Tried and True – From our Make-Up Bags to Yours… Siria’s Mascara Pick – Hypnotizing Eyes
Thick Lashes, long lashes, lush lashes…when it comes to my lashes I want it all. The Lancome line of mascaras has never let me down, particularly my favorite…Hypnôse Mascara.
A couple of coats of this mascara (try one coat if superdark lashes aren’t your style) in Deep Black and I’m good to go. Some mornings it’s the equivalent of coffee for my eyes, allowing me to at least feign alertness.
My favorite part is it stays put taking me from early mornings to late nights without smearing or smudging.
Price: $24
A more economical mascara that also works for me is Maybelline’s Colossal Volum’ Express in Glam Black which retails between $5.99 and $7.99.
I HEART Los Angeles
Downtown Skyline (rooftop party view) photo by 74 and Associates
BY: MS. AMANDA JONES
I am a native Angelino. I can swear by this and provide documentation if needed. It seems that people born and raised in the City of Angels, are now few and far between.
At least that’s what people say. I do run into native Angelinos often, and I think if anything an overwhelming sense of pride comes with being of this patch of soil. The pride is not because we were lucky enough to be born here before you ever thought about coming to Los Angeles. Not because we think we are cooler than you or any other silly reason. Nor is it the endless sunlight we get day in and day out. Well maybe that’s part of it? I know for many of us, once you’ve made this town your home, there is enormous amount of love that slips into your blood claiming Los Angeles as your very own.
I love Los Angeles for these very simple reasons:
I love it because of the sunshine that is reaped on us day in and day out whether we like it or not. I love that when it rains in Los Angeles it becomes a mini-holiday. These days it so rarely rains and when it does, I think most of us are ready to turn into 5 year olds again and run out into the showers. Or we want to call in sick to work just to listen to the sound of the rain from our beds.
I love it because on a good day I can surf the beautiful Pacific Ocean and then drive back to my home in the city. I love it even more because in the winter I can still surf AND snow-board in the same day if I really wanted to.
I love Los Angeles for all of the ethnicities and oddities that are nurtured here. I love the different neighborhoods with many cultures and the ability to navigate through all of it pretty peacefully. Each neighborhood unlocks a different beauty – a new reason to appreciate the uniqueness of those ethnicities.
I love it because of the amazing neighborhoods that litter all of Los Angeles, but most specifically North-East Los Angeles where I was raised. I love the working class neighborhoods where people strive to make homes for their families and sacrifice safety at times to do this. I love that as my children grow up in this city they can learn Spanish and English proudly, and a myriad of other languages if they choose to do so. I love that as it stands now, they can say thank-you in at least 6 languages thanks to the lovely shops and store owners that are always willing to teach us how to be polite in their native tongue.
I love it because of the bacon wrapped hot dogs at 2am and the Tamale Man that shows up at 2:15am when you are out at night in Echo Park.
I love the Dodgers and the fireworks I would watch with my grandfather from his front porch on summer nights when I was growing up.
I love the pathetic Los Angeles River and the area known as Frog- Town where there really are tons of frogs in the river. I love how much the neighborhoods have changed over the years and how much it continues to change as a New Year approaches.
I love the resilience of its residents that can pretty much withstand anything when they are faced with adversity.
I love the shops, the taco stands, the taco trucks, the meat markets, the liquor stores, the bakeries, the small business’s that our residents create to fulfill their dream of a better life.
I love the artists and musicians I have met, year after year, that create beautifully synthetic scenes within the smallest parts of the un-cool portions of Los Angeles.
I love the friends I have made that see as much beauty in their own adopted neighborhoods and revere them with the same feelings that I do.
I LOVE that this city, is the place where people come to create a better life, to fulfill their dreams, to chase the hope that maybe this city can provide. And I love that this city makes you work for all of it. There is a cost of living amidst such beauty, such passion, such hope, but those of us that choose to stay in Los Angeles know that it will be worth it.
Now as I raise my children in this city and I look at their faces while they learn so much about their city and themselves, I realize that this is the place that our parent’s and our parent’s parents dreamed of. This is a city filled with Angels and Demons and if you stick it out long enough you will witness both.
Most importantly you will see why people come to Los Angeles year after year…because Los Angeles is a city of hope and aspirations and once it gets in your blood you will never be the same.
