Product Doctor

BLOG SALE!

2013-05-07T20:09:00.000-04:00

Some product photos may not represent accurate color, so I encourage you to Google the items before purchase.

Some guidelines:

1. The sale is on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. To reserve your items, email me at productdoctor [at] gmail [dot] com with the title "Blog Sale" and specify: the items you want, your Paypal name, your name and mailing address.

3. Payment shall be made to my Paypal account within 24 hours of receipt of invoice. If you pass the 24 hour deadline, I will release the items to the next buyer.

***please do not comment to this post to reserve your items. Only emails received will be invoiced.

4. Once payment is received, you will receive an email confirmation that your items were shipped.

Shipping Charges:

- US ONLY: $5

Items sold are not returnable, refundable or exchangeable.

~~Burberry Mulberry Eyeshadow (swatched 1x) $20~~ SOLD

Edward Bess Mystery (Used 5x) $20

~~Le Metier Lip Creme in Purple Haze (used 2x) $20 (will include 2 UNTOUCHED LMdB GWP palettes free)~~ SOLD
Nars Moonfleet Lip Gloss $10

Nars Night Fever $8

Revlon Lip Butters Cupcake, Strawberry Shortcake both $5

YSL Palette #12 (LE) $40

~~Tom Ford Enchanted (LE) $55~~ SOLD

Time To Catch Up

2013-02-26T15:17:00.001-05:00

Everyday makeup...

Pictured: D&G Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation, La Mer The Powder, LMdB Brightening Powder, Armani corrector, Cle de Peau concealer, Tom Ford Illuminator, TF Brow Sculptor, Anastasia Brow Duality, LMdB liquid liner, Nars Rue Bonaparte liner, Chanel mascara, Chantecaille bronzer, TF Pink Dusk lipstick, Benefit Brow Kit, Burberry Gold Trench and Trench eyeshadows, Dior Amber Diamond highlighter

As happens with many bloggers I lost my inspiration over the past few months and decided to take a break from blogging, unsure of exactly how long that break would be. I certainly missed blogging but I did not want to start again until I was sure that I could commit to regular posts! So that being said, let's catch up! Here is a peak at my current everyday makeup routine. These days my everyday look is all about flawless, glowing skin and a strong brow. I try to keep my eyes slightly defined, but as natural as possible. It takes a lot of products for me to achieve the no fuss look!

Currently obsessed...

London Fashion Week definitely refueled my obsession with model of the moment Cara Delevinge. I love her strong brow, heavy contour and low maintenance hairstyle. I have been growing my brows out lately to try to obtain that fuller look. The Tom Ford Brow Sculptor is an amazing waxy pencil with an interesting shape that creates a very natural look. Mine is almost finished! I purchased some products from Anastasia Beverly Hills to see if I could get the same look for less!

Before I am out the door...

Before I leave for work I always spray my skin a few times with La Mer's The Mist to take away any powdery look and add the glow back to my skin. My scent du jour has been this gorgeous fragrance from Byredo Parfums, which I picked up in Paris when I visited last fall. It is much too special to use everyday, but I am currently out of my Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir.

Maid of Honor preparations...

In a bit of personal news, my sister is getting married in just over a week! A few items I recently picked up to try out for my wedding makeup look.

Still keeping up with my favorite blogs/ YouTubers...

Pictured: YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 8, Benefit Girl Meets Pearl, By Terry Or de Rose, Burberry Sepia Pink, Chantecaille Lucky gloss, Sara Happ The Lipslip, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Audacious Asphalt, Dior Addict Candide, Lip Fusion Plumping gloss

Even though I have been MIA I have still been keeping up with all of my favorite blogs and YouTubers! I also recently discovered some fantastic new blogs which are great sources of inspiration. Can you guess which lovely ladies have inspired the above purchases?

Matchy Matchy

2012-12-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Do you ever coordinate your makeup with your outfit? With some colors, like a neon pink or vivid orange red I think it is a fashion crime, but what about a blush top with a blush nude lip? Or this deep bordeaux combination- Nars Afghan Red paired with my Alexander McQueen Skull scarf. My absolute favorite accessory this winter. The rich colors and softness of the modal-cashmere blend make this the ultimate luxury!

Do you ever match your makeup to your clothes? What do you think? Chic or chic-not?

The Last Time This Happened...

2012-12-23T10:18:00.001-05:00

I was in high school and it was MAC Icon lipstick. Icon was a brown lipstick with a frost finish. I was obsessed. I must have gone through 10 tubes of that shade. I shudder and blame the 90's.

Thankfully, I am fairly certain that years from now when I look back at this post I won't be horrified by this lipstick repurchase. Dolce & Gabbana Passion Duo in Rose (click link for swatch). The Passion Duo lipsticks are a lipstick- gloss fusion which means that they have rich pigmentation with a glossy, long lasting finish. Rose is a deep but bright magenta pink with cool undertones. It is the perfect winter pink lipstick. Even my mom said she liked the shade on me!

Look at that pristine packaging! How am I going to keep this one from getting all scratched up!? What was your last lipstick repurchase?

Claudio Riaz Instant Face Brush and Instant Face Palette #3

2012-12-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

I hate to publically admit this but these Claudio Riaz items were a bit of an impulse buy. It all started with a review by Wayne Goss, which led to a google search of instant face palette, which took me to ALL COSMETIC WHOLESALE!?! Craziness!!! Who knew that a line carried by Barney's could be on ACW!?! Needless to say, I snatched up the Instant Face Palette in Number 3 at an already discounted price of $99.99 (originally $128) and then an additional 20% off! Gotta love a high end makeup bargain!

Needless to say once I had the palette I had to have the corresponding brush...and there you go. Thankfully I love the products. And yes, the brush has been used in these pictures.

The Claudio Riaz Instant Face brush is a square shaped kabuki style brush with a flat top. I am not sure about the composition of the bristles, but I believe it is synthetic. They are incredibly soft and silky, more so than any of my current real haired brushes (most of which are MAC, Chanel or Le Metier). What I love most about this brush is the shape and density of the hairs. It is perfect for buffing powders into the skin for a natural look, or as a finishing brush for blending products into the skin. What I don't love about the brush is that I have noticed occasional hairs to shed, which is a problem considering the price point. Still, a fantastic brush with the Instant Face Palette for achieving a quick, flawless face look. $125, available at Barney's

Much more amazing than the brush is the makeup! I purchased the Instant Face Palette in Number 3, which is the darkest of the 3 available shades. Included is a face powder, the Eye and Face Natural Skin 3, on each end followed by Eye and Face Instant Radiance 2, Instant Flush 3, and Wet and Dry Instant Bronze 3. Each of the shades are available individually, as well as the palette. The idea of the Instant Face is to use the brush to sweep across all the shades in the palette and then apply to the face in a "3" motion first on to the cheek, then sweeping on to temples, followed by jawline. This gives instant color, and radiance to the face in a quick, single step. Sounds slightly gimmicky, but it really works!!!

Each of the shades can of course be used individually as well. The texture of the powders are among the softest and silkiest, reminiscent of Chantecaille. They are wonderfully pigmented, with a rich color. The face powder is matte, as is the bronzer shade. The illuminator has a very sophisticated sheen, with no obvious glitter particles. The blush also has a radiant sheen, but no large glitter. An absolutely stunning palette. It reminds me of the Chanel Tan de Soleil bronzers released in the summer with multiple shades in a single compact, but with a superior texture and much less shimmer.

I think the supreme texture of these powders, combined with the density and softness of the brush hairs work together to really blend this product seamlessly into the skin with a natural, bronzed glow and no powdery effect. It really is remarkable how quickly I can look put together in a single step, without using three separate face products! This is perfect for rushed mornings, which are usually daily during the week!

All shades blended, difficult to capture.

All shades blended

The Claudio Riaz Instant Face Palette is an innovate, amazing all in one face palette. I still cannot believe I found this on sale because I would have gladly paid full price! I love having a face powder, illuminator, bronzer and blush all in one place! The palette is thin and sleek and perfect for traveling, or a quick touch up after work. After trying this out, I am definitely curious to explore more of the makeup in Claudio Riaz's line. Some products have already been featured on Best Things In Beauty and The Non Blonde.

Brand Rave: Zelens

2012-12-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

Zelens is a London based skin care brand created by Dr. Marko Lens, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with expertise in skin cancer and skin aging. I first learned of the brand during one of many trips to Space NK, where the sales associates continually raved about the products and offered me numerous samples. Not long after, I saw the Resurfacing Facial Pads featured on Beauty Mouth, a skin care blog by Caroline Hirons. Reading her features pushed me to give the line a try. It is safe to say I am becoming a little obsessed.

I learned my lesson about doing major skin care overhauls all at once, so I incorporated each of these products slowly in to my skin care routine. My skin started acting up a few months ago, so I knew I needed to make a change from my usual Chantecaille based routine. I started with the Radiance Luminous Facial Cleanser, which I use daily in the mornings. This is a creamy based cleanser which is hydrating and gentle to the skin. It has a very liquidy texture, and never leaves the skin stripped. Camellia oil, pearl extracts, aloe vera and Vitamin E work together to promote radiance and soothing effects. I have not tried this in the evenings to remove makeup, but it works well for a morning gentle cleanse. Mineral oil and paraben free. $60 for 125 ml/4.2 oz.

The stand out product of the line has to be the PHA+ Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads. I use these pads in place of my toner in the mornings. A combination of polyhydroxy and alpha and beta hydroxy acids work to gently exfoliate the skin. Continued use improves skin texture, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and appearance of pores. Although gentle enough for twice daily use, I only use these once a day since I use Retin-A at night. This is my second jar of these facial pads, and I did notice when I stopped using these pads my skin became significantly more congested. If you try one item from the line, I would recommend these. $95 for 50 pads.

The Z Recovery Intensive Repair Balm is the newest addition to my skin care routine and a life savor for dry skin. This cream, is thick but not a balm in the traditional sense. It has more of a gel based texture. There are a blend of active ingredients including peptides, hyaluronic acid, phospholipids, Vitamin E, and olive oil to repair damaged and irritated skin. It provided a natural barrier to the skin, and wears beautifully under makeup. I use this twice a day, and unfortunately, I love it. $225 for 1.7 oz.

The Triple Action Advanced Eye Cream is a thick, balm like cream which acts against fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. In addition to collagen, this is a hyaluronic based cream. Despite its thick texture, it absorbs instantly and is perfect for dry under eye skin. Mineral oil and paraben free. $120 for 15 ml/ 0.5 oz.

New Foundation Love! YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat

2012-12-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

It was not love at first swatch for me with the original YSL Touche Eclat. I first tried it many years ago when it first launched, and I just did not "get it." Years later I gave it another go and I still didn't get it. This time, however, I was determined to figure out the magic behind this pen. Eventually I came to love the way this seemed to erase signs of fatigue and blur imperfections. That is when I became curious about the Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation.

The packaging is superb, as with most YSL products. It comes in a luxurious, heavy glass bottle with a gold cap embossed with the YSL logo. Not the most travel friendly, but pretty sitting on my new vanity. Color matching can be tricky. I highly recommend you go to the YSL web site and use their foundation shade selector guide to choose a few shades which might suit you, and then go to the counter or Sephora and try them out in person. The color in the jar is the color of the ultimate shade, but when you first apply this foundation, the color appears very light as you blend it in to the skin. For this reason, I prefer to use my fingers to apply this foundation as I found using any type of brush whether stippling, buffing or traditional left many streaks. The color quickly warms up to the skin and blends seamlessly in to the skin. As you may know, the foundation comes in 17 shades, varying from cool (BR), neutral (B) and warm (BD) undertones. I used the shade selector to pick 3 shades I was interested in trying, BD50, BD60 and B60. I found the BD shades to be very yellow toned and much darker than the corresponding neutral shades. I settled on B60 which is a good match. If you swatch the shades quickly on to your skin and don't let them settle, you may mistake the shade for being too light.

The coverage is sheer to light. It evens out skin tone nicely, but will not cover up scars or significant problem areas. The finish is gorgeous. It is invisible, and luminous without being overly dewy. It really does provide the illuminating glow that the original Touche Eclat provides. The lasting power is good, about 8-10 hours, on my dry skin. I do set this with a powder to prolong the wear time.

Compared to other foundations in my collection, I find Armani Luminous Silk to provide slightly more coverage and the Chantecaille Just Skin to provide similar coverage but be more glowy than the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat foundation. The YSL foundation does have SPF 19 which makes this great for warmer months. I enjoy foundations with SPF and a glowy finish in the winter for providing life to my dull, dry skin in one step, whereas in the summer I feel I need an extra SPF. Overall, I am really enjoying this foundation at the moment!

The YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation retails for $55 and is available at counters, and Sephora.

Hangover Cure

2012-12-05T21:13:00.002-05:00

Last night was one of those "1 too many glasses of Pinot" nights after which I found myself in my bed, with a pile of clothes and all of my makeup on from the night before. Yes folks, I committed the cardinal sin of skin care and slept with my makeup on! The horror and shame I felt this morning staring at the remnants of last night's smokey eye! Needless to say not only was I in dire need of water, but my skin was in desperate need of some potent therapy.

Time to pull out the big guns.

After a thorough cleanse, I apply the Chantecaille Fruit and Flower Acids Mask to clean skin and leave on for 10 minutes. This mask is a savior for dull, uneven skin. It contains grapefruit and hibiscus flower acids as well as a botanical glycolic acid to gently dissolve dead skin cells and reveal fresh skin. This is my third jar of this stuff and I have about one use left, and will definitely buy another. I rely on it that much!

Next time for the Dynamic Duo. The Sisley Radiant Glow Express Mask and Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask.

The Sisley Radiant Glow Express Mask is a LIFESAVER. This mask is perfect for dull, tired, sallow skin that is also in need of deep cleansing. The red and white clay work to get rid of impurities and deeply cleanse the skin, while the botanical extracts and essential oils work to smooth, and hydrate the skin. Pure genius. This is one product that is worth every single penny and will always be in my skin care regimen. It works after a night of debauchery and also works as a quick prep before a night out. Most traditional clay masks dry out my skin too much, but this cleans the pores without that tight feeling.

I follow this with the Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask. This is a refreshing clear gel mask that plumps and hydrates the skin like nothing else. Or as Sisley says, sheer bliss for dehydrated, lifeless, energy-depleted skin. Yes, please! I slather on a thick layer of this and leave it on all night. There is no need to rinse with this mask. The longer you leave it on, the longer the active ingredients penetrate your skin.

Water, Ibuprofen, greasy food...I'm not saying that this regimen will replace all that after a night of over indulgence, but think of this as your skin hangover cure. Am I the only one who commits the cardinal beauty sin of falling asleep with your makeup on???

Currently Obsessed: Bordeaux

2012-12-02T16:57:00.001-05:00

I know I've been slacking on the blogging front lately, and hopefully with the new year I will be more on schedule! I decided to start the new month by sharing some of my current obsessions, namely anything wine, burgundy, oxblood, or bordeaux. Every year at this time I love wearing this warm, sensuous shade as it makes me feel sexy while also evoking a wintery vibe.

Tom Ford Cream Eye Shadow in Illicit: This was a limited edition product that I actually passed on when it was released. Last month during some hurricane shopping I picked this up after seeing it on sethakins and he said it was still available on the Neiman Marcus website. The deep, burgundy shade has a gorgeous subtle shimmer and makes for the easiest one step eye. I wear this during the day and at night. You can easily apply a thin layer for a more subtle effect or build it up for added drama. If you ever spot this anywhere, buy it. If not, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk is very similar.

Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow in Cognac: A beautiful burgundy, brown shade with less red in it which makes it very wearable.

Le Metier de Beaute Radiance Powder Rouge in Rumor: The perfect winter flush.

Tom Ford Lip Gloss in Pink Guilt: I hate to do this but I need to take back anything negative I have ever said about Tom Ford glosses. No, they are not worth the money but this color is gorgeous. It is a deep pink with beautiful shimmer, and gives my lips just enough color that I can wear it alone. I am addicted to the vanilla scent of Tom Ford lip products.

Tom Ford Lipstick in Black Orchid: A classic vampy shade.

Essie Nail Polish in Wicked: My second bottle. My all time favorite vampy nail shade.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne: Obsessed is an understatement. I spray this on myself when I am alone at home just because I love the scent so much. I have had this about 2 weeks and have already made a sizeable dent. The smell is a heavenly blend of fruity, spicy and woodsy scents all in one. Utterly perfect for cool weather. Rather than copy I will link a description here. I see the larger size in my future.

L to R: TF Illicit, BB Cognac, LMdB Rumor, TF Black Orchid, TF Pink Guilt

For night time, I have been loving the dark eyes and dark lips trend. I pair the Tom Ford cream shadow with the Tom Ford Black Orchid lipstick. For a more subtle look I will wear the cream shadow with the gloss. Or the eyes and cheeks with a "my lips but better" lip. The possibilities are endless. I love that about makeup!

What are you currently obsessed with?

Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Tawny Pink

2012-11-18T15:59:00.001-05:00

Bobbi Brown's Creamy Matte Lip Color in Tawny Pink basically called my name after I saw it on Michelle Money from the MMandL Show. Tawny Pink is a neutral medium pink in the tube, but it darkens significantly when applied to a deeper, rosier pink. The color is rich, and saturated. You easily achieve full opacity in 1 swipe.

The formula is indeed creamy and applies easily onto the lips with no tugging. The wear is wonderful. It easily lasts 4 hours on my lips, which is unheard of for me. I don't find the formula to be drying, but it is not hydrating either. I think if your lips are already on the dry side than this will make them drier. If your lips are in good condition than this lipstick will suit you wonderfully.

A word of caution before buying about these lip colors: I find them to darken significantly when swatted or applied to the lips. I would suggest trying them out before buying to see if one is right for you.

Overall, I love this color and the formula is long lasting. It is the perfect low maintenance lipstick for work. There are 12 shades available in this range, and each retails for $24. I will probably check out some of the other colors soon!

YSL Holiday 2012: Pure Chromatics Palette 12

2012-11-15T19:10:00.000-05:00

Warning: This post contains holiday neutrals at their best! I usually skip holiday collections. Sometimes because I have already spent way too much money on makeup by the time they launch, and other times because how much gold and silver glitter does one really need? This year I succumbed to YSL Holiday, mostly because I found some of the products to be quite unique! The Pure Chromatics Palette in 12 is a holiday/neutral lovers dream!

The main reason I love this palette so much is the unbelievable versatility of it. On first glance it looks like your standard shimmer/smokey combo with too much glitter. The beauty of these shadows is that they can be used wet or dry. When used dry, the effect is sheer and easily wearable for day or subtle looks. Add a bit of water and WOWZA! The shadows are instantly transformed to intensely pigmented shades with a metallic sheen and a bit of sparkle! When worn wet these shades depict the essence of holiday glamour. The formula is truly remarkable.

***Pictures obviously not taken in natural light, but the photos are not retouched and the color is depicted accurately. I wanted to get this post up soon while the collection was still available. I will try to update with daylight pictures this weekend.

With flash

I was shocked by how beautiful the colors applied when dry. I find the first shade to be a neutral gray taupe, a staple in my opinion. One surprise to me was that the lower left shade appears gold in the pan, but when swatched takes on a cooler gunmetal tone. I looked and swatched in several different lights and I don't see any gold when applied. The silver and gunmetal shades are more glittery but smooth. The application is easy and without fallout. The darker shade is a brownish black with the slightest bit of glitter but not overdone. I've worn the gunmetal shade, wet, with a dark vampy lip for a glamour night out, but I've also used the light gray taupe dry in the crease with a classic red lip. Both gorgeous holiday looks.

Dry

Wet

Dry, with flash

Wet, with flash

L to R: dry, wet

L to R: dry, wet with flash

This is a gorgeous holiday offering from YSL. The colors are versatile and easy to wear. If you love color, then I would suggest the other holiday release which features some gorgeous blues. The YSL Pure Chromatics 12 Palette retails for $55 and is available now at counters. I also picked up the nail polish top coat with the aurora borealis glitter, which is another stunner! I definitely recommend you check this collection out!

'Tis The Season: A Sephora Haul

2012-11-13T21:55:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the blogging break these past couple weeks! As much as I love reading blogs and watching You Tube videos, sometimes I just can not get the inspiration to write yet another product review. I feel like so many others do it so much better, so rather than try to keep up I am trying to find another way to talk about all my beauty obsessions!

Believe it or not, this is the first year that I really took part in the Sephora VIB sale! This year I happened to need a few products because I was out of several things. Perfect timing! The Sephora VIB sale is a great time to stock up on necessities or purchase large ticket items that never go on sale.

I stocked up on some Shiseido Facial Cotton, the holy grail of cotton. I was out for about a month and I definitely missed these plush babies! I also bought some Clarisonic brush heads because it was time to change it up anyway. I've recently got into exfoliating my skin pre-shave and what a difference it makes! My skin is super sensitive and dry, and exfoliating really helps prevent razor burn and other issues. I love my current Kheils scrub, but I decided to try the Philosophy Gingerbread Man scrub. It smells divine! To go with it I decided to try the new Origins Ginger Body Oil which comes in a handy spray bottle for easy application. I'm hoping this will be a fast way to moisturize at 6 am before I rush out the door for work.

Speaking of dry sensitive skin, I was in desperate need of something ultra hydrating for face and body. I went with the FAB Ultra Repair Cream because it contains no harsh ingredients and has soothing oatmeal for dry, itchy skin. I am irrationally excited about this product. However anyone with dry, itchy skin understands that!

On to the fun stuff- the makeup! I picked up the Dior Hydra Life BB Cream after using the sample I got a few weeks ago. It is a little light for me, but easily warmed up when mixed with a darker foundation or with bronzer. The coverage is fantastic, and I love how hydrating it is on my skin throughout the day. I also picked up the Giorgio Armani Master Primer because when I tested this out, it seriously made my skin so soft and luminous like nothing I have ever felt before. Probably the best primer for dry skin that I have ever used. I also purchased a refill of the Armani Master Corrector in Peach, and a YSL Sheer Candy in #9, and the Dior Lip Maximizer. This last one was a total impulse buy, but I liked the way it felt, and it did seem to smooth out the texture of my lips.

All in all, very excited to have all my goodies! I have already dug in to most of them! What did you buy from the sale?

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Cocoa Mirage

2012-11-04T13:57:00.000-05:00

I have been trying to move towards a more minimalistic, "no makeup" makeup look for everyday. In my search for more neutral eyeshadows, I went to Tom Ford since his eyeshadow quad in Cognac Sable is one of my all time favorite palettes. I found Cocoa Mirage, a beautiful selection of neutrals and picked it up without hesitation.

Cocoa Mirage is one of those eyeshadow quads that you can wear anywhere, anytime and use everyday. The colors are simple, and matte. My favorite shade is the lightest brown, because it is not too warm, and matches my skin tone well. I can apply this all over the lid and into the crease to even out the skin on my lids and create a subtle contour in the crease. The texture of Tom Ford's shadows is excellent, and very rich and buttery to make application a breeze. Matte shadows are not always easy to work with, but this palette is amazing! This is a quad I will use everyday, and to the last drop!

If you are looking for a solid, neutral eyeshadow quad for everyday wear than I highly recommend Cocoa Mirage by Tom Ford. It's luxurious, but worth it!

Dior Lip Liners are Amazeballs

2012-10-31T16:21:00.000-04:00

I'm not the hugest fan of Dior Cosmetics, so if it hadn't been for LisaLisaD1's constant chatter about how amazing the Dior lip liners are I probably would never have tried them. If any of you are familiar with LisaLisaD1's videos than you know that she is a woman who knows her lip liners. I have never seen someone with so many lip liners that they could devote an entire 28 minute video to discussing the subject. 28 minutes... I know it is silly to get so excited about a lip liner during these times but a little levity is required!

Anyhoo I'm thrilled to have found these gems! Dior's lip liners are no hard, drying pencil which suck the life out of your lips. These liners are amazeballs. That woman is right. Nothing lasts longer on the lips. I apply the liner in the morning and it keeps whatever lipstick I am wearing on for much, much longer than otherwise, and even when the lipstick fades the liner is still left behind! They do not budge! They easily last through drinking which is not something I typically experience!

The color selection is equally amazeballs. I had trouble deciding which to take home. I chose Linen, a brownish nude, and Natural Beige a peach toned nude. Both colors are gorgeous and go with most of my nude and light lip colors. I find that Linen is so close to my natural lip color that I can wear this with reds and other darker shades. The pencils are your traditional sharpener required tip with a brush on the other end. I have used the brush to blend in the line and it works well. A sharpener is also included with each liner.

L to R: Linen, Natural Beige

After trying these liners out, I don't see the point in wearing lipstick without them because they just help the lipstick to last so much longer. Plus the liners are comfortable to wear, and apply easily. I want at least 2 more shades- Earth and Sparkling Beige. The Dior lip liners retail for $29 which is pricey but well worth it! These liners are not available at Sephora, but at Dior counters.

The Magic Pot: Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

2012-10-29T15:06:00.001-04:00

If you have any skin concerns then get a cup of coffee, sit down, and READ this. Because you NEED this. This being the Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, or as I like to refer to it, my magic pot.

My recent episode of break outs left me with acne scars which no concealer or full coverage foundation seemed to cover. Or, if the coverage was good then it didn't last all day and I was left with spotty skin unless I touched up. Forever on the search for something better, I thought about the Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer but was intimidated by its dense, thick consistency. It seemed like spackle! But after accumulating a few Space NK points, I decided to try it out. Best. Decision. Ever.

The Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is a base product that can be used as a foundation or concealer. There are a variety of shades from very light to very dark, with a variety of undertones to suit most skin tones. For an excellent picture with swatches of all the shades, click on The Beauty Professor. Since I primarily wanted to use this product as a foundation or concealer for acne scars, I chose a shade as close to my skin tone as possible and went with SX11, a medium to dark beige with golden undertones. The product itself comes in a tiny pot with a LOT (18 gm) of product.

The product itself is very dense and thick like a pot concealer. The product is so densely pigmented that you would need only a pinhead size amount to conceal scars or blemishes. To use as a foundation you would need again a very small amount, much less than a traditional "pump" of foundation to cover your entire face. The product is extremely versatile- it can be mixed with moisturizer or lighter foundations for a sheerer finish, or used as is. It can also be applied with fingers to warm up the product and make it easier to blend, or with a brush. I found that for concealing a small brush worked best since fingers pick up too much product and then using the fingers to blend the product into the skin. To use as a foundation, a stippling or buffing brush works best. I use the Sephora Mineral Powder brush to stipple a very thin layer of product over my problem areas, and it covers flawlessly. FLAWLESSLY. I applied this only over my problem areas and blended it in with the brush, and left other good areas of my skin bare. Another great method is to use this product as a concealer and apply first, followed by a tinted moisturizer on top for a blended look. This can also help if the color match is not perfect. The pictures below are unretouched, and without any other concealer or foundation. I think they speak for themselves! Normally, I wouldn't even think of posting pictures of my skin without makeup, but I am so excited about this product and I really wanted to share the amazing results with you!

On close inspection, the finish is satin and looks like skin. The coverage lasts all day without need for touch ups. I do think this product works best over a primer to help it blend into the skin more seamlessly. Setting with powder also helps to keep the makeup in place. From reading other reviews, some mentioned a displeasing scent to this product but to my nose there is no discernible scent.

Bare face

Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer Only

Full face of makeup, concealer only under the eyes

There is a learning curve with this product in the sense that you can not just slap it on with a traditional foundation brush, or use it with your fingers straight from the pot and blend it into your skin. It is too dense for that. The key to using this product is to use a VERY small amount, less than a traditional foundation or concealer, and use a stippling or buffing brush to really work the product into the skin. I would also recommend working on small areas of the face at a time. This tiny pot, with 18gm of product, retails for $45 and will probably last a lifetime. I have been using it daily since I purchased it, and there is no dent in sight. This is by far the best product I have ever used to cover up acne scars, and is my holy grail! I am so happy to have found something that provides enough coverage, but still allows you to have natural looking skin. I will never be without it. I highly, highly recommend it!

No Solid Food for 3 Days!? My Experience With The BluePrint Cleanse

2012-10-28T21:42:00.003-04:00

This is a different type of post on Product Doctor, but one I hope will be helpful! After a month of what most would call "excess"- excess drinking, excess eating, traveling and all the other joys of life I was feeling fairly grubby. I felt tired, bloated, and my skin was having the worst breakout in a long time! I really wanted to do something drastic- but healthy- to help me get back on track! Enter the BluePrint Cleanse.

A bit about me- I would describe myself as fairly healthy- I try to workout 3-4 times a week and watch what I eat, but I definitely indulge in a cheeseburger and fries every now and then, and I love my wine! So the idea of a cleanse was intimidating to say the least! I just didn't think it was something I could realistically stick to given how much I love to eat! I mean no solid food for 3 days!? Are these people crazy!? And you have to pay them!? A snapshot of my thoughts.

There are 3 levels of cleanses offered by BluePrint and each can be done at your desired length. I chose the Foundation Cleanse, which is the middle of the road option, for 3 days. In the Foundation Cleanse you consume 6 juices per day, at your own pace with water or herbal tea as often as you like. You receive 3 green juices, 1 fruit juice, 1 spicy lemonade, and 1 cashew milk.

Green juices: romaine, apple, celery, cucumber, spinach, kale, parsley and lemon.
Fruit juice: pineapple, apple and mint.
Spicy lemonade: water, lemons, agave nectar, and cayenne pepper.
Cashew milk: water, cashews, agave nectar, cinnamon and vanilla.

Day 1: I woke up and had my first green juice- ever. It was not as bad as I expected, and tasted mostly like apple. Still this was no Grande Skinny Vanilla Latte. The pineapple juice and spicy lemonade were much better, but my favorite was the cashew milk. I could at least pretend that was an Iced Grande Soy Chai. I felt extremely tired and sluggish all day, and by 5pm I was ready for a nap! I was out cold for 2 hours! Around 7pm my friend called to meet her for happy hour! I thought about saying no, but she had a friend there she wanted me to meet so cleanse or not, I had to go! To my surprise (and everyone else's), I only had a couple sips of vodka soda and even by midnight I wasn't hungry.

Day 2: I slept in until 11 am, and I am an early riser. I can't remember the last time I slept in so long! Day 2 was much better in terms of getting the juices down. I also drank more water which is important for keeping your system flushed, and I didn't feel hungry all day. However I still felt sluggish, tired and bloated. I ended up taking another 2 hour nap in the afternoon. That night, I woke up with body aches which was unusual. I took a couple Advil and went back to sleep.

Day 3: I was really happy that it was the last day. I missed my coffee! My Saturday morning ritual of coffee and LisaLisaD1 was not the same with a bottle of leaf juice. I thought I'd be dreaming about french fries and wine, but it's coffee I miss the most! I had more energy than the previous 2 days and even contemplated working out (but no actual exercise took place). By 10pm, after my cashew milk, I was hungry. I'm not sure if it was the fact that I was so close to being done, but my stomach was growling! I broke down and had an apple and went to bed.

Post cleanse: I woke up today feeling great that I finished the cleanse fairly successfully! The first thing I did was get some coffee, but I put soy milk and agave in it instead of skim and splenda. I had so much energy today, went for a run and generally just felt really healthy. I lost 3 lbs. which I realize is probably water weight, but still makes me feel like my cleanse was a success. I think the biggest difference is that I feel like I have "reset" my body and so I feel more conscious of what I put into it. I went through my refrigerator and pantry and made sure there was no junk. Then I went to the grocery store for hurricane Sandy preparations but filled my cart with healthy options. I definitely don't want all my hard work to be for nothing! Hopefully this will be the start for me to be more consistent about maintaining a healthy lifestyle!

Bottom line: I think the BluePrint Cleanse was a great experience. I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in a cleanse, and I would do it again before a big event or if I felt myself slipping up.

Have you tried a cleanse before? What was your experience?

Disclaimer: I purchased this cleanse with my own funds and was in no way compensated for this post!

Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush (No. 2)

2012-10-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

I apologize in advance for the slew of Tom Ford posts coming your way! I'm becoming a bit obsessed. I've been coveting some Tom Ford brushes for a long time, and when I finally succumbed I decided to start with the Number 2 Cream Foundation Brush. What appealed to me most about this brush is the short stubby head (now there is a statement you don't hear very often).

The Cream Foundation brush has short bristles that are densely compacted. The ferrule is flattened at the tip to give a wide but short brush head. The bristles are soft and of natural hair. I'm no brush aficionado- I refer you to The Non Blonde for true expertise, but this is by far the softest brush I own. The hairs are so soft and so densely packed that any foundation you decide to use with it has no choice but to be seamlessly blended into submission.

The head is firm, but does give slightly with movement. The shape is perfect for a quick all over application and hard to get areas like around the nose and under the eyes. Though designed for the Cream Foundation, I have used this with my liquid foundations as well and the result is flawless. Flawless! I'm talking no brush strokes, no streaks, no nothing. The only downside (yes after all even Ryan Gossling has a downside, though I'll admit that I don't know what that is) is that because the hairs are natural I do find the brush soaks up some product. For instance I use 2 full pumps of foundation as opposed to 1 and a half with other methods.

In terms of cleaning, I did wash this brush already with my usual face wash method and it cleaned completely with no staining of the brush hairs. The pictures were taken after the brush was used and cleaned once. The shape is exactly the same as before use. I did notice a few hairs shed the first time I used the brush with a liquid foundation, but I did not experience shedding after the first time. I'm not sure if others have experience shedding with this brush.

This foundation brush is right up there with my Shiseido foundation brush which has been my favorite thus far. The result is equally flawless with both brushes, but the Tom Ford brush is much softer and gentler on the skin which makes me feel more comfortable using this under my eyes. The Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush, like all things Tom Ford, will set you back $70. It is an investment but with proper care should last a lifetime (this is how I justify such things).

Do you have any Tom Ford brushes? What do you think of them?

Another Vamp Lipstick Post: Tom Ford Black Orchid

2012-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

Certain lipsticks are iconic. Chanel Red, Mac Ruby Woo and now Tom Ford Black Orchid. They need no description. Most beauty lovers know the shade whether they have seen it in person or not. The lipsticks evoke images of the beauties who wore them and wearing them leaves us feeling chic, sophisticated and dramatic. Who doesn't want to feel that?

I fully embrace the vamp lipstick trend which seems to come every autumn/ winter. I felt a surge of excitement when I saw the color on several celebrities during this year's Met Gala in the summer. I love how it looks goth but in a modern way. I love vamp shades on everyone- from the palest of skins to the deepest. I love the complexity of Black Orchid- it is a little bit wine, and a little bit blackened burgundy. You already know how I feel about the Tom Ford Lipstick formula- by far my favorite. Black Orchid is no exception.

Vamp lipsticks are the perfect winter time alternative to red. It is something different but equally as powerful. There are so many gorgeous vamp lipsticks available now at every price point. My advice is to pick one up in your favorite lipstick formula. If you don't mind a splurge then get Tom Ford's Black Orchid- it will leave you feeling bold and sensuous.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #5

2012-10-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

Giorgio Armani makes some of the best blushes- they are soft, fine and have just the right amount of pigmentation to make them easy to blend and wear. In short, the Armani blushes are effortless. I am always on the search for a barely there blush and Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #5 is perfect.

The color is a pale dusty pink but is neutral when blended out. When I first spotted this I thought it would be way too light or my skin tone. When I swatched it I was definitely hesitant about the color working on me. However when applied to the cheeks, it completely changes from the color of the swatch. It becomes a beautiful barely there pink that provides the faintest hint of color to my cheeks. The color is noticeable to my eye when applied to my skin, but on fairer skins the color will be much more visible. It is the perfect shade for days when you don't want to bother with too much color on the cheeks and want something neutral and simple. I like to wear this with a strong eye and nude lip. I also like to wear this with a contoured cheek when I want the emphasis to be on the contour rather than color.

Compared to other blushes in my collection, Armani #5 at first reminded me of Nars Doucer, another gorgeous barely there shade, but Doucer leans much more rose. Armani Sheer Blush in #6 is a much darker, vibrant rosy pink. It was hard to photograph but I included a picture of this color applied to the apple of my cheek.

Swatch blended out

L to R: Nars Doucer, Armani #5, Armani #6

Those with fairer skins will love the natural beauty of this shade. Those with deeper skin tones should definitely try this one on before passing it up! This shade won't give you a "pop" of color on your cheeks, but will rather be a faint way to perk up your complexion. Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in #5 retails for $44 for 6g.

Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation

2012-10-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

I am a foundation addict. Foundation and skin care is definitely where my love for beauty began. I just love trying new foundations and formulas, and so today I bring you Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15.

A bit of background- for some reason the past few weeks I have been experiencing horrible breakouts! I believe the culprit was Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate which contains shea butter and beeswax. I have since stopped using it, but was traveling recently which often wreaks havoc on my skin. To make matters more complicated, my skin is dry. So, I was looking for a full coverage foundation that was moisturizing and not matte in finish. The Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation seemed perfect.

I have been using this foundation solely for the past week since I purchased it and I can whole heartedly say that I love it! I had wanted to try one of Bobbi's foundations for a while now because the color range is excellent, and yellow based, which is perfect for my skin tone. I often find that foundations are too "brown" or "neutral" and don't blend in with my skin coloring as perfectly as I would like. The color often matches, but the tone is off which I hate because I do like the golden undertones in my skin. Bobbi's range of shades is perfect for those with warm undertones, and I was matched to Number 5 Honey which is absolutely perfect. Finally a foundation shade that works right out of the bottle with no mixing required! Love!

The foundation is marketed as a medium to full coverage foundation with moisturizing benefits for those with normal to dry skin. The formula is very "liquidy" and almost "runny" which was interesting for a full coverage formula. It glides on to the skin seamlessly and feels very silky and smooth to the touch. I did find this to fill in my pores and smooth them out. This foundation easily provides a medium coverage which is buildable to full in areas where you need it. The finish will largely depend on how dry your skin is. On days when my skin was dry, or feeling tight with dry patches, the foundation seemed to sink right into my skin leaving a natural satin finish. On days when my skin was more normal or hydrated the finish was dewy. The lasting power will also depend on your skin type. When my skin was on the drier side, this foundation easily lasted all day until I was ready to take it off and required no touch ups. On more normal skin days, I did set this with a powder and the coverage lasted all day, again with no touch ups. I did not use a primer with this foundation.

The packaging of this product is less than ideal, as there is no pump. However, on the Bobbi Brown website it does say that new packaging is being introduced for this product so I suspect (and hope) that a pump will be added.

I really love the finish of this foundation and find it hydrating and comfortable on my dry skin. This will certainly be a regular in my rotation as the weather cools! I definitely would recommend this to anyone who has dry skin, or dry patches that often are exacerbated with foundation. The Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation retails for $46 for 30 ml/ 1 oz.

Le Metier de Beaute GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

2012-10-12T13:18:00.002-04:00

The winner for my Le Metier de Beaute Bella Bronze/ Traviata Duo Giveaway is Christina Dragan! Congratulations, Christina!

Thank you again to all who entered, and to all my readers for your support!

More Tom Ford Goodies (A Guilty Post)

2012-10-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

A week ago on Twitter I spoke about a small Tom Ford haul I did and here are the rest of the items I purchased during said binge! I really hate to say how much I love the Tom Ford line, and that does not mean that I think his items necessarily justify the price tag. However hesitant I was at first, I really do love his edited collection and feel that there are some really interesting gems!

I think that one of the most interesting items in the collection is the Shade and Illuminate Cream Contour and Highlighter duo, which I purchased in Intensity 1. I have had my eye on this item for a while now, and finally took the plunge! I also purchased the Shade and llluminate brush (Number 4) and the Cream Foundation Brush (Number 2). The brushes are absolutely gorgeous and so soft! I also picked up another lip gloss in Pink Guilt because the color is such a natural, but sparkly shade despite how it looks in the tube. The Tom Ford lip glosses are sticky, but I don't mind because they do last longer on the lips. The last item I purchased was the Illuminating Concealer Pen in Amber Eclat. I am nearly finished with my YSL Touch Eclat and so I felt this was something new to try.

The last item on my Tom Ford wish list is the Eyebrow Pencil but that will have to wait for the new year...what lofty goals I create for myself.

Sephora Haul

2012-10-04T15:13:00.000-04:00

Starting today I am going on a makeup no buy for 3 months, so until January 1. So it is a good thing I picked up a few goodies to tide me over! I have been purchasing way too much makeup lately so this self-imposed ban is necessary!

Some items I picked up are the Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo, which is a repurchase for me. I originally used the Oscar Blandi Invisible Pronto Dry Shampoo spray but it did not absorb the oil in my hair as well as I would have liked so I switched to the powder formula. This dry shampoo is definitely the best I have ever used- it absorbs the oil, leaves your hair feeling clean, and does not leave any gray or white cast to my hair! I can not live without this stuff! I also picked up a new foundation, the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation. I have been wanting to try one of Bobbi's foundations since the color range is yellow based, it really matches my skin tone perfectly. I wanted something moisturizing and that provided medium to full coverage without being matte, and this foundation has all of that!

I also picked up the Anastasia Brow Duality Pencil which is a brow highlighting pencil with both a matte and shimmery side. I got the small size of the Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer which everyone raves about, and the Nars Blush in Gaiety. I don't have any bright pink blushes so this purchase seemed justified!

I purchased a Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Sand Stone which is a nice neutral color that I think will be a good base. It seems similar to MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot but I'm tired of Paint Pots! I picked up 2 lipsticks, one from the new Dior Nude line in Grege, which is the perfect peachy pink my lips but better shade, and one from Bite Beauty in Salut. I have been dying to try one of the Bite lippies for a while now so I'm excited about to see how this feels! Last but not least I picked up the Dior Nude Hydrating Concealer because my undereyes seem so dry lately and this seemed to cover and hydrate at the same time.

All in all I am really excited to try out my new purchases! I have about 3-4 lipsticks on their way out so I think adding a couple was ok...

What have you been purchasing lately? Don't forget to enter my LMdB GIveaway! It's easy and free!

First Date Makeup

2012-10-01T16:54:00.001-04:00

Remember how I said I plan my makeup? Well sad as it may be to admit it, I was not kidding! I have a first date tonight and after much research into first date makeup looks I've taken advice from the Queen, Lisa Eldridge and pulled some items to recreate the look!

If you follow me on Twitter than you may have heard that I did an ~~enormous~~ small Tom Ford Haul this past weekend, and so far I am loving what I picked up! I purchased the Illuminating Protective Primer to help create a glowing complexion. I plan to wear the Tom Ford Traceless Foundation because it is sheer and looks luminous and natural. I also have the Traceless Foundation Stick to use on areas that need a bit more coverage to help create a flawless complexion. The Tom Ford Translucent Powder is nice for setting the makeup so it lasts all night. It is also perfect to take with you for touch ups because it actually comes with a BRUSH instead of useless sponge! I like the Jane Iredale Active Light Undereye Concealer because it has all the benefits of a light reflective concealer, but it actually provides coverage as well! I think healthy and luminous skin is the most important aspect of first date makeup!

I plan to keep brows extremely natural just using a very small amount of my Chanel Brow Pencil in Brun Cendre to fill in a few gaps, and Anastasia Clear Brow Gel to keep the hairs in place. For the rest of the skin, my research informed me that cream products are the way to go since they blend easily into the skin and create a natural glow. I like the Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Poppy for a bright pink cheek, and the Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in Number 5 to help tone down the color. The Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Sunlight is a gorgeous cream highlight that you can tell I adore!

The second most important part of a first date look is the eyes! I plan to keep define them with my Chanel Quad in Prelude, and I can't live without my Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Ink for my upper lash line. The Chanel Waterproof Liner in Ebene is my trusty tool for the waterline as I know it doesn't budge! My favorite mascara is Armani Eyes To Kill, and I don't know how I lived without the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara because it is the only mascara I can use on my lower lashes that doesn't smudge.

The lips are kept simple, with the Chanel Lip Liner in Natural followed by Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick in Rose Piquant. Interestingly, I had this Guerlain lipstick on my Blog Sale and after it didn't sell I took another look at it and thank goodness I have this baby! This is the perfect date night lipstick because it is moisturizing and comfortable to wear, the color is sheer but noticeable, and it is easy to apply without a mirror and without a mess!

L to R: Rose Piqant, Chanel Natural, EB Sunlight, GA #5, LMdB Poppy, Chanel Ebene, Chanel Prelude

It's a good thing the men don't know how many products it takes to create the natural look! I hope you guys enjoyed reading this type of post and it inspires you to create some date looks to share with us! I am getting a bit tired of product reviews at the moment and I know I mentioned many products I haven't talked about in depth on this blog, but I will get to them soon! In the meantime I think you get a sense of what I like since I am trusting these items for an important night! Wish me luck!

Have you entered my Giveaway??? It's easy and the prize is from Le Metier de Beaute!

Perfect Contour and Highlight with Kevyn Aucoin

2012-09-29T12:09:00.000-04:00

I think most people reading this blog fall into the category of self-proclaimed beauty addict, and in the words of Rachel Zoe, as beauty addicts we need options. Bronzer options, highlighter options, lip color options. Matte, satin, shimmer, dark, light, golden, champagne...you get my drift. Well on my latest quest to find the perfect contour and highlight shades to create a sculpted face a la Kim Kardashian, I found the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium and Celestial Powder in Candlelight.

The Sculpting Powder comes in one shade, medium. Medium is a dark gray brown which is the ideal shade for adding definition and creating shadows on the face for contouring. I think there is a bit of a learning curve with this product because I was used to contouring with bronzer, which has a much different look. I was not sure how this color would translate in the everyday world and look natural. The powder is incredibly soft and fine, which means that it blends easily, but that a light hand is needed. I find the best way to use this is to powder my foundation first to create a smooth non sticky surface, and then I use the tip of a paddle shaped blush brush or my MAC 109 contour brush to place the product in the hollows of my cheeks. For a more natural effect, I mix this powder with a light bronzer such as Lisa Eldridge did in her highlighting and contouring video. I find this the best way to wear this during the day. The shade is quite buildable so I think it does work for most skin tones.

The Celestial Powder in Candlelight is a shimmery, champagne colored highlighter. Again, the powder is very soft, so blends easily. This product is extremely pigmented- a very light hand is needed. In fact, because the powder is so soft I find that even with a quick dip of my brush too much product is picked up. If you use a brush then you need to tap off the excess on the back of your hand, or just use your fingers to place the product where you want it. It does blend out nicely for a nice effect. On my darker skin I prefer to use a shade like this for highlighting in the cooler months.

Heavy swatches to show color

I preformed surgery on my Candlelight compact and depotted the pan and placed it in the Sculpting powder compact so that I would have my own highlighting/ contour kit! There was a minor complication with the highlighter suffering a dent but acceptable! The Sculpting Powder comes with a sponge which I do not understand at all (why would anyone apply a contour shade with a sponge?) and the highlighting powder comes with a brush, which is more useful than the sponge but also fairly useless.I think this is incredibly convenient and I am much more likely to use these products and take them with me when traveling as well.

The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium retails for $42 and the Celestial Powder in Candlelight retails for $42 and available at Nordstrom. Both are gorgeous products likely to be loved by any beauty addict or contouring aficionado.

Don't forget to enter my Le Metier de Beaute Giveaway!!!