Fake Lashes (no glue needed)

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Maxine Weiss

Everyone is always asking me if I am wearing false lashes. And although I do love them and do wear them for special occasions usually I just use my secret Fat Lash trick!! I have been keeping it a secret for many many years (since junior high) but since I strive to be less selfish in 2012 I am going to share it here. It is so easy. I know you will love it!!!

After you finish creating that gorgeous smoky eye and you are ready to apply your mascara…

Dip a clean mascara wand (I like to use a disposable one you can get at any beauty supply) into your loose powder. Really get it in there. Don’t be shy.

Tap off the excess on the side of the jar.

You want the brush to be as evenly coated in powder as possible. Then use the wand to gently brush the powder onto your lashes. It might look a little strange but don’t worry. Have I ever let you down??

Once you have brushed on the powder begin applying your favorite mascara. Cover the powder so that your lashes get really nice and black.

Then you are going to dip your wand into the loose powder again. Do the tappity tap and brush onto your lashes again!!!

More mascara!!! Get those lashes nice and black!!

You can repeat this as many times as you like until you are satisfied with the thickness and length. I usually do it at least THREE TIMES!! Sometimes even four!!!

You will see that the powder adds a little “bulk” to your natural lashes so you don’t need to spend as much time building up your mascara to create the same lushness.

And when you’re done….. VOILA!!!

You will have beautiful thick gorgeous lashes!!!

Don’t be surprised when everyone starts asking you if your lashes are fake.

You can thank me later.

XOXO.

PS: Lizzy and I have been so busy creating our empire and planning new surprises for all of you!!! Stay tuned to see what Glamourella has in store for you. 2012 is going to be jam packed with all sorts of fun new beauty treatments. We can’t wait to share them you!!! Come visit us. We would love to have you. And remember…

Glamourella loves you!!!

My grandmother’s homemade mascara

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Maxine Weiss

The first use of mascara can be documented around 4000 BC by the ancient Egyptians using a substance called kohl. The product that people would recognize today did not develop until the 19th century by a chemist named Eugene Rimmel (I’m guessing in London cuz… of the “Rimmel London Look”). Across the Atlantic and around roughly the same time (1913) T. L. Williams created a very similar substance for his sister Maybel. Long story short…. “Maybelline” was born!!!

(I loosely paraphrased this from Wikipedia. I suggest you look it up. Very interesting.)

People were developing their own mascara recipes all over the world. Including my grandmother!!

Now I would just like to point out that I DO NOT advocate trying this at home. It is dangerous and if you cry one single tear you will burn the crap out of your eyes!!! But in the 1930′s in Quito, Ecuador; Maria Angelica de Endara was such a glamourpuss that she couldn’t live without long lucious lashes for one single minute.

See?? I keep telling everyone, it’s in my blood. I just can’t help it. I feel this only proves it.

I had to call my mother and ask her how Abuelita (Grandmother in Spanish) made it. She gave it to me as well as she could remember… Although she did make me swear I would not try to make it myself.

Abuelita would take a soap called “Jabon Rosado” (loosely translates into pink soap) and shred it. I guess maybe with a cheese grater??? I didn’t think to ask that part. Sorry.

Then she would take a candle and burn the bottom of a tea kettle until black soot formed. She would scrape all this black soot off then mix it with the soap until it turned into a nice creamy mixture. And then POOF!!! There was her mascara!!!

I remember she used to keep it in a Ponds Cold Cream jar.

My mother did say that it was the best mascara she had ever used. Everyone in school called her “spider lashes” because they were so long and thick. But don’t even think about crying!!!

All in the name of beauty, style and glamour……

5 Beauty Staples I Refuse to Live Without

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Maxine Weiss

I Love Love Love to experiment & play around with different looks. But there are certain beauty staples I always come back to. These are classic colors for a raven haired beauty such as… well… ME. But I do believe they can work for anyone. Here are my personal favorites to get you started!

Red Lipstick

Serious bombshell staple!!! Not for the faint of heart!!!

Ladies please listen up! Red lips look amazing on everyone! There is a shade of red out there made just for you. You just have to be brave enough to try it.

My two faves are Mac Russian Red and Mac Ruby Woo

A Ton of Super Black Mascara

A wink here. A coy glance there.

Nothing. I repeat NOTHING completes your face/eyes like long thick luscious lashes.

No matter what make up look you are going for it will never look “finished” if you don’t have a ton of mascara on. Plain & simple.

Since I already have very long lashes I favor thickening mascaras vs. lengthening. At least 3 good coats. I switch off between Maybelline Colossal Volume Express or sometimes Maybelline Volume Express Turbo Boost. But I’m constantly trying out different mascaras to find “the next best thing”. And always in the blackest black I can find.

Pink Blush

Black hair can make you look a bit pale and “ghostly” if you don’t warm it up a bit. Pink blush does just that. Gives you a nice rosy glow. I like bright pinks usually with a blue undertone. I’m in love with Cargo blushes! They have the best texture and beautiful colors. “Polynesia” a bright pink is gorgeous. And I am so obsessed with Cargo’s “Louisiana” that my sister accuses me of being a disco ball when I wear it. It’s a blue based mauve but it shimmers with gold. Need I say more? And in my defense; I love disco balls and maybe I want to look like one.

Liquid Shimmer

Luminous glowing skin. Everyone wants it but not everyone knows how to get it. Enter liquid shimmer.

I admit to using all kinds of shimmery products. Powders, creams, lotions etc. But my all time favorite. Never leave home without it product is Benefit’s High Beam. It’s a pale silvery pink that although will suit any coloring, it looks especially fetching with shining raven hair. I use this everywhere! As eyeshadow, under the eyebrows to highlight the brow bones, on top of the cheek to accentuate high cheekbones. CAUTION: Not to be used with Louisiana!

And on the decolletage and shoulders it screams “Come Hither!”

Red Nails

What better to go with your red lips than impeccable red nails?

Make sure they are neat and free of any chips. A good way to ensure your manicure lasts is to apply one coat of clear polish once a day. It will keep them looking fresh as long as possible.

Two to try are Fishnet Stockings and Pepperoni by Essie.

I hope this inspires you to experiment and play around with your look. Remember it’s only make up (gasp) and it washes off. It’s supposed to be fun. Try some of my staples and tell me about some of yours! I would love to hear from you.