Tarte LipSurgence natural lip tint

"This natural lip tint is clinically proven to give you a 6000% increase in lips' moisture content in 28 days!"  6000%...really??  That's good if you want lips the consistency of watery Jell-O.  I'll settle for lips that don't crack and bleed.  This is a sheer lip stain.  It goes on easily and has a wonderful minty smell.  It makes your lips feel slippery, not sticky.  The color does stain your lips but not as much as a regular lip stain would.  However, it doesn't dry out your lips as much as most stains.  I got it in Moody (dark berry) and I have found that most lip stains work better in darker colors.  I would like to try one of the lighter colors but I'll probably wait until Spring.  It is similar to both Sephora's Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencil (the best deal) and Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil.  And for you True Blood fans, they have an exclusive color.


http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-lipsurgence-natural-lip-tint

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes mascara

In the time it takes you to read this, 11 tubes of Great Lash mascara were sold in America.  This iconic mascara was released in 1971 with the distinctive package design by Lilly Pulitzer.  It really hasn't changed much over the years.  The big innovation on this one is the "heart-shaped" brush.  It has rows of teeth-like combs like many newer brushes but tapers to almost a point.  I guess the point is to get your smaller, inner lashes with the smaller side of the brush.  It's a good idea in theory but the brush is not long enough.  It feels very awkward when using it.  The formula is the same as you're used to and it doesn't flake or smudge.  Great Lash has always been a decent mascara at a decent price.  However, their new wand falls short.  If you like the mascara, I would stick with the original or the Big Lash brush.


http://www.maybelline.com/products/153/eyes/mascara/great-lash-lots-of-lashes-washable/very-black/141?shadeId=837

Interesting fact:  The inventor of mascara developed a modified version of the coal dust and Vaseline he saw his sister using to darken her lashes.  It was a local hit but the name, Lash-Brow-Ine kept it from having wider spread success so he renamed it Maybelline for his sister, Maybel and Vaseline, his two inspirations.  (The company is now owned by L'Oreal)

Giorgio Armani Face Fabric foundation

I have totally been remiss with my reviews and I apologize.  I'm going to try to "make-up" for it as the holidays approach.  And the best place to start is the foundation.  I have never been a big fan of liquid foundation.  I know it gives the best coverage but I just never liked the way it feels.  But, with the shorter days and lack of sunlight, I need to do something to keep people from constantly checking my pulse.  So, I did some research.  I had never used Girgio Armani make up but the Face Fabric got rave reviews.  I went to Nordstrom's so I could try it on first.  She put on color 1 and my face was transformed.  I wondered though, if it would still be the same when I put it on at home using my fingers instead of a sponge.  I decided to give it a try.  It turned out to be way to light for me!  If looking warmer than death was my goal, this was not the shade for me.  I went back to exchange it and got color 2.  This one is great.  It has a velvety feel and smooths out my skin tone and wrinkles.  Once it's on, I can't even feel it.  It only comes in 7 shades so it might be hard to match but if you can find a color that suits you, I highly recommend it.  The price tag is a little hefty but, like many good cosmetics, a little goes a long way!

http://www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/face-fabric-foundation-spf-12/A247,default,pd.html

Tip:  (from the make up counter girl) when trying on make up in a department store, hold the mirror above your head and look up.  This helps block some of the flourescent lights and gives you a better idea of the real color.  (from me) walk around the store or mall a bit to see the make up in different lights.  Even go outside if you can.  It's also a great way to not be pressured into buying something you aren't sure of.

La Mer Creme de la Mer The Moisturizing Lotion

While trying some new foundations in Nordstrom's, I got into a conversation with the sales lady about Le Mer.  She talked about how great the products are and how she never uses anything else and she really had beautiful skin.  I already knew they were expensive so I asked for a sample.  The La Mer liaison came out and introduced herself and gave me a .17 ounce sample (street value = $50).  I took it home and tried it.  You are supposed to "warm a small amount between your fingertips" and pat it on your face.  The smell was interesting (kind of marine-y).  I think some people wouldn't like it but I thought it was ok.  And you weren't able to smell it once it was on.  When I got to work, I looked up the site and saw the price for a full 2 ounces.  $210...what?!?!  I read a little more about the company.  I mean, for that price I expected it to be manufactured in an enchanted forest with ingredients like unicorn tears (which everyone knows have magical healing powers).  Well, it was quite that but they do have an interesting back story.  The Miracle Broth was developed by aerospace physicist Max Huber, to help heal scars he had suffered in a lab accident.  He experimented with sea kelp and bio-fermentation.  It worked and he (and then his daughter) marketed and sold the product until Estee Lauder bought the rights to manufacture and exploit, oops, I mean, sell it.

So, does it work?  Sadly, I think it does.  I say sadly because now I am in the predicament of deciding whether or not to spend that much money on a face lotion.  I will say that the sample lasted me almost 2 months so you would probably have to buy it twice a year.  (I sometimes don't wash my face again in the morning - just rinse it with water - and I really felt like I didn't have to with this.)  It doesn't have spf so they also sell a separate spf 30 lotion for the bargain price $70 for 1.4 ounces.  I feel like it made my face smoother and got rid of the bumps on my chin.  My budget will probably not allow me to remain bump-free but if you can afford it, I think it's worth a try.

Clairol Nice and Easy Color Blend Foam

This experience was neither nice nor easy.  First, the smell.  The only way I can think to describe it is "dragon farts."  It does have the added benefit of burning away those pesky nostril hairs while coloring.  This formula is described as, "Delightful, drip-free foam hair color."  The lack of drips was my main reason for purchasing.  It comes with the color bottle, the developer bottle (with foam lid to put on after mixing), gloves, 2 packets of conditioner and instructions.  You still have to mix the developer and color so no saving steps there.  You don't pump the cap to get the foam out, you squeeze the bottle.  The foam seemed very runny to me and spilled as much as regular hair color.  Once I got it all on, I put my hair up and tried cleaning off the spots I inevitably get on my skin.  This stuff has staying power!  Most hair colors wipe easily off my sink but not this stuff.  I'm hoping the stain isn't permanent.  Then, I went into another room for some fresh air so I didn't pass out.  I left the color on for 30 minutes.  I then rinsed it out and applied both packets of conditioner since my hair is long and thick.  Once I rinsed that out, I let it air dry.  Luckily, the smell pretty much disappeared once it was dry.  The overall color, dark brown, is very nice and doesn't look black as they sometimes do the first few days.  I wouldn't say it did a fantastic job covering my greys but it did turn them a sort of light, reddish color.

Personally, I would not use this again.  Other companies are also making foam hair color.  One of them has to not smell like Death is standing behind you breathing down your neck after having a garlic and rotten fish sandwich.

http://www.clairol.com/en-US/hair-color-foam/science-ingredients

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum

"Pores ‘snap back’ into shape."  Say what??  Sign me up!  That was my first thought when I read Clinique's ad.  I ordered a deluxe sample through Sephora.  Now, I have to be completely honest, I used this more like a primer (only putting it on in the morning).  I find that the ingredients are similar in both.  It goes on smoothly and it really does give your face a velvety texture.  It also helps absorb oil throughout the day.  I can't say it made my pores "snap back into shape" but it did give my skin a more even look without any color.  The price is a little hefty at $39.50 but I would imagine a 1oz. bottle would last 6 months or more.

Clinique is owned by Estee Lauder and are known to be "Allergy Tested, 100% Fragrance Free."  And they aren't joking.  They test each product 12 times on 600 people.  If only one person has a reaction, they reformulate the product.  So, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to try Clinique.

http://www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY4919/PROD16751/Skin_Care/Pores/index.tmpl

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