ProductWhores

Twist And Go

So when I first heard about Smashbox's new Halo Hydrating Perfecting Shadow Duo I was all, This is the coolest thing ever!  I want them all.  Because I love Smashbox shadows and how great is the idea that you twist the compact to shave just enough of the two shades to make you happy?  So great.  I totally want to be the person who invented that.  But sadly, the execution leaves a little to be desired.  The shadows are great - the colors complement each other well and they go on smoothly with a good amount of pigment and last for hours.  The problem is the shaving mechanism.  Both shadows get shaved at the same time, which means that the outer ring of the lighter color has a ton more shadow to apply than the middle shade, which is more of a contour color.  If it was a small difference, that would be okay, but it's really not.  I end up wasting a ton of the lighter color and having to spill it out just to get enough of the darker color to use.  (And regardless of the fact that I have way, way, WAY too much makeup, I still don't want to purposefully have to waste any, you know?  That goes against like, the rules of Product Whoredom).  If I worked for Smashbox, I would redesign the compacts so that each color got shaved on its own.  That way you could decide exactly how much of each shade you wanted and there would be no waste.  (Especially because at $36, these definitely aren't the cheapest shadows you'll own).  I'll definitely keep using the ones that I own though because I really do like the shadows themselves.  (Especially the Pewter/Smoke and Petal/Plum combos.  So pretty!)  

You can test them out for yourself at Sephora.com or Smashbox.com.

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Smashbox.

Go Nude

So when it first came out, I bought a bottle of Stella from Stella McCartney online based on the description alone.  And when I opened the bottle, I was totally disappointed.  Not because the scent isn't pretty - it smells great on a few of my friends that wear it - but because it was just too floral for my tastes.  It just did not smell good on me.  So when I was passing through Sephora a few weekends ago and saw Stella's new fragrance, STELLANUDE, I gave it a sniff out of pure curiosity, sure that I would feel the same way about it.  But as usual, I was wrong because I totally loved it.  STELLANUDE is an extension of the Stella McCartney Lingerie Collection and is meant to represent the first accessory every woman puts on her bare skin when getting dressed in the morning.  It opens with notes of Moroccan Rose and a touch of grapefruit, then the heart notes are white peony and pink pepper layered over Ugandan vanilla and Grey Amber.  It's floral, but not overly so at all - I sort of think of it as a fresh floral because it's a lot more subtle to me than the original Stella is.  It's just a pretty, feminine perfume that's perfect for work and I could also see myself wearing it out at night.  And right now at Sephora, you can get the STELLANUDE Gift Set, which includes a 1.6 ounce Eau de Toilette Spray and a 2.1 ounce scented candle for $63.  This one's definitely coming home with me at some point.  Now if I could only afford some of Stella McCartney's gorgeous clothes...

Smokey Eye Kit

I've never bought anything from QVC, but I think LORAC's new Smokey Eye Kit might be just the item to break that streak.  (And by the way, can someone please tell me once and for all whether it's "smokey" or "smoky?"  I've seen it both ways and it really annoys me that there's no definitive answer to this because I don't like misspelling things.  It's the grammar nerd in me).  Anyway... The Smokey Eye Kit comes with 3 eye shadows (Dream, Joy and Beige), a Front of the Line Liquid Liner, a Special Effects Mascara and 3 Brushes all packed into a cute Croc Case.  It's an awesome deal at only $32.50.  (The liner alone would be $20 in stores!)  Get yours exclusively at QVC.com.

Enjoy Some Deep Comfort

My hands have been kind of dry lately, which makes absolutely no sense because nothing in my daily routine has changed.  (Must be one of the joys of getting older.  Fun!)  I was rummaging through my closet looking for a hand cream when I spotted a sample I'd been sent by Clinique and after one use, I knew we were going to be friends.  The Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream has pretty much everything I look for in a hand cream.  It's a little on the thick side, but it's not greasy at all, which is always my fear with any moisturizer because I hate nothing more than feeling greasy.  (I do not do well in the wilderness).  Not to mention the fact that I'm a total klutz, so the last thing I need is for my hands to be slippery.  That's just asking for trouble.  Deep Comfort sinks into my hands quickly and has been keeping them totally soft and moisturized and it has a very light fresh scent that isn't overwhelming and doesn't conflict with my perfume.  What more could you ask for in a moisturizer?  Now I really want to try the Deep Comfort Body Wash and Deep Comfort Body Butter too.  (The Body Butter has a 100% positive recommendation on Clinique.com.  How often does that happen?)

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Clinique.

Give Your Eyes A Zing

I was traveling on the east coast for most of the last three weeks and even though in theory there was a lot of time for sleeping and relaxing, somehow that never actually panned out and I ended up exhausted most of the time.  Which led to even more dark circles and puffy eyes than usual.  Never a good look on me.  Luckily I'd packed a sample of Origins new GinZing eye cream that I'd been sent before I left Los Angeles, so I put it to the test.  After about 5 days of using it, I definitely noticed that the bags under my eyes were less pronounced and seemed to have faded a little, which is what I was hoping for.  (I used the cream under my makeup in the morning and at night before I went to bed).  GinZing goes on with a slight cooling sensation and blends in easily, but what I really like about it is the slight shimmer that it leaves behind.  (Due to the silica and mika ingredients).  It makes the area under my eyes a little glowy and somehow, that makes it less old person looking.  (I mean, I'll be middle-aged at some point, there's no need for my eyes to get there decades earlier).  GinZing also contains caffeine, which in skin care works as an anti-irritant that helps to calm your skin.  Overall, I thought GinZing did a really good job of making my under eye area look much more well rested and smooth.  It's a pretty good value too - the jar is $29.50, but it's .5 ounces, so if you use the correct amount and don't over cream (a beauty faux pas I'm trying not to commit anymore) it should last you a decent amount of time.  Also, GinZing is just a silly word to say, right?  Who said beauty wasn't fun?         

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Origins.

More Friends & Family

From now until November 20th, when you shop on urbandecay.com, just enter FNFW1 when you're checking out and hit "Redeem Coupon" to save 30% off your purchase.  You really can't go wrong with anything Urban Decay, but if you're looking for suggestions, I recommend checking out the Book of Shadows Vol. II or any of the Ink For Eyes cream liners.  Stock up!

Calorie Free Godiva

 

I love burning candles when I'm relaxing at home, but in recent months, I hadn't found any new scents that got me really excited.  (I can be kind of picky about the ones I like).  And then I got my hands on candles from the new Godiva Home Fragrance Collection and everything changed.  I'm obsessed with them now.  Obsessed.  The candles come in amazing scents like Raspberry Ganache, Black Almond Truffle, and Holiday Peppermint Bark and as amazing as that sounds, smelling them is actually more amazing.  You know how sometimes you buy a candle and even after you've been burning it for awhile, you can't smell anything?  That's the exact opposite of what happens with the Godiva candles.  From the second you open the box, the scent wafts out into the air with a mouth-watering chocolate smell.  The word "yummy" really is the only description that fits.  While it's burning, the candle scents the entire room, and even after you blow it out, you can still smell it lingering in the air for hours.  (Even after the one that I'm currently burning has been out for hours, I can still walk by and smell the chocolate scent.  It's that strong).  When I first saw them, I figured they were going to be super expensive, but they're really not at only $22.50 for a large-sized candle that comes packaged in the signature Godiva gold box.  (So pretty and perfect for gift giving!)  My current favorite is the Black Almond Truffle, which was inspired by Godiva's Roasted Almond Truffle.  The scent is roasted black almonds and  dark chocolate which is mixed with a touch of golden honey, black pepper and vetiver essences.  It's so, so good.  I've been making everyone who comes over smell it and they've all instantly become hooked as well.  There's only one problem - after burning one of these candles, it's impossible for me not to want to run out immediately and buy a box of some real Godiva, so it's very possible burning these candles is going to make me have to kick my gym time up a notch.  (Or, uhm, go at all...)  Totally worth it!

You can purchase the Godiva candles online at neimanmarcus.com.

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Godiva.

The Makeup Player

Okay, how cool is this?  Stila's new Makeup Player is half makeup case, half docking station (with speakers!) for your iPod.  It's a portable vanity that as Stila says, "blends cutting edge technology with Pro Artist expertise, giving women the tricks and tools needed to create their own looks, on demand."

You can download tutorials from StilaBeautyTube.com, dock it into the Makeup Player, and then let the tutorial guide you as you put on your makeup.  (Seriously, whoever came up with this idea was inspired).  The tutorials that are up now include one for a natural look and one for a smoky eye (and there are many more coming).  The case also contains all the products needed to create the intro tutorial looks - the entire package would normally cost you over $250, but you can order it right now on stilacosmetics.com for only $69.90.  You can even sign up for what Stila calls the continuity option, which means that once you join, you'll receive new Stila products every 60 days.  (I personally can't wait to try the new One Step Foundation - it's not available anywhere else yet and I've read great things about it online).  Oh Stila, you've managed to suck me in with your creativity once again...

It's A Telescopic Explosion

Okay, I get that companies want catchy names for their products and it definitely works for some - Benefit always has great ones, for example - but this "Telescopic Explosion" from L'Oreal doesn't really make any sense to me.  I was sitting here thinking about it and I guess they want to say that if you use the mascara the wand is smaller and therefore will hit every lash, but to me the name Telescopic Explosion just says that you'll need to look really close to see any definition.  And truth be told, that's exactly what I thought of this mascara.  Telescopic Explosion by L'Oreal has a very small wand, so it takes twice as long to apply your mascara and there's no real benefit.  My lashes were not better defined, nor did they look longer or thicker.  I love a great mascara (sometimes I just throw that on and a little foundation on an especially lazy day) but this stuff could never compete with Lash Blast for me.  I say save your money - I'd be surprised if this stays on shelves long anyway.

From The Set

Lana Horochowski, Department Head of Makeup for "Mad Men," loves using NARS on the cast members of "Mad Men."  Says Lana, “I love, love, LOVE the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils because they are long-lasting and give that perfect matte finish that is so authentic to the time period.  In the past, we used mostly cream cheek color because that was used in the period. Since powder blush was invented in 1963, we were finally able to throw it in for this season!”  (How funny is it that powder blush was only invented in 1963?  Doesn't it seem like something that would've been around a lot longer than that?  Then again, I almost can't remember life without Sephora, so I may not be the best makeup historian!)

Here's what goes into creating two of the looks:

Betty Draper (played by January Jones) wears NARS Madrague Duo Eyeshadow in almost every scene when she is at home.  “It’s a staple,” explains Lana, “but when she goes out, we spice it up with color.”  To add emphasis to her eyes, Lana adds NARS Heart Of Glass Eyeshadow.  For her lips, she uses NARS Calliope Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and NARS Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil.  “I also love Barbarella Lipstick on January because it’s perfect for her every day look."  For blush, try NARS Penny Lane Cream Blush, NARS Gueule de Nuit Cream Blush, and NARS Gilda Powder Blush!

Joan Holloway is played by Christina Hendricks.  Says Lana, “For Christina’s sexy Joan, I love the bold colors of NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in Dolce Vita, Red Square, Sex Machine, and Forbidden Red."  Lana also uses NARS Heat Wave Lipstick and NARS Jungle Red Lipstick.  For her eyes, she uses NARS Madrague Duo Eyeshadow and NARS Fez and Bali Single Eyeshadows.  “With Christina's peaches and cream complexion” Lana explains, “she looks great in NARS Gueule de Nuit Cream Blush, as well as NARS Dolce Vita, Gilda, and Gina Powder Blush.”

To purchase the products, visit narscosmetics.com.