Is it a phenomenal mascara?
All mascaras are not created equal, but usually they look pretty much the same.
No more. Givenchy has introduced Phenomen’Eyes mascara and its brush is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Phenomen’Eyes has a spherical brush designed to reach every single lash from root to tip.
The formula is made from water and a special polymer that sticks to the lashes, separating and lengthening them.
Phenomen’Eyes, priced at $27, is available now at Sephora. Look for it at Givenchy cosmetics counters in a few weeks.
I’m hoping to hit Sephora in a day or two, and I plan to give Phenomen’Eyes a try. Isn’t it great that Sephora encourages women to play with their makeup!
I’ll let you know what I think. If you get there before me, share your thoughts.
UPDATE, JULY 25. I stopped by Sephora in Penn Square Mall. The store is waiting for its shipment, so I wasn’t able to give this mascara a try. Coming soon, I was told.
Fashion tip: be modern not matchy matchy
What’s the worst fashion faux pas?
Matching your lipstick, manicure/pedicure, eye shadow, etc. to your outfit, according to “The Handbook of Style, Expert Fashion and Beauty Advice.”
Adding color to your wardrobe is great, but if you’re wearing a jacket in a strong color like red, use that shade sparingly in your beauty look. Instead of red lips, nails and toes, try pairing a gorgeous sheer red lip and a subtle pink mani/pedi. The same rule applies for accessories. It’s a much more modern approach, and you won’t look too matchy matchy.
One pair of custom-made jeans, please
I tend to put off shopping for jeans until I’m desperate. It’s just not fun for me, and I think shopping — especially for clothes — should be fun.
I get frustrated with styles and fabrics. Jeans either fit in the waist and no where else or vice versa. Stretch is my friend, but some brands have too much and they don’t fit correctly. I want the perfect pair of jeans. At a good price, of course.
indiDenim (www.indidenim.com) may be the answer. It’s a custom denim jeans brand that allows you to order custom-made jeans. All the styles are personalized and customized to the smallest detail.
indiDenim offers both men’s and women’s custom jeans with many variations from which to choose. The new Presido trouser jean is one of three styles available for women, along with a fitted style (the SoMa) and a relaxed style (the Noe).
The Presido, a trouser jean
The custom process seems easy enough. After selecting a style, you choose a fabric color, finish, rise, leg style, back pocket and special finishes such as sanding and distressing. A pattern is made based on your measurements and the answers to a few questions.
The SoMa, a fitted jean
Jeans are shipped in about four weeks and each pair costs between $135 and $145.
If the jeans don’t fit correctly, they can returned for a full refund.
The Noe, a relaxed jean
I’m thinking about getting a pair. Has anyone ordered from this company before?
Eva Longoria goes short
Actress Eva Longoria, the dark-haired beauty from “Desperate Housewives,” has been spotted with short hair. So, do you love it or not?
Beauty tip: a pretty blush
Natural-toned blushes make you look younger and more rested.
Who among us hasn’t looked in the mirror and wondered what’s up with the blush? It just doesn’t look right.
In her book “The Power of Makeup,” makeup artist Trish McEvoy says colors that mimic nature will make you look more rested. Placement is key. Keep the blush on the apple of the cheek, not too low, and use a brush that will allow a gentle sweep of color.
Natural-toned blushes will make you appear younger and more rested. Darker tones can add years, Trish says.
Project Runway starts Wednesday
Get ready for another season of “Project Runway.”
Mark the calendar. Set the DVR. “Project Runway’s” fifth season starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Bravo.
No Oklahomans made the cut – Kayne Gillaspie, how we miss you! — but the competition is expected to be stiff and the drama, well, you know there will be drama. Already Bravo is billing it as the most-talked-about season yet.
Supermodel Heidi Klum returns to host the program, with mentor Tim Gunn, judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia and a cast of guest judges that includes Diane Von Furstenberg, Brooke Shields, Rachel Zoe, Cynthia Rowley and Francisco Costa.
“I feel as thought we set the bar higher every season,” Klum said. “We’ve got some truly talented, innovative and deeply creative designers this year, and I think it’s fair to say, the most diverse — from a rocker chick who works mostly with leather to a more bohemian, surfer boy — and everything in between.”
Tune in. Let me know what you think. I’ll be watching, too. Read about the designers here.
Beauty tip: self tanners
Do I need to remind you that the sun is not your friend? Didn’t think so.
You know that getting your glow from a tube, a spray or a bottle is a good thing. Here’s a reminder on how to apply self-tanners from Kara Peterson, Clarins national practical training manager for the Clarins Skin Spas.
1. Preparation is everything. Kara says prepping your skin is the most important step to creating a streak-free tan. She first uses Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub to exfoliate the whole body and recommends shaving the day before your application. Concentrate your exfoliation on the body’s drier areas including elbows, knees, ankles and feet. To further prevent any uneven color you can also apply a light moisturizer over these areas before you begin.
2. Focus. Focus. Focus. When you are ready to apply your self-tanner, think about where the sun naturally hits your body. These are the parts you want to begin with and focus most of your attention on. Move to the other parts using the leftover product in your hands. For example, on the legs Kara starts in the middle of the calf muscle and then works out using a quick massage movement.
3. Correct to perfect. Once the color fully develops and you find you have missed a spot, correct it with a tinted self-tanner, so you know where you are applying color.
4. Give me more. If the first application doesn’t give you the results you want, wait until the next day to apply another coat. If you wait more than three days, exfoliate again to create a smooth surface for the tanner to glide over.
Cool it … even in an Oklahoma summer
So it’s hot outside. And humid. The last thing you want to do is sweat out another Oklahoma summer.
The idea is to dress cool and choose makeup that’s lightweight and easy. I wrote a story for today’s Living section about “cooling it” this summer with the right makeup. Read the story here.
Here are some other tips for keeping your cool:
* Choose clothing in light colors.
* Wear natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton.
* Wear loose-fitting clothes; dresses and skirts are cooler than pants.
* If you wear a jacket, slip the jacket on a hanger during the drive.
* Opt for lightweight jewelry instead of chunky pieces.
* Wear open-toed shoes or sandals.
* Go bare-legged if the workplace permits it.
Fashion tip: T-shirts
Who among us doesn’t have a T-shirt — or maybe a half dozen? We live in them.
They’re comfy and can go with almost anything – jeans or shorts or, if they’re nice enough, under a suit jacket or layered with a dress.
“Harper’s Bazaar Great Style, Best Ways to Update Your Look” by Jenny Levin calls T-shirts the building blocks of a casual wardrobe. Here are “wear it” suggestions from the book:
1. Stick with longer styles. Anything that hits at the hip or below has the most flexibility in what you can wear with it.
2. Pay attention to the weight of the fabric. If it’s thin and a little sheer, it’s best worn under something or doubled up with another piece. Pick a weightier style when wearing it alone.
3. Layering gives new life to your dresses. A lightweight frock can be worn well into fall when paired with a T-shirt. Try it with your sundresses, shirtdresses, jumpers and such. Don’t be afraid of the unconventional. For example, a T-shirt can take a strapless dress from slinky to sporty.
4. Don’t go too loose when layering with dresses. If your top is baggy, it won’t lie properly and you will look sloppy. Thin and fitted T-shirts are best as underpinnings.
5. Slouchy cuts look great under jackets and vests. Look for pieces that have a little movement and don’t hug your hips in an unflattering way.
6. The key to looking smart in a T-shirt is to wear a clean and fresh one. Have one stack for working out and one for wearing out, and don’t mix them. And know when to let go. If it’s yellow and holey, trash it.
Pictured here: A T by Splendid from Neiman Marcus
Need sleep? Beauty products may help
As I’m sitting at my desk, trying to stifle a yawn, comes an e-mail that really wakes me up — approximately 70 million people in the United States are affected by a sleep problem.
Oh, yeah, and I’m one of them. I rarely sleep through the night, usually waking not once but twice, and sometimes three times. And, no, it’s not to go to the bathroom. Though I usually go right back to sleep, this behavior is annoying and, well, tiring.
Since I’m in good company — well, maybe not, since we’re all exhausted — no one should be surprised that a crop of new beauty products is being touted to help us snooze through the night. Essential oils and aromatic ingredients are the key.
Here are three products to think about — maybe at 2:30 this morning.
Molton Brown relaxing yuan zhi sleep mist. Relaxes and soothes the senses with essential oils including yuan zhi, lavender, bergamot, and ylang ylang. The essential oil yuan zhi is a wild South China plant and is traditionally used to balance energy and soothe the spirit, promoting peace and a feeling of well-being. Price: $37. www.moltonbrown.com.
SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Cream. While skin is exfoliated overnight, extracts of oil, chamomile, evening primrose oil and comfrey aid in inducing a calm, sleepy mindset.
Price: $48. www.skinceuticals.com
Origins Nite-trition Supplement. Minty tasting supplement that contains melatonin (which keeps inner rhythms synchromized), calming lavender, American ginseng, known to boost resistance to stress, and chamomile. Take one dropper full before bedtime as needed.
Price: $35. Department stores nationwide and www.origins.com.
