I love keeping my brows super groomed looking, with out being too plucked, mis-shapen, etc. I have had my brows professionally waxed, several times, but usually I handle the upkeep myself. I’ve never really understood the gal that can let her brows get all outgrown and mis-shapen. I just have to pluck mine, most every day. BUT…..I’m very careful to not over do the ole plucking, because that skinny brow, over-plucked look is no good.

Another great assistant in my brow maintenance is BeneFit’s Brow Zing. I’ve been using this product for years (5+) and just keep buying it. It’s got everything you’ll need to create gorgeous brows, including a mini-instruction kit. I have, however, found the mini-tweezers to be too small to actually use on a daily basis, as well as, the small brushes. I have regular sized tweezers (Tweezerman, of course) and some great MAC brushes that I use. But, the product itself is to die for. It comes in three shades: light, medium and deep and has two products — one is a pigmented wax, that stays on great in the water…..your brows don’t drip off. Then, there’s also a natural shaded powder for setting. If you’re a stickler about having great brows, then this is the kit for you. It’s also got a friendly price of $30.
BeneFit Brow Zing

I’m not one of those girls who likes that super made-up, make-upy face. I can’t stand the actual feel of a heavy foundation on my face. But, I do want to look like I have great, flawless skin. So, for many years now I’ve been a fan of tinted moisturizer/sunblock combos.

I’ve tried several different brands but keep coming back to Dermalogica’s Sheer Tint Moisture spf 15. This is perfect because you’re killing 3 birds with one stone: tint, moisturizer and sunblock. It smells great, blends in easily and doesn’t give you that overly made-up looking face. Dermalogica has been around forever it seems like, and has about a zillion different products. This one, in my mind, really stands out as an excellent one.
Dermalogica Sheer Tint

I was just checking out the latest make-up looks for Fall 2009 on Sephora’s website and came across this one — the Extreme Smoky Eye. I’m going to try this one at home. I love the dramatic eyes, the flawless skin and the “done” yet super nude mouth. The model looks absolutely gorgeous. I’m pretty sure I can get by without using the exact products mentioned in this Sephora look, oddly enough, the MAKE UP FOREVER line isn’t available in the country. I checked their website, and it isn’t listed as a country where it’s around. And, I found this Vogue Australia blog that says the same thing. That’s too bad — they’re missing out on some sales! Anyway, I’m sure MAC Cosmetics or BeneFit, both of which are readily available here, will work out fine. Can’t wait to put my smoky eyes on!
Extreme Smoky Eye
Not Available in Aus

So, I did it — I got my first spray tan. The results are pretty good, subtle but definitely noticeable. I think it actually does look a bit better than my normal skin color. I don’t feel sticky or uncomfortably covered in some sort of film either, which is a good thing, because that was a big concern of mine. However, I haven’t slept in my white sheets yet, so it is still TBD regarding the brown smudges in my bed.

I thought the whole application process was pretty painless, a bit chilly, but a relatively quick treatment. I was given a disposable g-string to wear and some cardboard paper “shoes” to stand on in a shower stall, then the beauty therapist used a vacuum type of machine to lightly mist my body twice with the tanner. After that she used the same machine (minus the nozzle) to dry me — which I thought was a nice touch and the warm air felt great. She then left the room and let me use the dryer for another few minutes, if I wanted to – to ensure I was dry enough, then I got dressed, paid up and left.

I do see how one could become addicted — I know many people who are religious about their once a week spray tan. I’m not convinced that I’ll become one of these people though — it will likely be something I’ll do for a special occassion, or prior to a tropical holiday, so I can blend seamlessly into the tropics the first day of the holiday.

The price at this day spa was $49 and I know if you buy a series of 6 or more there would be a savings of $9 per treatment, so we’re talking $40 a pop. Not too bad — I’ll have to see how much I miss this new golden glow once it fades. I understand they only last for about a week.

http://www.ellarouge.com.au/product/product.php?p=708

Can you believe I’ve never had a professional spray tan in a day spa before? It’s weird, but true! From what I’ve read and heard, I always thought I’d come away feeling sticky and looking streaky. I also worry about what will happen to my really nice white sheets — the thought of brown smudges getting everywhere in my bed is not good.

I have been using a moisturizer with a built-in self tanner, and have had fairly decent results — no deep tan though. I’ve now reached the point where my interest is significantly piqued and I’m ready to give it a go. I’ll report back and let you know how it goes….and what happens to my sheets.

I just added this nifty little highlighter stick to my make-up bag of tricks and absolutely love it! It’s perfect for adding that “super model” glimmer to my cheekbones and really brightens up my face nicely. It’s very easy to apply — just spread it on to the top-most portion of your cheekbones and blend. For added drama I also use my contouring darker blush below my cheek bones to give the illusion of very nice, high chisled cheekbones.

It was about $35 and is available in two different glistening shades — “After Show” or “Red Carpet.”
Spotlight intense highlight creme

For quite some time now, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect pair of ankle boots — black, open-toed, and most importantly with a heel height that is comfortable and wearable — but still super cute.

Today I devoted a good hunk of my day to this search, and also brought along a trusted friend, who is also very tall (I’m 5′9″),to help me with this important search. I’m happy to report that I made a purchase and am about 90% satisfied with my new boots, which is pretty good, I’d have to say. The heel height issue was the main difficulty to overcome, as I had anticipated. We visited 10+ shoe stores and saw countless pairs of ankle boots — all open-toed, black leather, but all with heels that were way too high.

Alas, I was going to have to re-evaluate my goal, and make some minor compromises. I ended up going with the “Jada” by Wittner. They are black, and super cute, but not open-toed, as I’d originally wanted. The heel height is do-able for me though, which means rather than sitting in my closet for a special occassion, these ankle boots will get worn. I also posted my “dream” ankle boot — the “Vodka.” This is the pair I really wanted, but just couldn’t buy, because of the 6″ heels! They are super cute though — if only I was about 5 inches shorter and could actually comfortably walk in heels that high. Oh well…..I’m excited about my new Jada ankle boots and plan to wear them a lot.

Wittner Jada Boot
Wittner Jacinta Boot

As usual, I feel very pressed for time when I get my face and hair ready in the morning — who doesn’t? I keep imagining some amazing hair or eye make-up look that I’m completely losing out on, due to my time constraints.

Then, the other day I was googling around, and came across this blog: 15minbeauty.blogspot.com — it’s a pretty cool blog and is run by a woman who only allots herself 15 minuts to get ready. Something most every busy girl can relate to. I was particularly interested in the eye make-up section, and thought L’Oreal’s Extra-Intense Eyeliner sounded worth checking out. Apparently is goes on like a pencil but looks like a liquid liner…..and sets in a matter of seconds. I’ll have to check it out, and continue to study up this 15 Minute Beauty blog for more quick tips.
15 Minute Beauty
Loreal Extra Intense Eyeliner

Tomorrow I am officially devoting two-thirds of my day to shop for the evasive open-toed, black ankle boot. The reason I’m calling them “evasive” is because I have a heel height issue (I’m 5′9″ tall), not that these shoes are difficult to find…..they’re not, they are everywhere! They’re just not around with a heel height that I find reasonable.

I’ve shopped around for these boots already, and have only come across heels with a height of 3+ inches, as the norm. I’m sorry — but that is just too high! What stinks though, is that the cute design of the ankle boot may be compromised by a heel that is too low. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m definitely not after flat ankle boots — I do want a heel. I just want a heel that I can live with, be comfy in, walk in, etc.

I also have the perfect small floral print dress to wear with them, in addition to: skinny jeans, leggings and shorts. Wish me luck, and I’ll report back tomorrow.
Gap

I’ve come across this procedure a few times now in various medi-spas, and I always wonder — how much better might I actually look with a little permanently applied tattooed eyeliner, or perhaps a slight enhancement to my eyebrows?

I know two women, both pretty much drop-dead gorgeous, who’ve had some cosmetic tattooing done. One had just her brows done – and they look fabulous. They are now gorgeously shaped brows. When I first met her, I didn’t know they were tattooed on, but thought they looked great — and that they must take her a long time to keep looking so fabulous. She’d started out with barely there brows, and now has brows-with-an-attitude.

The other friend had both her eyebrows and lips lined. She too, looks beautiful. She had the type of lips that were naturally super thin, especially the top lip. Now they are plump and always a natural pretty pink color. She had her brows done way above where her natural brows were — she’s very fair, so I guess she can get away with this. Again, I didn’t realize her brows were tattooed on until she told me — they look great — like she’s wearing expertly applied eyebrow pencil.

I’ve done some reading on the subject, and I still don’t think I’m ready — the idea of the potential health risks, and the possibility of not liking the finished look have me still too nervous to proceed. But, it’s not completely off my list…yet.
Cosmetic Tattooing