GRRRR

Due to a booboo on Blogger's part, we regret to inform you that my review of my bathroom stash will not be published any time soon. Wah wah! So I guess I'll have to hold off on this one as well.

Domesticity Reviews: The Contents of My Makeup Bag

While I'm still not shopping for clothes and shoes this year for Lent, I do have a few things that I want to write about - which is why the next few entries are going to be about things that I already have or have bought out of necessity. Today we look at what's inside the makeup bag; next entry we will discuss bath products.

- Rimmel Volume Flash Mascara in Extreme Black: Usually I don't think much of Rimmel's mascara, having had a bad experience with their Extra Super Lash mascara not too long ago. It just so happened, however, that I was in a cash bind and I wasn't able to afford a replacement for my beloved Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara (or the product that I was supposed to buy, CG Volume Exact Mascara) so I went for this. Let me tell you, folks, it's been two days and I still don't know what to make of this. The first time I used it, I applied it straight from the tube - and not only did I get clumpy, spidery lashes that were smudgy off the bat, but the mascara seemed to make my lashes even less voluminous than they should. How could that be possible, if I should ask? Part of the reason might lie in the fact that this mascara uses regular spooly-brush bristles rather than the rubbery polymer ones now used by Cover Girl and Max Factor. So the next time I tried this I did what I usually do with regular-bristle mascara: I wiped off the excess product from the brush and applied accordingly. Much better, if I should say so - no more smudgy tarantula lashes, and the brush gives such great volume and lift that I was not only wide-eyed, but I swear that my eyeballs got a little more air conditioning than usual. (Hee!) And the folks at Rimmel don't lie when they say that this mascara has a "lock and load" formula - not only does it wear off beautifully, but it really, really does not budge until you use an actual eye makeup remover. Verdict: It may take a while; I may end up hating this, but as long as I use it with care I should be fine.

- MAXeye Shadows by Max Factor: Supposedly this formula can be used wet or dry, but every single time I use it dry I don't get as much color payoff as promised - unlike the L'Oreal HIP shadows, the color on these shadows barely show up unless you use a precision makeup brush, and even then they're more of a sheer wash than the incredibly painted-on look that you see on Carmen Electra in the MF ads. Use them wet, on the other hand, and it's a different story altogether: I have the Metalicious trio (apple green/ royal blue/ light purple) and I always use a wet Q-Tip style applicator so I can put these wild colors on as close to the lash line as possible. The effect, surprisingly, is long lasting and devastating, especially after a wild party. Verdict: Not bad - but if you must use them, I'd recommend one of the more neutral palettes like Baja Bronze or Premiere Pink (shown here); otherwise, if you're stuck with one of the wilder-colored ones, use them as liner instead.

- Rimmel Natural Bronzer powder: I can't seem to rave about this enough - even though the shade I'm using right now seems to have been discontinued (the shimmery Sun Dance, which I like to think of as "my cheeks but better") - because it does blend beautifully without making me look like I powdered my face with lava dust. The other Rimmel bronzers are actually quite matte, which I would recommend if you just need a little color.

- Jordana Easyliner for Eyes in Eggplant: Got this not too long ago. It's the very definition of "cheap and cheerful" - easy to apply, easily smudgeable, gorgeous color (black-purple), and lasts for quite a while. Love.

Out of the Spotlight

Forgive me for the rare posting on this blog; as you know, I've been terribly busy lately - not to mention strapped for cash - and I seem to have pushed blogging for Domesticity further and further down the priority list. But for now, I've got a few things on my mind....

• 40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Reviews (Blogdorf Goodman): It looks like we now have a new Lenten tradition at hand right here - perfect since I've started my no-shop fasting for Lent this year (really, I haven't stepped into a Ross since Ash Wednesday). Annie and friends are taking us through the fragrance and beauty aisles in alphabetical order (we're now on L'Occitane as of this writing) , and I of course have a few choice comments to go along with them.
  
• Is it me, or are we finally over this whole cheek-stain thing? I was inspired to ask this after reading this review from Beauty Addict - and for good reason, since I'm one of those folks who can't seem to get the whole cheek-stain thing correctly. Too little, and the color barely registers as a "glow"; too much, and I look like a sunburned clown. (And don't even get me started on using powder to tone it down, because "overly powdered Chinese funeral mourner" is definitely not a good look on me.) The folks at Tarte recently posted a sign at Sephora next to their Cheekstains telling folks that it's OK to use a sponge instead of dabbing the product onto cheeks, which I think is a good idea. For now, however, I'll still need to stick to my usual routine of bronzer and powder blush swirled together.
  
• Finally, since not shopping for clothes = not shopping for shoes, either, I've found myself on a window-shopping kick for beautiful shoes. Sure, there's no way in hell I will ever be able to fit into any of your fancier designer shoes - seriously, even if I had the cash I don't see my 8.5 Wide tootsies squishing comfortably into a stiletto-heeled sandal soon - but that shouldn't stop me from appreciating the comments of Manolo Blahnik, who apparently shares my no-platform philosophy at this point in time. And speaking of Manolos, I should share with you this flashback from The Life of a Ladybug. Because someday, when I finally get around to finishing this Masters degree, I hope to have the kind of significant other who will, indeed, go out of his way to make sure that I get the royal treatment I deserve. Especially when it comes to shoes.

Domesticity Reviews: Dark Chocolate M&M's

The point of dark chocolate, in my opinion, is that it is meant to be enjoyed slowly. Dark chocolate - especially the good stuff, though this applies to the "regular" dark chocolate from the supermarket - is meant to be savored bite by bite, melted gently on the tongue to release all the latent flavor elements within the dark, buttery morsel. It is not meant to be gnawed off and eaten on the fly; once those distinctive chocolate elements become evident on the palate, you have no choice but to savor the moment of pleasure - to lie back, sigh softly, and melt slowly.

The point of M&Ms, on the other hand, is the polar opposite of what dark chocolate - or any other chocolate, for that matter - is meant to be. They're not supposed to melt in your hand - in fact, they're not supposed to melt, period. M&Ms are what you reach for when you're going through the mid-afternoon funk, when you need to gnash your teeth upon something that's meant to shatter and make noise. Chocolate content notwithstanding, you're not supposed to enjoy M&Ms for the taste. You want those damn M&Ms, and you want them now - or else, before the unsuspecting dork in the cubicle next door gets it.

So what happens when you put dark chocolate in the familiar hard candy shell coating of an M&M? I tried a packet once (they're the ones in the purple baggy) and the first thing I noticed was that they tasted vaguely like Smarties - or at least the Smarties I remember from 20+ years ago, when my Dad used to bring them home from his travels. But still, I couldn't get over the extreme oxymoron of putting dark chocolate in a hard candy shell - no matter how much the slogan tries to convince me otherwise, the stuff will never melt in my mouth.

After eating my way through a whole package, I finally concluded that, while the dark choco/candy shell combo does taste pleasant, it's not exactly what I would consider a mind-blowing gourmet experience either. If you're stressed out and you need the flavonols, that's fine, but I'm sticking to my usual Special Dark.

Come to think of it, there is something else that I'm reminded of after eating those M&Ms... and it's not who you think.

Attention, all ladies. The Candyman is on the prowl. And for those who want to get busy, you've gots to speak up now.

The Case for the Fruit Punch Lip Gloss

When it comes to lip glosses, most of my choices belong to two extremes: Nude and Vampy. The nude ones are almost always the color of certain food items - caramels, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg - and often sport a fair amount of shimmer to go along with my skin tone. The vampy ones - which I blame on the original Clinique Black Honey - are on the blackberry/raspberry side of the spectrum, low on shimmer but high on the "hey, it's not too bad if I put it on a little at a time" factor.

So why, then, did I go home from Longs with a 99-cent tube of fruit punch pink lip gloss?

1) It was actually an old shade of Rimmel Vinyl Lip called "Fantastic." Hey, even if this was a 99 cent tube of lip gloss, I still consider Rimmel to be a respectable brand, so I'll snap it up anyway.

2) It's not completely piiiiiiiink pink - it's actually more of a darker fuschia shot through with tons of subtle gold shimmer. I like to think of this more of a "strawberry" pink - more similar to Revlon's Super Lustrous gloss in Cherries in the Glow - and it looks more like something I'd see at a Clinique counter for the summer.

3) Hello, I live in Hawaii. It's always summer over here, even if it does get drafty at 60 degrees Farenheit. Do you think I'd be able to get away with anything dark over here right now?

4) Perhaps it is a Freudian commentary of sorts on my own feelings about living in Hawaii. Maybe I am, on a subconscious level, trying to put on a "happy face" and soldiering on when I should be confronting my own hidden resentment and bitterness.

5) On a more external level, the pink gloss isn't too pigmented; the gold shimmer is quite sheer (read: doesn't look like I coated my mouth in gold leaf); and the product smells like oranges, but not in a non-barfy way. Plus it's non-sticky, non-drying(even if it does feel goopy when I glop it on straight from the tube), lasts pretty long, and practically eliminates my need for extra lip liner underneath by glossing over (hee!) the discolorations on my lips. I look good in this, people, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

In summary: Meimei likey!

The 200th Post: Domesticity's Basic Party Essentials

Video: "Faster Kill Pussycat" by Paul Oakenfold featuring Brittany Murphy... yes, folks, THAT Brittany Murphy! I know! Didn't see that coming either!

I recently gave a black vintage Nine West purse to Evie, who is in the Philippines right now working as an event planner for rock concerts and major special events. I packed her bag with what I felt were some serious essentials for an experienced girl-about-town like her: lipstick (Revlon Colorstay Soft and Smooth in Fabulous Fig), mints (from Sephora), and a “little black book” (actually a tiny black notebook from Old Navy – perfect for those rock-star phone numbers!) I think it’s so perfect for her, since the bag is small enough to carry everything she needs and the strap is long enough to sling right across her shoulder. Plus, hey, it’s black.

“Remember,” I told her, “a sassy girl always can always use a Sassy Bag.”

I don’t exactly have a “Sassy Bag” of choice right now – not because my clubbing days are over (far from it, folks!) but I’ve got the kind of life that can never fit inside just about any old designer purse. The closest I have to a “Sassy Bag,” come to think of it, is my beloved hot pink fake-ostrich fake-baguette, which I purchased at Payless for dirt cheap – it’s one of those bags that can go from church to dinner to dancing without looking too heavy. Otherwise, my life is one endless assortment of leather laptop bags, midsize knit purses, and the occasional backpack.

In honor of Evie’s new Sassy Bag, I bring to you a list of purse essentials for occasional - but seasoned - social butterflies like us:

• A tin of multipurpose balm, like Smith’s Rosebud Salve or L’Occitane Shea Butter, to take care of even the most basic chapping on the lips and nails
• Pressed powder (in a mirrored compact) and blotting papers, to keep your face shine-free
• Lipstick or gloss, just because (easier to take around than eye makeup)
• A tinier-than-purse-size container of fragrance
• A ponytail elastic and/or extra bobby pins, for those hair mishaps when you wear your hair long
• The tiniest camera that you can fit in
• Mints, because you never know who you might meet
• Band-Aids, for the unavoidable booboo
• A pen for the little black book
• Big sunglasses, in case you don’t get out of the club till sunrise

Of course, not too long after I gave the sassy bag to Evie she asked me for suggestions on how to take care of her eyes, which were inevitably puffy and dark from all the late nights - not just from the concerts and bar gigs, but also from typing out scripts and poring over contracts. (Take it from somebody who used to be in the biz - this job is not THAT glamorous, people.) So for Christmas I got her a tube of eye cream, along with the old trick of putting cold, soaked Lipton black tea bags over closed eyes (which has worked wonders for me whenever I pull my all-nighters). The trick is to keep the tea bags cold in the fridge - I usually save them after I've made my daily cuppa - and put them over the eyes, then following up with the eye cream to keep them from drying out.

My Beauty Stash, and How I Plan to Obliterate It

This entry marks my 199th post on this blog. Stay tuned for the 200th post, which should be coming in some time next week... it's going to be a surprise!

A few posts ago, I mentioned that most of the beauty products that I already have is practically everything I need at this point in my life. Because I am determined to use up my stash this year, I am going to use this entry to predict which of the products I already have at home (not counting samples) will eventually get used up - or, worse, get the eventual heave-ho - by the end of 2007...

- Elizabeth Arden Exceptional Lipstick in Shimmer. I knew the end was coming when I opened the tube and found some smushing of the bullet inside the cap. Smushed lipstick bullets usually signal the beginning of the end, since I (like my very own Mama Mei) would rather wear down my lipstick bullets to tiny nubs with constant use. And since we're talking about a gorgeous nude lipstick that has served me well even when the package has seen better days, I wouldn't be surprised if I go ahead and decant the bullet into a separate container (which I did with some of my MAC lipsticks) so I can go ahead and buy another gorgeous nude-bronze lipstick.

- Most of the stuff that I've purchased in the Philippines. The Johnson's Baby Cologne? Decanted into a drugstore spray bottle, since I hate having cologne on my hands. The shampoos and conditioners? Almost gone, watered down so I can now use it on my short hair. The only product I don't see myself using up right away is the Bench Fix styling paste - since I gave Lexus the go-ahead to razor my hair into a deliciously messy emo-shag, I'm going to need all the texturizing that I'll get - and possibly some of the Maybelline lip products, especially the strawberry lip gloss that I ended up using constantly during the holiday season.

- At least one of the shades in my Stila 8-pan palette. But first, I should take the time to point out that it's more like a "7-pan" right now, since the magnet in the 8th pan fell out along with the Launey eyeshadow that used to be housed in it. Also, I desperately need to buy a "skin" or some stickers to cover up how beat-up this palette has gotten over the last 8 years. Anyway, I have yet to decide on what I will use for Pan #7 (last occupied by Diamond Lil) but already I am looking forward to the eventual obliteration of the palette's other contents, especially Ebony and the Belle blush (which is also currently in heavy rotation, since I use it alongside the Rimmel bronzer that I purchased over the holidays). One eyeshadow I would not want to run out of: Wheat, which is basically the best shimmery-nude eyeshadow ever... and has all the heavy-usage smudges in my pan to prove it.

- L'Occitane Shea Butter Verbena Soap: This came with the set I got from my sister last Christmas. (I love her. This year she got me an entirely new stash of bath products which included B&BW's Cucumber Melon shower gel and a small jar of Body Shop Passionfruit Scrub, which I also look forward to using constantly.) Going back to the soap, every single time I look at it, I always think, "Today is the day I am going to use this soap in the bathroom." And yet, I never do, because... y'know, L'Occitane. Well, now that the good folks at L'Occitane have been in operation at Ala Moana Center for more than a year now (and the salesladies have been wondering when I am finally going to spend more cash at their store) I no longer have an excuse.

- At least one of my body lotions. It's a neck-and-neck race between regular cocoa butter (decanted into an old glass bottle from Fresh) and the Essie Smoothies in Kiwi Lime (which also got a workout during the holiday season, after I bought it on impulse at Trade Secret... the pump bottle is a major plus). I predict the cocoa butter will be the first to go... and after that I'm not sure if I still want to keep the bottle, which is pretty but looks more like a relic from my wayward days back in college. Either way, once I get it all over and done with, I will be finally reunited with my B&BW lotion in Brown Sugar & Fig, which finally made it back into my apartment after being sent to the Philippines during the whole summer debacle.

EDITED 01/13/2006 to add that the lipstick has been decanted and the Ebony eyeshadow has been sacrificed to the gods of 'Opala, because the consistency of the shadow does not match those of the other Stila powders in the palette... which means that, sadly, it has turned, and could make me blind if I even dare to use it on myself. Ewww! Goodbye black smudgy shadow and hello, eyeliner pencil!