As a senior, I don’t always have that much time to ensure that I will look totally presentable for any given day’s events. When I wake up and get ready in the morning, I need to make sure that my make-up and hair will stay looking somewhat decent for the entire day. Over the past four years, I have tried and experimented with all different types of hair and make-up products to finally come up with my list of top 10 essential things that I use every day to look good on a budget and that will stay intact for the majority of the day.
Garnier Fructis Shampoo and Conditioner
Starting off the list is a product that I have used forever to make sure my naturally frizzy afro stays in check. Personally, I use the “sleek and smooth” type of shampoo and conditioner combination right now, but I like to switch it up depending on the time of year. At a low cost that usually ranges from about $2.99 a bottle up to $5.99 for a larger bottle, Garnier provides an inexpensive but still fabulous shampoo and conditioner.
Garnier Fructis Curl Construct Mousse
As previously mentioned, my hair tends to turn into a frizzy fluffball if I fail to use any type of product in it. On days that I don’t have time to flat-iron my hair or that I just don’t really care, I throw a few squirts of this mousse in my hair for a taming and long-lasting look.
Aussie Hairspray
Stolen right out of my grandmother’s handbook, this generational staple is a must-have for either wearing my hair straight or curly. This super-hold hairspray is sure to keep whatever style you’re going for stay in place for hours on end.
Fekkai Glossing Cream
As much as I love a good bargain, this smoothing cream is a miracle in a bottle and worth the splurge you’ll make to purchase it. This green gel takes the frizz right out of any hair, making it easy to straighten and it also gives the hair some simple waves for those weird hair days. Look for this product at hair stores like Sally’s or also on clearance and mark-down racks at Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx.
Revlon Photo Ready Foundation
This squirt bottle of liquid is sure to turn any face into a picture perfect one. This one ounce container squirts out the right amount of foundation you will need to ensure you don’t use it up too quickly. Providing full face coverage without looking too cakey, this product works really well for all skin types by not clogging pores and therefore not causing any breakouts. For a full coverage look, find this product at local drugstores.
Black Eye Shadow
My default go-to look is the smoky eye. A great look for any occasion, a casual or sexy smoky look is very easy to create. My go-to product to create this look is Wet n Wild Color Icon palette in “Don’t Steal My Thunder,” which comes with a white shadow, a gray shadow and a black shadow. With a little shimmer from each, these three colors go really well together to make your eyes pop. Since black is a color that works with any eye color, it is a safe bet to look good on anyone.
Sephora Black Eyeliner
For a mere $5 for this amazing eyeliner, this glides on your eyes smoothly. Available in all different colors, this generic brand is a must-have for any girl. Black eyeliner is something that completes any look or that can be worn alone when you’re in a rush. This compact product is something I frequently carry around with me to give myself a quick touchup.
Maybelline XXL Pro Volume Mascara
This waterproof mascara is a great match to compliment the smoky look and eyeliner. Though it is waterproof and therefore sometimes a huge pain to get off at the end of a day, it lengthens lashes to a point where it almost looks like they are fake. The dual-sided different kinds of primer and actual mascara help the product to stay on and stick through whatever the day throws at you.
E.L.F. Blush Stick
Traditionally worn as a powder, the blush stick was something I was very weary to try at first. After the first use, though, I fell in love. Easy to apply, just smear it on your face and rub it in to get a rosy glow. At a great price of only $3 at Target, this product is a steal.
Sugar Lip Treatment
This miniature lip balm is a refreshing and hydrating stick that is little enough to tote around and is great as the weather gets drier and colder, making chapped lips a problem for everyone. While this product is a little pricey at stores like Sephora, it is definitely something worth investing in to try out. This product comes in a few different colors that give your lips a nice hint of color while moisturizing them as well.
Ashley Berger can be reached at [email protected].
Philip Feldman • Apr 1, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Hello, Ashley.
I am your cousin, Philip. I don’t know if you even have any
idea who I really am because due to family situations — none of your doing, of course — we haven’t had the opportunity to meet, let alone talk.
I’m writing this note to you to let you know that I was directed to your, shall we say CV, and I can’t begin to tell you how impressed and astonished that I had a cousin with such talent and ability.
Your love of the law is so refreshing to me. You see I have
a love of the law as well. I am retired now, but I have been
a court reporter for 52 years, 36.5 years in the United States District Court. My knowledge of the law, especially federal criminal and civil practice is my particular forte.
AS I worked on many matters before the court, I never let
all the facts, i.e. statutes, federal procedure, both civil and criminal, trial tactics go in one ear and out the other and believe it or not, ringing my own bell, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable.
It would be wonderful if we ever could meet, not only because we’re cousins, but because we probably would spend a considerable amount of time just talking about the law and the many fascinating experiences that I have had and the many talented attorneys that I had the good fortune to work with, as well as some of the many cases that made law.
Just federal practice is so exciting and wonderful from my
point of view and probably yours as well. It was exciting to me to try the case as I worked on it in the court room, whether they were motions to supress, trials, or multi district litigation, such as (I hope I spell it correctly) Phen/Fen. That case paid out the largest amount in legal fees ever and yet, there is still argument going on before the court as to objections from some counsel that they felt their share wasn’t enough, et cetera.
I must admit that I loved being the Monday morning quarterback and I would many times try out my strategies on my judge. I was with my last judge for 22 years and we were very close. Sadly he’s gone now.
Breaking in new law clerks was a big job. We had two law clerks and the stayed for two years each.
Now as for my wife, Kathy, she’s pretty well up there, too.
She’s now in the federal court in Philadelphia where I came
out of, but before coming to the federal court, she was the
chief court reporter for the Superior Court of Delaware at
Wilmington, Delaware. She worked on probably the most famous
murder case in the State of Delaware. State of Delaware vs.
Thomas Capano. That case received national recognition throughout the country and was the subject of many TV programs and there was a book written dealing with the murder
case and Kathy received recognition by the author in that book. I believe the author was Anne Rhule. I believe that
might be the correct spelling, but I not sure. She is a famous author in her own write.
Well, Ashley, there’s so much to discuss. Also with your
brother Alex. You see, in addition to everything else, I was a fully trained portrait and wedding photographer and again,
I have an acute interest in music. I play saxophone, clarinet and flute and even to this day, I still take a flute
lessons. My purpose was to play popular dance band music in addition to saxophone and clarinet, but also tripling on flute and I wound up playing classical music on flute.
So from what I understand, I probably have interests that
interest both you and Alex.
My advice to you, after reading something about you, learning
about your passion for the law, is to pursue it and don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way. Good honest and talented trial lawyers don’t come around very often. So go out there and make your mark and be great at what you do.
In order to be good at anything, you MUST be completely in
love with it, period. It’s as simple as that. That’s the magic formula. Love it like nothing else. You must live and breath it. That’s my opinion. That’s what made Kathy and I extremely successful. You have to be completely in love with it. Really, that’s with any endeavor. Otherwise, you’ll just be like most of the others.
Wouldn’t be wonderful if you received a clerkship with a federal judge. The requirements are staggering, but I have
a good feeling with your love and zeal, from what I’ve read,
you would make Law Review, write and be within the top three to five percent of your class.
Well, I know you didn’t expect to hear from me, but I didn’t expect to read about your wonderful accomplishments and your
future hopes and dreams.
Dream on, because good dreams often turn into reality.
Your cousin
Philip
[email protected]
(856) 429-4335