Youth Quake

Christian Dior's Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20

This is a new, Sephora exclusive, lightweight tinted moisturizer containing SPF 20. Cavewoman and I discovered it during our Sunday trek to Sephora. We both fell in love with its creaminess and coverage. The whole Hydra Life line is magnificent. The serum and moisturizer feel like a million bucks.

According to the Sephora website: Hydra Life combines three pure plant extracts derived from these gardens—Jisten, Centella, and Black Rose—to offer the skin all the benefits of the Cellular Bio-Exaltation. The tinted coverage offers light-diffusing pigments that create a natural and visibly enhanced complexion while the formula acts like a true defense barrier against environmental stress thanks to SPF UVA and UVB filters.
It no contains Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals, Phthalates ,GMOs, and Triclosan

I have tried to research this black rose ingredient. Black roses do not exist in real life. Centella is used to aid wound healing and leprosy.

Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20 is a lightweight, hardcore creamy, tinted moisturizer with serious full coverage. This has more coverage than Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and DuWop's Revolotion. It is a tube full of revolution!

The color range is slightly limited.
#1 is light beige for fair to light complexions
#2 is golden medium golden beige for light to medium complexions
#3 is a warm mocha for medium to dark complexions

Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20 retails 39.00 and is exclusive to Sephora.

Disclosure: This first review is based on a sample from my local Sephora store. I loved it so much that I have purchased from Sephora.com
My bottle is in route via the mail.
Credit: Sephora

Lay Your Hands On Me

Day 18: Dior Creme Abricot
By Cavewoman

De-Winterizing my skin does not stop with face and body. The cold and snowy weather, along with some pretty big life stress, has taken its toll on my hands and especially my nails. I don't think they've ever looked this bad, and I have not worn nail polish in many months while I wait for the damage to grow out. In the meantime, I'm resolving to take better care of my hands and nails.

My Mom was a hairdresser when she was a young woman. I remember watching her nail ritual and being fascinated with what she did to keep her nails and hands looking so beautiful. She would take an orangewood stick, a little jar of Revlon nail cream, and work the cream into her cuticles, pushing back with the stick, and then massaging the cream into the nail and cuticle area. When she was finished, she'd take her little bottle of bright red Charles Of The Ritz nail polish, and with three swipes on each nail, she'd paint my nails. I felt like a princess.

I carried on her tradition in my early adulthood, with Dior Creme Abricot. I had beautiful natural nails that would grow out as long as I wanted them. I don't know why I stopped using it. When I wanted to start again, I found that Dior had discontinued the product and I couldn't find it anywhere. I tried the Revlon, but it did not seem as nourishing as the Dior.

Recently I was browsing the Dior section on the Sephora website, and I noticed that Creme Abricot was back! Click! I ordered two of them, one for Mom and one for me. Perfect timing, here as Winter draws to a close and my hands can't be hidden much longer in gloves.
As soon as the order arrived, I dug in my old manicure set for an orangewood stick, and set to work. The apricot oil in this cream smells divine. Many nail care products are formulated with apricot oil, it seems. Must mean that it's good for the nails.

The results are coming along, but I'm asking alot from this jar. It is helping to relieve the dryness and flaky raggedy cuticles. My nails are growing out with a healthier look and I notice less ridges too. I have high hopes that soon my nails will be worthy of a bright red polish.
There is something very soothing and womanly about sitting down with the Dior Creme Abricot, the orangewood stick, and a cup of hot Earl Grey tea, and just taking a bit of time to take care of myself. I'm so happy that Dior has brought back this great treatment. I noticed the jar and the orangewood stick on my Mom's kitchen table. She's using it daily, too. She loves tea way more than I do.

Disclosure: This product was purchased by the reviewer
Credit: Cavewoman for Blogdorf Goodman
Credit 2: Melanie Parker/Veronica Lake in I Married a Witch

Little Miss Sunshine

Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Toilette


Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest. (quote from Christian Dior)

The winter of 2010 has grated on my nerves. I have been smothered by snow, dodging falling icicles that look like spears, and tossed around by arctic winds. I can not remember what the sun looks or feels like. I saw a chipmunk building an igloo. Seriously. The little guy has built an elaborate tunnel system in our backyard.

Now the snow is slowly turning to gray slush and the weather service predicts balmy 40 degree temperatures. Fellow Ohioans will wear shorts and leave the Northface parkas at home. I am wearing spring fragrances.

I have fallen for the charms of Miss Dior Eau de Toilette. The fragrance begins with a sparkling orange blossom and is quickly replaced by a very clear, strong diva-like jasmine note. This jasmine is the lead actress in this drydown. She refuses to let go of the spotlight and makes all the other notes supporting actors. Appearances are made by freesia, rose and a very quiet violet. I thought I detected some coconut. There was something milky, sweet and tropical in the mix. I went to the Sephora website and was startled to see Popcorn and Caramel as listed notes. I did not detect salt or anything achingly sweet. The drydown ends with a pretty spectacular patch note.

Miss Dior Cherie Eau de Toilette is sold exclusively at Sephora.
It retails for $62.00 for the 1.7 oz bottle and $82.00 for the 3.4 oz bottle.
Visit http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P253209&categoryId=C10472 for more details.

To get you in the mood for Spring and all things pretty:

This is the original commercial for Miss Dior Cherie by Sofia Coppola.

And a fun making of video from Elle!

Disclosure: A deluxe minature was sent to me by Dior Beauty.
Credit: Blogdorf Goodman and Youtube

DiorShow Extase Mascara

I have been testing a new Dior mascara. It is a flanker for Diorshow called Extase and is currently exclusive to Sephora. This mascara is touted as a treatment product that also delivers high impact lashes. The treatment centers on a "patented ceramid called SR38", which penetrates and repairs the lash. I have only been testing Extase for a few weeks so I can not attest to long term benefits or changes.

I have noticed a dramatic difference in the volume of my lash. It is fatter. Like it is encased in a snuggie. The mascara contains "spherical black pearl pigments that wrap around each lash for a 3D volume". It also contains something called "Metamorphosis powders" that double the size of the lash by 50%. It will help with thickening up whippet thin lashes.

This thicker formula weighs down the lashes and hampers any curl. In comparison to Dior's Iconic, this formula does not deliver a clean application. I experienced flakes and smudges.
Extase mascara features a tiered, dual fiber brush. The Sephora site states the brush contains black Elastomer fibers and gold Nylon fibers. These fibers deliver definition while providing a generous coating. I found the brush collected too much product.

My final thoughts are that Dior Iconic is a beast. No mascara can compare or compete including others in the Dior family.

Diorshow Extase mascara is currently available at your local Sephora and http://www.sephora.com/ for $28. It is available only in black. Let us know if you have tried Extase in the comments.

Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Dior Beauty.

The Serena Also Rises

Blake Lively in Versace at 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Well, I'm aware I lack some people's ... easy grace with strangers. I don't exactly make you feel like you've known me forever even though we just met. When I laugh, you might not smile just at the coquettish sound of it, and I may not be spontaneous or delightful or full of surprises, and my hair not sparkle when it catches the light...(quote from Blair on Gossip Girl)

Celebrity Makeup Artist Kristofer Buckle used Dior Beauty products to create a stunning "golden goddess" look for "Gossip Girl" star Blake Livelyat the 2009 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles this evening.

"I used a lot of warm, honey colors on her skin and lips to make her green eyes pop," said Buckle. "Then I topped off the look with tons of DiorShowBlackout Mascara, which transformed her upper and lower lashes into expressive frames."

The Dior Breakdown:

Skin: DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation in #301, Dior Skinflash #3 aroundthe eyes.

Lips: Dior Serum de Rouge Lipstick as a base with Dior Lip Polish in Radiance Expert on top.

Eyes: DiorShow Blackout Mascara, Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Beige Messai#705

Cheeks: DiorBronze Original Tan in Amber Tan #03

"I used Dior Eye Show in Undressed Beige on Blake's cheekbones and shoulders to create an ethereal glow," said Buckle. "It's technically an eyeshadow but it works basically anywhere you want to reflect the light!"

Credits: celebutopia, style.com and Dior

Sarah Jessica Parker in Christian Dior Fall Couture 2008

I would call this...barely MINT."(SJP)

Credits: Wireimage and style.com

From Dior To Drugstore. "All Is Pretty" -- Andy Warhol
by Makeupalley's Cavewoman

It's been one of the worst Winters on record here in Ohio. We missed a January record snowfall by one inch. When there are over 30 inches of snow covering your lawn, when you've spent hours shoveling the driveway again and again, when you sit housebound wishing for just one day out with your friends, well, that little inch didn't make much difference. It's been brutal.

Days and days on end in the depths of a Winter like this had me dreaming of pretty things. I received a note from one of my makeupalley buddies, Andrea, who showed me a photo of a Dior quint shadow that was Asia Exclusive, called Silk Satin, and of course the fact that it was not available in the US made it all that more desirable to me. Thanks to a wonderful friend in Singapore, I was able to arrange that she and I would do CP's for each other, I bought her some things she couldn't get there, and she sent me the Dior Silk Satin. Its journey was long, but it made its way to my door in perfect condition. Isn't it lovely? The center color is a beautiful pale pink-beige, and around the sides are a white frost, a cool-toned brown, a silvery taupe (does anyone do these better than Dior? Nope!) and a pretty pink shimmer. I'm in serious love. Dior quints just keep getting more and more beautiful. The colors glide on smoothly, the shimmer is subtle without being too frosty, and they last on the eye without even needing a primer. A side note to Dior, please make all of the quints available to all of your Dior customers! These country-exclusives are driving us to desperate measures! I love the new MAC 226 brush with these Diors, because the head of the brush is small enough to fit perfectly on the shadows. And a side note to MAC, please make that brush part of the permanent collection!


One of the few places I know of that sells Isadora cosmetics is cosmeticmall. I used to visit that site when they sold the Z New York brand, which was the house brand of cosmetics for the Zitomer Pharmacies. If you've never been to Zitomer, it's a New York City store that has everything from Judith Leiber handbags to cards of bobby pins. The Z New York brushes are beautiful and handmade in France, by the way. I was looking for Z items on cosmeticmall and noticed the Isadora brand there, so I ordered a few shadows. I had been using the Icy Khaki color ever since I discovered them at Walgreens, but Walgreens no longer sells Isadora. The Khaki was the most perfect taupe, and so I thought I'd try a few more colors. I bought Metallic Rose, Aubergine, and the Icy Khaki. It's good to get a buddy to go in on these with you, because cosmeticmall makes you buy two of each color you want. The texture of these dome shadows is creamy and soft, and the color is buildable. Isadora's Gleaming shadows are some of the best drugstore shadows I've ever found.

At Target, on a day when Annie and I were actually able to get out and do some errand running, I decided to cave on these Napoleon Perdis Baked Duos. The lighter of the two pictured is the English Rose, and the other is Blush. Both have beautiful shimmery pinks and the bronze sides are cool-toned with pink shimmer. The compacts are very heavy sturdy white plastic, and although these are really pretty, I don't see much stock missing from the NP shelves at Target. This line is too expensive for that store. NP used to have a line which was sold at Sephora and Saks, but it wasn't there very long, and I remember a huge table of NP at Saks' flagship store in NY, marked down to nothing and attracting no customers at all.

Almay has introduced a new natural line called Pure Blends. I have to rave about the foundation, a liquid in the white tube. This foundation is not oil-free, and it contains no sunscreen or talc. I couldn't wait to try it. For people with dry skin, this foundation gives a lovely healthy glow, doesn't sink into pores or lines, and feels so comfortable on the skin. The drugstore makeup lines don't offer too many foundations without SPF, and there are even fewer that aren't oil-free, so I was happy that this purchase turned out to be a winner. I got a perfect match in the color named Naked. The matching powder comes in a paper box, with a sifter top that has its own cap, and a little puff. Great packaging! The powder can't spill out if you accidentally drop the box, and you can just tap the box a bit to get just enough powder in the well. Choose shimmer or matte, they are both translucent. I chose the shimmer version. It's way less shimmer than Bare Escentuals and although it's not a day look for me, it did give a pretty candlelit glow to my skin.

Physicans Formula is a company that's been attracting some buzz on makeupalley. Last year's Shimmer Strips eyeshadows were a big hit, and I loved and used up a few of them. The Hazel Eyes was my favorite of the first four offerings in the Shimmer Strips for eyes. Recently, PF has brought out a new series of four Shimmer Strips called Smoky Collection. This time I chose the one for green eyes, even though my eyes are dark brown. I loved the greys and lavenders in this strip. The new offering for cheeks is called Shimmer Strips Custom Blush And Highlighter. They are a wavy palette of several shades and tones. They might appear to be similar to the Bobbi Brown Shimmerbricks, but I like the PF version even better because they don't contain glitter, and the shimmer is so much more subtle than the BB Shimmerbricks. Look for these PF Shimmer Strips blushes on special drugstore display racks and be sure to dig. There are actually four of them, but some drugstores only seem to have two shades. The one I chose is called Healthy Glow 1162, and of all four this is the one that seemed the most cool-toned. It's bright in the pan but goes on sheerly, and don't be afraid of the slight shimmer, it's not frosty on the skin at all. And it does give a pretty flush to the cheeks. Just as if I had been out all day in the cold weather.

Shoveling snow.

Lots of snow.

Credits: MUA's Cavewoman

Christian Dior HC Spring 2009

The show was standard Galliano. The inspirations ranged from dutch tulips, delftware, milkmaids, the three musketeers and flemish art. It is hard to focus on the clothes when the models truly can not walk in the shoes. I do not understand why designers are insisting on continuing this trend. Do they realize that it is painful to watch?

Credits: Style.com, Rogier van der WeydenBraque Family Triptych Right Panel via Wikipedia, Rembrandt's Portrait of a Young Woman with a Fan via rembrandtpainting.net, Ambrosius Bosschaert, the Elder, Osias Beert and Youtube

Makeup Porn: Christian Dior Palette

This is Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Sky Glow. It is a handy palette with an icy teal blue, bronze taupe, pearl, gunmetal taupe, and a mousey silver. The taupes are what make this palette. They appear to be dipped in silver and the texture is out of this world. The palettes retail for around $54. I balked at the price but it averages out to $13.50-ish for each shadow. I might be caving soon!

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: I did not purchase this product. I tested it at my local Dior counter.

Dior's Tinsley Pink Ultra Gloss Reflect

This is a shimmery bubblegum pink with great twinkling action.
It is quite pretty and is currently at your local Saks Dior counter for $24.50

Dior Beauty Ambassador Tinsley Mortimer will make a personal appearance at
Saks NYC (@611 5th Avenue at 50th Street) on Thursday May 15 to celebrate
the launch of Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect in Tinsley Pink.

The two-hour masterclasses (also featuring DiorShow Makeup Artist Ricky
Wilson) are by appointment only. Attendees can meet Tinsley and learn how
to recreate her favorite day and night beauty looks using Tinsley Pink. In
addition, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of Tinsley Pink will go
to one of Tinsley's favorite charities, Operation Smile.

The Deets:

Tinsley Mortimer at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC
When: May 15th 2008, Thursday
Time: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Masterclass Sessions - by
appointment only
2:00pm-4:00pm Tinsley will be greeting customers on the floor
Phone: 212-940-2181 to call to reserve

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman and Dior

Dior lippie owned and purchased by Cavewoman

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Cult Classics
Day 9, Diorshow by Patti aka Cavewoman

With a fan base as huge as the brush itself, Diorshow has established itself as a solid performer in the lash department. People either love it or hate it because of the huge, traditional bristle-style brush applicator, but it's the formula combined with that brush that makes this mascara worthy of cult status. It truly performs. There is really nothing else like it out in mascara-world right now.

Diorshow The Original, I'll call it, is a dry-ish, thick formula that works really well to build volume and length on my stubby, sparse lashes. And it does the job quickly. I am so lash-challenged that I will not pass up the opportunity to buy and try every new mascara that I see, department store or drugstore. So of course when Diorshow was launched, I caved. I was thrilled to see lashes, long and thick lashes, with a minimal amount of time and effort. The brush catches all my lashes, and the dry formula grabs without clumping or flaking. Somehow Dior has managed to make a formula that is buildable, workable, and effective.
I can go back and forth from eye to eye and continue layering quickly. Work time is good, despite the dry formula. When the mascara dries on the lashes, it leaves them soft, no crispies!

Dior now offers a few alternative versions of the original formula. Blackout is a wetter formula that is supposed to be blacker. I think it just appears blacker because it is wetter. People who didn't care for the dry original might like the Blackout. And then there is Unlimited, which was designed to be used in conjunction with the original. This is the lengthening formula. You can use this one first, and then use the Diorshow on top of it. Be warned, this gives an over-the-top false lash look that is fabulous and lush, but better suited for evening looks.

The white tube in the photo is something I found on ebay. It was listed as a mascara primer, and what's inside the tube is white, thick and goopy, and has the huge Diorshow brush. I've never seen it at a counter in the USA, although my seller listed a California address. Well, I caved because I'm masc-curious. I can't say that it enhanced the effects of any of the Diorshow formulas, but they are so good on their own on me, that maybe the primer product wasn't even necessary. If any Blogdorf readers know of this Diorshow primer, please let us know in the comments. And please also let me know if it's just some weird counterfeit product. I won't mind.

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: The product featured in this review was purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman.

Thoughts from Lily Cole

The glitter around my eyes frames my vision backstage; frantic and busy, ribbed with magic. It's an exhaustingly long process but so exciting. My face afterwards is always a complete surprise to me and I love the contrast of the midway point backstage; the sparkle of made-up faces, hairdos to challenge Marie Antoinette's and milliner Stephen Jones's crystallised creations - hats, brushes, crowns and stars all floating above a sea of organised chaos, jeans and leather jackets, iPods in jewel-adorned ears. Girls sit patiently as they are painstakingly transformed. I read my book (Shantaram) and try to ignore my Blackberry.

Written by Lily Cole....read the whole piece at: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2130008,00.html

Credits: Style.com and Guardian Umlimited

DiorShow Blackout Mascara

I have been testing this mascara for several months. I have been stalling the review because I can not make up my mind on how I feel. There are days that I am in love and think my lashes have never looked better. Then there are days when I want to hurl the tube out the window. I have never been so tormented on how I feel about a product.

The "smitten worthy" features of this mascara is the volume and lengthening power. This tube gives you lashes that are lush and long. It is like you have added a weave to your lash line. It is dramatic and impressive.

The color is more intense and rich than the original Diorshow. It is an inky and sooty black. It is also darker than my previous holy grail lash product, Shu Uemura's Basic Mascara.

What do I hate about this mascara?
That darn brush.

It is large, awkward and unwieldy. I have been wearing mascara since grade school so its not like I do not know how to handle a wand.
My lashes were clumpy, spiky and a hot mess.

How did I end up falling in love with this product?
I used my brush from Max Factor's Volume Couture.
It was like the heavens opened and a choir started singing.

Like the genius combination of peanut butter and jelly...these two mascara's make some beautiful lashes together.
It is everything I have ever wanted and more.

Disclosure: I purchased this mascara at Sephora.

New Dior Eye Show and Pro Cheek

We were visiting Saks just as Dior got a new shipment of product. The Eye Show is a creme based eyeshadow that has a lot of pigment with a creamy butter texture. I was impressed with the quality.
The colors are:
#342 Pop Aquadelic

#472 Queen of the Green: A Forest green shade with gold shimmer

#92 Glam & Glitz Black: It is a dark charcoal gray that is perfect for a smoky eye.
My personal favorite from the line.

The other colors are #002 White Light Disco, #832 Pink Wannabe and #622 Undressed Beige
They retail for $30.

Pro Cheek was a spectacular product find!
These products can be used all of the face as a highlighter, blush, eyeshadow or lippie. They had a rich creamy texture with high doses of pigment. Some had some added perks of subtle shimmer.

#545: Hip Peach reminds me of Nars Orgasm. It has a slight shimmer.
This looked amazing as a lippie also.
#815 Limelight: Better than MAC's Seedy Pearl!
#455 Must Have Brown: Great with a smoky eye!
#755 Catwalk Pink

These products also retail for $30 and are available at our local Saks.
Call Elena Kovshovik at the Christian Dior counter at 216-292-5500 ext 257.

Photos: Blogdorf Goodman

The new DiorKiss Lippies

#418 Hazelnut/Lychee

#338 Spicy Guava

#468 Strawberry Tartlet

I bought Hazelnut and the Spicy Guava shades. They are sheer and are perfect for the upcoming hot summer. Guava is a cheerful tangerine shade that just leaves a hint of an opalish coral color. It looked magnificent on Griffie.

Hazelnut is a light toffee color with opal effects. I normally shy away from browns but this showed up pinky nude on my lips. Like a sheer Nars Foul Play but with MAC's Pink Opal pigment thrown in for some punch.

Contact Elena Kovshovik at the Christian Dior counter at Beachwood for an order. Her digits are 216-292-5500 ext 257

Photo: Blogdorf Goodman

Dior's Bronze Sun Powder Spray

It comes in 2 shades and it was created for the face only. I was impressed with the realistic tan it gives. I am a pale girl so most self tanners turn orange or dirty on me. This one gives a lovely sun kissed tan that actually lasts fairly well.

It might be worth the $60 price tag.

Available at Saks.

Photo: Blogdorf Goodman

Dior Addicts's Ultra Gloss Reflect

When the SAK's Dior SA stated that they had some new glosses, I did not expect a dozen new shades. These are ultra-shimmering reformulations of Dior Addict lip gloss.

#537 Stretchy Brown--A caramel shade with hot neon pink shimmer. My favorite from the dozen shades. I am wearing it today!!!

#777 Ribbon Mauve---a glittering plum

#757 Red Stockings---A red gloss chock full of shimmer. Traffic stopping gorgeous! This is sold out at my local Dior counter at Dillards.

#257 Organdi Pink---iridescent baby pink with gold

#557 Denim Rose---pink with violet micro glitter

#227 Chiffon Beige---shimmering copper beige

#817 Microfiber Brown---shimmering mauve brown

#317 Linen Beige---opalescent beige shimmer

#157 Jersey Pink---iridescent golden pink

#347 Raffia Orange---shimmering coral

#627 A Stitch of Brown-rose based brown with gold shimmer

#147 Lacy Apricot---light peach


My Saks friend, is your Saks friend:
Everything shown is available at your local Dior counter.
Call Alesha at my local Saks at 216-292-5500 ext: 256 and mention Blogdorf Goodman to receive her Friends and Family Discount.
It is 20% off and the offer ends this Saturday, May 5th.

Photo: Blogdorf Goodman

Christian Dior's 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palettes

1. #440 Sunset Cafe
Taupes, pinks and gold shades.

2. #130 Blue Croisette
Easter-ish shades. Very springlike.

3. #230 Pink Attitude
Dusty lavender and a stunning silverish taupe shade.

Available at Saks and Sephora.
Photos: Blogdorf Goodman