The Face Behind the Lipstick

I'm pretty good at Top Ten Lists.

Just ask my sister Megan.
When I was 16, our dad moved us to far-away-cold-land for a couple of years, Megan stayed in OK to finish her senior year. I would write her snail mail letters with countdowns to silly events. I wonder if she still has them.
So I was thinking you might want to know a little bit more about me other than my little make-up obsession. Or not. Oh well, you started reading this so you might as well read on!

Okay here we go.
10. I'm really scared of the dark, but I also really love paranormal stories. This creates a really big problem after I watch scary movies.

9. I was president of my sorority in college. It was such a glamorous position. Ok not really.

8. I use lines from Friends and The Office in everyday conversation.

7. Sleeping is one of my favorite pastimes. I only schedule appointments on Saturday mornings if all other options are out. I turn off my phone before I go to bed on Friday nights.

6. I vacuum every day. Probably because I have OCD. Or I like the lines in the carpet. I'm okay with either reason.

5. If I don't have GPS, I WILL get lost. I have the directional instincts of a two year old.



4. Country music is one of my "hobbies." I don't just listen to country music, I live country music. Did my IQ just drop a few points?



3. I lived in Houston for six years. Therefore, traffic has no effect on me.



2. I want to be a mommy. But I also get quite anxious/nervous/sweaty when I talk about the pregnancy and birth part. So anxious that sometimes I cry.


1. When I was little, I use to think L M N O P was one letter in the song.
That last one really is true and to this day it still makes me laugh.

And there ya go! Fun stuff huh?


So what is one thing that is completely normal to you but may be a little strange to some? Let's all share our weirdness with each other.

Finally!! Winner for the Lush Big Giveaway!!

Okay, so I got some 'splainin to do.....well you see my internet broke for several days.....

Actually, that's all that happened. It was torture to go five days without internet at home. TORTURE.

But, we have a winner for the Lush giveaway!
Drum roll please...................



Congratulations Kara Fleck!!!

You won a full sized jar of Big Shampoo!



Thanks to all who commented, shared on Facebook and started following me!

What's the Big Deal?...Giveaway!!!

I love things that smell good.


Like detergent.

And babies.

Ooo hand soap.

Oh yeah Pure Integrity Candles.

Also, Babies.


But I really REALLY love this shampoo that I discovered through my red-headed bestie from college.

It's called Big and it's made by Lush.

It is delightful. It smells like sea salt, lemons and limes. That's probably because those are the main ingredients. Good job, teacher.

It looks a little bit like cottage cheese but it feels like a spa day for your hair when you use it.




No, I'm serious. You might not think that a shampoo can really change your hair in a good way, but it can. I usually grab a dollop about the size of a quarter and suds it up on wet hair.
(Tip: Your hair has to be really wet to get the bubble action going on, so add a little water while lathering)

My hair is shining like the top of the Chrysler building after I use this stuff. For real yo.


Natural Friends: I know there is a continuing debate on the sulfate issue. Bad bad sulfates....Well, I did a little investigating the last time I was in Lush and the sweet young lady told me this:
Some Lush products are made with Sodium Laureth Sulfate. The Laureth is less harsh than the lauryl because it is made from coconut oil. So here's my question for you: Are they different? Do they produce the same affects? What information have you found on SLS? Do share.

Giveaway Time!!!!

Wanna win some Big? Here's how to enter:

*** Leave a comment and share your favorite hair stuff - could be shampoo, deep treatment, any faves ... ***

BONUS ENTRIES (leave one comment per bonus entry, please!)
1. Become a follower of 17lipsticks.
2. Share this post on Facebook.

Comments will close at 11:59 PM on Monday April 18th. Winner will be announced Tuesday.

Goooooood Luuuuuck!!!!!!!!!

My new pretend boyfriend...

Disclaimer: The following post has nothing to do with beauty. Well, actually it has some beauty in it. That is, if you think this guy is beautiful.


How can you not love this face?

Seriously, ladies. Weak in the knees.

I bet he uses Kiehl's moisturizer. All of those celebrities love that stuff.

This pose was for me. I told him I'm not ready to go public yet.



Obsessed? Me? Ummmm....yeah. His songs. His moves. His beautiful skin. All of it.
If you live in Dallas and see some crazy girl on HWY 635 singing along in her car to some Usher song from 2003, it's probably me.


Do YOU know Usher's real name? No googling!


Carry on.

Have you seen my keys?

I admit I am somewhat unorganized.

Actually, I am very unorganized.

Maybe it's because I've been working 12 hour days, or maybe it's because I spend 16 hours a week in the car and now that it is the end of March it's really starting to wear on me.

But I seem to lose something every day.
Keys. Wallet. Purse. Phone. Coffee mug...it's always something.

In fact, I lost my school keys for a good 36 hours last week. Found 'em by the laminator.

But one thing I am GREAT at is organizing my beauty goodies. A couple of months ago, I saw this cute little container and it was only $8.00. So I bought it. Score. Is it weird that it's in my living room? Is it also weird that I have a classroom-stool-turned-coffee-table? Yeah...probably.

But, you see, I like to do my make-up in the morning while I watch the morning news. I got the beans idea from the wonderful beauty stagers at my store. Cool, huh?

See that brown vase in the background? I made that. But at least I'm not conceited.





Top photo courtesy of Michelle.

We Have a Winner for BADgal Giveaway!

This is a cheesy picture, but don't you think her make-up looks good?

Congratulations, DEBBIE S previously of the marvelous MCE faculty and currently a super mom to one of my favorite former students! You have won a full sized tube of BADgal Mascara!


I think you will agree with the (literally) thousands of Sephora users that it is wonderful!

Thank you to all who commented! I loved your input and I have a feeling it will be a while until my mission has really ended. ;)


I am currently working on installing an app that will allow me to respond to your comments individually.

The First Step is Acceptence

I have a problem.


A sickness.


I can't help it.


It started a long time ago, maybe even in college.

If you are my friend, my student, my classmate (or a stranger that spends three minutes next to me) you know I always, always have at least one on me.

It's Carmex. I love it. I have one (or three) in my purse right now, one in my desk at school, on my nightstand....and the list goes on and on.

I buy them in bulk, sort of. They come in packs of three at Target and Walmart. I buy one pack every ten days or so. There. I said it. That's a lot of Carmex.

At least it's not an expensive habit right?

I know what you're thinking. But you're not an alcoholic unless you go to meetings.

But here. Read this for yourself. See???????? I am choosing to believe that it's harmless.

Also, check out a post sometime next week on how to use Carmex as more than just a lip balm!


EmilyK

My Mascara Mission

Okay, so quick story. About a year ago, I decided to try a lot of mascaras and create this informative and creative guide for the best products out there for your lashes.

Seriously yall, I tried about 30 different mascaras.

I took pictures, used a whole bottle of make-up remover and typed it all up.

Then I read it.

And it was so boring.

Seriously. It was bad. Delete. Delete. Delete.

Who would want to read 18 pages (front and back) of all of my mascara reviews?
Why put my readers through that? It might put you to SLEEP.

So I'm just going to give you my top picks and tell ya why I like 'em.

But before that, here are some good general rules for choosing the best mascara:

1. Don't buy waterproof mascara unless you are going to a wedding or funeral. It's sticky and almost impossible to get off.

2. Day or night, go with two applications. Apply one coat. Do something for one minute. Apply a second coat.

3. Dab the tip of the wand with a tissue before applying to avoid clumps.

4. Don't believe in miracles. Well, at least when it comes to mascara. They are probably not going to enhance your eye color or make your lashes grow longer. Trust me. They don't work.

5. I can't believe I'm giving this secret away. Take an old mascara wand and wash it with warm water and dish soap ( I use Dawn). Let it air dry or wipe with a lint free cloth. Now you can use it to really separate your lashes and it helps get some of the mascara off of your lids if you drink too much coffee like I do.

Okay.
My top three (out of like, 10) are:

3. The second runner up is Lancome Definicils High Definition.

Why I like it:
covers tiny lashes
great lash definition
washes off easily with soap and water
Cost: $20-$25

2. The first runner up is Loreal Voluminous.



Why I like it:
big brush
no clumps
affordable ($7 at drugstores)


1. AND THE WINNER IS......

BADgal lash mascara
Why I like it:
it's awesome
lengthens like no other mascara
GREAT for contact lens wearers
Cost: $19

I do realize that only one of these is a drugstore brand, but ladies: there are some things that are worth paying a little extra for.

Like cheese.

And toilet paper.


I'm actually using BADgal right now, and people seem to notice my eyes "pop" when I put a tiny coat on my lower lashes. I love it!!

Giveaway Time!!!!!!

Do you have a favorite mascara? Tell me about it in the comments section and you will be entered to win a full-size tube of BADgal. Comments will be closed Monday night 11:59 and I'll announce the winner Tuesday.




I'm pretty sure if you're related to me, you can't be included in the drawing, but feel free to comment away!!!








Top Photo courtesy of giddyspinster.

Multiple Choice, One question, Pass or Fail

Here I am, at the end of one of the best Spring Breaks ever, rocking in the most comfortable rocking chair, reminding myself that I have just a few days of freedom left. I'm already cooking up stuff in my mind for the last three months with the kiddos. But in the mean time, here's a beauty question for you:


How are lipstick and blush different?


A. Lipstick has oil in it.

B. Blush is made from berries.

C. The only difference is my beeswax, not yours.

D. None of the above.


Yes, it was kind of a trick question.

Ha ha. You failed. You're fired.

Just kidding. While you're thinking about why I am asking this question, take a looksie at these pics.

I know it's blurry. But look at my lips. Aren't they shiny and balmy?
I'm not vein or anything...

This one's better.....

This picture will forever be funny to me because I snapped it as I heard my dad say to the sonic order-taker, "I would like a Super Sonic Cheeseburger without the cheese." He did not mean to be funny. But I got a giggle.

Where was I?

Oh yes. The difference between lipstick and blush.

Well, while the base of lipstick is mostly beeswax to make it shape to the mold, there is very little difference at all. Can you tell that I used blush on my lips on these pictures?

The exact same pigmentation in blush is in lipstick.

Actually it was a very pink bronzer from my store, but same thing right?

Anyway, next time your powder blush breaks into pieces because you always leave your make-up open and it goes everywhere with you, Don't Throw It Away.

Instead, put it in a little jar or dish, add some petroleum jelly to it and mix it with a lip brush. Viola! You've got a brand new lip color!

Pretty cool huh?


Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from the crazy make-up lady!!



*Top photo courtesy of makeupandbeauty.com