MAC's C-Shock Collection Review

I was able to visit the Nordstorm MAC counter this last weekend to peek at the C-Shock and Novel Twist collections.

C-Shock is not for the wallflowers.
This is a bold collection that is quite beautiful and surprisingly wearable. The Nordstorm SA wore Bang On Blue shadow on the lid with Wondergrass in the crease.
This SA managed to create a smoky eye from these colors. I was fascinated that she twisted these colors into something mysterious and almost murky. They were not loud or overpowering. The colors are more sheer with this collection. The pigment power is less intense.
She was helpful with potential combos. She said that she loved Going Bananas and Fab and Flashy for a daytime look.
I am going to be brave and try this later in the week. We shall see if the boss notices.

Passionate(the red matte eye shadow) sold out quickly at my local Nordstorm. She showed me the tester and it was a true red with no blue in it. She said that all the girls are wearing it as a liner.
This is the sleeper hit from the collection.









Going Banana's (a bright sheer yellow that manages to work with everything from blues to oranges) and Fab & Flashy eye shadows

Wondergrass(the perfect clover green and the color of my dream Marc Jacob's bag) and Eye Popping(pea soup but I like it!) eye shadows

Romping Rich Magenta(gorgeous when layered with my plum shades) eye shadow.

Out to Shock Lipstick is a very blue based pink color that is a tamer version of Lancome's Proenza Pink. Out to Shock is the "wearer friendly" version. This should be the hot color for summer.

Out to Shock Lipstick is a pink twinged coral color. It is similar to MAC's Cockatease.

Blast O'Blue lipstick is a an aquamarine color with tiny blue microglitter. It is amazingly beautiful. It goes on very sheer and mixes well with reds and fuchsias.

Pomposity lipstick is a raspberry shade with flashes of purple and silver. This is a my favorite lippie from the C-Shock collection.

Lipgelee's in She-Boom!, Lil'Sizzler, Mega and Sugar Shock.

Lil'Sizzler is my favorite shade. It is a creamy duochrome coral.

Sugar Shock looks like a sheer wine stain when applied. A great transition gloss for fall.

She-Boom is a sheer magenta. This looks better on the lips than in the tube. I highly recommend to test this one!
Mega soft is a cool toned lavender with some lovely silver shimmer.

Novel Twist is 90% sold out from their pre-sale.

Seriously.

I loved the tweed inspired containers and bags. I did not get to play with the colors but they looked lovely. I spotted a mint-ish silvery green blue that looked interesting.

Has anyone seen Novel Twist? What do you think?

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by MAC Cosmetics

Letters to Blogdorf

Do you know brand of foundation Carmindy uses on the American version of What Not to Wear? It appears to be a silver spray type can but as many times as I've tried stopping tivo to see if I can tell what it is I can't. Please help!

Thanks!

christa



Does anyone know?

Credits: TLC

Liz Claiborne
by Cavewoman

This week, the fashion world mourns another icon, Liz Claiborne. With a little internet research, I found out that Liz Claiborne was raised in a strict Catholic home in New Orleans, and went to France to study rather than finish her education in the USA. She had a vision of affordable, relaxed mix-and-match clothing pieces that no other company at the time would even consider, and so she started her own company. To me, Liz Claiborne is the Queen of American Sportswear. She wanted women in the workplace to have chic, affordable, versatile, and quality clothing in their closets, and with her company, she revolutionized the way we buy our clothes even today.

With the fabulous Tim Gunn as the new Chief Creative Officer of the Liz Claiborne companies, the future is bright for LC. With over 40 brands under the Claiborne umbrella, chances are that somewhere in your closet, or possibly your perfume tray, you have something from a LC company. The Liz Claiborne company includes the last of the "bridge" designers such as Ellen Tracy and Dana Buchman, Kate Spade, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Sigrid Olsen, as well as trendy Lucky Brand, Juicy Couture, Kenzie, Mexx, and Villager, and the venerable costume jewelry companies Monet and Trifari. And recently, the company also acquired Narciso Rodriguez.

I once heard that in a scent test, the original Liz Claiborne fragrance in the triangle-shaped bottle won as the most favorite scent among men. I think I have a bottle around here somewhere. I'll take a sniff and lift my bottle to a true woman's woman, Liz Claiborne. She may be gone, but her influence on the fashion industry, her vision of what American women like to wear, and the way we shop for our wardrobes will live on forever.

Recap of Allure's July 2007 Issue

Page 46: Products used on Liv Tyler for the cover were listed as:
Magic Khol Eye Liner in Black, Logo Sunkissed Powder in Sunset(so pretty), Rouge Interdit lipstick in secret Pink with Exciting Coral lip gloss over it. I really love how the lippie looks.

Page 54 Cover Girl's Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Strawberry Splash. Retails for $5.99

Shu Uemura's Silk Bloom Restorative Treatment for Damaged Hair. They had me at "so thick it feels like buttercream frosting." It retails for $60. Let us know if you have tried it in the comments!

Juara Skincare Tiare Jasmine Tea Bath and Shower Gel looks like a potential lemming. The notes are jasmine tea, vanilla, amber and musk. It retails for $28.
I wish I did not stock up on the Bath & Body Works White Tea and Ginger bath gels. This shower gel sounds 1000 times more amazing.

Jemma Kidd Stardust Creme shadow in Orbit. It retails for $22 and is available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Page 56 features Bond's new scent Coney Island.

Page 62 promotes YSL's Nail Touch Nail Lacquer Pen Brush. It is a very cool nail gadget. This is available at Saks.

Page 76 Louis Vuitton's Printed Cotton Necklace for $430.

Page 86 gives you great tips for getting the best pedicure.

Page 94 Christiane Celle from Calypso lists Nina Ricci's L'Air du Temps, Serge Lutens Fleur d'Oranger and Frederic Malle's Lys Mediterranee as her favorite fragrances.

Page 139 Several makeup artists suggest beauty products that are sexy. Some of the tips make you want to run to your local Sephora and stock up.
Others make you scratch your head.

Charlotte Tilbury suggests not washing your mascara and eyeliner off completely. Tilbury states "It becomes all smudgy and lived-in and looks so sexy."
Seriously?
I just use my smudge brush from Sephora.
I get the same result without the gross out factor.

Pati Dubroff suggests using a brightening serum every night to build up a glow. She also suggests Laura Mercier's Illuminating Stick in Golden Rose Glow on the apples of the cheeks for a glow more natural than powder.

Charlotte Tilbury suggests a lipstains for a more inviting lip look. She suggests Benefit's Benetint and Stila's Lip Rouge. She says "It should look like you polished off a Popsicle."

Nail Polishes were suggested in this article. Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer in Back to the Fuchsia, Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Coral, and Essie's Wife Goes On. The Essie is a great cherry red color.
Essie Weingarten states that "Bold nails look best when they shine and sparkle."
She is clearly a gal after my own heart.

On page 150 one of my dreams finally came true. They photographed Dick Page's makeup stash.
I am a big fan.
So big that if he and Brad Pitt were in the same room...I would be making a fuss over Dick.
Brad's beauty would not deter me.
I will be gushing over Mr Page and asking him to autograph my compact.

Last but not least, here is a great shot of Patti Hansen from 1977.

What did you think of this latest issue? Let us know in the comments.

Credits: Allure

CoverGirl's Mascara Volume Exact Review

Plump 'em...Dont Clump 'em

This mascara is designed to give easy high volume, clump free lashes. My lashes need all kinds of help. They need volume, curl, separation and length.

This mascara has recently won the CEW award for best mascara under $12. I was in doubt that it was better than Max Factor's Volume Couture.

Volume Exact's has a similar rubber brush to Chanel's Inimitable and Max Factor's Volume Couture. According to the press release the magic is in the bristles of the brush. Each "bristle contains two tiny micro-chambers, or grooves, that completely surround each lash, coating each lash individually and allowing more of the formula to coat every lash. " I can not rave enough over these type of mascara brushes. I am so hooked that I use my Max Factor brush in all my mascaras including Dior's Blackout.

Exact Mascara delivers on volume. It creates a bold lush lash. My lashes are not fan-like but they do appear to have multiplied in size and volume. There was no clumping issues but I did make a mess during the application. The Cover Girl Mascara was heavier on my lashes than Chanel or Max Factor. This made it more difficult to keep a curl.

I did a comparison of all three mascara wands. Max Factor and Cover Girl appear to have the exact same rubber brush. Cover Girl's wand is less slanted and the bristles are not as soft as Max Factor. Chanel's wand is significantly smaller in size with softer and denser bristles.

I prefer Max Factor's Volume Couture Mascara to all of the mascaras I have tested. It is a great value. It delivers on all its promises and has a great price tag.

Have you tested all three? Which do you think is better and why? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by CoverGirl Cosmetics

Dick Page's Makeup Stash in July's Allure

What is in the master's makeup case?

1. MAC Face and Body foundation
2. Foundation from Inoui ID in Japan
3. Inoui ID concealer
4. Pencil case that holds tins of lip color
5. Palette filled with lipsticks
6. Japanese book featuring the works of Herb Lubalin
7. Inoui ID eye shadows
8. Inoui ID Nuance Powder
9. Tom Ford's for Estee Lauder Bronzer
10. Mose Tolliver painting
11. Inoui ID Shadow brushes
12. MAC Moisturegleam
13. Alcone Professional Makeup Palette
14. Inoui ID Powder Brushes
15. Inoui ID Glosses
16. Alcone sponges
17. Shiseido Lasting List Mascara
18. Lancome Tres Bronze
19. MAC Mineralize Finish
20 MAC powder brushes
21. Mark Rothko book
22. Photos of flowers from his garden
23. Rhoto Zi Dry Eye Relief Eye Drops
24. Inoui ID loose powder
25. Tweezerman tweezers
26. Shiseido Lash Curler
27. Inoui ID Highlighting Cream and cream blush prototypes
28. Inoui ID lipstick prototypes
29. Inoui ID Brochure and planner
30. Aquaphor
31. MAC Makeup remover Cleansing Tips
32. Metropolitan Museum of Art Membership Card
33. John Singer Sargent Book
34. Paula Rego's The Dance
35. MAC Gloss
36. Liner Brushes
37. Duralash Naturals Eyelashes: He recommends these because they look natural due to no knots at the roots.
38. Inoui Brow kits
39. Picture of Venice
40. Picture of the White River in Iceland
41. Santa Maria Degli Angeli Body Lotion
42. Scissors
43. Inoui ID Shadow prototype
44. Eyeliners from MAC, Inoui ID and Nars
45. Inoui ID Shadow prototype
46. Inoui ID Color Bases
47. Inoui ID 5 Cream Liner Palette
48. L'Occitane Immortelle Eye Balm
49. Black Japanese cotton swaps
50. Inoui ID Cream Face Color
51. Make Up For Ever cream colors
52. Heart card from James Gibbs, Page's Hubby
53. Evian Spray

This list was compiled by Lauren Conrad at Allure. She is my favorite writer at Allure. She seems to always know what I want to read about!

Let us know in the comments on what you think of any of the products featured on his list. I am very curious to hear your thoughts on the Inoui line.
Credits: Style.com and Allure

Vogue's July Issue

The cover is exquisite and makes up for all the celebrity covers that have been lackluster. Not that Testino had a challenge.
Natalia Vodianova is a great beauty.
The makeup is all by Lancome.
The products used were:

Photogenic skin Illuminating Makeup, Color Design Eyeshadow in Mochaccino Matte and Gaze Shimmer, Le stylo Waterproof eyeliner in Cafe, Cils Design Pro Mascara in Black, Le Crayon Poudre in Brunet, Color Fever lipstick in Violet Fashion, Not Victim and Vernis Magnetic Nail Lacquer in Molten.
I might have to cave on Molten Nail Polish and the lippie before fall begins.


Page 101 is a great blurb on Aerin Lauder and the latest fragrance from Lauder.

I was lucky to sniff the new Estee Lauder fragrance at my local Saks counter. Our Lauder SA, James, had a tester and was quite willing to let us douse ourselves.
Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia is gorgeous. The tuberose is tame and not overpowering like Fracas. The gardenia note is creamy and tart at the same time.
Not to toot my own horn...but it smelled fabulous on me. Great sillage and lasting power.
The parfum bottle and refillable compact will feature semi-precious stones inspired by a Josef Hoffman brooch

James said that there will be other private collection fragrances including an oriental.
In exciting news, James will actually get to meet Aerin Lauder at a Lauder shindig.
I am all kinds of jealous.
The fragrance will be available at Saks.


On page 102 Vogue is predicting deep purple as the "must have" shade for fall.
I believe the color Navy will be the sleeper hit from all the fall nail polish collections.
OPI and Zoya are releasing gorgeous navy shades. This weekend Griffie and Tussah sported navy nails and toes.



Page 109: I received a post card from my local Saks to pick up a free sample of the newest product by La Mer. It is called La Mer Light.
It is a gel cream that helps moisturize in a lighter, summer friendly way.
Did I get a sample?
Heck no.
There were no samples to be had.
I do not know why Saks would send out post cards for free samples that they do not have in stock.
However, James stated that it was beyond fabulous and worth waiting for.
I will wait patiently and try not to bitch.



On page 109 there is a picture of Donatella Versace's perfume collection. She has been collecting since she was 16. The perfume board on MUA drooled over her collection when it was originally featured in Allure. She had everything from Guerlain bee bottles to Bonds. It was the best fragrance collection I had ever seen.

I loved the beautiful tribute for Isabella Blow and the bday wishes to Irving Penn, but my favorite Vogue moment was the photograph of the peacocks from the Poiret exhibit at the MET.
This is on page 163.
A friend of mine saw the staff setting this up and could not get over how beautiful it was.
I am so grateful that I was able to finally see it.

Credits: Vogue July 2007
What did you think of the July Issue? Let us know in the comments.

Happy Birthday Stanzi!

Raise your mascara wands and powder puffs to wish my perfume pal Stanzi a wonderful Bday!

May the day be filled with lovely things and a shower of rose petals!!!!

Love,

Your pals in Ohio

Credits: Vogue July 2007/photo for Stanzi

Drugstore Beauty Deals and Steals

Walgreens
Revlon: Entire line of foundation, powder, bronzer, concealer, blush and beauty tools are 40% off.

Isadora: $9.99 is the price for the Mineral Foundation powder, foundation blush, foundation brush or blush brush. I am not sure if this is the regular or sale price. Can anyone tell us about this line and products?

Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 for 50% off for eye makeup.

This includes Great Lash, Define-a-Lash or Expert Wear eyeshadow.

Almay: Buy 1, get 1 for 50% off on the entire line of Almay cosmetics and skin care.



CVS

Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 for 50% off with card. All Revlon lipcolor, eye shadow, liner, mascara, nail enamel or beauty tools.

Almay: Buy 1, get 1 50% off with card. This includes all Almay cosmetics and skincare.

Milani: Buy 1, get 1 50% off with card. This is for all Milani cosmetics.
Cavewoman is currently obsessed with their glimmer strips.

Rite Aid

L'Oreal: 20% off regular price for Bare Naturale, Age Perfect Makeup, Volume Shocking and Double Extend Mascara.

Covergirl: Buy 1, get second one for 50% off for eyeshadow, eye liner and mascara.

Almay: $3.00 single check rebate on the purchase of two Almay products.
One coat mascara, Intense I-Color and Eye Makeup Remover pads are $4.99.

Revlon: Limited Edition Collection is $4.00 off. This is the Midnight Swirl lipglosses and Diamond Lust shadows. Gorgeous colors and shades!

Sally Hanson: 20% off for Maximum Growth Nail Enamel.

Maybelline: 40% off the line.

Neutrogena: 20% off of retail prices plus a $1.00 coupon that expires June 20th 2007.

If you have seen any specials at Target, Marcs, or Ulta let us know in the comments.

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman

My 2nd Coat Lemming for Fall 2007:

I have decided to keep track of my coat lemmings for fall 2007. This new lemming is from Jovovich-Hawk. I love everything from the color to the flapper style.

Make sure to visit the site. There are so many gorgeous pieces to fall in love with!

http://www.jovovich-hawk.com/index.php

Credits: Jovovich-Hawk via Oh Joy!

Bobbi Brown Fall and Holiday 2007

I was able to peek at the Bobbi Brown Fall and Holiday collection book.

Two products stood out among the upcoming Pink Quartz's collection.

The Rose Quartz Shimmer Brick: It has shades of rose, pink, beige and gold. It looked amazing.

Pink Quartz Nail Shimmer: I made some type of high pitched squeal when I spotted it.

It is a shimmery pale gold pink. Saying it was gorgeous is not enough. The nail girls on Makeup Alley might pass out when they see this.

I think this is one of the prettiest shades I have seen in years. Ultra feminine and lovely.

The collection comes out in October.

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman

I caved on Bobbi Brown's new "must have" palette called Stonewashed Nudes.
Our local Saks did not have it displayed, but with one quick secret handshake, it came home with me and Ceil. This palette might be more useful and handy than the previous hit, The Chocolate Palette. The colors are shimmery washes in colors called Navajo, Mica, Ash, and Rock.

There is a stunning silverish taupe that is literally perfect in every way. It alone makes the palette worth $50.

This beauty is available at Saks and Nordstorm. Grab it while you can before it is gone.
Credits: Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: This product was purchased at my local Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Letters to Blogdorf


I'm dying to try out the new blue nail polish trend (and trying to get my hands on OPI Ink!), but I'm wary. I generally use the same color on my fingernails and my toenails, and I work in an office. So I sorta feel like having blue fingers and toes would be too much...I've got Sephora nail polish in #55 and #56:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P74514&categoryId=S10701&..

If I use one of these on my toenails, what shade would you recommend for my fingers that would coordinate?

Help! (And thanks!)~Tara

Credits: Lancome

Chanel with her Verdura Cuff

Do you have an impossible jewelry lemming?
Let us know in the comments.

I'm Just CRAZY About Tiffanys!

By Melanie Parker

Holly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul: The mean reds, you mean like the blues?
Holly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible! Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?
Paul: Sure.
Holly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!



Just in time for a June bride to don her something blue on her toes, China Glaze has released the For Audrey polish.
I previously thought that Color Club Blue Light was a good match to the color used in the catalog. But just in time for my swatch test comparison, a Tiffany & Co. order arrived. Tiffany blue is is a registered trademark appropriately named Pantone Matching System (PMS) #1837 , which anyone who has seen a Tiffany dog tag charm knows is the year the company was established. However, I should note that all three Tiffany & Co. items I received are a slightly different shade of blue. The perfume box is the lightest, the box is a medium turquoise, and the ring pouch is slightly greener than the other two products.



I find the China Glaze For Audrey polish to match the ring pouch best. It's a tad greener and almost dingy compared to the Tiffany's boxes. It almost reminds me of turquoise Fiestaware. It has a 1950s flair.

Overall, I prefer the Color Club Blue Light. It is cleaner and crisper, but it is not a direct match for any of the authentic Tiffany & Co. packages. It matches the color used in the catalog, which again is a slightly more robin's egg blue than the jewelry box.

Credits: Melanie Parker
Disclosure: This nail polish was purchased by Melanie Parker

All About Eve

Next Wednesday, June 27th, MAC Cosmetics will be hosting an exclusive LIVE CHAT with EVE and her makeup artist JJ!

WHAT: LIVE CHAT with Eve and her makeup artist JJ
Get tips on how to get Eve’s looks from her new hit video “Tambourine.”
WHO: EVE, award-winning hip-hop diva, actress, designer and MAC Viva Glam Spokesperson.
JJ, Eve’s makeup artist, former MAC Artist.
WHERE: www.maccosmetics.com/evelive
WHEN: Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

TIME: 5:00pm – 6:00pm EST, 2:00pm – 3:00pm PST

Products used on Eve:

Mega Lipstick (c-shock)
Cork Pencil
Overrich Lipstick (c-shock)
Saddle Eye Shadow
Electric Eel Eye Shadow
Bang On Blue Shadow (c-shock)
Technikohl Pencil in Auto-de Blue
Fancy Ray Crème Blush

If you have any questions for Eve or JJ concerning C-Shock let me know in the comments.

Credits: MAC and Blogdorf Goodman