Recession-Proof Lips

During difficult financial times people tend to cut back on the luxuries of life. Vacations, cars and purchasing new homes are the first things we tend to cut back on during a slump.

Fortunately the cosmetic industry is one of the few businesses that are affected. Why? Women still want to look and feel good without spending a small fortune. A tube of lipstick can do wonders for ones self-esteem. Better yet, wonders for you bank account.

I'm a big fan of Joe Fresh. Joe Mimram formally of Alfred Sung, Club Monaco and Caban is the genius behind this brand. Joe Fresh began a few years ago bringing affordable street fashion for the whole family. There stores are associated with the Real Canadian Superstore/Loblaw family. It has been so sucessful they have recently launched their own make-up line, accessories and brushes. You can't go wrong with a $6 "Berry" lipstick. At these prices you can get one in every colour!

For those who want to splurge a little more there are a multitude of make up lines out there that can be very overwhelming. I love MAC lipsticks. They offer a variety of shades starting at around $16.50 for "Twig". Available at most Bay locations and Cadilac Fairview Corporations.

Now for those of us who want a little luxury and pampering without having to give up your right arm there is Chanel. At around $39 it is by far the most luxurious lipstick that has ever touched my lips. If you are going to spend this much on a lipstick it may as well be "#18 Sexy" in a bold and beautiful red. You want all the attention you can get at that price. Need I say more.

Muahhh...

Smokin'...or something like that...

I love the look of a smokey eye. It's dark and mysterious. Just like me.

My trip to Sephora ended quite sadly when I got home to try this dark and sultry look. Well, it looked like I got into a fight at a bar and lost. Quite pitiful. I don't know what possessed me to try this out. Hmm...it's probably due to the fact that I keep seeing it in fashion magazines. It's just as hot as red lips right now. Putting on lipstick is not an arduous task. This I know how to do. The eyes however, not so much.

I also know that I must see my friend G at Mac and get her to give me some tips on how to apply this stuff without making it look like I belong in a bat cave.

Sorry folks, no picture of this. My digital camera just died before the holidays. Even if it didn't ,I don't think I would have posted it. You'll just have to use your imagination.

Oh what big eyes you have!

Things have been quite busy at work these days. I know I shouldn't complain but I'm pooped.

Sometimes we get new products in and I get to test them out. Sometimes being the guinea pig is quite fun. However today's experience was quite eventful.

The product is Darkness premium eyelash glue and gel. It claims to

give you the "double eyelid" effect.

Having a "double eyelid" is something asians value very highly on the beauty scale. It is the number one plastic surgery in asia. Especially in Korea. Almost every girl walking around has had the procedure done there. (My Korean friend told me this) I don't have the issue of a "single" lid like some asian girls but I thought I'd give this "whole aspect adhesive" a try to see what it was all about. The product is not only used to temporarily fuse the skin of the eyelids together creating a crease or a double eyelid effect but can also be used to attach false lashes.

The bottle is sleek and silver with an applicator similar to liquid eyeliner. It comes with a little tool that looks like a plastic toothpick with a sponge covered tip the size of a pencil tip. First one has to apply the product on the eyelid with the applicator in the area you want

to create the crease. Then, you press the tool along the eyelid as it creases the skin together you slowly glide the tool to the outside edge of the eyelid. The product sets in about 20-30 seconds so you have a bit of time to get it right.

Sounds a little tricky but with a little bit of practice its not that hard.

I was too hasty to ask someone to read the Korean directions. I'm too excited. So I apply the product and raise my eyebrows to open my eyes wider and start frantically fanning with my hand to dry the product. I feel it drying and realize I've glued my eye in this postion along with my eyelashes stuck to the upper lids! I look at myself in the mirror and think to myself, this is no double eyelid , it's surprised eyelid! I must mention that I've only done one eye and I'm in the middle of the store doing this. So you can imagine how ridiculous I look with one eye frozen open and one eye neutral and a panicked look on my face.

As I look through the packaging I then discover the little toothpick tool. I start trying to release my eyelashes without causing too much damage. My skin still feels a bit sticky so I try to put the crease in with the little tool. I've now got a crowd gathered around me and all my fellow workmates keeling over with belly laughter.

I somehow manage to release my eyelashes and use the tool to create a small crease. The glue is now only a little tacky so it's not holding the skin very well.

I scream for someone to read the instructions to me. The owner is Korean. She is crying with laughter as she reads the instructions to me. I then proceed to the next eye but manage to do it correctly this time because she's told me what to do this time.

Looks pretty natural. Kind of like when I was in my youth. Sadly, as you get older your eyebrows start to droop. So do other parts of the body but we'll save that for another time.

Well, even though it started off kinda scary I'm pretty happy with the result. I can see why some girls would like this product. For me, it made me look a little younger. Not so droopy.

It's not over yet.

Even though I can blink, I can't seem to really close my eyes!

Boy this his stuff really works. I don't know what I'm going to do to remove it. I'm assuming makeup remover should do the trick. I use the Mac Pro eye make remover. It removes everything. I hope. Otherwise I'll have to sleep with my eyes open!

(I'm sure my friend G will find this post rather amusing)

Tomorrow, try it on false lashes!!!!

Btw, the above picture is not me!