Well, hello there people who read us! I thought I would post again to break up the total domination that Phil has over the blog!

Of course, my genre is a little bit different, but just as fun! Whoo! I’m really into exclamation points today!! Ok. I will stop.

I know I haven’t written in a while but that’s not because I don’t still love you. I really, really do. I’ve just been busy. And I’m sure you all have been just as busy too, so I’m sure you understand.

I think it is imperative that I stop something today before it gets out of hand and continues well into the summer. I’m talking about wearing dark nail polish when it is clearly not winter anymore. I was all about the black when it became trendy a year and a half ago, and I absolutely love dark wine hues and deep purples, but not when it is warm outside. In the spring and summer, everything about fashion and beauty gets a little lighter because it is literally getting lighter and lighter outside. Lighter means bright pinks, and soft corals and even electric yellow.

I just think everyone needs to lighten up (it’s finally warm!) and their nails should reflect this feeling. Even if you are having a bad day, you will at least have some lightness in your life.

Don’t forget: the only color that is appropriate for all seasons is a bright red.

Since I haven’t been doing anything fun for Spring Break ‘08 and I haven’t cut or highlighted my hair since November, I decided I would try to get pretty today and go to the salon.

Back home in Naperville, there is only one place I will go to get my hair cut and that place is “Amber Waves” hair salon.

My usual girl was unavailable any time I could go this week, so I had to try someone else. Now I think Amber Waves is a fantastic salon and I know they employ only talented stylists, but I was still a little concerned that a complete stranger would be cutting my hair. What if she messed up?
I think women are extremely attached to their hair, almost unnaturally so. Is it really that big of a deal if you get a bad hair cut? We all know that hair grows and a bad hair cut isn’t permanent. So why do people, women in particular, make such a big deal over a cut gone awry?

As the stylist chopped away at my hair, inch by inch, and the golden clumps fell to the floor, I began to understand the feeling that comes with a bad cut. Was this girl seriously making it shorter than previously discussed? She even told me it would look bad if it was too short. And here she is chopping it shorter and shorter and shorter….

Luckily it turned out great. But I finally understood the panicky feeling that comes with realizing you could look hideous for the next few months. It isn’t just about the hair, it’s the entire feeling of confidence that comes (or goes) when you get it cut.

At the same time, you shouldn’t be afraid to try new things with your hair. So I’m torn. Are you justified in making a big deal if your hair cut doesn’t go according to plan? Should you never take any risks, when you could end up looking horrible, but on the other hand, could end up looking more amazing than before?

Maybe we should all just learn to love hats.  That  way, we can take risks with our hair and still have a backup plan.

You know how in fashion, everything old eventually becomes new again? Well, it’s pretty much the same in beauty trends. Obviously both have alterations to make them more modern, but there is one thing that should never, ever come back. Crimped hair.

Unless you are 8, maybe 9, you should not have crimped hair. That means you, girl who sat in front of me today.

I know a lot of fashion designers are using crimped hair to give their models an ethereal look, but they really just look like they’re from 1985. Even with minimal pieces of hair crimped, it just looks outdated and kind of trashy.

I’ll admit, I did it a few times in high school but those times are ones I would rather forget  (if only I didn’t have pictures of the time!)

If you’re bored with your straight hair, try wavy or curly or try a three-barrel iron. Just please don’t try crimped hair.

    Obviously, this has been a very busy semester for me, or I wouldn’t have neglected you all for so long! Actually, right now I am waiting to take an Econ. test and my brain just won’t absorb any more information about elasticities.

This week has been especially busy for me, and when I got a short break yesterday, I looked in the mirror- really looked. Not just a quick glance like I have been doing. And to my horror, I saw that my eyebrows were looking like two caterpillars that had planted themselves on my face. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do anything about it until late last night when I tweezed myself back to prettiness.

If you have found that you have let your eyebrows revert back to their natural (unattractive) form and you don’t have time to get them waxed, DO NOT PANIC. If you do, you could very well over-tweeze them and end up looking as if you had to draw them on. Trust me, this is not a good look.

The best time to tweeze is after a warm shower, when your pores have opened up. This will make the entire process a lot less painful (This is also good advice if you are tweezing/waxing any other areas of your body).

Again, take your time and really look to see what you are doing. Do not use a magnifying mirror continuously. Step back and look at yourself in a big mirror to see what the overall shape looks like on your face. When you do look in a magnifying mirror, you tend to want to take out more hair than is necessary.

I also like to trim the top of my brows and really long hairs to give them even more shape.

But if you are the type of person who doesn’t trust themselves not to go overboard with the tweezing, or you want to shape your brows, stick to a professional. Then, when hair begins to grow back, you can tweeze the errant strays while maintaining the overall shape.

GTG to my test.

Muah!

xoxo,

Colleen

Today I did something rather unusual. I went to a passion party. Now, for those of you that have no idea what this is, let me clue you in. It’s a sex toy party. I’ll admit I was quite intrigued to see what one of these was like, and I was actually a little surprised. No, not by “Pharaoh’s Surprise” or “Nipple Nibblers,” but that this company actually had beauty products in their catalog.

One item I was particularly intrigued by was the moisturizing foot cream that tingled when you rubbed it on. According to the catalog, the bottom of your foot is one of  the most erogenous places on your body. This cream contained shea butter for intense moisturizing and has a minty smell that cools and refreshes. The tingle produced is supposed to be the extra stimulus.

However, it was $18. But good news my beauty obsessed people who love when people paid attention to their feet- you can get an exfoliating bath glove. Put moisturizing bodywash on the glove and scrub the bottom of your feet. Pay particular attention to the soles. Afterwards, slather on some moisturizer with shea butter and you get a similar effect as the cream. At least, I really enjoy it and it is like getting a pedicure!

The cost of the glove is about $3 for a pair at Walgreens. This is one thing I highly recommend, and even if you don’t get a little turned on, you’ll get pretty feet!

My dahling readers, how have you been? Today I found myself wandering in the aisles of Ulta in downtown Naperville, trying to find a compact powder the same shade as my skin. I used to use a fantastic one by Maybelline, but I think they may have discontinued it because I can’t find it in any store. It controlled shine very well, was inexpensive and matched my skin tone perfectly. Basically, it was the perfect powder and now it is no longer being made.

Anyway, I first tried the Almay Clear Complexion Powder in light 100. I don’t know what it is about this powder, but I don’t really like it. It seems to be too cakey and as a result, left my skin with darker patches where the powder clumped. Therefore, I clearly needed a new compact powder and so I picked up the Covergirl TruBlend Powder Foundation in Classic Ivory. Nonetheless, I haven’t really tested it out apart from at the store.

Still, being at the store really made me realize how helpful sales assistants can be. I know that a lot of times they pester you when all you want to do is browse uninterrupted, but sometimes they can be your best friend. I mean, they are there for a reason. I think the one I talked to today was actually annoyed with me for interrupting her conversation with her coworkers! Yet, she still helped me choose a powder. Then she helped me get a foundation to match my skin tone. I had narrowed down my choices and she helped me pick the best powder and foundation. It is always nice to have a second opinion, and when that opinion comes from a makeup consultant at a beauty store, it can be quite helpful.

I’ll be sure to let you know how the makeup turns out.

Tips for picking the perfect shade:

Try to test the color on your neck. A lot of people say to test it on your jawbone and blend down to your neck, but because there is a natural shadow right under your jawbone, it can be hard to see if it matches. Plus, it is hard to see your jawbone in the first place! By testing it on your neck, you can actually see if the color blends into your skin and it gives you a true color test.

Wear the color outside before you buy it and see how it looks in natural lighting. You might feel a little strange walking in and out of stores with makeup on your face, but when you don’t look orange, you will be grateful. This is especially important for people who wear foundation during the day. If you just wear it in the evening, you have the advantage of dim lighting which can disguise a color that is too dark. It is also important for people like me, who wear a powder during the day, to test the powder shade in natural lighting. Or if you are a perfectionist when it comes to having a flawless face. Try it out and you’ll find you will have more natural looking coverage.

I love you all! Muah!

xoxoxo

PS if I decide I like the makeup I got today, I’ll let you know more about it.

    Christmas rocks for so many reasons: the food, the family time and obviously, the presents. This Christmas was the best one I have had in a long time. The reason for that was my new makeup- Stila’s amazing lip glazes.  I got two in my stocking: brown sugar and candy cane.

Although I thought that I would favor candy cane for its pretty sheer red color, I found that I preferred brown sugar. I think the sheer mocha color is more flattering for someone with fair skin and I like that it smells like coffee (Oddly enough, not so much like brown sugar). The candy cane glaze seems like it would flatter a more olive-skinned person.

Both glazes really make bare lips pop with just the sheerest hint of color. They can also be worn over lipstick as a simple, super shiny gloss. The staying power of the glazes is good and they will last through a good portion of a meal, if you are careful about wiping your mouth. I was a little surprised that the glazes weren’t stickier, as most glazes/glosses that last a long time usually are. The glazes come in a convenient little twist pen that keeps the gloss contained and protects your purse from a mess.

The glazes cost $20 at Sephora (which a lot of you can go to now that you’re at home!). There is also a petite mini-glaze that you can get for $8 that is a perfect travel size. Although both sizes have brown sugar, neither looks like they have candy cane anymore. I’m assuming that it was a holiday special. But it’s ok because they have many other gorgeous colors and there is definitely something for everyone!

Well, I’m off. Love you all and Happy New Year.

xoxoxo

Colleen

Thank God finals are over and now everyone as obsessed with beauty as I am can actually spend time on it! Are you still looking rather wan and pale with huge under-eye circles? Do the models in the glossy mags make you want to hurl the textbook that you couldn’t sell back at their perfectly coiffed heads? Is your skin more flaky than Tyra Banks? Well, I have a solution for that last one. And the first. It’s time for a sugar scrub.  (Sadly, I can’t help with the wanting to throw things at models desire and I don’t really want to. Sometimes it’s fun to hate them!)
Before you scrub, take a long, warm bath (not too hot, or your skin will dry out more) and use the sugar scrub to buff away the dead skin on your body.  Once the dead skin cells have been exfoliated, your skin will look healthier.  While your skin is still damp, slather moisturizer on to trap the water.  I recommend drinking more water as well, if you really want to see some results. Before you know it, you will look fresher and you won’t scare people who love to look at you close-up, i.e. boyfriends. (Yeah, there are some people who still see some skin in the winter, so suck it up and de-flake!)

My favorite is Bliss Sweet Orange + Spearmint Sugar Scrub but sadly enough, Sephora doesn’t carry it anymore. I know that I don’t need to buy it from Sephora, but I know that I won’t be getting ripped off if I do. Plus, they give out free goodies when you order online and I adore free goodies! Ummm Ole Henriksen products for free? Yes, please.  Well, I did find another Web site that carries the brand and it seems reputable, but it is currently out of stock. This site, makemeheal.com, had the best price at $34 a tub and seemed to be one of few beauty retailers still carrying it. When they get it back in, I recommend getting some. The delicious scent is enough to make me keep coming back to it, and I love the absolutely clean feeling I get when I use it.  We’re talking rosy, freshly scrubbed, youthful looking skin.  So if you want to beat the pale and beat the flakes, then scrub yourself pretty again!

Muah!

XOXOXO  Colleen

Warning: Blog may contain typos. I maintain that I don’t have to think properly until I go back to school.

Hey pretty people! I hope you can still forgive me for not writing again. I have been super busy as I’m sure you all have. Today I have a rant for you. Not necessarily about beauty, but bare with me. Over break, I went to a pub in downtown Naperville. When I was there, I ordered a drink and they checked my ID. Apparently, they refuse to accept any IDs with red on them. Huh? But I’m 21. Yeah, I guess that doesn’t matter to them. They said they only accepted it 2 weeks after you turn 21. Well, it had been 3 weeks. And I was going to the DMV the next day. Too bad for me. I am still outraged over this. My license is a legal document and is valid. WHY CAN’T YOU ACCEPT IT PEOPLE?!

Luckily, I don’t have to worry about this anymore because I did get it renewed. Now, we all have had our drivers licenses since we were 16 (well, most of us) and we all have had to live with those pictures since we were 16. Renewing your license is a chance to finally have a fabulous picture.

With that in mind, I smudged charcoal eyeliner on my lids, darkened my brows, swiped my lashes with my Diorshow mascara and put rosy blush on my cheeks. After being at the DMV for an hour and a half, I was finally ready to take my picture. The pièce de résistance of my look was the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme that I put on right before camera time.

This lip plumper actually works because it has something in it that stings your lips, so your lips swell and get a hint of red color. They sting for a few minutes and then voilà! Plumped, pretty lips with a glossy sheen over them.

I thought this look would be good for my picture, but alas, I forgot about the florescent lighting. A girl’s worst enemy. Of course my picture turned out looking ugly, again, and I am now resolved to the fact that I will never have a decent license picture. Why won’t people learn that florescent lighting isn’t good for anyone??

But life goes on and I will just have to live with my picture!

To get the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme, check out good ole Sephora.com. It’s $27.50 and right now Sephora is offering free shipping with orders over $50. Christmas presents anyone?

Also, I would love to know what you all think about this concept. Good or bad idea?

Let me know! MUAH. xoxoxo

Knowing that you have all been as busy as me, with your laptops permanently attached to your, well, laps, I’m sure you’ll forgive me for not writing. Even now I am supposed to be writing two papers due at the end of the week, and I am choosing to write to you lovely people instead. That, and watch America’s Next Top Model, Gossip Girl and the Season Premier of Project Runway! (you see, it’s all about your priorities) Anyway, I’ve also been waiting for a special package to arrive from Sephora and after repeatedly missing the UPS driver, I finally have the ultimate makeup kit in my possession!

It’s the 2007 Sephora Blockbuster Collector’s Palette and it is fabulous. Remember those big makeup kits built like a toolbox with the hot pink and blue colors that you would happily play with when you were about 8? Well, it’s really nothing like that, apart from the multiple colors that come altogether and the happiness it brings! It’s a relatively small box, complete with 32 lip colors, 16 cream eyeshadows, 48 regular eyeshadows, 7 blush colors and one shimmer powder! I was completely surprised at the sheer number of things packed into this box, even with the three sliding compartments.

The colors are all gorgeous, and there is definitely something for every skin color, in fact, there are multiple things! Plus, the Sephora brand makeup has the reputation of being high quality. I haven’t played around with it as much as I would like what with my homework eating me alive, but what I have played with I have loved!

The only problem that I have with the kit so far is the brushes that come with. They are very stiff and small and probably cost $.50 each. But if you use your own brushes, everything should be ok.

Get it online at Sephora for $48 but hurry because it is a limited edition and these things tend to sell out fast, especially around Xmas. If you buy it online now, you can get free shipping on orders over $50 for a limited time. The good thing about shopping online is that you get to pick up to three samples to include with your purchase. I got a mini Cargo bronzer, Ole Henriksen nourishing night cream and L’Occitane Radiance Moisturizing Cream and there were many more things to choose from.

Oh I love makeup and you all. muah! xoxoxo