Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Cover Girl Matte Made Foundation


Cover Girl has a new matte foundation out in time for Summer's heat and humidity and there's a  lot to recommend it.

 The formula is a matte, but not dry, heavy or cakey. It's  really more semi -matte  with medium/full , blendable coverage.  Cover Girl calls it " comfort matte" and that is spot on.  Even The Mom , who  generally can't do many mattes, and obviously has more mature skin, loves it.

I am a huge matte fan  once Summer rolls in as I am oily and perspire. But as I get older I can't go as super matte as I used to.  Matte Made takes care of all that. It blends well, covers well and with a primer or a light serum underneath , I am ready to go.  I don't use heavy moisture in Summer especially during the day. It also really fills pores in well  which is a huge issue for me. By midday I need a T -Zone touch up,  nothing unusual there , my nose is an oil well, but otherwise it holds up well over the course of the day as it is long wear.


The other great feature here is the huge shade range. 40 in all. The brand has really went all out to allow for as many skintones as possible to find a match. I am fair and usually need the next lightest shades in foundation. With this I am 40 and even 50 is only a bit too dark, that's how much range there is.

Cover Girl Matte Made Foundation is  sugg. retail $ 9.99 . At Amazon, drugtsores and Ulta.





Monday, May 28, 2018

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Long Wear Shaping Sticks- Blush



For Summer L'Oreal has a whole selection of new stick makeup in the Infallible line. There is foundation which I can't wait to try, highlighters and these two new blushes.


The  Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick Blush is very creamy, blendable , has light shimmer and glides over skin with a silky, light as air feel  which is partly down to the shea butter in the ingredients.


The pigment is medium and it can be built up for a nice pop of easy Summer color.  Shades are Cheeky Dimension  and Sexy Flush . Sexy Flush gives cheeks a wash of light to medium glowing peachy pink color while  Cheeky Dimension is a deeper  reddish bronze shade that  could be used as bronzer or contour as well as blush. Both add some light and bright to your face .




L'Oreal Paris Infallible Long Wear Shaping Sticks are $ 12.99 and available now at Amazon, Ulta ,  drugstores and wherever the brand is sold.





Friday, May 25, 2018

Cargo Swimmables™ Longwear Foundation


Foundation , like a lot of makeup in the Summer can melt off me pretty quick. My skin is oily and I perspire so makeup that'a longwear is a must.


Carrgo's Swimmables line has been making longwear products that work for awhile  and now there is a foundation just in time.

The coverage is medium and buildable with a semi matte finish. More matte than not but not overly dry, not tight or heavy .   I do use a primer or BB under  it for a little extra grip and a little moisture. In the AM right now as it's warm , I don't often use an actual moisturizer . It feels light on skin and breathable.

 As advertised this holds up well all day even in the humidity which like this past weekend can be off the charts here. I needed a midday touch up at the T Zone which is normal and had a little breakup on my nose which is also normal.


Cargo Swimmables Foundation is $ 34 at  CargoCosmetics.com, Ulta.com, select Kohl's  Stores and Kohls.com/Beauty



Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Italian Zest


Have an Italian Summer Fling with Dolce & Gabbana's new Light Blue Italian Zest.


This zippy fragrance  reminds of limoncello. It's  light ( an EDT) musky and of course very citrus. It's all lemon at the beginning with some barely there jasmine and bluebell working in .  As it begins to drydown amber, cedar and musk  give a little hint of  sun warmed skin .

This isn't a sweet scent, the citrus is tart , the florals pale and even though there is a companion men's version, this can easily be unisex. It wears close to the skin , and doesn't last super long , which is expected. EDTs and citrus are both hard to keep going for hours on end but it lasted several hours on me.

It's been ages since I smelled the original, but from what I've read this is very similar but with lots of lemon, if you're wondering.

Light Blue Italian Zest is a  nice Summer scent that will stand up to warm weather and make you think of fun in the sun .

Dolce &Gabbana Light Blue Italian Zest  is   3.3 oz  for $ 100 and 1.6 oz  for $73 at Macys.






Sunday, May 20, 2018

Chanel Paris- Biarritz EDT - Les Eaux de Chanel


Les Eaux de Chanel is a new trio of EDTs meant to evoke a Summer journey to places Coco Chanel loved , locales of sun and beauty like Venice, Deauville and my pick - Biarritz.

Paris- Biarritz  is an ode to the seaside town of the French Riviera and it's fresh, sparkling, bright and loaded with bursts of citrus making it right up my fragrant alley. Parfumeur Olivier Polge says he" wanted to create a sensation on the skin as if each ingredient were soaked with water".

Paris- Biarritz  begins with bold citrus of grapefruit and mandarin that softens and then the airy, soft white floral lily of the valley floats within the citrus. I get a little neroli here as well.  Vetiver adds a  dry and green note while white musk is there just enough to be grounding . There is no sweetness here, more tart and fresh.  Well into the drydown it gets a little more floral and a touch soapy.


This isn't a complicated scent yet it's not boring or minimal and is much in the style of old school colognes. Perfect for the coming Summer season and light enough to be sprayed with a bit of abandon.  It's easy to wear and unisex.

Speaking of spraying - the press release says the sprayer here is a bit different and " diffuses micro droplets of fragrance for a longer time than a traditional spray "

The bottle is different too from what we usually see from Chanel.  It has a great hand feel, like a flask with rounded edges and lightweight glass to make it more portable.


Chanel Eaux De Chanel are $ 130 for 4.2 oz EDT and available at Chanel.com and Chanel Boutiques in June .



Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Power Serum

 

I have always had great luck and love Peter Thomas Roth's  Vitamin C products. The Camu Camu  Sleeping Mask, the Power C Moisturizer . They have been Winter staples to get my skin into better shape and battle back whatever I did in Summer.

Now there is the  new Potent C Power Serum with 20 %  C-THD ascorbate (said to be 50% more powerful than traditional Vitamin C ) ,  3% E antioxidant and 2% ferulic acid.   What strikes me first about the serum is it's one of the most moisturizing serums I've used. Serums are often, but not always, lighter and less hydrating. One reason I like them so much. Potent C  packs hydration.  I was worried it might  be too much for my skin, but it hasn't been at all. I will say  don't need any other moisturizer with  it though. If you have drier skin, you may feel you need one.

The serum itself is semi light , lotion like almost. It works in well,  but  needs a little time  and there is a bit of a tacky feeling for a half hour or so while it totally sinks in.


With 2 weeks of use , I've seen a little  brightening (  and that can take time)  but my skin texture has definitely gotten better , it's smoother, plumper, well moisturized and a bit firmer.  This is very much a do it all product in that if you have oily to normal skin , you can get all your moisture from this as well as anti -aging properties in one bottle.



The bottle is opaque and thick walled so it will keep the serum protected from light which is important.

You can't go wrong with PTR and this is another winner.

Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Power Serum is $ 95 for 1 oz bottle .





Sunday, May 13, 2018

Juliette Has A Gun Moscow Mule



With it's cool , crisp unisex feel, Juliette Has A  Gun's new Moscow Mule is one of those fragrances that seem made for warmer weather .

Moscow Mule takes it's name from the  trendy, but not new, drink of the moment  and the notes echo that. It's herby , dry, and fresh reminding of vodka and citrus.


The fragrance starts with a blast of ginger and herbs closely followed by citrus ( lime and bergamot) the bergamot adding a leafy, bright tone.  The apple note comes in, it's light and not too sweet, then you get the barest touch of amber and woods and a lot of  the iso E super  molecule.  As the drydown moves along the scent does fade some leaving a zesty citrus twist with the ambroxan coming to the fore along with a molecule called  norlimbanol from Firmenich that  has a muted woody tone.  


The bottle is topped with a copper cap which of course is a tribute to the tradtional copper cups the drink is served in.  It adds a nice pop of  warmth and color against the neutral ombre shading of the glass .

Juliette Has A Gun Moscow Mule is available at  Beautyhabit , EuroPerfumes and  Sephora .  1.7 oz EDP is $ 100,  3.3 oz EDP is $ 135 .





Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Berkshire Spring Anklets


It used to be hard to find anklets , not socks but hosiery ones. I even grabbed a couple pairs when I was in France as I was so happy to see them. Trouser socks have their place but anklets are so much more comfy, in my opinion, and better for warmer weather too.

Berkshire has  a great variety out this season, there's something for everyone. And did you know the brand is all Made in The USA ? I didn't , but am happy to find that out.


Shimmers are super pretty and flattering. I  love the  Steel shade, it's unusual and pairs so well with my burgundy embellished MK flats, along with black and  navy.  These have a nice sheen and are not totally sheer but semi opaque. Other colors include Candlelight and Black.


Polka dots hit one of Springs big trends and are an easy way to try it  and  add some punch to your look in a subtle way.   There are Opaque Dot ( shown) and  Sheer Dot. Great with loafers or peeking out of peep toe pumps/ sandals.

Most styles come in regular  and plus size so all gals can wear them.


Berkshire Anklets can be found at eberskshire.com , Amazon, Macys , and Bare Neccessities along with other major stores.

Retail varies , with 3.00- 6.00 the average per pair.






Sunday, May 6, 2018

Cover Girl Flourish by Last Blast Mascara



Cover Girl wants your lashes to Flourish. That's the name of their newest Lash Blast Mascara.

Flourish uses coconut ,avocado and papaya oils to condition and soften lashes.


The formula is nicely lengthening , defines each lash well and adds light volume too, so you get a little of everything .   My lashes felt very soft with this, no stiff or crunchiness and it can  built up, even after a coat has dried without getting clumpy.

This lasts well for a non waterproof version on me, but I've always better luck with CGs than most.  I melt mascara  easily along with most eye makeup  but this held up well I am happy to say , even through a nap and some eye watering.

The wand is big but not huge . Smaller than some of the previous Blasts , which to me , is good. I don't like a giant wand , they seem to get mascara on more than my lashes.


I love the teal colored vessel too. It's not the biggest deal, but it does have eye appeal.

Cover Girl Flourish by Lash Blast Mascara comes in  four shades  and retail is $7.





Thursday, May 3, 2018

Chanel No 5 L'Eau All Over Body Spray


Love a body spray ? Were you addicted to them in the '90s like many of us ? Chanel now has the all grown up version .

New Chanel No 5 L'Eau All Over Body Spray is a fine misting, light spray to scent whenever and wherever .


No 5 L'Eau  is a green , aldehydic floral   ( my original review is here ) that is softly scented  and is great for warm to hot weather, especially. Nice too, for on the go  touch ups without fear of overdoing it. I am thinking it would be nice as a hair mist as well. 




The bottle is very light so it stows easily in any bag or drawer and  is a most decadent way to body spray . The minimalist bottle with the logo that says it all. 



Chanel No 5 L'Eau All Over Body Spray is $ 60  for 5.5 oz and LE. 



There is also a matching Hand Cream for $ 55.