L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadows

I bought one Bronzed Taupe when they first came out and really liked it.  Great staying power, and I loved the color.  I'm not sure why I waited so long to buy more....but when I saw this new collection of colors (I'm assuming for the fall), I grabbed two at my local Rite Aid with a buy one get half off one deal.  The two I picked up are Smoldering Plum and Bottomless Java.  These shadows are a cross between a pressed and a loose version.  I'm not sure what they are even advertised as, because they come with these little "stoppers" which you have to keep on them to keep them "packed".  I'm not thrilled with the Smoldering Plum, I expected it to be a tiny bit little lighter, it's very dark and kind of hard to tell it's purple once it's on, so you have to use that one sparingly.  I usually just add a little to the crease and use it to line my bottom lashes.  The Bronzed Taupe is beautiful, and goes well with my eyes, which are blue-grey.  The Bottomless Java is also a nice color, a brown with flecks of gold.  They are all pretty, but frankly look better in the container.  Once you blend them on the eyes, they look like a lot of other products I already have.  I always use a lid primer, so I don't know if they crease or not, but they do stay all day and look fairly fresh when I remove my make up (a full day is 630-1030).  I would like to try one of the lighter shades to see how they are.  They run about $8 and you can purchase at any drug store or dept store.  (Taking pics of these was not fun.....couldn't get the true color very well, I tried with and without flash.  I posted the ones as close as I could get).

Smoldering Plum, 556, w/flash

Bottomless Java, 800, w/flash

Bronzed Taupe, 890, w/o flash

In the Nude.....

I've been on a quest to find the perfect nude lipstick.  My lips are on the smaller side, and lighter shades make them look bigger.  Or at least not smaller lol.  I've found a bunch of them, they just aren't perfect on me.  I'm quite pale, with pink undertones, so I need a cooler toned nude to compliment my skin.  I also have very pigmented lips, so consequently I can't just swatch a lipstick on my arm and be able to tell how it will look on my lips.  Which is why I have so many nude lipsticks.  I found several that I like, three that I love, and a few that are just icksh.  (That's a cuter word for yucky).  I've swatched them all so you can see what they look like on very white skin, maybe that will help if you are also on the hunt for the perfect nude: 

Essence 52 In the Nude", L'Oreal 814 "Forever Frappe", MAC "Blankety", MAC "Viva Glam II", MAC "Modesty", L'Oreal 800 "Fairest Nude"

MAC "Viva Glam II", MAC "Modesty", L'Oreal 800 "Fairest Nude", Essence 50 "Creamy Nude", Josie Maran "Birthday Suit", Revlon 065 "Rosey Nude", Nars "Belle de Jour"

Sorry about the repeats, it was hard to get them all in one picture.  My favorites for consistency are both Essence lipsticks, they feel really moisturizing on the lips, and hold the color for about 2 hours.  Also MAC Blankety feels really good and has good staying power.  L'Oreal Forever Frappe stays put the longest, followed by Nars Belle de Jour and L'Oreal Fairest Nude.  The one I wear the most is Essence "In the Nude", which is funny because it's the least expensive at about $2.  I believe the most expensive is Nars, which runs about $24 and is the one I like the least.  While it's nice to have a higher end lipstick as a treat, don't count out the lesser expensive ones, most companies have really stepped up their game.  All in all, as we all know.....there is no "Perfect" lipstick....because if there was, we would have to stop buying them.......and we all know "that ain't gonna happen". 

L'Oreal "Balm"

With the huge demand for the Revlon Lip Butters, I figured it wouldn't be long before other cosmetic lines joined the lip butter/gloss/lipstick/balm bandwagon.  And I have to say L'Oreal is off to a great start with their version called "Balm".  The color selection is much smaller, I believe their are 7 or 8 compared to the 20 Revlon Lip Butters colors.  The packaging on the Balm is very sleek and "elegant" if you can use that word to describe a lip product.  They are square and sleek, with a gold bottom and inside tube.  The cover is a transparent version of the actual product, and you can see it on the top through the cover.  I've heard some people complain that it should be totally clear so you can see the product, but I don't agree, I think they look really "upscale" this way, and you can see the product through it enough to get the gist of what the color is.  I purchased Tender Mauve first, then went back and got Nourishing Nude and Pink Satin.  I plan on getting at least two more, Plush Plum and Caramel Comfort.  These are advertised as a tinted SPF 15 balm, and claims to keep your lips conditioned for up to 2.5 hrs after removing it.  I haven't timed it myself, but they do make my lips feel good, especially considering we are in the middle of winter.  They do not have a taste or scent to them, and you can put them on without a mirror, which is a plus for the busy gal that needs a swipe of color as she's heading out the door.  The color and conditioning feeling stays on for a while (as long as you aren't eating, drinking, etc).  They cost approx $8, though I've seen them for less then $7 at my local department stores (Meijer, Target, Walmart).  I recommend these, and I know they will especially come in handy in the summer when I'm looking for more of a minimalist feel to my make up.

Tender Mauve, 518

Nourishing Nude, 818

Pink Satin, 118

Tender Mauve, Nourishing Nude, Satin Pink (swatched heavily)

Leave a msg and tell me what your favorite lip products are!

Review: L'Oreal Le Gloss

 I am in love with these lip glosses!  They are very pigmented, and taste and smell like cupcakes, or cake batter......or butter cream frosting........I haven't quite put my finger on it, but it's yummy!  The first one I purchased was Really Rose (I can't tell the number on it, it got "erased" while in my makeup bag).  It's a very pretty "earthy rose" color, that's the best way I can describe it.  It is very pigmented and opaque, a very nice fall color.  The second one I got was Nude Touch (152).  This one is also pigmented, not quite as opaque, and a little shimmery, very versatile.  Next was Baby Blossom (151).  This is my least favorite, as it's not as opaque, it's a little like a streaky nail polish.  It's a milky pink.....once you work with it and get it on right, it's pretty also, very light.  And lastly, Watermelon Crush (154).  This one is less pigmented, a little more "see through" but still plenty of color....maybe a light fuchsia.  They are not sticky at all (and I love mine sticky lol) but stay on 2-3 hrs without reapplying (or eating, drinking, etc).  Like I said the smell and taste is yummy.  The price averages about $7.99, and you can pick it up at most drug stores or department stores.   I recommend!                                                                                                                                                                                                  

         

Really Rose, Nude Touch, Baby Blossom, Watermelon Crush



Really Rose, Nude Touch, Baby Blossom, Watermelon Crush



Flower Power

Ugh, it's so hot!!  We've had 90+ degree weather for weeks now.....even the flowers are wilting (not to mention weeks of bad hair).  Here is a pretty lip gloss flower to look at..........hey, at least it will never die :-)  Anyone else looking forward to the weekend already???

Mac Lipsticks

I have a huge collection of lipsticks....ridiculously huge.  I might even have an addiction.  I probably have well over 100 (which to some of you, that might not be that big lol).  The funny thing is, they are all pretty much within the same color family.  I'm very pale, and not the beautiful pale white skin that looks great with red lipstick, I mean the pale skin that turns most shades orange on me.  It has taken me years to find nude lipsticks that don't make me look like I'm dead, or dressing up in mommy's makeup.  So far my favorites are by Mac, one by L'oreal, and one by Josie Maran.  I really like the Mac lipsticks in the lustre finish, and also in glaze and satin.  My collection of Mac lipsticks isn't that big, but I have some beautiful shades.....I've swatched them in order of my favs...



          Syrup, Viva Glam V, Viva Glam II, Blankety, Courting Lilac, Faux, Angel, Snob,
 Creme Cup, Speed Dial, Blooming Lovely



What do you beauty up your lips with?