Paris Makeup Haul

If you follow me on twitter, you probably know that I've spent the past three weeks in Paris, France - the city of lights. During my time there I was bound and determine to track down some brands that were harder to get in the states. While my husband was patient through the first three makeup stops, by the fifth, he waited outside *oops*.

Everything seems more beautiful in Paris, even the makeup, so it was near on impossible to ONLY come home with items I knew I couldn't get in my own back yard. Here is a glimpse of my Paris makeup haul:

The first brand on my list was Bourjois. Many moons ago, this brand was sold at Sephora stores...alas, no longer. However, this brand ABOUNDS in European countries. I found that Bourjois, Nivea and L'Oreal were the three most popular brands found everywhere from Sephora to Markets, all across Paris.

Recently the review regarding their blushes and glosses had peaked my curiosity. Even PixiWoo (one of my all-time fav youtubers) has been raving about their bronzer and face powders of late.

I ended up picking up quite a stash of their blushes. They are baked, similar to the Milani baked blushes, which give them a dome effect. And to the naked eye, these babies shimmer like no other (I don't find that in application they are as glittery as they look in the pan).

How cute is this packaging? They recently did a special packaging series with artist depictions of the famous sights in Paris. Not only was it a makeup haul done while in Paris, but it truly is Paris inspired makeup!

From left to Right: 16 Rose Coup, 32 Ambre D'or, 95 Rose De Jaspe, 34 Rose D'or, 48 Cendre De Rose Brune

I also stumbled upon an entire Hello Kitty makeup line. It was nothing like the line sold in Sephora, but, true to Hello Kitty form it included lots of glitter and girly/bright colors. I picked up two of their blushes. The coral colored one reminded me of MAC's peaches with a little more sparkle.

Flash Review: I used the blushes almost exclusively during my three week stay in Paris. I actually enjoyed the sparkle that the Bourjois provided, it saved me a step adding my favorite highlighter, By Candlelight, on top. It's funny actually, the one matte color I bought (Cendre de Rose Brune) is the only one I haven't played with yet. It's just not inspiring next to all that sparkle!

I've only used the peach Hello Kitty blush and was surprised to find a beautiful coral color under all that in-your-face orange you see in the pan. Surprise, surprise.

Fashion Flash: Paris

Check out this girl's dress!

I tried to stealthly take pictures of her, stalker style, while in Paris last week. It was just too perfectly cute to not share.

What do you think: over the top or perfectly cute?

Makeup Brands: Have you ever heard of Black UP?

As nerdy as it is, I'm always so fascinated by the different makeup brands found around the world For example, when I went to China I was shocked to find that Nivea was the top provider of chapstick - they didn't even have my beloved Carmex in stores! *the horror*

While in Paris I saw a brand I had never heard of: Black Up.

I first ran across it in a Printemps, a HUGE department store in the Opera district, and later found this stand alone shop somewhere during my wanderings.

Has anyone ever heard of this brand? Spill the beans, I'm dying to know!

Bridal Makeup: Megean and Cameron

What do you do when you've spent 9 months planning a beautiful, March, outdoor ceremony only to have rain and snow show up as a guest?

Make.It.Work.

Megean was the type of bride that makes me love my job: unfailingly positive with a great sense of humor. Rain/Snow/Sleet or Hail - NOTHING was going to damper this girl's spirit.

Before

After
Megean wanted to go soft and natural for her ceremony and pump up the pink for her reception, so this is what we came up with.

It sure makes my job easy with the bride is as stunningly beautiful as this one.

For this look:

MAC Rubenesque paint pot
MAC Vanilla Pigment (inner lid)
MAC Pink Opal Pigment (outer lid)
Swiss Chocolate/Cork/Espresso eye shadows
Clinique Gel Liner in Black
Oh and Lashes - oh yes, LOTS of lashes. (Miss Adoro 213s)

Megean, easily, had one of my favorite weddings to date. Seamlessly moving the ceremony inside due to the inclimate weather, the decor was playful, with fuchsia and black, without being overwhelmingly girly or garish.

So, to match the glitz and glam of the reception, we changed up the look a little once the formal pictures were done. Add a little glitter here, a dash of pink there, and this Mrs. was ready to dance all night long!

(picture from the makeup trial)

Additional pictures can be seen at MartinBee Photography.

Top Knot: Go Big or Go Home

Check out my bouffant top knot! Go BIG or go HOME, right?

Sometimes a fun hairstyle makes me stand straighter and walk taller. In this case, the hairstyle itself gave me a couple of more inches!

Creating this look was so much more simple than I thought:

1. Smooth hair into a very high ponytail. I like to turn my head upside down to make sure that the back is smooth and straight. Use hairspray to keep fly-aways in check and some Moroccan Oil to put the shine back in there.

2. Using a boar bristle brush, or teasing comb, get to ratting! Tease the heck outta that pony tail. The goal is to look like your ponytail needs it's own zip code! Bigger IS better!!

3. Smooth down the outside layers of the tail with your boar bristle brush being careful not to brush out the rat. Grip the the ponytail ends, and start to twist into a loose bun.

4. Pin where necessary and then shellac that baby!

One great tip I have for creating a nice round shape is to use the pointed end of a comb or brush to pull and shape the hair. Just stick the pointed end into the bun and lift up gently to mold it.

Pro Tip: An oval shape top knot is more flattering than round, so go egg-static with your shape!

Birchbox Diaries - Anyone Tried Pomega5?

When I received my very first Birchbox this month I let out a little squeal. The concept is awesome, get small samples of high end products to try. Like it? Buy it. Hate it? You are only out 10.00 and with an average of five samples per box, you're destined to at LEAST get your money's worth.

This month was a delayed "hooray...let me explain...

In the box was a sample of these: Pomega5 Revitalizing Concentrate

A transformational experience for the skin and senses, Daily Revitalizing Concentrate captures the essential life force of Omega 5 in its purest and most concentrated form. Each pearl-like ampule contains over 60% of this antioxidant-laden ingredient, along with calendula, rosehip, and jojoba oils to deliver vital nutrients, protect and restore life to lackluster skin. If you ever doubted the existence of miracles, this rejuvenating Omega blend will turn you into a believer.

Transformational experience huh? Those sound like Charlie Sheen words, maybe there's tiger blood in them too! But, seriously, the ingredients seemed alright, lots of yummy for your tummy, er uh skin stuff:

Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Oil, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Verbena Officinalis (Vervain) Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citral*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Benzyl Benzoate*.

On average? I hate capsule packaging. Something about it SCREAMS pretentious to me and I steer far and away from them. But free capsules? Well...

They sat on my vanity for a solid week without even giving them a second look. Then I decided, "well I paid for them, I might as well give them a try so I can throw them away in good faith." o. m. g.

These little capsules contain bits of joy and life in their tiny shell packaging. Seriously!

You twist off the top and squeeze the "concentrate" into your hand. Pat all over you face (after washed and dried of course) and VOILA! Instant moisture and softness that lasts. I was actually shocked (and it takes a lot) to touch my face 20 minutes after my first application and still feel that buttery softness that occurred immediately after rubbing it in.

I'm in love. I have since rushed out to buy a full size container of them, and here's the but...they're over 1.00 per capsule. 1.60 each to be exact. Unless there is unicorn oil or something in these babies, I don't know that I can swallow 1.60 per application. They're not big enough to split over two days either, or even two applications (day/night). So 1.60 per application is what'cha get...

Is their yummy skin-nourishing goodness really so special as to justify cost? Only time will tell. But for now, I have a 30 day supply :)

Here's whats in them and where to find em:

Pomegranate Seed Oil: Cold-pressed from the seeds within the juice-filled arils. Rich in rare Omega 5 essential fatty acid. Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, promotes cell renewal, stimulates collagen production, protects against sun damage, reduces redness, heals irritations.

Jojoba Oil: Obtained from the crushed bean of the jojoba shrub. Rich in Omega 9. Antioxidant, unclogs pores, conditions, moisturizes, softens, reduces wrinkles and stretch marks, lightens.

Calendula Oil: Rich in Omegas 3 and 6. Anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, heals wounds and burns, soothes pain, promotes cellular regeneration, treats acne and irritated skin. Rosehip Oil: Extracted from the seeds of the rose plant. Rich in Omegas 3, 6 and 9 and vitamin A. Antioxidant, improves skin elasticity, rejuvenates, moisturizes, reduces scars, wrinkles and age spots, soothes and softens. Grapefruit Oil: Essential oil distilled from the grapefruit peel. Anti-bacterial, treats oily skin and acne, detoxifies, tones, combats depression, headaches and stress, energizes.

Purchase online at the Pomega5 website. 30 capsules for 48.00

Fashion Inspiration -Paris

Snapshots from Paris fashion week shot by Mr Newton. Photos from http://romorgan.onsugar.com/PARIS-STREETS-14956272 Jamie Lynn Palmer

A Shoe Love Affair

I'm having a love affair with these babies. I'm picturing black tights to make this winter appropriate during these last few cold weeks, and then in the summer? Bright pink toes make the perfect accompaniment. what'cha think?

Urban Outfitters - Jeffrey Campbell Platform Wedge Hill

Crackle Polish: yay or nay?

What do you think: Crackle Nails - are they a yay or nay?

Nails of the day: Color Club (brightest pink I could find) with the China Glaze crackle in Purple

Bronzer Breakdown

From Left:

MAC contour powder in Bone Beige

Physician's Formula Bronzer in Light Bronze

Rimmel Matte Bronze in Sunlit

MAC Mineral Skin Finish in Medium Dark

These are the bronzers currently cycling in my collection. My quick breakdown is as follows:

MAC Bone Beige:

My go to for cheek contour. It's not too muddy brown (hello benefit Hoola) for my pale skin, blends well and applies in layers from soft to dramatic. Biggest hit against the product is that it is a pro MAC product and can only be found at the pro MAC stores.

Physician's Formula Bronzer in Light Bronze:

Since taking these pictures, I've actually removed this from my collection. It was more of a light blush than a bronzer, and didn't give the hollows of my cheeks the depth I needed for the contoured look

Rimmel Bronze in Sunlit:

LOVE this drugstore product. It's a lot of product for just a few dollars and works great to "sun me up" when I feel like getting my bronze on. It pulls a little more to the orange side, rather than brown, but never makes me look like an oompa loompa. I've been using this a lot of bridal clients who want more of a warm glow for their winter weddings.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium Dark:

This one will quickly be discarded from my collection. Upon first application it's the perfect color. Toasty and warm, I just love it. Flash forward three hours to when it's oxidized on my skin and I do look like a fake tan gone wrong.

That said, the MSFs and I don't seem to get along (save the blushes which I LOVE!). I noticed that my medium light face powders turns dark and funky on me too.

From Left: MAC Bone Beige, Physician's Formula Light Bronze,

Rimmel Bronze in Sunlit, MAC MSF in Medium Dark

From Left: MAC Bone Beige, Physician's Formula Light Bronze,

Rimmel Bronze in Sunlit, MAC MSF in Medium Dark

Illamasqua never fails for Inspiration: Toxic Nature

Illamasqua already holds the coveted spot of my favorite blush products; their texture and pigmentation made me a huge fan and their intense lip glosses have long been on my "want" list. In fact, every product I have purchased from them (hello nail polish) has completely exceeded my expectations.

Another thing I can always count on from them is to inspire my creativity and remind me how makeup can push the boundaries of artistic imagery. Their two latest collection promo pictures, Toxic Nature and Throb, are a perfect examples of that.

When I saw these, I actually said "WOW" out loud. Not only am I baffled by how they come up with these images, but the application is so perfectly precise without being overdone...in short, I'm stunned. Here ya go, take a gander....

Illamasqua Toxic Nature Collection for Spring/Summer 2011

Pictures courtesy of Temptalia, see the full write up of the collection here

Illamasqua Throb Collection

Pictures courtesy of Temptalia, see the full write up of the collection here

Happiness is...

Owning all but ONE color of the Urban Decay 24/7 liners

(missing color: 1999)

My first, home made, lippy palette.

Top row is random favorites (MAC, Rimmel, Revlon)

Bottom is the new Bobbi Brown Rich Lip colors (LOVE!)

Dupe it Up: MAC Sublime Culture

Top: Rimmel Exaggerate Liner in Addiction $4-5

Bottom: MAC Creamstick liner in Sublime Culture $17.50

Top:Rimmel; Bottom: MAC

While there is no doubt that MAC puts out a good liner in a large variety of shades and textures (creamsticks vs pencils), sometimes the high prices make close my wallet and run the other direction.

The glory of a bad economy right? We are walking away from the high brow and looking for more affordable options. In this case, my friends, we've struck gold.

Enter Rimmel Automatic Liner for 4-dollars and change at your local drugstore...

Rimmel left, MAC right

FIVE DOLLARS? Huzzah to the cheaper alternative.

The Nitty Gritty:

The Rimmel liner is a little bit larger at the point, which can make it slightly more challenging to get the thin, precise, line you may be looking for and the texture is less creamy than it's more expensive cousin. However, the product is more available since you can find it at any drugstore carrying Rimmel products and it's price point more than makes up for it's different texture.

As a color comparison, the two are pretty spot on. If I HAD to nit pick I would say that Sublime Culture is a pinch more peach whereas Addiction pulls a pinch more pink, but the difference is hardly noticeable at glance.

Bottom Line:

Run, don't walk, to replace your more expensive MAC Sublime Culture for it's cheaper relative, Rimmel Exaggerate Liner in Addiction and use the extra cash to buy yourself a coffee, cause "ya done good kid".

Wet 'n' Wild: Walking on Eggshells

Walking on Eggshells is one of the neutral toned three color palettes recently released from Wet 'n' Wild. After my intense love for the six color palettes which came out a few months ago, my expectations for these gorgeous friends were pretty high.

Walking on Eggshells, No Flash

Walking on Eggshells, Flash

The soft, smooth, texture of these shadows is greatly deceiving. Similar to the soft application that I find from Urban Decay and Dior shadow palettes, this Wet 'n' Wild palette had me fooled into thinking I paid much more than 2.99 (or .99 per shadow).

Pigmentation is solid and the three color combo with highlight, crease and lid make these palettes a shoe-in for the inexperienced makeup enthusiast. This palette, in particular, is versatile since each of these three colors could be a lid color in a rush, used to brighten and lighten while running out the door.

My single complaint? Shimmer, shimmer, shimmer.

Maybe it's because I'm quickly approaching my later 20's, when shimmer emphasizes the bad instead of looking youthful and fun, but I am closing the drawer on many a shimmer obsession.
Walking on Eggshells, with three colors of all high shimmer, reduces the number of people this palette would work for AND also removes the ability for it to be an "all-in-one" product for me.

I adore these colors with a matte highlight on the browbone (MAC Brule or Blanc Type), using the shimmery white "browbone" color on the inner corners of my eyes instead. Texturally, I think the difference between the matte and shimmer creates a more smooth transition also.

Three shimmers, layered together, can easily look muddy when your eye can distinguish the different between the three corresponding, yet different, colors and instead just sees a big ball of shine. Not a deal breaker, but it will require I have a different highlight color available when using this gorgeous girl.

The Nitty Gritty:
Price - at a measly 2.99 these palettes quickly fall into the "too good to be true" category

In Store Availability- Available at most drugstores: Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid

Online Availability - no easy solution here, check ebay. The shadows are cheap enough that I don't imagine many fakes exist. It would cost more than the product to make the fake!

Wear Time- with my Nars eye primer, this palette lasted a full 8 hr work day without fading.

"Winnah!" or "Losah!"- WINNAH. The soft texture, great pigmentation and low price point makes these a no brainer in my book.

Dupe it up: MAC Fresh Salmon

It happens at least once in every large limited edition release, you find something you. just. love.

The following story may sound familiar:

Love at first sight, you wear your new found "holy grail item" for a week straight. Days or weeks pass and you suddenly notice that your use of this beloved item is starting to show. An irrational fear begins to creep, "Omg, what will I do when it runs out?!"

You tell yourself to stop using it so much, limit it to special occasions or maybe put it in a bottom drawer and out of sight. Initially, it taunts you from the bottom drawer, begging for use but, eventually, a new collection comes out and you forget about it entirely. Your newly obsessed "holy grail" becomes old news and is quickly replaced with the next collections "must have" item...until...

One day you're cleaning out your makeup drawer, the one on the bottom that you hardly look at, and you stumble upon it. Its like meeting a new friend all over again, usage increase, and the irrational fear is just around the corner...the cycle repeats.

MACs Fresh Salmon has been like Gollum's ring to me since it was released in the Spring Color Forecast last year. Everytime I use it I am filled with equal parts joy and guilt because I know soon my days of the perfect pinky coral will be ovah.

I was determined to find a dupe, and dupe it I did.

Rimmel Moisture Renew in Coral Shimmer (120) on left, MAC Fresh Salmon (lustre) on right

Coral Shimmer left, Fresh Salmon Right (no flash)

Clearly it's not a perfect dupe, as seen in the photo above. Fresh Salmon, right, has slightly more pink undertones as compared to Coral Shimmer's more, well, coral/peach undertone. But they're sooo close!

Coral Shimmer (left w.flash) has a smidgen more of a shimmer as compared to Fresh Salmon's subtle sheen which often accompanies MAC lustre formula.

Close enough for me. And with the Rimmel Coral Shimmer at an incredible 7-ish dollars, I will gladly swap out one for the other. Fresh Salmon, you are official moved out of the bottom retirement drawer. Huzzah!