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Archives for April 2012

Doctor, Do My Cheeks Look Pink to You? The New Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker pH Powered Blush in Rose

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physicians formula ph matchmaker ph powered blush

When it comes to makeup, patience is not a virtue I have in great supply, which is why the instant gratification I get from seeing the new Physicians Formula pH Powered Lip Gloss change color on my lips suits me just fine.

Thing is, the doc’s new pH Powered Blush ($12.95; available in two shades, Natural and Rose) doesn’t work the same way.

Physicians Formula says they’re supposed to, but I dunno. Like the glosses, they’re supposed to react to your body chemistry — your pH level — and transform within 60 seconds into a custom color personalized for you, but I must have swept the glittery hot pink shade called Rose on my cheeks half a dozen times this week, and I’ve yet to see it change color.

It could be the effect is just too subtle for me to see, but even if Rose isn’t changing color at all, I’m still diggin’ it. I love how super saturated it is, and I think the packaging’s just adorable.

Rose is so bright and potent — the most intense of all the new Physicians Formula blushes I’ve tried — that a little goes a long way. Finally! A shade that darker damsels can easily wear, too, without having to go overboard on layers.

Physicians Formula pH pH Matchamker Powdered Blush 2

I’m always a little leery of blushes that claim to last longer than 8 hours, but this one really does. Physicians Formula claims it’ll go 14 hours, and it’ll do that much and more. Yesterday, in fact, I applied it before 8 in the morning, and when I went to remove my makeup a little after 10 last night, I could still see it cheering up my cheeks.

Physicians Formula pH pH Matchamker Powdered Blush 1

Physicians Formula spring 2012 swatches 2
pH Matchmaker Powdered Blush, Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Blush in Pink, Happy Booster Glow Mood Boosting Bronzer Blush in Bronze/Natural, Cashmere Wear Ultra Smoothing Blush in Natural and pH Matchmaker pH Powered Lip Gloss in Light Pink
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A NARS Summer 2012 Face of the Day

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nars summer 2012

This is what happens when, after a week of heavy rains, the sun comes out in full force: everything blooms! The pollen count goes through the roof!

My allergies have been so bad today that I’ve had to lock myself indoors…which isn’t all bad, because NARS is keeping me company. 🙂

For my makeup today, even though it’s indoor-only, I went with NARS Summer 2012. I’m wearing the Marie-Glante Eyeshadow Duo ($34), the Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24), Libertè Blush ($28) and the Never Say Never Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24).

nars summer 2012

nars summer 2012
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The Spicy New Limited Edition Thakoon for NARS Nail Collection for Summer 2012

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thakoon for nars

Good morning and happy Friday, friend. How about we start this particular Friday the 13th with something historically lucky and wonderful? Like a rainbow. 🙂

The six new 3-free polishes (formulated without toluene, formaldehyde and DBP) in the limited edition Thakoon for NARS Nail Collection ($18 each) represent the line’s first collaboration with a fashion designer in the nail category. The bright new shades, all inspired by spices, arrive online at narscosmetics.com May 1.

In these pics I’m wearing one coat of azalea pink Anardana, mandarin red Lal Mirchi and purple orchid Ratin Jot; two coats of cyan Koliary; and three coats of the bright yellow Amchoor and powder blue Kutki.

Such bright and pretty colors… From the look of these swatches and my initial reactions, I’d say NARS hit this one out of the park.

Let me know what you think!

Thakoon for NARS nail polish
From the left: Anardana, Lal Mirchi and Amchoor

thakoon for nars
Kutki, Koliary and Ratin Jot

nars anardana
Anardana
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NARS Summer 2012: Pics and Swatches

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nars summer 2012

No more thunderstorms this afternoon, thank goodness! But Tabs would like me to point out that it did rain, which he described multiple times today as, “bootsy.”

Gurl, if the power had gone out earlier and I hadn’t been able to upload these pics of the new NARS Summer 2012 collection? — whoo! I would’ve gone makeup MacGyver in this house! I’m serious. I would have grabbed my mountain bike and some jewelry wire, a jar of Nutella and some Spanx and turned them into a homemade generator, LOL!

The nine-piece NARS release sails onto NARS counters and into online shopping carts and hearts April 13.

Full reviews coming over the next few days. Until then, enjoy. 🙂

NARS Summer 2012: Pics

nars ramatuelle
Ramatuelle Trio Eyeshadow (Limited Edition), $45

nars galante
Marie-Galante Duo Eyeshadow, $34 (SIDE NOTE: the right side of this duo flashes from purple to blue, which is why the color here looks different than it does in the top pic)

nars liberte
Liberté Blush, $28
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Luscious Lips and Wide Eyes Characterize the Estèe Lauder Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish Collection and Two Tone Collection for Eyes

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estee lauder fuchsia vibes
Wearing Estèe Lauder Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish in Fuchsia Vibes on my lips

It looks like I got home just in time because a storm’s a brewin’! I had to make a quick trip into the city, which is why I’ve been MIA, but I’m back in Novato now, much to Tabs’ chagrin.

The air is thick and humid … like it’s about to downpour.

First thing I did when I got home — well, the second thing I did, after giving Tabs some treats (he was all, “Woman! Where were you?! I’ve been STARVING!”) — was check out two new collections coming to Estèe Lauder counters next month, the limited edition Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish Collection and Two Tone Collection for eyes.

One can never have too many sequins, I always say (well…). 🙂 Incidentally, that’s the release I’m looking forward to the most. It features six powerfully pigmented, shimmery glosses in berry, coral, red, plum and nude ($22.50 each).

Oh, fig! — which is how the glosses taste and smell. They also have the thin, smooth consistency of a lip cream yet the shine of a gloss. They remind me of MAC Kissable Lipcolours with a side order of shimmer.

As for the 10-piece Two Tone Collection for eyes, it includes the basics for creating a wide-eyed look — not necessarily flashy, but pretty and practical nevertheless.

It features three new Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascaras ($28 each) — each one has a black shade on one side for top lashes and a colorful shade on the other for bottoms — three Double Wear Stay-in-Place Dual-Ended Eye Pencil Duos ($25 each), and four Pure Colour Eyeshadow singles ($20 each).

Here’s a close look at four of the glosses, two of the pencils and one of the mascaras…

estee lauder pure color sequins
From bottom to top: Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil Duo in Onyx/Coffee, Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil Duo in Onyx/Garnet, Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascara in Bold Black and Rich Plum, Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish in Purple Passion, Fuchsia Vibes, Cosmic Pink and Violet Rain

estee lauder pure color sequins
From bottom to top: Violet Rain, Cosmic Pink, Fuchsia Vibes and Purple Passion

estee lauder pure color sequins

estee lauder pure color sequins wands
Wands from left to right: Violet Rain, Purple Passion, Fuchsia Vibes and Cosmic Pink
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Me Encanta la Becca Balearic Love Nail Colours

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becca balearic love nail colour

Looks good on Saturday

Greetings from (now) sunny Novato! — home of the most intense hailstorm I’ve experienced in years.

No joke. Last night around 3 in the morning, I awoke to the most frightening sound! A roar of thunder that shook my world to its foundation (and must have terrified Tabs), and then a deafening tick-tack-tack sound from what I quickly realized was hail pelting the house.

It wasn’t raining when I went to bed last night, but the storm must have blown in from the ocean some time after midnight. El Hub said he was awake for a little while before the thunderous boom that jolted me awake, laying there with his eyes closed. He saw the flash of lightning through his closed eyelids, and then the counting, 1-2-3, before the big boom. Three miles from the heart of the storm.

SCARY!

Anywho, the weather looks pretty good now, both here and in the Balearic Islands (in case you were wondering). Partly cloudy and mid-sixties? I’ll take that, and to go with it, swatches of the three Nail Colours from the new Becca Balearic Love collection, $15 each. 🙂

The first thing I noticed about these polishes — I mean, after the colors — is how thick they are. Two coats deliver full coverage.

I really like the wide brush! It just sweeps over the nail, covering such a large area that I only need about three swipes per layer.

I’m still testing for wear time, but so far so good. Here are some swatches to whet your appetite.

Becca Wine Red
Wine Red

Becca Sandy Nude
Sandy Nude
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