The Bombshell Biker

Leopard Print Bath Puff!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Oooh I got the cutest bath puff today! It is leopard print! It is a regular net puff, but with a soft organza layer over the top so it isn't scratchy.

I also got some cream oil body wash that smells deeee-vine! It is the Dove Fragrance Infusion Cream Oil body wash in Elegant Luxury. How could any self-respecting bombshell pass up an elegant luxury that only costs 9 bucks? It has the following scent elements:

some kind of exotic orchid, vanilla musk, and pink amber... oooooohhhh. Using this is basically like washing with a thick, delicious body lotion that also lathers like crazy.

I'm hoping the combo of the organza puff and the creamy shower wash will keep my newly bronzed (via Mystic Tan) body smoothly and evenly bronzed longer!

You Dropped the Balm on Me, Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:09:00 +0000

I'd like to sing the praises of a new HG lip product I can't get enough of.

First, here's a little background on my obsesh:

In high school I would literally freak out if I didn't have some form of lip balm with me. I would get a panicky feeling if I somehow forgot it. My balm of choice back then was Carmex, but I would use nearly anything in pinch. I even had one of those crocheted hippie lip balm necklace caddies (kind of embarrassing- but I let it all hang out for ya). True Story: One time I went to Venice Beach for the day and forgot my Carmex- I used $3 of the measly $5 lunch money that I had, to buy another tub. (tourist prices, I know)

So I used Carmex for years and then we just grew apart and I flirted unashamedly with any and every lip balm (I was a balm whore!) I encountered. Then, I somehow fell hopelessly in love with Cherry Chapstick. And used it EXCLUSIVELY for nearly a decade.

In the last couple of months I've become more and more enchanted with all things 'Green'- I am a sucker for good marketing, plus I really do care about stuff. ;) SO, I'm toying with the idea of giving up beauty products with petroleum...

Enter Badger Organic Cocoa Butter Lip Balm (swoon!) First off, I can't resist anything cocoa buttery. It is just a weakness! Love the smell, texture and most of all, results, of products that have cocoa butter. Badger has several flavors of the balm, but the Creamy Cocoa is just the base without anything messing up the cocoa butter goodness. The simple ingredient list from their website:

Base Ingredients: *Extra Virgin Olive Oil, *Cocoa Butter, *Golden Yellow Beeswax, *Castor Bean Oil, Extract of *Aloe Vera, and CO2 Extracts of Rosehip, & *Seabuckthorn Berry.

* = Certified Organic

This balm is really moisturizing and the tube is huge! I am alternating it with my beloved Cherry Chapstick (that I will NEVER completely give up). Right now I use the Badger throughout the day- it is living in my handbag- and the CC at home- residing in my medicine cabinet. I think I've struck the perfect balmy-balance.

Kitty Sidekicks

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Some of you may remember me talking about my kitty sidekick, B. He has a gorgeous black coat (like a panther!) that is literally the softest I have ever felt. D and I say that B is part rabbit because he is soooo incredibly soft. I'm sure the softness isn't hurt by the fact that he is an inside cat, too (he gets supervised visits to the back garden, but never just allowed to roam on his innocent little own). B is wonderful, but quite aloof except for a few precious moments at night right before we turn out the light and occasionally a quick snuggle in the early morning. Other than that, he wants to be close, but not too close.

Now we have a new addition! P is a fab, fab, fab black, gray, and brown tabby- with the MOST amazing leopard spots meets tiger stripe markings! P was a pet of the day from our local county animal shelter. I happened across his beautiful portrait and was immediately obsessed. D asked if I wanted him for my birthday! The next day we were off to the shelter to adopt our new BFF. He is 2 1/2 years old and (unfortunately) de-clawed. Luckily for P, he is an inside-only cat too! Poor little guy was found roaming the streets in a very dodgy end of town!

Both B and P are 16 pounds each! They are BIG boys! They have a love/hate relationship with each other, but OH- P is the biggest lover to us ever! He LOVES to snuggle and be petted and that was exactly my heart's desire!

We couldn't be happier with our jungle-babies!

You Bad Gal, You

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:12:00 +0000

Chubby Liners. I love them. I always line my upper lids with something dark and sooty and smudge, smudge, smudge for day, then apply oh, a dozen or so coats of masacara (L'Oreal Voluminous in Black Noir to be exact). I like the chubby sticks because you can get it done so quickly. And generally their consistency is softer than a thinner pencil.

My newest fave is Benefit BAD gal. Benefit pretty much has the cutest products, but I'm not always impressed with the formulas. BAD gal is different. It goes on nice a smooth and I can smudge it with an angled brush or my finger. It can transfer a bit up to my lid crease when it gets a little oily in the day- but it's not so bad- I actually kind of like the way that looks.

Baby Bombshell

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:07:00 +0000

We are anticipating the arrival of a new member to the bombshell brood! My sister is having a baby girl in July. Baby Bombshell's room is ready to go- complete with a PINK CHANDELIER!

I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower last weekend. The decor theme was zebra print with pink and black accents. Too cute! I was the recipient of a fabulous hostess gift- champagne! Two adorable bottles of pink bubbly that even have a wristlet strap! They are 1/4 bottles from Nicolas Feuillate. I may pop one open tonight!

I also served champagne at the shower (of course). My brand of choice for this fete was aptly named "Pink". At a mere $11 a bottle it is pretty impressive. Beautiful light pink in color, but still nice and dry in flavor. (I don't care so much for the sweet stuff- I'm a brut gal)

A funny thing happened on the way to the salon...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:55:00 +0000

I haven't posted in, oh, 6 months or so... and my last several posts focused on my quest for Texas Bombshell Hair. Well, now I've gone and chopped it all off! I am now sporting a sassy, voluminous bombshell 'do a la (what I like to call) "The Modern Elizabeth Taylor". ;) Chin length, choppy bob, with swoopy bangs. I'm letting my natural curl run wild. I think this will be a great cut for the long hot summer, perhaps beyond...

This is the pic (of funny bombshell Rachel McAdams) that I showed my new stylist- the fabulous Miss Farrah!

To style my hair similar to this photo- I wash and condition at night and go to bed with damp hair. In the morning I have CRAZY bedhead- it's quite fun actually. I comb it to loosen the curls a bit and then wet just my bangs. I blow them dry, straightish, but not too straight. (I'm NOT a fan of curly hair with stick straight bangs- looks too contrived) Then I work in a dollop of Phyto 7 hair cream- all through my hair- to define the curls. Lastly, I use a few dabs of Bed Head Manipulator and smooth my bangs and then scrunch all through out. The Manipulator smells GOOD! This whole process takes 10 minutes or so. Perfect so I can focus my precious few morning minutes sooting up my lashes and petting my kitties!

Wavy Haired Bombshells

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:49:00 +0000

I want to share a tip I learned from Uber Brazilian Bombshell Model, Giselle, in a recent issue of InStyle and a bit I added myself...
Shampoo and Condition hair as per your usual routine. I find that combing the conditioner through my hair before rinsing helps to make it smoother. Blot with a towel and then comb through a big puff of volumizing mousse. (I'm using L'Oreal Studio Line right now) Now- if you have time, (and you should because this whole routine is to be done in the evening before bed) I like to wrap my hair up in my linen-y "Curl-ease" towel and let it soak up a lot of the excess water from my hair. After a while, blow dry just the roots and then twist your hair into a loose bun. Now sleep on it. (that's the only Giselle part, really) In the morning, unroll and you'll have soft, smooth, waves.
I did this, and got tons of compliments on my hair at my bombshell bunco party the next night.

My Quest for Glossiness AND Volume! Part 2- Shampoo & Conditioner

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0000

My former HG conditioner was Terax Crema, but they stopped carrying it at Sephora and it is hard to come by in my neck of the woods. Recently I decided to just buy it online, only to learn that along with the redesign of the bottles, they changed the scent! The scent was one of the main reasons I loved it! I took the plung and boo! The new scent is 'eh'. But it still works as good, I just don't get that moment of pure joy when I rub it in my palms and take a big whiff before applying it to the length of my locks. So, I will try something new when I use up this big ole tube. It will probably take me several months to use it up.

I recently tried the Fekkai Glossing line and thought it was nice. It smells yummy- a little citrus-y. The shampoo/conditioner combo made my hair sooooo soft. Almost too soft, if that is possible. It is rather expensive and I just wasn't 'in love' with it... so it does not make the HG cut. bummer.

I used to use the Redken All Soft line, which smells amazing and has avodaco oil. But, my hair has gotten much finer and less 'unruly' as I've gotten a bit older, so now the All Soft is too heavy.

I think I may try Pantene. It gets such rave reviews all over the place and it is soooo cheap!

The quest continues...

My Quest for Glossiness AND Volume! Part 1- The Styling Products

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I have longish (below my shoulders), wavy/curly, 'normal' (if that exists, but normal in that it is not particularly dry or oily or damaged, etc) hair. A few years back I cut my very long hair to chin length. I liked it for about, oh, a day. Then I regretted it and have been growing it back since then. I'm on a quest for the Holy Grail of shampoo, conditioner, and styling products that will leave my hair shiny and glossy without weighing it down. I want Texas hair- but with movement and modernness. Too much to ask for?

I have two HG styling products. One styling cream and one hairspray.

The first is L'Oreal Studio Line Hot Straight cream. I thought it had been discontinued and I was frantic, but they only re-designed the line and I was able to locate it on Drugstore.com and quickly snatched up two bottles that will last me for years (you need so very little of it and I don't use it daily). Hot Straight de-frizzes my hair whether I'm wearing it wavy or straight. It smells good, it's cheap ($4.99 for 5 oz!), and it works. Perfection.

I've recently been adding two other styling creams into the mix. I think the results are similar enough to the Hot Straight that I may just stick to the tried and true and use the extra $20+ towards a mani or brow wax! I received a sample of Phyto 7 "Or" daily botanical cream for dry hair. I loved it and swiftly headed back to Sephora to procure the full size (2 oz for about $26! steep!). You only need a tiny bit, though, so this tube should last a while. I have been a fan of Phyto for years, I like their packaging and their plant-y-ness. But, the effect of the Phyto 7 creme is so similar to the Hot Straight that the extra price seems almost obscene.

The second new styling cream I'm liking is Fekkai Glossing Cream. Smells good, works well, you only need a dab, hmmm sounds familiar? I have the travel size tube and it will probably last for the next decade (1.7 oz for $9). I literally use about the size of a 1 karat diamond solitaire on the length of my hair. It is less pricey than the Phyto as the 7 oz Fekkai is $27.

Clearly the L'Oreal Hot Straight is the beauty bargain, but I'm a sucker for packaging and the aura of luxury.... so I will continue to mix 'em up.

No matter which one of these products I use- or a combo of all three- I end of with smooth, frizz-less hair, that smells good!

The second HG is the ultimate classic bombshell product, Aquanet Extra Super Hold, unscented. It comes in a can that is covered in fishnet stockings! ;) And it's pink and silver- oh yeah- and it works! It holds your hair, it's not too sticky or stiff, it is good stuff, and a giant can is only $3.99.

Sometimes the drugstore products just can't be beat!

On the Juice

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:00:00 +0000

I had resisted, but this love affair was meant to be. I went to a Juicy Couture outlet in Las Vegas to check out a hand bag. I fell in love with it. I bought it. I carry it daily. I get lots of compliments on it's cuteness. It is the perfect size, it's black leather so it goes with nearly everything, and it has a gold chain across the front that has lock and key charms that are soooo precious.

Then I started falling in love with other Juicy things- NEVER the velour sweats with words across the bum, but other things- all their jewelry, their real clothes- like coats, dresses, blouses, sweaters. I went into the Juicy boutique in Santa Barbara. They had the most adorable displays of candy inside giant crystal urns. The sales staff was lovely. I was unequivocally smitten.

I recently went to the boutique in Pasadena. I bought two necklaces, one for me and one for my sister for Christmas. I have started wearing the necklace, which is a heavy-ish metal chain with a heart charm with a big toggle closure in the front, with my very special, delicate platinum necklace with a diamond pendant (I got from DH for Christmas last year) entertwined. I love the precious/rocker (bombshell/biker) combo.

And now-- ooooh-- I got an early Christmas present from DH yesterday-- a Juicy watch. It is a classic style but with fun, girly details and I just LOVE it.

I love the crowns and the doggies and the frivolity of the designs. And I justify my addiction by telling reminding myself that it is MUCH less expensive than Marc Jacobs!

Holiday Eyes- and Oh Yeah- I'm back...

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:56:00 +0000

Dang- it has been a year and 5 days since I last blogged! Sheesh, where has the time gone? Okay, enough about that and onto the fun stuff:

Holiday Eyes!
I am generally a minimalist when it comes to eye makeup (except mascara- you know my motto-stolen/borrowed from my beloved Tammy Faye- "Glob it on, Girls!"). Because I have dark eyes and dark lashes and fair skin, my eyes stand out enough on their own and I tend to forget that I have shadow on and rub them... so I generally skip it. But occasionally I like to play and I do have plenty of makeup in my train case to play with for hours, ok days... Especially around the Holidays- it's fun to play with sparkly eyes!

Today I had "Lazy Days" as DH and I call it when we just laze around on a Saturday or Sunday and watch TV, nap, snack, and never leave the house until time for dinner and drinks. I had Lazy Days alone as D had plans, so I watched multiple episodes of Forensic Files, napped for hours, surfed the internet, etc. Then I got some energy around 3 o'clock and showered, shampoo'd my freshly colored hair with my new fave- the Fekkai Glossing line (another blog on that to come), and decided to glam it up for my evening- even if I don't leave (it's 6pm as I type this and we have yet to decide on anything we may do tonight, I am sipping a delicious cocktail I just made up- 1 part Malibu Coconut Rum, 3 parts club soda, crushed ice, and one lemon slice in a highball glass- mmmmm- so whateve- I'm good either way...).

I started with my usual makeup routine:
Shiseido stick foundation applied with a Stila foundation brush, Tarte Tickled gel blush on apples, Sephora Blush Me Twice (just the pink side) over top, lashes curled with THE ONLY lash curler you should invest in (Shu Uemera), some smokey brown cream liner (Clinique) applied along lash line, and finally about 400 coats of L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara- Black Noir. (oh yeah, I also patted on Benefit Lemon Aid before all of this, which is not part of my norm, but I knew I would be playing with shadows so I applied. For me, a primer of some sort is a necessity because even though I have relatively dry skin, I have oily lids...)

Now the 'glam' part:
My sister-in-law who is also my sister-in-makeup-obsession, C, got me a super-fun Urban Decay eye shadow pallette for Christmas last year. It has about 15-20 sparkly, uber-pigmented shadows housed inside of a cool black mirrored pallet, with purple tattoo-y swirls coming out of a gun barrel on the front.
So- I took a slanted Sonia Kashuk eyeliner brush and dabbed it with water and then dipped it into the sparkly black shadow in the pallet called Oil Slick. I applied this like liner- directly on top of the cream liner I previously applied. Then I added a bit 'o Mildew, a pretty, sparkly army green shadow, in the center of the liner and feathered it out on either side. I applied Sin, a peachy shade to my lid, and then a dot of Polyester Bride, a sparkly white-ish shade to the brow. I finished with a grooming of the brows with the sephora brow wax/powder compact and voila- Holiday Eyes!

If I were a rich (wo)man....

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 03:09:00 +0000

I'd ONLY shop at Neiman Marcus! I had the pleasure of visiting the original flagship store in beautiful downtown Dallas last year. It was truly one of the greatest moments in my shopping life. I wandered the beautiful store, department by department and was met with sincere, warm greetings from every sales person I encountered. I'm not sure if it was the southern hospitality (I found EVERY soul in Dallas to be fantastically pleasant and friendly, even the freeway drivers), the Neiman Marcus customer service ethos, or a combination, but these sales people were wonderful. I wanted to buy everything I saw, from cosmetics, to Prada jackets, to Burberry scarves, to Christmas ornaments, to SHOES!!!

Shoes, that is why this memory came flooding back to me, urging me to write this blog/shopping memoir. I was perusing the internet for untouchable luxury goods, and of course ended up on the Neiman Marcus website salivating over Christian Louboutin ankle boots...

So, this year marked the 100th anniversary of Neiman Marcus (September 10, to be exact). In honor of this achievment they are having a $10,000 shopping spree sweepstakes! Click here to enter (and you'll receive fabulous email news so you can keep up with what is going on in my dream store). Good luck, and happy window shopping...

P.S. Neiman Marcus has no idea I'm writing this blog or plugging their site- I just feel like sharing the 'wealth' :)

Mistress of Mixology

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 05:11:00 +0000

I love my beauty 'cocktails' just as much as actual cocktails! You may know about my affinity for mixing up the mascaras to create the perfect blend of qualities. Today I created a fabulous shower gel concoction!

Recipe:
Onto a bath brush (I like the kind with the removeable wooden handle and hand strap with natural bristles), or body pouf, pour a mixture of:

two parts Johnson's Extra Care 24 Hour Moisture Wash (smells amazing. kind of a baby soft scent, very mild, won't interfere with your perfume but leaves you smelling awesome. creamy and uber-lather-y, your skin will be soft and moisturized, but in no way greasy, after use)

one part Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Shower Gel in Exotic Coconut. The BB&W website describes much better than I can..."Toasted coconut folded into sweet cream. At once, both fresh and sensuous."

scrub-a-dub-dub, focusing on dry elbows, etc., inhale the warm, tropical, perfect-for-a-cold-winter-afternoon bath-pick-me-up aroma, and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a creamy body moisturizer. Today I chose to continue the tropical theme and used BB&W Signature Collection Classics Body Lotion in Coco Cabana , classic light coconut scent cut with just enough mystery "tropical" scent. It doesn't matter what body lotion you chose as long as you love the scent and it moisturizes like crazy and that you USE it! especially after scrubbing.

Save the Bubbles!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:20:00 +0000

I LOVE CHAMPAGNE!! It's no secret. But often I want to enjoy a nice little sip of champagne without polishing off an entire bottle. Afterall, a bombshell doesn't need an excuse to drink it. Just relaxing on my couch with Mr. Bombshell after a long, productive day, is reason to celebrate. However, Mr. Bombshell, and our kitty sidekick, B., don't drink it, so unless I'm ready to seriously indulge, I need a way to capture the bubbles.

Enter Mr. Bob Sholes from Arroyo Robles Winery in Paso Robles, CA. I recently visited his fabulous shop for wine tasting and, of course, shopping. During the very generous tasting, we sampled two wonderful sparkling wines, a classic California Champagne, and an amazing almond flavored variety. I noticed these fabulous little silver toppers that allowed the sparkling wines to remain, well, sparkling, even after they were open for a bit. And guess what? Mr. Sholes genius-ly sells them in his shop! I found something similar online, Superseal Champagne Stopper. "A metal stopper provides a pressure tight seal to hold in the fizz."

Hurray! Now I can have as much or as little of my beloved bubbly as I like.

DO Believe the Hype!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:13:00 +0000

Confession time: I have purchased yet another lip gloss. Smashbox Lip-enhancing Gloss in Hype! It looks very peachy-nude in the tube, but is actually slightly pink and 'me-only-better' on the lip. I tried this shade on one day at Sephora. I was having a rough day and decided to perk myself up with a lunch time trip to my little oasis in the mall. I'm not sure what drew me to it, it's not a color I would normally gravitate towards, but I tried it. I loved it. But I didn't buy it because, frankly, I just have too many glosses. Upon nearly every subsequent visit to Sephora I tried it. I kept loving it, but kept telling myself that I should NOT buy an $18.00 lip gloss until I have used up at least ONE of my current lippies. But the color is so pretty and the formula is very smooth and super long lasting for a non-sticky gloss. I resisted about one month. I caved this past Friday afternoon. And I don't regret it!

Here is what Smashbox has to say about it:

"TRUE COLOR– Vitamin E and sunflower seed oil nourish with a touch of creamy color. Velour wand perfectly contours lips. 8 stay-true shades."

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:37:00 +0000

I love the holidays! My 'holiday season' starts October 1 with Halloween decorations and continues through the New Year. Between marking all the upcoming events on my calendar, decorating my bombshell abode (first for Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and the grand finale- Christmas!), and just enjoying the rush, I can't get enough!

Tonight my house smells like the ultimate Holiday Haven because I made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies and I have a few decorative arrangements filled with cinnamon scented pine cones! The aroma combination is fabulous. I cannot stop inhaling!

Not all bombshells are domestic, but a beautiful, cozy, and stylish home-base is essential to the bombshell lifestyle.

The easiest way to make your place smell like the holidays? Fill any fabulous bowl or tray (a silver cocktail tray would be perfect) you have on hand with scented pine cones. I picked up a generous bag of them at my local grocer for less than $3. I filled a little cornucopia-shaped basket with them (I love the kitsch factor of a cornucopia at Thanksgiving!) on my mantel, and put some on a tray in my entry way. Guests get a wiff upon entering, and then another as they make their way into the living room.

No domestic skills needed to put out pine cones. Now, if you want the added deliciousness of smelling fresh-baked cookies...you may have to turn on the oven.

lola et moi

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:52:00 +0000

I love the phrase 'et moi', possibly because it is one of the few French phrases I understand, but none the less...

I came across the most adorable line of clothing for little girls called lola et moi. This line is designed by a Lebanese woman named Rania Tohme and her pieces are fabulous for bombshell-ettes!

According to the lola et moi website, "Entering the world of "lola et moi" is getting back to the colorful, sparkling and candy-like world of childhood. Designed for girls from ages six months to ten years, the Beirut-based line creates vibrant separates inspired by retro patterns and traditional silhouettes and updated with fresh, unusual fabrics and whimsical adornments. The result is a playful, yet sophisticated, look that is equally chic at school or at play from a California beach town to urban metropolis."

Is this not The Bombshell Biker in a nutshell? I almost want to have a baby JUST so I can dress her in lola et moi...

I've Got Good News & Bad News, part 2... sweet tartes!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:06:00 +0000

Now for the good news...

Report # 2 on my recent trip to Sephora:

I picked up something fabulous. Tarte Rise & Shine lip stain & lip-enhancing gloss. I am a huge fan of the Tarte gel cheek stains, which I have been known to wear on my lips even though they don't taste great. So, with the lip product, one end is a nice berry stain. You apply this with a wand and wait for 15 seconds. Then proceed to the other end where you will find a light pink gloss that seems to cause some sort of chemical reaction when applied. As soon as you touch it to your lips it begins to tingle. As it tingles it begins to darken the lip, creating a crushed berry hue with nice shine and oomph. Oh yeah, and it tastes good.

I may have to get another tube so I can keep one in my train case and one in my handbag.

After perusing the Sephora website I came across a cute little set- Lovin' the Fast Stain- which is a mini cheek stain and a mini lip stain. I don't recall seeing this at my new Sephora so, darn, guess I'll have to keep checking back in with them until it arrives...

Bombshell-In-Training

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 02:48:00 +0000

I spent a fabulous Saturday afternoon visiting Sephora and Bath & Body Works with my BSS (Bomb Squad Sidekick), S. and her super-fun little girl, J.

We spent over an hour sampling glittery stuff and perfumes. Little J and I have very similar taste in fragrance. We both are drawn to the sweet, food-y scents. J. couldn't get enough of the Britney Spears In Control Curious in the classic black atomizer with pink sprintzer thingy. I have to admit- it smelled awesomely chocolately, sweet, and was not over-powering. It would look perfectly at home on any mirrored vanity.

I smelled something new, Lawrence Dumont Vanilla Orientale. Oh it was so light and yummy with spicy undertones. I was going to purchase, but after wandering the store for an hour I re-smelled my wrist to find that the dry down was pure vanilla. Not even a hint of the "orientale" left. So disapointing. It still smelled good, but I have a Bath & Body Works vanilla perfume that smells just as good...

J. decided on a Sephora Girls coin purse/compact. It's pink with a cute little kitty cat and unzips to reveal a small collection of perfect eyeshadows and lip glosses for Bombshell-ettes.

S. finally chose a Tarte Blushing Bride blush gel stick. The color is so pretty and I can't wait to see her rosey cheeks next time we get together.

I made a small purchase that I'll report on later...

I've Got Good News & Bad News, part I

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:10:00 +0000

I guess I'll start with the bad news first.

Last night on my trip to the new Sephora, I picked up a fat tube of Sephora Collection Lash Plumper mascara. It has a HUGE brush on the wand, which was what drew me to it immediately. It is similar in size to the DoirShow and Benefit Bad Gal brushes.

This is Sephora's own description:

"Lash Plumper- What it is:A volumizing mascara. What it does:Fatten your flutter with this lash-plumping formula. The larger brush, with slightly tapered edges, reaches from root to tip, for truly bat-worthy volume and glamour. "

I put on many coats. It didn't really 'fatten' to my liking. I was forced to augment with the no-fail L'Oreal Voluminous.

What I DID like was the truly black ink-y-ness of the Sephora mascara. My lashes are dark anyway, but now they are soot-like (in a good way).

I am off to do some Bombshell buffing at le gym, so I will test out the staying power and report...

Final Verdict: I will add the Sephora mascara to my ever-growing family of mascaras, but it won't be a go-to on its own. It will have to be relegated as an 'ingredient' in a multi-mascara cocktail.

News Flash!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 18:35:00 +0000

Nigella has a new book coming out November 1!!

NIGELLA EXPRESS: 130 RECIPES FOR GOOD FOOD, FAST

This is just what we (Bombshells on the go) need!

Thank you Nigella, I love you ;)

Pilgrimage to Mecca

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 03:14:00 +0000

After months of waiting, the boarded up store-front taunting me, SEPHORA has opened in my local plaza. Today was the grand opening and I promptly received a text message from my beauty-addicted friend, R.

So, after my Friday night dinner date with D., we headed over so I could spend the gift certificate that has been burning a hole in my handbag since my birthday back in May (May 18 to be exact, hint, hint). I could easily have put it to good use online, but I made a vow to myself that I would keep it until the store opened...

D. dutifully wandered about with me, smelling things I offered him, acknowledging my outbursts of 'cute!', 'pretty!', 'I've always wanted to try this and it smells fabulous/repulsive...', etc. But when it came time to check out, the line snaked around the store, D. ditched me and waited outside. No problem, I made new friends in line, gave some advice ("oh- get the travel tube of Smashbox Photofinish Primer, not the glass bottle", "Wet n Wild has a lip plumper that works way better than Lip Fusion for about $48 cheaper", "oooh, have you tried Smith's Rosebud Salve? It's fab!"), and managed to check out with a balance left on my gift card!

True to form, I bought MASCARA and PINK LIP STAIN/GLOSS. I also got samples of eye make up remover and teeth whitener. Reviews will follow... stay tuned.

The Bomb Squad

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:08:00 +0000

Girlfriends. Aren't they fabulous? I recently spent an evening with some of my older friends (not elderly, I mean friends I've known a long time...)

We had a blast, chit chatting (ok gossiping), devouring platters of hors d'oeuvres, swilling, er, sipping cocktails... and trying to watch a movie, but the conversation was just too fabulous!

I have recently met lots of new and wonderful girlfriends via my Bombshell Biker Myspace. I can't wait to meet even more like-minded gals and guys. Swapping tips and tid bits is my passion...

MUAH!

Annie get your Gun

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:01:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenna) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 23:46:00 +0000

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