Shu Uemura Spring 2010 Collection - Egerie Spring Mode

Last year, I was crazy for the Spring Mode products from Shu Uemura. Hopefully this year I will feel the same way. So far this spring has had some amazing collections and Shu has never ever let me down before for amazing collections and superb artistry. "The 130th Spring Mode Makeup collection invites you to be an "egerie": a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication. The collection is inspired by the glamour of rock n roll. Flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin sheen finishes to transport you under the spotlight of the captivating rock stage." This collection looks as though it will be very different than every other collection that I have looked at so far.


Let's check it out...

Egerie Eye Shimmer Duo - Duo color eye shadow that includes a shimmering creamy liquid and hyper sparkling glitter powder. After applying the liquid base, layer on the soft crushed glimmering powder which stays perfectly for sparkling and enchanting eyes.
- Glint Blue - pale blue duo
- Shiny Mint - pale mint green duo
- Starry Violet - pale violet duo

Egerie False Eyelashes Black Leather - Thick black lashes with eye liner made from faux snake pressed leather. Add a hint of rock accessories for a wild and sexy look.

Egerie Satin Radiant Stick - Soft creamy texture for the cheeks in a stick style to create a delicate satin veil on the face. Blush and highlight colors with tiny particles of pearls for a shimmery finish.
- Pink - shimmering rose blush
- Translucent - clear shimmer highlighter

Egerie Rouge Unlimited Nude Beige - A nude beige tone for coolly elegant, slightly rebellious expression that adds a hint of feminity with shimmering shine.

Egerie Nail Enamel - Vivid colors inspired by a spectrum of stage light to go with rock n roll style.
- Pa 010 - black
- Pa 935 - pale pink

Well this one certainly is unique, with all the shimmer in the products this collection could easily be a Holiday collection instead of a Spring one. My favorite product from this collection is the Egerie Eye Shimmer Duo in Shiny Mint, followed closely behind by the same product in the Starry Violet shade. I also love the Egerie Satin Radiance Blush Stick and both of the new nail polish shades.

I'm glad that Shu Uemura dared to be different this season. And it's their 130th Spring Mode collection?! Wow...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

LUSH Easter Products

When the forty days of Lent begin, I look at it as a countdown to spring instead of forty days of deprivation. However, seeing as how I never get through forty days of giving up candy, coffee, shopping, etc... Even though I am an adult, my mother still delights in filling me and my brother up baskets of candy to give on the holiday. Lately, she has been including beauty products in my basket. What a nice mother I have! This year, LUSH has made some limited edition products to celebrate Easter and boy I would love to get a basket full of these goodies!

Fluff Egg Bath Bomb - Here's an Easter sweetie that's equally kind on your waistline as it is on your skin. Who can resist the scent of jelly beans dunked into a vat of candy floss? We can only bring out our customer-favorite fragrance for very special occasions, so hop to it and get one in your basket before it's too late.

Honey Bun Bath Bomb - Want to have loads of fun in the bath? Share it with your Honey Bun! Molded after a traditional Japanese cake shape, it's just as deliciously sweet. It's got the same toffee fragrance as our best selling soap with sweet orange and bergamot oils. Pop one into your basket and hop right into the tub; every-bunny loves our bunny!

Hippy Chick Bath Bomb - You'll want to do the Hippy Hippy Chick with our refreshing grapefruit-scented bath bomb. We've just hatched this brand new shape and paired it with the zingy fragrance of our Happy Hippy shower gel. Perfect for getting chicks of every age into the bath tub, they'll be lining up to use this bird bomb. Shower person? You can use it as an Emotibomb too!

The Pink One Easter Gift - We bring back our pink Happy Easter Gift year after year because it's so surfeit in absolute pink delight, it's an instant best-seller. A Candy Fluff soak is eggs-actly what you need: Creamy Candy bubbles satisfy the cravings, and a star-shaped piece of Rock Star soap sweetens the deal with a bubble-gum pop hit. Hoping for one in your Easter egg hunt? Follow your nose!

The Yellow One Easter Gift - When you wrap up a chocolate-toffee bubble bar slice, add in a slice of our mouth watering best-selling soap and nestle them inside a sweet yellow Bath Bomb shell - it ain't no yoke. And when you consider that all the wrapping is recyclable, reusable, or compostable it doesn't get any better for a charming tub and earth-friendly gift. This gift contains Ma Bar and Honey I Washed the Kids.

LUSH holiday themed products are just so cute that I always want them all. I want everything from this little collection expect the Happy Chick becuase I don't know that I would enjoy an entire bath of grapefruit bubbles. I really love all the pink products, especially the Pink Gift since I always find ways to stock up on Rockstar soap. Another trip to LUSH is in order...

photo courtesy of LUSH

YSL Spring 2010 Collection

So far what I have heard about the newest collection from YSL centerd lip products (from multiple beauty blogs) and highlighters (from magazines). Many of the newer products from this company have been based around Paris and hopefully this collection follows that trend. "This season the YSL woman represents allure and passion. She is Faubourg St. Honore chic, an enigma of contrasts: intimate, sensual, and decadent. She is forever...PARIS."

Time to look at the newest collection...

Y-Mail Complexion Palette - Limited edition. This unique limited edition palette is a true collector's item. Inspired by the YSL Y-MAIL Handbag Collection, this adorable complexion palette comes packaged in a YSL "handbag" of its very own. Available in two shades: #1 highlights the face with three light pearly shades and #2 highlights the complexion with three luminous silky shades.

Touche Eclat Radiant Touch - Light, luminosity, radiance. The award winning, must-have, take anywhere instant highlighter that banishes shadows, erases signs of fatigue, and leaves your skin looking radiant. Touche Eclat is 8 hours of sleep in a pen - the one item no woman can be without. Touche Eclat is ideal at any time of the day over bare skin, under or over foundation, creme, or powder. Use this best-selling pen-brush around the eye area, the hollow of the chin, the contour of the lips, and the sides of the nose. Just slip it into your bag to ensure a brillant glow, anytime, anywhere. Suitable for all skin types.

- #1 Luminous Radiance - suitable for all skin types

Ombre 5 Lumieres - 5 Colour Eye Shadow. An new interpretation of the Yves St. Laurent palette. Four matte, satiny, or iridescent eye shadows shades coordinated around a single color theme can be applied alone or mixed together freely for subtle tone-on-tone color. Create your own desired look and intensity.

- #9 Parisian Sky - pale blue/silver/pale pink/plum with a highlighter down the center of the compact

Mascara Singulier - Exaggerated lashes. Dramatic styling. A daring new intepretation of beautiful eyes. Glamorous volume, bold length, voluptuous curl and dramatic styling: MASCARA SINGULIER dares to do everything. A unique innovation by Yves Saint Laurent, the mascara brush combines the technology of a traditional brush with the structure of a moulded brush, to increase the performance of the formula: structured in an elliptic way, the multi-dimensional bristles ensure "Haute Couture" precision and dress the lashes evenly from root to tip. By coating the root of the lashes with mascara like a stroke of eyeliner, the brush creates a unique and intense new type of separation. Volumizing micro-spheres thicken the lashes, with Pro-Vitamin B5 to protect, nourish, and reinforce the lashes' structure. Like hair extensions, nylon micro-fibres extend the lashes. A high performance "curling wax" helps style the lashes for an ideal curve.

- #1 Deep Black - pure black

Rouge Volupte Lipstick - Silky sensual lipstick. An object of every woman's desires, Rouge Volupte's luxurious and lush outer packaging reveals a creamy lipstick that leaves your lips nourished, feeling smooth and soft, and looking glossy and irresistable. Presented in a romantic and elegant gold metallic case, with a mirror on top for quick and easy application throughout the day, and an intricate carving of the Yves Saint Laurent logo to reveal the shade. Now in four new, perfect-for-spring shades.

- #27 Rose Paris - mid-tone bright rose

- #28 Beaubourb Brown - mid-tone neutral brown

- #29 Opera Rose - mid-tone rose

- #30 Faubourg Peach - mid-tone peach

Golden Gloss - Shimmering lip gloss. Dress your lips in a veil of shimmering gold with Golden Gloss. The gloss forms a mirror-effect on the lips which sparkles with mother-of-pearl. A complex of nourishing oils (Nigelle and Cameline Oils) protects the lips while providing total comfort. The magic and shimmer of gold captured on the lips is now available in two tempting and sweet new shades for: #19 and #20. Choose your favorite colours now!

- #19 Golden Petal - shimmering golden rose

- #20 Golden Macadamia - shimmering golden neutral

La Laque - Long lasting nail lacquer. A nail lacquer that is both elegant and practical in its elongated glass bottle. Available in two soft new limited edition shades to complement your spring wardrobe, it guarantees reinforced hold, wonderful shine, fast drying and protected nails.

- #41 Beige Chiffon - pale beige cream

- #143 Mauve Silk - pale lavender

Looking at the promo pic for this collection, I can already rule out the eye shadow compact introduced with this collection. The model's eye shadows are bright blue and I know that this is not a look for me. However, I agree with all the hype that I have heard about the highlighters and the lip products. The Y-Mail Complexion Palettes are fantastic and the little YSL bag that they come in is just to die for. The Golden Gloss in Golden Petal jumps right out at me and so does the Lipstick in Rose Opera. I also really like both of the nail polish shades introduced with this collection.

photo courtesy of YSL

The Body Shop Originals Line

The Body Shop has just decided to bring back some of their original best selling products from the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s. I remember seeing some of these products in this store when I began shopping there in the seventh grade. The Dewberry products are the ones the jump right out at me, everyone had this scent in the late 1990s. The Body Shop has released hair care product, skincare products, and body products. Time to go back a decade or two.

First the haircare products...

Banana Shampoo - Gently cleanse and nourish your hair with a shampoo that smells good enough to eat and will leave your hair feeling soft and silky.

Banana Conditioner - Nourish and protect your hair with an irresistable smelling conditioner that leaves it free of tangles and easy to manage.

Ice Blue Shampoo - Cleanse and refresh your hair while leaving it soft and healthy-looking with an invigorating and deeply refreshing shampoo.

Now the skincare products...

Carrot Moisture Cream - Hydrate and protect your skin with a rich, moisturizing, non-greasy daily moisture cream that leaves the skin feeling beautifully soft and supple.

Cucumber Freshening Water - Remove excess traces of oil, dirt, and makeup with a mild toner that will refresh and soothe your skin without over drying it.

Cucumber Cleansing Milk - Wash away excess oil, makeup, and impurities with a refreshing cleansing milk that gently cleanses without drying to leave skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed.

Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel - Wash away excess oil, makeup, and impurities with a refreshing cleansing gel that gently cleanses without drying to leave skin feeling soft, smooth, and refreshed.

Now for the body products...

Dewberry Body Lotion - Moisturize and hydrate your skin with a deliciously fruity body lotion that will leave it feeling soft, smooth, and fragrant.

Dewberry Bath & Shower Gel - Feel fresh and clean with a deliciously fruity gel that creates a luxurious foamy lather to leave skin feeling cleansed and gently fragranced.

Fuzzy Peach Bath & Shower Gel - Enjoy the rich lather of a soap-free, cleansing gel that leaves your skin feeling clean, soft, supple, and scented with the sweet and fruity scent of fresh peaches.

Green Apple Bath & Shower Gel - Feel fresh and clean with the luxurious foamy lather of a fresh and fruity cleansing gel that will leave your skin feeling cleansed and gently fragranced.

I want all the body products, I remember playing with these when I used to shop in the little Body Shop in my local mall. I would also like to try the Banana hair products, I have heard from various sources that banana is very hydrating and it is an ingredient that MOP uses in their deep conditioner. I would also like to get the two cucumber facial care products. I have used a cucumber tonic from C.O. Bigelow that did a great job calming my skin dow so hopefully these products will have the same effects.

photo courtesy of The Body Shop

Hourglass Prodigy Hydrating Lip Gloss

I have never used a Hourglass product before, in fact I don't believe that I have ever even played with one or had any interest in one before. I know next to nothing about this brand or the products that they offer. What made me interested in this lip gloss? I read about it in the latest Sephora catalog and what caught my attention was how small this product is and how it is designed to fit easily into a pocket or clutch. I hate big bags when I go out and therefore am always interested in little glosses that will fit into the smallest of bags. And they are not so easy to find (outside of little sets). It can't hurt to look.

Sephora defines this product as "an ultra-hydrating, water-resistant, sheer lip gloss featured in a stunningly sleek package." Some more details are provided right here, "Enriched with Vitamin E, Prodigy hydrates the lips with a silky and non-tacky formula, while offering superior, water-resistant color." Sephora also states that this product is contoured to fit easily into the palm of your hand and will easily for into a pocket or small clutch. I like that this product is water-resistant and then hopefully will not need many touch-ups throughout the night.

The shades that this product is available in...

- Eden - peachy beige

- Hypnotic - golden berry shimmer

- Legend - dusty rose

- Opium - plum bronze shimmer

- Pulse - golden strawberry shimmer

- Surreal - iridescent pale pink

My two picks from the shades are Legend and Surreal. Why? They are more neutral and therefore should go with most eye makeup looks. I think Legend is my favorite because it reminds me of MAC's Ample Pink Lipglass shade. I will have to drop into Sephora and look at these glosses. While I am there, I will squeeze in a couple extra minutes to view more products in the line.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Dior Spring 2010 Collection

Any Dior collection has the potential to get me excited, however Spring is always a front runner for me. I walked past the Dior counter several days ago at my local Macy*s and the first item that popped out at me is the beautiful new highlighter that is being introduced with this collection. And I guess that Dior agrees with me about how special this product is...it is the star product of the collection.

"Fresh and graceful, the Dior Spring 2010 Look is inspired by the feminine beauty of the 1920s. Lace, the ultimate symbol of feminity, has long been an iconic symbol of the House of Dior. Monsieur Dior himself used lace to highlight his evening dresses and John Galliano artfully revisits it today in his creations. This season, lace comes to the Dior makeup collection. The 'Poudrier Dentelle', star product of the collection, is the perfect couture ally to a beautiful complexion. Embroidered with the Dior lace pattern from the powder to the case, it is so elegant that it appears to have been created in the Couture studio, where each detail is carefully hand-crafted. This compact powder adds a radiant glow to the complexion and leaves an incomparably velvety soft veil over the skin. Spring has never been so desirable..."

Here's the collection...

Diorskin Skinflash Primer Radiance Boosting Makeup Primer - A new innovation for a naturally glowing complexion, the anti-fatigue Skinflash Radiance Boosting Makeup Primer was directly applied by expert techniques used by professional makeup artists. Skinflash Primer is enriched with Photo-Smart Pigments, that adapt to all types of light, optimally diffusing it to add a smooth appearance to the complexion and brighten shadowy areas and dull skin. Its sheer, luminous, universal shade is suitable for all skin types and perfectly blends into the skin.

5 Couleurs Edition Dentelle 5 Colour Eye Shadow - A legendary favorite now comes in a limited "lace edition" embossed with a vintage Dior lace pattern.

- Coquette - shades of pinks, plums, and grays

5 Couleurs Iridescent Edition Dentelle Vibrant Light Eye Shadow - A legendery favorite now comes in a limited "lace edition" embossed with a vintage Dior lace pattern. The unique Wet Reflect technology saturates a whole new generation of powders with pearlescent particles for never-before-seen brillance. With its gliding feel and even, ultra-luminous finish, the silky, almost creamy texture blends perfectly into the eyelid.

- Pearl Glow - pale pink/taupe/purple/silver/periwinkle

Diorblush Edition Dentelle Color and Light Powder Blush - Dress your cheeks in color and light! Dior presents Blush Edition Dentelle, embossed with a vintage Dior lace pattern. A blush that plays on color intensity and finishes to create a natural, healthy glow with a subtle diamond-like shimmer. A matte finish enhances the natural skin tone, while a pearly finish reflects light and beautifully highlights the facial contours.

- Rose Vintage - matte and pearly rose

Dior Addict Lipcolor High Impact Weightless Lipcolor - It's a new sensory experience: the first lipstick with a "bare lips" feel plus ultra-vibrant color and optimal confort. Innovation: Dior Innovation Center has created Lip Neutralizer, inspired from the professional who before putting lipstick on the top models, apply a light base of foundation to neutralize the natural color of the lips and bring out of the full radiance and intensity of the lipstick shade. As fashion would have it, the colors cover a wide spectrum, offering a panoply of personalized effects. Depending on the shade, they can be pure, pearlescent, glittery, metallic, or with shimmering highlights to go perfectly with any fashion look from timeless basic to cutting-edge trendy. An extravaganza of 20 colors inspired by Dior runway shows.

- Rose Broderie - mid-tone rose

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss Reflect Light Reflecting Lip Gloss - Presenting 100% couture color and shine that just won't quit: Dior's latest high-tech, high-fashion gloss comes with an innovative brush applicator so that color glides on precisely and stays put while it's ultra-light, non-sticky formula instantly pumps up the volume and softens the lips. Brillant!

- Beige Veil - beige

Dior Addict Lip Polish Spin-On Lacquer Smoothing Glow - An innovation inspired by backstage makeup artists, who massage the lips with a wax to smooth and even them out before applying a gloss or lipstick. Its revolutionary and exclusive smoothing roll-on applicator, which takes just the right amount of formula and then rolls it over the lips, provides a delicate massage that boosts the properties of the formula. The sensation is delicious and the finish is even and lacquered. Instantly glistening and radiant, the lips transform with each application. They become suppler, firmer, more comfortable, and perfectly smoothed thanks to the "stretch" formula containing specific oils and amino acids.

- Rose Petale - mid-tone pink

Dior Vernis Long-Wearing Nail Lacquer - The final touch to Dior makeup is a polish that combines lacquered shine and impeccable hold with a vertiable beauty cure. With continued use, Dior Vernis restores vitally and helps nails grow stronger and faster. A color palette inspired by rich spices is an invitation on an incredible chromatic journey. Intense color combines with incredible shine to create perfection, right down to the fingertips!

- Gris Perle - pale silver shimmer

Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm - Creme de Rose is an essential nourishing and smoothing lip balm with a delicate rose fragrance. It is enriched with a rare and precious Damask Rose essential oil extract, an anti-aging complex, energizing vitamins (A and E), and shea butter for a long-lasting, smoothing effect. It leaves the lips soothed, moisturized, and nourished. Soft and beautifully plump, the lips are more radiant than ever!

Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace-Effect Powder For Face - The "Poudrier Dentelle" is the perfect couture touch for a beautiful complexion. Adorned with the Dior lace pattern inside and out, its elegance comes straight from the couture studio, where each detail is carefully hand-crafted. This compact powder, which comes in a tone-on-tone color harmony of delicate pinks, adds a radiant glow to the complexion and leaves an incomparably velvety soft veil over the skin.

I love it! My favorite item of the collection is by far the Poudrier Dentelle but I also love the collection as a whole. I would love to have both of the 5 Couleur Eye Shadow Palettes, I already own one from their permanent collection and I really like how the shades blend and work together. I want the Dior Blush in the shade for this collection, rose shade work very well for me so I bet that this one will be a winner. Lip product-wise, I would like to get the Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in the new Beige Veil shade. To finish up, I would also like the Vernis in Gris Perle and the Creme de Rose balm.

I think that this collection is one of my favorite of this season.

photo courtesy of Dior

MOP Glisten Drops

About two months ago, I talked about my raves for MOP Glisten Shampoo and my thoughts on the matching conditioner from the line. In the meantime, I have been using a styling product from this line, the Glisten Drops. Currently, MOP has five styling products available in the Glisten line. The Glisten Drops are what we will discuss today, however the other four products are Volumizing Spray, High Shine Pomade, Finish Spray, and Spray Gloss.

The MOP website describes this product as follows, "Smoothes the hair for beautiful light reflection to create modern, healthy looking hair. May be used to reduce tack, improve dispersability, and add shine to any other styling aid. This is truly the ultimate cocktailing product!" This product contains organic oatstraw, horsetail, and aloe to add shine and reflection to the finished hair style. It also contains Vitamin E and UV protectors to help protect and strengthen hair.

Based on the instructions from MOP, this product should be used on dry, styled hair as a last step in the morning regime. The majority of my usage is done in this way. I tried it as a smoothing product on wet hair before styling instead of my normal Jonathan Silky Dirt. I prefer it used on dry hair, it didn't feel that it smoothed my hair as well as Silky Dirt. I also have not tried to cocktail this product, most of my products are for hydrating and smoothing but I feel that cocktailing would make them too heavy and really weigh my hair down. This might work if your haircare products are lighter weight than mine are but I will need different products to test this theory out.

Used on dry hair, I get a great shine without my hair feeling weighed down. This product didn't build up over time or leave my hair feeling sticky. I have gotten great results from this little gem of a serum.

I was given this product from the vendor at Bath and Body Works before they stopped carrying it. I have been using this product for over a year and I am only halfway through the bottle, I only need 2 to 3 drops to do my whole head. I put the drops in my hand, rubs my hands together, and run them over my the top of my hair. This product is also unisex, I knew a guy that used it on dry hair to style. He rubbed a drop between his hands and then ran them for his hair for a quick mussed up style. I love that MOP products can be used multiple ways by many different people and still deliver high quality results.

photo courtesy of Modern Organic Products

Too Faced Spring 2010 Collection

I can't really call the Spring 2010 releases from Too Faced a technical collection, there seems to be no real unifying factor between all these new products. It looks more like Too Faced released a new shade in a bunch of their different product categories for this season. However, I still some items on Too Faced's Launch Pad that I think that I will be wanting so let's check out what will be new for this season.

Brightening Blush - Our playful blushing bronzers add the perfect amount of color to any look. Pinch My Petals is a fresh and light blossom of pinky-mauves to brighten cheeks, forehead, and chin for a perfectly pretty glow. Mocha Mi Amore is a rich and creamy plumy brown; a pick-me-up for the face or anywhere else you want a naturally naughty glow. Papa Don't Peach adds a burst of fresh youthful radiance to shine that summertime warmth any time of the year. The newest shade is La Vie En Rose, a cool pink blush with the slightest gold shimmer that brightens and accentuates cheeks!

Mood Swing Lip Gloss - Emotionally-activated and high shine! A selection of shade-shifting lip glosses that blossom into a variety of perfect pink shades.

- Petal Pink - white to petal pink

- Berry Pink - purple to berry pink

- Pink Shimmer - lavender to pink shimmer

Fun In the Dark Palette - The limited-edition Fun In the Dark Quickie Chronicle features a collection of Too Faced best sellers and two exclusive eye shadow shades. This luxury pro-palette contains a makeup mirrow that lights up for additional glam and on-the-go touch ups. In contains; Eye Shadows in the following shades - Pin Up, Peep Show, Full Frontal, Lucky Charms; Lip shades - Girls Dig Pearls in Tropical Pink, Lip of Luxury in Free Love; Brightening Blush - Papa Don't Peach; Sun Bunny Bronzer.

Walk Of Shame Kit - An all-you-need overnight survival kit to plan for that spontaneous dusk-til-dawn rendezvous! The Walk of Shame set will get you out the door and walking home without the same (hot shower and excuses not included)! Contains the following items; Shadow Insurance, Mini Primed & Poreless, Exclusive Trio Compact, Lip of Luxury Lipstick, Satin Bag, mints, and toothbrush.

Natural Eye Shadow Duo - Satisfying the Natural Eye Palette addict's desire to replenish her favorite shadows, these pigment-rich, neutral color combinations are destined to be on every girl's necessity list.

- Sexspresso and Peach Fuzz - dark brown and peachy gold

- Teddy Bear and Heaven - chocolate and cream matte

- Erotica and Silk Teddy - cool brown shimmer and peach

- Cocoa Puff and Honey Pot - warm brown shimmer and gold

I like a lot of these new products! I am so glad that Too Faced decided to released the Natural Eye Palette shades as duos, I have been loving this entire palette recently and am glad that I can restock when needed. I also love the Brightening Blush in La Vie En Rose and the Fun In the Dark Palette. The Walk of Shame just makes me laugh and reminds me of why Too Faced is often a step ahead of many other cosmetics companies.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Kat Von D Momento Mori Eye Shadow Palette

Kat Von D has added another eye shadow palette to her collection, this one is much lighter and brighter than her previous offerings so it should be perfect for the springtime season. Even the packaging is different with this product, the container is white instead of the traditional black. This palette is named Momento Mori and it represents the Day of the Dead skulls. Kat is always creating her palettes around be able to create a smoky eye and I do wonder how the brighter shades in this palette will be able to do this.

This palette is exclusive to Sephora (as are all other Kat Von D products) and their website states the following about this product, "A smoky eye creates an air of mystery. Create a hauntingly stunning gaze with Kat Von D's Momento Mori palette". Sephora goes to further explain the meaning behind the palette. "Momento Mori is a Latin expression meaning 'remember you are mortal". This artistic array of hues inspired by the Day of the Dead also known as El Dia De Los Muertos. The holiday set aside to remember the friends and family they have lost".

The website lists all of the shades that are available in the palette but it doesn't state what name goes with what shade or what shades are in the palette. One cream eye shadow is in this palette, it is named True. The seven other shades are powders and here are the names: Solitude, Meditation, Agatha Pink, Sugar Skull, Peggy, Hard Luck, and Tijuana. In this palette, I see a bright blue shade, pale lilac, some pale neutrals, a teal, what looks like an olive, and the traditional black shade. This will not be the easier palette to create the Kat Von D smoky eye with. The reviews on the Sephora website agree with my train of thought. The reviewers talk about the pretty, bright colors and no one talks about creating a smoky eye with it.

Very pretty palette, lovely colors for spring. But there is no way that I can create a smoky eye with these shades. I think that I will be using the neutrals as my bases and adding a pop of color into the crease. When playing with the tester several days ago, I think that I would be able to get a good amount of color payoff and I think this is product worth buying.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Spring 2010 Collection - The Color of Grace

The Color of Grace is a brnad new makeup collection from Philosophy. I have never used the makeup from this company since it is a relatively new addition to the brand (with the exception of lip gloss and foundations made to work with their skincare), however I rave about and own many of the body products from this brand so I am going to go on the assumption that the makeup is of the same high quality. I would never have been aware of the all makeup products offered from this company had I not been playing around on the company website and decided to click on the "makeup" icon and see what I got. I don't remember ever seeing any of the expanded makeup selection at Sephora (unless they very recently got it in - I haven't been there in about four weeks).

I assume that this color collection was inspired by their best-selling Amazing Grace fragrance. "Embrace you inner girl with all things pink and beautiful." Let's see what they have...

Heavenly Light Pink Illuminator - Everyone looks best in pink lighting: so, show your skin in the best light. The Color of Grace Heavenly Light is a pink light, liquid illuminizer that combines skin-loving moisture and brightening botanicals to instantly hydrate and smooth the skin, while reviving your complexion and restoring radiance. Convenient flow-through brush makes it easy to wear alone, over makeup or blended with foundation for skin that luminous and heavenly.

Amazing Grace Shimmering Face Powder - Be touched by the beauty of grace with theis sweetly shimmering, pale pink powder. Amazing Grace Shimmering Face Powder instantly brightens your complexion as it releases an uplighting touch of Amazing Grace fragrance. One soft shimmering pink shade captures all things pink and beautiful for a look that is flattering on all skin tones. Wear alone for a heavenly glow or over makeup, or to refresh your skin and spirit any time.

Go With Grace Face Brush - Grace your face with this heavenly pink kabuki-inspired makeup brush. Go With Grace Face Brush is a must-have for every girl to create her own graceful work of art. Made of natural hair, this softly rounded brush head provides flawless application and blendibilty of powder or blush. It comes in a pretty-to-go, retractable case convenient for on-the-go touch-ups.

Eyelighting Shadow Duo - Look like an angel in heavenly colors for eyes. The Color of Grace Eyelighting Shadow Duo features soft, sheer washes of color that light up your eyes with perfectly paired, delicate, shimmering mineral colors for lid and crease. Available in three luminous duos. Be a vision of grace.

Angel Kiss Lip Gloss - Grace your lips in creamy, dreamy goodness. The Color of Grace Angel Lip Gloss loves lips. It blends high-shine sheer color with lip caring goodness. The formula contains lip plumpers, acai berries, pomegranate, and shea butter to enhance the fullness, softness, and natural rosiness of lips, while a hint of vanilla-mint flavor refreshes the breath.

Amazing Grace Coloring Book - Embrace your inner girl with all things pink and beautiful. The Color of Grace Amazing Grace Coloring Book is a purse-sized palette of perfect pink shades for lips, cheeks, and eyes. Create your own face of grace with two eyelighting shadows, two perfect pink lip glosses, an all-over cream illuminator, powder blush, and a shimmering face powder scented with a touch of Amazing Grace fragrance. It's everything you need to look and feel amazingly feminine.

Art of Blushing - Elevate blushing to an art. The Color of Grace Art of Blushing is a multidimensional palette featuring three silky, sheer perfect pink blush shades surrounded by a luminous highlighter to deliver pure color and light. Blend together or brush on individually to create your own work of art for cheeks that look soft, heavenly, and inspired.

I found it slightly odd that none of the eye shadow shades for the Eyelighting Duo were listed. I will have to check back over the next few days and see if that has been updated. Other than that, I love and want everything in the collection. My top picks are the Coloring Book and Lip Gloss but I also want the Blush and the Highlighting Powder. My list will get even long when I see that eye shadow shades that they offer. I hope the makeup quality is that of their other products or I will be very disappointed...

photo courtesy of Philosophy

Bobbi Brown Spring 2010 - Cabana Corals

The newest Bobbi Brown collection has been touted as one fo the best of the season by numerous bloggers and other beauty insiders. Seeing as how I don't really like corals all that much, I don't really feel that it will have the same status for myself...but you never know. The Bobbi Brown website states that this spring, Bobbi decided to put a fresh spin on coral, an old-school favorite.

Here's the collection...

Nectar Shimmer Brick - This shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft, coral glow. Works well with neutral and peach blush shades.

Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick - This shimmering, brush-on powder creates a soft, warm pink glow. Works well with neutral and pink blush shades.

Pot Rouge For Lips and Cheeks - This cream-based formula is great on both lips and cheeks for a sheer, stained finish. Available in a wide array of color choices for a variety of skin tones. For all skin types.

- Cabo Coral - pink nectar

- Calypso Coral - bright coral

Shimmer Lip Gloss - Infused with subtle sparkel, Shimmer Lip Gloss is perfect worn on its own or over your favorite lipstick. Aloe extract soothes and softens lips, Vitamins C and E offer anti-oxidant protection, and Jojoba and Avocado Oils keep lips soft and moisturized.

- Golden Nectar - peach coral shimmer

- Sunset Beach - golden pink coral

- Coral Sand - golden peach

Metallic Lip Color - Metallic Lip Color is made with a unique combination of high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls for medium coverage with multi-dimensional shimmer.

- Coral Reef - medium pink coral

- Calypso Glaze - golden pink

- Coral Glaze - nude nectar

Lip Color - Bobbi's classic lipstick: rich, full coverage with a soft matte finish.

- Guava - medium tone nectar

- Orange - pumpkin orange

Eye Shadow - Available in a range of shades for lids, lining eyes, and defining brows. This silky, matte formula glides on smoothly and blends easily. Comes in a sleek, flip-top compact that can be used individually or assembled into palettes (sold separately).

- Caviar - black brown

- Navajo - creamy pinkish white

Extreme Party Mascara - Our boldest mascara ever. Unbelievable volume. Endless build. Exceptional separation. Pliable formula stays flexible even after it dries, so each coat goes on fresh as the first - immediately or hours later -with zero dragging, clumping, or flaking. Tapered brush grabs even the smallest, hard-to-reach lashes. Now that's beautiful.

While I think that many of these shades are very attractive in the tube, I believe in my heart of hearts that many of them will be too warm for my skintone. I like the collection a lot but having the words "warm", "peachy", or "golden" in a description just spells death for me. I want to give the Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick a shot, it has the word "warm" in the description but the picture appears cooler than most of the other shades. Also, I want to get the Pot Rouge in Cabo Coral. I had never even heard of the Pot Rouge product until I looked this collection up so I found a new product to try, which makes me very happy. I would also like to get the Eye Shadow in both of the new shades and the Lipstick in Guava (hopefully this is a cool enough tone to work for me).

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Dior Dior Addict 2

Dior Addict 2 is a fragrance of mine that never failed to get me compliments from men. Any guy that I dated while wearing it always commented on much they liked this fragrance. Seeing that it doesn't contain the usual pumpkin pie note that every women's magazine insists that men love, I was a bit surprised at the reception that this fragrance always received.

The Dior website gives the following as the description of the fragrance, "Inspired by the Dior Girly collection, this tangy fruity-floral incarnates a bubble of optimism and mischievous femininity for the innocently sexy girl. High-energy yet soft and playfully seductive, this fragrance sparkles with notes of citrus followed by a heart of delicate freesia and grenadine and a subtle white musk drydown." Innocently sexy...I like this!

Grapefruit is the top note of this fragrance. Dior states that "Grapefruit essence is obtained by cold-pressing the peel of the fruit. It is used in citrus fragrances to which it lends a fresh, piquant quality."

Freesia is the heart note of this fragrance. Dior states that "The freesia is a perennial bulbous plant that is native to South Africa. Its delicate, luminous floral scent recalls jasmine, orange blossom, and tuberose. Its mellow, almost fruity accents are to be found in the heart notes of Tendre Poison and Dior Addict 2."

White Musk is the base note of the fragrance. Dior states the "White musk is a synthetic ingredent which gives fragrance a clean, skin scent. An archetypal dry-down note, it can be found in Dior Addict Eau Fraiche and Dior Addict 2."

The innocently sexy description of this fragrance is one that I agree with 100%. I always wore this fragrance because I loved the way that it smelled and never dreamed that it would be attractive to men. I guess that it was appealing in that it is on the lighter side of fragrances yet is still feminine. The grapefruit note makes the fragrance playful and energizing. I first smelled this fragrance in 2005 while shopping at Sephora. It had just come in and neither myself nor the friend that I was with had ever heard of it. The manager had just gotten a bottle out of the shipment and was raving over it and sprayed it on both of us. I loved it and my friend bought me a giftset of it for the next Christmas. I have long used that bottle up and will be needing to buy another one soon before it get warm enough to wear it.

photo courtesy of Dior

O.P.I. Spring 2010 Collection - Hong Kong

O.P.I.'s newest collection for spring is called Hong Kong and is based on the Asian culture alive in that city. I'm not quite sure what exactly Hong Kong has do to with spring but I guess that I will find out as I look through this collection. O.P.I. describes the collection as follows, "City edge. Shades that capture the brillant sharpness of the cityscape. A modern mood of color and persceptive for spring". Ok let's look at the shades.

Red My Fortune Cookie - bright cream red, appears to be more on the warm toned side

Bling Dynasty - shimmering gold

A Good Man-darin Is Hard To Find - orange-red cream

Hot & Spicy - coral cream

Chop-sticking To My Story - warm-toned caramel cream

Jade Is The New Black - mid-tone green cream

Suzi Says Feng Shui - cobalt blue cream

Dim Sum Plum - mid-tone berry cream

Meet Me On The Star Ferry - shimmering pale violet

Lucky Lucky Lavender - pale purple cream

Panda-monium Pink - light pink cream

Pearl Of Wisdom - lustrous pearl shimmer

I guess I can see the point about the cutting edge and modern colors. I do like that there is a huge range of colors in this collection, this should go over well with the general market. Some of the warmer toned shades look as though they would work better in fall than in spring but I do give this company points for being different. From this collection, I want an equal amount of the deeper cool toned shades and the paler shades. I want Jade is the New Black (the polish pictured in the photo) and Suzi Says Feng Shui. Of the paler shades offered, I want Meet Me On the Star Ferry, Lucky Lucky Lavender, Panda-monium Pink, and Pearl of Wisdom.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day with Demeter!

It is that time of the year again, the time where I wear tons of green and am in a good mood every single day. Most people list Halloween or Christmas as their favorite holiday...or even Valentine's Day. But I'm unique and I love St. Patrick's Day and have ever since I was a young child. I have always wanted to visit the Emerald Isle and still have not gotten the chance. Last year, I talked about body products from Bathed and Infused that reminded me of the holiday, this year, I am going to look at fragrances from Demeter that remind me of the atmosphere and smells of Ireland itself. Since I haven't been there, my list may not be complete but this will start us all out for right now.

Demeter creates fragrances that are called Pick Me Up sprays and each one consists of one single note. The website from this company states that their fragrances are inspired by everyday objects and experiences and the scents that are drawn from these memories. This company states that their mission is to make the pleasure and luxury of fine fragrance something that can be afforded by anyone. We are going to look at four of of these single note fragrances today; Rain, Clover, Grass, and Wet Garden.

I chose Rain because it rain most of the year in Ireland and that is responsible for the lush, green landscape. Of the three fragrances, Rain is the hardest to describe. I have always loved the scent of the air before a rainstorm, but I never really knew what made that scent or how to accurately describe it. The Demeter website was able to explain to me what this fragrance is in the description of the Pick Me Up Spray. "Have you ever considered the olfactory side of rain? You know it's coming, you can smell it in the air (exactly!). It does seem that on summer days when it is hot and dry, with a thunderstorm brewing just over the next hill, you can 'smell the rain'. Well, you can smell something, but rain? Have you ever tried to smell this same rain in January when the ground in frozen solid? Not a chance, but when the ground and plants are warmer, you can smell something. What you really smell comes not from the air, but the ground! Plants release oils that enter the soil and blend with the other earthy odors. These odors are released into the air when the relative humidity at ground level exceeds 75 percent. Moist humid air will transport odors far better than dry air. In these moist humid conditions we notice these odors more readily. And since rain is so often connected with moist humid air, we tend to associate one with the other. The Demeter Fragrance Rain captures this complex sensory moment perfectly. Like poetry, Rain is subtle and difficult to define, but real, with Rain being the cleanest and most delicate of all Demeter fragrances." A friend gave me this fragrance and it is one of the lightest fragrances that I own, while still having a complex series of notes.

The next fragrance that makes me think of Ireland is a brand new Pick Me Up called Clover. The bottle of this fragrance has clovers on it, making it a clear favorite of mine. I haven't smelled this fragrance yet so hopefully I can find this one soon. "The 3 leaf clover, or shamrock, is a symbol closely associated with Ireland, and thus St. Patrick's Day, although its origins as a such are a bit shrouded by history. One Irish legend holds that the three leaf clover, or 'Shamrock' was what St. Patrick used to represent the Holy Trinity. The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common, three leaf clover. It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover. According to tradition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidently. By legand, each leaflet represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck. Demeter's Clover is a celebration of not just the clover but the rugged and untamed nature of the Irish countryside. But only for two weeks a year. Available through March 17th only."

The third fragrance is Grass, my favorite fragrance from this company. I bought a bottle of this years ago and went through it like water. I must get myself some more of it very soon. "Playing in it...lying on it...or even mowing it...Grass smells wonderful. Centipede grass, the most widely used lawn grass in the southeast United States, has something of a romantic history. Around 1918, the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a Dr. Meyer, a plant explorer, to China in search of plants that might be economically useful. Tragically, before his return home Chinese bandits killed Dr. Meyer. His suitcases arrived in the U.S. where a collection of seeds was found, including a packet of Chinese centipede grass seeds. That packet of seed was sent to USDA experimental station vear Savannah, Georgia. In the 1920s, Jack Renfroe took four sprigs of the grass to his father, Mr. Riley Renfroe, who had a 400 acre farn near Quitman. In 1950, Ray Jensen, a soil scientist for the USDA, visited the Renfroe farm to make a soil survey. Although 96 years oil, Mr. Riley Renfroe wanted to accompany Jensen on the survey. That evening the two settled down to a wonderful southern dinner and that is when the story of the centipede grass on the Renfroe farm was told. Ray Jensen has just finished building his home in Tifton, Georgia. Mr. Renfroe insisted that he take a pick-up load home with him for his yard, where Jensen planted all the grass. The following year, Jensen contacted Mr. Renfroe to produce centipede seed from the 40 acre pasture he has developed from just three live sprigs of the Chinese grass. Ray Jensen had a vision to produce and sell this wonderful grass and seed and offer it as a foundation to southern homes and businesses. From China to Washington D.C., to Savannah to Quitman, to the entire Southeast and beyond, from one packet of seed and three live sprigs, today centipede grass can be found on lawns and ornamental turf areas around the world. In Demeter's Grass Pick Me Up cologne, we have captured the freshness and sweetness of a lush green grass pasture, much like the pasture that Mr. Riley Renfroe planted with centipede grass from those three live sprigs over 80 years ago." This fragrance is both earthy, green, and sweet at the same time. Very unique.

This last fragrance is called Wet Garden. I have had a hard time finding this fragrance and the only time that I ever found it, only the tester was out and the store was sold out of the product. It reminded me of Grass, mixed with Rain, with more floral notes in it. "Not perhaps the original Wet Garden, but...very popular! Just as all Dirt is not created equal, so too, all Wet Gardens are not created equal. In the case of our Demeter Wet Garden, time is as important as place. Our Wet Garden takes place at Easter, full of early spring flowers, including young shoots and buds, after a hard April rain. It is the combination of those flowers, the rain and the oils from the rich spring soil that comprise this fragrance, one of the most complex in the Library, but one that remains accessible, understandable, and eminently wearable."

All of these fragrance tie in together and could be layered or worn alone. Each fragrance brings Ireland to my mind and hopefully to yours now too. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

photo courtesy of Demeter

MAC Give Me Liberty of London

This latest collection from MAC is one of the ones that I had been looking forward to since I first read about it early last winter on Specktra.net. It is called Give Me Liberty of London and I have always been obsessed with all things British, so this collection really hits the spot for me! This collection has the most amazing packaging of the last few MAC collections and also has matching accessories for it. I have a feeling that I will be dropping quite a lot of money on these products!

"Give me prim. Give me proper. In this colourful collaboration, MAC celebrates Liberty of London's most famous prints. Bloomingly lovely!"

Let's go!

Liberty of London Eye Shadow - A limited-edition Eye Shadow packaged in a glossy white case. The see-through lid is decorated with an exclusively created floral motif for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.

- Give Me Liberty of London - flat creamy pink (Matte)

- Free to Be - creamy true coral (Matte)

- Dame's Desire - frosty mid-tone reddish purple (Frost)

- Bough Grey - mid-tone blueish grey (Satin)

- Birds & Berries - frosted dark green blue (Veluxe Pearl)

Liberty of London Lipstick - A limited-edition Lipstick packaged in a glossy white case decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.

- Peachstock - neutral peach (Satin)

- Ever Hip - creamy light coral (Cremesheen)

- Blooming Lovely - creamy greyed lilac mauve (Amplified)

- Petals & Peacocks - creamy bright magenta pink (Amplified)

Liberty of London Tinted Lipglass - A limited-edition Lipglass in a see-through vial. The glossy white cap is decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.

- Frankly Fresh - neutral pink beige with soft pearl

- Perennial High Style - creamy bright pink coral

- English Accents - creamy midtone blue pink

- A Different Groove - deep purple brown with pearl

Liberty of London Powder Blush - A limited-edtion Powder Blush packaged in a glossy white case decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.

- Prim & Proper - neutral nude (Matte)

- Dirty Plum - sheer dark plum (Matte)

Libery of London Beauty Powder - The luxurious, soft pearl finish of MAC Beauty Powder packaged in a glossy white compact. Lid is decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Limited edition.

- Shell Pearl - pale peach with gold pearl

- Summer Rose - soft violet pink with pearl

Liberty of London Nail Lacquer - A limited-edition Nail Lacquer decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection.

- Blue India - dark green blue with pearl (Cream)

- Vestral White - creamy white (Cream)

Liberty of London Makeup Bag/Small - A limited-edtion laminated makeup bag decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull. Measures 8" x 2.75" x 3.5".

Liberty of London Makeup Bag/Medium - A limited-edition laminated makeup bag decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of Lodon collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull. Measures 8" x 2.75" x 5".

Liberty of London Scarf - A limited-edition scarf designed with an exclusively created floral pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Rows of coral, orange, yellow, and blue flowers form a repeating pattern on a white background. The fabric is a soft wool/vicose blend. Made in Italy. Measures 27" x 82".

So the accessories didn't excite me quite as much as I had initially thought that they would. But the packaging continues to excite me and will end up making me purchase most of this collection. The Summer Rose Beauty Powder is a perfect example of this concept. It came out last year during A Rose Romance, had a rose pattern stamped on it and I bought it without trying it. Because I was so excited about the rose on it. Now with this collection, it's appeal is not near as big and won't be a purchase since I find the product to be too lightly pigmented.

But what do I want most from this collection? From the eye makeup, I want only Give Me Liberty of London. Now, I am not always a big fan of matte eye shadows but I can see this one working well with many shades that I already own. I don't like either of the blush shades and only want the Beauty Powder in the Shell Pearl shade. From the lipsticks, Blooming Lovely caught my eye immediately and I am dying to see how the greyed-out mauve hue looks on myself. From the Lipglasses, I can see Frankly Fresh vaulting all the way up into Holy Grail status for a natural look or against strong eyes. I also like the shades Perennial High Style and English Accents. To finish it off, I want the nail polish in Blue India.

photo courtesy of MAC

Manicure with Lippmann Collection "Happy Birthday"

This is a picture of a bottle of Lippmann Collection's Happy Birthday polish. I had first thought that I wouldn't like this shade but after using it, I really appreciate its complexity and what the photo on the website (just of a swatch of the color) couldn't fully capture. A PR firm provided me with a bottle of this product and I am very glad that they did because I have begun to rethink my notions on glitter polish.

I was trying to get a good shot of my manicure with this polish but my digital camera is doing something strange and refuses to upload the pictures. You will see (based on the provided picture) that in the bottle, this polish looks like a sea of glitter. I assume that one could wear it that way if they took the time to totally cover their nails in the glitter. However, I like it when the glitter specks are more dispersed and my natural nails show through.

I used two coats of polish and no top coat when I tried this shade out. I noticed that I have the best application results when I put a blob of the polish on my nail then use the brush to to thin it out and cover the nail. I was able to precisely place some of the sparkles to cover a white spot on one of my nails.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Clinique Spring 2010 Collection - Juiced Up

The newest collection from Clinique is called Juiced Up and is based on sheer, fruit colored shades. My favorite part about the collection is the promo picture, it is of a red-headed model. I see so few red-heads and this gives me the hope that I can wear most of the shades in this collection. Clinique use few words to describe the collection, "New and sheerly sublime" is the only description of the collection that is given.

Let's check it out...

Fresh Picked Allover Color - Limited edition. Long-wearing powder creates a sheer, subtle radiance that looks fresh, stays fresh. Sweep over face for an allover luminous glow, or brush on cheekbones to highlight.

- Mixed Berries - shades of pinks and mauves

Powder Brush - Large, plush face brush dusts on loose or pressed powder for smooth, even application. Unique antibacterial technology helps ensure the highest level of hygiene, keep brush irritant-free.

High Lengths Mascara - Stretch limp, lifeless lashes to lengths beyond your wildest expectations. And wow - eyes look noticeably wider, fully energized. Our curved, fine-toothed combs finds the tiniest lashes and brings them out of hiding. Ophthalmologist tested and appropriate for sensitive eyes.

- Black/Brown - black brown

- Black - black

Eye Defining Liquid Liner - Fast-drying liquid eyeliner flows on with ease for intense, precise colour. Draws a thin line for a natural look, a thick line for a dramatic effect. Water-resistant formula wears long and true. Ophthalmologist tested.

- Black - black

Fresh Picked Eye Shadow - Limited edition. Creamy, intense colour in one stroke. Spring-fresh pairings of base and contour eye shadow with a soft shimmer finish. Comfortably lightweight, long-wearing. Ophthamologist tested.

- Fresh Picked Berry - shades of mauves and plums

- Fresh Picked Pear - shades of greens

Instant Lift For Brows - Two-in-one automatic brow pencil and pearlized highlighter duo creates a contrast and definition that gives eyes a virtual lift. First, fill in and shape brows with long-wearing natural-looking pencil. Then optically "boost" brow arches with universal highlighter shade just below brow hairs.

- Deep Brown - dark brown

- Soft Brown - light brown

- Soft Blonde - dirty blonde

Eye Shadow Brush - Perfectly sized to apply the right amount of eye shadow to lids. Essential for highlighting area just under brow bones, too. Unique antibacterial technology helps ensure the highest level of hygenie, keeping brush irritant-free.

Vitamin C Lip Smoothie - We've squeezed in the best ingredients, like Vitamin C, and powered up antioxidants so lips look and feel their healthy best. Your recommended daily dose of lusciousness. Brushes on luscious color and shine in juicy, moisture-rich blends.

- Goodness Grape - soft dusty purple

- Pink Me Up - a soft pink with flecks of silvery pearl

- Mango-thon - a soft burnt orange with golden shimmer

- Nude-tritious - a soft nude brown with shimmer

I like this collection! I really like the berry toned hues and I bet that many of these shades will work right into summer. I want the Fresh Picked Blush, both of the new eye shadows, and of course I need to try to new mascara. I also have been panting over the Vitamin C Lip Smoothies since I saw an ad for them in a magazine. I will have to try them out when I go to Clinique to get this collection, I want to get the Pink Me Up and the Nude-tritious shades. This collection is pretty much perfect for me.

photo courtesy of Clinique

Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea Forever and Moonlight Magic

No I don't live at Bath and Body Works...I just keep getting suckered in by all the coupons that they gave me on my last visit. Triple that with me always paying off my charge in the store (meaning that I always then bring my charge to the store) and you get a receipt for me going there way too much for my own good. This time I was in the store on two missions, the first one was to pay of my charge card and the second one was to begin shopping for my mother's birthday gift while a bunch of my coupons were good. Also, the company has just released updated version of two of their best-selling fragrances, Sweet Pea and Moonlight Path, so I needed to give them a sniff and decide how to best use all my coupons.

Sweet Pea and Moonlight Path have been top-selling fragrances at Bath and Body Works since I first started there in the beginning of my second year of college. I still don't know how these two fragrances continue to sell so well because it seems like every female in the United States must already own them. Sweet Pea was my favorite for about the first six months that I was there and I owned every product in it and wore it every single day. I have nothing left of it and decided to give it another shot today. Within ten seconds of opening the tester, I was transported back to my organic chemistry classroom and thoughts of the girl that wore it every class of U.S. History. And I hated both of those... Sweet Pea will remain on the store shelves for me. I still have some Moonlight Path left in my collection so I wasn't interested in picking up anymore of that today.

Now onto the two new fragrances. First we will look at Sweet Pea Forever. The original Sweet Pea fragrance is a soft floral that smells exactly like the sweet pea florals. It is very sweet and can get cloying very quickly. Sweet Pea Forever is an update on the scent, not an entire new fragrance. It contains the original fragrance notes and then adds the following notes to them; juicy raspberry, freesia, watery pear, and light musk. When I first read these notes in the Spring Preview book, I was hoping that they would tame down the sweetness and make the fragrance more floral. Well, the new version of the fragrance is no better than the original, the new notes are totally unrecognizable and I wondered if I picked up the wrong bottle on first sniff. Nope...this update was nothing that I would purchase.

After the Sweet Pea, I had little hope for the Moonlight Magic. The original of this fragrance is a light musky floral that for the longest time (before Japanese Cherry Blossom was released in the beginning of 2006) was the only fragrance at Bath and Body that resembled a higher quality perfume. The original is also heavy on the lavender and contains a bit of rose in it. The new fragrance also contains the following notes; French lavender, sweet violets, lily of the valley, oakmoss, and a warm hint of musk. Moonlight Magic is a sweeter version of Moonlight Path, I can smell the sweet violet in it more than any other note in the fragrance. Someone else in the store noted that it smells like "Moonlight Path with cotton candy in it". Points for this fragrance being somewhat more original than Sweet Pea Forever but I didn't purchase this one either.

I ended up using my coupons to stock up on fragrances that I already have and prefer to the new updates. I understand that Bath and Body Works is trying to update some of their classic fragrances and give them new life, I don't really like either of these two updates. But as I was in the store, I realized the true power of fragrance, I got a bit sad while I was walking around smelling fragrances that reminded me of college and more carefree times and all my college friends and crushes. I went all the way back to being nervous on my first day of classes and wrinkling my nose at the girls who covered themselves in Sweet Pea for morning classes...

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Guerlain Spring 2010 Collection - Cherry Blossom

One of the first flowers to bloom in the springtime is the cherry blossom. These flowers grow on trees and cover the ground with beautiful pink flowers. I believe that these trees bloom all around the White House every spring. Guerlain's Spring 2010 Collection is fittingly called Cherry Blossom after these beautiful trees. This collection contains four new items, all of which appear to have pink hues (at first glance).

Here are the products...

Blush Eclat - A brisk stroll in a garden still sparkling with the morning dew. The first rays of sun kiss your rosy cheeks. Your complexion is luminous, radiant. Is this a dream? No, it's reality! It's the promise of a healthy glow that comes with Cherry Blossom, a peachy-pink blush reminiscent of Japanese cheery trees in full bloom. Airy-light and transparent, it instantly revives pale winter cheeks. Soft as a breeze, it gives the face a vibrant boost in a quick wave of the wand!

- Cherry Blossom 07 - peachy pink

Rouge G Le Brillant - The original, creamy richness of Rouge G has now been combined with the lightness of colour. Rouge G Le Brillant has mastered the art of blending this incredibly full-bodied texture with shimmering light colours. Deep in the heart of this precious treasure, an extraordinary formula complete with ruby powder fills the lips with moisture, making them ultra smooth, plump and glistening. Spectacular yet refined, Rouge G Le Brillant emits a subtle shine and reveals all the beauty of an ultra-feminine ritual. The secret? A clever balance between glamour and softness unveiled by a truly unique formula.

- Bella B63 - deep rose

KissKiss Strass - With incomparable finesse, KissKiss Strass sheathes the lips in evanscent glitter, like a resplendent veil of shimmering stones... Dr oplets of pure crystal and an extraordinary blend of three different pearly hues provide an illusion of multi-dimensional sparkle and shine.

- Corail 362 - deep shimmering rose

Ombre Eclat 4 Couleurs - Light and shade in an intense black lacquered case... Here, pearly shades of pink and white, luminous accents inspired by the reflections of the sun's rays dancing on the surface of a lake. There, shades of violet and mauve, subtle variations of the same deep intensity, like oriental flowers playing with shadows in a garden. Bucolic colours to mix and match on your eyes according to your moods. Soft, vibrant eyes for daytime. Smoky, captivating eyes for evenings. Or why not just do the opposite?

- Jeu d'Ombrelle 408 - shades of pinks, whites, violets, and mauves

I love this entire collection, I want to buy every single piece of it. However, the Blush and 4 Color Eye Shadows are just two fo the most amazing beauty items that I have ever seen. The picture that I included is of the Eye Shadows since I do feel that I can fully describe their beauty. My only worry with items this beautiful is that I would never use them because I wouldn't want to mar the surface of the product. However, these products will sell out quickly so I plan to try and get hands on them first and then decide how I am going to go about using them.

I love that so many of the Spring Collections have to do with flowers and pink. So far, I love this trend and this is shaping up to be an amazing season.

photo courtesy of Guerlain

O.P.I. Alice in Wonderland Collection

All of the hype around Alice in Wonderful has swelled and reached a fever pitch with the release of the movie. Before anyone even asks, no I have not seen the movie nor have I gotten my hands on the Book of Shadows yet. I do plan to do both in the near future. Another collection has been released to celebrate this movie, this one from nail polish company O.P.I. Four new shades are available on the O.P.I. website and I bet that there will be tons of ladies wearing one of these polish shades and the Urban Decay shadow shades when they go see this movie.

The first shade is called Thanks So Muchness and it is mid-tone berry cream. This is one of the shades that is on the more traditional side of this collection and could eaasily be worked into any look. The second shade is another one that is a cream and a more traditional shade. It is called Off With Her Red! and is a blue based true red. Both of these colors are very nice but they are pretty common and I bet that O.P.I. already had shades very much like these in their collection.

The other shades are the less traditional of the collection and both of them have a shimmery finish. My favorite shade is Absolutely Alice and is a shade that some would consider blue and some would consider it to have an aqua cast to it. I put it firmly in with blue group and I have always loved blue polishes, so this one is a great fit for me. The last shade of the collection is called Mad As A Hatter. That one wins for my favorite shade name from this collection! This shade is a medium blue purple and the photo on the website makes it look as though it has an iridescent cast to it.

I searched through a couple of blogs in hopes that I could find better pictures of these polishes but I have come up empty so far. I found one picture of Mad As A Hatter in April's Glamour and it appears in that photo to have multi-colored sparkles in it yet too. I want to get both of the shimmery shades from this collection. My top pick is the Absolutely Alice but I was want to try Mad As A Hatter in a pedicure. I don't know that I could pull it off in a manicure so I will be starting out with it on my toes in sandal weather.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

MAC Too Fabulous

Early last spring I got really hyped on the MAC Cremesheen line of lip glosses. This line was limited edition and everything quickly sold out. It may have taken over a year but MAC has brought this formula back in both new shades and a few returning shades. This time collection is named Too Fabulous. "Lips and cheeks get the pretty young thing treatment. Cremesheen Glass makes it's comeback with six exciting new shades and three requested bring-backs! Add Mineralize Blush duos and Lip Pencils to delight and define. All Too Fabulous!"

Here are the products...

Cremesheen Glass - A lip finish that fuses the creamy, sheen-filled nature of Cremesheen Lipstick with the shine of MAC Lipglass. Soft, comfortable, non-sticky. Applies with a doe-foot applicator. Use as a top layer to its namesake Lipstick or on its own.

- Fashion Scoop - clear pink

- Richer, Lusher - peach coral

- Just Superb - dirty neutral pink

- Deelight - mid-tone neutral

- Over Indulgence - neutral brown

- Loud & Lovely - blue pink

- Double Dare - coral red

Lip Pencil - A pencil designed for shaping, lining, or filling in the lip. Lip Pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for lining the lips or filling them in. They are long-lasting and available in a wide selection of colours that each work well with many different lipstick shades. The colour of Lip Pencils is protected by Vitamin E, which acts as an anti-oxidant, and they contain emollients that moisturize the lips. Lip Pencils can be worn alone, with Lipstick or Lipglass.

- Boldly Bare - dirty red brown

- Mouth Off - deep peach coral

- Trimmed In Pink - bright blue pink

- Chestnut - intense brown

- Naked Liner - light neutral

- In Synch - bright yellow pink

Mineralize Blush (Duo) - A limited edition Mineralize Blush featuring two shades swirled into an abstract pattern. Delivers the sheer colour and soft, dimensional pearl of all MAC Mineralize powder formulas.

- Two Virtues - light blue pink/light violet

- Rhapsody In Pink - light pale pink/pale peach

- Chic Couple - light yellow brown/dark peach
- Bi - Tone - rose pink/copper brown

- Buddy Rose - dirty rose/neutral yellow pink

- Sun and Moon - neutral brown/pink brown

I mostly like the Cremesheen Glasses from this collection. I really want to get Fashion Scoop, Just Superb, and Deelight. I am so glad that these glosses are back for a second time, I just wish that there were more shades so I could get even more of them. I would love if MAC would make these a permanent part of there collection.

photo courtesy of MAC

Me! Bath Shower Sherbet

It is no secret that I adore cute body products. Me! Bath is company that I first encountered when I was working at Bath and body Works, it is an outside company that used to be carried at their largest volume stores. Alas, this is no longer the case and I am getting very close to finishing up the product stash that I had from this company. I decided to take some time and check out the website of company and see how else I could get products from them. These products seem to be carried only at small, independantly owned businesses, so for the majority of us, it will be easier just to order from their website.

The products that I can currently running low on from this company are the Shower Sherbets. These are the body scrubs that this company offers and they are the reason that I was originally attracted to Me! Bath. They are housed in ice cream containers and are impossible to miss when sitting on a store shelf. At the moment, this product is offered in nine fragrances, however I do remember when the offerings were closer to twenty.

Me! Bath describes the product on their website as follows, "Me! Bath Shower Sherbet is a sugar-based body scrub that comes in 16 ounce ice cream pints and look so yummy you just wanna eat it! Rich in Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E, Me! Bath Shower Sherbet is made for daily use to exfoliate, cleanse, and moisturize all in one. Leaving your skin smooth and silky with a long-lasting aroma, this luscious lather is a delicious and energizing way to treat your body to something sweet! Stay tuned for new flavors!" Currently, I only have Strawberry Kiwi and Peaches N' Cream left in my collection. I stocked up on these two fragrance right as Bath and Body was stopping their distribution and marked everything down at their sale. I bought a ton of products that day but since these were the only two fragrance left, I ended up getting them all in these fragrances. Initially, this was fine but I am beginning to get a bit tired of them. which is a shame because I love the formula.

So what fragrances are offered in this product now? The website lists nine in total.

- Choco-holic - rich true chocolate fragrance

- Gotta Have It Pomegranate - sweet pomegranate

- Hawaiian Lei - plumeria and freesia

- Land Of Milk N' Honey - combination of warm milk and honey (designed for sensitive skin)

- Lavender Lullaby - soft lavender

- Papaya Nectar - mix of papaya, ocean air, and warm sand

- Strawberry Kiwi - sweet strawberries and kiwi

- Summer Rain - the air during and after a rainstorm

- Vanilla Purity - pure vanilla

I'm not going to really review Peaches N' Cream since it is no longer offered. Strawberry Kiwi is very sweet, fruity scent. It is almost too sweet and the scrubs are so strongly scented that I couln't use it everyday. I don't use this product everyday but I do feel that this is lightest exfoliator that I own. the sugar is suspended in a jelly like base and makes is easy to scoop put and rub on. This product does not foam at all and iIwish that it was a bit easier to remove. With that as my only complaint, I am really sad that I can't find this product easier. I want to get it Summer Rain and Papaya Nectar and all the matching body products in those fragrances.

photo courtesy of Me! Bath

Laura Mercier Spring 2010 Collection - Polished Collection

The power of a name...I already like collection and I haven't even looked at it. The "Polished Collection" just sounds as though it will be flattering and beautiful. The three words that are used by Laura Mercier to describe this collection are "Feminine. Modern. Chic." I already love this. Those three adjectives are ones that were in my head when I went to get my haircut and are my new beauty objectives. "Welcome Spring with Laura Mercier's new Polished Colour Collection. A feminine, modern look with radiant opalescent touches that accent the high points of the face, contrasting an overall polished matte look", states the Laura Mercier website when introducing this collection.

Here are the new shades...

Sateen Eye Colour Duo - Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour Duo immediately releases intense luminous colour with superior blending in two complimentary shades. The creamy powder texture provides distinctive full colour and unique blendibility. Long-wearing and crease-resistant, the non-dusting formula can be applied sheerly or layered for additional coverage.

- Plum Spice - deep peach/reddish plum

Matte Eye Colour Duo - Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour Duo combines two mistake-proof matte formulas to deliver intense, pure colour in one stroke that lasts all day. Each perfectly paired duo adheres to the eyelids with extreme comfort for a smooth finish imparting a soft feel and light-diffusing effect. Bringing out true colour and brillance, apply each colour individually or combine for a sheer finish or layer for additional coverage. Non-dusting colour. Long-wearing and crease-resistant.

- Cocoa Rose - light pink cream/deep brown

Luster Eye Colour Duo - Laure Mercier Luster Eye Colour Duo offers two flattering shades of pure, dynamic iridescence with a sophisticated frost finish. With superior extended wear, each colour will not crease and looks freshly applied throughout the day. Bringing out true colour and brillance, apply each colour individually or combine for a sheer finish or layer for additional coverage. Non-dusting. Long-wearing and crease-resistant.

- Golden Brown - golden brown/brown

Radiant Creme Cheek Colour - Laura Mercier Radiant Creme Cheek Colour accentuates the high points of the face with touches of soft, radiant opalescence and adds warmth to the cheeks with blendable creme colour. The multi-shade compact allows for buildable, customized intensity to create a natural flush on a range of skintones. Light coverage. Elegant finish. Paraben Free.

- Polished - light pearly cream/fuschia pearly cream with gold

Lip Shine - Laura Mercier Lip Shine adds a touch of polish to lips with a lightweight, pearlescent gloss finish. Shea Butter and Vitamin E moisturize lips without being too heavy or greasy. Emollient, blendable texture. Lightweight, non-tacky formula. Delicate colour blends easily, leaving a polished finish.

- Crystal Pink - midtone pink

Satin Lip Colour - Laura Mercier Satin Lip Colour is the first semi-matte lipstick to combine long wear and comfort in a non-drying formula. Lips got from satiny to matte within minutes with Softisan, a lightweight "elastic" seal that perfectly adheres to lips to set and lock in highly pigmented colour and moisture without feathering. Wild Mango Butter intensely hydrates lips. Volulips and Laura Mercier's exclusive Lip Colour Complex plump, soothe, and condition lips. One swipe leaves lips feeling incredibly soft with medium to full coverage in a satiny finish.

- Barely Nude - flesh-toned neutral brown

- Maple Brown - medium neutral brown

- Pink Cocoa - medium brown with pink undertones

Eye Basics - Laura Mercier Eye Basics creates the perfect canvas for eyes by camouflaging eye imperfections and enhancing the durability of eye makeup. Skin friendly ingredients enhance the delicate skin on the eyelids. Botanicals soothe distressed lids. Vitamins A, E, and C provide anti-oxidant protection. Sheer, creamy texture blends easily and smoothly leaving a long-lasting semi-matte finish. Natural clay prevents creasing. Water-resistant. Eyes are primed with this highly versatile product. Use as a primer or alone to add a little colour to your eyes.

- Flax - beige-with-pearl

- Peach - sheer-orange-peach

Eye Crease Brush - Travel - Laura Mercier Eye Crease Brush is ideal for eye crease work with its broad tapered bristles allowing complete control and precise application. Round base with bristles tapered to a point. Perfectly sized to blend eye colour into the crease. Tapered tip allows precise application.

Eye Colour Brush - Long - Laura Mercier Eye Colour Brush is a soft 100% natural brush perfectly sized to apply Laura Mercier "cashmere" eye colour to the eyelid and brow bone. Flat bristles with tapered, oval tip. Gently blends edges.

Long Lash Mascara - Laura Mercier Long Lash Mascara extends and precisely separates the thinnest, shortest, hard-to-reach lashes by expertly scooping up and lengthening each lash while delivering the right amount of product. Perfectly engineered brush, designed to meet Laura's specifications, dramatically lengthens and defines lashes while enhancing the eyes. An innovative stretch formula lengthens, separates, and curls each lash, making lashes appear longer in just two strokes. Long-wearing, water-resistant, and smudge-proof. The formula contains rich, dark pigments to enhance lash colour for maximum drama. Clump-free, fiber-free, paraben-free, and ophthamologist tested.

- Black - deep black

These are some amazing offerings for Spring, they will stand out on their own but while I was writing this, I was thinking about some of the other collections that I have looked at so far and I can see many items blending together to create amazing looks. From this collection, I want the Matte Eye Colour Duo and the Luster Eye Colour Duo. I also want the Eye Basics in Flax, I am interested in how this product matches up to Urban Decay Primer Potion. It also looks like an easy product for a lazy day. I really want the Crystal Pink Lip Shine also, it is already looking like Holy Grail material for me. I think that all of the other lip colors are going to be too brown for my cool tonmed skin so I will be passing on those. Also, I don't think that the Radiant Creme Cheek Colour will work since it has a plum shade in it, I will need to test this one out. I also want to try out the mascara (of course). I love this collection and hope this sparks a big trend in pushing makeup to more professional shades and look.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier