Pink Sith

Foundation Fridays Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup - Review Pictures Swatches

2012-05-25T08:21:00.001-04:00

Welcome again to Foundation Friday! I thought I would take a break from BB creams and tell you about a powder foundation that I have been using off an on for 15 years! Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup. My color is Matte Porcelain I (C) (The lightest shade…of course)

The Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup is actually VERSATILE! How nice of them to use truth in advertising. This powder can be used wet or dry. It provides a range of coverage from full to light but the finish is always matte. I personally like to use it applied with a kabuki brush over my BB cream for a flawless finish, but you can apply it on a bare, yet moisturized and primed face.

The powder comes with two puffs. One is a fairly thick makeup type sponge puff and the other is a thin touch up application puff. If you choose to apply the powder wet and dry I prefer to use only one side of the powder for wet application because the powder does seem to get a bit of a crust on it when it dries from being used wet. The "wet application" puff is sturdy and rinses out well, remember to keep it clean because you don't want to harbor bacteria on the sponge and transfer it to your face, right?

As far as application goes, here is what I like to do. For wet application, I put the puff under the tap, get the puff wet, wring it out and then apply it to the powder. Once you have transferred enough to the sponge I like to alternate between smoothing a patting the sponge on my face working in sections. Then once the foundation is applied and dried I like to take a kabuki brush and buff it out to eliminate any lines or marks from application. The finish is almost opaque. When applying dry I use a kabuki brush and apply it in circular movements working in sections around my face. The coverage can range from medium to light depending on how much powder you use. The most important thing to remember about the finish is that it looks almost flawless. I get this airbrushed look to my skin which I ADORE!

The things I like about this foundation:

It does not break me out! Unlike MAC Studio Fix which broke me out terribly, Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup does not irritate my skin, cause breakouts or seem to cause any blemishes.

The Powder never seems to settle into my pores or fine lines. It does not emphasise fine lines or pores as long as I prep my skin for application first (Primer / Moisturizer)

You can achieve different levels of coverage

It does tend to keep the oilies at bay slightly longer when I use it over my BB cream.

The powder comes in 26 different shades. It has a nice range of colors and tones for warm or cool skin. (Most important it comes in a shade light enough for ME!)

The compact is well designed. It can easily fit in my purse or makeup bag, comes with an ample mirror, and a protective plastic tray for the puff to rest on inside the compact

The things I don't like about this foundation:

…

OK. so some people complain about the scent of the powder, but I guess I have been using it so long I have grown used to the scent.

Some people complain about the price. It retails for $36.50. I guess I have become jaded because I don't think that's too much to pay for a department store foundation. (Hello Armani LSF is almost $60!)

Do you NEED this? If you have oily or combination skin, this powder foundation might be just the thing you are looking for this summer. It provides a great matte finish, works well with oily to combo skin and comes in a wide range of shades. If you have dry skin, I really don't recommend using this powder foundation. It won't emphasize fine lines, but I doubt your dry skin would feel comfortable all day long using it. Now here's the thing. I said I had been using this off and on for 15 years. I go through phases where I use it, then I find a new foundation landfall in love with that and the Lancome Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup goes by the way side. Then my skin starts looking wonky and I reach for the Lancome and POOF! My skin looks awesome again. I'm not sure why I keep doing this to myself, but I am VERY glad that this is one of the few foundations that Lancome has NOT discontinued in the last 15 years! I'm not sure what I would do if I didn't have it anymore.

Thursday Poll

2012-05-24T08:42:00.003-04:00

This has been the longest week ever. It always seems that the week before a holiday is soooo long. I have this Friday off of work and Monday is Memorial Day in the US, so I actually get 4 day weekend instead of a 3 day weekend. What bugs me about the US is that now almost every holiday there is a costume for sale that goes along with it. You know, nothing says 'I Love America' more than a metallic blue lamé bustier and hot pants.

Or how about this one paying homage to your German ancestry yet still feelin the red white and blue with a Hofbräuhaus Server outfit in patriotic colors, of course.

Want to pay homage to the military this Memorial Day? Well why not dress up as a slutty sailor. Nothing says 'I respect the women and men in uniform' more, than a lot of cleavage or white fishnet stockings.

Lest we forget our most beloved icon of freedom in America, The Statue of Liberty. Why not give that French gal a much needed makeover with a micro mini dress made from fabric cut to the same size as our actual Constitution!

Ah yes. America. Red, White, Blue and slutty. Don't get me wrong. I'm not hating on the pretty women in these photos. They all have beautiful bodies. What I don't like is that these costumes give the impression that nothing is sacred anymore. That SEX has to be inserted (pardon the pun) into all facets of our celebrations. I'm not a prude. I like to look and feel sexy. I just think there is a time and a place for it. Going out to a nightclub = Look sexy. Going to a memorial day picnic = Look pretty, the sexy can come later when you are participating in the memorial day car wash and you re-enact that scene from Cool Hand Luke.

it get's kinda hot and heavy at the 2:45 min mark.

You've never seen that movie? Dude! Watch it. It's awesome.

But back to my point. a) You don't need a costume for every freakin holiday. I saw costumes for St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day. I bet there is even a slutty Easter costume out there! There sure as heck are slutty Mrs. Claus costumes. b) You don't need to dress like a slut to look sexy. Sure. Show off the goods from time to time. You work hard to look that good, but sometimes cutoff shorts and a t-shirt look sexier to a guy than star spangled hot pants. c) I can't believe you haven't seen Cool Hand Luke?! The "What we have here is a failure to communicate." line is from that movie. "No One can eat 50 eggs." scene is awesome. Plus Paul Newman looks hot!

Sexy costumes do have their place. Halloween, Costume Parties, Comic Book conventions, The Bedroom, but please let's keep the day when we honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, a little less provocative. (and yes I see the irony of asking people to not use their "freedom of expression" AKA Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, on a day where we honor people who fought to maintain that RIGHT. I'm just making a suggestion. It's not like I'm trying to pass some law that will limit someones ability to have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That would be Un-American.) <---- see what I did there?

On To The Poll!

1. Blush Of The Day? - Chanel Joues Contraste in In Love. A bright orange-y coral. I'm wearing it trying to convince myself that I don't need to buy the limited edition JC from Asia in Fleur de Lotus because they look similar.

2. Latest beauty acquisition or upcoming beauty acquisition? - I recently received a bottle of the Dita Von Teese perfume from my UK friend Hayley at London Beauty Queen blog. I really like it and it smells sexy!

3. Name one of your favorite movies made before 1970? - There are a ton, obviously, but Cool Hand Luke I mentioned above so I don't wanna cheat and name another.

4. Speaking of sluts, what beauty brand(s) are you a total HOOR for? - I'm an equal opportunity HOOR, but I must say that Guerlain and Chanel are neck and neck.

5. What was one of your most favorite costumes (I have asked this question before, sorry) - My favorite costume is still the same. The time I went as Satan's Cheerleader for Halloween one year.

Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm - Review

2012-05-23T13:05:00.001-04:00

I have a confession. Sometimes, when Mr. Sith isn't at home, I watch TV infomercials. I know. I think I might be the only one that does, but they just suck me in. Especially the ones focusing on beauty like hair care, skin care, makeup, etc. I wonder what it would be like to be in an Infomercial.

(slow dissolve mimicking the standard TV dream/imagination sequence whilst harp music plays)

TV Announcer

Introducing the amazing, the incredible Slice-o-matic!

(Cue fanfare music)

TV Announcer Voice

It slices, it dices, it chops and minces. This all in one handy slice-o-matic is made with industrial grade stainless steel and plastic.

(Cue Trumpets playing Ta-Da!)

TV Announcer

Not Convinced? Here are some customer testimonials!

(Dissolve to Pink Sith giving a customer testimonial)

Pink Sith

Oh yeah. The choppy thing. It's OK. I was chopping onions in it yesterday and it was the first time my eyes didn't tear up while cutting them, so I guess that's cool. Oh speaking of eyes, I really want to tell you about this Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm!

(holds up box of the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm)

Pink Sith

I have tried tons of eye gels and creams. I had one that I loved dearly, but it was fairly expensive and because of the packaging, it was in a jar, it lost it's potency fairly quickly. The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm hydrated the delicate skin around my eyes, plumped up fine lines, and worked really well under makeup.

(Pan back to TV announcer looking at Pink Sith like she's insane)

TV Announcer - miffed

Thank you Pink! Now, as I was saying...

(Pink Sith steals microphone from announcer and grabs the camera lens to focus on her again)

Pink Sith

I wasn't finished.

(gives TV Announcer death stare and shows the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm bottle to the camera)

Pink Sith

This balm has a gel-like texture that soothes and prevents skin irritation. But that's not all. This wonder balm diminishes signs of aging and fatigue around the eye! But wait! There's more! The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm is said to increase the tolerance of your skin in the eye contour area and it will protects it from allergic reactions thereby reducing sensitivity as well as reactivity. Hold on, because have even more to tell you! The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm provides your skin with a surge of hydrating comfort that lasts all day! And one more thing! The Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm comes in an airless pump which dispenses just the right amount for each use. I have been using it for 3 months and I really have seen a difference in the skin around my eyes. I was...

(TV Announcer snatches the mic away from Pink Sith and adjusts the camera)

TV Announcer - irritated

Thank you again Pink. Now back to the subject at hand......

(Pink Sith commandeers the mic and camera and starts running with both)

Pink Sith - short of breath

I was skeptical at first when I started using this eye balm, but I saw over time that this has a great cumulative effect. Now this isn't cheap. It costs $95 for 0.5 oz but I found it to be worth the money, personally. You may think otherwise, but that's cool. I'm not the one trying to sell a product, I'm just a customer testimonial. In fact...

(Pink Sith is tackled by the TV announcer, who happens to be wearing a toupee and it is flopped over to one side revealing his bald spot. The TV Announcer and Pink Sith wrestle with the camera and microphone whilst expletives are heard from both parties. Video feed on camera goes in and out mixed with snow and a test pattern. Suddenly the camera transmits a clear picture of a disheveled Pink Sith)

Pink Sith - Breathless

In fact

(Pink Sith adjusts her shirt and gives an annoyed look to the now unconscious TV Announcer)

Pink Sith

I received this as a sample from Natura Bisse but I fully intend to purchase my own when this one runs out. That's the only down side to this product. Because the packaging is opaque I have no idea how much is left in the bottle. When will it run out? That is a mystery to me.

(Pink Sith smooths down her tousled hair and nudges the unconscious TV Announcer with her foot. He slowly starts to regain consciousness.)

Pink Sith

Thanks for joining us today. I hope you enjoyed our program. remember you can purchase the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Eye Recovery Balm from Neiman Marcus or from Natura Bisse's own website. You can also call my pal Kathy Shoreman at 571-533-4972 with Neiman Marcus and she can help you out with a purchase over the phone and tell you about other products from the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical line.

(end infomercial)

Yeah. Probably not a good idea that I be in one. I'm not really photogenic and I hear the camera adds 10 pounds.

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

Freeze 24/7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask - Review

2012-05-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

image from dermstore.com

You know how I'm a sucker for gimmicks, right?

You know how I love self foaming products, especially oxygen masks, right?

Well now Freeze 24/7 has made the ideal cleanser for me. It's self foaming and it acts like an oxygen mask to boot!

OK. Let me explain. Freeze 24-7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask provides cleansing, purification, detoxification and hydration. All in one cleanser! I have been using this as a mask and cleanser for a few weeks now and I have already seen a decrease in the amount of clogged pores that have camped out on my forehead. Seriously! I wish I had taken before and after pictures but I really had no idea that this cleanser would be able to get rid of some of those clogged pores. The cleanser is also able to remove makeup and impurities as is able to moisturize and leave the skin soft. Check, Check, and Check! It's also supposed to calm irritated skin. Check!

I do have to admit that I did not use this cleanser to remove all of my makeup. I still use my oil cleansing method to do that, but I did notice that once I rinsed this cleanser off I had no residue left on the cotton pads from my toner.

The cleanser is a bit different. You are supposed to apply it to damp skin. This gel formula foams up like .... like those shaving gels that turn to foam. But not quite as foamy and this actually cleans your skin. It's pretty cool actually. You won't see bubbles per se, but you will get major foaming action. You can also use this as a mask. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and rinse off. I kinda treat this as a mask cleanser every night. I apply it to my damp skin, let it foam up. any Mr. Sith by trying to kiss him while wearing the foamy mask.cleanser and by the time he relents it's time to wash it off. What I see when I rinse off this cleanser is clean, happy skin. My skin is not tight or overly dry, it looks happy like I just had facial and it feels soft.

I have read that some people complain about a film left on their skin after rinsing away this cleanser. I too have experienced this, but I started to use a muslin cloth to rinse the cleanser away, and since I started to do that, I have not noticed any film remaining on my skin.

According to Freeze 24/7 the Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask contains a "proprietary complex of Bio-transformed Rice Bran and Hydrolyzed Soy Protein for deep cleansing, maximum skin purification, detoxification and hydration." It can be used as a shaving cream...humm. This product is NOT tested on animals and contains NO animal by-products. It is Dermatologist Tested, Hypoallergenic and Non-irritating. OK, The shaving cream attribute is still sticking with me because the more I used this cleanser the more I felt like I was putting shave gel on my face. BUT The more I used this cleanser the more BETTER ("more better" not grammatically correct) my skin looked. I couldn't deny the results that were staring back at me in the mirror. This cleanser is awesome!

OK. 2 cons to this cleanser.

1. The packaging. I'm not sure why the Freeze 24/7 packaging has not changed over the last decade but it really really should. From the garish red and aqua blue box to the cheap pseudo "space age" pump this cleanser is stored in, it just looks tacky. May I suggest a plastic squeeze tube or tube with a built in pump? Might I also suggest the packaging change to an icy blue and silver? I think that would look more current. I get that you have to have the whole "ice" motif with the product names, but you might want to steer away from the whole ice desserts thing. It too is tacky.

2. The second con I have is that this cleanser is EXPENSIVE! it retails for $65 for 3.3 fl oz. That's hefty for most people. If I had not been sent this cleanser I'm not sure I would have purchased it on my own. HOWEVER after seeing how much my skin loves this cleanser I can't imagine using anything else!

Do you NEED this? Maybe. If you have some chronically clogged pores, oily or acne prone skin, this might be the cleanser you have been looking for all your life. If you have Dry or Normal to Combination skin and NO pore issues, you can skip this. HOWEVER, you'll be missing out on all the self foaming, chasing your SO around the bedroom with a foamy face fun that this cleanser entails. Your loss!

In honor of Memorial Day weekend Freeze 24-7 Age-Less Skincare would like to offer you to Take 20% OFF your next order with use of code: MEMORIALDAY The code will be valid: 5/22/2012 - 5/31/2012. That makes the price of the cleanser a bit more palatable! You can purchase this item at www.freeze247.com You can also purchase at Dermstore.com but I'm not aware of any specials going on right now.

This post contains an affiliate link for Freeze 24/7 and Dermstore.com. Affiliate links gives the Pink Sith Blog a commission when you click and purchase something from that link. It's just like a retail associate who works on a commission basis. When you shop through an affiliate link on Pink Sith you help support the site!

Agent Provocateur L’Agent Eau Provocateur Fragrance Review

2012-05-22T08:51:00.003-04:00

I was asked to review one of the new Agent Provocateur day fragrances. I was sent L’Agent ‘Eau Provocateur'. Now in the interest of full disclosure I really, really do not like oriental scents. YSL-Opium, Serge Lutens-Serge Noir, Guerlain-Shalimar, Estee Lauder-Youth Dew, etc. Those kind of scents assault me. I feel violated when I sniff them (not in a sexual way, you sillies!). It's just something about MY chemistry that says NO to Oriental fragrances.

amber resin

What is an Oriental fragrance? Oriental fragrances have a typical dominant amber scent. However their makeup can include musk, resins, wood (like sandalwood) and exotic flowers and spices. Sometimes patchouli is in there as well.

sandalwood

The Oriental accord in fragrances is the antithesis in what I like in a fragrance. I like roses, white flowers like Magnolia, Jasmine. I like citrus and green scents too. Oriental does not suit me.

Rose

So why did I agree to review a fragrance that is known as a flowery Oriental? While the original flowery Oriental fragrance of Agent Provocateur may be forever linked with "female sensuality and self-indulgent pleasure for the senses.", there is now a trio of new lighter scents. This Spring, Agent Provocateur introduced a collection of 3 day fragrances which claim to "capture all the provocative ingredients from their existing perfumes." But provide a subtle and light alternative of daytime fragrances.

Bergamot

According to Agent Provocateur L’Agent Eau Provocateur’s scent pyramid is said to consist of:

Top Notes: Bergamot, Leaf Accord (fresh cut green leaves) Mandarin, Apple, Melon and Peach

Middle Notes: Rose, Jasmin, Tuberose, Magnolia, Freesia and Ylang.

Base Notes: Musk, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Amber Crystals.

Jasmine

They got me with the "fresh cut green leaves", "Rose", "Jasmin" and "Magnolia". Why am I putting these words in quotes? Because they linger for only a few moments before the heady oriental mix of Amber, Patchouli and Sandalwood smother the ever loving life out of them in the dry down. Now don't get me wrong. I can still detect a little rose gasping for air in between the amber and sandalwood, but this is a much warmer fragrance than I am used to. That doesn't mean it's bad. It just means that if you like amber-y type fragrances but wanted something a little lighter for daytime, maybe with a nice floral accord, this might be just the thing you are looking for!

Magnolia

When doing some research into this perfume I found ~~this delightful review~~ expert from a press release from Agent Provocateur (Thanks FragrantWitch!) on Now Smell This. (A great fragrance resources if you ever need one). This review sounds like it was ripped from the book "50 Shades of Gray". It just sounds so OVERLY sexualized and dramatic.

It said:

"L’Agent is a provocative scent that captures the senses in a flight of magnetic oriental florals, intoxicating amber and erotic musk.

Its potent heart has been captured with captivating ingredients like Geranium Bourbon, Rose de Mai, Jasmin Sambac, Tuberose absolute and Osmanthus. The heart has been secretly nurtured by adding exotic dark secrets in addition to Davana Oil, Baies Rose, Ylang Ylang, Rosewood and Angelica.
The base has been kissed and caressed with the finest and darkest ingredients including Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber Crystals, Tonka Beans, Rock Rose, Myrrh and Black Incense Musk."

"erotic musk"

"secretly nurtured by adding exotic dark secrets"

"The base has been kissed and caressed with the finest and darkest ingredients"

How awesome is that description? It's kinda silly, but it's also spot on as far as the scents go. The description makes me think of some dude in a white lab coat fondling test tubes with his female lab assistant. She is one of those women that wears thick glasses and keeps her hair in a tight bun. As she removes the glasses, she pulls out a strategically placed hair pin and a cascade of beautiful, shiny, bouncy, brunette hair falls about her bare shoulders as she has also shed her lab coat is and is wearing nothing more than a garter panties and stockings. The Lab dude is also one of those pretty people that wears thick glasses but as he removes them, his finely chiseled features, piercing blue eyes and strong jaw are featured. He too sheds his lab coat and reveals the he is not wearing a shirt. His Adonis type body is perfectly tanned and his six pack abs have a six pack. As he embraces her in his muscular arms, it becomes readily apparent that these two are not the real lab rats. It's so obvious. How do I know? Those two idiots are using a Volumetric Flask to heat liquids when they should have been using a Florence Flask! Plus they were measuring the liquid with a Glass Beaker when they really should have been using a Graduated Cylinder. The graduated cylinder is far more accurate than a beaker. Everyone knows that! Duh!

The new ‘Eau Provocateur’ Collection from Agent Provocateur is available at Nordstrom and selected department stores. ‘Eau Provocateur’ retails for $70.00 for a 50ml Eau de Toilette Spray.

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

Beauty Box 5 May box Review and UPDATE

2012-05-21T15:08:00.000-04:00

I'm very confused. I had originally signed up for Beauty Box 5 with what I thought was a month to month subscription. I received my first box in February and reviewed it HERE. I was less than thrilled. I was also shocked to see a rep from BB5 leave comments on the review rather than contacting me personally. It just seemed unprofessional. Then March came and went, and April came and went and no Beauty Box 5 showed up at my door. When I went to check on the shipping status of the boxes I saw that no boxes had shipped so I e-mailed customer service:

Message: I signed up in January and received my first box in March. But it\'s now April 21st and I haven\'t received my April box. I also looked at my transaction history and it looks like nothing has happened since January. Was my Monthly subscription cancelled by you? I would like my April Box. Are you able to send it?

Customer Service e-mailed me back with the following:

Message: It looks like at the time you signed up, you had only signed up for one box. If you would like to continue your subscription, we can work with you to get you onto a recurring subscription. Please let us know what you'd like to do so we can help you out!
Thank you! BB5

Ooooohhhhhkkkkaaaayyyy?

Most beauty subscription service have a month to month subscription, which means if you sign up for 1 month, you are sent 1 box but will have the 2nd box sent to you if you don't cancel. Now BB5 is telling me that somehow I misunderstood the words "Recurring Monthly" written under the various membership options. when I signed up for the MONTHLY $12 A MONTH RECURRING MONTHLY box! Silly me. I guess my reading comprehension is not as strong as I thought it was.

You see, when I read the words RECURRING MONTHLY I think BB5 is offering me the option to get a BB5 box every month. Should I choose to cancel my subscription, I can contact them in the appropriate amount of time before the next box is sent out and I should not expect to be charged for more boxes. This is pretty clear right?

According to the BB5 FAQ it states under "Payment, Shipping & Cancellation" it states:

"What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel your subscription at any time. Be sure to cancel your subscription before your next payment is processed if you no longer wish to receive a Beauty Box the following month."

Ah ha! But you see. I was told via e-mail that I only signed up for one month. You see. Customer Service said " It looks like at the time you signed up, you had only signed up for one box." So I didn't think I needed to cancel my subscription since I allegedly signed up for one box.

Now comes May and I get an e-mail the my BB5 box has shipped.

WTF?

I thought I was only getting one box. That's what Customer Service said. I got that e-mail on a Friday and received the package on a Saturday. (Hey! Fast Shipping or Slow notification) Either way. you can imagine how surprised I was to receive THIS BB5 box after a) being told my original subscription was for just one box (ignoring the recurring monthly gobbledygook on the BB5 website) and b) I had NOT received boxes for the previous 2 months? I thought I was free and clear. They just charge me all over again?

That my dear readers is pure and utter crap.

What's worse, their website is annoying. It's not easy to navigate, when I click on "enter" or "submit" it does not always respond. There is no way to change or delete the credit card associated with your account.There is a tiny teeny box on the transaction history page that claims you can click to unsubscribe, (which I did) but I have YET to receive confirmation that this has successfully gone through.

I wish I had never ever signed up for this service. Not only do they have my CC info and I can't delete it, the samples are laughable. I'm not even sure I should even discuss what was in the box that they sent, which I unknowingly paid for. I opened it because I figured I had already paid for it. Oh man. Same random brands I have never heard of. Same lackluster packaging. Same old same old. I would definitely NOT recommend signing up for this service. You should read the comments people leave on the BB5 Facebook page. It's not just me that is displeased with this service. Oh, and the BB5 Facebook page doesn't even allow readers to post on their wall, you have to leave a comment under a post that BB5 has put up. That's shady.

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

I finally heard back from Beauty Box 5 Customer Service. They apologized for the error and refunded my money! They said "Also-we had a small system error with cancellations. this has been corrected and your account has been corrected."
Thank you.
I still don't recommend Beauty Box 5 in the least bit. Even though they refunded my money, the samples they send are so NOT worth it.

LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-05-21T08:41:00.001-04:00

image from sephora.com

I know. I know. I have lost all credibility with you. I am now reviewing my 10th eye primer...even after I told you how I loved ArtDeco eye primer and broke up with my Too Faced Shadow Insurance (TFSI). I even then retracted that and told you I has fallen back in love with my TFSI. Well now I must eat crow and tell you that I have been cheating on TFSI with LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer . (LORAC BTS). I am so ashamed. I feel like I have failed you all.

Why?

Well because I have been using the LORAC BTS primer for months. MONTHS! I noticed this past winter that my eyeshadow wasn't lasting throughout he entire day again. I didn't want to admit it was my TFSI failing me, but it was. I switched to a heavier eye cream for the winter and the TFSI with that specific eye cream just didn't work well. The cream was too emollient. TFSI just couldn't handle it. The result. Creasing fading blotchy eyeshadow before 3:00 PM....when normally my shadow would last me a good 12 hours. Oh how I lamented over the decision. But just like Old Yeller, I had to take TFSI out into the back yard and put it down. (Back yard = My helmer / Put it down = Use for arm swatches)

That was a hard day.

The next morning I grabbed a small sample size tube of the LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer I had from an old LORAC kit. I squeezed out just a tiny amount and a thick light whiteish, peachy, beige colored paste came out. This was worlds away different from TFSI, Urban Decay, NARS, pretty much anything I have ever used. The thick eye primer had no discernible scent and spread evenly over my lids. I found a little went a long way. I applied my shadow and I was still able to easily blend the colors. The LORAC BTS primer was not sticky and didn't lock down my shadows so much that blending was impossible. But once I was finished applying and blending I realized that this was the primer I had been looking for all along.

My shadows looked richer, bolder and lasted longer than the regular 12 hour wear I get from most of my other primers! I was even wearing the rich eye cream that made my TFSI collapse and the LORAC BTS primer laughed in it's rich emollient face. It spoke to my eye cream and said. "You are no match for me! I am LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer. Prepare to be PRIMED!" Just as a side note. I imagine my LORAC BTS primer to sound like the voice of Mandy Patinkin playing Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride. Or Antonio Banderas as Puss In Boots from the self titled movie. Whichever. It's my fantasy. My eye cream shuddered at the though of defeat and my LORAC BTS primer raised a carefully sculpted eyebrow and waited. The battle was won before it began, my eye cream yielded and there was never again a conflict.

I cannot find one fault with the LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer. It does not separate like TFSI (which always bugged me). It does not come with a wand that can't reach the entire contents of the bottle and required you to preform surgery just to get the rest of the product out of the container. It is...well. Simplicity and Excellence all rolled into one nice sized 0.47 oz tube with a slant tip applicator dispenser.

Do you NEED this? YES! Even those with relatively dry eye lids will find that the LORAC BTS primer is perfect for them. A little goes a long way. I purchased my full sized tube in February 2012 and I have yet to see an end to the contents and I use this every day, sometimes twice a day. LORAC Behind The Scenes Eye Primer retails for $21 USD and can be purchased from Sephora.com, ULTA Beauty, Beauty.com and other retailers.

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

Beauty Blog Link Love

2012-05-20T15:07:00.000-04:00

MAKE UP FOR EVER recently launched the Rouge Artist Natural Lipsticks. Treat yourself to a review of three of those at Adorable On Your Vanity!

Phyrra brings you Great Tips for Beauty Bloggers.

Check out The Beauty Spot in a Lord of the Rings Inspired Look.

This May, Rae's been enchanted by a gorgeously packaged pink lipstick. Read all about Pivoine Délicate, the unexpected Spring hit from L'Occitane, at theNotice.

Gouldylox Reviews found a really pretty lip gloss that is actually made of evil at Sephora.

Beauty's Bad Habit Blog joins the dark side with Sleek's 'Ultra Matte V2 - Darks' palette review and swatches.

If Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed was as bright as her Essie Poppy-Razzi nails, the world would be a smarter place - well at least we still have her nails so come check them out!

The Pink Sith thinks that Birchbox might have confused this month's Gossip Girl themed box with The Golden Girls, judging from the geriatric theme of the products she received.

Christina the Glitterholic checks out the new collection by M.A.C, Hey, Sailor! Check out her photos from the event and enter her giveaway to win a M.A.C lipstick from the new collection.

At Eyelining Obsessions things get a little philosophical as Claire contemplates what value for money really means.

At Lipstick Musings, Shannon's fallen hard for the new YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernìs À Levrès Glossy Stain in Fuchsia Dore . Come see what all the fuss is about!

See why the Smashbox Shades Of Fame Palette has Beauty Reflections dreaming of Margaritaville!

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Are you a beauty sample junkie? Enter to win a Total Beauty Collection beauty sample box at Pammy Blogs Beauty!

The Lipstick League - week of 5.14.12

2012-05-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

Question of the Week: - If you could only purchase one beauty product in the next month (not counting staples), what would it be?

Answer: - ONLY ONE? What kind of communist question is this? Humm...well. I guess…I will pick…Yeah. Sorry. Not Possible to pick. What about you? Could you pick only one?

Clumps of Mascara - Looking for a new lippy but don't want to break the bank? Check out these 4 Awesome Lippies Under $10.

EauMG - Looking for a "beach" fragrance that doesn't smell exactly like sunscreen? Check out Victoria's review of Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude.

Nouveau Cheap - Coral is THE color of the moment and Revlon just released a shimmer-free blush in this on-trend shade. Is the new Photo Ready Cream Blush in Coral Reef worth a trip to your local drugstore? You be the judge!

Pink Sith - Did the Pink Sith really post a picture of her face covered entirely with Hello Kitty Oil Blotting papers to prove that the OC Eight Mattifying Gel Doesn't work?

Prime Beauty - has 6 great beauty problem solvers you need RIGHT NOW!

Phyrra - Looking for a luxe styling tool? Try the ghd purple peacock!

Vampy Varnish - Are you a freak for olive green nail polish like me? Then you NEED NARS Night Clubbing in your life!

we heart this - take you on a beautiful, yet sinister, stroll through OCC's Garden.

Beauty Junkies Unite - Amber gives you a look at the latest mascara innovation from Maybelline before it officially hits stores next month, The Mega Plush by Volum' Express Mascara review!

Beauty Spotlight Team – What’s in Marcia’s can???

2012-05-19T11:11:00.001-04:00

Now, Now, you dirty birdies. This is about makeup!

THESE CANS:

It’s Marcia's turn (From the Beauty Info Zone) to be the mystery blogger and she has got a lot to share. Lots of pictures, not as many words! What do you think she could possibly have in all these cans?

Click HERE to find out!

Sephora's 15 Days Of Beauty Promotion

2012-05-18T15:00:00.000-04:00

Starting May 21, Sephora will be celebrating the new face of Sephora.com with their biggest event ever:

Sephora will be giving away exotic vacations, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, coveted designer goods, and more! Visit the Sephora site each day and enter to win.

Plus, each day Sephora is giving away a free deluxe gift with every order over $25!

15 Days of Free Gifts Happening Now! Use Code: 15DAYS

Click on image to go to this product on the Sephora website

SEPHORA COLLECTION Izak Baked Eyeshadow Palette Retails for $30 USD
This set of eight baked shadows in a notebook-style palette is designed by French illustrator Izak Zenou. Create a range of gorgeous looks for day and night with this palette of luminous, shimmery eye shadows. The baked formulas are soft and creamy, and glide across the skin with a light, silky texture. The high percentage of pearls maximizes brilliance and provides an intense color payoff for any smoky, sultry, or beautifully natural eye. The chic palette features the whimsical illustrations of French artist Izak Zenou and the portable size makes it the perfect addition to your purse or travel-tote.

Click on image to go to this product on the Sephora website

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose size:1.7 oz Retails for $80 USD Sparkling Eau de Toilette Spray.
This limited-edition fragrance has the power to seduce with the same glamorous extravagance as the classic Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum. This sparkling and sophisticated rendition entices you to indulge in the power of a refreshingly crisp sensation. The scent opens with top notes of tangerine, bergamot, tea, and pink pepper. Lily of the Valley, freesia, and Centifolia Rose create the floral heart. A base of amber and patchouli provides a compelling anchor.
Fragrance Notes: Tangerine, Bergamot, Tea, Pink Pepper, Lily of the Valley, Freesia, Centifolia Rose, Amber, Patchouli.

Click on image to go to this product on the Sephora website

SEPHORA by OPI Nailed It! Top 10 Best Sellers 10 x 0.12 oz
What it is:A 10-piece collection of mini nail polishes in the most-popular shades of the year. What it does:Adorn your tips and toes with the bestselling nail colors from Sephora by OPI. From shimmery and glittery, to nude and electric, this collection will have you painted in the right colors all year round. The purse-perfect size means you can change hues while traveling and easily share the delightful shades with your friends.

Click on image to go to this product on the Sephora website

SEPHORA COLLECTION Instant Airbrush Foundation Comes in Light, Medium and Tan. Retails for $28 USD 4.2 oz
This is spray foundation for a mistake-proof, gorgeous look. Achieve a flawless finish with this easy-to-use formula that instantly provides a luxurious, airbrushed look. Customize your coverage by turning the dial to your desired level, then spray the lightweight, oil-free formula on your face and body for an allover, even glow. Great for women who are short on time, this foundation goes on fast and stays beautiful all day. What it is formulated WITHOUT:- Parabens

Do you have any items on your wish list? I think I might need to get at least something...I mean I couldn't let this opportunity go to waste right? HA!

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

ghd Hair Straighteners

2012-05-18T11:41:00.004-04:00

If you're purchasing a new ghd hair straightener, you need to know that you are getting the best styler to suit your hair type. So what are the best ghd straighteners for your hair type? ghd has some suggestions for you!

Normal hair

If your hair is normal and you are luckily enough to have hair that will do as it is told, then you can use your straighteners to create a variety of looks from 80s volume, if you dare, to straight and sleek to curls.

ghd IV styler

The best type of ghd to go for is the IV styler which is perfect for all your styling needs.

Fine hair

If your hair is fine you will want to add a bit of extra volume in, as well as adding curls with real staying power; to do that you just need a set of ghd hair straighteners. The ghd IV styler (above) can help add volume and polish to a straight style as well as creating gorgeous curls.

Thick/curly hair

Unruly and thick hair is a very common hair complaint with a number of people complaining that their hair is unmanageable. But you don't have use lots of products and chemicals in order to tame unruly hair. Instead with a set of hair straighteners you can create smooth sleek hair or even sexy glossy curls. If your hair is thicker than average you would need a set of straighteners with wider plates in order to cut down the amount of time you have to spend straightening your hair.

ghd IV salon styler

A good option is the ghd IV salon styler. The IV salon styler has wider plates than the ghd IV styler so makes styling wild locks simple. They can straighten even curly hair perfectly and the rounded barrel makes creating big bouncy curls simple.

Short/mens hair

If you have short hair or are male then you can still get gorgeous sexy hair.

ghd mini IV styler

The ghd mini IV styler has smaller plates then the ordinary IV styler so is perfect for styling shorter hair or fringes.

I personally prefer the wider plates for a hair straightener. Mostly because my hair is curly, but also because It makes the whole process move faster. Wider plates = more hair. More hair = finish faster!!!

What about you? Do you use a straightening Iron?

This post is sponsored by your friends at ghd.

all images from http://www.ghdhair.com

Foundation Fridays Holika Holika Peach Birl BB Cream - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-05-18T08:53:00.001-04:00

image from ebay.com

Today I bring you my absolute favorite BB cream of all BB creams I have ever used....and trust me, I have used a lot. This BB cream is from a company in Korea called Holika Holika. Holika Holika is a South Korean cosmetic brand which started in 2010. The brand has over 60 product lines ranging from skin care to make up. Holika Holika means 'Beauty-HOLIC'. That suits me perfectly. I'm a Beauty-holic! In Korea there are over 30 stores that sell Holika Holika and their products are also available in Thailand and Singapore. Of course I purchased this BB cream off of eBay, but you can also find it on Amazon.com and other on line retailers.

OK. So aside from the absolutely adorable packaging, what makes this BB cream so special? I'll tell you in a second. First the packaging.

How cute. It looks like something from Etude House or other similar brands. Th packaging does look a bit juvenile, but I'm OK with that. No one sees the packaging when they see my face and, hellloooo, I still act like I'm 12 years old most of the time, so it's cool.

What's with the clunky cap you ask? Well that cap happens to hold a little pan of creme blush in the most cute shade of peach you have ever seen*. (*most cute shade of peach you have ever seen applies to people that have never seen peach colored cream blush)

OK. So it's not earth shattering, but it certainly is handy to have a mirrored little compact built into the cap. One you have your BB cream applied, you can pat on this highly pigmented blush and go! You can also use it on your lips but it does look a little chalky so I tend to just use it for my cheeks.

OK, So the blush is quite a nice extra. But what about the BB Cream? OK. You have been patient. I'll tell you.

AWESOME!

No seriously. For my pale azz face this cream is the PERFECT color match for me. It's not too yellow, It's not too pink, It's not too grey. It's a real beige color! Whoo! In fact the color I purchased #01 is called Light Beige. They do offer a slightly darker color called #02 Natural Beige, which I think NC20-25 would suit well. For us NC10-15 gals, well, this one will be your best bet.

The BB cream has a mild scent, not very detectable to my nose. The cream is not too runny and not too thick. It definitely is a cream and not like a foundation. I skip moisturizer, primer and sunscreen when I wear the Holika Holika Peach Girl BB cream because it's in the cream! I skip a few extra steps in the morning. That's nice!

The BB cream spreads well on the face. It covers very well and I would rate it at a medium heavy to heavy coverage. I find I need less concealer when I wear this cream. Another plus! The cream makes short work of covering all the red in my cheeks and any blemishes I might have. The finish is slightly dewy, and not matte, but not shiny or sticky. I always set my BB creams with powder, but those with drier skin wouldn't need it at all.

Despite my ridiculously oily skin I get decent wear time out of this BB cream. Sure I get shiny by 11AM but when I blot, the BB cream remains mostly on my face and does not transfer as much to the blotting paper. I can powder again, and I don't look blotchy or "undone".

This BB cream did not break me out, and I have fairly acne prone skin. That is a win! The BB cream, after a long period of use seemed to slightly improve the tone and texture of my skin, but i cannot attribute the improvement of my skin to the BB cream alone, since I am constantly testing new skin care items.

Do you NEED this? YES! This is my favorite BB cream of all time. It's a great color match. It has great coverage. It does not break me out. It only costs $13.58! I love that price a lot! I purchased my Holika Holika BB Cream from eBay through the rubyruby76 shop. However, there are other sellers on eBay and on Amazon.

Natura Bisse NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel - Review

2012-05-17T16:19:00.000-04:00

image from neimanmarcus.com

First Off I have to tell you that Denise Thomas, the Natura Bisse Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus in Tysons Corner is taking appointments for Glyco Extreme Peel facials to be done on Monday, May 21st. You can call Denise directly at 703-761-1600 X-3288 to book an appointment. Denise is super nice and really knowledgeable about the entire Natura Bisse line. The reason I mention this is that I am writing today about a different peel that Natura Bisse offers, and this peel is actually a great one to use in between the Glyco Extreme peel. It's called The Natura Bisse NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel.

Part of the Natura Bisse NB Ceutical line, the NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel is one of the most effective yet most gentle peels I have ever used. NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel gently babys your skin with a non-aggressive, and granule-free, micro-exfoliation. Some of the most damaged layers of your skin are exfoliated away to reveal an even, smooth, soft and luminous complexion without causing any inflammation or redness. That's right. I said no redness or inflammation.

Let's take this simple test to see if the Natura Bisse NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel is right for you:

1) When you use a physical exfoliator/scrub with walnut or almond shells or maybe salt or sugar scrubs or something else along those lines...does your face feel like that guy in Raiders Of The Lost Ark that actually looked IN the Ark?

2) If after using certain acid based peels does your face look like the Red Skull from Captain America?

If you answered "yes" to one or both of these questions, you will LOVE the Natura Bisse NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel. The peel is ideal for all skin types, but specially formulated to the most sensitive and delicate skins.

If you were totally grossed out by one or both of these images, I'm sorry. You need to start reading more comic books to desensitize yourself. I suggest The Walking Dead series.

I digress.

I have stubborn skin. It doesn't like to get rid of anything, including dead skin cells. My skin likes to hoard dead cells for later use. Specifically resulting in clogged pores or blemishes right before an important event. So to get my skin in line, I exfoliate regularly. I used to do physical exfoliation with scrubs and sponges and cleansing cloths, but after a while my skin started to rebel and turned a lovely shade of scarlet every time I used such methods. I then decided to attack, uh. I mean address the issue with chemical exfoliation. I used AHA, BHA, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and a host of other acids and my skin reacted better to that, but after a while, again, my skin started to turn a shade of red that can only be described as "angry". My skin had had it up to here with my antics for exfoliation.

Until....

That magical Natura Bisse Bubble Facial. My pores were purged, and while my forehead wasn't completely rid of the hoarded dead skin cells it was on it's way. That's when I started to use the Natura Bisse NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel.

This peel is different. It is formulated with Extract of Prickly Pear (Opuntia Ficus).

This is a natural extract that preforms a non-aggressive exfoliation to accelerate the skin’s natural renewing process. Then there is the Concentrated Extract of Papaya (Carica Papaya).

The fruit is rich in sugars, minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Papaya contains anti-oxidants and the enzymes found in it can help decongest, purify and hydrate your skin. Last but not least the NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel contains Extract of Chamomile which is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

What does this tropical cocktail of ingredients get you? An amazing peel that leaves skin soft, smooth, bright, and glowing.

This peel is also fun to use. Let me explain.

A little goes a long way with this peel. Open up the jar and scoop out a nickle sized dollop of the peachy pink colored NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel with the enclosed spatula. Then spread the product all over your face, massaging it in using small circular movements. As you are enchanted by the sweet tropical smell of papaya and other light fruit scents, you will start to feel the peel Transmogrify.

It is so a word! Look it up. It means "to transform, especially in a surprising or magical manner." So there! The pink gel peel begins to TRANSMOGRIFY into a liquid. It literally start to get slippery on your face. You will find that massaging in the product is super simple as your fingers slip along the changed texture of the peel. That's when you rinse off the peel. I like to use a soft sponge but a soft washcloth or muslin towel used to gently wash away the peel will work just fine.

OK. But once you put the wash cloth down. What do you get?

Smooth, baby soft, clear glowing skin. And it's not red. Not even close. My skin was so happy about this peel it actually sent me a thank you letter (no not really, but I bet it would if it could.)! The benefits of this peel are:

This gentle peel will allow for exfoliation in the more delicate areas of the face (eye contour and lip area).

You skins texture is visibly refined and the skin is left feeling soft and smooth

If you still use glycolic acid peels this Natura Bisse Tolerance Enzyme Peel is perfect for in between treatments, and wont harm your skin
Best of all. This peel WILL NOT cause photosensitivity! In other words you don't need to be worried about being extra susceptible to sunburn when using this peel, like you would with other acid peels. Of course you always wear sunscreen of an SPF 30 or higher because you always listen to my advice and never leave the house without it...right? RIGHT?

Do you NEED this? Well, it is on the expensive side. $150 to be exact. But wait. Let me explain. You use a fairly small amount each application. You can use this once or twice a week if you want or you can use it in between other acid peels. But I think the biggest reason to use this peel is that is does not harm sensitive and delicate skin. My skin turns red by just using makeup remover on it, if I can use this Natura Bisse NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel on my skin and NOT have it turn red, sting, burn, flake, anything, then that is worth every penny to me. If this had not been sent to me to test, I totally would have purchased it. Reason being. I can spend $60-$80 on a glycolic peel, have it turn my face the color of the planet Mercury, then spend an additional $70-$90 on more products to calm my skin down and deal with the side effects of the peel AND THEN still try to get my skin smooth and soft and purge my pores. Or I can spend $150 and know I won't need to buy additional products to get the results I want and need. Simple. Ready to take the plunge? Call Kathy Shoreman at Neiman Marcus at 571-533-4972 if you want to make a purchase over the phone or go to NeimanMarcus.com to purchase on line.

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

Thursday Poll

2012-05-17T08:44:00.002-04:00

According to an article I read on gawker.com there is a "...new pilot program, [in which] feedback from five-year-olds' surveys about their instructors will be used to determine whether teachers retain their jobs or receive raises." Oh that's rich! I Imagine most 5 year olds cannot read, and the ones that do must have a fairly low reading comprehension skills. Can you imagine 5 and 6 year olds determining your fate? Apparently the kids will be read the questions and then asked to circle a smiley face, a neutral face with a straight line for the mouth and a frowny face to give their feedback. What pack of hippie, helicopter parents, inclusions-ists, let's give everyone a trophy, no grades just encouragement, people thought up this bullshit? I'm sorry, but asking a 5 year old to evaluate my performance is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. First of all, some 5 year olds want to please the authority figures in their lives and will do anything to make them happy...which includes circling all the smiley faces on that asinine form. Some 5 year old kids couldn't care less about anything that isn't My Little Pony or Batman, and will circle random faces making a pattern to look like the bat symbol on their page.

And then there are the 5 year olds that are budding little sociopaths and would love to see their teacher fired because "...she's a meanie and took away my rubber band gun!". You wanna know how to assess a teachers ability? Have the Administrators do their damn jobs and sit in the classrooms, observe the kids, look at the homework the kids turn in, the test answers they give, and the grades they get to determine of the teacher is doing a good job. For cripes sake! I don't give a crap what Darthypie thinks about his kindergarten teacher's ability to determine if his teacher knows a lot about what she teaches. Of course to a 5 year old she knows a lot, because 5 year olds know nothing! Even John Snow knows that. (<---Game of thrones joke, please disregard if you haven't read the books) What I'm getting at is that people seem to want to reinvent the wheel all the time. When sometimes the best way to evaluate performance is by looking at the facts rather than opinions. Plus our teachers don't get paid enough to put up with Sally Stuck Up and her vendetta to get them fired because Mommy wasn't allowed to bring in gluten free sugar free nut free vegan cupcakes for Sally Birthday week celebration. Know what I mean?

On To The Poll!

1. Lip Of The Day? - Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Coral. I loves it so much. If I had to enter the witness protection program and give up all of my makeup, I would keep all my Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments and claim a medical necessity to have them.

2. From my reverse Thursday Poll, Sarah S. Asks: "Where/When do you wear glitter makeup? I'd wear it to the grocery store, to be honest, but I feel like I never see people out and about in fun glittery makeup but obviously people buy it... so, when?" - I wear it slightly less than I used to before I had Darthypie...OK A LOT less. But I do wear some glitter on my eyes from time to time. Usually just a liner or maybe a light colored shadow. When Mr. Sith and I have dates I amp up the glitter and when I have a day off from work with no Darthypie and no Mr. Sith I play with my makeup and go glitter crazy.

3. What was the name of your Kindergarten Teacher or your First Grade Teacher? - I think my Kindergarten teacher's name was Miss Riley. And I know for sure my first grade teacher's name was Mrs. Leahman.

4. From my reverse Thursday Poll, Isis04 Asks: "What is your favorite face cleanser---foaming, creamy, soap, whatever, and why." - I have no favorite cleanser but I'll tell you the ones I am using (on a rotating basis) right now that I really do like quite a lot. Before I cleans with a soap type product I always use my Boscia Makeup-Break Up Cool Cleansing Oil. Then I use either: 1) Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Tolerance Cleanser. A tiny pea size amount is all you need for your entire face. Mixed w/ water it creates a luxurious, creamy foam and rinses clean. It smells like papaya too! 2) Shea Terra Organics Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Face Wash. This industrial strength cleanser I use 1 to 2 times a week and it zaps zits before they emerge! Love it. 3) Freeze 24-7 Skin Glacé Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask. This is a gel that instantly turns into a foam. You can let it foam up and rinse it off or leave it on to go foam crazy and use it like a mask...similar to oxygen masks from PTR and Bliss

5. From my reverse Thursday Poll, Maggie, Asks "Do you pamper your lips?" - Yes. I really do. I use the Bliss Fabulips set at least once a week. I also use lip balm at night, a thick one for nighttime called Nivea Kiss of Shine in the clear formula, and in the morning I use a more waxy type healing one before I put on my makeup. I hate having chapped lips to I am always putting on lipstick, lip balm or gloss.

OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel - Review

2012-05-16T08:02:00.001-04:00

image from dermstore.com

Sometimes….sometimes you want to believe something so bad, you ignore or avoid the facts and just try to believe. Normally when I hear of a great new product that will control oil on my face I do my research and decide if it will be worth my money. Normally. But it must have been an exceptionally bad day for oil on my face. It must have been an 8 oil blotting sheet day that made me ignore my regular protocol for new skincare and let me just dive head first into purchasing without doing my research.

OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel from Biopelle claims to provide an 8 hour matte finish to the skin, is non comedogenic and fragrance free. Te OC Eight Mattifying Gel is said to "...uniformly and invisibly deposit micro-particles onto skin to encapsulate excess sebum, thus controlling shine." "...OC Eight surpasses traditional absorbents in sebum control and cosmetic elegance. OC Eight works for up to eight hours, allowing you to regain confidence by knowing your complexion is gorgeously shine-free. Alcohol- and fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and non-drying." That's it. The marketing sold me. EIGHT HOURS of a shine free face! I was sold. I purchased this sucker as fast as I could. Originally only available in Dermatologist offices, OC Eight s now available at Drugstore.com, Skinstore.com and Dermstore.com. It retails for about $41 but can be found on sale, at any of the stores I listed, from time to time.

Here are the things I liked about OC Eight.

1. OC Eight did not break me out. Many mattifying gels break me out in tiny whiteheads shortly after use. This did not. Not even one month after solid use did this break me out. AWESOME!

2. OC Eight is a lightweight gel that dries quickly on the face. It is unscented and does not leave a chalky finish

3. OC Eight left a matte finish on my moisturized skin. It also did not feel tight or drying.

Here are the things I didn't like about OC Eight.

1. It didn't work. My face was oily again after 4 short hours

2. It didn't work. My face was oily and seemed almost MORE oily the more I used this product.

3. IT DIDN'T WORK!

You see that HILARIOUS picture above with eight hello kitty oil blotting papers stuck to my face? Yeah. That one. The one that screams. Elvira has no shame. There is no level too low that Elvira won't stoop to in order to get a laugh/story/blog post/make a point. Yeah. That's the one. That picture was taken 8 hours after applying OC Eight Mattifying gel AND having blotted my face earlier in the day!

I followed the directions faithfully:

"Apply OC Eight after moisturizers and sunscreens, but prior to oil-free makeup. OC Eight has been formulated to work for up to eight hours…" I used the OC Eight with an oil free foundation and with a powder foundation. I followed the rules! I got squat. I could say that maybe my face was too oily for this gel. Perhaps I did need to reapply during the day...as impossible as that would be, because I'm not going to wash all my makeup off and then do a full face of makeup AT WORK! or maybe…just maybe, this mattifying gel is just like all the others. It will work for a few hours but eventually your oil will break through and you will be applying 8 Hello Kitty Oil Blotting papers to your face and taking a picture of it.

Do you need this? No. No you do not. Period. End of story.

Saint Germain Paris Cosmetics Eyeshadow Duo and Nail Polish - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-05-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

When I was asked to review a few products from a brand called Saint Germain Paris I was a bit hesitant. I had never heard of the brand and I was unsure of the quality. But I figured if the quality was absolutely terrible I would just let you all know and be done with it. I was impressed by the very low prices of the cosmetics and again, had a few reservations that the quality would be poor. Well I'm happy to say I don't have to write a scathing review because the quality is actually decent with this brand.

From the Saint Germain Paris press release: "Launched this past January (2012) Saint Germain Paris brings affordable cosmetics with Parisian sophistication. Saint Germain Paris retail prices range from $2.85 - $9.95 and are available now online at www.saintgermainmakeup.com."

Let's start with the nail polish. Retail value at $3.95, Purple Silver, a frosty lilac color, was sent to me. I know some people detest frost polishes because of the visible brush strokes they leave behind, but it doesn't bother me all that much. The polish was a good consistency, not too thick, not too liquidy. It applied well but definitely needed two to three coats to become opaque. The polish dried quickly and had a nice shine even without a top coat. The best part about this polish, aside from the minor tip wear I experienced, I got a full 5 days + of wear without any chipping. Yup. The Saint Germain Paris nail polish wore like IRON! I was very pleased with that. The range of colors is limited but they still have some pretty metallics, a sea foam green and a bright yellow, so they are at least contemporary.

Moving on to the Eyeshadow. I was sent an eyeshadow duo which retails for $3.65. The colors are Purple Blue/Night Blue. Basically a lilac and a blurple or blue purple. The eyeshadow comes in a small black plastic case. The case itself it slightly flimsy and there is no mirror included in the compact. It comes with a protective cover and a dual ended foam applicator. (I personally toss those as I prefer to use brushes on my lids.)

The eyeshadow colors are not separated by pans, they are melded together in one pan. I did not experiment mixing the colors but judging from the quality I experienced I would say that would be possible and would yield a nice result.

The formula of the shadow was that of a satin. It was not too frosty and not too matte. The shadow was hard. I would say that it was as hard as a MAC shadow, which I consider harder than Bobbi Brown, Chanel or even Wet n' Wild. The powder was not as finely milled as some of the high end shadows I am used to, so again, the quality is very similar to MAC.

The pigmentation was very good. For a $3.65 shadow the color payoff was decent. The arm swatches were done over Too Faced Shadow Insurance with a foam applicator. The eye picture was done over LORAC eye base using brushes. You can see that the pigmentation of the lighter lilac color was much lighter on the eye, but I also made it lighter on purpose. The darker shade was slightly harder than the lighter shade, and it also had a touch more shimmer/glitter to it. It applied to the eye easily and blended quite well considering the fact that it was a fairly hard shadow. There was some powder fall out upon application, but that my be user error more than the product's fault, if you get my drift. The shadow lasted a good 7+ hours but began to fade by the end of the day.

All in all, I was very satisfied with the quality at that price range. Now let me make it clear that I had lowered expectations for this brand because of the price range. Perhaps that isn't fair. Everything should be expected to have the highest quality, despite the price, right? Well I believe you get what you pay for, If I'm paying $3.65 for an eyeshadow duo, I don't expect it to blow me away. If I'm paying $3.85 for a nail polish, I expect it to be decent but not amazing. Well, the nail polish blew me away with the durability and application. The Eyeshadow slightly exceeded expectations in terms of pigmentation, but met expectations in terms of formula and wear.

Do you NEED this? I say YES if you want an inexpensive cosmetic fix. Saint Germain Paris offers a wide range of cosmetics from eyeshadow to lipstick to foundation and even brushes. And nothing costs more than $9.95. Shipping to US and Canada is $5.95. I do wish that Saint Germain Paris was available in local drugstores, as it pains me to pay for shipping on items that cost less than the actual shipping. But that's just me. Would I buy this on my own? Probably not. While the quality is decent, it's not amazing. I also don't find the colors exciting enough to go to the trouble of ordering on line. However, if I was at my local drugstore, I would probably pick up a nail polish or lipstick as an impulse item without hesitation.

TotalBeauty Collection Inaugural Box - Review and Pictures

2012-05-14T14:11:00.002-04:00

I have yet another beauty sample box for you all. This one is a bit different as it is not a subscription. It's a one off. Buy when it's available and never worry about being charged for months you don't want to participate. TotalBeauty.com is a fairly extensive website and many bloggers belong to it. (I don't). There are reviews, news letters, tips and videos and all sorts of beauty resources available with a click of a mouse.

The TotalBeauty Collection offers you the ability to test beauty products from "top-rated luxury brands". The box sent to you will contain "4 to 6 deluxe beauty samples" for a fee of $15. Shipping is free. TotalBeauty promises that "...you'll receive samples from popular brands like these.":

Murad, Blinc, Alterna, pixi, June Jacobs, Pevonia, emerginC, Senna, Osmotics, Zents.

OK. Those look doable. Not really a lot of makeup brands in that mix but I like Murad and Blinc and Alterna, so I decided to sign up.

Once the registration was open, I received an e-mail from TotalBeauty telling me that the boxes were for sale. I quickly made my way over to the website and registered, paid and submitted my order. My TotalBeauty collection Sample box arrived 4 days later.

This is what was in my box.

Hummmm.

Mascara from Blinc. I have never tried this tubing mascara so I am excited to receive this and to test it out.

June Jacobs Green Tea and Cucumber Body Balm. Yikes. This is so heavily perfumed even I was offended by the strength of the scent. It's not a bad scent it's just...really really strong. I could never wear this at work because I work with people with sensitive noses. I can't wear it around my Mother In Law, because she's the same way. I can't wear it around Darthypie or Mr. Sith because both exclaimed that is smelled really strong when I tried it out. So basically, I can't wear it. FAIL

Alterna Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Mist. - Nice. I like Alterna Products. I haven't tried this shine mist out yet, but I'm hoping for good results. My hair is so fine that any sine mists make it look greasy and gross fairly quickly. We'll see how this one goes.

Pevonia $15 Gift Card - OK. So I get a $15 gift card to Pevonia. I spent $15 on this box. It would stand to reason that using this $15 gift card is like getting my money back, right? well. I have never heard of Pevonia, and judging from the reviews on line, the brand looks pretty decent. All natural stuff. But I just couldn't find anything on that website in which I had an interest. I think I might be overloaded on skin care stuff and that's why I just didn't see anything for me. I'll hold on to the gift card in case my mood changes.

So this months TotalBeauty Collection contained 4 things. One of which was a gift card. Was I impressed. Nope. Not in the least bit. The body cream is a total fail, the hair shine mist is a maybe, the mascara is a maybe and the gift card is a maybe. All in all I spent $15 for a bunch of maybe. Will I buy another TotalBeauty Collection box? Probably not. I don't find I'm getting my money's worth for the $15 price tag. The types of samples included are unknown until you receive a box, there is no discount or incentive for writing reviews of the samples and the samples aren't that exciting to begin with, there isn't even a real box that it comes it. It's a paper envelope that is folded nicely. Last, and most important, TotalBeauty uses the term "Luxury" to describe the samples. I must have a different definition of Luxury, because June Jacobs, Blinc and Alterna are not luxury in my book. Oh well Lesson Learned.

Birchbox May Gossip Girl Box - Review Pictures Swatches

2012-05-14T08:52:00.001-04:00

I didn't think it was possible but a sample subscription box has made me feel OLD!

This May, Birchbox sent me the Gossip Girl Birchbox. I was expecting items related to the core viewing audience of Gossip Girl 16-28 or so. Nope. I got items relating toward the geriatric parents of the girls that watch the show.

As you see the box came with the same fab packaging, as all birch boxes do.

Unveiling the contents I suddenly felt older and older.

What you don't see it?

Let me show you the products I received...which by the way I am actually happy with, I'm just feeling old because of them.

1) Stila sparkle waterproof liquid eye liner in Rock Candy. This didn't make me feel old. I must admit I was very pleased receiving a full size cosmetic item. This is a liquid liner (my favorite kind of liner) in a rich brown sparkle color called Rock Candy.

It's just the liner I was looking for actually. When I wear my liquid brown liner I sometimes want a little more sparkle and this one will do that for me. It looks fairly sheer alone so I plan to wear my regular liner underneath and top it with this one.

All in All. VERY Happy with this item! (Plus it retails for $22 so it's like my box is paid for!)

2. Kérastase Age Premium Bain Substantif and Kérastase Age Premium Masque Substantif. Shampoo and a Conditioning mask for "Mature Hair". Mature? That means OLD. I do not have OLD hair. I'm only 40? Oh goodness. I have old hair! I'm 40! Read the intro to the product description: "As the years go by, it isn’t just our skin that starts to show our age. Our hair follicles become weaker and more porous with each passing year, leading to everything from breakage and thinning to overall dryness and dullness." Oh gawds. I'm OLD! And Birchbox and Keratase think so too! I actually want to try Keratase products. I have heard great things about them and I loves me some conditioning masks. After all, my OLD hair is getting dull and prone to breakage. I'll get to see how this stuff works! (I'm actually very happy with these samples)

But wait, there's more!!

3) Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Lotion. Not only am I old. I'm stupid as well! Read the intro to this product: "Science class was never our strong suit back in our school days. Thankfully for us, the folks at Algenist were taking notes. This cutting-edge lotion earns an A+ in combating the common signs of aging." School Days? It's not like I want to school in a one room schoolhouse and we used inkwells and had one book to learn from! And now I didn't pay attention as much as the people at Algenist and suck at science too? (OK that might be true, but still.) ANOTHER Anti-Aging product. Which I actually do want to try. Even though I still am breaking out like a teenager, I am getting the first signs of aging and the Alguronic Acid in this product is supposed to smooth out my skin and help rid my OLD face of fine lines. This is a hefty sized sample so it will last a decent amount of time to see if this lotion does what it claims to do! (I'm actually very excited to try this product out)

4) Dior Miss Dior Perfume Sample. Meh. I like the scent and it does have "Miss" versus Mrs. or Ms. which makes me think they would like to aim this at a younger audience. Of course it could be Miss because they think I'm an OLD spinster living alone with my cats in a house that is floor to ceiling boxes of makeup. One day, one of my cats knocks over a box and they fall on me and I am crushed to death by lipstick and eyeshadow palettes. I am left that way for weeks because I'm old and no one likes me and no one checks on me. As the cats slowly eat away my nose and fingers for food, a curious neighbor stops by and finds my mummified remains under a avalanche of boxes. At least I'll smell good because the "Miss Dior" perfume sample will have been one of the first items that exploded on me when all the other product fell. Or something like that.

5) Birchbox Note Cards - Uh oh. This is treading dangerously close to the Paper Coaster Incident of 2010. Watch it Birchbox! A baby poop green note card and a hot pink envelope are included in this month's box. According to Birchbox the description for these note cards reads: "Whoever said a picture is worth a thousand words didn’t appreciate the value of a handwritten note. We designed this light-hearted stationery for all your important correspondence. Each 12-pack comes with four shades—bright orange, marigold yellow [read baby poop green], deep purple, and forest green—along with a pack of Birchbox Pink envelopes. Now all you have to do is dig up some stamps." Ha. Ha. Only OLD people use stamps! How many times have you been stuck behind some old lady in the grocery store that wants to buy STAMPS when she is checking out? I know I personally have at least once...so that's like...a lot. Plus, who am I going to write a thank you note too? Birchbox?

"Dear Birchbox,
Thank you ever so much for your thoughtful May Gossip Girl Box. Not only do I not watch the show, I'm old enough to be the mother of most of the people that do watch the show. Thanks for never letting me forget that by including a few products specifically aimed at OLD people. The Shampoo and conditioner for MATURE hair was a sound reminder that my time on this planet is limited. The Algenist Anti-Aging lotion really sealed the deal and led me straight to the nearest funeral home to make plans for my passing. You can never be too prepared! Thanks again for sending me, what is sure to be, the next nail in my coffin!
Yours in Beauty,
Elvira"

Ah yes. Perfection!

This is my THIRD Birchbox, so the time has come to make a decision. Do I keep it or do I quit? Well after much thought (about 2 minutes before writing this review) and much research (looking back at stuff I received in previous Birchboxes) I have decided to KEEP my subscription. I have dropped MyGlam and Beauty Army and don't plan on getting Glossybox so I'm OK as far as beauty subscription services go. I also like the fact that Birchbox has the most user friendly website for writing reviews and purchasing products I have used so far. It also has incredibly FAST shipping for products I do purchase, and I can get points that add up to a discount on future purchases. Yup. I'll even add in a referral link for you all that have been waiting to sign up for Birchbox. It is HERE (referral Link). I'll include a non referral link as well in case you don't wish to give me credit for signing up (which I am totally cool with) HERE (NON Referral Link). I just changed my beauty profile to reflect my "real" age which has been holding steady at 29 for the past 11 years. I'll see if that changes some of the items I receive.

All in all, as much as I "complained" about the box this month. I am really happy with it. It's full of products I have been wanting to try and I'm really OK with all the Anti-aging stuff. I just used it as a way to make the review a little more humorous.

This review contains a referral link. By signing up with Birchbox though this link, you will be giving me "credit" for the referral and Birchbox will reward me with 50 Birchbox points. You can opt out of this by clicking on the link above that reads "HERE (NON Referral Link) or by going to http://www.birchbox.com.

The Lipstick League - week of 5.7.12

2012-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Question of the Week: - List every beauty item that's in your purse at this very moment.

Answer - Too Much as usual! My Guerlain Pressed Powder Compact, a CoverBlend Concealer, A Givenchy Brown Kohl liner, A Dior Addict Lipstick, A Barry M Lipgloss, a ton-o-perfume samples, a couple of lip pencils, a Chanel Rouge Allure Laque, 2 Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments and a Chantecaille Lipstick. TOO MUCH!! What about you? Brave enough to list everything?

Beauty Junkies Unite - You tell us: Is the new China Glaze Summer Neons collection hot or not? Check out the review and swatches and let us know!

Clumps of Mascara - has finally come across a mascara that wow-ed her so much that she gave it a 5 out of 5. And guess what? It's a drugstore mascara!

Gouldylox Reviews - has discovered THE facial you want if you want to look fabulous for an event or remind someone what a mistake it was to end the relationship. Plumped lips, raised brow, firmer jaw and no pain. I can see why Madonna travels with one of these beauties on tour.

Krasey Beauty - wants you to win awesome prizes from Amazon.com Be sure to enter her giveaway!

Lipglossiping - puts Bobbi Brown's new long-wear eye pencils to the test against a well-known budget brand and concludes that you should save your pennies!

Nouveau Cheap - Looking for a bold and daring magenta-purple lipstick to wear this summer? The answer might be as close as your nearest drugstore.

Pink Sith - turns an otherwise boring review about a facial toner into a fun extravaganza by adding in Will Wheaton, Jazz Hands and Thor!

Prime Beauty - harvests the fruits of the Lipstick Tree with Tarte’s Gifts From The Lipstick Tree Trio—the perfect summer pop of color!

Phyrra - has great photo tips for beauty bloggers.

Vampy Varnish - thinks if you like mini nail polishes, you might like the new Urban Decay Showboat Nail Kit for summer!

we heart this - have a passion for fashion? Swing on over to we heart this; we're looking for a new fashion writer. And psst...we pay in makeup!

Beauty Spotlight

2012-05-12T11:27:00.000-04:00

Are you a beauty sample junkie? Enter to win a Total Beauty Collection beauty sample box at Pammy Blogs Beauty!

Pink Sith’s tiny brain convinced her to get ANOTHER bronzer! At least it knew well enough to make it CHANEL!

Afraid of color? Prime Beauty helps ease you from black and white into Technicolor with six new pastel eye shadows shades from Make Up For Ever with tips on how to wear them!

Marcia from Beauty Info Zone is at it again trying to tempt you with her Sunday Riley eyeshadow posts. Will she sway you this time?

Looking for an effortless cool smoky eye look..look no further than the new eye shadows from Rouge Bunny Rouge, Visionary Beauty shows us the shades inTrumpeter Koel and Lilac Reef Curassow

Modesty Brown decides that depotting those neglected single eyeshadows is the way forward. Ever considered depotting your Rouge Bunny Rouge collection? Read this before putting knife to pan!

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed is bitten by the Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Sheers bug - check out her swatch and see if you think it might be contagious!

Perilously Pale finally finds out what all the buzz is about with the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows from their Summer 2012 collection when she reviews Madra Perla. Now she can't wait for the rest of her Armani summer goodies to arrive!

At Everyday Beauty, Zuzu*s Petals felt a new wave of frustration over print ads, not because extremely young models were advertising anti-aging products but because over-40 models now look like they are under 30. What do you think about this new trend?

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic takes a closer look at deep cleansing brushes. What are the differences amongst the Clarisonic, Olay, Neutrogena and Proactiv products?

London Makeup Girl is celebrating Spring with a...grey nail polish. Well, it has been raining in London for the last month or so! Have a look at RGB Cosmetics nail polish in Dove.

Shannon at Lipstick Musings has fallen for the glimmer and gleam of YSL's new Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eyeliner in Luminescent Gold . See if you agree that this is one of the loveliest eyeliners ever!

Christian Louboutin is Making the Leap from Red Soles to Red Lips

2012-05-11T09:07:00.001-04:00

image from neimanmarcus.com

According to Miles Socha at Women's Wear Daily, Christian Louboutin is "...embarking on his first major brand extension, the Paris-based designer of shoes and handbags has established a joint venture with New York-based Batallure Beauty LLC to enter the beauty category."

The new company, Christian Louboutin Beauté, has plans to launch "...multiple, unspecified classifications, with the first products slated to arrive on the market in late 2013. The positioning will be luxury; the distribution global."

Christian Louboutin
Photo By Steve Eichner

Those involved said that they will take time to make sure the products meet Mr. Louboutin's "...exacting standards, and ones that promise to break the mold."

Louboutin evaded spilling the exact details of what to expect from the line but it's evident that his "…'detail-oriented' approach to shoes should translate well to beauty products and their packaging. What’s more, he spies direct links to his sexy, high-heeled designs. 'Beauty products also have to do with empowering women,' he said. 'That’s very much the job of the shoes I’m designing.'".

A Christian Louboutin peep-toe shoe.

Photo By Thomas Iannaccone

Louboutin added that the new beauty line “has to mirror the quality of the shoes, of the bags, of all the DNA of the brand.”

Who's excited for this? I know I am.

If/When I find out more I will let you all know!

The information and content for this article was taken from Miles Sacha's article at the Women's Wear Daily website from his May 11th article titled "Christian Louboutin Entering Beauty"

Foundation Fridays - Innisfree Trouble Care BB Cream - Review, Pictures, Swatches

2012-05-11T08:12:00.002-04:00

It's Friday again and that means time to talk foundation. As I mentioned in my inaugural post explaining BB Creams, I decided to include BB creams in the Foundation Friday feature because, well That's what I use for foundation most of the time, and there wasn't a day of the week that rhymed with BB Cream. Today I bring you a foundation from Innisfree. This company was founded in 2000 as the first Natural Cosmetics company in Korea. Like its parent Company, AmorePacific, Innisfree is all about natural ingredient and eco-friendly products and packaging. As for the ingredients in the specific BB cream…well I have no idea. I doubt that the entire list is "natural" ingredients, but I have had a lot of success with the AmorePacific brand in the past so I wasn't worried about using this product.

The Innisfree Trouble Care BB Cream is aimed at those that have acne or "troubled" skin. Innisfree says they extract botanical nutrients and essence from organic plants to correct various problem skin types. All products are dermatologically tested. I like how Asia refuses to use the word Acne. I wonder if it is because there is a stigma attached to the word or if there is not a direct translation. I prefer using "Problem" skin too it sounds so much prettier than ACNE. Bleh!

The Innisfree Trouble Care BB Cream not only provides coverage but also care for problematic skin. Some of the ingredient in the Trouble Care BB cream are:

Herbal essences hydrate skin.

Tea Tree extracts disinfect and soothe skin.

American Mint to help soothe pressured skin.

Vitamin A and Moneywort protect skin from external aggressions.

The BB Cream itself does have a very light herbal scent to it but it is not unpleasant nor does it linger. The cream is housed in a lilac tube with a pump to dispense. I found that two to three pumps was all I needed for full coverage of my face and neck.

The coverage ranges from medium to full. Some people have complained that is hard to blend, but I did not find that to be the case at all. I work in small sections on my face: Chin, Nose, Forehead, Cheeks, Jawline and I have never had any problems blending the product. I have applied this product using my fingertips for more coverage and I have applied it using my Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush for a more medium coverage. I definitely use less concealer when I apply it with my fingertips as the coverage is that good.

The finish of the product is sort of a satin finish. It's not matte, but it also isn't glossy (as I saw in one translation…I think the dewy and glossy were mixed up) anyway. I like the look of the finish. I always use a setting powder over top of any BB cream but that's because I'm particularly oily. As for those of us with oily skin I will say that this is not going to control oil as well as the Skinfood BB Cream or the Meishoku Moist Labo Matte BB Cream, but it certainly does last a decent amount of time on my skin before the oil breaks through. So that's nice.

The color is, as usual with Asian BB Creams, limited. I believe this comes in only one color. Thankfully I'm pale enough to have it match pretty well. The color is more on the pink side and does not seem to have any grey cast to it. On my super pink arm it tends to look a little yellow, but I promise you that's just because my inner arm is sooo pale. Against my face this looks much more natural.

Do you NEED this? If you have combo skin, are on the fair to light side in skin tone and suffer from breakouts, this might be the right BB cream for you. I didn't break out once while using this cream, in fact my skin started to look better overall the longer I used it. WIN! I purchased mine from a seller on ebay RubyRuby Shop, but you can find it on Amazon and Sasa.com. The price ranges from $9 USD to $20. I believe I paid around $15 and received free shipping.

Thursday Poll

2012-05-10T08:39:00.004-04:00

The Term Red-Headed Step-Child usually refers to a person or group treated without the favor of birthright. The origin of the phrase "red haired step child" dates to the 1830's & 40's when Irish emigrants began arriving in America. Back in the 1800's the newly arrived Irish were somewhere below free blacks on the social scale at the time, and they lived in segregated communities. According to one commenter on Wiki Answers: "Then, like now, young men were having sexual relations with young women before marriage. Sometimes the men were Irish and the girls were not. This resulted in many out of wedlock children with that red Irish hair. When these young women did finally marry, usually to a young man not of Irish descent, the new husband was not particularly patient or sympathetic to the red haired step child and treated them harshly. The phrase is derogatory although many do not know its origin, it is still considered an insult to knowledgeable people of Irish descent, and should be avoided in polite conversation." Well I may not agree 100% with that answer I do agree that there is a bias towards red heads in this world. Red hair is the rarest natural hair color in humans. Did you know that red hair occurs in only 1-2% of the human population? Of course those of northern or western European ancestry it occurs a bit higher (2–6%). The red hair comes from people with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a mutation in the MC1R protein.

I was born with red hair, but it turned blonde then brown...but I still had a lot of red undertones in my hair. Darthypie was born with and still has red hair (long after the age when my hair turned blonde). You see Mr. Sith's dad had red hair...when he had hair. So that's how Darthypie has red hair. I dye my hair red. I pay a pretty penny for it too. I like being a redhead. It looks quite natural on me (I like to think).

However, I do worry about Darthypie getting picked on for being a redhead, but I don't think the redhead bias is as strong here in the US as it is in the UK or other countries. In the UK, the words "ginger" or "ginga" are sometimes used as a way to describe a redhead but sometimes as an insult. There are terms like "gingerphobia" - hatred towards redheads. and "gingerism" - prejudice against redheads used by the British. "Gingerism" has been compared to racism, but having red hair does not mean you are from a specific race...and I don't know of any country that actually monitors "hate crimes" against redheads. But I still worry about Darthypie and his red hair. I'm his mom after all.

In the US some redheads are depicted as bullies in movies and on TV. For example. The bully in A Christmas Story, Scut Farkus had red hair. The O'Doyle family in Billy Madison all had red hair. But in reality children with red hair are often themselves targeted by bullies. So as Darthypie enters kindergarten in the fall we will see if his red hair becomes an issue....I don't think it will, but you never know.

On To The Poll!

1. Blush Of The Day? - Chanel JC in Espiegle. Why have I not reviewed this stunning ORANGE blush that looks so natural when applied? I must rectify that ASAP!

2. What color is your natural hair/current hair? - Natural hair: Ash Blonde/Brown. Current hair: Red!!

3. Recent beauty acquisition? - 10 more Inglot eyeshadows. I'm working on photographing all the new colors on my lids and should have a review up in a couple of weeks. I love them!

4. Do you have any scars on your body? (if so, where/from what?) - I have a scar on my right foot from where i dropped a knife on it and needed stitches, I have a c-section scar from Darthypie and I have a scar on my left knee that is almost invisible know from when I was a little kid and really badly scraped up my knee and I constantly picked at the scab...gross!

5. Jess from Dash Of Accessories Blog asked during my reverse Thursday poll: "What do you look for in make up/ skin care products?" - In skin care I look for more natural ingredients and a short ingredient list. With my skin, less is more. With makeup I look for color that is either perfect for my skin tone or unique or TAUPE! In both I look for quality. Something can cost $5 but if the quality is crappy I'm not saving any money. I also prefer quality over quantity. I'd rather spend $40 on 1 blush and know it's going to look awesome and last rather than getting 4 blushes for $40 and having them be chalky and fade quickly.

Mother's Day Beauty Gift Ideas

2012-05-09T14:42:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day is right around the corner. While I personally do nothing more than get a card for my mom and mother-in-law, I know many of you like to give gifts to your moms. (Oh and by the way. I don't ask for gifts for Mother's Day either. A card is all I want...maybe a nap too!)

I have compiled a few suggestions that some moms may like. OK. A few of these suggestions are Anti-Aging products. I personally wouldn't take offense at getting a wrinkle cream as a gift, but some women might. So if you think your mom is sensitive, perhaps stick with the products that don't point out that she has wrinkles!

OK. First up.

Murad Intensive-C® Radiance Peel. This is an anti-aging formula that reveals an instantly brighter, more youthful appearance by actively smoothing and illuminating skin to enhance radiance, while reducing hyperpigmentation to restore skin clarity. The Peel contains:

Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and accelerate turnover of dark damaged cells, removing dullness and improving skin texture.

Vitamin C and Indian Fig to protect against free radical damage while enhancing skin clarity and luminosity.

Myrtle Extract which supports collagen production to boost youthful resilience and elasticity.
The Intensive-C® Radiance Peel is available on Murad.com and is also available at Sephora.com, Ulta and leading salon and spa locations nationwide. $49.50 for 1.7 FL. OZ.

The second item from Murad is the Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles. This workhorse of a product targets stubborn creases and crow’s feet, and visibly reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles by 45% in 6 weeks. It features a new technology that controls the release of Retinol over time for maximum performance, Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles is a triple-action, wrinkle-fighting treatment that helps rebuild damaged collagen and diminishes the appearance of deep wrinkles wherever they appear. Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles is at the Murad.com, Sephora.com, Ulta, Massage Envy Spa and leading salon and spa locations. $65.00 for 0.5 FL. OZ.

Is mom more into Natural Skin Care? Perhaps you should BUZZZ on over to Medicine Mama’s Apothecary. They are encouraging you to help celebrate Mother’s Day this May with everything your mom needs to maintain healthy, vibrantly alive and beautiful skin. For the entire month of May, Medicine Mama’s Apothecary is offering a Mother’s Day gift set for $49.95 (a $65.00 value).
Use the promo code: MothersDay at checkout for an additional 10% off your entire order through Mother’s Day itself.
The gift set includes the Baby & Mama, Bee Magic Wand and V Magic, each of which are designed to bring out the naturally powerful health benefits of its ingredients. These include:
Honey: a gentle anti-septic and anti-bacterial ingredient
Propolis: the most biologically active tree resin with health benefits dating back centuries
Bee Pollen: nature’s multi-vitamin that stimulates cell renewal when used externally
Royal Jelly: containing gelatin, a catalyst for collagen production and a natural antibiotic
Beeswax: containing anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic and germicidal properties to keep skin healthy and strong

Want to pamper mom but she just doesn't have time to go to the spa? Well bring the spa to her with Votre Vu products. This year Votre Vu has three fab kits for Mother's day!

Fowers for Her Face: A special delivery of this botanical bouquet will brighten any mother’s day. This thoughtful arrangement of two pampering Votre Vu products will leave her skin petal soft and her heart full of joy.

Portrait Collar is a lush crème for the neck and décolleté. Powered by aromatic and restorative rose hips oil, this crème leaves skin beautifully soft, noticeably smoother, and naturally strengthened by marine elastin and collagen, and shea butter.

Employing the petal power of Roman chamomile and Melissa extract, the enchanting Tout Le Monde Eye Gelée firms, tones and tightens the delicate eye area. Soothing and repairing aloe vera and carrot oil deliver blissful relief to weary and sensitive skin.
Items included in this set: Portrait Collar Restorative Neck Crème and Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelée Retail: $54.00

Sweep Her Off Her Feet: A mother’s work is never done and her feet can pay the price. Let her know how much she’s appreciated and gift her with a stroll down the path to soothed, healthy, beautiful feet.
Petite particles of benevolent bamboo in Très Magni-feet Exfoliant gently eliminate roughness and lifeless cells – revealing clean, soft and refreshed feet.

Follow with Très Magni-feet Crème – an ultra-rich blend of chamomile, verbena, arnica and shea butter that hydrates, nourishes and protects. Feet are left softer, smoother, more youthful in appearance and feeling ready to play footsies again.
Items included in this set: Très Magni-feet Exfoliant Pour Les Pieds and Très Magni-feet Treatment Crème Pour Les Pieds. Retail: $42

Color Her World: Spring into color! From color-blocked clothing and hued-up home décor to toney cosmetics, the season is all over the rainbow. On-trend Vu presents its stint with tint -- “Color Her World,” a limited-edition product trio and the perfect skin care palette for Mother’s Day, teacher gifts, graduation, or a personal reward to oneself.
True bleu Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelée provides vibrant hydration for weary eyes.

SnapDragon Body Drench – tones and brightens skin with a dreamsicle-colored body crème.

Votre Vu's berry pretty balm and hand crème combo -- bébé Duette framboise -- naturally enhances rosé lip color with a pout pot in the cap, and nourishes hands with a shea-based hand crème in the tube.
Items included in this set: Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelée, SnapDragon Crème Pour Le Corps and 1 bébé Duette Luxe Lips Framboise and Hand Crème. Retail: $70

Do you have something special gift in mind for your mom this mother's day? Are you a mom? What would you like to get for Mother's Day this year?

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