Author: Lindsay

Drugstore Hits and Misses

1. Almay Eyeshadow Trio Smoky Smoky Hazel – Sorry to start out on a negative note, but skip this guy. The powder has very little pigment and is quite dry. I like the idea of a kit that caters to eye color, but they missed on this one.

2. L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow – Instead, pick up these pots. They look like pressed powder but have a creamy formula. They apply like a dream. I wish they had more colors and some less metallic options but only because I love them so much. I have Endless Pearl, which is relatively matte and a great base color. Bronze Taupe is a beautiful, warm and multifaceted neutral. These appear much more expensive than they are. Also, they mean it when they say don’t discard the little interior plastic to press down the product. If it isn’t on there the powder loosens. Whoopsie.

3. Ardell Fashion Lashes Black (110) – I am relatively new to false lashes and was incredibly intimidated to try them. But I gave it a whirl with these, using Duo adhesive. It was a breeze! They look very natural and I got loads of compliments. They were comfortable to wear didn’t damage my own lashes. Use tweezers to hold the lash strip. Put a dot of glue on the back of your hand. Slowly and carefully dip the lash strip into the glue several times along base of the lashes. Lay onto your lashes, add mascara and liner to blend with your own!

4. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Blackest Black – This guy is an award winner and no surprise why. The formula has massive staying power. The color is a perfect, deep black. The brush is easy to handle. Need I say more?

5. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Coffee Cake – I’ve been ooing and ahing about this innovative product all over the social media waves. The texture is what makes this blush different. It almost feels like a makeup applicator sponge at first. It is malleable but springs back. It applies like a cream, but dries to a long staying powder appearance. The effect is not matte but there is no shimmer (which I love). I picked up Coffee Cake, a nude peach that works great for a tonal, natural face.

6. eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm – I reviewed these here, but I just had to mention them again. They are fabulous balms and are so easy to find in a big purse. They have loads of flavors with medicated and SPF options.

7. Maybelline Color Tatoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze – Another standout drugstore eyeshadow. This is creamier than the L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow, with slighly less pigment but a little more staying power. Bad to the Bronze is a lighter version of Bronze Taupe. I also wish this came in more colors because I love it so. Many of the shades are dramatic and on the cooler side.

8. eos Shave Cream, Ultra Moisturizing, Lavender Jasmine – If you like a foaming shave cream, this isn’t for you. But the smell is what sold me. It also comes in pomegranate raspberry, island blue, cucumber melon, vanilla bliss and sensitive – fragrance free. It is massively hydrating and almost feels like conditioner.

9. eos Refresh Active Care Hand and Body Lotion – Again, they got me on the fabulous scent. The fresh cucumber lingers just enough. It isn’t greasy in the least bit. These products aren’t tested on animals and paraban-free. I’m becoming quite the eos fan.

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain

I’ve run across some incredibly clever video vignettes from the cosmetics companies lately, like this one from Chanel. Literally, as I was testing out the new YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stain, I stumbled on this charming video about making the glosses.

http://youtu.be/pN5zCZqfkbM

A product this inventive is deserving of it’s own movie. The formula is literally like no other. It bills itself as a “glossy stain”, but I think it falls slightly more on the stain side of the spectrum. What makes it different is the supple, shiny application. It looks like a shiny lipstick after applied. After a couple hours of wear, it fades into a stain. It is not drying in the least and in the stain phase, works great under a sheer gloss.

This bottle looks deceivingly like nail polish and I love the shock factor of pulling it out and swiping it on my lips. And it has a subtle but pleasant fruity flavor. I was worried about the relatively large applicator but it is actually quite nimble. I chose Rouge Gouache (a slightly darker version of what appears to be a blogger favorite, Corail Fauve). It is a bold red with just a touch of fuschia. Even though it is darker, the texture is so lightweight, it is perfect for summer. Those little boxes online are horrible indicators of the color, so I suggest checking out Karla’s gorgeous swatches to help you decide which shade to pick up.

Lancome Rouge in Love Lip Color

So, either advertising works or I am a marketer’s dream. I have loved these Lancome ads with Emma Watson and just had to have the new Lancome lipstick – Lancome Rouge in Love Lip Color. And not a moment of regret. The product is pigmented, soft and long-wearing. The color never stains my lips, but is pretty persistant through everyday tasks. It won’t last a meal, but easily survives a diet coke.

Because the ads and name were so feminine, I decided to try a rosy, bright pink – Roses in Love from the Jolis Matins mood.

The shades are developed into three moods. I actually like this idea –  it makes allows a customer to narrow down the avaialable colors based on the desired look or taste.

  • Jolis Matins: “Pretty morning” – ready-to-wear, and luminous fresh day shades that recreate daylight on the lips, for subtle and soft brilliance, due to the precious mother-of-pearl.
  • Boudoir Time: Trendy, punchy “it” shades that give color to the lips thanks to the intense contrasted mother-of-pearl. These shades offer an intense bright color reflection. Perfect to start the evening right.
  • Tonight is My Night: Sophisticated, pure intense shades to give depth to lips and brighten a night out, for a deep lacquered effect and luminous color, thanks to gold mother-of-pearl.

These little tubes of lipstick are compact but rest assured they contain the same amount of product as Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 and NARS Lipstick (0.12 oz.).

 

Kiehl’s Desert Run for amfAR – Limited Edition Desert Run Travel Essentials Kit

Calling all biker beauty lovers! This is such a cool event, celebrating Kiehl’s unique 161-year-old heritage with motorcycles while building HIV/AIDS awareness. Kiehl’s Desert Run for amfAR will travel from Las Vegas to Los Angeles March 29 through April 2, 2012, to raise funds and awareness for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

Also supporting amfAR (and for those of us who are not bikers), the Limited Edition Desert Run Travel Essentials Kit is an assortment of Kiehl’s best-selling travel size products, with 100% of Kiehl’s net profits from the sale of this product, up to $25,000, to benefit amfAR. The kit retails for $69.00, and features Amino Acid Shampoo & Conditioner, Ultra Facial Cleanser, Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps, Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 15 and Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

If you are in the neighborhood, you can swing by one of the Desert Run stops for music and refreshments. Or you can join the Desert Run Community Ride, Sunday, April 1, from Kiehl’s at The Grove to Kiehl’s on Robertson Blvd. Those interested in riding must e-mail [email protected] to RSVP and for additional details.

The stops include:

  • March 29th: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV – 3:00pm – 5:00pm Forum Shops at Caesars
  • March 31st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at Saks Fifth Avenue– 2:00pm – 4:00pm
  • April 1st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at South Coast Plaza – 12:00pm
  • April 1st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 at The Grove – 3:00pm **Desert Run Community Ride**
  • April 1st: Kiehl’s Since 1851 on Robertson Blvd. – 4:30 pm

Essie Spring Collection 2012 – Orange, It’s Obvious! Nail Polish

To accompany my recent acquired “tan” thanks to Xen-Tan, I need a shock of a bright color for my manicure. It is finally spring, after all. I picked up one of my bottles from the Essie Spring Collection – Orange, It’s Obvious!. The shade is perfectly on trend and looks great with darker skin tones.

If the orange shade doesn’t suit you, the spring collection is full of other options. Rock mint green with Navigate Her. I love the fuchsia shade, Tour de Finance. Or the timeless neutral, A Crewed Interest.

Nexxus ProMend Styling & Frizz Defy

Talk about a breakthrough. I have never seen something work so well against the dreaded frizz. Nexxus just launched two collections: Pro Mend and Frizz Defy. Frankly, I love all the products but there was definitely a standout. The Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Conditioner leaves my hair smooth, hydrated, healed and without one bit of unwanted fluffiness. In fact, I didn’t even dry my hair – just threw it up in a bun. When I took my hair down, it was full of smooth bouncy waves. I even earned a compliment or two. This stuff is going is going to be a lifesaver during the humid summer months.

The other collection, Pro Mend, comes in handy when you are a week or two overdue for a hair cut (or months as was my recent situation). While it doesn’t “repair” split ends, it does bind them together using molecular technology for a quick fix. My favorite products from the collection are the  Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum and  Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion. They definitely give the illusion of shiny, healthy hair.

The whole product line from both collections:

ProMend

  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Bodifying Mousse
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Curl Defining Crème Gel
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Smoothing Shine Serum
  • Nexxus ProMend Split End Binding Straightening Lotion

Frizz Defy

  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Shampoo
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Conditioner
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Styling Crème
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Leave-in Oil Shine Treatment
  • Nexxus Frizz Defy Frizz Protection Hair Spray
You can find these products at drugstore.com, where this product qualifies for free shipping and it is on sale. Yay!