Showing posts with label Ulta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ulta. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

LC in Wonderland



When I was a kid, I absolutely loved the movie "Alice in Wonderland." Since then, I've heard many people say that it makes no sense, that Lewis Carrol must have been tripping on acid or smoking weed or something else to dream up the plot for Alice in Wonderland and all the other books. I don't know about all that, but it's been my favorite for well over 20 years, and I've been looking forward to the Tim Burton version that will be in theatres March 5th.

Since I also happen to be a makeup lover (duh) this Urban Decay palette of snazzy new shadows, which is a tribute to Alice in Wonderland, and named in its honor, is a collection of gorgeous hues and high pigmented colors that you can accent your eyes with.

With shadow this fab, you'd put the Mad Hatter to shame.

Pick up your own Alice in Wonderland Urban Decay compact at an Ulta store nearest you, or Sephora, or online at www.urbandecay.com. Alice in Wonderland hits theatres nationwide March 5th.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Enviable Eyelashes



Poor Brooke Shields.
I am already sick to death of seeing her in countless Latisse commercials.
I can almost memorize her lines, and considering she was once advertising jeans I could not afford, saying things like, "Nobody gets between me and my Calvins," this is probably degrading to her career.

I loved Lipstick Jungle, Brooke!

I digress.

Latisse is FDA approved for those with not enough lashes (yes, I've seen the commerical seven thousand times) but it is rather costly. Of course, someone has to pay Brooke, and put little Rowan and baby Grier (her kids) through prep school. But it shouldn't have to be you, especially in this recession.

So, along comes Loreal's Lash Growth Serum, which I happen to have fallen in love with. Not only are my lashes stronger than ever, when I remove my makeup at night, I don't have to worry about losing a few lashes. I have ROWS of eyelashes now, and they're thick and luscious, especially after I apply a coat of mascara in the morning. One coat at night, one coat in the morning of Lash Growth Serum, and I am good to go, and I have enviable lashes all day long.

To try it for yourself, go to Ulta, Ulta.com, or any drugstore near you. Check your latest issue of InStyle Magazine or Glamour Magazine for the Ulta coupon insert, where you can save $5 off a $10 purchase. This should give you an extra incentive to purchase it today, and try it for yourself.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Good Vibrations


If any one woman in America defines the word 'recessionista,' it would be me.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Lori, you shop more than any woman I know."

This is true. But I also clip coupons and find bargains better than any woman I know.

Items like mascara, I learned in my stint as a makeup artist which lasted several years, are a must-have beauty item that belong in any woman's makeup bag, but sometimes it's honestly not worth paying $24 for a tube of black magic that you'll have to throw out after a month or two, anyway. (Any woman who keeps mascara longer than that is asking for a nasty ass stye or eye infection. And that is not pretty, honey.)And truth be told, you can usually achieve the same look with a cheaper mascara as you can with a costly one. (My Mom swears she gets prettier, longer lashes with the pink and green tube of Maybelline mascara, a classic beauty staple, as she does with Definicils from Lancome, and I can honestly attest to the truth behind her claim.) Eyelashes are like perky boobs, ladies. You've either got 'em, or you don't. You can throw 'em in a fancier package, but no matter what, you get what you get, and you don't throw a fit.

When I clipped a $5 off a $10 purchase coupon for Ulta, coupled with their beauty deal--buy one, get one half off on all Maybelline New York products, I was super excited because I wanted to try the new Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara. Since the mascara is $12, I got two tubes for $18, and then $5 off of that price. ($13 for two mascaras that work like a charm is a true bargain.)I've tried the Lancome Oscillating Mascara, in the $25 price range, and it not only failed to impress me the way the Maybelline one did, (the brush was not as thick, so my lashes were nowhere near as plump or lengthy) it also never goes on sale, ladies. Why would you waste money on something so disposable, when you can get better results with something less expensive?


On a humorous note, my Dad watched in awe as I applied makeup one day, because he heard the tiny motor in the wand of the mascara. "I thought I'd seen it all," he said, "but I'm a mechanic, and I never thought you'd put a motor close to your eye." One of my male students watched me apply it in the hallway while chatting up my female students one morning before class, and could not figure out why I'd want mascara that vibrated. He shook his head in confusion. And yet another male--a guy I was dating--said he wondered if this was a sign that women just "like things that vibrate--ha ha ha." Yeah, jackass, as a matter of fact, we do, and if this tube of mascara was just a tiny bit bigger, it could take your place in a heartbeat.



To pick up your very own tube of vibrating mascara, check out Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara at an Ulta store near you, Walmart, or Target. Or, you can try Lancome's more expensive version, Oscillating Mascara, at a counter near you, or at stores like Sephora, Dillards, or Macy's.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Well Hello-ooo, Dollface


As a teenager, and even during college, everyone would compliment my skin. I remember a guy named Jerry I went to school with, a good friend of mine, telling me that I had “skin like a doll.” In other words, it was porcelain: I never got blemishes, and when I did, I would freak out because I had one tiny pimple, usually when it was that time of the month.

When I turned 27 this past year, my skin went haywire. I don’t know exactly what is to blame for my breakouts; it could be my hormones, it is VERY likely all the stress in my career and professional life; and it might just be a change in my body’s chemistry. Or maybe it’s payback for always having flawless skin when I was younger. I have tried literally everything to get rid of the blemishes, short of laser therapy or microdermabrasion. Since I really don’t’ want to do anything too invasive, I’ve been very cautious about what I use on my skin.

My Aunt Patsy, ever the Oprah fan, recommended Mario Badescu to me a few months ago, because it was one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” Well, hell, if it worked for Oprah, it has to work for me, I thought. (Honestly, that’s not exactly what I thought, but at that point, I was willing to try anything to improve my skin.)

I bought the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion at Ulta, knowing this was great, because previously, you had to order the products online or hope to find it at Nordstrom. Mario Badescu is not sold mainstream: you can’t run to Walgreen’s or Rite-Aid or Long’s and go purchase it on a shelf.

Lo and behold, after a few nights of using the drying lotion, my blemishes started to heal. My skin started to improve. And even though I experience the occasional breakout even now, I know my skin’s on the way to recovery, and I’ll be a devoted Badescu follower from here on out. Soon enough, hopefully, my skin will look like that of a porcelain doll…once again.

To find Mario Badescu’s products, visit your local Ulta store, or the website: www.mariobadescu.com, or your local Nordstrom, or online at www.nordstrom.com