cool beauty accessory: the eye mask

This one beauty accessory/tool came to mind today…as the temperatures soared towards 90 degrees and stresses were high across the city. Ever notice how much more agitated people get in the heat? Ugh.

Well, if you’re in need of relaxing and cooling off at the end of the day – this is a great accessory to have on hand.

It’s the hot or cold eye mask

Below is a pic of my sage green terry-cloth eye mask…purchased at Marshalls for less than $10. You can find it in the bath/beauty section.

Anti-Stress Eye Mask - hot or cold relief 'soft & soothing collection'

It’s always waiting patiently in my freezer to de-stress and de-puff. It can also be microwaved at 30 second intervals for a warming effect. The outside/terry cloth liner is machine washable. And, it keeps the pack insulated and keeps the pack from being too cold/warm against the skin.

he enjoys this mask, he's not a normal dog

Simply remove from freezer – sit or lay down, and rest across your eyes.

Easily found at Marshalls, and other discount stores. The eye mask is soothing after a hot day, or a stressful one. It also works to de-puff eyes and help relieve migraines/headaches.

The hunt for…the best self tanner continues

Finding the best self tanner is like the hunt for the best pizza in Boston – there are so many alright ones, a couple bad…and then, a few noticeable leaders.

Back in February, I did a post on self tanners (link at the bottom of this post!)…Since then, I have been relying on a couple of  ‘go to’ brands. However, recently, I was convinced to try a new brand of self tanner called: St. Tropez. I resisted at first because I wasn’t interested in spending more than $15, let alone $40 on self tanner. But, one of the helpful ladies at Sephora guided me in my purchase and how best to apply the product…and the end result was REAL GOOD.

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse (link to product below)

  • First, she suggested I go with the bigger 8 oz. size for $40…considering the next size down was the 4 oz. size for $30!
    • The cost to ounce ratio is $5 for the 8 0z. and $7.50 for the 4 oz. Dang!
  • She asked me if I would be applying the product in a bathroom with tile floors/white grout…I am indeed! She recommended I DON’T go with the spray because that can be messier and get into cracks and crevices. She suggested I go with the foam – that is easier to apply and stays put
  • Her most helpful suggestion was to spend an extra $6 on the Tan Applicator Mitt (link to product below). It’s reuse-able, and washable. It provides an easier, streak-free application…and it helps buff out uneven color. You squirt the foam directly onto the mitt and rub it around:

St. Tropez Tan Applicator Mitt

  • The foam is a brown color, which I found helpful when I was applying because I could see where I was putting it/not putting it. It blends in well, so once it was applied it wasn’t a funky color…I could have gone out with it on

The end result…natural looking tan color…I even used the mitt to apply some to my face. I feel like it gave me a healthy glow with one application – the color developed over time, but the initial tint gave me an immediate, yet subtle glow. Another thing I liked, the bottle still feels full! Despite using ~10-12 pumps to cover my body, it doesn’t feel like I made a big dent in the bottle. If anything else, get the mitt because it should be helpful in applying most self tanners!

(next time, I’ll do a before and after shot of the color!)

St. Tropez – buy @ Sephora or Sephora.com (I’m sure it’s sold other places too, but there is where I got mine):

For the original self tanning post, which includes a review of a lower priced (and great!) self tanner – click below: http://wp.me/p1kq6s-R

Follow-up: a good body brush

In my post about cellulite treatments (see link below!) – I mentioned the technique of using a body brush to massage ‘trouble’ areas while in the shower or bath. Working the brush in a circular motion over the skin is supposed to bring blood flow/improve circulation to the area, and therefore, help (more so temporarily) diminish the appearance of cellulite.

I have been testing out this technique and have noticed some improvement. Also, my skin is extra soft, not surprisingly as the bristles are exfoliating as well. I like the brush technique because it is quick, easily fits into my daily shower routine, and low-cost.  

Initially, I was using a plastic bristled brush I found at CVS – but it felt harsh on my skin. I found a nicer/more gentle brush at The Body Shop – I thought I would share:

The Body Shop Cactus Body Brush

It’s a $15 brush, but per the product reviews, it is durable and should last years. Keep in mind, you can also find these brushes at Homegoods or Marshalls for cheap – but if you want a definitive place to find one – The Body Shop is the way to go.

Steal: self-serve false eyelashes

As follow-up to the ‘splurge: eyelash extensions‘ post, I wanted to post about a less expensive way to get a similar look.

While you can get false eyelashes applied at your local beauty counter (i.e. the Benefit counter @ Macy’s) for less, the below is a more cost-effective, do-it-yourself alternative.  

It is now a tried & adopted part of one of my good friend, Kristi’s ‘going out’ beauty routine. Kristi’s lashes always look great when we go out at night. She uses the individual/clump false lashes vs. the strips. She said, she’s had a hard time keeping the edges of the strips down, they often pop/peel up during the night, eek! Also, with the individual ones, you can decide what amount of ‘vavoom’ you want. They are easier to put on too.

She swears by the Ardell brand false lashes and adhesive (info below).Apparently, she tried Revlon lashes but they didn’t do the trick…so now she sticks with Ardell which specializes in false lashes. And the great thing is, you can easily find these FOR CHEAP at your local pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens).

Kristi showed me how to apply these over 4th of July weekend, and I was impressed. She put only a few on the outer corner of my eyes and they came out great. My eyes did not get irritated.

Below is the ‘recipe’ and instructions for these at-home, do-it-yourself false eyelashes.

 What you need:

  • Package of individual false lashes
    • Recommended: Ardell Durlash Naturals Flare, Medium Blackyou can buy these at CVS or Walgreen. There is a link at the bottom of this post to view/purchase through drugstore.com, as well! ~$3.50 on the site
  • Tube of eyelash adhesive in clear
    • Recommended: Ardell LashTite Eyelash Adhesive Clear you can buy these at CVS or Walgreen. There is a link at the bottom of this post to view/purchase through drugstore.com, as well! ~$3.50
  • A mirror
  • Clean hands
  • Clean and dry eye lids
  • Your fingers!
    • Optional: tweezers (can use instead of your fingers)
  • Mascara
  • Other optional items: toothpick, liquid liner, eyelash curler
  • For removal: preferably oil-based eye make up remover

Instructions (remember, practice makes perfect, it can take some time to get the hang of false eyelash self-application):

  1. First, be sure NOT to use any oil based make up or make up remover near your eyes when applying false lashes. If you DO use it for some reason, make sure it is wiped clean, because this can effect the adhesive 
    • Tip: The fake lashes can be trimmed before you apply them. Some people think they are too long, so trim off a bit before applying for a more natural look. Also, if they’re too long, it can be uncomfortable. Do NOT trim them once they’re on, you don’t want to poke your eye out!
  2. Put a small dot of eyelash glue on your finger. Pick an individual eyelash clump from the set, dip the root end into the glue
    • Tip: give the adhesive 30 seconds to a minute to become tacky before applying, makes it easier for lashes to stick. Never put adhesive directly on your eyelid!
    • Tip: Don’t use too much glue, although the recommended Ardell brand dries clear, you want to use sparingly. Using a toothpick to apply the glue to the tip of the fake lashes can help
  3. You can either use your fingers or tweezers for this step: While looking in the mirror, start at the outer corner of your eyelid. Use tweezers or fingers to place the individual lash where you want it, and press it into the skin directly above the lash line. Hold, and allow the glue to dry. Repeat and place as many individual lash clumps as you’d like
    • Tip: if you don’t want to put lashes across your whole lid, put a few on the outer corners…to make your eyes pop!
  4. Optional step, when done applying the lashes, pull your eyelid tight and apply a straight line of liquid eyeliner close to the lash-line. This will help false eyelashes blend in better
  5. Apply a quick coat of mascara over the individual lashes and your own to help blend together even more
  6. Optional step, after applying the false eyelashes and letting them dry, take an eyelash curler and gently curl your lashes

Removal:

  1. When you want to remove the false eyelashes, be gentle. Don’t pull them off without using eye make up remover! Let the eye make up remover soak in for a couple of minutes. An oil based remover works best, the oil will loosen the false lashes
    • Tip: because they are inexpensive, I recommend throwing out the lashes when you’re done and using clean/fresh ones next time! But, some people clean them according to manufacturer’s directions, and re-use

NOTE: Typically, these false lashes are recommended for special occasions and suggested not to be worn regularly…to avoid infection or irritation from the adhesive

These false lashes are a cheaper alternative because most ladies have the majority of these materials on hand. The false lashes and adhesive will cost you <$10!

Good luck, and let me know if you try this / how it goes!

Ardell Lashes and Adhesive Found here:

(sources: http://www.ehow.com/how_6836026_apply-individual-fake-eyelashes.html & http://www.celebrity-beauty-tip-goldmine.com/how-to-apply-false-eyelashes.html)

Quick Beauty Tip #2: Swisspers

Quick Beauty Tip #2

Removing eye make up or blending un-even make up can be an annoying part of your beauty routine. My go-to for removing eye make up or blending over-done blush or bronzer = Swisspers

They are essentially, round, flat, cotton pads. Nothing crazy, right? There are other brands out there (other than ‘Swisspers’). For some reason, I always pick up this brand. They’re available at most pharmacies – and I’ve even seen them at The Christmas Tree Shoppe.

Why not a wash cloth? Or cotton balls?

  • I’m lazy, I don’t like to do laundry. I’d rather throw out the dirty cotton rounds when I am done. No, I’m not helping the environment with this one
  • Cotton balls…ohhhh how I hate them. Little lint pieces get stuck on my eye lashes…then sometimes it gets into my eye and I’m blinded for a good 5 minutes. I like the rounds because they stay together, no lint worries!
  • They blend make up well,  and they’re cheaper than the make up sponges that get nnnasty dirty

These are easy and cheap! They’re also great for applying toner. Here they are: http://www.drugstore.com/swisspers-cotton-rounds/qxp163198