November make-up picks

Well, it’s been a busy couple of months for trying new beauty items.  I don’t know if I’m getting better at choosing new things to try, or the products are getting better, but I liked just about everything I tried (a little disappointed in a couple of face masks which will be reviewed in a future blog).

Let’s start with primer.  While dabbling in primers off and on for years, now that I have started using Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, I have become a believer.  It gives a nice little glow to your face, goes on really smoothly, makes your skin feel flawless and makes foundation application a cinch.

http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/complexion/primer/mineral-primer

Moving on to foundation.  I have tried so many over the years, but my current fave is Buxom – Show Some Skin.  It’s touted as a weightless foundation, and it really does live up to the claim.  It goes on smoothly and lasts well through the day (keeping in mind I do use a  primer).  The coverage is really good, although your face doesn’t look heavily made up. I have only been using this product since the summer; so I don’t know how it will feel/look once my skin takes on the dryness of winter.  So far, so good, though.

http://www.bareescentuals.com/Show-Some-Skin/USmastershowmeskin,en_US,pd.html

Now blush.  My standard go to colour for blush has always been a soft, light pink, in a cooler shade (my skin is quite pale).  I wanted to mix it up for the fall and I had heard good things about Mac’s Mineral Blush in Warm Soul (and not just from the Mac counter make-up artists).  It was promoted as good for all skin colours.  In the case it looked a little too pinky/peachy/bronzey and warm for me, but once I tried it on – I was sold.  As mentioned my skin is quite pale, but it just left a really soft blush of colour on my cheeks, that was extremely flattering.  I would say of all the products I have tried, this has turned out to be my favourite; and I think in part, it’s because I had low expectations to begin with.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/13842/31094/Products/Makeup/Face/Blush/Mineralize-Blush#/shade/Warm_Soul

Lastly we get to mascara.  I do admit to having no mascara loyalty; and even when I find one I like, I’m always keeping my eyes peeled for the next great thing.  It is high praise indeed then, that I am currently crushing on NARS Audacious Mascara. It goes on well with no clumping, looks very black and does make my eyes stand out (but not in a weird spider lashes kind of way).  I’ve recently learned about the trick to heat your eyelash curler with your hairdryer before curling  your lashes (a great trick – but the curler can get very hot, so be careful before you touch your lashes with the heated curler).  Combining the heated eyelash curler with the NARS mascara is a winner.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/USA/audacious-mascara/0607845070078.html?utm_term=%255Bnars%2520audacious%2520mascara%255D&cm_mmc=SEM-_-Bing-_-NRE_B_USA_TM_EXACT_EYES-_-nars%2520audacious%2520mascara&utm_campaign=NRE_B_USA_TM_EXACT_EYES&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=7658857847&utm_source=bing

I’ve also been experimenting with facial masks – trying to get the best skin possible, especially with the dryness of winter coming.  My results will be posted next week.

Nancy

 

The pants you need to know about now

I’ll just come out and say it – I have a flat bum.  A running joke for my younger brother is ‘hey, does anyone need a flat edge – Nancy is here’. (you can’t be sensitive and be in my family)

Several weeks back I was admiring a pair of pants that my colleague was wearing and she not only mentioned that the brand was called Freddy, but also extolled the virtues of these pants – they have silicone in the waist to prevent them from slipping down and silicone in the bum, to help lift and shape.  What?!! A pair of pants that could give me a bum?  I’m in!!

I immediately went online to check out this brand (www.freddy.com).  They are an Italian manufacturer using WR.UP(R) Technology which “enhances your femininity through a shaping and embracing action on buttocks, thighs and waist…”.  I scoured their website looking at what the pant options were, as these definitely looked like the pants for me.  The biggest issue was a lack of Canadian store options, as I wasn’t going to order online before trying on a pair.

As luck (or was it destiny?) would have it – I was in Calgary for a couple of days, and Freddy has a store location at the Chinook Centre (a place I try to visit whenever I am in Calgary).  Off I headed.  The Sales Associate in the store was extremely helpful, and helped me choose a number of pants to try.  The Sales Associate also helps you ‘fit’ into the pants, as you do need some instructions to get the silicone in the backside in the right places.  You put your Freddy’s on as you would tights.  The legs are a pretty slim fit (this store only carried the skinny leg style – so you need to be comfortable with a skinny pant); however, once on and ‘fit’ (kind of hard to explain – you need to experience) they are very comfortable.

Lo and behold – what did I see with a side view glance in the mirror – a bum!! (cue inspirational music here).  I was sold – now I just had to decide which of the colours and styles I wanted.  I even tried on a pair of workout pants – but at $89, I felt I could pass on that option.

In the end I decided on a pair of blue pants ($159.00) and a pair of jeans ($189.00).  The first time I wore the jeans, I walked over to a coffee shop, and yes, I did get a shout out from a guy on a motorcycle waiting at a red light as I crossed in front.  I may never take them off.

Nancy

Lash Extensions – Are they worth it?

Continuing on my (seemingly) never ending quest to find a mascara that make my lashes look like those in print advertising, I stumbled upon lash extensions (thanks cuz!).  Hmm, could this be the solution I was looking for?

With great anticipation I headed off to Lola Lashbar (lolalashbar.com) in Calgary.  I had reviewed my lash options prior to my appointment, and had settled on silk extensions.  At $125/full set, they were a little more expensive than the traditional synthetic lashes ($90/full set) but are more lightweight, durable and natural looking.

Upon arrival you fill out a questionnaire (including the ever important question as to whether or not you wear glasses) and sit down with the eyelash technician to discuss your lash needs (I didn’t want anything too dramatic).  Then you lie down and the technician goes to work.  A little over an hour later, voila – new lashes (just the upper lashes are done).

I loved them!!  My lashes looked longer, fuller and black (my natural lashes are on the light side).  My eyes looked as though they were made up, even though I had no make-up on.

The lashes are expected to last around 2-3 weeks, depending on their care.  If you do end up putting on mascara, then it needs to be removed with an non-oil based make-up remover.  You always need to have a gentle hand when cleaning around your eyes (which is really a good tip at any time).  After a couple of weeks, if you want to retain the look, then you can go for a lash extension fill (which is less expensive than the full set).

My lashes lasted almost 2 weeks to the day (I did wear mascara twice and both time lost a number of lashes when I removed the make-up).  Those two weeks were wonderful (you do loose a few lashes each day – and seeing those lashes in the sink is always a little sad).  With the extensions my eyes always looked done.  I found that I naturally started using less make-up on the rest of my face (a little tinted moisturizer, blush, lip gloss and out the door).  For the first time in a really long time, I didn’t even put on a minimum ‘face’ when I ran errands on the weekend or headed off to the gym.  It was quite liberating.

I did seriously contemplate continuing the upkeep by going the fill route.  However, in the end I decided that the time and money to keep it going was going to be more than I was willing to take on.  But I will definitely do this again when I have a big event or sometime when I just need a little lift (I’m thinking most of the month of February).

Nancy

Can a mascara give the same effect as eyelash extensions?

I keep looking for the ultimate mascara.  I’ve tried a lot that I have quite liked – Benefit – They’re Real mascara; Flower Zoom-In Ultimate mascara, Bobby Brown Intensifying Long-Wear mascara; but I can’t say that I LOVED any of them. Then I read about a mascara that promised a total lash transformation – well count me in!

Physician’s Formula Instant Lash Extensions kit is a two part system.  You apply a layer of mascara, then a layer a fibers and then a layer of mascara.  The fibers are a bit messy to use.  They come in a tube with a wand just like that of the mascara.  You are instructed to tap the wand to remove any excess fibers.  Luckily I was standing over a sink when I pulled the wand out of the tube, as the fibers did poof out a bit and float down into the sink.  I would not want to apply the fibers after getting dressed, as I could see they could make a mess on your top if any of the fibers landed there.

Aside from the fibers being a bit messy coming off the wand, overall the system was pretty easy and quick to use.  I have to say – my lashes looked really good.  At the end of the day, I didn’t have any mascara migration (or slippage as I like to call it) from the bottom lashes to my cheeks (an issue I had with the Benefit product).  This mascara also washed off really well.

However, it was the time between application and removal that I struggled with.  I found this mascara to be quite irritating after a couple of hours.  It felt like I had a little something (hmm, maybe a fiber?) in my eye.  I tried the mascara three days in a row – to make sure that it wasn’t just a first time user issue.  It seemed as though with each progressive day, the time between application and irritation grew shorter.

While the Physician’s Formula Instant Lash Extensions won’t become part of my daily routine – I am going to keep it for evenings out when I want dramatic lashes, and I know I can remove it after a few hours.

http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-ca/productdetail/eyes/mascara/06417.html

Video doorbells

It’s summer, the weather has been gorgeous and I love to spend time in my back garden.  This does pose one problem, though – I can’t hear the front doorbell.  I also have the additional problem of my tv room being at the back of the house – again, posing the problem of not being able to hear the front doorbell.

I accidentally stumbled upon a solution – the Ring(TM) video doorbell (www.ring.com).  As they promote ‘Never miss a visitor’.  The Ring(TM) video doorbell let’s you answer your door from anywhere using your smartphone.  You simply connect the doorbell to your Wi-fi network and you are set.  It has an HD camera as well as night vision.  There are also motion sensors that activate the camera and trigger instant mobile alerts when movement is detected.

The Ring(TM) video doorbell has been great for me.  It’s so nice to be able to use two way talk and simply be able to say ‘I’ll be right there’ from anywhere in the house or garden – rather than the mad dash to the door, tripping over a shoe the dog has dropped in the middle of the room and finally getting to the door.  This is also really handy for the courier guy, who I swear only waits 30 seconds for someone to answer the door.

The first doorbell that I received was faulty.  However, I believe a good measure of the integrity of a company is how they resolve a problem.  The customer support team was responsive, easy to deal with and had a replacement unit out to me quickly.

I’m not a super techy person – but I do so love having a doorbell that works with my smartphone.

The Ring(TM) video doorbell

Product Review: LG Washer/Dryer Combo

My new washer/dryer fitting nicely in the pre-existing cupboard.

Several years ago I underwent a large kitchen renovation and one of the changes that I made was to move my washer and dryer into the kitchen, hidden behind a ‘pantry-looking’ cupboard.   The cupboards were all custom built, so my washer and dryer (stacked one upon the other) fit perfectly within the space.

Well, that was great until my washer died, and needed to be replaced.  And of course that washer and dryer combo was no longer manufactured.  I therefore went on a quest to find a washer and dryer that fit some pretty tight parametres – mainly that they would fit in my existing, rather small, space.

There were several European models that would have worked; however the washer capacity was tiny (2.3 cuft).  Then I stumbled upon the LG Washer/Dryer Combo.  Yes, an all-in-one washer and dryer, where the washer capacity was an extra large 4.3 cuft.  What?  Could this possibly be true?

I read all of the reviews (a mixed bag) and decided that this combo unit would work for me.  I had to buy the unit sight unseen as none of the appliance stores that I went in to carried it in stock.  After a 3 month wait my unit was finally delivered.

I love it!!  I love all of the washing options that it has (especially the Allergy setting for sheets); I love the delay timer;  I love that I just push a button for ‘Dry’ when setting the washer options and my load will switch to dry the minute it stops washing; and I even love the little tune it plays when the load is totally finished.

My new laundry routine is to put a load of washing in before I go to bed, set the delay start, and when I get up in the morning, my laundry is washed and dried.  All I do is remove and fold.

There has been a bit of a learning curve.  The wash/dry cycle takes longer than when the washer and dryer are separate (usually about 3hrs in total), so misjudged my first few delayed starts.  If the laundry stays in the dryer too long after it has dried – then you end up with a VERY wrinkled mess.  Even without the mistiming, the laundry is a little more wrinkled than with a conventional dryer (this unit uses ventless condensing drying); the upside is less shrinking.

I don’t think this washer/dryer combo is for everyone due to the length of the wash/dry and that you have to be able to remove the dried laundry pretty quickly once the cycle is done – but for me, it’s perfect.

Wanted: Tanned legs – Solution: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion

I am a fair skinned gal who doesn’t feel she needs to share her pasty-white legs with the world.  Self-tanners are my usual route to go to add a bit of colour when I’m wearing shorts and dresses.  Well, somehow I woke up on Saturday morning to the realization that I would be soon donning some shorts, heading off to a stadium full of soccer fans and I hadn’t used any self-tanner.  Pretty sure no one there was going to care about my white legs, but I was self-conscious none-the-less.

While at the drugstore that morning, I noticed Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Lotion – Leg Make-up.  Well, hold on, this might just be the solution I was looking for – it claimed immediate results and was water and transfer resistant.  I dashed home with my tube of ‘medium’ and immediately applied.

I liked the colour and it was definitely easy to apply (although I did notice out in the sun the colour looked a little too matte).  Off I went to the game feeling great with my ‘tanned’ legs wearing white shorts.  I was also wearing a tank top, so even though this product is for legs, I decided to use it on my arms.  What could it hurt?

First glitch to my plans was at the pub prior to the game.  As I was washing my hands and seeing the colour start to come off, it suddenly came to me why this was a leg product and not for the arms.  The make-up was not made to stand up to frequent hand washing.  I was worried about my now white hands with ‘tanned’ arms.  However, it didn’t turn out to be too terribly noticeable – probably because my watch acted as a bit of a visual break.

The second, and potentially bigger issue was the incredible heat during the game paired with the plastic stadium seating.  I could feel the sweat collecting under my legs at an alarming rate.  All I could picture was the colour washing away from my hamstrings right on to my white shorts (a fashion decision I was quickly coming to regret).  As a result, I didn’t get out of my seat the entire game – including half time.

Once the game was over, I quickly made my way to the washroom to check the damage.  Luckily my fears were not realized.  There was some colour washed away and there was a little transfer on to the hem of my shorts – but nothing that was really noticeable to anyone but me.

I was able to confidently walk away from the stadium, tanned legs intact, white hands at my side.

I would definitely use this product again; although not with white shorts and not when I sitting on hot, plastic stadium seats.

Nancy

Hello world!

‘What have you tried lately?’, ‘What’s new?’ have been a questions that friends and family have asked me most of my adult life.  Even as a child my mom described me as ‘busy’.  Instead of my old way of replying to everyone individually, I’m going to write about all the new things that I am trying, along with the results and my opinions, in a broader format.

I’ll do the experimenting.   I’ll be The Product Guinea Pig.

Nancy