Maybelline Falsies Mascara

I decided to purchase this mascara after I found it for $5 at Target before my Irish getaway. The ad reel for this mascara was definitely appealing, so I thought for such a price, it was definitely worth a shot.

What can I say? It was mediocre, perhaps slightly better. It certainly did not present some of the problems that other Maybelline mascaras have demonstrated in the past (excessive smearing, foul chemical stench, utter failure to deliver promised results). Does it really give a "false lash look"? Nope. But it did provide length, color, curl, and volume, akin to Cover Girl's LashBlast mascara for a slightly lower price. I find that in the long run, I am more pleased with the LashBlast results, but paying $5 for a mascara that delivers these results is pretty good. Be patient, though--like most mascaras, it delivers its best results after a week or two, so don't throw it out if you don't see what you want after the first time or two you use it.

For your convenience, here are links to ordering from Amazon...

Maybelline The Falsies Volum'Express Mascara - Blackest Black

CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara - Very Black

The Bio-Oil Experiment... about 4 days in.

So, a few days after I placed my order (which came to approximately $14 after shipping charges), my 2 oz bottle of Bio-Oil arrived. Now, be aware that the 2 oz bottle is pretty small, but it does come in larger quantities. I thought I would just start small so we all know what we are dealing with.

It wasn't until my package arrived that I was able to read the instructions, so let me start with those. The official instructions to treat any of its described uses (scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, dehydrated skin, or aging skin) is to apply to affected area twice daily for a minimum of three months. Now, three months must seem like a long time to you. It did to me, too. But the stretch marks I have formed over a long time, so when you think about it, it is only natural for it to take some time for the deep layers of the skin to heal.

The biggest challenge to see if this will work will fall to all of us busy bees, especially the young moms that have very little time to think about pampering themselves. My only potential remedy is to get yourself into a routine. You know how they tell you to remember to take your birth control by putting the pills by your toothbrush? Well, work out something like that. Get yourself into the habit of applying this stuff right after you dry off from your shower and right before you go to bed. Otherwise, you cannot expect any results whatsoever.

While Bio-Oil claims to have a "non-greasy" feel, the fact is that it is oil. Actually, it's a lot of different kinds of oils combined. So it does take a few minutes to rub in completely. So far, I have not had an issue with it soaking through my clothes/underwear and/or staining. But still--you have to be sure to rub it in. To help make things a little more exciting, you could ask your spouse to help rub it in on the affected areas, as this can be very soothing. There is a smell to the Bio-Oil, but I wouldn't call it an unpleasant one.

It is certainly too early to report any noticeable results for my stretch marks, but I can say that I like that Bio-Oil can be used for dehydrated skin; once I am done applying it to my stretch marks, I simply rub it into my hands and they feel much better. At this point, I estimate that the 2 oz bottle will last me 1 month+. Maybe 6 weeks. But I am applying it to limited areas. If you are participating in this experiment, I would suggest doing the same thing in order to best measure your results. Choose one spot where you have particularly prominent scarring or stretch marks and focus your attention there. Then take pictures to measure the changes (if there are any). My pictures will be coming soon.

Good luck!

Kay Mc

Bio-Oil Experiment...

Since many of my potential readers are young mothers that want to get back to the look and feel of their pre-baby bodies, it is only natural that each of them will want to find a way to get stretch marks to vanish. For many, especially those with only one or two kids, the weight drops off fairly quickly, but those whitish or even red marks are awfully unsightly. Now, I've never had a baby, but I am actually halfway covered with stretch marks--this is because they are caused by--what else?--the skin being forced to stretch beyond its capacity. This happens often when people gain and lose weight, which is why it is so prominent during and after pregnancy. I have always wanted to banish the white marks that spider across my legs, buttocks, and lower stomach, but many products that claim to do so are expensive and therefore out of reach. That is why I am going to order this 2 oz. bottle of Bio-Oil. It is listed under $10 from Amazon.com, plus S+H.

So, as I go through this experiment, I will take photos which may be somewhat unpleasant to view (I'll be sure to photograph appropriate areas, but let's face it--stretch marks just aren't pretty). If you like, you can try this experiment with me and share your results/reviews for all readers to see. Good luck!

A Warning About Benzoyl Peroxide

If you didn't know this already, I'll be the one to break your heart: there is no cure for acne. Yes, there are treatments of all kinds available, and for those of us with persistent, stubborn acne, we have tried almost everything out there. Most acne treatments out there, particularly those available OTC, use one of two alternative medications that are meant to help fight acne and its effects (swelling, redness, etc.): salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is closely related to aspirin and is used to slough off dead skin cells for exfoliation purposes while also treating inflammation on the face. In higher doses, it can also be used to treat calluses and warts, among other skin troubles.

Benzoyl peroxide has been used in the treatment of acne since the 1920's. It can be very effective in the treatment of particularly stubborn acne, which is why it is the main active ingredient in the cleanser portion of the popular treatment system ProActiv Solution.

But what you need to understand about benzoyl peroxide is that many, many people (about 5%) are sensitive or intolerant of benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl is a very harsh chemical that is also used as a bleaching agent for dyeing hair and turning flour white. Yes, that's right. Though research has suggested that higher concentrations of benzoyl in acne-fighting products (5%-10%) are not any more effective than a low dose of 2.5%, most over the counter products as well as more specialized treatments like Proactiv contain a 5% or higher concentration. If you decide to use a product that had benzoyl in it, you need to watch your skin carefully for signs of sensitivity or allergy. This happened to me when my skin started going sickly pale, while former scar tissue and current flare-ups starting turning very, very red. Others might experience skin peeling or burning. If this happens to you, discontinue use of that product right away! Until you can find an alternative acne treatment, switch to an inexpensive over the counter gentle cleanser. Your skin should begin healing almost immediately.

If you aren't sure whether or not you have a benzoyl peroxide sensitivity, then start with a low-dose product--one with a 2.5% concentration. These can be difficult to find, but a few minutes in the drugstore's skincare aisle should help you find something. But in my personal opinion, it is probably best to stick to salicylic acid as the active acne fighter in your cleanser--1-2% concentration will do the trick. If you have an allergy to aspirin, though, it is best to stay away from that, too. Consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find the best solution for you.

Kay Mc

N.Y.C. New York Color Line and Define Brow/Liner Pencils (Jet Black)

Almost every woman I know feels sexy and bold when she adds a little liner to her eyes to make them pop. And, as most people know, I am notorious for wearing perhaps a little too much liner every day. ("My sister wears a lot of eye makeup. People think she's a whore."--Name that movie!) Anyway, so, it has been up to me to investigate all kinds of liners, especially those that double as brow definers--not that I need to "fill in" my eyebrows, but I frequently need to darken or lighten them, depending on my current hair color.

Now, as you are probably aware, eye lining/brow defining pencils are cheaper than other alternatives, such a creme eyeliners (also called crayons) or liquid options, and this set of two small-ish pencils is about the most inexpensive that they come. I picked this set up at Target for less than $2 (about $1.72 before tax, if I remember correctly).

What it is: N.Y.C. New York Color Line and Define Brow/Liner Pencils in Jet Black.

0.04 oz or 1.0 g.

These are your standard pencils which need to be sharpened like any other. It is recommended that you use the N.Y.C. Dual Sharpener 979 A/U.

What it claims: "N.Y.C. brow and liner pencils make lining and defining brows and eyes quick and easy. Special formula is soft enough to easily fill in brows, yet firm enough to prevent smudging and running. Perfectly sized for on-the-go good looks."

The result: Part of the claim is true. It works well for darkening my eyebrows. Some pencils tend to overdo the black with just the lightest stroke, but I have had success with this one. However, like any pencil eyeliner, it is, in fact, prone to smudging, so be careful. The biggest issue I had with these pencils is the lid. Just like any pencil liner, each is given a lid, but this one doesn't actually stay on! The cap comes off with the slightest touch, and so when I stored the pencil in my purse--even just inside my makeup bag in my purse--the tip wound up smooshed, rendering it almost useless, or worse--giving it a sharp edge so that it was painful to use. For the price, this is an excellent eyeliner to use, as long as it is safely tucked away at home, where the cap won't come off. If you want to have an eyeliner that can be easily stowed with you without worrying that the cap will come off, try something else.

Final verdict?: Three stars out of a total five.

Equate Ultra Restoring Skin Therapy Lotion

I know that out of all the things I could have chosen to review for my first official entry, this may seem like a strange one. But the truth is, I didn't have "winter dry skin" until I experienced my first winter in Utah. I thought that any old lotion would do the trick, but I soon found that I was wrong. So, this winter, after noticing that my knuckles were chapped and--gulp!--on the brink of bleeding, I decided I needed something a little stronger than my standard Johnson's lotion.

What it is: Equate Ultra Restoring Skin Therapy Lotion. 14 oz.; 396 g

According to the label, this is meant to be compared to Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion--13 oz.; available at Wal-Mart for about $8.92 (though prices in store may vary).

This is a standard pump bottle. I will get back to you on the exact price after my next trip to the local Wal-Mart. My guess was that it was under $5.

What it claims: With nourishing aloe and three essential vitamins for skin health (A, C, and E), this lotion is meant to "[help] heal extremely dry and rough skin." It is hypoallergenic, safe to use on the delicate skin of the face, and does not leave a greasy residue.

Keep in mind: I wash my hands A LOT. As in... OCD a lot. The rest of my skin is in pretty good condition, so I mostly used this on my hands.

The result: I actually love this lotion. My hands tend to break into a sweat when I use almost any other lotion, but this formula truly was non-greasy. The formula makes it very thick, so I would not recommend it for use on the face as a continual moisturizer unless you have dry skin, though I did use it a few times, and it did not cause any overt problems. Especially if you have skin starved of moisture, this may be a great low-priced option to treat it.

I am so qualified, it's not even funny. Okay--maybe it is.

So, I've been toying with the idea of beginning this health and beauty blog for some months now, but I felt truly inspired to follow through this very morning. I think it all began when I "cheated on" my mascara--Cover Girl's LashBlast--to try out Lash Stiletto by Maybelline. It was a horrible, horrible experience. Despite the cutesy little bottle and the claims about "patent shine," and so on, it exuded this putrid chemical smell and refused to dry, so I had little black dots smattered across my eyelids at varying intervals during the day. Yuck! My first thought was, Everyone should know about this! Then it occurred to me that, over the years of my constant experimentation, I had made many similar mishaps and mistakes--but I'd also had tons of wonderful discoveries, particularly as I have become an adult (sort of) and have had to operate on a tight budget.

Now, I like to think that I clean up rather well. But underneath everything, I actually have my fair share of "issues." I have had an ongoing battle with not only managing but also accepting my hair, as curly and insane as it often is, since I was about 8 years old. Problem skin set in around age 13. But on top of all that I have--gasp!--cellulite, stretch marks, calloused feet, and more that you probably don't even want to think about. That's why I'm the perfect dummy, if you will. I have enough problems that results of any kind are noticeable.

So follow me on my journey to continually look and feel my best through the use of countless products and services--all while operating inside of a budget. And by that, I don't mean a celebrity's budget. I will regale you here with photos, tips, reviews, instructions, and advice. Along the way, I will have guest bloggers, take suggestions, and more.

Let me just say in closing that I am not a health or beauty professional. When you have a serious concern, you should always take it up with a physician--whether it be a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or what have you. Don't ever substitute my advice for sound medical counsel. As long as you remember that, we should have fun.

Kay Mc