Alternatives to Expensive Makeup Brushes

I have appreciated and enjoyed various gurus on YT, who take the time to do reviews of various makeup brush sets or singles. In some cases, this has required a substantial financial investment on the part of some gurus, who in turn, state clearly that purchasing some of the higher end brushes are indeed, an investment.

However, not all of the subscribers and followers of the various gurus and makeup artists can afford these particular and often prohibitively expensive tools. What then are our options? (and in my case, even if I can or could, if I know that I can get something equal in quality, and will the do the same job just as well, I will invariably choose the less expensive option if I know there is one).

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite YT ladies, Debbick1. I only recently started subscribing to her, and let me tell you, she is one savvy makeup guru. I like her honesty and forthrightness in letting her subscribers know what options are available to us as makeup junkies!

Debbick1 just posted this wonderful video on YT, and I would like to share it with you. Please subscribe to her channel as you will not be disappointed in her or what she has to share with you :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La9g94rvR5g

oxo
Care

Review of OPI's "Sapphire in the Snow' Nail Polish

Due to the lawsuit launched by OPI against E-tailers that have been fraudulently selling OPI polishes at discount prices, many of us innocent consumers are being punished with OPI now making their products higher in price, and completely unreasonable shipping/handling charges.

I have stated that I wouldn't purchase OPI polishes until this was resolved and we could look forward to purchasing a reasonably priced polish again.

Well sue me! lol. I relented only because this polish was priced at $2.99 Cdn. plus taxes.

I was attracted immediately to the gorgeous purple colour, the bottle laying amidst other OPI polishes in a small basket on the lower shelf of the polish section at my local drugstore.

I talked myself into it only because of the awesome price!

Once home, I had to try it. I sadly removed my Sally Hansen Jade polish, but with some excitement, polished my nails with the stunning purple. I noted that it took two coats to cover my nails, where the Sally Hansen only takes one.

"Ok, well it's a different consistency", I said to myself.

Yesterday, after doing dishes and doing a very minimal clean of my bathroom, I saw that the OPI has worn off at the tips of my nails. Hmm. I wore the Sally Hansen polish for five days before it began to show signs of wear.

Later yesterday evening, I saw now that I had to do another layer of OPI to cover what had worn off. I also noticed that a couple of the nails also weren't solidly coloured and one could actually see light from the other side of the nail.

I painted another coat over all 10 nails, hoping that this would perhaps helps in it's wearability factor.

Nope. I did minimum work with my hands today, and I now find that I either have to put another coat on, or simply take it all off and redo.

Final opinion? I am not one for base or top coats. I don't have the time more often than not, nor the patience. This OPI will definitely require at minimum a top coat to prevent wearing.

I am still preferring the Sally Hansen Instant Dry for its colour and durability but I am willing to do the top coat over the OPI and see how that works :) For 2.99 I think I can handle a bit of top coat!

I'll keep you posted!

Cellex - C Products - Lovelovelove them!

Just before my 50th birthday, whilst looking in the mirror, bemoaning the wrinkles around my eyes, I suddenly noticed with dismay, the folds of skin on my neck that were threatening to fold over on each other!

EEK! Noooooooooooo! Not turkey neck!

Off I ran and I mean ran! to my local beautician's shop, looking for something that would either stop this sure sign of OLD! or at least delay it somewhat.

I had recalled another 'older' friend of mine lauding CELLEX-C, Advanced-C Neck Firming Cream. Woohoo, there was one jar left!

$100.00 Cdn. lighter in the bank balance, I went home with this elixir of youth, praying to the Goddess that this would at least provide me with some source of comfort, and more, that this product would do as the product brochure stated it would.

After washing my face, I admit I used a tad more than recommended (more is more right?) and realising that a watched pot never boils, I engaged myself in other actitivies (eyebrow plucking, shaving my legs) and quite frankly, forgot about my 'turkey neck' because I became so upset at the ridges in my toenails! Where the heck did they come from!

Later that evening, I was brushing my teeth when my eyes noticed that my neck no longer looked like the sleeve of a crepe dress, and that the skin looked plump and essentially wrinkle free!

I nearly cried with joy! I suddenly felt about 10 years younger, and relieved that my investment had not disappointed.

Though it is a pricey product, I am now on my second jar, and I lovelovelove it. My skin feels silky and soft once the cream has saturated into my skin, and the wrinkles? Barely there!

You can order all of the Cellex line here:

http://www.spaboutique.ca/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LPSS&Category_Code=cellexc&gclid=CPi0hvXn36ECFSAxiQodlBEhJA

I can't say enough positive things about how well Cellex-C Neck Firming Cream has worked for me!

If you have tried their products, let me know how they worked for you !

oxo
Care

Plus Size Fashion and Links

I was browsing the other day for something casual to wear over my footless tights - which are a staple of my wardrobe, especially in the summer. They are so easy to carry in my purse, and pull on when the air gets a bit cooler in the evening, under whatever I'm wearing (usually a dress or long white shirt).

Now, I have one of the bodies that is deemed apple shaped. The Goddess above did not bless me with large breasts, and instead, seemed to have miscalculated her dimensions ... so I swear my large breasts are my stomach and vice versa!

So finding clothes that fit my body can be challenging. I am a size 12 upper, and my lower body is 12 -14 but my waist makes it that I have to look at size 18!!! Well, if you've been through this, you will know that sure it fits my waist, but then I've got this enormous airy pocket of fabric around my hips and crotch!! Sigh.

Then I came upon a wonderfully cheery woman on YT, and whoever you are, if you recognize yourself in this blog please let me know so that I can credit you with providing the links that I going to post here! She did alot of work in finding these links and posting them, so I want to ensure that you get to know her and check out her channel!

Fashion is fun, and it is fun for all women of all shapes and sizes. I have never subscribed to that theory that larger ladies have to wear black (though I happen to quite like the black/white look myself!) or caftans or mom jeans! Big, bold, bright and crazy patterns are for all of us! Are you listening designers that only create clothing for women whose dress size is the same size as my ankle!!!!

Please do check out these links, let me know if you find something fabulous or tweet me @CaresBeautyBlog and let's share the look so other women can be fabulous as well!


http://shop.ebay.com/purplemoonwang/m...

http://eshakti.com/

http://www.sizeappeal.com/

http://www.womanwithin.com/

http://www.ashleystewart.com/ashleyst...

http://www.avenue.com/womens/clothing...

http://www.kiyonna.com/

http://www.igigi.com/

http://www.curvaceouschicwoman.com/

http://www.bcoutlet.com/

http://www.maximumwoman.com/

http://www.jms.com/category/200000000...

http://www.figuresque.com/

www.unique-vintage.com

And if you know who the lovely woman on YouTube is that posted these links originally, please let me know asap!

oxox
Care

Has Crystal Renn let down her 'plus size' peers and fans?

After posting the article on Plus Size Models, it was a tad disconcerting to see this article. :(

What is it in our culture, that we condemn other women for being larger than a size 0 - 2? Perhaps all of the hype around Crystal's size caused her to become even further insecure, perhaps she simply wants to be able to model for other designers who are not as tolerant of a size 12?

I far prefer to watch a designer who takes into account the larger picture (excuse the pun!), and who designs for all body types. Perhaps because of the ridiculous prices that are charged for some of the designers's pieces, they can afford to pick and choose the type of women who wear their work. Shame.

Let me know your thoughts? Are you for the designers expanding their minds and their designs to fit the normal figured woman, or are you ok with being pushed to the sidelines in favour of malnourished skeletons walking the runways?

oxo
Care



Crystal Renn Noticeably Thinner At Chanel Show (PHOTOS)
First Posted: 05-13-10 11:50 AM | Updated: 05-13-10 12:37 PM

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Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it to the Chanel Cruise Collection Show--okay so, we weren't exactly invited--but Vogue's editor at large Andre Leon Talley was there. Talley offered his insight on the models Lagerfeld used:



Lagerfeld had cast the show with a slightly more curvaceous model named Crystal Renn, not seen on any Chanel catwalk before. This in itself was groundbreaking for the house, but there was also the return of personality models encouraged to be themselves instead of robotic look-alikes. "Each girl was cast because of her sense of individuality," Lagerfeld said enthusiastically. How great to see Karolina, in a pair of black fishnet wide-legged trousers, and Jacquetta Wheeler, in a perfect nile green safari shirt and trousers, feet bare. A silk printed caftan on Natasha, with gorgeous salmon-pink sandals in hand, was exciting, and there was a Bardot vibe to Magdalena (who also played Brigitte in Lagerfeld's film) in a black-and-white maillot.

While Andre calls Renn's walk "groundbreaking," we could hardly pick out the supposedly "plus-size" model when looking through the show's thumbnails. Check out Crystal at Tuesday's Chanel show and her in 2005 with Jean-Paul Gaultier:



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Are Size 16 Models a Step Too Far?

Blog Post by Jeremy Waite, http://punkbranding.webeden.co.uk/

I recently read this interesting artice by Jeremy, and I thought some of you might like to have a read as well.




"When you've got charm, size doesn't matter". Crystal Renn
Vogue’s model of the moment, size 16 super model Crystal Renn, is spearheading the launch the new Italian on-line magazine, Vogue Curvy. Initially I was fascinated and excited about the launch of their brave new venture, but the more I think about it, the more I think we are being sold half a story without seeing the full picture.

Personally, I find curves much more attractive than stick thin super models. I recently wrote about Kate Moss, but because of her talent and longevity, not because of her shape. I’ve never been a fan of heroin-chic, so I’m as guilty as anyone of celebrating ‘real women’ on the covers of fashion magazines or in advertising campaigns, but I also seem to have missed the ‘real story’.




Size 16 'Supermodel' Crystal Renn
“As a size 16 model, Crystal Renn is over-weight. It’s easy to get caught up in the ‘size zero argument’, but the UK has a much bigger problem with obesity and over-eating than it does with anorexia. It is far more important for the media to promote healthy models”. (Jessica Lovell, Nutritional Therapist & Wellness Coach)

Chatting to Jessica today made me realise that whilst it is admirable to showcase curvy women, there is a difference between curvy women and unhealthy women. It’s a provocative argument, but is it unhealthy to be larger than a size 16 – or is the plus size argument just the media going to the other extreme of the ‘size zero’ debate? The argument came up again today when American tv networks banned the new Lane Bryant ad for showing too many curves. Now, I don’t blame Lane Bryant, Bravissimo or Simply Yours for making a profitable living out of selling to plus-size women, but I do think there is a much bigger issue at stake here…

In the UK, nearly 2 in every 100 secondary school girls suffer from anorexia or bulimia BUT 27% of young women are over-weight or obese. [STATS]


The Beth Ditto Issue
Does it help a magazine to put a plus size model on its cover? Of course it does. LOVE Magazine had one of the most successful media launches in recent years, thanks to the huge amount of PR they received by putting a 15 stone (naked) Beth Ditto on the cover.



It all seems a perfect example of what can happen when news stories and corporate campaigns get caught up in media hype. Whilst Unilever’s ‘Campaign for Real Beauty‘ continues to be a fantastic campaign, their media coverage has spawned hundreds of other promotions featuring plus size models, many of which do feature over-weight models. A recent study proved this by discovering that 250 high street shoppers thought anorexia was a significantly larger health risk than obesity, even though scientifically it is nowhere near as much of a health threat than anorexia.

The lesson here for business owners and brand managers is not to be seduced by headlines. ‘Jumping on the band wagon’ is an over used cliché, but you might want to dig a little bit deeper before basing your next campaign on a provocative trend, headline statistic or news feature. Searching out the truth behind the story will often provide you with a completely different angle. It may also inspire you to create a much more original and effective campaign entirely.


I completely agree and support Jeremy's perspective. Beauty is the eye of the beholder, and like art, is subjective to the viewer.

Your thoughts?

oxox
Care

Inexpensive Facial Lemon "peel"

I am one for seeking budget beauty where I can. If there are things I can do at home, make at home, and use at home, I will. I am not loathe to purchase higher end cosmetics and skin care, but I do know there are so many alternatives that you can find in your fridge, or around your home.

Kandee Johnson, makeup artist extrordinaire, has one such tip for cleaning your skin, and leaving it fresh and baby soft. All you're going to need is a lemon, sugar, hot water and your fingertips!

I tried this out yesterday, and oh my, what a difference! All for the heady sum of a quarter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vkCR2ZWAe4&playnext_from=TL&videos=JHu5vL8fm9w

Let me know if it works for you - or not!!

oxo
Care