Friday, September 19th, 2008
If you know me, I’m not a big drugstore shopper when it comes to makeup. I just prefer the experience at the counter, and we all know MAC is a brand near and dear to my heart. So when you have enough makeup to paint ten faces, you just don’t feel as compelled to seek out alternatives at the drugstore, you know? That being said, I was 100% impressed by Sally Hansen’s Natural Beauty Color Comfort Lip Colors. These lipsticks felt ridiculously creamy, moisturizing, and they were rich and intense in pigmentation. At $9.99 a pop, it’s not exactly a bargain, but I imagine, like other drugstore brands, it will go on sale from time to time. Even at the full price, these lipsticks are amazing. I will definitely be keeping these within reach!
See lip swatches! Continue reading →
Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Philosophy Purity Made Simple ($20.00 to $40.00) is a cult favorite when it comes to finding a gentle, one-stop cleanser. The original is a creamy formula with no real lathering/foaming properties. They recently launched a version that is high-foaming, which is not a creamy formula, and instead pumps out as a foam and then lathers up a bit more while applied. Purity Made Simple is a 2008 Sephora Beauty Award Winner, as well as an Allure Award winner in 2007 selected by readers. It is an “emulsifying cleanser” that gently cleanses while removing dirt and makeup. The original version was actually designed not to foam!
How does it pan out? Foaming or emulsifying? Let me tell you! Continue reading →
Thursday, September 18th, 2008
Giorgio Armani’s Lip Wax in Cardinal Red (#5) ($26.00) is described as a “bright, transparent red” in color. Lip Wax is a new product designed as a compact lipstick that’s a “blush of color” once applied to lips. It has GA’s Micro-fil technology in it to give you smoothness and act like a second-skin. I definitely consider this product to be more like a lip stain than a lipstick, just because it feels so lightweight and gives you just a touch of color once applied to the lips. It comes in a nifty compact case, gleaming and all, but you’ll need to make sure you have a retractable lip brush at the ready in your purse if you want to tote it around. I think it’d be cool if they could somehow give you a super short handled lip brush inside the compact, just for on-the-go. I also wonder if this could be used as a blush stain… hm. Have any of you tried Giorgio Armani’s new Lip Waxes?
See skin and lip swatches… Continue reading →
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer ($65.00) recently became part of the Kate Somerville product line after customer demand for a moisturizer that worked well on combination and oily skin. This particular moisturizer is aimed towards those with sensitive, combination-to-oily skin; something that doesn’t aggravate existing acne, too.
Benefits
- Moisturizer (duhhh!)
- Enhances skin smoothness and reduces fine surface lines
- Improves skin firmness and elasticity
- Increases cell turnover
- Helps control and absorb sebum to give you oil-free skin
How-to: Use as part of the AM and/or PM routine by applying a thin layer over clean skin (face/neck). If using a serum, layer on top of the serum.
Key Ingredients: Pepha-Tight (skin tightener, anti-wrinkle, firming, toning, moisturizing properties); Red Marine Algae (APT) (cell turnover, firmness, elasticity, smoothness, reduces fine lines); Sepilift (firmness, stimulation of collagen)
Those are some fancy schmancy ingredients! Find out what I liked (or what I didn’t!) about this moisturizer… Continue reading →
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
I recently tried a few products from Thevi Cosmetics, which is a line founded by Thevaki Thambirajah. Thevi created the brand because she “could never find cosmetics in shades that suited her coloring.” She wanted colors that were “rich and vibrant without being harsh,” so Thevi Cosmetics was born as an answer to the frustrations she faced (and countless other women face).
“I know that there are many, many women like me. Women to whom ‘natural’ means ‘colorful.’ After all, what is more natural than a flower, a butterfly, a sunset? In our homes, in our dress, even in our foods and in our makeup, we are women who feel comfortable with color. In fact, we crave it. And while our skins come in a wide range of tones and shades, we all look best with a more intense makeup. Red lips. Strongly defined eyes. Visible cheek color. And of course, fresh, smooth complexions.”
How do they fare? Continue reading →
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Beth Bender Beauty put out this great trio for summer that is/was perfect for the season, but it also makes for a nice way to fade into fall, too. This eyeshadow trio is called SGB ($36.00), and it is available at www.bettesboutique.com. I love the coppery brown color, and I think the pale golden shade makes for a nice all-over lid color. Beth Bender also knows about easy beauty, because she also is responsible for for the Get In Line Eyeilner & Stencil kits–making lining easier for those of us who struggle!
See swatches…
Continue reading →
