Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil

Tea tree oil?  That's so yesterday!  Argan oil is where it's at.  Jose Maran has made argan oil (also known as Moroccan oil) the base of her cosmetics line launched in 2007.  I got my travel-sized bottle with bonus points from Sephora.  It really is 100% argan oil - no other ingredients.  It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper lid.  You can use it anywhere on your body.  Now, I'm not a huge "natural cosmetics" girl.  I always say, "if nature was so great we wouldn't have had to invent other stuff."  However, sometimes nature does get it right.  I love this stuff.  I keep it in my purse so I can use it anytime, anywhere.  I use it on my hair, my elbows, my cuticuls, and anything else that gets dry.  It really helps moisturize and somehow doesn't feel oily.  Pretty amazing for an oil!  It's also produced by a women's cooperative in Morocco and profits from the sales help support the women and the entire community.  Luckily they now harvest the pits directly from the tree instead of the the waste of argan tree-grazing goats.

I think that you could buy any brand but be careful to make sure it is 100% and intended for cosmetic use and not cooking!

http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/shop/favorites/organic-argan-oil

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat

A friend highly recommended this and was seconded by another so I looked into it.  $40?!?!  For cover-up?  Since I've been asked more than once if someone punched me in the eye when I was not wearing cover-up, I thought I'd give it a shot.  It comes in a shiny gold tube (not real gold as the price might indicate) and has a brush.  You click the bottom of the "pen" and the liquid moves up into the brush.  I've never been able to put this kind of cover-up on with only the brush.  I'm not sure if you're even supposed to.  I like to use my finger so I have more control.  (Tip: always use your ring or pinky finger when applying eye products, and pat, don't rub.)  I got the number 2 which is still very light.  It gives adequate coverage and I would say it's in the middle as far as getting into wrinkles.  But, I don't feel it works any better than L'Oreal VisibleLift concealor which is about one quarter of the price.  Bottom line: if you like paying more for a fancy name and packaging, this product is for you.

http://www.yslbeautyus.com/Touche-%C3%89clat/141YSL,default,pd.html

Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer

This is my second Hourglass product and, so far, I am not impressed.  It's supposed to take your lashes from "day to night" by fanning "lashes out to sensational proportions" with its latex-like formula and special brush.  The brush is like a lipstick brush.  The directions say to hold it horizontally and apply using short, painterly strokes.  Even though I wiped off the excess on the edge (which I hate when you have to do that too much because it ruins the tube and, I believe, compromises the product), it is very wet and messy.  It says it works best with lengthening and defining mascara.  I tried it with Lash Stiletto, they're Real!, and alone.  It seemed to work best with the Lash Stiletto.  Alone, it made my lashes longer but they looked really thin.  With they're Real!, it made a clumpy mess.  This is because you don't really need it.  If you're going to spend the money, I recommend spending $22 on they're Real! instead of using this $28 enhancer and having to purchase a separate mascara.

http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/index.php?type=eyes&item=eyes_filmnoirLashLacquer

Benefit They're Real! mascara

Let me start by saying that I love Benefit's packaging and marketing. It's fun and whimsical without being juvenile. I also find their prices a little more reasonable than some other "department store" cosmetics. Now, $22 for mascara isn't cheap but I don't mind paying for something if it works the way it is advertised. However, I got a deluxe sample with my Sephora Beauty Insider points. I wish they would sell this size for a lesser price.

So, on with it! I believe I have found a new favorite mascara. It definitely give volume and length without clumping your lashes together. I can't say I find it to be glossier than any other mascara but it is a very rich black. One thing I've learned recently about mascara is to take your time. You can just brush on a few swipes and expect it to be perfect. Take the time and you can have beautiful, long, and lush lashes. This is not a natural looking mascara but, it's not meant to be. This is the best mascara I have found so far and I plan to buy the full size when my sample runs out.

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/b/2985617011/intid=2011_confessions

Maybelline Superstay 24 Color lipstick

While I've never had occasion to need a 24 hour lipstick, I do like something that doesn't need to be reapplied every 5 minutes. So far, this is the best long-lasting lipstick I've found. It's the same principle as others, a base coat and top coat balm. I got mine in #145, Constant Cocoa. It goes on smoothly and provides a good layer of color. There's no need to lay it on too thick. It really does feel very flexible (thanks to their "Micro-flex formula") and it doesn't seem to dry my lips as much as some other long wearing lipsticks (I don't have to apply the top coat as often). The thing I like best is that it doesn't turn flaky or feather as it wears. As a side note, I've noticed that the lighter colors seem to wear better in the long-lasting lipstick category although I have no idea why. If you're looking for no fuss lipstick for day or night, I'd give this s try.

http://www.maybelline.ca/products/51/lips/lip-color/superstay-24-color/constant-cocoa/145?shadeId=327&view=shades&position=596

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

Sometimes the oil on my face gets so bad I feel like I should blame BP. Nothing I use seems to control it for more than a couple hours. The reviews on Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer were great. I bought the "to go" size at Sephora for $17. Sadly, it was not worth the price. Its non-transparent white color makes it hard to blend in, even on my pale skin. It does feel nice when it goes on but only has a minimal mattifying affect. I'm not a big fan of foundation so it's important that a primer alone makes my skin look better. This doesn't really do anything. I did try it with powder foundation though and it wasn't any better. In addition to all that...the bottle clogs! It happens after only a few uses. That's just not acceptable. I will soon be standing in line to return this (but who knows what other goodies might catch my eye while I'm waiting!).

http://hourglasscosmetics.com/index.php?type=complexion&item=complexion_primer

Tip: A very cheap alternative when looking for shine protection is Milk of Magnesia. You have to be careful putting it on but it lasts a long time and is very mattifying.