WHEN TO HOLD EM' AND WHEN TO FOLD EM' - HOW LONG SHOULD YOU KEEP YOUR MAKEUP?

We never had problems disposing things that are no longer of value, like bad cards in poker, college sweatshirts and definitely bad boys. When it comes to our favorite makeup, however, we feel terrible about throwing them away.

Don't worry. Most girlie girls are prone to keeping makeup for way too long, even if they give us irritated eyes and pimply faces.

After years of ignoring health problems caused by old makeup, I advice that you let them go. No matter how attached you feel about your favorite gloss and beloved mascara, you should really think of the bacteria they have collected, and how bad they are to your skin.

So how long should you keep your makeup? Here is Girlie Blog's guide:

 
Eye Shadow and Pencil Eyeliner: 3 years. 
(Tip: Sharpen eyeliner often.)

E.L.F Duo Eyeshadow
Sephora Nano Liner



Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner: 3 months.

L'oreal Double Extend Mascara
Covergirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara
Maybelline Falsies

Foundation and concealer: 1 year

Este Lauder Double Wear

Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
Physicans Formula Gentle Cover Concealer

Powder: 2 years

Palladio Beauty Rice Powder
L'Oreal True Match Bare Naturale Mineral Powder

Lipstick and Lip Gloss: 2 years

Estee Lauder Lipstick
Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color
Covergirl Wetslicks Lip Gloss
Two Faced Glamour Gloss Volumizing Lip Gloss

Makeup Brush: Forever
(Tip: wash them monthly with a gentle soap.)

M.A.C Makeup Brush
Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Brush



Sponges: 1 month

Do you have advice to share?

BOTTOM HEAVY - A "FAT" BOTTOM ISN'T SO BAD AFTER ALL

An unorthodox way of applying eyeshadow is the "Bottom Heavy," where the lid is left without color, and the bottom of the eye is touched by a smoky effect. 

This gives you a sultry and undone look, as if you just got out of bed.

The "Bottom Heavy" eye makeup is easy to create and suits both day and night. If you ever want to steer away from your normal eye routine, then you should give it a try.

Step 1 

Apply a neutral shade of shadow on your lids

Step 2

Line bottom with black or charcoal eyeliner

Step 3

Using a smudge brush, smudge the liner. But try to keep it neat.

Step 4

Apply mascara to both upper and lower lashes

Step 5

Wait for mascara to dry. Then curl lashes with a curler.

Done! And it took less than five minutes.

See? Being bottom heavy isn't so bad after all :O)

A REAL HOUSEWIVES OF SEATTLE - A TYPICAL DAY IN A HOUSEWIFE'S LIFE

We have been called "unambitious," "dumb," "gold diggers" and God knows what else. And TV's depiction of us doesn't help - Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives...yeah, you get the idea.

As actual housewives, however, we know that none of them are true. We are hard-working and dedicated moms who have given up careers, money and perhaps sanity to care for our children.

A day in a real housewife's life doesn't involve sleeping in til' noon, shopping at Louis Vuitton, or cocktails with ritzy friends. Instead, it goes something like this:

8 AM                           Get up. Get ready quickly before the baby wakes.


8:15 Am                      Baby wakes - shoot!


8:15 - 8:30 AM         Feed baby breakfast.


8:30 - 9 AM               Clean up mess from breakfast.


9 - 11 AM                    Chase and clean after baby, or take her on play dates.
                                     (There are occasional coffee breaks and reading the news.)


11 - 11:30 AM             Baby's lunch


11:30 - 12 PM             Skype Grandparents - why must they live so far away?


12 - 2 PM                    Baby naps. I clean, eat, shower and read a little.


2 - 4 PM                      Chase and clean after baby again. Do chores, if baby lets me.



4 - 4:30 PM                HUBBY'S HOME - YEA!! (This is my golden hour.)


4:30 - 5 PM                Family time :O)


5 - 6 PM                      Hubby goes to the gym - NOOOOOOO!!
                                     I chase and clean after baby again.


6 - 6:30 PM               I get ready for the gym while watching baby - is hubby back yet?


6:30 - 7:30 PM         Gym, a.k.a freedom. (Thank goodness for my sweet husband!)


7:30 - 9:30 PM         Cook. Dinner. Clean. 
                                    (Hubby helps, when he doesn't have classes.)


9:30 - 10:30              Spend time with hubby. Watch TV.


10:30 - 1:30 AM       Research and write. 

(I started freelance writing a while ago. Living on one salary is hard. Plus, even a "dumb," "unambitious," and "gold digging" housewife needs intellectual stimulation.)


2 AM                          Pass out

GIRLIE ESCAPE. IT'S GOOD FOR YOU.

If you ever need to get away from the pressures of everyday life, you can always plan an escape for a weekend. Sometimes, even one night at a quite place can help you recharge, reconnect and feel like yourself again.

For my friends and I, we escaped to the tiny maritime town of Astonia, OR - Population 9,477, the perfect setup for a relaxing get-a-way.

After a day on the beach and walking about town, we sat in our hotel room and bonded over girl talk. It was one of the shortest but also the sweetest vacations I have ever had. 

And the perfect girlie escape consisted of...

A stop at the visitor's bureau - how else can we find the fun?

Playing on the beach

Good scenery and historical sites

Quirky local shops

Yummy food

Beer and shots

and good friends

The kind who have known you since you were young, who won't judge you for being your silly self, and trust you enough with stories of their lives but also ask about yours.

PRODUCTS I AM LOVING NOW

When you find something you love, it's so hard to keep it to yourself. Isn't that what girlfriends are for — to share the latest and greatest loves with?

Here are The Girlie Blog's newest:

Maybelline Falsies Mascara Flared

With a bendable brush, this mascara separates while giving your lashes flared wingtips.

 

Wet n' Wild Coloricon Trio

Three shiny, metallic colors to dazzle and brighten your eyes.

Crossbody Bags

Fun and easy-to-wear, corssbody bags are the "it" bag for a girl on the go.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer

Smooth and rich, this lip balm makes lips soft and kissable.

L'oreal Revitalift Night Cream

A cream that keeps my skin supple and moisturized through the night -- I just love lathering it on before bed.

FLIRTING WITH FALL

Labor Day Weekend has always marked the first sign of fall. While sunshine still gleams the day, a chill comes whenever the wind blew my way.

Sigh! Must summer so hastily drift by?


While fall teases me with shorter days and crispy air, I flirt right back with a few mending's in the make:

Navy and Gold Shadow

Attempting this fall's newest eye trend of navy and gold combo

Matte Base

Exchanging summer's easy, breezy no-foundation face with heavy matte base.

Three of my favorite matte formulas

Jewel-Toned Colors

Wearing rich, eye-catching colors 

Planning to top this dress with a heavy card

Bulky Sweaters

Wrapping myself in bulky, comfy sweaters

Flannel

Flaunting my inner seattllite in flannel and boots

Read a Book

Losing myself in a really good book, hopefully with the fireplace crackling and hot cocoa steaming

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Skin Care Blog Post - Battling Acne. Again!

After my 30th birthday, annoying, unsightly acne of pre-adulthood suddenly resurfaced. This time, instead of one colossal mound from time to time, they attacked in troops night after night.

Adult acne, which is caused by a combination of stress, hormones, bacteria and cosmetics, can look just as unattractive as teenage acne and cause a person to despair. However, there is no need to panic, because there are many products to battle adult acne.

Here are three picks from The Girlie Blog:

All-over Blemish Control

Noxzema Anti-Blemish Pads

I used these in my teens and I still use them now. After an all-over application, these cleansing pads help fight breakouts and leave my face with a tingly, clean sensation. After just a couple of uses, my face really did clear up.

Spot Treatment 

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

Just dot this potion of a lotion onto your trouble spot(s) before bedtime and you will wake up looking fresh and clear.

 High Tech Solution

 Tanda Acne Removal System

 This acne removal system uses technology to get to the root of the problem. Using a blue LED light, Tanda Acne Removal System gets rid of bacteria by causing bacteria to self-destruct and prevent further breakouts. 

Skin Care Blog Post - A No Foundation Kind of Day

Why load up on foundation when it's hot and sweaty outside? In the summer, let your face breath by wearing as little makeup as possible. In today's skin care blog post, I've a few steps that lets you wear as little products as possible and still look polished.

You in for breathable skin? Here is what you do for a no-foundation-kind-of-day:

Step 1

Wash your face and apply moisturizer.

Step 2

Dot concealer under your eyes and on dark spots and blemishes, then blend with a concealer brush or your finger tips.

Step 3

Apply a highlighter blush on the apples of your cheeks.

This gives you a sunny glow.

Step 4

Line eyes (optional) and apply mascara.

Step 5

Put on a lovely shade of gloss.

And you are done!

An easy, breazy everyday summer makeup that looks pleasing and feels great.