Mally: Celebrate Your Beauty

It's the most wonderful time of year....because it's holiday beauty gift time;)

Bam! Taaaa daaa- this kit even makes a professional make-up artist like myself squeal with glee! The lipcolors, evercolor liners & shadows are paired color wise for easily breaking up the collection into 3 separate gifts.

High Shine Liquid Lipsticks in Mally Melon (L), Petal to the Metal(C) & Mauvelous (R.)

Evercolor Eyeliners in Shimmering Black (L), Royal Plum (C) & Expresso (R.)

The individual shadow compacts are adorbs!

Palettes Romantic Brown (T), Radiant Taupe (M), & Royal Plum (B.)

Here I am sporting the Radiant Taupe shadow palette, the Mally Melon Lipcolor & Mally Volumizing Mascara from the collection. I've waxed poetic about her mascara for years- 3 of those alone is worth the price of admission. I'm also wearing her highlighter & Dream Brow(yes in Taupe & yes it's super dreamy!) Friday the 13th can't be that bad, as that's when this Todays Special Value launches & it is amazing.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

The Luxe List: Smashbox

When I bought this Master Class II Palette from Smashbox during Sephora's VIB November sale, my full intention was for it to live in my professional kit for bridal parties. Of course when it arrived I wanted to test it out personally!

 Kits are often a great way of experiencing a multitude of offerings from a particular line. That being said, in the past I've bought some palettes before that had a few shades I rarely used or worse found the pigments in some far less quality than single shadows in a line.

This palette doesn't disappoint in terms of quality & is jam packed with product. Four of their best selling cream liners, 28 shadows, 2 highlighting powders & 6 blushes!

Too many shades to swatch! Some of my favorites:
Anchor(L), Amethyst(M) & Rose (R)

Ultramarine(L), Serpent (M) & Peacock(R)
I find this palette coming home with me almost every weekend so I can play with it. It's a great value at $59 & a great holiday gift. Though I realize it is over $50 in terms of pricepoint, you really get a complete make-up wardrobe.  This would be an awesome starter palette for a teen or granddaughter. However, if you've gotten your VIB coupon recently in the mail- I say scoop it up for yourself!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

The Luxe List: QVC Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar

So my discovery of probably the most fun holiday beauty gift this year began when I got my Goddaughters advent calenders. My thought was that selfishly they would have to think of me once a day for 25 days- I like to be on their minds, since they live out of state;) Then I saw Benefit's Countdown to Love Calender & thought why not get their mom an advent treat, too! Unfortunately it was sold out everywhere I checked.

So imagine my delight when I spotted QVC's very own Beauty Christmas Advent Calender online. Yes, it's a bit pricey at regularly $96. However, it's at an event price now of $78.96 & this sucker is huge! It's substantial in size & makes a great impression straight out of the box.

It honestly took a lot of strength not to keep it for myself. It was so tempting to sneak a peek into the numbered doors, but I quickly wrapped it. I think it's just a fun way of transfering that holiday childhood delight to us adults. My Bestie promised she would text me a pic of her beauty treat everyday so I can live vicariously through her (hint hint Santa.)

I actually think this offering is even better than Benefit's in terms of gift giving, because it features so many different brands: Bliss, Fresh, Ole Henriksen, Philosphy, Dr. Perricone, Dr. Denise, Nick Chavez, Stila, Tarte, Mally, Julep- the list goes on & on! Great for sisters, besties, daughters- I wanted to give you as much time as possible in case you wanted to grab one for gifting & send it on its way. Can you believe December is going to be here in a few days!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

The Luxe List: Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Palette

 

When Oprah's talk show was on the air, it was known among insiders that her lighting budget was the most expensive in the industry. Every make-up artist knows the importance of bringing light to the face. When done properly- everything looks better! Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder has become a cult favorite since they launched last year.

 For holiday & all the good little girls this year, they introduced the swoon worthy Ambient Lighting Palette ($58) with their 2 best selling shades + a limited edition shade. You know you want to see the inside....

Tadaaa! The palette features 3 shades: (L) Dim Light, (M) Limited Edition Incandescent Light & (R) Radiant Light. As an oily skinned girl, I ran from any type of face with sheen in my 20's. But the key is all in where it's applied. As we get older, where drooping occurs due to losing volume- shadow results.  Bringing light to the area brightens & gives the illusion of lift.  I consider these powders, glow powders. They're incredibly soft- enough to use all over the face, which is why I don't want people to shy away from them that are afraid of traditional highlighters.

As you can see - even when finger swatched, the colors are all very sheer. Colors from- (L) Radiant Light, (M) Incandescent Light & (R) Dim Light.

I always highlight on the cheekbone & down the bridge of the nose- here I used Incandescent for those areas. I then built the Radiant Shade into a blush for my cheeks.  This is a gorgeous palette that really could suit all ages- the light reflective pigments really help diffuse any imperfections like hyperpigmentation. Because isn't this the season to be merry & bright?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
* gifted for review

Polish Pic{k}s: New Year's Eve Style

I love me some sparkle & the holidays are a perfect excuse to take it up a notch!  I've been using Essie's Beyond Cozy as an accent color on my ring finger as of late, but for New Year's I decided to do a full mani!

This shade works so well since it has a little bit of silver mixed in with the gold glitter. I'm a big fan- it's like champagne for my fingertips!

Peace. Love. Polish.

Lorac: Sweet Temptations

 The countdown has begun! I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow- though my house certainly reflects that fact, wrapping paper everywhere! One last gift for you last minute shoppers- you know who you are;) I first spotted this Lorac collection right before Hurricane Sandy. I thought if I'm going to be stuck inside for 48 hours due to Maryland being in a state of emergency, I'm going to have ample amounts of chocolate- both for my actual mouth & eyes!

I think this is just about the cutest thing, all of the palettes look like chocolate bars! Another great kit that you can break up into smaller gifts for sisters, nieces & coworkers. Lorac launched a few versions of this collection: the 4 piece palette set that I got from Ulta ($36), a 6 piece palette collection from Sephora ($59) & a 5 piece set I spotted on HSN.  

 The palettes are broken down into color groups: navy, bronze, plum & brown.

It makes me smile every time I use the shadows which are very user friendly & the colors are classic enough that it's great for all age groups.

Indulge in White Chocolate (top) & Tease Me Truffles (bottom) palettes.

Satisfying Toffee Crunch (top) & Tantalizing Dark Chocolate (bottom) palettes.

Here I am sporting the Tantalizing Dark Chocolate with the darkest shade used as liner. See my Beauties, now it's perfectly acceptable having chocolate for breakfast! Merry. Merry.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Polish Pic{k}s: Butter

With only a week away til Christmas, I can start to feel the panic in the air. Traffic is that much heavier, the fear in men's eyes more noticeable...  To keep in the spirit, I have lots of spirits and continue the search for festive shades. Lately I've been sporting a lot of reds. This Butter Polish in Chancer is straight out of The Wizard of Oz in terms of Dorothy's ruby red slippers. It's so stunning in person - I was quite smitten. That is for the day that it stayed on before chipping. Spirits not brightened:( I'm hoping it's the fact that it's a glitter polish versus a comment or two I've heard about the brand in general being prone to chipping.  It's held up a bit better on my piggies, but not much. The color is swoon worthy, but the durability has left me saying Bah Humbug I'm afraid.

Peace. Love. Polish.

Anastasia: Want You To Want Me Palette

Mark my words, if Anastasia of Beverly Hills keeps up with their amazing line of make-up launches, they will start to become a big player in the prestige market. I used to associate Anastasia with only brows- now I think awesome glosses & shadows. Speaking of shadows....

Check out her holiday Want You To Want Me eye offering. The packaging alone makes you feel like royalty! Nestled inside a velvet latched box, lies a 9 pan shadow palette, clear brow gel, liquid liner & dual ended brush.

The shadows consist of soft chocolately browns & regal purples. As a gift, this set looks like a million bucks, but comes in at an affordable $34.

The esthetician in me loves the fact that Anastasia's shadows offer skin care benefits with their Youthful Synergy Complex! Smoother, firmer eye area while sporting sumptuous color? Yes, please! Shades left to right, top to bottom: Platform Wedge, Front Row Center, Ziggy, Members Only, Power Ballad, Jellies, Graphic T's, Brass in Pocket & Iron On. I often use Members Only as brow powder & Iron On wet or dry for liner.  Is this palette going on your wishlist for Santa?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Sephora VIB Sale: My Must Haves

 

 Today is the last day of the Sephora VIB Sale, Beauties. You know I'm powerless to resist my favorite beauty brands being on sale! What's in my shopping basket? Sephora's Glitz & Glam Party Collection, because I believe a little sparkle makes everyone a little happier. This kit includes Stila's beloved Kitten Eyeshadow, Nars much adored Body Glow & Lorac's Liquid Lustre in a new gold version (you can see my review of the original here) I know there will be some winners.  In fact, most of Sephora's holiday samplers have been winners this season.

 I don't even know who this will be gifted to for the holidays, but Sephora's Blinged Palette offers a great neutral shadow wardrobe at an unbeatable price of $15. It will be $12 with my coupon, so it will also make a great stocking stuffer!

 

 I use Illamasqua's Cake Liner in Mislead almost every day of my life. I have one on my vanity, one in my professional kit & a spare in my travel bag. To say I adore it would be an understatement. The fact that it says limited edition strikes fear in my heart, so I tend to stock up whenever I can.

 

  YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain has achieved cult status amongst beauty editors around the globe. I'm still trying to find an amazing stain in a nude undertone. It's like trying to find the Holy Grail as most are vibrant berry hues. I'm hoping Beige Aquarelle won't let me down.

Last but definitely not least, this YSL holiday collection is the perfect gift for a discerning gal on my list. Besides being a great value at $65, the colors & products are fool proof. The Touche Eclat retails for $40 alone & the black bag is quite chic! So what's on your must have make-up list?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

The Lipgloss Diaries: Anastasia's Kisses On My List Vol. 2

It's the most wonder'ful' time of the year! How holiday lipgloss value sets make me swoon! Anastasia of Beverly Hills doesn't disappoint with her Kisses On My List Volume 2 Collection. This value set contains 6 Hydraful Lipglosses- 3 of those being Hypercolor Lipglosses.

Above & below - shades swatched from left to right: Moi, Maggie May, Sharona, Roxanne, Jolene & Lola.

The unique applicator resembles the oar of a paddle- which makes it easily deliver much more product than your standard sponge or doe foot applicator in one swipe.

There's something about Anastasia's Hypercolor glosses that I've never found with another gloss- how it doubles as a stain. Though the gloss wears off normally, after 5 hours & having soup for lunch- a vibrant pink stain lingered after wearing Lola. It's the best of both worlds! 

As of now it seems the Hypercolor shades tend to fall in the pink family, as these are 3 shades to the right that were swatched above. Though they look faint here, they pack a punch on the lips. I have my fingers crossed for when they create the perfect nude!  I adore these glosses & can't believe what a steal of a deal this kit is for $30! Break them up & rock out a bunch of stocking stuffers for $5 a pop.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Make-Up Must Have Monday: Make Up For Ever Black Tango

I first spotted Make Up For Ever's Black Tango Palette when I was in Italy a few weeks ago. They were sold out of it & I panicked that it wouldn't be available in the U.S.  Luckily it is. The palette includes 4 Aqua Cream shadows- which is are so creamy & delicious they easily apply as liners. Here I sport the emerald hue on my top lash line & the navy on my bottom lash line.

I was a bit apprehensive of the reddish hue- since I feel pinks & reds near the eye can make them appear bloodshot.  But the shade is a deep black plum that's very wearable.  I covered my entire lid with it while playing with Halloween looks. Make-Up For Ever is such a great brand in that they offer truly theatrical grade coverage & colors without the heavy feel. This shade reminds me a bit of my beloved go to nail color- OPI's Midnight In Moscow.  I used the white shade in the palette as a highlighter.

All of the shades sparkle like jewels on the skin.  Since the deeper shades are all blended with black- it's a great palette to step out of your comfort zone a bit from basic blacks & browns.

The compact itself is a work of art, like a Japanese paint box.  It states on the compact to close each pot tightly, which I make sure to do since I noticed the tester on display at Sephora had dried out a little.  The textures & intensity make this palette a must have. It's also a great value at $45, when individual Aqua Creams (though larger) retail for $23 each.  I say put it on your holiday wish list!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Must Have Make-Up Monday:Tarte Holiday

The holiday make-up collections release such a lovely giddiness in me, it almost squelches the panic that then follows due to the fact that the holidays are indeed under 8 weeks away. Cue the Cathy comics, 'Ahhhh!!!" After a particularly crazy work week last week, coming home to some Tarte treats had a more stress relieving effect than a large glass of vino! 

I've been using Tarte's LipSurgence Stick in Exposed almost every morning this past year. It is the perfect lazy woman's beauty tool for those of us time crunched in the a.m. It's a gorgeous matte nude that's a great building block for any lip look.  A lip pencil, lip stick, lip stain & hydrator is shoved into one jumbo pencil!

  So imagine my delight at Tarte's holiday collection Statement Lips ($34) boasting 5 shades! There are 2 lip tints, 2 lip lusters & my beloved Exposed matte lip tint included. One for every mood & day of the work week to help us cope! 

Tarte's other fabulous lip kit- Girl Meets Gloss ($34.50 exclusively at QVC) has 5 delicious coordinating Maracuja Divine Shine Lipglosses. 

 To die for packaging aside, the easy push button applicator dispenses that nourishing maracuja goodness in such pretty shades.

  My trick for easy & affordable gift giving for all those great gals in your life? Buy both kits & break them up. Pair the coordinating gloss & LipSurgence together with cute ribbon + a candy cane. Voila! You have 5 fabulous gifts (ones that your girlfriends actually want) coming in at under $15 a piece- that is, if you can part with any!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.