Most of us have our beauty routine down to a science. We use the same products every day, try not to stray from our go-to makeup shades and rarely take a risk. Lately, I’ve been drawn to all the bold eye colors, faux lashes and red lips that have reappeared on the beauty scene. But thanks to the recent appearance of breakouts, dark circles and dehydrated skin, I’ve been in a beauty rut and a little shaky about my ability to go bold. Strolling through the Biltmore Fashion Park Borders store for one of the last times (boo bankruptcy), I came across Carmindy’s Crazy Busy Beautiful: Beauty Secrets for Getting Gorgeous Fast.
Fresh faced and always accessorized with a beaming smile, I can’t get enough of Carmindy. Best known for her makeup magic on TLC’s “What Not To Wear,” I love her simplistic style and makeup tricks. Never making anyone look like over-the-top, Carmindy brings the glam with wearable looks contestants and viewers can re-create at home. Usually makeup and beauty books put me to sleep after the first page but Crazy Busy Beautiful kept me turning the pages. Dressed up with tip corners, illustrations and helpful hints I was immediately downstairs at the counter whipping out my credit card.
Chapters are sectioned by lips, cheeks, lashes and more with tips for every beauty crisis imaginable. Officially dubbed my beauty bible, I’ve gone crazy with sticky notes marking my favorite pages. Squeezed in to every chapter are also budget beauty tips like sticking nails in the freezer for speedy dry time (yes, I tried it and it works). “The Nasties” document beauty boo-boos and remedies to cover, conceal and heal. They deal with camouflaging bruises, hangovers, bikini line bumps and more. Another favorite section of mine is “Wacky Rituals” from Carmindy’s fans. One fan wrote in that she uses regular mascara on her top lashes and waterproof on bottom lashes to prevent smudgy, raccoon eyes. Pure genius.
For more on Carmindy and her books and products, visit carmindy.com. The site also offers tons of great tips and makeup techniques. Now off to try that new shadow palette I’ve been eying!
