Cosmetic things that worked for me - sharing girly stuff

apple

yeah right... it's almost comical it's so beautiful.  i can't really wear it. but i did at church.  It didn't help the singer one bit.  he sang in my ear.. i have to play rather softly  so he drowned me out from my perspective..  i hate dis harmony.

IndigoMont11

Apple, lololol! 

To GramE and others - if you are able to get your nails done at a salon, you might try the shellac manis.  I too had worn acrylics forever and had to get them taken off before starting chemo.  My nails were pretty wrecked and thin and they would have just all peeled off.  The shellac for me lasts almost as long as acrylics do, and they give a lot more protection than anything else.  Note though, that I do not garden or do stuff that is hard on your nails, but still I've been pleased.  I am hoping that I can still wear the shellac during Taxotere.

crystalphm

My daughter says Opi nail polish lasts longer. I seem to find when I go to a salon I get more life out of it, when I do it myself, I get 2 days. And mostly i can only afford to do it myself.

but for sure, my next salon trip will involve this shellac, I see they change $5 extra for it, but it would be worth it.

Apple I look forward to a pic of you with the wig too. You always give me hope...and smiles, do you know what?

Well, you ALL do!!!! I certainly am doing better with my health, beauty and all of this leads to a stronger feeling me.

Blessings2011

Regarding nail polish -

At Easter, I tried that Sally Hansen "Salon Effects" nail polish strips, in a pattern of little pastel colored birds! It was fun and cute to look at, but a booger to put on.

The strips are flimsy and tear easily. I finally put several coats of clear polish on top just to seal the edges and holes.

Then a few months ago, we were at a fundraiser for a local Breast Cancer support group, and there was a vendor for a new product called "Jamberry Nails."

These are also strips that cover the fingernails and toenails, but instead of being flimsy, they're more the consistency of contact paper. You pull off the correct size, then heat your nail and the strip with a hair dryer. This bonds the strip to your nail without any glue, yet it can still be easily removed with just heat.

I haven't tried them yet, but will soon.

My own nails are brittle and split easily. I use them as tools, and have them in dirt and water constantly (not always wearing gloves - I know, BAD!)

I already spend $25 a month for a pedicure so I don't have to bend over and do it myself. I'll try the Jamberry nails and see if that's a good way to go, and if it will protect my nails at the same time.

http://www.jamberrynails.net/home/default.aspx

lago

I find OPI the best followed by Essie  for nail polish. I never wore polish before but my nails are such a mess (stillI) from chemo that I have to all the time. I put on a clear base coat first then 2 coats of polish. When it starts to chip I then put on another coat. I also wear gloves for washing dishes etc. (because of LE) so that helps a bit. I use my fingers a lot so lasting a week is a big deal for me.

GramE

Thanks for the nail polish hints.    Opi does work better than most others and I add another coat sometimes.   My fear is an allergic reaction to any press on or acrylic since I am allergic to adhesive tapes.   My toe nails don't flake.   A pedicure sounds good, but my big toe nail is so deformed after chemo that I am embarrassed to have someone see it up close.   

lago

GramE my toenails are a mess and will not recover either. One large nail came back bumpy. Both large nails and small nails are lifted so the get that fungus. I'm currently treating it with Listerine. I have the cut super short. From a distance they aren't that bad with polish. I still have hope though that my fingernails will unlift some day.

WaveWhisperer

Second (or third) the recommendations for OPI or Essie polishes!!  Luckily, I didn't have any nail issues with chemo (that's OK, I had enough other SEs). After chemo, I've had 2 pedicures professionally done with OPI polishes, and they've lasted up to 6 weeks without touch-ups.

Anonymous

I also like the OPI polishes! I just saw OPI has come out with a Gel formula (the Shellac is a CDN gel product I've used and like when I travel because you can get up to three weeks when you don't do a lot of dishes ,gardening, etc). I'm interested in trying the new OPI product!

artsee

OPI...with a layer of opi's "chip skip" first. Two coats of polish and OPI's fast drying top coat. It's worked for me and having been in the buisness of having my hand in water for years, I found it works the best.

apple

I am going finally to a look good feel great class with my friend. 

She has lymphoma and is doing well.  I would never go alone so we'll have a blast and get some of the free makeup they showed me.  It was a huge basket of very high end cosmetics.  I am really going for my daughter to share the makeup with her.. I really just need eyebrow and liner help.  my complexion is ok - if i could just get the brows to stay on.  I am always messing with my eyes.. they itch and i forget not to touch them.

I don't really do my nails.  As a musician i must keep them very short.  I can't use dark colors because they chip so easily so i just keep a light glaze on them.  Still it is fun to have manicure sessions with the DD.  if she would just do my feet.  What good is a daughter if she won't give you a pedicure?

gentianviolet

Iago - and others that may have this problem.....after years of trying many natural remedies for toe nail fungus, I finally tried hydrogen peroxide.  Just wet a Q-tip and dab it on the affected toes morning and evening.  I was astounded that something so simple actually worked for me and rather quickly.  Hope this tip helps someone.

lago

gentianviolet for my toes I'm actually doing that with green Listerine. I've tried it before with the purple. It worked but turned my toe purple. Since it's summer I can't do the purple toes I'm pretty sure the fingers don't have fungus. My Dermatologist thinks maybe yeast but I get the feeling that she doesn't think that's it either.

This takes months to work since toenails grow slowly.

TwoHobbies

I saw a you tube video that Lisa Eldridge does and she says the best eyebrow pencil post-chemotherapy is Suqqu liquid eyebrow pen.  I' remember someone was asking about this a few pages ago.  I don't know if my link will work, but here goes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODmwOXVjfk&feature=related

apple

Thanks for the liquid eyebrow pen link.. that looks like it would work for me.  I build up a combo of waxes, pencils, powders  and brush it into strokes to creat an eyebrow that works for me and stays on at least for a while.

I have a question.. do you think makeup artists use the same makeups on client after client?  I never see them wiping the top layer of the makeup off after they've given a demonstration...  how do they protect from germ migration?  I get these eeeeeeeeeww moments everytime i approach a counter.. just can't do it... and i want to try them so bad.  i am glad they have samples but feel like such a freeloader just asking if i can try samples.  the girls look at me like I'm sallyspecial.

apple

Thanks for the liquid eyebrow pen link.. that looks like it would work for me.  I build up a combo of waxes, pencils, powders  and brush it into strokes to creat an eyebrow that works for me and stays on at least for a while.

I have a question.. do you think makeup artists use the same makeups on client after client?  I never see them wiping the top layer of the makeup off after they've given a demonstration...  how do they protect from germ migration?  I get these eeeeeeeeeww moments everytime i approach a counter.. just can't do it... and i want to try them so bad.  i am glad they have samples but feel like such a freeloader just asking if i can try samples.  the girls look at me like I'm sallyspecial.

lago

Apple I know when I'm in a department store they use a new cuetip or pad every time they dip into the product.

Blessings2011

So, what do they use to put blush on you?

If I recall correctly (it's been a looooong time since I went to a makeup counter!) the girls just used a regular blush brush.

I remember being faintly creeped out about this but never thought to ask. How would they disinfect soft brushes between customers?

(Ew. Now my cheeks are itching just thinking about it.....)

lago

I don't remember but it might have been a cotton ball. I would have freaked if they didn't use somethind disposable.

IndigoMont11

I know with Bare Escentuals (at the stores) they use a spray cleaner on their brushes in between clients, in addition to disposable stuff.

crystalphm

At Ulta they had a spray solution and then wiped with a tissue if possible. Anymore than this, I don't want to think about. I do know many stores take lipstick back so I never try that on, other than on my hand.

I did buy that anastasia for eyebrows, they suggested I have my eyebrows done professionally (nothing is uniform) and then I could follow the lines better, and this is working out very well.

has anyone else ever used squalane for a moisturizer? Dr lark has one called Trilane, but you can also buy squalane, which is a pure form of olive oil.

apple

so yesterday i ventured into the mall.  shudder and looked for Suqqu liquid eyebrow pen - I'll have to find it on the internet.

at my LGFG class they gave me a stick of Merle Norman lip Liner.. omgosh.. it is the best.  I couldn't find Merled Norman products at Nordstroms and was tired of walking so i went home. 
The girls at the makeup counters were ready to pounce.  I'd start to drift their way and 3 of them would gather like wolves.

scarey.

Ellendou

Apple thanks will have to look for the Merle norman Lip Liner, I think they are available here in Canada, don't know what I will do about my eyebrows and eyelahes.

onvacation

I think you have to get merle norman at the merle norman store - at least they used to have their own store!

sbelizabeth

(http://eyelineher.blogspot.com/):

This lovely woman has a couple of videos on how to create the illusion of eyebrows and eyelashes.  She's experienced extreme hairloss due to alopecia, not chemo, but looks stunning with her headscarf and makeup.

crystalphm

That eyebrow video is worth it's weight in gold! Thank you so much for sharing this link!

MariannaLaFrance

I get really icked out when I get makeup applied at any makeup counter or store. I just know that there is no way their utensils are truly clean. However, sometimes it's the only way one will know that the color/texture, etc are right for their skin!

Thanks for the Lisa Eldridge link. I have bookmarked her site, because she has some great information about makeup application. Though I like to look good, it never ceases to amaze me that there are people out there (like her) that know and try most of the products out on the market. It's her job, I guess.... but I am certainly glad she posts that information out there for those of us who just grab and go, usually!

Brows. Sigh. Every time I get my brows to grow in, I start getting itchy in one certain spot, I scratch my eyebrow, and end up with another bald patch!! It's a never-ending cycle for me. My left brow seems like it will forever be half bald. 

mumito

I love the age eraser products by Maybelline as well especially the undereye concealer.

GramE

I have used Merle Normal for close to 50 years ( I am 66)...   Their products are availabe at Merle Norman Studios.    

Blessings2011

sbelizabeth - those videos were awesome! That young woman is just beautiful, and I could listen to her talk all day....

I wore liquid eyeliner all my life. Had no problem putting it on, and quickly, too! But then I, er, um, matured......and my eyelids got wrinkley. And try putting liquid liner on THAT!

So I've moved on to eyeliner pencils that are more forgiving, but those videos sure brought back memories.....