Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses

Getting makeup in your eye is annoying. But it's even worse with contacts, because it can stick to the lenses instead of flushing right out. Follow these tips to keep your eyes looking and feeling good:

Put in your contact lenses before applying makeup. And always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your contacts, so you won't transfer any oils, creams, or lotions to the lenses.
Use only non-allergenic makeup. Almay and Clinique have eye-friendly products, but there are other brands as well.
Cream eye shadow is less likely to get in your eye than powder. However, creams can also irritate your eyes more if they do make it into your eyes. Choose water-based rather than oil-based creams.
If you prefer powder, keep your eyes closed during application. Then, brush off any excess powder before opening your eye.
Never apply eyeliner between your lashes and your eye. Apply eyeliner only on the portion of your lashes that is well away from your eye.
To remove eye makeup, wash and dry your hands. Then remove your contacts, being careful not to bump them into any makeup. Finally, use your eye makeup remover.
Replace your eye makeup frequently — at least every three months. Don't use old eye makeup, because over time bacteria will get into the product and then into your eyes, where it can cause an infection. One way to tell if your makeup is too old is if it smells funny. Also, don't share your eye makeup with others

Contact Lenses and UV Light

Researchers have linked ultraviolet (UV) light to the formation of cataracts. Exposure to excessive UV light also may result in a condition called photokeratitis.

That's why some lenses now incorporate a UV-blocking agent. You can't tell if a contact lens has a UV blocker just by looking at it — the blocker is provided in clear form, so as not to disturb vision. The contact lens packaging will specify if the product has a UV blocker, or you can ask your eye doctor.

Very important: UV-blocking contacts are not meant to replace sunglasses. A contact lens covers only your cornea, not your entire eye.

However, UV-blocking contact lenses do help protect the portion of the white of your eye that is covered from formation of growths such as pingueculae and pterygia.

Sunglasses with UV protection can cover more of your eye and the parts of your face that surround the eye, depending on the size of the sunglass lens. That's why contacts with UV blockers are designed to complement sunglass use as an added protection.

Removing Your Contact Lenses

Always wash your hands before removing contact lenses. If you are standing in front of a sink, make sure you use a clean paper towel to cover the drain where the contact lens might accidentally fall.

To remove soft contact lenses, look upward or sideways while you pull down on your lower eyelid. With a finger, gently maneuver the lens onto the white of your eye. There, you can very gently pinch the lens together with your index finger and thumb and lift it off the eye. Until you master contact lens removal, you might consider keeping your fingernails clipped to avoid accidentally scratching and damaging your eye.

Rigid contact lenses can be removed by holding out the palm of your hand, bending over, and then opening your eye wide. With one finger of your other hand, pull on the skin of your eye's outside corner straight out toward your ear with your eye wide open. Then blink. The contact lens should pop right out and into your open palm.

Devices for removing contact lenses, known as "plungers," also are available from your eye doctor, and can be used to touch and directly remove a lens from your eye. Just make sure you touch only the lens and not your eye's surface with this device.

While you might hear a myth or two about someone "losing" a contact lens in the back of the eye, this is actually impossible because of a membrane that connects your eye to the back of your eyelid.

Applying Your Contact Lenses

Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before applying your contact lenses, but avoid overly scented or oily soaps that might adhere to the lens surface. Especially avoid using products containing lanolin.

Some eye doctors say to always apply the first contact lens in the same eye, so you'll avoid the possibility of mixing up lenses for the right eye and left eye.

Other basic guidelines for contact lens application include:

Gently shake your lens case containing the storage solution, to loosen the contact lens should it be stuck. (Don't try pulling at the lens with your finger, or you might damage it.)

Slide the lens out of its case and into the palm of your hand. Rinse thoroughly with the appropriate contact lens solution.

Place the contact lens on the tip of your index or middle finger, which should be dry or mostly dry.

With the fingers and thumb of your other hand, simultaneously pull up on your upper eyelid and down on your lower eyelid.

Position the lens on your eye while looking upward or forward, whichever you find to be easier. You also can apply the contact lens by placing it on the white of the eye closest to your ear.

Roll your eyes in a complete circle to help the lens settle, then blink.

Which Way Is the Right Way?

Which Way Is the Right Way?
A question many newbie wearers have is: "How can I tell if my contact lens is inside-out?"

The difference can be subtle, but before placing a contact lens on your eye, make sure it looks like half a ball, not a soup bowl with a rim.The trick is to place the lens on your finger so that a cup is formed. Then hold the lens up directly in front of your eyes so you're looking at the side of the cup.

If the lens forms a "U" with the top edges flared out, it's inside out. If it forms just a "U," it's in the correct position.

If you're wearing lenses with a handling tint, another way is to place the lens on your fingertip and then look down at it. The edge of a tinted lens should look very blue (or green, depending on the tint); that won't be the case if the lens is inverted.

Some contact lenses also have a laser marking, such as the brand name, on the edge to help you. If you can read it properly, the lens is not inside out. Don't worry if you place a contact lens in your eye inside out. The lens will feel uncomfortable, but it can't do any damage.

Renting Movies Online Tips

Renting movies online was the topic of a piece on NPR yesterday that covered the cost of going to the movie theater vs renting movies. “Trading down” was the term they used to describe the increase in the number of people who were renting movies from Netflix or Blockbuster in order to save money on their entertainment budget.

Despite several ways you can save money at the movies, it’s still usually cheaper to rent a movie, especially if there are two of you. We’ve cut way back on our movie theater visits not just because of the cost of movie tickets but because it’s more expensive to go when you have to get a babysitter.

One nice thing about renting a movie is that you can watch it whenever it fits into your schedule instead of having to go at a certain time; it’s also nice to be able to pause the movie for refreshment or bathroom breaks whenever you want. However, we still really enjoy the movie theater experience every now and then but it just seems to get more and more expensive.

How about you, are you “trading down” and going to the movies less often? There are several ways you can save money on movie rentals, such as the Blockbuster free trial or signing up for both Netflix and Blockbuster as they compete against one another.

Blockbuster Special Features

In-store Coupons: Each monthly rental plan includes a weekly e-coupon that can be used in any Blockbuster retail store, although store membership is required to use the coupon, and movies must be returned to the store they was rented from.

HD-DVD and Blu-Ray: Blockbuster has a growing collection of movies available in both of these high density, super high quality video formats.

Gift Certificates: Members can gift subscriptions to friends or family. Gift plans range from 3 disc/unlimited returns for one month at $17.99 to a year of 3 at a time and unlimited rentals for $215.88 per year.

Rewards: Blockbuster provides rewards based on monthly rental activity, such as ‘Rent 5 movies or games get 1 movie or game free, twice a month’.

Sales: Members and non-members alike have the option to purchase movies directly from the website without registering.

Cancellation: There is no cancellation penalty to terminate a subscription and Blockbuster offers excellent customer service via email with an extremely fast turnaround time for help requests.

Blockbuster Subscription Plans

Blockbuster Online offers 5 different plans:

1 movie at a time for $9.99 per month
2 movies at a time for $14.99 per month
3 movies at a time for $17.99
5 movies at a time for $29.99 (for existng members only as an upgrade)

8 movies at a time for $47.99 (for existng members only as an upgrade)
All plans listed are unlimited, so another movie is sent once one is returned

Blockbuster - How it Works

Here is how the process works. Visit http://www.blockbuster.com and add movies to your queue, called My Q. They will be shipped to you via first class mail in 1-2 business days. With the DVDs, you will get a postage paid envelope so that you can send them back through the mail. The other option is to return the DVDs to one of Blockbuster's stores, if there is one near you. Shipping DVDs is always free, in both ways. There are no due days or late fees, you just have to pay a flat monthly rate. Blockbuster online advises that to get the most out of their service, you should keep at least 30 "Available" titles in your queue at all times. Once you have added movies to your queue, they will be automatically shipped and you will notified by a separate email for each and every DVD shipped.

Blockbuster History

Blockbuster Entertainment Company started doing business in Dallas , Texas, opening its first store in 1985 under the name of Blockbuster Video. David P. Cook was the founder of the company and he was only 29-yeards old in 1985. He then handed out the business to Joe Mitchell who managed to turn it into a multi-billion dollar corporation. Then in 1994, Joe Mitchell sold the company to Viacom for the price of $8.4 billion. In 1996, Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation was renamed to Blockbuster, Inc. Currently, Blockbuster has more than 5,000 participating stores accepting returns of DVDs and 35 distribution in the USA. During the 1990s Blockbuster bought out their major UK rival Ritz Video and changed the name of all the stores to their own becoming the biggest rental company in UK.

Napister.com - Review and Information

Napster, the pioneer that started it all, has revamped their site for the ultimate music download experience. Although the service is no longer free, it is 100% legal, and in our opinion, better than ever.

With a library of over 3 million songs, we found every artist we were looking for with ease and velocity. And with Napster’s music recommendations, we also discovered new songs and upcoming artists.

Although Napster is not P2P file sharing site, it offers superb music streaming and direct downloading of all your favorite artists. And with a clean, user-friendly interface this site is perfect for novice users.

With your subscription fee, you will be able to download unlimited music, but the service charges $0.99 per song when copying to CD. Those wishing to test out the service before committing will benefit from the 7-day free trial.

Napster also offers a bonus feature called NapsterLive which provides subscribers with exclusive access to special studio performances by their favorite artists and access to an array of radio stations..

eBay Selling Tips

Always list a photo in your eBay.com auction, even if it’s a stock picture from the Internet.

List concise specs and details of your eBay item in the description. Is the item you’re posting on eBay new or just opened and never used or in fair condition? These seemingly small details can often make the difference in a higher bid for your product.

Mention comments in your follow up e-mail after your eBay.com auction is closed. Example:
I sent your item today via Priority mail. I hope you enjoy it. I appreciate any positive ebay feedback you may want to leave and I plan to do the same for you as well.

Send the merchandise only after you have received payment for your eBay.com auction item, even if it’s from a family member.

Leave comments only after the eBay.com buyer confirms receipt of the product, either via e-mail or the eBay.com comments form.

eBay Buying Tips

On eBay.com, it is normally to the buyer’s advantage to pay with a credit card, whether via PayPal or direct or with an escrow service. Most credit card companies offer their cardholders some type of protection against fraud. Never pay using a check or money order, if possible. Online fraud is increasing according to consumer advisor Clark Howard.

Leave eBay feedback only after receiving the product and addressing any issues you may have with the seller via e-mail.

Use the numerous “My eBay” resources to keep track of your bids and offers and get e-mail notifications on your bids. The eBay community forums are the probably the best source for help available on eBay. Due to the huge volume of help requests, don’t get your hopes up for a human to respond back to a you and certainly not by phone.

Watch the eBay feedback very closely. This is most important in judging seller credibility. If over 5% of the feedback remarks are negative or neutral, consider purchasing from another seller. Don’t buy from eBay.com sellers with under 10 feedback ratings if possible. Be especially careful of anyone with negatives on large ticket items.

Be mindful of eBay sellers who consistently have a high percentage of 0 eBay feedback bidders. Some eBay sellers may be artificially running up the market for their item, hoping you will be the high bidder.

Pay promptly. You will receive higher praise from eBay.com sellers.

Always leave eBay feedback. Some eBay buyers with over 100 comments stop leaving eBay feedback, thinking that with such high numbers, they have achieved sellers nirvana. This could create a problem over time.

Don’t get emotional with eBay bidding. Set the price you are willing to pay ahead of time and stick with it. Be like Mr. Spock and don’t give in to emotion over logic.
Respond to all questions from inquiring eBay bidders promptly

Online Auction Tips

Use a credit card. When a consumer uses a credit card, the bank that issued the card acts as an intermediary if there is a problem with the transaction, and allows the consumer to charge back an unauthorized or erroneous charge.

Use third party payment services. Third party payment services that are affiliated with the auction site act as intermediaries between a buyer and seller. Depending on the auction site’s particular system, purchasers may also be able cancel charges for unsatisfactory or non-delivered goods.

Consider online auction insurance. Some online auctions offer insurance to protect the buyer. Under these programs, when the seller fails to deliver, or the goods aren’t what was promised, the buyer can recover some of what was paid. However, consumers need to check the insurance policy and procedures carefully. Often, there are very short windows of opportunity to file a claim, and some policies limit the types of claims that can be filed.

Consider using an escrow service for expensive purchases that aren’t covered by insurance or bonding. Online escrow services allow consumers to deposit money in trust with a company that holds money until a consumer receives the goods that were purchased in an auction. If there is a dispute, the escrow service may act as a referee.

Ask about delivery, returns, warranties and service before you pay. Get a definite delivery time and insist that the shipment is insured. Ask about the return policy. If you’re buying electronic goods or appliances, find out if there is a warranty and how to get service.

Study consumer feedback sections of online auction sites. These areas contain reviews of seller practices by previous customers.

Check out the seller before you bid. Some auction sites have feedback forums with comments about the sellers based on other people’s experiences. Be aware that positive reports may have been “planted” by the seller and negative comments could be from a competitor. Other sources of information are state or local consumer protection agencies and the Better Business Bureau. Negative information is a good warning sign, but a clean complaint record doesn’t guarantee that your transaction will go smoothly.

Be careful if the seller is a private individual. Many consumer protection laws don’t apply to private sales, though government agencies may take action if there are many complaints the same individual or criminal fraud is involved.
Be especially cautious when dealing with sellers in other countries. If you have a problem, the physical distance, difference in legal systems, and other factors could make resolving it very difficult.

Get the name and contact information of the seller. The name, physical street address, email address, and phone number are helpful to have for checking the seller out and following up later if there is a problem. Don’t do business with anyone who refuses to provide that information.

Try mediation to resolve disputes. Not all problems are due to fraud. Sometimes people simply fail to hold up their side of the bargain in a timely manner or there may be a misunderstanding about something. Some auction sites provide links to third-party mediation services that help people resolve disputes. There may be a small fee that is usually paid by the party who requests the mediation.

Inform auction sites about suspected fraud. They may have policies to remove sellers from their sites if they don’t live up to their obligations.