ProductWhores

Smooth Away

I have a deep and serious love for Dermalogica.  If I could pick one skin care brand to take to a desert island with me, it would be them.  I just love every product of theirs that I've tried.  (If they weren't kinda pricey, I would own every single product in their catalogue.  I don't know where I would put it all, but I would do it).  I've been using their new Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum for about a month now and it's only cementing my already high Dermalogica love.  

As far as texture, it's definitely a serum, not a cream, which I like.  It's not greasy at all, and it's easy to get out just one drop with the packaging, so no waste.  One drop is enough to use on both eyes and it sinks in almost instantly, so if you're putting it on before bed, you don't have to worry about greasy pillowcases.  (Greasy pillowcases are the WORST!)  It has ingredients in it to help slow aging, stimulate collagen synthesis, fight pigmentation and reduce puffiness - it's hard for me to tell if it's helping with the first three after only a month, but my eyes aren't puffy, which considering how bad my allergies are at the moment, definitely surprises me.  (My eyeballs feel like they're wearing a sweater, that's how itchy and scratchy they are right now.  Fun!)  So it's definitely helping with that at least.  And the skin under my eyes feels smooth and moisturized, so I know it's doing something there as well. It's also part of the Ultracalming product system (which is already what I use because of my sensitive skin) so if you also have sensitive skin, this serum is the way to go.  At $50 for half an ounce, it's a bit of a splurge, but it'll last you a long time so you can easily justify it that way.  Do it!    

Note:  A sample of this item was sent to me by a PR representative working with Dermalogica

Bronzed Summer

It's summer!  Yeah, it definitely doesn't mean as much to me as it did when I was a kid and I knew I could just do nothing for three months straight, but I still embrace the sunshine, a few paid holidays and some good old BBQing.  Now that I'm in the summer groove, it's time to update the make-up accordingly, which means some bronzing!  I'm as pale as... well... picture an egg with boobs and brown hair and you pretty much have an accurate depiction of me... Anyway, I'm super pale so I am not one to over-do any sort of bronzing because I always end up looking absolutely ridiculous.  Enter the new Matte Radiance Baked Powder and Illuminating Eye Color in Sun Glow and you'll find a slightly-bronzed, very happy, goddess (me, in case you couldn't put that together).  Laura Mercier's new summer collection is amazing and features the first bronzer that actually has worked well for my skintone.  First of all it's matte which I adore because it means I don't look like I dipped my face in a well of glitter.  So, I control the coverage and then to add a bit of shine to it (which I do understand is necessary in warm months), I brush the Baked Powder Highlighter on my cheekbones which adds a lovely summer-worthy luminescence.  I love, love the products and have received so many compliments (people never know why they're complimenting me other than my skin looks healthy).  For the eyes, I do a light black liner and Sun Glow Illuminating Eye Color (a gorgeous bronze-y/gold with shimmer to boot!).  The color is stunning and while it looks more yellow online it's definitely more of a bronze in person.  It's delightful and wears beautifully (especially if you do a shadow base).  But don't get me wrong, you do not have to be uber-pale to LOVE this collection - Laura has four different shades of bronzer and, well, the three Illuminating shadows would suit any skintone.
Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier.

Stila Festival of Color!

Stila's new Summer 2013 collection is so pretty and shockingly wearable!  When I first saw it I thought it was so bright that I wouldn't be able to wear it without looking like a freak, but I was so wrong.  The color Pigments are my absolute fave of the collection.  Each Countless Color Pigment compact features multiple shadows all swirled together like a beautiful watercolor painting (actually, they look a lot like stuff my kid has made me for me).  The shades are vibrant, work perfectly together and have the staying power of Stila eye shadows.  I love, love Light Show (turquoise, bright green, bright yellow) and Melody (awesome shades of bright plums), but since there are 10 compacts to choose from it's kind of hard to be able to just pick a few, honestly.  The rest of the new collection features After Glow Lipcolor (super bright pencil lipcolor that's not drying!); Smudge Stick in Turquoise (sooooo pretty and my favorite go-to eyeliner formula); Liquid Eyeliner also in turquoise and Color Balm Lipsticks (freakin' amazing, my new obsession).  Stila's Color Balm Lipsticks are super hydrating, have such beautiful shades and are peppermint-y.  I am crazy for all the shades, honestly, and own a few.  I think if you made me pick the one I'm using most right now, I'd pick Gemma - a purple-y pink that's vibrant and so pretty for Spring.  Oh, Stila, I love you so very much!!

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

Put It In The Vault

Oh my God, you guys, I want this SO badly!  Urban Decay has just introduced a new limited-edition 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Vault that has FORTY full-size eye pencils - every shade and texture they make - in it.  Look at how pretty it is!  It's $295, so definitely an investment, but that does make each pencil only around $7.50, a total bargain, plus - and I can't stress this enough - look at how pretty it is!  I want all of them! 

It's apparently already out of stock on their website, but you can sign up to be notified when it's back, so at least you'll be able to jump on it then if you want.  So, so worth it if you have $300 to spare.

Technicolor Dreams

I wear a lot of neutral eyeshadows, especially during the day to work, so it's nice to bust out of the neutral barrel once in awhile and put on some brighter shades.  MAKE UP FOR EVER's Technicolor Palette has eight shades in it and is a nice mix of colors that will make your eyes really pop, plus some neutrals to tone down the brightness.  It's a nice palette to experiment with because you can do the brights, but also give yourself a softer look with the two shadows on the right.  I do admit that I can't figure out how on earth to use the yellow shade without looking like I have jaundice, but I've been playing around with it and I'm determined to use it in some way... sometime.  Even if it's at Halloween!  I do love the lime green and the bright blue - they're fun to use as accent shades - and the lilac looks really good with my green eyes.  Lots of fun shades in this one.  Well worth picking up! 

Note:  A sample of the product was sent by a PR representative working with MAKE UP FOR EVER

The Good Kind of Chubby

I'm kind of lazy at the moment and keep putting off washing my eye makeup brushes, mainly because I forget they need it until the moment I'm about to use them and after my stupid eye infection back in September, I'm nervous about ever getting another one from... anything really, so the new Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tints for Eyes came along at a perfect time.  I already love the lip versions, but having these around to use without having to worry about cleaning my brushes means I've really gotten a chance to play around with them.  There are twelve different shades ranging from Bountiful Beige, which is light enough to be used as a highlighter, to Massive Midnight, a dark blue.  They're so easy to use and the shadows blend easily and really stay put.  I also love that you don't need to sharpen them - if you want more shadow, it's just a simple twist.  (Also great because in addition to forgetting to wash my brushes, I can never find any of the ten sharpeners I know I have somewhere).  They're also a good, budget-friendly option at only $16 apiece (something I'm appreciating more and more lately).  Plus, they're perfect for throwing in your bag to use after work when you're heading out and want a more dramatic look for evening (I usually try to avoid stopping at home when I go out after work because I'm always kind of afraid if I see my pajamas and couch, I might just stay there).  I'm really loving these.  I daresay I might have to own them all!

Note:  Samples were sent to me by a PR representative working with Clinique

Boudoir Eyes

Okay, first of all, I love the word boudoir.  It's so Blanche Deveraux, right?  Can't you just picture a Southern couple retiring to it after they sip mint juleps on their wraparound porch?  (Note: I haven't spent much time in the South.  It's possible I have a warped view of how people behave there).  But either way, the word boudoir never fails to make me giggle, so I must have Too Faced's new Boudoir Eyes Soft & Sexy Eye Shadow Collection.  I have all of their other eye shadow collections and they're awesome, so I was probably going to buy this one anyway just to complete the set (I'm weird that way) but now that I've seen the name... well, it's going to happen this weekend.  The Too Faced shadow palettes are some of my favorites to travel with (well, since they made them more compact and less... like a box) because you get three different looks, complete with a guide to tell you how to create them.  (I'm kinda lazy so I don't always use it, but the times I have, it's been really helpful).  Also, how pretty do those shadows look?  I kind of love them.  I hope it lives up to the hype!

Get Smoked!

Oooooh, the Smoked Palette from Urban Decay is so amazing I went out and bought a few for friends for Christmas!  First of all, it's unlike other "smokey eye" palettes as it doesn't just focus on the black/brown look but has a deep green, blue and violet, as well.  I love all the combinations - super sexy and incredibly easy to apply.  The shadows are uber-smooth and blend with little effort which means no lid-tugging.  Comes with 10 shades perfect for day or evening looks.  And if that shadows weren't fabulous enough, the palette comes with the 24/7 liner (hands-down my fave liner because it's so easy to line with and smudge) in Perversion and the lid primer.  Case is especially great for travel because it zips up so no unhinging in your suitcase leaking sparkly shadow on all your clothing.  Definitely worth every penny and should be on everyone's holiday gift list!

My other recent obsession and an especially fantastic gift is the Smoked 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set.  I could go on for days about why this is my favorite liner and how many I've bought as gifts for my friends because I need to share my love with everyone else, but I won't bore you.  I will tell you that if you don't already own one of these pencils, you're missing out... and your eyes are disappointed in you for failing them...

Note:  A sample of the above was sent to me by a PR representative working with Urban Decay.

Instant Hydrating Stick

I love, love, love everything I've tried by H2O+ so, really, it's no shocker that I adore the new eye Oasis Instant Hydrating Stick!  This little badboy packs a serious moisturizing punch and in such a portable stick!  The stick contains caffeine to help with dark circles and hydrolyzed pea peptides (sounds silly, doesn't it?) which nourish and protect the skin.  The stick is meant for the eye area, but I've been using it on my whole face when traveling (so easy to pack in the carry-on when flying).  It's uber-cooling, too, which is especially important when stuck in an airplane cabin filled with re-circulated air.  For everyday use while I'm at home, I've noticed my eye area looks brighter and feels so much better hydrated which makes me look more awake than I actually am!  This is a definite must-have. 

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with H2O+

Think Pink!

In observation of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Murad has released an amazing limited-edition Hydrate for Hope set!  Their Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for Eyes come in this adorable pink and white polka-dotted cosmetics bag!  I have to say the moisturizer and the eye cream are fantastic!  I've been using them both religiously for a few weeks now and I love how great my skin looks and feels.  Plus, HUGE bonus, 10% from the sale of each set to retailers goes directly to the City of Hope's breast and women's cancers research, treatment and education programs.  This is a truly great way to have beautiful skin and feel great knowing money has been given to support City of Hope.

Murad’s Hydrate for Hope set will be available at Murad.com and select retailers nationwide in October 2012 and retails for $49.50 (a $79 value!).