Batting a Thousand

I confess. I'm still totally into eyelashes. I never made the splurge on the Lavish Lashes deal, although I've been seriously tempted several times. A co-worker actually got eyelash extensions done in K-Town (aka Koreatown) a few weeks ago, and I have to admit I'm totally envious of her beautiful eyelashes that make her look fantastic even when it is pouring outside and everyone else looks like a drowned rat. She gave me the address and the price, but here's the problem. Usually, eyelash extensions can cost in the HUNDREDS of dollars for an application, and the place she went to only charged $90. Now, in this economy, you'd think that a bargain would be a good thing...but do I really want to have a bargain in my eye area? She looks amazing, but I'm just nervous. If the application process didn't involve surgical glue, I'd probably feel a little better about the whole idea of it.

So, I've begun to investigate fake eyelashes. But, why on earth would I find a reasonable deal on false eyelashes at a drugstore when I can set my sights on the fabulous false eyelashes by Shu Uemura. They have this absolutely GORGEOUS black smokey eye strip lash, that I'm totally into. I actually stare in the mirror and try to envision how I'd look with a total Twiggy-esque look...thin black liquid liner, dewy complexion, retro 60's pinkish gloss on the lips...

And Mommy has this special Shu Uemura toy - it's a special, specific false eyelash applicator tool. So you don't have to worry about poking yourself in the eye with tweezers. Of course the tool is twice the price of the lashes. And the lashes don't include applicator glue. So now, in order to do it right, between the Shu Falsies, the special lash toy, and the glue, I'll be spending $88. Whereas the eyelash extensions in K-town are $90. Some bargain, right?

What to do? What would you do?

Advice, please!

image of lashes taken from http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/

The Royal Service

Seriously, have any of you seen or read about this Cor Silver Soap thing? I read about it in a Bliss catalog what feels like a million years ago. And I was definitely intrigued (although in all fairness, it is incredibly difficult to not be intrigued by many of the products in the Bliss catalog because whoever writes their copy is absolutely brilliant!). Apparently it's not even technically called "soap" because it's a "treatment for the face". But at this point in my life, I can read between the lines and I know a bar of soap when I see one. And apparently it does everything…glowier skin, rosier complexion, fewer pores, less breakouts, vacuums the carpets, anti-aging, etc. Cor says it’s because their soap has a more favorable PH level for the skin in comparison to “ordinary” cleansers. Alas, I got to the most important part of the soap…the price. And in my world $125 is just a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a bar of soap. I mean…it’s SOAP.

And then I took the plunge (actually, my debit card took the plunge), and splurged on a trial-sized bar of the famous Cor Silver Soap (for $15). Because I was having an eh day at work, and I was in a place that was willing to give me a 5% discount on the soap…but I’ve decided that I will no longer justify my impulse purchases! I got home that night, took a long, hot shower, and lathered up and quickly reached 2 very important conclusions:

1) I need to find $125 to buy a full-sized bar of this stupid soap; and
2) Husband can never ever learn that soap can cost $125 a bar.

I know it seems a little silly to read the instructions that accompany a bar of soap, because if you’ve been showering and washing your face for your entire life, how to use soap is fairly self-explanatory. But I’m glad I read the instructions, because this soap has a serious tingle to it, especially if left on the face for an extended period of time. If you read the instructions, you’ll know in advance that it tingles. I lathered up with the soap, added a little water, and put the resultant foam on my face. Leave the foam on for a good 2-3 minutes, if not longer. I’m obsessed with my Eve Lom Facial Muslin clothes (I also love the Eve Lom cleanser, but that’s for an entirely different post), so I removed the soap with the cloth. My skin is seriously as smooth as a baby’s. With the prettiest, peachiest, rosiest complexion that doesn’t even need any makeup. I followed my soap with a good old-fashioned slathering of Bliss’ Youth As We Know It Concentrate and Cream. Usually, products take a few days to really make people notice – but I’ve been fielding comments and compliments for days about my skin. The comments about my skin started the morning after I used it, so it’s really gotta be the soap. Husband says maybe I have good genes, but…really, we all know it has to be the soap.

The only down side to the soap (besides the price) is that since I purchased a trial-sized bar of it, I’m rapidly running out. That, and I've since learned that Cor has expanded their product family into an eye cream and a wrinkle serum.

But that’s what birthdays are for, right!

Find it for yourself here or here

image of soap taken from www.blissworld.com

Beauty Full

After much pleading from my friends, mother, co-workers, etc., I've decided to take another bite of the blogging apple and start posting again...because I'm still mostly obsessed with the whole "products" thing!

Lots has changed...new house, new baby...same husband. 2 out of 3 aint bad though!

The one big thing I've learned over my hiatus from posting is that there is no product whatsoever that prevents stretch marks during pregancy...because OMG, did I get a boat load of them during my whole "knocked up" phase. But, the end result of the whole pregnancy thing is pretty awesome!

Seriously, does anyone know of a magic stretch mark cure? I've tried every scrub, cream, oil, potion, etc (or at least it seems that way), and NOTHING worked.


But I'm back...with lots to blog about.

Stay tuned.

Image of Boy taken from zisjen@aol.com. Production of Boy courtesy of Jennifer & Husband