Helen Mirren is just awesome. No, I don't know her personally, but I've read a couple of interviews she's done, and I greatly admire her. She's sassy while still being classy. She has confidence. She looks good, especially for her age, but really, she just looks good. And not just physically, but she seems to have this presence. It seems like she is comfortable being herself, physically and emotionally, but doesn't feel the need to rub it in anyone's face. She really seems to be someone who has accepted herself, for all of her flaws and her strengths. 

Here are my two favorite Helen Mirren quotes:

“The hardest period in life is one’s 20s. It’s a shame because you’re your most gorgeous and you’re physically in peak condition. But it’s actually when you’re most insecure and full of self-doubt. When you don’t know what’s going to happen, it’s frightening.” [Esquire]

"Your twenties are torture, really, because you don't know what you are going to be or whether it's all going to work out, and you are supposedly an adult but you haven't really learnt anything. You're always looking for your own place in the world, but you're insecure - you think you're wonderful one minute and you think you're a disaster the next. I think your thirties are a wonderful time." And her sixties? "It's brilliant, really, the way life organises itself, because you just slowly get used to what you are, don't you?" [Guardian UK]

I'm in my mid twenties and it's like she's describing my life exactly. 

The Balm "Hot Mama" shadow and blush
$19.00 for 0.25 oz

Description: "A true all-in-one essential: sexy shadow, striking blush, subtle highlighter, and light-reflecting lip finisher tucked inside a go-anywhere compact." Free of :
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates

Review: "Hot Mama" is a warm coral hue, with a touch of pink, and golden shimmer inspired by multi-tasking moms everywhere. The color is very pretty on cheeks and lips, but looked terrible on my eyes. (Let's stop trying to make everything multi-purpose, please!) Hot Mama lasts all day long, and still looks great by bedtime.  It's pigmented but not overly so, making it easy to apply and build. The blush is housed in an adorably decorated cardboard casing with a magnetic closure. The packaging doesn't seem as sturdy as some plastic compacts, but it's managed to hold up pretty well in my makeup bag! Which is actually quite impressive.

Pros:
-Gorgeous color, flattering on many skintones
-Reasonably priced

Cons:
-Doesn't work as an eye shadow

If you're looking for a dupe for NARS Orgasm, this is honestly pretty close. I prefer Hot Mama because color is less sparkly than the NARS version, and therefore more wearable. It's also much cheaper.

Click here to read the review of The Balm "Hot Mama" on We Heart This!

What do you think?  Are women and men objectified to different extents in advertising? Are you immune to advertising?

But make sure you get a good frosting recipe that actually holds your house together! Our first house fell apart because we used the included, so this is the replacement house, made with a frosting recipe that includes egg whites and cream of tartar. :)

2. I bought one of the 5000 Naked 2 palettes today, and it totally made my day :) I waited months to buy the first Naked palette from Urban Decay, but it was totally worth it. I've bought it for several friends as gifts, and they all fell in love with it. So I HAD to have Naked 2.

3. I am obsessed with Lush's Abombinable bath bomb. It looks super cute, like an abominable snow monster, but it smells amazing. It's foamier and less fizzy than regular Lush bath bombs, but it really foams for awhile, and it looks really cool. It also smells AMAZING. I actually fell asleep in the tub, I was so relaxed. It's seasonal, so I highly recommend getting one ASAP! And they'd make an awesome gift too.

How are you doing, readers?

Crazylibellule and the Poppies CrazyStick in "Hommage a Gabrielle":
Price: $18.00

Top note:  Ozonic flower.  Heart Notes: Wooded Incense, Indian Jasmine.  Base Notes:  Vanilla, Cedar, Russian Leather. This product is alcohol- and paraben-free.

Honestly, I didn't think that I would like about this fragrance at first, but the more I wore it, the more it grew on me! It's a slightly sweet, faintly Christmas tree-ish scent with bit of floral. It's natural and earthy while still being a bit feminine. The staying power is fabulous, and the packaging is super cute, and fairly durable for cardboard. It does leave a bit of a sticky spot on your skin, but It's definitely one of the more interesting scents that I own.

Lipgloss+Spandex rating:

KKcenterHK FE108 Handmade Black Wispy Feather Lashes
$3.80 for one pair

Review: I thought these would be fun maybe for Halloween or a costume party (Black Swan?). Like any pair of really really long costume lashes, these are a little difficult to apply. They come in a plastic box so you can store them and reuse them, which is nice. Glue isn't included, but I prefer to use my Ardell lash glue to any included glues anyway. These lashes are handmade, so expect a little (or a lot) of variation between lashes. The two lash strips that came in my box hardly matched at all, and didn't look very good as a result.

Pros:
-Average price for costume lashes
-Potentially reusable

Cons:
-Lash strips vary GREATLY (look obviously mismatched)
-No shipping table to estimate charges before placing items in your cart
-Does not come with glue (doesn't bother me, but may be inconvenient for some)

Unfortunately, these aren't lashes I'll repurchase.

Lipgloss+Spandex rating:

About YellowMan/YMX
YellowMan was founded by Peter Mui, a dude of Chinese heritage who grew up in Oklahoma. He wanted to knock down cultural barriers and to make wearable art that was unrivaled in versatility and comfort. Keeping in line with this vision, YellowMan  apparel features tattoo art that is a reflection of the histories of many different cultures across the world. Mui’s company name mocks the derogatory term “Yellow,” transforming it into a symbol of pride and embracing all aspects of one’s identity. YMX (YellowMan Expression) was launched to “offer an alternative to YellowMan in a broader, commercial market, while still preserving the authenticity of its origins.” Like YellowMan, it features tattoo inspired artwork on apparel that can be worn on the streets or on the run.

YMX Tribal Sea Running Tee in Blue
$69.00

Details: "Not just for running"--cycling, or everyday wear; moisture-wicking; UPF 50+; silky soft material; MadKool (88% Polyester 12% Spandex); lightweight; wrinkle resistant; slim fit.


YMX Tribal Sea Arm Warmers in Blue
$32.00

Details: Good for any sport or just for fun; comfortable; moisture-wicking; MadKool (92% Polyester 8% Spandex); UPF50+; abrasion-resistant.

Both felt really good. The fit was really amazing. I didn't have any problems with  chafing or seams rubbing. The shirt is nice and slim fit, long enough in the torso and doesn’t ride up. The sleeves are just right, neither too long, nor too short. I just wish they had thumbholes! They absorbed sweat well, and dried quickly. The colors are IN YOUR FACE, with zero fading or shrinking after washing and drying. And they're cool looking, so you can wear them to run errands!

The major drawback is the price. Although the arm warmers are fairly competitively priced (YMX's are $32, other brands are around $20-$30 per pair), but  the t-shirt is definitely higher end (YMX's  are $69, other brands are around $25-55). Although expensive, it is the most luxurious feeling workout clothing I've ever worn. In terms of performance, comparable with other high quality brands. But most importantly, in regards to the expense, I would say that it is justified given the quality of the material and the quality of the artwork.“YellowMan believes in paying the artist their deserved value”--definitely something I can appreciate as an artist!

Random note: I’m now obsessed with Winter Flower mesh wrap that just came out as part of their winter 2011 collection... Gorgeous. Must. Have. It.

Lipgloss+Spandex rating:

AND NOW THE GIVEAWAY!!!!

YMX has offered to give one Lipgloss & Spandex reader a YMX Tribal Running Tee in his/her size! Following my blog is required, but you can get additional entries too. Giveaway ends Thursday October 13th!