I'm Lovin' It

Off brand Ped Egg

Bad Idea (Jeans)

I can't imagine anything worse than Eat Pray Love the book...now I know.

Drew's Pics

I don't know why, but for some reason anything Drew Barrymore is hawking out this summer I'm all over it. First, I decided to try Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain - and I LOVE it! By far the best product I've tried this summer. I think another Beauty blog puts it best by comparing it to using a Sharpie on your lips. It's so fun! So you get the color (for maybe a half hour, a little less than I expected) without the worrying that a sudden gust of wind will suddenly stick a clump of your hair to your lips. Am I right ladies? There's no shine or shimmer, but I think that's OK for some of the bolder reds they offer. I want to look like Drew after all,

not her bff Cameron. An it even tastes good!

The second product I sprung for is the Cover Girl Lashblast Length Mascara. I had just finished using Loreal's Telescopic Explosion Mascara and was really seeking a normal sized/shaped applicator once again. And, I was amazed at how Drew's lashes didn't flake when she rubbed her eyelids on the commercial. Sold. I've only used it once, so

I'll have to report back on the performance. I don't really think mascara shows its true colors for at least 3 applications. Would you agree Jacob?

Eyeliner and Eyebrow Pencils

I want to write a little about some cosmetic products I've been using lately.

Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof: I used to buy this as my number one liquid eye liner but then they must have changed the formula when they changed the bottle shape--because it is SO not working anymore. I put it on and by the end of the day it turns flakey, attaching itself to my eyelashes in clumps with a kung-fu grip hold of death. I'd try to pull it off of my eyelashes, but it would pull out three or so eyelashes with it! Other flakes wind up on my eyelid somewhere. This certainly will not do.

So I decided to switch brands. I tried out Almay i-color (so 21st c.) in brown topaz. I really liked the other colors too, and how it said "if you have blue eyes" use this one and "if you have brown eyes" use this one. So far so good, and it has kind of a metallic look.

Eyebrows! I think they are way underrated, they can really change your whole face a lot, depending on how full you leave them or how thin you pluck them. I'm into thicker brows, but I have to work with what I have, so I'm usually adding some eyebrow pencil to make them appear a little darker/fuller. I use Wet n' Wild eyeliner in kohl brown and its wonderful and so cheap too! Hmm, I didn't realize it was an allure winner!

Speaking of eyebrows, I think there could be another post or two on this, anybody use eyebrow pencils a lot/ have an eyebrow obsession out there or is it just me?

Nice eyebrows, Ashley!

Cosmetic Safety

I stumbled across the cosmetics database yesterday that ranks how hazardous your cosmetics and other products are to you. I have not stopped looking up my products since yesterday. It's addicting and also a little freaky??! It makes me wonder how far I want to go to actually cut hazardous products I love out of my life. How can I part with Clearasil Daily Face Wash after clear skin for the last 3 years?? My life is, all of the sudden, full of difficult choices. It is interesting (and not surprising) to note that some of the brands I would consider to be more "natural" and "organic" actually have higher hazard ratings than some of the more mainstream brands. Beware - if you have a tendency for OCD issues about health/chemicals, this website could put you over the edge.

True Life - Fragrance Free Laundry

Since the beginning of March, my skin started to show signs of irritation and itchiness. After 2 different doctor opinions it seems that it's my laundry detergent & fabric softener. How Depressing!! I have a whole shelf of products that will now have to sit there until (hopefully!) the day my skin can take fragrance and dyes again.

I switched to extra moisturizing soaps and gels over the harshly cold winter we had. At the same time, I tried a whole new brand of dryer sheets that I remember being extra-weary of. I also add extra detergent when I don't see enough suds in the washer. The NY Times had a "real eye-opening" article last week on the last issue. I am in the group that does think suds = more cleaning power. I've had to cut that practice ASAP.

Yesterday I was in search of a fragrance & dye-free laundry detergent. The fact that it has its own section at Target makes me think that we're not doing right by our skin. Years of overly harsh formulas must be taking their toll. Or parents are extra OCD about their kids? Probably both. Another find - that most of the Free & Clear formulas smell chemically. What gives? Scientists haven't figured a way around this by now?? Normally I use Cheer, and I thought about going with Cheer's Free & Gentle formula, but I feel like that will be harsh and also it smelled bad. Reviews say the smell disappears in the wash, but I was not buying it- literally or figuratively. Target was sold out of All's Free & Clear in every possible size. Apparently everyone thinks this is the best one? Or they just had a really good sale on it? It gets high marks in all the sensitive skin formula ratings, so I'll try a trial bottle at some point. I want to know what it smells like. Another favorite of Carrboro-esque sites is Charlie's Soap. It's free of everything and biodegradable, but it came with some warnings of mineral build-up around collars and sleeves.

I purchased Purex's free & clear version. I've used Purex before and haven't had a bad experience, and it had a pleasant chemical-free smell. So far so good. What I'm missing most is the softness that my liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets added. I know they're a waste and the sheets are bad for the environment, but scratchy towels are bad for my hands. Maybe I'll purchase Bounce's fragrance-free dryer sheets in the future but who knows.