Tom Ford: Pink Dusk Swatches

So I didn't do swatches the first post because I just couldn't ruin the gorgeous engraved TF before I wore it.

It's a beautiful lip color, really subtle and classy.

MAC Studio Finish vs. Sculpt

So both of these concealers have a really good reputation. The Pixiwoo sister's swear by the Studio Finish but they also use Studio Sculpt frequently. Tanya Burr of Pixi2woo also uses both of these pretty equally. So which one wins...well its not that easy because One Size...doesn't fit all.

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Studio Sculpt in NW25                        Studio Finish in NW20

I would describe Studio Sculpt as the creamier of the two, with almost the consistency of a Cremesheen Lipstick...not oily but moisturizing....which is why I prefer to use this in the winter.(Oddly enough the colors I grabbed for photos are the opposite for the seasons...) While Studio Finish is creamy and by no means drying it has more of a powder finish and is a thinner consistency which is why this is my summer go to concealer since my skin produces more oil. Both concealers have NC and NW shades ranging for 15 to 50. I really enjoy both of these and apply them with 224 brush.

Chanel Glossimer: Pailettes

You all should know something about me, I hate lipgloss! I just can't do it, its sticky and drippy and messy and usually has big chunks of irritating sparkles, your absolutely unkissable when wearing it, it doesn't usually look awesome on its own, its not moisturizing, I just don't like it!!!...okay venting over...Anyways I've always wanted to be able to wear lipgloss, I think it looks lovely when you can pair up a lipgloss and a lipstick to complement each other. I had tried every brand in Ulta or drugstore you can think of, I never wanted to try high end lipgloss because I felt it would be such a massive waste, well wasn't I wrong. What changed my way of thinking....

Chanel of course! I picked up this Glossimer($28) on a whim when I was at the Chanel counter checking out the spring line. And here's what I have to say about it. YAY! Its fabulous! Now to say its not sticky at all would be foolish...it is, after all, a lipgloss, but I would like to describe its texture as having more slip and glide, giving it a smoother not so sticky feel, the shimmer in it is very finely milled and undetectable whilst wearing. The shade is Pailettes 93, a gorgeous pink rose that complements other pinks or darker rosewood colors. I use the doe-foot applicator lightly to give my lips just a little lustre. I'm very pleased with this and am very open to trying other high end lipgloss's, I think I may try a Burberry one seeing as how I adore their Lip Colors. Hope this was helpful for any other lipgloss haters;)

Marquise D' by MAC

I realize that I'm turning into a total lipstick junkie, but I just can't help it! I think I owned maybe one lipstick entering my 20's...it just wasn't something I thought about. I think over the years lipstick has gotten the shaft...as in, pushed in the back corner of your makeup container and replaced by...yes, lipgloss. But I have rediscovered or perhaps truly discovered for the first time the addicting glamorousness accompanied by using lipstick. And so I present to you my new infatuation....Marquise D' (Pronounced: Mar-key-Dee)

If lipstick were people, Marquise D' would be royalty. This Lustre is a sandy peachy pink shot through with a fine gold shimmer. ITS GORGEOUS! It's the perfect lipstick to slap on when your running out the door or to keep in your bag in case you need an emergency spruce up! It's that good! Its so easy to wear, it being a Lustre you can be generous in application without the cake effect. I was able to buy the very last one my MAC had!!! I can't believe I don't have a backup, this baby is going to go quick. I know its one of the more slightly popular shades to come back with LE collections, next time it does I will be purchasing at least 2, maybe 3, no 2 is enough...well, we will see;) Seriously, the color is so amazing, I can even put up with the heinous packaging...what were they thinking? So ladies, if your can get you hands on this, snatch it up!

Cherish by MAC

 

 This lip color does not get the praise it is due! I went in looking for a new nude shade (ie Creme De Nude or Hue) and ended up with this baby. It's hard for me (being so fair) to find a nude shade that doesn't make my little lips look flat and lifeless. This Satin delivers good color to your lips while staying quietly neutral as to not clash with strong eye makeup. It looks as though it would be a brown toned peach but its really more like one of those "your lips but better" colors. I pair it with a milky light pink gloss and create my perfect nude that doesn't make me look like a corps.

Review : Benefit Hoola

Sorry for the impersonal picture, my camera wasn't picking the color up correctly and this shows it nicely

This is my go to bronzer. When I'm wicked pale and when I'm sporting a healthy summer glow this bronzer is awesome! It's very finely milled and almost "melts" into your skin...if that makes any sense, it feels like your working something satin into your skin. It's matte but doesn't make you look like you've been baking mud pies a.k.a dirty ;)  The effect it has on your skin is healthifying...so not a word...but I bet you get what I mean! I really love this and have only bumped into one person that doesn't like it and well...they thought acrylic nails are still in...POINT BEING this bronzer rocks, and it by golly ought to considering it costs ($30).
I agree with every other beauty guru...the cardboard box is lame! And that little brush is rubbish but what beauty compact applicator isn't?

Very warm soft color, it works great as a contour as well. The pan is 11grams and a little goes a long way. I just think that for $30 the packaging should be more impressive. I'm curious to try Soleil tan de Chanel, thoughts anyone?

Review : Origins VitaZing

This multi-tasking moisturizer handles the vital jobs of hydrating, energizing and protecting to maintain skin's momentum all day. Gives skin the refreshing zing of antioxidant-rich Mangosteen. And adds a healthy hit of radiance that mimics the glow you get from a week's vacation. All in 10 seconds max.  Slip it on first thing tomorrow - you'll look like you eat right, sleep tight & don't
have a worry in sight- Origins.com
I included the description from the website because I think that is actually, exactly what this product does! I put it on in the morning underneath my foundation to give my skin tone a little warm-up. I think this works brilliantly in the summer time in place of foundation or tinted moisturizer. This is what I expected Estee Lauder's Sheer Tint Release($50) to be like. It doesn't give much coverage but the way it acts as a second skin and makes you look fresh and glowey is awesome! I could see this becoming a HG item...it's that fantastic!

Partially blended in, starts off as just a regular white cream moisturizer

Blended in to a concentrated area, you can see that it leaves some good color behind

 I absolutely recommend this product, it runs for ($35) and is supposed to last you at least two months. I don't think I mentioned that it smells gorgeous as well, kind of like white tea and mango, very fresh.

Holy Grail : First Lot

So I was thinking that the three products that I have allowed Holy Grail status should get a shout out. Of course this is all my personal opinion on products and may not be shared by others, although these are fantastic and can not imagine someone disliking them.

Bio-Oil is nothing short of amazing. This small bottle goes for about ($12) I have had it for over two months and use it liberally, yet I barely see a decrease. You can use this all over your skin, in your hair, on your nails. I put it on my lips before bed and have noticed my lip color is lighter and pinker as well as being ultra smooth and ready for lipstick:) I use it on my face and it makes my skin look so healthy and glowey. I truly love this product and wish I had discovered it sooner!

I completely forgot Zoya made this phenomenal polish remover. Its a push down pump...which is so convenient, how many times have you accidentally spilled polish remover dumping the bottle up to get it on your cotton bud? Okay, well maybe that's just me being clumsy. Anyway, the pump rocks my world, not to mention the product is the best remover I've found. It's quit gentle on your nails and doesn't dry them out to a flakey crisp (...that's never cute). It removes even the toughest polish i.e dark polish, glitter polish, metallic polish without using loads of product. I paint my nails about three times a week, I've had this polish since the new year...I'm thinking at this rate, its going to last me about the entire year (applause :). Going for about ($8) its not the cheapest, but lets do the math, One Bottle +One year= $8 = WINNER!

Okay, now this I would guess would be my most controversial HG item simply because everyone looks for different things in a mascara. So what I like about this is what I've looked for in other mascara's and haven't found. 1) It's healthy formula is gentle on my lashes and has encouraged growth. 2) It washes off easily with just water at the end of the day, no tugging on my eye area causing irritation. 3) Its flexible and doesn't make my eyelashes feel like they have a plastic coating on them. 4) It builds beautifully 5) It gives me the perfect balance of volume and length. At a comfortable ($14) its pretty promising that you may love it too.

Dear Zoya, I think I love you.

 I found this new polish and I'm absolutely infatuated with it!!! I have never used Zoya polish before (I'm a total Essie snob) but I am reformed!

This color is Caitlin. Zoya polishes typically have lady names. I just love this!! Isn't it like dessert on your nails or something? Yummm it's so good. It's a gray toned violet/periwinkle. In the first picture you can see the purple in it and in the second you can see(I hope...) how the gray is pretty strong too. The application was divine. I'm not the best at painting my nails but the brush bristles are shorter than most which allows for better control, the color went on so smooth and was perfectly opaque in two coats. I will definitely be trying out more Zoya polish after being so pleased with this one. Polishes run for ($8).

MK Bel Aire Chronograph....

I know this isn't make-up or cosmetics related but by gosh its gorgeous!

I have been thinking that a gold tone watch would be nice for summer time as it complements my skintone better than silver...but silver is what I usually wear, I think that's a trendy thing. Gold was just not "in" for awhile right? At least it wasn't in high school and I think that even after this many years that idea is still stuck in my mind...but we aren't in high school anymore lovies! Anyway I would like to support the pro-gold-tones movement! Perhaps I should start by purchasing this watch;)

Review : Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew

 After FleurDeForce posted a favorites video about this product only a couple days after Amodelrecommends also raved about it, I knew I had to have it! Fleur purchased hers in the shade 'Fair' but I was only able to find 'For most skin tones'...luckily most skin tones would appear to be very fair, with mine being the fairest of them all :p jk...it ended up being a good shade for me.

 Onto the actual product. It's pretty fabulous. Covers the under-eye area brilliantly and gives a nice glow, I used enough so that I could bring it up around my eyelid and down to the top of my eye-meets-cheek area and it was gorgeous. The consistency is very smooth and the roller ball is very gentle and soothing. I think I'm going to purchase another to keep in my bag, it will be perfect for a mid-day glow-up. I will warn you that its definitely not for anywhere else on your face...NOT for blemishes ladies!

A great deal at ($13) and definitely worth looking around for more shade options, I purchased mine at Wal-mart but you can get it at CVS, Walgreens, Rightaid and Target...they may have the other shades that this is rumored to come in. Hope this was helpful!

Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color : Pink Dusk

Yes, it finally came! It's as if Nordstrom new how excited I was and wanted to prolong the process with extra slow shipping. But I won't make you wait anymore, here it is, pure lip luxury!

 Packaging reminded me of Burberry Lip Colors. Classy textured linen.

 Again ultra chic case.

Ta Da! Here it is - Absolutely divine! The perfect shade of Mauvey Pink...ergo the name Pink Dusk. It has a rich vanilla scent (very similar to MAC lipsticks). I won't be swatching it until after I use it, I think that's reasonable;)

 Okay, I know, picture overload...but if your going to spend ($45+tax) on a lipstick you should be well informed. I included the last picture because one of my pet peeves is when a lipstick doesn't slide down into the tube all the way and every time you put the cap on you have to be wary of not smashing it! This clearly does not have that problem <3  And yes, the cap clamping shut does sound like a Mercedes door closing...It's addicting...as in, I may be having my best mate pick me up Blush Nude whilst she's in Boston this week.

Ravishing by Mac!

I got this lipstick in December knowing I would love it for spring/summer and I do! Now that we're starting to see some sun I thought it was time to dig it out. Its a gorgeous warm peachy coral and adds just the right pop of color to my little lips!

Review : Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

 

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation is one I've been wanting to try for a while. I have extremely dry skin and have been looking for something more hydrating. I find your able to work it into your skin best by using a stippling brush, but it will  apply smoothly with your fingertips and feels quit silky to the touch. This foundation leaves a satin/matte finish on your skin but does not leave you dried out. I think that someone with normal/oily skin could use this comfortably throughout the day without having to re-powder or blot much or at all. I found only two cons to this foundation.

• > For the price($43) the packaging leaves much to be desired as the tube can get quit messy.
• > I found that the smell was quit unpleasant.  The smell does dissipate within 5-10 minutes and is not so awful that it would keep me from repurchasing it.
 

Conclusion: It's a nice foundation, but it doesn't leave my skin dewy or luminescent, which is what I was looking for. I'm thinking of trying Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, which I have heard is extremely dewy and possibly just what my skin needs. But that is a bit expensive and not sure when I'll be able to afford it seeing as how there are $$$ worth of product before it on my wishlist ;)

Review : Samantha Chapman's Brushes!

 For those of you who may not know, Samantha Chapman is one of two sister's who make up the Youtube channel Pixiwoo. They are professional Make-up Artists that live in the UK and have been making Youtube make-up tutorials for several years. Just this month the Pixiwoo sisters each took a turn to announce very special and exciting news, firstly Nicola was expecting her first child (Congratulations!!!) and secondly Samantha was designing a line of brushes for RealTechniques that Ulta would be releasing come the end of the month. So here they are in all their glory!

Brush Collections come with a case that has a drawstring that serves as a handle when traveling, and also enables you to fold the case down and pinch it tight to conveniently prop up your brushes.

These are the two brushes I purchased that were not included in the Core Collection($8/10)

These brushes are made from synthetic taklon bristles and are 100% cruelty-free. They have aluminum handles with a rubber coated end and weighted nicely. The bristle are very soft on all of the brushes. The stippling brush has a small head and semi-dense bristles and applies liquid foundation beautifully. The basic foundation brush in the line is angled to get into the contours of your face. I found that because the bristles are synthetic the effect is a little "slappy" and depending on the individual you may or may not care for that feeling. The small contour brush is fabulous, I can see using this every day for contouring, bronzer and blush or even highlighting, tons of uses for this little brush and the bristle are extra soft! The pointed foundation brush I find very small and don't think that I would use it for foundation very often, although I did  try it with concealer and it blended it into my skin nicely, but I don't think I would have purchased it if it hadn't come in the set. The small detailer brush is also multi-tasking, I used it for concealer and lipstick as well as a pencil brush along my lash line, firm dense bristle are tapered to get right in there! Lastly is the buffing brush, so soft and supple, I can imagine it would apply mineral foundation like a dream with its domed top, I used it for my blusher today and it buffed the color in to leave me with just the right glow. Overall these brushes are just amazing! Single brushes can be purchased for under $10 and collections are all around $16. These are definitely budget friendly as well as high quality. I will absolutely be picking up the entire collection.  Well done Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo. Gorgeous brushes!

Wishlist : Chanel

Summer is well on its way and I'm feeling that Soleil Tan De Chanel is going to become essential to perfecting my sun-kissed glow. This cream-gel bronzer promises to leave you with a velvety finish as well as look gorgeous on your dressing table:)




  Vitalumiere Aqua Vs. Vitalumiere...which to choose? I for one am a sucker for packaging and prefer the more posh glass bottle with pump. Although, I do see the benefit of the plastic bottle for traveling as I am going on holiday for a bit. Both promise luminous skin and longwear...what do you think?

Its hard to believe that I do not own a single Rouge Coco lipstick yet...its not that I don't want about ten of the twenty plus colors I just haven't picked one up yet. Thus, it has made its way onto my wishlist. I think the first shade I would like to have is the classic N. 5 Mademoiselle (the chameleon shade in the line) as well as N. 35 Chintz and N. 20 Rose Comete and perhaps N. 03 Secret....and next month Chanel is launching the Rouge Coco Shine collection...which means one more Chanel product to lust over!

Review : Clinique High Lengths Mascara

I tried Clinique High Lengths Mascara expecting to be disappointed. Little did I know, this mascara delivers! It comes with a thin, green, comb wand that has three rows of rubber bristles and is curved to fit your eyelid. Now we've all seen gimmickey wands like this before which is why I doubted this time was any different. The first time I applied it I was amazed. I started at my roots and did the normal wiggle-wiggle-slip motion. My eyelashes easily fit between the bristle and were completely coated with my first stroke. The fibers in this mascara  build up very clean because of the comb-style wand and leave you with super long defined lashes. Clinique High Impact Mascara is my go to mascara for everyday use, I should have known better than to doubt them, but I definitely learned my lesson this time. Great mascara and really great price!(14.50) **** Four stars for this one! (Only because five stars is HG status and that takes a lot of commitment ;)

Spring Splurge: Burberry Bliss

Burberry came out with a beauty line about a year ago and I've just been able to get my hands on it. The line consists of Liquid Foundation, Powder Foundation, Pressed Powder, Bronzer, Blusher, Eyeshadow, Eye Pencil, Mascara, Lipstick, Lip Gloss and Lip Pencil. Each package is embossed with the Burberry check, as well as the make-up itself. The line is comparable to Chanel's price tag. I started off ordering the Sheer Fluid Foundation($52) and Sheer Lip Cover($30).

I placed my order to Burberry.com on Sunday evening and received my package Thursday afternoon (extra points for quick delivery!). I also should mention that shipping was free. I don't know if it was promotional or if its complimentary. The package came in a standard box, when I opened it I was greeted by a very bold Man-on-Horse icon. The items I ordered were wrapped in Burberry check tissue.

The linen packaging of both the foundation and lipstick was divine. Elegant and simple but so Burberry. I ordered the Sheer Fluid Foundation in #2 Trench. Note: The swatches on Burberry.com are far from they're true color. I found swatches of the foundation on other blogs and gave it an educated guess...lucky for me I nailed it. The color is just right for my ultra fair skin. It has pink undertones and is, very sheer! I will probably purchase this again in the summer when I have more color, as I also think it is best suited for normal/oily skin. My skin is very dry in the winter and although this doesn't dry me out and is very gentle, the finish is more matte than I like with a very soft finish. There is absolutely no need to powder over this. Also, it does have quit a strong scent, like roses and baby powder, it goes away by the time I'm applying my mascara so it really doesn't bother me at all.

The Sheer Lip Cover was also not true to color online. But thanks to fellow beauty bloggers I picked a winner! Cameo #2 is a gorgeous peachy pink, this applies like a dream and is so moisturizing. I slept with it on one night to see if it would make my lips peel (as I have very sensitive lips) I was pleasantly surprised to awake and find my lips were not peeled, but moisturized and silky!!! I will certainly be purchasing several more Lip Covers from Burberry in the future as well as their other products.

Formalities and Greetings!

I could tell you a whole bunch about myself, but what it really comes down to is...I'm just a girl who appreciates every aspect of fashion. Especially make-up and clothing. I find it interesting to read other beauty blogger's blogs and thought I would give a whack at it myself. My goal is to meet fellow make-up junkies and perhaps entertain and enlighten a few people along the way. I understand that other beauty blogger's are not on here to brag I also have no intention of that, this is simply the best kind "show-and-tell" if you will :)