Exclusive Laura Mercier Tightlining Trio

Laura Mercier, queen of tightlining and the cake liner, has an exclusive set at Nordstrom featuring 3 Cake Eye Liners (Gunmetal, Smoke, and Turquoise Ink), two of which are exclusive and a Min Flat Eye Liner brush for $39.50. This looks like a great deal for those look to try tightlining or wanting more of Laura's beloved liners!

Staple Eye of the Day

I dusted off some old favorites for today's look: Rock & Republic shadows in Veil, Affair and Diffusion, Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in Black Coffee and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara. This picture was taken after about 10 hours of wear. My mascara has wilted a bit but the shadows and liner are still going strong. I wish Rock & Republic had stuck around--I would have loved to see new shades and products from the line given how high quality I found nearly every product I tried from them.

Armani Beauty Spring Collection 2011 Eye Pencil

When I initially spied the Armani Spring Transluminence Collection at Saks, I completely ignored the 3 eye pencils included. To me, they looked like basic brown, black and green pencil liners, and while I don't think I need another brown liner, I was certain I had no use for a $27+tax one. Well folks, I was wrong. While the shades are not spectacular, the texture and formula certainly is. These glide on like no other liner I've tried--almost like a liquid or gel but with the ease of use of a pencil liner--and set for all day wear. You have a minute of so of smudge time but once this baby dries, it's on for the long haul! It lasted through both snow and a workout with nary a smear, flake, or fade. The brown has a very subtle shimmer when applied as well. Despite my initial hesitation, I am going to pick up the green as well. I purchased mine from Bloomingdales, but Saks also has the collection if you're looking to pick it up in person. Online, it's available at Nordstrom.

My Favorites of 2010 Part Two

Eye makeup, fragrance and body favorites!
Edward Bess Dusk Eye Shadow- dare I say it--potential holy grail! Smokey yet somehow natural at the same time.Lancome Le Crayon Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Coffee- a dark brown that goes on without tugging yet lasts all day. Works well without irritating on the waterline as well.
Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Enhancing Primer- finally a mascara primer without harmful ingredients. This one really works too!
Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Zero Humidity Frizz Control- tames flyaways, frizz and static while smelling absolutely delectable.

Josie Maran Argan Oil- I use this on my hands under my hand cream at night and it's the only thing preventing my hands and cuticles from becoming sorry, cracked and raw.
Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream- very pricey for the tiny size but sinks in quickly and works extremely well.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb- always elicits compliments
Ginestet Botrytis- like candied fruit mix with autumn air. I wear this one for me, not to attract anyone else. Reminiscent of the long and sadly discontinued Escada Collection, one of my all-time favorite fragrances.
Bvlgari White Tea Shower Gel- leaves the skin smelling clean and begging to be nuzzled.

What I Bought This Weekend

I went to the Limelight Market in Chelsea to pick up the full sizes of the Om Aroma skincare products I've been using since Black Friday. I had plenty left in all but the toning mist, but the mini sizes I've been using will be perfect for travel and you receive a discount for purchasing the whole set of products. My products came in what must be the old packaging--jars instead of pumps. At first I was disappointed since I prefer pumps for hygienic reason, but there is something a little luxe about dipping your fingers into a a small jar of a precious unguent! The founder of the line was working the store and remembered my from last time. I'm really liking these products!

For those who haven't been, Limelight is an old church that was converted to a small, quaint shopping center. They have amazing food, beauty, accessory and jewelry shops. In addition to OM Aroma, there is also Face Stockholm, Sue Devitt, The Avery Perfumes and more.

I also had my Sephora VIB $20 off a $40 purchase gift card burning a hole in my pocket and despite needing no makeup whatsoever, I picked up a Lancome Artliner in Aubergine (which is limited for the holidays according to the Sephora display) and Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner in Nude (a light pinky beige). The lip liner was $12 which I think is expensive for the Sephora brand. I really wanted Illamasqua Nail Polish in Viridian but unfortunately they were all sold out!

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.

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

Current Obessions

I go through phases when I can't get the idea of a articular brand or product out of head. Sometimes it's something that I already own and want to wear all of the time. In other instances it's something I can't wait to try.

Some of my latest obsessions include the following:

MAC Eye Shadow in Grain and Edward Bess Eye Shadow in Dusk- both always look great, no matter how tired I am or what other makeup I have on.
Crown Brush Pointed Crease Brush (C139) and Lancome Black Coffee Le Crayon Kohl Eye Liner- the brush is one of the best crease brushes I've used. The shape is perfect for both the socket and outer corner. The eye liner is a deep dark brown that makes the white of your eyes look brighter, and the formula is smooth and silky enough that you can get right up against the lash line with no tugging. It works on the inner rim as well.
Rock & Republic Imitate Mousse Blush in Rumor- this is my favorite blush out of all that I own. The texture is sublime and the shade is perfect. I'm so sad that the line is discontinued. Even though Rock & republic pops up from time to time on sample sale websites, none of them have had the mousse blushes. I'd definitely stock up if I found this one again!
Origins Smileage Plus Lip Tint in Eco Pink- I love tinted balms in the summer and that fact that this one is natural and 95% organic is a huge benefit! Not only is the ginger scent uplifting, but the shade is a spot on--a sheer warm pink. Please excuse how jagged the tip looks; I almost destroyed it trying to take the picture!

Those are some products I already own that I'm loving, but my wishlist keeps growing! Right now I'm obsessing over Vapour Beauty, another organic line. The Aura Radiant Blush and Elixir Lip Gloss are calling my name! I wish I didn't have to order these sigh unseen but they are not available in brick and mortar stores as far as I know.

29 Cosmetics Highlighting Cream Blush is also at the top of the list. According to Neiman's it's a "real honest-to-goodness healthy glow packed with antioxidants that leave the skin naturally looking "blushed" not made up." This line is only carried in a few stores, none of which are on the east coast.

Finally, I'm also totally obsessed with Whole Foods 365 Caribbean Frozen Fruit Bars- strawberry, mango and coconut flavored deliciousness and only 110 calories per bar. It seriously tastes like vacation!

NARS Angelique Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment

Backed when I owned NARS Exhibit A blush, I always had the most difficult time coordinating a lip look with it. On my the blush had rosy, red, and peachy orange tones that harmonized well, but were difficult to replicate in a lipstick. For those that have and wear Exhibit A, NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment in Angelique is the perfect counterpart.

The Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatments are slim, waxy tinted balms with SPF 15 and moisturizing mango butter. All of the shades (there are 6 total) are quite sheer, with Angelique having the most color. It's described as sheer strawberry and to me is a rosy red with just a hint of orangey coral. It's perfect for summer! The downside is that it is quite sheer and quite expensive for a tinted balm at $25. Sephora only seems to have 4 of the 6 shades, but Nordstrom and Blue Mercury have the full lot.
And just for fun, here is my eye look of the day:

• Becca Satin lash to crease
• Becca Tweed in the outer 3/4 of the crease
• Lancome Black Coffee to line close to the lash liner and on the waterline
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

Lancone Le Crayon Kohl in Black Coffee

I think that Lancome is a seriously underrated brand. Sure it's ubiquitous, many of us grew up watching our mothers and grandmothers use it, and their fragrances are an instant migraine for me, but they have some terrific products, their eye liners and mascaras being exceptional in my opinion. Lancome Artliners and my Holy Grail liquid liners and when I wanted a deep dark bittersweet chocolate color eye pencil, I opted for Lancome Le Crayon Kohl in Black Coffee. This pencil consistently garners raves and when I saw that ebay was full of them for $10 instead of the $23 retail price, I I couldn't hold out.

According to Lancome, Le Crayon Kohl is "[t]he smoky, smudgy eye pencil.

A creamy-smooth pencil for lining, defining, colouring and contouring eyes. Formulated to glide on easily and blend beautifully for dramatically defined to soft and smoldering effects."

The pencil comes in 6 shades and is a good value, even it full price, since it is very long. Black Coffee is a brown so dark it is approaching black, but without any of the harshness or blueness of a black eye liner. It goes on incredibly smoothly with no tugging or dragging. This also means that it smudges easily. I don't have much of a problem with liner smuding on my top lids, but did learn that this guy is not good on the bottom or inner rim.

Two thumbs up, especially if you can snag it on ebay or in order to get a Gift with Purchase.
The flash makes the pencil look a bit warmer and lighter than it actually is, through the swatch is very true to color.

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:

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!

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.

By Terry Crayon Blackstar

I had a pretty expensive weekend. I placed a Dermstore.com order (more about those goodies when they arrive), repurchased my beloved Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen for the bazillionth time, and treated myself to a new nail polish and this By Terry Eyeliner (plus tons of groceries, stuff for my apartment at West Elm, a new pair of earrings, a birthday gift for my mother AND paid my renter's insurance in full for the year). Phew! I'm exhausted and somewhat broke!

This eye liner was definitely a huge splurge. By Terry products are certainly not cheap, but I like everything I've tried from the line. It's high quality and not merely repackaged mass-produced Your Name Cosmetics items. "This dual-action pencil, with a color tip on one end and a brush on the other, provides a rich, glide-on line that shimmers with mysterious reflections for a shiny powder effect. Its "Color Resist" complex sets the color and ensures irreproachable hold. Its extremely comfortable formula allows for precise application on the eye contour." How good does that sound? The only drawback? The price tag. $35 + tax for an eye liner.

The shade I selected is Bronze Ebene, a blackened bronze shimmer. It's not as harsh as black and it defines my green eyes nicely. I tested the product at Space NK by drawing a line on my hand, and the line is still there despite copious hand washing and rubbing with a tissue soaked in eye makeup remover, so I give them pencil points for fortitude! I might have to classify the heart shaped swatch I drew on my forearm as a tattoo, since it's not budging at all! If you have problems with eye liner smudging, I'd definitely take a look at these--they're nearly indelible.

The pencil also comes with a sharpener if that helps make the price more palatable to you! Every now and then it feels good to purchase an expensive "special" item and I have high hopes for this one!
P.S. Here are the earrings:

Face of the Day (well, er, yesterday)

Today is a snow day here in New York City so no makeup! Yesterday I was determined to dig up some items I hadn't worn in a while, and I opted for Chanel eyes, Lancome cheeks and Paul and Joe for lips.

Eyes were Chanel Ombre Essentielle Ivory lash to brow, Cinnamon in crease (with my beloved Chanel Brush #3), and Le Crayon Kohl in Graphite. Ivory has a beautiful golden shimmer, and Cinnamon is warm without being so red that it gives that "rabbit eyed" look. Graphite may seem like an odd choice with the shadows but the color is subtle and it works beautifully. I love this liner formula and am sad that it has been discontinued. If your local store still carries them, I recommend picking up a few!

I adore my Lancome Blush Magique Cream Blushes and frequently layer Cinnamon Glaze and Subtle Fluff for a pink-tinged bronze with shimmer.

The lips are the first Paul and Joe lipstick I purchased and one of my overall favorite lip shades, 40 Pomme Au Four. I'd wear it more often if it didn't have that (in my opinion) horrible Paul and Joe signature scent associated with it. Every time I do wear it I fall in love with the color all over again.

With Flash (Ivory, Cinnamon, Graphite, 40 Pomme Au Four, Cinnamon Glaze, Subtle Fluff):
Without Flash (Ivory, Cinnamon, Graphite, 40 Pomme Au Four, Cinnamon Glaze, Subtle Fluff):

Five Recent Rediscoveries

When you frequently buy new makeup products, often old favorites tend to fall by the wayside. Over the last few days I was determined to get back to using some items I hadn't worn in a while. Here of some products I rediscovered in my collection and was really pleased with this week:

• Lancome Miel Glace Blush Subtil- this soft shimmery pinky bronzy beige hadn't been used in quite a while and now that I've rediscovered it, I remember why it's such a highly praised blush among makeup aficionados. It's a great everyday blush whether you're pale or simply want a subtle look (I guess it's obvious that I don't use those little in-compact applicators!).
• Laura Mercier Black Violet Kohl Eye Pencil- black is too harsh with my fair skin and light eyes, but plums and purples don't always provide enough contrast or drama. Black Violet is absolutely the best of both worlds--a deep dark violet shimmer married to a sooty black--with an unbeatable formula. This liner glides on and wears well on me. Amazing on the waterline as well!
• MAC Grain Eye Shadow-I am not the biggest MAC fan, but I spotted Grain in a Company Store (the invite-only version of the Cosmetic Company Outlet) and had to have it. It's a pretty peachy beige shimmer with a hint of taupe in the pan, but is even more flattering when applied than you'd expect. It really brightens up my whole eye and is perfect for a quick, polished look.
• Laura Mercier Stickgloss in Brown Sugar- this is a soft beigey brown mauve in a sheer, moisturizing base. A perfect go-to for work and works very well with Miel Glace.
• Kiehls Vanilla Essence- this tiny vial holds an ultra-concentrated perfume oil. Many vanillas give me a migraine but this doesn't. Kiehls' Vanilla is not a complex fragrance. To me it's vanilla blended with a tiny hint of cherry and almond that I find warm, simple and comforting.