Beauty Shorts: Things I Need Now - May

I suppose need and want are two concepts that I often have been known to confuse. Either way, check out what's new that you need to know about.





1. Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow Palette has 3 new Stay-There shades, plus the original Mutt, all in a cute little case for $42. I need Pekingese, a lovely blue. I can live without Terrier, at least until someone shows me how to wear something that pink-ish. This line of shadows is one of my all time favorites. If you haven't checked them out before, this is a great (and economical) way to start!




2. The Bronze Azure Collection from Lancome is beautiful. The colors are so bright, yet so sheer and have such sheen...they almost make me drool. The new liquid liners are gorgeous as well, even Scorched, which is a hard-to-describe brown with a golden sheen. I'm not sure why I wouldn't think twice to lay out $42 for 4 Buxom cream shadows but question myself so thoroughly on $42 for this quad (plus an amazing free gift!). I might have to go back for this one.




3. Tom Pecheux's True Color lipsticks are so beautiful. I was powerless against the pull of Ripe Papaya. How could I walk away from this? These lipsticks are truly reinventing the line. If you think of this as what your Mom wears, you need to think again. 


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Perfect Peaches for Spring

I know I gush often about my love of peach colored cosmetics. True peachy colors are what makes my heart race. Not pinky peaches or coral peaches (which are also lovely), but true peach.

There has been a lot of debate amongst my blogger friends and I about how the slightest bit of pink makes a color pink and not peach, in my very discriminating book. I've looked long and hard for some pigmented and pretty peaches. I've found a few that are worth knowing about now.


 

Essie has a polish called Tart Deco that makes my mouth water. It's a gorgeous, creamy color. I first saw this on another blogger in LA and am going to be picking it up the first second I have a chance to run to the store.










YSL's Creme de Blush in Velvety Peach is one gorgeous color. While it looks like it might have a touch of pink in the container, on the skin it is soft, sheer and perfectly peachy. 


 
(YSL swatch)


I really like to use it as a base color on the apples of my cheeks and then add a touch of Zuii Organic's Mango blush on top of the YSL. The two together are magical.




 




Estee Lauder launched a new line of colors for Spring 2011, including Wild Coral, a very bright and on-trend orangey-peach lipstick. It is a very glossy and hydrating color, which you'll need to plan to reapply fairly often. I don't even care that the color fades fairly quickly (40 minutes of True Color, maybe, without a primer), it's just so pretty.




I know, it seems overly bright, but every time I put it on, strangers stop me and ask about it. My fellow redheads will love this color! This color does have a drop of coral in it, but it still seems very peachy to me. I love it!

What other peachy beauties am I missing out on? Please fill me in. I need to know!

Bloggers involved in my peach debacle gave me the YSL and Estee. You ladies rock! I'm buying the first bottle of Essie in Tart Deco I can find and Zuii Organics sent the blush for review.Estee Lauder and Zuii Organics don't test on animals. YSL does test on animals and Essie doesn't, but their parent company, L'Oreal does.

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Big Trend In NYFW 2010 Eyeshadow from MUFE and Estee Lauder

I didn't go to NYFW (I don't have the shoes, as Anne can attest), but from where I sit (reading the press releases) there is a big trend for eyeshadow lurking around the corner for Fall. The question is, will you embrace, experiment or run?

From Make Up For Ever at the Libertine and Yoana Baraschi Shows:






From Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder at the Derek Lam Show:

Does this shape have a name? Anyone? Bueller? I don't know. To me, it's an elongated and higher eyeshadow cat eye without much shading or blending. I dig the drama, but not the harsh lines. What do you think?

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The Wild Violet Collection from Estee Lauder

Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose got a chance to check out the new Estee Lauder Wild Violet collection. She also discovered a peachy coral lipstick I am running out at lunch to purchase. Check out her review and photos below!







Spring may be just around the corner (if you believe in a fuzzy rodent's prediction, that is), but I'm already celebrating the new season. Well -- with makeup anyway. And with warm weather wishes, Estée Lauder has pulled through again with another gorgeous new collection blooming with color: Wild Violet.

The Spring '11 Estée Lauder collection features a new limited edition Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette in Wild Violet ($42), which looks to be soft, smoky and subtle, with a pop of purple. To intensify your eye look, you can pick up two other limited edition single shadows ($20 each) in Untamed Violet and Sugar Cube (white). And what passionate purple peepers would be complete without a vibrant liner? Lauder has you covered with a new shade of Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil (Untamed Violet; $20).

As for nails, I had the opportunity to test out Estée Lauder's new limited edition Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Wild Storm ($19), and it surely lives up to its name.





A gunmetal with teeny-tiny flecks of blue shimmer, this nail polish is perfect for weathering the rainy days of spring. It applies evenly without streaking (always a concern in shimmer polishes), and it outlasted my four-day chip test, reaching my personal gold standard when it comes to nail polish.

While the new EL eye and nail colors are plum perfect, it's the limited edition lipsticks and lip glosses that are drenched in bolder hues that typically remind me more of summer -- not that I'm complaining! The new collection features four new shades of Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick (Wild Violet, Wild Coral, Wild Blossom and Wild Fire; $24 each)) and complementary hues of Pure Color Gelée (Electric Violet, Electric Coral, Electric Pink and Electric Cherry; $20 each).




Here's a closer look at the Wild Coral lipstick:





These aren't named "Pure Color" for nothing! Wild Coral is a true bright orange-y coral. While it certainly didn't go on the exact same shade as the stick, it was pretty darn close, and the bright coral is really bright when worn alone. But look at how with a swipe of the Electric Cherry gloss over it can tone down the color (it actually adds a pink hue to it, which I know Kelly Gould would be so fond of):





I really love this look and know that it will look even better paired with the right bronzer and blush (Nars Orgasm, anyone?).

When worn alone, the glosses add a hint of color (definitely not as intense as the color in the tube) and a healthy dose of shine, but without any tackiness whatsoever. Electric Pink is a great any-time color when you feel like pinking up your pucker.





It seems like Estée Lauder is putting a fresh perspective on spring in their new collection, and I'm loving it. Now, can they just hurry up the weather along as well?

Photos: Estée Lauder; Anne Houseman/BeautyXpose
Disclaimer: Products furnished complimentary for review purposes


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Two Beauty Bloggers Enter a Mall...and Find the New "Red" for Redheads

Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose and I went shopping two weekends ago. Our mission? To to find Anne a new foundation, find me a longer fall coat and check out some lip color for fall. We successfully completed our mission and found a few great things along the way.

Anne covered her search for foundation here. Check it out to see what worked for her. For me? I settled on two winter foundations. Bobbi Brown Luminizing Foundation and Dior Airflash. I am not 100% happy with either, so I am up for suggestions!

Then it was off to find me a Fall/Winter Coat that wasn't too heavy or too light, that came past my tuckus and was under $100. We hit the sales at Macy's and found bupkis. I'm still giggling at the fact that I said, with disgust, "I'm not finding anything. I'm too buxom." (I totally am.) But what Anne heard was, "I'm not finding anything. I'm too awesome." I guess it proves the point that if two bloggers are staring at the same thing, chances are opinions will differ. :-) Either way, Macy's was a bust. (Insert rim shot, please.)

Later that day, we made it to Burlington Coat Factory, which is where the world stores its coats for awesome/buxom ladies. After pointing out to Anne the things I avoid in coats (No fake fur, could be dog. No leather after watching an aerial hunting video. Bright colors scare me. Same with patterns. "I'm quirky" was the polite way Anne put it, I believe), we were off, looking for a dark coat made of something wool-like. After combing the racks of coats that fit my exact description, we found a Dereon coat that looked amazing.

While I am not one to jump on celebrity clothing lines (this one is Beyonce's), this coat looked amazing, came with a belt a mile long and was $89.99. Sold! (A serious bargain shopper would score this on Overstock for under $70, but I was happy to find something that looked like it was made for my figure!)

Back to makeup. The other goal of mine that day was to find a new fall lip color. It's hard for me to find something "different" from what I have. If you included all of the old MAC colors that I took out of plastics and put in palettes, I have hundreds of them.

We were at MAC looking at the new long-wearing foundation (fail!) and Anne found a really bright color I would never have picked up. Knowing my love of all things peach, Anne selected Crosswires, a color that she saw as peachy, which I saw as weird old lady too pink/coral.

Always up for a laugh, I tried it on, assuming she was crazy-pants. Then people passing by started complimenting me.


Next, the makeup artist added Passing Fancy, one of the Dazzleglass Cremes in the holiday A Tartan Tale collection. Then she and Anne stood back, sizing me up.

"It's the new red for red heads.", Anne said.

"What? This color? Really? It's so loud." I said, looking in the small hand mirror.

"Will you trust me? It's perfect," she replied.

And my new favorite fall lip color was born. When I looked it other light, in better mirrors, it really was a whole new red for red heads. I'm not sure too many people can carry off this color. But fair-skinned red heads should check this out, stat, before the limited edition lip gloss is gone.


And while you're at it, pick up the My Highland Honey blush from the same collection.


It's one of two of my must-have fall blushes. The other one is called Poison Apple, check it out here.


The big question is, how did both of us manage not to take any photos?


We were shopping at the mall, nothing was sent for review. MAC doesn't test on animals.

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Finding the Perfect Foundation: Two Bloggers on a Mission

by my amiga, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose.


Anne and I got together last weekend to hang out and go shopping. Needless to say, goofiness, makeup, and giggles ensued. I'm working on my side of things to share with you later in the week. In the meantime, here's what Anne had to say about our search for the perfect foundation.


Last weekend, I had the long-awaited pleasure of reconnecting with my good pal and brilliant beauty blogger, Kelly Gould (of Gouldylox Reviews). And believe me — just getting together was a feat in and of itself.

While we only live an hour and a half away from each other, it’s been a struggle matching up our schedules. The last time we were supposed to get together, my immune system flipped me the bird and cackled to herself because I had even thought about going out and having fun. But Sunday, the evil phlegm-thrower backed down and let me leave my house for the first time in a week (no joke) so I could spend my hard earned cash on makeup and jewelry.

So shop-til-you-drop time! Our mission was two-fold: Find a new foundation for each of us, and score a stylish fall jacket for Kelly. And of course, if there were other great deals to be had — even better.

On our quest, I learned quite a few things:

Even some of the newest foundations from expensive brands really suck.

I have a severe color identification deficit disorder.

Kelly is a supreme color master.

Wearing certain makeup colors during certain months only is not normal (Note: in my head, purple/pinks are for Jan. and Feb.).

My facial fuzz is overgrown and needs to be weed-wacked before more foundation gets stuck to it, enhancing my wooly-bear syndrome in front of unsuspecting Sephora employees.

Despite having an amazing camera in my Droid X, I forget to take pictures.

Upon beginning our foundation-finding foray, we set out to find a color that would better match my lightening skin (and yes, I used SPF all summer!). I had been using Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme ($36.50), and I absolutely loved it, but as the intrepid beauty blogger you’ve all come to know and love, I couldn’t pass up trying out two much-hyped foundations: Lancome Teint Miracle ($37) and MAKE UP FOR EVER (MUFE) HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($40). Kelly, on the other hand, was determined to find a foundation at MAC that was a better match than the too-dark color she had been coaxed into purchasing by a well-meaning, but colorblind, sales rep.

Our first stop: the makeup mecca (Sephora). Since Kelly is a regular at the store to the point where she is Facebook friends with staff members, we were treated like royalty the moment we stepped inside. It was fantastically ridiculous, and I know what Lady Gaga must feel like (I love you all, my little makeup monsters!). Ahem. Inflated ego aside, when we explained my makeup mission, the helpful Sephora staff immediately ran into motion and challenged my face to a Foundation-Off.

In the left corner, we had Lancome Teint Miracle:



And in the right, we had MUFE HD.



Both were applied to my face (one on each half), which was primed with the MUFE HD Microperfecting Primer in green to minimize any redness. It’s so funny how you can immediately tell the difference between foundations after a side-by-side comparison. You know what else is funny? Not taking pics. I’m a dope.



Visual approximation of my skin with MUFE HD

Both colors the Sephora team selected blended in as if they were one with my skin (very Zen). However, it was immediately apparent that the MUFE HD was a heavier coverage and dried down to a more matte finish instantly. The Lancome side was a medium coverage, though it didn’t seem to be as “cakey” heavy, so it was deemed the winner of the round, as I prefer a more natural looking finish. But did it win out overall? Unfortunately, no.

After determining the Lancome was our better bet, we removed the MUFE and applied the Lancome to the entire face, lest I look like I have a cakey, dry skin disorder on only one half of my face. Then, I decided to continue shopping while wearing it to see how it held up after time. Unfortunately, before we even left the store, I saw that it was already settling right into my forehead lines, and my dry skin was starting to look “chalky,” as Kelly so eloquently put it. Ten minutes later and the foundation was clinging to every possible dry flake (oh and my fuzzy facial hair) to the point that it looked like my skin was begging for a drink of water.



Visual approximation of my skin with Lancome Teint Miracle

As you can imagine, this is not the look I’m going for.

So you know the old adage, if it ain’t broke…? Time for me to heed that advice and return to the Estee Lauder counter to pick up the right shade of their foundation, which I love to bits and pieces for its medium coverage, smmmooooth application and natural finish (I swear it’s the hyaluronic acid that makes it stand shoulders above others).

As for Kelly? Well, she wasn’t finding much luck in the MAC department (”chalky” seemed to be the problem of the day), so she decided to test out the Estee Lauder herself and left with a 10-day sample supply. I’m hoping she comments here so we can find out how she feels about it!

Alas, I’ll spare you the remaining details of our adventure, though it included a search for similar colors of purple lip gloss (colorblind fail) and an attempt to figure out why a trench coat’s belt seemed 30 times too long (trend recognition fail). But tell me — have you ever tried a Foundation-Off? Which foundation is rocking your world right now?



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Estee Lauder Holiday Collection

By Guest Blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose





In the words of the queen of pop Madonna, “Holidaaaaaa-iiiiiieeee. Celebraaaa-eette.” Okay, so while it might not yet be Halloween, we can certainly look ahead and lust after all of the pretty holiday makeup palettes that already hit the shelves.

Take the Estée Lauder Holiday 2010 Collection, for example.



We all know I love me some Estée Lauder, and this new collection does not disappoint. This year, the brand unveils Pure Color Extravagant by Tom Pecheux, a collection featuring shimmering golds and deep winter reds fit for a luxurious holiday season.

In my humble opinion, the Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette in Extravagant Gold ($42) is the highlight of the collection.



Featuring shimmering shades ranging from gold to pewter to a center matte chocolate brown, these Pure Color shadows could work for any occasion all year round. Simply layer on lightly for day, and amp it up for night with a more dramatic look with the center brown swept in the lid crease. Here’s a look using every color in the palette:





Gorgeous, no? The one thing to note here is that all of these shadows are definitely on the “warm” side, so if you tend to gravitate toward cooler tones, then this probably isn’t for you. But that just brings us to the new lip products, which work with almost all tones.

Take a look at this gorgeous Pure Color Lipstick in Extravagant Berry ($22):



The color lasted for about four hours (granted, I was being very careful not to drink anything), at which point just a quick re-application was needed to touch it back up. If a true red is more like it, you’re covered with Pure Color Lipstick in Extravagant Red.

My favorite part of these lipsticks (just like any Estée Lauder lipsticks) is the formula. Seriously, guys — this doesn’t feel like lipstick. At least not the way lipsticks typically feel. There’s no waxy, heavy feeling at all, and I often forget I’m wearing anything because it just has the perfect balance of moisture without feeling glossy or dry. Isn’t that what all lipsticks should do?

If you’re more of a gloss girl yourself, the new Estée Lauder holiday collection also features three limited edition shades of Pure Color Gloss ($20). Check out Extravagant Plum (my favorite):



If you just can’t make up your mind, try the Pure Color Five Color Lip Palette in Extravagant ($42), which is a compact with five gloss and lipstick shades in three textures (all in one spot!




To polish the collection off (yes, bad pun), pick up one of the limited edition shades of Pure Color Nail Lacquer ($18), available in Extravagant Pearl (shimmery opal) and Extravagant Night (glittery plum). I love that these aren’t the typical reds you see this time of year.



Just looking at photos of the Estée Lauder holiday collection makes me feel luxurious and opulent! Of course, with a collection this gorgeous (especially the eye shadows), I can’t keep it all to myself. Mom — if you’re reading this, I guess you already know what I’ll be buying you for Christmas!

Photos: Estée Lauder; Anne Houseman/BeautyXpose
Disclaimer: Select products furnished complimentary for review purposes

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Fun Things I Forgot to Mention: September

Sometimes I go on shopping sprees and forget to tell you what I loved. I suppose happens when you are always on the prowl for new goodies...Anywho, here are my new discoveries that you should know about.

1. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner. I am sure that this shampoo and conditioner is leaving a residue behind on my hair, similar to what Pantene is rumored to do. I don't care. It makes my hair feel totally different from anything else I use on a regular basis. My hair swings, gets stuck in my lip gloss (it's long enough to do that now!) and is so soft it is begging to be touched. I still alternate with my beloved Peter Lamas products, which are still making my hair grow at unprecedented rates. But every other shampoo and condition, it's this magical blue bottle for me.

2. Bare Escentuals Buxom Travel in Style with Monica Buxom Gloss and Athens Big and Healthy Lip Stick. I love Buxom. I love peach colored cosmetics. These two together create a beautiful bright peachy smile that lasts for a respectable amount of time. The color isn't so bright, isn't too much, but instead is politely bright, even for an outwardly shy gal like myself. I love how the color brightens up my whole complexion and just makes me look happy. You can't look bummed out in this color, it's impossible!

3. Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster and Lancome L'Extreme. This mascara and conditioner combination are amazing. The Powerbooster isn't making my lashes grow, but the combination of the two products makes my lashes look amazingly perfect for 12 hours. I can't believe I ever purchased the vibrating wand lash primer but I did, and it is amazing. It seems like such a gimmick. In all honesty, I went to the Lancome counter at two different stores a few times each to look at it, without being able to pull the trigger on the price tag. I was certain it was not worth the cash. Two months later, I still love it.

(SIDE NOTE:I was just reading the fine print on the website for this product and realized that despite the well worded copy that leaves the impression this causes lash growth, it in fact, does not do any such thing. It just makes it easier to see natural lash growth.)

The L'Extreme Mascara claims to attach fibers to each lash and maybe it does. I am not seeing too many fibers when I look at the wand by itself, but the end result is longer lashes. I don't get how this combo works so well for me, and I would never have believed it if I hadn't tried it.

4. This season is about the red and I have found yet another red lip gloss I adore. This one is from the True Color Collection from Estee Lauder, Wet Cranberry Shine. It's another red that makes your teeth whiter, your skin brighter and blue eyes pop. There are a myriad of great reds out there this season, but this is one of my favorites!

I bought all of these products with my own nickels.

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Best of Summer : LIPS

It's no secret I am not loyal to any one brand. Only within the last year have I been loyal to a hairstylist for more than 3 months, ever. Lip gloss is one product I can fall for any time, by any one. This lip gloss made me almost miss my train when I thought I had lost it and I have almost actually gone through an entire one in one season. Since I am so fickle, I never hit the end of a tube, unless something wasn't capped tightly, so this is a big deal for me. My favorite lip gloss from the summer is easily Estee Lauder's True Color.


I have a major lip gloss addiction and currently own way more than I could ever use. The knowledge of that does not even slow me down when new, shiny lip glosses pop up on cosmetic counters. Lip gloss may be the one thing (besides a good SPF) that I just can't live without.


My new favorite is Pure Color Gloss, by Tom Pecheux for Estee Lauder. The Pure Color Gloss collection contains 34 shades in three finishes. According to Estee Lauder, "these glosses use the new, exclusive True Vision™ Technology, which wraps pigments in a crystal-like coating to provide intense, brilliant color and shine to lips."


I recently picked up two shades (which was a very, very hard choice!). I chose Plum Divine Shimmer and Passion Fruit Shimmer.


The aptly named Plum Divine Shimmer is a sheer plum color with a hint of glimmer. Passion Fruit Shimmer is my go-to color for every day, all day. I can't stop wearing it. It's the perfect coral for my fair skin and red hair.


These glosses have a slight scent, which doesn't bother me, although I know others have reported that it is slightly strong and sweet or fruity to them.


(Plum Divine Shimmer)


I don't find them to be overly sticky or tacky and think they wear slightly longer than similar glosses. I love the Passion Fruit color so much, I am tempted to lighten up my purse and leave my giant lipstick/gloss bag behind.


(Passion Fruit Shimmer)


These glosses are available at all Estee Lauder counters or online. I may have to go back and pick up some of the other sumptuous colors. Have you tried them? What is your favorite?

I bought these glosses. Estee Lauder does not test on animals.



Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.