Make-up hints

LisaSDCA

I have used the OPI ridge-filler with "Second Honeymoon" a neutral color that I like. I wear only one coat, plus a clear thin topcoat. My manicurist uses two coats and it looks superb, but she knows what she's doing.

Speaking of hands, does anyone have a 'keratosis' that itches slightly and gets painful, until I peel it off. Then goes dormant for two weeks then starts to form again. Could this be a wart? I don't have any experience with w-a-r-t-s. Do you treat them with salicylic acid? CVS-stuff? I always put a 15SPF on my hands so they don't look too bad, but this 'spot' has me crazy - it's been going on for six (!) months. I just keep hoping it'll go away when I peel it off. Nope.

I have a solution for basking in the sun, within reason. Stage IV.

Lisa

BethNY

Tina the mac brush is number 213.

I bought the new jergens natural glow express moisturizer tanner. It definitely smells. Not as bad as the jergens from the past... but defintiely not good either.

One application and I can see the smallest hint of color. It's supposed to work in three applications-- three days. I'll keep you posted.

abbadoodles

Isn't this a coincidence?  I am using Second Honeymoon, too!  Love it.  Just a hint of pink.  Still, I cannot use the ridge filler under it because you see white stripes.  Yuck.  EWB if you were closer I would give you the OPI filler.

I was going to use the tanner last week but then I remembered that I had a doctor's appt and didn't want the fumes wafting up to embarass me during the visit.  I have a checkup this week, too, so will wait until after it to start using the tanner.  Even a long bath doesn't get rid of the smell.

Lisa, you should have the spot checked by your doctor.  Aside from that, if it is a wart, just use the CVS wart off stuff.  I hear it works well.  You can also try a facial product with glycolic acid to try to get rid of it.  Alternatively, try over the counter hydrocortisone cream.  Maybe that is a safe place to start.  Just for 2 or 3 days.  If it doesn't work in that time, move on.

I also use only warm water and a facecloth in the morning but use product in the evening to get rid of makeup and grease.  Lately, I've been using a pure olive oil soap.  Works fine.

barbe1958

Tina, I hear olive oil is wonderful for the skin! Where did you find pure olive oil soap? Was it expensive?

Raye99

May 10 and no tanning thus far this year - this is a first for me since the mid 90's. Thanks for the encouragement girls.

I am very interested in the olive oil soap as well. Tell us more.

Have a great day ladies.

LisaSDCA

Tina - a coincidence indeed! "Second Honeymoon" has been out for several seasons and I keep worrying they're going to discontinue it. I rarely use ridge-filler anymore, but you might want to try Sally Hansen. And as I say, my manicurist (don't thinkI splurge on her very often) gets a truly light coat of filler and two top coats and they look great. As a matter of fact, I sprang for their Spring Special- $20 - mani & pedi just yesterday. The callous removal and massage were abbreviated of course, But I can rub MaryKay Ex.Emollient Night Cream into my heels myself!

Barbe - Kiss My Face makes a very reasonable olive oil soap, I get mine at Trader Joe's but you don't have them. Hmmm - I see it on Amazon and drugstore.com. My sister gave me some handmade olive oil soap that is to die for (I think it's French) and I have hoarded it.

Lisa

barbe1958

My new mission......hunting......hunting.....

abbadoodles

Okay, here's the poop.  I am using Can Solivera 100% extra virgin olive oil soap.  Yes, it's pricey.  About $10/bar.  I have been able to get it on sale, 40% off.  Read about it here:  http://en.solivera.com/properties.htm It smells really, really delicious - very subtle.

I've used Kiss My Face and it's okay.  http://www.kissmyface.com/barsoappages/barsoappage.html#

I've also used some imported French, triple-milled OO soap but I don't know the name as it was a gift and I cannot find it anywhere.  It lasts forever because it's triple-milled.

Lisa, my thumbnails are so ridged that I think I'll have to file them down before the ridge filler.  I'm just afraid that they will peel because of the filing.  I guess I'm going to take the chance.  Maybe do only one thumbnail.  A scientific experiment. LOL

Also bought some OPI Bubble Bath nail polish.  Similar to the Second Honeymoon but less pink and still no peachy/beige tones.  VERY neutral, off white and subtle.  Nice

iodine

NO, PLEASE. NO!!  Don't file down your nail tops!  I have had to have my nails done for years due to that filing down, I am afraid to stop!

I used to have my own nails and kept them up myself, except when I'd break a good one.  I'd have a tip put on and wouldn't allow them to rough the surface of my nail.  Finally, in menopause, a few of mine begin splitting from top to bottom so I began the acrylic route and figure it would take me a year to grow my real nails out, even then, I'd still have the splitting.

Your nails are in layers and each one is needed to keep your nail health.  OK, JMHO.

abbadoodles

TOO LATE!  OMG, I have done my left thumbnail.  Just the ridges, of course, then smoothed everything down so it's nice and even.  Actually, I can still see the shadows of the ridges, but everything feels smooth because I put Barielle nail strengthener on over it.  I would never do artificial nails.  Afraid of fungus and the like.  Plus, I am so hard on my hands that a polish job lasts about one day.

Well, I guess we will see what happens.  I won't do the other thumb. 

Found more olive oil soap.  Olivella is found in gift and specialty shops and at the Vermont Country Store.  http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/browse/Home/Apothecary/Body-Care/Soaps/Olivella-Soap/D/30100/P/1:100:1000:10010:100050/I/f09304?evar3=BROWSE

DHC, the Japanese company, also sells olive oil stuff. 

BethNY

So I only used the jergens that one day due to the smell, but 48 hours later I was really happy with the color of my legs. Definitely not orangy or fake looking at all. I think I will use it again and see what happens. I drove around with my top down for about 30 minutes and of course forgot sun screen on my chest-- needless to say I'm red... but my face got great color. The oil of olay stuff I use on my face has spf 15 in it, and that was enough to keep my face from frying in the car.

Anonymous

Thanks abbadoodles - I'll order some of that soap

abbadoodles

Am reading the Bobbi Brown book and it is really very good.  Probably you can get if from your library system if you don't want to buy it. 

It's really not only about skin care and makeup but also about fashion and style.  Lots to read and many, many good before and after photos which knocked my socks off.  I'll give a better report soon.

barbe1958

I've been using the Nivea self tan and am pretty pleased once I realized how literal you have to spread it (I had some smear tan lines at first!). Every morning when I wake up I seem darker. I prefer my lighter skin, but as I'm going down to the Dominican, I want to be tanned already so I don't have to lie out. I also want no tan lines for my strapless dress. This seemed the least painful way to get it.

Anonymous

Update on my dark undereye circles problem....I began taking my B-complex supplements again after a coworker told me that her mother's circles disappreared when she started taking B. I have to say that after about 2 weeks, the circles seem less pronounced, so maybe this can be attributed to the B. Then, on a whim, when I saw that the area just directly under my lower lashes was darker that the rest of the undereye area, I applied a thin strip of Dermablend concealer under the lashes using a Q-tip. Then I applied the foundation over that and voila...darkness nearly gone!

Thanks for mentioning the Nivea stuff, Barbe. I am one of the sinners who goes to the tanning salon, but I never tan my face or hands. Since I spend most weekends outdoors and will be boating and wakeboarding all summer, I've bought the Neutrogena anti-aging SPF-70 sunscreen stuff and will use it on my face and hands. But with a very tan body and a totally white face, I'll feel way freaky, so I've decided to try a self-tanner and the Nivea sounds like a good choice!

~Marin

sushanna1

Has anyone else had a problem with Neutrogena sunscreens staining clothing?  This has happened with two different products. The sunscreen leaves a yellow stain that is difficult to impossible to remove. 

abbadoodles

Have not had a problem with staining from any of the tanners but they do recommend not dressing for a while, until you are thoroughly dry.  Have you been good about this? 

I have started using scented body lotion (CliniqueAromatics) on my legs after self-tanning to help mask the odor.  It does help but only the next day, after a bath.  Day of tanning is still smelly.

Marin, that's good to hear about the dark circles.  Someone told me that taking B-complex is also a good way to repel mosquitos so you may be getting a lot of mileage out of that jar!

sushanna1

I don't use tanners.  It's the sunscreen that stains.  I could not believe it the first time it happened.  Maybe it has a weird chemical reaction to my sweat-- or rather, perspiration.

Sue

Anonymous

I'm glad that you mentioned that, sushanna. I'll be using the one for the face and on my body I'm using a Coppertone spray oil that only has an SPF of 10. After getting off the boat for the day, I'll shower the whole mess off and it will never have touched any clothes, so I don't have to worry.

I forgot to mention, in my previous post, about my very best find to date...Aveeno tinted moisturizer! OMG, y'all, it has given me back 20 years, looks-wise! Although I still can't figure out how to get the freakin' plastic wrap off of the bottle's pump top (), I just use a teensy dollop on my face and it gives it an AMAZING smooth-textured look. In fact, do I dare say that this stuff makes my skin look, in fact, dewy???? So if you have uneven skin, with a few marks/freckles/sun spots scattered about, check out this product. I'm planning to buy every bottle I can find before it is discontinued, as products these days so often are after a year or two!

~Marin

barbe1958

Marin, that is so funny!!!! We can conquer cancer, but we can't take the plastic off a bottle of lotion! hehehehehee

Raye99

Marin -

Thanks for the tip on the Aveeno tinted moisturizer. I was going to ask you guys for a good foundation recommendation, something I typically never wear, but I'm kind of in the mood for a (you said it Marin!!!) a foundation that would give me a dewy look and even out my complection a bit - it is not bad, but sometimes mid-day I go into the bathroom and I've got shiny face here, not so shiny there - just messy looking - I guess I could just powder my nose.

Any other foundation suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated, Ladies.  

abbadoodles

If you have any visible pores or fine lines, wear a primer underneath.  A primer is light as a feather; you won't feel it at all.  Then, apply any good foundation you like as long as it is a ***perfect*** match to your skin.  Don't test color anywhere but the side of your face.

What I'm looking for is a concealer in a non-yellow shade.  More pinkish. I know that yellow-based are supposed to be good for most people, but I'm not one of them.  I have used them and I look at my face and all I see is yellow.  Has anyone tried the ones that come with matching powder?  A concealer to conceal the concealer?  LOL  Are we crazy or what???

Anonymous

Tina...I'm a big fan of Dermablend and though my skin isn't fair, they do have concealer and foundation for fair skin that looks pinkish, at least on the online swatches. Check this out:

http://www.dermablend.com/findyourshade/

~Marin

abbadoodles

Thanks, Marin.  I see that Macy's carries this brand.  I'll call to see if it's in stock.  The Smooth Indulgence in Nude looks like it might work.

BethNY

Product alert--- I decided to buy the new Loreal mascara-- OMG- I forgot the name, and I'm so exhausted I'm not getting off the couch to look. Its the one with collagen in it, the tube is really pretty black and clear, which drew me to it more.... It's a wide wand. I found that my lashes were separated, and full, but I also found that if you brush over your lashes too many times it looks a little clumpy.  Easy to wash off with water-- but definitely added lash fullness. Most of the mascara I love from loreal are lengthening-- but this one added to the fullness.

Sorry if none of that ramble made sense. Had a party at work for 150 ppl, and I am BEYOND wiped out. One more day at work, then I'm off for two days!!!!! I can't wait.

mumito

I am so ticked off I spent 30$ on a clinique mascara and it is terrible.It takes so long to dry and you get smears all over your lids.End up having to remove your eyeshadow just to clean up the mascara. Went back to the pricey Dior one but it goes on beautiful.

Anonymous

So Tina, do you have an update on the silicone sheeting? Have you seen a significant difference by now? How long is it that you been using the shapes? I'm getting ready to order soon because my incisions are fully healed. The only thing is that I'll almost definitely need to have the left implant swapped out for one with more projection and am going to ask the PS if she can do a inframammary incision this time instead of re-entering the original cancer surgery site because the scar tissue building up under that area is ridiculous and feels like I have cement in there instead of live tissue! Anyway, I will then need more silicone sheeting....but I'll worry about that tomorrow, as Scarlett says...

~Marin

dreamwriter

I never touched mine but it healed nicely.  Nurses have commented on how neat it is.  I personally wont LOOK at it.  But I do a self-check religiously Sunday night.

marejo

The tips are awesome.  I look forward to going through all the posts.

abbadoodles

Marin, I've been using the silicone sheeting since about April 5 and started seeing improvement within a week or so.  No, mind you, it was not a disappearing act! LOL  But, I could see changes.

Now the worst parts of the scarring are *very much* thinner, flatter and less red in color.  This, on a year-old scar.  It probably would have improved more if I had started using the sili strips sooner, so you are wise to get them right away.  Truly, the scarring has improved tremendously.  The raised parts are almost all flat now.

BTW, the strips are supposed to be good for 4-6 weeks, but at 2 months, the original one is still good.  That helps financially.  But, I do maintain it religiously as prescribed.  Wear it 23 hours a day.  Underpants keep it in place so that the edges do not peel back.  I think if I didn't wear bloomers my jeans might rub it on the edges.  LOL  Good, ol' granny pants.

So, yes, the difference is SIGNIFICANT.  Period.  The end.

About your re-do/swap.  You may have improvement in the scar site if they go in the same way as they cut out the old scar when they do that.  It might actually turn out better the second time around, so don't be afraid of that.  I, personally, would prefer that they use the same incision site rather than going in through another place and creating another scar.

MAREJO, welcome!