Clip-Ins for Your Hair! You and your weave.

Some people can rock wigs like whoa, but I've always had a head that looks odd in wigs. I think I have a overly large head or something, which makes sense cuz I have a huge brain, which makes sense cuz I am a ge-ni-us. Anyway, a fabulous, easy, terrific looking, NATURAL looking alternative is clip-ins! I have some on in this photo, one on each side of my cranium. Imagine what you could do with four, six, twenty! Ok, not twenty. Basically, they're fake hair attached at the tip by a hair comb clip. The clip is very small, maybe a half inch across. They are so easy to insert and look flawless. They come curly or straight. Make sure to maintain your fake hair with wig spray (oil) and gentle washing. The brand I use is Hair U Wear. www.hairuwear.com

Yeah You Are,

Pink Pamplemousse

Coastal Scents! Amazing makeup palettes for $19.99!

Seriously, check this site out. Your jaw will drop. I have the neutral eye palette and love it. The quality is very good and the selection is fantastic. Check out the brushes! So cheap, great quality! You can youtube almost all of their products to see reviews.

www.coastalscents.com

Tit for Tat,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

My favorite lashes!

These lashes are about half the length of standard falsies. They are by Andrea and called Accents. They are dense and flutter outward in a slope. $3.99 at drugstores. I use them about 6 times before they get gunky from mascara. If you do not apply mascara you will have even more uses.

These lashes are my favorite because the shape gives you the ultimate cat eye effect and the half length makes them easier to apply and much more natural looking. Also I do not have to worry about the inner rim of my eye getting irritated.

Flutter By Butterfly,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

My attempt at the look Lady Gaga rocked in Alejandro

Yes I love that song. No I do not think I am Lady Gaga. DER.

Anywho, it's a deceptively simple, wait maybe I didn't relay that right. i.e. It looks easy but there's a lot of highlighting going on with the eyelids and cheekbones that requires some skill. There's a lot going on with the eyes that did not show up well on my camera. Bone white frosty shadows with taupe frost in the crease and as a soft liner on top and bottom of the eye. Shimmery pinky mauve blush and whitish highlighter on top of the cheekbones. I mixed the red lipstick with some black eye pencil to make it darker. No mascara. Voila. It's not an amazing homage by any means, but it was fun. Now I'm going to jam to the song on....wait for it....Youtube!

Oh Alejandro,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Btw.....

Don't want to spend money on an eye shadow primer? Use your concealor! It gets the job done.

Etc. Etcetera.....,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Low budget, natural alternatives! Stuff on the cheap!

Olive Oil is rich in Vitamin E, extremely hydrating and a powerful antioxidant that contains fatty acids that help to repair cell damage. I use it as a fantastic eye makeup remover. A tablespoon can also be added to hair conditioner if your hair is very dry or coarse. It can also be used as a face/body moisturizer as well. Glycerin is also a good moisturizer. A friend of mine applied glycerin straight from the bottle she got at the health food store to her whole face for several weeks and swears it cleared up her adult acne.

A fantastic body exfoliator you can make at home. Raw sugar and oilve oil mixed to make a paste. Scrub all over and rinse. Easy. Voila. You can take some sugar packs from Starbucks, haha! Seriously, don't do that. I do not condone thievery, even if it is from faceless corporate machines! Don't do it! (mehehehe)

Aspirin tablets (not the gels) broken apart and applied to the face make an effective exfoliator because of the salicylic acid. Crush two and scrub gently. Rinse. DER.

Green tea pops! (idea stolen from Michelle Phan via Youtube) Make green tea, add a Vitamin E capsule, freeze in an ice cube tray, insert toothpicks when half frozen, apply to face like a mini spa popsicle! Refreshing on hot days. Also stolen from Michelle Phan, strain the water from organic whole grain rice and use the rice water as a toner. Witch Hazel is cheap and can be found at the drugstore and is also a terrific toner for oilier skin. Do NOT EVER apply rubbing alcohol to your skin. It is terribly harsh and drying.

Mash an avocado with plain yogurt to make a hydrating masque for dry skin. Leave on for twenty minutes. All sorts of masques can be made using ingredients from the grocery store. If this at all interests you, Youtube it. There's like, a hundred masque recipe videos on Youtube.

Keep Your Pants Smart and Fancy,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Brands I am not feeling and do not purchase. Plus, Kristen's makeup awards!

I do not like Almay. I feel their formulas are dated, their liners and mascaras run, and their cream blushes (touch bush) are a joke. Do not even get me started on the $$$ Lip Fusion line at Sephora. Do NOT waste your money on these overpriced lip glosses that do not deliver their promises. I am also not a fan of Lash Stiletto by Maybelline, too gunky and harsh. It hardens in a most flattering way.

Brands I love? Top 5 (no particular order).....Revlon, Bare Escentuals, MAC, Origins, MakeUp Forever. I stay away from L'oreal as I've heard they do nasty things to animals. NO THANKS.

Kristen's Makeup Awards

Foundation- Revlon Photo Ready and Bare Escentuals mineral foundation

Blush- Revlon in Touch of Pink, Smashbox in Radiance and Wet n' Wild in Rose Shimmer

Lipstick- Pearly Jam jumbo lip pencil (my absolute staple), Rimmel VaVaVoom, Milani Rose

Hip

Mascara- Revlon Grow Luscious and POP WOW mascara

Liner- MAC black track

concealor- MakeUp Forever concealor palette

eye shadows- Bare Escentuals and Revlon

Tan in a Can- Fake Bake or St. Tropez (drugstore brands suck)

Looking for a KILLER red gloss? Go no further than Hot Date by Origins. Killer!

Stay Sweet,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Pinup Sailor Look!

Easy and cute.....pink cheeks Wet n' Wild Rose Shimmer blush), hot pink glossy lips (Rimmel VaVa Voom lipstick and Milani gloss in In Vogue), black liner winged out (MAC black track) and NAVY shadow in the crease (Revlon shadow in Riviera Blue), off white on the lids and browbones (MAC in Bone) and my new favorite fake lashes by Ardell. Half lashes. The strip is only have an eyelid long and flutters out at the tips.

Smooth Sails,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

The magic that is Photoshop

Behold! This is me after a good cry, sweaty, tired, GROSS. This is the before. The after will blow your mind.

I swear by this stuff! Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder

I mix in a tiny pinch of this powder with my morning moisturizer every day. It comes with a teeny measuring spoon so you will get the amount correct. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps make skin more resilient to aging and is terrific for overall brightening of the complexion. It's $35 for .25 oz and should last 3 months approx. I buy it at Sephora.

http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/prod_turbo-booster-c-powder

Feeling Fine,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Reviews- Wet n. Wild mineral foundation and Cover Girl Falsies Mascara

The bottom line is neither of these products are worth buying. Wet n' Wild mineral foundation is powdery, whispy, chalky, drying, the coverage is minimal at best. It's everything a mineral foundation should not be. It comes with a little brush that I am happy to keep but the foundation itself is CRAP. I will stay true to my creamy, natural coverage Bare Escentuals foundation. Do not waste your $7.99

Cover Girl Falsies mascara promises to make your natural lashes so full, long and spectacular as to appear false. I tried it and although there was no clumping, the coverage was MEH, the effect was MEH, my lashes looked like they do with every other MEH mascara I've ever tried. Don't waste your dollar bills on this stuff either.

Ta ta for now,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Wet n' Wild is not all crap! Breaking news!

Wet n' Wild is the Rodney Dangerfield of the low budget makeup brands....it gets no respect! It's so cheap and it's wet and......wild! pffhahaha. But rethink Wet n' Wild if you haven't already. Truthfully, I hate their lip and eye pencils, especially the lip pencils. However, their mineral blush and bronzers are lovely and such a steal. I really adore their blush in Shimmering Rose! Really really! Actually, their whole mineral line is worth a try. I would stay away from the foundation, but I may be wrong. (If I am, so be it, I'll never stray from Bare Escentuals for my mineral foundation needs). I really like some of their eyeshadow palettes too. And the lipsticks are good enough. I do not like their glosses, very thin and runny. A friend of mine swears by their mascara, but I am dubious. Verrrrrrry dubious. It's all worth a try. My most unfavorite line in the drugstore in N.Y.C. Their stuff is garbage. This is just my opinion however, so if it works for you, super. Jordana and Milani are very underrated brands. I love their eye pencils, lipsticks and glosses. Milani makes a good quality eyebrow pencil too. In sum, f you are on a budget, spend your money on a terrific foundation and concealer. Don't be stingy on the mascaras either. But try some of the cheaper brands for shadows, blushes and lippies.

Low Budget Baby Girl,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

No makeup!.....makeup

Easy! The "no makeup" look in my world is simply about evening skintone, covering dark cirlces, filling in brows, a pinch of blush and clear/nude lip gloss or balm. That's it! My no makeup look consists of the following

-Bare Escentuals mineral foundation

-MakeUp Forever concealer palette

-Wet n' Wild blush in shimmering rose

-Milani eyebrow pencil in Taupe

-Revlon gloss in Nude

That's it!

Bee Beautiful,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Before and After! Damn!

As you can plainly see, makeup can make a world of difference and not look unnatural or dramatic or cake-y. I used Revlon Photo Ready foundation (love this stuff!), NYX Pinky blush, 100% Pure jumbo lip pencil in Perfect Naked Berry, MakeUp Forever concealer palette, Milani eyebrow pencil in Taupe and Bare Escentuals tinted mineral veil. (love this stuff too.) That's it, NOTHING on my eyes. I forgot to mention that not only is makeup great for defining and sculpting, it works wonders for balancing skin tone. I can't believe I forgot to mention that, consider it a massive blooper! Anyway, here it is, my everyday look, minus the greasy porkchop hair. It's hot People!

Stay cool my little grapefruits,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

How I use makeup....the magic of contouring and sculpting

I will keep this short and sweet, but I've always used makeup to contour and shape my face, NOT to splash color on it. I prefer neutral earth tones on my eyes and pinks and pinky reds on my lips. I feel a lot of people use makeup to create artwork on their visage, which is fantastic, but I want to look almost as if I'm wearing no makeup. I want makeup to make me look like me, but better. The best looking me I can be. I have never been fond of colorful, glittery eyeshadows for this reason. )On me, that is. I love it on others.) I feel many do not take into account their face shape when applying makeup. I have a heart shaped face with giant cheeks. Apple cheeks but more like grapefruit cheeks. Sooooo I work with my face and apply a soft pink to the apples because the pinch of color helps visually separate my cheek from the rest of my face. i.e. It makes it look not as wide. Also, I have small, upturned eyes with a very small crease, almost epithileal eyelids. (sp?) Therefore I do not wear dark colors on the lid because that dark colors all over the lid make eyes appear smaller. Also, I do not line all the way around because that would also make them appear smaller. Fake lashes look natural on me because my eyes are so small they need as much lash as possible to make them appear bigger. Finally, my lips are small. I have a cupid's bow so I play that up and line slightly on top of my natural lip line. I also like to line them because they are slightly crooked on the bottom. Liner allows me to draw a line to give the illusion they are straight and even. I stated earlier I would discuss the benefits of jumbo lip pencils as opposed to skinny lip liners. Jumbo lip pencils are just fat pencils of lipstick. The pencil point allows me to draw my lips on, but because it is a fat pencil, the line is wide, soft and blendable. Skinny lip liners create a SKINNY LINE that is discernible if you have small lips like me. Small lips need big lip pencils in my opinion. So, in sum, I urge everyone who wears makeup to take into account her/his face shape and features. I have very small features, and I use makeup mostly to make my features appear bigger and more defined. That's it. I use makeup as a sculpting tool utilizing shadows, light and the art of contouring. Use makeup how you want to, but this is what makeup means to me.

Love Always,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

How to be an even more highly functioning alcoholic!

All of my adult drinking life I have been plagued with monstrous hangovers. Well, no longer! I've discovered a system that allows me to drink enough to walk that fine line of "buzzing pleasantly/teetering on sublime mindlessness" without consequence. I've experimented with this formula four times and it has worked every time. NO HANGOVER. I begin the night with a large glass of water and two Chaser pills. Chaser pills can be found OTC at the drugstore. I do believe it's homeopathic, witch doctor-y stuff I do not understand, but whatever it works! The key is to drink hard liquor and water only. No beer, wine, champagne (cry!), juice, sodas, mixes....NO SUGAR. I do shots of Stoli or Patron depending on my mood, but not both. I stick to one hard liquor. I love tequila and have heard it is the only booze that is a stimulant (That's what I heard from a hardcore drug addict anyway. Ask the experts!) So three shots in, I take two more Chaser pills. All the while drinking a large glass of water with each shot. I never do more than three shots or else I venture into sloppiness, and we want to keep it cute and sexy Kittens! Below is some info about Chaser. It's in the pharmacy section next to Airborne and allergy medicine. The box is red and orange. The pills are not too large and have no aftertaste or odor. But whatever People, it works!

Happy Imbibing,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Questions and Answers Q: Does Chaser Plus really work? A: For the vast majority of people, Chaser Plus is a highly effectivehangover medicine when taken as directed. Q: How do I take Chaser Plus? A: Adults (age 21 and over): For effective hangover prevention, take two caplets with your first drink. Take two more caplets after four to six drinks, or every two to three hours. Do not take more than eight caplets in a 24 hour period or use the maximum dosage for more than one week except under the advice and supervision of a physician. Not for use by persons under 21 years of age. Q: What’s in Chaser Plus? A: Chaser Plus is a homeopathic hangover medicine you take while drinking to help you avoid hangovers. Its ingredients target specific hangover symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, light and sound sensitivity, and dry mouth. It's a safe alternative to aspirin, acetaminophen and other traditional hangover remedies, many of which carry serious alcohol warnings. Chaser Plus is manufactured and packaged in the U.S.A. at FDA inspected, pharmaceutical cGMP facilities. Active Ingredients Purpose Cinchona off. 12X Throbbing head, noise sensitivity Lobelia inf. 12X Nausea, dizziness, headache Nux vomica 12X Headache, light sensitivity Quercus spir glan 6X Dry mouth and throat Ranunculus bulb 12X Headache, fatigue Zincum met. 30X Fatigue, headache, nausea Q: Will Chaser Plus work no matter how much I drink? A: No. Chaser Plus is designed for the moderate social drinker. We recommend that you drink in moderation. Never drink and drive. Consult a physician if you believe you may have a dependency on alcohol. Q: Why should I switch from acetaminophen or aspirin? A: Acetaminophen and aspirin only dull the agony. Chaser Plus helps you avoid hangovers before they start. Plus, acetaminophen has been linked to liver toxicity. Aspirin and Ibuprofen are highly acidic which may cause stomach irritation or bleeding. All natural Chaser hangover remedies have no side effects. Q: Does Chaser Plus have any side effects? A: No side effects have been shown if taken according to package directions. Ask a doctor before use if: a) you are being treated for a medical condition, or b) you have a condition that requires you to take prescription drugs. If pregnant or breast feeding, ask a health care professional before use. It is especially important not to consume alcohol while pregnant or nursing. Q: Will Chaser Plus prevent intoxication? A: No. Chaser Plus will not prevent intoxication nor help you pass a sobriety test. We recommend that you drink in moderation and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Q: Will Chaser Plus affect drug test results? A: No. Chaser has no effects on drug test results. Q: Where can I buy Chaser Plus? A: Look for Chaser Plus in most major drug, grocery, vitamin and convenience stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Me with no makeup, the reality. My face regime.

AM- Burt's Bee's cleansing milk

Frownies facial mist

Pur Minerals Eye Cream

Bare Escentuals Facial Moisturizer

ROC Multi-Correxion daily moisturizer with spf 20

Kiehl's sunscreen stick in spf 30 around eyes

PM- ROC exfoliating face wash

ROC multi-correxion serum for face and eyes

Pur Minerals eye cream

Bare Escentuals moisturizer mixed with Philosophy Vitamin C powder

2x week Borba oxygen mask

1x week Borba diamond microdermabrasion kit

Aspirin as a Face Exfoliator!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnoGun_D6uE

The aspirin in your cabinet is a fantastic exfoliator! Watch this video and subscribe to MissChievous on Youtube!

Spreading the Love,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

YouTube - a wealth of beauty information!

Believe it or not YouTube is not merely for Twilight heads and cyberspace trolls. YouTube is sexy! You can literally watch hundreds of beauty related mini videos! Makeovers, makeup how tos, hair tutorials, nail tutorials, reviews of hundreds of products, skincare recipe videos...The videos are posted by people from all over the world. Some are hobbyists who want to share, some are experts showcasing extraordinary talent, some are up and coming professionals work shopping new looks. Need to make pinup hair rolls? There's a video for that. Want to learn how to do makeup a la the Victoria's Secret Angels? There's a video for that. Want to see a review of the latest exfoliating body wash? There's a video for that. and on and on. I subscribe to about 30 beauty "gurus" (people who upload beauty videos) on YouTube and have been watching them faithfully for the past year. The videos are anywhere from one to 15 minutes long. It's a highly entertaining way to whittle away a week night and feel you haven't completely wasted it. You'll learn so much and save money!

Must subscribe!

-Pixiwoo

-Sarah Victor

-Michelle Phan

-makeup by Candi

-Vintageortacky

Happy Happy!

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain, False Lashes, Life!

Hi All! Soooo I have always been dubious of lip stains because I have small lips, not thin, but small...like too small for my face. hahaha. Anyway, I either always go with liner to accentuate them or clear gloss to sort of let them fade into oblivion. But I've lately been curious about lip stains, maybe it's the magic marker brush. Yeah, it is. So I tried CG Outlast lipstain in the rosy red color Teasing Petal. I predicted it would be coarse and difficult to blend and smooth out, but I was wrong. It was easy to distribute the color and the brush allowed for shaping and definition. It definitely does not work as a liner because it is not opaque enough to go above the natural lip line (you will look like you've eaten a popsicle if you do that with this stuff), but it deposits a lot of even, bright, pigmented color. I give it a thumbs up overall because it work well and is not glossy or shiny, so it looks kinda like your lips, not lipstick. The flip side of that is that it appears overly matte, which looks a little harsh to my eyeballs. I recommend putting a gloss over it. I probably will not buy this product again however, I do love my jumbo lip pencils. More about jumbo lip pencils as opposed to skinny lip liners later. I have attached a pic of me wearing the lipstain. It's kinda small, my baaaaaaaaad.

False lashes- My favorite false lashes I find in Duane Reade drugstore for $2.69. The brand is Elite. I like #8 for a more theatrical, dramatic effect and #18 for a more natural look. When choosing a false lash you want to look at the base of the false lash, the plastic ribbing that adheres all of the lashes together. I always like to get a very thin base, nothing too unyielding or clunky. A smooth, thin base. Next I look at the shape and density of the lash. I generally like a more structured, spiky lash.....reminiscent of the spikes of a Stegosaurus. Lashes that are dense and one length from end to end can appear heavy on the eyelid and make eyes look droopy. Also, I like lashes in which the hair is dense near the base. Many brands are sparse and wispy from base to end. Above all, steer clear of long, thin, sparse false lashes. You will end up looking like Cindy Lou Who, which is a fantastic look, no doubt, but that's the look. Who down in Whovile, that will be the look. Btw, I hate NYC brand lashes and am not fond of the Revlon lashes. Elite is the best in my opinion. And the best lash glue, DUO. You can get it at MAC or the drugstore.

Swet Dreams,

Pink Pamplemousse

Biosil- miracle supplement or waste of good booze money?

I was turned onto the dietary supplement Biosil a year ago by a burlesque artist who works in a health food store. She assured me women in Europe have been using it for years and that is why they all look like Sophia Loren. (or something to that effect.) So, OF COURSE, because I am cajoled by pretty words, I bought it and continue to use it a year later. Does it work? I dunno. I can tell you I am 35 now and have very little wrinkling. Everything is still fairly plump. Did Biosil contribute to this? Again, I dunno. There wasn't a whole lot of room to improve the wrinkling situation. But I do not take chances. No news is good news when everything is looking tight and right. What is Biosil you ask? Here's what the label reads....."Advanced Collagen Generator. Choline-Stabilized Orthosilisic Acid." In short, It's Silicon. It states "reduces fine lines and wrinkles by 19%, thickens and strengthens hair, strengthens nails, promotes healthy bones and joins." You had me at 19% Biosil. These statements are not endorsed by the FDA. (If you care about that sort of thing. I don't, I'll eat a dead jellyfish that fell from the sky if it makes me cuter. Where is your FDA now?!?!?) You can get it in liquid or capsule form. I like the liquid because I irrationally believe it is more potent in liquid form, but the liquid has a vaporous texture and tastes and smells like a rotten egg wrapped in a rotten fish, so down it with JUICE. Whatever, if it works, suck it up. Thug it out. Be a hero! You can get it at most health food stores. It can't hurt (I don't think.) I'm no doctor, engineer or expert on nutrition, so research this stuff CAREFULLY. I've had no adverse side effects. I also take Vitamin D3 and 5-HTP, but that is another blog entirely. I will consult an expert on the health benefits of these two. It's all connected, inner health/outer beauty. Best Wishes!

You Go Girls (and Gentlemen),

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

Thoughts on the Sephora Experience/Nightmare

Sooooooo......(and mind you this blog is stream of conciousness so forgive the rambling I'm not going for Newberry Awards), I venture into Sephora today against my better judgment. I was in Union Square and had time to kill and thought, hmmmmmmm, this beauty blogger needs to research! However, I knew I was going in to feed the hungry ghost that is my desire for potions, creams, elixirs and tinctures in tiny glass jars. Perhaps it's the vain witch in me. Ah, sigh, well, yes, you see I like to know the answers. I like to know how systems work and how they expire and all the steps leading up to such. It's called being a control freak in layman's terms, and the freak comes out in the overwhelming onslaught of products ensconced within the walls of Sephora. What does the word Sephora mean anyway? It is reminiscent of an ancient Babylonian queen who was terribly beautiful and vain and happened to one day succumb to mortality. In a panic she conjured the evil deity Sephora, harpy of Tempation, who promised her everlasting devastation of beauty and enchantment if she would only promise to trade this for her kindness. The queen agreed and became utterly cruel and wicked and eventually caused the ruination of her peoples. Oh Sephora, you rat. Well, her spirit Sephora is alive and well and living in mini malls around the nation!! So....I storm in there a in a stupor, all things fall away, I am in the magical land of beauty, nothing bad can befall me here. I want it all, all of the products, all of the promises, I cannot bear the thought that I may miss out on a new cream or shadow or liner or blush that will ensure unfailing bliss. STOP. Go into Sephora with a game plan, know which product you want, do your research, do NOT lollygag. Keep your cool, do not heed the whispers of the words on the compact that read "Love" "Baby" "Kitten" "Goddess" "Bad Girl""Angel""I've got a Secret""Starlight""Moonbeams""Dream Come True."

Separate your love of products from your love of yourself and of life and of wonder and adventure and rapture. No dust or must or gel can give you what you are truly seeking........a FEELING. I have realized these products give me a feeing I need to cultivate on my own. That said, I LOVE LOVE LOVE makeup and skincare. Let us journey into the sensory world and bring the feeling of beauty with us. This is how we shall navigate through Sephora from hereon out. Ok, maybe I won't, but you could give it a try. In other news, Sephora makes my head spin. TOO MANY CHOICES. Which is the right one? More than anything, Sephora HAUNTS me. I am haunted by the idea that I walked right past the golden egg. More on the haunting of Sephora in a later blog. Will I ever feel peace with my purchases?!?

Seahorses and Sugarplums,

Pink Pamplemousse xoxox

A Super Fun Project for Kids of All Ages

I did this when I was 10 or so and will never forget what an absolute joy it was to create my very own treasure map. The neat thing is it looks authentic. The finished product will infuse a sense of mystery and adventure into your bones. harharhar!!!

Pirate Treasure Map!

Take a white piece of unlined paper, drawing paper is good, NOT poster board. Next make some coffee. yes JAVA, and pour it into a cookie sheet. Soak the paper in the coffee and let it sit for a few minutes, all the while checking the deepness of the stain. Obviously, the longer you leave it in, the darker and richer it will appear. Then blot the wet paper with a paper towel and put it on a dry cookie sheet. I cannot remember what temperature to set the oven, so just put it on low and bake the paper until it is dry. Or place it in the sun, put it under a blow drier, or let it air dry. Next step, take a match or lighter and burn the paper all around the edges until the ends are black and crispy. Make a jagged pattern. Finally, take a black pen (calligraphy pens give it that antiquated feel) and draw your landmarks and route to your treasure!!! Roll it up and tie with a red ribbon.

LOOK boutiques at Duane Reade. This ain't your average bougie experience.

I simply must urge all beauty fanatics (aka Sephora junkies, QVC beauty watchers, sex kittens, fairy tale princesses, etc.) to visit the new, fairly luxurious (for a drugstore) upstair LOOK boutiques at select Duane Reades around the city. These boutiques are entirely dedicated to skincare, makeup, nails, hair and parfum. Never before seen brands. (by moi anyway). AKA, stuff you will NOT find in Sephora. Lines from France and Italy and Wonkaland. Ok, not Wonkaland. I dillydallied for a good hour or so a few times in the store on 42nd and 8th and, thus far (oh there will be more), have deemed five products absolute superstars. The POP makeup brand is one of the more unique lines I have ever seen, and their WOW mascara will blow your mind. I know, I know, we've all been bamboozled with absurd, heartbreaking mascara promises, but I don't work for any of these companies, and I'm telling you, you've never seen anything like this mascara. (The only one in my experience that comes close is the brush-less mascara from Bare Escentuals.) The POP Cat Eyes liners are also divine. The crayon is cut in a way that makes the cat eye flick much easier; The application is so so very smooth and the color, highly pigmented. (Srsly I despise stiff, unyielding, low pigmented liners. The WORST.) Moving on to a lovely, vegan-friendly brand 100% Pure, the lip pencil in Perfect Berry jingle jangled my heart most thoroughly (Yes, this is a good thing, a very good thing, the jingle jangling of the heart. So good I bought it.) The next brand that impressed me was Pur Minerals. By the ingredients alone (copper, magnesium, licorice root extract), I think I've found the best eye cream I've ever encountered.. These ingredients are the BEST anti-aging powerhouses, and I've never seen them together in one eye cream. Combined with a retinol product (I love ROC retinol products), you should be set. Pur Minerals also has mineral makeup, but I've yet to stray from my Bare Escentuals. (However, I will try their mineral foundation someday and write a review.) Whimsical items include a scent library from Demeter and a skincare line from Italy called Rilastil. It looks a tad clinical, this Rilastil line, but I like that about it, makes me feel like a mad scientist. And I do not feel like a mad scientist nearly enough in this life. ALSO, oh I almost forgot, the Borba Diamond Microdermabrasion

kit. It works. It WERKS. Your skin will feel brand fucking new. (Sorry, but I had to utilize an expletive to really draw this point home.) BRAND FUCKING NEW. The Borba anti-aging acai drink mix is pricey at $2 a pop but it is delicious. Not to mention I feel like a Hogwarts student when I drink it, such is the ooooh! inducing fluorescent violet hue it creates when mixed with my Evian. (I only drink French water.) I had to rein my itchy wallet fingers in around the zany, wacky, c-c-c-craaaaazy Demeter fragrances. I have an unnatural affinity for the scent of condensed milk (but do I really want to smell like Bordens is the question you must pose to yourself in the Demeter section. So.... hmmmmm....YES!). Anyway, they boast quite the gamut of scents. They're Bertie Bott's Beans for adults. Other aromas include Funeral Home, Suntan Lotion, Dirt, Laundromat, Grass, Hershey's Kiss, Baby Powder, Leather Whip. Yes I am severious. (Watch out for the sprinkling of this word I invented, it means seveeeeeeerely serious omg ah-k?) So in sum, LOOK boutique rawked my world and will probably rawk yours if at any point in the perusing of this blog you felt your cells oscillating in a most splendiforous way..

My 5 picks at the LOOK boutique

-POP WOW mascara

-POP cat eye liner

-100% Pure lip liner pencil in Perfect Berry

-Pur Minerals eye cream

-Borba Diamond Microdermabrasion kit

http://www.duanereade.com/NewStores.aspx

Signing off, Pink Pamplemousse. xoxox