The Beauty Blogazons Roundup September 29, 2012

• Très Beau Glamour: Weekly exfoliation is a must to help remove the dead skin on your body; especially for these upcoming winter months. Nay has recently come across an amazing affordable vanilla scented body scrub. The scrub is made by Avon and comes in three amazing scents. Read on for the review, info and pictures.
• Adore-a-polish: Ever wanted a dupe for Julep Maria? Well, I found one! Check out a comparison of Julep Maria and Butter London Fairy Lights.
• Blush and Beakers: Let's talk about honey, honey. Cosmetics Aficionado: False lashes have you frustrated?
• Cosmetics Aficionado shows you the perfect tool for perfect application every time.
• Mama Fashionista: Looking for a (mostly) natural lotion to keep the dry at bay as the season changes? Maybe Burt's Bees has just what you're searching for!
• Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: If you are looking for the perfect facial scrub, then Lola's Secret Beauty Blog thinks you should look no further than Reviva Labs Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub-- it's really that good!
• My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura from My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog brightens up her complexion with Besame Cosmetics.
• Shades Of Beauty, Inc.: Coterie & butter LONDON Collaboration...Swatches
• Amber Did It!: Amber is in week three of her NFL Nail Art Series with the St. Louis Rams Nail Art
• TheFabZilla: TheFabZilla reveals the truth on lip plumping products.Plus she tried one that doesn't sting!
• MakeUpMom123: Halloween Spooktacular Giveaway!
• Beauty Thesis: Sharing some first impressions and swatches of the Master Class palette by Smashbox.
• Beauty Product Review: How many lip products do you have? Come check out my collection so far!
• Polarbelle: Polarbelle discovers a happy color by combining Cult Nails topcoats from The Deceptive Collection.
• Love At First Site!: The Nectalys found its way into my cosmetics as a sample - gift with some purchases I made at Avene's counter and thought to try it as I was looking for a new serum. Well as you can gather, I tried it, I loved it and once the sample finished I bought a normal size and that was the sequence of events that followed that first thought! ;)
• Lacquer Buzz: Half moon manicures are in this season. Lacquer Buzz does half moons with a twist!
• Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: One of the new tombstone polishes from WetnWild Fantasy Makers is featured on Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom
• Passion for Polish: shows you a colorful Hard Candy cloud manicure!
• The Convenient Beauty: A Summer-farewell look with Dior Rosy Tan and Chanel Glossimer Pink Teaser
• Lisa's Nail Obsession: We are all polka-dots WITH A BOW ON TOP at Lisa's Nail Obsession!
• Spontaneous Chick: Spontaneous Chick posted an emerginC review about a cleanser that made her feel like she walked out of a spa every single time she used it.
• The Science Of Chic: Check out Carly's review of the new Maybelline Cat Eyes mascara. Will this new pretty kitty be the purrrrfect mascara or will it get the kitty cone of shame?
• Trouble-Maker On Heels: Trouble-Maker On Heels is challenging autumn colours in makeup challenge
• Jamegackie: Check out the entries for week two of the Nails Before Halloween Challenge! The
• Beauty Think Tank: Every so often, The Beauty Think Tank showcases some highlights of her personal collection, this time it's the shimmery goodness of MAC Mineralized Skinfinishes!
• Lipgloss Break: Enter to win a bottle of Argania 1640 Argan Oil from Lipgloss Break!
• Peace Love and Glitter: 100% all natural moisturizer that can be used on your hair, skin, and lips. And it's under $15? Say what?
• Karinea0a: Saran wrap nails for fall

Rest in Peace, My Beloved Emma September 1997- September 29, 2012

Emma was the sweetest kitty, and an amazingly resilient girl. We spent 15 great years together- 11 of which she was an insulin dependent diabetic, but it really didn't slow her down. In the last year she developed thyroid disease as well,  and as a result her little body began to fail her. While she was regulated by medications, her body began to give way under the weight of her diseases- which also began to impact her kidney function.

Emma had the loudest purr that I have ever heard, and she announced her happiness and joy with her lyrical little voice all of the time as well. She decided that she loved my niece's pink chair (which was destined for a yard sale) so it sat in our house until she lost interest in it.

Emma didn't want her daddy to go on a surf trip so she sat in protest on his board bag to make her point utterly clear. She knew the difference between an out of the country surf trip versus just going to the beach to surf on the weekends. She was a smart and tuned in kitty.

Emma loved hanging out in the backyard- even as she became more frail. She also never lost her voracious appetite- she could always eat most cats twice her size under the table. Even just two days ago she was pushing the other kitties away from their food to eat theirs as well!

To say that I feel gutted, having just lost my baby only a couple of hours ago, is an understatement of the highest order. I just keep wandering around the house aimlessly- tearful and hollow. I somehow feel as though I will find her sleeping in one of her favorite spots, but instead I'm greeted by a silence and an absence that leaves me without any comfort. I realize that I am so lucky to have shared 15 great years with this wonderful little soul, but somehow even that knowledge does little to soothe my broken heart. My dearest sweetest Emma- I loved you the moment our eyes met at the shelter, and with each passing day I loved you more than the one before and less than the one that followed. I will forever miss you.  >^..^<

The Beauty Spotlight Team September 29, 2012

 London MakeUp Girl met one of her favourite makeup artists, Rose-Marie Swift. This led to the purchase of a few more RMS Beauty goodies - read about them on her blog post on her new RMS Beauty purchases.

Nothing says Fall like Halloween! Jessika from polish insomniac highlights the 2012 Halloween polishes from three brands - OPI, China Glaze and Orly!

Lola from Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog resisted the charms of Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm for a long time, but now can’t imagine living without this gorgeous pink gem!!

The Pink Sith’s Brain has a conversation with her Eyelids about three Eyeshadow Primers from Stars Makeup Haven. It’s a little bizarre.

Modesty Brown has got the blues, the navy blues to be exact. See how she gets on with the Laura Mercier Mystere eyeshadow duo.

Wanna see Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed naked? Of course you don't, nobody wants to see that - but you do want to see her Dior New Nude collection nails so come check out her swatches!

15 Minute Beauty learned a new way to curl her hair with a flat iron from the Charlotte Ronson Runway! . Looking for a yummy scent for Fall?  

Pammy Blogs Beauty finds her new favorite Fall scent with LUSH's Vanilliary Perfume.

Have you answered the Call of the Wild?  Beauty Info Zone has and they want you to see what to expect.

Visionary Beauty has an attempt at replicating the Rouge Bunny Rouge Santa Ana Autumn look.

Did you watch the Emmy's? Paula, from Older Girl Beauty, did & links to some of the looks for the night & what to use to create the looks at home.

Prime Beauty isn't the jealous but she might make you jealous when you see all the great green eyeliners in her life.

Perilously Pale fell so in love with MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream in Iconic Red that she couldn't help but order six more shades! Come take at look at the beautiful array of Aqua Rouges.

Kiehl's Flash Sale on Hautelook- September 28, 2012 at 8AM PST

If you are a fan of Kiehl's, then you probably won't want to miss their flash sale on Hautelook this morning!!! Image from Hautelook.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Avant Garde Make Up Challenge

To enter the contest visit the MAKE UP FOR EVER Facebook page. Good Luck! Image from MAKE UP FOR EVER.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Eyeshadow in Tough as Taupe- Review & Swatches

I have not even looked at any Maybelline products outside of their eye makeup removers in years, and while I am well aware that they have really upped their game recently- I just never saw anything that I really wanted to try. Well, that is until I saw their Color Tattoo 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Tough as Taupe.

Tough as Taupe is a grayish brownish Taupe shade that is definitely more cool-leaning. It is also a bit darker when applied to the skin that it is when left unblemished in the little glass pot. It has a matte finish, and opaque buildable coverage. The cream gel formula makes it apply in a very smooth and easy manner, but it sets rather quickly-- so you will want to work fast. Once it sets I get about 10 hours of wear without any fading (and I didn't wear a primer), but I do not have oily lids-- so your wear-time may vary considerably. I will not be testing whether or not it can live up to the 24 hour wear-time claim-- because I don't make it a practice to sleep in my makeup! Suffice it to say, it does have impressive staying power. I applied it with my fingers rather than with a brush, and was very pleased with the results.

 Medium swatch in the afternoon sun

According to Maybelline:
• Ink technology creates 24HR wear shadow for our most intense, long-lasting color saturation
• Cream formula glides on without creasing and keeps color vibrant
• Ophthalmologist-tested.  Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

Heavy swatch on top in the morning light shows how cool this color is.

Overall assessment: I am a big fan of cream eye shadows in little glass pots- I love MAC Paint Pots and MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Creams (though not in a little glass pot)- so this is definitely a nice budget friendly version that is sure to please a great many cream shadow enthusiasts. I didn't see any other colors that beckoned me,  but if I do I will probably grab them.

.14 oz. for about $6.00- $7.00. I picked mine up on sale at CVS. Available where Maybelline is sold.

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection Launches!

MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection is now available online! Click here to see! Free Shipping Code: MARILYN. Image from MAC.

September Favorites!

This month I decided to feature products that I am coveting right now, but that I haven't yet reviewed (save for two items that I just reviewed this week). These are either new products in my arsenal, or those that I have recently rediscovered and am reaching for with great frequency. I am hopelessly smitten with these products, and this post is my Ode to them! That said, I will keep my comments short and sweet since I will be reviewing each of them individually in the coming weeks.

Skincare Products Left to Right and Clockwise:
1) Sponge Krema Imeras (Anti-Aging Day Cream)- I am generally not prone to purchasing skincare products before trying a sample first since my combination skin can, at times, be rather reactive to new things. However, I am so taken by Sponge Skincare products, and they work so well for me that I wasn't at all reluctant to buy Krema Imeras before trying it. This is an antioxidant rich anti-aging daily moisturizer that is infused with Linden, Sage and Rosemary. The smell is delectable and it feels divine on the skin. I'm so glad that I bought this-- it's definitely another hit from Sponge!

2) Sponge Krema Triantafillo (Rose Sage Cream)- I tried several sample packets of Krema Triantafillo, and knew that I was going to buy a bottle before I finished the first packet. This lovely cream can be used day or night and is a sumptuous tactile experienced. It is infused with Rose Hips and Sage and was specifically formulated for sensitive skin. It is light and hydrating, and it feels soothing and comfortable on the skin.

3) Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil- Olio Lusso is an ultra luxurious face oil that I am finding rather addictive and intoxicating. First of all this delightful elixir smells of Jasmine which is known for having a calming effect, and which is an effective skin softener. What I find remarkable about this oil is how quickly it sinks into the skin (more so than any other face oil that I have used) and leaves it hydrated and glowing. I was concerned that I would be off put by the scent, but instead am delighted by it. The scent does fade, but the benefits of this liquid gold do not! I'm in love!

5) Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder- This is simply an extraordinary product. This is a water activated enzyme powder that exfoliates the skin without any harsh abrasives, and it literally leaves your skin baby soft. Unbelievable product!

6) FutureDerm Time-Release Retinol 0.5- I love using retinol products at night, and this one is a highly effective gel-based formula that packs a real punch. While it is gentle, it really means business. It also has a very reasonable price point- which is even better!

7) Reviva Labs Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub (reviewed here)- This is the best scrub that I have tried in a very long time. It is so gentle and effective, and my skin is glowing and smooth with a renewed clarity after use.

8) Tatcha One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil- I am a big fan of cleansing oils, and this is the best one that I have ever tried. It is formulated without mineral oil, and is ideal for all skin types according to Tatcha. It cleans everything off of my skin effortlessly.

9) Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm (reviewed here)- This is my new favorite lip balm, without question. It leaves my lips so hydrated, and it feels so comfortable on the lips. It doesn't hurt that the gorgeous minimal modern packaging is so lovely to behold either.

Haircare Products Left to Right:
1) Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Shampoo- I have used this shampoo at many different times over the years, but hadn't used it in a long time. It is a low lather ultra moisturizing natural shampoo that is perfect for my naturally curly hair. The smell is delicious, but does fade. I forgot how much I loved this shampoo!

2) Aubrey Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing Conditioner- This really is the perfect companion to their Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo. This conditioner is ultra moisturizing, and it leaves my hair with soft curls.

3) Rodin By Recine Luxury Hair Oil- Just a few drops of this wondrous oil, and my hair is soft, manageable, and shiny. I like to use it as a styling aid by adding a few drops to my damp hair, but it can also be used as a scalp treatment, a deep conditioner, and can be brushed from roots to tips. This magical blend of oils is truly amazing!

4) Oribe Curl By Definition Crème- This is one of the best curl enhancing creams that I have ever used! It leaves curls soft and frizz-free without ever being crunchy!! It also imparts a luminous shine that is simply gorgeous!

5) scrünci hair ties- I love these hair ties! They are inexpensive, they don't pull the hair, and they are so easy to find!

Body Products:
1) Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Body Oil- Like the face oil, the body oil is ultra moisturizing. This oil smells delightful, just like the face oil, and it also sinks in very fast. It leaves the skin glowing and soft,  and it is simply divine.

2) Kiss My Face Active Life Stick-Cucumber Green Tea Deodorant- While my uncontested favorite deodorant is the lovely one made by Kai, I always have more than one deodorant in rotation at a given time (usually about three of them, actually). I love Kiss My Face products, and so when I was at Whole Foods the other day I picked this one up because it smelled so yummy. I really like it, and it works well.

Makeup Left to Right:
1) Rouge Bunny Rouge Forever Yours...Long-Lasting Lip Pencil in Roald (Pure matte, pale mauve)- Rouge Bunny Rouge definitely makes my very favorite lip pencils, and Roald is a real stunner. Their lip pencils are creamy, long lasting, beautifully pigmented, and gorgeous!

2) Le Métier de Beauté  Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss in Uma Paro- This is the perfect vampy lip gloss for people afraid to wear bold vampy lipsticks.  Of course you can wear it on top of a vampy lipstick, like Bali, to really vamp it up-- but you can also sheer it out and wear it alone! The formula is superb, and it is moisturizing and non-sticky-- making it an amazing product.

3) Rouge Bunny Rouge Sweet Excesses Glassy Gloss in Mousse Fandango (dark tone milky pink with the barest whispers of grayish mauve and a touch of silver micro pearls)- The Sweet Excesses Glassy Gloss formula is extraordinary. It imparts a brilliant shine, is non-sticky, and is moisturizing. Mousse Fandango is a lovely milky pink that is a bit more sheer than pigmented, and it gives lips the perfect pink pout.

4) Rouge Bunny Rouge Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipstick in Murmurings (Wet effect, sheer cool damson)- Murmurings is a plummy red hue with a touch of brown. The sheer formula is somewhat buildable, and it leaves your lips with the perfect moist shine. There is the perfect amount of cushion, and this formula is inherently comfortable on the lips. I love this color, and I find it so easy to wear.

5) Rouge Bunny Rouge When Birds Are Singing- Long-lasting Eye Shadow in Solstice Halcyon (Semi-matte mauve beige)- I would say that Solstice is more of a mauve beige taupe in color, and a gorgeous one at that. The formula is soft and silky, applies like a dream, and looks amazing on. This is the perfect shadow when you want a wash of color with some eyeliner and that's it. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite eye shadows.

6) MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes Mat Black OL- Once you apply this pencil, it really won't budge. It's truly an amazing eye pencil.

Reviva Labs Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub- Review

As a confirmed skincare junkie, I try a great many products-- both as a means of satisfying my own curiosity, and in an effort to bring you an unbiased view about the efficacy and quality of the many products that I try (in order to take some of the guesswork out of it for you). My person leanings have generally tended to favor luxury niche brands, but the sheer quality of every product that I have tried from Reviva Labs has caused a bit of a paradigm shift in my view of skincare. That is not to say that I plan on abandoning my favorite luxury lines, but instead Reviva Labs has radically broadened my view by showing me that high quality effective products do not have to cost a small fortune. Quite often affordable skincare lines tend to use lesser quality ingredients that may result in an adverse reaction or load the skin up with unnecessarily high levels of chemicals, but this is certainly not the case with Reviva Labs. Instead, they use the highest quality ingredients in their products, and their products are highly effective and affordable. What's more, is the fact that they are and always have been a Cruelty Free company.

I am a huge fan of scrubs and peels, so one of the Reviva Labs products that I was most intrigued and excited by was their Microdermabrasion Pomegranate Scrub. Their description alone excited me: "Our New, Improved Formula! Now even sensitive skin can enjoy microdermabrasion! With pure mild magnesium oxide, pomegranate, and soothing, calming organic oils. Reviva's microdermabrasion pomegranate scrub helps retexturize skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles or rough skin by featuring gentle magnesium oxide crystals and pomegranate instead of abrasive aluminum oxide. And to further avoid irritation as it exfoliates and removes impurities, our Micro Scrub induces a complex of organic oils. Cleanses in depth but gentle enough to use on even sensitive or acne skin." 

How could this be that they could create a highly effective scrub that retextures the skin, reduces that appearance of fine lines, thoroughly and deeply cleanses the skin without irritation, and is gentle enough for sensitive or acne prone skin types? I'm not sure how they did it, but they did! 

My first observation was that the tiny scrubbing particles felt uniform in shape, and clearly without jagged sharp and scratchy bits that often damage the surface of the skin while removing dead skin. This effective cleanser is densely packed with little magical scrubbing particles that actually feel good against the skin. I applied a small amount to my damp face, and per their instructions I gently massaged it on my face for about 2-3 minutes. When I say gently, I do mean gently-- using a light hand is all that is necessary. After massaging it for the requisite amount of time, I rinsed it off with water (they recommend cool water, but I opted to use tepid water instead), and was stunned by just how soft and supple my skin was. It gently and effectively resurfaced my skin by removing all of the dead skin, and it simultaneously softened and moisturized my skin-- rather than stripping it as many scrubs tend to do. I also noted that it did an extraordinary job of removing debris and gunk from clogged pores- which is always a huge plus for me.  I have used many many scrubs over the years, but none have left my skin moisturized, soft and supple. Indeed, this product is so effective that it feels as though I have a received a professional facial each time that I use it- rather than one that took 2-3 minutes at home. My combination skin can be quite sensitive, but this scrub didn't irritate my skin in the least bit.

Overall assessment: THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PRODUCT! This is a remarkably effective scrub that is peerless in its ability to remove dead skin while simultaneously nourishing he skin without irritation. This is one of the very best scrubs that I have tried in more years than I can remember, and I can safely say that once I empty this jar that I will be purchasing another! The price point is remarkable- especially when you consider how concentrated the product is. I love the fact that Reviva Labs is Cruelty Free, and that this product is free of parabens! This earns an A+

$19.00 2 oz. jar (sale price) from Reviva Labs. PR sample sent for my consideration, but the views expressed are categorically my own.

Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm: A Small Pink Slice of Heaven- Review

I am a huge proponent of moisturizing lip balms, but I really have a penchant for those that are out of the realm of the ordinary. As a result, I have been coveting Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm from afar until just recently. I can say, without hesitation, that it was well worth the wait.  This luxe little gem fittingly lives up to the name Olio Lusso-- as it is indeed luxurious.

Unfolding the package feels a bit like opening up an origami swan to learn the secrets of its creation. Once open, you are greeted my a chic clear lucite compact, which is at once minimal and unmistakably elegant.  Indeed, it is such an alluring and attractive lip balm that you will surely delight in just seeing it- let alone using it.

Of course all of this would be for naught, were the contents of this beauty merely average in quality- which is hardly the case.

According to Rodin, "All-natural RODIN Lip Balm does for your lips what RODIN Olio Lusso Face Oil does for your complexion—it smoothes and softens, leaving a protective sheen on the lips that feels as good as it looks. Packed into this delightfully sheer and moisturizing lip pomade are a highly emollient, deliciously rich and kissable blend of jasmine, orange flower oil, shea butter, beeswax, and castor seed oil. This blush-toned luxury lip balm is beautifully packaged in a chic, square art modern-style lucite compact, perfect for carrying in your pocket or purse. Apply at frequent intervals, whenever lips start to feel dry. May be worn under or over lipstick, for extra emolliency."

I find this luxury lip balm to be highly emollient and delightfully moisturizing. My lips are left soft, smooth and supple. It has the faint scent of orange flower oil and jasmine, which I find intoxicating, but that does fade rather quickly. It also imparts the lips with a very sexy light pink hue that adds to the allure of this balm. The balm is quite dense and somewhat hard in the compact, but once it melts into your lips it is pure unmitigated heaven! The only thing that might be off-putting is the scent to those who are not fond of of jasmine and orange, but as previously noted the scent does fade rather quickly. For the scores of people who prefer lip balms in tubes for sanitary reasons: it is worth washing your hands or using a hand sanitizer prior to use- because the benefits of this balm are worth the extra trouble!

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (castor) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (beeswax), Butyrospermum Parkii (shea Butter) Oil, Jasminum Offcinale (jasmine) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (orange) Flower Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa (argan) Kernel Oil, Mica, Ci 77891 (titanium Dioxide), Ci 75470, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Farnesol, Geraniol, Citral.

Overall assessment: What can I say, this is one of those products that just makes me happy in every way. I love the design of the packaging, the way that the balm feels, the way that it looks on my lips, and most importantly how well it moisturizes and protects my lips. This might well become one of my Holy Grail lip products. I am very happy with my purchase!

$30.00 for 0.17 oz. From Barneys New York, Beautyhabit, B-Glowin, Dermstore & Beauty.com (Affiliate Links).

The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup 9/23/12

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage. : Lush Emotional Brilliance Left Glitter.Gloss.Garbage Underwhelmed.

Polarbelle: Polarbelle wants you to enter to win a set of four beautiful Orly nail polishes.

Girl Gloss: Girl Gloss looks at How to Apply Foundation with tips and tricks for perfect makeup.

Shades Of Beauty, Inc.: Nanacoco Crystal HD Polish...A BSS find not to be overlooked.

Perilously Pale: Don't let the word glitter scare you! The Rouge Bunny Rouge Fire Drops Loose Glitter Pigments are softly shimmering dimensional eyeshadows anyone can love! Perilously Pale shows us swatches of all the shades.

Jamegackie: Ready For Halloween Nails? Check out these Nightmare Before Christmas inspired nails!

The Convenient Beauty: The Convenient Beauty is loving the unique color turn-out of Burberry Devon Sunset lipstick.

The Beauty Think Tank: The Beauty Think Tank gives you the lowdown on September's Birchbox, complete with witty commentary.

Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom showcases the bright green neon of Color Club Limelight.

Beauty Info Zone: Butter London polishes have something for everyone with their new Fall/Winter collection. Come pick your favorite.

Love My Nails: Check out my awesomely cute manicure for the third week of the Girly Girl Challenge, It's really awesome.

A Little Polish: Don't want the summer to end? Check out Stephanie's Leafy Green Mani before it's too late.

TheFabZilla: It's the great battle of the gel eyeliners at TheFabZilla. See which won between INGLOT 77 Matte and MAC Blacktrack Fluidline.

Blush and Beakers: Among the frenzy of New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 this beauty blogger got to cover backstage at Timo Weiland.

Lisa's Nail Obsession: Delicate and elegant girly girl nail art.

Lacquer Buzz: Are you ready to embark on a nail art journey around the world? Lacquer Buzz takes you to the most exotic destinations. Next stop: Spain!
 
Trouble-Maker on Heels: No7 Skin Illuminator made Troublemakeronheels' skin radiant and healthy looking.

The Beauty Specialist!: Ray participated for the first time in an eye make-up contest & wants your opinion regarding her looks.

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Lola's Secret Beauty Blog recently made the fantastic discovery that Ken Downing's mythologized Le Métier de Beauté Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Purple Haze is still available- what an extraordinary coup!

Liesl Loves Pretty Things: Liesl loves silver holos. Find out Why Butter London Dodgy Barnett is her favorite.

Pinked Polish: Pinked Polish is Celebrating 500 likes on Facebook with a Huge 2 Part Giveaway.
 
Kimpelling Beauty: Girly Girl Nail Challenge: Delicate and Elegant. butter LONDON Knees Up with lace stamping.

Cosmetics Aficionado: Did Buxom's Big & Healthy Lip Cream in White Russian give Cosmetics Aficionado big and healthy lips? Find out!

Passion for Polish: Leopard print nails, anyone? Check out Passion for Polish's tutorial!

Bliss Works Beauty: Fun & funky manis, reviews of beauty products, & coupon codes to save you $$$.
 
Midnight Manicures: Midnight Manicures shares with you the do's and don'ts when it comes to Essie's no place like chrome polish.

Crows' Feet, Cupcakes, and Cellulite: Anastasia Kisses On My List (Vol. 2) HydraFull gloss set passes Crows' Feet, Cupcakes, and Cellulite's "Gloss Greatness" test with flying colors!

adore-a-polish: Join in on the swatch-a-thon! 7 of Avon's eye shadow quad's and one duo take to the stage in a swatching frenzy.

Peace Love and Glitter: YoHave you ever been curious about the waxing? You know, the process of ripping the hair out of your skin? It sounds scary, but it's really not (and your hair stays gone for a lot longer than shaving!). This is a simple explanation of how the process works and what you can expect from it.

Très Beau Glamour: Looking to find a way to pamper your feet without spending a ton of money? Want your own personal foot spa? With three items you can create the perfect spa treatment for your feet. Check out Nay's review on the Avon's Foot Works in Cherry Ice.

DeyiMizu: Fall is here; Get warm with this warm fall FOTD Ishah x Beauty: Ishah x Beauty creates love heart nails using the Red Carpet Manicure DIY gel kit.

Beauty Fiends: Julia at Beauty Fiends has the limited edition Dita Von Teese Classics collection beauty box and shadows from ArtDeco!

Beauty Thesis: A re-creation of Erica Dixon's makeup from the Love & Hip Hop Atlanta reunion show.

Beauty Product Review: e.l.f. is getting Villainous with their new Limited Edition Disney Villains Palette. Come check it out!

Saturday Beauty Blog Hop- September 22, 2012

As you might well imagine, most beauty bloggers love to read other beauty blogs-- because it is so fun and informative, and it's a great way to socialize with friends and keep abreast of the latest and greatest beauty finds!

It was thus the ingenious idea of the ever-brilliant Carleen from Beauty & Fashion Tech to host a Saturday Beauty Blog Hop-- so be sure to click on the link to see what it is all about! Enjoy!

Beauty Spotlight Team Mystery Post: What's in Lisa Marie's Dressing Table?

For some time we've suspected that Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed is all kinds of nuts but her turn with the Beauty Spotlight's "What's In My...?" proves it beyond any doubt! Take a trip into her twisted mind and overstuffed dressing table and be sure to stay tuned for her upcoming appearance on "Hoarders - Beauty Edition"!

REN Gift With Purchase Alert! Now Through September 24, 2012

REN is offering a lovely GWP- so if you were looking to restock or try something new (hello new Anti-Aging Eye Cream!!)- then this might just be the right time. Click here for more information. Image from REN.

Lucy Got Her First Haircut!!

Lucy was beginning to look a bit more like a mop or a swiffer than a puppy- so when she went to get her last set of shots we decided to free her from all of her very long hair. She looks like a different puppy now, but she is no doubt far more comfortable given that it is still pretty warm here! You can probably tell that she has also grown quite a bit.

Barneys Love Yourself Gift Bag Revealed! September 20, 2012

The back entrance to Paradise.

Gift Bag

CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS ON THE LOVE YOURSELF BAG EVENT

This is what I received in mine. Click to enlarge. Yes, Oliver is officially the "paw model," and I do believe he may have a bright future here in Los Angeles!

Le Métier de Beauté Ken Downing Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Purple Haze- Still Available- Review & Swatches

I cannot even begin to explain how much I love the Le Métier de Beauté Lip Creme Lip Gloss formula-- it is simply an exquisite formula, and perhaps the perfect lip gloss of all time. When I discovered that Ken Downing's Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Purple Haze, from Fall 2011, was still available-- I nearly screamed!  Purple Haze is a gorgeous light mauve with a gorgeous pink and plummy shimmer, and it is nothing if not stunning!!

According to the Neiman Marcus website: "Gloss is SEXY!," exclaims Mr. Downing. "As the finishing touch to a perfectly painted lip or a sheer shimmer to a nude mouth, gloss gives GORGEOUS in three seconds flat."

Drawing on a look of polished sophistication and a love for bold, wine hues, Mr. Downing adds two Lip Creme Lip Glosses to The Bordeaux Collection, his second color collaboration with Le Metier de Beaute, and just in time for the holiday party season.

• In the Know Bordeaux, a scrumptious scarlet with seductive shine. (also still available)
• Purple Haze, a luminous berry mixed with light, creamy tones.

A hybrid of gloss and lipstick, Lip Creme Lip Gloss combines chic color, antioxidants, intense emollients and rich shine for a creamy full-coverage that feels soft and feather light on lips.

• Enriched with antioxidants A, C, and E.
• Silky texture and easy glide formula.
• Never heavy, sticky, or gooey.
• Signature, luxe vanilla scent.

Purple Haze is probably the perfect mauvy pink shade in my stash, and the fact that it's quite pigmented is a real plus. Additionally, the fact that it is a lip gloss and lipstick hybrid makes it longer wearing than a lipgloss, and gives it the pigmentation and saturation of a lipstick. It has the perfect amount of cushion and is incredibly comfortable on the lips. It is moisturizing, non-sticky, has the fabulous LMdB vanilla signature scent, and is a real stunner. This is quite possibly the perfect mauve in human history.

Overall assessment: I think I need a backup before it sells out.

$36.00 Exclusively at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I noticed that Neiman Marcus is offering Free Shipping with Code: NMSHIP (stock photo from Neiman Marcus)

Empties Post: Volume II- September 2012

I should preface this post by stating that I made a concerted effort to work my way to the bottom of lots and lots of samples this month. With real determination, I managed to get through a great many little vials, jars, and bottles. I have a rather frightening pile of samples that I have been testing, and the first on my hit-list were those that were partially used. Also in fairness, many of the full-sized products were getting pretty close to empty, but not empty enough to make it into my August Empties Post. 

Skincare Products: Lots and lots of Suki Skincare empties this month! I finished up a full-sized bottle of Suki Renewal Bio-Resurfacing Facial Peel (fantastic, but probably too active for those sensitive skin), and piles of the small glass vials of travel sized Suki products. Since they are natural products, I figured that I should use them up before they went bad- most of them were partially used up- so it took very little effort to empty them. There were a few Sunday Riley empties this month as well. Also lots of little jars of various creams, lotions and cleansers. I also made my way through two Shiseido sunscreens samples, a Tatcha Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (this stuff is extraordinary!), several packets of Sponge products (a truly magical line that has stolen my heart), there's also a Tata Harper sample, and then finally a full-sized jar of Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base- which was a really lovely oil-free lightweight, but moisturizing cream that works very well under makeup.

Body Care Products: The Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Bodyskin Cream was a great moisturizer, but sadly it was one of the many things that they seemed to recently discontinue (hopefully they are planning on bringing it back). The Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy & Honey Whipped Body Butter is awesome! It took very little time to get through the sample jar, but I still have a huge jar- so I am quite happy about that! I wouldn't usually even include a regular hand soap in my line-up, but all four that I featured were fantastic and worthy of mention. First the Green Tea French Milled Soap from Whole Foods is wonderful, and I will definitely repurchase it. The two Shannon's Soaps were lovely down to the last scraps, and definitely worth replacing. The biggest surprise was the In-Kind Natural Hand Soap that I grabbed from Pavilions (AKA Vons, Safeway) because it was on sale. It was a lovely moisturizing soap that I will definitely pick up again. The 80 Acres Verde Hand and Body Cream was a wonderful and delightful smelling and feeling discovery, and thankfully I have one of their soaps to try next. I made it through the small sized bottle of Shave with Benefits, and am now working my way through one of the full-sized bottles-- I love this stuff. Not that crazy about the Tom's unscented deodorant, but I am happy with the Lemongrass version that I am currently rotating with my Kai Deodorant (pure awesomeness). The Nourish Deodorant is a super natural deodorant made with Shea butter, cocoa butter and all sorts of emollient ingredients, but I found that it worked nicely.

Haircare Products: The Living Proof hairspray sample was quite nice, but I'm not much of a hairspray kind of girl. I loved the Oribe Signature Shampoo-- it was quite hydrating, smelled divine, and made my curly hair happy! The Davines Defining Paste was a great product-- I did dilute it with water in my hands and found that it gave me really nicely defined curls without feeling heavy or crunchy.

Makeup & Lip Balms: I made my way through a few more makeup items this month (which makes me very happy)! The Tarte emphasEYES inner rim eye pencil did not wow me in the least bit-- it was stiff and kept crumbling. I'm not big on wearing liner on my waterline, but it was too hard to use in that application. When I tried to apply it to my upper or lower lids- I would eventually get it to apply, but not without lots of wasted product. I really liked the Clinique Quickliner for Eyes, and was actually pretty sad when it was gone. The empty square pan beneath the pencils was a Trish McEvoy Mineral Foundation- it was another gift from my mom. It was pretty meh on my skin, and despite the fact that I have combination skin I found it a bit drying, but I did use the entire thing up. Yes, I actually finished both the EOS and the Suki lip balms, but let's all be clear that they were both well worn. All of the sample jars were either foundations, tinted moisturizers, or loose powders-- I was pretty pleased that I tried them all for a few days, and then the jars were empty.

Fragrances: Fresh Vanilla Eau de Parfum and Fresh Heperides Eau de Parfum were both lovely scents that I finally finished up (they were getting pretty old). To the right of the Fresh bottles is an empty reed diffuser that lasted quite a while. Of course I also have a nice pile of empty perfume samples, and as always if I don't like the way that they smell on me- I use them as room sprays near the kitty litter box. The only sample in this pile that resulted in a purchase was the kai perfume oil.

Almost Empties: I am absolutely determined to finish this pile of makeup. The MAC Eyeshadow Duo is getting pretty close- which is so exciting. The Trish McEvoy Blush & Eyeshadow pans are also almost done-- these were both given to me by my mom, and I have pretty mixed luck with Trish McEvoy makeup in general. These two products are okay, but nothing special for me. The two MAC eye pencils (Uniform and Feline) are nice, but won't likely be replaced because I have plenty of other eye pencils to use up first. I do believe that I have a backup of Feline though- so I will have to pull it out and use it once this one becomes a stub that can no longer be sharpened. The Shu Uemura lip pencil is really lovely, and while it is nearly gone I also have a backup of this beauty.

I am finding that my partially used makeup is serving as a source of motivation to really use what I have. I haven't set any sort of moratorium on makeup purchases, because that will only make me feel deprived- which will make me want to buy more makeup. Instead, I am forcing myself to be far more selective about my makeup purchases because my stash is already bursting at the seams. That said, skincare is my weakness, and all bets are off there. If I see something that really intrigues me- it will, in all likelihood, end up in my stash.

Did you manage to finish anything up this month? Have you tossed anything out because you didn't like it enough to keep using it? Did you return anything that was a total fail? Are you imposing any buying bans on yourself? Do tell!

Le Métier de Beauté- Ken Downing's Lip & Nail Duo I'm Worn This Way vs. Bali- The Vampy Lip Showdown

Not terribly long ago when I bought the Le Métier de Beauté- Ken Downing Lip & Nail Duo I'm Worn This Way Limited Edition set from the Bordeaux Collection (Fall/Winter 2011), I lamented the fact that once this gorgeous vampy lipstick was gone that I wouldn't have the opportunity to replace it. While I tend to be more of a gloss girl than a lipstick girl- I do have a penchant for a vampy lip.

This set met my criteria perfectly right down to the gorgeous nail polish in Vintage Vine.

Then one day as I sat daydreaming- it occurred to me that Le Métier de Beauté actually had a fairly good dupe for the I'm Worn This Way lipstick already! That was when I pulled Bali out to test my theory.

Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipstick in Bali is an equally vampy shade, and it has the same sensational formula that is found in I'm Worn This Way. More importantly, it is part of the permanent collection making it far more accessible.

Bali meets all of the criteria for a long-lasting comfortable vampy lipstick that is unbelievably  gorgeous, and perfectly on trend! Click to enlarge photos.

While not identical, I'm Worn This Way and Bali are close enough in hue that you really won't need to mourn the fact that the former is no longer available. There is a touch more purple in I'm Worn This Way, whereas there is a touch more burgundy in Bali. However, once on the lips the differences become negligible. I thought that MAC Heart Hangover, from the Beth Ditto Collection, would be a closer dupe to I'm Worn This Way and Bali, however it pulls far more brown in comparison to the other two lipsticks.

Overall assessment: Bali is an extraordinary choice for those looking for a gorgeous vampy shade of the highest possible quality. For those of you who have been dying to find a close dupe for I'm Worn This Way- you need look no further.

Le Métier de Beauté Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipsticks are $32.00 0.13 oz.