Eyebrow Raised in Speculation...

This post can be summed up by two nice, neat bullet points:

• I don't trust mall kiosks
• I sorta like the process of waxing

Random?  Perhaps...but keep reading.

So....over at my closest mall, the central pathways are littered with people selling all sorts of crap interesting things from kiosks.  They sell cellphone cases, tacky stickers, hair straighteners, creepy sketches, ironic t-shirts, crummy art, etc.  Kiosk vendors frighten me a little--they're like the mall equivalent of freakshow barkers, but unlike freakshows, I have no interest in what they're peddling. They can be a little aggressive, and when you're trying to dodge through the slow-moving mall masses who are intoxicated by the ulta-potent stink spray wafting from Abercrombie, the last thing you want is a kiosk vendor trying to clip fake hair into your scalp.

Then one day a few months ago, I noticed it.  Right near the food court.  Some unsuspecting mall shopper was plunked down in a salon chair, leaning back.  Another woman (kiosk barker) hovered over the sprawled out shopper, raking what looked like a long, thick piece of dental floss over the shopper's face.  I couldn't stop staring.  The kiosk lady had one end of the thread IN HER MOUTH while she dragged the rest of the thread over the shopper's eyebrows, chin, and so on.  Then I saw the sign, "Eyebrow Threading."

I had never heard of eyebrow threading, so I looked into it a bit:

• Threading is a "ancient" hair removal technique that comes from Asia
• It removes hair from the follicle, so it's relatively long lasting
• A pure, thin, twisted cotton thread which is rolled over untidy hairlines, mustaches and so on
• Threading removes an entire row of hair, resulting in a straighter line 

I'm all for trying new things, but a few things struck me here:

1. When I am getting a spa procedure done, especially one that involves having hair removed from my body, I prefer to have said procedure done in private.  This eyebrow threading kiosk was, as I said, in the middle of the mall, right near the food court.  Thousands of people walk by on their way to get their hit from Aunt Annie or that slut Cinnabon.  There's no privacy smack in the center of the mall. There was no partitian, nothing to allow for at least the appearance of discretion.
2. The threader kept holding the thread in her mouth.  HER MOUTH!  ICK!  I'm probably just being a germ-phobe, but the whole mouth thing just hits me wrong.  It seems so unsanitary.

On a final note: I am going tomorrow for a much needed brow and upper lip waxing (and express pedi!) at my favorite (private and hygienic) spa.  There's something about waxing that is almost pleasurable to me.  I like the feeling of the hot wax on my skin, the way the gauze is rubbed into the wax, and that moment right before the gauze is ripped off my flesh.  Those silent seconds of anticipation are a hoot.  I don't think I'd give that up for someone to rake a thread (dangling from their mouth) over me.  But that's just me.  I'm stuck in my ways, I suppose!

If you've had threading done or if you want to convince me that it's better than waxing, leave me a comment!

Oh Happy Day!

I'm rather surprised to be typing this, but--despite having to go back to work--I had a pretty darn good day yesterday!

As soon as I left my agonizing, slow day at the office, I headed out to my salon for a much needed dye job.  My horrid roots were touched up and I left with shining platinum hair.  I also made the decision to switch from a side part to a center part.  I haven't had a center part in years!  I forgot how much I liked having my part in the middle--it makes my hair really easy to style.

Here's a shot from my powder room of me with my new hair (and my old, trusty iPhone).

Now that I'm fully platinum again, I can wear red lipstick (yay!!).  The shade I'm wearing in the photo is something I picked up at Target yesterday.  It's Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Cinnamon Stick.  It's a bit heavy, but I'm liking it...and it seems to last a good long while.

I ended my day by going out to dinner with my husband, sister, and nephew.  After dining on super yummy pizza, we headed over to the mall and found ourselves in Nordstrom.  I wandered through their cosmetics section (they ARE having their anniversary sale after all!) and I accidentally fell in love with a perfume: Victor&Rolf's Flowerbomb.  Nordstrom was out of the rollerball, but my husband grabbed his iPhone and checked Sephora's online inventory.  He said they had it, so off to Sephora we went...and I left with my fabulous find...a rollerball of lovely Flowerbomb (thanks, hubby--you rock!).

All in all, it was a pretty good day.  I feel prettier than I did before I got my hair done, and I can't wait to wear my new scent.  Here's hoping to more awesome days this summer!

Happy Blogiversary to Me!

Hey!  Today is the 4th anniversary of Kiss and Makeup.  In honor of this event, I had a little giveaway for a great box of products from Lush.  The big winner?  Fellow blogger, My Inflammatory Writ!  Yay.  I'll email you soon  to get your deets.

To start off a new year fresh, I'm in the process of making changes to the site.  Nothing drastic, I promise: I'm just tidying things up a bit now that blogger has a zillion new options that are easy to use and don't require a degree in advanced blogging.  One big change: I am adding "page" tabs to the top of the blog.  So far I've added the mandatory "About" section and I've put all my links on a separate tab as well.  Things may be changing over the next few days, weeks, etc.

I am slowly getting off my vacation schedule and have TONS of stuff to share with you.  I'll be posting regularly again in no time.

So: thanks for sticking with me!  Here's to another 4 years?  God!  Who knows how long this blog will last.

Another Year Has Flown By!

Wow! July is the month when my silly little blog was born. At the time I started I had no idea what it would become or how long it would last. I never thought I'd be going on strong 4 years later. Woo-hoo.

In honor of my "blogiversary" I'm giving away something kinda awesome: a Celebration gift package from one of my favorite places: LUSH!!! The Celebration package contains Lush's fresh grapefruit shower gel, tingly mint soap, stimulating sand-packed exfoliating soap, fruity massage bar, and hangover-helping Emotibomb.

To enter to win: Leave a comment on this post letting me know what you want to see more of here on Kiss & Makeup. Be sure to leave a way to contact you and--I hate to say it--but this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (sorry, international gals--I love you, but that's the way it goes). You have until midnight on July 26th (July 27th, 2006 is the day this blog got started!) to enter.

Good luck!

Beach Bound!

Ok everyone...I'm heading out of town for some much needed down time at the beach. Be sure to stop by here next week--I have a giveaway in honor of my 4 years of blogging ready to launch on Monday. You'll want to enter....trust me!

I'll be back at full speed later this month. In the meantime, step away from the computer and go out and have fun! Enjoy this summer!

Pledge for Peace

I'm still going through my emails, trying to figure out what might interest you all--especially since I am taking a mini-break from blogging. Hey, I provide a ton of original content, so I don't feel so bad passing on press release info to you all from time to time.

Anyway, this is for a good cause, so be sure to read on.

Kiss My Face--the PETA-approved personal care company--is currently running a campaign to benefit Seeds of Peace with the "Pledge for Peace." Given the current Arab-Israeli conflict, it is easy to overlook the positive efforts and significant progress being made to foster universal acceptance among the youth in areas of unrest. Seeds of Peace is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization dedicated to empowering young people from regions of conflict with the leadership skills and interpersonal networks necessary to advance reconciliation and coexistence.

The specific objectives of Seeds of Peace programming are to humanize the conflict; provide conflict resolution and leadership training; facilitate open dialogue; and to create a network of young leaders who will become a core constituency for peace. What began as a camp program with 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian teenagers has expanded into a global operation with offices in over ten cities around the world and over 4,000 young leaders (called “Seeds”) working for peace.

Here's what you can do to help: log onto the Kiss My Face Facebook page or Thepledgeforpeace.com and click the “like” button.

Also, Kiss My Face is supporting Seeds of Peace with “The Pledge for Peace” and by donating 10% of all profits from Peace Soap to the organization. As the company brainstormed the creation of a product to help raise funds for the much applauded organization, they felt offering should be one that could be used by all campers in a variety of ways – expected and unexpected. They landed on a 100 percent natural, multi-purpose castile soap, as it is a universal formula that can be used by anyone, much like the values and tools Seeds of Peace strives to instill in its participants.

Here Comes the Bride!

It's summer, so that means it feels like everyone is either having babies or getting married. Though I loved my wedding and am so glad I'm married, I wouldn't want to have to go through all the "getting married" hoops again. Planning a wedding is a huge stress!

The folks over at CVS have sent me some advice to help brides get ready for their big day without blowing their budget. If you're getting married (or have a big event coming!), check out the tips below. You don't need to hire a makeup artist--save the money for your dress...or better yet, your honeymoon!

One Month Until “I Do”:
Wedding planning may be stressful, but brides don’t have to look like they lost sleep.

* Performing a brow facelift at-home can help release any stress lines that may have formed between the brows. The WrinkleFree Brow Patch System ($29.99) includes a built-in battery to “ion charge” the anti-aging patch for a wrinkle-free treatment, while a complimentary youth serum acts to enhance and maintain results.
* Moisturize the delicate skin around the eyes to soothe stressed-skin, while preventing damage from the sun. La Roche-Posay Hydraphase Eyes UV ($29.50) helps shield skin from UVA and UVB rays, while smoothing dehydration lines.
* Add life and shine to hair with hydrating products, such as BioLuxe Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner ($9.99 each). The formulas include Almond Oil, Vitamins E and D, and essential minerals, like Magnesium, to add luster to the hair while smoothing the cuticle.

The Week Before:

Brides should take extra care of their skin the week before their big day with preventative beauty solutions.

* Wearing a sunscreen that provides defense from both UVA and UVB rays can help prevent last minute sunburn. The broad spectrum CVS/pharmacy Extreme Sport ($9.99) is sweat-resistant to maintain its SPF protection all day, even during those final pre-wedding exercise routines.
* Banishing last-minute pimples is easy before the big day. The Zeno Hot Spot Blemish Clearing Device ($39.99) is a safe, hand-held tool that uses gentle, low-level heat to painlessly destroy the bacteria that cause blemishes and reduce 90% of imperfections in 24-hours.

The Big Day Is Here!

Calm fragile nerves the day of the wedding with beauty products designed to relieve stress.

* Showering with scented body washes can help relieve tension. The Aveeno Positively Nourishing Body Wash in Calming ($6.99) works with the steam of the shower to release soothing notes of Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, and Chamomile.
* Hydrating skin with a lightly-scented body cream can also help soothe and rejuvenate the mind and body. The Essence of Beauty Body Lotion in Creamy Fig ($5.99) offers a peaceful fragrance, while Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, and Vitamins E and C work to moisturize the skin.

While most brides have their makeup professionally done, there are a few helpful cosmetics they can keep close at hand to maintain their glow throughout the festivities.

* Dabbing a crème blush to the apples of the cheeks can easily create a rosy, flushed and youthful complexion. The Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Rose Petal ($7.99) provides a soft color and satin-like finish.
* Applying a hydrating lipstick can help to keep lips kissably soft at the alter and beyond. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Blush ($8.99) hugs lips with a burst of weightless color, while moisturizing with Sweet Almond Oil.

All products are available nationwide at CVS/pharmacy stores and online at CVS.com.

Free and Fabulous? Yes, Please!

I'm cleaning through my emails and came across a message I thought I'd share. Since you're reading my blog, you're obviously interested in beauty product and know-how. Well, here's a new site for you to spend way too much time on: www.freebeautyevents.com.

The Free Beauty Events website offers info on free makeovers, free samples and a chance to win beauty products in their monthly contest.

This month, for example, Banana Boat is having a promotion in Florida and California Walgreens stores, and demonstrators will be handing out coupons for their new products including Banana Boat Sport Performance.

All you need to do is head over to the website, type in your zip code, and find out what makeover, gift with purchase, spa open houses and sampling events are happening near your home. You can sign up to follow the site on Facebook and Twitter.

For the month of July ten winners will receive Aveeno Positively Aging Lifting & Firming Cream, Night Cream, and Daily Moisturizer with SPF of 30. Consumers have until 7/31 to enter and winners will be chosen on 8/5/2010. Good luck!

Even if you don't win, you'll probably find some great info or chances to pick up free product. Nice!

Beauty Product of the Week: Voluminous Mascara

What is it? L'Oreal's Voluminous Original Mascara "is uniquely formulate to build lashes five times their natural thickness for a full and dramatic lash-look. Patented Volume-Maximizing brush thickens lashes evenly and smoothly, leaving them soft with virtually no flakes, smudges, or clumps." Available in black, brown, soft black, and blackest black wherever L'Oreal products are sold for less than $8.00.

What did you think? I rarely buy L'Oreal makeup products, but thought I'd give them a try. This mascara is one of their best selling products, so I thought I'd take it out for a test drive. To me, this mascara is nothing special. The brush doesn't seem to be anything new, and the formula is also ho-hum. It seemed to lengthen my lashes more than it thickened them, so I was somewhat disappointed with the "volumizing" aspects.

That said, it did a nice job of defining my lash line and making my lashes stand out. You need to be careful when you apply the product because I did get a few clumps when I first put it on.

The final verdict? I'd say this is an average product. It will give you decent lashes, but it doesn't rock my world. It's adequate, it's functional, it's affordable, so I can see why this is such a popular product. If it's on sale and you need mascara, I'd give it a try--just be careful to avoid clumps and flakes!

Trim it Up!

I was wandering around one of my favorite stores the other day (Target, of course!) and I noticed an extra value kit from Schick. For the low, low price of $8.99, I picked up a Quattro for Women TrimStyle Razor, Hawaiian Tropic Creme Lotion, and Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave. And, of course, I have opinions!

QUATTRO FOR WOMEN TRIMSTYLE RAZOR
This is the razor advertised with bushes getting trimmed into various shapes. It's a double-ended razor: on one side is the normal, 4-blade razor surrounded with aloe; the other side is a waterproof trimmer that allows you to adjust the comb position so you get the desired length you want.

The TrimStyle takes a little bit of time to get used to it. Because of the battery of the trimmer, the razor is heavier than I'm used to. The actual razor part of this is easy enough to use. I like the four blade--it seems to do a pretty good job at hair removal and the aloe left my skin smooth. I did accidentally press the button for the trimmer while shaving my legs--there was no harm done, but it did startle me at first!

The trimmer also takes some getting used to. You can adjust the comb so you get as close of a trim as you want. At first I couldn't get the trimmer to stay on without constantly holding down the button (I eventually figured it out!). The trimmer is very effective in trimming away hair in the bikini area. It doesn't give super smooth results you get from shaving, but it does whack away a lot of hair with relative easy.

So far my only complaint is that it's all a bit messy...but then shaving certain areas tends to result in too much hair on the shower floor (ick!). Another complaint? The razor blade seems a bit difficult to clean out. Over all, though, I'd give the razor a thumbs up! Give it a try.

HAWAIIAN TROPIC CREME LOTION
I honestly haven't used this product yet, but I like that it's a 50 spf. I'll take this with me on my upcoming vacation.

SKINTIMATE MOISTURIZING CREAM SHAVE
I love this stuff! I normally buy cheap shave cream (usually men's shave gel, if truth be told), so this felt a bit luxurious for me. And I like it. The kind that came in the package is called Cashmere Rain--that sounds a bit like a stripper name to me, but whatever. The scent is really nice and it seems to leave my skin really soft. This is a cream, so it's not going to foam up like shaving gels. Once you get used to that, you know what you're in for. I would have never purchased this product, but now that I'm using it, I love it! Maybe I'll make the change from Edge Gel!

Overall, this was a pretty good kit. It didn't set me back too much money and it allowed me to try out some new products. Nice!

Summer Blogging...

If you've read my blog, you know that I live in the Seattle area. For some reason this year, summer has been elusive to my part of the world. I think the warmest it's been so far is the mid-70s. It's really odd. I'm not complaining--I like the cooler weather--but I have yet to really bust out my summertime clothes.

Despite the weather, it is summer nonetheless. I work in the education world, so summer means a huge slow down in workload. I get to work on things like filing, organizing, etc...things I don't have time to do during the rest of the year.

Since my worklife is slowing down, I am focusing more on myself and my family. As I mentioned earlier, I've been on a bit of a health-improvement kick, so I'm taking time for things like exercise, yoga, journaling, etc. Using my computer is not a top priority.

So...for the rest of the summer, I'm going to give myself a bit of a break. Instead of posting 4+ times a week, I'm going to chill out a bit. I'll try to get 2 posts out for you each week, but if it doesn't happen...it doesn't happen. I'm allowing myself time to disconnect.

Fear not: I'll be back in full swing once summer comes to an end. And I will have a few new posts for you each week. Until next time: have a great summer, stay safe, and if you have any beauty questions, shoot me an email at asklydia@hotmail.com!

Beauty Product of the Week: Dry Shampoo

What is it? Jonathan's Green Routine Dry Shampoo is "an all-natural hair powder that cleanses and refreshes the hair and scalp without the use of water. The powder helps create volume at the root, and the portable brush makes application simple and convenient. Talc and aluminum hydroxide help to absorb oil, dirt, and product buildup. It's free of petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, and silicone." Available in dark, light (and coming soon, black) shades for less than $20 from QVC.

What did you think? I received a sample of this product and have given it a try. Let me first post a disclaimer: I commit a terrible hair sin--I wash my hair every day. I tried this product a few times, after working out and getting my hair soaked with sweat (I blew it dry and then applied the dry shampoo).

Here's the good: I like the packaging of this product. It has a built-in brush to make applying the powder easy. It's small and spill-proof so you could easily toss it in your purse, overnight bag, or gym bag. The product is relatively simple to use and apply. And, like all of Jonathan's stuff, it's not tested on animals and is 100% vegan.

And the not so good: I just didn't see any vast improvements in the texture of my hair. I had a few splotches of light-colored powder that I had to brush through, but my scalp and roots still seemed a bit greasy. Maybe I should have used more product? I don't know...I was a bit nervous to over do it!

The final verdict? For me, I'd say this product is a pass. As I said, I'm in the horrible habit of washing my hair daily and really can't stand the way my hair and scalp feel when I miss a day.
I know that other people swear by dry shampoos and can get them to work. I'd rather just hop in the shower and get my lather on. We're all different! If you're not a daily shampoo-er or if you like dry shampoos, I'd recommend you give this one a try.