It Cosmetics

Earlier in the month, QVC hosted a charity fundraising event for Cancer and Careers. All proceeds from the 2 hour show packed full of beauty treats went to this amazing organization that helps those struggling with cancer continue to work & live their lives to the fullest extent.

Always up for a new make-up product while giving back,  It Cosmetics Luxe Performance Eyeshadow Palette with 12 eyeshadows caught my 'eye' so I scooped it up. What drew me to the palette was the added bonus of the shadows being infused with their Age Reverse & Prevent Complex. The eyes are definitely a worry for me when it comes to aging- I would say they're my main concern besides hyperpigmentation.

What the complex offers is skincare benefits like hydrolyzed collagen along with vitamins A, C & E  melded together with the pigments. There are what I consider 3 cooler toned shadows beginning at the top, 5 warmer toned shadows following those & then 4 definer shadows. Even just brushed dry on my arm, these four definers at the bottom pack some punch! When wet or using a transforming liquid they become even more opaque & intense.

For a soft day look, I used Earth Angel on the inner lid, Romance on the outer lid, then went with Cashmere & Satin Sunshine on the brow bone.

I finished off the look by using Jet Black smudged along the lash line with a dollop of that Azure cobalt blue to brighten, as well. You can really be a mixologist with this compilation & it's a great value with the shadows coming in at right around $3/each!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Aqualillies for Tarte

The first time I saw Tarte's limited edition beauty collection created by the bathing beauties of the synchronized swimming group the Aqualillies- I do believe I might have drooled a bit. I mean the packaging alone is swoon worthy! What's perfect as we head into summer (insert sweating) is that these products are budgeproof- jump in the water & you'll be fine!

Amazonian Clay waterproof liners come with their own liner brush & are available in Splash (left) & Black (right.) They go on creamy & smooth- plus even after giving several facials with steam in my face, these liners stayed put. I always say give cream or cakes liners a try, you'll be surprised at how easy they are over pencils.

 Don't be afraid to live it up a little with the Splash option! As long as you're not wearing an entire teal ensemble, this vibrant color pops the whites of your eyes & makes you look instantly awake.

 Of course you can't go wrong with classic black either.

The Amazonian Clay Eye & Cheek compact in the collection is on my lust list- about the size of a CD, it offers a neutral palette with that pop of teal to spice things up a bit & the powders are all waterproof. I mean not all of us are actually swimming in fully applied make-up, but this palette will be perfect for my summer brides! There are super cute additional treats like a shower cap & beachbag as gifts with purchase on Tarte's website.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.
*Liners gifted for review

Fabulous Finds Friday

Urban Decay's Naked I & II palettes have quite the cult following. They're often imitated in the prestige market. That means most I've seen come in at well over $30- with the original from Urban Decay coming in at $50.

10 eyeshadows, 5 matte & 5 shimmer are nestled into this homage to Urban Decay. Though the pigments aren't prestige in terms payoff intensity- it's still a great selection of neutrals.

While my original Naked Palette does boost 2 more eyeshadows than this steal & deal version- my Fabulous Find Friday comes in at a tenth of the cost! That's right- $5 will get you this pretty palette at your local Five & Below store.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Yves Saint Laurent

Nothing says glamour like a little Yves Saint Laurent in your life. I picked up their Rouge Pur Couture during Sephora's VIB Beauty Event. I had wanted to try it for a while as it's in almost every  magazine beauty editor's purse.

I scooped up 19 Beige Aquarelle in my ongoing search to find the perfect nude stain. The glossy lip stain smells as how living life as a royal might. Like fresh roses & pure luxury- it's delicious. Swatched on the hand it looks like my dream color.

However, when on my actual lips, it's very sheer.  I'm afraid to say this shade washed me out in an almost lifeguard wearing old school zinc oxide sort of way. The formula is lovely though, I will definitely be picking up another shade. This is just a product that you should probably select in person versus online.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Nars: Larger Than Life Lip Gloss

For some reason the 'doe' foot or sponge applicator that come with most lipglosses just never makes me as happy as a brush applicator.  These day the majority of lines have switched to doe foot applicators to eliminate the occasional brush fraying & to cut costs. So I was thrilled to discover at The Make-Up Show, that Nars Cosmetics' newly launched Larger Than Life Lip Gloss collection had brushes! Rejoice!  I feel brushes deliver more gloss & more precisely.  From the top I scooped up (t)Born This way, (c)Spring Break & (b)Piree.

These glosses definitely deliver on the high impact shine that they promise.  It has a substantial texture, but isn't very tacky or too thick.  Its staying power also impressed me, we all know most glosses wear off in an instant.  This sticks around for a while. My pick of my haul is definitely Piree. It's my lips, but oh so much better. Born This Way & Spring Break are rather pale, so the might wash people out.  They offer a nice opacity to them.  I'll use those shades in my professional kit in case I need to modify any lip looks I create. The collection includes 12 shades & I will definitely go back for some more. In fact I have my eye on 3 other shades- you know I'm an addict!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Fabulous Finds Friday

When leopard is this cute, it's a good thing they never change their spots! I adore Too Faced products- they are the epitome of glam & girly, just like moi;) I had been coveting their Pink Leopard Brightening Bronzer for a while, so of course I broke down & bought it.  Then I noticed at Ulta they had expanded the NYX line & this little copy 'cat' caught my eye.

NYX's Tango with Bronzer comes in 5 different color options. This one is When Leopard Gets a Tan.

Both of the compacts are equally adorable & chic.

The NYX version even comes with a half moon brush. Usually I'm not a fan of brushes that come as freebies in compacts. Often they get thrown right in the trash. This NYX brush actually has some substance, will stay in the compact & get some use for touch ups! I found mine at Ulta & utilized a NYX promo that was buy one, get one half off. With it coming in at $7.50(originally $10)- it is a true steal of a deal vs. Too Faced's price tag of $29.  Both lines have great products, but saving money means I can buy even more beauty loot!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Jouer Cosmetics

Henri Bendel's has a crack like effect on me. Major addiction. I seriously cannot go into the flagship store in NYC without making something mine.  This go around I decided to try Jouer, a cosmetics company known for the ability to connect their individual compacts into customizable palettes.

I picked up the limited edition Blushing Beauty Palette, which consists of the Whisper Tint/ Feather Highlighter duo, Chocolate/Peach Eyeshadow duo, Sheer Matte Touch Powder & Bronzer duo + Cherish Lipgloss. In this picture all of the pieces are actually connected. Worth mentioning- I think I got a lot of prestige product for the price of $58.

Here I am sporting the shadows, powder/bronzer duo & gloss. The colors are neutral classics.  I could see a lot of brides sporting this collection for the summer wedding season now upon us. Though it's listed currently as out of stock on Jouer's website, I would call Bendel's & see if they can ship it to you. It's pure loveliness!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M