Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner
Could drug store make up really be as good as those sold in department stores? I normally use MAC or Merle Norman eyeliner, but I came across Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner (it's waterproof too!) and I decided to give it a try. I have to be honest...I absolutely love it! It twists up, so it is always ready to use...and it comes in many colors. I've been using it for over a month now, and it glides on easily and stays on all day long! It's not super soft like MAC, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing-it won't run down as quick as a soft pencil. The best part? You can get it for $4.99-$7.00 (look for a sale at CVS, or get at WalMart or Target)! These are Hawaii prices, so for those of you living elsewhere, you will be able to purchase it much cheaper. At these prices, you can afford to buy two on sale, so you will never have that horrible moment of twisting up your eyeliner, and discovering you won't have enough to finish your other eye!
Update 3/1/13: I've been using Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner for several months now and it is still my favorite eyeliner! It stays put all day long, even in the hot and humid Hawaii weather! And...I love that I can swim, sweat, and be out all day long, and my eyeliner doesn't smear. The best part? I can buy three of Revlon's Color Stay Eyeliner for the price of the one MAC eyeliner that I used to buy!
Germs...Is your purse, phone, grocery cart making you sick?
Are you a germaphobe? I have to admit that I am. I always have antibacterial wipes and gel on hand--and I use them liberally...everywhere. I never use the community pen at a store, and I clean my hands immediately after using those magnetic signing pens. I try not to touch door knobs, elevator buttons, and I never hold the railing on a stair or escalator.
I've read many articles and television segments on the subject of germs--which probably makes me even more of a germaphobe. But...since many share my love of antibacterial products, I've consolidated some of these tips:
1) Your purse may carry A LOT of germs both on the inside, and outside. Never put it on the floor of the bathroom (e coli...ick!), on the restroom sink, back of toilet, or anywhere you prepare food or eat (no counters or tables). Don't put it on the restaurant floor, and try to hang up your purse when you can. Make sure to wipe it down with a cleaner and clean both the inside and outside frequently. Tests have found over 1,000 germs on women's purses! Oh yeah, also think about where your purse goes--your car seat, desk, table, bed, home floor. Now I have a set place my purse sits. And I set it down on something too.
2) Okay...this just goes without saying. Never...ever...put your shopping bags in those same places that you now will never put your purse. Where does the bottom of your Macy's Nordstrom, Ann Taylor, WalMart bags end up? Ick! (P.S. I never put grocery bags on my counter when I get home either. See below for thoughts on grocery carts.)
3) Over 25% of cell phones have e coli bacteria on them. Ewww! So think about where you place your phone (restaurant table, sink area, desk, etc.)...and clean your phone often. You will think of this, (wonder where their phone has been), the next time you borrow someone's phone.
4) Grocery carts are one of the WORST and most common places to find germs. Stores rarely clean them, think about all the meat juices that leak out on them, people actually put their kids in diapers in these dirty carts. Knowing this, you can imagine the amount of e coli and staph found in these carts. (Another place your purse should NEVER be placed in.)
After buying your food, they put them in grocery bags (or your reusable bag--see earlier post about this too)...then you put the bag back in the dirty cart. It then goes in your trunk, and to your home. Remember this when you put your grocery bags down. Think about where it has been. Ewww!
Okay...so now you may be a bit more neurotic about germs...join my club! :)
These are just a few of the articles I've reviewed, but there are so many more...
http://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/is-your-purse-making-you-sick.aspx
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=2283311&page=1#.UG0dNVETI_c
http://www.drozfans.com/dr-ozs-advice/dr-oz-purse-germs-how-to-clean-lipstick-to-disinfect-alcaligenes/
This was a bit gross...but with the upcoming new Hawaii law banning plastic bags...this is something to keep in mind. In this episode, Dr. Oz had a woman bring her reusable bags in for a bacteria test. He said a "good" number would be under 80. Her bag tested at 1,252! Ick! See below for his suggestions to keep your family safe.
The grocery store is the WORST place for germs. I often wipe the outside of my milk with soap and water, and keep meats in a bag while storing in the fridge. And...I can't say enough about washing vegetables, and having separate cutting boards for meats, vegetables, breads, etc. Also, don't forget to wash your cutting boards often in the dishwasher on hot. Lastly, I always use wipes to "wash" my hands after leaving the supermarket or Costco. Do it once, look at the wipe, and you will gross out!
Supermarket Secret 9: Keep Your Environmentally Friendly Bags Clean
Using reusable shopping bags is a great way to help save our planet,
but you need to keep them clean to avoid risking your family’s
well-being. Bags used over and over again risk contamination from
disease-causing bacteria, thanks to the various dairy, meat, and produce
they’re exposed to over the weeks. Keep your groceries safe and free
from contamination by cleaning your bags after every 10 trips to the
market. For a cloth bag, just throw it in the laundry like your clothes.
Wipe plastic bags down using a bleach spray.
Reusable bags prevent millions of paper and plastic bags from piling
up in landfills and our oceans. They can even get you discounts or extra
reward points at certain supermarkets, so keep them clean and use them
every time you visit your supermarket!
Click on this link to see the article from Dr. Oz:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/what-your-supermarket-hiding-you?page=3#copy
Saw this on Dr. Oz, and thought to pass along to you all...I often shop on the weekends too, and though it is often the most convenient time to grocery shop, knowing food deliveries don't usually happen on the weekends....makes me go....hmmm.
Supermarket Secret 6: Avoid Mondays
For many people, Mondays bring the stress of a new work or school
week. It’s also the worst day to visit the supermarket. Usually,
supermarket suppliers make deliveries once or twice during the week,
dropping off fresh produce, meat, and fish during those trips. These
deliveries don’t usually happen on the weekends, meaning the stuff
you’re buying on Mondays has likely been sitting around for several
days. The best day to shop is Wednesday, when shelves are fully stocked
with fresh products.
Check out Dr. Oz website for this tip and more information:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/what-your-supermarket-hiding-you?page=3#copy
How to choose the freshest bread at your grocery store?
Some bread have an expiration/sell by date on it, but if it doesn't, how do you know how fresh it is? Wouldn't it be great to know when it was delivered to the store? Well now you can! My aunty told me about this years ago, but it is a good tip, and worthy of repeating...
Just look at those twist ties on the bread. They will tell you the day of the week that the bread arrived in the store. (It's also universal across all bread manufacturers and stores.)
Blue = Monday
Green = Tuesday
Red = Wednesday
White = Thursday
Yellow = Friday
If you can't remember, the colors of the twist ties are in alpha order.
Don't forget...freezing bread saves you time and money. Whatever you don't think you will use before the expiration date can be put in the freezer. Simply pop in the microwave on the defrost setting for 20-25 seconds...and voila! Bread is soft, just like the day you bought it.
Costco Bread-buy it and freeze what you won't use right away
When did bread get to be so expensive? I've tried all the different brands--but unless it is on sale...$5 for a loaf? Really?!? If your favorite brand isn't on sale at your store, if you're like me, you're at Costco on a weekly basis. The Watanabe bakery bread is available in a huge loaf for $4.55 (wheat) and $4.29 (white). The loaf is double the amount you will get at Times, Longs, Don Quijote for about the same price.
My family will generally consume nearly the whole loaf by the expiration date, but if they don't, it can be frozen. Yeah, I know...I'm not big on freezing food either...but I've done it, and honestly, after it thaws, (microwave on defrost setting for 20 seconds) it's soft again. I've also used it for bread crumbs, to put in hamburgers, meatloaf, and to mix with panko for breading.
Note: I've often seen 3-4 different dates on various packages, so look carefully. Dates may vary up to 5 days!
I love Bath and Body Works! Soaps, lotions, shampoos, hand sanitizers...you name it, I have it. Good news! They came out with new spring fragrances. I have some of my favorites displayed in photo above, but there were too many to show. I love the peach bellini, fresh picked peaches, fresh picked strawberries and fresh picked tangerines for the kitchen. Love the vanilla berry sorbet, apple lavender for the bathrooms. My favorite of my favorites (my girls love it too!) is the wildberry dahlia scent. Oh, and for those of you that love the scent of Hollister, the new pacific blue will be right up your alley!
Tip: They always have the 4 for $15 or 6 for $20 offers, but be on the lookout for the 7 for $20 offer, or even better--get it when they have the coupon for $10 off purchase of $30 or more...you can get one for as low as $2.22 each!
I've never had those long and dark eyelashes like my girls do (they got it from their dad)...and as I get older, it has become even sparser. I've heard of Latisse, but with all that I'm allergic to--I'm not willing to take that chance.
I've tried so many mascara brands--from the popular pink/green tube, to expensive department store ones. Some were pretty good, and I've used them for years. Until now.
My niece turned me on to this mascara--The Colossal Volume Express by Maybelline. It comes in regular or waterproof. You can't miss the obnoxious bright yellow tube in the equally eye-catching purple packaging. If you use the waterproof version, it really stays put until you take it off. Even through tears, sweating, swimming. It opens up your eyes, and helps on those days that you look "tired." And don't we all need some help there, right? ;)
