Batting a Thousand

My mom always likes to remind me that I have her to thank for my dark lashes.  See, my father is as blonde as they come, meaning he has basically clear eyelashes and eyebrows.  While I was blessed with his blonde locks, I was also blessed with visible brows and lashes. Basically, I got the best of both worlds. Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!

With that being said, too much is never enough.  I already have eyelashes long enough to make most swoon and at times have been accused of having falsies in.  I wanted even more though. Why wouldn’t I want my eyelashes to resemble furry caterpillars?  We’ve all seen the commercials for Latisse. It all sounds well and good until they get to the warning section and say this:

“LATISSE^® use may cause darkening of the eyelid skin which may be reversible. LATISSE^® use may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye which is likely to be permanent.”

No thank you, sir.  I like my baby blues just the way they are.  It was only a matter of time before all the other beauty brands jumped on the bandwagon. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, of course.  Enter L’oreal Lash Boosting Serum.

L’oreal Lash Boosting Serum, $14.99

Applied both AM and PM it is said to give you visibly fuller, thicker natural lashes with less lash fall out when removing eye makeup after four weeks of use.  Centella Asiatica extract and Arginine are the ingredients responsible for said growth.  I’m a sucker for false promises so I purchased the serum a few weeks ago to give it a try.  (It is also available in tandem with a Double Extend mascara but you know how I feel about my Max Factor).  I was pleasantly surprised that after only a few weeks my lashes do, in fact, seem much fuller and fall out less (fewer wishes, I suppose).  Now I’m unstoppable.  I mean who can say “no” to a subtle bat of the lashes, especially when they’re so luscious.?

xx,

WhyDid

Shake Ya Tailfeather…

**NOTE: This particular entry is a little bit R rated and not for the faint of heart. I warned you in advance…

So, I woke up today to a very startling email. Yes, I sleep with my phone in my bed because I like using the alarm clock. Yes, I do have a normal alarm clock, but I can only wake up to jarring obnoxious noises. Yes, sleeping with my phone in my bed has led to some pretty embarrassing “butt dial” incidents. That being said, below is the email exchange the led to the following post:

from <malereader@gmail.com> to WhyDid date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 8:33 AM subject Re: INTERN NEEDED

Have you considered a blog entry about anal bleaching? Seems to be all the rage with women these days, particularly models.

from WhyDid to <malereader@gmail.com> date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 10:30 AM subject Re: INTERN NEEDED

Um, I woke up to this. I threw my phone and then went back to sleep.
Is this a serious inquiry? I can only imagine the kind of ” juggling” you must be doing…

from <malereader@gmail.com> to WhyDid date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 12:53 PM subject Re: INTERN NEEDED Google it, seriously. And you woke up to this at 10:30???

from WhyDid to <malereader@gmail.com> date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 12:56 PM subject Re: INTERN NEEDED Guess I have to now.

from <malereader@gmail.com> to “WhyDid date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 1:57 PM subject Re: INTERN NEEDED

Seriously, it’s all the rage.

from WhyDid to malereader@gmail.com> date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 2:06 PM subject Re: INTERN NEEDED

I’m not buying into it. Sounds like you drank the kool aid.

from <malereader@gmail.com> to WhyDid date Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 3:18 PM subjectRe: INTERN NEEDED

I’m giving you business advice.

What cute young female reader of yours doesn’t want a sparkly clean hiney?

Alrighty, then.  Apparently, I had some Googling to do.  The funny thing is- the topic of “south of the border” grooming has been on all of our minds lately.  After getting the suggestion of looking into lifebooker.com, I had scheduled an appointment for a full Brazilian at Sothy’s because it was one of the “top booked” and it was conveniently located near my office. Um, I have to say it was a less than pleasant experience.  I should have figured as much seeing as the receptionist had a full on ’stache (mustache, folks).  This wasn’t going to go well.  Let’s pretend that the wax wasn’t scorching my skin off and that the woman wasn’t using strips (seriously, who still uses strips?).  I’m not a very hairy girl, so when I say “everything”, I’m dead serious.  The fact that I was laying pantless and fighting with the woman about stray hairs was humiliating enough.  Abort mission.  Again realizing that you get what you pay for, maybe dropping $100 a month to have Maya’s magical handiwork at Elizabeth Arden may very well be worth it.

Upon telling WhyInGayHell about this fiasco, he proceeded to ask me if people did a buttocks waxing and if this was something males should be participating in.  While I wasn’t readily able to answer the question, I assured him that living in New York, anything is possible. (Upon further research, apparently Face To Face in Chelsea does a little something called “the backdoor.”)

Moving right along… So this “anal bleaching…”  I really had never given it anything thought seeing as I thought it was just something porn stars did. I am all about cleanliness and grooming, but this seems a bit extreme to me.  Is this really something that people are doing? Normal people? Like your neighbor? Or that girl next to you at work? Yikes. So, basically what it is is a topical solution that can either be prescribed by a doctor or over the counter  applied to your nether regions to lighten the color and even out the skin tone in that area.  The same salon, Face to Face, is the only spa in the city currently offering this procedure, which is very popular in the gay community and apparently now young ladies of NYC. Below is a description of the treatment from Face to Face:

Anal Bleaching
This innovative treatment comes directly from our Hollywood friends and is for those of you with a ‘dark side’. We start by waxing the area with our rosemary based wax – great for sensitive areas – followed by an application of a fruit acid peel to lighten you up. Look hot and sexy from all angles!
30 minutes $100

Sounds like a blast. I’m still not convinced.  After asking a few gals their thoughts, only one valid point was brought up.  I understood why, perhaps, a gay gentleman may want a little clean up in the rear, but why the sudden interest from young straight girls?  Well, though we, as ladies, may not be aware,  when our male pals are behind us (not necessarily for the “rear entry” cause most of us are “exit only” types) they still get a view of our pretty little donuts.  Seems most men are more into strawberry frosted donuts rather than chocolate glazed. It may lead them to believe you have poor sanitary habits and that’s just foul.  So, my final verdict? Take a little gander at yourself and check out what’s going on back there.  Remember, hairy is scary and no one is down with that “brown.”

xx,

WhyDid

Easy as 1, 2, 3

So, as I sipped on a soy chai latte the other day with a friend, we discussed how so many girls just don’t bother pulling it together when venturing into public. I mean, I get it, you are just running to do Duane Reade, no need for a full face of makeup and a blow out. But really? Take that scrunchie out of your hair and change out of your sweats (btw- leggings are STILL NOT pants- even when running to DR).

There are basically three things you need to make yourself look presentable: eyes, cheeks, lips.

Eyes

The wonders that mascara can do for your are immeasurable. Just a couple swipes of the wand and now your eyes are wide awake and your lashes are full (all the better to bat them with, my dear).  Take note on how much faster your prescription will get filled.

Max Factor, 2000 Calorie Mascara, $6.29

I’ve tried them all and I always come back to Max Factor. Tried and true.

Cheeks

Whether you opt to dust your face with bronzer or dab a little pink on your cheeks, you will immediately go from looking dead to looking divine.

Nars, The Multiple, $37

Add some shine with this handy little stick. Can even be used on your eyelids for some color.

Benefit, Benetint, $28

Get rosy cheeks in an instant with this cheek stain which also can double as a lip stain.

Lips

Top off the look with a little shimmer on your lips. Pretty basic and people will clearly want to pucker up with you when they see your pretty pout.

Sephora Brand, Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss, $10

Cheap and comes in a million different shades that will flatter any skin type. Summer Crush is a fave of mine.

There are enough crazy looking people running around New York. You don’t need to be one of them. Besides, you never know who you may meet while picking up some TP at DR. Just sayin…

xx,

WhyDid

Layers without Losing Length

When I burst through the doors of Ryan Darius salon last week, I informed Ryan and TJ that I was in need of some seriously sexy “breakup hair.”  To this statement they exclaimed, “We LOVE breakup hair!!” As you already know, I don’t believe in chopping off or dying your locks after a traumatic experience. We get it, you need change, but that’s no reason to make yourself look average! 

Originally, I was thinking about adding some sassy layers or perhaps a sexy swooping bang, but as I talked to Ryan, he realized I was actually not willing to lose one centimeter of my painstakingly long grown hair.  So, a lightbulb went off in that beautiful head of his.  He suggested we add more hair to my mane, then he would layer the hair that he added, leaving my natural hair unscathed.  He informed me this is a rapidly growing trend and then he went to work.  

In less than thirty minutes he had applied several Platinum Seamless extensions to my hair.  The color matched my hair EXACTLY and you couldn’t even see where they were attached, nor could you feel them.  After they were added in, Ryan worked his magic with the flat iron teaching me a new trick to create large curls (which I still have yet to master).  

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Take that, Olivia Palermo. To top off the royal treatment? The adorable TJ completed a perfect manicure using Butter London lacquer.  His picks for the fall? Scoundrel (below) and British Racing Green.

So, if you are in the market for some “breakup hair” or you just simply want to look hot, you need to hightail it in your heels over to Ryan Darius Salon and pay a visit to the uber talented and unbelievably fun Ryan and TJ.

Ryan Darius Salon

82 W 12th Street (near 6th Ave), #A

New York, NY 10011

212-255-3579

xx,

WhyDid

Bacon Looks Better Brown

Tan Towel:

Fight the white with tan towel. Each individually wrapped towelette is saturated with a self-tan formula guaranteed to leave a streak free beautiful glow.  Easy application puts even the most novice applicator at ease. I recommend a second application 4 hours following your initial application for prime color.

Pasty is not tasty, so let your bronze goddess out.

xx,

RyGuy

Skin is the New “It” Bag

I can’t figure out why everyone seems so shocked that tanning beds are ranked way up there on the list of things that give you cancer.  This really shouldn’t be news to anyone. Tanning beds increase your cancer risk by 75% when introduced before the age of 30. Now, I can’t lie. I went to college in a town where we clearly thought we lived in Beverly Hills. A day could not be complete without a stop by the gym and tanning bed (this went for GUYS and girls).  Luckily, my tanning habit ended when I received my diploma.  

Not only does excessive tanning make you prone to skin cancer, it also makes you prone to wrinkles and saggy, pruney skin.  Not cute.  With all of the products on the market, it surprises me that people are still paying up to sizzle down. 

Even though people are holding back on those new Prada shoes and Chloe bags, they are still spending their hard earned cash on something seasonless- their skin.  While not completely recession proof, the skincare industry has been riding out these tough economic times with a great deal of ease.  With that being said, you are wasting your money buying expensive skin creams if you are just following them up with a few minutes in a tanning bed.  By frying yourself, you’re completely canceling out all the benefits of your fancy face lotion. 

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, “Bacon looks better brown!” but this doesn’t mean you have to ruin your skin to get a golden bronze. Here’s how to fake a Hawaiian Tropic tan without out scorching your skin:

• Moisturize- Can’t stress it enough. Your face and body need to be slathered with moisture daily.  You can get wrinkles on your body too! Yuck! To keep your skin soft and supple, choose a moisturizer specifically for your skin type.  Many moisturizers also now contain SPF which makes your life that much easier. 

Clarins HydraQuench SPF 15 Cream

Dove Pro Age Cream Oil Lotion SPF 5

• Exfoliate- Try and exfoliate both face and body once a week to slough off dull skin. 

ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

Bliss Blood Orange + White Pepper Sugar Scrub

• Bronze- Now it’s time to fake that golden goddess glow. A couple of routes here.  I switch daily between a tanning body lotion and my regular body lotion.  Another option is doing a once weekly tanning treatment at home (following your exfoliating treatment). Lastly, you can go to a local salon that does spray tanning if you don’t trust yourself (again-after you exfoliate). 

Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer

Model Co Sun Sponge

Mystic Tan Self Tanning System

• Protect- Just because you now are a bronze bunny, doesn’t mean you are safe from the sun’s UV rays.  You still need to make sure to use at least SPF 15 while in the sun. 

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion SPF 15

Now go on, my little bronze beauties. Show off that beautiful “sun kissed” skin. Just because you didn’t buy that new handbag, doesn’t mean your skin should look like leather. 

xx,

WhyDid

Kiss This

La Mer- The Lip Balm

For smashingly soft lips, try this heaven in a jar. Sister to la Mer’s marine based Miracle Broth, Crème de la Mere, this product does all it promises by leaving lips smoother, softer, and more supple than ever before.

Work it.

xx,

RyGuy

Straight Shooting

For years I have tried (and for the most part managed) to tame the “beast” that I call my hair.  I have naturally wavy/curly hair by nature, but it isn’t pretty curly wavy hair a la Gisele. It’s a bit schizophrenic. Some parts wavy, some parts curly. Therefore, I typically blow my hair straight and/or use a flat iron.  I also have a lot of hair, so this takes quite a bit of time.  I’ve probably used just about every product that’s out there and I’ve found them all to work just about the same.

Recently, I kept reading about a new brand called Living Proof.  I ignored it the first couple of times, figuring it would be the same as the rest, but after a stop into Sephora to pick up some sugar scrub,  I had to try it out. There was a huge display and photos of before and after.  Being the sucker that  I am, I purchased the Straight Making Styling Cream for Medium to Thick Hair.

The special buzz behind this product is that it was created by a group of hair experts led by an MIT professor.  They’ve created a formula that uses new technology to banish frizz from your hair. The majority of the products on the market have been using silicone based ingredients for years to no avail. The team at Living Proof used science to create the biggest breakthrough in frizz control in over 30 years. 

So you’re wondering if it worked, right?  I blew my hair straight last night.  Before I had really even begun to blow dry, I noticed that my hair was already laying smoother and straighter. Blow drying was easier than usual and I only had to go over my hair with a few strokes of the flat iron to get any stray strands. (*Bonus- less damage).  It’s pretty humid in New York these days, and my hair was perfectly straight and yes, completely frizz free.  Today, my hair is till bone straight.  Typically, I get really hot when I sleep and wake up with wavy hair in the morning which requires me to break out that darn flat iron for a touch up. No need.  My hair is soft and smooth. This is the first time I have felt the need to rave about a hair straightening potion. 

The company makes products for fine to medium hair, medium to thick hair, and thick to coarse hair, so it will work on all hair types.  Also, they make a a product for when you want to wear your hair wavy as well. I haven’t tried it out just yet, but you can bet I probably will. 

If you are like me and have been battling your unruly tresses for years, I suggest you take your lunch break to Sephora and pick up a bottle. 

xx, 
WhyDid

Cure Your Skin’s Hangover

Once a week, we will be giving you the hottest beauty products and services to keep you looking as good as your clothes. You’re welcome in advance. 

First product: Guerlain Midnight Secret

Late night, early morning refresher. Stay up as late as you want, and your skin will never tell. This late night recovery treatment detoxifies, hydrates, repairs and stimulates, with a potent cocktail of ingredients.

I swear by it.

xx, 

RyGuy

The Skinny on Yerba Mate

As we all know, there is no quick fix for losing weight (well, at least not one that doesn’t involve scalpels and lasers).  However, there are things they may aid in your battle with the bulge. One of these little tricks is an old South American tradition that is as easy as switching from coffee to tea. 

South Americans are known for being fit and sexy.  One reason for this, other than genetics, could be attributed to a daily ritual involving drinking a tea made from a species of holly called yerba mate. The leaves are collected, dried, steeped in hot water and then sipped from a dried gourd through a bombilla (fancy straw). 

So what is all the fuss about?  Well, yerba mate gives you energy like coffee and other caffeinated drinks, but without the jittery feelings and a more sustained effect.  Researchers have also found that yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, vitamins (including A, C, E, and B’s), and minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc) as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and yes– what you’ve been waiting for– a thermogenic (burns fat).  Additional benefits include mental clarity as well as acting as a mood enhancer.

While people still drink yerba mate the traditional way (a la gourd and bombilla) you can also purchase tea bags for easy brewing. Like other teas, it can be sweetened with sugar or honey (I prefer mine with a little lemon).  So if you’re willing to give up your morning coffee, I really can’t see the downside.  It’s cheaper than Starbucks. 

xx,

WhyDid