Lippmann Collection Cyber Monday Sale Extended!

I don't get very excited about much but when I got an email telling me that Lippmann Collection is extending their Cyber Monday Sale, I began to jump for joy. The Cyber Monday Sale is "Save 20% on a $35 purchase" and the code is turkey20 (use at the checkout). This sale is good one EVERYTHING on the Lippmann Collection website including the newest shades like Boom Boom Pow, Today Was a Fairytale, and All That Jazz Trio Set.

This sale is good until the end of the day on December 1st, so you have a bit of time to get your wishlists together! I recommend the Rich Girl Hand Cream, The Stripper Nail Polish Remover, and the Nail Polishes in Just Walk Away Reene, Baby Love, Tiny Dancer, Sarah Smile, Today Was a Fairytale, Purple Rain, Happy Birthday, and Wicked Game. The picture is of Just Walk Reene, the perfect deep red cherry and my favorite shade in the collection.

photo courtesy of Lippmann Collection

Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo

I may have been on an eye shadow purchasing spree lately but I have discovered a true gem in my collection. I know that a eye shadow is a keeper when I have been wearing it at least twice a week and can pair it with several different makeup looks. The eye product that I am reffering to is the Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo and my shade of choice is Like Mink, which I believe is a top selling shade. Clinique states, "Perfect pairings of in-demand shades, with more of the more-used highlight shade. Deliver creamy, intense colour in one stroke. Comfortably lightweight, long-wearing. Layerable, blendable. Ophthalmologist tested". I first received Like Mink in a Clinique gift and I want to find more shades to buy.

The available shades of this product...

- Strawberry Fudge - a must have golden pink partnered with deep blushing brown

- Sunburst - golden beige partnered with golden tawny beige

- Beach Plum - shimmering gold partnered with a golden purple

- Twice the Spice - pale golden peach partnered with brown

- Buttered Bronze - shimmering yellow gold partnered with pale yellow bronze

- Plum Potion - silvery purple grey partnered with intense purple berry

- Blackberry Frost - a silvery greyed lilac partnered with violety charcoal

- Double Scoop - a yellow nude partnered with dark brown

- Spruced Up - earthy brown partnered with forest green

- Pink Tweed - a heather nude pink partnered with warm raisin

- Posh Squash - a sweet pumpkin partnered with a reddened brown

- Like Mink - a golden beige partnered with deep golden brown

- Double Date - a dusty grey beige partnered with taupey midtone brown

- Rose Wine - a dusty pink partnered with deep burgundy brown

- Ivory Bisque/Bronze Satin - matte ivory partnered with warm matte bronze

- Splash - a soft matte beige paired with a muted teal

- No-Show Taupes - matte medium taupe partnered with a deeper cool taupe

- Something Blue - silvery light blue partnered with midtone sky blue

- Seashell Pink/Fawn Satin - pale matte pink partnered with a matte fawn

- Starstruck/Golden Lynx - pale gold matte with a matte copper

What I love the most about these duos: the great shade combinations, the larger area of the highlighter means that I will use both shades at the same rate, the long-wearing finish, and the ease of application. Like Mink is one of my favorite products to create a no-fuss, professional makeup look that I can pair with any lip shade. I am making a mental list of the other shades that I want to purchase of this product: Strawberry Fudge, Sunburst, Buttered Bronze, Ivory Bisque, Starstruck/Golden Lynx, Pink Tweed for a neutral eye look; Beach Plum, Blackberry Frost, Plum Potion for a more colorful eye look. I highly recommend these duos and will be broadening my Clinique eye shadow collection very soon.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Coconut Hut Holiday 2010 Fragrances

Coconut Hut is my favorite place to find both coconut fragrances and wonderful dessert fragrances. Christmas is the time of the year for dessert type fragrances and I am already making a list (and checking it twice to make sure that I have everything that I need to get through the rest of the winter!). I have been on a major peppermint kick lately so I am looking for more fragrances to add to my mint rotation.

Here are the new fragrances...

Chocolate Covered Candy Cane - Christmas candy canes dipped in warm chocolate fondue.

Frosty's Snowball - A rich chocolate milk patty, filled with peppermint creme and sweet coconut.

Pumpkin Eggnog Cupcake - Vanilla eggnog cupcakes with creamy pumpkin pie filling in the middle.

Rudolph's Cupcake - A fluffy vanilla cupcake with cherry pie filling, iced with decadent vanilla frosting.

Santa's Bakery - Warm gingerbread, creamy eggnog, and pumpkin pie swirled together to create happy Christmas memories.

Silver Bells - Lotus blossom, ginger milk, and violet petals kissed with white snow orchids.

Snow Angel Frost - Sweet cane sugar, notes of hard peppermint candy, creamy vanilla, and just a hint of angel food cake tops off this delectable scent.

Sticky Peppermint Snowball - Sweet peppermint candy and sticky marshmellow fluff are mixed with oodles of luscious vanilla and a touch of coconut cake.

Winter White Chocolate - Creamy smooth white chocolate is blended with refreshing peppermint candy.

Winter Wonderland Cake - A vanilla cake layered with mandarin oranges and orange creme custard, frosted with thick vanilla icing and crushed peppermint candy canes.

Before I decide fragrance, I will recommend products. Any of the body butter or creams from this company are top notch and the whipped sugar scrub is like rubbing your skin with a fluffy frosting. I also recommend the shea butter based body wash and I have also been told (on the Makeup Alley boards) that her perfumes are wonderfully strong and long lasting. Adding to my pepperming love with be Chocolate Covered Candy Cane, Frosty's Snowball, Snow Angel Frost, and Winter White Chocolate. I also need to order Silver Bells and Rudolph's Cupcake. And I might throw a few coconut fragrances in my cart too for when I get the winter blues.

photo courtesy of Coconut Hut

Dior Holiday 2010 Collection - Evening Gold

We just finished looking at the Tarina Tarantino gold holiday collection and now we are going right into the Dior holiday collection. Which is also based on gold so I am hoping that I can find more eye makeup shades to collect this season. I am beginning to feel that my gold eye shadow collection is going to be giant by the end of December. The Dior website gives the following overall description of the collection, "Golden Dior. Christian Dior's fascination with gold inspires this precious collection of evening makeup in festive shades. Set against the deepest black, gold is reinvented in a dazzling array of mesmerizing evening creations". I'm in love...

The collection...

Dior Minaudiere - The precious Dior Minaudiere clutch embodies the emblematic codes of the Dior fashion house. Among its many couture details features the famous houndstooth pattern and in fine patent leather, it elegantly takes it place among today's trends. Inside, the makeup essentials you need to dazzle up your eyes and lips come in two color harmonies: Gray Gold and Pink Gold offer a theme of precious shades for eyes and ultra glamorous color for lips. For added glitz, this precious accessory is also stylishly trimmed with gold on the Dior logo plate and the vintage-style clasp.

- Gray Gold - shades of grays and beige

- Pink Gold - shades of pinks and gold

5 Couleurs Gold Edition - The limited Gold Edition 5 Couleurs Eye Shadow Set reveals its free and bold interpretation of gold. Five shades are brought together in perfect harmony, authentic tones such as white gold or fantasy colors like bronze gold, brown gold, silver gold, and black gold. For maximum sparkle, 5 Couleurs features a unique formula with a completely new feel thanks to poweders that literally become one with the skin.

- Five Golds - white gold/bronze gold/brown gold/silver gold/black gold

5 Couleurs Iridescent Eye Shadow - The star eye shadow palette now sparkles with iridescence. The "ultra-wet", metal-like colors make the eyes glitter, creating a made-to-measure look for the daring woman. The unique Wet Reflect technology saturates a whole new generations of powders with pearlescent particles, for never-before-seen brillance. With its gliding feet and even, ultra-luminous finish, the silky, almost creamy texture blends perfectly into the eyelid.

- Petal Shine - pale gold/pink gold/pale bronze/medium copper/deep brown

Diorshow Maximizer - The newest addition to the family of legendary Diorshow Mascaras, Dior Maximizer Lash Primer Serum instantly primes, plumps, and lengthens lashes with a ultra-light and quick-drying formula. The first "active serum" mascara primer also contains a unique cell-conditioning complex made up of hydrolyzed soy proteins that promote long-term lash growth, strengthen, and vitality.

Diorshow Extase - A revolutionary formula with spectacular plumping volume that glides over the lashes to coat them one by one. Enriched with Metamorphosis Powder and spherical black pearl pigments, it is specially designed to amplify lash volume and deliver deep intensity to the eyes in a single stroke. Inspired by the layers featured in dresses with spectacular volume, the brush with its exclusive couture design combines two layers of fibers to coat and comb the lashes for guaranteed volume.

- Black Extase - black

Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen - Inside this radiance booster pen is every Dior makeup artist's secret weapon for a glowing complexion. The Light-Booster Complex smoothes away imperfections and illuminates the face. Beauty tip: Works wonders over or under foundation, or just on bare skin. Avaiable in a range of colors to suit all skintones.

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss - Straight from the runway, new Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss features a featherweight formula with a flash-plumping, "spotlight shine" effect. Hyaluronic spheres keep lips smooth and moisturized, while mirror-like micropearls reflect light in all directions for a dazzling finish! Available in 18 catwalk colours, and 3 unique shade families: Soft Glow, Shimmering Pearl, & Vibrant Finish.

- Outrageous Fuschia - deep shimmering fuschia

Serum de Rouge Luminous Color Lip Treatment SPF 20 - Dior creates Serum de Rouge, an elixir of youth with exquisite radiance. A sublime of skincare and color benefits, the serum texture literally melts onto your lips for maximum comfort with a wonderful sensation upon application. The formula, with 10 times more concentrated skincare ingredients than classic lipsticks, provides moisture, volume, and smoothing benefits for your lips, immediately upon application, and day after day. Directions for use: Turn pen with a single click to obtain the perfect amount for ideal makeup results.

- Raspberry Serum - medium cool berry

Dior Vernis - Never before has the color of the new Dior Vernis displayed such lacquered and vibrant shine! A cocktail of Shine and Sparkle Amplifying active ingredients directs pigments and peraly particles to enchance light reflection tenfold. Once again, the 21 enchanting shades created by Tyen reflect Galliano's imagination and the spirit of Dior fashion shows. Application is even easier with the new brush. Dior Vernis also features a new chip-resistant formula that protects and embellishes the nails, day and night.

- Timeless Gold - shimmering silver gold

When I saw the Dior Minaudiere, I nearly screamed in delight! Every season, Dior has one piece that is simply breath taking and ends up on my shopping list not matter what product is inside it. A major plus is that this time around, I also love the product inside of it and will actually get a good amount of use from it. Both of the new eye shadow palettes are simply lovely and I would love to buy either of them. The lip products in this collection I'm not all the interested in, I will pass on both. I also love the new nail polish shade, I was instantly take with it the first time that I saw a picture of it in Glamour.

I am in love with all the gold shades that are in the collections this season!

photo courtesy of Dior

Tarina Tarantino Holiday 2010 Collection - Sparklicity Gold Collection

Tarina Tarantino is still a relatively new brand to me, I own very little of it and have only looked at one or two products from them so far. But I love everything that I look at so I am hoping that this holiday collection contains some new obsessions for myself. This new collection is called Sparklicity Gold and is contains all products that are gold based and very shimmery. Sephora states, "Inspired by the way light reflects against the crystals and beads in her jewelry, Tarina Tarantino created this new collection of sparkling makeup in colors that shine like precious jewels. These brillant palettes of eye shadows feature her signature micro-sparkle to create the Sparklicity effect, so you may live the sparkling life every day. After all, in Tarina's world, sparkle is a state of mind".



Here is the collection...

Sparklicity Pure Gold - A touch of luxurious, crystalline sparkle for eyes, cheeks, and lips. Complete your look with a unique, reflective finish, thanks to a formula composed almost entirely of Tarina's special ingredient: pure-refraction reflex. This product's soft, golden shade layers perfectly with the rest of your makeup to accentuate the arch of the brow, eyelids, cheeks, and lips. This product is not tested on animals.

Sparklicity Gold Shimmer Dust - A pure-refraction glitter for body and hair. Pouf this product's atomizer for a shimmery spray of fine dry powder. It adds a pretty golden sparkle to bare shoulders, legs, hair, and the decollete. A luxurious finishing touch, this product is made from an Italian formula called reflex, which delivers pure glitter, without base or binder. This product is not tested on animals.

Sparklicity Eye Shadow Palette - A pressed eye shadow palette that sparkles. This neutral eye shadow palette shimmers in light, adding a glint of glamour to your look while transforming makeup into your best accessory. Uniquely formulated, each shadow includes high-intensity pigments with a long-lasting color payoff that can be used wet or dry. The palette contains one core color and four perfectly coordinated new shades, including: Twinkling Topaz (shimmering golden mustard), Fringe (shimmery coffee brown), Brooch (dark chocolate with gold and green micro glitter), and Rosette (shimmery fleshy pink).

Sparklicity Eye Cream Hypershadow - An exclusive, pressed-eye shadow formula with high-intensity pigment payoff. These bold shadows with hyper pigmentation come in matte and variety of shimmer/pearl, glitter versions. Jet Mill Technology is used to pulerize formula into the smallest particle, which gives shadows their velvety texture. The maximum pigment load, 20-50 percent more pigment with less binder, produces the rich color payoff that is sure to get you noticed.
- Hoop - bright yellow gold shimmer

Sephora didn't list the shade that is featured in the Eye Cream Hypershadow product so based on the photo, I am guessing that it is the Hoop shade but I may be mistaken. My favorite product of the collection is the Eye Shadow Palette, I will get lots of use out of this and I think that it is perfect for both the holidays and well beyond. I think this collection is a great introduction to the brand and I am looking forward to seeing their spring collection very soon.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Smashbox Holiday 2010 Collection - Wish

For some reason, I am thinking that this is the name of last year's holiday Smashbox collection and now I am wondering if the collections will be very similar. Last year, it consisted of all giftsets and palettes and I believe that this is the theme again this year. Last year, I really liked a bunch of their sets to both give and keep some for myself and I am betting that this year will be the same.

Here are the new products...

Wish for the Perfect Palette - No wonder this mega palette sells out every year! It's the biggest, boldest gift you could give any beauty junkie, with nearly 80 shades for endless color combinations of eyes, cheeks, and lips. You'll even get a FREE step-by-step guide to create a festive holiday look. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Children's Miracle Network. This set includes the following: 49 Eye Shadows, 10 Cream Liners, 6 Brow Powders, 1 Brow Wax, 8 Lip Glosses, 2 Blush, 1 Bronzer, 1 Highlighter, 4 Mini Brushes (Eye Shadow, Eye Liner, Angled Brow, and Lip).

Eye Wish Palette - A gorgeous gold keepsake box holds everything you'll need for limitless eye looks, from a lid primer to start every application perfectly, to a mini booklet with easy instructions for creating 10 festive looks. This set includes the following: 12 Eye Shadows, 4 Cream Liners, Lash DNA Mascara, Photo Finish Lid Primer (mini sized), Look Book with 10 eye looks.

Wish List - It's the perfect occasion to try these Smashbox superstars! You'll even get our exclusive NEW O-Gloss Gold, an innovative formula that goes on clear then reacts with your skin for a perfectly customized peach pout. This set includes: Photo Finish Foundation Primer (travel size), Photo Op Under Eye Brightener, Jet Set Waterproof Eye Liner in Midnight Black, Baked Fusion Soft Lights in Stardust, O-Gloss Gold.

Wish for the Perfect Pencils - Keep eyes stunning and bold all year long with this set of travel-size Limitedless Eye Liners, our much-loved formula that stays put for up to 8 hours. Includes: Onyx, Orchid, Graphite, 14K.

Wish for the Perfect Pout - This wardrobe of our award-winning Lip Enhancing Glosses - including exclusive holiday shades - is a must for the season's endless festivities. Includes 2 full-size glosses. Includes: Candid (full size), Luster (full size), Radiant (medium size), Baby Pout (medium size), Esctasy (medium size), Divine (medium size).

Wish for the Perfect Primers - Our best-selling Photo Finish Primers are coming together for the holidays! Pick them up to create a flawless face every time. Includes: Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Photo Finish Lid Primer, Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Primer (travel size).

My first pick from this collection is the Wish for the Perfect Primers set, this would actually be a practical purchase since I want to try out the Smashbox primer collections and I haven't gotten to yet. I like the huge palette but I just can't see myself getting tons of use from it, there are too many shades that I wouldn't use and many that are going to be duplicates of shades I already own. I do love all the other sets, especially the Wish for the Perfect Pencils set and the Eye Wish Palette. And it goes without saying that I will end up buying the lip gloss set...

photo courtesy of Smashbox

Urban Decay Cowboy Junkie Set

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Since I am a proud vegetarian, I normally don't celebrate this holiday but when I find a company that I love and give thanks for their great products and is cruelty-free, they make my cut on Thanksgiving Day. And Urban Decay fits both of these criteria for me. Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy eye shadow shade is long time favorite of mine and has helped me create some smashing makeup looks over the past through years.

This season, Urban Decay released the Cowboy Junkie Set, a palette of four eye shadows based around the top selling shade, an eye liner to complete all the shadows, and a lip gloss boasting the same Midnight Cowboy shade. The Urban Decay website states the following about the new palette, "Let Midnight Cowboy and friends tempt you out way past your bedtime! This giftable palette is packed with sparkle and holds everything you need to look gorgeous until the sun comes up."

Eye Shadow - This is the product we were born to make - our best-seller! Professionals, celebrities, and makeup junkies swoon for our wide array of shades. Each one is pigment-rich: we load the shadow with color, and add very few binders (the stuff that holds shadow together), resulting in a beautiful color that blends easily and lasts. Lots of finishes to suit your mood: sparkle, shimmer, duotone, or un-sparkly satin. Our subway token compact comes complete with a window (see your shade without opening), and snaps shut with one hand - no more lost lids. All Eye Shadows can be used wet for more intense color, try them as a liner! Dust sparkly shades on cheekbones and shoulders with our Powder Brush for unearthly shimmer.

- Midnight Cowboy - pink champagne with lots of silver glitter

- Midnight Cowboy Rides Again - golden beige with bronze, gold, and silver glitter

- Midnight Cowgirl - subtle golden beige with gold glitter

- Romp - deep silvery grape

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil - The best Eye Pencil, ever, ever, ever! Never before has a pencil this creamy and brillant been waterproof, too. Velvety-soft, this never-before-see formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. Line eyes with a hint of color or go for the full artistic, multi-hued effect with the wide selection of lush tropical hues, deep metallics, and unusually vibrant neutrals. Incredible with Urban Decay Eye Shadows! Created with 50% moisturizing ingredients suspended in a sophisticated waterproof formula, 24/7 Eye Pencils offer long-lasting color, and a dreamy, creamy feel when applied. With Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, and Cottonseed Oil. 24/7 Eye Pencils are ideal for lining inner lids because the waterproof formula stays put. Just apply, try not to blink for a sec, and you've got immovable liner.

- Whiskey - dark brown

Lip Junkie Lip Gloss - You want a super-shiny gloss, but can't stand the sticky texture, right? Wait till you feel the soft, cushiony texture of this gloss! Lip Junkie stays put longer than other glosses, but never feels gummy or gooey. It comes in a range of pretty amazing shades (if we do say so ourselves), and the color payout is amazing. Take your pick from sheer pretty neutrals, kick-ass brights, or glimmering near-black. And the flavor? Think yummy wedding mints... a sweet mint with a zing that makes breath feel fresh.

- Midnight Cowboy - sheer nude sparkle

Love It. Want It. Need It. Can't Live Without It. I just recommend using the Primer Potion with these eye shadow shades because the glitter in the formula causes a ton of fall out. Also, pat them on instead of using a brush, you will be able to conrol fallout much easier. Other than the fall out factor, I really love Midnight Cowboy and Midnight Cowboy Rides Again. In fact, I own one or more of both of those shades. This is a great palette for anyone that loves neutral and glitter eye shadows.

photo courtesy of Urban Decay

MAC & Marcel Wanders

The newest MAC collection was made with Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. This design house is known for its industrial style of design and the packaging in this collection reflects this influence. On first glance, this appears to be a collection that is based on bold eyes and big eye lashes. "Design sophisticates will be bonkers for our extra-beautiful partnership with Marcel Wanders, the Dutch industrial designer known for his classicism-meets-futurism objects created with 'a sense of love in this product'." Time to look for more lipstick and mascara loves...

Here is the new collection from MAC...

MAC & Marcel Wanders False Lashes - Fashionably false in look, but honestly real, this mascara's key benefits of volume and curl are matched by a dramatic end look. The unique edge: the ultra-thickening formula in combo with the plush-'em-up action of its unique double-lush brush. Making this launch iconic: the superbly sculptural Marcel Wanders design.

- Black - black

MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick - Think of it as designer Lipstick. Luxuriously formulated, packaged with elan, this smooth, silky, limited-edition product won't let your style side down! Glides on for medium to full coverage, with a lustrous shine. The distinctive Marcel Wanders design could render this lipstick irresistable.

- Martha - golden champagne with pearl/frost

- Catharina - fushcia

- Gesina - red with slight pinkish undertones

- Digna - blackened red

MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss - Design-wise, the look and impact of this one-of-a-kind Lip Gloss is magnificent! High-shine, supersheer formula gloss blends a soft, lustrous look with high-comfort wear. The vial, sculpted metal top and packaging all bear the unmistakable style of desinger Marcel Wanders.

- Aleydis - fuchsia

- Mary - light gold

- Beatrix - golden nude

- Gertruyd - blackened red

MAC & Marcel Wanders Sheer Mystery Powder - The design: Marcel Wanders. The formula: MAC. An ultra-fine, supersheer and sophisticated pressed powder presented in a faceted black mirrored metal compact, with scrollwork detail. The signature marque of this influential designer also adorns the outer packaging. Includes one refill. Limited edition.

- Light Medium - pale ivory

- Medium Plus - tan beige

MAC & Marcel Wanders Air of Style Concentrate - Look what happens when a design darling and MAC scent get together. Our opulently sensual Air of Style scent goes solid and heads off to fashionable places, wafting on your skin - and, in its decidedly stylish Marcel Wanders designed, faceted metal compact-style pendant. Too sexy! Limited edition.

MAC & Marcel Wanders Brush - Indulgence or a perfectionist's finest tool? This Marcel Wanders-designed version of our 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush features a softly rounded duo fibre brush head for the luxurious application of powders, and an elegant hand-turned wooden handle. Limited edition.

MAC & Marcel Wanders Clutch - Classic tapestry meets the modern and exquisite flourishes of designer Marcel Wanders in this limited-edition evening clutch. The interior purse snaps shut be enfolded by soft layers of fabric. Finishing touches include silk ribbon ties, a faceted metal closure and, to keep this collectible safe, a silky slipcover.

Dear MAC, I would have liked a description of the fragrance. I love the bottle on this fragrance but since I have no idea what it smells like, I can't decide if I would like to buy it or not. The mascara sounds amazing and I would love to purchase this and I hope that MAC will make this part of their regular collection. Since I was looking for lip products in this collection, I made a list of ones that I want to try out. From the Lipstick, I am really in love with the Gesina and the Martha. Lip gloss wise, I love Mary shade but I have to see if it is too warm for my skintone.

I love the compact that houses the Sheer Mystery Powder and that it can be refilled but I have never tried this produst out so I will do that before I decide to order it or not. I am hoping that I don't just buy all these items for the amazing packaging and that the "designer" collection has a very high quality formula... If I am just going for the packaging, I might just buy the clutch from the collection.

photo courtesy of MAC

Korres Japanese Rose Body Products

I don't know about anyone else but as much as I love the holidays, there are days that I need to forget it all for a bit. At the moment, I need to ignore the carols and get aways from the cookie scented body products and shimmery red lipstick. I haven't really looked at floral body products for ages and now I need a change from the norm of the cold weather fragrances. Today I am interested in the Japanese Rose line of products from the Greek beauty line Korres. This company has amazing body products so I am anticipating a great product line in this fragrance. This fragrance is currently available in two products, a shower gel and a body butter.

Korres has top of the line shower gels and now they have improved the bottle by putting it in a pump bottle, making it even easier to the perfect amount of product out. The Sephora website describes the product as following, "An age-fighting, moisturizing body wash infused with the sweet, velvet essence of rose buds. This formula delivers collagen-stimulating, elastin-strengthening Active Aloe that reduces the visible signs of aging. Wheat Proteins form a protective shield to help maintain skin's ideal moisture level. Potent Vitamins C and E, and Zinc enhance the natural immune system of the skin. Convenient pump packaging helps make your shower hassle free". These shower gels produce a rich, luxurious lather and the scent lingers on your skin for dent amount of time after you get out of the shower.

Many of the moisturizers from this company were originally formulated to hep cure specific skin ills. Korres is a homeopathic Greek company for they release products that not only smell wonderful but also help to positively impact your skin's health. "A rich moisturizer infused with the sweet, velvet essence of rose buds. Treat your skin-softening hydration and bask in the exclusive Japanese Rose scent. A proprietary blend of sunflower, almond, and avocado oils restores skin's elasticity and smoothness. Quince extracts acts a soothing agent to heal and nourish stressed skin". This body butter appears to be used to help prevent the signs of aging onthe body. I am also willing to bet that this product will be fantastic in the summertime if my skin gets too much sun. Likewise, it will help to soothe my skin in the winter when it gets so dry that it get chapped and irritated.

I am imaging myself on a sunny beach in Greece... But now I need to come back to reality and get back to Christmas shopping.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Philosophy Holiday 2010 Body Products

Philosophy Christmas products are among the favorites of mine every single year. And also one of the brands that can break my resistance every single time that I go near their displays in Sephora. This year is just like any others, we have new 3 in 1s, lovely little gift sets, and fantastic lip glosses. Since this collection is very large, I am going to break this down and put the items in some sort of order. I am going to put the products in groups based on fragrances and hope that this works as I have planned. Get your shopping list in your hand right now because this is one amazing year for Philosophy!

Have a Cherry Christmas Holiday Gift Set - Wish someone a cherry Christmas with merry gift set, featuring Cherry shampoo, shower gel, & bubble bath 8 oz. and Cherry high-gloss, high-flavor lip shine .5 oz. These moisturizing formulas leave skin feeling skin feeling clean and soft and lips looking glossy and beautiful. The cherry-licious scents helps brighten the holiday and leaves you feeling cherry cheerful.

Have a Cherry Christmas Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath - Have a Cherry Christmas with our cherry shampoo, shower gel, & bubble bath. Feel cherry and bright as the moisturizing formula gently cleanses and conditions skin and hair. The cherry-licious scent provides a jolly good time; so, have fun and wish others a Cherry Christmas, too!

Have a Cherry Christmas High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine - Have a cherry, cheerful smile with Cherry high-gloss, high-flavor lip shine. This hydrating lip shine moisturizes and provides a sheer glossy finish, while the cherry-licious flavor makes lips happy and ready for many merry kisses.

Holiday Hands Cranberry Hand Care Set with Sink Caddy - Care for the hands that make the holidays magical. Holiday Hands includes Cranberry Hand Wash 8 oz. and Hand Lotion 8 oz. Embrace the spirit of the season as you give your hands a clean, soft start. This hand care duo comes in a sink caddy with two pump dispensers.

Candy Cane Lane Holiday Gift Set - A cool, crisp season comes to life with this invigorating Candy Cane Lane Gift Set. Our foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel 4 oz., Body Lotion 2 oz., and High-Gloss, High-Shine Lip Shine .5oz. leaves skin feeling super clean and soft and your lips looking glossy and beautiful. Allow the crisp peppermint scent to liven your spirit and add joy to your holiday.

Candy Cane High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine - Let joy show in your smile with our Candy Cane High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine. Enjoy a sheer, beautiful shine and a crisp peppermint flavor that freshens the breath and makes lips happy.

Candy Cane Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel - Experience pure joy during your shower or bath with Candy Cane Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel. Invigortate your senses with a crisp peppermint scent as you enjoy a rich, foaming lather from head to toe that leaves skin feeling ultra clean, hydrated, and soft.

Cinnamon Buns Holiday Ornament Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath - The holidays are truly heavenly with this delicious, decorative gift. Adorned as a holiday keepsake ornament, the suprise inside is our famous Cinnamon Buns Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath 2 oz. Indulge in the fresh-baked scent of cinnamon swirls and icing, as the moisturizing lather gently cleanses and conditions skin and hair.

Peppermint Bark Holiday Ornament Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath - Bring the joy of the season to life with a delicious, decorative gift. Adorned as a keepsake ornament, the surprise inside is our delicious Peppermint Bark Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath 2 oz. Indulge in a mint chocolate candy scent, as the moisturizing lather gently cleanses and conditions skin and hair.

The Gingerbread Man Holiday Ornament Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel - Make holiday smiles a snap with this delicious, decorative gift. Adorned as a keepsake holiday ornament, the surprise inside is The Gingerbread Man Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel 2 oz. Enjoy a refreshing, ginger spice scent as the moisturizing lather gently cleanses and conditions skin and hair.

The Gingerbread Girl Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel - Our Gingerbread Girl is sparkle, spice, and everything nice. This Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel features a refreshing, ginger scent and gold sparkles to light up your holiday season with joy. This moisturizing formula gently cleanses and conditions, leaving your skin and hair feeling ultra soft.

The Gingerbread Girl Body Lotion - Our Gingerbread Girl gingerly hydrates, soothes, and softens skin. This luxurious formula contains natural olive and macademia nut oils to help replenish skin's moisture levels, as shea butter moisturizes and conditions dry skin. Her refreshing, ginger spice scent soothes your skin and your senses, while lifting your holiday spirits.

The Gingerbread Man Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel - He cleans, he soothes, he's back and ready to draw you a relaxing bath. The Gingerbread Man Foaming Bubble Bath & Shower Gel pampers you with a refreshing, ginger spice scent and an ultra-rich, moisturizing lather that gently cleanses and conditions skin, leacing it feeling super soft.

The Gingerbread Man Ginger Hot Salt Body Scrub - He'll help smooth out the rough spots and evoke a warm sense of holiday joy. Perfect for the shower or tub, The Gingerbread Man Hot Salt Scrub features sea salt and natural extracts to exfoliate and polish dry, rough skin, leaving it feeling silky soft, super smooth, and conditioned.

Evergreen Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath - Fresh, lively Evergreen awakens the spirit of the season. This Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath captures the woodsy essence of fresh evergreens in a moisturizing formula to gently cleanse and condition skin and hair to leave you feeling all spruced up.

The Heart of the Season Cranberry Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath - Giving is the heart of the holidays. Our Cranberry Charity Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath will make you feel good outside with a rich, moisturizing lather and warm inside, knowing you are supporting the Joyful Heart Foundation.

Evergreen?! Not my type of fragrance for my body. I love the sound of The Cherry Christmas fragrance and I would like to get all the products in this fragrance. I have smelled the Candy Cane fragrance in years past and even though I own tons of Twisted Peppermint, I will be picking up some items in this fragrance too. I want both the 3 in 1 and the lip gloss. Gingerbread is a fragrance that I sometimes love and sometimes hate so I think the best way for me to buy this is in a very small size. I want to pick up a bunch of the ornaments to give as add ons to some gifts this season.

photo courtesy of philosophy

Essie Holiday 2010 Collection

Deep nail polishes on short nails have been one of my current looks this fall and will continue to be one of the looks until the spring collections hit. Essie had a great fall collection of shades and I am hoping that this holiday collection will continue to give me more options for the next few months. This new collection consists of six shades and the company offers us both single shades and sets of polishes. I am also seeing a deep green in the shots of this collection which should be a top pick of mine.

The deep green shade that I was just discussing is named Going Incognito. "Your identity may be secret, but your style and panache are impossible to conceal with this deep emerald green". The shade is a cream finish and I am looking forward to wearing it as both a cream and with a shimmery top coat over it. Green is my favorite color and I just love that several companies have come out with lovely greens to wear.

The second shade is named Hot Coco and I think that is my least favorite shade of the collection. I just don't like deep browns on my nails and they are too warm for my pale skintone. "Paint on this tawny sepia and the channel the roaring '20s for a look that's timelessly flawless". This is another shade with a cream finish and I could see this being lovely on someone with a deeper or more olive skintone than mine. However, I will be passing on it for myself this season.

The third shade is named Luxedo. This shade is a deep plum and another hit from this collection. "Suit up in this deepest plum and boldy go where no man has gone before". The finish on this shade is a cream and is another one that I could also see being worn with a shimmer topcoat. I love this shade and this is another one that I want to buy this season.

The fourth shade is another deep cream color. This one is named Masquerade Belle and I can see this one becoming the instant best seller from this collection. "Fascinating, mysterious, and seductive, this black ruby sparks the imagination and inspires intense devotion". This shade isn't all that different from Luxedo and I need to see them side by side in order to decide if they are different enough to warrant purchasing both and which one I like better.

The fifth color is called Silken Cord and I find this to be the most boring shade of the whole collection. Since it's a Holiday based collection, we have to have a red shade but this one is very blah and looks like so many over shades on the market today. "You've got the world on a string with this stunning risque red wrapped around your fingers". This is a pretty shade and I would like it but I readly own at least one red just like this and I get shades like this all year round.

The last shade is named Smokin' Hot and I think this is the shade that I am the most unsure about. It is described as a gray but looks more like a more plum based on the picture on the website. "Break the rules with this stone-cold fox gray that burns hotter than any flame". I like this shade but I am wondering if I should see it in person first since the description doesn't match the picture at all.

One of the set contains all the shades in the full sides and the other one contains four small bottles in the following shades; Masquerade Belle, Silken Cord, Hot Coco, and Going Incognito. I wouldn't be getting either of the sets since both contain the shades that I am not all that interested in. I will be buying single bottles in Going Incognito, Masquerade Belle, and Luxedo. Time to add more shades to my dark polish collection...

photo courtesy of Essie

Too Faced Holiday 2010 Collection - Enchanted Holiday

This latest collection from Too Faced is very Alice in Wonderland. It is based on enchanted forests, fairies, and a very ethereal. This is very different type of holiday collection and one that can only be pulled off from a company like Too Faced. This collection is fully composed of sets and palettes and doesn't contains any individual items. I am willing to bet that many of the shade in these palettes will be better in the spring but I will know for sure when I get to check out everything.

Pixie Pin-Ups - Too Faced invites you to peek inside our enchanted pop-up box to discover the glamour beauty rituals of the Pixie Pin-Ups. Step into their world and watch them primp and play with this treasure trove of 6 eye shadows, our best-selling Shadow Insurance, Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara, and Lava Gloss Eye Liner. Pixie Shadow Dust: A combination of six high-pigment matte and shimmer eye shadows create a versatile selection for pin-up perfect eyes. Must-Have Minis: Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara, Shadow Insurance, and Lava Gloss Eye Liner are portable beauty must-haves for any fairy-winged creature!

- Eye Shadows - Leading Lady, Heaven, I Know What Boys Want, Like a Virgin, Lucky Charms, Exotica

- Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara - Pitch Black

- Shadow Insurance - colorless

- Lava Gloss Eye Liner - black

Glamour To Go - Fairy Edition - Get your glam-on-the-go with our pocket sized beauty kit magically packed with everything a pretty pixie needs to fly out the door looking gorgeous! Eight long-wearing shadows, one silky lip gloss, a best-selling bronzer, and soft, sheer blush perfectly coordinate for a complete look or light touch-ups. Spectacular Shadows: Must-have shadow shades to satisfy the serious makeup sprite. Captiving Complexion: A brush of Sun Bunny and a sheer layer of La Vie En Rose is a best-selling beauty trick that will drive the nymphs crazy! Charming Gloss: Pretty-in-pink shimmering gloss shade casts a spellbinding shine. Travel Light: Compact design and shade assortment makes this perfect airline-approved travel compantion.

- Eyes - Pink, London Calling, Champagne Sparkle, Golden Black, Matte Brown, Warm Gold, Peach Pink Shimmer, Vintage Blue

- Blush - Fairy Rose

- Lips - Fairy Wings

Pixie Perfect - Be Pixie Perfect this Holiday season with this 5-piece value set featuring a treasure trove of products for the lips, eyes, and face. This charming, patent blue makeup bag is delightfully sized to carry the enchanting collection as well as all of your pixie tricks. Gorgeous Value: Set contains an exclusive shadow compact featuring four sexy shades, a full-sized Glamour Gloss, a Deluxe Shadow Insurance, a Deluxe Lash Injection Mascara and an exclusive face compact pairing a soft bronzer and sheer blush.

- Lash Injection Mascara - Black

- Shadow Insurance - colorless

- Fairy Compact - Papa Don't Peach

- Glamour Gloss - Plush

- Pixie Quad - Velvet Revolver, Enchanted Forest, Totally Toasted, Peach Fuzz

Pixie Tricks - This 7-piece Holiday gift set is filled with best-selling products in a limited-edition makeup bag designed by Too Faced's Co-Founder and Creative Director, Jerrod Blandino. Set includes: Shadow Insurance Eye Shadow Primer, Lash Injection Mascara, snow Bunny Bronzer, Flatbuki Brush, 2 Duo Eye Shadows in Teddy Bear/Heaven and Silk Teddy/Erotica and Lip of Luxury in Free Love. Flatbuki Teddy Bear Hair Brush: Too Faced's one-of-a-kind synthetic hair performs like a pro and is cruelty-free. Lash Injection's 3D Coraing Lash Technology: forms little tubes around each lash that actually plump and stretch each individual lash, building phenomenal volume and length.

- Lip of Luxury - Free Love

- Duo Eye Shadows - Silk Teddy/Erotica and Teddy Bear/Heaven

- Bronzer - Snow Bunny

- Lash Injection - Black

These little sets are so pretty and are a perfect gift for a Too Faced newbie. I really like all of the palettes however I already own all the shades that are offered in the Duo Eye Shadows, the Shadow Insurance, and Lash Injection Mascara. Personally even though I already own all all the above products, I would be more than happy to buy any of these sets for two major reasons. Of course, the first one is that I don't own all the shades and find them all to be pretty. The second one is that I really love all the products that I already own and I wouldn't mind having duplicates of them. Shadow Insurance is nice but it still isn't my favorite primer but that wouldn't stop me from any of these products. Based on how pale many of these shades are, they would be lovely for my pale skin but I don't know how much universal appeal they will have with ladies that have medium to deep skintones.

photo courtesy of Too Faced

Philosophy Purity Made Simple High Foaming Daily Cleanser

I wrote extensively about The Wonderbar Face Bar several weeks ago. Several days after I wrote it about it, I ran out of the bar so I moved on to my next facial cleanser. I wondered for several days if my skin would go insane and all the work that the previous product had done would be ruined. I have been into this product for two weeks and I am very happy to report that The Wonderbar's effects have remained fully in place. So what cleanser am I using now? My first Philosophy skincare product purchase and one of the first foaming cleansers that I have used in quite a while.

The Sephora website states that this product is "A gentle sulfate and paraben-free foaming cleanser that eliminates dirt, oil, and makeup while leaving skin calm and soothed". Further details are provided here. "Philosophy Purity Made Simple High Foaming Daily Cleanser deep cleans, tones, and removes all makeup, including eye makeup, with a high-foaming formula that leaves skin feeling refreshed, never tight or dry. It's enriched with botanical extracts to soften and soothe skin. This cleanser's light, airy texture is created with a unique self-foaming pump to delight fans of foaming cleansers without using traditional foaming ingredients. It contains no potentially skin-irritating detergents".

The active ingredients of this product are Vitamin E, Allantoin, and Aloe. Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant to protect the skin. Allantoin and Aloe are both anti-irritant botanicals. I use this product once a day at night to get my makeup off. Two pumps works wonderfully to get my whole face cleaned off. I still use a separate eye makeup remover to get all my eye makeup off though it works well to get all my facial makeup off.

My skin hasn't been irritated by this product at all which is a plus for any type of foaming cleanser. It rinses very clean and hasn't caused any type of breakout or dryness so far. My only dislike of this product so far is the fragrance of this wash. I can't place exactly what it is but it reminds me of lemons and other citrus fragrances. It is strong when I use the product but fades as soon as I rinse it off. The fragrance isn't enough to make me not want to use it since I like the rest of it but I wish the fragrance would be lightened up on.

I still have to some time to get to Sephora and get several other Philosophy items in their Skincare Challenge and I highly recommend that you guys do the same. The Sephora Challenge makes me purchase even more skincare items then I normally do and this cleanser was a purchase to keep me in the challenge. However, it was a great purchase so I am happy that I bought it.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Estee Lauder Holiday 2010 Collection - Extravagant

Extravagant is one of the best words to describe myself and many of the purchases that I tend to make this time of the year. I think that this is the perfect way to describe a holiday color collection with the introduction of the Estee Lauder new Pure Color collection. I am envisioning that the items in this collection can very easily take a simple day look to extraordinary for an evening party or date. I am hoping for some lovely red lip shades in this new collection...

Here is the new collection from this company...

Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer - Give yourself a heavenly glow with this silky, luxurious powder bronzer. Works with virtually any skintone. Sweep it on and the smooth, oil-free powder gives face, shoulders, and decolletage a seductive bronze look. Unique oil-control complex keeps skin shine-free and comfortable.

Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder Makeup SPF 15 - 8-hour staying power. Flawless all day. This worry-free powder makeup stays fresh, looks natural, and won't change color, even through non-stop activity. Glides on silky smooth, stays on comfortably, without feeling dry. Oil-absorbing. For a continously flawless look, without touch-ups. Available in a range of shades for all skintones.

Double Wear Zero-Smudge Liquid Eye Liner - For an ultra defined line and 15-hour staying power. With this unstoppable liquid eye liner, the smudge-free look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day. Waterproof formula glides on, stays on, won't budge. Removes easily with Gentle Eye Makeup Remover or any oil-based eye makeup remover.

- Brown - brown

Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara - Lift each lash with big, bold, weightless volume. The Formula: Unprecedented Bold Volume formula has ultra light, lash-thickening fibers. Lifts and plumps even sparse lashes into big, lush lashes that are all lightness and flirtatious curl. The Brush: Exclusive BrushComber thickens like a brush, defines like a comb. Wraps your entire lash in air-light volume. Lashes soar with 360 degree lift and curl. The Look: daringly full, senuously curved, all-out seductive lashes. Now take your lashes all the way to big, bold, beautiful.

- Black - black

Pure Color Five Color Eye Shadow Palette - Eye shadow that makes eyes come alive. Versatile 5-color palette allows you to play with intensities, mix and blend shades, express different attitudes - soft to bold. Holds 5 varying color intensities and finishes: matte, satin, shimmer, metallic. The highlighter is the magic touch. Use it to brighten the look and widen eyes instantly. The deepest shade structures and defines the eyes. True Vision Color: maximized color impact; magnified vibrancy, clarity, and dimension; amplified brillance. High Performance Color: Color adheres velvetly smooth, without creasing; blends easily. Long-wearing. Color stays true. Won't fade. Sleek compact includes application mirror.

- Extravagant Gold - beige/medium brown/pinky bronze/true gold/deep bronze

Pure Color Gloss - Lip gloss with the power to light up your face. True Vision technology transforms ordinary color and makes it extraordinary. Imagine what it will do for your lips. In a wide range of wearable shades with lasting shine for a lasting impression. True Vision Color: maximized color impact; magnified vibrancy, clarity, and dimension; amplified brillance. High impact finishes, each Pure Color Gloss shade comes in one of three distinct, multi-dimensional finishes: Mirror Shine, Luminous Shimmer, Dimensional Sparkle. All with sheer-to-medium converage.

- Extravagant Plum - medium fushcia sparkle

Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick - Pure impact. Pure luxury. Pure emotion. Pure color. Lead a colorful life. Intense, long-wearing color creates maximum impact. High fashion shades with medium-to-full covrage. Luxurious formula pampers, comforts with Vitamins C and E plus natural moisturizers. Delicately fragranced with a delectable fig scent.

- Extravagant Berry - deep toned berry

- Extravagant Red - deep red

Pure Color Five Color Lip Palette - Brilliant sparkle, shimmer, and shine for lips. From the Extravagant Pure Color Holiday 2010 Collection. A palette of five lip colors and glosses; wear them alone of together; multi shades, multi finishes, multi textures. It's the ultimate holiday accessory for your lips.

- Extravagant - medium red/gold shimmer gloss/warm coral/deep red/neutral beige gloss

Pure Color Nail Lacquer - A luxurious brilliance at your fingertips. Experience Pure Color. Rich, glossy, quick-drying, and long-wearing. Truly intense color so shiny it looks wet - but don't be fooled. Resists chipping, even in water. Won't fade, dull, or streak, even in strong sunlight. Specially designed brush shape makes application incredibly easy. Just three strokes of color - middle, left, and right - and you're done.

- Extravagent Night - deep purple with silver sparkle

Estee Lauder has really out done themselves with their past two collections, the shades in this collection are stunning and would be a lovely look to wear at a party this holiday. I am divided on what my favorite product from this collection is yet. My choices are the eye shadow palette, the new shade of red lipstick, and the nail polish that looks like a deep purple shade of my beloved Ciel de Nuit. I don't think that I even could find a favorite of those three but I do know that I would get lots of use from all of those products.

photo courtesy of Estee Lauder

Clinique Holiday 2010 Collection - Strawberry Fudge

Clinique's Holiday 2010 collection presents a look that is very different from the typical holiday party makeup. Clinique based their newest collection, called Strawberry Fudge, off the glow that develops on your face after playing outside in the snow. This makeup collection is easy to wear and very universal. My personal opinion is that Clinique is often the company that is tops for making shades and products that can be worn by many skin tones and by people of varying ability in makeup application. Lately, I have found myself wearing a lot of my Clinique items on an almost everyday basis so I am very interested in this new collection.

Clinique states, "Irresistibly indulgent colour for eyes, cheeks, and lips. Discover the strawberry-dipped-in-chocolate shades of Clinique's Strawberry Fudge Holiday 2010 collection. The star of the look: our Limited Edition Holiday Compact. Sinfully rich eye shadows mingle with a sweetened rose blush. Long, flirty lashes and luscious lips are the perfect finishing touch".

Here are the new products...

Strawberry Fudge Holiday Compact - Silvery compact featuring an exclusive Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio inspired by one of our most-wanted shades, Strawberry Fudge. Soft Pressed Powder Blusher in New Clover adds the perfect balance to cheeks.

- Strawberry Fudge - trio consisting of a deep brown, medium bronze, and medium warm pink

- New Clover - medium rose

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 comb finds the tiniest lashes and brings them out of hiding. Ophthalmologist tested and appropriate for sensitive eyes.

- Black - black

Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour - 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 colour and shine in juicy, moisture-rich blends.

- Strawberry Bliss - medium rose

Defining Liner for Lips - Makes lips beautiful by definition. Modern precision pencil with built-in sharpener in the cap creates the look you want, anywhere. Creamy, non-feathering formula goes on smoothly, evenly, stays all day. Even helps lipstick stay in place.

- Plush Pink - nude pink with a hint of shimmer

I love this palette and I can really see it being a best seller. I feel like clinique designed these shades with any female in mind and wanted to a make the ultimate wear it with anything palette. My only concern is that some of the shades look to be a bit on the warmer side so I must carefully try all of them out before I buy the palette. Other than the palette, I am looking forward to the new shade of the Vitamin C Lip Smoothie, I really love it but I am betting that I own at least one other lip shade very similar to it. I am quite happy with this collection...

photo courtesy of Clinique

Kat Von D Tattoo Chronicles Palette Volume 1

The last Sephora Christmas catalog was pretty mehhh, if I do say so myself. The pink eye makeup look on the cover didn't really do it for me and I feel like I already owned or had seen many of the items that they had listed as "new" for the holidays. One of the few items that really jumped out at me is this Kat Von D palette. I first noticed this palette becuase the package reminds me of an antique book and was so different looking than every other product in the catalog. Sephora classifies this product as "A set of Kat Von D products that lets you express your defining individuality".

"Kat's secret weapons for pulling off a long-lasting, rockin' look come together in a beauty stash that includes false lashes, eye shadows, and primers. Plus, a secret compartment reveals a hidden double-ended rollerball fragrance that embodies Kat's two sides: saint and sinner". The rollerball fragrance really sets this palette apeart from many of the others that are out in the market right now. Really, how many eye makeup palettes give you the fragrance from the company so that you can bring the whole rock and roll look to life, from head to toe.

This set includes...

- One set of False Eye Lashes

- Eye Shadows in Tijuana, Taxidermy, Hollywood, Peanut, Redemption, Solitude, Heartkiller, Baudelaire, Monastary, Poe Blue, Night Owl, Lemmy

- High Voltage Primers in Skin, Stellar, Smoky

- Double-ended Saint/Sinner Rollerball

The Sephora website does not list what shadows are what colors but you can see from the picture that the user will ahve many chances to make Kat's trademark smoky eye. It also contains some brighter shades to lighten up the palette and appear to be equally divided between cool and warm hues. I haven't really worked with the primer to know what the different shades are going to translate out when they are applied. I looked this product up and the Skin shade is the universal shade for all skin tones and the Smoky shade is made to prep the eye for a smoky look. Stellar isn't listed but the name implies that it will have a shimmery finish and maybe will be reminisent of Urban Decay's Sin Primer Potion.

I also saw a lip version of this concept in the catalog too. I recommend her eye products much more than the lip since I have heard nothing but raves for the eye and the lip reviews are rather mixed. But if anyone wants to prove me wrong and give me a reason to revisit the lip products, leave you comments.

photo courtesy of Sephora

LUSH Holiday 2010 Collection - Bath Products

Today is the last part of the LUSH Holiday 2010 Collection products. We have looked at the famous Snow Fairy and the shower products so far and now we are hitting one of the best gifts to give and get from this company, their limited edition bath products. I am still using some of these from last year and I am so in love with them that I am ready to stock up again this season.

Here are the new bath products for this holiday...

Candy Cane Bubble Bar - Everyone knows one. Some are out and proud, some are closeted fans. It might be your sister, mother, best friend, or gay uncle. Yes, pink lovers are among us. Make their Christmas morning by popping one of these pink swirly confections in their (undoubtedly pink) stocking and they might just share their bar with you. Be warned: this pink bubbly treat is wickedly tempting for those with a serious sweet tooth. Candy Cane smells like a freshly spun candy-floss cloud sprinkled with icy sugar and bubblegum drops. We know...we're naughty. Bad LUSH!

Lil' LUSH Pud Bath Bomb - Our lil' version of a traditional Christmas pudding grows more popular every year. The fragrance of our pud will instantly make you hungry for a figgy pudding. Although this is a Bath Bomb, it contains many of the things you'll find in your Christmas dessert. The Pud is one of our most soothing Bath Bombs. It's made with aloe vera extract to nurture dry or rough skin and add a brown colour to the little bomb. Powdered lemon peel and clove add both sweetness and spice, giving you the full pudding experience right there in your bathroom.

Cinders Bath Bomb - Fairy godmother, who needs one? Our seasonal best-seller is back, just in time for a happily ever after bath time. Instead of sitting by the fire to warm up this winter, hop in the bath for crackling, warming soak with spicy cinnamon leaf, orange, and almond oils. Bathing with Cinders is like falling asleep in front of a log fire and hearing the crackling embers as the snow falls down. Prince Charming not included. Warming cinnamon, refreshing sweet orange, and almond essential oils will make your day every time you have a bath.

Satsumo Santa Bath Bomb - Fans of Saint Nick don't need to impatiently wait out the days at LUSH. Our Satsumo Bath Bomb has refreshing mandarin and bergamot oils to make dark days seem brighter and orange blossom absolute to send your mind off to warmer lands. Bathe with Santa and wash with Mandarin's Tea Party for a fresh blast of the Mediterranean to remind you of sun-kissing orange groves. If it makes you uncomfortable sharing a cheeky bath with Santa, just face him the other way. He's a perfect gentleman, really.

So White Bath Bomb - Simon worked hard to perfect an apple fragrance - there's no such thing as apple essential oil, you see - but he nailed it in So White. There's bergamot and orange blossom to help create that fresh, sweet scent, and soothing rose absolute to care for dry skin. So White was one of our first bubbling Bath Bombs created by Jack. This tempting, white, apple-scented bomb has grated Bubble Bar to create a frothy carpet of white snow on the water as it fizzes down slowly.

Christmas Eve Bubble Bar - When you're too excited to sleep on Christmas Eve, the best thing to do is crumble one of these deeply relaxing jasmine and ylang ylang scented bubble bars into your bath. Sink into the skin softening water (thanks to the Irish moss powder we pop in there) and lie back in clouds of twinkling foam. You'll be sure to have very sweet dreams indeed.

Sugar Plum Fairy Scrub - Our limited edition sugar scrub was so populat last Christmas, that we simply wouldn't do without one this season! Named after the well known piece from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, Helen (product inventor extraordinaire) used plum kern oil, jasmine absolute, and Fair Trade sugar to create our adorable sugar fairy. Sugar Plum Fairy's floral fragrance is reminiscent of an exotic spring garden, making it the perfect mood lifter on cold mornings. Turn on the hot water, hop in and scrub away winter blues with a bouquet of sensual jasmine, sweet ylang ylang, and fresh orange blossom absolute. We love winter time, but's there nothing wrong with a little floral fantasy, now is there?

The Boog Bath Bomb - The Boog was inspired by a Swedist tradition of building an effigy of a snowman. They fill its head with fireworks, hoist it onto a bonfire, and wait to see how long it takes for its poor head to go BOOM. The longer it takes for his head to explode, the better the following Summer will be. Although this seems like snowman-related barbarism, the LUSH version is quite different, though no less explosive with colourful surprises and a calming, herbal fragrance. Our snowman is another colour-changing Bath Bomb, with 'fireworks' made of a combination of Bubble Bar and Bath Bomb mixture that creates slowly fizzing froth and explode out the snowman's head.

Gingerbread House Bubble Bar - Spicy, warming, and scrumptious, this gingerbread house is strictly for the bath - no nibbling! It looks good enough to eat, but trust us and crumble it under running water instead. We know you'll find the mound of cinnamon and ginger oil bubbles just as delicious. Use this one after a long day of snow sledding to banish the winter chills.

Bearded Lady Bubble Bar - Our Lady has moisturizing oat milk to keep skin soft when it's dry in autumn and winter, plus plenty of fresh avocados and bananas, and jojoba and almond oils to soften you up when you have your winter baths. Sharing a bath with her will you surprisingly smooth. Unlike that hairy Mary. The bearded lady was a prominent feature at Victorian frost fairs on the River Thames between the 15th and 19th centuries, along with other 'attractions' that were considered taboo or curious. We decided that we're restoring the honour and dignity of all bearded folk this Christmas with our loving homage to the hairy.

My favorite product of this group is the Candy Cane Bubble Bar, it is the same fragrance as the Creamy Candy Bubble Bar that I have loved for ages. I have one of these left and now I need to get at least one or two more to add to my collection. I want to try the Sugar Plum Fairy Scrub, I can't wait to see if this one is as good as the Sugar Plum line from Davies Gate. The other products from this collection that I would like to get are the So White Bath bomb and the Christmas Eve Bubble Bar.

photo courtesy of LUSH

LUSH Holiday 2010 Collection - Shower Products

We have already looked at the cult classic that is the Snow Fairy line. I have decided that for the rest of the LUSH holiday products, I am going to divide them into bath and shower products and check every single lovely LUSH product out. Last Christmas, I finally got a LUSH giftset with some of these products in so I am looking at trying some new products out this year and stocking up on some current favorites. Today is the shower products from LUSH...

Snowcake Bar Soap - For the softest, creamiest, most luxurious suds imaginable, grab a great big slice of Snowcake and float away on a cloud of almond marizpan and rose absolute. Snowcake smells exactly like our Smitten hand cream, and is an all time holiday favorite among staff and customers alike. It softens and cleans your body and scents it with a long-lasting almond fragrance. The blend of rose, cassie, and benzoin gives Snowcake its irresistable scent; but those oils are also great for the skin too. Your body will be silky smooth and ready to face the cold outside.

Angel's Delight Bar Soap - Angel's Delight is one of our LUSH Christmas classics and a best-seller every year. It is really hard to say what we love most about our heavenly holiday creation. There's the refreshingly fruity scent, bursting with tangerines and black currants. And the beautiful iridescent glitter mixed throughout a sea of bright purples, oranges, blues, and pinks. What about the adorable star and moon shapes throughout each slice? Oh, we give up! We love it all, and we have a sneaking suspicion you will too. Angel's Delight has a fantastic new look! Mark and Mo (LUSH co-founders) were inspired by a gigantic, golden moon shaped picture frame they happened upon in Venice. And we have to admit, we agree with her; Angel's Delight is stunning. If you really want to impress the guests at Christmas dinner this year, why not place a whole Angel's Delight on the table as a center piece?

Glogg Shower Gel - Glogg is a LUSH interpretation of a Swedish spin on festive mulled wine. While it may be tempting to take a swig of our festive shower gel, we recommend you save the warming effects of the organic red wine, brandy, and spice oils for the benefit of your body. Winter can put a chill into your bones and leave you with toe-siecles; heat things up, get the circulation going and get into a lather with this insteads. Glogg and Cinders are the duo for you if you find the cold of winter difficult to deal with and want to stroke the embers.

Buche de Noel Face Cleanser - Buche de Noel was around last Christmas, but it went by the name of Santa's Rice Porridge. It's back this year with a few tweaks; it's still fresh and preservative-free, but it's a fresh cleanser now. We think of Buche de Noel as nutritious pudding with a twist. There are fresh satsumas and a splash of brandy to tone and stimulate, kaolin to cleanse your pores and exfoliating almonds to scrub away dead skin. It even comes wrapped in seaweed with a decoration to give it the Christmas touch.

Mandarin's Tea Party Bar Soap - Stocking stuffers are a Christmas tradition all over the world. On the 25th, you can usually find satsumas, tangerines, or mandarins bulging in there, so we packed Mandarin's Tea Party with citrus oils and orange juice to give you some early morning refreshment. It has the same fragrance as our summery Orange Blossom perfume, and there are real dried orange slices throughout, along with soft chunks of crystallized ginger to add a little bit of sweet spice. This soap will help to keep you smiling in winter and it's perfect for any time, not just tea parties.

Snow Globe Bar Soap - When Mark and Mo went to look for Christmas inspiration, they chanced upon a giant snowglobe in the middle of Hyde Park that you could climb inside and be part of a festive scene! Mo was instantly convinced she needed to make an equally spectacular frosty globe of soap, with a refreshing lemon myrtle and grapefruit scent to lift your spirits on a cold dark day. The whole cake looks a beautifully serene snow globe with dots of white 'snow' throughout. It's a loving nod to a more traditional Christmas this year. Although this is a refreshing citrus soap, it has a different blend of sharper citrus oils to give you an invigorating wash morning or night. We've used organic lemon myrtle for a fresh, slightly herbal citrus note, and lemongrass to complement the fragrance. This soap goes perfectly in a bath cocktail with Uluru, Avobath, or You've Been Mangoed to shake the cobwebs off your tired brain.

Once a Year Massage Bar - Some people only give massages once a year, and spend the rest of the year grumbling away. We've created the perfect Massage Bar to get people massaging all year round, no matter how set in their ways they are. Hazelnut oil is deeply moisturizing on skin - without blocking pores. The scent is so delectable that you'll find giving one downright pleasurable, but no one guarantees getting one in return. The cheeky moustache and cocktail fragrance won't fail to start to start the motor running, thanks to Simon's blend of brandy, citrus oils, and a dash of almond essential oil. It just smells like a party waiting to happen. It'll happen once, twice, and every night until it's all gone.

Yeah, I added that massage bar in there at the last moment so that it had a place to go. I still have a bar of Angel's Delight left over from last year but the fragrance is so yummy that I will order a second one this year while I can. I want to buy Snowcake since I haven't tried it yet and have heard so many raves about it. The Snow Globe bar soap is just so lovely that I must have a piece of it and I would also liek to try Mandarin's Tea Party soap in hopes that all citrus in them will brighten up some bleak mornings. I can also use these fragrances into the warmer weather so maybe I will pick up an extra bar of one of them. Glogg intriques me but since I don't know how I will react with the cinnamon in it, I will start with the smallest bottle available of it. And the fact that I can get a Christmas face cleanser?! Buche de Noel is mine!

photo courtesy of LUSH

LUSH Holiday 2010 Collection - Snow Fairy

I have been blogging about Snow Fairy since last Christmas when I first read about all the hype behind it and it's yummy goodness. Last year, a friend of mine knew my obsession for sweet LUSH products and she bought me a giftset full of sweet products. With a bottle of Snow Fairy shower gel! It is still my favorite gift of all last holiday season. I have been waiting to buy myself a back-up bottle of this shower gel and that time of the year in finally here!

The LUSH website states, "Christmas wouldn't be Christmas at LUSH without that familiar pink hue glowing on the shelves. Yes, the Fairy is back again for her legions of fans. The sweet bubblegum and cotton candy scent of this shower gel has made it a clear winner with our customers ever since we first released it. If you're one of the poor souls left yet to try Snow Fairy, pop in quick for a big bottle of our addictive pink shower gel. Washing your body with the pink, ethereal fairy will make you smell like freshly spun cotton candy at a fairground, and your entire body will glitter with the magic of the fae all through the day. Don't stop there though - Snow Fairy works wonders as a shampoo or laundry detergent for sweetly scented sheets. Go ahead, spread the sparkly magic! You know you want to."

This scent has now been released in a lip balm to take the cotton candy yumminess to the next level. "Our customers always tell us that Snow Fairy shower gel should be edible (or should we say drinkable?). To save you from quaffing your bottle of fruity shower wash, we created a delicious raspberry, icing sugar, and sherbet lip balm; with the candy smell of Snow Fairy and just a touch of vibrant pink colour. When inventing the lip balm, Helen wondered what kind of things the Snow Fairies would eat, which lead her onto a sugar confection idea of perfection. She combined moisturizing butters with icing sugar and fizzing sherbet for sweetness and texture, and dried raspberries for fruitiness. After all, the fairies need sugar, too. Dried raspberries add to the pink colour and sweetness of the product".

I just love my Snow Fairy shower gel, this one is a top favorite product of mine. I just love the fragrance and the sheer fun of being covered in pink iridescent bubbles is the icing on the cake. I am glad that I can get this product in a 16.9 oz size so that I can enjoy it all time until next holiday season...

photo courtesy of LUSH

Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care Mask

The official name of this hair mask is the Fekkai Salon Technician Color Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask. Whether or not you can remember that whole mouthful, this product is a miracle treatment for those of us who have color treated hair or hair that has any type of chemical damage. This product was the first item that I tried in the Fekkai Technician line and still remains my favorite product of the line and one of my favorite Fekkai products overall.

The Fekkai website gives the following product description, "Rich and rapid, this mask submerges hair in humectants and extracts to revive just-colored condition and silkiness. All with colorblock protectant. Now with advanced Intensive Anti-Fade Color Complex, this self-defense system contains powerful natural UV shield Galanga Root and provides long lasting color brillance".

This is a very hydrating mask that I highly recommend for pretty much anyone in need of hydration. I use this product once or twice a week after a Fekkai shampoo. I let it on for about five minutes and after I rinse it out, I can feel that my hair is silkier. I can see and feel the results in my hair as soon as I blow it out for the day. My hair is quite shiny and now I don't have to depend on my Glossing Cream or Glisten Drops to bring the shine out. The mask is light but pleasantly scented and will not offend even the most sensitive nose. The UV shield in the product keeps my color true longer and helps to prevent the color from fading away. My hair might be brown right now but I am very interested in how well this product would help to protect my hair when I color it with a red dye.

I am very happy that I bought this product and I do plan to pick another one up once this one runs out. I love this hair mask and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others and since this is one of Fekkai's top sellers, I know that I not alone in my love of this mask.

photo courtesy of Fekkai

MAC A Tartan Tale: Chapter 2

Over the last two weeks, we have all been drooling over A Tartan Tale and planning our shopping lists for the first time that we hit the counters and the stores. Hopefully by now, you guys all have exactly what you wanted the most since MAC items usually sell out very quickly after the release. Well, now Chapter 2 of the collection has been released and this part is another gift-based collection.

MAC states the following, "A wicked tale, a Celtic conundrum! Which to choose? With a kiss from a rose, holiday kits come hither! Bawdy beauties and sexy swains swagger with safety-pin snarls and curtsy coquettishness - it takes all kinds!" It is now time for me to get excited about this collection all over again.

The newest part of the collection...

5 Sassy Pink Lassies Lipglass - This season's pink-tinged fun revs up when mini-sized Sassy Lassy, Fab Fun, The Wee Coquette, Frozen Dream, and Electro Lush Lipglass get together. All come packaged in the giftable tartan tin of MAC Holiday.

- Fab Fun - pale crystal pink

- Sassy Lassy - bright pink fushcia

- The Wee Coquette - naked neutral pink

- Frozen Dream - medium pink rose

- Electro Lush - medium mauve

5 Sassy Coral Lassies Lipglass - Too sassy! The current fervor for coral invades this mini-sized collection of high-shine lip colour. Find it in Tad Saucy, Pretty Quick, Mimmy, Jest For Fun, and Hearts-a-Beatin' Lipglass. This fab five come ready to gift or enjoy in the signature tartan tin of MAC Holiday.

- Tad Saucy - pale muted pink

- Pretty Quick - bright coral

- Hearts-a-Beatin' - pale raisin

- Mimmy - pinky bright coral

- Jest For Fun - peachy blossom pink

5 Sassy Neutral Lassies Lipglass - Neutral in shade, not in impact! This party sassy lip colour combo features the unlimited fun of Scottish Lilt, Spirits a' Flying, Girls at Play, Stealing Kisses, and Bright & Perky Lipglass. Mini-sized, all come packaged in the tartan tin of MAC Holiday.

- Bright & Perky - classic bronze

- Spirits a' Flying - pale gold

- Stealing Kisses - glossy spice

- Scottish Lilt - peachy beige

- Girls at Play - plummy brown

5 Warm Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter - Trendy, thrilling, and oh, that sparkle! This warm-hearted mini-sized combo set consists of Most Darling, Gift o' Glamour, Gold Mode, and Gilded Green Pigments and Reflects Bronze Glitter. Use on eyes, face, anywhere sparkle is desired! All come ready to gift - or enjoy - in a tartan tin of MAC Holiday.

- Gift o' Glamour - pale metallic pink

- Gilded Green - mint ice cream

- Most Darling - medium brown shimmer

- Gold Mode - peachy gold shimmer

- Reflects Bronze - peachy orange glitter sparkle

5 Cool Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter - Like frost upon skin, this icy selection glimmers! For Pigment, there's Cheers My Dear, Silver Fog, Softwash Gray, and Mauvement, for Glitter, Reflects Pearl. Use on eyes, face, lips. Mini-sized, all come ready to gift - or enjoy - in a tartan tin of MAC Holiday. Limited edition.

- Cheers My Dear - pale violet

- Softwash Gray - light purple

- Silver Fog - light silver pigment

- Mauvement - taupe glitter

- Reflects Pearl - silver glitter with pink pearl sparkle

5 Smokey Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter - Everything you need for that dark-finish. The Pigments: Jigs & Jive, Naked, Blue Brown, and Dark Soul light up with the flash of Reflects Red Glitter. For use on eyes, face, lips. Mini-sized, all come ready to gift - or enjoy - in a tartan tin of MAC Holiday. Limited edition.

- Reflects Blackened Pearl - cranberry glitter

- Blue Brown - brown with turquoise glitter

- Naked - fleshtone shimmer
- Dark Soul - shimmer carbon

- Jigs & Jive - naked taupe

5 Naughty Little Vices Nail Lacquer - A little naughty, a trifle vampy; vice and full colour triumph in this mini-sized array of Nail Lacquer. Find them tucked into their own reusable tartan tin. Shades include new Vice is Nice, and knock-out faves, Nocturnelle, Asiatique, Beyond Jealous, and Vintage Vamp. Limited edition.

- Beyond Jealous - deep forest green

- Asiatique - bright cherry red

- Vice is Nice - classic metallic gold

- Nocturnelle - black

- Vintage Vamp - deep blood red

I am really into this grouping too, I can just hear my credit groaning as I type this. I think my favorite is the 5 Cool Thrillseekers Pigments/Glitter. The other sets that I like are the 5 Sassy Pink Lasses Pink Lipglass and the 5 Smokey Thrillseekers. And the 5 Naughty Litte Vices Nail Lacquer is going to be an instant classic for me and I might need to buy two of these to make sure that I have enough of these shades to last me over the next few seasons.

photo courtesy of MAC

Laura Mercier Holiday 2010 Collection - Sequins Collection

Laura Mercier's newest collection is named Sequins Collection is based off of the glitz and glamour of the holiday parties that are coming up through the season. I have been a shimmer eye shadow addict lately and now I am always on the lookout for new products to feed my current obsession. "Glimmer. Glamour. Sophistication. The Sequins Collection is inspiredby shimmer, glimmer, and festive holiday moments. Fashion takes glamour to the next level, with feminine embellishments and touches of sequin-shine", states the Laura Mercier website.

I'm ready for some shimmer...

Sequin Eye Colour - Laura Mercier Sequin Eye Colour 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.

- Tiger's Eye - warm chocolate brown with fleck

- Twinking Star - soft neutral beige with fleck

- Shimmer Plum - cool gray lilac with fleck

- Pink Crystal - soft pale pink with fleck

- Black Ice - deep black with fleck

- Lapis - vibrant blue indigo with fleck

- Copper - warm copper brown

- Jade - light smoky green

- Brilliant Rose - rose copper with fleck

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. Now offering 3 Limited Edition colours on lauramercier.com - Pink Diamond, Meringue, and Discrete.

- Pink Diamond - sheer delicate pink

- Merinque - creamy petal pink

- Discrete - natural rosy plum

Eye Basics - Laura Mercier Eye Basics creates the perfect canvas for eyes by camouflaging eye imperfections and enhancing the durability of eye makeup. Available in a range of six shades the best suit your skin tone.

Mineral Illuminating Powder - Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder is designed to provoide sheer coverage and a radiant soft-focus effect that perfects any look by imparting a natural, healthy glow.

- Starlight - golden nude radiance

I love these beautiful eye shadows and I am glad that Laura Mercier included the Eye Basics product in order to help the shimmer stay put. I think that I have found a whole new crop of shimmer eye shadows to add to my makeup box. I love the Twinkling Star to pair with a red or berry lip. When I want a more dramatic eye, I will be using some of the following shades: Tiger's Eye, Shimmer Plum, Black Ice, and Copper. I am also very interested in the Lip Glace, the description and the packaging remind me of the Diamond Lip Gloss from Vincent Longo. I have one left and the shimmer and pigmentation of that product have been unparelled as of yet. I want to give Meringue a shot and see how it compares.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier