Armed and Dangerous (or: how I fought my demons and curled my lashes)

Everyone is entitled to at least one irrational fear. Mine is: "stuff that gets into my eyes". This is why it took me forever to learn how to apply eye makeup, and it wasn't until my very late teens that purchased my first mascara. I thought that even if it wasn't going to kill me, I was sure to go blind. Thankfully, I managed to get over that one and learned how to wield a mascara wand with the best of them.

One thing I was sure I wouldn't get anywhere near my eyes is an eyelash curler. This thing has always given me the heebie-jeebies. A metallic apparatus is not something I ever wanted to see at zero range. Having naturally long and thick lashes has always let me get by with only a light coating of mascara. The only problem is that said long lashes stick straight and there's only so much that Estee and Co. can do.

The realization that a beauty blogger worth her lotions and potions must not cower at the face of a beauty challenge has been dawning on me for some time now. Books, magazines and bloggers has been singing the praise of Shu Uemura's eyelash curler for years. Finally, I caved.

Sephora stores seem to only carry their own brand, though Shu and several other brands are available on their web site. I ordered online and waited patiently. When it arrived I reported at the mirror and went to town.

Well, not exactly. I did have several freakout moments while trying to place the clamps at the right place, way too close to my eyeballs that I would have liked. The strange pulling sensation that I felt (or imagined) didn't make me very happy, but finally I got it. The exact placing, the right angle and the hand movement.

Cue some kind of Hallelujah music. Or something from Lord of the Ring Score.

It works and it makes a difference. I had no idea that my own lashes can look this way, and I'm thanking the Shu from the bottom of my heart.

I still refuse to consider one of the heated curlers. You must draw the line somewhere.

Armed and Dangerous (or: how I fought my demons and curled my lashes)

Everyone is entitled to at least one irrational fear. Mine is: "stuff that gets into my eyes". This is why it took me forever to learn how to apply eye makeup, and it wasn't until my very late teens that purchased my first mascara. I thought that even if it wasn't going to kill me, I was sure to go blind. Thankfully, I managed to get over that one and learned how to wield a mascara wand with the best of them.

One thing I was sure I wouldn't get anywhere near my eyes is an eyelash curler. This thing has always given me the heebie-jeebies. A metallic apparatus is not something I ever wanted to see at zero range. Having naturally long and thick lashes has always let me get by with only a light coating of mascara. The only problem is that said long lashes stick straight and there's only so much that Estee and Co. can do.

The realization that a beauty blogger worth her lotions and potions must not cower at the face of a beauty challenge has been dawning on me for some time now. Books, magazines and bloggers has been singing the praise of Shu Uemura's eyelash curler for years. Finally, I caved.

Sephora stores seem to only carry their own brand, though Shu and several other brands are available on their web site. I ordered online and waited patiently. When it arrived I reported at the mirror and went to town.

Well, not exactly. I did have several freakout moments while trying to place the clamps at the right place, way too close to my eyeballs that I would have liked. The strange pulling sensation that I felt (or imagined) didn't make me very happy, but finally I got it. The exact placing, the right angle and the hand movement.

Cue some kind of Hallelujah music. Or something from Lord of the Ring Score.

It works and it makes a difference. I had no idea that my own lashes can look this way, and I'm thanking the Shu from the bottom of my heart.

I still refuse to consider one of the heated curlers. You must draw the line somewhere.

Armed and Dangerous (or: how I fought my demons and curled my lashes)

Everyone is entitled to at least one irrational fear. Mine is: "stuff that gets into my eyes". This is why it took me forever to learn how to apply eye makeup, and it wasn't until my very late teens that purchased my first mascara. I thought that even if it wasn't going to kill me, I was sure to go blind. Thankfully, I managed to get over that one and learned how to wield a mascara wand with the best of them.

One thing I was sure I wouldn't get anywhere near my eyes is an eyelash curler. This thing has always given me the heebie-jeebies. A metallic apparatus is not something I ever wanted to see at zero range. Having naturally long and thick lashes has always let me get by with only a light coating of mascara. The only problem is that said long lashes stick straight and there's only so much that Estee and Co. can do.

The realization that a beauty blogger worth her lotions and potions must not cower at the face of a beauty challenge has been dawning on me for some time now. Books, magazines and bloggers has been singing the praise of Shu Uemura's eyelash curler for years. Finally, I caved.

Sephora stores seem to only carry their own brand, though Shu and several other brands are available on their web site. I ordered online and waited patiently. When it arrived I reported at the mirror and went to town.

Well, not exactly. I did have several freakout moments while trying to place the clamps at the right place, way too close to my eyeballs that I would have liked. The strange pulling sensation that I felt (or imagined) didn't make me very happy, but finally I got it. The exact placing, the right angle and the hand movement.

Cue some kind of Hallelujah music. Or something from Lord of the Ring Score.

It works and it makes a difference. I had no idea that my own lashes can look this way, and I'm thanking the Shu from the bottom of my heart.

I still refuse to consider one of the heated curlers. You must draw the line somewhere.

Could Have... Would Have- L'Artisan Bois Farine

I have a weird relationship with Bois Farine from L'Artisan. I've almost purchased a full bottle several times, both in store and online, but every time I stop and question myself. First, there's the usual L'Artisan issue of having to spray a substantial amount just to get the fragrance to stick for more than twenty minutes. Then comes the perfume itself.

I'm not getting the promised fennel seeds in the opening. For me it always starts with the flowery flour. It's one of the most curious notes I've come across. It's gourmand, for sure, like a flour-dusted sweet dough. The sweetness is subtle and milky, like a memory from childhood that I can't quite place. The floral part isn't heady. It's blended with milk and flour, not too feminine, though I doubt most men would be interested.

It's a comforting scent, but yet carries itself in a very prim and proper way. It remains fully clothed and never disintegrates into flannel PJs like many other comfort scents can go. There's something familiar in the pastry kitchen part, but the soft and smooth woody finish keeps a distance.

The problem is, that it's not me. Maybe it's the "me" that I could have been, had I been born in Europe, where both my parents are originally from. Maybe it's the person I would have been had I not have a sarcastic edge. A different education. Different desires and interests. Just like me, only softer.

Maybe if I bought a full bottle and wore it often I would be that other person. But I don't think that I want to.

Could Have... Would Have- L'Artisan Bois Farine

I have a weird relationship with Bois Farine from L'Artisan. I've almost purchased a full bottle several times, both in store and online, but every time I stop and question myself. First, there's the usual L'Artisan issue of having to spray a substantial amount just to get the fragrance to stick for more than twenty minutes. Then comes the perfume itself.

I'm not getting the promised fennel seeds in the opening. For me it always starts with the flowery flour. It's one of the most curious notes I've come across. It's gourmand, for sure, like a flour-dusted sweet dough. The sweetness is subtle and milky, like a memory from childhood that I can't quite place. The floral part isn't heady. It's blended with milk and flour, not too feminine, though I doubt most men would be interested.

It's a comforting scent, but yet carries itself in a very prim and proper way. It remains fully clothed and never disintegrates into flannel PJs like many other comfort scents can go. There's something familiar in the pastry kitchen part, but the soft and smooth woody finish keeps a distance.

The problem is, that it's not me. Maybe it's the "me" that I could have been, had I been born in Europe, where both my parents are originally from. Maybe it's the person I would have been had I not have a sarcastic edge. A different education. Different desires and interests. Just like me, only softer.

Maybe if I bought a full bottle and wore it often I would be that other person. But I don't think that I want to.

Could Have... Would Have- L'Artisan Bois Farine

I have a weird relationship with Bois Farine from L'Artisan. I've almost purchased a full bottle several times, both in store and online, but every time I stop and question myself. First, there's the usual L'Artisan issue of having to spray a substantial amount just to get the fragrance to stick for more than twenty minutes. Then comes the perfume itself.

I'm not getting the promised fennel seeds in the opening. For me it always starts with the flowery flour. It's one of the most curious notes I've come across. It's gourmand, for sure, like a flour-dusted sweet dough. The sweetness is subtle and milky, like a memory from childhood that I can't quite place. The floral part isn't heady. It's blended with milk and flour, not too feminine, though I doubt most men would be interested.

It's a comforting scent, but yet carries itself in a very prim and proper way. It remains fully clothed and never disintegrates into flannel PJs like many other comfort scents can go. There's something familiar in the pastry kitchen part, but the soft and smooth woody finish keeps a distance.

The problem is, that it's not me. Maybe it's the "me" that I could have been, had I been born in Europe, where both my parents are originally from. Maybe it's the person I would have been had I not have a sarcastic edge. A different education. Different desires and interests. Just like me, only softer.

Maybe if I bought a full bottle and wore it often I would be that other person. But I don't think that I want to.

Oscars 2007

The big red carpet surprise is that there weren't any big surprises. It's the Oscars, it's Hollywood, almost everyone had on nice clothes and got cleaned up nicely. Like in the Golden Globes, I'd be happy to see less nude lips, but that might be just me.

I like Maggie Gyllenhaal's top part of the dress, her makeup is lovely (red lipstick=good). Not sure what's that thing in her hair or why she needs feathers in her hem.

Portia de Rossi. Love the dress, not sure about the root-exposing ponytail (it looks better here than on my TV, so might have just been a fluke).
Jodie Foster is also in blue. Didn't Meg Ryan have that hair a few years ago?
J-Lo The dress has no reason, unless she's pregnant. And I don't get the hair. It's not bad, it's just not her.Naomi Watts is pregnant, therefore the Empire waist makes perfect sense. She looks fabulous. I love the yellow dress.

I really don't like that thing Jennifer Hudson is wearing. Yes, I know metallics are all the rage, but that cropped whatever isn't flattering her figure. Trinny and Susannah would explain to her what well-endowed on top girls should and shouldn't wear.


And yet another blue dress. Emily Blunt. Looks a bit prommish. But she's super pretty.

Rachel weisz- love the makeup and dress. Not so much with the bling.

Cameron Diaz- Too much bronzer, but most of her makeup is pretty. However, the dress looks like an 80s bridal horror.

Helen Mirren is the picture of perfection.

Jada Pinkett-Smith: I love the color. Could use a brighter makeup.

Penelope Cruz is such a beauty, but the nude colored dress and the nude makeup are just a bit too nude to my taste.

Kelly Preston is taking tacky and trashy to new levels.

Jessica Biel usually looks much better than this. The hair isn't working for me, and neither is the makeup. This is why those pink lipsticks might not be such a good idea.
Kirsten Dunst- Ugliest dress so far. Just awful. And the hair looks like she did it herself.

Beyonce- I love the makeup and the color of her dress. Not so sure about the rest.

Gwyneth- A very beautiful and original dress. I love this color.

Cate Blanchett- As old Hollywood as they come. I love the dress and her entire look.

Not crazy about whatever that is that Nicole Kidman is wearing. The color is great, but that bow on the shoulder- not so much. According to my husband, she looks like a Lexus from those Christmas commercials.


Kate Winslet is the only one in the universe who can get away with these whispering colors. And she pulls off that dress perfectly.

Reese Witherspoon's dress is pretty and I love her hair. The purple is lovely, but I'm missing something (not Ryan, though).
And one request for Meryl Streep: Please, it's the Oscars. You're a beautiful woman and a huge star. Make an effort.
As for the men: Cary Grant is alive and well in George Clooney's body. I'm going to marry him. Even my husband says that I can.

Oscars 2007

The big red carpet surprise is that there weren't any big surprises. It's the Oscars, it's Hollywood, almost everyone had on nice clothes and got cleaned up nicely. Like in the Golden Globes, I'd be happy to see less nude lips, but that might be just me.

I like Maggie Gyllenhaal's top part of the dress, her makeup is lovely (red lipstick=good). Not sure what's that thing in her hair or why she needs feathers in her hem.

Portia de Rossi. Love the dress, not sure about the root-exposing ponytail (it looks better here than on my TV, so might have just been a fluke).
Jodie Foster is also in blue. Didn't Meg Ryan have that hair a few years ago?
J-Lo The dress has no reason, unless she's pregnant. And I don't get the hair. It's not bad, it's just not her.Naomi Watts is pregnant, therefore the Empire waist makes perfect sense. She looks fabulous. I love the yellow dress.

I really don't like that thing Jennifer Hudson is wearing. Yes, I know metallics are all the rage, but that cropped whatever isn't flattering her figure. Trinny and Susannah would explain to her what well-endowed on top girls should and shouldn't wear.


And yet another blue dress. Emily Blunt. Looks a bit prommish. But she's super pretty.

Rachel weisz- love the makeup and dress. Not so much with the bling.

Cameron Diaz- Too much bronzer, but most of her makeup is pretty. However, the dress looks like an 80s bridal horror.

Helen Mirren is the picture of perfection.

Jada Pinkett-Smith: I love the color. Could use a brighter makeup.

Penelope Cruz is such a beauty, but the nude colored dress and the nude makeup are just a bit too nude to my taste.

Kelly Preston is taking tacky and trashy to new levels.

Jessica Biel usually looks much better than this. The hair isn't working for me, and neither is the makeup. This is why those pink lipsticks might not be such a good idea.
Kirsten Dunst- Ugliest dress so far. Just awful. And the hair looks like she did it herself.

Beyonce- I love the makeup and the color of her dress. Not so sure about the rest.

Gwyneth- A very beautiful and original dress. I love this color.

Cate Blanchett- As old Hollywood as they come. I love the dress and her entire look.

Not crazy about whatever that is that Nicole Kidman is wearing. The color is great, but that bow on the shoulder- not so much. According to my husband, she looks like a Lexus from those Christmas commercials.


Kate Winslet is the only one in the universe who can get away with these whispering colors. And she pulls off that dress perfectly.

Reese Witherspoon's dress is pretty and I love her hair. The purple is lovely, but I'm missing something (not Ryan, though).
And one request for Meryl Streep: Please, it's the Oscars. You're a beautiful woman and a huge star. Make an effort.
As for the men: Cary Grant is alive and well in George Clooney's body. I'm going to marry him. Even my husband says that I can.