My experience might be slightly skewed considering who I’m dating, but it would be easy to believe that those that are interning share that same enthusiasm to learn and experience medical mysteries or just the opportunity to experience in general. I believe they give better one on one care when they’re fresh out of school. Consider ABC’s Grey Anatomy. Remember when they were interns, although a bit too eager slicing into anyone, they’re highly motivated to take on cases and finding solutions. I know it’s a TV show, but how far from reality can be, right….. guys?

So I received E.L.F’s goodies a few weeks back but have been lazy to open it. I know, who’s lazy to open makeup? Well I am. Actually, I’m really lazy to find a place to store it.

I’ll try to keep it short and simple.

First up: Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara

ELF Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara

Mascara Brush

Tested with curl

Rate: 3 out of 5

Pros:

• Clean excess remover
• Lengthened
• Good Separation
• No Clumps
• $3

Cons:

• No volume
• Curl went flat after application
• Runny Formula/smear

Brush Cleaner

Brush Cleaner

Spray several times over brush bristle, gently wipe the brush onto a clean cloth to remove makeup.

Result after many wipes.

Final Result. About 50% clean and kind of oily.

Actual Color of Brush

Rate: 1 out of 5

Pros:

• Inexpensive $3
• Efficient design

Cons:

• Barely removes makeup from brush
• Left oily residue making bristles clumpy

]]> http://the26thyear.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/review-time/feed/ 1 the26thyear ELF Products ELF Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara Mascara Brush Tested Brush Cleaner Spray Wipe Result Actual http://the26thyear.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/and-then-job-said/ http://the26thyear.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/and-then-job-said/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:04:28 +0000 the26thyear http://the26thyear.wordpress.com/?p=126 ]]> “Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” – Steve Job at Standford 2005

It’s hard to trust your “something” when it doesn’t really have the best record of yielding good results – in fact, it’s probably ended in more regrets than anything. My “something” has been so contaminated by influence, peer pressure, acceptance, and the illusion of security. I don’t even know if I trust it.

I was talking to my close friends about my decision to go back to school, after many years of nudging, and I told them I would study Economics.  They all looked puzzled. In fact, everyone I told looked puzzled. They don’t get it, and I don’t blame them. For the majority of last year, I was adamant on going to pursue my newly found purpose – cooking. I was so sure; it felt so right.  I was going to move to France and be the next Julia child! I love food. And when will I ever have another opportunity to go? I was going to be a risk taker, finally. But the “economist” in me started to access the risk, looked at the numbers (income vs. cost), and analyzed the statistics [of success]. But again, when will I get another opportunity? I’m not married, no kids, no job obligations. Is the fear of financial security scaring me off? Is the fear of reliving post high school regret when I didn’t follow my artistic aspiration driving me to go forward with it? If I removed the living in France factor, is it worth the opportunity cost? Do I love it enough to be broke and move back the hellhole, in which I call home, for the next two years? I wish I can see if the dots will connect and where it’ll happen.

On the other hand, I like Economics. I always have. I always appreciated the fundamental-ness of it. I love how economists talk. I wish I talked like them. But yeah, it’s one of those vague studies. What do you do with it? I don’t know. Where are my dots!

In the midst of my reality check today, I stumbled upon something that was rather inspiring, which was much needed. It’s from Elizabeth Gilbert, the author or Eat, Pray, Love. She speaks about how to nurture our creativity and encourages us to treat our craft with care. Many of you will relate.

Hatemongers at Annise Parker's Inauguration

And I can see why. These photos were taken from the inauguaration of Houston’s newly elected mayor, Annise Parker. She’s gay, and she’s the first gay mayor of a big, metropolis city. I love my beloved city, and that image above, is not us. Just to be clear, I am a Christian, however I can testify that there are Christians who don’t believe in hate messages. And I also guess that’s why seeing these types of pictures hits so close to home. It makes me pretty livid, actually. They don’t represent Christ or anything remotely what He stood for. In fact, they make him Him look like a judgmental douchebag. Ugh, I can feel my blood beginning to boil.  *takes a deep breath*

Now, I’m not trying to make this post about political or religious agendas – that is not my goal. In fact, I don’t really know much about Annise Parker or her campaign.  However, I do know that Christ would never use hate to send a message. From what I learned or I thought we all learned, He taught us about love, compassion, and absence of judgement.  How dare you use His name for your propaganda. I would love to show up to the next rally with signs that reiterate these teachings.

I remember listening to NPR’s This American Life show “Heretics” about a pastor name Carlton Pearsons who got denounced from his own church that he had built because he heard God tell him that there is no Hell. His story changed me and opened my eyes more than anything in the recent years. Even though I don’t agree with everything, one thing that did really resonated with me was when God told him “People don’t like me because the way you represent me.”  Christians have become judging, fear-enforcing hyprocrites. That’s right, I’m not afraid to say it like it is and calling out my own.

Print In-Store Coupon

Online Promo Code: FRIENDS

If you’re in the NYC area on December 10th, you may want to swing by Bloomingdale’s on 59th Street to meet Bobbi Brown and Laura Bush. They are teaming up with the United Nations World Food Program. When you buy a FEED 10 pouch included with 3 Bobbi Brown lipgloss, you provide 10 disadvantage women with food and job training.

Pouch: $50 (Colors – Petal, Rose Sugar, and Aubergine)

Either E.L.F. (eyes lips face) will soon love me or hate me. I recently put in a huge order (36 items, mainly studio) during their cyber monday sale. I wanted to try one of everything, and if it’s great, it’s going into the kit – and I will purchase more. Now, I’d like to think I have realistic expectations for products that cost $1-$3.  But I’m sincerely hoping that a good, quality and ridiculously cheap makeup product broke into the over the counter market. I really do.  I think this company has a lot of potential, and they’ve done a good job so far. As far as aesthetics go, I think their website is functional, efficient, eye pleasing, user friendly, and honest. Nothing bothers me more then photographs of flawless, over processed and photoshopped women with long luscious lashes due to ABC mascara. It’s fake. I’ve pointed out the strip of fake lashes glued on in so many mascara ad campaigns and model’s skin looking like plastic. But I like ELF’s approach. They assembled a really clean, and honest website with stellar product photography. They don’t try to pretend an HD loose powder will make an already flawless model look flawless.  It’s a quiet confidence. I even like that customers can write an honest and uncensored review about the product.

I know I’m hyping them up, but they can still disappoint me. I still haven’t tried most of their products or any really. But what I am trying to say is I like them so far. I like their marketing direction, their approach to the everyday woman, and their affordability.

With E.L.F., ridiculous sale on already dirt cheap products!

70% off all mineral makeup with coupon CM70MIN
50% off all studio makeup with coupon STUD50OFF
50% off all bath products with coupon BTH50OFF
75% off all Bags and Element s with coupon EH75CE

Drugstore.com:

Rapidlash save $15 with free ship
Revitalash save $80 with free ship
Borghese Bella Colore Mineral Makeup Kit save $144 with free cosmetic bag

Coastal Scents: 25% off Everything

Before we go into the review, I want to go into a brief class about the drug and why it’s labeled for different use. Bimatoprost is originally used for patients with Glaucoma, which according to Wikipedia is an eye disease or disorder that is defined as a characteristic optic neuropathy, or disease of the optic nerve, possibly, if untreated, leading to damage of the optic disc of the eye and resultant visual field loss due to lack of communication between the retina and the brain, which can lead to blindness. When glaucoma patients saw their lashes grow long as a side effect of the bimatoprost drops, the world of cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies saw dollar signs. Cha-ching. In the world of pharmacology and medicine, you’re not allowed to prescribe a drug if its not for its intended use.  One of the ways a drug gets introduced as a different/new treatment, it has to be FDA approved – and that takes a lot of money for clinical studies, research etc. So Allergan, the same pharmaceutical company that brought you Botox and Juviderm, capitalized it by putting out the money and making it an exclusive brand, Latisse.  So you’re paying the 1000% markup because of its brand. Why can’t we they sell it as a generic? Well, a drug has to be out for at least 5 years before the generic can be introduced into the market for the same treatment – don’t quote me on that though. But if you’re lucky enough, some doctors will prescribe Lumigan (the generic) for your eyelid hairs.

Ok, onto the review. I’m about 5 weeks into using bimatoprost, and I can probably tell a very slight difference in length and volume. Let me start by telling you the kind of brush I used to lengthen the use of bottle. It’s an eyeliner brush I got over the counter – I forgot where.  But if you’re familiar with MAC, it’s the #209 brush.

Using this brush allowed me to apply several layers right into my lash line, top and bottom, as well as, extending my eyebrows from ONE drop.  This is how I did it, let me repeat it, this is how I did it. I’m not a medical expertise, please follow directions as labeled.

Brush I used to apply the solution

One drop into the cap.

Dip bush into solution

Apply solution into clean lashline

Apply into bottom lash line

Apply to eyebrows

These pictures are from WEEK 1.

Week 1

Week 5

These are from WEEK 5. I realized their not from the same angles. Future posts will be closer.

5 Weeks, no curl no mascara

Week 5 no curl, no mascara

Week 5 with curl

Week 5 with curl

Week 5 with curl

Week 5 with mascara

Week 5 with mascara

Week 5 with mascara

Left - no mascara, Right - with mascara

Future updates will be more comprehensive, yeah, these are a lot of separate pictures.

In conclusion, I really like it. Out of all the side effects, I only had slight irritation/redness my first 2 weeks.  Some don’t see results until 8 weeks, and I saw some by week 5. I’ll definitely keep this topic updated until the end of 4 months.