LUSH I Should Coco Soap

This soap was one that I purchased in the springtime with the intention to use it during the summer mostly because it tropical scented. However, what I didn't realize when I bought it was that it contains exfoliating bits. During the summer, I rarely exfoliate since my self tanning routine is regimented and doesn't allow for exfoliation unless it is alternated before tanning sessions. So this bar of soap went into my tubs of unopened product and was forgotten about until recently. However, when searching for a lip gloss, I found this soap and decided to try it out.

Here is the description of the soap from the LUSH USA website, "Creamy pina colada soap softly scrubs skin. Go loco for I Should Coco! The dreamy, creamy scent of this handmade soap leaves you smelling fantastic while its yummy coconut bit soften even the roughest skin. The sweet hint of citrus from the orange oil wakes you up on the cloudiest of days and takes you away to a warm, exotic locale. Get buff and soft all in one go with I Should Coco".

I love the light exfoliation that this soap gives me. It has a bit more lather action than most of the other LUSH soaps, a feature that I really love about this product. It doesn't dry my skin out and smoothes out some of my rough spots. The scent is pretty light on the skin and leaves a faint hint of pina colada in my bathroom.

My intial thought was that this is a summer product but I have revised my opinion to think that it might be a better product in cooler weather when my skin is drier overall. And the scent is one for those grey days when I dream of Hawaii.

The LUSH stores are just my giant playground these days...

photo courtesy of LUSH

MAC Style Black

Well it is finally out on the counters and in the stores. MAC's most anticipated release for the fall, the Style Black collection is here and already selling out like crazy. I commented on this major black trend last week when looking at MAC's fall trends and predicting that this collection would be a major hit for them. As for myself? Black eye shadow is a must for the fall, black nail polish is a maybe, black lipstick is very doubtful. Let's see what I could pull off from this collection.

MAC describes the collection as follows on their website, "From '80s Sprouse-in-the-House kohl and fringe to London New Goth, going back to black changes the mood, deepens the drama. Eyeliner, beehives, and beyond, this is a celebration of going madly, deliriously noir. Don't wait until midnight".

Here is it...

Mineralize Eye Shadow - A sheer, pearled, mineralized Powder Eye Shadow with two shades baked together in one pan. Superfine, lightweight: provides a softly tinted, relfective shimmer on the skin with a delicate sense of dimension. Subtly builds colour and shine. Can be worn on face, eyes, or body.

- Gilt By Association - mineralize black with gold bronze pearl

- Young Punk - mineralize black with pinkish purple pearl

- Cinderfella - mineralize black with silver pearl

- Blue Flame - mineralize black with blue pearl

Penultimate Eye Liner - A liquid pen-style liner that provides the ultimate, precise bold line in a rich, deep carbon black shade. Goes on fluidly, in one steady stroke, to style any fashion of eye line.

- Rapidblack - true black

Greasepaint Stick - A smooth and creamy black eye crayon with an opalescent sparkle finish specially formulated for maximum drama. Easily provides ultra-high level coverage. Versatile. Use as a soft-but-intense liner or blend-out to create a smoke-like shadow. Long-wearing. Transfer and water-resistant. Limited edition.

- Black - intense black

Eye Kohl - A soft-on pencil liner that lines, defines, and shades with rich colour and a silky- smooth, matte/pearl finish. Opthamologist tested.

- Smolder - intense black

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

- Black Knight - creamy true black (Cream)

Mattene Lipstick - With its streamlined design, this new slimline lip colour, features the traditional glamour properties of a matte lipstick - intense colour and semi-matte velvetly finish - while offering a creamier, softer, more glide-on application. Non-caking, non-drying. Moisturizing and incredibly wearable yet absolutely matte.

- Night Violet - deep purple grape (Matte)

- Midnight Media - dense matte black (Matte)

Glimmerglass - A lightweight gloss formula featuring various sized pearl particles that combine together to give a lustrously sheer colour with added glimmer, sparkle, and pop.

- Blackware - creamy true black (Shine)

- Bling Black - sheer black with gold pearl (Shine)

- Black Fire - sheer black with pinkish purple pearl (Shine)

Cream Colour Base - Versatile and multi-purpose, Cream Colour Base can be applied driectly to bare skin, or layered over foundation, moisturizer, or powder. Apply with a brush, sponge, or fingers. Colour effects range from a light veil to highly dramatic, depending on method of application. Fragrance-free.

- Black - creamy true black

- Bat Black - blackened burgundy with pink pearl

Volcanic Ash Exfoliator - A highly effective, dual-purpose foaming, cleansing, and exfoliating scrub blending natural volcanic ash with fine sugar crystals. Refines and unclogs the skin, adds instant moisture: leaves skin feeling soft and comfortably clean. Mineral-rich. May be used effectively on any part of face or body. Rinses off with warm water.

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask - Formulated with Volcanic Ash and natural oils, this ash-black facial mask simultaneously deep-cleanses and treats the skin. When water is added, the mask heats up and the oils instantly lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and clean. Helps keep skin moist, clean, soft, and evenly-textured. Limited edition.

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

- Nocturnelle - black-as-night black (Cream)

- Seriously Hip - black with gold particle pearl (Frost)

- Baby Goth Girl - black with pinkish purple pearl (Frost)

214 Short Shader Brush - Short, rounded, double-chiselled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids.

Well, I can already state the all the lip products will be a no, I just can't pull off anything with black in it. But some of the other products in this collection? Very haulable! I really want both of the new skincare products, I have been obsessed with the Volanic Ash Exfoliator since it was first released and I neveer got any of it. And they repackaged it in a tube to allow less water to enter and waste less product! MAC I love you! Also the Mineralize Eye Shadow in Gilt By Association is at the top of my shopping list for this collection. I also want Young Punk and Cinderfella. This collection also proves to me how good a purchase the Eye Kohl in Smolder really was when I got it several months ago, it is a great product for making smoky eyes but I have noticed that it is always popping up in new collections to complement other products. I also want to get all three nail polish shades and try out the Greasepaint Stick and the Penultimate.

This collection makes me feel very stylish and like a hip New Yorker.

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

Most Wanted October 2009

Now we are in the swing of the fall season and it is time to embrace all the new products that I can finally use...I love it when the seasons catch up to the beauty products...

- Dior Creme de Gloss in Sweet Praline
- Stella McCartney StellaNude
- MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in Gilt by Association
- Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Ming
- Guerlain Radiant Blush in Russian Doll
- Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Jade
- O.P.I. Nail Lacquer in Pink of Hearts
- Lorac Eye Shadow in Dreamy
- Shiseido Makeup Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Spcied Cream (BE 109)
- Bobbi Brown Blush in Pink Sugar

I need at least another month of fall before Holiday collections come out and I need to begin thinking about winter...

MAC Dazzleglass Creme

MAC has released a new version of their famed Dazzleglasses. Dazzleglasses quickly became a cult item when they first released last year and last spring, MAC was finally able to re-release the glosses and keep up with the constant demand from their customers. I have never met anyone who after trying these glosses was not completely in love with and considers them to hold a unique place in their traincase.

Well, MAC has released a new version to take up into the cooler weather. This collection is called Dazzleglass Creme and MAC describes it as follows, "Flashing flecks of lustrous glimmer give lips a new kind of high-beam shine, while the balm effect of the pillow-top comfort creme keeps the supple going and going. For dazzle with absolute comfort, it's better than brillant!" This looks more like the formula was updated to a be a bit cushier while still hanging onto all the shimmer of the original gloss.

Dazzleglass Creme - MAC cult favorite Dazzleglass with a creamier, smoother, but no less shiny or dazzling effect. For those who are drawn to the luxe of cream lips, but still want the dazzling allure of its inspiration, this is it.

- Luscious Spark - light orange with gold pearl

- Totally Fab - bright yellow red with pearl

- Sublime Shine - light coral brown with gold pearl

- Soft Dazzle - midtone peach pink with gold pearl

- My Favorite Pink - light blue pink with pearl

- Perfectly Unordinary - bright yellow pink with gold pearl

- Do It Up - bright blue pink with pearl

- Creme Allure - bright yellow plum

- Amorous - deep brown red with pearl

I have been looking forward to this release since I first heard about it over two months ago. I love original Dazzleglasses and was so excited for new colors to be released. In the past, I hve tended to shy away from the very pigmented Dazzleglasses as I sometimes feel that these glosses can be a bit too much going on at once with the combination of rich color and super shimmer. From this collection, My Favorite Pink, Soft Dazzle, and Perfectly Unordinary have my name written all over them. Cannot wait to haul...

photo courtesy of MAC

Smashbox Fall 2009 Collection - Reign

Smashbox has released a collection for this fall that is worthy of royalty...at least according to them. Personally, I love Prince William and the entire English aristocracy so this collection (at least on first hearing about it) seems to be right up my alley. I am already envisioning deep rich colors and beautiful packaging. Let's see if this lives up to me expectations.

Smashbox describes the collection on their website as follows, "Scandal. Indulgence. Desire. Decadance reigns in this provocative collection inspired by the English Tudors. Adorn yourself with lust-worthy shadows, metallic liners, and luxurious lip colors fit for a royal".

Here is the collection...

Reign Eye Shadow Palette - Decadent mirrored compacts with 6 baked shadows in both matte and shimmer for higher pigmentation and longer wear. Wear the shimmery shades wet for a metallic, smoky look or dry for a gorgeous wash of luminous color. Use the matte shades as a base, or in the outer corners and crease to intensify a smoky eye.

- Majesty - matte champagne/shimmery champage; matte cabernet/shimmery cabernet; matte black/shimmery black

- Monarch - matte soft gold/shimmery soft gold; matte copper/shimmery copper; matte deep brown/shimmery deep brown

Reign Lash DNA Mascara - Bejewel lashes in a sumptuous new shade fit for a royal. This protein and amino acid packed formula dramatically lengthens, strengthens, and defines for stand-out eyes.

- Plum - shimmering black plum

Reign Double Take Lip Color - Envelop lips in color to lust after. A long-wearing liner on one end and velvety-smooth lip color on the other in two of Fall's hottest shades.

- Amaretto - nude pink/creamy peachy pink

- Currant - deep wine/deep berry red

Reign Lip Gloss - Indulge lips in luxurious, creamy color and scandalous shine. This ultra-moisturizing gloss saturates lips in a gorgeous warm nude shade that pairs perfectly with Fall's smoky eye.

- Crowned - soft peachy pink

Reign Fusion Blush - Scandal. Mystery. Desire. Do you have a reason to blush? Gives cheeks and sensual glow with this dual-toned blush in both matte and shimmer shades, housed in a gorgeous mirrored compact.

- Regal - matte peachy nude/shimmery peachy nude

Wow...I just love this whole collection. The only item that I don't really want to get is the mascara but I love everything else. My top three picks are the lip gloss, the Monarach eye palette, and the Currant lip color. This collection is yet another one that is making me want to spend all fall shopping at the makeup counters.

photo courtesy of Smashbox

Prescriptives Fall 2009 Collection - Well Suited

I have never used any products from Prescriptives before but the line get such raves from my co-workers that I decided that a look at the Fall Colelction is in order to give myself a bit of an introduction to the line. I don't really know why I haven't ever used their products except that I tend to head right to MAC or Urban Decay normally and often just pass counters right by. That being said, I am going to expand my collection and try something else. So let's have a look at these new products.

Here is the overall description of the collection from Prescriptives, "Suit up in new menswear inspired shades with an edgy feminine influence. The fabric inspired collection features a range of sophisticated shades from tweedy browns to silky purples. The look is Well-Suited for Fall".

Here are the products...

Well-Suited Eye Color Compact Warm - Suit your mood and your attitude with five sophisticated shades tailored for your eyes. The limited-edition Well-Suited Eye Color Compact in a Warm palette features four eye shadows to color and contour, plus one shade to line and define your eyes. Mix and match to your liking for looks that are uniquely you.

- Silk/Bean/Olive/Moss/Espresso

Well-Suited Eye Color Compact Cool - Suit your mood and your attitude with five sophisticated shades tailored for your eyes. The limited-edition Well-Suited Eye Color Compact in a Cool palette features four eye shadows to color and contour, plus one shade to line and define your eyes. Mix and match to your liking for looks that are uniquely you.

- Shell/Velour/Pinstripe/Cassis/Blackberry

Well-Suited Eye Color Compact Neutral - Suit your mood and your attitude with five sophisticated shades tailored for your eyes. The limited-edition Well-Suited Eye Color Compact in a Neutral palette features four eye shadows to color and contour, plus one shade to line and define your eyes. Mix and match to your liking for looks that are uniquely you.

- Champagne/Clove/Sultry/Storm/Jet

Well-Suited Finishing Powder - The finishing touch for every well-dressed face. Limited-edition Well-Suited Finishing Powder is a translucent pressed powder with an ultra-silky texture that gives skin subtle luminosity while helping to set makeup.

- Translucent - for all skintones

Longwear Kohl Liner - Soft, creamy, color-rich Longwear Kohl Liner glides on, then sets to a long-wearing smudge-resistant finish. Automatic and waterproof, this eyeliner goes from the inner rim of your eyes to your outer lashline for a look that lasts all day!

- Black Kohl - pure black

- Blue Kohl - bright blue

- Brown Kohl - chocolate brown

- Slate Kohl - deep grey

Colorscope Lipcolor - Drench your lips in brillant color and leave them looking luscious all day. The moisture-rich formula of Colorscope Lipcolor delivers extraordinary shine and comfort for your lips you'll love at first sight. Lips are soft and moisturized, plus, you can customize your look with a cream, shimmer, or sparkle finish. Cream: Smooth and creamy with a moist, shiny finish. Shimmer: Subtle shimmer and hint of sheen create a luminous finish. Sparkle: Multi-dimensional color saturated with sparkle for lips that dazzle.

- Yellow/Orange - shades complement golden undertones

- Red/Orange - shades complement warm peach undertones

- Red - shades complement cool pink undertones

- Blue/Red - shades complement cool rose undertones

Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara - Diva-esque lashes of epic proportions, guarenteed to be the Envy of all. Lash Envy Volumizing Mascara turns your lashes into the voluptuous, luscious lashes you've always craved, with a truly amazing formula. Boosts volume by up to 200%, 12-hour wear, and the exclusive Volumatrix Polymer keeps lashes full and plumped all day.

- Black - black

Bronzer Brush - This advanced bronzer brush perfectly applies bronzer all over the face and body. Perfect to use with the Sunsheen Bronzing Trio.

Well, I don't know if I have any loves from this collection. I do have some likes and now have a reason to head over to the counter at my local Macy*s. I would like to get the Cool Toned Eye Palette and maybe the Neutral one also. Not one of the colors in these two palettes seem to be very unique and will be very dupable. So I would only purchase these products if I really liked the formula because I am sure that MAC offers some shades that are very close to all of these. I also wouldn't mind learning more about the lipstick and how they do the custom blending on their products. I might stop by this counter on my way to a MAC counter in the next few weeks.

photo courtesy of Prescriptives

MAC A/W '09 - Lid Vicious

This is the last of the new looks from MAC for this fall and this one looks to be very much like the new Style Black collection, which is to be their biggest release of the season so far. This one is big on the eye products and looks to contains lots of black and lots of products that would create very dramatic looks. This look is not for the faint of heart.

MAC describes their version of the look as follows, "This season's eyes are something shady. Refined, lined, and exquistly intense, these smoky stares "have a Helnut Newton feel that's attitude driven not cover girl-y" according to MAC Senior Artist Terry Barber, of their "opening night" application and tough, shady glamour".

To get the look...

Eye Shadow - Highly-pigmented powder. Applies evenly. Blends well.
- Carbon - intense black (Matte)

- Scene - muted blue-grey (Satin)

Paint Stick - Highly pigmented, emollient colour stick. No grease or shine. Apply to skin directly or with a brush. May also be sheered down with a sponge.

- Black Black - pure black

Greasepaint Stick - A smooth and creamy black eye crayon with an opalescent sparkle finish specially formulated for maximum drama. Easily provides ultra-high-level coverage. Versatile. Use as a soft but intense liner or blend out to create a smoke-like shadow. Long-wearing. Transfer and water-resistant. Limited edition.

- Black - intense black

Fluidline - Ultra-smooth, Fluidline's gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silker, softer finish. Goes on "foolproof" with a brush in an easy dip-and-stroke action. Long-wearing. Smudge-proof. Lines up in a rich array of colours and finishes. Brushes sold separately.

- Blacktrack - solid flat black

Liquid Eye Liner - A liquid eye liner formula packaged with a unique applicator for precision application. Liquid Eye Liner is the perfect for lining and defining the eyes. Use it to subtly enhance or create bold lines. Because it's ideal for creating graphic designs anywhere on the face or body, don't limit the use of Liquid Eye Liner to the eye area. The firm, tapered tip fo the applicator is easy to control and allows for quick and precise application of the liner. Liquid Eye Liner is long-wearing, smudge-resistant and can be easily removed with Pro Eye Makeup Remover.

- Boot Black - intense black

Kohl Power Eye Pencil - A kohl pencil that has all the intensity and colour power of ultra-soft carbon. Specially formulated to provide deep, fully opaque coverage, provides an intense, smoked finish with duo-chrome pearl. Versatile in application: blend or smudge.

- Feline - rich black (Frost)

Eye Kohl - A soft-on pencil liner that lines, defines, and shades the eyes with rich colour and a silky-smooth, matte/pearl finish. Ophthamologist tested.

- Smolder - intense black

Technakohl Liner - A mechanical pencil-style liner. In formula, soft and creamy, with an intense, rich colour deposit. Blends on application, dries quickly to a long-wear, non-smudge finish. Versatile. An easy way to line the top and lower lash line of the eye. When applied at a 90 degree angle, provides a thin precision line. For thicker application, apply at a flat angle.

- Graphblack - rich graphic black

Eye Pencil - Eye Pencils are formulated to provide rich, consistent colour using ingredients that have virtually no irritancy potential. They are comfortable to apply and sharpen to a fine point to allow for precise application. Eye Pencils can be used to create a sharp line or a softer, smoky effect. They are long-lasting and won't cake or streak.

- Ebony - soft black

Zoom Fast Black Lash - An intensly rich, deep, carbon black mascara that instantly combs and lifts the lashes for incredible volume and length. A deeper, darker version of the popular Zoom Lash Zoomblack shade.

- Black - deepest black

Pro Lash - Lengthening, thickening, non-flaking, non-smudging...totally hard-wearing! Sassy and lush. Works on the catwalk, soups up the sidewalk. Tested and approved by Artists. Industrially packaged; commodity-priced. Gives you attitude. A real hardworking mascara that is lush and luxe in its finish. Good to layer. Apply one coat of Pro Lash for enhanced, defined lashes. For more drama, build up the layers. To layer - apply, allow to dry, then apply again. Pro Lash works the hardest when applied right from the roots of the lashes to the tips. For volume, apply Pro Lash to the top side of the lashes first, and then to the underside. For a perfect groomed finish, comb the lashes through with No. 204 Lash Brush.

- Coal Black - honest-to-goodness black

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

- Spice - pink cinnamon stick

Overall, I don't need this much black eye makeup ever but I like how MAC has given us all the options that they have available and let us decide what items we need and what look we want to create. This is a great lead-in to Style Black...

photo courtesy of MAC