Finally got some concealers. Yup, I got more then one. One is Revlon ColorStay, and the other L'Oreal Infallible Concealer. They seem to be doing an okay job, I don't really know what to expect though. We'll see how it goes...

I'm thinking about getting some concealer, all I have for makeup right now is foundation, blush, lipstick and mascara, but I hardly ever use the blush and I really use the foundation as concealer .

I also use a foundation product as my concealer. I love the finish of the cream-to-powder formulations, but find that the sunscreen ingredients tend to make me break out if I use them as my full foundation. So I cheat. I use Revlon's ColorStay and sometimes CoverGirl's Aquasmooth foundation as concealer, and they work way better than any tube concealers I've tried. The tube concealers are just too creamy; they don't last. But the cream-to-powder foundations are made to set, and they really do.

There aren't a lot of great shades to choose from, unfortunately, but when you are just using it under your eyes and in other small areas, it doesn't have to be the perfect shade like full foundation does. I just apply it with my fingers (sponges don't give the control I need for those small areas) and only touch-up once a day, if at all.

Yeah I just use my finger to apply it as well. My skin is pretty clear so I never need to apply the foundation all over my face, and I don't always use it as concealer either, as I rarely get breakouts, zits, or pimples . I just use it to cover up bits of eczema. So when I go out I just put on mascara and lipstick, though I hope to get some eyeliner really really soon .

*makes a rare appearance*

Harking back to Queen Susan's post here, I must bring my hair-part story to this new forum. *ahem* When I was a very young teen I used to part my hair in the middle until ... I became a major fan of Pete Mahovlich (don't laugh toooo hard ) from the Montréal Canadiens national hockey team and, well, you see, he parted his hair on the left ... and I haven't looked back. Seriously, this is why I first changed it, and over the years I've left it because it suits me just fine.

Also, re the eyeliner question, Val, I have a couple of different eyeliners I use: one is the kind ww recommended called "Unstoppable" by Maybelline, (EDIT) a twist-up/no-sharpen liner. It seems a softer pencil and doesn't apply as thinly as others (probably due to the no-sharpen feature ), but it stays on much longer. The other kind is just a regular drug store pencil that stays on fairly well ('though not as long as Unstoppable), and I use it when I prefer a finer line.

I use Mary Kay for everything and I really like it. Their eyeliner is really smooth and goes on easily and it's twist up so you don't have to sharpen it. They have several colors.

I've never heard that mascara ruins your lashes. Mine are no different than when I started wearing mascara two years ago.

By the way, johobbit, I'm a hockey fan too.

Lol Jo! That's too funny about the hair part.
Speaking of eyeliners, I know I just "dissed" most drugstore liners, but there is one that I love that I forgot to mention. It's the plain black color by BonneBelle (or however that's spelled). Yeah, I know...sooo cheap (literally only 2 bucks), and I would never touch any of their other products, but this eyeliner is just perfect for the price! I've tried some other colors though and found them too dull/waxy, so I think it's just the black.

*checks her own* Yep, that's my fine-line pencil, Laura—BonneBelle. Works really well for the price.

*waves to fellow hockey fan, narnian_at_heart* (although my main hockey-loving years were a few decades ago) *pushes herself back on topic*

Anyone else use Raleigh's Medicated Ointment? It's a staple at our home: great for dry lips and nostrils, especially when one has a nasssty cold. I use it a few times every day for it helps keep those areas moist, and is healing as well. *feels like she's writing an advertisement*

Mara, you could try putting a thin coating of vaseline on them at bed time. I don't know if it actually does anything but I like to think it makes a difference to them.

lol. I may try that.

Unstoppable in Espresso by Maybelline is the eyeliner I use. It's a pencil, but a self-sharpening (meaning twist-up) one that goes on very smoothly. I love the stuff

That's it! It's not bad. I've found that it's the liner that goes on my inner eye rims best. The pencil ones are dodgy at being wet or something. The Maybelline one is a bit… residue-y? I dunno, I feel like I have to smudge it with a q-tip or my finger or else it will be all clumpy along where I've put it. And the line is somewhat thicker than I'd like.

Hmm, Bonnebell? I shall try it. My black and light purple eyeliners are by N.Y.C., which are just as cheap.

Oh, mascaras don't necessarily 'ruin' your eyelashes, that's just a pet theory of mine. Probably most people's eyelashes would be fine. Although I'm not sure how much of a vacation my eyelashes are getting from mascara since I'm having to use eyeliner and eyeshadow to line my eyes for definition.

I'd imagine how your eyelashes react to mascara depends on your hair (some people have more delicate lashes). There are also some mascaras that are murder to get off and this can in turn damage your lashes.

Yeah, I think the problem is the extra wear and tear on your lashes when you remove mascara, not the mascara itself. Lashes are dead; it's not like they are living skin cells that can be damaged by irritating ingredients (not that I've seen any mascaras that include menthol, though! ). Of course, mascara is used right by your eyes so they need to keep the ingredients fairly benign anyways.

Yes, Unstoppable can be a bit thick of a line. I just apply it very carefully. I prefer the smudged look, though, so it's never bothered me. And speaking of drugstore brands, here are the 30 Best Drugstore Products. Most drugstore brands are owned by companies that also own the department store brands, and they share formulations across lines. Look at any ingredient list and see! There are good and bad products to be found in both venues... you just pay more in department stores.

I've never heard of Raleigh's Medicated Ointment. I'll have to look for that!

Unfortunately, Raleigh's is only available from a Raleigh Product dealer. I think they're North America-wide, but the website should have that info. The scent of the Medicated Ointment is like Vicks, although not nearly so strong; in fact, it's very pleasant and soothing, I find, yet with a bit of 'tang' and zip.

Mary Kay is also only available from a consultant. However, there are lots of consultants around the nation and in lots of other countries. The website: www.marykay.com has a "consultant finder" feature to find a consultant closest to you.

I thought this short video from FASHION magazine's website (a canadian publication) was interesting. I'd looove to be able to make my hair to do that, to fall into such glamerous waves. I don't know if I'd be able to do it even with all those products though. They make it look so easy!

http://www.fashionmagazine.com/videos/b ... h-rollers/

That is a really cool video, Val! Though I'm sure they used more products than the one they showed at the end...her hair was way too shiny and obedient to be natural, I think.^^

Speaking of hair, I got bangs! The side kind. I was at first afraid they would hide my eyes, but actually I think they help draw attention to them. I really like the look, though it's going to take some getting used too...I've had a bare forehead my whole life.^^ Who knew bangs could keep your forehead so warm?
(Sorry about the obnoxious pink face...just wary of putting my mug up where anyone can see it)