Café Review: Sally Hansen Microwaveable Eyebrow, Face & Lip Wax Kit

Hermanas!!

When I come across a good product, it might just take me a while to get it on the to-blog-about list. But when I spend my hard earned dinero on something that is nasty and bad; I can't wait to post about it. I bought Sally Hansen's Microwaveable Eyebrow, Face & Lip Wax Kit for several reasons:

1. It had a set of tweezers.
2. Came with eyebrow stencils.
3. It looked like a quick quick quick way to go about retouching my brows in between threading sessions.

BAD, BAD, BAD idea. I have been using waxes and sugaring kits (plus professional threading, my all time fave method for eyebrow shaping) for a very long time. And when I tell you this has to be the worst possible product, I do so with ample knowledge.

First, the wax should take about 45 seconds to heat, tops. It took me now one or two but five -cinco- minutes to get the tiny pot to heat up. Five minutes of my life I am not getting back.

Second, this wax and nothing have about the same results. It did not work on my brows at all; it was a gooey mess to apply; and it left traces behind like it was a fashion statement.

Third, it was an absolute pain to remove said residues.

The idea behind the product is quite good (stencils + tweezers + small pot + analgesic cream); but the execution was just poor. I was -am- upset. I am writing to Sally Hansen about this gaffe in their line of products. So save yourself some bucks and a free headache -- do not buy this.

Siempre, Bella.

Maybelline Expert Eyes Eyeshadows

Hermanas!!!

While cleaning last Sunday, I discovered I am running out of certain MAC faves; and began reconsidering what my favorite base eyeshadows are - in this time of crisis and all.

Maybelline Expert Eyes Eye Shadows. Say no more. For a loooong time now I have been using their Champagne Frizz and their Earthy Taupe as the all-over base for my eyeshadow canvas. Both are matte tones, and I mean matte. But for those of you who are all about the shimmer, they also have what they call a "high pearl" touch (I have not used those, so I can't really say much).

Expert Eyes is one of the creamiest -if not THE creamiest- and easy to apply e/s ever. It glides beautifully hermanas. Love that feeling of silkynessssss. It does not pulverize all over my eyes, stays put (even before I went on to wear e/s primer) and it helps me neutralize any mishaps.

Another good point is that it lasts forever. And mind you, I use this every day. Some hermanas have told me it takes several strokes of the brush to get more pigment on; though I am quite happy with it. And it all depends on using the right brush, remember?

Last but not least, the gamma of colors is one of my faves. All of them on the neutral side of things; with no surprises when applied. Do note: if you are going for dramatic eyes, Expert Eyes is not the way to go. But if you are looking for a base or something subtle, this is it. I buy only singles, but they also have trios, duos, and palettes.

Right now you can get the singles for $2.70 at Buy Me Beauty; or for $3.50 at ULTA. The price is quite reasonable; and you will not regret it. At all.

Siempre, Bella.

Anastasia Brow Express Kit

Hermanas!!!

Back in 2008, I dragged Legally Smart to one of my Sephora binges. We had a jolly time, and I must say I am having a makeover effect on this relentless lawyer, since she has appeared with makeup on outside of Court. WOW. But back to topic chicas.

A nicely kept set of eyebrows is a must-have if you want your face to look cleaner, and your morning make up time to really pay off. Unruly eyebrows are not sexy, neither are over-plucked eyebrows (unless you want to look perpetually scared when they overdo the tweezing). At all. A long time ago, I had *gasp* a uni-brow with deliriums of thinking I looked like Brooke Shields. That is now past. Since then, I have learned the importance of keeping my brows clean and tailored.

I have tried waxing -ouch!-, threading (my fave method); and I tweeze as often as I remember to do it. I had heard wonderful things about Anastasia's Brow Express so I plunged into the bandwagon with a passion and got myself the kit, without much thought... worst $38 mistake I have ever made. Not impressed. At all. For $38, I had really high expectations.



The kit comes with four brow stencils, of which I could only make "use" of the High Arch one, and with so much difficulty I thought about flushing the thing down the toilet. You somehow have to hold both ends of the stencil while applying the shadows. When I grow hand number three, I should be able to master it. Not now though. Since the stencils have nothing to hold them in place and are quite slippery; this becomes the perfect scenario for a panic attack.

Say you have the stencil in place... then you fill in with the shadows that come with the kit; pluck whatever is outside of the shadow and you are ready. The kit also has a pomade to keep your brows tamed, which is actually very nice and works fine. Plus a "highlighter" for the brow bone that I have yet to notice when I apply it.

In all seriousness, I was very, very, very disappointed. This kit does nothing for me, besides sending me into a homicidal rage. I will just go back to using my regular Clinique Brow Shaper in Shaping Taupe (or whichever matte eye shadow that matches your brows) and get as far away from the stencil fad as I can.

Now I have to find a good Hindi threader in Seattle and make an appointment soon. I will leave the shaping to the professionals, and do the upkeep myself. Hmpfh.

Siempre, Bella.