Oldie but Goodie: MAC's Well Dressed Blush

MAC Well Dressed Blush

In the summer, I like to go out of my comfort zone a bit and wear brighter blush colors. 

I don't tan at all, and I find that even with my super fair skin, a bright pink or coral blush can give my complexion that extra boost it needs to keep me from looking washed out when the weather heats up. (I'm planning on do a post next week to cover my favorite summer blushes for anyone looking for some good ones.)

But on days when I'm going for a low-key look, bright pink or coral can look a little clownish - and that's when you need a good, basic everyday pink blush that can take you through any season or makeup look.

Enter MAC's Well Dressed.

Too Faced Natural at Night Eye Shadow Palette

I love of the look of a sultry, sexy smoky eye, but being as fair as I am, I have a tough time pulling it off myself.

If I try using any of the classic smoky eye shades - black, charcoal, navy, purple, etc. - I wind up looking like I was sucker-punched with a mean right hook.

The only way for me to wear a smoky eye is use to warm mid-tone brown, bronze or copper shades, which don't wash me out as much as those darker shades and actually look pretty good with my blue eyes.

That's why I was seriously intrigued when Too Faced came out with their Natural at Night Eye Shadow Palette, which includes all the perfect shades for a more natural smoky eye.

Sale Alert - Stila Friends & Family 20% Off Sale!

Now, through Sunday June 3, you can score 20% (plus free shipping on any order!) at Stila's website during their friends and family sale.

Use the code FRIENDS12 at checkout.

Fortunately for me, I'm not really interested in any Stila products at the time, but I'd definitely recommend the In the Light and In the Garden palettes. Beautiful colors and the amazingly soft, creamy texture that you'd expect from Stila's shadows.

(Actually, I'm also seriously interested in the new Set & illuminate, Set & Correct, and Set & Bronze Powders, but I'm trying to convince myself that I'm really not since I have a ton of birthdays and other special occasions coming up in the next couple of months that I need to buy gifts for. :P )

If you pick up anything, share below.

Happy Shopping!

The Balm's Triple Play Friday - Three Shady Lady Palettes for the Price of One!

The Balm Shady Lady Palette Vol. 1

 By now, I'm sure you're sick of me carrying on about how much I love the Balm.

It may just be my favorite makeup brand out there, actually.

And tomorrow (or today, depending on when this goes up), Friday May 25, they're offering a pretty amazing deal on their Shady Lady Eye Shadow Palettes. You can get all 3 for the price of one - $39.50.

That breaks down to just over $13 per palette - and let me tell you, they are beyond worth it.

I have all 3 already, and they're terrific. The Balm's shadows are second to none - smooth, creamy and oh-so-easy to blend. The palettes contain a mix of neutrals and brights, lights and darks - and there's only one duplicate among the three palettes so they really complement one another well.

I highly recommend taking advantage of the deal.

The Balm's Twitter feed, where I learned about the deal, didn't mention a code so I imagine the deal will be automatic once you put one of the palettes in your cart.  If I find out that there is actually a code, I'll update this post.

Oh, and the Balm's located on the West Coast, so if you're in an earlier time zone, the deal may not take effect until 12am PST.

If you pick up these terrific palettes, let me know below.

This and That: Lavanila Vanilla Summer, Dr. Jart+ BB Creams, Sales & Miscellaneous

This will be another odds and ends post since I have a few little tidbits that I wanted to share.

Lavanila Vanilla Summer Rollerball

1. I received my free rollerball of Lavanila's Vanilla Summer from Sephora the other day. (You can read about how to get your own here.) Oh my God!  As delicious as the description of the scent sounded, the genuine article is even yummier. Vanilla, coconut, pineapple and other tropical goodness all in one amazing scent - it really is like summer in a bottle.  Supposedly, the scent is limited edition so I'm kind of feeling pressure to rush out and buy a full-size spray bottle.  It's that good.

Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation

Lancome Teint Miracle in Ivoire 1(N)

In general, I usually only need to use a product a few times before I know how I feel about it.

When it comes to foundation, though, I feel like there's a much steeper learning curve.

So much of how a foundation performs depends on how my skin is behaving at a given time - if it's clear and free of dry patches, almost any foundation can seem like a good one. 

But then a week later, when my chin is broken out and the patch of skin between my eyebrows is dry as a the desert, that same foundation can look like a cakey, awful mess. 

It Cosmetics Airbrush Illuminizer & Brush

It Cosmetics Airbrush Illuminizer & Luxe wand bell brush

Just as I am a total blush addict, I have a slight problem when it comes to highlighters.

I simply cannot resist them.

Maybe it's because I've been on the hunt for the perfect highlighter for years and I just couldn't seem to find one that gave me the look I was going for.  I've found plenty that I like - some that I might even say I loved - but none that delivered that perfect lit-from-within glow without a hint of glitter or obvious shimmer to be seen.

Until I found the It Cosmetics Airbrush Illuminizer, that is.

Favorite Cream Shadows

I have to admit - for a long time, I wasn't really a fan of cream eye shadows.

For one thing, they always seemed too sheer to really pack any punch on the eye.  And probably more problematic, they creased like mad on my oily lids so they definitely didn't seem worth the trouble.

Now, in all fairness, my first introduction to cream shadows was Revlon's Illuminance Creme Shadows, which - I think most would agree - are one of the worst cream shadows on the market. 

I think I uniformly boycotted all cream shadows for years after my experience with them, actually.

Of course, now I realize that all cream shadows are not created equal.  And I think I've learned how to use them more effectively (and deal with creasing) so I'm better able to get the most out of a cream shadow when I use one. 

Still, there are some I like better than others so I thought that I'd share my favorites in case you're in the market for a few good cream shadows.

Good Deal - Score 20% off Too Faced's Lip of Luxury Lipsticks

Too Faced Lip of Luxury Lipsticks are on sale

It seems like there are a bunch of good deals to be had this week - well, here's another to add to the list: Too Faced is having a 20% off sale on their Lip of Luxury Lipsticks.  The lipsticks retail for $20.

Use the code LUXURY20 on any of the shades. The sale is good May 17th through the 31st.

I'm feeling seriously tempted by Pink Flamingo, which, despite its name, is one of those peachy/coral-y shades that I'm a sucker for.  I already have Freelove - a light neutral pink - and it's one of my favorite everyday lip colors.

If you pick a lipstick (or two!), let me know what shade you went with.

Sephora VIBs - Get a full-size LAVANILA Rollerball Free With Purchase

My favorite perfume is LAVANILA's Vanilla Coconut, which you can read all about here.

Not only is it the most deliciously warm and sensual scent, LAVANILA's fragrances are all-natural (but still long-lasting) so you can feel good about wearing them. Vanilla Coconut is the only LAVANILA perfume in my collection, but I have a sample of Pure Vanilla that I am trying to nurse until I can buy a full-size because it's amazing too.

Recently, I saw that they'd come out with a new limited edition scent, Vanilla Summer, which is described as on the LAVANILA website as "A burst of fresh mango, juicy pineapple, creamy coconut milk, and island sugar cane steeped in a sultry base of warm madagascar vanilla..."

Now, I don't know about you, but that sounds heavenly to me.

I'd been contemplating buying it myself (though trying to talk myself out of it...), so imagine my pleasant surprise when I got an email from Sephora today with a code for VIBs to get a free full-size rollerball of Vanilla Summer, a $19 value, with any $35 purchase.

I think that's a pretty great deal.

The code is VIBVANILLA - but it's only good while supplies last so if you're interested, I wouldn't wait too long.

Yeah, I made a purchase.

How could I not? ;)

Have you tried LAVANILA's fragrances?  Going to get the freebie?

Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation, Maracuja Creaseless Concealer & Sigma F80 Brush Giveaway Winner!

I apologize for being MIA the past few days - I've had a cold since the end of last week, and I'm just starting to feel better today. It's amazing how a simple, little cold can make you feel so awful...

But that's why there was a delay in this announcement - the winner of the Tarte foundation, concealer & Sigma brush giveaway is Rachel Rodman-Kunkler!

If you didn't win - or didn't get a chance to enter - don't worry.  I've already got another giveaway planned.  Here's a hint - it involves a limited edition MAC product that has reached cult classic status.  Keep an eye out for the giveaway in about a month. ;)

Sale Alert: The Balm is back on HauteLook today!

The Balm Nude'Tude and Shady Lady Palettes (Photo from HauteLook)

Starting today at 11am EST, the Balm is available on HauteLook once again.

If you're not familiar with with HauteLook, you can read a little about it here.

I am a huge fan of the Balm as you can read here and here. I have loved every single item that I've tried from the line.  I don't know what HauteLook is going to have available this time, but if you can get your hands on the amazing Nude'Tude or any of the Shady Lady Palettes, grab 'em!  The Balm's shadows are amazing - some of my favorites actually. I'm thinking of buying a couple of Nude'Tude Palettes to have on hand as gifts for friends when I need them.  Everyone should have one in their life.

The Balm's blushes, especially Frat Boy, are lovely too.

Happy Shopping!

(Oh, and if you buy anything, share below. ;))

Wet n Wild megalength Mascara

Wet n Wild megalength Mascara

Just a friendly reminder that you have until midnight tonight to enter my Tarte Amazonian Clay, Maracuja Creaseless Concealer and Sigma F80 brush giveaway. You can find the details here.

Now, on to mascara...

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I don't have any problem spending money on makeup. As much as I love shopping for clothes and shoes, I don't really feel the need to have a large wardrobe (that's probably due to the fact that I work from home so I can go more casual on a day-to-day basis) - so I don't usually spend a ton of money on those types of items. 

When it comes to makeup, though, I just can't seem to have enough. 

Too Faced Friends & Family Sale - 20% Off

Too Faced is having their semi-annual Friends & Family sale where you can score 20% off products on their site. Use the code FFSPRING12 at check-out.

The sale starts today and ends on May 16th.

If you need shopping suggestions, I love the new Chocolate Soleil Milk Chocolate Bronzer and the Summer Eye Palette. The Matte Eye Palette and Naked Eye Palette are favorites of mine too.

Happy shopping!

Oldie but Goodie: Nars Douceur Blush

**If you're feeling lucky, don't forget to check out my Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation, Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, and Sigma F80 brush giveaway.  You can find all the details here. **


 I'm definitely a fan of wearing a bright pink or peach blush to give a little boost to your complexion, but there's something to be said about soft, natural blushes too.

This past weekend, when I was putting together a more natural look for my nephew's first communion (See my post about Zoya's Pandora), I was reminded of how beautiful - and natural - Nars Douceur is on the cheeks.  I've had it for a quite a while - I believe it was the second Nars product that I purchased, right after the infamous Orgasm - and while it may look brand new, I find myself reaching for it at least once a week. 

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation & Powder Foundation

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation & Powder Foundation

Just a friendly reminder - there's still plenty of time to enter my Tarte Foundation, Concealer & Sigma Brush giveaway.  You can find all the details here.

In my April Favorites post, I included the Josie Maran Fresh Finish Hydrating Liquid Powder and mentioned that I was a fan of quite a few of her products.

Nail Polish of the Day: Zoya's Pandora

Zoya Pandora

 Before I get to all the nail polish goodness, I'd like to remind everyone that there's still plenty of time to enter my Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation/Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer/Sigma F80 giveaway.  You can find all the information here.

Now, back to nail polish...

I do my nails every Monday night.  It's just a little ritual that I have. I like to sit down in front of the television (Monday's a big TV night for me - Bones, Castle, Disappeared on Investigation Discovery... and the guiltiest of guilty pleasures, Secret Life of the American Teenager, a show so wonderfully awful that it never fails to entertain...), sift through all my pretty polishes and go to town.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation, Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer & Sigma Sigmax F80 Giveaway (CLOSED)

Since I never heard from the winner of my Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation, Maracuja Creaseless Concealer & Sigma Sigmax F80 brush in March - and I realize that not everyone knew I was having a giveaway in the first place - I'm going to re-do the entire thing.

And this time around, I'm make sure to post reminders about the giveaway so everyone has a chance to enter before the deadline.

MAC Face and Body Foundation vs. MUFE Face & Body Foundation

MAC Face and Body Foundation vs. Makeup For Ever Face & Body Foundation

Before I get to the main event, I want to apologize for being MIA this week. I had a deadline with a work project this week, which had me scrambling - and stressed to the max.  Fortunately, I finished on time, but I needed a couple of days to recover. 

Now, on to the the important stuff ... makeup.

When the weather turns warm, I generally prefer lightweight face products. These days, that usually means tinted moisturizers or foundations with light to medium coverage since I can't really wear powder foundation on its own now that my skin has become drier.

For a while, I've been wanting to try both MAC Face and Body Foundation and MUFE Face & Body Foundation because they're light, water-based (and water-resistant or -proof) formulas.  At the end of last summer, I had a Sephora gift card so I picked up the MUFE F&B - but I only used it a few times before the cold weather insisted that I use something a little creamier and more moisturizing on my dry skin.