Saturday, August 30, 2014

Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Debut


Charlotte Tilbury

 One of the most hotly anticipated makeup lines of the year  is finally available , at least online, beginning this week.


Charlotte Tilbury is a renowned makeup artist who does fashion shows, editorial and loads of celebrities .  Kate Moss, Gisele, and Kate Winslet are clients and /or friends of hers.


She wants to make make makeup easy for anyone and so in addition to individual products you can buy a whole look i.e Rock Chick or Uptown Girl.

The Rock Chick Look
Her Magic Cream, something she created and used backstage for years is considered a cult product in Europe  and will be part of the line as well.  I want to try it all but most look forward to her Rock N' Kohl eyeliners. Tilbury is known for a well lined eye and these new liners are liquid pencils with all day wear.

The Rock Chick Collection
Here are a few images to get started. It's a full line and  will be sold online at CharlotteTilbury.com, Nordstrom.com, BergdorfGoodman.com, Net-A-Porter.com and BeautyLish.com, beginning Sept. 2 and then in stores in early October.



Wednesday, August 27, 2014

mark. Go Royal Bag


I am always happy with and love all my accessories picks from mark.  They have beautiful jewelry and stylish shoes, but one item I hadn't tried, until now, was a handbag.


The rich purple color along with the studding caught my eye in the Go Royal Bag. When it arrived I was totally impressed with how nice and expensive looking it is. Truth- I tend to stick to leather bags  and usually designer ones. Go Royal however will take it's place in my bag collection and I am ready to rock it this Fall and Winter.


There are a lot of nice details here. There are two straps options, a long one, or the two short handles. I love this in a bag.  Along the bottom and sides are goldtone studs and zippers. Also, hard to see as it's not the best picture, in the front folds there are zippered pockets on each side.


Inside has loads of room along with two cell pockets and a zippered one. The closure is magnetic.

The Mom, who acted as my model  in the one image, is in love with it as well and is making noises about borrowing it. The Mom does not do stuffy , boring bags, bless her. I might need to get her  one of her own.


mark. Go Royal Bag measures 12 1/2 L x 16 " W x 2" D . Strap is 36 " max and removeable and is $65 at www.meetmark.com








MAC The Simpsons Sideshow You Blush



The first thing to know about MAC's The Simpson's collection is that it's all very wearable . I'm not a Simpsons fan, but I am makeup one , and I love all the colors.  Even the yellow Lipglass goes on more  of creamy pale golden yellow. Maybe not the best color but not as bold or odd as we may have first thought it would be.

One of the new blushes is the very pretty Sideshow You. Sideshow is a bright  warm peachy coral. It instantly brightens and can be blended down . It does go on bright , at least on my pale skin, but it looked nice . It works especially well with my favorite Lipglass from the collection- Grand Pumpkin which is more coral orange than pumpkin.



Sideshow You is a satin finish and available online only for $ 24.

MAC The Simpsons is on counter September 4th.





Tuesday, August 26, 2014

MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Powder

Light, Medium Plus, Dark Deep

An addition to MAC"s Studio Sculpt line , Defining Powder arrives next month.

I'm a  big powder fan , some aren't , but my love for it is unabashed. When you have oily skin it's a must as it just sets and perfects so well.  I always notice the difference.

MAC's new Studio Sculpt is meant to help define the face.  There is a wide shade range so you can grab one for contour but they work as an all over powder really well.


I picked up the  Light shade, dusted it all over and loved what it did. My skin looked soft focused, smoothed and brighter. It just gave me  finish and a little lift.

If you look closely you'll see just the slightest iridescence in the cake. That little bit just lights up your skin, gives dimension but isn't noticeable on.

 These  are very sheer and lightweight.  Even the darkest shade I have , Dark Deep doesn't look that dark on me. More like a bronzer .

If you need a new powder, I highly rec trying  Studio Sculpt.

MAC Studio Sculpt Defining Powder is $ 32 and comes in eight shades from Light to Dark Deep.





Monday, August 25, 2014

MAC Artificially Wild - Stony & Artificial Earth Eyeshadows



 A bit of a 90's redux is taking place in makeup for Fall. It's just a dip into  the recent past and these shades often  have more dimension . Brown lips, neutral eyes.

I began wearing MAC in 1993 and these new shadows  from Artificially Wild remind me of some of my all time favorites from then like Era, Coquette and Form.


Two out of the four new eyeshadows are Stony , a muddied grey with hints of Olive  and  Artificial Earth, a warm peachy nude .  Both are Satin finishes  and easy to wear anytime .

'90s MAC- Coquette, Era, Form 

MAC Artificially Wild is on counter Sept. 4th.



MUA Makeup Academy Lip Color- Liquid, Stain & Balm


Have you heard there's a new brand at CVS? They are now exclusively stocking the UK brand MUA Makeup Academy. Currently it's just brushes, eyelashes and lip colors.

MUA has a good selection of lip products  and looking at the three I've tried, they cover all the bases with coverage.

Liquid Lipstick, Lip Stain, Color Infused Balm

Color Infused Balm is my favorite with it's color core and clear balm around it. It's just cool to look at , but it's also nicely moisturizing on. It's very sheer with some shine , and light on lips. ($8) Shown in Nude.

Lip Stain is  waterlight liquid that dries down to a stain that has a little hint of shine.  It's not sheer but light/medium and wears well. ( $8) Shown in Rich Pink


Liquid Lipstick is the pigment powerhouse. This has deep, full pigment that reminds me of several high end products. It sets to an almost matte finish and has a mint scent/taste with a fairly dry feel on lips. I would like to see it have a doe foot instead of a brush wand for better application but that's my preference. ($9) Shown in Coral


MUA also has lipstick, lip crayons, lip gloss and more all at CVS.









Sunday, August 24, 2014

Alterna Thick & Full Multiplying Mousse



Mousse much ? There's a new foam in town from one of my favorite hair brands- Alterna.

I love mousse with my long hair but it can work with any  length .
Alterna's newest is meant for those looking to boost hair a bit and get some lift.

What's nice with this is it doesn't weigh hair down and has no sticky feeling. It's nondrying and has keratin, caviar extract and sunflower seed oil in it.


I didn't find that I got a lot of volume with this, just a subtle  boost but one that lasted, as I don't wash my hair every day.


If you want/need serious volume this may not work well for you, but if you want some light styling and have hair that needs TLC this is a mousse that works with damaged or drier hair.

Alterna Thick & Full Multiplying Mousse is available at QVC at 34.54 for a twin pack. It should be arriving at all Alterna stockists soon.




Friday, August 22, 2014

NARS Velvet Lip Liner



 NARS is rocking these days with so many great new products .  Super new is Velvet Lip Liner.


Velvet Lip Liner is a 12 shade range  of liners that will perfectly complement all lips, including their also new Audacious Lipstick.

These are LE and have a new pigment rich formula . It's a very smooth , easy to apply liner . One thing to note is the liner comes with a built in sharpener , but they are also twist up. NARS has thoughtfully added directions in the packaging.


The shade shown is Patong Beach , described as a pink rose, but to my eye there is a hint of  nude brown in there. It's a nice color that  will go with a lot of my lippies . I think it will work with peaches ,  medium nudes and light roses.


NARS Velvet Lip Liner is $ 24 and available now online, Sept. 1 at Sephora and department stores.



Thursday, August 21, 2014

Dior Rouge Dior Baume Lip Treatment



There's a new luxe balm on the way from Dior. Rouge Dior Baume Lip Treatment . I'm a  big fan of their previous tinted balm Addict Lip Glow  and the even older Addict Lip Balm   .These coming in a wide array of colors look even better with ingredients for shine and plumping. 



There are 15 shades  that will be on counter in September. 


  • Star #128
  • Kew Gardens #258
  • Bleuette #288
  • Spring #468
  • Primerose #488
  • Lili #558
  • Milly #640
  • Coquette #660
  • Diorette #688
  • Escapade #740
  • Lys Rouge #758
  • Garden Party #760
  • Fleur Bleue #788 (Sephora exclusive)
  • Park Avenue #910
  • Nuit Rose #988


Dove Nutrium Moisture- New Formula


Dove's shower formulas are a staple here , especially in the colder months. Softening. moisturizing, soothing , all things I love .

Now they've gone one step better and improved their already good Nutrium Moisture body washes to  make skin softer and smoother after just one shower with their gentlest cleansers ever.

Want to get in on the #OneShowerChallenge ?  On Emmy night Aug. 25 , along with E! Entertainment , they will host the One Shower Challenge during Red Carpet Coverage. beginning at 6PM EST. Along with two women  being selected to take the challenge during the show , you can request a free sample of the Dove Body Wash by following @Dove  and using #OneShowerChallenge. ( while supplies last. )

  Also you can visit Dove.com  now to sign up for a free sample to take the One Shower Challenge. 






Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Dry Oil Body Mist


Laura Mercier is adding to the Verbena Infusion Collection. This lovely, fresh and cool verbena scent is a favorite here and all Summer I've been enjoying the Gel Body Moisture ( which was featured in my Mother's Day Guide here) .

Now there is a Dry Oil Body Mist. It's lightly hydrating with coconut water, sweet almond and macadamia seed oils and has a slightly herbal citrus scent .  The fast drying mist  works for an anywhere quick burst of moisture and refreshing fragrance.

Also new  is a Gel Body Scrub.


The Verbena Infusion line will be  lovely anytime of year and a few pieces in a gift box or basket makes a great gift.

Laura Mercier Dry Oil Body Mist is $ 45 for a 3.4 oz spray.





Tuesday, August 19, 2014

mark Gleam Scene Ring


 There was a movie The Bling Ring. Well Gleam Scene from mark is A  Bling Ring.

This new ring, part of the fall collection online now,  is large at one inch and sparkly with baguette and round stones decorating all sides .


In addition to the stones on the top, there are more on the sides and across the bottom. Those  bottom ones are a nice touch. Whether waving to your subjects or hailing the bartender you're covered.


Gleam Scene is not heavy , fits comfortably on your fingers and comes in sizes 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 . Retail is $22 at www.meetmark.com