Weekly Beauty Edit 6.21.2015

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Last week I posted about our upcoming trip to St. Louis. We got back today and had a great time! Might have been nice to not have a typhoon hitting St. Louis while we were there but hey, have to roll with the punches, right?  This post is about the makeup I packed. Because at the moment, my brain is mush and it's all I could think to do! A popular video on YouTube is "What's in My Makeup Travel Bag" and I'm always astounded at how much some ladies take on vacation or weekend trips. I'm a a very light packer, pretty much have it down to a science. My philosophy is that if I really need something or the weather drastically changes, chances are I can run to Walmart and buy it. The thought of packing an extra sweater, an extra top, an extra this and an extra that is not in my nature. There are times I'm very risk averse, however, packing is not one of these. I throw caution to the wind!

The getaway was 4 days. I'm almost certain I would pack the exact same thing for a two week trip, maybe different lipstick shades in colder weather.

Foundation - Sephora Teint Infusion - Happens to be one of my favorites at the moment, high coverage but an extremely lightweight formula, still looks natural even in sunlight. I also wanted a foundation that would not disappear as my oil broke through. Long wearing is not important to me while on a trip (although this foundation does give me 8 to 10 hours of indoor wear) since we are rarely gone from the room more than 4 or 5 hours at a time. It can be applied with fingers. I'm not bringing a foundation brush on vacation! Last thing I want to to do is be washing brushes or sponges. I always pick a foundation that applies well with fingers and that is true of this Sephora foundation. Speaking of washing, whenever we return to our room, one of the first things I do is wash my face. Hotels always have white sheets. If we are back in our room, it means I'll be napping. Can't stand getting makeup on the pillow cases.

Concealer - Mac Prolongwear - Absolutely one of my top three concealers.  I can use Mac Prolongwear under my eyes and on my red nose whereas my other favorite concealers are only great under my eyes. This concealer wears beautifully for me under my eyes but you should know I do not have dark circles, only uneven tone. This is not perfect for my red nose but it will do just fine rather than bringing my Dermablend. Mac Prolongwear is also easy to toss in the purse to have if I need to freshen up my nose.

Brows - Anastasia Brow Powder in Medium Brown -This has two powder colors in it so I can define rather nicely with a light and a dark shade. This is always my go to brow product so a no-brainer for me to bring along.

Anastasia Brow Powder in Medium Brown

Shadow Primer -  Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden - This is a must have product for my oily and discolored lids. It is pale yellow pigmented to neutralize discoloration, matte, my shadows never crease and stay true for 12 hours and longer! Another no-brainer for me to bring this favorite product.

Face Primer - Cover FX Mattifying Primer.  In warm weather, I can't skip this step because I must use mattifying primers. Do they keep me matte? A bit longer and I'll take any improvement. I had a sample size of this one which is why I packed it. It was very warm in St. Louis, I think in the low 90s yesterday with high humidity. I think my blotting papers were much more helpful than this primer for oil control but the primer did keep my foundation in place.

Setting Powder - NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder - I'm liking this one lately and find it really keeps my foundation in place, especially on my oily nose.  Also, when traveling you have to know that any makeup in powder form might crack. This is very inexpensive and if it shattered, no big deal. The packaging is slim and lightweight making it easy to toss in my purse for the day.

Mascara - Too Faced Better Than Sex - I had this is deluxe sample size and like this mascara. I like most mascara but especially this one. This happen to be the first I reached for in my sample size stash.

Eye Lash Curler - I have several and the one I grabbed is a no name I bought at TJ Maxx, I think. I use a lash curler every single day with my stick straight, downward pointing lashes. This is an automatic step for me, not a special occasion step. Thus, I always pack a lash curler.

Eye Liner - Urban Decay 24/7 in Mushroom. I line the bottom of my eye with a taupe shade. Black liner, to me, looks harsh at my age and it closes up my small eyes. This is one of my three "go to" pencils and happened to be the one I grabbed.

Blush - Tarte Off the Cuff Palette - I have a few blush palettes I could have brought. My criteria is a pink blush, a peachy blush and a matte bronzer. Any of the blush palettes would work. I like the packaging on this one, it's relatively flat, has a nice mirror I can use for applying my makeup in a hotel room, and Tarte blushes are long wearing. This was limited edition and might be my favorite blush palette so I did hesitate slightly only because of shattering possibility. But I've taken this palette on several trips and it has survived. I rolled the dice one more time and it survived, again. Let's face it, even if it shattered I own plenty of other blushes!

Tarte Off the Cuff Blush Palette, Limited Edition

Eye Shadow - Too Faced Naked Eye Palette - Love this palette. Packaging is a bit bulky but still light weight. It has the perfect range of color with both matte and shimmer. I can achieve a super natural, daytime, tourist perfection look or a  dramatic, evening, let's celebrate with champagne look and everything in between. The packaging keeps the powder shadows safe and Too Faced shadows are not powdery soft messy pans so they travel well.

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette

Lipstick - Wet N Wild Balm Stain in Festival Fashionista and Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart. I like jumbo lip crayons for ease, they don't melt in heat, easy to apply on the go and without a mirror. Both of these are happy bright summer colors and they leave a stain so I always have color on my lips which is great for those spontaneous touristy pictures. I always have a Dior lipstick in my purse so if I want to impress someone in the ladies room at Cracker Barrel, I can always whip out the Dior. I crack myself up.

Highlighter - Marc Jacobs Bright Idea - This is the one item I could have easily skipped. I did use it for our evening out, nice dinner, carriage ride night. This is a typical click pen style, easy to control, shatter proof obviously, takes up minimum room and does the trick! I must say if you are over 50, I think the "triangle of light" trick under the eyes is an instant age reversing trick.

4 Brushes - NARS Yachio, Wayne Goss 04 and 05, Sedona Lace Brow Brush. The Yachio is great for blush and because it comes to a pointy tip, I can use for contouring my cheeks. It can be a bit challenging for bronzer but with my self-tan, I don't bronze, only contour. And let's face it, if I had to bronze, of course I could make this brush work. If I was not self tanning, I would have packed a bronzing brush. The Goss brushes are my go to brushes lately for my eyes. I can apply lid color, crease color, brow bone and blend with these two brushes. I could use my finger if I had to, this isn't my first rodeo! The brow powder brush is my favorite.

That's it!

Cheers,

Lulu

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Weekly Beauty Edit 6.14.2015

It's Flag Day in the US! And one week from today is our wedding anniversary. We live in the Chicago area and could easily take 20 vacations in our own back yard and not run out of things to do. However, we decided to go away to a nearby city. We had Madison, Indianapolis, and St. Louis on the list and chose St. Louis. When we go away, we like to be tourists! So we will pack as much as possible.into the 4 days. Soulard for sure and a great little restaurant with a patio, some music and a killer Bloody Mary, Annheiser Busch tour, Saint Charles shopping and dining, celebratory dinner

downtown followed by a one hour carriage ride, meeting a Facebook friend for lunch or coffee, (I'm sooooo excited - we've never met, she's a friend from a beauty group!), Pappy's for BBQ if we can find an off time to go (will this really compare to the over the moon BBQ from Memphis? We shall see), we hear the Zoo is a treasure, and hoping for a trip to Kimmswick for more window shopping and a piece of pie at the infamous Blue Owl. I'm really looking forward to a day in Saint Charles. Are we doing the arch? No. Did that when the boys were younger and it was not an experience I enjoyed. At all. My anxiety was OFF THE CHART. Going up in that arch, more than once, was in the top ten "tests of motherly love" in my book. Never. Again.

Well, wasn't that all beauty related? No. But I'm sure a trip to the local Sephora or an Ulta we drive buy or hopping into a Walgreens to find that elusive Fergie palette will be involved. I see other bloggers and BeautyTubers talking about "What's in my beauty travel bag?" When we take a trip, my makeup bag is minimal. I'm a very light packer, always have been. It's America! If I need something, I run to WalMart and buy it, right? As I like to say, reality is, no one is looking at me except me and I seriously doubt that when the family sitting behind us on the tram at Disney go home, they will be talking lady in the hat who sat in front of us on the tram. Right? The only place the world is about me is right here on this blog. Which is why I love my blog!

Editorial
Decisions, decisions. Now that I'm back in the swing of filming (I think I'm supposed to call it "creating content") YT videos again, I need to ponder the direction of my channel and the direction of my blog. I know many YTers use their blog as a place for better photos and swatches of products they feature on their channel, like companions holding hands skipping in a field of daisies. I don't want that. It's hard enough to talk about something once, let alone writing about it. And can lipstick be THAT interesting that I need to film AND write about it? As much as I love lipstick, and you know I do, I can't do a repeat video and blog. Link to my most recent YT video here.

You may see some experimentation on this blog. It may take a more Nutty Professor twist by using my fancy, singular interpretation of science to explain skincare or cosmetic knowledge. For example, when a pore is clogged, I call that gunk. Highly scientific terminology. Here's a snippet....BHA exfoliates gunk, AHA exfoliates snakes (picture snakes shedding their skin). I could, instead, explain that the difference is their lipid solubility.  BHA, beta hydroxy acid, is oil soluble and therefore is more effective at breaking up sebum and dead cells that fill your pores and AHA, alpha hydroxy acid, is water soluble and is more effective at dissolving the connective tissue holding dead surface cells onto the surface of the skin. I won't even talk about the proper pH of each or the difference in molecule size between mandelic acid and glycolic acid. So just remember, BHA cleans gunk, AHA cleans snakes. So much easier than understanding solubility, right?

I'm not in corporate Learning & Development but I have spent a good time of my professional career developing, training and mentoring peers and associates.I LOVE sharing knowledge, I LOVE gaining knowledge, I LOVE researching for facts, tearing away layers of opinion and getting to the nuggets of fact. Once I have the facts, then I look at opposing opinions. Only after sprinkling my magic dust on the facts and opposing opinions, I find peace. I've done public speaking and written manuals in my other career. I enjoy it and I'd like to extend my love of sharing knowledge about skincare, hair care, and cosmetics here on this blog. I hope it will help you make the right choices, spend your money on effective products and cut through the marketing messages in the glossy magazines and on shopping channels. Lots of wonderful products out there, I hope to give you the tools to help you select the best of the best for YOU and your skin, your budget, your style, your requirements which are different than mine.

Haul-A-Lulu
Eco Tool Konjac Sponge - Very odd, indeed. When it's dry, it feels like a piece of styrofoam. maybe a bit smoother. It's that light and kind of makes the same sound as when you kind of smack a piece of styrofoam. Because it's completely normal to smack styrofoam. When you wet it, it gets completely soft and mushy. I'm not sure why, but I don't like the feel of it when it's wet. It's smooth and almost gel like. I used it three times and I'm done. This is not for me. But I have no idea why.

Alba Botanica Oil Control Lotion - I don't have acne, actually I never break out even with my very oily skin. This is a part of Alba Botanica's Acne Dote line. I'm sure I don't own every oil control lotion in the world....but I bet I'm close! I like this one. It seems to work better than most. What does that mean? I'm less shiny throughout the day. In other words, I still get shiny but not as shiny as without a mattifying product.

Everyone by EO Face Cleanser - I took out a second mortgage and went shopping at Whole Foods. How much for ground beef???? Is that a head of lettuce or head of green gold???? I'm perfectly fine with eating preservatives. After all, the more preservatives I eat, the more preserved I'll be, right? Got to say, all these chicks walking around Whole Foods are not looking that good to me. Completely emaciated. Of course, how could they afford to actually eat if they shop at Whole Foods? And for Pete's say, go put some gluten free lipstick on, would you?  Why, if I feel so strongly about Whole Foods did I go in there? Strawberries. I can't find good strawberries. So I took out a second mortgage and went to Whole Foods. Bought strawberries. They tasted the same (bland) as the strawberries I buy at Jewel. But I guess I won't glow in the dark since they probably weren't radiated. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Purity cleanser by Philosophy. This cleanser looked interesting. It was certified by every kind of free trade, gluten, natural, let's hold hands and sing Kumbaya organization I've never heard of. I really was curious to see what it was like. Eh. However, I did hug my tree today. Excuse me, I have to go eat a hot dog wrapped in bacon.

Emjoi Micro-Pedi Electric - This is by far one of the most incredible gadgets invented for those of us who are a little over the top about taking care of our feet at home. It's right up there with crock pot liners.I have the original, battery operated version. When mine starts to lose its effectiveness, I never know if its time to change the batteries or the roller. This would make me crazy. First world problem, I know. Saw a great price on amazon and bought the electric. Used it yesterday. My feet could be in some kind of a commercial.

Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Melted Strawberry - If you like bright lipstick, this has to be in your collection. I'm always wondering if I have a favorite lipstick, if that is even possible. This one would be a real contender for that title.

Too Face Melted Liquified Lipstick in Melted Strawberry

Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual Sale Haul - 3 Wick Candle in Bamboo Grass, Wallflower duo packs in Warm Vanilla Sugar and Frosted Cupcake, hand soaps in Pink Grapefruit, Boardwalk Vanilla Cone, and Perfect Beach Day, two Pearberry shower gels (hey, it's limited edition of an oldie but goodie), and Georgia Peach Body Spritz. Used my $10 off  $40 coupon.

Cheers,

Lulu

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Weekly Beauty Edit 6.07.2015

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I went to Sephora this week. Not that you need instructions on how to shop at Sephora but Rule One e is wear comfortable shoes since you most certainly will walk the entire store no less than 137 times. Second rule, take a list of things you want to swatch or sniff or touch. Third rule, take a list of samples you want to request (sub rule: do not ever leave Sephora without requesting at least 2 samples). Fourth rule, prepare to enter Nirvana. Keeping in mind this blog is written for those with crow's feet.....Remember your ability to perfectly lip sync to Carol King's Tapestry album because it had all the lyrics, they about sum up my trips to Sephora..... "I feel the earth move under my feet..." or "My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hues" or "You make me feel, you make me feel, you make me feel like a nat-u-ral wo-man." Those were the days my friends (quick, who sang that?) of the best music ever! Favorite album? Not sure if Tapestry or Sticky Fingers or Led Zeppelin IV would get that award. Can't forget Abraxas. Honorable mention to Aqualung. Can we have a moment for Jimmy Page and Robert Plant? I'm completely off topic here but if you have not seen Heart performing Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center for Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, stop this very moment, blast the speakers (heats up at 4:45), and click this link. You will get chills and I daresay, shed a tear for the memories...... (trivia, Bonham's son is on the drums). Anyone who followed my train of thought in this paragraph, take a bow.

If you haven't heard, I'm back to making YouTube videos. Rather fun, I must say.  Here's a link about my trip to the mothership.

Best Beauty Purchases in May
St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil - I did one of my "side by side" reviews between this and the Clarins Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster. They are both terrific products. St. Tropez is easier to use. I apply it every night to maintain a nice subtle color. Neither St. Tropez or Clarins will give you a Hawaiian bronze. Here's my side by side video review.

St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil

Tanwise Self Tanning Mousse - The price point on this compared to St. Tropez, Vita Liberata, and Famous Dave's is significantly lower for a better, deeper color. I'm loving it!

Philosophy Lemon Custard Set - Painful to admit, I really fell of my wagon on the "no more shower gels for 2015"beauty resolution with this set. It contained, I can hardly admit it, a 64 (sixty four) ounce shower gel. This is one of my top 10 all time scents. In the set was also the most incredible body souffle, my heart be still, and a fragrance spritz.

Philosophy Lemon Custer 3 in 1

Ever Pro Gray Away - Multiple repeat purchase on this puppy. Holy Grail status. It's a spray that comes in hair colors and I use it to spay over my thin spots as well as gray outgrowth. All of three seconds and I'm done.

Tarte Beauty in the Basics Kit - QVC had this as a Today's Special Value. I fell in love with the cream foundation and the brush. The brush. My new all time favorite foundation brush.

Drawer insert system for lipstick storage -  Not that anything that has anything to do with makeup is life changing, let's be serious, but if something was life changing, this would qualify.

Worst Beauty Purchases in May
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder - The original, loose version is a favorite of mine. However, this was a chalky mess that left a white cast on me. Most reviews on this are positive. I tried several application methods and did not use too much. However, compared to other pore blurring or finishing powders, I have much better in my collection. My YouTube review is here.

Tressa Watercolor Shampoos - I rarely chastise myself on beauty purchases but this is one, actually four, that I'm kicking myself over. These are color depositing shampoos which I bought in four shades to enhance my color. I thought it would be fun to be a bit more burgundy one week, a bit more lush brown the next, a bit more auburn and so on. Nope. None of them make a difference. They were amazon purchases. I have to check on the return policy once I stop kicking myself.

Westmore Foundation - The daughter of the head makeup artist for Star Wars or some such movie has launched this makeup line, allegedly using movie set technology blah blah blah. Don't believe it. Very light coverage and not comfortable on the face. Even better, pores became craters.

Alterna Kendi Dry Oil Micromist for Hair -  I'm not sure this belongs on the Worst list but I was so very disappointed by this product. I had high hopes it would solve my frizz problem. It helps but does not nearly solve it.

Alterna Kendi Dry Oil Micromist

Edits and Deletes
Cover Girl Lipstick - The formula that was out previous to the current collection was horrible. Gee, that helps. I love applying lipstick. Long wearing formulas don't matter to me because I like reaching for the tube during the day and refreshing my lipstick. That said, this previous formula of Cover Girl didn't even last the morning commute. Where does it go? I pulled these all out from my collection. Delete.

Hey, Honey, Take It Off Peel Off Mask - Some of us care about packaging, some of us care about results, some of us care about price. I care about scent. In some things, I want no scent. In things that are scented, if I don't like the scent, I won't even try to make it work. That was the case with this mask. I detested the scent. It did not smell like honey. It smelled like cheap perfume. Delete.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara - Trying to work through my mascara this month, especailly the samples, many in duplicate and triplicate. The Estee Lauder will be removed from my collection. It's a fine mascara but the brush is too big for my eyes. Edit out.

Upcoming Side by Sides
The weather in the Chicago area is finally climbing into the high 80s this week. I detest hot weather so this is not at all exciting for me. It does, however, give me the chance to run some side by side comparisons of various mattifying products. A "side by side" is when I use a product on one side of my face and not the other. This gives me a true performance evaluation.

Cheers,

Lulu

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Weekly Beauty Edit 5.31.2015

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Summer is here! To me, June 1st means summer. You'd never know it with the weather we've had in the Chicago area this weekend with temps in the 40s and 50s. Grass sure is green with all the rain and cool weather, though.

The big beauty news this week is that I came out of hibernation from YouTube filming. Inspiration to film came from a new self-tanner, Tanwise. I like it better than Vita Liberata, St. Tropez and Fake Bake. I bought mine on amazon but I understand that Sally's carries it. (link to video)

Swoon-worthy
Tarte Amazonian Clay Smoothing Balm - This is Tarte's latest foundation, it's a cream foundation. I didn't expect to be blown away, especially for my oily skin, but this went straight to my top 10 list. I took a chance and ordered it in Tan, hoping I could use it for summer. Score! It was a perfect match to my self-tan. First day I wore it, I applied too much. After removing some with tissue and rebuffing, my skin was almost flawless....not easy with this uneven skin tone and large pores, know what I mean? Less is more with this foundation. The other key is it has to be applied with a brush and then buff buff buff. When you're done, buff some more. It wore all day on my oily skin when it was set with NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder. I used a sponge, with the press and roll technique, on my forehead, nose, chin and a bit on the cheeks. I love this powder for setting foundation. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Smoothing Balm

This foundation came as part of a kit from a Today's Special Value (TSV) on QVC a few week's ago. To my knowledge, it has not launched in stores yet. The TSV also contained a shadow quad, lip crayon, eye liner pencil, mascara and a foundation brush all by Tarte. Read on about the brush that surely was made in heaven by the hands of angels. Typically, I have a hard time finding a match in Tarte foundations, they tend to run too yellow even for my warm undertones. I'm hoping when they launch in stores there will be more colors than carried on QVC. If I have to buy two colors to create my own non-summer match, I will! This formula is not what I consider a good summer foundation for me and my oily skin but it's lovely for me and my mature skin. Ahhh, the ying and yang of makeup on mature skin. With the temps still cool, I'm glad I was able to wear it.

The brush! Hold on, I can't believe I'm about to say this.....this might be the best foundation brush I have ever used. Marc Jacobs Face II brush has held that honor for at least a year. I'm guessing I have 8 or 9 foundation brushes I adore so for me to say I'm giving the Queen Bee crown to this newcomer is astounding. What makes it so incredible? I like the the diameter which is larger than most foundation brushes. The bristles are synthetic making the brush very soft and easy to clean - bonus! Hard to describe but it is the equation of the bristle length (longer than most foundation brushes) + density (dense) + shape (not flat, slightly rounded) + flexibility (even though it is dense, it has a lot of give but not too much). If you could hear me, I'd sound giddy! Those longer bristles give it the perfect "give" or movement. I tap this brush into the foundation, quickly stipple onto a section of my face and then buff away. This brush moves the foundation effortlessly without brush marks. The name of the brush is Bamboo Smooth Balm Brush. In my book, it's named Nervana. 

Tarte Bamboo Smooth Balm Brush

Nail Polish News
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Pink Point - Avoid this temptation at all costs. This may be the cutest darn summer pink you've seen in years but hide your nails and avert your eyes. Typically, Xtreme Wear is an excellent formula. This color, however, is disastrous. Streaky, drag marks, uneven edges, pooled in the cuticles. Ugh. I had to remove it the same night I applied it. 

Sally Hansen Extreme Wear Pink Point

Summer Essentials
15 dozen packs of blotting papers (at least)
Mattifying pressed powder in the car, desk drawer, and purse
Mattifying primer (still looking for a favorite)
SPF lotion on my desk for applying to arms and hands before I leave the office
SPF loose powder in my car to brush on my arms and hands, just in case
Hair ties everywhere to pull back my hair
Biore UV Perfect Face Milk SPF 50 PA++++ (new discovery!)
New self-tanning mitts
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
ClearTan Biosphere Bronzer (this is a liquid body bronzer, unbelievable) link
Philosophy Soul Owner foot cream (all year but especially in summer!)
Fresh Sugar Lemon EDP Rollerball in my purse
Stila Sun Gel bronzer (to adjust foundation color)
Sexy Hair Soya Want It All Leave In Conditioner (only thing that slightly tames my frizz) link

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,

Lulu

Let's connect on Instagram

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Beauty Sample Saturday #4

If you follow my blog by email, thank you! 

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This is the last edition of Beauty Sample Saturday as part of the challenge to use 31 samples in 31 days. I might continue this as a self-challenge because I absolutely enjoyed using my samples. Rather like giving myself a bit of a present every day!

You'll notice three days of mascara. There's a stash of mascaras I need to get through to pick the winners and losers. Earlier this week, I placed all the mascaras into a basket and each day, I'm reaching into the basket and using one. Just so happened that three days in a row they were the sample size. Each night, on my Facebook page, I'm posting a pic of what my lashes look like after a full day of wearing that mascara. Here's a link to my FB page, let's be friends! The page is public in case you don't have a FB account.

A bit of history behind Sample Saturday..... Early this month, two wonderful BeautyTubers (YouTubers who make videos about beauty) I follow started a challenge for May. They wanted to use one sample each day, 31 samples in 31 days, followed-up with mini reviews. They invited other BeautyTubers and subscribers to join in. Here I am!

The two YouTube Beauties who motivated me to do this are:
Olivia and here is her video (channel name: makeupfunwitholivia)
Cherylene and here is her video (channel name: Cherylene)

There are two more YouTube Beauties participating, too.
Cheryl and here is her channel (channel name: Cheryl's Corner)
Cindy and here is her channel (channel name: Old Broad)

May 23 Buxom Show Some Skin Weightless Foundation in Meet Me Latte
This was a Saturday of not leaving the house so I fel typically not the kind I would reach for. I'm not a sheer to light coverage kind of girl. If you are looking for a sheer to light foundation, this is nice. I would call this Sheer+ but some might call it Light coverage. This did not even out my skin tone, age spots and general blotchiness. It made them slightly better, very slightly. For instance, broken capillaries were pink instead of red. This does have SPF 30 so it could make a good base if you like powder foundation. It was difficult to judge wear time since there was hardly anything there to begin with. I'm hoping you can see where I put the foundation on my wrist and that it hardly covered my vein. That was a pretty thick swatch, too.

Buxom Show Some Skin in Meet Me Latte

May 24 Philosophy Miracle Worker Eye Repair

Philosophy Miracle Worker
Eye Repair Treatment

My under eye area is extremely dry, sensitive and reactive. Most anti-aging eye creams sting. Eye cream samples are my best friend since I know immediately if I can use them. Miracle Worker Eye Repair did not sting me so that was good. However, it felt like pure silicone. If you've used the original Smashbox primer, this is its twin sister. I didn't expect that! I looked at the ingredients, sure enough the first two ingredients are both silicones, third ingredient is water. The Miracle Worker line was developed around a retinoid that was not irritating and I agree!  Unfortunately, my under eye concealer would not apply, it kept sliding along with my finger. Maybe it would play well with another concealer, I used MAC Prolongwear.  At night, I need deep hydration which silicone sitting on my skin is not. Very nice pump style packaging. I'm not quite giving up on this yet. I really want to use a retinoid under my eyes and this did not sting. Maybe layer it over my night eye cream?

May 25 Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Souffle Body Creme
Heavens! This is a beautiful bakery scent. As the name implies, it smells like creme brulee, a delicate vanilla with a hint of caramelized sugar. But there's something else that makes it feminine, beautiful and grown up. Some type of floral. Vanilla based body lotions do not mix well with my body chemisty, they inevitably turn into an ashtray scent. I think the little bit of floral saved this one. It was hydrating and took about 5 minutes to fully absorb. My skin felt soft for hours. I'm adding this to my Christmas list (which I start each January 1st).

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Souffle Body Cream

May 26 Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Of the three mascaras I sampled, this was the most wow. Very black, built volume and length. Interesting brush. I would absolutely buy this in full size. Winner winner chicken dinner!

May 27 Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara
This mascara was a nice daytime look. The wand was traditional, it built a bit of volume, a bit of length. Overall a nice mascara for those who need to wear mascara but don't want to look over the top. Absolutely no clumping, it was a clean, defined look. I think there are plenty of drug store mascaras that are as good or better such as CoverGirl Clump Crusher.

Top to Bottom
Too Faced Better Than Sex
Too Face Lash Injection
Benefit They're Real

May 28 Benefit They're Real Mascara
I like this mascara. Benefit made a big deal about the brush because it has bristles all the way to the tip of the wand ending in a ball tip. The ball tip is designed to find those tiny lashes. The wand did its job! Nice volume, nice length, nice definition. IT Cosmetics Hello Lashses mascara is a better formula for me. more definition and more length, and has the same style ball tip brush.

May 29  Briogeo, Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Hair Mask
There's a strong theory among hair fashionistas (does anyone still use that word), particularly the

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair

naturally curly hair ladies, that silicone is not healthy for hair. Some hair likes it, some not so much. My hair loves silicone. Briogeo is a silicone-free hair product. It most likely is very nourishing for hair but I'm used to that silky kind of slip silicone hair products leave on hair. Although this is a deep conditioning mask, it felt more like a light weight conditioner. If you have fine hair, you might like this since it was not heavy at all. My hair looked good and felt good once it was dry! I won't buy this because I like silicone and so does my hair.

May 30 Benefit Stay Flawless Primer Stick

Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer

It would help if I actually read what these products are. I thought this was Benefit Fakeup, which is their hydrating concealer in stick form. I applied the Stay Flawless under my eyes and nada. What the heck is this supposed to conceal? I don't use concealer on my face but for the heck of it, I applied some over an age spot. Nothing. Hmmm. Maybe this is one of those products that develops color as it mixes with your pH. I waited. Still nothing. I had no time for this nonsense. I had to get out the door and over to Cracker Barrel. Priorities! It wasn't until I was writing this post that I realized this is a primer. Ohhhhh. Oops. Well, why the heck are they putting a flesh colored primer in a stick form? Pfffft. I seriously doubt this would work on my oily skin particularly for 15 hours. I'm not sure what the advantage is of having primer in stick form vs the typical tube or pot other than confusing people like me. I will say it is awfully cute packaging with polka dots.

It was a good week!

Cheers,

Lulu

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Weekly Beauty Edit 5.24.2015

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To read this post on my actual blog with all the pretty colors and borders, here's a link back. 

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I haven't posted a Haul-A-Lulu in a long time. Or is that referred to as a hot minute? Or is a hot minute the same thing as a New York minute which would be a very short time rather than a long time, right? Talk amongst yourselves. I've been hauling, weekly, but I don't want these Weekly Edits to be about hauls. Every once in a bit, it's fun. The best part of hauling this week? Seedless watermelon from Costco! Just call me a P-I-G hog! In case you don't know, that is pronounced with PIG spelled out...pee eye gee....and then simply followed by the word hog. Got it? Feel free to use it the next time you eat an entire 16 inch pizza or half gallon of chocolate ice cream. Also bought cherries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. Do not be afraid - I also bought mashed potatoes, cinnamon rolls, and chocolate covered peanuts.

Skincare News Flash
Medicell Instant Brightening Peel - Love cruising the Dermstore website. Lots of great info, lots of interesting skincare that is typically not found in the mainstream. There is often a 20% site-wide coupon code and they accept Mr. Rebates, free shipping shipping and returns. This mask, I wouldn't call it a peel, has both lactic acid and azelaic acid, both know for skin lightening. Not sure there is enough in this product to make a difference but I do a mask or peel twice a week and my stash was getting low. Low by my standards. Ahem. This is clay based and has very, very tiny scrubbies in it. Pleasant, light scent.

Medicell Brightening Peel

Glycolix Gly-Sal 10-2 Pads - I always have a jar of these on hand. They are exfoliating pads with both an AHA and a BHA or more precisely 10% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid. There are many versions of exfoliating pads but the reasons I choose these is they don't leave my skin tacky, are a reasonable price for a 60 pad jar, and as mentioned have both AHA and BHA. Pads aren't big but they are saturated. I cut them in half for extra mileage and store the jar on its side so the pads stay evenly saturated from first to last. 

This contains alcohol so if you are avoiding skincare that contains oil, this is not for you.  A very well-known, well marketed and well respected beauty and skin care formulation specialist (some would say expert), Paula Begoun, the  Cosmetic Cop and founder of Paula's Choice Skin care (I love, own and use some of her products) has been very vocal in her opposition to alcohol in skin care. There are other experts, including medical doctors, who disagree. For every article Paula has written, there is probably another article that counters her belief. Here's one that gives a good "alcohol is fine" in skincare perspective, even beneficial in a good formula.

Topix Glycolix Gly/Sal 10-2 Pads

Bronze Babe
I love the look of a tan, although not a deep tan. Maybe something between a kiss of color and a deep tan. Never, though, will you see me in the sun unless I have layers of SPF on. First, skin cancer is about each and every person, not something that happens to someone else, secondly, I can't stand hot weather and, lastly, sun equals wrinkles, age spots, sagging. Skin cancer is serious and I hardly even want to type that out but the fact is, skin cancer is on the rise. Stay out of the sun. Or wear a big hat.

My collection of bronzers is either insane or impressive. Depends on one's perspective regarding makeup collections in general. For me? Go big or go home.  This week, I selected a few to rotate through the week.

Starting at Top and Clockwise
Dior Diorskin Nude Tan Light, Bare Minerals Bronzing Mineral Veil, MAC Golden, IT Cosmetics, Smashbox Halo Glow

It'a all about the brush, in my opinion. It's very easy to go over the top with bronzer. You need a fluffy brush that has lots of give. Personally, I like a natural brush for bronzer but a synthetic bristle will be easier to control. The reason I like natural bristle for all face products, not just bronzer, is that it picks up more product with less effort which means I get less dust kick up in the pan, my number one pet peeve. I do prefer synthetic for foundation because they are easier to clean. Practice at night right before you wash your face, if you're new to bronzing or using a new bronzer or brush.

Merry Mascara
I used a different mascara each day I wore mascara this week. I like most mascara so I'm not sure my reviews are helpful. The same Fairy Godmother who saves me from chipped nail polish, regardless of brand, base or top coat, is the same Fairy Godmother (maybe her sister) who saves me from flakes, transfer, and smudging. My lashes are long from using Latisse (generic Careprost). I need volume and color so the lengths shows up. Part of me thinks the reason I don't have issues is because I only use one coat of mascara. My lashes are stick straight and point downward. Using a lash curler is a non-negotiable.

Maybelline Falsies Flared
YSL Baby Doll
Bare Minerals Lash Domination (my top 5 list)
Maybelline Colossal Cat Eye Waterproof (my top 5 list)
Tarte Lights, Lashes, Camera (my top 10 list)
Maybelline Full N Soft

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous

Deletes and Edits
Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation in 210 and 220 - There is not a color match for me. I rarely can find a color match with Covergirl, I find the warmer shades run peachy instead of yellow. If a foundation doesn't match me, I won't even wear it for a test run. Many reviews said this foundation is great for mature, oily skin. If you can find a color match and you have combination to oily skin, you might give it a try.

Timeless Squalane Oil

Timeless Squalane Oil -  Squalane should have zero scent or odor. This one smells awful, processed, chemical. Bye bye. Squalane comes from olives and very closely resembles sebum, the skin's natural oil. Sebum actually has a component of sebum in it. Because squalane is so similar to the make up of sebum, the skin recognizes it, gladly accepts it and absorbs it quickly. Squalane is filled with anti-oxidants, skin loving fatty acids, and in turn helps with keeping the skin in good shape to fight the hands of time.  However, Timeless brand is not for me.



Cheers,

Lulu

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Beauty Sample Saturday #3

There's a saying in the beauty community to "shop your stash" so you can use items you forget about, particularly those that have a shelf life. If you find yourself on a budget or need to divert fun money to another cause for a while, shopping your stash is a blast from the past. Lots of treasures in that beauty graveyard we all have! Some graveyards are a little bigger than others but we won't talk about that right now. Ok?

Negative Review Lulu
aka Evil Queen

The thing about shopping my stash is that I already know those products. As much as I enjoy rediscovering a blush I love, I already know that blush, good or bad. But shopping my sample stash is filled with surprises.  it's a new discovery every day.  Also good about samples is when I don't like something, it's no biggie! Don't have to deal with getting back to the store to return or mail back. It's even a bit of Evil Queen fun to discover I don't like something and share on here. Evil, evil, evil.

How did Sample Saturday start? Early this month, two wonderful BeautyTubers (YouTubers who make videos about beauty) I follow started a challenge for May. They wanted to use one sample each day, 31 samples in 31 days, followed-up with mini reviews. They invited other BeautyTubers and subscribers to join in. Here I am!

The two YouTube Beauties who motivated me to do this are:
Olivia and here is her video (channel name: makeupfunwitholivia)
Cherylene and here is her video (channel name: Cherylene)

There are two more YouTube Beauties participating, too.
Cheryl and here is her channel (channel name: Cheryl's Corner)
Cindy and here is her channel (channel name: Old Broad)

This week's beauty samples and mini-reviews!

May 16 Vita Liberata Self Tanner

Vita Liberata pHenomeal

I have 10 things I want to say about this self-tanner all at the same time. Where to start? I will not purchase. I have used this in previous years and recall not being happy with the tone for my coloring. This time of year, all the raves start up again and I get swept up so I selected this as a perk on Sephora with a deluxe sample coupon code. Maybe I'll like it this year? As in previous years, this was fine but others that are better on me. But, I also had a new discovery about Vita Liberata this year and not a good one. In the evening, I was epilating my legs and as I was up close and personal to my legs, I noticed that my legs were speckled. Not good! This self-tanner has two claims that are highly unusual in the self-tanner world. First claim is it lasts 2 to 3 weeks if you follow the directions of 1) applying 2 to 3 times over a 12 to 24 hour period, 2) shower only with water prior to each of those applications, and 3) do not use moisturizer.  In my opinion, you might, under a microscope, have some color left after 2 weeks. Under a really strong microscope. Second claim is it does not develop that dreaded self-tanner stench. On me, it does develop the stench. Is it as prominent a stench as other self-tanners? No. To be fair, I've read many reviews that agree with this no stench claim. All I can say is after 6 or 7 hours, I absolutely get whiffs of that stench. I haven't made YouTube videos in over a year. The speckling of this PLUS the discovery of a very inexpensive, outstanding self-tanner, Tanwise, moved me to come out of hibernation and make a YouTube video. It will be posted this week. I'm having some technical difficulty as well as old age memory loss of how to upload and combine two videos into one. 

May 17 Clean Skin EDP

Escada Delicate Notes
Clean Skin

Last week I sampled and reviewed Clean Warm Cotton, here's a link to that post. This week I sampled Clean Skin and I think I'm going to buy it!!! I find it to be a delicate white musk. It's not a heavy musk. If you recall the original Alyssa Ashley (in the 70s) or Jovan White Musk, this is very similar to both but Clean Skin is lighter. NOTE: If you have sampled either Alyssa Ashley or Jovan White Musk in the past decade, horrible!!!! I'm talking the originals. None of the EDPs by Clean have longevity. This is not an all day wearing scent. It has some floral, maybe that is what makes it more subtle. It does not, in my opinion, smell like any philosophy scents, namely Amazing Grace or Pure Grace, both of which I own and love. Some musk scents are considered unisex, I think this is definitely a feminine scent.

May 18 Escada Delicate Notes EDT
Most of Escada's scents are limited edition. Before posting, I checked and this one is available at the online outlet sites like overstock or fragrantica. This is not a scent for me. Top note is rose. I keep trying to like rose, but I don't. Love a fresh rose to sniff but when it comes to wearing anything with predominant rose notes, I can't. The rose notes in Delicate Notes simmer down quickly, maybe within 30 minutes, and become more subtle. However, when you don't like something, that "something" sticks out like a sore thumb whether it's a flavor in a food dish or a note in perfume. To me, once the rose tapers off, what is left smells like an inexpensive shower gel labeled "floral" but with a slight men's cologne edge to it. Bleh. Even if you are a rose lover, I would not recommend this one.

May 19 Lancome Nude Miracle Foundation
Like this a lot. In general, I'm really liking the new technology of "serum" foundations. I think the only one I didn't like was the Bare Minerals version. I've probably tried 10 or so because you all know, foundation gives me life. And lipstick. The Lancome Nude Miracle dries down to a powder

Lancome Nude Miracle

finish which is good for my oily skin. Within an hour or two, it was a lovely satin finish on me. I think if you like satin to dewy, maybe not a good choice for you. Also, if you have dry skin, not so sure if you will like this, it might be too flat for you. Had very good pore coverage. I used primer on one side of my face, Lancome La Base Pro Pore Eraser, and none on the other but pores looked pretty good on both sides. Good medium coverage, seems like it would be buildable. This is going on my buy list. I like this better than the Armani Luminous Silk I sampled last week, Nude Miracle is better with my oily skin.

May 20 Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask
If you are looking for a 100% natural and non-toxic (say what?) enzyme facial exfoliator, this is one to consider. All natural is not important to me and for the money, I will not repurchase this. I think there are more effective enzyme exfoliators, Zia Pumpkin, Zia Papaya, Alba Botanical Hawaiian Facial Mask, Platinum Skin Care Antioxidant Enzyme Mask, Makeup Artists Choice Triple Enzyme Peel are some options. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask has a medicinal scent, is gel like, dries in about 10 minutes, and rinses off easily. Very little, if any tingle.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

May 21 St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Facial Lotion
I think is as good as any other facial self-tanner I have used. I self tan my body and I want my face to match so that when my foundation wears off, I don't look like a ghost head. I apply a facial self-tanner every night as the last step in my summer skin care routine. Right now loving St. Tropez Self Tanning Facial Oil. I have the Clarins drops on the way. The St Tropez Facial Lotion has a bronze tint to it but it is very subtle when applied. It has a perfume-y fragrance added to it.

St. Tropez Bronzing Lotion Face Self Tanner

May 22 (sorry, no sample on the 22nd)

Cheers,

Lulu

Let's connect on Instagram

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