Tag Archives: mascara

The “Eyes” Have It!

19 Apr

Today, I got the glorious experience (said with sheer cynicism) to visit my eye doctor for my bi-yearly checkup. Because of meds I’m on and health conditions, it’s important for me to go every 6-9 months. I feel bad. You see, my eye doctor is my favorite doctor of them all (and I have quite a few). I’ve known him for over 23 years and he’s seen me through my marriages, babies, radio talk shows, sports, and now my blogging. He makes me smile, and I like to make him laugh. It’s good to have that kind of rapport with your doctor.

When he asked about my blogging today, I was excited to tell him I had my own domain name now. I’m my own “dot com” I boasted. Oh, he thought that was the cat’s meow. He wrote down the website to check it out and everything. I don’t what learning about Springtime accessorizing or the which all-day lip color would be best for him on rainy days, but I’m not one to turn away any of my fans. So, in honor of my favorite eye doctor, I will tell my Fashionistas fans the best way to wear your eye makeup when going to the eye doctor for a full appointment.

Most doctors will tell you not to wear any eye makeup at all, and in all honesty, they are right. But you see there are a few of us who can’t leave the house without our “face” on. So certain things you need to be aware of.


Let’s start with mascara. Waterproof, waterproof, waterproof. Don’t wear anything that is going to make your lashes too thick or will make it difficult to look comfortably in the little eye testie things. Plus after all the air poofing, dying your whites orange then jamming the blue rod into your eye, I guarantee you’ll be tearing. (Excited yet?) So you’ll want them to look great, natural and not smudge or run. Sassy’s Suggestion: Maybelline Volum’ Express One-By-One coats each lash without clumping, running or blotching. It keeps them looking nice and natural–for a long time!

Want some line to define? This is actually the product that can cause the most damage to your look–it gets wet, smudged and runny. Find a good eyeliner that claims to either be 24 hour or waterproof. My recommendation? I would use a liner that you sharpen yourself. There tends to be a bit more wax in them, keeping them on longer, and more resistant to water, drops or tears. Try avoiding lining the waterlines on your eyes too. It won’t last while everyone is poking around there. Make a nice crisp line along your bottom and top lashes, feathering the liner in between the lashes for a slightly bolder color. Sassy’s Suggestion: NYC New York Color Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. It’s soft enough to go on without tugging the delicate area, but stays put while giving you that deep smooth color you want to outline your eyes!

Now, how about just a LITTLE color? Your eye doctor really doesn’t want to see your eye makeup looking like you want to leave his office and tear up the dance floor at Studio 54. Since everyone will have their hands on and in your eyes, you want to put on ONE neutral color so it won’t look a paint swatch mess when they are done, with maybe just a thin line of a darker color in the same family across the top lid and along the bottom lashes. Don’t use any eye shadow primer… the fewer the chemicals near your eyes, the better. And leave the glitter and sparkle for the after 5pm dinners. Plus you don’t want your eye techie digging out flecks the whole time. Sassy’s Suggestion: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion in Caffeine. A nice neutral shade that will still give your eyes a bit of “wow”.

So there you have it…. 20/20 vision with no problems (except your pupils will be the size of dinner plates for a while) and eye makeup that stood up through it all. It will probably be the hardest makeup to keep on under the most extreme conditions so if you can still leave the office looking fabulous, you, my Fashionista friend, have done YOUR job and done it well. Congrats!

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Here Comes The Rain Again…

8 Apr

The weather forecast for the next several days is not good: rain, rain and more rain. The fact is, we need it! The ground is dry and the rivers are low, so a good soaking spring rain is exactly what Mother Nature ordered. It’s not, however, what anyone who is a fashion and makeup fanatic wants to hear. Rain can ruin a fashionista’s look in an instant. That is why you have to have the right things on hand for not just the bright, sunny days but the rainy, yucky ones too.

When I hear that rain is on the way, the first thing I think of is my makeup. Visions of 70’s soap opera stars crying with streams of black eyeliner running down their cheeks flies through my mind. Makeup has come far since then, but not all of it. One damp day can cause your eye glam to smudge and smear, can cause your foundation to blotch up bad, and can make your lips dry and chapped. I think it’s important to chose your makeup based not just on your preferences but also on your skin type, where you live, and what your day will consist of.

For example, with rain on the agenda the next few days, these are a few things that will be MUST WEARS when it comes to my makeup:

Covergirl Lashblast 24 Hour Mascara – Rain or cry, this mascara will stay put ALL DAY without any smudging or flaking.
L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Eye Shadow – A creamy eye shadow that glides on and STAYS on through anything and everything.
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Eyeliner – A bold, smooth line with a soft, oil-free formula that holds its own for hours and hours.
Lancome Color Design Sensational Effects Lipcolor – Long, fade-free colors that keeps lips soft and protected from all elements.

Also, we can’t forget the hair! Humidity and rain will weigh down any style that you could have put in minutes before. Even before you begin styling you will want to use some products to help hold the style, then top it off with a secure spray. When I hear the weather isn’t going to be favorable for man nor beast, I break out the heavy hitters:

Garnier Fructis Curl Shaping Spray Gel (Strong) – Just a few spritzes of this while my hair is damp will hold my style all day!
Samy Fat Hair “0” Calories Amplifying Hair Spray – This hair spray holds better than 100 paperclips on two pieces of paper. STRONG is an understatement!

With my glamour selected, I’ll be ready to face the elements! OH WAIT!…. I can’t forget about fashion! Doesn’t matter, really. My family gave me my favorite rainy day fashion statement for my birthday last year, and I actually smile a bit when I hear that rain is coming. Why?…because I know I will be able to wear my uber-chic, fashion fab rainboots by Coach:


When you have a jazzy pair of rainboots like these, nothing can stop you. Not even the weather. Bring it on, Mother Nature… I’m confident that the beauty and fashion products I will be wearing will keep me look sharp and sassy all day long!!

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Great Makeup Finds In January…

26 Jan

As the month of January comes to a close, some things are obvious to me. First, it was one of the snowiest months that I can remember. In fact, it’s the 6th highest of all time… and we still have a few days left to go with a storm on the horizon! It also has been cold. DAMN cold! And finally, this has been a month where my energy and motivation has been slim to none. Could be a vitamin D deficiency. Could be because my iron level is low. Duh… could also be because of the first two things I listed above!!

Even though I spent most of the month inside where it is warm and cozy, I did manage to venture out into the icy blue yonder where I discovered a few awesome things that I have added to my daily makeup routine. What’s even better? They can easily be found in your local drug or chain store at a very reasonable price. If you search around online, you might find a coupon for them as well. They are:

Maybelline’s Volum’ Express One By One Mascara – Maybelline promotes it as a mascara with “bold volume without any of the bulk.” It’s patented Lash Catcher™ brush “catches, coats and de-clumps each lash to make them all fatter and flirtier.” Sounds like what all mascara fanatics are lusting for, right? But the real question is… does it deliver? In my opinion, it does! I love how the brush keeps the mascara from clumping on my lashes and seems to individually coat each one. I think it could be a bit more plumping, but I usually only use one coat. With two coats, the look was more than stunning. After all day wear not one smudge or flake either. My lashes looked so voluptuous that my husband even noticed. Now THAT’S saying something! I purchased it in the waterproof formula in the shade Very Black. Uber sexy! (Priced around $6.)

L’Oreal Paris’ Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base – Kudos to L’Oreal and Allure Magazine for the fabulous idea of putting makeup samples in the latest issue of the magazine! I have used foundation primers in the past, and have just found them to be just so-so. That is not a good grade especially when the price of some of these high-end items can go as high as $50! Not to mention, many primers and bases have a tendency to clog my pores as well as cause my face to burn because of my sensitive skin. Being able to try the new L’Oreal Perfecting Base before buying it was a huge plus. I immediately noticed that it evened out my skin tone and minimized the appearance of my pores and fine lines. Its texture was very light and silky. And after wearing it all day, my skin had no reactions to it. I put it on right after moisturizing and right before I use my NEW foundation. (Priced around $10.)

L’Oreal Paris’ Magic Smooth™ Soufflé Makeup – Speaking of my new foundation, this little gem was stumbled upon when I tried L’Oreal’s Perfecting Base. Kudos to them for putting these two samples together in Allure Magazine for people to try. Alone, each item is great. Together, they are simply fabulous! My concerns with the foundation were the same as with the Perfecting Base—I worried about breaking out, burning and irritation to my face. I was happy to be able to try it for a day to make sure my skin did not react to it. It didn’t, thank goodness… because I loved how it made my skin look and feel! As light as it was, it took very little of the Soufflé Makeup to get a nice even coverage. It didn’t feel greasy but it wasn’t drying either. It went on smooth, especially over the Perfecting Base. And the coverage lasted all day without streaking or fading. Although the shade selections weren’t very extensive, I did find one that matched my skin tone perfectly. Something to keep in mind, though—the shade I selected looks totally different on my skin than it does in the jar! (Priced around $14)

eos Lemon Drop Lip Balm with SPF 15 – We all know that the checkout counter at the market or drug store is cluttered with things from candy to cookies, makeup to magazines, asprin to ankle socks. If we linger in line longer than a minute, we know for a fact we are going to start picking through the array of goodies around us. (And the store couldn’t be happier about that.) I had been eyeing this out-of-the-ordinary balm near the register for some time now for two main reasons: 1) its odd shape; and 2) its unique flavor. First, it’s not a tube lip balm at all. It is actually in the shape of an egg, and about the size of a ping pong ball. You twist the cap off and inside is the dome-shaped lip moisturizer, enriched with shea butter, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. It goes on smooth, with no tugging or pulling of the lips. Plus its natural lemon flavor is refreshing and not fake at all. It’s sweet, so it doesn’t burn your lips. Although the shape of the product is definitely unusual, I find that this makes it easier to keep track of! Its bright yellow color stands out in my nightstand, makeup drawer or purse, and the shape makes it easy to find just by feeling around for it! Granted, you can’t just “pop” it into your pocket comfortably, but this great organic, non-animal tested product does keep your lips super soft and protected for many, many hours. (Priced around $3.50)

It is nice to have found some great new makeup items to add lift my spirits this month, especially ones that won’t break my wallet! How about you? Have you fell in love with any new products, shades, formulas or colors recently? Found something to lift your spirits during these cold, grey, winter days? If so, I want to hear about them! On my homepage is my new contact link! Just hit me up at *Click Here To Contact Sassy* by clicking on the words! Send me your questions, hot new finds, or opinions on something you’ve tried—from the worlds of fashion, makeup, skin care of glamour! Can’t wait to hear from you!!!

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Sassy’s “Fab Five” Hot Finds in February….

1 Mar

What did I stumbled upon that I am loving big time this past month? Here’s my list of the five items that have made their way into my cosmetic drawer or fashion closet and have become new favorites of mine:
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1. Aveeno’s Ultra Calming Moisturizing Cream Cleanser – I have been a fan of Aveeno products ever since my skin got thrown into turmoil over a year ago and everything I owned made my face itch, burn and turn red. My dermatologist raved about Aveeno products to calm my skin and after trying a few free samples, I was hooked. In the winter, the cold air outside and the dry air inside sucks out any extra moisture that my combination skin might have. This soap-free creamy cleanser not only washes away all of my face’s dirt and makeup but also soothes and moisturizes my dry skin. It comes in a good sized tube and a little goes a long way. Available at most retail stores, approx. $8

2. Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum Roll-On – Can’t get enough couture in your life? Well this is a way to have just enough to make you feel juicy all over! Juicy Couture has this neat little roll-on perfume in its second generation of scents that is the right size to fit into your purse, clutch, backpack or even pocket. With notes of wild berries, honeysuckle, gardenia, and jasmine finished off with a sweet touch of vanilla, caramel and praline, this scent is sure to make you feel fun, flirty and sexy day or night! And at the great try-me price, you can’t go wrong! Available at Sephora, $16

3. Avon’s SuperExtend Mascara – Want your lashes to look uber-long without being clumpy? Then this mascara is for you. It lengthens lashes longer than any other mascara I’ve ever used. It thickens as well, but without the fuzzy tarantula look. It is a waterproof formula and I find it wears all day without a smudge or a flake, yet it still comes off with regular cleanser (although I do use an eye makeup remover anyways, by habit.) The combo brush/comb separates each and every lash perfectly, and the long applicator makes it easy to get to every little lash—inside and out. Plus it comes in all shades, including blue. Available from local Avon reps and avon.com, introductory price of $4

4. Bath and Body Works’ Liplicious Lip Gloss in “Saltwater Taffy” – How can you enjoy the sweet, creamy flavor of a favorite boardwalk treat while moisturizing your lips with a high-shine gloss? Just pick up one of these little babies, especially while they are on sale! I love a flavored gloss and this yummy find just tickles my taste buds. I have always been a fan of B&BW’s Liplicious glosses and own a few already. But their introduction to a few new flavors made me go running back for more. The shade is a sheer lilac and doesn’t do too much alone for color, but is awesome for a natural look. It’s even better over your favorite liners or lipstick for extra shine and flavor. I loved it so much I grabbed one for the purse and one for home! Available at local Bath and Body Works stores or online at bathandbodyworks.com, $7. (Currently on sale, buy two get one free)

5. Any glamour item that is purple – From the deep rich plums of winter to the light bright lilacs of spring, there is nothing hotter in fashion right now than the color purple. From the fairest blondes to the darkest brunettes and everyone in between (including the auburn redheads like myself!) there is a shade to be found for everyone. And when I say glamour, I don’t just mean makeup. Purple is making a strong stand in every fashion area as well, especially shoes, handbags, and jackets. And of course, we can’t forget the always stunning eye and lip colors too. My jazzy finds include Madden Girl’s Woven Platform Sandals in purple, Victoria’s Secret, $49; Mossimo’s Satin Wrap Trench Coat in purple, Target, $40; GUESS Glamour Shine Top Zip handbag in purple, Zappos, $72; and Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Crash” (deep eggplant with silver glitter), Sephora, $17.
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As always, I hope you dare to be different, dynamic and dazzling! Let me know if you have any hot finds this month and until next time… have a mind-blowing March!!

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Pricey vs. Prudent Purchases…

26 May

Dictionary.com’s definition of the word “hype” is the following:

To create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods

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There is nothing bigger than the hype that surrounds a new product on the skin and beauty care frontier. Fancy packaging, supermodels with stunning looks, exorbitant magazines spreads. Money is no object when trying to entice you to spend some of your own on their newest product. But does the drama always deliver? Does the hype match the results?  Eh, not always.

Over the past few years I have invested some hard-earned cash into top-of-the-line items that were supposed to give me glamour girl lashes, luscious lips, supple skin and wrinkle-free eyes. Sometimes what I got was an empty wallet and a tube of goo that got me no place fast. Other times I’ve paid just a few bucks and got runway looks that made people do a double take. So how do you know the glamour fluff from the good stuff?  Trial and error. OR… cool review sites like this. Here are a few things I’ve invested a chunk of change in as well as their drug store dollar counter-parts that gave me great, if not better, results for a fraction of the price:

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INSTEAD OF…

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box ($38). Colors are cool, but really REALLY sparkly. In fact the fall-out from the glitter is so bad, you need a roll of scotch tape to get the majority of the glitz off your cheeks. The shades are glam, but the mess isn’t worth it.

MilaniTRY!

Milani Runways Eyes Fashion Shadows in 10 Haute Couture ($8.99) Milani offers over eight different pallets including blues, browns, pinks and flat-out wow. I find that many drug store colors are weak in pigments, but this brand is bright and easily blendable. The day I bought this collection, the store (CVS) had a Buy One, Get One ½ Price sale, so I actually got two for under $14. With 6 shades per pallet, the options are endless. This specific pallet has both warm and cool tones in bright shades to go with this summer’s fashion must-haves!

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INSTEAD OF…

Exceptionnel de Chanel Intense Volume & Curl Mascara ($30). After getting this mascara as a demo to do a product review, I thought I had found the mascara to end all future mascara hunting escapades. It made my lashes thick, long, lush and had fabu staying power. Then when the review questionnaire came and it said the mascara cost $30, I almost choked. It was good… really good… but not thirty dollars good. Especially when it needs to be replaced once every three months.

LashBlastTRY!

Covergirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara ($8.49). Any junkie of America’s Next Top Model knows that Cycle 10 made you want to buy a tube of this mascara before the last model was left standing. I’ll admit, I was a mascara snob and it took me almost a year to buy my first tube of Lash Blast. The packaging was a little bulky and, well, it was drugstore mascara. My first use of it didn’t thrill me. I found the applicator a little hard to work with. But that’s because I was spoiled with my previous mascara brush. I did notice, however, it made my lashes super long, super thick, and definitely runway worthy. And the waterproof formula stayed put…all…day…long! A little extra eye makeup remover is needed, but totally worthy of the second cotton ball!! Now it’s my hot-weather, gym-workout, rainy-day, got-to-last-me-till-midnight mascara of choice!

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INSTEAD OF…

Any designer-named, high-end, department store lipstick over $15

lipssTRY!

L’Oreal Hip Liquid Lipsticks ($11.99). I’ll be blunt and honest—I am a lipgloss hussy. I will try anything new, and if it rates above a 3 on a scale of 1-10, I’ll keep it and use it. There are times, however, when I like a little more color than an average sheer lipgloss can give me. This leaves me in a, pardon the pun, “sticky” situation since I am not a fan of tubular stick of color. Most fade or come off too easy, tastes like a plastic coffee stirrer, or just leave my lips flat out dry. I love this lipcolor because it goes on like a lipgloss (with a sponge-tipped wand), has bold, long lasting high pigment color, and even has a gentle vanilla cake scent/flavor to it. These little babies are my “can’t leave home without it” lip item, and there is at least one in my purse every single day!

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INSTEAD OF…

Mary Kay’s TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer ($22). Aah, a favorite among the home party shoppers. Mary Kay has been around since 1963 but her formulas change about as often as the Thursday night fall TV lineups. Tempting you with lots of big words like “free radicals”, the bottom line is it is an expensive product that offers what most other age-fighting moisturizers do nowadays. (A little note? Mary Kay has not signed onto the Compact For Safe Cosmetics, an industry committed to disclosing harmful ingredients in skin care and cosmetics. They do not list their ingredients on their website and have also lobbied against legislation requiring disclosure of harmful ingredients in cosmetics.)

olive oilTRY:

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($-pennies). That’s right kiddies. For a supreme “night cream”, hit your local market or Walmart, stop in the cooking oil section and pick up a bottle of this little gem. Some notes about olive oil that everyone should know:

  • Almost all vegetable oils are compatible with all skin types (they are non-comedogenic and do not clog pores, even for oily-proned individuals)

  • Avoid “pure” and “light” olive oils—they have been processed and contain chemicals

  • Olive oil contains natural antioxidants to prevent aging of the skin (although we all know that sun damage causes the most aging, therefore it should be used just at night or as a moisturizer with an SPF under it during the day)

  • Olive oil contains the highest level of polyphenols—aka: “free radical scavengers”—of any natural product on the market

Honestly, if it is safe enough to put on your salad, cook your fish in, and sauté your chicken, don’t you think it is natural and healthy enough for your skin?  I haven’t found anything better.

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INSTEAD OF…

Juice Beauty’s Exfoliating Cleanser ($22). Juice Beauty is a brand that is a favorite amongst natural glamour users. It is free of synthetic dyes and fragrances and isn’t loaded down with parabens and sulfates.  For the most part, it is a good product. It tends to be a little thick and can leave the skin feeling not completely cleansed.

befineTRY:

Befine Exfoliating Cleanser ($15). Befine is a fabulous brand that bases all of their products from natural ingredients sourced from plants or minerals. Using things like rice, cocoa, coconut and citrus, their products follow the philosophy that if it is good for the body, it is good for the skin. The Exfoliating Cleanser uses brown sugar, sweet almond and rice to cleanse the skin gently and thoroughly while exfoliating at the same time. I love their use of brown sugar as an exfoliants. Although it feels slightly “rough” when it first goes on the skin, the sugar begins to dissolve, and soon all of the grit is gone while the melted sugar continues to clean, moisturize and brighten the skin. Brilliant! I use this once a day (in the evening) while using the Befine Gentle Cleanser with mint in the morning. This actually worked out in my favor because a full-size Gentle Cleanser came FREE with the purchase of my Exfoliating Cleanser. So I got two for the price of one. A steal of a deal!

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INSTEAD OF…

L’Oreal Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray ($15). This hot salon item was not available in the US until just recently. For hair stylists, it was a must-have, must-get item. It is a staple at all fashion and runway shows, maybe second only to duct tape. I had read about it for years in glamour magazines, and even started hunting down how to find it because it sounded like it would solve the world’s hair problems. When Target introduced it in their stores, I showed up with my money in hand to grab a gold can of the firm-hold love. The hold was pretty good, I can say that. But the smell?  Oh heavens…the smell was not appealing at all. Okay, I’ll say it:  in my opinion, it was flat out nasty!

TresemmeTRY!

TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray ($5). This new product is getting a lot of air- and print-time on TV and in the fashion magazines. This new line by TRESemme promises to hold in all the bounce and fullness of your hair throughout the day. That’s a big promise for big hair! Having very thick, long, wavy hair I will say I have never found a good hairspray that can hold in my style from the minute I leave the house till I come home without using a product that ends up feeling like I have a sticky, two inch thick hairnet on my head. That is… until now. I love this line. All of the products are salon quality at a fraction of the price. And the Finishing Spray is my favorite. The spray goes on light, is not sticky, has a GREAT hold and even smells good!

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If any of my loyal readers and followers happen to have a favorite product that isn’t just cheap but good, I’d love to hear about it. I’m always willing to test out and try other people’s favorites and share what I find. And these days when every dollar counts… a deal is something that is glamorous to everyone!!

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Spring Is In The Air….

17 Apr

tulipsOkay, the fact is, I’ve been a blogging slug. So much has been going on… such as life!… that my mind has been focused on things other than fashion and glamour. Can you believe that? Even though I haven’t had much time to write about the latest hip styles and products out there, that does not mean I haven’t had time to shop for them. I don’t have to leave my house to be a top-notch fashionista, you know. I can go online and do any research I need to do, and then have my goodies brought right to my doorstep. In fact, one day I had so much stuff come, I considered leaving a fruit and cheese platter outside for the delivery men to pick at.

Since the last time I blogged, a major thing has happened: Spring arrived! Living in Upstate NY, it hasn’t been the most alluring Spring I have seen in my lifetime. To say the least, I have not packed away any of my boots, coats or sweaters. But that doesn’t mean I’m not getting ready for the new beginnings that spring has to offer. So as I expand my closet and cosmetic drawer for the new season, I figured I would let you know what I think are “must have” items right now….

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­ nailpolishA killer Spring-colored nail polish – You’ve spent all winter wearing dark, warm colors to match your cold weather attire. Now it’s time for some fun! Look at the colors of flowers sprouting up around you. Yellow, fuschia, lilac, corals. They are bright and cheery and they just bring a smile to your face whenever you see them. So why not take them with you everywhere by putting them on your fingers and toes!
Sassy’s Fave: Opi’s Nail Colour in “How Cute Is That?”- a vintage pink coral (Sephora.com)

­ eyelinerA stay-put waterproof eyeliner and mascara – With constant April showers bringing May flowers, it’s a necessity that your eye makeup stay put during the seasonal sprinkles and downpours. Even if your eye makeup is water resistant, you may notice it has trouble sitting still on your eyes. Especially if your skin begins to kick in a little extra oil during the more humid days. It may take a little extra time and makeup remover to get off at night, but it will be well worth it during the day!
Sassy’s Faves: Sephora Brand Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner (Sephora.com) and Covergirl Waterproof Lash Blast Mascara (most drug stores)

­ bbwA new scent to jazz your senses – You’ve been stuck inside all winter. Imbedded in your brain are the smells of pine trees, musty basements, and wet gloves and scarves. It’s time to open up the windows and immerse your body in a scent that will lift your spirits. Choose something light, maybe with notes of gentle flowers or citrus. And rather hose yourself down with your new fragrance each day, layer it in different ways. Sometimes just a body lotion, dry oil spray or body mist can be just enough to tease the senses!
Sassy’s Fave: Bath and Body Works Signature Collection in “Butterfly Flower” (Bath & Body Works)

­ flatsA pair of metallic flats – No doubt, metals are in!! Silver, bronze and gold. They are adorning our tops, enhancing our jeans, and embellishing our accessories. Bring your new favorite spring outfit to life with a pair of matching flats that coincide with the metal in your attire. Remember, don’t turn yourself into a disco ball. A belt, a pair of jazzy earrings and a matching pair of flat shoes in the same metal shade is just enough to make your look pop!
Sassy’s Fave: Dr. Scholls “Habit” Flats in Silver Metallic (Shoebuy.com)

­ betsypurse1A bold handbag – Remember the day when your handbag had to match your shoes? Basic black, mocha brown, ivory cream. Blah blah blah. It’s time to live a little! Today’s top designers are not afraid to play with colors and patterns as well as rhinestones and studs. And you shouldn’t either! They say a man’s watch is the definition of his style. I think this is true with a woman’s bag. Whether it is a hobo, swing bag, clutch or shoulder tote, step outside the box and have some fun!
Sassy’s Fave: Betsyville’s “Cha Cha Cheetah” Flap Shoulder Bag (Zappos.com)

­ pinktrenchtrenchcoat2A stylin’ trench coat (in fact, at least two!) – Trench coats are this spring’s hottest craze.Coming in endless colors, styles & materials, the fashion possibilities are immeasurable. They can be worn with your fanciest of dresses or to turn a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit into a spiffy statement. Perfect for the ever-changing spring weather, these are priceless for rain or shine!
Sassy’s Faves: Grass Sateen Ruffled Trench Coat in Fuschia (Macy’s) and Wrapper Double Breasted Trench Coat (Kohl’s)

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Cosmetic Review: Sephora’s Atomic Volume Mascara

15 Jul

ATOMIC VOLUME MASCARA

By Sephora Brand

Price: $16 at Sephora.com and Sephora retail stores

Item Description:

What it is: mega-volume mascara.

What it does: Sephora Brand Atomic Volume Mascara blows all other mascaras away. An innovative tubular brush applicator with a lash-lengthening comb perfectly separates lashes for a full, sexy flutter. The advanced color formula conditions lashes, keeping them pretty, healthy, and capable of causing an explosion.

Things I like: Lasts ALL day; no smudging, smearing, running or flaking; very lengthening; thickening but not clumping; blackest of black color; one coat coverage; fabu-licious applicator!

Things I don’t like: Hmmmm, let me think. Ah, none.

Rankings:

Packaging Design: 5 out of 5

Portability/Convenience: 5 out of 5

Wearability: 5 out of 5

Shade/Color Variety: 5 out of 5

Value: 5 out of 5

Overall Ranking (on a scale from 1 – 10): 10

Likely To Buy It Again? Absolutely!

Why?

Let me start by saying I am a mascara fuss pot. I don’t try a lot of different mascaras, and I like even less. With the weather where I live changing from wet to dry in an instant, and temperatures fluctuating from freezer to oven within a month, my skin can definitely lose all control. My eyes are a true show of these rapid changes. With the wrong makeup, it’s easy to tell that the “hazy hot & humid” alert has gone off as you slowly see my eyes sliding down into an oil slick on my cheeks. Ugh.

Rewind to a few weeks ago when I made a stop to my local retail Sephora heaven and picked up a few things that I probably didn’t need. When I checked out, I had qualified for a deluxe sample and I had my choice of three things. Two of them I had already (you can see the pattern already, can’t you?) but the third was a new mascara from Sephora called Atomic Volume. I knew nothing about it—didn’t know the shade or the formula—but I’m always willing to try new glamour. Like I do with all of my new buys and latest samples, I tried it out as soon as I got home.

The first thing I notice when I applied the mascara was how long it made my lashes. Not just fluttery long… killer-looking, curly long!! This is a big selling point for me as my lashes are very straight and short. Next I realized how awesome the unique applicator was. It’s tubular with lots of little combs. It doesn’t have one of those poofy mushy brushes. It’s precise. It gets even the smallest of lashes in the corners and crannies. This applicator made each lash thick, but not clumpy or sticky at all. Ok, so I must love it 100%, right? I mean it did pass every test, didn’t it? Not yet. Now comes the test of time…. And this will decide if it is a mascara that can run with the big boys.

I took the mascara off at bedtime that night with my usual waterproof eye makeup remover. It took two cotton balls to get all the mascara off, but that’s why a mascara is good…stay-power. The next morning I curled my skimpy lashes, applied my new Atomic sample of mascara, and left the house to go about my daily routine of this and that. Other than touching up my lip gloss here and there during the day, I barely check my makeup. I don’t have time to be a mirror monger. So at the end of my hectic craziness, I headed home to put on my super lounge clothes and take my face off. When I peeked in the mirror to see how my mascara held up, I was more than pleasantly surprised: I was flat out amazingly shocked! My lashes… my ubersexy lashes… looked as perfecto as they did when I put the mascara on first thing that morning. Not one flake of black. Not one smudge of creamy soot. Long, luscious lashes after ten strenuous hours, and they were still going strong!

That’s it. I was in love. And it was with a black, teardrop shaped tube.

Until they either stop making it or I need falsies (lashes that is), I have found my one and only mascara. Sephora’s Atomic Volume is the answer to my lash prayers. It is my new number one fave glamour item, and I have already started spreading the word. This is one item that you just cannot miss with all year ‘round!

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