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Comments
· September 26, 2005 8:42 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
· September 14, 2005 7:36 PM by
Colleen Shirazi
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The Lipstick Page Forums Beauty & Fashion Blog: September 2005
Beauty Notes: Where to begin?
Posted by Dain, Monday, September 26, 2005 11:11 AM (Eastern)
It's difficult to try blogging again, after so long away. Especially since my cosmetic condition is so nebulous, and my technology so cranky (now my hard drive . But then, I use this blog as a "thinkpad", so perhaps it is well that I begin (even if I have class in five minutes).
Ok, I am back, and it is now 4:16 (long day). I am well, though busy.
There are a few things, floating through my head, none of which have any well organized plans behind them. So I apologize for the rambly nature of this blog, but we'll move on from there.
1. Skin?
I've been using Dr. Hauschka for the past few months. Now, this is a superb line: ecofriendly, pure ingredients, holistic (the products work together), and based on a deep understanding of how skin works. Ideal, really, if all you do is pamper yourself and have scads of money—e.g. Kate Moss who has gallons of Evian delivered to her home so that her skin touches only the purest water. I am not Kate Moss.
I need a cleanser (preferably of the milky/creamy/non-foaming variety) and a moisturizer, and some sort of accessory serum for intense moisture. All of these products must be gentle, simple but elegant formulations, with soft, pleasant scents. The cleanser must remove all makeup, the moisturizer helpful, not combative, with the skin. Cetaphil and Better Botanicals Dandelion Moisturizer, my staples of years. Except, the Cetaphil is very poor at removing makeup. So, Avéne Gentle Milk Cleanser (don't like the smell)? Better Botanicals Chamomile Cleanser (need sample, does it remove makeup?)? Body Time Calendula Cleanser (hmm... removes makeup?)? God knows. As for the serum, Biotherm Biosensitive Concentrate has done me well in the past, though I'm curious about others.
In addition, some sort of added radiance/illuminating effect through some face product. Not sure where to begin with this. YSL Touche Eclat (I use Stephane Marais now, but SM is discontinued), of course, as undereye concealer. But what for the rest of the face? Guerlain Les Metéorites? T. LeClerc (which shade? Nacré or Orchidée?)? Or, I could go the route, not of powders, but of tinted moisturizers / primers, like YSL Teint Parfait. Tricky, tricky.
2. God, I want a tuberose perfume
Particularly Serge Lutens Tubéreuse Criminelle, but I'd like Caron Tubéreuse as well. I'm not into florals, but this is so hot, so bold, so womanly, and oh so dangerous—the most magnificent sillage imaginable (both are difficult to get). Would love an autumnal scent: Serge Lutens Chergui, Chanel Bois des Isles, Balenciaga Le Dix, Guerlain Mitsouko, etc, etc, but not sure which to choose, since I've only sniffed Mitsouko.
3. The Look of Fall 2005
As evidenced here, one popular look for fall is fresh and clean, just subtle enhancements of beauty already there. Defined brows, clean eyes (just a smudge of matte taupe), dusty subtle blush, peony-tinted lips. Now, I personally need some modifications from that formula, as all of these girls are golden brunettes with blue eyes and a light tan, but the idea remains the same. Essential items, then, for me?
- Tweezerman Tweezers and Maybelline Twin Brow Pencil
- Becca Cream Blush in Amaryllis
- MAC Teddy Eye Kohl and L'Oréal Voluminous Mascara (my eyes need definition), with a very gentle hint of shadow, champagne shimmer or transparent lilac
- peony tint? Hell if I know. I'm a little limited when it comes to lipsticks. Maybe Chantecaille Nougat.
I've always rather thought overpriced body products a waste of time and money. What for? But now, now that I have these depressing showers in the shithole that is JE (my residential college), I really do want something that will make the experience more enjoyable. I have dry skin, so the process involves more time than I'd like to admit (an hour and a half in total), so why not? I don't even know where to begin, though. A shower gel, body moisturizer, a body oil with bronze-y shimmer, and a body scrub would be good places to start. Maybe not the scrub—I really have no use for scrubs. I'm very picky about how things smell, so it's difficult to choose. I have my eye on Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil ($20), which I don't much consider for its anti-cellulite properties, but since Lucky said it has a "crisp, Norwegian-forest scent", I hanker to get my hands on it. And I'll mix in some bronzer powder, from Wet 'n' Wild, for fabulous nights out.
Labels: beauty notes
Odd notes
Posted by Colleen Shirazi, Saturday, September 24, 2005 3:36 AM (Eastern)
Hey! :) It's nice to see you once in a while.
I've been gone a lot too lately. I'm up for a job actually. Whether or not I in fact get the job, it already marks the end of my stint as a SAHM. How that is relevant to beauty, um, well it isn't. I've just been off the sites recently.
It's funny but the common wisdom that it is the teenage years that are difficult in child-raising...is bollocks. I think it's because those first six-plus years are handled by women, and they are invisible. The hard part is the pregnancy. It then gets gradually easier and easier, from that point forward.
Beauty-wise...well I wore MAC Sophisto to the interview. lol...it's not bad actually. It's an entirely neutral lipstick. Even though I prefer VGV I can admit that it's not the best thing to wear for a job interview. It's too pretty and frivolous, like a day at the beach.
I didn't want to look "pretty" for this interview so I didn't wear eyeshadow. Just, ah, MAC Permaplum. The blue tone makes the whites of your eyes look better (I am not advocating wearing little makeup to job interviews, it really depends on the job).
Then it was MAC Blushbaby in case the blood drained from my face. :D
Oh well that's what up over here. I'm still with Givenchy Organza. I've discovered that it has a definite shelf life though. The bottle I have is slowly not smelling quite the same. The first bottle actually went bad toward the end (I was hoarding it). This one I didn't exactly hoard, but now I can see that buying those super-sized discounter bottles for Organza is a good idea only if it's the only perfume that you wear.
Which, it might well become. Is a return to the workforce, for me anyway, the end of maximalism? Is it like the pregnancy where all the overhead is up front, then it tapers and tapers and tapers?
Beauty Notes: Fall Fragrances
Posted by Dain, Thursday, September 22, 2005 10:00 AM (Eastern)
My friend, the brilliant Ms. Victoria, has done a bit on autumnal fragrances (my fave! it's my season, for sure), check it out! I want to try all them: Burberry Brit Gold, Chanel Bois des Iles (I've just always wanted to try this), L'Artisan Tea for Two (already love this), Balenciaga Le Dix. Can't wait to see what follows.
Labels: beauty notes, internet, perfume
Yikes...
Posted by Dain, Wednesday, September 14, 2005 3:59 PM (Eastern)
Hi, everyone. I'm still alive. I'm afraid that my laptop died on me these couple of weeks, and I've been all too impatiently waiting its return (and since I'm at school, all I have is the laptop). In all probability, I won't have time to write more than one or two articles per week (so you'll have to bear with me), but I'll write as often as I can. I'll give you a full update as soon as I can.
Labels: administrative
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September 14, 2005 7:36 PM, Colleen Shirazi said...
Hey! Glad to see you back. :) |
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September 26, 2005 8:42 PM,
Hullo...I like this kind of blogging better actually. It's less formal.
Mmmm...there are 2 kinds of body wash that I like. Depends on how much you want to spend. The shower gels that come with perfumes are the best and most expensive. The body lotions usually smell lousy but the shower gels rule.
Here I can name Organza and, of all things, Gio by Giorgio Armani. Both have de-luscious shower gels.
On the cheaper side but not cheap...stuff you can find at health food stores. These have less of a chemical feel to them. My kids love Jason Satin Shower Body Wash in Citrus (which smells not at all like citrus).
I'm not a big B & B person either but then I have the luxury of having my own shower, so's I can stash a yummy scented soap in there. If I had to rely on body washes, then, I would definitely seek out one that smells so great that you momentarily forget about your worries and cares. It pays for itself (less ulcers, stress medications, et cetera).
:)