Category: beauty

All About Brows

~ Carrie ~ 1 Comment

Ever since my favorite brow gal moved out of the area, my brows have been kind of a wreck. Some days they’re wavy, other days they’re horizontal. And once in a blue moon, they’re perfectly arched, colored, and groomed. Amongst all the iterations of my brows, I continue to be on the prowl for the ideal brow product. Maybe this is why they’re consistently inconsistent? Anyway I thought I’d give a little synopsis of the brow products I’ve tried over the years:

  1. Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade: this is the stuff I always come back to and I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because it’s familiar, I’ve become well-versed at using it, and the application is quick. However, I do feel that the pomade is a little heavy/harsh and the end product is more “sleek” than everyday brows. I’m looking for a more basic, everyday look which is why I continue my search.
  2. Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil: if you’re lazy about your brows like I am, this isn’t the product for you. Since I basically have peach fuzz for brows, I have to use this pencil to carefully draw them and envision what they “should ” look like. The end result is akin to your GPS route after you’ve been lost for 30 minutes.
  3. Billion Dollar Brows Eyebrow Powder: my aforementioned eyebrow lady recommended this brand years ago and at the time I really liked it. Back then I was using a lighter color but I’d love to revisit this brand with their taupe color since I’m not the faux platinum blonde little thang I once was. I do like the look of powder and it is relatively easy to apply.
  4. Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil: the employee at Sephora suckered me into purchasing this one and so far I’m pretty happy with it. Apparently this product is made in the same facility as the Anastasia products. Why this has relevance? I do not know but it’s what pushed me to buy the product. That saleslady knows what she’s doing! The pencil is waterproof, easy to use, and the taupe shade is a good match for me. Above all, the price ($12!) certainly fits the bill.
  5. Benefit Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel: do you remember when the Victoria’s Secret Miracle Bra came out? Well you had to have a little something to work with in order to witness that miracle. I feel the same away about this brow gel. When you only have peach fuzz to start with, miracles ain’t gonna happen. I love the concept and think it would work well for those with naturally fuller brows but it’s a no from me dawg.

For a blonde like me with barely there brows, I truly think the best solution is to get microbladed. I’ve been dying to do it but it feels like I’ll be either pregnant or nursing for the foreseeable future so hopefully one day I’ll come back here with a microblade experience update. Until then, let the hunt resume!

Beauty on a Budget

~ Carrie ~ 1 Comment

Beauty Staples (2)

Since I’m currently jobless and internship-less, mama ain’t got room in the budget to spend the big bucks on a quality skincare regime. However, I’ve made do with the products above and based on feedback from my clueless husband and the unintelligible babble coming from my 9-month old, I’d say the results are pretty stellar. Allow me to provide a little rundown of each product:

  1. I try to do this mask once a week to remove impurities from my skin and unclog my pores. You can quickly feel it start to work as your skin really pulsates. Your face will be red post-mask so be sure to use this at night (and make sure you use apple cider vinegar vs water- just feels more effective with ACV) Anyway, I call this thing a mini face lift because in the morning my skin is always noticeably tighter and smoother.
  2. Highly recommend buying a daily moisturizer with SPF so that your face doesn’t look like a road map by the time you’re 50. This is my first Kiehl’s product and I’d say I’m pretty happy with it. A small amount goes a long way and I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of sunscreen-y scent (smells like nothing). My only complaint is it is a bit oily so I’d advise those with oily skin against this product.
  3. When I heard Nivea Creme being compared to La Mer, I knew I had to try this stuff out. I’ve been using it for the past month and I love how rich and luxurious it feels as a night cream. I love slathering stuff on my face at night so that my skin has several hours to absorb it and my skin just feels more plump (in a good way) in the morning. I would love to say that I’ll eventually do a follow-up post comparing this cream to La Mer but ain’t nobody got $180 to spend on a measly 1 oz of product!
  4. I bought a jade roller when it was the popular thing to do cause I’m a follower like that and used it for like 2 days and then it sat for about a year. Now that I’m a mama and the under eye bags are real, I dusted that puppy off again and took it for another spin. I’ve noticed I’m less puffy (something about lymphatic drainage) and I look more awake post-use. Also, it just feels good doing it and I’ve gotten accustomed to viewing it as a little “me time” in the morning before everyone wants a piece of me.
  5. When my Clarisonic broke, I didn’t have the stomach to shell out another $200 for a new one so in my quest to find something similar, I stumbled upon this wizard brush. I typically use it with my everyday cleanser and I’ve noticed my pores are less clogged and my skin is softer. Just feels like a deeper clean when using it.
  6. I don’t what else to say about this stuff other than it’s magical. Although I don’t experience any major skin issues, I’ve heard of people using this cream as a sort of cure-all. Don’t be intimidated by the thick, oily consistency. It is magical.
  7. Saved the most basic for last. I’ve been a diehard Cetaphil user for years…maybe because it doubles as a makeup remover & a cleanser which gives ya more bang for your buck. Anyway, it’s gentle, non-irritating, and has yet to cross me so I’m keeping it around.