Tarina Tarantino Summer 2011 Collection - Sparklicity Bronze

I feel like every single Tarina Tarantino collection involves the word "Sparklicity" in the title.  Every collection consists of shimmery products, one of which is always an eye shadow palette and another of which is always a shimmer body product in some form.  I'm glad that this company has a formula that works for them and that means that I trust that I can find great products in these categories but how many eye shadow palettes do I need from the same company?  Wait, let me rephrase that question...how many shimmer body mist items do I need from the same company?  I guess this company is telling me that I need to replace mine with the season...

The Sephora website provides a quote from Tarina Tarantino as the collection description.  "'Influenced by soaring Moorish architecture and dusty Turkish horizons, Sparklicity Bronze conjures up images of sun drenched vistas and regal exoticism.  Dazzling geometric tiling from the famed Topkapi Palace inspires this sophisticated update of summer colors.  Shimmering neutrals, misty golds, and soft oasis blues lure you eastward on this elegant voyage.'"  So pretty much, this collection looks as though it will be a bronze version of last holiday's Sparklicity Gold.  With the addition of shades of blues instead of just neutrals.  I have been trying to work some blue shades slowly into my eye look, only as a accent in the crease.  I am looking forward to seeing if this eye palette will work with this look.

The new Sparklicity Bronze products...

Sparklicity Bronze Eye Shadow Palette - A palette with eight full-sized, naturally neutral shadows.  Sparkle is a state of mind and this palette of shadows allows you to indulge in a little shimmer and shine.  To make your eyes twinkle like jewels, each of these neutral shades contain long-wearing, high intensity pigments and is infused with crushed pearl, diamond dust, and silky porcelain.  The large oval mirror inside allows you to see both eyes during application, creating your own personal mini vanity.
- Pearl
- Pearlized Nude
- Shimmering Bronze
- Matte Brown
- Pearlized Pink
- Taupe
- Turquoise
- Shimmering Brown

Sparklicity Pure Bronze - A shimmering pigment for the eyes, cheeks, and lips.  Complete your look with a unique, reflective finish.  This glittery formula is made almost entirely of a pure-refraction reflex material and joins a soft, muted bronze background shade.  This result is a shimmery effect that layers perfectly with the rest of your makeup to accentuate the arch of the brow, eyelids, cheeks, and lips. 

Sparklicity Bronze Shimmer Dust - A microcrystalline glitter for the body and hair.  Sparkle is a state of mind and this product adds a dazzling shimmer to bare shoulders, legs, hair, and the decollete.  Its microcrystalline sparkle pigment is made almost entirely from a reflex material, which creates a luxurious and fantastical twinkle effects in a glowing bronze shade that's perfect accent to bronze complexion.

The only piece that I like in this collection is the eye shadow palette, these neutrals are lovely and I have always found these eye shadows to have great pigmentation everytime that I play with the testers at Sephora.  Not that I need another eye shadow palette, but I would like to buy this one, knowing that I will get a lot of use from it both this summer and more in the fall.  I am interested in the Sparklicity Pure Bronze, it seems like it will be more like a MAC Pigment than a regular eye shadow.  I find the bronze quite pretty though I would only it on the eyes so I don't know that I would need it in addition to the eye shadow palette.  I would get no use from this shade of the Shimmer Dust, it would be too deep for me unless I had a full tan.

Noting that summer, spring, and last holiday's collections weren't all the different, I do wonder what fall has in store for us.  Last fall's collection was the most unique that I have seen from this company in the past seasons so I hope that this one will be among the same vein...

photo courtesy of Sephora

LUSH Whoosh Shower Jelly

Shower Jelly is one of the most innovative shower products from LUSH.  Anyone who has used a lot in their line knows that this is quite a feat because LUSH has tons of great products, most of which you will never see other companies able to replicate well.  The Shower Jelly might be up there with Bubble Bars in terms of uniqueness, this is type of product that I have only ever really seen offered by LUSH.  Shower Jelly can be used on body or hair and also can be used as more of a bar soap or a shower gel.  This product can really be used any way that you want to and actually works well under the different circumstances.

"The invigorating citrus shower jelly.  Anti-jetlag for keeping you calm, cool, and focused.  If deadlines pass you by and you're left spinning at the end of each day, you need a pot of Whoosh!  It's an ultra-refreshing essential oil blend of lemon, lime, and grapefruit juices with revitalizing rosemary and balancing geranium, which we put in there to wake you up a bit.  When you wash with Whoosh, you're transformed into a single-minded, driven person that can take on the world." 

Since lemon juice in one of the main ingredients in this product, LUSH provides additional information on this ingredient.  "Lemon juice is antiseptic and astringent and contains high levels of Vitamin C.  It cleans away dirt with natural fruit acids."  Lemon juice is also helps to clear up some of the pigmentation issues that can occur in the summertime with sun exposure, so this is get choice for the warm weather.  However, I must add that lemon can make skin more photo sensitive, so it is very important to make sure that you wear sunscreen consistently with this product.  I bought this one summer at LUSH and it was such as good choice, this is one of my first loves from LUSH since I had so much fun playing with it in their store.

As I stated already, this product has a multitude of uses.  I have only used this product on my body, I color treat my hair and it is very dry so I wouldn't ever use this one my hair in the fear that it would strip the color or dry it out.  So I can't comment on using it on my hair.  Onto the body uses.  I first tried this one as a bar soap, just straight out of the container.  It didn't foam up as much as I was hoping that it would and I found that it slipped out of my hands several times.  The next time that I used this product, I mashed a bith of it onto a shower pouf and used it more of a shower gel.  This is my favorite way to use it, a little bit goes a long way and I love all the foam that I got from this product.  The LUSH website also suggests that it can be frozen or chilled to use in the hot weather.  I would imagine that freezing this product would make it much easier to use as a bar soap and that this would be the best way to use it in this manner.

This is top selling shower product for LUSH and I think it is a combination of the uniqueness of the product and how much fun the product is to use.  Originally, I also bought this product in a scent that was a mixture of pineapply and coconut (this one is long gone and I don't even remember the actual name of the product), which was my favorite of the scents.  However, I do love the grapefruit and lemon scents in Whoosh and it is a great pick for the summer mornings.  I have aslo found that this product is very easily unisex and is a great way to slip your guy a bit of grooming in the morning too.

I wish that LUSH would come out with more fragrances in this product since the line is down to a handful of fragrances.  And I most wish that they would bring back the original scent that I loved since it added to my coconut obsession...

photo courtesy of LUSH

YSL Summer 2011 Collection

Since I need even more reasons to obsess over this summer...  YSL everything!  This collection is more about color than about bronzers and the like, which is a refreshing change from most summer collections.  There are days that I feel like I have a nice tan but I have no color on my eyes or lips.  I am great with the self-tanners but I don't always accent that shade with the right pigments.  I love my fake tan but I can tend to let to rule my summer look and not summery makeup shades.  But if I was in France, I would barely have a tan in Paris and would need to travel to Provence in summer.  So I guess that I need pigments to create my summer look...

The model for this collection is unexpectedly paled-skinned and the collection is for Parissian women.  Would I have no desire for a tan if I lived in Paris?  I have no idea but I would be willing to move to Paris and find out.  YSL describes this collection as, "The must-have colors of Summer 2011 embody the unexpected intensity of a summer in Paris, a time when anything is possible."  Guess that I need to go to Paris to understand pales and pigments in the summer...

Here is the newest from Paris and YSL...

La Laque - A new generation nail lacquer that's both elegant and pratical is presented in a sleek elongated glass bottle imprinted with the timeless YSL logo.  A pantheon of fashion-inspired shades, from subtle and natural to vibrant and dramatic provide a high-shine finish for an instant touch of glamour.  Long wear formula with Verbena and Rose Oil strengthens, moisturizes and protects nails from chipping and cracking.  Dries fast and applies evenly without streaking.
- 31 Turquoise Blue - bright aqua blue
- 32 Electic Yellow - bright yellow shimmer

Pure Chromatics - Through the magic of water and a revolutionary new process, Yves Saint Laurent pushes the limits of color with Pure Chromatics, a new generation of eye shadows.  Real makeup artist mgic is made easy with six emblematic harmonies that captivate the eyes.  The power of water.  Exclusively by YSL, the new water-process technology is the latest discovery in color, allowing pigments to be more intense and metallic than ever before!  Use wet for a chromatic transformation.  Expect the unexpected.  Water does not dilute but enhances color pigments in Pure Chromatics.  When used wet, the color rehydrates the eye shadows and gives full intensity to their pigments.  The effect is the satiny powder transforms into a luxurious cream while pearls shine with a metallic finish.
- No 19 - pale lavender/white shimmer/pale cool gray/charcoal shimmer
- No 20 - beige shimmer/white shimmer/pale gold shimmer/charcoal shimmer

Ombres Duolumieres - As homage to the spirit of Monsieur Saint Laurent, these vivacious, couture-inspired color pairs combine beautifully to dress eyes in a seamlessly sophisticated look that's luminous and lasting.  The light shade may be worn alone , or as a base to extend the wear of the accompanying deep-toned shadow, while the dark shade creates depth, contour, and intensity.  The silky, long-wear formula is infused with an optical smoothing effect that reveals breathtakingly radiant that won't fade. 
- 35 Soft Brown Duo - beige shimmer/soft medium brown
- 37 Electric Yellow - Royal Blue - bright green yellow/pure cerulean blue

Creme de Blush - Unique cream to powder blush offers a luminous, radiant, and healthy look.  The remarkably soft formulation feels like silk upon application, ensuring a seamless result.  And because the non-waxy texture will not break through makeup, it is an excellent touch-up tool for use throughout the day.  Suggested application: Using fingertips, gently apply to the apples of the cheeks, blending up and outward toward the hairline.  Gently tap into the skin for flawless blending.
- 4 Bright Coral - bright orange coral

Rouge Pur Couture - A new generation lipstick inspired by Monsieur Saint Laurent's iconic color palette - red, fuchsia, and orange - in a collection of captivating couture shades that offer each complexion a customized look.  Enveloped in a luxurious gold case designed by Creative Director Stefano Pilati, Rouge Pur Couture speaks elegance.  Lips are saturated with intense, stay-true color, thanks to the Coloreveal Technology while natural extracts provide comforting moisture that lasts all day.  Provides medium to full coverage with a radiant, satin finish.  SPF 15.
- 23 Pink Coral - warm peachy pink
- 24 Luminous Fresh Pink Peach - warm light peachy pink
- 26 Luminous Soft Pink Mauve - medium mauve
- 27 Soft Fuchsia - bright pink purple
- 28 Luminous Pink Plum - deep cool plum

This is just not my style, the eye shade on the model is just awful and I could never pull this one off.  There are shades that I like in each of the products, but they aren't really the ones that are featured with this collection.  I guess that I have to say that I like the Pure Chromatics eye palettes the most, especially the No 2 shade (with the golds).  The turquoise blue nail polish I really do love and I am glad that this shade is becoming a trend for this summer.  The only other items that I like are the 23 Pink Coral and 26 Luminous Soft Pink Mauve in the Rouge Pur lipstick formulation.  So I guess that this summer look isn't really what I am going toward this time around but not every collection will be a winner...

photo courtesy of YSL

Bobbi Brown Summer 2011 Collection - Almost Bare

Memorial Day has come and past and the official start of summer came right along with it.  To add to it, temperatures have been in the 90s most of this week and the sun is shining with full force.  I am longing for the beach and have been trying to contain my cravings during the week by watching the Sex and the City where the girls go to the Hamptons.  Since I'm not a girl that wears much makeup to the beach, I thought that the new collection from Bobbi Brown, Almost Bare, would perfectly fit my mood right now.

Almost Bare is a collection that features a new tinted moisturizer, bronzer, lip glosses, and a light fragrance.  I have noticed that this isn't the first collection of the summer to feature a fragrance and I am wondering if we are going to see more companies incorporating fragrance into their color collections.  I have really liked when MAC did this in the past and I usually ended up buying products from the color collection and then would always add the fragrance to my order at the very last moment.  It reenforces the theme of the collection for me and I almost always end up finishing up the perfume before I have even made a dent in many of the color products.  This is trend that could really end up making my perfume collection expand in many ways...

The description for this collection is a quote from Bobbi herself, "This collection is inspired by the gorgeous sun-kissed look you get after a day at the beach, one of my favorite places.  It's quick, easy, and simple - what summer beauty is all about."  I agree with Bobbi in this respect, I hate wearing lots of makeup in the summer.  In the high heat, it runs and smears.  I give up on foundation altogether and just wear bronzer over my fake tan.  But no matter how warm it is, I never give up on wearing some type of fragrance.

The new collection...

Bronzing Powder - This soft matte, silky-smooth bronzer instantly gives skin the look of a natural tan, Bobbi suggests using Bronzing Powder year round to get a sun-kissed.  For best application, Bobbi recommends the Bronzer Brush (sold separately).  Now available in seven shades for a wide range of complexions. 
- Deep Chocolate - deep golden brown
- Rich Cocoa - dark brown
- Golden Light - light tan
- Medium - medium brown
- Natural - medium soft tan
- Dark - dark copper brown
- Deep  - deep golden brown

Bronzer Brush - Our must-have Bronzer Brush now features luxuriously soft bristles and a more rounded brush head to provide smoother, more even application of bronzer.  Perfect for use with our popular Illuminating Bronzing Powder and Bronzing Powder.

SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer - A great foundation alternative that's perfect for summer or when you want a more casual look.  This 3-in-1 moisturizer hydrates and protects skin while offering sheer, natural-looking coverage that blends smoothly.  Thanks to emollients and skin-conditioning Jojoba Oil, this lightweight formula glides on easily and leaves skin feeling soft and supple.  Ideal for normal and dry skin types.  Available in an oil-free formula also.  Available in a range of nine shades to suit all skintones.

SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free - Created for women with oily skin who want light moisture, sheer coverage, and sun protection in one, Bobbi's new gel-based formula is the perfect alternative to foundation.  Light and refreshing, it glides on smoothly, blends easily, and provides a hint of coverage for soft, even, and natural-looking skin.  Vitamins C and E protect skin from free radical damage, while SPF 15 helps prevent sun damage.  Available in the same nine shades that the regular formula is.

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.  Apply Highlighter along the top of cheekbones and blend gently into skin using clean fingers.  You can also apply the highlighter to cheeks under foundation, to get a subtle, youthful glow.
- Bronze - golden bronze
- Opal - soft opal pink
- Rose - rose pink

High Shimmer Lip Gloss - Bobbi's new lip gloss combines gorgeous, light-catching shimmer with lasting, non-sticky shine.  Made with fine pearls and clear pigments, High Shimmer Lip Gloss stays color-true and gives lips beautiful, brilliant dimension.  Plus it's enriched with emollients and Vitamins C and E to moisturize, condition, and protect lips, so they feel as good as they look,  Whether you wear it on its own or on top of your favorite Lip Color, the new tapered applicator lets you apply it like a pro.
- Bellini - light nude pink with pearl
- Citrus - bright coral with pearl
- Pink Tulle - hot pink with pearl

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 five new shades.
- Tiger Lily - shimmering medium tone coral
- Burnt Sugar - bronze nude
- Pale Petal - medium tone blue pink
- Hibiscus - bright candy pink
- Washed Seashell - shimmering medium tone nude pink

Almost Bare Fragrance - This fresh floral eau de parfum features a delicate balance of inspiring Italian Bergamot blended with Violet Leaves to relax and soothe the senses.  The scent is enhanced by a gentle note of Soft Muguet and Gentle Jasmine Petals, with a Soft Cedar and Warm Amber background.

Why am I more interested in the fragrance than anything else?!  Fragrance was my first love and I can see it taking over here.  I must have this perfume and it might even be my top pick of the collection.  I will try the Tinted Moisturizer, most likely the Oil-Free since my skin is crazy this time of the year and I bet this one will work better than the other.  I bet that I will buy the other for the fall, I got so many compliments with the Laura Mercier version and if this one is the same?...  Oh boy...

Lip gloss is my second love and I love the lip glosses in this collection.  I must have Bellini and Pink Tulle.  From the lipsticks, Pale Petal is my choice.  I am looking at Washed Seashell as a dupe to Way To Love, which is huge for me.  I need to try this shade since I am rationing Way To Love.  A dupe to this is amazing and a must-buy.  After that, I need the Tinted Moisturizer with the Oil-Free formula since in the summer, my skin doesn't need any extra hydration.  I want this Bronzer, I love the matte finish that bronzers are coming out in and I really feel the need to be bronze.  Shimmer is a no, but matte is a yes.  I am loving this collection since this is exactly the way that I do makeup at the beach...

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15

Since I finished up my stint with the Entre Derm Face Creams, I went out to find another one that is also appropriate for the warmer weather.  This time of the year, I am looking for a lightweight hydrator that is recommended for combination skin.  I need something that helps to control oil in my T-Zone but stills provides adequate moisture for my cheek area.  And if I can find something that is made for sensitive skin and contains more natural ingredients, that is a plus.  Boscia was my choice this time around for skincare and the sales associate at Sephora was great with telling me all about this brand and recommending me the correct product.  This isn't a line that I normally gravitate towards but I wanted to try something different and see all the products that this Japanese line has to offer. 

Boscia is one of the few lines that has removed all preservatives from their skincare and has created their own blend for skin that is beautiful and never irritated by chemicals.  I found some information on the Sephora website about the background of this company and the background around their ground breaking product line.  "Boscia has long believed that stress, sun damage, lack of sleep, diet, exercise, and hormonal fluctuations all tell a story that comes to light on the skin.  Therefore, they strive to help clear the picture and reduce the need for makeup to cover flaws.  If the goal is healthy, eye-catching skin - the kind that's luminous, dewy, and naturally even-toned - then the conduit should be equally healthy skincare.  Using a patent-pending combination of botanicals, Boscia's preservative-free formulas function with this healthy objective in mind.  They have long-lasting antibacterial properties that rejuvenate chemically fatigued skin to bring back its natural glow, while combating aging in the most gentle, proactive way possible."

My choice from this line is the Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 moisturizer, one of the day creams in this line.  "An ultra-light moisturizer with SPF 15.  Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration SPF 15 controls shine, refines pores, provides continual moisture, and fights signs of aging.  This skincare essential multitasks by protecting the skin against harmful UVA/UVB rays, external pollution, and environmental stress.  It is packed with oil moderating botanicals that offer both anti-bacterial benefits and intensive hydration.  Pores and lines are minimized, leaving a smooth, healthy look and feel.  This formula is 100% preservative free.  Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin."

So far, I have been using this product for about 2 and half weeks and I haven't any type of complaint.  the texture is smooth and is a bit thinner than many of the creams that I have worked with.  I can't comment on the anti-aging benefits of course but the pore minimizing benefits are very much present.  The lotion lays down a smooth finish and helps to reduce the appearance of pores and makes it easier to avoid foundation (in the warm weather I tend to give up on it) and just spot conceal problems areas of my face.  The matte effect lasts from the morning until about mid afternoon, I do need to begin touching up with Blotting Linens (Boscia, of course!) around lunch time and will continue throughout the day.  I don't get all day wear from this product, which is one of the few downfalls from it.  If my skin was oilier, I would need a whole separate primer to minimize oil.  The product is great for balancing the oily and dry areas, but doesn't help to reduce the appearance of any redness. 

My absolute least favorite part of this product?  The SPF 15!  Why can't we have either a SPF 30 or no SPF at all so I can really layer with my own sunblock.  I know that SPF 15 is fine for incidental sun exposure but for a product that is made for sensitive skin, SPF 15 normally is not enough.  This company targeted this product for more sensitive skin types so I would thought that they would have put a much better SPF in this product.  I love the preservative-free formula and the texture of this product but the lack of proper SPF really annoys me with this product.

Even though my comments about the SPF aren't exactly complimentary, I actually like this product and the stand that the company takes on preservatives in their skincare.  Based on the SPF, I would be more interested in the line for night creams and other facial products like face washes and masks.

Shu Uemura Summer 2011 Collection - Sakura Collection

Sakura is the newest collection from Shu Uemura and it is based on the Japanese festive of the cherry blossoms.  It is the second collection that was made with Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa, the first of which you might remember from Holiday of 2008 (I am 99% sure this was the season, it might have been 2009 but I doubt it.).  That collection was a group of palettes all inspired by roses and containing many lovely pink shades.  This only is based on the cherry blossom but I am willing to bet that it will be very similar and that this might be one of my favorite collections of the summer. 

"Shu Uemura reunites with Mika Ninagawa in a special package design collaboration.  Celebrate the ephermal joy of spring sakura blossoms with the vivid images created by world-renowned photographer and film-maker Mika Ninagawa.  Experince the dream-like, kaleidoscope vision of prettiness created by Mika's lens."  The packaging on the foundation palette in this collection is very beautiful and might just push me toward buying this whole collection.  I hope the shades are just as lovely...

The collaboration with Mika Ninagawa...

Special Edition Powder Foundation Case by Mika Ninagawa - Encase the Face Architect Glow Enhancing Powder Foundation in limited edition case specially designed by Mika Ninagawa.  This new-edition compact welcomes the coming season adorned with Mika's sweet and playful spring floral delights.  Includes a sponge made with an extra smooth surface for application.  Foundation sold separately.

Face Architect Glow Enhancing Powder Foundation - Achieve the finish of a liquid foundation with the convenience of a fine textured powder foundation.  Formulated with clear glow enhancer, for an exquisite glow enhanced finish and fresh lasting color.  The thin layer of powder smoothes and evens the skin for a natural flawless complexion.  The beautiful makeup finish has a long lasting formula which makes skin feel light and comfortable throughout the day.  SPF 26.  Available in a range of shades to suit all skintones.

Rouge Unlimited Sakura Collection - Shu Uemura introduces the new "Sakura hybrid pigment" to express the pureness and delicacy of the new cherry blossom colors.  A sakura blossom changes its expression from day to day.  In the glory of sunlight, it shines pure white with a tint of pink, white with twilight, it gradually changes to a mauve tone.  Six shades embody the subtle changes in sakura colors.  Limited package, tinted sakura pink.
- PK 319 - pastel lavender pink - cool undertone
- PK 356 - stylish fushcia - cool undertone
- PK 332 - modern neutral pink - warm undertone
- PK 339 - bright pastel pink - cool undertone
- PK 341 - elegant medium pink - warm undertone
- BG 932 - peachy pink - warm undertone

Supreme Shine Sakura Collection - Shu Uemura introduces the new "Sakura hybrid pigment" to express the pureness and delicacy of the new cherry blossom colors.  The Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine is a lipstick with the combination of rich, dewy shine and signature hybrid pigment.  The shade reflects that of a dewy sakura petal.
- PK 314 - shimmery baby pink - warm undertone

I just love all the pinks in this collection, this one almost looks more like a spring collection than a summer collection but I'm not complaining either way.  I really want the foundation compact and I am willing to give the foundation a chance even though I don't always have the best of luck with powder foundations.  This one does have an emphasis on a "glow finish" instead of a matte finish so maybe this one will work better for me.  My favorite lip shade is the PK 314 from the Supreme Shine, this one seems like it will have more of a sheer finish and will be very easy to work with this summer.  From the Rouge Unlimited, I want to buy the PK 319, PK 332, and PK 339. 

This is one of the best pink collections that I have seen so far this year.  Trust in Shu Uemura to make a lovely collection...

photo courtesy of Shu Uemura

Most Wanted June 2011

Summertime and the livin's easy...  It's time for me to hit up the beach and take advantage of those long summer nights.
The loves of June for me...

- Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Skinscent
- LUSH Avobath Bath Bomb
- Super by Dr, Nicholas Perricone Sunkissed Tinted Moisturizer SPF 25
- NARS Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girls
- Bumble & Bumble Shine On (And On...) Finishing Spray
- Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50
- Dior Nail Lacquer in Nirvana
- Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Lit
- Bobbi Brown Almost Bare
- Bobbi Brown SPF Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free

Ocean blue nail polish, new beach fragrances, and nude lip gloss.  Time to get in the mood for some summer fun!