Guest Post

Are You a Makeup Collector?

May 11th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 42 Comments

KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 130 Black — I got the KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick in 130 Black simply because I wanted to have a black lipstick in my collection

The other day, Marcella shared with me and the rest of the MBB-gang a Buzzfeed article on a rainbow highlighter, asking if we’d ever wear it.

Since I don’t even use traditional one-color highlighters that much, I said that I probably wouldn’t wear it, but it would be something cool to have.

Which got me thinking…

Am I a makeup collector?

Well, to a certain extent I undoubtedly am.

I mean, I’m not the type of collector that would get a product and never use it to preserve the design embossed on the pan. To me makeup is something to touch, test, and play with. So I guess that if I really got that rainbow highlighter, I would somehow use it, at least a few times.

But I definitely am a collector in the sense that sometimes (ahem… most of the time) I buy makeup products simply because I want to have them in my collection. Which doesn’t mean that I won’t use them. It just means that I don’t need them.

At this point I could go off on a major tangent and tell you that when it comes to makeup nothing is really needed. I mean, it’s not like makeup is one of the basic human survival needs, right? But when I say that I need something in relation to makeup what I actually mean is that I’ve finished a product, like mascara or foundation, and need to replace it.

Yeah, that’s what I classify as a need.

So, going back to what I was saying before, I often buy new makeup products even if I don’t need to replace anything, which I guess makes me a collector.

I’m pretty good at keeping my foundation, mascara, concealer, and highlighter stash very streamlined, but I definitely have more than I need in all the other product categories, with lipsticks being my most purchased items.

Makeup Collection — I didn’t actually need any of these products, but I got them because I liked the packaging, or because my collection was lacking a specific shade, or because I wanted to have at least one thing from a certain brand

Please, excuse the rambly post, but I don’t get many chances to chat about these types of things in the real world. Well, I mean, sometimes I do tell my partner (AKA Mr. Page) about my makeup musings, but 10 seconds into my monologue, he starts staring into nothingness, and I can clearly picture a cymbal-banging monkey inside his head à la Homer Simpson.

So please, bear with me and tell me… Are you a makeup collector? Or do you only buy things you really need? And what’s your most purchased type of product? 🙂

Carolina Braina

Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance: Two New Fragrances 100% Approved by Me and My Scent-sitive Boyfriend

May 10th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 10 Comments

Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum ($93) and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance Eau De Parfume ($96) — Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum ($108, 3-oz. bottle) and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance Eau De Parfume ($96, 3.4-oz. bottle)

There’s a lot to consider when sniffing out a new fragrance or scented product to love, like…how it makes me feel, what memories it calls to mind, how well it works (if it’s something other than a perfume), how much it costs, etc. — but I also take into account the people around me — mainly, my boyfriend. He’s highly sensitive to scents! And also allergic to avocado…so anything made with avocado oils or butters (which rules out a LOT of things from Lush, for instance) is a no-no in our household.

Both of these two new fragrances that I’ve been wearing lately — Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance — are not only 100% recommended by me, but they’re also 100% approved by my scent-sitive (ha!) boyfriend.

First, there’s Rose Coutour, and we all know how much I love rose scents. 🙂 As I’ve said it time and time again.

I have a hard time describing individual rose scents nowadays because of how popular they are at the moment. This one’s top notes are blended with peony, and they circle down to a rose nectar base and a finish with just a dash of vanilla and jasmine.

That I would I fall in love with this fragrance was a no-brainer, but it’s all of the little details that really bring it home, like the beautiful bottle.

“The perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has harvested this Rose Couture from the heart of ELIE SAAB Le Parfum, whose radiant Orange Blossom is brightened by rose petal honey. Magnified and showcased in the new eau de toilette, the rose asserts itself more majestically.

“In the soaring top notes, it blends with fresh Peony into a whirlwind of silken petals. The delectable dew melts into an exquisite Rose Nectar, enhanced with fruity facets and softened with a dash of Vanilla. This addictive accord is carried by a breath of Jasmine as sheer as silk chiffon…

“A sumptuous woody base bolsters the airy composition, just as a tight-woven fabric adds structure to a flowing sheath. The voluptuous satin of Sandalwood. And the dark velvet of Patchouli which, by contrast, exalts the freshness of these radiant floral materials…”

— ELIE SAAB

Like a rare, precious jewel, the multifaceted bottle also adds to the overall effect when I put this on.

ralph lauren, elie saab, fragrance, perfume, — Floral and romantic, two of my favorite elements…

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It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette: Mastering the Matte Eye With It Cosmetics

May 10th, 2016 by Anna Oh 5 Comments

If you find matte eyeshadows to be a tricky thing, you are not alone. The blending is more crucial, and the texture is less forgiving. And it really separates the pros from the amateurs. But despite any level of makeup skill, a solid matte eyeshadow formula can do wonders.

I’ve been using a new palette by It Cosmetics called the Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette ($28), and it has an easy, soft formula that may agree with you.

itcosmetics-4 — A pretty pink palette. The top of the outer packaging has a pillowed cushion feel.

itcosmetics-5 — It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

itcosmetics-face — Wearing the collection along with Too Faced Le Matte Lipstick in Hey Gurrl with a clear gloss on top

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5 of My Spring Beauty Essentials

May 10th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

I always say that summer is without a doubt my favorite season.

But then spring comes around, and I’m not so sure anymore… I mean, I love the endless possibilities that come with long summer days, but the feeling of rebirth that spring brings is pretty hard to beat.

It’s so invigorating.

I love it when the freezing wintery air shifts into that warm spring breeze. You know, just taking a walk and soaking in the sun puts me in a better mood. The smell of freshly cut grass and new flowers is mildly intoxicating… In spring, I feel like I’m on a constant high.

I think that what makes me like spring so much is that it’s a big moment of change. As human beings, it’s usually the moments when (good) changes happen that give us that utter sense of joy. Later on, most of us tend to get used to what we have and lose that feeling of ecstatic excitement.

Besides the changes in the scenery and weather, spring also brings along changes in my beauty routine. There are a few products I always rediscover at this time of the year, and today I’m sharing them with you.

The Fake Tan: Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning ($38)

Aside from the occasional dusting of bronzer here and there, most of the time in winter I tend to embrace my corpse-like complexion, but once the sun comes out of the clouds and the leaves grow back on the trees, I’m all about that healthy, sunkissed look. Since my face and neck are usually a shade lighter than the rest of my body, in the spring and summer I like to use a self tanner to make sure everything matches.

The best one I’ve tried so far is the Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning lotion, a lightweight lotion that gives me a nice glow in two or three applications. The effect is pretty gradual and not too dramatic, so I think it’s well suited for fair/light complexions.

The Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF 30 ($19.99)

Being an oily-skinned gal, I can’t just grab any random SPF and slather it on my face… Some of them tend to feel pretty heavy and greasy, you know? But luckily, these days, there are quite a few options for us shiny girls in the sunscreen department! My current favorite is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF 30, because besides looking perfectly matte upon application, it doesn’t make me oilier over time.

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Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30 Is a Primer Triple Threat

May 10th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 11 Comments

Believe it or not, despite being a lifelong member of the Super Pale Club, I only recently realized how important it is to use cosmetics and moisturizers and other products with SPF in them. It wasn’t until an awful sunburn a few years ago that I even really started wearing sunscreen at the beach. (I know, so bad!)

What can I say? Bad teenage habits…

Now, though, I’m serious about it — serious about sunscreen and moisturizer with SPF.

But I’d never really thought about primers with SPF, not until I tried Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($65).

murad, spf, primer, — Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30

This little potion/primer couples makeup priming powers with potent sun protection.

“Flawless and fabulous in just one step. This invisible skin perfecting shield blends together advanced treatment, primer, and SPF technologies to immediately blur and protect while combating the signs of aging.”

—murad.com

I’d used other Murad products before, but only briefly. Not long ago, before consulting a dermatologist for my acne, while I was trying everything under the sun in the hopes that I’d find something that would help, I’d tried the Murad Acne Starter Kit, and some of the things in the kit helped, a little, but I think I just needed something stronger.

Before giving Invisiblur Perfecting Shield a try, I wondered if it would be as good as or better than e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer, my current favorite primer, and, well, it is. As a primer under makeup, Invisiblur Perfecting Shield works like magic.

I apply it after my regular moisturizer, which also contains SPF, and for the record, when I do it, there’s no clumping, which happens sometimes when I mix products that contain SPF.

murad, primer, SPF — The smooth, clear gel makes application a breeze

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By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur Luxe Tinted Lip Balm in Mauve Moon and Corail Stellar

May 9th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 14 Comments

Wearing By Terry Baume de Rose in Corail Stellar ($58)

To me, few brands are more chic than By Terry. I’ve adored the unquestionably luxe line since the first time I spotted the brand while living in Paris. I still remember the thrill I got from splurging on my very first tub of Baume de Rose lip balm… How decadent it was! The rich, soothing cream never left my college purse until I’d used every last bit on my dry patches, cuticles and, of course, lips.

Later a good friend sent me Or de Rose, a golden shimmering take on the original, except with rose gold packaging, and I am still scraping to get out every last drop.

I jumped for joy and nostalgic excitement when, this past year, By Terry released Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur, a tinted version of her precious cult classic in a range of shades from berries to classic cherry reds and deep maroons.

For spring 2016, By Terry has added two new shades — Mauve Moon and Corail Stellar ($56 each) — the first in the line to contain subtle shimmer, and they’re just as stunning as their predecessors.

By Terry Baume de Rose Spring 2016 — By Terry Baume de Rose in Mauve Moon and Corail Stellar

As a dry-lipped lass, I really appreciate the tinted take on By Terry’s classic lip balm formula, which I clearly love, as I’ve nearly demolished two pots of the original and two pots of the golden shimmering version, and Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur easily lives up to the classic’s standard.

“The much-loved lip balm has now been given the Rose Infernale full-color treatment. This eye-popping palette ranges from chic and cheerful to innocent hushed hues and whimsical high-drama. The ever-luxurious formula pampers and soothes with softening rose flower essential wax, lipo-regenerating shea butter, free radical fighting vitamin E, restructuring ceramides, hydrating and smoothing filling spheres. Lips will lap up this deep-down long-lasting cure.”

—spacenk.com

Just as rich and moisturizing as the untinted version, the tinted rendition also has a wonderful rosy garden scent, which smells like real life roses and green stems.

I adore it but, as a word to the wise, if you’re sensitive to scented lip products, you may want to reconsider, as the rosy scent lingers on lips for a while.

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A Rockabilly Winged Liner Look: This Eye Look’s Mine, So I Walk the Line

May 6th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 18 Comments

You know I love makeup (duh), but what you may not know about me is that I’ve always been into the rockabilly/psychobilly music scene.

Everybody luuurves Johnny Cash, but I also adore Empress of Fur, the Nekromantix and Tiger Army. Sadly, 1950s-inspired hairstyles and outfits are challenging to keep up with on the day-to-day, especially as a professional and a mom, so I most often indulge my affinity for this “look” by applying a nice big winged cat eye.

When Nicole and I talked about teaming up to show you our tips, tricks and techniques for all things “cat eye,” I immediately knew what I wanted to feature: my go-to Rockabilly Wing! Long before I started my own blog or possessed more makeup than I could choose from on a daily basis, I always had a good black liner in my collection to rock this look quite literally every day.

My arsenal of “tools” has grown exponentially, but somehow I can’t quit this classic.

Grab your favorite liners, put on your favorite vinyl and get ready! 🙂 I’m going to show you how to Walk the Line.

I keep a close watch on this wing of mine,

I keep my cat eye flicked out all the time,

I pick a long lasting liner formula to bind,

This eye look’s mine…so I walk the line.

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How I Rock Pink Eyeshadow (A Collaboration With Jen and Adia)

May 6th, 2016 by Anna Oh 17 Comments

fotd-pink-makeup2 — Wearing Ardency Inn Rose Gold Eyeshadow, Becca Rose Gold Pressed Eyeshadow, and MAC Finally Free Lipstick

A friend and I recently had a photography date in a charming neighborhood, snacking on amazing salted caramel “cake” donuts (they are as good as they sound). It was a picture perfect weekend, so I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather to wear pink.

This week Jen, Adia and I are showcasing our favorite way to rock pink eyeshadow, and I call this look “Rose Gold Eyeshadow for a Day of Donuts and Photoshoots.”

Here are a few of my favorite pink-toned pieces…

fotd — FOTD Makeup Menu: Nars Concealer, MAC Mascara, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, MAC Finally Free Lipstick, and Becca Rose Gold

ardency inn rose gold — Ardency Inn “Rose Gold” — the singles pop out from the magnet!

naked 3 palette — Urban Decay Naked 3. I used this palette to blend

What I used:

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($29): I have the shade called Honey, and I’m joining the bandwagon… It’s an awesome concealer. I use it to target my problem areas, and I can skip the foundation step on good days.
MAC Charged Black Mineralize Multi-Effect Lash ($22): From the MAC Future Collection, this mascara is lightweight and lengthening. No crazy volume here. but I have been using this for weeks.
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($19): There are 2 types of people in this world — those who love the Tattoo Liner, and those who prefer the Ink Liner. I always come back to the Tattoo because I love the flexible soft brush pen.
MAC x Caitlyn Jenner Finally Free Lipstick ($17): This is with me in my minimal makeup bag, and I can’t recommend this color enough. SO pretty and perfect. I didn’t re-apply after the donuts, though, so it’s not present in the outdoor images.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38): As the only Shimmering Skin Perfector I own, this deserves a special place on my vanity. Rose Gold is a highlighting blush or a blush-topper for the lighter skinned girls.
Ardency Inn Modster Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments ($21): The star of my look, Rose Gold is the creamiest, most nuanced rose-taupe eyeshadow I’ve seen. A perfect pick for anyone interested in getting into pinks.
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ($54): I use the darker shades in this palette constantly for many of my looks. They blend perfectly, and I love the matte colors in particular. I used some of the darker shades to quickly shade in my eyebrows too.

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