'Ip, 'Ip, 'Ooray!: October Ipsy Unboxing

Dear Lord, this month is flying by. It's ten days until Halloween. That's insane, y'all.

Over the weekend, my October ipsy bag made it in, and I thought I'd share what was sent. For those just joining us, ipsy (formerly myglam) is a monthly beauty sample subscription service. For ten bucks a month (less, if you sign up for multiple months at a time), you'll receive a makeup bag filled with four or five deluxe- to full-sized beauty products to play with, as well as a list of discounts to the participating brands. There's always a theme, and this month's was "The Art of Beauty". I was hoping for a Halloween-y, or at least, Fall-ish theme, but I'm actually surprisingly pleased with this choice.

No, the stuff isn't floating. I have a glass-top table, and didn't realize how weird that looked until just now. Oops.

This month, I received a full-sized Zoya nail polish, a most-likely deluxe-sample size of Be Delectable by Cake Beauty hand cream, a travel-sized set of La Fresh face wipes, a deluxe-sample size of Buxom lip polish, a deluxe-sample size of Big Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel, and, of course, the makeup bag.

The bag contents vary from person to person, but each subscriber received a Zoya polish in either Mason (fuschia), Neve (navy), or Giovanna (emerald). I ended up with Giovanna, and did a slap-dash manicure so I could show you swatches. Please forgive the god-awful job I did on these nails. There's not even a topcoat.

The color is what I would call a classic Christmas green. Emerald is the color of the year, and supposedly a hot hue for Fall, but you could definitely wear this one well into the holiday season. The formula is a little messier than I usually find with Zoya. It's very opaque, but I did notice some streaking, and sort of felt like I had to glob it on. It does look fantastic on, though, and seems resistant to chipping. I'll have to let you know for sure after a few days. Here, I'm wearing it with Deborah Lippman's Happy Birthday glitter on the accent nail. Above is an indoor shot, and below is in natural light.

Terrible manicure; gorgeous color.

Since we're talking about hands, let's move on the hand cream. I'd never heard of this brand, but I simply adore the scent. I got Coconut & Cream, and it smells exactly like coconut custard pie. I mean, exactly. That was one of my grandmother's favorite desserts, and she and I were the only ones in the family who liked it. This lotion stirs up a ton of memories, so for that, I give it two thumbs up. On it's own merits, though, as a hand cream...it's okay. It's about on par with Bath and Body Works, but not anywhere near as hydrating as the Eucerin my husband uses. Then again, this smells a heckuvalot better, so I guess it's a trade-off.

My camera hates shiny.

I was so excited to get this!! Buxom, as those of you who have been following for a while may know, is one of my all-time favorite brands for both lip gloss and mascara. Buxom lip polish in Clair is one of the very few glosses I've ever used up! This gloss is in the shade Dolly, which is a dusty mauve with itty-bitty, eensy-weensy, teeny-tiny gold shimmers. On me, with my day-glo white skin, it shows up as a shade or two darker than the natural flush my lips make when they've pressed together for a bit. On medium-light skin and darker, this would make a gorgeous nude. Already, this has become one of my go-to Fall lip colors.

The color is stunning, but the formula can be a deal-breaker for a lot of folks. It's a slightly sticky (stickier than E.L.F. mineral gloss, but nowhere near as sticky as MAC lipglass), super shiny, plumping gloss. There is a definite sting to this gloss when you apply it. It feels kind of like Icy/Hot, where it's ice cold, but still sort of burns. It can be uncomfortable to some people. I don't mind it, but I would recommend trying a sample size before plunking down the cash for a full version. It does earn points with me for smelling like vanilla mint.

Big Sexy Hair has been almost omni-present in ipsy bags, here lately. I've gotten three or four items since I joined in April, and I think that's the most repetition I've had of a brand. I certainly don't mind, because everything I've tried has been wonderful, but I feel like I need to put that out there for those trying to decide on subscribing.

This is hair gel. It looks like hair gel. It smells like hair salon (you know what I'm talking about). You run it through damp hair and blow dry. On paper, this is nothing special. In practice, it's freaking awesome. I've blown my hair dry with all sorts of gels, but this one gave me more volume alone than my other gels and mousses combined. I actually had to figure out how to de-pouf it before I could leave the house. I'm not 100% sold on it, but I'm definitely keeping my eye on this.

And then we have the La Fresh wipes. I just...I just really don't like these. I do like that they're oil-free. I do like that they're mostly natural and good for the environment. I don't like that they burned and didn't remove my makeup. I'm sure there are people out there who love them, and I'd be happy to try something else from this brand. I'm just not digging these wipes in particular. Maybe I can use them for removing swatches, or something like that.

Finally, here's the monthly makeup bag. It's a plain white bag made from an almost-rubberized fabric that I could not identify if my life depended on it. The bag is trimmed with a dark pink zipper, and bears an uncredited quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson. According to ipsy, the bag is mostly bare so that subscribers can add their own designs. It's a cute idea. I'm not going to do it, but I like the reasoning.

In conclusion, I thought this month's offerings hit a home run. Flat-out. For giggles, I'll leave you with a laughably horrible, low-res selfie I snapped a couple of hours after what I'm dubbing "The Volumizing Incident of 2013". By this point, I'd brushed and pinned it into submission, but the bangs were still standing out from my forehead, and the crown was a good inch higher than my scalp. I felt just like one of those poor kids on Toddlers & Tiaras, and I didn't even have to use my teasing comb. Where is my teasing comb, anyway? Huh...I probably need to find that...

'Ip, 'Ip, 'Ooray! July Ipsy Unbagging

It's mid-July, which means that it's time for another Ipsy unbagging! This month's bag arrived much more quickly than the last couple, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday. July's theme was "Beach Beauty", and I think the selected products fit that theme perfectly.

Let's see what we got:

I love this bag! It's a fluorescent pink cylinder, made from a clear, PVC-ish material. It's water-resistent, and wonderful for keeping in your beach bag. Inside the bag, I found Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof hairspray, BH Cosmetics eye shadow mini-palette, Coola Mineral Sunscreen, Demeter perfume oil in Salt Air, and Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush. So, stuff to keep me frizz-free, fry-free, smelling beachy, and looking Summer-y. I'll take it!

This is my first experience with BH Cosmetics eye shadows. I have lip and concealer palettes (those same ones available from Coastal Scents and Crown Brush and...well, everybody else), and they're fantastic for the price, but I've never used the shadows before. I have to say, they're not the most amazing shadows I've ever used, but they're pretty darn good. I could toss this in a bag and be good to go for a weekend trip. The colors are a little sheer (save for the gold--wowzers!!!), but they apply smoothly and blend well.

I'm a little conflicted about the lippie. On the plus side, it's a gorgeous coral, and I love coral. It's also extremely creamy, easy to apply, feels amazing, and has decent staying power--not phenomenal, but not bad. On the other hand, that gorgeous coral is NEON against my skintone. You can't really tell from the swatch (below), but this is most definitely meant to be a statement lip. I just really don't know how I feel about it. I do know that I'll have to give Pop lip products a second look, though. I've not been impressed with their eye shadows, but this lipstick is a great product, neon or not.

From left to right, we have the Pop Beauty crayon, then the BH eyeshadows in Hollywood, San Francisco, and Malibu. Just look at that Malibu--LOOK AT IT!!!! I'm a gold eye shadow kind of girl, and that rivals a couple of Stila shadows that I absolutely adore.

Pay no attention to the sleep deprivation (my adorable puppy likes to practice his tap-dancing at 3am...on my bed...on top of me). I threw this together this morning, using only the shadows in the mini-palette. I used San Francisco in the crease, outer corner, and lower lashline, Malibu sheered across the lid, and Hollywood as an upper lashliner. I applied these over Urban Decay Primer Potion, and they've stayed put for the past five and a half hours. If there's been any fading, it's so minimal that I can't tell.

I haven't had a chance to use the hairspray, yet, but I'm sure it's going to get a workout. I'm interested to see if it's as good as my Redken 28. That sucker could hold your hair through a hurricane.

This applied smoothly, truly was unscented, and hasn't caused any oiliness or irritation. I just don't know if it's worth the trouble to add SPF 20 when I'm already using a BB Cream with SPF 20. I might just stick with my drugstore SPF 100 (Lord, that doesn't mean anything. They were out of 35 and 50). It's not oily, either, and costs a heckuvalot less.

Alrighty, now we're on to my favorite part of the bag! This perfume oil is killer. It smells exactly like the beach. I don't mean, "ooh, it smells of salt and coconut! It's beachy!" I mean, "holy cracker jacks, this smells like the air when I get out of my car at my aunt's beach house. There's some salt, some seaweed, some sunscreen...it's a cooler of fried chicken and cokes away from actually being the beach. It should come with a towel, a boombox, and sand for the floorboard of your car. I'm in love. Pure love. Tara, if you're reading this, your name is all over this bottle.

Here's a look I put together with the stuff in the bag. It's mostly drugstore, since I wanted this to be something you could grab at Walmart or Target while you did the rest of your vacation shopping. There are a couple of exceptions, but just a couple. And yes, my hair is wet. I could tell you it's because this is a beach look, and I wanted you to see how it would look for reals, but honestly, I'm just lazy and didn't feel like blowing my hair dry.

Coola Mineral Sunscreen
Garnier BB Cream Light/Medium
Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser in Brightener and Neutralizer
ELF Studio Body Shimmer in Mystic Moonlight
BH Cosmetics Mini-Palette
ELF Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder in Turks & Caicos
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
ELF Essential Wet Gloss Lash and Brow Clear Mascara
Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush
Juice Beauty Lip Gloss in Pink
Buxom Buxom Lash Waterproof Mascara in Black

Only Skin Deep: Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes

Photo Credit: Pacifica

I'm ridiculously lazy when it comes to skincare. Were it not for face wipes, I don't think I'd ever wash my face before I went to bed--certainly not every night!

That's not good, folks.

Lately, I've become a big fan of the Say Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Wipes. They're not expensive, smell amazing, remove makeup well, and--yes--do actually brighten up dull skin over time. I've repurchased them several times, and have always been very happy with them. The thing is...sometimes familiarity breeds contempt, and somewhere mid-way through the latest pack, I started to get antsy. I needed something different. I needed something exciting. I needed the new Pacifica Facial Wipes!

So, I bought them. When I ran out of those now apparantly loathesome Grapefruit wipes, I bypassed them on the Target shelf, and picked up the beautifully packaged, slightly less expensive (due to a sale--they're normally $6), fancy-schmancy Pacifica wipes. I'm in love with their Indian Coconut Nectar lotion, so these coconut water-infused wipes should be heavenly!

Now, when I say "beautifully packaged", I really mean it. These are, by far, the prettiest facial wipes to look at. Sure, they're housed in the standard snap-top-type packaging that the Say Yes and E.L.F. Studio wipes come in, but it's a highly decorative, fashion forward snap-top-type package. The color scheme is a tranquil blue with fluid yellow lines, swirling into geometric floral patterns, and it's--it's just gorgeous. Even the snap-top looks high-end, with it's frosted, heavy-duty plastic. Then, as if that weren't enough, the entire package is slid into a cardboard stand, making it look like something you'd find in an extraordinarily expensive hotel room, and not sharing counter space with your toothpaste.

On that lovely packaging, it clearly states:

"Easily cleanse, remove makeup, and tone skin without using a drop of water."

Well, that's exactly what I needed them for. I hate dealing with water and washcloths and soap and...yeah, I'm lazy. I don't like washing my face when I'm tired and would rather be in bed, but I can't rationalize skipping it when all I have to do is pull out a wipe. Then, as long as I'm in the bathroom and vertical, I might as well slap on some moisturizer and eye cream. Yes, I have a skincare routine, but the wipe is the catalyst that gets me motivated enough to start the process.

So, the first night I went to use a wipe, I was actually super-excited to wash my face. I opened the package, smelled the dreamy coconut scent, wiped down my face with the soft cloth, and...nothing happened. The BB cream I had on came off, for the most part, but my eye makeup was still intact. So, I wiped a little harder. Then, I scrubbed. Eventually, I said, "To heck with it!" and went to bed. This continued in much the same way for a couple of days, so I sat down to write a negative review for the blog.

Well, when I pulled up the Pacifica website to grab a link for you guys, I noticed this on the site. If it was on the physical packaging anywhere, I couldn't find it:

"These wipes can remove most make-up, but due to the fact that we do not use chemical solvants, they will not remove the most water-proof make-up.  They are a great follow-up to using a make-up remover as they will remove the residue from your skin leaving it refreshed."

Say what?!?!

Just to clarify, the makeup removing wipes should really be used following a makeup remover. Please bear in mind, the eye makeup I had tried to remove was not entirely waterproof. Sure, my mascara and eyeliner were, but last I checked, the powder eyeshadows weren't. Also, I don't own any waterproof blushes--cream or powder. That stuff should have been removed, even without extra help.

Well, in the spirit of fairness, I decided to finish out the pack in conjunction with some Josie Maran Cleansing Oil. Happily, they worked together like a charm. I was able to remove all of my makeup, and my skin felt soft and refreshed afterward. However, that would have still been the case if I'd only used the oil and a damp washcloth. The washcloth wouldn't have smelled like coconut, but would have achieved the same goal.

I am gutted to have to write a less-than-glowing review for this product, given how much I generally like Pacifica, and how beautiful this looked on my counter. Let's just break down the pros and cons:

Pros: Gorgeous packaging, tight snap-top, amazing scent, soft feel, affordable price point, paraben-free, Gluten-free, cruelty-free, and 100% vegan.

Cons: They don't really work.

I re-purchased my Say Yes to Grapefruit wipes. They're not quite as pretty (though the pink packaging is still very cute), but they smell nice and they do what they're supposed to do. I guess it's like I have to remind myself when I have to pick out a new cellphone; it doesn't matter how pretty it is, or how many fancy bells and whistles it has, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Final Verdict: 5 out of 10. They're beautiful, but since you have to use a secondary remover, you're basically paying for a scented, disposable washcloth.

Out Darn Spot!: Garnier Dark Spot Corrector Progress

Happy Lundi Gras!!!! I'm actually going to be at the big party this year, so look for pics coming soon. Of course, it's also supposed to pour buckets during the parades, so those pictures might be of the inside of the local shop. We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Quick update: I've now been using the Garnier Nutritioniste Dark Spot Correcting Peel and Daily Moisturizer for six weeks, and I can tell a difference. My dark spots are nowhere near gone, but they are lighter and easier to cover with concealer. I'm going to continue using these products and keep you posted on the progress. I got mine on a BOGO, so I only paid around $16 for the set. That's a heckuva lot cheaper than an in-office procedure, I'll tell you that.

Have a fantastic Monday, and I'll see you soon!

Are You Man Enough for Makeup?

Quick Poll: What do you think of makeup for men? Not like blush or eyeshadow, but tinted lip balm, BB Cream, or concealer? Leave your answer in the comments.

Photo Credit: Lab Series

I ask because I'm curious (duh). See, I recently ran across Lab Series BB Tinted Moisturizer SPF 35, and it caught my attention. Lab Series is a men's skincare company, but tinted moisturizers and BB creams are considered makeup. Had I missed a memo somewhere?

A quick Google search led me to Menaji, another men's skincare line, and one that carries concealer and powder. This is, apparantly, a "thing" now. I had no idea.

You know what? It makes total sense. Women wear makeup to look better. Why can't a man do the same? If I have a pimple, I pop on a bit of concealer to hide the redness. Why on Earth should Thomas have to walk around with a blemish on display? We should all wear moisturizer and sunscreen every day. If a guy wants his product to have a little bit of skin-tone enhancing color, more power to him. Why wouldn't a man want to wear something to absorb oil? He wears deodorant, and it's basically the same principle. I'm actually surprised that it's taken this long to go mainstream, really.

Would Thomas wear it? I have no idea. You'd have to ask him. I can tell you, though, that he hates blackheads and pimples and oily skin as much as I do. Then again, who doesn't?

A Quick, Cheap Fix: E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer Review



Photo Credit: eyeslipsface.com



On a whim, I picked up some E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer the last time I was in Target. I've been doing the sunless tanner thing, and am just a little too dark for my Too Faced Beauty Balm. I've also noticed that my Garnier BB Cream has started to look a little greasy. I have to tone it down with a pretty heavy-duty matte powder, which kind of defeats the point of having a BB Cream, really. I'm wondering if, perhaps, I've reached that point in the tube where all the illuminating ingredients have settled. In any case, I needed something for my slightly less-ghostly-than-usual skin, and it needed to be cheap. I saw this product for $3 and figured, "what the hey?"

You know what? It's actually not bad. I've given it two days of wear, and I'm really happy with it. Here's a breakdown:

Packaging: The moisturizer comes in a really nice, black inverted tube with flat-top cap. It looks high-end, reminiscent of NARS or MAC. You can see the product's shade through a small, clear strip on the front. My only gripe is that my cap didn't fit quite right. It's closed and secure, but it sits at a strange angle. Not a big deal, but I thought you should know. 9 out of 10.

Texture: I really like the consistency. It might be a bit thin for some, but right now, it's so hot and humid that I'd wear tinted water if I could. I've just used my fingers to apply, and the moisturizer absorbs nicely. Best of all, you don't need to use another moisturizer with it. Believe it or not, some tinted moisturizers just don't do the trick on their own. This one leaves your skin nice and hydrated. 9 out of 10.

Finish: There doesn't appear to be any shimmer in this product (none that I've noticed, anyway), and I've only needed to lightly brush a little mineral powder over the top to set it and my concealer. Light coverage. 10 out of 10.

Ingredients: It's not paraben-free, but it does contain Aloe, Cucumber, and Vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains SPF 20. 7 out of 10.

Shades: Here's the kicker. There is a wide range of shades, from Porcelain to Espresso, and at only $3 each, you can afford to buy more than one shade and custom blend. Sadly, they all have a slight yellow cast to them. For me, that's not a problem, as I have yellow undertones, anyway. However, if you're rosier or more neutral, you can pretty much hang it up. It's not going to work for you. I have no idea why E.L.F. does this, but I've noticed in their other face products, too. 5 out of 10.

Price: For $3, you get .25 ml. I've heard complaints that that's too small of a size, but my normal face moisturizer costs $18.99 for .50 ml. The E.L.F. gives you half as much, but at a mere sixth of the price. I'd say that's pretty darn fabulous. 10 out of 10.

Final Verdict: 8.3 out of 10. I like it. Whether it's to get you by, or you just want a decent tinted moisturizer for a budget price, I recommend it.

I'm wearing "Nude", the second lightest of the seven available shades (over two coats of sunless tanner. I'm that pale. Oh, look! Tanner lines around the bridge of my nose! Yay! *sigh*).

Other Products Used:

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation in Warm

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden

Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Free Love

Buxom Stay There Eye Shadow in Mutt
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Whiskey

Buxom Buxom Lash Mascara

E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

NARS Blush in Super Orgasm (sorry, Mom!)

Buxom Stay There Eye Shadow in Cocker Spaniel (as Highlighter)

Burberry Lip Mist in Copper

I swear, it doesn't look like that much on the counter!!

***UPDATE!! Spend $20 at eyeslipsface.com TODAY (6/21) and get a free mystery bag worth $20! Use code BDMYSTERY at checkout. 4 random winners will receive a $50 gift card in their bag!

How Glossy Is Your Box, Part II: May Glossybox Reveal

My Glossybox arrived!! Happy early birthday to me!! In case you missed the post announcing the launch of Glossybox, this is a subscription sampling program. For $21 a month (or less if you sign up for several months at a time) Glossybox will send you five deluxe mini, travel, and/or full-sized products. There may be other surprises tossed in, too, but not necessarily. I signed up for what turned out to be the second US Glossybox (they've been around in the UK and elsewhere, but just turned up here). I thought I was getting the first, but the first boxes were actually raffled off before the official launch. Those were the boxes with the Kryolan and C.O. Bigelow. Instead, I got what I believe to be a better box. Let me take you on a little tour:

Here's the Glossybox, directly out of the mailing package. It's a pretty shade of pale pink, and sturdy enough to repurpose as a photo box, hair accessory holder, etc. It's about the size and weight of a good shoebox.

When you lift the lid, you're greeted by a sweetly wrapped package, topped off with a bow and a neat little list of everything enclosed.

Taking off the ribbon (*cue stripper music*) and checking out the pretty packaging a little more.

And here's what I found...

Minus the shredded paper. Clockwise, from top: Marvis Whitening Mint Toothpaste (full-sized), Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask for Dry Hair, Burberry Lip Mist Natural Sheer Lipstick Copper No.202, Amorepacific Moisture Bound Refreshing Hydra-Gel, Zoya Beach and Surf Collection Nail Polish in Wednesday (medium faded turquoise cream, full-sized), and a Glossybox brand blush brush.

Not bad! I'll definitely be signing up for the next box. This was outstanding. Out of five products, two were full-sized, and the other three were generously portioned travel sizes in beautiful packaging. The Burberry sample even came in the exact same packaging as the full-sized, right down to the Burberry plaid embossing on the lipstick itself! The blush brush isn't the greatest quality, but considering it was an added bonus, it was a very sweet gesture on behalf of Glossybox. I have been most impressed.

Now, I've only gotten to try two of the products: the toothpaste and the nail polish. The first time I used the toothpaste, I hated it. However, it's grown on me with each use. The mint flavor is very natural and refreshing. I don't think I'll trade in my Optic White for it, though, since there hasn't been a discernable change in the cleanliness of my teeth.

The nail polish is stunning. It's the perfect non-traditional color for Summer. I don't know about you, but I'm a little sick of hot pink toes. Orange has been a welcome change, but this sea green has stolen my heart. I can't tell you how many compliments I've gotten on it, either. It's absolutely lovely, and not terribly expensive. The MSRP is $8, and I highly recommend foregoing a couple of lattes to snag a bottle.



Fuzzy, but you get the idea.

Skin As White As Snow...Check!

Oh, I'm so excited! Tonight, I'm going to the sneak preview of Snow White & the Huntsman, and it looks like it's going to be amazeballs. I have no idea why, but I have been completely stoked to see this movie since I first heard about it. I guess it's because the princess part of me loves a good fairy tale, and the feminist part of me really digs it when the heroine kicks some serious butt. Anyway, I've been all over this one, and even managed to score a cooler-than-usual promotional t-shirt that I'm wearing today. It's a super-soft gray burnout v-neck with silhouettes of birds making up the shape of a tree printed on the hip. Honestly, it just looks like a fashion tee, with the only giveaway that it's a promo being the movie's logo printed on one sleeve. I didn't notice it for quite a while, and I was studying the shirt pretty hard. Anyhoo, it seems that nifty t-shirts weren't the only tie-in for this movie, and there are actually a couple of impressive beauty sets (which makes sense) on the market. 

Photo Credit: Benefit

If you're a Benefit fan, there's the gorgeous Rare Beauty set. It includes a full-sized POREfessional balm, full-sized BADgal mascara, deluxe sample of Benetint cheek and lip stain, and deluxe sample of High Beam highlighter, all housed in an absolutely lovely lavender and pearl train case. The set goes for $45, which seems a little high until you remember that POREfessional runs $29, and BADgal is another $19...so you'll end up saving $3 right off the bat, and that's not even taking into account the deluxe samples or the case. If you use those two products, snap this up. Me? Well, I like POREfessional very much, and use my sample size underneath mineral makeup. Unfortunately, BADgal isn't for me. It's a good mascara--don't get me wrong! It's just not my personal favorite. I'm more into Buxom and Tarte. I do like the High Beam highlighter a lot, but I'm currently in love with a cream highlight from Urban Decay (discontinued, wouldn't you know), and I've found that, pretty as Benetint is, I can't use it. I'm probably the only person on the planet to have a reaction to it, but I'm sort of allergic. Who knew? In other words, it's a wonderful set for somebody, just not me. I do encourage you to check it out, though. 

Photo Credit: Beauty.com

The other set is the much more affordable, twenty-five dollar Deborah Lippmann Snow White & the Huntsman nail polish duo. It contains two polishes, one each in Prelude To a Kiss (a pale, almost eggshell pink) and Dark Side Of the Moon (dark, blue-based blood red). I have zero experience with these polishes, but the colors look beautiful in the box.

For giggles, I thought I'd try a Snow White-inspired look to wear to the movie. I knew that cheeks and lips would be the main focus, so for the eyes, I did a sugar-sparkle shadow (snow sparkles, right?) in a barely-there shade. Of course, Kristen Stewart is known for her smoky eye, but that wouldn't be appropriate with the strong lips and cheeks, so I tried a toned-down version to keep the look natural and pretty. Other than that, I worked a lot on making the skin look dewy and flawless (ha! I am so broken out, it's ridiculous). What do you guys think?


Products used:

TooFaced Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in Light

E.L.F. Mineral Foundation in Warm

E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium

NYX HD Eye Primer (works GREAT for glitter shadows!)

Eyes: Urban Decay Stardust in Space Cowboy--All Over

         Satin-Finish Camel from NYX Dark Shadows Palette--Crease

         Matte Charcoal Brown from NYX Dark Shadows Palette--Lower Lash 

         Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero--Upper Lash

         Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Sin--Inner Corner

Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Black--Upper and Lower

NYX Matte Red Blush from the Dark Shadows Palette (I knew I could find a way to wear it!)

MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Moon River as Highlighter (discontinued, but I'm working to find a dupe!)

Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart

My Annual Sunscreen Soapbox Rant

Photo Credit: Sephora

There's an article circling through Facebook right now, and it's one I think we all need to read. The gist of it is a young woman, Glenna Kohl, passed away from skin cancer brought on by tanning. There's more to the story, including a misdiagnosis that played a huge role in her eventual death, but the long and short of it is that tanning--even in tanning beds--is dangerous, and not something to be messed around with. Now, I know it's Spring Break season, and Summer is just around the corner. I don't want to be a killjoy and tell you that you can't look pretty and golden in your new white sundress. What I do want you to do is be careful: wear sunscreen, and get your bronze from a bottle. Technology has advanced so much since the days of "Fake Bake Orange", and you can (really! I promise!) get a decent tan from a can. Lord knows, that's the only way this Irish lass avoids going from Casper to Lobster in .0001 seconds.

I've already posted about most of these products before, so I'll just link to my original thoughts. These are some fantastic ways to stay safe without having to sacrifice style.

Sunscreen: For face, I'm digging Walgreen's Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion. Normally, I wear makeup that contains an SPF, but if I'm laying out by the pool (ha! Like that happens often), this is one that doesn't clog my pores. Oddly, I've not reviewed it. I thought I had. Whoops. For body, my absolute favorite is Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect. Yes, it smells like suntan lotion, and that's unfortunate, but it looks so darned gorgeous on that I can deal.

Sunless Tanner: The best self-tanner I have ever had the pleasure of trying (and there have been a lot) is the Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy Instant Self Tan Lotion With Tint. There's practically zero odor, and you end up with a light shimmer instead of disco glitter, and a beautiful natural bronze that you see right away, but deepens over the next few hours. It's also very reasonably priced. You can't beat it.

Airbrush Tanner: Again, I'm going with Victoria's Secret. This is body makeup, not self-tanner, and it will wash off in the shower. If you're looking for a temporary tan, this is your product. As with the Sunless tanner, there's no offensive odor, and you look naturally bronzed. This is a great way to knock the chill off your legs for shorts or skirts.

Lip Balm: Pick your poison on this. I looked up "Lipbalm SPF" on drugstore.com and got 98 results. There is, literally, something out there for every preference. Just do me a favor and wear it. Lips are so often overlooked when slathering on lotion, and they burn so easily. I've witnessed a lip sunburn up close, and it's not pretty, but it is unbelievably painful. Just put something on. Anything.

For the Undecided: Lastly, if you have no clue what you're looking for in suncare, and my choices just aren't doing it for you, Sephora has an amazing kit for you: a train case filled with 14 deluxe samples of every kind of sun protection and tanner imaginable. It's $30, which is five dollars more than last year's, but you get three more samples and a nicer case, so it's worth it. I'm about to order one, myself. The samples are perfect for travel and purses. Bonus: 100% of profits benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation. As my Mom always says: Pretty is as pretty does.

Gift Guide: The New Mommy

For a couple of years there, I couldn't throw a stick without hitting a bride (not that I've ever run into a bride I'd like to beat with a stick, and let's stay focused, shall we?). My guest room closet has become a sort of shrine (or sepulcher) to bridesmaid dresses past, with dust-covered satin and chiffon shrouding layers of forgotten tulle and beading. Miss Haversham would feel right at home, I'll tell you that.

However, these days, the receptions and rice have segued into ultrasounds and storks as, two-by-two, all my friends change their Facebook statuses to, "We're Expecting!!" and their names to "Mommy" and "Daddy". This is a brave new world I'm entering into, and I have no idea how to handle the territory.

I have a feeling that most of you in my age bracket (25-35) are finding yourselves buying for new or soon-to-be mommies this Christmas. Am I right? One thing I have noticed is that Mommy tends to be lost in the shuffle. Everyone wants to see the newborn baby or feel Mom's tummy for a kick, and folks bring over tons of presents for the little angel. Dads get slaps on the back and congratulations, but are generally treated about the same as usual. It's just poor Mom (you know, the one doing all the work and wrecking her figure) who tends to be overlooked. This irritates me. I know I'm totally guilty of it, myself, but I'm going to work on that.

With this resolution, I give you the Gift Guide for the new/soon-to-be Mommy. These are specifically for Mommy as a woman, an individual, and a cherished part of your life. There is more to Mommy than just being "Mommy". Ask your own Mom, and I bet she'll agree.

She is Mommy. Hear her roar.

Photo Credit: Sephora

First off, hormones going crazy = skin going crazy. Give Mom a little TLC with this set from Philosophy. Purity face cleanser and Hope in a Jar moisturizer to balance things out, and Pure Grace shower gel and body lotion for a light fragrance that's not too strong for baby. $30, Sephora.

Photo Credit: diaperbags.com

Okay, technically this is for baby, but Mom's the one who has to carry it around. If you're going to have a diaper bag, you might as well have one with a little style. This is for the Mom who pushes the stroller while wearing Manolo's. Incredibly chic, and roomy enough for everything li'l bit could possible require. A little pricey, but well worth it for all the use it'll get. $127.98, diaperbags.com.

Lastly, Mom may be a mom, but she's still a woman and could probably use a little pick-me-up after all those sleepless nights (pre- and post-baby). Stuff her stocking with a gift certificate to JewelMint, so she can pick out just the right piece of jewelry to help her get back her sparkle. $29.99-$179.94, jewelmint.com.

Yummy Treats and Scary Faces

Well, this is the last thing my diet needs.

 

Krispy Kreme (conveniently located about a mile from my house) has just revealed their Halloween offerings. My skinny jeans are totally going in the donation pile; I can tell that now.

 

Anyhoo, those of you not counting every blasted calorie can look forward to Jack O'Lantern, Spider Web, Pumpkin Spice, and Chocolate Iced Halloween Sprinkle doughnuts. According to QSRWeb, here's what to expect:

 

Jack-o-Lantern Doughnut: A pumpkin-shaped doughnut wearing a mask of orange icing and a jack-o-lantern face.

Chocolate Iced with Halloween Sprinkles Doughnut: An orange and black sprinkled doughnut.

Spider Web Doughnut: A chocolate-iced doughnut with Kreme filling and a web of white icing.

Pumpkin Spice Doughnut: An old-fashioned cake doughnut made with pumpkin flavors and spices and finished with Krispy Kreme's Original Glaze.

The Pumpkin Spice will stick around until November 27th, but all the other flavors are out of there come Halloween, so grab 'em while you can. I know I will...*sigh*

 

Photo Credit: Bath and Body Works

Moving on to something that won't add ten pounds, I gave Bath and Body Works' True Blue Spa Blackberry Purifying Peel Off Mask a shot (that's a mouthful). Actually, I conned Thomas into doing it with me, so I wouldn't look totally stupid all by myself. You see, masks just look silly, pure and simple. Clear ones are awesome. Green ones are kind of the norm, but lead to "take me to your leader" jokes. White ones make me look like Marcel Marceau. But this one...well, this one was thick and black. I put a little on my nose and looked like a puppy. If I was going to spend the next 10-20 minutes looking ridiculous, he was doing it with me. For better or for worse, right?

 

Now, I've had a little bit of experience with black masks before, and I have to say, I wasn't impressed. Yeah, it worked like a charm, but it was a pain in the rear to use. I got this hoping for similar results with less hassle. Unfortunately, you can't always get what you want.

 

Ease of Use: 8 out of 10. I had no problem applying this mask. Thomas did, but he has a tendency to jab at his face like it's going to bite him when he applies anything to it. You have to spread this on almost like frosting, and make sure you have your hair pulled completely away from your face. Likewise, for me, removal was a cinch. Actually, by the time I starting peeling, some of the mask had already lifted up at the edges. Thomas had more trouble, but only because he didn't apply it thickly enough. Even so, he was able to get most of it off before finally washing off the remainder. Clean up wasn't a problem with this mask, either. What fell in the sink dissolved, and the rest could either be thrown in the trash or flushed.

 

Effectiveness: 2 out of 10. It's okay. It exfoliated my skin and left it feeling very soft and smooth, but I couldn't see where it unclogged any pores. Thomas thought his pores were clearer (Lord, he's a good sport), but wasn't blown away by the mask. Basically, it's good for a quick brightening, but that's about it, and considering this is billed as "purifying", that just doesn't cut it.

 

Comfort: 9 out of 10. I love wearing this mask. It does tighten up, but it's not miserable. I could still carry on a conversation without my lips pursing up like Daffy Duck's. This is also the most delicious smelling mask I've ever worn. It smells like candy, and I was actually sad to take it off. Thomas thought it smelled good, too.

 

Final Verdict: 6.3 out of 10. If you just need a fast and easy pick-me-up, you could do worse for $12. Just don't expect it to work miracles.