March 2012 Favorites

I *almost* wasn't going to do a favorites post this month.  So many of my looks have been uncreative, the products I've reached for have been repetetive... but there are a few things I've been peppering my rotation with that I'm loving and may affect my buys in the future:

Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer - $57 for the full-size
With the record high temperatures this month, my well-loved Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer just wasn't going the distance.  This primer is also not infallible, but it does eek out a couple more hours from my base makeup than the Hourglass does.  It smooths on with ease, and though it is silicone-y like MUFE and Smashbox Primers, it feels loads lighter.  I only have the sample size (I got sent when I bought Lust Red and Khaki Pulse Eyes to Kill Intense shadows) and it's been lasting as well as can be expected, used here and there.  The next primer I buy will definitely be this one!

no mascara

Maybelline Illegal Lengths Mascara

Maybelline Illegal Lengths Mascara - $8
After reading this glowing review by the Muse (who never muses me wrong, lol), I bought this back in January but didn't crack into it until this month. This mascara is wonderful for length and volume alike (though it does clump a lil bit).  It is also great for layering with any other mascara on the planet.  I think this over Covergirl Lashblast Volume could be my HG, but of course I have heaps of other mascaras still to test (thank you, Sephora Lash Stash) so I hope I will remember how well that combo works when the dust settles :-P

MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural Medium Plus - $29
Unfortunately I finally got around to trying this out after they bumped the price up by $2, but I can definitely see why this pressed mineral powder is so popular. It gives a beautiful finish to skin, just like loose mineral foundations do, but without the mess.  It doesn't control my greasies whatsoever, but I have read enough reviews to expect that.  It's not perfect, but I like it!

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Ravishing - $14.50
A permanent shade in the moisturizing Cremesheen range, this is a gorgeous color that reminds me of LE Ever Hip in its corally-ness, though it's not neon at all and much more subdued. I've seen this described as a peach but I think it's more of a melon shade.  Either way, perfect for warm Spring days!

Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek in Peach Macaron - ???
I can't remember what I paid for this adorable little blusher in its tin reminiscent of a French Macaron, but I got it last year off iMomoko.com.  I don't believe it is available from there anymore, sadly, but this is a total packaging win.  It's just so cute, I could coo at it (but I will restrain myself).  The product itself is an easy-to-wear sheer peach that is great for everyday. I wouldn't go for it if I were much darker, though, because I'm sure it'd look chalky.  Still, it's one I can reach for and pop on really quickly, no-brainer style, without fearing clowncheeks.  And did I mention it's ADORABLE?

Dior Amber Diamond - $44
Finally, FINALLY I was able to get this last Fall.  I can't even remember if I got the Friends & Family discount at Sephora or not (I think so, though).  My beauty-blogging mind has gone so twisted that the $44 price tag that originally put me off from trying the widely HG-lauded highlighter doesn't really seem that bad now... I wouldn't hesitate to spend that now >_< What a nasty addiction we have, girls!
That said, I finally brought myself to touch it and, again, I can see why this is such a cult product (like the MSFN).  The highlight is subtle, natural, glowy... like a daytime version of my favorite cream highlighter (Twilight Beauty Mortal Glow Blushing Creme in Swoon).  I prefer this to also-popular Mary Lou Manizer from theBalm, too.

MAC Ravishing, Majolica Majorca Peach Macaron, Dior Amber Diamond

Vampire Academy Series
I don't even know where to start. FAVORITE.VAMPIRE.SERIES.EVER.
Read it. Just do it.
Happy Spring, Loves!
<3
Sarah S.

DUPE SMACKDOWN #6: IS PHYSICIANS FORMULA HAPPY BOOSTER LIPSTICK IN I heart NUDE EVER HIP?

Hey Gals! Just a quick little comparison between my beloved MAC Ever Hip lipstick and my new Physicians Formula Happy Booster lipstick in I <3 Nude:

Left side of photo, MAC Ever Hip; Right side of photo, Physicians Formula Happy Booster in I <3 Nude

Fragrance/Taste: MAC lipsticks have a vanilla scent that I find delectable. I was a little afraid of trying the Physicians Formula Happy Booster lipsticks because they are supposed to have a violet scent and I usually despise any lip products with floral scents.  However, I find the scent to be surprisingly nice and not too soapy!  It's kind of like the Milani lipsticks in that it is floral but sweet.  While I could almost nom my Ever Hip, I don't mind I <3 Nude's scent at all and don't think either lipstick has a taste.

Texture/Color: Ever Hip is a Cremesheen formula and thus it is rather glossy.  Both lipsticks apply a bit patchy but can be easily built up and blended to full opacity.  Both can sheer down nicely, too.  I <3 Nude is more of a creamy lipstick finish without much gloss to it, but it certainly isn't matte.  It seemed to photograph slightly darker than Ever Hip and I think that's because it's not as glossy/light reflective.

Left, Physicans Formula I <3 Nude; Right, MAC Ever Hip

I visited the MAC counter yesterday and the lovely SA Janelle's jaw dropped and she exclaimed, "That lipstick looks incredible on you!" I asked her if she thought it looked like Ever Hip and she said yes, and that she has four backups, LOL.

Longevity: Both of these lipsticks pull over four hours of wear on me, which is excellent!

I don't really want to declare a "winner" because Ever Hip was limited edition (and I would buy a backup if I could) and the Physicians Formula is brand-new and permanent (I think).  With Ever Hip not being released this Spring (and quickly selling out when it is released), I think you ought to consider spending the $8.79 to get the Physicians Formula Happy Booster lipstick in I <3 Nude as a lovely stand-in (the closest I've found).

What do you guys think - Dupe or not?

Photos & Swatches: Kate Spade New York Supercalifragilipstick in Adventurous Red

Happy Friday, ladies! Let me cut to the chase and let you know that this red isn't particularly "Adventurous" at all.  It's quite sheer, actually.  While flattering, I found the pigmentation to be a disappointment with a name like "Adventurous Red!" I guess someone who has the cash for a $24 sheer lipstick and wants to pussyfoot into the world of red lips might be very happy with this. I'm glad I got it on sale for $17 and I will enjoy using it (even though I wish it had more oomph!).  It's not really worth it, though.
I remembered to get a picture of the "button" this time!  Unfortunately, while the box wasn't at all crushed this time, the lipstick tube had some random sticky glue on it that I did my best to clean off and the bullet looked like it had been improperly molded.

Left, one swipe. Right, many, many swipes.

It's a bit too emolient and I couldn't get the color to show in the center.

Popped in.

After a press, the bullet-end pops out.

Check out my review of Pop Art Pink Supercalifragilipstick! here.

REVIEW: Kate Spade New York Supercalifragilipstick in Pop Art Pink

It's been a long, long Wednesday for me, girls! I'd rather not get into the office awesomeness, but instead I'm excited to bring you my review/photos/swatches of the first Kate Spade Supercalifragilipstick to arrive at my door: Pop Art Pink! ($24, katespade.com, but I paid about $17 for it during their F&F sale).
It came in a huge, non-descript mailing-box with lots of pretty beige-and-brown striped tissue paper and air-filled plastic mailing bags, but the pink-and-red cardboard box (remniscent of Victoria's Secret packaging) still got a little crushed. Over-package much?

As soon as I removed the tube itself, I was surprised by how large it is.  It's light-weight but still manages to feel luxurious. I haven't seen this type of packaging before, either.  The bullet-side sits upside-down in the cap and you push on the little spade "button" to pop it out.  So, the lipstick is actually smaller-looking than the large cap/base suggests.  I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the spade "button" because it's actually the bottom of the bullet-side!

With a Fresh Sugar Passion Lip Treatment and MAC lipstick for size comparison

If you're a fidgety person, you'll have a lot of fun fidgeting with this. It could make a good conversation piece for a girls'-night-out! (LOL yes, I've noticed my abundant hyphen-usage in this post. Please don't hold it against me - it's been a really long day at work!)  The lipstick seems to have no fragrance but if I sniff at it really hard (as I do love to sniff products I'm reviewing... weird), it smells a bit waxy. Not pleasant, but you won't detect it unless you literally try to inhale the thing through your nostrils.  It wouldn't fit through most, but my nose... ok, I'll stop trying to be funny now :-P

Left is one stroke (sheer, no?) and right is many strokes

The "Pop Art Pink" color itself instantly reminded me of (Almost-dupe-alert?) CoverGirl Lip Perfection in Temptress, one of my favorite lipsticks of the year which got me wearing bright lips to the office in the first place.  It's a watermelon-pink, though the Kate Spade is quite a bit sheerer and doesn't stain like the CoverGirl does.  This makes the lipstick last an average amount of time, around 3-4 hours.

Far right is CoverGirl Lip Perfection lipstick in Temptress. They're very similar but Temptress clearly has more blue in it.

Like the CoverGirl lipstick, it has a slick, moisturizing feel that resembles a balm (though I would say the Kate Spade is lighter-feeling). It has a weight to it but it's not uncomfortable or sticky. I like to feel a lipstick on, personally, because that means I can usually tell if it has migrated as I wear it without having to check a mirror (nice when you're wearing a bright color). 

Why does it always rain on me?

I don't really love the sheerness though it is buildable, and the cheaper dupe is still my preference.  I do adore the packaging, though!  Ideally, you'll have both and put on the CoverGirl Temptress in the morning.  Later in the day when the CoverGirl has shifted into a lipstain, you could whip out this Supercalifragilipstick button-tube and touch-up, and all the girls will remark how cute and clever the lipstick is!

I wanted to do a lip swatch, but you can see I have lots of flaky dry skin going on right now! How embarrassing!

Kate Spade Friends and Family Sale 30% OFF: 3 Days Only!

Hey girls! I got alerted to this F&F sale in an e-mail and finally have my chance to try a couple of the Kate Spade Supercalifragilipsticks! At 30% off, I'm going to try Adventurous Red and Pop Art Pink!

The friends and family code at katespade.com is FALL11FF and expires October 23rd, 2011.  It applies to any shoes/bags/jewelry, etc. too! Will you haul anything?

FOTD: Maybe Roxy will Return Stila's Love

Elated Friday to all! Monday is my "Company Holiday" so I have a long weekend! So stoked <3
Here's my Round 2 FOTD with the Stila loves Roxy Palette. I think I knocked it out, what say you?

That's my car in the background, oops!

 Face: Origins Vitazing, Boscia BB Cream applied with a Beauty Blender, E.L.F. Personal Blend Mineral Foundation in Light applied as powder, Rimmel Stay Matte in 001 Transparent patted on top.

 Cheeks: NYC Matte Bronzer in Sunny to contour, Stila loves Roxy Gold Coast on apples of cheeks, Stila loves Roxy Swim lightly dusted on top of cheekbones.

My skin is sooo bad. PMS breakouts abound.  I don't currently own a full-coverage foundation, so I like to layer light-weight formulas to keep it comfortable.  It also helps the light formulations last on my oily skin.

 Eye Method: I applied TFSI, followed by "beach" on the inner corner of the eye and just beneath eyebrows.  Next, I dusted "bronzed" on the inner 1/2 eyelid up to the crease.  In the inner crease I applied "bikini" in a swishing motion.  On the outer lid, outer crease, and outer 1/3 of lower lashes I packed on "water." The waterline and outer half of the upper eyelid were given a bit of smudgey Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Oil Slick (black with silver glitter).  The line was kept as thin and close to lashes as possible on the inner half of my upper eyelid.  Lastly, I curled my lashes and applied a couple coats of Benefit BADgal black mascara on top and Clinique Bottom Lash mascara on the bottom lashes. Garnier Tinted Eye Roller is diminishing under-eye circles and puffiness.

Clockwise from Right: E.L.F. Studio Contour Brush (thanks to Stephanie C. for her review!), MAC Lustre lipstick in Lush Amber (a sheer beige nude), Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Oil Slick, Stila loves Roxy palette, Too Faced Shadow Insurance (TFSI), Benefit BADgal lash mascara in black, Clinique Bottom Lash mascara in black, Jill Stuart Mirror

Lemming Alert: Kate Spade Launches Supercalifragilipstick!

Ooh and Ahh with me while I pray to nobody that I'll win the lottery I didn't buy a ticket for.  I want to try these Kate Spade Lipsticks, created by Poppy King:

Ooh, looks like a melon shade but it's called "Fuchsia Fete" so not sure...

Could be part of a beauty blogger's uniform: a lipstick swatch-print scarf! But it's $155... eep!  I'll pretend I'm a super-Vegan who won't wear silk and that's why I'm not getting this...

There are also a couple of makeup bags and a nameplate necklace in the line. The lipsticks themselves are supposed to be universally flattering shades, retail for $24 each, and say PUCKER UP on the tube... so cute.  Will you be trying them out?

Tag Again! Top 10 Cosmetic Products Right Now

The other tag I got from the knock-out Penelope of Inspired by Beauty was a Top 10 Cosmetics award.  These are my current besties in no particular ranking:

1) Vivo Per Lei Peel ($28 at amazon.com)
2) Origins Vitazing ($35)
3) E.L.F. Personal Blend Foundation in Light ($8)
4) Bare Escentuals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush ($20)
5) Cherry Culture Lip Balm (free with purchase at cherryculture.com, bubblegum-flavored)
6) Bath & Body Works Liplicious Double Delish Lip Gloss in Peanut Butter & Jelly ($4, bronzey-berry tint and tastes like grape lollies)
7) MAC Lush Amber (lustre) Lipstick ($14.50, LE Semi-Precious Collection, beautiful nude)
8) Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Light ($4)
9) Illamasqua powder blush in Lover ($24)
10) Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum ($25 for 1.7 oz., lightly fragranced of warm spices mmm! Somehow I managed to forget it for the photo... weird)

Friday is tomorrow... huzzah!

August 2011 Favorites: My First Monthly Favorites Post!

Ooh, boy, it was hard to narrow down my favorites this month... because it's my first favorites post ever!  I had to really limit myself to stuff that got crazy love within the month of August, which was kind of difficult to separate from my favorites of the year.  At any rate, after much deliberation (and a consolation swatching of my faves that didn't make this list):

Boscia BB Cream: I'm sure I've said it before, but this has been my go-to foundation this summer.  I only need to blot once all day (not too shabby for a greasy girl), the SPF is pretty great for a U.S. color base product (SPF 27), the price isn't too high to stomach, and best of all I didn't have to buy it once because I kept using a code on Sephora.com to get a generous sample size!  If you're curious, the code is "bb cream" and I've used it three times (3x .35 oz = 1.05 oz.  Retail cost is $38 for 1.75 oz and each sample is a $7.60 value!).  It isn't moisturizing so I use Stila or Origins tinted moisturizers underneath (both work great).  It cooperates just perfectly for a flawless finish with my Beauty Blender and covers up most of my acne/post acne marks.  I'll probably wind up buying this if they stop running that code and my winter skin likes it.

Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Born With It $8.49: It's worth at least $14.50 because it's my dupe of MAC Creme Cup that I actually prefer to Creme Cup! Comparison is here. I've been wearing this a lot with the Maybelline Color Explosion Palettes to the office, but to be honest it's most gorgeous with a matte smokey eye. Now that August is over I'll probably do that look more often (If I can grudgingly surrender my colorful Summer brights!).

Orly Oh Cabana Boy $8: Again, I already mentioned it but besides the Axxium Gel Lacquer by OPI, it's the only nail color I've used this month that I couldn't stop ooohing and ahhhing over.  It also lasted over 3 days each time, which is pretty great on me. I know it's probably going to be put away until next summer, but I look forward to busting it out again!

Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion Eye Quints $10.99 each:  I was really impressed by these. I don't like Maybelline's regular eye shadow line as it's not pigmented and chalky (bleh).  But these pack a color punch and you know I love color.  After I bought Forest Fury, I went back to the store during a sale and snapped up the rest (at least, what they had left!).  I was stopped twice by strangers the day I wore Forest Fury and asked if I was a makeup artist (yay!).  The price is not amazing but of course you can always find coupons and BOGO 1/2-off.  The shimmer topcoats really make these stand out and I'll continue to use them into Fall.  I love Too Faced's Matte Palette but I must admit I've been reaching for these more... even for office work days... now where is that promotion? Oops!

CVS Makeup Remover Wipes $5.49 for 25: This is my first month as a beauty blogger and I don't know what I would have done without these!  They do the best job at scraping off all those pigmented swatches and FOTDs!  Their price is not too far off from a pack of MAC Wipes at $28 for 100 ct., but I find those sting my skin a little. I also tried the much-raved Yes to Cucumbers makeup remover wipes (more expensive per wipe) but the fragrance was too strong and they didn't do as good a job at quickly removing makeup completely as the MAC or CVS wipes.  CVS wipes often go on sale, too. I just bought three two-pack boxes because they are on sale BOGO 1/2-off this week, in fact.  I also like that when I can't be bothered to really take care of my skin (kryptonite for the acne-prone, but I am a flawed human being!), if all I do is wipe off my makeup with one of these the damage is limited.  Best wipes I've tried!

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara $10: Now an essential, as it really drives home the entire point of my pixie hair cut; Channeling Twiggy! Full review here.

Jewelmint Trinity Bracelets $29.99: I am NOT a bracelets person. I have delicate (try skinny and bony) wrists that I like to look at when I'm feeling bloated/fat.  Reminds me that I'm only fat in the brain!  On top of that, my desk job has me typing up documents all the time and wearing bracelets is usually annoying, if not painful.  These do emboss my skin a little but I hardly notice it. They make my wedding set (white gold) look just fine with any other metal colors I could be wearing on any given day.  In fact, my wedding set is the only other jewelry I wear without fail every day.  I always want to change my jewelry to complement an outfit and these complement everything! I've worn them fancy and casual and never feel the itch to take them off.  Above and beyond my favorite Jewelmint item thus far (I have eleven pieces currently). I can see myself wearing these less often when I'm wearing a coat or long sleeves on a daily basis, but I never give this much love to a piece of jewelry that isn't a gift from DH/Mom & Dad.  They're a part of my body now :-P

Wow, it was so hard to narrow these down!  This Summer has been full of beautiful makeup and I'm just starting to love what I've hoarded for Fall.  I hope I turned you onto a product or two you might have easily dismissed.  Let me know your favorites if you don't put them up in your blog!

Haul: MAC Me Over - My Selections

When I was in Vegas I visited the Forum Shops (connected with Caesars) where there is a MAC Pro Store.  Much to my chagrin, they were slammed that day, every artist's chair full with someone recieving a makeover, so I stood around basically being ignored.  It won't make me love MAC any less, but I think I'd turn around and come back later next time.  The sales guy who rung me up threw a few Zoom Lash samples in my bag and apologized when I checked out.
Also, I'm in the wrong line of work because I knew more about the new collection and was more familiar with the colors in it than the salespeople/artists! Thanks to Temptalia, heh.

I had originally intended to get Stunner blush (a light coral), Curvaceous and Social Light Lipglasses, and Oh Oh Oh lipstick (lustre).  I'd written off Cakeshop Shadestick due to swatches I'd seen, and I hadn't seen any swatches of Plum Fun Lipglass.
Stunner Blush looked like a million other blushes I already own -- pass.  Social Light reminded me of Good Lovin' from the Surf, Baby! collection when I swatched it, but unfortunately they didn't have any in stock to compare. I took my chances and passed.  Curvaceous just seemed like a standard milky mauve to me in person, and I felt like it was so dupe-able when I swatched it.
Cakeshop was sooo pretty when I swatched it I couldn't help myself!  Plum Fun Lipglass looked like nothing else I currently own and makes me excited for the next makeup season.
All the eyeshadows I tried seemed highly dupe-able (I guess a neutrals collection is apt to feel like that). 
Oh Oh Oh still came home with me and I've already worn it for two days!  It looks like a shimmery bronze in the tube but turns into a flattering, subtle plum on the lips that just screams Autumn sophistication to me.
After swatching the MAC Me Over collection, I'm ho-hum about it. But I'm really excited for the vibrant colors and MSFs of the Cindy Sherman collection!
Did you pick up anything from the MAC Me Over collection? 

Nuance Salma Hayek Color Vibrance Lipstick in Coral and My Favorite, photos and swatches

Please note this picture is not true-to-color as the light was totally rubbish.  The lip swatches below are true-to-color.

In spite of being quite let down by Nuance Salma Hayek's tinted moisturizer and powder "foundation," I couldn't resist trying out the lipsticks because the internet is abuzz with their praise. I am happy to report that I can add to that buzz; these lipsticks feel great! They have a YSL-like slip to them, nice pigmentation, a nice extremely subtle vanilla-ish scent (practically no scent), feel emolient, and retail at $9.99 (but of course buy-one-get-one-free this week).  The packaging leaves something to be desired, though.  The plastic safety seals are stuck to the tubes on mine, which often happens to me with these seals.  I felt like the color indicators on the bottom of the tubes were pretty true-to-color.  Mostly, these just feel really nice on my lips so I don't need a balm first, and are completely inoffensive in any way!
I got Coral (describes the color well) and My Favorite (kind of a muted brick-berry color).  These will NOT be going back to the store, they're staying with me!

Coral

My Favorite

Bonus: it might be the warm/neutral tones of these lipsticks, but I think they make my teeth appear whiter... I apologize I didn't take a toothy photo.