Trend watch: Eyeshadow Sticks

January 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

2012 was the year of Beauty Balm, Lip Balms / Butters and nail art & glitter, but what will 2013 have in store for us?

Cream Shadow Sticks! Bobbi Brown and Clinique are launching these suckers in a store near you!

Clinique's Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes

Clinique’s Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes 

Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick

Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick

Katie Holmes is pimping Bobbi’s brand and Clinique is using the effervescent candy theme.

Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Eyeshadow Sticks (retails for $28.00 USD) are available for purchase online now. Clinique’s Chubby Stick Shadow is due to hit counters this February and they will retail for $16.00 USD (double that price for Australians). Although, I did read an article about price harmonisation, but when will that happen?

Will you give these newbies a go?

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Painting my face for the work day in less than 10 minutes

August 26, 2012 by 3 Comments

In just a few steps…

1. Start with your foundation and or face powder of choice.  I used Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream in light. I also applied Bobbi Brown’s Concealer Kit (not pictured) in order to minimise the blue circles under my eyes.

2. I then filled in my eyebrows with MAC’s Mystery, a satin, true brown which matches my brows to a T.

3. Thanks to Madison magazine I now own something from BECCA.  I picked up an Eye Tint in Vicuna with my magazine purchase the other day.  I skipped the primer and applied Vicuna (think MAC’s Shroom, but in cream form) all over my lids.  BTW, this formula stays put!

4. MAC’s Something Special gives me that subtle, natural glow on my cheeks.  I grabbed for my liquid foundation brush and stippled the colour onto the apples of my cheeks.

5. I coated my lashes with Benefit’s They’re Real - Diana, I promise to review it soon!  The brush is a cross between Givenchy’s PhenomenEyes and Chanel’s Sublime de Chanel.

6. Finally, I painted my pout with Bite Beauty’s Zinfandel to last me the day.

Ready to start the day!

What’s your morning makeup routine like?

 

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Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream – swatches and review

August 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I’ve managed to keep the hype at arm’s length until Bobbi Brown joined the party. I grew up with Clinique thinking that was the only option for me – forever reigned in by the silver and medical white finishes. Soft, inviting and good for you.  Well, I lost the Clinique shackles last year and purchased Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation for those days when I felt I needed a bit more coverage.  It blends and builds up in an instant and leaves me with a soft and natural finish.  If Bobbi’s foundation can do that, then obviously I had to get well-acquainted with her BB Cream.

Call it what you will – beauty balm, blemish balm, etc., etc.  BB Cream was originally used on patients post-surgery and then made its way to the Far East where it captivated the Asian beauty market for decades. Finally, it was re-imagined for the Western world.  The accessibility of beauty balm is immense – from Maybelline to Smashbox, your options are endless.  It’s just a matter of finding the right formula for you.

Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream in “light”

Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream swatched on the inside of my arm

Breakdown of Bobbi’s formula:

  • Balances (moisturises), brightens (clearer complexion), renews (smooths) and protects (35 SPF).
  • Creamy consistency.
  • Blends well with your fingers or when using a foundation brush.  However, I found I needed more product when I used a brush.
  • My skin felt soft and touchable.
  • The plastic tube is great for travel.
  • I still feel compelled to use my facial moisturiser, because my skin’s been flaky thanks to the dry winter.
  • Kept the afternoon shine in my t-zone to a minimum.
  • Available in five shades: extra light, light, fair, medium & medium to dark

Wearing Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream:

  • $60.00 AUS / $42.00 USD.  When I bought this last Thursday, the makeup artist told me it was going to retail for $75.00.  Boy, am I glad they came to their senses!

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 8 out of 10 bags – I think I prefer her foundation over the beauty balm, but it’s nice to have options.

Likelihood to purchase again:

  • I really should’ve caught a whiff of Beach during my visit.  I can always go back ;)
*loving my lippie?  I’m wearing MAC’s Hot Gossip.  I’ve been toting this baby since November 2009.
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A peek inside my GlossyBox

February 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Scott and I always manage to miss the postman whenever he attempts to deliver packages for me.   Inevitably I have to make the trek to the collection facility, which is a mere two blocks away; however trying to get there during their operating hours proves to be the trickiest part.  Thankfully I made it in time to get my Glossy Box before it was shipped back to wherever it came from.  This month did not disappoint.

It’s Valentine’s Day themed and everything!!

 

The thing that I love most is Bobbi Brown’s Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara.  I first tried another variant of Bobbi Brown’s mascara during my lesson with Cindy and was so excited to see it in February’s box.  I’m not terribly picky with my mascara, but I love the fact that you can put on coat after coat of this stuff and it never manages to clump.  If I could make another mascara recommendation to Holly of Nothing But Bonfires I would, but she’s already narrowed down her selection.

The rate at which I devour mascara is really similar to the pace of a snail.  I’m still using a tube I purchased in January 2010; I know, it’s probably past it’s prime, but I see no signs of pink eye!  Gross. If I do the math for the tube I received via my special delivery, I figure it is valued at $24.00 AUS given it’s half the size what’s sold in store ($48.00 AUS for 6 ml).  And I’m lost – I don’t think I have enough fingers and toes to compute the rest.  Put it simply, my lil’ treasure is a steal!

img_2571_med

Here are my lashes with a healthy coat of Lash Glamour… mascara followed up with a comb through. If you ever get a chance to splurge on a monthly delivery service, do it!  Given the current state of the world’s economy, most women are reaching for lipstick, because it’s far more affordable than buying those really cute boots or designer purse.

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Date Night

January 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

Fingers Crossed, Scott and I will be off to experience GingerBoy here in Melbourne’s CBD this evening. I took the liberty of making reservations a few weeks ago upon hearing an insanely great review from my co-worker Matt; Asian fare and drinks is what Scott really needs after extinguishing work fires all day today.

In order to prettify myself, I wandered off to the newly opened Topshop inside of South Yarra’s Jam Factory and ended up hauling off with some of their makeup and a fun polka dot dress.  I planned to save the dress for work later this week, but I accidentally rubbed some of the lipstick I swatched onto a really cute dress I purchased from the Gap.  C’est la vie.

I completely forgot Topshop carried makeup; I’ve read a few reviews, but really haven’t tried it out myself.  Going in blind, I grabbed several items to play around with.  The girls who manage the counter were nice enough to let me snap some photos of the kiosks nestled just before TopMan.  For the holidays, they’re pushing two different eye-quads dubbed “Smoke & Mirrors” – I immediately thought of Gotye when I saw the theme; I’ve been a bit obsessed with his music as of late.

 

After looking through all they have to offer (brushes, wipes, nail polish, bronzer, high lighter, etc.) I handed over a couple of shillings and ran back home to paint on my date night look.

First the haul:

 

Second, the look:

And one more!

Another peek at my date night makeup

 

Last, what I wore:

Face:

Eyes:

Lips:

 

I almost forgot to share the photos I took earlier today!  I tried to be stealthy and then I mustered up enough strength to just ask if I could do so.  A while back I took a picture of MAC’s Wonder Woman display and I was asked to delete the images from my phone; it’s only natural for me to be fearful.

 

 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount spent on four items:

  • $53.00 AUS

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 10 out of 10 bags; each item averaged out to be $13.25 and I was really impressed with their on trend collection

Likelihood to purchase from Topshop again:

  • I’ll wait for the hype to die down and head back after the holiday season

I’m really loving my Barbie pink lips!  Have you had your Topshop fix yet?

 

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