L. A. Colors Eye Shadow - Purple Palette - $1 Eyeshadow -Review

I purchased the above at Dollar Tree for only $1.  It is by L.A. Colors and is 41686 Purple Palette.  I checked on L A. Colors website but it is not showing up; not sure if it is because it has been discontinued (thus why it is a The Dollar Tree) or if was specifically made and marketed for Dollar Tree as a lower end item.  On their website they indicate their company, Beauty 21, is cruelty-free company.

I decided to try it as it has 12 shades of purple/colors that compliment purple and I did not have any palette like it and it was only $1. It comes with and double tipped sponge applicator that is adequate for applying the product.

On the back of the package it indicates the ingredients at the top, on the left hand side a drawing on placement of the product and creating a recommended look with 4 shades.  It also indicates it has a recommended shelf life of 36 months, which is a long time for a makeup product.

The colors all matte and shades of purple and colors that compliment purple.  While they are not highly pigmented they are somewhat buildable, blend very well and it is almost impossible to overdo and look overly made up, which would make them great to give to a young teen that is just starting to wear make up or to create an easy everyday look.
'
'I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this product and find myself reaching for it over the higher end products I have purchased.  I use pressure on an applicator before applying to get a little more pigment.  There is some fallout but easy to brush off.

Pros:

• Matte-shades of purple and complimentary colors.
• Not highly pigmented.
• Hard to overdo and look overly made up.
• Shades are buildable and blend well.
• From a Cruelty-Free company.
• Recommended shelf life of 36 months.
• Only $1 for 12 eye shadows.

Cons:

• Not highly pigmented; would be difficult to obtain a "Smoky" eye look.
• Subtle, Matte colors are not dramatic enough for an evening look on its own.
• There is a little bit of fallout of the product.

I am very happy with this product and check out more from this company and other makeup items at the Dollar Tree in the future.

 

Shades on a piece of white paper

Shades on forearm

56 Pieces Barbie Clothing and Accessories - Under $10 on Amazon - Review

I purchased this set to send with a Barbie doll for Operation Christmas Child and purchased on Amazon for under $10 (link below) and was very happy with the set that included:

• 7 Random party dresses - they are made with a thick ribbon like fabric and close in the back with sewn in Velcro and both feel sturdy.  Straps looked like they were sewn in so they won't come off.  The hem has been finished with pinking shears and doesn't look like it would easily fray.
• 49 pieces of random Barbie accessories which include shoes, boots, bags, necklaces, hangers, comb, mirror, brush earrings and other small accessories.

The only con is the stitching looked off on one dress below, but when I put it on a old Barbie (camera was dead so no pic) it looked fine.

This set is less than one outfit would cost for a Barbie on one site and although it is not top  of the line quality, I think most little girls would love the fun variety of getting this set as a present over getting a single outfit and it seems like it will last up pretty well even with smaller, uncoordinated hands putting it on and taking it off.

Lots of shoes and accessories:

Stitching slightly off, but looked ok once on the Barbie

Link to set on Amazon:

L. A. Colors Matte Liquid Lip Color - Vixen - Review

Recently when I stopped in at Dollar General I saw the above on sale near the registers for $1.75 so I decided to give it a try.

It is an L.A. Colors, a discount cruelty-free makeup company matte liquid lip color in a color called "Vixen" which is a nude color with a slight pinkish undertone.

On L.A. Colors website it is described as:

"Smooth, easy to apply liquid formula dries to a super matte finish. Long wearing formula is perfect for all day wear with minimal touch-up"

It looks similar to a lipgloss once you unscrew the top as it has a sponge tip applicator attached.  When you put it on your lips it feels like a lip gloss and it does go on sleek and smells a little like coconut but it began to dry and got drier and drier and drier until it felt like my lips were being mummified.

I immediately put on lip balm and that feeling went away.

It did dry matte and did last most of the day without touching up and didn't come off in a glob like lipgloss does on a glass or mug.  If you use a lip balm, it still looks rather matte.

I considered tossing it but I actually received a compliment on the shade from a cashier at the grocery store and she said it looked great on me so I decide I will keep it.

PROS;

• Cruelty-Free company
• Lovely, Matte, Nude Pinkish Peachy Color
• Glides on easily
• Coconut Scent 
• Long Lasting 

CONS:

• Goes dry very quickly after initial application giving your lips a Mummy like feeling.
• Need to apply a lip balm on top of it to get rid of the dry feeling

I do advise being sure your lips are clean before applying because if you apply it on top of a lipstick it gets gritty and starts feeling Mummy-like again.

12 Sewing Tips, Tricks and Hacks That Every Seamstress Should Know!

This was on Facebook and I thought I would share it here as there are a few tips and tricks I had not seen before, like using a fork to make pleats when sewing or gluing magnets under a plate to turn into a straight pin holder.

I have used the zigzagging over a cord to gather fabric before and it works very well, but you have to be sure you secure the end that you are not pulling on (I suggest using a safety pin through the middle of the cord and fabric on the end) and it had to be precise because if you sew into the cord, obviously it is not going to move.


One thing that I don't recommend is using the compressed air to clean out as it can force debris into your machine and gum up the works.

Have you ever tried any of these hacks?  If so, how did they work out for you?  If not, which one do you think you would like to try?

Ultimate Makeup Lesson In 10 Steps by Bobbi Brown UK How-To Versus My 1970's Makeup

I spotted this video on Youtube by world-renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown where she does an Ultimate makeup lesson is 10 step in a little over 10 minutes.

She is known best for her "no makeup "look minimalist natural look so it surprised me that there is many products use to achieve this look and some steps are different than I how I had learned to do makeup, but she has so steps I will try in the future and it is a beautiful, natural look, like the double lining of the eyes and concealer just underneath lower lashes.

When I began using makeup in the mid to late '70s and there was only a fraction of the products or information that is on the market and available today.

Here would be my routine and that of many others:

Skincare:  Wash face with a bar of Ivory soap and a washcloth.  Only older women I knew used
                 Nivea or Oil of Olay

Corrector/
Concealer:    None.

Foundation:   A bottle of Covergirl and I think there were 4-5 shades to choose from.   We didn't
                      have beauty blenders back then, but we did have makeup sponges, although I usually
                      just used my fingertips.

Powder:         Coty loose face powder or Maybelline pressed powder just around the nose area to
                      keep it from getting shiny.

Bronzer:        None - I don't think it even existed

Blush:            There used to be a lot of cream and gel "pots: that they don't make today - I had one in                         a funky orangish color called "Sex Pot" I used to wear and thought it was cool (I think 
                       I used it as lipgloss in the above pic..  Also used pressed powder Maybelline and Avon
                       in pink tones.

Lips:               Sheer flavored Bonnie Bell Lip Gloss and more cream and gel" pots" until Senior year
                       I bought a dark wine almost black lipstick at Hill's Dept. store that was designed for
                       ethnic coloring - was another thing I thought was cool at the time.

Eyebrows:       No product used.  My Mom gave me a Studio Girl pressed black powder that had a
                         small stiff angled brush but it was too dark for my coloring at the time.

Eyeshadow:     A bright blue iridescent cream from lid to brow all through Jr. High - don't recall the
                         brand but it came in a small round "pot".

                         I don't recall there being the palettes like today - mostly was individual eyeshadow
                         and the one color would go in the lid and the crease.  A sponge-tipped applicator was
                         included in most powder shadows and I didn't know of anyone with a set of makeup
                         brushes.

Eyeliner:          Maybelline black liquid liner all around the eye was popular and I jumped on that
                         bandwagon but it usually seemed smudged under my eyes by midday.

Mascara:         These were the days of colored mascaras.  I specifically recall a dark green Maybelline
                        Mascara that had a stiff plastic comb/wand to apply that I loved.  Electric Blue was
                        another popular color.

                        Eyelash curlers were also as popular then as they are now.

Back then, the only souce of makeup application was in magazines or a few books on the subject.  The first "celebrity" makeup artist I knew of was Way Bandy, who had started out as a portrait painter before becoming a makeup artist and had also been an English teacher for 4 years.  I bought his book "Designing Your Face" (link below) and it completely changed my outlook and the way I did my makeup.

What tips did you learn from Bobbi's video that you think you might use?   What makeup products or techniques did you use when you were in Junior High & High School?



Way Bandy's "Designing Your Face".
Available on Amazon, but might be able to find it cheaper on EBAY or other sites as it now seems to be a Collector's item.

Dorco Pace 6 Razor 10 Cartridge Combo Set - $10 with coupon shipped - normally $22.15

Photo:  Source

I am posting this deal as I purchased a set last year for Marv for Christmas and he liked it so much he asked me where I got as he wanted to buy more.

Slick Deals, a site that posts deals and some user submitted like this one, where if you purchase the PACE 6 COMBO SET and enter code SDEALS118A.   

To enter the coupon code I had to go to the blue "View or Edit Your Cart" button and it takes you to a screen where you can enter it at the bottom.  Although the site indicates there will be $1.99 shipping when I entered the code the shipping went to zero and the total I paid was $10.

With this set you get the handle and 10 blades. Each cartridge has 6 blades and the strip at the top has Chamomile, Olive Oil and Allantoin to protect the skin and helps the blade easily for a close shave.

Another nice this is you can use Paypal to pay for your purchase so you don't have to give out your credit card information.

If interested, you might want to order quickly as I have no idea how long this offer will last and it is not indicated on Slick Deals.
  

USEFUL COOKING TIPS BY GORDON RAMSEY

Most of us learn to cook by watching a parent or caregiver, then classes in school or perhaps places we have worked, but I always find it interesting to watch tips from people who work in professional kitchens as they usually have shortcuts for time and to reduce waste.

Although  the title of his video indicates 10, I think he counts the first two as one tip since they are both herbs, but there are really 11.

The tips are:

1. Chopping herbs for maximum flavor
2. Chop Coriander/Cilantro
3. Ripen fruit quickly with a banana and a paper bag.
4. Peel and cut a mango quickly
5. Get rid of heat from chilis on your finger with lemon juice.
6. Boil potatoes starting with cold water
7. Peeling a Kiwi
8. Cutting a Bell Pepper
9. Check if a pineapple is ripe
10. Scoring meat to cook faster and allow marinades to infuse
11. Stop apples and avocados from going brown with lemon juice

While I already knew a few of these, like 1, 5, 10 and 11, some will be a challenge to teach an old dog (me) new tricks.

For example, I grew up seeing potatoes added to boiling water, not cold.  

In chopping bell peppers, my mom just chopped it in half, removed the seeds from both sides then diced them.  When I had to do a lot of them as a prep cook, I cut around the center to remove the center and seeds then chopped the peppers into halves, then quarters.

I have never cut a fresh mango before and the only time I did a kiwi was pre-internet for a fruit pizza and hacked the heck out of it to get the peel off; Gordon's method is exponentially easier and I am sure a lot quicker.

Are there any tips he shared do you think you would find useful?  What are some habits you have that would be hard to change because you have learned a different way?  

Burger King's FARMHOUSE KING™ Burger - Review

This is Burger King's newest sandwich offering called the FARMHOUSE KING™ Burger.

It is advertised as being a 1/2 pound flame-grilled burger topped with thick cut bacon, American Cheese, Crispy Onions, ketchup, a signature creamy sauce and a fried eg on a toasted sesame seed bun.

I purchased the meal that included french fries and a drink for $10.67.

When saw the wrapper I knew it was going to be a big sandwich and when I opened it some bits of bacon and the few pieces of Crispy Onion that were on the sandwich fell out when I opened the wrapper fell off the sandwich which is the first clue it would be a messy sandwich to eat.  You almost need a knife and fork to eat it.

With there being two large double beef patties I have no doubt it was a 1/2 lbs sandwich and it was so big I could barely get it in my mouth.  There was so much burger that it drowned out the egg, bacon and any sauce that might be on the burger.  

I have had an egg on a Prince of Royal Burger at Steak N Shake and I liked that layer of flavor that it added, but obviously if you don't like eggs or you are trying to keep your cholesterol down or you might not like this additional flavor on a sandwich.  I might have liked it on this sandwich but as I said, too much burger to everything else ratio.

Unless you are a growing teenager or very athletic it is really too much sandwich for one person and at 1220 calories (per bk.com's website) it takes up more than 1/2 of the recommended daily allowance for calories.

I think this product would be much better if the eliminated one of the burgers, skipped the ketchup and just had their special sauce.

Pros:

• Is a whole lotta burger - you could probably easily split this between two people.
• Several pieces of thick, crispy bacon
• Is high in protein 63g, so most people could meet or exceed their recommended daily allowance for that with just this sandwich

Cons:

• Too much and too messy of a Burger to eat while driving; almost need a fork and a knife so it doesn't get all over your clothes.
• High in calories at 1200 calories.  Is also high in fat at 80g and cholesteral at 62g
• Expensive - is almost as much as two of the value meals on sale.
• Too much burger to everything else ratio - it drowns out the other flavors. 

In summation, if you order this burger, I recommend asking that one of the burgers be left off and see what discount on the sandwich or meal is without it.