Eyebrow Raised in Speculation...

This post can be summed up by two nice, neat bullet points:

• I don't trust mall kiosks
• I sorta like the process of waxing

Random?  Perhaps...but keep reading.

So....over at my closest mall, the central pathways are littered with people selling all sorts of crap interesting things from kiosks.  They sell cellphone cases, tacky stickers, hair straighteners, creepy sketches, ironic t-shirts, crummy art, etc.  Kiosk vendors frighten me a little--they're like the mall equivalent of freakshow barkers, but unlike freakshows, I have no interest in what they're peddling. They can be a little aggressive, and when you're trying to dodge through the slow-moving mall masses who are intoxicated by the ulta-potent stink spray wafting from Abercrombie, the last thing you want is a kiosk vendor trying to clip fake hair into your scalp.

Then one day a few months ago, I noticed it.  Right near the food court.  Some unsuspecting mall shopper was plunked down in a salon chair, leaning back.  Another woman (kiosk barker) hovered over the sprawled out shopper, raking what looked like a long, thick piece of dental floss over the shopper's face.  I couldn't stop staring.  The kiosk lady had one end of the thread IN HER MOUTH while she dragged the rest of the thread over the shopper's eyebrows, chin, and so on.  Then I saw the sign, "Eyebrow Threading."

I had never heard of eyebrow threading, so I looked into it a bit:

• Threading is a "ancient" hair removal technique that comes from Asia
• It removes hair from the follicle, so it's relatively long lasting
• A pure, thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over untidy hairlines, mustaches and so on
• Threading removes an entire row of hair, resulting in a straighter line 

I'm all for trying new things, but a few things struck me here:

1. When I am getting a spa procedure done, especially one that involves having hair removed from my body, I prefer to have said procedure done in private.  This eyebrow threading kiosk was, as I said, in the middle of the mall, right near the food court.  Thousands of people walk by on their way to get their hit from Aunt Annie or that slut Cinnabon.  There's no privacy smack in the center of the mall. There was no partitian, nothing to allow for at least the appearance of discretion.
2. The threader kept holding the thread in her mouth.  HER MOUTH!  ICK!  I'm probably just being a germ-phobe, but the whole mouth thing just hits me wrong.  It seems so unsanitary.

On a final note: I am going tomorrow for a much needed brow and upper lip waxing (and express pedi!) at my favorite (private and hygienic) spa.  There's something about waxing that is almost pleasurable to me.  I like the feeling of the hot wax on my skin, the way the gauze is rubbed into the wax, and that moment right before the gauze is ripped off my flesh.  Those silent seconds of anticipation are a hoot.  I don't think I'd give that up for someone to rake a thread (dangling from their mouth) over me.  But that's just me.  I'm stuck in my ways, I suppose!

If you've had threading done or if you want to convince me that it's better than waxing, leave me a comment!

What Is It and Why Do I Need It: Mascara Base

What is it? Mascara primer or mascara base is basically a white mascara. It is applied to the lashes before regular mascara is used. Mascara primers coat the lashes and separate them, making the final application more exact. Mascara primer creates a layer between the makeup and your lashes which means your mascara will go on more evenly. Beauty experts also say that mascara primer will result in fuller, longer lashes.

Do I need it? Even though I am a makeup loving gal, I personally don't think primers are necessary. I have used several different products on different occasions, and I didn't notice a dramatic difference in my lashes. To me, primers just add an extra step to my makeup routine.

If I have extra time to spend on my look, or if I am getting ready for a fancy event, I sometimes use primer. But like I said, to me it just adds a step.

Instead of heading out to buy a primer, try some of these tricks to get full, long, beautiful lashes:

• Use an eyelash curler. Learn to use this somewhat scary looking contraption. It really makes a difference and provides a great amount of curl. Better yet, lightly heat up your curler with your hair dryer (be careful that the curler isn't too hot otherwise you may burn your lashes!). Use your curler before you apply mascara.
• Apply mascara correctly. Wiggle the wand at the base of your lashes and then zig-zag the wand up your lashes. If you want/need a second coat of mascara, be sure to apply it before your first coat dries.
• Don't blink! Wait at least 5 seconds or so before you blink your eyes, otherwise you may get little mascara dots on your lids.
  
• Use a lash comb. Search for a metal-toothed lash comb. Carefully comb any clumps out of your lashes to separate them.
• Don't pump the wand in the mascara tube! All this does is add air to the mascara which makes it dry out.

I love mascara and try out new brands often...for the sake of the blog, of course! Try one of my favorite: Drugstore brand: Great Lash by Maybelline; Premium brand: Lotsa Lash by Lorac.

A Thousand Lashes...

I was getting my hair colored a few weeks ago, my hair looking very much like a baked potato all wrapped up in pieces of foil. My stylist was chatting with her colleagues while she painted on the bleach, gossiping about their girl crushes on a former salon employee. They went on and on about how gorgeous she was, my stylist commenting on this girl's eyelash extension and how great they looked.

That's when it hit me. I know nothing about eyelash extensions. I don't know anyone who has them. Honestly, the thought of getting fake lashes stuck on to my own freaks me out, so I have not been paying attention to this not-so-new beauty trend.

So...in order to educate myself and you, my fabulous Kiss-and-Makeup readers...here is my lowdown on eyelash extensions:

What is it? Eyelash extensions are semi-permanent, synthetic fibers that give you longer, thicker, natural looking lashes.

How are they applied? Lash extension specialists apply the extensions among your natural lashes one by one. It takes about an hour to get extensions put in; touch ups take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.

How long do they last? Natural lashes fall out every 60 to 90 days, but the extensions need to be touched up once or twice a month depending on how you care for your lashes and other individual factors.

Can I wear mascara with lash extensions? It's not necessary, but it is ok to wear a water based mascara if you get this treatment done. However, you should not use eyelash curlers if you have lash extensions and you should only apply mascara from the middle up, avoiding the base.

How do I care for the lash extensions? You can't get the lashes wet for the first 24 hours after the procedure. You should avoid saunas, hot steam, getting lashes wet, rubbing your eyes, or pulling at your lashes.

How much does it cost? It depends on where you go and how many extensions you have put in, but plan to spend anywhere between $150 and $300 for the initial extension addition and around $50 for touch-ups.

Hmmm.....I think I'll pass. I'm not all that into extensions, where its hair extensions or lash extensions. I think I'll stick with mascara. Imagine how many tubes of high end mascara you can buy for that $300! Wowza!

What is It and Why Do I Need It? High-Def Makeup

I keep getting emails about new high-definition makeup and I wonder: does the average consumer really need such a product?

Cargo is selling the blu_ray collection--mascara, eye shadow, blush, gloss, and a mattifier, all designed to meet the unique demands of shooting people in high-def. Make Up Forever is also coming out with a line of products targeted at people who are shot in high-def on a regular basis. They're selling foundation that corrects the complexion while "improving the skin's aspects."

Huh? Skin aspects? What the heck?

Since I am just an ordinary woman and I don't appear on camera oh...ever...I'm not concerned with buying high-def makeup. However, I just bought a new high-def TV and man! The picture is amazingly sharp. I can see why newswomen and weather girls might want to have these products at their ready. I found myself hypnotized by a local newscaster's shiny blue eyeshadow the other day...an eyeshadow designed for high-def (and a talented makeup artist) would have really saved the makeup day.

For now, I say that unless you're on TV as part of your daily routine, you can probably skip the high-def makeup for now. You don't have to follow all the trends, after all. I give you permission to stick with your normal makeup!

Eye Shadow for Dummies

Maybe it's just me, but I've never had a problem figuring out how to apply eye shadow, probably because I've been experimenting with makeup since I was a kid. However, there are certainly plenty of women out there who think adding color to their lids is a difficult task. Well now these women are in luck! There's a foolproof system for applying eyeshadow on the market: ColorOn Pro Instant Eyeshadow.

I can't make stuff like this up!

The ColorOn Pro Instant Eyeshadow kit contains ovals of color that you apply to your eyes...no need for brushes, Q-Tips, or smudging. Here's what the company says about applying their product:

For a lighter application:

Peace (center oval on lash line, holding in place with index and middle finger, making a “peace sign”)
Pat (the back of the applicator gently with index finger from your free hand)
Peel (back the applicator from eyelid)
Tap (eye shadow on lid with finger to gently blend to desired result)
Set (lightly with powder provided to ensure a comfortable, long-wearing; crease-proof look all day)

For a heavier application:

Peace (center pad on lash line, holding in place with index and middle finger, making a “peace sign”)
Rub (the back of the applicator gently with index finger from your free hand)
Peel (back the applicator from eyelid)
Tap (eye shadow on lid with finger to gently blend to desired result)
Set (lightly with powder provided to ensure a comfortable, long-wearing; crease-proof look all day)

While I find the concept of this product somewhat amusing, I do think they might be useful in two cases:

1. If you are unable to use a brush or other precision tool because you have shaky hands. Some people have conditions that cause their hands to shake, and the shaking makes it difficult to get a clean application of color. The peel and stick approach to eyeshadow would really help these women.
2. If you're traveling and don't want to pack a ton of cosmetics and tools. Whenever I travel, I struggle over whether or not to pack my brushes. On one hand, I need them to get my makeup on. On the other, I don't want to run the risk of losing them if the airplane carrier magically sends my luggage to Ipanema.

What do you think? Would you ever use these? For more information on this product and how to purchase it, click here.