Great art project that turned into a reinforcement of dignity and self-esteem for women everywhere.
Thank you Ms. Rossetti!!
This is what I call feminism.
It's how I visualize a woman optimizing her thought process for her own well being and a pleasurable/enjoyable life(style).
I read somewhere that we typically are drawn to people who exhibit personality traits that we most admire in ourselves, or that we wish (subconsciously or consciously) to more strongly exhibit.
So I started wondering, what kind of traits do I admire in some of my favorite people in my life or in my world?
It's so easy to frown and wince when I encounter people who are insensitive culturally, racially, and personally, that it's almost hard to think about those characteristics that are positives, rather than negatives. It's a little sad... but here's a short list I came up with:
curated honesty
self awareness
child-like curiosity
playfulness
dark sense of humor/sarcasm
quick wit
thoughtfulness
attention to detail
sassiness
awe of nature
enjoys games (table or computer)
is a creative force rather than a destructive force
seeks inspiration in small or large things/events
is used to thinking outside the box
feels a connection to art (in any of its many forms/reincarnations)
I am again struggling with my neck and shoulder pain, so I've had to review my purses and work bag use.
I love slouchy hand-held purses this season, but alas, my neck health comes first, so I've had to switch to crossbody, small bags all over again.
I found a lovely crossbody to add to my collection at Carson Pirie Scott, on a workday lunch hour. It's very elegant and simple, and incredibly lightweight. All pluses.
Prettty Fly by Offspring has a really great section about clueless guys getting tattoos:
Now he's getting a tattoo, yeah
He's gettin' ink done
He asked for a "13" but they drew a "31"
Friends say he's trying too hard
And he's not quite hip
But in his own mind
He's the, he's the dopest trip
I particularly liked the mini sadist thrill of hearing about a guy wanting a 13 to be all cool and goth-like and instead, getting a 31. You didn't know if he was too young or too clueless, but it spoke about his own fail at being cool and at the typical stereotype of tattoo artists fail--imagine the horror of realizing your art has been transposed a la dyslexia this way!
And this pretty much sums up how I used to (and still do) think about young guys getting ink done. I always felt ink, or tattoos, were for older folks, especially war veterans (30s and above). A little pain of a needle bearing ink was nothing compared to the emotional hardship of putting up with the devastation of a war.
I also knew that full sleeve tattoos and more extensive works sometimes encompassing the entire body, were for folks who needed to belong to socially tough groups, who needed to turn off outsiders and who wanted to express their individuality in a rather forceful or obvious way. Either that or masochists hehe.
The X-Files episode featuring Scully's (Jillian Anderson) own poisonous tattoo and wild joy ride with new, pshycologically-off boyfriend in tow, helped reinforce what I thought was a stereotypical and incorrect view of tattoos. However, I began realizing that there were now some awesome tattoo designs possible, and not just the mother, rose, anchor, skull and crossbones, or grave images one might assume predominate.
But it reinforced the negative outlook on tattoos, tattoo artists, and people who get tattoos. Now tattoos are psychogenic and even guilty of mind control! Really?
It wasn't soon after that I started seeing advertisements for tattoo parlor and artists reality shows popping up. And I saw a different side--the personal side. Still a tough side, but another perspective. A peek into the artists' and customers' lives. The richness of creativity, the hard work and patience, the amazing personalities, the amazing sense of style. There were some gorgeous designs that were in complete contrast with the ugly, green-black somber stuff of old times of yore.
My grandfather had a tattoo. His said mother, had a rose, and I think I remember a grave. I'm not sure whether he had a portion done before shipping off with the military--when his other mates were also getting their tats done in honor of shipping off--and later had the grave added.
My grandfather used to tell me that tattoos were not for everyone and not a good idea altogether. As he used to say that, I was prodding him to play tattoo parlor with me. So he used to look at his tattoo wistfully--which always perplexed me. He used to play tattoo parlor with me anyway, because he always was happy to spend time with his wacky grandaughter. He would use a rounded biro (pen) top and make great, accompanying sound effects, to act like he was tattooing me on the outside of the arm. I loved it and used to get goose pimples! It used to be one of my favorite pretend things to do with "daddy"--as we all (my grandmama, my mom, and my dad) called him.
So now I'm researching tattoos. The science of, the practice of, the people who do it, the people who design them, etc. I've always wondered what design I'd like if I should ever get one--and I'm glad to say I've sort of finalized my ideal tattoo.
I began playing around with removable tattoos since the early or mid 1990s. I used to get Tiny Toon and Loony Tunes ones at the beginning, then expanded to flowers with thorns and tribal bracelet styles.
I admired Pam Anderson's wire armlet tattoo--if showing a little confusionat the juxtaposition of her public persona and her decision to express something via a wire design--but mostly, I wondered why she wanted to focus on pain...after all, having wire wrap around your arm is a painful concept. That's when I realized she probably was a lot more complicated and interesting than she seemed.
The more I wondered about tattoos over the years, the more sense tattoo artists and customers made to me. However, I still didn't feel this was something for me. But I began to appreciate how tattoos helped people match their outsides to their insides a little bit more--for those among us who always see a disconnect between inside and outside.
Tattoos speak of something inside that needs to come out--fear, need for control, appreciation for a style or image, obsession, need to belong, need to stick out, etc. It's a side of the personality and aspirations that needs expressing. Of course, no one is a stationary being, so capturing a sense of your deep thoughts and/or self in something as permanent as a tattoo is a tricky thing, because you're trying to catch a moving target! Buyers regret kicks in, followed by expensive and painful laser tattoo removal treatments.
Well, now I've been finalizing my own idea of what a cool tattoo for me would be. I first thought I should be inspired by Alice from Resident Evil, so a biohazard logo would be cool. But it's a bit antisocial isn't it? Then the gradient would have to be between a blood-curdling red and a bright red to make it pop.
I've finally settled on partly sunny image that I developed, put together, and then personalized using MS Office clipart. I used to like the motto: try for sunshine inside and out, but life is a little more complex than that Polyanna outlook. I like the multiple connotations of a partly sunny image...is it partly sunny or partly cloudy? Is the glass half full or half empty? It's up to the eye of the beholder and what informs his or her outlook, isn't it?
So, in addition to tweaking my (un)happy little partly sunny/cloudy design, I've also begun researching different tattoo parlors, the FDA website (and here), and Illinois Department of Health website. As well as checking out as many resources about the process, what to look for in the tattoo parlor hygiene standards, and the aftercare. There's an amazing wealth of resources and information out there, and it pays off to research this even if just for general knowledge. I seem to like the best seeing examples of non-traditional art, but not in sleeve or full-body designs because I find those a bit confusing with so much going on.
One thing's for sure. People like talking about tattoos, be it for or against the practice. Talking about tattoos brings out all sorts of cool conversation time from your friends, family, and coworkers. It's a surefire way to open up a conversation about a meaningful chapter in someone's life, or just get their amazing perspective on the topic. Try it sometime!
Do you have a tattoo or have wondered about getting one?
...Or as another a favorite song (this one by Nancy Sinatra tho, not Ricky Martin)...Bang, my baby shot me down.
Yesterday I treated myself to a second day of girly girlyness and got a special botanical hair and scalp treatment at Asha Spa. Asha is an Aveda certified salon and spa which also retails products. Immediately across the street from my office, my little jaunts there and back are a breeze, especially on the way home in the evening.
The botanical treatment I selected helps realign the scalp and hair after harsh winters, harsh indoor or outdoor climate, and other stressors. In my particular case, I have been testing out a few different shampoos and conditioners, and further, my hair color and highlights are growing out a bit. The warm oil massage, warm towels, and multiple shampoos that are part of the treatment left me relaxed and my hair rejuvenated. I still have some great shine and bounce even after shampooing my hair at home (with my new be curly shampoo and conditioner by the way!).
I asked the stylist to also cut some bangs in, because I had a long drape of hair that my usual hair dresser left after my recent haircut and which incidentally, was bugging me tremendously. The new side-swept bangs are versatile and help frame the face. *thumbsup*
I am glad I get little girly getaway treats like this every now and again, so that I can chillax and gear up for the next round of fate-induced massacres ;) J/K I guess I need something girly to counterbalance all my Top Gear fanaticism eh? ^_^
Speaking of girly treats, I can hardly wait for my next massage appointment! :D
I developed a small MAC Cosmetics obsession during the middle to late half of 2007. Here's a rundown of the tools and colors I've acquired since I started this collection:
Select SPF 15 Foundation (liquid) in NW15
Select Sheer pressed powder in NW15
Blotting powder in medium
Powder blush in melba (Thank you to Tony @ Oakbrook MAC!!)
Plush lash mascara in brownette
Eye pencil coffee
Eye kohl phone number
Brushes: 129, 163, 217, 219, 263, 266
Paint pots: greenstroke, groundwork, rubenesque, bare study, fresco rose
Fluidline: dipdown and ultraviolet
Eyeshadows: graphology, folie, shale, green smoke, all that glitters, arena, rice paper
I am so excited! Today I stepped into my local ULTA and found out *drum roll* that it now carries DevaCurl and other curly hair products... wohoo!!! I had to buy me some goodies, of course, as I couldn't let my discount coupon go by unused.
I've decided that I better have an excuse for all those dollars gone to waste on many a beauty and hygiene purchase that turned out to be less exciting or productive, than originally anticipated. So therefore I've decided to publish mini reviews of products that I've purchased in an attempt at providing information that may prove useful to shoppers out there.
Disclaimer: I am in no way, shape, or form related or being supported financially or in any other way sponsored by these companies. These are independent reviews based on my very own costly mistakes.
Without further delay, here it is:
Hair Care and Styling -- in search of: non sulfate, non silicone, curly hair, moisturizing (but not too much!) Redken Extreme shampoo and conditioner/anti-snap -- I actually found this to have enough silicones and sulfates that it affected my hair negatively, and my hair is porous/colored/wavy/semi-curly. Though I must admit, it served as a quick fix to heal some over-colored hair in the middle of winter, quite well. It also helped shininess during blow-dries. I really enjoyed using the anti snap on my ends just before blowdrying or to air dry, as it helped with shine and manageability, though I'm sure this is just the silicone, short-term effect because after a day the hair was limp and dull.
Redken Smooth Down shampoo and conditioner -- I bought this as an emergency when I ran out of the above and faced a head full of frizzies due to a humid summer kick-off in late Spring. This did not help my hair any, and I found the shampoo very drying, leaving my hair like straw before I drenched it in the conditioner. Will not be buying this again.
Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow-dry Lotion -- this was really, really great for shiney and sleek blowdries, but added some greasiness to my hair by the next morning
Bumble & Bumble Color Support Cool Brunettes shampoo and conditioner -- this is bad bad bad for my hair. It dried up my hair until I could almost hear it scream. I only use this now every now and again if I feel my natural red becomes a tad too brassy. The shampoo dried my hair to the consistency of a corn broom's bristles and the conditioner didn't do much to help. I am waiting for this to finally run out so I can sigh in relief. I was absolutely shocked considering how much this cost me!
Ouidad Water Works shampoo -- I read that this shampoo is not only 1) gentle for wavy/curly hair, but also 2) helps with hard or mineral water problems. Well since I fall in both these camps, and I was a fan and was dying to try these products, I went for it. The line in its entirety is a godsend. The shampoo left my hair clean, but not dry, and my curls came back almost instantaneously after the first shampoo. My only gripe is that it has sulfates of some kind. Let me tell you, I've not yet been sorry I paid so much money to get these products--since she only sells them off her website and shipping is steep! It's better to stock up after receiving one of their email discount promos.
Ouidad Deep Treatment Intense Conditioner -- This is the best conditioner ever, and it's worth every penny. It's rich enough to support even the driest, most colored and heat treated hair, while leaving it like new--it returned my hair to its defined wave glory! If only I'd found this earlier! You can use this as a conditioning treatment for about 20 mins or in the shower for about 5 mins.
Ouidad Climate Control gel -- This is a great gel, but a little goes a long way. It helps define the curl if you use it like they recommend it on the website and literature. Not crunchy or slick/greasy in any way.
Ouidad Summer Shield spray -- I found this to dry out a little like hair spray so instead of spraying it liberally and creating tangles, I spray it on my hand and run it where I want to exert some control.
Ouidad Botanical Boos Spray-in conditioner -- This is awesome for those days my hair's acting greasy so I skip the conditioner in the shower. I spray this liberally on my ends and work the product through scrunching all the way in and up--or spray on my hand and apply to flyaway fizzies to control them. Very cool product, and my first-ever spray conditioner that's been light enough for me to use.
Ouidad Playcurl Volumizing Mousse -- Very good mousse that doesn't overly weigh hair down. I use it on days when it's especially humid or my hair requires additional control. Does dry to a mild crunchy consistency, that is corrected with minor scrunching post-dry. Integrates itself well into the hair to manage the wave and body/bounce. This helps me air dry without worrying about bride of frankenstein after-effects.
MOP pomade -- this is organic and water based, what else can you ask from a pomade? It helps control any hairstyle, but is especially useful for shorter ones. Very excellent standby to control fizzies and halo flyaways.
Ion Purifying Solutions Hard Water Shampoo I bought this as a purported replacement for when I run out of Ouidad water works, and it's been doing an ok job so far, but I'm noticing the effect of the higher sulfate content on my strands, not leaving them quite as healthy or moisturized as I'd like. All around I think this is a good clarifying treatment, and coupled with a good moisturizing conditioner should be ok.
Generic Value Products Tea Tree Oil Shampoo (compare to: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo) -- This is my favorite claryfing and scalp reconditioning shampoo. I'll use it once a month or whenever I notice that the hair is dulling up a bit (usually around the time the seasons change or in winter). I've been using this in alternation with the Ion shampo above, about once a month.
Facial Care -- in search of: SPF, non greasy, non comedogenic, sensitive Oil of Olay Sensitive Moisture Therapy Lotion -- This was way too greasy for me so I handed it off to my significant other, who loves it.
Sonya Dakar Hydrasoft Lotion Scarring and/or Acne -- Althought this is very expensive line of products, and purportedly natural and expires easily with temperature variances or length of time from opening, I didn't find one thing to like about this line. Including the too greasy moisturizer.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 (with Parsol 1789) -- This clogged my skin in the worst way, too rich for oily or combination skin with cell turnover issues (like mine!).
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion -- This is a great exchangeable lotion of medium weight for wintertime and/or hands and body moisturizing. For facial moisturizing I apply a mini pea size to unblotted, freshly toned-skin.
Simple Solutions Pure Copper Morning Dew -- This is for ageing skin with special collagen and tightening needs, and was not compatible with my winter moisturizing needs--got sold into buying this by a new facialist that I never ended up going to anyway. Lesson: trust your gut feelings.
Bioelements Beyond Hydration -- Pricey but worth it, this product line is truly what a cosmosceutical should be. Excelent gel like consistency works wonders for oily skin, and can be layered for more moisture or used as a moisture mask.
Bioelements Decongestant Cleanser -- Very excellent facial wash, though it has some detergents of the sulfate nature in order to create a little foam. Helps rinse off cosmetics, facial oil and superficial flakes and dead skin cells. Non harsh or corrosive in any way. Doesn't make eyes sting, depending on eye makeup.
Cetaphil Daily Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin -- This is an excellent, mild, and non comedogenic cleanser that I also use as a hand wash and for washing some of my delicates and cosmetic brushes. Can be used in conjunction with baking soda, or sugar, or salt as a scrub. Just make sure you emulsify it with soem water in your hands before you apply it to your face and then use circular motions to dissolve facial oils and cosmetics. Splash lots of clean cool water to make sure it's completely gone--I even do circular motions as I rinse to assure all materials are completely rinsed off. Safe for the eyes, and non harsh or abrasive in any way.
Bioelements Kerafole -- My one and only for getting rid of dead skin cells and stimulate my otherwise sluggish cell renewal process. This stings as it's a fruit acid combination that really gets in there. Very beneficial to reveal dewy and fresh new skin under the piles of stuff that's not getting off otherwise. Excellent for adult acne caused by slow cell turnover that clogs the top surface area of the skin, preventing other good stuff from reaching deep down. Worth every expensive and shiney penny.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Hibiscus Toner -- The only toner my skin's been able to tolerate. Very mild and lemony, leaves skin supple not tight or irritated.
I hope these reviews prove useful to you in your search for the perfect standbys in your bathroom cabinet!
All the luck in your search and congrats for your successful finds! - J
Lately as I peruse an eternal selection of beauty and cosmetics application videos on youtube... I started wondering whether anyone still has positive feelings about their makeup and beauty regimen tools, or whether they've sadly come to accept them as part of a painful and strict regime they must go through. Or at least, they've talked themselves into accepting (!).
I always apreciated the retro and olde-time gay feeling that some traditional beauty implements bring me. Sometimes the journey is just as good as the destination?
I'm personally a huge fan of natural bristle hair brushes. Although the way my hair looks most days, you'd wonder how that could be LOL. Well because my hair is wavy and part curly I really don't get to brush it much unless I'm working to create a straight and shiney style. I always favor huge gap-toothed hair combs for before the shower and during the shower, and large tooth hair combs when the hair is wet and I need to start styling it, or even as I do a cursory dry through with the blowdryer to take some of the soggyness out.
I still am of the opinion that brushes are your best tools, along with your ingenuity and your creativity. Hot irons and other hurtful implements are mostly created for time crunched stylists at fashion shows, where hot and quick are musts. Are all our lives really that frantic that we can't stop to take care of our hair health for the long term? I guess many products will come to market soon enough, for those people who don't mind controlling the dry, crackly, and split hairs caused by all that high-tension and high-heat processing. Just get a good thermal ionic hair dryer with a nozzle and a diffuser. It'll last you ages and will be gentler and faster for rushed styling sessions. This is my hair dryer, Conair Infinity Professional, that I bought for $40 +tax when it was on sale at my favorite CVS pharmacy. Slick!
ROUND BRUSH
I use this brush to blow-dry straighten my wavy/semi-curly hair. I actually bought it at my old Mario Tricoci hair salon in Oakbrook, IL per the recommendation of excellent person, and hairdresser Michael. I've had this brush for years now and is my trusty hair buddy. I got it for $28 + tax but I've seen it cheaper on the Internet. Professional round,dense boar bristle, with wood handle.
FLAT BRUSH Another good brush is this black one, which helps clean up hair from hair styling and other particles. It also gives a pleasant scalp massage sensation that I find very relaxing. It's great when I want to loosen the wave and create body. The shiney black body fits comfortably in my hand without slipping (unless I forget to dry my hands first!) and has both a hard white core and the black boar bristles around it. The red, padded back creates comfort and mobility of the bristles to accompany the contour of your hair and scalp as you're brushing.
I lost the small one I had so I bought the large one at Ulta last month. I used to have a French one my mom gave me just like this, when I was growing up. The cost for these brushes at Ulta are $16.99 for the purse size and $24.95 for the large size/regular size brush.
PRODUCTS
And of course, it's important to use the right products when you're heat-treating or brushing your hair. Don't use something tacky (sticky) or that hardens your hair (some root lifters, for example, or too much hair spray on the roots if you're trying to create lift) or else you're just asking for torn, uneven strands that cause unruly fizz, and damage. I would suggest a light spray-in conditioner and a gentle touch. My favorite spray-on conditioner right now is the black vanilla one created by Carol's Daugther, and I adopted this as I just finished my Ouidad botanical boost.
For blow-drying straight, then additional product can be layered on a little bit at a time. One good product I've found works great to soften and help strengthen while straightening hair (what a mouthful, try saying that three times fast!) is Carol's Daugther hair milk, or Ouidad climate control gel.
SILICONE
Another tip is that I always look for products with no silicone because my hair acts very moody and unruly whenever I do--I blame it on the porosity of the slightly-hair-colored and wavy characteristics within my hair. Even if silicone or some derivate passes by unoticed when I read the label (which I always do!) my hair always lets me know it was there.
Hope this rant proves useful to you! Thank you for reading! :o)
Of all the fascinating things to happen, Nintendo Japan released a "game" called Dream Skincare that aims to attract female users of the game console. I'm just now hearing of this even though the game was released last October, because our Western media is as quick on the draw as always...not .
Dream Skincare tracks the hours you sleep and other statistics as you input, with the purpose of providing personalized beauty and health advice.
There are no plans to distribute it outside the Japanese market, but I think that a lot of people are as intrigued as I am, and I am sure a market does exist. Nintendo, if you're listening: please throw a few our way in the US! Wii would love them ;o)
Shampoo & Conditioner: Aubrey Organics and Bumble and Bumble (no chemical crap to toxify me nor my hair)
Deep Conditioner: Hair massage with Carol's daugther hair oil - nice! new and nice for me.
Styling products: Ion heat activated volumizer, Phyto phydefrisant, Jason hairspray (seem to work in combo)
Body Wash: Alba Organics French Lavender Shower Gel (can never stop using this, please do not discontinue, ever!)
Body Scrub: salt and body wash (easy, breezy especially for bikini area)
Body Lotion: Maja body lotion or Jergens Natural Glow Firming (two faves)
Leg Health Cream: Carol's daugther peppermint foot lotion (nice and refreshing in the am or in the evening after a long day)
Face cleanser: Cetaphil oily skin and Proactiv (so far working well since using for 1 mth)
Face moisturizer: Cetaphil with a few drops of tea tree oil (but it's too greasy, still looking)
Face Mask: Sonya Dakar Enzyme Peeling Cream or European Clay (must haves)
Hand cream: Aveda Hand Relief (lovely gingery lemony smell)
Cuticle care: Burt's Bees lemon cuticle creme (seems to work, and fun in an old fashioned way)
Lip balm: Burt's Bees lip balm (the honey balm was too tough on my lips from the tube, I remember rosebud balm salve to have worked well but had petrolatum)
Foundation: Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals and Loose Minerals in bisque, plus the compact powder for touchups during the day (help calm down redness and reactive skin)
Blush: None, I react to almost all of them with a fine rash of breakouts
Concealer: Jane Iredale Circle Delete and highlighter pencil (bye bye circles)
Eye shadow and eyeliner: idBare Minerals Eye shadows and liner shadows (can't be topped)
Brushes: id Bare Minerals kabuki, id Bare Minerals tapered blush brush (for highlighter) Jane Iredale crease, Jane Iredale angled brush (for eyeliner), unknown brand angled eye brush, Jane Iredale shadow brush (this last one replaces my l'oreal makeup artiste shadow brush which is in my travel kit now-so far so good)
Note: Chanel - had to stop using eyeshadows, eyeliners, and powder foundation because it not only is overpriced and thickly milled, but also expensive (oops did I say that again?), and more importantly had too many chemicals that caused stinging in my eye and face area even with minor use... daylight robbery!
Origins - had to stop using face washes and scrubs because I broke out in a fine rash of pimples and got a rosacea-like flush. Adieu mon cher Origins! :o(
Enjoy! Perhaps you will find something new to give a try from this list, and perhaps it will work as well for your as it does for me. If nothing else, I hope my lessons learned serve you. :o) -J
To everyone (who deserves a healthy and prosperous lifetime, if not more!): please have a heart and care about what you do to your body and to yourself. What you ingest, what touches your skin, what you breathe in... and ladies, please pay attention to the chemicals your beauty essentials may be poisoning you with, each soft brushstroke at a time (www.skindeep.org, http://www.safecosmetics.org/companies/signers.cfm)
Have a heart and give a damn, because good enough really isn't! And yes, you're worth it (the extra effort)!
I once again read an interesting article on the Seventh Generation e-Newsletter about chemical and toxic substances in hygiene and beauty products. Yes folks, they're still trying to be cheap and not help out their customers. Can't they believe that long-living customers = customers for life? $$$
Read up to find out if your favorite hygiene and beauty brands are up to par with keeping their customers healthy. This includes guys too, remember shaving cream and aftershave? How about shampoo and body wash?
This is the second report, but on cosmetics this time. Here are my very personal Beauty Faves that I've been able to secure through extensive personal trial and error (anguish and personal loss of expendable funds). The personal care items listed earlier can be for ladies or gentlement, but cosmetics... this is girls only territory!
Jane Iredale Pressed Powder Foundation (the first foundation or powder that is actually good for irritated skin) Blush (extremely gentle and noncomedogenic, and so many colors!) Circle Delete (I had no idea my dark circles could be deleted, this is great!) Petal eyelid primer (beautiful, shimmery and light)
idBare Minerals Eye shadows (the way they feel as they go on is unparalelled) Eye glimmers (fun accents) Eye glimpses (powdery watercolors for your eyelids) Liner shadow (the only way I can get eyeliner to stay all day) Liner brush (I've tried the slanted ones, this one is a keeper) Foundation brush (so versatile and portable) Blush brush (for just a sheer wash or layering)
Aveda(the best company for lip products, because they are fantastic for sensitive stomachs and gastric systems like mine) Lip tint Lip liner Lip gloss Lipstick
Chanel (the ultimate in conventional but high-end cosmetics) Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer in Violet Smoke
L'Oreal Paris USA Makeup Artiste All purpose Shadow brush (this is my favorite for an even, first wash of color on the eyelid) Voluminous Mascara (does not disrupt my contact lense wear)
Maybelline Full 'n Soft mascara (does not disrupt my contact lense wear)
Enjoy! Perhaps you will find something new to give a try from this list, and perhaps it will work as well for your as it does for me.
Here is a list of some of the best personal care products I've been able to find through trial and error. Perhaps you will also find a new life-saver or fave within this list:
Shampoo: Aubrey Organics Green Tea Shampoo or Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Shampoo
For those of us stuck in the beauty and fashion trappings of Spring, here are some excellent research materials... er... resources for reading up on what's hot, and what's not:
She She Me- A very cute website arranged as if we're reading diary pages of these fabulous young ladies. All about the hottest trends, fashions, and beauty secrets to be our best this Spring.
Style Bakery - I first learned of this website by reading all about it on Tyra Banks Show's website. This has great ideas and links to online stores, where we can locate those little pieces that can pull an outfit (or a room even) together.
Glam.com - A unique website which has a little bit of everything in a magazine format. Tests, stars, trends, fashion finds... it's all here in a fun read.
Lifestyle.msn.com - MSN's Lifestyle section has a wonderful page on hair, fashion, and beauty. Excellent and useful articles on new cosmetics and beauty trends, as well as style and fashion. The article headings at least, are a must read every month, to stay updated.
And last but certainly not least...
Sephora.com Tips & Trends - An excellent resource for not only the latest beauty essentials, but also for excellent tricks and tips from the tip of your head to the tip of your toes.
Great art project that turned into a reinforcement of dignity and self-esteem for women everywhere.
fashion shows, where hot and quick are musts. Are all our lives really that frantic that we can't stop to take care of our hair health for the long term? I guess many products will come to market soon enough, for those people who don't mind controlling the dry, crackly, and split hairs caused by all that high-tension and high-heat processing. Just get a good thermal ionic hair dryer with a nozzle and a diffuser. It'll last you ages and will be gentler and faster for rushed styling sessions. This is my hair dryer, Conair Infinity Professional, that I bought for $40 +tax when it was on sale at my favorite CVS pharmacy. Slick!
Michael. I've had this brush for years now and is my trusty hair buddy. I got it for $28 + tax but I've seen it cheaper on the Internet. Professional round,dense boar bristle, with wood handle.
without slipping (unless I forget to dry my hands first!) and has both a hard white core and the black boar bristles around it. The red, padded back creates comfort and mobility of the bristles to accompany the contour of your hair and scalp as you're brushing. 
