Andi’s 4 Beauty Must-haves:
Lansinoh brand Lanolin ($8.34) for my lips: After reading in In Style that Angie Harmon uses the nipple cream on her lips every day, I had to give it a try. I happened to have some, thanks to over-zealous nursing from Lexi, and was eager to find another use.
After getting past the “ick factor”, like the first time I used hemorrhoid cream on my thighs, I realized it worked really well. It stayed on all night and in the morning my lips looked fuller and had no lines. I was an instant convert, but remember, a little goes a long way!
Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Lip Gloss in Wet ($12): The color is perfect for a neutral lip but also blends well with a lipstick when I want something darker. This is the only lip gloss I have found that is not too sticky and doesn’t have any flavor to it. If I wear any gloss with a sweet taste, I compulsively lick my lips, which makes my chapped lips even worse.
N.Y.C. Browser Brush-On Brow Kit ($3.99): This is my favorite cheap find ever! There are two sides to the little box, one with a clear wax and the other with a dark brown shadow. It comes with a little applicator brush and tiny pair of tweezers, so it is perfect for on the go touch-ups. The shadow makes a much softer line than a pencil and the wax helps keep my massive eyebrows in check, especially when I have gone way past waxing time. Bonus: I use the shadow for one of my favorite make-up tricks. Apply a little to the top of your collarbone to create a shadow and you look instantly thinner.
Estee Lauder Artists Eye Pencil in SoftSmudge Black ($19): I had always used drug store eye liner in waterproof formulas because my sensitive eyes are always watering, but they were hard to apply and always broke, so when I got this pencil as a free gift I tried it out and was hooked. It lasted longer than any of the other brands I tried and didn’t smudge all over my face. The smudging tip on the end was ideal for creating the smokey eye I can’t get enough of. Even though it costs more than I usually spend, it lasts a long time, so long, in fact, I can’t remember the last time I bought it.
Andi Douglas is a local mom of two and the ruling make-up queen at nwaMotherlode. E-mail your Ask Andi questions to her at mamas@nwaMotherlode.com and the answer may be featured in her Beauty Buzz column.
These are great tips. And I’ll second the idea of using Lansinoh on your lips!! It works great on hands, too, if your skin is really dry. (Just use a little, though.)