If Blue Eyeshadow's Illegal, I Should Be In Prison

Hair That Rocks: Down to the Core of it All

2011-12-29T10:30:00.000-05:00

When one thinks of the connection between rock and hair, the first thing to come to mind may be the glam rock hair bands of the eighties (see Figure 1). With a little more information, this idea may be discarded faster than David Lee Roth's shag. The parallel drawn here refers to actual rocks: sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Figure 1: Twisted Sister, a typical Hair Band of the eighties (

Suave Surfactants: Maintaining the Integrity of Your Shampoo

2011-12-28T10:30:00.004-05:00

There is nothing quite like awakening to the screams of a woman (or man, for that matter) bewailing the efficacy of their shampoo. “I trusted you!” they moan, “you promised me everything, for better or for worse, wash, rinse, and repeat...” Storming into the hairdresser's in a fury, however, is not the best approach to take. They will listen professionally to the dilemma, calm irascible nerves

I'm Still Alive and Cutting

2011-12-27T17:47:00.000-05:00

How do you stay in touch with the hair and makeup world when you're no longer in it? It doesn't hurt to have a teenage sister who stays savvy with all the Youtube makeup gurus. I'd have no idea what "Baby Lips" is were it not for scouring four stores until I finally found the pink colour for her Christmas present. I wrote my hairdresser's final back in July and passed with flying colours. A few

Coco does Gaultier

2011-06-15T14:41:00.000-04:00

Who says Canadians are limited to parkas and Sorels? Coco Rocha, a graceful and talented model hailing from the country I call home, has posted a video of her shoot for Elle magazine wearing all vintage Jean Paul Gaultier. There is a Gaultier career retrospective at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts should you happen to pass through Quebec. The video is well worth watching, although it's fairly

Fill your nails, and your time!

2011-05-17T00:15:00.000-04:00

Now that I'm out of school and in employment limbo, I have rather a lot of empty time slots. I've been reading, catching up with my friends, baking chocolate chip cookies with Oreos inside (I KNOW), singing, and doing the three things that are impossible to regularly participate in with a heavy courseload: (1) Sleeping (2) Eating (3) My nails And I have been so inspired by nail art lately!

Just plugging my sister...

2011-05-14T23:47:00.000-04:00

The regularly scheduled program has been interrupted for some shameless blood relative promotion. If you'd happen to be looking for a blog just as amazing as this one, more along fashion lines, why not head over and check out Ponytails's My Passions for Fashions? For a taste of what my stylish sibling serves up, here are a few of my favourite posts: 5 Fave Thursday, Spring Edition T-Shirt

Take a Shot for Skin's Sake

2011-04-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

Ever been sitting back with a glass of wine enjoying the antioxidants, resveratrol, phenols, flavonoids and tannins...when all of a sudden you begin to wonder what the benefits of your favourite alcoholic beverage are? Oh, sure, we've all been informed about the increased mortality, prevention of heart disease, kidney stones, Alzheimer's, atherosclerosis, blood clots and hypertension. And the

The Binary Hair System

2011-04-20T22:50:00.000-04:00

How many of you know what a binary star is? Basically, this system occurs when two bodies orbit around their common center of mass, resulting in something that looks like this: These systems are helpful for calculations and observations because they have certain predictable features, and also because if a star appears to be acting in a binary system, yet has no detectable partner, it can be

Where am I now?

2011-04-20T00:17:00.000-04:00

Well, folks, it's that time of the year again, the time of year where I make my annual blog post saying ohgoodnessitsbeenalongtimesinceipostedilovemakeup. To be honest, I have a selective memory like a molecular sieve and the fact that I even have a blog tends to fall through the holes most of the time. Where have I been? The past couple years have been me finishing up highschool while

The Meaningless, Empty and Futile quest for cream eyeshadows...

2010-03-17T19:52:00.003-04:00

I took full advantage of the Mark brochure's recent/current B2G1 sale and bought a few of their Hook-Ups. Last week when my Avon lady showed up she said she was sorting through her order and she kept finding all these little tiny boxes..."Oh, that's for the Apprentice!".At any rate. Something I'd been wondering about for quite a while now are their Mini Mark-It sticks. Basically, short and fat

Thinkin' About Spring

2010-03-05T12:54:00.002-05:00

Way up North here us Canucks have finally been experiencing some warmish weather and sunshine, which is rather unusual for March where we usually trudge through the slush for a whole month in our warmest parkas and let the car warm up while we heave the fluffy white stuff out of the driveway. So I've been thinking about spring.The best things about fashion in the spring is that one no longer

Behooded

2010-01-18T17:14:00.001-05:00

So I'm not a huge Lindsay Lohan fan. But I really would love a sparkly dress with a hood! Just sayin'.http://cocoperez.com/2010-01-18-lindsay-lohan-in-the-hood

SlashER MOVIES

2010-01-04T20:27:00.003-05:00

Back in the summer, my local drugstore had a rather intriguing sale where all mascara was 50% off. So I stocked up, because it's one of the only things I actually run out of. And I actually had this particular post in mind when I was in the checkout line: I'd wait until I'd used them all and then write a post summarizing them.Ha-ha.Prestige Lash MatrixSupposed to "tube" your lashes like Kiss Me

Back from the Grave

2010-01-04T19:50:00.002-05:00

Well, hello. Sorry I haven't been around, but school has been insane! So in addition to being back from the grave, my latest struggle has been trying to not look so. Because, despite the Twilight craze, the deathly pallor thing isn't hot. And the final week or so of school before the break kicked in, I had zero time for makeup in the mornings and the eyeliner/mascara combination I was using

Virginia Soaps and Scents

2009-11-08T19:01:00.001-05:00

You'd think I would be the one getting the beauty packages in the mail, but this time my mamasquirrel received her very own to review as part of a review squad she's on. Disclaimer: these were sent free to us to review.So I got a chance to comment on the variety of soaps that arrived from Virginia Soaps and Scents. They are made by a homeschooling family with nine children in rural Virginia and

An Exclusive First Look

2009-10-23T21:34:00.000-04:00

...at nothing particularly special. But I thought some of my readers might be interested in the stuff I use absolutely-every-day. I've reviewed most of the items before and I will link to the reviews where appropriate...but this way they are put forward in a comprehensive regimen. So here you are, an Exclusive First Look at the inside of my everyday essentials traincase.Clean SlateI start off in

Do Your Homework

2009-08-20T13:40:00.002-04:00

I know it's all too easy to impulse buy, especially with beauty products. But you really will be much more likely to actually use said product in the event that you research it. This is what I've been doing since even before I started wearing makeup. There are books, of course, but they tend to become outdated quite quickly. There are two places that I'd recommend over anywhere else.For a

1976: Beauty Tips from Farrah Fawcett Majors

2009-08-08T15:18:00.003-04:00

Because of my blog layout, you will need to click on the picture to see the rest of it. Thanks Mamasquirrel for sending this on to me and Stuck in the '70s for posting. Farrah recommends Wella Balsam in this article from Teen Beat...most likely because she modeled for it:Still available, of course.

Treat Your Hair

2009-08-07T20:25:00.003-04:00

A few posts down, a reader asked me in the comments what I thought of the post-shampoo treatments performed in the salon. I decided to make my response into a full-blown post because I tend to be a long-winded writer:This is one area where the salons do have a bit of an edge, because companies realize that this service will be looked for at a salon and not usually at the drugstore. Depending on

Beauty for the Young and Inhuman

2009-08-07T19:49:00.003-04:00

Did that title perhaps conjure imaginings of spacemen with Dior compacts?Actually, I meant children and pets. But the picture above does depict Thierry Mugler's "Alien".A glass nail file is a great alternative to biting your baby's overgrown nails off.Small nail scissors are ideal for trimming your hamster's knotted fur that is full of aspen shavings.Children's products, although most companies

Link Love

2009-08-04T13:42:00.002-04:00

Hey, sorry about the reader deprivation going on here but I had to go to another sleepover...But I am featured in this week's Festival of Frugality, Extreme Heat Edition #189 if anyone would like to stop by at the Modern Tightwad!

Hand Creams part two

2009-07-29T22:19:00.004-04:00

On Monday I talked about what I think makes a good hand cream. Here are some of my winners:Fastest Absorbing:Fast Absorbing Keri Lotion. Definitely not super moisturizing, but for those moments where you really need some hand cream but still want to be able to grip a doorknob, superb. Lightly scented.Best Day Moisture:Avon Vita Moist. Commonly available in a purse-sized tube for under a dollar.

Hand Creams part one

2009-07-27T23:08:00.003-04:00

It's a lucky thing I decided to make hand creams a part one and part two, because I spent quite a while writing the previous two posts that I should have been able to do yesterday, except for those electrical storms. >.< So today's will be brief and I can extenuate tomorrow.What should you look for in a hand cream?Having been a shampoo person for the last year, I need extremely good hand cream

Manic Panic

2009-07-27T16:27:00.002-04:00

Something you don't see often is a review of hair colour products. Today I am reviewingTHE AMAZING MAGICAL VIVIDLY COLOUREDManic Panic Semipermanent hair colour, original cream formula.Despite the amazing colour selection and easy application this isn't that great a product. I'm guessing the amplified creams and gels are a lot better, but even just finding the original cream can get tricky in

Are YOU Wasting Your Money?

2009-07-27T16:19:00.001-04:00

Well, we've all been there. Sitting in the salon chair, your hair looks three hundred and twenty-six times better than you could ever make it look. Your stylist flashes her pearly whites and dangles a can of something in front of your face. All you can clearly see is the $25 pricetag because your eyeballs are way fried from the under-the-drier-with-bleach experience, and the unfortunate look you

:(

2009-07-26T23:03:00.003-04:00

Salon vs. Drugstore products is postponed until tomorrow due to electrical storms and limited computer usage.

California Dreamin'

2009-07-25T22:55:00.002-04:00

As per my usual, I have an annual summer stuff post. Problem is, summer isn't here yet. For me. I live in Canada and Canada has been having an extraordinarily chill and rainy summer, coming only second to the summer of 1992 during which there was a volcanic eruption and there was volcanic ash in the atmosphere which record-breakingly cooled things down. Note: there was no sarcasm in the previous

This Week's Menu

2009-07-25T22:33:00.002-04:00

Well, this week I will be more or less here, with the exception of a Tuesday/Wednesday sleepover that probably will not affect how much I post since it will include a trip to The Big Mall and I am sure there will be lots to discuss. So to keep myself and my readers on their toes, here is some semblance of what you can look forward to (major-posting-wise, there will be lesser stuff) in the next

Forgo Fitting Rooms

2009-07-21T18:03:00.003-04:00

Something I'd forgotten about but am now starting to use again is My Virtual Model. This unique web site allows you to enter your height and weight and creates a 3D mannequin that you can try clothing on from a few retailers. You can even upload a picture of your face.This is my model above, however I selected a face that looks somewhat like mine rather than uploading one.The upside to this is of

Tube It

2009-07-19T22:39:00.002-04:00

They told her, "Don't you ever come around hereCan't see your lashes, they just disappear"The flakes are in their eyes and their discomfort's really clearSo tube it, just tube itYour mascara better not run, you better do what you canDon't wanna see no streaks, don't be a raccoon womanYou wanna be tough, better do what you canSo tube it, but you wanna be badJust tube it, tube it, tube it, tube

You've All Been So Patiently Waiting

2009-06-06T22:48:00.002-04:00

I finally picked up the two moisturizers I talked about.I am so happy. My skin has never looked better. My skin is 99.9% clear, perfectly moisturized, and radiant. I honestly hardly need any makeup any more. Before I go to bed I use Avon Solutions PM cleanser (occasionally mixed with Mark Berry Grand exfoliation beads), 5% benzoyl peroxide (Oxy), and Strobe Cream. When I wake up I use the AM

A Quenching Beverage for your Skin

2009-05-19T18:30:00.002-04:00

Last night I gave DHC's Extra Nighttime Moisture a shot. I had to exfoliate twice yesterday to get rid of some persistent flakes but now I am clean!! Anyway, I needed whatever moisture I could get, so it sounded good.I can sum this product up very quickly: almost too moisturizing. The upside is I woke up with fabulous skin, my skin felt quenched and hydrated to the max. A rather unfortunate part

Olay Definity

2009-05-19T00:15:00.002-04:00

When I first saw the ads, I knew intuitively that Olay Definity was a big scam. But to get to the review: today I tried their Intense Hydrating Cream. It was not very exciting. The first time I used it was after the Paula's Choice mask and I put it on and thought, holy moley, this is the best stuff I've ever used. But it was obviously just the mask because I used it again tonight and it honestly

Maximum Moisture

2009-05-19T00:07:00.002-04:00

Whilst pulling out my facial cream samples I fell upon MD Skincare's Maximum Moisture treatment. And I threw it out.Why? Well, actually, the sample accompanied a book about the best products of 2007. The authors loved it. Paula Begoun thinks it is substandard in a world of superstandard formulas. And I thought it straight-up sucked. There is nothing that makes this any more moisturizing than a

In the Interim...

2009-05-18T23:48:00.003-04:00

While I am waiting to pick up my two new moisturizers, the fact that my current nighttime moisturizer is working horribly (I was able to verify tonight that it was indeed the cause of the nightly burning sensation...definitely not a "cool feeling") and the fact that I use none in the daytime gives lieu to the 10-odd samples of moisturizer sitting in a basket on my vanity. Hence in the interim you

Running Out and Replacing

2009-05-18T12:18:00.002-04:00

Something I haven't really touched on this blog is facial skincare. Because I had been using whatever came my way. However, I am not happy with what I've been using, I've started running out of stuff, and my skin seems to be needing a little more than what I've been giving it. Over the next week or so you can expect some updates on this topic, but here's where I am so far:I had been cleansing

A Problem Resolved

2009-05-09T23:10:00.002-04:00

Well, my hair has been really great, my makeup has been staying on, and I'm looking tan. So I haven't had the need to post. ;)Kidding. Here is the update as promised: I went back to the HEHR (Herbal Essences Hydralicious Reconditioning) conditioner in combination with the matching shampoo and the hairline breakouts subsided while the mild flaking on my scalp disappeared entirely. The downside is,

The Tannery

2009-05-04T20:53:00.002-04:00

Yes, my friends, it is that time of year again. That is, when I put out a post on my never-ending summer battle to not look like Casper.This year I found something that works quite well. It was two dollars and it's store-brand.Rexall Tan assist. Both phrases "sunless bronzer" and "self-tanning gel" appear on the label, because it does both. It gives an instant shot of colour, which is helpful if

Combinations

2009-05-04T20:46:00.002-04:00

So, as mentioned in the last post I tried my Avon conditioner for straight hair (I like using products for straight hair because they give a smooth and sleek look, despite my head of curls) with the Hydralicious reconditioning shampoo.The good news: my hair looks REALLY, REALLY GOOD. Even better than with the Hydralicious conditioner.The bad news: I am breaking out around my hairline, and getting

Reconditioning Hydralicious and ooh! A Story!

2009-04-30T22:03:00.003-04:00

I am actually a big fan of the Reconditioning (purple). I have a story about how it totally saved my life which I will put at the end. So keep reading. But overall: usually a conditioning shampoo is too oily for my scalp and gives me flaking. But this is more creamy than oily...it's hard to explain. Maybe it's just because summer is nearing and my hair is behaving better. Or maybe there really is

Self-Targeting

2009-04-30T21:50:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I had some issues with the volume system. But it did what it promised, I can say at least that much. But the pink one? Self-targeting moisture...a big fancy word for "cleansing without stripping, lightly moisturizing".My review is actually pretty brief for once. This particular one uses a bunch of technical jargon that just makes me laugh (to roughly quote the Cosmetics Cop, there are no

Featherweight.

2009-04-29T18:09:00.002-04:00

This is the orange Hydralicious. It's supposed to be volumizing.It was very volumizing. I had a bad hair day.See, my hair doesn't really need volumizing. I like it really flat. But I tried it, just for the fun of it. I have to say that I liked the formula of the shampoo and conditioner best of all with the Featherweight system. Just in the feel and "slip". And trust me, I know my slip. I work in

Hydralicious.

2009-04-29T17:59:00.002-04:00

Is that a word?Anyway, I signed up for Matchstick's recent marketing program for the new Herbal Essences Hydralicious line. I wanted to see how it compared to Hello Hydration (which you know I love). I just wanted to make that point, that this stuff WAS free...but I'm still going to give it a critical review. And they sent me a basket with one of each shampoo and conditioner, and a bunch of free

Apparently I Have an Engaging Writing Style

2009-04-29T17:55:00.002-04:00

Because, people send me things. That's right, I would like to thank:Matchstick and Herbal EssencesFor sending me a big basket of shampoo.Paula Begoun and Paula's ChoiceFor sending me two full regimen samples and a BOOK!The Fat Boy DietFor offering me a guest post, coming soon Dun Dun Dunnnnnnn....And what do all these people get in return?I don't post anything at all. Eleven page essay, four

Sunscreens Get Sticky

2009-03-21T21:39:00.002-04:00

Sticky situations, I mean. The worlds of nanotechnology, synthetic hormones and more unfortunately combine into the world of cosmetics. If you are reading this, I cannot more than estatically and highly recommend Paula Begoun's recent blog post on sunscreens.

Depressing Essays and Mysterious Hairbrush Oil

2009-03-05T22:01:00.002-05:00

Hello again, and my sincere apologies for the lack of postage recently...I can finally relax a little bit after completing, in two hours, a seven-page foolscap essay on a depressing book I really couldn't care less about. Without knowing the topic beforehand, and only reading the book once through without going back and re-reading for quotes.I'll do another full post after this, but I wanted to

Herbal Essences Hello Hydration

2009-02-27T21:10:00.002-05:00

I received a deluxe sample of the abovementioned shampoo and conditioner from P&G BrandSampler last week. And really, I don't think I've EVER given a hair system a positive review after only one use. But my hair responded extremely well to this. My scalp seems to have a delicate balance in the Canadian winter...it can get super dry, but if I use a moisturizing shampoo it gives me what I can only

Rare Gold

2009-02-27T20:50:00.003-05:00

Gold trivia: cyanide is used to remove gold from mineral deposits. So the runoff doesn't contaminate surrounding water bodies, it goes through a process where bacteria decomposes the cyanide. Finally it is run through a tank with trout in it...if the trout are all right, then so will we be.Avon's Rare Gold is a fragrance that's probably quite overlooked in the catalogues...it's one of their "

Yippee Doodle!

2009-02-27T20:49:00.000-05:00

I've been pre-accepted into my apprenticeship!

Maybelline XXL: The Colossal

2009-02-24T17:46:00.002-05:00

You can laugh at the tube. You can laugh at the name. But it gives you amazing eyelashes. ;)Of all the mascaras I've used, this one really does impress me the most. It gives long, thick, perfect lashes. It does not clump. You don't have to wait for the tube to "age" before it gives perfect results (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...all those ones *cough*CoverGirl*cough* that are super

How to Wear a Vest (without looking like a dude)

2009-02-22T21:56:00.002-05:00

Mhm, that is the possible side effect of wearing a trendy item. They don't suit everyone, no pun intended. I went shopping last weekend and picked up a gray and white striped vest at Smart Set. My friend I was shopping with said, "I wonder if you could pull off a vest?", to which I responded, "I bet I could!". After trying it on we both agreed I could pull it off, so I picked it up, but I found

And the results are in...

2009-02-19T21:05:00.002-05:00

Just over twelve hours. I put my makeup on just before I left the house at 8:45 this morning. I did not touch it up in any way, shape or form. I am sitting here at 9:15 in the evening writing this. And you know what? My skin still looks pretty much the same as it did when I left. Shocking, isn't it? And then take into consideration that during those twelve hours I was (in this order): outdoors,

The eternal debate: CoverGirl vs. Maybelline

2009-02-11T16:45:00.002-05:00

My previous post mentioning Lashblast and other items with major hype surrounding them being launched reminded me of my experiences with these products.CoverGirl is the brand that is always moving, always trying new things. The breakthrough silicone-moulded mascara wand, for example. Maybelline, on the other hand still has the idea floating around that they're not as hip, and almost a CoverGirl

One Girl's Trash is Another's Treasure?

2009-02-11T16:37:00.002-05:00

For a long time I have been a fan and participant of makeupalley.com. It's an amazing website to find honest consumer reviews on pretty much anything beautiful. (For those who are already members: my profile is here if you are interested.)I've read the reviews, done my consumer research, and chatted on the boards (been there through a few of the "crazes" too...Black Satin, LashBlast, etc.). Even

Sun Luxe...some sun would be nice

2009-02-03T23:32:00.002-05:00

Today's lip is one product, mark Glow Baby Glow Luxe in Sun Luxe. It's a really nice tan shade that I think would be flattering enough on anyone that I could call it universal. I've talked about mark's lip glosses before, but the GBG Luxe glosses are probably the creme de la creme from this brand. They stay on an amazingly long time. Lip gloss that can stay on throughout a choir practice without

Sugar, Sugar, Sugar (Honey, Honey)

2009-02-02T16:21:00.003-05:00

So, today's lip of the day:Avon Glazewear Diamonds lipstick in Coral Goddesstopped withRevlon LE Sugar Sugar in Peri-TwinkleInteresting, obviously if you're good with cutesy names there's a job in the lip product industry for you. Coral Goddess is one of my all-time favourite lipsticks. A perfect coral red with the perfect amount of shimmer and gloss. This one makes the list of things I'd bring

Lip of the Day

2009-02-01T18:33:00.002-05:00

I noticed that there is a multitude of lip product sitting in my drawer, and half the time I go around with bare lips anyway. So in an attempt to remedy this, I'll try to post a Lip of the Day every day, using different products each time. I can't promise pictures though, I'm back to school tomorrow and it will be a big hassle.Today: Avon Glazewear lipstick in Beach Plum with mark Juice Gems in

Yay and Hooray!

2009-02-01T18:24:00.002-05:00

I, The Apprentice, am ironically applying for an apprenticeship. Specifically, a hairstyling apprenticeship. And I'm so excited!! Where I live, you can get an apprenticeship in highschool. To write the first-level hairstylists' exam, you need four senior-level hairstyling credits, a required amount of hours training in a salon (I already work in a salon so I may even be able to backdate my 450-

Clearin' Out (cosmetics)

2009-01-30T16:54:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the final edition of Clearin' Out! Unlike the other editions, this involves reducing similar products rather than ditching things I hate.L.A. Girl 3-N-1 Make-Up stickI've simply moved on to better products. This greasy pencil was a beautiful eyeshadow: that instantly creased; a lovely lipstick, and a hard-to-distribute cheek colour. Now I have actual gold eyeshadow, shimmery bronzers,

Clearin' Out (bath and body)

2009-01-30T16:43:00.000-05:00

Again in continuation from the original:Premiere Editions No. 12. If you read my review you know why.After a long conversation with a bath and body online group, I realized that the "Essential Oils" I got from the dollar store aren't actually essential oils. So I gave up on using them in bath and body products. Tried using them on my pulse points, but their "peach" and "strawberry" are so fake I

Clearin' Out (hair-care)

2009-01-30T11:20:00.002-05:00

In continuation from the original post...got2b playful texturizing creme pommade. Yes, that is how they spelled pomade. A nice product, not super greasy, smells like whipped cream. My problem here? It really didn't do anything. I much prefer the bain de terre honey pomade I'm using now.An extra tube of Natural Instincts once-a-week Color Treat. This is the stuff that comes in the box with Natural

Clearin' Out (the clothes)

2009-01-30T11:06:00.002-05:00

Well, usually some time in January I begin my yearly expedition through my room and throw out a bunch of stuff. January is the time of year when I throw out that liquid eyeliner that smells funky, put the jeans with the wear and tear marks up on the shelf, and buy new ones.This year, I have been invited to a swap party. So I have a whole bag of stuff sitting here waiting for two weekends from now

10 wonderful things starting with A

2009-01-13T16:52:00.002-05:00

My Mama Squirrel tagged me to do this...since this is a beauty blog, I am going to skip all the "A" things that I love (Arthur! ALF! Apple pie!) and tailor it to beauty-related items.1. Avon is a brand I've recently gotten to know a lot better, and they have some pretty good deals!2. Aerosol hairspray: because non-aerosol just gives you a big wet spot on your head.3. Accessories4. Ardene is a

Soup diet, Atkins, chocolate diet, etc.: all rolled into one!

2009-01-09T22:38:00.003-05:00

So this guy is going to try a whole whangdoodle of fad diets and see if any of them actually work, or if they kill you, etc. He is definitely worth checking out and adding to your feed because, who DOESN'T want to know if drinking cayenne pepper laced lemonade for a week will make you lose weight or not? :)BlogFacebook group

Pure by mark. (and the clear mascara debate)

2009-01-01T23:47:00.000-05:00

mark. is a sub-brand of Avon marketed toward youth, the youthful, and soccer moms who like to pretend they're all hip and trendy but really look like they're wearing their daughter's clothing (note: this is in no way aimed at my own mother who has her own style and I am SO glad that she doesn't try to look like me). I really like their products--more expensive than Avon but still in the "

Pantene Ice Shine Hairspray

2008-09-13T15:55:00.002-04:00

I needed some new hairspray and I wanted one that would add some shine so I picked up Pantene Ice Shine. It's not as shiny as a shine spray, but I am quite impressed, my hair looks shiny and healthy...which is hard to do when you have curly hair! It doesn't have the best humidity defense, but it doesn't flake out of my hair and the hold is pretty good. I used to take forever styling my hair by

The Tried and True

2008-09-12T15:56:00.002-04:00

Believe it or not, I have never used Cetaphil skin cleanser, the staple of beauty aficianados, the holy grail of dermatologists, etc., etc.. I never bothered because I like the stuff I'm using, Cetaphil is quite expensive in Canada...I think it's like 8 bucks for the medium bottle and 12 for the big one?...I sent away for a sample a year ago and never received it, and the trial sizes at the

This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef...

2008-09-10T16:03:00.002-04:00

And this little piggy gets her own beauty and style column in the school newspaper!! Seriously, how much does that rock.*happy dance...oh yeah, happy dance*

Back-to-school: accessories

2008-09-05T19:45:00.003-04:00

I am not one to wear a ton of accessories, however I will offer the knowledge that I have. :)Belts: are in. Particularly those with large buckles, "seatbelts", studs/rhinestones, or those that go OVER clothes...nice wide ones, usually with more than one clasp and very stiff.Hats: I still see a lot of berets and pageboy type hats...basically anything slouchy. Hardly anyone wears hats, however,

Cold Cream=Cold Cash

2008-09-05T19:44:00.001-04:00

Yeah, so remember how I said I wanted to pick up some cold cream? I went to PharmaPlus and they only had Pond's which was ten dollars.Any suggestions?

Back-to-school: clothes

2008-08-18T18:23:00.004-04:00

All right, I kind of disappeared for a while there and my "Summer School" consisted of one post. Sorry about that. I was thinking of continuing it and writing a post on sunscreen and a post on lightening your hair, and beach makeup...but there is not a ton left to summer and most people are thinking about back to school already. If anyone wants one of aforementioned posts please comment and I

Baolishi

2008-08-18T17:45:00.002-04:00

I truly doubt that my title brought anything to mind. Baolishi is a company that many people will have seen their products but still be unfamiliar with the name, because they are sold at dollar stores. As far as I know that's the only place I've found them. They actually have a pretty wide range, check out their website.The only product I've tried from their line is their lipgloss and lipstick

Premiere Editions Refreshing Body Spray

2008-08-13T20:33:00.005-04:00

Actually, the long name is Premiere Editions Refreshing Body Spray No. 12: Our Version of Sunflowers.Smell what?In other words, dollar store knockoff. I had been wanting to try Sunflowers for quite a while and when I saw this for a mere dollar I of course snatched it up. Now, I've never smelled Sunflowers but from Makeupalley reviews I knew that it was a light, classic floral.No. 12 is no such

Beautycast Notes: LGL 107

2008-08-12T19:11:00.003-04:00

If I remember I'd like to continue to do this: these are my picks, notes, and things to remember from one of my favourite podcasts, Lip Gloss and Laptops.Lip Gloss and Laptops 107: Aveda Hair Care, MAC Paints and Ola Hawai'i Cane Sugar Scrub-Quo Crystal gloss sounds really nice!-why on earth would you pay $75 for body scrub??-I seriously need to get some cold cream! They are so right about that,

Net Roundup

2008-05-06T16:23:00.004-04:00

I realize it's not the end of the week, but I have time now so here are some posts and things that've caught my eye recently. Also gives you something to read while I brainstorm my next post. :-)Nessasary Makeup has found a possible substitute (more widely available and cheaper too!) to UDPP.All Lacquered Up points out Herbal Essence's new free manicure/pedicure offer. (I would highly recommend

Summer School: Fake Bakin' It

2008-04-10T16:50:00.000-04:00

In the spirit of spring and summer...warmer weather! Yes!, I will be putting out a series of "Summer School" posts...just don't skip school for my Summer School because you'll get in trouble. I open here with Self Tanner.Last summer I finally decided to give self tanner a shot. Apparently I am adopted and my real father is not the guy who gave me a great haircut at Christmas (or taught me to

♥Congrats!!!♥

2008-04-10T16:48:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Lip Gloss and Laptops to making their 100th episode! They have a great podcast...I've been listening to them for a long time...since episode 50-something (and occasionally chipping away at the archives).

NYC Shadow

2008-03-27T21:52:00.001-04:00

First I would like to apologize for neglecting you all...! :-)Anyway, on to the review. A couple people had been googling NYC eyeshadow and coming up with my blog on a red herring. NYC has its really horrible products and its excellent products. Eyeshadow is definitely not one of their specialties, unlike rival drugstore company Wet 'n' Wild. I tried their trio-plus-creme-eyeliner and I have to

Lipstick is my Crack is Back

2008-02-19T21:57:00.002-05:00

What used to be one of my all-time favourite blogs to read, until the owner mysteriously disappeared, was Lipstick is My Crack. But she is back! And she has a picture of a cute kittycat, go look...

What's up with this blog?

2008-02-19T18:33:00.003-05:00

Henna over at Canadian Beauty recently mentioned that her posts are tagged! They've been like that forever of course, but it's something people tend to forget about. As a result of her post, I've been reading through her Drugstore Beauty tag...fascinating read. Go check her out.Anyhoo, I thought this would be a good time to tell everyone about THIS blog's settings! (Key terms are coloured.)* I'm

2008-02-18T18:26:00.002-05:00

I coloured my hair today!!I'll let you know in a few days how I like it but so far I LOVE it!I used Natural Instincts in Saharan Rose.

Biore Scrub

2008-02-12T17:18:00.008-05:00

Someone was looking for a review of the Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub.I like this a lot. It's my favourite cleanser, (Biore Shine Control) but with little beads and crystal things. It works very well!Would I buy again? Probably not. I'd rather use a bit of granulated sugar with my cleanser (thanks Carmindy!). On the other hand, it also contains a chemical exfoliant (Salicylic acid) which sugar, um,

Fun and games?

2008-02-12T17:01:00.001-05:00

Okay, as promised, I am helping you out with those searches (see previous post).I am seeing a LOT of searches for Makeover Games! That is my specialty! LOL...Here are some of my favourites (some of them are dress-up games, some makeover, some are a sweet combo!):DressupGames (tons of links here)StardollMy Story is Makeover (see post)Polly Pocket (1, 2)My Scene (1, 2--this one is FANTASTIC, 3, 4)

Inspiration

2008-02-12T16:54:00.001-05:00

I have been trying to post on here, but I've just been lacking things to post about. I just got my hit counter report in my email though and I happened to click on "referrals"...well, it seems like a lot of people come to my blog through Google searching. Some of the things being searched for would actually be quite interesting to post about, in addition to helping out those searchers who end up

Chemistry

2008-02-07T18:23:00.001-05:00

Hmm...remember my previous post (scroll down a bit) about "Shania" and "Lucky"? I said that I had thought they smelled the same originally, but not anymore. Well, I have been smelling Shania for ages since my friend wears it almost every day. I am getting a bit sick of the heady roses and it's quite strong. Not headache inducing, but headache-y? Anyway, I wore Lucky today (I haven't worn that for

Attention at the bottom of the page!

2008-02-05T15:30:00.001-05:00

:-)I just wanted to let you know...for regular visitors, you probably stay near the top of the blog because that's where the new posts are! But at the bottom of this page, there are two things...1) you can rate makeovers I've done, and 2) there is a chatbox complements of Meez. For those who do not enjoy comments and/or feel that they want to say something but not necessarily attach it to one of

NY Times makes us look bad

2008-02-03T19:15:00.001-05:00

Many of you who read other beauty blogs besides mine probably have heard of this whole New York Times thing. Basically, there was a story about beauty bloggers, and how although the idea of beauty blogging sounds honest, we are actually biased towards companies that send free swag. Although there may be the odd few out there that are so, that is not the intention of beauty bloggers. As mentioned

EW!

2008-01-23T19:38:00.001-05:00

I don't think I've ever done a celebrity post before, and this post does not intend to be one. Just so you know!In a beauty/fashion newsletter that recently arrived in my inbox, they linked to a "Celebrity Makeovers" slideshow with commentary. (Click on the picture to go there.) I browsed through, and the above photograph of "Fergie" caught my eye. Not because of the horrible expression on her

2008-01-17T20:38:00.001-05:00

You Are Blonde HighlightsYou've got the inner glow of a blonde, the intensity of a redhead...And the wisdom of a brunette.How Blonde Are You?

Back to school Christmas brags

2008-01-07T15:34:00.001-05:00

So today everyone is back at school from the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I was sitting at lunch with my friends, catching up, and my one friend excitedly pulls out a very familiar bottle she has gotten for Christmas:Shania by Stetson. She let me have a good sniff and showed me the matching hand lotion. Now, a country music obsessed friend of mine got this for Christmas years ago. In the

2007 Best Of!

2007-12-31T21:42:00.002-05:00

I am so excited about the new year! So much stuff has happened this year, including this blog opening six months ago. I've changed my makeup, my hair, my clothes. It's all good. Here are the highlights of my blogging this year:I got organized. I went to a salon for highlights and a pedicure.I started wearing lipstick.I discovered a way to make my eyeshadow more vibrant!I used that knowledge to

Why are the best clues always in the garbage?

2007-12-15T22:04:00.001-05:00

That's the title of a book in a mystery series I read when I was a kid. But I think it is applying here.Today we did our grocery shopping at Giant Tiger. I didn't want to grocery shop so I wandered around the clothing aisle. After a bit of browsing I came up with one of these:$54 at Urban Outfitters. $12 at GT, and mine is way cuter. It's a solid black babydoll cardigan, minus the collar and

New Hair cut!

2007-12-15T21:54:00.001-05:00

I guess I'm now officially shoulder length? I'm very happy though. I let my dad do it (WHOA, big mistake! you might respond--nah, he's good.) Maybe I'll put up a picture once I've let it dry curly because if I put up a pic now, you won't get a very good idea at all...my hair doesn't like being blow-dried so I flatironed it after. I got it angled up toward the back, I wanted layers but that's not

Pros and Cons

2007-12-11T18:29:00.002-05:00

Well, I was able to use the Radiant Red conditioner last night. I love the colour and the smell and the good news is that the smell does not linger in any way whatsoever! However, maybe I just need to use it a few more time or something but it seems a tad inferior to whatever it was I used last time (I think it was Artego Fruitree Peach). My hair felt insanely amazing...and now it's just sort of

Reviews and thoughts

2007-12-05T18:34:00.001-05:00

Today I went to the drugstore to pick up a tube of mascara since Great Lash was on sale, December is buy-new-mascara-month, and I wanted to try clear mascara because my eyelashes aren't in the greatest shape and my brows need something to keep them in place. So I got that. But what caught my eye just inside the door was a little display of trial size (but generous at that) John Frieda specialty

Oooh Shiny!

2007-10-16T20:11:00.002-04:00

The latest MAC collection, Antiquitease, is coming out quite soon (Thursday I believe for Can and US): ©2007 M·A·C, Makeup Art Cosmetics, Inc. All worldwide rights reserved.M·A·C Cosmetics Online, 130 Prince Street, New York, New York 10012I don't usually end up buying from MAC because the nearest counter is a half hour away, but this collection is gorgeous! Hmm...maybe it will at least inspire

The Hairstyle Vending Machine

2007-09-22T18:30:00.001-04:00

Maybe some of you remember the crazy skit from the Muppet Show, where they have a makeover machine, Vendaface, that the Muppets would go up to and it would remove their eyes, ears, hair, etc. and replace it with new ones. Then the next person would go up and the automated machine would continue, but it "reused" some of the features. :-)That machine is what I thought of as soon as I came across

Makeover Game

2007-09-19T15:49:00.001-04:00

Have you ever tried the My Story is Makeover Game at Lifetime TV? It's one of my favourite dress-up games. It lets you put together a really complete look, with makeup, accessories, hair, and clothes. If you sign up for an account, it let you save the looks you create, and access special features (this is free, by the way!). Every day you log in, if you had saved a look the day before, you earn a

Skincare Update

2007-09-11T18:41:00.002-04:00

Okay, I lied. I've now started to enjoy the toner and cleanser Mario Badescu sent me. I actually don't like the moisturizer quite as much anymore, but I'm still in love with the scrub. The moisturizer I'm using right now is actually a self-tanning one from St. Ives...the scent was too strong to use all over my body so I've been using it on my face. It hasn't broken me out and I don't have to wake