Much like his bulging biceps (OH, HAI), Jeremey Renner’s makeup advice is a gift that keeps on giving.
J. Renn, do you know how many times your “Brows, lashes, lips. Frame the face,” (3:36 in the video!) wisdom has saved my @ss? More times than Tabs has greedily gobbled down his gravy in 30 seconds or less, I’ll tell you that much.
Whenever I’m running late — like, so late that I don’t even have time to check if I’m putting on my underwear inside-out and literally don’t realize it until halfway through the day (#truth) — I always go back to J. Renn’s philosophy on brows, lashes and lips.
It’s particularly useful when I have to look somewhat respectable, and not like I just fell out of a slow-moving recycling truck, also known as “my usual state of disarray.”
In those cases, I grab a few time-tested faves — an angled brush and MAC Brun to fill in my brows, a bright NARS Satin Lip Pencil (like Lodhi, Jardin des Plants or Yu) and a pair of Ardell 120 Demi false lashes.
Whenever I see those Ardells on sale, I try to grab a few pairs. Like earlier this month, I saw they were marked down to $2.99 from $3.99 at Ulta (they still are!). I picked up three pairs and squirreled them away in a drawer for future lateness.
With these, I really like how the lashes are bundled together.
See how they’re all in little bunches along the band?
I don’t know why, but I like the way that design works. With these and other false lashes that look that way, when they’re bundled up in little bunches, they seem to thicken my natural fringe without looking too crazy — still glam, but more on the natural side.
Also, notice how the lashes in the bundles on the outer sides are a little longer than the ones in the center? I think it draws more attention to the outer corners of the eye, giving more of a lifted cat eye effect, which I’m a big fan of. REALLY GREAT if you’re wearing winged liner.
Best of all, I think these are really comfortable. They’re lightweight, and I don’t think I’ve ever ripped them off in frustration halfway through the day. I actually forget I’m wearing them sometimes.
When I remove the 120s, I usually clean them with rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip to remove the glue and mascara, and then store them in the original packaging so they keep their shape.
If I treat them carefully, I can usually get 7-10 uses per pair.
The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.
Seriously, next time you have to get dressed for something in a jiffy and don’t have time to, like, blend three different shades of brown in the crease, try a pair of the 120s with a bright lipstick, and then fill in your brows.
You’ll totally look like you tried. 🙂
I’ve seen the Ardell 120s sold at Target, Rite Aid and Ulta. They come in Black and Brown single pairs and packs of two.
Probably a little TMI…
But I’m going there anyway. Because I need to share my pain!
My booty hurts.
It hurts from canoeing on the Russian River last Sunday. Like, when I sit on my soft couch at home, I feel like sharp pieces of jagged concrete are digging into my butt bones.
The repercussions of outdoor adventures, I guess…
I can’t wait to do it again! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Vineetha says
May 27th, 2014 at 10:07 amThese are nice! I always get these from Ulta as most oten than not they are on sale! 🙂
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Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 10:47 amHi Vineetha,
What glue do you usually like to use with your Ardells?
Agata says
May 27th, 2014 at 10:34 amThese look really natural and what a great deal. I only wish I knew how to apply false eyelashes, you should do a tutorial on that!
It looks like you had fun this weekend, the beach looks beautiful!
Agata recently posted … A Sea Inspired Eye Makeup Tutorial
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 10:46 amHi Agata,
Happy Tuesday! 😀 As far as applying lashes, these are some of the easiest to use. If you give yourself a week or two to diligently practice, it becomes super easy. The best advice I can give you is to look down into a mirror. That really helps me a lot!
How was your weekend? What did you do?
Agata says
May 27th, 2014 at 12:18 pmOk, next time I am at Ulta I am buying a few pairs of these and practising!
I had a fun weekend, a BBQ parry at my friends’ on Sunday and yesterday me and my husband went to a small Bavarian town up north Michigan (Frankenmuth), had a delicious dinner, walked around the town, went shopping, the weather was beautiful!
Agata recently posted … A Sea Inspired Eye Makeup Tutorial
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 12:29 pmIt takes a few tries, but seriously, once you get it down it’s easy. To make things easier for you:
1) Paint the band first (I just use black gel liner) so you don’t have to paint it after application
2) Give your glue time to dry
3) Use as little glue as possible. Seriously! I find that if I put too much the lashes feel uncomfortable
That town sounds like fun sightseeing. What did you guys have for dinner?
Stephanie Carpenter says
May 27th, 2014 at 10:59 amThese lashes are great! It is much easier applying lashes with clear bands (like these) versus those big thick black ones! I also like the fact that they are pretty lightweight and blend well with your natural lashes. I’ve been doing as much practice with them as I can lately. I’ve been currently using the Duo lash glue with the brush on applicator. I’m sure you’ve seen them. It almost looks like a small lip gloss. The formula isn’t super thick and goes on blue-pearlescent! It reminds me a lot of the makeup forever lash glue. 🙂
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 12:32 pmHi Stephanie,
I actually haven’t tried that version of Duo but it sounds GREAT. I use the black one, which starts off gray and then dries black. That brush on applicator sure handy! I always end up breaking a Q-tip in two and using the side without the cotton to apply the glue.
Ashley says
May 27th, 2014 at 11:27 amThese are my favorite lashes of all time! I usually stock up on the double packs when I’m at Ulta.
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 4:23 pmGreat minds think alike, Ashley! What glue do you usually use with your 120s?
Divya says
May 27th, 2014 at 11:37 amOh these look lovely! That picture is so natural!
Glorya says
May 27th, 2014 at 11:38 amI love Ardell lashes…Nordstrom Rack sells them for less than the average drug store. I stock up on two or three each time I am in the store. Overall, I like Sephora’s lashes the best as I can use them repeatedly before it’s time to say good by. I learned to use lashes after turning 49 years young.
Kiss & Make-up says
May 27th, 2014 at 11:48 amI’m sorry to hear about your aching booty. But! At least you have the most fab-looking lashes in town!
Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | Exurbe Cosmetics Nail Varnish in French Kiss, The Sweet Escape, Holiday & Lotus Flower
lisa says
May 27th, 2014 at 11:56 amKaren – i am terrible at figuring out how much to trim off of the sides of my false lashes. I cut off 1 bunch at a time until they are inevitably too short 🙁 On the rare occasion where i cut them to the right size and keep them as a template for future lashes, it never seems to work out when i go between lash styles. any tips/tricks?
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 12:31 pmHi Lisa,
Have you tried marking off the spot on the edge before cutting? You can use black gel liner to mark a spot on the band where you think you need to cut it. Set the lashes (without any glue) on top of your natural ones, then check in the mirror to see if the spot where you put the mark works with your natural lashes. Does that make sense? Also, I always cut from the inner portion, not the outer portion, of the lashes.
Chris25 says
May 27th, 2014 at 12:31 pmIt would put up with booty pain if it meant I got to go canoeing. It sounds like major fun!
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Kwmechelle says
May 27th, 2014 at 1:23 pmThese are really great tips. I use Ardell 109 lashes (don’t know why that’s my fave pair). I feel like Bambi with them on, for some reason. Sorry your booty hurts! My philosophy? If I look good while doing it, and had a good time, the pain is worth it! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 4:22 pmHi KWMechelle,
Ya know, I don’t think I’ve ever tried the 109s. I’ll put them on my list and look out for them when I hit up Ulta. 🙂
How was your weekend, by the way? What did you do?
gio says
May 27th, 2014 at 1:24 pmLove those lashes! They’re very pretty and natural!
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Carolyn says
May 27th, 2014 at 3:59 pmWhat eye shadows are you wearing here? Love the color combo
Karen says
May 27th, 2014 at 4:21 pmThanks Carolyn!
I’m wearing a few things from the new MAC Alluring Aquatic collection. 🙂 Here’s a link to the post with the list of a full breakdown of the products:
A Metallic Green and Warm Smokey Brown MAC Alluring Aquatic Face of the Day
Christine says
May 27th, 2014 at 4:25 pmI love myself some Ardell lashes. I’m partial to the 110’s but I think I’ll give the 120’s a try.
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Poo@beautyandmakeupmatters says
May 27th, 2014 at 5:57 pmThese false lashes look great. I kind of avoid these usuaallyy but u tempted me again.. 😛
take care dear.. canoeing must be fun!!
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Sylirael says
May 28th, 2014 at 2:00 amI have never tried false lashes! True story. I find that most of the ones readily available here look rather intimidating 😛
Sylirael recently posted … Rogueish Fun and Biscuit-Based Mayhem! Gandyl the Grey Eye Comics From Karen and Ooly!
Erin says
May 28th, 2014 at 8:22 amI’ve only worn falsies a few times in real life. I get asked all the time if I’m wearing them when I wear mascara. I have fairly long lashes for my eye size and shape, they are just clear. If I use a thickening mascara, they look pretty glam. Unless I was getting pro photos or had a major event I can’t be bothered!
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Smita Roy says
June 10th, 2014 at 10:08 amI got these few days back on your recommendation…cant wait to wear these 🙂
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