Ooh, get the Cover Girl mascara in the pink tube. Brown and black.

And I deeply resent this whole "for the children" attempt to censor the cable stations. I didn't drag myself out of childhood by the skin of my teeth just to watch the freakin' Waltons 24-7. Most of the country is over 18 and should damn well get to watch whever they want.

For the record, I do, too. My wishing for general audience programming was directed at some genius who could make it appealing, not to some asshat who is writing a bill. You can't really just sit down at 8pm and watch non-animated shows with elementary school kids any longer--or at least, I can't.

Fred is me. As it's my sister's birthday on Friday, I went to the city centre today to buy her present. I thought I was being very clever, as I actually remembered that a few weeks ago she'd mentioned that she desperately needed new makeup brushes. Ordinarily I just panic the on the day and buy her a cd, but today I put some thought into it. However, as I've never worn makeup myself, I was unaware of exactly how complex the world of application brushes was. All I wanted was to get a nice, thoughtful gift for my sister, instead I got a lecture on the differences between blending brushes and angled application brushes and straight-edged brow brushes and why in the hell do all these things cost about thirty euro each?! Why?!

In the end I caved to the inevitable and got her a voucher.

Fred, I feel for you. I really, really do.

All I wanted was to get a nice, thoughtful gift for my sister, instead I got a lecture on the differences between blending brushes and angled application brushes and straight-edged brow brushes and why in the hell do all these things cost about thirty euro each?! Why?!

Har. This is why I usually don't wear makeup. It's all way too overwhelming.

Fred, that's great. What the others saida about nothing too garish or glittery. Black mascara, cover-up/concealer, a neutral sort of lipstick (not too red, not too orange or pink) are basics.

I'd say get black/brown instead of black.

Black/brown mascara tends to look more professional, and suits more skintones than black, which tends to be a bit harsh.

Plei's right, Fred. It's been years since I've bothered with my eyes in the day. I was thinking what's in my makeup case, but I only ever bother with mascara at night, and my eyelashes and eyebrows are black--hence the black.

All I wanted was to get a nice, thoughtful gift for my sister, instead I got a lecture on the differences between blending brushes and angled application brushes and straight-edged brow brushes and why in the hell do all these things cost about thirty euro each?! Why?!

Thitry EURO??? I've never spent anywhere near that much on anything makeup-related. (For brushes, I have the set from Sephora that comes in the little black tube, and a few random other ones that came with the makeup.)

Sephora has a very nice set for $40 or so. Powder, blush, two sizes eyeshadow and lip brushes. Any more than that is getting a bit advanced.

my eyelashes and eyebrows are black--hence the black

Mine are sandy, blonde at the tips. They may actually be lighter than my hair and brows. I'm on the eternal quest for the perfect true reddish-brown mascara. (Auburn mascaras are rare, and tend to be too brick red. MAC used to make a great mahogany, but they discontinued it. Right now, I'm using Tony & Tina Herbal Eye Mascara in brown, which is a true brown-brown, and will do until the holy grail turns up.)

The good news for Fred is, he's buying for a bunch of people he doesn't know, so most things will work for someone.