Read before you buy....

Hermanas!!!

As a product lover with a very very limited budget; I must really think out every purchase carefully. Actually, I think we all should. And not only because it takes us time to earn our dinero, but because there are few things as annoying than coming home after spending "x" amount of money only to find out that the foundation is too oily; the eyeliner does not glide, the lipstick shade is wrong, the mascara clumps.... bad.

So yes chicas, before I buy anything; I take my sweet time doing some serious research. Do I make faux passes? Of course I do. Sometimes even if I do my homework; the product will just not agree with me. But hey! I find researching products to be quite fun.

Now, what kinds of things do I do? Here's a quick list:

1. Observe and ask.

I am known for stopping mujeres in Seattle and asking point blank: "what mascara are you wearing?" or "love that lip shade, what is it called?" Not only is this a good way of getting good info; it also makes someone else's day (come on, we a ll love being complimented in our makeup, hair, looks, brains....). A lot of my best buys and staple products are result of this interviewing strangers.

This includes bloggers. I know only one or two bloggers who ignore their readers questions (if they do, I stop following). Ask your fave blogger what her staple products are; or send them on a quest for the perfect concealer!!! I recently did this!

2. It is on the interwebzzzz.

If you are -and I know you are- a savvy browser; not only do you read blogs; you also check out product review websites. I dutifully check out Total Beauty, Makeup Alley (which has a FAB swap section), Sephora, and other sites that have personal reviews. I trust reviewers that are not paid by the manufacturer. Hermanas like you and I.

Another great source of information is, of course, the manufacturer's website. Some of them include reviews from users; others do not. I tend to be careful about the claims that sound way too crazy; and lucky me, I live with an organic chemist that withstand my gunning him with questions.

3. Panic-shopping is bad for you.

This Saturday, I spend about 25 minutes in Target deciding which new mascara to get; since I am on a mascara+with+primer binge. I rarely buy makeup alongside groceries or anything else: they are both too important to interfere with each other. I would not like to buy a crappy eyeshadow as much as I would definitely not enjoy buying a bad lettuce head because I am in a hurry.

If I know I need something, I take my time. Case in point: About 3 weeks ago I realized my hairdryer needed to be passed on to la suegra (Rojo's mamma has short hair) and I should invest a bit of doolah in a new one. I read online reviews, I checked prices, and I asked my beloved Hairnista for her advise. Result? I paid 18 dollars for a Revlon Tourmaline Ionic hair dryer that makes me smile. Saved money, and I am sure I got the best dryer for me.

So, once again. Makeup is not a chore; but a quest, an adventure. So, if you have time and want to spend your dinero wisely; do a bit of research!!!!


Siempre, Bella.

Beauty Sanctuary: Other alien tools...

Hermanas!!!

Yesterday Rojo took it upon himself to clean my beauty counter. Living in the wild side, he wasssss. I was quite pleased of course, since I have had the busiest week so far. He asked something like "why do you have this and this and this here? it is not makeup!"; which got me thinking about some of the alien tools I keep in the makeup area; and thought I would share it with you.

So which are my alien tools?

Spritzer Bottles

I have two of them. One, bigger; for boiled water; which I switch about once a week. I keep this one next to the hair tools; and use to spruce up in between blow dries, or to reactivate heat styling products. A time saver.

The second one is a smaller version that holds whichever toner I am currently using (remember I use toner instead of water to activate my pancake makeup); so I keep the actual toner bottle out of sight.

Napkins

Now now.... don't 'look' at me like that. These babies are my best found alternative to "blotting tissues". I just refuse to pay money for blotting paper. Will not do it. I must say that I "borrow" these napkins from my local Starbux --- if you are a MUA member, you can see they rank high on the blotting scale.

Baby Wipes

Stop and hail the mother (how apropos) of all versatility. I love them so much that I actually made an entire post about them; but suffice to say I use them to clean both my face, the counter, excess from the brushes, etc.

Chewing Gum and Altoids

I am a fresh mouth freak. If I counted, I can say I brush my teeth way too many times a day. but when it is time to rush rush rush, I pop in a chewing gum and off I go. Or a mint, or candy. Rojo is partial to Cinnamon Altoids flavored kissessssssss.... yum yum yum.


How about you? Do you keep anything handy that is really not makeup but helps you with your artistry? Do tell. And while you are checking that out; remember my tips to keep your Beauty Sanctuary clean and nice.


Siempre, Bella.