Chanel Single Shadows in Khaki and Sillage

I am feeling highly uninspired today so this is going to be a pretty short post.  I own 2 Chanel single shadows, khaki and sillage.  Both have been acquired within the last year and both are excellent colors.

The shadow above is sillage.  It is a pretty champagne with pink undertones.  It is similar to stila's kitten but much less frosty.  I may update this with comparison pictures later in the week. 

The pan is pretty small.  There are many other brands whose eyeshadows are much larger than this one.  Chanel's singles, at $30, are probably one of the most expensive shadows on the market for the size.  However, I never use up powder products so I'm ok with this.

Next up is khaki.

Khaki is a shimmery green brown shade, very similar to camo green. 

I love this color. I think it will be a staple in my fall makeup wardrobe.

Disclaimer:  both of these products were purchased by me.

Why it's Important to Wash Your Brushes

I am definitely guilty of this.  You get very busy and forget to wash your brushes, sometimes for weeks.  Well, this is pretty bad, not only because your tainting the colors of the products you putting on, but because you are allowing your brushes to get very dirty, which just breeds bacteria.

  For those of us with sensitive and/or breakout prone skin, it is especially important to keep your brushes clean.  When you use your concealer brush to cover a blemish, and then go and use it to cover some redness, you could be spreading that acne bacteria to that other portion of your face.  I keep a brush cleaner spritzer made by ecotools with my brushes so that I can clean my face brushes each time they are used.  

  However, it is still important to deep clean your brushes, ideally every week.  It really is pretty easy.  Just wet the brush thoroughly, squirt your preferred soap in your hand (I have used baby shampoo and Bath and Body works foaming hand wash), and swirl the brush in the soap making sure the soap gets all up in there.  Then, you just rinse it clean, blot it with a towel and let it dry either bristles up in a cup or bristles hanging over the edge of your counter as I did above.  It takes about a night for them to dry, so if you wash them before you go to bed, you will have clean, dry brushes in the morning. 

  I hope this helped some of you out.  Happy washing!

20 Days of Tinted Moisturizers: Day 8

Today I'm going to talk about Giorgio Armani Face Fabric.  I love Giorgio Armani cosmetics.  I think that if someone told me my life depended on me picking and sticking to only one makeup brand, it would definitely be Armani.

Face Fabric is their tinted moisturizer.  However, I wouldn't really call it moisturizing.  It is a silicone type product.  The feel reminds me of a less greasy Smashbox primer.  It comes in a large array of shades but doesn't go very light.  I was matched to number 3 which was much too dark for me when I was originally matched but would probably be fine now that I am tanned.  The sales associate gave me a sample in a cute little pot with the Armani logo on the cap.

The swatch on the left is to show the texture and color.  The swatch isn't runny because the product isn't liquidy at all.  The swatch on the right is to show how it blends out.  You can see that Face fabric doesn't have very much coverage.  It barely dulled the vein in my arm.  It definitely doesn't have enough coverage for me as I have acne as well as acne scarring.

This product has no detectable scent which is very nice for those sensitive to highly scented products.  The siliconey texture means its easy to spread and blends like a dream. It also has an spf of 12, but at $48, this isn't cheap.  There is also another face fabric formulation called face fabric radiance.  However, it only comes in 3 shades.

Overall, face fabric is a nice product for someone just looking to even out their skintone.  The silicone didn't break me out, but I do know alot of people that are sensitive to it.

Fashion's Night Out 2010

With the dwindling economy threatening the fashion industry, Anna Wintour thought up Fashion's Night Out as a way to get women and men, originally in New York, out for a night of shopping and fun.  Since that first year, Fashion's Night Out is now across the country and around the world.  The night is September 10th and the time, 6-11PM.  I will be attending at my local Neiman Marcus as they are also having a beauty event during that time which includes a beauty department gift with purchase and different gifts with purchases throughout the brands.  I have already pre-ordered the Chantecaille Tigers in the wild palette and future skin foundation (I was matched to cream). 

Participating retailers will also be selling Fashion's Night out apparel such as this t-shirt.

image from coolspotters.com

A portion of the proceeds from this shirt and other items go to the New York City Aids fund. 

Will you be attending Fashion's Night Out?

Some Fun Limited Edition/ Discontinued Products Part 2

The evil is continuing.

First up is Trish McEvoy Petite Simply Chic palette.

Here are swatches of the lip products.  There are really nice but kind of sheer.  I like that in them as they are a little too brown for my taste.

The bottom level is powder products.  I really like that Trish separated the powder from the cream products.  This could be used as eyeshadows but I prefer to use it as a blush/bronzer thing.

Lovely isn't it?

This is Laura Mercier eye book.  I believe it is from Winter 2008.

I swapped for this baby and I really like it.  Its perfect for a nice neutral eye but can be used for a night out too.  And yes, the center shade is a taupe, called topaz, and is find in the permanent line.

Yay! More Laura Mercier.

This little beauty is eye mosaic in Mediterranean Sea.  I swapped for this too and I'm happy I did.  Its a really nice palette for summer.

These aren't terribly pigmented, but I find that to be typical of Lauras eyeshadows.

The bottom shade in these swatches is light but it makes the perfect highlight and inner corner shade.

Well, that ends the evil.  I hope you got as much sick pleasure as I did.

Disclaimer:  I actually swapped for all these products.

Lower prices!

I lowered the prices on both my makeup sale and my nail polish sale.  The links are on the right side so be sure to check them out.

Some Fun Limited Edition/ Discontinued Products

I am feeling especially evil today.  Therefore, I am going to show you some stuff you can't have.  Well, you can try to swap for them or find them on ebay, but they are not readily available. Here we go...

This is NYC Chroma face glow in sunstone.  This is beautiful.  It is my absolute favorite blush for summer.  I think it was supposed to be like a MAC MSF, but I'm not a huge MAC fan.  I got this instead, and I'm happy I did. 

So lovely, peachy and bronzey.

Now we have a lovely Guerlain product. Guerlain makes some really nice limited edition products.  I do not have very much Guerlain at the moment, but I hope to expand my collection as this is really nice.

 Any idea what it is yet?

Its Perles Des Mers eyeshadow Palette from Summer 08.  This may actually still be pretty available.  I purchased it from Strawberrynet early in the year.  Ok, it's not there anymore. Just kidding guys :)

Oo look at that. Just my kind of palette. I'm such a sucker for blues and sand colors.

It has Guerlain's signature interlocking G's.  Yep, That bottom right color is a taupe.

Here is a swatch of the colors. Said taupe in third from the right.

Just one more for ya. 

I have more of these delicious products that you can't have, but I'm going to save the rest for tomorrow.

Disclaimer:  I bought all of these products with my own money.

Laura Mercier Eye Kohl in Black Turquoise

These are my holy grail eye liners.  I bought brown copper first and liked it so much that I went back for another one, black turquoise.  I love black turquoise just as much.  The formula is super creamy and blendable, but it actually stays put.

The color is just as the name suggests, a blackened turquoise.  I am looking forward to getting more of these.

This product can be purchased here.  Note: this is an affiliate link.  

Day 7, 20 Days of Tinted Moisturizers: JK Jemma Kidd Pro Finish Moisture Tint Foundation spf20

I am such a sucker for a good tinted moisturizer.  I think I am in denial thinking that my skin is better than it actually is.  It could also be that I haven't fully accepted that a more full coverage foundation can actually look natural nowadays.

I had admired the JK Jemma Kidd line at target for some time.  When I needed a new base product, I thought I would give it a try.  And so, I came home with Pro Finish Moisture Tint Foundation in 02 Mid.

The texture is really nice and it blends in nice and easy.  This color is a pretty darn dark medium, but the product only comes in 3 colors: fair, mid and mid-dark.  Even though this is just a hair too dark, I am able to blend it in really nicely to make it look nice and natural.  I always bring it down my neck to avoid the dreaded line.  The coverage of this is on the heavier side of light but not quite medium.

Now, on to the cons.  This is a little bit greasy for my combination skin.  I like it alot better when my skin is feeling more dry.  I gives a really nice glow but it can get to be too much if you are the least bit oily.  It's $26. And from Target. I think that explains its self.

Overall:  I think the packaging is nice and it contains quite a bit of product.  It's a bit expensive for a drugstore product but it has decent coverage and a nice glow.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this with my own money from Target for $26.

Becca Sale Code

Dailcandy has a sale code for Becca Cosmetics.  It is 25% off of the code is DC0810.  There is no posted expiration date for this, so I have no idea how long this deal is going to last.   Becca is known for their shimmer powders and excellent base products.  I have 2 eyeshadows, doeskin and chinchilla, which I like alot.  The cream blushes are supposed to be excellent too.  If you decide to haul, let me know what you got! Happy shopping.

Photo courtesy of Beccacosmetics.com

Benefit Boi-ing

Being that I am part Italian, I get quite tan in the summer.  I am also Eastern European so I get pretty darn white in the winter.  Of course, this leads to a foundation and concealer dilemma.  There is no way for me to get around buying separate base products for summer and winter.  Being that it is nearing the end of summer, I am much too tan for my previous products.  I combed makeupalley and swapped for Benefit's Boi-ing concealer in medium. 

The color is really good for my nc30 self.  It covers like a dream too.  I use this on blemishes and discoloration on my face.  I find it works best when used with the traditional concealer brush.  I have tried to use it with my finger but this stuff is thick.  Its hard to blend that way.  I tried it under my eyes and that was a no go.  It was too thick and just didn't mesh well with that drier area.  Staying power is average.  I have to reapply once during the day, but I have been quite oily and sweaty lately. 

Overall, I would recommend this for people who need extra coverage for blemishes and acne scars on the face.

Saturday Poll

1. How are you feeling today? I am feeling pretty darn good minus the fact that it is gloomy outside.  I have a job interview today that I am hoping goes well. Wish me luck!

2. Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?  I am going out to dinner tonight for one of my friend's birthday which should be pretty fun. 

3. What did you eat last?  I had kashi cereal.  It was gross. I'm trying to use up the food I have before going to the store again. 

4. What are you lemming?  I have been wanting Dior amber diamond highlight powder for some time and I think I may splurge on it soon. 

5. Most recent beauty purchase and did you like it?  I bought Rimmel Moisture renew lipstick in spotlight beige and Milani liquif eye pencil in black.  I already have a rimmel moisture renew lipstick in coral shimmer so I know I like the formula.  I will have to get back to you on the color as I have not tried it on yet.  The Milani came highly recommended and though I haven't tried it on my eyes, I swatched it on my hand last night and it is still there this morning. 

Fill out this poll in the comments section if you are looking for something to do.  I love to read comments :)     

Blog Sale Part 2! The Nailpolishes

Look here for the rules and details and such about the sale. Blog Sale
 Again, there is a minimum purchase of $8

And on to the Polishes:

China Glaze

L-R: Fiji fling $3, Coconut Kiss $3

OPI

L-R: Titan Your Toga $4, GONE, Dominant Jeans $3, GONE, Tangerini Bikini $4

L-R: Teal the Cows Come Home $3, Basque in the Sun(label is messed up) $4, GONE, GONE

Essie

L-R: St. Barts Blue $3, Bonded $4, Risky Business $4, A-list $4, GONE

Cocktail Hour $4

Not Pictured: Shorty Pants(90%) $4

Orly

L-R: Cashmere Cardigan $3, GONE, Veriwinkle $3, Polo Princess $3, Sea of Light $3

Color Club

L-R: Daydream $1, Baby Fine $1, Shimma $1, Electric Coral $1, Lady Like $1

Maybelline

L-R: Dragon's Kiss $1, (GONE), no name(pretty sparkly lavendar) $1,  Raw Edge $1

L-R: Strand of Pearls $1, (GONE)

Piggy Polish

L-R: Sublime $2, Merry $2, Mimosa $2, Teeny Pinkini $2, Gone

L-R: Gone, Gone, Latte-da $2

Misc

L-R: (GONE), (GONE), (GONE), Sation Purple Pink $1, (GONE)

L-R: Finger Paints Mixed Media Maroon $3, Jessica Moulin Rouge $2, GONE, (GONE),  (GONE)

L-R: GONE, Wet N Wild Blazed(this is half full) $0.25, Zoya Elise $3, (GONE), Loreal Bijou B strong $2

L-R: Toma Mood Changing Lt green to gold $2,  GONE, CM Twilight Zone $1

L-R: (GONE), Nail Life Revitalizer $2, Jessica Protein Pro-Growth Perfect Balance $1, GONE, GONE

L-R: Lippmann Ridge Filler Base Coat (BN) $6 each, Jessica Holo Top Coat $4

Not Pictured:

Zoya Juno (2x) $3
Gelous Advanced Nail Gel Coat (5x) $3
Essie Short Shorts (95%) $4
Del Sol Girls Night Out (1x) $3
OPI Azure for Sure (3x) $4
OPI Got the Blues for Red (1x) $4
Orly Monroes Red (3x) $2
Claires Yel (2x) $1
China Glaze Grape Juice (1x) $4
China Glaze Straight Up (75%) $2
Piggy Polish Polar Sea Ice (2x) $2