Just In Time for Mother's Day: Norma Bates Makeup Tutorial



Photo Credit: Fanpop



I admit it, I'm completely addicted to Bates Motel. Dear God, the people in that town are so weird, they probably vacation in Twin Peaks to escape the crazy. Freddy Highmore absolutely breaks my heart week after week (someone just hand him his Emmy and Golden Globe now, okay?), and Vera Farmiga brings such life and humor to an iconic character--that, up until now, has remained (mostly) unseen--that you can't help but be drawn into Norma Bates' special brand of cuckoo. If you haven't seen it, yet, I highly recommend it. It's soapy and silly and melodramatic and nuts and visually striking and frustrating and laugh-out-loud funny and gut-wrenching...and you'll love it.

Now, I look nothing like Vera Farmiga, but I'm in love with how the makeup department has her looking for this role. Norma's makeup style is soft, romantic, and classic. This is great for everyday, and appropriate for any age, so, for kicks, I thought I'd try to recreate it. I think I got pretty darn close, too.



Photo Credit: The Backlot

In the two reference photos, you can see that her eyes are done in soft gray, while her cheeks and lips have just a subtle hint of pink. Overall, the products are matte, though the gray shadow could possibly have a little shimmer to it. It's hard to tell. I like shimmer, so shimmer it is!

I started off with CoverGirl 3-in-1 foundation and a little Maybelline Age Rewind concealer, followed by Rimmel Stay Matte powder. Then I swept W.O.S. from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette all over the lid, up to the brow bone. After that, I ran Naked 2 from the same palette along the crease. Next, I placed Gunmetal from the Naked palette in the outer corner and lashline, then used a fluffy brush to blend it across the lid and into the crease. Using a flat brush, I lined the lower lashes with Naked from the Naked palette, then ran the UD 24/7 Glide-On pencil in Zero along the top lash line, concentrating it at the roots. I finished off the eyes with Buxom Lash mascara on the top lashes, and on the outer corners of the bottom lashes. The brows are filled in with Naked 2, then set in place with E.L.F. clear mascara.

On the cheeks, I used Dollface (baby pink) from Tarte's Amazonian Clay line. I kept it more as a contour, but will probably go ahead and bring it onto the apples next time. It looks like Norma's is on the apples in some photos, but not in others. Personally, I like it on the apples. The lipstick is NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm, and looks pretty dead-on. It may or may not be what they use on the show, but, if not, it's a definite dupe for it.


Funny thing about photographs: they don't represent real life. In person, my foundation matches my skin exactly. On camera, my chest and arms look pinker than my face. I swear, I didn't walk around looking like I had Snookie's face on Snow White's body. It's just the camera. Still...yipes!

I kind of love this look. It's great for everyday, but could easily be amped up for after work. I think I might trade the black liner for a deep purple next time, and might line the lower lashes a little more heavily, just to make it a little more "me". What do you guys think?

UPDATED! It's Not a Time Turner, But It'll Do: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-In-1 Foundation

My time is not my own.

Between my job, rehearsals, teaching, the other job, the other other job, buying a house (we signed yesterday!! Done!!), filming...well, I think you get the picture. I'm busy. Aren't we all?

Seriously, I don't know a soul who isn't practically killing themselves trying to make a living and maintain some semblance of a personal life. I could get into a rant on that topic (and probably will), but it'll have to wait for another day. Frankly, I don't have time to rant.

I love a good one-step wonder. Anything that can save even a minute or two is tops in my book. Back in the day, I was a huge fan of the Stila One-Step foundation. It claimed to be a primer, concealer, and foundation, all in one, and it actually lived up to the hype. True, it was a little thick, but it covered like a champ, and was, flat-out, my Holy Grail foundation...and they discontinued it. Of course. Not only that, they discontinued it somewhere around the exact minute I discovered that it existed...because the universe has a sick sense of humor.

Imagine my delight when BzzAgent asked if I would be interested in trying CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation! It made all of the same claims as the Stila, but at a drugstore price (plus, they sent me a coupon to pick up a free bottle)--how could I refuse? Could this be as good? My curiosity was definitely piqued.

Now, trying to colormatch a drugstore foundation can be tricky because you can't swatch anything. Some brands have little cards you can hold up, which is helpful, but this isn't one of those brands. The product comes in a glass jar with a pump (yay! It's hygienic!), so you can see the color, at least, but there's a lot of room for error. I wavered between Classic Beige (810) and Buff Beige (825) for a while, and finally settled on Buff Beige. I figured it would be better to be slightly too dark than slightly too light. At least, this way--worst case scenario--I could use it over a fake tan. Luckily, it matched perfectly, so if you're a MAC NW15, go with Buff Beige.

Application was a snap. I used a Real Techniques Expert Face brust to buff the liquid (not the cream I was expecting, given the claims) into my skin. It applied smoothly and evenly, and I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage. Here's a shot, sans concealer or powder:

I feel pretty. Oh, so pretty. I feel pretty and witty and...really brave, actually

A little ruddiness around my cheeks and nose remained, but nowhere near as much as I'm used to seeing. Also, my dark spots were still visible, but just barely. I did need to use a little concealer under my eyes and on a blemish, but only the teeniest amount. I am extremely impressed by the coverage.

The formula is light and comfortable. I can see that I'm wearing makeup, but it doesn't look cakey, and I feel like my skin can still breathe. Given the heat and humidity down here in the ninth cir--Deep South, makeup weight can be a dealbreaker. This is perfectly wearable. The foundation also has what I would describe as a semi-matte finish; it's not completely matte, but not dewy, either. To me, it just looks like skin, which is kind of the point. My only complaint is that it does seem to settle in the lines on my forehead. Normally, I wear bangs, so it's not really a problem, but my hair was "not being its best self", as my mother would put it. I had to pull my bangs back, and my lines are prominently on display. Oh, well. Other than that, I'm super happy with the look.

Okay, so it looks fantastic when you first put it on, but how does it hold up? Pretty darn well, actually. Today is a hot, humid, rainy, miserable day (in other words, Wednesday), and I had a million errands to run. Here's a shot of me at the three-hour mark:

All other makeup used for this look (ha! Thrown on to run errands and go to work...) is drugstore, with the exception of my mascara, eyeliner, and brow pencil. And my brows still suck. Oh, well.

Not bad! None of the foundation has worn off, and there are no oil slicks in sight. I checked again at the four- and five-hour marks, and while I could top off my powder if I wanted to, it wasn't really necessary. I'll keep checking throughout the day, and update here if there's anything to report. My first impression of this is that it's a keeper. Honestly, I think I prefer it to the Stila, and that's really saying something.

The Good
Scent is very light to non-existent
Even application
Medium to full coverage
Light feel
Natural-looking finish
Eliminates need for primer
Hygienic pump
Wide selection of shades
Good staying power
Easily available

The Bad
On the expensive side for drugstore ($12.99 at Ulta)
Concealer is still needed (though minimally)
Colormatching is a bit tricky
Can settle into fine lines

Final Verdict: 7.1 out of 10. This isn't just a good drugstore foundation. It's a good foundation. Period.

UPDATE!! After twelve hours of continuous wear, the foundation still looked pretty much like it did when I put it on. I didn't see any fading or caking. I did top off the powder around the six hour mark, but that was it. Darn good stuff.

*Disclaimer: BzzAgent sent me a coupon for this item so that I could try it out for free. They are a word-of-mouth advertising company, but I am not required to review it here, and all opinions are my own. Y'all know me; if I don't like something, I'll tell you. For more information on BzzAgent, please click here.

Frugal Friday: Checking Out Wet N Wild's Megas!

If you've been around here for any length of time, then you'll know how much I love Revlon lip butters. They're beautiful, moisturizing, last a decent length of time, and the packaging is precious. Still, I do love a good bargain, and I'd heard that Wet N Wild had their own version. I didn't know the name of the product, though, so I picked up two items that looked similar to the lip butters (I've since seen a third, a lip lacquer, but have not had the opportunity to try it) to see if there was any comparison. Let's take a look, shall we?



Left to Right: Mega Last Lip Color in Just Peachy, Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 in Pink Champagne




Top to Bottom: Mega Last Lip Color in Just Peachy, Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 in Pink Champagne

 I think you can tell by looking at these swatches that neither one is a lip butter, so I need to keep looking. Still, since we're here, and since these are only $1.99 each, let's take a look at these.

Mega Last Lip Color in Just Peachy
I really hate this product. There it is. I said it, and I'm incredibly sorry. It's going in the trash can. The swatch isn't bad, but on your lips...okay, let me describe it this way: when I was about 12, my Mom and Dad let me start wearing lipstick. That was it; just lipstick. Immediately, I became enthralled by the Wet N Wild display at Phar-Mor. I'd say at least 75% of my allowance went to different shades of lipstick, each pinker and tackier than the last (I was 12!), and my favorite was called Petal Pink. It was this godawful Barbie-pink, chalky, super-dry abomination that make my lips look like I'd coated them down in Pepto-Bismol, and I thought it was fabulous.

This looks exactly the same, only slightly more orange. In 20 years, only the packaging and my taste have improved.

Mega Shield Lip Color SPF 15 in Pink Champagne
In direct contrast, I'm really enjoying this lip color! It's closer to a CoverGirl Gloss Balm than a lip butter, but that's just fine with me. In addition to being a lovely shade, the product is very moisturizing, has no discernible flavor or scent, and contains the all-important SPF. It's not very long lasting, though. That's really the only drawback I've seen. This is also a much more pigmented product than I originally thought it would be. There's nothing sheer about this pink!

I thought the packaging for both products was very pretty, though both caps are difficult to remove, and I finally gave up on ever getting all of the plastic off of the Pink Champagne.

Final Verdict: Skip the Mega Last, but pick up every color you can of the Mega Shield. They're beautiful, feel good, give protection, and are less than two bucks a pop.

Wearing Pink Champagne.

Polyvore Fantasyland: Poolside Princess

I'm really thinking about making this a new segment. Maybe not weekly, but every now and then. What do you guys think?

Anyhoo, Target has this really cute cover-up for $19.99. It's sheer, but offers enough coverage that you can wear it into a shop or through a theme park without feeling exposed. It's also dressier than most cover-ups, so it would be appropriate for a Mothers' Day cookout, or something like that, where you want to look a little nicer than if you'd just tossed on a t-shirt over your suit. Using that as inspiration, here's my suggestion for one way you could wear it. I thought a pop of one single color would work well with this black, white, and gray sundress.

Poolside Princess by adorablenapalm featuring a waterproof mascara

The swimsuit I chose for this look is from Old Navy (so, affordable! Yay!), and is a bright tomato red. I particularly liked the O-ring detail on both top and bottom. It's a little detail that adds a lot of sophistication.

If you're by the pool, you don't want to have to worry too much about ruining your shoes. These flip-flops from H&M will only set you back a few bucks (they're in pounds, here, but they're about the same here in the states, if you're lucky enough to have an H&M near you. I'm not. Oh, well...).

My go-to hairstyle, these days, is a low side-bun with a flower accessory. I sing a lot of weddings during the Spring and Summer months, and this is the easiest to throw together quickly. Added bonus: it doesn't matter if it frizzes or is a little messy; it still looks polished.

Whether you jump in the pool or lay out in the sun (slathered in sunscreen!), you don't want your makeup to run. Buxom's eyeshadow in Pug (gorgeous pewter cream shadow) won't budge, no matter what the humidity. Brush on a little waterproof CoverGirl mascara and slick on some Buxom Bora Bora lip balm, and you're good to go!

Swimwear
$18 - target.com

Old Navy halter swimwear
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy halter swimwear
oldnavy.gap.com

H&M flat heel shoes
£3.99 - hm.com

Hair clip accessory
mydivascloset.com

Buxom waterproof eyeshadow
$17 - sephora.com

COVERGIRL waterproof mascara
$6 - covergirl.com

Buxom lip treatment
$15 - sephora.com

Frugal Friday: I Wanna Look Like Katniss!

Photo Credit: E.L.F. Cosmetics

Well, this sucks. I have absolutely no deals or discounts for you guys today. It's just a dead Friday, I guess. What I did find, though, that kind of fits into the "frugal" part of "Frugal Friday", is a Hunger Games makeup tutorial, courtesy of discount-makeup titan, E.L.F.

What I love about this tutorial is that, while it is based on a movie character, this is actually a really nice, wearable, "no-makeup" look. It's something that would easily fit in at a casual beach wedding, Saturday outlet shopping trip, or just relaxing outdoors. Nothing about this screams, "I love Hunger Games and want to be Katniss when I grow up!!!" It's just a nice, normal, carefree look.

Now, obviously, they used E.L.F. products exclusively, but you don't have to go that route. If you already have similar products in your kit, go with those. For example: I don't happen to own their brand of tinted moisturizer, but I do have a Too Faced Beauty Balm. In fact, I'm just going to go through their tutorial and add in the products I would recommend as dupes. That way, you can dig through your kits and see what you already have before placing any unnecessary online orders. I'll mark all my edits with ***. 

1. Start out by applying our Studio Tinted Moisturizer in the shade that best suites you.
***Any tinted moisturizer would work. Just go with what works best for you.

2. Contour the cheekbones, temples of the forehead, and sides of the nose with our Essentials Bronzer with Brush for that sun kissed look. 
***Benefit Hoola is great for contouring because of its matte finish. However, if you like a dewier look, try Too Faced Sun Bunny for a light shimmer. Sun Bunny is also fantastic on porcelain lasses, such as myself.

3. Highlight the center of the face with our Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in 'Luminance' for a lit from within glow.
***As far as highlighters go, I'm a fan of Too Faced Snow Bunny, but LORAC Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight is pretty darn wonderful, too. Honestly, though, I'm always wary of putting shimmer in my T-zone. If you want to try a different route, I'd suggest MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (in whatever color matches your skin tone) for a soft, airbrushed, matte finish that still makes you appear to glow. It's gorgeous.

4. Brush brows into place with our Eyebrow Treat & Tame.
***Clear mascara works well for this. I'm also a fan of E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit.

5. Line the eyes with a brown eyeliner and smudge with a Q-Tip or blending brush. Try our Brightening Eyeliner in Coffee.
***Ulta Automatic Eyeliner in Deep Brown is a staple in my kit. A dark brown shadow would work well, too, since you're smudging it anyway. Urban Decay Twice Baked has always worked well for me.

6. Coat lashes with a few swipes of waterproof brown mascara.
***It's not brown, but I love Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes for a natural look. If you really want brown, though, CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion is a really nice one, and inexpensive to boot.

7. Coat lips with a swipe of our Lip Balm SPF 15 in 'Clear'.
***Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine should be in everyone's kit. It's a basic, clear gloss with no shimmer, and the minty flavor helps freshen your breath. If you need a color, though (and I would), Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balms are a great way to go, and Bora Bora (sheer cherry) would be my pick. A less expensive version (and one that stays in my purse at all times) is CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Muscat. Both give you a pop of color that still looks natural.

I'm also going to suggest popping a little peachy blush on the cheeks (Benefit Coralista is a fave. There's no shimmer, but a very fine sheen that looks extremely natural), and a bronze shadow on the eyes (Buxom Stay-There in Mutt or Stila's Sparkle), just to complete the look. May the odds be in your favor!

What All the Cool Kids Are Doing: Fall Makeup Trends

School is back in session. Halloween decorations (and Christmas, but that's another rant for another day) are cluttering up store aisles. The temperature even briefly dropped below "potentially deadly" for a moment this morning. Yep, Fall is on its way, and with that, I give you the expected trends for 2011! (By the way, as I write this, I'm wearing practically no makeup and my hair is frizzing beyond belief. Those that can't do, I suppose...)

Flawless, Bare Faces
That's right. One of the biggest trends in makeup is, well, to not wear any. Actually, let me rephrase that: it's to look like you're not wearing any. Minimal foundation, no liners of any kind, and only the teeniest tinge of cream rouge (example: Urban Decay Afterglow--which also works for lips!) are what's rocking the catwalk these days. Instead of crazy colors, play up your brows and keep your skin dewy. Luminizers (such as Benefit High Beam or LORAC Perfectly-Lit) are recommended for cheeks, brow bones, inside corners of eyes, and all over lids. Lips are natural and plush (try CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm).

Bold Lips
If you're already sporting the nude face, or just want to kick it into high gear for a special occasion, keep doing what you're doing and focus all your color effort on the lip. Oranges, Cherries, Burgundies, and Almost Blacks are the name of the game, and the applications are just as varied as the hues. You can smudge it, line it, gloss it, or go for high-impact matte. It's completely up to you. Keep it modern by pairing it with piled-on, spidery mascara. Seriously. The spider legs are in, and look amazing. My picks for lip color: MAC Russian Red for dramatic lipstick, and Buxom Ruby for jewel-toned shine. Buxom Lash or Fresh Magic Wands for mascara.

Liner, Liner, Liner!
Again, keep the makeup minimal, and save the drama for one spot--in this case, the eyeliner. Whether you swipe thin lines for rocker chic, wing it out (or even down--it's new and hot!), or pile on a thick upper line for a decidedly retro look, this is the time to invest in a good liner pen. I'm a fan of Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen. Not great with liquid, but love the look? Try MAC Fluidline.

Flashy Eyes
With so much emphasis on bare skin and minimal color, I guess the fashion world was saving up for this! Technicolor smoky eyes (think: purples, teals, and oranges gradating from the lids) and metallic shimmers are all the rage this season. The high color concentration in Urban Decay shadows, and MAC shadows and pigments should make your smoky looks pop, while Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner has plenty of chrome and metallic shades to make sure you sparkle.  

Got any hot tips for Fall looks? Share them in the comments. Please. I can use all the help I can get.

The Price of Convenience: Philosophy Hope In a Tinted Moisturizer

Photo Credit: Sephora

I did not want to like this. Not at all. Thirty-eight dollars for tinted moisturizer is highway robbery, no matter how fabulous it claims to be. And it is fabulous, no question about it. Oh, I really did not want to like this, and now I am in a quandary.

You see, when I placed my Sephora order for Mom's Mother's Day gift (I got her one of those sunscreen kits, since she would live by the pool, if it were possible), I had the option to try a deluxe sample of Philosophy Hope In a Tinted Moisturizer. I've been on the hunt for a good tinted moisturizer to get me through the Summer, so I figured, "why not?" I've all but replaced my Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous with CoverGirl NatureLuxe (I know! It's drugstore! How could it be better than Benefit?! It just is, and I love it), but it's still a little heavy for 90+ degree, humidity-laden days, especially if you put it on over an anti-aging moisturizer and a primer--even a light one (SPF is built in, thank God. One more layer might kill me). I used to be a Stila tinted moisturizer devotee, but they changed the formula and I haven't had a chance to try the new product. So, basically, I'm at square one. I've used Hope in a Jar before, and had great success with it after a long, drying, cross-country flight. I also knew that I could use this in place of my normal anti-aging moisturizer without losing any benefits. I just had no idea the Philosophy was thirty-eight freaking dollars. Oh, how I wish I'd known...

Anyhoo, the Light to Medium sample came in, and I was able to give it a good go yesterday. I had errands, then work, then I went power walking for a couple of miles outside in the unforgiving heat and humidity. Just for extra fun, I left off all primers, too. I'm evil like that.

First off, I cringed when I first saw some of the actual product. It looked orange! I actually started humming "Oompa-Loompa Doopity Doo". Adventurer that I am, though, I patted the moisturizer on. I patted because this is a fairly dry moisturizer, and if you try to smooth it on, you end up pulling your skin. This does not mean it isn't hydrating! It just means that you won't end up with a greasy face, which is good. Amazingly, the orange disappeared, and the color blended perfectly with my skin tone. Aside from an even complexion, I couldn't tell I had anything on. This is also good. If I had to complain about anything, my skin looked a little dull. More on that later.

I applied the rest of my makeup as usual, and went about my day. I did notice, about mid-day, that my eyeshadow creased a tad, but was easily smoothed out. After my walk, I fully expected to have no makeup left (at best) or look like Tammy Faye Bakker (at worst), but was delighted to note that my makeup looked okay. It wasn't fresh as a daisy, but it had stayed put.

This morning, I did the same thing, but went ahead and used eyeshadow primer. I also took a very small amount of my Benefit That Gal Brightening Primer and patted it on top of my moisturizer. This added a lovely glow that took care of the dullness, without smearing an entire layer of goop on my face.

So, in a nutshell, you can skip the sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer and still reap the benefits. I had luck without primer, so you may be able to skip that, too. This product works to make your skin better than it was before you put it on. Technically, it's the same price as a slightly larger tub of Hope In a Jar with SPF 25, but I still think the price is excessive.

Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It's a great product that definitely saves you steps in the morning. It's just too darn expensive.   

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful

A week, or so, ago, the folks at BzzAgent asked me if I would like to try CoverGirl's new NatureLuxe line. Well, sure! Sign me up! I'd been considering tinted moisturizers for Summer, and while this was technically a foundation, it was supposed to be as light and silky as a moisturizer. Really, the texture was the main point of switching, anyway, so bring it on! As a bonus, I got to try a Gloss Balm, too. Sweet!

The package arrived yesterday, and contained the foundation in the shade of my choice, Aspen. The gloss balm was a random pick on their end, and I wound up with Muscat, an orange-tinted red that, luckily, is very flattering with my coloring and newly-coppery hair. There were also some lovely coupons enclosed, in case any of you in my immediate area would like one. I think they take $2 off the cost. I know I've blogged about BzzAgent a few times before, but for those just joining us, it's a word of mouth advertising company. They send me stuff. I try it. If I like it, great. If not, that's fine, too. Then, I share my opinions (good, bad, and ugly) with whomever I so choose. In this case, you guys. Aren't you lucky. I receive no compensation for my reviews, other than the products themselves. /End of disclosure.

Anyway, I decided to give them a whirl this morning, completing my usual makeup routine with the role of Erin's foundation played by CoverGirl NatureLuxe Silk Foundation, and the role of lip gloss played by CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm.  

Photo Credit (this and all): CoverGirl

The foundation is really nice. I mean, it's world's better than I expected. My experience with drugstore foundations has been spotty, at best, so I really didn't hope for much out of this. To start, I prepped my skin with moisturizer and my favorite primer, Benefit That Gal. Then, I smoothed on the foundation. At first, I was afraid it would be too dark, but by the time I finished applying, the product had absorbed into my skin, and I had a perfect match. Honestly, the only way I could tell I had anything on, at all, was the eveness of my skin tone. This product covers well, but is sheer enough to let your skin show through with zero cakiness. That earns major points in my book. As an added bonus, the foundation is SPF 10, which eliminates the need to apply sunscreen and saves me a step in the mornings. I also really like the light cucumber scent. Packaging is similar to a tinted moisturizer, in a pretty sage-green inverted squeeze tube. 14 shades, $9.74, Walmart. Final Verdict: 10 out of 10. I really can't think of a reason to deduct any points. This is a real winner.

The gloss balm reminds me a lot of my Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balm in Bora Bora. I mean, it's almost a dead ringer for it. The long-lasting color is nearly identical, and my lips feel super hydrated. The Buxom plumps, while the CoverGirl does not. However, the CoverGirl comes in a tube for more precise application, where the Buxom requires you to either use your finger or carry a separate brush. You just have to pick which characteristics are more important to you. The resulting color and overall feel on your lips will be pretty much the same, either way. For those of you not familiar with the Buxom: this is a full color balm. The color is still sheer, but much more pigmented than a tinted balm (like Burt's Bees). Because it's a balm, it moisturizes and leaves your lips feeling soft and healthy. The color is glossy and, unlike most balms, visible. SPF 15 (not found in the Buxom, by the way) keeps your lips protected from the Summer sun. Crisp, clean packaging in clear plastic and sage green. My only real gripe is that it's so small it gets lost even in the compartments of my purse. 16 shades, $6.48, Walmart. Final Verdict: 9 out of 10. It's making me second-guess my Buxom love, but the small size is a major turn-off. 

Movies, Makeover, and Mom

My poor husband has been editing our movie pretty much 24/7 since we got back from vacation, and I'm afraid his eyes are going to turn square from staring at the screen.  To give him a break, we're having a "Let's Go See Some Movies That Aren't Ours" weekend.  We're hitting Scott Pilgrim on Friday and The Expendables on Sunday.  Considering I'm a huge Edgar Wright fan (Shaun of the Dead!  Hott Fuzz!  Spaced!  Yarp!), and grew up thinking that poor John McClane couldn't buy a decent Christmas, I'm psyched.  But you'll notice that Saturday is left blank.

Saturday, Mom and I are having a mother-daughter day for her birthday.  We're hitting Eat, Pray, Love to stare at the pretty scenery and watch physical proof that Julia Roberts has actually eaten some form of food in her entire life.  Before that, though, we're taking an up-till-now unplanned trip to Sephora.  See, Mom came over this morning and made the fatal mistake of borrowing some of my makeup. 

I have created a monster.

In what took maybe 3 minutes (that's a serious maybe), I used five products (four of mine and her own lipstick) that left her ooh-ing and aah-ing and telling me that it didn't matter how much they were, we were getting them.  This is my "I'll Spend Money on Everyone Else in the Entire World Before I Even Think of Spending it on Myself" mother.  I love it.  Mom's getting something nice for herself, and it's about time.  (Yes, I know you're reading this, Mom, and I don't care.)

So, here are the four wonder-products that, apparently, rocked my Mom's world.  Please remember, I am not a makeup artist.  This took no time, at all, looked awesome, and if I can do it, you can do it.  Anyone can do it.  I'm fairly certain a trained monkey could figure this out.

1)  Benefit Erase Paste in Medium. 
2)  Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in R.S.V.P.
3)  Nars Powder Blush in Orgasm (I didn't name it).
4)  CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara in Very Black.

Photo by Sephora

Mom already had on a little bit of foundation, so I didn't mess with that.  I used a concealer brush and applied the teensiest amount of Erase Paste under her eyes.  Seriously, this stuff is so concentrated that it doesn't take much at all to make a huge difference.  Then, I used an eyeshadow brush and applied the Cream Eyeshadow to the lids and up to the brow bone.  R.S.V.P. is a rosy champagne color that added just a hint of color to her olive skintone.  I brushed the Nars blush onto the apples of her cheeks, then added the mascara to her upper lashes.  That's it.  The end.  Ta-da.  There's nothing to this, folks.  It was easy, took no time, and I had a chance to make my Mom's day.  That's always a nice thing.

Photo by Sephora

As for the price tag, seeing as she wears the medium shade of Erase Paste, she can get a set from Sephora(online only) with deluxe samples of the Erase Paste, the Cream Eyeshadow in R.S.V.P., and a bonus deluxe sample of Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer for $10.  The samples are huge, so they'll last for a while.  The mascara is $8.29 at Target.  The big ticket is the blush.  It's $26 at Sephora, but completely worth it.  It's a universally flattering peachy pink, and looks totally natural.

So, there you go.  Happy, pretty makeup in no time flat.  Oh, and if you need brushes, I highly recommend these from E.L.F.  They're inexpensive (like, $3 a piece inexpensive) and fantastic.  I've had mine for about a year, and as long as you keep them clean, they'll last for a good long time. 

In other news, I am never going to get through these samples.  Never.  To recap, I went through a freebie phase, where I absolutely hoarded samples.  Now, I'm on a mission to actually use all these samples, and today's random reach into the magic bag o' samples brought Murad's Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30.  It's very thick and rich, and, at first, smells just like a freshly cut orange.  Unfortunately, as you rub it into your skin it begins to release a much different aroma.  A much more unpleasant aroma.

See, back in college I wound up with the worst case of laryngitis ever.  Normally, that's problematic enough, but for a vocalist, it's devastating.  My teacher and my doctor both suggested I try Throat Coat, an herbal tea with slippery elm, licorice, and a whole bunch of other truly disgusting ingredients.  It did the trick, but I have never been able to get that smell out of my head.  Murad Essential-C smells exactly like Throat Coat, and I've been just a little bit (physically and psychologically) miserable since I put it on.

As for the moisturizer itself, I have no complaints.  It goes on smoothly, absorbs well, left my skin looking soft and hydrated, and my makeup went on easily with no clumping or smearing.  It's a very effective moisturizer, however, I'm don't see where it's any more effective than a good drugstore brand, and at $60 retail (Sephora.com), I want it to knock my flip-flops off.  Oh well, you win some, you lose some.  Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

It's Like a Heatwave, Burning In My...Oh, Everything...

So, it's a million and twelve degrees down here in the Deep South, with about 5000% humidity. Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating...slightly. All I know is that it's hot. I mean, ice-water-chugging, egg-frying-on-the-sidewalk, Fall-can't-get-here-fast-enough miserable. My apartment can't seem to get any cooler than 80 degrees, and that's with the AC cranked up, ceiling fans, and one of those Hawaiian Breeze ocillating fans. The birds love it. Of course, they're tropical and I am not.

I know it's not just here, too. The whole country seems to be in a continuous heatwave this Summer, and for that, I'm sorry. I went through three or four cans of hairspray on The Night Shift, so I take full blame for any extra holes in the ozone. Please accept my sincerest apologies.

As atonement, I have compiled a survival guide to help you cope with these Dog Days of Summer. To keep things simple (and inexpensive), all products can be found at Target.

Personally, I'd like to forget about clothing altogether, at this point, but I think the people I work with would appreciate if I stayed as covered up as humanly possible. This little white dress is a fair alternative to going full-out Lady Godiva.

I like that it's 100% cotton, so it breathes, and the design is airy, but covered up and dressy enough that you could wear it to work in a casual office setting. A word of caution, though: reviewers have mentioned that it is a bit on the sheer side (so be careful of your undergarments, ladies), and that you might want to skip putting it in the dryer. They've also mentioned quality construction, comparable to Forever 21. Mossimo, $15.38, Target.com.

There have been days when it was too hot to even wear flip-flops, but shoes are pretty much a necessity in civilized society. Might I suggest a pair like these? First off, they're dressy/casual, so they're versatile. Secondly, the cork is absorbant, which...well, let's face it: feet sweat. I'd rather not slosh around in my shoes, thank you very much. Cork is also very soft and tends to mold to your foot for comfort. Mossimo, $12.99, Target.com.

I'm actually carrying this purse right now. I've had it for about three months, and love it. It's roomy enough to carry what you need, but small enough that you can't fill it with the entire contents of Mary Poppins Carpet Bag. The cotton construction allows the purse (and what's inside it) to breathe, keeping your stuff from getting too hot. It's also washable, durable, and cute as pie. Available in several colors and patterns. Merona, $7.00 (really!!), Target.com.

Please remember sunscreen!! Around here, burn times run about ten minutes. Really, I don't care what brand you use--if it's sports, kids, spray, lotion, or purple--just use something! Sunburns suck, but skin cancer is so much worse. Neutrogena, $9.94, Target.com.

I don't know about you, but lotion melts off my legs, these days. I still need something to keep them moisturized (sweat doesn't count), and this light body mist is just the thing. Put out by Soap & Glory, Girligo is a non-greasy spray moisturizer that leaves your skin silky smooth and freshly scented. I'm also in love with the retro packaging. Soap & Glory, $11.99, Target.com.

Last, but not least, let's put on a little color without worrying about it melting in the car. CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain is, well, just what it says it is. It's a long-wearing lipstain. What's cool about it is that it comes in a marker form--sort of like a Sharpie for your face. Also, unlike many lipstains, it's moisturizing, so you don't end up with flaky lips, or need to carry around a separate lip balm or gloss to put over it. CoverGirl, $7.89, Target.com.

There. We can all "glow" instead of "puddle". Now, maybe Al Gore will get off my back. Again, sorry.

*Photos by Target

Going Batty

Photo by CoverGirl

As my husband can tell you (while rolling his eyes and sighing heavily, I'm sure), I have recently been on a borderline-obsessive hunt for something that, apparently, did not exist: a(n inexpensive) mascara that BOTH lengthens and volumizes. Seriously, you would not think this would be that hard. You would be wrong. I can find tons that do one or the other, but very few that do BOTH! For a while, I used Rimmel Glam Eyes ($7.79, Walgreen's)for length, then put on a coat of the CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe ($7.79, Walgreen's) for volume. It worked, but that's a real pain, and you're paying for two mascaras. I also tried the Fresh Magic Wands Mini Mascara Duo ($10, Sephora), and they're fabulous--I look like I have on fake lashes!--but they're super tiny, and the full size set is really expensive ($51 total, Sephora). Plus, it's still two mascaras. That said, they're totally worth it because they're gorgeous, I'm going to replace mine when I run out, and I could write an entire post devoted to their fabulousness, but this is a search for ONE mascara that does both, so moving on.

So far, the best I could find (on the recommendation of an uber-talented cosmetologist friend) was Buxom Lash ($18, Sephora). It's pretty darn wonderful at lengthening and volumizing, and the price isn't terrible. It's the mascara I ended up using all through the Night Shift shoot, and I've been very happy with it. You don't get the false eyelash look you get with the Fresh Magic Wands, but you do get defined, long, full lashes. It's a very pin-up girly look (appropriate, since Buxom names all their products after pin-up girls), since it makes your lashes really pop. It's great for a night out, theatrical performances, or any time you really want your lashes noticed. My only gripes with it are that the wand is too big and cumbersome, and it's not waterproof, so I do have to stay on the look out for raccoon eyes. Both things I can live with.

However, the nice people at BzzAgent asked me if I would be interested in trying the new CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion mascara. It's billed as "COVERGIRL'S first ever volume+length mascara", so I figured, why not? Let's see how the $9 mascara stacks up to the one that's twice the price. Plus, it's a free sample, so I'm not out anything except possibly looking a little sleepy one day if it doesn't work.

Wow. That's really all I can say. This stuff rocks. Now, before I go any further, let me remind you that BzzAgent doesn't require that I advertise the products I try. If I don't like them, I can either voice my opinion (of course) or keep my mouth shut (not bloody likely). Doesn't matter. If I do like something, though, I'm encouraged to let folks know. I like this. I'm letting you know. This. Stuff. Rocks.

The Pros: Doll lashes. Long, full, flirty, seen from across the room lashes. I curled mine, and they actually look like they're touching the brow bone. I kid you not. Also, I've had it on all day, in crazy heat and humidity, through a grueling voice lesson, and I'm not Rocky Raccoon. Amazing.

The Cons: The tube is huge and takes up a ton of space in my make-up case. It's also not the most comfortable thing to hold.

The In-Between: It's not waterproof, but it is "smudgeproof, flakeproof, and rubproof" according to CoverGirl. As I said, I haven't had any smearing or running. It's also not the darkest mascara ever. I got the darkest shade, Very Black, and it's nowhere near as dark as Buxom, but really, that can be too dark for everyday wear, so it's really your call on that.

All in all, I give it about an 8/10. $8.99 suggested retail price, available at drugstores, grocery stores, mass retailers and online.