It's that special day of the year.....the American Idol finale!

Happy Idol Finale Wednesday everyone! Will it be Kris or Adam? Or as Ryan Seacrest so eloquently put, "Guy next door" vs. "Guy-liner?" - a question I find myself asking quite a bit around New York.

N e wayz...the other day I needed some new toothpaste. I've been really loving Colgate's toothpaste/mouthwash combo lately so my eye was immediately drawn to these stand-alone tubes sitting in a dark aisle in the Duane Reade by my work. I scanned the shelf for the toothpaste I've been planning to buy (Electic Mint) but was sidetracked by this special edition (please note the selection in Duane Reade was sparse on this particular day) - Colgate Pop Stars w/ star-shaped breath strips - mild mint flavored. At first I questioned whether or not it was a kids product and then I decided 'tis the season of pop stars, so - why not!?

After reviewing the product online, it appears I did buy a kids product... But my only real problem is that the mild mint is sooo mild that it doesn't deliver that kick I'm looking for after a brushing session. It's just kinda ehh. Kind of like Kris Allen . Cute packaging, but doesn't deliver where I need it to.

MailBag!

I have a question about toners: what are they and why do you use them? I have the Burt's Bees tomato toner and it smells good so sometimes in summer I use it as a perfume. Is this right or wrong?

To tone or not to tone? This is one of the most debated questions on the internet as evidenced by my Google search. A toner is used between cleansing and moisturizing your skin. Many believe it "opens" your skin up and preps it for the moisturizer. Others recommend them for oily skin to cut down on oil production and to keep the skin balanced. I think a toner is a personal preference. There isn't any evidence out there to suggest it's harmful or helpful. If you do want a toner, look for one that won't irritate your skin and doesn't contain alcohol that will dry your skin out.

My first memory of skin cleansing (other than Neutrogena bars my mom would buy for me), is going to the Clinique counter because they had the 3 Step Skincare System. A toner was the 2nd step. I did get addicted to that clean feeling after cleansing that a toner provided. I used them on and off throughout college - Nivea was my toner of choice for the smell. Then I just got tired of spending the money on them. I think I will probably get back into them some day in the future. Lauren really loved the Bliss Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner, and I have to agree - the smell is awesome. Toners seem to be about the illusion of what they're doing for your skin and a great smell really makes taking care of your skin fun. I don't know how much luck you will have with a toner as perfume. I always think the smell is short-lived, but you'll have to let us know if it works!

Vicky Has Her Cake, And Wears It Too

Another one of our readers and my good pal, Vicky, took some time out from studying law to talk products.  As someone who mastered the liquid eyeliner application by 9th grade, Vicky is one of those people* that would go to the grocery store in eyeliner and mascara - at least. And no matter how great I thought my make-up looked when I went out for the night, Vicky would always look more put together. How does she do it?? We'll find out!

*She also hates the phrase "I'm one of those people that..."

What brand of products are you most loyal to year after year? Why?

Dove, I have used Dove products since I was a kid. My mom kind of brain washed me into thinking it is the best soap. Never questioned it. So now I even use the hair spray.

What haircare products do you swear by?   Aquage Beyond Shine 

What product are you curious about but haven't purchased yet? What's stopping you?

Fekkai hair products. Too expensive and most of the time I just buy the same Nexxus shampoo/conditioner at target.

What hand soap is on your sink?

Bath and Body Works foaming hand soap in country apple.

 

Which celebrities make-up style do you most admire and/or try to emulate?

Hmm, this is a tough one because I know it could go terribly wrong. I am going to go with J.Lo she inspired me to try bronzer for the first time. Perhaps also Jessica Alba. 

What beauty products are in your purse right now?

Approximately four different lip glosses. Including plumping lip gloss and chapstick. 

 

Would you ever consider Botox or other cosmetic surgery enhancers?

Maybe ask me again when I am 39. I have a fear of shots and surgery.

What perfume do you consider your signature scent?   Gucci Rush 2.  Big fan.

At Sephora, what kiosk do you go to first? Which one do you always avoid?

Well, I wander around until I see eyemakeup or lip plumper.  Bright colors and shiny stuff attract me too.

What's one make-up tip you find yourself using every day?

No matter how pretty you think you are everyone can use a little eyeliner. Also, do your makeup after you do your hair (so you don't sweat off your makeup because that is gross).

 

What make-up purchase do you most regret and why?

Lipstick. Pretty much every color I have ever bought has gone terribly wrong. I stick to gloss but every once and a while I think... well red lips could be fun? No. 

You are lured by the fruity oil scent drifting from your local Body Shop. Then after making a $12 purchase, the cashier says, "You get a shower gel for free!" - Which one do you pick?

Vanilla or coconut. Also food scents, for some reason I like smelling like a cupcake. 

 

What 5 products would you carry to a desert island? Not including sunscreen.

1. Mascara (black) If worse comes to worse you could always blend this for a smokey eye look perhaps? Like a makeup McGyver.

2. Concealer (for poor complexion days on the island)

3. Nexxus shampoo

4. Nexxus  Keraphix conditioner

5. Aquage beyond shine 

 

How many of your products are natural/organic? Is that a reason you purchase a product?

Probably none. Not really that important to me. I don't really believe products are truly "natural/organic." It is probably more of a marketing tool to mark the price up. I am sure chemicals go into all this stuff lets not kid ourselves. 

When your lips are severely chapped and/or cracked, what do you turn to?

Neutrogena lip therapy stuff. Or when in doubt lip smackers. 

What GAP perfume did you buy first?

Hmm, I have never bought a GAP perfume so I will have to update this later if I do?

Over-the-counter teeth whitening...yes or no?

Yay to whitening stuff. I drink a ton of coffee. So I bought the target brand whitening strips. I don't follow the instructions on the box. I only use them sporadically.

What was your favorite scent in middle school?

Oh this is a toughy. I switched between a bunch of Victoria's Secret/Bath and Body Works scents. I feel like there was 4 solid years of birthdays where 2/3rds of my gifts were body sprays. I feel like Plumeria was a biggy. 

Bonne Bell chapstick - which flavor is best?

This is like Sophie's Choice. Birthday flavored. Love smelling like desserts.

Boi-ing! It's Winnie!

One of our loyal readers sat down to discuss products this week. Let's see what's in her purse!

Some of you may know Winnie because she writes for HiFever and Jar Of Paperclips. Check her out! She describes her skin as combination, and as someone who shops drugstore brands for basic essentials. But! She is willing to go to the department store for that perfect product.

A peek at her mornings:

In the morning, I wash my face in the shower with something mild and put on moisturizer/sunscreen under my makeup. Then I comb out my hair and put makeup on my face and go downstairs to get some coffee and eat cereal or protein if I can stomach it. By the time I'm done, my hair is almost dry, so I can usually get out the door without using a hairdryer. USUALLY.

What haircare products do you swear by?

Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner spray is the only thing I've been buying consistently for more than...5 years. Holy crap.

What brand of products are you most loyal to year after year? Why?

Maybe Benefit? I've had such good experiences with the Boi-ing! concealer and that iridescent stuff (moonlight something? i can't think of the name) [ed note: Moonbeam] that I'll always buy what they're selling.

What product are you curious about but haven't purchased yet? What's stopping you?

The no!no! "exclusive next generation hair removal system." I want to know what the deal is. What's stopping me is the $175 price tag.

What hand soap is on your sink?

I'm mostly trying to work my way through a huge amount of Body Shop shower gel [ed note: she uses the shower gel as hand soap] that I got for free!

Which celebrities make-up style do you most admire and/or try to emulate?

Good question. I know I have the answer to this. When I was younger, I thought Bijou Phillips looked really cool, but as I grew older I realized I would never have eyes that respond well to raccoon-y makeup effects. Same with Liv Tyler and red lipstick. Michelle Williams is really inspirational these days. She always looks neat and simple.

What beauty products are in your purse right now?

Let's see. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer...does Neosporin count?...the Benefit "Justine Case" my aunt gave me which is actually perfect...and a hairbrush. And an assortment of other lip balms. I generally always have at least 3 on me, which has not changed since middle school.

Would you ever consider Botox or other cosmetic surgery enhancers?

Probably not, but who knows how I'll feel when my eyelids start to sag!

What perfume do you consider your signature scent?

I don't usually wear perfume, maybe because I haven't figured out how to wear it the right way? But I like Kenzo Flower. I kept getting samples, the whole time I was in France, so when I came home I bought the bottle. It's nice, and the bottle is pretty.

At Sephora, what kiosk do you go to first? Which one do you always avoid?

Urban Decay always looks like tacky crap. It reminds me of ads from Seventeen Magazine right next to the girl who's just convinced her parents to let her get contacts. Teen stuff. Sucks. I probably always go to the Sephora brand kiosk first, just to see if there's anything I can get there for cheap-ish.

What's one make-up tip you find yourself using every day?

Apply your makeup in natural light if possible! My dresser is right next to a window so this is easy.

What make-up purchase do you most regret and why?

Maybe a "tower of lip gloss" from the Garden Botanica catalog when I was in 8th grade. It was like a stack of lip glosses and most of them were 1) ugly, or 2) would look stupid on an 8th-grader. It was just stupid, especially since I used like a whole night's worth of babysitting to pay for them.

You are lured by the fruity oil scent drifting from your local Body Shop. Then after making a $12 purchase, the cashier says, "You get a shower gel for free!" - Which one do you pick?

Oh man. I wouldn't even be in the Body Shop; I'd just ask Hillary to get me something for 90% off. But I like the Pink Grapefruit shower gel a lot.

What 5 products would you carry to a desert island? Not including sunscreen.

Aussie Hair Insurance, some kind of foundation, eyeliner (is mascara a bad idea on an island? probably?), and lots of lip products.

How many of your products are natural/organic? Is that a reason you purchase a product?
Sometimes I worry about this stuff, but usually not enough to change my habit. Tom's of Maine makes good deodorant that feels less carcinogenic (maybe this is psychological but i don't know), and it's always a treat to go through the Whole Body section of Whole Foods.

When your lips are severely chapped and/or cracked, what do you turn to?

Burt's Bees!

What GAP perfume did you buy first?

Pretty sure it was HeAvEn~~! Heaven or Dream, but I think Heaven was the very first. I also remember the shirt I bought at the same time. From the Gap at North Hills Mall. I had like $15 and I got a $6 shirt on sale (that i still have!) and a little aluminum bottle of Heaven.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening...yes or no?

Yes?

Thanks Winnie for taking the time to speak with us! Keep on reading!

The Duane Reade under my building re-opened!!!

It was a big day. More to come on this...