.:: CybeleSays ::.

This is m-a-y-j-a-h (like Posh would say)! I finally figured out how to apply a full strip of false eyelashes!! As I mentioned around this time last year, I have had quite a hard time mastering this art and I have watched just about every youtube video, read tips from makeup artists over the years and nothing has consistantly seemed to work but I think I have it with the addition of one key step.

Here’s the deelio - Since my computer is in my diningroom and not near my makeup table in my bedroom, I have a lot of products around it that I play with to give me inspiration. I also keep a hand held mirror on that table so I can see how a lipstick or a swipe of eye shadow looks on me. Two weeks ago when I was watching this EnKoreMakeup video on, again, how to apply a strip of lashes, I couldn’t hold the mirror in my hand so I laid it flat on the table. This caused me to close my lids almost all the way while looking in the mirror. And lo and behold, this helped me get a good application. Looking down into the mirror that is flat on the table in front of me! That did it for me!

Now selecting the different styles is something I can do! Take the 5 new Faux Lashes ($15 @ sephora.com) MAKE UP FOR EVER just put out that are styled for everyday wear. Again, these are now all an option for me to wear and checked out all the ones on display at The Makeup Show this past weekend. And what would be ideal is if I had time in the morning to do a full face including lashes (I’m not a morning person so getting up early has been a chore everyday since I was very little. I have learned to accept this as an adult). I would probably wear the Lori, Genevieve and Monica. And I've also found that their glue that comes with each pack is REALLY great.

So are you one of those that wants to master this? If so, here are things I’ve found work for me and believe me when I say I’ve tried them all!

> Line the top lid where the lashes will rest with waterproof eyeliner likeSEPHORA’s new Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in the shimmering magenta of Purple ($12 @ sephora.com)

> Curl lashes and apply mascara on your own lashes

> Lay mirror flat on the table in front of you and then apply the strip

> Let me know if this works for you!
 

It’s hard to justify buying a beauty product these days. How about one that's not a total necessity? Because we believe in sharing the wealth, we have a lot of products we want to give to you and it will be a surprise but here are some of the brands you can win:

MACREVLONRAWMINERALSLAURAGELLERDIRTYGIRLMATRIXTHERMAFUSE

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BEECEUTICALSHARDCANDYL’OREALH2O+PHILOSOPHYKIWIALTOIDS

BURTSBEESSTILABANANAREPUBLICBOURJOISSONIAKASHUK... and more!

Who?

How to enter --- Post a meaningful comment on a Cybelesays post (something a little more than, "I love this color!" or "How cute!" I think you get the picture). Then, email your full name and address to Cybelesays (cybelesayscontest@gmail.com or click here). And feel free to comment on more than one post. We love that!
Don't forget to let us know how you found Cybelesays.com if you are a new reader.

Wanna get more than one entry? If you have a blog/twitter, post/tweet about the contest and then email the link to cybelesayscontest@gmail.com or click here. You'll receive an extra entry for writing about the contest on your site. You must also comment on a post and email your full contact info.

** Entries must be received by 6pm PST, April 7, 2009 * Entries are two part - a comment on a post and an email, which includes your full name and mailing address * Both must be completed or you will not be entered into this randomly picked drawing * Those who have won a Cybelesays contest in the last 3 contests will not be eligible to win * Only residents of the US and Canada are eligible to win* One entry per household and email address unless the contest is blogged about **

How are your hands? Take a look and then apply one of these.

ViCTORIA’S SECRET Soothing Hand Cream ($8/2.5oz @ victoriassecret.com)

ASPARA AROMATICS Handmaid ($14/4.2oz @ asparaaromatics.com)

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We’re for shizzle already a fan of their 24.7 Lip Sheers, so three new Lip Sheers AND a reusable tote? Count us in! TARTE’s Be Good to Your Mother (earth) is a $62 value for just $35 @ tartecosmetics.com. I mean, come on, who can even be seen these days carrying around those plastic bags? Stick this one in your trunk and you’ll never forget to shop with it again.

Here are the lippie shades that come with this: Reduce– shimmery coral, Reuse- pink and Recycle- nude.

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(cover story) Versace is coming out with Versense, a scent for women, in April.

Alfred Sung is coming out with a wedding inspired fragrance called Always Alfred Sung.

A collection of mineral makeup is in the forecast for the Freeze 24-7 line for spring. The products will be available at Bendels.

The Sonya Dakar line is putting out a vitamin and supplement line in June.

Fruits & Passion will launch in April its Imagine series of three new fragrances — Apple Illusion, Peach Obsession and Mango Evasion.

Unconditional Love is the name of the new fragrance from philosophy launching April 1st.

This spring, Revlon with put out Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick.

Source: WWD

I’m really digging this container the new ELIZABETH ARDEN Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 20: Pure Finish ($37.50 @ elizabetharden.com) comes in. The compact has a built-in shaver or grinder to give you just the right amount you need each time and it just makes everything so much neater when using it! If you use mineral makeup, you know how sloppy things can get when using them. Smashbox has a container like this one too though I have not tried that one.

The powder itself is considered a loose mineral powder even though it’s packed tight inside the compact. And it’s infused with antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, SPF 20 and a sea water complex. I couldn’t find the exact ingredients for this on their site so I’m not sure if it contains any ingredients that are proven to aggrevate some people’s skin. So as with every product for the face, do a spot test.

Also, I’m not sure if the puff that is included is the best choice for the application tool but you can use your own brush like in the picture if you feel you have more control over that, which I for one, do. Available in 9 shades.

How about finally promising to turn over a new leaf when it comes to hair care and use a shampoo that has no phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, silicones, paba, mineral oils, silicones or petroleum. Ho-hum, yeah, me to. Ummm, ok, only if I should. But what if I tell you it will still foam like the ones you love using? Ok, we’re in!! Enter BELEGENZA (bella-JEN-za)! Say it once out loud … Belegenza!! Love saying that!  And this line IS different from what you are used to. It seems that if you get performance out of a product, it's pretty bad for the environment and vice versa. The reason the line has both is the ingredients. There's nothing harmful inside the product; they are food grade as in, you can eat it, but they don’t recommend that. And these penetrate the hairs instead of just coating them with chemicals. And I really feel the difference in my hair … and the following 3 days that I didn’t have to wash it. The two I used were their GrowOut Shampoo and Strengthener ($24.99/8oz) and the RoMANce Deep Conditioning Treatment ($28.99/6oz). Now I used them right after the other so one could be better than the other but I can report that together, they work magic!
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Here’s some food for thought on hair products from their website summed up perfectly:
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Many products have called themselves green friendly because it has a natural ingredient. The label is then turned into a very lush, tropical, or botanical looking label to have you believe that it is a safe product. BUT, let's look at the amount of that ingredient in the product and the list of "fillers" beforehand. A shampoo formula has a main design that is common. It needs to have a cleaning/lathering agent, and a preservative system. All shampoos that are desirable have these design requirements. Much like a car must have wheels, whether its a Mercedes or a Kia... Most shampoos start with water and then the cheapest (and questionably dangerous) surfactant like Sodium Lauryl(eth) Sulfate, and then they put a botanical much further down the list. The "botanical" magic is usually less than 3% of the formula. Not only that, it usually is hidden in a bunch of cleverly disguised silicone or plastic derivative names like the ones listed above! What's so green friendly about that?

Both and more products @ belegenza.com.

Here is a great interview I found online with the Founder, Mr. Alan Eschenburg:

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The calendar may read spring on Friday but it’s still chilly enough outside to run a nice hot bath, right? So put the right stuff into it and this time it’s BEAU BAIN Bath Bombs. Choose from scents like Cucumber Melon, White Tea and Ginger, Rainbow Sherbet or Juicy Peach. And the ingredients inside each are listed on their site and I didn’t see anything bad. Take the Peach one for example. The ingredients are: Sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, dendritic salt, vitamin E, grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, macadamia nut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, shea butter, magnesium sulfate, witch hazel distillate, and proprietary blend of fragrances. Now read the list of scents again. Don’t they get your nose in the mood for the upcoming season? $8/8oz @ beaubain.com.

We’re getting into the warmer months and that means slip slidding away as in, you makeup seems to slide off when the temps rise. COVER FX Clear Prep FX ($39/1oz) to the rescue! Not only does this one mattify your skin but it contains ingredients to heal blemishes and blur skin imperfections so this is a good one for those on the oily side. Magic!

Scared of commitment? Their Skin Tint FX Moisturizing Treatment & Tint SPF 30 ($42/1oz) is a double-duty-er. The forumla evens your tone out with pearlized minerals while giving your skin nourishing ingredients and that all important SPF. Available in six shades. Both @ sephora.com.

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