Wednesday, September 30, 2015

MAC A Little Lusty Blush - MACnificent Me


New blush alert with MAC's MACnificent Me collection.

A Little Lusty is a deep reddish berry shade and one of three new shades.  More red than berry really and while I was not too sure about wearing this on my paler skin , I made it work and am glad, as I loved the color right off. 

If you have darker skin this would be an easy shade to wear and should look great. On those of us who are lighter you need a light hand with this. Pick up just a little on your brush and diffuse well. A skunk brush works best here .  Doing that I got just enough color and it looked good.   This blends out well  and has a tiny amount of shimmer.  


It's a very Autumn shade and launches with the MACnificent Me collection on Oct. 1st ( but it is online now). 

The winners of the MACnificent Me contest were revealed last week  and you can see them on MAC's site . 

MAC A Little Lusty Blush is LE and $ 22. 




Monday, September 28, 2015

Marc Jacobs Decadence



One look at this gorgeous bottle and you get the name - Decadence. It's big, heavy , detailed and reminds of  the '80s . Decadence was big then and it was fun.

The bottle is a handbag complete with a chain handle and tassel. It comes in a faux hunter green suede box with gold embossed lettering. According to Allure mag, it took over 100 designs to land on the one you see.

I'm pretty into this bottle as you can tell, but I guess  I should mention the fragrance . After it a perfume isn't just bottle alone.


Decadence is a deeper scent with smoky plum notes right off. There's plenty of woods and spicy saffron in there and as it goes on you get some dry, cool iris along with a touch of  rose and jasmine . A very little touch. This is not an overly floral fragrance. As it dries down the amber is very prominent along with the vetiver note . There is still a smokiness along with a touch of a vanilla like note.


By the full drydown the scent loses some power. It's not overly strong at first but just right to my nose. Especially for cooler weather coming. I would have preferred that to linger longer. That's not to say there isn't decent sillage and the sillage lasts.   It's less deep and more sweet but still quite nice with it's richer notes . I am just glad it's not too sweet or fruity or airy. This is a grown woman's fragrance.

Full note list :

Top notes: plum, saffron, iris
Heart: rose, jasmine, orris root
Base: amber, vetiver, papyrus



Marc Jacobs Decadence is $ 70 for 1 oz EDP, $95 for 1.7 oz EDP, $ 28 for a rollerball and $ 120 for 3.4 oz EDP at Sephora, Macys and more. 






Sunday, September 27, 2015

Jason Foaming Shower Oil




Cooler temps are here  and our skin starts to need a little more moisture . Getting hydration in the shower or bath is a good step to keeping skin feeling great all Fall and Winter.

Jason 's new Foaming Shower Oils make it easy to do just that . These new oils are a thin liquid ( be careful when pouring) that  transform into a foam when wet, lather up lightly and leave skin feeling moisturized but not greasy. The moisture lasts too, using shea butter , coconut or olive oils .


Oh and they smell pretty nice .  My favorite is the olive which has a fruity citrus scent. Lemon , bergamot and coriander oils are in there along with the olive fruit oil .

Coconut has a coconutty tropical feel but not like a suntan lotion. It's a bit more subdued and also has lime and grapefruit oils  while Shea Butter has shea of course along with vanillan for a honey vanilla scent.


Jason Foaming Shower Oils are 10.99 each for a 10 oz bottle. Find them at Whole Foods and other organic/natural stores along with www.jason-personalcare.com/





Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Sally Hansen ManiMatch App



There's an app for just about everything , right ? How about picking the perfect nail color ? Ever wonder just how navy or dark green nails would look on you or which pink is perfect ? Sally Hansen has  got it handled. 


Their new ManiMatchTM mobile app allows user to " try on the rainbow of over 200 Sally Hansen nail polish shades in real time, on their nails, before they buy. A simple scan of the user’s hand from any smartphone enables the user to instantly consider and curate her own color choices. There’s no uploading, picture-taking or manual data entry, as the app works in real time. It also generates personalized-for-her-skin-tone color suggestions on demand; using cutting-edge, proprietary technology, the app senses and analyzes the pigments in each user’s hand, then matches its polish-shade suggestions to the ones optimally flattering to her skin".


ManiMatch is available now on Apple and an Android version will be coming soon. 





Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Revlon One Step Paddle Hair Dryer & Styler


Revlon's newest hair tool from Helen of Troy looks really interesting.  

The One Step Hair Dryer and Styler is a paddle brush that also dries your hair. You brush and dry. That I can get into. No holding a dryer and a brush ? I haven't tried this yet, but I'd  like to.  Using a paddle brush usually means smoother hair so that's something that should be quicker to achieve using this. 

Revlon says that it dries hair in half the time and works against frizz. It uses ionic technology and has 3 heat settings. 

What do you think ? Is this something you'd pick up ?

Revlon One Step Paddle Hair Dryer & Styler retails for $ 49.99 




Sunday, September 20, 2015

MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation


MAC joins the serum foundation ranks with new Studio Waterweight Foundation  SPF 30 .  This one debuted at February fashion week and we've been waiting to see it in person, or at least I have.

This is a light to medium coverage foundation. It's thin liquid like many serum foundations but not overly runny. It applies easily, gliding on and into skin and blending well with little effort.   It gives a more natural look, your skin but  better but is buildable for more coverage.


Once it sets skin look smooth, and a little perfected with lines smoothed and pores filled but not overly made up. You will  need concealer on any problem areas. The finish is a dewy one.

While oil free and heavy hydrators free, this is a slightly moisturizing formula with what MAC calls Moisture-Fusion Complex .  You have a more dewy look  and for those with oily skin you'd be best to test it  first. I am oily right now and while I like this a lot it's definitely one to wait to use until the temps really drop.  A cold weather foundation, for me. If you're normal to dry , it'll be fine right now.  That said, despite being very warm today and sweating some, this held up well over the course of the day with just a little sliding off. So the wear time is quite good.


SPF is 30 with both  physical and chemical sunscreens.

Shade shown is NW15.

MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation is $33





Thursday, September 17, 2015

NARS Large Pro Palette



NARS has made their empty palettes and refills  once reserved for pros  available to everyone on their website.  Can I tell you how much fun  it was to pick  shades  to fill this ? It's like the best puzzle to put together ever.

There are two magnetized palette sizes, small and large. I have the large which is a good size at 9x7 inches. It holds a lot , I only have mine half full at this point.


There is a large selection of 64 blushes, shadows ( both duos and singles) bronzers and powders to choose from but not every shade NARS has is available.

My blushes are Lovejoy, Sin and Outlaw along with single shadows Night Porter ( the deep green) , Ashes to Ashes and Galapagos.  Duo shadows include Kalahari, Alhambra and  Cordura.


Over at NARS you can grab a palette and begin to fill it or go all out and fill in every spot.  If you know a makeup lover and want to give a gift that might be the best ever  fill one for someone or give an empty palette and a gift card.


NARS Large Pro Palette ( empty ) is $ 18
NARS Small Pro Palette ( empty ) is $ 14





Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Alterna Haircare Jumbo Size Caviar CC Cream & Anti Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner


I love Alterna haircare and their Caviar CC Cream is one of the best products I've used.   One flaw ? That tube was just too small. It seems Alterna  heard me as now they have a new 5.1 oz tube that will last wayyy longer.



The do it all for your hair  CC Cream is $ 39 for the super size and there is also a jumbo bottle duo of the Caviar Anti Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner.  If you haven't tried them, their shamp/cond are pretty tops too. 

You can grab the 16.5 oz bottles of shampoo or conditioner for $ 42 each. 





Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Azzedine Alaia Perfume



Azzedine Alaia after decades of fashion success has  come out with his signature fragrance.

Housed in a heavy deep black bottle with a ribbed top resembling a thread spool this is a rich spicy floral scent.

Smoky ,sweet Patchouli is very dominant with warm spicy notes of pepper, dark plummy fruit and aquatic minerals.  There is a hint of leather and violet also, although they are not listed in the notes.

Soft musks come in and  the woods are very present through the mid point while the pepper stays in all the way. This isn't a strong perfume it's a bit too airy for that, but it has an edge all the same. It's not quite like every perfume you'll pick up at the store.

I love the quote where the designer directed the perfumer that he wanted it to smell like "cold water falling  on hot chalk " , a treasured memory from his childhood.


By the drydown it's a sweet spicy scent with amber in there as well. It stays  bit closer to the skin than the bolder beginning and has light to medium sillage .

It's is a great choice to take you into the Fall months and colder temps.

Alaia The Perfume is $ 150 for 3.3 oz,  $ 115 for 1.6 oz  with body lotion and shower gel to coordinate.

Exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue.





Sunday, September 13, 2015

Maybelline Debuts New Launches at Marissa Webb NYFW

 
Fashion week is here again and one of the things that means is sneak peeks at what cosmetic companies have in store for later this year and  next .

The eye look at Marissa Webb's show was gorgeous, I loved it so much I recreated it this weekend .


Makeup artist Yadim used several new products here including The Rock Nudes palette, out in January along with Eye Color Studio Tattoo 24 Hr Metal in Barely Branded and The Falsies Push Up Drama mascara both hitting stores in October ( although stores are showing the mascara now).  The pop of purple eyeliner is Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel in Eggplant.


The foundation used is their Fit Me Matte & Poreless which is so good and has become an almost everyday one for me. Another January launch,  Master Studio Face Contour was also used.  Lips are Color Sensational in Barely Bloomed .


All images : Maybelline & Marissa Webb 

Friday, September 11, 2015

Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solution Gel



With my skin in oily mode for Summer I try to keep a skincare routine going without adding much moisture or anything heavy. More and more products help with this , thankfully and new to me , but not new, is Ibuki Multi Solution Gel from Shiseido.


After receiving my jar , I checked out some other online reviews and for the most party , saw raves. People said blackheads were reduced or gone, skin smoothed, acne cleared. Could this finally be the product I would actually put on my nose and chin? No moisturizer, nothing hydrating goes near them usually  as it would cause break outs but busting blackheads is a priority too.

After one use, I saw a difference. My nose which had been less than great in the Summer heat looked  much better. And the rest of my face seemed smoother. Not bad. More uses  gave the same results.


Ibuki Multi Solution Gel uses 0.5 % salicylic acid .Castor oil, horse chestnut extract , lecithin and glycerin are in there as well.  The formula is a thick gel and it sinks in quickly. I didn't experience any drying , but you might depending on sensitivity to salicylic acid.


Shiseido Ibuki Multi Solution Gel is $ 38



Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Proganix Quench Haircare


Quench is the appropriate word for this Proganix collection.  For dry , parched hair it's a big help.

The Proganix Quench line uses coconut water , coconut oil , aloe vera and electrolytes to super hydrate and add condition to hair . There is a shampoo/conditioner combo along with two leave ins.


Using the shamp/cond left my hair very soft , very moisturized but still with plenty of body. My hair is normal to slightly dry in some areas so using both along with the leave in was more than I needed in the long run.  I like to use a repairing shampoo along with a heavy conditioner , so  the conditioner goes into the routine .  I liked the leave in as well but will have to see how it goes minus the shampoo.

There are two leave in conditioners, a spray and a cream in a pump. The pump version being the stronger of the two.

For the price point and as someone who leans towards higher end haircare, Proganix Quench performed well and is a great way to get hair into shape without breaking the budget. It's more than many mass market brands but less than salon.

Proganix Quench is at Ulta , Target , Walgreens and more.

Shampoo and Conditioner are $ 9.99 each
Leave In Conditioners are $ 11.99





Sally Hansen Miracle Gel New Top Coat & Fall Colors



Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel top coat, in my book it is truly a miracle product , has been updated and improved for Fall.

The new version  gives nails an even more plumped look than the previous version.  I love my original top coat ( if you haven't tried it, it really lengthens nail color wear minus any lamp curing. Go now and get some ) and was happy to give the new one a go, along with some new shades.


I felt the top coat was  little bit more volumizing than before. I  don't know that it was a big difference but there was a difference. My nails looked great , plumped and shiny.

Two new shades for Fall  are Block Party , a creamy tangerine  and Totem-ly Yours a beige nude .  Block Party comes in a duo pack with color and top coat.

All the new Miracle Gel releases are available now.




Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Chanel Rouge Coco Fall 2015 - Temeraire & Melancolie




A new lipstick for the new season is a must and these two new Rouge Coco's from Chanel are a pretty treat for your lips and seasonally on point.

Meloncolie comes in  the sheerer of the Rouge Coco formulas and is a highly wearable, every day this looks good shade of rosy nude that leans so slightly bronze. It has a good bit of shimmer but isn't glittery heavy . This has good pigment and isn't super sheer. It's far from full coverage but you'll get a nice bit of light color. 


Temeraire is a Rouge Coco Shine minus the "sheer" designation.  It's a berry/wine  red with plenty of pigment and a little sheen and shine. This one gives good coverage in one coat with just a little drag on lips. It's a flattering shade and a good one if you like reds but don't want to go full on strong color. It also is a fabulous shade for Fall . Against camel, grey and of course black it will really pop. 

Chanel Rouge Coco is $ 36 




Saturday, September 5, 2015

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation



Rimmel's Lasting Finish foundation is one that will take you from the current heatwave to the crisp temps of Autumn.

This re-launched foundation has a new  dewy , long wear formula with medium to almost full coverage that easily blends into skin. It's sweat and humidity resistant and has SPF 20 physical and chemical protection.


With my oily skin this was a bit too dewy for me  right now. Once my skin normalizes in cooler temps it will definitely be in the rotation. I love the  long wear especially along with the good coverage. Skin looks smoothed and hydrated. It held up well all day even in the heat. If you have normal to drier skin you can use this now and later. With the SPF added in  it ticks a lot of foundation boxes in one bottle.

Once again a drugstore brand comes up strong , this gives you a lot for your dollars.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation is approx. retail $ 6.99




Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Softsoap Fresh & Glow Exfoliating and Hydrating Body Washes



You can keep the Summer spirit alive  especially since it's a heatwave at least  over here right now with two  new body washes from Softsoap.

Fresh & Glow Exfoliating Fruit Polish is a lightly scrubbing gel with  apricot seeds , orange and kiwi. It's just slightly fruity smelling with more of the kiwi and apricot than citrus. Great to get all that SPF off.


Hydrating Shower Cream has 100 % natural extracts of milk, coconut and almond and has that coco-nutty scent of the tropics along with the almond. It's not too strongly scented and moisturizes Summer parched skin.

Softsoap Fresh & Glow  are approx. 3.99 ( retail varies)