Pink Sith

Ipsy June Bag - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2013-06-19T08:46:00.000-04:00

So how addicted to a beauty subscription bag can one get? Is it possible to actually feel a sense of loss when faced with the prospect of not receiving your monthly beauty subscription bag? Is that sense of loss a sign of addiction? Just asking for a friend.

This June has been a financial eff-up for me. We switched banks and in the process, I forgot about a lot of monthly charges made to my old bank account. One of those charges was my ipsy subscription. When I received a notice that ipsy was having problems charging my debit card for the June bag, a sense of dread overwhelmed me. I had forgotten to update my payment info with ipsy! Sure the notices about my electric bill and netflix subscription also arrived, but the ipsy notice was the most troubling (just kidding). I really thought I had cancelled that netflix subscription. So getting that notice was a good thing. Anyhoo...the June bag from ipsy made its way to me by my swift action and quiet panic.

On Monday the hot pink metallic bubble mailer was in my mailbox waiting for me like a loyal puppy upon my return home from work. Except with the ipsy bag, I don't have to walk it or smell its farts. So this month's theme was The Wild Side, hence the leopard print makeup bag. I find the neon green zipper and interior to be on trend, but neither the pattern or the neon color work for me. Thankfully I have a friend that will appreciate it. I still like the brand's attention to detail with the special ipsy tag on the side of the bag.

So it's what's inside that counts, right? Well let's have a look see.

Makeup, makeup, makeup, makeup and false lashes, which is almost like makeup. Not bad. Not bad at all! (as opposed to some other subscription boxes which were skincare, hair tie, paper coasters, tea and mini nail polish)

Let's look at exactly what was in this June ipsy bag.

J Cat Eyelashes - $3.99 retail 25% off any order st jcatbeauty.com with special code.

Made with real human hair. Which sounds kinda creepy to me, but I know the hair has been washed and sterilized and stuff, but still. The lashes look so amazingly full. I will save these for when I have an over the top look I want to create and for when I learn to apply false lashes correctly. Can you believe that I have gone this far in life and still can't get these darn things on correctly? Yeah. I guess you can.

J Cat Sparkling Cream Palette - $4.99 retail 25% off any order at jcatbeauty.com with special code.

OK. So I'm a little past the age of cream glitter makeup. But if I were 10 years younger...OK I would still be past the age of glitter makeup, but it's so glittery and sparkly I just can't resist looking at it. Sure It's a useless item for me, but maybe I'll find a use for it when I go to D*Con in August. I might dress up there and glitter is a requirement I think.

Cailyn LineFix Gel Eyeliner - $21.00 retail 30% off any order at cailyncosmetics.com with special code.

So I'm not ad good with gel liners as I am with liquid liners, but this cailyn liner is kinda cool because it comes with its own brush and it stores neatly inside it. I love the dark metallic charcoal color (Iron) and do like the fluidity of the liner. I do wish it was a bit more opaque when drawing a single thin line, but I suppose with practice I could achieve that. I am particularly looking for a white liquid liner and this brand happens to have one so I might just use that discount code

Starlooks Lip Pencil - $12.00 retail 35% off at starlooks.com with special code.

OK. It's a lip pencil. It's pink. It is pigmented and fairly soft. Not too much to get excited about here. But nice to have all the same.

NYX Mosaic Powder Blush - $7.00 retail 40% off Tango With Bronzing powder (a $10 item) or 15% off entire order at nyxcosmetics.com with special codes.

The NYX Mosaic Blush could totally have been a bronzer for my fair skin. It has a good mix of shimmer and matte shades in a nice warm hue. It is incredibly pigmented so even if I do end up using it, I will be using it sparingly. For $7.00 this is a great buy and I'm finding myself falling in love with NYX cosmetics more and more.

Overall I found this bag to be on the OK side. if I was younger, maybe went out more, or was more into glitter I probably would have LOVED this bag. I think this could be seen as an amazing bag by many people. My personal cosmetic tastes are on the more conservative side, so I'm just OK with it, but I appreciate the value in this bag ($48.98 in total) and the thoughtful selection of the products that went into it.

I totally recommend signing up for ipsy's $10 monthly subscription service There is a referral program and you can sign up HERE!! By referring 2 people I get a full size Urban Decay Moon Shadow or Bauble O-Ring stud wrap bracelet. (whoo-hoo) I didn't get 2 referrals last month apparently because no special prize was in this month's bag. But I really don't care. I would rather get referral credit for a free bag or extra special discounts...so whatever. Sign up or don't through my link. It's not a big deal to me. All other links to ipsy in this post are not referral links.

What say you? Was the Junes bag well worth the $10 fee? Will you finally break down and sign up for ipsy or are you smart and just saving your $10 a month for a larger purchase? (like I should do!)

Ten Bronzers Under $10

2013-06-18T13:00:00.000-04:00

This little post is an add on to my Top 10 Tuesday's Post about the 10 Most Expensive Bronzers. I felt it cruel to leave you wanting for a $138 bronzer when there are plenty of bronzers out there for UNDER $10! I selected 10 (12, really) bronzers that are priced under $10 and that have some decent ratings. I have not personally tried all of them, but they are all from brands I know and respect. If you are new to bronzers and want to try one out before taking the $30+ plunge on one from NARS or Lancome, this might be just the list you are looking for!

Palladio Baked Bronzers in Atlantic Tan $9.99

The baked bronzer has versatility. It can be used dry or wet. Applying the bronzer with a damp sponge or brush will create an almost metallic sheen. This would be great for evening, but applying with a dry brush for the day might be best.

Prestige Sunbaked Mineral Powder in Glam Tan $9.56

This bronzer can be used as a blush or bronzer. It's on the shimmery side so it adds that extra depth to your overall look

NYX Cosmetics Matte Body Bronzer in Light $8.99
This matte bronzer delivers all the color without the shimmer for a natural looking hint of color. Best yet, it can be used all over the body to enhance your existing tan or add a bit more color to your collarbones, chest and neck.

Milani TanTastic Face & Body Baked Bronzer, Fantastic in Bronze $8.49
This is one of two options from Milani. A great brand offering cosmetics at low prices without sacrificing quality. This is the "more expensive" of the two options you have. This little baked looking bronzer provides a hint of color and looks incredibly natural.

Black Radiance Artisan Color Baked Bronzer in Gingersnap $8.39

Another baked bronzer from a brand often overlooked by those in search of unique and bold color cosmetics. While Black Radiance is a line aimed at African American women, there are plenty of blush, lipstick, eyeshadow and bronzer options for everyone.

Milani Bronzer XL All Over Glow in Fake Tan $7.64

Your second option from Milani Cosmetics. This is dubbed Tan-In-A-Pan and has the matte finish for use all over the body.

Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze $5.49
The reviews on this bronzer are mixed, but I like the fact that it is matte and can be used allover the body. Of course the price is pretty awesome too!

Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder in Blondes $4.99

Essence is fast becoming my go-to low cost makeup brand. The matte bronzer only makes me more enamoured with this brand. The fact that they offer three different options of color and the on line reviews are all positive...well that just seals the deal!

Cover Girl Cheekers Bronzer in Copper Radiance $4.99
While you can't tell from the image, this bronzer does have shimmer. The small size makes it perfect for carrying in your purse for an instant boost of sun kissed radiance or to touch up during the day.

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Powder in Starlight Bronze $3.99

The first of your Wet n Wild bronzers, this really is a bronzey illuminator. The multiple color stripes allow for variety in color application and the heavy frosty finish makes this ideal for an evening out.

Wet n Wild Color Icon Collection Bronzer SPF 15 in Reserve Your Cabana $3.99
The second selection in your Wet n Wild category. This was the lightest shade offered for this large bronzer. Claiming to, "Add a golden glow and a touch of luminosity to any complexion for a radiant, sun-kissed look." This bronzer also offers a SPF protection of 15!

e.l.f. Studio Bronzer in Warm $3.00
This is the least expensive bronzer on my list. e.l.f. Cosmetics does have some good products. I like the look of this bronzer because it allows for a little versatility in color. Also the on line reviews seems to say this is a great value for the money.

What say you? If any of you have tried any of these bronzers, leaving your opinion (good or bad) in the comments section is encouraged! Would you like to share some other inexpensive but high quality bronzers with us? Let us know in the comments section.

Top 10 Tuesdays - Get Your Glow On - Bronzers

2013-06-18T10:00:00.000-04:00

Another top 10 Tuesday is back, and this week we are looking at Bronzers, Illuminators and bronze colored beauty products (Lipstick, Gloss, Nail Polish, etc) I rarely if ever use bronzer, even though I have reviewed several on this blog. My favorite is still the bronzer from Le Metier de Beaute...but getting me to use it is like pulling teeth. I kind of like my pale complexion...but a co-worker did call it "Vampiric" the other day. Maybe I should get a little color. Well if money were no object I have a list of the top 10 MOST EXPENSIVE bronzers on the market today. I have no idea if they are good or not, I simply selected them for their price. Any bronzer retailing for $55 USD or higher was considered. What I can tell you is that there are several good bronzers out there that are not as high as $55 USD so do not let this list discourage you from finding a reasonably priced bronzer for under $55 USD. There are plenty out there to be had. But this is fantasy, and it is fun to see what sort of prices some brands will charge for a bronzer. So let the Oooh-ing and Aaaah-ing and OMGWTFBBQ It's How much-ing commence. We will start with the least expensive bronzer on my list and work our way up to the most expensive.

#10. Le Metier de Beaute Bronzer - Retailing for a "mere" $55 USD this is the least expensive bronzer on the list. But don't let the "low" price fool you. The Le Metier de Beaute Bronzer comes in 2 shades that are friendly to those with darker and lighter complexions. I personally favor the "Sunkissed" color. You can read my review, HERE.

#9. Dior Beauty Nude Tan Glow - Again in the "sweet" $55 USD retail range, this bronzer from Dior boasts a "...sleek, round, silver cannage compact, and is accompanied by a mini kabuki brush. [It] creates a veil of color and radiance on the face, for a natural, healthy glow." This bronzer also comes in 2 colors. Dior claims, "Featuring new Mineral Prism technology, Energizing water, and a light transparent formula to create an energized, glowing complexion."

#8. La Prairie Cellular Treatment Bronzing Powder - For the "low" price of $60 USD. I really though the bronzer from La Prairie would be more expensive, considering how pricey their skin care tends to be. This bronzer comes in one color and claims to provide, "... a natural sun glow in a silky glide on formula rich in skin pampering, nourishing protectors."

#7. Guerlain Limited Edition Terra Neroli Giant Bronzing Powder or Guerlain Summer 2013 Terra Ora Powder Compact - Retailing for $69 and $72 respectively, these bronzers from Guerlain will always be stunning. Guerlain is known for their indulgent Terracotta line of bronzers, and these 2 beauties show they are still on their game. The Neroli Giant Bronzing Powder is indeed giant. About the size of your face, this bronzer boasts shimmering peach, bronze and vivid gold shades for the "ultimate" face and body bronzer. While the Terra Ora Powder compact (The one with the cursive 'G' in the powder) is MUCH smaller, this wooden compact with magnetic closure is "...composed of a pearly white gold and matte beige." to complement any skin tone.

#6 T. LeClerc Bronzing Pressed Powder in Terre Ocrée - Is in the middle of the pack at $75 USD. This too is an over sized bronzer to "...last all summer long." the T. Le Clerc bronzer boasts an "ultra-fine bronzing powder blends perfectly to bring a sun-kissed radiance to every skin." And for $75 it better, right?

#5 Armani Beauty Bronzer Palette - A palette after my own heart, Armani Bronzers make me swoon. And for $88 USD, there better be someone there to catch me. Said to have been "inspired by pleated lamé" This Armani Beauty Bronzer comes in the ubiquitous black sleek Armani packaging and even has Giorgio's autograph embossed into the powder!

#4 Tom Ford Beauty Bronzing Powder in Gold Dust. - Retailing for a whopping $90 USD. Many Tom Ford product prices seem inflated, and this bronzer is no different. Tom Ford claims an "...exclusively formulated mineral blend of sunstone, amber and black tourmaline crystals combined with unique pigments..." in this formula. This over sized bronzer will provide just the right non-sparkly sun kissed look to those with fair complexions. For $90, I expect it to be perfect, which, according to some reviews, it is.

#3 By Terry Soleil Terrybly Hydra-Bronzing Tinted Serum in Summer Nude - This liquid bronzer retails for a whopping $92 USD. This is more than JUST a liquid bronzer. This is a "natural alternative to self-tanning DHA. According to By Terry, this product "...stimulates melanin" with the "active ingredient, Helisun, rich in jasmine flavonols, ensures endogenous protection by reinforcing the skin's natural defense system. Vitamin E fights against free radical assaults caused by UV rays, pollution and ultra stressful lifestyles." I guess all that would constitute the $92 price tag considering that it smells better than self tanner?

#2 Cle de Peau Beaute Luminizing Face Enhancer & Refill in #13 Sand Beige - Don't fret this $95 USD "Illuminator" comes with the product in the compact to begin with, you just need to purchase refills at $55 USD a piece when you use it all up. This is supposed to be a highlighting powder, but the Sand Beige color definitely can at as a bronzer for fairer complexions. According to Cle de Peau this illuminator "...uses innovative light-diffusing technology to define contours and illuminate your complexion." Sounds legit.

#1 Sisley-Paris L'Orchidee Bronzer. The most expensive bronzer on the list is also the most beautiful too! At $138 USD Sisley Paris claims, "L'Orchidee colors and lifts the complexion with an easy-to-apply luminous veil that can be endlessly adjusted. With just one sweep of the brush, the complexion is illuminated and evened out with an incredibly light healthy glow. Texture - Ultra-light and ultra-fine, melt-away, soft and silky powder. Light to medium coverage." Doesn't that just sound delightful? Is it $138 Delightful? Well that's up to you to decide. However if I did have a lot of "disposable income" The Sisley-Paris L'Orchidee Bronzer would have a happy home in my makeup collection!

Oh I can't just leave you with these expensive bronzers and not tell you about some nice ones that are far less expensive. To show I'm not completely evil I have a follow up post with 10 Bronzers under $10!

In the meantime. Check out these other GREAT lists from some of my favorite beauty bloggers:

Le Métier de Beauté exclusive Kaleidoscope Eye Kit for Bergdorf Goodman – Summer Night’s Dream - Images and Information

2013-06-17T13:18:00.002-04:00

How wonderful is summer? It's pretty wonderful. Sunny days, sultry nights, lightning bugs, lemonade, the sand and surf, those all make Summer wonderful. Want to know what would make summer even more wonderful?

You got it. A NEW Kaleidoscope Eye Kit from Le Metier de Beaute called Summer Night’s Dream.

The feel of those long and sultry Summer nights come to life in the Le Metier de Beaute new Kaleidoscope Eye Kit. The Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Summer Night's Dream is exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman!

The captivating Kaleidoscope Eye Kit mixes four alluring hues from opaque and subdued to dark and sheen. When combing together, the eyes are left lush and dreamy. Le Metier de Beauty Director of Makeup, Mikey Castillo notes, “As a wardrobe for the eyes, the look is eternally classic, whether worn smoky for night, or simply muted for day.”

The four shades of this Kaleidoscope are (from top to bottom):
Midsummer – silk ivory with opaque pink finish
Fairyland – chrome metal and silver flecked
Athenians – red-bronzed copper
Love-in-idleness – dark, stormy blue

Mikey recommends applying to the eyes in a layering fashion working with the colors from top to bottom. This is the Couches de Couleur (Layers of color) technique proprietary to Le Metier de Beaute. This type of application creates a prism of color for the eye. Additionally the colors in the Summer Night's Dream Kaleidoscope Kit can be worn individually, but really work best when worn together, layered to bring out a multidimensional look for the eyes.

The Le Metier de Baute Summer Night's Dream retails for $95 USD and is available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. For more information on ordering, call 212-872-8612 (limited quantities available. and this is not found on-line).

What say you? Is this an Kaleidoscope that temps you? I know it tempts me!

Luxury Lane Soap Deep Moisture Hair Treatment Elixir Giveaway

2013-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

That's right. You read that correctly! I am giving away a full size (1 oz) bottle of the Luxury Lane Soap Deep Moisture Hair Treatment Elixir!!

If you remember from my review back in the beginning of May, I found this hair oil to be one of the bestest I have ever tried. Not only does it smell nice and uses natural ingredients, it contains no silicones that might damage or build up on your hair. I LOVE that. Well the sweet owner of Luxury Lane Soap loved my review so much, she sent me a bottle to use as a giveaway!!!

If you didn't read my review of the Luxury Lane Soap Deep Moisture Hair Elixir, it contains:

Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia (Macadamia) Oil and Tangerine Oil. It is lightly scented and not very "perfume-y"After consistent use, my hair feels softer and does not seem as prone to breakage as before. However I have limited heat styling my hair, so that might have something to do with it. The elixir doesn't leave my fine hair greasy or heavy and the shine that it imparts lasts a long time.

The giveaway is as such. Leave a comment here in this blog post so I know you aren't a robot. This gives you an entry into the giveaway. Using the rafflecopter widget below, I offer additional, but not mandatory, ways to get extra entries. For example, by following The Pink Sith Blog on the usual social media outlets in order to get extra entries. (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc)

This giveaway is open for residents over the age of 18 living in the continental US. It begins at 8AM EST on 06/17/2013 and ends at Midnight on 06/25/2013. A winner will be selected on the 25th and notified via e-mail.

Oh here is another thing to consider. I have had at least 6 or 7 people not respond to the e-mail I sent telling them they won one of my giveaways over the past year. This usually means 1 of 2 things. 1) My message to them got lost in a SPAM filter or 2) they enter so many contests under so many different e-mail addresses that they forget to check the e-mail addresses they created to see if they won. That's pretty lame. Check your e-mail. OK? (Don't even get me started on the "serial" giveaway entrants.)

Good Luck to everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beauty Spotlight

2013-06-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

Last year, Christine went crazy with her curling iron and FRIED her hair. Like, really and truly fried it. She's now very well acquainted with the intensive hair masks out there, but most of them were not good enough to make it to the blog. Here's her list of favorites!

Beauty Life Hacks, Secret Weapons, Tips and Tricks with Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Review - Sponsored Post

2013-06-14T11:00:00.000-04:00

We all need a few beauty "Life Hacks" (Uncommon solutions to common problems) don't we. Well the good people at Revlon have provided me with one life life hack in their Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream. Why is a BB cream a Life Hack? Because it not only solves the problem of saving time in my morning routine, but it also provides multiple products in just one tube which saves me money as well. Let's look at how I found this BB cream and then we can discuss some other Beauty Life Hacks. Plus there is a special widget at the end of this post so you too can discuss some of your life hacks at the end of this post!

The Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Perfector with SPF 30 is a lightweight multi-benefit beauty Balm that combines skincare, makeup and sunscreen into one easy step.

Revlon claims that the PhotoReady BB cream can:

Hydrate like moisturizer, smooth like a primer, cover like a foundation, blur flaws like a concealer and protect like a SPF 30 sunscreen.

Here's what I found :

It is very hydrating and very moisturizing. I have fairly oily skin so when I use this I can skip my moisturizer prior to the BB cream use (which is what a true BB cream is supposed to do). I found that those with oily skin may want to use a mattifying product before application and after. This BB cream is really geared to those with normal to dry skin.

I did find that it acted almost like a primer to mask some pores, but I have fairly large pores and not all of them were "smoothed" but those with normal to small pores will not notice it settling into your pores and may benefit from the smoothing effect of this BB cream

As far as covering like a foundation. well..It is not going to cover like a foundation for those with redness, dark spots or acne. This covers more like a tinted moisturizer. The coverage is VERY sheer. I found that if I used this and then applied a powder like Revlon PhotoReady Powder or Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder, the BB cream provided a nice even base to the skin tone for the powder to enhance and cover.

If you have no detectable skin flaws other than maybe a little redness and a slight grey under the eyes the Revlon PhotoReady BB cream could double for your concealer. Otherwise, anything darker./larger would need a separate concealer like the oil-free RevlonPhoto Ready Concealer.

As for a sunscreen. The Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream contains Octinoxate (7.5%, Sunscreen), Octisalate (5.0%, Sunscreen), and Titanium Dioxide (6.5%, Sunscreen, CI 77891). Since one would need to apply a goodly amount to ensure complete coverage I think that the SPF being a higher 30 SPF than the Dermatologist recommended SPF 15 is good and can provide a decent amount of protection from limited exposure to the sun.

All in all the Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Perfector SPF 30 is a good basic BB cream with decent SPF protection for those with normal to dry skin that need minor redness concealment and light coverage.

Now. Let's talk about ways to make your beauty routine easier, some tips and tricks.

1) BB creams. Time Saver & Cost Effective.

These wondercreams usually act as three or more products in one saving you time in application and money in having to buy only one item rather than three or four! When applying you want to dab on your cheeks, nose, and forehead, then blend outward using clean fingers. As for the Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream, you can wear this alone on bare skin or over your regular skin care for additional moisture, or as a moisturizer under your regular foundation. With it coming in three shades most people will find a shade to fit their individual skin tone.

2) Fingers

Time Saver, Cost Effective, Portable, Always Available!

OK. Unless you were in some terrible accident or just don't have them, your fingers are one of your best beauty tools ever! CLEAN fingers can apply your foundation, concealer, creme blush, eyeshadow and lipstick or gloss. Yes. You can literally go on a trip with just a powder brush and a few cotton swabs and your fingers and be able to rock most basic makeup looks! Pat on eyeshadow, concealer and cream blush with your index or ring finger. (Why the ring finger? Because it is usually the weakest finger and won't apply as much pressure to your skin for a lighter touch.) Dab a bit of gloss with your ring finger to the center of your lips to make them look fuller and dab on lipstick to your lips using your finger for a just bitten lip stain look! Use your pinkie to smudge eye pencils on the lower lash line for the smokey look. Don't forget to clean your fingers/hands when switching from product to product to reduce the possibility of contamination of your beauty products!

3) Makeup Removing Wipes

Time Saver and Portable.

Just coming in at 4AM from a night out and ready to fall into bed? DON'T sleep with your makeup on. Keep a pack of makeup removing wipes on your bedside table to get rid of all traces of makeup and fall asleep. This saves time if you just don't want to do the whole cleaning routine. Some makeup removing wipes also are moisturizing so you miiiight even be able to skip nighttime moisturizer once in a while. But treat yourself to a good cleansing or facial in the morning, if you can. With the portability of cleansing wipes you can keep them in your purse of office to clean up or get ready for whatever comes your way.

4) Create double-duty products

Time Saver and Cost Effective.

Like BB creams, other products can do double duty. Most creme blush can be used on the lips to save a step in the application process and clutter in your makeup bag. Some pearly light eyeshadows can be used as highlight on your cheeks and when applied with finesse some eye pencils can do double duty as a shadow and liner all in one!

5) Eye Pencils

Time Saver, Cost Effective and Portable

Having a pencil on hand to play up your eyes is easier than you think. If you have the right eye pencil on hand you can define your eye, create a smoky eye, intensify your eye color, and/or refresh your look for the evening. Jumbo pencils can save you the smudging step and there's no need for cleanup from fallout of glittery shadow.

6) Hand Lotion

Time Saver, Portable, Cost Effective

Did you know that you can use your hand lotion as a makeshift smoothing cream for your hair in emergencies? Of course you don't want to use it every day, but hand cream applied lightly to dry hair when it is frizzy or static-y will tame those locks in an instant. Just apply a little hand lotion to your hands, distribute evenly on your palms and smooth over your hair lightly to relax some of that frizz or static. Plus if you still wear pantyhose (I certainly do not!) you can apply a little hand lotion over the hose to stop static cling of your skirt or pants to your legs. I used to use this trick all the time when I worked in a formal office that required us to wear pantyhose when we wore skirts. Also, did you know you can use left over moisturizer for your face as hand cream. once you finish applying the moisturizer to your face, anything that might remain you can rub into your cuticles and back of your hands to keep them looking healthy.

7) Organization

Time Saver

Knowing where all your cosmetics are in the morning will save you loads of time. Laying them out or keeping them organized in an easy to access area will make doing a 5 minute face so easy. no more fishing in makeup bags and drawers for the products. Try purchasing one of those desk supply organizers to sit on your vanity or sink to keep all you makeup in. Everything will have its place and you can see it all at one time.

8) Glitter Nail Polish.
Time Saver
OK. Not everyone likes glitter nail polish, but I use this stuff to extend the life of my manicures, cover chips and tip wear. Revlon was kind enough to send me a beautiful navy blue, creme nail polish in a color called Urban.

After a few days I experienced a little tip wear and the gloss was gone. Easy peasy I added a Revlon glitter top coat in Galaxy and it looks like a whole new manicure!

9) Water

Cost Effective, Portable and Just Good For You!

Let's face it. Some health issues can be corrected with proper water consumption. You can clear up your skin, properly moisturize it and flush out toxins and fat and just lead a healthier life with enough water consumption every day. Most people don't drink enough water each day and most of the time water is F-R-E-E! There's no excuse not to drink it and the last I heard, no one was allergic to water. According to the Mayo Clinic, how much water should a person drink each day is a simple question with no easy answers. "Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live. So how much fluid does the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate need? The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. The AI for women is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day."

Revlon believes there is more than one way for women to be seen. Revlon's heritage as a color authority and its suite of innovative products inspires women around the world to express themselves through beauty each and every day.

Participate in Glam Talk using the widget below. “Why do you love using a BB cream?”

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Revlon Consumer Products via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Revlon Consumer Products.

Fifty Dollar Makeup Dupe Challenge

2013-06-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

The awesome people at Coupons.com gave me an opportunity to spend $50 on makeup at Ulta.com to do a "look" or dupes. Click here in you want your own Ulta coupon codes!

What are dupes you might ask?

Well a dupe is a duplicate. Duh. But in this case it is a duplicate for a makeup item (high, mid or low end) that matches in color and sometimes formula or consistency.

I set out to find dupes for a few products that I know are tried and true among the high end brands. I wanted to find dupes to these high end brands to show that you too can have a gorgeous look for less than what the high end brands charge. It's not like you are going to be carrying that $26 dollar eyeshadow with you and letting everyone that sees you look at the case so they know it's from a prestigious brand, right? Of course not! You just want to look good, and why not look good for less money. Right?

OK. So here we go.

These are the 2 PILES of makeup I am comparing. Keep in mind that some of the items in both "piles" was send for consideration for review by a PR agency or manufacturer and some was purchased by me with my very own money. Either way I will be honest with what I think about the quality of each item.

Here is the high end lot of makeup.

We have a pricey BB cream, my beloved Guerlain matte liquid lipstick, a bunch of MAC shadows, an Estee Lauder creme shadow, some discontinued colors and a few other items.

Here is ALL the makeup I purchased for $50, but I added in 2 of my own shadows, which made it go up to $68.89. But with Buy one get one 50% off specials and a coupon code for $3.50 off a purchase of $10 or more, my total was 44.93 even with the cost of my own items added in. Sorry for the misleading title in the post...I guess I could have added more to get up to $50. Hee hee.

I graded each "dupe" on the Color matching, Quality and Bang for your buck (how long it could be worn before fading/creasing/running/chipping) and gave an extra point if the dupe could replace a discontinued item. A total of 4 SITHS is an exact dupe. 3 SITHS points is a good enough match and worth buying instead of the "real thing" 2 SITHS is a close enough match in terms of quality and bang for your buck and 1 SITH is skip it and keep looking.

Let's start with the silver creme shadow.

On the right I have the Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow in Silver Strike and on the left I have the Estee Lauder creme shadow in Steel. You will note that the colors are obviously different. I thought they would be closer. But since they aren't I went ahead and just compared the two as far as quality and cost. After testing, I got the same wear time out of both products. They both applied the same and had the same quality as far as blendability and pigmentation. Since this Maybelline shadow worked JUST AS WELL as the expensive Estee Lauder shadow. I'm giving it 3 SITHS despite the lack of color match.

The L'Oreal Hip Chrome Pencil in Black Shock versus the Make Up for Ever (MUFE) Aqua Liner in Matte Black 0L. The L'Oreal pencil was super soft and almost melted into my skin. The MUFE pencil was also soft but did not feel melt-y against my skin. Both had excellent pigmentation and looked pretty much the same. I give the L'Oreal Pencil 1 SITH because it did not wear as long as the MUFE and smudged too fast on my skin making me look like a raccoon in short order. Or should I say Sad Panda?

Obviously nothing is going to compare to the beautiful design of the Guerlain lipstick case, but you aren't wandering around showing everyone the case all day long. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Amsterdam is a much lighter red than the Guerlain Rouge G l'Extrait lip color in Luxure that I had. However Guerlain makes another color called Colere M25 that is a pretty close copy of the NYX color in Amsterdam. I admit that the image on the ULTA website is misleading. It looks much darker than it is. But in terms of wear and quality these are almost exactly alike. The Guerlain is slightly more moisturizing but the NYX isn't so drying that its intolerable or anything like that. Both wore well and for a long amount of time. The NYX smells like cake batter and I like cake so I'm going to give this one a pass on the lack of color match because at east the Guerlain Colere is a match to Amsterdam. I give the NYX Soft Matte Cream in Amsterdam 3 SITHS despite the lack of color match.

OK. Now on to eyeshadow! MAC and NYX shadows have had a long history of matching colors. I'm not sure who comes out with the color first but if there is a MAC color there is probably a NYX dupe for it. As far as ULTA brand shadows go, they also have a nice variety and some shades are an almost exact match. I chose an ULTA shade for this experience because they constantly go on sale for as low as $3 and the quality is excellent. I have added in a previously purchased L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Taupe to match yet another MAC shadow.

As you can see in the swatches some of the shadows are down right identical and some are close enough and others...well not so much.

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Black gets 4 SITHS because it's a perfect match and actually softer and nicer than the MAC Carbon Eyeshadow. I would highly recommend this as a great black shadow.

NYX White gets 1 SITH. It was transparent and hard and just not good quality compared to MAC Gesso. There are other BETTER and more opaque white shadows out there and the NYX one is one to skip.

ULTA Bermuda Sand is a pretty close match for MAC Jest, but not perfect. Jest has a more satin finish and the ULTA is more metallic. One swatches a tad warmer than the other too. I Give this 2 and a half SITHS because with some blending you might be able to get pretty much the same thing, but owning both the ULTA and the MAC shadows would not be a crime.

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Taupe is a darn near dupe for the MAC Satin Taupe. Satin taupe is smoother and leans slightly more purple than the L'Oreal so I would say this would be good for those that feel MAC Satin Taupe looks bad on them because of the purple tone I give this 3 SITHS because unless you are comparing them side by side you wouldn't notice a difference on the eye, but I feel the quality of the MAC shadow is superior.

The ever loved grey taupe shade from MAC called Smoke and Diamonds was released twice if not three times. Smoke and Diamonds is sadly discontinued. Never fear, there is a NYX dupe called Dune. As you can see in the swatches. NYX Dune is almost an exact match for Smoke and Diamonds.

I added in Stila Diamond 'lil Eyeshadow because it is a pretty close match as well. Therefore NYX Dune gets 4 SITHS based on the quality, cost and color match!

And while we are comparing taupe shadows why no compare a whole bunch at one time? Just for fun. I compared MAC Coco pigment (not pictured), NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadow in Mocha, L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Taupe, Urban Decal Deluxe Eyeshadow in Underground (Discontinued), MAC Style Snob Eyeshadow (Discontinued) and MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow.

Why? Because I could.

BB Creams. Oh man. If this isn't a blatant case of a company taking an existing Tinted Moisturizer or TM and re-labeling it as a BB cream I don't know what is. I purchased this Cover Girl CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer (AKA BB Cream) in Fair to Light thinking it was a TM because that's what it was labeled as. (silly me) Lo-and-behold it shows up in new packaging as a BB cream. So I chucked the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer I was going to compare it to and dug out my good old Omorovicza Complexion Perfector BB SPF 20. At $135 a bottle, you have to have some serious disposable income to buy this baby.

It's a nice BB cream, but honestly the price is so high I just can't see myself buying it as a regular thing. While it did make my skin feel wonderful with continued use, I don't know still if that's worth it. The main thing about the Omorovicza is that is is VERY SHEER. So sheer that I can't even tell it is on once I have blended it in.

Well guess what? The Cover Girl BB cream is JUST AS SHEER if not more. Listen. I plan to write a nice long review about why this Cover Girl BB cream is not worth your time or money but lets face it, I don't have the space here to do it.

This gets 1 SITH. Keep moving. This is nothing more than TM with a new BB cream label.

Nail Polish comes in more colors than I could have ever imagined, but when Laura Mercier came out with Caviar Dreams a few years ago I was so in love with the color I actually bought a back up. At $18 a bottle that's an investment, considering that I have well over 200 nail polishes in my collection. Regardless, the first bottle of Caviar Dreams is less than 1/2 full and I heard that Essence has a dupe. Well I am glad to report that you don't have to shell out $50 on evilbay for a bottle of Caviar Dreams because Essence Colour & Go nail polish in Chic Reloaded is an EXACT dupe for it! We are talking a match in formula right down to the duochrome-y goodness of this stunning shade. Want even better news? The essence nail polish is a mere $1.99! Therefore this gets an unprecedented 5 SITHS for not only being an exact dupe and a dupe for a discontinued item, but it gets and extra SITH because I'm the one that makes the rules and I'm can do whatever I want!

Whew! That was long. I've said too much. but as reward for reading this incredibly long post, or scrolling to the bottom of the page, whatever, I have 2 gifts for you.

1) Dupes can be worth the time it take to find one but you have to do your research. Be prepared to not find an exact color match every time but learn to love what you do have. The run down again is:

5 SITHS Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in Chic Reloaded

4 SITHS NYX Black and NYX Dune

3 SITHS Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow in Silver Strike, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam and L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Taupe

2-2/12 SITHS ULTA Eyeshadow in Bermuda Sand

1 SITH NYX White, L'Oreal HiP Chrome Eyeliner in Black Shock and CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer (AKA BB Cream) in Fair to Light

2) My second gift? An opportunity to win a $300 Dollar gift card to SEPHORA!!!! Ding! Ding! Ding! Use the widget below to enter. there are MULTIPLE blog participating so multiple chances to enter. The entry period is for one week starting today! So the winner will be selected next Friday. This giveaway is for US residents only over the age of 18. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See Even more looks and dupes from these great blogs!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thursday Poll

2013-06-13T09:09:00.004-04:00

If you grew up in the 1970's and possibly the 1980's you might remember a children's TV show called New Zoo Review. New Zoo Revue was a syndicated 1970s kids television program featuring Doug (Doug Momary) and Emmy Jo (Momary's real-life spouse Emily Peden), as well as the human-sized costumed puppet characters Freddie the Frog, Henrietta Hippo and Charlie the Owl. These costumed puppets were freakin scary as heck and Doug was kinda creepy with his long 1970's hair and porn star style mustache. (Doug was, to my knowledge, never a porn star).

The things I remember most about the show was the insipid theme song which can get latched onto your brain like a lamprey to a shark. It swirls around and around until you find yourself whistling it and people give you odd looks. The other thing I remember is Henrietta Hippo. Being one of only 2 female characters on the show, Henrietta was the antithesis of Mary Jo.

I always felt bad for Henrietta because she was so fat...well..not fat really. Hippos are huge creatures. They are supposed to be big. They look "fat" by human standards, and since Henrietta was a hippo wearing dresses and standing upright, so it was hard not to think of her as fat. The third thing I remember ties in with the second thing. Mary Jo. Mary Jo was very attractive and always wore the shortest skirts I had ever seen.

Growing up in Washington, DC in the 1970's I led a pretty sheltered life. I don't think I saw anyone in skirts that short ever. She was somewhat fascinating to me. She was thin, attractive, and a snazzy short skirt / go-go boot wearing dresser...but she played opposite a big fat hippo in a flowered moo-moo. Was this done on purpose? Or did the alliteration of Henrietta Hippo sound better than Gilda the Giraffe, which, if you could imagine it, would look much leaner in a dress standing upright. I wonder if Mary Jo didn't want anyone to steal the spotlight from her. Oh wait. I just remembered another thing. Freddy the Frog didn't wear pants! He just walked around in a sweater with a big 'F' on it.

What the hell? Considering that Freddie never wore pants, Doug had that porn star mustache and Mary Jo was always running around in a skirt only a gynecologist would find useful, I wonder if that F stood for "Freddie" or something else...if you catch my drift. It seemed that Henrietta was this hopeless romantic and Doug and Mary Jo had this sort of semi romantic but also platonic relationship. Add in a pantsless frog and an owl that liked to live up in a tree and "watch" everyone, I wonder if this wasn't some sort of swinger community where they all swapped mates and such. Oh my GOD! My whole childhood has been a lie! It makes sense now. This was some sort of sick fetish commune where everyone was schtupping everyone, and Charlie liked to watch! ::shudder::

I have to go take a shower now. I feel so dirty!

On To The Poll!

1. Lip Of The Day? - Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Red Velvet. I keep promising to review these but I'm not sure if I am passionate enough (good or bad) to write about them.

2. Name a show you liked to watch when you were a little kid. I really liked The Electric Company. It had Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby and Morgan Freeman. Plus they had live action Spiderman. Loved that show. "HEEEY YOU GUYYYYS!!!" Still makes me happy.

3. What age did you first start wearing makeup? - I think I was 13. I was in Junior High maybe? Dag. I'm old. Yeah. It was 13. I was finally a TEEN which meant MAKEUP!

4. What was the last song you listened to? -In order to get the New Zoo Review song out of my head I listened to a song by Tool, called Schism. Now that song is stuck in my head, but I'm OK with that!

5. What is the oldest makeup item you have right now? - I guess it would be that Chanel Silver Highlighter from 1999!

Eucerin Moisturizing Body Products - Review

2013-06-12T11:20:00.004-04:00

I don't want to brag, but I am the most well moisturized woman in my neighborhood, maybe my State, maybe the Northern Hemisphere!! The loverly people at Eucerin sent be a box full of their products to try out. Being a good sport I decided to start using ALL OF THEM AT ONCE. Now you don't have to be as extreme as me, but I will say that I have noticed a significant difference in my skin over the last month and a half. You see, I have very oily skin on my face, but that's where it stops. The rest of me is dry, dry, dry! My scalp is dry, my arms are so dry I have Keratosis Pilaris (KP), my legs are starting to show KP and are dry anyway and my feet? Oh goodness, don't get me started on my feet. DRY like the desert and calloused. I actually NEEDED this little box of moisturizing joy!

Let's talk about what I loved, liked and well, just didn't agree with me.

LOVED

Eucerin Daily Replenishing Lotion 13.5 fl oz (400 ml)
I will say that I do still love my Favorite Body Lotion Ever but in the summer that lotion is a bit too rich for my needs. That's why the Eucerin Daily Replenishing Lotion is a great alternative for the warmer months. This giant 13.5 fl oz (400 ml) bottle comes with a handy pump that dispenses just the right amount of lotion for both arms or one leg per pump! The lotion is really light, and I honestly thought that it wasn't going to be enough moisture for me, but as I noticed over the time I have been using it, my skin is less dry than usual! The lotion absorbs very quickly and no greasy feel. I like that it is unscented (as most of the Eucerin line is), and I love the fact that it feels so light on my skin. Even on hot days I can feel the richer body lotions kind of cling to my skin, but the Eucerin Daily Replenishing Lotion soaks right in and nothing is left over. This usually retails for $8 USD but many times it is on sale. You can find it on line at target.com

Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment External Analgesic Lotion 6.8 fl oz (200 ml)
I didn't use this lotion, but I used it on Darthypie. He inherited his Grandfathers terminally dry skin, and he has allergies, so he is always complaining of being itchy. Plus he's 6 years old and let's face it. 6 year old boys are fidgety and itchy often. Darthypie's skin is particularly sensitive so using calamine lotion is not always an option when he complains of bug bites. He says it stings. Fortunately I had the Eucerin Calming Itch-Relief Treatment lotion, and I applied it to his itchy legs. The cooling menthol formula provided just the relief he needed for his itchy, dry skin. I love that this specific is safe for use on Children and free of fragrance and dyes. The menthol in the product doesn't even have a noticeable scent. Darthypie usually says he's itchy around bed time, so this has become a night time ritual of applying this to his legs and arms. Since the lotion is supposed to provide relief for up to 8 hours, Darthypie wakes up with no complaints! This usually retails for $8 USD but many times it is on sale. You can find it online at drugstore.com and target.com.

LIKED

Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme (various sizes)
An old roommate of mine had Psoriasis, and she would buy this stuff by the tub-full. She called it "Crisco". While it's not greasy like Crisco, it certainly is thick. Like really thick, like it isn't going to move off your finger if you scoop some out of the tub, thick. I used this creme on my rough, dry and CLEAN feet and whatever was left over on my hands I rubbed into my elbows and cuticles. Once the Eucerin Original Moisturizing Cream was on, there was no getting out of bed. It stayed on all night, and when I woke up I had slightly less hard and definitely less dry feet. This creme does not absorb quickly into the skin. It has a greasy feel and takes time to absorb into the skin. However, the 3rd ingredient is mineral oil, this might cause a reaction in those that are sensitive to mineral oil; however, I doubt you would be using this on your face. I didn't experience any reaction while using this. The Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme will be on my nightstand during the colder months to keep my hands from cracking and my feet soft.This usually retails for anywhere from $8 to $13 USD (depending on size) but many times it is on sale. You can find it on line at drugstore.com, target.com, ulta.com and walgreens.com.

Eucerin Smoothing Repair Dry Skin Lotion
As I mentioned above, I have KP. Most Dermatologists recommend using a moisturizer that contains urea and buffered alpha hydroxy acids. The buffered alpha hydroxy acids help exfoliate dry skin, and urea provides moisture. This combination of exfoliation and hydration works to reduce KP bumps. The Eucerin Smoothing Repair Dry Skin Lotion has these ingredients and is extremely light. The feel is slightly sticky once applied, but I also used the Daily Replenishing lotion on top of it and once that was applied there was no stickiness. I will say that I only used this at night as I didn't want to wait for it to absorb fully in the morning. The result. Over a 4 week period, I noticed the KP on my upper arms was significantly smoother. The bumps were almost gone. I couldn't feel them with my fingers, but the red spots still remained. This is not a cure all for KP, but this will definitely smooth out your skin over time. Just remember to use sunscreen when you are using this lotion as AHA use can cause you to burn easier/faster when exposed to the sun. I still plan to see my dermatologist for a more intensive treatment for my KP, but this worked pretty darn well for not being a prescription product! This usually retails for $13 USD but many times it is on sale. You can find it online at target.com and ulta.com.

JUST DIDN'T AGREE WITH ME

Eucerin Calming Body Wash Daily Shower Oil 8.4 fl oz (250 ml)
I find my biggest problem with using body washes is that while many are wonderful as producing luxurious bubbles, those bubbles may strip your skin of it's natural and needed moisture. This body wash is quite unusual. It was liquid-y, like almost water like. Getting the appropriate amount into your body pouf can be a challenge. The clear soap free cleanser is loaded with omega oils and other natural moisturizers. The lather is on the low side, but there is still enough to get that creamy lather feel. It rinses clean and there was no filmy residue after washing it off. Here's what didn't work for me. While this product claims to be fragrance free, I noticed a distinct scent from the castor seed oil. It was not pleasant. I also realized that I truly enjoy scented body washes, and I am willing to sacrifice moisturization for fragrance. For those of you that just can't have fragrance in your products, well Eucerin Calming Body Wash Daily Shower Oil would be one to use if you can get past the castor seed oil scent. It does not remain after rinsing, so that's a plus. This usually retails for $8 USD but many times it is on sale. You can find it online at drugstore.com and walgreens.com.

All in all, I honestly enjoyed the Eucerin products and plan on purchasing some of them when I run out. Most products retail for $8, but many stores have sales and coupon.

Note sure which Eucerin product is right for you? Well the Eucerin website has a handy Skin Solution Center. Just answer a few questions about your skin concerns and Eucerin will even send you a free sample!! You can also become a Skinsider (Skin insider) through the Eucerin Facebook Page. This program will give you coupons and opportunities for free samples and skin care advice.

What about you? Have you used Eucerin products in the past? What did you like? What didn't you like? What is your favorite body lotion right now? Let me know in the comments section.

Edward Bess Blush Impériale in Desert Blossom - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2013-06-11T09:19:00.002-04:00

I have had this blush for a long while. I think I purchased it well over a year and a half ago. But for some reason I have not had a chance to write about it. Perhaps it is because I'm conflicted. You see. I ADORE Chanel Joues Contraste blushes. Their domed circles of pure pigment perfection send me into alliterative waves of orgasmic delight. But when I had the opportunity to purchase this Blush Imperiale from Edward Bess, well I was taken aback by how similar it is to my beloved Chanel.

sleek black plastic case with the appropriate heft expected of a high end cosmetic

The blush I purchased is Desert Blossom is a dusty rose, neutral toned matte blush. The powder is perfectly pleasant and is markedly magnificently milled. The sheer shade it supplies is stunning. While this Blush Imperiale in Desert Blossom is translucent upon first application, it can be built up for a deeper deposit on your delicate cheek bones.

See? I'm using too much alliteration! How can this be? Alliteration is reserved for Chanel, or so I thought!

So I went to have a brain scan done. And as the doctors looked over the results with hushed voices and stern looks, I realized this was more serious than I thought.

You see, in the brain there are several parts. There is the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, the alliteration lobe, the occipital lobe, the limbic system, The song lyrics and movie dialogue lobe, the hypothalamus, the aversion to clowns lobe (sometimes deformed or underdeveloped in people that are clowns or like clowns), the cerebellum, etc.

you MUST click to enlarge to see entire scan

In the Alliteration lobe, there is a Chanel Joues Contraste Lobe that is only developed in those with a makeup lobe that is more than 0.003% of the frontal lobe. Some how, the Doctors can't quite explain it, the Chanel JC Lobe has now evolved into an Edward Bess Blush Imperiale/Chanel JC Lobe. While not damaging to one's mind, it does explain why I'm positively peppy about this blush! The Doctors say that since my brain has now accepted an Edward Bess blush to my Chanel JC lobe, I might experience alliterative joy toward other blush brands in the future. They advised that I keep to a strict diet of Chanel and Edward Bess blushes and not to stray from that or else I run the risk of enlarging that lobe and adding multiple brands. The result may be fatal...for my bank account.

So as I am now "infected" or "evolved" to admire more than JUST Chanel blush I must warn you that you may also suffer this same "affliction" if you too pick up this Edward Bess Blush Imperiale. Thankfully the Blush Imperiale is only available in three colors. The Blush Imperiale is available for purchase on Sephora.com, and it retails for $42. Which I'm sure, to many (including me) is a little bit of stickler shock. But this blush is equal to the Chanel Joues Contraste blush in quality and pigmentation. I find it difficult to argue NOT getting one....but my makeup lobe is extremely over sized, so I have a hard time finding a reason not to buy ANY makeup. You understand, right?

If they were to run a brain scan on you, what (imaginary) lobe in your brain would be overdeveloped?

Makeup Wars - My Favorite Summer Eye Look

2013-06-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Me:
Let's face it. I'm a taupe girl. I love me some taupe shadows, but in the summer I don't really wear all that much eyeshadow.

Imaginary Friend*/Ghost of Ned Stark SOIAF**/Lady Galadriel LOTR*** What?
Me:
Yes. It's true.Imaginary Friend*/Ghost of Ned Stark SOIAF**/Lady Galadriel LOTR*** Why?

Me:
Because I am wearing my sunglasses most of the time. Why bother applying all that beautiful eyeshadow if no one is going to be able to see it.

Imaginary Friend*/Ghost of Ned Stark SOIAF**/Lady Galadriel LOTR*** Well someone is going to see it when you take off your sunglasses.

Me:
I suppose so. But if I'm going to do that then I don't want some makeup meltdown. After being in the sun and heat for who knows how long, I don't want to remove my shades and end up looking like Alice Cooper on a bad day....or a good day.

Alice M*TH*RF*CK*NG Cooper

Imaginary Friend*/Ghost of Ned Stark SOIAF**/Lady Galadriel LOTR*** So what do you do? Go makeup-less?

Me:
Is makeup-less a word?

Imaginary Friend*/Ghost of Ned Stark SOIAF**/Lady Galadriel LOTR*** That's not the point. Answer the question!

Me:
In fact, I do NOT go SANS Makeup! I do however, go very minimal.

Imaginary Friend*/Ghost of Ned Stark SOIAF**/Lady Galadriel LOTR***

Well what do you use?

Me:
I use.....

Eye Primer (currently using LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer) - Purchase

MAC Brule Eyeshadow (or similar matte skin tone matching shadow) - Purchase

Mascara (Whatever I have at the moment. I think I'm using LORAC Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing & Thickening Mascara right now) - Purchase

And liner...but not just any old black liner. No, if I'm going to do, what I call a "nude eye" I'm going to chose a liner with color. Panache, but also something waterproof. As much as I love me some liquid liners I d occasionally fall in love with a pencil liner if it's the right color and consistency. This time I have fallen in love with the Lise Watier Dramatique Intense Extra Smooth Liner. - Press sample

I really fell in love with the color firstly. This metallic cobalt blue is my favorite color of the season. I know it's not listed as a Pantone Color of Summer. Spring, whatever, but mark my words. Cobalt blue or some such variation of it will be the IT color one of these seasons coming up.

This waterproof liner is highly pigmented and exceptionally easy to use. It feels soft, but the liner won't melt under your own body heat. It won't crumble because it's too rigid. It's in the Goldylox zone of mechanical pencil liners. It's juuuuuuuuuust right.

Let us not forget that if I did so wish to have a more smokey effect I can use the sponge on the other end, I would need to work fast as this pencil liner sets up quickly.

This liner laughs at water and only is removed after swimming the English channel, Performing a full Alice Cooper Concert on a 90 degree day in Humid Town USA or by using a waterproof makeup remover. It's your choice.

The result:

Simple, elegant and it makes a statement.

My only regret is that it is not as easy to keep a fine point as a sharpening pencil liner, but I have found that by twirling it on it's side against a tissue I can re- build the point for greater precision.

Sure It's not a coppery/golden eye typical of so many summer looks, but I wanted to give you something different and easy this summer. If blue doesn't suit you, try green (with brown eyes that would look loverly) or plum or purple or ORANGE! (I tried to find my Illamasqua orange liner, but I couldn't locate it.) The color is up to you. Just have fun with it.. Summer is fun and makeup for summer should be fun too. Don't you think?

Let's look at what 16 other bloggers believe to be their favorite summer eye, with a special guest post from model & fashion jewelry designer, Mina Slater from minaslater.com! Enjoy and go click happy!

*Imaginary Friend = The voices in my head

**SOIAF = Song of Ice and Fire series by Geroge R.R. Martin, Ned Stark the patriarch of the Stark Family, Lord of the North, Trusted Advisor the King of all the realms Robert Baratheon, beheaded at the request of Jeoffery Baratheon by Sir Ilyn Payne. Ned Stark was portrayed by Sean Bean in the TV series Game Of Thrones on HBO created in part by D. B. Weiss.

***LOTR = Lord Of The Rings book by J.R.R. Tolkien, Galadriel was a royal Elf both of Noldor and the Teleri. She is also known as the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves that remained in Middle-earth, Sometime mistakenly referred to as the White Witch. Galadriel was portrayed by Cate Blanchette in the movies directed by Peter Jackson

Beauty Spotlight

2013-06-10T09:41:00.002-04:00

Meet Vita Liberata the newest self-tanner on the scene. Vita Liberata provides natural color, is easy to use, and moisturizing! Color Prime Beauty tan and impressed!

It is no secret that Helen from Lola's Secret Beauty Blog carries a great many lip products in her purse, but rather than carrying fewer items she simply upgraded to a much better makeup bag! The PurseN Classic Make-Up Case is an absolute must-have for every woman who likes to carry her favorite products with her!

The Pink Sith tells you about the new Supergoop! SPF 50 Anti-Oxidant Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C. It helps fight the signs of aging while it protects and moisturizes your skin, plus it has a funny name, so how could she not like it?

15 Minute Beauty has found an hair gel that leave your hair soft and is so amazing it should be used on unicorns. Really.

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed discovers that Stila After Glow Lip Colour really does glow under a black light - why she owns a black light is a whole other story - so come admire her swatches and try not to be too curious!

Not content with seasonal releases, many brands are now releasing mini collections in between, Visionary Beauty scopes out the Chanel Jeux de Regards Collection.

Gross foot dust aside, Christa from Perilously Pale shows us why the MICRO Pedi is a super cool tool you won't want to be without for sandal season.

Beauty Info Zone wants you to smell wonderful this summer with LaVanila Coconut Forever. Start your summer the fragrant way.

polish insomniac shows off her love of blue and green with her 10 Favorite Nail Polishes for Summer.

London MakeUp Girl tries out a cosmetics company that creates colours specifically for the twelve seasonal types. See what she thinks in her post on Elea Blake Bright Winter make up.

Beat the Heat with Pammy Blogs Beauty's Lift Lab and Icy Cools Giveaway!!! Includes Lift Lab's fabulous Lift & Fix!

The Lipstick League – week of 6.3.13

2013-06-09T13:22:00.000-04:00

Question of the Week - What are some of your favorite beauty-related print magazines?

Answer - I guess Allure and Glamour…but I don't really read magazines. Maybe you can tell me some of your favorites in the comments section and I can find some new reads!

Prime Beauty - chooses her Top 10 Must Haves for Summer 2013. Are any of them on your list?

Phyrra - brings you the Top 10 Best Cruelty-Free Summer Beauty Products.

we heart this - Have you ever tried Caldrea housekeeping products? Well, their Body products are just as fab, and we're giving away a $116 set of six in the scent of your choice!

Beauty Junkies Unite - Maybelline takes on an indie nail polish trend with the new Color Show Polka Dots collection shades that launch in July--but you don't have to wait. Sneak a peek of the review & swatches now!

EauMG - reviews 4 vegan floral perfumes from Sweet Anthem.

Gouldylox Reviews - Ever wondered if Wen makes your hair fall out? I've got the answer to that and other burning questions!

Lipglossiping swims against the tide with her distaste for Rimmel’s much-lauded Apocalips line, find out why she thinks they’re some of the worst lip products she’s ever had the misfortune to try!

My Beauty Bunny - Inglot Cosmetics already won us over with their Freedom Palette system. Now they’ve tripled the fun with their Satin Rainbow Eye Shadows featuring a gradient of three colors each!

Nouveau Cheap - Here’s your first look at all six of the new Wet n Wild Summer 2013 Limited Edition Pop Art Craze Eyeshadow Trios (if you like bright, bold colors, you’re going to love these).

Pink Sith - takes you back to India with the new Lise Watier India Palette Eyeshadows. Six colorful shades with endless possibilities!

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Prime Beauty - The Recessionista is a guide to all things beauty, fashion, style, food, wine and travel at a discount. I dare you not to love it!

Thursday Poll

2013-06-06T08:33:00.001-04:00

I can't quite believe it, but my little Darthypie is "graduating" from Kindergarten today. Now mind you Kindergarten is only 1/2 a day where I live, and by 1/2 a day I mean, from 7:50 to 11:00. About three hours. OK. school is only 6 and a half hours so a 3 hours day makes sense...but honestly how much can a 5/6 year old learn in that short of time. But that's not what I want to talk about today. What I want to talk about is the insane and inane notion that every little milestone in a kid's life now needs to be celebrated with some big event. Yes. My child is actually attending a GRADUATION ceremony for his 1/2 day Kindergarten class. They will have those mortarboard hats and get little "diplomas". I find it completely ridiculous! It was bad enough when his day care had a "graduation" for him going from pre-K to after-school care, but this is really getting out of hand. Who decided kids need public validation for even the most minor achievements? In flag football my son got a medal for basically showing up. They didn't even keep score. (Granted he LOVES that medal, but that's not the point). Kids are rewarded with tokens for almost every imaginable act. I even once saw a cake celebrating a child successfully completing POTTY TRAINING?! Am I to throw a graduation party for my son as he enters into the hallowed halls of FIRST FREAKIN GRADE? < old woman rant > When I was growing up you graduated from High School and College. You got a medal if you placed first, second or third. And they kept score for every game having winners and losers, and we all accepted this. < /old woman rant > Sure it sucked to lose, but it did not break my psyche. It did not harm me emotionally. If anything, it made me want to do better, to be better. When I eventually won I was gracious about it because I knew what losing felt like and I didn't have to rub my opponent's face in it. It taught me that in LIFE, not everything is going to go my way, and I needed those coping skills to deal with those events that didn't turn out the way I wanted. Now my child will get that lesson as often as I can give it to him since the other adults in his life are either too scared or too stupid to stand up to this ridiculous practice of "everything is a reward". We will not be having a party or a cake or even ice cream for Darthypie's "graduation". He will "graduate", get on the bus, go to day care, and then come home when I pick him up after work. He will get to stay up a little later than normal since there is no school tomorrow and he will get dessert (ice cream) if he finishes his meal. I'll tell him I'm proud of him for completing Kindergarten and kiss him good night. Period. Maybe I'm a mean and cynical mom. Or maybe I'll just tell him he was Valedictorian for his graduating class in kindergarten. I'll tell him to add that to his list of academic achievements on his future resume. Then let the employer figure out what it applies to.
On To The Poll!

1. Blush Of The Day? - Chanel Joues Contraste in Malice (again). It's fast becoming my favorite summer blush. Too bad it's discontinued, although you can still find it for sale in some places.

2. Am I being too cynical? - Yes. Probably. But part of me finds this all so stupid.

3. What is your favorite summer blush? (If you don't have a fave blush, what about favorite summer eye look?) - Chanel Malice is a fave summer blush for sure! As for a summer eye. I think maybe something coppery.

4. Which to you prefer? Cake or Cupcakes? Why? - Cupcakes, if they are normal size, not those huge ones they sell at Costco. Because I can eat one and not feel like I at too much.

5. Last beauty item you finished or "hit pan" on? - I just finished my Urban Decay All Nighter Spray. I NEEEEED to pick up a new one ASAP!

Supergoop! SPF 50 Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C - Review

2013-06-05T10:27:00.002-04:00

You may have heard that a new study out of Australia shows that daily sunscreen use can slow down the aging effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. According to Bloomberg News,

"...researchers in Australia [studied]...900 young and middle-aged adults [and] showed that those who applied sunscreen most days had no detectable aging of the skin after 4 1/2 years."

That's right. They did a 4+ year study and monitored the aging effects of participants. (If you want to read about the entire study and watch a video on how they determined the aging effects, click HERE). The article went on to say

"The finding, published yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, provides scientific backing for what some people have considered common sense, the authors said. The results also suggest sunscreen may be a cheaper alternative for a fresher looking face than the billions of dollars spent annually on anti-wrinkle creams and lotions."

So basically. Use sunscreen EVERY DAY and you can save money on those expensive creams and lotions to fight the signs of aging! I will say that using a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is best. That means a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays, but there are also IRA rays. What are IRA rays? They are infrared A radiation (IRA) these rays can penetrate the skin reaching deep down to where the cells are formed. IRA rays may generate free radicals that ALTER collagen, elastin and protein structures in skin. That means fine lines, age spots and dryness! Yikes! Thankfully the Broad spectrum protection from Supergoop! also blacks the IRA rays!

So lets us look at the sunscreen I was sent from Supergoop!

I ADORE spray on sunscreen. It's easy and fast to apply and honestly I like it better than most. However yo have to remember that after spraying it on you still have to rub it into your skin to make sure you are covered evenly. I love it for my chest, backs of my hands, and back of my neck. I am always forgetting to put sunscreen on the back of my hands and within the last three years I have noticed two new spots on my left hand...the one that gets most sun exposure from driving...so now I'm religious about using sunscreen every day.

The SPF 50 Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C is water resistant and oxybenzone-free. This sunscreen provides complete broad-spectrum protection and easy application. Not only does it provide complete broad-spectrum protection for a full 80 minutes in water, it is made with 35% less alcohol than other leading sunscreen sprays. That means those of us with sensitive skin or dry skin can enjoy this sunscreen without those drying side effects. Supergoop! has a special patent-pending Vitamin C formula which is supposed to penetrate the skin immediately and go right to work upon application. As we know, Vitamin C enriches the skin with a more radiant, healthy appearance, preventing free radical and environmental damage. There are TONS of Vitamin C face creams on the market, but what about for the body? And what about for sunscreen? Nope. I think this is the first one I have ever heard of.

The Supergoop! SPF 50 Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C applies in a fine mist that once on the skin does not feel oily or have an oily residue. It also seemed to moisturize my skin, but to be honest I always use lotion so I didn't notice a distinct difference. The sunscreen smells nice with a slight citrus scent. It didn't feel greasy or sticky. After spraying I rubbed in the sunscreen to make sure the coverage was even and went about my merry way. I reapplied after being outside for several hours and at the end of the day I didn't have any visible sun damage. I burn really easily so being outside for more than 15 minutes at a time and not getting a burn or slight tan is a miracle for me. I love the ease of application and the leak proof travel twist lock. I haven't used the sunscreen enough to tell you if the Vitamin C has made a difference in my skins appearance, but I know it has worked as far as being water resistant and long lasting! Even Darthypie is OK with wearing it and he remarked that it smelled nice! This is safe for children over the age of 6 months and adults.

The sunscreen is photo stable, which means it wont break down once exposed to sunlight thanks to the Avobenzone AND Octocrylene combination in the ingredient. This sunscreen is free of oxybenzone (which is believed to cause hormone disruption and possibly to cell damage, which can lead to cancer.) and is also paraben free.

The Supergoop! SPF 50 Antioxidant-Infused Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C retails for $19 for a 3 oz spray bottle. You can find it for sale on the Supergoop! website or at Sephora

To learn more about sunscreen, the FDA guidelines and about photo stability check out these articles

Sunscreen 101: What You Need to Know about the New FDA Regulations An Infographic that tells you about the changes the FDA made to Sunscreen terms in 2012

Summertime Means Sunscreen - Explaining the difference between Chemical and Physical Sunscreen

Active Ingredients:
Avobenzone (3.0%), Homosalate (10.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (5.0%), Octocrylene (10.0%)

Inactive Ingredients:
Alcohol Denat, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Tridecyl Neopentanoate, VA/Butyl Maleate/Isobornyl Acrylate Copolymer, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil.

Top 10 Tuesdays - Top 10 Beauty Products for Summer

2013-06-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

I have joined a group of bloggers that will be participating in a Top 10 list post every other Tuesday. This week we are listing our top 10 products for summer. Not all of us have 10 products, but there will be a bevy of items for you review and maybe even be inspired to create your own top 10 list.

So without further ado..here is my top 10 list for Summer:

NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Paris Follies - This warm coral pink just makes me happy! I describe my PERFECT Summer lip gloss to you HERE.

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens - The green tea is unscented and I'm not sure how effective it is, but I do know that these are my favorite blotting linens because they take away the oil and leave my makeup behind!

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner - This is my all time favorite liquid liner. Consistently making my Top 10 lists. This workhorse liquid liner will stay on all day through sun, sweat, sea and pool! You can read my review HERE.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray - This stuff is like hairspray for your face, but it won't buildup or cause breakouts! This spray keeps you from melting down when it's melting outside!

Lancome Dual Finish Powder Foundation - For us oily skinned gals, liquid foundation is not always our friend in the summer heat. Powder foundation is the way to go when you want coverage but nothing too heavy. You can read more about my love for this powder foundation from Lancome HERE.

Mattify Cosmetics Ultra Mattify Powder - Another regular on my Top 10 lists. Mattify Cosmetics makes a bevy of powder primers and foundations that will lee oil at bay for a good part of the day. Remember to use it as a primer after Moisturizing and sunscreen and then on top as a finishing powder. You'll be oil free and matte for hours. You can read more about Mattiy Cosmetics Ultra Mattify Powder HERE.

Clinique Happy Heart EdT - While I understand that fragrance is a very personal choice, I really don't feel like it's Summer if I don't catch light whiffs of this white floral with citrus notes. You can read my review for Clinique Happy Heart HERE.

Sunscreen!! Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 for face, Supergoop! Sunscreen Mist with Vitamin C SPF 50 for Body, and Nivea A Kiss of Protection SPF 30 Lip Balm - Because you just can't have ONE sunscreen. I love me some sun protection! How else can I maintain the porcelain complexion if I don't cover up? The Elta MD Sunscreen is perfect for oily skinned gals as it dries matte with little to no white cast. You can read my review HERE. The Supergoop! Sunscreen Mist with vitamin C keeps you protected with an oil free non sticky finish and the Vitamin C adds some anti-aging properties to your sun protection. Last but not least, people forget sun protection for lips. Nivea a Kiss of Protection with SPF 30 is a super way to keep your pucker from being burned. If you have ever had sunburned lips you know it's not an experience you want to repeat!

Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Mascara Top Coat - Love your current Mascara but it's just not waterproof? This wonderful product from Anastasia will turn any mascara waterproof in an instant. I have yet to review this, but I promise to review it soon. This is a staple in my makeup collection and has saved me from mascara meltdown on many a days.

#10

Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme hair oil - Not only does this hair oil smell delicious, it's good for your hair and protects it from UV damage. Applied to hair before sun exposure, going to the pool or beach, this water soluble oil protects and conditions the hair in a jiff. You can read my review of the Leonor Greyl Huile de Palme HERE.

But wait, there's more!

Well more from some pretty awesome blogs! Check out the links below for more top 10 Summer Beauty Essentials! And leave me a few of your favorite summer "must haves" in the comments section. I'd love to see what you find to be the best for summer!

Cosmetically Challenged Beauty and Fashion Tech Beautiful Makeup Search Phyrra: Beauty for the Bold Prime Beauty polish insomniac Pammy Blogs Beauty Retrodiva's Beauty Gouldylox Reviews Perilously Pale 15 Minute Beauty Beauty Info Zone Older Girl Beauty A Girl's Gotta Spa! The Makeup Blogger

Kiehl's and Marvel Comics team up to help introduce The new Kiehl's Heavy Lifting Facial Fuel for Men

2013-06-04T09:36:00.005-04:00

I think you all know what I geek I am, but when it comes to comic books I prefer the Marvel universe over the DC universe. Marvel has such greats as Spiderman, Ironman, The Punisher, THOR! My dreamy heartthrob from Asgard and of course Captain America!! Well the Captain and Kiehl's are teaming up to introduce their new Facial Fuel “Heavy Lifting”. This Firming, Lifting, Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer for Men is the latest innovation to Kiehl’s popular Facial Fuel franchise. Kiehl's claims that “Heavy Lifting” is a clinically-demonstrated anti-aging treatment specifically formulated for men’s thicker, coarser skin.

To help introduce this new men’s product, Kiehl’s and Marvel Custom Solutions enlisted Captain America (A.K.A. Steve Rogers) for a Limited Edition Captain America comic book . This comic will deliver an action-packed adventure set in the Kiehl’s historic New York Flagship store. No only does this 12-page story weave in characters from Kiehl’s past and present, but it also features the legendary Avenger (Captain America, started The Avengers BTW) in a dramatic conflict with Cobra (A sinister mercenary by the name of Klaus Voorhees. He was part of the Serpent Squad). Cobra is attempting to steal artifacts (The science equipment of Dr. Abraham Erskine) that may have been used to transform the skinny Steve Rogers into the muscular Super Soldier. Oops. I think I went on waaaay too long about the comic book. I might be a little more excited about that than the new Heavy Lifting product.

Kiehl's will feature Captain America in in-store displays and on Kiehls.com. The Limited Edition Captain America Comic Book will be available complimentary with any Kiehl’s purchase, beginning June 4, 2013, while supplies last.

So what is this Heavy Lifting Facial Fuel supposed to do? Well first we need to understand that Men's skin can be different than women's skin. According to Kiehl's, men’s skin is thicker, with 25% more collagen. This thickness impacts the way men’s skin ages – more slowly at first, but displaying deeper and more pronounced wrinkles later. This thickness also impacts how effective an anti-aging moisturizer can be. To master the challenge that men’s thicker skin presents, proper exfoliation within this moisturizer was key. for the second action – lifting and firming Considering that a man’s skin is subject to more damage, pollutants and daily shaving, men require a product that is able to act on wrinkles while decreasing any inflammation and free radical damage on the skin known to decrease puffiness, and Vitamin C, a well youthful, healthier looking skin. Finally, a man’s skin is oilier and tends to sweat more. shy away from hydrating for fear of adding more oil. Kiehl's chemists formulated this product with glycerin, known for its ability to absorb moisture without any greasiness or added oily appearance.

Heavy Lifting is formulated with:

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA) - This provides targeted exfoliation and helps smooth imperfections on the skin.
Linseed Extract - This natural extract is rich in oligosaccharides ( = sugars) and proteins. It is known to provide strong Anti aging capabilities to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase firmness.

Hybridur & Soybean Extract - These "tensing" (tightening) ingredients help lift and firm skin. Hybridur is a polymer that offers visible tightening benefits to the skin, while Soybean extract is rich in oil and polypeptides.

Glycerin - This humectant draws moisture from the air to help increase hydration of the skin.

Caffeine - A signature Facial Fuel ingredient known for its stimulating and energizing properties.

Vitamin C and E - Signature Facial Fuel ingredients that are known for their powerful antioxident properties (anti-aging)

Cocoa Seed Butter - A natural butter that nourishes the skin and protects the skin barrier.

So now that you see the benefits of this new Kiehl's product AND the fact that Marvel Comic is offering a limited edition 12 page comic book featuring Captain America, how can you resist getting this for yourself for for that special man in your life that LOVES comics.

The Kiehl's Facial Fuel in Heavy Lifting retails for $40 USD and can be purchased in Kiehl's boutiques around the country as well as online at kiehls.com

Lise Watier Palette India Eyeshadows - Review, Swatches, Pictures

2013-06-03T10:49:00.002-04:00

I might be on a Lise Watier India Gold 2013 Summer Collection Kick. My latest experience with the Palette India Eyeshadows has been a complete 180 from my last experience with a Lise Watier eyeshadow quad I wrote about a few months back. These shadows are soft, pigmented and have a decent staying power. That's all I ask for in an eyeshadow palette. It's just …well. OK. I do also ask for taupe, and there is one shade that miiiight be considered taupe in this collection, it's just. I would certainly be stretching the definition of taupe to call this one shadow a taupe. Therefore, I will not call the one shadow a taupe and I will mark this day in history that I Pink Sith A.K.A. Elvira have fallen in love with a palette that DOES NOT contain a taupe eyeshadow!

I know, right? It's like "Alert The Media" Pink Sith likes something other than taupe. I'm a little surprised myself. Trust me. I'm a neutral eyeshadow hoarder. I don't think a day goes by where I shun colorful shades in favor of a nice neutral. It's difficult to get me to branch out from my taupes, browns, greys, beiges, and creams Truly it is.

The Palette India Eyeshadows are set in a golden round compact with an India-inspired motif. The palette is larger than my hand but not unwieldy and fits into my makeup case easily.

There are six eyeshadows in the palette, and they range from neutral to quite vibrant. There is a neutral beige, a dark teal, a blue based purple, a warm pink, an orangery copper and a warm yellow based gold. All shades, with the exception of the pink, are shimmery/frosty finish. The pink has a slight satin finish, but t is not frosty or matte.

The quality of the shadows are excellent. Soft and creamy, these powered shadows apply like a dream. The shadows blend effortlessly and they last a decent 8-10 hours with a primer. Even on my oily lids I experienced no creasing or fading for a full 8 hours on most days and 10 hours on days when I didn't venture outside in the 90+ F degree heat (that's 32 C for you all on the metric system…which would be everyone but the Americans, the Liberians and the Burmese. *sigh* I digress.).

The colors are VERY summery, well I think they are, and there are interchangeable and can give you a variety of looks. What I love most about the Lise Watier India Gold Collection is the beautiful addition of color to an otherwise more conservative line of products. Sure, Lise Watier has colorful cosmetics. They have some stunning glitter/creme shadows, but this Summer collection, specifically seems like such a beautiful addition to a neutral lover's makeup arsenal, that It's hard to pass up an opportunity to work some beautiful colors into your daily neutral looks.

Now, I'm not a real artist when it comes to eyeshadow application. (If you want to see great artistry with color check out Phyrra's blog. She does some stunning looks with colorful shows.) I'm a neutral gal and even so, my skills are limited to a crease color and sometimes blending enough that it looks as if I was trying to be clever…"looks as if" is the operative phrase there. Anyhoo. I have a few eye looks that I came up with that I'm proud enough with that I will show them to you …but don't expect some work of art. These pictures are shown more to give you an idea of how the colors in this palette would work together.

Beige and Teal

Gold and Purple

Gold, Copper and Pink

The Lise Watier Palette India Eyeshadows retails for $42 (that's $7 a shadow) and can be found on www.lisewatier.us. What say you? If you are a neutral lover, can you see yourself using this palette? If you love colorful shadows, is this palette colorful enough for you?

Beauty Spotlight

2013-06-02T14:17:00.001-04:00

It's Prime Beauty's turn to get dumped on the desert island with her 12 must-have products. She's hoping she'll meet a handsome island man who will appreciate her efforts!

The Lipstick League – week of 5.27.13

2013-06-01T11:45:00.001-04:00

Question of the Week - Are there any beauty products that receive a lot of hype but don’t work for YOU?

Answer: For some reason Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (The pink and green tube) gets awards and adulations all the time, but the stuff does nothing for my lashes, flakes, runs and smears like crazy on me.

Pink Sith - Afraid of commitment? The Perlier 8-piece Mini Shower Cream and Body Balm Set will help you decide on just the right scent for your luxury bath & body needs.

Prime Beauty - discovers three little innocent looking glosses that have a power she can't resist from Votre Vu!

Phyrra - asks, wondering how you can carry your camera in style? Phyrra shows you the Kelly Moore B Hobo bag - the best handbag for beauty and fashion bloggers!

Vampy Varnish - ready to create your Bronzing Wardrobe? Check out all eight of the Too Faced Bronzers and see which ones might suit you best!

we heart this - asks "wanna win a $150 Shopbop gift card courtesy of Nivea? Answer: Duh!

Beauty Junkies Unite - Every day is a summer holiday with these gorgeous new nail lacquers from the new butter LONDON Summer Holiday Collection!

Clumps of Mascara - adores Josie Maran and is happy to see that she’s added some shimmer to her products. Look at thaaaat!

Gouldylox Reviews - I'm wondering, where do you prefer to shop for makeup, Ulta or Sephora? Tell me, please!

Lipglossiping - favours the florals this week with a look at four of her favourite violet-noted fragrances.

My Beauty Bunny - Need to get your skin into summer shape? We've got a set of Nourish Organic Body Washes to Giveaway in four delicious scents; Almond Vanilla, Fresh Fig, Lavender Mint and Wild Berries.

Nouveau Cheap - puts the newest jumbo eye pencils from CoverGirl to the test. Come find out if the Flamed Out Shadow Pencils are worth your hard-earned pennies...

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by Pink Sith - Another Canadian blogger has captured my heart! This time it’s Sheila from the *Maddy Loves blog. She caught my attention with information and pictures of the Chanel Fall 2013 collection and kept my attention with her great selection of reviews.

Lise Watier Nail Lacquer in Gulabi - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2013-05-31T09:26:00.001-04:00

Part of the India Gold Summer 2013 Collection from Lise Watier includes a limited edition nail lacquer called Gulabi. Gulabi happens to be one of the oldest residential areas in Northern Delhi, India. Gulabi is also home to the famous Bandar Park, a monkey park that you have probably seen on a National Geographic or some such documentary channel.

But what you may not know is that there is a group on India called The Gulabi Gang. Gulabi is Hindi for "Pink". This "gang" is a group of women active across Northern India formed in 2006. The Gulabi Gang fights against domestic abuse and other violence against women. They have gone so far as to visit abusive husbands and beat them with bamboo sticks or laathis to make them stop abusing their wives. They are also active in stopping child marriages, protesting dowries for women and helping to stop female illiteracy. The group has over 20,000 members and even has a chapter in Paris, France.

In 2010, a documentary was made about the Gulabi Gang called "Pink Saris". Described in IMDB as:

"Internationally acclaimed director Kim Longinotto’s Pink Saris is an unflinching and often amusing look at the all-women vigilante Gulabi Gang in Northern India and their charismatic leader, who acts as judge and jury for girls and women who are being abused by outlawed patriarchal traditions and the caste system."

This subtitled documentary is on my next to watch list and is available on HBO, which I happen to have a subscription to. Lucky Me!

Regardless of the meaning or story behind the word "Gulabi", we are talking about nail polish here. So let's put away our lesson books for the day and get down to the task of talking about beauty!

Not only is this a stunning pinky-coral-bright summer color perfect for tips or toes, but the cap of the nail polish LIGHTS UP! The cap has a little built in LCD light that with a simple click, will light up along the brush so you can see clearly what you are doing! How cool is that? I am amused by such simple things. A light up cap, a shiny mirror, a banana, I might as well be a monkey from the Bandar park after all.

The bottle shows a slight shimmer or pearlescent quality to the color but on the nails all I see is a cream finish that is quite glossy. The photos in this post all show three coats of the Lise Watier Gulabi Nail Lacquer with no top coat. I used three coats, but two will suffice for an opaque finish.

The formula is good and fluid, not too sticky and no cuticle drag. It dried fairly quickly, but with three coats it did take a little longer than usual. The wear was decent, no chipping or cracking with a top coat and only minor tip wear after a few days.

Do you NEED this? Well it does look like the quintessential color for summer and even on my pale and pasty white hands this color pops...imagine it on someone with actual pigment in their skin? This is going to look amazing! And don't get me started on this color for a pedicure. No, really. Don't. I hate feet, and talking about feet, and pictures of feet.... Seriously. So YES. You NEED this. It is such a pretty color, even I like looking at my own feet when this is on my toes!

The Lise Watier Nail Lacquer in Gulabi is Limited Edition and retails for $13 USD. You can find it at www.lisewatier.us.

Thursday Poll

2013-05-30T09:25:00.005-04:00

There is nothing worse than looking at a blank screen with a flashing cursor staring back at you. Mocking you. Laughing at the fact that your brain, which is usually filled with so many ideas and words, is now a barren wasteland with nothing but "Moves Like Jagger" lyrics bouncing around a cavernous hole that once was your imagination.

Just shoot for the stars

If it feels right

And aim for my heart

If you feel like

That is my brain at the moment. I thought that by typing out the fact that I have writer's block it would allow my brain to wake up and come up with some super awesome topic, but alas, no.

All the moves like Jagger

I've got the moves like Jagger

I've got the moooooooooves like Jagger

It's not working. All I can see is Adam Levine dancing around on stage without his shirt and all his tattoos covering his body. He sure is pretty. He's too skinny for my taste, but he has a certain sex appeal none the less.

I don't need to try to control you

Look into my eyes and I'll own you

With them moves like Jagger

I've got the moves like Jagger

I've got the mooooooooooves like Jagger

I don't even like Maroon 5 or even listen to pop music. I prefer bands like Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and Disturbed. So why does this song invade every thought I have right now? I have writers block, and Adam Levine is not helping with his insipid lyrics about being able to dance like Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger basically dances like an epileptic Parkinsons patient...or as some call it, "Crunking". Oh great. Now I'm gonna get haters because I made fun of a dance style that is over 10 years old. When I did a google search on crunking I found all sorts of Crunking/Krumping videos, but Tommy The Clown (An awesome dude by the name of Thomas Johnson) showed up in my search. Here is a video:

The whole clown thing made me think of Insane Clown Posse or ICP and their fans, the Juggalos. Now all clowns are evil (except Tommy the Clown), and all clowns probably carry knives or have bodies buried in a crawlspace under their home. So I pretty much think any band that willingly wears clown makeup AND is as ignorant as ICP (They don't even know how magnets work!)

(This 11 second video is NSFW due to bad language or NSFLife due to the fact that it's an ICP video)

is a pretty evil thing. This totally gets my mind off of the fact that I have nothing to write about and that "Moves Like Jagger" song is out of my head! Whoot! Mission Accomplished!

I've got the moves like Jagger

I've got the mooooooooooves like Jagger

Nooooooooooooo!!
On To The Poll!

1. Lip Of The Day? - Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Incognito #316. It's a nice nude lip that doesn't make me look like a corpse. I'm wearing a pretty dark and heavy eye today so I figured I should tone it down with the lip.

2. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Also known as an "Earworm". - Moves like Jagger, but usually it is Brittney Spears "Oops. I Did It Again". I don't know all the words, jut the chorus so that on an indefinite loop in my brain is pretty crappy.

3. What beauty item for Summer is on your "Must Have" list? - Mattifying Primer. My skin still looks like a hot mess in summer as it does any other time of the year so I wear foundation all the time. My mattifying primer from Mattify Cosmetics is a LIFE SAVER! It keeps me from melting and shining for several hours!

4. True or False. All Clowns are Evil. (There is only one correct answer) - TRUE!

5. Since tanning in the sun or booth is a no-no for your health, do you use a self tanner? If you still tan in the sun or the booth, please don't let me know, because I'll worry about you. - I do not use any self tanners. I prefer to remain my ghostly shade of beluga whale white. My paleness is a badge of honor. It's almost offensive how pale I am. It's like saying a big "F*CK YOU" to all the people at the pool/beach/lake when reveal my pasty white skin to the public. I like it that way.

Perlier 8-piece Mini Shower Cream and Body Balm Set with Bag - Review

2013-05-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

Did you ever buy a shower gel or body lotion only to find out once it was shipped to you that the scent did absolutely nothing for you? Or worse yet, the scent was repulsive to you? Now you're stuck with a fancy shower cream or body balm and you can't stand the thought of using it because of the scent. What about buying a fancy new body balm and finding out it's not as moisturizing as you had hoped..or the opposite, it's a bit too moisturizing for what you intended it for. Now you're stuck with this tub of body cream and no way to use it. Well thanks to the good folks from Perlier and HSN.com you don't have to guess and hope. HSN.com is offering an 8 piece sample bag for you to test and see which bath creams and body balms work best for you and your discerning sniffer!

Perlier is a body care brand located near Turin Italy. They have an on-going commitment to research and their team of botanists, biologists, agronomists, physicians, and chemists and pharmacists are the key to the success of this brand. Perlier's offices and labs sit on over 150 acres of land, free of pesticides and insecticides. This is where Perlier cultivates, under strict control, the plants, flowers and honey from which the ingredients are taken for their products. Perlier has been Italy's premier manufacturer of luxury Bath and Body treatments for over 80 years. They are committed to developing the best skin bath and body care, and the most powerful natural products that science can deliver - all with NO ANIMAL TESTING. The best part is that Perlier has a direct and sensible approach to skin care. They don't promise miracles, just efficient results.

Let's take a closer look at the items that come in this set:

First off I found ALL the Shower Creams and ALL the Body Balms to be effective with moisturization, but not overly moisturizing. I still had to apply body lotion (or in this case, body balm) after showering. All the shower creams lathered up nicely and all rinsed clean. It did not feel as it there was a film on my skin, nor did it feel as if there was any excessive stripping of the natural oils of my skin while using the shower creams. All the Body Balms were creamy and absorbed well into my skin, after showering. They did not feel excessively greasy, but there was a definite feel of having a body balm when applied to the feet and hands. The main reason being is that feet with lotion will feel slippery no matter what, and hand cream can take a little longer to absorb if one has JUST come out of the shower. All in all, I liked the results I achieved from using the Perlier products...the real test, however, is with the fragrance.

The main thing that sold me on this set was the honey scented products. I LOVE the scent of honey. Honey anything in bath cream or shower gel, lotion, perfume, shampoo, oils, etc is my weakness. If it has honey in it, I want it! The fragrance for the Perlier Honey products is not strong. In fact, none of the items in this sampler have an overly strong fragrance. For the Honey scent, it is not overpowering and not synthetic smelling, but it is also so light that some less sensitive noses might miss the fragrance entirely. I still love it tho. In fact, I like to combine the body balm with a little bit of a very expensive By Killian fragrance so that the scent layering of honey and a base note of honey in the perfume keep the delicious scent with me longer in the day.

As far as the other products go:

Olivarium Bath & Shower Cream Mini and Olivarium Body Cream Mini have a fresh herbal scent. Almost a green scent without being too feminine. The Olivarium is a good unisex fragrance. It's so nice that Mr. Sith enjoyed using up the last of it while he was showering. He asked if I was going to get a full size bottle, in passing, mind you. He didn't make a point of asking, but did find a sly way to work it into the conversation. When Mr. Sith takes the time to notice a shower get, you better believe it's pretty awesome. Much to my relief, the Olivarium products do not smell like Olive Oil. That is the basis for the moisturizing properties of this set, but overall the scent is a clean and refreshing green/herbal scent. Its a close runner up to the honey, for me and a number one favorite of Mr. Sith.

The Shea Butter with Citrus Extract Cream Shower Mini and Shea Butter with Citrus Extract Body Balm Mini have such a light and refreshing citrus scent that it will fool you into thinking that you have a Sicilian lemon tree growing in your shower. OK. Not really, but that's where the citrus fragrance comes from, in addition to limes and oranges. This is not an overpowering synthetic citrus scent. That alone makes me admire this duo. But the fact that the scent is strong enough for only ME to smell it, makes this a keeper.

Last but not least is the White Almond Shower Cream Mini and White Almond Body Cream Mini. A lot of Almond scented products make me ill. I'm pretty sure it is because they use TOO MUCH of that almond fragrance in the product. The Perlier White Almond duo is lightly scented and delicate. It reminds me of visiting the shops in Sicily where they make some of the most amazing marzipan creations. I don't dare go in the shops because I would turn into a vacuum and inhale the entire stock of marzipan. I keep a safe distance and a wall of glass between me and my food weakness. The faint scent of Marzipan wafts through the air as people enter and exit the shops. That's enough to keep me sated until I can savor one delectable piece of the sweet almond paste confection. Until then, I can keep my "addiction" at bay whilst using the Perlier White Almond Bath Cream and Body balm. It's just scented enough to entice, but not so much that I go on a marzipan frenzy.

Do you NEED this? If you are on the market for a high end shower cream and or body balm, this is the set for you. If you want to have little shower creams and body balms for your guests this summer, then this set is for you. If you travel and want to take a little luxury with you, this is the set for you. If you just like variety, then ...well, you get the idea. BUT if you were recently browsing the Neiman Marcus website (like I was) and came across the Perlier 3 Liter Honey Miel Shower Gel bottle and had a minor coronary at the $125 price tag, then you will REALLY like the fact that you can purchase a huge 3 liter bottle of the Honey Miel Shower Gel on HSN.com for only $79! That's right. Be a fresh smelling and clean as a lady who lunches at Neimans for less money! OK. I know that's not really an incentive, but that is a great discount. Don't you think?

The Perlier 8-piece Mini Shower Cream and Body Balm Set with Bag retails for a mere $19.95. That's a terrific price for high end shower and bath products if you ask me. Oh what's that? You want a discount? Well guess what. I have one for you! Thanks to the loverly ladies at iFabbo, who sent this sampler to me, you can now receive $5 off ANY Perlier product purchase at HSN.com by using the code ifabbo5

So what say you? Any of these fragrances entice you? What is your favorite bath gel/Shower cream scent? Do you like to have matching body wash and lotion scents?

Guilty Pleasures and ABCs Mistresses - Sponsored

2013-05-28T11:00:00.000-04:00

A Guilty Pleasure is defined as something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. The "guilt" involved is sometimes simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes, such as campy styles of entertainment. Fashion, video games, music, films, and junk food can be examples of guilty pleasures. We all have them. We all will admit to most of them, among friends, but to put it out there on the internet for all to see? Well that's another story. Bust as I have promised to bring you the unflinching view of beauty and geekery I bring you some of my guilty pleasures.

1. Makeup! Playing dress up with makeup. I don't really own fancy clothing, so when I want to play dress up, I dress up my face. I rarely have the time to do this any more, what with Darthypie taking up most of my time, but when I find myself with uninterrupted time and a little glitter on hand, I go crazy doing up my eyes, lips, cheeks and heck, whole face with crazy makeup. Since my application skills kinda suck, I don't ever publish those photos, but it's still fun to play with makeup from time to time.

2. FOOD! Of course certain foods are a guilty pleasure. There is that certain famous chocolate hazelnut spread that we all know and love. I could sit down with bag of pretzels and just dip and eat to my hearts content. I totally feel guilty after eating it because it's so bad for me, but not all that guilty because it seems like everyone else would probably, or does do the same thing. Another food item I adore is ... that canned meat synonymous with unwanted e-mail.

Yes. Canned meat. Oh so popular for being hated, I love the stuff. I love it fried most of all. It gets this crispy coating on the outside and a juicy feel inside. I can't describe how delicious it is. Yes. I know it's probably made from gross parts of animals that I don't even want to know about, but I do keep a certain level of denial when eating the stuff. I know that 1.39 million Hawaiians can't be wrong, since it is one highest per capita areas in the US where this dish is served. In fact, in Hawaii, they even serve it in sushi form. You know I must now go to Hawaii to eat that tasty dish!

3. Music! If I am in my car and I'm with Mr. Sith or without him, I always love to belt out bad 1980's ballads. It particularly bothers Darthypie when we sing these songs together as he just wants to listen to the soundtrack for The Empire Strikes Back or a John Williams CD...but I have to give my little guy some "culture" and stuff to talk with his future Therapist about, right? I just pop on over to the 80's channel and songs like:

Everytime you go Away - by Paul Young

We Belong - by Pat Benatar

Der Kommissar - by After the Fire

I can Dream About you - by Dan Hartman

Waiting for a Girl like you - by Foreigner

Kyrie - by Mr. Mister

A Little Respect - by Erasure

Broken Wings - by Mr. Mister

Break my Stride - by Matthew Wilder

Sister Christian - by Night Ranger

Don't Stop Believin' - by Journey

I mean when a band has 2 songs on this list, you know they are truly CHEEZEY Music from the 1980's. Thank you Mr. Mister! it's amazing how many of the lyrics I remember after all these years. I can't remember what the Peloponnesian War was about or how long the 100 years war lasted (hint, it was longer than 100 years 1337-1453), but I can sing every word to "I can dream about you" by Dan Hartman. I may not remember that Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States, but I sure as heck remember every single lyric to "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger. I think if they taught American history, Math and Science while playing power ballads from the 1980's we would have a nation of really smart kids.

4. TV! If I have 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time to do absolutely nothing, I'm playing with my makeup, but in the background, I'll have the TV on. and what will be on the TV? Usually reality television. I hate to admit ti, but I love watching reality TV. It's a sort of exercise in Schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is a German word meaning pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. By watching Reality TV I can prove to myself that my life isn't all that bad. After all, at least my every move and thought is not televised for millions to see every day and on and on through syndication...right? If it's not reality TV, I'll probably be watching some soap opera style show with some serious over the top "drama". While it might not be "real" it's still a form of Schadenfreude when I watch shows like that. And speaking of Guilty pleasure TV...

Click to see more ABCs Mistresses

ABC has a new television series coming out. Four friends. Four hearts. 13 weeks of seduction. Based on the hit UK television series of the same name, "Mistresses" is a provocative and thrilling drama about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery. These four friends find support and guidance with each other as they brave their turbulent journeys and life's storms of excitement, secrecy and betrayal, all the while bound by the complex relationships they've created. "Mistresses" stars Alyssa Milano, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes and Jes Macallan. Don't miss the series premiere Monday, June 3rd at 10|9c on ABC after an all-new "The Bachelorette."

So, what are some of YOUR guilty pleasures?

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by ABC via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of ABC.