Eyelash Extensions- What you need to know

Photo courtesy of the NY Times

Two must read beauty articles on one week from the venerable New York Times??? Change is definitely a foot, or in this case, a face.

Bravo and thank you for a comprehensive article on the fad that is sweeping the faces of busy women everywhere.  I see them daily, on friends and clients.  And you can always spot them...I think by the time that most women are invested in the time and cost of getting extensions, "natural" = "why bother?".

Flashback Friday: L'Oreal Superstar Mascara

L'Oreal Superstar Mascara
$11.99. Cheaper when purchased anywhere else than Greenwich Ct.

If any of you are wondering how I fared with the original Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, you would have to ask the lovely man at CVS who accepted it's return.  I found it to be no more inspiring than the new "Luscious" Lash Sensational Mascara, that they recently added to the already brimming portfolio and I had already boomeranged back.
While there, I did purchase a new 2 step, L'Oreal Superstar Mascara...not that I will actually be using it...to clarify, I purchase it because the step one primer is the real superstar here.  I LOVE primers.  I adore being able to slap on that first "coat" with abandon.  A good primer will thicken and lengthen anything that goes on after it. Pinky swear.

I used to always buy Lancome's Cils Booster XL Lash Primer for just this purpose.  When I ran out one day, I decided to try the primer that comes with L'Oreal Superstar Mascara and hope for the best with the mascara.  The mascara disappointed, but not the primer!  It far exceeds big sister Lancome's primer (they are owned by the same parent company, as most of you know), and at a fraction of the price!

Once you use a primer, you will be a lifetime convert.  Rather than thinking of it as yet another product, think of it more as your first, best coat of mascara.

As always, you are so very welcome.  Happy Weekend All!

xox,
DD

Flash Back Friday and Happy Anniversary to Moi!

Almay Eyeliner Pencil

As I too quickly found my way to the bottom of my Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner Crayon,  I thought back to the archives and looked for a post that I written before about Almay's Eyeliner Pencil,  which I have purchased, happily, a zillion times before.

It was then I remembered I was coming upon, or just passing the anniversary of my blog DivaDebbi. Scrolling back, through some 2100 posts, I found the very first, "Just Getting Started" dated March 9, 2008.  (Here's a link if your curious on how this all began).  8 years and still going strong! Oh, if I only had a nickel for every time one of you went out and purchased my latest love, but alas, I still do it mainly for sheer enjoyment. I do consider myself the ultimate Girl's Girl, so it is my pleasure to share with my worldwide readers, instead of an email blast to my friends, which preceded my Blog.

Anyway, I digress.  Why I can't just stick with a good thing once I find it, I don't know...I'm trying, really trying to not budge from my Holy Grail list. This easy glide on pencil, with its lovely self sharpening narrow tip, truly is budge proof and budget friendly.

Review: Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover

Clinique Take the Day off Makeup Remover
$19

Jeez...where have I been???

I knew I would be spending a few days at my sister Loren's NYC apartment and for once, I truly needed to pack light.  While I have mastered the art of packing a well coordinated travel wardrobe, the really heavy baggage is my makeup and cosmetics.

Where but  for staying with my sister, could I strike the following off my list:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Blowdryer
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant (Yup, your Italian roll-on Sis, sorry)
• Serum
• Facial Cleanser
• Shower Gel
• Body Moisturizer
• Dry Bar Shower Cap
• Post-Shampoo Hair Treatment
• Eye Makeup Remover

I'd clock that in at least 7 lbs...

What blew me away, was the ease at which Clinique's Take the Day Off Makeup Remover, really did.  Mascara, waterproof eyeliner? Gone in seconds without a bit of tugging. All of it. Wowza!

How did I know I found my new Holy Grail Makeup Remover??? When I woke up in the morning with virgin clean eyelids, no smudgy raccoon eyes, that somehow always surface, despite my diligence, when whatever remained the night before fuses with my eye cream.

Eureka!

Thank you Sis, for all your TLC, fabulous cooking and vodka laced cranberry juice and seltzers. YOU are simply the best, and your stash is second only to mine. And of course you know, if the roles were reversed, mi casa is su casa, always.

Much love and xox,

DD

P.S. That Italian roll-on deodorant, it turns out, his the provenance of my sister's significant other...Apologies Earl. It was divine!

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Crayon

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Crayon
$8.99 at Drug stores Nationwide

Oh this has been a brilliant week! Two amazing drug store finds in one week! First, Maybelline's Better Skin Super Stay Concealer and now Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Crayon.

Last month, I had received a well researched, exhaustive review of the best eyeliners by Reviews.com. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Crayon did not make the top 6, but their liquid eyeliner did. I went with their number one choice, Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide on Pencil.

My first outing was on a red eye to London and will attest to it's staying power, no question. What I quibble with, is the "glide" factor...that, not so much...

Review: Nuance by Salma Hayek Mineral Eyeshadow Duo

Nuance by Salma Hayek Mineral Duo Eyeshadow
$8.99 at CVS 

I'm fairly certain our second largest expense, besides our mortgage, is my monthly CVS bill.  I appreciate the nice perks, all those seemingly random 25% coupons, that I can send quickly to my loyalty card from my iphone, but half the time when I need a haul, they are not active.

Oh well...So one arrived 3 days too late, and I had to pick up a prescription anyway.  The chances of my buying nothing, with this additional 25% probably set to expire within the hour, was exactly nil.

On a whim, I picked up Nuance by Salma Hayek's Mineral Eyeshadow Duo for two reasons; the Dusty Rose/Sheer Champagne combo, was exactly the two shades I wear most and I was intrigued that the display was picked nearly clean....

Was I on to something???

Review: Hot Tools Ceramic Styling Brush

Hot Tools Ceramic Brush
$49 at Ulta stores 

I've been meaning to write about Hot Tools Ceramic Styling Brush for the last few weeks. Despite 3 in my arsenal, I am a flatiron failure.  If I need to smooth and straighten locks that have gone awry, flat ironing is not my solution; it looks like a took a Rowenta to my head, (which Lisa Gort and I did do in the 7th grade, when pin straight was all the rage.)

Not a good look...

My last styling brush had short static bristles and was at least a decade old. Despite every hair tools recommendation to remove build-up with a bit of mild detergent, (and my failed attempts with small brushes and Q-Tips,) none of them are ever as pristine as the first day out of the box.

I went to Ulta because they do have a well stocked hair gadget department. I spotted the Hot Tools Ceramic Styling Brush, because I couldn't not. The silicone bristles come in a variety of neon shades, which guarantee, you will always properly store it, rather than leaving it out to clash with your bathroom.

Thanks.

I love the flexible silicone bristles, having experienced blind panic over the years. when the old one got tangled in my hair and a poultry shear seemed the only solution. There is a temperature gauge that allows you to select the level of heat you want to use. It handily smoothes frizz and adds volume and curl exactly where you want it and as claimed, really does wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Below are  the product details:

CERAMIC produces far-infrared heat to seal the hair cuticle and eliminate frizz. Hair is soft, radiant and shiny. Fast heat-up and instant heat recovery. Maintains constant, even heat while you style.

SILICONE is uniquely responsive to your hair, minimizing breakage and protecting hair’s integrity. More resilient, stronger, and longer lasting. Easily wipes clean with a damp cloth.

• Rheostat Control Dial with variable heat settings up to 430˚F
• Soft, Flexible Silicone Brush gently grips hair
• Rubberized Handle for a more comfortable, secure grip
• Cool Tip for easy handling
• Power Indicator Light
• Separate On/Off Switch (Not shown)
• 8 ft. Professional Swivel Cord
• One-year warranty                                                                                                                         

All in all, a total winner.

At $49.99 it may eclipse stocking stuffer material, but hey, 'tis the season of giving and while you are treating others, why not treat yourself???

xox,
DD

Garnier Clean Refreshing Remover Towelettes

Garnier Clean Refreshing Remover Towelettes
$5.99

Until now, I was never very discriminating about makeup removing towelettes. How much better could one be than the other? I really use them as a prequel to thoroughly cleansing my face each night.  I have found, that no matter what is promised, a single towelette is really no match for mascara, liner and a day's worth of makeup and touch ups.

Out of habit and because I think I imagined them to be the most highly touted of the bunch, I always purchased Neutrogena's towelette.  When CVS ran an incredibly cheap sale on Pond's offering, I picked up two for $7.  I found them equal at doing the half the job.

Palladio Botanical & Vitamin Infused Cosmetics

Palladio Precision Liners
$6 each at Ulta

I realize these liners look more like they were plucked from a box of Crayola crayons. Fear not! The one that I forgot I purchased on a whim from Ulta a few weeks back, is actually a gorgeous dark espresso. Palladio Precision Liners are also available in black and charcoal grey.

We had quite a patch of warm weather and high humidity in the beginning of the week and I have been searching for a great budge proof liner that glides on handily.  I somewhat achieved it, when I rediscovered my Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner. I do love it, but two challenges remain; it's pricey and required endless sharpening. Before you know it, you've whittled yourself down to a nub...

What a happy surprise Palladio Precision Liner is! For starters, you can hone the point to ice pick sharpness and for 6 bucks, who cares.  It does glide on beautifully, because they are silicone instead of wax based. Added bonus, the color lasts and lasts, without fading or smearing.
 

Hallelujah!

Laura Geller Sculpting Bronzer

Laura Geller Bronzing Sculpting Bronzer
$36

I'm getting a little bitter about those Kardashian Girls getting all the credit for every beauty trend.  You can't walk into any store that sells cosmetics without bumping into their "sculpting" display. Every brand has come out with a sculpting set and they are pretty, pretty pricey.

I for one have been trying to create higher cheekbones and a slimmer nose for years...who didn't want to look like the Czech-born Supermodel Paulina Porizkova back in the day? 

This sculpting gig is anything but new...

Paulina Porizkova