Mailbag

Steve is going to Dallas tomorrow (ok, only for eight hours but I still feel obliged to spend time with him tonight) so I am just going to grab the easiest of the questions right now and start there.

*Everything you ever needed to know about the many magical uses of baking soda can be found right here my friends. I listed ten (scroll all the way down, I babble) and there are more in the comment section. My favorite tip that was new to me: use baking soda and white vinegar à la grade-school volcano to clean diamonds. I no longer have to live with dingy tiaras, saints be praised.

**Ahhhhh, the Great Mascara Quest. I was just about to post on this one again anyway, as it has taken me forever but I have finally narrowed down the field. I will just list these by price, since I do not have a clear favorite amongst them. Nothing, I repeat, nothing, can compare to Maybelline Waterproof UltraLash in sable brown and I damn them to hell for taking it off the market.

$ - Maybelline Waterproof Great Lash (not bad, best of the drugstore brands) 

$$ - Bourjois PumP uP the Volume Waterproof (goes on like a dream, but a little skimpy once applied- I found it at Ulta by the way)

$$$ - Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof (pretty good although I got home and discovered that the nice woman had given me the black when I had distinctly asked for the brown, curses, so I look a little 60s-esque with the top-heavy lids- still a decent enough mascara)

$$$$ - I am getting my eyelashes tinted next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

****Oh oh oh, two-for-one! Libby wants to know what happened with the chicken recipe in DC and Lisa wants to know how I liked her AMAZING Italian Gravy recipe. I answered the first here (sum: it was delicious and I was very grateful to you guys) and as for the second I have quarts of the Stolidoli pork gravy in my freezer right now because it is SO GOOD I make it all the time, thank you. We had a sitter on Saturday and I tried to think of something that Patrick would absolutely eat with her and I came up with rotini plus this amazing sauce. Truly something The Whole Family Can Enjoy. If you would like her recipe go here and scroll down. Actually, there are a lot of good recipes on that post.   

*** Finally, yeah, Steve was troubled because I did not rinse the grapes before I put them in that cute little grape colander displayed attractively on the counter. Generally Steve is not overly compulsive about cleanliness (well, other than the fact that he gets up in the middle of the night to brush his teeth, good god almighty) so I felt that there was an underlying meaning when he complained about the merest hint of grapey grit. Personally, I saw the Grape Skirmish more as an illustration of the eternal struggle between Bread Maker and Bread Winner. If one is so concerned about the cleanliness of what one is eating then one can damn well wash the grape oneself, capisce? If I start hand-washing each grape that passes his lips, can peeling them for him be far behind? No! NO! I say. We have nothing to lose but the butter that binds us, my fraus, so I told him to handle his own fucking grapes. A-hem!

More tomorrow.

Comments

[Boulder]

Ok, I've spent a lot of years on this mascara quest too. I agree about the Maybelline product, but grew to have more sensitive eyes that I used to, and find anything that flakes to be the proverbial nail in the coffin for a mascara. My brother used to work for Revlon, and I had more free samples of their products and their department store lines, etc. than I knew what do to with. (Tip, if you ever have a family member wind up with a job with a cosmetics company, count your blessings!) So I've tried LOTS of mascaras.

I have very long eyelashes, that are blonde-ish on the tips, so I'm really looking for something that makes them a little bit thicker due to their length (because if I don't I look like JLo did with her mink false eyelashes - weird - lots of spikey long spindley things) and darker. My all time favorite is: Almay One Coat thickening mascara. You cannot believe how awesome it is to have a non-flaking, thickening mascara. And it is one that doesn't ever leave me with dark circles under my eye lashes.

I also recently got some waterproof mascara for a trip to a humid tropical paradise, and I now also swear by Almay Bright Eyes waterproof mascara. I'm REALLY finicky about waterproof stuff. It needs to stay put, but come off easily when I'm ready it can't feel tacky while I'm wearing it, or I'll pick at it all day long.

And the best part? I can actually part with them as frequently as one should for the health of one's eyes because they are so much cheaper than what you'd find at a cosmetics counter.

I''ll want to hear what you think of the eyelash tinting. I did try that a few times, but I always seemed to be going back to the mascara sooner than I thought I'd have to be. That and it doesn't do for the thickening that I crave.

[Susan]

I'm so glad the first comment was about mascara, as mine is, too. I wholeheartedly recommend the Revlon Colourstay Overtime Lash Tint. The only bits of my once-towhead blonde hair that have remained light and lovely are my lashes (and brows, but that's another story)--this stuff is a gel, so it's light and natural looking, and it LASTS ALL DAY, really really.

That's all.

[Anne]

I have blond eyelashes and look like I'm 12 if I'm not wearing mascara. I'm so jealous that you can get your lashes tinted - I used to do it and LOVED it!! It's great for the summer too.

Unfortunatley, about 4 years ago it became ILLEGAL (ridiculous) to do eyelash tinting in Massachusetts so now I'm stuck with plain old mascara. Can't wait to see how you feel about the tinting!

[Erin]

Might I recommend Clinique's Naturally Glossy Mascara in Brownish Black (if you have a tacky department store near you)? It gives you long (but not too long) and thick (but not too thick) and soft lashes without the dreaded "tarantula eyes." Works like a charm for about $12 a pop.

I've also found something else (long silvery tube, can't remember the name) that you can buy at drugstores that does the same exact thing for only $5 a pop. I can't recall the name and I don't have it with me, but drop me a line if you want to know what it's called. It's not bad at all!

[Judy]

Lisa! That's how my mom (and how I when I'm not totally lazy) makes gravy. I don't know how I missed your post the first time. I think I remember reading Julia's post and thinking "It's too involved to explain."

Only difference is that we don't use wine (probably because my mom gave up the sauce when we were wee little ones), and we simmer the sauce with a whole onion (just peeled not chopped) for sweetness (in lieu of the pinch of sugar).

Speaking of diamond and diamond cleaning - I think if your sparkly diamond earrings are big enough no one will notice that you don't have on mascara, never mind that you didn't brush your hair.

[Legal Diva]

Didn't I see an ad for mascara that wasn't a color but just plumped and lenghted your lashes? That is an interesting concept to me.
I saved the chicken and dumplings receipe.

And about washing those grapes; there is some nasty disease that's been known to come in from South America on fresh fruit. Just something else to worry about. I usually wash them before putting them in the fridge myself but the kids will eat them by the handfuls and they don't care whether it's clean or not!

[J.]

I used to be a big fan of Almay one-coat too, until I discovered my all-time favorite, Shu Uemura mascara basic in dark brown. I'm an unnatural redhead with brown eyelashes that are pale blond on the ends, wear contacts, and have to curl my long eyelashes every day or they interfere with my field of vision. (I inherited the long lashes from my paternal relatives--along with alcoholism and heart disease genes. Thanks, Dad!) I cannot wear most mascaras because they have all that lengthening/thickening goop which makes my eyes smart, or I look like I'm wearing bad falsies, or the stuff takes the curl out of my lashes as it smudges all over the place. S-U Mascara Basic does none of these things. The stuff goes on clumpless, holds a curl, and does not smudge, ever, yet washes right off with soap and water (you don't even need that superstrong eyemakeup remover usually required for good waterproof formulas). The color looks a little weird on the wand, but it wears very natural on the eyes, and you can layer it on for a thicker effect without looking like Tammie Faye or having that nasty hair-spray tacky/stiff sensation around your eyes. It's worth the $27 and you can get it online at shuuemura-usa.com. Plus, unlike eyelash tinting, it's legal in all 50 states.

[Libby]

YAY! thank you for responding to my question! Glad the recipe helped!

Oh and thank you for the mascara advise. I am on the same quest, so that really helped!

[Kether]

For my wedding I had my lashes tinted and permed. It was wonderful (kinda creepy getting it done, but wonderful afterward). I keep saying I'm going to go back and do it again, despite the $$$ because I didn't have to do anything with them for a few months.

[Jenn]

I got my lashes and eyebrows tinted all the time when I was employed. I loved it. Except for the time she turned them blue :(

[Kate]

I used Clinique mascara (I don't know what kind - I just showed them the old tube and asked for a new one) for years, because I couldn't find anything else I liked better, but I was never that thrilled, mostly because it would clump, unless I wiped it on a paper towel first, which seemed rather wasteful. Also, I always bought black, even though, as a natural redhead with light eyelashes and very fair skin, it was really too dark for me.

But a few months ago, a friend gave me Sephora brand mascara, and I loved that it didn't clump, even though it was black. So I went to Sephora and had a conversation with the salesgirl who explained that the general rule is that if you don't want clump, buy lengthening, not volumizing, mascara. You all probably know this already? I'm fairly makeup retarded. Anyway, the sales girl recommended Talons Aiguilles mascara from Bourjois, which I bought in brown (specifically Brun Debride 42) and it's awesome. Seriously. The best mascara ever. It doesn't goop, or clump, or need to be wiped down, or anything. And it's $13, which really is fairly cheap, considering what one CAN pay for mascara.

[Lisa S (et al, aka Stolidoli)]

I'm so glad that you liked the gravy (and thanks for backing me up Judy!), and GOOD LORD you have a lot of readers. I've had more hits to my website today than, well, ever.

[Jen/VintageUterus]

I got my eyelashes tinted the first time I had to go camping with my now husband. You know, had to look as "naturally fabulous" as possible. It's pretty cool, although you lose the "plump" factor.

[Marty]

Hey- I have no use for mascara, but BAKING SODA- Cool!

[Kimberly]

Okay, I too LOVE baking soda and I use it every day. I use Neutragena Fresh Foaming cleanser, and every third day or so I will pour a little baking soda on top of my face soap and wall-llahh, a facial scrub. If I notice a blackhead (gross!) I use this mix and it's gone. Plus, having sensitive skin, I used to buy all sorts of expensive products from my dermatologist, okay, ER has come on and I have to go, that's why spelling is atrocious, I just have to get thru this post! Anyway, expensive stuff irritated my skin and this stuff does not.

What is UP with Dr. Carter anyway?

[shannon]

Thanks for the baking soda tips!

There were at least two I have not been using, though I've been trying with all my might to increase the volume of baking soda in the household.

You are my domestic goddess/mentor.

[halloweenlover]

Ooooh ooooh, I have, what I think is the BEST mascara ever! It is Clinique Long Pretty Lashes mascara. In brown. I LOVE IT! It makes your lashes look soooooo long and natural and not clumpy. And after I've tried many many many.

Also, the baking soda is so timely! I made tuna noodle casserole this week, and tuna in the garbage disposal? Not a good thing. thanks!

[victoria]

Come for the baking soda, stay for the mascara.

Seriously, why don't you get around to MY question? Huh? Are you ignoring me because my lashes are clumpier and less curly than your other readers'? Or is it my smelly sink and crusty pans?

If I promise to take the Helpful Hints from Hippogriff and show up next time with a cleaner kitchen and prettier eye makeup, will you anser my question?

You may remember I was curious about the connection between Steve's experience as an adopted child and his unwillingness to become an adoptive parent.

[Cindy]

I am a product whore and I know what the best mascara is. It is Kanebo mascara. Its a Japanese makeup company that has counters at Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman. I have no business at those stores but for the mascara. At a hefty $22, it is worth it. I used to use Estee Lauder "More than Mascara" which is still great.

Another company, Blinc, also Japanese, sells the same type of mascara (Kiss Me Mascara) and its much easier to get at sephora.com. But sells for $25.

It is made from this special formula that actually coats the lashes and can only be removed with warm water and by gently pulling the coating off the lashes. My lashes have never looked better.

This is the link to the description on the Sephora site:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P46017&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=S10510

Enjoy!

Cindy

[JAFO]

I guess I am curious about Steve. It's not hard to figure out that comes from one of those rich, hoity-toity families. Perhaps it's because he plays polo?

So how did he end up with his blue collar skills? Most of the polo-playing set isn't keen on getting their hands dirty. They wouldn't be caught dead with a caulk gun, after all, that's what underlings are for.

Inquiring minds want to know.

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