August 10, 2018
A Clarins makeup "pen" that looks oh-so familiar, a breast lift in a box, Alastin's eye cream doesn't disappoint and Pixi Beauty serves up mascaras for your upper and lower lashes in one tube.
Does this pen look familiar?
From Trapper Keepers and erasers to stationary and smelly markers, I’ve always had a thing for school supplies (and Poppin continues to fuel my adult addiction). I have fond memories of that retractable pen with four different colors—you know the one I’m talking about—so I nearly lost it when I saw the Clarins 4-Colour All-in-One Pen when I was at the pop-up shop a few weeks ago. Then low and behold, I found one in my goodie bag when I went through it upon arriving home!
Much more than a trip down memory lane, this pen has your eyes and lips covered (and it saved a lot of room in my makeup bag when I went away last weekend). Each click reveals a different liner, and the limited-edition “Shade 3” I received has a deep rose lipliner (perfect for pairing with lip balm for a light summery look) along with black, plum and aqua eyeliners. If you’re saying to yourself, I don’t need a turquoise eye liner, you may want to reconsider because it’s a great way to create a fun makeup look without going crazy. The plum looks great with just about any eyeshadow, and of course we can all use a basic black.
At $32 you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck—and a bit of nostalgia at the same time!
Because your pooch needs shampoo, too
We go to great lengths to care for our tresses, and I’m a firm believer that our dogs should understand what it feels like to have a good hair day, too. Nothing beats cuddling with a super-soft, great-smelling fluff ball, and Ouai’s limited-edition Pet Shampoo is here to help!
Formulated with apple cider vinegar, aloe leaf juice and tamarind seed extract—plus an amazing time-released scent that lasts and lasts—this gentle shampoo is just what your pupster needs for a silky, shiny coat. Even better, 15% of the proceeds go to the Vanderpump Dog Foundation so you can do a little good while tending to your furbaby’s ‘do.
P.S. Check out the before-and-afters by clicking the link above. They’re BEYOND.
P.P.S. It’s great for cats, too—so long as you can get them in the tub!
Give "the girls" a lift without surgery
I pretty much have everything I could ask for… A wonderful family, a beautiful home, a job I love, I could go on and on. But with that said, there are two things that would really make my life complete: An alpaca or two (or three) and not having to wear a bra—ever. The livestock may have to wait until I have room for them to roam, but better boobies after having a baby and losing 80 pounds since delivering this aforementioned child are more within reach. Breast lift surgery isn’t on the table at the moment, but I discovered a little hack that helps me skip the bra when wearing a slinky top (or when it’s just not completely necessary)—Bare Lifts.
I don’t usually buy random products that pop up on my Instagram feed, but when I saw these I couldn’t resist. They’re basically stickers that hold your boobs up in a higher position, which is exactly what I want (and need). They have lines so you can trim them to fit your cup size (up to a D), then you position the lower section of adhesive over your nipple, lift your breast and use the upper section of adhesive to hold it in place. They definitely get the job done, but there are a few downsides. They tend to pucker (because that extra skin has nowhere else to go), and I’m always a little paranoid that they’re going to unstick at an inopportune time—but they’re awesome when I’m wearing a flowy top or dress and can’t be bothered with undergarments.
And at $4.95 for 10 “lifts,” they’re a heck of a lot cheaper than breast lift surgery, which helps me save money for my future alpaca family.
You'll want to swipe right on this eye cream
So Botox and I have been on “a break” for about six months now, and while I’m sure we’ll get back together eventually, I’m pretty OK flying solo for the time being. I have my moments (especially when my husband sees me make facial expressions that have been kept under wraps for YEARS with regular injections), but I’m surprisingly comfortable with the mobile skin I’m in. Our split has definitely prompted me to up my anti-aging skincare efforts in the form of derm-grade products, and Alastin’s Restorative Eye Treatment has been doing an amazing job at preventing my crow’s feet from flying out of control.
Rich and scent-free, this cream is formulated to tackle all the major eye-area concerns, including fine lines, puffiness, dark circles and skin firmness (or lack thereof). It has a lot of ingredients I can’t pronounce (let’s hear it for science!), but one that I can is called TriHex Technology, and this blend of supercharged peptides and other potent ingredients basically helps clear out banged up collagen and elastin and prompt the skin to produce more. This new collagen and elastin reinforces the skin’s structure, in turn smoothing visible fine lines and wrinkles. TriHex Technology also helps minimize inflammation (which leads to more signs of aging), and it’s ideal for getting skin back on track after cosmetic procedures and optimizing results. (I tucked away the bottle of Restorative Skin Complex I received for when the time comes.)
I’ve tried too many eye creams to count, but never asked one to step in when I was “coming down” from Botox. That’s a lot pressure—and I’m happy to report Alastin totally stepped up, and I haven’t made an appointment for injections (yet). Maybe this relationship is meant to be…
Two mascaras in one so you can get each and every lash
I need another mascara like I need a hole in the head, but I’m certainly going to try one that magically (and literally) appears on my doorstep. Such was the case last week when Pixi Beauty’s new LashLift 188 came a-knocking, and I definitely got more than I was expecting as soon as I opened the box.
Beyond the awesome volumizing, lengthening and curling formula, you get not one, but two wands in the tube! The “main” wand features thick plastic bristles for major separation, while the smaller “precision” wand helps you make sure your outer and lower lashes are covered.
I’m absolutely loving it, and in case you’re wondering where the “188” came from, that’s the average number of lashes we have on our upper lids. Look at that… You just learned something!