Now I remember why I don’t turn on the TV before I’ve done all my writing, editing, and all around important things.  Lifetime Movies.  How is one supposed to get anything done when 15 and Pregnant (starring a youthful Kirsten Dunst) is on?  It’s like a black hole.  You just get sucked in and then there’s no stopping it.  One twisted movie after the next.  Before you know it, it’s 5pm and you’re still in your jammies and they’re may be an entire bag of tortilla chips missing.  Well, as you know (or maybe you don’t… in which case you’re missing out), a good Lifetime Movie will get even the staunchest soul working those tear ducts.  So, you’re going to need some expensive mascara to cry off.  That’s where my latest beauty find comes in.

Remember when I tried out Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared Mascara?  Yeah, not so good.  Well, I may have stumbled upon the Holy Grail of mascaras… maybe.  I had heard a few people going on and on about  Benefit They’re Real Mascara.  Now, we all know how deep my love runs for Benefit Benetint… if I can expand on this love fest, game on.  Below, check out my trial of  Benefit They’re Real Mascara.

Now, when I tested out Benefit They’re Real Mascara the first time, I wasn’t sold.  The texture isn’t so good the first couple of applications.  I also didn’t realize it was making such a big difference until I tried it up against a fan favorite, Christian Dior Diorshow Extase (I’m wearing Benefit They’re Real on the left and Diorshow on the right).  Whoa!  This mascara is no joke.  You may not be able to tell in these photos, but the difference is substantial.

Final verdict?  Basically, this mascara is telling false eyelashes to suck it.  You will not need them once you get the hang of this high impact, super sexy mascara.

Oh… but we’re not done here.  Today’s a twofer.  Because this mascara is so dramtic, you’re going to need a good makeup remover to get it off.  Nope, not even a Lifetime Movie marathon or your average cleanser is going to get rid of this stuff.  Behold NARS Makeup Cleansing Oil.  This magic potion will not only banish your mascara, it will get rid of any and all traces of makeup.  I have very sensitive eyeballs, and this doesn’t hurt or irritate my peepers a bit.  It also won’t leave you shiny or greasy.  Might I add the crowning glory?  Looks great on your vanity.  I call that a win, win, win… and who doesn’t like to win?  Not me.

Now back to She Woke Up Pregnant.

xx,

WhyDid

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When I was younger and I went shopping with my mom, I would pick out something and she would often say, “I can make that.”  At the time, it drove me totally insane.  Now that I’m just a little bit older, but a lot wiser, I realize that she was probably right.  I mean, I would come home from school and she would be refinishing the hardwood floors.  I still can’t figure out how she doesn’t have her own show on HGTV, but that’s not the point.

Somewhere, that lovely woman is smiling… cause I’m about to say those four magical words… I can make that.

Remember when I told you about Birchbox?  Well, in one of my first boxes, I received a hair tie from Twistband.  Loved it.  Til it started to fray at the ends… and until I saw the price tag- $10 for six.  In my opinion, that’s a bit pricey for hair ties, which like lipgloss, are destined to be lost in the depths of my purse or that place where socks go to die.  After inspecting the hair tie, I realized that it was quite simple, so I headed to Jo-Ann Fabrics and bought myself two yards of 1/4″ black elastic.  You know how much it cost?  $2.37.

$2.37 / 6 = $0.40

Now, I’m no finance major, but I’m fairly certain that’s what you’d call a “bargain.”  Below I will show you how to make these awesome hair friendly ties yourself for a fraction of the cost… unless, of course, you have money to burn.

Supplies:

• 2 yards of 1/4″ elastic
• scissors
• ruler
• lighter
• hair to be tied

Measure a 12″ piece of elastic and then cut (you could make them smaller depending on how tiny your wrists are and how much extra elastic you’d like on the ends).  

 A little something I learned in ballet class (other than a perfect pirouette) is how to singe the ends of elastic and ribbons to keep them from fraying.  Do NOT light it on fire, just hold the flame close enough to create a solid edge. 

Looks as good on your head as it does on your hand!  Now that’s fit to be tied.

xx,

WhyDid

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Now that it’s 2012, let’s go ahead and slough off all of what’s left of 2011.  Winter weather has a tendency to wreak havoc on our delicate dermis. At some point during the darkest (and coldest) season of the year, you will come to the realization that moisturizer just isn’t going to cut it.  Rather than go on looking like the alligator from a Lubriderm commercial, why not rid yourself of those frisky skin flakes?  Take matters (literally) into your own hands by exfoliating everything from your face to your feet.  Here are a few of my favorites to get you off to a smooth start:

1.Bliss Super Slough Scrub, $34, 2. StriVectin Instant Retexturizing Scrub, $29, 3. Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish, $22.50, 4. Deborah Lippmann Soul Mission Grapefruit Foot Scrub, $38, 5. Homedics Massaging Shower Loofah, $9.99

Don’t forget to moisturize your newfound glow with a thick nourishing moisturizer.  Don’t you look fresh?

xx,

WhyDid

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A funny thing happened on the way to this blog.  I was so obsessed with this mascara when I got it that I couldn’t wait to blog about it.  But as in dating, you must give mascara a couple of “dates” before declaring “This is the ONE!”  After three successful applications, I kept going up to people and saying- can you tell?  Do they look fake?  (Okay- I was asking Smitty).  I really felt like I had noticeably longer, fuller, faker lashes.  Now after putting together the before and after photos, I can see why people (Smitty) just turned and walked away every time.

So, Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared Mascara claims to make your lashes look fake.  I know- in most cases, looking “fake” is a bad thing, but as many of you ladies know, a clause in this golden rule comes down to your lashes.  With lashes, the bigger the better.  Here’s the problem: have you ever attempted applying fake eyelashes?  Not easy.  What is easy is quickly going from a beauty experiment to your own version of A Christmas Story and shooting your eye out.  No one ever really understands the whole pirate eye patch thing at a holiday party.  Halloween at least you stand a fighting chance.  Anyway, you tell me this is going to make my eyelashes look fake, I’m in.

Below are the before lashes (no eyeliner, no nothing…):

And keep on scrolling for the magic reveal “after” photos. (I understand that I could have taken a close up of my eyelashes… but why would someone be that close to my face?  I want to know whether or not you can see my eyelashes from the punch bowl across the room.  Is that not the point of mascara?)

So, I guess the verdict’s in.  This isn’t even close to as dramatic as wearing false eyelashes.  So very anti-climatic, as a matter of fact, that even my trusty assistant got bored and went to go chase a stick.  It’s virtually the same picture.  So, 1).  I should thank my mom for my naturally long dark lashes (my dad’s are the color  called “clear”), and 2). probably going to have to hone my lash applying skills.  As far as mascaras go, this is a very good one, but will it have you questioning whether they’re real or fake?  Probably not.

xx,

WhyDid

P.S. If you find my dog more entertaining than I am… it’s completely understandable and you can find his blog here.

Photo via DiscoTreats

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Recently Katy Perry chopped her locks and lightened her heinous pink hue.  In my opinion, this is the look she should have gone with in the first place.  While I’m not into the whole Strawberry Shortcake haircolor trend, I do think that IF you are… this is the way to go about it.  It’s fun.  It’s subtle.  It’s something only a platinum selling pop star could pull off.  She looks kinda fab, right?

The bob was first made popular in the 1920′s by actresses Colleen Moore and Louise Brooks.  The cut was considered a bold statement of “independence” as girls in the West had historically all had long, quite coiffed tresses.  It became more accepted as women’s long hair interfered with their work during the World War.  The popularity of the bob was reignited once again in the 1960′s by Vidal Sassoon.  The look has stuck around since then in modified versions.

Many a stylish celebrity has shorn her long locks for a bolder, more blunt bob. From Rihanna, to Kate Bosworth, to Victoria Beckham… and even more famously Anna Wintour, these ladies have highlighted their striking facial features with this sleek cut.  So, would you trade in your long locks for a brazen bob?

Take Our Poll

xx,

WhyDid

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Life’s hard.  After a long day at work, who has time (let alone energy) to spend hours on a beauty routine.  When life starts to wear on you, it also starts to show up on your face.  So waking up in the morning is not always such a beautiful thing.  Try Face Timing me at 8am.  Not pretty.  Rather than waking up looking more like a wild banshee than a fresh spring flower, try putting your beauty sleep to work for you.

1. Not only should you be sleeping on your back– on more than one pillow (propped up), you should also be using a silk pillow case.  No, not because you’re a princess and only deserve the best (although, that’s true too).  Silk pillow cases are more gentle on both hair and skin.  Try this Spasilk Pillow, $14.99
2. In case you have yet to jump on the Aquaphor bandwagon- It’s time.  I have a tube of this on my nightstand.  I use it for my lips as well as on my eyes.  Not only does it hydrate the very delicate skin around your eyes… I swear my eyelashes are fuller thanks to this heavy ointment.  Aquaphor, $5.99
3. Your new silk pillowcase will help with bad hair days, but take it one step further by putting hair into a loose braid before resting your head at night.  Or try Christina’s ballerina bun.
4. When life hands you a lemon… squeeze it into a glass of warm water and down it before bed.  A glass at night and another in the morning will have you looking fresh and svelte in no time.
5. Just like your face, your body needs moisture too.  Bedtime is the best time to slather yourself with rich body lotion.  Do yourself a favor and try this Lavender Lotion from Bath & Body Works, $13

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It’s no secret ’round these parts that I’m pretty obsessed with nails, nailpolish, nail designs, etc.  If I can put it on my nails, I’m probably going to (or already have) tried it.  This has a lot to do with my inability to keep anything on my nails.  My fingernails are like nailpolish teflon.  Ain’t nothing sticking to these pretty phalanges.  I tried several different types of gel manicures on several different occasions and while it had it’s advantages, I wasn’t totally impressed with the removal process and it is also so hard to find a salon that actually knows how to do it properly.  So… when I heard about Nutra Nail’s Gel Perfect at home gel manicure kit, I was already halfway out the door and on my way to Rite Aid to pick it up.  

Now, here I am.  Testing out my at home gel manicure.  (Why yes, since you ask, that is Miranda and I am watching Sex and the City).  The directions are pretty explicit and may induce a mild case of anxiety, but there is no need.  There are three bottles: one of activator (step 1), one of gel color (step 2), and one of cleaner (step 3).  You apply the activator, then the gel to your first five fingers and then clean the brush.  You will then clean your brush and do the other hand.  This process is repeated and you are all done!  It’s that easy.  You will have shiny dry nails in literally 10 minutes (depending how fast you paint).

So, here’s what it amounts to.  If I was even slightly capable of coloring within the lines, this would be awesome.  If you’re anything like me, however, you’re going to struggle with keeping the gel where it is supposed to be and you’ll probably be sitting there picking at your cuticles and wishing your fine motor skills were up to snuff.  I’m hoping that with normal wear and tear of daily life, some of the cuticle mess will disappear.  If not, I’ll just tell people my two year old niece painted my nails.

I already chipped my thumb nail through airport security… I will keep you posted as to how it holds up and whether or not the No-Mess Express remover does, in fact, remove the gel without ripping off my nailbeds.

xx,

WhyDid

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Two years ago, after a pretty traumatic breakup, I was itching for a change.  Luckily for me, it was close to Halloween.  So, rather than actually chop off my hair and altering my appearance, I just tested it out for an evening.  By purchasing a dark, sultry wig, amping up my eye makeup (and slipping into a slutty costume), I literally felt like a whole new woman.  I actually scared myself on multiple occasions when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  Added bonus of looking nothing like myself?  When bumping into shared acquaintances, no one recognized me.  I didn’t have to say the obligatory “hellos” to anyone I didn’t want to (sensing a trend here?).  If you are still searching for a last minute get up, this Cleopatra costume was super easy and the most expensive piece was the wig.  Since I am fair by nature, below is how I went from pale to ka-pow!

xx,

WhyDid

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Lately, A-List ladies have been trading in conventionally colored coifs for wild shades that you’d normally only see on Rainbow Brite and My Little Pony.  Two of the latest to try this trend on their tresses are Katy Perry (who has gone through several shades of pink) and Lauren Conrad (with a pale ombre peach).  While they’ve been making a splash with their colorful new ‘do’s, they aren’t the first to go  ROYGBIV on us.

Oh yes, it seems that celebrities have run the gamut on high impact hairdo’s.  But what I really want to know is whether or not this hairdo is actually a hairDON’T.  I’m all for self expression and trying out the newest in beauty… but looking like a Skittle probably isn’t in the cards for me.  I don’t think my hairbrush wants to taste the rainbow.  Call me a traditionalist, but I think I’ll stick to haircolors commonly occurring in nature.  What do you think?

Take Our Poll

Now I’m craving Starburst. Great.

xx,

WhyDid

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So, you know how much I love some good nail art.  And apparently, I’m not alone in this.  Last year, the recession proof beauty product of choice was lipstick.  This year, however, nail polish is without a doubt the girls’ go to broke ass mood boosting beauty product.  Nail polish is a great way to give your look a quick pick me up without breaking the bank.  The ring finger bling is trending and Emily over at Cupcakes and Cashmere is a freaking nail art Picasso.

So, here’s the deal, I am a devoted Sally Hansen Salon Effects fan, but today I strayed.  I tested out Incoco’s nail strips to see how they measured up. First, things first… the sample I received did not come with the orange stick or nail file that Sally Hansen’s sweet little kit includes.  That made for an inconvenient application. Also- the strips are all packaged together, so if you were planning on beating the system like Ramshackle Glam (smart lady that one), no can do.  Overall?  They are basically the exact same thing as Sally Hansen’s version.  The quality is slightly less though.  The clear plastic cover sticks to the polish rendering some pieces completely useless.  The upside?  Way more colors and patterns so you won’t have to settle for butterflies or leopard print.

Now, I did apply these babies on the Caltrain… so that may have something to do with the subpar execution.  However, I’m no amateur.  I once performed a Sally Hansen nail strip manicure on one of my besties in the backseat of a Bimmer on the way to a baby shower that came out quite flawless.  So, needless to say, I feel quite confident in my nail strip manicuring skills.  My verdict?  If you’re looking for something fancy and the your average fishnet print isn’t going to cut it– check out the array of Incoco patterns to make your phlanges pretty.

xx,

WhyDid

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