Does Olive Oil Make Your Eyelashes Grow in Thicker and Longer?

 

Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

  I believe there is a bit of confusion floating around the internet and something that gets my goat is when misinformation is passed around willy nilly. 

I know it is hard to avoid in the world of blogging and as hard as I try to make sure I put forth correct information, I am certain I have been guilty of the same thing. All any of these blog post comes down to is someone's opinion, right? Unless there is scientific evidence behind it and that is what I am trying to find out.

The other day, I watched as a  popular YouTuber mixed together this concoction of different oils and explained how these specific oils will make your eyelashes and eyebrows grow in thicker and longer. 

And to that I call Bullshit!

Now, I may very well be wrong (but I don't think that I am). You see, I have been using oils for years on my face and body. I have used olive oil as a moisturizer on my face, as well as on my body, I use coconut oil as a pre cleanse to remove my makeup and sometimes as a moisturizer or lip balm. I would think it safe to assume that if this works on your lashes and brows, it would have to work on all the hair on your body. So in theory, I should have a nice coating of peach fuzz everywhere or by the way it sounded in this video, I should look like a gorilla by now. In all this time of using oils, I have never come across any hair growth issues anywhere and quite honestly this is the first time I had ever heard about this. Oh sidenote--the vlogger seemed to apply this oil mixture to her lashes before she applied her mascara which I think is a bit bananas even if it does work!

Call me crazy but what do I know? So off to the internet to see what I could find and sure enough, what I find is website after website (some very reputable), blog after blog writing about how different oils (mostly castor oil and olive oil) make your lashes grow in longer and thicker. They all spoke of this miracle but not one of them explained the science behind why oil makes your lashes grow (and not anywhere else on your body). I kept hearing it was because of the high vitamin E content in olive oil. Then why not just put vitamin e on your lashes/brows. 

According to what I've read, everyone seems to agree that this process takes about a month to see results. I've always thought that eyelashes are on a set cycle that you are born with, where fallout and regrowth will occur every 3 months or so. There is nothing that will make your lashes grow in longer or thicker except a prescription serum such as Latisse and even then, it will still take you 3 months to see results. So if you can do it with olive oil in 1 month, how has Latisse stayed in business? 

I believe that applying oils to your lashes will condition them and make them stronger, but not thicker and longer. I believe that is where the confusion lies. Some people may be conditioning and strengthening their lashes, therefore experiencing more healthy lashes with less breakage. I honestly believe that if oils did make your lashes grow longer, every single cosmetic company on the planet would have their own version of olive oil mascara or castor oil eyebrow gel.

So here's what I'm going to do. In all fairness to everyone who truly believes this works, I am going to apply olive oil to my lashes and brows every night for the next month. I will report back to you with my findings.

If this does work, I will eat my words and I will probably be thrilled. As you can see in my photos, my lashes are....lets call them skinny.

In the meantime, if anyone has any real explanation as to why oil supposedly causes eyelash growth, please inform us all. I will be trying to get my hands on a doctor for some information but I'm guessing it would be more beneficial to our hair/nails/skin if we ingested the oils instead.

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Until next time!

~Jessica~

Anyone with Eyebrows Needs to Purchase Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade (Review)

I love when a product lives up to the expectations I have of it! 

I've always liked my eyebrows to look a bit "glossy". Not necessarily shiny but that groomed, slick look like Megan Fox or Kim Kardashian and I definitely do not want to look like I have a ton of product on my brows. They should look naturally slick, groomed, filled in and arched. 

I have never been a big fan of pencils so I opt for wax based products but sometimes they are a little too waxy and not pigmented enough. I have also used powders and set with a wax, sometimes I just use Chap Stick when I want a more natural, no makeup look. So imagine my brow delight when the queen of eyebrows herself rolled out her Dipbrow Pomade? 

 
This is like a souffle for your eyebrows. It is not a wax and it is not a gel. It's more of a dense cream. It is highly pigmented and waterproof. It goes on very smooth and adheres well to skin and hair. This is not budging once you apply it and a little goes a long way. You will need the tiniest amount to fill in your whole brow.

I have to admit, this is my first time using an Anastasia product and I am very happy with my purchase. I will warn you that these are very pigmented, almost like paint for your eyebrows. I made the mistake of purchasing a shade that was too dark for me (Chocolate) and I looked like Charlie Chaplin the first few times that I wore this (although honeybuns said I didn't but I think he lied). They do have a great color selection and I have already purchased Auburn as I think that will be a better match. I'll probably get Blonde as well. These are a must have for a makeup artist's kit, these would be easy to mix and match. According to the website, these can also be used as eyeliner!

This is a tiny amount that I swatched. You do not need a lot.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade is available in 5 shades and cost $18 for .14 oz. 

To read more about Dipbrow Pomade or to purchase, click here.

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Until next time!

~Jessica~

How do You Use Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer?

 
Happy New Year Goddesses! A brand new year and I hope everyone has a fantastic one filled with all the good stuff.

I am not too proud to ask for help. I have a product that I have been perplexed by since I purchased it. I had heard so much about Kevyn Aucoin's (who is my ultimate makeup idol) Sensual Skin Enhancer, I could not wait to get my hands on it. I had read so many wonderful reviews, I swore I had found my Holy Grail foundation and I did not have to look any further. Being the foundation whore that I am, I could not wait to purchase this at The Makeup Show. I watched as one of the sales women (whose makeup looked perfect) demonstrated how to use it. I had also watched a Wayne Goss video of him raving about this. Both of them said the key was to use the most miniscule pin point amount of makeup to cover your whole face beautifully. I was hooked before I even pulled my credit card out of my wallet. 

First problem, I think the sales girl that helped me (not the woman who demoed) was a little under water. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights when I asked her for help matching my skin tone. It was quite busy, she did seem overwhelmed and I did walk away with a shade lighter than I should have. Shade sx7-I'm not sure it it's light or has a weird undertone.

Now onto the bigger problem, I have no idea how to handle this product! I have tried a flat foundation brush, a fluffy foundation brush, a damp Beauty Blender and I just cannot get the amazing finish that everyone raves about. I swear I am using just a tiny drop but it still looks heavy. The only thing I have not tried is my fingers.

The consistency is comparable to a paste, it goes on heavy and settles into lines and pores. I really want to love this product but I cannot get it to work well for me so I am asking you for help. If anyone has any tips on how to achieve a non-heavy mask like finish. I would sooooo appreciate it! It does cover absolutely everything and is quite dense so I have considered using this solely as a spot concealer.  

This is way too much product for the whole face but I wanted you to see the texture.

This is blended out a very little bit.

This comes in the smallest jar I have ever seen for a foundation but I can absolutely believe that this will last forever because of how small of an amount you need. I am not happy that one of the ingredients is mineral oil, which is a cheap ingredient and will break you out. I have not worn this nearly enough to experience any breakouts. Also, there is a faint perfume-y smell to it and in a perfect world, there would never be fragrance in any face products. 

It has been sitting in my foundation drawer for months waiting to be rescued.

Size of a jar of Sensual Skin Enhancer in comparison to a perfume sample.

This Sensual Skin Enhancer cost $48 for .28 oz. You can purchase Sensual Skin Enhancer here.

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Coastal Scents Silica Powder Spheres and the Great Debate

Clearly states "approved for use on eyes, lips, face, and nails"

Originally, this was supposed to be a post praising the magic that is silica powder and explaining where you can purchase it for a fraction of the cost of that big named brand's version. Now it may turn out to be a warning on why you shouldn't use it. Ugh-I hate when that happens. Apparently, this has been written about extensively for years now so I am quite late to this debate, however in case any of my readers are unaware, I wanted to write about it. 

First let me explain what silica powder is. Silica Powder (also called silicon) is a nonmetallic element occurring extensively in the earth's crust. It is found in sand and quartz and is used to make glass. 

You may know silica from the gel packets that you find in your shoe box or in a new hand bag. It is put there to absorb moisture, which is one of the reasons it works so well in cosmetics, it is highly absorbent and controls oil and shine. Also, it creates a beautiful airbrushed matte finish to the skin, hiding flaws and masking imperfections. It does not settle into fine lines. 

There is one drawback to using silica based powders. One of the reasons silica powder gives such a flawless finish, is because of the way light reflects off of it. It is great for everyday powdering or if you have oily skin. Also if you need to set your make for a long period of time or especially if you are going to be filmed in HD. It is not so great if you are a celebrity that has to face a galaxy of flashbulbs. A crazy thing happens when a flash of light hits those reflective spheres. It creates something called flashback, which means you will see the powder sitting on your skin in a photograph. So this powder is not good for anyone who is going to be flash photographed (celebs, brides). Have you ever seen the photos of Eva Longoria or Nicole Kidman looking like they were face planted in a pile of cocaine? Google it and you will see what I mean. Their makeup artist, I am certain, used Makeup Forever's HD Powder. (I couldn't find where to purchase the photos and I didn't want any copyright issues so you'll have to Google them).

Anyhoodles, back to my initial post. I like to give everyone a heads up when I find a less expensive version of a popular product. I wanted to share the alternative to Makeup Forever HD Powder and introduce to you Coastal Scents HD Powder Spheres. On their website, Coastal Scents describes their powder as:

Silica Powder Spheres are a fine-grained, translucent white powder that offers a smooth, silky finish. This filler powder is highly absorbent and is used for oil control in many formulations. Silica Powder Spheres also improve slip in cosmetics and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

I was not sure if they were marketing this product as a use alone powder or if it was to be added to other products so I asked them. I was told this can be used on it's own. 

When I started doing my research for this post about the origins of silica powder, I came across this link:

 http://www.specktra.net/t/126776/to-anyone-using-silica-powders-coastal-scents-mufe-hd-a-must-read

Which basically says that you will die if you use this product. Well, maybe not death but irritation, allergic reaction and Silicosis, which according to this article " (also known as Grinder's disease and Potter's rot) is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs." I am not sure how much truth there is to this article but it does not sound good. I wrote a post a few years back disputing an episode of Dr. Oz where he made a big deal of inhaling cosmetic powders. I may have to eat my words, powders are so finely milled these days. I can clearly see it being an issue (same way I feel about airbrush makeup). Any foreign object in your lungs cannot be good for your health. 

Then the debate gets a little nutty from there, with the founder of Coastal Scents calling a YouTuber ignorant for making a video about this and casting Coastal Scents in a bad light. 

Part of Coastal Scents response was:

1. No, you will not contract silicosis by using cosmetic grade, fda approved silica powder by itself or mixed with other products.
2. Yes, the silica we sell, and the silica others sell, including companies selling it as a finished product are the same product.
3. Yes, all cosmetic silica has gone through special processing, just as the silica used by finished makeup companies, the same exact process.
4. No, Coastal scents silica is not any different than any other silica being sold on the market, we are not special nor should we be singled out.

So to wrap this up, obviously do not snort this stuff (which I accidentally have btw, my nose is still burning thinking about it). Cosmetic grade spheres are safe to use on their own but use your own judgement if it would be better to mix it with another powder product. You would have to be exposed to this product everyday for decades or snort piles of it to see a negative effect, so don't do either. And lastly, DO YOUR RESEARCH! 

Coastal Scents Silica Powder Spheres cost $2.97 for 1 ounce
Makeup Forever HD Powder cost $34 for .3 ounces

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~Jessica~

L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner Review

Sorry for the poor quality photo. :-(

I am on a drugstore tear lately. 

I am not usually a fan of drugstore makeup, however I find myself drawn to the makeup section of Rite Aid like an addict. I'm not sure if the cosmetics companies are upping their drugstore game or maybe I'm just a girl on a budget but either way, I've been getting some inexpensive, quality products during my recent trips. 

So today, I am all about the eyeliner. I am always about the eyeliner. I know most ladies say their can't live without makeup product would be mascara but I think mine would be eyeliner. 

L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner is a very black, blend-able, chubby eyeliner that goes on smooth and does not smudge. 

Have I mentioned that this pencil is very black?

Black

 That is usually a problem for me with black eyeliners. The color looks very black on the pencil but on the skin they sometimes fade to a light black or even a greyish, blue color. Not this pencil, it goes on black and stays that way. Even when you blend it, it will soften up while still retaining its blackness. 

This will pretty much stay put until you take it off, however if you apply this to your lower lash line, I would set it with a powder because if its gonna move, this is where it will decide to move. 

Also, if you are a contact lens wearer and line your waterline with this, it might (I'm not 100% sure) transfer to your contacts. The first time I wore it, midway through my night I started to see blurry out of both eyes. Now it could've been the drinkin, however I am almost certain it was the eyeliner. I have worn this since then on my waterline and have not had this issue, so who knows. Also, there are plenty of reviews online about how it doesn't budge on the waterline. This just might be a problem for contact lens wearers.

Oh and the other thing that I love about this is, this eyeliner comes sharpened to the pointiest point possible which enables you to get ultra close to the lashline. It comes with a sharpener so you can keep it sharp and pointy. I have had this for over a month and I have yet to sharpen it. It's not as sharp as when I received it but I'm still getting a a nice, close application. 

So this was money well spent! Around $9 for .087 oz.

What is your favorite eyeliner?

Until next time!

~Jessica~

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December BirchBox

With apologies, I am so behind on my postings!

This is usually a spoiler alert, however I am sure whoever receives Birchbox has already received it. 

I'm just posting it for whoever likes seeing these.

This box was about a 6-7. 

I received a non aerosol hair spray from N4, an Honest Co Healing Balm, Supergoop CC cream, a chocolate covered pretzel and a skincare system from Eslor. I pretty much liked everything, didn't love anything enough to purchase. I good box, I'm sure I'll use everything up. 

I'll let you know if I fall in love with anything. 

Until next time!

~Jessica~

Dinair Beauty Basic Airbrush System Review

Oh my gosh, the holidays get the the way of everything! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and got everything they wanted! (and not what they deserved, wink wink)

I wanted to tell you all about my Dinair Beauty Basic Airbrush System that I bought. I wanted to use it for a while to make sure I got a good feel for it before I gave my review. 

First let me say that I did not intend to purchase a Dinair system. I was very interested in trying airbrush makeup and a makeup artist friend who's opinion I respect suggested I try a company who is very well known for their airbrush makeup in a can. I decided to try them first before investing in anything else. After a few days of the product I wanted to try being out of stock, I emailed them to inquire how long it would be before the product was restocked. I received no response so I called them and left a voice message again asking when they would be restocked. They responded by leaving me a voice message with a bit of attitude, explaining that I should email them as they have no idea what product I am asking about. I guess the initial detailed email and the phone message were not enough. So I re-emailed them as well as leaving another detailed voice message asking about the products. Still no response. 

So guess what I did? 

I ditched them and purchased the Dinair system. 

Moral of the story? 

Customer service is very important, especially when you are not the only trick in town. 

Ok, so on with it! There are many pros and cons to this product. First, it is relatively inexpensive for an airbrush system. It cost $99 which is a steal compared to the $299 for their pro system. You do receive a lot more in the pro system but for a starter kit, it is a great price (Temptu's basic system is $149 in comparison).

For $99, you will receive the air compressor, the airbrush gun, an air hose, a power pack, 3 bottles of airbrush foundation, 3 bottles of color makeup, 1 bottle of moisturizing mist, 1 bottle of airbrush cleaner, a travel case for the gun, travel caps and a rubber band to hold the needle back. 

There are many pros and cons to this system and airbrush makeup in general. 

First, the biggest pro of all: The finish is unlike anything you will ever achieve with a traditional foundation.

 It looks very smooth and natural. It honestly looks like your skin, just better. There is no heavy foundation look and it is very sanitary as there are no sponges or brushes to worry about cleaning. Also, you can perfectly match your skin by mixing multiple shades together. The foundations cost around $12 to purchase separately. Dinair's formulation is water resistant, silicone free, paraben free, and not tested on animals.

Now some cons. It does take a little getting used to and you do have to retrain yourself on how to apply this foundation. This is not a huge con but will take some getting used to. Instead of placing the makeup on your skin and blending, you are spraying and the formulation is so thin, all you are going to see is your skin change. You are not going to see makeup so you do have to train your eye a bit. 

There are 2 big cons for me: first, I sometimes feel like I am not getting enough coverage. I really like the finish but sometimes, I cannot get it to cover redness I occasionally have. I am afraid of going too heavy and ruining that beautiful airbrushed look but if I can't get full coverage, what's the point? Maybe I have it on the wrong setting, like I said there is a learning curve so I'm not sure. 

Second and more importantly, I have noticed that lately I have been feeling a bit asthmatic. I have felt like an asthma attack is on the verge of happening but then doesn't. The last time I felt this way, I realized I had applied my airbrush makeup earlier that night. I may be breathing it in and it is irritating me. This is a big concern for me. It is probably best to apply it in a well ventilated area or next to an open window. I am not sure if it is the makeup or the cleaner. Honeybuns (who has been airbrushing for the past 25 years) thinks it's both and he always wears a mask when he is airbrushing his paintings.  

Also, the whole process can be a bit of a pain in the butt. Although you no longer have to worry about cleaning a makeup brush, you do have to clean this machine. Every. Single. Time.  or you will ruin it. So after every use you have to make sure you spray all of the makeup out, you then have to run some cleaner through it (which they recommend you do not spray in the air, this may be the cause of my irritation even though I am spraying it into a tissue), you have to take the needle cover off, wipe down the needle and the inside of the cover (as well as the foundation well). Then I fill the makeup well with water, cover with the travel caps and hold the needle back with the rubber band. 

 I would like to keep at it but I am not sure this will be my main foundation choice. I am not sure the purrty finish is worth feeling like I am asphyxiating myself. 

I would suggest this to anyone who has a little money to invest and  would like to try something new. Just make sure you do not do it in an enclosed space.

Any airbrush ladies (or gentlemen) out there who have any tips for me or any of their own experiences, I do appreciate hearing from you!

Until next time!

~Jessica~

 

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation Review

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am always on the hunt for a new foundation (I still have to post about my Dinair Airbrush Foundation).

So when two of my favorite makeup artist suggested L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation as a must have, well of course I must have it!

I have heard so much positive feedback about the amazing finish and how this was unlike any other foundation, I went right to the drugstore and purchased a bottle. 

An amazing drugstore brand? I'm in!

This was not so amazing for me. I love L'Oreal foundations, I think they have some pretty decent products considering they are a drugstore brand. I use their True Match foundation all the time. This unfortunately, did not do it for me.

This foundation is packaged in a frosty glass bottle and cost around $12. It is much thinner than most foundations. It has the consistency of water and a slight alcohol scent to it. It felt kind of oily going on but dried to a nice, matte finish. This does not provide a lot of coverage, this is for someone with very little to cover. So if you have any imperfections such as redness or blemishes, you may want to go in a different direction. 

I also picked the wrong shade, which didn't help matters. I don't recall what shade I picked but it was too light.

The reason I decided to return this is, this product will cling to every single little bit of dryness on your skin. 

I know a lot of people have really good things to say about this foundation. It did not work for me, maybe it will work for you. I would suggest this product for someone with relatively clear, slightly oily skin.

Until next time~

Jessica