Volumizing? Defining? And other WTH moments....

Hermanas!!!

Curious fact before I forget. In Mexico, mascara is called rimel. Yup, like Rimmel London.

If you have been with us all week; you now know that getting luscious lashes is not just a matter of slapping on whichever mascara. Monday we shared Lash Savers, including some guidelines on what to look for when you are buying a new tube. Yesterday we dished about the pros and cons of primer and curling (or not!). Today we are almost getting ready to cyberapply mascara.

So let's pretend we are standing in the middle of Sephora *sigh*, with no budget problems *sighs again* and all the time in the world *triple sigh*, but without a salesperson trying to push their favorite mascara on us. How would we decide?

I say: think triple. I would like you to focus on three things. First, the type of mascara you want; second, the brush of the ones available and third; sadly enough, how much can you afford.

The titles cosmetic companies baptize their products with can be as puzzling as trying to sort out their ingredients (unless you are lucky enough like yours truly to have a hot Organic Chemist on call, mwahahahaha). But really, they can be confusing. So, how about mascaras? What is the difference between a "volumizing" and a "curl enhancing" one? Let me give it a try.

Volumizing mascaras claim they can make your eyelashes look full and yet soft. This is the kind I live by, since I am all about the dramatic look. Best in Class are (some reviews courtesy of Bee over at Clumps of Mascara):

Cover Girl Lash Blast (currently on my lashes)

Diorshow Iconic (on my I wantzzz it list)

Max Factor 2000 Calorie (one of my faves)

Volumizing mascara is best used -yo pienso- when you have somehow achieved curl and length through other means. If you have small lashes, not such a good idea as it can look clumpy. If you are going to use this baby, give it some time to set before patching up 3,000 coats. And always use a separator after.


Lengthening mascaras help you extend small lashes. Simple, eh? Not quite. Like, really chicas, how can you lengthen something finite? (great, now I am philosophical). Yet, seems you can. Best in class:

Lash Control Volume

Maybelline Lash Stylist

Rimmel Glam Eyes (Bella's review, B's review)

If you want tube technology, go for either L'Oreal Extend or Blinc Kiss Me. I have tried both and am partial towards L'Oreal, which is also much more affordable... as in half price affordable.

"Curling' mascaras are supposed to give you a curly angle to otherwise flat and sad lashes. I personally think this is nothing more than a myth (basic physics hermanas)... so I will not go into detail about these ones. They exist, and I would never buy one. If you have and love them (and hence think I am full of...) do share!!!

Defining mascaras are -after volumizing ones- my favorite ones. They tend to be much more thin in their consistency; and their ultimate goal or promesa is to separate and -surprise!- define your lashes. I like these ones for those very rare days where I want to look more natural (they occur, once in a blue moon). Another perk is they tend to feel quite light on your eyes. Best in class?

I personally love Lancome Définicils

Clinique High Definition

Revlon has a sleuth of defining mascaras, but I must confess I have not tried them.


Dios! This is one long post. I guess we will leave the thoughts about mascara wands and brushes for tomorrow. In the meanwhile, go back to dreaming about being in Sephora, with no budget restrictions....

Siempre , Bella.

Brushes, brushes, brushes

Hermanas!!!

I indeed gave away a couple of brush sets this season. I insist that brushes are your best friend when it comes to applying makeup. Even if you are a makeup newbie; brushes will make your life easier and your face less than patchy.

Good brushes tend to be on the expensive side; but there are alternatives. And if you take good care of them, they will last you a while. Clean after using, wash once a week or so.

I am currently in love with the Sephora brush collection, although I have been known to favor MAC brushes as well. Before you all go and spend your gift certificates just like that; let's see.... which are the "must haves" to begin a collection of your own?

• Foundation brush. I am currently using MAC 190 (pic above) and it works like a charm. Remember I use MAX Factor pan cake foundation; so a good foundation brush is a must; and it certainly saves me money as I use less product.
  

• Slanted brush. This one is fabulous for making those sexy eyes look bigger. I have MAC's 208 small slanted eye brush; plus another 2 from no-name brands.

• Smudge brush. I bought my first one before Christmas; and I am only so happy I did. I use this one to give my lower lashes a bust of color, or a shadow of sexiness! It blends lovely and you can adjust the stroke depending on how much you "push" the brush.
  

• Blush brush. Some folks use one for blush, one for bronzer, one for.... I just use one. I am however partial to the ones that have a bit of a slanted tip -- this way you can work contour much better.
  

• Eyeshadow all-over brush I got some Elizabeth Arden ones a while ago as a gift with purchase and they are amazingly versatile. If you don't want to cash out for a MAC Queen Bee (best blender brush I know); these ones shall do the trick.
  

I guess it all comes to how many functions you can invent for your brushes, you can be as versatile as your imagination and your budget allow. I don't think brush functions are set in stone at all. Some hermanas could not care less about brushes (case in point, Legally Smart and her obnoxious disposable applicators), and others who are brush mages.

If you are -as I am- on a tight budget; you can always play around with cheap brushes from your friendly dollar store; upgrade to drugstore items, etc. It's all about having good fun with makeup hermanas, it is not a chore!!!!

Siempre, Bella.

Hermanas!!

One of Seforito's recommendations from yesterday's Sephora Soiree was the answer to my question:

Bella: "Dahlin', is white eyeliner in the inside waterline IN or OUT?"
Seforito: "Well, you can use white... but..."
Bella: "Yesss????"
Seforito: "I will show you what I use" (oh yes hermanas, Seforito wears all the makeup he has recommended me) "it's not white, it's more beigy"

So we walked over to the Stila display, he grabbed the pencil in question, sharpened it and applied it right to my waterline. My eyes were so open, and bright looking. I was immediately in love. Not with Seforito, mind you.

The claim on Stila's website is :


Kajal eye liners are formulated to mimic the ultra-soft texture of the indian eye darkener of the same name. The luscious formula is silky smooth and glides on perfectly, without dragging across the most fragile skin around the eye area. Delivers bold, clear, true color that blends easily and beautifies.


They are not kidding. The color Seforito picked for me was Topaz (Apricot Nude), and I think it is the best thing ever. I had previously used white only; and sparingly since I looked more scared than awake; but this is luvly. Stila has eight colors: Amethyst, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl White, Topaz, Sapphire, Smokey Quartz, and Tigers Eye. Tres a propos to name them after jewels; because these liners are indeed jewels. I applied at 6:30 a.m. and it is still there. Check out the swatches at Sephora's website. I don't think I will splurge and fork $18 for another Stila eyeliner; but since it was for the waterline and nothing works there, I was not too yucked out by the price.


OH! And for those of you lucky Hollywood hermanas, remember that Saturday Stila has their yearly Warehouse Sale!!!


Siempre, Bella

Smashbox Photofinish Primer with SPF

Hermanas!!


I am not happy right about now. About 2 months ago I got a travel size Smashbox Photofinish Foundation Primer SPF 15, thanks to the recommendation of Seforito, my fabulous Sephora makeup artiste. Used it daily and seriously thought it was completely inconsequential. I think I got it because it was $9.00 bucks (impressive for a small size Smashbox product; and it lasts).

That was until this morning; when I was so sleepy I forgot to apply it before my Max Factor Pancake. O.M.G. I saw the difference right away. I usually pass a cotton round over my face to eliminate any brush streaks - without the Primer my face had a lot of streaks after applying the foundation. Not nice. Bella not happy. Apparently the godesses of well kept makeup decided to teach me a lesson. I learnt hermanas, I did.

And another reason to be quite unhappy about the ordeal is that I am leaving for Ciudad de México on Saturday - as in I do not have time *gasp* to go to Sephora again (did I mention Legally Smart FORCED me to go there yesterday??? Fine, I forced her, but that's my disclaimer).

With sense of impending doom; I am praying my little primer lasts; or that the Seattle airport duty free is open early so I can restock; or of course.... I can always drag Mamita Financiera, my cousin and BFF to do a makeup run in one of Mexico City's quite enviable monster malls. There's an idea. I feel better now.

In any case, the morales of the story are:

1. Trust your Sephora make up artiste. They know their biz (Seforito has not failed me yet in his recomendations for my canela skin, and that is a toughie).
2. Use a primer. Specially if you have after hours engagements to keep: that way you limit retouching to blotting your visage, or just applying some powder.
3. If you cannot use/afford a primer; moisturize. I asume you do this already; but just in case: record a tape for sleep-time background that says: clean, exfoliate, moisturize; clean, exfoliate, moisturize....
   

The regular price for the "big" bottle of this baby is $42 at Sephora. The travel size was considerably less since it was on the sale bin at the counter; though its running price is $17. You might want to try the small size first. It does last a long time; and if you will not use it everyday, it is enough.


Siempre, Bella

KORRES lip butters

Hermanas!

As promised, I did my pilgrimage to downtown C-@-TL yesterday, to exchange the empties for a nice MAC lipstick. I will use it a couple of more times before giving a review - so far it's a bit sticky. Bella is not impressed.

Yet, while I was there, the magic of Sephora just called to me. Seriously, it was like the mermaid call from Greek Mythology (if you don't know what I am talking about, pleazzzze read up hermanas!). So I took the chance to go in and get some absolutely necessary items for las primas, aka my gorgeous and beautylicious cousins in Mexico city, and one for La Nena, my loveliest niece.

Got them all nifty lip butters from KORRES. I love their products, since they are mostly natural. And, as a big fan of the Greeks and their beauty style, I swear by them. These butters are the only ones I use: I mostly do not do the lip conditioning thing (I forget), but I adore the guava one - do it at night after taking all the makeup off and doing the i-really-hate-this night beauty routine.

I got the whole collection: pomegranate, guava, wild rose and quince. Funny enough, this shall fit las primas' personalities just fine. Now the problem is they will probably read the blog and find out.... which gives me the perfect excuse to go back and get them something else, mwahahahaha. These are lovely women, las primas.

Still have to get my cuñada something she will like, it is her birthday and of course, the holiday thing. I think/smell perfume- she likey. Or essential oils. She is such a sweet creature, my sister in law. Her only flaw is being married to my brother - let's face it, he is loco. Luvz them both though, and their little bundle of joy (who will get more presents than anyone else, except Rojo).