Big Thank You

A big thanks to all the gals that came out to see me at The New Image Salon this past Saturday! I had a blast showing you new techniques and products. I hope you had fun and learned something too! And everyone's hair looked great thanks to Angela! She's awesome, isn't she? I wouldn't go to anyone else! For those of you that don't know, she is located at W 44th Ave & Zuni and can be reached at 303-645-4777. www.thenewimagesalondenver.com

ecoTOOLS Makeup Brushes

When my 3 yr old asks me a question that I cannot answer immediately (ie - Why doesn't Daddy have to eat all his vegetables?) - I try to find her a good answer. Recently, she asked me why some of my makeup brushes looked like tails? Ummm....Yeah, I had no immediate answer because I didn't like what I was going to have to say - That most likely my makeup brushes were made out of animal hair. And I didn't really know how it got there. In my Happy Place World, the animals went to their local salon and donated their hair to "Fur of Love" and turns it into brushes for their makeup-lovin' human friends. Then I got real. Not every company is very forthcoming about their brushes which sent off signals to me (and I'll blog about that later after some more research). So my quest was to find ethical brushes. My 1st shock came when it landed me at Walgreens! My 2nd shock was that they were the softest brushes I had ever felt! Paris Presents ecoTOOLS for the environmentally inspired. Every brush is under $8! They even have a foundation brush for $6 (shown in picture). Handles are made from sustainable bamboo and the bristles are all animal-free ultrasoft synthetics. The little band of metal is made from recycled aluminum cans. Even the reusable pouches are printed with plant-based ink. Come on! If they can make them this good, this cheap and this responsibly the makeup companies have zero excuses - and you don't either! Go buy them! UPDATE ON 10/08/08: After using a few of these brushes for the past 6 months, I have to say they are falling apart horribly. The eyelash/brow comb lost all of it's teeth. And the foundation brush's head popped off (and I hardly used it). For cruelty free, professional grade makeup brushes, I suggest The Body Shop's. Just click on my Body Shop link under my cartoon - they are located under the make-up category.

Bobbi Brown Pink Raspberry

I'll confess - I love Bobbi Brown. I know he was married to Whitney, but.....joking! Sorry, couldn't help it. I don't know if I'm sentimental because her line was the first "high end" makeup I tried a long time ago in Toronto or what. Her colors are just so darn wearable and pretty (except for my girlfriend Michelle for some reason - sorry!). She used to make these "Artsticks" - which were jumbo pencils that you could wear on your lips or cheeks - I loved them. Well - she brought them back in the form of "Lip Crayon." I purchased the Pink Raspberry which is currently sold out on her site (which should tell you something) at a local Nordstrom's. It is now more moisturizing, slightly shiny and has a minty flavor. The color is perfection - a pink that is not too red, bright or dull. And EASY to apply. I'm in LOVE all over again. AND I've heard through the grapevine that she is coming out with more colors next month. I'm not worthy! Thank you Bobbi. This color is also available in her new and brilliant "Creamy Lip Color" formula. www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Great product you probably never heard of...

I love this company's name and it's products. Kiss My Face! The product that I can't live without is their Moisture Shave. It comes in 7 scents (including unscented - which I guess wouldn't be a scent? I digress...). It works itself into a wonderful, but not to thick lather on your legs and leaves them with a nice sheen. The lather is rich enough to stick but doesn't clog your razor. And my hubby uses it as his everyday face shaving cream! This company is "obsessively natural" and has many other great products including an organic line. I also love their Olive/Aloe Natural Moisturizer. Check them out at www.kissmyface.com or in person at Wild Oats or Whole Foods.

My NEW favorite mascara

I've been on the search for a new favorite mascara since Max Factor's (2000 calorie and Lash Lift) have been drying up in this Colorado air in less than 3 weeks on me. yikes. I can only blame a reformulation??? After many friends pleaded with me "Diorshow! Diorshow!" - the huge clumpy brush and the enormous price tag that goes with it never impressed the dried-out look that I believe it gave everyone I used it on - including myself. And with the beautiful dry air here - you have to replace your mascara every 2 months - if you aren't, I can guarantee that your eyelashes are screaming HELP ME! After an impulse buy at Target because I confess that I saw Drew Barrymore and went "aaah!" - I found it!!! CoverGirl's NEW LashBlast Mascara. Nice size (big) brush with the new plastic spikes. And the formula is creamy, shiny and not flaky at all. If you like a 2nd coat - do it before it dries completely - or you could have some little clumps. So are you going to believe the hype and spend the $144/yr it would cost for Diorshow or the $36/yr for this awesome one?