Cosmetic things that worked for me - sharing girly stuff

I stopped using mascara on my lower lashes years ago for that reason… figured that one on my own. Since I use liner and I have big eyes anyway it isn't a big deal.

I remember a couple a years ago a gal at the cosmetic counter suggested I use this one color of eyeshadow because it would make my eyes look bigger. I laughed and jokelingly said "Do I look like I have a problem with eye size? I think you need to come up with a better pitch."

Yes that is make-up on the eyebrows. Eyebrows was my biggest fear. I bought the Anastasia Brow Duo 4 weeks before my BMX. I never had great eyebrows. Have been wearing it ever since. It's a powder and looks quite natural. Hooked my mom on this product too. Only $22 and should last at least 3 years. 

Check on this page for eyebrow drawing tips (and more): linky

Thanks for the compliment. I don't know how pretty but I have a pretty smile so I only smile in photos… otherwise I look kinda bitchy. Seriously if you smile you will feel and look better. BTW I really did look like Gollum with no hair: linky I really need some hair.

Bangs are cheaper than Botox… just saying

My thoughts would be to go for it if you are so inclined.  About a year ago, I went to a plastic surgeon to have a mole removed. It was on my face, right in the middle of the front part of my cheek. Tho not large, I could tell it was spreading a little at a time, and my concerns were that it was skin cancer.

Since I was there, I decided to get two other moles on my face removed. One was on the side of my face towards my ear, about the size if a pencil eraser. The other was on the outside corner of my eyelid. 

My gosh, as soon as the procedure was done, the doctor gave me a mirror and even with stitches in three parts of my face I felt instantly more attractive.  And I'm a middle aged woman long past that youthful bloom period. The incisions healed beautifully. Getting those moles removed was one of the best things I ever did, so I say go for it since the situation has presented itself to you while you're already going to be getting another procedure.

O.K., Ladies - I need advice!

Most days I wear no makeup. I also do nothing to take care of my skin, other than a hypoallergenic, light sunscreen lotion on my face. I wash with Cetaphil, recommended by my Dermatologist.

When I want to look good, I go all out with the concealer, pressed powder foundation, eye shadow, crayon eyeliner, and mascara. I never use waterproof mascara, as it's like trying to remove road tar from my very delicate eyelashes.

Didn't have chemo, but starting Arimidex made me shed like a big dog. Even my NOSE HAIRS fell out. Got that solved with changing to Femara, and taking Biotin, but my eyelashes and eyebrows remain very thin.

Does anyone wear false eyelashes? 

I keep thinking that might be a good alternative to mascara, but cringe at the thought of getting glue on my own lashes and yanking them out. However, if the glue goes ABOVE your own lashes...

Any comments or suggestions?

Blessings, I haven't worn any false lashes for a long time, but I have applied them when doing makeup for others.

There are an enormous range of lashes available, some are very fine and manageable. I wouldn't suggest you buy a large full fringe false lash, but a fine more sparse  set, or even a half lash set which fill out the outward edge of your eyes. These look good if you have enough lashes to apply mascara to your own inner eye lashes and then blend the outer edge in with the mascara. It takes a little practice, but gets easier!

The glue that comes with lashes is a quite elastic and doesn't set rock hard so as to pull out  your own lashes. If it does get into your lashes, just take it slow and gently roll it off.

The trick is to put a very thin layer of glue directly on to the false lash, I use  toothpick to spread it evenly and hold for a few seconds to let it dry slightly. Then you just apply slowly, right above the lash line. You may have to trim the length of the lash to fit your eye. Some lash companies do a dark colored glue so it isn't too obvious on the eye. Don't rush it, and if it doesn't work, just gently pull the dried glue gently from the base of the lash and try again.

Another option is to buy a set of singles, these are lashes containing just a couple of hairs on a base, and are sold in a box of about 30 singles. To apply them, just squeeze a blob of glue onto the top of the plastic container the lashes come in, and then with tweezers, remove a single lash, dab the base into the glue and then apply to your lash line. They can look very natural if you can blend them in with mascara, and a smudged eyeliner or shadow. 

Deb, I've always had self-confidence and have walked around flat since my double mast so that's not the issue. I just meant that some ladies say that their breast cancer "was a blessing" or something like that. I haven't found it to be so! I guess I always "lived in the moment" and found something "good in each day" and shit like that. I didn't need cancer to be like that....

As for false lashes, I once twitched while curling my lashes (don't do that anymore!) and pulled out my entire row of lashes on my right eye!!!! I tried the false route, but then realized that a liner gave pretty much the same look for a lot less hassle and I had NO lashes, not sparse, so sparse with liner should be even better!!

my lashes are stubby since growing in after this last chemo.  I hope with the next growth cycle they grow longer.  Meanwhile, I just bought some false lashes for the first time!  I haven't tried them yet.  I have hooded eyes so the liner only does so much.  

Hi Blessings,

Yes, the eyelashes go on, and then you blend your own lashes into the false ones with a coat of mascara, this works well with a fine set of lashes that aren't much longer than your own. Then do a thin line of eyeliner pencil that you can smudge into the lash line to cover the base of the lashes.

I really like, and always use, Neutragena Oil Free Eye Makeup remover. It is really cheap and does the same job as the high end removers. I have sensitive eyes and this one is really gentle, but it takes everything off.

You remove the false lashes first and either clean them with eye makeup remover or just wash gently with water and mild soap and leave to dry on some kitchen paper. Just remember to gently pull the glue off the base of the eyelashes. Then use the remover to take of your mascara and liner, and eyeshadow if you're wearing any.

Sorry for the confusion! I am trying to picture how to do it in sequence. 

I meant to mention that there are false eyelash applicators available too. They are a similar design to an eyelash curler, you just clamp the false eyelash into it and put the glue on then use the applicator to apply the lashes.

I hope this helps Blessings!

Anytime Tanya! LOL

Shame we don't live closer.That would be fun! M x

Yes, the growth of eyelashes stops when the use of Latisse stops. Only doing maintenance now by applying every other day or every other two days, the cost for me ends up being only about $13 a month, very reasonable.  I have brown eyes, so not worried about color changes, but I could see where that would be an issue for some.

A few other things I've learned: For lashes to look their best, it matters what kind of lash curler you use.  It also matters what kind of mascara you use.

I'd been using a Revlon lash curler which was doing nothing for my lashes.  I eventually purchased one of a different brand, inexpensive, and was amazed how much better it curled my lashes.  Big,noticeable difference.

The same thing happened with mascara.  I'd been using one that made my lashes look super long and full: 
Maybelline Volum' Express One-by-One.  I recently had to buy new mascara, and thought I'd try a different brand, only to my dismay, it does zilch for my lashes almost to the point of why bother using it.  Very disappointing, so I'm going back to Volum' Express.

Blessings I put on top and bottom but much thinner line as I move closer to my nose. Thicker line on top as I move to the outer eye. Not too thick though. You don't want to look like a racoon.

Oddly enough, my skin was the best it has ever been during chemo. All of my eczema cleared up. I have lots of blonde hair on my face and of course that was gone too. It would have been great but for the no eyebrows and eyelash thing.

Deb, I'm 9 months pfc and my skin has aged 10 years! I have a lot more wrinkles and lost the tone of my skin. However I just found out I'm hypothyroid and "puffy face" is a symptom so I'm not sure if it is due to this. My lashes and brows are very thin which I miss but have become comfortable filling them in. I have found that diorshow mascara does a pretty good job and thickening my lashes-it is expensive but is worth it to me. If you do try it, give it a week before you decide if you like it as it takes that long for the brush to soften and apply smoothly.

On a similar theme, when my hair started growing back, I decided to leave it gray to see what it looked like. I thought it was a great opportunity to cut the chain to hair dye! Well my hair has only grown about 2.5" but I really liked being a (what I thought!) a"silver foxette". So I was at the drugstore and decided to treat myself to a good face cream and was asking the cosmetician for advice. So I settled on a cream to try, and she looks at me and says " oh, and it's seniors discount day today!" I looked at her and said that's nice but I have 10 years to go!  I guess i really need this cream lol. Well I did walk down the hair dye aisle, but decided for now I like my gray. I may change my mind if it grows longer, but ill tell you, what a blow to my ego!

I don't believe that about plucked hair growth and the re-growth time frame! I've waxed or plucked a chin hair and see it again in a couple of DAYS!!! I have quite a number of stubborn hairs that re-grow very quickly, definitely NOT 3 months!!!

I want to embrace my silver hair too!! I have that really, really bright silver, not gray coming in and am trying to blend it in. My hair is darker than my avatar right now. I dyed my gray area the lightest blond I could find just to tone down the silver as it comes in. I want to do LOW lights in my silver hair after years of HIGH lights. I do agree that people assume we are older with gray/white/silver hair, but I really don't care. I want to have fun with make-up and glasses once it all settles in. The worst thing an older lady does is to dye her hair too DARK and that alone ages her and makes her look witchy if she has long hair. Our lightening hair softens our look for a reason! My body has aged, my face hasn't caught up to it yet. I am often mistaken for 10-15 years younger. It'll be neat to see how much it jumps the other way once I'm all silver!! HEALTHY hair is what looks good, whether dyed or natural. Drab, lifeless hair no matter what colour is what looks haggard. I find dying my hair makes it shiny and healthy looking. (I use Garnier whenever I do dye.)