Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Is a Surfer’s Delight

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I love surfing and like to think of myself as a water baby…but I’ve never actually done anything really cool on a surfboard. I’ve never ridden a tube or hanged (hung?) ten, and terms like “double overhead” (a wave twice as tall as the surfer riding it) fill me with far more fear than excitement.

For me, a good surf day involves simply standing up on my board (sometimes in the water) and, if I’m lucky, not colliding with anything or falling too ungracefully into the waves.

Great surf days include all of the aforementioned aspects of good surf days but happen only when I’m able to paddle out without getting my hair wet. As you can probably imagine, those days are few and far between.

I used to surf up here in the Bay Area, but not anymore (never got used to the cold). Now I wait for trips to warmer waters, like the one I hope to take this summer. This time, thanks to Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($22 each; available in eight colors), when I fall off my board, all arms, ankles and elbows, at least my eye makeup will look cute. 🙂

With eight bright, shimmery colors, the new line of waterproof, long-wearing liquid liners is just in time for surf days and lounging by the pool.
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Nostalgic Beauty Brands Are Like Comfort Foods

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My parents have lived in the same house since the ’70s, and it’s weird how my memories of it all sort of blur together. In my mind’s eye that house is like a temporal vortex caught between worlds. One, the modern era of Blu-ray players, wifi and universal remote controls; the other, a land of tan bathroom counter tops and Oil of Olay.

Olay… It’s funny how some memories stick with you forever. As far back as I can remember, my mom has liked Olay, and I can’t remember ever not seeing a jar of the Beauty Fluid somewhere in the house.

Sometimes, when I’m out browsing beauty aisles, my eyes will settle for a moment on something from Olay, and I’ll feel a little closer to home.

Nostalgic brands are like comfort foods

There’s a neat article in the April issue of Global Cosmetic Industry (GCI) magazine about nostalgic brands (Aspirational Consumers Turn Nostalgic, by Miriam Quart, GCI, April 2011) and how some brands that were once considered “the bee’s knees,” but have since fallen out of the limelight, are now staging comebacks. For many of us, beauty, fashion and personal care products from Olay, St. Ives, Infusium23, Pert, Levi’s and others still conjure up memories of “the good ole days,” and consumers tend to think of their old standbys as tried-and-true gems.

It’s a sign of the times

“Marketers used to be able to bank on ‘aspirational’ consumers indulging in affordable luxuries…” Quart says in the article, “but there has been a dramatic shift in consumer behavior during the recent economic downturn.” Some feel a little less optimistic about things, more unsure, and they’re turning to those old familiar, comfortable brands they’ve long known and loved.
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Totally Taupe-ular! Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Rose Platine

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Chanel’s new limited edition Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Rose Platine ($29) has a nice surprise to go along with its ultra smudge-proof formula (once it’s on my lash line, it stays on like Donkey Kong!).

The lone liner in the new Chanel Les Fleurs D’Ete Summer Collection might not look like much in its twist-up pencil packaging, but along my lash line it flashes from a shimmery silver to a peachy taupe when the light hits it right. I don’t think I have anything close to this peachy taupe in my stash o’ liners; it’s really unique.

I don’t think it feels as smooth as anUrban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil does, but after a quick burst of heat from my T3 dryer, the softened tip glides on without tugging. A few swipes along my lash lines — it takes about three to get a solid line — and I swear my eyes look brighter and more awake.


It comes with a secret sharpener!


Swatches with a flash
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A Manic Mango Thursday and My New Foundation Routine

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Greetings and happy Thursday, friend! 🙂 What’s shakin’ out yonder way?

Can we talk about foundation for a sec? A few of you noticed that I switched up my foundation/powder recently — the combo I’ve been wearing in my pictures — and I wanted to share why I changed, what I’m doing now, and to ask you about your routine.

But before that, mango break! Thanks for all the great mango suggestions and recipes. You’re really feeding my addiction. Nutella’s facing stiff competition from my new (and at different times former) favorite fruit. I think I’m going to try making mango lassi and mango salsa this weekend. Of course I’ll let you know how it goes.

I’m so hooked on mango right now, it’s ridiculous. Last night at Trader Joe’s I chucked four (FOUR!) boxes of those Mango & Cream Bars into my cart. I actually felt a little ashamed, but it was like I physically couldn’t help myself. Damn those things are tasty…

trader joes mango and cream bars
NOM!

Sorry, back to foundation. As a devoted fan of Laura Mercier Oil-Free Liquid Foundation for years, I was heartbroken to find that Laura changed the color of my go-to shade (NOOOO!). Or, rather, I’m fairly sure she did. I bought a bottle recently that seemed dramatically darker and pinker (is that a word?) than it always had before, so I checked other bottles at several counters just to be sure, and, yup, they were different too.

What a disappointment… It always covered everything, never caused breakouts, and has always been so easy to apply.

I drifted like that, crushed, in foundation no-man’s land for a while and returned to using my trusty Chanel Mat Lumiere, which I love for everyday wear, but I don’t feel like it photographs very well on me (I think it looks a little flat).

I also tried Make Up For Ever HD, which I think looks fantastic and photographs well, but hello, pimples!; and MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation (great coverage, but it smothers my skin) but wasn’t really wowed by either.

Then, last Friday, desperate for relief, I hit up the MAC store to find something new.
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