Best Lip liners for New Years Eve

Hello Darlings

Today I would like to share with you my favorite lip liners.

While shopping in Paris last summer, I came across the most beautiful make-up counter at the La Fayette mall. The Shu Uemura counter.

The epidemy of fabulousness was all there.

My husband knew to take a long walk since I was there to stay for a while.

The make-up rep behind the counter was your tipical male make-up artist. He was dressed in

all black, wearing make-up and with a little bit of that "I know better" attitude. Of course, who am I to argue. I am sure he knows better about his product.

I realized that revealing my proffesion would only had caused an odd energy so I concealed it as well as I could by asking questions and letting him show me.

This goes without saying. Regardless of how long I have been doing make-up and with how many amazing make-up artist I work with and learn from, there is still something to learn and you never know what the source may be.

SO, I was all ears to what he had to say. He knew a lot.

As a make-up artist I am always matching other peoples skin tones, finding their colors, making them look good. This artist wanted to do the same with me. I enjoyed every moment and Shu Uemura was exactly the make-up I wanted to find my colors at.

They have a vast collection of colors when it comes to lip liners and every one of them is great, the colors are settle and they match pretty much everyones skin and coloring.

Nude 949 was my favorite and the one that I use in every day basis.

Now, here is my advice for this New Years Eve.

Nude Shu Uemura lip liner with a pink glitter gloss over it.

Light smokey eyes with lots of gold or fairy dust light pink or white.

A nice heavy black liner and fabulous eyelashes. Shu has always

had great lashes. Go all out this New Years, it is gonna be 2010 afterall, it's the future.

Your blush should be settle and light. No bronzer, please, unless you are a pro and know how to blend it in so no one knows it's there.

If you are not a pro and still need some more color, here is a tip: Use a foundation two shades darker than yours with golden tones.

Apply it only on the apples, forehead and chin going down to your neck and neckline as fas as your décolletage reveals.

Another way to do it is to use a self tanner a few days prior to the big night that way you have color but remember if you do use foundation match your new color.

Yes, the lashes are a big deal this year and the bigger and crazier they are, the better.

Play it up, especially since the rest of your make-up is settle and futuristic which again translates to simple but intense.

And please remember to clean your face upon your return home. After all those hours of wearing make-up, sweating, alcohol, people kissing your face and all the germs from your hands, you got to clean up.

You do not want to wake up the fist day of 2010 with a dirty face and you definitely do not want your loved ones to see that.

I am as guilty as all of us for being so tired at the end of the day especially after partying and a few drinks that I will sneak into bed thinking I am getting away with not washing but every time I have done that, I woke up the next morning regretting it.

So, here comes my next suggestion. The Shu Uemura cleansing oil is great, it removes all dirt and make-up with no trace.

The new packaging that was limited edition- so I don't know if it is still sold- was adorable. I had a bottle at home but I end up buying the one with the cute packaging too, just because.

Another staple for lazy nights is the Koh Gen Do spa cleansing water. It is always on my night stand and I use their organic cotton pads to apply it. It cleanses great without water so you can rest assured. Go to www.kohgendo.com for more details and if you are a make-up artist you can become a member by signing up with them and getting their discount.

Hope you have a good one ladies.

Ciao for now.

SEX AND THE CITY 2 TRAILER

Carrie, the girls, the outfits, the hairdoes, the shoes and Mr. Big. For all the fabulous fashion victim girls out there, here it is. Enjoy!!

2009 Favorite European finds

Hello fabulous readers and I hope you are all having an eventful and fulfilling Holiday.

Yes, Yes, I know...I have been away for so long.

Well, I will keep it short but here it is. After the last time I wrote on My Glam Report I have traveled to Europe.

My destination was Greece with a little weekend hoping to fabulous, glamorous and romantic Paris, France.

Moulin Rouge, Eiffel tower and eating formage at the Brasseries all over Paris. Smelling the city, feeling the energy and walking everywhere.

Loved it!

The only set back was people trying to con you for money in every corner. Being a tourist makes you very vulnerable.

We were constantly interrupted from our little dream vacation to hear a story about why we should donate our hard working Euros to these very capable but lazy beggars.

I got some stories about that.

OK, here is one of them.

This lady leaned in front of us and acted like she found a wedding ring. She looked at us and asked if it was ours. Of course it wasn't. We politely declined. She then proceeded to gift it to us because her religion did not allow jewelry. In return she asked for a cup of coffee. I found her request fair although I had no desire to keep an ugly fake gold ring.

I gave her a Euro but it wasn't enough. Two Euros were of no value to her either. Three was my limit and I offered the ring back. She took the money and left.

A few steps away as we slowly realized we got coned, another lady walks up and pulls the same move. We started laughing hysterically.

Paris Je taime.

Shopping was great and the La Fayette malls were fabulous.

Greece was amazing as always and I came to realize that salt water does wonders to your skin and hair in conjunction with some Kerastase oleo relax cream treatment that I got in Paris.

The cosmetic department of the La Fayette chains had all the high end cosmetic lines that we know and some that we don't. My main concern being on a summer vacation was keeping my skin and hair hydrated.

I discovered CAUDALIE Paris. Their grape water spray and their lip balm was the best thing my skin has felt in years. I am hooked. I still use it.

The Oleo Relax cream treatment put the shine back into my hair and made it very manageable and soft. I have processed dry damaged hair and not many products work for me.

I can sincerely say this product works and I am in my second container.

With twice a week use, it has lasted me six months.

At around $30, as expensive as it is for most of us this is a product that works for its money.

Back to the states and ready to hop on a movie with a fabulous friend make-up artist when the call to do a top television show came in. Since I am a big fan of the show, I love every moment I spend working on it.

Thanks for reading and staying with me. I will do my best to keep up with giving you the latest of my favorite products and reviews.

WonderBar Soap, Miracle?

The WonderBar

Up Where You Belong

Up Where You Belong

SUMMER FINDS

I realized, summer is here and I am as pale as snow.  Snow is not in season at the moment and I want to look healthy and tanned. So I headed over to my friends at Sunset Tan were I do 8 minutes in the European bed, supposedly better for your skin and then off to the California Tan booth for a medium dark, spray. In about 20 minutes all together I am walking out glowing and 10 pounds skinnier. 

This is another effect tan has on everyone.

 Now I have to say that I am not promoting such a life threatening thing but as with everything else in life, you use your common sense and moderation. Unfortunately most people do not believe in any kind of control and they need instant gratification-I get that with the spray tan. 

So, chill out, summer is here. The sun is the source of life.

It has vitamin D, which by the way, you have to stay out in the sun for 15minutes without sunblock to absorb it and with 70% of your body exposed.

The sun has also antibacterial properties, that is why acne clears in the summer unless you are allergic of your own sweat. 

So yes, the sun in moderation will make you a healthier and happier person that looks and feels better. 

The sunblock companies have scared everyone over the years so they can sell more and get richer. Of course, I am not saying do not protect yourself and skin. The sun, as friendly as it looks, it can be deadly. 

So, please use your logic. 

Anyway, the Sunset Tan super tanned blond California  girls at the front, are very friendly especially in the Studio City location. They explain everything and they try to sell you a package. I bought the package since they do not leave you any choice with an average  cost around $50 a session, you buy the package at $250 for the 5 and 5 cocktail. Tanning booth and spray mix. They always say that if you buy it now, they will throw in a couple of extra sessions.

I am  almost done with my sessions so a different girl offered me the package deal and proceeded to tell me that if I renew now she will throw in the couple of extra sessions. Hhhhhmmmm! I guess that is the pitching line and I tell you, it is fine with me. The package lowered my sessions to under 30 bucks and it never expires. 

Their European tanning bed is my fave, as the safest out of the bunch, this bed is fast and easy. By the way for the claustrophobic out there, it does not close all the way over you, so you don't feel like you are in a tomb.

Meanwhile, I skip buying the expensive salon after tan moisturizers. Any moisturizer is good. I use the Jergens glow and firming moisturizer.  It keeps tanning me and lasts longer.  I try not to scrub too hard, so I do not scrub it off. I shave the day of my spray tan so I don't have to shave for a couple of days and take it off. 

The girls at the salon tell me that I should just rinse with water and just wash with soap ... those special parts...Ugh! I can't do that, unless I lather and smell the fresh smell of my soap, I do not feel clean.

Sorry girls!

FAMOUS TATTOOS

Hollywood females have gotten tattoos for years. It used to be something bad boys did, then it went to bad girls and now it is plain normal and fashionable to sport a hefty tattoo on the red carpet, picking through a half a million dollar outfit. Here are some of the leading ladies and their body art. Whether you understand it or not, it is always good to check them out, just for fun.

Victoria Beckham with the Sanskrit letters going down her neck.

Good girl-bad girl Britney is sporting a little butterfly on her lower back.

One of the most beautiful. most photographed and most tattooed hollywood leading lady is Angelina Jollie. She has a lot of body art to show and some how, although tattoos are concidered masculine, she manages to make them look feminine and sexy. Good for you, girl!

ANGELINA WITH BANGS

Do we love Angelina with bangs?

I think she looks great no matter what.

This is on set of her new movie "Salt".

Click on the comments and let me know if you like Angelina with bangs or without?

YOUR SKIN WILL LOVE THIS

Lets start with a little Pevonia history, shall we?

Based on an ancient Greek namesake, Pevonia Botanica was founded by Sylvie Hennessy in 1991. Mythology says that Paion, the physician to the gods discovered a flower, Peonia, that could heal the skin of goddesses. The legend transformed into the unique and awe-inspiring legend of Pevonia, a healing wonder. Pevonia Botanica works with the philosophy that by combining the best of both science and nature, these miracle healing products are possible today.

Ingredients:

Pevonia Botanica has set itself apart from other companies by sourcing the globe for the most effective ingredients for healthy skin care. Using unique ingredients such as Kigelia Africana Extract, Marine Elastin, and natural oils such as Safflower, Jasmine, and Sunflower, all skin types can find comfort, strength, and soothing relief.

MY PEVONIA STORY:

Not too long ago I was in Vegas at a spa - yes I love the spa's in Vegas!- and I came across a spa skin care line called Pevonia Botanica. I had come across Pevonia years ago at the Camelback Spa in Arizona and I loved it back then,too. My work has amazing specks and I got contacted by Pevonia's PR people to try their line. I was thrilled. I got a generous package customized to my skin needs and loved every single product in there. Pevonia is part of my skin care routine now.

Here is a picture from my bathroom to prove it.

Other than the fabulous and luxurious packaging, this is a line that has put a lot of effort and care to make their products worthy of some of the best spa's in the world.

The eye cream, Ligne Myoxy-caviar. Unbelievable results. I have been using it for a month now and I can notice the fine lines around my eyes softening. The product feels great too. It absorbs quick and feels like it works. That is because it does work. I recommend it for younger mature skin, meaning 30's to 40's to help maintain the moisture around your eyes and therefore youthfulness.

Here is what the experts write about it:Reveal timeless eyes! Visibly erase the signs of time with Myoxy-Caviar® Eye Contour. The latest de-aging technology combines with a potent repairing formulation of: Hesperidin; Palmitoyl Tetrapeptides-3; Marine Collagen Polypeptides; Caviar Extract; and Escutox® to decrease wrinkles, crepiness, and reduce puffiness while decongesting and smoothing the delicate eye zone. Price tag: $155.50, you get what you pay for.

Ligne power repair youthful lip is another favorite because you know that the first two places that show age are the eyes and lips. Since the skin on both those areas is very thin and more sensitive than the rest of our face. I use the power repair at night before I go to bed since it contains retinol. As most of you know retinol can make your skin more sensitive if exposed to the sun and heat, so every time you use a retinoid on you face you have to use high SPF sunblock the day after.

MY RESULTS:My lips felt softer and smoother the next day. No more chapped lips. For the day I got the Pevonia lip cream that has SPF15. No matter what, you should use sunblock on your lips since the skin is more sensitive as I said before and there has been a lot of cases of lip skin cancer over the years.

Note: Wearing gloss during a hot day out in the sun may absorb more UV rays than you want. Be careful, get a gloss with sunscreen or a balm with sunscreen. Gloss in the sun sounds yucky anyway.

What the experts say:Youthful Lip Line works to reduce and repair these signs of aging with expertly formulated products containing reparative retinol, collagen and elastin, as well as soothing emollients. The lips become softer and smoother while your lip contour is redefined and elasticity is restored. Price tag: $48.50

MY PEVONIA CLEANSER AND TONER:

At night I remove dirt, oil and make-up with the fabulous duo Ligne hydrating cleanser and toner. Did I say these products smell amazing? Yes, the smell is out of this world. It is like bringing the spa to your house every night. Of course you would enjoy that even more, if you are a spa fanatic such as myself. Hey, I work hard, I love to relax and get rid of tension and stress. I recommend it to everyone out there that works hard and still has to take care of family and kids. You have to treat yourself darlings.

The cleanser leaves your skin soft and clean, it does not feel dry and actually since I have combination skin, I just use those two products at night without moisturizer, I do use their "C" complex serum though three times a week at night. Price tag: Cleanser $37.00 and toner $28.50

Note: The toner is also fabulous sprayed over your make-up to refresh your skin, especially for mineral make-up wearers that tend to look dry. Smells fresh and exotic.

THE "C" SERUM

What the experts say:

Bestow bliss upon your skin with this soothing serum. Pevonia Botanical 'C' Complexe is a Vitamin C-based treatment that hydrates, firms, tones, and smooths your skin. It creates a protective moisture barrier to defend you skin against outside stress.

WHO IS IT FOR:
Ideal for those with dry, aging, or damaged skin who want to smooth out wrinkles, restore elasticity, and hydrate the skin.

Ingredients:
Vitamin C lightens, brightens, and tightens. Hyaluronic Acid binds moisture to the skin. Hazel Nut Oil soothes and heals dry, irritated skin.Price tag:$88.50. Worth every penny, if you have it.

BOTTOM LINE:

Whether your skin is dehydrated, lackluster, losing elasticity, suffering from shine and excess oil, or a combination of skin types, Pevonia has products to heal your skin. One of the star products, the Refining D.N.A. Concentrate, combats excess oil and enlarged pores to promote a smooth and refined face.

I love this line and I am aware that this is a bit costly, since I am all about bargains. I have to say thought that when you get into your 30's, it is time to invest more on your skin than you had before. When we are all younger our skin can take more but because of that we do not pay as much attention and we can get away with using inexpensive products or non at all. Unfortunately it is called aging and there is no way around it. other than some amazing skin care products, lots of sleep, healthy eating, no stress, no sun exposure, basically some serious discipline in the way we live our life.

If you can afford it, paying a few bucks more for a good product, is worth it. The difference is in your mirror in the morning. No cream out there will give you youth forever or make you look like you did 20 years ago but it will preserve your skin through hydration and exfoliation making it more plump and even.

Official site info:Pevonia Botanica’s new Web site, http://www.pevonia.com/, provides information on Pevonia’s origins and commitment to protecting the planet by offering skin-care products with natural ingredients for prolonged skin health and age management. The site’s searchable database allows visitors to search by country, state, city, and ZIP code for spas that offer Pevonia products. The “Recommended Reading” feature in the press room provides hyperlinks to insightful health and beauty resources. The “What’s New” section keeps visitors informed about the latest Pevonia products and treatments.
For additional information, contact Pevonia Botanica, 300 Fentress Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114; (800) PEVONIA; http://www.pevonia.com./

DOVE SELF TANNER

Dove, a company with really good smelling shower gels and soaps comes out with a self tanner. The market calls for such products and most lines want to compete. Last year was Jergens, today is Dove. Very hard to find at the drugstores as this $7.99 bottle of miracle, flies out of the selves.

Put to the test Dove delivered. Even color and after just 2 applications there is enough color to look like you went to Hawaii for the weekend. I like to mix it with the Victoria's Secret Bare bronze oil on top and wow! No one will believe that you never made it to the beach.

Have fun.

VS FABULOUS

I have been dying to tell you about the new Victoria's Secret Brazilian bronzing line. Here it is!

Fabulous products and fabulous packaging. Out of all the years that I have been shopping their bathing suits and clothes on line and the catalogs, I was skeptical when they came up with a make-up line. So skeptical that I would not try it or buy it. 

Come on, it is a clothing and lingerie line, what do they know? 

A few years ago, their rep called me to offer me some of their make-up products for free to try and I said OK, since they are free, I will give it a chance and put it to the test. Skeptical again, I left the box sitting unopened for a while and then one day I got the courage to open it and try it.

I loved it. Every product in there was amazing and it worked. I was surprised and amazed by it.

As a pro make-up artist I was used to the main make-up lines and was happy with them because they were designed by make-up artists. But what a fool I am, the Victoria's secret models have always looked gorgeous and sexy and yes it is because they are beautiful but somewhere in there there is a team of make-up artists bringing out the beauty with their talents. 

I became a fan and open minded about trying their stuff.

They are even in my shower. Their Pink shower and shave line shower gels smell so beautiful and girly that make the shower experience out of this world. The fragrance stays with you hours after the shower. I definitely recommend you trying it out. I bought mine actually at Bath and Body works for 2 for $20. I guess they carry VS there too.

But I really want to tell you about their Brazilian bonzers line that is a limited time offer for their very sexy collection.

 Beautiful product, gorgeous packaging, for the very femme fatale's out there, that want to look fabulous and stylish while they are retouching their make-up.

This bronzer will set you back only $24 and it comes in 2 hues. Of course I always go for the darker unless you are very fair.

Give it a chance!

LOOK LIKE A GOLDEN GODDESS

Real sun? Tanning booths? Spray tan?

It used to be that being tan was for the rich, it showed that obviously you have the funds to go on a vacation.

 Now days, there are mixed emotions about the effects of the sun and the tanning beds so our friends in the cosmetic companies are coming up with amazing products to mimic healthy tanned skin. Tanned golden skin looks healthy and makes everybody look better, no matter what. Did I mention sexy, too? 

Think Victoria's Secret models in exotic beaches. 

A healthy deep tan also promises the disappearance of minor flaws and cellulite, it makes your body look thinner and more toned. Obviously, you have figured out that I vote Yes on looking bronzed but I do not want to mislead you. Instead I am going to suggest some products that I have put to use and have worked wonderfully on myself as well as on my actors.

3 THINGS I LEARNED FROM MY DERMATOLOGIST:

  

  1. Getting blistering severe sunburns while younger can be a cause for all the little brown moles you see popping up during your lifetime. Some of them might turn different colors and shapes, that is when you have them checked out by a dermatologist and maybe biopsy the suspicious ones.

  2. By the age of 30 you already had the amount of healthy moles that appear on your body, any new ones after that should be checked yearly. 

  3. Use a good sunblock.

Back to the fun stuff, though.

 5 TIPS TO LOOK LIKE A GOLDEN GODDESS:

  1. If you love tanning beds and you are not very fair you can get away with building a base tan by visiting the tanning bed twice a month. If you are too fair, be careful with that and go straight to step two.

  2. There is a ton of fantastic products out there that will give you that fake glow, take advantage of it. It will be trial and error till you find the one that works with your skin tone. The Jergen's Natural Glow and L'oreal Sublime Bronze are two of my fave to get started with.

 

  3. Spray tan by a professional is always a great last minute way that will not fail you. Go to a well respected tanning salon and get a medium to deep spray on tan. The light version is a waste of money. California Tan is my favorite, goes on brown gold and stays long. My second fave is Mystic Tan, that is if you are a little darker already either naturally or have a good base tan. If you are too pale you might look a little orange with the Mystic. There is also the Magic Tan, that looks good but their system of spraying is not even.

 

  4. A great bronzer is a must to complete the look. 

Tarte "Park Ave Princess" and "HotelHeiress" are in my make-up bag, it has a sparkle that reflects the light resulting in a flawless look that hides imperfections. " Hoola" by Benefit is an oldie but goody, it goes on flat for more contouring. 

  

  5. Body bronzer is also a must. In case you have not gotten a spray tan and need a last minute touch up, here are some miracle products that will give you just that. "Revolotion" by DuWop, "Bare Bronze" by Victoria's Secret and Sally Hansen "Airbrush Legs" literally work miracles.

Celebrities have worshiped the bronzed look on screen and in their personal lives. You see them on red carpets flaunting their bare skin glistening and glowing. 

Jennifer Lopez introduced the heavy bronzer look, her make-up artist did a fabulous job bringing out her natural skin color and enhancing it with lots of bronzer in the right places.

Christina Aquilera is another one that worships the bronzer. They both look fabulous, whether you pair a bronzed face with heavier eyes and pale lips or if you go for the classic Marylin look with lots of lash and red fiery lips. Either way these glamorous ladies need to keep their make-up artist around for as long as they can.

  

   

WANT JESSICA ALBA'S CLEAR BACK?

Winter and a lot of layers equals heat, sweat and bacne. More people than not have had their battles with bacne, especially in the winter. In the summer, we tent to dress lighter and the suns UV rays have antibacterial powers, so when our backs get some rays, bacteria dies. Same results can be achieved at the tanning beds. Don't worry, I am not endorsing tanning beds but they do have some positive results, they are not the devil. Of course anything you do too much you will have to face some consequences.

Here is a few tips for getting rid of bacne this winter.

1. Use a sulfate free shower gel or plain ol' soap. fragrance free is better. People do not realize that sometimes they have an allergic reaction to a product.
2. Women with long hair use an excessive amount of conditioner. Conditioner is heavier than shampoo and does not rinse well. Wash your hair first and clip it on top of your head till you are done with your shower.
3. If you don't have a bad break out then scrub your back well with a salicylic acid wash like Neutrogenas. If you have a break out just use your hand and wash softly. You do not want to break the skin and transmit the bacteria in other areas.
4. Use a salicylic acid or hydrogen peroxide product on your back. Sometimes if it is bad, use a topical antibacterial cream too.
5. Moisturize. Yes, moisturize. You think that it is oil that breaks you out but the truth is that dry skin is worst. It itches and is irritated, so you might want to scratch which is a no no.      I would use a moisturizer as natural as possible, lots of ingredients can cause irritation, Burt's bees is a good line to start with.                                                                                                                                      
   About Back Acne -- powered by eHow.com                                            
   

GET RID OF ACNE SCARS, GET EVEN SKIN

Chemical peels have been around for a while. I personally am a big fan. 

Being in my 20es, I never thought of how it is to be with uneven skin tone or brown spots.

My skin was naturally even and clear. I was selling makeup when I was not even wearing much myself. That ship has sailed though!

Now I am in my thirties and after having my son, my hormones decided to go all crazy on my skin.

Weeks after my son was born, I noticed brown spots on my face. Not exactly "The mask" but pretty close. This was serious. 

I found a dermatologist and run to him. He suggested TCA peels and Microdermabrasion every three weeks. 

As I am writing this article, I have skin peeling from my face and it is quiet disturbing but in about a week, I will look ten years younger. You tell me if it is worth it or not.

If you have acne scars, brown sun spots, uneven skin tone, find a dermatologist. It is amazing how much better you will feel after the down time is over. 

Here is a video of dermatologist talking about peels. Check it out!

About Chemical Peels -- powered by eHow.com

HELLO KITTY AND MAC

I know you probably already heard about the marriage between Hello Kitty and Mac cosmetics. Since I have been a big fan of Hello Kitty for years and Mac was my first makeup line to use as a makeup artist, still back in the day were we used to special order it from Canada and it was available only to professionals. 

Well, Mac has come along way from then. It is now bought by Estee Lauder and it is available to everyone that wants to buy it and easier to find. As professionals we used to also get a 40% discount from Mac right out of the bat but now we all have to pay something like $35 a year to have the card. Needless to say now that there is a ton of other pro lines I do not do that anymore. Mac is a generous line that still takes care of pro artists by sending us their products to use on our celebrities. 

A rep for Mac had come to our set before the Hello Kitty news broke out and gave us products to display in our show. If you do watch "Privileged" you would have seen the products on the girls bedroom. 

I was thrilled, my two faves together. A makeup artists heaven. We all like cute things around since we work with makeup everyday. The cuter the packaging the better. Colorful, funny names and a black Hello Kitty to make you smile. That one is the Bad Kitty.

Of course I had to be a good girl and wait till the company had its debut before I wrote about it. I have to admit I was eager to spill the beans to my readers so they can have the first sneak peak.

I would have gone back on my word though, so I waited and the debut happened and here we are. 

You owe it to yourself to try them out. 

Other than the cuteness of it all, the product underneath is great. The lipsticks are my favorite, since they have a Hello Kitty stamp on the actual lipstick, brilliant. The colors are soft and glide on smooth, very subtle. I am impressed. 

They also have the brush holders which are the cutest but would look better in your bathroom than a makeup station since they are a little small for holding 100 brushes that the pros use and they are porcelain which would probably brake while moving them around in our trailers.

It is worth trying and I strongly recommend to go out and do that. 

You are getting more than just a pretty Kitty. 

I LASH OUT

OK, who does not want long full eyelashes? We all do!

I had short lashes most of my life growing up. I battled with promising mascaras and nothing worked.

 So, when the JAN MARINI product came out I had to try it. All my girlfriends in the makeup world were using it and told me about it. At the time it was a big fad and part of me did not believe in it, that is why I had to try it for myself. It was a little pricey at $160 but I thought if I do not try it then I will never know. I bought one anyway.

 For that money I was hoping it would work and it did. Three months later and with consistent use-well...I skipped a few times, too tired- I noticed a difference.

 

My lashes started to look longer and when I was applying mascara this time, the result was great. 

People started noticing and that was my sign. 

Jan Marini works, it worked for me.

 That of course was the original formula. I heard that the new formula is as good but some people experience an irritation with it. I have had friends try it and the results were equally great. 

Now, I heard about this new product LiLash at a lower price $139 and the reviews were great online but I have not gotten my hands on it yet. Although my lashes no longer need anything but mascara to look fabulous, I am willing to give it a try. If any of you have beat me to it, please let me know what you think.

 When it comes to eyelash permanent extensions I have another theory. 

I have not had them myself but I have had several clients that did and they were happy with them for the first week but for the price whether you can afford it or not, it is definitely not worth it. Eventually the lashes fall out one by one and there is really no way to pull the rest of them out yourself so you have to wait till their time comes. 

That leaves you with a few strands hanging on their own in an odd way since you can't control which one falls out first. 

When I had that happen to my clients and they had somewhere to go two weeks after the fact, I had a challenge to face. I had to go in with individual lashes at first to match the missing lashes and then put on a strip or more individuals.

 When I wasn't around to do that, my clients walked around on their daily life with a few long lashes picking out from their natural ones. Not pretty!

As I do not ever like to be negative about anything, this is hard for me to praise. 

I guess if you are getting married and want to have long lashes for the honeymoon or you are going to a short vacation with someone important then do it but get ready to face the down side soon. 

I personally would invest in a tube of Jan Marini 3 months ahead of time and when I  get to my results I would buy a nice lengthening mascara-I love L'OREAL TELESCOPE in black- and call it a day. Overpriced mascaras are also another overpriced fad, it is more of a status thing than a result thing. Save your money girls, there is always fake lashes if you are in a pinch.

Last but not least, I just read an article about permanent lash implants, that is used at the moment on people that lost their lashes due to chemo or burned victims. They are trying to bring it on the market for the rich that have a few thousands to spare and it is for life. It is a surgery though and it has a lot of down time and side effects, like infections. It is a drastic approach and it is mainly for people with absolutely no lashes. They take a hair sample from another part of your body that the hair resembles your lashes and implant it on your lash line, it takes a few months to a year or more to see the results and if it works then I guess it is permanent for life. 

We are talking extremes here though but I had to mention it since it is in the subject.

For the ones that are blessed with their own lashes though, short, long, straight or curly there is plenty of non invasive products out there that can do the job. Remember, anything that has moisturizing elements to it is good for the growth of your lashes, since it is hair. A heated eyelash curling iron is also a great investment or just blow dry your non plastic curling iron till it gets warm enough and curl away. 

So, do not fear, all the products you need are here. : )

MY FAVORITE GLOSS

MY FAVORITE GLOSS OF ALL TIME IS THE VICTORIA'S SECRET BEAUTY RUSH IN EVERY COLOR IMAGINABLE.

 I LOVE IT. 

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY ALL OF THEM AND I LOVE THE SMELL, THE TASTE-WE ALL DIGEST GLOSS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER-AND THE WAY IT FEELS.

 UNLIKE ANY OTHER GLOSS OUT THERE, THIS ONE GOES ON SMOOTH AND FEELS SOFT AND MOIST. 

NO STICKINESS AT ALL.

 IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO LEAVE YOUR LIPS, WHICH I LOVE. 

WHEN YOU FINALLY WIPE IT OFF IT LEAVES LIPS SOFT AND SMOOTH, NOT DRY. 

I LOVE THIS GLOSS AND BEEN WEARING IT FOR EVER, CAN'T GET ENOUGH. 

I WANT YOU TO TRY IT SO BAD THAT I AM GIVING ONE AWAY AS A FREE GIFT. 

 TELL ME YOUR FAVORITE GLOSS AND ENTER TO WIN A FREE VICTORIA'S SECRET BEAUTY RUSH GLOSS. THE COLOR WILL BE A SURPRISE BUT TRUST ME YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH ANY OF THEM. GOOD LUCK! THIS GIVEAWAY IS RUNNING FROM :02/25/09 12:06 PM until 03/12/09 01:06 PM.

PRIVILEGED SEASON FINALE

How great is the season finale of an amazing show? Well...AMAZING! Ok, who did not watch it?

I hope no one. Regardless of how invested I am on the show since I was part of the making, I love this show because it is a good one. TV shows have taken a plunge since reality TV came to play, not that I am not guilty of watching here and there. 

Anyway, there was a lot happening on the season finale.

 Marco got married to Keith and we find out that Luis is a homophobic that does not attend the wedding and looses his girlfriend over it. Nice touch.

 Kathy Griffin as the wedding planner with a kick that only Kathy with her dominatrix bossy way of communicating can deliver, was fabulous.

Really funny!

Will broke up with Meghan over her cheerful hardworking approach to life that he can't relate to.

Only to call her the day after the wedding party to apologize and make things right, as she astonished by the call invites him over for a chat. Be sure he is coming over but...you might want to tell the naked guy on your bed that it's time to skat. Ooooops!

This is a show that has a vast audience in pretty much every demographic. 

I really hope it comes back since I would like to know what happens next. 

Is Will walking in to the happy couple in bed? 

Is Luis fired?

Did Rose finally made her flight? 

All these questions must be answered.  I can't wait for season 2.

OSCARS 2009

Celebrating the 81st Oscar nominations last night I have to say that I was very impressed with all the performances and all the winners.

Slumdog Millionaire as we all knew cleaned house by claiming 8 Oscars. Everyone in Bollywood is very proud for them. This will bring some attention in the exploitation of the Indian children and get the rest of the world involved.

Kate Winslet won for Best Actress for The Reader. I loved her speech. She said she used to hold a shampoo bottle and practice that very speech in her bathroom when she was eight years old.

Well, Kate you deserve it and I am glad this is the real Oscar and not a shampoo bottle this time.

Sean Penn won for Milk, Best Actor that is and let me tell you that he is another one that really deserves it, I love Penn for his outspoken personality all these years.

Unfortunately for Brad and Angelina they got nominated but did not win. I am sure they know how important they are in this industry and they are not disappointed.

Heath Ledgers family proudly accepted the Oscar for their family member. I have to say that I had to see Dark Knight several times and Heath really got in to the character and performed a great deal. It is very unfortunate that we lost him as he is a great actor. Everybody was crying in the crowd. It was a very touchy moment for Hollywood.

Hugh Jackman as a musical performer rocked the house. I loved his performance with Beyonce and the High School Musical kids. He definitely showed another side of his talents.

Hollywood is returning to its roots.

The stage looked amazing and I have to say I enjoyed last nights Oscars more than I ever had before.