MAC lipstick- Gem of Roses

Unfortunately, this lipstick isn't in the permanent collection, but it is great enough that I have to mention it anyway.  I went back to the store and bought two back ups once I tried this lipstick.  It is a very natural color, but it warms the face nicely, bringing color to a pale face and complementing a tan one. It can be found online very easily even now, and I highly suggest you grab one!

$15-30

texture                 9

longevity             8

application           9

buildability          7

pigmentation       10

total                    43/50

Bumble and Bumble thickening dry spun finish

I have fine hair, and I have tried many things to remedy this.  I have a lot of trouble holding style because the strands are too soft.  This spray is perfect.  Not only does it give lift to the roots, but it give enough of a grit to the hair that I can do what I wish with it.

$29

texture               10!

longevity           10

application          9

buildability        10

pigmentation    n/a        

total                   39/40     I LOVE this

L'Oreal Telescopic mascara

This is my absolute go to for an everyday eye.  It adds a lot of length while eat lash still remains defined.  I would say I've gone through about six tubes of this, and every time I am leaving the country I grab a backup in case.

$7, drugstores

texture                9

longevity           10

application        10

buildability         8

pigmentation      8 (a natural black)

total                  45/50

Soap and Glory Hand Food

I got this at the same time as the eye cream, but I like this product a lot.  Unlike a lot of hand creams, this isn't too thick and greasy.  It easily is absorbed into the skin, and then leaves a slightly floral and powdery scent.   At just a few bucks, its a great extra to have in your bag.

$5-12  Sephora, London drugstores

texture             10

longevity          8

application       9

buildability       7

pigmentation    n/a    

total                 34/40

MAC lipstick- Chili

Matte lipsticks are definitely my favorite when it comes to color.  I feel like it looks so much more expensive- having a rich, matte lip.  This color is fantastic.  In the most blunt terms, the color looks like dry blood, a beautiful, slightly brownish deep red.  With mattes you need to be extra careful when applying, but after that is done you have a gorgeous deep lip that won't budge for hours.

$15  Mac stores, Nordstrom

texture           9

longevity       7

application     8

buildability    9

pigmentation  9     

total               42/50

Jack Black lip balm

Lip balms are one of those things that I always am buying and am never in need of.  Who needs more than three lip balms at any given time? I'm pretty sure no one, but we all have 'em.  I feel like a bit of an expert on this subject, considering I have tried so many, and this has been one of my favorites.  At less than $8, its a fairly good price as well.  It is very shiny, but not sticky and had a very nice scent.

$8 at Sephora, Nordstrom, ect

texture            9

longevity        8

application      8

buildability     8

pigmentaion   n/a

total               33/40

Soap and Glory Puffy Eye Attack

I bought a few items from this line when I was in London last, and of the three, this is the one I like least.  I have a lot of trouble with under eye circles (I deal with both constant travel and insomnia), and I was very excited about this product.  I gave it a good go, getting halfway through the pot before giving up.  When I used this product, my under eye darkness and puffiness appeared significantly worse than when I didn't.  It has a pleasant sensation when being applied, a heat and then quickly a cooling effect, but given that it doesn't do what it's meant to, its hardly worth it.

8 pounds at drugstores and online in the US

texture           8

longevity      n/a

application     5 (a little unsanitary, being in a pot)

buildability    7

effectiveness  0

total              20/40         definitely not reccomended

Mac Blush- Loverush

Mac blushes are definitely one of my favorite formulations, and now I have found the perfect plum blush for my skin tone.  If you have olive tones, tan or not, this looks like a beautiful, natural flush.  I began using this in the spring when I was pasty white and I am still able to use it now in August with just a slightly darker application.  I really love this blush with a clumpy mascara and otherwise bare-looking face; it give a wonderful, childish glow with a hint of sultriness from the purple.

Mac stores, Nordstrom, and online

$18

texture         9

longevity      9

application    8  (apply very lightly first before building  up)

buildability   10  see above

pigmentation  9               

total           45/50    this is my favorite blush purchase that I can remember.  If you are scared of the color, just try swatching it.  It looks remarkably natural on the skin.

H2O Face Oasis

Because I fly a lot, keeping my face moisturized is a sometimes difficult task, but this moisturizing gel takes care of the job.  It is natural and has a refreshing scent.  The product can be used as either a moisturizer or, applied in a thick layer, a mask as well.  Where it is clearly a very moisturizing product, it doesn't feel too thick or heavy and my skin drinks it up in a minute.

online for $36

I have found it at TJ MAXX for $10

texture              9

hold                n/a

application       6   (would be more sanitary with a pump)

buildability       8

overall              8       

total                  31/40       I very much recommend this product if you need a night moisturizer without anti aging properties.

Aveeno Positively Nurishing energizing lotion

I first received this lotion in a gift bag during fashion week six months ago, and I have since bought it twice more.  This is the perfect consistency lotion; think enough to really moisturize without leaving a greasy film on the skin.  And with a price tag under ten dollars, I can use this as often as I want without feeling guilty.

drugstores, target

$6

This stuff is great

America haul!

I'm back and ready for beauty.  After a few stops I have some stuff put together worth mentioning.



Laura Gellar i-care waterproof liners in Bone and Navy.  $18

Laura Gellar Air Whipped Blush in Whisper rose  $13.50 half off!

MAC blush in Pink Swoon   $21

MAC Fluidline in Macroviolet  $18

MAC lipglass in Best of Breed- $15 (CCO)

Bobbi Brown lipstick in Red

Givenchy Phenomen'eyes  in 1

If any items are of specific interest, let me know!

Laura Geller i-care waterproof eyeliner in Bone

Now is this a waterproof eyeliner!  The formula isn't too dry, but it does harden a bit to make it fairly smudge proof in the waterline.  I love the color, a beautiful nude, with just enough shimmer to give you an oomph.

$18 at Nordstrom, QVC

texture          9

application     7

longevity       8

buildability    6

pigmentation  8      

total              38/50       

 I find this to be a fairly reliable liner.  Nothing remarkable, but worth looking at.  I feel there are cheaper alternatives.

MAC Fluidline- Macroviolet

As far as gel liners go, MAC had a very creamy consistency that is much easier to smudge than, say, NYC or Chanel gels.  Once it sets, it stays fairly still, though a good rub will remove the beautiful sheen on top.  This color in particular is gorgeous, and very complementary to most eye colors.  Even though this isn't my favorite gel formula, the color makes this liner completely worth it.

MAC- $16

texture          7

longevity       6

application     8

buildability    7

pigmentation  10          

total             38/50             I prefer other brands formulas, but this color in particular is breath taking.

Makeup Forever Smokey Lash

If you want a natural lash, don't bother with this mascara.  As the name claims, this is perfect for a smokey, night eye.  Where this mascara doesn't clump, it does leave lashes thick and full, as well as long and curled.  I always use a lash curler with this mascara to give an even fuller effect, but it is definitely not necessary.  While this mascara doesn't have a drugstore price-tag, the quality has convinced me to repurchase this mascara again and again.  This comes in many colors, including the more interesting blue, green, and purple, but I am tried and true to my rich black.

$23 at Sephora or Makeup Forever stores and online

texture           8    (works well new or slightly dried out)
hold               7   (never had a problem, wears around 12 hours without flaking)
application      7    (brush isn't too large, can still easily get bottom lashes)
buildability     8   (will not clump until the third coat; trust me, you don't need a third coat)
overall           8                  
total             38/50                For its purpose, I really love this mascara.  I have given it as gifts and                                                heard nothing but good things from others as well.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

I love face masks.  With the damage I receive from having my face poked and prodded all day, I really need a nice skin care routine at night to undo the hurt.  I bought this mask first because its about as basic original as you can get with masks.  At only a few dollars, this is available to about everyone.  It has a soothing scent that is not overpowering.  It claims to rid the face of acne and blackheads as well as shrink pores.  I do not have problems with acne, so I cannot address that, but immediately after rinsing off the mask, my pores do seem smaller.  HOWEVER, within a day, they were back to their enlarged state.  Now, that could easily be the hot, humid weather.  You get a nice amount in the package, you won't need to be replacing this very soon.  Be careful to not apply too much, it is easy to overdo, and then you will be stuck waiting 45 minutes for the mask to dry.

drugstores and Amazon.com at $3-5 

texture          8   (very smooth and soothing)

hold              7   (does't melt or slide off face)

application    5   (I wish it were a peel off- stains washcloths)

buildability   n/a
overall         7                                
total           27/40                            this is a good basic mask; not too intense but you can feel a                                                              tightening and brightening of the skin.  If you aren't sure which                                                        mask to go with, this would be a good starting point.

Nivea Lait Creme

I picked this up in Paris because I was completely out of all moisturizer.  Honestly, this was just the cheapest lotion in local Monoprix.  This lotion smells like baby powder, not my personal favorite.  It is also a very thin consistency, leaving a sheen on the top.  I really do not feel like this moisturizer get absorbed into my skin at all.  It sits on top, and within five minutes, you skin looks dehydrated again.  There are a lot of good, well priced moisturizers out there, but this isn't one of them.  The best part about this moisturizer is the pump on the bottle.

about 6 euros at local markets

texture        3      (goopy)

hold           2      (leaves skin dry)

application  9      (pump)

buildability 2      (does not absorb)

overall       3                                

total          19/50         very disappointed in this product

New Health Favorite- KIWI

Honestly, this has nothing to do with health- I love kiwi! But since it happens to be healthy, I can do a health blog about it!  At less than 50 calories per fruit, this is an excellent way to get more than your daily dose of vitamin C.  Also containing fiber and calcium, all of the sugars in this fruit are simple and easy to digest.  My favorite way to eat this fruit is whole and skin on- though for the more civilized readers, the skin can easily be removed with a paring knife and the fruit added to salads, sweet salsas, and yogurt.

Olay Fresh Effects Va-Va-Vivid System

Now, I know a lot of the beauty writers and Youtubers have been backed by Olay for this new Fresh Effects System, and I would like you to know that I have not.  This is the only product from the line that I have tried.  I had gone in for a facial recently and I loved how my skin looked immediately upon leaving  I had had the most simple of facials; basically an exfoliator in a steamy room with some moisturizer, but there was still a big difference in my skin.  I could never get myself to go for the Clarisonic system at around $200, but seeing as this Olay system had just launched at $12, I was quick to jump on the wagon.  Obviously, the tiny exfoliating head has less power than a spa's system, but I have been very impressed at how it has held up.  And the toner.... is amazing! I expected just barely a soap, just something to put with the exfoliator to look better.  My skin not only felt fresher, but visibly tighter and more matte than previously.  I wouldn't use this toner everyday, as it is harsh, but I have substituted with regular cleansers and the tool still worked beautifully.

$11-14 

at drugstores, target, ect

texture          8

hold            n/a

application    9

buildability   n/a

overall         8         

total             25/30       I very much recommend this for the price- definitely the best available in this                                     range

Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream

Now that we are in the heat of summer, I have ditched all of my full coverage foundations in favor of lighter, longer-wearing fair. Where I would never call this a proper BB cream (a problem most drugstore "BB's" have), this is a great, light coverage foundation.  With an SPF of 15 and a very moisturizing effect, I feel perfectly covered on long, outdoor days.  This line only has three colors, though I have found no problem in matching the many people I have referred to this product. I cannot lose the concealer with this product, but I love the look and feel of this for summer.

$12-14 

drugstores, target, ect

texture           9
hold               9
application     7
buildability    8
overall          9          
total             42/50

Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care

Last September when I was in Paris, I was lucky enough to get my hair colored back from a red it had been bleached weeks before.  I went to the famed Christophe Robin studio, and after the color had been completed, I was given this leave-in conditioner.  I love this so much that I ration it out for myself, only allowing it a few times a month when I want my hair to look amazing.  Mine is in ash brown, and my still damaged hair responds amazingly to this cream.  My sun-bleached, brittle ends come out of the shower several shades darker, matching my roots.  I only need to leave it in my hair about 5 minutes to get the results I want. This line has several shades to match colors accordingly, and other items in the line that I haven't had the pleasure of trying yet.

available for $49 at beautyhabit.com

texture         9

hold            n/a

application    10

buildability   10

overall         10     

total         39/40

Quinoa Party Salad

This is one of my favorites to bring to a summer dinner party.  Though this recipe is made for a crowd, it can easily be broken down into half or even a fourth for a family meal.  The best part about this salad is not only that it's healthy, but it can be made in about 10 minutes or made quite a bit ahead of the event, making it perfect for the busy hostess.

Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa
1/4 cup olive oil
3tbs lime juice
1 tbs cumin
a pinch red pepper flakes
3 cups corn kernels (2 cans), drained
1 1/2 cup black beans (1 can), drained
1 can black olives, halved
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 orange bell pepper, chop-ped
1 jalapeno, chopped and seeded
3/4 c cilantro, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

   Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.  Add the quinoa and bring down to a simmer, cooking for 10- 15 minutes covered, until all of the water has been absorbed.  Fluff, and set aside to cool completely.
   In a small bowl, combine the oil, lime juice, cumin, and red pepper.  In a VERY large bowl, combine all of the other ingredients.  Stir in the quinoa.  Serve at room temperature or cold, and top with the dressing.

Korres Lip Butter- Is it worth your money?

Yes.  This butter, at $12 a piece, seemed way too hefty a price tag for me.  However, I broke down after trying a friends.  For a lip treatment butter,it has an impressive color range.  I tend to not use this in the day though, it feels too thick to me for daily use.  However, I turn to this thick butter every night, and I am now waking to soft, still moist lips.  My only issue with this butter is that it is in a pot and you must use your fingers (I don't feel that the squeeze tube version has nearly the same quality). It has neither scent nor flavor, making it the perfect night lip cream.  If you plan on using for as I do, I would opt for the Jasmins color, the nude option.

available at Sephora, Amazon, and Korres.com

Texture      10
Hold          10
Application  5
Buildability  8
Overall        9         
Total          42/50

Tokyo Beauty Haul #1

  I am in Tokyo for the next couple weeks, and one of the most exciting aspects to me is their beauty scene.  Tokyo is filled with interesting beauty fads from skin whiteners to eyelid glue to eyebrow serum. I will be doing research before my next shopping trip to know exactly what I am going for, but I thought it would be fun to do a blind test first.  Here's what I came out with:

Collagen essence-  This simple liquid is supposed tp work wonders on dry or aged skin.  I went for the cheapest option, 105 yen, or about a $1

Snake Venom Mask- I have no idea what snake venom is supposed to do for the skin, though it also contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, so I would think it will be nice.  I got a few to give to friends, but I'll keep one for review! 260 yen= $2.60

Aloe Moisture Lotion-  One thing that I knew from the start that I wanted to pick up was clear liquid lotion.  Every Japanese makeup artist that I have worked with uses this, but only the Japanese.  I love how this feels, and there is no oily residue so it is absolutely perfect under makeup.  I again, went for the cheapest option before research. 260 yen=$2.60

Royal Jelly Lotion- I don't know anything about this, but the clear jelly attracted me.  450 yen= $4.50

Organice Rose Moisture Cream-  This lightly scented cream left my hand the most moisturized in the shop, and was only 578 yen= $5.80

Canmake Whip Mousse Lip-  I could not not buy this.  This is a richly pigmented lipgloss? lipstain? lipstick? I don't know, but its mine to play with now.

Majolica Majorca Lash Jelly Drops- I think this is a kind of lash primer.  From my understanding, the Japanese are very obsessive over eyes, often wearing fake eyelashes.  So I had to assume this product would be effective.

Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara-  This brand has several mascaras, but I would think "Lash King" would be their most amazing!

After some online research, all of these products are available online on either Amazon or Ebay, and can be found in select US stores.  Let me know if you would like to see any specific reviews!

Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer

$7.99 

@ Ulta

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4070009

This lightweight liquid concealer is a bit of a take off of the hit YSL Touche Eclat concealer.  The concealers are in fact made by the same company, though the prices couldn't be more different.  With a light formula that doesn't cake, this concealer contains a highlighting effect that is really beautiful, especially in the summer.  Where this concealer won't last as long as a cream, it looks much more natural and though the color range isn't extensive, it covers quite a large variety of skin tones.  This is a personal favorite of mine; I have been wearing it since the winter, and I feel like you can't get better for your money.

texture        10
hold            8
applicator     8
buildability  10
overall         9
                                  

total          45/50        A

Summer Sales

Get ready to shop! Run to the closest shopping area where you live, and you'll see signs in nearly every store advertising a sale until the end of July.  I think this is one of the best times to shop, for stores are trying to get ready for their autumn stock, but there is still 2-3 months of good summer clothing wear! Be careful, and you can find pieces for even the next season.  I scored a pair of Sam Edelman boots for 70% off at Nordstrom, what's your best sale find?

Asparagus Hummus

I love hummus, but I often feel like it is a bit heavy for a snack.  However, replacing a lot of the chick peas with asparagus makes this a much cleaner, lighter dish.

Ingredients

3/4 lb. asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces and cooked

1 (14 oz.) can chickpeas, drained & rinsed

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbs tahini 

1 tbs fresh lemon juice

1 tbs water 

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp salt 

2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

         Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Prepare a bowl filled with ice water.  Add the asparagus pieces and cook until the asparagus is tender, 2 to 3 minutes.  Drain and plunge the asparagus into the ice water to stop the cooking.  Transfer the asparagus to the bowl of a food processor, along with the garbanzo beans, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, reserved cooking water, cayenne and salt. Process until the ingredients are well combined.  Slowly pour in the olive oil. Process until smooth.

Hair Savior! Bumble and Bumble Thickening Creme

Thin haired girls, pay attention!  This hair creme not only helps to contour hair, but it gives your hair that little bit of grit that helps hold style, without making your hair feel course.  My thin, silky hair has the worst time holding curl, volume, or any other style.  By adding this to the beginning of my hair routine, I can confidently tease and curl away, without worrying about it falling out ten minutes later.  

texture-             8
hold-                  8
application-     9
buildability-      9
product-            9

total-                  43/50