Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder

I ordered this from QVC because it came with what looked like a phenomenal brush, all for less than the cost of just the product had I purchased it elsewhere. The powder is a shimmering champagne that I though would be perfect to highlight cheekbones and browbones, but I cannot get it to show up on me unless I really pack it on with the included sponge. Granted a highlighter should be subtle, but I literally cannot discern any difference whatsoever when I use the brush to apply the product. I'm seriously considering returning it. Keep in mind that I am quite fair--those with darker skin will have a greater contrast with the powder and may find it more noticeable.

You can see just how subtle it is here:

Scott Barnes Creme Color in Luster

This couldn't have come at a better time. I wasn't at work 3 minutes when a male coworker came up to me to tell me I looked tired. Clearly I need wither sleep or a new highlighter, and the latter is much easier to procure.

I've admitted in the past that watching beauty shows on QVC is a guilty pleasure and while I've never actually ordered Perricone products, I've always been amazed by the radiant glow the brand's spokesperson, Dana, has on air. When I read that she used Scott Barnes Creme Color in Luster on her cheeks (over Tarte Dollface, for those interested), I immediately went on a quest for it. Luckily Strawberrynet carries the now-defunct brand and for a mere $18, this baby was mine.

First of all, this thing is itsy bitsy teeny tiny. The plastic case is about an inch on each side and the product is around the size of a nickel. I don't know why I'm complaining since it's not like I ever use anything up, but for those interested in bang for buck, this might not be for you. The shade is a luminous champagne with a hint of ever-so-slightly-bronzey warmth. If you find that most highlighters look ashy on you, this would be a great option. It's creamy and glowy without being glittery and really does impart a radiance to the apples of the cheeks, more so than a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick or Laura Mercier ShimmerBloc. I'm not quite sure why, but darned if it doesn't do what it promises. The camera doesn't seem to capture it but the mirror does. A+!

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!

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!

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:

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!

My Dermstore.com Order Featuring Paul and Joe and Julie Hewett

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dermstore, the site is a beauty junkie's playground! It features a huge array of skincare, carrying the more clinical lines like VMV Hypoallergenics, the mainstream likes of Murad, spa lines like Elemis to natural brands such as Raw and Luzern Laboratories. They also stock some great makeup brands like Sue Devitt, Jane Iredale, LORAC, Becca, Paul and Joe, Laura Geller and more. I'm not affiliated with the site, just a happy customer thanks to free shipping on all orders and a 10% discount when you add an item to your Favorites list before purchasing.

When I had my Paul and Joe mini makeover a few weeks ago, the makeup artist used Eye Color Palette CS Ingenue 001 on my eyes and I loved the look. I didn't buy the palette at the time thinking I could easily replicate the shades, but regretted the decision afterward. Not only did Doermstore have the palette, but I could get 10% off, making it slightly more, well, palatable!
Ingenue 001 ($38) features a shimmery ecru, shimmery taupe, and shimmery deep charcoal. All of the colors are smooth and pigmented. The palette is neutral and can be worn by all skin tones. It's just a good, versatile palette of high quality basics that would be great for travel or a quick eye in the morning that can easily be smoked out for nighttime. The charcoal shade is densely pigmented and would work well as a liner too.
Also, the case is just too darn cute! The flower pattern is so Spring-like and happy.Julie Hewett was on sale at the time I was placing the palette order, and so I had to throw in a couple of her items as well! I ordered the Shimmy in Goldie ($18 in palette form) and Camellia Balm in Rose ($18 in palette form).

The Shimmy is a cream-based highlighter that is incredibly luminescent. I've been on a highlighter kick lately for some reason and wanted a product that would work equally well on my cheeks and browbone and this definitely fits the bill. Goldie is a beigey champagne shade with twinkling shimmer--it's not glitter and it's not teenybopper, but it's definitely noticeable shimmer. Shimmys have a good amount of slip to them and a thin consistency. I have all of the shades now except the bronze!
I'd been wanting to try the Camellia Balm for a while now, and when I saw that it was released in two tints I was excited! I ordered the Rose, which according to Dermstore is a subtle, warm toned pink and is described by Julie as a bouquet of pink petals. Both descriptions are apt when looking at the balm in the pan, but applied, unfortunately, this is completely, 100% colorless, a big disappointment to me. I expected the balm to be sheer (it is a balm after all) but provide at least a hint of a tint. The texture is nice--very thin and not at all waxy. Some would find it too oily but I don't mind the added slip and it smells strongly of fresh oranges, which I like. I'm definitely not a big cosmetic returner but am considering sending this product back since it really is just an $18 clear balm, and not the pretty "bouquet" the descriptions imply. I guess the hunt goes on for the perfect sheer pink lip balm! I had such high hopes for this one!

Laura Geller Baked Body Frosting

When Gilt had Laura Geller on sale a few weeks ago, for some inexplicable reason I placed an order for the Baked Body Frosting in Angel Glow. I've never worn body highlighter (I don't like the idea of it getting all over my clothes) but I had seen this presented on QVC before and it looked pretty and subtle enough for the very pale me. It was due to arrive last week in time for my trip, but unfortunately, I didn't receive it until today.

The Baked Body Frosting is enormous, approximately saucer sized and about an inch and a third thick. It's .85 oz and presumably will last forever. Unlike most body highlighters, this isn't bronze or gold or glittery. Products like those, even in sheer lotion form, look horribly unnatural on me (as one friend who saw me in a bikini last week said "you look good, but you're the whitest person I've ever seen!" I know, exactly what you want to hear when you're practically half naked). Angel Glow is the softest shell pink with pink iridescence. Technically, the product is called "all over face and body glow" so presumably this would make a lovely, radiant facial highlighter as well, but because it is described as moisturizing by QVC I'm hesitant to use it on my cheeks.

Use Baked Body Frosting wet or dry, but I think this one should be restricted to fair skin--darker skin may look ashy. Baked Body Frosting is currently available on QVC for $37.

Used wet:
Used dry:

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 4

The last and final installment in my favorite bronzers and highlighters!
Bare Escentuals Feather Light Mineral Veil (also known as Illuminating Mineral Veil) ($19)- Feather Light Mineral Veil is completely sheer and colorless but with a very luminous, shimmery finish. It can be used lightly all over for evening or on special occasions (it looks particularly nice in candlelight) or just applied to the areas one would normally apply highlighter for a sheer sparkle that won't alter the color of your blush. It may sound silly but to just call it shimmery really isn't doing the product justice--it i almost teeny diamond-like shimmer. Subtle but lovely. (Click on the image below to enlarge it--it sows off the shimmer more accurately).
Body and Soul Charade Blush- sadly this line (and consequently this blush) has been discontinued. I went wild for Body & Soul Cosmetics when they first debuted, largely on account of the stunning, glamorous vintage packaging though they did have some wonderful, high quality products, among them the blushes. Charade was the very first cosmetic item I purchased when I got to college. I went downtown (all by myself in the big bad city of Philly!) to Joan Shepp, a luxe boutique, paid what I remember thinking was a king's ransom on a college student's budget, and brought this home to admire lovingly. To this day I still love Charade! It's a soft matte bronze shade that looks very natural, even on my fair skin. It's highly pigmented so a little goes a long way, but it really does make me look sunkissed and not orange.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Cream Blush 1 ($40)- the texture of this item is not what most people think of when they hear "cream blush." It's very dry and almost hard to the touch, though it blends well and since the product is so pigmented, simply gliding your fingers gently over the surface of the blush will pick up adequate color. This is a soft apricot bronze with white shimmer. This works perfectly as a bronzer on my very light skin without making me look dirty. It is pricey but since so little is needed with each application it will last a long time.

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 3

Unfortunately, both of these lovelies are discontinued.
Darphin Blush Sensation in Soleil Sublime is my all time favorite bronzer. To me it has cache not only because it is difficult to find, comes in a little velvet pouch and is one of the more expensive bronzers at $40, but it is simply perfect on the skin. The product is a gradation of color from a warm beigey tan to a deeper bronze with a sublt lilt and sheer formula. You can custom blend a shade by swiping your brush is different color areas, or simply do what I do which is blend all of the shades together. Either way it's utterly foolproof and incredibly natural looking. I've ried many bronzer and while there are others that I do use and like, this one ranks right up at the top.MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl Sunshine was, in my opinion, the hidden gem of MAC's Barbie collection. This is a light shimmery peachy pink with a slight hint of tan and noticeable but gentle shimmer. While everyone was out stocking up on Moth Brown, I picked this up and have been enjoying it ever since, in part due to it's versatility. It has enough pigment to be used as a light blush on more "natural" days, but is sheer enough to work as a highlighter. The little bit of tan undertone would also enhance sunkissed skin, making this a great product to take on vacation. I use a fan brush for just a light dusting or a blush brush if I want more color.

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 2

Clockwise from top: Becca Mermaid Loose Shimmer Powder, Bare Escentuals A Little Sun, Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highlighter, Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance. Click on the picture to enlarge and really see the detail.

Becca Mermaid Loose Shimmer Powder ($20)- This loose powder comes in a small eye shadow pigment sized container. I was attracted to it because it's such an unusual shade--a grayish green with heavy gold shimmer. It sounds like it would be hideous on the skin but surprisingly it's not! It looks neutral adding a silvery gold 'flash' on the cheek bones. It also looks great on the eyes, but it's light pigmentation requires it to be packed on.

Bare Escentuals A Little Sun ($18)- this looks orange in the pot but has a healthy dose of pink on the skin. It gives a true 'sunburnt' coppery rose color. I like to wear it not only on my cheeks, but applied with a fan brush across the bridge of my nose and along my hairline--the spots the sun would naturally hit and bronze.

Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highlighter ($36)- This is a pearly shell colored highlighter that I've been wearing frequently lately. The texture is very soft and the glow it gives is subtle but definitely apparent. I've been wearing it on top of matte blushes in addition to using as a highlighter. In the picture above, the pinky overspray has been rubbed away. This is how it looks brand new:
Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance ($18)- I generally wear this iridescent nude shimmer powder over blushes and love the soft-focus look it imparts. Your skin just looks softly luminous and the shade and shimmer level are appropriate for daytime wear.

From left to right: Becca Mermaid, Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance, Bare Escentuals A Little Sun, Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 1

Admittedly, I have a real thing for bronzers and highlighters. Most of the time I embrace my natural paleness, but often times I crave the effortless starlet look--sunkissed cheeks with a dewy glow. The problem is that I'm fish-belly white with rather flat cheekbones and so this face takes a lot of finesse and great products to achieve. I need bronzers that won't turn me too dark or orange and highlighters that actually show up (a pale product on pale skin is generally invisible) and make me look like I'm glowing, not greasy. I like to have a variety of formulations depending on the look I want and the other products I'm using that day.

Becca Shimmering Skin Protector in Opal ($41)- known for their skin-perfecting products, it's not surprising that Becca Cosmetics would produce a lovely highlighter. This is a delicately opalescent liquid with SPF 20 and antioxidants in a large pump bottle. It is a spendy product but the bottle is so large I can see it lasting basically forever if it's used as I choose to use it--as a spot highlighter. I pat it onto the high planes of my cheekbones and it really does create a lovely glow, notably when the light catches it. Being a liquid it's easy to apply and blend and looks natural. I have read of people using this product all over their face for both the SPF benefits and highlighting, but in my opinion it would be way too over the top all over, especially if worn without foundation.
Laura Mercier Gilded Garden Mosaic Shimmer Bloc ($38)-this product has the same level of shimmer and frost as Laura's regular Shimmer Blocs, but with a pretty embossed flower pattern. Lke the others, it features 4 shades that can be used alone or blended to achieve a custom color. Swirling the colors in this palette together creates a frosty light pink that's youthful and not at all 80s. I usually apply this with a fan brush over a cream blush for a touch of added color and radiance. This was limited edition but is still available on Laura Mercier's website.
Lancome Color Design Blush in Freeze Frame ($27)- this creamy product is a golden candlelight beige shade with a touch of peach. It's a slightly drier cream that lasts all day and I love the case with the adorable sliding lid. Lancome doesn't get a lot of love but I find their products to be high quality and this one is no exception.

Face Stockholm Highlighter in Radiance ($25)- Face Stockholm isn't widely available with only 4 boutiques in the US, all of which are located in New York. The line is based out of Sweden and is made up of high quality basics and their highlighter in Dignity is often listed by renowned makeup artists as a favorite product. Luckily, there is a website if you can't make it to New York. This highlighter is a pale shimmery pink cream, though the product is available in a whopping 11 shades, a very broad range for a highlighter. Dignity, mentioned above, is a white-gold shade that's pretty dramatic and definitely red carpet worthy. Radiance is more subtle and adds a slight pink flush in addition to the shimmer. This product is very dewy and does not set, unlike the Lancome.
More to come, but in the meantime you can click on the pictures to enlarge the images.

Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highlighter Update

After initially posting intact product pictures and swatches, I thought it was time for an update after actually using it for a few days. I'm wearing it here on my cheeks over Rock & Republic Rumor mousse blush, no foundation or powder. It gives an ethereal pretty glow and I find that while it adds a smudge of pink beige pigment, it's fair enough for skin as light as mine. A heavier hand would be lovely for evening application. Excuse my tired looking eyes and lack of lipstick--it's been a long day (er, week).

And I'm Back!

I wasn't exactly on vacation--I had sinus surgery and silly me thought that recovery would be just a few days and I'd using the remainder of the two weeks of vacation time I took from work to shop, visit old friends and relax. Wrong. Very wrong. At first I felt liked I'd been hit by a Mack truck; now 12 days later I feel as though I've been run over by a Prius, and while this is a huge improvement, I now need a vacation from my vacation. I did muster some strength on Black Friday to do a little bit of shopping as a reward/exercise of self-pity, and I have seven orders on their way to me! Vicodin+cabin fever+internet access=a whole lot of spending! I also plan on tracking down the new By Terry Ombre Blackstar Eye Shadow Stick London Makeup Girl mentions on her blog. Space NK had the testers but couldn't find the actual products to sell. Hopefully tomorrow.

I did purchase the Chantecaille Holiday Lumiere de Rose Highlighter at Neiman Marcus ($36). I've heard mixed reviews of this product---some saying it's too dark to be a highlighter and some saying it's a very pale shade. Turns out they're both right. The product has a shimmery overspray akin to a darker version of Stila Kitten with more pink in it. Once you get past this layer you'll discover a pearly light shell colored powder perfect for accenting brow and cheek bones. The pictures below capture the overspray--once I get past it I'll follow up with more on the product underneath. Several swatches and brush swipes later and I still have the darker color though the well-used tester revealed true hue of the bulk of the product

This offering is considerably less expensive than Chantecaille's usual fare, but I have to say you'll understand why as soon as you pick up the compact (of this or of their other Holiday powder). They're very small (eye shadow sized) and made of very lighweight cheapy plastic. I have Clinique compacts with more heft. Sometimes you just want to treat your self to a small luxe goody and Chantecaille usually fits the bill, though in this case the item just doesn't feel as special. It's still a nice highlighter and if you're a Chantecaille collector, this season should prove easier on your wallet.

More information on new purchases to come as I feel better and my packages start arriving! I'm hoping to also be up for a Manicure of the Week tomorrow!

Julie Hewett Redux

Last week I wrote about one of my favorite lesser-known beauty brands, Julie Hewett. I had ordered their newest Cheekie, Destiny, and received instead the lovely Cheekie palette (along with some fabulous samples for good measure). Julie Hewett's customer service was wonderful, allowing me to keep the palette and sending Destiny right out to me, along with additional samples.

One of the samples I received is Edie lipstick from the Bijou Collection and I'll be darned if it isn't the best pinky beige nude lipstick ever! The perfect nude lip feels ever-elusive. Most colors yield corpse-lips, while others are too white, too pink, or too dull. For some women the search for the perfect nude lip is a lifelong quest akin to searching for the holy grail. This shade is perfect--a beige that's not too warm and has just enough pink to keep the lips looking human. The lipsticks in the Bijou collection are akin to tinted balms with a very soft orange blossom scent.
Here is Edie in the sample pot:

On the lips in neutral light:
On the lips in warm light:
Swatches of various Julie Hewett products:
Top: Pixie Shimmy
Left to Right: Rosie Cheekie, Jami Cheekie, Natural Cheekie, Destiny Cheekie, Peachie Cheekie, Edie Lipstick
And this is how Pixie looks patted gently on the eye lid. Notice how it gives a sheer, faint, ethereal, lilac glow?