Astrophil Loves Stila

They Did It Again!

2007-07-17T10:58:00.000-05:00

Anyone who frequently reads beauty blogs knows that Urban Decay's Primer Potion is a highly coveted product among those in the know. Primer Potion is the ultimate eyeshadow primer, an "ultra sheer, totally nude eye base" that provides for a longer lasting, smoother shadow application. I first read about Primer Potion on the Beauty Addict's blog, and I have been using it ever since! As I've stated before, I have pretty oily skin - even my eyelids get oily! So, it used to be impossible for me to wear eyeshadow without it creasing and then completely disappearing within a few hours of application. Ughh. But now with Primer Potion, my eye makeup does not budge until I wash my face. You can even fall asleep with your eye makeup on and wake up the next morning and it still looks flawless (with the exception of the mascara!).

Now, Urban Decay has done it again with their new Eyeshadow Transforming Potion. This nifty little product contains a double-ended wand - one side has a thin, fine, liquid liner style brush while the other side has a wider, thicker brush, similar in size to the brushes you'd find in a watercolor paint set. Each brush is housed in its own vial of Eyeshadow Tansforming Potion. The potion transforms any loose or compressed eyeshadow into liquid liner or liquid shadow, depending on which brush is used.

Like the Primer Potion, the Eyeshadow Transforming Potion has remarkable staying power. The fine-line brush is excellent for creating a liquid liner look without the hassle of an actual liquid liner. The Eyeshadow Transforming Potion is also great for long events (weddings, parties, travel, all day shopping excursions!) when you need to look your best!

$17 at Sephora.com

Lash Injection - Just What the Glam Doctor Ordered

2007-07-16T16:33:00.000-05:00

Way back in April I wrote a little post about my love of false eyelashes. In the posting, I included a picture of myself dressed as Rainbow Brite for Halloween. I was, of course, wearing false eyelashes in the picture, and I believe I said that I wished for a mascara that would make it seem as though I were wearing false eyelashes. Well, I think I've found something pretty close! I've always been a huge Benefit BadGal Lash and DiorShow fan. They've been my favorite mascaras for the past few years. Sometimes I stray and try something new, but in the end, I always return to BadGal or DiorShow because nothing else compares to the volume they create in my wimpy, pale lashes. However, in June, beauty.com was having a 20% off (of everything) sale, so I decided I would try a few new things that I'd been eyeing for a while. One of my selections was the Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara. I was hoping this big tube would live up to all the big hype. I was particularly interested to see if the mascara was really, truly smudge proof, since I tend to get "racoon eyes" by mid-day due to the mascara on my bottom lashes rubbing off on my oily skin. Yuck.

The giant brush looks indentical to the brushes found on the BADGal and DiorShow wands, but as I applied my first coat, I could see that the Lash Injection was very different. It creates little "tubes" around your lashes that only come off with a wash cloth and water (and a little eye makeup remover), so it truly is smudge proof, so long as you're not really rubbing your eyes. The volume it provides is great, especially when used with the Shu Uemura eyelash curler!

Lash Injection is great on its own for daily use, but when I really want to go all out, I first apply a regular lengthening mascara (any will do) and then I apply a few coats of Lash Injection, followed with the Shu Uemura curler, a lash comb to get rid of any clumps (since the mascara forms those little tubes, it does clump easily, but I don't care...it's worth the extra time!), and one coat of Lancome Fatale on the tips and outer cornets of the lashes. Thick, dramatic lashes without having to worry that your falsies might fall out!

Too Faced Lash Injection is $19.50 for a full-sized tube and $8.50 for a handy mini/travel sized tube (also great for sampling if you're unsure about spending the money for the full sized product!) Available at Sephora.com.

Stains That Don't Need to be Removed

2007-07-16T12:51:00.000-05:00

I've never been a huge fan of lipstick. If I use lipstick, I only use the ones that have a sheer formula. For whatever reason, I feel like I have the dreaded "Joker face" when I wear a fully made-up lip. Glosses are great, but they disappear quickly (no matter how "long lasting" they claim to be) and you have to keep reapplying throughout the day. Usually this isn't a problem; however, there are instances when it may not be appropriate to whip out your makeup bag and touch up your gloss. Case in point: I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding over the weekend and I needed a lip color to last throughout the ceremony and the looong picture taking process. So, I turned to lip stains! Stains are a great option for when you want a touch of long lasting color without the need to reapply for at least an hour or two. The color provided by lip stains is also fairly buildable, ranging from just a sheer wash of color to a bolder, more dramatic lip depending on how much you apply. The only downfall about lip stains is that they can be a bit on the dry side, but that can be remedied by a swipe of chapstick or clear gloss. Two of my favorites are Stila's Lip Rouge in Beam, a soft but vibrant fuschia (trust me, it sounds scarier than it is!) and Bourjois' Lip Stain Pen in Rose Prefere 1, a discreet light pink. An added bonus is that the pen shape of these lip stains makes it a breeze to precisely line and define lips! Though I'll always love Benetint, the orignal lip (and cheek) stain, these stains are gorgeous and ready for on-the-go use! Both available at Sephora stores for $20 and $15, respectively.

Work It

2007-05-16T19:55:00.000-05:00

When I was a pre-teen I used to love, love, love Bath and Body Works. Sun-Ripened Raspberry was my favorite scent, and I had every conceivable product - shower gel, body cream, body splash, all of it. As I got older though, I stopped liking Bath and Body Works. I felt it was unsophistocated and too "common." And after I discovered Sephora, there was no turning back. However, a few weeks ago, I was in a Bath and Body Works looking for Mother's Day gift ideas (my Mom loves the Coconut Lime Verbena scent and any type of pedicure product) and I was very pleasantly surprised by how much the store has changed over the years. They still have many of the same scents they had in the beginning, but they have a much larger array of new, innovative products.

Bath and Body Works now also carries the limited-edition VINYL line of nail polish by Deborah Lippman. I picked up this polish in "This One's On Me," a bright, shiny hot pink that looks very similar to LORAC's Lip Polish in "Amuse," one of my favorite shades e.v.e.r. And, it was only $8.50!

Bath and Body Works also carries a small line of cosmetics that remind me of the FUSION BEAUTY products (only much less expensive and not as preposterous in their claims) I believe the line is called Colorfill, but I could be mistaken. Anywho, I picked up the Extreme Plump Tinted Lip Gloss in Barefoot Pink, a very sheer, beachy, glossy, nude-pink that looks perfect with bronzed skin. As I said, the gloss is similar in scent and sensation to the $38 LipFusion glosses. It doesn't burn like most plumpers, but it does have a tingly, numbing feeling. After repeated use, lips are definitely softer and more lush. As with the Deborah Lippman nail polish, this lip gloss is a steal at only $12.50, and it's also available in clear and a sheer red shade.

Finally, one of my favorite lines carried by the new and improved Bath and Body Works is called True Blue Spa. I admit, this line is sort of a rip-off of the Bliss Spa products because the packaging looks very similar and the names are, like Bliss, quirky and fun. I am a BIG fan of Bliss Spa products, particularly the Lemon and Sage Body Butter. But the True Blue Spa products are more affordable and comparable in quality. They have an interesting new line of summer bronzing products, from gradual self-tanner, shimmering/"tan enhancing" dry oil spray, and SPF 30 sunblock with a healthy dose of bronze shimmer for an instantly improved bikini-body. While I didn't purchase any of these products, I did test them out in store and I think I'll have to go back and check them out again and maybe bring home a few goodies!

I have tried True Blue Spa's foot scrub called Toe the Line, and I really like it. It contains walnut shell powder for extra exfoliation power, tea tree oil to deodorize and disinfect, and peppermint oil and rosemary extract to "refresh and stimulate tired feet." I absolutely love the way this stuff smells, and it works well in conjunction with a good pumice stone to smooth rough, dry feet. It's great to use right before slathering on some Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream for serious softness!

Another fun find was the Liplicious Tasty Lip Color. This gloss is tasty, and it's available in a variety of flavors and colors, from grape soda (a creamy berry shade with a bit of shimmer) to cinnamon red hots (sheer, clear red, also with a bit of shimmer). I picked up "Limeade," a clear, sparky gloss that tastes exactly like a cold sip of limeade. Perfectly refreshing on a hot spring (soon to be summer) day!

(I forgot to mention that Bath and Body Works also carries Dr. Patricia Wexler skincare products, the full line of C.O. Bigelow products, and gorgeous candles from Henri Bendel, too!)

If you need a beauty fix and you don't live near a Sephora or you're a little tight on cash, stop by Bath and Body Works and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Real + Simple = Perfect

2007-05-13T23:06:00.000-05:00

Along with beauty products, I have a real obsession with cleanliness and organization. I make my bed every morning and I clean out my purse every night. All of the papers I've ever written for school are all filed away in an accordian folder sorted by class name and the grade level I was in at the time. I have seperate drawers for my "nice" panties and my "everyday" panties. Each time I use my debit card I immediately deduct the amount in my transaction register. The contacts in my Sidekick III are alphabetically arranged and include physical addresses, e-mail addresses, and birthdays. I am constantly making lists and dividing them into categories: shopping, to do - house work, to do - personal, etc. Before I work on a big school project, I will make sure that every last bit of laundry is clean, folded, and put away and that the fridge is sparkling clean with its contents grouped properly on their designated shelves. I don't know why, but these little menial tasks are so soothing and satisfactory to me. Perhaps its because I can actually see my progress, and I feel as though I am accomplishing something, even if I'm just procrastinating or ignoring the fact that I have a eight page term paper that's a week overdue! I dream of the day that I can own a home (or at least some sort of space) with rooms that look like they came from the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog.

All of this to say that one of my favorite magazines is Real Simple, a "lifestyle magazine" that focuses on a chic but simple approach to beauty, fashion, food, fun, family, finances, and more. They also offer tips for organizing and "simplifying" all aspects of daily life, from the clutter on the bathroom vanity to the excess stress that may be weighing you down.

I'm particularly pleased with this month's issue because one of the main articles is about drugstore beauty, a topic that I've blogged about repeatedly. The article features blurbs (from readers) about sixty different budget beauty buys. Some are no-brainers (Q-tips, Vaseline), but there are a few other suggestions that I certainly recommend. Two of my favorites on the list are Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Cream and SunSilk De-Frizz Conditioner. The former makes feet smooth and pedicure perfect within a few nights of repeated use and the latter really works wonders for curly/wavy hair that can be unmanagable - and I'm all for in-shower styling!

In addition to the the drugstore beauty article, this month's issue also includes an informative sections about eyeliner application, dressy tops, and swimsuits for all figures.

Next time you're at Borders or just the grocery store, check out Real Simple and trust me, you'll be glad you did!

(I couldn't find a pic. of the May cover for this post, but in case you're looking for it in store, it's pink w/ face creams, pearls, and q-tips on the front!)

If It's Good Enough for Oprah...

2007-05-09T21:33:00.000-05:00

Awhile back I wrote a lengthy review of some of my favorite drugstore makeup products. As I've stated before, I live in a very non-glamorous area that is majorly lacking in the "shopping" department. Don't get me wrong, I adore my home state and my home town, but oh, how I wish for a local Sephora and/or Nordstrom. Sigh.

Anyway, while running errands and picking up some mundane items like dogfood and papertowels at the lovely Wal-Mart, I strayed into the "health and beauty" aisles, as I always do. Seriously, I cannot leave a Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, CVS, or Target store without purchasing something beauty related, whether it be a few new barettes or some Chapstick. But on this day I was searching for an inexpensive, non-oily body scrub since fake tan season has finally begun. While weighing my options, I noticed some little tubs of shea & cocoa-based body butters by a company called J.R. Watkins Apothecary. The one that immediately jumped out to me was the vanilla scented one. I think that because I grew up in the Bahamas, I have an affinity for any scent that's reminiscent of the islands - specifically vanilla, coconut, and the smell of suntan lotion/oil!

Sadly, the vanilla scented body butter was a bit too heavy for me. I browsed the shelves to see what other scents were offered. There was Lavender, which I DO NOT like. Unless it's the actual lavender flower, I think lavender scented things are a bit skunky smelling. Bleh. There was also a Green Tea/Aloe scented body butter which was nice, but not amazing. Then I saw the little jar labeled "Lemon Creme." I opened the tub, took a sniff, and immediately fell in love. It smells exactly like a lemon flavored sugar wafer. Along with islandy/beachy scented things, I like desserty scented things, too. However, I do think that they can be a bit sickening (and too "tweeny") if not handled properly-but this stuff smells delicious and so summery!

Like most shea and cocoa butters, the texture is thick and rich. I like to put it on after a nice, long bath right before I go to bed so it can really sink in. I wake up feeling soft, supple, and smelling divine (plus it makes my sheets smell good, too!)

I looked up the website just out of curiosity and discovered that this same Lemon Creme body butter was featured in "O" Magazine as one of Oprah's favorite things! Never would I have believed that something that can be purchased at Wal-Mart would be used by the Almighty Oprah!

The best part is that it's only $4.23 for a 4.6 oz. tub! (at least at Wal-Mart...but for some reason it's more expensive online? Weird.) Though it's inexpensive, it certainly isn't cheaply made! So, the next time you're at Wal-Mart, treat yourself to some Lemon Creme Body Butter from J.R. Watkins Apothecary.

Summertime, and the Livin's Easy...

2007-05-08T10:55:00.000-05:00

Again, I have to apologize for my lack of posts lately! This semester is finally over, thank goodness, so I should have more free time to dedicate to this little blog before I begin summer classes in July. Sometimes I get discouraged because I don't feel like I have much of a readership and there's no point in writing for an audience that isn't there; however, I am trying to rid myself of those negative feelings so that I can keep up with posting and hopefully increase my popularity. I know how frustrated/impatient I get when I repeatedly check on a blog that hasn't been updated for some time, so sorry to any of you who have been checking the site lately! Within the next few days I should have posts on Sudzz FX Haircare, perfect pedicure products, the Real Simple magazine guide to drugstore beauty, my rediscovery of Bath and Body Works, and one of Oprah's favorite beauty products (it's surprisingly cheap and widely available!) Stay tuned! <3

Brush(es) with Greatness...continued.

2007-04-22T17:17:00.000-05:00

A couple months ago my friend, Geoff, contributed to this site with reviews of some of his favorite LUSH products. Today, Geoff is back to talk brushes, offering an even more affordable/accessible option for those of you who are short on money and live far away from shopping civilization!

Everyone loves Target. From their cute, affordable designer clothing to their darling stationary sets, Target stores prove that you can be chic on the cheap. Geoff devels into Target's beauty aisles, discussing the exclusive Sonia Kashuk cosmetic brushes.
Geoff says:

"Jess—

I just wanted to piggyback on your previous post about drugstore beauty, which was super informative and enjoyable, and then also fill everyone in on great product I’ve recently discovered.

First off, I think when you’re a product whore (like we are), it’s easy to shirk off other beauty essentials, like accessories and brushes. Personally, I don’t have too many quality brushes, but as I’ve acquired some in the past few weeks, I’ve come to realize how important a good brush is to a flawless makeup application.

A great introduction to quality brushes and a nice compromise between really expensive brushes and really cheap ones is the Sonia Kashuk brush line at Target. All of Sonia’s brushes are relatively cheap and they are unquestionably the highest quality brush line on the drugstore market.

One of my favorites is the Contoured/Angled Eye Shadow Brush, which is awesome for defining brows. And it’s a steal at $9.99. The bristles are silky— sable hair I think— and they deposit tons of pigment.

The ergonomic handle is more helpful and comfortable than you would think, and the design is much more attractive than any of Kashuk’s other Target brush lines."

Thanks, Geoff! : )

I haven't tried any of the the Sonia Kashuk brushes, but my little sister bought a powder/bronzer brush from her line last winter before our trip the Bahamas and the bristles were extremely soft and the application seemed even and glowy. I'll definitely have to look in to trying some of these brushes!

Have you tried any of these brushes? What do you think? How do they compare to their more expensive and less expensive counterparts?

Brush(es) with Greatness

2007-04-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

Like Meg over at Faking Good Breeding, I'm no makeup application master. I can blend my concealer, puff on some powder, brush on the bronzer and blush, and line my eyes - but I know I'll ever be able to perform the miracles that Kevyn Aucoin mastered during his lifetime. That being said, I do believe there is a big difference in quality between high end and low end brushes. Being a poor college student, I certainly cannot afford the brushes that range into the hundreds of dollars - but there are some good, affordable brushes that I recommend for the ladies who hate the cheap little things that come with many makeup kits.

First, I've been using a Sephora brush set for a few years now. I received it as a Christmas gift, and it's one of the only gifts that has given me tons of mileage! Sephora offers a wide range of brushes, and their sets are great. The prices range from $15 for a mini-set to $150 for an amazingly comprehensive 15 piece set. They even have a clever, unique set with brushes that are double ended - perfect for girls on the go...or girls (like me) who don't have anymore room in their makeup bags!

The set I use is pretty basic - powder, blush, two different eyeshadow brushes, and a lip brush - but they're soft and effective, and if treated with care, they're supposed to last for five years (some say that brushes can last a lifetime, but others say that it's best to fully replace them after an extended period of time). There are many companies that offer specialty brush cleansers but I usually use my face cleanser (Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser), baby shampoo, or Jonathan Product Add Moisture Moisturizing Shampoo (I hate it for my hair, but it's great on my brushes!)

Sephora also offers brushes a la carte if you want to add to your collection. My favorites are the Long Handle Sable Eyeliner Brush ($8) and the Retractable Powder Brush ($12-$19 and perfect for on-the-go touch-ups). I use the Long Handle Sable Eyeliner Brush with a bit of Smashbox Off-Set Shadow Converter to create the look of liquid liner without the hassle!

I also have a handful of favorite brushes from different companies. First is Stila's #9 All Over Blending Brush for the Eyes. This brush seamlessly blends eyeshadow, and it's great for applying a tiny bit of shimmery shadow to brighten the inner corner of the eyes. Another winner from Stila is the #11 Concealer Brush. I couldn't find it on the Sephora website, so maybe they've stopped making it. I got mine a few years ago so it's possible they could have discontinued it, but it's a good concealer brush, especially for smaller areas around the nose and mouth.

Speaking of concealer brushes, a genius concealer brush is the Nars #9 Precision Concealer Brush. The brush looks like a thin, pin-pointed paint brush, and it's perfect for applying concealer on individual breakouts which is great when you're short on time or don't need or want a full face of makeup.

Finally, two of the all-time best tools available on the market are the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler and the Tweezerman Stainless Steel Slant Tweezers. Both products are staples in almost every make-up artists' kit, and thousands of beauty editors can't be wrong as each of these tools has been featured in multiple magazines and won dozens of awards. IF you don't have either of these, they're definitely worth the investment! They provide unparalled lash and brow perfection!

How do you feel about brushes and tools? Are they worth the money? Do you have any particular favorites? Leave your comments!

Shear Genius - Better Than Your Average Hair

2007-04-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

This post has very little to do with beauty products, but it does sooort of have to do with beauty, so bear with me!

Did anyone watch Shear Genius last night? I did, and I loooooved it! I love pretty much all of the Bravo Channel reality shows (Project Runway, Top Chef, and Top Design)...and actually, I love most competition based reality shows (especially America's Next Top Model and even the ridiculousness that is The Search for the Next (Pussycat) Doll) as embarassing as that may be to admit. However, I think Shear Genius will soothe my Project Runway withdraw because, like ProjRun, it's highly creative and all of the contests have unique, bold personalities (which makes for great television drama)! So, based on first impressions, who is your favorite/least favorite stylist? Would you let them touch your hair? What did you think of last night's creative challenge? Comment, comment, comment!

And if you haven't tuned it, Shear Genius is on the Bravo Channel on Wednesday nights at 10pm Eastern time!

Show Me Your Smile

2007-04-09T10:33:00.001-05:00

To me, having a shiny, white smile is one of the best ways to enhance one's natural beauty. A bright smile lights up the face and heightens self-confidence, and strong self-confidence is the biggest non-cosmetic beauty secret! But until about six years ago, affordable and effective teeth whitening was not available to "the public." Not many people (aside from celebrities and the independently wealthy) have an extra $500 - $2000 to spend on professional teeth bleaching at the dentist's office, but when Crest Whitestrips (and all the other brands that followed) hit the market, effective teeth whitening became widely available for less than $30! I've had great success with both the Crest Whitestrips Premium and the Oral B Rembrandt Whitening Strips Premium; however, I find that the effects never last too long. Though the companies claim whiter teeth from three months to one full year, I find that, for me, results only last about a month to six weeks maximum. This is probably due to the ridiculous amount of sweet tea and Pepsi that I consume, but despite my caffeine addiction, I still want white teeth!

So, my favorite new whitening product is the Listerine Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse. The "secret ingredient" is just plain ol' hydrogen peroxide (you know, the stuff that comes in the big brown bottles for .88 cents?) but if you've ever tried to rinse your mouth out with hydrogen peroxide straight from the bottle, you know it's NOT a pleasant experience, and I don't think it's exactly safe, either. I admit that the taste of the pre-brush rinse isn't the greatest, and the foam that's generated from the rinse kinda makes you look like you have rabies, but the results are impressive; however, they're slow but steady. I recommend using the Listerine Pre-Brush Rinse to maintain either professional or at-home whitening, and used in conjunction with a whitening toothpaste, you'll see quicker results. And of course Listerine is known for their breath-freshening mouthwash forumlas and the Pre-Brush Rinse is no exception, and one of the biggest pros is that it doesn't burn/tingle like the original Listerine. At about $6 a bottle for only thirty seconds twice a day, it's both cheap and easy - so polish those pearly whites and smile! :-D

Lashing Out

2007-04-03T01:43:00.000-05:00

I wish I could find a mascara that made my eyelashes look like this, but since that's impossible, I wish it were practical to wear false eyelashes every single day. I looove big, thick, dark lashes. There would really be no need for any other makeup if these lashes were genetically possible, and I would probably be $5,000 richer! : )

(This is a picture from Halloween, by the way. I was Rainbow Brite! But please ignore the grown-out roots!)

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

2007-04-03T01:16:00.000-05:00

I MISS MY LONG HAIR!

I used to have loooong hair. In high school, it was past my boobs...but I gradually got it cut to a little past collarbone length. Back in September I decided to cut it fairly short...well, shorter than it's ever been since I was a little girl. I really liked it for a while even though I had to straighten it every day because it didn't look good curly/wavy while it was short. Now...well, it's in that awkward "growing out" phase...and my bangs are really in an odd state. They're getting pretty long because I haven't even had them trimmed since the beginning of January (baaaad girl, I know...and that's the reason you can't really tell that I have bang in my blog pic!) - I just never really know what to do with them. I do the Gwen Stefani pouf/faux-hawk, the headband, the bobbypin, the barette, the deep side-part swoop - but I'm getting bored of all of these "styles." Readers, do you have any suggestions on how to tolerate growing out your bangs? I wish I could keep them a tiny bit below eye level, but because of my hair's texture, they never look good 100% of the time. Sometimes they look incredible and I love having my long, smooth, peek-a-boo bangs, but most of the time they look like I accidentally chopped off a huge chunk of my hair and I have this weird short piece just sort of lying on the top of my head. Ughh, so frustrating. So ladies, please leave your suggestions/styles in the comments! I'd appreciate it!

Drugstore Beauty - More Bang For Your Buck! Post 1

2007-04-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been delving in to "drugstore beauty" - makeup and beauty products that are sold at Target, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, etc. Though I adore most high end brands (who doesn't?), I live in West Virginia and I'm sure that when you think of West Virginia, you don't think of a cosmopolitan shopping destination (in fact, you probably conjure many negative images, including toothless gums and low literacy rates...but I live in the Eastern Panhandle, which is only about 80 miles away from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore) Needless to say, there are no nearby Sephora stores and the most upscale department store in the area is Macy's (which sells plenty of upscale products, but I'm more interested in the brands that are sold at Sephora). So what's a girl to do when she needs a quick beauty fix? Well, she looks for beauty bargains, of course! In my next few posts I'll be discussing some of my favorite drugstore beauty finds, from lotions to eyeliners to bronzers and more.

Up first - Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse Foundation and Dream Mousse Blush.

While I've been avoiding full-face foundation lately, Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse Foundation provides a very sheer, natural looking coverage that's matte but not chalky-looking. The texture is gorgeous and a breeze to blend. The downside it that it can highlight dry patches, and if you have oily skin, the matte-ness doesn't last very long, but hey, it's only around $9!

The Dream Mousse Blush provides a sheer, luminous wash of color that also looks very natural and pretty. I've been using the shade called "Whipped Strawberries" and I love it! At only $6.99 it's a inexpensive alternative to the Lancome Magique Soft Radiant Mousse Blush or the Smashbox O-Glow!

N.Y.C. New York Color Waterproof Eyeliner and Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker

This N.Y.C. Waterproof Eyeliner is a great little eyeliner. It glides on smooth and though it's not completely budgeproof, it does a good job at staying put. I especially love this stuff because my eyelids tend to get oily and eyeliner usually disappears on me, but the N.Y.C. liner definitely lasts longer than any other liner I've used. I have it in both Black and Brown, but the brown shade is interesting - it's sort of an eggplant brown with a hint of shimmer - really pretty and anything but basic! If I were to compare this liner to a high-end brand, I would say it's similar to MAC's Powerpoint Pencil. However, the N.Y.C. Waterproof Liner is only about $4.00!

The Physician's Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker looks identical to a Sharpie marker and provides the slick look of liquid eyeliner without the hassle of tricky application. I absolutely looooove the look of liquid liner, but I don't have the steadiest hand, so this product is perfect for me. Again, I have this product in Black and Brown, and they're about $7 a pop (and it's also recommended by The Beauty Addict)

Jane Shimmering Bronzer in Sedona

Due to my fair skin, I have a hard time picking out a flattering shade of bronzer. Most bronzers, no matter how sheer, turn my skin into a nice shade of radioactive pumpkin, but this Jane Shimmering Bronzer has absolutely no hint of orange. With five different bricks of sheer, shimmering, skin-enhancing color, this bronzer looks "glowy" but understated. The shimmer also provides dimension and helps to disguise minute flaws. I believe it's available in 4 shades, Sedona (the shade I use) being the lightest. There's also a mirror and a tiny brush stored in the bottom of the compact for quick mid-day touch-ups! (I also recently discovered that Jane makes a blush/highlighter/all-over-color that's similar in concept/design to the Shimmering Bronzer - guess I'll have to try that one, too!)

Mary-Kate and Ashley Glossy Sheers Liquid Shine Lip Tint and CoverGirl Incredifull LipStick

Ok, so I'll probably catch hell for admitting that I like products from both of these brands because I think it's an unwritten rule that you must never, ever like anything so "tween-ish" past the age of thirteen. But...I can't hide my appreciation for these great (and inexpensive) products! I purchased the Mary-Kate and Ashley gloss in "Pink Glaze," a pale, faintly shimmery pink. (I couldn't find a good picture of the gloss, but I think it's the gloss pictured on the right) Though it looks like a pale shade of Pepto Bismal in the tube, it's almost clear on the lips. The gloss itself is shiny, sweet, and NOT sticky! I believe it's water-based, which explains the non-sticky factor. Unlike some of the other Mary-Kate and Ashley glosses, the Glossy Sheers/Glazes don't contain the nasty chunks of huge glitter. No, the Glossy Sheers formula is quite sophistocated, though at 22 years old, I am a tad bit embarassed to apply this gloss in public! It comes in a multitude of shades and flavors (and they're actually nice, not gross like the LORAC Mocktail!)and it's only $2.94 a tube!

The CoverGirl Incredifull Lipstick is also gorgeous. It's smooth, non-drying, and has a generous dose of pigment and shimmer. I use the shade called "Baby Girl" - a sheer metallic pink (yes, I know, I have a ridiculous obsession for pale/shimmery pinks). It does add a bit of fullness to your lips and it gives a cooling sensation after application. I don't normally wear lipstick, so I'm not sure what to compare this to, but it's only around $7, so it's definitely worth a try!

And finally...

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara

Normally I'm a DiorShow/BadGal Lash loyalist, but this February my aunt swiped my BadGal before she went to Brazil, leaving me with no good mascara! I didn't have the $19-23 to fork over at the time, so I searched for a cheaper alternative and Volume Couture definitely fits the bill. It's got one of those plastic/rubber brushes so there really isn't any clumping, and I haven't experienced any raccoon-eyes smudging with this mascara, either. Because I love big, thick, almost fake-looking eyelashes, I apply multiple coats of this stuff, but if you like a more subtle look, one coat would probably be sufficient, and at $6.94, it's about one third of the cost of the others.

Whew! Hopefully this epic post has made up for my recent lack of posting! I'll be doing more of these drugstore beauty posts over the next couple weeks, and I'll also be covering hair, skin, and body care products. Hope you enjoyed! What are some of your favorite beauty bargains? Do you think pricey makeup makes much difference, or are we just paying for the name? Leave your comments!

WooHoo and Ewww - Brief Reviews of Make Up For Ever's Full Cover Concealer and LORAC's Mocktail

2007-04-02T19:29:00.000-05:00

I know I always say this, but I've been meaning to update for days now. Time just passes by so quickly these days and before I know it, weeks have passed since my last post! I really, really need to start making this a daily habit (along with an exercise routine because I tried on a swinsuit today, and boy are those dressing room lights horribly unforgiving!)

So, first things first.

I'm enjoying the products that I ordered from Sephora (see the last post).
The Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer is a nice product. I love it because it works wonders for my vicious undereye circles (I never, ever get enough sleep and sadly, I drink lots and lots of caffeine), and it's also nice if you have a bit of discoloration on your eyelids. I've been using it with my MAC Foundation Brush and it blends beautifully even though the color is a bit more yellow than most of the concealers I've used in the past (I use Shade 2). It doesn't dry out my skin, and most importantly, it doesn't fold into the little creases under my eyes! Yay! Unfortunately, I have to say that it doesn't do the greatest job at covering up the few little hyperpigmented spots that remain from blemishes of long ago. As for now, I am satisfied...but my search for the Holy Grail continues!

I DO NOT like the Lorac Mocktail Lip Gloss. The shade that I received for my deluxe sample is called "Lava Flow" and while the color is pretty, I really disliked the scent and the "flavor." I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's almost like a funky, fake version of chocolate covered cherries or chocolate dipped strawberries. While the real thing is delicious, the artificial thing is gross. Plus, the shimmer is too chunky - seriously, the flakes are gritty! I haven't tested any of the other colors/flavors, but hopefully they're hotter than "Lava Flow."

I still haven't tested the Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzer or the Escada Sunset Heat, but when I do I'll certainly let you guys know...but what do you guys think about LORAC Mocktail Lip Gloss? Have you tried any other shades/flavors? Leave your comments!

Rewarding My Bad Behavior

2007-03-12T22:19:00.000-05:00

Well, I was a bad girl tonight. Not only have I been procrastinating on my school work, but I also decided to do some online beauty shopping! I didn't do too much damage since I had a $25 Sephora store credit from a previous return, but I don't really have an extra $27 to be spending on beauty products, either. But...nothing feels better than getting that little yellow slip in my mailbox letting me know my package has arrived!

- My shopping list -

Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer in Porcelain 2 - I have finally broken myself of wearing foundation every single day. For a very long time, I viewed face makeup (like foundation, powder, and concealer) as my "security blanket" from the public due to the skin troubles of my adolescence. Now I realize I don't need to cover my entire face, so I've paired it down to just using concealer under my eyes, around my nose and mouth, and on a few little discolored patches left over from some old breakouts. I needed a good concealer that stayed put all day, so this seemed like a good option. I really, really, really hope the color work, too.

TheBalm's Plump Your Pucker Plumping Lip Gloss in Strawberry My Shortcake - I've been lusting after this one for a long time. I looooove a slighty shimmery, baby pink lip, and this one fits the description w/out looking too 1980's.

One of the biggest perks of shopping at the Sephora website is the selection of free samples. My picks:

LOLA Refine Shine Anti-Shine Gel - I always like to try mattifiers whenever they're offered in sample sizes because I have yet to find one that truly lasts through the day. I'm interested to see how well this product performs.

Tarte Sunburst Beaded Bronzing Lotion - I don't tan. Not because I don't want to (though I know I shouldn't), but because my skin absolutely does.not.tan. Seriously, it takes me a full week of being out in the sun from the time I get up in the morning until the sun finally sets in order for me to have what most people consider a "base tan." Hopefully this tinted moisturizer will give me a nice, sunkissed glow without being streaky or Lindsay Lohan orange. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Escada Sunset Heat for Her - Ok...unlike many of my fellow beauty bloggers, I am not a fragrance connoisseur. I rarely wear fragrances, but if I do, it's just a simple perfume oil or a lightly scented body lotion. Lots of women complain that the Escada perfumes all smell the same - typical "tweeny" fruity florals that lack sophistication. I can't say I disagree, but there weren't any other samples that interested me, and I can always donate it to my younger sister.

Lorac Mocktail Lipgloss in Lava Flow - I scored a deluxe sample of this gloss via the latest Sephora catalog promotion code (FUTURE1 for all you shoppers!) The shade looks like a pretty, sheer, vibrant berry red. It's supposed to taste good, too. Sounds sweet to me!

I'll be back with reviews as soon as I receive my goodies! Readers, have you tried any of these products? If so, what did you think?

Something To Hide...

2007-03-12T14:59:00.000-05:00

I think I’ve been searching for my Holy Grail concealer since the age of twelve. I’ve tried one after the other, and I shudder to think how much money I’ve spent on my quest for the ultimate cover-up. I want a perfect color match, excellent staying power and coverage, and no creasing. Is that too much to ask? Nope…I didn’t think so either, because judging from the message boards at Makeup Alley; I’m not alone in this quest. So, I figured I would tell you all about my journey thus far –

While working at the Cosmetics Company Store a couple years ago, I discovered Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Concealer. It has the most impressive staying power out of any concealer I’ve ever tried, and that’s a great feat because since I have oily skin, most makeup has a tendency to “disappear” on me by mid-day. Sadly, there are (or were) only four color choices, none of which were a great match for me. I’ve heard that EL has reformulated the product and broadened the color selection, but I have yet to try it. Readers – what are your thoughts? Have you tried the new version of the Double Wear concealer?

Revlon’s ColorStay concealer ran a close second in staying power, but again, the color wasn’t the greatest fit though it was a little better than the EL Double Wear. I re-purchased the ColorStay on a whim about a month ago but found that Revlon has also reformulated their product; however, the changes made have caused the product to loose some of its staying power and coverage. Ugh!

I’ve also tried Amazing Concealer, and I have never been more disappointed by such a widely loved cosmetic product. Both the color-selection and coverage were mediocre at best, and the texture seemed greasy to me. I had the same problems with Allison Rafaelle’s True Concealer, but I can’t say I’m too surprised because both concealers include mineral oil in their list of ingredients. Not the greatest choice for girls with already oily skin.

Laura Mecier’s Secret Camouflage is decent, and I still use it from time to time. I like that you can blend the two different shades to make a “custom color” that can change with the season or even the different areas of the face. The color match is good but not perfect, and I was surprised by the staying power, and I like that the texture is drier than most other concealers. But I DO NOT like Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer – much too soft and goopy and orange for me.

Since I can’t even walk into a drug store without purchasing some little inexpensive beauty product, I grabbed a small tube of L’Oreal True Match concealer about a year ago in Cool 0-1. THE COLOR IS PERFECT. It really is a true match. Sadly, the texture is too thin and the coverage is too sheer. This is so depressing and frustrating!

Despite all these trials and travails, I have found a temporary solution. The concealer by Delux Beauty is very good, as it provides substantial coverage, decent staying power, and a surprisingly good color match. I use the lightest shade called “Snowy,” and initially I thought it would be too light/too yellow based, but it blends nicely into the skin, especially under the eyes. It’s strange because I don’t even have many “problem areas” that need to be concealed, but concealer is almost like a “security blanket” for me. I think it’s a mental scar left over from when I used to be teased about having blemished skin at an early age. But – I will continue my quest for the concealer to end all concealers! What are some of the brands that have worked (or not worked) for you? Leave your comments!

(Author Edit: So - I wrote this post during some free time back in January, but I just hadn't had time to find the links, pics, etc. in order to make it a successful post. While trying to find links for the Delux Beauty and Allison Raffaelle concealers, I discovered that both of the cosmetic lines are on major liquidation sale on Sephora.com! Are these companies going out of business? Being discontinued? Hmmm...this is strange to me, especially since each of the companies claimed to have a long list of celebrity clientel!)

Ughhhhhh! Sorry!

2007-03-12T14:41:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone (if I have any readers left) -
I cannot believe it has been a MONTH since I've last posted. Shame on me! Unfortunately, sometimes the responsibilities of life get in the way of the fun and creative stuff. I've been swamped with school work (why am I an English major again?), I just started substitute teaching last week, and my "free" days have been consumed with observing high school composition and literature classes as research for my education course. Ah! However, I promise to do at least TWO posts this week - one on concealers and another on drugstore beauty (as I mentioned in my last post). If you're checking back, please stay tuned! I have lots of beauty to discuss!

I'm Baaaaaaaack

2007-02-10T15:41:00.000-05:00

Hello out there to those of you who have been visiting my little blog!

I'm sorry I haven't updated for what seems like ages. I promise I'm not neglecting you! I have been swamped with school work, a little bit of relationship turbulance, and a nasty cold! Ahh! Hopefully I'll be back to normal towards the end of this week when I'll be off to sunny Florida for four brief but glorious days (a big change from the bitterly cold and drab state of West Viriginia)!

Soon I hope to do a post on "drugstore beauty." Though I love, love, love almost all of the higher-end brands, I also enjoy discovering fantasticly cheap and effective drugstore products that make a big impact on beauty! A few of the products I will be discussing are: Listerine Pre-Brush Whitening Rinse, N.Y.C. Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil, and Jane Shimmering Bronzer.

That being said, do you have a favorite drugstore product that stands up to even your most prized Sephora (or department store) possession? Leave your comments and please
stay tuned! : )

LUSH to Love

2007-02-05T15:27:00.000-05:00

So - I don't know if I have very many readers at this very early stage of this little blog's history...but for the readers that I do have, the following post was written by my friend, Geoff. Geoff and I attended middle school/high school together and though we weren't very close back then, we have recently re-discovered one another due to our mutual love of literature, celebrity gossip, and beauty products! He will be contributing to this blog from time to time or whenever the mood strikes him. He really seems to know his stuff (he is an NYU grad afterall...), so please welcome him with open arms! : )
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The idea of organic cosmetics has become appealing in recent years much in the same way that organic food has. But as a fallen vegetarian (who grudgingly scorned tofu for a whole three months and stuck mostly to candy), let me suggest that an organic beauty regimine is much easier to follow than an organic diet.

One of the foremost purveyors of handmade, natural cosmetics is the LUSH brand. Even though its stores are not as ubiquitous as say, Sephora, all LUSH products can be ordered online at www.lush.com — and if you’re willing to make the trek, there is usually at least one LUSH store in every major city.

Walking into a LUSH store, one is overwhelmed by sights and scents. Product names and ingredient lists are scrawled onto chalkboards. Hunks of soap, large and craggy as rocks, reside on countertops. Perishable facemasks are stored in a miniature fridge. It’s like stepping into a mad scientist’s lab, or Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

I was introduced to LUSH about five years ago, and have used their products regularly ever since. And although LUSH makes hundreds of products for every conceivable beauty need, here are a few favorites:

Fresh Farmacy Cleansing Bar — Calms oily, acne-prone, or irritated skin with calamine. Solid pink cleansing bar topped with Marigold flower shavings. Gets rid of redness quicker than anything I’ve ever tried, and face feels tightly clean after washing.

Dream Time Temple Balm — Massage this stuff into your temples before bedtime, and you’ll wake up the next morning with a lavender-scented pillow. I’ve heard people swear by this balm with more allegiance than sleeping pills.

Black Tooth Gel — Deliciously flavored tooth gel, made with citrus and Indian sandalwood. It’s black because charcoal, not fluoride, is the active cleaning agent. Teeth are literally “squeaky” after brushing, and much whiter.

Aromaco Deodorant Bar — Citrus and patchouli-scented antiperspirant bar that has a very natural, hippie-ish smell. Cools underarms, and the scent stays with you all day, which is a good thing. You’ll never go back to regular deodorant again.

Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo— - Perfect for dry or thick hair, or for anyone who likes that slept-in, slightly oily look. Contains actual Irish Stout and cognac oil— but you won’t smell like an alchie— plus fresh lemon juice for shine.

- Geoff
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Though I've never tried any of the products Geoff has raved about, I have been in a few LUSH stores, and they are, as Geoff has described, lots of fun. The staff is very helpful (at least at the store in Covent Garden, London) and they have tons of testers so you can always try before you buy. Some of my picks from LUSH include the Bath Bombs (especially the Butterball), Bath Melts, and the Ocean Salt facial scrub. If you order from the LUSH website, pay special attention to their shipping policies. Because many of their products are made with natural ingredients, they may melt, harden, discolor, etc. - but the wesbite will inform you of their shipping suggestions for their various products.

Also, LUSH puts out a ridiculously fun and interesting "newsletter"/catalogue chock full of product descriptions, customer raves, usage suggestions, and cute illustrations.

If you can get to a store, do it! If not, check out the website!

(Again, thanks so much to Geoff for this review!)

Pleasingly Plump

2007-02-03T00:14:00.000-05:00

I admit it. I’m a huge sucker for lip plumpers (pun intended!) Though I have yet to find one that truly gives me that Angelina pout, I’m always anxious to try the newest plumper on the market. Some of my absolute favorites come from TheBalm’s Plump Your Pucker line. With a wide range of shades and flavors, TheBalm plumping glosses offer more fun than function. The site claims that the glosses contain the mysterious “Maxi Lip” ingredient, which is supposed to promote plumping action over a series of thirty days. Hmmm. That’s just too long a wait for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever used the same lip gloss religiously for an entire month - not even glosses that I consider to be my favorites!

However, the glosses have many redeeming qualities, such as cute names and yummy tastes/fragrances. The name of each gloss coincides with its shade and flavor. My three favorites are Cocoa My Coconut (a sheer pinky nude that smells and tastes like chocolate coconut), Water My Melon (a clear watermelon pink with a hint of shimmer), and Spike My Punch (a clear cherry red stain). I was at Sephora a few weeks ago, and I tested Strawberry My Shortcake, and I loved it. It’s a pretty baby pink color with a healthy dose of shimmer – along the lines of Stila’s It Gloss. They neither sting/burn (like DuWop's Lip Venom, Too Faced Lip Injection, and Urban Decay's Big Fatty) nor numb the lips (like LipFusion and Urban Decay’s Blow Lip Plumper). I’m not sure how I would describe the sensation, but it’s more of a tingly, cooling, minty sort of feel. Normally I like the stuff that stings (that’s how you know it’s working!) but I hate the clown-mouth look that those types of plumpers give after the gloss has worn off (with the exception of Lip Venom, the true original, and in my opinion, the best clear plumper!) These glosses are both affordable and immensely enjoyable – and as most of us know, boyfriends and husbands always love glosses that taste sweet! (And for anyone who reads The Beauty Addict, these glosses aren’t nearly as tacky as the adjective-happy Dessert Beauty glosses, so you won’t feel embarrassed to pull them outta your makeup bag for a mid-day touch up!). $14 @ Sephora.com

Oh, and if you look under “Airplane Approved Beauty” at the Sephora website, I believe TheBalm also has miniature Plump Your Pucker lip gloss trios. Each set contains three similar shades, such as “nudes” and “reds.” $21.

Best Face Forward

2007-01-26T15:51:00.000-05:00

Since I was what they call an "early bloomer," I had the misfortune of dealing w/ "problem skin" from a very young age. I was constantly teased about my breakouts, as the rest of my eleven and twelve year-old counterparts had smooth, clear, flawless faces. My mother told me to ignore them, and that by the time I was 16, I would outgrow my bad skin while everyone else would just be beginning their bad skin years.

She was wrong.

Though my breakouts subsided a bit in my mid-teen years, I have struggled with not-so-great skin for almost half of my life, and being only 22, that's a looooong time.

I remember looking at all of the beautiful models in teen magazines praying for skin like theirs. I tried everything. In my younger years, it was Clearasil, Noxzema, Clean and Clear, Seabreeze, etc. No luck...ever. In fact, these products only made my skin worse. Granted, I never had the really bad red, angry, cystic acne - but my breakouts were enough to bother me...a lot.

I submitted to the Pro-Activ infomercials, and at first it worked for me, but then my skin seemed to plateau. When I left home for college, the newfound stress coupled with late nights, homesickness, the dreaded dining hall food, too many mixed drinks, and the worst roomate/living situation know to man, my skin went absolutely haywire. I ordered over $200 worth of Sonya Dakar products, including the infamous "Drying Potion," a supposed "beauty secret" of many celebs. I was sure that these products had to work, especially considering the cost.

So, I waited. And waited. And waited. And...my skin got even worse! I was devastated. So, I switched to the Murad system. Like the Pro-Activ, the Murad system worked up to a point, then my skin just plateaued again. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible.

Finally, for my nineteenth birthday, I received Paula Begoun's book, Don't Go To the Cosmetics Counter Without Me - a dictionary thick book filled with reviews on every single makeup and skincare product known to man, from Wet and Wild to La Mer. Thinking that Paula must know her stuff, I decided to purchase some of her skincare products, and my life has never been the same.

Since using Paula's products for oily/blemish prone skin, my face has never been so clear. Her products have been an absolute a life-saver and confidence builder. The key to her products are gentle yet effective cleansers and chemical (not abrasive) exfoliators like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA).

I use Paula's Skin Balancing Cleanser, Skin Balancing Toner, and the Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution as part of my daily regimen. I also use the 2% BHA Lotion and Liquid and occasionally, I'll use the Oil Absorbing Carbon Mask when I have a bad case of shiny face!

They work beautifully, and I haven't had any big "underground" PMS type of breakouts for about three years now. Of course, I'll get the occasional pimple here and there, but Paula has worked miracles for me, and her products are fairly inexpensive compared to the higher-end skincare lines. PLUS - Paula's website has sample sizes of almost all of her products, including her eyeshadows, lipsticks, and blushes.

Visit her site at www.paulaschoice.com

So This Is the New Year...

2007-01-19T15:43:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to create a beauty blog for months now. Inspired by my love of all things beautiful, I feel the New Year is the perfect time to begin this blog. I know, I know. It's already the 20th of January, but better late than never, right? Plus, I am one of the worst procrastinators that has even graced the face of this Earth...and I do actually have a bit of an excuse. The spring semester of my junior year (in college) just began last week, and being an English major, I'm already innundated with reading, reading, reading. So sad. But hopefully this blog will be my esacpe from all things tedious and mundane.

I suppose I should tell my prospective readers a bit about my plans for this blog. I'm hoping to do review posts about beauty products and other items that strike my fancy, be it books, films, websites, and the like. My blog will not be as glamorous as the Beauty Addict's, seeing as though I'm still a student and cannot afford the frequent Sephora splurges (and the Sephora closest to me is over an hour away - oh, the misery). However, I have a vast knowledge of maaaany beauty products, and I think it will be fun to share my reviews and opinions with others, and I also hope to learn about any tips, tricks, and treats that my readers may have.

Thanks for reading, and please stay tuned for new posts.

(And incase you were wondering about my title - it's a play on words, coming from Sir Philip Sindey's sonnet cycle "Astrophil and Stella," meaning "star-lover and star" - code names for the poet and his unrequited lover. So, instead of Stella, I put Stila, the cosmetics brand beloved by many women the world over. Hee! I'm so clever!)