MY BEST:
Finding my long lost and forgotten tube of DuWop’s Foundation of Youth (at the bottom of my miscellaneous makeup drawer) and remembering why I liked it in the first place. It covers thoroughly yet still looks natural (great for hiding uneven patches of skin and pimples) and doesn’t settle into my fine lines. Even better, it feels whisper light on my skin, just like I’m not wearing any makeup at all.
MY WORST:
I think I’m fighting a cold, so I browsed online for home remedies cold-fighting tips. I read that eating raw garlic can help (it might be wishful thinking), and I’ve is supposed to be really good for keeping colds/flu at bay, so I’ve been chopping, dicing and mincing garlic cloves all day long. Seriously, my breath is KICKIN’, and my tongue feels like a garlic shag carpet, ha! The silver lining, I guess, is that I haven’t gotten sick yet (knock on wood).
Your turn! 🙂 What were your best and worst beauty experiences of the week? I hope there wasn’t garlic involved!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How was your night? Right now I’m re-watching Dawn of the Dead on Hulu, LOL! Remember that one? It takes place in a mall… I didn’t see a Sephora, though.
pinksoysauce says
My best: Just bought some Bare Minerals today! First foundation. 🙂
My worst: My skin was clearing up beautifully, then I got a really pesky under-the-skin pimple on my chin, which makes playing the flute hurt.
Speaking of Sephora, I heard that they’ll be installing Sephora vending machines in select airports! Sooo excited. I love Sephora, and I love airports.
pinksoysauce says
Oh, and I’m not sure about the garlic thing, but I chug bottles of Naked Juice whenever I’m sick or feel like I’m about to catch something. The vitamins and nutrients seem to be what helped me a lot. 🙂 Pears also do wonders. Hope you feel better!
Jen says
I play the flute too, and I agree: when you get those pimples on your chin, it’s like… Really?! Why THERE? 🙁 Hope it clears up soon.
pinksoysauce says
I know! And ironically, everywhere else on my face is clear. Thanks! I don’t think it’ll be gone by tomorrow (which is when I have to play for four hours) but it’s going away…
Jenny says
Hey pinksoysauce,
They already have a Sephora vending machine in the Las Vegas airport 🙂 I was pleasantly surprised!! The only thing I remember seeing was the Laura Mercier kits.
mill says
best-
i bought benefit’s celebutante and its SO GORGEOUS! and so cute, in a little box 🙂 and it was good value for money, lots of things i’d wanted to try (the velvet eyeshadows, high beam, dallas, just to name a few) in mini, so if i really like them i can buy a big size when i run out of the minis. the lipsticks are a nice surprise, flattering colours and stuff.
worst-
my skins looking a LITTLE bad….. nothing i can do about it, just teenage skin…. i guess i should eat more fruit….. and on that note excersice more. im on holidays and im tending to eat a LITTLE too much gelato. hehe
Hyzenthlay says
I have a couple of bests this week, yay! I ordered new prescription sunglasses on Wed. and they should get here next week. I LOVE them, and I know they will make me carry myself differently once I have them. Also, winning the NARS giveaway (WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!) on here (thanks, Karen!). AND, trying mostly successfully to use individual lashes. I was able to get them to stay on the middle of my eyes, but they fell off the outer corners.
Worst: Discovering that I’m allergic to one of the lip glosses I used today (but not sure which one . . .). I went upstairs earlier and glanced in the mirror to find out that the inside of my lips are puffed up and look like blood blisters! I noticed they were feeling weird earlier, but thought they were just dry or something . . . now I know it’s because they were swelling due to blood. EWW. I’ve taken some Benedryl to try and end the allergic reaction.
Kate & Zena says
Oh, ouch, Hyzenthlay. I’ve been there several times. I’ve never had an allergic reaction on my lips though. It hurts, I know.
Benedryl should help for the most part but I’d put some petroleum jelly like Vaseling on a Q-tip and gently apply it to you lips where you’re inflamed. It should help soothe the burning along with any dryness. Not hydrocortisone or cortisone as they aren’t made for lips. Ice can help take down the swelling if you can handle the cold of the ice against your lip for five or ten minutes at a time. If it isn’t cleared up by tomorrow or your throat/tongue swells, you should see your doc ASAP (or run to the ER if your throat/tongue swells) for a Prednisone pack or another steroid prescription .Prednisone is absolutely nasty-tasting but it works very quickly.
In terms of finding which lip gloss it is, swatch each shade on the inside of your wrist. Test them for up to five minutes. Whichever shade stings, turns visibly red, swells or gives you a rash or hives is what you need to throw out. I recommend taking note of it and staying away from that brand too. I find if I’m allergic to one item in a brand, it usually means I’m allergic to the entire brand.
I hope that reaction clears up quickly. I know how you feel and it’s no fun.!
Hyzenthlay says
I’ve been using Vaseline since last night, and it seems to help. The inside of my lips looks awful, but I have been assured by friends that it’s not noticeable, for which I am grateful. I just tested my wrist with the gloss I think caused this reaction (Sally Hansen Lip Inflation eXtreme HD) and I had a slight reaction on my wrist, but nothing compared to the one on my lips. Nonetheless, I will not be using that lip gloss any more. I wonder if I can find my receipt and take it back to CVS . . .
Kate & Zena says
A reaction on your wrist will always be a bit less than on your lips or eyelids (the most sensitive places on your face). I always test on a fleshy area because I hate the bigger reactions (hives=no fun).
Hyzenthlay, I don’t think your reaction was an allergic one. I think it’s a chemical burn because one of the major ingredients in the lipgloss (I’m looking at the ingredients online at the Sally Hansen site) is Hyaluronic Acid which is to help plump your lips. Blisters definitely are more common in acid/chemical burns than an allergic reaction. I actually have a scar on my chin from when my dentist accidentally got etching gel (which is phosphoric acid) on my chin. It hurts, stings and itches. It’s not fun. Vaseline is great for burns so keep using it (can’t you tell I’ve had just about everything skin related?).
Kate & Zena says
Best: I’ve got three words for you: Christmas Make-up Haulage. :giddy: I can’t wait until they come in….wait, I’d to wait until Christmas. RATS!!!
Worst: Finals Week Acne Breakout. I’ve been stressing over this week. Ew.
Kate & Zena says
P.S. When I think I’m getting or I have a cold, I take three Vitamin C pills plus one zinc and try to snorgle Zena as much as I can. I take two Vit. C daily to keep my immune system healthy but I increase it by one when I’m feeling icky. Zinc boosts the immune system too. I find my system responds better to pills than my trying to eat something that feels icky to me but is good for my system (i.e. tomatoes, kiwis, etc). The joys of having a hyper-sensory disorder.
Get better soon, Karen!
Steph B says
Best: Giving Maybelline’s new gel eyeliner a shot. Got the charcoal shade — black is too harsh on my pale skin but I still wanted something bold. This is shimmery perfection. Lasts beautifully.
Worst: Hello winter chapped lips! Time to put lip balm in all my jacket pockets.
Jen says
Best – I went over to my friend’s house for the first time in like six months, and his mom saw me and the first thing she said was “Wow, you have great skin! What do you do?” I told her just a good skin care regimen, etc. Afterward I realized that it might be because I sleep way too much 😛
Worst – My Sephora order came in, and I had bought the $9 NARS eyeshadow, but when it arrived, it was broken 🙁 Le sigh.
knownever says
I can vouch for raw garlic! it really works
.-= knownever’s last blog post… Twins: Fat Lips/Fat Wallet =-.
Hoya Girl says
Hey Karen! I’m a long time reader, first time commenter. Love the site! Major props.
Best: Discovering an amazing bargain liner–Prestige Total Intensity eyeliner. Creamy and smooth like UD 24/7, still smudgeable, but does NOT budge once set!! Best part is the small price tag–only $5.50 a pop!
Worst: Dry skin, chapped lips, and finals this week!!
P.S. My tricks for getting over colds are downing vitamin C, lots of liquids and sleep!! Saved me from getting really sick my first semester of college. 🙂
amy says
The best is finally getting VIB coupon from Sephora and rediscovering my love of red lips.
The worst is that I have a few pimples that decided to rear its ugly head. Hopefully, it clears up well before Christmas.
Are you really suppose to eat raw garlic alone? Maybe you can mix it in some butter and throw in some fresh herbs and spread it over some fresh french bread or make some Tapenade. That sounds a lot more inspiring then just eating raw garlic cloves. You can always just leave the garlic raw but make a snack out of it.
.-= amy’s last blog post… FOTD Holiday Look: Classic Silvery Smokey Eye with MAC Platinum Pigment, Medusa’s Makeup Mineral Eye Dust Silverado and The Balm Shady Lady Sexy Stacey =-.
Morgan says
Best: playing with all of my new makeup and coming up with Holiday looks… I’m having so much fun with the golds and greens!!!
Worst: Running out of eye makeup remover and thinking baby wipes would be a quick fix… Clearly I’m allergic to something, I’ve looked like Hitch for 3 days!
.-= Morgan’s last blog post… The E.L.F.’s Came Early!anda Give Away! =-.
Jessica Lauren says
Your blog is such a breath of fresh air, so delightful and joyous! A real source of inspiration, thank you for your many morsels of goodness.
If you have a moment or two, please amuse yourself with my new creation. I would greatly appreciate the brief moment of adoration and any suggestions.
http://itapetingabella.blogspot.com/
Thank You.
Pansy says
BEST: I thought buying a green colored eyeliner was a mistake because when I first used it, I looked a bit ridiculous. But I blended the color with a metallic green eyeshadow and it looks great! I am glad I experimented!
WORSE: The rain made my mascara run down my face while I was school and I found out on my own… when I got home. -_____–
Marisol says
Best – getting baked! I got my UD palette and I can’t wait to play with it.
Worst – pesky break outs
I had a fun weekend although it flew by. I spent the day in Berkeley today and that was fun. Tried some spanish food and it was delish.
Never seen that movie. Should I?
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… A Day of Ups & Downs =-.
Jenny says
Arrrghhhh, I think I may be getting a cold 🙁 I spent a good sum of money on things to prevent me from getting the full-blown flu/cold. Let us know how you feel in the morning and if the garlic did anything for ya 🙂
Best – Went to Sephora today to pick up DuWop’s foundation (the one that you featured a few days ago) and DiorSkin Nude in 031 (I have a thing for foundation.. I’m never loyal to just one brand). I was colormatched and found my perfect shades for both of the brands! 🙂 And I found OPI’s Metro Chic nail polish.. LOVE!
Worst – Sephora was all out of the DuWop’s foundation in Bisque and they were also all out of DiorSkin Nude in 031 🙁 BOO!!!! So I asked for samples of both foundations. *sigh* I hate ordering online, but I ended up doing so.
Tavia says
My best: Finding that False Lash Effect Mascara by Max Factor is really amazing, pumps up my lashes, giving me a full volume and a natural look.
My worst experience is not related to beauty….so I’m ok at this chapter but….no ok in rest 🙁
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Review: Creme de la Mer – A miracle come true =-.
noodle says
best – using fluidline on my bottom lashes and it didn’t run / weep all over the show.
worst – losing my fluidline somewhere on saturday night.. drats.
DonnaN says
best — spending my VIB holiday card on the Michael Kors Islands Rollerball set.
worst — discovering that my pineapple enzyme facial scrub does absolutely NOTHING now that the weather has gotten colder. This means I must find ANOTHER exfoliating scrub for winter…UGHHH!
Beauty For A Living says
My best would be getting Barbie <3 Stila liquid eyeliner. It's made my eyes look real purty.
My worst would be using Revlon's black nail polish–it isn't black enough, or thick enough! So for me to get a really rich black color, I had to apply many coats. And that meant it took forever to dry.
Rae says
I had a lot of bests and no worsts, whoo!! But I’m actually just popping buy to tip you off about odour-free garlic pills… they’re supposed to be just as good for you as garlic itself, but without the stench 😛 Those + lots of vitamin C pills should be enough to help you keep that cold at bay!
Hope you don’t end up super-sick :/
.-= Rae’s last blog post… FOTD — my take on the CdP promo for Le Naturel Absolu =-.
Frances says
Best – Hmm, not a whole lot good going on, so I’ll have to go with spending my Sephora gift card.
Worst – the skin underneath my eyes keeps getting drier and drier and it looks awful no matter how much moisture I put there! Anyone have a solution for this? ( I have been using eyedrops and allergy meds to counteract allergies, but they still affect my eyes!)
Susan says
My dermatologist gave me a steroid lotion to help with mine. I’m not supposed to use it very often, since it thins the skin, but it does help.
Ashley says
No best, just a worst.
I went out yesterday with the intentions of using my Sephora $15 gift card…. It totally slipped my mind & forgot to go. The gift card expires today too. I don’t think I’m going to make the extra trip to Sephora but boy am I angry. I really need an eye shadow primer!
.-= Ashley’s last blog post… Almost December! =-.
Susan says
Best: finding out there may be a medical reason I’ve suddenly put on so much weight in the past couple of years, so now taking medication to regulate my thyroid (I know, weird “beauty experience” post, but it has really affected how I look at myself lately).
Worst: spotting stirrup pants for sale in NY and Company! Please tell me those are not coming back in style again! They had the oversize, shaker-knit sweaters, too. I was having seriously bad college flashbacks about needing slouchy socks to match every sweater I own!
brooklynshoebabe says
Here’s the tip with the garlic, but it in a cup of boiling water and drink it like tea. That way you won’t have to actually swallow the garlic clove. I’ve done this. The worse thing is that even your tears smell like garlic.
Best Beauty Experience: I printed out some blank make-up practice sheets, and I taught my daughters how to apply make up. (They’re 4 and 2, and are always intrigued when I get made up. I showed them a few brushstrokes and let them practice on paper.)
Worst Beauty Experience: My 2-year-old kept trying to eat my chocolate scented lip gloss. lol.
.-= brooklynshoebabe’s last blog post… Happy New Year Giveaway =-.
Eileen says
hmm have you tried cold-eez? theyre cough drop like things that are supposed to cut your cold.. i’m not sure if they’ll work but they sound better than garlic, ahaha (:
Ana Villarreal says
Hi Karen,
My mom used to make us this special kind of “Garlic Milk” when I was younger and we would have a couple of teaspoons of it a day. It was gross but we never got sick. Garlic is supposed to make your immune system strong I think…
Martha says
Cold Remedies
1. Vitamin C – orange juice etc.
2. Chicken Noodle Soup
3. Water
4. Sleep
5. Humidifier
I know the first 4 are cliches and you already them, but if my Mom says it, it’s usually true.
6. Zicam dissolving tablets – this one is controversial. All I can say is that they worked for me. But who knows really?
Get better!
Judy says
Best: finally managed to steady my hand and do a pretty decent cat eye look (love cream eyeliner for this haha)
Worst: Can’t keep my dry skin under control and not being able to use foundation because of this…relying on BB Cream for now!
Exercise helps to boost your immune system! Wii sports! Haha!
Stacie says
Best: Getting coppery highlights. Finally, some dimension in my hair!
Worst: Hmm, probably the dry itchy skin and chapped lips. I hate cold weather!
Kristen says
Best: My esthetician finally returned from maternity leave! My brows were homegrown for 3 very unpretty months, and now they’re shapely and pretty again. Thank goodness!
Worst: Chapped lips. So gross.
.-= Kristen’s last blog post… Bump-Its Aren’t As Tacky as You Might Think =-.
LRW says
Best: I have a back up hair dryer
Worst: my hair dryer died
Aniroc says
Best – I rocked a very cool outfit and makeup duo for a party yesterday. Bold red lips were dramatically awesome!
Worst – calming down a nasty pimple right under my eye, man that thing was throbbing. Good thing it was put to rest before the party, but dude that guy had a life of its own till I took a sterile needle to it and deflated it.
Aniroc says
PST…all you Vitamin C takers out there. Your body only absorbs 300mg per day, so if you take more than that you just pee it out! Take ZINC with your vitamin C as it helps your body absorb it more readily : )
– source, a pharmacologist friend of mine
Christy says
Best: Realizing that MAC Siss lipstick doesn`t look that bad on me the way it used to. It also looks fabulous with almost any shade of lip gloss on top of it.
Worst: One of the Barbie loves Stila lip enamels that I`ve opened wasn`t letting anything out, so I kept twisting it. Silly me, it ended up globbing all over the cap. So now there`s a mess in there and I have to use a separate lip brush since the brush applicator of the lip enamel doesn`t go that deep. Oh well, I`ll know for the next one I open up.
.-= Christy’s last blog post… FOTD: Kat Von D True Love Palette & MAC Siss =-.
Alice says
WORST: a nail broke this morning!!!! just now that my nails were all the same length and growing beautifully… SIGH! and i haven’t got a file to fix it, i’m at the office.. I think i’ll just run to buy one with an excuse!
BEST: today I took the time to do a colorful make-up for work, to fight the winter blues (lately I’ve been overwhelmed by the bad weather and lack of sunlight) and I did a very nice green smokey (big hoop earrings to match, too)… I also managed to take pics of it! It makes me feel better, really. Even though I was late for work and I had to rush! 😀
I was bored of neutrals!!! I seriously need color in my life!
Didi says
Hi Karen – O you should make black tea and spice it with cinnamon and a slice of ginger. It helps sooth the throat. I hope you kick the cold’s *ss !
.-= Didi’s last blog post… Mario Basdescu Acne Repair Kit $46 =-.
Nikki says
Hey Karen!
You should TOTALLY check out David’s Tea. It’s a small tea shop in downtown Toronto that has 100+ teas, words escape me whenever I try to explain how amazing their teas are! Their website is http://www.davidstea.com/ , you should look for Gail’s Cold Remedy if you want something with garlic in it that will give your immune system a boost without making your pores reek of garlic. I’ve been drinking it since the store opened over a year ago, and I haven’t had even as much as a cold since, I’m not kidding!
Just be careful, their teas are almost as addictive as MAC Lipglass… I have 30-something teas in my cupboards right now 🙂