Guest post by Colleen Coplick, Buzz Networker

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect mascara for years now. I’ve tried pretty much every brand out there from MAC through to pretty much every single drugstore brand out there. Now, granted, I don’t have easy access to a Sephora, (yet, I’ve heard rumours that my city will be getting one sometime this year… we’ll see) and as much as I’d love to be, I’m not a Holt’s girl (Holt Renfrew… it’s sort of Vancouver’s version of Neiman’s), so I tend to stray away from $30 some odd tubes of mascara.
I am a well-studied student of the late Kevin Aucoin. He taught me everything I know about makeup and their looks, some of which I’ll talk about later this week. Complete with detailed pictures! But when eyelashes are concerned, I know the technique of putting on mascara properly and very very well. It’s one of my daily staples. This is why the quest for the perfect mascara is paramount.
I think I’ve managed to narrow it down to two options: CoverGirl’s Lash Blast and Maybelline’s Define-a-lash Volume Mascara. I once tried them both on - one on each eye… with very little discernible difference. I think at this point, I’m leaning towards the Cover Girl, which does sort of surprise me, because I haven’t ever been a real big fan of Cover Girl in the past. Now that they’ve got a brilliant partnership with America’s Next Top Model (and as of tonight, GO WHITNEY!!!!  I’m sooooo happy that she won!!!) they’re starting to step up their game. They’ve even got Drew as their latest Cover Girl. So maybe I’m on the right track here?

Your mission, oh dear readers, tell me: What’s your favorite mascara and why do you love it?

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Attended a non-beauty event early this week. There I met up with other beauty bloggers who couldn’t resist the urge to hang out with the latest addition to witty misfits that compose the David & Goliath family of teasers, er, I mean T Shirts. Heh.

Image: fotoloco.multiply.com

Roanne of VanityVibe.com, Phoebe of SwipeSomeGloss.com and Sophie of Beautynomics.com. I’m the one in blue.

I reckon this is our version of Pantene’s Most Beautiful? LMAO. Or not.

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Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

With my recent nail nightmare, I’ve grown to appreciate nail buffers more. I’m not simply referring to filing and shaping nails, mind you. I’m talking about polishing them. That’s what buffing anything will naturally accomplish anyway. My nails have never looked so shiny, smooth and healthy!

I hardly take care of my nails, you see. I go on a trip to the salon for the typical mani-pedi, esp when there’s a special occasion, but that’s the most that I’d do for them. Well, I often scrub them whenever I take a bath and I use the nail clipper to tame them plus the expected removal of dirt that has managed to accumulate in the crannies. Just pure hygienic reasons. So, I reckon investing in a nail buffer is a bit of a reformed luxury on my part.

The Bobbie Nail Buffer that I got is a 3-step buffing process. There are 3 colour-coded areas, each with a specific function. One is meant to even out the surface area; another to make the edges less blunt, doing away the just-clipped look; and lastly is the polishing bit, which will render the nail looking shiny and healthy.

I reckon buffing the nail is best done in between mani-pedi schedules. It helps in nail maintenance. And it actually allows you to have presentable nails even without a nail polish.

Any of you buff your nails, too? What’s your recommended buffing frequency (how many times in a week or month do we have to buff our nails)? Feel free to share. I’d love to hear more about how you guys take care of your nails.

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Er, not really. LOL.

Spoof. I actually laughed out loud when I saw this on YouTube. I wonder how the Pantene ladies feel about this. LOL.

I’m thinking we all need a little laugh every now and then. Hope you enjoyed watching Pantene’s Most Beautiful.. er, nevermind. Heh.

Thanks to Irvin for the tip!

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Kanebo
SENSAI Cellular Performance
Total Lip Treatment

Promotes collagen synthesis and quality in the O-Zone area on and around the lips. Minimises dullness, repairs roughness, and leaves lips plumped up and smooth.

Earlier, I was curiously checking out my lips. I reckon it’s one of those wear-no-makeup days that you find yourself feeling utterly lousy and growing a need to self-deprecate while staring at your reflection. Pah. Imagine me saying “I’ve got such ugly lips. They’re too dark and chappy and heavily wrinkled. I feel so old.” in a whingy voice while looking at a mirror conveniently located on the sun visor of the car. Poor boyfriend who had to sit through it. LOL.

Anyway, my way of taking care of the problem was to dab on some lip balm, both for moisture and some colour. However, I know I needed something more substantial than a bubble gum remedy. So, off I went in search for options.

I found one in my inbox. Cool. Hehe

Kanebo is a world-renowned anti-aging skincare brand and they offer Total Lip Treatment from their Cellular Performance skincare kit under the SENSAI brand.

Interestingly, SENSAI Cellular Performance Total Lip Treatment is a revolutionary treatment essence with the features of a lip balm that targets anti-aging on the lips and its surrounding area. Dubbed the “O Zone” by Kanebo, this facial region often ignored by skincare, is the most mobile part of the face and unconsciously an area people tend to study when forming a general impression of a new face.

While natural aging causes a steady decline in the quantity and quality of collagen within the skin, SENSAI CP Total Lip Treatment works to firm and naturally plump lips by stimulating production of new collagen within the skin while optimizing the current collagen condition. Active ingredients pave the way for skin to product new, fresh collagen while vacuuming out the old hardened, fibrous collagen that further embeds wrinkles into the delicate perioral (mouth) area. In just four weeks, you’ll see an 88% increase in tone and elasticity, 60% increase in moisture content and 66% decrease in chapping. Overall, the O Zone area can look 10 years younger.

Prior reading about the O Zone, I haven’t really thought about this area. Come to think of it, we do look at the mouth region esp when we are conversing with another person, right? I guess this ought to be a good thing to seriously consider. Gawd. I never really expected that “aging” will be this tedious and, not to mention, expensive!

Key ingredients of the lip treatment are Mandarin Tree Extract (enhance volume of lips), Hyaluronate/Collagen Booster (Aquaserine 120) (stimulates the breakdown of collagen by increasing the quantity of collagenase enzymes produced), Yuzu Extract (Japanese citron) (enhance lip color and improve microcirculation in the O Zone), and Apricot Pulp Extract (encourages the exfoliation of old cells, preventing lip dryness and chapping).

Suggested Application: Apply mornings and/or evenings.

They say that the lip treatment is effective when used in the last stage of your evening skin care routine, and whenever there’s a need due to dryness or discomfort during the day. Kanebo also even suggests shiatsu (finger pressure massage) by pressing the middle finger of each hand above, below and on each side of the lips, in this order, to combat the effects of aging. Now, that’s something alright. I wonder how many times I have to do that before I see the effects.

It’s available at Barney’s for $65. And available nationwide at select Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Takashimaya New York.

Still wondering if this product works. If any of you guys have tried it, do give a shout out. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Image: evins communications, ltd.

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