The Beauty Department

I know I may be a little late to the game on this one. But have you seen Lauren Conrad's new website. thebeautydepartment.com? It's pretty fantastic. What I love the most are the hair tutorials. I am hair challenged these days. It's either straight or in a pony tail. No style at all. Some of the looks seem pretty easy. Minimal effort for maximum style. So I may have to branch out. There are also great tutorials for make up. You should take a look!

My Mascara Obsession

Some of you may know I'm obsessed with mascara. I'm constantly on the search for the perfect one. The closest I've ever come is Diorshow Blackout. I love how full and dark it makes my lashes look. Almost like wearing false lashes. However for $25 a tube it is a splurge when I get it. Also I feel like it dries out faster than any other mascara I've ever used. When you pay that much you want it to last a few months at least. I wonder if all Diorshow mascaras have the same problem. Since I can't always splurge on my favorite I've been using Maybelline Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara. Honestly it's a pretty good substitute, and for around $5 a tube you really can't beat it.

However as I get older I have the same problem that many other women have. My eye lashes are getting thinner and thinner. Those Claire Danes Latisse commercials are super tempting, but having to go to a doctor and get a prescription is a pain. Not to mention I'm sure it's expensive. So when I saw the advertisements for a drug store version by Revlon my interest was piqued. I wasn't running out to buy it though, because who knows if it actually works. So about two weeks ago I was in Walmart waiting for an oil change and I walked by the makeup and low and behold Revlon Grow Luscious was on sale. So I snagged a tube. So after 2 weeks of using it I thought I would do a little review.

I'm actually pretty impressed. The reviews online were really mixed. I got it in black shimmer which is supposed to add a little shimmer to your lashes. Honestly the color isn't all that great. I'm used to really black mascaras so this one felt a little weak. The brush is huge which I'm not sure I love yet. I takes a few coats to actually look like your wearing mascara. OK all that doesn't sound great. Here are the good parts though. I didn't buy it for color or anything other than strengthening and hopefully to grow in some new lashes. I already had another kind for everything else. You know what? I've noticed a difference. My eyelashes were falling out when I was washing my make up off at night, and now they aren't. So less eye lashes falling out means fuller lashes. So it does indeed strengthen my lashes and in turn keeps them thicker. I wish I had taken before and after pictures but I didn't. You'll just have to take my word for it. If I use one coat of this and one coat of the Maybelline blackest black then I get the desired look I want. It's way cheaper and a lot more convenient than Latisse too. So overall it did what I wanted it to do. I would say it's totally worth it, but maybe layer it with another favorite brand.

Stay Tuned

I wanted to post something else but I'm having some trouble with the photos. Stay tuned though cause I think it's a good one. Let's just say I was busy this weekend. Very busy. So instead I thought I would share just a few of the little things that made me happy this past week. My grocery store finds!

1. Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion 32oz

On Drugstore.com it says it's $5.99 but I think I got it at my grocery store (HEB) for around $2. Seriously cheap. I know what you're thinking right now. It's a myth. Cocoa butter doesn't really help stretch marks. However I got stretch marks in high school when I went through a growth spurt. I got them when I was a freshman in college when I gained a lot of weight. I did NOT get them when I was pregnant with Miss.S. I used this stuff everyday and not a single stretch mark was formed. So I'm using it again, and knock on wood I hope it works again. Plus the smell reminds me of the beach and it makes your skin feel so good. So for $2 it is well worth it.

2. Target Brand Premium Cotton Balls.

They don't have a link on their site for this specific type of cotton ball, and you do have to be specific. If you get the Jumbo Cotton Balls they aren't as good. You have to get the Premium. On the bag it says "Cotton Balls Premium Jumbo Plus Size 100% Cotton All Natural" Then in bold italics it says Puffier Stuff. They were not kidding. These cotton balls are huge & wonderful. Also around $2. Totally worth it for the feeling of luxury when taking off your eye make up (I know. A little dramatic.)

3. Degree Clinical Protection Fine Fragrances Classic Romance

I know I know I know $7.49 is pretty steep for deodorant. I don't care. It's worth the splurge. The name is really corny but it smells so good and it works so good. So right now it's my favorite. When I first got it Denny would compliment me all the time on how I smelled. I figured it had to be the deodorant cause I hadn't changed anything else. Plus the clinical protection really is that much better. Trust me I live in San Antonio.

Shakalaka Lip Blaka

This is a super random post I know. I'm trying to get back into posting after a long time off due to random health problems, and spending time outside in the sun. So I'm starting small. One thing that has always been important to me (and should be to you too) is protecting my skin from the sun. I always use sunscreen when I spend time out side. Lately I've been using this one, but it changes from time to time. One thing that never changes however is my love for a certain chapstick. Shakalaka Lip Blaka. Seriously people this is the best chapstick in the world. The name is a little silly I know, but it is soooo good it doesn't matter. I can't seem to find it anywhere in San Antonio, but they sell it at Macy's (the grocery store) in Utah. So I pick it up everytime I go visit my family. I'm telling you if you see it get it. You will not regret it.

Extend the Life of Mascara

A little while back I treated myself to a pricey mascara. I love it! It makes my lashes look ten times thicker, longer, and darker. However I found that it has dried out quicker than I would expect for the money I paid for it. Maybe it has something to do with me accidentally leaving it in the car on very hot San Antonio afternoons. Needless to say I was pretty bummed. I don't splurge very often. So I looked up tricks to extend the life of your mascara. Here is the greatest trick I found. It actually works really well. So if your mascara is running low or drying out DON'T throw it away! Try this first!Fill a mug about half way with water. Microwave on high for about a minute and a half. Make sure your tube of mascara is closed tightly and place in mug. Just make sure that the top is not in the water. Leave in for about one to two minutes. Then open and apply. You may have to repeat the process for both eyes. Don't pump your mascara as it dries it out faster. Make-up artists recommend changing your mascara every 3 months. So maybe this will extend it an extra month.