Bare Escentuals Matte Foundation

I first tried Bare Escentual’s Bare Mineral foundation back in 2005 and despite all of the fabulous infomercials that promised this foundation would deliver beautiful skin, it did not work for me at all. The coverage was OK and application was easy (albeit very messy) but it made my oily skin feel greasy and the bismuth oxychloride made my face itch like crazy. I also did not like how shiny it made my skin look.

I swore off the brand, even after a colleague of mine ended up working for the company and tried to convince me that it was a good product. When the matte foundation was released, she gave me my very own jar to try out and said I would like this new formula better. It sat in my makeup organizer for months until recently when I decided to break it out and finally give it a try.

I like the new packaging; its user-friendly closable sifter ensures that you won’t end up with a powder explosion when opened. I also love that it is matte and is free of bismuth oxychloride. I did not like the coverage as it seemed to be lighter than the original. I also didn’t care for how it felt on my skin, though to be fair I feel this way about all mineral makeup, not just this brand. I felt itchy when it was first applied and then that feeling went away after a few moments of wear. For me, it is totally better than the original. I can absolutely see how others love Bare Escentuals products and I’m still not a fan of the brand.

PSA: I know that the B.E. slogan is “makeup so pure you can sleep in it,” but please don’t. Even though the makeup won’t clog your pores, you are still producing oil and not washing your face after wearing any kind of makeup can contribute to clogged pores or acne.

The new matte foundation is $28 and can be found at Bare Escentuals stores and Sephora.

Lush Figs and Leaves Soap

 Mmmmmm. I love Lush’s Figs and Leaves Soap because it smells like a little peace of heaven. The scent is light, slightly clean and also a little foody. It also feels divine and exfoliates without being messy or leaving behind a film. Figs and Leaves exfoliates with fig seeds and is scented with essentials oild of ylang ylang, orange blossom absolute, and added fragrance.I love this because it’s gentle, smells divine, feels wonderful on my skin, and doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry. The only downside, for me, are the leaves on the top of the soap. Sure, it’s pretty decoration, but it gets mushy with use and can clog the drain. I just simply peel the leaves off after my first use. I discovered this soap thanks to a little sample that a nice sales lady added into my bag and I’ve been hooked ever since. I love it during fall and winter the most and will sometimes indulge in a bar during other months as well.This soap ranges in price in store depending on the size you get and the online quote for a 3.5 oz bar is $7.60. You can also have the lovely sales people at the store cut your very own custom bar as well.

Lush is best known for its natural approach to skin, body, and hair care. Sometimes synthetic materials (man-made) are used and they strive to use skin and eco-friendly versions. There are several locations world-wide and the online store is the only place to find “Retro Lush” items (previously discontinued products). Many items are also vegan friendly.

Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Concealer

 

I’m all for HD technology when it comes to my makeup. Who wouldn’t want their complexion to be perfection? Makeup Forever has finally formulated an HD concealer ($28) to fit in with the rest of their HD line, which includes primer, foundation, and finishing powder.

Some of the highlights of this product include having 14 shades to match the fairest skin to the deepest complexions, being oil-free, light weight while still providing a medium finish, and not making your under eye area look cakey or creasey. It also has a gentle tip for precise application without any tugging on the eye area.

I have two different shades and like them well enough to use them daily. It still hasn’t replaced my trusty Balm concealer for tough to cover problems but I do really like these. They feel light, blend smoothly, and I love that they come in a wide variety of shades. One thing to note is that a little goes a long way and it’s best to use a light hand in application.

Makeup Forever is sold at Sephora.com (and in stores) and can be found at the Makeup Forever Boutique in NYC. For international locations, visit makeupforever.com

 

Too Faced Primer & Luminizing Primer Inspired by Carmindy

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer: You will see instant gratification from this primer. Pore perfecting, smoothing, and longer lasting makeup are just a few of the perks. Mulberry extract is added for a boost of brightening. This also contains vitamins A & C plus a small dose of retinol to refine the skin over time. Always make sure to wear sunscreen whenever using a retinol product, no matter how small the concentration. The texture feels like that of a typical primer-. It does contain dimethecone and I have not yet broken out from it. To me, it doesn’t feel like I put anything on my skin and I like it a lot. I have been using it for over a month now and I don’t notice a huge difference in the texture or my pore size when I am not wearing this. All in all, I feel like it’s a decent primer and I might be inclined to buy this again. $30 for a 1 oz tube at Sephora.

Carmindy for Sally Hansen Luminizing Primer:  This pretty primer features subtle luminzing particles to give a radiant glow to the complexion. It helps to subtly brighten the skin while smoothing over fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, and pores. Like the Too Faced primer, it feels soft, slightly slick, and smooth. I don’t really notice much of an added glow after I apply a fuller coverage foundation. When I am wearing this under a sheer tinted moisturizer my skin looks slightly more radiant. I tried this on my mother who happens to have dry skin, noticeable pores, a little redness, and minimal signs of aging (mostly around the eye area) and it seemed to suit her skin type much better then mine. If you are curious, I would recommend trying it, just take caution if, like me, you are on the more oily side. For where to buy near you, check http://www.sallyhansennaturalbeauty.com/where-to-buy/

Dior Creme Abricot Fortifying Cream For Nails

This nail and cuticle treatment has been around for a very long time and has a cult following. It hydrates, strengthens, and encourages nail growth. A small amount is all that’s needed to be effective and can be used before or after using polish. It’s $23 and you get plenty of product in one little pot.

I know a lot of people really dig this product but I did not like having to physically dig into the pot to get any out. I’d much rather invest in products with user friendly packaging. It is hard to close a screw top pot after one has goo residue on his or her fingers from hydrating the cuticles.

I tested this product in store and did not buy, so I can’t report on if it actually helps with nail growth. Like other Dior products, it is fragranced. That’s fine and dandy, however, the fragrance they used for this product is less than satisfactory to my nose. Very grandma-like (though not my grandma, she’s hip and smells lovely).

 

Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment & Brown Sugar Body Polish Turns 10!

I love Fresh bunches and I also love their original Sugar Lip treatment. It contains sugar, a natural humectant, to help keep your lips hydrated. It also feels smooth and makes my lips look and feel healthy. It also contains a ton of ingredients to keep your pucker in top condition. Plus, it features SPF 15 to prevent sun damage and burns.

The “new” Rose tinted treatment has all of the same benefits of the original, now with a little hint of tint. The color is sheer, buildable, and is a very soft rose color. I liked it at first because it was great when I wanted a little color and hydration. Then, I left it in the heat and it melted everywhere. So no more Sugar Rose for me. Oh well, I think I prefer the original better since I can wear it to bed without turning my pillow pink.

At $22.50 for both the original and roseversion, it is a bit steep. Keep in mind, though, that this is more of a treatment then a lip balm. A little goes a long way and you just want to use a little dab instead of slathering it all over your lips, especially with the rose version. Either is a great treat for yourself or a gift for someone else.

Celebrate Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish’s 10th birthday! Fresh Stores will be hosting events every Thursday from 5pm til closing during the rest of September. There are two events remaining, check the website for details: http://www.fresh.com/content/TenYears

If you have not tried this body scrub, it will knock your socks off. It’s a very luxurious body polish that softens and hydrates with essential oils. It’s almost like having a pricy spa body exfoliation treatment in your own tub at home.

50% Off In Store: BBW True Blue Morocco

For the past month, I’ve been wondering what Bath and Body Work’s True Blue Morocco line was like. The scent and texture of everything sounded promising so I was more then happy to drive my mom to the nearest BBW store when she asked to go. I love that BBW has testers availble because I dislike buying anything unsniffed.

I ended up falling in love with the Sweet Fig and Argan body lotion. It doesn’t feel greasy and smells fab! It’s simi-spicy while still being light and creamy. I also love the pump bottle and at the same time wish it isn’t glass (I’m klutzy and am afraid of breaking it). This smooth body treat is packed with green tea, shea butter, and my liquid gold (argan oil). Mmmmmmm, hello, hydration!

I also liked loved the Cedarwood and Spice warming body scrub. I used it in the shower tonight and it was like heaven. It is the perfect mix of scrubby, creamy and warm. The scent is comforting and features a bit of sandalwood and amber, two of my faves. I think I must stock up while this product is still around.

 Also, noteworthy was the Honey & Date body yoghurt. The texture was nice and I liked the scent but I ended up passing on this one as I liked the body lotion better. Other items I passed on in the line were the shower gels as I have too many as it is and they are huge bottles. If I had purchased one, it probably would have been Moroccan Tea and Cucumber.

FYI: this line is on its way to being discontinued and is in the “Fond Farewell” section of BBW’s website, where it is full price. In store, it is currently 50% off.

And the fall stuff is out! I picked up some wallflowers (they are buy one, get one free right now) in leaves and pumpkin patch. I tried leaves today and it’s soft and warm and wonderful! The scent is hard to describe but it totally reminds me of fall.

Update: More reviews Coming Soon

Life has been crazy and I am exhausted. I would like to give you a sneek peak of products I’ve been trying out. Some of the products I have been using long enough to give them a fair review, while with others I’ll need a little more time to use.

• Dior Creme Abricot Fortifying Cream For Nails
• Lancome HYPNOSE DRAMA Instant Full Body Volume Mascara
• Carmindy for Sally Hansen Luminizing Primer
• Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer
• Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Concealer
• Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
• Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser
• Bliss Fat Girl Slim
• Philosophy Eye Hope Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream
• Bath and Body Works SLEEP Lavender Vanilla Scrub
• Korres Pomegranate Mask
• Clinique All About Eyes Rich Eye Cream
• Lush Bath Bombs (3), Bubble Bars (2), and Figs & Leaves Soap

Stay tuned! I also have a rant about “travel” products that will be coming up soon.

SF: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

The de Young Museum in San Francisco currently has an exhibition showing various items from King Tut’s tomb. It features artifacts from King Tut’s tomb as well as his ancestors (Note: there seem to be more of his ancestors items then of his on display). The museum advises that the self guided tour takes about 90 minutes. My mom and I finished in 45. There is an audio tour for $7 that you can follow, although we did just fine reading the signage for free.

General admission on weekdays for adults is $27.50 and $32.50 on weekends. For what it was, I felt the tickets were a little steep but you also get to view the rest of the museum. One of the most impressive pieces Tjuya’s gilded coffin (thought to be Tut’s grandmother). It was huge! And gold! There was also a fairly large head from a broken statue of Akhenaton (Tut’s father). The rest of the items were smaller, everyday objects like jars for ungents and oils (I was excited to see these after studying about the role of fragrance in ancient Egypt for my Fragrance Foundation certification). I was blown away by the amount of gold used, but then again, you wouldn’t expect anything less for a king and royal family.

I wouldn’t recommend going to the city just  for the exhibit. Plan a day around the city to make the most of your time. By purchasing a ticket, you will receive a Pharaoh’s Gold Card, which offers discounts and perks for various businesses around the city. There are quite a few restaurants that offer 10% off or a complimentary dessert with purchase of entree. There’s also tons to do in SF, and if you don’t want to venture too far from the museum, there are several things to do and see within the park: Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Arboretum, and California Academy of Sciences, to name a few. Sutro Heights, the beach, and the zoo are also close to the park.

Read on below for information about handicap access at the museum and the exhibit.

The Faux Tan Files #2

What: Bliss’ A Tan for All Seasons, $36. It sprays out purple to neutralize orange (genius) and gives a hint of tint instantly so you can see where you put it. The nozzle sprays 360 degrees so you’ll never miss a spot.

Rating: 5! I like this better then VS Bare Bronze. It dries super quickly (somewhere between instantly and 3 minutes) and doesn’t feel like anything once it’s rubbed. It’s also very easy to use.

The smell: Not bad at all. There wasn’t really a scent right off the bat. Once it had been on my skin for a few hours I started to smell a little self tanner scent but it was faint.

The color: No orange! It’s a natural looking shade on my fair skin. I actually have color that doesn’t scream, “My tan is from a can!”

Verdict: I love it. If you check Sephora.com the ratings are all very good, too.

Tip: When scrubbing or removing excess self tanner from hands or body, always apply scrub or soap to the area before adding water. Using water first will lock in the self tanner. I wish this tip was of my own genius, but it’s from a super smart Bliss employee.

Tip #2: Before using self tanner be sure to exfoliate! I like Bliss scrubs, like the Lemon and Sage scrub featured above. It also helps to remove tanner from your hands post faux tan session.

PS: I got Bliss’ Fat Girl Slim anti-cellulite treatment today. I will report my results on a later date as this is a product that needs to be used consistently and as directed. Using one time would not make for an accurate review. Also, to anyone thinking of using this product, a little goes a long way. You don’t want to use it like a regular body moisturizer.