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.

To prime or not to prime, to curl or not to curl....

Hermanas!!!

Yesterday we talked about LashSaving tips. Today, continuing our Mascara'ing La Vida loca week; I want to talk about what we do -or should or could do- BEFORE we happily jump into actually applying mascara. Remember the mantra: make up is NOT a chore.

PRIMER

I was first introduced to eyelash primer by my beautiful cousin Mamita Financiera. One Christmas she gave me a tube of Estee Lauder's Lash Primer Plus. I remember it quite vividly. She said "I know, this is yet another step in your makeup routine, but you will be grateful". The woman is wise.

Not only was I hooked on primer; I realized that any mascara I applied after one or two coats of primer lasted longer, and its benefits showed more. Besides, primer helps me -and you- protect our delicate lashes. It is something worth investing some dinero on. Specially if you, like me, enjoy a good drugstore bargain for mascara.
Today, a lot of cosmetic companies make their own mascara primers; or sell the 2-in-1 sytems like, for instance, L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara, or Revlon's Lash Fantasy. My staple is still Estee Lauder's; but I am dying to try Urban Decay's Lingerie and Galoshes, and of course I always welcome sugerencias and tips from you all.

CURLER???

I must say, I do not curl. Ever. I don't for two reasons: First, I am blessed with nice and curly lashes (much with the help of mi madre, and her loving ritual of nightly ricin oil); and second; the idea of crimping my eyelashes makes my skin crawl and my poor lashes fear in terror. Even worse... I think eyelash curlers look eerily like torture devices...

However, I know that many of you simply cannot not do it. Since I am a complete ignorant of curling; I can only tell you what I have heard or seen other hermanas do. Most of you have of course heard (and if not, you kave now) of Shu Emura's Eyelash Curlers; which seem to be THE ultimate tool.



The other -and much more affordable- tool is a spoon. Yep, you heard me. My adored cousin La Beba, yet another makeup diva extraordinaire swears by this. She devotes more time with the whole eyelash pampering than anyone else I know. She curls with a rounded spoon, and then separates each lash (more on this later in the week).

I have also recently heard about heat eyelash curlers; but the idea is more than I can bear.

Sooooo....curling or not curling is up to you. My take? Don't, if you can avoid it. And if you do, keep your tools in shape and clean, always. Perhaps you can give one of many curling mascaras a try before going at it with a passion; and maybe this way you can avoid unecessary stress in your already sensitive lashes.

What is your take? Do you prime? Do you curl? I want to know!!!

Siempre, Bella.

Treat me beautiful... or chop me down!!!

Hermanas!!!

Today I did go not to Sephora; but to Super Supplements to stock on vitamins for both Rojo and me, and coconut oil. This got me thinking of hair care and the different products I have used over the years. I have really long hair; and have come to the conclusion that there is nothing that turns me off more than an opaque, brittle, strawy appearance. Really. Healthy long hair is just sublime. Unhealthy long hair is disgusting. This applies to both hermanas and hermanos.

I usually wear my hair down; and therefore the need for haircare is a must. Now; once upon a time I would spend recklessly on hair treatments. I would actually go and get them "done" at the beauty parlor. Times change. Income changes, too. I am now more budget conscious and a bit more savvy about looking good without going broke.

Here are my favorite hair treatments.... in spendy to cheapo order (aprox. prices). There is a treatment for every budget.


Kerastase Masquintense ($50+)

This used to be my staple hair mask when I was young, restless, and non-thrifty. To this day, I sigh for its absence. During my years in Canada; it was impossible to get my hands on Kerastase, so I let go of it slowly.

I needed to use this only once a month or so; and it worked beautifully. Would I go back to buying it? Not really. I have found fantastic products that do the trick at a fraction of the price. Not that if someone gave me a pot I would say no to it.

But if you can afford it; don't second guess yourself and go for it. It is worth every penny.



LUSH Jasmine & Henna Fluff Eaze Hair Treatment ($20+)

I cannot say enough good things about LUSH's hair treatments. I have used all of them but the Marylin for Blondes and this is, by far, my all time fave. Another really good one is H'Suan Wen Hua (yes, that's the name), but I am set on this one.

For brunettes or redheads, this is the one you want hermanas. You really, really do. You can either follow the instructions and be done with it in 30 minutes, or you can be like yours truly and leave it overnight.

The shine I get from LUSH's Fluff Eaze is beyond WOW factor. Love it, love it, love it. But, like with a lot of LUSH goodies, some hermanas are put off by the smell (I know my internet hermana A cannot go into LUSH though she loves it!!) so make sure you check the smell before buying it.

This one is also highly recommended for all the hermanas who are fabulous and henna their hair. It is like a henna wash with a kick ladies!!! (btw, LUSH also has their Henna dye collection, in case you didn't already know...).




Virgin Coconut Oil ($10)

I just bought my latest pot at the vitamin store, so the price is accurate. Make sure the ONLY ingredient in it is -duh- coconut oil. Some cheaper versions, like the ones you find at the supermarket, have god knows how much "other stuff" (including -yikes!- mineral oil) in them.

Coconut oil has a long and ancient tradition as a hair dressing tool. It should have an almost transparent look to it; and be solid in the pot. When you apply it; rub a bit -a bit- in between your palms; and run it down your hair. I always pass a comb through so I can be sure it gets everywhere.

If you leave it overnight as I often do; get yourself one of those really cute satin bonnets to sleep in. And no, it does not look creepy. It looks cute. Morning after, make sure to rinse out with your fave shampoo.

You can also use jojoba oil as above. I find it that I like to use coconut oil as deep night treatment and jojoba oil in the mornings as a sun-barrier. Whatever works for you. Legally Smart uses only jojoba oil, and she has a lovely mane.





Infusium 23 Repairologie Leave-in Treatment ($6.99)

I must say this was one of my life savers during the Canadian winters and even before. The folks at INFUSIUM know what they are talking about.

Their whole line of products is something to look at; and they are quite affordable compared to some really overpriced supermarket/drugstore haircare brands.

What I loved about this treatment was its lightweight. The 3 treatments above are heavy. Infusium 23 is something you can't even feel it's there. It also works as a detangler, and leaves you ready for either heat styling or au-naturel drying. Love it.





Aussie 3-Minute Miracle ($4)

What can I say? The "put some roo to your do" works. It really does. I was much more of a 3-Min. fan back in the Canadian prairies where the water was hard and the weather was really harsh on my hair. But this little staple of beauty is always in my heart.

If you have seriously neglected your hair with too much heat, nasty winter weather, too much chemical processing; run and get yourself the 3MM. You will be glad you did.

The only drawback with Aussie's "Miracle" is the 3 minute wait in the bathroom. I don't know about you hermanas, but I have my time really measured for a quick morning routine; and 3 minutes are, well.... 3 more minutes with Rojo in the balcony. What more can I say????


So those are my pics for most memorable hair treatments of all times. Which are yours? Any home made magic you would care to share with us???


Siempre, Bella.