Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder

Warning:  if you are not fair-skinned, this isn't for you.  Just don't want to waste any one's time.  If you are fair-skinned and want just a little boost, you might want to consider this.  I like it because it gives a very natural look.  You can use it all over your face, just on your cheeks, nose and brow or only on your cheeks as a blush.  It's a very neutral color.  It's also layering so you don't get big streaks of it across your face (if that's the look you're going for...sorry).  I don't think anything looks exactly like a real tan except a real tan and we all know that's a dermatological sin.  But, if you are looking to add a bit of color during the winter months or even inside under harsh fluorescent lights, this could be just what you're looking for.

If your skin is a little darker, don't feel left out.  You could use this as an every day powder.

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/hoola

Mascara Wave #7 - Urband Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara

This mascara is great but I would never buy it.  That's odd.  Let me explain.  My biggest problem with my eyelashes is volume.  They are long enough and they have a natural curl (don't hate) but there aren't many of them.  This mascara has the comb-like brush and goes on very nicely.  It gives a lot of length and definition.  Unfortunately, it doesn't really plump them up.  It also looks super dark.  That surprises me.  I usually think black is black.  Well, somehow this black is black-er.  It doesn't smudge and, they sell the trial size online for $10.  I wish more companies did this.  One thing I am discovering about mascara is that 3 months is the max time you should use the same tube.  A trial size is really all you need.  So, if you are looking to take your lashes to great lengths, give this a try!

http://www.urbandecay.com/mascara/1_501,default,sc.html

The Mascara Wave #6 - Benefit BAD gal Lash

In my opinion, Benefit has some of the cutest packaging/marketing.  It's kitschy enough for the younger crowd but not too juvenile for those whose 20s are just a spot in the rear view mirror.  Unfortunately, I have found that what is on the package is often more appealing than what is in it.  The same goes for this mascara.  There's nothing wrong with it.  It's got a really nice, full brush (which I'm learning I prefer) and goes on pretty well.  No significant smudging or flaking.  However, there is nothing that makes it stand out either.  It doesn't give the plumping effect of their "They're Real!" mascara.  For $19 you can find something better or, you can get the same results with something from the drugstore.

http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/badgal-lash-mascara

Too Faced Shadow Insurance Candlelight Softly Illuminating Eye Shadow Primer

And the prize for the product with the longest name goes to...Too Faced Shadow Insurance Candlelight Softly Illuminating Eye Shadow Primer!  Wow, all those descriptions and all it really tells you is that it's an eye shadow primer.  But, Too Faced has several eye shadow primers so they needed a way to differentiate.  I am not normally a big fan of eye shadow primer because, well, because I don't usually wear eyeshadow.  I got this sample in a "smoky eye" collection from Sephora (which sucks for me if you read my last post).

This is a gold-toned, shimmery cream.  The most important thing I can tell you is to use only a little bit.  You can always layer it if you want more.  I was really surprised by this product.  If you put light, matte eyeshadow on it, it peeks through giving just a little shimmer.  And it does help your shadow last without creasing.  (It does so for darker shadows as well but you can't see the shimmer through it.)  But, the best part is that it can be worn alone.  You can put a little bit on just your lower eyelid or your entire eyelid and it really brightens up your eyes.  It also stays on really well alone.  I highly recommend this as an alternative to thicker, whiter shadow primers.

http://www.toofaced.com/p-545-shadow-insurance-candlelight-softly-illuminating-eye-shadow-primer.aspx

Confusing Beauty Advice in 2012

So today I am adding a new dimension to my blog.  I saw this article from the New York Times that a friend posted on Facebook and I knew I just had to comment.  The article, titled "You Can Fall Out of Bed and Look Good" can be found here http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/fashion/imperfect-makeup-is-a-trend-for-2012.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&smid=fb-share&src=tp&adxnnlx=1326993157-qyCx35VYy3cLSlq6Gqhnzg.

It basically talks about how the trend for 2012 is "minimalist."  This is according to leading make up artists.  Wow!  Sounds like great news, right?  Terry Barber of MAC says "the look is 'coming home from the party' not 'going to the party'"  Of course, if I look like I'm coming home from the party when I'm going to the party, what the hell am I going to look like when I really am coming home from the party?!  They even have helpful tips from experts on things like achieving the "popsicle mouth."  This makes you mouth look as if you have been sucking on a popsicle.  I know I'm a radical thinker but, maybe to achieve the look you should just suck on a popsicle.

Now comes my favorite part.

“Lose the smoky eyes,” said Mr. Barber of MAC. For a fresh look, he suggests swiping brown mascara just on the roots of your eyelashes, then dotting a bit of brown pencil in between (he likes MAC Coffee eye pencil). This year, texture, like metallic or wet eyelids, is all the rage. The total effect, he said, is “modern pared-down glam rock.”



Ms. Hamlin agreed. “The smoky eye will never go out of style, but a different way to use it is to use the metallic tones,” she said. “It just makes it a little bit softer.”

Another updated option is to almost reverse the smoky eye by applying shadow and liner below the bottom lash line instead of on the lid, according to Ms. Warren.

So wait...do I lose the smoky eyes or keep them because they never go out of style?  Or do I do the smoky eye underneath going for that oh-so-sexy raccoon look?  And isn't "pared-down glam rock" an oxymoron?

The article goes on to talk about eyebrows (the heavier the make up, the lighter the brows.  So now I'm supposed to look like Pink from the Wall?) and hair.  Apparently you need to keep it messy but shiny.  And to do this, you have to not wash it so often.  Ummmm....k? 

So, the good news is, minimalism is in.  The bad news?  It's going to take a lot of time (and possibly money) to achieve this look.

The Mascara Wave #5 - FairyDrops Scandal Queen

I have to admit, the main reason I bought this sampler is because it included this mascara.  The full size is only available at Sephora.  It was developed by Japanese TV personality, Aya Yasuda.  It has a unique, semi-segmented brush that is patented in Japan.  It also contains fibers to help plump up your lashes. 

I feel like the brush is just a gimmick.  I don't find that it grabs any more lashes than some other wands.  However, I do like this mascara.  It gives a lot of volume without clumping lashes together too much.  It is probably more of a nighttime mascara since it gives a fairly dramatic look.  It doesn't bleed or smudge which is always one of my biggest complaints.  And the package is pretty cute.

Of course, the price is a bit of a deterrent ($24), as is the fact that you can only get it through Sephora.  However, if you are still looking for the perfect mascara to give you dark, plump lashes, I would give this a try.

Deal Alert!!  The sampler I bought at Sephora (Sephora Favorites Lashstash) is now down to $32.  It's 8 sample sizes, 2 full sizes, and a Clinique make up remover.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml;jsessionid=ZSHYVTD4X1HOACV0KSKBPIQ?brandId=FAIRYDROPS

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture for eyes

I received this deluxe sample from Sephora and have been using it for almost a month.  My biggest problem area for wrinkles is under my eyes.  Not even crows feet (nice name, right?) but where my dark circles are.  Unfortunately the dark circles do nothing to hide the wrinkles!  Anyway, I am going to make this one short.  I didn't notice any difference between this, which costs $60 for .5 ounces, than the 18 dollar Burt's Bees.  Actually, the only eye cream I ever found that made a difference (in dark circles at least) was Dr. Dennis Gross (formerly MD Skincare) Lift & Lighten eye cream.  Kojic acid was the lightening ingredient.  Unfortunately, they changed their formula and took out the kojic acid and it no longer helped.  Of course, past experience won't keep from trying the next new thing!

http://www.murad.com/eye-care/hydro-dynamic-ultimate-moisture-for-eyes.jsp