Must Have Make-Up Monday

So this is the first time I've ever heard of Bling Tone eyeshadow from MyFace Cosmetics. It came in the first installment from a new monthly beauty sampler I've subscribed to called Beauty Army. I do love getting a monthly pick me up, though I need more products like a hole in the head;)

I received Sp"ice"y, which in the compact looked like a cool toned, shimmery brown shade. It's a much richer coppery shade when laid on the skin, though not very intense pigment wise.

I decided to smoke my eyes out with it when I went to the Matt Nathanson concert last night. I primped in hopes of A) Matt would see my smokey eyes & decide to leave his wife for me or B)He would single me out of the crowd & pull me up on stage a la Courtney Cox in that Bruce Springsteen video. Alas neither happened, but the concert was amazing none the less! I smudged the shadow in a winged shape on the lid, into the crease & along the lower lash line. I then lined my upper lash line & bottom waterline with jet black liner. I added mascara & was good to go!

Here it is on the lid, for a softer day time look. I must say, I feared fall out with the shimmer when I first opened the compact. Nothing annoys me more than when sparkles drop from my shadow onto my cheeks. I'm happy to report that this shadow cooperated beautifully, with little if any fallout when I used my standard prevention methods. When I read up about the shadow, I also noticed in its description that it can almost look 'wet' on. I had definitely thought the same thing. It's not a cheap eyeshadow at $20, but I liked it enough I might add another color to my beauty arsenal!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Files From the Brow Whisperer

Just as cowlicks can happen with the hair on your head, they can happen to your brows. Most of the time- whether we know it or not, we have two slightly asymmetrical brows. The goal with my shaping is always to bring a client's brows into balance.

In the past, when this client has gone other places, her 'tail' or end part of her brow has almost been completely removed. This is probably due to the fact that the technician didn't know what to do with the cowlick. Previously too much was taken off at the beginning of her brow, as well as she has a cowlick there, too. Poor thing had incredibly shrinking brows! I often say brows are a journey- you might not get the brows of your dreams in one visit; as there is often work to be done on the client's end. Namely leaving them alone for a bit, so I can start fresh. In this case I want the client to let as much hair on her 'tail' end grow in as possible. In the meantime I showed her how to strengthen their appearance with brow powder. I tell everyone, patience Grasshoppa- amazing brows will come!

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer. M

Polish Pic{k}s

I can honestly say I don't think I've ever purchased a Lancome Polish in my life- which is saying something! From looking at their website, however the fact that they had only 6 shade options probably explains why. When I caught a glimpse of Le Vernis 23, it had to be mine. The color in the bottle is a mesmerizing brown with golden shimmer. The bottle was so petite, I couldn't read its name, but if it had one it should be Sexual Chocolate- seriously it's that pretty. It was just different enough from everything else that's in my polish arsenal, that I scooped it up. As you can see, the bottle is quite tiny & I believe I paid $15 {or maybe $19} for it. I couldn't even find this shade on their website.

Trying to capture the gorgeous color in a photo proved very difficult & as I mentioned the shade isn't even on the Lancome site to link to. On the nails, it doesn't translate as richly as I'd hoped, either. To the naked eye it looks more like black, which I'm fine with- I love dark nails. I just really wished the dimension that appears in the bottle would have appeared on my mani. Maybe when the sun hits it, its beauty will be revealed. I'll post as to its wearability in the comments section in a few days. Has any else tired any Lancome polishes?

Peace. Love. Polish. M

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash

I received a deluxe sample of Bliss' Fabulous Foaming Face Wash in one of my many beauty subscription services recently. You know I am honest and forthcoming of my beauty addiction, girleens! I thought it would be perfect to take with me while I was in Florida. In general I tend to gravitate towards Bliss, or at least their cute packaging & cleverly named products. Oh & did I mention the yummy smells? Bliss' Lemon & Sage body butter makes me swoon! However this cleanser just didn't seem to like me. I noticed my skin feeling pretty tight after using it the past few days, something my teenage self would have adored- but current self not so much. However last night was the real test. I came home from dinner & washed my face with it. I always do a double cleanse if I'm not showering at night to make sure all traces of my make-up are removed. I looked up & not one bit of my foundation had been broken down. Eeks! Mascara running down my face- I had to reach for a different cleanser to do the job. On paper this cleanser looks like it would be a dream come true with it being oil free & having man made exfoliating spheres, but alas this one one isn't for me.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Must Have Make-Up Monday: Mally

I'm not proud of this, but often during my holiday shopping I did a little of 'one for me, one for you.' Does that ever happen to you? You find the perfect little something for someone & realize you have to have one yourself? Of course that was the case when I was flipping through Henri Bendel's Holiday Catalog & spotted this Mally collection. How could I resist all of that perfection in pink that is known as the More Perfect Palette?

I will be the first to admit I lose all rational when it comes to make-up, so cost isn't always the top factor in my acquisitions- unless it's way out of my league. However, I must say I was floored at what a great value this kit was at only $65!

This palette has already traveled with me to NYC in 2012 & is now in Florida with me at this very moment. Due to its versatility, it's perfect for travel. Two blushes complete your needs as to cool undertones & warm undertones. Six shadows have you covered from day to night, as well. An eyeshadow primer-you know I can't be without one, an all over luminizer, 3 brushes & a petal soft gloss round out the mix. I say run, don't walk to make it yours!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Elizabeth Arden Blender Brush

Alright so maybe I had unrealistic expectations of this Elizabeth Arden Blender Brush($15) from the get go. I assumed it would be basically a mini version of my beloved Beauty Blender on a handle, that would let me get into tighter areas with more convenience. Alas, that was not the case at all.

These 2 sponges couldn't be more different. The Elizabeth Arden one was so stiff, it was hard to work with. There was no give with the applicator when trying to apply my foundation, so the stipling method used with my Beauty Blender for a seamless finish left me with dots of foundation all over with the Elizabeth Arden version. I tried wetting it, but still when trying to use it on my undereye area- it felt hard & not very comfortable. It also poses a bit of a challenge to clean successfully. Such high hopes dashed. Now I feel guilty for straying- I'm sad to say I'd take a pass on this one, Beauties.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Goody for Goody!

Have you seen these genius little creations from Goody? Though they look odd, think of them as almost 'anchors' in terms of holding any updo style into place. My hair is fine & very slippery- things rarely stay put.
Looking like a sci-fi strand of DNA, think of the Spin Pin as just a spiral bobby pin ($6.49.)
I can't tell you how many hair gadgets I have purchased in the past that just collect dust. For a classic look I gather my hair in my hand like a ponytail & twist around into a bun. I place an elastic around it to secure the edges, then twist just one Spin Pins into it, plus a feather to accessorize & it will hold all day! Most styles loosen on me as the day wears on. Plus when I take them out at the end of the day, I don't yank hairs out as when I do with bobby pins. Hallelujah!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Files From The Brow Whisperer

Often I am referred to clients when they've had a previously poor brow experience. I call these woman survivors of PTBD{Post Traumatic Brow Disorder.} All kidding aside, can you imagine having a hatchet job done on your brows? These woman are coaxed for weeks, if not months by those that love them to get the courage to come to me & try getting their brows waxed again. Such was the case with this woman, who said it had been well over 6 months since she'd let anyone touch her brows. It's so important to get a feel for each client's lifestyle & personality when shaped their brows- seriously! I have glam girls, natural girls & in between- each brow style varies in term of upkeep.

From what this client told me, she likes a pretty natural, full brow. Before coming to see me, she said someone had taken off half of her brow. It took several minutes of talking with her to get her comfortable enough to lie down & let me work my magic. Most of the time I know what I want to do to a client the moment they walk into my studio & I see their eye shape- but listening to their expectations of maintenance sometimes modifies that. I trimmed this client's brows to start, then conservatively waxed both above & beneath the brow. A night & day difference from before, but still something she was comfortable with. She left with a smile on her face from trusting in me, which in turn made me smile.

Peace. Love. Brow Whisperer. M

Poppy King for Boots No 7

Poppy King seems to be well 'popping' up everywhere as of late. The Queen of Lipstick worked on collaborations with Kate Spade & Boots No 7 this year (I also thought for J Crew, but I seem to be making that up.) I scooped up two pieces of her Boots No 7 collection at Target, because I seem to be powerless to show any restraint while waiting for prescriptions at Target! One thing to know- the color swatches are very inaccurate on the display. Luckily they had the actual lipstick tube testers to swatch on my hand.

I went with Allure, which seemed to me the safest & closest to a nude. I must have 1000 color combos of nudes & still counting- but that's what I love! The lipstick feels more like a balm & gives a very sheer wash of color.

I purchased the coordinating gloss & here it is topped on the lipstick. The gloss feels super light & not at all sticky on the lips. The purchase wasn't life changing, but still soft & pretty.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

New Years Nails

The polish I'm wearing to ring in the New Year reminds me of champagne on my fingertips! I actually stumbled across this concoction of polishes when coming to the aid of a girlfriend's manicure mishap!

Has this ever happened to you? You paint your nails at night & in the morning you wake up with sheet marks on your manicure. Granted- there was wine involved the night before, but still it's so frustrating! That's what happened at a recent girl's night to my friend, B! She had painted Zoya's Pandora polish on her nails, only awaking the next morning to deep groves in the polish.

Enter Sephora by OPI's Wild About Shimmer Polish to the rescue! Topping mistakes with a shimmering nail color helps diffuse light & take away attention from imperfections! See you can barely see any of the indentations from the sheets. It was such a stunning color combo, that I thought it was perfect for New Years! Here's to a happy, healthy & glamorous 2012!

Peace. Love. Polish. M