Madame Walker’s

I have no business “online window shopping” because I am saving up for our Florida trip coming this October and I love to shop while on vacation so this really bites the dust. I just wanted to share some really cool items I surfed into today.

It’s time to show off those arms ladies! Big, small or indifferent it’s time to start loving what you got and start showing it off. Let’s see, florals, stripes, prints and/or colorful dresses are definitely what’s going to be sported this summer by the fabulous. I found this Johnny Was over at Neiman Marcus for $260., not bad.

A Diane von Furstenberg halter for $345., still not bad, over at Bergdorf & Goodman.

Here’s a sweet Missoni long, strapless dress for $3635.00…ouch! But, it’s gorgeous. Find it at Neiman Marcus. (NOT PICTURED)

And the last of many more that I stopped at is this Jean Paul Gaultier which retails between $285-625 at Neiman Marcus.

Now, for cute shoes…

I am not a big fan of peep-toe shoes, but I love what Valentino does with bows on shoes. Valentino shoes with bows is my poison. This one is a Valentino pee-ptoe in metallic pink and retails at $695.

I don’t want to leave out this slingback by Valentino as well which retails at $595. Both pairs can be found at Bergdorf & Goodman. (NOT PICTURED)

As a bonus, I looked at a bunch of bags as I do everyday and came across this croc clutch by Nancy Gonzalez that retails for $1300 at Bergdorf & Goodman. It comes in three colors, pink, black and white…cute cute cute.

Online window shopping and window shopping is good exercise plus it also will help you to find out what’s new, what’s in and what’s hot for the current season…which is the point of today’s entry.  Oh and don’t forget to show those beautiful arms!!!!

This is a basic tutorial for those who are new to makeup/cosmetics.

Applying The Makeup:

The best way I’ve found to apply makeup is going to the website of the brand of makeup you use and go through their step by step application process.

The best way of obtaining tips to enhancing the way you put on your makeup you can only get from people who actually use makeup.

What I don’t recommend is assuming that the cosmetic specialists at big department stores know anything either. Be careful who you talk to there.

The Makeup Menu:

Here is a basic list of makeup one tends to use on a daily basis…and some people spend a lot of money on some of them or all of them depending on their needs.

1. Bronzer
2. Foundation
3. Blush
4. Eye Shadow
5. Eye Liner
6. Masquara
7. Brow Liner
6. Lip Liner (includes pencils)
7. Lip Stick (includes gloss)
8. Powder
9. Concealer

The Makeup Toolbox:

…there are lots of these that I don’t use, but many others use.

Places to store your makeup can be in your cosmetic bag for travel each day, a makeup case, a train case, a cosmetic toolbox. You can get these anywhere expensively or cheaply. Major designers to chain stores sell them.

As for that tools to apply your makeup, here are a few:

Eye Lash Curler, Tweezers, Makeup Brushes (these get involved because you need the right tools and brushes for the job), etc.

When To Throw The Makeup Out:

Yes, makeup gets old. In my opinion, after two or two and a half months, makeup is old. Sometimes I’ll discard it at six weeks like I do my toothbrush and when I relax my hair. This is why I don’t buy gigantic bottles of any makeup if I’m not forced to. Just because there are lots left does not make it fresh.

The Makeup Brand:

The brand or brands of makeup you use depends on the person who will wear it. For example, I use a mix of different brands because it’s what suits me best. It can take a quite a while for some to figure out which brands work for them and to add to their makeup menus.

The Makeup Colors:

This also depends on the person. What type of skin do you have? What is your skin tone? What colors suit your complexion best? What time of the day is it? Are we going to a formal wedding? It depends. This is the fun part because you get to experiment and I go to the beauty departments of department stores to do this…it’s free so if you mess up, who cares?

The Cheap Makeup vs. the Expensive Makeup:

Also depends on you and what you like. Don’t let anyone tell you something isnt’ good enough just because it’s cheap. Hey, I remember when Bobbi Brown cosmetics was cheap! Infomercials…hello! So, in all essence, do what works for you and what’s best for your skin.

Wearing The Makeup Makes You Look Older Over Time:

This is simply not true and I’m not going to entertain the notion. As you get older, you age. Period. It’s inevitable and it happens to everyone. Skin Care is very important when it comes to aging and is another subject that does not fit into this tutorial…coming soon in another article!

Makeup enhance sthe features or adds features you more or less wouldn’t have if you didn’t wear makeup. Makeup takes away the brightness, takes away the dullness, hides blemishes, brings life or can take the life away if that’s the way you want to wear it. People wear makeup for many different reasons and most are personal. Makeup, overall, in my opinion brings beauty and confidence to the wearer.

The Makeup Testing:

Some people are totally against using any products that are tested on animals. If you are one of them, do your research on the different brands before you purchase.

The Organic Makeup:

I think this is so cool. Organic food and organic makeup…think of it in the same way and you’ll instantly know what this is all about.

When it comes to wearing makeup, I feel like how Coco Chanel felt about women who didn’t wear perfume… “A women who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.“

Tranquility contributes to overall good health too!

If you don’t believe that then watch a movie called, “The Lake House”. Do you believe in being content and accepting your life as it is or do you believe in fate and believing that you deserve more out of your life? Nowadays, people are trying to get their minds and their lives into a content place. This is all good and it may make for a fulfilled and experience rich life, but I think that people should try to work harder to make the best lives for themselves. Work hard for you.

Wish you are here in your mind. It doesn’t get better than this.

Having / making lots of money, owning / buying material things, - sex -, consuming drugs and living up to someone else’s expectations cannot and will not make you happy in the long-term. So, what makes one happy? Well, that depends on the induvidual at hand. I can definitely tell you what makes me happy…making the most of each day in my life, SHOPPING, doing good deeds, writing about what’s on my mind, planning and executing parties because I love to make people happy, call up relatives that I haven’t spoken to in a long time (I dedicate my Saturday mornings to this), spending time with my immediate family, duplicating Disney World turkey legs (it’s so not healthy, but it’s worth a treat sometimes), keeping my house clean (having a clean house keeps in your psyche in check - think about it, it does), experimenting with beauty products, reading a good book, watching a good, calm movie….why? Because it promotes good mental / emotional health.

Depression is on the rise these days and I think that we need to try to help ourselves more and stop relying on Psychiatrists and Psychologists all of the time. Along with professional therapy, try some “me therapy”. Get a list out and start writing out all of the things you like to do with and without people and go ahead and do them all! Never feel sorry for yourself because you were meant to be here and if you don’t think then why are you even alive? If you are alive, you have a purpose. For example, I don’t like bees because their stings hurt I know, but they have a sweet purpose in life…you know the rest.

The movie, “The Lake House”, starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves is simply about love and fate that came true in a unique way.This movie is cute, innocent, calm, moving and ideal for those who want to kick back, relax and feel tranquil. Enoy!

As I was driving into work today I heard on 1010 Wins that the FDA is investigating some issues with Lasik Eye Surgery.  Some people now have double vision and some other stuff going with their eyes since their eye surgeries.  Not good!  They said that about 7.5 million Americans have had the procedure done and I know a few people who have had it done, but are lucky because they are not having any problems.

I definitely have some questions about LASIK eye surgery…

1. Does Lasik surgery have any negative long-term affects?

2. Is it really a one shot deal?  Get the surgery once and you’ll have 20/20 vision for life?

3. Does this procedure help with any other eye issues or ailments besides eliminating the need for eye glasses and contacts?

4. Is this considered to be cosmetic surgery?  Some people will argue it’s not.

And there is many more where that came from.  See, I was considering getting this done because at night I’m blind as a freaking bat.  The glare from the lights and the brightness take a toll on me, causes me to squint and give me a headache.  I think I’m just going to wait it out until the FDA reports their findings.

Lasik eye sugery shouldn’t scare anyone and with any surgery (cosmetic or not), the outcome depends on the individual who has gone through it.  Everybody is different and different bodies take differently to different things.

In the meantime, I’m going to go ahead and put my glasses back on.  Until then…