Make-up hints

Mocity

I am 5 weeks post chemo and just now losing eyelashes..... Can anyone recommend a product?  I read about a couple on here... Revitalash, Li Lash, one on QVC.... was wondering if anyone has found one to work.  I actually bought Revitalash but haven't used it yet.  Also, how long does it take for them to start coming back??

Also, I lost all but 4 toenails.  I am taking Appearex which contains Biotin.  My fingernails are hanging on but separated from the nail bed.  I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else and if so what they did while waiting for regrowth to make them look at least OK.  I am trying to leave them alone as much as possible and the feet are hopeless at this point without big toe nails and wounds where they were.

Wondering if any of you ladies have some ideas for me!

Anonymous

I don't know if this has been mentioned but Aveeno Facial Products contain Soy-- just be aware

BethNY

Cris-- I hated that. The rest of my lashes and brows came out after the last chemo!! But, I also found that they were the first to grow back. A lot of people will use false lashes for going out, but you really have to be careful with the glue. If you have any new lashes growing in, when you take off the falsies you risk pulling out the new growth.

For the eyebrows, get an eyebrow stencil and some good powder. Pencils look really fake.

I see that you're her2 positive. Are you doing Herceptin? For me, I felt that Herpceptin really slowed down the hair growth process, but once I finished the one year of it, it was like my hair growth doubled over night. It was a bob length when I finished herceptin, and then in 6 months it was below my shoulders!!!!!

Hopefully some of the girls will have some tips for what to do with your nails that have lifted. TIME, is truly what will make things better. I know, there no easy fix, and it can be so frustrating at times, but I call it the "hotness factor"

In the 6 months post chemo, everything starts to get better. You get color back in your skin, less bloating due to being done with steroids, your hair starts to grow, you get more energy... So with each month that passes, you only get better. For me, it's been a yearly thing too. While my friends panicked about turning 30, I couldn't wait to celebrate. They were worried about grey hair, and sagging breasts, and I had new hair, and new breasts....

so hang in there, b/c it's only going to better for you from here.

abbadoodles

Cristl, that's the pits.  I lost my brows and lashes after finishing chemo, although I had only A/C.  I thought I had escaped that side effect but, no, surprise!  Since finishing chemo in mid-May, 07, my lashes have fallen out like clockwork every three months.  The fallout has been more staggered each time so that the last time they fell it was hardly noticeable.  The FIRST time, though, is definitely the worst.  Just thought I would warn you in case you experienced something similar.  Some women never do.

I agree that a good stencil and powder is what you need to make brows.  Anastasia has a good kit.  I'm sure there are others.

Try wearing glasses or sunglasses for a while whenever you can.  And bangs, if you don't have them now.  They help obscure the no brow look.

Eyeliner can really help disguise no lashes.  You will get very good with the process once you start.

I don't know that any of the brow growth products work in the case of hair loss due to chemicals (chemo).  If you have bought the Revitalash, use it.  Don't let it sit in the drawer.

Some of us took Biotin in fairly large doses for months after chemo.  I did.  After I stopped, I noticed that my fingernails were getting soft.  I've started on the Biotin again.

Nails that have discolored or lifted will eventually drop off.  In most cases, they grow back just fine.  It takes time, but less than you would think when you are staring at your ucky hands and feet.  I think that by the time sandals weather is here you will be in much better shape.  Discolored nails can be painted, too.

You are going to be feeling so much better soon!

Rose, not all Aveeno products contain soy. 

Mocity

Thanks girls for all the good advice.... it is so hard.  I want to start looking better and not sick!  Time..... I keep telling myself it will all get better with time.  It sure is hard to imagine when I am stting here with no boobs, no hair, falling lashed, no toenails and finernails falling off... not to mention the weight I have put on!

I am taking Herceptin for a year.........I have had two so far without the Taxol.  I am also taking monthly Lupron shots to suppress my ovaries.

BethNY

Once you're done with chemo, and only doing the herceptin, you'll feel SOOOOO much better!!! It will get better! No non cancer person would ever care about this.... but, when your eyelashes start to grow back in, it's pretty cool to see. you look at your eyelid, and you see a row of black dots- like a little army, and then in a few weeks, BAM, you've got lashes. The first time I went to CVS, and bought my first tube of mascara post chemo, I cried. I sat in my room, and pulled the out the wand, and couldn't even apply it because the tears were just flowing. It was such a small thing in the grand scheme of life, but for me, the moment was so special.

I re-lived the same moment, the first time I could get the top half of my hair into a kids size pony tail holder. Then again, when I could get all of my hair into a pony tail.

So just know, that for all the suckiness that is happening now, you will have these moments too! Inbetween the days you're cursing the fact that short hair is really hard to style, there will be plenty of days where you marvel at the miracle of new, healthy hair.

And, a year from now, you will be complaining about having to shave and wax again.

Try to be really careful with your nails, and keep everything really clean. Obviously it will take many months for new nails to grow in strong, so just do the best you can with what you have right now.

We all totally understand how you feel, and I hope you continue to share all your mini milestones post treatment with us!!!

BethNY

http://www.stylelist.com/beauty/beauty-101/20-best-drugstore-beauty-buys

I bought the Oil of Olay Definity stuff today... I'll give a report soon.

BethNY

Okay, here's the verdict. It's a very light coverage product. More then a tinted moisturizer, but less then a foundation. It didn't help as much as foundation as far as evening out the skin tone, BUT, it really only feels like I put moisturizer on my skin, and not makeup.  It definitely makes my skin look better then just putting on my eye primer and face powder-- it really adds a light base, and makes the makeup go on easier. I'll see if it helps it stay put as well.

Now, time will tell if I break out from it- maybe in a week or so.

For $30, I can't really say if its worth it. I think it was what I was looking for though. I hate wearing foundation, but my cheeks are really red lately, and I need to do something until the sun gets here to give me a nice warm facial glow.

Mocity

Beth,

Thanks for all the kind words... you are an inspiration! I get so frustrated.  I don't think I have ever put this much effort into trying to look "normal"!  No hair, no boobs, no toenails,crazy fingernails, no lashes... jeez!  I am having alot of pain in my hands and feet too.... just playing the waiting game.  I love all the tips!

I am not a good makeup applier!  What kind of eyeliner should I use to make this look better?  I usually use a brown liner on the bottom but it is looking weird without lashes.  I must admit before all this my lashes were one of my better attributes so this is making me nuts. 

One thing this sure does teach you is to appreciate the things you do have.  I have to be very mindful when listening to friends and family complain about every day things.... I want to say.... just be thankful for what you do have!

Raye99

Cristl - I've felt your pain - no boobs, no lashes, no brows and no hair. It does get better - no boobs, but I now have hair, brows and lashes (that tend to thin every now and again).

Now eyeliner: I was instructed to use a fine line of liquid eyeliner on my upper lids - this creates the illusion of lashes and replaces that blank space where the lashes used to be. The eyeliner I used was Lancome's artliner in brown. Now that the economy is not so that I can go out and justify a Lancome eyeliner; I just bought today an eyeliner by Loreal called Precision Liquid Eyeliner; haven't tried it yet, but hope it works as well as the Lancome. Will let you know.

Raye99

That didn't take long. The Loreal Precision Liquid Eyeliner is not precise by any stretch of the imagination and does not compare to the Lancome, which delivers a nice fluid, thin line right where you want it.

Any suggestions for a nice liquid liner?

abbadoodles

Well, no, Raye, dahlin'.  I use a mechanical pencil/crayon.  I like to smudge the line a little to soften it.  Can't do that with liquid, so it's not for me, personally.

Just learned a new makeup trick and tried it and I'm so excited I had to report it here.  Beth, take note.

Picked up the March issue of InStyle yesterday and was just flipping through it.  One of their makeup tips was to apply liquid makeup this way:

Totally wet out then wring dry a makeup sponge.  Then, use it to apply your foundation.  As the mag says, it gives a more watercolor look, quite sheer, not foundation-y at all.  I applied it this way then critiqued it in strong sunlight in a magnifying mirror and it looks great!!!  Very dew-y.  Give it a try.  No money invested.

BethNY

I've always used a wet sponge to apply any foundation... that's an old trick.

Cristl the liquid liner I can't live without is by Physicians formula. It's shaped like a thin magic marker with a fine tip. You can get it at Target. It comes in Brown and Black, and I LOVE it!!!!

You may want to go to a look good feel better class www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org or call 1800 -acs-2345 to find one near you. You'll get lots of tips on how to apply makeup to give the illusion of lashes and brows.

abbadoodles

Well, shoot, I guess I am just an old dog learning new tricks. 

Had to mention that the NYC lipliner pencil that cost 99 cents is a really, really good pencil.  For that money or 10 times the money.  My only problem is that I bought the natural (954) and it is too orange/dark for me.  I'm going to look at other CVSs to see if I can find a better color.

Raye, can you return the L'Oreal eyeliner to the store?  If you bought it at CVS or Walgreen's or Macy's I know you can.

Okay, makeup/fashion philosophy question:  With sandal weather coming up, I am contemplating my toenails.  I want to paint them.  Should I stick with a light and fairly neutral color or what?  I don't want to be changing the paint every few days.  Since you don't work with your feet, the polish on toenails can stay put pretty well for at least a week or more.  I need suggestions, ladies.

BethNY

Here's how I feel about toe nails for the summer... If you are going to get them professionally done, and upkeep them once every two weeks, then I think darker colors that are vibrant look the best. However, if you do you toes yourself, and you plan on leaving dark nail polish on your feet for more then 14 days, your toenails will turn yellow and thats just gross.

If you are a do it yourselfer, then lighter colors are better, b/c it's easier to fix chipped polish, and change the color often. I just feel like if you have light colored skin, I don't think light colors do much for your feet. If you have a french pedicure, I love the bright white tip on the toe nail, but again, if you do it at home, and it chips easily, it's not going to look good.

I put light colors on my toenails when I know I'm not going to get them done for a long time, or if my foot gets really tan. But, if I've got the money to splurge (and G-d I hope that day comes again) I love getting darker colors on my toes.

I'm off to the mall in a little while, and Sephora is on my list. I want to get a product by Make Up Forever, called Diamond glitter eye powder in Bronze, and check out what else they've got. I have a $50 mall gift card, and I need an outfit for this event as well... I'll check back in later today.

Raye99

Yes, I think I could return the eyeliner; Rite-Aid will take cosmetics back, but I think I like it now. The eyeliner stays on really well, just needs a steady hand for application.

Tina - I always go with bright pinks, reds for my summer toenails. I've tried the french pedicure and the lighter colors, but didn't like the look. And yes, the french pedicure does not last long.

I have one pedicure at the beginning of the season to lay the groundwork, so to speak, and then I do my own the rest of the summer. The initial pedicure lasts a long time; the only thing that needs done is trimming the nails.

I guess it's about time to start talking about tanning - bottle, bed or spray.  

BethNY

Okay- so I have to back up about my oil of olay comments--

You know how I said it was very light coverage-- not like a foundation... well, that's because I always apply my makeup with a damp sponge. Today I was reading the back of the bottle, and since it has moisturizer in it, it says just apply with finger tips. I did that, and I got MUCH more coverage. Like a very light foundation. I'm liking it much better then at first.

I spent $100 at Sephora on 4, yes 4 products. UGH!!! I got the Make Up Forever Diamond glitter in bronze and blue, then I got teal glitter eyeliner, and a product called She-Laq, which is a spray that holds on all your eye products from powder, to gel to glitter.

Why did I get blue sparkly stuff you ask? Check out my dual post on the fashion thread....

BethNY

Okay, so I just opened up my stuf from Sephora, and they put the WRONG color powder in the box. GRRRR. I even asked the girl to double check. But, the teal glitter eyeliner, which was the cheapest product of them all, looks fantastic on my eyes, and it's all I need to go with the dress, so I'm returning one of the powders and the She-Laq since the blue stuff seems to stay on by itself with no problem.  For $50 I feel a whole lot better. I have to say the service in there was just awful, and I dread going back to have to return this stuff, but whatever.

BethNY

here's a few tips for eyes

http://www.stylelist.com/beauty/beauty-basics/brighter-eyes-step-by-step

iodine

Never had a problem with a return.  Had more static from dept. stores than drug stores.  Actually, CVS has a return Policy---don't like it, return it.

BethNY

So this is a close up of my makeup before the Eleven event in Baltimore... I don't know if you can really see the blue sparkle liquid eyeliner, but it looked awesome. I know this photo makes me look a little oily based on the lighting, but it was really a glow from shimmer powder...

abbadoodles

So peaches and cream!  Love the look.

Raye99

Great skin Beth. I know it's not oily in the pic, but oily skin is a GOOD thing, remember that kid. Love the blue eyeliner on you. I am thinking of getting a purple eyeliner and mascara? Any thoughts on that idea?

BethNY

My thoughts are what are you waiting for? lol. I found a bunch of brands that I love. To save money, try to Rimmel bright eyes liner (at target) or Sephora (sephora brand) sparkle liquid eyeliner.  I found that it's really bright when you first apply it, but once your mascara goes on it diminishes the bright color a little and gives just the right amount of pizazz. Did I just say pizazz??? Is that even how you spell it?

I am so excited about spring, and adding a bright color to my eye. This blue is really fun!

And I know oily skin will lead to less wrinkles, and better overall skin as I get older, so I don't really worry too much about it.

I am, however, stuck on this pore issue. I really fell like the pores on my cheeks and nose are big, and I want to try an at home product to diminish them.  Any ideas??

BethNY

Oh, and we definitely need to start talking about which spray tanners everyone likes. I plan on getting a few next week, and trying them all out!

Sephora has a product that you put on your face before a face tanner. I didn't ask about it at the time, but I may search on line to see if I can find it.

territ

I  completed 12 weeks of Taxol on Jan. 6, had a bilateral on Jan. 19, and started radiation Feb. 10.  My hair is coming back, my eyebrows are fully grown back (actually thicker than before), my eyelashes are coming in nicely, but my toenails, YUCK!  The big nails on each foot had separated from the bed and they were really painful.  Yesterday I went to a podiatrist (first time to one) and he filed them down and actually cut them off down to the spot  just above the half moon where they are still attached.  There was absolutely no pain, with out any shots or freezing, and it now feels so much better. (But looks pretty bad).   He said that they will grown in more easily this way, with no dead nail to push out.  I am pleased and pain free,  Thankfully, my fingernails are only discolored, but otherwise healthy.     If your nails are hurting, this is an option.  What I had not realized is that when the nail becomes unattached to the bed, the nail bed toughens up and it is not tender at all where the nail was removed.   Now I just need to figure out something more creative than a band-aid to wear on my big toes....

BethNY

I would think that a bandaid would inhibit nail growth due to not letting in oxygen... I could be totally wrong, but even though it may not look totally attractive, I'm betting leaving it alone and giving it time is the best strategy.

I'm also guessing if you've got no nail at all on the big toe, that you've got to protect the skin from sunburn when the weather gets warm.

abbadoodles

MHO is that you might promote fungus under a bandaid if you wear it all the time.  I say protect it when necessary but keep it off and the toes dry when you can.  Good luck to you.  It's such a frustrating thing to go through.

Beth, I don't see a pore on your face.  Are you imagining it???  Your skin looks so smooth.

Anyway, any of the pore minimizing things I can think of might irritate your skin, which you say is sensitive.  Probably the safest thing is to keep it very clean with a gentle cleanser twice a day and protect it from the sun.  No heavy makeup, which I know you don't wear, to clog the pores you do have.

And, didn't you say the spray tanner made you break out last year???

Raye99

I agree - keep bandaids off of the toenails - let them breathe the air. I lost portions of two of my toenails with Taxol and they actually grew back pretty quickly.

So the Rimmel has purple eyeliner? Nice.Sephora has some purple mascara on the website (forget who  makes it) - Badgirl maybe? Might try it out.

Beth - I always had oily skin - it is much less now that I am older, but way back in the day, I found by wearing powder, I could hide my pores. I also used Seebreeze at night, which helped to diminish them somewhat, but with your sensitive skin, I don't know. Also, rinsing with cold water will shrink them temporarily.  

Tanning - one of my very favorites topics. er, make that tanning spray, one of my favorites topics.  

BethNY

I would stay away from the colored mascaras. I've tried them all, and what I've found is that a colored eyeliner on the top looks better with black or brown mascara. Even the mascaras that are black on one end, and colored on the other end, (and you are supposed to apply the colored side to the tips of the lashes) takes away from the length of the lash. You can usually only see the color on the end of the lash if you turn a certain way and your eye catches the light.

I would try a colored liner first. I was always anti- putting liner all the way from one end of the eye to the other... I always was told that if you start the liner in the center of the eyeball and go to the end of the eyelid, your eye will look bigger. BUT, with this new colored eyeliner look, they say start all the way in the inner corner and work to the outer corner.  It really looks good on my eyes, and I know Raye that your eyes will POP with purple liner and black mascara. Actually brown eyes pop really well with purple, green, gold and blue. NOT TOGETHER.... lol

I've never put tanning stuf on my face for insane fear of breaking out. I don't think I could ever be convinced.

I'm definitely not imagining the pores. If I were to apply foundation they would all go away, but there's no way I'm wearing foundation on a regular basis-- too much makeup.

I want to use one of those battery operated scrub facial things, but I am way too scared of turning bright red, and breaking out.

I think I will buy a few spray tan products and start with my legs, and then report back. I feel like we've been over spray tanning product a million pages ago, but I bet there are new products that will be on the shelves this season.

I'm looking for easy to apply, no smell, long lasting, not streaking, and not looking orange.

We should start our own product review web site.... I swear.