Bobbi Brown Fall 2010 Collection - Black Velvet Collection

In addition to the Denim and Rose Collection that Bobbi Brown released earlier in the summer, they have also released a second fall collection called Black Velvet. I feel like Denim and Rose was more of a transition collection with shades that would work in fall but could also be worn in the late summertime. I am beginning to think that this will be a trend over the next few seasons to release transition collections and keep people collecting limited edition shades and products. The overall description of the collection from Bobbi Brown is "Feeling fierce? Give us 5 minutes. We'll give you an edge." I love this collection from first sight.

Here's the collection...

Kohl Eye Liner - Line, define, and shade your eyes with Bobbi's new Kohl Eye Liner. This silky-smooth formula delivers dense, even, and blendable pigment, so lining your lids superclose to your lashline (without that annoying gap) just got easy. Also great smudged along top and lower lashes for a smoky effect. Available in three shades, part of Bobbi's New Black Velvet Collection.

- Black Chocolate - deep brown

- Black Plum - deep plum

- Black - black

Metallic Eye Shadow - Now in three new almost-black shades. Metallic Eye Shadow combines rich, high-pigment color with intense shimmer. Each shade applies smoothly and evenly, and stays crease-free for all-day wear.

- Black Berry - deep shimmering plum

- Black Charcoal - deep shimmering gray

- Black Cocoa - deep shimmering brown

Eye Shadow - Bobbi's original silky-matte formula, now available in two new powerful, almost-black shades. Layer and blend for drama and definition. Each shade also makes a wicked powder eye liner. Available in two new almost-black shades.

- Black Charcoal - deep gray

- Black Chocolate - deep chocolate

Sparkle Eye Shadow - Bobbi's grown-up take on glitter. This lightweight formula lights up your eyes with a combination of shimmering pearls and fine glitter. Thanks to it's creamy, translucent base, it glides on smoothly and won't crease or travel south.

- Black Velvet - black with a plum sparkle

- Black - black with silver sparkle

Lip Color - Bobbi's original formula treats lips to rich color with a soft matte finish. Infused with Vitamins E and C as well as Beeswax, it also moisturizes and conditions lips. Now in two outrageous new shades.
- Black Maple - deep red brown

- Black Raspberry - deep plum

Sheer Lip Gloss - Wear it on its own for sheer color or swipe it on top of lipstick for extra shine. Bonus: Lip Gloss is infused with soothing botanical extracts to keep lips healthy and soft.

- Black Chocolate - deep sheer brown

Metallic Lip Color - Metallic Lip Color combines high-shine emollients and light-reflective pearls for multi-dimensional shimmer that has a soft and creamy feel with medium coverage.

- Black Garnet - deep shimmering red brown

Creamy Lip Color - Creamy Lip Color combines rich color with comfortable, long-lasting wear, and a soft, creamy shine. With emollient shea butter and plant-derived skin conditioners, this amazing formula glides on smooth, wears all day, and leaves lips soft and moisturized. now in two dramatic new shades.

- Black Cherry - deep berry cream

- Black Mahogany - deep brown cream

This is a wonderful collection for fall! I am so excited to play with these new shades. First, my shopping list for eye makeup. I want the Kohl Eye Liner in the Black shade, all three new shades of the Metallic Eye Shadow, and both new shades of the Sparkle Eye Shadow. My list for lips is a bit shorter but not much. I want the Lip Color in the Black Raspberry shade and the Creamy Lip Color in the Black Cherry shade. I can't want to wear dramatic makeup shades this season.

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

It's Here!

One of my many beauty wishes has come true! Urban Decay has just released a giant version of their best-selling Primer Potion. And they redesigned the tube for this release! This tube will last me for months and the redesigned package will ensure that I get every last wonderful drop of product out of the tube. The Sephora website states that this product is limtedc edition so I recommend getting it soon before it sells out (and it will!). When I got to replace my tube, I will be replacing it with one this size!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Bath and Body Works Dark Kiss

This is the biggest fragrance launch for Bath and Body Works in ages. Dark Kiss is the fragrance of the fall for them and will be the fragrance of this season for many women too, I suspect. This fragrance has been hyped since the end of July when the small sizes were one doolar each to introduce it to everyone. Myself, I have been waiting since I first smelled it in July to buy it. I had made my mental shopping list within about ten minutes of letting the fragrance set on my skin. This fragrance launched on Friday morning and I let Bath and Body Works that day with a bag full of products in this scent.

The Bath and Body Works website states, "Master perfumers have blended voluptuous berries, tempting blooms, sensual incense, and night musk for this daring and seductive fragrance. It is a modern take of forbidden love that will unleash your most primal passions". The top notes of the fragrance are: Bergamot, Incense, Mirabelle Plum, Black Raspberry. The heart notes are: Amber, Burgundy Rose, Geranium, Peony. The base notes are: Dark Vanilla Bean, Labdanum, Vetiver, Sensual Balsam, Musks. This is a great combination of the heavy florals that I go so nuts for in the cooler weather.

On myself, this fragrance starts out with the berry notes then the deep florals and the vanilla develops. I love that it has no "plastic" berry notes that some fragrances have and that rose is a major note in it. And just to prove that this is the major fragrance launch for Bath and Body Works, I have not only purchased the body products in this scent but the first product in my bag was the EDT. I rarely ever buy the perfumes from this company but this one is truely stunning.

I have already bought the EDT, the shower gel, and the Triple Moisture Body Cream in this fragrance. Body product wise, you can also purchase this fragrance in the body lotion, the Triple Moisture Shower Cream, a hand cream, and the body splash. Candles, oils, and Wallflower bulbs are also available, however the home fragrance products smell more strongly of the berry than the body products, I did pass on those. As a new addition, a lip gloss is also available in this scent! It is a sheer deep berry shiimer that smells much like real raspberries. A jar of these were on the table and one went right into my shopping bag after I was playing with the tester.

I highly recommend that youall get to your closest Bath and Body Works and give this fragrance a shot. Even if this one isn't for you, they now have lots of Halloween products out and some to-die-for smelling fall candles. I might have bought some of these items also that day...

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Kat Von D Adora Collection Makeup

Today we are looking at the second part of the Adora collection. The perfume wasn't a fragrance for me, so I am hoping that the new makeup products will be. The overall description of the new collection from Sephora is, "To create her thirdself-inspired makeup-and-fragrance collection, Kat Von D has blended unexpected ingredients with real emotion. Adora, which means "Beloved One" in Latin, reflects the skilled artist's edgy exterior and romantic soul with enigmatic, provactive hues. Discover what lies beneath Kat's beautiful, tough surface".

Let's see the color collection...

True Romance Eye Shadow Palette Adora - A limited-edition palette of eight richly pigmented eye shadow shades, from tatto artist Kat Von D. A smoky eye adds an instant air of mystery - create your own, from angelic to devilish, with the Adora Eye Shadow Palette. Designed by reality television star Kat Von D especially for Sephora, this artistic spectrum of shades brings an edgy-glam creativity to your makeup. Adora fuses love and fury - two sides of color reflect two distinct facets of Kat. One side has an assortment of frosty whites and silvers; the other side includes a range of sexy black and maroon shades. The versatile shadows comes three in cream and three in powder. The sleek black eye shadow palette is stenciled with passionate red roses and speaks to a romantic soul, with an edge.

Adora Painted Love Lipstick - A rich, full-color lipstick from tattoo artist from Kat Von D. Adora means "beloved" in Latin. Kat choose this name to reflect the captivating next chapter in her evolution. Kat has discovered a renaissance inspired by artisitc introspection, reaching deep layers, stories, and scars - laced with love and fury. Designed by reality television star Kat Von D especially for Sephora. Painted Love Lipstick takes Kat's signature lip color, a sophisticated red, and expands it into a range of smoldering shades from crimson to blood red. The sleek black tube is stenciled with passionate red roses and speaks to a romantic soul, with an edge.

- Adora - shimmering candy apple red

This makeup collection is much more my style. I love the new eye shadow palette and I am excited to buy it very soon. I love the packaging with all the roses on it. The lipstick I am a bit more cautious about. I like the shade as it is pictured on the website but her red lipsticks have tended to look more pink when applied. So I will have to work with this one at the store before I decide what I think about it.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Kat Von D Adora Collection Perfume

The Kat Von D collection that was just released is named Adora and consists of a new fragrance and makeup products. Today we will look at the fragrance and tommorrow we will look at the colour products in this new collection. I am lukewarm about many aspects of Kat Von D collections except my love of her eye makeup and her packaging. I find the packaging very pretty on this collection but I have yet to look at the contents of the perfume bottle and rollerball to find out.

The Sephora website states the following about the new fragrance, "Adora means 'Beloved One' in Latin. For Kat, Adora reflects the next chapter in her personal evolution - an introspective renaissance discovered through deep layers, stories, and scars. She's a romantic soul with an edgy exterior. Adora is a sensual and passionate perfume journey - unexpected and provactive. This scent reveals a stirring glimpse into an enigmatic life...tortured, beautiful, and brutally honest. At the top, crushed juicy notes of lychee and boysenberry intertwine with thyme and a crisp shot of cassis. The heart fuses the distinct sweetness of hyacinth with jasmine to create floral notes, enhanced by freshly peeled mango. At the base, patchouli finds her spiritual matches with sheer musk and amber wood".

Sephora also gives some background about the bottle design. "Inspired by one of Kat's favorite art nouveau artist (Alfonso Mucha), the solid black bottle's side panels are decorated with original sketches of whimsical features, flowers, and butterflies, in a captivating red ink". Not my favorite perfume bottle that I have ever seen but it is still very pretty.

Here are the notes: Lychee, Boysenberry, Thyme, Cassis, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Mango Flesh, Patchouli, Sheer Musk, Amber Wood.

I found this fragrance to be a bit too sweet for me when I tried it out at Sephora. It is classified as a floral fragrance but there was too much berry and mango in it for me to wear it as a floral. I also felt that those notes were too light to balance out the patchouli notes in it after it fully develops. I really just don't love the sweet berries in it and that ruined it for me. I will be passing on this fragrance. Hopefully the makeup collection will work out better for me...

photo courtesy of Sephora

MAC Fabulous Felines - Palace Pedigreed

This is last of the new collection from MAC. This one is called Palace Pedigreed and the colors of it are based on the Russian Blue cat breed. The shades are cool toned and consist of blues, grays, and plums. MAC states that, "A collection of regal blues, plush grays, and polished silver for lips, cheeks, and eyes as haughty as its finely-favoured feline inspiration - the emerald-eyed, sable-riche Russian Blue". I like the silvers and grays that will be in this collection and I am hoping for several silver eye shadows with a shimmer finish. I am thinking that this will be another great collection for this season.

Here is the collection...

Pigment - Pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting.

- Mauvement - cool taupe with gold pearl (Frost)

- Bloodline - dark dirty browned plum (Frost)

Palace Pedigreed: Eye Shadow x 4 - A quad of eye shadows as cool and aristocratic as a truly fabulously feline Russion Blue: the mauve/pink/gray and berry tones of Courtly, Palace Pedigreed, Quite Spoiled, and Russian Blue. Limited edition.

Plush Lash - Plumps, curls, and volumizes. Builds thickness smoothly and evenly, delivering a full fan of lashes. Rich, hydrating formula. No smudging or clumping. A patented brush wraps lashes one luxurious layer at a time for immediate, intense drama.

- Plush Black - black

Superslick Liquid Eye Liner - A liquid eye liner so slick it almost describes itself. Water-based, water-resistant, quick and precise to apply. Dries in 15 seconds to provide a sleek, longwearing, no-smudge line. The superior no-fuss, no-wobble application lies in the "magic tip" of the easy-to-control dipstick applicator.

- Smoky Hair - dark blue violet with soft pearl

- Noctural - bright silver pearl

- Signature Blue - dark navy with soft pearl

Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made MAC famous.

- Of Royalty - light creamy blue pink (Cremesheen)

- Superior - sheer lavender pink with dazzle pink pearl (Dazzle)

- Aristo-Cat - mid-tone frosted purple mauve (Frost)

- Cunning - dark berry (Frost)

Tinted Lipglass - A unique lip gloss available in a wide variety of colours that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It's pigmented, very shiny, and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.

- Docile - dirty lavender with pearl

- Best of Breed - light dirty blue with pearl

- Lap of Luxury - dark eggplant with pearl

Cremestick Liner - A creamy, highly pigmented, retractable lip liner. Lightweight and smooth to apply: very long-lasting. Use as outline or as a "fill". Helps prevent feathering and bleeding. Use with any MAC lipstick or gloss.

- Beurre - berry

Mineralize Blush - Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds lightly, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer.

- Pet Me - midtone cool rose

168SH Large Angled Contour Brush - A limited-edition short-handled version of our Pro-quality 168 Brush. Provides expert application of cheek contour. Soft and firmly bundled, this brush is angled for precision, with a buffed edge. Hand assembled, it features natural fibres, a wooden handle and nickel-plated brass ferrule

This collection is almost the opposite of the Leopard collection, I prefer the cheek and lips shades in this collection and wouldn't get the eye shadow quag because of the blue shade in it. The only eye product that I want from this collection is the silver shade in the liquid eye liner. I love the shade of the Mineralize Blush and am looking to forward to buying this product at the counter. I also really like a bunch of the lip shades. In the Lipstick, I want to get Of Royalty, Superiour, and Cunning. From the Tinted Lipglass, I like the Docile shade.

I love this entire series for fall and I wait to buy these items and start this fall right.

photo courtesy of MAC

MAC Fabulous Felines - Leopard Luxe

The second part of this collection is named Leopard Luxe and the collection revolves around tawny and golden hues. This looks as though it will be my favorite collection of eye makeup shades but I doubt that I will really be feeling the lips and cheek shades. Let's see if I am proved wrong. The MAC website gives the following as the description of the collection, "Looks for lips, cheeks, and eyes in a tawny, exotic creme-golden colour palette that betrays both sensual vulnerability and spectacular power".

Let's see this collection...

Pigment - Pigment is a highly concentrated loose powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting.

- Lithe - warm nude with gold pearl (Frost)

- Old Gold - high frostes tarnished gold (Frost)

Leopard Luxe: Eye Shadow x 4 - With camel, brown, gold, muted orange, and a deliciously frosted black, this quad of eye shadow both purrs and roars...With limited edition shades of Wild By Nature, Style Predator, Notoriety, and Furiously Fabulous, all it needs is a high-style muse...You?

Plush Lash - Plumps, curls, and volumizes. Builds thickness smoothly and evenly, delivering a full fan of lashes. Rich, hydrating formula. No smudging or clumping. A patented brush wraps lashes one luxurious layer at a time for immediate, intense drama.

- Plush Black - black

Superslick Liquid Eye Liner - A liquid liner so slick that is almost describes itself. Water-based, water resistant, quick and precise to apply. Dries in 15 seconds to provide a sleek, longwearing, wet-look, no-smudge line. The superior no-fuss, no-wobble application lies in the "magic tip" of the easy-to-control dip-stick applicator.

- Pure Show - bright yellow gold pearl

- Marked For Glamour - midtone gray with soft pearl

- On The Hunt - true black

Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! what made MAC famous.

- Out-Minxed - light yellow gold (Glaze)

- Powerful - midtone bronze with dazzle multi pearl

- Drive Me Wild - midtone warm coral with gold pearl (Cremesheen)

- The Prowl - creamy dark chocolate (Lustre)

Tinted Lipglass - A unique lip gloss available in a wide variety of colours that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It's pigmented, very shiny, and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.

- A Quiet Roar - pale white gold

- Schemer - midtone yellow camel with red and gold pearl

- Wildy Refined - midtone coral with gold pearl

Cremestick Liner - A creamy, highly pigmented, retractable lip liner. Lightweight and smooth to apply: very long-lasting. Use as outline or as a "fill". Helps prevent feathering and bleeding. Use with any MAC lipstick or gloss.

- Creamola - deep brown

Mineralize Blush - Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour build lightly, layer after layer, without heavy converage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous, pearlized shimmer.

- Utterly Game - neutral bronze

129SH Powder Blush Brush - The 129 Blush/Brush with a shorter handle. Includes a travel pouch to keep your brush clean. This brush is particularity good for blush application. The fibres are soft and form a full rounded shape. MAC professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature wood handles and nickel-plated brass ferrules.

227SH Large Fluff - A limited-edition short-handled version of our Pro-quality 227 Brush. Features an extra-large paddle-shaped natural fibre brush with fluffed, rounded tip. Highly versatile for either the face or eyes. Use for applying, blending, or highlighting any powder-based products.

I was right in my thought that I would love the eye shades but nothing else would work for me. I am not interested in any of the lip or cheek products. I love the new Eye Quad, so far these are my favorite items in the whole collection. I also want to get the gold and black liquid eye lineers and I included the pciture of the new product in this post so that you can all get an idea of what this brush looks like.

I predict that this will be the best selling collection overall since every magazine that I have read is hyping leopard as the biggest print for fall. In addition to this makeup, I am also craving a leopard print trench coat and handbag for fall.

photo courtesy of MAC

MAC Fabulous Felines - Burmese Beauty

MAC's first huge fall collection is named Fabulous Felines and consists of neutrals that will be stylish all season long. Since there are three new collections, I have divided this collection up into three parts instead of one superlong post. The first part is called Burmese Beauty and is the collection that we are going to look at right now. "A rich teak-olve colour collection for lips, cheeks, and eyes that celebrates the well-cared-for, and exalts in her high-borne right to be spoiled".

Here is the first collection...

Pigment - Pigment is a highly concentrated loose powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin. Create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect. Does not streak or cake. Easy to blend and long-lasting.

- Antique Green - turquoise green with green pearl (Frost)

- Gold Stroke - high frosted tarnished gold (Frost)

Burmese Beauty: Eye Shadow x 4 - The weel-bred browns, pale yellow, and gold of this Eye Shadow quad reflect the pedigreed and sophisticated beauty of the Burmese. Features an irresistable limited-edition mix of Prized, Skintone 2, Burmese Beauty, and Showstopper.

Plush Lash - Plumps, curls, and volumizes. Builds thickness smoothly and evenly, delivering a full fan of lashes. Rich, hydrating formula. No smudging or clumping. A patented brush wraps lashes one luxurious layer at a time for immediate, intense drama.

- Plush Black - black

Superslick Liquid Eye Liner - A liquid liner so slick that it almost describes itself. Water-based, water-resistant, quick and precise to apply. Dries in 15 seconds to provide a sleek, longwearing, wet-look, no-smudge line. The superior no-fuss, no-wobble application lies in the "magic tip" of the easy-to-control dip-stick applicator.

- Treat Me Nice - emerald green with soft pearl

- Desires & Devices - sparkling dark green

- Defiantly Feline - chocolate brown with soft pearl

Lipstick - Colour plus texture for the lips. Stands out on the runway. Simmers on the street! What made MAC famous.

- Liquid Lurex - tarnished golden (Dazzle)

- Pet Me, Please - frosted light dirty mauve (Frost)

- To Pamper - creamy midtone taupe

- Kittenish - deep red berry (Cremesheen)

Tinted Lipglass - A unique lip gloss available in a wide variety of colours that can create a high-gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating sheen that lasts. It's pigmented, very shiny, and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.

- Jealous - light dirty green with pearl

- Spree - pink champagne taupe

- Fancy Cat - dirty dark brown with pearl

Cremestick Liner - A creamy, highly pigmented, retractable lip liner. Lightweight and smooth to apply; very long-lasting. Use as outline or as a "fill". Help prevent feathering and bleeding. Use with any MAC lipstick or gloss.

- Velvetella - deep berry (Cream)

Mineralize Blush - Baked minerals refined into a powder formula to provide exceptionally sheer and lightweight application. Colour builds light, layer after layer, without heavy coverage. Veils and enhances the cheekbones with a luminous pearlized shimmer.

- The Soft Meow - midtone neutral beige

188SH Small Duo Fibre Face Brush - A limited-edition short-handled version of our Pro-quality 188 brush. This flat-topped, full circular brush applies and blends any formula - fluid, cream, powder, or pigment. Ideal for creating soft layers or adding textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres.

There are some pieces of this collection that I really love but the rest of it I'm not really crazy over. I love the new Lipstick shade in Kittenish, the deep berry will be great this fall and I love how the cool shade will work for my skintone. I also really like the new Eye Shadow Quad and I will get lots of use from it since the shades are neutral and easy to work with. I really have been working with MAC liquid liners lately and I want to try the Desires & Devices shade of deep green. Lastly, I want to work with Gold Stroke Pigment and see how it work with the shades in the new Quad. I am liking this new collection so far...

photo courtesy of MAC

MAC Nail Trend F/W '10

Well the past few days have felt more like fall then summer so it not really time to get in the mood for some cooler weather. MAC has just released their newest Nail Trend collection, made with the artist knowledge of Jin Soon. On first glance, these shades look like deep, rich creams and I am liking this collection. The MAC website describes this collection, "Mistress of the art of the sophisticated nail, Jin Soon was inspired this season by the sensual pleasures of Imperial China. A collection of hues in exotic and ravishing combinations, opaque and rich with pearl essences for a subtle dimension". Nice...

Here are the new shades...

Nail Lacquer - Revolutionary new high gloss formula. Three long-wearing finishes - Cream, Sheer, and Frosted. Visibly different. Provides no-streak/no-chip finish. Contains conditioners and UV protection. Go hi-lacquer!

- Rain of Flowers - blackened violet (Frost)

- Imperial Flower - bright reddish orange (Frost)

- Jade Dragon - emerald green (Frost)

- Ming Blue - cobalt blue (Frost)

- Concubine - blackened red (Frost)

- Earthly Harmony - muted taupe (Frost)

Overlacquer - A fast drying high gloss top coat that amplifies MAC Laquer's high gloss finish while providing a protective coating against everyday wear and tear. Formulated with UV protection, helps reduce sun-related fading and discolouration. Colourless. Instantly guards your nail and manicure!

My two favorite shade of the collection are Ming Blue and Concubine, I can never resist a deep blue shade. Or a deep red for that matter. I also like the Jade Dragon shade and the Rain of Flowers though they might be harder to pull off. I am liking this turn to deep shades after two seasons of brights.

photo courtesy of MAC

Laura Mercier Fall 2010 Collection - Mystique

Mystique is the latest collection offered from Laura Mercier for this season. Usually, she brings two full collections out so I am assuming that this will be the first of two new ones. This collection is smaller than the usual seasonal collection with only six items in it. This collection is named Mystique and consists mostly of berries and grays. "Laura Mercier Mystique Collection is inspired by the mystery and sparkle of the city at nightfall. It's a look that's sophisticated, edgy, hip, and glamourous". I like the sound of this!

Here's the collection...

Sequin Eye Color - Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Color has soft-sparkle effects that glisten and captivates. The deep-impact shades can be swept over eyes softly for a stunning day look, or applied with more intensity for evening glamour.

- Peacock - deep teal green

- Sterling - pale gray blue

- Violetta - vibrant purple

Second Skin Cheek Colour - Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour is a light-as-air, velvety powder blush that sweeps on silky sheer colour easily and evenly. With skin-silkening natural botanicals, skin not only looks but also feels beautiful all day long.

- Barely Pink - pale pink

Shimmer Lip Colour - Laura Mercier Lip Colour - Shimmer now changes the way you feel about lipstick in one swipe in the newest, revolutionary lip colour formula. The wide range of shades and finishes enhances your lips appearance, protectst them from the elements, provides hydration and cares for lips like skincare.

- Amethyst - mauve pink shimmer

Lip Glace - Laura Mercier Lip Glace is a high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss with rich long-lasting colour and brillant shine that creates the appearance of fuller lips. Any skin tone is virtually enhanced by creating a subtle contrast in texture.

- Pink Diamond - sheer delicate pink

- Meringue - creamy petal pink

- Discrete - natural rosy plum

Eye Basics - Laura Mercier Eye Basics creates the perfect canvas for eyes by camoflaging eye imperfections and enhancing the durability of eye makeup.

- Buff - medium pink beige

Eye Colour Brush - Laura Mercier Eye Colour Brush is a 100% natural brush perfectly sized to apply Laura Mercier "cashmere" eye colour to the eyelid and brow bone.

I really like this little collection, I see a bunch of items that I would like to own. For eyes, I want the Sequin Eye Colour in both Sterling and Violetta. For lips, I like the new shade of the Shimmer Lip Colour though I don't know how much use I will get out of it on a daily basis. I like the Lip Glace in both of the new pink shades and I know that I will wear them all year round. Lastly, i would like to the try the Eye Basics and see how it holds up against Urban Decay Primer Potion.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier

Today Only - Wonderbar Sale!

Until midnight tonight, the company Wonderbar will be offering 10% off of all purchases. This is new company that I have just found out about and I am curious to look at everything that they offer. One product that has been recommended to me is the Wonderbar facial soap. It helps to detoxify your skin by balancing the pH level in it. It helps to reduce the appearance of aging, redness, eczema, and to tone oily and acne-prone skin. Sounds amazing!

I will be checking this sale out today and I strongly recommend that you all do the same!

Fekkai Brillant Glossing Cream

Fekkai's Brillant Glossing Cream is one of those cult products that has taken the beauty world by storm and held it's status for several years. An Allure winner and a top seller for the Fekkai collection, this is the hero product for the collection and normally the first item that a person is introduced to from the Fekkai collection. I first bought this product several years ago when it was sold at Bath and Body Works and I have replaced it several times even though I own tons of shine products.

This cream is part of the Glossing line, a line of products that are made to promote shine with the use of Olive Oil to hydrate, sleekify, and add tons of shine to the outer cuticle of the hair. The Sephora website states the following about the product, "An antifrizz, shine-promoting finishing formula for all hair types. This superstar formula delivers shine-boosting olive oil spheres that create seriously soft, reflective shine for all-day-stunning strands. The Glossing Collection uses breakthrough encapsulation technology to help deliver brillantly reflective shine from root to tip, all day long".

I use this product as a finishing product on dry and straightened hair. I have know people who is it on wet hair prior to blow drying but I don't feel that it has enough straightening properties to help my hair when used that way. This product is best for thick or coarse hair, it has tended to weight fine hair down (for those with fine hair, Fekkai offers a spray version of this product that is much lighter). I use a pea sized dot for my whole head and I start by warming it up in my hands until the texture becomes closer to that of a liquid. Then I apply it to my hair from the ears down.

I find that this product gives my thick hair great results and I am very happy with it. The scent of the product is very strongly olive oil and while I like it, not everyone shares my same thoughts on it. This prpduct is famous for a reason and if you have thick hair that needs some extra shine, I highly recommend this product.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Chanel Fall 2010 Collection - Les Contrastes de Chanel

The Fall 2010 collection from Chanel is one of the first this season that produced a cult product, the nail polish in Paradoxal. An instant sell-out, that polish is only one piece of a very beautiful collection. The collection is named Les Contrastes de Chanel and it is described as follows on the Nordstrom website. "A chic, boldy contrasting collection that brings dramatic emphasis to eyes, while keeping lips soft and delicate". This look seems to be very close to what I have been trying to go for this season so I am betting that I will end up wanting most of these items.

Here is the collection...

Joues Contraste Powder Blush - Unique powder blusher imparts a flattering radiance to cheeks. Remarkably silky texture for easy application and subtle shading. Accentuate cheekbones for a youthful look. Softer tones around the eyes soften expression and rejuvenate.

- Orchid Rose - nude pink

- Rose Bronze - luminous rosewood

- Pink Explosion - shimmering rose

- Rose Temptation - glistening rosewood

- Plum Attraction - luminous mauve

Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow - One essential compact offers unlimited eye looks, with shade combinations ranging from matte to frost to satin for multiple looks. Apply dry for subtle shadowing. Slightly moistened applicator gives a more intense shade. Organic polymer derivatives ensure smudge-proof long wear, particularly in high temperature or humidity. Dermatologist tested.

- Enigma - composed of shimmering peach, chocolate-gray, violet-gray, and deep plum tones

Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eye Shadow - An instant Chanel classic, this ultra-fine powder eye shadow is sensuous in feel, foolproof in its application, fabulous in its range of finishes: matte, shimmer, and satin. All shades are complementary and can be blended with one another to lighten, darken, or intensify tone.

- Taupe Grise - chocolate-gray

- Khaki - warm olive beige

Inimitable Mascara Multi-Dimensional - Now, in a single stroke, Chanel sets a new standard in mascara with a formula that does it all. A sophisticated formula and unique brush design combine to lengthen, plump, and curl, delivering lush, long-wearing color so precisely that each lash, even the finest, is perfectly defined and separated.

- Noir - black

Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner - This new waterproof eyeliner formula delivers long-lasting definition with a twist of the wrist: Colour winds up when you need it, winds down when you don't. A built-in sharpener at the opposite end detaches for quick refreshes.

- Cassis - dark violet

Le Crayon Kohl Intense Eye Pencil - High eye drama in four deep, jewel-like shades. Rich, intense colour takes the seductive glance to new levels of intrigue. Special blend of colour and pearl pigments provides rich, intense colour. Glides gently onto delicate eye area and is safe for use in rim of the eye. Comes with sharpener. Fragrance free. Ophthamologist tested.

- Clair - soft, delicate beige

Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour - Chanel introduces a modern interpretation of classic creme lip colour as a homage to the rich life and legacy of 'Coco' Chanel. New lightweight lip colour glides on for easy application, and features a Hydratendre complex to help soften, soothe, and condition lips, even boosting their ability to hold in moisture, for a plumper, smoother, and healthier-looking appearance. A range of wearable shades with full-coverage finishes, from matte to pearl to soft shimmer.

- Chintz - peach-rose

- Rose Dentelle - warm pink

- Chalys - luminous coral

Rouge Double Intensite Ultra Wear Lip Colour - Fabulous word of mouth. Glorious long-lasting colour paired with high-shine gloss. Full-coverage colour lasts all day. Gloss top coat imparts brillant shine, superb hydration. Base Coat Colour: Innovative fluid texture delivers long-lasting performance, comfortable application and perfect adherence to lips - without transferring or feathering. Dries quickly, too. Top Coat Gloss: Clear gloss's soft, non-tacky texture provides high shine and comfort throughout the day. For ultra-long wear, apply colour and let dry completely (about a minute). Follow with gloss for shine and comfort. Reapply gloss top coat as desired.

- Rose Quartz - medium cool rose

- Rose Garnet - deep rose

Levres Scintillates Glossimer - Intense frost and shine for lips. Cool array of hottest colours in a convenient, easy-to-use case. Gel texture imparts a shimmery, ultra-glossy look. New shades add extra sparkle and shine. Water-resistant formula for extremely long-lasting wear. Vitamins C and E protect against free radicals. Automatic wand applicator for easy application. Dermatologist tested. Sleek on alone for a glamorous glimmer. Or use over lipstick to intensify colour and shine.

- Petite Peche - pale peach

- Coral Love - shimmering ginger
- Rose Dilemma - rich pink

- Pink Teaser - vivid fushcia

Le Vernis Nail Colour - Long-lasting, chip-resistant nail colour. Fashion-forward and basic go-with-everything shades. Brillance to your fingertips with must-have colours from the runways of Paris. State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails. Uninque patented non-spill bottle with wiping action for easy application. Roll bottle between the hands before opening to ensure even colour. Cover center of nail with one brush stroke, from cuticle to tip; follow with a single stroke on each side of the nail.

- Paradoxal - dark violet gray

- Jade Rose - pale pink

Of course, I love the new Paradoxal shade of nail polish, that is my favorite product from the collection. But I also like a large number of items from this collection. The blushes in Orchid Rose and Pink Explosion are two fantastic shades and would work very well for my skintone. As always, I love the new eye shadow quad. Also from the eye makeup products of this collection, I love the new Cassis shade of eye liner. Lip wise, this is a great collection for me too. From Rouge Coco, Rose Dentelle is simply lovely. I love both rose shades in the long-wearing lipstick and the Rose Dilemma in the Glossimer.

Great collection from Chanel, I wanted to hug the display when I saw it at Macy*s.

photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Bath and Body Works Sensual Amber

As I stated a few weeks earlier, I have been spending the end of the summer cleaning and reorganizing my space. Even though it has been stressful, some great things are coming out of it. I have been finding old clothing and purses that I had totally forgotten about and when I begna working on my beauty product bins, the same occured with some older Bath and Body Works products.

One of my major finds was my old Sensual Amber body lotion and shower gel. I have bought these products some time ago when I needed those last few items to get one of the deals that Bath and Body Works so often runs. I had totally forgotten about this fragrance and I am glad that I found the few items that I had of it.

This fragrance is housed in the "Sexys" fmaily of fragrances from this company. The Bath and Body Works website describes the fragrance as following, "For the exotic scent of pink lotus petals enveloped in golden amber, master perfumers have blended lotus and amber with succlent plum and creamy sandalwood". The top notes are: Bergamot, Wild Berries, Succulent Plum. The middle notes are: White Rose, Orange Flower, Lotus Petals, Iris. The base notes are Amber, Creamy Sandalwood, Vanilla, Patchouli, Praline, Musk. On my skin, I get little no florals or berries from this fragrance. The strongest notes on myself are the lotus petals and the base notes.

I already own this fragrance in the shower gel and body lotion and I think that my next purchase from it will be the EDT, I am not a fan of the way that the body spray smells on me. This fragrance is also available in the Triple Moisture Body Cream, the Triple Moisture Shower Cream, the Body Butter, and the whole line of home fragrance products. I want the EDT the most but depending on coupons and sales, the only product that I am not open to buying is the body spray.

I am glad that I found these old products and I look forward to continuing to clean out my product bins and seeing what else I might find that I had forgotten about.

photo courtesy of product-girl.com

NARS Sephora Exclusive Lip & Blush Collection

My NARS obsession can just keep growing and growing this season! A special edition collection was just created for Sephora that took the companies best selling blush shades and created matching limited edition lip glosses to match. I already own both of the Orgasm products and I can see that this collection will go over very well. I am also willing to bet that these products are going to sell well enough that they are going to end up as part of Sephora's permanent NARS display.

Lip Gloss - Serious shine and sexy color in sheer, creamy, and semi-sheer formulas. Extremely wearable and versatile shades, lip gloss may be worn alone or over other lip products for heightened drama.

Blush - Made with transparent pigments for a soft and sheer look. Imparts a natural, healthy glow for any skin tone and may be worn alone or layered together for more depth and intensity.

The shades...

- Angelika - cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle

- Luster - sheer golden apricot

- Oasis - sparkling pink champagne

- Super Orgasm - peachy pink with gold glitter

- Albatross - clear with luminous glow

My favorite shade from this new collection is Oasis, this looks as though it could be a great my-lips-but-better lip gloss and would work with all types of eye makeup shades. The other shade that I like in this collection is the brighter pink Angelika, however this looks more like a shade that I would wear next spring and summer.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Essie Fall 2010 Collection

Hello everyone! Sorry for my MIA-ness over the past two days. Tuesday night, my care decided to get the key stuck in the ignition so over the past two days, I have been spending my free time arranging rides and making appointments with the dealership. Add that to all the overtime that I have been working this week and you have the perfect combination for me not even gettting near the computer. However, all of this is mostly figured out so I am back to thinking about beauty again.

Today we are going to look at the Essie Fall 2010 collection, available on the first day of September. My last trip to Ulta I noticed that they have a great display of colors from this collection so I do recommend looking here for your next purchase. This collection contains six new colors that are based on sewing and making clothing. On first glance, this collection contains some great new shades for the upcoming fall season.

The first shade is called In Stitches and is a medium neutral beige. This shade has a cream finish and would be a good everyday shade for the work place. I think that I will be skipping this shade since I am afraid that my skintone might be too pink to pull this off well.

The second shade is one of my favorites and it is called Limited Addiction. It is deep cream red and this one will be great with all the dark colored clothing that I have already bought for this fall. I will be picking this shade up but I do admit that this shade is easily dupable and could be found from many other lines.

The next shade is my choice for the runaway hit of the collection. It is a cream gray called Sew Psyched and would be a good choice for those with cool toned skin. Purple and plum hues are the most popular shades for fall and this polish shade will work very well with them.

The fourth shade is named Merino Cool and this is another one of my picks that will sell quite quickly. This is a deeper toned gray shade and all of the same comments from above apply to it. I want to get both of these gray shades right when the collection hits.

The next shade is Velvet Voyeur and it is deep plum cream that is right in tune with all the trends for color this season. I like this shade but it is another one that could be very easily dupable from other companies.

The last shades is the one that I like this least. It is named Little Brown Dress and it is deep warm brown. This shade will not work for me since it is too warm but this shade will work on someone else with deeper and warmer skin than myself.

The first two shades that I get from this collection are Merino Cool and Sew Psyched. After I buy those, I will get Velvet Voyeur and Limited Addiction. So far, I only see these shades up on the Essie website but I am hopeful that once they are released for purchase that the company will also offer small sets in these shades.

photo courtesy of Essie

Zooey Deschanel's Bangs

This is the haircut that I have been considering for the past month or so. What do you guys think of her bangs?

photo courtesy of Google

Korres Wild Rose 24-Hour Moisturizer SPF 6

Now I can even use roses on my face... And they are good for me too! The Greek line Korres has an entire face care line devoted to my favorite flower. "Rich in wild rose oil, Wild Rose skincare formulas form a protective barrier on the epidermis that improves the texture of the skin and, more importantly, allow cells to regenerate. That's great news for those with fine lines and wrinkles; dark under-eye circles; a dull, uneven skintone; and hyperpigmentation", states the Sephora website.

I am currently using my first prodct from this line, the face cream. I bought this cream at Sephora several weeks ago after I was intrigued by being able to use rose oil on my face. "An extraordinary, 24-hour intensive moisturizer for normal and dry skin, Wild Rose has a rich, yet light texture and a unique blossom scent, plus whitening wild rose oil and an SPF of 6 to help prevent brown spots caused by sun damage".

After using this product for about two weeks, I have found that it has a bunch of great benefits and one major drawback. First the benefits. It hydrates my skin very well without feeling oily or clogging my pores. The Wild Rose Oil is also calming to my facial redness and the natural formula doesn't irritate my skin. The fragrance is very light but noticeable and I find it relaxing to use at night. The cream absorbs well and doesn't leave a white cast on my face. Summary, this is a great face cream for me and anyone who has skin close to my skin type.

The one big drawback about this product? What is up with an SPF of 6?! I need to see at least a 30 or higher in my skincare and I personally prefer to use a separate sunscreen instead of one that comes mixed into my face cream. If this product had either a high SPF or no SPF at all, it would be my ideal face cream. In addition to the low SPF, I can't really layer another SPF with it because the lower of the numbers will dilute the higher formula.

I am really upset about the SPF because I have really been liking this face cream over the past two weeks. If that issue was corrected, this could become a favorite product of mine. I do recommend it to those who have a skin type like mine but the SPF issue needs to be worked around.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Smashbox Fall 2010 Collection - Masquerade

Smashbox is coming back this season with another hit collection. After their slightly boring summer collection, they are back with a beautiful collection named Masquerade. The promo pictures on the Smashbox site are amazing and I am really looking forward to playing with this line next time that I end up at Sephora. The description of the overall collection is, "Intoxicate and arouse this season with this intriguing palette of rich, smoldering shadows, high impact metallic liners and shimmering glosses in shiny, provactive hues".

Let's check it out...

Masquerade Eye Shadow Palette - This opulent, limited-edition palette is brimming with a collection of matte and metallic shadows in a range of shades from super subtle soft peach and glowing gold to an ultra dramatic metallic cabernet and shimmering navy. Organized horizontally in trios, the palette is beyond user friendly. Shades can be worn solo, paired with those in the same row or can be worn with other shades. Sleek and chic, this shiny navy blue mirrored eye kit is an absolute must-have for every makeup artist.

- Contains the following shades - matte soft peach, shimmering black plum, matte taupe, metallic khaki, shimmering gold, bronze, metallic cabernet, shimmering navy

Masquerade Baked Fusion Soft Light Palette - This award-winning, silk-like baked bronzing powder infuses skin with a soft veil of rosy champagne shimmer. These multi-hued shades can be used alone or swirled together for a luminous, long-lasting glow.

- Contains the following shades - Soft Gold, Rosewood, Illusion

Creamy Cheek Color & Brush - Soon to be a backstage favorite. A luscious, creamy cheek product formula on one side with a built-in blending brush on the other. Get a gorgeous rose glow with this ultra-luxurious, long-wearing creamy cheek blush. Packaged with cheek color on one side and a built-in blending brush on the other, it's the perfect tool to turn to for on-the-go touch ups.

- Warm Pink - rose

Masquerade Lip Enhancing Gloss - Drench your lips in dazzling shimmer and shine. A beauty editor's favorite, these lip-pampering golden glosses are ultra-nourishing and moisturizing. Guaranteed to keep lips looking gorgeous all night long.

- Reveal - golden nude

- Disquise - golden pink

Masquerade Liquid Liner & Lash Overlay - Amp up your eyes like never before! This innovative dual-purpose product gives you the kind of intense metallic color at the lashline and at the lashes. A truly unique way to add glamour and mystery to the eyes! Use the specially designed combination brush and rod to line lashline first. Then apply your mascara and finish by using the rod to sweep hints of metallic teal or bronze onto the tips of your lashes.

- Bronze - bronze

- Teal - teal

My two top picks from this collection are the Eye Shadow Palette and the new Cream Blush. The palette contains all beautiful shades and I am even willing to overlook the navy shade in it because I love all the others and know that I will use them. And who knows, maybe I will play with the navy shade and make a look work with it. Just last week, I was discussing my search for cream blushes and now one just drops in my lap with this collection, this will be top priority on my next shopping trip. I would also like to get the Liquid Liner & Lash Overaly in Bronze though I think that I will mostly use it as a liner.

This collection totally makes up for the last Smashbox collection, I have noticed that their Spring and Fall always seem tot he be the two strongest every year.

photo courtesy of Smashbox

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub

Ahhhh... I product that I loved years ago in college but somehow forgot about and haven't used since. I think it is time to change that trend. At one point in my reign at Bath and Body Works, these scrubs were a special during one of the Semi - Annual Sales and I bought enough of them to get me through the next six months. The product in question is the Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub, an oil based scrub that is second to nothing in getting the old skin off and leaving your skin super soft.

The Bath and Body Works website describes the product as follows, "This skin softening scrub combines exfoliating Sugar and a special moisturizing blend of sunflower, safflower, sweet almond, and jojoba oils to leave skin silky smooth". Each scrub also contains the unique blend of essential oils in order to make the product "aromatherapy". The scrub sits in layers in the tub and needs to be mixed before use. I get best results using it in the shower on wet skin instead of before getting into the shower. Care needs to be taken when rinsing all the oils off, I tend to rinse off twice to make sure that I get all of the product off.

The scrub currently comes in several scents that fall into four categories of Aromatherapy blends. The Stress Relief line includes the best-selling Eucalyptus Spearmint, a great blend of pure eucalyptus and tingly spearmint. This is a great scent for everyone including men or people who dislike strong fragrances. The Sleep family includes the scents Lavender Vanilla and Lavender Chamomile. Lavender Vanilla is a light fragrance that I find tends more toward the vanilla than the lavender. Lavender Chamomile is heavenly, it is a very herbal blend and just smells fantastic. The Sensuality line contains two fragrances, Jasmine Vanilla and Black Currant Vanilla. The Jasmine Vanilla smells quite sweet with the jasmine oil being the much stronger of the two scents. The Black Currant Vanilla is also quite strong with the black currant being the dominant note. The Jasmine Vanilla is a long-time favorite of mine but I can barely stomach the Black Currant Vanilla. The last line is Energy, the uplifting blend of the collection. The only fragrance in this collection is the Orange Ginger, a very strong citrus scent.

The best fragrances in the Aromatherapy line are the Jasmine Vanilla, the Lavender Chamomile, the Eucalyptus Spearmint, and the Lavender Vanilla. These scrubs make a great treat for yourself or a gift for someone special. I recommend that you guys stop by Bath and Body Works and test this product out at the sink.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Stila Convertible Color

We have less than a month until Labor Day and somehow this heat wave is back. I don't enjoy using powder formula blushes in the warm weather, since I feel like they streak off much more when I sweat (so like the second that I step out of my house). I really have only one cream blush that I love (from Vincent Longo) so I am trying to get out and find a few more. For the winter months, my cheeks get really dry so another layer of hydration certainly won't hurt them.

However, cream blushes are not that easy to find when wondering around Sephora. I remembered that several months ago, I was reading In Style and they listed the Stila Convertible Color product in their Best of Beauty list. Also, when reading that magazine, the product's packaging caught my eyes since it is housed in a very pretty compact.

The Stila website gives a great description of the product. "Stila's ingenious lipstick and blush-in-one proves to be irresistable. This versatile favorite brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. Tap onto cheeks and press onto lips. The sheer tint adds an inherent glow to the cheeks while lips bloom with fresh, radiant color. Our two-in-one compact holds the key to an easy, monochromatic makeup. A must-have in every Stila girl's kit".

The shades...

- Camellia - midtone neutral rose

- Fushcia - bright pink

- Gerbera - warm medium peach

- Lillium - light bronze tan

- Peony - midtone neutral pink

- Petunia - deep pink

- Poppy - midtone plum

I can't wait to go and try these out! I think that I am going to start with either Petunia or Camellia and then branch out and get Peony and maybe Fushcia. I hope this product lives up to it's reputation...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Benefit Lookin' To Rock Rita

This is the last of the new fragrances from Benefit so let's see if this one will be appropriate to the season in which it is being released. The two previous scents have seemed much better suited to warm weather so I find it a bit of a mystery that they are being released as the new fall fragrances are hitting the stands. Just glancing at the notes, I am feeling that this one was also released in the wrong season.

Sephora gives the description of the product right here. "Rita's ready to rock and dressed to thrill, with a flavor for risks, brillant dreams to fulfill. Juiced up on extras and dazzling fashions a modern day paradise "of shake-it-up passions". The Crescent Row fragrances are based on a fashionable strip of flats in Bath, England, which serve as home to several imaginary gals. Their lives are filled with laughter, gossip, and seduction; and each scent, bottle, artwork, and name was created to reflect the fascinating protagonists. Lookin' To Rock Rita is a fruity-green fragrance that's exhilarating and stylish. Discover the scent that strikes a chord - and then come back to collect the others!"

This fragrance falls into the floral-oriental family yet it is described in the description as being a fruity-green fragrance. Either way, this doesn't seem like a fall fragrance to me. The notes are: Lemon, Coconut, Freesia, Juicy Fig, Hyacinth, Violet, Sandalwood, Brazillian Rosewood, Vanilla.

Based on the notes and the description, this sounds like a fragrance that I could either take or leave. My favorite of the three is the Eva fragrance with the rose in it. I don't know why Benefit planned the release date for when they did and I am sure that they have a good reason for it but I feel that these fragrances are going to branded as too light for cooler temperatures and be pushed aside.

photo courtesy of Sephora

O.P.I for Sephora Fall 2010 Collection - Rocker Chic

When I am in the checkout line at Sephora and I have to wait for more than two minutes, I get sucked into their display of nail polishes. Talk about marketing for impulse purchases! I end up looking at every color and before I know it, I'm next in line. I haven't really used this line as much I as I would like to, I only have one polish from this collection, Mermaid To Order from Summer 2009. I really like that polish and since the fall is fast upon us, I decided to take this time and look at their newest collection of shades.

"Sephora by O.P.I. Nail Colour, a line of 54+ trend-setting shades, puts the final touch on fingertips and toes with a top-quality formula you have come to expect from O.P.I. The long-lasting, chip-resistant polish ensures flawless results with each application, and its green ingredient list excludes DBP, toulene, and formaldehyde. Sephora by O.P.I. combines the quality and color expertise of O.P.I., the world leader in professional nail color with Sephora's reputation for the latest in beauty and sophistication".

The new collection is called Rocker Chic and consists of deep, edgy shades. "Inspired by the empowered, impassioned, and addictive sound of rock and rool, this tough and trendy collection puts an edgy twist on classic colors. Make a bold statement with Just a Little Dangerous purple or Fiercely Fabulous red, or go gritty glam with Club Scene Queen metallic blue and Already Famous glittering gray. Are your nails ready to rock?"

Here are the new shades...

- Just a Little Dangerous - opaque metallic amethyst

- Already Famous - sheer pewter with medium champagne and sliver glitter

- Fiercely Fabulous - opaque poppy red

- Go My Own Way - sheer muted teal blue with fine blue glitter

- Studs and Stilettos - opaque metallic mahogany

- Rock His World - opaque deep cranberry

- Club Queen Scene - sheer smoky gray with blue fine glitter

- Do I Know You? - opaque dusty rose beige

- Dating the Drummer - sheer warm walnut with fine holographic glitter

There are some fine shades in this collection! I think that my favorite is the Go My Own Way, I love the sheer teal shade. I also want to get Just a Little Dangerous since I have been reading that purple shades are going to be very big this season. Of the other shades, I like Fiercely Fabulous, Rock His World, and Club Queen Scene.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Benefit So Hooked on Carmella

The second of the new Crescent Row fragrances is called So Hooked on Carmella and this one looks even lighter and springier than the Eva fragrance. I am beginning to wonder if this coolection will have a fragrance for fall or if I will have to wait until late next winter to decide which of these to buy.

"When it comes to Carmella, don't ask and don't tell. A light touch has admirers under her spell. Her sweet sensuality, no one would guess, so exquisite, enticing..."an intimate caress". The Crescent Row fragrances are based on a fashionable strip of flats in Bath, England, which serve as home to several imaginary girls. Their lives are filled with laughter, gossip, and seduction; and each scent, bottle, artwork, and name was created to reflect the fascinating protagonists. So Hooked on Carmella is a floral vanilla that's exquistely feminine. Discover the scent that strikes a chord - and then come back to collect the others!"

Sephora places this fragrance in the Fresh and Citrus categories so I don't quite understand why in the description that it was described as a floral vanilla. Here are the notes of the fragrance: Lemon, Grapefruit, Rhubarb, Cyclamen, Peony, Tiare Flower, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Amber. I am failing to see right now how this fragrance can be in both categories and how strong the base notes can be if it is fresh and citrus.

This isn't a fragrance that would suit me. All the citrus notes in it will sour it on my skin. This also looks like another fragrance that won't really work in the fall and winter. Let's see how the last one stacks up.

photo courtesy of Sephora

MAC Digi-Dazzle

Digi-Dazzle is the latest installment from MAC for fall. I feel like this collection was debuted at the Nordstrom Beauty Event since a new lip line was brought out then, consisting only of Lipsticks with a sparkly finish. The MAC website gives a description of the collection, "We took out the razzle, kept the dazzle, and added a hint of glee! Thirteen colours to astonish, awe, and electrify the lippiest critic. A limited-edition collection that makes boredom and predictability a thing of the past. What modern lips do best: Digi-Dazzle. Do you compute?"

Here are the new Lipsticks...

Lipstick - High-shine lip colour meets triple-drama sparkle and shine when multi-sizes of pearl pigments team up with rich creamy colour to create a superbly glam-rock effect for the lips. Long-wearing. Hydrating for smooth application.

- Smash Hit - white beige (Dazzle)

- Infused With Glam - copper brown (Dazzle)

- Liquid Lurex - tarnished golden (Dazzle)

- Sweet Bits - light lavender pink (Dazzle)

- Win-Win - light pink (Dazzle)

- Glaringly Hip - light peach (Dazzle)

- Hot Sass - bright orange (Dazzle)

- Naughty You - neon pink (Dazzle)

- Troublemaker - magenta (Dazzle)

- Hellraiser - light lavender (Dazzle)

- Baby's On Fire - deep red (Dazzle)

- Snazzy - deep plum (Dazzle)

- Wham - plum brown (Dazzle)

I don't know why but I'm not just feeling these super-pigmented, very sparkly lipsticks. I really liked Dazzleglasses but the last few releases from this company along this style haven't been for me. From this collection, I want to try some of the lighter shades since they will at least contain somewhat less pigment than the deeper ones. I like the Sweet Bits and Win-Win and I might consider trying Hellraiser out. I have a great track record with MAC red lipsticks so I do plan to swatch Baby's On Fire and decide if I could pull it off.

photo courtesy of MAC

I Got One!!

Yesterday, I laid my little hands on the Urban Decay Naked Palette at Ulta. The associates were nice enough to pull one out of the back for me and I hugged it all the way to the register. I can't wait to play with it tonight!

photo courtesy of Urban Decay

C.O. Bigelow Green Tea Body Products

My nightly cup of green tea serves as the trigger that my body needs to start getting ready to go to sleep. The past few weeks I have needed it more than ever. I have been doing some late season spring cleaning and have decided to rearrange and organize my living quarters all before classes begin at the end of the month. Well, I never realized how stressful this could be. I have stuff all over the place and nothing is where I need it to be in the morning. So it doesn't take a genius to see why this new line of products from C. O. Bigelow grabbed my attention right away.

This line contains bath and body products, a fragrance, and a lip gloss. First the fragrance. Normally, fragrances from this company have little lasting power and I can't imagine that this one is much different. I see this as more than a body spray than an EDT. I was able to get descriptions on all of the products from the Bath and Body Works website. "An inspired immersion of modern sensibility with apothecary heritage. Our clean, sparkling, sheer fragrance blends the essence of Sweet Citrus, intoxicating White spring Jasmine, and vibrant fresh Green Tea".

This line contains two moisturizers, a lotion and a thicker body cream. I love the pump bottles that C. O. Bigelow houses their lotions in since I can use it at the sink or after a bath. "Our ultra-light lotion is specially formulated to absorb quickly and leave skin feeling hydrated and replenished. Fragranced with an elegant and meditative blend of green tea leaves infused with effervescent citrus, delicate white florals, and exotic woods". I hope that the new Whipped Body Mousse in this line is the same texture as my favorite Lemon Body Cream. "Our light-as-silk, non-greasy formula has an extra-smooth texture and silky feel to deeply nourish and replenish skin. Fragranced with an elegant and meditative blend of green tea leaves infused with effervescent citrus, delicate white florals, and exotic woods".

There are also two shower products with this scent, a body wash and a body polish. I am looking forward to buying this body wash soon. "Our extra-light foaming, aromatic formula refreshes and cleanses for healthy and vibrant skin that looks revived and feels hydrated. Fragranced with an elegant and meditative blend of green tea leaves infused with effervescent citrus, delicate white florals, and exotic woods". The Body Polish is a gentle, sugar-based scrub. "Our antioxidant-infused scrub polishes skin with naturally exfoliating sugars while moisturizing oils help create soft, supple, and glowing skin. Fragrance with an elegant and meditative blend of green tea leaves infused with effervsecent citrus, delicate white florals, and exotic woods".

The last product in this collection is the lip gloss. "Our glossy lip balm incorporates green tea extract with anti-oxidants to provide a high gloss finish that leaves lips feeling moisturized. Usage: Smooth over lips for a refreshing rush of extra shine".

I want all of it. And if it's limited edition, I will be buying back-ups of it at Sale. Hopefully by the time that we hit Sale, my reorganization project will only be a memory.

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

Bobbi Brown Fall 2010 Collection - Denim and Rose

When the word "rose" is in the title of a collection... You all know that I am going to go crazy over it. I was very excited when I first heard about this collection but my excitement dimmed a bit when I saw the "denim" colored portion of the main palette in this collection. If I had brown eyes, I would have been all over that palette, but the navy blue shades in it just kill it for me. The Bobbi Brown website gives the following description of this collection, "Feeling Rock & Roll? Give us 5 minutes. We'll make you a star".

Time to unleash the roses...

Denim & Rose Face Palette - Packed with deep, shimmering blues and icy grays and pinks for eyes and fresh rose shades for lips and cheeks, this palette is the beauty equivalent of dressed-up denim. Whether you're in the mood for flushed cheeks or a sparkling, smoky eye, you'll have plenty of options for day or night. For eyes: Navajo Eye Shadow (creamy pinkish white), Gray Denim Eye Shadow (medium cool gray), Pink Granite Sparkle Eye Shadow (marble gray-pink), Dark Rinse Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow (deep bright blue). For cheeks: Pink Rose Blush (medium pink rose). For lips: Cool Rose Creamy Lip Color (medium bright pink shimmer), Hot Rose Lip Gloss (bright pink), Iced Lilac Glitter Lip Gloss (silver pink marble), Indie Rose Creamy Lip Color (medium neutral rose).

Denim & Rose Mini Brush Set - Small enough to fit into your purse or office drawer, Denim & Rose Mini Brush Set is ideal when space is at a premium. Features four mini brushes in a cool denim case: Mini Blush Brush, Mini Lip Brush with Cap, Mini Angle Eye Shadow Brush, Mini Eye Liner Brush.

Extreme Party Mascara - Extreme Build. Endless Volume. Exceptional Separation. The formula stays flexible, so each coat goes on as fresh as the first - immediately or hours later - without clumping, smudging, or flaking. Think of it as the world's first touch-up mascara. Now available in limited edition Denim.

- Denim - navy

Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner - This award-winning liner gives you the look of liquid liner with the ease & feel of a gel formula. Long-wearing, water-resistant color glides on and lets you get it just right before it dries - then stays without a smear or crease.

- Denim Ink - navy blue

Shimmer Lip Gloss - Shimmer Lip Gloss offers beautiful, non-sticky shine with a touch of iridescence and is perfect on its own or over your favorite lipstick. Formulated with Aloe extract to soothe and soften lips; Vitamins C & E for anti-oxidant protection; and Jojoba and Avocado Oils to keep lips moisturized.

- Raspberry - rosy pink

Highlighter Pen - For gleaming cheekbones with extra pop. Lightweight and luminescent, the liquid formula creates a dewy, all-day glow and won't settle in your pores. Available in three shades.

- Bronze - golden bronze

- Opal - soft opal pink

- Rose - rose pink

Sparkle Eye Shadow - Bobbi's grown-up take on glitter. This lightweight formula lights up your eyes with a combination of shimmering pearls and fine glitter. Thanks to its creamy, translucent base, it glides on smoothly and won't crease or fall onto your cheeks.

- Denim - blue sparkle

Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush - Easy to hold and control, this slim, tapered Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush creates a flawless line. The brush hairs are finely pointed and tightly packed for precise application.

This is one of those collections that I like a lot of the shades in theory but would never wear them. I don't like the overwhelming amount of blue eye products in this collection, I find it very polarizing for those of us who don't like to wear blue eye makeup. That being said, I only want two items from this new collection. I want the new Shimmer Lip Gloss shade, a rose shade that will become a staple of mine. I am also curious about the Highlighter Brush and would like to see how the Opal shade would work out for my skintone.

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Dermalogica Ultra Calming Face Mist

The skincare line Dermalogica has just released a brand new line of products that are meant to treat inflamed, sensitive skin. This line is called Ultra Calming and on most days, this is just what the doctor ordered. This line of skincare products is unique in that this company contains skin care systems that have been researched and developed by The International Dermal Institute. This research eventually lead to the findings that inspired UltraCalming, a complete system to help manage the multiple causes behind sensitized, inflamed skin, which can stem from a genetic predisposition towards sensitivity or as a result from environmental assaults.

I was sent several of the new products from this company and also a press release that details how this new system works. First, I want to look at the inflammatory reponses that these products are treating. "Immunogenic inflammation: When skin is under assault, localized skin cells are alerted and activated to fight off the 'invader'. This allergic reaction in skin triggers redness, soreness, and itchiness. Neurogenic inflammation: Whereas immugenic inflammation is triggered by the immune system, neurogenic inflammation is triggered by the nervous system. When an irritant chemical activates nerve sensors, it results in the release of substances that also trigger the inflammatory cascade, resulting in redness, soreness, and itchiness".

This line both treats current issues with sensitive skin and prevents further damage from occuring. All of the products in this line feature the highly-effective, proprietary UltraCalming Complex, which is a multi-benefit complex that includes active ingredients that mediate immunogenic and neurogenic inflammatory triggers for both immediate and long-term relief. It also includes botanicals and peptides that help mimic skin's natural protective barrier, helping to strengthen skin cell structure against water loss and defend against dehydration-induced sensitization.

The first product that I have tried from the pack that I was sent is the UltraCalming Mist. The product is described in the press release as follows, "A soothing toner that provides critical hydration while helping to relieve and defend against inflammation. Quickly relieves inflammation and discomfort, helping skin recover from damage and lipid barrier breakdown. Helps condition skin to prepare for proper moisture absorption. Easy-to-use, spray application. Can also be used after epilation, waxing, or exfoliation for soothing benefits".

The UltraCalming Mist contains three key ingredients. The first is the UltraCalming Complex that helps reduce sensitivity, redness, irritation, and inflammation. The second is Aloe Leaf Juice which is a skin soothing agent. The third is a synthetic version of Oat that boosts the soothing properties of the mist.

To apply this product, first cleanse and then dry skin. I just close my eyes and spray the product over my whole face. I often give a second mist on my cheeks since they tend to be the driest area on my face. I then let the product dry and put a layer of my moisturizer on over it. This mist really helps to calm down the redness in my skin and helps me avoid dryness in the cheek area. I really like to put this mist in my purse so I can use it as my face gets red and irritated throughout the day.

This is my first product from this new line and based on how well it worked, I am looking forward to trying the other products in this line.

photo courtesy of Dermalogica

Amika Tourmaline Clip-Free Curler

I feel that this is the first time that I have reviewed a curling iron for my blog. Normally, I grumble about my wavy hair and am already trying to coax it perfectly straight. However, summer and flat irons don't seem to get along very well and so I have to either wear a ponytail everyday until Labor Day or investigate a new hair style. I was emailed several weeks ago by a PR company and the Amika line of tools was explained to me and some pictures of the results of use were provided. I decided that I liked the pictures of the loose, wavy curls the best and the tool that was used to create that look was then sent to me.

Amika is a brand that provides salon quality tools that can be used in the comfort of your home. I found some background on the brand that I would like to share with you. "Amika creates professional, sophisticated styling tools and accessories designed to perfect your hair styles twice as fast as traditional tools. Amika uses hot technologies like nano, tourmaline and far-infrared heating to help care for your hair. With regular use, Amika products may even improve your hair's condition. So go ahead, show your hair a little love."

The curling iron that I was sent is unique in that it has no clamp to hold the hair, it comes with a heat resistant glove to do the job. I found the following as the product's description from folica.com, a seller of the items. "The curler features a tourmaline barrel fused with ceramic. Tourmaline is a natural source of negative ions and far infrared heat, which provides faster styling. Negative ions eliminate frizz and close the cuticle to create smooth, shiny hair. . Far infrared light easily pentrates hair for faster styling with less damage. High power, instant heat for consistent, dependable results on any type of hair".

So how do I make this work? I wash my hair at night, put it up in a clip to sleep, then when I wake up in the morning, I make sure that it is totally dry and start curling. I was a bit nervous about this at first since the product gets very hot and I was having visions of disaster with using the glove and getting my hand so close to the product. But no worries, the glove is the only protection needed. This iron does not have the clamp so that no marks are left on the hair from when it is brought down and then the curls look much more natural.

So how I did fare with this tool? So far, I am doing great with creating loose, beachy waves. The first time that I used it, I had a bit of a difficult time working with the glove and not having the hair come off while I was trying to get my hand up. Within the next few tries, I got a routine down and was able to get my timing right to clamp down on the barrel before I lost any hair. To create loose waves, I started with my air dried wavy hair and curled individual pieces that dried somewhat straighter than others. It usually takes me about 15 to 20 minutes to create the beachy, loose look. With this iron, I have found that I need to go in smaller sections than I might have done with a traditional iron so I will leave more time to use in the morning. However, the results totally justify these few minutes. I have gotten many compliments on my hair when using this product, in fact, I had a close friend tell me that she prefers my hair curly to when I flat-iron it (ouch!).

I am currently trying to create tighter curls with this product. This a much longer process and I really don't prefer myself with all the tight curls but I still want to see how it works out. I really recommend this curling iron to create loose waves and refine exisiting curls. I am also curious as to how well it will work if my hair is already straight and I decide to change my hairstyle before going out at night. Oh and I have the pink curling iron...of course!

photo courtesy of Amika