Where Angels Fear To Tread

Lancome's Sparkling Cherub Sheer Warming Illuminating Powder

This is a pressed powder compact from the Holiday collection. The outer rim is a bisque shade with some brightening aspects. The middle shade is a sun kissed bronzer. It is sheer and leaves just enough color to slightly toast the face. It does not morph into orange territory nor does it appear dirty.

The glittery fire is an over spray. I do not like shimmery trickery. As a glimmer junkie....I want my fire until the bitter end. That end is when I hit pan.

The cute factor is the main selling point. If you have a friend who loves cherubs or "angry men babies" then this is a great stocking stuffer.
It retails for $40 and is available at your local Lancome counter.
Visit http://www.lancome-usa.com/ for more details.

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

Farewell Tour: Prescriptives Well Suited Finishing Powder

Well Suited is a translucent pressed powder with a silky texture. It gives just a hint of peachy-pink color on fair skin. I have worn it layered over blushes and as a finishing powder. It really is subtle and a quiet kind of lovely. A sleeper in the fall collection.
I loved the sputnik-like design. It makes me giddy.

This powder retails for $28 and is available at your local Prescriptives counter. Visit http://www.prescriptives.com/ for more deets.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Prescriptives.

MAC Beauty Powder Blush

Joyous is a warm peach with gold pearl. It is not shimmery nor does it contain any trace of glitter.

It is in the "orgasm" family but is 1000 times more intense and powerful than Nars.

This is an orgasm that could rock your world and "turn you out".

It is currently at your local MAC counter and is limited edition.

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

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Cult Classics
Day 5, Becca Gypsy Pressed Powder

Gypsy is a plumish pink highlighter/blush that looks bold and slightly terrifying in the packaging. On the cheeks it transforms into something subtle and glowy. Most plumish shades can give a "bruised" look but Becca avoids this with the addition of a slight gold sheen. The pressed powder is finely milled and comes in a sturdy compact.

The reason why I chose this product as a cult classic is due to the fact that it took me a solid year to get my hands on it. Bergdorf Goodman was constantly sold out of it. I finally scored this compact at some random Sephora. I stared at it for a moment thinking it was a "beauty mirage". I also managed to grab the loose Gypsy powder and was momentarily famous for it. I was the girl on MUA that actually had one. Of course, the fame was very brief and only included a small band of friends.

Gypsy is lovely and actually worth the hype.

If you love or hate Gypsy...let us know in the comments.

You can find Becca products at:

http://www.beccacosmetics.com/

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: I purchased this powder at Sephora in NYC.

Prescriptives The Illuminator All Over Face Color

This is a multi-functional pressed powder that highlights, contours and illuminates the face and cheeks with an incandescent glow. Three base shades overlaid with gold shimmer make up this holiday compact. I was impressed with the silk-like texture and subtle shimmer power. Some women shy away from shimmer products because they do not want to look like they are covered in glitter.
This product has very fine shimmer beads that do not overpower the wearer.
It gives just a hint of a spark.
It is a limited edition product and is currently available at your local Prescriptives counter for $35.

http://www.prescriptives.com/



Credits: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Prescriptives

40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 11, Elizabeth Arden

Cavewoman: Whenever I hear the name Elizabeth Arden, I remember a little story about her that I read in a book called "Fire And Ice," the biography of Charles Revson who founded the company Revlon. The two had a huge rivalry and they detested each other. She called him "that nail man" and he called her "that horsewoman."

Elizabeth Arden cosmetics counters hold some of the most beautiful products. I've worn the Flawless Finish Mousse Foundation for years, and I appreciate their serious commitment to research in skincare. Lately, limited edition eyeshadow compacts have captivated me, some with beautiful drawings taken from coromandel screens owned by Miss Arden herself. And I always have to stop and admire the stunning photographs of their spokesmodel, Catherine Zeta-Jones.
My favorite product from the Arden line is a simple pressed powder compact called Flawless Finish Ultra Smooth Pressed Powder. I was looking for a very sheer translucent powder that had just a touch of luminosity. In pressed powders, that's not always easy to find. And often these days, translucent powders don't receive much attention at the counters, it seems more the trend right now to match a colored powder to the face, and I don't hear much about translucents anymore. But one little swipe of the finger on the tester unit, and I wanted to try this powder on my face. My MA was a very young woman who had impeccably beautiful skin, much like the spokesmodel. Even her coloring was similar to Zeta-Jones' dark hair and eyes. She told me she was wearing this very powder and she handed me a brush to try it on for myself.
The powder is about as creamy as I've ever found in a pressed powder product. It is as light as a feather on the face, adds no color whatsoever, but glows like candlelight on the skin. There is the most minimal touch of shimmer that does not appear glittery or shiny. The compact itself is elegant and quiet, made of a smoky brown lucite with the words "Elizabeth Arden" written in gold underneath the lucite cover. A little gold button releases the lid, almost like a pocket watch. The presentation is lovely and the powder inside is superb.
If you haven't been to an Arden counter lately, you are in for some most pleasant surprises. Especially Flawless Finish Ultra Smooth Pressed Powder. Try the Translucent. Think of The Horsewoman and The Nail Man and enjoy a little giggle of cosmetic history. And get a glow while you're at it.


Annieytown: Elizabeth Arden makes the most creamy and rich eye shadows on the market. They have the texture of a buttery cashmere.
The shadows are little pieces of luxury.
I currently have a hardcore addiction to Arden palettes. They are stunning and useful at the same time.

The color intrigue palettes this spring are adorable.

There is the warm toned palette which houses Topaz, Vanilla and Dream shades along with the cheek color called Romance. Romance is a non-shimmery Orgasm shade. It comes in handy with my smoky eye experiments. It is a great color to give your cheeks a slight flush. (picture on the far left)

The cool palette features Smoke, Moonbeam and Chiffon eye shadows along with the blush called Pink Star.
I am crazy for the Smoke shade. It rivals Becca's Lame and Stila's Diamond Lil.
Available at your local Elizabeth Arden counter.

Disclosure: The products in this review were press samples and purchases.