Makeup

Fusion Beauty LipFusion Lip Conditioning Sticks Make $22 Almost Seem Like a Bargain

July 21st, 2010 by Karen 72 Comments

Fusion Beauty LipFusion Conditioning Sticks SPF 15 clockwise from left: Berry, Butterscotch, Buff

Ya know, it’s true what they say — there’s nothing like two Eggo waffles, a cup of coffee and a heaping scoop of Amplifat to start your day.

Yes, boo, Amplifat.

It might sound like something muffin tops contract (blast you, Nutella!), but it’s actually the star plumping ingredient in Fusion Beauty’s new LipFusion Conditioning SPF 15 sticks ($22).

I’ve tried three of the five little tubes of plumping pigment — Buff, Butterscotch and Bitten — and each one feels like moisturizing heaven on my lips, gliding on with a creamy, non-sticky texture that reminds me of oiled fingers on Alcide’s obviously waxed werewolf chest…

Wait — what was I talking about?

Seriously, a werewolf with a hairless chest?

Fusion Beauty gave them a light minty flavor and scent to go with their subtle (read: barely noticeable) plumping action. Speaking of that, they just barely tingle, unlike other plumping lip products that hurt like bee stings!

I also dig how relatively pigmented they are for conditioning lip balms, which isn’t to say they’re bright as heck, but the colors do — GASP! — actually show up on my lips.
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NARS Mangrove: A Green, Gold and Teal Tuesday Face of the Day

July 20th, 2010 by Karen 80 Comments

nars mangrove

manâ€¢grove |ËˆmanËŒgrÅv|
noun
1 a tree or shrub that grows in muddy, chiefly tropical coastal swamps that are inundated at high tide. Mangroves typically have numerous tangled roots above ground and form dense thickets.

2 a grove of shirtless hot dudes : Ooooh, gurl, check out that mangrove over there!

Even if someone at NARS had foliage in mind when they named this golden green eyeshadow, I can’t help but picture something else. 🙂

nars fall 2010 swatches review photos mangrove
NARS Mangrove eyeshadow

Mangrove bloomed as an eyeshadow single with the NARS Fall 2010 collection. Francois (first name basis, yo!) loves unexpected colors and textures, and Mangrove fits the bill.

My first impression? — pureed vegetable baby mush. As an eyeshadow, it doesn’t jump out of its pan as something traditionally pretty, but like the plant from whence it draws its name, it just needs a little time to grow.
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What DOES Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Do Well?

July 19th, 2010 by Karen 35 Comments

Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara Review

Greetings, loved ones, from one of my favorite places in makeup-ville: the land of cheap drugstore mascara.

This time I’m here with Rimmel Sexy Curves Full Volume & Curve Waterproof Mascara ($7.50)…but we aren’t exactly best buds. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for how well Sexy Curves lasts on wet lashes, we probably wouldn’t be friends at all.

I applied some before my workout yesterday, a sweaty 30-minute run on the treadmill, and it didn’t even budge. No smudging or flaking to speak of, and my lashes stayed deep, dark and black after every mile.

Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara Review
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Burberry Beauty: An Interview with Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Director

July 16th, 2010 by Karen 32 Comments

Burberry Beauty officially launched last Tuesday at the San Francisco Nordie’s store, and I popped by to check out the new makeup line and to chat with Christopher Bailey, Burberry’s chief creative director (and quite possibly one of the most polite and well-dressed dudes I’ve ever met).

Here are some images of the new line and product swatches to go with the video above.

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows, $29 each
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These Boots Were Made for Walking…Around a Farmer’s Market

July 16th, 2010 by Karen 46 Comments

While I was off stuffing my face with free fruit samples at the farmer’s market last night, I road tested a couple of goodies from the Boots makeup line — Natural Blush Cheek Colour in Candy Pink ($9) and Botanics Lip Gloss in Star Anise ($6). ‘Cause, you know, I’m all about beauty bargains. And multi-tasking. And free food!

Have you tried any Boots makeup before? I’m new to their makeup, but I like the few Boots skin products and makeup wipes I’ve tried.

Originally from merry olde England, the Boots line sailed onto Target shelves a few years ago. Their makeup offering looks pretty thorough with lots to choose from (foundation, blush, eyeshadow — basically, the works) in colors galore.

Candy Pink blush (a sheer matte pink) and Star Anise gloss (a sheer, creamy nude rose) represent my first dalliances with Boots makeup, and based on the two of them I’m thinking chocks away! — here’s something great for gals who love natural-looking makeup.

Candy Pink Blush

Candy Pink goes on VERY sheer. As a matter of fact, the lightly flushed look in these pics took about three layers. The powder feels velvety soft, and even though it took a few layers to reach the level of color I wanted (it may take you less if you’re lighter than moi), the blush was still pretty easy to apply and blend… Might be something to consider if you’re on the market for a natural pink cheek look.

Star Anise Gloss

I Star Anise and her medium-weight, moisturizing texture. She’s uber-smooth, too, NOT uber-sticky, and doesn’t feel or look thick or heavy at all. She also has a wonderfully subtle shine.

Candy Pink Blush
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Does Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer in Golden Nude Stand the Test of Time?

July 16th, 2010 by Karen 27 Comments

My eyelids and have a thing for shimmery Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer in Golden Nude ($20). Released earlier this summer with the Smasbox Naked Beauty collection, the products is supposed to act as a moisturizing base for powder and cream shadows to extend wear time and boost their vibrancy while making fine lines harder to spot.

The new color’s a riff on Smasbox’s standard issue warm beige Photo Finish Lid Primer, and the second I swatched it my heart went bumpity-bump!

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So Who’s Duping Whom? The NYX Nude on Nude Natural Look Kit vs. Urban Decay Naked

July 15th, 2010 by Karen 134 Comments

nyx nude on nude natural look kit review

Let’s strip, shall we? If you’ve been lusting after the hard-to-find Urban Decay Naked palette, NYX has some potentially great news for you and your wallet.

Swatching the NYX Nude on Nude Natural Look Kit ($11) this afternoon, one of three NYX sets released for summer, I was struck by how similar its shades are to some of the ones in UD’s $44 Naked.

Could it be?? A Naked dupe for one fourth the cost?
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Bright Colors Are Blooming with the Dolce & Gabbana Blossom Smooth Eye Colour Duo

July 15th, 2010 by Karen 40 Comments

dolce gabbana blossom smooth eye colour duo swatches review photos

The iridescent purple and shimmery reddish copper of the Dolce & Gabbana Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Blossom are so bright that they should have come with shades! Expensive ones ($36 for two shadows, oy vey!).

dolce gabbana blossom smooth eye colour duo swatches review photos

One of 10 powder eyeshadow duos in the company’s permanent line, Blossom lights up lids like a double rainbow all the way across the sky.
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