ProductWhores

Stock Up At Sephora

I'm not entirely sure why all of Sephora by OPI's Nail Colors are on sale, but why look a gift horse in the mouth when you can spend lots of money appreciating it instead?  (That's a saying, right?)  Normally each polish is $9.50, but they're all marked down to $4.50 now.  (Maybe they're redesigning the bottles?)  At less than $5, they're even cheaper than most drugstore brands and there's a HUGE range of shades. And at least at my Sephora, almost all of the shades are still available, so it's not like you're going to have to buy hideously ugly neon greens or anything to take advantage of the price cut.  Even the sets are on sale.  I would, however, move super quickly to buy the shades you want because the most popular ones are already selling out online and I'm sure the stores will quickly run out of stock as well.  Good deals never last!    

Conceal This and Conceal That!

When I was at Generation Beauty a few weekends ago I was super excited to check out the Temptu booth and even more excited I actually got to try their under-eye concealer!  I have to say it's quite-possibly the most silky-smooth concealer I've ever used and am super impressed with its staying power!  It doesn't cake at all (a problem I usually have with concealers) and really does brighten the area around my eyes to make me appear refreshed (for once in my life).  The color blends beautifully and it's super moisturizing so you don't feel that annoying tightness or see your pronounced wrinkles.  Temptu under-eye conceler also contains cucumber and aloe which helps to soothe puffy eyes.  Retails for $28 bucks.

A Concrete Feeling

You guys, has anyone tried this new nails inc. Concrete Nail Polish?  It's currently listed as a limited-edition and online only so I haven't seen it in person yet, but it looks like their version of textured polish.  Am I right about that?  Because if so, I might need to try it, especially the color above, Marble Arch.  (Side note - when I studied abroad, a few of my good friends lived near the Marble Arch tube station so I have very good memories of parties there.  That makes me want it even more!)  These need to come to Sephora soon so I can check them out in person and pick up one (or, uh, a few...)  Make it happen, makeup Gods!  

Fruit Enzyme Mist

I have never been one to use a mist or toner on my face and now that I've started using MyChelle Dermaceuticals Fruit Enzyme Mist I can see how this was a massive mistake in my skin care routine!  I guess I always just thought it was an unnecessary, and, well, potentially messy step, that I didn't need to take.  Since I started using this toner, I have been amazed with the transformation in my skin.  It is super-hydrating (great for my dry skin) and really makes my face have a lovely glow to it (even when I am up all night reading about Kate Middleton's bump and Channing and Jenna's new bundle - why do I care?  No clue).  I spritz the Fruit Enzyme Mist on before I head to sleep and also first thing in the morning after I shower. No more dry patches, especially around my nose and my face feels less tight.  The mist smells great and contains no icky parabens, phthalates, ureas or petroleum-based chemicals.  I'm so impressed with this product, I need to check out more by MyChelle Dermaceuticals (all their products are cruelty-free, vegetarian friendly and gluten-free).  Check it out, you won't be disappointed.  Retails for around fourteen bucks.

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with MyChelle Dermaceuticals.

Spray & Go

For someone who has a ton of body moisturizers, I use them... rarely to never lately.  I don't know why, but I've gotten super lazy with putting on lotion before I get dressed in the morning.  I could say it's because I'd rather spend that time sleeping, but let's be honest, it takes like, two minutes to moisturize, so that's not really the answer. The only one that I have used (and just starting this week) is Vaseline's new Spray & Go Moisturizer in Total Moisture. (The other two offered are Cocoa Radiant and Aloe Fresh). When I bought it, I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but it turns out, it's kind of the perfect moisturizer.  Basically, you just spray it on, rub it in, wait less than a minute, and the lotion will have dried enough for you to get dressed. Super simple.  And I especially like that it makes it easy to get to places like your back or even the backs of your legs, which aren't always that easy to reach.  I bought mine at CVS and it was on sale for only $6, so a great deal, but they're normally each around $8.50 or so.  Still totally doable!  And any one of them would be great to travel with (bonus points for it not being able to spill in my suitcase!) Definitely a drugstore deal I'll be repurchasing! 

Take A Bite Out Of This Set

I have yet to try anything from Bite Beauty, but this new set might just change that.  15 Shades of Sephora is a set available exclusively at (you guessed it!) Sephora to celebrate their 15th anniversary.  (Side note - has Sephora really only been around for 15 years.  I feel like I can't remember a time when it wasn't my first stop on every shopping trip.  I think I've blocked out a world where Sephoras didn't exist!)  The Bite Beauty set is a complete lip library with 15 different shades in it - everything from nudes to bright reds - and the formula has tons of great stuff in it (coconut, mango and strawberry).  At only $48, that's a ton of different colors to play around with.  It would also make a great gift for a friend who is trying to stock her makeup stash.  So worth it!   

Smooth Away

I have a deep and serious love for Dermalogica.  If I could pick one skin care brand to take to a desert island with me, it would be them.  I just love every product of theirs that I've tried.  (If they weren't kinda pricey, I would own every single product in their catalogue.  I don't know where I would put it all, but I would do it).  I've been using their new Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum for about a month now and it's only cementing my already high Dermalogica love.  

As far as texture, it's definitely a serum, not a cream, which I like.  It's not greasy at all, and it's easy to get out just one drop with the packaging, so no waste.  One drop is enough to use on both eyes and it sinks in almost instantly, so if you're putting it on before bed, you don't have to worry about greasy pillowcases.  (Greasy pillowcases are the WORST!)  It has ingredients in it to help slow aging, stimulate collagen synthesis, fight pigmentation and reduce puffiness - it's hard for me to tell if it's helping with the first three after only a month, but my eyes aren't puffy, which considering how bad my allergies are at the moment, definitely surprises me.  (My eyeballs feel like they're wearing a sweater, that's how itchy and scratchy they are right now.  Fun!)  So it's definitely helping with that at least.  And the skin under my eyes feels smooth and moisturized, so I know it's doing something there as well. It's also part of the Ultracalming product system (which is already what I use because of my sensitive skin) so if you also have sensitive skin, this serum is the way to go.  At $50 for half an ounce, it's a bit of a splurge, but it'll last you a long time so you can easily justify it that way.  Do it!    

Note:  A sample of this item was sent to me by a PR representative working with Dermalogica

The Rich Is Back!

How badly do I want this new, limited-edition collection The Rich is Back! from Benefit?  So, so badly.  It's designed by Matthew Williamson and I just love everything about it - from the design on the package to the colors inside.  It's just all working for me.  I love the eyeshadow shades (how pretty is that teal?) and the whole set contains everything you'd need (except for maybe foundation) to create a complete look for a night out.  I must get my hands on this as soon as possible!

Bronzed Summer

It's summer!  Yeah, it definitely doesn't mean as much to me as it did when I was a kid and I knew I could just do nothing for three months straight, but I still embrace the sunshine, a few paid holidays and some good old BBQing.  Now that I'm in the summer groove, it's time to update the make-up accordingly, which means some bronzing!  I'm as pale as... well... picture an egg with boobs and brown hair and you pretty much have an accurate depiction of me... Anyway, I'm super pale so I am not one to over-do any sort of bronzing because I always end up looking absolutely ridiculous.  Enter the new Matte Radiance Baked Powder and Illuminating Eye Color in Sun Glow and you'll find a slightly-bronzed, very happy, goddess (me, in case you couldn't put that together).  Laura Mercier's new summer collection is amazing and features the first bronzer that actually has worked well for my skintone.  First of all it's matte which I adore because it means I don't look like I dipped my face in a well of glitter.  So, I control the coverage and then to add a bit of shine to it (which I do understand is necessary in warm months), I brush the Baked Powder Highlighter on my cheekbones which adds a lovely summer-worthy luminescence.  I love, love the products and have received so many compliments (people never know why they're complimenting me other than my skin looks healthy).  For the eyes, I do a light black liner and Sun Glow Illuminating Eye Color (a gorgeous bronze-y/gold with shimmer to boot!).  The color is stunning and while it looks more yellow online it's definitely more of a bronze in person.  It's delightful and wears beautifully (especially if you do a shadow base).  But don't get me wrong, you do not have to be uber-pale to LOVE this collection - Laura has four different shades of bronzer and, well, the three Illuminating shadows would suit any skintone.
Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier.

Chalkboard Manicure

Okay, I'm very intrigued by this new Chalkboard Manicure from Ciate.  It could be really cool... or super ugly, and I can't decide if it's worth spending the $25 to decide which It is.  Basically, you put on the matte black polish, then use the Chalk Pens to draw on your nails and create whatever kind of design you want.  The Chalk Pens are water soluble, so you can easily wash the designs away until you get exactly what you want.  Then you just seal it with the Mattnificent top coat to keep it until you're ready to take it off and do it all over again.  It's a great idea and if I had more faith in my ability to draw designs that didn't look like a kindergartner did them, I'd probably rush out and buy it immediately, but I just don't know if I'm that talented at nail art.  (Actually, I do know.  I'm not).  But still, it's such a cool idea that I really want someone to buy it for me so I can fool around with it guilt-free.  Has anyone tried this yet?  Was it worth the cash?  Someone clue me in...