Sweetassgal on the war path still looking for the ideal paraben free and most "natural" mascara I can find!

I've always had a mini-obsession with women who have two things...luscious lips and lashes!  I have neither (she says weeping) and as such have spent countless hours and hundreds of dollars on anything that will plump up either feature.  Some youthful attempts were quiet insane and I'm ashamed to admit even a little on the idiotic side.  I've played with falsies (lashes I mean) and nearly glued my eye shut while simultaneously pulling out half my lashes.  I've pondered permanent makeup to increase the outer line of my lips but came to my senses at the first thought of impending blood.  I even spent the entire morning before my Freshman school picture practicing how to hold my lips and smile in a way that wouldn't make my teensy lips disappear.  It did not work of course, and I ended up looking like I was having a minor stroke in my picture.  One word...RETAKES!
  
Alas, full lips and lashes just don't come with my German/Welsh genes and I have conceded defeat to my beautiful friend Jennifer's heartier and more robust Italian genetics.  If my genes and hers got into a catfight mine would end up pummeled into the ground while hers batted its full lashes and blew perfect pucker kisses to the crowd yelling Ciao baby!!!

Gather around all you Wednesday Gigi here! Delirious Over a Delightful Drugstore Deal We all have our moments of idiocy, but I tend to have more than my share of mine. I will run through our home and call desperately to my husband, "Where's my watch? I can't find it anywhere!" He will patiently point out that I am wearing it.

Wet `n Wild Cosmetics has created a major stir in the makeup industry with inexpensive items which deliver. Their "Ultimate Expressions" shadow palettes are addictive. I am a self-confessed makeup snob. Excuse me, I was a makeup snob. Now I have repented and use affordable and efficacious makeup. In the past, I gravitated toward Christian Dior, Givenchy, Lancome

Meg here! Happy Monday! One of the top questions I get asked (besides "Are you being serious?") Is about liquid eyeliner. It's tough to do. You need a steady hand and one little tremble and it's all over, you've just created a mess!

As we just learned (come to Megsmakeup.com) and read Brooke Boles awesome interview! Hot Pants Cosmetics could just as easily be called "Smarty Pants Cosmetics" Brooke just executes brilliant touches on her products that make them so consumer friendly. You don't have to be a trained make-up artist to look like you've just been to one with her products.With this eyeliner kit, she tackles the feared "liquid liner" and makes it almost impossible to mess up! Notice I say "ALMOST" There's one in every bunch and I don't want to be emailed if someone out there has somehow managed to do it.

Meg here! Much thanks go to Badgirl from the alter of the house we worship at...Urban Decay.

I don't want there to be a revolt and try not to be too jealous of me. I share, I swear. However I was only sent one. Don't be mad. I was greedy. I kept it. I dare you, what would you have done?

At the bottom of my Urban Decay pack of cream eyeshadows to send out there it was..It was by itself, I was alone, no one saw me but I grabbed it and ran to the mirror.

Could it be? The cult favorite AMAZING PRIMER POTION IN COLOR!?

Not only have they taken the Holy Grail product but combined it with a universally flattering champagne toned color. It works with any eyeshadow color your sporting and can also be worn alone! The shade is Sin and I can see why. It's going to provoke others to have the Seven Deadly ones on you when you're sporting this baby! Jealousy, greed, I was powerless to the bottle!

This stuff get an uber Meg seal of super approval!

Goddess Granny here! I know many of you have been buried in snowbanks, pelted with ice, and worn thin by wind...it's just dry as a popcorn fart (another of my husband's"Texas-isms) here in South Texas but the sun has been brilliantly shining and the sky blindingly blue so as a result, I have "Spring" on the brain even though it's just barely February.I'm already kicking my deep purple eyeshadows and wine-colored lipsticks to the curb (or at least the back of the vanity, LOL!) in order to make room for a fresher, lighter, look although mind you,that does not mean un-glam in any sense of the word...I think sometimes in spite of the rotten weather and dreary days,it really helps to get slicked up a bit if for no one else than the person in the mirror!

I am a freak for just about anything "Urban Decay" does: they are cutting edge without being too trendy,always on point with their latest products,and if you love colors not necessarily found in nature among your cosmetics likeI do,they are a company who never lets you down!

I am LOVING their latest eyeshadow for the new season called simply "Cream": slick little portable tubes of color with a built-in applicator that really works for a change in shades that make you want to buy them all at once! They have a high-tech gel base that allows them to glide on evenly with plenty of time to blend and fuss before they dry to a beautiful finish that truly lasts all day and then some with absolutely NO creasing, fading,or streaking! You can even layer the colors for different effects if you let them dry in between coats and the lighter shades can be multi-tasked into highlighters and even blended into foundation for a bit of extra dewiness!

Sweetassgal here, to bring you the best of all things natural and organic by way of Green Chi Tuesdays!

New Years Eve was a quiet affair for me this year. With the hubby off quading in Nevada, two teenage kids both going to parties now, and a 12:30 curfew to wait up for I had to be responsible Mommie and trade in the celebratory cocktails for a 4 hour "Absolutely Fabulous" marathon on BBC. For those of you who don't know...Ab Fab is a British comedy about two 40 something completely inappropriate "substance-abusing fashion and fad-obsessed Londoners who value fame and style over substance" named Patsy and Edina. For those of you who DO know...its nearly impossible to watch Ab Fab and not crave a cocktail..."Veuve and Bourb DAHLING...Veuve and Bourb!". Since booze was definitely out I settled in to play fashion/beauty editor Patsy Stone complete with mile high beehive and red overly pouty lips. As Patsy says ''One snap of my fingers and I can raise hemlines so high the whole world's your gynecologist.'' Well...maybe sweetassgal can't do that but I can introduce you to an absolutely fabulous line of natural makeup and skincare!

Gabriel cosmetics was created by Gabriel DeSantino as a way to bring natural health and beauty products to people incorporating his families knowledge of the healing powers of the sea. Taught by his grandmother in Mexico to use seaweed, kelp, and a variety of herbs to make homeopathic cosmetics, he learned how the right combination of sea-derived botanicals not only revitalize the skin and keep it looking younger, but also reduce stress and help balance and remineralize the body in a natural and pleasant manner. All Gabriel cosmetics are made from 100% natural ingredients, no synthetic chemicals or animal by-products are utilized and no animal testing is ever done. These environmentally safe products contain the highest percentage of natural ingredients and come in a line of Gabriel Color cosmetics, Gabriel Skin care, Zuzu Luxe European Spa quality products, and even a Clean Kids line of shampoos and soaps to keep the kiddies chemical and additive free! The entire line is all natural, lead free, infused with essential oils and first press botanicals for the ultimate purity.

Gigi here with "Must-Do's" for a Dazzling and Dream-Filled New Year!

Since Miss Meg, the reviewers, and readers of this site have been an immense inspiration and Godsend to me in a painful year, allow me to reciprocate with the beauty tips below. These are resolutions you can keep and they're even better than Drugstore Deals--most are free! May 2009 be wonderful for you, a year replete with great people, events, and blessings!

Gigi here Duped at the Drugstore!

With Christmas only three weeks away, the shelves are bulging as prices plunge and the battle heats up between retailers vying for the consumer's dollar. My "Drugstore Dance" takes much longer than before. I sat and thought long and hard about what will truly work to enhance your beauty during this season of festivities.

It came to me-colored mascara! It's an effective, inexpensive way to update your look now. Unfortunately, my mom did not pass on her cornflower blue eyes to me or my sister but, rather, a nondescript shade of hazel. First, some basic advice: Makeup does not have to match your clothing, nor does eyeshadow have to replicate your eyes. It is meant to enliven and draw attention to your own assets, not attention to makeup or outfits. Think back to the color wheel taught in elementary school-opposites attract for maximum oomph. Thus, any green in eyes is brought out by hues of lavender, brown "pops" with blue, and so forth.

I have to hang my head here. Despite my marketing degree and knowledge of ploys meant to lure, I still fall for tactics! I saw Cover Girl's "Exact Eyelights Eye Brightening Mascara." The packaging has a drawn eye graphic displaying lush, long lashes, and a definite sparkle on the iris. The patented brush is not overly large and allows for application with little or no clumping. Cover Girl promises that "metallic highlights" and the formula itself will brighten your eyes up to four times more (I'm confused-do they use a "Bright-o-meter" to measure this or what?). I was sold and didn't doubt that an item by Cover Girl, the bringer of innovative beauty for women around the world, would not disappoint. It did, and I'm asking for a refund. The mascara sweeps on easily, with nary a lump. Were my eyes brightened? Not at all. To be fair, I tried all of the available shades, to no avail. No metallics, no colors were evident. But I was determined to find ones that deliver . . .

Almay was my next choice. I've been surprised at how well their "Intense I-Color" shadows have worked to flatter me, and they offer tinted mascara as well for the same price (about $7.00). I didn't find the texture as smooth; it's given to some slight clumping, and so I used the combination eyelash comb/eyebrow brush I own on hand to keep lashes defined. It didn't lengthen my lashes by 50%, as promised, but that wasn't my goal. They made up for it with their gorgeous, come-hither shades: Raisin quartz (a sultry, dusky plum, perfect for hazel or green eyes), purple amethyst, brown topaz, black pearl, and blue sapphire (a particularly great indigo). There was a distinct difference and I did look more awake, in a less artificial, harsh way than with pure black mascara. True to the testing done by Consumer Reports, I wanted to verify my results and rubbed the colors on tissues. The Cover Girl shades? All grey. Almay's were vivid and lovely.

Okay, so I cheated, but this was the first time. As my students would say, "I consulted my sources." I discussed this withSharond and she suggested using the tinted mascaras and tipping the ends of lashes in black. Another idea for a party-ready look? Use black or brown on top lashes only and color on the bottom ones. It's fun-better yet, it works. I threw away the notes I took when we spoke, so what cheat sheet? My dog ate it!

What colored mascara's do you find work well and what colors do you go for?

Goddess Granny here recovering from what has been WAY too many late nights lately,WAY too much fun,and WAY too much alcohol,dancing,and contraband! But after all, in this season of "giving", don't we also have to take a bit of time to enjoy the people and places that give us pleasure as well?

Normally speaking,I'm a rather disciplined creature of habit and efficiency but sometimes you have to put on those 5" heels and let the devil have his way with you otherwise,what's it all for?

Thank God there are an ever-evolving array of technological inspired companies out there who do understand that the ravages of life at it's best and worst don't need to show up on our faces the next day!The options we have combined with the tried and true remedies of sleep,water,and aspirin allow us to rinse and repeat the fun in record time without the proof of our follies starring at us in the mirror...

Skin Nutrition is indeed one of these face savers:
"Skin Nutrition International, Inc. is a leader in and pioneer of anti-ageing cosmetology and works closely with the world's leading biotechnology companies and their scientists to deliver "cutting edge" world class products to the marketplace. Developed by internationally acclaimed cosmetic scientist, John Knowlton C.Chem, MRSC, Dip Cos. Sci (GB), Skin Nutrition International, Inc's products contain the most technologically advanced active ingredients available and these set Skin Nutrition International, Inc. apart from others as they are often the first to use them in combinations for synergistic benefits, at maximum levels for optimal efficacy. This strategy is supported by comprehensive clinical research conducted by these leading biotechnology companies, to validate the efficacies of the active ingredients used."

I had seen some of the products in catalogs and stores but because I tend to get overwhelmed by all the goodness out there,hadn't yet tried anything they offered so when I received a sleek silver cylinder of their "Reconditioning Eye Serum" to evaluate,I was even more delighted than usual!

It's basically a "total wellness" treatment for the eye area that contains enough of the good tech-stuff to work wonders on the eye area and it could not have shown up in my mailbox at a better time! Seriously,I have done some damage lately and my eyes were looking squinty,dry,and pretty damn sorry.It's fabulous ingredients promise to reduce the symptoms of tiredness and stress while restoring that youthful glow!
There is a Santa Clause Virgina and he's just come down my chimmney in a silver cylinder,LOL!

Gorgeous packaging and product,the texture is smooth and luscious without a DROP of stickiness or residue and I am swearing that within minutes of the first application,I DID look smoother and more rested as well as a LOT less crinkly and wrinkly!

I have had the op to test a few eye products recently but this one is by far the most effective the soonest! It feels a bit like you "have something on" at first but within seconds,it just works it's magic and you look incredible! Makeup glides on over and I have been using it day and night with truly obvious and long-lasting results!I am a bit in awe of this one...

I will not lie to you,their prices are in the "Upper East Side" category but I'm beginning to think that less of a product that WORKS compared to more of one that simply does the job is the way to go? I can totally see myself replacing this when it's gone and if you are also in need of a shot in the eye to really get you glammed up for the Season or simply to ease away the stress left behind by the thought of funky old Uncle Joe and moth-bally Aunt Milly coming to visit,do yourself and indulge or make sure your house-Elf sees this on your "I've been a good girl" list...I truly think this one's worth it!!!

Buy it here: The site is informative,easy to use,and impressive as well which makes a dif for me these days...I am weary of snowflake-shaped falling cursors and computer generated Holiday music on websites!

Skin Nutrition BUY IT HERE!

Chime on in if you've experienced Skin Nutrition or any other eye serums you love!

Gigi here! here, with a "Drugstore Deal Dilemma . . ."

The holidays are quickly approaching--time to prep your skin before we explore dramatic cheap chic color and more! It's the best time of the year for a "quick fix" if you stay out longer than normal at parties or spend too much time shopping. I am OCD about keeping my eyes fit, young-looking, and wrinkle-free. John Mayer's line from one of his songs--"Gravity, stay the hell away from me"--best describes my beauty philosophy. I expected Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller to live up to all of its claims when I needed it most ($13.00).