Sunday Stuff You Can't Have

Today I bring you Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Extravagant Berry from Holiday 2010.  This lipstick has crazy gorgeous gold sparkle on the outside of the bullet.

The gold sparkle is part of what attracted me to this lipstick because I really can't think of any other reason.  I'm not usually an Estee Lauder fan and I usually avoid there stuff.  The foundations break me out and I find the skincare to be too harsh.  But, this lipstick was pretty and I was able to swap for it. 

The color does not disappoint, gorgeous, saturated, vampy reddish berry.  It looked oh so sexy on the lips for about 5 minutes, which was the time it took to suck the moisture out of my lips.  Now, granted, I have extremely sensitive and dry lips.  My favorite lipstick formulas are Paul & Joe, Chantecaille lip chic and hydrachic, and Laura Mercier Stick Gloss. 

Do I think you could still get your hands on this lipstick if you wanted to?  I'm sure you could find it with some searching. 

On other notes, I took my mom to see Danielle at the Le Metier de Beaute counter in my Neiman Marcus.  We both got our makeup done, mine was using the lovely Penelope Kaleidoscope, which made my eyes look huge.  I wasn't really paying attention during my mom's (I know bad beauty blogger), but I was getting a facial at the Bulgari counter (seriously, their skincare is amazing and smells so good).  I also forgot my camera, so I couldn't take pictures of how gorgeous we left looking.  My mom picked up the lash growth serum and the liquid liner pen in aqua.  She also took home a sample of the Peau Vierge treatment.  I'm still fighting the good fight to convince her that it's ok to spend money on good skincare and base makeup products. 

Did anyone else do anything fun or are still planning fun things this weekend?

Pangea Organics Lip Balm

I have been receiving my Birchbox since February now and I am loving it.  Each month, I receive around 5 deluxe samples of products for hair, skin, and body.  Such samples include brands such as Nars, Ahava and Pangea Organics.

About 2 months ago, I received a full sized Pangea Organics Lip balm in Italian Red Mandarin with Rose.  There are 2 other flavors, Egyptian Fennel Grapefruit & Sweet Orange and Pyrenees Lavender w/ Cardamom.

Let's just say I am picky about lip balm.  I hate when they are waxy (lookin at you Burts Bees).  I have found many too be kind of drying (chapstick, you suck).  I have been using CO Bigelow lipgloss in a very thin layer to moisturize my lips, which isn't particularly ideal.  That was until this lip balm.

I love it.  It isn't waxy.  It doesn't feel thick.  It actually moisturizes my lips.  It's not sticky or slippery.  Granted, it doesn't have SPF, but I can deal.  I keep this baby by my bed to slick on when ever I'm in there.  The smell is awesome.  It's a subtle citrus scent that's a bit floral.  I have on good word (@bellebellebeau on twitter) that the lavender is an awesome scent as well.  These retail for $12 which is pricier for a lip balm but certainly not breaking the bank.

Le Metier de Beaute's New "Ken's Korals" Collection Available

I was browsing the Neiman Marcus website to see what was new and exciting when I happened upon the LMdB special summer collection called Ken's Korals which includes a, hold on to your seats here people, LARGER SIZED!!!! nail polish and a lipstick, both in a vibrant coral/red color. 

Here is the Neimanmarcus.com photo of the polish.  They do not report the size difference, but the wonderful person behind the Metierbeaute twitter account confirmed for me that it is larger.  This retails for $18.

Here is the Neimanmarcus.com photo of the lipstick.  A lovely complementary red/coral.  It retails for $32.

Will you be picking up either piece of this collection?  I will have to see them in person to decide, but I love a good coral polish.

Chantecaille Compact Soleil in Capri

Now that its about to be summer and I am still ghastly pale (thanks to me finally finding a sunscreen that works for me), I needed a new bronzer.  Previously, I only had Giorgio Armani's bronzer in shade 1, which I love, but it is quite shimmery which I would like to avoid when I am breaking out.  Enter the Chantecaille Compact Soleil here.  Chantecaille is known for making beautiful, subtle makeup that enhances your natural beauty. 

The compact soleil is touted as having ginko biloba and wild rose to heal and protect skin.  The powder is very silky, typical of Chantecaille.  It blends seamlessly and is a dream to apply, even with my lack of good bronzer brush.  I have been using the Sonia Kashuk duo fiber to apply it. 

The color of Capri, the shade I picked up, is a peachy brown shade which really complements my warm, pale (wah) skin.  I can't find any shimmer in it, it just imparts a nice glow. 

The packaging is the traditional Chantecaille shiny silver saucer shaped pan without a brush.  It is a quite large pan which I think will take some time for me to get through. 

Compact soleil comes 3 shades, Capri, Tahiti and a new shade, St. Barth's.  I haven't swatched the other bronzer shades in person, so I can't really comment on the differences. 

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase of Compact soleil in capri.  The color is naturally enhancing and makes me look tanned and healthy. 

Le Metier de Beaute Classic-Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation

Le Metier de Beaute's cult base product would definitely be the Peau Vierge Tinted treatment product which means the foundation has been pushed to the wayside.  As much as I would love to be able to just wear PV, I just need a little more coverage for my blemishes and scarring.  The Classic-Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation is a much better choice for me. 
According to the Neiman Marcus website:
"This Lightweight, light diffusing, creamy formula evens out skintone and imperfections for a luminous, natural look" 
It is touted for being hydrating, lasting all day, and containing vitamins A&E.  It also contains spf 8 (ok I'll admit, spf 8 is really not very impressive.  I wouldn't rely on this to be your only sun protection)

I got matched to shade 3 which is one of their lighter shades.  The range contains 12 shades which go quite dark and have an amazing ability to adjust to your skin.  When I first saw 3, I thought Danielle was crazy and that it wouldn't match but amazingly it blends right in. 

Here it is wet, looking quite pale (take into account this is swatched on my inner arm which basically never sees the sun so is lighter than my face). I have a picture of what color it dries, but you will have to keep reading to see it. (Muahahahaha).

As far as texture goes, it is quite liquidy and really easy to blend in.  Coverage is medium and buildable.  It gives me a nice base but I still need concealer to cover up some of the darker scarring (and my dark circles which have been getting increasingly darker, if anyone knows of a good eye cream for this, please let me know!).  I love the hydration factor.  I think this has helped to even out my combo skin. 

My only qualm with this is something I have a difficult time setting it.  It definitely doesn't get along with my Laura Mercier setting powder, which leaves me looking a bit cakey.  O well, I guess I will have to try the LMdB setting powder :)


O yes, you wanted to see the picture of how the foundation dries? Ok fine, here you go.

See, it dries much darker.  I would definitely recommend getting color matched at a counter or trying to get your hands on a sample before buying. 

Sunday Stuff You Can't Have

Chanel Luna Joues Contraste.  From some preliminary research, it seems this, ok I'll admit it, quite strange, highlighter/ blush powder was released as limited edition in Spring 2008.  I acquired it in a swap (yay), and I must say, haven't quite used it much.  I mean, it's a shimmery white powder, which usually screams "run away before you end up looking like a 90s disaster!"  However, when I have used this, it imparts a really nice ethereal glow with a barely there shimmer.  It's not at all garish or super obvious.

This is a really heavy swatch.  With a small blender brush or a fan brush, it is much less harsh.  The powder is very fine and silky, easily picked up by any kind of brush.  Would I have bought this during its initial release, no, probably now.  Am I happy I received it in a swap?  Sure, it is a nice product to have around.

Also, in conjunction with the Sunday post, I am going to include one random question in hopes of getting to know the readers better.
What is your favorite tea? 
 Mine is Sleepytime, nothing can beat this classic for me.  Although, I am quite a fan of both Starbucks and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's holiday teas.  I purchase 2 tins of each when the holidays roll around. 

Becca Eyeshadow in Shantung

I'm back! I have finished finals (only 1 more semester until I graduate!!), and I am ready to get back to reviewing and showing you all the pretties.
Shantung is a heavily pigmented, shimmery bronze brown color.  Becca has amazing products and the eyeshadows are no exception.  It blends amazingly and lasts very well, for me.  I added that little part at the end because I have pretty oily eyelids so I require a primer with all eyeshadows.

In my opinion, the only downside is that the pan is kind of tiny.  Overall, definitely a must have for neutral lovers like me.

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