Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Reviews: Travel friendly makeup

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I've been doing a lot of traveling lately, and it's always a joy to try and make it through the TSA with just one itty-bitty quart sized bag.    So, when I found out I was off to San Diego for two days, I needed to pare everything down and figure out how to get everything into one carry-on bag and one "personal item" (read: laptop bag).

The first step was to find a replacement for my tinted moisturizer - Philosophy's The Supernatural Airbrushed Canvas ($35 at sephora - see picture at left) was a perfect fit because it's amazingly travel friendly; it comes with a mirror, and because it's a mineral-based powder and not a liquid, it can go right in the laptop bag for a pre-departure touch-up.

I'd read somewhere (and for the life of me I can't find out where on the internet it is - I just spent an hour or so looking for the darn page!) that when traveling, you should only board the plane with mascara and moisturizer before boarding, and then spend the last hour of the flight putting on eyeshadow, blush and foundation (super easy, thanks to the philosophy).  But that meant I needed to find a nice travel compact that was a nice professional look. Enter Stila's Fall Fantasy - A Tale of Enchantment Palette in Moss (right, $32 at sephora), which I'd been eyeing for a while. It's a beautiful green palette in shades of sheer champagne (base), a khaki shimmer green(crease) and a dark green shimmer (liner), paired with awarm coppery brown blush. This looks great with my hazel eyes, and I can tell I'm going to be using it a lot.

Along with my Touch Up Tube 5 Piece Travel Brush by Japonesque, I was all set to go!

Click here to read more

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Beauty Sales - Sept 2 through Sept 8

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Ulta -


CVS -

Walgreens -

Rite-aid -

Target -
  • 10% off Neutrogena facial moisturizer
  • 10% off Maybelline face makeup, eye shadow and selected mascara

Click here to read more

Monday, August 27, 2007

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush Voluntary Recall!

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Please click here to see if your clarisonic is under recall!

I love my clarisonic and hope to not have to do without for a while! But I'm told if yours is under recall, you have an option to get the really cool PINK one, so that might make it worth it...

Update: My Clarisonic is under recall, and I did ask for the pink one, for a $25 uplift, with $10 going to breast cancer research. Yes, I'm a sucker for pink.

Click here to read more

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Smashbox deal TOMORROW (MONDAY)- Faces of Fashion 10pc Collection

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smashbox faces of fashion
Smashbox is the Today's special value on QVC tomorrow, and the deal looks pretty good, especially since you can get this on auto-delivery (and you can even buy today, as we have the advance order link!), which means you'll get new shades in December 2007, April 2008, and August 2008; or you can buy a single shipment, but I don't recommend it as you'll wish you'd gotten the other shipments when you see them popping up on ebay!)

Retail Value $116.00
QVC Price $58.00
Special Price $47.82
Shipping and Handling $5.22

  • Each shipment includes 0.93 oz photo finish foundation primer, 0.24 oz photo op under-eye brightener, 0.04 oz fusion cream eyeliner, 0.1 oz eye shadow trio, 0.33 oz blush trio, 0.12 oz photo finish lipstick, 0.2 oz lip gloss, precision eyeliner brush #28, angled eyebrow brush #12, 0.04 oz brow tech
  • First shipment includes new colors and items: eyeliner in opal, pale gold, and espresso; eyeshadow in champagne, light cocoa, and fawn; blush trio in light pink, rose, and honey sienna; lipstick in berry; lip gloss in golden brown
  • Three subsequent shipments: colors vary
  • Click here to read more

    Beauty Sales - August 26 through Sept 1

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    Ulta (no change since last week) -

    CVS - Walgreens - Rite-aid - Target -
    • Selected Revlon and Neutrogena - 10% off
    • Revlon Age Defying Primer and makeup - $9.99
    • Neutrogena Mineral sheers powder or blush - $9.99

    Click here to read more

    Free Smashbox at Norstroms!

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    (click picture above for full size form to print out)

    No purchase necessary, but you need to stop by between August 31 and Sept 2nd, with the form filled out to receive your full size soft lights in matrix.

    Click here to read more

    Thursday, August 23, 2007

    beauty.com - free shipping!

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    Free shipping on any beauty.com purchase!

    *Offer expires Thursday, August 30, 2007. Standard shipping only. May not combine with other offers. Limited to once per household. Please see site for additional details.

    Click here to read more

    Sunday, August 19, 2007

    Beauty Sales - August 19th

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    Ulta -

    CVS - Walgreens -
    Rite-aid

    Target -

    • CoverGirl VolumeExact or Outlast Lipcolor - $5.99
    • CoverGirl TruBlend liquid, whipped and powder makeup - $6.99

    Click here to read more

    Thursday, August 16, 2007

    Bobbi Brown Metallic Palettes

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    Guess what hit Nordie's today?

    I'm definitely tempted by the Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum Metallics, but I know April is probably drooling over the Midnight ones, considering her blue fixation...

    Click here to read more

    Wednesday, August 15, 2007

    Holy Grail find - Bobbi Brown Corrector and Creamy Concealer Kit

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    Like many women, I have a problem with dark under eye circles - mine are genetic, due to the fact that the skin right near my nose is very thin, allowing the blood to show through.  It also doesn't help that I have allergies, which also aggravates the darkness.

    So, I am usually always on the prowl for a concealer that covers those dark circles.  Here is the most important thing I've learned on my search:
    When you need to cover dark circles, do not succumb to the "yellow to help cover dark circles" sales pitch you'll see on most drugstore lines.  This just doesn't work!  You need a salmon colored corrector to neutralize the dark circles, first.  Then you can brighten with a lighter concealer.
    So, it was after Bobbi Brown made an appearance on QVC, where I lusted after her Face Touch Up Palette (which is only on ebay now), but had no idea what color I was in her line, that I marched on down to Nordstroms and said: "Match me up, please!"  Turns out I'm a warm ivory, which is right between porcelain and sand, and means that the palette is never to be mine, alas, but she did match me up with bisque corrector and ivory concealer, and man oh man, I'm a convert!

    The corrector is good enough to use on its own - it cancels out the darkness and matches my skin tone.  But, I usually chose to go ahead and brighten the under eye area as I can use all the help I can get!  The creamy concealer comes with a yellow based powder, which the sales assistance didn't originally want to put on because my skin seemed dry, but it went on just fine, and set the powder nicely.

    I stepped outside in the sunlight, and was totally stunned to see how well my dark circles were covered!  I'm in love, and if I could marry a makeup product, this duo might just be it. 

    ... would that make me a bigamist?
    Corrector Rating:

    • Currently 5/5 Stars.

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    Creamy Concealer Kit Rating:

    • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.

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    Click here to read more

    Monday, August 13, 2007

    N.V. Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother

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    Once again a time, I had flawless skin. No really, it's true. For a brief period in my 20s I was free to do pretty much anything to my face - sleep in makeup, wash with harsh cleansers, etc. But as I neared 30 my skin began to flip out. The old regimen would no longer do. I set off in search of products that would fix everything and ended up with a face that was red and peeling and reacting to just about anything I put on it. I've come to accept that even the most "natural" and "gentle" of products can cause a reaction from me, so I'm pretty wary when it comes to trying something new.

    My beauty fascination has always been skincare more than color. It often feels like a waste to go in to Sephora and come out with only a jar or moisturizer and not some pretty eyeshadow, but 80% of the time it's what pulls me in. I love that I can go in and get samples of everything, then try it out at home before I commit. I recommend it to everyone, yet please note that this is incredibly dumb. Because if I start using a new moisturizer the same day as a new cleanser or new primer or new spot treatment, how am I going to know exactly which one is doing the magic? Or wrecking the havoc?

    I, of course, do it anyway.

    In my last shopping trip, I picked up several things - some great, some good, some bad - and I'll review them all for you. For starters, there is the one that I love the most, though admittedly for reasons inexact.

    At $75 an ounce, I'm reluctant to jump without testing the waters first. I received a sample of the N.V. Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother Finishing Serum from Sephora and quickly fell in love. My skin felt great, my foundation went on smoother and looked flawless (well, as flawless as it could) and I just knew - knew - that it was all because of this little wonder potion. When my little sample ran out I was so sad, and a few days later, still unable to commit, picked up another sample at Nordstrom. It just ran out yesterday, and I miss it already. The product materials swear that it "locks in moisture and gives your complexion an instantly flawless, smooth, and velvety finish." With continued use, you're supposed to be able to skip foundation altogether and brave the world with bare skin. I'm not sure I'm there yet (not sure I ever will be) but I know what I like, and I love this little bottle.

    I tend to consider moisturizer and serum purchases as acts of faith. The results are not immediate and it's going to be a good 20 years before I really know if they've all worked or not. It makes me really reluctant to spend big bucks on little potion bottles, and this is no exception. But this is also the first skincare product I've used and actually missed when it was gone. Like forlornly gazing into the medicine cabinet missed. Like shut up and pull the trigger and just order the stuff missed...

    Ships for free at Sephora, use promo code ITBAG for a free sample bag while supplies last.

    Click here to read more

    Beauty Sales - August 13th

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    Ulta -

    CVS - Walgreens -
    Target -
    • 10% Revlon eye makeup
    • Revlon Renewist lip color and 3D Extreme mascara - $6.99
    Rite-aid

    Click here to read more

    Saturday, August 11, 2007

    A tale of three mascaras

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     The Good


    Maybelline Lash Discovery: I picked this up based on one of Carmindy's recommendations in her style blog. She touted this because of the small brush, making it easier to get those little lashes, plus it won't give you "raccoon eyes" - something I always have a problem with.

    I like this, it isn't bad, but it doesn't do a fantastic job about not clumping.
    Rating:

    • Currently 4/5 Stars.

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    The Bad


    Maybelline Lash Stylist: I got sucked into this one because of the raves about the comb applicator and the fuller and longer lashes. However, this stuff clumps HORRIBLY, and doesn't even look remotely natural, which is important to me. It might look good on the stage or out at night, but it ended up in the garbage bin, as I just can't use it.
    Rating:

    • Currently 0.5/5 Stars.

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    The really fantastic!

    Rimmel Lash Maxxx: I saw this in the drugstore the other day, and was lured in by the really neat looking brush. Unlike the Lash Stylist, this brush has different lengths of bristles, and they're much closer together, which makes a huge difference in how the mascara applies. This has a much more natural look an NO clumping! Unfortunately, I think I'm starting to find that this flakes off at the end of the day, which makes it less of a holy grail then when I originally started this post.
    Rating:

    • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.

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    Click here to read more

    Friday, August 10, 2007

    Brush sale alert!

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    A Design brushes is having a sale on their 18 pc kit - every brush a girl could ever need, and of excellent quality (so says a great professional makeup artist on one of the boards I read) for $99 - this is a great deal when you consider that even with pro discounts, 3 brushes run around $45!

    Click here to read more

    Review of Jillian Dempsey Collection

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    So I got this in yesterday and had to try most things on today:

    • Limited-Edition Ultra Color Rich Lip Conditioner - I was disappointed that this was not a color, per se, but it's a nice lip balm.
    • NEW Limited-Edition Morph Tones Cream Eyeshadow Duo - LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Is she going to put out any more shades in this? Lov!
    • NEW Limited-Edition Apri-Glow Complexion Enhancer - This is ... weird. It definitely warmed up my face, but was a little on the orange side; I added tinted moisturizer on top and it looks ok, I think
    • Glazewear Liquid Lip Color in Tickled Pink - like this much more than expected - it really goes with the rest of the kit, v pretty.
    • Wash-Off Waterproof Mascara in Black - Didn't try this...
    • Ageless Results Day Cream1.7 fl. oz. - SPF 15 doesn't cut it for this fair gal, so I didn't try this either (I'm a neutrogena 45 SPF kinda girl)

    I totally want more of these morph tones! They're sheer, but so pretty.

    (oh, and the bag's great, too!)

    Click here to read more

    Tuesday, August 7, 2007

    Beauty Sales!

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    Ulta -


    CVS -
    Walgreens -

    Target -
    • 10% off all Maybelline eyeshadow, eyeliner, and nail color
    • 10% off Physicians formula face makeup

    Rite-aid

    Click here to read more

    Saturday, August 4, 2007

    Beauty Review - MAC Flashtronics

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    I first saw these great pictures on pursebuzz.com (great pictures here and here), and based on this review from Makeup Bag, I headed down to Nordie's and weaved my way through the throng of anniversary sale shoppers and the swarm of women around the flashtronics display.

    I managed to get a wonderful lady to help me, and we tried out several colors. She asked me if I wanted to try a "crazy" color, or some neutral ones, and I, of course, said, "Why not both?" So, for the wild and crazy look, she applied Ether with some By Jupiter on it, which looked surprisingly great! These are very sheer and buildable, so it wasn't all that crazy, and I quite liked it. For the more neutral look, she applied Mercurial, which is a nice rosy pink tone, which was also great.

    I ended up picking up the ether, since it looked so amazing, but then a week later, I gave in and ran back to grab By Jupiter and Mercurial before these ran out of stock.

    One note - check your packaging before you leave the store! My By Jupiter was cracked and I had to go back and return it for a new one, and the sales associate told me that these break pretty easily so you need to be careul with it.

    Also, you should check them for the veining - while I love my ether, I don't think it has a good mix of marbling. I only have one teeny speck of gold, and a large swath of dark blue, which makes the color darker than what I'd tried on in the store.

    These are already selling out quickly - when I went back for By Jupiter and Mercurial, I didn't see any of the quarry or ether left at either of the Nordie's counters I was at, but you can still get these online at www.maccosmetics.com.

    Click here to read more

    Friday, August 3, 2007

    Jillian Dempsey's All About Summer Collection is now available forpurchase

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    ... or so says the email from Avon, even though it's not letting me buy this online yet...


    I've been waiting for this to come in, letting me know that this cute little kit is for sale, ever since Shelly gave me a preview of it. Here's what's in the kit:

    Jillian’s limited-edition summer collection features 3 new products exclusive to this collection:
    • Limited-Edition Ultra Color Rich Lip Conditioner Wear alone or under lipstick. .13 oz. net wt.
    • NEW Limited-Edition Morph Tones Cream Eyeshadow Duo Fluctuating shades that change in a wink. .14 oz. net wt.
    • NEW Limited-Edition Apri-Glow Complexion Enhancer Evens out skin tone for a brighter complexion. Sheer finish. Apricot scent. 1 fl. oz.
    • Glazewear Liquid Lip Color in Tickled Pink .15 oz. net wt.
    • Wash-Off Waterproof Mascara in Black .21 oz. net wt.
    • Ageless Results Day Cream1.7 fl. oz.
    • Beauty Bag & Instruction Card
    • Top-zip case has bottom storage compartment for brushes. Jillian's "Tips & Tricks" card includes easy instructions on how to create a sheer summer look.

    I'm really wanting to try out the cream eye shadow duo, and the lip conditioner; I have the non-colored one, and it's great. This beige-ish color looks perfect for fall!

    Click here to read more

    Wednesday, August 1, 2007

    MAC Free Shipping - code PAINT

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    I must say this new collection looks rather intriguing, although I doubt I'll buy anything from this...

    M·A·C Painterly
    Shop Now
    A medium like no other. The incredible colour, texture and longwear finish of new Paint Pot Eye Shadow. Soft to apply, dab, stroke or blend. Add the graphic line of Technakohl Liner. No two mediums are bolder, more expressive or this painterly...
    Free Shipping
    Email exclusive offer. Receive Free Standard Shipping with all purchases. Use offer code PAINT at checkout. This offer is valid through midnight EST Saturday, August 11th on orders shipped to US addresses only.

    Click here to read more

    Tuesday, July 31, 2007

    This week's sales...

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    Walgreens


    • Almay eye & face: Buy one get one 50% off
    • Jane cosmetics (entire line): Buy one get one 50% off
    • Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Nail Color and Treatment & Diamond Lip Treatment: 2/$6
    • Entire Line of L’Oréal Lip, Face or Nail Color: Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
    • Entire Line of Maybelline Cosmetics: Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off

    Click here to read more

    Friday, July 27, 2007

    Beauty Finds: Avon Glazewear Lipstick

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    I randomly picked up an Avon brochure while I was out shopping at Kings, and I saw this really interesting lip product- Glazewear Lipsticks:

    What Avon says about them: Luscious color & glossy shine! High-performance gloss and luxury lipstick in one. Color-Gel formula delivers smooth, silky color that lasts and a shine that won’t quit.

    Basically, they're saying that these are one of those gloss sticks - lip gloss in lipstick form. I asked around on my enabling beauty forums, and the consensus was that these were pretty great, so I picked them up in pink kiss, champagne glow, and copper mink (pictured above, l - r).

    What Heather says about them: These are fantastic! They were cheap when I bought them ($4.99), and give a great deal of color with a ton of shine. My favorite is the champagne glow, a perfect every day color. I loved them so much I had that comment up on twitter for forever, and I also went out and bought (on Shelly's recommendation), Juicy Apricot, Raisin Glaze (which is totally your lips, but better!), and Honey Bare. I love them all - they're just as good, if not better, than the Benefit Lipsticks, and cheaper, too.

    The price has gone up on Avon to $8.00, but Shelly tells me that if you order through your avon representative, they can back order and still get you the $4.99 price.

    Click here to read more

    Thursday, July 26, 2007

    Thursday Beauty News

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    • Smashbox has a program where you can get a free gift with purchase if you buy between 9 am - 2 pm Pacific (12 noon to 5 pm for us Eastern gals) on Thursdays! Today's gift with purchase is an eye shadow duo in Heroine. PLUS, there's free shipping for any order!
    • Bobbi Brown is going to be on QVC tonight at 7 pm Eastern, 4 pm Pacific - get a sneak peek here.
    • Get a free sample of BVLGARI's Green Tea refreshing towelette with any beauty.com purchase.
    • Save 15% at skinstore.com - use promo code TRAVEL15 - good until July 30th.

    Click here to read more

    Wednesday, July 25, 2007

    Sephora Sale!

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    Because you need a reason!

    Great deals on brushes and other fun items.

    Click here to read more

    Homemade Beauty - Miracle Whip Facial

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    So, after reading about eBeauty Daily's results with the Miracle Whip Facial, I was so curious about this, that I had to try it myself. Yes, I'm talking about the Kraft salad dressing! Supposedly the mayo element of the emulsion will moisturize your skin, while at the same time, the vinegar will exfoliate all the dead cells away, leaving your face super smooth.

    To do this, apply a medium layer of Miracle Whip to your face (enough so the coating is opaque, not translucent), and leave it on your face for 10-20 minutes. If you do this right, you will get some vinegar fumes around your eyes, but that's solved by walking around the house or waving a fan at your face (think of it as a perfect time to tidy up around the house?). After that, the directions say to rub with your fingers to loosen the dead skin, and then rinse off. I prefer to wipe off with a dry microfiber towel, though, before rinsing instead of using my fingers.

    I have tried this at home, and it's FANTASTIC! This is really more like a peel than a facial. Reader be warned: I don't recommend doing this in the morning, as my face did stay red for about an hour afterwards, which is not a great look for work.

    Do you want proof? This worked so well I decided to try it on my icky summer feet as well, and leave you with some un-retouched photographic evidence:


    Before - icky yucky feet


    During - the MW will eventually "melt" into your skin and become translucent


    After - Look at this baby smooth skin! On my feet!


    Tell me you're not compelled to do this yourself... and the best thing - a small jar goes a long way, as you don't even need a tablespoon to do your face and your feet!

    Click here to read more

    Tuesday, July 24, 2007

    Bargain on QVC today only!

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    Sue Devitt 4-piece "Eye Must Have" Collection
    A18606 Item Number A18606
    QVC Price $43.75
    Today's Special Value $36.28
    Shipping and Handling $4.47

    (From QVC's description)
    Includes:

    • 0.05 oz eye intensifier pencil in Tanzania, a bronze
    • NEW color! 0.05 oz eye intensifier pencil in Ava, a black lavender
    • 0.19 oz volumizing and thickening mascara in Hong Kong, a black
    • 0.05 oz EZ eye rollerball eye shadow in Kouri, a champagne
    • Pencil sharpener
    • Made in Germany/China/Canada/Ireland
    Heather says:

    The price of 36.28 is only good for today (July 24th) only - and just one of the eye intesifier pencils is $22 at sephora, so this is a pretty good deal. I was already eyeing the eye intensifier pencil in gold reef (Carmindy recommends Tanzania) and was ogling the EZ eye rollerball shadows (I was looking at the taupe one) and champangne colors are very in for the summer, so I'm going to pick this up!

    Click here to read more

    Thursday, July 12, 2007

    Welcome to Go Team Lip Gloss!

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    Hiya, and welcome to Go Team Lipgloss!

    April and I have been blogging about other things for some time now, and we both share a fascination with all things Sephora, and are of the opinion that a little lip gloss makes anything better - even those no good, horrible, very bad days.

    And thus, the blog is born!

    Click here to read more

    Wednesday, July 11, 2007

    Free Shipping on MAC products

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    Email exclusive offer! Receive Free Standard Shipping with any purchase. This offer is valid through midnight EST Saturday, July 21st on orders shipped to US addresses only. Use offer code SUMFAVE at checkout.
    Shop Now

    Click here to read more

    Tuesday, July 10, 2007

    New Fall Collections - Nars, Prescriptives

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    Nars 2007 Fall Modern Odyssey Collection courtesy of BellaSugar.com: I'd like the Brazil (metallic ginger and metallic rose) and the Kalahari (gold and sugared brown) eye duos ($31), although if I had to pick one I'd pick Brazil, as I have quite the palette of browns. I also am really feeling the love for the Promiscuous (honey-beige) lipstick, as well ($23).

    Limited-Edition High Contrast Refillable Custom Compact The Makeup Bag is showing a preview of the Prescriptives Fall 2007 line - The Seducers. I'm especially intrigued by the Limited-Edition High Contrast Refillable Custom Compact (left) that comes already filled with Colorscope Eye Colors in Black Diamond and White Wash, and has room for two more shadows of your choice.

    Click here to read more

    Monday, July 9, 2007

    Review: Summer Nail polishes

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    With summer in full swing, it's time for some great colors - especially on your toes! Two of my favorites are:



    Click it or Ticket by Essie


    Click it or Ticket is a gorgeous coral shimmer, which looks perfect on toenails this summer - coral is the hot shade for the season and it looks fantastic with a tan. You can check out more pictures of this beautiful color at theCommunity Nail Polish Gallery, a great resource for nail polish fans everywhere.


    Brisbane Bronze by Opi (Australia Collection)


    Brisbane Bronze is one of the shades from Opi's Australia Collection. I eyed this bronze shimmer several times in the store before succumbing and buying it - I just didn't think it would look right on my skin tone (I'm very fair). However, it's a very light bronze, and looked fantastic. More pictures here at the nailgal.com Polish Gallery.

    Click here to read more

    Sunday, July 8, 2007

    Sephora Beauty Insider - Benefit 24K Sexy Gold Lipstick

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    PERK ALERT: BENEFIT PRE-LAUNCH FOR BEAUTY INSIDERS ONLY!
    Calling all makeup trendsetters! Be the first to show off Benefit's new gilt-y lips: 24k Sexy Gold Lipstick. The sheer metallic color grants a golden glow that's stunning on its own or layered under your fave lipcolor.
     
    A Sephora exclusive, and Beauty Insiders get it first. $20. Buy it now!
    I'm not sure I'm actually going to try this - it really seems more of a gimmick than everything, and I'm positive I can spend $20 on something I'd use a lot more.  I'll definitely check it out when it hits stores, though.

    Click here to read more