Anastasia Beverly Hills

ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip Color "London Fog"

9:19 AM


ColourPop Cosmetics released their Ultra Satin Lip collection several weeks ago, and I picked up a couple of new shades, including this beautiful blue-toned red, called London Fog.  The texture on these is very light and not gloppy or sticky at all.  I really like semi-matte finish as well.  Not shiny like a gloss, and not completely dry/matte like the Ultra Matte Lippies.  



Eyeshadow

Swatches: Tarte Make Them Stare Set of 5 Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks

10:34 AM


What is it: A set of five dazzling, waterproof shadow sticks from tarte that are infused with Amazonian clay.

Who is it for: Anyone who wants an enchanting stare this holiday season with a mix of soft, wearable eye shadow shades.

Why is it different: The creamy, Amazonian-infused shadow sticks are back! These waterproof, velvety-smooth wands glide on like silk and wear like iron. The set offers an array of must-have shades that deliver gorgeous, budge-proof pigment for any occasion. Perfectly packaged in a festive gift box, these ultra-portable and easy-to-apply cream shadows make a dazzling gift for any girl who's dashing through her day.

How do I use it: Apply each shade directly to your lid. Then, using your fingertip or a shadow brush, gently blend up toward the crease. For a more dramatic look, gently smudge along the lower lash line.

From tarte.

Includes:
  • 0.058-oz Amazonian Clay Shadow Wand in Copper, a shimmering copper shade
  • 0.058-oz Amazonian Clay Shadow Wand in Sugar Plum, a shimmering plum shade
  • 0.058-oz Amazonian Clay Shadow Wand in Champagne Pearl, a shimmering champagne shade
  • 0.058-oz Amazonian Clay Shadow Wand in Smoky Topaz, a creamy taupe shade
  • 0.058-oz Amazonian Clay Shadow Wand in Sage, a shimmering olive green shade



If you are an eyeshadow crayon lover, these are absolutely fantastic!  The colors are very pigmented, very blendable, and once set, do not budge.  I love using these on my lower lashline, which tends to carry my eyeliner all over my face :(  Not with these though!

My go to shade has been the Sage and the Champagne Pearl (two colors on the right).  The Champagne is a great highlighter, and also helps brighten the eyes, eyebrows, and even as a highlight for your blush.  

There is a video below which really shows the intensity of these shadows.  I absolutely love them!






I purchased this set over the holidays on QVC, but they are no longer available.  I did find a similar set on Macy's website for $35, as well as the Tarte website for $9 each.  

bliss

QVC's Beauty Test Tube - a few quick pictures

9:00 AM

Round two of the QVC Beauty Test Tube for me, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of what came inside, with some swatches of the Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick in Twilight and the tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Luster I received in Fever.


This particular set came with the following for me: A 0.5oz tube of StriVectin-SD Intesive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles, a 2.5oz tube of St. Tropez Gradual Tanner, tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster in Fever (red), WEN Cleansing Conditioner in Lavender, a 0.5oz trial Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Moisturizing Gel-Cream, a 2 oz bottle of bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, a 2 oz bottle of Philosophy's Amazing Grace Shower Gel and Mally's Evercolor Shadow Stick in Twilight.


I've been anxious to try some Peter Thomas Roth, so I am excited to give this moisturizing gel a whirl.  Of course, I am a Wen girl, and the Lavender is my stand by, so this is the perfect size for travel.  The tarte LipSurgence look very pretty too, so I am excited about that one as well!

Did you get this recent round of the Beauty Test Tube?  What have you thought so far?

Eyeliners

Review and Swatches: tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner in Plum

9:00 AM


Up first from the New Beauty Test Tube, tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner.  I received the color  Plum.  These are currently available on Sephora's website for $18 a piece and come in several colors, pictured below.  From the website, here is what Sephora says about the eyeliner:

EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner
What it is:
A revolutionary long-wearing eye liner that contains intensely rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration.

What it does:
This revolutionary EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner captures the high-pigment concentration and staying power of a gel pot in an effortless pencil, no brush required! Even more unique is the proprietary formula which suspends rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration. By a process of hydrous pigmentation, cooling and refreshing pure water absorbs into the skin to hydrate and replenish the delicate eye area, leaving behind an intense, long-wearing, and pigment-rich color. Fortified with vitamin E, cucumber, and aloe this soothing Aqua-Gel Eyeliner maintains moisture balance in the skin while treating with healing free-radical fighters.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like pure water that suspends mineral pigments while delivering and retaining moisture to replenish and hydrate skin, aloe leaf extract known for its soothing, healing, and antiseptic properties, which maintain moisture balance in the skin, vitamin E, which acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and fights free radical damage, cucumber extract, which is rich in vitamins A &C and helps soothe skin, and mineral pigments, which have been known to soothe and soften the skin.

Due to the unique nature of this formula, do not over advance the tip. A little is all you need to achieve rich color intensity! Make sure to always securely replace the cap to prevent product from drying out.


These are a very thin and sleek pencil.  The pencil itself is the color of the product inside, so if you're like me and have a ton of pencils in your stash, this makes them easier to identify in the box/cup.  The pencil is also retractable, but not self sharpening, so keep that in mind when twisting it up.  Pictured below is a closeup of the tip of the pencil. 


Swatched on the skin - this is one pass, several times to make a thicker line.  The consistency of this is different than anything I've used before.  It's almost wet, which makes sense considering the name is "Aqua Gel".  Because of the wetness, I got a slight cooling effect just because of the consistency and water that makes up the eyeliner.  It was actually really refreshing, especially in the morning when I'm trying to wake up!

Once the product dried, it stayed put.  This definitely had the ability to be smudged when wet, but didn't budge for me once set.  This is kind of unique - I find a lot of these wetter eyeliners either dry so quickly you can't do anything with them, or never dry at all. 

Plum itself is a very pretty, intense purple.  In the pencil itself, I didn't think I'd get much color out of it, but once applied it is really quite bright and beautiful.  There is the slightest shimmer to it, but nothing over the top. 

I have not tried this on my waterline yet, but just along the lashline.  I did not have any irritation or smudging. 


Have you tried the new tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel eyeliners?  What do you think?  What color did you try? 
 
Speaking of colors, below is a snapshot of all the colors available, as shown on Sephora's website:
 
 

Calista Tools

Quick Preview: QVC's Beauty Test Tube

9:44 AM


For a several presentations, I've watched QVC's Beauty Test Tube and had the urge to purchase but never did.  Well, I finally decided to give it a go on auto-delivery this last presentation, so I thought I'd give you all a sneak peak.  Once I get through testing the products, I will certainly put up a review. 


This particular tube came with the following:

From NewBeauty.
1st shipment includes 0.39-fl oz full-sized Mally Volumizing Mascara; 0.003-oz full-sized tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner; 0.5-oz Kate Somerville ExfoliKate; 0.5-oz Ole Henriksen Truth Serum; 2.0-oz Nick Chavez Yucca Root Shampooing Cream; 1.0-oz philosophy field of flowers perfumed shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath; 1.0-oz philosophy field of flowers perfumed body lotion; 2.0-oz Calista Tools Achieve 10 Styling Cream; 2.0-oz First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream; and January edition of NewBeauty magazine
A closeup of all the items is below...


So far I've tried the tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner and of course, Mally's Volumizing Mascara (a must have in my makeup bag).  I will post swatches of the tarte eyeliner this week. 

I am so excited to see what comes next.  I really enjoy the magazine as well - it's full of information on products I've never even heard of!  Have you signed up for this yet?  I would say, if you like trying new things, this would be a great way to get your beauty fix of various products.  Right now the product is not available on QVC, but it should be popping up in the near future. 

EOTD Purple

EOTD: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Eye Shadow in Cyber Lilac

10:43 AM


After posting the swatches of the Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Eyeshadow in Cyber Lilac, it's about time I showed you how beautiful this color is on.  A very versatile color as far as purple goes, I couldn't be happier that I can call this one my own. 

For the look below, I used the following:

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxie - base
Laura Geller Baked Eye Elements Amethyst Skies pallet - light lavender shade - inner corner
Estee Lauder Gelee in Cyber Lilac - outer corner, crease
Laura Geller Baked Eye Elements Amethyst Skies pallet - champagne highlight shade as highlighter
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeliner - Black
Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Volumizing Mascara


Below I blurred the picture so the shimmer and sparkle of the look could really be seen.  All of that gorgeous sparkle from the Estee Lauder shadow really comes through in the picture.



Thanks for stopping by!


First Aid Beauty

Get yours now! New Beauty Test Tube on QVC

12:43 PM


I don't know about you, but I love to try out now products.  Skin care, hair care, and of course cosmetics.  Right now I'm in beauty-heaven because of all the new items that have come onto the market with the new year.  Well, QVC also has an opportunity for you to try out several new or up and coming items before any one else - the New Beauty Test Tube.  I have talked to several people who are currently receiving this on auto delivery, and absolutely love it, so I decided to take the plunge.  I figure for $30, this is my new year's treat to myself.  I also chose to make this a year-long treat by signing up for the auto delivery plan, so I will receive a new beauty tube in April, August and October.   There is also a one-time plan available as well.

What is it?
From NewBeauty.
1st shipment includes 0.39-fl oz full-sized Mally Volumizing Mascara; 0.003-oz full-sized tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner; 0.5-oz Kate Somerville ExfoliKate; 0.5-oz Ole Henriksen Truth Serum; 2.0-oz Nick Chavez Yucca Root Shampooing Cream; 1.0-oz philosophy field of flowers perfumed shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath; 1.0-oz philosophy field of flowers perfumed body lotion; 2.0-oz Calista Tools Achieve 10 Styling Cream; 2.0-oz First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream; and January edition of NewBeauty magazine

Subsequent shipments: contents vary

Made in Italy/USA
Now if I ordered the Mally Volumizing mascara ($28 for two on QVC.com) and tarte emphasEYES eyeliner alone ($18 on Sephora.com), I'm looking at $32 already, so I figure this is a good deal!

I am very excited!  What about you?  Will you or have you purchased this?

EOTD Browns

EOTD: Laura Geller Vanilla Nudes "Vanilla Toffee" and Tropical Dreams I-Dreams "Sunset Horizon"

7:00 AM



When I'm in a makeup rut, I tend to fall back on neutrals, and specifically Laura Geller's.  She has so many beautiful shades that are easy to use, blend and mix and match, that her shadows are at the top of my shadow drawer.  Recently I've been sort of in a rut (hello...lack of posting), so I reached for my easy neutrals in LG's collection: Vanilla Toffee from the Vanilla Nudes collection and the I-Dreams Suset Horizon from the Tropical Dreams collection.




The total look goes a little something like this...

Urban Decay Primer Potion "Greed" - all over lid
LG Vanilla Nudes "Vanilla Toffee" - inner corner
LG I-Dreams Sunset Horizon - Gold shade - middle of lid, blended ontop of crease color, wet as liner
LG I-Dreams Sunset Horizon - Dark Chocolate - outer corner,  crease
LG I-Dreams Sunset Horizon - Ivory shade - highlight
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara

On a side note, I got my shipment confirmation for Part 2 of the Vanilla Nudes...I'm so excited!


Bare Escentuals

e.l.f. All Over Sticks in Persimmon, Pink Lilac and Pink Lemonade

8:00 AM


**EDIT** I just realized I switched the labels for Persimmon and Pink Lemonade in all my pictures!  

I recently ordered quite a few things from e.l.f. cosmetics, so you will be seeing quite an onslaught of posts regarding some new and older items of there's.  The real reason for my order was due to my love of the tarte's Amazonia Cheek Stain in Perfect Rose I ordered about a month back in a set from QVC.  Since then, I have come to appreciate cheek stains quite a bit more and wanted to try some other brands.  The three I ordered from e.l.f. aren't specifically cheek stains, but instead are all over colors, so they can be used on the eyes, lips, and cheeks as well.  I chose to order Pink Lemonade, Persimmon and Lilac Frost - at $1 a piece, if they weren't any good, I wasn't really out a whole lot, in my opinion.  

Lilac Frost is just as you would think - a pale, frosty lilac, which to me almost looks bubble gum pink in the tube.  Persimmon is a really neutral pink with frost, and Pink Lemonade is a berry pink with champagne shimmer.  All three are swatched below, and really quite pretty.  Pink Lemonade is very pigmented, so it needs a lighter touch so you don't look like a clown, where Persimmon and Lilac Frost are both pale enough shades that if you have a heavy hand, it's easy to correct when blending into the skin.  

The texture and consistency in these are a bit dry, so for those of you that like the tarte cheek stains, but find them too *wet* for your skin, this would be a nice alternative.  Too me, the dryness made them a little more difficult to work with than the tarte, but again, I don't really have a problem oily skin - in fact, in the winter mine can be a bit on the dry side.  As I said, Pink Lemonade is quite pigmented, so you definitely get some bang for your buck based on the $1 price tag for these items.  I also found that they wear quite well, and I am applying them over Bare Escentuals foundation, not just to naked skin.  The e.l.f. have a slight fragrance - not that of cosmetics, but a true fruity scent.  This isn't so strong that you smell it all day, instead it reminds me of how a lipgloss or lipstick might have a bit of a scent that you can detect when you smell the tube, but not once it is applied.

The three swatches are below - they are frosty, but I didn't think I looked like a disco ball when I used them on my cheeks.  I was also a bit concerned that these might emphasize my pores, but they did not do that either.  The sticks blended quite well into the skin, and gave a nice color to the cheeks.  They also layered quite well over each other - I used Pink Lemonade as my cheek color, and then added Persimmon over the top as a highlight of sorts - it worked pretty well!

DSC03150.jpg picture by mnh3281

Like I said, I wanted to try these because I love the tarte cheek stains, so I thought I'd give you a little side-by-side for reference.  Below is the tarte stain in The Perfect Rose, next to e.l.f. Pink Lemonade.  The colors look pretty similar in the stick, but in the swatches farther down, you will be able to see that the really are quite different.  As I said, I actually prefer the consistency of the tarte stains better, but for the price, the e.l.f. worked quite nicely.  I think your preference will depend on 1) if you are willing to splurge on the tarte, and 2) if you have oily or dry skin.  


The Perfect Rose is a much warmer shade than Pink Lemonade, and actually if I had layered the Persimmon on top of Pink Lemonade, I may have come a little closer to the shade of the tarte stick.  But, as a point of reference, there are how the colors line up...

DSC03169.jpg picture by mnh3281

Over all, would I buy these again? Absolutely - the price is fantastic, and the colors are really pretty.  I have worn all three on my cheeks, and Persimmon and Pink Lemonade on my lips.  They worked just as well as lip sticks as they did cheek colors.  I am very pleased with the quality, and although my skin is a little on the dry side now that the temps have dropped here in the Midwest, I found application to be easy and the colors lasted all day.

Have you tried these e.l.f. All Over Sticks?  What is your favorite color?





Bare Escentuals

tarte Amazonian Clay 6pc Passport to the Amazon Collection (Vol 1)

11:07 AM

As many of you know, I love QVC and all the beauty products they have to offer.  I am especially fond of collections that come up on an auto-delivery program, where you can receive a shipment ever 3-4 months with new colors and features.  I have done this several times with Bare Escentuals (example: Beautiful in Pearls Collection), Laura Geller (example: On the Bright Side Collection), and now I have decided to venture into the world of tarte cosmetics through QVC.



I love the pictures on the box - it definitely screams Amazon!


The eyeshadow trio comes in a beautifully designed wooden compact.  There are three shadows:  Matte Light Pink, Shimmering Sand and Burnt Bronze.  This set could definitely be your "go-to" set, as these are really the perfect neutrals.  You have a highlight that is either matte or shimmer, depending on your style, and the Burnt Bronze is a beautiful crease color that could also be applied wet and used as an eyeliner.  The consistency is definitely creamy, and the lasting power is fantastic.  Below are closeups of each shade.


This set came with two brushes.  One is a double ended that can be used with the brow mousse, and the other is a liner/shadow brush.  They are both fantastic, made of high quality materials, and really quite easy to use.  The brow brush reminds me of the Smashbox brush for the Browtech, but it's not quite as stiff, which I like.  



Many people have raved about tarte's cheek stains, and this is my first go-round with them.  First of all, the color is absolutely stunning.  The Perfect Rose is a very pinky-coral color.  It has a hint of a citrus smell to it, and the consistency is very nice.  I did think it was a bit *wet* to apply, but I think it was because the weather was humid, so there was a condensation build up on it when I received the product. Now it is fine, and applies very nicely ontop of my Bare Minerals foundation.  I have tried it two ways, using my fingers to apply, or just applying the stick right to the skin, and both work really well.  I think it is a matter of opinion as to how to go about it.  The color blends right into the skin and gives you the illusion of a flush, not a blush, on the cheeks.  It is very natural and lasts all day long!  Also, you get enough product to last a lifetime!



The two pots of product that are also part of this set are the brow mousse, which is used to fill in and tame your brows all in one, and the clay waterproof eyeliner - this one is a beautiful shimmery plum.  The mousse applies effortlessly - I bought the taupe, which is the lightest shade, and it blends very well into my brows.  The liner is so creamy and smooth.  I was hesitant to think that the little eyeliner brush would work on the product, but it isn't cakey at all - instead it is quite light and almost whipped.  The liner applies very easily to the lashline, and lasts all day without flaking off.  Removal of both were quite easy with just my face wash.  



Paradise is a beautiful pinky coral - think the color of the cheek stain in lipgloss form.  There is a hint of shimmer, but it applies onto the lips and basically gives a hint of beautiful color without being overpowering.  Also, this lasts and lasts!  It's not gloppy, but it's not watery either.  This has a brush applicator.   I was pleasantly surprised with this beauty, that's for sure! 


Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara definitely does what it says (increases lash volume by 424%), all in a natural product!  Unbelievable if you ask me, but this product is great!  I'm not sure if it's the brush, which you can see below is quite full of stiff little bristles that reach in between every lash and coat them, or if it's the product itself, but whatever it is it works!  I would say, if you have stumpy lashes, this isn't for you - it truly volumizing y is a mascara - I didn't get much length out of it at all, but seeing as it got each and every lash, I didn't really care - they were beautiful!






Well, I do have more pictures to post, but since this has gone on quite long enough, I'll save those for tomorrow!  I'll do a full face with the products so you can see them on as well as closeups.

Who has tried tarte's products before?  What were your thoughts?  Do you have a favorite item?

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