Turban headscarf

I looked all summer for the right scarf to do this with.  Well, let me amend that statement:  Whenever I was in a clothing store, I looked for one.  I have not had time to do much shopping this summer.  I have been in housewife mode, and trying to squeeze in all time possible with Aaron before he leaves for seven months.

I still believe that cheap, fun accessories are the best update for any wardrobe.  I definitely have fun with hair stuff.

I will post a picture when I'm less disgusting from packing up our apartment.

Here is my inspiration from a great blog:

How to Tie a Headscarf, Turban Style

Score

I highly recommend Stay, Don't Stray!  When I saw that this $10 deluxe sample kit included two other stellar products, I decided I had to have it.

Get this, as I'm sure it will sell out soon!

Stay Put Collection, $10 at Sephora Online Only

The Most Perfect Lip Product I've Encountered

I am as picky with my chapsticks as I am with every other product I use.  My favorite for years has been Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm.  I love the peppermint tingle and the hydration. Before that, for years, I used Huckleberry lip balm from Montana.  So wonderful.

I like to use a balm before bed just to prevent chapped lips. As I live in a very dry climate, this is a problem for me.  I am careful about wearing drying lipsticks or glosses because of this.

About a year ago, I got a .1 oz sample from Sephora with an order.  It has lasted me since.  I put it on most nights...and slather any extra on my finger onto my cuticles.

It is a bestseller in Japan.  I am a sucker for international bestsellers.  That's how I discovered Bio-Oil and Deja vu Fiberwig years ago.

I'm finally running out of this teeny tube. Two options--some small sizes for cheap on ebay, or a pack of three samples from the yu-be website here. 

It's so good and in a long lasting way.  It doesn't feel gooey on, but nourishes for quite some time.  Try it!

Baking Soda

I'm feeling very thrifty these days...and gearing up for Lent, during which I will not be blogging, buying beauty products or reading beauty blogs. I know it sounds silly.  I want to give something difficult up, but physically cannot give up meals as my health/energy is precarious enough with full nutrients.

I am finding all sorts of tips to use stuff we already own...and loving it.

I got this off of the Glamour beauty blog, about uses for baking soda.

Not Just For Your Fridge Anymore

I've only ever thought of that one pound vented box living in the back of my fridge absorbing all those funky food smells, but the team at Arm & Hammer taught me a few tricks that takes baking soda to a new beauty level...
Break out a new box (keep the one that's been hidden behind your milk for two months in there!) and try a few of these D.I.Y. baking soda ideas:

Add 1/2 a cup to your bath water for a soothing soak.

Mix about a quarter size amount into your regular shampoo to banish product build-up

Soak gunk-covered brushes in a basin with a teaspoon of baking soda for a hair tool detox

Chopping onions or garlic? Wash your hands with it to neutralize stinky odors

Sprinkle some in your body wash to make an instant exfoliant

Dump about half/one cup in a pair of socks, tie off with a ponytail holder, and put in your boots/gym shoes for easy odor-eaters

My latest tip

So I've been on an internet beauty reading binge the last couple of weeks.  Sad, I know.  I have no contact with my boyfriend for three weeks.  I am merely four days into the three weeks.  Even though we only get to see each other on weekends with the distance right now, I now see just how much we are in contact throughout each day.  It's all very strange...

Anyways, I'm reading more and cooking more...but mostly playing on the internet more!

I took advantage of the Ulta Amazing Cosmetics Concealer deal, split with my friend Kim.  We both got the Golden Light shade.  I have never been the best applicator of makeup.  I love makeup and skincare, but never seem to want to put the effort into really learning how to apply it correctly.

I have been using Benefit Erase Paste in #1 for almost a year and love its brightening effect.  I have been using my finger to warm it up and then tap it onto my skin and the corners of my eyes.  Well, I decided to search on YouTube for tips on applying both Erase Paste and Amazing Cosmetics concealers.

I read a great tip about using a fluffy eyeshadow crease or shading brush to tap concealer on under the eyes if you're not looking for super thick coverage.  I can't stand having anything cakey or obvious looking in the way of face makeup.  I tried it with the Erase Paste and I think I prefer my finger on that one.  But, it works beautifully with the AC!! The perfect coverage for that area.

I happened to have a very reasonable extra eye shading brush that came in an Eco Tools set.
Eco Tools (came in a 5 brush set that was $10)

The Look for Less

I found the most amazing list of drugstore alternatives to high end makeup colors.  I don't think this applies to foundations and certain high end formulations, but it sure is fun to find similar colors for cheaper.

Check it out:

The Look for Less

Also, FYI, in the beauty blogger/reviewer circles, things are labeled "high end dupes."  If you're ever looking for a cheaper alternative for a specific product, try Googling it with the word "dupe."

Looks I Want to Be Able to Pull Off

I am in love with all of the red and pink lips going on this season.  This look is so difficult for me to pull off.  First, because I don't usually wear dark lips...I'm more of a balm/gloss kind of girl.  Second, I hate anything that looks trying-too-hard.  Third, my lips are so freaking dry that most regular lipsticks flake off me.

However, I want to find some sort of balm or super moisturizing lip color with extra pigments. That, or here are a couple of ideas I have to pull off these lip looks.

• Get a little tube of Aquaphor that everyone raves about, and use it every night before bed to keep the dry lips away.

• Use sugar, a toothbrush or washcloth to regularly exfoliate my lips before applying a darker lip color.

• Use my little-used red or fuscia lipsticks as stains.  Instead of painting on the color, use a finger to smudge the color on the lips.  Blot with a tissue to stain, and apply a little balm on.

On a splurge note, I found out I'm going to the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Camp Pendleton with the boyfriend in November.  I think I can re-use a dress I have and dazzled heels, so might splurge on one of these new Bobbi Brown Rich Color Gloss--a full color lipstick, balm and gloss in one! Check out the hot red in this video...it could be my ball color!

Or a hot hot hot new pink that Whitney Port designed for CARGO, sold at Sephora.

Back in Action

I'm FINALLY feeling a little better...woohoo!  I can deal with my constant fatigue, but not the full body misery that I have dealt with for the past month.

Anyways, in my free time, I've been playing on YouTube still with tutorial videos.  As I've said before, I struggle with staying power of powder eyeliner.  This video was SO exhaustive...covering all types of eyeliner.  It's a bit long, but if you need a refresher course on eyeliner, this is for you!  I learned so much.

Even though I love makeup, I'm not particularly adept at applying it.  I guess I don't like to wear too much at one time.  I prefer more subtle makeup, and really good skincare.  Still, I love a lined eye and really enjoyed this video.

How to Apply Eye Liner

YouTube Tutorials

I cannot believe that I spent about four hours online today...mostly watching YouTube makeup tutorials!!  Then, researching prices and reviews for products.  I'm insane.  My eyes are bleary.  I wanted to see the last set of the Men's US Open final, and so was killing time watching the first four sets that I had already seen.  I know, it makes no sense whatsoever. I'm insane.

It was extremely informative.  However, I started to lust after every product some girl raved about (such as retrying Benefit Benetint, and getting Benefit Glamazon.)  Then, I changed my tactics.  I started searching for products I already owned to find better ways to use them.  JACKPOT!!

Most of you know about my love for Bobbi Brown gel liners.  I have been using it for a year and a half (though not everyday because I'm too lazy for the brush most days!)  I watched a few tutorials and really liked this one. It's short and really helpful!

Let me know if you want recommendations of some good tutorials, if you have time on your hands and want to improve your makeup skills without having to actually leave the comfort of your own home.

Asian Eyes

This post is for my friend Sona.  She is full Korean.  I myself am a quarter Korean, and even then have some distinctive Asian issues (short, straight lashes; oily eyelids and a heart-shaped face.)  So, I feel free to make this a very racist post...melding all Asians into one.  Now I'm completely aware that Lucy Liu is Chinese, but we can take some good tips from her.

The godsend for any Asian girl is a good lengthening mascara that will hold a curl/crimp really well.  I have many times talked about my Holy Grail of Imju Fiberwig, the best selling mascara in Japan for a reason! I have blogged about it here and here.

Now, I am very picky about how I apply my mascara...big surprise, I know.
1.  Only apply eyeliner on the top lid before putting on mascara if it is gel or liquid and has had ample time to dry completely!
2.  Get a really good curler...it makes a huge difference.  I myself prefer the famous Shu Uemura, but I've heard many Asian girls rave about Shiseido's curler.
3.  If you have really stubborn, straight lashes, heat your curler with your blow dryer on low for 5-10 seconds before using it.
4. Getting as close to the base of the lashes as possible, firmly crimp in only one spot.  If you have short, straight lashes, IGNORE EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER HEARD ABOUT CURLING IN THREE DIFFERENT SPOTS.  THIS WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU.
5.  Quickly apply the Fiberwig, wiggling slightly at the base of the lash and using the end of the wand to add fibers onto the ends of the lashes. (I need to do a pictorial of this, but am too lazy right now and am waiting for the US Open to continue after the all day rain delay.)
6.  At this point, if you are using a pencil liner (preferably over an eyelid primer such as Urban Decay Primer Potion.), use a firm/flat brush to wriggle it into the base of the lashes and extend up as high as you want the line to go.
7.  Wait for the amazing mascara to dry and crimp the eyelashes again with the curler.  My short, stubby lashes stand straight up ALL day.  I keep a cheapy Revlon curler in my car to do on my way somewhere.

As for liner, Sona is already incredibly and naturally beautiful (as well as being the mother of three adorably girly girls.)  I have read Lucy rave about a simple neutral eye color and a crisp line of liquid liner.

I would suggest Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin.  I've written about it here.

Secondly, a liquid eyeliner she can EASILY use on her top lashes and--for a more dramatic, glam look--in her lower waterline.  I think it would look stunning.  I haven't gotten over to MAC to try it, but have been reading rave reviews on Makeup Alley about MAC Liquidlast.  Read more here.

Lastly, for more Asian tips, check out this blog:
My Makeup Blog - Lucy Liu
My Makeup Blog - Monolid

Nude Lip Trick

I love the Glamour beauty blog. I hadn't read it in over a month, but just started again today and saw this:

Reader Tip: How to Get the Most Perfect Almost-Nude Lip Shade Ever