Jen—I’m totally building a shrine in your’s and Erno’s honor. I just got my set and IT ROCKS! I’m kinda scared of lip plumpers because I have extremely sensitive skin and I usually have an allergic reaction to them (think lip hives…ewwww), but I had no problem with this one, it just filled my lips in a bit and smoothed them nicely so I just looked fresh, not duck-like. The powder is my new favorite item. I put it on bare skin and it really brightened my complexion without feeling like I was wearing anything. This is going to be perfect for the summer months when I hate wearing foundation, but I need that little extra something. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!   Krista

Hooray Krista!  Very glad to hear how much you are loving your Erno Laszlo Value Set.  Thank you for your feedback and enjoy (no shrine necessary, lol)! 

Mythbuster Beauty is announcing a new giveaway on Wednesday, April 15th!   We had to do something positive to offset the impeding tax deadline date…  This giveaway will be well worth your effort to enter.  So remember tax day = new, amazing giveaway at Mythbuster Beauty!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are seven hair and skincare products that I truly adore…  Big hearts, whistles and hugs!

• Morrocan Oil Hydrating Cream ($28.95 – BeautyChoice.com) - Meredith from http://www.dailydosecoffee.com/raved about Moroccan Oil’s Hair Masque, and although I love everything I have sampled from this line, I particularly became fond of their hydrating cream.  I use it as a leave-in conditioner, the argan oil smells a bit like baby oil, does not leave my hair feeling greasy or weighed down, and my hair looks and feels so wonderful while using it!

HYDRATING STYLING CREAM FOR ALL HAIR TYPES FROM THE MOROCCAN SERIES This leave- in styling cream eliminates frizz, adds definition and brilliant shine, while the pure argan oil conditions and hydrates the hair. An effective and versatile product for all hair types. Usage: apply a small amount of styling cream to damp or dry hair and style as usual.

• Jessicurl’s Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner ($12.75) is just what my thick, dry and curly hair craves.  This conditioner is infused with Lemongrass, Nettle, Burdock, Kelp, Marshmallow Root, Horsetail, Basil, Bay Leaf, Oregano, Rosemary, Peppermint, Sage, and Thyme; Aloe Vera Juice, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Oil.  For finer haired individuals, Jessicurl’s Daily Aloeba Conditioner ($12.75) is a great choice as well.
• Baby Quasar and Baby Blue Photo Light Device - After consistent use this photo-rejuvenation device for six weeks, I noticed that the Baby Quasar significantly helped diminish my skin’s redness and increase my skin’s overall evenness and clarity.   I noticed more firmness and softened lines around my eyes, mouth and forehead.  I also noted that my pigmentation issues have improved and are less noticeable on my cheeks and chin. (more…)

Okay, I know I’m generally the review type gal around here, but there is something I just have to get off my chest and I think it fits well with the direction of this site.  We are looking for something more responsible and aware in what we pamper ourselves with, companies that really believe in what they do and want to bring that passion to others. That’s what we’re all about too, a love of clarity and color and comfort.

I love makeup. I love the freedom it gives me to be whoever I feel like on any given day. I am a painter and my canvas is a face. I create and experiment and blend to express what I imagine in my mind. I love vivid color combinations and subtle effects that accentuate my glow. I wake in the morning and wonder who that tired looking mother is in my mirror, and as I smooth and stipple and brush I enjoy that few minutes of remembering just how important I am and how great my life is. I am a beautiful, smart, strong woman. And no face paint on this earth, or lack thereof, could ever change that.

So I get saddened and even angry when I walk into a store and see a tag line like “Not made up, made BETTER”. Better? Really? (more…)

How about a little show and tell story? This is a story about my hair, and it is a bit of a sob story. Here is my picture at the age of 2 in 1971 with my older sister, Monique, and younger brother, Eddie. Can you guess which one I am?

My sister has always had stunningly gorgeous, very dark brunette hair. She could wear it short, or easily grow it very long. She had just the perfect balance of waves and thickness.

In the early 80’s when the style was “preppy,” she could wear perfect wispy bangs and draw the rest back with a stylish pink and green ribbon headband. On lazy mornings, she could sweep it all up in a ponytail, simple and elegant.

When hair styles went bigger and wavier in the mid 80’s, she got a body wave perm. Monique could then style it any way she pleased: full and wavy, or blow dryer straight with curled ends. Yes, I thought my sister had the perfect hair, and I was always green with envy. (more…)

Well, Christmas is almost here and that means that New Years is quickly approaching. New Years parties are a great excuse to get outside your comfort zone and try something a little daring with your makeup. There is plenty of time to try out a few new looks in your bathroom before the big night arrives, and it can be really fun to sit at your mirror with all your goodies strewn before you.

If you’re looking for a few ideas on what to do for your holiday look, there are plenty of tutorials out there to help you out. Total Beauty has an entire section of videos on skincare, hairstyling, and makeup. They even include looks mimicking some of your favorite celebrities’ face and hair. The “Blogs We Love” tab at the top will lead you to scads of information from their extensive list of beauty blogs, including many of our favorites. I’m a huge fan of Marlena over there at Makeup Geek. She has an amazing tutorial section that has individual color combinations and more general instructions on things like “How to apply false eyelashes” and “How to apply eye makeup”. She’s easy to understand and gives simple instructions and helpful hints. (more…)

There are several lovely shades to choose from for perfect pouts for the holiday season. Reds, Nudes, Plums, Pinks, and Gold can all really accentuate your holiday look.

Red Lips
tarte’s vitamin-infused lipstick in vinyasa (enter before 12.21.08 at this MBB giveaway post to get a chance to win one of these red lipsticks!)
MAC Cult of Cherry lipglass is a new favorite this year, it’s my favorite pure red with a red pearl.
MAC Desire lipstick is a great warmed burgundy wine lustre.
MAC Red She Said lipstick is a pretty blue red cream.
Urban Decay Gash is a stunning blood red.

Nude Lips
Aromaleigh Candy Cane (on sale for $5.32) color crème is a pretty nude pink with iridescent shimmer.
Too Faced Lip of Luxury Lipstick in Centerfold ($18 at Ulta) - Soft Beige with just a hint of pink
MAC Bare is a great light neutral pink with subtle gold shimmer.
Nars Stolen Kisses lip gloss is a sparkling caramel pink color.
Urban Decay Indecent is a pale peach with shimmer.
MAC Sugarrimmed dazzleglass is great alone or layered over another color, as it is a milky pale pink with teal, red and white pearl.

Gold Lips

Benefit 24K Sexy Gold lip gloss is a true gold shimmering lipstick.
MAC Miss Dynamite dazzleglass is a gorgeous sheer orange-y copper with pearl. This looks great alone or layered over another color.
Kat Von D Hustler sheer lip gloss is a sheer yellow gold with iridescent glitter.

Pink Lips
MAC Love Alert dazzleglass is raspberry red with red pearl, and looks lovely alone or layered over another color.
Tarte Apple-a-Day lip gloss is iridescent raspberry rose.

Plum Lips
Too Faced Envy Me is a sheer currant color.
Urban Decay Vinyl is a plum, semi-sheer color.
Kat Von D Stormy ($18 at Sephora) is a plum wine with magenta and gold glitter.

Does this Motrin ad speak to you?  As a woman and as a Mom (of five daughters), I take myself and my responsibilities as such very seriously.   I am insulted, I am angered, and I am pissed off by this Motrin ad campaign.

  (more…)

Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, no matter what your party affiliation, remember to get out to vote today.

Let your voice count! 

My sweet MIL Claralyn Hill fought a valiant fight against her opponent and unfortunately lost.  She did amazingly well in a predominantly Republican district.  We spent the evening down at their Democratic headquarters to support her and her team.  We love you Claralyn!

And in my current district Trisha Beck beat her opponent by a very slim margin, whew!  My DH and I spent a few afternoons walking for Trisha, and realize that through all our efforts we made the difference.  Best wishes and hooray for Democracy!

Since I got into mineral makeup, I’ve discovered it pays to shop around for certain items that you like, to see if other companies carry a similar or the same product at a lower price.

I discovered mineral makeup in April, and found my two favorite brands in May. One of the sites, Aromaleigh, carries more traditional style makeup in addition to mineral makeup. I noticed that they carried a great ‘indelible gel eyeliner‘ product that looked very similar to MAC Cosmetic’s Fluidline. Of course I bought some to try! I loved it, and then I went back to Aromaleigh’s website to learn a bit more about the product.

I noticed that Aromaleigh carried this product by customer request and that it was made by a third party company that supplies it to any company that wants to carry it, in the same colors and same formula.

So I did some digging online, and saw that it is indeed carried on many different sites, for wildly different prices! The prices range from $7.70 to $25.00

Companies I found that carry the Indelible Gel Eyeliners (this is by no means a comprehensive list):
Spa Private Label – $7.70
Mad Minerals – $8.99
JW Cosmetics – $8.99
Headcovers unlimited – $9.99
Catwalk Cosmetics – $12.50
Aromaleigh – $14.75 (these go on sale rather often for $11.06)
Studio Direct – $14.99
Urban Apothecary – $15.00
MAC Cosmetics – $15.00 (added as a price guideline)
Loose Lips NY – $20.00
Indelible Gel – $25.00 (more…)

Last week I received an email and in the subject line it read, “PLEASE HELP ME!”:

Hi Jen,

I really need some help and I was wondering if you could help me out. I have really REALLY thick curly hair. It’s longer than shoulder length (about half way down my chest). I am so sick of looking at my hair this way. I was never taught how to manage my hair properly because my mother has the exact opposite of what I have (so I blame my father for my torture. haha.) I’m so sick of looking at it that I want to cut….I want it all done. I want to do a short hair style but is there one that you would recommend? (pictures would be helpful so I can take it to a salon) Thanks so much for your time. – S

My first reaction is empathy, deep, sincere empathy.

Dear “S” you are not alone,

I just got your message and would love to help you.  Have you spent any time on the naturallycurly.com website?  If not, if you could go to the http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types page and tell me what kind of specific hair type you have.

I am a 3A, and it sounds like you might be a 3C or possibly a 4A.  There are a lot of wonderful techniques and products that I would love you to try.   If you can, visit your library and check out the book, “Curly Girl,” by Lorraine Massey, the curly girls BIBLE! (more…)