40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 40, the end of the beauty brand series.
Today we are focusing on the brands we missed.

Cavewoman: At the end of the 40 Days And 40 Nights Of Brands, there is much we did not cover. Sephora alone brags of over 200 brands, so maybe we could have done A Year Of Brands! Nonetheless, after 40 days, we still have lots to talk about and rave about, and so I present a few goodies that are from brands that didn't make the cut.

From Pout: The beautiful and unique powder blush called Apricot Totty. What a cute name, adorable girly packaging, and the prettiest summer-flush cheek color imaginable! Also from Pout, the new Radiant Foundation, with great coverage, a stay-put finish, and a subtle glow.

From Make Up For Ever, the superb solid performer foundation called Face And Body. Almost as sheer as a tinted moisturizer but totally buildable, it feels refreshing on the face and contains no sunscreen to dry out the skin or give that ghostly appearance in photos. Also from Make Up For Ever, a group of primers called Corrective Make Up Base, in different sheer tints to correct redness, sallowness, or just to brighten. I chose #5, which "adds radiance to fair skin, reduces minor imperfections." It doesn't lighten my foundation, but gives a bit of brightness to my Winter-weary, indoors-for-months sallowness.

From Sue Devitt, two of the best primers I've tried. Microquatic Blue SPF 30 gives serious sun protection in a totally blendable, comfortable gel-type liquid. It really is a pale blue but that disappears on the skin. The Microquatic Fortifying Primer contains no sunscreen, which is good for photos or if your foundation already has adequate sunscreen. Both primers contain treatment ingredients, so they are helping your skin as well as holding your foundation in place. I love them both.

Just a few days ago, I finally purchased a product that I have been wanting for years, but never had the chance because it wasn't available anywhere in my area, and I had to see it in person to choose the correct shade. The Countess Isserlyn foundation by Alexandra De Markoff has great history. It was used on Vivien Leigh in her role as Scarlett O'Hara in the movie "Gone With The Wind" and it's still in production, with fans of this product buying several bottles at a time (according to my Lord & Taylor SA.) Countess Isserlyn requires some time. You must take the little stir stick and stir, stir, stir, to incorporate the oils on the top into the pigments on the bottom. Then shake, shake, shake, and apply very sparingly. The result is a moist, glowing, radiant face with coverage that is adjustable from sheer to full. I like having a little legend in my makeup case. I also bought the mauve under-makeup moisturizer called 364 1/2 Moisture Plus in Mauve, because it reminded me of the old Ultima II tinted moisturizer that I used to use before it was sadly discontinued. This one is a great substitute for the Ultima II, with all the treatment benefits of the Countess Isserlyn line. And last but not least, and possibly the best discovery in a year, the amazing clicky-pen called Alexandra De Markoff Illusion For Eyes Fresh Eye Cream Plus. One dab under chattykathy's eyes and we were both pulling out our wallets that day! The box states that this product contains Grantox (I'm sure that's supposed to make you think of Botox) to minimize muscle contractions and soften imperfections. With vitamins, herbs, and silicone, this product has a pale pink tint that disappears under the eye and leaves a luminous, refreshed appearance. Wrinkles gone! Yes! No cream is needed under this super moisturizing treatment concealer.

This is the end of the 40 days, and I'm going to miss it terribly. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my favorite brands and products, I love to talk makeup and perfumes, and I can't wait for the next project. A huge thanks to Annie for allowing me to participate in the 40 Days And 40 Nights Of Brands!



Miss Manners: Wet n Wild is the number one value cosmetics brand in the country, according to its parent company, Markwins International, which is rumored to be the mystery manufacturer bringing Calvin Klein cosmetics back to the market sometime in the near future. For the savvy makeup consumer, though, Wet n Wild is the go to brand for everything from $.99 lip liners to their cult-favorite $5.00 eyeshadow palettes.

Wet n Wild first captured my attention many years ago when a makeup artist revealed in a magazine that for the photos of Jamie Lee Curtis in that issue she used only Wet n Wild’s 666 lip liner with a slick of clear gloss to create Jamie’s gorgeous lip look. The look was her lips but better, with a just the tiniest hint of shimmer. I resolved immediately to seek out this brilliant lip liner. Finally one day while browsing through my favorite grocery store, I stumbled upon the Wet n Wild display and discovered that Wet n Wild 666 could be had for $.99, and that if I bought one I could get one free.

At two for $1.00 I couldn't resist grabbing a dozen, and my love affair with Wet n Wild was launched. The 666 (otherwise known as Brandy Wine) was everything I had hoped it would be. I lined and filled in my lips with it for years, and, since I was buying them by the dozen, I turned into a 666 evangelist, handing them out like candy to every woman who had the discernment to notice how great my “lipstick” looked. Years later this is still my holy grail lip liner, and I scoff at those who shy away because of the name. Ladies, you have a choice: simply call it Brandy Wine and ignore the numerical designation! If this is the devil’s own lip liner then the devil has mighty fine taste in cosmetics.

The Wet n Wild tinted moisturizer caught my attention a few years ago during another of those buy-one-get-one-free sales. I had tried every high end TM I could get my hands on, and not one of them could offer the coverage or oil control I wanted and needed. I figured that at two for $3.00 I could afford to give the Wet n Wild a whirl. What a revelation it was! The coverage is perfection, and the texture smooth and creamy. This tinted moisturizer applies like a cream/gel, but it never drags or streaks. Best of all, my nose and forehead stay matte all day. The only drawback is the very limited color range. Pale princesses beware: you will not get a color match. I recommend you protest to Markwins loudly and persistently until they release this product in a shade that will work for you. It’s that good.

Recently Wet n Wild upped the ante with the release of their sinfully cheap eight color eyeshadow palettes, causing makeup fiends all over the country to haunt their local drug and grocery stores aisles hoping to find one of these fantastic palettes. Sand Castle, Paradise Cove and Fantasy Island—each containing eight glorious coordinating shadows in an ingenious palette with pull out mirror along the bottom of the case—were the eye shadows every woman needed, and they were in short supply. Rumor has it that Markwins took the hint and has made these a part of the permanent collection, but I’m hoarding some backups just in case. Sand Castle has been especially sought after, because two of the shades are said to be exact dupes of NARS All About Eve. Personally, I think Wet n Wild could teach Monsieur NARS a thing or two about eye shadow manufacturing. These shades are buttery soft, richly pigmented and never ever chalky. All three palettes are brilliant, and if you’re a careful shopper you could score an eight shadow palette for $2.50 during a sale.

Other favorites of mine are the Silk Finish Blush 836E (Naïve), which is the perfect peachy mango color for cheeks. Applied with a light hand, this bright blush looks natural and charming on most complexions. Another favorite is the Bronzzer 742 (Acapulco Glow) which is a pearlescent golden glow of a highlighter powder that I prefer to NARS Albatross—and the price tag is all of $3.50 if you can’t find a sale!

Also worth checking out are the liquid eyeliners. They now come in two formulas—the original Mega Liner with a lovely thin brush for ease of application and the brand new H2O Proof liner with a felt tip applicator. When Wet n Wild says H2O Proof they’re not whistling Dixie. This liner wears like iron and won’t budge until coaxed off with sufficient quantities of cleansing oil.

And the coolest thing about this “value” cosmetic line is that you could buy every single item I’ve mentioned here for less than the price of a Chanel palette and without sacrificing quality in the process. If your local store’s Wet n Wild display looks a bit haggard at the moment, stay tuned. Wet n Wild is adding lots of new products and new packaging and many stores are changing their displays. Your patience will be rewarded with high quality, bargain priced cosmetics that give NARS, Armani and other designer brands a run for their money.

Annieytown: In the spirit of the holiday I want to talk about a cosmetic line that needs to be "resurrected". Tony+Tina was one of my favorite beauty brands of all time. I loved everything and would spend hours in front of my local counter at Nordstorm. I adored the magnificent rice powder, the eye shadows, eye treatment creams and cosmic lights.

Tony+Tina lived a brief life at the counters at Nordstorm and Sephora. They closed shop and the products managed to make their way to T J Maxx and Marshalls' stores across the United States. Makeup junkies swarmed the stores to pick up the amazing brush sets and eye palettes.

Color Frequency Eye Shadow Quads

Source Energy: The standout colors are a sparkly clover green shade called Cosmic Truth along with Cosmic Mindtazia. This is an inky black color with green glitter. This shade contains more shimmer power than Nars Night Porter. Ideal for a smoky green eye look.

Dream Energy: This quad's best color is a lovely blue toned pink shade that resembles OPI's Japanese Rose Garden nail polish.

Palettes
Universal Truth Eye Palette contains the shades Cosmic Truth and Cosmic Mindtazia along with Herbal Eye Base Medium(better than the Urban Decay primer)and a green based white eye shadow called Being Color.
Spring Nymph contained Cosmic Destiny(a shimmery pea green), Enchanted(think MAC's Metamorph but with glitter) and Inspired(a baby yellow shade with opal undertones) eyeshadows plus the Herbal Eyebase medium.

Cosmic Lights
Eye safe glitters that are water soluble and finely milled. This a glitter that will actually stay put after application. It can be used in nail polishes, hair gels, lotions and lipglosses. The extra shimmer and sparkle it gives can not be beat by anyone including MAC.
No one could touch Tony+Tina when it came to the glimmer.

Shades are:
Charismatic: A deep red with violet/cobalt glitter. My biggest regret is not grabbing this jar when I had the chance.
Time Shift: Orange/marigold glitter
Cosmic Insight: Neon yellow glitter
Vision Quest: Sky blue glitter
Vortex: Light minty green glitter
Out of Body: Light violet glitter
Soulerrific: A hot pink shade
Gateway: Bright Silver
Spirit Guide: Bright Gold
Higher Love: A light pink with green iridescence
Alpha State: My personal favorite shade. It is a iridescent clear glitter. It reminds me of my aurora borealis necklaces.
Transcendence: I found this one at my local TJ Maxx. It is white with purple blue iridescence
Expansion: Another personal favorite. It is white with opal iridescence.

I will end this review with a mention of the departed and sadly missed environmental rescue rice powder. This is a sheer mica and rice based powder that manages to last all day with minimal touch ups and shine issues. I love the finish and texture. It lets your skin show through yet provides coverage.

Tony+Tina's breakup affected me more than my friend's divorces.
I blamed myself.
Maybe if I would have purchased more maybe those two crazy kids could have worked it out.

Photos: Cavewoman, Miss Manners and Blogdorf Goodman

Let us know about a beauty brand we missed during the 40 day series.
Tell us your favorites from that line along with any you have with the brands featured in this post.
I want to encourage my regular posters along with the silent lurkers.
Please inspire some new lemmings!!!

Disclosure: These products were purchased by the reviewers.

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brands Reviews

Day 39, Zoya

Annieytown: I discovered Zoya nail polishes when I started going to get a weekly manicure. My nail tech makes a point to have the latest collections from OPI, Essie, Creative and Zoya. Zoya is one of her favorites due to the rich shades and shimmers. Zoya polishes excel with their rich deep pigment and glossy patent leather-like shine. I never have an issue with Zoya chipping due to the fact that I get my nails done weekly.
The polishes are free of toulene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phalates.


My personal favorite shades are Buffy(metallic champagne), Trinity(a bright pink), Anastasia(a gorgeous coppery plum), Divincia(metallic ruby red), Raven(black with a great shine) and Yasmeen(dark purple with red shimmer).

What are your favorite Zoya shades? Let me know in the comments!
Photos: Blogdorf Goodman

Saturday is our last day of beauty brand reviews. I want to thank my beauty editor Cavewoman for her amazing reviews and photographs along with the the rest of the 40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviewers:
Storybookheroine---she makes me want to upgrade my camera and purchase everything at Becca and Shu.
Griff
Tussah
Koneko
Dramaqueenie2
Alesha
Koneko
and Miss Manners whose review will go up tomorrow!

Huge thanks to everyone that participated in the comments! I hope the 40 days have been fun and informative.
I know we had a blast doing it!

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 38, YSL

Cavewoman: It is a very rare thing indeed when a perfume lover and collector actually uses up a bottle of fragrance and then repurchases! Of all the fragrances I have ever owned and loved, I present the rarest of the rare, a scent that I have loved since the day it launched at Bloomingdales NYC flagship, a scent I have repurchased at least five times in its first form, and have collected in just about all of its limited edition versions as well. This beautiful perfume is Paris by Yves Saint Laurent, a rose scent that continues to enchant and delight me even more than it
did almost 24 years ago.

Paris is the creation of master perfumer Sophia Grosjman, breaking the tradition of mostly men achieving that status. Her fragrances are unique and well-loved and have stood the test of time and the fickle fragrance market. Paris is Saint Laurent's tribute to his beloved city, elegant and impossibly chic, unlike any other place in the world. Grosjman has fulfilled his vision perfectly. Her strengths lie in her ability to take a theme and turn it into emotion through scent. With Paris, one of the most renowned of rose perfumes, she isn't taking you through a walk in a garden, she's leading you through the beauty, tradition, and sense of the city for which it is named.

Paris, the fragrance, incorporates an amazing amount of notes. Top notes are rose petals, orange blossom, mimosa, cassia, hawthorn, nasturtium, bergamot, greens, and hyacinth. Heart notes are rose, violet leaves, jasmine, orris, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, and linden blossom. At the base are sandalwood, amber, musk, moss, iris, cedarwood and heliotrope. This list of notes comes from Countess Jan Moran's first book, "Fabulous Fragrances." Paris develops smoothly on the skin, always focusing on the rose, and yet giving the subtleties of the accompanying flowers as if the wearer were standing near a flower stall on a city street. Violet and rose combined offer a sweetness that I love. Woods and moss anchor the base in a womanly and sophisticated drydown. A spray of Paris has me falling in love with a city I have never even seen with my own eyes.

In 2002, YSL started to introduce limited edition Springtime versions of Paris, all of them true to the original, but each with its own tiny twist or tweak.

Eau De Printemps was the first of these versions, lighter, sheerer, and a bit greener. 2003's version was Premieres Roses, a bit muskier this time. In 2004, Roses Des Bois added blackberry, for a sweetly juicy attitude. 2005's version was Roses Enchantees, greener on top and woodsier on the bottom. In 2006, Roses Des Vergers was added to the limited editions, and this one seemed to depart the most from the original Paris. Dry and dark, it evokes a feeling of Paris after dark, a bit risky, a bit
intriguing. I haven't heard anything about this year's limited edition yet, but I'll be spraying and hoping to love it as much as I love the others as soon as I can get my hands on a tester.

As you can see from the photo, it isn't only Paris that I love in the scent offerings of YSL. In Love Again is one of my favorite grapefruit scents, Champagne (now called Yvresse) is a gorgeous sultry chypre in the true sense of the word, and Vice Versa is blossoms and berries and vanilla. And then there is Opium. Once you love Opium, you can never be without it. If I start writing here about Opium, I won't be able to stop.

When I write about a fragrance, I like to wear it as I am writing. I may be sitting at a desk right now, in a small-town-Ohio house, waiting for the snow to fall one more time this year, but the scent in this room tells me I'm somewhere else, somewhere magical, somewhere in Paris.

Annieytown:
Dear Reader,
I assume you have figured out my weaknesses by now. Throw some sparkle in a gloss tube and I am handing you my paycheck. My love for the shimmer started as a child playing with one of my favorite toys. It was the 1970's version of the Barbie Primp and Polish Styling Head. The "magic makeup" that was included was never good enough for me. I would borrow(or steal) my mother's eye shadows for the task. This satisfied my crave for the glitter until the spring of 1976. That is when I attended my Uncle's wedding and caught sight of the bridesmaids. It was a traditional 1970's wedding with Little House on the Prairie gowns and ruffled tuxedo shirts. Each bridesmaid wore a pastel eyeshadow to match their gown. The minute I spotted this I flipped out. I remember being physically restrained by my mother because I totally wanted to march down the aisle to see their eyes up close. That was one of my first glamour moments. I could not wait to grow up and get my very own sparkly mint green eyeshadow.

I am older now and mint sparkles are not always appropriate. I find that I can get my fix through lip glosses. This is a safe way to have some shimmer and pop without looking like a drag queen. YSL came out with some magnificent golden glosses last year. The colors were beyond lovely and were practically on fire with sparkles. They contained nigelle(nigella is a wild fennel) and cameline oils(camelina is a herb from Asia and Mediterranean) to help nourish the lips and actual 24 carat gold for extra dazzle and shine. My personal favorites are #1 Simply Gold, #2 Gold Praline and #3 Gold Pink. I am on my second tube of Gold Praline. This is one of those lippies that just makes your lips look better. It is along the lines of the great Nars Foul Play but with the added twinkle and glimmer of gold dust. It is gorgeous and worth a trip to your YSL counter. It retails for $27 and is available at Norstorm and Bergdorf Goodman.

What are your favorite YSL products? Let us know in the comments.
Photos: Cavewoman and Blogdorf Goodman

Information from YSL website

Lipglosses pictured left to right: Simply Gold, Gold Pink and Gold Praline.

Disclosure: The products featured in this blog post were purchased by the reviewers.

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 37, Versace

Cavewoman: Gianni Versace cosmetics came and went very fast in the USA and I hear they are coming back. I couldn't be more delighted. What gorgeous, elegant packaging, from the powder compacts to the jars of skincare! I'll talk about the fragrances in a bit, but I want to rave here for a moment or two on the skincare line.
I found my first Versace items at the SoHo Sephora store, but in my daze of a first-time-ever-at-a-Sephora, I could barely focus, it was all overwhelming to me. One of the first displays I saw was Versace, with the Greek Key design surrounding the signature head of Medusa. I bought foundation and powder that day, not even noticing that there was skincare to be had!

Last year, in our local TJMaxx store, the Versace skincare started to appear, and I bought everything I could find. I was needing something more moisturizing and definitely needing an eye cream. I fell in love with the eye cream, which has the lightest texture and feels so smooth on the skin. It sinks right in and leaves my under-eye skin feeling hydrated but not sticky or oily in the least. Concealer goes on smoothly over top and stays where it is supposed to stay. The tiniest amount of the eye cream is enough for both eyes, and even after a year, I still have plenty remaining in the adorable little jar.
But my favorite item in the skincare line is the Hydra-Effective Gel. This super-lightweight, pale pale aqua cream-gel has the loveliest fresh scent to it, and is the perfect moisturizer for someone who doesn't require a heavy duty product. For warmer days here in Ohio, it is all I need under my primer. The gel has a very soft texture that turns liquidy when touched and smoothed onto my skin, it dries almost instantly, without grabbing or pulling. It's just the lightest moisturizer I've ever found, and I am hoarding my jar until the Versace line re-appears in the USA. If you know where I can find it, please tell!

On to Versace fragrances. There have been many over the years, and you might even have one of the Jeans series in your stash of fragrances. But my favorite will always be Gianni Versace For Woman, the sultry juice in the angular, faceted bottle. I remember the first time I wore it when Annie and I were going shopping. She couldn't stop commenting on it. Notes that I have found are spice notes, fruit note, bergamot, aldehydes, jasmine, narcissus, orris, tuberose, moss, benzoin, and leather. Gianni Versace For Women starts out with a touch of soapiness that I have found in many other Italian-made fragrances, and I love it. There is a richness to this scent, launched in 1981, that was just my style of fragrance. The bergamot is more flowery than juicy, flowers are lush and deep, and I don't know what the spices are, but I detect some church-incense spices. I am sure that it was the moss that had me buying within twenty minutes of spraying the tester, back in the year it launched, on a shopping trip to Saks in Pittsburgh, with my Mother and her best friend. This fragrance is not for the timid. But I'm not very timid. I'm pretty sure it is no longer available, but if I am going to review Versace, this perfume belongs in the review.


What are your favorite Versace products?

Please list them in the comments.

Bonus for the perfume junkies: List as many fragrances as you can spot in the Donatella photo. There is no prize...but just the envy of your peers.

Photos: Allure, Cavewoman and Corbis.

Disclosure: All the products featured in this post were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman.

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brands Reviews

Day 36 , Too Faced


Cavewoman: Too Faced cosmetics line is just too adorable. Pretty shadow duos, sparkling glosses, and shimmery pressed powder blushes always tempt the Cleveland Gang into visiting the small display of Too Faced at our Nordstrom store. This line is all about the shimmer, and the Cleveland Gang loves shimmer.

My favorite Too Faced item is a very clever clicky-pen that contains foundation. It's called Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation, and of course I could not resist a product that calls itself Magic and describes the contents as illuminating! So, I bought. I like a good gimmick and I especially like one that delivers. And this one does.

The click is a button on the bottom of the tube. A few clicks deliver the foundation through the brush, and from there it's easy to just dab onto the face. I use the brush to work the foundation around my nose area and under the eye, and then I just smooth the foundation with my fingers on the rest of my face. The product itself is a sheer-to-medium coverage foundation with a glowy effect, truly luminizing, soft and dewy, lasts well with no change of color and no caking or cracking. I found a good match in the color called Paris Light Medium.
As you know, I have many great foundations, but I have to rave over this one, not just for the fine product and the clever container, but for the great feature of portability. Pop the pen into your purse. With no spillage or leaking whatsoever, and easy touch-ups if needed throughout the day, the Magic Wand is a great little item to add to your makeup bag. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then YSL has complimented Too Faced by introducing their own clicky-pen foundation last Fall. I've used them both. Believe it or not, Too Faced wins hands-down.

Annieytown: I love Too Faced's Diamond glosses.
My favorite shade is Pink Diamond.
This is a sheer pink color with fiery opal glitter.
The gloss has a tropical scent that smells like summer in tube. The glitter twinkles and pops but leaves no gritty mess on the lips. The gloss formula is enriched with Jojoba, Violet extract and Vitamin A to improve and maintain the condition of the lips. They retail for $14 and can be found at Sephora and Nordstorm.

Other shades:
Champagne Diamond (Honey gold---gorgeous and lemming worthy)
Candy Diamond (Pastel pink---not as good as pink diamond)
Lilac Diamond (Lilac glimmer)
Canary Diamond (Yellow gold)
Pink Diamond (Golden Pink Spark---do not get any gold)
Chocolate Diamond (Spiced Cocoa Spark)
White Diamond (White Fire Spark---not as good as Dior)
Fire Diamond (Hot Pink Spark)

http://www.toofaced.com/
What are your favorite Too Faced products? Let us know in the comments!

Photos: Cavewoman and Blogdorf Goodman
Descriptions from Too Faced website
Disclosure: These products were purchased by the reviewers.

40 Days and 40 Nights Of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 35 , Shu Uemura

"Touch your inner expression with cosmetics." Mr Uemura

Cavewoman: One of the best and biggest cosmetic lines I've ever discovered is Shu Uemura. I was shopping in SoHo with my cousin Elaine about ten years ago, and we found this little store with the exotic name. When we entered, we found beautiful items from basic, everyday shadows and lipsticks to truly unusual and theatrical colors. And brushes. I had never seen such an array of brushes, tiny liner brushes and fluffy powder brushes and everything in between. We started to browse. Elaine headed over to the eyeshadow display, and I was going to try on a few lipstick shades at a counter with a huge mirror. When I decided on a color to try, I noticed a nice young man next to me, testing out a lipstick on himself. We chatted color and helped each other to decide which to buy.
I also bought a palette that day, and several of the beautiful brushes. I've filled and refilled that same palette over the years, and it still serves me well.

But I had not paid much attention to the skincare line, until I started to read about Shu Uemura cleansing oils. I've had oily skin almost all my life until recently, so the idea of adding oil to my face seemed rather unappealing. But people kept telling me to try it, it would not make my face oilier, and in fact it would cleanse off my makeup better and more thoroughly than just my usual facial cleanser alone. So, I caved. They were right, and I am a believer.

Shu Uemura cleansing oils come in many types and strengths, in convenient pump bottles of different sizes. I tried the Skin Purifier and was delighted with the results. I tap the cleansing oil onto my face and then gently massage it over my skin. Adding a bit of water after that, I continue to massage lightly, and the cleanser foams up a bit and becomes water soluble, removing all my makeup and rinsing off easily. It leaves my skin feeling totally refreshed and moist. Sometimes I use my Payot cleansing gel after using the Shu oil. In colder weather, when I want as much moisture on my face as I can get, I omit the second cleansing. Shu cleansing oils clear the pores of all makeup and primer, even the most stubborn oil-based foundations. Sometimes when I want a quick makeup removal, I pump out some of the cleansing oil onto a cotton pad and just wipe it over my face. It does not cause breakouts, in fact it seems to keep my pores very clean and clear. A bottle of Shu cleansing oil lasts forever, too. Now that I am a regular user of Shu Uemura cleansing oils, I can't imagine being able to remove my makeup completely without it. If you head to the Shu counter, try out one of the oils, and maybe you'll find a lipstick testing buddy there, too.

Storybookheroine: Shu's a brand of spacial economy and ingenuity. Blushes and eye shadows are housed in tiny pans pact with highly pigmented color and delivered in clear plastic squares and rectangles. At first the packaging seemed cheap to me but I have come to appreciate the design and idea of this products. The clear plastic cases literally look like they suspend the pans. The coolest thing is they a made to be depotted so you yourself can custom design you own personal palette of blushes, eye shadows and powders. Shu is a fantastic way to have many colors in a small amount of space and the quality and range of colors are wonderfully wide.

My favorite item from Shu is the summer 2006 Amaterasu palette. This premade compact is a golden bronze metallic square containing a mirror , three buttery soft eye shadows (snuck into the equivalent of 2 e/s pans or one glow on) and a second pan containing a glow on (blush). The entire thing is so small I can easily fit it in the palm of my hand. It's close to 2 inches by 2 inches! Can you imagine? The glow on in Coral Flush, a nude coral color perfect for glowing summer flushed cheeks, is my favorite of all my Shu blushes. It brings my complexion to life and adds a bit of a sheer sunny glow with shimmer. The eye shadows are no disappointment to either. P Nude is hands down my favorite Shu eye shadow color and so underrated. It's a super sheer nude golden shimmery glow that brightens my eyes and glistens in the sunlight. It's a funny color because indoors it's not so pronounced but the second light hits it the shimmery pearl takes over and WOW! I wish Shu made this color in their permanent line (are you reading this Shu?). This is one of those wash colors you can do so much with. P Sunset is a warm bronzy color with a faint hint of orange and compliments the P Nude perfectly. It's not as sheer as the Nude but still a stunner. IR Azure flat out it the prettiest bright blue I have tried. As a rule I am not a blue eyeshadow fan for myself but this is a fantastic color! It has this really cool iridescent shimmer/glow and can be layered (as can the others) to be very sheer to a strong solid blue without loosing the properties that make it special. The eye shadows are a funny combo, but they make my blue/green/gray eyes pop like notice else I have. When I first got Amaterasu it took me a few times to get the hang of it but now I can do really pretty summery makeup with the shadows. I love the blue as a liner, nude as an all over wash and sunset on the outer third of the eye lid. It used the Nude and Sunset under my eyes as liner and I even can pass off Azure in the crease (I big deal for my as I have a hard time with doing my crease). The glow on is a great combination of sheer blush and bronzer for me. The shimmer is subtle and the color can be layered. The best way for me to describe the overall look is a sunset at the beach. I absolutely adore it for summer. Sadly the palette was limited edition but check ebay as these things pop up from time to time. (for reference I am Becca Sand or Cashmere, Nars Mont Blanc, Fresh Northern Light and MAC N4 (but I think we all know how well they do at color matching....).


I know the Shu shadows and Glow On's are very popular but something most over look at the lipsticks. These are so amazing you must run to your nearest counter and buy on RIGHT AWAY! The LOLISHINE ROUGE is describe on the shu ws as "the ultimate sheer and shine lipstick. Exclusive thermo-active Shine Amplifier delivers gloss as it comes into contact with skin temperature. Aqua-Lock system ensures adequate moisture to the lips all day. Crystal Clear Pearl reflects and refracts light, so lips are coated in sparkling shine that is clear as crystal" and ROUGE 4 is "a lipstick that provides a smooth moisturizing feel in a lightweight texture while promoting color intensity and vivid shine." LOLISHINE REFLECTS "sheer color with kaleidoscope shine. Exclusive thermo-active Shine Amplifier delivers gloss as it comes into contact with skin temperature. Aqua-Lock system with Ceramide and Depsea Water ensures adequate moisture to lips all day. Crystal Clear Pearl with tri-color confetti pearls coats lips in maximum sparkling shine." Yes you really need to try them! They are so glossy and moist and the colors are unbelievable. Some are solid color, some have shimmer or frost but my favorites have the "tri-color confetti pearls" or the micro glitter/shimmer (these come in silvers, golds, bronzes and even multi-color!). These are truly unique colors and textures for lipsticks.

So my quick favorites in Shu lipsticks are--------

Summer 2006 Amaterasu Lolishine Reflects in 920 and 962 (these are so shiny, glossy and moisturizing it's almost like a gloss in lipstick form).

-920 is a gorgeous sheer bronze nude with reflective micro shimmer particles. A fantastic summer nude bronze. Love it! Formula is creamy, moisturizing and rather lasting for being so creamy and sheer. A must have summer lipstick. Very unique.

-962 is a beautiful sheer pink nude with reflective micro shimmer particles. Normally nudes look like absolute poop on me but this is a fantastic nude. Love it, Love it! The formula is creamy and moisturizing and rather lasting for being so creamy and sheer. Gorgeous and glossy!

Rouge 4 731 (from Holiday 2005). My holy grail warm bronzy, chocolaty brown lipstick with tons golden pearls. It's so shimmery, shiny and lovely I wish this was a permeant lipstick.

Overall Shu is a wonderful brand with many really nice products (but I hate the skin care).

Annieytown: Out of all the makeup lines I love, Shu is the one that I covet the most. There is no local counter so I have to wait to see the products in NYC. The minute I see that display with all the lovely shades of eyeshadows my heart starts to flutter wildly. I have never worn an acid yellow eyeshadow but Shu Uemura makes me want too. All the eyeshadow shades look interesting and wearable. My personal favorite shades are ME Gold 390(the best gold shade on the planet), ME Blue 638(the best MAC Parrot dupe) and ME Brown 850(a taupe that borders on a silverish mushroom color). The shadows are rich in texture and heavily pigmented. They apply buttery smooth and last all day without creasing.

The variety of shades is impressive with gorgeous metallic wines, deep olives, glittery strawberries, and celery greens.

My other favorite product from Shu is their face powders. I have tried a lot of face powders and can judge them harshly Janice Dickinson-style.

I expect and demand a lot from my powders.

Shu powders are among the best in the market. They are not as finely milled as Caron and La Mer but they work just as well. It sets your makeup and gives your face a luminous glow. The matte formula in colorless works very well with La Mer foundation.

It looks fresh for hours.

Shu eyeshadows retail for $20 and the powders go for around $33. They are sold at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman. Visit the website to see the full range of products along with fairly accurate swatches for the eyeshadows. If you spend $75 or more on the site, you qualify for free shipping.

http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/default.aspx

What are your favorite Shu Uemura products? Let us know in the comments!

Photos: Cavewoman, Storybookheroine and Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: The products featured in this blog post were reviewed by the reviewers; Cavewoman, storybookheroine and me!

40 Days And 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 34, Smashbox

Cavewoman: Smashbox Cosmetics is the baby of two great-grandsons of Max Factor. Holding the family legend carefully, the Factor heirs Dean and Davis created a line of cosmetics that were first used in photo shoots at the Smashbox Studio in Los Angeles. The line is full of great performers. My love of the PhotoFinish primer has been well-documented, there's nothing else I can say about it, other than the fact that it has seemed to inspire a primer-type product from almost every other cosmetic line I can think of. Often imitated but never equalled, it remains the best of the silicone-based primers, and it delivers what it promises.

But my new favorite from Smashbox departs from the serious, performance-oriented product philosophy of this line, and heads to the whimsical. I didn't even know for sure what Tokidoki meant, but one look at the Tokidoki Soft Lights called DolceVita, with its adorable flat kabuki brush, and I was headed to the checkout counter at our nearest Sephora. I'm always looking for the perfect cool-toned pink blush. Add a dab of shimmer and I'm buying. It was only when I got home with my purchase that I opened the box and read the explanation of what is Tokidoki. Here is what I found:

"Tokidoki means 'sometimes' in Japanese, because everyone waits for moments that change their destiny. Tokidoki is the hope and hidden energy everyone has inside that gives us the strength to face each new day and dream that something positive, something magical will happen to us. Smashbox Cosmetics is proud to present Tokidoki, an exciting new collection designed and illustrated especially for us by the ever-inspiring artist/creator Simone Legno."


To me, this DolceVita shade is my favorite pink powder blush. It can be used as an all-over face glow too, but I apply translucent loose powder over it to tone it down a bit if I am using it as an allover color. Soft and glowing as are the other Soft Lights shades, the texture is even and application is smooth. When using the product as a blush, I prefer to use a regular blush brush, because the kabuki brush is a bit too large and flat for me. I use the kabuki with other shimmery finishing powders, and it is easy to get an even application and to dust off any excess, too. I like the flat kabuki because it does not lay on too much color. I have also used the Tokidoki brush to apply loose powder over the DolceVita, to tone down the color and just give a subtle hint of pink. The pink works well as an eyeshadow, too, especially when combined with silvers and grays. Don't let the vibrant color intimidate you, because this shade is easy to wear if you're a cool-toned person who wants a fresh just-spent-the-day outdoors look.
It's been a very long, dull, cold, gray Winter in Ohio. I'm swiping on a bit of Spring with Tokidoki DolceVita, and finding a bit of that hidden energy for myself.

Annieytown: I have gushed over smashbox primer since this blog started so I will not bore you with another glowing review. Instead I am going to focus on the fabulous Smashbox Soft Lights. This is a jumbo pot of a velvet like powder that adds subtle color and shimmer to the face. The effect is luminous and flattering. I loved all the colors but caved on the Lens shade. It is a sheer apricot color that manages to perk up your complexion and give you a well rested glow.

The shades are Highlight(an apricot with iridescent pink), Prism(soft rose petal shimmer), Lens(soft peachy shimmer), Tint(shimmery pink bronze) and Shimmer(shimmery nude bronze).

http://www.smashbox.com/

What are your favorite products from Smashbox? Let us know in the comments!
Photos: Cavewoman and Sephora.
I am posting this review early because I will be out of town.
Have a lovely weekend!

Disclosure: These products were purchased by the reviewers.

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 33, Shiseido

Cavewoman: Six makeup-obsessed girls entered the Sephora store near Macy's NYC one evening. They dipped into testers, sprayed fragrances, swiped shimmery pretty powders on their hands, exclaimed over glosses and glitters, and testified about favorite products. One of these people had a favorite that she happened to be wearing that day. She led us to the Shiseido display and showed us the little jar of Hydro-Powder in WhiteLights. Dabbing and smoothing a bit of this cream shadow on the back of her hand, she showed us why she wears this shadow every day. We checked her hand closely. We checked her beautiful eyes. Every one of us reached to the display, grabbed for ourselves a jar of this magical sparkle, and headed to the checkout.

Shiseido Hydro-Powder is a tiny jar of thick, dense cream shadow that smooths out on the eye for a sheer wash of color. Whitelights is a silvery-white with flecks of particles that sparkle like crushed diamonds. It can be used alone or as a shadow base, it's the perfect highlighter for under the brow, and it is gorgeous worn alone as a wash of lid color. I've never seen anything else quite like it. The teeny particles can take on a multi-color effect under different lighting. The effect is wide-open, bright eyes.
The enabler/gorgeous-eyed WhiteLights wearer was ChattyKathy. The purchasers shall remain anonymous.


Annieytown: I started using the Pureness line in the early 90’s. My friend Michelle insisted that it would help me with my skin issues. I was young and dealing with the trifling problem of acne and blocked pores. From the moment I got on the Pureness program I was hooked. Most of the issues went away and I was left with improved skin. I considered it a minor miracle and was surprised that it was never recommended to me by a dermatologist.
Years later I still use the line along with constantly recommending it to others.

The Pureness skincare collection is gentle and caters to the needs of young complexions. I am not by any means young anymore but the stuff keeps issues at bay…so why upset a good thing?
Pureness contains a “soothing blend of green florals that help to release stress and lower excess oil production.” The cleansers are the mildest I have ever tried. You do not feel like you have stripped away anything essential to your skin. The Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam has non-gritty granules that remove impurities along with heavy duty foundation and primer. It leaves my skin soft, clean and not irritated. The Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Water quickly removes makeup while maintaining skin’s natural balance. I use this formula in the morning as it is light and there is no need to rinse. I follow this by using the Pureness Balancing Softener. This is an alcohol free lotion that gives a fresh sensation similar to a mild toner like Prada. This helps maintain ph balance to help the skin resist acne. I like it because it feels wonderful on my face. It gives you the energy to start the day or in my case…start putting my makeup on.
Before any makeup I use a moisturizer. My Dermatologist informed me that I did not need a moisturizer since my skin was oily. This was not entirely correct. I did need help but with a light hand. I could not have handled something heavy like a La Mer but Pureness Matifying Moisturizer Oil Free was perfect. This lightweight moisturizer is sheer and “absorbs oil for a matte finish as it provides hydration.”

I highly recommend Shiseido skincare to anyone with special needs from acne to aging issues.
I think their skincare is consistent in quality, innovation and price.
It is a solid performing cosmetic and skincare line.

What are your favorite Shiseido products? Let us know in the comments!
Photo: Cavewoman and Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewers.

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 32, Revlon

In the factory, we make cosmetics; in the store, we sell hope.
-- Charles Revson

Cavewoman: For the astounding story of Charles Revson and the beginnings of the Revlon company, find a copy of the book called "Fire And Ice, The Story Of Charles Revson, The Man Who Built The Revlon Empire" by Andrew Tobias. Revson was a man who lived his life in excess, luxury, and controversy. He was another one of those cosmetic company geniuses, ready with the perfect product at the perfect time, sending Revlon products into the hands of eager makeup customers in department stores everywhere, and enjoying quite well the fruits of his success. I remember when Revlon was sold in the best department store in our area, and I sensed a magic attached to the name. I wasn't wrong. The book is a must-read for everyone who loves the tradition and history of the great cosmetics companies and their founders.


Revlon lipsticks and nail polishes are my favorites from the line. I love the Soft & Smooth lipsticks the best, but I have to do a "show and tell" with two of the oldest colors still in production in the Revlon line. Fire And Ice lipstick and Cherries In The Snow nail polish are products launched in the 1950's and are still popular enough to be sold today, more than 50 years later. Revson's "Fire And Ice" advertising campaign won an award for the best advertising of 1952, and with "matching lips and fingertips" as a new Revlon slogan, he ensured that ladies would buy a nail polish every time they purchased a lipstick.
Read the book to find out how much he disliked Estee Lauder. To put it mildly.
And stop at the Revlon display for a little tube of lipstick history.

Left to right: Succulent Berry, So Blushious, Raspberry Mousse, Plush Peony, and Lush Orchid

Annieytown: My pick for best Revlon product is the Colorstay Soft and Smooth lipsticks. Recommended by Cavewoman and PattyG, they have become part of my lipstick collection. They come in a variety of shades from the stunning lush orchid to the subtle luxe lavender. This is not your average long lasting lipstick. The creamy formula does not dry out your lips and lasts throughout the day.
I loved the rich pigment and texture of the lippie.
It feels and looks high end.

What are your favorite Revlon products? List them in the comments.

Photos: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewers.

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 31, Prescriptives

Cavewoman: If I had to say that any one brand of cosmetics dominates my collection, it would definitely be Prescriptives. I've been using this line for almost twenty years! I discovered Prescriptives in the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue store on a trip to NY, and made my first purchase that day, a water-based shake-before-you-use foundation that is no longer being made. It is interesting that my very latest purchase at Prescriptives is also a foundation, this time the Custom Blend. My skin has changed drastically in these years between that first purchase and the last one, but what hasn't changed is the fine quality, user-friendly, performance-delivering items in the line. I almost can't say one favorite, so I'll tell you just a few. It'll be hard to limit myself, but I will try!

Above all, the Custom Blend foundation is my favorite Prescriptives item. I was in Dillards a few months ago, a shopping trip quickly planned with my cousin. The only thing I wanted to do that day was go to Prescriptives, because this is the only counter in our area which does the Custom Blend. I approached the SA who greeted me warmly, listened to all my foundation issues, skin-type needs, and she asked me tons of questions about what I was wanting in a perfect foundation. She asked my Prescriptives color-print family (I am Blue-Red) and set out to make my makeup. The base that is used is oil-free, so I asked for moisturizing ingredients. She explained all the ingredients (adding treatment, too) and then showed me the luminizing ingredient (she added lots of the pink, and a little of the gold.) She tested her blend on me every step of the way, and would not stop until I was totally happy with the blend. She wrote everything down on a card, and if I want more and can't get to her store, she can blend and send! What I ended up with is a very moisturizing foundation that matches me more perfectly than any store-bought pre-bottled foundation I have ever had, with luminosity and comfort too. It is a pleasure to reach for my Custom Blend, knowing it performs exactly as I wanted it to. No caking, no turning color, no settling into lines or pores, and it is luminous and glowy. It is about as close as I have ever come to something resembling the old Luxe formula, and also Clinique Gentle Light, which I used when Luxe was discontinued. My Custom Blending was a most pleasant experience, from start to finish. Many foundations that I have are wonderful and I won't toss them or swap them away, but my Custom Blend is the one I reach for almost all the time now.

The Holiday palettes are something I wait for every year. Inside the large compact are six shadows, a blush, and a highlighting finishing powder. These pans can be popped out, re-arranged, and refilled directly from Prescriptives regular stock. I have four of them, both the warm and cool from last year and this past year. I re-made one of them with colors I chose from the Prescriptives display, saved the pans I removed, and interchange and replace when I use one up or just see new colors at the counter that I'd like to add to one of the palettes. I do not know of one other company that offers such a useful palette. Pans are held in by magnets, so it is easy to change them. And they are perfect for travel, too. Included in each Holiday palette is a double-ended shadow brush. A very nice brush, too.

Another great Prescriptives product that I use every day is the Flawless Concealer. A small silver compact with pot concealer inside, this product goes on smoothly, doesn't dry out, doesn't sink into lines, and doesn't cake or fade. I like a concealer in a pot, because it is easy to just tap my finger onto the product and dot and blend under my eyes. I happen to use it over my Prescriptives Vibrant Eye. That's a luminous serum-type of product that feels lightweight and adds a bit of light-reflection to diffuse any shadow or darkness under the eye.

Prescriptives has recently launched the fabulous AnyWear pressed powder foundation. I can't believe that finally, there is a powder foundation that looks beautiful on dry skin! It can be used wet or dry, you won't ruin it with a wet brush, and it covers beautifully without that masky powdery look. I like it as a finishing powder too, but it's great all on its own, for days when I have to paint and go and I don't have time to do a full foundation application.

I could just go on and on about Prescriptives! But then we'd be here for days! Go see all the beautiful things at the Prescriptives counter (Racecar Red is a great red lipstick!) and maybe you'll become a fan, too.
See how I am sneaking in one more Prescriptives product?

What are your favorite Prescriptives products? Let us know in the comments!

Photos: Cavewoman

Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewer.

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brands

Day 30, Paul & Joe

Cavewoman: The first time I ever saw Paul & Joe cosmetics, I was in Bergdorf Goodman with some friends, browsing, testing fragrances, and finding lots of interesting cosmetic lines I had never seen before. What caught my eye at the Paul & Joe counter was the beautiful, feminine packaging. I fell in love with the compacts, the loose powders with their luxurious puffs, and the cute paper containers for eyeshadows. Of course, I had to bring home a little "souvenir" from Paul & Joe that day, and what better for a compact collector to bring home than a compact! I've added a few to my collection since then, and every trip to Bergdorf has to have a stop at Paul & Joe to see what is new.

My first Paul & Joe compact is the one with the pink and yellow swirled pressed powder. It is called Pressed Powder 001, no name to distinguish it from the other round compact which is just called Pressed Powder 002. Both of these powders have shimmer, but the swirled colors give a pretty brightening effect, and the one-color powder is glowy and luminous. I love shimmery powders, as I've shown in previous reviews, and these are favorites not just for the fine texture but for the adorable containers.

The pale green oval compact holds Protective Dual Powder Foundation SPF 25PA++ which is Octinoxate 7% and Titanium Dioxide 12.4%. This powder can be used either wet or dry, but I've only used it dry. It makes a nice finishing powder, I have not tried it on its own, nor have I put the formidable SPF to the test. I love this for the compact alone.

The liquid foundation, the primer, and the cream foundation are all excellent, too. I'm thrilled especially with the cream, which is not really a cream at all but a very thick liquid in the jar, and it smooths out beautifully for a luminous finish that can be either very sheer or well-covering. Thanks to my friend (you know who you are!) who helped me choose my correct shade. I see us back at the Paul & Joe counter very soon!

Annieytown: I hang out with some serious fragrance junkies. Some have been collecting parfum since they were children while others write perfume books and blogs. We are a serious crowd with exceptional noses. We love the thrill of the hunt from finding rare guerlain parfums at antique stores(Tussah!) to discovering hidden gems from niche brands. We will go anywhere to sniff out a new find.

Our local anthropologie store was where we discovered the amazing Paul & Joe fragrances. Blanc and Bleu are worthy of lemming, coveting and hoarding. I rave like a madwoman when it comes to these two bottles. They are better than most high end niche fragrances. However... it seems that no one is paying attention them.

Only a handful of makeupalley members sing their praises.
Today Blogdorf Goodman is going to scream from the rooftops and let you know what you have been missing.

Blanc was created by the great perfumer Jean Claude Ellena. This is the perfumer that was responsible for Frederic Malle's L'Eau d'Hiver. These two fragrances share similar notes such as hawthorn and heliotrope.

Blanc is a creamy almond based scent with hints of florals, cherry pie and milk. It is a comforting scent that manages to be elegant at the same time.

Blanc EDT notes are hawthorn, angelica(smells like honey), almond, sweet pea, freesia, lily, rose, musk, heliotrope and cloud of milk.

My favorite amber fragrance is Bleu. My love for it grew after witnessing it's greatness on a cold winter night in Ohio. Like Ormonde Jayne's Tolu, it transforms to greatness when it hits cold air. I could have stood outside for hours sniffing the sillage wafting from my coat sleeve. It did not matter that it was 10 degrees. The amber is thick and the incense notes are deep. This is not a cold church smell but something bright and luminous.

It was created by Pierre Bourdon. Mr Bourdon also authored my favorite iris scent, Frederic Malle's Iris Poudre. Clearly this man knows the way to my heart and nose!

EDT notes are bergamot, coriander( warm herbaceous scent) , cumin(brief and non-pungent), ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose, magnolia, heliotrope, oak moss(woody smell that is sweet and fresh), patchouli, sandalwood, myrrh, labdanum, vanilla and musk.

http://www.paul-joe-beaute.com/en/index.html

Paul & Joe is sold in Bergdorf Goodman. Call 212 -872-2736 for the counter.

You can also sometimes find it at your local Anthropologie stores and http://www.luileiny.com/

The bottles retail for $55.

What are your favorite Paul & Joe products? Let us know in the comments!

Photos: Cavewoman and Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewers.