Bobbi Brown - Shimmering Nudes Palette

Get ready to pony up $50 big ones because this palette is worth the cash! Nobody does nudes like BB and the quality of her line makes the price seem reasonable.

The nudes in this palette offer cool and warm tones to pick from but they are so forgiving and well, nude, that anyone can get away with any shade.

This palette features 6 nude shades that range from metallic to soft pearl finishes with Espresso on the right for lining. A double ended brush is included with bristles that are identical to the full size versions. This is important to me because lots of palettes get cheap when it comes to the brush, but not Bobbi!

While you are at the BB counter check out the new Metallic eyeshadows and lipstick colors. The Metallic lipsticks are truly a departure for BB and I love them. The lippies are metallic without being over the top frosty and are very wearable. These new editions to the BB line are very welcome in my book and just make this already great line even better.

MAC - Cult of Cherry

So I know I have already blogged about Cult of Cherry but I figured I would yap some more.

I picked up a few things but didn't even touch the Mattene colors or nail polish.

Instead I fell in love with all 3 palettes which are gorgeous. Spiced Chocolate on the left is fall embodied in an eyeshadow quad. My MAC pals say this is the hit with palette's selling out fast.

Tempting is the middle palette and has the most interesting mix of color with the chartreuse beauty Sharp just shouting at you. Sharp is not as scary as it may initially seem and can be worn very sheer for day or over a base for intensity anytime. Sharp layered with Tempting makes a beautiful shade.

Shadowy Lady is on the left and is probably my favorite of the three although it does have two re-promotes in Deep Truth the deep vivid blue and Shadowy Lady the deep matte purple. But I am not deterred by that as these are two of my favorite shadows from MAC's permanent line anyway.

My other favorites from this collection are Rich and Ripe Lipglass and Lightly Ripe lipstick. I bought two of each as they are near perfect everyday shades for me with Lightly Ripe being basically my lip color.

I encourage you to check out this collection. After receiving my issue of Allure and Instyle the other day I was amazed that both mags feature chartreuse eyeshadow prominently.

Lip - Sunscreen Smarts

As I have mentioned in previous posts there are few things that will get me onto my beauty soap box faster than products that claim to have broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection but lack the right ingredients to do the job.

Lipgloss, lipbalm and lipstick are among the worst offenders when it comes to these bogus claims and it makes me want to stomp my feet in frustration! Most beauty shopping ladies believe the SPF rating listed on the box and they should be able to, but sadly you just can't.

Now don't get me wrong....I own all manner of lip products that do not contain SPF and I have no beef because they never claimed to. Also if your favorite gloss is intended for evening wear only then SPF is not an issue, but my quest is to find products that will protect lips from summer sun.

So in the interests of directing you to some options that can protect your pout I went online and to my favorite beauty stores and checked out the selection. The shock for me was just how many were losers in the SPF game with most products lacking the right UVA ingredients as an active. It is tempting to point to titanium dioxide or zinc oxide somewhere in the ingredient list, but it must be listed as an active ingredient to get the requisite protection.

Here are my finds:

• Aveda Lip Tint is a chapstick type lipbalm with color. I like Peony a baby pink.
• The Balm Balm Shelter gloss comes in 6 sheer colors and has fruity scents.
• TerraTints is another chapstick type lip balm but has some great colors like Blaze, a garnet red with shimmer.
• Bare Escentuals Lip Guard in Miami Beach. This is a cool pink shade that is sheer. There are a few other colors available but they can be a bit tough to track down in stores but are available online.

Sadly most of the fun summer lip products were lacking the right actives to give broad spectrum protection and finding good color choice was tough. Let me know if you have a favorite that I didn't find.

This whole SPF adventure has made me realize something......if ever I were to create a makeup line reliable SPF would be mandatory in ALL the daytime products.

Chanel Glossimer

It occurred to me today that I could probably write an entire blog about lipgloss alone. I think this a common problem for a lot of makeup junkies...right?

I mean when I was a younger girl gloss was the furthest thing from my mind. Matte lipstick was all the rage and the deeper the color the better. I am thinking MAC's Verushka and Russian Red, which are deep eggplant and a true deep blue red respectively. This is serious matte lipstick that requires frequent checking in the mirror and you could never just apply them walking down the street.

Maybe that's were gloss came in and became so popular....it requires far less commitment than lipstick and even the colors are more forgiving since they are sheer. The wrong pink lipstick can look garish but in gloss form more people can pull off the same shade.

With that thought in mind you should know Chanel Glossimer is among my top 5 lipgloss choices, of any line, period.

Between the array of color choices and the wear time, this is good gloss. Glossimer is not some super watery gloss that is gone in two seconds. Instead Glossimer is a bit thicker in texture and has better color payoff than most gloss which I love.

I think everyone must already worship at the altar that is Chanel's Glossimer but for those out there who don't here are my top choices:

Spark (swatch pictured) is a sheer golden cherry that is beautiful and sexy on the lips without looking harsh.

Pagoda is my go to color for the morning rush and I haven't met a blond that doesn't look good wearing it. This shade is reminiscent of a peachy gold bellini and is very flattering.

Hibiscus is a great evening shade and sort of reminds me of Spark, but with the color pumped up. It is a more burgundy red with gold shimmer that looks great in low restaurant lighting. This color also straddles that line of cool and warm tones, so most skin tones look good wearing it.

While Chanel gloss may be on the pricey side it delivers where many glosses fall flat. The color range is huge and the wear time make it worth a few more dollars. Plus it does not have any fragrance!

Urban Decay Lipstick

Here is Urban Decay's new Lipstick. For those who have followed the brand you will know that the lipsticks have come and gone from the line a few times. The first incarnation was lipstick packaged in a bullet casing look-alike. Those lip colors were opaque and intense while the new lineup of lipsticks are much more diverse.

I have read a few reviews of these lipsticks and they have been mixed and I think that mainly has to do with what formulation you pick and your expectations. There are 21 shades to chose from and sheer, cream and shimmer varieties to consider.

The shimmer formula is lovely but you should expect large particle glitter that may not be for everyone. The creams however are elegant and are available in full coverage, semi-sheer and sheer cream. The sheen variety has a frosty glow that I love and highly recommend checking out along with the cream formulas.

The fragrance is creme caramel and it is sweet but not horribly so. The real clincher is the packaging which is beyond cool. Purple metal tubes with a dagger sticking out of the bottom will make any wimpy lipstick run scared! Urban Decay says it can be your secret weapon and I agree!

I picked up Buzzkill a dark rose cream and Voodoo a dark pink sheen. They are truly lovely shades that you might not expect to find in a edgy line like Urban Decay.

The tubes are $22 and available at Sephora.

Fresh Supernova Mascara

I am a mascara tramp. I am never faithful even to mascaras I really like. For instance, I love Chanel's Inimitable but I keep trying other mascaras hoping to improve on its formula. My main issue is that if I get fantastic separation and definition the volume sucks. And if I get thick and lush lashes I am fitting a clump war I never seem to win.

I realize many makeup artists use two different mascaras to achieve the desired combo of length and volume and bring in a lash comb for separation. I guess I think this is a bit crazy and outside of my morning routine time constraints. So I keep searching.....

My most recent trial is Fresh Supernova which has been recommended to me by just about every Sephora SA I have asked. They all rave that it doesn't run or smudge and the formula and brush really deliver.

So I ponied up my $25 bucks and hoped for the best, oh and I kept my receipt! My results were good but not OMG amazing and here's why. First off for $25 bucks I want most of my aforementioned mascara criteria met and the good news is it was. The sort of bad news is that the mascara really didn't make my lashes much thicker although it did separate and lengthen nicely.

All in all this mascara gets a B+ in my mind and it is worth considering if you are on the hunt for good mascara or are just a mascara tramp like me.

Bare Escentuals - 10 New Lipsticks

Bare Escentuals has added 10 new colors to their 100% Natural Lipcolor line and in all truth it fills in some gaping holes. I like BE's lipsticks quite a bit and appreciate that they are trying to put a lipstick that is good for your lips on the market. Up until now there were only a few shades I sort of liked so I have never written about them. Here are the new additions:




Bavarian Cream - sheer light blue pink
Berry Cordial - deep raspberry with shimmer
Black Currant - muted blackberry
Bread Pudding - tawny nude
Italian Ice - warm rosy raspberry
Passion Fruit - bright berry
Red Zin - rich blue red
Spiced Rum - bronze with shimmer
Strawberry Daiquiri - warm berry rose
Sweet Apricot - warm apricot

My favorites are Red Zin which is a must have for red lipstick lovers along with Strawberry Daiquiri and Passion Fruit. The lipsticks are $15 each and are very moisturizing due to the base of Jojoba and Macadamia oils.

Tarte Eye Couture Day to Night Palette

This palette is a must have! Seriously, get on down to the Sephora and grab it and pick up a few extra to give as holiday presents for special friends.

Why, you ask, is this such a must have? I'll tell you why! First off it is a screaming deal! $44 gets you 10 full size eyeshadows 6 of which are in the charcoal family and the other 6 are in the bronze family. Included is a double ended eye brush that is fabulous and a double ended liner in brown and charcoal.

Second, the colors are so spot on fall-tastic with grey eyes and smoky browns everywhere. Plus did I mention that these are full size pans!

Third the packaging is uber-cute with metallic purple quilting and a lock and key. I had visions of my own "Dear Diary" that had a kitten on the front and you better believe I locked that thing. I couldn't very well have my mom read about my current crush!

Fourth, as if you needed any more reasons, Tarte is good for you makeup. You won't find parabens, synthetic dyes or any other nasty baddies in their stuff. The shadows are silky and blendable and damnit the thing is just cute!

Chanel - Gold Fiction

Chanel's Fall 2008 collection has been talked about and written about a bunch. I too was swept up in the previews that showed pictures of gold lipgloss and nail polish and Facettes d'Or highlighting powder, convinced I would want every last thing.

I am just as surprised to report that after playing with the colors at Neiman Marcus yesterday I was underwhelmed with only a few noted exceptions.

Rather than harp on about how a lot of these colors have been done before and in some cases a whole lot better, I'll concentrate on what did wow me and had me whipping out my cash!

Gold Fiction nail polish in priced higher than the usual Chanel polish and while I may balk a bit at $35 for a bottle you may think nothing of the price after seeing the polish. The bottle is opaque and the color on it does not accurately represent the gorgeousness that is Gold Fiction.

Gold Fiction is a champagne beige gold tone. It is metallic but not glittery. The polish is dazzling with one hastily applied coat at the Chanel counter and knock your socks off lovely with two coats applied in the comfort of your home or nail salon. I didn't have any particular hankering for this much talked about polish but after seeing it I am converted to the church of gold polish....at least Chanel's anyway.

The other item that nabbed my attention and was a slam dunk purchase is a new shade of Aqualumiere Sheer Color Lipshine, Papeete. Papeete is a bright but sheer raspberry pink shade with violet shimmer and is a stunner on the lips. My husband caught me skulking around the counter (as you can guess this is a frequent occurrence) and even he asked what shade I had on my lips. Needless to say it too went home with me.

Check out the collection for yourself and tell me what you think of it. There is much talk of the collection to hit counters later this year. The reports all speak of a smoky eye quad that will cause a stampede at the counter.

Kat Von D New Products

Well for all those gals who hoped that Kat Von D's foray into the makeup world would continue and expand, your prayers have been answered!

Behold Kat Von D's contribution to glossiness! There are eleven colors to choose from and at $18 a tube perhaps you can choose a couple. Lighting Lip Gloss is sheer and sparkle infused with colors ranging from light pink to candy apple red along with the expected nude and the not so expected smoke shade.








Next up are 9 new eyeshadow duos with a satin shade on one side and a glitter spiked color on the other. Each duo is $20 and I love almost every duo. You have a choice of green, purple, blue and ivory too! Seriously the 9 duos are worth a look and while I had some trouble with the palettes from the original release (mainly that I loved certain shades but just don't use others) I am thrilled to be able to pick specific shades.



These are available at Sephora or online with the word being that a gondola (Sephora display unit) will be put in for this line in stores. Looks like KVD is here to stay!