Tag Archives: powder

May7

Buying Stuff: Episode 25

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I’m addicted to following manicured nail pictures on Instagram.  But not just any manicure – I only want to look at perfect ones with square cut nails and tidy cuticles.  They soothe my soul like nothing else.  Or like a Xanax maybe.  And because of this new found insanity, I have become inspired to paint my nails more often.  Like I want to be one of those girls with perfect square cut nails and tidy cuticles.    I want to soak my fingers in a bowl of warm olive oil too.  I want someone to suck all the fat out of my thighs.  That last one has nothing to do with a manicure, but if someone could get that arranged, that’d be great.

I bought stuff!  Let’s look:

Picked up this Besame Brightening Violet Powder because of its adorable 50s-era packaging.  It literally looks as if it walked right off the pages of an old Avon catalog.  Precious!  Back when I bought it, Sephora just started carrying the brand and this was the single solitary item it offered.  Now they have two other versions of the powder.  The idea behind the violet one is that it will brighten up sallow skin – and it may simply be psychological brain trickery for all I know – but I’d swear it does just that.  The violet tone is translucent but lends a skosh of something special.  It will never appear obviously powdered, but you’ll know it’s there.  Everyone else will assume you had a face lift.

One look and you’ll know why I got this:

It’s the Sigma Lip Switch in the shade Flip Flop and it’s pretty much the raddest thing you’ve ever seen.  Check out that magical iridescence!  It gives me heart eyes immediately.  But of course something this awesome can never live up to expectations because that is how my life works.  Cuz once it’s applied to the lips, it pretty much disappears.  It’s glossy, yes, but if you want that vibrant orange/gold/pinky shift, you will have to look elsewhere.  You get it faintly at best.

I have seen some Instagram pics where people would wear black or navy lipstick and then apply these holo lipglosses and the iridescence shows up much better.  But ask me how many times I’ve worn black lipstick.  I could count on one hand the number of times.  Actually if I had ZERO hands, I could still count the number of times.  Basically what I’m saying is for now I wear this as a sheer lipgloss over my coral or orange lipsticks.  It serves a purpose.  Not a very special one, but there ya go.

Not one to be left off the bandwagon, I bought this along with 97.95764% of the rest of the world:

It’s the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (in the light/medium version), a product I didn’t really need much less know how to use but I bought anyway because if it’s a bestseller, I WANT IT.  Same goes for pretty much anything else in life.  Your Oscar-nominated movie is spoken entirely in French and with no subtitles?  No problem!  Your Pulitzer Prize-winning book is a 700-page diatribe set in war-torn Prussia in the 17th century and most likely to cause eye spasms and involuntary napping?  GIMME.  I just refuse to not be in the know.  But also, I can obsess like it’s my damn job.  I couldn’t have walked away from this highly talked about product even if I had my feet on backwards.  You cannot deny this kind of magnetism.  The struggle is REAL.

So now that I have it, I’ve been making myself use it.  And I’m really trying, I swear.  I contour, I bronze, I highlight and set my under eye.  But I haven’t been that impressed.  I mean, it’s not a bad palette, but I don’t feel the need to hoard it or protect it with my life (cuz I will cut you over a couple of my foundations, so I know it’s possible).  The highlight (shimmery) shade is really pretty, but all the rest for me are take its or leave its.  However, I OWN THE DANG THING, and that’s what’s most important anyway.

How about something pretty:

I die!  It’s the Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. lipstick in Coachella Coral and it is summer in a tube.  It’s has a delicious, creamy formula, stunning color, and decent longevity.  Even smells good.  What’s not to love?  Okay, maybe the $32 price tag.  But it’s just so pretty.  I was helpless, I admit.  Plus, if you never use it and just pull it out of your purse when people walk by, then it’ll last forever.  And really, isn’t that the point of designer makeup – to see and be seen?  Obviously yes.

Another hyped up product by YouTube:

I was able to resist buying the Gerard Cosmetics BB Plus Illumination Cream until I watched this stupid/amazing makeup tutorial and decided I had to have it about 2.5 seconds later.  Well, you know how it is.  If I even think there’s one iota of a chance I can have flawless, beautiful skin just like in the video, then it could be dog poo in a jar but I’m all over it anyway.  Please and thank you.

So about this stuff.  It’s pure liquid gold.  Seriously.  You put it all over your face and holy moly, you shine like brand new money.  Apply your foundation on top and then sit back to enjoy the view.   It has such a stunning effect.  Foundation looks more flawless.  There is a radiance that is subtle but noticeable.  No shimmer, just glow.  Ugh, I love it.  You can also use it alone if you want to dab some on your cheekbones or shoulders.  Or you can do a drop mixed with your moisturizer or foundation for something lighter.  Whichever way you go with it, you’re bound to love it.

Pointless Makeup Product #272:

It’s the YSL Tint in Oil, and if you just went Tint in Oil?! then we are best friends and you can continue reading this blog.  It sounds really fascinating except that it’s not.  It’s just a lip oil so we can all just go sit back down.  There is nothing to see here.

But if you must know.  I got mine in the shade Drive Me Copper.  As you can see from the swatch, it’s not very coppery.  Nor is it very any other color.  It’s a tint – I get that – but you can literally swatch it next to the other colors in the line and wouldn’t be able to tell a difference between any of them.  However, I can say a couple of good things about the product because I like to make an effort sometimes.  It’s slick and shiny, so it would make a nice glossy topper for any lip color.  It has a sticky factor of zero.  And when worn alone it feels nice and comforting.  But if you’re expecting something special in terms of a product with actual copper color (or any color), this one gets a big o raspberry.

And then there was this:

I hit pan on my teeny tiny Bare Minerals Touch-Up Veil setting powder, and it sent me into a panic.  International Powder Crisis and whatnot.  You know how it goes.  So I immediately went in search of another setting powder that I could store in my purse and apply at work after I do my mid-afternoon blotting.  The Bare Minerals one is matte, which is all well and good, but I wanted to try something different.  A glow powder.  And what better way to do it than with the Too Faced Candlelight Powder.

I’m not very good at glow powder.  Either that or I expected more than I should.  Cuz I didn’t get that “lit from within” candlelight glow I was thinking I’d get.  Instead, I got glitter and sparkle.  I’m too old for glitter and sparkle.  I had read reviews prior to purchasing, and let’s just say SHUT UP with your soft-focus, your illuminates complexion, and your inspired by actual candlelight cuz none of those things happened and my heart is broken.  It claims to be absolutely invisible, and while it is translucent, there is definite shimmer on your face.  Okay, okay, it’s not out at the club shimmer, but still.  I’m gonna keep playing around with it.  Maybe it’ll grow on me.  I mean, most people like this powder.  They’re probably all 14-year-olds, but yes, most reviews are favorable.

Last product in the haul:

Sometimes I buy things for the sake of buying something.  Take the It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance Palette for instance.  I hadn’t heard much about it.  But I walked into Ulta without an agenda, had nothing in my shopping bag for five minutes too long, and I started to get anxiety.  What if I didn’t find anything?  I couldn’t leave Ulta emptyhanded.  That’s blasphemy as far as I’m concerned.  So picking this palette up was an act of desperation at the very least.  However, I would find it useful especially when traveling since it’s basically three products in one.

My favorite is the blush.  It’s a very pretty pink with a touch of coral and looks very flattering with my skintone.  The powder is just okay.  It pulls slightly pink on me so I don’t love it, although if it came down to packing an extra powder compact or saving space with this 3-in-1, I’d do the 3-in-1.  That’s not lazy, that’s practical – and we all know how practical I can be.  Finally, the bronzer.  Looks very dark in the pan, but it does not apply that dark.  It’s matte and has a bit of a reddish undertone – in my opinion; deciphering undertones is not my strong suit.  However, it’s not my favorite bronzer.  It’s not bad, mind you, but I never want to use this palette primarily because of the bronzer.

Well, that’s what I get for not doing my research before stepping foot inside an Ulta.  It could’ve been worse though – I distinctly remember having an ice blue eyeshadow rollerball in my bag as well.  I kindly put that back on the shelf.  Anxiety is a REAL DISEASE – as you can clearly see.

Time for night night.  Thanks for continually reading my blog.  I love all my people.  Internet hugs for everyone.  Well, just the cute ones.  Bye!

Apr5

Buying Stuff: Episode 9

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Lawd. Help me. And stop sending me Ulta 20% off coupons.

I just can’t let a good coupon go to waste though. I even have three Sephora coupons waiting for me, and I’m literally freaking out. My heart tells me to go shopping but my brain gives me the stink eye. Ugh, the struggle.

Alright, let’s just ignore all that business and get started with the haul. Here’s a few things I picked up from Sephora last week:

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The first thing there is a 100 point perk item so it was free. Yay for free, am I right? Kind of was expecting a bit bigger bottle but I’m thinking it might last longer than I’m expecting. It’s the Ole HenriksenTruth Serum. You know how I love my serums. I’d probably buy a tube of slug trail if someone told me it was a serum. Sad, but embarrassingly true.

Anyway this stuff is full of vitamin C and is supposed to smooth out my fine lines and prevent further skin damage. So we will see. I’m excited to use it cuz the B5 gel moisturizer I have says it works very well with vitamin C treatments. I don’t know why, but you tell me it’s so then IT. IS. SO.

Next thing is a travel size tube of Givenchy Noir Couture mascara. It has a really unique wand, but that’s not really why I bought it. I bought it cuz it is Givenchy, and I don’t own any Givenchy, and as you know I need to own all the things.

I know. I’m ridiculous.

But I did use it, and it was nice. Not the most amazing thing I’ve ever owned, but definitely not the worst. It does say if I’d use it everyday for 4 weeks, I could have visibly curled, volumized and lengthened lashes. I’m about 97.37753% certain I’m not using this everyday for 4 weeks. My 15 billion other mascaras won’t let me.

Speaking of other mascaras, next item is the Eyeko Skinny Brush mascara. This stuff is pretty good. The brush is definitely unique but it can make your lashes clumpy if you’re not careful. I recommend only a few passes through the lashes and then moving on with your day. It gives really really nice length so you don’t need to spend light years swiping this on anyway.

Next item is another freebie, one of the samples you always get free with your order. I picked the Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Sleeping Mask. You put this on over your moisturizer before bed. In other words, I’ve added yet another step to my nightly skin care routine. I’m up to 18 steps now or something like that. My husband knows when I say I’m going to take my makeup off, he won’t see me for at least 45 minutes. But when I look 40 when I’m 80, who’ll be whining then? He will, but only if he’s blind. And stupid.

Last item is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in the color Dim Light. This powder is all the rage right now. And whether it works or doesn’t work makes no difference to me. Everyone has it so immediately I need it. Hell if I’m gonna be left out. I’ll see to that!

This was pretty expensive. And if it bathes me in flattering light, I wouldn’t know. I work in an office under a fluorescent tube all day. Nothing penetrates that shit. But the point is owning all the things, and really people, what more do you expect out of me?

Here’s more stuff:

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YouTube is so evil. I would never know this $98 bottle of Perricone MD Blue Plasma existed otherwise. But now that I know, I can’t unknow so look what’s sitting on my bathroom counter. Hmmmphf.

But regardless, Blue Plasma is a daily leave-on exfoliant that’s supposed to replace your old face with a new one. So if that’s gonna cost me $98 so be it.

Last adorable little thing is this Tarte cheek stain in the color Fearless. I loved this. The application is easy and the color looks so natural on the skin. I do not regret for one second buying this off some stranger on eBay who probably touched it all over with his fingers. I mean, it is pretty cute. It’d be hard not to.

That’s it for now, lovies. I have more new things, but at this point it’s really just an everyday normal thing in my life. Chances are, if there’s a day when I don’t have a new thing you need to be very very suspicious. And send gift cards immediately.

Mar24

Buying Stuff: Episode 8

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Huge haul alert.  Just a warning, in case you have something important to do within the next 15 hours.  Otherwise, get comfy; we gonna be here for a bit.  I’ll try to make it short and sassy, but sometimes (i.e., every time) my eyes sort of glass over when talking about makeup and skin care.  I’m so addicted, I can’t focus on anything else anymore.  Seriously, my husband could be standing in the middle of Ulta completely naked and I’d never notice.

So let’s get started.  You know how I am about wanting to own all the things.  Pretty sure that will never end, although I’m giving my best effort.  Every time I am on YouTube, one of my gurus starts talking about some brand I don’t own, and that gives me the hives like no other.  I need to have something, anything, from every brand or I can’t function properly.  OCD sucks so bad sometimes.  It manifests in many different ways, one-track-mindedness being one of them.

Here is an eyeshadow palette from Lime Crime:

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I chose the Alchemy palette because it is new and all the shadows are duochrome.  They are absolutely gorgeous shadows, and surprisingly wearable, especially the purple in the middle.  Very very pigmented as well, which is nice.  I think my favorite of the five colors is the green.  It’s vibrant and bold, looks beautiful on the outer V and lower lash line.  Reminds me of spring, not Easter spring, but green grass spring.  It evokes a feeling of warmth and sunshine in me, and effectively cures my Seasonal Affective Disorder.  In other words, this palette is a medical necessity and therefore justified.

Next!

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I used the Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask yesterday, and I’m so in love.  This is some amazing stuff.  But in order to get a bigger picture, let me describe my hair to you.  Naturally wavy.  Dries frizzy and poufy (the bad poufy, not volumized poufy).  Fine texture.  Oily scalp but dry ends (I know; I told you I was my own oxymoron).  In simpler terms, I just don’t like.  I wish I could let my hair dry naturally and love the results.  But no, that would be too simple, and my life is all about the complicated.  Wavy hair is not the same as curly; it’s can’t-commit hair, the worst kind.  Be curly if you wanna be curly.  Don’t look as if you thought about it and changed your mind in the middle.  Cuz what I’m left with is straight and fine in the scalp region, lumpy in the middle section, and frizzed out at the ends.

I use a hair dryer and a flat iron or curling iron, so there’s heat damage to add to all that other mess.  It’s not color-treated, or at least not since 2011.  But it does break easily, and even after I get a haircut or trim, my ends still look like they’re split.  As if my hair is not committed to being curly or straight, but dadgummit it has no problem being broken.  And you should just see how much hair swirls around in my bath water.  I spend more time picking errant strands off my body or untwining them from around my fingers.  What am I supposed to be doing in the tub?  Nothing.  What am I really doing?  Trying to save myself from being attacked by my own hair.  No. Bueno.

Enter the Carol’s Daughter mask.  First off, this stuff smells like the Garden of Eden.  Use this mask for that sake alone; it’s heavenly.  In fact, I’m sitting here typing this blog with a swatch of hair strewn across my upper lip like a makeshift mustache.  You literally can’t stop smelling it.  It’s made with monoi oil, which is apparently derived from 15 gardenias and coconut oil combined over a 15 day sacred ritual.  That’s quite specific, and I wish I could tell you I was kidding, but I’m not.  And it comes from Tahiti.  Tahiti.  Are you convinced yet?

The result?  Glorious.  My hair was less poufy and so extremely smooth and silky.  The silkiest it’s ever, never been.  And my ends look very healthy, even though it’s been 3 months since my last haircut.  I will never be without this mask now.  I’m so happy I could cry.

As for the tiny jar of Tarte eye treatment, I haven’t used it yet.  But of course I needed it right this second.  Bought a sample off eBay because I didn’t want to commit to a $38 full-size.  I’ve heard great things about it, so I’m excited to use it.  After I finish this horrendously large tube of Glytone that seems to replicate itself after every use.  I’ll never be done.

More good stuff.  See below:

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Cutie pies!  All of it, just adorable little cutie pies.  I work as a buyer, and one of the departments I buy for is a spa.  This is a relatively new job responsibility, and it’s proving to be quite dangerous because now I know exactly what products they’re ordering and I need to own every last one of them.  These three things are from the Farmhouse Fresh line, and I barely walked away with the small shopping bag as opposed to the industrial sized platform truck I really wanted.  Everything was simply precious.  I swear, if there’s an idiot CEO out there that claims packaging isn’t that big of a deal, I will karate chop them in the throat.  Because honestly, it gets me lured in every single time.

What I bought was a jar of Honeysuckle Orange Custard body cream, a tube of Front Porch Punch hand cream, and a Sundae Best chocolate face mask.  All food scents, so delicious and summery.  I’ve mentioned before how boring body lotion or hand lotion is, how I never ever buy it, unless it is in cute packing or it smells like fruit.  This stuff’s got both.

I’ve brought the hand cream to work, so now I’m using it all day long.  It’s a mixture of strawberry, mango, melon and grapefruit.  So good.  If my hair isn’t stuck up underneath my nose, it’s my fingers.  Yummy and delicious.  I haven’t used the body cream, as I’m trying to finish my Ahava sample, and then I have the Josie Maran sweet citrus body butter next in line.  In other words, it’s gonna be a while.  But just having it in my bathroom, owning it and claiming it as mine, satisfies me to no end.  Plus it has a wooden spoon applicator.  A wooden spoon applicator!  You need this in your life, at the very least so you can own your own tiny wooden spoon.  As for the face mask, it smells and looks like chocolate pudding.  It’s divine.  I may eat it if I don’t use it soon.

Last bit of goodies is this small haul from Ulta:

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I actually finished my Urban Decay pressed powder, so thought I’d give the loose powder a try.  Someone on YouTube said it gave them flawless skin, and well, you don’t have to tell me twice.  Flawless is a magic, evil little word, isn’t it?  You tell me something is going to make me flawless, and I’m buying it about 2.5 seconds later.

The tube of Too Faced LashGasm mascara is a really good one.  I actually owned this not too long ago, and it made my lashes look amazing – or as amazing as my lashes have the capability to be.  Then one day I dropped the tube on my tile floor, and ruined my life just like that.  The tube cracked at the top, and all the mascara oozed out of it.  I tried to salvage it for a few days, but it was just too messy, and then I started having OCD panic attacks about all the poo germs getting into it because it’s stored on the counter right next to the toilet.  Needless to say, I had to give it a sad little goodbye.  But now that I’ve replaced it, my heart has healed.

I own a lot of the NYX butter glosses.  They are some of the best lip glosses that ever lived.  Not sticky one bit, smells amazing, colors actually show up even though they are sheer.  Thought I’d try the purple because I live on the edge, and also the name of it is Raspberry Tart, which makes me think of pie.  I love pie.  And cake.  Cake and pie.  With whipped cream on top. And chocolate shavings.

What are we talking about?  I dunno.

I actually have a Sephora order delivering to my house today, and I was thisclose to calling in sick so I could sit home and wait for it.  You know how it is.  The excitement becomes almost too much to bear sometimes.  I’ll do another haul on that later this week.  Still got 6 beauty boxes to review and only 7 days left in the month.  Pressure’s on, people.  It’s hard being a blogger sometimes.  So. Hard.

Toodles!