Lipstick for Tiny Lips

Love Chanel, hate the new satin lip cream pallet. I mean, it's absolutely adorable, but talk about a rip-off. You're paying $60 for lipstick that's so small even a lip brush can barely reach it. There is so little product that it would be gone after a few uses. Plus, who really wants to carry a lip brush around with them? I may be somewhat bias because I don't like lipstick and never use it, but this whole concept seems like more trouble than it's worth.

NOTE: Sorry about the anti-lipstick rant. I'm sure there are plenty of great lipsticks out there, it's just not my 'thing.'

MAC Blot Powder...an oily girl's dream!

I don't know how I'm the last person to hear about this, but apparently I am. After reading about the MAC Blot Powder/Pressed being used on the set of the Sex and The City Movie, Twilight, etc, I decided to try it out for myself....and WOW. Normally, I'll cake on more powder in the early afternoon to try to get rid of the shine, but it ends up streaking and looking like I did my make up in the dark. Not anymore.

Now I pat in on and I'm good to go. I've also been using it as a finishing powder over foundation at night. Basically, I'm having a love affair with this product. A warning: it's so sheer that I use the Medium Dark color; I'm normally as light as it gets! Don't go too light or it looks chalky.

Smashbox Hybrid: Primed and Luminized

Smashbox came out with a great idea: their new Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing Primer is a mix of their famous Photo Finish Primer and Artificial Light highlighter. They're packaged in two separate chambers so they won't mix. Apply the primer first, and then finish with the highlighter on cheek bones, brow bones, and chin. Perfect for travelling. The only drawback for me would be that I use more of the primer than the highlighter, so I would run out of that a lot quicker.

A Brighter Outlook for Spring

After a very subdued fall, bright colors are coming back. I recommend you start with Bobbi Brown's Makeup Kit with Brushes from her new collection. The cheery raspberry nylon case holds four eye brushes, including her new Eye Sweep Brush, and the Eye Smudge, Eye Shadow and Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brushes. Bobbi Brown has my favorite eye brushes--the Eye Smudge Brush is an absolute must-have.

Recession Obsession, Part 2

--My Nars Orgasm lip gloss has been replaced with Clinique's Long Last Glosswear in Cabana Crush. Not only am I saving $10 a tube, but Clinique's gloss is longer lasting and contains SPF 15. This is a new staple in my make-up bag.

--Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel has been substituted with Purpose Gentle Cleanser. I love the convenient pump!

--My favorite Caudalie Beauty Elixir spray is now the Burt's Bees Carrot Seed Mist. It's good, but I'm going back to the original as soon as it runs out; lack of money is just not a good enough reason to go without. At least I tried...

MAC Dame Edna Collection

I spent a good 15 minutes playing with the colors of the new Dame Edna collection from MAC, and I am far from impressed. Are they sure this collections wasn't meant to go straight to a circus? I guess, considering the Muse, such a collection is to be expected, but I was still disappointed. None of the colors seemed truly wearable, and were garish and harsh on my skin. The packaging is cute, but what good is cute packaging if it's not going to be used?

Sonicare for your Face

So, I've been skeptical about the Clarisonic skincare brush, primarily because the reviews have been so positive that it makes me nervous. For $200, I expect a miracle. Well, I received one for Christmas (in the cute, exclusive Bliss-blue), and I am now a believer! My skin has never been smoother. I have moved from cleaning my face, to my neck, and now to my chest. I'm dying for them to make a bigger size that I can use on my whole body (though I'm sure I'll get there with the little one--it's only a matter of time). Talk about a Christmas miracle!

UPDATE: The blackheads on my chin have almost completely disappeared. I'm beside myself with excitement.

Is This a Joke?

No, I haven't tried the EyeEnvy Appliques by ColorOn, but I am absolutely repulsed by them. First, they're ugly...I mean, zebra eyeshadow? Yuck. Second, it assumes that everyone has the same eye shape, and one size fits all. This entire concept is just wrong!

To make things worse, the reviews on this product are great. My favorite is the reviewer that writes, "I only use the camo and leopard (haven't tried the zebra-looks a lil bit cheezy on box)." Only the zebra looks cheesy? Who are these people?!?!? It boggles the mind!

Recession Obsession, Part 1

Lack of money is forcing me to get creative with my spending habits, so I've switched some of my more expensive beauty products for drugstore brands. Here are some substitutions I've found so far that hold up to the pricey originals.

--My normal Frederic Fekkai hairspray has been replaced with Pantene Classic Hairspray in Flexible Hold. Both provide soft, non-sticky hold.

--Bumble and Bumble hair powder has been replaced by Psssssst Instant Spray Shampoo, and I actually prefer the Psssssst.

--My Nars Body Glow is now Neutrogena Body Oil. Different scent, same results.

I'll keep you updated on more items as I find them! To be continued...

Primer? Exactly What am I Being Primed For?

In my quest/obsession for perfect airbrushed skin, I was thrilled to try Make Up For Ever's HD Microperfecting Primer. I used the Neutral shade that claimed it "adds natural luminosity to the complexion." I never got far enough to test whether my skin looked "luminous" or not--the primer was hard to blend and left my face sticky, causing the foundation I put over it to look splotchy. I immediately washed it off and started over.

I thought the first application may have been a fluke and I was judging it unfairly, so I tried it again a couple of days later: the same thing happened. Obviously, I am NOT recommending this product, and am sticking with my Smashbox primer.

Winter Face Brightener

This winter I've been forgoing my usual tinted moisturizer in favor of Jane Iredale's Dream Tint in Peach Brightener. Dream Tint is an oil-free tinted moisturizer with a peach tint that corrects uneven skin tones. Another plus is that it has SPF 15; I'm mixing half Dream Tint and have daily moisturizer, and it gives me a soft-focus effect that gives skin a healthy glow. It's very subtle and perfect for work.

Zeno Acne Device--Too Good to be True?

I've had the Zeno MD for a while now but have been hesitant to post about it because I couldn't decide whether it actually worked or not. Zeno is a hand-held device that you place on pimples for two and a half minutes while it heats up, killing the bacteria in your skin. Per the company, in a clinical study "Zeno faded 90% of blemishes within 24 hours."

I've come to the following conclusion regarding how I feel about this product: yes, it helps blemishes go away faster; however, in its place it leaves a bright red mark that doesn't fade. I think it's actually burning my skin. Instead of pimples, I now have burn marks on my skin--I traded a raised bump for a flat burn mark. Though the burns are easier to cover, they're not going away. Take from that what you will, but I now have about five perfectly round red dots on my face from this...

Two Gifts In One

After years of lusting after all things Missoni I can finally say that Missoni charm bracelets are a practical necessity: one of the charms opens to reveal a solid perfume. It comes in the original Missoni fragrance or the Acqua (I prefer Acqua, the original is a little too chocolaty for me). I love that it is a collectible that you will continue to wear even after the perfume is gone. Also, where else can you get anything Missoni for only $50?

Free Gifts and Free Shipping

Beauty companies are amping up their marketing for the final stretch before Christmas. I love it when compete to have the best deals!

--Free shipping on Bumble and Bumble orders with no minimums. Today only, no code required.

--Free shipping and 2 free samples (Everything Mascara and Pot Rouge in Blushed Rose) with a $50 purchase at Bobbi Brown cosmetics. Code: TREAT.

--Free shipping and 4 free samples (you choose samples, plus cosmetic bag) with $35 minimum purchase at Estee Lauder today only. Code: ONEDAY

--Free shipping and 7 piece sampler kit (your choice of kits) with minimum $60 purchase at Kerastase today only. Follow the link for codes.

Laura Mercier 'Twilight' Collection

Now through December 12th, when you purchase $75 of Laura Mercier products, you get this complimentary Twilight collection for free. Never one to leave you without suggestions for spending your hard-earned money, I recommend the Lip Glace Set and the Eye Crease Brush.

The Twilight Collection includes:
--2.0 oz. French Vanilla Soufflé Body Crème
--Full-Size Black Mascara
--0.14 oz. Mini Twilight Mosaic Shimmer Bloc
--0.018 oz. Mini Purple Sapphire Kohl Eye Pencil
--Full-Size Cinnamon Lip Glacé
--Double-Ended Angled Eye Colour and Smudge Brush
--Included in a brown patent leather cosmetic bag

Retail Value of $125.00!

UPDATE: The gift with purchase has been sold out. Sorry!