Pink Sith

Thursday Poll

2012-02-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

I was all ready to write this rant about Valentine's Day. I was formulating it in my head as I waited in line at my local Starbucks. When I was single I HATED the holiday...well because I didn't have a Valentine. Sorry but I am not one of those women that says "I don't need a man to make me happy." I wanted a man and I knew I would be happier as a couple than a singleton out there in this heartless world. I was going to write about how, even though I am married now and Mr. Sith is the love of my life and all that gushy stuff, I still remember the pain of being the lone female in the office that didn't get flowers sent to her on Valentine's Day. I was going to rant about how Valentine's Day is what I call a "Hallmark Holiday" A day created/over hyped by the greeting card companies to sell more junk. Shouldn't you tell someone you love them every day, not just once a year? (Oversimplified, I know.) But as I was forming my rant in my head, while in line at Starbucks, a tall willowy woman with a frown on her face (and most people in Washington, DC have frowns on their faces) ordered ...and kid you not: A Grande, non-fat, decaf, 180 degree, 1 shot hazelnut, latte.

WHAT THE WHAT?

What the heck was she ordering? Then the guy behind her in his suit and tie and too much cologne ordered a Venti, triple shot, half foam, dry, cappuccino.

Seriously?

What did I order, you ask? A Grande Tazo Awake Tea. I had run out of tea and didn't have time to get to the grocery store so I decided to get financially screwed and order tea for $2.50, which only costs Starbucks about 25 cents to make. I don't even drink coffee! I rarely go into a Starbucks so hearing these very specific orders made me ask myself; What is with all these high maintenance coffee drinks? I am a firm believer that you can tell how high-maintenance a person is by how many syllables are in their drink order. When did people become so specialized in coffee? How is a 180 degree drink different from a drink where you don't specify the temperature? Dry foam? Half caf? And why are people calling skim milk Skinny? Do you really think you are going to get "skinny" by drinking a Venti, Skinny, extra shot, 2 pump raspberry, mocha with no whip? You're not. And the whole Tall is small and Grande is medium and Venti is large....What the...? When you enter a Starbucks the world is flipped upside down by the redistribution in size. It's freakin' CHAOS! Oh and by the way, a traditional Cappuccino is Espresso and FOAM from the steamed milk placed on top. A TRUE cappuccino has no milk poured into it. That would be a LATTE. Getting a Venti Cappuccino is technically impossible because it would never fill a Venti sized cup. I'm just sayin'. So that being said..I'm not against Starbucks, or drinking coffee, or Lattes. I'm just glad I figured out why the line is always so damn long, it's from those people that order multi-syllabic drinks. May I have a Grande, soy, sugar free vanilla, no foam latte?

On To The Poll!

1. Blush Of The Day? - Chanel Blush Horizon de Chanel. I'm wearing it using a skunk brush because it is so pigmented. If I apply it with a regular blush brush I'll look like I'm sunburned!

2. Do you Drink Coffee? Do you have a special drink you like to order from a Starbucks or Starbucks equivalent? - No. But I used to drink coffee. My favorite drink was a Grande, Soy Toffee Nut, Latte with Whip. (10 Syllables) Now I just order tea (one syllable).

3. Beauty product you are currently obsessed with? - BB Creams. I just ordered a bunch of BB creams from Korea and I'm also getting some from the US. I can't wait to review them all for you!

4. Make up the most ridiculous, insane, high maintenance coffee drink order. - Venti, half caf, half 2%, half skinny, wet foam, single origin, fair trade, Ethiopian, 1 pump valencia orange, 3 pump mocha, no whip, made by a left handed barista. Please.

5. Describe your 5 minute face (assuming you have applied your moisturizer, primer, etc) - BB cream, concealer, cream blush applied to cheeks & lips,brow pencil, cream eyeshadow shadow like Chanel Illusion D’Ombre shadow in Emerveille (the peach one) and lightly tapped over cheeks to highlight, Setting powder, mascara, and a swipe of lip gloss. Done!

NARS Shimmer Eyeshadow in Mekong - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-02-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

image from narscosmetics.com

JB: Meeeeeeeeeeeeeekong

PS: Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekong

JB: Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekong

The text above was clipped directly from a chat ~~between Joeybunny and me?...and myself?...and I?~~...between two insane individuals.

You see, when NARS cosmetics released Mekong Shimmer Eyeshadow it was Joeybunny that went completely mental over it. I was in a Chanel/Chancaille palette phase and had no interest in single eyeshadows...let alone single eyeshadows from NARS. But her constant Meeeeeeekonging back & forth, with me responding with Meeeeekong, planted a seed in my teeny lizard brain. That seed began to germinate and sprout roots and then sprout a plant that eventually had to be removed via an intricate and expensive laser brain surgery, but after all that, I still had a hankering for a rich espresso brown shadow in my arsenal.

I have a lot of taupe shadows...I don't think that is a secret. And I have a lot of darker plums and greys and greens and more taupe crease colors, but I didn't have a suitable deep espresso brown with golden shimmer. Sure I own both Urban Decay Naked Palettes, a bevy of indie loose eye shadows, and a plethora of eyeshadow palettes, one would think that I had an acceptable deep espresso brown shadow in one of those. I did, but it was very small, it was from a Givenchy palette and I was getting OCD about the brown shade forming a dip whilst the other shades remained untouched. Therefore, ergo, and thus I HAD TO get a single espresso brown shadow with golden shimmer. LOGIC!

Like a faint whisper from a long forgotten memory the word "Meeeeeeeeeekong" floated around in my brain. One day the whispers turned to shouts and I could take it no longer! I had a Neiman Marcus electronic gift card burning a hole on my e-mail so I immediately spent it on the one thing that could shut out the cacophony of voices in my head. Nars Shimmer Eyeshadow in Mekong.

Swatched over TFSI primer w/ a sponge applicator. One swipe on the left. Blended w/ Brush on right

Arriving in the mail the voices hushed as I ripped open the box with reckless abandon. Inside was a wee NARS black matte box with an even more wee NARS black matte eyeshadow single. I opened it up and the sound of MEKONG hit me like a sonic boom, shattering windows, rattling dishes and shaking the house.

BEHOLD

Bold, Rich, Chocolaty, Espresso Brown Shadow with a rich gold and copper shimmer that sparkles like the light from the sunrise hitting the actual Mekong River in Southeast Asia. The shadow shimmers and seems to move with a fluidity of rich coffee. A swipe from an eyeshadow brush picks up the intense pigment that Mekong emanates from its very core. The warm gold and copper shimmer glisten as you apply the shadow to your eye. There is fairly little fallout from the almost magnet like quality of the shadow. The luminous, light-reflecting and long wearing shade glides on smoothly and blends effortlessly.

The result:

RBR Caress of Mink eyeshadow base, NARS Mekong in crease and under eye, UD Bootycall to highlight, UD 24/7 Liquid Liner in Demolition

Do you NEED this? YES! YES! a meeeeeeeeeeeeekong times YES! Mekong was named "Best Eyeshadow for Dark Skin” in the 2011 InStyle "Best Beauty Buys”. It can be applied dry or with a dampened brush for stronger intensity. It lasts all day long. It is THE PERFECT espresso brown. You need this in your life.

NARS Shimmer Eyeshadow in Mekong retails for $24 USD and can be purchased at narscosmetics.com, Neiman Marcus, Sephora and a host of other retailers.

P.S. The voices never go away....Meeeeeeeeeeekong

*This post contains an affiliate link for NarsCosmetics.com, which gives us commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site! All other links are not affiliate links.

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash and Mask - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-02-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

image from http://www.sheaterraorganics.com/

Last week I told you about the Beauty Army sample box I received. I promised a review of the Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash and Mask that came in the box. I normally don't do skin care reviews without testing the product for 30 days, but for items like cleansers, I can pretty much tell if the cleanser is effective or not after the first or second try. I cannot tell if the cleanser will give long term results with repeated use until I have tested it for a longer time...However...I have used African Black Soap in the past so I'm familiar with the product and what to expect, results wise, from it.

Raw African Black Soap. Image from amazon.com

Just in case you are no familiar with African Black soap, let me tell you a little bit about it. African black soap is a soap that is made the ash of cocoa pods and plantain skin. Palm oil and shea butter are added and the mixture is cooked together to form the soap. Originally developed to cleanse the skin from harmful parasites, etc., today it is used to clear acne, breakouts, blackheads, even skin tone and other skin problems. It is mainly produced in Ghana and is brown and crumbly. It is 100% natural and is the only soap in the world that doesn't use lye. One can purchase it from many different online and brick & mortar stores however, there are a lot of cheap imitations out there so make sure the soap you get is black to dark brown The lighter the color the less ash they used in making the product. Also make sure the soap has shea butter in it and other moisturizers. If it doesn't it can dry out your skin something terrible! Even with shea butter and other oils, African Black soap is drying and is NOT for sensitive skinned folks. TRUST ME!

Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash and Mask is very dark, as you can see. The 100% natural ingredients make this soap very potent. The cleanser/mask begins with authentic African black soap and then is combined with certified organic rose hips seed oil and crushed rose hips fruit. The oil contains high levels of Vitamin A which has been shown to help with acne, and delay the effects of skin aging. It also contains high amounts of essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which further promotes healthy skin. Aloe ferox is also added for its anti-aging, healing properties. Aloe ferox is known to be the world's most active aloe. Other ingredients such as organic rooibos tea (high in anti-oxidants), kigellia Africana (skin firming properties), and licorice root (even skin tone) are added to the mix.

So how do you use it? You apply a small amount of Rose Hips Black Soap Wash to entire face. the directions do not say if your face should be dry or wet. I tried it both ways and found applying to slightly damp skin worked best for me. I let it "dry" or "set" for 5 minutes and then rinsed it off. By the way, it's not a pleasant smell. It is hard to describe. it doesn't smell like tar or herbal or anything like that, it's just not a nice scent. The directions advise you to repeat, but I didn't because I had already cleansed my face with my regular oil cleanser and I have sensitive skin AND I have used this kind of soap in the past and knew that using it more than once per wash would really cause irritation. But anyway...the directions say you should repeat and use the palms of your hands to work away the dead skin as you rinse the wash off. OK....eww. dead skin. I know we have dead skin all around us all the time. In fact, most dust is just skin flakes...but the thought of sloughing off "dead skin" from my face makes me feel a little oogy. Anyhoo. I used a muslin cloth to "lightly exfoliate" (see that sound better than "work[ing] away the dead skin") my skin while I rinsed off the soap/mask.

My results? Pink skin. Shea Terra Organics says I'll have a healthy pink glow after using this soap, and I did, but honestly my face gets pink by just typing the word pink...whoops. There I go again But remember I'm fairly sensitive. Seriously tho, even though my skin was pink, it was also very dry. I mean tight and dry, but not in an uncomfortable way. It felt like all the sebum on my face, which holds on dead skin and debris like glue, was washed away in an instant. My skin felt smoother, looked firmer and fresher! WIN!

What about acne and blemishes and old scars and photo-aging (sun spots)? Well with continued use of this soap they will fade away. My acne did not flare up while I used the Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash and Mask. That is a good sign because it was getting close to "that time of the month" when my acne from hormones seems to run rampant. HOWEVER, those with sensitive skin should NOT use this every day and you should NOT use this in conjunction with a face brush like a Clarisonic. In the interest of science and because I like to be a martyr for the blog, I used this with my Clarisonic brush and lemme tell you. My skin was ANGRY after I rinsed it off. ANGRY like the Red Hulk.

Yup.I looked exactly like that.

I used my best soothing face cream and went to bed and still woke up with angry skin...only I looked a little more like THIS:

So it was more calming cream for my pink face and by that afternoon I was fine. I will say that no matter how I used the soap, my skin was noticeably less oily during the day! My skin also felt smoother so my foundation applied better and because I had less oil and smoother skin I looked like THIS:

Of course, I used to look like THIS:

Until I forgot to wear that lead apron during my last dental x-ray.

Oh well.

Do you NEED this? - If you have oily skin and/or acne breakouts and you are at your wits end, then this is a good thing to try. I do not recommend this for dry skin and I do not recommend using this every day if you have sensitive skin. Perhaps 3 times a week. If you have road warrior skin, use it every day...but I still recommend using a calming moisturizer (one without acids like AHA, BHA, Lactic, etc.) Of course I always recommend seeing a dermatologist and I do not recommend using this soap if you are being treated for acne or are taking oral or topical acne medication. Always consult your Doctor before using any new skin care product. The Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash and Mask retails for about $18 on the Shea Terra Organics Website but you can find it for about $15 on Amazon.com. *

*This post contains an affiliate link for Amazon.com, which gives us commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site! All other links are not affiliate links.

Stila for Nordstrom Rack Cosmetic Palettes - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-02-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

Guess what your local Nordstrom Rack has...aside from great deals on Nordstrom merchandise, that is...(Don't look up because the answer is right there. NO CHEATING!....STILA Cosmetics! That's right! You get a gold star!

Those of you not familiar with The Nordstrom Rack, allow me give you a bit of background:

The Nordstrom Rack sells products from Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com at 50-60% off original prices. This includes a selection of brand-name apparel, accessories and shoes they also have items purchased specially for Nordstrom Rack at 30-70% off MSRP. Nordstrom Rack says that they have new merchandise arriving daily at their stores and they also offer a range of accessories, bath and beauty products!

That's where the Stila Palettes come in. I was given three palettes to review. The price on the palettes were marked at $10 each. $10 for an entire palette that includes 4 eyeshadows and one lip & cheek cream is a pretty good deal, in my book.

So let's look at what I got shall we?

Three palettes all named after specific shopping areas in some major cities. Notice they do not include one for Washington, DC because a) There is no recognized shopping area in DC and most of the women here don't wear enough makeup as it is. It's sad but true. These women will spend THOUSANDS on clothing, shoes, and bags but will skip makeup entirely. I have no idea why. I'm the opposite, I'll spend thousands on makeup and skip spending a lot of money on clothing, shoes, and ba... well clothing and shoes.

So to start we have:

Stila for Nordstrom Rack Ravishing on Rodeo Drive

Stila for Nordstrom Rack Majestic on Michigan Avenue

Stila for Nordstrom Rack Fashionable on 5th Avenue

For the shopping or geographically impaired that's California, Chicago and New York.

I personally found each of these palettes to be kinda true to the area. I mean, I think Stila actually did some sort of research and looked at the color trends for these cities and put in colors that were most popular for those geographic areas.

Let's start with New York, or Stila for Nordstrom Rack Fashionable on 5th Avenue.

This sweet palette of pinks is perfect for quick on the go people.

The eyeshadows can be changed from night to day and the lip and cheek cream can be intensified or lightened depending on your mood.

Then there is Chicago or Stila for Nordstrom Rack Majestic on Michigan Avenue. I really love Chicago. It's such a fun city to visit, the pace is fast but not as fast as New York and the people are very friendly. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

This palette has some beautiful plummy browns. The lip and cheek cream is on the darker, more severe side but depending on application, one could make a beautiful lip stain look and a just in from the cold, flushed cheek look.

The neutrals in this palette are perfect for any coloring, although they tend to pull on the purple side, I think they could work for almost anyone.

Lastly we have California. I really should say LA, because I think if Stila did a palette for San Francisco the colors would be drastically different. It's the whole NoCal vs SoCal thing.

This very sunny beach-y bronze-y palette has a splash of color (turquoise) mixed in with a beautiful bronze-y but very sheer lip and cheek cream.

The colors blended fairly well but I found that the blue didn't show up as bold as I would have liked.

Here is an EOTD picture using an off brand Japanese liquid liner in a copper color and a full FOTD showing the entire look. the only thing on my lips is the Stila lip & cheek cream and I used Armani LSF foundation in 3.75 and MUFE Full Cover Concealer in 3. I finished the look with ITCosmetics Bye Bye Pores finishing powder. The rest was all the Stila Palette.

Do you NEED this? YES! for a quick on the go palette that can work multiple looks and for ONLY $10 how could you resist?! The quality of the shadows is still the same great Stila quality. The shadows are soft and well pigmented. The lip & Cheek creams are well pigmented and easily blendable. It's really a great deal. Pick up all three or just one that suits your taste and heck, you can carry that in your purse with a little powder and concealer and you have your entire makeup kit with you! How cool is that?

Do you shop at The Nordstrom Rack? If so, what beauty deals have you seen recently?

The Lipstick League - week of 1.30.12

2012-02-04T13:30:00.004-05:00

Question of the Week: - If you were advising a makeup newbie, which three items would you suggest that they get to start with? (not counting base items)

Answer - find a good mascara and expensive doesn't always mean good. Buy a nice My lips but better lipstick/cheek stain and get a good concealer. Most important to remember, expensive does not always mean good but sometimes quality is better than quantity. In other words you may find a gem at the drug store, but there is no need to spend $50 on a bunch of inexpensive makeup when you can spend the same amount on a few classic items that might just cost a little more.

Prime Beauty - gets downright giddy when she discovers a new beauty brand and Rae Cosmetics has her squealing with delight. See why!

Phyrra - compares theBalm's Shady Lady Vol. 1 and 2 side by side for you.

Vampy Varnish - talks about common new blogger mistakes and how to avoid them.

we heart this - A love letter to Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Love Letter (which just happens to be a perfect, easy Valentine's manicure too!)

Beauty Junkies Unite - It's raining tulips everywhere! Just kidding, it's the review & swatches of OPI's new Holland Collection for Spring/Summer 2012. I couldn't decide which were my favorites, so I'm actually wearing different shades on my fingers and toes right now!

Clumps of Mascara - talks about an issue that many women go through or have gone through. In this week's TMI Tuesday, we are talking about birth control.

Gouldylox Reviews - Is totally in love with this almost magical lip treatment. Yeah, it's that good.

Nouveau Cheap - Jordana just rolled out 18 new specialty glitter polishes. If glitter's your thing, come check out my three-part series covering every shade now available.

Pink Sith - invites her readers to the Natura Bisse Pure Air Bubble at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Corner, VA for February 22-25th, and gives a mini review for Inhibit-Dermafill.

Bond No. 9 Central Park West EDP

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

A legendary, grand-scale address with a grand-scale front yard deserves an eau de parfum to match.

Bond No. 9’s Central Park West is it.

City parks are becoming a rarity these days, but thankfully the serene oasis of Central Park in New York Still exists. This expanse of greenery gives New Yorkers a gathering place, an escape-hatch, and a time-out from the steel and concrete that surround and enclose them. More important, parks abound with flora that can smell so good...and smelling good with a New York accent is what Bond No. 9 is all about. The draw of that fresh open park is strong, so it’s no wonder that Bond No. 9 has designed 6 New York park eau de parfums:

Central Park

Gramercy Park

Bryant Park

High Line

Washington Square

Madison Square Park

Now, just in time for spring 2012, comes a 7th

Central Park West!

This eau de parfum was inspired by the fabled thoroughfare that is 843 acres or 6% of Manhattan's total acreage. However, Central Park West, which urban planners and architectural critics regard as one of the grandest, most sumptuous addresses in America is the focus of this scent. Nowhere else in New York, can you find such an amazing line-up of neat and elegant grand-manner apartment houses (the Dakota, the San Remo, the Majestic, to name a few) with the singular purpose of overlooking and honoring the magnificent greenery that, after all, is their front yard.

Central Park West, the fragrance, has been designed to have the grandeur of the street itself. It starts off with a springtime wake-up call: Narcissus mingled with tangy ylang ylang and a pinch of piquant pepper. Then comes a beckoning white-petal mélange—orris, jasmine, and linden—surrounding their centerpiece, majestic gardenia. Sustaining and enriching this bouquet is an enduring base of white oak and vetiver, combined with the animal whiff of musk.

The Central Park West bottle captures the essence both of the neighborhood and the season. Against a pistachio background is a classic but oversize hounds-tooth check pattern (as pedigreed as the local architecture), updated here in purple—adding pizazz. And wound around the neck is a gift—a detachable, double-row bracelet of pink beads with a big pink floral blossom, which, like the coveted flower on last spring’s Madison Square Park, can be worn on its own as a brooch.

Central Park West arrives on-counter March 15, 2012 and will be sold at Bond No. 9’s six New York stores, Saks Fifth Avenue, and bondno9.com. Price: 100ml, $250; 50ml, $180; body silk, $130; candle, $110; shower gel, $75.

CENTRAL PARK WEST Scent Pyramid

Top
Narcissus - the

flower that signals spring.

Black Pepper that pops.
Ylang Ylang with a hint of sultry tang.

Middle
Velvety white Gardenia—an Old School beauty,

as classic as the park across the street.
Jasmine—Gardenia’s slightly insolent yet trusted sidekick.
Citrus-like Linden—a Central Park native so plucky it jumped
the fence to be part of Gardenia’s crew.
Orris—the third member of Gardenia’s entourage, adding a honeyed note,
like vibrant violet.

Base

Calming Vetiver, to sooth your senses after that heady gardenia bouquet.
Musk—because every great scent needs a hint of street-wise funk.
White Oak—Musk’s zesty-clean alter ego—and another crossover from Central Park.
Treemoss—as seductive as the thicket of trees surrounding Belvedere Castle at night.

All images from Bond No. 9

Thursday Poll

2012-02-02T08:30:00.000-05:00

The other day another blogger friend of mine received a press release promoting a YouTube Beauty Vlogger that was labeled a "Guru" at the ripe old age of 16. The press release claimed that this beauty prodigy's first word was "Lipstick" at a mere 9 months old. At age 9 the press release claims that the girl was giving her mother makeup advice and applying makeup on her poor mother who was clueless about the secrets of lip liner and lipstick application. The PR states that her goal is to reach 10,000 subscribers, and once she reaches 20,000 she's going to start her own makeup line. What's most interesting is that this young "guru" has not uploaded a makeup tutorial, haul video, review or anything in 3 weeks. In fact, she has a mere 39 videos in total uploaded on her channel. Her makeup application techniques could use some serious improvement, but her video editing skills are excellent. Perhaps is her makeup line doesn't pan out she can get a job as a producer or editor because she obviously has skill there. Now I'm writing about this NOT to make fun of a 16 year old girl. I was 16 once (back in the stone age) and I remember how hard it was being a teenager. Plus making fun of a kid just isn't cool. I wrote about this because this PR smacks of Self Entitled Parenting. That's right. I blame the parents for this. They obviously have money. They might even have a friend in PR that did this release gratis. But there is something about this teen generation and the upcoming generation where all the kids think that they can do a few videos, smear on some eyeshadow and call themselves a "Guru" that reeks of poor parenting. Constantly telling your kid that she is the prettiest or best or smartest is not as great for them as you would think. When they enter the real world, and these parents try to shield these kids for the real world as much as possible, the "Prettiest", "Best", "Smartest" little girl will quickly find out she is none of these things. And when that happens, it will be devastating. Even worse, kids that are fed this "You are the best" bullshit all the time tend not to try and excel or push themselves out of their comfort zone because they are afraid of failure and not being "The Best". But let's talk about the use of the term "Guru" as well. A Guru is an expert. It implies not only excellent skill but also a history of being a knowledge resource for others. At 16, no one is a guru. I'm sorry. This guru term is thrown around so much now that it has lost its importance, its weight, its clout. I have been wearing makeup since I was 12 years old and even I don't consider myself a guru. Let's not coddle this up and coming generation. I'm not saying we should tear them down, but we should instill in them a work ethic and some sort of respect for people that actually work hard for what they get. Working hard, paying your dues, perfecting your craft, constantly educating yourself. That's the way to be come a guru. It should never be handed to you on a silver platter or in a press release or by checking a box in your YouTube profile.

(I sound like an old woman complaining about those "damn kids" in her neighborhood!)

On To The Poll!!

1. Lip Of The Day? - Ellis Faas Milky Lips in L201 "Ellis Red". Love this red. Love the built in brush applicator, Love everything about it.

2. Do you watch YouTube Beauty Vloggers? Any ones you particularly like? - Yes. On occasion I do. I like watching Pixiwoo, Mandi's Maddness!!, Jenn staz aka bellapepper53, and Jellyminx Thinks to name just a few.

3. Finish this sentence with a beauty item: You can never have enough ______________. - Lipstick. Thought I was gonna say taupe didn't ya!

4. What beauty item are you currently hunting for? - A great hand cream. I want one that does not leave a silicone glove feeling but moisturizes, smells nice but not overpowering, isn't greasy or sticky, and I can carry in my purse. Oh and a oil controlling primer that does not break me out.

5. How young is too young to have a beauty vlog channel on Youtube? - I think anything younger than 18...OK not really. But It just irks me to see teenagers showing haul videos of makeup that even I can't afford. OK. I guess I'll say anything younger than 16..I suppose. But don't call yourself a freakin' guru!

P.S. I have decided to do a monthly pool on the blog. it will be in the upper right hand corner column. The poll for January asked what sort of reviews do you want to see more of here on the blog. Here are the results:

Eyeshadow 16 (20%)
Lipstick and Lip Gloss 11 (13%)

Foundations and Concealers 23 (28%)
Blush 9 (11%)
Skin Care 9 (11%)
Nail Polish 10 (12%)
Other, I'll e-mail you my suggestion! 2 (2%)

OK. You "Other" people never e-mailed me. But it looks like you all are fascinated with foundations and concealers and eyeshadow is a close second. Well I plan to start working on that. Expect more in the future!

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

2012-02-01T15:00:00.000-05:00

Exciting news Tinted Moisturizer and BB Cream lovers. NARS has done it again by creating a tinted moisturizer unlike any other — a complexion perfecting fluid with anti-aging and skin-brightening benefits.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ is infused with naturally derived ingredients that instantly hydrate and even skin tone. In a clinical study, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ has been shown to reduce the appearance of discoloration and dark spots within just 4 weeks of regular use. 84% of testers felt that their skin was more radiant and luminous. 81% felt the product smoothed out the surface of their skin, and 90% felt the product gave them a healthy glow. The luxurious, oil-free formula obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores and other imperfections while providing a translucent veil of broadspectrum sun protection.

This serum-like consistency, buildable formula can be used as an alternative to foundation — on weekends, when a more casual look is desired (That's me!), or in summer, when a lighter consistency is preferred — or in combination with Powder Foundation for those who want more coverage and added hydration. The NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is super sheer and translucent. As a result, skin is soft and smooth to the touch. It looks natural and glowing. Almost bare, but better.

The key to the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ effectiveness lies in ingredients derived from the waters of François’ beloved French Polynesia. These ingredients include:

Kopara - natural polysaccharides that hydrate, condition and help encourage natural cell renewal

Oceana Saffron - a plant known for its antioxidant and soothing properties

and

Galaxaura - a red deep-sea algae found in the islands’ lagoons that is known to be rich in calcium, vitamins A and E, and beta-carotene.

Also included in the formula: sea water and Ascorbyl Glucoside, a vitamin-C derivative that brightens and protects the skin against free-radical damage, to revitalize and re-mineralize the skin.

In addition the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ boasts a 100% naturally derived fragrance of Peony, Violet and Rose Water. (MY FAVORITE SCENTS!) And because sun protection is essential to maintaining the health and youthful appearance of the skin, it includes SPF 30 to protect against UVB rays, and PA+++, the highest index level of protection against UVA damage.

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++ is available in nine shades to complement all skin tones.
1 Finland - Lightest with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
2 Alaska - Light with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
3 St. Moritz - Medium with a neutral yellow undertone
4 Annapurna - Medium with a neutral peachy undertone
5 Cuba - Medium with a neutral balance of pink and yellow undertones
6 Malaga - Medium dark with warm caramel undertones
7 Seychelles - Medium dark with golden olive undertones
8 Martinique - Medium dark with warm red undertones
9 Polynesia - Dark with warm chocolate undertones

The nine shades of the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++ will retail for $42 USD and will be available exclusively at Nordstrom.com beginning February 1, 2012

Beauty Army - Inaugural Launch January Sample Box - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

On January 1st at sometime in the morning or afternoon (I forget actually) the Beauty Army website launched. It was a semi disaster.

If you are not familiar with Beauty Army, they are a new subscription based beauty sample service. Beauty Army delivers makeup, skin, hair and fragrance samples to their members for $12.00 a month. Members can select up to six beauty samples from a pool of nine samples, or they can opt to have Beauty Army make the selections for them. Beauty Army's goal is to offer luxury cosmetics and beauty products, chosen by the member, delivered their door every month. They also offer tips from "internationally renowned beauty experts" on their website and through their newsletter, and offer members the ability to post reviews on the samples they have received.

OK. Back to the launch. The Beauty Army people had been hyping the launch of this website for quite a while via Youtube, Twitter and Facebook. The beauty junkie world was all a buzz with anticipation. The website even had a countdown clock. Once the magical hour came at hand EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD* (or over a million people) tried to access the Beauty Army website at one time. Guess what happened....

The website crashed.

To make a long story short:

People freaked

Beauty Army got more servers on line and got the site running again

600 Sample Subscriptions were sold in a matter of minutes

People freaked again

I didn't get to sign up, but wasn't too upset

Beauty Army offered more subscriptions the next day

I signed up.

OK. That was January 2nd when I selected my samples based on a beauty profile I filled out on the site. I paid, my credit card was charged on January 2nd. I received an e-mail that my payment had been accepted on January 2nd. on JANUARY 27th I received notice my sample box had shipped! on JANUARY 31st I received my sample box.

29 DAYS TO GET MY ORDER!?! Most people that ordered on the 1st were receiving their boxes within two weeks to 9 days after ordering. They even had a third subscription offering and people that signed up later in January got their packages before the 31st. HOWEVER, each time I e-mail the company I was given a prompt and courteous reply explaining the status of my order. I even tweeted to them and received a prompt and courteous tweet back explaining that people that ordered on the 2nd had orders processed through their test facility in Nevada which experienced major problems, but they assured me that in February when I made my selections, my box would be shipped out no more than 5 days after selection. SO, that being said, I will not and cannot fault Beauty Army for the tragic launch and server crash nor can I fault them for the extremely long delay in shipping. After all, it was the distribution center, not the company that lagged behind. THEREFORE, based on the immediacy of the customer service responses, and the polite attitude, and the honest explanations I am not going to bash Beauty Army for this 29 day purgatory that my samples and I waited in.

OK. Once I got the box, I was pleasantly pleased.

1) The actual box is pretty nice. Like an old time-y cigar box, but deeper, the Beauty Army Packaging is very nice.

2) Everything was wrapped inside the box very nicely

3) The sample selection I had was only so-so as I did not want a lot of skin care items, but that's what they seemed to have the majority of. But I did like what I chose.

4) So far the samples I have received I am actually considering purchasing one of them.

What I got:

CellCeuticals Neo-Cell Micro-Resurfacing Skin Treatment

Chella Anti-Fatigue Eye Mask Kit

JOICO K-Pak RevitaLuxe Hair Conditioner

Shea Terra Organics - Black Soap Facial Cleanser

LaRocca Skincare Lip Shield lip balm in Proseco

swatched on bare skin, no eye primer

MyFace Cosmetics Blingtone Eyeshadow in Sp"ice"y

So far I have used the face wash, eyeshadow and eye mask kit. I plan to review most of the product eventually here on the blog, but since I JUST got the Beauty Army kit last night I hesitate to give yo any final conclusions on any of the products until I have really tested them. That being said I am seriously considering buying the Chella Anti-Fatigue Eye Mask Kit because I used it last night and my under eye area looked amazing this morning....but I want to get a full kit to really test it out.

Do you NEED this? I'm NOT going to say no...yet. The initial launch was a disaster and my personal experience with shipping was terrible, but I don't believe Beauty Army is fully to blame, so I want to give them a few more chances before I say "no way". At $12 per month it's not the least expensive sample subscription out there but it isn't the most either. I do like the idea of being able to choose my samples before they are sent to me so I can research the brands and products before I commit to a selection. I also like the high level of communication and professionalism from Customer Service, Facebook and Twitter. If they keep that up and the sample selection keeps improving I can see being a subscriber for a long time.

Did you sign up for Beauty Army? I would love to hear about your experience in the comments section.

Have you ever used a subscription sample service? Which ones did/do you use? How long have/did you subscribe/d? (I personally subscribed to Birchbox for 6 months but ended it after receiving one too many hair oil samples, terrible perfume samples, and paper drink coasters. Not worth the $10 a month fee)

*Totally made up statistic.

Natura Bissé Pure Air Bubble At Neiman Marcus Tysons Corner on February 22-25th

2012-01-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

Neiman Marcus and Natura Bissé will be presenting an exclusive concept in skin therapy by introducing a rejuvenating, pure air environment to showcase their exclusive Diamond White Facial. The "bubble" facial and body treatments are performed in a 99.9% pure air bubble. This spacious, isolated area is specifically designed to enhance treatments, increase the efficacy of the products and transport the client to a state of complete tranquility. Inside the "bubble", the air is 99.9% pure and free of polluting particles and bacterial agents. This clean air allows the skin and body to receive improved clarity, energy, and detoxification while providing the perfect venue for the launch of Natura Bissé's unique beauty ritual, The Diamond White Facial.

The Diamond White Facial is a renewing treatment that clarifies and evens out skin tone, revealing a fresh and brightened complexion. This facial incorporates advanced ingredients that provide melanin-minimizing and non-aggressive exfoliation which lightens the skin and diminishes the appearance of hyper pigmentation. A significant anti-inflammatory effect soothes the skin providing rapid and long lasting results revealing a revitalized skin texture and youthful glow.

The experience not only provides a world class facial and body treatment, but it includes invigorating breathing and relaxation exercises which is meant to leave you more refreshed and relaxed than ever before.

As a bit of background, Natura Bissé is a luxury skin care company that was founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 1979 by Ricardo Fisas Mulleras. Mr. Mulleras ran a research lab dedicated to hydrolyzing collagen, elastin and keratin proteins. After a series of tests, he launched his cosmetic product, under the name Natura Bissé. Today, the company is still owned, almost in its entirety, by the Fisas family. Since its beginnings in 1979, the company has been growing and is now in 35 countries!

Do you live in the Washington, DC area and want to experience the "Bubble" yourself? Well guess what...You can! Natura Bissé's NEW innovation, the Oxygen Bubble, will be at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria for only a few days between February 22nd and the 25th. To make an appointment for the "Bubble", call Denise Thomas, the Natura Bissé specialist, at 703-761-1600, extension 3305. Let her know that you heard about it from the Pink Sith, A.K.A. Elvira, so you can receive special attention. A minimum purchase of Natura Bissé products is recommended for this treatment.

Not sure what to get? Well, if you don't discover some amazing products during the treatment and facial might I recommend Natura Bissé Inhibit-Dermafill?

I have only used complimentary samples but I must say that the effect was exactly as promised. This is an anti aging alternative to all those micro-injections like Botox and Restylane.

image from neimanmarcus.com

Natura Bissé Inhibit-Dermafill actually relaxes muscle contractions and keeps expression lines from re-forming with a double dose of Octamioxyl™ at a 40% concentration. It also has a Dermafill complex at 10% concentration, which fills in and smoothes out wrinkles through a layering process that works from deepest to the most superficial layers of skin. I used this in targeted locations on my face; My smile lines and that number 11 that appears between my eyebrows. Let me tell you. It works! After applying the Natura Bissé Inhibit-Dermafill the lines, they were significantly less noticeable and the effect lasted all day. I don't find this product to have a cumulative effect but I did not use this product for more than 2 weeks, so your results may vary.

See you in the "Bubble"!

Highlighters You Can't Have #1 - Dior Flower Blossom Floral Illuminating Powder - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-01-31T08:30:00.000-05:00

image from nordstrom.com

Two years ago you were tortured with Taupe Eyeshadows You Couldn't Have. Last year Blushes You Can't Have became the bane of your existence. This year, In 2012, I intend to make you wish the world would end, as it would put a stop to seeing all the Highlighters You Can't Have! Yes. In my ever sadistic and demented way, I have amassed a collection of 12 highlighters that are Very Hard to Find and/or Discontinued, hence the "You Can't Have" part of the series. Each month I will reveal another highlighter from the past which will show you that makeup hoarding can be useful once in a while. Some lucky readers will own one or two of the highlighters featured in this series, treat them as the gods that they are, because they had the foresight to buy said highlighter before it disappeared from the shelves. I always welcome your curses and cries of agony over not owning any of the highlighters I feature this year.

To begin, I bring you what started this whole makeup collecting insanity in the first place.

The Dior Flower Blossom Floral Illuminating Powder

Dior Flower Blossom Floral Illuminating Powder was released in 2008. It was inspired by Victoire de Castellane’s “Diorette” jewelry collection.

OMG is this not the cutest thing ever? Of course I would probably put someone's eye out w/ that ring!

This pale pink pressed powder perfection of pearlescent pigment provides a pellucid painting to your profile. Alliteration is FUN!

The Dior Flower Blossom Floral Illuminating Powder provides a loverly pale pink, almost white luster. The powder emanates as a glow rather than a harsh metallic or glittery swipe across the cheeks. The finely milled powder just barely rests on your skin and does not settle into fine lines or pores. The result? Sweet, innocent, splendor.

Because powder is so finely milled, one is left with a very smooth luminosity without a glittery result. Not that glitter is bad, but if I'm paying money for Dior I don't want JUST glitter. The glitter you see in the pictures is just overspray.

Now I think an issue with the Dior Flower Blossom Floral Illuminating Powder is that it is simply too beautiful to swatch or "mess up". I'll be the first to admit that when I first purchased this I had no intention of ever using it. But almost 4 years later, I open the case and notice that the pretty green and blue colors have faded...significantly. The Dior highlighter has lost some of it's mystique. In it's heyday the colors were truly stunning and awesome. Now it just looks faded. So I went ahead and swatched it.

There. Happy now? I know I am.

This is technically considered a palette by Dior, as the colors could be used for eyes and cheeks, however, the colors are so pale that most with lighter skin tones would only benefit from it. I find it only useful for the face as the slight green and blue shades simply so light they just don't show up on many skin tones. It reminds me of the Dior Moonray Eyeshadow quint, which happens to be the first ever high end makeup purchase I ever made. Yeah. I was 13 and buying a Dior Quint. And my parents wonder why I am so into makeup. It starts early, people! See the swatch below.

Was it worth waiting 4 years to try it? No. But that's why I'm doing this series. So I can now use some of those DO NOT TOUCH highlighters I have collected over the years.

I hope you enjoyed this first installment of Highlighters You Can't Have. Stay tuned for more goodies at the end of every month!

Votre Vu created the look of Parker Posey for the premiere of “Price Check” at the Sundance Film Festival.

2012-01-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

Parker Posey must have a painting of herself in the attic that ages. (re: The Picture of Dorian Gray) This woman does not seem to age at all. Maybe her secret is the host of Votre Vu products she uses.

Here is a quick recap of what Parker wore in the freezing temperatures at the Sundance Film Festival!

Kelsey Deenihan for Votre Vu created the look of Parker Posey for the premiere of “Price Check” at the Sundance Film Festival.

"Below freezing temperatures is never good for ANYONE'S skin. We get red around the nose, chapped lips, and our skin becomes very dehydrated. Before starting Parker's makeup this morning I had to take my time and replenish the skin's moisture and nourish it with products that would last her all day.

Today I really wanted to make sure I had Parker's skin hydrated and protected for a full day out in the elements, and fully prepared to wear makeup for a long day of press.

I started off by toning Parkers skin with Votre Vu’s Fleur Blanc Tonic. I used a cotton round and moistened it with tonic and wiped it across the face and neck. This refreshing first step leaves the skin silky soft and ready for the following Votre Vu skincare.

Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelee was applied around the eye and lightly massaged into this sensitive area until fully absorbed. This cooling gel hydrates and comforts the area around the eye while firming and reducing the appearance of fine lines and creases.

Tragic Magic was key today. I applied a generous amount all over the face and neck. The lime in the creme clams the skin and reduces redness

Once Parker's makeup was finished I lightly dusted the face with Votre Vu Mineral Powder to set the makeup, decrease shine, and complete the look."

Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Finish Concealer - Review, Pictures

2012-01-30T08:30:00.000-05:00

image from http://www.lemetierdebeaute.com

OK. Here's the deal. I think I have claimed at least 2 different concealers as "Holy Grails" on this blog. But what might work for me, may not work for you, so I keep trying new stuff because, as I have recently been informed, much to my chagrin, it's not always about me. Feh.

So when I was getting my epic makeover from the one and only Mikey Castillo of Le Metier de Beaute at my local Neiman Marcus, I asked about getting a new concealer. Mr. Castillo introduced me to the Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Finish Concealer. It was a small-ish concealer, NET WT. 0.08oz. (2.3g), and it came with a SPF of 18 in 12 different shades, but despite the size I was intrigued because the consistency and level of coverage reminded me a lot of my beloved Cle de Peau concealer. And well that concealer only has 3 color choices...Le Metier de Beaute had 12. I think I was sold on that option alone.

Now here's the thing. I need to conceal dark under eye circles but I also need to conceal occasional acne flare ups and some sun damage I have from when I was a foolish teen in the 1980's trying to tan with baby oil. This concealer needs to be multi-tasking. It needs to cover enough but not look cakey. It needs to be nice to my skin and not break me out and it needs to stay on for a decent amount of wear time on this oily mug of mine. Not an easy request. That's why, like most concealers I had low expectations.

Just like Pedro, from the movie, Rio, I was ready to get down and dirty with this Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Concealer.

According to the Le Metier de Beaute website, the Classic Flawless Finish Concealer is designed to blend away dark circles, slight blemishes and imperfections, while nourishing and protecting the skin. "Perfect for quick touchups, the unique slim-tip design glides the contours of your face, including hard-to-reach areas under the eyes, leaving a veil of high level SPF 18 sun protection, without chalky film deposits. The Nylon 12 base holds smoothly, to breathe with the movements of the skin. Natural active ingredients include Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Shea Butter to replenish and revitalize."

Yep. Truth in advertising. Gotta love it! I say that having used this concealer since October, everything they say is true.

First off: The color choices. I was all ready to grab color #1. I mean I'm white...white-white. But Concealer number 1 had too much pink in it. Concealer #2 was almost too orange. Now I was getting worried. Concealer #3 was perfection. it was very fair with neutral undertones...like my skin! It was an almost exact match to my skin color. I was thrilled. Of course women of color may or may not have a harder time finding a match. they do offer several darker shades, but I neglected to test them out. Fortunately Christina from Lovesong For My Lipgloss has swatched all the concealers. You can find them HERE.

Now here's the deal. Did it work?

Well. Let's just say that I am not really one for using up product. I tend to move on to the next "great" thing that comes along. I have the attention span of a gnat when it comes to cosmetics. If there is something new and shiny out on the horizon, I'm on my way! But there was something about the Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Finish Concealer that kept me grounded.

Was it the excellent coverage that didn't crease under my eyes or slip off my oily skin?

Was it the smoothness of application? I could use my fingers or a concealer brush and obtain fantastic results.

Was it the divine color match? I had no issues with reverse raccoon eyes or splotchy coverage...in fact it was seamless almost invisible transition from concealer to foundation (which wasn't even a Le Metier de Beaute brand!)

Had I finally matured past the toddler/magpie state of concealers and settled?

See for yourself!

That, my darling readers is PAN! Concealer PAN! on a freakin MONDAY! I am almost out of my beloved...yes. I said beloved Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Finish Concealer in #3. I am scraping the dregs out with a Q-tip and concealer brush. I apologize for showing such graphic pan p0rn without a warning. but I think this pretty much says everything I need to say in one photograph. n'est–ce pas?

So. do you NEED this? YES if you like stick concealers. I know that this form of concealer isn't everyone's bag. but those that do like this form should check it. It's on the pricey side at $55 USD but if you have an exact color match in a concealer that actually preforms well, then it's worth it. The only issue is that the small amount only lasted me 4 months...I'll admit that I have more imperfections that need to be covered than most and I do apply a new face of makeup more than once a day some times (for the blog)...so with NORMAL use I say 6 months will be the longest this lasts. Then the price seems a bit better. Will I be purchasing this again? YES! But I have a few other concealers to test before I pick this one up...which actually makes me sad because I actually MISS this concealer. Oh man. I need mental help.

The Lipstick League - week of 1.23.12

2012-01-28T11:37:00.002-05:00

Question of the Week: - What is your most beloved makeup item in your collection, and if someone offered you $100 for it would you sell it to them?

Answer: - My most beloved item in my collection is NOT a taupe eyeshadow. I know, right? It's actually a makeup brush I received in a GWP from Lancome that is 23 YEARS OLD! Oh yeah baby! An eyeshadow brush that has natural bristles that are so incredibly soft. The shape of the brush is perfect for all over eyeshadow application. I have yet to find its equal. No amount of money could allow me to sell it. Well I suppose if someone offered me $1 Million for it I would sell it. I mean everything has its price.

Pink Sith - combines Six Sigma and Eyeshadow? See how she works in the business management strategy when she tells you all about Rouge Bunny Rouge Solstice Halcyon Eyeshadow.

Prime Beauty - revisits her high school crush and discovers Buxom's new True Hue Blush simultaneously.

Phyrra - shows you a lovely purple look with L'Oreal Perpetual Purple and Fyrinnae Cuddlefish.

Vampy Varnish - Checks out the bright fun new spring collection from China Glaze called Electropop!

we heart this - Brush hoarders, we've discovered a high quality yet inexpensive line for your collection - bdellium tools.

Beauty Junkies Unite - I never would have thought to put OPI's Suzi in the same room with Nicki Minaj, but it really happened! Check out Nicki's new collection of polishes for OPI.

Clumps of Mascara - I'm so obsessed with blogging that I love inspiring others to start a blog. Think you're ready? Check out 10 Tips for Aspiring Beauty Bloggers.

Gouldylox Reviews - Too Faced is all about a natural look this season. I'm in love with all three of these palettes. What about you?

Lipglossiping - simply asks "So you wanna be a beauty blogger...?"

Nouveau Cheap - There's been lots of buzz about the new Maybelline Eye Tattoo shadows. So did the shade Tough as Taupe work for me? Come find out!

Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush - Review

2012-01-27T08:30:00.000-05:00

Rembrandt - The Night Watch

If brushes made the artist, then everyone would be Rembrandt. Can a perfect brush make you paint a perfect picture? No...but I bet you didn't realize that a perfect brush can give your foundation a flawless look of perfection.

WHAT?

Yup. The geniuses over at Shiseido have created a foundation brush that is PERFECT! It's so perfect, in fact, they even use the word "perfect" in the name of the product.

Ladies and gentlemen I bring you:

image from nordstrom.com

The Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush.

I have a fetish for looking like I have mannequin skin. Perfect, plastic, poreless, flawless. I want to look photoshopped. I want to look unreal. Blame it on the media. I have an unhealthy ideal of what "perfect" skin looks like. Thanks to photoshopping all traces of pores, blemishes and wrinkles form every face I see in magazines, I now want that same look. That look, by the way is unrealistic, but I want it anyway.

So what do I do? I go through a zillion different primers and foundations trying to achieve this flawless look. Sometimes it's not the foundation's fault that I can't look flawless. It's, what I like to call:

IO Error = Idiot Operator Error

1D10T Error = Idiot Error

Yes. I'm so clever.

Not.

Anyhoo.

When you combine Shiseido's sate-of-the-art technology with traditional Japanese brush-making techniques you end up with the perfect foundation brush that provides the perfect foundation finish. I have only used this brush with liquid and powder foundations but it is supposed to work for cream foundations as well. Judging by the performance I have seen so far, I imagine that cream foundations will respond very well to this brush.

The 100% Synthetic bristles in this brush pick up the the right amount of product and distributes it evenly for a consistent and flawless finish. The brush has tapered fibers that form an angle or slope, if you will. This slope allows the bristles to reach all of the facial contours. The trick is in the method you use to apply the foundation. The made in Japan brush has a fairly short handle. this makes it perfect for close up work and for travel! The brush from it's highest point to the end is approximately four and a half inches. (~4.5" or ~11.5 cm) From just the handle to the end of the ferrule, you know the metal part that holds the bristles to the brush, is approximately three and three quarters inches. (~3.75" or ~9.5 cm)

I found the best way to use this brush for an instantly perfect finish is to do the following:

Put some liquid foundation on the back of your had. Use about 1/3 the amount you normally use when applying with a sponge or other brush.

Gently tap the brush into the foundation picking up a small amount.

Starting with your forehead (or chin) quickly tap or dab the brush over your face. You will then see a thin but even coverage of your foundation in the area to which you applied it. If needed you can smooth out any streaks you might encounter by gently sweeping the brush over the area or simply dab the brush some more in the same area to even out the coverage. However I have been using this brush for several weeks and I have yet to notice any streaking when I use the dab, dab, dab application!
Work in sections forehead, nose, chin, cheeks, neck (if necessary) moving in a dabbing motion throughout. You do not need to move in circles or even strokes. That won't help.

End result...PERFECTION.

No seriously. I have been using Armani LSF in 3.75 for months and I have always like the color match but sometimes it just didn't look so great in application. I used a sponge to apply and I found myself going through bottle after bottle very quickly. I used to take 6 pumps of the bottle to get my entire face and neck done. Then when I started to use the Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush I a) Achieved an even and immaculate finish. 2) I started to used LESS of my foundation I went from 6 pumps to 3 to 4 depending on how much coverage I desired and iii) Because I started out with a more even coverage I used less concealer and my foundation wore better throughout the day because it was applied properly! WIN!

The only, and I mean ONLY issue I have with this brush, is that it can be slightly difficult to clean. The bristles are very dense and there are many of them. Foundation LOVES to cling to the brush and it tends to move farther and farther down the bristle until it reaches the ferrule. That makes cleaning a real bitch. I actually start by using my oil based cleanser (and if this is a bad thing to do, please tell me, it's the only way I have found that gets all the foundation to separate from the bristles) work it in there pretty well. then get the bristles damp and watch the oil emulsify off all of the foundation. Then I follow with my BECCA Professional Makeup Brush Soap and usually have to do two rounds of washing to get it all clean. I have to clean it after each use because I don't like using dirty brushes for foundation or any sort of liquid or cream based products.

Do you NEED this? YES! You need this bad! If you wear foundation, you need this brush. TRUST ME! If it can me this old hag look somewhat presentable and not scare small children* it can make you look like a supermodel...from the neck up. The brush retails for $30 USD (totally worth the investment) and can be found online and in select stores at Nordstrom, Sephora or Macy's...but surprisingly not on the Shiseido website. Humm.

*Funny story. Back in college I used to have all sorts of strange colors in my hair. Purple, Blue, White, Magenta, etc. This was in the early 1990's and in the south in a rather small town, so freaks like me were fairly unusual. I was in a local department store to pick up my roommate from work when I happened around a corner and took a little girl by surprise. I was wearing my platforms so I was about 6 feet tall. I was wearing all black, my leather biker jacket and a long black skirt. I had dark purple hair in spiral curls and I was wearing lipstick that matched my hair color (not the best makeup moment of my life). She took one look at me, her eyes went super wide and then she started to cry and run away from me. She thought I was a witch! BUWAHAHAHA! She almost had it right...she just needed to replace the 'W' with a 'B'!

Rouge Bunny Rouge Solstice Halcyon Long Lasting Eye Shadow - Review Pictures Swatches

2012-01-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

When Rouge Bunny Rouge named one of their Long Lasting Eyeshadows "Solstice Halcyon" I don't think they were referring to the epic doom metal band out of the UK which released an album titled Halcyon back in 1996. I mean...maybe...but nah.

I think they were referring to the Kingfisher Bird.

What?

Well since their whole theme is "WHEN BIRDS ARE SINGING..." I think it's safe to say they are referring to the kingfisher. I did a little research and discovered that kingfishers are sometimes called a Halcyon in honor of the Greek myth which is associated with the kingfisher bird. The term comes from the ancient myth by Ovid, in which two weeks of calm weather were to be expected around the winter solstice (21st or 22nd of December). It was believed that the halcyon bird calmed the surface of the sea in order to hatch her eggs on a floating nest. The Halcyon days begin one week before solstice and last for one week after the solstice.

To most tho, halcyon means calm and tranquil or happy and carefree.

You know what taupe eyeshadow makes me feel?

HAPPY!

Rouge Bunny Rouge eyeshadow is quickly becoming one of my favorite brands. The shadow is harder than that of Le Metier de Beaute but softer than MAC or Bobbi Brown. The pigmentation is strong, and they can be built up to intensify the color without looking chalky or muddy. The shadows blend beautifully with each other and with other brands leaving a truly beautiful diffused look to the eye. The shadow does not fade or crease (when used in conjunction with an eye base) and lasts for a good 10 hours on the eye.

The Rouge Bunny Rouge Solstice Halcyon Long Lasting Eyeshadow is a stunning taupe. It looks rather unassuming in the pan, but once applied the sweet satin texture of the shadow combined with the not quite grey not quite beige color make a heavenly shadow! This is one of THOSE taupes. You know the ones. The taupe shadows that everyone wants. Le Metier de Beaute Corinthian, MAC Satin Taupe, Chanel Safari are all classic taupes. Add Rouge Bunny Rouge Solstice Halcyon to that list my dears! Solstice Halcyon is darker and more grey than Gracious Arasari but lighter and less purple than Delicate Hummingbird.

OK. Here's the issue.

Now don't get mad at me. I'm just the messenger.

As of 1/22/2012, Rouge Bunny Rouge Long Lasting Eye Shadow in Solstice Halcyon is sold out on Zuneta.com, the only place I know of where you can purchase Rouge Bunny Rouge shadows.

::ducks::

Now, it's not very nice to throw things at me! I can't control how awesome this shadow is and how the demand for it has outgrown the Six Sigma models for manufacturing, supply, and distribution that Rouge Bunny Rouge and Zuneta have. I may have studied the Six Sigma business management strategy. I know that Six Sigma seeks to "improve the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects (errors) and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes. It uses a set of quality management methods, including statistical methods, and creates a special infrastructure of people within the organization ("Black Belts", "Green Belts", etc.) who are experts in these methods." (1) But I still can't tell Zuneta to re-stock Rouge Bunny Rouge Solstice Halcyon! I did confirm on the Rouge Bunny Rouge FaceBook page that this shade is NOT discontinued. So that's a good piece of news....right?

Do you NEED this? YES. You need this if for no other reason than to say you have it. It's that big of a deal! It will one day be like saying you own Shu ME Silver 945. Yeah. It's that important!

(1) Info from Wikipedia...and from sitting through hours upon hours of Six Sigma classes at one of my old jobs. It was originally developed at Motorola but worked so well that it took the business world by storm. I personally think it has to do with the fact that these businessmen at my old job just wanted to be "black belts" in something other than Douchebaggery.

LUSH Dragon Soap

2012-01-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

LATHER UP FOR GOOD LUCK!

Chinese New Year was January 23rd and to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, LUSH created a beautiful, limited edition soap with the best-selling Karma fragrance. The spicy blend of patchouli, lavender and pine perfectly captures the passionate, creative and free-spirited nature of the Dragon. Intense, earthy, and confident: have a wash with LUSH's Dragon soap and your ambitions for the year ahead are sure to come to fruition.

At the very least, you'll be nice and clean, and smell scrumptious.

The Red Dragon soap ($7.95*) is available ONLINE ONLY at LUSH.com starting January 2012.

NARS Makeup Removing Water - Review

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

image from NARScosmetics.com

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I no longer have any need for makeup removing wipes.

That's right. I have found my ideal tool for removing makeup in a hurry.

NARS Makeup Removing Water!

Just released this month, NARS Makeup Removing Water is a soap-free, oil-free and alcohol-free water that removes face makeup, cleanses, and tones the skin. According to NARS the water is infused with cucumber, chamomile and hyaluronic acid. This formula is supposed to "sweep away makeup" and "leave skin feeling soft soothed and refreshed".

Well guess what?

IT DOES WHAT IT SAYS IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO!

I know that products actually delivering on their promises shouldn't be a reason for all caps, but in this day and age, when everything is supposed to make you look 20 years younger and 20 pounds thinner and 20 times richer, we all know none of that is going to happen.

Honestly, I can't believe I'm getting so excited about a makeup remover.

I mean really? That's what is going to float my boat? Makeup remover?

I'll tell you what.

It's more than just a makeup remover.

It's a time machine. It's a mental health therapy session. It's a sleep aid. It's a marital aid. Yes. It is all of those things.

A) time machine: I now save a ton of time in the evening by using this makeup removing water when I'm too tired to do the full facial cleansing with my Clarisonic. Now I just use the oil cleaning and then follow up with the NARS Makeup Removing Water. I'm done! That affords me a few extra minutes before bed. It's like getting free time!

B) mental health therapy session: Believe it or not I get really stressed out if I fall asleep in my makeup. I start to worry about the damage I am doing to my skin by sleeping in my makeup. That stress transforms into a huge zit somewhere I can't cover like the tip of my nose or the middle of my forehead. I then end up buying more products to hide the zit, which stresses me out because I'm spending money on something that was avoidable, and my self confidence sinks to an all time low because of the zit on my face. BUT with NARS Makeup Removing Water, I skip all that stress. It's a Therapist in a bottle. All that stress about damaging my skin is swept away when I swipe the Makeup Removing Water over my face.

C) sleep aid: By getting my makeup off faster and finishing my nightly cleansing routine sooner I have more time to relax and ease myself into blissful sleep. I am relaxed knowing that I have not only saved time, but I am not damaging my skin by sleeping in my makeup because I was too tired to actually use my Clarisonic. I sleep well because I have no worries about my face erupting with acne from lack of care.

D) marital aid: By being ready for bed sooner, Mr. Sith and I have a little more time in the evening to...um...well..."Have a Conversation".

Is The NARS Makeup Removing Water a replacement for my regular cleaning routine?

No.

I use it on occasion when I'm just to tired or rushed to do the whole cleansing routine. I would never replace my cleanser and Clarisonic. But The NARS Makeup Removing Water is a super alternative to makeup removing wipes and other quick makeup removers because my skin feels soooo much better and soooo much cleaner after using it.

Do You NEED this? Possibly. If you use makeup removing wipes on a regular basis I think you really need to check this out. If you are constantly falling asleep in your makeup. 1) SHAME ON YOU and 2) Yes. You need this. If you are a religious user of a Clarisonic and cleansing, you probably don't need this. But if you're like me and some times you just don't wanna, then this is for you! The NARS Makeup Removing Water retails for $28 at www.narscosmetics.com.

This post contains an affiliate link, which gives us commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site!

The Beauty Blog Network Weekend Beauty Read

2012-01-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

1/22/2012

Thu from Painted Ladies reviews Kat Von D’s Mi Vida Loca palette.

Elke reviews the new Do It Yourself “Knock Out” Gel Nails.

The Pink Sith has been humming cowboy tunes all day because of the new Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Pencil from the NARS 2012 Spring Collection.

Phyrra shows off some sweet eye shadows from Kiss My Sass.

Cindy from HelloDollface gets Botox for the first time and likes it!.

The Lipstick League - week of 1.16.12

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Question of the Week: - Do you have any makeup/beauty tricks for looking more awake?

Answer: - A cooling eye gel to reduce the puffiness under my eyes, Lots of concealer under my eyes to hide the bags, then I add a light pink blush and bright lips. I try to avoid dark eye makeup and dark lips as those can make me look older and more tired.

What about you? I would love to read any tricks you have in the comments section!

Nouveau Cheap - Pssst! Want to the know the quickest and easiest way to make drugstore rewards work for you? Get 25 to 50% off your beauty purchases ASAP and stop throwing money down the drain!

Pink Sith - has completely lost it over the new NARS Eyeshadow in Lhasa from the 2012 Spring Collection!

Prime Beauty - invites you to Sunday Brunch with Jouer. Relax, enjoy some champagne, good food and of course, makeup!

Phyrra - presents a variety of lovely lipsticks and pigmented lipglosses from Morgana Cryptoria.

Vampy Varnish - highly recommends the new Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca True Romance Eyeshadow Palette.

we heart this - DERMAdoctor's Photodynamic Therapy lotion harness the sun's rays to create a sunlight activated laser similar to red light lasers used in doctor's offices. What has YOUR lotion done for you lately?

Clumps of Mascara - is in love with Finger Paints' Twisted nail polish. What's better than a flakie?

EauMG - falls in love with a natural citrus floral perfume, LUSH 1000 Kisses Deep.

Gouldylox Reviews - can't stop raving about three things this week.

Krasey Beauty - Read all about the new Sigma Beauty Eyeshadow palettes, see the swatches, and then decide for yourself if they are worth your time and money. K.B sure thinks they are!

And The Winner Is....

2012-01-21T07:57:00.001-05:00

The winner of the Vaseline $25 Gift Card Giveaway is....

Janice P.

Janice will receive a $25 American Express Gift Card! Oh and Janice mentioned that she found those mini pots of Vaseline Lip Therapy at her local Target. And I think they might have them at Walgreens too!

Please Congratulate MJ!

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 01 Le Rouge - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-01-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

It wouldn't be right to let you go into the weekend without a few lemmings right? Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture lipstick is a good lemming to have...AMIRITE?

This YSL lipstick comes in 18 shades (Neiman Marcus carries all the shades) and is free of Parabens, Sulfates, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan. ( You know, all those bad thingies that causes third eyes to grow out of our foreheads and everything.) Regardless the satiny smooth lipstick is highly pigmented and comes with a SPF of 15! The formula is touted as being moisturizing and long lasting.

The color I have for you today came as a Gift With Purchase (GWP)! This is the "Flagship" Red in the collection. It is called Le Rouge. Pretty straight forward, no? The description is says it is a "Blood Red" but I find it more of a Darth Vader Lightsaber Red. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Anyway, this creamy Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture lipstick glides on like it is second skin. It feels like the lipstick is becoming one with your lips. This non greasy formula does not wear down quickly. After wearing it all day, with only a few touch ups, I noticed that the actual lipstick bullet did not look that molested e.g. used. The lipstick feels almost indulgent however I did not find it as moisturizing as other lipsticks I have worn. Thankfully it certainly didn't dry my lips out like some lipsticks do. The lipstick is scented with that fruity mango scent that all YSL lip products have, but it isn't as bad as the glosses (which I detest only because of the strong scent). Fortunately the scent seems to fade quickly upon application.

The case feels heavy and the metal is brightly polished gold with the YSL accent at the base. The case is polished so well, it can double for a mirror in a pinch. I like multitasking products as much as I like multitasking packaging! (Less things I have to carry in my purse.)

Do you NEED this? DUH! Does a Lightsaber need an internal superconductor to transfer the returning looped plasma energy from the negative-charged flux aperture back into an internal power cell? YES! Exactly! The Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture lipstick retails for $30...or if you are lucky like me you get one as a GWP! [insert maniacal laugh here]

Thursday Poll

2012-01-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

I have the incredibly huge and rare honor to be featured as one of eight beauty bloggers on the Neiman Marcus Beauty Awards Beauty Blogger Favorites! I think it's well known that I adore shopping at Neiman Marcus. I don't think you all understand what a magnificent honor being featured on their web page means to me. I am humbled and appreciative of this recognition. Let's face it, I'm hardly what you would call a "Traditional Beauty Blogger". I'm slightly uncouth, sometimes crass and a little crazy. Yet there I am. giving my opinion about some "Best In Beauty" products that were nominated.

I was originally asked to provide three quotes from a huge list of nominated beauty products that Neiman Marcus sells. Well you know me. I'm verbose. I can't chose JUST three...so I provided five. Yup. I'm glad I did, because I would have had a hard chance choosing which three to put up. The five products I chose were (with my quotes):

1. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair - "I apply this at night and wake up to new looking skin. This should be required for anyone over the age of 30 for great looking skin!"
2. Cle de Peau Concealer - "I am never without my Cle de Peau Concealer. It's smooth application and crease resistant long wear make this my Holy Grail of concealers."

3. Le Metier de Beaute True Color Eyeshadow - "If there is such a thing as perfection, then Le Metier de Beaute has created it with this eyeshadow formula. Soft as silk, highly pigmented color that lasts and lasts. It's my go to eye shadow!"
4. Trish McEvoy High-Volume Mascara - "I never thought A mascara could change my look so much. Not only are my lashes full and soft but they keep their curl. One stoke of this mascara and you'll wonder what you ever did before it!"
5. Guerlain Le Rouge G - "Guerlain knows how to do lipsticks right! I am completely in love with amazing formula and luxurious case!"

The quotes I provided were all sincere. I honestly feel this way about all of these products. I have not, however, had a chance to write about all of these products. Here's why. a) The Estee Lauder serum is a hard one for me to write about because I have no scientific backing to explain why my skin feels so amazing after using it, but I will try to write a post about this very soon! b) The Trish McEvoy mascara was one of my favorite mascaras...but I am loath to review mascaras because I think the efficacy of any mascara is very subjective. I rarely find more than five people that can agree on one mascara being "perfect". So I will not review this mascara on this blog, but I will tell you it worked for me. It might not work for you. See if you can get a sample before you purchase.

OK. Enough about me. Let's talk about what are some of YOUR favorite items. For this Thursday Poll I'm going to ask you to list your favorite products from specific categories. The twist is that you don't have to just choose what Neiman Marcus sells. It can be a product sold anywhere! Sound like fun?

On To The Poll! I can't wait to read all the answers!!!

List your favorite product in the following categories:

1. Moisturizer - AmorePacific Moisture Bound Hydra Gel

2. Eye Care - Chanel Sublimage Eye

3. Foundation - Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

4. Concealer - It's a tie! Cle de Peau Concealer and Make Up For Ever Full Cover

5. Blush - Chanel Joues Contraste Blush

6. Eye Shadow - Le Metier de Beaute

7. Liner - Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner

8. Mascara - It's a Tie! Trish McEvoy High-Volume Mascara and Josie Maran Gogo Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara

9. Lipstick and/or Gloss - Guerlain Rouge G Lipstick I have no favorite gloss....yet.

10. Tools (Brushes, Curlers, Face Brushes, Tweezers, etc.) - Too Many to mention, but of all the Clarisonic Brush has made the biggest difference in my life!

NARS Eyeshadow Single in Lhasa - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

Let's face it. When one has over 125 entries under the color TAUPE on their blog, one has a serious TAUPE addiction. When I say "One" I mean ME! I don't need an intervention. I just need more Taupe shadows. More taupe shadows like....

The NARS 2012 Spring collection Eyeshadow Single in Lhasa!

Named after the Tibetan capital, Lhasa is a delicate grey taupe with hints of lavender and purple. It is a satin finish shadow that has a slight nod to pearl without losing the satin qualities for which it is formulated. This shadow is well pigmented. It applies well using a brush and looks even deeper in color when using a foam applicator.

Tonight I am going to a fondue restaurant for a "Girls Night Out" with a bunch of the moms to kids in Darthypie's Day Care class. I think I'm the ONLY mom in the entire group that actually wears makeup. I am wearing NARS Eyeshadow Single in Lhasa, black winged liner, light pink blush and a pink-y nude lipstick. By most standards I am not wearing too much makeup...but I have a feeling I will be wearing a lot compared to these women. My intent is not to make myself feel overly made up. It is to make all those moms look into my eyes and fall in LOVE with NARS Lhasa eyeshadow!

How could they not? It's an amazing shade. It's TAUPE! I imagine they will look at me from across the steaming pot of Fondue and think to themselves why they are suddenly so enchanted with me. They will then remember how incredibly charming I am. How I have a delightful sense of humor and how Darthypie is the most precious little boy in the world. Yep. I think that's exactly how it will go......

Mom # 1: "Have you tried the beef, Elvira?"

Me: "Not yet. Thank you it looks delicious!"

Mom #2: "Not as delicious as your eyeshadow!"

Mom #3: "I'm so glad you said something. I have been entranced by the luminous grey lavender color of your shadow since I sat down tonight!"

Mom #1: "I agree. If I may be so bold, your eyeshadow color is so spectacular I imagine that if you have the good sense to wear such a stunning color you must be very smart in so many other areas. Tell me. Do you have any parenting advice?"

Me: (with mouth full of fondue beef) "Ummm. Yes? I mean...no? I mean. So how about those football playoffs?"

Mom #2: "Your eyeshadow is just brilliant. I love the way that it looks satiny without looking too metallic. Tell me. What's your secret for looking so amazing ALL THE TIME!?"

Mom #4: "Yes. Please oh please tell us. You always look so "put together" and I promise we won't get mad when we read this on your blog tomorrow. In fact, I have no idea you even have a blog. It's a good thing I don't know you have a blog, because I would probably be really annoyed that you are portraying us as mindless fools with nothing to talk about other than your NARS eyeshadow."

Me: "Huh? I think you said the loud part, quiet and the quiet part, loud."

Mom #3: "I agree. I also love your eyeshadow but if I ever read this review on your blog, which I have no idea it actually exists, I would probably never speak to you again and I wouldn't be inviting Darthypie to my kid's birthday party."

Me: "I think this fantasy conversation is getting out of hand. I mean, this is MY fantasy! You all are supposed to ooh and ahh over me regaling tales of how pigmented the NARS shadow is. You are supposed to take notes when I mention that it lasts forever with hardly any creasing or fading when worn with an eye primer. You are supposed to beg me to tell you where to purchase this, and quickly start typing the web address for narscosmetics.com into your smart phones! You are supposed to delight in the fact that this shadow is only $23!

Waiter: "They would be doing all those things and more if you didn't feel so guilty for using them as a plot device in your story about NARS Lhasa Eyeshadow from the 2012 Spring Collection. Your overwhelming sense of guilt in making these lovely women look like vapid buffoons has not only caused your fantasy to derail, but now you have no solid ending for the post!"

Mom #1: "The Waiter is right. You really have no way to show that this specific NARS Lhasa eyeshadow is so very unique when you compare it to four other shadows."

Mom #2: Yes. Even when you mention that Armani Eyes To Kill Intense in Pulp Fiction is more silver and metallic, Inglot P420 is lighter, Shu Uemura ME Silver 945 is more brown and the lid color from Wet 'n Wild Silent Treatment lacks the lustre and purple qualities of NARS Lhasa. It will still seem forced and incongruous with the rest of the post."

Me: "Incongruous?"

Mom #2: "Yes. I'm a school teacher. I have a better vocabulary than you. Might I add that your grammar is appalling? However, not as appalling as the fact that if one does not buy NARS eyeshadow in Lhasa how empty their life will be."

Waiter: "It's not even like you can do the 'Do you NEED this?' question at the end of this post without it looking choppy. Mind you, I know that you would tell your readers that 'YES! You need this shadow in your life!' but it's too late now. You have gone off on a tangent and there is no reasonable way to get back."

Me: "Check Please!"

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-01-17T08:30:00.000-05:00

image from narscosmetics.com

As soon as I read the name for the NARS Spring Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, called Mexican Rose, I started to hum a very old but very notable song, "Mexicali Rose". Originally composed by a man named Jack Tenney in 1902 the song was a waltz with no lyrics. Eventually Lyrics were created for this haunting tune and the song was sung by many from Bing Crosby to Vera Lynn to Jerry Lee Lewis. However, I think that the original Singing cowboy, Gene Autry, did it best. Heck. There was even a movie called Mexicali Rose released back in 1939 where Gene Sings the song on the silver screen.

The lyrics go:

"Mexicali Rose, stop crying,
I´ll come back to you some sunny day.
Called-every night you know that I´ll be pining,
Every hour a year when I´m away.

Dry those big brown eyes and smile, dear
Banish all those tears and please don´t cry.
Kiss me once again, and hold me.
Mexicali Rose, goodbye."

So what does some singing cowboy and a 110 year old waltz have to do with lip gloss?

Nothing.

I just got the song in my head and couldn't get it out.

So the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose is in a word....stunning. I adore the color. It's a hot pink. It's a neutral hot pink tho. It's not too cool that those with warm skin tones couldn't wear it. Actually I think this would look stunning on golden skin tones and deep dark skin tones. I am pale...white...devoid of color...and this looks pretty good on me too! (If I do say so myself.) Oh and the staying power? For a gloss pencil, the color payoff is amazing. It also seems to last an inordinate amount of time because the color acts as a sort of stain for the lips. LOVE THAT!

The formula is shiny and smooth and very moisturizing....thanks to the moisture-rich hyaluronic spheres, which make your lips appear plumper! The gloss pencil is actually VERY sturdy. I was expecting it to smush and melt against my lips upon application but it did quite the opposite. It packed a huge pigmented punch while still maintaining it's shape. I actually swatched this on my arm, applied it to my lips three times and the pencil still does not need sharpening!

OK. Here's the thing about the NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose that I don't like. It Needs Sharpening. Oh how I wish that this came in a twist up tube like the Tarte Gloss Pencils. I just hate sharpening stuff. Call me lazy, but it's really because I over sharpen and then the "lead" AKA gloss gets all screwy and well...Mr. Nars, if your listening....A twist up pencil would be ideal. I know that it will cost more to manufacture, but I would be willing to pay a few dollars more for this wonderful NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil formula. I would! Love, Elvira. P.S. Your French Bulldog is awesome!

Do you NEED this? YES! It's such a pretty color, it feels magnificent, and almost anyone can wear it! I find myself reaching for it again and again! The NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose is available now as part of the Spring 2012 collection. It retails for $24 USD and you can purchase it on narscosmetics.com.