January 2012 Favorites

Yes, I know I am not the first to say this, but can you believe January is already over? Where does the time go?

Anyhoo, here are the products I kept reaching for in January:

1. Laura Mercier Luster Eye Colour Duo in Dusk/Chocolate - These two shades work so well together making it easy to create a contoured eye. Both shadows are smooth, easy to blend, long lasting over primer, and very pigmented. I have really been loving Laura Mercier's color products lately and will be featuring more of my fave products in the coming weeks.

Swatch of Laura Mercier Luster Eye Colour Duo in Dusk/Chocolate

2. MAC Mineralize Blush in Early Morning - This is from the Naturally collection and although I normally don't go for mineralize blushes, this one is amazing. It is extremely pigmented so I use a light hand and a skunk brush (I prefer MAC's 188) so that I can have good control of how much color I apply. I think this is gorgeous on all skin tones, but due to pigmentation, it is best suited for medium-dark skin tones. All 3 blushes from the Naturally collection are super smooth, finely milled, and have a natural sheen to them that is not sparkly or matte. Ever since I got this one I have been using it almost everyday.

Swatch of MAC Mineralize Blush in Early Morning

3. Hana Shine Shield Serum - I originally reviewed this here, and I liked it, but I have really been loving it the past few months. After washing my hair I apply a few drops of Moroccan Oil to damp hair, then blowdry and flatiron. Due to the winter static and dry weather, I have been having a lot of flyaways so after straightening my hair I rub a drop or two of this serum between my palms and smooth it over the top of my head. It works really well to control the flyaways, but it also adds softness and shine without adding any greasiness. Don't you love re-discovering good products you already have?

4. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Corrupt - I confessed my love for this here and honestly, I haven't been using any other liners. This is darker than basic brown, but not as harsh as black, and it just works. I use it day and night and with all sorts of shadow combinations (or with no shadow). This pencil is just amazing and judging by how much I use and sharpen this, I better find another pencil just like it soon, cuz this is going to run out and it is not permanent....le sigh.

Swatch of Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Corrupt 

What products have you been loving?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings you and your family lots of happiness, love, prosperity, and laughter! Personally, I don't have any resolutions because they are so hard to keep, but I wish you lots of luck with yours!

Did you do anything fun for New Year's Eve? I went to a friends place for a intimate party with good friends. Here is the look I wore for the evening:

Almost finished look, i.e. no lipstick and hair undone

Face: 

• Stila One Step Primer
• MAC Face and Body Foundation
• MAC Pro Longwear Concealer under eyes
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer on red spots and blemishes
• MAC Cream Color Base in Bronze to contour
• Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Citrus Spark 
• Victoria's Secret All-over Shimmer Powder in Candygirl to highlight

Eyes:

• Nars Primer on lid
• Laura Mercier Foiled Eye Colour in V.I.P. Gold on lid
• Victoria's Secret Shimmer Shadow in Golddust on browbone
• MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack to line upper lash line
• MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved to liner outer half of lower lash line
• Victoria's Secret Triple Drama Mascara in Blackest Black on top and bottom lashes

The above photo is the finished look, with MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Most Wanted on my lips. I didn't do anything too fancy or complicated, just a bit of gold on the eyes and a peachy-maroon lip. 

How was your New Year's Eve? What are your resolutions for 2012?

Still Searching for a Mascara that Blows my Mind: Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Mascara Review

For about a month or so (on and off) I have been using the Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara:

I was excited to try this because it of the name (doesn't it sound like it would make your lashes fab?) and the description: 

"dramatically thickens, lengthens, curls and sculpts lashes with each stroke. The lightweight, nutrient-infused formula leaves lashes super-shiny, soft and clump-free all day long."

I think the mascara has potential, but needs some work. I like the brush because it is full and thick, but the mascara formula itself is very goopy. It is thick and clumpy on the brush, on the tube, and on my lashes. I am embarrassed to show you this, since I am very particular and clean with my makeup products, but this mascara just gets all over the place...check out the tube after only 15 or so uses:

Once on my lashes, it does a good job of holding curl and defining the lashes, but it does not thicken or lengthen my lashes at all. Also, since the formula is so clumpy, I have to brush through my lashes with a lash comb EVERY time I use this mascara. Annoying.

Lashes curled with no mascara

With one coat of the Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara

If this wasn't so goopy, it might be ok. In that case I would even consider layering 2 or 3 coats, which might give a little more ooh-la-la to my lashes. 

In other news, are you attending any fashion related events in your city? It is currently Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Week in NYC, and there are tons of fashion related events happening here in Philly. Most of them are open to the public and there is a good chance there are similar events occurring in other US cities. I went to one fashion show at my local Macy's and I will be posting about that soon. 

Laura Mercier Shy Pink Lip Stain Review

In the past couple months I have developed a new affinity to lip stains. I like having color on my lips but not having to constantly reapply and worry about the feeling of lipstick. I recently finished my all-time favorite lip stain - MAC's Secret Crush Lip Stain from the Rose Romance collection, so I have been on the hunt for a new one. That hunt led me to the Laura Mercier counter where I found this:

Laura Mercier's Lip Stains are described as having "the visual effect of a stain with the comfort and sheen of a lip gloss." The shade I tried is Shy Pink, a light, berry pink shade that I was hoping would be semi-darkened version of my natural lip shade.  

Left: Swatch of Shy Pink from finger, Right: Swatch of Shy Pink blended

The shade itself is a bit more cool-toned and has some purple in it. It is definitely workable for school/work or a night out. 

Shy Pink in Natural Light

In natural light the shade looks more purple. In artificial light the shade looks more mauve-y. 

Shy Pink with Flash

The description of the product itself is pretty realistic, but I think the name "lip stain" is misleading. Stains are usually products that add pigmentation to the lips and get absorbed by the lips so you don't feel anything. This product is not like that....I can actually feel it on, it doesn't get absorbed, and it will transfer to a glass, mug, husband, etc. That being said, the feeling of the product on the lips goes away in about 45 minutes, but the color will still be there. I guess that is why they call this a stain. It lasts about 2.5 hours on my lips, which is annoying because if you want to reapply you have to use a brush or your finger...why do brands still make lip products in jars?

The pigmentation is pretty good and it is non-sticky. That being said, I would think of this as more as a tinted lip balm, except it is not moisturizing or creamy. It is somewhat of a lipstick in a jar....I think. 

Needless to stay, I am still on the hunt for my next favorite lip stain. Any recommendations?

Laura Mercier Lip Glacé Review

Laura Mercier Lip Glacé's are one of the brand's more popular color products and I wanted to find out if the gloss is worth the $22 price tag. 

I tried out the shade Baby Doll, which is a sheer, light pink with a subtle sparkle.

The texture is nice and non-sticky, and I did get about 4 hours of wear from this gloss, but the whole time I was cringing at the smell and taste. The Lip Glacé has a VERY strong vanilla scent. If you think MAC glosses smell vanilla-y, that is nothing compared to the Lip Glacé. And don't get me started on the taste....a strong mixture of vanilla and sugar reminiscent of 5-year old play makeup. 

Baby Doll straight from tube and blended out

This shade does not have much pigment, and when worn on the lips it just adds a bit of a light pink sheen. I like it because it is very natural and fool-proof....the kind of gloss you can apply without a mirror.

I would like these glosses if they had less vanilla fragrance and taste. Value-wise these are a pretty good deal for non-sticky gloss that still has some color. One gloss has 0.159 oz./4.5g worth of product and costs $22. Comparatively, MAC's version of a non-sticky gloss is the Cremesheen Glass and you only get 0.09 oz/2.7 g worth of product and costs $18.50. If you like non-sticky flavored glosses then I highly recommend trying one of Laura Mercier Lip Glacé's. If not, then steer clear!

What's Your Level of Tint? Fun with Tinted Moisturizers

All through high school I used to wear Clinique's Almost Makeup. I thought it was the greatest invention in the world! It wasn't as thick as foundation but gave me the perfect amount of coverage! However, what I failed to realize back then was that the shade I wore was a bit too cool toned and pink for my olive skin. I'm not sure if Clinique has expanded their shade range or modified it since then, but overall I think their foundations lean more pink than yellow....and like Bobbi Brown, I believe more people lean yellow than pink (even if they do have patches of redness). 

I think tinted moisturizers are a great product for the consumer, but like foundation, it is hard to find a formula you like. Some provide foundation-like coverage...some are lacking the "tinted" part of the product...some are too oily....some are too pink-toned....what's a gal to do? So I decided to play around with a few popular tinted moisturizers and see how the coverage compares to each other. I made a thick black line using a gel eyeliner and applied the various products over the line, just to show you how the coverage differs:

Sampling Mania! Do you like to Sample?

What did we do without internet? I can't even remember what I did before the phenomenon of online shopping! It's not just the goodies I that I look forward to, but I also love getting samples. However, I admit that most of the time, the little packets get thrown into the depths of a makeup container and never see the light of day. 

Every now and then I will get a sample of something I really want to try, and it's almost as exciting as the shopping process. Take for instance the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer that I recently got to try out:

This is one of the most popular primers in the market and I was so excited to finally try it out. It is a white gel-like primer that goes on clear once you blend it out. It looks a bit glossy, but once it is completely blended out and dries, it is completely natural looking and transparent:

Exclusives - Nordstrom, MAC Dazzle Lipsticks, and More!!!

As of late everyone has been talking about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that starts in July, and I have already seen a couple of the beauty exclusives and I can tell you....if makeup was a food, my mouth would be watering!

All I can say is if you have a few favorite beauty brands, I recommend stopping by your local Nordies to ask the counters what specials they have for the Anniversary Sale or checking out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives online . They are taking pre-sales right now and there are limited supplies of some of the best ones. Hello Bobbi Brown Full-Size Brush Set that is $75 (retail price $175) and my store said they are only getting 30 of them! There is another Bobbi makeup set, the Chocolate & Navy Set,  that is a great value, some fantastic Laura Mercier deals, good deals on Philosophy, including a large Purity Made Simple (with a pump!!), and of course, the ever popular MAC deals.

In addition to the usual MAC color and brush sets, Nordstrom is also releasing limited edition MAC Dazzle Lipsticks, which are creamy lipsticks that have high-shine and tons of sparkle. I was able to swatch these and although I like the sparkle effect,  I wasn't too impressed by the shades.

Here are the colors (I only swatched 9 of the 13, since 4 of them were missing from the display):

Top Row Colors: Naughty You, Win-Win, Troublemaker, Snazzy, Hot Sass

Bottom Row Colors: Baby's On Fire, Infused with Glam, Wham, Smash Hit

In the second pic you can get a better idea of the sparkle and shine factor. The colors are decent but they are very bright and I wanted a bit more variety. Since sparkle is hard to wear, most people might not want to do both sparkle and a bright color lip. In any case, I picked up Wham since I thought it would pair well with Indian clothes. I have enough dazzleglasses and the color variety of the new ones didn't do anything for me so I didn't even bother swatching them.

Another deal I wanted to tell you about is the MAC Lash & Lined Set from Nordstrom. This is a special set that Nordies created for their cosmetic trend show events, and some stores have extras so you may be able to find them, or you can purchase it online. It has full sizes of Zoom Lash Black, Prep + Prime Lash, Technakohl Liner in Graph Black and a travel-size Pro Eye Makeup Remover (1 oz.). Everything comes packed in a clear zip-around makeup bag that is perfect for the purse or travel.

Speaking of, have you been to a Nordstrom Cosmetic Trend Show? I am going to my first one this weekend and I will let you know how it is! BTW you can call your local Nordies to inquire about the trend shows at the stores near you.