NOW you can apply.....

Hermanas!!!

This has been quite the mascara week, eh? Sorry about being MIA Wednesday, lots of non-beauty related things going on. Anyways, maybe that gave you a chance to reflect on this weeks step to perfect lashes.... quick recap:

1. Keep your lashes in shape: clean and love them.
2. Decide whether to use a primer, to curl... or not.
3. Look up which type of mascara better suits your lashes needs.

Now, you finally have bought yourself a new tube. You are happy and ready to experiment your new look. With a new mascara, try to have NO expectations: it helps to not destroy your dreams of vampy and sultry eyelashes.

So, how to apply mascara? I think we all develop our tips and tricks; and some hermanas who blog have AWESOME video tutorials. I can only share with you what makes sense to me; so here goes it.

• Mascara is my last step in makeup. After my eye shadows and eyeliner are set and happy; it is mascara time.

• Do not pump the applicator in and out. Air gets into the tube and dries the mascara's formula.

• Always get rid of excess product in the border. If your brush has too much mascara, the results will be ghastly.

• Coat upper lashes first. A zig zag movement is a great idea; followed by a defining upward stroke. then go for the lower lashes (some chicas do not apply mascara to their lower lashes, and they look just as fabulous). My application ritual is a 1-2 + 1-2. Upper left lash, upper right lash. Again. Again. (I usually wear 3 coats). Lower left lash, lower right lash (usually just one coat).

• In between coats and before running outside to face the day; SEPARATE your lashes. Get yourself a lash comb for this. I am still looking for a better one; so plzzzz send me recommendations. If you make this little step part of your daily routine, you will not only look better; but you will see that you need less mascara.

DO NOT - repeat, DO NOT use a pin. For the love of God and all that's nice and pretty in this world; DO NOT do this. You could not only slash the lash in two; but could potentially prick your eye big time. Not very nice.

That said, I really want to hear from you. Any tips or tricks? Do tell.

Siempre, Bella.

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.

Mascara'ing La Vida Loca: Bat'em, but clean'em

Hermanas!!!!

As promised, this week will be devoted to those sexy, sultry, and high impact lashes we all love. There are a couple of things I believe we can all agree on:


1. Eyelashes can make or break a look.
2. Clumpy and runny is not cool, unless you are playing a crying widow on a movie (and even then, they manage to look awesome).
3. Eyelashes are delicate. Mucho delicate.

So, I thought there would be no point to devote a whole week to Mascara'ing La Vida Loca without first having a chat about how to nourish, clean, and preserve those lashes.

Unless you are born with luscious, long, thick, well positioned, naturally curly lashes -and even if you are- chances are you spend a lot of time, money, and panic attacks thinking about how to make them look precisely like that: luscious, long, thick, well positioned, naturally curly.

Most of the divas-in-training that I know believe that finding the best mascara for them is the ultimate achievement. Right? WRONG. Mascara is only one in many steps we should all take to promote healthy lashes. Think about how helpless a fallen lash looks in your hand: see how fragile it looks? Well, it is; and it needs way more luvzz than mascara can give it.

What do you do to enhance your lashes? these are my tips; which have proven to be quite effective since, I must say, my eyelashes are strong and lovely.

Lash Saver #1: REMOVE YOUR MAKE UP.

Not only do we look awful with yesterday's make up on; but your poor lashes cannot breathe through the mascara, and that is just not nice. I do not use regular eye makeup remover since I find it too irritating; and I use jojoba oil. Some hermanas use olive oil (no, I am not kidding); and others use warm soapy water. Whatever your choice, do it. No excuse.

Also, you can do what mi madre did for me: once the make up is gone and your night eye cream has absorbed, dab some ricin oil (or jojoba) on your lashes as a good night kiss. I tell you, mine and my hermano's lashes are to die for; greatly in part because of mi madre's foresight and love. For those of you who have kiddies, make this part of their nightly routine.

Lash Saver #2: TREAT YOUR LASHES WITH KINDNESS.

When removing your makeup, do not -repeat, do not- tug at your lashes. Bad, bad idea. The way I go about it is: I dab the jojoba oil on my ring finger (this finger puts on way less pressure than your index) and roll over my eyelids. Easy, easy, easy. No pushing, pulling, or crimping.

Of course this adds to the "no eye rubbing" rule. Eye skin is so much more delicate than all other parts that it deserves some respect chicas. PLUS, it houses your eyes. 'nuff said.

Lash Saver #3: THINK YOUR MASCARA THROUGH.

I love mascara. I do. I do. However, I know that mascaras are not made equal. You will find that there are differences that can drive any new diva insane. Waterproof, Water Resistant; Volumizing, Defining, Lengthening, the list goes on.

How to choose???? Think of what YOU need. Are your lashes long, but have no curl? Are they sparse? Are they perfect but clump? Do not buy a mascara just because it is the latest craze. Or because it looks fabulous on your cousin Hermilda. Maybe she has enough volume and does just fine with a defining mascara; while you need some more humpfh factor.

Now go and check out blogs, beauty websites, reviews. I said last week; that make up is NOT a chore. Part of being a makeup diva is knowing and learning and researching -- and some of us are doing the research for you. After all, this is stuff that is in contact with YOUR FACE for about 10 hours a day or more. Worth some time, eh?

Lash Saver #4: IF IT DOESN'T WORK, TOSS IT.

About 3 months ago, I bought the much acclaimed Maybelline Stiletto, which had awesome reviews. It made my eyes itch like crazy; but I was foolish enough to keep on using it. Bad, bad, bad. Like my adored hermana B from Clumps of Mascara said: if it hurts, stop using it.

So, if you spent "x" dinero on a mascara and it just does not cut it: get rid of it. Better feeling upset for a tiny bit than paying for allergy medicines after your poor eyes cannot take it anymore.

Enough out of Bella. What are YOUR lash savers? Let's make a looooooong list hermanas!!!

Siempre, Bella.

Oily little secrets...

I was just replying to my hermana Brittany @ CoM and remembered to post one of my latest discoveries (cut me some slack, I am slow) for deep hair conditioning.

First. My hair is long. As in really, really long. Say 3 more months and I could be the Lady Godiva of C-@-TL. I rarely use product, and only occasionally do I blow dry or straighten the mane. As you might know or guess; keeping hair this long shinny and healthy is not easy-peasy. Unless you have always wanted to look like Janis Joplin on a bad-bad hair day (imagine that!). I refuse to pay bucks and more bucks for so called deep conditioners (except for Aussie 3 Minute Miracle). So I use oils. Yup, oils.

Coconut oil is my personal fave. Rojo does not mind the smell so I sleep with my hair oiled in. A tiny bit goes a long way. It looks like white wax, dissolves in your hands and then on the hair it goes. I pass a comb all over to make sure it gets all the strands. Mi madre (who turns out knew about this coconut gift from heaven all along.... kthx mom) says one should be careful not to get too close to the scalp or it will get greasy in the morning. Advice confirmed hermanas.

Coconut oil should be the only ingredient in the label hermanas, because others have mineral oils and other stuff we do not want in our cabezas.


Jojoba oil is my BFF Legally Smart's weapon of choice. She also has long locks that are always shiny and soft. She dabs a tiny bit of jojoba oil after showering and looks like a million bucks. I sometimes use it on the weekends; but mostly I use jojoba oil to take my eye make up off at night, and it works like a charm, you need about 2 drops of it -I'm serious-; and it is the perfect base for my next oily little secret.....

Castor Oil. Yup, and don't begin a freak out session because you have heard it is poisonous. Mi madre used to smother our eyelashes with it every night. For years. She also used Talika, which I luv but it cracks at 30USD. The result is I have fab eyelashes. No need to curl them or anything of the sort. My brother is the guy whose eyelashes you love to hate. So, do it. I do it still every night after the cleanup routine (which I admit to hate) - a bit on the eyelashes, some on the eyebrows.

NOTE: DO NOT use castor oil if you are pregnant. NEVER.

Now go home and oil away!!