Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Mascara

I love when a mascara comes along that doesn't smear. Smearing is no fun, especially not for a girl who can't seem to keep her hands off her eyes. I think it's a nervous habit of mine, when I don't know what to do I pull at my lashes or rub my eyes. Now that I'm aware of it, I'm trying to stop. In the meantime I have a mascara that won't make me look like a panda. Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Mascara.

Tarte's MultiplEYE line is amazing. I've tried a few of the other EYE products and they are not only a ton of fun but effective and this mascara was no exception. Besides not smearing I found a few other things to point out to you, dear readers. First of all, this seems to be a drier formula so that means your lashes aren't a glossy finish if you're into that sort of thing. It's a more natural look and I swear it looks like I just have naturally dark lashes even though they're normally a fairly pale brown. This one also seems to lift my lashes, giving them a pretty curl that's believable even without a curler (although my lash curler is Tarte)!

The best part, this baby is clinically proven to improve the condition of lashes, probably why my lashes felt more flexible and soft when the mascara was on them. And it does it all while being natural and free of tons of chemicals that you may want to avoid in your products. Best results will be achieved when you use all three items in the line (this is #3). You can buy a set of deluxe minis of #2 and #3 here. The Sephora website claims the mascara adds 638% more volume to lashes, I don't know about that but I did notice a lot more volume than I would have without it. I didn't have the best help with length but the very natural look works for me, it's perfect for the beach.

I do feel like I should point out that I got absolutely zero mascara on my makeup remover wipe at the end of the night which his highly unusual. Even waterproof formulas usually come off a little bit but this one didn't. You'd probably need a separate eye makeup remover to take it all off. That may sound like a negative but just think about how great it will work if you're active at the beach. If you like to swim I highly recommend this mascara. Also, at $24, I'm not sure I'd buy it just for the few days a year I go to the beach but the sample I have should last at least that long this summer.

Buxom Hot Ticket

Woohoo! I like to think I don't let such important things slip by without taking notice but HELLO! how did I not know that there was relatively new Sephora in my state? Considering it's the first one within four hours of me you'd think I would have been all over that like white on rice! I just found out, though Matt actually found it and surprised me with a trip there for a belated birthday celebration since both of us were sick on the actual day.

Of course that means I had a lot of research to do. What to buy? What to investigate both for personal reasons and for you dear DOC readers? The list seems infinite so, being easily overwhelmed as I am, I decided not to do too much research, just seek and destroy once inside. Plus, we're hitting up Ulta on the way, still too far away at 85 miles from me. Can you even believe I can have such a makeup obsession way out in the willywags?

Well, I hit up my email to thank the lucky stars I remembered my birthday gift from Sephora and low and behold I have about seven emails from Sephora that I couldn't resist peeking at before the big day. Holy hell did I fall in love. With what you ask? This beauty.... Take a look.

Buxom Hot Ticket! Since I'm a hot ticket I clearly have to have it. Besides the fact that I'm addicted to Buxom mascara (still! despite my sacrifice to bring you Mascara Mondays) Buxom Lip Polish and Stay-There Eyeshadow, I'm dying to try the Insider Eyeliner. Considering the mini in this kit comes in shade Black Jasper, a dark bluish-gray, a color I have nowhere else in my makeup collection, I have to have it. We'll see if I pull the trigger when it's in front of me. The $29 price tag is almost too good to be true considering the full sized mascara and shadow retail for $18 and $17, respectively. You can't beat that plus a mini eyeliner and lip polish. Plus, Beagle (a light purple) shadow and Dani Lip Polish are both beautiful colors. I already have Dani and love it but since one off the characters in my 85th in-the-works novel is named Dani, it seems fitting I should get another one. Hurry and pick it up as it is limited edition and exclusive to Sephora! Not to mention Beagle doesn't seem to be available on it's own right now!

Clarin's Sun Wrinkle Control Cream SPF 30

I'm so proud of myself, not once this week have I gone out without sun protection on my face. Of course, I need to get better about applying sunscreen to my body but one thing at a time is all I can handle. As I write this I'm sitting on my porch enjoying the wireless internet without an sun protection on my body. Well, at least it's evening and the sun has started to go down. Small steps, people, small steps.

What do I have on my face you might ask? Clarin's Sun Wrinkle Control Cream SPF 30, a deluxe sample I acquired some time ago but never got around to using. Now it's going right in my computer bag (yes I travel with my laptop at all times, I even bring it to the beach with me, what can I say, I'm a writer). While I wouldn't wear this on a daily basis the little tube is perfect for those days when I forget SPF or when I stay longer than I intended to at the park or beach.

I haven't really tried too many Clarin's products though I'm not really sure why. Call it an oversight. I have a few gripes about this one however. First off it's lavender scented which might be great for some people but I can't stand the smell. It's really strong too and given that natural lavender makes me sneeze like pepper to the nostril I probably should avoid it. If you like the scent you'll want to get this ASAP, it lingers on the skin for about an hour or so then is nearly undetectable. Once it wore off I was fine.

Secondly, I wish the SPF was higher. As a fair girl I need more than SPF 30, even in moisturizer and foundation I seek out higher concentrations. Also, this cream is a little thicker and therefore you have to check in the mirror to make sure you're not sporting the zinc white nose of SPFs past. It mostly rubbed in with little help but once it started to dry (and on drier areas of the face) I had a little difficulty getting it invisible.

Thirdly, it's really out of my price range. For $30 I could buy three 8oz bottles of my regular Neutrogena instead of this one paltry 2.7 ozer.

I know that sounds like an awful lot wrong with the product but really the way it makes my skin feel like silk and the fact that my makeup went on like a dream really redeems this product in my eyes. And speaking of eyes, I had zero instance of running into my eyes or irritating them in any way which is a huge plus to me. Like I said, I wouldn't use it daily and for that reason I won't be purchasing a bottle myself when this one runs out. I like trying new things too much to buy something I didn't absolutely love.

So tell me, what's your favorite facial SPF? Give me some recommendations. By the way I'm fine with scent and prefer it actually just not lavender.

Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil in Blue Sky

It's not a big secret that I love cool tones on the eyes, even Matt seems to agree with me, as referenced in last weeks Dudesday Tuesday post. I'm forever in love with greens and purples on the eyes but find blue a little harder to work with on my particular skintone. I can't seem to pull of denim blue eyeshadow although I love blues with a green or purple leaning. I'm learning to experiment a little more and what better way than with a blue liner? I can go as subtle or as intense as I want, line just the top or just the bottom of my eyes or even color in my whole lid if I'm so inclined. I have a few great blue toned liners from Urban Decay but I was looking for something that was more of the pastel blue variety.

Elizabeth Arden's Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil in Sky Blue is so gorgeous that I couldn't not love it. It's a kohl pencil that finishes to a powdery perfection, mimicking the look of powder shadow used as liner. The clear periwinkle blue is so pretty and I can just imagine how great this will look with all eye colors, particularly the dark brown eyes I've always envied. It also comes with a smudge tip for the perfect rockstar smoked out liner that I love. At $16 it is a little pricey as far as my budget goes but it's comparable to other liners on the market.

Now if we could just have skies this blue for the rest of the summer I'd be a happy camper!

Face-Off Friday: Blake Lively

Why is that when I decide to grow out my colored red hair I see the color cropping up everywhere on everyone else? I swear every time I commit to not coloring my hair and just let the roots come in I'm bombarded with images of sexy redheads. I should just quit now, it's no use anyway, my hair is coming in auburn anyway save for that one gray hair I spotted a couple months ago. My dad's hair was red when he was a kid and my mom's hair has always had a little bit of red it. Why am I telling you this you're wondering? It's the topic of Face-Off Friday, of course. Can you guess who without looking at the picture?

That's right, Blake Lively, everyone's favorite BLONDE, has gone red. Really if I heard about it before seeing pictures I probably would have cried but honestly, I think girl's rocking it. I can't say I'd prefer it over her trademark blonde but it is pretty nonetheless. The copper/strawberry blonde is subtle and works well with her coloring. I wonder how much she had to alter her makeup for this new haircolor!

Here's one of my favorite pictures of Blake as a blonde. Her dress is fabulous and from Topshop of all places! Doesn't she look great. I love the boho quality of her hair with such a glam dress, I love the high/low mix. I'm sure there are more glamourous pictures out there but this is my favorite.

What do you think? Blonde or red? Glam or bohemian? I'm dying to know what you think, as always. Leave me love in the comments.

Mac Surf, Baby!

It's not very often that a MAC collection comes along and I have to have something. You may have noticed that I'm not a MAC devotee and not every collection is going to get a mention from me. I don't know what it is, I just can take it or leave it. Unless something sparkly for the cheeks is involved that is. It's my one MAC downfall and Surf, Baby's Cheek Powder in My Paradise had me at hello! Wow gorgeousness. It sold out pretty quickly online and I have to tell you if you see it at your local counter or in stores, snap it up quickly. It's too gorgeous to pass up. The coral matte powder with sparkly gold overspray (it doesn't go to the bottom of the pan) is perfect for every complexion plus, as many bloggers have pointed out, the overspray means you can control how sparkly you want to go with this. Knowing me I'd run through the spray in a couple weeks time. (Second from left, top row)


There are many exciting items in this collection for MAC lovers out there. Surf USA, a teal eyeshadow and Blue Moon, a bluer teal powerpoint eyeliner, both caught my eye for the obvious reason that they are bright, cool toned colors. I guess not having a type of guy is fine, as long as I make up for it in type of makeup. Seriously, you couldn't pinpoint a type of guy that I have, not in a million years. Makeup? That's easy, cool tones, bright eyes, pink glossy lips and sparkly cheeks. Of course I mix it up pretty well but what girl doesn't love a little variety?

Also in my "damn, I wish I didn't miss these pile" Crushed Metallic pigment stacks in Surf the Ocean. These are these stacked jars of pigments you've seen in some previous collections. I have to say, again (!), I'm such a mess with these, I'll spill them all over the place in a heartbeat, still the gorgeous silver, light seafoam green, bronze and darkened blue green are so versatile that I could see using these all up before I spill them all over the place. (Top left of picture)

Plus, if you missed out on Strange Potion Lipglass from Venomous Villains, a gorgeous peachy-coral-pink,(last lipglass on right) you can pick it up now in the cute Surf, baby! packaging. How great is that? That's one of the things I love most about MAC. Although they lure you in with the limited edition stuff, if you missed it once you can probably check for it in upcoming collections, I just wish their was more logic to the process, instead of the hunting we have to do now.

Then there are the so gorgeous nail laquers. I have had ZERO success with MAC polishes, they chip on me within hours but these colors are too sexy to ignore. A bright blue Ocean Dip (just my type) and perfect for me nude, Hanging Loose, really call my name but I'm kinda happy I missed these because I'd inevitably be frustrated as hell a couple of hours after application.

What do you think? Can you resist a packaging as cute as this? Didn't think so! Scoop 'em up if you see 'em 'cause they're going fast!

Beauty Girl's Secrets #10: Healthy Hair at the Beach

It finally feels like it's starting to warm up in my neck of the woods, time for those hot summer days spent on the beach with a good book and a frozen margarita. Well in case you forgot you also better be slathering your body in SPF every two hours missy or you're going to end up in serious trouble. Really, I'll hunt you down. The sun can do some pretty miserable things to your skin and hair if you're not careful but I've found that the best way to prevent it is to embrace the heat and make it work for you. Once you're slathered in your SPF rub the excess on your part and around your hairline. Think that's enough? Think again!

If you're anything like me your hair easily fries in sun. My hair is dark and it feels about a million degrees on those 100+ days. Honestly, there's not much you can do about that. To protect your strands you could wear a hat but unless you're a glamazon who can pull off a Samantha, Sex and the City style straw hat or a sporty chick who totally rocks her Red Sox cap then it's probably going to kill your look fast. What's a girl to do? Simple solution, if you're going to be sitting in the sun all day, why not look better because of it? Have a little fun and do yourself some beauty good at the same time.

It's as simple as coating your hair with conditioner, leave in conditioner or even a hair mask, homemade or from a bottle. Coat your strands like you would if you were washing it out, twirl your hair into summer's hot topknot/ballerina bun style and rock it. When the day's over simply rinse out and you're left with super soft strands. The heat from the sun actually helps open up the cuticle of your hair and allows the conditioner to go deep into the hair shaft and do wonders on all that damage. What do you think? You up for all the compliments you're going to get the next day?