A Rediscovery

Long time, no post! With summer in full swing here in NYC I've been going out more, working out more, spending more on clothes and shoes and wearing less makeup. While it may be a balmy 87 at street-level, in the subterranean, unairconditioned way tunnels that means it's over 100 and the wrong makeup will leave you a smeary puddle before you even arrive at work. And since we walk everywhere here, a quick jaunt to he store can have the same effect. I've been prety much keeping to concealer, some powder on my forehead, a cheek stain, a simple eye shadow look and tinted balm.

Needing a break from the heat I stopped into The Company Store for the air conditioned solace before an appointment and spotted MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder. It looked like the loveliest of glowing pinky peach highlight, but I held firm, walked out empty handed and added it to my wishlist. Going through my collection a little while ago I spotted MAC Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder and while not identical, I'll be darned if the Pearl Sunshine won't do for now! It's peachier for sure, but applied over a bit of blush it adds a pretty warm glow and since I already own it, it's free!
I am still looking for the perfect gel blush for summer. Right now it's between Tarte Cheek Stain in The Perfect Peach, 100% Pure Peach Glow and NARS Turks and Caicos. I'd love to hear what you think I should choose in the comments!

Bobbi Brown Blush vs. Blush

Last week I spotted Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Blush at The Company Store and put it on my wish list. The line to check out was long and I need another lipstick like I need a hole in my head, but it looked like a pretty neutral for everyday. A few days later I spotted her Blush Lipshine SPF 15 in a different store and snapped it up, but I still had the original lipstick on my mind and bought it today. I'm a big fan of the Bobbi Brown lipstick formulation--I find that it last well and I actually like the scent.

Lipstick left, Lip Shine right:
So I went from no new lipsticks to two in the span of a just a few days!

Mini The Company Store Purchase

The Company Store is just like the Cosmetic Company Store, only the doors bear the words "By Invitation Only," which makes it seem much fancier than it actually is. In reality, the ability to shop at one is determined by whether your company is on a allowed access, and it's pretty location driven. Employees of most companies in the area surrounding a store can shop there.

I wanted a brush that would deposit less color than my Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush for my new Nude Shimmer Brick, and picked up a Prescriptives fan brush. It's larger and denser than my Becca fan brush, which I use primarily for a light dusting of highlighter on my cheeks.

Becca vs. Prescriptives Fan Brush:
You can see how much larger and denser the Prescriptives (left) brush is. A total bargain at $12.50!

I also bought Bobbi Brown Lip Shine SPF 15 in Blush. One of the few lipsticks I've used up in its entirety was Bobbi Brown's Nude Pink Lip Shine, and so even though this product has been discontinued, I bought it. It's a sheer pretty nude pink that goes with everything. Sunscreen in lip products usually makes my lips peel, but so far so good.

Quelle Horreur!

Horror of horrors, I arrived at work yesterday and promptly realized that:
A. I had become a human popsicle, and
B. I left my lipstick at home and somehow had no other lipstick or gloss in my purse

While the former probably won't change until the weather warms up in March, across the street from my office is a Company Store, one of the 'By Invitation Only' Cosmetic Company Outlets. I picked up a Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Blush Rose, a soft warm pink. While I generally dislike lip products in pots, this was the best color choice available.

My very favorite lipstick is Bobbi's Creamy Lip Color in Baby, and this is a few shades brighter and pinker. It applies sheerly, as you can see in the swatch. I'm not terribly fond of this formulation in pan form--the product is just too soft. I only applied it twice and you can see the dent that it has made already--pan is visible! If you're the type that can never finish a lipstick and want to experience that satisfaction, I highly endorse the Creamy Lip Color. I go through tubes of it extremely quickly.
Blush Rose is no longer available on the Bobbi Brown site, but check your local CCOs. Here it is compared to Bobbi Brown Baby and Gilded Pink (yes, the majority of my lipsticks look similar to one another).
Baby, Blush Rose, Gilded Pink: