Revolt of the Triffids -- Awesome Cover Art!

Popular Library 411, originally uploaded by uk vintage.

Man, this is one cool cover! From 1952; Revolt of the Triffids by John Wyndham. Cover art by Earle Bergey.

Benefit - Girl Meets Pearl (Review)

Nothing attracts me like Highlighters, Gold Eye shadows and Neutral Palettes. No wonder I named my Blog Dazzle n Sparkle…
The newest Liquid Highlighter/Illuminator that I picked recently is from Benefit Cosmetics. Girl meets Pearl…the name itself is so GORGEOUS!

Girl Meets Pearl is a soft, golden pink, liquid-pearl highlighter.
This
sheer, light-reflecting formula glides on smoothly for a breathtakingly luminous
complexion.
Includes skin-soothing raspberry and chamomile.

The Color: Golden Pink with slight pearly finish, exactly as a described by Benefit guys.

The Texture: Light weight, non-sticky Liquid. It is not watery thin nor it is thick and goopy.

The Fragrance: Its smells so good. Not overly fruity or annoying, it smells nice.


Swatches of Benefit Girl Meets Pearl and Chanel Sunkissed

The Application: I have used this for highlighting my cheek bones and all over the face mixing with foundation. It makes me look dewy all over when mixed with foundation. I personally enjoy using this as cheek bone highlighter, on bridge of nose and cupids bow, all the high points/planes on face.

The Technique: I have tried using it both with MAC 188 Brush and with fingers as well. I find the brush head of 188 a bit large for liquid Highlighter. I think flat topped, duo fiber brush in #130 would be just perfect. Its next on my ’To Buy’ list. Fingers work fine too. I just dab 2 -3 dots, gently spread it out by patting/tapping motion. Rubbing motion will just ruin the pearly effect and instead give a sparkly effect.
The liquid does not sets immediately. It gives enough time to spread and blend.


Sheered Out

The Effect: The product imparts a luminous, pearly glow, which is not Shimmery or Sparkly. Its not Frosty at all. The pink hue in the highlighter does not imparts any color and it does not alters the color of the blush as well. I used it over powder products too and it does not gives the patchy look. The product does not accentuates any pores or fine lines which is just Fantastic. The end result is very natural.


Face Highlighter Comparisons: Benefit Highbeam, Moon Beam, Girl Meets Pearl
Chanel Sunkissed, NARS Copacabana

The Comparisons: The texture reminds me a lot of my favorite CHANEL Soliel Tan De Chanel in Sunkissed. The color is different though. The Chanel one has more Tan/Golden touch, while this one has Pink hues. On cheeks though the difference is not so noticeable.
Other Liquid Highlighters/Luminizers from Benefit that I have tried are Highbeam and Moonbeam. Moonbeam had distinct pinkish color on cheeks while Highbeam had more of Silvery tones. Highbeam is a bit difficult to work with, especially over powder products. I love Highbeam, but I am not a fan of Moonbeam.
Other Highlighter that I have is NARS Copacabana. It is totally different from Girl meets Pearl in terms of Color. Infact, it’s a totally different Product.

The Packaging: The Packaging as always is typical Benefit! Unique and Fun. It is similar to That Gal Primer, but in a shiny metallic finish. The casing is Plastic. It takes a few twists (a lot actually) to get product up on top. A hygienic packaging, but no way to figure out how much product is left, when its nearing its end.

A very good product by BENEFIT. Its worth giving a try, if you are looking for a light weight, non shimmery Liquid Highlighter.

If you are someone who LOVE highlighters, I am sure you own this. Do let me know how you like it.

Calling all Storyboard Artists -- Nickelodeon Animation Studios wants YOU

Hey storyboard artists...Nickelodeon is looking for STORYBOARD artists for Penguins of Madagascar and TUFF Puppy!

More info on how to apply for these jobs here: http://bit.ly/gjz3El http://bit.ly/g0XVI2

By the way...THREE young artist-friends of mine have gotten their FIRST storyboard artist job in the last couple months. Why? Cuz they're GOOD and HUNGRY and don't let rejection knock them out.

TWO of those guys recently moved from the midwest to L.A. -- without ANY leads or prospects. They got more guts than I ever had. Amazing. They're not letting talk of "the economy" keep them down. Carpe diem, y'all.

They Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges!

“WE DON’T NEED NO STINKIN’ BADGES” - INDIE ANIMATORS TAKE HOLLYWOOD’S REINS

[WHITTIER, CA] Twice Oscar-nominated, indie animator Bill Plympton will headline a FREE showcase of rebel animators with his Academy Award short-listed film “The Cow Who Wanted to be a Hamburger.” On January 22, 2011 at ‘Geeks’ a comic shop in Whittier, CA will host the event sponsored by the Nuvein Foundation.

Plympton, also on this year’s Oscar short-list for his feature “Idiots and Angels” had little industry support when he hung up his spurs as syndicated cartoonist, declined to be roped in by Hollywood animation mills, and forged new trails after producing the Oscar nominated short “Your Face” in 1987. Now he shares the trails he blazed with "outlaw" animators who have looked to him for inspiration.

Of the show’s coordinator, Plympton states “I love [Jim Lujan’s] shorts. Great soundtrack and character design and wicked humor.” Lujan himself describes the show as “A band of rebel animators who ride into town armed with a ‘do it yourself’ spirit.”

Here's a look at Jim Lujan's newest epic:

Geeks comic shop, 6747 Greenleaf Ave. in Whittier, CA will host the event. The Nuvein Foundation of San Gabriel Valley will sponsor. The Nuvein Foundation's mission is to raise scholarship funds for students and professionals in the arts, and showcases art via community performances and educational programs.

Shorts will range from the cut-out style of Grasiela Lopez to the mature Saturday-morning-satire of the Steven Sievers/David Kolodny-Nagy team to Ken Mora’s computer-animated spoof of ‘Dirty Harry‘ films, along with industry mavericks like Dominic Polcino (director of The Simpsons and Family Guy), Disney veteran Raul Aguirre Jr. who will create a short especially for this show, and object-animator PES, plus surprise guests.

A pre-show mixer, with refreshments, is open to the public at 7:00 pm with screenings to start promptly at 7:30. This show's content is recommended for teens and adults.

Limited priority seating is available for Press and Industry at "We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges." RSVP to Jim Lujan at jimlujan@gmail.com 

I can't wait! I'll see you there on Saturday!

Make Up Forever - Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick

I got a chance to swatch a few shades of Make Up Forever - Rouge Artist Intense Lipsticks at Sephora. These are all in-store swatches and I had really hard time to remember the numbers of lipsticks. I prefer lipsticks or for that matter any product to have actual names.

Rouge Artist Intense is a highly pigmented, long-lasting lipstick that delivers rich color in one stroke.

Formulated with 50% more pigment than the traditional lipstick, Rouge Artist Intense gives an immediate true-to-color result. A blend of three natural waxes, the creamy texture glides on effortlessly for a long-lasting hold. The extensive color and texture range provides unlimited creativity.

It is formulated WITHOUT Parabens

Available in 3 finishes—matte, pearly, and satin—for varying effects.


Swatches of Make Up Forever - Rouge Artist Intense Lipsticks -Satin Finish

These are all in SATIN Finish

31 - Satin Mauve Pink
30 - Satin Light Rosewood
29 - Satin Rosewood
33 - Satin Fresh Pink
27 - Satin Dark Rosewood
28 -Satin Light Taupe
32 - Satin Soft Pink
23 - Satin Beige


Different Lighting

These Lipsticks were very soft and creamy when I swatched them on my hand.


Make Up Forever - Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick

38 - Satin Coral
35 - Satin Blue Raspberry
36 - Satin Fuchsia
22 - Satin Nude
24 - Satin Orange Beige
25 - Satin Caramel
26 - Satin Brown Beige


Different Lighting

p.s: These swatches are in-store swatches and I have clicked the photos at Mall. The lighting and Flash may alter the actual color. I am somewhere in between NC40/42, warm, Olive toned. Please use these swatches as reference.

BEAUTY BUYS - NYX, Wet and Wild

'BEAUTY BUYS' is another term coined for the infamous 'HAUL'. Its just the list
of things I buy and the ones you will hear me 'yak', 'blab', 'review'about
in next few posts!!! Lets call this a 'Preview'...

A quick trip to Drugstore and Ulta...

Goodies I picked:

NYX Eyeshadow Palette: My constant failed attempt to get my hands on Urban Decay NAKED palette left me very desperate to buy something similar. Many say NYX palette is the drugstore Naked Palette. We will see that...

Wet n Wild Blusher: These looked soo AMAZING!! I had good experience with the brand before. I remember I had the Catwalk Pink Blush and it was cool. I later ended up giving it to a friend. Very curious to try these new ones.

Essence of Beauty Crease Brush Duo: I had this and during the Holidays, my good friend took it. So I needed to buy a new set ASAP..

Redken Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk: Just a random thing to try on hair. Most of these just weigh down my hair. But my quest to find something for my hair continues..

Very excited to try on these things. Will review most of them as and when I am fully convinced to talk about them.

Hi-Ho Doodles and Dance Contest

In between the various H. Chambers fever dreams from Hi-Ho Comics, we find these equally freaky filler pages!

To read MORE pre-psychedelic funny-animal comics
by H. Chambers, Click on images below…

Eddie The Elephant	Percy Pelican
Bertie Bruin	Daffy Dragon

NEUTROGENA HAND CREAMS

These hand creams too were a part of my gift basket that I made for myself and a Friend. I tell you its soo fun to pick out things and make a lovely gift Baskets! I am secretly so proud of myself (BIG GRIN)

I stuck to one Brand for most skincare stuff and I am glad I chose Neutrogena. The Brand didn’t disappoint me with any of their products.


Neutrogena® Fast Absorbing Hand Cream

Neutrogena® Fast Absorbing Hand Cream instantly delivers the moisture your hands need without any greasy after feel. This lightweight formula was developed with dermatologists and intensely moisturizes and nourishes skin as well as helps
repair skin's moisture barrier to keep hands softer and smoother, longer.

Fast Absorbing Hand Cream instantly absorbs into skin and leaves behind
only the comfort of perfectly soft, supple, smooth hands.

Non-greasy, Lightweight Fast-absorbing Dermatologist developed.

Surprisingly I agree with all the claims by the company. The product does not fails to deliver.

Texture: Light weight, Non- Greasy, Non-sticky

Fragrance: It has a slight scent of ‘something’. I couldn’t figure out what. It is a Pleasant one and not at all annoying.

Color: White

Feel on Skin: It hydrates and moisturizes the hands very well. The cream spreads easily and gets absorbed quickly and completely. The skin feels silky soft. It even performs dual task of hydrating and moisturizing the cuticles.

Application: I apply it 2-3 times a day. It lasts for a long time. You might need a few more applications if your job require washing hands more frequently. This is a light cream, so very less amount is needed, like two pea size. I noticed that if I apply too much, the hands feel sweaty and slippery. That whole sweaty, greasy kind of feeling is not nice.

This is a good cream to keep in car and purse, especially because its Non-greasy, handy and effective.


NEUTOGENA HAND CREAM

Neutrogena® Hand Cream delivers effective relief for dry, chapped hands.

This clinically proven, highly concentrated formula rapidly heals dry
hands. It noticeably improves the look and feel of your skin.
Hands feel soft and smooth after just one application.

Long-lasting Glycerin-rich
Concentrated Available in Original and Fragrance-free

I picked this one especially for my husband. He has ultra dry hands and though they are not
cracked, they still are super dry and chapped.

Texture: Slightly thick, Waxy and Creamy

Color: White

Fragrance: None

Application and Feel on Skin: This feels slightly greasy on skin. It is more like a night
time treatment for hands. This cream helps in repairing the dry hands and peeling cuticles. Me and my husband prefer to use it at night, because of the slight greasy nature. It is a little thick and waxy cream, so it takes some time to absorb into the skin.
A very little amount of product is needed as it is very concentrated.

It can also be used during the day, but the quantity of cream used should be just a pea size.

The results are good, because the hands feel super soft in the morning. It has helped to improve the texture of my Hubby’s hands. He noticed some good difference.



If you are looking for a night time hand care treatment, this Neutrogena
cream is a good choice at an affordable price. For the daytime, I would go with
the Fast Absorbing light weight Formula.

Prices vary from place to
place. I picked mine from Nordstroms Rack and it costed me $5 and $4
respectively.

Do you have a Favorite Hand Cream?

NEUTROGENA BODY LOTION - Review

This year I purposely stayed away from Bath and Body Works Products. Their Body Lotion, Candles, Body Wash etc. just for a change. I totally like the brand for their Candles and other Bath Products.

I picked Neutrogena Body Lotion as the lotion of choice for the winter. This is by far the lightest body lotions, I have used.

Neutrogena Body Lotion is a sheer moisturizer that is part lotion, part sesame
oil.

This whisper-light lotion glides on easily and allows skin to
breathe, leaving it irresistibly soft and supple. Its luxurious formula is
enriched with sesame oil to soften and smooth.

Skin feels silky and moisturized. Lightweight Absorbs quickly.

Texture: Light weight

Color: Snow white

Fragrance: A mild Fragrance of Sesame Oil

Feel on the Skin: This being light weight, spreads easily and totally absorbs into the skin, leaving it all soft and smooth. Its totally non-greasy and non-sticky. It lasts for a long hours, but I have to re-apply it on my hands (the part that is exposed or washed often). The skin is super Moisturized.

Allergies: None. Nobody in my Family experienced any adverse reaction to any ingredient or scent of this Lotion.

Packaging: Comes with a Convenient Pump.

I gifted this to a friend as well and her family is enjoying it too. I received positive reports from the family. They too had the same thing to say, that the lotion is so light weight, yet it hydrates so well.

I don’t have very many words to review a lotion. I mean how many new words can I build up to rave about a daily moisturizer or lotion. This goes very well with the Neutrogena Body Oil that I have been using. The combination is pure Bliss for my Skin!

Which Body Lotion is ruling your Skin this Winter?

Daffy Dragon’s Descent into Madness

Another trippy comic from the crazed pen of H. Chambers…meet Daffy Dragon. This one is even more extreme than the last few posts! Even though these comics came out in 1946, this story would be perfectly suited for ZAP comix!
Look at that 5th panel on page two (above)…looks like Victor Moscoso could have drawn it! ..and there it ends, awkwardly bookending the very first panel of the story. Whoa!

Wanna see more? Check out these other trippy funny-animal comics by H. Chambers here:	Percy Pelican
Eddie the Elephant	Bertie Bruin

NEUTROGENA BODY OIL - Review

Body Oil is a delicately light sesame formula that instantly vanishes into the
skin, sealing in moisture. Skin feels moisturized, soft, silky and looks
radiant.

Lightweight
Absorbs quickly
Available in Original and Fragrance-free
Original Scent available in 8.5 oz. and 16 oz

This NEUTROGENA Body Oil along with a Body lotion (same Brand) and few other Spa essentials were all packed in a gift basket for my dear friend by me. It looked so nice and Beautiful that I ended up making one similar basket for myself. I didn't put it under the tree, because my husband and son were making fun of me and teasing me for decorating my own gift Baskets....Whatever...But, don't people gift themselves?? I was just trying to make my own basket Pretty!!

Anyways, on to the review.

This oil is one of the lightest body oils I have tried. The one that I have is the Light Sesame Formula. The oil of Sesame seeds are considered to be one of the best oils for maintaining smooth, healthy skin. In ancient medicines, sesame oil is considered to have many medicinal properties. Regular massage with Sesame oils helps in maintaining strong bones and flexible joints. It is also anti-aging and regular usage helps reduce fine lines. If used since early years, delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Texture: Light, Non-Greasy. Obviously, it being an oil does has some oil like qualities, but its not thick and sticky and greasy.

Fragrance: It smells lovely! There is this hint of Sesame scent along with some faint perfume. Its good.

Color: Its Pale Yellow liquid.

Application and Usage: I use it before shower 2-3 times a week. I apply it 15 minutes before actually showering. This makes the skin really soft and after the bath, there is still some good moisture retained in the skin. There is no Stretched, Itchy feeling. On days, when I have some good time in hand, I apply the oil and enjoy the luxury of soaking in tub with warm water. PURE BLISS!

I don't apply it after the shower, though it is recommended to use it on slightly damp skin to lock in the moisture for optimim benefit. I just apply Neutrogena Moisturizing Lotion from the same line of skincare and it too has the light Sesame Formula. They both compliment each other super well.

During Night time, before going to bed I use this on my legs and hands. It does not stains the sheet or my clothes. The oil is absorbed quickly and lasts for long time. The skin is all soft and does not feels parched by the indoor heating system. This will leave a noticeable scent on your sheets though. It may be annoying for you or your partner.

This has helped me a lot since I have started using it. 10 days to be precise. My son has very, very dry skin and this has helped him a lot too. I must admit that the bottle does get messy and you may need to wash your bedsheets more frequently if the scent bothers you.
But with all the protection this oil has been giving to our skin in this harsh, windy and cold weather, I don't mind the extra washing of bed sheets.

Pros:

Light Weight
Quick Absorbing
Non- Greasy
Moisturizing
Spreads easily
Non- Staining

Cons:

Bottle can get messy
Fragrant (People allergic to fragrance can try the fragrant free version)
Hurts the eyes (burning sensation) if it accidently goes in.

The next review will be of the Neutrogena Lotion that I use in combination with this oil.

Do you use Body Oils? Any tips for Keeping the Skin super soft in this harsh weather?

BEAUTY BUYS - BENEFIT, UD, ULTA

'BEAUTY BUYS' is another term coined for the infamous 'HAUL'. Its just thelistof
things I buy and the ones you will hear me 'yak', 'blab', 'review'aboutin
next few posts!!! Call this a 'Preview'...

This is my First Beauty Purchase for the New Year. I used one of my ULTA Gift Cards. I have decided that this year I will buy Cosmetics in small batches. This means I will get to visit the Beauty Stores more often and enjoy the whole experience of Make Up Shopping. Also, I saw that the last 2 months of the year are filled with huge deals, sales and gift packs. Amongst all the Holiday gifting and decorations and parties, the Beauty Purchases just add up!!! My last 2 month bills were sky rocketing!!!
Anyways, I figured slow shopping using my Gift cards will help me curb my shopping appetite for initial months and help me save enough for mega purchases during the year end.

Goodies I picked:

1. BENEFIT Girl Meets Pearl, a product that has been in market since last year. I am pretty excited to see how it works for me.

2. URBAN DECAY 24/7 Lipliner: I am a self confessed lover of Drugstore Lipliners. They are really good and I see no reason to spend much on High end lipliners. But thats just my Personal Opinion. The SA at ULTA convinced me to buy this one. I was lurking around the counter in search for UD Naked Palette. Lets see how this one works.

3. CHINA GLAZE and ULTA Nail Polish: Same old dirty colors. China Glaze 'Ingrid' is a fantastic shade. It is from Vixen Collection or something by the similar name. I ended up buying two. The ULTA shade is just a point freebie.

I will be reviewing the products as an when I try them. Will keep you all posted, like always!