nablopomo 16: can't live without ... Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler & Mascara

I love makeup, but I barely wear any. Partially because I think I look ridiculous and because I have too many other things to do other than my makeup. I am a minimalist, but I can't leave the house without doing something about my eyes.

My eyelashes are thick, long and very straight. When I don't curl my eyelashes I look tired. I remember the first time I got a makeover I was 16 years old. The makeup artist tried using a Revlon eyelash curler on me, but it barely made a crimp. Next thing I knew she used a blunt butter knife and her finger to curl my lashes. The heat from her hand with the edge of the butter knife got my stubborn lashes to curl beautifully.

Before I go on vacation I typically get my eyelashes permed so I don't have to worry what I will look like after snorkeling. It lasts about a month and shaves a minute off my "makeup routine". But, it is impractical getting an eyelash perm every month. So, I was on the hunt for the über eyelash curler ... and, I found it! Shu Uemura's eyelash curler. It requires very little squeezing, doesn't pull at the lash and creates a nice shape.

A really good mascara is so hard to find. I love the MAC mascara because it had rosewater in it which makes your lashes really glossy, but it smudged. So, by lunch time I looked like a raccoon. I tried the best selling Maybelline's Great Lash mascara, but it would make my perfectly curled eyelashes straight seconds later. Once again, Shu Uemura came to my rescue. Their mascara is not clumpy, it doesn't straighten out my lashes and it lasts all day.

Shu Uemura you are the apple of my eye!