Sunday, January 31, 2016

Laura Geller New Baked Blush-N-Brighten- Honeysuckle & Peach Delight



New shades are ready to go in Laura Geller's Baked Blush- n -Brighten. There are three in all, two of which I have here- Honeysuckle and Peach Delight. ( Fruit Punch is the other new color).

It's the same Baked formula you love and know  for a smooth, color rich flush that's mineral oil and paraben free and infused with with antioxidants Centella Asiatica and White Tea Extracts .


Peach Delight is an instant face brightener . The coral peach isn't overly bold but gives plenty of soft focus color with light shimmer to help you look awake and sunny.

Honeysuckle is a  golden tan with swirls of pink.  It gives a bronzed look with pearl  and highlight while the small touch of pink adds a tiny bit of rosy warmth


Laura Geller New Baked Blush-N-Brighten are $ 27.50 at Ulta and LauraGeller.com 




Friday, January 29, 2016

MAC Flamingo Park Blushes- Spring Flock, Let's Be Friends & This Could Be Fun


It's been a blush bonanza this Winter and the goods keep coming. MAC's new Flamingo Park collection is packed with blush in shades of pink and peach. They're such a bright spot in the midst of Winter.  (There are plenty of lip and eye colors too. )

I've got three of the new shades - Spring Flock, This Could Be Fun and Let's Be Friends. All are bright , not for the faint of blush and pack pigment. All three are satin formulas. None have shimmer but as a satin  they have a little dimension to them . Spring Flock and Let's Be Friends have a bit of powder fall out.

This Could Be Fun, Spring Flock, Let's Be Friends

Of the shades here, Spring Flock is the lightest and goes on for a medium flush of peach. The others are  a quick hit of deeper, brighter color. Beautiful if you can wear these colors. For me ,Spring Flock is the pick of the bunch.


MAC Flamingo Park blush is $ 22 and is available online Jan. 28 , in store Feb. 4-Mar. 19 and are LE.




Thursday, January 28, 2016

Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser


I tend to talk about cleansers for oily or normal skin more most of the time, but what about dry skin?

If you need serious moisture when you cleanse this new Yes To Coconuts might be for you.  If you were in the snowstorm zone this weekend, you know it's a must.

 You don't want to strip skin, especially drier skin when cleansing and this cleanser has a powerhouse of ingredients like Virgin Coconut Oil , Chia Seed Oil , Apricot Kernel Oil, Glycerin , and Avocado and Olive Fruit Oils.

The cleanser is a fairly thick cream that is almost balm like but not quite that thick. It feels wonderful and creamy on skin and has a light, delicious tropical coconut scent. When rinsed skin is clean but not tight . It's a great first step to keeping dry skin feeling good .

As usual with Yes To , this is cruelty free, with no parabens, SLS or silicone . It's 96 % natural.

Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser is $ 9.99 for 4 oz  at Target and Walgreens along with www.yestocarrots.com 




Tuesday, January 26, 2016

L'Oreal Matte Matic Infallible Eye Pencil


L'Oreal has a lot of new launches and among them is this new matte eyeliner in the Infallible line.

Matte Matic is a creamy  matte liner in a mechanical pencil with  a gel -cream formula . The liner glides on and over eyes easily and there is time to blend before it sets .  The thin pencil makes a nice even, thin line , is well pigmented and lasts really well.  A great addition to the eyeliner lineup and a perfect everyday use pick.



Shade shown is Matte Navy . There are four other colors available and sugg, retail is $ 8.99





Monday, January 25, 2016

L'Occitane Shea Face Soothing Fluid


 
L'Occitane has a number of new releases out to help protect and soothe winter weary skin.  I decided to give  the Soothing Fluid a try.

New Soothing Fluid is meant for sensitive or normal skin types to help moisturize, reduce redness/sensitivity and protect from environmental damage.


Packed with 5% shea butter this isn't really a fluid  , it's not thin or liquid like. The product comes out of the pump a little thicker than we think of with "fluid". It's light though, blends into skin easily and immediately sinks in.  You have no heavy or greasy feel on skin at all but have a a visible brightening look along with softening and hydrating.   There is a  clean, powdery scent that is a bit more than light. Something to know if you are fragrance averse.


Besides the shea, which is hand produced  for the company in Burkina Faso, ingredients include glycerin ,sunflower seed oil, calendula extract and rosa canina fruit oil.


L'Occitane Shea Soothing Face Fluid is $ 49 for 1.3 oz





Friday, January 22, 2016

Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser


I love a good cleanser and Boscia's Deep Pore Cleasning Stick has become a big favorite. Enough so that I wanted to try one of the brands other ones- Detoxifying Black Cleanser. Why ? This falls under kinda lazy , but when I'm tired I love having easy cleanser with a pump.  The Stick takes  a tiny bit more work , working it in, etc. I know, it's ridic but what can I say ?


The Detoxifying Black Cleanser is one great cleanser. One of the best I've used.  Since using this daily for a few weeks my skin has stayed clearer, smoother , and is looking better. It's rare that a cleanser can make enough of a difference to see , but this has.  Pores are definitely staying far less clogged too. Charcoal/glycolic is a miracle worker for that.

Even though this cleans well  , it's not drying, at least not on my combination skin. My skin doesn't feel tight after using.  It's a bit more gentle than the stick I think.  As for the "warming" that's minimal. I get a slight warm feeling on the hands  that's all. Then again I don't really want a warm cleanser so it's ok.


Ingredients besides the charcoal  are glycolic acid for smoothing and vitamin C for brightening.

Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser is $ 28




Thursday, January 21, 2016

Shiseido Ibuki Starter Kit



Skincare choices are vast out there. A starter kit or sample sizes can be a great way to test something new without a huge dollar/ time commitment.

Shiseido happens to makes a nice kit for their Ibuki line that includes Gentle Cleanser, Softening Concentrate and Refining Moisturizer.


The Ibuki line is geared towards helping skin combat internal and external irritants like stress, environment and such . These three steps help against that along with fighting dark spots  and dullness with lightweight but thorough moisture and cleaning.


The Gentle Cleanser is a mousse like foaming one that gets all the grime off including makeup. It's a little heavy and need a good rinsing but leaves skin clean but not dry or tight.

You also get a Softening Lotion , like an Essence  , to prep skin and soothe .

The Refining Moisturizer is lightweight and not greasy, feels good on skin and for those with normal to oily skin adds just enough hydration. It sinks in quickly making it great  for pre -makeup prep.

The kit is listed as a two week supply, but it could go even longer . These are nicely sized.  It also makes a great kit to pick up for travel.

Shiseido Ibuki Starter Kit is $ 25 at Macys




Wednesday, January 20, 2016

L'Oreal Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition – Facial Oil SPF 30



Two years ago I reviewed L'Oreal's first facial oil - Age Perfect Glow Renewal . It was a  highly emollient oil that would be a boon for drier skins and one of the first  drugstore brand oils .

Now L'Oreal has upped the formula with a sunscreen enhanced daytime version - Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Facial Oil SPF 30.   The SPF is chemical based and  other ingredients include plenty of oils like olive fruit and rosa canina along with essential oils of lavender and rosemary.


The oil is not  heavy or overly greasy and while moisturizing sinks in pretty fast.  It does leave a little sheen however . L'Oreal calls it "Instant Glow".  Skin feels softer after it sets and a little smoother thanks to the moisture boost . I tried it without applying makeup over it so I can't say how well it will work with foundation or BB .


The scent is slightly herbal and not light but not super strong either.

L'Oreal Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition – Facial Oil SPF 30 is sugg. retail $ 19.99





Tuesday, January 19, 2016

L'Oreal Infallible Pro- Contour Palette

 

When this landed on my desk, I was a bit meh ( are we still using that word?) about it. It wasn't high on my list to test but then I  decided to give it a try on the weekend. Sometimes things surprise you and this did. It worked really well.


I don't play with contouring a lot, so I haven't explored too many other contour products but when I do I have a few individual products I like and use. Powders mainly but some creams.  One reason I don't do it a lot is it takes time , well this palette eliminates that.


The angled brush picks up the two powder colors in one  swipe and another swipe applies it to your face. The contour lines looked good, not overdone and were easily blended. I used it only on the cheek area but it  can be  used on nose, chin etc. It wore well also. I applied at 3 and by 8 it was still looking color true.


The powder is light and does have fallout but mostly in the palette tray. On my face there was only tiny bit.

There are three shade combos available- light, medium ( shown) and deep.

L'Oreal Infallible Pro- Contour Palette is sugg. retail $ 12.99 and available now.





Sunday, January 17, 2016

Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick


I love, love stick foundations and find them harder to come by. I wish more brands would make them. Clinique has got the idea and has a new Chubby Stick Foundation- Chubby In The Nude.

Sticks make applying foundation so much quicker. I literally cut minutes off my time using this in the AM.  Plus they are portable for touch ups later.


The coverage with Chubby In The Nude is light, but not sheer on me, more light /medium. I was surprised the coverage was that good as Clinique says it is sheer. I like more coverage and this went on fine .  My skin looked good- covered , polished but not heavily done.

The foundation itself is a little hard , it's not as creamy as you might expect a stick to be. It goes on well enough but there isn't much blending you can do. Once you warm it up with fingertips you can do some. A brush works well with it, better than fingers.


The finish is slightly satin/dewy but it held back shine well except on my nose. It's not  a moisturizing formula but not matte either and is oil free. The wear time was good , all day and by the end of the day it still was pretty well in place.

 Chubby In The Nude  comes in 10 shades. Shown is Intense Ivory which is  little deeper than  I think an Ivory is.  It's the second lightest shade so if you are very pale go with Abundant Alabaster.

Clinique Chubby In The Nude Foundation Stick is $ 24 .




Wednesday, January 13, 2016

MAC Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact


MAC is in the cushion compact foundation game with the launch of  Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact. Popular in Asia , this type of foundation has been getting more popular here  over the past year.

Cushion Compacts , if you haven't tried one yet, are foundations in pot compact underneath a cushion. You push down on that cushion with a sponge , fingers or brush and grab the foundation to apply.


MAC's Matchmaster Compact is a lightweight fluid like most cushions. It applies easily for a sheer to light/medium finish that is buildable.  This is the type of foundation that lets skin breathe and peek through while giving a soft ,  slightly dewy more natural look.  It's less sheer than I expected  , which to me is a good thing. I like more coverage and was happy that this was a step above sheer .


I have shade 1.5 here which is the next to lightest. It ended up being a tiny bit dark for me, but I am always between shades it seems.  Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact comes in 12 shades , so there is a wide range, as MAC usually does.

If you are looking for a light , lightweight feeling foundation that covers without heaviness , this is one to explore. As usual MAC does a great job.

** Note, the sponge gets messy fast and when you have to try something right away, before you take your photos, well the above images are what you get. Less editorial, more tried and tested. Real world results right ?


MAC Matchmaster Shade Intelligence Compact is $ 36




Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Guerlain Météorites Voyage & Meteorites Base- Spring 2015




Meteorites was the fist Guerlain product I ever encountered. Before even I began a love affair with their fragrances.  The multi hued powder in an elegant compact easily caught my attention a few years, ok decades , ago.


New this Spring is  Météorites Voyage. Guerlain calls them  Compacted Pearls of Powder . That sums it up. You get the mosaic of five colors that help to brighten, reduce redness and perfect skin in a beaded top compact that would have been at home on Nora Charles dressing table.


Guerlain  says Météorites " signature Stardust technology transforms the invisible UV light into visible and soft focus perfecting light to fade imperfections and illuminate the face. "

This is a  very light powder, meaning it goes on barely there. It finishes up your look nicely and adds some polish and brightening but subtly. It's not heavy on  and never looks "done".

Also new is a first time Meteorites Primer Base. This time the pearls are suspended in a gel primer. Like the powder this is subtle. It's a lightweight gel that smoothes right on and into skin. It has a small amount of moisture( glycerin is the second ingredient ) but is not a moistuirzier. While Guerlain says it's mattifying and oil absorbing I'm not sure on that. It didn't make me dewy  but I didn't feel it mattified a lot either.  It feels nice on and makes an easy base while also boosting your glow a tiny bit.


Guerlain Météorites  Voyage Compact is $ 179
Guerlain Météorites   Primer is $ 74



Monday, January 11, 2016

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30



Oily skinned and matte loving ladies, rejoice.  NARS new Matte Velvet Skin Tint is here to perfect your complexion.

It's no secret I'm a matte foundation fan. And in the category of tinted moisturizers, BBs  and such matte is a rarity. NARS has given us a great option. Not surprising as their Pure Radiant TM is pretty awesome too, but I can only wear it when winter is at it's worst and my skin gets a bit drier.


While this is called a "tint" it has great medium coverage. Far more than I expected and it easily works on it's own as a foundation. You might need a little concealer on spots or under the eyes  but that's it. It does  a good job of holding oil back and has a soft feel and look on the skin . While there is no shine or shimmer in any way you still have a bit of a glow. It's also very long wear.

This is fairly dry however. It's not drying  nor does it look chalky or heavy but has a light powder soft finish. It's truly matte not dewy matte and that's fine by me. If you have drier skin, this will not be for you.


According to NARS it has an "innovative velvet illusion complex technology that creates a soft focus effect with soft touch feel. Transparent blurring powders  help instantly enhance the look of skin by blur imperfection and even tone. "

I have the two lightest shades,Terre -Neuve and Finland. Finland is Light 1 and I probably could have gone even one darker. So if you are very pale, you'll find a shade here.  There are 12 shades in all up to Dark 1 which is warm chocolate.

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint is available on Jan. 15 at NARS and Feb. 1 at Sephora and department stores and is $ 44.