ProductWhores

Day & Night Neutral

Sue Devitt's Day & Night Neutral Palette is a definite thing of beauty.  I mean, she's actually chosen totally wearable shades and it comes in a lovely sleek silver case.  You get two blushes (one a pale peach and the other a deep rose), three eye shadows (light pink with a hint of shimmer, chocolate brown and a matte taupe) and three lip glosses (coral, mauve and nude).  You also get a small blush brush, and double-ended lip/eyeshadow brush.  I adore the colors (a perfect mix of colors for any skintone) and price is great ($37.50) but I do have a complaint.  I wish it came with a deep black or deep brown shadow (that you could line with) or a small eyeliner so you could really get a nice smokey eye for evening.  As this is limited edition (I hate when they do that!) I'm hoping they'll add a deep liner shade to the next palette and then it will be total perfection.

iO Beauty

I swear I've tried about a million different skincare products - some I've loved and some I've hated and some, well, I've just been on the fence about.  I can't remember the last time, however, that I used a new skincare line and had other people comment on my complexion!  iO Beauty, the skincare line behind make-up guru Sue Devitt and nutritionist Tanya Zuckerbrot, has completely changed my skin, and all for the better.  I've been using their entine line for a few weeks and the results have been incredible.  Their Eye Concentrate is super-hydrating and sinks in quickly which I love (so many eye creams I've used are super greasy, but not this one), their Moisture Concentrate is brilliant-  uber-moisturizing and leaves skin so fantastically soft, but the true stand-outs for me are the Treatment Concentrate and Beauty Booster.  I use a few pumps of the Concentrate, mix it with a few drops of the Beauty Booster (which has all these fabulous antioxidants) and put on my skin before the moisturizer.  It smells lovely and really gives my skin a healthy glow.  I can't remember the last time my skin looked this with so little effort.  Love this line so much and am so excited to let you all know that on Feb 17 iO Beauty is launching on QVC!  So excited to see the amazing deals they will be able to offer.

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

Five Minute Holiday Look

I don't know about you but the holiday season is always crazy - the parties, the baking, the crowded malls, and the extensive present-wrapping always has my head spinning.  So, when I can find something to simplify my holiday planning, I am totally game.  Sue Devitt has come up with a five minute holiday look which is seriously awesome and took me less than five minutes (plus you don't need a lot of products to achieve).  After you have moisturized and/or applied your foundation, follow the super easy steps to a great holiday look without any fuss.  First step - line your eyes with her new Defining Eyeliner.  The twist-up pencil is uber-thin and really easy to apply (and smudge).  I would go for Vik (deep brown) and soften with your fingertip.  Second step - apply a few coats of Luxury Lash Mascara (thickens lashes without clumping).  Third Step - use her Color Luxury Lipstick in Nambia (a beautifully sheer red with tons of sparkle).  I love this color - looks great on anyone (even my pale complexion).  Fourth (and final Step) - apply Sue Devitt Silky Blush in Koi Samui for a pretty pop of color to both cheekbones AND to your eyelids.  The soft pink shade is beautiful and has a slight glitter which makes eyes and cheeks really sparkle.  I only wish Sue Devitt carried the products in one, handy kit because I would buy this for all my friends.  It's a brilliant way to get a glam look without having to spend too much time (I mean, don't you have more shopping you need to do?!)

Note:  Samples of the products were sent by a PR representative working with Sue Devitt Beauty

Define Your Eyes

I don't have a lot of Sue Devitt products, but every time I walk by their display at ULTA, I covet at least three things, so I've been making an effort to explore the brand a little more lately.  So of course, when I was offered the chance to try out their new Defining Eyeliner, I said yes pretty much immediately.  (Especially considering my new eyeliner obsession - seriously, I can't get enough of them!  I just keep buying them.  Someone needs to stop me before I own them all!)  The Defining Eyeliners are available in three shades - Hvita (Silver), Laki (Black) and Vik (Brown), which is the one I tried out.  I really like that they're twist-up pencils because really, who wants to worry about finding a sharpener when your liner gets worn down.  Not lazy ol' me, that's for sure.  The pencil itself is creamy, so it doesn't tug at your eyes when you're applying, and once it's in place, it really stays put.  On the website, it says that they're transfer-resistant, water-resistant and smudge-proof and while I didn't test out the water claim, the other two are definitely true.  It lasts all day without much wear, which is great when you have long days ahead of you and still want to have some semblance of makeup on at the end of them.  (As opposed to some of the makeup I've tested that has actually worn off so weirdly, I've scared myself when I looked in the mirror at 10pm).  

And now that I've started trying out more Sue Devitt products, I must have at least one of her Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye Palettes.  Seriously, how gorgeous is that image above?  I love when makeup is pretty to look at and these are gorgeous in their packaging.  Must.  Have.

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

A Night of Fashion & Beauty

All those of you in NYC should definitely head over to the Tracy Reese Boutique at 641 Hudson Street tonight from 5-10pm if you get a chance.  There'll be shopping galore, with an exclusive 25% discount on all regularly priced Tracy Reese merchandise, and complimentary professional makeup applications.  You'll also get an exclusive gift with any Sue Devitt purchase.  I would so stop by if I was in NYC.  Have fun if you go!

Intensify Your Eyes

I'm always on the lookout for a good eye pencil, especially those of the thicker variety (I just find those easier to use, for some reason).  I especially enjoy using the Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils.  They're perfect for when you want to do a smoky eye because the thick pencil lets you get the color both above and below your eyes with ease.  (I'm notoriously bad at lining my lower lids - seriously, it can look like I let a child do it if I'm not careful).  The other nice thing about these pencils is that they also include a smudging brush/applicator at the other end, which allows you to lessen the intensity of the color if you over apply. I own it in Ava, a deep plum that lasts from morning to night without fading or smudging.  (And apparently, they're water resistant too!  The things you learn online...)  The pencils are $22 and are available at Sephora in a variety of colors.  I think Bangalore, a shimmering khaki green, is going to be my next purchase.  Then again, it could be Tanzania.  Or maybe Kenya...

Photo courtesy of Sephora