Makeup

I know it’s early October, and you probably haven’t even picked out a pumpkin to carve, but all the makeup lines are unveiling their new palettes and sets for the holidays. They want you festive, dammit, whether you’re ready or not! 🙂

Yup, Bobbi Brown is starting early this year, releasing a string of limited edition palettes this month.

• Lip and Eye Palette, $60: A double decker palette with four lipsticks and four eye shadows
• Lip Gloss Trio, $45: A copper case with Spun Gold, Pink Glitter and Sandy Beige lipglosses
• Moon Rock Long-Wear Eye Palette, $55: Two long-wearing cream shadows and liners in shades of gold, silver, black and chestnut
• Night Sky Long-Wear Eye Palette, $55: Two long-wearing cream shadows and liners in silver, blue, black and gray.
• Velvet Plum Eye Palette, $45: Four coordinating powder eye shadows in plums and neutral tones
• Tube Tints Set, $30: Four mini-lipgloss tubes, each with SPF 15, in sheer pinks and browns

Last weekend I played with the Tube Tints Set, Night Sky Long-Wear Eye Palette and Velvet Plum Eye Palette. I think each would make a nice gift for any makeup lovin’ ladies in your life.

Velvet Plum Eye Palette

A few years ago, when I worked a 9-to-5 gig in downtown San Francisco, I’d bring my makeup and brushes with me to work and apply makeup in the bathroom on my breaks. I’ve always had issues packing light, even for work, so streamlined I was not. I’d walk around looking like I had a turkey stuffed in my bag. If I could turn back time, I’d totally give myself this palette along with a note that read, “Streamline, girl!”

From left to right: Bone, Naked, Velvet Plum, Espresso

This gorgeous palette contains four versatile powder eye shadows suitable for business meetings or drinks after work.

Bone Eye Shadow: off white
Naked Eye Shadow: medium neutral pink
Velvet Plum Eye Shadow: shimmery black plum
Espresso Eye Shadow: dark chocolate brown

Neutral work eye:
Apply Bone all over the lid and Naked into the crease. Wet an angled brush and then line the upper and lower lash lines with Espresso.

Plum night eye:
Wet a shadow brush, and apply Velvet Plum onto the lid and just barely into the crease. Then, with an angled eye brush, line the bottom lash line with Espresso.

Brown-plum smokey eye:
Line upper and lower lashlines with a creamy eye liner like MAC Smolder. Smudge Espresso on top of the liner on both lash lines. Then, apply Plum on the lid and just into the crease.

Out of the three palettes I tried, this one is my favorite. It’s just so flexible, and the colors pop without taking things too far. Gotta give Bobbi much lurve for this one. Go girl!

Tube Tints Set

From left to right: Brown Sugar Shimmer, Posey Shimmer, Bare Shimmer and Tea Rose

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High definition TV (HD TV) has totally changed the entertainment makeup industry — no more hiding behind the camera, relying on low resolution TV to smooth out fine lines and blur away imperfections. Now, thanks to HD TV, the difference between good and bad TV makeup has become more apparent than ever before.

Earlier this year, to meet the demands of HD TV and to take advantage of the move to high definition, cosmetics company Cargo released the Blu Ray collection (as in Sony’s Blu-Ray HD disc format). The five-piece collection was specifically designed to conceal skin imperfections while maintaining a natural look both on and off camera.

Why Powder?

Worn on top of foundation, pressed powder evens skin tone and reduces the look of fine lines while restoring skin’s natural appearance.

Why Blu Ray?

Cargo infused Blu Ray with softening agents, like optical blurring and photochromatic pigments, which, according to the company, reduce the look of fine lines, minimize flaws and cover imperfections in a variety of lighting conditions.

And photography — particularly good photography — is all about lighting. According to Cargo, Blu Ray works particularly well when you think you might be photographed, like at a prom or wedding, or even if you don’t expect to have your picture taken but want that same soft, natural look.

I’ve been using Blu Ray Pressed Powder for about a week now, and while I haven’t found myself being photographed or filmed for any TV shows yet (LOL!), I’ve been pleased with the results.

Texture

The first thing I noticed about the Pressed Powder was how soft and fine the texture felt when I swiped my finger across the pan. It’s a little softer than usual for a pressed powder.

Color

It comes in just a single shade, the color of which varies depending on application. When applied lightly with a fluffy powder blush, it appears colorless and translucent (diffuses light; semi-transparent) on my skin; however, when I apply a heavier coat with a kabuki brush, the powder takes on a slightly yellow tone.

Other off-yellow powders have tended to make my skin look sallow, but Pressed Powder doesn’t. Cargo seems to have found the right amount of yellow to balance out the pink areas around my chin and nose.
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Clarins Wonder Plum stars as the shy Ms. Little Plum in this highly anticipated sequel to the smash hit, The Attack of the Plum Mascaras! On counters now, it’s the latest long, natural lash product release from the people who brought us the rest of the Wonder Length Mascara family.

Okay, enough with the movie hype…
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Afternoon, cuties! I stepped away from my friend Jen’s bridal shower for a minute to say hi. I started this post before I left the house this morning. With WordPress it’s easy to finish blog posts from a mobile phone, which is kinda cool.

Anywho, the gift bags were a big hit. Although it’s a tea party theme, and we’re having different teas and dainty finger sandwiches, the party was organized by Filipinos, which also means fried food and perhaps even some karaoke, LOL! I practiced in my living room this morning with a few Jordin Sparks songs. 🙂

I wanted to share some lip looks with ya. These three cuties pictured above are from the Candy Paint lipgloss line ($13.50 each) by Carol’s Daughter. The company is well known for fragrances, body and hair products. These glosses mark their first foray into cosmetics.

Bronze Goddess: a sheer brown with shimmery gold

Grown and Sexy: A sheer pink with shimmery gold

Hot Mocha: A creamy brown

The shades look darker in the tube than they do once they’ve been applied. The formula reminds me of MAC Lipglasses but is a touch thinner and not quite as sticky. These give off a strong minty fragrance that lasts for a few minutes (it may still be there; could be I just got used to it) and a slight mint flavor. I’m not crazy about the sensory overload, but if you like mint these will be like Christmas candy to you.

The product contains all natural ingredients, notably grapeseed oil, shea butter, aloe vera extract and vitamin E, and the whole recipe adds up to some quality hydration and lip conditioning. Carol’s Daughter managed to do this all without mineral oil, artificial colors and parabens, too.
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