Tarte LipSurgence

These were a bit of an impulse buy.  Sephora and Ulta had a set of them (5) for $29.99, but I heard they were sold out.  I was in Ulta a couple of weeks ago, and they had them so I snagged one.  They are a limited edition set (the ones I bought), however you can order them in other colors for $24.00 a piece.  They are actually referred to as "lip treatments", and come in lusters and tints.  The colors in the box set are 3 lusters in Dazzled (pearly coral pink luster), Flashy (bright iridescent fuchsia luster), Glitzy (antique pink luster) and 2 tints in Perky (soft carnation pink tint) and Swank (light cherry tint).  They glide on really smoothly and are fairly shiney, but not a ton of pigment (IMO).  They are not sticky, so that's a plus for those of you who don't like that feeling.  They have a hint of peppermint and contain no parabens, synthetic fragrances or phthalates.  Basically they feel like a lip balm with some color and shine.  A couple of them are a tad on the glittery side.  They don't need sharpening, they twist up from the bottom.   I'm really glad I purchased this set, but I don't think I would buy them separately.  I gave 2 of them to my daughter so I only have 3 to show.

Swank, Perky, Dazzled

Dazzled (bottom), Perky (middle) Swank (top)

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???

April Favorites (Make up version)

I haven't ventured into the world of YouTube yet, so I can't post my "April Favorites" out there like hundreds of other make up gurus do, so photos and a quick review of the products will have to do......These are the products I tended to gravitate towards during April:

I sometimes use a primer before I put on my foundation, but usually I just use this Clean & Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisturizer.  It says it "softens the appearance of pores with light diffusing minerals".  I don't know if it does that or not, but I like the way it feels and my foundation goes on smoothly so it's a keeper.

YSL Multi-Action Concealer in the color "3".  What you see in the picture is all I have left, which is unfortunate, because it's expensive ($35 on Amazon) so I probably won't be repurchasing any time soon.  Although I did just buy Benefit Boiing which is $18.  I apparently have a lot to conceal....

Clinique "Even Better" Foundation, 03 Ivory.  This stuff works great, it is a full coverage foundation, and doesn't turn to that ugly orangy color some foundations do by the end of the day.  I'm about out of this one too, I purchased a matte foundation from Rimmel....we'll see how that one does.

Bella Bamba blush by Benefit.  Very pretty coral color, with a little bit of shimmer.  Very much like the famous Nars Orgasm (which I also have....go figure).  Nice color for spring.

Lorac eyeshadows in Enlighten, Bronze, and Dark Brown.  I've been using these almost every day.  Love them, they are easy to blend, great texture, and have good color payoff. 

Palladio Rice Powder in Translucent.  I absolutely LOVE this stuff.  It makes the texture of my face seem flawless.  I only put it on in the morning, (I touch up during the day with MAC Blot Powder).  It's finely milled and doesn't look "powder-ry".  Definitely will repurchase this one. 

Maybelline Ultra-Brow Brush on color in Light Brown.  This has probably been around since my mom first started using makeup, but it works well and it's cheap so it's a keeper.

NYX Goddess of the Night lipgloss in Sunshine; Hard Candy Plumping Serum in Girl Next Door.  As most of you know, I love my lip products, I think I have about 18 of them in my purse right now, but I've been using these almost every day.  My lips are pretty pigmented so just a quick swipe of one of these and I'm good to go.  Both are under $8 so that's a plus!

 

Cover Girl Volume Exact in Black.  I am extremely picky when it comes to mascara.  As I get older, my lashes get skimpier, so when I find something I like, I stick with it.  This mascara is great for adding volume, not so much for length.  My next big purchase is RapidLash (to help my lashes grow), but it costs $59 so let's keep that one a secret from my bf...shhhhhsh!  (on a side note, I use Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Whiskey, or Bourbon (something alcoholic lol) but forgot to photograph that...)

So there you have it, my favorites for April.  I would love it if you would leave me a comment with your favorites, I love to try new things :-)  I think my favorites for May will be of the food/snack variety....shake things up a bit (I know, I'm all kinds of wild and crazy :-). 

Soft Lips

I guess you could say lip products are a bit of an obsession with me. I've tried every kind you can imagine, balms, glosses, glitters, stains, etc. I think my favorite has to be lipglosses. And the stickier the better (although I don't enjoy them as much when it's windy and my hair sticks to them making me look like I have a crazy mustache). I've purchased them in all price ranges, from dollar store to high end. They keep my lips moisturized and looking soft and smooth. But in order to get to the "maintenance" point, you have to get them in good condition. Here are some of my favorite lip balms....

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve: Petroleum like, tinted a rose color, smells ok....very moisturizing, great for overnight

L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm: Slightly thicker constancy, comes in several tints, smells like vanilla....great for daytime

Nivea stick: I keep this one in my purse, and slap it on when I'm in a hurry, no color, no smell

Korres Lip Butter: In Jasmine, more of a thinner constancy but stays put....tinted beigey pink...and I can't figure out what I think it smells like lol

Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix: Vanilla scented, nicely moisturizing but the color sticks around longer then the moisturizing effects.

EOS Lip Balm: This one is in Sweet Mint...I have them all and this is my fav. Sweet minty smell, tastes sweet and works great.....I have one of these in my purse, my desk, by my computer at home and next to my bed. I'm never without.