ORLY Pinup Collection for Summer 2011

Bring a sense of sexy summer fun to the everyday with Pinup, the Summer 2011 Collection from ORLY. Inspired by the unapologetic glitz and free-spirited attitude of the most iconic pinup girls, the collection exudes a vivacious, dolled-up femininity that laces any look with sheer confidence.

Coquette Cutie – Coral creme

Bubbly Bombshell - Purple Glitter

Va Va Voom – Pink Neon Creme

Here Comes Trouble – Sparkle Green

I’m a fan of creme nail polishes. The coral and neon pink applied perfectly and 2-3 coats were needed for full coverage. The sparkly green makes my Irish side giddy. I would have loved to have had this on St. Paddy’s Day

All ORLY Nail Lacquers including the Pinup Collection are free of DBP, Toluene and all traces of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde Resin.

Available May 2011 for $7.50 each at Sally Beauty and ULTA stores.

LUSH Tiny Hands Moisturizing Bar

Nope! It’s NOT a Soap!

Tiny Hands is a new solid serum containing argan oil, aloe vera, cocoa and shea butters to coat and soften hands that have become dry or cracked. Perfect for overworked hands if you have been pulling weeds and getting your spring lawn right. You may be a habitual hand washer or your hands may still be dry and cracked from the winter wind. On my nail polish swatching days, my hands get super dry from the constant use of nail polish remover and Tiny Hands was very soothing. A little goes a long way, a few swipes and the warmth of my palms had melted enough serum to coat both of my hands. The soft and sweet marigold/vanilla scent is a bit strong upon application, but I like it. The LUSH site describes it as a hand lotion, but it definitely is a serum. I put on my moisturizing gloves over top to allow the serum to soak in completely. My hands felt healthy and protected afterward.

Plus Hello.. How CUTE is it?

LUSH Tiny Hands Moisturizing Bar is available now at LUSH stores for $5.95

Face Q Grape Seed + Green Tea Mask

I’m still loving Asian sheet masks and my newest find is by Face Q. They make several different masks, but this one is the Grape Seed and Green Tea mask.

“Face Q Grape Seed + Green Tea Mask has a unique micro-emulsion technology that turns nourishment into micro-emulsion particles that are smaller and easier to penetrate into the skin, improving moisture replenishment. The mask is made from 100% wood pulp with silk, it fits the facial contour perfectly, rapidly infiltrates moisture for the skin, and after use your skin will be supple with natural radiance. Formulated with all natural botanical extracts, grape seed also has a synergistic effect with collagen and elastin, making skin a smooth and flexible, and helps prevent premature wrinkles and skin spots.”

I loved the way this one fit on my face. It felt cool and refreshing and I could feel the toner penetrating the skin. After 20 minutes I removed the mask and let the remaining toner absorb into my skin. My skin felt supple and smooth, refined and moisturized. I applied my night cream and went to the bed. In the morning I noticed my complexion was brighter.

Although Face Q has other masks for different uses and skin types, I think I will stick with the Grape Seed + Green Tea mask. I love the results and the packaging is super cute. Face Q masks are $1.40 each or you can get a box of 10 for $12 which is what I did, and I’m glad

See my first time trying out an Asian sheet mask HERE

CALYPSO St. Barth for Target Elephant Teapot $12.99

CALYPSO Elephant Square Organizer $16.99 and Mini Clutch $12.99

Loving Elephants right now.. and these are a few of my favorites from the

CALYPSO St. Barth for Target Collection.

Long-time readers will recognize this post from 2009. I had another reader inquire about this subject recently, so here is that post with a bit of an update! Makeup not holding up in the heat? Read on to see what I recommend for one reader who is having trouble with her makeup not lasting through the day.

MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF50

Primer is applied before foundation and helps foundation have longer staying power.

The added spf in this product is a plus.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

In their new and improved squeeze tubes, this trusty eyeshadow primer will prevent oily lids and keep your eyeshadow from creasing. A definite must-have for spring and summer months.

Estee Lauder Double Wear stay-in-place makeup

Stay away from creme foundations, they don’t hold up during hot weather. Instead, use a long-wearing liquid foundation. Estee Lauder Double Wear is a favorite of mine because it has good coverage and it doesn’t budge.

Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily skin

Revlon Colorstay is basically the drugstore version of Estee Lauder Double Wear. It is also a long-wearing liquid foundation and is a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, drugstore foundations don’t have testers, so purchase from a retailer that accepts returns/exchanges on used makeup, like ULTA.

MAC Prep + Prime transparent finishing powder

This. Right Here. Is My.. favorite setting powder I have come by.

Apply this lightly with a large fluffy brush as the last step in your face makeup.

When I wear this, I notice I don’t have to blot nearly as much.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

A few sprays of this fine mist will have your makeup lasting 16 hours!

Perfect for hot humid days and late night dancing, this setting spray prevents makeup from fading or melting off your face.

Boscia Blotting Linens

Be prepared for mid-day touchups as needed.  Many people make the mistake of applying powder over oily skin throughout the day to touch up. This just makes foundation separate and look cakey. I recommend using blotting papers instead.

Lightly press a blotting linen onto your shiny areas. They absorb the oil, leaving your makeup undisturbed and looking fresh. The Boscia Green Tea blotting linens are my personal favorite. At 100 sheets for $10, it’s also a great value, one pack lasts me months.

Katy Perry did.

Did you get caught up in the Royal Wedding?

Zoya Summertime Collection

Sooki

Tamsen

Kieko

Areej

Mira

Breezi

BOLD and Creamy, I loved every one of these colors in the Zoya Summertime Collection. Each one had great coverage and great formula. Application was a breeze and two coats tops gave a perfectly even finish. No top coat was used in these photos.

Zoya nail polish is $8 a piece or $48 for the six piece sampler.

Zoya.com

glominerals Corrective Camouflage Kit

A collection of four shades designed to camouflage, neutralize and conceal skin discolorations.

The included application guide is incredibly helpful and will have you concealing like a pro.

The kit itself is super sleek and portable. glominerals recommends their camouflage brush or precision camouflage brush for application, but I have been using my ring finger and my own concealer brushes at home. MAC  242 and 224 to blend out.

The concealers themselves are creamy and blendable. I notice a considerable difference in my undereye area when I use this kit. It gives me a brightened complexion and I look more energetic and awake.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who needs help neutralizing skin discoloration. If you have a deeper skin tone, you will probably need to use your own concealer to blend over top of these camouflage shades. The glominerals Corrective Camouflage Kit is available for $18 which in my opinion is pretty decent for the four shades you receive.

gloprofessional.com

Have you ever used neutralizing colors to help conceal discolorations?

What did you use and how did it work for you?

MAC Fashion Flower Collection – April 28, 2011

Bloom brightly with a stylish fusion of the floral and the fashionable in the summer color collection that evokes the cool side of the hottest season. Fashion Flower girls are Free to Be, each one with cultivated connection to the green house and the fashion house. Unfolding and flourishing, these perennial primadonna embrace the Growing Trend of cheeks and eyes lightly dusted with daisy embossed beauty powders and shadows. Their confidence stems from petal-light lashes that sprout dramatically with studio fix bold-black lashes, dew lips that sparkle sweetly in Budding Beauty lipgelee and Summer Shower, a softly sheer aqua blue lipstick. Ever Hip joins these rare blossoms and succumbs horticulturally to a bouquet that’s equal parts of fluer and couture.

Products to check out:

Mlle and Ever Hip lipsticks, both popular repromotes that sold out and were sought after.

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