Cleansing Milks For Every Price Point

I think everyone knows by now that I have a strong love of cleansers. Balms, oils, gels are in regular rotation but I've recently been adding in cleansing milks to my routine and enjoy the way they make my skin feel. I know many times cleansing milks are targeted more for those with drier skin, but I find they help to give me a nice cleanse without stripping the skin. I've found 4 that I like from various price points, and could easily work well with any skincare routine.

1. Chantecaille Flower Infused Cleansing Milk - Soft does not even begin to describe this formula. Whatever word means softer than soft, that would describe this cleanser.  It has a creamy consistency that envelopes the skin, immediately calms and soothes it, but does not leave it heavy with residue. In fact, when I first tested it out on the back of my hand, I was able to just rub it into the skin without using any water to rinse it off. THAT is how soft and lovely this cleanser is to use. If my skin is feeling particularly dry or irritated, I find that just rubbing this on the skin and removing with a cloth leaves my face feeling balanced and smooth.

2. Sunday Riley Charisma Creme Cleanser - As an oily skinned gal, the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser has been a favorite for a long time. But I was curious to give this creme cleanser a try to see if I would like it as much. It's a much thinner milk texture that works best for me when applied on dry skin as a second cleanse or morning cleanse. The formula has fruit acids which give the skin a mild exfoliation and  make it look incredibly bright and radiant. I like to spend time massaging it into my skin when dry and then again when I add water to really allow for the ingredients to work their magic. Little did I know that the Ceramic Slip Cleanser wouldn't be my only favorite Sunday Riley cleanser. Seriously, this skincare line can do no wrong in my eyes.

3. Sisley Cleansing Milk with White Lily - If a cleansing cream and milk had a baby, it would be this Cleansing Milk from Sisley. It's not too thick and not too thin, it falls perfectly in the middle. I can use this to both remove my makeup or as a second cleanse. While I have been gravitating towards oils and balms recently as my first cleanse, I was amazed at how great my skin felt and looked after using this milk to remove makeup. On nights when I am feeling particularly lazy, this is actually the cleanser I reach for first because it removes my makeup and moisturizes it all at once. I actually did a test with using just this cleanser and no other skincare to determine how my skin would feel. Surprisingly, it felt soft, hydrated and smooth as if I had done a few steps. Yup, I'm impressed.

4. Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser - It's been a while since I've used a drugstore cleanser, but I picked this up on a whim one day and found it to be a great addition to my routine. It's a very no-muss, no-fuss cleanser that has little to no scent, gives a refreshing and soothing feeling to the skin and is perfect for those times when my skin is acting up/having a reaction/irritated. It is the epitome of gentle and I think it's absolutely necessary to have something like this in one's arsenal at all times. This cleanser paired with my all time favorite holy grail moisturizer for emergency skin situations makes for a first aid kit type of skincare routine that I can always count on.

*pr samples included

Creating My Own Custom Chantecaille Palette

I've said time and time again that Chantecaille eye shadows are some of my favorite shadows. They never have too much or too little pigment and blend beautifully. And so many of the colors are perfect for daily use that I find myself reaching for them regularly. There are a good selection of both matte and shimmer shades, though I will say the shimmer is never too glittery. It's a refined shimmer that is perfect for any occasion day or night and any age. Often older women shy away from shimmer because it can look unflattering and make lids look crepe-y or very textured. However, Chantecaille shadows are soft enough that the shimmer blends seamlessly on the skin and never emphasizes imperfections. They have the option to let you create your own palette with 3 or 8 shades (both eye shadow and blush), and I have both a 3 and 8 sized palette but only have the 8 sized palette filled at this time. You can buy the eye shadows individually but you will need to buy a case to house the shadow, so it's a better option to simply buy the palette.

I've accumulated quite a few great neutral shades that work well together or separately. I like to have a selection of shades which I can just throw in my bag if need be that will create any look I may need. I have a good mixture of both matte and shimmer shades that are in neutral brown, plum, green and beige tones. Below are swatches of the entire palette I have created. The top row swatches are on the left side of my arm and the bottom row swatches are towards the right side of my arm.

1. Granite -This is the a beautiful brownish-gray shade that I love to wear in my crease. When I pair this with Opal, it creates a perfect eye look for every day.

2. Olivier - I'm making a concentrated effort to seek out other colors that are suitable for the office and every day but are not part of the brown family. This olive shade is a great alternative and looks beautiful as a liner, lid or crease color.

3. Patchouli - One of my favorite shades to wear in my crease is a deep plum, and this is exactly the color I've been looking for. It creates a smokey eye in two seconds when added to the corner of my crease and looks great with almost any lid color.

4. Ginger - In the summer, I love wearing this matte peach shade on the lid with bronzer and a coral lip. In the winter, it looks lovely paired with a natural flushed cheek (love this By Terry blush shade), a few coats of mascara (this is my current favorite) and a bold red lip (love this shade).

5. Opal - This is by far one of my favorite lid color of all time. When built up, it can give a bold opaque look, but can also be dusted on for a sheer wash of color. Everyone needs one of these lid color shades that they can pull out any time to build an entire eye look around.

6. Coriander - Somewhat similar in tone to Patchouli, this is a bit lighter and not as pigmented which makes it great for an everyday crease color. I can apply this right above my lid through the crease and it gives my look some depth and dimension with creating a look that is too dark. Every makeup collection needs one of these crease colors that serve as the backbone of creating any eye look.

7. Bois - I call this my bronzed goddess shade, because it the perfect golden brown for my lids. It doesn't skew too orange, too yellow or too brown and is an easy wash of color that looks good worn alone or paired with a darker brown.

8. Sel - This shade is very similar to Granite, but has a bit more silver in it so I prefer this on the lid alone as a subtle, daytime smokey eye.

Chantecaille shadows are available at Space NK, Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

Concealer Testing

Any and all types of foundation products are always at the top of my "must-try" list. I absolutely love complexion products and feel they can make or break a look. I've recently been testing out a few different concealers and found three that I really enjoyed and wanted to share with all of you. Before these, I was really enjoying this one from Benefit as well as this cult classic from NARS, but after trying these three different formulas, I quickly added them to my routine.

1. By Terry Densiliss Concealer (bottom swatch) - By Terry's entire Densiliss line is absolutely magnificent (this blush in Platonic Blonde is everything) so I already had high hopes for this concealer. And it was every bit the luxurious and decadent concealer I expected. Out of all three, this is by far the creamiest and smoothest to apply. The formula does not settle into fine lines and wears beautifully whether my skin is dry or oily that day. The color (Fresh Fair) is the closest to my skin tone and in a pinch this can be used as a touch up for areas of redness or discoloration. It has a matte finish but surprisingly disappears immediately into the skin and is virtually undetectable. A definite splurge, but as is with most her products - worth every penny. Available at Space NK and Barneys.

2. Eve Lom Light Illusion Concealer (middle swatch) - This concealer works more as a brightener for me and is perfect for those days when I don't want a ton of coverage but still need some lightness under the eyes. The formula is lightweight and has a pink undertone (my shade is Alabaster 1) so it does a great job for me of color correcting my dark circles without giving me that reverse raccoon look (when the concealer is too light - yuck). Because I loved the formula so much, I've begun using it highlight around different parts of my face and I think it gives a beautiful effect while adding some depth. I add it to my cheekbones, brow bones and around my lips to help them look a bit fuller. It's a great alternative to powder highlighters which can often add too much sparkle. This adds the brightness without any of the shimmer. Available at Space NK.

3. Chantecaille Le Camouflage Stylo (top swatch) - This concealer (my shade is #1) seems to be a mix of the other two - in the sense that it has a creamy formula that does a great job at covering while the light-reflecting pigments help to brighten any dark areas. Because of the skincare properties of this concealing pen, I reach for this when I have had a particularly restless night and my eyes are extremely dark , dehydrated and/or puffy. I see a marked difference almost immediately and it really soothes the under eye area and smooths it out. I've also begun carrying it with me during the day because I like the way it layers over my makeup, and find it never gets cakey and is perfect for touch ups. It's like my emergency fix-it tool. And we all need one of those, right? Available at Space NK, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom and Saks.

*pr samples included

What is your current favorite concealer right now? Leave me a comment below!

The 3 Products I Am Adding To My Skincare Routine To Transition It To Fall

Even though I am constantly trying new skincare products for the blog, I do tend to have a few transitions that I make twice a year. I think if I lived in a warmer climate with year-round consistent temperatures, I would keep many of the same products. But living in NYC, our winters can be brutal and summers almost unbearable, so I do need to switch out/add in a few products to help my skin deal with those changes. For the winter that means adding in richer, more nourishing products that help to heal, hydrate and protect. Since the temperatures haven't plummeted just yet, I am easing into these slowly so my reviews for these are  going to be more from a first impression stand point, and  I will give more detailed updates as the months go on.

1. Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cream - I enjoy adding in a rich cream to my routine for the colder weather, but frankly I can only go so rich. Being that I have oily skin, some thicker moisturizers just sit on the surface and never absorb. Bleh. So when I received this Chantecaille cream, I hesitated for a second. Then when my skin was particularly irritated recently from a cold I was getting over, I threw this on last minute to help give my face some relief. Welp. That's all she wrote. It was magic on the skin. Super hydrating, incredibly rich but disappeared right in. Since it is infused with rose petals, I figured it would have some soothing and healing properties, but this took it to a whole other level. My skin felt so relieved after that I knew this would be my chosen winter face cream. And the fact that it's supposed to help stimulate the skin's natural immune system is just what I'm going to need when the winter's unrelenting weather kicks in. *shudders* 

2. Dr. Jart Ceramidin Liquid - I know you are beginning to see a theme here with my picks - hydration, hydration, hydration. Even though my skin is incessantly oily, it can become dehydrated so quickly - especially in the winter. The Ceramidin Liquid is one of the thinnest serum textures I have ever tried, which surprised me immediately. Most serums have some slip to them or tackiness that can remain on the skin. Not this Ceramidin Liquid - it felt like I was applying water to my skin, it was that thin. Almost thin enough to be layered with another serum, which is great for those that love to layer. *raises hand* And for all you sensitive skin gals and guys, I've read this Ceramidin Liquid is a sensitive skin savior.

3. La Prairie Cellular Eye Essence Platinum Rare - Now that I've sufficiently covered the bases for my face, the final skincare addition is for the eyes. The fact that this is an essence that can be layered under any eye cream (currently I am going back to this for the winter) makes it more appealing to me because I know I can get stronger results. I frankly couldn't wait until winter to begin testing this so I have already added it into my routine, and first impressions are quite impressive. The texture is thin but rich and gives the eye a soothing effect while tightening at the same time. It's truly unique. After the first few nights of using this essence, I noticed a remarkable difference in the way my eyes looked when I woke up. Fine lines were barely noticeable, eyes were hydrated and a lot less puffy. Hallelujah! And then I began adding it into my morning routine as well and that's when I saw the strongest difference. My eye area was brighter (the essence itself has an iridescent finish), smoother and more hydrated which made it almost unnecessary to wear concealer. If this is how I feel after just a few weeks, I can only imagine what my eyes are in for this winter. For reference, this is a .3oz sample size they sent to me, and the full size is .5oz. It should also be noted that I barely use a full drop for both eyes so I can imagine a full size bottle would last me a very long time, which is an important point when deciding to invest in a pricey skincare item.

*pr samples included

Do you transition your skincare routine from season to season? Why or why not?

Fair Skin Approved Bronzers

I have always had mixed feelings about bronzers. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't. But every summer I feel that pull to give them a go again and see if I can achieve a natural bronzed look that works for pale skin. Currently this has been my go-to bronzer for the past couple of months, so I was quite surprised to venture back out into the world of bronzers and discover so many great options for fair skin. I'm also currently deciding if I should splurge on this Charlotte Tilbury set from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale because it seems like sculpted cheekbones in a case, but I haven't yet pulled the trigger. My preferences are still powder over gel, cream or liquid but I can be easily swayed if I find something fabulous. Here are my 4 (yes 4, can you believe it?) new (to me that is) bronzer discoveries:

1. Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Light/Medium - The first thing to hit you when you open the compact is most definitely the scent - chocolate. Yum! And not that sickeningly sweet type of fragrance that nauseates you - this is a scent I can tolerate and actually like. It does dissipate once you apply in case that is a concern. Now on to the texture - like velvet. So smooth, delicate and finely milled that as soon as you dip the brush in powder goes everywhere. But to be honest, that is not a deterrent at all because the formula is so beautiful. I use as a contour or a bronzer and it gives an amazing subtle glow. I will be hitting pan on this for sure.

2. Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Bronze 02 - Another finely milled powder that has a tendency to disperse everywhere when you dip a brush into it, but as with the  Too Faced bronzer the formula is worth it. A bit more shine than the Too Faced, it goes on evenly and does not oxidize. I apply it onto my cheeks and hairline to help give the face a bit of definition and radiance. And after the reviews I keep hearing about the Matte Radiance Highlighter, I think that may be the next piece I buy from this range to pair with the bronzer. My cheekbones are in for a treat, that's for sure. 

3. Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil Tropical Days - This is the boldest of all the four bronzers but I still swoon every time I use it. It has a shimmer that runs through it, as evidenced by the ombre pattern, however when applied to the skin it turns to a beautiful glow rather than an overdone sparkle. I love this bronzer more for the evening, and especially when paired with a sultry smokey eye for added drama. Kevyn Aucoin was always the master of achieving a flawless complexion and this bronzer is no doubt a tribute to that legacy.

4. Chantecaille St. Barth's Bronzer - I can't decide which I like more about this bronzer - the packaging or the formula. The mirrored compact is so elegant, as is all Chantecaille packaging that I can't help but feel luxurious when using. It's also the least bulky out of the 4 so undoubtedly it will be with me when I travel. This St. Barth's shade is part of their Summer 2014 collection and definitely has a bit more shimmer than the Too Faced or Laura Mercier, but does not make the face look too shiny or powdered. While I typically dust bronzer along my cheeks and hairline, I find this looks beautiful when worn on the apples of my cheeks as if it were a standard blush. It gives a warmth and brightness that other bronzers tend to turn into a muddy mess if worn on the same part of the face. Another win by Chantecaille, which is quickly solidifying their position as one of my favorite brands of all time.

*press samples included

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What are some of your favorite bronzers? Any I should try? Tell me in the comments below!

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A Bit Obsessed: April Beauty Favorites

A small beauty favorites month, but no less important. Beauty is never NOT important. Almost all skincare favorites for this month, with one lone lip product making its mark. But that lip product was quite stellar, and so deserving of this honor. Let's take a look at my picks:

1. Clarins Double Serum* - This is one of Clarins' best sellers and I can see why. They advise it for any age and skin type, and I love products like that. For me, I find that I enjoy using it in the morning before the Multi Active Day moisturizer. It is designed to help firm, retexturize, and decrease the appearance of pores - for me that translates to helping perfect my skin.  I love the feel of the serum as it sinks in immediately and wears well under my makeup. Morning makeup time got even better (which I didn't even think was possible). Now if only I didn't have to get up so early. 

2. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic Spritzer* - Two mists in one favorites post? YES. Mist me now. Mist me later. Mist me FOREVER. And this one does exactly what it says - boost! It's like a pick me up for the skin. I have been adding to my morning routine because that is when I need things to perk up and look alive (now if only there was one for my body and mind). I'm already a huge fan of this Liz Earle product (it's on my holy grail list), so I am happy to experience another product from the line. I prefer it before makeup rather than post, and apply after cleansing. 

3. Chantecaille Pure Rosewater* - Oh my goodness - I don't know what I like more - using this product or staring at it. Housed in a chic glass bottle, this is pure rosewater, hence the name. Pure heaven and bliss for the skin, this mist helps to calm and hydrate my skin anywhere, anytime, makeup or bare faced. I recently got over a cold, and this mist was a saving grace for my skin.

4. Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Sunset Orange - Give me all the large lip pencils - they are so easy and fun to use! I was immediately in love when I first saw the Art Sticks on display at Saks, and picked this vibrant orange red to come home with me. Though I love a bold lip color, what drew me most to this shade was how wearable it was compared to other colors I have which  can be too "in your face". There are times when I want a sophisticated strong lip that enhances my look rather than consume it. Oh, and no one, and I mean NO ONE does matte lip colors like Bobbi Brown. They are never drying, last forever and feel like a dream on the lips. This Art Stick in Sunset Orange is no exception.

5. Clarins Multi Active Day Cream* - Yes - another addition to my morning routine. Here was my previous routine, and now I am onto a whole new line up. I always love a skincare shake up. Another top seller for Clarins, this Multi Active Day Cream is suitable for all skin types and helps to address the first signs of aging. To be honest, I just like the way it feels on my face. I don't suffer from too many wrinkles yet, so I mainly love how soft and supple it makes my skin. Perfect for applying foundation. It does not have SPF so I always need to add that as a last step (this one and this one are two of my faves), but I think this will take me well into spring and the beginning of summer before I need to switch to a lotion formulation.

*press sample

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The Ingredient Focus: Glycolic Acid

One of my goals this year was to develop a better understanding of skincare ingredients. Yes I love skincare. Yes I love using a ton of different products. But do I truly understand what each ingredient does, how it reacts with other ingredients, and what that all means for my face? Kind sorta, but I am no expert. I did start to make some correlations during my skincare routines when I was using too many exfoliating products or too many acne products at once – my skin would be too dry or too oily - basically out of balance. You can read more about my skincare routine and the thought process behind it here. One of the first ingredients I educated myself on was Retinol (read that post here). I was amazed at the results and once I fully understood it, I knew why it was working so well. The next ingredient to pop up on my radar has been glycolic acid. I have been using it for a while in many different products, but didn’t put two and two together that it was the reason I was seeing such great results.  (epic ditzy moment. Good one, Maree) Here's a quick breakdown of glycolic acid and what it does: it's an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), helps to break down substances that bond dead skin cells together, is a natural exfoliant, helpful in the treatment of acne, and can have long term effects such as reducing wrinkles, acne scars, a loser boyfriend (just kidding – get rid of him yourself!) and dark spots.  Basically it is great skin in a bottle. That is if you can use it – many cannot for whatever reason, so always do a test to make sure you can tolerate. But now that I have rambled on long enough, let’s look at the products I have been loving lately that contain glycolic acid:

1. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads* – Little round pads of heaven if you ask me. I use these after my cleanser, and follow with a quick spritz of a hydrating toner. Gentle enough for daily use, they help to exfoliate and prepare the skin for the rest of my routine. Everyone needs to add these to their regimen. Now. Immediately. Ok finish reading my post first, then GO!

2. Revive Moisturizing Renewal Cream* – Holy luxury. I have been coveting this cream for some time and am excited to finally give it a go. I have only used it a short time, but waking up the next morning is like a dream. Glowing, soft, supple skin – heck, I feel like I am going back in age with this bad boy. A total splurge yes, but it will not disappoint.

3. Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser – When I am having an exceptionally bad breakout (read hormonal with a side of chocolate cupcake cravings), I add this cleanser into my routine. I use it every other day instead of every day which can be too drying for me, but it helps to break up any congestion and clear up my skin quickly.

4. Murad Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex* - Hello anti-aging serum. I have only recently began adding in heavy duty anti-aging products into my routine. Typically I focus more on my oily skin/breakouts, but after watching those smile lines or in-between-my-eyes lines not disappear after 20 seconds, I knew I needed to bring in the heavier guns. This Firming Complex has been the perfect addition to my routine - with the first result being less noticeable pores. *throws confetti* My skin does feel more taut as well, and the glycolic acid in this is working overtime to give me extra smooth skin the next morning. 

5. Chantecaille Fruit and Flower Acids Mask* - Dry, dull or lackluster skin need not apply when using this mask. Some retexturizing masks can be way too strong or too weak, yet this falls happily right in the middle for me. It helps to eliminate dead skin cells, refresh my skin without irritation, yet still soothe it at the same time. So much goodness in one jar. For an extra treat, I follow this mask with a spritz of the Chantecaille Pure Rosewater and my skin is in heaven.

* press sample

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A Wash Of Color

Confession, I love a good 90's eye look.  Lid color, crease, liner, highlight - the whole sha-bang. But there are often many mornings when time does not permit me to be so daring, and my lid only gets one wash of color.  Now I'm picky when it comes to that lone shade, because it has no wing man/shadow.  It has to stand alone and speak for itself.  Tough job.  While perusing the shelves at Space NK recently, I stayed a bit too long at the Chantecaille display mesmerized by their shadows.  So elegant, so refined, so grown up.  I must have swatched a million and they were the perfect balance of rich pigmentation and subtlety - buttery smooth to the touch and easy to blend.  I was hooked.  They didn't have the 8 palette option in stock, so I had to settle for the 3.  I was sad, but my wallet was happy.  I chose 3 shades that I felt would be perfect for the "all over lid wash" look I am rocking recently.   

The palest shade Ginger is almost nonexistent in my above swatch because it matches my skin perfectly.  It evens out my lid color perfectly masking any veins and discolorations (ugh, eyelids are so ugly), and is the ultimate matte neutral shade.  I will hit pan on this color, I can promise you that.  The gray shade called Sel has just a hint of shimmer, but again done in such a refined way that I feel fancy just applying it.  *puts pinky out when picking up brush*  A few coats of mascara and my eyes have a beautifully delicate smoky look that is appropriate for the day.  And finally this warm bronzey gold shade in Bois that will most certainly be on repeat this summer, wears perfectly with a peach blush (love this one) and a coral lip (this one and this one are must haves).  That 8 palette option is coming home with me soon, so stay tuned for what other shades I acquire and push on you.  Oooops, I mean blog about.

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New In And Loving: Hourglass, Lipstick Queen, Murad and Chantecaille

Whenever I try something new (new to me that is) and love it, I find it almost impossible to not talk about it every single chance I get.  Hence the reason I started this blog.  Whenever I would buy a new blush/lipstick/cleanser that wowed me, I felt the need to tell anyone and everyone and unfortunately those close friends in my life were often not that into beauty. Or if they were, they were not that into the product I was pushing.  Thankfully, I don't have to worry about that anymore because I have managed to find an outlet for all my beauty excitement - yay for me, and yay for you! I have been using these 4 products regularly over the past few weeks and they are knocking my socks off - and of course I have to share my good news.

1. Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 (c/o) - I have such a love/hate relationship with my oily skin.  It helps keep me looking young but can be so hard to manage - no one likes a shiny face mid day.  I have been testing this out for the past few weeks and have actually put aside one of my favorite daytime SPF moisturizers in favor of wearing this regularly.  The texture is quite thick and initially had me a bit hesitant, and then I let it soak in for 30 seconds and my face felt smooth and hydrated, with a natural matte finish.  The true test for me is applying makeup over a product and this passed with flying colors - making the need for powder touch ups minimal throughout the day.  My summer shine better be scared.    

2. Chantecaille Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask (c/o) - I have started my Chantecaille journey and now that I'm the train, I don't plan to get off anytime soon.  Each and every product is better than the next (remember these lipsticks I gushed about?) - and this mask is no exception.  I initially used the mask right before I got sick and thought it was great.  Then I got sick - cue awful, sensitive skin that was dehydrated, irritated and in some places (my nose) raw and uncomfortable (yuck, I know).  That is when this mask went from great to AH-MAY-ZING. It truly helped heal and soothe my skin immediately, alleviating the pain I was having from the irritation and raw/dry patches.  I'm convinced this stuff is magic.

3. Lipstick Queen in Saint Pinky Nude (top swatch in the above pic) - This is my first Lipstick Queen lipstick, and I can tell you without a doubt, it will not be my last.  The texture is divine - creamy, smooth and hydrating on the lips, while the color is simply perfect.  The perfect natural pink - not too brown and not too rose.  I'm thinking this is going to become a staple in my collection.

4. Hourglass Ambient Blush in Radiant Magenta (c/o) (bottom swatch in the above pic) - You all know my obsession with Hourglass, and (of course) they knocked it out of the park with these blushes, which are a mix between the Ambient Lighting powders and vivid blush colors.  The pigmentation is quite intense (but then again I am practically transparent), so while my first try was with quite a heavy hand, I had to ease up for my second use.  The result was a gorgeous, radiant flushed cheek that suits almost any eye look I can pair with it.  Will I be getting more? You betcha.  I already have my eye on Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure next. 

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My Lip Color But Better

I have so many weaknesses - cupcakes, black pugs, a chic pencil skirt and sheer, shiny, my-lip-but-better lip colors.  As I always say, when one is good, fifty is better.  I've been experimenting with bold, dark and vibrant lip colors more this fall but my first instinct when I come upon a cosmetics counter is to go right for the safe zone - peachy, pink colors preferrably in a sheer texture.  I love how predictable I am.

I have amassed quite a collection (no surprise to anyone, I'm sure) and here is a run down of all the colors and swatches.

1. Cover Girl Lip Perfection in shade 210 - This was a complete impulse purchase, on a whim, not sure I even really wanted it - but low and behold I am loving this pencil style lip.  Easy, quick and can be applied without a mirror.  

2. Ilia in Nobody's Baby - Another shocker out-of-the-gate when I tried this product - it is technically a tinted lip conditioner but the coverage is just like a lipstick.  Best of both worlds.

3. Dior Addict in Blush - A bit bolder but still wearable for any occasion - I love this when my eye makeup is a bit lighter and I need a lip to pull it all together.  Plus the packaging is sparkly, shiny and mesmerizing.  Sold.

4. Chantecaille Lip Chic in Anais - Whoa.  Mind blown.  I had read reviews of these lipsticks online and darn those Nordstrom reviewers can be so convincing - but thank goodness they were right.  These lipsticks are everything - glides on with great coverage and lasts forever, but still manages to be sheer and nourishing on the lips.  My lips actually feel they are getting better the longer I wear this.  And this color - perfection - seriously.  Not too nude, not too pink, not too brown - the best of all worlds. 

5. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy - I like this color, I don't love this color.  This has been the first product from Chanel that did not knock my socks off, and I was a tad heartbroken.  The color is so sheer it's almost non-existent, so I tend to use it as a base and layer other colors on top.  Oh well - you win some lips, you lose some lips. 

6. Chantecaille Lip Chic in Daphne - Yes, the first was so good I had to buy a second.  A much more vibrant peach shade, this looks beautiful with a brown smoky eye and bronzed cheek.  Summer will be now known as the season of the Daphne lip.

7. Loreal Colour Riche Lip Balm in Nourishing Nude - I stare at these every time I run into the drugstore to get my daily Diet Coke during lunch, and finally snagged one on a particularly stressful day.  I threw it on as soon as I got back to my desk and viola! Day made.  The color is gorgeous as a rich rose-brown and the texture matches the name - nourishing.  Do I need all the other colors? Most definitely I do.  

8. Dior Addict Lipstick in LA - Aw man, I was really excited to get another one of these lipsticks and then I ended up buying almost the exact same shade.  Womp, womp.  But this color is a tad more sheer and shiny so it reads much less intense on the lips so in my mind I have made peace with the purchase.  

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