If you tend to blink quite a lot or rub your eyes, you may end up with a little mascara under your eyes but it is very minimal and not really an issue. If it is a problem that I suggest using a lash primer underneath (such as MAC), but your lashes will not look as natural and light as with using the Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara alone. This mascara does not flake and continues to feel soft and natural to the day’s end. I actually look forward to putting it on and having fabulous lashes.

Recently, a reader sent me a new product to try called Spinlash. I did some research and learned that Spinlash is a mascara wand that rotates 360 degrees to apply mascara without clumps and to separate your eyelashes, resulting in perfection. I could not wait to try it out!

The directions enclosed explained how to use Spinlash clearly. Spinlash is basically a battery operated mascara wand with buttons that spin the applicator in two different directions for your top and bottom lashes. The wand has synthetic bristles which always work better to separate your lashes. The rotating wand moves slowly, at just the right pace to make application easy. It’s a little tricky figuring out how to hold the base of the wand at first, but once you become accustomed to it, it is very easy to use.

When I used Spinlash the first time, I could not help but say out loud “this really works!” I was so surprised to see that Spinlash worked exactly how it had been described. I barely had to move my hand up and down; the brush did all the work. The result? Perfectly applied mascara and lashes that look longer, thicker and beautifully separated.

The mascara that comes with Spinlash is a really nice formula; it goes on smoothly and does not dry too quickly so you can reshape your lashes or apply more coats. Once dry, Spinlash mascara feels soft to the touch and is safe for contact lenses wearers. It does smudge a little and if you blink a lot you might have some mascara under your eyes at the end of the day. I would recommend using a primer before using the Spinlash mascara.

Spinlash also claims you can use the Spinlash wand with your any other brand of mascara. I have tried to dip the Spinlash brush into 2 different mascaras, but unfortunately the wand is a bit too thick so the brush cannot enter deeply into a mascara tube. If you do find a tube that Spinlash fits into, simply dip the Spinlash brush into the tube and apply as usual using the spinning wand.

This product definitely gets a thumbs up and kudos to whoever finally invented it! It is priced about the same as any other mascara, but Spinlash gives you their amazing spinning applicator and a free mascara. Ladies, this is definitely a product to try!

(Spinlash is not tested on animals.)

With a few drops on a cotton pad, my eye makeup was swept away. I held it for a few seconds on my lashes, and my mascara was easy to remove. I put a bit more on the pad and wiped my entire face with this cooling, ultra-sensitive makeup remover, making washing my face easier and faster. Better yet, the Chamomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover did not sting or irritate my eyes at all! And at about $12.50 for an 8 ounce bottle it’s a great deal.

The Body Shop describes the benefits of Chamomile as soothing and calming- and they are right! The best part is, The Body Shop does not conduct any animal testing and purchases fair trade ingredients from all over the world. The Organic Chamomile Water used in the Body Shop’s Eye Make-Up Remover supports small farmers who produce the organic chamomile in a rural area of in England. With the production and use of this ingredient, The Body Shop has helped to sustain their livelihood and continue their farming production.

So, feel good physically and mindfully when you take your makeup off at night! I swear, you will look forward to washing your face!

The best thing about NARS Orgasm blush is it is a relatively translucent shade, not too bright but the perfect shimmery peachy pink shade for fair skin. Sephora calls Orgasm blush universally flattering for every skin tone. Also just as flattering is NARS Laguna bronzer, a light brown shimmer which will give you a subtle, just been on vacation, glow. I have experienced problems with certain blushes and bronzers that the colors are too strong, and an accidental heavy application can leave you looking like a clown. NARS Orgasm and Laguna blush and bronzer are very easy to use and go on light, with a hint of shimmer, allowing you to build the color on your face to the shade you desire. I believe the experts now; it is a must-have!

I have a few favorite lip balms since I have practically tried them all! Here they are in no particular order:

1. Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment (DCT) Medicated Lip Conditioner is an oldie but goodie. I have used Blistex DCT off and on for about 20 years and it’s great. You can buy Blistex DCT Medicated Lip Conditioner at any drugstore, so the price makes it even more worthwhile. This lip balm comes in a pot and has an SPF of 20 so not only will you have healed, soft lips but be protected from the sun as well! I use Blistex DCT at night and the smell is wonderfully mild with a hint of Cocoa Butter. It feels great!
2. Another great drugstore find is Carmex® Lip Balm in Cherry flavor. Carmex also has an SPF of 15 and works great when you’re outdoors. I love the way Carmex Lip Balm feels- it slightly tingles when you put it on, goes on smooth and really lasts without being sticky. Carmex is known for healing chapped lips and burns so that’s an added benefit! Carmex Lip Balm is super inexpensive, feels great and smells yummy. Here’s the best deal yet: a 12 pack of Carmex Cherry Lip Balm for just a little over $1 each!
3. Smith’s Rosebud Salve Lip Balm in Strawberry is also great. It comes in a pretty big sized tin that lasts quite a long time for the price. I found a great deal online and you buy two for a little over the price of one! I have used the cult favorite Original Rosebud Salve but I like the Strawberry Rosebud Salve because it’s a little sweeter and fun to wear. The very slight pink tint is also nice and Rosebud Salve gives your lips just the right natural shine. Rosebud Salve has been in existence for over 100 years and you can actually use it on any dry chapped part of your body but it’s especially nice on lips.
4. Epicuren Conditioning Lip Balm is very nice but more pricey than drugstore lip balms. Epicuren Lip Balm has an SPF of 15 and an active ingredient of Tea Tree Oil so it’s naturally healing- you just have to like the smell! It’s handy stick form fits nicely in your pocket and it goes on smooth, if not a little too softly. Epicuren Lip Balm is pretty long lasting and Epicuren’s philosophy of organic, all-natural ingredients are good for you and avoid the “lip balm” addiction that some medicated lip balms give you.
5. Bonne Bell Lip Smacker. There’s just nothing like this vanilla cake batter scent to take you back to your childhood and just make you happy! Bonne Bell Lip Smacker Lip Gloss in Vanilla does not benefit your lips the way some other lip balms do, but for a quick trip down memory lane throughout the day, nothing does it like Bonne Bell Lip Smacker! Amazon.com has a great deal on a two-pack.

Best tinted lip gloss

I like a long-lasting lip gloss and MAC Lipglass is a very long-lasting lip gloss. Lipglass is a bit sticky so be prepared if you don’t like to have your hair caught on your lips. MAC Lipglass comes in a large variety of different shades, my favorites being the sheer peachy-pinks that don’t overwhelm your eye make-up. One of the best MAC Lipglass shades, and overall best shades of lip gloss, is the new MAC Lipglass Viva Glam V. This is a universally flattering lip gloss shade and was also voted an Allure Magazine Best of Beauty Winner for 2007 – which means it must be good! Here’s the best part: 100% of all proceeds from the sale of MAC Lipglass Viva Glam V go to fighting AIDS.

Best Lip Plumper

Hands down, my favorite is LipFusion Color Shine Micro-Injected Collagen Lip Plump. It’s a little pricey, but it contains scientifically proven technology that actually plumps your lips from within. You can definitely feel this lip plumper working, so it does take some getting used to. All of the LipFusion Lip Plump shades are great, but my favorite LipFusion shade is Sugar which is a neutral pinky-peach that actually makes your teeth look whiter!

Best Combo Lip and Cheek Tint

Sonia Kashuk for Target makes a nice line of cosmetics for great drugstore prices! The Sonia Kashuk Lip and Cheek Tint is similar to Benefit Benetint but costs a lot less. I like lip and cheek stains or tints because you can carry them in your purse and quickly touch up your look after work before going out. With a lip and cheek stain product you want to be careful with your application or you might have color somewhere you don’t want it!

Best Cheap Lip Gloss

Here’s a cult favorite: Bonne Bell Lip Gloss. There’s just nothing like that vanilla cake batter smell and taste to just make re-applying your lip gloss that much happier. Bonne Bell Lip Lites Lip Gloss in Vanilla Swirl has just that scent and taste to bring you back to your childhood, with the added benefit of being a really nice, natural tinted lip gloss! Best part about Bonne Bell Lip Gloss? The cost! Amazon.com has a great value on a two-pack.