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Eye Opening

I was just introduced to some very popular beauty products for eyes, both for lashes and lids. Everything sounded so amazing that I couldn't resist spending some of my own hard earned money to try them out. I've had a chance to use each a few times...

The first item was the Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler, $17

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash CurlerI am a big fan of the original cult favorite Shu Uemura eyelash curler and been happily curling my lashes with it for years. This new mini eyelash curler caught my attention for two reasons:
1. It was by Shu Uemura
2. It promised to curl the hard to reach inner lashes and outer lashes the original can miss

I used my mini for the first time this morning and was quite surprised when I took it out of the box... it's very small! I know it's called the mini, but it's about 1/2 or a 1/4 of the original and therefore a bit awkward to use. It is much easier to reach the inner and outer lashes and I think that with practice, I will come to love the mini as much as the original. However, the mini will not replace the original, instead it should be used along with the original, to beautifully curl ALL of your lashes!

The second item was DiorShow Mascara by Christian Dior, $24

DiorShow MascaraI firmly believe "you get what you pay for" and that, in general, items of a lower price are often lower in quality. But I gave up on high priced mascara found at the counters of the department stores, as I didn't see a difference in the quality. I switched to a drugstore brand that received great reviews and was present on many top beauty product lists, Maybelline Great Lash mascara (the pink and green one).

I decided to abandon my $4 mascara and try DiorShow because of the rave reviews it received from co-workers and friends. I was immediately impressed when I pulled the brush out of the tube... it's very full and certainly gives the impression of a super mascara. I have used the mascara a couple times and really like it. I'm not convinced it's worth the extra $$, but I encourage everyone who LOVES make up to give it a try.

The third and final eye related item was Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $16

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer PotionEvery girl needs a primer under her make up, I never leave home
without it! I just tried a great product from AVON, called Magix, that functions as a primer, but also can be worn alone. This "magic" product actually does what it promises -- minimizes pores, and makes your skin look smooth and flawless. But I digress! The minute I discovered a primer for eyeshadow, I had to have it.

The first thing I noticed was the adorable bottle, just the thing you'd want a potion to come in! The primer potion kept my eyeshadow in place all day long! And didn't want to quit when I washed the rest of my make up off at the end of the day. I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants their make up to look the same at 9 pm as it did at 9 am. This is a must have for any bride!

Have you tried any of these products? Share your experiences or recommend other products that you love.

Skip the dermatologist - Better skin is just a bottle away

There are so many skin care options is it really necessary to visit a doctor's office to have healthy vibrant skin?

As my age creeps up, I'm starting to think more and more about having a solid skin care routine. Trying out different cleansers, toners, exfoliants and moisturizers is not only costly but can be pretty time consuming.

Currently, I use a gentle cleanser like Lancome's Purifying Foaming Cleanser and follow it with AVON's Age Repair Elixir and their Ageless Results Renewing Day Cream. The elixir comes in an ultra cool gold bottle and is a little pricey at $54, but is worth every drop. It honestly makes your skin look and feel noticably better in just a few days. And the Day Cream is nice because it is non greasy and contains SPF 15. I can definitely see a difference in my skin.

Can maintaining healthy skin be this easy or is it necessary to go the route of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and succumb to botox? Share your skin care secrets!

The Perfect Smoky Eye in Seconds?



We all covet the smoldering, sexy look of the smoky eye, but no matter how many how-tos we've read or how many times we've asked the lady at the make-up counter to show us the trick, achieving the right blend of smudge and color is easier said than done. Behold a new kind of make-up that attempts to get us the look flawlessly AND fast: ColorOn Instant Eye Shadow Applicators, which has gotten quite a bit of press lately. It seems simple enough. The applicators come built with the colors already blended, so you just peel, stick, remove and tada, you've got yourself a vampy set of eyes! I have to admit I am curious to give them a try. The only thing I'm wondering is if the eye shadows stay on for a while. It is definitely a neat concept though and perfect for us ladies who don't have time. It kind of reminds me of AVON's Instant Dry Nail Enamel Strips, which has rave reviews. So what do you think? Ay or nay to stick-on make-up?

Teeth Whitening 101

Teeth whitening is BIG business. A few years ago the only way you could ensure white teeth was to drop a few hundred dollars at your dentist's office and promise to drink your coffee through a straw.

Here are some of the top whiteners that we have seen on the market:

Att home whitening: Beautifully Bright Advanced Whitening System

On-the-go whitening: GoSMILE Advanced Formula B1 - Tooth Whitening On-the-Go

Economical whitening: Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips

Night time whitening: Crest Night Effects Whitening Gel

Power brush: Ultreo

For sensitive teeth: Zen Toothpaste

For Anticavity/antigingivitis: GoSMILE Rinse

Have you whitened your teeth? If so, we would love to hear about it and see which products worked best for you. Comment now.

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Licensed to Shop™ Blog is your ultimate online shopping blog. Shopping for a living, we let you in on what to buy and what not to but, what to wear and what not to wear. We discover the products and deals you’re looking for – everything from the hottest fashion and chic home décor to the newest gadgets and best toys – and put it right at your fingertips.

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