Audrey Dao

Confessions Of A Beautyholic

 

August Reader of the Month Winner

Thank you to all the readers who visited this site and participated in the August Reader of the Month Giveaway.

Here is a reminder of the prize:

Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties Gift Set

The winner of the Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties Gift Set is…

DANNI!

Congrats Danni! I will be sending you an email shortly.

Don’t forget, the September Reader of the Month Giveaway has already started. Get those comments in!

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September Reader of the Month Prize

Wow! September is here already! To celebrate the end of Summer/start of Fall, I thought I would giveaway a hair product instead of makeup. What kind of hair product you ask? I thought I would giveaway your choice of color (black, purple, red, or pink)  Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron! It normally retails for about $140. To find out more about the Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron click here.

Remember:

Reader of the Month giveaways end on the last day of each month at 11:59 PM PST. So for September’s Reader of the Month giveaway, the end date would be September 30, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.

Be sure to read the details and rules pertaining to the Reader of the Month Giveaway here.

You have all month to enter, so comment away!

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Salon Etiquette 101: Itty Bitty Hints on How to Handle Everything from Chatty Stylists to Tipping

Salon Etiquette 101: Itty Bitty Hints on How to Handle Everything from Chatty Stylists to Tipping

Hairy Situation #1: “What should I do when the only thing my stylist wants to do is talk and gossip and I just want to chill out?”

Reading a mag or chatting on the cell phone to avoid your stylist can sometimes be a little distracting for them, so if you want to relax and trust your stylist, sit down in the chair and immediately tell them how you had such a long day and can’t wait for some R&R time at the salon. You can even close your eyes to indicate you just want to zone out.

Hairy Situation #2: “There’s so many people to tip! How much should I give the stylist? The shampoo person? The colorist?”

Just remember 15-20% for the main hairstylist handling your ‘do and 5% for everyone else (this includes the shampoo assistant, colorist and if there’s a junior assistant coloring your hair). If the cut is super super pricey, slipping a Mr. Grant (a $50 bill) is plenty (even if it doesn’t equal 20%). Also, don’t feel obligated to tip the owner–that’s totally optional!

Hairy Situation #3: “I went home and realized that I hate the cut!”

In order to avoid a bad cut from the start, you must must must have a consultation with your stylist before you get any service. When you say you want “three inches” cut off, show him with your fingers on your hair to let him know what three inches mean to you (his/her measurement idea could be way different than yours!). If you go home and you really can’t stand the ‘do, don’t have a fit and say how much you hate it, but simply call and say, “I’ve had a hard time styling my hair with this new cut, can you please take a look at it?” Make sure to book an appointment with them while you’re on the phone with your stylist (so nothing gets lost in translation).

Hairy Situation #4: “Okay, now that I know how to break it to my stylist that I don’t like the ‘do, should the re-cut be free?”

If you call within the same week that you received the bad cut and come in for the redo appointment soon after (no longer than 2 weeks), then you shouldn’t be charged for the correction.

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Maybelline Volum’ Express the Falsies Mascara Review

Maybelline Volum’ Express the Falsies Mascara ($7.49)

  • Patented Spoon brush and Kera-fiber formula instantly build 8x more volume without clumping.
  • Unique flexible wand helps to lift and separate lashes to provide the look of 300% more lashes.
  • Ophthalmologist tested
  • Contact lens safe

My Thoughts:

This is an okay mascara. It’s not one of Maybelline’s bests. I was able to get long lashes with a bit of volume but not falsies like lashes. For some reason, I was hoping for super thick, long lashes. I didn’t like how the formula was really wet. The wet formula caused my lashes to clump together, but nothing a lash comb can’t cure. It was more of a nuisance. I also didn’t like how difficult it was to remove. No matter how much you soak and rub, traces of the mascara still clings to your lashes. The flexible wand was a bit weird. I haven’t gotten used to it yet so I felt it made applying  a little bit more difficult. Volum’ Express the Falsies mascara is not an everyday mascara. It’s more of a night-out-on-town kind of mascara. I would have to say Maybelline Volum’ Express the Falsies Mascara is a high maintenance mascara. If you have time and patience to apply and remove the mascara, it could possibly be a holy grail.

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Beauty Blog Link Love

Rae reviews a gorgeously packaged mascara that smells like blueberries (no, we’re not kidding!) over at theNotice.

Tammerly from Pink Diva’s Beauty Spot was GHD’s guest at Little Joe Woman fashion luncheon which was also sponsored by Lancome.

IHeartCosmetics reviews the famous Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish .

The Pink Sith tries to put as many non sequitur references that she can into her review of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blush. See if she has finally gone too far!

Madame B Fatale swatches some Australian Mineral Shadows by Kylies Professional.

Jellyminx creates an affordable autumn inspired eye look perfect for the dreary weather the UK has had recently!!

Urban Decay announce The Black Palette and Lipglossiping has the photos! This one’s for the rock chick inside each of us!

Cindy from Prime Beauty is finally leading the semi-”charmed” life she thinks she deserves by wearing the newest Three Custom Color Specialist lipstick. Find out how you can get yours as a GWP!

What’s in the vanity drawers at The Gloss Menagerie? Come have a look at Alyson’s makeup organization.

Beautywoome takes you through the no-chip manicure paces.

It wasn’t easy, but Glitter Geek actually listed her top 10 products for Summer 2010. See any of your own favourites?

Jeweled Thumb reviews a face paint by Models Own as a blush and discovers it works!

Want to learn how to self-apply individual false eyelashes at home? Mz. More of The Glamorous Gleam has a video tutorial!

Hot Beauty Health shares how to get short, curly hairstyles like celebs!

The Lip Print makes a change and crosses over to the light side .

Retrodiva explores eight autumn beauty trends sure to be popular this year.

Want Chanel Paradoxal but don’t like it’s price? Musicalhouses shows you Paradoxal’s (much) cheaper little sister!

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EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Review

EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere ($3.29) eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.

My Thoughts:

I am quite the lip balm fanatic. I am almost never without one. So, when I spoted the eos lip balm sphere I had to have it.  The lip balm isn’t heavy or feel waxy. However, it wasn’t as moisturizing as I had hoped it would be.  The packaging is definitely a conversation starter.  The sphere shape makes it really easy to apply and it covers my entire lip. I  like all of the scents and flavors that it comes in. They’ are not too strong and smell nice. I hate that I can’t slip this into my pocket because of it’s big size and odd shape. I also don’t like how when you get to the bottom of the lip balm it becomes flat. This makes it really difficult to apply. Would I repurchase? Chances are no. I feel it’s overpriced. There are better lip balms that are much cheaper.

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This Or That

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E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit Review

E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit ($3) Create brows that are fuller, thicker, and more defined! The pigmented wax defines and shapes brows and the color complementing setting powder keeps them looking arched and perfected. The doubled sided taklon brush has one side to help arch your brows while the other side aids in filling them in. This duo provides lasting color definition for a naturally beautiful look.

My Thoughts:

I heart E.L.F Eyebrow Kit! Not only is it super cheap, but it performs just as well, possibly better, as high end eyebrow kits. I own all the shades, but I prefer the Ash shade for everyday use. It matches my dark brows very nicely. It also does a great job of filling in and keeping unruly brows in place. I don’t use the brush that comes in the kit because the shortness of the brush makes it difficult to control. I use my own angled brush. I was pleasantly surprised by how sturdy the packaging is. It reminds me of the packaging for Nars products. Sleek and sturdy. It also has a mirror which is great for travel and quick touch-ups.

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5 Simple Ways to Conserve Your Makeup

5 Simple Ways to Conserve Your Makeup

A Frugal Foundation Trick
Natalie DeStefano, makeup artist at the Rita Hazan Salon in NYC, recommends wetting your makeup sponge slightly before you dip it into your foundation. The dampness will cause the sponge to absorb less product, thus leaving more in the bottle.

Squeeze More Swipes

Get a few more uses out of an almost-gone mascara by standing it in a glass of warm water or heating it up with a hair dryer.

Save Your Mascara Wand
Wash it thoroughly and use it to tame unruly eyebrow hairs or to separate and de-clump lashes. Oftentimes, great mascara application comes from the brush. If you aren’t too keen on a newly purchased formula, use the wand from your tried-and-true to see if it makes a difference.

Use a Lip Brush
Slathering on your lipstick may cause you to overapply, which you’ll only blot off onto a napkin. Use a lip brush and you’ll save product, plus get a more even, precise color.

Line and Shadow—at the Same Time
In a pinch, you can use any eye shadow as an eyeliner. Pick up an eyeliner brush with short, stiff, angled bristles. Your best bet is to mist the tip of the brush rather than soaking it, which can ruin both the brush and the makeup. For a smudgy, nighttime look, try applying with a damp Q-tip. T

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Tip of the Week

Studies find that women who work out regularly have firmer skin than similar nonexercisers. The reason: Exercise infuses skin with oxygen and nutrients needed for collagen production. To keep your skin toned, make time for at least three 30-minute heart-pumping workouts per week.

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Enjoy FREE Shipping plus FREE 3-Step minis, with $30 clinique.com order.

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Reader of the Month Giveaway
Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron



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