As I mentioned a few days ago, I have been remarkably blessed by the women my sons have chosen to be their wives. After raising boys - I claim to have raised three, when you include Chief - it seemed I never received much support in the cultural development department. When I would mention a Broadway musical or play, it was usually poo-poohed. Museums, MAYBE... if they had dinosaurs. The ballet -- not even maybe. I suppose I could have forced the issue, but it only takes once of taking a bunch of pouting boys somewhere they don't want to be, and I threw up my hands. Fine. Someday you'll wish you had tried it. As they got older, I forced a couple of big deal things on them, and they were impressed. If you haven't ever seen the Broadway production of The Lion King, give it a try. They loved it way more than they admitted.
But I am not here to rag on the boys, I want to talk about the D.I.L.'s. The bonuses I had no idea I was going to get. It has been so fun having females around to talk about makeup, and do girly things that weren't part of my life before now.
And oh, my, goodness, do we love our makeup!
Somehow the conversation always comes around to cosmetics. We have our favorite products, we have long-wearing tips for all day makeup lasting power, and things are always changing!
S was the first person to tell me about how she always hits her eyelash curler with the blow dryer to heat it up before curling her lashes. The curl stays longer that way. Brilliant!
This is her favorite mascara. Yves Saint Laurent Shocking Mascara. I like it, too. We find it at Sephora or almost any department store. Mascara seems to be an ongoing dialogue because they all vary in so many ways. Some don't stay all day. Some flake too much. We all agree that it is important to let an application of mascara completely dry before adding another one. It also prevents clumping.
Now with L in Europe, she has had the opportunity to try many different kinds of cosmetics. She still tends to come back to her home faves. Right now, she says this one is her favorite.
It's called, They're Real by Benefit. I like this one, too. In fact, my favorite way to apply mascaras is to apply one, let it dry, then apply another totally different brand. She has so many different drugstore-type choices over there. Many of our department store brands are also available across the pond. No real bargains there. Kind of surprising.
S found this kind of surprising looking foundation brush at Sephora. She loves it! It is called an Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation brush, and it's by Tarte. I have never used a foundation brush in this shape, so I am going to have to search this one out. Makes sense that it would give you a different coverage than the old standard foundation brush that most brands push, which is much flatter. It sure made me curious.
L loves Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Under Eraser Dark Circle Concealer for under the eyes. And of course, that's one of those non-EU available items. No doubt she has tried many different ones over there. There is a drugstore on every corner. Cool ones. Which is where I find trouble.
My weakness is lip balms. Just regular, plain, no color, lip balms. Don't give me any fruity, sweet stuff -- I just want a clean, plain balm. And I don't want to apply it with my fingers. My hands might not be clean, or I may have recently touched a door or grocery cart.
This is my all-time favorite lip balm. I am embarrassed to tell you, because it is stupid expensive. You can click the link on the picture if you must know, but I'm telling you, it is the most unbelievable treat you can give your lips. I keep lots of Avon 99-cent ones in all my purses, and Rituals has a great one, as does L'Occitane. Please know that I am an equal-opportunity lip balm experimentalist. I am pretty sure there is one or more in every drawer in my house. Every room. Not even kidding.
My weakness is lip balms. Just regular, plain, no color, lip balms. Don't give me any fruity, sweet stuff -- I just want a clean, plain balm. And I don't want to apply it with my fingers. My hands might not be clean, or I may have recently touched a door or grocery cart.
The cosmetic story is far from over. We all have a lot to say, and we are always learning. We'll share.
