Helloooooo!

Hi! Is anyone still out there? I know, I know. I've been gone waaay too long. A combination of work, heartbreak and family drama [temporarily] curtailed my mass cosmetic consumption and with very little purchased there was little to write about! That all changed with the Sephora Friends and Family sale! I placed 3 orders! I wanted to share some things I'd been loving in my blogging absence.

I love the new Origins Multigrain Bronzer applied with their new Foundation Brush. I've worn it nearly every single day since I got it almost 2 news ago. Both products are fantastic. Here it is loaded up on the brush:

I've also been using my NARS Turks & Caicos Skin Tint near daily. It's a punchy color on me that last all day until I take it off. I've even slept in it (bad, I know) a few times and it's looked just as fab in the morning. Lancome Crayon Kohl Eye Liner in Black Coffee has become a staple as have Stila Smudge Stick in Purple Tang, and these eye shadows: Edward Bess Dusk, Benefit Fawn Over Me, UD Shakedown, Alima Paris turned into a cream shadow with my Geri G Cosmetics Mixer, and Laura Mercier Vanilla Nuts/Coffee Ground Duo. Add in BE Soul, Becca Tweed, and R&R Veil, Affair, Snakeskin and Diffused and I think I could get rid of all of my other eye colors (though I can't actually bring myself to do so). Lip-wise it's been mostly Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Baby (HG), Laura Mercier Stick Gloss in Tiger Lily, Origins Smileage Lip Tint in Eco Pink and Burt's Bees Super Shiny Gloss in Juicy Peach. Fekkai Summer Hair Zero Humidity Frizz Control and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb have helped get me through the summer (which I'm actually sad to see go. It's chilly here and my summer wardrobe is much cuter than my winter one!).

Well I hope some of you will find your way back to me! I can't wait to share more details of some of the products I just mentioned and will be posting an enormous blog sale soon!

ELF Blush & Bronzer Compact

I’m finally working my way through some more of the goodies I got in the ELF 50% off sale. This is normally £3.50 for 8g in total. The packaging is lovely with sturdy feeling black plastic and a huge mirror.

The blush is a peach shade with a gold pearl. It blends effortlessly and if a fabulous easy to wear every day shade. Shall we get the inevitable NARS Orgasm comparison out of the way? It’s not a dupe. Sorry but it just isn’t. Orgasm is much more reddy pink, deeper and more shimmery. Given a choice I actually prefer the ELF blush! I’ve swatched them here with NARS Orgasm at the bottom.

The bronzer is a funny one. It’s quite a warm shade but not orangey which I like. There is a gold sheen evident in the pan and the swatch but when you buff it into your skin it disappears leaving an almost-but-not-quite-matte finish. It’s really very flattering. I don’t have NARS Laguna to compare it too I’m afraid.

I’ve been getting a lot of use out of this little compact and definitely something in the ELF Studio line that I would recommend picking up! X

*Bought by me*

Peachy Pinks and Pearly Champagne Courtesy of Bobbi Brown

If you go through my vast makeup collection, you'll notice a theme pretty quickly! As hard as a try to have a well-rounded collection and purchase a good variety of products, the vast majority of my blushes, lipsticks and glosses are some shade of peachy pinks! Two of my current favorites are from Bobbi Brown: Maui Illuminating Bronzing Powder and Baby Creamy Lip Color.

The Illuminating Bronzing Powder ($33) is a pearly powder in a coral pink color that I apply with Bobbi's Face Blender Brush ($40). While I wouldn't use this shade as a bronzer, it does give a gorgeous happy, 'sunburned' look, like you just got back from, well...Maui! I don't find the shimmer to be over the top on my fair skin.
Bobbi Brown's Creamy Lip Color ($22) is designed to be a smooth, conditioning lipstick with a soft, creamy shine. The formula is not my favorite--I find it to be slightly too think and it seems to evaporate rather quickly--but I love the shade so much I'll use up and repurchase this shade which is quite a feat for me! Bobbi describes Baby as "an icy nude pink." When I see the word "icy" I automatically think "cool" and this shade is definitively warm toned. It is the perfect sheer, natural, warm peachy pink shade that I've found myself reaching for over and over. The shade is so easy to wear and looks polished but not over the top. I have very full lips and darker shades can prove overwhelming, but this one is right on. I've heard that Bobbi Brown's regular Lip Color ($22) in Gilded Pink is similar in color so that one is on my wishlist!

Just as I collect peachy pink lip and cheek products, I have an array of champagne shimmery shadows as well, and Bobbi Brown's Champagne Quartz Metallic Eye Shadow ($20) is one I wear very often. The texture of these shadows is so creamy and pigmented. The color you see in the pot is what you see on the lids, and while I normally use brushes to apply my shadows, I find that if I use my finger with this one it maintains that metallic look on the lid. Champagne Quartz is a golden ever so slightly pink champagne that is neither too warm nor too cool. It works as a daytime shade for work and an evening out glam look. A pretty and versatile product!

Feature Focus: Unsung Heros

I wanted to highlight some unsung heroes--tried and true never-fail products that seem to fly under the radar. Products that you never see in magazines, rarely hear raved about. I'm sure that everyone has some of these unsung heroes in their arsenal--please post about them in the comments!
Darphin Blush Sensation in Soleil Sublime:

This is bar none the most beautiful, natural looking bronzer I've ever used. I'm quite fair and on the pinker side, and this has absolutely no orange in it. It features a gentle color gradation so you can customize your look depending on how much 'sun' you want that day! The shimmer is super-subtle and doesn't accentuate lines and wrinkles, just lends itself to a gentle glow. It costs $40 and is available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

MAC Lilicent Blushcreme:

This cream blush has a unique love it or hate it texture. It's almost akin to a potted lipstick in that it's somewhat thick and remains dewy on the cheeks. This helps you look 'fresh' all day but if you're used to a cream to powder formula, this may take a bit of getting used to. The color is a real face brightener, and never fails to brighten my complexion with its warm, peachy rose hue. It is $18.50 and available on maccosmetics.com and at MAC counters nationwide.

Lancome Artliners:

Colors left to right are: Socialite, Brown, IceBlack, IceCarob and Star Shower
In my opinion, these little wonders stand alone in the liquid liner category. They are the easiest liquid liner and you can easily create a thin line right at the base of the lashes or thicker cat eye due to the unique flexible applicator that allows you to control the product. Unlike felt tip dispensers where the product may flow through inconsistently or only with pressure, these unique wands dip into the product and just enough comes out to create a perfect line every single time. The shades are gorgeous, although many of the unique ones are available on a limited edition basis. These are $28.50 and available wherever Lancome is sold.

Eye Necessities:

-Bare Escentuals Eye Shadow in Soul- the perfect vanilla base, this shadow is shimmer free (you can see the faintest glimmer in the pot which prevents lids from looking crepey but doesn't add a sparkle).
-Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen- the palest pink that brightens lids, creates the perfect base so your shadow lasts and the pigment appears true, and even works on its own for a natural eye look.
-Laura Mercier Baked Cakes Eye Liner in Key Lime/Dark Green Apple with Brush- gorgeous, baked, shimmery greens and a perfect brush for application. Use these wet or dry for a look less harsh than black but still achieve ample definition. I use the dark shadow on my upper lid and the light shadow to line underneath.
-Benefit Kohl Pencil Eye Liner in Sable- the only product I use on my inner rim. It lasts and lasts without iritation and glides on smoothly. The shade of brown is spot on--not too light or too dark.

Tools:

-MAC 208 brush- a very thin synthetic angle brush for precise gel eye liner application.
-Chanel Brush 3- a great brush for applying shadow to the outer corner. The bristles are densely packed and the thicker handle is weighted for easy application.
-Fresh Eye Definer Brush 20- the BEST crease brush, this is soft and perfectly shaped for the perfect placement and depth of color.
-Sephora Brand Professionnel Flat Blush Brush #42- perfect for small faces and the tapered point places the blush exactly where you want it to go.
-Tarte Eyelash Curler- this has never pinched my lids the way other highly-touted brands have and the lilac is so cute!

Sleek Face Contour Kit

Sleek is slowly becoming my most purchased from brand. After months of seeing youtubers such as Pixi2woo raving about the contour kit I finally caved. There are three shades (light, medium and dark), I have the light. You get 14g of product housed in a sturdy black case with a good sized mirror. 

The highlighter section is divine. It’s so smooth and finely milled, not glitter bombs here just a rich metallic gold toned sheen. A light hand is definitely needed if you want to wear this during the day but properly blended out it looks fabulous. 

The contour side is a richly pigmented deep matte brown. I’d say it’s more warm than cool toned but it manages to avoid turning orange. Again a light hand and some hefty blending is required.

It’s handy having a little ‘sculpting’ kin all in the one palette. Did I mention that it costs just £6.50? For a product that I imagine will last a very long time? Love it! X

*Bought by me*

Collection Overview : Bronzers

Who would have thought that before this year I had never really used bronzer. I’d never even tried contouring! Now I’ve become a little bit of an addict.

MAC MSF in Comfort – Unfortunately this was limited edition as part of the In The Groove collection. it’s a slightly orangey toned matte shade with shimmery gold veining. When swirled together it leans more towards matte but with a slight sheen. 

Bourjois Delice De Poudre – The light neutral shade and medium to light pigmentation mean that this is a good idiot proof bronzer. It’s very difficult to over apply, is matte (which I prefer), and looks and smells like chocolate. The only problem is as I’ve had it for a couple of month it seems to be getting a little hard. £6.99 for 16g.

Collection 2000 Shimmer & Shade in 2 Golden & Gorgeous – this is incredibly frosty so I really only use this on nights out swept over the cheeks for a golden glow. Although it’s gorgeous in the pan and the peach bronze shade is very pretty I just don’t seem to reach for it much. £4.19 for 10g.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soft Matte 01 – This came in a palette along with 2 blushes as part of a Christmas set. It’s a slightly warmer tone and more heavily pigmented that the Bourjois one but I adore this for contouring. It blends like a dream and adds a lovely warmth to the skin. You can buy the full sized version of this for £26 for 21g. I’m probably more likely to repurchase this than the others. 

Sleek Contour Kit (the contour side obviously)  in the shade Light – I’d been so curious about this for so long that I finally caved. It’s a totally matte slightly cooler toned brown which makes it perfect for contouring. You really do need a light hand with this. At first I thought it would be too dark for my skin but it’s actually fine as long as you blend well. The highlighter is lovely in this too but I won’t say too much as I have a full review coming up. £6.50 for 14g. 

Left to right: MAC MSF Comfort, Bourjois Delice De Poudre, Collection 2000 Golden and Gorgeous, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, Sleek Contour Palette

Clearly I’ve become a bit of a bronzer fiend! I plan on putting a dent in these before buying anything else but when I do I have a Dior bronzer in mine. What are your favourites? X

*All bought by me*

The First Makeup Item To Tempt Me in Weeks

I'm not sure that this is the cure for my makeup ennui, but I went to Sephora.com for the first time in quite a while today and saw this exclusive Laura Mercier Beauty Insider palette ($48) and it's right up my alley! Called the Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face and Cheeks Creme Colour Palette, it features a Bronzer Veil, 2 Cheek Veils and 2 Glow Veils. According to Sephora, "[t]his ultra-sheer, blendable palette wakes up the skin and gives it an immediate, healthy glow. Customize your look with bronzer, cheek color, and glow for a natural "no makeup" radiance. Inside, there are tabs that fan out to display Laura's secrets on how to best use the formulas to create standout results."

Cream blush and bronzers? sign me up! This palette is currently for Beauty Insiders only and it's now at the top of my wishlist!

Face of the Day!

I unearthed an old(er) MAC Quad today and wanted to use it!

Eyes:
MAC Blanc Type lash to brow (over Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen)
MAC Naked lunch in and above the crease
MAC Copperplate in the outer corner
Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Bourbon
Korres Mascara
(The other MAC shadow in the Quad is Sensualize)

Cheeks:
Rock & Republic Rumor
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Maui
Julie Hewett Goldie Shimmy to highlight the tops of my cheekbones

Lips:
Laura Mercier Tiger Lily Stickgloss

Blush "Tweets"

I don't Tweet. Partly because my life is incredibly normal and boring and no one cares what I had for breakfast or when I'm heading to the gym, and partly because I would be creeped out if someone did know or care what I had for breakfast or when I'm heading to the gym. I work in a cubicle--I'm fine with preserving a little mystery when I can.

Nonetheless, there are times, like now, when I have a few quick, "tweet-like" tidbits to share. I popped into bluemercury on my way home this afternoon (after buying two Levain Bakery cookies for dinner) and got to check out some new releases. Since blushes are my weakness, I was focused on them.

Bobbi Brown Beach Shimmerbrick- way too dark and bronzy for me. This would probably require a skunk brush and very light application on fair skin like mine.

NARS Multiple Tint in Turks & Caicos- a hideous day-glo orange in the tube, this gel tint is a super sheer but very bright coral on the skin. A pretty and pleasant surprise.

T. LeClerc Blush in Brun Voile- would make a gorgeous, subtle bronzer. A rosy as opposed to orange undertone.

NARS Orgasm Illuminator- I've heard many complain that this is too sheer, but I'm so fair that it was more than enough color, and has a distinct bronze tone and shimmer unlike the namesake powder blush and Multiple. It's a pretty blend of translucent pink, peach, bronze and gold that's perfect for summer.

Bourjois Délice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

Also known as how Claire overcame her fear of bronzer. Oh yes folks, I’ve been contouring! And just in time for Spring too! I’ve always associated bronzer with orange. I’m rather pasty (between MAC 15-20) with neutral undertones and for a good long while I’ve been embracing the pale. It’s sunscreen all the way for me but I decided this year I would conquer my fear of faux tan and bronzer and this was just the right product to start me off! 

You get a rather generous 16g of product for £6.99 housed in cardboard packaging. Some people hate cardboard packaging I know but personally I don’t mind it and it feels relatively sturdy. The powder looks simply adorabubble and has a lovely sweet scent. It doesn’t smell like chocolate to me like it’s supposed to but it’s lovely nonetheless. Allegedly it has little ‘flecks of sunshine’ in it and whilst you can see a few gold sparkles in the pan these thankfully don’t transfer onto the face. 

The powder is finely milled and blends nicely. It’s a soft muted bronze which doesn’t pull orange on me (unless you really pack it on). It’s perfect for a soft natural looking contour and it doesn’t look too obvious even on my pale skin. Unfortunately this means it probably wouldn’t be very effective on darker skin tones though. 

Does anyone have any suggestions for other bronzers suitable for pale skin? 

*Bought with Boots advantage points*

Bobbi Brown Nude Shimmer Brick

I realize that I'm a little late on this one since the Nude Shimmer Brick was a limited edition that's now difficult to obtain, but it's too beautiful not to share! Bergdorf Goodman had one of these left and I snapped it up as a substitute for the Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose that died an untimely death on Saturday night. On my very fair skin, these is a bit too deep to be a true highlighter, but is a gorgeous light bronzer with shimmer. It's a mix of pink, beige and caramel and is definitely shimmery but not a total glitterbomb.

Incidentally, the Bobbi Brown counter at Bergdorf's is having an event March 23, 24, 26 and 27 and I was told that they'd be debuting new items. No word on what they are or if there is a Gift With Purchase, but I'm trying to get more information. The number for the counter is 212-272-8827.

Sue Devitt For Spring!

I rarely check out Sue Devitt anymore, but was stumbling around Barney's on Saturday and happened upon her Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye & Cheek Palettes in Solomon Islands and Beausoleil. I'll forgive Sue for giving this product the longest name ever, because the palettes are beautiful and perfect for Spring! Solomon Islands (on the wishlist!) is a pink/coral/bronze fusion, and Beausoleil is a medley of peaches and bronze. Not inexpensive at $37.50 each, but luminescent and pretty without being over the top. I didn't take the plunge yet since I'm still playing with my new Edward Bess bronzer and Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek Tint, but it's only a matter of time before I cave.

A Mini Binge

So there are good binges (a makeup or shoe haul) and bad binges (eating half a dozen William Greenberg Black & White cookies) and because I was on the verge of the latter thanks to a cornucopia of stress, I decided to effectuate the former. Thus, I found myself on the poorly lit beauty floor of Bergdorf Goodman, telling the Edward Bess Sales Associate that yet another coworker had just commented on how tired I looked and pleading with her for some help.

I walked away with Edward Bess Ultra Luminous Bronzer in Daydream (a favorite of Sabrina over at the Beauty Look Book) and a few Chantecaille goodies that I'll post about tomorrow. I was debating between this bronzer and Chantecaille Capri, but fate intervened when the store was out of the Chantecaille. Daydream is a cocoa-brown shade with no orange or pink tones. It's sheer enough to be used all over the face, but can be built up to be used on the planes of the cheeks, nose and forehead that would naturally be toasted by the sun. I'm using my Bobbi Brown Face Blender brush with it, but the makeup artist applied it with Edward's lovely, though super pricey ($65) version. At $48 this isn't an inexpensive item, but not having a colleague ask when the last time you slept? Priceless.
P.S. I ended up eating 2 mini size of the aforementioned cookies. They really are exceptional. My top 5 favorite cookies in NYC:

1. William Greenberg Bakery Black and Whites
2. Financier Patisserie Macarons
3. Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Walnut and Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookies
4. Not Just Rugelach Zaleti
5. Crumbs Bake Shop Snickers Cookies
   

My Favorites of 2010 Part One

Somehow I managed to both pare down and buy a lot in 2010. I thought I would share some of my 2010 favorite.
NARS Turks and Caicos Multiple Tint- scary orange in the tube, gorgeous peachy coral flush on the cheeks. I'd buy a backup if I didn't think this would last forever. Has anyone ever finished a NARS Multiple?
Origins Multigrain Bronzer, Julie Hewett Goldie Shimmy and Benefit High Beam- all the essentials for naturally bronze, glowing skin.
Paul and Joe Face Color 16 Canyon- my powder blush pick of the year. Perfect blend of bronze and peachy pink.
Aveda Juneberry Lip Shine- a few shades deeper than my lip color with a hint of shimmer.
Paul and Joe Lipstick 17- a real my-lips-but-better shade. Goes on sheer and luminous.

More favorites coming soon! Also, I've added some new items to my blog sale below. Please scroll down and take a peek!

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 4

The last and final installment in my favorite bronzers and highlighters!
Bare Escentuals Feather Light Mineral Veil (also known as Illuminating Mineral Veil) ($19)- Feather Light Mineral Veil is completely sheer and colorless but with a very luminous, shimmery finish. It can be used lightly all over for evening or on special occasions (it looks particularly nice in candlelight) or just applied to the areas one would normally apply highlighter for a sheer sparkle that won't alter the color of your blush. It may sound silly but to just call it shimmery really isn't doing the product justice--it i almost teeny diamond-like shimmer. Subtle but lovely. (Click on the image below to enlarge it--it sows off the shimmer more accurately).
Body and Soul Charade Blush- sadly this line (and consequently this blush) has been discontinued. I went wild for Body & Soul Cosmetics when they first debuted, largely on account of the stunning, glamorous vintage packaging though they did have some wonderful, high quality products, among them the blushes. Charade was the very first cosmetic item I purchased when I got to college. I went downtown (all by myself in the big bad city of Philly!) to Joan Shepp, a luxe boutique, paid what I remember thinking was a king's ransom on a college student's budget, and brought this home to admire lovingly. To this day I still love Charade! It's a soft matte bronze shade that looks very natural, even on my fair skin. It's highly pigmented so a little goes a long way, but it really does make me look sunkissed and not orange.

Giorgio Armani Sheer Cream Blush 1 ($40)- the texture of this item is not what most people think of when they hear "cream blush." It's very dry and almost hard to the touch, though it blends well and since the product is so pigmented, simply gliding your fingers gently over the surface of the blush will pick up adequate color. This is a soft apricot bronze with white shimmer. This works perfectly as a bronzer on my very light skin without making me look dirty. It is pricey but since so little is needed with each application it will last a long time.

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 3

Unfortunately, both of these lovelies are discontinued.
Darphin Blush Sensation in Soleil Sublime is my all time favorite bronzer. To me it has cache not only because it is difficult to find, comes in a little velvet pouch and is one of the more expensive bronzers at $40, but it is simply perfect on the skin. The product is a gradation of color from a warm beigey tan to a deeper bronze with a sublt lilt and sheer formula. You can custom blend a shade by swiping your brush is different color areas, or simply do what I do which is blend all of the shades together. Either way it's utterly foolproof and incredibly natural looking. I've ried many bronzer and while there are others that I do use and like, this one ranks right up at the top.MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl Sunshine was, in my opinion, the hidden gem of MAC's Barbie collection. This is a light shimmery peachy pink with a slight hint of tan and noticeable but gentle shimmer. While everyone was out stocking up on Moth Brown, I picked this up and have been enjoying it ever since, in part due to it's versatility. It has enough pigment to be used as a light blush on more "natural" days, but is sheer enough to work as a highlighter. The little bit of tan undertone would also enhance sunkissed skin, making this a great product to take on vacation. I use a fan brush for just a light dusting or a blush brush if I want more color.

Too Faced Peach Leopard Bronzer

The Too Faced Pink Leopard bronzer is wildly popular on various makeup boards. It's not only pretty to look at, it blends shades of pink and bronze for a more natural look. If you found this shade too light, too pink or just prefer warm tones, Too Faced has released a new peach version. How pretty does this look? It's available now at Sephora if you have a holiday gift card just burning a hole in your pocket.

Favorite Bronzers and Highlighters Part 2

Clockwise from top: Becca Mermaid Loose Shimmer Powder, Bare Escentuals A Little Sun, Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highlighter, Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance. Click on the picture to enlarge and really see the detail.

Becca Mermaid Loose Shimmer Powder ($20)- This loose powder comes in a small eye shadow pigment sized container. I was attracted to it because it's such an unusual shade--a grayish green with heavy gold shimmer. It sounds like it would be hideous on the skin but surprisingly it's not! It looks neutral adding a silvery gold 'flash' on the cheek bones. It also looks great on the eyes, but it's light pigmentation requires it to be packed on.

Bare Escentuals A Little Sun ($18)- this looks orange in the pot but has a healthy dose of pink on the skin. It gives a true 'sunburnt' coppery rose color. I like to wear it not only on my cheeks, but applied with a fan brush across the bridge of my nose and along my hairline--the spots the sun would naturally hit and bronze.

Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose Highlighter ($36)- This is a pearly shell colored highlighter that I've been wearing frequently lately. The texture is very soft and the glow it gives is subtle but definitely apparent. I've been wearing it on top of matte blushes in addition to using as a highlighter. In the picture above, the pinky overspray has been rubbed away. This is how it looks brand new:
Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance ($18)- I generally wear this iridescent nude shimmer powder over blushes and love the soft-focus look it imparts. Your skin just looks softly luminous and the shade and shimmer level are appropriate for daytime wear.

From left to right: Becca Mermaid, Bare Escentuals Bare Radiance, Bare Escentuals A Little Sun, Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose