Finding the Perfect Peach: Peach Blush Super Swatch-tacular

For months, I have been all over any blush that wasn't pink, purple or brown. I have a lot of pink in my skin, and while I am drawn to pink blush, it has been hinted at - by much more makeup-savvy people than I - that pink blush on my easily flushed skin is similar to a disaster.

So my quest began. Then one evening, while strolling in Walgreens (yes, I stroll in Walgreens) Loxy said, "I know it has a NEW! sticker on it, but I think you have that color." Granted, I have a lot of makeup. Believe it or not, I think I had more a few years ago, way before I started writing about it. But if Loxy was telling me I already had a particular color and he understood that this color was a light peach, with a slight shimmer with cool undertones and no glitter in a cream base, it was starting to sink in that maybe I had gone to far.

So here, for your perusal, are swatches of most of my peach blushes, in the hopes that you can find what may be your perfect peach blush. And maybe it will inspire you to try something new OR remind you to walk away from the makeup counter if you truly already have that color.







I believe I have the peach cheek market covered. There is one more color I am dying to try, but it isn't available at my Sephora yet. I will be sure to let you know when I pick it up. In the meantime, I promise to walk away from the peach blush. Unless I don't have anything like it.

Do you have these? Am I missing something amazing? What is your favorite? (Based on the swatches, mine might be both TEMPTU colors.)

Out of all of those swatches, the only one that was given to me for the purposes of review was Tarte Eco-Cheek.

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Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010,Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

2009 Favorite Things Countdown #1

My number one favorite product of the year won't surprise anyone who has been a Gouldylox Reviews reader since I began this blog. It is something I wear everyday and definitely a product I won't be without. My favorite adventure this year? This one is easy. We liked doing it so much, we went somewhere else to do it again.

Favorite Thing #1 : Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder


After my Twitter pal, Pro Makeup Artist, Melissa Street, raved about Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder, I had to check it out. This powder claims to give you an aura-like glow, without all of that sparkle and glitter other similar finishing powders have.

Your face will have an airbrushed look. This fine powder has a photoluminescence that subtly illuminates a blue glow invisible to the naked eye which decreases the appearance of wrinkles. The diamond powder bends and refracts light to reduce the visibility of those imperfections while giving an aura of "je ne sais pas"! It is so finely milled that it does not give off a shimmer. This is more of an "aura" - like that of someone who has a pleasant secret they're keeping to themselves.

I have lots of secrets, but they tend to make me blush, not glow, so I am definitely a candidate for this powder! I need some help with fine lines and dark circles, but we have been over that. I am hopeful that this powder, which is infused with real diamonds, will seriously help conceal my imperfections and brighten my skin.

When I first dove into this very light powder, I was surprised by how white it was. That said, once thoroughly buffed on, it looked really, really nice. Some of my fine lines were not as noticeable and my skin felt positively smooth. My face did look brighter, which I love. My husband said I looked as if I had finally gotten a good nights' sleep. And if he noticed, than something must be working! One word of caution, I am not sure how this looks on someone who is not as pale as I am. I know all of these type of finishing powders (made by several companies) say this is a universal color, but I am curious to know if that is true. Since I am so fair, I can't speak for you gals who can actually get a tan.

This powder is comparable to Makeup Forever's High Definition Powder (according to the Purely Cosmetics website) and was recently listed as Must Have Summer Product by BeautyLuxe.com. I was recently on the local news (for my non-profit) and wore this finishing powder on camera. When I watched the broadcast back in high def, I was really pleased. I also received lots of comments that my skin looked great!

I purchased this product. A few times!

Zorbing in Pidgeon Forge

Day Two of my Glamping in Gatlinburg extravaganza was unique. We started the day hoping to go whitewater rafting and when we had called on Wednesday, we were told the river was dam-controlled and Thursdays were a no go. We excitedly called on Friday to schedule our rafting tour. Turns out, Friday was a no go because of the dam as well. When we asked why were weren't told this on Thursday, it was because we didn't ask specifically about Friday. Ugh.

Not off to a great start, I insisted on Zorbing. Why I wanted to do this, I have no earthly idea. Basically, Zorb is the "sport" of rolling down a huge hill in a hamster ball, with or without water. It started in New Zealand and it just so happens that Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is one of the only places you can officially Zorb in the US. I don't like roller coasters and I generally dislike fun (my co-workers will agree, as I have almost never gone to a happy hour in 13 years). But I wanted to Zorb!


I understood from the Zorb website that I would get wet. Really wet. I also knew my family had no plans for me to take the time to retouch my makeup, so I tried to plan a day that would allow me to not look like a train wreck while not getting sunburnt. After Zorbing, we were planning on spending the day at Dollywood, where I had hoped, but doubted, they would have large breast themed attractions. Rides or no rides, I didn't want to look like a drowned rat, so here is what I was banking on to help me maintain some kind of decent appearance:

Tarte Eco Cheek Stain: a gorgeous creamy peach stain.


Jan Marini Skin Research AntiOxidant SPF 30: Waterproof UVA/UVB SPF 30, my new fave sunscreen.



Tarte Lights, Camera Splashes Waterproof mascara: the waterproof version of their amazing mascara.


Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes in Grey 22L: a beautiful gray liner for blue eyes that lets you look glam without looking like you are trying too hard - especially when you are Zorbing in Pigeon Forge.

Once I saw people leaving Zorb, I realized that getting wet wasn't really what was happening. It was more like being put in a washing machine. I left my hope of not being a hot mess in the red van that took us to the top of the hill. I got out of the vehicle, into the ball, and went down the hill.

Two fun facts before you watch the video:

1. If you crank the audio, you can hear me screaming the whole way.
2. My shorts fell down.




After my trip down the hill, how did I fare? My eyeliner was almost gone, my mascara stayed put, and my cheek stain held its own, although slightly worse for the wear. I did reapply my sunscreen, as I am not willing to risk burning my skin for my blog. All in all, I would say Zorbing is the ultimate test for makeup (and the closest thing you can get to actually being put in a washing machine. And while my slightly made-up face held up ok, it didn't matter. This is one of those times my inner beauty took over and out-shined my makeup.





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The Best in This Week's Beauty

The Beauty Chick reviews Chella Enzyme Exfoliating Crema Mask.

A La Mer "addict," Best Things in Beauty tried out the new The Hydrating Facial.

Beauty Junkies Unite highlights some of the best beauty products for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Brown Suga has details on a new mascara that eliminates mascara waste.

Denim Debutante has the latest on one of the newest sample sale sites: Row Nine.

Fabulous Over Forty interviews famous makeup artist Sandy Linter and she offers wonderful advice.

Ferohhhsh Beauty 411: Tackling Tired Eyes.

A Few Goody Gumdrops has the perfect Fall find.

The Gloss Menagerie is thinking of trying a CVS beauty knockoff.

Gouldylox Reviews round up of the best in cosmetics whose sales benefit Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Hot Beauty Health shows you her love for fashion and technology with Microsoft's stylish phone themes.

The Informed Makeup Maven shares here Best Complexion Beauty Buys for 2009.

Krasey Beauty reviews and swatches all of the amazing fall MAC collections.

Marina from Makeup4all tells you everything you wanted to know about London Fashion Week.

The Makeup Snob wants you to check out the neutral side of Style Black!

theNotice celebrated its 2nd blogiversary, and you're all invited to do an audio tag!

Prime Beauty is loving L'oreal Colour Riche Anti-Aging Serum Lipstick.

Sicka Than Average's Fall Fragrance Extravaganza!

Go Ahead, Honey: Take a Chance. Break out of a basic wardrobe with tips from The Style and Beauty Doctor.

Visit our website for more information about The HLMN or how to become an affiliate.


Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

Shop For Good: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Each year, 40,000 people die from breast cancer and thousands more get diagnosed with this pervasive disease. Cosmetic companies have created special products in order to help find a cure and are donating a larger percentage of the sales of these items than ever before. Consider purchasing one of these, not only to make yourself look better, but to help find a cure and to give others hope.


Purple Lab has partnered with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to launch SWAC “SEALED WITH A CURE,” a feel good lip gloss equipped with ingredients that boost beauty, health and confidence. This light pink is scented with vanilla and flecked with real gold. Gorgeous! Purple Lab is donating 20% to TNBCF! Available for $18.50 at b-glowing.com.


Shower For The Cure is Philosophy's pink ribbon shower gel - a creamy all-in-one formula that can be used as a shampoo, shower gel or bubble bath. This long-time Philosophy favorite contains a touch of milk proteins and fruit essences to provide a delightful experience for your senses. Shower For The Cure represents the spirit of every woman. 100% of Philosophy's net proceeds from the sale of Shower For The Cure will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. This 16 oz. bottle retails for $20.


In case you needed a good reason to finally pick up the skin care phenom, Clarisonic's limited editon model, Clarisonic Plus helps support the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Clarisonic will donate 50% of the profits from sales to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. To date, Clarisonic has raised $600,000 to support breast cancer research. This limited edition model retails for $250 and is available from Clarisonic.com.

Clinique is offering a very special key chain, complete with three mini glosses and two charms. These mini glosses contain an SPF rating of 15 and include the colors Air Kiss, Kissyfit and Whisper. $10 from each purchase will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This is available exclusively at Sephora and retails for $19.


Tarte Cosmetics is also donating 20% of the sales of items in their Think Pink Natural Collection to the Young Survival Coalition, a network that supports people under the age of 40 who have survived breast cancer. Plus, if you use check out code PinkOct09 you will get a FREE pink go dutch clutch (with the purchase of $40 from the collection).


Finally, one of my favorite independent companies, Purely Cosmetics, is offering to donate 10% of their total sales in the month of October to breast cancer research. 10% of all of their sales! WOWZA! Now is the time to stock up on things like my favorite high-def powder, Diamond Perfect Finishing Powder.

What goes around comes around. Shop for Good!


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Summer Wrap Up : My Favorite Picks From This Season

As the Summer season comes to a close, I can't believe I personally reviewed over one hundred products. Some I loved, some I liked and some I never mentioned. But out of all of them, what can't I live without? Here is a look back at my favorite finds (and adventures) from this summer.



Sun Protection:


We all know the best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from the sun. My top pick for sunscreen is Jan Marini's AntiOxidant Daily Face Protectant, SPF 30. This sunscreen is waterproof, sweat proof, goes on easily, dries quickly without being goopy and wears beautifully. I am not sure I can use anything else!

Foundation:

Tinted Moisturizer: I looked long and hard to find a tinted moisturizer that matched my skin, gave me some coverage and made me look dewy and fresh. While it was a tough decision, I think Tarte's Smooth Operator comes out victorious for the amazing radiance it gave my skin.

Mineral Foundation: Hands down my favorite mineral foundation is bareMinerals new Matte foundation. I love their original, but the bismuth made me itch. This new one doesn't contain the annoyingly problematic bismuth and still looks lovely. It's now available in the full size at Sephora.

Finishing Powder: This shouldn't come as a surprise, but my favorite finishing powder is Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder. It's slightly blue microscopic minerals give off an beautiful, glowing aura that just make you look radiant and finished.



Blush:

This is another tricky category for me. I have tried so many colors and really loved many of them. I have recently been reminded that because I blush so easily I should stay away from the pink colors, but I can't help it. They are so gorgeously innocent looking! My favorite blush for the summer is still Benefit's Coralista. And while I thought it would make me crazy, I still love the smell!


Check back tomorrow for my favorite products for eyes and lips!

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews. All rights reserved.

Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder

After my Twitter pal, Pro Makeup Artist, Melissa Street, raved about Purely Cosmetics Diamond Finishing Powder, I had to check it out. This powder claims to give you an aura-like glow, without all of that sparkle and glitter other similar finishing powders have.

Your face will have an airbrushed look. This fine powder has a photoluminescence that subtly illuminates a blue glow invisible to the naked eye which decreases the appearance of wrinkles. The diamond powder bends and refracts light to reduce the visibility of those imperfections while giving an aura of "je ne sais pas"! It is so finely milled that it does not give off a shimmer. This is more of an "aura" - like that of someone who has a pleasant secret they're keeping to themselves.

I have lots of secrets, but they tend to make me blush, not glow, so I am definitely a candidate for this powder! I need some help with fine lines and dark circles, but we have been over that. I am hopeful that this powder, which is infused with real diamonds, will seriously help conceal my imperfections and brighten my skin.

When I first dove into this very light powder, I was surprised by how white it was. That said, once thoroughly buffed on, it looked really, really nice. Some of my fine lines were not as noticeable and my skin felt positively smooth. My face did look brighter, which I love. My husband said I looked as if I had finally gotten a good nights' sleep. And if he noticed, than something must be working! One word of caution, I am not sure how this looks on someone who is not as pale as I am. I know all of these type of finishing powders (made by several companies) say this is a universal color, but I am curious to know if that is true. Since I am so fair, I can't speak for you gals who can actually get a tan.

This powder is comparable to Makeup Forever's High Definition Powder (according to the Purely Cosmetics website) and was recently listed as Must Have Summer Product by BeautyLuxe.com. I was recently on the local news (for my non-profit) and wore this finishing powder on camera. When I watched the broadcast back in high def, I was really pleased. I also received lots of comments that my skin looked great!

I like it. You should check it out!

Subscribe and never miss a thing. Copyright 2009, Gouldylox Reviews