Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Cover Girl Melting Pout Matte Lipcolor



It's easy to perfect your lips with  the new Melting Pout lipcolor from Cover Girl.

The deeply pigmented but lightweight liquid lipcolor goes on creamy, blends easy and sets to a full matte finish that feels soft and flexible on lips, not dry .  I'm not always a fan of matte lips, but I am open to ones that feel comfy on lips and these fit the bill.  I think these are going to get a lot of wearings and I like them as much , maybe more, than some of my far higher end ones.


The  doe foot applicator works well but doesn't hold a lot. I needed two dips to get product all over lips. Wear time is long as it often is with mattes . These do have a bit of a plastic scent out of the tube, but it fades fast.

Shown in : Paradise Lost, Coral Chronicles, Current Nude, Secret, Ballerina

Cover Girl  Melting Pout Lipcolor comes in twelve shades and are approx. $6.99-$8.99 depending on store/sale.





Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate- 12.5% Vitamin C




Kiehl's has upped the ante on their Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate, now even more packed with Vitamin C .

The new formula has 10.5 % pure vitamin C  and 2% vitamin  C2 along with hyaluronic acid and is meant to be used day and night.

This is a  medium weight cream that applies smoothly and doesn't feel that hydrating when it first goes on. After a second or two as it warms on skin , it begins to look glossier ( for lack of a better word) and becomes much more moisturizing while skin looks plumped.  Due to the high potency , there is a slight tingle with it. It's really minimal and didn't bother me at all.


I've been using it for just over a week. While I haven't seen too much brightening yet ( and that does take time) , my skin is smoother and a little more radiant.  I like the feel of this and am definitely going to keep using it to see just how far the results go.  It adds just enough moisture for me . My skin is normal this time of year and I can use this alone. If you are drier , you may want/need something else over it .


Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate is $ 62 for 1.7 oz bottle @ Kiehl's 






Sunday, January 28, 2018

L'Oreal Infallible Matte- Lock & Glow- Lock Primers


In our fourth look at what's new from L'Oreal for Winter we've got you primed.

Two new primers make their debut , Matte- Lock and Glow- Lock Illimnaiting Primer.  I've been using both for a couple weeks now and  they are doing the job as well as any higher end ones I've used.


Matte- Lock is of course mattifying  and best for normal to oily skin.  It's light but immediately smoothes, mattes and fills pores. Over the course of the day, my T Zone  needed only a light blot/powder touch up midday with less oil breakthrough than usual .  It sinks in quickly and you're ready to apply foundation over it( as I do) or use alone if you want to just blot out oil.

Glow- Lock adds a touch of highlight to the face while making a long wear base for makeup.  The "glow" here is minimal , it's not overdone , just enough to give a little wake up early in the AM .   You get smoothing and a little blur with this . With apricot kernal oil and glyerin among the first ingredients, it's  has a nice feel on skin that's been subjected to cold and dry air all season but isn't heavy, greasy or tacky. It will not replace moisturizer like the  also new Lumi Glowtion.   This has helped my foundation look far better , with all day wear and that's not easy for me with my makeup melt.

I'm really impressed with both of these. Like much of the Infallible line they both really get the job done without muss or fuss .

L'Oreal Glow- Lock and Matte- Lock primers are  $ 12.99 each.






Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Femme



Gucci doubles down on being Guilty with new Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Femme.

Right out of the box I loved the plum colored flask like bottle for this. Then came the scent which is equally good.

Guilty Guilty Absolute Pour Femme is a  bold, deep jammy chypre leaning fragrance that Gucci calls a "chypre fruity".   Blackberry is the jam fruit that winds throughout the fragrance. It's not super sweet and makes a nice complement to the  rose, bergamot, patchouli and ambergris that make up  the rest of the notes along with goldenwood.

It does have overtures of a chypre , which is a favorite catergory of mine. Amber, rose and musk  are the predominate notes in the drydown and it has a little smoky feel.

This is most definitely a cold weather scent, it's big and sexy and will stand up to sweaters and coats . It has a lot of sillage and lasts long.  For evening , it'll  add plenty of va va voom to your nightime assignations.


Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Femme EDP is available exclusively at Macys's now with wide release in March.   $72 (1.0oz), $94 (1.6oz) and $115 (3.0oz)





Tuesday, January 23, 2018

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Precious Oil



Love Elnett ? It's hard not too and now you can add shine and condition to hair along with hold. 

New is Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Precious Oil .   The formula has added argan oil to add a little extra softness , shine and smoothing to hair.  It is listed as extra hold but I find it to be more medium to strong hold.   It's been awhile since I used original Elnett ( and I was one of those who ordered it via mail  no less, way back from a European importer)  so I can't compare, but this leaves no sticky, tacky or crunchy feel. Hair is super soft and as with all Elnetts, brushable and restyle-able. A great choice  especially if you have drier hair . 



L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Precious Oil is $ 14.99 wherever the brand is sold. More at   lorealparisusa.com




Sunday, January 21, 2018

L'Oreal Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint



I've got a lot more of  the new L'Oreal Winter launches this week and we're talking the new Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint today.

This is  a new tinted cream for face that adds light shimmer and moisture to skin. Luminous is a good word for it, as it's a little brightening boost  but the glow is minimal. You won't look sparkly or shiny. It's very subtle and acts as a nice skintone evening base .



The coverage is light with a little tint to go with the glow. It can be used alone or under makeup. For me personally, I use it under makeup as I like more coverage. You can also dab it over makeup to highlight cheekbones, brows etc. or  as a midday glow reviver.

The cream is fairly thick , goes on smoothly and with ingredients including
rice bran oil, glycerin, shea butter and vitamin E it has moisturizing properties but doesn't feel heavy on . It sinks in and sets fast  There is a good bit of fragrance in this as well.

Now you might have seen the new True Match Lumi Glowtion that I talked abut a couple weeks ago and also recently launched. If you're wondering what the difference is, I find that Glowtion  has more shimmer, is a thinner formula and is a bit less hydrating with no coverage and very little fragrance.  Both look good on and work well.

L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Luminous Serum Tint comes in five shades  Amber, Gold, Honey, Pearl, and Rose.  Shown are Rose and Gold.


 $14.99 each, Available at lorealparisusa.com , drugstores, Ulta, Target. 







Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Miu Miu L'Eau Rosee



Next up in our look at  new fragrances coming out this month is Miu Miu L'Eau Rosee.

While not a fan of the original Miu Miu , I love the LEau Bleue version and wear it often, especially in warmer weather.  L'Eau Rosee looks to be one I'll be wearing plenty too.


This is a  light  and bright EDT with lily of the valley, cassis buds and musk. It's both fresh and floral/ musky . Slightly sweet  with dark berry tones at first thanks to the blackcurrant , it then gets more whispery dewy floral before the soft musk note comes in. It's sexy in a subtle way and wears fairly close to the skin with light sillage.

The bottle is as those in this line always are, very pretty. The facets meant to evoke matelasse sparkle in the light and the rose color plays well off the navy band.



Miu Miu L'Eau Rosee will be available only at  Sephora now with wide distribution in February.

 $105 (100ml), $81 (50ml) and $61 (30ml) $ 28 for  travel spray ( 10ml). 






Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Burt's Bees Glossy Lipstick



I've finally gotten around to trying Burt's Bees new makeup line . So far  mainly  the lipsticks.

Glossy Lipstick is proving to be a winner . I've even found a red that I can and will wear in Blush Ripple. It's been one I've reached for on many days. 

Peony Dew , Blush Ripple


While the name is Glossy, it's not that shiny or gloss like but more shimmery satin with some shine. The finish is just right and the coverage is medium . I don't get much scent or taste and it's also nicely moisturizing with oils of red raspberry, moringa and meadowfoam seed.  In this cold weather , it's worked well adding warming color and moisture.


The lipcolor is not that long lasting and I do wish that were more the case, as I need to reapply often.  At least , reapplying is easy. It never looks caked on or too much and keeps lips feeling nice in this cold weather.



Burt's Bees Glossy Lipstick comes in 6 colors for $ 9 each at  Burt's Bees online and wherever the brand is sold. 




Sunday, January 14, 2018

Biolage R.A.W Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner



I  liked the Biolage R.A.W line when I first tried it a couple years ago.  With the New Year there's a new duo for/called Color Care with coconut milk and meadowfoam seed oil to help keep color vibrant as well as longer lasting with no sulfates.

Color Care is gentle but gets hair very clean . Hair doesn't feel stripped . It 's not  a super moisturizing shampoo, but adds a light amount and also lathers pretty well.  The conditioner is similar, adding medium moisture  . It's not heavy and hair feels soft and with some volume. If you have very dry hair you'll need something heavier or you can rely on a  leave in before styling. I used a leave in as I always do and a touch of oil to the ends when dry and was good to go. Note also, right now my ends are really in need a trim and are dry.



As with all R.A.W products, these are more natural and organic. Color Care shampoo is 86% natural origin, the conditioner 98% .  The are silicone, paraben free with no animal ingredients and are vegan.


Biolage R.A.W Color Care  Shampoo & Conditioner  is available beginning February along with an in salon treatment and are $25 each at Matrix salons and Ulta.





Sunday, January 7, 2018

Burt's Bees Mint Cocoa Lip Balm


It's Winter and that means time to stock up on the lip balm .

Burt's Bees seasonal flavor for Holiday/Winter this year is Mint Cocoa.


The balm has more cocoa than mint flavor and scent and while it is a bit of a synthetic smelling/tasting cocoa, it's not bad and I find that the smell gives me  a little mood boost when I apply( chocolate can have that effect , right?) I can be on the fence with both chocolate and mint flavors but I like this . It's a  tasty way to keep lips in shape through the season.

 Grab one at your local drugstore .  Even though it's seasonal , my Walgreens still has this and it's online there as well  along with Amazon.





Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Stella Peony EDT by Stella McCartney



New Stella Peony is a light , airy amber-y floral fragrance,  almost a skinscent.  Perfect for those who like the fragrances to be noticed only when you get really close.

The fragrance is pretty  and soft but the base notes of amber and patchouli give it a little boost.  Initially you get a pop of citrus ( mandarin) , then dewy florals ( freesia , pink peony and lotus flower) . As it  goes along , the grounding notes of cedar, ambergris and patchouli are there . The amber is more pronounced to my nose than the patchouli but both make the fragrance better , warmer and add some depth.

As an EDT is has light to medium lasting power , but can be reapplied without worrying about overload and is easily wearable anytime.




 I have read that Stella Peony is very similar to the now discontinued  Stella Peony In Two. I never smelled that one so I can't say myself  but it seems to be a popular opinion.

Stella McCartney is known for her environmental awareness and here according to the brand " the warm, masculine Amber note in the scent is derived from an innovative, modern and environmentally friendly substitute for Ambergris The fragrance’s sensual skin-note is enhanced by polished Patchouli, extracted through molecular distillation and sustainably sourced by local farming projects in Java and Sumatra, Indonesia, ensuring greater revenues for the farmers and a more conscious product for the end consumer "




Stella Peony EDT is available at Sephora . $48 (30ml), $70 (50ml) and $89 (100ml) 




Monday, January 1, 2018

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glowtion



L'Oreal has a lot of newness coming this month and first up over here is True Match Lumi Glowtion Natural Glow Enhancer.


True Match Lumi Glowtion is liquid lotion highlighter and moisturizer. It comes in 4 shades . I have Fair. I've been using this almost every day since it arrived all over my face ,  under my foundation. It adds light pearlescent highlight. It's subtle and barely there, not super shimmery. Enough to add some oomph and when it's 12' outside our skin needs that. What I like best is that is has a good bit of moisture  with both shea butter and glycerin in the ingredients . No need to use a separate product under it , if you're like me and find this is often enough moisture for you. If you're dry , you'll need more.


There is really no coverage with this and it can be tapped over bare skin, foundation or CC to highlight cheekbones, brows etc. and the deeper shades also work well as bronzers  on lighter skintones.


L'Oreal True Match Lumi Glowtion Natural Glow Enhancer is available now wherever L'Oreal is sold  for $ 14.99