Lipstick Lush

MAC Summer 2010 Alice + Olivia Collection

2010-06-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

MAC Summer 2010 Alice + Olivia Collection

Hello Beauties!! Are you ready for the must have make-up collection of the summer (well in my option anyway!!)? Clothing designer Stacey Bendet is teaming up with MAC to bring the essence of her fresh, quirky, eclectic fashion and accessory line to the wide world of make-up.
This amazing collection has a US launch date of July 8th, 2010 and will be available at MAC Freestanding Stores and Online ONLY!
I am very excited about this collection. For starters Alice + Olivia is one of my favorite clothing lines so I knew I heard about this collection I was intrigued. But when I saw these products, I was instantly in LOVE! I am also very pleased to see that every single product in this collection is 100% new and limited edition! No permanent or re promoted colors...so make sure you log on or run to your nearest freestanding MAC Store on July 8th...I have a feeling this collection will sell out fast!

Here is a glimpse of the whole line!

Dazzleglass Creme ($18.00)

Sparklicious... Creamy pale pinky white with soft multi-dimensional pearl
If it’s Pink… Hot pink with soft multi-dimensional pearl
I Want Candy... Hot yellow with soft multi-dimensional pearl

Pigment ($19.50)

Later... Black with transforming purple pearl
If It Sparkles…White with transforming pink pearl
Partylicious... Turquoise with silver pearl

Nail Lacquer ($12.00)

Morning.After... Creamy turquoise
So Rich So Pretty... Bright purple with pearl
Military... Black matte with silver suede pearl

I hope this gets all of you just as excited about this collection as I am!! Don't forget
July 8, 2010 this collection drops!

To find the nearest MAC store or to order online visit the MAC website or to learn more about the amazing threads Stacey whips up for her label Alice + Olivia, you can visit her store here.

Until next time,

Lipstick Lush

Lush Tips and Tricks!!

2010-06-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hey Beauties!
I'm back with what will be an on going segment about one of my favorite stores:

If you've never heard or have never been inside a Lush store, let me tell you a bit about them! All of their environmentally friendly products are handmade using only fresh organic fruit and vegetables, along with the best essential oils and safe synthetics. None of their products is tested on animals and many products are "naked" (no packaging!). Above and beyond all of this, their soaps, bath bombs, hair and skin care products are AMAZING!
The first time that I visited a Lush, I was overwhelmed by the selection and price. But over the years I have learned a few tick of the trade and I will be passing on to you!

TIP 1:

When it comes to cleansers and soaps, Don't settle for the marked price! What does this mean? It means that if you only have $5 bucks but you can only find $10 chucks of soap, simply find a sales associate and let them know that you want a $5 chunk and they will happily cut you the appropriate amount! I love this option for many reasons, one being that you can try out a new soap or cleanser without spending a ton. This way if you don't like the product, you haven't invested too much!

TIP 2:

Ask for samples! Lush wants you to get familiar with their line of products and their sales associates are more than willing to hand out a sample or two to help you out! If you see a product you want to know more about talk to an associate about it and then ask for a small sample! This rule even goes with online ordering! Before the checkout their is a small section for shipping instructions. This is the area where you can nicely ask for sample of any one of their products!

Stay tuned for more Lush Tips and Ticks as my blog continues!

If you would like to find out more about Lush you can visit their website.

Until next time,

Lipstick Lush

My Favorite Cleansers

2010-06-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

Facial cleanser can be tricky. Each person out there has different skin type, tone and cycle. Some are dry, others will be oily and some may be a combination of the two. I was told my my dermatologist that I am "normal to oily." Basically what that means is that I have normal healthy skin that tends to have oily areas (T-Zone). I have tried what seems like a million and one different cleansers and some start out great then become an epic failure while many have started out not wowing me and then gain a permanent spot in my routine. Due to my incessant need to try something new, I switch up my cleansers pretty often, so I've tried my fair share of products. Although I am in no way a Dermatological Professional, I have an idea what will work and what doesn't. These are a my favorites:

LUSH:

Coalface:
Don't let the color or name scare you away from this amazing stuff! This cleanser contains powdered charcoal, which gives it's black color and slightly odd sent, which is an amazing exfoliater and works great at absorbing excess oil. Lush also added in rosewood, sandalwood and licorice root to balance, soothe, calm, and soften your skin. I would only recommend this cleanser for those of you with oilier skin, or for summer when skin can become oilier! This stuff is amazing and took the place of my Rx face wash. The only down side to this product is that some, sometimes including myself, can find this soap to be too drying! I would recommend that you try using this once a day, for example, at night to ensure your makeup is indeed off! Works well alone, used with a wash cloth and works great with a Clarisonic!

Fresh Farmacy:

To be honest with you, I wanted to buy this cleanser simply because it was pink! I really am glad that I purchased this. Fresh Farmacy is more for oily, breakout prone, sensitive skin that negatively reacts to acne products of nearly any kind! There is tree tree oil in this to help banish oil and it's loaded with calamine, the pink stuff your mom put on you when you had chicken pox or an itchy bug bite! This combination will fight oil but help calm your skin at the same time!I use Fresh Farmacy, when my skin is in the middle of a breakout or when it's irritated. I would only suggest you use this product once a day! Tip of the day: You can use this bar as a spot treatment as well! After you've washed and dried your face, wet a corner of the bar and rub it on a blemish and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight! Works great and saves you from buying a spot treatment

Dark Angels:

This cleanser is like the bad ass little sister of Coalface! More of a scrub then a typical cleanser, this velvety textured cleanser will leave your skin super clean and super soft! Like Coalface, this too contains powdered charcoal to exfoliate and banish excess oils. However, Dark Angels contains rhassoul mud which helps get rid of excess dirt, sebum, oil and skin cells while at the same time having a moisturizing and soothing effect on the skin. I also love this stuff but I don't use this everyday! This is more of a twice a week scrub to help clean away dead skin cells or oil build up!

DRUG STORE:

Cetaphil:

This is a great basic cleanser for any and all skin types! I have used this since I was little! Great for removing makeup (even waterproof mascara!) and perfect for an AM cleanser! There is no need to worry about what this will do to your skin. It wont clog your pores, wont irritate your skin and you can find it at any drug store! You can use this twice a day if you like. I use this as a morning cleanser, with my Clarisonic, when I feel my skin it's too oily and I use it at night, with my hands, as a quick makeup rinse off before I use a Lush cleanser!

CeraVe:

Like Cetaphil, this cleanser is a great gentle face wash. Removes dirt, oil and makeup without irritating or removing too much of the much needed natural oils! However, CeraVe is best for normal to dry skin. This product does a great job of maintaining and/or restoring the natural moisture balance of your skin. I use this product more in the winter and it works great to help keep dry winter skin at bay! CeraVe is available at most drug stores (CVS Rite Aid Walgreens)

To order or find more information on Lush products you can visit their website. To find the nearest store selling Cetaphil or CeraVe click on the name of the cleanser you are interested in.

Until next time!

Lipstick Lush

Next Blog: Lush Tips and Tricks!

Beauty is only skin deep....

2010-05-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

Before I can even begin talking about make up or any other beauty product, I feel its important to address your skin! After all our skin is our largest organ and can tell the outside world a whole lot about your body and your lifestyle! Great skin isn't bought at a department or drug store, you can't find it online or even on sale, beautiful skin begins at a basic cellular level. This means making some minor lifestyle changes can make a HUGE difference! Adding a couple more hours of make up free sleep, a few extra glasses of water (not soda, girls, water!), 30 minutes of exercise, Taking a daily multivitamin, limiting your alcohol consumption, being mindful of what you eat and most importantly: STOP SMOKING! By doing all of these things, you are allowing your body to become healthy through it's natural skin cycle. Of course sleeping 8+ hours a night, drinking your body weight in pure water, and jogging 5 days a week won't give you flawless skin. I learned this lesson all too well!

I was very lucky as far as my genes. I have always had good skin. Besides your monthly zit here or there my skin has been consistently clear and even toned. I work out almost everyday, am well hydrated, eat properly and I've never smoked, so I thought I was free and clear of major skin issues! All that changed about 4 years ago. I was in college dealing with a stressful quarter; between classes and my sorority obligations I was being pulled in all directions. I began noticing my standard breakout was not only growing in size but they were really painful! I knew something wasn't right and I made an appointment with a dermatologist. She told me that although I have great skin, the recent stresses was causing my skin to hold in bacteria and was forming 3 areas of cystic acne! I was put on a round of Rx antibiotics (Minocycline), along with brevoxyl-4 creamy wash kit and a Clarisonic brush. At first I was reluctant to shell out $200+ on this product I wasn't sure would work. After hemming and hawing, I left the office with one (Pink, of course!) The first time I used it I remember thinking, this is just a giant Sonicare toothbrush. After giving the new system a full skin cycle (30 days), I was amazed by the results! My skin was clear even toned and I felt that the treatments, moisturizers and sunscreen was better absorbed. My dermatologist was also amazed at how quickly my skin cleared and how clear it has been since then. Every appointment she tells me how my skin glows and she even has my before and after shots up in the office! Although the antibiotic was a major contributor, I feel like my Clarisonic was the most amazing side kick and I will use this product until it stops working!

What exactly are the benefits of using the Clarisonic system?

It leaves your skin 2x's cleaner than manual face washing.
Removing a whopping 6s's more make up than manual face washing.
Works on all skin types....no, really ALL skin types!
Helps to reduce oily areas, dry patches and breakouts.
Helps to reduce pore size...who wouldn't mind smaller pores?!
Helps your products (cleansers, moisturizer or treatments) work better!

Don't believe all this is possible? Just check out this picture of a study completed on the Clarisonic's cleaning powers:

Pretty amazing stuff, right?! This system is really for everyone! Younger skin, more mature skin, acne concerns to dry skin, it will make your skin so clean, so soft and help any moisturizers, serums or treatments work better!

Here are the different brush head options for your skin type/needs:

Since I purchased my Pink Clarisonic Classic, several new products have been introduced!

Mia :

This was recently introduced as the smaller kid sister to the Classic. It's just was powerful and effective but smaller. This one is great for those who have limited space or do a lot of traveling. The Mia comes in 3 colors: Pink, White and Yellow. The Mia will be my next purchase to keep in the shower and to take on vacations!

Classic:

The first in the ground breaking sonic cleaning system! This system comes in 3 colors as well: Graphite Gray, Pink (partial proceeds of this color goes to Breast Cancer research), and White.

<-----My personal brush

Plus:

This brush in very similar to the Classic but with a new "body mode". Unlike the Mia and Classic, the only color option is white.

<----- My Mom was so impressed by my results, she bought the Plus for herself!

New additions:

There are a few additions that have been made as far a products/services that the company provides. One they that they offer now that wasn't available then was the "Beauty Mark" option. Like an iPod you can now have your Clarisonic personalized with your name or a cute little saying! I would have taken full advantage of this free service if it was an option then!

My next favorite addition is the body brush head:

This is much like the brush head that comes with your brush but it's bigger. This head is great for clearing up body breakout or a Pre-Sunless Tanning exfoliation!

I just can't say enough great things about this thing! I know this can be a big budget buster, brushes range from $149.00 usd for the Mia to $225.00 usd for the Plus and replacement brush heads run about $25 to $40 for a twin pack (I buy mine from my Dr. for $7 so you can get them cheaper); but I feel that it is well worth it and can even save you money in the long run by reducing the need for spot treatments, spa services or Derm visits and Rx. Like I always tell people, try it out! Give your self the 30 day skin cycle to see how your skin can look and feel. If your not impressed, or feel that it's still not worth the price tag, then you can move on. If you feel that you maybe one of those on the fence, buy it from Sephora they carry all of the brushes and have a great return policy!

If you are looking for more information on this system or any other products, you can visit the Clarisonic Website.

Until next time,

Lipstick Lush

Next Episode: Cleansers

Welcome to The Beauty Chronicles!

2010-05-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog The Beauty Chronicles!

I'm sure you all are wondering.....Who is this girl?
I am a normal everyday California girl. I have always been in love with all things beauty related; In fact I believe my love began at the age of two when I accidentally drank some of my Mom's perfume! After being actively involved in my amazing sorority (Kappa Alpha Theta) I was able to teach and learn so much from the amazing girls I am proud to call my sisters. Although I am not a makeup artist, cosmetologist, aesthetician, or dermatologist I have learned from my personal experiences and hands on experience with beauty professionals.

I am always willing to try new products, techniques and tools! If this is the kind of blog you are looking for, please subscribe and check back frequently for updates! If there is something on this blog that you have questions about or something that you are interested in seeing, please email let me know!

Thank you for reading my blog!

Lipstick Lush