Hi girls! A belated Happy Thanksgiving to you all. The color of this 2 piece dress is really spectacular. Too bad the camera didn’t pick it up accurately. This is still another outfit I got from the Brownstone Studio catalog.
I have gotten a lot of email about makeup in the past few months, much more than usual. Interesting enough I was at the health club Friday morning working off my Thanksgiving when Dolly Parton came on Ellen. At one point she told Ellen that she actually slept in her makeup in case she had to get up in the middle of the night. Just another reason to love Dolly!
Most of you have asked me to tell you my favorites or to recommend something. I have done this before, but here is an updated list. The best thing about makeup these days is you can get really good expensive makeup, or good inexpensive makeup—it’s up to you. Not surprisingly I like both.
So here’s some advice from one girl……first, if you are near a “Sephora” store you simply must go. There are lots of brands and you can stroll around and see everything. And they seem to understand why you are there, and there are never any odd looks. One sales girl in a store near me actually suggests stuff because she remembers what I bought. I would avoid the Sephora brand stuff, and bring a lot on money because it is expensive. Also don’t forget Duty Free Shops when you are traveling
And of course the Mac shops are great and priced less than some of the brands you’ll find in department stores or Sephora. Like Sephora they have no issues with you being there. I just came from one in Burlington, Massachusetts and the women who waits on me is extremely sexy, an extra added benefit. I really didn’t need anything but when I saw when I went in.
One of my favorite newer brands is “Make Up Forever” and all of the Sephora shops seem to have it. Everything is heavily pigmented, no subtle colors.
Vibrant red slip for Old Pueblo Traders
Favorite eye shadows these days are Make Up Forever, Shu Uemura (Only at their shops it seems) and Yves St. Laurent. For a less expensive choice consider the theatrical brand “Stargazer”. Good colors and fairly priced.
Also if you haven’t tried “Eye Dust” you should. There is a British brand called “Go” that has great colors, as does a Canadian company called “Medusa” (http://www.medusasmakeup.com). The color choices are amazing, bright yellow, reds pinks and oranges, and more subtle colors as well. Warning, this takes a little practice!!!
For blush I like Lancôme, Nars, and Lorac. Mac is good as well.
I like cake eyeliner and you can’t beat Mary Kay’s discontinued version.
For foundation I am using Make Up Forever’s pancake, or Dermablend’s Smooth Indulgence. This is not the waxy stuff they make and I like it a lot. Remember though that I am not going for a "natural" look.
For false eyelashes I like the newer “Stargazer”, but to find these go to EBay UK. A real find as been Eeyelash.com. They have lots of choices and the prices are really good. (http://www.eeyelash.com)
Pressed or loose powder is essential, and I still use the Yves St. Laurent. However I also use Lorac and Estee Lauder.
Lip liners. I love lip liners. Mac is still best without a doubt. Though I like Nars and Make Up Forever as well. Avoid the softer ones like Estee Lauder because the “run”.
Lipstick is all over the place. I went into Sephora one day and saw the brand Napoleon Peris in sale so bought three lipsticks, all wonderful. I understand this is available a Target stores in the US now, but I don’t know if it is the same. YSL is always great, and they have s new “Rouge Volupte” that is nice. Lancôme, Mac and Clarins are all good too.
I cannot stress how important brushes are. You know those spongy applicators that come with some eye shadow? Throw them away! You are better off with the inexpensive brushes you can find at the health and beauty stores. But I recommend Mac’s more than anyone’s, followed by the extensive choice at Sephora. If you take care of them they last a long time. Hint 1, don’t bother with those little brushes that come with some blushes, buy a big one. Hint 2---if you are an eyeliner addict like me, go to a craft store and buy paint brushes. Don’t buy the cheapest ones; spend $9 or $10.
I have gone back to an old favorite for perfume—“Shalimar”. I also like Lancome’s “Magnifique” and “Insolence” . A warning about Insolence—it stays with you, so only apply it once. I tend to refresh a number of times. Just a few weeks ago Trudy the lawyer could smell it on me, and I blamed a non existent dinner date from the night before.
Just the other day we were having coffee and Trudy asked me what I thought of plastic surgery. She is thinking of doing some stuff. I find it amazing that people ask me this question. I don’t know her all that well, but I told her what I tell everyone—if you can afford it, and it is going to make you feel better—go for it!. The only way I can describe her reaction is “grateful”.
