The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly (A Slew of Reviews in One Post)

I’ve tried so many new products lately, I haven’t had the time or energy to write full-fledged reviews about all of them. But I still wanted to let you know which ones rocked and which ones stunk, so I’m combining several reviews into one post. You’ll find everything here, from makeup to skincare to haircare.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Professional Size: I got this on sale at Sephora for $20 (normally $30)–the same price as the standard Primer Potion. But this tube contains 150% of the original size’s product. Good deal. This really, truly is the best eye primer out there. It’s the only one I’ve ever tried that completely resists creasing and smudging, even after hours. It keeps shadows exactly where you apply them until you take off your makeup. Genius.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Moroccan Sleek Oil Treatment (approx. $5-6): I’m not one of those people who loooooves Moroccanoil. It’s ok, but it doesn’t transform my hair–but I still use it to nourish my ends and protect my strands from heat styling. This new product is Garnier’s version of Moroccanoil. I noticed no difference between the two, and guess what? I’ll be buying this $6 version from now on (even though the bottle is huge, and it’ll probably last me forever). (Image via drugstore.com)

Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer ($28): This is an excellent highlighter. It’s a creamy nude base with a slightly pink pearl. I’ve been mixing it with my BB cream to give my complexion a pretty glow. You can also use it as a highlighter on the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bones, etc.) if you want to accent certain features. I really like this — a lot. (Image via Sephora)

There’s a whole lot more (6 more reviews) after the jump.

Tarte Holiday ’12

As we approach the holiday season, the beauty world gets bombarded with crappy gift sets every year. You know, the ones you buy for people or yourself because you think they/you might like one color in that 20-piece lipgloss set, and it turns out, the one you thought was great isn’t even that nice. That is so NOT the case with Tarte’s holiday collection, which I’m super excited about.

These gift sets truly are treats. And the packaging is so pretty and non-holiday-ish, which I love. See what Tarte has in store this holiday season.

Carried Away Set ($54, LE): This kit packs everything you need to take your look on the road. Tucked inside a metallic gold and purple ikat-print folding travel case is an eye palette with 24 eyeshadow shades ranging from matte neutrals to shimmery lush eggplants, forest greens, and charcoals. You can create so many looks for day or night from these shades. But that’s not all–you also get 8 mini Maracuja Lip Glosses; of a mini Amazonian Clay blush in Adventurous (shimmery rose); a mini Lights Camera Lashes mascara in black; a mini translucent finishing powder to balance skin and combat shine; and a fluffy face brush. It’s everything you need (and more) to hit the road in style.

Here’s a close-up of the 24 shadows included in this set.

SmolderEYES and Skinny SmolderEYES Collector’s Set ($39, LE): SmolderEyes is a chubby, highly-pigmented eyeliner that’s awesome for getting a smudgeable, just-got-out-of-bed eye look. This 6-piece set includes shades of Ash Violet (pearly violet), Rainforest Black (intense pearlized hunter green), Champagne (pearly nude), Gunmetal (pearlized greige), Gold (gilded bronze), and 1 Skinny SmolderEyes pencil in Onyx (black).

Fantastic Foursome Amazonian Clay Blush Enthusiast Set ($35, LE): You get four full-size Amazonian Clay powder blushes

LipSurgence Collector’s Set ($34, LE): This 5-piece set includes LipSurgence Lip Luster Matte Lip Tint in Escape (very pale rosy-pink), Enchanted (mid-tone red-tinted berry), Exposed (neutral nude), Sweet (cool light pink), and Elite (pinky-coral).

For the Love of Lip Gloss Maracuja Lip Gloss Collector’s Set ($30): 30 mini Maracuja-infused glosses in shades of pink, berry, and nude are perfect for your friend or sister who always has 20 glosses floating around on the bottom of her purse.

The Perfect Pink Holiday Exclusive Cheek Stain ($28): In this collection, Tarte releases a special version of their bestselling beloved Cheek Stain. “The Perfect Pink” is just what it sounds like: a gorgeous, flatters-all-skin-tones rosy cream blush. The push-up stick is super easy to throw in your bag or clutch and take with you at all times. And how much do you love the shiny ikat-print label?!

Mistletoe Must-Haves 24/7 Sheer Lip Trio ($21): These smudge-proof, budge-proof, long-wear lip sheers are perfect for when you want a little something on lips, but don’t want a full-on lip. Or when your lips are chapped and killing you, but you want a splash of color with your balm. Either way, these sheer lip sticks have you covered. Set includes shades Dawn, Monday, & Friday.

The Standouts Bestseller Kit ($25): A 4-piece set for stunning eyes and lips. Included is LipSurgence Natural Lip in Pouty (shimmery fuschia); Amazonian Clay gel liner in ; double ended eyeliner/smudger brush; mini Lights! Camera! Lashes! mascara in black.

Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler & Deluxe Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara ($16): A special-edition Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler with pink and purple ikat-printed handles accompanies a deluxe travel-sized tube of Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 mascara

The entire collection is available now at Tarte, Sephora, and select retailers.

Do you love this collection, or will you be bypassing it this holiday season? Anything you’ll be purchasing as gifts?

Images via Tarte

Fall 2012’s Best Beauty Buys

This season has brought a ton of new beauty products to the market. With all the new innovations and cutting-edge concepts, it’s hard to decide which products to buy. So, I’ve narrowed down the sea of cosmetics to a few new picks that worked really well for me. I think these are the best of the best, and you just might, too.

1. Best Eyeshadow: Bobbi Brown Powder Pearl Eye Trio ($46)
These three metallic loose powder shadows each come packaged in a lipstick-tube-like vial. Untwist the cap and you’ll find a convenient domed sponge applicator at the end of the wand. Swipe this across your lids, and you’re glowing in approximately 4 seconds. Easy glamour. Set includes Black Pearl, Pink Pearl, and Moonlight shades to get you ready for day or night.

2. Best Lipstick: Too Faced La Crème ($21)
Fall is the time of year to ease into a more substantial lipcolor, and slightly shift away from the gloss you’ve probably been wearing all summer. For the lipstick-phobic, this formula is perfect because it delivers sheer color that still feels cushy and comfortable on lips. They’re separated into four shade categories: Pinks, Nudes, Reds, and Spices. Read more about this ‘stick here. https://sugarsocial.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/too-faced-la-creme-color-drenched-lip-cream/

3. Best Fall Nail Shades:
Jane by Rescue Beauty Lounge ($18): Quite possibly the most perfect greige.
Toni by Zoya ($8): Get in on the Bordeaux/oxblood trend with this creamy shade.
Siberian Nights by OPI ($8): A dark, stormy purple that looks like the night sky on your hands.

4. Best Brow Filler: Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow ($15)
Natural-looking, waterproof, durable, long-wearing, easy to apply, comes in 7 shades. Can’t stay enough good things about this new arch definer. Read more about it here.

5. Best Lip Relief: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15 in Berry ($22.50)
It’s pricey, but so worth it. This little stick glides effortlessly over dry, chapped lips, coating them in a cushiony veil of hydrating comfort. The new Berry hue leaves behind a lovely autumnal stain so you get a bit of color, too.

6. Best Palette: NARS Andy Warhol Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette ($65)
Nestled inside this slim palette are electro-pop shades inspired by Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Andy Warhol. Includes four eyeshadows (Sparkling Turquoise, Twinkling Purple, Starry Black, White Shimmer) and two blushes (Shimmering Pink Champagne and Brilliant Cream). I love the idea of a fun, modern take on an ’80s-inspired eye for nights on the town.

7. Best Cheek Color: Tarte Maracuja Cheek Tint ($25)
This gel blush has a nice texture, great staying power, and the maracuja in it helps reduce redness and inflammation in your skin. This keeper comes in four perfectly-flushed shades.

8. Best Mascara: MAC Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash ($20)
This is like the original Haute & Naughty formula, but super inky for thick, full, dark-as-night lashes. There are two wands tucked inside of this tube. Unscrew the top cap to use the skinny wand that provides a natural effect; twist off the glittery cap for a lush brush that creates dramatic lashes. Layer the two for a really knockout flutter.

Tarte Fall 2012

By now, you probably know that Tarte is one of my favorite makeup brands. They were the original proof, for me, that all-natural makeup could be really great. I get excited every time I see one of their new seasonal collections, and their fall 2012 lineup is no exception. I’m loving the neutrals, earth tones, and metallic nudes with bright pops of color (mainly on lips and cheeks).

Amazon Escape Amazonian Clay Eye and Cheek Palette ($44, exclusive to Sephora): This sleek clutch includes 6 eyeshadows (3 shimmery, 3 matte) and 2 blushes. All products are made with restorative Amazonian clay. Housed in a purple woven clutch with a faux snakeskin band.

Glamazon Pure Performance lipstick ($26, exclusive to Sephora; read more about this lipstick here).

Beauty and the Box Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Quad ($22) in Brewed Awakening and Just Desserts (Also available in In the Buff [nude shades] and Envoke the Smoke [smoky plum colors])

Keep reading for more photos, prices, and details.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse

I am super obsessed with brows, and any product that can make them look better. And leave it to Tarte (there they go with their awesomeness again) to really it bring it for your brows with their Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse & brow brush ($28).

I am definitely a brow pencil kind of girl (see my favorites here & here). I don’t like brow powder, could never master it, and therefore never used it for more than about 2 consecutive weeks. I have pencil application down to a science, but just could never get on board with powder. But…mousse? That’s a different story. I never tried a brow mousse before, and that’s a shame, because this one absolutely rocks.

Find out why after the break!

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick

Tarte’s signature Amazonian clay has been whipped into a rich, long-wearing lipstick. Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick ($26) is the merging of luxury and eco-friendly cosmetics. This multitasking stick bucks the trend of drying long-wear formulas by hydrating lips while wearing comfortably for up to 12 hours, thanks to Amazonian clay. The clay also helps the color glide on smoothly, resist fading, and stay put for hours. And it helps battle fine lines around the mouth, while keeping your lipcolor in place (bye-bye, feathering). What can’t this lipstick do?

Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint in Charmed

Sometimes, you fall hard for a product. Such is the case with Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Tint in Charmed ($24).

I had always bypassed these chubby sticks because I hate lip pencils. But this is not a lip pencil! Or a lipstick! Or a gloss!

Forget everything or you know about lipcolor. And then go pick up one of these sticks. You will be surprised, I promise you.

I tried this on a whim, and ended up falling in love. It’s actually a chubby little stick of creamy color that glides so smoothly over lips, depositing a healthy dose of color with a sheer finish. Also, it’s got just the right amount of shine; I don’t like patent-leather lips. But best of all, it feels great on: completely the opposite of lipstick, which typically feels like it dries out my lips, and not nearly as tacky as a gloss. The one word I would use to describe the feel of this on my lips is cushy. And who doesn’t want that ultra-comfortable feeling?

Read more about why I love this!

What’s In My Makeup Bag

I have 3 makeup kits: a train case that has all my products that I often use when I do makeup for other people, a bigger personal case that contains the items I don’t use every day (like my smoky eyeshadows and the like), and a small bag of everyday essentials. By far, the items I turn to literally every single day are stashed in the smallest case. Here is what’s inside that case. I would recommend these products without hesitation; they’re the ones I rely on day in and day out.

1. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink ($24): This cream blush lasts all day, and is the prettiest pink shade I’ve found. It glides on whisper-soft for a gentle blush, and layers beautifully for a more pronounced flush. Note: this is the old packaging of this product; check out the new packaging, available now.

2. Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($19): Since the She Uemura curler is only sold online now, I use this–and it’s just as good. Curls expertly, with all-day hold.

3. MAC Strobe Cream ($15-$30): I mix a few drops of this into my tinted moisturizer for extra glow.

4. MAC Bronzing Powder in Refined Golden ($23): This shimmery bronzer gives my fair skin just enough bronzey glow that’s believable, not fake. Note: This packaging is from the 2010 “To The Beach” collection, and is no longer available. Refined Golden is part of MAC’s permanent collection, so the bronzer itself is still available.

Keep reading for more products!

Earth Day 2012 Beauty

This Sunday (April 22) is Earth Day. Recently, I’ve made a conscious effort to include more all-natural products in my beauty regimen, not only because they’re better for my body, but because many of them benefit the planet, too. With more evidence of global warming and the increased risk of losing some of our most precious animals, we need to ensure a sustainable future — and planet — for generations to come. If buying these products helps at all, I think that’s money well-spent.

Tarte Down To Earth Kit ($49, LE): This product makes me super excited. Not only do I love Tarte, but I adore the people behind this particular set! This kit was the result of a collaboration between Tarte and The Beauty Department, aka Lauren Conrad (we all know how much I love her!), her makeup artist Amy Nadine, and her hairstylist Kristin Ess. And not only that — this kit is amazing! Inside Tarte’s signature purple quilted makeup bag, you’ll find a few of their hallmark eco-friendly products (from left): LipSurgence Lip Tint in Enchanted, Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara, MutiplEYE Lash-Enhancing Liquid Liner, & Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful. And they’re all full-sized products! Such a deal. For every kit sold, Tarte will donate 20% of proceeds to The Beauty Department’s chosen charity, WineToWater, which helps people across the globe access clean drinking water. My advice? Get one now before they sell out. (Image via Tarte)

Prive Concept Vert Earth Day 2012 Gift Set ($58): Prive’s new micro-line, Concept Vert, contains 3 products free of sulfates, phthalates, and parabens. And they’re eco-friendly. The company created these products in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint and make a positive impact on our planet’s future. Everyone from Oprah to InStyle, Vogue, Vanity Fair, & Redbook editors are raving about these products! The brand is running a special Earth Day promotion: you get the 3 products in the Concept Vert line for just $58 in a limited-edition Earth Day Gift Set. The promotion runs through April 30, 2012.

Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo (individual sale price: $28) and Conditioner (individual sale price: $30) are a more natural solution to healthy, shiny hair. They cleanse and nourish tresses without harsh artificial detergents, but still foam into a rich, creamy lather. Formulated with Amazonian acai and babassu oil, this duo is safe for, and will even pamper, color-treated or damaged hair. This is the perfect pair for Hollywood hair on anybody, but they’re a necessity if you’ve recently had a keratin treatment. Plus, if you opt to reuse these bottles instead of recycling them, Prive will provide refills for you.

Concept Vert Volumizing Froth (individual sale price: $30) is a new non-aerosol mousse that pumps up locks to new heights without harsh sprays. It leaves hair soft, shiny, and bouncy…and it’s fun to use! The cream foams into a froth in the palm of your hand, and then you spread it evenly through damp hair before blowdrying. It’s like a regular mousse, but way more fun! (Images via Prive)

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque for Earth Day 2012 ($23, LE): Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask helps detoxify skin while visually shrinking the appearance of enlarged pores. Made with aloe vera and oatmeal, this soothing masque will help calm and protect skin as it improves its texture and appearance. There are 4 packaging versions of the product, each designed by a “friend of Kiehl’s,” including Florence Welch (Florence + the Machine), Mark Ruffalo, Rosario Dawson, & Spike Lee. 100% of proceeds benefit Recycle Across America, an organization that aims to eliminate confusion from recycling guidelines and implement standardized recycling labels on products. (Image via Kiehl’s)

Click through for more products and organic brands.(Feature image of Lilly Pulitzer’s Earth month print & above image of Lilly Pulitzer art via my 2011 Lilly agenda)

Easter Goodies

Who needs a basket filled with chocolate bunnies and eggs when you can have pastels for your body? Even if you don’t celebrate Easter (or aren’t into bunnies), you can still be a hot chick if you rock these pretty pastel hues. Tuck these into a basket for someone special, or treat yourself to these delightful, cheerful products.

1. Essie polishes in Turquoise & Caicos, Lovey Dovey & Tart Deco ($8 each): Because nails this colorful will rival the dyed eggs at the egg hunt. (Images via Essie)

2. Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Amused, Dollface, & Tipsy ($21 each): I dare you to find a prettier pink for your pout! (Image via Musings of a Muse)

3. Lush Immaculate Eggception ($12.95): Inside this fizzy bath bomb shaped like an Easter egg lies a surprise: a bunny or chick that you can also toss into your tub for a sumptuous bubble bath. You’ll have to crack the egg to get it, but that’s half the fun! (Image via Lush)

4. L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Pink Satin ($8): A gorgeous pink that cushions lips in buttery balm. (Image via drugstore.com)

5. Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24Hour Cream Gel Shadow in Edgy Emerald ($): (Image via drugstore.com)

6. NYX Stick Blush in Magnolia or Orchid ($6 each): Because pink or peach cheeks never go out of style. (Image via NYX)