And it’s three words – BETH BENDER BEAUTY. I’ve had a lot of practice with all kinds of liners and even though I’ve put in the time, I sometimes find it hard to get the liner on each eye to match. And if I’m in a hurry? Forget about it! But with the Cat Eyeliner Stencil from BBB it’s easy every time. Seriously!
I just started co-hosting Alayna’s Beauty Talk once a month (the next show is July 23rd and you can hear it live here. There are also links on the right side to hear past shows) and I talked quite a bit about false eyelashes on the show last week. It totally got me thinking about how long it took me to learn how to put them on and since I’ve gotten so much better, I decided to do a How To… on what works for me.
So up first, the lashes! I’ve tried probably about 20 or so different brands and in the end I just pick the majority of mine up at Ulta, CVS or Walgreens. Some brands will be made with real hair and some synthetic. Does it matter? I don’t think so but when you are looking at these different brands, look for lashes that look to have a really thin band or look at the different words on the box that will give you an idea of the band malleability (you’ll thank me later).
How many times have you lusted after a gorgeous pair of shoes only to finally have a peep at the price tag and see that to have them will cost you one or two paychecks? For most of us, it’s just not a reality. But for some reason when I saw Sophia Webster Lilico Leather Flower Sandals, I immediately thought, “I can make these!” It’s not something I normally say to myself when looking at a pair of shoes but for some reason, that’s what popped into my head.
So I took on the challenge of recreating a pair of couture shoes that cost $595 for under $100. Here is the step-by-step on how I made them.
Have you been to a sample sale before? They’re pretty common on both coasts and I’m sure in most cities around the country. Sample sales are usually comprised of overstock items, pieces that may have not sold as well as they hoped, or items that never even made it to the line. And you’ll find them in all categories: clothing, furniture, jewelry, shoes, makeup and beauty products; probably every category of product out there has had a sample sale at some point.
I’ve been to my fair share and have some tips on how to get the most out of one. The pictures I took in this feature were with my iPhone from one I went to back in December for the Steady Clothing line at their warehouse in Santa Ana, CA, which is about 1 hour from me. Yup, I will make the drive for a good one! It seems that there is a surge of the quantity in November or December but I know they do take place all year and they usually on a Friday and/or Saturday and/or Sunday. But of course they can vary.
Ever wonder how to recreate a look from past decades like the 1920s, 30s and on up until the 60s? Hair and makeup artist, LAUREN RENNELLS has come out with yet another book to help you create the looks at home. Her third book, Vintage Makeup: Techniques for Applying the Vintage Look and goes over how makeup was worn in decades past.
I’ve been doing the following for a while now and wow, I must say, it works! Just use any VEET hair removal cream or lotion (I like their Spray On Cream Hair Remover Sensitive Formula with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E and also their Fast Acting Gel Cream Hair Remover Tube with Essential Oils) and leave it on for the few minutes as recommended and then squeegee it off with LE EDGE exfoliating tool instead of the spatula the Veet products comes with. Not only are you removing the dead skin from your legs with the Le Edge but you are removing the Veet along with the hairs. I mean you have to use something to remove the Veet and hair so why not this super close skin exfoliating tool? My legs have never felt this smooth for this long before. Try it! You’ll be a convert.
Le Edge Full Body Exfoliator – choose from blue or pink for $6.45 @ le-edge.com.
Veet available for $6.99 and up @ walgreens.com.
Let me know if you try this and how it works for you!!
I often wonder what percentage of women goes to the salon for their mani/pedi vs. those that do it at home. Since I fall mostly in the latter category, I still want mine to last as long as the ones I’ve gotten in the salon. And what’s their secret to the longevity? The prep! So the last time I went I observed and observed and came to a few conclusions.
So I have to ask ...
What Makes for a Good Mani/Pedi?
A few things seem to make a mani/pedi last and skipping just one in the process can make all the difference in it lasting a few extra days.
1. Don’t soak your nails after taking off polish. It can diminish nail polish adhesion.
2. Apply a nail dehydrator the nail bed like this CUCCIO Dehydrator ($8 @ hbbeautybar.com). It will remove any traces of any product left on nails to help the polish adhere better.
3. A good base coat – this is so key! A base coat will also prevent nails from turning yellow, especially if you are wearing a dark color.
4. Make sure you keep nail beds and hands moisturized while wearing polish. For cuticles, I apply CUCCIO Conditioning Butter Stick in my favorite scent they make, Milk & Honey ($7 @ amazon.com) and for hands I slather on FRESH Brown Sugar Hand Cream ($18.50/2.5oz @ fresh.com). Afterward, if my hands aren’t too slippery, I gently push back my cuticles with a cuticle pusher like the one shown in the picture that you can find on amazon. The curved end makes it super easy to push cuticles back.
5. And when I’m doing a pedi, I follow the above, however, I do give my tootsies a good sugar scrub down with Moisturizing Body Truffles ($3.75/1oz @ bonblissity.com) from the BON BLISS line. I know, it says “body” in the name but these are the perfect size to use on both feet and you can really target certain areas of the feet. And these smell so amazing! This Sweet Satsuma smells of mandarin orange.
Do you have any suggestions for getting the best at-home mani/pedi?
Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.
Only after I featured the first book on this site and really got into trying more of the styles did I come to the conclusion that one tweak would make this book perfect. Instead of binding the pages, they should be wire bound, like a notebook. That way I can open it comfortably to a specific style and follow the directions and not have to fight to keep it open each time. I actually took apart the 1st edition and secured the pages with a big binder clip. Must easier to use!
And Lauren, I still want you to one day do my hair one day as my arms are killin’ me!
Let’s do our part with the biggest shopping day of the year except you won’t be losing, you will be gaining. What the dealio? See below and be sure to enter!
What: BOBBI BROWN Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro in hardcover ($32 @ amazon.com). Who else should you be taking makeup tips from besides Ms. Brown? No one! In her third book, she covers everything from skin care to makeup tips and easy to follow step-by-step instructions. Time to brush up on your technique and add some new ones while you're at it!
Who: We will randomly pick 7 winners
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. 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, post about the contest and then email the link. 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.
GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK! GOOD LUCK!
** Entries must be received by 6pm PST, December 10, 2008 * 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 **
We don't usually write about books, actually, we never feature books on Cybelesays but I picked this one up the other day and I'm really into it. I've been into Pin-Up pre-Dita Von Teese and would style my hair in retro fashion here and there and thought I was doing a pretty good job. But then I came across this book, Vintage Hairstyling: Retro Styles With Modern Techniques by Lauren Rennells ($29.95 @ vintagehairstyling.com) and realized I could do a better job!
This book spells out step-by-step how to make the proper pin curl, how to get the Gwen Stefani pompadour and even gives a clear breakdown of the tools used for creating the styles. There are 25 different styles illustrated in the 164 pages. If actually creating the styles is not your thing, this book really gives the reader an appreciation for how our mothers and grandmothers did their hair and makeup back in the early to mid-20th century.
And Ms. Lauren, if you ever come to LA, I am going to beg you to do my hair!
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