Woman You Want Me? Give Me a Sign!

Hello, hello traders! It's been quite a busy winter for me...As you can see, since I've been neglecting my beauty blogging duties here...but hey, as the song goes - "Woman you want me, give me a sign" (i.e. Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran). Tell me what you'd like me to blog about!

Anyway, thought I'd give you a brief look into what I've been doing since my last post...Mostly work believe it or not. I have a...challenging...group of students this year (to say the least), but as it turns out, they're making me up the ante. So, they're challenging in a not-so-good way, but also in a good way because they're challenging me to diversify my teaching...Which is draining (physically and emotionally) and time consuming. Nonetheless, I'm still enjoying my job...Hey, how many people can say that?!
Unfortunately, due to the time consuming aspect, I've neglected keeping up with the latest and greatest beauty trends and even keeping up my own appearances! *gasp!*
Up till recently, I've been absolutely obsessed with the Twilight series of books as well as the movie version. (It's a disease, I tell ya!) Anyway, I just loved the au naturale look of Kristen Stewart (aka Bella) in the film. Rather than going out to buy all the makeup she used, I tried to make due with what I had at home. Honestly, I did a rather poor job...Or maybe it just wasn't a good look for me...After a few weeks of tweaking the makeup routine, I just decided to give it up all together and try something more suited to me.
Just the other week, I happened to browse the Chanel counter at Nordies...And, you guessed it, came across their spring collection! *drool* The things I picked up? The eyeshadow quad and the two nail polishes. My credit card took a small hit that day.
Believe it or not, the eyeshadow quad is the FIRST Chanel quad I've ever bought, not to mention the first higher-end shadows I've bought that weren't MAC!
Trying the shadows out for the first time, I have to say I was both excited and disappointed. I loved how the colors looked and the texture. But, after I applied the shadows for the first time to my lids and admired my handy work, I noticed specks of sparkle and glitter from the shadow had fallen from my brush to my cheeks! This was not a problem I had come across using my MAC shadows. The follow-up applications were much better. I must've been more careful when I applied them.
Chanel Le Vernis nail polishes have got to be my favorite nail polishes. They just hold up so well, chipping very little under normal wear and tear. The hit of the season seems to be the bold, dark purple color, Vendetta. Everyone seems to be ooh-ing and ahh-ing over it, just like we all did with last spring's Blue Satin. I still can't decide which of those two I like more. Though, I do also like the underdog, Django, (a beige/pink sparkle). For me, I tend to be pretty trendy at work for a teacher (though still appropriate) and would wore the Blue Satin polish frequently last spring. I even wore Vendetta to work today and intend to keep it on for the rest of the week. Although, Django is definitely more versatile and work-appropriate for all, I enjoy making a bolder statement to my students. Oh, I'll still wear Django, though probably not as often as Vendetta.

Check out Chanel's Spring 2009 Makeup Collection here!

"Doctors of the revolution...

...gave us the medicine we desired."

I'm a huge fan of the Sedu flatiron. I love its constant heat and the way it leaves my hair shiny even with consistent use. One thing that wasn't totally great about it though, was that it was tough to curl my hair out or even in for that matter. It's most definitely a straightener...Until now...

"Sedu Revolution Styling Iron features revolutionary technologies that allow you to create any hairstyles imaginable with half of the time and virtually no damage. Join the Sedu Revolution!

• Sedu Revolution takes hairstyling to the next level with its revolutionary Freestyle Guiding System. The anti-slip edges capture all the hairs within the plates, preventing them from slipping outside the plates. This allows one smooth pass through your hair, reducing the damage multiple passes can cause.
• Unique curved edge plates allow the styling freedom of creating any look you want! From straight and sleek, to sexy waves, to mega curls, this tool does it all!
• Ultra-smooth, highly polished plates eliminate mechanical damage to your hair such as friction, snagging, stretching or pulling of your hair."

Sedu Revolution retails for $199.99 but is available at Folica.com for $139.99! AND get $20 off all orders over $100 AND free shipping on orders over $50! Offer ends Sunday the 16th, so hurry! This is definitely going on my Christmas Wish-List.

Like Shadows Turning Red

About two and a half months ago, I decided to chop my incredibly long dark hair into a cute bob and dye it red. In an attempt to keep my new color vibrant, I thought maybe one of those color enhancing shampoos and conditioners might work. So, after my hair appointment, I made my way over to Target and got Radiant Red shampoo and conditioner by John Frieda.

According to it's description:

"Preserves and magnifies vibrant red color; renews soft, supple texture
For all shades of natural, color-treated or highlighted red hair

Light has the power to maximize the unique qualities of every hair shade. Red hair is vibrant in color and needs light to magnify and intensify the distinct tones that make it so unique.

Safeguards a redhead's ideal color, vibrancy and moisture as it gently cleanses without diminishing intensity...locks in rich red tones and ignites daring highlights...tempting you to flaunt your everlasting red...with pomegranate and plum extract." [drugstore.com]

The first time I used the shampoo and conditioner, I thought the smell was very perfume-y...It's not exactly my cup of tea, as I tend to like more fresh, clean scents, but I gave it a go anyways. No special way to use the shampoo, just use as normal. The shampoo lathered well, though immediately after I rinsed it out, I noticed that my hair just didn't feel clean. I gave it an extra rinse and I guess it was a bit better.

The conditioner was very thick so I thought it might work well in keeping moisture in since I do blow dry and flat iron my hair pretty often. I usually leave in the conditioner for a few minutes while I go about the rest of my shower routine hoping that it'll give the conditioner some extra time to work its magic. I rinsed the conditioner out, and again, that unclean feeling! So unpleasant.

Anyway, because I'm not one to be wasteful, I kept using the products even though I didn't initially think they were spectacular and I was hoping for good results in keeping my color vibrant.

Over two months later, I'm still questioning exactly how vibrant my color is. I suppose if I have to question if whether or not my red is still radiant, it probably isn't.

Radiant Red is available at Target stores, drugstore.com, and other retailers.

Careless Memories

I'm a frequent beauty-blog reader. (I know, I know...I bet you wish it was the same for beauty-blog WRITING.) And there are a few regulars I subscribe to. I recently read a post from Spoiled Pretty about how she was left a somewhat insulting comment from a reader about how the blog has turned boring.
I'm reminded about when I first started The Skin Trade. I wrote about skin care, things I was told about skin care, and things I had read about skin care. After a few posts, I felt ready to debut The Skin Trade to the world (wide web). There was one particular blog I deemed my favorite and I read it on a daily basis. I left a comment on a post and invited the writer(s) to visit. They ended up leaving a very hostile and rude comment, and pointed out every inaccuracy I had written. Not only that, but they also ended up posting on their own blog about "What NOT To Do When Starting a Beauty Blog" the day after I had left the invitation. It was pretty hurtful especially coming from the writers of what at the time was my favorite beauty blog. Needless to say, they are no longer my favorite beauty blog...I actually don't even read it anymore. I like to read blogs by people who seem friendly and welcoming, and I hope that I come off that way to the (few) Skin Trade readers out there. Comments are welcome, and of course so is constructive criticism...but there's already so much anger and aggression in the world, so let's leave the hostility and rudeness out of the beauty-blog-o-sphere.