What a busy, makeup-filled day, girls! I had quite the adventure this morning in San Francisco. Oh, it’s a doozy. It all started with an early morning meeting at a cosmetics company in the city. The full story won’t be ready until tomorrow, but for now let’s just say it involves dramatic makeup and TLC.
When I got home from the city this afternoon I was spent and tried to take a cat nap, but my hair was stinky as a result of said adventure in the city, so I decided to take a long shower instead. I reached for my new super shampoo and conditioner combo — Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moistruzing Shampoo ($10.95) and Conditioner ($11.95).
I’m a die hard Bumble & Bumble girl, but lately I’ve been trying a few other hair brands on for size. I’m on a lavender kick because I’ve been a little stressed lately, and lavender has helped me to relax. Tea Tree Lavender Mint’s clean, lavender scent doesn’t smell powdery or perfumey at all, which I love, and the combo leaves my hair feeling soft to the touch.
After my shower I took another shot at a cat nap. Within minutes I drifted off to sleep, breathing in Tea Tree Lavender Mint’s soothing scent. I woke up from my nap feeling totally refreshed. Not only does Tea Tree Lavender Mint smell yummy, it moisturizes and makes my hair shiny, too. Loving it!
Tonight, after answering e-mails and running a few errands, I did what I do best: surfing the internets for a new makeup obsession. I’m hunting for the right shade of blue mascara. I searched high and low on Sephora.com today but couldn’t make a decision. I narrowed it down to these five:
- Diorshow in Azure Blue, $24
- Shu Uemura Precise Volume Waterproof Mascara in 03 Blue, $23
- Vincent Longo Vibrant Eye Waterproof Mascara, $24
- Too Faced Lash Injection in Bright Blue, $19.50
- Bourjois Maxi Frange Maximum Length and Volume Mascara Waterproof in Blue Bora Bora, $19
I hoped a trip to the gym tonight would help me sort out which blue to buy, but even after 45 minutes on the elliptical machine and some half-assed sit-ups (am I the only person who hates doing core work?), I was no closer to a decision. Have you used any of these mascaras before? Do you have a fave?
While at the gym I saw a blurb on TV about the upcoming Sex and the City movie. It comes out on the 30th. I can hardly wait!
I hope your Friday was extra fun and that you’re ready to rock this weekend!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Sal says
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:03 pmKaren my love, I’d go with the blue mascara with the right tone to bring out your peepers. Shu’s looks a bit on the purple side, Longo’s on the green, Bourjois’s a bit grey. I guess try on an eyeliner with either hue, see which one makes your eyes look purdy then go with the blue in that tone?
Meanwhile, we all know the best core exercises don’t happen in the gym.
Lilan says
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:55 pmHiya Karen,
Blue mascara is definitely one that I’ve been thinking about as well! I recall years ago using a blue from Benefit that I remembered was nice and vibrant without being overly scary.
PS – I’m getting my SATC fix right now on TBS. SPJ doesn’t look cute with short blown out hair; she looks much older. I love her curly hair for sure!
Mariah says
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:23 amWell, I always love DiorShow. It’s always a winner, and is my HG. But then Shu is also a leader in lashes, so their mascara must be too right? I’ve also heard fantastic things about Bourjois’ mascaras too…
I dunno. I would try them in the store. But Dior is always a good choice. (Like Sam Addams? HA! JK, Sam Adams is swill beer.)
Mariahs last blog post..Drinkie!
Mariah says
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 amOh, oops I forgot to mention: I am actually loving Max Factor’s blue/pink mascara. I bought it simply because I love the idea of blue lashes with pink tips, (I usually don’t buy Drugstore mascara) but this really surprised me as to how well it works!
They come in other colors too, but this blue/pink (2 applicators, so they can be worn separate or layered) has been touted as “pretty nifty” by magazines lately, and is totally wearable and not as 80’s as it sounds.
Mariahs last blog post..Drinkie!
Holly says
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:11 amHey Karen,
not to throw you into more confusion but the Benefit bad lash Blue is a really cute blue mascara too!!
Karen B says
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:51 amWell, colour-wise I’d go for Vincent Longo’s, but I have a fair complexion so I think for you it’d be better to take a deeper blue.
Dior looks great as does Bourjois. For me these would be too dark, but I think you would pull it off beautifully. (can’t believe I just gave you advice…. lol)
Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme
temi says
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:22 amHey Karen. When it first came out I used Inimitable in Noir-Indigo, with navy blue eyeliner and it looked great with my brown eyes. Also during spring break, a friend (who knows how much I love makeup) gave me Great Lash in Royal Blue ( which she searched 6 targets to find – how sweet is she?) and while i hate great lash, royal blue is awesome and you should check that out.Another mascara you could check out is inimitable in emeraude. I got it a couple weeks ago, and I really love it, way more than I thought I would.I’ve been rocking it with my oasis quad (which i bought on your recommendation) and they go great together. Hope that helps.
Chamayne says
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 amI’m with Temi, Inimitable in Indigo all the way.
Amanda says
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 amyey, a girl after my own heart! I’ve been on a blue mascara kick too. But I’ve been wanting a navy blue, as opposed to bright blue. I do like the looks of the diorshow one, and of course shu! (didn’t realize that it came in blue-how super fun is that?). I’m gonna check out the too faced and bourjois as well. wow, that wasn’t much help, LOL.
As for blue for me, I found a “blue-black” from the l’oreal hip line earlier this month,and it’s wonderful. But I think it may be discontinued since I cannot find another one. 🙁 I want to try korres next, they also have a blue black listed on sephora.
Rowena says
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:42 amHey Karen!
I am a blue mascara lover too, I have tried 4 of the mascaras you mention (apart from Vincent Longo).
How vivid do you want it? YSL Faux Cils in Blue, is a gorgeous royal blue, very bold, very beautiful. Shu Fiber Xtention in blue is a lighter, bright bright blue. There are loads of others but these two are my fav – I think the YSL is the best, the colour is not too bright or light, but not too dark to not notice 🙂
Rowenas last blog post..The Multi Talented Palette!
Bridget says
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 amThe only blue mascara I ever tried was one previously mentioned, the Max Factor blue and pink duo. I like it! I also like the brown/gold due. A little flash when I’m wearing a low key eye.
The Too Faced blue mascara sounds nice.
The only way I do core work is Pilates! I’ve never had such good stomach muscles(even after years of competitive diving!) as I did with Pilates. That 20 minute Winsor dvd is amazing.haha
Within the past year I’ve grown my hair out and can’t find shampoo/conditioner I really like. I never had to worry about it with such short hair. I just bought some Pantene on sale, maybe it’ll do something.haha That Lavender and mint you used sounds really nice!
Dao says
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 amThe Shu one looks promising. You know Madonna wears blue-purple mascara, right? Another useless fact from me ;D I like tea tree oil very much. It’s the multi-tasking oil that treats pimples, cures dandruff, and promotes hair growth. Within a month you’ll see more hair growing out from your head than ever before, believe me!
Glosslizard says
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 amHi Karen!
Oooh, I can’t wait to hear about your adventures! 🙂
I tend to like the darker blues that tend toward navy or deep indigo, so I vote for Dior or Bourjois based purely on color! Also, Max Factor does have a blue version of its regular Lash Perfection mascara in addition to the double-ended one Mariah mentioned.
That lavender mint hair stuff sounds beautiful! Maybe I’ll try it someday, but right now I’m still swooning over Oscar Blandi’s jasmine line!
Teresa says
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:47 pmHey Karen,
I was on the hunt for a blue mascara too… I turned up one by Almay, it’s part of their intense-i-color line. It’s called “Blue Sapphire.” I’m pretty pleased with it. The color is very subtle (it shows up on me as a black/blue) and makes my eyes pop, plus it separates lashes nicely.
Anyways have a great weekend everybody!
Katti says
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 pmHi
Have you seen the ones from Urban decay, thinking about getting the one in Electric Blue.
I love your blog. Keep up the good work!
Kattis last blog post..Man vet att ett land har olja när….
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pmHi Sal,
Thanks for your input, girl! When I think about what colors work for me Navy comes to mind. I’ll prolly try that first. And woo hoo to the core exercise you’re doing! 😉
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pmHi Lilan,
Yah, that’s Bad Gal Blue. I don’t really use their products because several of the face colors just don’t work on me, but I liked the line years ago, when I first started wearing makeup.
LOL, even though I have the SATC dvd’s and have seen all the eps so many times I still like to watch them on TBS, too. I know exactly which parts were cut out for tv!
Happy Saturday! Doing anything fun? I hope it’s sunny round your way.
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pmHi Mariah,
GURRRRRLLL. If you like beer then I swear you gotta try Phuket beer from Thailand. I bought some from Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago after having it at my fave Thai restaurant. Goes good with chicken yellow curry and a big pot of rice!
I used one tube of Bourjois mascara AGES ago (like, more than a decade) and I can’t remember what it was or how it performed. Maybe it’s time to revisit.
BTW, I love Diorshow too. I haven’t used it in a few years because I just like trying other things, but it is one of those holy grails, for sure!
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pmHi Holly,
Yah! I am thinking that one’s gotta go on the list, too. Do you use it by itself, or do you layer it on top of black mascara?
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pmHi Karen B.,
Thank you for your input, girlfriend! 🙂 I am leaning towards something dark or bright blue right now. Who knew such decisions could consume me, LOL. I hope you’re having a good weekend so far!
Lilan says
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:20 pmOh it’s definitely not sunny ’round these parts. But it’s not cold either so I’m not minding it too much. Since I was kinda lazy to go out today, I thought I’d make the BF his favorite oxtail stew and pecan pie. It’s on the stove right now and I’m about to start the pie right now! Boy, I can’t wait for bourbon-spiked whipped cream! LOL
Hope your Saturday is going well, doing anything fun?
Lilans last blog post..Friday Night Fun!
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pmHi Temi,
That’s very sweet that your friend looked so hard to get you that tube of Great Lash. I am not the biggest fan of that particular type of mascara but I always appreciate when friends do thoughtful things like that!
Several ladies have recommended Emeraude and it’s definitely in my Chanel future! I didn’t know you had brown eyes — isn’t it great how blues, greens and purples look with our eye color? For years all I wore were browns and earth tones (hey, it was the 90s), and now that I’ve become more adventurous with color I love how these shades make brown eyes pop.
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pmHi Chamayne,
Woot! That’s now on the investigation list too. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Karen says
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pmHi Amanda,
You crack me up! If we ever went shopping together I could already see the makeup mayhem (“but what about this one? oh! try that one! wait, there’s …”)! I like the idea of blue black but dunno if I want subtle. I want obvious, perhaps even borderline obnoxious, blue. I think that’s due to my 80s upbringing though; when I was a kid all the older girls/teenagers wore brightly colored mascara! Yes, I was uber jealous!
Diana Ajih says
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 pmHey Karen.
The Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo and conditioner seems like a great product for my mom. She loves the smell of lavender and I’ve been wondering what to add to her mother’s day gift that’s inexpensive. I think she would love it. Thanks for the post.
Diana Ajihs last blog post..Protect Skin Beauty and Health with Sephora’s Summer Collection
Karen B says
May 4th, 2008 at 6:37 amYeah, I had fun during the weekend. Finally had the time to browse Specktra 🙂
Karen Bs last blog post..Icon meme
Amanda says
May 4th, 2008 at 8:40 amoh! speaking of 80’s blue, do you have a Cosmetics company store (the makeup outlet store) nearby? I found colored mac pro long lash (BRIGHT blue and green) at the one by my for only $7! The hubby and I had an 80’s bowling party to go to last weekend, and I totally did up the 80’s makeup, complete with bright blue mascara, and crimped hair (but hey I won best dressed!)
Holly says
May 4th, 2008 at 12:57 pmHi Karen,
I just use the bad lash blue by itself but i do have pretty long lashes anyway and my fabulous shu umeura curlers do the rest!! I have to credit you with the advice on buying them, I have never looked back!!
I had a bit of a makeup and skincare splurge this weekend actually! I bought a Bronze Universal and a petit pinceau brush from chanel, some elizabeth adren 8hr goodies (the intensive moisture body cream is fantasitc!), a clarins cleansing milk and spf 30 eye cream amongst lots of other things haha!! Thank the lord for discount otherwise i would be bankrupt! I also got lots of Clarins samples to try out which im already loving, particularly their younger longer balm!
*Jen* says
May 4th, 2008 at 3:58 pmhi karen!
i love your blog and check it daily! i just wanted to chime in on the mascara question. i haven’t tried the others you’ve listed but i recently did a post on the DiorShow in Azure Blue and just wanted to show you that it’s a VERY vibrant shade of blue-much brighter than most people would expect (scroll down for picture).
DiorShow in Azure Blue Review
Hopefully that in some way helps you to make your decision!
aimee says
May 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pmhi. i just wanted to know what is so great about blue mascara? i’ve always wanted to try it but does it do anything for your lashes? does it make eyes brighter? what?
Glosslizard says
May 5th, 2008 at 8:53 pmThere’s also Givenchy Eyefly in a blue shade!