BOYS!!!! LEAVE MY EYELINER ALONE!!!!
Alright, bear with me…this has been a gripe of mine for what seems like forever now.
Black eyeliner has been a standard part of my everyday make-up routine practically since I started wearing make-up. I’m not overly picky about the brand since I’m not looking for my eyeliner to work miracles nor be infused with vitamins and antioxidants (that part of me will just have to age naturally) so for me the less expensive versions (Jane, NYC, Cover Girl) work just as well as their pricier counterparts (Lancome, Tarte). I spend enough on other items in my make-up bag that spending less on this item balances out, at least in my mind. Maybe if I lived in a place that experienced an abnormally high level of humidity, rain, or snow I might opt for a waterproof version but since I live in the land of no seasons I am perfectly content with regular black liner.
I do have two requirements when it comes to this form of warpaint (1) that it be the automatic twist-up kind and not the standard kohl pencil/crayon that requires sharpening and (2) almost more importantly that it be BLACK (not to be confused with Smokeline, Charcoal, or even Soft Black).
Since I know that I use black liner on a daily basis I try to buy two or three at a time…that’s more wishful thinking than reality as even imagining that I could find multiple black liners at one of my local drugstores would be more of a daydream or consist of my being outside of Los Angeles County when attempting this, as I remember anytime I’ve ever had to buy eyeliner in any other city, it’s not as big an issue.
More times than I can count I have encountered empty slots of where my coveted black liner should reside, leading me to believe that I’ve got some competition for my beauty staple. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that it isn’t the run-of-the-mill party girls in this town, not even the fabulous gay community, nope living so close to Hollywood (according to Mapquest exactly 3 minutes or 1.2 miles.) my competition comes in the form of the axe-wielding, double stroke rolling, mic twirling Band Guy that overpopulates this city. No offense meant as I am friends with more than my fair share of these guys and guys wearing eyeliner (or “guyliner” as it’s often referred to) is not a novelty. I even found a how-to for Applying Guyliner. In fact to go even further, check out this article that VH1 did on Dudes Wearing Eyeliner back in October
2006.
David Bowie rocked it, so did Alice Cooper, Keith Richards, Dave Navarro, Robert Smith, the list goes on and on…so why shouldn’t these band guys sport it too? As a girl with many guy friends in bands I completely support you if you want to wear eyeliner or any other make-up, whatever, work it, own it! Just stay away from my eyeliner stick to the kohl kind that you have to sharpen, I could care less about that kind of eyeliner.
It makes me wish that the “WentzPentz” (Pete Wentz Eye Pencil Line) had come to fruition instead of being a BellaSugar April Fool’s Joke. I recall hearing that there was a UK male make-up line called Taxi Man which featured “guyliner” and “manscara” but I don’t think it caught on. I think it’s high time that someone created a guy’s eyeliner line what with how commonplace it’s become. Because if nothing else maybe that fake “Hot Topic exclusive WentzPentz” could’ve at least attracted the future black eyeliner wearing boys of America and kept them away from the already poorly stocked shelves of my local Walgreens, Rite-Aides, and CVS.
Alright, that’s enough ranting. I apologize for having taken up your time with my superfluous complaint, you may now resume strategically planning an end to world hunger or resolving the economic deficit, whichever it is you usually do on Tuesdays.
photo originally published here.
Straight Talk: Ion One Stroke Perpetual Heat Ceramic Digital Styling Iron
After my last hair straightener ended it’s life, I had no choice but to replace it. This is the second one I’ve had to buy in the last two years. The one previous to that was stolen when my car was broken into last year if you recall, but that one I had had for 2 to 3 years and was by far my favorite one, until now.
When shopping for a new straightener, the selection can be a little overwhelming. There are infomercials trying to sell you perfect straight hair with a spinning brush (I’ve tried this product, it worked ok but didn’t keep my hair straight), hairstylists trying to sell you their tools of the trade, and it can also be hard to tell which are the better products at specialty stores/beauty supplies since most boast the same qualities and are priced competitively.
I’ve had some really good straighteners like the one that was stolen (that I’d originally purchased at a Beauty Supply) and some ok ones like the most recent one (that I’d purchased directly from the headquarters of a well known hair product brand that their stylists use in all of their salons) that just stopped working (although according to my ex-roommate, it did provide us with “a summer of good hair”).
I thought back to the one that was my all-time favorite to date and decided to head to Sally’s Beauty Supply and check out what they had to offer. I sat in front of their selection for a little bit comparing heat levels, prices, etc. I ended up going with the one that seemed a little cocky claiming to “straighten your hair in one stroke.” Getting my hair straight in one stroke isn’t usually the issue, many straighteners can easily do this. The test is will it keep my hair straight most of the day? So, I decided to purchase it and call it’s bluff.
Turns out it completely lives up to it’s claims. This straightener probably straightened my hair in the quickest time (I have very thick and long hair) and also kept my hair straight even when the weather was on the verge of rainy. The true test will come when humidity of summer nights come into play, but we’ll see I am expecting it to still be able to handle that. So far I am happy with this and already recommended this to a few girlfriends.
The other people who I can imagine benefiting from this tool would be guys who also straighten their hair as it really does work super-quick and keeps hair straight for a long time. This might work superbly for guys and girls in bands who tour a lot as getting ready time can be so limited and inconsistent. My hair straightening time was probably cut in half and I didn’t touch my hair again with it until a day or two later.
The price is competitive at $79.99 (although it’s currently on sale on their site and possibly in stores for $69.99).
Click here for more info.
What’s In My Make-Up Bag? From Our Bags to Yours…The Fashion Girls
Before heading off to PROJECT LAS VEGAS, the TRAffIK Fashion Girls took a look at their current beauty obsessions and must-haves and are sharing them with you. See below for what get’s them glowing, keeps them moisturized, hydrates them, and what tunes they can’t get out of their heads (because we all need good music to get ready to)
Keep checking back for more from BB and Heather the TRAffIK Fashion Girls and their column REAL FASHION FOR REAL PEOPLE and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/fashiongirls513
Here’s some of what to expect: How-to’s – BB and Heather will show you exactly how to wear some of the hottest new trends as well as accessories you may already own in great new ways, Insider Info from the events that BB and Heather attend or are involved with, like Project Las Vegas (Feb.16-18), Q &A’s with Fashion Industry Insiders – So that you can continue to learn about the inner workings of the Fashion Industry. They will also tackle any questions that you may have, and Special Features on What to Wear and Where.
FITNESS 101: MACHINES vs. DUMBBELLS
Audra Yocom is a certified personal trainer based out of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, who brings you monthly fitness tips and helps us to disspell those myths we’ve all been subjected to regarding fitness at one point or another in our battle with the bulge. To learn more about Audra or to inquire about training sessions visit her site http://audrayocom.com.
Most health and fitness professionals agree dumbbells reign supreme over machines. Each workout method does, however, serve its purpose. When training my clients I prefer using dumbbells or free weights over machines when possible, but I find I can’t eliminate machines altogether especially if my client has injuries to compensate for. Before we dive too deep into this though let’s first take a broad look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of each: (more…)
MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS: FEATURED MAKE-UP ARTIST- Candace Garcia
Our Featured Make-up Artist Candace Garcia shares some of her favorite beauty products with us.
TRAffIK: What are some of your favorite staple products that you use? Why?
Candace: Some of my favorite products are:
-Primer Photo Finish, by Smashbox - It helps smooth the skin and keep the makeup on smooth and it last all day! love it!!
-#266 Angle brush, MAC Cosmetics. -its a great handmade brush that’s fine and some what stiff for getting that liner nice & perfect!
-Mascara, Cover Girl Exact Lash. -Its not too thick and not too natural but it separates the lashes and it finishes to a natural finish!!
-Paints, MAC Cosmetics. -Paints are great to help keep eye shadow on. It sticks on and won’t crease!! Can’t put eye shadow on without it.
-Fix +, MAC Cosmetics. It’s such a great product. It helps set you’re makeup and hydrates the skin without making it look too greasy.
To learn more about Candace Garcia click here for her TRAffIK feature or here or contact her at makeupartistcg@aol.com
Beauty How to w/ Featured Make-Up Artist Candace Garcia: Liquid Eyeliner
Next week, we’ll be bringing you some of our featured Make-Up Artist’s favorite products, but first this week Candace Garcia takes on liquid eyeliner as she shows us the proper way to apply it.
to learn more about Candace click here