Your Makeup And Skincare Questions Answered

[JaneDead]

i wish you could do my make up saturday brenda! i'm going out and want to look... decent. hehe.

[Brenda Starrr]

i wish you could do my make up saturday brenda! i'm going out and want to look... decent. hehe.

Come out and see me. I'm there till 5.

***SHAMELESS COUNTER PROMOTION***

And anyone who comes out between tomorrow (Saturday) and Tuesday and applies for a Macy's card gets a HUGE free gift and some samples.

We made up some gift bags with nearly full-sized Origins products and samples for anyone who applies for a Macy's Star Rewards card. It doesn't even matter if you're approved. You STILL get the gift. But if you DO get approved, everything you buy in a 48 hour period gets 10-15% off. And tomorrow, you get the new account discount on TOP of the 20% off sale whenever a Macy's card is used.

Come get some free goodies!

[TygerLili]

I'm going to address this one.....

The was only one Brandon Lee. Only Brandon can be "The Crow." Now that Brandon is deceased, NO ONE CAN BE "THE CROW." He looked hot as "The Crow." Everyone else thinks that they're so cool-looking with that face paint on THEIR faces, but I have news for you: NO. NO, no, no. Black eyeliner is sexy on almost any man.

Making yourself up as "The Crow" is not. Unless you are Brandon Lee. Which you boys are not. Brandon was in his 20's, so he was hot. In your 30's and so on with all those creases is NOT the time to try too look like "The Crow." So don't do it. Just line around your eyes and leave the Crow shit alone.

[Kit Kat P]

Brenda thank you again for the advice. It really helped in knowing what to look for and what questions to ask.

So I bought the kits this weekend and spent some time w/ my friend playing girl. I'm really liking them and the way they feel. I'm also thinking that once I get down to a 2 min. or less application I'll be that much more likely to wear it on a daily basis rather than once every 4 months for a date. I also found some eye colors that I really like with names that were designed for me (my real name on one and nickname on another.) I'm almost like a big girl now. I also got some good moisturizers and cleansers from philosophy and origins that already seem to be helping. And at Sephora I learned about stuff like primers, I'll be totally honest and say that I've been wearing makeup (sporadically) since I was 15 and never heard of some of the things that I was told about.

Oh and now I'm totally in love w/ Dior mascara, I actually have good eyelashes with that stuff.

[JaneDead]

brenda- are there any things out there that actually WORK on making dark circles under eyes and eyelids look lighter? i never tried anything but someone told me some eye whitening stuff they have works. i just don't believe it...

also what is the best thing to use to lighten up the darkness (make up wise)

my circles are so dark (black under the eyes, reddish on the lids- super veiny)

most things i have used only barely work/look ok, or get cakey, or get in the little creases i am starting to get under my eyes and the fold i am getting in my lid. :(

[Brenda Starrr]

Brenda thank you again for the advice. It really helped in knowing what to look for and what questions to ask.

So I bought the kits this weekend and spent some time w/ my friend playing girl. I'm really liking them and the way they feel. I'm also thinking that once I get down to a 2 min. or less application I'll be that much more likely to wear it on a daily basis rather than once every 4 months for a date. I also found some eye colors that I really like with names that were designed for me (my real name on one and nickname on another.) I'm almost like a big girl now. I also got some good moisturizers and cleansers from philosophy and origins that already seem to be helping. And at Sephora I learned about stuff like primers, I'll be totally honest and say that I've been wearing makeup (sporadically) since I was 15 and never heard of some of the things that I was told about.

Oh and now I'm totally in love w/ Dior mascara, I actually have good eyelashes with that stuff.

You're welcome! It really helps to actually play with these things. You never know how much you love them till you fool around with them. Kinda like dating.....

As for the Dior mascara, Diorshow, right? That stuff is the shit!!!

[Brenda Starrr]

brenda- are there any things out there that actually WORK on making dark circles under eyes and eyelids look lighter? i never tried anything but someone told me some eye whitening stuff they have works. i just don't believe it...

also what is the best thing to use to lighten up the darkness (make up wise)

my circles are so dark (black under the eyes, reddish on the lids- super veiny)

most things i have used only barely work/look ok, or get cakey, or get in the little creases i am starting to get under my eyes and the fold i am getting in my lid. :(

Dark circles are a bitch. I used to have them pretty hardcore. I use Dr. Weil for Origins Eye Serum first, the Origins Youthtopia eye cream on top. I swear by it. The best concealer EVER is by Amazing Cosmetics. I swear by that as well! For the lid discoloration, BeneFit has this awesome stuff called "LemonAid." It evens out the lid color and makes the shadow stay on REALLY well. In a pinch, I've used Amazing Concealer, but LemonAid rocks my socks.

[SuZQZ]

You're welcome! It really helps to actually play with these things. You never know how much you love them till you fool around with them. Kinda like dating.....

As for the Dior mascara, Diorshow, right? That stuff is the shit!!!

Does the Dior mascara smudge quickly/easily or does it last for a while? I always have racoon eyes (when I don't want them) about 2 hours after I put mascara on. I've tried all kinds, but I won't use waterproof. I don't like the way it makes my lashes feel and is too much of a pain to remove. I need something that adds length and volume without looking like a cupie doll.

[Brenda Starrr]

Does the Dior mascara smudge quickly/easily or does it last for a while? I always have racoon eyes (when I don't want them) about 2 hours after I put mascara on. I've tried all kinds, but I won't use waterproof. I don't like the way it makes my lashes feel and is too much of a pain to remove. I need something that adds length and volume without looking like a cupie doll.

Diorshow is AWESOME. I've never had problems with it. As for waterproof, bad, bad, BAD!!!! Buy the Diorshow. You will NOT be disappointed. I love that stuff!

[JaneDead]

one day we need to meet up for that coffee- i will show up with my ugly face and you can tell me everything i should do to be pretty and tell me what colors i should wear! i can't seem to pick out something good. i like lighter stuff but i tend to go TOO light - for example.. i get light lip stuff only to go home and find out when i put it on, you can't even see it! it is the SAME color as my lips. and shadow... forget it. i don't have a CLUE. i never did.

we could have a girl day, get pretty and have a double date night sometime after.

[SuZQZ]

Diorshow is AWESOME. I've never had problems with it. As for waterproof, bad, bad, BAD!!!! Buy the Diorshow. You will NOT be disappointed. I love that stuff!

That's testimony enough for me. I'm going to try and pick it up sometime this week. I've no problem with the cost if it's that good.

one day we need to meet up for that coffee- i will show up with my ugly face and you can tell me everything i should do to be pretty and tell me what colors i should wear! i can't seem to pick out something good. i like lighter stuff but i tend to go TOO light - for example.. i get light lip stuff only to go home and find out when i put it on, you can't even see it! it is the SAME color as my lips. and shadow... forget it. i don't have a CLUE. i never did.

we could have a girl day, get pretty and have a double date night sometime after.

I think every week Brenda should post her work schedule so we know when we can go see her and have her work her magic on us... or in my case, major reconstruction! LOL

[Kit Kat P]

Brenda as soon as I can afford a trip I will be harassing you at work for a personal consultation.

[Brenda Starrr]

one day we need to meet up for that coffee- i will show up with my ugly face and you can tell me everything i should do to be pretty and tell me what colors i should wear! i can't seem to pick out something good. i like lighter stuff but i tend to go TOO light - for example.. i get light lip stuff only to go home and find out when i put it on, you can't even see it! it is the SAME color as my lips. and shadow... forget it. i don't have a CLUE. i never did.

we could have a girl day, get pretty and have a double date night sometime after.

Shut yer hole!! You are GORGEOUS!!!!

We'll do something!!!

[Brenda Starrr]

Shut yer hole!! You are GORGEOUS!!!!

We'll do something!!!

And if I'm lucky enough to get this transfer, we could have a REAL good time at the BeneFit counter. I'm still waiting to see if Allison will have me come in on Tuesday to audition for the position. But, I've worked for them twice before, so I think it'll be alright.

[TygerLili]

Is there a trick to sharpening eye pencils? They're always nice and sharp when I buy them, but whenever I try to sharpen them they seem to either get all lopsided or break, and I can't draw a nice straight line anymore.

[Msterbeau]

Brenda dear... Why is my scalp so damn dry after shaving?? It's worse in the Winter and clearly because of the dryness of the air. I turned up the humidistat... didn't help. I put a little lotion on afterwards... It helps... But when I first started shaving my head, I didn't have this problem. Thoughts?

[Pandora]

Is there a trick to sharpening eye pencils? They're always nice and sharp when I buy them, but whenever I try to sharpen them they seem to either get all lopsided or break, and I can't draw a nice straight line anymore.

I used a little pencil sharpener when I wore eyeliner. Only way I know to get em sharp again. Just go slow and even with them. Or get automatic eyeliners?

[Brenda Starrr]

Is there a trick to sharpening eye pencils? They're always nice and sharp when I buy them, but whenever I try to sharpen them they seem to either get all lopsided or break, and I can't draw a nice straight line anymore.

Nope. Just get a good sharpener.

[Brenda Starrr]

Brenda dear... Why is my scalp so damn dry after shaving?? It's worse in the Winter and clearly because of the dryness of the air. I turned up the humidistat... didn't help. I put a little lotion on afterwards... It helps... But when I first started shaving my head, I didn't have this problem. Thoughts?

You're old. Other than that, I got nothin'.

I keed, I keed....

Let me work on that one. I may have something here at the house that's white and deeply moisturizing.

[Pandora]

Hi,

What do you think of Paula Begoun, aka the Cosmetics Cop. She's written Don't Go To the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, The Beauty Bible and a couple of others, which I adore. For years she worked in the industry, finally got fed up with what she saw and wrote the books. Then developed her own now pretty large line of products, most of which I've tried and love. And they're dirt cheap comparatively. Have you heard of her? Thoughts?

Also, I love a few Benefit products but haven't purchased any in a long while.

Here is her blurb on her website.

www.cosmeticscop.com

"What sets Paula's products and work apart from any other, aside from quality and efficacy, is that she is the only cosmetic company in the world recommending other products besides her own, and showcases her recommendations in her books, web sites, Beauty Bulletins, television appearances, and newspaper interviews."

Dr. Leslie Bauman

Professor of Clinical Dermatology and

Chief of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology

University of Miami

For more than 25 years, Paula Begoun has studied, analyzed, tested, and critiqued thousands of skin-care formulations and makeup products to help women around the world understand whether a product was worth the money or could live up to the claims on the label. Paula's exhaustive research and quest for high quality, reasonably priced products led her to develop her own premier product line of skin care and makeup products. Working with a team of cosmetic chemists utilizing her own formulations, Paula launched Paula's Choice in 1995.

Designed using state-of-the-art ingredients and formulary concepts, Paula's Choice skin care products DO NOT contain coloring agents, fragrance, or irritating ingredients that are extraneous or unnecessary.

Paula is dedicated to only using ingredients that have proven benefit for skin. As Paula says "Media-hyped, unproven ingredients may get attention but they don't always help skin."

[Brenda Starrr]

I adore Paula and her books. Come to think of it, I need to buy her most recent edition. However, I don't always agree with what she has to say. Products that she says don't/won't work have worked for me and others. I will agree completely that ANYTHING that is alcohol-based is just plain destructive. Alcohol breaks down the cellular structure, promoting lines and creases.

While I do recommend her book, I ALSO recommend that you ask for samples and trial sizes and see for yourself. Personally, I refuse to sell anything that I don't think is a truly good product. If I believe in it, you'll know.

[Miranda]

Hi Brenda,

I really adore the look of eyeliner in the inner rim of my eyes, across the entire eye as well as lightly on the outer rim. I have read this can be very unhygenic.. I used to sharpen my pencil prior to each application to the inner rim, when I did use this technique. I'm pretty sure you aren't really supposed to be messing with make-up and your mucous membranes. Any suggestions for how I can achieve this smoky look without doing the inner rim of my eyes? I quit doing this several years ago because I felt it may be too dangerous. I see women in cosmetic ads with eyeliner to the inner rim of their eyes but I am assuming it may be photoshopped? I mainly use eyeliner pencils but I also use the liquid eyeliner sparingly, never in the inner eye though. I feel that would be contaminated too easily. Thanks in advance.

[Brenda Starrr]

You actually CAN do this. Just keep your pencil liner for your eyes only, sanitize it after every use, and replace it every 4 months. I do it. I have yet to get any kind of infections!

[Miranda]

You actually CAN do this. Just keep your pencil liner for your eyes only, sanitize it after every use, and replace it every 4 months. I do it. I have yet to get any kind of infections!

Yay!!

[EnViOuSPoPpEt]

Oh Mighty Breanda ^_^ I have a question..

How good are the MAC products for eye shadow and such, and where can you get them for cheaper?

THANKS!!!