Mally Beauty on Gilt Tomorrow!

Mally Beauty will be on sale on Gilt tomorrow! For those who don't have access to Henri Bendel in NYC (the only brick and mortar location that sells the line) and don't want to buy from QVC, this is a chance to not only try Mally, but get it on sale! You can't beat that! I like the eyeliner and liquid lipstick in the click-pen from the line the best, and have found the powder products to be nicely pigmented.

The sale starts at noon EST and like all Gilt sales, is first come, first serve. They have lowered their shipping rates on smaller items recently making it even harder to resist. I can't wait to see what they're offering. I'm hoping for an eyeliner set.

MAC Cremesheen Glass

As a general rule I'm not a big fan of MAC lip products--I find the lipsticks drying and the glosses incredibly, unwearable sticky. Nonetheless, after seeing a picture of someone wearing Cremesheen Glass in Over Indulgence on another board, I knew I had to have it and make the trek to MAC.

Pleasantly, Cremesheen Glasses are not nearly as goopy and sticky as MAC Lipglasses (which I did use once in a pinch at college to adhere a note to a wall, albeit temporarily). The glide on smoothly and while they have more body than my beloved Hourglass glosses and some of my other favorites, they are not overly thick or goopy.

Over Indulgence is described by MAC as a "neutral brown," but it has definite peach and deep pink tones. It's a very wearable, natural shade that I think would suit many skin tones. It's very similar to Laura Mercier Nude Lips Gloss. It pairs nicely with Boldly Bare lip liner.

Cremesheen Glasses cost $18 (while regular Lip Glasses cost just $14) and apply with a doe foot applicator.


Laura Mercier Nude Lip Gloss (top), MAC Over Indulgence (bottom):

On Lips:

Starting to Think About April's Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Event

Several times a year Bergdorfs offers $25 off $100 beauty purchase. Those who have been shopping there long enough likely remember when it used to be $25 off $50, then $25 off $75, but $25 off anything is better than nothing and I rarely fail to take advantage of it.

The next event is towards the end of April (I get a different answer from every sales associate I ask, some say the 19th, others the 20th, still others just say the 3rd week of April) and will be coinciding with a Le Metier de Beaute event that runs the 19th through the 25th.

I've been mulling over what to get and have a few 'definites' and a few 'maybes' to consider. Is anybody else planning to go or order? What are you thinking about picking up?

So far I definitely need a refill of my Clinique Take the Day Off Balm. I'm also pretty sure I want Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Tenne and Radiance Powder Rouge in Echo.

Other possibilities include the Bobbi Brown Blush Brush and Mahogany Creamy Eye Pencil, Edward Bess Intimate Eye Shadow, and I usually end up with a new lipstick or gloss.

Pretty Peachy Pink Glosses!

I am definitely more of a lipstick girl than a gloss fan, but there's something about the first days of Spring that calls for gloss! I rummaged through my lip gloss collection and pulled out some of my favorite peachy pinks.

Left to Right:
Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Nectar Light, Hourglass Lush, Hourglass Truth, Origins Caramel Candy, Prescriptives Custom Gloss, Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Rosette

Hourglass Extreme Sheen Glosses are hands down, bar none my favorite gloss formula. Smooth, totally nonsticky, gorgeous shades and a cake batter scent. Lush has a lot of gold shimmer and Trush is a luminous cream.

I love the color of the Trish McEvoy but the gloss separates terribly. Ever time I go to use it I end up squeezing out a significant amount of clear liquid before the color flows.

Swatches, same order: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Nectar Light, Hourglass Lush, Hourglass Truth, Origins Caramel Candy, Prescriptives Custom Gloss, Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Rosette

Face of the Day

It was rainy and gloomy when I woke up this morning so I opted for brighter pink cheeks and lips. They were just as appropriate in the afternoon when it had turned sunny and cheerful (though I was too chained to my desk at work to enjoy it).

Eyes:
Lancome Erika F
Jane Iredale Eye Highlighter on brow bone (I use this all the time)
Laura Geller Baked Cake Eye Liner in Key Lime/Dark Green Apple (I usually use the dark wet to line the top and inner rim and the lighter dry to line the bottom)

Cheeks:
By Terry Blush Veloute in Apple, topped with a mix of
Trish McEvoy Sunkissed All Over Face Color and Perfect 1 blushes (the 2 colors in the middle. The others are Jolie and Weekend)

Lips:
Sephora Nano Liner in Queen Quartz
YSL Rouge Veloupte #2
Hourglass gloss in Origami

Close up of the eyes:
Close up of the cheeks:
Close up of the lips:

Holy Grails

I, like most beauty junkies, go through phases where I love a certain product. Sometimes the infatuation lasts a few days, sometimes weeks, but there are very few items that I consider true holy grails--things that I'd absolutely replace right away since I would never want to be without them. Here they are:

• Clinique Take the Day Off Balm- I am not a Clinique skin care user apart from this product (though it was my gateway to higher end brands way back in my early teens) but this product is just amazing. Just a little bit completely dissolves all makeup with no irritation. I rinse it off and follow up with my normal cleanser since it does leave a bit of a film, but those with dry skin could probably just tissue it off.
• Bobbi Brown Baby Lipstick- I've posted about this several times. The formula isn't my favorite but the color is so perfect I won't let it go.
• Origins Silk Screen Powder Makeup- I don't wear foundation, but do like a powder in my T zone but to make me matte and for a little redness around my nose. Every time I stray from this I regret it. It's silky smooth, covers just enough and keeps shine at bay. There are plenty of shades from which to choose and Porcelain matches me perfectly.
• Korres Mascara- length, thickness, a rich inky black and it's all natural! No flaking or smearing either. A tube does start to dry out quickly but being much more reasonable priced than brands like Chanel and Lancome, I don't mind replacing as often as needed.
• Benefit Kohl Eye Liner in Sable- this is unfortunately discontinued but it might reappear if Benefit has a clearance sale. This dark brown lasts forever on the waterline. It's more tenacious than it's counterparts dubbed long-lasting or waterproof. The best.
• Rock and Republic Rumor Mousse Blush- A+ in terms of both color and formula.
• Chanel Brush #3- the best for adding a deep eye shadow color to the outer corner
• Lancome Artliners- these are the easiest to apply and never run, flake or smear. I have half a dozen and hope they come out with new shades soon! I much prefer these to their new Ink Artliners in the pot.
• Bare Escentuals Soul Eye Shadow- this best lid-brightening base
• Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle-keeps my skin clear and smooth with minimal effort (but a maximum price tag!)
• Rubis Tweezers- the sharpest and most precise.
  

Honorable Mentions:
These are products I trust and rely on and use all of the time, but as of now would not send me into a fit if they couldn't be replaced, either because I think they could be duplicated or I haven't had them long enough to truly call them a Holy Grail. They could achieve that designation though!

• Nude Facial Cleansing Wash- free of all the yucky stuff I don't want on my skin yet keeps my face looking great
• Paul and Joe Face Color 16 Canyon- such a flattering combination! I can't wait to try more shades.
• Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Eye Palette #1- my eyes look great every time I use this
• Desert Essence Organics Coconut Hand and Body Lotion- the most divine scent ever. I just wish it didn't fade quite so fast!
• Stem Organics Hydrating Facial Fluid- I love this for the fall and winter, but it's just a bit too rich come spring and summer.
  
• Bobbi Brown Forest Shimmer Ink- less harsh than black, more interesting than brown, this color is perfect on green eyes.
  

This Week's Hautelook and Gilt Sales

There are some great beauty events on Hautelook and Gilt this week!

Hautelook:

3 Custom Color Specialists- Monday

Butter London Nail products- Monday

Biotherm- Tuesday

Luminess Tan- Tuesday

Stila- Wednesday

Gilt:
Mario Badescu- Monday

Mally Beauty

I've seen the Mally Beauty line at Henri Bendel on many occasions and was never tempted by it, and I've seen it presented on QVC multiple times and had no interest, yet last weekend I found myself ordering a QVC One Time Only kit online, acting quickly lest it sell out! This is the danger of staying home on a Saturday night instead of going out with your friends and being completely overstressed at work.

The kit arrived yesterday and I got to play with it today. The products confirmed my initial reaction to the line--nothing earth-shattering, nothing I'd crave in the future--but the quality is fine and the price was right. For $31 and change (almost $42 after shipping and taxes) I received:

• powder blush in Mally's Glow, a warm pink with shimmer
• eye shadow in Mally's Glow, a bronze shimmer
• liquid lipstick in Mally's Look, a midtoned pink
• eye liner in Midnight, black
• mascara in black
• the most hideous pink makeup bag

Mally waxed poetic about her line's lasting power but I found it standard--the liner had smudged a bit under my eyes and the mascara had flaked some. The gloss has a nice non-sticky texture and good shine but a fake/sweet smell and the powder products have good pigment and went on nicely. The overall look was flattering and nice for Spring, but for some reason I just can't get too enthusiastic. To me the line is missing the "something special" or cache of some others and doesn't seem sophisticated. I also really dislike how oversized the packaging is since the added bulk makes storage difficult. It was a good value, priced what would likely have been equivalent to drinks and cab fare had I actually gone out instead of staying in and shopping online and so I guess I came out even!

Testing Testing 123: Eye Creams (Part 3)

I've been using Senna Lift and Lighten Eye Cream since I received several samples last month, and while it's a nice cream, I won't be rushing out to purchase.

"This all-in-one eye cream helps reduce the appearance of darkness and puffiness while toning and hydrating for a smoother, more youthful appearance."

I realize that I'm a very tough customer when it comes to eye creams, so make of my reviews what you will. First, I will say that this is very reasonably priced at only $28 for .5 oz. It is also very thick and moisturizing with a high concentration of shea butter and apricot kernel oil. My concealer went over it nicely, but I noticed no change in either darkness or puffiness. While I've never found an eye treatment that markedly reduced circles, I have used some that nicely counteracted puffiness so I know that it's an achievable result and I expect a product to deliver, at least on that claim.

The ingredient formulation for this eye product is very simple, with Vitamin K, hydrolyzed wheat gluten and some plant extracts down at the bottom of the list. It also contains parabens, a few other preservatives and artificial dye so if those are ingredients you avoid, this isn't for you.

Overall this is a fine moisturizer and a decent base for concealer but don't purchase it expecting it to lift or lighten in my opinion.

Ingredients:
Water, Apricot Kernel Oil, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Phytonadione, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Dimethicone, Rosemary Extract, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl Urea, BHT, Green 3.

Face of the Day

I haven't posted a Face of the Day in a while, but I received so many compliments on my look today that I thought it was worth sharing, especially given how simple it was.

I used Bobbi Brown Champagne Quartz Metallic Shadow lash to brow, Rock and Republic Diffused Shadow in the crease and lined with Sephora Nano Liner in Glitter Brown. Cheeks were MAC Lilicent topped with the last dregs of the Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highligher I dropped and destroyed a few weeks ago and I wore Bobbi Brown Berry Shimmer (decidedly not berry colored) and MAC Gingerroot to line. Usual underpinnings of Jouer concealer, True Cosmetics mineral pressed powder, Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen and Korres black mascara.

Bobbi Brown Blush vs. Blush

Last week I spotted Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Blush at The Company Store and put it on my wish list. The line to check out was long and I need another lipstick like I need a hole in my head, but it looked like a pretty neutral for everyday. A few days later I spotted her Blush Lipshine SPF 15 in a different store and snapped it up, but I still had the original lipstick on my mind and bought it today. I'm a big fan of the Bobbi Brown lipstick formulation--I find that it last well and I actually like the scent.

Lipstick left, Lip Shine right:
So I went from no new lipsticks to two in the span of a just a few days!

Some of My Favorite Face Brushes

I have a lot of brushes. An embarrassing amount, really. Luckily, brushes don't take up much room stored standing upright but it makes it easy to amass a collection. Here are some of my favorite face brushes:

• Bare Escentuals Feather Light Brush- Bare Escentuals brushes may not be the softest and most luxurious brushes out there, but they are a good value and do their jobs well. The Feather Light Brush is sort of like a denser skunk brush is is perfect for applying and buffing in the Bare Escentuals Radiance products, or any other highlighter. The compact size makes it easy to use.
• Bare Escentuals Angled Face Brush- the angle on this brush is cut just perfectly for my face. It applies color on the cheekbones and blush in the perfect spot. It's also not so stiff that it applies color heavily or so soft that it splays all over your face.
• Smashbox Brush 1- this is a very large powder brush and one of the softest brushes I've felt. It's not inexpensive but if you're looking for a high quality powder brush that feels as sofy and silky as can be, this one is a great option. It's much better than comparable brushes from brands of greater prestige.
• Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush- this is perfect for applying bronzers and Shimmer Bricks. The top is gently rounded and works for so many purposes.
• Sephora Flat Blush Brush 42- I picked this up on a whim one day since I was intrigued by the usual shape and am glad I did. It's perfect for those of us with a small face. Rather than applying product with the top, you use the side of this brush for really great control and precision placement. I use this so often I'm considering picking up another one. It's very well-priced to boot!
  

Why Do I Have a Blog?

I've had some emails lately asking why I bother having a beauty blog when I don't seem to purchase all that much makeup, at least by their standards, and I wanted to take a second and address this.

I have a beauty blog for me, simply because I love to buy and play with and write about makeup. I'm not doing this for anyone else or with any financial incentives, and anyone who doesn't like me blog is free to stop reading. I think it's fun to be able to show off what I've bought, express my views and share ideas and a beauty blog gives me the perfect outlet, especially since none of my "in real life" friends share this interest.

I'm also a single girl living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, which means that I have neither the cash nor the storage to buy every new Chanel eye shadow released. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely admire those who can and am most appreciative (and slightly jealous!) when they share and post pictures of them, but even I could afford every lip gloss Bobbi Brown makes, I'd have no place to put them! I live within both my means and my space, and I there are other things I like to buy as well (I like to think I had a hand in J.Crew's profits being up this year).

Also, I actually like having a collection tailored enough that I actually get to use most of what I own. By non-makeup-aficionado status it's massive, never fails to elicit comments from people who come to visit, and certainly gives me options in the morning, but it's not so overwhelmingly large that I'm apt to forget I own something and accidentally purchase a duplicate. Every now and then I have the satisfying feeling of having used something up (rare though it may be), and can handily keep track of everything.

Finally, it sounds cheesy, but I'm actually really proud of this blog and the feeling I have writing it. For those who believe that I don't update it often enough or buy enough new things to captivate you, there are plenty of other wonderful sites to read, and I don't plan to stop writing any time soon.

Mini The Company Store Purchase

The Company Store is just like the Cosmetic Company Store, only the doors bear the words "By Invitation Only," which makes it seem much fancier than it actually is. In reality, the ability to shop at one is determined by whether your company is on a allowed access, and it's pretty location driven. Employees of most companies in the area surrounding a store can shop there.

I wanted a brush that would deposit less color than my Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush for my new Nude Shimmer Brick, and picked up a Prescriptives fan brush. It's larger and denser than my Becca fan brush, which I use primarily for a light dusting of highlighter on my cheeks.

Becca vs. Prescriptives Fan Brush:
You can see how much larger and denser the Prescriptives (left) brush is. A total bargain at $12.50!

I also bought Bobbi Brown Lip Shine SPF 15 in Blush. One of the few lipsticks I've used up in its entirety was Bobbi Brown's Nude Pink Lip Shine, and so even though this product has been discontinued, I bought it. It's a sheer pretty nude pink that goes with everything. Sunscreen in lip products usually makes my lips peel, but so far so good.

Bobbi Brown Nude Shimmer Brick

I realize that I'm a little late on this one since the Nude Shimmer Brick was a limited edition that's now difficult to obtain, but it's too beautiful not to share! Bergdorf Goodman had one of these left and I snapped it up as a substitute for the Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose that died an untimely death on Saturday night. On my very fair skin, these is a bit too deep to be a true highlighter, but is a gorgeous light bronzer with shimmer. It's a mix of pink, beige and caramel and is definitely shimmery but not a total glitterbomb.

Incidentally, the Bobbi Brown counter at Bergdorf's is having an event March 23, 24, 26 and 27 and I was told that they'd be debuting new items. No word on what they are or if there is a Gift With Purchase, but I'm trying to get more information. The number for the counter is 212-272-8827.

Public Service Announcement

Migraines and makeup do not mix! I took out my beautiful Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highlighter to use on Saturday night (I had to go out despite the migraine) and prompty dropped it on the floor, shattering it into a million pieces. It's one of the prettiest highlighters I've found, a slightly pink champagne shimmer with a fabulous texture. It just made you look ethereal and wasn't too over the top for day time. Sadly it's not nearly as much fun to replace makeup as it is to purchase something new, so I tracked down what I'm told is the the last Bobbi Brown Nude Shimmer Brick in the city and am going to give that a try. I have it's a decent substitute!

I'm Back...With Some Things I'm Loving Right Now!

I had a doozy of a week! Between moving and a raging bout of insomnia, but DVR capacity managed to reach 92% and my poor blog went a bit untended. For those of you who noticed, thanks (yay! It means you're reading!)! Well now I'm back, my new apartment is almost together and I got a whopping 6 hours of sleep last night which is remarkable for me! So here is what earned MVP status this week:

1. Rock and Republic Imitate Mousse Blush in Rumor- the mousse blushes and eye shadows were absolutely the stars of the Rock and Republic line. The texture is fabulous, it blends effortlessly even on parched skin, and the color can perk up even the most pallid complexions. If you ever bump into these, I can't recommend them highly enough!

2. Carol's Daughter Lemon and Jojoba Cuticle Oil- Between schlepping boxes, cleaning like crazy and washing my hands over and over, my nails, cuticles, and hands have just been ravaged. This cuticle oil smells just like a lemon dessert and moisturizes and protects. It does leave your nail beds greasy initially but in sinks in, leaving your cuticles better looking in the morning.

3. Dermstore.com- I had posted that I was disappointed in the Julie Hewett pink Camellia lip balm I ordered since it was completely colorless despite being described as providing a tint, and Dermstore.com took it back with no hassle, and even emailed me when they had processed my return. I will absolutely be ordering from them again. Fabulous selection and customer service.

4. Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine Lipstick in BG935- this is a great, ultra-hydrating, swipe on and go beigey pink. A very my-lips-but-better shade that's proved to be a workhorse all week.

5. Rapidlash- I was the biggest skeptic when it came to this, but I really truly have seen a difference. I have always had the thinnest, puniest, blondest lashes and a makeup artist asked me last weekend if I was wearing false eyelashes they were so long and lush. Rapidlash (plus my beloved Korres mascara) really has changed my lashes.

6. Julie Hewett Goldie Shimmy- I've been swiping this iridized champagne cream on browbones, cheekbones, above the brows, the cupid's bow...anywhere I want to bring luminosity and glimmer. It also makes skin look luminous and alive.

7. The Container Store- I could spend hours and thousands in this store! I used to think that Bergdorf Goodman was a black hole for time meaning meaning that I'd walk in and then realize it was hours later when I left, but The Container Store may have eclipsed it! There is definitely something a bit perverse about having to buy more things because you already have too much to store, but it's addictive nonetheless. I never realized that I needed so many drawer organizers, mason jars, fole folders, and boot boxes, but I'm happy to have them!

8. Ellis Faas Milky Eyes E209- I hate hate hate the mechanism on this. I'm not sure if I got a bad one or if all of the products work this way, but I twist the applicator...nothing happens. I do it again and wait 30 seconds. Nothing. Again. And again. All of a sudden, 4 minutes have elapsed and on the 7th click, 7 clicks worth of product shoot out! It's incredibly time consuming and wasteful, but I LOVE this color! The formula needs to be layered for the pigment to really show up, but when it does it's just the most beautiful, natural peachy beige color that reads "oh no, I just wake up looking this fabulous" and not "nice eye shadow."

9. My new Closetmaid 25 Cube Organizer- I love shoes but living in NYC apartments, storage has always been a huge issue. I picked up 2 of these for my new apartment and am very happy with them so far! They were not difficult to put together (no cursing was involved) and are a decently efficient use of space. Some cubes fit a full pair (of heels), others fit 2 pairs of shoes (flip flops, thin sandals), and with bulkier items like sneakers, only one shoe will slot into a cubbie. Overall, they were worth the $100 and are the best way I've discovered thus far for apartment shoe storage.
10. West Elm Scent Diffusers in Lapsang Tea and Cinnamon Cedar- They are beautiful to look at, have great throw and the scents are clean and comforting with no hint of that nauseating, fake, potpourri smell.
So what did I miss? And I'd love to hear what you're all loving this week!