SEE YA, 2011!

The past year proved quite difficult for me and I am so looking forward to 2012. It sounds silly, but makeup and its mysterious ability to transport your mindset has given me a lot of relief from the highs and lows. For the upcoming year, I wish you, my family and my friends nothing but happiness and fulfillment in your lives. Don't forget to treat yourself well to the little things when times get tough!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

j

Rimmel London's Kate Moss Lipstick Collection

Kate Moss released a lipstick collection that was inspired by the colors she carries in her purse. These are only available in the UK. What a tease. Here are some of the colors:

If anyone's going to be across the pond...holla ;)

***Update 1/10/12: Kate Moss's lipstick line has reached the States! Only a few shades aren't available here.

j

Wish List: Dior Amber Diamond

Perhaps, a New Years splurge? What a beautiful highlighter.

picture taken from here.

j

Merry Christmas!

Neutral Saga: 28 Neutral Palette by Coastal Scents

Coastal Scents, 28 Neutral Palette= $18.95

If you are a sucker for neutral like me, you'll love this palette. They have even larger palettes that you can check out right here, but this one has enough colors to play with to make you feel like a true makeup artist.

The palette is about 9" by 6", so too large to fit in a purse. The packaging quality is decent, and the pigment quality and texture is comparable to drugstore. The benefits of this palette is the awesome price and the selection of shadows all in one place. The combination of neutrals are endless.

j

A Review: MAC Semi-Precious Crystal Pink Mineralize Skinfinish

This was more of an impulse buy than anything else. The MAC Semi-Precious collection just looked so cool with all the different swirls of color. I decided to go with Crystal Pink as a blush because I noticed the borders were a pale pink shimmer that I could subsequently use for my lids. Over the rest of the skin finishes in the collection, this has the most subdued shimmer look. The green pigment in the center is what interested me most about this product.

MAC Semi-Precious Mineralize Skinfinish in Crystal Pink, 0.22 oz= $28 

“..pink champagne base with inner circle of pink, mid-tone green, and bronze.”

When it's swirled all together and applied on the cheeks it comes out as a rosy tan with fine shimmer. The pink champagne border ended up working beautifully when placed on the center lid, not too dramatic. It was very sheen  but seemed to brighten up my cheeks and make them glow. I can best describe it as a very girly, pleasant blush to use. 

Pigmentation: I was told to dab only a little on the cheeks for a subtle effect, but I find that the pigment is not strong enough for this to be a problem. I don't think this mineralized skin finish was meant to be dramatic because it seems like I can dust it on like crazy and somehow avoid looking drag. 

Texture: It's definitely not as smooth or creamy as NARS blushes. In fact, it's probably the roughest of my blushes, since it is mineralized. I tend to like a creamier texture for my lids so I don't use this all the time, but I like the idea that I can use one product for both my lids and cheeks when I travel. 

Packaging: Not loving the packaging which is the same as MAC blush packaging. It feels like the cheapy plastic drugstore type. I do like that the size and rounded finish of the minerals feel quite sturdy like it won't shatter if banged around in a purse. 

Would I recommend this product: Yes. I am surprised to say this considering the mediocre ratings above, but this product is good because it looks beautiful and very feminine on the skin. It pulls of shimmer in a spectacular way that can be applied to an everyday look. 

Not sure if this looks as nice for photos as it does in person because the shimmer seems to reflect flash in a weird way. 

j

NARS BLUSHES: My First Purchase

I am not a loyal blusher since there is so much selection out there and it's always fun to try new brands and colors. However, if I were to pick one blush to re-purchase, it would definitely be Nars Luster.

Nars Blush in Luster= $27

It's pretty amazing that my very first Nars makeup purchase happened to be my absolute favorite and my most used. Upon first glance, it appears as a dusty beige bronze with hints of golden shimmer.

Don't be fooled by the swatch! This seems to be the best warning when it comes to Nars blushes, perhaps because they contain a wide spectrum of pigment. The color in the palette often is not what appears on the skin so you must swatch and examine under different lighting before purchase.

It appears very much like a bronzer, but when applied to the cheeks, it transforms to a golden apricot with hints of pink. It blends gorgeously with the skin and appears most natural and healthy than any other Nars blush. This blush is my secret weapon because I'm always confident it will tie in seamlessly with the rest of my makeup.

What's your go-to blush?

j

Using Now: Clinique Sunscreen

To defend my skin from the sun, I try to wear sunscreen on a daily basis. Clinique Super City Block has been around since my mom was a young girl and it was her staple then. However, for the longest time it only came in SPF 25, so when the SPF was finally bumped up to 40, I had to get in on this block.

Clinique Super City Block Ultra Protection SPF 40, 1.4 oz= $18 

As the swatch shows, this sunblock is tinted and only comes in one shade. It reminds me of BB cream in the sense that the shade adapts miraculously to any skin tone and has a slight concealing effect. On top of the SPF 40, the tint is why I purchased this product. During the good times when my skin is showing me love and not breaking out, I can wear CB alone and dust on some powder to fix it as if it were an extremely light foundation. 

One thing to be careful of when using sunblock is that the higher the SPF, the greater chance of breakouts due to its tendency to clog pores. Since I am used to wearing full coverage foundation which is also pore clogging, using CB in place of foundation is a better alternative for me. 

I can see myself staying with this product for a long time as my mom once did. Compared to the other sunblocks out there by Shiseido and Dior with slightly higher SPFs, this one by Clinique is very reasonably priced. I figure that it's better to go with something dependable yet affordable, especially if I'm using it every day and it will likely get re-purchased again and again.

Do you have a favorite sunscreen?

j

Holiday 2011 Nail Polishes: Revlon and Essie

I went to Bed Bath & Beyond looking for a Revlon dupe of Deborah Lippmann's Glitter in the Air, and when I found that it was sold out, I was bummed. Luckily, I had a chance to come across Revlon's Gucci Westman Expressionists Collection.

Revlon Expressionists Collection= $3.79 each

L to R: Facets of Fuscia, Blue Mosaic, Starry Pink (missing: Smoky Canvas)

Starry Pink, of course, was my favorite. It's not the one I was originally looking for, but the razzle dazzle pink glitzies got me, and now I'm a fan. This is how it looks like after 2 coats and no top coat. Three coats would likely achieve more of a pink hue. Surprisingly, even with the chunky glitter, the surface still maintains its smoothness. I imagine adding top coat will make it even smoother. FYI, Facet's of Fuscia a dupe of Deborah Lippmann's Bad Romance. It's a little too dark for my taste. 

On my way out to the register, I was blinded by the Essie Holiday 2011 Luxe Effects Collection (who knew Bed Bath & Beyond had such a good beauty aisle!) and I was instantly excited. Such pure and clean colors. These must be the polishes people wear in heaven.

Essie Luxe Effects Collection, Holiday 2011= $7.99 each
R to L: As Gold as it Gets, Shine of the Times, A Cut Above, Pure Pearlfection, Set in Stones

Gorgeous for a holiday party, right? I can see this going nicely over an opaque color as well. This picture is after 3 coats. Since the texture gets bumpy from the chunky glitter, I suggest a top coat. 

Nothing lifts your holiday spirits than nails that bling! These babies are going right into a package for my sister, mindy, when she comes home from Christmas. 

j

Loving: MAC Shy Girl

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Girl= $14.50

'Shy Girl' may be a fitting name for this lipstick, since I can think to describe it as a gently subdued color. It's a semi-warm nude beige with very fine shimmers and a hint of coral. I really love the way the color is just enough nice nude that let's the rest of your makeup pop, but avoids appearing washed-out. This is the ultimate lipstick to wear to work, since it has edge from the coral shimmer yet manages to maintain its sophistication.

Despite my love for SG, my one critique is that, like with all MAC lipsticks, I wish it were less drying. It's not as drying as JCrew's Poppy King lipstick where I absolutely need to add a moisturizing lip balm to my lips after applying, but dry enough so that I add lip balm for the sake of feeling more comfortable. Of course, this is a simple trade-off for such a uniquely beautiful color for which I've been receiving tons of compliments. No doubt, this is the perfect shade of nude I've been looking for and my favorite lipstick in the collection as of now!

j

Regrettably: Stila Lip and Cheek Stain

Lip and cheek stain. Enticing sell, cause' you're getting two products in one. This "revolutionary" makeup stain claims to react to your individual pH levels to create a personalized color for blush and pout. Factor in the easy clickable pen and cute packaging, you can't go wrong with Stila's Lip and Cheek Stain...

Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Pomegranate Crush= $24

But what else can I say about this product other than I hate it. The emotional journey took me some time, but now that I've let it saturate for the past 4 months, I can flat out say that I wish I didn't purchase this.
Too bad, I waited too long and can no longer return.

This pen is awkward as heck to use on the cheeks with the whole pen-click system. Like most stains, once you place it on the cheeks, you have to work the product in really fast with your fingers or else it sets in a blotchy pattern. This does not work well over foundation because it ends up mixing with it, ruining it, and ultimately revealing my freckles. To add, after I use the brush over my foundation for cheek stain, some foundation transfers to the brush head, making it kind of unpleasant when I have to apply it to my lips. And just the thought of washing it every time after I use it on my cheeks wears me out. Perhaps I'm too lazy for this product?

In terms of the color, it does not look natural at all. Instead of leaving your lips and cheeks with "a fresh flush of youth" it looks like you're five years old and you just raided your mother's makeup collection from the 80s while sucking on a cherry popsicle in the process. Oh, the regret.

Have you had a good experience with lip or cheek stain?

j

Best Cup of Coffee

This post will stray from the norm, but I must tell you about the best cup of coffee you'll ever brew at home. The Keurig Single-Cup Coffee Makers are brilliant. I've not only searched high and low for the perfect cup of coffee but tried very hard to re-create it at home. Stumptown, Peet's, Blue Bottle, Four Barrel, Philz,...I can go on and on about designer coffees I have bought and tried to brew at home, only to be sorely disappointed by a sour, watery brown result. I've finally discovered the perfect cup with this Keurig machine that has become my family's new Christmas toy.

Keurig B40 Elite Single Cup Coffee Maker= $119

Starbucks K Cups, 54-pack at Costco= $34.99

Try the Starbucks Caffe Verona in dark as well. I specifically recommend the Starbucks brand because I can taste the difference in flavor. When buying a box of Starbucks K cups at Costco, you save more than buying them at a regular store. It's a difference of about $1 per cup to 60 cents per cup. I personally think that this cup of coffee tastes better than any drip coffee I can get from Starbucks or Peet's. The reason being that the combination of heat and pressure makes this coffee a hybrid between expresso and drip coffee that is sure to get you ready for the day. Once I started drinking this, I found it hard to revert to the old pot o' coffee, plus it gives me added reason to wake up knowing that I can enjoy a wonderful brew that has all the elements that make coffee great.

j

***Update- Thank you, My! Quick, get your Keurig machine for Christmas this year here:
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/65228/office-depot-keurig-officepro-b145-coffee-brewer

Lip TLC

Is it just me or do your lips seem really chapped? No matter how much chapstick I apply, my lips keep wanting to crack on me and, with lipstick, it is NOT looking cute. I needed serious help so that called for a serious product. So I stop by the pharmacy and come across a heaven-sent Neosporin lip product.That's right, Neosporin, the antibacterial ointment brand for cuts and scrapes, has come out with a balm fo yo lips.

Mild lemon scent, creamy white texture

Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy= $5.49

Claiming to restore lip health in 3 days, I found that it only took 1 day for the product to make a difference. I didn't have high hopes when I first purchased this because I noticed it contained %77.4 white petroleum, so I expected to use a product that was basically a fancy version of the standard Vaseline. Instead, the product came in an white cream and it applied very much like an ointment. On the lips, there's no feeling of icky greasiness or stickiness. In fact, when I first applied the protectant, my lips instantly felt clean and smooth! This product is on the pricier side for a small amount of lip balm but totally worth it. Each dab packs a lot of moisture. Neosporin LH is meant solely for overnight use, but I'm pretty sure I'll be using it all day. 

j

Using Now: Essie 'Sew Psyched'

Essie Sew Psyched= $7.99

Part of Essie's Fall 2010 Collection, 'Sew Psyched' still brings it this season. I felt like a change from the pinks I've been sporting lately. This is such a neat army green that is so different from any Essie color I've seen. I don't recommend this on the toes, looks like fungus, but so cool on the upper appendages ;)

j

Go Gold!

I think gold looks brilliant against many skin tones, though it seems to RADIATE against tan/olive skin. Some days, I get out of bed and feel like I'm glowing and other days...my skin's just not having me. Not to worry, that's why we can look to our makeup bags for a little extra boost. With a gold shadow and creme blush, I'lll be glowing just right.











I was at first skeptical about the way gold would look on my skin and wasn't sure how much I would sport it, so I wanted to take gold out on a trial-run before investing in a heftier product. Luckily, Milani Cosmetics has a line of Runway Eyes Shadows that are amaazing. Although, I chose the Ready to Wear palette for the beautiful golds and bronzes, the other palettes are worth checking out.

Milani Runway Eyes Fashion Shadows in Ready to Wear= $8.99

This palette is gorgeous and I like how the pigments aren't overwhelming so that you are actually able to create an eye using every single color. The colors are beautiful and the gold can be used in such a way that you can layer it to enhance it. These shadows can be used dry or wet. I like to use wet shadow for my under-eye shadow and I find that it lasts all day long this way. The exterior packaging has a plastic cheapy feeling, which is expected from most drugstore products, but I thought the separated eyeshadow strips were kind of a cool design. After using this product, I feel more apt to get the Chanel Topkapi Eyeshadow Quad, which completely excites me since I've been searching for a new "go-to", everyday shadow quad. Even if I end up getting the heftier Topkapi, I'm loving my Milani Runway Eyes so much that I'll probably never abandon it.

Of course, to complete the "Go Gold" ensemble, I turn to a Nars cream blush in Gold Member.

Nars Cream Blush, Gold Member=  $27

This blush is filled with little bits of shimmer so when I wear it, it has brightening and almost bronzing effect that looks like I've been in the sun. The best part is that people can't seem to tell it's shimmery unless they go right up to my face. 

 It is highly pigmented, as you can tell, but has a velvety texture and goes on the skin like silk. I use this product above my cheekbones as I would with regular blush but blend it somewhat with my eye makeup to create a more dramatic effect. You can also use Gold Member under your eyeshadow if you choose.

I am so excited about this glowing gold look, I hope it inspires you to go gold!

j

A Review: Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins

Save your skin this Winter with a moisturizer catered specifically for redness and irritation. I've had my eye on this product for quite some time. Every time I passed an Origins store, I would sample some on my hands and grow more and more convinced that this stuff is legit. Recently reformulated and repackaged, Dr. Weil's Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief line soothes my sensitive skin from the drying effects of the cold Winter air. This line claims to help those suffering from rosacea, pretty serious. However, it is meant for all skin types.

Some background: My skin type is combination oily/dry and has tendency toward redness and sensitivity from exfoliators and acne products.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Advanced Face Serum, 1fl oz= $66

The serum glides on very smoothly and hydrates for instant relief, especially following use of an exfoliator. My skin literally feels like it's drinking it up. No oilyness or residue and a very clean feeling afterward.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Cream 1.7 oz=  $61

It's after I apply the face cream that my skin appears calmer and feels softer. The cream isn't too heavy either. One of my favorite things about this line is the smell, which is unlike any scent I've ever smelled before. Upon first whiff, I wasn't sure what to think of it because it was such a new scent. It actually made me apprehensive about getting the product at first, but after sampling it for some time, I fell in love with the herbal earthy-ness of the smell.

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Face Mask 3.4 fl oz= $35

The face mask is something I use only once a week or for those days when I'm really dried out. You're supposed to apply a thick layer and wait some time before removing it with a tissue (no washing your face afterward). That seems like a waste of product to me so I apply a thinner layer after using moisturizer without removing any of it. The next day, my skin feels repaired and healthy.

As far as purchasing this line again and considering the hefty pricetag, I would get the serum for sure because of how great it feels. I'm not sure about getting the entire line again, however, because I get the feeling that it may be more powerful than what my skin needs as of now. Rosacea is definitely not a problem of mine. My mom has also used this line and loves the cream, but wishes it had spf so it could be used in the daytime and had more anti-aging properties. She claims that, in the time she has started using this product, her freckles have gotten darker and I've noticed this too. I don't mind this because I use this line as a part of my nighttime skin regiment and am sure to use spf creme in the daytime. My main apprehension with Dr. Weil is the price. With that said, if sensitivity and redness is a major problem you are facing and you are in search of relief, Dr. Weil is the way to go.

j

The Art of Contour (tim)

I've been playing a lot with contouring these days. The products I have been using will be placed in a separate post, but I felt that this would be a useful post since I am guilty of overusing blush in places I probably shouldn't have and placing bronzers, well...too much everywhere! The result is often an unnatural look that makes it obvious you are wearing makeup. Well, that defies the point of makeup in the first place! Fortunately, once I discovered the art of contouring, it completely changed my makeup use in terms of the types of products I buy and how I use them.

JBean's Six-Step Makeup Strategy

The triangle of light, also called 'triangle of youth', includes the light reflected from the brows, the bridge of the nose, cheekbones, the upper lip, and chin. When applying makeup, the goal is to emphasize these areas in ways that draw light towards them, while exaggerating this effect by de-emphasizing the areas surrounding the triangle of light.

Designations (not necessarily to be applied in this order)

1- BRONZER: Place below cheekbones, bring it up to the temples, and along jaw line.

2- HIGHLIGHT (no shimmer): Apply straight down the center of your face from the center of the forhead, along the bridge of the nose, above upper lip, and finally to the chin. Then, place in under-eye area and along cheekbones. Blend this out well!

3- LID: eyeshadow of a light shade (used to emphasize in order to exaggerate the effect of the crease)

4- CREASE: eyeshadow of a darker shade (used to de-emphasize and create the illusion of deeper set eyes)

5- HIGHLIGHT (shimmer): Place below the brows and in the inner-eye corners to brighten and 'open' the eye. 

6- LINER: Can be eyeshadow, gel liner, liquid liner, or pencil liner. Used to create boldness that will make eyes stand out or pop.

Notice that blush is not included in these 6 designations and that is because very little of it needs to be used, which is why it will probably take me forever to reach pan in my blushes. When you are finished with the Six-Step Makeup Strategy, make a pretty smile to the mirror and simply use a stipple brush to dab the apples of your cheeks a couple times and blend slightly into the bronzer below the cheekbones. To ensure a natural, neutral look, remember, a little goes a long way. 

I hope this serves as inspiration to play around with a contouring strategy that suits you!

j

Loving: Spin Pins

I have to thank Grace for introducing me to this product. Spin pins are freakin' awesome! Because of the digital perm, I have been reluctant to use ties in my hair and like to maintain my curls so I twist my hair into a bun while I'm at work so that it will be curly at night.

Goody Simple Spin Pins, Brunette= $6.29

 Here's how to use:

Easy breezy!

I even put my hair up with spin pins after a shower and it helps keep my hair from dripping, keeps the perm curly, and best of all, no hair tie crease!

j

Using Now: CG Outlast Lipstain

Covergirl Outlast Lipstain= $7.84

CG Outlast Lipstain in 427, Nude Kiss
(By the way, the package color doesn't do the actual color justice)

No matter how many lipsticks or glosses I lust after, I am constantly reverting to lip stain. The one lip stain I am loving this season happens to be Covergirl Outlast Lipstain in Nude Kiss 427. I am in love with this color and the nudes from Revlon and Maybelline lip stain lines don't seem to achieve the sophistication that this one exudes. Even though it is called a nude, I find that it goes on brighter and more pigmented than a nude should, creating an overall 'happier' look. The color looks perfect against olive skin in the fall and is tame enough to wear to work. With lip stains, it is easy to apply and I don't have to worry about messy smudges throughout the day. It is also easy to carry around because the lipstick cap seals tight and the stick itself will not melt in the sunlight like lipsticks do. I will be wearing 427 for this year's Christmas Party for sure!

j