Blushes You Can't Have - Chanel Joues Contraste in Turbulent

I'm back again with our Sadistic little exercise in desire.  It's time again for another installment of  < echo voice > Blushes You Can't Have!...Can't Have...can't have...can't have... < fades > < /voice >  Remember last year when Joeybunny and I tortured you with the best and most evil blog project this world has ever seen with Taupes You Can't Have? You know that 12 month series where we featured some of our best-est taupes, with the knowledge that most of you could never have them. Yeah. That's how we roll! Wanting to out do ourselves this year, we decided to bring you 12 blushes you probably can't have. As like last year, we will feed off your sorrow and anguish as each of you has a little piece if their heart die with each new post in the series: Blushes You Can't Have!  Muwahahahaha!

In January, I started the series with Chanel Joues Contraste in Poesie. In February, Joeybunny brought you MAC Powder Blush in Afterdusk and then I followed the next month with the Shu Uemura Glow-On in Sakura.  Last month Joeybunny tormented you with quite possibly the prettiest blush ever created with the Inoui ID blush in PK-1.  So How do I continue the anguish over blush?  Well quite simply with one word. Turbulent.

tur·bu·lent [tur-byuh-luhnt]
–adjective
1. being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed: turbulent feelings or emotions.
—Synonyms
agitated, tumultuous, violent, tempestuous, disordered. 

Chanel released their Joues Contraste blush for the 2006 Fall collection.  Quite the break from the subtle plums and mochas of fall, Turbulent was an instant success.....or that's how people want to remember it. But much like past presidencies, history has been re-written.  At first people were appalled with the neon pink of the blush.  The tried to compare it to NARS blushes and tried to find dupes because they (whomever they are) complained about the price. They complained about the smell (roses). The complained about almost everything they could think of, but when the blush dust settles down and all the Chanel Turbulent JC blushes are all sold out, you know what they do?  They whine about how they really loved it and how they wish it wasn't discontinued. Boo Hoo!  Some people don't know what a good thing they have until it's taken away.

I believe Turbulent was available for sale all the way up until Fall of 2007 When Chanel Introduced another cult classic, Narcisse. Regardless of the availability back 5 years ago, it's no longer for sale though Chanel now.  People must now go on the black market for this blush. Whether it be through Swap/Purchase (like I did) or though evilbay this it pretty much the only way you are going to get your grubby little well manicured paws on this blush.

So what's so great about this blush anyway?

Well my fine readers. It's PINK!  but not just any pink. It's like a neon pink, but with subtle blue undertones and the finest shimmer one could ever imagine.  This pink makes you look like you just stepped out of the cold. It makes you look like you just heard something naughty, it makes you look like you might be about to engage in something naughty. This is the ultimate hot pink, I look like a living human being and not a corpse, blush!

Admittedly this blush needs a light hand for application. I preferred to use a skunk brush to apply it to my fair skin, but those with darker skin tones could definitely use a regular blush brush.  The cool toned neon pink looks stunning and striking on dark skin and delicate and sweet on very fair skin. It is a blush that almost every woman could wear, if applied correctly.

The finely milled powder of this blush combined with the outstanding strong pigmentation make this a must have in any blush addicts arsenal.  If there is a way to swap for this or purchase one from someone I highly recommend it. It's just that lovely!

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day is actually about honoring those servicemen and women who have died while defending The United States Of America. As you read this, the USA still has soldiers abroad doing what their country has asked of them in both Iraq and Afghanistan. These wars have been going on for a decade.  It is important to remember that not all of our troops will be coming home....tragically. So please, while enjoying your barbecues, swimming pools, holiday sales and time with your friends and family, please remember those who have sacrificed everything so that we can continue to do so.

The Beauty Blog Network Weekend Beauty Read

5/27/2011

Phyrra shows you about a new indie company, Bokeh Face!

Daily Polish is giving away the Jason Wu for CND Collection!

The Pink Sith may be winning the war against oily skin and wrinkles with her new weapon, Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion. Come see how the battle is waged!

Sheila from Painted Ladies finished the first and only 365 Days of Eyeshadow project!!! Check out day 365 and check out the archives of past looks!

A Touch of Blusher reviews two of RMK's new cleansers.

Help Cinnamon Kitten out by taking the Cinnamon Kitten Reader Survey and you could win a $50 gift card to Sephora.

The Lipstick League - week of 5.23.11

Question of the Week: What’s a brand that you absolutely love but can’t afford?

Answer: Well there are a lot but I would say Serge Lutens Lipsticks. I just can't justify $75 for a lipstick or $55 for a refill. They do look beautiful tho!

What about you? Leave your answer in the comments section.

Phyrra - shows you the Science Collection, a.k.a. Portal! 30 thoroughly tested colors that are a Triumph!

we heart this - The Frédéric Fekkai Essential Shea Collection made our hair feel like a big stick of butter (that's a good thing)!

Beauty Junkies Unite - Amber shares a few shades of perfectly neutral polish from the new Jessica Cosmetics Carte Blanche Collection. Which one is your favorite?

EauMG - EauMG reviews a savory, Bohemian perfume by DSH Perfumes that would fit right in at the Moulin Rouge.

Nouveau Cheap - There’s something for everyone in the Milani HD Advance Lip Color range. Oh the pretty colors!

Orange to LA - is feeling blue, but in a good way thanks to Paul & Joe Summer 2011 L’Horizon Bleu Collection, check out pictures and swatches of her favorite pieces!

Pink Sith - Suffers from Lonely Cart Syndrome (LCS). Read about the gem she discovered in Lipstick Queen’s Butterfly Ball Lipstick during one of her recent outbreaks.

Review by Joeybunny - A Quick Tour of AOFM Pro NYC!

This past Wednesday, I was extended an invitation to check out the brand-new New York City branch of the prestigious UK-based Academy of Freelance Makeup, or AOFM Pro. AOFM Pro is the first makeup academy to be started by a freelance makeup artist rather than by a brand, and this uniqueness carries through the entire philosophy and curriculum of the academy.

Jana Ririnui, the creator of AOFM Pro, and Jason Mallett, the director of AOFM Pro, aimed to create a makeup academy where the emphasis of the curriculum was on both educating its students on the most current makeup trends, techniques, and products, and - and this is probably the most important goal of AOFM Pro - giving its students a deep understanding and exposure to how the industry works so that when students graduate, they knew what to expect and how to market themselves so that they were immediately employable. In speaking with Jana and Jason (who are both quite dashing and hospitable!), they really emphasized how important this latter point was to the ethos of AOFM Pro; the Pro is not just part of the name, and AOFM Pro isn’t a school that just teaches students how to do makeup one specific way with one specific brand. AOFM Pro is about giving its students as full a range of experience and knowledge as possible.

How does AOFM Pro do this?: Like I said, the school is owned and operated by freelance makeup artists, so every day, a different makeup artist is brought in to teach his/her specialty for the day. The NYC branch of AOFM Pro has artists who are based in NYC and artists flown in from Paris and London. While I was there on Wednesday, the day’s teacher was a lovely woman named Colette (her portfolio, which she showed me, was STUNNING!) who was teaching editorial makeup: the students were using products from NARS and Make Up For Ever to create bright, colorful looks. The emphasis was on layering creams and powders, and all of the students had MUFE Flash Cases at their tables! Oh, and that brings me to another cool thing about AOFM Pro - they emphasize working with all sorts of different brands (and focusing on a couple of different brands each day). Jana showed me the students’ supplies table, which looked like my dream come true: brands from Sleek to YSL to MAC to OCC to Stila to NARS to MUFE covered table after table. There was drugstore stuff (Rimmel and Max Factor, for example) next to the highest of high-end products. Jana explained to me that one of his main goals was to get students familiar with as many products from as many brands as possible, since not all products behave the same. He told me that this way, students could pick and choose what they would want for their kits (rather than AOFM Pro creating a kit for the students), because they would be familiar with a whole range of products. Because AOFM Pro is sponsored by so many top brands (for example, they only use Dermalogica products), students have access to pro discounts on special shopping days; I was so jealous when I heard this!

AOFM Pro NYC is currently offering a two-week combined course program ($2995) - its first class of students started on May 16th, so I visited about halfway through their course. The course is 6 days a week (so 12 days altogether), and each day is eight hours long. Students are provided with a comprehensive syllabus every day, a gorgeous brush set which is theirs to keep, and at the end of the program they have an individual full photo shoot so that they can get a jump start on their portfolios (and also see what it’s like to work with a full team of models and stylists). The two week program (which seriously is quite comprehensive!) covers: bridal makeup, contouring/highlighting, brow shaping, photography basics, commercial/runway/editorial makeup, and so much more. Graduates of the course also get the chance to compete for a spot in London Fashion Week’s makeup team! The next two-week course will be offered in August. I am seriously debating registering for it!

I was really impressed by AOFM Pro, because I really loved the idea of a total immersion in technique and the exposure to so many products and professionals. The potential for learning and expanding one’s craft is boundless; plus, Jana and Jason were just so warm that the overall environment was one of friendliness and encouragement.

If you’re interested in AOFM Pro (besides an academy in NYC and the UK, there is also a Paris location), please check out their website here or call their NYC location at (212) 710-1334!

An unexpected and generous bonus: Jana and Jason gifted me with a copy of their “Makeup is Art” book, which is just stunning and I’ll include some shots of it here. The book is a composite work by Jana, Lan Nguyen (the creative director of the book), and other top artists who wanted to create a book that combined beautiful images with real industry knowledge. I was sincerely flattered by the gift - it’s so lovely!

Thursday Poll

 
Well Spring is gone and the 90 degree weather has pimp slapped the Washington, DC area. I'm not a fan of hot weather. I much prefer cold. It's easier to get warm than it is to get cool. But one thing I think many of us can agree upon is Rain Sucks.  OK. not like when you have had a drought and you need rain to make the corn grow, but rain all the time, every day just looks absolutely miserable to me.  I am watching a series on the AMC channel called The Killing.  Those not familiar with it should know it's a day by day account of a detective trying to solve the murder of a 17 year old girl. The show is excellently written. The acting is divine.  The story is not spoon fed to the audience like in some crime dramas. You honestly do not know who the killer is. You only know what the Detective and Family of the slain girl know. And even then there are some surprises.  There are red herrings peppered into the story to keep you guessing and the suspense is spectacular!  Here's the thing.  The whole story is set in Seattle Washington. Holy crap it rains a lot there. I mean in almost every scene it is raining. And what strikes me as completely odd, no one uses umbrellas. They just stand there, in the rain, looking like drowned rats.  Everyone on the show looks like crap too. I get that they are supposed to b/c they are all stressed and not sleeping and stuff, but I'm kinda getting the feeling that looking like crap is the norm in Seattle.  Remember the show Fraiser?  You NEVER saw it raining out of his window. You never saw any character come in drenched from the rain, wearing galoshes, wellies or even a raincoat. I don't watch Gray's Anatomy or Weeds, so I have no idea if they make the rain a co-star in the show like The Killing, but judging from the previews I see on TV, no one on Gray's Anatomy looks like crap, so I'm thinking not.  It's a funny thing about TV shows..even movies. When set in a location that is very specific you need to get everything right. The Killing, I think, does that. The rain is a pivotal character in the story. It sets the tone, it causes the other characters to do things that they wouldn't do if it wasn't raining. It's awesome that they use it so much.  Shows like The West Wing, which was supposed to take place in Washington, DC, my home town, well....meh. They showed a lot of interior shots and never once complained about the damn humidity or the traffic.  Trust me. Humidity and traffic around here plays a BIG role in our lives.  It's what makes everyone look like glazed doughnuts with frizzy hair each August and it's what makes us all aggressive drivers that want to shoot each other.  Every town, no matter how small has a specific something that makes it recognizable to people from that area.  It maybe something little like the way people interact with each other, or it may be something big like a 555 foot tall obelisk in the middle of town.  Either way, it's almost impossible to capture every nuance of a town for a TV show or a movie, but I bet if I ask some local Seattleites?, Seattlealions?, Seattlers? they would agree The Killing is doing a good job.
On To The Poll!

1.  Blush Of The Day? - Becca Pressed shimmer Powder in Princess. A warm rose that is sheep but makes a loverly neutral blush!

2.  Are you from a place where a Movie and/or TV was supposed to be set?  How well do you think those show(s)/movie(s) depicted your town? - See my answer above.

3.  Name a makeup pet peeve you experience or see on other people. - One pet peeve of mine is that I could never find a foundation that matches my skin tone it was always too yellow or too dark..that is until I found Armani LSF in 3.75. It's pink but not too pink. It's light but not too light. I just wish it controlled oil. That's my 2nd pet peeve...

4.  What do you miss most about home when/if you travel? - Not much really. I'm not saying I don't like where I live but there isn't too much I miss...except for the low sales tax. *wink*

5.  Current lemmings? - Oooh. I'm back in my highlighter mode again. I want the Dior Shimmer Star highlighter in Amber Diamond. I have the rose one already. I NEED both. And maybe one of the new MUFE Uplights!

Review by Joeybunny - Tocca Aqua Baci Lip Glosses

There’s nothing I love more than to give kisses. Who doesn’t love a kiss? Kiss is such a fun word too: KISS! It sounds sweet, and happy, and a little naughty.

Even in different languages kiss sounds lovely! In Spanish, kiss is “beso”; in Italian, kiss is “baci” - and this leads us to today’s review!

Tocca, who is as well known for their delicious fragrances as they are known for their beautiful clothing, released a line of rollerball lip glosses a few months back called Aqua Baci. I know what you’re thinking: rollerball lip gloss, Joey!? Yeah, I know. It struck me as a bit unsophisticated for such an elegant line. However, after having tested all three flavors of gloss, I can only describe the Aqua Baci glosses as cheerful, fun, but grown-up. Looking past the little girl exterior, the scents, flavors, and general feel of these glosses is perfectly suited for us big girls!

The Aqua Baci glosses come in three flavors: Amalfi (apple lemon), Catania (sweet sugar vanilla), and Salina (raspberry peach). If you are at all familiar with Tocca’s absolutely dreamy scents, you could only imagine how terribly delicious these glosses taste and smell. It was hard for me to pick a favorite, but Catania’s sugary sweet and warm taste won my heart (my darling guy friend, who’s sitting on my bed as I type this, picked Amalfi as his favorite). All three glosses are clear, and not overly glossy. Wearing these won’t make you look like you drooled on yourself. They look lovely on a bare lip, and they shine (haha, I made a pun, sort of!) over lipsticks or lip liners.

What I find to be exceptional about these glosses besides their smell and taste is their moisturizing capability. These glosses are as moisturizing as my favorite lip balm (Labello, if you had to ask), and my lips feel plump and soft hours after the glossy shine wears off. I would go so far as to call these glosses a liquid balm, really. Truly, they are a treat for the lips! Mille baci to the Tocca people for thinking to create such lovely lip products.

The Aqua Baci come in 2.2mL rollerball tubes (which I find to be pretty large!) and retail for $14. They’re available on the Tocca website, and I really recommend picking one up, especially if you need a lovely pick-me-up; these are as much as an aromatherapy/taste treat as they are a lovely addition to your lip arsenal. Also, you'll be able to give delicious kisses!

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion

image from http://www.drbrandtskincare.com/

War is never the answer. But it is cool to blow sh*t up every once in a while!

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that I have incredibly oily skin. In fact. My skin and I have not been on speaking terms since the 6th grade when I broke out with two pimples on my chin THE DAY OF class photos.  It was back in Junior High when my skin and I officially declared war. My skin decided that it needed to have pores the size of Rhode Island on my cheeks and nose and I decided that I would use every weapon in the drug store as well as the kitchen cabinet to fight. I hated my skin.  In High School my skin explored the fine art of acne and oil secretion while I went to Dermatologist after Dermatologist and was given almost every acne medication under the sun.  My skin's response to this was to become highly sensitive and allergic to benzoyl-peroxide.  So far it was Skin-4; Elvira-0.  I thought once I graduated from college my skin might have grown up some and not break out.  I thought wrong. But I finally had a weapon. Accutane.  Ah ha! Skin-6; Elvira-1. Sadly the effects of Accutane lasted about 10 months and my skin won the war. I battled again 5 years later with another bout of Accutane but the skin won again, only 8 months later.  It was now Skin-9; Elvira-2.  I gave up and just lived my life with my oily acne prone skin taunting me on a daily basis.  Then I discovered the wonderful world of high end skin care.  I started to slowly win the war with my skin. I was gaining on the win column but I needed something, a big victory to get me over that hill.  I found it in a big blue and silver bottle from Dr. Brandt Skincare. My secret weapon?

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion.

I received it as a sample in a Sephora order about 7 months ago.  This A fast-absorbing, oil-free, anti aging moisturizer was touted to regulate oil and wrinkles at the same time.  I may be emotionally and intellectually 28 but my skin is about 10 years older than that. I'm just now showing the first signs of aging.  I can say that I am slightly thankful for oily skin, as wrinkles aren't as apparent on my skin as they are on my like aged friends with drier skin.  Anyway, I used the sample and for the first time in ages my skin was mattified without feeling dry and tight and stayed relatively oil free for hours after application.  I thought it was a fluke but I continued to use the sample until I ran out.  I had to make an important tactical decision in the war with my skin.  Purchase a full size bottle and fight the good fight or move on to something else.  I decided to splurge and buy a full size 1.7 oz bottle for $60 and fight!

6 months after pumping out the first dose of this moisturizer I still have product left in the tube. Since it is an airless pump and the tube is opaque, I can't tell you exactly how much I have left but 6+ months of use is pretty awesome from one product. 6 months of use has given me some small victories in my struggle.

Small victories include:

The battle of oily skin by 11AM.  - Banished. Micronized Powder in the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion provides a matte finish by absorbing surface oils. Oil only begins to show now on or after 1PM.

The crusade against pore size. - Tactical Advantage.The pores on my cheeks are smaller because they are less congested because the Alpine Extract in the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion. The Alpine Extract helps minimize the size of pores, control oil production, and prevent inflammation.

The Rough and Uneven Skin Tone Standoff - Victor! The Retinol in Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion  increases my cellular renewal rate, making my skin appear softer and smoother. It's also supposed to help improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Other weapons in my arsenal are:

Apple Stem Cells. The are alleged to help delay the natural signs of aging by maintaining the longevity and activity of stem cells in the skin.

and

AquaxylTM. This is supposed to increase water reserves, limits water loss, and improves lipid barrier function.

Is my face still oily? Yes. No one product (aside from Accutane) will ever halt the oil production on my face. I accept that.

Do I still have large pores? Yes. Pore size is hereditary and nothing can shrink pores or make them permanently smaller, but lessening the oil production and making sure that my pores are clear of sebum and dead skin cells will make them appear smaller and less congested in the long run.

Am I still at war with my skin? - No. I learned that fighting never solves anything and while I'm not some hippie dippy peacenik, I understand the importance of Diplomacy and Compromise. I promise to treat my skin well by not using products that contain Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petrochemicals and Phthalates, and my skin acquiesces to not turn beet red and act all inflamed and cranky.  I agree to regularly cleanse my skin in a gentle manner and use exfoliation in a clean and consistent manner with chemicals (Fruit acids, Retinol, etc.) and with regulated physical methods (Microdermabrasion, Clarisonic and the occasional scrub) and my skin complies with less inflamed and congested pores.

Is Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion the be all end all solution to the conflict with my skin?  No. BUT it is a key player in maintaining peace. That's more than any other mattifying product has been able to do in years,  That's a victory in my book.  I just purchased a back up bottle and plant to stick with Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion for as long as I can.

*UPDATE*
-If pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your physician before use. 
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xylitylglucoside, Stearic Acid, Anhydroxylitol, Silica, Epilobium Fleisheri Extract, Allantoin, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Xylitol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Hydroxide, Retinol, Lecithin, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Potassium Sorbate.

Lipstick Queen Butterfly Ball Lipstick in Trance

Released in 2009 there's nothing I like more than jumping on the bandwagon almost 2 years after the the fact. OK. I admit. I was entranced by the 2009 line of Lipstick Queen Butterfly Ball lipsticks when they were released back in November of 2009, but the fact that I have no lipstick queen counter near me and the fact that I wasn't really into sheer lipsticks at the time kinda made me put it on the back burner.  Then one day, whilst shopping online at Barneys.com I decided that my cart, containing one item looked sad and pathetic. You see I suffer from oneiteminvirtualshopingcart phobia or Lonely Cart Syndrome, (LCS) as I like to cal it. I can't just order ONE thing from an on line retailer. LCS is a serious problem affecting tens of women across the world.  The mere mention of a one item purchase...even if that one purchase qualifies for free shipping, sends such anxiety and buyer's remorse though an affected LCS sufferer that they will go great lengths to find ANYTHING to add to the cart to make the purchase a 2 or 3 item spree.  Countless makeup pencil sharpeners, cosmetic sponges, and nail files have been purchased by LCS shoppers all in an attempt to rid the crushing trepidation of ordering just ONE THING from a website. This time my LCS caused me to add a Lipstick Queen Lipstick to my cart.

Never in my life have I been so glad to suffer from LCS as when I received the Lipstick Queen Butterfly Ball lipstick in Trance.  The attention to detail from everything to the case the color and the packaging was wonderful.  For example the packaging for the Butterfly Ball lipsticks were inspired by Edward Gorey drawings of insects.  Neat-o.  The cool purple matte packaging of the case gives a sweet calming ethereal feel to the lipstick and the shade names were inspired by Mohammad Ali's famous quote "I float like a butterfly sting like a bee.".  

out of focus to show the blue shimmer

The collection boasts a small 5 shade group of sheer lipsticks with a hint of turquoise shimmer when the light hits them. This blue flash is supposed to be very flattering and is alleged to help your teeth appear whiter.  I personally did not experience this when wearing the lipstick but your results may vary.

Trance is a Strawberry color that reminds me of fresh cut strawberries in the middle of summer.  The lipstick is sheer and with the blue shimmer makes it look cooler on the lips than usual. However this lipstick is not glittery, nor does it appear frosty or shimmery once applied.  These lipsticks are definitely more geared for those with cooler complexions in my opinion.  The sheer lipstick is so incredibly moisturizing and hydrating I felt like I was wearing amped up lip balm most of the time.  My lips never felt dry or flaky, nor did they feel sticky or waxy while wearing this lipstick.  The lipstick, being sheer, doesn't last as long as other more pigmented lipsticks but I'm OK with that.

Sadly, because this line is now 2 yeas old the availability of all five shades is scarce.  On Barneys.com they only have 2 shades available and on the Lipstick Queen website and on QVC.com, only one shade (Trance) is available. Well I guess this whole post may be moot, but honestly Trance is such a flattering color that I think most people can wear it and look great in it.  (at least that's what I tell myself as the sad realization that I waited too long to buy and review this item for you all has finally hit home.)  A part of me hopes that the ever enchanting Poppy, the creator of Lipstick Queen, will see this post and decide to bring back all of the Butterfly Ball lipsticks so I can buy Float and Moment.  Then again, she has so many other products that are always in stock, that I'm sure I would love just as much, that I don't really need her to bring back the Butterfly Ball lipsticks...Oh never mind. Well at least I educated you on LCS and the crippling effects it has on me and my fellow brethren.  Thankfully I'm never at a loss for makeup pencil sharpeners.

What about you? Do you suffer from LCS?

The Beauty Blog Network Weekend Beauty Read

5/20/2011

Phyrra gives Jemma Kidd's Light As Air Liquid Foundation SPF 18 in Ultra Light a try. See what she thinks about the foundation by the international makeup artist.

Raging Rouge thinks shades in the MAC Fashionflower Eyeshadow Collection are perfect for Spring 2011!

The Pink Sith dishes on the new and limited edition L'eau par Kenzo Wild for Women fragrance and does some creative writing to boot!

Smashbox Photo Finish or Too Faced Primed and Poreless? Ashlee from Painted Ladies reviews and gives her verdicts on three different primers.

Nicole from Lipstick and Luxury has Spring fever for the Elizabeth Arden Bronze in Bloom Collection Check out the swatches!

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search tells you how to highlight and brighten your eyes.

A Touch of Blusher introduces you Shiseido's &Face line.

Beauty Blog Link Love

Jellyminx presents a bronzer lovers paradise with her ultimate Bronzer Overview.


Missed out on the New York City Makeup Show? Have no fear, for Krasey Beauty has the scoop!


Over at The Pink Sith blog, Joeybunny brings you swatches of the new Dior Rosy Tan Eyeshadow Quint and makes a shocking confession!


Have you tried lining your eyes with traditional kohl/kajal? Kajal Couture did and she shows you how.


Can the cute and new Sephora Hello Kitty-Memoirs Of A Kitty Palette satisfy an ex-punk beauty junkie like Tracy at Beauty Reflections?


Amy Antoinette showcases the prettiest lip balms in her collection.


Beautywoome has found the best light alternative to foundation for summer!


Still a Sugarpill virgin? Beauty's Bad Habit shows you Lumi Chromalust, a pigment which will have you rushing for your credit card!


Lipglossiping falls in love with an eye cream that shows promising results... but like most things in life, it comes at a price!


The Lip Print faces her fear of orange to find this absolute beauty by Tom Ford - that man sure know's how to make a lipstick!


Looking for a perfect bronzer? Check the new Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder at Fleurissante.


Unique, unusual and different...find out what perfume Lady Gaga is currently wearing! Read Hellcandy's review of it here.


Tarte's new Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eye Shadows arrive just in time for summer. See how they make eyes shine at Prime Beauty!


Love Chanel Mimosa but not the price? Find out how you can dupe it for under $10 on My Lips But Better.


Are you ready for summer? Anita reviews Guerlain's Terra Inca summer collection over at Pleasureflush.


AOYV ponders if Vasanti's Magic Liner really magical?


Mariella at Musing on Beauty has a play with the new Becca Halcyon Palette and tells it all.


---

Audrey Dao is giving away 3 Julep Jennifer Mani Care Sets, so you can get the perfect manicure!

Head on over to theNotice and enter to win Rae's "holy grail" face powder, a Canadian exclusive that's honestly just really, really lovely.

The Lipstick League - week of 5.16.11

Question of the Week: 

Which products would you confiscate from your 16 year old self’s makeup bag?!

Joeybunny's Answer: "For the most part, I had a pretty high end makeup stash when I was 16: NARS, Lancome, Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Bobbi Brown filled my oversized Caboodle. However, what was embarrassing was the constant supply of Maybelline Great Lash mascara - my mom swore by it, and while it worked well for her (and still does!), it smudged and flaked to no end on me. Ugh!"

What about you?  Leave your answer in the comments section!

Pink Sith - Knows the end is coming when she professes her love for a 2nd Clinique product, Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum!

Phyrra - My Independent Spotlight for May is Geek Chic Cosmetics! Learn all about the people behind the company in this unique interview.

Vampy Varnish - Get your glow on with Pixi Lumi Lux Radiance Powder.

we heart this - MAC's Surf, Baby! has a riding a beautiful wave, especially the Surf the Ocean Crushed Metallic pigments.

Beauty Junkies Unite - shows you that the new Hello Kitty for Sephora "Memoirs of a Kitty" Collection isn't for kids! The eyeshadow & blush palette is to die for.

EauMG - This niche Hollywood perfume house will have you smelling like a 1950’s poolside pin-up with their Kitten. Meow!

Nouveau Cheap - gives you an up-close look at the last of the three limited edition Summer 2011 collections from Wet n Wild: Inked (inspired by urban art culture).

Orange to LA - is on her 4th container of LUSH Oatifix Fresh Face Mask. Find out why she’s smitten!

LEONOR GREYL Natural Hair Products

I recently has the immense pleasure of trying out two LEONOR GREYL hair products. The Shampooing au miel (Gentle volumizing shampoo) and the Regenerescence naturelle (Pre Shampoo Treatment Essential Oil).  Before I get into how wonderfully these products work let me tell your a few things about LEONOR GREYL and my own hair.

image from www.leonorgreyl.com

First LEONOR GREYL.  The LEONOR GREYL brand has been around for over 35 years focusing on hair care treatment using only natural products.  The meeting with her future husband Jean-Marie Greyl, in 1968, decided the creation of LEONOR GREYL brand. Jean-Marie Greyl has an extraordinary knowledge in botanics. While history may have been rewritten to reflect that the late 1960's was widely accepting of all natural products, in actuality "Natural" was not yet the fashion but it was at this time that the first products to have success, and continued to have success today. One of the first treatments was called: HONEY SHAMPOO and it is now known as shampooing au miel.  With the high quality and attention to detail of all the LEONOR GREYL products, success for the company was inevitable. 

image from www.leonorgreyl-usa.com

Now in the 21st century this family business is spearheaded by Caroline Greyl and her husband, a biologist, chemist and plant lover. I have no doubts that they will continue the success of this family tradition of silicone free and harsh chemical free products that contain healthy plant extracts for beautiful hair.

Second. My Hair. My hair and I have never gotten along. I was born with beautiful brick red hair and it slowly turned strawberry blonde then almost platinum, but then it decided to turn on me and become an ashy dark blonde (read: mousy dishwater blonde) color.  At the time I was using the LEONOR GREYL shampooing au miel and treatment oil. my hair was uncolored-Virgin hair. It is still fine, prone to breakage and limp. My hair can be blown out with the most heavy duty volumizing products and be limp in a few hours or after a stiff breeze. My hair is fairly dry as is my scalp. My scalp and hair are so dry that I can go up to three days without shampooing (Of course I shower!!) and still have no oil or grease in my hair. My hair is also fairly wavy and turns frizzy with just the slightest humidity. It lacks shine and bounce and basically looks blah.

OK. So now that you know about LEONOR GREYL and my disappointing hair let's get down to brass tacks shall we?

image from www.leonorgreyl.com

 First the treatment oil!  Regenerescence naturelle is a mix of essential oils and botanical oils to stimulate and purify the scalp while encouraging hair growth.  The product is rich in amino acids, proteins and botanical oils that work to increase hair flexibility. It also increases surface blood and circulation, preventing deficiencies of the scalp. (read: dry scalp, or thinning hair)  I applied a dropper full of oil to the middle part of my hair and massaged it in and worked it all over my scalp. I also used a few drops on my fingertips when it felt like I needed a bit more oil.  I would massage this oil into my scalp at least 15 minutes before my shower. Since I shower at night I had no problem timing this, but for those that shower in the morning it might be wise to iron your shirt for the day or brush your teeth and feed the pets while you wait for this to work.  Once the oil has been in for 15 minutes I started the process of washing my hair. My scalp felt energized and warmer...probably because of the massage. My shampoo had no problem lathering as a result of using this oil, as some oily treatments can retard the later of most shampoos. Once finished washing and conditioning, my hair my scalp felt exceptionally clean and my hair did not lay as flat on my head as it once did.  Most important, my scalp did not feel as dry as it had before.  I believe that using the Regenerescence naturelle oil has significantly improved the condition of my scalp as far as dryness AND has contributed to my hair seeming more full and having more volume than usual.  This items runs for $49 USD and I used it once every 2 days. I still have plenty after a month of use and I have noticed that I now only need to use it at every other shampoo since my scalp has been normalized. I plan to purchase Regenerescence naturelle treatment oil when I run out.

image from www.leonorgreyl.com

Second the Shampoo. OK. I admit this is my FAVORITE part. I was extremely skeptical when I received this small 4 oz bottle of shampoo. But when I opened the bottle and smelled the divine honey scent I was won over. It's not the synthetic honey scent, it smells like honey and flowers and herbs. It is he most beautiful smelling shampoo I have EVER used and I wish I had a scent matching conditioner and body wash to go along with it.  It makes taking a shower a luxury.  OK. but 4 oz. That's small.  Ah ha! But you only need a small amount to thoroughly cleanse your hair.  Following directions of depositing a small amount in your palms and emulsifying it then applying it to my hair starting at the scalp and working down I found that a little bit of the shampoo went a long way. I also found that if it didn't seem to foam as much, a splash of water helped it along and I was able to get my whole head and shoulder length hair into a beautiful foamy, honey scented, vision of decadence.  This shampoo rinsed out so clean and so well I never felt any residue on my hair. My hair was literally squeaky clean!  After using this shampoo for a month (every other day 2 washes per use),  I have a little less than half of a bottle left.  At $28 this may seem expensive but the results are sooo worth it. Oh did I not tell you the results?

Oh my goodness this shampoo made my hair so light and fluffy and bouncy and shiny. I almost didn't recognize it.  I had "Breck Girl" hair (those that know what I'm talking about are smiling and those that don't...well you're missing out!) 

The wave in my hair was soft and my hair felt so incredibly silky. Blow outs were a cinch and flat ironing left my hair with still more volume than I had before I had started using this shampoo.  I was truly amazed at how healthy my hair looked. The fact that my fine limp hair now had body and movement  it made the delicious honey floral scent more of a treat!  Now that my hair is colored I am thinking of trying the Bain Vitalisant B shampoo next.

Do you NEED this? YES! If you have fine limp hair I think that with proper use you will find a dramatic change in the look and texture of your hair after just one wash. If your hair is not fine and limp you are still in luck, LEONOR GREYL has a product for a wide range of hair types.  You can easily purchase directly from www.leonorgreyl-usa.com or from Folica.com,  BeautyHabit.com,  BeautyBridge.com, or BeautyofaSite.com.

What about you? What is your hair like and do you think you need a change in products?

Thursday Poll

Does going to see Chris Hemsworth in the movie, Thor constitute as cheating?  Is asking Mr. Sith to wear a Thor wig and helmet a fetish or fantasy fulfillment?  Well No worries. Mr. Sith won't put on the wig.  He has told me that I can go see the movie but only if he's there to cover my eyes during certain scene where Chris Hemsworth is shirtless or in a sex scene.  Ask Joeybunny about Thor and she'll tell you to save your money and just google image search Chris Hemsworth. But since Joeybunny and I have drastically differing opinions on comic book movies (example: I loved The Watchmen and she hated it) I'm still gonna go see it....with or without Mr. Sith.  Now Let's be realistic. I'm not in love with Chris Hemsworth. He's just nice to look at. He's like a beautiful painting or statue. He doesn't need to speak or tell me his political philosophy he just needs to sit there and look pretty.  Is this Sexist of me?  Perhaps. (YES!) But Chris Hemsworth will never know of me or that I think these things. He will not even care. If by some inexplicable reason I meet Chris Hemsworth will I put my index finger on his lips and whisper "Don't Speak" as Dianne Wiest's character did in the movie Bullets Over Broadway? Of course not. But that would be pretty funny. So where am I going with this?  Nowhere. I just wanted an excuse to talk about Chris Hemsworth and post his picture.

On To The Poll!

1. Lip Of The Day? - Chanel Glossimer in Pagoda. A loverly rusty red shimmery gloss.

2. What famous person do you want to just look at because he/she is so beautiful? - Well aside from Chris Hemsworth I have a thing for Daniel Craig too. But that's a whole different Thursday Poll.

3. What is your most beloved makeup item in your collection, and if someone offered you $100 for it would you sell it to them? - Mine is my Shu ME945 eyeshadow...and $100 wouldn't be enough to replace it so no.

4. What movie(s) have you seen recently in the theater? - Nothing. Seriously. I haven't been to a movie in ages. I'll be seeing Bridesmaids this weekend with a friend.

5.  What makeup item do you think is too pretty to use? (I know some will say, none) - I have a Dior highlighter that is the prettiest shade of pink and has the most beautiful flowers on the powder and is very intricate. I still have not been able to bring myself to swatch it, let alone use it.

Thanks to Mr. Sith for giving me the opening sentence of this post!

L'eau par Kenzo Wild Kenzo for Women

When I was asked to sample the new Kenzo Limited Edition fragrance I was a bit hesitant because I'm not really a fan of fruit scents. But the added notes in the fragrance convinced me to give it a try.

As you know Joeybunny and I have DRASTICALLY different preferences for fragrance.  While she prefers a more hot sweaty man/musky scent, I prefer a more light as air/floral scent.  I'm not going to go out on a limb to tell you that if you LOVE Kenzo Jungle or Kenzo UFO you probably won't love L'eau par Kenzo Wild Kenzo for Women. However. If you like any of the Kenzo Eaux de Fleurs scents (My fave is the silk flower) or like Kenzo Summer, you will adore the new limited edition L'eau Par Kenzo Wild for Women.

image from kenzousa.com

Dubbed a rebellious limited edition fruity floral I can see nothing rebellious about it, but that doesn't mean I don't like it.  It is very fruity. I mean we're talking white peach to the max.  But not that awful synthetic peach scent.  No, this is a nice non sharp, non cloying peach that sparkles.  But once the peach scent dries down the floral of the rose and lilly shine through mixed with a slightly spicy note of ginger, allspice or perhaps pepper.  Either way it calms down the fruit peach and makes it more of a floral peach.  The base notes are Musk and Cedar. Since I'm anosmic to musk (I can't smell musk at all. It smells like nothing, like air to me) the cedar base note is what stands out.  Now after a hot and sweaty day I arrive home to a package of the L'eau par Kenzo Wild Kenzo for Women and immediately spray it on me. It was lovely and smelled strongly of fruit and cedar. However, the next morning when I had showered the cedar scent wasn't present at all.  This saddened me as I really was starting to enjoy that cedar fruity scent. Oh well. I guess I could take a jog around the block and spray myself with some L'eau par Kenzo Wild Kenzo for Women so I can get that scent again.

So why do I bring up the fact that I was a sweaty mess and the perfume smelled differently on me than it did after I was clean?  Because no one fragrance will smell the same on different people.  Hopefully you can gt an idea of the fragrance and it will help you decide if you want to purchase it.  I will say that as hesitant as I was to buying a fruity floral I am so glad I have it. I have been wearing it all week and have already received  few compliments on it!  Since L'eau par Kenzo Wild Kenzo for Women is limited edition you might want to consider getting it now rather than later.

L'eau par Kenzo Wild
 

Top Notes
Mandarin

Ginger

White Peach
 

Middle Notes
Rose

Lilly

Jasmine Petals

Base Notes
Cedar Wood

Musk

3.4 oz $73, 1.7 oz $55, 1 oz $39 Available for purchase on www.kenzousa.com and select retailers.

Creative writing based on fragrance, by Elvira.

I am walking on a clear warm summer day in a peach orchard. The dappled sunlight falls on my bare feet as I traipse on the soft grass from tree to tree.  A cluster of wild roses grows beside the orchard and fresh jasmine petals float to the ground after a sudden but gentle breeze.   The air sparkles with freshness as I see the tall cedars in the distance lining the forest.  I start to look up to the sky and twirl...I step on a peach that has fallen on the ground. It's kinda squishy and I lose my footing and fall on some more peaches. Now I'm covered in squished peach juice and my white cotton eyelet dress is ruined. I wonder why I'm not wearing shoes in an orchard. Then a few bees come to investigate the molested fruit and zero in on my feet and dress.  I run to the edge of the orchard and look for shelter from the bees...now that I look, they might be yellowjackets...not bees. Is that a giant wasp in with them? Nope. No shelter. What the heck am I doing in a peach orchard anyway?  I see in the distance a lake on the edge of the cedar forest. I figure that large stinging insects won't go underwater with me so I make a run for it. As if leading a Vespula parade I make a bee line (see what I did there?) for the lake. I strip off the peach juice stained dress and jump in the water. It's clear and cool and the yellowjackets don't follow me in. Instead the swarm my white cotton eyelet dress and feast. Stupid bugs ruining a nice afternoon in an orchard with no shoes. I walk home in my underwear and let the sun dry me. The peach orchard smells nice from a distance. I'm gonna remember that in the future...that, and to wear shoes.

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum

The End Of Days is upon us.  How do I know? I just fell in love with a SECOND Clinique product. I think you all may be familiar with my dislike of the Clinique brand, It all started almost 25 years ago with a terrible makeover of such epic proportions that I had to endure years of therapy and medication just to stop the reoccurring nightmares.  You may also remember that I likened the Clinique Skin Care "Computer" to the antithesis of a Cray Supercomputer and felt that the entire three step skin care line was a huge joke.  Well I am slowly coming to the realization that maybe...perhaps...the Clinique cosmetic and skin care line may have undergone some improvements in the last 25 years and maybe, perhaps, might NOT be the same nightmare that it was almost TWO and a half DECADES ago.  You see since I'm still stuck in the 80's listening to Tears For Fears The Hurting* album, I sometimes forget that the world has progressed in all things ... including makeup.  My dislike of Clinique is so well known among my friends that when I told Joeybunny I was going to write this post today, she started to panic, curl up in a little ball in the corner of the interwebz and rock herself slowly back and forth chanting "End of days. End of days." over and over again.

So what is this miracle product?  What has started The Rapture early and will be the end of the world as we know it. Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum.

image from clinique.com

There. I said it out loud. I holds no power over me anymore.  I am free! I am free to tell you that I received a generous sample from Neiman Marcus and then a deluxe sample from Sephora and I was hooked!  According to Clinique, this ..."pore resurfacing complex quickly, gently clears out debris and rough flakes. Pores ‘snap back’ into shape. In 2 weeks, pores look 58% smaller. Guaranteed. Over time, help skin create stronger supports and healthier cells to see more improvement."  As the Clinique website does not list the ingredients I can't tell you what specifically makes this a wonder product, but I can tell you the results I had.

1. Face felt slightly smoother after two weeks of use

2. Pores were not 58% smaller, but many looked were less congested

3. My oily face was LESS OILY!!!

4. I don't need any other results because this product made my face less oily!

Yes. I used this product only in the morning and I can say that my face did not require the 5 blotting sheets to remove the oil slick until 2pm when normally I would need those blotting papers by 12pm.  Yep. I still was oily but less and less blotting papers were required to rid the oil from my face.  This, my dear readers, is a WIN!

image from clinique.com

The white semi opaque liquid comes in an airless pump dispenser so I'm not sure how many pumps it takes for a full face as I was using samples in different containers, but I can say that a small amount spread evenly over my T-zone and absorbed and dried almost in an instant.  My skin felt immediately dry and matte and while my skin didn't feel tight, it certainly felt firm.  I used the Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum under my regular moisturizer and then applied my beloved Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector (now in new packaging) as a primer before foundation.  The Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum tightened the pores on my face slightly and I found that the Clinique Instant Perfector worked even better than it had before.  I did not encounter any breakouts while using this product, nor did the product dry out my skin making it flaky or itchy.  I really was pleasantly surprised at how well this product worked.

Do you NEED this? YES! Yes if you have oily skin. Yes if you have very large pores that you want to refine. Yes yes yes!  The one ounce bottle retails for $39.50.

image from clinique.com

So I was going to purchase a bottle myself though my Buddy Jenine who sells Clinique, but I JUST found out about a deal on Clinique.com that allows you to pick out your own Gift With Purchase (GWP) with any 21.50 purchase...plus spend $40 and you get free shipping!! This started today, May 17th 2011. I'm not sure how long it will last.  The deal is. Pick 6 skincare & makeup treats (one from each category) and get them all with a pretty silver metallic bag. Let's face it. Aside from Estee Lauder, Clinique has some pretty fantastic makeup bags. The categories you can choose from are:

Makeup Removers

Eye Specialists

Cheek Colour

Lip Colour

Lashes

and

Skincare (Yellow GOOP is not an option Whee!)

I can't resist a good GWP, especially when I get to choose what goes in it so I purchased my Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum along with a replacement Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector and chose the following for my GWP:

Blushwear Cream Stick sample in Rosy Blush
All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage sample
Dual-ended Different Lipstick & Glosswear sample in Think Bronze & Air Kiss
Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40 sample
Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips sample
Online Bonus - High Lengths Mascara in Black sample 

Oh, and to make the deal even better, I used ebates to get 4% back on my entire order!!

Not a member of ebates? You can sign up here using this referral link. Please note that by signing up though that link I will get a $5 bonus if you sign up for ebates and make a purchase through them. If you would rather NOT sign up through my referral link (and I'm totally cool with that) you can simply go to http://www.ebates.com and sign up from the main page.  So far, using ebates since 2007 I have earned over $500 cash back...and that number could have been more if I didn't forget to use it 20% of the time! (for example Sephora and Drugstore.com are 12% cash back today!)

* Tears for Fears The Hurting Album is the single most depressing album from the new wave era ever.