Parental Advisory: MAC's Rated R Starflash Shadow

Bitter Green Symphony

Pictured: MAC's Rated R and Eyepopping

Pictured left to right: MAC's Sharp from the Tempting Eye Palette, MAC's Eyepopping, Tony&Tina's Cosmic Destiny and the new MAC shade called Rated R. I did two swatches of this shade. I applied wet and dry.

MAC's Sharp from the Tempting Eye Palette

Tony&Tina's Cosmic Destiny in the Spring Nymph palette.

Pictured left to right:MAC's Rated R, Eyepopping, Tony&Tina's Cosmic Destiny and MAC's Sharp.

MAC's Eyepopping and
Sharp are very close in looks. Eyepopping is a richer texture with a smidge less yellow pigment.

Cosmic Destiny shadow in the Tony & Tina Spring Nymph eye palette is more of a muted pea green soup shade with a dash of shimmer.

Rated "R" shadow is a lime green that flashes yellow metallic. Applied wet brings out the green intensity. The texture for starflash shades is magnificent. It feels creamy yet light like a dollop of marshmallow fluff.

The pigment is richer and more vivid. This shadow has spunk in comparison to all the other bitter green shadows I own.

Rated "R" is from the current Love That Look collection and retails for $14.50.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by MAC cosmetics and the Tony & Tina palette was purchased at TJ Maxx.

Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Collection

Smooth Vitality Shampoo, Condtioner and Smoothing Creme Review

My co-worker and I are currently testing a new shampoo and conditioner from Pantene. We both have a thick mane of hair with frizz issues. She is blessed with curls while I am cursed with waves that resemble bumps. Her hair showed improvement in softness. I was jealous when I felt her curls. They felt like silk. The main ingredients are calendula, ginger and aloe vera extracts. These help with improved texture and touchability. The curls were frizz free and well defined. She was wildly smitten and promised to try the entire Nature Fusion line.

My results were also positive. The conditioner has a thick texture yet leaves no heavy residue or film on the hair. This is fairly rare for a moisturizing product. The shampoo is a cocktail of avocado, bamboo and grapeseed. This helps combats the frizz. I love that avocado can be both delicious and tame fly-aways.

My frizz issues were drastically improved with Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Smoothing Creme. This product is a beast. My fly-aways were controlled and harnessed. The iron hold lasted for hours. No product has ever delivered results like this for me. The only negative was that it did not deliver any shine properties.
But this product fights humidity to the death...and wins. You can not help but get on board.
It retails for $5.99 at your local drugstore.
The shampoo or conditioner is priced at $3.99 each.

Visit http://www.pantene.com/ for more information and details.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Pantene

Drugstore Deals and Steals




For July 26th Through August 1 2009

Walgreens

Almay: Buy 1, get 1 50% off foundation,concealer,blush, powder or eye cosmetics
CoverGirl: 2 for $10 on Exact Eyelights Shadow or Mascara
Rimmel: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on cosmetics
Yes To Carrots: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on lip care
Clean&Clear: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on skin care(excludes kits, devices or refills)
St Ives: 2 for $6 on facial scrub 6 oz or lotion 18 oz
Olay: Regenerist Ski Care is priced at $19.99(excludes kits)
Buy $50 of Olay products and get a $20 mail-in rebate at www.olayforyou.com
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics(includes HiP)

Target

Neutrogena: 1 oz SkinClearing foundation is priced at $9.99
L'Oreal: Double Extend mascara is priced at $7.99
Revitalift wrinkle repair is priced at $14.99
Burt's Bees: 2 pk lip balm is priced at $5.49
Maybelline: Color Sensational lipstick is priced at $5.99

Rite Aid

CoverGirl: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on lip or eye cosmetics
Neutrogena: 40% off all cosmetics
Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 50% off lip or nail enamel
wet n wild: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics
Almay: 30% off foundation,powder, concealer or blush
Physicians Formula: Buy 1, get 1 50% off Mineral Wear and Organic Wear cosmetics
Maybelline: Pulse Mascara is priced at $11.99
L'Oreal: Age Perfect, Skin Genesis, Wrinkle Decrease or Collagen Remodeler skin care is priced at $15.99
Olay: Otal Effects or Regenerist skin care is priced at $15.99

CVS

Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on mascara with CVS card. There is a limit of 4.
Sally Hansen: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on all hair removers with CVS card
Neutrogena: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on all cosmetics with CVS card
Rimmel: 40% off on all cosmetics with CVS card
Wet n'Wild: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics with CVS card
Neutrogena: Deep Clean Wave or Wave Duo is priced at $14.99 with CVS card
L'Oreal: Collagen Moisture Filler fay lotion or day/night cream is priced at $13.99 with CVS card Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle is priced at $14.99 with CVS card
L'Oreal Collagen is priced at $17.99 with CVS card
Bio-Oil: Save $2 on skincare with CVS card
Cetaphil: All products are priced at $9.99 with CVS card
Aveeno: Moisturizer cream 11 oz or lotion 12 or 18 oz is priced at $9.99 with CVS card
Mederma: Save $3 on skin care for scars with CVS card

She's A Galaxy Girl

Chanel's Cosmic Violine

I grabbed this little diddy at the Nordstorm Anniversary sale. I was dazzled by the rich fudge shade with the crazy pink shimmer. This polish has incredible fire. It is like an opal exploded in the bottle.

The hardcore shine is unparalleled among all nail polish brands. My nail tech and I were struck by the glass-like sheen after a week in use. I took this photograph a mere 30 minutes before my next appointment. Look at that gloss action and very little wear and tear! I am very hard on my nails every week. I have no idea what pixie dust went into this particular polish...but keep doing it Chanel!

Disclaimer: I purchased this product at my local Nordstorm store.

Gilt Complex


Thoughts on MAC's Mineralized Baked Eyeshadow Assemblage
From the ColourCraft Collection

I have an annoying habit of linking MAC shadows to songs. It is a quirky thing I do in private. My friends have incredible patience with my "odd egg" tendencies.
I am hoping that my readers will extend the same courtesy and humor me.
My personal soundtrack to the MAC shadow Assemblage is a song from Sons and Daughters. It is called Gilt Complex.

This a baked mineralized eye shadow with four shades. There is a shimmery charcoal, an icy snow white, a sunny gold and a mushroom cloud of taupe. All four have great shimmery fire. The sooty coal shade has tiny shimmer flecks that have great staying power. I tested and photographed the shades both wet and dry. Intensity or staying power did not vary much. The gold shade was more vibrant with a wet application. The taupe shade is pretty fabulous and worthy of smitten "Pink Sith" status.

This is currently at your MAC counter and retails for $19.50.



Credit: Blogdorf Goodman, MAC and Youtube.
Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by MAC cosmetics

Studio Visit: Preview of MAC’s Fall 2009 Color Collection
By Jessica M and Angie W


The Fall 2009 color collection from MAC is called “Make-Up Art Cosmetics,” and it brings MAC back to its original theme of makeup as a form of creative self-expression. For this collection, MAC collaborated with three artists who take imaginative approaches to beauty in their own art. Thanks to Annie, the two of us were able to attend a special evening celebrating the collection in New York.

Our first destination was a gathering at the artist Marilyn Minter’s studio. Minter’s signature style blurs the line between fine art and advertising. Her bold, close-up photographs of women’s lavishly made-up faces draw out the decadent, messy side of glamour, and her recent video, titled “Green Pink Caviar,” focuses on lipsticked mouths eating candy and other sticky treats.

Minter’s studio, on an upper floor of a classic cast-iron building in SoHo, was crowded with a festive and stylish group of beauty experts and art fans for the MAC event. Waiters in MAC/Minter t-shirts were offering dishes of ice cream with do-it-yourself sprinkles, and the walls were decorated with images from the artist’s recent work. We were able to view the pigments and glitters that MAC developed in cooperation with Minter, and their dazzling, sparkling tones made even more sense when we saw them in the context of the artist’s photographs, paintings, and art supplies.

Our second stop was a pre-war building on a side-street in Greenwich Village. We took the elevator up to the artist Maira Kalman’s apartment and found ourselves in the middle of a chatty, intimate get-together. Kalman’s illustrations have appeared everywhere from children’s books to The New Yorker magazine. She’s known for her quirky wit, her love of everyday things, her affectionate caricatures of her fellow city-dwellers, and her playful, sophisticated use of color.

Just as in Minter’s studio, were able to see Kalman’s personal belongings, well-stocked bookcases, and home décor as sources for her art. We admired her displays of vintage hats and shoes, in particular, and we nibbled hors d’oeuvres that were clever updates on comfort foods, like tiny egg-salad sandwiches and little mac-and-cheese croquettes, paired with refreshing pomegranate mojitos. The waiters at this second event were wearing MAC/Kalman t-shirts, and we really started hoping that all these shirts will be available for purchase along with the makeup! Speaking of the makeup, we had a sneak peek at a range of eye shadows and “Technakohl” liners inspired by Kalman’s work, and we noticed that their bright and pastel shades are similar to the colors she favors in her illustrations.

We were temporarily distracted from our thoughts about makeup and art when we spotted Isaac Mizrahi, an old friend of Maira Kalman, making his way through the room. And if we had attended the third event of the night, a party at the Chelsea studio of painter Richard Phillips, we would have sighted more stars, including designers Gareth Pugh and Erin Featherston, not to mention Ed Westwick from “Gossip Girl.” (Sorry, Annie! We know you love Chuck Bass!) But we needed our beauty sleep in order to get up early for our day-jobs the next morning...oh well! In any case, we’re really looking forward to seeing the whole product line in stores soon.

MAC’s Fall Color Collection, “Make-Up Art Cosmetics,” is scheduled to launch on August 20, 2009 in the USA. You can read more about the collection at http://www.specktra.net/2009/07/14/mac-make-up-art-collection-product-images

Photos by Jessica M.

Kalman illustration from The Elements of Style (Penguin Press, 2005).

Read My Lips


Poppy King Lip Readings

Credits: Nylon TV and Youtube

I Got The Magic Stick

Lumene Time Freeze Instant Cooling Stick

Yesterday was rough.
I got home from work and just had a weeping spell.
Afterwards my eyes felt like sandpaper and grit.
I went through my testing drawer and grabbed the Lumene Stick. The box promises "instant relief for tired and stressed eyes".
It literally felt like this:

The eye stick is very deodorant-like in texture, style and application. It is very hydrating and deflates puffy eyes. I can not attest to the product's long term effects. According to the box it reduces lines and wrinkles, diminishes dark circles, promotes firmer skin, provides moisture and helps prevent future signs of aging.
I can proclaim that it is like Vicine for the skin under the eye. The main ingredient is "Arctic heather." Heather is used for it's anti-inflammatory properties along with combating skin aging issues.

My skin was soothed the moment I rubbed it on. The cooling action was relaxing and far from Ohio winter winds. My skin felt firmer. All evidence of a good cry was erased including the headache.
I think there is a risk of over application. I found myself reaching for it and applying it all over the lid.
I did not have any negative reaction...except to apply it more.
This could be addictive.

It is available at CVS this week for $17.59. The regular retail price is around $22. The size of the tube is 0.17 oz. The tube might look fairly petite for the coin.
I can vouch that it is worth it.
It provides instant relief and feels like a mini-spa experience.

Let us know what you think of the product in the comments.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Lumene

The Power of Erika F from Lancome

"I have worn Erika F every day since July 8. I LOVE it. You were right about the HG status. Damn you for getting me hooked on something so HTF. ;)"

message from my facebook page via Melanie Parker.

Read more at http://blogdorfgoodman.blogspot.com/2008/03/40-days-and-40-nights-of-beauty-cult_7648.html

Indigo Polish Girl

Lancome's Declaring Indigo Fall Collection

I love navy blue nail polishes. I love the deep inky feeling. Indigo Paris Le Vernis is a Persian Blue with the metal shimmer of a car paint. It is a great pool of Lapis lazuli. This is a serious gorgeous color.

There were no issues with application according to my nail tech. She stated that the brush was small but workable. My nail tech also stated that this required a thinner and quicker application. It dried within 10 minutes under a dryer. It took only one coat to get a uniform shade of ink. Two coats was almost unnecessary.

My techie was impressed with the color payoff and survival rate. My manicure looked fairly immaculate last night. The color and shine were intact and looked fresh. This is a miracle considering my daily work with paper, toner, keyboards and industrial cheap soap. This soap actually left a film on my nails that had to be removed with polish remover.

We discussed matches and she thought OPI's Ink could be close. I think there is less violet in Lancome's version.

This polish is currently at your local Nordstorm Lancome counter. It retails for $18.00

Visit this link for more details: http://www.lancome-usa.com/makeup/nails/le-vernis-limited-edition.htm

Let us know what you think of this polish in the comments.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Lancome

Drugstore Deals and Steals

For July 19th through July 25th 2009

Rite Aid

Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on cosmetics and beauty tools
L'Oreal: $2.00 rebate on manicure nail polish
L'Oreal Collagen Filler, Age Perfect or Revitalift Skin Care is priced at $9.99
L'Oreal True Match Cosmetics is priced at $5.99
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara and Color Riche lip is priced at $4.99
Feria Hair Color is priced at $7.99
Maybelline: Define-A-Lash is priced at $5.49
Jane: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on Jane cosmetics
Nivea: Buy 1, get 1 50% off skin care lotions and Nivea for Men body wash

Target

Revlon: Creme lip gloss or Double Twist mascara is priced at $6.99
ColorStay Mineral Mousee or Ultimate lip color or 1.25 oz Age Defying liquid makeup is priced at $8.99
Aveeno: 2.5 oz Positively Ageless Lotion is priced at $15.99
Pantene: 25.4 oz conditioner or shampoo is priced at $5.50


Walgreens

L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on mascara
25% off on L'Oreal Collagen, Wrinkle De-Crease or Skin Genesis skin care products
Sally Hansen: 40% off lip,just feet, max growth or diamond strength nail color products
Neutrogena: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on lip or eye products
Wet 'N Wild: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on cosmetics
Biore: Buy 1, get 1 50% off skin care
Olay: ProX skin care is priced at $42.99
ProX Starter kit is priced at $62.99
Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 50% off cosmetics or implements

CVS

Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on lip products with CVS card
Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on Foundation, Powder, Blush, Concealer or Mascara
products with CVS card
Aveeno: Shampoo, Conditioner 10.5 oz or Nourishing spray 5.2 oz is priced at $6.49 with CVS card
Facial moisturizer 2.5-4 oz, serum or night cream 1.7 oz is priced at $14.99 with CVS card
Cleanser 5-6.7 oz, scrub 5 oz or pads 28 ct. (excludes Positively Ageless cleanser), lotion, oil, cream 7.3-12 oz or bath treatment 8 pk is priced at $6.99 with CVS card
Body wash 12 oz or lotion 8 oz is priced at $5.99 with CVS card
Save $2 on ALL Aveeno Positively Ageless with CVS card
L’Oreal: Extra-Volume Collagen mascara is priced at $5.99 with CVS card
L’Oreal Collagen, Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair, Age Perfect Pro-Calcium is priced at $15.99 with CVS card
Lubriderm: 13.5-16 oz Lotion is priced at $6.99 with CVS card
Milani: Buy 1, get 1 50% on Lip and Nail Color products with CVS card
Sally Hansen: Buy 1, get 1 50% on Nail Color products with CVS card

The initial buzz surrounding the new Dolce & Gabbana fragrances was pretty positive. I had high hopes and fully expected to cave on at least one bottle. The collection boasts five fragrances that have been influenced by women and tarot cards. According to our Nordstorm SA, tarot cards have nothing to do with the line. Patti(makeupalley's Cavewoman) knew better. Tarot cards were featured in a magazine spread about the fragrance along with this blurb:

"The names and numbers on the bottles relate to tarot cards. Tarot is very common in Mediterranean countries and conveys the different aspects of people's personalities."

and this
"We picked the tarot cards with the clearest, most identifiable traits such as the seducer, charmer and dreamer. We can all relate to these characters."


The first scent in the collection is called 1 Le Bateleur' Eau de Toilette. This is very light and airy for a vetiver. It is on the masculine side but the drydown is very damp earth-ish. I liked the effect.

The second fragrance was 3 l'Impératrice' Eau de Toilette. I got peaches. A small basket of peaches.

This was one of my favorites in the line until the drydown. Those peaches started to ripen and rot. I got that garbage drydown that people either love or hate. Angel lovers might love this one.
The official list of ingredients are watermelon, kiwi, pink cyclamen and musk.

'18 La Lune' Eau de Toilette smells like a mixture of candy and leather. In the beginning it was weird in a good way. The drydown just petered out.

'10 La Roue de la Fortune' Eau de Toilette was the bottle that was going to go home with me. Patti sniffed my wrist and proclaimed that it was a copy of Bond 9's Chinatown.

It is not an exact copy. No one can capture cardamon like Bond. However, it is very close and slightly unnerving. I think they might have added sugar to the mix. This is very sweet.

I am on the fence for '6 L'Amoureux' Eau de Toilette. It had a woody drydown with brief appearances of cardamon and orris.

The new Dolce & Gabbana fragrances are currently at your local Nordstorm store. The scents retail for $65 each and are exclusive to the store for a limited time.

Photo Credit: Nordstorm, Tarotpedia and wikipedia

She's Got A Ticket To Ride: Nars Fall 2009

The collection is available online and is making it's way to your local counters. These images look promising but I have yet to see the collection in real life. Let us know what you think in the comments. I need the scoop on Mekong. It looks amazing!


NARS Fast Ride Lipstick - $24
This seemingly dark purple may intimidate, but swipe it across the lips and its true shade is revealed: a sheer mulberry. A color that falls somewhere between an intense plum wine stain, and a moody, deep violet.


NARS Tokaido Express - $16
This new hue is a cult classic in the making. Named after Japan’s most heavily frequented high-speed rail route, this lacquer is an opulent blackened amethyst doused with ultra-fine gold dust particles.


NARS Silk Road Duo Eyeshadow- $32
This new shade mirrors the hues from traditional damask fabrics. Classic meets edgy in this new duo — an icy pink is paired with a warm rose gold with golden flecks.

NARS Brumes Duo Eyeshadow- $32
These new hues perfectly capture the moody shades of a cool twilight sky. Brumes pairs a velvety matte charcoal with a sparkling, blue state for a smoky eye that is both confident and serene.



NARS Indian Summer Duo Eyeshadow- $32
A typical Indian summer comes as a surprise, balmy sunshine meets brisk fall. Swipe the summery, frosted champagne shimmer up to the brow, and line the upper lid with the autumnal deep, matte mustard for a striking look, appropriate for every season.

NARS Mekong Single Eyeshadow- $22
This is the perfect addition to the NARS woman's adventurous palette. The intense, blackened espresso hue scattered with rose gold is a study in contrasts. Applied liberty across the lid it exudes a sexy attitude, or applied lightly, a simple, fashion-forward sophistication.

Credit: Nars

Chanel's Rouge Allure Laque Luminous Satin Lip Lacquer

Rouge Allure Laque Luminous Lip Lacquer feels like a spa on the lips. My lips feel like they have been spoiled. The formula is rich in jojoba oil and a high dose of pigments. The pigment power is superior. Color payoff is dense and rich. The texture of the lippie is silk-like and avoids the pitfalls of lacquer formulas. There is no tacky or greasy feeling. It leaves a smooth finish like a balm.

Rouge Allure Laque's foam applicator is shaped like a fountain pen. It covers the lip in one swipe. The container is well engineered. It twists open in two to three rotations. It also closes quickly and securely.

The lippie's inspiration comes from the Coromandel walls in Chanel's apartment. The shades range from reds to shimmering browns.

Ming 76 is a warm dusty pink.

Dragon 75 is a brick red.

Imperial 73 is a pink based brown

Other shades in the collection are as follows:

Coromandel 72 is a orange red

Dynastie 74 is a pink brown

Santal 77 is a peach

Phoenix 78 is a powdery pink

Mandarin 79 is a coral brown

The lippies will be available at your local Chanel counter or chanel.com in October 2009.

They will retail for $32.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Chanel

MAC's Trimming Talk Lipstick from ColorCraft
If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more...(Quote from Jane Austen)

I am testing Trimming Talk from the ColorCraft collection. It is a deep, crystal clear fuchsia pink. I did not get any frost action. I thought it might be similar to Girl About Town but was pleasantly surprised. It might have less oomph and intensity, but it is more wearable.
I believe I might actually finish this tube!

It retails for $14 and is currently at your local MAC counter or http://www.maccosmetics.com/

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by MAC cosmetics

A Quick Message

narscosmetics.com sale
20% off $60 or more
code NJ070960
expires on July 20th 2009.

Happy Shopping!

Declaring Smitten Status! Lancome Brush Set

Just a few random pictures of the new Lancome brush set from the Declaring Indigo collection. They are heaven on sticks.
Behold the inky tips!

There is a mineral powder foundation brush, a foundation brush#2, a blender brush #4(seriously bananas!) and a dual ended brush. This brush has a flat edge that gives a precise application. It also moonlights as a shadow brush.

I plan to do a full review later. I just wanted to share and gush this morning.

Let us know if you have caved on the set in the comments!

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Lancome

La Prairie Beauty Event At Saks

Renowned NYC makeup artist Raychel Wade is the new Colour Ambassador for La Prairie and making appearances at select SAKS nationwide to share a sneak peek of the Plumage de Nuit fall collection.
Miss Wade will kick off her partnership with the brand during Saks Fifth Avenue Annual "Brushes with Greatness" event in NYC. She will be at the store July 15th through the 16th.

The deets are as follows:

When: Wednesday, July 15th and Thursday, July 16th
12 – 7pm

**last appointment at 6:30pm

Where: Saks Fifth Avenue @ 611 Fifth Avenue (at 49th Street) in New York City

RSVP: 212.940.2142
$175 reservation fee is redeemable in La Prairie product purchased day of event; you’ll also receive a woven silver makeup bag to store your new La Prairie goodies!

Let us know if you attend!

Credits: La Prairie