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?