Miracles Do Happen

For all those girls out there with dry, cracked cuticles, I found the cure.
Usually every winter, my cuticles get so dry and so cracked, I wind up cutting them. Yes, I know, that is a big beauty faux pas, but I can't help it. My hands looked like "hobo hands"
I tried countless creams, oils, lotions etc but nothing seemed to have worked. I even tried putting vaseline on them with gloves, but honestly, sitting there for the 15 minutes with vaseline slathered on my hands was gross, and it got really messy!
In my latest drugstore beauty aisle binge I fell upon Sally Hansen Radiant Hands, Nails & Cuticles Cream. It's only $5.99 so it was worth a shot.
First off, it smells so pretty I actually liked putting it on. No overpowering flowery smell. It has Vitamins A, C, & E in it along with Grape seed Oil and Chamomile.
It instantly absorbed into my skin and I noticed a difference in my cuticles immediately.

So gone are my hobo hand days.......Maybe I'll try hand modeling.

I remain yours,
The Certified Cosmetics Whore

Change is Good

For the past two years, I have been a faithful user of Bare Escentuals. In fact, when I first joined the Mineral Makeup club I had bought everything. Concealer, Foundation, Bronzer, etc.
I still love it and would recommend to anyone, however, it's tough for me to tote around a foundation brush and a pot of foundation with me when I'm on the go. I need something quick and totally easy.
I was at the Prescriptives counter about a month back looking for a great nude lipstick. The saleswoman had mentioned they just came out with a new foundation. I love Prescriptives foundation because I really feel any woman of any race can wear this. They make so many colors, you can find your shade.
I told her that convenience was key to me. If I am at work and at the last minute decide I'm going out for Happy Hour, I need something quick. The answer was right in front of me.
Any Wear Multi-Purpose Stick is certainly quick and convenient.
It literally melts into my skin but gives great coverage at the same time. I haven't even told you the best part. You get 2 sticks. Yes, you read that right. 2. "You can keep one at home and one at the office" the sales lady said, which is exactly what I do.
This foundation is so great because you can use it all over your face or just spot coverage.
Recommended for any one on the go who doesn't have time to drag out a brush and a pot of powder.

I remain yours,
The certified Cosmetics Whore

Feeling Blue

Never have I ever lusted after a nail polish color as much as this .
Way back in the fall, I saw Sarah Michele Gellar wearing Navy Blue nail polish to a red carpet event. I was instantly intrigued. It looked so pretty. I had a mission. I was going to find navy blue nail polish by the beginning of spring season.
Naturally, I looked everywhere and could not find it. Electric Blue, Baby Blue, none of these colors were good enough. I wanted Navy.
Finally, the wonderful people at Chanel came out with their new color for Spring. Blue Satin. I ran out to the nearest Chanel counter and bought it (Look at the pic above, how pretty). At $19, it is certainly not cheap and way over my budget for nail polish. I'm used to spending $4.99 at my local beauty shop for Essie. But, this was navy blue. THE navy blue color I have been looking for since the fall. Allure magazine said it was going to be the "IT" nail color of the season.
Unfortunately, Chanel counters are selling out of this color, and quick.
BUT! I have found some other options for you beauty addicts.
Dior makes a navy nail color "Poison Blue"
This is also $19, so be prepared .......................
OPI also makes a navy blue/indigo color called Russian Blue.
Good news girls, this one is only $6. I have not tried it yet, but definitely plan to buy it once I run out of my Chanel.
My recommendation is to RUN, not walk to your nearest beauty supply shop and buy the OPI color because I really think this will sell out once people find out it's only $6.
Has anyone tried the OPI? Reviews?

I remain yours,
The Certified Cosmetics Whore

Getting Philosophical

My sister Tammy bought me a gift this year for Christmas. It was a Philosophy gift pack.
While I am not an avid user of this brand, I was anxious to try everything in the box.
It came with the following:

• The new Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser
• Hope in a Jar moisturizer
• Amazing Grace perfume
• Coconut Body Butter

Obviously first, I used the face cleanser. Nothing. I got out of the shower, and eh. Didn't really feel too much different. Didn't make my skin soft or glowing. But I decided to give it a week, just to see, maybe my skin needed to get used to it.
Next, I moisturized my face. I know this "Hope in a Jar" gets RAVE reviews, but for some reason, my face hates it. My eyes STING after putting this on and I never feel that it absorbs at all.
The perfume is a different story. I wish I could smell like this all the time. I feel very girly when I wear this, it's so light!
The body butter I think was a limited edition, but again, eh. It smelled pretty. I much rather spend the money on the Bliss, Lemon & Sage Body Butter

Just on a note the above: It's been over 3 months, and I'm still using the "Purity Made Simple" face cleanser, and like the dummy I am, I'm still waiting for something to happen. In the end, I say, don't spent $20 on it, spend $6 on Cetaphil face cleanser and it will do the same.

I will certainly not buy the "Hope in a Jar" again, it's probably better to always ask for a sample.

But I recommend you buy the perfume. They carry 3 different scents, Amazing Grace, Pure Grace, and Inner Grace so you can pick which one you like best!

I remain yours,
The Certified Cosmetics Whore

Doctor's Orders

I have a love-hate relationship with showering. I know, I might sound gross, but in all honesty, I wish I could just be clean all the time.
Anything that will cut my shower time down, I'm glad.
I was grocery shopping and I was in the shampoo aisle and stumbled upon Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps.
I've actually read some reviews on this product all positive so on a complete whim, I decided to buy it. After all, there's 18 uses in 1. I bought the Almond Hemp, and while Hemp doesn't smell good, it was the Almond scent that convinced me.
This soap is the bomb. You can actually wash your hair with this stuff. It's 100% organic, no crazy ingredients.
Dr. Bronner, my sensitive skin thanks you for this sweet little product!
Until next time
I remain yours,
The Certified Cosmetics Whore

All Hail, The list

Recently, actually today, my girlfriend Angela read my blog and asked me "Can you please post a list of all the products you use/used and recommend"
Why of course I will Angie! Anything for you, and if I can help you or anyone out there, then I'm a happy little whore, LOL!!!!

So from now until eternity there will be a list to the right of my posts labeled " Cosmetics Whore Recommends". This list may change from time to time, I will probably add more items as I test them, so keep checking back!

The list so far is as follows:

Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum- This stuff actually works. Considering it's the first thing I put on my face after washing and toning, I want something powerful, yet gentle. It has vitamin A & E PLUS Green Tea extract. I feel naked without it.

Clinique 7 Day Scrub- The best thing about this product is exactly what it is titled. You can use this scrub EVERY day! I like that it still feels gentle, but when I step out from the shower, the combination of the steam plus this exfoliater makes my skin glow. It's also great for getting rid of those blackheads.

Vincent Longo Cream Concealer- One of my random purchases at Sephora and I feel so lucky to have found it. The consistency is great for dotting right on one of those Mt. Everest zits! The key is to use a thin eyeliner brush instead of a concealer brush.

Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation- Who knew wearing foundation was actually good for your skin? With this product, it certainly is. You feel like you are wearing NOTHING, and it makes my skin look like glass. The added bonus is the SPF 15.

Bobbi Brown Corrector- As I am getting older, I definitely see darker circles under my eyes. Find the right shade (I use Bisque) and sometimes I don't need concealer. The right shade of pink offsets the blue circles. You need to put this on BEFORE you put on concealer.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner- What would I do if Bobbi Brown discontinued this? I do not know. The eyeliner will not come off until you wash it off. I'm not kidding. I think one drunken NYE, I fell asleep with it on and I woke up the next morning to see that it hadn't smudged ONE BIT!

NARS Lip Gloss in Foul Play- The prettiest nude/pink gloss. To me, it really just adds a touch of color. For me, the problem I've had with gloss is that it rubs off way too easily. My tip? Put lip balm on your lips, then dust lightly with loose power. Put ONE coat of the lip gloss over that. Believe me, it actually stays on

The Balm in Water my melon- This is HOT pink in the tube, but goes on your lips, clear. It smells just like a watermelon and it makes your lips tingle to boot.

Maybelline Unstoppable Eye Liner- PERFECT to put in your makeup bag or your clutch when you are on the go. PLUS, it's totally waterproof so no racoon eyes in the middle of drinking your 4th martini.

Maybelline Ultra Brow Brush-On color- Essential EVERY DAY to look awake. This is perfect because it is powder so it looks totally natural.You need to use an angled eye brush for that perfect look. Do not line the whole brow in one stroke. Use short strokes and try to just fill in where needed. Believe me when I tell you, if you do this, you will look more polished.

Benefit 10 Highlighter and Bronzer- If you hold the brush with the pink side at the apples of the cheeks, and sweep back towards the hairline, it will actually line up the bronzer where you are supposed to put it. Basically it takes the guesswork out of how/where to put on bronzer. The pink is so so so so pretty (Dandelion) and the Bronzer (Dallas) is just a nice offset.

Nars Blush in Orgasm- I think all women can actually use this color. It just looks like I was out at the gym, WITHOUT the sweat and the hair matted to my face. Such a nice flush color!

E.L.F. Tone Correcting Concealer- One of my recent purchases, and guess what?? It's only $1. Yes, you read it correctly. ONE DOLLAR!!! It is a liquid concealer that is great for under your eyes, or around your nose. And it really does correct your tone. Makes it evened out. Hell for $1, why not try it?

Lancome Toner Clarte- I use this every day, twice a day.

Boot's No. 7 Gentle Foaming Face Wash- Fragrance Free, which is different than Unscented. Unscented sometimes still has a funky smell. Since I have highly sensitive skin, this is the best for me and it really makes your face feel clean.

Lancome Bi-Facial Eye Makeup Remover- This has won countless awards and now I know why. In one swipe, it will remove even the toughest waterproof mascara, and believe me, I have tried ALOT.

Dior DiorShow Mascara- This I save for those nights out to dinner with Mooch when I want to sit across and bat my pretty eyes at him. It makes your eyelashes really really thick, and dark. My eyelashes are black, I didn't think they could get any darker until I used this. Make sure you use 2 coats

Smith's Rosebud Salve- All around the best. I use it for my cuticles, lips, even if I have dry patches of skin on my face. Tiny too! You can fit it in your purse. It's like 1000 uses in one tiny pot.

Prescriptives Flight Mist- I keep this bottle in my desk at work. During the day, my face gets extremely dehydrated and this is the perfect solution. I just spritz my face and lightly pat it into my face.

Shiseido Eyelash Curler- Because of the shape of my eyes, it has been very difficult to find the right eyelash curler that doesn't make my lashes stand straight up. At only $15, it is well worth it. You can buy re-fills at any Shiseido counter, 2 for $6. It's important to curl your lashes. You will instantly look awake.



So Angela, It's a good starting point! Don't forget to keep checking the list!

I remain yours,
The Certified Cosmetics Whore

Butterflies....

A lot of my girlfriends know, that I am absolutely OBSESSED with eye makeup. Wait. Not just eye makeup. Mascara to be exact. I have spent well over $300 just testing out every kind of mascara imaginable out there to no avail. Until last Monday. I have found the most amazing mascara, but maybe it's too new for me to rave about it. But in all honesty, the first 3 days I used it, I loathed it. See, I am an asian girl with short stubby stick straight lashes. It's hard for us girls to find a mascara that actually HOLDS a curl. Big dilemma. All you girls with your naturally curly lashes should really count your blessings. Ok, so, back to my problem. For years, I tried curling my lashes, then putting any old mascara on. Problem was, my lashes would droop down after some time, leaving no curl at all. Then I read an interview in my Marie Claire years ago with the very famous makeup artist Mally Roncal. She advised that asian girls should use one coat of "waterproof" mascara, just to hold the curl, then use any old mascara after that. Well, that started a whole new search for me. Actually searching for a waterproof mascara that didn't flake off. Yes, I spent countless money on expensive brands at Sephora, but finally found a wonderful Maybelline brand called Illegal Lengths that held the curl and still managed to make my eyelashes feel soft. That is, until they discontinued it (Please note, I have written about 5 emails to Maybelline to bring it back...........they have yet to respond).
But seriously, back to my first point of this whole post. I have found my new mascara. I walked into Lord and Taylor on 5th avenue looking for face scrub from Clinique. I was going to try and buy their waterproof mascara because I had a $50 gift card, but the lady wouldn't listen. She insisted I buy their new addition: "Lash Power Mascara". I hesitated. "Is it waterproof" I said. "Well, it stays on all day and washes off with soap and warm water" she said
"Hmm, I don't know'
"I promise you, you'll love it"
So, my review, yes, I was finally getting to that. This is honestly, the best mascara I have ever used. I can't believe I used to use 'waterproof'. I used to tear away at my eyelids just trying to get that stuff off. NO Smudges, No spider lashes. This literally makes my eyelashes look like butterflies. A woman I work with actually complimented me. I used to think people in infomercials made that stuff up. She said "Oh wow, your eyelashes, they look so long today, what did you do"?? Naturally, I coyly responded " They're just my eyelashes, you were never really looking close enough to my face" (hee hee)
If you're still sitting reading this post, I will forgive you, but as soon as you finish, haul ass to your nearest Clinique location and buy this stuff, it actually works.
Anyone out there try it yet? Opinions?

I remain yours,
The certified Cosmetics whore!

First Time........

So bear with me. It's my first blog, first time posting, I think my techniques are a bit rusty. I basically wanted to start this blog because as my title states, I really am a cosmetics whore. I'm the girl who watches a Maybelline mascara commercial and will believe that if I buy their new mascara, my eyelashes will look exactly like the girls in the commercial. Or I'm the girl who will go out and spend $60 on a new foundation because Jessica Alba was wearing it in the January issue of Allure, just so my skin will look like hers. I will try to post as honestly as I possibly can. I've seen hundreds of other blogs just like this one, I'm not trying to stand out. I'm just hoping some girl will come across my blog one day and actually read "Don't waste your money on blah blah blah, it doesn't work" and actually not buy that product!
I remain yours,
The certified cosmetics whore!