Score!

I'm not an Urban Decay fan, but I was looking for a sheer pop-of-color cream blush to layer over my bronzer and happened upon their new Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints ($24). Sephora describes the product as a "sheer, buildable cheek tint that glides on effortlessly and feels truly weightless," a description I agree with. I picked up the shade Score, which is a sheer peachy pink (more pink than peach) with gold shimmer. I think that the sheerness makes it look natural, and the golden glimmer is very pretty, but some might find it over the top. I'm very fair and find that the color builds nicely, but those with deeper skins will probably find that this shade does not show up. I've heard rants regarding the lasting power of this product but I haven't had any issues with it fading.

Sue Devitt For Spring!

I rarely check out Sue Devitt anymore, but was stumbling around Barney's on Saturday and happened upon her Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye & Cheek Palettes in Solomon Islands and Beausoleil. I'll forgive Sue for giving this product the longest name ever, because the palettes are beautiful and perfect for Spring! Solomon Islands (on the wishlist!) is a pink/coral/bronze fusion, and Beausoleil is a medley of peaches and bronze. Not inexpensive at $37.50 each, but luminescent and pretty without being over the top. I didn't take the plunge yet since I'm still playing with my new Edward Bess bronzer and Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Tint, but it's only a matter of time before I cave.

Mini Duane Reade Haul

I've said it before--I am not a drugstore girl. I love the feeling of plunking down my Amex at a high end department store and walking out with a tiny, fancy bag of overpriced, gilded treasures. However, I've spent way too much already this week and was having the kind of day that only a purchase could fix (believe me, I tried 2 glasses of wine first) so I headed to Duane Reade, my local drugstore (followed by Tasti D-Lite for a Snickers topped with Butterfinger) and came home with these guys:
NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Plaza Pink, Prevail Nail Lacquer in Concrete Jungle, Brucci Nail Hardener in Johnny's Girl. Grand total: $13.42 (plus $5 for the ice cream. It is NYC after all).
Concrete Jungle is a lavender shimmer with holographic microglitter. Johnny's Girl is the ubiquitous semi-sheer light pink.
I'd read that Plaza Pink is a peachy pink with golden shimmer, but it's definitely a soft baby pink with silver pearl to me. That's the other reason I shy away from drugstore makeup--you can't try before you buy. This seems a bit too cool for me so I'm glad it was only $3.99. Here it is compared to my only other drugstore item, which just so happens to be a NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Big Apple Blush.
Big Apple Blush (left) and Plaza Pink (right):

I'm waiting on several items in the mail. Hopefully this will hold me off until they arrive!

A Small Pink Haul

I stopped by the Bobbi Brown counter at Saks this afternoon intent on getting a Pot Rouge. MY cheeks have been dry, my complexion sallow, and I felt I needed something a bit brighter and pinker for blush to help take me through the winter. The makeup artist suggested Powder Pink and it took me all of 3 seconds to say "yes." While there, I also picked up a replacement Creamy Lip Color in Baby and a Metallic Lip Color in Gilded Pink. I've gone through two tubes of Baby already, quite a feat for someone who never uses up a lipstick. Baby is a sheerish, natural peachy pinky beigey lip color. I adore the shade, but am less fond of the formula which I find the be quite thick, so much so that my hair sticks to it when the wind blows. I've been looking for a duplicate and found that Gilded Pink is the most similar shade in the line, albeit a touch sheerer and less brown. Nonetheless I had to pick up an additional Baby. I tried to purchase a Pale Pink Lip Liner but the counter was out.

The closest item I have to Powder ink Pot Rouge (on the left, below) is Julie Hewett Destiny Cheekie (on the right). Destiny is a bit "sandier" and warmer.Here is Gilded Pink (left) compared to Baby (right). You can see how close they are in the tube and when swatched. Gilded Pink is surprisingly sheer.
I then came home and was cooking dinner when I must have leaned too close to the stove (and not realized how long my hair had gotten) because all of a sudden my hair was on fire! The flames quickly shot up my hair and in the millisecond it took my to put out the fire, I'd managed to singe off quite a bit, necessitating an emergency hair cut (which is hard to do on a Monday since salons are generally closed). That's the great thing about New York though--something is always open. $90 later I have cleaner ends and a bottle of It's A 10 Leave In Product since I'm a total sucker when at the salon and the pink bottle pushed me over the edge. Now if only there was something that could get the odor of burning hair out of my apartment...

Chantecaille Wind Blush

If you've noticed that many of my posts lately have been about blush, well...you're right. I go through phases--sometimes I'm obsessed with lipsticks or eyeliners or nail polish--and now it's blush. To me, nothing makes a winter weary face look better than a swipe of cheek color, but I'd been feeling as though my summer pop-of-color blushes were a bit bright on my ghostly pallor. Enter Chantecaille Wind. This blush is pale but pigmented, if that makes any sense. You don't need to apply much or layer for the color to show, but the shade itself is subtle. Just enough to add a peachy neutral warmth without screaming makeup. Chantecaille blushes are expensive at $28, but the formula is lovely. In fact, the only blush I've ever actually finished completely was another Chantecaille in the shade Silk.

My Favorites of 2010 Part One

Somehow I managed to both pare down and buy a lot in 2010. I thought I would share some of my 2010 favorite.
NARS Turks and Caicos Multiple Tint- scary orange in the tube, gorgeous peachy coral flush on the cheeks. I'd buy a backup if I didn't think this would last forever. Has anyone ever finished a NARS Multiple?
Origins Multigrain Bronzer, Julie Hewett Goldie Shimmy and Benefit High Beam- all the essentials for naturally bronze, glowing skin.
Paul and Joe Face Color 16 Canyon- my powder blush pick of the year. Perfect blend of bronze and peachy pink.
Aveda Juneberry Lip Shine- a few shades deeper than my lip color with a hint of shimmer.
Paul and Joe Lipstick 17- a real my-lips-but-better shade. Goes on sheer and luminous.

More favorites coming soon! Also, I've added some new items to my blog sale below. Please scroll down and take a peek!

Be Still My Heart- FINALLY A Decent Sephora Beauty Insider Gift!

Between Friends and Family (I can't believe I still haven't shared my haul!) and the recent VIB coupon, I had racked up a truly embarrassing number of Sephora points. The problem was that none of the 100 point gifts appealed to me at all. A mini shaving cream? Yet another primer sample? No thanks. Imagine my surprise when the recent 100 point gift was not only good but awesome! Mini Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Blushes in #6 Quickie, a gorgeous bright salmon pink! The shade is pretty similar to my Becca Grapefruit Beach Tint but does not have he strong scent and is not meant to double as a lip tint. The formula is also thicker and a bit more opaque but still blends nicely. RUN to your local Sephora to see if they have this gift available (it's not online)!

Becca Grapefruit Beach Tint

I've been looking for a cheek and lip stain for quite a while now. I am one of those people who, despite countless magazine articles insisting that everyone looks good with a just-in-from-the-cold flush, cannot wear pink of berry blushes. This greatly limits my cheek stain options since while deep rose hues abound, peachy pinks are a rare breed. I found bronzes, I found oranges, I even found a deep burnt coral and plum, but alas no stain to suit my coloring.

Then I stumbled upon Becca Beach Tint in Grapefruit. While not a traditional liquid or gel stain, this product does act like a tint for all day indelible wear and lo and behold, Grapefruit is a beautiful peachy pinky coral (similar to Makeup For Ever HD Blush in 6) that flatters my pale skin. I like a stronger cheek and so I apply 2 layers to build the color, but if you crave subtly one will be just fine. It does have a strong grapefruit smell which I neither understand nor care for, but it dissipates in a few minutes. A few Duane Reades in the city now carry the line if you'd like to check out the Beach Tints--there are several lovely shades from which to choose including a peach (another hard to find stain shade).

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.

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

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.

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.