Mood Blush (a.k.a. NARS Turks and Caicos)

I used to love those Mood lipsticks when I was younger. You applied a completely outlandish lipstick shade like blush or yellow and before your eyes the shade morphed into something wearable (actually it usually turned hot pink on me but you get the idea). This is how I feel about NARS Multiple Tint in Turks and Caicos--it's a neon orange in the tube yet somehow, magically, it become a coral pink flush on my cheeks.

I am completely enamored with concept of cheek tints. Translucent stains that impart both a sheer color and a glow? Too perfect. When I heard about the NARS Multiple Tints ($38) I was initially thrilled and then deflated when I saw the limited shade selected: a bright pink, a fuchsia and an orange? Not for me. I'm so pleased that I decided to actually swatch the colors! While Beverly Hills and Cadaques are both beautiful though indeed not for me (I can't wear cool blushes), Turks and Caicos transformed before my eyes into a perfect summer "I've been drinking Long Island Ice Teas in the sun" flush and once applied, lasts all day. I appreciate that it's not shimmery and remains ever so slightly dewy after it's set. It's the perfect thing to wear when you want to look like you just woke up vibrant and rested, not made up.

I have no idea if NARS intended this alchemy or if it was merely a happy accident, but either way I plan to make Turks and Caicos a summer staple.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner

I rarely if ever buy anything Stila (though it was the first high end brand that I collected extensively) but as I was wandering around Sephora on this hot, humid, icky sticky day, the word "waterproof" on the display caught my eye and drew me to this liner. I'm trying to put together a super-fast, super light, super long-lasting summer look and a vibrant indelible liner seems like just the ticket!

According to Sephora, "this highly pigmented, waterproof eye liner glides on to deliver intense, vibrant color with staying power. Soft, smooth, and easy on the eyes, Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner creates a high metallic, sultry, inky intensity that lasts."

These liners are $20 each and glide on effortlessly with both deep, rich color and noticeable shimmer, then set for the day. I had to use makeup remover to clean the swatches off of my hand. I picked up Purple Tang, a deep, dark purple that shimmers a metallic bright, blue-purple in one light, and a bold grape-plum in another. It's a very pretty, complex, unusual color that I hope will really bring out my green eyes. Because the base is black, I think that a very thin line of this would be appropriate even for daytime.

A Quick Update On The Mixer

I previously reviewed The Mixer from Geri G Cosmetics, lamenting that the high quality product was overshadowed by the unnecessarily strong fragrance it contains. It's funny--though my initial reaction was lukewarm, I find myself wanting to purchase loose eye shadows so that I can use this more and more! It's sweltering here in the city and a pigment mixed with The Mixer and applied with a taklon brush takes all of 30 seconds to put on lasts all day on my eyes with no creasing and no maintenance. Alima Paris and The Mixer endured an 18 hour day that included 6 subway rides, a full workday and a Yankee game with nary a crease last week. Of course, I threw out all of my Bare Escentuals and other loose pigments during my last purge, and now it looks as through I'm going to end up reinvesting! MAC Naked is on my list and I'd love to hear your other favorite loose shadows!

30% Off at LaLicious

I've extolled the virtues of LaLicious bodycare before, and now everything on the site is 30% off! The scrubs are absolutely stellar--I have 3 in my shower right now!

Enter code SUMMER30 through tomorrow during checkout at the site.

A Rediscovery

Long time, no post! With summer in full swing here in NYC I've been going out more, working out more, spending more on clothes and shoes and wearing less makeup. While it may be a balmy 87 at street-level, in the subterranean, unairconditioned way tunnels that means it's over 100 and the wrong makeup will leave you a smeary puddle before you even arrive at work. And since we walk everywhere here, a quick jaunt to he store can have the same effect. I've been prety much keeping to concealer, some powder on my forehead, a cheek stain, a simple eye shadow look and tinted balm.

Needing a break from the heat I stopped into The Company Store for the air conditioned solace before an appointment and spotted MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder. It looked like the loveliest of glowing pinky peach highlight, but I held firm, walked out empty handed and added it to my wishlist. Going through my collection a little while ago I spotted MAC Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder and while not identical, I'll be darned if the Pearl Sunshine won't do for now! It's peachier for sure, but applied over a bit of blush it adds a pretty warm glow and since I already own it, it's free!
I am still looking for the perfect gel blush for summer. Right now it's between Tarte Cheek Stain in The Perfect Peach, 100% Pure Peach Glow and NARS Turks and Caicos. I'd love to hear what you think I should choose in the comments!

Manicure of the Week

Actually, this is my second manicure of the week. On Saturday I applied Paul & Joe 04 Provence and was so bored of the shimmery pink-beige-nude that today when I picked up L'Oreal Mango-Get-Em on the way home from the gym I couldn't wait to repolish! I love a bright color on short nails in the warm weather and this shade is summer in a bottle! It's a bright mango melon with no shimmer. The formula is stick and streaky and it has quite possibly one of the worst, most unweildy brushes I've ever used, but it dried fast and I love the shade. It's available for $4.99 on drugstore.com, and that's the same price I just paid at CVS.

What's In my Makeup Bag

Every morning when I pick up my purse and head out to the subway I wonder why on earth it's SO heavy. I then I take out my makeup bag and it all makes sense--I schlepp a lot around in this thing!

My current makeup bag is a limited edition Shu Uemura Mika pouch that I saw and absolutely had to have.
I switch the cases I use around from time to time the same way I do with my handbags. This is definitely the largest "everyday" makeup case that I own. For lighter days I love this one from Touch of Ivy.


Here is what I'm currently toting around:
Tweezerman FileMate Nail File
Sephora by OPI Cuticle Oil
Aromatherapy Personals Anxiety Relief
Origins Lip Balm
Estee Lauder BCA Lucidity Powder COmpact
Pill Case
Mini hair brush
Sonia Kashuk Concealer
Mini Prescriptives Custom Lip Gloss
Contact Rewetting Drops
Colgate Wisps
Jigsaw Hand Cream mini
A few Truvia packets (places only seem to have sugar or Splenda)
Lint Remover Sheets
Migraine medicine
Chanel mini Inimitable Mascara
Sephora Mini Eye Liner
And my Lip of the Day, which today happens to be Edward Bess Pure Impulse

What makeup bag are you using and what's in it?

Face of the Day!

I unearthed an old(er) MAC Quad today and wanted to use it!

Eyes:
MAC Blanc Type lash to brow (over Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen)
MAC Naked lunch in and above the crease
MAC Copperplate in the outer corner
Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Bourbon
Korres Mascara
(The other MAC shadow in the Quad is Sensualize)

Cheeks:
Rock & Republic Rumor
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Maui
Julie Hewett Goldie Shimmy to highlight the tops of my cheekbones

Lips:
Laura Mercier Tiger Lily Stickgloss

Has Anything Disappointed You Lately?

As much as I love reading about favorites, I think it's also helpful to hear about disappointments so one knows to steer clear! I've had a few lately:

• Ellis Faas Milky Eyes- really for the packaging more than the product. Wednesday morning I had the migraine to end all migraines. Like one of those "call your mother to tell her you love her just in case migraines." Luckily and coincidentally I had an appointment with my migraine specialist for that morning but I had to get myself up and dressed so that I could go there and then to work. I thought that Milky Eyes 203 would make for a quick, polished eye so I took it out (I store it applicator down) and turn the dial. Nothing. And again. Nothing. I must have done this 7 times and nothing came out so I put it down, walked away for 5 minutes and came back and turned it. Nothing. I thought I'd turn it one last time and lo and behold, enough for 5 uses came pouring out. I have no patience for this kind of thing when I'm spending $36 a product. The Milky Lips has the same issue but not nearly as bad. As pretty as the blush and some of the other products look, I'm done with this line.
• MAC Technokohl in Photograuvre- I love this color. It's a dark brown with a lot of black, or a soft browned black. Either way, it's not too harsh but gives a very defined line. Unfortunately the product drags and skips along my lash line. It's just not soft enough. Maybe I am just spoiled by my Laura Mercier Kohls and UD 24/7 liners.
• Aromatherapy Personals- this line of aromatherapeutic roll ons has a variety for seemingly every need from anxiety to crave control. Unfortunately the scents don't last more than a few seconds on the skin, rendering them useless. For a similar de-stress elixir, Origins Peace of Mind works wonderfully.
• Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner- hello, dry, straw-like hair!
• L'Oreal- I've written before about how badly the Healthy Hair Creme Gloss Color destroyed my hair. I sent an email to L'Oreal customer service about it and never received a response, yet I keep receiving email surveys from them asking me to rate the helpfulness of their reply. And these emails are sent from an unattended mailbox so I can't reply to them, letting them know that their advice was beyond useless since they simply ignored me. Frustrating!

Has anything disappointed you lately?

Blog Sale!

I've bought so much lately I'm getting to that saturation point and thought it would be a good idea to find a loving home for these wonderful products since they are not getting the attention they deserve from me!

Rock and Republic Eye Shadows in Brink and Tempting and mini Gloss in Vacant- Brink and Tempting may just be two of the prettiest shadows I've ever seen which is why I bought them despite the fact that I am totally non-adventurous when it comes to eye shadow and stick to neutrals. Brink is an aqua with a lot of gold. It's been tested twice and there is a small nick in it. Tempting is a phenomenal multi-dimensional purple with amazing shimmer. It's been tested twice too. It is not a regular R&R compact but a plastic sleeve since it was a gift with purchase. It's still full size and has the regular label on the back. Both are soft and incredibly pigmented. Vacant is a deep nude and has been tried once.
Lancome Color Focus Palette in 104 Escapade Champetre (featuring Erika F)- this palette was never available in the US but I tracked it down after learning it contained Erika F. I was able to get an Erika F single shadow and so I don't use this as much as I should given how beautiful it is. The shadows seem much softer and more pigmented than their US cousins. Erika F used maybe 4 times, each other shade just once. The outer case has a scratch on it from a spat with a Shu palette.
Tarte Mini Vitamin Infused Lip Gloss in Apple-a Day-and Mini Lifted Natural Eye Primer wit Firmatol- each tried once
Estee Lauder Pure Color Ultralight Gloss in Nectar Light- used 4 times
Cargo Lip Gloss Quad in Tenaga- each shade tried once

Here is a better representation of the Cargo shades:
L'Oreal HiP Shadow Duos in Platinum and Gilded- each tried once
L'Oreal HiP Color Presso Gloss Duos in Spunky and Chic- each tried once. These are a squeeeze tube applicator not a wand so the product remains pure
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara and Lash Serum (not pictured)- both brand new
Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Cinnamon- gorgeous plummy shimmer. Used twice.
Three Custom Color Specialists Watercolours in Violet Lotus- used 3 times
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer and Treatment in Light- used twice.
Laura Mercier Stickgloss in Brown Sugar- used twice
Benefit Make Nice- used maybe 4 times
Shiseido SL13- more than 75% remaining
Jouer Eye Definer in Vert-a smooth, golden green. Used twice Comes with sharpener.
Kevyn Aucoin Lip Definer in Neutral- used once.
Becca Eye Concealer Brush- used once.
Face Stockholm Highlighter in Radiance- used twice. A highly reflective baby pink shimmer.
Julie Hewett Cheekie Brush- a cream blush brush. Used maybe 3 times and cleaned.

I'd prefer to sell the whole lot at once for $75 or best offer (Paypal) plus shipping (Priority Mail Flat Rate). Everything will come beautifully wrapped with tons of samples and extras! Please email newyorkcitypretty at gmail dot com or leave a comment if you're interested!

An Updated Walking Tour of NYC Beauty

My very first post last August was a Walking Tour of New York City Beauty. With new stores opening and others closing, I thought it was time for an update!

I'm always getting questions about the best places to shop for beauty items in New York City, and so I've compiled a tour of the city for fellow beauty lovers! Forget the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty--this is the ultimate tour for cosmetic fiends coming this way!

Start out at 26 Grand where you’ll find the quaint Linda Mason shop. She has her own line of cosmetics, including some fabulous cream blushes, all tucked away in adorable packaging. Head North and East further into SoHo for the SoHo Sephora (a very large one), Bloomingdales that has a Space NK inside, Face Stockholm, a MAC freestanding store, Fresh, and the huge Space NK store on Greene. There’s also a Sabon (lovely bath and body products), Origins flagship, Korres store, Amore Pacific, Red Flower, L’Occitane and Bliss. Lafco/Santa Maria Novella is a bit further east on Lafayette. Bond No. 9 is close by in NoHo.

Head up to the Village and check out Aedes de Venustas on Christopher. It’s an incredible shop filled with fragrances galore, including many smaller niche brands. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly as well. Also check out Makeup For Ever on 8th Street. Walk up towards Flatiron and along the way you’ll hit another Sabon and the wonderful Bigelow Chemists. This has been a neighborhood staple for over 168 years and is the oldest apothecary in America. They have their own line of products in addition to several harder to find brands of cosmetics, fragrances, hair care and skin care. In Flatiron you’ll have Mac PRO (open to the public), another MAC freestanding store, another Sephora, another Origins, Aveda, Three Custom COlor Specialists, and a Jo Malone boutique. There's also an Essentials that carries that largest NYX collection I've seen.

Keep going up 5th to 39th for the Cosmetics Market (discounted high and low end makeup. Stock changes frequently), to 47th where you’ll have the Lancome/Kiehls/Shu/Armani outlet which is open to the public (on the 3rd floor of the L'Oreal building. This is a bit tricky to find as the building is undergoing construction but they often have great deals), then to the 50s and you’ll hit the big time: Saks (50th), Takashimaya (54th), Bendels (55th), Bergdorf Goodman (58th), Barney’s (60th between 5th and Madison/60th and Madison are both entrances) and Bloomingdales (59th and Lex). Bond No. 9 is right next to Barneys. Head up Lex and you’ll have another Sephora, and Laura Geller at 74th. If you go West to Madison you’ll see Clyde’s Chemists, which carries several harder to find lines, many of which I haven't seen elsewhere in the city. The Bare Escentuals boutique is on 65th and 3rd, with Molton Brown next door. Eve Pearl is on 3rd between 49th and 50th and both she and her staff are incredibly nice and helpful.

Come West to Columbus and there’ll be a smaller Space NK, Lancome and Clarins freestanding stores, L’Artisan fragrances, another MAC, and Kiehl’s. The Lancome store is particularly nice and they offer spa treatments as well as brows. Another nice Sephora is on 77th and Broadway, as well as by Lush and The Body Shop. The lovely Blue Mercury is on 83rd for Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, Fresh, Bliss and more. If you go all the way up to 125th, you’ll find the Carol’s Daughter shop.

Along the way you’ll pass many lovely spas with fabulous gift shops, including several Bliss locations, Greenhouse, Exhale, Ajune, Apthorp Chemists, Aqua Beauty Bar, and Jeunesse. There’s also the Perricone store on 67th and Madison, Kimara Ahnert on 85th and Madison (private label makeup studio), Le Labo in Nolita for amazing fragrances, and MioMia (Julie Hewett) and CB I Hate Perfume if you have time to visit Brooklyn. Also make sure to stop into one of the many Ricky’s you’ll pass along the way.

If you're going to be in Penn Station, they happen to have one of the biggest and nicest Duane Reades in the city. For some reason this location always has the new drugstore collections and the products tend to be untainted. There is also a Sephora and Bare Escentuals boutique nearby in case you have a long wait for your train. Grand Central has an Origins, MAC store, and Aveda.

If you're visiting Columbus Circle, they have another Sephora, Aveda and Face Stockholm, as well as Crabtree and Evelyn and L'Occitane shops. A brand new Sephora just opened in Times Square, making 2 in 2 blocks! The one on 42nd and 7th carries Illamasqua, Temptu and Lauren Luke. Also in Times Square is a new MAC store and Inglot. This is the only place in the US you can buy the line and I highly recommend checking it out. It's very reasonably priced and high quality.

It's a pretty well kept secret that NYC does have Cosmetic Company Stores. These are exactly the same as the CCOs but are "by invitation only." If you work near one, chances are your company ID will get you access as an invitation is simply your employer being on their list. There are quite a few, including in the Met Life building, 100 Church, the GM building, in the little tunnel world beneath Rock Center, closest to 787 7th, 1 New York Plaza, and the building on the corner of Pine and Pearl.

Don't forget beauty supply stores like Alcone on 49th between 8th and 9th, and Makeup Mania on Orchard on the Lower East Side.

The Mixer

I purchased The Mixer at The Makeup Show and it was one of the purchases that excited me that most. I wanted to give myself a good amount of time to play with it before reviewing, and I'm finally ready to weigh in!

The Mixer is from Geri G Cosmetics and is touted as a "revolutionary makeup enhancer."
The Mixer ($29) can be used as a primer, brow and lash enhancer, to extend the wear of products and my preferred use, turning loose and powder products into creams. I purchased The Mixer because I love cream blushes and shadows and it would enable me to turn my favorite powder shades into long-wearing, water-resistant creams. It is also paraben-free and contains aloe, vitamins, natural botanicals, titanium dioxide for some sun protection, Nanomarine-5 and is said to be irritation free.

The product dispenses from the pump is a white cream with a bit of a waxy feel.

I pump a bit out onto my hand, add a bit of powder, mix with my fingers and apply. The Mixer has a bit of mica in it for added luminosity. It takes super-metallic and shimmery mineral shadows, like Alima Paris (below) and gives them more of a velvety finish. I then just apply with my fingers or a brush and the color sets for all-day wear.

With Mixer on the left, swatched alone on the right:
In natural light, no flash:
I've also used The Mixer to turn powder blushes into creams. I use the same technique as above. If you have problems with your blush lasting, this will make a big improvement. The Mixer also intensifies the color quite a bit, solving the problem if you have blushes that do not show up or are just a few shades too light.

Here is Bare Escentuals Golden Gate blush, alone on the left and with The Mixer on the right. With flash:

And here in natural light without flash:

So the good: The Mixer definitely adds versatility to my makeup collection and I love the ease of turning loose shadows and blushes into creams for easy application and water-resistant, long-lasting makeup. There's no learning curve and it allows you to completely control the depth of color and pigment level you achieve. Change product finishes and textures with ease.

And the bad: I have two big issues with The Mixer. First, it's highly fragranced. I didn't realize this at the show and would not have purchased it if I had. It's what is keeping me from recommending the product wholeheartedly. Fragrance is the last ingredient but I find the scent to be very strong and it takes a long time to dissipate. I'm very reluctant to use The Mixer to create eyeliners (one possible use I was most looking forward to trying) because I do not want to risk irritation by getting something this perfumed into my eyes. I cannot see what the purpose of having any fragrance in a product like this is, let alone one this strong. Though the brand claims that The Mixer has been allergy tested, is MD and Plastic Surgeon endorsed and is irritation free, those sensitive to fragrance should steer clear.

I also have issues with The Mixer balling up if I try to blend too much. Once the product has set, it's set, and any further blending can cause it to ball up or flake off.

The Mixer is also available in a kit with the M Brush, a little mixing spatula and an instructional DVD for $39.

Vapour Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss

I was very excited when I received my sample of Vapour Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss in Sultry in my Spirit Beauty Lounge order. The gloss is said to be made with 70% organic ingredients (the other 30% are mineral pigments and vitamins that are not available as certified organics). It uses a non-petroleum base and combines castor oil and beeswax in a non-chemical process to create a smooth, shiny lip gloss that is moisturizing.

I love the texture of this gloss. It's shiny, smooth and not too thick and there is no stickiness. Some glosses feel goopy and plastic-y while this really does feel nourishing. Sultry looks gorgeous in the packaging--a slightly coral, somewhat russet, natural shade. As you can see in the swatch though, it becomes very sheer when spread. This had almost no color on my lips, unfortunately.

I'm totally torn about Elixir gloss. I love the way it feels on, love the shine and dimension it provides and love that I'm not ingesting chemicals and that it has antioxidants, but I wish it had more color to it. I have enough left in my sample to try this one more time and perhaps I'll like it more applied over lipstick.

What I Bought From Gilt Today

My gosh that Gilt iPhone app is dangerous! The site had Laura Mercier on today and in under I minute I was able to scoop up a few items and check out. I don't need any of this. In fact, I wasn't craving any of it and now that I have it coming my way I'm not so sure I even want all of it, but there is something primal and powerful about the thrill of the hunt and beating everyone else to those few precious palettes that makes the acquisition irresistible. And the app makes buying lightening fast. So I now having coming my way:

Luxe Lip and Eye Collection 5 Piece Kit and Case ($37.50):
-3 shadow duos in Vanilla Nuts/Coffee Ground, Gold Dust/Sherazade and Primrose/Kir Royale
-3 mini Lip Glazes in Bare Beige, Petal and Baby Doll
-Double Ended Eye Contour/Crease Brush
-Brown magnetic travel case

Satinee Creme Eye Colour in Ecru Silk ($10):
I'm hoping that this will make a great, brightening base

Did anyone else buy anything? I hate paying their shipping fees but felt like I got good deals. They're not set to arrive until mid to late July unfortunately. The sale is on until midnight tonight.

Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale Is On Now!

I love clothing and handbags almost as much as I love makeup, and Rebecca Minkoff is one of my favorite bag designers. Her online sample sale is currently underway (the site was barely moving this morning but now seems to be working just fine) and I just picked up this 3 Zip Clutch in Verdes! I wanted the purple but my pragmatic side won out. They tend to update with new merchandise several times a day so I plan to keep checking back!

Vapour Beauty Mesmerize Eye Color in Flash

I'm slowly making my way through the Spirit Beauty Lounge samples I ordered, starting with Vapour Beauty Mesmerize Eye Color in Flash. I finally got contacts on Friday after 28 years of wearing glasses (yes, I am that old and yes, I plan to be 29 forever) and wanted to be sure I wouldn't risk any eye irritation with a powder shadow today.

Mesmerize Eye Color ($16) is a cream shadow in stick form that stays a bit dewy. There is no powder finish to these. I didn't experience any creasing issues, but I do not have problems with cream shadows creasing and wore this over my Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen. Flash is a brown with slight pink tones. I thought that it would make me look tired and ill when I first noticed the pinkiness but surprisingly, it glistened and appeared fresh!

The color range on these is limited--only five shades and two of those are pink and red--but the product made for a quick, simple eye with zero irritation.

Manicure of the Week

This is Priti Firecandle Nail Polish from my Spirit Beauty Lounge order. It's a just-shy-of-bright-neon pink with a subtle opalescent blue shimmer. The camera flash really picks up on the blue making the polish appear a bit more purple than it really is and unfortunately Blogger really washes them out. . This nail polish went on nicely and dried quickly. Hopefully it lasts since I love that the line is non-toxic and big-3 free. $12.50 a bottle makes it a bigger splurge than Essie or OPI but not as great an investment as Rococo Nail Apparel.

No Flash:

Flash:
Close Up:

My Spirit Beauty Lounge Order

I first learned about Spirit Beauty Lounge from some of the wonderful posters on Emakemeup's Grapevine. Spirit Beauty Lounge was offering 15% off over the Memorial Day Weekend and I took advantage and placed an order!

I love organic and natural beauty lines and am so excited to have found this amazing purveyor of chic, organic and natural products! The site carries a range of brands including Vapour Beauty, RMS Beauty, Alima, Intelligent Nutrients, Revolution Organics, Priti, Yarok and more. One of the coolest offerings is the ability to purchase samples of any 9 products, makeup included, for $15. Everything came beautifully wrapped, tied with pretty pink bows, and they included many extra free samples.
Free Samples:

The first item I ordered is Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Radiant Blush in Intrigue, a shimmery peachy pink blush stick shot through with gold shimmer. The ingredients are 70& organic, the other 30% being minerals, pigments, and vitamins not available as certified organic. This is a beautiful product that you can feel good about putting on your skin.

It may sound silly but even the box this comes in is lovely--right down to the hot pink lining. The tube is a shimmery blue plastic. The product itself has a very dewy texture and the blush is not heavily pigmented and blends well. All of the products have a light passion fruit scent but I don't find it overwhelming and it dissipated almost immediately once applied. These are $28 each. I really look forward to trying more from this line.
Here is Intrigue in the stick:
And swatched:
Next up is Priti Nail Polish in Firecandle. Priti polishes ($12.50) are non-toxic and free of toluene, formaldehyde and DPBs. Firecandle is a bright hot pink with shimmer, perfect for summer!
The color up close:
I also ordered a Sweet Beauty Lip Balm in Taste. These all natural skin and body products are infused with real fine chocolate and blended with superfoods and antioxidants. Taste ($5.50) is said to have a hint of color but goes on virtually clear. As you can see in the swatch, there is barely any pigment. It smells absolutely delicious and the good-for-you-ingredients mean you don't have to feel bad if you give in and lick some off of your lips!

Ingredients:
Beeswax, Babassu Seed Oil, Sweet Cherry Oil, Organic Fair Trade Certified Chocolate, Aloe Vera Oil, Avocado Oil, Meadowfoam Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Black and Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Cocoa Absolute, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E T-50
Swatched:
Alima Pure Luminous Shimmer Eye Shadow in Paris ($9.00) is a super shimmery sandy golden taupe. I need another eye shadow like I need a hole in my head but this one really is beautiful and I think I'll get a lot of use out of it.

I was so excited to order my customized sample kit! Clockwise from top upper left I received:
Vapour Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss in Sultry (now totally on my wishlist. It's gorgeous), RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Promise, Vapour Beauty Mesmerize Eye Color in Flash, Organic Apoteke Detox Mask, Vapour Beauty Siren Lipstick in Hint, Vapour Beauty Stratus Instant Skin Perfector, RMS Beauty Living Luminizer and Vapour Beauty Solar Bronzer in Mirage. Click on the picture to enlarge it and you can get a better view of the colors.

Look how adorably they all came packaged:

The final item I ordered is the only one that disappointed. Aromatherapy Personals Anxiety Relief sounded fabulous--a nourishing elixir you roll on pulse points containing essential oils known to help reduce anxiety and promote inner calm, including lavender, chamomile, rosewood and sweet orange. I find that Origins Peace of Mind helps with my migraines and also with work-related stress, and this aromatherapeutic equivalent of Xanax seemed like just the thing to tuck into my purse for those moments when it seems like everything that can go wrong is going wrong. Here's the problem: for the whole aromatherapy thing to work, you have to be able to actually smell the product! This scent fades away almost immediately rendering it totally ineffective. At $17 I was expecting more and can't recommend this. I don't know if I received one from a bad batch or if all of the different blends have this issue. For now I guess I'll just open it up and try to smell it from the bottle in trying times!

Overall I'm super pleased with my Spirit Beauty Lounge experience and totally recommend them. My order was placed over a holiday weekend and shipped right out on Monday. The offer free shipping on orders over $100 and I received a coupon when I signed up to receive their emails.