Brand Spotlight 2014 - Bobbi Brown Beach

We are starting off this year with the last product that is to be featured in this month's Brand Spotlight series, I have been enjoying collecting all kinds of items from a specific brand and I hope you all have been enjoying this series too.  I have found a few new gems from Bobbi Brown and I am really excited to keep ordering and trying more products from this brand, I have a feeling that this series is going to try into a very expensive habit...

We are going to wrap up this month's Brand Spotlight with a review of the iconic Bobbi Brown Beach fragrance, I ordered a bottle of this fragrance at the very beginning of the month and I have been eagerly awaiting the summer months so that I can wear this fragrance as much as possible.  I first smelled this fragrance late last summer and quickly fell in love with it but I forced myself to put off purchasing it until I started to collect products for the warmer weather.  This fragrance smells exactly like the beach and it makes me so excited for the summer!

The Bobbi Brown website provides the following fragrance description, "An eau de parfum inspired by the beach, this best-selling fragrance captures the atmosphere and essence of summer.  Designed with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin; this fragrance is wearable anytime, anywhere."

I cannot put into words how much I love this perfume, it smells exactly like stepping on the beach and it makes me crave summer (even more than usual).  The main note is sand jasmine, this is the "beachy" note in this fragrance and in most of the "beachy" fragrances on the market.  I first smelled this note in the Suntan candle from Bath and Body Works a few summers ago and I have been obsessed with it ever since.  This perfume is exactly like that candle and somehow combines the smells of the sand jasmine with those of suntan lotion and ocean air and turns it into a fragrance I could wear every single day.

Beach is not a fragrance that I would wear for the office but it is perfect for casual summer weekends and warm date nights, it is a light beachy floral perfume and would pair perfectly with a sundress.  I think that this will become one of my new summer perfume staples!

My biggest issue with this fragrance is that it doesn't seem to last any longer than two or three hours when applied to my skin, this could be an issue with my skin chemistry however I have read several reviews that complain about the lack of lasting power.  I have resigned myself to using the EDP in the morning and then carrying the matching Rollerball in my bag with me.  I started by owning just the EDP but I quickly realized that I needed to purchase the Rollerball and I would need to be able to touch this fragrance up throughout the day.  This fragrance is also available in a lotion but I would love to see it in more body products and home fragrance products.  I do believe that I did see limited edition products in this fragrance last summer and I will be looking for more this summer.

My first Brand Spotlight is in the books and we will be switching gears for next month's brand.  This month we focused on one of the top brands in the makeup industry and I will be featuring a primarily skincare-based brand next month.  Any guesses?!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Brand Spotlight 2014 - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15

We are back on my Brand Spotlight series today and we are looking at my last makeup product from Bobbi Brown for the month.  I have already tried out their lip and eye products and I decided that I wanted to try one of the face products and then finish out my shopping with a new fragrance from this line.  Today we are looking at the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15, I have been testing out this foundation for about three weeks now and it has given me a handle on the quality of their face products.  This foundation has been a great choice for me and I will be trying more face and skin products from this brand.

I chose the Skin Foundation SPF 15 to start exploring the face products in this brand as this is considered a hydrating foundation formula and my winter skin needs any extra hydration possible this time of the year.  This formula is a good choice from fall to early spring and I would like to look for more formulas to use as my skin changes in the warm weather.

The Bobbi Brown website describes this foundation as follows, "This water-based, oil-free formula delivers undetectable coverage and a fresh, hydrated glow for the most natural skin-like finish.  In addition to weightless, long-wearing coverage and hydration, the formula minimizes the appearance of pores, conceals imperfections, and delivers broad spectrum UV protection.  Buildable formula goes easily from light to medium and is available in a wide range of shades for all skin tones."

The website continues with a few more details about why this formula is unique in the range of Bobbi Brown.  "The lightweight water-based foundation sinks into skin, instantly helping to plump, moisturize, boost skin's glow.  Sustained hydration keeps skin looking and feeling fresh, and ensures that color stays true all day.  The oil-free formula is enhanced with light-reflective optic ingredients to give skin natural luminosity."  I ordered this product in Alabaster 00, "the lightest beige with a white hint and pink undertone, for palest skin".  This is the palest shade in the range and the only shade that would work my skin tone.

Bobbi Brown's website states that this products is designed for normal to oily skin types but I have no issues with it on my combination dry skin.  The formula is water-based so it sinks easily into the skin and helps to moisturize any dry patches that are on my face right now.  I can't say that I have seen a huge difference in the luminosity of my skin however I have been using this product with the Caudalie brightening products that I always use.  My skin looks wonderful with this foundation however I think that it is the combination of the foundation and the skincare products.  The combination of this product not sticking to the dry patches on my skin and the natural glow that it gives my skin make this product a great choice for me to use between fall and spring (I prefer BB Creams and tinted moisturizers during the summer) and I know that I will be repurchasing another bottle of this once I run through this one.

The shade Alabaster is a nearly perfect match for my skin this time of the year, I like that the undertones don't lean too pink and it helps to camouflage the redness in my skintone.  This product does not noticeably change colors as it dries down and I have no other issues with it darkening throughout the day.  This foundation lasts about eight to ten hours on my skin and I do have to blot my T-Zone once or twice during the day, I always set this product with powder and I'm not sure how long this product would last on my skin without setting it with a powder.

I really like this foundation and I think that I will be buying more products from the Bobbi Brown face product range.  I have been very happy with everything that I have tried so far from this company and I know that I will end up buying a ton more products from this brand in the coming months...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Brand Spotlight 2014 - Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick

I wanted to return to my Brand Spotlight slightly earlier than I had planned on, I was going to look at more spring collections today however this blog series is rapidly becoming one of my favorite topics.  Today we are going to look at one of my new favorite products and one that I already know will be on my list of top favorite products of the entire year.  I loved the Smokey Eye Mascara that I reviewed the other day and I have already decided that this brand has some of the best eye makeup products that I have ever used.  

I started my shopping of Bobbi Brown eye makeup products last summer when I tried out a few of their cream eye shadow formulas and now I am in love with their stick cream eye shadow formula.  I have been playing around the Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks for the past few weeks and I needed to force myself to put these down so that I could start working with the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palette.  I am going to review these shadow sticks today so that I can get back to working on my thoughts of that palette.  

"A long-lasting, do-it-all eye shadow that's a stroke of genius - just swipe and go.  This budge-proof formula stays put for 8 hours.  Glides on lids tug-free and can be used to shade, define, smoke up, and highlight eyes.  Comes in subtle to eye-popping shades that last for up to 8 hours without creasing, flaking, or fading (and its completely water-resistant).", states the Bobbi Brown website.

The colors available on this product are...

- Vanilla - white cream

- Truffle - creamy beige

- Sunlight Gold - beige gold

- Malted Pink - deep nude pink

- Taupe - medium caramel

- Stone - medium gray brown

- Nude Beach - grayish taupe with a hint of shimmer

- Pink Sparkle - light pink sparkle

- Dusty Mauve - shimmering lavender
- Soft Peach - pastel peach
- Sand Dune - medium beige tan
- Golden Pink - shimmering peach pink
- Goldstone - shimmering brown gold
- Golden Bronze - deep bronze sugar
- Shadow - smokey blue gray
- Heather Steel - deep gray purple
- Bark - rich brown
- Violet Plum - deep shimmer eggplant

I purchased a few of the neutral shades in this product and now would like to order even more shades.  I didn't see all the shades at the counter in Sephora so I will need to visit the counter to find more of these shades.  I purchased the following shades: Vanilla, Truffle, Sunlight Gold, Sand Dune, and Golden Pink.  These shades have either a satin or a shimmer finish and I use each finish a different way.  My favorite finish is the shimmer finish but every shade that I have used is very high quality and pigmented.

The satin finish shades I use right over a primer, I draw them right onto my lid and then buff the edges out with a MAC 224 brush.  I will one shade all over my lid or I will combine two shades to create more definition on my lid.  The shimmer finishes can be used in exactly the same way but I do set down a matte bone colored shadow and a subtle transition shade before applying the shadow sticks.

Bobbi Brown has always preferred a more natural, polished beauty look and enjoys creating products that are effortless to use and last all throughout the day.  These Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks certainly fit the bill and I love that they take very little time to apply in the morning and then last on my lids all throughout the day.  The neutrals are very easy to work with and Golden Peach is my favorite shade of the group.

I want to grab a few more of these shadow sticks, I am hoping that some of the deeper shades will work to quickly add drama to an eye look or to create the gradient needed for a smoky eye.  I want to order the following shades to round out my collection of this product: Nude Beach, Goldstone, Golden Bronze, Bark, and Violet Plum.  I would like to see these in a deep charcoal hue or a pale gray hue, most of these shades trend to warmer or neutral hues.  I would love to see more cool shades offered in this product.

We will be picking back up on my Brand Spotlight series next week, I will be picking back up with a face product and then rounding out this month's spotlight with a new fragrance!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Brand Spotlight 2014 - Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara

We are going back to the Brand Spotlight today and I have been enjoying testing out all kinds of new products for this series.  Today we are looking at the Smokey Eye Mascara from Bobbi Brown, everyone knows that I love to try new mascaras.  I am sure that I will trying new versions from all different brands in the coming months and will be adding quite a few new formulas to my list of favorites.  I have always seen Bobbi Brown mascara formulas recommended in Allure magazine and I have been wanting to try one for quite a few months now.  I decided to visit the Bobbi Brown counter for my mascara purchase in order to make sure that I could see and choose from every single formula.  I have found that my Sephora doesn't have all of the products in the Bobbi Brown brand and I have to visit the counter for the best selection.

Bobbi Brown is well known for having a mascara to suit every single need and makeup look.  The company's website has a "Mascara Finder" and I took this quiz before visiting the counter.  I have always preferred volumizing mascara formulas and the quiz decided that I should try the best-selling Smokey Eye Mascara.  This is actually one of the formulas that I was the most interested in from the beginning so I was more than happy to head to the counter and pick up a tube of this.  The makeup artist working at the counter assured me that I had made a great choice and this Smokey Eye is a favorite formula of hers.

"The perfect complement to a smokey eye look, this kohl-pigmented mascara delivers high drama by creating extremely black, stretched-out lashes in an instant.  Plus, the long-wearing formula holds its own against flaking, smudging, sweat, and humidity.  Builds volume lash by lash as opposed to traditional volumizing formulas that create the appearance of volume by clumping lashes together.  Plus, a thicker brush base evenly combs through eyelashes from roots to ends, while a tapered tip grabs those small, hard-to-reach lashes.", states the Bobbi Brown website.

This mascara is only available in a black shade and this is one of the most pigmented black shades that I have used.  I prefer volumizing formulas over lengthening formulas and my mascara formulas tend to be wetter and then cause clumpy lashes.  I am used to this type of formula so I was a bit disappointed when I first worked with this formula and it didn't instantly volumize my lashes.  I had to get used to building this formula up a bit more than I would with the Too Faced Better Than Sex formula but the extra effort turned out to be worth it.  Many traditional volumizing mascara formulas tend to work in one coat but then the second coat will then start clumping up (until the formula begins to dry out with usage).  The first coat of this formula will provide natural-looking volume and definition and then the second coat is needed to build up the volume.  The second coat doesn't clump up like many other formulas do but it takes slightly longer to apply and perfect.

I feel that Smokey Lash Mascara is one of the "updated" volumizing mascara formulas.  Brands have been alternating traditional volumizing formulas with ones that can be used to create natural-looking volume but can be built up to create much more volume.  One coat of this product works very well for work but then a second coat can be applied to build up the look for going out at night.  I have also found that this is one of the few volumizing formulas that can be used successfully over a primer.

This is my first Bobbi Brown mascara and I am very impressed with this formula, I will be purchasing more tubes of this product and then trying even more formulas from this brand.  I think my next Bobbi Brown product to review will be another eye makeup product before I start moving onto other categories.

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Brand Spotlight 2014 - Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Lip Gloss

We are looking at the first product that I will be featuring in my Brand Spotlight 2014, it only makes sense that I would start with a lip gloss as I am always looking to add more lip products to my collection.  I thought that I should start with the Bobbi Brown Lip Glosses as I first got the idea for spotlighting new brands when I received a Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss sample from Sephora.  I still have not yet tried that product enough to review for my blog and I will be putting that product review on the back burner until I can order a few more shades of this product.  I contemplated ordering more of the shimmer formula first but I decided that I needed to add more lip glosses to my collection that I could wear in a more professional environment.  Bobbi Brown has been known for her nude lipstick shades and she has a great lip gloss formula with all kinds of wearable shades.

"This high-shine formula gives lips a sultry sheen for a fuller look.  Formulated with jojoba and avocado oils for immediate hydration, plus Vitamins C and E.  Aloe extract soothes lips and helps keep them feeling comfortable.", states the Bobbi Brown website.  I ordered my shades off the Sephora website but I see a few more shades available on company's website and now I will be needing to head over to counter to add even more shades of this gloss to my collection.

The Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss shades...

- Buff - beige pink
- Nougat - light beige
- Nude - medium pink brown
- Pink Beige - light pink beige
- Petal - soft pink
- Hot Pink - strawberry pink
- Bright Pink - watermelon pink
- Rosy - sheer bright rose
- Tangerine - sheer bright coral
- Hollywood Red - bright candy red
- Aubergine - deep grapey plum
- Pink Lily - bubblegum pink
- Scarlet - deep red

This formula is one of the best lip glosses that I have ever used, if not the absolute best formula.  The applicator is a traditional doe-foot, I think that the applicator is slightly smaller than that of the MAC Lipglass and this allows a more precise application.  The formula is hydrating without being sticky, it feels smooth and soft upon application and does not become sticky throughout the day.  I have had some issues with other lip gloss formulas that start off smoothly but become patchy and sticky with wear.  I have had absolutely no issues with any of the shades that I have bought and I doubt that I will have issues with any others that I will be buying.  The wear time is similar to that of any other lip gloss and it will needed to be reapplied after eating or drinking.

I bought the following shades; Buff, Petal, and Rosy.  Buff and Petal are my two favorite shades, these neutrals can be worn with any makeup look and in any environment.  Rosy is a brighter pink shade and I will be saving this shade for next spring/summer.  I really want the Nude shade now, as it will work just like the other nudes that I have already bought.  I thought that several of the pink shades looked very similar when I swatched them on my hand so I only bought one pink shade but now I want more of them since I love this formula so much.  Pink Beige, Hot Pink, and Bright Pink are on my shopping list for pink glosses for the upcoming spring season.  I think that I want to pick up Scarlet and Hollywood Red for next fall and I am tempted by Aubergine too.

Bobbi Brown has always been known for her lip products and she started her whole brand with ten nude lipstick shades.  I have started my love of Bobbi Brown lip products already and I would love to feature four more lip formulas this month but I will hold back on the temptation to scoop up the whole lip area of the Bobbi Brown counter.  I am not sure which lip formula from this company that I will try next to review but I know that I will be trying more lipsticks and glosses from this brand!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Brand Spotlight January 2014: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Brand Introduction

Today is the first day of my Brand Spotlight series and I decided that I wanted to start this series off with a brand that I recently starting ordering more and more products from and that I am very excited to try even more from!  I started using Bobbi Brown Cosmetics sometime last summer and I started to realize that I really needed to branch out more in my beauty product shopping.  Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is a brand that has created some of the highest quality products on the market and Bobbi Brown herself was one of the pioneers of the makeup industry in the early 1990s.  Today we will do a general introduction to the brand and some of the background behind the brand and its creator.

I am pulling most of my information from Wikipedia, I was a bit disappointed to see that the company's website did not have a section about the creator and background of the brand but we will make due.

Bobbi Brown was born in 1957 and is an American professional makeup artist and CCO of her namesake brand, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.  She has written multiple books and articles about beauty and skincare and is well known throughout the industry as a proponent of natural beauty.

"In 1990, Brown worked with a chemist to come up with ten natural lipstick shades.In 1991, the ten shades debuted under the name Bobbi Brown Essentials at Bergdorf Goodman. The following year, she released yellow-toned foundation sticks.  Estée Lauder Companies Inc. bought Bobbi Brown Essentials in 1995; Brown retained complete creative control of the makeup line. In 2007, the first freestanding Bobbi Brown Cosmetics retail store opened in Montclair, New Jersey with a makeup school in the back.  In 2012, Bobbi Brown’s cosmetics were estimated to represent approximately ten percent of Estée Lauder Companies’ total sales.", states the Wikipedia profile on this brand.

This brand is sold in Sephora and nearly every major department store in the world, I have purchased most of the products from Sephora but I do believe that some of the major department stores receive exclusive, limited edition products during the holiday season.  This is brand that sometimes puts out more than one limited edition, seasonal collection and tailors them to more than one big trend of the season.  This line has a larger than usual range of foundation and face product shades and suits nearly every skintone.  Bobbi Brown Cosmetics are more conservative than MAC in their product and shade selections and I tend to wear these makeup products in a more professional environment.

Bobbi Brown started her brand with lipsticks and I will be starting my product reviews with her Lip Gloss formula, I will be puting my first review up in the coming days and we will see how my Brand Spotlight series comes to life!

photo courtesy of Google

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream

We are now in the second week of December and I have been changing up the products in my skincare regime to match the cold weather outside, I have been using one new skincare products over the past few weeks that I have become a big fan of and I am really happy that I decided to purchase.  I have never used skincare from the brand Bobbi Brown before and I decided to try a hydrating eye cream from this company.  I tend to use two very different types of formulas for day and night, I only want a very hydrating formula to use at night and I don't need any of de-puffing properties that I require in a eye cream used for daytime.  I started off by using this eye cream for night use but I do think that this is one of the few eye cream formulas that I could actually use for both night and day usage.

There are two hydrating eye cream formulas from Bobbi Brown, I chose the less rich of the two as the richer formula was not available in the store when I bought my jar of this product.  I would consider switching this formula out to a day usage during the coldest days of the winter and then ordering the richer of the two formulas for nighttime use.  As for right now, I will be using this product for my night eye cream and then I will update and review the other formula if I decide that I need more moisture in my eye area as the winter continues.

"A hydrating cream that refreshes the eye area and prepares it for a seamless concealer application.  This luxurious, concentrated cream is absorbed quickly, allowing it to deliver naturally occurring humectants that virtually melt into the skin. Before makeup application, a perfect level of emollients imparts a lightweight texture, allowing concealer to glide on evenly. Use in the evening to boost skin's ability to recharge and rehydrate during the nightly repair process. It plumps fine lines and improves skin's overall tone and texture. Skin looks and feels stronger and healthier. It leaves the eye area soft, smooth, and refreshed for up to 24 hours.", states the Sephora website. 

I have been really loving this eye cream so far and I would recommend it to anyone that has normal to dry skin around their eyes.  A very small amount applied to each eye fully hydrates and soothes the delicate under eye skin and this area looks and feels moist and plump when I wake up each morning.  This product has a light creamy texture and sinks easily right into the skin and doesn't leave an oily residue on this area.  There is a slight perfume smell to the product but it does not bother my eyes at all. 

 My least favorite aspect about this product is that it is contained in a jar, I do not love dipping my finger into the same jar over and over again.  I wish that this product was contained in a tube, the product is a thin enough texture that a tube container would be very workable.  I can see how the very hydrating formula might not work with a tube but I don't see any reason why this one can't be housed in that type of container.

The Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream is a solid formula for anyone with normal to dry skin, I wouldn't recommend it to someone with very oily skin.  I think that I would continue to use it more as a night cream as it doesn't contain any special ingredient for relieving puffy eyes before makeup application. 

photo courtesy of Sephora 

Bobbi Brown Holiday 2013 Color Collection - Old Hollywood

November is officially here so it is the start of the holiday season for me and I am starting this month off with a collection that I fell in love with as soon as I saw the promo picture for it.  Bobbi Brown always releases two collections for the holidays, one color collection and then a gift collection later on in the season.  Today we are starting with the color collection as I am more excited for this collection than the gifts.  Katie Holmes has been the face of this brand for quite a bit and my face and hair coloring is very similar to hers so I am often looking to this brand for new shades and products.

The Bobbi Brown holiday color collection is named Old Hollywood and it highlights defined cheekbones and deep red lips.  I am already looking forward to adding another red lipstick to my collection the next time that I head toward the Bobbi Brown counter.  I don't believe that I own any lipsticks from this company yet so I have another formula to try out.  Bobbi Brown started her company with a few lipstick shades and this product quickly became one of her trademarks so I am very excited to try some new formulas from her.

The Old Hollywood collection from Bobbi Brown!

Old Hollywood Eye Palette - The Old Hollywood eye palette features a mixture of cool and warm hues with both glitter and matte finishes so you can go demure or glamorous depending on your mood.  It contains nine neutral and glamourous hues to complement any occasion this holiday season.
- Ivory - matte ivory
- Golden Pink Metallic - metallic rose gold
- Gold Sparkle - medium gold shimmer
- Opal Sparkle - pale pink shimmer
- Fog - matte pale gray
- Beige - matte pale beige
- Chocolate Brown Sparkle - medium brown shimmer
- Candlelight Gold Metallic - pale gold shimmer
- Eclipse - matte charcoal

Ink Liner - A pen-style liquid liner that doesn't fade, flake or smudge.  Flexible felt-tip applicator delivers carbon black pigments with extreme precision. It glides on evenly without dragging or tugging on lids.
- Blackest Black - deep true black

Lip Gloss - This high-shine formula gives lips a sultry sheen for a fuller look.  Formulated with jojoba and avocado oils for immediate hydration, plus Vitamins C and E. Aloe extract soothes lips and helps keep them feeling comfortable.
- Siren Red - medium blue red

High Shimmer Lip Gloss - A high-shine gloss with a special mix of pearls in a clear base (for a super reflective effect).   This vitamin-enriched formula conditions lips while providing non-sticky, but long-lasting color.
- Candlelight - neutral with gold pearl
- Rose - medium rose pearl
- Pure Gold - medium nude with gold pearl

Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick -  long-lasting, do-it-all eye shadow that's a stroke of genius—just swipe and go. This budge-proof formula stays put for 8 hours.Glides on lids tug-free and can be used to shade, define, smoke up and highlight eyes. Comes in subtle to eye-popping shades that last for up to 8 hours without creasing, flaking or fading (and it's completely waterproof).
- Tuxedo Black - deep charcoal
- 24 Karat - medium gold
- Bronze - medium bronze

I am a bit disappointed that there is no red lipstick in this collection and that Katie Holmes is wearing a red lip gloss.  I have heard that the lip gloss formula from Bobbi Brown is very pigmented and opaque so I really thought it was an actual lipstick formula.  The Siren Red Lip Gloss is my top choice from this collection and I am very excited to pick it up for my gloss collection.  My second favorite product is the Old Hollywood Eye Palette, this contains some great neutrals that will work well this holiday season parties and for a professional look. 

I actually want this entire collection and cannot find a product that I dislike in it.  I would like all of the lip glosses and all of the eye makeup products shown here, I am especially fond of the Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks in gold and bronze. 

This collection from Bobbi Brown will be in my top favorites of the holiday season and has the potential to be my favorite collection of the whole season.  In the next few weeks, we will look at the gift collection from this company and see how many more products from Bobbi Brown I will be adding to my makeup collection.

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Fall 2013 Collection - Rich Chocolate Collection

One of the most exciting collections for fall comes from Bobbi Brown and I will be adding several items from it to my Most Wanted list, I first saw pictures of this collection early last month and I have wanted to see it in more detail ever since.  I found it this morning on the Bobbi Brown website and we are going to look at it now.  Rich Chocolate is going to be one of those collections that will contain products that sell out quickly and will be able to used this season and then for seasons to come.  I am so hoping to see a great eye makeup palette in this collection and I will be adding it to the line up of Naked Palettes that are in my current rotation.

This collection contains all types of rich hues for the fall and winter months and I will want to play around with it at the counter soon.  There is no formal collection description and the model for the collection is a lovely Katie Holmes, a deep brunette with pale cool toned skin.  She is one of my beauty ideals and I enjoy working to recreate some of her Red Carpet looks at home.  The key piece of this collection is the Rich Chocolate Eye Palette and then it contains new shades in the current Blush and Lip Gloss formulas.

We are going to start with the palette that I want and begin to look at the newest from Bobbi Brown...

Rich Chocolate Eye Palette - A delicious take on eyes for fall and beyond, this chic palette is packed with mix-and match shades including base, lid, and liner options.  Exclusively packaged in a mirrored compact with a glossy chocolate finish, plus a dual-ended brush for application.
- Stone - medium ash brown with matte finish
- Bone - off white with matte finish
- Frappe - medium ash beige with matte finish
- Caramel - silvery brown sparkle
- Champagne Truffle - warm pink beige with satin finish
- Cocoa - warm ashy brown with satin finish
- Rich Chocolate - dark brown with matte finish

Blush - Silky formula glides on smoothly and offers a matte finish with long-lasting wear. Comes in this sleek, flip-top compact that can be used individually or popped into an empty palette (sold separately).  Apply on the apples of cheeks using the Blush Brush , blending up into the hairline, then downwards to soften. Finish with a pop of brighter blush, applied just on the apples of cheeks. For a shimmery glow on cheeks, follow with a Shimmer Brick Compact.
- Berry - deep red
- Pink Coral - warm coral with touches of medium pink

Lip Gloss - What It Is: This high-shine formula gives lips a sultry sheen for a fuller look..  Who It's For: Any woman who likes the shiny look of lip gloss with medium coverage.  Why It's Different: Formulated with jojoba and avocado oils for immediate hydration, plus Vitamins C and E. Aloe extract soothes lips and helps keep them feeling comfortable.  How do I Use It: Apply gloss on clean, bare lips. Or, layer it over your favorite Lip Color.
- Tea Berry - medium rose cream
- Pale Pink - pale pink cream

Sheer Color Lip Gloss - What is it: This high-shine formula delivers a sultry sheen for lips that look healthy and full.  Who is it for: Any woman who likes the shine of a gloss with sheer, medium coverage.  Why is it different: Formulated with Jojoba and Avocado Oils for immediate hydration, plus Vitamins C and E. Aloe Extract soothes lips and helps keep them feeling comfortable. How do I use it: Apply gloss on clean, bare lips. Or, layer it over your favorite Lip Color.
- Chocolate Raspberry - deep plum brown cream

Lip Color - Bobbi's original formula treats lips to rich color with a soft-matte finish. Infused with Vitamins E and C as well as Beeswax, it also moisturizes and comforts lips. 
- Berry - medium berry cream
- Baby Pink - light pink cream
- Black Raspberry - black burgundy cream

This might be one of the best collections of the fall and I want multiple pieces from it.  I also predict that these products will sell out quickly so I will be heading right over to the Sephora website after wrapping this post up. 

My favorite piece is the Rich Chocolate Eye Palette and I am sure that this is the piece that will sell out the fastest.  The combinations of these rich browns and neutrals will work very well with my blue eyes and can create all kinds of eye makeup looks for this fall.  I am also thinking about how these shades will work with what I already own from both of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes so I will be getting a good amount of use from this palette.  My second favorite piece of this collection is the Lip Gloss in Tea Berry, a medium rose shade.  I would get a lot of use from this shade and could use it with all kinds of makeup looks.  I must have both of these products for this fall.

Once I get through my first round of shopping on this collection, I will have more products that I will want to pick up on the second round.  I want all three of the Lip Colors however I need to use Black Raspberry at the counter first because it will either be wonderful or terrible with my pale skin.  I would also like the pale pink shade in the Lip Gloss but I would put this one away for the spring months since that is the time of the year that I normally tend to wear such shades.

I can't wait to start collecting these new products and shades from the Bobbi Brown fall collection! 

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Metallic Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow

I have made my first purchase from Bobbi Brown and already one product has convinced that I will be buying many more products from this brand in the coming months.  I had often read great reviews of the best sellers in this line and really liked many of the seasonal collections but being the creature of habit that I am, many of you know that I will immediately head to the NARS and Urban Decay counters as soon as I enter Sephora and miss most of the other products that are featured.  I decided to ignore both counters when I was in there at the beginning of this month and see what I walked out with.  The answer - Bobbi Brown...and a new obsession is born!

The Bobbi Brown area of Sephora is pretty large and there is a full counter from this brand in Macy*s so it was hard for me to decide where I wanted to begin with trying this brand out for the first time.  I considered lip gloss but I have been trying to expand my eye shadow horizon and add to this area of my makeup collection more than any other.  I also wanted a makeup product that I could use now and then into the fall and winter months, nothing super trendy or that would only work with a summer tan.  After looking at nearly everything in the collection, I decided to buy a pot of the Metallic Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow and see how I liked it in comparison to my favorite Chanel cream eye shadow formulation.

I just bought this product at the beginning of the month but cannot find it on the Sephora website at the moment so I pulled all my information and photos from the Bobbi Brown website.  "Luxe metallics for eyes. Our award-winning formula-infused with sparkle. For a sheer effect, blend on lids with your fingers. For a more dramatic look, add another layer. Or wear on top of your favorite matte cream shadow for soft shimmer. Stays color-true and crease-free all day."

I only saw this product available in one shade at Sephora so imagine my surprise when the Bobbi Brown website offered it in six shades.  I will have to order more from that website since I really like this formula. 

This product is available in the following shades:

- Antique Gold - deep gold sparkle
- Black Pearl - medium purple
- Brown Metal - warm brown sparkle
- Goldstone - gold sparkle
- Opal - opalescent pink
- Pink Oyster - shimmering pink

Sephora only offers this product in Goldstone and this is the shade that I purchased.  This is a bright gold shade with a great sparkling finish to it.  I used this product with the Bare Minerals eye shadow primer and I wouldn't use any product without some kind of primer on my eyes, I can't use any type of eye makeup by itself anymore.  I have used this product in both ways that are mentioned in the description, one coat is good for a sheer day time wash of gold shimmer and two coats are best for a full shimmering gold eye.  I prefer to use the product in the second way, this is how the product really shines and makes it unique among the rest of the cream eye shadows on the beauty product market.  Two coats are best reserved for getting dressed up at night, this look is a bit dramatic for the daytime and would not work in a professional environment.  Either method of use will ensure all day wear and the color doesn't budge until I use eye makeup remover to clean it off at night.  I do need two swipes of an eye makeup soaked cotton ball to get this product off fully, it really is long wearing and I wouldn't even attempt to remove it without some type of good quality makeup remover.

When compared to other cream eye shadows, this is one of the better performing products that I have used.  It is higher quality and longer lasting then the Paintpot formula from MAC.  It is on the same level of quality and pigmentation as Chanel's Illusion d'Ombre (a current favorite of mine).  It is less dramatic than either Liquid Metal or Cream Pigment from Illamasqua and is easier than both of the formulas to wear.

This product from Bobbi Brown is very high quality and I am very excited to order more of the shades from the Bobbi Brown website.  I want to order most of the shades now, I want Antique Gold and Black Pearl for the fall months and then to order Opal and Pink Oyster for next spring.

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown
 

Bobbi Brown Summer 2013 Collection - Nude Beach

The past two days, we talked about some of my new favorites in all the products that I have purchased in this past few weeks and today we are going to return to the summer collections so that I can keep planning my summer makeup shopping.  Bobbi Brown is a makeup line that I have recently been obsessed with and I am very happy to see that their newest collection for the summer months has been released.  These limited edition collections sell out almost instantly at the counter near me and sell out very quickly at Sephora also, I have learned the hard way that I have to watch for the release of the limited edition collections and then order the products as quickly as I can from the website or from Sephora, by the time that the goodies hit the counter, there is usually very little left to choose from.  Time to start working on my next Sephora order...

Every year, Bobbi Brown puts out a beach-inspired collection, it is often one of her best selling collections and always a favorite of mine.  I am very much looking forward to visiting the beach a few times this summer and I love any type of product that reminds of swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand.  From Bobbi Brown herself, "The beach has always been my happy place.  I love the relaxed vibe, less-is-more attitude and the beachy, bronzy glow on people's faces.  The Nude Beach collection is a no-brainer way to create that look.  It's relaxed, easy, and gorgeous - what summer beauty is all about."  I already see a very pretty duo bronzer in this collection and a few lip glosses that I would be very happy to own!

Here is the Nude Beach collection from Bobbi Brown!

Face and Body Bronzing Duo - Bobbi's cult classic bronzer goes double-duty for face and body so you get a true all-over glow. Use each shade separately or blended together - the generous compact makes it easy to sweep bronzer over the face, neck, décolletage and arms. Simply use our Bronzer Brush or Face Brush to create a sun-kissed, natural-looking tan whether you're headed to the beach (or want to look like you just came from one).  This bronzer duo comes in a light-medium tan and medium-deep tan.

Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick - Effortless and high impact-that's the essence of NEW Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick. This do-it-all formula glides on tug-free and can be used to shade, define, smoke up and highlight eyes. In subtle to eye-popping shades that last for up to 8 hours without creasing, flaking or fading, it's a stroke of genius. Just swipe on and go.
- Sunlight Gold - gold beige
- Golden Bronze-  deep bronze sugar

Sheer Color Cheek Tint - Our beloved blush formula is back with a newly designed, more luxurious look. Featuring the same easy twist-up application, this sheer, tinted formula glides on smooth and blends in beautifully for a failproof flush of natural looking color on cheeks every time.
- Nude Beach - golden pink bronze
- Summer Pink - sheer bright pink
- Sunlit Nude - golden pearl pink

Tube Tint - We brought back our most popular shades from past collections for these pretty, hint-of-color glosses. Four limited edition shades in easy-to-use tubes give lips a sheer, beachy tint - wear them solo or over your favorite lipstick-without ever feeling heavy. Ideal for warm weather beauty.
- Bronzed Pink - golden bronze pink
- Naked - nude brown
- Pink Cloud - bright light pink

Shimmer Nail Polish - Dress up nails with long-lasting shimmer (it's Bobbi's favorite way to accessorize hands and toes). Pearlescent color casts nails in the starring role with a range of chic, shimmering shades.
- Pink Pearl - shimmering pink

Sunless Tanning Gel for Face and Body - Bikinis optional: Get a natural-looking tan (that lasts) without spending any time in the sun. Our lightweight, gel formula delivers warm, healthy-looking, buildable color so you can decide how "deep" you want your sun-kissed glow to go. Can be used on both the face and body. This oil-free formula is non-acnegenic and dermatologist-tested too.
Beach EDT - It's the same scent, but with a new look - Bobbi's best-selling fragrance gets an update in a sleek bottle. Designed with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin, Beach captures the atmosphere and attitude of summer. This eau de parfum is wearable anytime, anywhere.
I love this collection, this might be one of my favorites of the entire season!  I think that this is the first collection all season that I have wanted every single product from and would have a hard time choosing my top choices.  I want products for my eyes, lips, cheeks, and the fragrance from this collection.  I have coveted this fragrance for a few summer seasons now but it somehow always takes a back burner when I visit Sephora, it is online only and I tend to purchase more fragrances in the store than any other item.  I will have to clear a spot on my dresser for this fragrance as this is one of the best fragrances for the warm weather.  That will not be easy but I will try to get it accomplished by Memorial Day.

I love the new shades of the Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick, I love the lighter gold shade the most but I would like to own both of them as I tend to use more cream eye shadows in the summer and both shades will be very flattering for my eye and skin color.  The lighter shade will go right onto my Most Wanted list for June.  The other item that is going right onto my Most Wanted list is the Sheer Cheek Color Tint is the pink shade, Summer Pink.  This bright pink will be another perfect shade for me and I must have this product.  I also must have the Tube Tint in the bright pink shade too, Pink Cloud is a great sheer pink lip gloss and I want to add this to my already huge pink lip gloss collection.  The Shimmer Nail Polish shade is very pretty, I would like to have it as I will wear it all the time but it's not a must have since I have a shade very close to this from China Glaze already.  I also wouldn't mind trying the formula of self tanner that is from this company too, I love my Bath and Body Works self tanner but it wouldn't kill me to have a couple formulas to choose from if it is ever discontinued or sold out.  My current back ups are Clarins and St. Tropez, however both of these formulas tend to sell out very quickly at Sephora so I would love to have at least five formulas that I can trust and find pretty easily (without having to stoop to the horrid formulas that I have tried at CVS). 

It goes without saying that I must try the bronzer out from this collection, my search for another brozner is still continuing and this one looks like a great choice.  I just love this collection and every product in this collection is perfect for me and the look that I am craving for the summer months!

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Spring 2013 Collection - Lilac Rose

We have now seen the release of the final spring collection from Bobbi Brown and this is my favorite of all them so far.  Lilac Rose is the big spring collection and I can already see that this collection will contain products that I will have to fight to get.  Lilac Rose is just the perfect collection for spring, there are all kinds of pale lavenders and beautiful rose hues for all facial features and I can see myself spending a lot of money on these products!  I have really been into pale lilac shades for eyes this spring and have decided that I must order some from Illamasqua but I am hoping that this collection will provide at least one or two more great options.

The overall collection description is available on the Nordstrom website, "FRESH FROM THE RUNWAY Introducing Bobbi Brown’s Lilac Rose Collection Designed to flatter all skin tones, Lilac Rose is spring’s most-wanted look. Take your pick."  In previous seasons, I have become obsessed with a Bobbi Brown look and used it to create rose gold eye looks for many seasons later on (I still wear and love this look) and I bet that this collection will inspire me for several spring seasons to come!

Here is the Lilac Rose collection!

Lilac Rose Eye Shadow Palette - A modern take on spring florals. A mirrored compact features eight mix-and-match eyeshadows in the season's most-wanted look: heathery neutrals and dusty pinks designed to flatter all skin tones. Includes a range of textures, from shimmer to metallic shades, for buildable color that blooms beautifully. With a deep charcoal that doubles as an eyeliner, the floral-inspired palette is Bobbi's freshest pick for eyes.
- Ivory Eye Shadow - creamy white
- Pale Rose Eye Shadow -  muted pink
- Pink Lily Metallic Eye Shadow - light purple-pink
- Stormy Grey Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - smoky grey-brown
- Barely There Eye Shadow - soft nude-pink
- Heather Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow - brown heather
- Dusty Lilac Eye Shadow - grey pink
- Black Chocolate Eye Shadow - dark brown

Lilac Rose Sparkle Eye Shadow - Bobbi's fresh take on glitter lights up eyes with a combination of shimmering pearls and fine glitter. Perfect for both day and night.
- Lilac - medium lilac with silver shimmer

Lilac Rose Shimmer Brick - Handmade in Italy, the award-winning editor's favorite highlights skin with five bars of pearlescent shimmer in Bobbi's freshest take on spring florals. Featuring bright pink, golden pink and icy pink pearl pigments perfect for light to medium skin tones. Each bar also doubles up as an eyeshadow.
- Lilac Rose - bright pink/golden pink/icy pearl pink

Lilac Rose Blush - Available in a wide array of shades, Bobbi's Blush Collection offers the best way to give cheeks color that looks fresh and natural. The silky formula glides on smoothly and evenly. Matte finish looks natural and offers long-lasting wear. Now in a sleek, new flip-top compact with a "pop-out-pan" design. Blush shades can be used individually or easily assembled into Bobbi's makeup palettes.
- Pastel Pink - bubble gum pink with satin finish

Lilac Rose Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine. Lip Gloss is formulated with soothing botanical extracts, including avocado, jojoba and chamomile oils plus aloe extract to keep lips soft and supple. Scented with a hint of vanilla.
- Lilac Rose - deep lilac cream
- Pink Lily - medium pink cream
- Pink Lilac - pale pink shimmer

Lilac Rose Brightening Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine. This sheer, reflective formula wakes up your face and helps create the illusion of fuller lips. Wear alone or on top of your favorite Bobbi Brown lipstick.
- Lilac Rose - cool lilac pink with shimmer

Lilac Rose Nail Polish - Inspired by the heathery pink hues of a spring bouquet, Bobbi created her latest shade for nails, Roza, for her Lilac Rose Collection.
- Roza - heather pink cream

My favorite piece of the collection is the Eye Shadow Palette, I love this collection of shades and I know that I would get lots of use from these shades.  I could use these shades this season and then well into the next few seasons so I know that this would be a great product for me.  I love the combination of roses and neutrals in this palette and I would be able to mix these shades with many that I already own.  This will be a great purchase for me and I will be looking for this product the next time that I go to the counter.

The next item that I must have from the collection is the Sparkle Eye Shadow in the lilac shade, I love this shimmering lilac and this will make quite a statement this spring and then into the summer.  This will be a great addition to my lilac eye shadow collection.  The rest of the items that I really want are the lip shades, I love these lip glosses in this collection and I always want more lip glosses.  My favorite is the Pink Lily shade, I love this medium rose cream gloss and this will be perfect to wear in many situations and will all kinds of eye makeup looks.  This is a must have for me this spring!

This might be one of my favorite collections of the spring and I can't wait to visit the Bobbi Brown counter.  I am on vacation from work next week and I am planning a shopping trip already!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Spring 2013 Collection - Brighten, Sparkle, and Glow

Earlier this week, we looked at the first of the Bobbi Brown spring collections, one that was Valentine's Day-themed however will still contain some great shades for the spring season.  I love the reds and pinks that were in that collection and if that is only the first of some great products for the spring then I think that Bobbi Brown will become one of my favorite lines for this spring.  I can't wait to see what Brown decided to release in the Brighten, Sparkle, and Glow collection but I am now thinking about eye and face makeup since none of these products were present in the previous collection.  I have been looking through several of the March issues of the top selling beauty and fashion magazines over the past few days and I am actually beginning to crave some pastel and bright eye shadows shades instead of the traditional bronzes and golds that I tend to wear all throughout the year.  This will be a fabulous spring and I can't wait until the weather begins to catch up to my shopping!

Brighten, Sparkle, and Glow is more about a polished natural look and would be perfect for a professional environment or a casual lunch on the weekend.  This collection contains products for every single facial feature and is much more of a balanced collection than the previous lip and nail product collection.  I am already starting to make a list of items that I must try the next time that I visit the counter!

I found this collection on the Nordstrom website so I will provide all of their collection and product descriptions.  "Need a Lift? Brighten, Sparkle & Glow features skin illuminators, eye brighteners and light-reflecting colors, making it easy to refresh your look in 2013. Here's to pretty, new beginnings."  The star product of this collection is the Brightening Finishing Powder, I do not know if this product is new or I just have never seen it before but either way, this product is very interesting looking and I will be trying it at the counter.  I hope this counter is ready for me!

Here is Brighten, Sparkle, and Glow!

Sparkle Eye Shadow - Bobbi's fresh take on glitter lights up eyes with a combination of shimmering pearls and fine glitter. Perfect for both day and night.
- Gold Star - warm golden sparkle

Tinted Eye Brightener - The same brightening lightweight concealer now in new shades and a clear tube so you know just how much is left before you run out. Features a doe-foot applicator for more precise application and controlled delivery under the eye. Instantly brightens shadows so you look refreshed and revived - perfect for touch-ups, too.  This product is available in ten shades to suit all skin tones.

Brow Pencil - Instantly give your eyes a lift with defined eyebrows. These creamy, blendable pencils give you the natural look of eyebrow powder with the precision of a pencil and come with their own sharpener.  This product is available in four shades to suit all brow hair colors.

Brightening Finishing Powder - This allover powder instantly illuminates and gives skin a healthy-looking glow. It's infused with a skin-brightening blend of mulberry, grape and scutellaria extracts, as well as sodium hyaluronate to help keep skin fresh and smooth looking.
- Porcelain Pearl - range of pastels hues to brighten any skin tone

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.
- Bare Sparkle - champagne with pearl

This collection may be small but these products all have lots of potential and I can see many ways that I could make them work with my current makeup products.  Gold Star will be a fantastic product for me this spring and then I can see myself using it throughout the summer and then into the fall and winter.  I do want to add this to my collection even though I have never tried the Sparkle Eye Shadow formula from Bobbi Brown, I would love to find another eye shadow formula that works very well for me.

The Brightening Finishing Powder will need to be tried at the counter before I purchase it, this combination of shades has the potential to be life-changing for my skin tone but I want to see exactly how it works and how to use it before I purchase it.  I know very little about this product so I want to know if it is an all-over powder or just made to be used on specific areas of the face.  I will report more if I like this product and then decide to purchase it.

The last two products that I am interested in purchasing are the new shade of the High Shimmer Lip Gloss and the Tinted Eye Brightener.  This lip gloss shade will work with any eye makeup look that I create (including the pastels and brights that I am craving) or will work equally well for a more casual weekend look.  The Tinted Eye Brightener is another product in this collection that holds tons of promise, I have awful under eye circles and if this concealer truly brightens this area then I will never want to be without it.  I cannot wait to visit the counter again!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Spring 2013 Collection - Pink and Red Collection

This is the first of the Bobbi Brown spring collections, Pink and Red is the first collection that came out and I now see another collection right next to it on the Nordstrom website.  This company has a tradition of releasing multiple limited edition collections every single season, often with one or two stellar products that go on to become permanent pieces of their line.  I haven't had as much experience with this line as I would like to have had, I have tried a few pieces from Brown but it isn't yet a line that I purchase from regularly.  I have never found anyone at my local Sephora that can really help me with this collection and the counter in Macy*s almost never has anyone to help me at it.  I guess that I might just pick out a few products that I really want to try and then buy them the next time that I am at Sephora.  I find the lip glosses and lipsticks to be the most promising looking pieces of this line and I know that Bobbi Brown started out by making a small line of lipsticks and that her lip products are among the best in the industry.

The Pink and Red collection is the first spring collection that I have seen from Bobbi Brown and we are going to start spring coverage of her collections with it.  Looking at this collection in detail shows me that it actually is more of a Valentine's Day collection but the holiday hasn't been past that long and these shades are still wearable for the rest of the spring.  It looks like more and more beauty companies are seeing the value of creating a special collection for Valentine's Day.  It's good business to me; if you are single then you are more likely to treat yourself with a little beauty gift to stay happy on this day or if you are in a relationship than you are usually getting dressed up to go out that night and are treating yourself to an a new outfit and all the assorted trappings.

This collection is on the Nordstrom website and I will pull all of my information from there.  "The Pink & Red Collection isn't about matching lips, cheeks and nails. It's about deliberately mismatching. Color blocking and unexpected combinations - a very modern mix."  Pink and red lip shades are my two favorite shades for both lipstick and lip gloss so this will be a very promising collection for me!

Here is the Pink and Red collection!

Pink and Red Creamy Matte Lip Color - Bobbi's revolutionary Creamy Matte Lip Color combines the look of a classic matte lip with incredible wearability. Creamy and moisturizing, it glides on comfortably and feels light as air. Not to mention its staying power won't budge for eight hours.
How to use: Swipe directly onto the lips from the tube or use a lip brush for a more precise application. Bobbi's favorite method: Apply a generous amount of lipstick on the bottom lip and then smack the lips together.
- Heart - deep blue red with a matte finish
- Hot - deep cool pink with a matte finish

Pink and Red Collection Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all of her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine and a hint of vanilla scent. Bobbi's lip gloss is formulated with softening botanical extracts, including oils of avocado, jojoba and chamomile, with soothing aloe to keep lips soft and supple. The tapered applicator lets you apply it like a pro.
- Cherry - deep cool cherry red cream
- Pretty in Pink - medium cool blue pink cream

Pink and Red Collection Sheer Color Cheek Tint - Bobbi's new Sheer Color Cheek Tint gives cheeks natural-looking color. The translucent, lightweight formula glides on and blends evenly into skin. Packaged in a travel-sized swivel-up stick for convenient and easy application.
- Sheer Cherry - sheer cool red
- Sheer Pink - sheer medium cool blue pink

Pink and Red Collection Nail Polish - Long-lasting polish delivers notice-me color in fuchsia pink and bright cherry red. Perfectly pretty alone or paired together for a modern, colorblocked mix.
- Pink Valentine - medium cool magenta pink cream
- Valentine Red - deep cool blue red cream

This will be a very dangerous collection for me, none of the shades are very unique and I think that own all of the lip and nail polish shades already but I still want to see if they are still in stock at the counter (only several pieces are still available on the Nordstrom website).  I want the two lipstick shades the most and I would wear both of these shades in the spring and then again next fall and winter, if I love the formula, these could truly become new staples of my collection.  The same logic applies to the lip glosses, I think that I prefer the pink shade over the red but I would like to purchase both of them.  All of the same comments apply to the nail polishes in this collection, I don't need them but I certainly want them.  I am not going to comment on the Cheek Stains in this collection since they are already sold out on the Nordstrom website and since it is after Valentine's Day, I doubt that these products will come back in stock again.  If they do, then I would be tempted by the pink shade but not the red. 

Time to start building up the Bobbi Brown products in my traincase...

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Holiday 2012 Collection - Caviar and Oyster

Thanksgiving is this week and that means that the holidays are really here and the parties will be beginning soon.  I don't have an major plans yet that I will need to buy new makeup and products for (finals week doesn't need new eyeliner!) but I am hopeful that I have to do some holiday makeup shopping very soon.  The Bobbi Brown counter holds a special allure for me every single time that I visit Macy*s and I am very excited to see that they have released their holiday color collection.  I loved their Desert Twilight collection for the fall months and now I really want to see what comes out for the holidays, Bobbi Brown is one of the best overall makeup collections.  This line contains products and shades for everyone and the quality is almost always impeccable.  I would love to buy more from this brand than I already do and I plan to start getting involved with their skincare line in the near future too.

The new holiday collection is named Caviar and Oyster.  This is the holiday color collection, a separate gift collection was released however I am much more interested in the individual products at the moment.  I have already began to order some gifts for my friends from Sephora and I am more looking for items for myself now, I am about halfway done with my gift shopping and don't really need to find more gift sets and palettes at the moment.  Caviar and Oyster might be one of the best holiday color collections that I have seen so far this season and it will be one of my favorites. 

Caviar and Oyster is described as "Tough Luxe" and it contains tons of silvers, charcoals, and foils for the eyes.  The lips are going to be covered in shades of shimmering lip glosses and I see that the new nail polish product will be back for this collection.  The nail polish is a newer product for this company and I am very happy that I am seeing it come out again in this collection, I would love another nail polish brand to collect even though I really don't need one. 

The newest from Bobbi Brown!

Caviar and Oyster Palette - rong and smokey or soft and pretty? There's no need to choose with Bobbi's beautifully-edited selection. Featuring eight shadows and a luminescent skin enhancer, this mirrored palette makes it easy to create a multitude of party and special occasion looks. Taking a cue from the look of something pretty against something edgy, the set includes rich caviar and pearlescent black shades. Introducing the standout star of the season, Ballet Sparkle, a shimmer so sheer it can be worn on both eyes and cheeks (without ever looking overdone).
- Eye Shadow in White - pure white
- Metallic Eye Shadow in Sandy Pearl - silver mauve
- Metallic Eye Shadow in Plum Steel - gray plum with silver pearl
- Sparkle Eye Shadow in Pearl Oyster - warm silver with sparkle
- Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Pink Opal - pearly white-pink
- Eye Shadow in Gray Sky - light gray
- Eye Shadow in Heather Gray - medium gray violet
- Eye Shadow in Rich Caviar - rich brown-black

Dual-Ended Mascara - Designed to be layered, this two-in-one duo features Everything Mascara for definition and Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara for length. It's Bobbi's secret to megawatt lashes-and part of her Caviar & Oyster Collection.
- Black - true black

Brightening Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine. This sheer, reflective formula wakes up your face and helps create the illusion of fuller lips, plus the new tapered applicator lets you apply it like a pro. Wear alone or on top of your favorite Bobbi Brown lipstick.
- Moonlight Pearl - silver pink mauve
- White - transparent white

Shimmer Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine. Shimmer Lip Gloss offers beautiful, non-sticky shine with a touch of iridescence and is perfect on its own or over your favorite lipstick. Formulated with Aloe Extract to soothe and soften lips; Vitamins C and E for anti-oxidant protection; and Jojoba and Avocado Oils to moisturize lips.
- Pink Oyster - shimmering neutral pink pearl
- Black Pearl - dusty mauve

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.
- Oyster - iridescent pink shimmer
- Uber Suede - midtone golden beige

I love this collection, this is up there with my favorite five collections of these season.  My favorite piece of this collection is the Caviar and Oyster Palette, this contains all kinds of shades that will help me create a shimmering smoky eye and I will use this palette for any holiday party that I am invited to and then for the rest of the winter months, this might be one of the single best products that has come out this season.  This palette is reason enough for me to visit the counter, I just hope that it is still in stock by the time that I get there (tomorrow is Black Friday and I am not venturing to the mall for a makeup palette).

I also love many of the lip glosses in this collection.  My favorite is the Brightening Lip Gloss in Moonlight Pearl, this shimmering pink lilac is very unique and I own nothing like it in my collection.  This is one of those shades that can only really be worn by ladies with pale, cool skin and since that would be perfect for me, I will be buying this lip gloss.  I also want to buy the Shimmer Lip Gloss in Pink Oyster, this neutral pink shimmer will be a great shade for me for every season and I will wear it will all kinds of makeup looks.  Lastly, I want the Oyster lip gloss from the High Shimmer Lip Gloss line.  This iridescent pink shimmer will be lovely for dressing up.  All of these lip glosses will work in the winter months and then will still be perfect all through the spring months and into the summer.  Love this collection!

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Fall 2012 Collection - Desert Twilight

The summer collection from Bobbi Brown was one of my favorites of the whole season so I was very excited when I got the email from this company telling me that their fall collection was now up on the website.  The fall collection from this company is all about nudes and bronze shades and centers around an eye palette that could very easily become on of my favorite pieces of the season.  This new collection is named Desert Twilight and is designed to contain shades and products that can be worn at the end of the summer and then all throughout the fall.  I do wonder if this is the first of two collections for the fall and that we will be seeing at least one more fall collection.  Bobbi Brown is the master at coming out with shades that will transcend seasons and this is another collection that will work for multiple seasons.

I went to the Bobbi Brown counter in Macy*s and this collection was not out yet so I have still not been able to see it in real life, however I will be stalking the counter within the next few days.  Bobbi Brown provides a description of the shades in the collection and her inspiration behind it.  "Sun-swept nudes and pinks evoke a beautiful late summer glow."  Based on this description, I feel that this collection was designed to be used in the very end of summer and early fall and I am betting that we will be seeing a second fall collection!

Here is the newest from Bobbi Brown!
Desert Twilight Eye Palette - The essence of late summer in eight sultry shades (for that tawny skin-glow that happens just before dusk).  Featuring a mix-and-play palette of neutral shadows to transition you effortlessly from summer to fall; a light base shade, six medium lid shades, and a dark liner shade.  Includes a dual-ended Eye Shadow and Eye Liner brush - all in a sleek mirrored compact - so you can apply everything like a pro.
- Navajo - creamy pinkish white (Satin)
- Twilight - pink bronze (Metallic)
- Pink Dusk - pink bronze mauve (Metallic)
- Water Color Pink - silver baby pink (Sparkle)
- Twilight Pink - pale nude pink (Metallic)
- Cement - gray beige (Satin)
- Dusk - silver heather pink (Sparkle)
- Chocolate Mauve - black chocolate plum (Satin)
Bronzer/Blush Duo - Blushed and bronzed - it's the best of both worlds (all in a sleek mirrored compact).  Inspired by the look of skin bathed in the afternoon light, this double-duty set creates a warm tawny glow.  On one side, our ultra-soft Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Pink Peony packs a blend of sheer powder and micro pearls (for a seamlessly glowing finish all over the face).  The other side boasts our silky-smooth Shimmer Blush in Bahama Brown, the perfect way to add a pop of color to the apples of the cheeks.  Simply use Bobbi's Blush Brush to create a beautifully blended 'late summer' glow.
- Bahama Brown Shimmer Blush - shimmering dusky pink
- Pink Peony Illuminating Bronzing Powder - bright pale pink

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

Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow - Velvety smooth formula that goes on easily - and lasts all day without creasing or smearing.  Fragrance free.  Safe for contact lens wearers.  Ophthamologist tested.
- Blue Moon - shimmering bright blue

Creamy Color for Lips and Cheeks - Buildable color that blends with ease - our new dual-purpose formula provides medium coverage for both lips and cheeks (now in a fuss-free tube).  Wear it alone for a muted flush of color or layer it with your favorite blush for richer depth; the intensity is all up to you.  Feels creamy-yet-sheer on skin and makes transitioning from summer to fall a breeze thanks to two versatile shades.
- Honeyed Tea - honey beige
- Pink Truffle - neutral pink rose

Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all her glosses to give you an extra dose of shine.  Lip Gloss is formulated with soothing botanical extracts - including Avocado, Jojoba, and Chamomile Oils, and Aloe Extract - to keep lips soft and supple; plus the new tapered applicator lets you apply it like a pro.  Scented with a hint of vanilla.
- Evening Rose - heather brown
- Honeysuckle - nude 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.
- Bronzed Heather - pink nude with gold flecks
- Firefly - gold ivory with opal flecks

Shimmer Lip Gloss - Bobbi has sized up all of her lip glosses to give you an extra dose of shine.  Shimmer Lip Gloss offers a beautiful, non-sticky shine with a touch of iridescence and is perfect on its own or over your favorite lipstick.  Formulated with Aloe Extract to soothe and soften lips; Vitamins C and E for anti-oxidant protection; and Jojoba and Avocado Oils to moisturize lips.
- Pink Sunset - pink champagne
- Twilight - heather bronze

Nail Polish - New for nails!  Bobbi does polish right: Rich color and desert-worthy hues instantly transform fingertips into your most covetable accessory for fall.  Go twilight-glam with a shimmery plum shade boasting dark chocolaty depth or punctuate nails with an opaque blue - the color of polished turquoise.
- Twilight Shimmer - black chocolate plum
- Turquoise - flat vibrant turquoise
Desert Twilight Mini Brush Set - Perfectly packable in a metallic, faux-lether foldover case - whether you're headed out of town or just a night on the town: our Mini Brush Set features full-sized brush heads atop shortened handles in a new slimline design (for a flawless finish wherever you go).  Set includes four brushes: Blush, Eye Sweep; Angle Eye Shadow, and Ultra Fine Eye Liner all in a compact case.  The best part?  There's a handy compartment in the case designed to hold our Desert Twilight Eye Palette, too (talk about super organized).

The Desert Twilight Eye Palette is simply perfect for me, I will use every single one of these shades and will be able to create more looks than I can currently imagine with this palette.  This palette is one of the items that I must own this fall and I will calling up the counter to see when they except this palette to be in stock.  I love the combination of finishes, the range of finishes and shades will allow me to make an eye look for any occasion with this palette. 

In addition to the eye palette from this collection, I am coveting more than a few pieces of it.  From the Gel Eye Liner, I want to buy the Twilight Night shade.  I can see this deep shimmering plum selling out very quickly at the counters, I will need to add this one to my list when I call the counter.  I was considering the Blush and Bronzer Duo but I doubt that I will be needing this product, as I have a great bronzer that I am currently using and should not need another one this summer.  The Creamy Lip and Cheek Color in the Pink Truffle shade will be a great rose hue for both features this fall.

The lip shades have me very excited this collection, I am sensing that I will be buying a ton of new lip shades this season (even though lip products are the last area of my makeup collection that needs to grow after everything that I have bought over the past seasons).  From the regular Lip Gloss formula, I love the Honeysuckle shade.  This neutral pink will work well all year long and will work with any eye makeup look, my must have list is getting longer and longer...  I like shades in both of the shimmering formulas but I don't need them the way that I need the Honeysuckle shade.  From the High Shimmer formula, the Bronzed Heather shade will work well with a bronze smokey eye.  To round out my collection choices, the last piece that I want is the Shimmer Lip Gloss in Pink Sunset.

I am excited to see that Bobbi Brown is getting into the nail polish market and I hope that more shades will be coming out within the next few seasons.  I will be searching for reviews on these two shades, I don't plan on purchasing either of them since the brown will be too warm to be flattering and I already own two cream aqua shades. 

I love this collection and I am still willing to bet that a second fall collection will be coming soon.  This collection could be considered a late summer or early fall collection, it is more of a transition collection than a traditional fall.  That being said, I will be getting in touch with the counter so that I can get my top picks from the collection right now, I will start wearing them now and then all the way into the fall!

photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown Summer 2012 Collection - Miami Collection

One of my favorite collections of the summer season is the Miami Collection from Bobbi Brown.  I have been all over this collection ever since I first saw hints and pictures of the products on blogs and in beauty magazines.  One of the major pieces of this collection is the Beach fragrance that I have been crazy for since I first tried it several weeks ago at Macy*s.  I am currently in the process of clearing a prime space on my bureau for this fragrance and I want to buy the hugest bottle of this scent that I can find.  Considering that I have several fragrances that I haven't even opened yet, the above statement really says something about how much I loved this fragrance when I smelled it on my wrist. 

The Miami Collection offers color products to help create a fantastic summer glow.  This collection is based around shimmering eyes and cheeks and sheer lip shades.  On the Nordstrom website, this collection is slightly different than what is available on the Bobbi Brown website, the Nordstrom website includes a series of bronzers that are not listed on the Bobbi Brown website.  I am getting my information from the Bobbi Brown website, all the bronzers are available on the company's website and I will be visiting the counter to find the best formula and shade of bronzer for my skin tone.  Bobbi states the following about her newest summer collection, "I was inspired by the fresh, glowing look you get at the beach."  This is the type of look that I chase after every single summer season!

The Miami Collection!

Shimmer Cheek Glow - Bobbi's love for the beach inspired her limited edition Shimmer Cheek Glow.  This skin-illuminating powder and gel hybrid gives cheeks that "just back from vacation" glow.  Palette includes a flip-top mirror for easy application.  For a natural-looking glow, apply over blush using your fingertips.  Want more precise application?  Sweep shimmer over the apples of cheeks with our Foundation Brush.  Bonus - add a pop of shimmer to eyes for a little extra glow.
- Gold - yellow gold
- Miami - golden nectar

Treatment Lip Shine - Lightweight, soft shine lipstick that doubles as a rejuvenating moisture treatment.  It instantly comforts dry, chapped lips and provides long-term moisturization with natural Cocoa and Shea Butters, Jojoba, Apricot Kernel, and Avocado Oils.  Peptides, along with Vitamin C, stimulate collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while SPF 15 helps prevent future sun damage.
- Orchid Pink - light heather pink
- Peach Sorbet - pink coral
- Pink Seashell - pale peachy pink
- Sunset Beach - golden bronze

Long-Wear Cream Shadow - Velvety-smooth formula that goes on easily - and lasts all day without creasing or smearing.  Fragrance free.  Safe for contact lens wearers.  Ophthalmologist tested.  For a polished, professional look, apply on clean lids with the Cream Shadow Brush.  Using short, sweeping brush strokes layer color on lids for desired effect.  For a more sheer effect, use fingertips to blend.
- Copper - bronze copper
- Bronze Sugar - brown bronze
- Candlelight - pale gold
- Nude Beach - shimmering pink nude

Beach Fragrance - It's the same scent, but with a new look - Bobbi's best-selling fragrance gets an update in a sleek bottle.  Designed with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray, and mandarin, Beach captures the atmosphere and attitude of summer.  This eau de parfum is wearable anytime, anywhere.

Shimmering Fragrance Oil - Featured in Bobbi's Miami Collection, Beach Shimmering Fragrance Oil combines pretty shimmer and the scent of Beach Fragrance into a lightweight oil, for an all-over body experience.

As of right now, this is my favorite collection of the summer.  I love the fragrance that is part of this collection, I can see why it is one of the best selling products from this line.  It goes without saying that I must have a bottle of this perfume and that I am really considering buying the oil to match this scent.  I will use the fragrance all summer long and I can see myself using the oil at the beach and then later on when going out at night. 

In addition the fragrance part of this collection, I have multiple picks in the color part of this collection.  Many of the eye makeup shades will be great for me, I love golds and bronzes all year round and the shimmer finish of these cream shadows is unrivaled by others on the market that I have tried.  I want three of the four new shades; Copper, Candlelight, and Nude Beach.  Nude Beach is my favorite of the new shades, I have been using pink shades all spring and I am hoping that this shade will mix well with the rest of the golds that I have been using so I can add more shades to the rose gold look that I have been working with for the past two months.  I will be skipping over the Cheek Glow, this looks like a product that I will only get use from at night and I have never really liked the shimmer on my face look.  Lastly, I love the Treatment Lip shine in the Orchid Pink shade, I will wear this shade all summer and it will work well against dramatic eye makeup in any season.

The perfume is one of my favorite pieces of the summer season and I love the rest of the collection too.  I can't wait to finish something on my bureau so I can buy a bottle of this and add it to my collection.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom