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Archives for September 2010

Paco Rabanne 1 Million for Men: Yes, It’s Shaped Like a Gold Bar

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paco rabanne 1 million closeup

Now shipping, the new favorite fragrance of Fort Knox’s male employees, 1 Million Eau de Toilette ($69)!

Okay, maybe not, but doesn’t the bottle look just like a gold bar?

“Excuse me, sir, but I think that’s my gold bar you have there. It must have fallen out of my pocket (?).”

Since I’ve been baptizing myself on an almost daily basis lately with Paco Rabanne Lady Million, I couldn’t wait to try the version for men, particularly after MBB reader Kim said that it was the bestselling fragrance in duty free stores.

Sure, the bottle has that Monopoly-meets-a-Spanish galleon vibe, but it’s growing on me. I appreciate the clean lines, and I think the design authentically represents the scent.

El Hub likes the bottle. He called it “shiny” (man of few words) and said it could double as a weapon — which is a good thing, apparently.

Yeah, I guess this one’s marketed for boys, LOL! 🙂

paco rabanne 1 million front
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Rimmel Volume Flash Max Bold Curves Mascara Is Such a Tease

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rimmel volume flash max bold curves review

When I heard that Rimmel designed Volume Flash Max Bold Curves mascara ($7) to boost lash volume by 1,400% (OOH!) and lift by 70% (ahh…), it was like teasing a dog with a piece of bacon.


Shauna the Wonderdog!

Released earlier this summer in a single shade called Black, Volume Flash Max Bold Curves sports a fancy-shmancy brush built with something called “Perfect Fit technology.”

LOL! It seems like every week there’s a new phrase being coined. Perfect Fit’s flexible bristles were shaped to fit lashes perfectly and coat them for maximum lift and volume, and the mascara’s formula, enriched with keratin and collagen, strengthens lashes, getting them ready for serious volume-boosting action.

I gave the waterproof version of Max Volume Flash a try last week, and while it didn’t pump up the volume of my lashes as much as I’d hoped it would, I kept my fingers crossed for Bold Curves. “Please,” I prayed to the makeup gods, “deliver me the tranny lashes I desire so very much.”

Come on, what do ya say?

Well, my prayers went partially answered. I mean, I detect a difference in length and thickness as well as above-average lash lift, and the formula does hold up nicely throughout day, resisting smudges and flaking…

rimmel volume flash max bold curves review
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Behold the Benefits of This Magic Ink: Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Liner

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Just in case you were wondering, the answer is yes, you may replace the words to the Lil’ Kim/50 Cent joint, Magic Stick, with the name of Benefit’s new liquid liner, Magic Ink ($20).

Magic Ink: The Magic Stick Remix

50 Cent and Benefit's Magic InkI got the Magic Ink
I know if I can hit once, I can hit twice
I hit the baddest chicks
Shorty don’t believe me, then come with me tonight
And I’ll show you maaagic
(What? What?)
Maaagic
(Uh huh, uh huh)
I got the Magic Ink!

For reasons unknown even to me, I’ve taken to singing this while I line my lids with Benefit’s new jet-black liner, and I’m pretty sure it’s driving my cat cray-cray. 🙂

For the record, it’s kinda hard to apply liquid eyeliner, even a smudge-proof one like this, while singing (try it sometime!), but in this case, I think the applicator has something to do with it.

Magic Ink comes with a thin, flexible brush a lot like the brush that comes with NYX Studio Effect Liquid Liner but less firm.
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Can You Recommend a Tinted Moisturizer for Dry Skin?

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Emma, a new bride (congrats!) and MBB reader, recently emailed with a question about tinted moisturizers — something right up our alley!

Emma writes:


Hi Karen,

Hope you’re having a nice day. 🙂

I got married yesterday! How exciting is that?! It was perfect at the courthouse and then a brilliant dinner afterwards.

Anyway, that’s beside the point. I wanted to ask you and the readers what tinted moisturiser (with SPF of course) you’d recommend? I have been using Benefit You Rebel Lite but I find that the colour is too yellow and it sits on my face (I’m NW 15-20). I also tend towards dry skin (but never break out) so I’m looking for something that moisturizes well.

Can you help me?

Hi, Emma!

Ah…tinted moisturizers. I put ’em right up there with Nutella as one of the greatest inventions of all time! Seriously, I never leave home without a tube (or two or three).

But first things first — they can really vary in coverage. In general a good fitting tinted moisturizer should offer enough coverage to even out your complexion without appearing (or feeling) heavy on your skin.

I’ve used quite a few over the years, but here are three I flat-out lurve:

1. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42, available in nine shades)

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I’ve been wearing Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer FOR YEARS. It’s the barometer against which I measure tinted moisturizers because, frankly, it’s tops! I’m talking sheer-to-medium coverage that’s easy to build wherever I need some extra help, and it doesn’t bug my sensitive, acne-prone skin.

I also love how natural it looks (despite containing SPF 20). Downsides? Well, it’s pricey, and it only comes in nine shades.

2. Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20 ($36, available in 11 shades)

If you’re generally happy with your skin and just need a little help here and there, Tarte Smooth Operator might be the way to go. It’s quite sheer, having just the faintest hint of color, but it’s usually enough to eliminate any redness I might have and/or to even out my skin tone.

3. Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Skin Tint SPF 20 ($38, available in four shades)

Okay, this one’s a little hard to find these days (it looks like Dior’s replaced it with a new product called Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20), but if you can still track it down and happen to have a skin tone that works with one of the four shades (VERY limited shade selection), you’re in luck!

This highly pigmented tinted moisturizer offers fantastic coverage and rich hydration without feeling heavy (see my original review here) on my skin. I’m serious — it’s great stuff, especially if you’re looking for full coverage.

What do ya say, homies? Do you have any other recommendations for Emma? Which tinted moisturizers do you like, and which ones do you loathe?

Please share in the comments. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Urban Decay Jackpot 24/7 Jackpot

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New for holiday 2010 (yes, HOLIDAY!) — the Urban Decay 24/7 Jackpot liner kit ($39). It comes with nine travel-sized Glide-On Eye Pencils and one full-sized Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero.

The colors include Eldorado (a gold), Stash (a greenish gold), Mildew (a dark green), Electric (a bright aquamarine), Binge (a navy blue), Ransom (a bright iridescent purple), Rockstar (a dark eggplant), Gunmetal (a gunmetal gray with silver glitter), Whiskey (a dark brown) and Zero (a dark black).

I have swatches of Zero, Stash, Rockstar, Eldorado, Binge and Ransom here to wet your whistle, but I’ll also post a full review/swatches of the shades in the new kit soon!

Should You Go on the Hunt for Benefit Prrrowl?

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Benefit Prrrowl ($28) sure is sneaky.

(How sneaky is it?)

It’s SO sneaky that it had me expecting something entirely different before we met.

New for fall, it’s a duo with a peacock blue iridescent mascara on one end and a sheer, shimmery pink gloss with blue glitter on the other. The iridescent blue mascara’s designed to work as a glittery topcoat for regular mascaras (or applied to bare lashes), and the gloss end’s designed to either be layered atop lipsticks or worn alone. The two are an unusual pairing, if nothing else, so I gotta give props to Benefit for originality.

benefit prrrowl review benefit prowl review swatches photos product shot

benefit prrrowl review benefit prowl review swatches photos mascara wand closeup

benefit prrrowl review benefit prowl review swatches photos mascara tube closeup
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I’d Like You To Meet Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

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I’m going to ask you for a favor, young lady, and I’d like you to just do it for me as a friend. Please? I need you to channel Elmer J. Fudd while you speak the name of Benefit’s new highlighter out loud.

Are you ready? Okay, it’s called Girl Meets Pearl ($30).

Elmer J. for Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

Ha ha! 🙂

Okay, so maybe I’m too easily amused, but at least my skin’s glowing while I laugh maniacally by myself in the corner. Viva la Girl Meets Pearl!
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