February 9, 2010

Makeup Bag Staples: MAC Plushlash

MAC Plushlash ($13) is one of the best mascaras I’ve ever come across. I’m a mascara junkie, and I try basically anything that promises to thicken my lashes. This is by far my favorite budget-friendly option. Considering that most drugstore mascaras cost around $8, this baby is a bargain: a high-end mascara at a low-budget price.

It lengthens dramatically. It thickens ridiculously. It plumps up lashes and fans them out into a lush, long, flirty fringe that is so sexy. The mascara dries to an inky black finish. You could wear this mascara with nothing else and still look drop-dead gorgeous. I’ve been asked multiple times while wearing this if I’m donning false lashes.

The wand is the key: it’s tapered at the top, and flat on the sides. Use the flat side to deposit color on lashes, and then wiggle the brush through to fan them out. It’s densely-packed with tiny bristles, which grab each lash to maximize right down to the inner and outer corners.

The formula glides on smoothly, with no clumping. I rarely need a lashcomb with Plushlash. You also never have to waste time wiping the wand off on the tube; excess product isn’t a problem here. You won’t have creepy spider eyes with this mascara; just full, defined, lush lashes. And after hours of wear, no smudging or flaking, and lashes are never brittle.

I swear by this. If you like thick, long, beautiful lashes, I think you will, too.

February 9, 2010

Love is in the Air With…Chocolove Bars

Valentine’s Day is this weekend, and what better way to say “I love you” (or just “I like you” or “you’re pretty cool”) to a chocolate lover than with a beautifully-wrapped Chocolove chocolate bar? Lovingly crafted in Boulder, Colorado, these Belgian chocolate bars are a luxe indulgence for someone special. They are packaged in vintage-style wrappers, with a love poem printed inside each one.

Aside from the pretty packaging, the premium bars are available in 12 tasty flavors, plus 2 organic versions.

  • milk chocolate varieties (33% cocoa): pure milk; hazelnuts; toffee & almonds
  • pure dark chocolate varieties (55% cocoa): pure dark; cherries & almonds; raspberries; orange peels; chilies & cherries
  • rich dark varieties (65% cocoa): pure rich dark, crystallized ginger
  • strong dark (70% cocoa)
  • extra strong dark (77% cocoa)

February 9, 2010

Trader Joe’s Refresh Body Wash Will Rev You Up

Trader Joe’s is known for being a friendly grocery store peddling reasonably-priced, tasty, mostly-organic food and produce. Most stores have a small-ish section devoted to skin and body care, and during a visit last week, I happened to spot a long, skinny bottle of body wash sitting on a shelf amidst soap, shaving cream, and toothbrushes made from recycled plastic, and nature-y toothpaste. I needed body wash, and didn’t feel like making another stop on the way home from work, so popped the cap on a bottle of Refresh body wash, and was greeted with a zingy, light, citrusy scent. I immediately threw it into my cart.

When I tried it in the shower, it bubbled up into a sudsy lather that left me feeling squeaky-clean. I generally tend to brush off aromatherapy, but this energizing citrus scent really did wake me up a little (and I’m not a morning person). It’s the perfect pick-me-up for your morning shower on those days when you are really sluggish getting out of bed.

And the scent is just…happy. If you don’t believe in aromatherapy, pour a capful under hot running water and sink into a brightly-scented bath. It leave subtly-fragranced skin and a smile on your face.

February 8, 2010

MAC Riveting Collection

It’s hard to keep up with all the MAC releases lately, but they have another small collection in the pipeline. February 18 marks the debut of Riveting, a 14-piece collection inspired by rock stars and ’80s-style godddesses. Iconic images of rock and pop stars — sculpted cheekbones, fierce eyeshadow, and over-the-top lipstick — saturate this collection, which is edgy and glamorous at once. Peep pics of the new items collection after the jump. Repromotes are Penultimate Eyeliner ($16.50), Small Duo Fibre Face brush #88 ($34), and #48 lashes ($13).

Keep reading →

February 8, 2010

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2010: Intimate Sensuality

All personal feelings about Scarlett Johansson (sooo not worthy of Ryan Reynolds) aside, Dolce & Gabbana has geared up for a feminine, muted spring with their new beauty collection. The products veer toward a natural look (not a ton of color here), and are clearly meant to enhance what a woman already has. What little color there is is soft, diffused, and delicate.

All items in the collection are expensive; you’re paying for the prestigious designer name and the luxe gold compacts and tubes.

Full product line-up, including photos, after the jump.

Keep reading →

February 8, 2010

James Boyce by Voluspa California Citrus candle

Voluspa candles smell amazing (and last forever), and their James Boyce Collection is inspired by nature, herbs, and plants. Their new California Citrus candle ($18) is in a sunny yellow tin with soft ridges inspired by the pleats of a chef’s hat (it was originally designed as a kitchen candle, but use it anywhere you want a nice aroma). The 3-wick candle is made with natural apricot wax, and scented with meyer lemon and satsuma tangerine – a lovely combination that serves as a sweet reminder that spring is just a few weeks away.

Buy this now, and save it for the first warm spring-like day. Throw open the windows, light it, and let out stuffy winter while you look forward to brighter, longer, warmer days.

February 6, 2010

Limited-Edition Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks

A stocking stuffer (thanks, Mom!) from Christmas that I’m still enjoying. These 2 limited-edition Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks are from the Cosmetics Company Store, but are no longer available in stores. On the left is Copper Diamond, which I will use constantly come summer to ehance my fake tan. (One of the best things about Shimmer Bricks are that you can use them all over your body, as sparingly or liberally as you like.)  Next to that is Platinum Pink, a punchy mix of cool-toned bright and pale pinks that I’ve been using as a blush. It really livens up my pale winter skin.

February 5, 2010

Best-Loved Brushes

To achieve flawless makeup application, you need the right tools. Brush selection can be tricky; it’s daunting to suss out all the brushes on the market and find what you need (and what you don’t). If you’re in need of a new brush or two, or have questions about what brush will work best for you, check out my brush round-up below. These are selections from my own personal collection which I reach for day after day.

MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush ($28): This is a new addition to my collection. I could never quite master the perfect smoky eye, and having tried all different types of shadows, I gave up and headed to the MAC store for some advice. Turns out it wasn’t the shadows I was using it all: my problem was that I didn’t own a proper blending brush. This quickly became one of my all-time faves, as it effortlessly blends shadow to create a professional-makeup-artist effect. You can use it to blend light or neutral shadows, and I will never again attempt a smoky eye without it.

Bobbi Brown Blush Brush ($50): Sized to fit the apple of the cheek and rounded for smooth, diffused application, this brush expertly applies color to the cheek. Ultra-soft bristles fan color out and blend, creating a natural flush. Can be used to apply cream blush, too. I’ve had this brush since 2002, and still use it every day. It hasn’t lost a single hair in 8 years. If you clean it regularly, it will last for years.

MAC 263 Small Angle Brush ($19.50): If you use gel eyeliner, you need this brush. It flawlessly glides on MAC Fluidline and Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner with no skips or gaps on the lid. Creates a smooth, fluid line, and allows you to control the thickness. You can use it every day by drawing on a thin line, or give yourself ’60s-esque cat eyes by thickening the line toward the edge and winging out the corners. I’ve had so many people tell me they were never able to use liquid liner, and now they use this brush with gel liner for the same results.

Prescriptives Bronzer Brush ($32): There is something about this brush that applies color lightly and naturally. Long gone are the days of orange-y fake tans from a compact; say hi to sunkissed tawny color that looks real. If you don’t use bronzer, you don’t need this brush; but if you do, you’ll be so glad you have it.

MAC 219 Pencil Brush ($23): This slim, sleek brush is perfect for blending out makeup you’ve already applied, such as too-thick eyeliner or crease-y eyeshadow. You can also use it for spot application of shadow, like in the outer crease. It creates awesome definition, too.

Sephora Flat Eyeshadow Brush (approx. $18-$20): This was included in a kit I got from Sephora about 7 years ago. It’s a flat-sided, wide eyeshadow brush that’s pretty standard for applying color all over the lid. This is the type of brush you want when you’re trying to lay down a base color, or applying a monotone eye look. You can find a similar one here.

February 5, 2010

Just Sayin’.

Anyone notice that Jennifer Aniston is looking extra fabulous lately? She’s over 40, and somehow, she’s getting prettier as she ages. She looks amazing lately! (And this photo, from the Golden Globes last month, wasn’t even the best I could find!)

February 5, 2010

Get Fat (Tresses) with Ted Gibson Build It Blowdrying Agent

I am so skeptical about volumizing products. They never seem to inflate my locks to the extremes they promise, and I always end up disappointed in my still-flat hair. I constantly struggle with volume, as I have naturally wavy hair that I straighten nearly every day, resulting in flat, lifeless strands.

Which is why I loooove Ted Gibson Build It Blowdrying Agent ($19.95). The celebrity hairstylist’s eponymous line is amazing; all products are formulated with an exclusive merlot complex (aka grapeseed extract) derived from the red wine. It protects against environmental stressors while enriching hair’s texture.

The superfine mist is ultra-lightweight, and doesn’t weigh my hair down. I mist it all over my hair after applying Living Proof No Frizz, comb through, and blowdry with an XL round brush. It helps to detangle my damp hair, and makes it shinier and more manageable once it’s dry. And yes, it really does inflate my hair! It gives it a sort of bouncy effect; the opposite of limp and lifeless. If I take the time to tease it at the crown and use a curling iron on it, forget it! It’s like Bridget Bardot in all her ’60s glory.

Prices have been recently slashed (it used to retail for around $28/bottle), so now’s the time to stock up.