Hot Spot for Thursday Lunch

It seems that I am becoming a regular at Smashbox's Let's do Lunch Thursday. In fact, I love it so much that I share the word, and my dear friend K has joined me twice.

for just $20 this time, I followed the advice of Park Avenue Princess, and got the creme eye liner brush. The freebie of the week was eyeshadow in posh. I can't wait to get my order and see how both items turn out.

Don't forget to check the site out next thursday to see what the special is. Just make sure you order between 12 and 5 EST. The free item will be automatically added to your bag. If it isn't, try back in a few minutes.

Mediterranean Sunshine

After the flop that was last month, mark has put out another cute magalog.

And the best part, more free subscription cards for Lucky!!!

#1 - Like every summer before it, Instant Vacation is back, this time repackaged and with a new scent: Greek Isles. We again have the self-tanning lotion, after sun lotion, surf spray for hair, and scent mist, and new for this year, self-tanner for the face, all in pretty blue packaging.


#2 - New Shades and Revamped Packaging
we have yet another bronzer, but this one actually comes with a mirror and a brush that fits into a second,lower compartment
Kiss Therapy has been given new colors, it seems they got rid of the red shade, but they also added shimmering shell and shimmering bronze which both have SPF 15

#3 - A Mix of tacky and cute accessories
tacky : the bracelet, this big obnoxious thing of dangling coins
ehh: the bag, head scarf, earrings and purse
cute: the dress and necklace
** click on each item to see the pic**

Pass the Vino

I have always wanted to get something from Caudalie. I just love the idea of vinotherapy, from France no less, but I didn't know what products to try out. Julia from All About the Pretty (see sidebar) reviewed their purifying mask here, and I knew I had found my answer.

I adore this mask. I love the creamy texture, especially the fact that it doesn't harden and make your face feel tight. It has a beautiful subtle lavender smell, and it leaves my skin looking so clear and luminous (my favorite adjective/quality for all beauty products, if i could look ethereal all the time...)It is also helping to clear up the nasty acne I have had on my chin for the past few months.

Now that I have dipped my toe into the magic wine, I know I will be coming back for more.

Page 218

March Marie Claire

10 Best Beauty

What is that gorgeous black object front and center?

A barette you say? and I can get it at zitomer.com?

Cut to today, I got my barette, it is totally goreous, so chic and french looking in that over the top Versailles way (ps I watched Marie Antoinette this weekend, it was totally girly fabulousness, a must see) and it was even made in France. By the way, have i mentioned I am a total franco-o-phile and my next tattoo, inner right wrist, will be a fluer de lis, as soon as I find the perfect one.

I digress...the best thing about this barette is that it comfortably fits all my hair, and it is fairly thick.

Fall in love, obsess and buy:

Clothing Tragedies

Tomorrow is going to be a big day at work. The B's of AB* are coming down for an event we are hosting tomorrow night. This means neat work stations and suits! I bought a new suit a few weeks ago, but I haven't found a good blouse to wear under it. Top that off with the fact that I have no stockings and we have a crisis. I decided to swing by a boutique near my office to look for a top and then head down the block to Vickie's for stockings. First, the store has a sign in the window saying "Sorry, but we closed early today" Sh*t. Then Vickie's is out of my stockings, so I wound up heading home empty handed and in major panic mode.

I solved the shirt crisis first. The jacket buttons high enough that a shirt isn't neccessary, but usually i get too uncomfortable to wear one all day. But I tried it on and realized the fabric isn't stiff and I can actually move around in it! So, I am going to go with my bra and jacket, woo...

Problem #2: I have to wear stockings because they smooth me and and keep me from chafing. Dum da dum...I'm going to wear my leggings and just pull them over knees.

So, thank god I avoided that crisis. I also just ordered four pairs of stockings from VS so that I won't have to run into that problem again.

And, oh yea, I fell in love while having my breakdown. I walked by NineWest and was drawn into the store by a pair of green suede covered platform peeptoe slingbacks:


Then I saw them in blush patent:


And finally, I spotted black croc pumps, which is something I have always been on the lookout for:


i didn't buyant tonight, but I am definitly going back next week.
*Names have been changed

Hunt for the Great Eye Liner Brush

With all my new creme, gel and powder liners, I have found that my $5 mark brush just isn't cutting it. Below, the 4 brushes I am considering. Please comment with reviews and suggestions!!

212 Flat Definer Brush $20.00


#9 Creme Eye Liner Brush $20.00


Professional Flat Eye Liner Brush $18.00


Short Handle Flat Eye Liner Brush $14.00

Last week I was featured on Chic Armoire as part of Michelle's Whats in Her Bag? series. Check it out...

I also finally found Sugar Sugar from the Revlon LE collection. I love it!! I put some clear lipgloss on, and then added the sugar sugar, and bam!! super sparkly lips. The particles are very fine and the overall effect is just awesome. It's not really for everyday, but if you see this, pick some up, you'll be glad you did.

One of my favorite magazine columns is The Beauty Closet by Jean Godfrey-June in Lucky. She always hand picks a few awesome products and includes a great story to go along with them. I became an even bigger fan after reading her book, Free Gift with Purchase. This month I am all over the Sweet Caprice Lip Balm by Lancome. Her description of the gloss as being for those who love ballet totally spoke to me as a former dancer. Next trip to the department store and this is mine!!

Another favorite magazine column of mine used to be in Vogue. I don't remember what is was called, but it was a one pager that showed text message correspondance between two snarky femmes. It was catty, bitchy, and I absolutly loved it. It was seriously the first thing I would read when I got my issue. Then the column stopped and I failed to renew my subscription. It has also been years since I have read Vogue. Do you remember this, have they brought it back? Comments please.

And finally, my super fab v-day gift: new earrings fromT&Co.

Smashing Bargains

Nothing is better than getting a bargain on Make-up since it is one of those products so rarely on sale.

Thursdays on Smashbox.com are the best time for a great deal.

In order to take advantage of all the great deals I got bought a creme eye liner duo with caviar and thunder for $18. such a great deal, smashbox liners are one of the best out there, and I was able to get black and charcoal shades. I also got two eyeshadows for $12 each. Toast and Wrap, both are darker than I expected, but still nice, and wrap is especially pretty. you should definitly snatch this one up before it is gone.

The freebies:
Free shipping!! also a plus.
Free blush in publish, a punchy apricot, but very wearable, this was the thursday lunch special.
Free mini lipgloss trio in mini baby pink patent case. Sassy, a red, and Accessories, a hot pink, don't look good on me, but pixel, a nude does. and the case it came in is too cute!!
Free mini mascara, you get a deluxe sample with every order.


all that for $42, not bad!!

I'm A Barbie Girl

Thurs night (payday) was my day to check out the Barbie Loves MAC collection

Since I no longer work above Macy's, I thought it would be fun to go to the MAC store at Pentagon City.

After a little bit of a wait, I got transformed into Malibu Barbie by Trent, ok well maybe not really, but he did the same eyeshadow scheme on me as ont he blonde model.

I ended up going home with Moth Brown eyeshadow, it is a great brown/silver/burgundy shadow that just looks awesome, Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder, a great complexion enhancer, Lipstick in Style It Up, such a perfect nude, I couldn't believe it when I tried it on, and Lipglass in Fashion Pack, a great nude/peach that works great with Style It Up. I also got the 219 brush, a cool pointed shape that it great for precise application and smudging and the mini barbie case.

I also was loving lipglass in Sweetness, but I had to tell myself no at some point, and I have so many pink lipglosses. But when I came home, I realized that none of the ones I have really match this one. So next time I am wondering the mall and need a pick me up, I will be heading to the MAC counter for this gloss.

I tried out a new eye shadow yesterday: mark i-glimmer in hushed

This is a lavender shimmer cream shadow.

I really like it when first put it on, but soon realized I made a mistake in not putting on base first. I wasn't thrilled the rest of the day, but I know for next time and hopefully I'll be happy with it.

I paired it with MAC fluidline in macroviolet. The colors work really well together, and with that eye shadow base, I think it will be a great look.

FYI...

nothing bad has happened to me, I just don't have anything to write about. But with a few new orders on their way, and MAC Barbie coming out soon, I will!! stay tuned....

What The Editors Are Talking About

In the February round of my magazines, I picked up on two beauty products worth mentioning.

1) Blue Mascara: I can't wrap my head around putting anything blue on my eyes, but it seems to be a big trend for spring. Search for blue mascara on sephora to get lots of options. seen here is benefits badgirl in blue

2) Tarte/BORBA Inside Out Vitamin Lipgloss: This is getting plugged as one of those revolutionary new products. Not only do the vitamins work their magic on your lips, but because of some research saying that we went up eating x number of pounds in lip-product in our lifetimes, the vitamins also work their magic on your insides too!! in 3 colors, available only at Sephora

Also on the radar for spring, metallic make-up. Procede with caution, only go metallic on ONE feature, and do even that with moderation. Warning: metallic plays up imperfections so only use on areas you want to highlight.

And check out Allures Backstage Pass, 2/10 at 7 on Style, for their take on the 10 best spring trends, straight from the runways

Beauty Icon

Yesterday was Raquel at MAC day for me.

I went knowing that unless the colors turned out to be horrifying, I would walk away with screenqueen and bodymind. But I also wanted to get a full makeover to see what the rest of the collection was like. I don't know if the girl who helped me, was tired, dejected or what, but I barely got a make-over, just a try on of the two lippies I asked for, plus a smattering of eye shadow that I was unimpressed with, more the application than the colors.

But being that I know my colors, I walked away with the above mentioned. And let me tell you, these are fab!! They are very similar to each other, screenqueen, a stick, is a pale pink with lustre in it, perfect for the pale lip look. BodyMind, center lipglass, is a smidge darker with flecks of gold for that perfect pink mouth, and together they are amazing. I am totally loving these two!!



I also needed a new lash primer **girls replace your mascara every three months**, and I got the 169 brush, a contour blush brush, limited edition with tiger striped bristles, not handle, like I thought.

Reality Check: I have 33 lippies, plus a dozen more from the cute lip heart shaped tower-o-gloss my lil bro got me for Christmas, and counting. That's right, even though I did a major throw-out after completing my Rock-the-Gloss, I have bought back as many as I tossed, and I have my eye on so many more.

Cool news in my personal life: My office move is this weekend. Monday morning I will be in the Golden Triangle are of DC, which is so much cooler than where I was. Better everything, especially restaurants. The only downer - no more MAC counter downstairs:(
But the real big news, I got my learner's permit. Yes, that is right this 22-going on 23-year-old does not drive. Had a permit back in HS, but due to major anxiety I never got my license and the permit expired on my 21st. So for almost 2 years, I have been without, but now I can start driving again, and hopefully within a few months, I will finally go through the right of passage that should have happened 5 years ago, my drivers’ license!!!!

My Smashbox Order

Sorry it has been so long, my office is moving this week and I have just been crazy busy!!

Anywho, I got my Smashbox order on Friday night, but I didn't finish getting to try everything ‘til this week.

Tokidoki eyeshadow in Celebrita: This was the main reason for my order. I love the whole girly/punky thing and the artwork of Tokidoki is totally in line with that. And the little make-up fairy on the mirror? to die! So I am very happy with it, but not totally enamored. The white is your standard white, I wish the pink was a little more vibrant and the purple less matte. And the grey is a mid grey, not a charcoal. But I really am enjoying this compact, and I think I can get a lot of good looks out of it.

Spectrum Lipgloss in Luminous: my stepmom had this gloss in brilliance and I loved the way it looked layered over Chanel Satinette. I love the way the light golden color looks alone. It brightens up my whole face and is absolutely gorgeous. and of course, it looks great layered over my Chanel. I think I might keep this in my purse at all times. It makes a great top-coat and default color, and this was defiantly an amazing find!

Eyeshadow in Deadline: I got this because my order during the Thursday Lunch special, it was the freebie for the week. I used this color as the main, but it was a little too light, and I think it will work better as a highlighter.

In other news, I have laid my Bobbi Brown violet palette to rest. I made a swap for it on make-up alley. I really was disappointed with it, the shadows faded quickly, and while my initial excitement was there, it was more due to the hype over it and the fact that I got it before everyone else, than that I truly was in love with the product. oh well live and learn. I swapped for MAC fluidline in macrovoilet, which I wanted to try because of the suggestion my aunt made. I also got a $25 sephora gc which I am going to use to get Cargo Kalamazoo.

Tomorrow, being my last day in the old office, and therefore the last day working above Macy's, I am going to spend my lunch break with Raquel Welch. I love the tiger print packaging, I defiantly want the blush brush, I need another eyelash primer, and I am loving two of the lip colors.

A lipgloss recap: it is obvious from the name of my blog that I love the gloss, but I have had a serious binge this month.
1. mac chrome in pastel polish
2. mac chrome in chromaliving
3. smashbox spectrum in luminous
4. raquel welch lipstick in screenqueen **plan on buying tomorrow
5. raquel welch lipglass in bodymind ** plan on buying tomorrow
6. shu uemura gloss in invisible pink **whenever I can get to the mall
7. cargo kalamazoo **same as above + I need the gc
8+. whatever I from the Barbie collection, plus whatever else catches my eye.

this is getting insane!!

Chrome & Creme, what a Paradox!

I was originally going to hold out on any MAC purchases until Raquel Welch and Barbie hit the scene, but, you know...

I went to Macy's with D yesterday for the last time, she is moving on to another company and it was our last MAC trip together so we made it a big one. I wanted to try to get the launch dates for those two lines, and I was wanted to see the Danse and Chrome & Creme collections in person. The Danse collection looked a lot better in person than it did on-line, but what really got me going was the Chromeglasses. I first swooped in on Pastel Polish, and a minute later snatched up Chromaliving, too. Then we snagged our selfs a MAC Artist and got to work. I tried on those two colors, and bought both, along with the Naked Rose creme liner. D tried on three and got two, Prize Shine, the purple one and Metalphysical, the beige one, plus a liner, Creme Sherry. In order to complete our new lip looks we had our eyes done as well. I wasn't really in love, she went with a purple palette, but went towards the plum side, where as I like to stay towards the violet side. We also got dusted with Mineralize Skinfinish, I with Lightscapade, which I declined, and D with Glissade **tombe pottaborre glissade assemble, reminds me of my ballet days, even though I'm sure I spelt everything wrong** which she did get.

I'm also pretty excited about Shu Uemura's Spring collection: Paradox. The collection includes purple, grey, and white single eyeshadows; white eyeliner; three different pink blushes; two pink lipsticks; 2 pink nail polish; 2 sets of falsh lashes; a fan brush; and a lip brush.

but my favorite part, and the only product I am interested in buying is the Gloss Laquer in Invisible Pink. It also comes in Irrational purple and Radical fushcia I love the idea of a laquer in a pot. I think it will stand alone great and also look great layered over others.

I Got a Facial

Yup, I got one yesterday, and it was sooo nice. I went to the Modern Day Spa in Tysons. My chin has been really broken out, which was my main reason for wanting to get one. But I also love going to the spa yet hardly ever go. There were lots of hot towels, a wonderful & long face, neck, arm, and scalp massage. My aesthetician, Kaddy, also used some kind of high intensity electrical machine that kills bacteria and really clears up your skin. I could definitely see a difference in my skin, the break-out was significantly improved and my skin just looked brighter and more even. Kaddy also recommended Dermalogica Medicated Clearing Gel, which I also got.

I finally got to Sephora to return my defective monopoly. I paid $45 for it, but now it is $29, so I was able to get a $16 GC when I made my exchange. I didn't get it while I was there but I want to go back and get the facial extractor tool to help keep my skin clear. I also fell in love with Cargo's duo gloss in Kalamazoo, but I'm hesitating to buy it since I just ordered one from Smashbox, and I know I will be getting a bunch from MAC with their two new spring collections.

Revlon LE Eye Products

On New Year's Eve I finally got over to Target to check out the Revlon Line. Actually, I went to get my vacuum. It's the Bissell Velocity, and it's purple, and its awesome. You would not believe how dirty my floors were, but six months without a vacuum will do it. It's like I have brand new clean fluffy carpets, I digress..

My Target only had the eye products.
The molten eye shadows were strange. The tube was half filled with garish metallic colors, and half filled with a gelatinous goo. I suppose you shake the two together?? in any case, I passed. The lash jewels were equally strange. They seem interesting but should be reserved for halloween, raves, and the like. I am loving the diamond lust eye shadow. I got lavender unleashed and I am wearing it today. It goes on really sheer with an awesome shimmer. I liked another color called bronze something, it was really beige though, but at $10.89 a pop, I wanted to try one before I got two. But I think next time I am there I will pick it up. The Bedroom Eyes was dissapointing. It really is no different than using eyeshadow as liner. Its ok, but it's by no means a revolutionary product.

I am kinda glad they only had the 4 eye products. I couldn't get overwhelmed by everything. I can't wait for thr rest of the products to come out!!

Flip for Mark

mark. has just annouced the highlight of their Spring 2007 line, Flip for It. Each flip for it compact contains 2 eyeshadows, one blush, and 4 lipcolors, with a huge mirror. There are three sets of colors; Paris, Milan, and New York. Each fashion season, mark will release a new set of Flip for It's to reflect the current runway trends.

mark. has also revamped their travel brush set (same brushes, cuter package) to go along with the Flip for Its.
The blue and brown eyeliners were renamed Lapis (was denim) and Java (was cocoa)

There are also three additions to the hair-care line. A Heat-Styling protector for the straight collection, a refresher for the Volume Collection, and silkening serum for the curl collection.

The accessries for this magalog aren't too exciting, it seems all the work went into the flip for its.

There is a new sea green tunic/dress thing, as well as two new bags, a small brown number that can be worn shoulder or messenger style, and a slouchy faux-leather purse with wooden handles

The jewelry is also a bit of a dissapointment. Beaded hoop earrings and an extremely beaded bracelet come in clear and amber. The bracelet is questionable. Only the clear one was potential, if it were real diamonds, it would be to die for, but I think as costume jewelry it might be too over the top. It does remind of a very glam necklace worn by Wilhelmina/Vanessa Williams on Ugly Betty. **Side Note** I cannot get over how amazingly gorgeous/glam/chis/incredible Vanessa looks. Due to the wonders of TV-land and the bevy of artists working to make her look drop-dead every single second, I am in awe and look to her as inspiration for the type of style I want to inhabit everyday. Back to the necklace, I wonder if linking two bracelets together can achieve that look. There is also a chain link necklace, that is nice but bland.

Some TestTube and MAC Reviews

I found the Yu-Be sample to be way too heavy for my face. It had an ointment-like consistency and a menthol scent. Even though I won't use this on my face, it works great on my dry cuticles and feet.

Lancome Secret de Vie: This is one seriously expensive cream, it goes for $225 a jar!! the texture and weight of the product are perfect for night-time winter use, but the scent is very perfumey and old lady. Having the sample is great, but I would never spend money on it.

The New MAC Collections

Having been a dancer for 16 years, I was very excited to hear about the Danse collection, but like Yummy411 said, it is sooooo dissapointing!! There isn't anything that I want.

However, MAC has teamed up with Raquel Welch for their Beauty Icon Collection, and the colors and packaging are something to get excited over. The collection isn't on the web yet, but you can see it on page 123 of January's Allure (Naomi Watts on the cover). Allure is showing two eyeshadows - Primal, a deep brown color and Amazon, a vibrant gold highliter. Lipstick in screenqueen which promises a very sexy very pale mouth. Blush is Goddess, a punchy apricot, which is more wearable than it looks. Beauty Powder in Peaceful. I think this color is meant to be universal and to be used in the I need to go powder my nose sense, how very 60s glam. And lastly three new lipglasses - Raquel, Body Mind, and Vital Spark, a deep peach, a golden pink, and deep gold. All of the packaging is black and tiger print, how very Raquel! I can't wait to try screenqueen and Body Mind (which I think is the golden pink) in person.

Fantasy Fashion League: Beauty Edition

Have you heard of Fantasy Football? How about Fantasy Fashion? Well now they have the beauty edition. I didn't have the patience to read all the way through. But basically a group signs up as a "league", and then you draft celebrities, brands, trends, etc. and score points based on the amount of coverage they get in the magazines, award shoes etc. It sounds like a lot of fun, and if anyone is interested, leave a comment so we can start up a team.

Fantasy Fashion League: Beauty Edition