Doll Down Makeup Remover

So my friend Christine (whom I have mentioned here before) suggested I should create a makeup remover. How does one create a makeup remover, I wondered? I had no idea; in fact didn’t know you were even supposed to use the stuff. The last time I wore makeup (some five years ago, for my sister’s wedding) I removed it with soap, hot water and scrubbing.

Hoo boy, was that the wrong approach.

The skin around your eyes is some of the most delicate skin on your body. Most of the time, you shouldn’t even wash it — even gentle soap has a chance of being too harsh.

A makeup remover should be gentle, moisturizing without being oily, and have some cleansing action without being harsh. I did a bit of research, whipped something up, tested it (once I found my makeup), and voila! Doll Down Makeup Remover, for when you’re all done being all dolled up.

It’s made of a blend of canola and grapeseed oils — moisturizing without leaving you greasy. To this I’ve added a couple of essential oils, but only a touch: your eyes are sensitive.

Tea tree oil provides a cleansing action on its own. It’s antibacterial, antifungal, anti-anything that could get into your eyes and make you unhappy. And geranium oil is renowned for its ability to balance both dry and oily skin. I’d say that covers most of us.

To this I’ve added vitamin E oil, as a natural preservative and for its beneficial effects on skin as a whole.

To use, put a bit of makeup remover on a cottonball or tissue. Wipe the oil onto your eyelids and let it sit there for a moment — long enough to brush your teeth, perhaps. With a clean cottonball or tissue, wipe it back off — your makeup will lift off with it.

That’s the last of my massage and other oils for a while, I think, unless I get another idea (or someone suggests something I can’t resist). Somehow I nearly always wind up with five of whatever I’m doing. There’s something about that I’m sure…

Also, helpful kitten is helpful.

Neglected Kitteh

Not that he’d mind.

In all of my many posts about Loiosh (and the few mentions poor Chocolate has gotten), I don’t know that I’ve ever mentioned Samson at all.

This is Samson. He hates you. He hates everyone in the world*. The Demon Eyes effect is from the flash, but the expression on his face? That’s there naturally.

I don’t talk about him much, because when I think about him I’m sad and frustrated. Much like Taltos, I never managed to do anything to improve his attitude on life. Unlike Taltos, he’s not afraid of much; he just hates everyone in the world*.

* This is not actually true. He quite likes Chocolate, who is his brother. And despite the ongoing and rather loud battles he has with Loiosh, he dearly loves the kitten. But he hates all the other cats in the world, and he hates dogs, and he especially hates humans. This totally includes me. I still think of myself as his Momma, though.

Evidence of Samson liking Loiosh:

If Samson understood the web, had an idea what pictures were, and had any clue that I was admitting to others that he likes the kitten, he would kill me in my sleep. Possibly he wouldn’t even wait until I was asleep.

Pets are supposed to teach you about unconditional love. Samson has, in a way — he hates me, and yet I love him. I worry when I haven’t seen him. I greet him every morning (he glares at me). If I can sneak up on him, I’ll pet him. It’s brief when it happens, though.

I’ve pretty much given up trying to wean him of his hating. Despite it he’s generally a pretty happy and serene cat. Healthy as a horse which is good given how exciting it is getting him to a vet. And really, what more can you ask for?

I could ask for Samson-snuggles, but I’m never gonna get them. And that’s okay.