ProductWhores

New Pantone Universe

Sephora has released their new collection of Pantone Universe (you'll remember last year's was Tangerine).  This year is a stunning Emerald collection and I am crazy for the new Color Theory Shadow Block in Bionic.  First of all the packaging is ridiculously cool - you slide apart the two sides of the box (I know you're supposed to throw it away but it is just too pretty to trash) and then the little well that houses the shadow palette actually slides out like a drawer.  Then, once you're over the amazing-ness of the packaging you can actually get to the real highlight the shadow block!  The box itself has a sliding top with magnetic corners so it swings open (um, awesome) and the bottom has a separate mirror which swings out, as well (um, double awesome).  The colors are super wearable and fun and unlike anything I already own - matte emerald, shimmery metallic white and a deep navy.  They look stunning on and are such a unique combo you'll get a ton of compliments which isn't such a bad way to start the day, now is it?

Note:  A sample of the product was sent by a PR representative working with Sephora.

Speckled Up

 

From everything I know about me, these new Illamasqua Speckled Nail Varnishes do not seem like something I would like.  And yet, I'm coveting them so much that I've made THREE separate trips to the Sephora in Santa Monica to buy them and they NEVER have them.  (They might have them now.  The last time I went was the weekend before last.  So I'm hoping they'll have them before this weekend and I can make the trek over there again).  There are five colors available, but the two I want the most are Scarce, a speckled pink (on the left) and Freckle, a speckled tan (on the right).  The other three shades are Speckle, a speckled lilac, Mottle, a speckled green, and Fragile, a speckled blue.  Don't they just look fun?  I feel like they're funky, but work appropriate, even for a corporate office.  They're $16, so not super cheap, but they're not going to break the bank either.  Has anyone else gotten their hands on these yet?  What'd you think?  I'm about to break down and just order them online...

To add to my increasingly longer list of things I want to buy at Sephora, I just happened on this new Argan Cleansing Treatment from Josie Maran and now I really want to pick it up this weekend.  I'm obsessed with Argan Oil lately because it's like, the miracle product for my dry hands and nose (it has seriously tamed the Rudolph-esque aspects of it).  And I hate oily products normally, so if I can fall in love with one, you know it's good.  But doesn't this cleanser + cloth treatment seem kind of awesome?  It has a ton of five star reviews on Sephora's site, so that makes me want it even more.  (Also, am I super lazy for never reviewing anything I buy at Sephora?  They send me e-mails about it all the time asking me to do it and I just... never do).  It's also good for sensitive skin, which is sometimes hard to find.  I'm definitely talking myself into buying it on Saturday here...      

Laura's Luxe Color Portfolio

Okay, seriously, I could not use another palette less but this one is soooo pretty I must have!!  I love Laura Mercier and I have to say her Luxe Color Portfolio seems to be her best release yet!  The colors are totally wearable and the case is super cute.  It even comes with an instructional booklet which I love because it takes all the guesswork out of where the heck do I put which color (yeah, yeah, I'm lazy, I know...) Anyway, it's a bit pricey at $78.00 but I think it's totally worth it and I will own it this weekend!  Palette includes:

- 6 Eye Colors in Morning Dew, African Violet, Violet Ink, Lavalier, Grey Onyx, Espresso Bean
- 3 Tightline Cake Liners in Black Ebony, Bleu Marine, Mahogany Brown
- 2 Second Skin Cheek Colors in Barely Pink, Lotus Pink
- Get-The-Look Instructional Insert
- Mirror

Love Me

You guys, I have a ridiculous amount of eye shadow palettes.  Like, the drawer I'm storing my favorites in keeps getting stuck shut because one of them gets wedged up and blocks it from opening.  You'd think me having to force open a drawer four times or so a week would convince me to store some of them elsewhere, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  What if I want to use one in the morning and it's downstairs?  That would just be tragic.  So instead, I rearrange them constantly, hoping that'll prevent the blockage, and hold my breath every time I go to open the drawer.  It's kind of sad.  But the real point is, I have a lot of eye shadow, so when I see a palette that makes look twice, it's kind of exciting.  Which is how I feel about Smashbox's new Love Me Eye Shadow Palettes.  How adorable is the one above, with its Love Me message?  So cute!  (And for those of you wondering, the overlay with the words lifts up and out of the way so you can use the shadows easily - you don't have to try and work around it, which is much better than I originally thought).  The Admire Me palette above is a great neutral palette and since it's not big, it's a lot easier to pack for a trip than a lot of my other favorite (but bulkier) nude palettes.  The other palette in the collection, Entice Me, is more colorful, with a mix of pinks, purples and blues, so they're both equally useful, but for different looks. I'm kind of obsessed with them right now.  How can anyone not adore a palette with the word "Love" IN IT?  Someone with a heart of stone, that's who!

Note:  A sample was sent to me by a PR representative working with Smashbox  

I Love New York

How did I miss this until now?  Apparently, Sephora has a new line of fragrances from Bond No. 9 called I LOVE NEW YORK.  There's a bunch of different scents and I love all the names - I LOVE NEW YORK for Marriage Equality, I LOVE NEW YORK for Mothers, I LOVE NEW YORK for Earth Day... just to name a few.  All their descriptions sound fabulous and since I've pretty much loved every Bond No. 9 scent I've tried before, I'm sure I'll covet most of these (if not all).  They're Eau de Parfums, but that's okay because they're also only $105 a bottle for 1.7 ounces.  (Not that that's cheap, but it's still way better than their normal price tags, which are the only things I don't like about Bond No. 9).  Has anyone smelled any of these yet?  What did you think? 

Rubberize Your Skin

I love to use face masks, but even I have to admit, they do get a little boring sometimes.  So anytime I can try one that doesn't have your run of the mill apply, sit for 15 minutes, rinse off process, I'm excited.  Bliss' Fabulous Skin Reviving Rubberizing Mask definitely fits that bill.  To use it, you empty one of the packets in the box into a mixing bowl, then add a scoop of water and mix it into a thick paste.  Then you apply the paste to your face and hang out for 20 minutes while it rubberizes before you peel it off.  

First of all, rubberizes is such a weird word that I was totally curious what it would look like.  It really does form some sort of thick, rubbery consistency on your face, but it's not painful or stingy at all.  It's just kind of... cool, for lack of a better word.  Definitely different than any mask I've ever used before.  The one thing that I would be careful of though is to keep it away from your hairline and your eyebrows.  I wasn't really thinking about that when I applied it and once the stuff rubberizes, it's a nightmare to get out of hair.  At one point, I was really worried that my eyebrows would come off with it, but I was able to finally get it all out without becoming eyebrow-less.  But still, you can easily avoid that torture if you  take your time, so just be careful.  It's also really fun to peel off - it's totally satisfying to do it, plus it doesn't come off in tiny pieces, so it won't take you three hours to get it all off.  (There's nothing more annoying than a mask that has great results, but requires you to spend an entire "Scandal" episode to take off).  It basically peeled off my face in about five big pieces, then there were only a few places where I had other small pieces to peel seperately.  Totally easy and kind of fun!  

You're supposed to use it once a week and I've only tried it once so far, so I can't really talk about long term results, but my skin did look really clean and glowy after I took it off, plus it felt all smooth and hydrated.  I'll definitely use the other packets in the box to get Blissed-out!

Note:  A sample was sent to me by a PR representative working with Bliss   

Stock Up On Too Faced

If you're currently obsessed with a Too Faced product, now's your time to buy it.  Just use the code xoxo20 on toofaced.com to save 20% on your order.  I might have to pick up the Boudoir Eyes Shadow Collection (above).  Partly because I love the shades in it, but also, I can't lie, I really want to own an eye palette with the word boudoir in it.  I kind of love it.

Have fun shopping! 

Be Friends With Urban Decay

I'm so happy about this coupon code because I'm coveting about five things from Urban Decay right now.  Through February 17th, just use the code FFSPRING13 on urbandecay.com to save 20% off your purchase.  Friends & Family coupons are the best!

Pureology for Red Heads

So excited to report that Pureology (my absolute haircare brand) has just released a new line specifically for people who color their hair red -Reviving Red!  Whether red-red or copper-red this new collection will length your time between colorings and keep your hair looking as shiny as the day you left the salon!  I have seen an amazing difference in my hair already even after only using for a week.  My red hair is shinier and more vibrant and I've gotten compliments on my new hair color, even though I didn't just have it done.  Just as all the other Pureology products I've tried - and been obsessed with - the formula is sulfate-free and contains all sorts of enriching oils to leave hair super-soft and smelling lovely.  Nothing like a girl with lovely smelling hair, eh?

Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Pureology.