Sephora VIB Beauty Event Offering 15% Off!

When it rains it pours! First Hourglass, then Urban Decay, now Sephora, and Bergdorfs in two weeks! Starting Thursday, Sephora VIBs will save 15% off their entire purchase through the 19th. From 6-9PM on the 8th, if you bring a friend to the event, they'll save 15% off as well. The online code is VIBMADNESS but if you're a VIB, you should receive an email allowing you to use the discount in store. What is everyone planning to get?

I'm thinking of trying the new Josie Maran Sun Protection (though I usually prefer an SPF high than 40, I'm really intrigued by the Argan Oil) and maybe one of her new Lip Markers.

Urban Decay Friends and Family Sale Going on Now!

For those who have Urban Decay on their wishlists, now is the perfect time to shop! Now through April 19th save 30% when you use code 1SFNF on the Urban Decay site. I really like their 24/7 liners and matte shadows.

New Paul and Joe Self Select Eye Color Compacts + Beautyhabit Offer

When Paul and Joe discontinued their single shadow line a few months ago, many of us wondered how and when they'd be brought back and it seems that Beautyhabit has the answer! The single shadows are now available in pan format and palettes can be purchased so that you can create your own customized look. Currently, with the purchase of any 3 shadows, Beautyhabit is offering the $12 palette FREE with code MYLOOK.

Here is the copy from Beautyhabit about the new shadows:
Available in twenty five shades with three different textures including satin, silk, and suede, Paul & Joe’s Self Select Eye Color conjures beauty in both color and texture. These three textures let you enjoy different finished looks to complement moods, makeup, and, moreover, more color.

The collection uses “fix oil” – included as an oil solution, it blends well with the pigment, generating stunning color. Self Select Eye Color also includes “clear plate powder” – a translucent powder that makes the color of the pigment stand out with real vibrancy. And to make it easy to soften, spread, and adjust color intensity, spherical and smooth powders are mixed in to afford easy slide across the skin.

Thanks to these carefully selected powders that keep color from sinking, Self Select Eye Color individual shadow inserts cling beautifully onto eyelids with a smooth, long-lasting finish. This vivid color assortment is blended using Paul & Joe’s signature Secret D’or formula, featuring shimmering champagne gold frost that produces an exquisite luster that radiates from within.

And the beauty of it all? Paul & Joe lets you be your own makeup artist, with the introduction of a convenient Eye Color Palette for creating customized color combinations!

Satine texture: Shades 01-09
Silk texture: Shades 10-17
Suede texture: Shades 18-25

Favorite Eye Shadow Brushes

I've been wanting to post about my favorite eye shadow brushes for quite a while, but I just cannot seem to take good pictures of them! Part of the problem is my hateful camera (though it's pretty much new so I'm unlikely to replace it any time soon) and the other part is that I don't find brush all that photogenic! :) Some of these brushes are relatively old but have stood the test of time very well thanks to good quality and regular washing, and others are somewhat new. Here is some information on my favorite face brushes as well. From left to right:

• MAC 213- perfect for laying color down on the lid or applying to the lid and sweeping up into the crease. It's a very soft, light to medium density brush.
• Rock & republic 202- unfortunately the barrel on this is so round that it absolutely will not lay flat for a photo! This tapers to a rounded point and is larger and much more dense than the MAC 213. I use it to apply lightly pigmented shadows or when I want a deep color payoff.
• Chanel 3- one of my all time favorites! It applies shadow to the outer corner with ease and the chiseled tip allows for precise placement. A true staple.
• Fresh 20 Eye Define- unfortunately this has been discontinued but it's the ultimate, perfect crease brush. It's the ideal shape for getting right into that space and is soft enough for blending colors out.
  
• Stila Brush 5- this was probably my first high end brush almost 10 years ago and I still use it nearly every day! It is the perfect size, shape and density for laying down base color. A staple I wouldn't want to be without.
• Chanel 12- I don't much about them but I really love the Chanel brushes I have, this one being no exception. It's very soft and fluffy and I use it to blend my shadow after application for a seamless look. the handle is nicely weighted and it feels and performs like a quality brush.

I've Had a Very Expensive Weekend!

It started out with too large of a spree at JCrew and H&M, and then moved on to two pairs of shoes at Cole Haan. I'm sick of my work clothes which are definitely not as cute as my weekend/going out clothes and I always feel like I have to run home and change before doing anything social after work. I'm hoping to change that! I've never been into H&M since the quality is often subpar (hey, you get what you pay for) but H&M cuts smaller and as I'm slowly sized out of stores like JCrew and Banana due to vanity sizing, H&M provides an alternative (and I've discovered that they really do have some cute things!).

I also picked up new crystal knobs from Anthropologie for a vanity I plan to refinish for my new apartment and new Loreal Healthy Look Creme Gloss Hair Color. I don't color my hair but this is supposed to be temporary and subtle and I could do with a bit of brightening up!

Last night I purchased Lancome Black Coffee Le Crayon Kohl Eye Liner and placed a Skinbotanika order (that is not an affiliate link--I just love the site and am happy to promote it) for:

• Clarisonic Mia- I usually have great skin but it's looking so dull and clogged lately. I'm hoping this helps!
• Sophyto Polyphenol Skin Drops- I'm almost out of my Kate Somerville Total Vitamin Serum and like to use an antioxidant product in the morning as I'm exposed to so much pollution here in NYC and am exposed to the sun quite a bit.
• Sparitual Nail Lacquer in Life of the Party- I really like this polish line. It's moderately priced and big 3 free. This looked like a fun pedicure color to me!

Now I'm off to buy new dining room chairs (6--ouch!), table lamps, hit Bed, Bath and Beyond for some organizing necessities, go grocery shopping and I have to pay my Bar dues!

And my list for the fast-approaching Bergdorf event is growing by the minute! Has anyone seen a money tree around? Trying to look good sure is expensive!

35% Off Hourglass Cosmetics!

I've raved and raved about my Hourglass Cosmetics Extreme Sheen Glosses, and their shadow duos are amazing as well! The line's palettes, liquid liners and the new Prodigy glosses have garnered raves and thanks to Lucky Magazine, you can save 35% on everything! Just use code luckybreaks2 at checkout on hourglasscosmetics.com to score the savings!

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

I've read many raves for Eve Pearl's Salmon Concealer and Treatment on beauty blogs and message boards and when the brand appeared on Hautelook, I jumped at the chance and ordered. Here is the blurb from the Ever Pearl site:

• Revolutionizing the use of the “Salmon” or pinky/peach color as an under eye concealer to neutralize the dark blue undertones from the skin. (Yellows mixed with the blue undertones create those greenish/grey raccoon eyes that are highlighted and only accentuate the problem area.)
• This luxurious silky cream provides full coverage with a non-greasy texture that glides on smooth to the most delicate area of your face. It offers the advantages of the powerful anti-oxidant, AstaReal®/Astaxanthin - a key ingredient in the CosmeNutrient™ Complex.
• Ideal for use when flawless precision is required with High Definition cameras and real life.
• For most skin types, including sensitive skin.
• AstaREAL®, the key ingredient in Eve Pearl’s CosmeNutrient™ Complex, it is the most recognized brand of Astaxanthin. AstaReal® is not only a coloring agent; it is also a very potent anti-oxidant.
  • Naturally harvested from the micro algae Haematococcus pluvial is- a single cell plant at the very beginning of the food chain.
  • An all natural carotenoid pigment and provides strongest natural antioxidant protection against lipid peroxidation* and singlet oxygen**.
  • 1000 times stronger than vitamin E for lipid peroxidation.
  • 550 times stronger than vitamin E and 40 times stronger beta-carotene for singlet oxygen quenching.
  • Provides support for skin at the cellular level.
  • Helps to improve skin naturally.... no harsh chemicals.... no dangerous procedures.
  • Helps to fight the effects of the aging process.
  • Has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce burn levels after UVB exposure.
  • Contributes to the reduction of hyper-pigmentation.
  • Protects body tissue from oxidation.

How great does that sound? I received the concealer last night and used it this morning for the first time. I ordered the light and am always the lightest concealer shade. I have the worst dark circles I have ever seen on anyone and was really hoping that this would be my Holy Grail concealer. Yes, it is very peachy, which is supposedly good for counteracting the blue-purple of under eye circles, but it's quite dark at the same time. Using it today, I found that I had deep peachy circles under my eyes after it was applied! Not a good look! I applied my Jouer concealer over it (which matches my skin tone) and it looks much better this way, but I now have 2 layers of concealer under my eyes which leads to caking.

To me this isn't a salmon concealer, but more akin to a medium toned concealer with strong warm undertones. I even checked the box and concealer itself 3 times to make sure I hadn't received the medium shade.

Here is the concealer with (top) and without (bottom) flash:

I'm going to give the concealer another shot tomorrow. I think it's just too dark to work on its own but I'll trying mixing it with other concealers.

Speaking of Hautelook, Kevyn Aucoin will be on sale on Monday! If they have it, I very highly recommend picking up the Essential Eye Palette #1. It's become truly indispensable to me.