House of Elliot

I've been watching the British TV series The House of Elliot, and it's quite wonderful.  There are many, many reasons why I like it, but I think that the thing I maybe like most is the period-piece-ness of the thing.  It's set in the 1920s, the "flapper" era, and the clothes and hair styles are just fabulous.  I'm dying for a 20s inspired hair cut.  And they wear the best hats and headpieces EVER.  I wish I could find better pics to share; there's not an abundance of info about the series on the net, apparently.  But I'm feeling so like I want 20s inpsired fashion. 

Why I Won't Use NARS Products

Ok, so apparently NARS makes the best blush ever.  It's supposed to be "universally flattering," and it's one of Sephora's best-selling products.  But the shade is called Orgasm.  I just can't do it; I can't use blush in a shade called Orgasm.  But NARS doesn't stop there; no indeed.  There's a sort of spin-off, a glittery form of Orgasm, called Super Orgasm.  Now these shades are kinda peachy-pink, and I don't really do the whole peachy thing, so I guess I wouldn't buy them anyway.  I'm more a pink blush kind of gal.  But by far the worst, IMO, is the shade called Deep Throat.  There's no way I could bring myself to use any of these shades; the names are just too icky.  Call me a prude, but I'll stick with MAC's Pink Swoon, a favourite of mine.

Vendor Review: 88 Beauty Supply

Recently, I ordered some nail products from 88 Beauty Supply.  I believe that they also have a brick and mortar store in NYC.  There are a few things I want to say about 88.  First and foremost, they have really, really good prices on higher end nail products.  I ordered several China Glaze polishes.  They were mostly $2.68 each; at Sally Beauty Supply, the same product starts at 5.99.  In fact, recently Sally's was having a Buy 2, Get 1 sale on China Glaze--88 still has the better price.  88 also sels OPI products.  OPI polishes are around 4.50--I think I saw them for 8.00 at K-Mart the other day.  Clearly, 88 has really good prices.  They also have a hugh selection of colors for both OPI and China Glaze.  I don't know that I've ever seen a better selection. 

88 also sells a number of other nail products.  I didn't really explore most of these, as they weren't of interest to me.

There are a few drawbacks to the site itself.  It's not particularly easy to find what you want.  I was looking for a particular OPI shade.  I typed the name of the shade in the search box and was directed to a page with a minimum of 75 different products.  It was impossible to find what I wanted.  Also, when you check out, they do not give you a total that includes shipping, just a total for the product.  You have to send a card number and they later e-mail an invoice that lists shipping charges.  I think there's an 800 number you can call if you want a shipping price, and their FAQ page explains the whole shipping thing.  Still, it's a pain and a little annoying.  I sorta don't understand why they can't just charge for shipping on checkout--everyone else seems to.

I ordred a couple of OPI nail treatments and several China Glaze colours.  Maybe I'll post swatches or a haul video later.  The best is this China Glaze polish called "For Audrey;"  of course they can't advertise it this way, but it's Tiffany Blue.  I LOVE that.  I've been using OPI's Avoplex oil; I'll post a review after I've used it for longer, but so far, it's really, really great.

Product Review: Loreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara

Ok, on Friday, I made a trek to Target, which is kinda a big deal, as it's about an hour away.  While I was there, I picked up this new macara.  And it's a wonderful product.  In fact, I'm not sure that it should even be called "mascara," because it's so different from anything else that I've ever used.  It's a two step thing:  first you apply the white side, which is a white lash conditioner, then the other side, which is black and a bit more like traditional mascara.  The package specifically says that you should apply the step immediately after the first; don't let the white side dry.

I have reall issues with my lashes.  Like my eyebrows, my lashes are sparse, short, and really blonde.  None of this works especially because I dye my hair much, much darker than my natural color.  This product didn't necessarily make my lashes look thicker, but it definitely made them look much, much longer.  Much.

But here's the best part:  this stuff really, truly does not smudge.  No lie.  I slept with it overnight, and it was still in place the next morning.  I got up and rubbed my eyes--nothing!  It stays and doesn't smudge at all.  I think this is amazing.  I mean, it lasts a full 24 hours with absolutely no mess.  But it also comes off easily with warm water.  I've never liked water proof mascara, because it always seems like a pain to remove.  But this stuff is great.

I picked this up at Target.  It was on sale for, I think, 7.99.  This may be the best makeup bargain out there.  I hope Loreal adds other colors, especially electric blue and purple.

UPDATE--Under Construction

Just a quick post:  This blog is still under construction.  I'd been having problems with enabling comments, although I think I've cleared that up.  I've also been having issues with the backgrounds and templates I've been trying.  I think it's all cleared up now, but please have patience.

Item of the Week: Sally Hansen INSTA-DRI Speed Dry Drops

I've decided that I want to kick off this blog with a weekly review--either of a product, a line, or even a website.  And lately, my favorite find has to be these speed dry drops from Sally Hansen.  Starting when I was a teenager, I have been looking for a quick dry nail product that actually works.  I've finally found it.  But let me back up for a second:  I like the look of nail polish.  I love that it comes in this huge array of colors and finishes.  And it's somehow more acceptable to be a little bit funky with nail color than maybe other cosmetics (not that I let that stop me from experimenting with eyeshadow or even hair color!)  But my big sticking point with doing my nails is that I could somehow never sit still long enough to dry without a least a little smudging.  Now that I actually write that, I feel silly.  But really, I'd just be frustrated that I'd take the time to do them, then allow them to dry for what I thought was long enough, but not have my nails look the way I wanted.  And then, of course, the polish chips pretty quickly, so I'd feel like I'd invested all this time and energy for only a small return.  Sally Hansen has changed this.  Here's how it works:  I put on a base coat, wait 30 seconds or so, put on a coat of color, another 30 seconds, a second coat of color, another 30 seconds, a top coat, wait a minute, then two drops of INSTA-DRI on each nail.  According to the package, nail color is "dry to the touch" in 30 seconds, "completely dry . . .to a smooth hard finish in just 5 minutes."  That I can actually live with.  And if the look only lasts three or four days before the chipping gets annoying, I'm fine with it because I've only invested maybe 10 minutes total.  This is the only speed dry product for nails that I've actually been happy with!

Another pro:  it actually seems to be good for the nails and cuticles.  It has some kind of oil in it--maybe almond oil, and it seems to condition the nail bed and cuticles. 

This product from Sally Hansen totally rocks.  It's reasonably priced--maybe $ 5.00 or 6.00 for a bottle, and i expect that bottle to last quite a long time.