpowering.

 

 Dove $2.99-4.99

 You can’t go wrong with this dry shampoo. It smells absolutely uh-mazing!  Unlike the Suave brand you don’t have to worry about the powder showing if you have darker hair. It’s a very light powder that blends well. If you're looking for more of a floral smell, this is the dry shampoo you need.