Daytime Silver Smoke

We're having a little holiday party here at work today and I decided to try a light version of a winter makeup look I love--the silver smokey eye. (Yes, I like the extra E in my spelling of "smoky")

As my workplace is pretty casual, I didn't want to over do it, especially since I'm wearing jeans with it and I get in before 8am.
No need to look like a high-priced hooker in the workplace!

For going out/night time I line my bottom waterline as well, and use a heavier hand for a thicker line.
For the line across the top of my lashes, which I smudge upward, I draw it all across my eyelid, but for work today I just smudged out the line from the outer half of my eye, instead of going whole hog.

And I obviously went lighter on the silver cream eyeshadow for this "Lite" version than I would for a full smokey eye.
Just remember to NOT AIM FOR PERFECTION! The less you care, the better it looks.
And it wears well too--no need to worry about touching it up throughout the day (though the products I used are mainly waterproof/long-lasting, I'm too busy at work to fuss in the mirror).

 

Products Used:

 

Benefit Stay Don't Stray! primer (applied below and above eye)

Make Up For Ever black cream waterproof eyeliner (applied with angled brush on waterline)
Josie Maran eyeshadow quad: I used the black shadow to smudge my upper lid line. This product is so dense and long-lasting I can even use it as an eyeliner.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Eternal Silver

Flirt Lash-a-delic mascara

NARS Laguna liquid illuminator (browbone)

 

Smouldering Eyes

I don't know why, but I believe the British version of the word is just more appropriately spelled... "Smoulder" comes across much more sexy than "smolder."
But nevertheless,

Tarte's soft shimmering eyeliners are called "SmolderEyes."  They should have consulted me, or some British person at least.

But the quality and colors of these babies makes up for the typo in the name!

There are 5 full-size chubby pencils in the set, and a basic black waterproof liner, and a sharpener.
I picked it up at Sephora for $39.

These are a bizarre cross between hard crayon pencils and a soft solid shadow stick, which makes them easy to blend. And yet... they are long-lasting and apparently waterproof, so you have to quickly smudge them out if you choose to do so because they set rapidly and then, they ain't movin.
And they're fat, so you don't have to smear the same line across your eyelid multiple times.

Amazingly, they seem to hold up (so far) in the waterline too!

There is a nice assortment of shades, from shimmering light gold to purple.
They each have their own smudger on the other end and they're fun to mix!

Today I lined my upper and lower lashline with gunmetal, smudged it out a bit, and then added a strip of champagne on top. Gorgeous!

Also wearing the Tarte black eyeliner, and Full N'Soft mascara.

I'm very happy with these and plan on living in them for the holidays!

My only concern is the minimal fallout I've experienced--you know, the little specks that get in your eye.

I'll re-post on how they hold up through snow play, sitting round a fire, and tumbling with my nephews and nieces.

Stained in Love

Tarte cheek stains.
They're happenin.

I tried the TIPSY color during the summer and didn't love it!
The coral color was fun and fresh and I love the scent,
but it had glitter in it (and I don't believe glitter belongs on your cheeks) and it was really sticky.
And cheeks should not be sticky.

Maybe it was just that color, or the fact that it was summer..? I'm not sure.

But I was at Ulta the other day and was lured back over to these babies.
I love the idea and the color selection, and the fact that they're like a push-up pop!
I swatched a few colors, only the more sheer pinks that felt non-glittery, and noticed they were applying smoothly and not stickily.

So I picked up True Love and...
I'm in love.

I've only worn it twice and gotten a multitude of compliments on how healthy and pretty I look!
True Love is like a natural, long-lasting flush.  Perfect for this season!

I swipe it along my cheek bones once I've applied powder,
smudge with an egg sponge, and I'm done.  it takes 10 seconds and lasts 10 hours.
Yes, it looks a bit bright and scary in the tube, but it applies very sheer and natural and is easy to buff in.  And that is good news because you only need a teensy bit, so it will last a loooooooong time.

Looks best with natural skin (not too much foundation and crap), a nice layering of mascara, and glossy pink lips.

Happy Autumn Flushing!

Rainy Day Warpaint

Well the cold has finally kicked in!

This morning on the patio I could see my breath and it hasn't stopped drizzling since 7pm last night,
which is just fine with me because I love this sort of weather.

It makes me want to go to the bookstore and sip coffees all day, and stirs up that annual longing for a fireplace.

Now that the chill is really in the air, my skin needs some serious moisture (oh Utah, you and your damn dry air).  So I'm using creams on my face, as well as regular thin lotions, and a BB cream instead of concealer and powder,
and sticking to only cheek tints--see ya next spring, powder blush!
I'm also doing more moisturizing glosses and tinted balms instead of lip sticks or lip stains.
Let the winter transition begin...

Products used:

L'Oreal Magic Lumi on undereyes

Garnier BB cream all over face

Sonia Kashuk Cheek Tint in Poppy

Hard Candy Lash Ink*

Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner in Black (the kind that comes in the little black pot)

L'Oreal Le Gloss in Watermelon Crush

* This Hard Candy Mascara is supposed to be a "4 day lash tint" but it doesn't work that way for me really.  It isn't particularly waterproof and washes off with the rest of the warpaint at the end of the day, just leaving a hint of darkness on my lashes.

So I don't use it for a tint, like "oh, I'm going camping for the weekend, I'd better use this so I don't have to worry about mascara" but I do enjoy it as a special mascara on a daily basis because it has a unique texture, wand, and is very VERY dark (these photos don't do it justice).  It just makes my eyes pop more than regular mascara because it is truly like an ink.

Preppy Princess

What does a princess smell like?

According to Vera Wang, apples, flowers, and vanilla.

I wore the scent "Princess" all through college and adored it.

It comes in a cute glass heart with a removable crown ring on top (which is totally impractical to wear, but fun notion). It is sweet and fresh and light and long-lasting.  

I haven't worn it for the last year,

I've been wearing Acqua di Gia and loving it's fresh, almost rainy smell.

But the new versions of Princess caught my eye the other day, so I gave them a whiff.

I realize they aren't that new, they came out about 2 years ago, but considering I just wore Princess and never experienced the other versions, they're new to me!

I did not enjoy Rock Princess.

I didn't fancy the smell or the packaging.

But Preppy Princess,

which is a bit more woodsy and refined, I loved.

The packaging was a bit...much.

But whatever.  I can deal.

The fragrance has tangerine, red apple and berries, honeysuckle and jasmine, woods, and coconut water.
It is very nice and quite unique.  And, surprisingly, I found myself loving my sample of it even more than my beloved Princess.

Preppy Princess is relaxing, inoffensive, sophisticated, yet playful.

I just wish the bottle didn't look like a child's jumper.

It really is a 10. Really !

I'm always on the prowl for effective hair care products.
When you're a bottle blonde with thick, tangly, damaged locks, you need good hair care.
I rotate between drugstore and Sephora stuff for my hair, and recently I've used Carol's Daughter and Bumble & Bumble, and though my hair has been nice and all, it has still been resistant to styling and not what I would expect from the price tags and promises attached to those products.


I was at Nordstrom Rack the other day and saw that they are now carrying the "It's a 10!" products, including the leave-in sprays and masks.
I've used the regular leave-in spray, and the mask, a few years ago and was happy with them, but never thought about re-purchasing.  They just didn't blow me out of the water.

But I noticed a new product in their lineup--the Miracle Leave-In with keratin.
That made me look twice.
So I whipped out my phone and Googled reviews of the stuff and no one had anything bad to say about it.  It was rave reviews all the way down, so I gave it a whirl.
And now I am writing my own rave review!

I've had bad experiences with protein/keratin treatments in the past, and I'm not sure how this stuff works, but it is simply incredible.  After one use my hair was detangled, soft, healthy, and somehow, more ideal. My hair was cooperative and volumized without being flyaway, and shiny without looking oily. And it is super easy to use--I do about 8 spritzes through my towel-dried hair, brush it through, and let it air dry (or blow dry) and voila.  Ready to go as is, or ready to be heat styled.

You don't need very much of it, and it is difficult to over-use this stuff.

I am very impressed and will definitely be buying this stuff again.
I think I have found my Holy Grail hair treatment!

I'm not sure about the availability of this stuff--they'll have it at certain stores (try Ulta and Target) and I've seen them at Trade Secret Salons in the Salt Lake Valley.
Try Nordstrom Rack first -- it is cheaper there for sure.

Something Oft Blogged About

Yes, Kiehl's Lip Balm #1.

It is written about so often and so extensively that I need not go into "ode to lippy" mode like so many bloggers tend to do..and I may have been guilty of myself in the past.

All I need say is, it is some badass stuff.

I have it in Mango, Mint, and Cranberry, and tend to use them varyingly based on my mood.

At this point the Cranberry is my favorite scent, Mint my least favorite (though the tingle is nice).

It tastes yummy, has a pretty yet natural gleam to it, and lasts a decent amount of times.

It is moisturizing, easy to apply, and I love that it is colorless (it comes out of the tube a bit yellow).
The best feature of this stuff is that it is nowhere near sticky! 

At this point I wear the Vera Wang Soothing Balm at night and around the house,

and wear some color (like a lip butter or tint) with one of these balms over it for shine when I'm going out.  I know these balms are going to just live in my pockets and purses this winter!

Barbie-Meets-King-Midas Nails

Coral is obviously a fun color, and so very "in" right now, but I'm a bit tired of bright colors by themselves.
I wanted to spice things up a bit and put some shimmer in there without overwhelming the coral, so I conducted an experiment.

It was successful.
I like to call it Autumn Explosion.

Base coral color:
Revlon Top Speed in "Infamous"

Top shimmery stuff:
From the #2 step "Satellite" of Revlon Moon Candy duo stick.

Top coat: Seche Vite

Easy Hot Pink Digits

Picked up this baby at Walgreens the other day...

It is Milani High Speed Fast Dry in "Hot Pink Frenzy."

Hot pink is right!

With this stuff on my nails, every time my hands flash before my eyes I go "WOAH!"

It's a funky fresh color, perfect for...well any season, really.

I never was one for adapting my nail colors based on the weather.

It does dry decently fast--much faster than any of the other "quick" ones I've tried (Revlon, Sally Hansen, Rimmel), and the color is so intense I only needed one coat.

It dried solid, to the point I would feel comfortable doing the dishes, in about 2 minutes, even without a topcoat.

Good stuff.
Wear is decent--it stays shiny and strong, just watch for chipping at your nail tips.

This baby will run you a fiver.

I like it because it isn't fussy the way Essie or O.P.I can be---if you don't paint those brands on precisely, the texture goes horribly wrong and my nails get swampy! I'm satisfied, and definitely want to check out some more of their colors now.

The only caveat: use thin coats, both for the polish itself and the topcoat.

Vera Wang Soothing Balm Review

I never expected cosmetics from Vera Wang.
I was happy with her classic yet unique clothing designs, her simple and ready-to-wear panache, and even her jewelry line in muted steels and Victorian twists.
And even happier that I could afford these things at my local Kohl's.

So imagine my surprise when I stopped by Kohl's to snag some winter socks and check out their sweaters for fall when I peeped into the cosmetic section, just to see what was going on, since I noticed it had been recently rearranged, and BOOM. Right in front of me, "Simply Vera" cosmetics.

It is exactly what you would expect from Vera---a basic line without frills or unnecessary froof; necessary and practical makeup tones to go with any girl's skin, and a few essentials to keep that skin looking as healthy as possible, all packaged in straightforward yet chic cases.

She's got tinted moisturizer, powder, concealer, lipstick, lipgloss, lipliner, mascara, eyeliner--the basics.
And some INCREDIBLY scented spa products, including an Argan Oil and Fig Body Mist I am absolutely pining for!

But what really caught my eye was the Soothing Balm.
Both because I have too many of the other bits and baubles (the lip gloss, eyeliner, etc.), and I need a new balm.  Mostly because I am obsessed with balms and always on the lookout for the "ultimate" one (yes, I love Rosebud Salve, but just feel crazy putting it on my dry eyelids in the autumn, and Josie Maran's Argan Balm just fell flat, and so on and so forth).
I had a Kohl's coupon (which are quite easy to snag online, and if you sign up they'll e-mail you some pretty decent discounts) to justify the $18.50 price tag.
And it is a good-sized little pot too, holding nearly half an ounce.

I had to circle the swatch with my eyeliner stick here so you can see it--
this stuff is so non-greasy it hardly shows up!

And I'm already addicted.
I smeared some on my lips last night before going to bed and literally went "WOOOOAH!" and then insisted on putting some on my husband.  He didn't like having balm smothered across his face as he tried to escape, but he did admit that the texture is marvelous.
I don't know if this is from the hibiscus extract in it, but it is just so luxurious and velvety.
Very different from any of the other salves and balms I've had in the past, I don't quite know how to describe it.

I can say it will last an awfully long time, considering the small pinch you need to cover lots of area.  I must have coated my lips 3 times in a 15 minute period, just because it felt so good and literally blew my mind with the silky texture, and did my cuticles as well, and entrusted my sensitive, dry eye skin to this stuff.
And I woke up to smooth eyes, moisturized cuticles (which in itself is a miracle for me), and plump lips that weren't crying out for more moisture.  I am beyond satisfied, and the results certainly explain the price----this stuff knocks the La Mer The Balm right out of the running and blows the other competition out of the water.  I can honestly say I won't need another balm ever again: I have found my Holy Grail.
If I had to describe it in one word: PLUSH.

CONS:
-Price
-Not widely available (I've only heard you can find it at Kohl's, and online)


PROS:
-Wonderful texture makes it easy to spread
-Only need a small amount
-It lasts!
-Not greasy/shiny, so you can use it for its soothing benefits during the day on your face/hands/wherever without worrying it will turn you into a slimeball
-Smells heavenly, tastes good too!
-Durable pot container (I've already dropped mine twice), easy to tote around
-Safe to use ANYWHERE (including eyes)
-Works wonders. And quickly (I'm talking overnight results here)

Just some Wednesday night polish freehand!

Base color: Essie bikini so teeny
Silver glitter accents: nails inc. special effects in malda vale
Red accents: The Balm in Hot Ticket
Top coat: Seche Vite

Just messing around with these colors, wanted to incorporate red for the Ute game tomorrow and this is what happened! All freehand, no tools--not even toothpicks!

ALL NATURAL: Minty Clear Skin

Peppermint tea is delicious.
There's no arguing that point.
And it is good for you, from the inside and the outside!

This stuff is brilliant.  Peppermint gives me such a glow!
I have my own peppermint plant in a big blue pot on the patio and I pick those leaves for all kinds of beauty concoctions.  Peppermint is full of Vitamins A and C, omegas, and nutrients including potassium, iron, and calcium...to name a few! It helps with digestion, stress and headaches and...you guessed it...SKIN!

People have been topically applying peppermint (particularly in the oil form) to skin outbreaks for centuries, and drinking peppermint as a tea is similarly beneficial (zapping things internally is always preferable, or at least a good complement to applying treatments externally). You've probably seen plenty of expensive mint skincare products on the market (especially toners....so just make your own!).

In other words, drink up that peppermint tea, and make it into a topical treatment while you're at it!
You can get a box of decent peppermint tea at the market for just a couple of bucks.
If you have your own plant, like me, that is even better! Use a pestle and mortar to grind up those leaves with boiling water poured over them.

Brew up a big pot of it, and drink as many cups as you would like, then use the rest as a skin toner!
Pour the excess tea (cooled of course, and not with any additives like milk or sugar) into a safe contained (BPA free), and pour it onto cotton balls and use it as you would any regular toner.
Sometimes I steep it with fresh rosemary or rose petals for added benefits, and the heavenly scent.
If you're worried about treating acne, add a little apple cider vinegar to your toner. Not too much, or even the fresh peppermint scent won't be able to overpower the nastiness of vinegar.  Stinky, but effective.
This can even be added to your bath water!
Refrigerated, your peppermint tea toner will last 3-4 days.



I hope you enjoy the minty fresh tingling on your skin as much as I do!
{Remember: COOLED tea only for your face...otherwise that glowing result you get will be from 2nd degree burns and not healthy skincare}

Damn the nail cracks, full speed ahead!

My nails are crap.
I think my multiple health problems are a big factor in this, but that doesn't make me feel any better, or make them grow any faster.
I've taken my vitamins like a good girl. I've even taken extra vitamin A & D, zinc and horsetail supplement, and silica, and Phyto's pricey hair, skin, and nails supplement.
I've used Solar Oil and that Sally Hansen Vitamin E stuff, and all sorts of other potions.

And yet, I still have these flimsy nails that bend back and forth like a see-saw and get awful splits at the tips, even when wearing nail polish and top coat! One section of my nail just peels away, abandons ship, and I have to file the whole thing down.

It is definitely a First World Problem, but come on, I'm writing about beauty products here, not cancer prevention or victims of genocide.
I have other venues for writing about the serious stuff.

This is frustrating! Especially for someone that loves to wear nail color, instead of protective things that give me nails a strange beige matte tint that makes me look like a chronic smoker.
I've tried too many of these protective coats to list, trust me.

I just want to talk about one I've found that seems to be working (I will post later results as I see fit!):
Nail Envy by O.P.I.

I saw this listed as a "Must Have Product" on several U.K. beauty blogs I follow, and thought "hmm, this must be some incredible stuff!" but worried I wouldn't be able to find it here in Utah.
I was surprised to realize it was an entire line, and I debated between the "Soft and Thin" or "Sensitive and Peeling" versions, and decided on the former because it had better reviews online.
But I snatched it up at Ulta! And it was the last one!
I'm one of those people that thinks if a product is nearly vanished off the shelves, it is that popular for a reason.  So I took this to be a good omen, and in my 11 days of using this product, I'm happy with it!

My nails are starting to grow--some faster than others--but more importantly, they're not snapping off!


THE PROS:
-Fast drying
-Nice big bottle!
-Lasts (don't need to put it on every day)
-Look flattering on bare nails; just a clear shine
-You can use it UNDER nail polish to give your digits extra support whilst still enjoying some color, AND it can be used as a TOP coat as well
-Hard as steel nails

THE CONS:
-If you don't paint on an even coat, it's not gonna work too well. But that can be expected.
Mostly this stuff is badass and I couldn't think of anything negative about it, so I had to come up with that.
-The price


So, if like me, you've exhausted your other possibilities, or just are able to shell out the considerable money for this (It was like $17 at Ulta, you can get it elsewhere and online cheaper), check this baby out! I'm impressed.

Mourning Sephora Be You Lip Balm

Where has this stuff gone??!
I picked up a tube about 5 months ago on a whim, because I liked the color and smell and it was cheap (less than $10) and now they're not carrying it!
It looks like they've replaced it with Color Reveal..?

But this stuff was awesome!
The color is coral twist and when I went crazy for a weekend in Vegas, this baby was my sidekick the whole time. Even in my drunken pictures, I look cute. And I think it's down to this stuff.

Apologies for the crappy iPhone pictures..

Bring it baaaaack Sephora!!!
This is one of the few color-changing lip balms that works immediately--you don't have to wait 8 minutes to know what the shade will end up like.

Cafe Pink Polish Review

Just popping in to give some brief insight on my newest pink polish--Revlon's Colorstay in Cafe Pink.
Why it is called Cafe Pink I have no reckoning, as cafes are the last thing that come to mind at this pretty shade!

I would call it Retro Girl or Bubblegum Cupcake or Soft Sunrise Pink.
Or maybe just Adorable.
It's subtle but obviously there (not a color that looks so natural that you need to get it next to your eyeball to tell if your nail is bare or not). This makes it appropriate for any occasion as it is demure, but still a bit sassy.

It is particularly gorgeous in sunlight and with tanned skin, and silver jewelry.
I love how fast the polish dries and the color is so dense you don't need 2 coats!! I prefer the texture to Essie polish, not to mention the price!

Wear time is decent--I've had line in for 4 days now with just minor chipping. I love it!

DIY non-coffee cellulite scrub

Yes, there are lots of make-it-at-home body scrubs out there that are super easy to make (oil+sugar), and there are at-home cellulite treatments (mainly involving coffee grounds).

But I am a lazy kind of gal (ok, lets say I am a multitasking gal)--so I don't want to do 2 separate scrubs in the shower!
And what about those of us that prefer tea to coffee? I'm not going to cut up my used tea satchels and try to rub the remnants into my thighs! Plus coffee grounds are messy and they'll clog your drain.

And so, I give you, MY ULTIMATE CELLULITE TREATMENT!

I discovered the power of essential oils in killing my cellulite 2 years ago, when I had a cheap, stinky body lotion that I wanted to salvage. I put a few drops of citrus oil in there to make it smell better and after using it every few days, noticed 2 weeks later that my cellulite was vanishing! Woohoo!

Citrus essential oils have a toning effect on cellulite, mainly because they help you detox, so they get all the fatty crap and fluid retention out.  Which is MUCH better than the topical creams you get at the store that help the appearance of cellulite, but don't actually target the cause. Woohoo!

And at this point I should mention...
GET OFF YOUR ASS.
Just rubbing oils into your cellulite won't help it go away. Go for a walk, drink your water, don't eat too much junk food.

Ok, now to the scrub:

You need...

• Coconut Oil
  (or any other oil really. Something that can be liquified and easily blended with the rest of the scrubs ingredients.  In a pinch I've even used microwaved Crisco)
• Sugar
  Any kind except powdered! Sugar in the raw, white, brown, you get it.
• Sea salt.  I like the big chunks of it!
  If you have really sensitive skin or any open cuts, leave out the salt because it will burn.  Trust me.
• Oatmeal! The old-fashioned whole oats.  
• Essential oil ---any citrus kind will do (I prefer lemon).

The oils are carriers to the citrus essential oil and give glide to your scrub, as well as adding moisture to the skin (GOOD NEWS: you don't need to put on lotion after you use this stuff!!).  I've already mentioned the cellulite-zapping benefits of the essential oil.  Sugar is an alpha-hydroxy rich exfoliant.  Salt is another exfoliant, teeming with minerals and good for detoxifying too.  Oatmeal is anti-inflammatory, cleansing, and helps treat all kinds of skin conditions.

You won't find any specific measurements for making the scrub because it all depends on how you want it to be (thicker and drier, oilier and gentler, etc.) and you will be adding things throughout to get the desired consistency. It also depends on what size container you are putting it in.  I used an empty Body Shop body butter pot for mine.

I started by heating up my coconut oil, and blending in about 5 drops of lemon essential oil.
I chopped up my oats (abut 1/2 cup) in my Magic Bullet to get tiny little grains, but if you want to use the whole oat that is fine as well--same benefits!

Here are my oats whole, and after being blended.

Then I added sugar and salt, stirring all the while to get everything mixed in properly. You don't want any dry spots that don't have oil in them. 

 Stir, stir, stir, add more of whatever you need!
To finish I like to add a bit of extra oil on top, and let it float there. Then when I'm in the shower and scooping it out, if I need more oil it is ready to go.  It also helps keep the whole thing moist in the tub.
With the essential oil acting as a preservative, I've noticed these scrubs are good for about 2 weeks (keep them in the fridge if you're extra nervous).  but I can usually use them up before then!
That is another perk of the lemon oil -- it is antimicrobial, so you won't get any nasty crap growing in there if you're good about screwing the lid back on tight when you're finished.

Woooooohoooo!

Easy glistening lips

I have discovered the perfect autumn lip!
It is the in-between of summer's moist, full on glossiness, and winter's dry and sophisticated matte lipsticks.
It is....the color stick.
Which isn't a brand or a product really, but a notion that has struck several brands that each have their own versions.
Clinique has the adorable Chubby Sticks....

Revlon has the affordable Kissable Balm Stains (see my earlier review here)...

And Tarte, the centerpiece of my post today, has the wonderful Lipsurgence line!

These gems from Tarte have won multiple beauty awards for their color, stay-power, and moisturizing properties. Naturally, I couldn't resist the candy-like selection...

And there are multiple options for the lip look you desire: tint, matte, and shine.

Already possessing enough tints and matte lipsticks, and desiring a sweet mix for autumn of color and not in-your-face shine, I went for the latter.

Giving a few testers a whirl, I ended on the lip luster in "GLISTEN,"

a muted golden baby doll pink.

I am loving the texture of it! It smooths over a prime lip color, or just bare smoochers, and really does provide some nice moisture that lasts even after it wears off.

It has subtle shine that looks different in varied lighting/angles--the kind of lippy that makes people stare at your kisser in interest without even realizing that they are doing it.

It is peachy, effective, and gorgeous.

Now if only I could afford all of the shades..they'll run you about $24 each, but considering the amount of product you get and their staying power, that's remotely acceptable.

Revlon's version is considerably cheaper, but doesn't have the same dewy sheen as these babies.

The best part: you don't need a mirror to apply.  And they're kissable.

In a pinch: sexy highlighter

Not everyone keeps a highlighter on hand.
Which is a shame, considering how flattering they can be, and how much they can spice up your face without being obvious or ugly-chunky-sparkly.

So, if you catch yourself at a quiet dinner date that turns into a night-at-the-club, and you're unprepared... how about turning a nude, shimmering eyeshadow into a highlighter to accentuate your cheekbones and browbones?

That happened to me the other evening--an unexpected "we're going out right here right now!" moment and all I had on me was some cheap shimmer stick and my lipstick.
I smeared some of that lipstick on my cheeks and smudged it out to a sexy glow, dabbing a bit on my lips at the same time, and used the shimmer shadow as a highlighter! Perfecto!
I even got compliments on my dazzling look.

Have you seen these? They're super cheap.  I picked up one at Ulta on a whim (and a sale) for about $2.

My color is 

and it is luscious. Kind of goes along with that rose gold trend that I adore.

I smudged some on my upper cheeks, my brow bones, the center of my eyelids, and my cupid's bow (that little divit above your lips), smudged away, and....sexy, glowing perfection.

And the best part is how easily blendable and un-chunky it is. I hate that crappy 1990s glitter stuff, and this is the antithesis of that--a powdery sheen that looks delightful year round.

Boots Lip Soothers..WONDERBALM!

After eyeing the Boots rack at Target for months, I finally picked up their Wonderbalm.

I had loved their rose and geranium scented skin balm,

which I used for my lips and cuticles.  It smells so old school, and the tin is pretty great.
But I can't find it anywhere anymore! From what I've read, they discontinued it. Which is a beauty tragedy, as it had a myriad of good qualities and was affordable! I couldn't find a single thing I didn't like about it, and would have purchased a case of them had I known they'd be going off market.

I wasn't impressed with their organic lip balm AT ALL.

>>>> This stuff is crap.
It is so thick you have to nearly stand on the tube to get any of the yellow sludge to come out,
and then it is another process entirely to spread it on your lips.

It is like coagulated pancake batter: alternately runny and chunky, with strange grainy bits that never dissolve.





After they pulled their best product (the skin balm) and replaced it with the yellow lip sludge, I was hesitant to try anything else.

But I did like the looks of their Wonderbalm, always stopping to check it out on my way through cosmetics.

So this morning I caved.
I picked it up, 0.5 cute little ounces in a chubby faux-glass pot.

And I love it.
The smell is nice--not olive-y at all.
It is different though..almost like grapes and flowers, and a bit sweet.
If you get some in your mouth it doesn't taste bad.

The texture is unique as well--it has incredible slip and is very very thin.
I see where the "olive" ingredient comes in, because it does feel somewhat like olive oil on your lips.
It has some nice shine, but more than anything it just feels good on your lips; soft, comforting, and sheer.
It is the thinnest "balm" I have ever encountered.
In the tub it is a nearly sheer white--like Vaseline mixed with milk.
The only other lip product I can compare it to is La Mer The Balm.
And that right there speaks millions for this Wonderbalm!
La Mer has the same light slip and my lips soak it right up, just like the Wonderbalm.
The only difference is that La Mer starts as a solid and you have to warm it to apply, whereas Wonderbalm's texture never changes and it is always ready to apply.
That, and La Mer will make a serious dent in your paycheck.


I rubbed some on my poor cuticles last night and was surprised at what I woke up to!
Let me preface by saying my cuticles are a war zone: dry, peeling (even to the point of bleeding sometimes), painful, and resistant to any treatments. Aquaphor can't help, neither can Neosporin, nor Lush's adorable Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter.

So I skeptically dabbed some Wonderbalm in those babies last night and they look 5 times better than usual this morning! And feel great as well.

Hoorah for Wonderbalm, my nightstand's new best friend! I will stock up on this for sure.

ChaCha Tint Dupe

I love Benefit.
I adore Benefit. The products are high quality, the packaging is efficient and fun, and the names are adorable. But, unfortunately, you get what you pay for, and then some, because yeGods their stuff is pricey!

I have their Posie Tint and love it, but I was looking for something more peachy to go along with this year's coral trend that I'm loving.







And Benefit's ChaCha Tint fits the bill---
"a mango-tinted stain beautifully blushes lips & cheeks with a tropical sunset hue."

But it will run you about $30 a pop, application can be tricky, and you've got to blend it like a speed racer because it sets FAST and you practically need Everclear to get it off.

Yesterday I was looking at Sonia Kashuk's cheek tints and realized that the Poppy color is very similar to ChaCha.

On the left there.

And considering they're less than $10 at Target, I decided to give Poppy a whirl.

Yes, it is a wonderful dupe.

In fact, this whole line is a dupe for Benefit tints:

The middle one you see above, Peony, is a dupe for PosieTint.

And that gorgeous red on the end is a dupe of BeneTint.  Basically the Kashuk products above are the invert of the Benefit products seen below.

And I am loving the Kashuk cheek tints.  Poppy is wonderful--it has a creamier texture than Benefit, but this makes it a lot more blendable, though it has the same sheer, demi-matte look of Benefit.

And they have the same incredible staying power, and best of all they don't get oily!

And I seem to need less of the Kashuk cheek tint to achieve the same effect.

The only noticeable difference is the applicator; Benefit goes for the nail polish approach--little brush that allows you to get an exact amount of product (though you'll probably need to re-dip), whereas Kashuk has a sterile pump that makes doling out the precise amount you want a little trickier.  I like the amount it gives out though--just enough for both of my cheeks.

And yes, you can use the Kashuk on your lips as well, just like the Benefit tint.

This is Kashuk's tint (below). ChaCha is above.

As you can see, ChaCha is a bit on the orangier side, whereas Kashuk's is pinkier.  I find Kashuk's more flattering on my light, freckled complexion.