The Beauty Lab

The Taaz Makeover

2009-06-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

My sister showed me this website and I think you'll like it. I wish I was the one that created it because it's nothing short of GENIUS!!! Incidently Michelle, instead of emailing me about this stuff, just blog about it here (please?)!
Anyway girls, this is going to help with the boredom at work. In fact, it's going to consume a lot of your time. It's already done so for me.
http://www.taaz.com is an online makeover site. One of the best things about this site is that it's FREE! Yup, just register and upload your photo and you're a few clicks away from finding out how you look in a blonde pixie cut with lavender eyes.
Here's the deal. You need to upload a pic of yourself facing forward with your hair pulled back. It needs to be hi-res so unless you have an iphone or crackberry, your cellphone cam probably won't do it. You can try though. I did not have any such picture, so I took one. My bangs were not pulled back so I get points off. Anyway, I just took a pic real quick and I had NO MAKEUP on either (I know, scary!). So you can upload one with or without makeup on. The application on the site is going to do your hair and makeup for you. Another great feature is it will suggest the exact product for you to buy based on what colors you select. Yes, it will tell you the brand, color, price and everything. Can you say "brilliant advertising scheme"?
So get on it, girls! We have to plan our makeup for EDC! Also, feel free to share your makeover pics right here at Beauty Lab. It allows you to save and even categorize each of your new looks! Upload your pics to 6society.beautylab@blogspot.com and I'll post them!

Megan Foxy Makeup

2009-02-25T01:27:00.000-08:00

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Well here's her vid tutorial on Megan Fox's makeup. I love her nails.
The first one I watched was pretty good too, but I can't embed her video here. So here's her link. Click here for Makeup By Tiffany D. I LOVE her dog! Reminds me of one of my dogs, Mitsu. But Mitsu loves being on camera. Haha!

How's YOUR Makeup Collection?

2009-02-25T01:10:00.000-08:00

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Okay, so I was watching "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" and it's a cool movie, but I'm not hard to please when it comes to romantic comedies. Anyway, it made me decide to look up tutorials online on how to do your makeup like Megan Fox. I came across a couple on YouTube that I like, but I'm not going to be able to post one of them by request of the chick who made the video. The other one, I will post and it's by this chick. She's a really pretty really young Latina chick and frankly, I like that she cusses all over her videos. So what? At least she's not shaking her damn anus at us(Aya Fukunaga? Very creative pornstar name. I just got that now. Hahahaha!). I think it's cool how some girls can figure out or mimic makeup just by seeing it....That's got to be a talent. It's an art form. Anyway, I'll post the tutorial in the next article, but this video gives us an idea about how much makeup she has. Wuhoa! Check it out! Oh and this videolog is from this past thanksgiving so she probably has even MORE makeup by now.

Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner

2008-10-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

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OK, so here's what happened. I usually get this $3 kohl eyeliner pencil from Rite Aid in black. It goes on fine, but after working all day, my flirty little wings turn into black teardrops. Not a surprise.
Anyway, I went back to restock several times, but it was always out. I've bought other colors, but I need BLACK!!! Then, I saw this item on Sephora.com. I read the reviews and decided to splurge. It's Clinique's Brush-On Cream Liner ($14.50). They offer it in three colors: black honey, deep brown or true black. It comes with a tiny brush and a pot of cream. It's waterproof, long-wearing and opthamologist-tested. In short, I LOVE IT. No smudging unless I choose to! It's easy to put on and stays on. Plus, I can chuck that stupid sharpener that keeps spilling crap all over my makeup bag.
I do, however, humbly make a suggestion to the powers that be at Clinique. Why not make it into a little compact with a little mirror and a little compartment for the brush? I guess the point is that you don't need to take it with you because that one application lasts all day. Well, I'd still like to bring it in my purse, just in case.

Supernatural

2008-06-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

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OK, so the latest thing I've bought is yet another Philosophy product. It's called the Supernatural poreless, flawless tinted SPF 15. It's basically a foundation primer/ mattifier.
The verdict? It's great! I love it. Say got me Photofinish by Smashbox last Christmas, another primer. That did do the job of giving my skin a matte finish. However, the Supernatural seemed to give a soft focus effect on my skin. I use it under my BareMinerals makeup.
Sometimes I wonder though. Am I basically just putting on regular makeup, just in seperate steps?
Anyway, I bought the Supernatural poreless, flawless tinted SPF 15 at drugstore.com for 30 bones. It had some enticing reviews. They had a special where if you spend $40 on any Philosophy product, they give you 8 ounces of Purity Made Simple for freezee. I also bought Makeup Optional for congested skin. More on that later. That special could still be going on so check it out if you're interested.

We're Baaaack...

2008-03-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

OK so we haven't posted anything new in a while. Here are our excuses. I redid the layout and Say started her cosmetology classes. That's right, folks. Say is going to get certification for her brilliant make-up know-how. Hopefully, she'll have some time to continue writing for us and share her adventures at school.
Anyway, there's still some minor tweaking I have to do with the layout and navigation of our site. For example, there should be PREV and NEXT buttons for each article and a link that will pop out Beautytube so you can watch the other half of the screen, if you really want to. Oh yeah, and I need to put the ads back up. Whooooopie.
Also, in case you care, I had some help with the design of the layout. It is an original layout (noone's template) and I did create it and code it, but I also put together the artwork using Illustrator with vectors I downloaded from the good people at www.freevectors.net, an AWESOME site. A million thanks to all the great artists there that shared their vector graphics with me. You've renewed my love for Adobe Illustrator. If you're artsy-fartsy like me and need a little more than a blank canvas to start off with, check out the resources online and use them. (*Watch out for copyrights, though. Look for work that is licensed under Creative Commons.) Nurture your creativity.

On a Clear Day

2008-03-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

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Eve wrote a post about Philosophy face wash and how great it was, so I went out and got a few Philosophy products myself. Eve was right. Philosophy products are soooo great. I want to try everything they have. I got this moisturizer for blemished skin. It's called On a Clear Day. Pros: It's really lightweight and makes your skin really bright and soft! You will know the difference as soon as you use the moisturizer. It's made with hyrodgen peroxide which helps kill off bad bacteria. Try it out and you won't regret it!
Cons: $20 a bottle.. Isn't the price always a con?

Rating : 4 Hearts!

Christina Aguillera in Jewelry Ad

2008-03-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

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Christina Aguillera is supposedly the new face for Stephen Webster's jewelry line. I guess he's some fancy jewelry designer that we, middle-class people, don't know much about. Well, I saw this ad with Christina Aguilera. She looks stunning and flawless as usual with a lot of help from Photoshop, I'm sure. I think she was a great choice for this Jean Harlow type campaign. That hairstyle suites her really well. My only problem with the makeup is that her eyebrows are too dark. Her hair is icy blonde, so they could've made her eye brows lighter. Something is a little bit off, don't you think? Also, that shade of red is not my favorite. Something lighter and softer could've looked better. Besides that, great campaign ad!

Beware

2008-03-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

There's a person leaving comments on everyone's blogs under the names Yolar or Yokora. Do not click on any links they leave. It is either spam, spyware, malware or a virus. It may be best not to click on anyone's links unless they show a blogger profile picture. Just to be safe. Anyone just posting "See here or here" or any kind of vague link probably cannot be trusted. I've already removed the comment from a previous post. On a brighter note, yay! Our first malicious poster! We're moving up! Hahaha.

Where Are You, Summer?

2008-03-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

I don't know about anywhere else, but Southern California is sure feeling like summer. The sun reminds me of the good old days at the beach where we would become dark and crisp~ I really wish it was summer soon, because all these cute bikinis are out!! I came across this website: www.jg4b.com. They have really cute bikinis and one pieces. It's like swimwear ART. Really beautiful designs.

♥Posted by: SaySay

What kind of pink am I?

2008-03-04T14:46:00.000-08:00

Smashbox came out with a lipgloss called O-gloss. So what's so different about this lip gloss? The lip gloss reacts with your own skin chemistry to transform from clear into your very own shade of pink! I'm guessing it works somewhat like a mood ring? Depending on your body heat, it probably produces a lighter or darker shade of pink. It's pretty neat I guess. But would you go out and buy it?

Beauty Addict!

2008-02-28T13:57:00.000-08:00

Amy Winehouse is coming out with a fashion and makeup line! These are probably going to be featured in her line: industrial strength eyeliner, hairspray for the lovely beehive, ballet flats, head accessories, push up bras, shorts, tank tops, and some industrial strength coke? Probably not. So she's been out of rehab now, and I think she's looking pretty good. I never thought I'd say this, because I thought she looked disgusting with her yellow, gap tooth and pale, crack cocaine skin. But I'm giving her another chance. She has a distinct style that everyone seems to be copying. I actually want to try out the beehive like the girl in the picture I put up but maybe a little less height to it. I think it can be really cute!

Wave Hello!

2008-02-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

To the new Neutrogena product called the Wave. I saw the commercials with Vanessa Hudgens and saw some reviews online. It looked pretty interesting, so I went out and got one from Target for about $11. It's a little vibrating device (no, not like the one under your bed... hehe) that you turn on to deep cleanse your face. Here's what Neutrogena claims their little Wave can do:
the gentle vibrations help open pores so the foam can penetrate deeper to remove more dirt, oil, and make up
cleans 10X deeper than traditional face washing
comes with textured pads to remove layers of dead skin cells - leaving 100% of girls with softer, smoother skin after just ONE use.
so gentle, you can use it every day
if you use it every day, your skin will start to produce less oil
The pros: The steps to using this little thing is quite easy. It comes with 14 pads that you attach to the head of the device. Put under running water to activate the soap. Then, turn it on and massage over face!
I liked the Wave, because it feels really good when it vibrates your face. It really does feel like there's more circulation and deep cleans. My skin did get softer after the first use.

The cons: I didn't know how to remove my eye makeup! It says to avoid eye areas, but ummm how am I supposed to remove my eye makeup?? I tried to remove my eye makeup with this thing, and it made my eye sting so bad!! (don't try this at home)
You have to buy refills for the pads. But if you think of it this way, it's like buying new face wash every 30 days (refills are pack of 30).

How I really feel: I would compare this to a vibrating toothbrush. You don't really need it, and it doesn't help TOO much, but it's nice to have! It feels good using it :)

Rating:3 out of 5

I'm a Believer

2008-02-23T16:42:00.001-08:00

The bad news is that it's 20 bucks for an 8oz bottle. The good news is it works. This stuff is good! I'm glad I gave Purity Made Simple a chance. Philosophy's facial cleanser and makeup remover in one makes washing my face a really enjoyable experience. And no, nobody paid me to say that.
I almost bought the stuff sometime ago because it got such great reviews on drugstore.com. By the way, drugstore.com and beauty.com are great places to order beauty products online. You can rate and review products as well as read other people's reviews. But I guess online reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that most reviews may be fake and written by marketers.
Anyway, I didn't go through with ordering it and finally caved at Sephora the other day. I'm pretty impressed. My skin felt so clean, refreshed and soft. I massaged it in all over my face as well as over my eyelids and it removed ALL my makeup. LOVE IT! It's expensive, but if it actually improves my skin, then it's worth it! I'm so sucked in, I recently ordered Philosophy Save Me, a nighttime skin treatment. I won't even tell you how much that was yet. I also want to try their Makeup Optional Skincare Kit. If you've tried any of these products, please share your thoughts. I'll be testing Save Me out and writing about it soon.

Product: Philosophy's Purity Made Simple

What it is: Facial cleanser & makeup remover in one step

I loved: It really removed all makeup. It makes my face feel so soft and clean that I look forward to using it.

Not too crazy about: The PRICE! I'll let you know how long this $20 8 ounce bottle lasts me.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2008-02-14T11:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day everybody! Wanna impress your Valentine?? Try putting one of these on and see what happens from there ;) Enjoy!

High Definition

2008-02-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you guys heard already, but CARGO came out with a line of Blu-Ray High Definition make up. I thought Blu-Ray's are for movies only!! Well, this is definitely good news though. This make up line was made for make up artists that are shooting in high definition. It makes your skin look not only perfect but natural too!

This is a limited-edition collection that consists of:
mascara - they make your lashes look HUGE
powder- minimizes imperfections / get a High-Def look if you wear over foundation
mattifier - use as a primer which controls oil all day
highlighter/blush - get a great natural looking glow
lipgloss - plumps your lips and gives that extra shine
This make up is ideally used for filming, photography, bridals, and even every day wear. The reviews are really good, and I think it's worth a try! Prices individually range $20-$30. $59 for the whole set. So much make up to try and I only have one face :(

AWWW~

2008-02-12T11:54:00.001-08:00

I know this has nothing to do with fashion or makeup, but I really want one! And yes, it's a real gun. Can you imagine me shooting someone with this? I'm sooo not guilty!! It's Hello Kitty!

Kiss Kiss

2008-02-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

Keeping lipstick in place is quite tricky. However, there are a few tricks to help keep the lipstick on your lips! First, try using Chap Stick before you apply lipstick. It helps bring out the color and also helps your lipstick to stay on longer. Second, apply a nude lip liner or any color lip liner that matches with your lipstick. It will help keep the lipstick from "bleeding." Third, try using a matte (non-shiny) lipstick that's long-lasting. You can find them anywhere from Target to Sephora. If you're really worried about lipstick coming off under certain circumstances like kissing your boyfriend, try using a lip stain. It's usually in liquid form, but they do make lip stain balms also. Dab a drop or two on your lips and rub all over. It's pretty much staining your lips but in a nicer color than when your lips are stained from eating too much cherry pops. When you apply lip gloss, don't apply all over your lips. It gets too gunky and gooey. A little bit on the bottom of your lip and then rubbing your lips together is enough. Lastly, dusting a little bit of translucent, loose powder on your lips can help your lipstick stay on longer~

Suggestions:
Revlon-ColorStay Overtime (Target-should cost no more than $10)
Clinique-Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick (Department stores, Sephora-$14)
Sephora Brand-Maniac Long Wearing Lipstick (Sephora Only-$12)
Benefit- Benetint Lip/Cheek Stain (Department stores, Sephora-$28)
Laura Mercier-Lip Stain (Department stores, Sephora-$20)

Hope this is helpful!

Flawless Face

2008-02-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

There are two concealers to DIE FOR. First one, BOI-ING Concealer by BENEFIT. The consistency is creamy yet not too thin. It gives you very very good coverage. The second one is Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer. Oh my goodness. This concealer hides EVERYTHING! Whether it's a big pimple to dark under eye circles, it does the job and damn well. The key though is to use a concealer brush. You can get concealer brushes almost anywhere that sells make up. It's my best friend and it can be yours too :)
Also, make sure your skin is moisturized before you use concealer because you don't want your skin to get flaky. Another tip: If you're trying to hide something major, put concealer under AND over your foundation.
The Benefit concealer is about $18 and the Laura Mercier is $22.

WOW!!

2008-02-06T12:59:00.001-08:00

When I saw this product, my jaw dropped. Bare Escentuals (Bare Minerals) has it all! First of all, if you haven't read my article about BareMinerals, you must. Their product works really well! Now, they came up with Blemish Therapy. It's a super concentrated and effective acne treatment. It's clinically proven to quickly and effectively heal and treat blemishes. It's natural and non-irritating of course. The best part about this acne treatment? The powder has a tint that neutralizes the look of your pimples!! You can use it overnight or during the day under your make up. I'm definitely getting this thing ASAP! I'll update on this product after I try it.

Treat yourself on Vday for once!

2008-02-06T11:18:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming up so why don't you treat yourself?! Who says we need to get flowers, chocolates, and other useless junk! I guess it's nice to receive gifts on Valentine's day, but it's nice to receive gifts any other day of the year too! I don't think it's necessary for girls to show off what they got from their boyfriends or try to compete who got the most expensive gift. Nothing pisses me off more than girls asking me what I got on Valentine's Day. First of all, it's none of your business. Second, I probably got something better than you did anyways. Why? Because I love myself and I bought myself gifts! I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T Do you know what that means?! Lol. Well, Point is : Ladies, you deserve to be treated well by YOU. Some cute Vday items~

Products can be found at www.sephora.com

MAC PRO store exclusively in New York

2008-02-05T13:48:00.001-08:00

My dream was to open up a store like this. Lots of colors and shimmers where you can mix and match and make it your own. Mac did it! The sad part about it is that it's only for professionals. You need to have a membership to even step into the store. They have mixing stations where you can experiment and play with the colors, you can purchase and stock up on goodies, there's a photography station where you can build your portfolio, a library full of reference books for all things makeup and fashion, and lastly, MAC PRO Master classes! It sounds like Heaven on Earth. Now all I need to do is become a professional make up artist, save up money, and go to New York!

*picture was taken from thecoolhunter.net (really cool website. you should check it out)

Va Va Voom

2008-02-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

Some people may envy Asians with sleek, straight hair. But as an Asian girl with straight hair, I actually envy girls with thick, voluminous hair. I guess the grass does look greener on the other side! There are a few ways to achieve this look. I went in to my hair stylist, and I told her that I wanted volume. She always gives me this cut called Disconnected Layers. It really does help a lot. It doesn't make my hair go flat. Then, I use this product called BODY by Sebastian. You spray it into the roots of your hair when it's damp and blow dry to finish. Your hair WILL have volume. I have to use it every time I go out to parties or out at night. It gives you a little extra sexiness ;)

For those of you that have thick wavy hair and want it sleek and straight, try this product. It's called PUREOLOGY Antifade Complex SuperStraight Relaxing Serum. Haha. Long name, I know. I haven't tried it personally, but I've heard so many good things about it. The reviews are really good, and people say it really works. All you have to do is apply it to damp hair and blow dry it with a brush or flat iron it. The cool thing about it is that it doesn't contain any alcohol and protects your hair from UVA/UVB and thermal damage.

Just for Fun

2008-02-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

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Do I need to say more?? She is so beautiful that she's making my mind turn really evil right now. And yes, I am a straight female with a boyfriend.
Her make up is pretty much flawless. To achieve this look, I advise you not to see sun for the next 3 years or so. Living in southern California, this is hard for me to do. Next, apply a neutral (nude shade) eyeshadow on your lids all the way to your brow line. Then, apply heavy eyeliner along your lash line. Lots of mascara too! Fake heavy lashes would be better for this look. Lastly, put on matte (not shiny) lipstick. To get the full effect, wear a corset 24/7 and maybe even get one of your rib bones surgically removed. Haha. I joke people!
I heard from my sister (she goes to fashion school) that Dita von Teese's corset maker wears a corset every single second of his life. He only takes it off when he showers! His waistline is merely 18 inches! That is almost disgusting. His organs are piled on top of each other, but he is still alive and making beautiful corsets. Kudos to him.

Feelin' the Blues

2008-01-30T14:32:00.001-08:00

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BLUE is definitely the color for this season. Blue's are everywhere! Blue dresses, blue eyeshadows, blue mascara, blue accessories!! If you haven't noticed, you will soon. I find blue sometimes difficult to play with. Too much blue eyeshadow can make you look like you got into a fight. But when you use it right, it makes your eyes stand out! Try using a metallic blue eyeliner and line all around your eyes. Then, use blackest black mascara. The result should be stunning. Another thing to try is blue mascara. It really widens and opens your eyes. Lastly, try out some blue nail polish! I saw some really nice hues of blue nail polish. Imagine nice shiny blue nails combined with a gorgeous blue necklace with a nice white top!

Calvin Kleins for your Face?

2008-01-30T14:15:00.000-08:00

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Calvin Klein has great line of products such as underwear, clothing, and even fragrances. I never knew they came out with a new line of make up!! I saw a list of their products on www.sephora.com, but it doesn't look that special. Their makeup line carries on the same style as their clothing line. It's very simple yet classy. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Their prices are actually moderate ranging from $13 lip glosses to $32 foundations. The only thing I really want to try from this line is their Ultimate Edge Gel Eyeliner. It's a smooth, long wearing gel eyeliner! I'm really curious about the quality though. Has anyone tried anything from the Calvin Klein make up line?

That Extra Half an Inch by Victoria Beckham

2008-01-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

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I don't know how other people feel about Victoria Beckham, but I actually think she's quite a fashionista. She looks picture perfect at every moment. Her life is a fashion show. Now, wouldn't that be nice?! I received her book as a Christmas gift from my sister. I was excited to see what advices Victoria wrote in her book. She has a few good tips I agree with such as cover your legs if your top is bare. She also says that she never ever wears track suits or flats outside of the house. That part made me cringe a little bit, because I wear flats and I love wearing track suits OUTSIDE of the house (winter time only)! She tells you how to wear jeans, blouses, knee length skirts, and shoes. I've actually learned quite a few things.

Quotes from the book:

Your bra doesn't have to match your knickers, but make sure you buy one that fits. Not everyone can afford a boob job - not that I've had one, mind, and even if I had, I would never have one as obvious as some people I can think of - and there's nothing worse than a bit of droop, if you get my meaning, girls! And do keep your thongs inside your jeans, unless they come from Agent Provocateur.
You can never spend too much money on hair and beauty products, unless you haven't got any. Using cheap shampoo makes your hair lifeless - and no one wants to look like they've got extensions. Finally, don't be afraid to be yourself. We all make mistakes from time to time. I once wore an Armani dress to a Dolce & Gabbana party! How dumb was that?
As you all know, the crucial accessory for me is a good pair of sunglasses. If you ever wondered why I’m always wearing them it’s very simple: as a mum, I often don’t get that much sleep, I don’t always have time to put on the Touche Eclat in the mornings, and who can be bothered putting on eye shadow first thing in the day anyway? So instead, I just throw the Chanel sunglasses…This is why I often tend to go for the sunglasses with dark mirrored lenses.

It's a really quick, good read. Most of the pages are pictures of herself. She is quite charming with her words. Pretty entertaining!

Slenderizing Lip Gloss

2008-01-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

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So I was on my way to work, and I heard a commercial on the radio about a lip gloss that helps you lose weight! It's called Fuze Slenderize made by Too Faced. Fuze is actually an energy drink if you guys haven't tried it. So what does this Fuze Slenderize lip gloss do for you? It's packed with fruity flavors and appetite curbing energy boasting ingredients to actually help you lose weight! They say all the Hollywood starlets are using it.... but I'm sure there's more to their diet than this lip gloss though. Or maybe they eat this lip gloss and nothing else! Anyways, Too Faced does make killer lip glosses. They have such cute containers and scents. Definitely something worth trying!

It Feels Like Candy - And Not in a Good Way

2008-01-28T19:32:00.000-08:00

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When I don't get the chance to shop at Sephora or MAC, I tend to get my stuff at the local drugstore or even Walmart & Target. I'm on the beauty- on-a -budget deal right now.
That being said, I went out and bought Revlon's new Pinch Me Gel Blush in Peach Afterglow for a whopping $12.80. It's supposedly a sheer gel blush. Well it was a little too sheer and very disappointing. I wanted to look flushed like a child who spent the afternoon running around under the sun. In reality, it looked and felt like I melted some Jolly Rancher candy and rubbed it on my face. Actually, Jolly Rancher might've given me more color. Maybe I got the wrong color. The pump design also received a thumbs down for me. The first time I tried dispensing the gel, it was dried up and stiff. So I pressed the dispenser again - more hardened gel. So eager to try it out, I pushed it one more time and guess what? An entire crapload came out. So I'm sorry Revlon. If you're going to charge me 13 bucks for blush, you have to do better than that.
Fortunately, I can return it to my local Rite Aid. They've got a money back guarantee for cosmetics which I think is just super, especially since there are no testers for drugstore cosmetics. You can check if the Rite Aid near you has this same promotion going on at www.riteaid.com. Look up your local store and check it's Weekly Circular.

Curling Iron for your lashes

2008-01-25T12:03:00.000-08:00

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I have mixed reviews about this one. Isn't it just scary thinking about putting a heated iron to your eye?! I tried a similar curling iron for lashes, but it looked more like a mascara. It was battery operated, and it would heat up in a few seconds. I really liked it, because it made my lashes curl up and stay curled up. It has the same effect as using a curling iron for your hair. The cons to this curling iron I used was that I would accidentally put the curler too close to my eye. I wouldn't necessarily burn my eye, but I would get shocked by heat. Hahaha. So I stopped using it!

Then I found this eyelash curler that actually looks like an eyelash curler! I think it's way safer and easier to use. The product description says that the two heated pads change from orange to white when it's ready. They promise you bold, beautiful lashes if used correctly! It costs $14.99 at www.ArtemisWoman.com.

You're makin me blush!

2008-01-24T14:06:00.001-08:00

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I think blush is a little bit tricky. I think where most people go wrong is by putting too much blush on. I have done this many times, and it does not look pretty at all! In this case, less is truly more. Also, where you apply the blush is really important. If it's a light colored blush like the Benefit Dandelion, put it on the apples of your cheeks. It gives your face a nice glow and color. This is my favorite blush for a natural, girly look.

This is more for a girls night out look. You lightly sweep the brush so that half of the brush is pink and the other half is bronze. With the pink side up, sweep across the apples of your cheeks all the way up to the hairline. The bottom will be bronze to contour your cheeks with a little pink makes you ultra sexy. ;)

This is something I haven't tried yet. It's called Thrrrob from Benefit. It has a really catchy name! Great marketing strategy. So I read their description from Benefitcosmetics.com, and it says that "this pink powder simulates the natural flush you get when your heart races." You apply the brush along your cheeks, forehead, and chin.
Has anyone tried this product yet??

Japanese Shampoo

2008-01-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

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Finding the perfect shampoo is quite hard for me. I've tried Herbal Essences, Dove, Tresemme, Loreal, VO5, you name it.... I've tried it. But none of them really did anything for my hair. I also heard that Dove tests their products on animals! That's a huge no no in my book. Also, these shampoos tend to dry my hair out and make it look frizzy.

Anyways, I came across Japanese shampoos and decided to try it out. It's called Naive Shampoo from a company called Kanebo. I instantly fell in love with it. It makes your hair so silky and smooth! Not only that, but it smells soOooOOo good! My favorite scent is the peach scent. I got it at a Japanese grocery chain, Mitsuwa. They have several here in Southern California. Those of you that don't live in SoCal or don't have a Japanese grocery store nearby, check this website out : www.pricehot.com. I can't explain to you what kind of website this is... But it's pretty neat! It's just a bunch of random stuff for sale. You can also find these products on Amazon.com and Ebay.com! Try it and tell me what you think!

Spring 2008 Makeup Collection

2008-01-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

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Most of the Spring '08 make up collections are out, and if they aren't, they are going to debut soon. I was looking around and two collections really stood out to me. First one is MAC. Surprisingly, they came out with a more neutral line. Their colors are nude and natural. It's very feminine but sexy at the same time. I've always really liked their nude lipsticks. I can never find a good nude lipstick like Mac's anywhere else. It looks extra sexy when you pair it with some smokey eyes. The other collection that stood out was Guerlain. I mean, look at their ads. They're just so colorful and pretty! I think most of the collections this year are pretty, feminine, and colorful. With Guerlain's collection, you can do more of a pretty pink or light brown eyeshadow and
pair it up with their bold but so hot lipstick line.

Source: www.maccosmetics.com and www.makeupbag.net

Pure Cloud Cream

2008-01-16T16:19:00.002-08:00

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I ran across this email that Sephora sent to me, and Skyn Iceland is coming out with a new cream this spring. It's made with aloe and hydrolyzed rice proteins basically helping out irritated and sensitive skin. The craziness to this cream?? It's packed with peptides that stimulate endorphins (natural happy messengers like the ones your brain stimulates when you jog or something)! So your skin will literally FEEL GOOOOOD~ Can't wait to try it! The company is Skyn Iceland. The product is called Pure Cloud Cream. It just sounds relaxing, doesn't it?

source: www.sephora.com

BEAUTY AND BRAINS

2008-01-16T13:22:00.001-08:00

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As 20 something year olds, Bill Clinton is the president that stays in our memories. We grew up watching him take our country to this prosperous nation that we once were. A nation where the sky was the limit. Today, it's not quite so. We live in a country where we fear our government. It seems as if they come up with all these codes, rules, and regulations to take our hard earned middle class money! I am not rich. I work a 9-5 job busting my ass to pretty much throw it all away. Most of us don't have enough money to get health insurance and those of us that do get rejected from hospitals for all these reasons that are unheard of. I am at the airport and robotic voices announce "Code Orange. Code Orange." I look around frantically thinking that Orange is extremely close to the color red. I am asking myself what the hell does code orange mean?! Should I run??

I've never been passionate about politics, presidents, or anything to do with the government. Now, I want to do something about this, because it's hurting everyday civilians just like you and me. We need a leader that can take us to the promised land. That leader I believe is Hilary Clinton. I remember seeing her behind President Clinton as the brain, the backbone. She's been involved with the community. She knows what she's doing and she definitely has the experience. She promises us that we will all have healthcare just like other countries. Have you guys seen SICKO? European countries give their people FREE healthcare. Nobody is rejected for any reasons. Not only that, they get FREE education. They get to go to college for FREE! No wonder why they are on their way to to become the most powerful country in the world. Their economy is doing so well and their value of money is rising while we are suffering with all these foreclosures, bankruptcies, and unemployment. Clinton's healthcare plan leaves nobody out. Whether you are already insured or uninsured, you have options to choose from. She guarantees the quality of insurance will be just as good as typical plans offered to members of the Congress. Which is awesome, because everyone deserves a chance to survive just as much as they do!! We also face energy and environment issues today. Guess what Hilary has in mind? Her plan states a $50 BILLION Strategic Energy Fund. Where is she going to get the $50 BILLION?? From the oil companies! Instead of profiting with the oil companies like someone we know, she will use them to invest in alternative energy plans. She will also make sure that car companies will invest in cleaner, renewable technologies. She promises us to make our world a cleaner, greener environment. Lastly, we face issues in Iraq. We hear too many stories of soldiers that are dying and getting injured, and I'm pretty damn sure what we hear is 5% of what's actually going on over there. She has a three step plan to bring home our troops within the FIRST 60 days of her Administration! She's been fighting in the Senate to end this war, and she finally will get the chance to do so. She has so many other plans prepared, and I'm anxious to see them happen.

She is like a mother, our potential Queen Elizabeth, a strong female that I've never seen before. You never know what's going to happen. Promises are made, but they can be broken. Whether she becomes a President or not, I have faith that she will continue to contribute to this country. I think it's time a woman with brains should be the leader!! Hope I didn't bore you too much with this topic...

Source: www.hilaryclinton.com

Works of Art

2008-01-15T21:25:00.001-08:00

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Is it just me or do these girls have perfect, flawless makeup everytime?! How do they do it? Who are their make up artists?

I actually saw pictures of these girls without make up and they actually look pretty damn good. That's why it's so important to take care of your natural face. If you have a good, clean canvas to work with.... you can create a masterpiece!

Fiberwig Mascara

2008-01-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

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While we're on the subject of mascaras, have you tried Imju Fiberwig? Don't get me wrong, I 've LOVEd LOVEd Lancome Definicils since the day Say introduced me to it, but I think this one is pretty cool too. It's good for daytime wear. Okay, I never tried this actual one which is Japan's number one selling mascara. I tried a really good knock off from Taiwan. Winne showed it to me. She said it was really good. I bought it and it was 12 bucks there. That's really expensive for Taiwan and for a knock-off. You can buy the real thing at Sephora.com for $22. Anyway, I never realized it was a knock-off until I saw the Imju version on Sephora. It did work though and didn't clump. It gave me thick soft lashes and was easy to take off.

Are they Fake or Real?!!?!

2008-01-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

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Lashes that is...
After putting on your foundation, blush, eye -shadow, lipstick... mascara is like the cherry on top! I feel so feminine and pretty with thick, long lashes. Some of us are not blessed like Angelina Jolie or something and need a little help in that department. I don't think you need to spend that much on mascara. You can find really good ones like Maybelline's XXL Volume+Length mascara. It's the 2 step mascara, base coat and mascara coat. Putting on the base coat first, then applying the mascara while the base coat is still wet gives you an amazing effect. Trust!

But I must say... My all time favorite mascara has got to be the LANCOME Definicils. Lancome has many other types of mascaras too. I tried the Lancome Hypnose mascara, but honestly, the original (Definicils) is hands down the best mascara. It doesn't clump like most mascaras do, it really lengthens your lashes, and it even curls them too! They almost look fake :) It runs around $20. It's a little pricey for a freakin mascara.. I know. You should try it out once, and see if you'll mind spending another $20 after it runs out. To me, it's totally worth it!!

P.S. I use the base coat underneath Lancome Definicils mascara too.

Show Off Your Grillz - Part 2

2008-01-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

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On the subject of teeth, I would also like to suggest whitening gum. My favorite is Trident White sugarless gum, Cool Colada flavor. It contains sorbitol. According to Trident, chewing two pieces after eating and drinking helps whiten teeth in as little as 4 weeks, strengthens teeth and prevents stains. It freshens your breath too. It does contain a milk derived ingredient for all those that are allergic. I also like that this candy coated gum comes in the pop-out foil wrapper. The ones wrapped in paper get all gooey and sticky and all over your purse. They need to rethink their packaging design for that one.
For how it works, check out Trident's cute little site.

Show off your Grillz

2008-01-15T10:14:00.001-08:00

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I don't know about you guys, but my poor teeth goes through a lot. First nasty habit, SMOKING. I really need to quit! Any suggestions on how I can quit without getting mood swings and gaining weight?? I think I remember seeing a product that controls mood swings and weight gain for women who are trying to quit smoking..

Second nasty habit, drinking too much red wine. Well, EveVillian and I learned the hard way that drinking too much red wine makes you look like a freakin monster! One night, we're just hanging out with our friends drinking some red wine. Maybe three or four hours later,
we realized we drank almost 2 bottles of red wine. My boyfriend looks at me shocked! I asked him, "What's wrong?" And he says, "Did you guys look in the mirror?" So I go look in the mirror and Oh my god. My teeth were stained like a mother!! Actually, my whole mouth! It was a frightening moment. So ladies, don't drink a bottle of red wine to yourself.. right Eve?

Third nasty habit, drinking coffee every day. This is a hard one, because I do work in an office environment. I just feel weird if I don't drink coffee in the morning. Does anybody else agree? Coffee is kind of like a legal version of coke. It has a similar effect, but it's ok to drink coffee! Drink up people and be productive!

There are so many ways to whiten teeth nowadays. You can go to the dentist to get your teeth whitened, but who is willing to drop that much cash? So I think most of us turn to over the counter products such as Crest White Strips. I've tried Crest, and I didn't like it too much. You know, the chemical foams in your mouth and you end up swallowing some. It tastes nasty too! The end result? It works! It actually worked for me. I do this every 6 months. This time, I wanted to try the new Aquafresh White Trays. I saw the commercial, and it said that they use TRAYS instead of the strips. I thought to myself how neat that would be to just put on a tray instead of the strips barely sticking on to your teeth?? Well, I'm on my last day of the Aquafresh whitening and I can't even call it a tray! The trays are made out of the same material as the crest white strips. They are just bent in a way that makes it look like "trays." The foaming of the mouth is worse than Creststrips! I look and feel like a mad dog with the Aquafresh. The foaming of the mouth is so bad that I couldn't even leave it on for the full 30-45 minutes they require you to wear. I was so disappointed! From what I experienced, I would definitely go for the Crest White Strips instead of the Aquafresh's so called trays.

If you tried anything better or any suggestions on teeth whitening, make sure to leave your feedback!

Have you tried Bare Minerals?

2008-01-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

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I am pretty sure most of you guys have heard of Bare -Minerals, but have you ever tried it? It's that infomercial that keeps saying "make up so pure, you can sleep in it." I tried Bare -Minerals about 4 years ago, but I couldn't keep up with the high prices being a broke college student. Four years later, I decided to give it another try! Sure enough, I fell in love with the product once again.

The start up kit runs about $60 on their website www.bareminerals.com. It comes with this pore-refining gel that covers up your pores giving you a flawless look. It also comes with 2 shades of their foundations which really looks like loose powder. You mix up the 2 colors to get that perfectly matched skintone (a huge problem in finding that perfect foundation!!). I tried so many different types of foundations, and I strongly believe that you need to spend a little more on foundation. It's ok to invest a little on foundation... Just budget on other things like lip gloss, eyeliner, shadows, mascara, etc...

These are the basic steps:
Prep your skin! Wash, Tone, Use their pore refining gel, and those of you who have dry skin put a little extra moisturizer because the gel tends to dry you out.
You swirl, tap, and buff the 2 foundation colors that you've mixed onto your face/neck.
If you still see spots and blemishes, conceal it with the same powder that you mixed. It comes with a concealer brush that really really conceals your spots.
The kit comes with a bronzer, but I feel like the color is way too deep. You can use your own like I do.
After all that, use the mineral veil finishing powder all over the face. It will help keep your make up stay put all day long!
I give this product a 9 out of 10. I say 9, because it does get a little messy! You have to mix loose powders! And also, the fact that it cost me $60 to start turned me off a bit. Besides these 2 cons, I can't think of any. I truly think this product can benefit girls of all ages and all skin types. It makes your skin feel so nice and look so flawless. It's so worth it. Give it a try, and I'm pretty sure you won't regret it.

Tip: You can actually find BareMinerals Products on Ebay! I think it runs about $40.

Source: www.bareminerals.com

You are what you eat!

2008-01-14T11:47:00.001-08:00

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Since we are in the topic of Diet and Skin, I wanted to elaborate on that a little more. I know most of us girls take care of our skin very well. It's not that hard, right?? You wash your face, tone your skin, and lastly, moisturize! But why the hell do I still break out?? I'm starting to realize more and more that the problem lies within. Eating healthy and having a fitness routine and blahblahblah is the obvious. Yes, I know I should eat apples instead of Doritos but Sally here is eating a bag of Cheetos everyday and has perfect skin.

This might be an explanation to why this happens and no, it's not because we live in an unfair world. EveVillian posted below that she turns red when she drinks alcohol and that might contribute to her "new friend." People with bad liver do not take alcohol well. They turn red, temperature rises, eyes swell, etc. I can speak for myself, because I am one of those unfortunate people that have a beer and people ask if I am wasted. LOL.

Anyways, back to the liver. The liver detoxifies the blood that comes from other parts of your body. Once it detoxifies, it sends the nutritional blood throughout your body. Well, the problem is that we eat and breathe so many toxins. Our poor liver is loaded with toxins and guess what happens?? It needs to release them! Do you realize how much toxins there are in processed foods? Once we stop eating all those junk foods, canned foods, and frozen foods, not only will we be helping our skin but also our lungs, colon and other less important parts of our body (Just kidding!)

Also, I always hear that hormones are a cause of acne... Well, how do I control my hormones?? That's the liver's job too! The liver regulates our hormones. People! We need to take care of our livers whether it be for our skin or for overall health reasons. I saw some supplements that we can take to help out our liver. I'm going to try this out and probably update on this post in a further time. Take daily supplements like Herbal Provider or any other liver supplements (tons to choose from online). Also, a 7 day liver cleanse from Herbaldirect.com (also tons to choose from).

For now, I'm putting those harsh products away and focusing on the inside.. Where it really matters.

Sources: Ezine articles. How does Acne Attack Your Liver? Wycliffe Williams.

Chocolate and Your Skin

2008-01-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

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Does chocolate make you break out? My old boss never ate any chocolate because he said it made him breakout. I did some research on-line and the consensus is acne caused by chocolate (or any food) is a myth. More specifically, scientific research says that chocolate does not effect acne. Or maybe that's what the giant chocolate corporations want them to say! hmmmm.

One article I read suggests that foods high in carbohydrates may flare some people's acne. In theory, the high amount of carbs causes excessive production of insulin which in turn causes more and more insulin to be needed to assist glucose in cells or insulin resistance. Also, in females, the high insulin causes the ovaries to produce more testosterone which encourages acne. More points off for carbs!

I also suspect that a mild allergy is very possible. I think that a lot of people are unknowingly mildly allergic to chocolate and alcohol. I think I'm one of them too. I'm one of those people that get the sunburned look after a few drinks or get a new "friend" after eating too much chocolate.

The Acne Resource Center Online had some good news for me though. According to them, scientific research suggest that chocolate causes a boost of serotonin in the brain thereby causing a calm and stable feeling. They go on to say that if acne is caused by stress and chocolate reduces stress, it may actually be more preventative and not causative of breakouts. They also say that chocolate contains one-third the adult's daily requirement of antioxidants. Wow. That sounds too good to be true, but I think they mean DARK chocolate. Web-Md informs me that dark chocolate -not milk chocolate or white chocolate- contains potent antioxidants and may lower high blood pressure. You have to balance out the high calorie intake though. Also, I read that milk may actually interfere with the absorption of these antioxidants cancelling out the health benefits of eating dark chocolate. According to Web-Md, Researchers say eating a small 1.6 ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is good for you because it's packed with heart-healthy flaviniods.

Well, soon it's going to be Valentine's Day followed by Easter. Be prepared for all the chocolate hearts and bunnies! But since it's going to be there anyway, maybe we should test it out. Does dark chocolate cause breakouts?

You can buy this skin clarifying 1.79 oz. chocolate bar at Nordstrom's for 8 bucks!

Sources:

Dark Chocolate is Healthy Chocolate by Daniel J. Denoon

A Dark Chocolate a Day Keeps the Doctor Away by Daniel J. Denoon

The Chocolate and Acne Myth - Acne Resource Center

Acne Myths: Chocolate and Sex Causes Acne by Richard Thomas, M.D.

Borba Skin Clarifying Chocolate - by David Candyaddict.com

Welcome to B.Lab!

2008-01-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

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This is it. This is our official cosmetics, skincare and fashion tell-all blog where we’ll be sharing our unbiased honest opinion on the business of beauty, free of charge. Of course you are also welcome to share yours. In fact, some comments are definitely encouraged. NO SPAM! Spammers, be gone! Also, if you have questions concerning beauty products or trends or would like to request that we test something out, let us know by commenting. Hope you like it! ♥

“Everything has beauty,
but not everyone sees it.”
Confucius