Mascara Time!

It's Mascara Time! 

So I know that everyone has been basically sitting around by the computer waiting for my newest blog post, which means you’ve been waiting by your computer for a really long time because I haven’t posted one in so long! Sorry for the delay – I’d love to say that something really important happened in my life or I’ve been sick or I took a three month trip to Europe or something along those lines but…I’ve just been lazy about it! I even have had an idea for what I wanted to write about for a while, so I really had no excuse! So, for Janna Coglizer, here is the blog post about mascara (something I happen to know a little about because I LOVE it!)

I happen to be a firm believer that more is definitely more and way better (whoever came up with the idea that less is more did not have really beautiful eyelashes obvy!) especially when it comes to mascara. I like to use all different kinds of mascara and for the benefit of my blog, I love going to Sephora or Walgreens to try to new kinds of mascara (I blame the blog, but as you've seen in my earlier posts, I have a slight addiction to shopping). When I try a new mascara, I like to rate it on a couple things:

1. The brush - a good brush is vital to making sure that the mascara is applied correctly and doesn't clump up

2. Coverage - I like to have a couple mascaras that have really good coverage and some that don't - I like to start with a mascara that doesn't have very good coverage but separates the lashes well and then just cake it on from there! ha

3. The touch-up ability - I like to see how it will re-apply if you touch up later on in the day

Here are some of the mascaras that I really like and how they stack up:

1. Maybelline Falsies mascara - This one pretty much stacks up in all the areas that I mentioned. It's great to put on before you put on other mascaras or just a couple coats of this will go a long ways. The brush is nice because it's big and has a lot of teeth? (I have no idea what you would call the protrusions from the brush!)

2. MAC Plush Lash mascara - This one is a little pricier than the Maybelline one and you do have to purchase it at a MAC store, but it's also very good in all the areas mentioned above. 

3. Sephora Lash Stretcher mascara - This one is the reason that I began to be obsessive over mascara. It literally changed my life when I first discovered it! (Ok, maybe a little dramatic about that :-) - I can hear Whitney Dennis saying that as she reads this) It has fibers in it that help lengthen your eyelashes and it works great. I wouldn't recommend it for re-applying later, but first thing it works great!

4. Maybelline Full and Soft mascara - I've been using this one for as long as I can remember and it is great in all the areas, I just like some of the others better!
Those are my faces!!

There's also a lot of great lash enhancement stuff out there that you can buy that are like the Latisse prescription but way cheaper and you don't need a prescription for them. I bought one that I saw on Groupon (because I so cannot pass up a deal, which is why I might be single handedly keeping Groupon in business!). I've loved the way that it's worked since I've been using it, I don't necessarily think that it helps make my lashes fuller but has definitely made a difference in the length of my eyelashes. Warning: When they tell you to steer clear of your eye when you use this because it will sting, they are not joking around - I think Ashley Weixelman still has hearing loss because of my screaming in pain.

Another thing you can do is buy the fibers that you put on after mascara. I was run/walking on the treadmill one day and stopped in my tracks (very slowly ran/walked tracks!) and got stopped like I normally do on QVC...I've seriously had to skip over that channel because I can be talked into buying absolutely anything - anyone remember Bump Its...because I saw this amazing stuff they were putting on lashes that made them volumptuous, long, and beautiful! I of course immediately ordered the stuff called Ready to Wear Lash Extensions and they did not disappoint (unlike Bump Its). The key is that you need to put a mascara on first that has a lot of coverage so that the fibers stick to your eyelashes and try not to get it in your eye, which they probably will a little anyway! There's a brand called Dream Lash that you can get at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Walgreens too that I have tried and works pretty much the same way.

So that's pretty much all I have in way of mascara. I would say that I have a teaser for an upcoming blog, but until Ashley Weixelman has tasted every chicken finger in the city of Wichita, I'm not sure she will be up to writing her blog about the best places to find chicken tenders - I will work on her. Until next time, keep the hair big and the make up caked on!

It's an Addiction

It's an Addiction

So I have this problem with shopping and it's called when I see something that I want (no matter how unpractical it is), I just keep thinking about it and thinking about it until I get it. Then, I come up with some rational reason why I just HAD to have the item! And while I know that I promised Janna Coglizer that I would write on some of my favorite mascaras, which I promise that I will soon :-), I had one of those moments this weekend where I was completely perseverating over an item that I had to have. My justification for buying it? I could blog about it of course! Now that I've built up the excitement for the item (which I did on the phone earlier to one of my besties Kim Roback just to see what her reaction would be), I will let you all in on an expensive thing that you can at least get my feedback before you buy it!

Drumroll please.....


The amazing item is........

Sephora by OPI's gel color kit system!!!!


Okay, okay, you're wondering what the price tag to this little beauty is, right?! It's $159.00 buuuuuuuuuuuut let me explain what I thought of it! I'm a HUGE fan of getting Shellac on my nails because it lasts forever (especially on my toes) but don't get it done on my fingers very often because I don't think that it lasts long enough for how much I pay (about $40 including tip). I have always liked the way that it looked and the fact that it didn't chip or anything but the length of time wasn't adding up to what I was shelling out and I work hard for that money! I saw this about two weeks ago when I was browsing in Sephora (as I've said before, my own personal version of Heaven) and was instantly connected and mesmerized. After talking with the store clerk about it for a while, I decided that it was WAY too much money to just buy on impulse - right?!?! Cuz that's totally not me! Ha! I found a reason to go back to Sephora over the weekend - I know, it sounds like I'm a school girl with a crush finding reasons to walk by his house lol - and I talked to the same clerk who had tried it on her fingers and I told her that I was going to think about it (obviously not walking out empty handed - I had to pick up some mascara to try out for the mascara blog!). Then, on Saturday....I had to do it - it's like I was addicted to a drug and the drug was this set at Sephora that I couldn't get out of my mind! So, I came home and tried it and was floored by how great it is! I had a friend that said she could get me the UV nail light dryer at price, but I wanted to go with the whole kit that comes from Sephora, even if it is a little more expensive. I'm really happy that I did that because it comes with a lot of stuff! There are very specific and easy-to-follow step by step directions and I have really short finger nails, so if you have longer nails it would be even easier! The only thing that I saw as a potential problem is that the color does tend to well up at the cuticles (they warned of this, but I should have paid closer attention to it!). I'm finding myself constantly staring down at my nails because they look sooooooooooooooooo good! Even though it's kind of expensive, it will easily pay for itself in only a couple uses. It also comes with everything you need to take it off. I bought a coral color and a gold (the set comes with a color of your choice in the price - totally makes up for the high cost, lol). I can't wait to try the gold on my fingers and try the colors on my toes too! So I'm definitely happy that I found a new fun product and would definitely recommend this if you frequent the nail salon!

Happy Wednesday :-)
Keep the hair big and the makeup heavy!

It's been a while...

So I know that I've been slacking BIG time with posting to my blog and I'm sure that you all have so many pressing and muy importante issues dealing with big hair and makeup that you've needed me to address! Here's the truth my friends....I'm in love....with new products!! I thought I would highlight a couple of my favorite new things that I have found since our last post - who can forget the hygenic stylings of Kacey Provenzano and her guest blog, "Soaps and Scents With a Sassy Sicilian" - that was some good stuff. 


Here it is - my favorite new products that I've been using lately (and I'm saving the best for last)


1. Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion  
First off, I love Aveda stuff because it makes your hair smell so darn good - like so good that you grab a strand in the middle of the day and sniff it - I know it's not just me that does this! And an added bonus is that all of Aveda's products are good for the environment and all natural! Now I'm not saying that I'm the crazy lady about doing everything green but I try to do my part by recycling and what not but I'm definitely down for supporting a product that I happen to really enjoy. This stuff is like a powder that you put in your hair (DEFINITELY do not put too much in or it can make your hair way greasy!) at the roots and then just kind of run your fingers through your hair to make it have great texture and volume. I know that it's hard to believe but right after I blow dry my hair it is dead straight and has no body to it at all (I'm sure that jaws are dropping to the floor right now! haha) but this stuff does the trick instantaneously! Have you ever heard hair dressers ask for you to come with your hair dirty for an up-do? It's because when your hair is dirty it's a lot easier to style and keeps that style for a lot longer. This hair potion does that in an instant!


**I have to throw out a shout-out to my hair dresser Annie Gress at Beehive Salon (SHE'S GREAT!) because she helps me to discover all of this fun stuff! You should check out Aveda Control Force hairspray too - it's pretty great!


2. My absolute favorite new thing that I've been obsessed with recently....drumroll please.....the Sephora Electric Eyelash Curler! This thing is like a miracle in a tube with batteries :-)
All you do is turn it on for about 15 seconds and, after you've put your mascara on, hold it at the base of your lashes for about 10 seconds and then the tips curling your lashes upward the whole time. This is something that I actually introduced to Annie when we went on vacation and she had to have one when we got home! The best part is that it's only $16 and that's a total steal for this thing! I've tried other things like the lengthening mascara and all that other stuff (I do have one that I would recommend but that's another blog) but this is the thing that has worked the absolute best! I mean, how can you go wrong with something from Sephora - my personal version of Heaven.




So on a totally unrelated big hair and makeup topic, I have to let you guys know about the best food that I've eaten lately and my new favorite thing to be keeping a look out for...it's The Flying Stove food truck here in Wichita. It's a couple guys making a small menu (about 4-5 items) and making it really really really good! Their menu changes about every other week and they do a great job making sure that they switch up between east side, west side, and downtown - which I very much appreciate! I first heard about them through a friend and thought I should try it and was blown away! The first thing I tried was the shrimp po boy during Mardi Gras time and hands down it was the best po boy that I've ever had - the shrimp were huge and tasted fresh and all of the toppings tasted like they had literally just been picked from the garden (which there's a good chance that they were). I've gone back a couple times and taken co-workers and friends and all have really enjoyed the food. The food can be a bit on the pricey side (about $9 for a burger), but it's well worth it and you can taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients and I'm always down for supporting a local business, plus the guys on the truck aren't too bad to look at either ;-)


Here's their website and you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to find out their locations as well
theflyingstove.com
http://www.facebook.com/theflyingstove


**Tip: Go early, like right when they open, because there's almost always a huge line (which tells you how amazing the food is!)




I think that's all for now my fellow big hair and makeup lovers, but I have a little teaser to give you about a possible upcoming blog post (we'll see if she can fit it in her busy schedule), Ashley Weixelman, one of my best friends ever, will be posting on her best thing ever - chicken fingers! That's right, it's not a typo, she is a connoisseur of chicken tenders all across the Wichita area and has been keeping tabs on which ones that she enjoys the best just to share with you!

Soaps and Scents with the Sassy Sicilian

On: Bar soaps

Hey bloggers! This is the first of many guest appearances I’ll be making on the ground breaking ‘Big Hair and Caked on Makeup’. So first things first…introductions…I’m Sicilian and extremely sassy and that’s pretty much all you need to know. I enjoy comedy movies, spending time with my family and shopping at Walgreens. Wait, wait WHAT did you say? Yes I said Walgreens. This is where my obsession with face wash, exfoliating masks, body lotion and various chap stick brands was born. These interests were the gateway drug to bar soaps, which is the topic of this episode. So let’s get to talking about these elusive bar soaps.

Well, let me tell you, body wash is out and bar soups are SO IN! (seriously, even Proactive is coming out with a bar) I first started loving scented bar soap after finding some at a local boutique, Aspen Traders. There is where I bought ‘Zum Bar, goat’s milk soap.’ This brand is sold at Aspen’s and also at the Natural Grocers (on North Rock Road). It smells delicious and doesn’t dry out your skin. It’s moisturizing, refreshing and you can sleep soundly at night knowing you’re using an organic, sustainable product!
Eeek!

My suggestions are to start with the following scents: 1 sea salt (pictured here), 2 almond and 3
lavender-rosemary. They are priced from $5 to $7, so kind of pricey but completely worth it. I believe Natural Grocers may have a better deal than Aspen Traders. The website www.indigowild.com also has some fair prices, just search ‘Zum deals’ in the search bar. Don’t stop here! Natural Grocers sells other organic and deliciously smelling bar soaps, so experiment with different brands. I hope this has inspired everyone’s scent-ability hehe, until next time!

Stay smelling sweet my sassy readers.

Ciao!

Spoiler alert, up next: Bath salts