Product Reviews

Yes, my Fangtasia Barrinos, even though I lurves me a super bright blush (hello, NARS Mounia), there are times when I need prefer a more natural cheek look.

That’s why I’m fawning over Philosophy Lit From Within cream blush in Bare Your Soul ($23).

With just the faintest touch of shimmer, it’s like a smile on my cheeks. 🙂

Not only does it apply and blend like a dream (I use my fingers), it stays put for hours, too, on either bare skin or atop foundation.

And the color? Perfect! Like pinched cheeks, and probably one of the most natural-looking blush colors I’ve seen in a really long time.

Bare Your Soul joins two other creatively named shades in the Lit From Within line of cream blushes — Feel Warm All Over (a shimmery coral) and Look on the Bright Side (a sheer pink).

They’re part of Philosophy’s new Supernatural line of natural makeup in sheer colors for face, cheeks, eyes and lips. All are free of parabens, phthalates (plasticizers used in everything from children’s toys to eyeshadows and nail polish), mineral oil, talc, sulfates, propylene glycol and fragrance.

I’ll use it for low-maintenance looks or whenever I don’t want my cheeks to compete with any bright pops o’ color on my lips or eyes. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Home sweet home

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Happy Sunday, girls. What have you been up to today?

I’m going casual with my look but still having fun with a new product.

One thing I really love about weekends is dressing down my makeup, and Clarins has this new mascara called Wonder Perfect ($23.50, available in Black, Brown and Blue) that suits my weekend philosophy to a T.

Just one little coat of this glossy, highly pigmented mascara (I have it in Black) increases lash length, pumps up the volume and holds a curl all day long.

Lashes, au naturale

With one layer

I like the way it looks after one layer — natural with a little kick…
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I love the look of dramatic false eyelashes, but they aren’t the most practical things for everyday use. Momentarily overlooking how much a good pair can cost (WTF?!), I don’t always have the time, patience or coordination, either.

Enter Lancome’s new Hypnose Drama ($24.50, comes in just one shade called Excessive Black) mascara. It’s like the imitation crab of the eyelash world, delivering most of the flava of the fake real thing at a fraction of the cost.

It makes my naturally thin, short and sparse (read: sad) lashes appear thicker, longer and generally more fab.

But (there’s always a but) this false lash fabulosity comes at a price, and I’m not talking about the $24.50.

First, the pros

With even a single layer of Hypnose Drama, I’m convinced my lashes look longer, thicker, fuller and better defined, showcasing the most delicious shade of glossy black, and curled lashes hold all day long (although it’s not waterproof) without any noticeable flaking or smudging at all (YES!).

The product would be an all-around great performer if it weren’t for one thing…
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Top: Share the Love; Bottom: Live in the Moment

Howzit, home skillets?

Did your Sunday get off to a good start? I haven’t checked in yet because last night’s Lobsterfest/True Blood marathon wore me out. I’m still a little bleary eyed from overdosing on food.

I wanted to quickly mention the new Philosophy Supernatural Superglossy SPF 15 Lip Glosses ($16.50) we talked about the other day.

I’ve been alternating between Share the Love (a creamy, sheer pink) and Live in the Moment (a semi-sheer, shimmery brown) all weekend long. Both colors have been my dressed-down lip glosses, since I’ve been in the mood for casual makeup looks (must be the heat).

Live in the Moment

Share the Love

The deets:

• Non-sticky, thin and moisturizing texture feels lovely on my lips
• The faintly minty scent fades quickly
• Flavorless formula
• Semi-sheer color
• High-shine finish
• The addition of SPF 15 is a nice bonus

I think Philosophy’s got a winner with the Supernatural Superglossy line. I like both of these shades and plan to pick up a couple more.

If you dig uber-shiny lip glosses that don’t feel sticky on the lips, think about giving the Supernatural Superglossies a try. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Yikes! I just noticed the time. I’d better get going. El Hub and I volunteered to drive a float in this year’s Labor Day parade here. We’re towing a three-piece band and passing out candy, yum!

I’ll be back soon. Have a great one today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Despite a valiant effort to channel my inner Tim Gunn, I just couldn’t MAKE IT WORK with Bobbi Brown’s Starry Purple ($22) cream eyeshadow.

Argh!

Maybe my recent luck with Bobbi’s products (Ivy League, yo!) led me to expect too much.

Blah-chaay — that’s all I can say.

Starry Purple’s one of eight new Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows.

I’m bummed because the shimmery purple, with all of its multi-colored glitter, really got me pumped! I had visions of turning out serious Purple Rain worthy looks.

Oh, well. Problem is I just can’t get the color to translate well on my lids.

It’s not a highly pigmented shadow and applies with just a whisper of color. Layering seems to punch up the purple, but not in a uniform way. The resulting application looks blotchy and uneven.
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