June Favorites

Gold Star Products for June

So I was totally going to post my final review on the Balm goodies that I bought from the last Haute Look sale yesterday, but fate conspired against me.

Not only did I have camera issues, but my netbook died on me and I dropped my cell phone and shattered the screen.

Not a great day in these parts.

But then I realized this morning that it was nearly July 1st so I could do a June Favorites post today and that cheered me up a bit.

I really love these monthly favorites posts.  It's a lot of fun to share the things that I've been loving for some reason.

The Balm Time Balm Concealer

The Balm Time Balm Concealer

Yes, another product from the Balm - I wasn't kidding when I said I treated myself during their last Haute Look sale - but after tomorrow, we'll be done with them for a while, I swear.

(Well, unless the Balm is on Haute Look again some time soon ... I've decided that I must - absolutely must - have Down Boy blush. )

Typically, I only use concealer under my eyes.

While I do get montly breakouts, I usually don't use concealer on them.  I apply my foundation and just let it cover whatever it can.  Maybe it's my technique, but I find that whenever I apply concealer to active acne, I only seem to call more attention to it.

That said, when I judge a concealer, it's based mostly on how it performs under the eyes.

In that regard, I'm pretty ambivalent about the Balm's Time Balm concealer.

The Balm Betty-Lou Manizer AKA The Bronzing Bandit

The Balm Betty-Lou Manizer - seriously, how cute is this packaging?!

When I purchased Mary-Lou Manizer from the Balm's last sale on Haute Look, I didn't want her to be lonely.

I had to buy a friend for her.

At least, that's how I justified buying the Balm's Betty-Lou Manizer AKA the Bronzing Bandit even though I'm a super pale girl who doesn't really do bronzer and has already found the holy grail of bronzers for fair skin for those rare occasions when I do wear it.

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer AKA "the Luminizer"

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer - the packaging alone is reason to buy this highlighter!

I mentioned a couple of weeks back that I'd gotten a few goodies the last time that the Balm was on sale at Haute Look.

Of all the things that I bought, the one that I'd been coveting for the longest time was the Mary-Lou Manizer, or the Balm's version of a highlighter. (I may have mentioned a time or two that I'm something of a highlighter whore.)

Eyeliner after Mascara? A Quick Tip for the Liner-Impaired

Mascara then liner?  It works!

I mentioned in my last post that I spent the last week taking various day trips and generally just goofing off around the greater NY-metro area.

We aren't able to take a proper vacation this summer, but these little "stay-cations" are a really fun, budget-friendly way to make up for that fact. I had a ton of fun this week and didn't have to deal with any of the hassles of traveling. 

Okay, that's the end of my stay-cation pimping, I swear.

Since I actually had to be ready to leave the house at specific times all week, I found myself rushing through my makeup routine quite a few times.  One morning, I was in such a hurry that I only realized after I'd put on my mascara that I'd forgotten eyeliner.

QVC's Tarte "What has your makeup done for you lately?" Upcoming TSV

Tarte July 2012 TSV

My apologies for being MIA the last few days. We've been doing a little bit of a 'staycation' this week, so there have been a few day trips and other activities (lots of big meals too!) that have left me nearly comatose at the end of the day.

I'm pretty sleepy again tonight, but I'm  so excited about the contents of this post that I had to get it up tonight...

In the latest issue of QVC's insider, there was a sneak peek at the Tarte's upcoming July TSV (which will be avaiable either the 13th or the 15th.  I'm not sure on that, but I'll post a reminder a few days before in case you're interested) - and as you can probably guess if you've been reading along with the blog for a while now, I couldn't resist its lure.

The Balm Hot Ticket Nail Polish in Call Me Iridescent

The Balm Hot Ticket Polish in Call Me Iridescent

Last month when The Balm their last sale on Haute Look, I bought a bunch of goodies that I'm really excited to share over the next week or so.

I thought I'd start with a product that I haven't really seen too many bloggers talking about - the Balm's Hot Ticket Nail Polish.

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo

Can a girl really have too many highlighters?

I've mentioned before that in addition to blushes and any and all peachy colored makeup, I am something of a highlighter fiend.

I just love the glowy look that a good highlighter can give, and even though I've got a bunch in my drawer that do the job really well, I can never resist trying a new one.

Too Faced's Candlelight Glow Highlighting Duo came out with their 2012 spring collection, and like too many items in that collection, I had to have it as soon as I saw a photo.  I'm a sucker like that.

Friday Favorite: Favorite Tinted Moisturizer

Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer with SPF30

I tend to think of myself as something of a tinted moisturizer (TM) connoisseur.

There were so many years when I stayed away from traditional foundations because I was worried heavy face product would make my acne worse or that I wouldn't be able to find a shade that matched my super fair skin  - and during that time, TMs were my best friend.

Since they're on the sheer, it's easier to find a color that can work with my skin tone. I like that they add just a little bit of moisture to the skin.  And I absolutely love how lightweight and natural they feel on the skin.

Over the years, I've tried pretty much every TM under the sun (I remember distinctly that Neutrogena's was my very first at the ripe old age of 14.  Isn't it funny how certain memories stick in your mind?) so I feel like my choice of favorite in this particular makeup category is the most informed that I can offer.

Sale Alert - Bare Escentuals' Sharing the Love 20% Off Sale

If your beauty budget is stretched tight this month like mine is, you're probably going to hate me for highlights yet another sale but...

Bare Escentuals is offering a 20% discount on their website as well as free shipping from today, June 7, until Sunday, June 10.

Use the code SHARELOVE at checkout.

I believe the offer is also good at Bare Escentuals boutiques if you print out the sale ad and bring it with you to the store. I'd check the fine print on that to be sure, though.

If you're in need of shopping suggestions, I cannot say enough good things about the Ready Pressed Shadows and Blushes.  In particular, I highly recommend the Top Shelf and the Epiphany Shadow Duos, and the Tease blush.  They've also come out with some new shadow duos and quads recently that I haven't tried but I'm dying to... still, I'm going to be good and refrain from purchasing anything. 

Well, I'm going to try to anyway.

So if you pick something up, please share below.  Definitely need that vicarious thrill...

Smashbox Friends and Family Sale - Score 20% Off!

 Smashbox is having a Friends and Family sale, so you can score 20% off your favorite goodies - or new products that you've been wanting to try.

The only catch is that you have to spend at least $25 to get the discount.

Use the code FRIENDS20 at checkout.

The sale is good until Sunday, June 10 at 11:59 EST.

If you're looking for shopping suggestions, I'm a big fan of the new Smashbox BB Cream (which you can read more about here) and also think the Be Legendary Lipsticks are pretty fabulous. Oh, and their Nude Lip Pencils too! I've also heard good things about their new Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadows, but I haven't tried those myself just yet.

If you wind up picking anything up, let me know what.  I'm probably sitting this sale out, so I'll need to live vicariously...

Happy Shopping!

4 Great Blushes for Summer

A few good blushes for summer

The other day I mentioned that I typically like to go a little brighter with my blush in the summer months.

I also like warm, bronze-y blushes during the summer as well - because, well, I don't tan and bronze-y cheeks are usually the closest I can get without looking like Snooki. 

Here are four blushes that I'm loving for the warmer weather:

May Favorites

May goodies!

This month, I'll skip my usual trite, cliched bit about how I can't believe we're already at June because you must be sick of all that now.

(Even though it's absolutely true - I could swear Christmas was just a few weeks ago...)