Karen

Gilded Glamour: The Best Estee Lauder Holiday 2007 Lipstick Picks

November 14th, 2007 by Karen 32 Comments

The Golden Age, Part One

All month long I’ve been writing about the best makeup and beauty gifts to give your loved ones this holiday season. I know ’tis the season of giving and all that, but sometimes you gotta snag a lil’ something-something for yourself. Shhh — Don’t worry. I won’t tell Santa!

One big holiday theme many of the lines are using this year is gold product packaging. And I love, love, love it! If like me you’re a sucker for elegant packaging, then the one thing that you absolutely must pick up for yourself is a tube of Estee Lauder’s Signature Lipstick ($19.50).

Check out these beauties, along with Estee Lauder’s Limited Edition Platinum Illuminator Loose Shimmer Powder:

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The gold fluted tube looks and feels rich and oh so glam. One cool thing that surprised me was the weight. The lipstick tubes are surprisingly heavy, which makes the packaging feel even more exclusive. Shoot, even El Hub was impressed (“Wow, that’s heavy and kinda pretty”) and he’s a dude that doesn’t know gloss from matte!

Blinding You with Lipstick Science

In addition to the amazing packaging, the lipstick formula is fantastic. It’s soft, light, long-wearing, doesn’t dry my lips out and is SUPER SHINY! I’m talking shinier than the light at the end of the tunnel, ya’ll. When I wear lipstick I usually top it off with gloss because I like a really shiny lip, but with the Signature Lipsticks I skip the gloss entirely because it’s shiny enough on its own.

To get this amazing finish, a lot of technology went into getting the formula just right.

All lipsticks are made from wax, oil and color, and most typically begin with a natural wax base and a yellowy-white baseline color, which is often hard, heavy, and has an inconsistent density and composition.

The Signature Lipsticks have a different texture and performance because of a synthetic wax base, which offers improved emolliency and brighter color.

It’s then combined with gelants for cushion and comfort, esters for slip and luster, and a special emollient paste, which is made up of a blend of oils (previously reserved only for lip glosses) that melts on the lips. This gives the lipstick its shiny finish. Finally, a film form binds these elements together, keeping the ingredients and pigments intact.

Did you know so much technology went into that lil’ tube? I sure didn’t.

Colors for All Ya’ll

There are 24 Signature Lipstick colors that are universally flattering. Here are six of my favorites:

estee-lauder-signature-hydra-lustre-lipstick-apricot-sun

estee-lauder-signature-hydra-lustre-lipstick-burnished-bronze

estee-lauder-signature-hydra-lustre-lipstick-mocha

estee-lauder-signature-hydra-lustre-lipstick-pink-champagne

estee-lauder-signature-hydra-lustre-lipstick-rich-berry

estee-lauder-signature-hydra-lustre-lipstick-rich-currant

And here are the color group breakdowns to make your lipstick selection easier:

Pink-Berry: Pink Champagne, Perfect Pink, Lush Rose, Rich Berry, Venetian Rose, Dune Rose, Tender Rose, Cocoa Rose, Woodland Berry
Mauve-Plum: Tender Mauve, Orchid Light, Soft Amethyst, Plum Frost, Rich Currant
Nude-Brown: Burnished Bronze, Toasted Walnut, Copper Glow, Mocha, Chestnut
Coral-Red: Spiced Coral, Apricot Sun, Copper Coral, Rich Red, Black Cherry

If you want to indulge but are on a one-lipstick kinda budget then check out either of my top faves: Rich Currant and Apricot Sun. The colors are so easy to wear and super pretty for both work or an evening out with the girls.

Random Lipstick Fun Facts

– 80% of women wear lipstick.
– Lipstick dates back 5000 years to when the earliest woman wooed the earliest man by staining her lips with red berries. Rock on, cave girl! Go and get your man!

Sparkle, Motion

So, when you hit the Estee Lauder counter to look at the Signature Lipsticks, don’t forget to check out the Limited Edition Platinum Illuminator Loose Shimmer Powder ($32.00). That’s it on the left hand side of the first pic. I tried to swatch it but, honestly, the picture does not do this powder justice. It’s so pretty in real life and for some reason I just can’t get the lighting right in my photo studio (aka my dining room/office) to capture the peachy-gold flecks correctly!

If you like MAC’s Loose Beauty Powders, then you might like this powder too. It’s a multi-tasking shimmer powder, very grown up and sophisticated – no cheesy club glitter here, ladies. You can use it as a highlighter on your face, or you can dust it on your shoulders and decollate for a festive glow. I’ve even mixed it with moisturizer and worn it to my legs! Oh, and the jar is GINORMOUS. There’s enough product to take you into the your next few lifetimes.

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The Platinum Illuminator Loose Shimmer Powder is just one part of Estee Lauder’s Holiday 2007 Into The Night color collection, which is all about sheer, luminous, wearable metallic hues. The look is modern with a mix of classic elegance and cosmopolitan glamour: think tailored suiting, pencil skirts, with sophisticated shades of gold, copper and bronze with hints of rich metallic red.

This color line reminds me of elegant, sophisticated glamour, and makes me want to throw on a scarf, a string of pearls and a pair of black patent high heels. What do you think? Are you feeling this?

T-minus Eight Days ‘Till Turkey Day

Sometimes I’m amazed how fast time flies. It seems to be moving quicker as I get older, too, which seems TOTALLY UNFAIR because now I’ve got exponentially more stuff to do.

Thanksgiving is next week, can you believe it? I love any holiday that is food focused. I like turkey, but I’m all about the side dishes and dessert: corn, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, pumpkin pie! The only downside to this is all the extra time spent at the gym working on my fitness (lol, don’t lie, I know you love that “Fergalicious” song.) El Hub and I will be heading out to the East Bay to hang with my family. What are your plans?

Anyway, ya’ll have a wonderful Wednesday! Keep on keepin’ on ….

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Three Ways to Sparkle this Holiday Season

November 13th, 2007 by Karen 23 Comments

I wish I could get all of my closest friends diamonds for Christmas — they really are a girl’s best friend — but unfortunately I have yet to acquire vast riches and treasure chests of gold.

While makeup may not exactly be equivalent to a platinum pave friendship bracelet, there are several products out this holiday season that have just as much sparkle and shine. Here are three great choices for the best friend who is always there for you.

Make Up For Ever Professional’s Diamonds For Ever Kit

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Sparkle, shine, drama: Make Up For Ever’s limited edition Diamonds For Ever Kit is not only beautiful but also multi-functional!

Every piece in the kit is geared toward creating a look infused with diamonds, and you can use pieces in the kit together or separately to create different looks.

The kit is just $49.00, but you get $110 worth of Make Up For Ever goodies including:

– Aqua Eyes Water Proof Eye Pencil 1L in Star Black
– Diamond Shadow 301 in Diamond White
– Diamond Powder 11 (a loose shimmer powder) in Champagne
– Fascinating Lip Gloss 1 in Pearly Transparent
– Waterproof Lengthening Mascara in 1 Black
– and a cute black vanity tote with a built in mirror and velcro closure to hold all of the goodies!

I know a few weeks ago I was ranting on and on about my glitter issues ,but the Diamonds For Ever set has officially made me one with the glitter.

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I played around with the kit this weekend and totally fell for the Aqua Eyes Water Proof Eye Pencil, Diamond Shadow and Waterproof Lengthening Mascara. The Aqua Eyes is *the* standout product. It doesn’t tug at my lids and is super easy to apply. Once you get it on your eyes, it stays put all day. It performs similarly to MAC Technakohl, so if you are a MAC Technakohl fan then you might want to give Aqua Eyes a try. Methinks I love it even more than my Graphblack!

Here’s a fotd with all the products, along with MAC Dollymix blush on the cheeks and a layer of MAC Composure lipstick underneath a layer of Fascinating lip gloss:

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The obligatory goofy pic…
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Pick this set up for your glitter-lurvin’ best girl.

Givenchy Irresisistible Perfume: For the Girly-girl

I’ve been reviewing a lot of boyfriend-inspired perfumes lately like Covet, so I wanted to find a holiday perfume that would suit the other end of the perfume spectrum.

Feminine, floral, sparkly: Givenchy’s Very Irresistible is unmistakably girly.

(Oh, and in case you are wondering, I did give the new Armani “Diamonds” perfume — an obvious tie-in to this post — a sniff. I liked it but wanted to find something that was super-fem with strong rose notes.)

On me, Very Irresistible smells like a lovely bouquet of roses with hints of fresh, sparkling green notes — think emerald cut diamonds and fresh cut flower stems!

The scent notes include: Centrifolia Rose, Peony Rose, Fantasia Rose, Passion Rose, Emotion Rose, Verbena Leaf and Star Anise. In addition to being an uber-feminine scent, it’s also versatile, and perfect for both a work day and a date night.

Give your best girl the 2.4 Eau du Toilette spray ($69.00). The graceful pink bottle is huge, and like a diamond, will last forever.

Random fragrance fun fact: Givenchy recently celebrated their 50 year fragrance anniversary this year. Givenchy’s first fragrances were Le De and L’Interdit, and Audrey Hepburn (my style hero) posed for the advertising campaign, becoming the first celebrity to be associated with a fragrance launch.

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Olay Definity Eye Illuminator, For Your Make Up Wearing Gym Buddy

What the heck does eye cream have to do with sparkly diamonds? Hear me out, ya’ll!

There’s been constant discussion on this blog about wearing makeup at the gym. If you are one of the lucky few who can brave the gym sans makeup, then props to you for being such a natural beauty! I wish I could get away with no makeup, but I’ve got to put at least some concealer under my eyes, otherwise I look like the living dead. It’s so not cute, especially when you’re watching yourself do bicep curls.

And lately my dark circles have been really bad. To remedy this pressing and slightly stressful issue I’ve been layering Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer on top of Olay Definity, an under eye treatment that helps to lessen darkness and shadows. And wowee wow wow!

I put a few small drops underneath my eyes and then layer concealer on top. It gives the tiniest amount of shimmer, and it makes my under eye area look brighter.

It’s a really subtle brightening effect, so don’t expect your dark circles to disappear in a magical poof of smoke. It’s an eye cream, not a Christmas miracle. However, if you’re uber-conscious like me about your dark circles, then you might find the extra step worth it.

Got a best friend who’s always working on her fitness and/or bemoaning her dark circles? Pop a tube of Olay Definity Eye Illuminator (about $22.00) in her stocking.

Enjoy this wonderfully sunny day, ya’ll!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The LeSportsac Tokidoki Campeggio Bag: A Perfect Holiday Gift for Ladies on the Go!

November 12th, 2007 by Karen 26 Comments

The Holiday Wishlist 2007 gift-o-rama continues with the bag of all bags!

LeSportsac’s Tokidoki Campeggio Bag
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Holiday Gift Idea? LeSportsac’s Tokidoki Campeggio Bag.
For? A busy mom, student or on-the-go beauty blogger.
How much? $160.00.
Why? Because you’ve got lots of stuff. And you’ve got to bring that stuff with you!

When I cover beauty or fashion events like the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show, I need to bring a lot of gear. There are cameras, various high- and low-tech accouterments and, of course, random tubes of lipgloss. All this stuff needs to go into a lightweight bag that has lots of roomy pockets and a comfy shoulder strap.

A few weeks ago I was all about my super cute Lululemon bag. But when I took it with me to the Estee Lauder Elizabeth Hurley event a few weeks ago I found myself wishing it had a cross-body shoulder strap so I could keep my hands free all the time.

Even though the Lululemon bag holds up to 50 pounds, it’s hard to carry all that weight on one shoulder and shoot comfortably with a heavy camera. For someone who carries around less makeup (or gear!) it’s a great bag, but not having a shoulder strap that goes across my body limits my freedom. But unless you’re shoving your way through a crowd to get a shot or climbing up on railings to take pictures, which is what I had to do at SF Fashion Week, the bag rocks.

But the LeSportsac Tokidoki Campeggio Bag has been a lifesaver. I swear, the day this bag came into my life the clouds parted and birds started singing.

This bag is roomy, light, comfortable and holds everything AND the kitchen sink while still having a sleek silhouette. If you need to buy a present for someone who carries lots of stuff — a new mom, a student, a nomad — then this bag is the perfect gift!

LeSportsac really wasn’t on my radar until a few years ago, when Gwen Stefani hit the scene with the L.A.M.B. collaboration. I love prints, so the newest incarnation of bags by designer Tokidoki speaks both to my design sense and my need for a bag that’s functional.

I dig the quirky black and white cartoon characters on this bag, and only Tokidoki could make the grim reaper look cute:

lesportsac-sideview

I test-drove my Tokidoki bag (aka Tokidoki BAG O’ AWESOMENESS) recently on a day when I had to travel for blog-related stuff all day long. In addition to carrying all of my crap (which included two cameras, a tripod, a digital voice recorder, a notebook, a wallet, a makeup bag, makeup samples, a crackberry, a pair of post-pedicure slippers, a bottle of ginger ale and a packet of LifeSavers Gummies, among other things) the Tokidoki BAG O’ AWESOMENESS also served as …

A clever disguise!

lesportsac-campeggio-tokidoki-bag-hiding

San Francisco is only seven by seven miles, so more often than not, I’m doomed to running into one of my ex’s downtown. And wouldn’t you know it, as I was waiting to cross a street there was one of ’em at the other end of the crosswalk.

I didn’t want to be late for my meeting, and honestly the only reason I would talk to him now would be to ask him why he never gave back my hairdryer (he’s bald, hello). And I soooo wasn’t in the mood to get into it in the middle of Market Street.

Instead of being all mature and civilized your girl chose the next best option: hide behind the Tokidoki BAG O’ AWESOMENESS!

And by golly it worked. I crossed the street without a second glance! He must have just assumed I was a crazy person (oh, the irony) and walked right on by.

A beacon of hope and friendship!

lesportsac-campeggio-tokidoki-bag-checking-emails

Later on in the day I was early for a meeting with an editor, so I parked myself on a street corner and checked my crackberry for messages. One random person came up to me and asked if he could have a cigarette (I don’t smoke). Right after that a large Asian family asked me how to get to Union Square. Another person stopped and asked me where I got my bag. I was making friends left and right! It’s amazing how the Tokidoki BAG O’ AWESOMENESS helps break down barriers!

An enabler of moments of photographic inspiration!

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A group of strange people holding kites passed by. I grabbed my camera out of the Tokidoki BAG O’ AWESOMENESS just in time to catch a few choice shots.

The Tokidoki Campeggio bag has:

– a zipped main closure
– two front cargo pockets with velcro closure
– a small back pocket with zipped closure (where I stash my business cards for easy access)
– two inside pockets with zippers (one is huge and the other is medium-sized)
– one cell phone/crackberry pocket inside
– adjustable shoulder strap
– inside carabiner on stretch cord (where I put my keys for quick access)

It’s $160.00 and is available in the new “vacanze” print on the LeSportsac Web site.

If Tokidoki is not quite your style then wait ’till February 2008, which is when designer Stella McCartney releases her line of LeSportsac bags. The line will feature chic, stylish, multi-functional travel bags.

I couldn’t get pictures of them yet, but those bags will have …

– a vibrant color palette
– wet seal zips for a modern yet sporty feel
– bright floral print linings and solid color blocking
– mesh pocket details
– tones of dirty pinks, deep plums and silver greys with contrast stitch details

I’m a huge Stella McCartney fan so I can’t wait to snag one when they are released.

Aren’t you glad Monday is over? I sure am!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup Junkies, Don’t Miss the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show!

November 11th, 2007 by Karen 22 Comments

There are only two reasons I’d wake up at 5:00 a.m. on a cold, dreary Saturday morning — if I had to catch a plane to a far off tropical location, OR if I had the chance to see the latest Holiday makeup trends at the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show.

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After two cups of coffee and several layers of concealer (gotta hide those dark circles), your girl hauled her cookies over to Nordstrom Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek to see the best Holiday 2007 makeup and skincare trends from several lines, including Dior, Chanel, Lancome, Clinique, Philosophy and MAC.

I met up with my blogging buddy Christine, who I thought would be the only other person crazy enough to wake up at 5:00 a.m. to go look at makeup. Little did I realize we weren’t the only ones. When we got to the store at 7:30, there was already a line of women waiting out front. You go, ladies!

Hurry up and sit down, ya’ll!
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To attend a Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show, visit their Web site for dates and locations near you (listed under their “Store Locations & Events” section). RSVP by phone. There’s a modest $15.00 cover charge, which applies toward any beauty/cosmetics purchases you make on the day of the event.

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If you love cosmetics but are NOT a morning person, then be forewarned: the Trend Show is kinda like a rock concert. There’s loud music, hot models, screaming women (no joke!) and unbridled makeup enthusiasm. Several premier artists from top lines, like Louise Zizzo (MAC), John Fussell (Chanel), Rachel Ito (Clinique) and John Trau (Philosophy) discussed the hottest looks for this season.

Louise Zizzo from MAC works the crowd
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John Fussel from Chanel. Check out the model’s boots!
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Bold Lips and Eyes!

The three trends featured at this show were matte skin, lined eyes and red/burgundy lips.

Matte Skin:

– natural yet flawless extra-matte finish
– new products have lightweight and transparent matte formulas, unlike the heavier mattes of the 90s
– healthier, brighter-looking skin without the shine

Matte skin and flirty lined eyes from Lancome
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Lined eyes:

– dynamically lined eyes for powerful, strong looks
– for a flirty look, try black, slate or grey liner on top lashes
– for an edgy look, try liner on lower lashes only
– to keep focus on black-lined eyes, use natural lip tones

An edgy, chic look from MAC
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Red/burgundy lips:

– colors for fall include scarlet, burgundy or aubergine hues
– top bold colors with gloss, or smooth down with matte pigments
– to draw attention to lips, use a slight touch of color on eyes and mascara only

Estee Lauder featured bold lips
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But wait! There’s more…

Another great reason to sign up for one of these shows is you get free stuff. Everyone at this event received this stylish, roomy, silver train case.

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In addition to the train cases we also got snacks. Honey, you know that the two ways to my heart are through Chanel and through my stomach, so I was super excited to open my little goody box to find it filled with fruit, muffins and other yummy morning snacks.

But the fun didn’t stop there. In one of the show’s many raffles, Christine, who at the start of the show bemoaned how she never wins anything, actually won a bag full of Fusion Beauty products, ha ha ha! Lucky!

Joelle Russo, Nordstrom beauty director and emcee for the show, gets ready to raffle off more goodies
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After the show, attendees headed downstairs to the store’s beauty department to buy more goodies and get makeovers. Several of the lines had special gift-with-purchase offers, free samples, and “best of” product packages for sale.

A Philosophy bag from the trend show filled with of some of the best products in the line. Can you spot my new fave cleanser, Purity Made Simple?
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This special gift from Clinique included Allure magazine favorites from their color and skincare lines
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If you love makeup then I highly recommend checking it out one of these shows. There are two Nordsrom trend shows happening next weekend, November 17, at the Fashion Valley and Valley Fair Nordstrom stores in California. Check out the Nordstrom site for more details.

Oh, and if you do plan on going, don’t let your husband play around with your beauty loot when you get home. I’m just sayin’…

nordstrom-cosmetics-trend-show-clinique-lipstick-destruction

I hope your weekend has been full of lots of makeup fun!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P. S. Your weekend isn’t over yet. It’s time for the weeks best o’ beauty from The Beauty Blog Network!

I know you didn’t miss Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Best of Clinique’s Holiday 2007 Makeup and Fragrances.[Continue reading…]

Product Review, Makeup: Prescriptives The Illuminator All Over Face Color; Prescriptives Colorscope Creamy Eye Color in Smoking Gun 05

November 9th, 2007 by Karen 19 Comments

More Holiday 2007 Stocking Stuffers

Two of my favorite things about holiday makeup are shimmer and glow!

Creamy shadows, pigments, sparkly highlighters — there are so many choices. Two of my favorites this season are from the Prescriptives line, The Illuminator ($35.00) and Colorscope Creamy Eye Color in Smoking Gun ($18.00).

For the past few weeks I’ve been raving about MAC Natural Flare Beauty Powder, but now my favorite highlighter of the moment is The Illuminator, a limited edition product in the Prescriptives Holiday 2007 line-up.

If you are looking for a multiple-shade, compact highlighter, then you’ve got to pick this up. I love the sleek and clean packaging, especially the cute lil’ chain hanging from the side, which has a tiny charm at the end. Awww, how precious!

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Check out the beauty on the inside:

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The mix of golds and tans — with a touch of peachy pink — give a warm, candlelit glow. On the face of the day below, I popped it on top of a pink cream blush, Laura Mercier’s Oleander. I also applied it down the bridge of my nose, temples and on my chin.

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In addition to using it as a highlighter, you can also use it as a shadow. I’ve picked up the gold color in the middle with a small brush and applied it all over my lids for a sheer wash.

Another not-to-miss shimmer product that’s also been in heavy makeup rotation lately is Colorscope Creamy Eye Color. This long-wearing, cream shadow is a permanent part of the Prescriptives color collection. I like it mostly because (surprise, surprise) it’s super easy to apply and blend; I really like using the MAC 249 brush, a large, flat shader brush with a synthetic brush head.

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I wasn’t initially impressed with the Smoking Gun shade, a metallic gunmetal color, when I first saw it in the pot. When I put it on my lids though — wow! It’s dark grey with subtle glitter flecks, and the contrast against my dark brown eyes really makes them pop.

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In the face of the day below I concentrated most of the color on the lashline and lid and then gradually feathered the color out as I moved it into the crease.

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I also like it as a light wash over the entire lid for a subtle glow!

Is your weekend off to a good start? I hope so! I’m having a mellow night at home because I have to wake up early tomorrow with the chickens. I’m heading on out to Walnut Creek with my girl Christine to attend the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trade Show. Oops, there goes my paycheck! If you’re going too, then stop by and say hi. I’d love to meet ya.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Skincare, Drugstore Beauty Finds: Clinique Moisture On-Line; Dove Cream Oil Body Wash in Ultra Rich

November 8th, 2007 by Karen 12 Comments

The Battle Against Dry Skin Continues!

You know that Gnarls Barkley song, Crazy (“I think we’re crazaaaay”)? God I hate that song. However, I can’t help but sing it to myself whenever I look for moisturizers in the wintertime, because when the temperature drops I feel like “My skin’s going crazaaaay!”

Don’t fret; there’s hope for the scaly-skinned. Here are two choice products which I’ve found recently that fight the good fight against dryness: Clinique Moisture On-line for my face and Dove Ultra Rich Creamy Oil Body Wash for my body.

I’ve been on a Clinique skin care kick lately, which is kind of odd because I’ve never been a 3-step kinda girl. But certain products within the line really deliver, like Moisture On-line face moisturizer.

I have combo, pimple-prone skin. I use benzoyl peroxide for my acne, and although it really works for me it dries my face out, especially around the mouth area. I *always* have to layer a moisturizer on top of the BP.

For the last week I’ve been putting on a layer of Moisture On-line after applying benzoyl peroxide and it has really helped relieve the dryness. I was afraid at first that it would break me out because most heavy moisturizing creams do, but I haven’t had any pimples so far. In fact, my skin has been clearing up nicely since the introduction of this along with the Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion into my skincare routine.

It has a clean, slightly medicinal smell that I like. I wish it wasn’t in a jar, but whatevs, it works and that’s all I really care about.

In a weird twist of irony, I had some trouble finding this at the Clinique counter and at Sephora. Looks like I’ll have to be ordering Moisture On-line, well, on-line.

You might like this if you have combo, pimple-prone skin. If you’re younger and oilier this might be too heavy for you so you might check out H20+ Face Oasis, which is a slightly lighter gel moisturizer that is still very hydrating.

A 1.7 oz fl jar of Moisture On-line is $36.00.

My legs get really dry in the winter, so I need to switch to a more hydrating body wash. Dove’s Cream Oil Body Wash was a random drugstore product I picked up last week and woo hoo, I love it!

This thick body wash lathers well and gets me squeaky clean. Even though it says it’s a cream oil wash, it rinses off thoroughly and easily. It has a slightly spicy scent (reminds me of cloves) that can be overwhelming if your nose is sensitive, but it fades quickly.

A combo of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour moisturizer has totally made a difference. I can especially see it on my legs, which now look and feel soft all day long. No more alligator-eque, scaly skin. Yay!

There’s just one tiny beef I have with this product. I am not crazy about the packaging. It looks a little cheesy and reminds me of a space ship. Because of this, I’m glad it stays in my shower and not someplace highly visible like my dresser, where I’d find reason to hate it every chance I entered the room.

Despite this minor issue, Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is a winner in my book. There are three types available which offer various levels of moisturization: Delicate, Creamy and Ultra Rich. If you’re super dry like me then pick up the Ultra Rich.

A huge 19.4 fl oz bottle of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is about $8.00.

Do you ever get on a kick where you can’t stop listening to a song? I’ve been listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Love Like This” non stop. It makes me happy every time I hear it. I guess it’s pretty new so there’s no video yet, but if you want to give it a listen here it is:

What song do you have stuck in your head today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Fragrance, Just for fun: Random Acts of Beauty; Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Perfumes; Starlight Perfume by Shania Twain

November 7th, 2007 by Karen 22 Comments

fussytabby-random-acts-of-beauty

One beauty blogger. Countless hours of music video watching. Two random acts of beauty.

Fall 1981

I’m in first grade. I get home from school one day, turn on the telly and see Blondie’s video, “Heart of Glass,” for the first time. Debbie Harry is blonde and bad-ass. I decide she’s the bomb and make the pledge to be her when I grow up.

During dinner I ask my mom if I can cut my long, straight black hair. “I want it short,” I say. “Blonde, too! And I’d like to do it before school tomorrow.”

My mom rolls her eyes, plops some vegetables on my plate and snorts, “Next year.” This answer is standard operating procedure in our household so I just shrug it off. I figure, okay, I can wait until second grade. It’s not that far away. (It wasn’t until I was much older when I finally figured out the words “next year” were code for “Oh hell naaaaaw, girl.”)

Later that evening, I sneak my mom’s gray shawl out of her bedroom. I put on some Grape Lip Smackers Gloss and dance around my room while singing, “La la la lah, heart of glass!” Even though I don’t have the blonde hair, boobs, or a band for that matter, my inner bad-ass Debbie manages to manifest itself. Yes!

Summer 1984

Madonna’s “Lucky Star” video is playing on MTV practically 24 hours a day. I am convinced that the black outfit that she has on is just the thing to wear to school picture day in the fall.

While we’re shopping for school clothes at Mervyn’s (there was no Limited Too back in the day), I freak out when I discover that the children’s section has no black, fingerless lace gloves. Wait … no black mesh tops either? What the hell?

My mom hands me a glittery unicorn decal T-shirt. I kick furiously at the carpet and foam at the mouth. To hell with the unicorns! It’s the black Lucky Star outfit or death!

“Don’t you start fussing about clothes,” my mom threatens through clenched teeth. “There are starving, naked children running around in the Philippines! Do you think they whine about black lace gloves? All they want is a scoop of rice and some underwear!”

Blah, blah, blah. I tune her out and pout all the way home.

I decide there is only one way to rebel against that dumbass unicorn T shirt. I put on some of my mom’s black eyeliner and try very carefully to make it look just like Madonna’s in the video. I somehow figure out how to work the VCR, tape the Lucky Star video, and then play it over and over again. Play, rewind, dance. Play, rewind, dance. I learn the entire video by heart. Hours pass. The sun goes down.

For some weird reason my parents say nothing while this strangeness unfolds in the living room. Maybe they figured at least I was exercising and not hanging out with the neighborhood ruffians. Or perhaps they thought I was possessed by the spirits and that there wasn’t anything they could do. They’ve never clarified why they let me dance around for five hours wearing crazy black eyeliner; I suspect they never will.

That day was the first day I ever wore black eyeliner and it’s been downhill ever since. I owe part of my makeup obsession to Madge and that fateful black outfit. She’s still number one in my book. And to this day, whenever the Lucky Star video starts playing, I can’t help but bust out the dance moves. Yes!

In the Beginning, there was Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

I went to Long’s yesterday to buy some Wet Ones Wipes to clean my brushes, a packet of LifeSavers Gummies (my sixth major food group) and some Cover Girl Lash Blast.

So I’m wandering around the makeup section when lo and behold, I run into the celebrity perfume aisle. I never paid attention to it until a few weeks ago, when I had the earth-shattering revelation that not all celeb perfumes suck.

I saw perfumes by the usual suspects (J.Lo, Hillary Duff, Britney), as well as the not-so usual suspects (Antonio Banderas — LOLOLOLZ).

Suddenly I realized that there was an inordinate amount of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen perfumes and body sprays. It’s clear from the ad pictures that these were made years ago, prior to the twins’ movement into high fashion.

These girls are like the OG original gangsters of celeb perfumes. They’ve got about 10 different kinds and their perfumes take up half of the aisle. Holy shizz!

The Olsen Twins, aka the Terminators of the Drugstore Celeb Perfume World
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For reasons unknown I really wanted to buy the $15.99 gift set, but I wasn’t exactly ready to go there.

Later on that day, I chatted with my girl Julie from Almost Pretty. She confessed to having smelled a few MK and Ashley scents and described them as being akin to being enveloped in a smelly cloud of “sparkly crack.” THANK JEEBUS I held back from buying that set.

More Holiday Wish List 2007 — Starlight Perfume by Shania Twain

I’m happy to report that not all of the drugstore celeb perfumes are steeped in scent tragedy. One budget-minded perfume that I’ve actually been liking is Shania Twain’s Starlight.
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The scent is very crisp, and reminds me of a mix of snow and champagne. On my skin the perfume reveals very few floral notes and smells more like a feminine, sophisticated version of men’s cologne.
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Shania looks really great in this ad campaign, too. Girlfriend is fierce in that prom dress.

If you’re on a strict budget this year (and girl…trust me, I’ve been there) then this is a great gift option for your brother or sister’s girlfriend.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle of Shania Starlight is $34.00 for an eau de toilette spray; the smaller, 0.5 fl oz. spray is $18.00.

Today I’m going to do some more MAC Holiday 2007 product testing. I’ll have some more lovely swatches and pics of the Royal Assets Eye Shadow sets and Lip Sets soon!

Aren’t you glad it’s Wednesday? We’re halfway there, ya’ll! HOLD ON!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Makeup, Makeup, Skin Care, Product Reviews: MAC Holiday 2007 Finery Limited Edition Plum Lips, Lola Spellbound Palette, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

November 6th, 2007 by Karen 37 Comments

Stocking Stuffers Galore – More Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday Wishlist 2007
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My favorite part of holiday gift giving is getting fun stocking stuffers. Forget practical stuff like socks, underwear and dental floss. BLAH! I want fun makeup. Here are a few choice Holiday 2007 stuffers that the girls (and boys) in your life will dig.

More MAC Finery! Plum Lips – Oh La Lovely

Yesterday I posted some pictures of Coral Lips, my favorite group out of MAC’s Limited Edition Finery sets. Here are a few pics of the Plum Lips set, which comes a close second.

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By far the stand out lippie here is Culture Class, a rich plum frost. I especially love it with a layer of Contessa Lipglass.

If you’re waffling between the two sets then I’d suggest looking at what colors you have missing in your lipstick collection. The Coral Lips set is definitely my favorite, but because I have so many coral colors I’d probably skip the set and go for the Plum.

In addition to being super cute, the lil’ tweed clutch is actually really handy! I put a compact and lipstick in one yesterday and popped it in my purse. Yes, I do see the irony of putting a little purse in a big purse but I was able to find my lipstick THAT much quicker.

Each set is $32.00. Buy a set for yourself and another one for your sister-in-law or best gal pal.

Lola Holiday 2007 Spellbound Palette – For the Glamour Girl

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Lola’s Spellbound Color Clutch ($38.00) is one of the most beautiful palettes this Holiday season. It’s very vintage and 40s looking, with a pretty velvet design and rhinestone accent. You get: a mirror, three lip glosses, two crÃ¨me blushes and 18 shadow shades in coordinating pans.

This palette gives a makeup newbie all she needs for plenty of fun hours of experimentation. Plus, it’s so handy and portable and hello, really super cute. The stand-outs are the crÃ¨me blushes and lipglosses. They wear well and feel great on my cheeks and lips.

Your favorite niece or closest cousin will love it!

Bye, Bye, Dry! Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream RULES

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My skin in the wintertime becomes a mess of alligator-esque, ashy dryness. I just discovered Elizabeth’s Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and THANK JEEBUS! Now I can’t live without it.

I’m not the only one who loves it. The Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is so great that it recently won an Allure Beauty award. Unlike lame-o Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (puke!) which wins every year for no good reason, Eight Hour Cream really deserves the title.

It’s thick and rich (I barely have to use any) but it sinks into the skin easily and doesn’t leave an oily film. It has a slightly herbal, unisex smell that you’ll either love it or hate. I don’t mind it so much because the product leaves me completely moisturized, and my skin feels soft all day. No scaly, itchy, or uncomfortable legs, hooray! It’s really all that and a bag of Cheetoes, people!

The Hand Cream is now a staple in my purse. Like the Body Treatment, it’s rich and moisturizing and doesn’t leave your hands feeling slick or oily.

Put this in everybody’s stocking. Your favorite metrosexual will forever be in your debt.

One huge 6.8 oz tube of Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is $25.00. The Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment is $17.00.

Need a Beauty Book Editor? Services fo’ Hire

Oh gawd! So yesterday I had all these plans to work on the blog but I got distracted by a little thing called sleep. I came home, sat on the couch, and next thing I knew it was eight or nine.

Anyway, I’m so glad that today is sunny. I am going to run a few errands, and then I get to read the manuscript of a beauty book that I’m working on for work. Yay! I’m so excited.

Hope your day has been fun so far! Doing anything exciting?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen