Annie get your Gun

The old west... those broads were tough. You had to be tough to survive in that world. Can you imagine heading out west on a stage coach or covered wagon or even by train? It would take weeks upon dusty weeks to get to your destination and you had to maintain your dignity while wearing a corset!

My favorite show- Deadwood- on HBO shows some of these amazing (and crazy!) women. They did what they had to do to make it, but they looked great doing it. Maybe in real life their faces were a little more haggard, but they still curled their hair, wore beautiful full skirts, and put a little rouge on their cheeks- even if they had to drag those beautiful full skirts through the mud- they looked great!
I'm finding inspiration in the wild west women- scrubbed skin, a little blush, bee-stung lips, up-swept hair, a girly outfit, and a gun...

Hey Dollface!

I have 'hit pan' as they say in the realm of beauty addiction. I actually got to the bottom of a compact of MAC cream foundation and used a brush to scrape every last bit of it out.

That was 2 days ago. Foundation was desired, but travelling to the mall and shelling out $30 was not. Plus, I'm on a self-proclaimed 'no buy'(except mascara) until I use up all the -admittedly ridiculous amounts of- cosmetics I have in my train case!

So yesterday I went the no foundation route. This is not entirely unusual for me, but I generally wear it on workdays. Instead I used some of the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer that I had thrown aside after using for a few weeks. It is a nicely textured gel skin primer that you smooth on before applying foundation or you can wear it alone to mattify your skin. I detest the matte look on myself, but I wanted smoother looking skin so decided to try it. Basically it backfired. My skin wasn't smoother in appearance- just slightly splotchy and dull. Not recommended on its own if you need any coverage, but it does smooth your skin and makes your foundation glide on...

Today I decided to try something else. Before applying anything but sunscreen I dabbed Stila Lillium Convertible Color (see my post entitled "How Cheeky" for a review) onto my cheeks. Next I took out my little pot of Lorac "Coverup"concealer that I rarely use because I can't be bothered with concealer AND foundation. I used my Stila foundation brush # 27 to dab it on the trouble spots- around my eyes and nose and this little red spot that I have on my cheek- and blended. I then dotted on Estee Lauder AeroMatte Ultralucent Pressed Powder- Transparent (how chic- just to say it!) to set the concealer and blush.

Can I just say that I may not need a full foundation again! This cocktail of concealer and powder provided the evenness I desire but with more staying powder than the MAC foundation. I felt smooth all day, when usually I'm requiring a mid-afternoon touch up.

voila

mmmm

Bombshells Gin Sander and Anne Barone write of eating fabulous, high quality foods in small amounts in order to be thin, chic, and healthy.

Tonight I decided to do just that. I had a small sandwich made of fresh out of the oven french bread, a thin layer of mayo (something I have only recently come to enjoy), a thin slice of Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese (talk about fabulous and high quality- Tillamook rocks!), and 3 slices of dry Italian salami.

It tasted so wonderful and it was really just a finger sandwich, yet quite satisfying.

If only I had enjoyed it with a glass of red wine at the dinner table or al fresco instead of sitting in front of the computer with a diet sh-sh-shasta... next time the Bombshell will win and the computer will lose.

Bombshell Body Bubbly!

I love body lotions and oils. My skin tends to be dry, so I'm not afraid to slick it up. Even on my face, I've been known to smooth on some high grade olive oil.

Newest discovery: Vaseline Intensive Care Vitalizing Gel Body Oil, With Brazillian Nut and Almond Oils

-It looks neat in the bottle- all bubbly- like champagne!

-It smells amazing- subtle, but sweet, nutty, warm... YUMMY

-It made my skin feel good! I smoothed it on while still damp from the shower before bed last night. This morning I felt soft all over and my skin smelled delicous!

-It was only $6 for a bottle that will probably last forever...

keepskinamazing.com

My Name is The Bombshell Biker, & I'm a Mascara-holic

Ok- I now use three, yes, three mascaras at once. I am constantly on the hunt for hugely volumizing mascara that won't break the bombshell bank (but I would be willing to pay top dollar for something perfect)

I have come up with a cocktail that is working wonderfully (if only a little flaky). The problem I have found with all volumizing masacaras is the flake factor. It seems that if the formula is specifically for volume the flakes just come with the territory. I thought I had found volume nirvana in Diorshow (and the faint rose scent was an added bonus). Diorshow is fabulously volumific- but it flakes as bad as the drugstore brands- so I decided not to spend $25 a tube...

So- onto the recipe:

1. begin with a few swipes of Rimmel Lash Maxxx. The tiny (hot pink!) comb brush separates and somehow plumps. On its own it would probably take about 45 coats and 45 minutes to get the result I want, but included in the 'recipe' it's necessary and great.

2. next step is a new take on my previous HG mascara- L'Oreal Original Voluminous- but with the curved brush (the curved brush makes it quicker to cover all the lashes in a few swipes) . Dip in the tube and don't wipe any of the glorious excess off. A few goopy swipes...

3. thirdly, Revlon 3D Extreme, it's new and the wand is tiny compared to how it is represented in the picture, but again, as a component to this recipe, it works! The odd little brush does a great job of plumping (if this weren't majorly flaky on its own I'd wear it alone). Using the brush, I start at the base of the lashes and wiggle it up through the thick clumps I've purposely created. It separates somewhat and thickens EVEN more...

4. fourth and most important step- back to the Rimmel Lash Maxxxxxx. Use the tiny comb-brush to separate the clumps and 'sculpt' the lashes to wing out a bit on the sides.

5. this is actually the most important part- using a moistened cotton swab- clean up all around the lid where I've made a huge black mess!

Give Summer the Bootine

Can it PLEASE not be 95 degrees anymore? I am craving boots and tights and little jackets. I want to wear my new ankle 'bootines'! I got them in black and am seriously contemplating the gray version.

I was originally going to buy the gray, but knew that the black would be more versatile...

The first day it dips below 80 I am wearing them! That'll be in about 1 1/2 months here in Bombshellville. (and its got nothin to do with global warming...)

The Uniform

I struggled all long, hot summer to find my perfect bombshell uniform for the 100+ degree heat here in bombshellville. I still haven't found it. Some ideas:

• white cotton eyelet dress with cork soled platform sandals or basic flip flops, silver or colorful plastic bangles.



• white ribbed men's tank paired with black a-line skirt and above-mentioned shoes. (the black skirt would keep it from looking too bohemian, like it might with a peasant-y skirt.) Could also be paired with sneakers (no socks), but would then need to be dressed up with rhinestones (jewels, not bedazzled sneaks!) and an animal print handbag...



• i'm trying to come up with a bombshell outfit that incorporates black cargo capris... hmmmmm... not sure if its possible