My Favorite Things Page

You know this bad boy made the list...

So I was sitting down this afternoon to gather my September favorites together in preparation to write the post when it occurred to me that it might also be helpful to share what my all-time favorite products are across most of the major makeup/skin care categories.

I mean, as fun as monthly favorites are, I might love a lipstick or eyeshadow for an entire month and then never pick it up again.

That has happened to me before.  I guess I can be fickle sometimes.

But there are products that have stood the test of time for me and those are probably worth sharing.

So I made a 'My Favorite Things' page, right up there at the top of the blog, where you can find a list of my favorite products complete with links to where you can buy them (if you're so inclined).

Now, if you notice a category missing from the list, it means that I don't have a clear cut favorite... just yet anyway.  I'll update the list as I find any new faves so it'll always be as complete as can be.

If you want to share some of your all-time favorites in the comments below, I would love to read them.

LORAC Femme Fatale Palette Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone entered the LORAC Femme Fatale Palette giveaway.

I am happy to announce that the winner is Lori!

If you didn't win or didn't get a chance to enter - don't worry.  I already have the next giveaway planned for sometime in October and just a little hint - it's for another fabulous eye shadow palette that I may have mentioned on this blog a time or two...

As always, thank you to everyone who reads the blog, leaves comments and sends emails. I love sharing my makeup obsession with the world, but you all make it even more fun. 

This and That: Giveaway, MAC Marilyn Monroe Collection and New Skincare

If you're in the market for a really nice neutral palette for the fall, there's still time to enter my LORAC Femme Fatale Palette - it ends tonight at midnight EST.  You can find all the details (and swatches) here.

Thanks to everyone who's already entered - I've loved reading all of your comments about your favorite fall makeup. You guys are awesome.

Brand Spotlight - Too Faced

Too Faced is another one of those brands with super cute packaging and lots of interesting products.

But in the end, I think it's their staple items that really stand out - and that's saying something considering how many options there are out there for basic makeup products like primer, bronzer and shadow.

Hourglass Vol. 6 Neo-Classic Eye Palette

I'm a big fan of Hourglass Cosmetics.

While they don't have as large a line as some other makeup brands, every item that they offer is high quality and high performing.

They're also seriously high cost, though - which means I only treat myself to items from the line every so often. 

A couple months back, I had a gift card for DermStore that was about to expire, and when I went to the site to figure out what I wanted, I was surprised to see that they carry Hourglass products.

The Balm Is Back on Haute Look Today

Exciting news - the Balm is back on Haute Look today!

And they have so many goodies - the Nude'Tude Palette, all of the Shady Lady Palettes, the Meet Matte Palette (which I really haven't raved about enough), all the blushes and lots of other gems. 

The event lasts until Wednesday at 11am EST, but I'd shop early if there's something that you really want.

If you haven't signed up for Haute Look yet, you can do it here.

Happy shopping!

Laura Geller Fresh Brewed Beauty TSV on QVC

Just a friendly reminder that the Laura Geller Fresh Brewed Beauty TSV will be available on QVC starting Monday, September 24th at midnight. 

The TSV is a 6-piece kit that goes for $49.98 plus s/h, so it's a really good value.  I've been enjoying the products for the past month - if you like matte, neutral shadows, then you'll probably want to check out one of the presentations.  My personal favorite item in the kit is the gorgeous blush, which is also matte.

You can check out my photos and swatches here.

Also, if you're a fan of neutral eye shadow palettes, you might want to check out my LORAC Femme Fatale Palette giveaway too.  You can enter here.

Favorite Foundations for Dry Skin

When I was younger, I had seriously oily skin and I was locked in a constant battle to keep my foundation on my face and shine-free.

Then I started using Retin-A (and getting older) and my skin started to get dry.

Not seriously dry, but depending on the season and what skin care treatment I'm using at a given time, I can have flaky patches that look cakey and gross if I don't use the right foundation.

So I've realized that having dry skin is no picnic either.

Giveaway Time! LORAC Femme Fatale Palette (CLOSED)

I apologize for being MIA lately - between a stubborn cold and dog sitting for a friend, I've been behind the eight ball all week.

To make up for it, how about a giveaway?

Today, I received the LORAC Femme Fatale Palette from Haute Look.

The Balm Balm Jovi Rockstar Face Palette

The Balm Balm Jovi Rockstar Face Palette, $39.50
Available on The Balm website

 Obviously, I'm a total makeup junkie.

This blog is clear proof of that.

But I do have some self control when it comes to buying new makeup products - or at least, I've developed some over the years.

I don't necessarily have an automatic reflex to buy every new palette that comes out.  I am a sucker for cute packaging, but I have learned how to talk myself out of purchases no matter how pretty they might be based on things like already having similiar colors in my collection ... or just not having enough room in my drawers for another huge honking palette.

Favorite Foundation Brushes

I couldn't do my foundation without these babies.

Finding the right foundation can seem like mission impossible sometimes what with all the options for coverage, formula and finish (Don't even get me started about picking a color...), but I really think that finding the right tool to apply it is just as important.

While there are some foundations that I like to use my fingers to apply and some days when my skin is so dry that a Beauty Blender sponge is the only thing that can make my foundation look halfway decent, I am totally a foundation brush kind of girl.

Brand Spotlight - Maybelline

My Favorite Maybelline Products

When I first started this blog, I used to these brand spotlight posts on a weekly post where I'd share my three favorite products from a particular brand.  I haven't done one in months, but I think that they can be pretty informative, particularly if it's a brand that you're not very familiar with.

So I'm going to try to get back to doing them - and I hope that when I do, you'll feel free to share your favorites from the particular brand in the comments section below. I've definitely tried a ton of makeup, but I haven't gotten around to trying all of it (yet...) so I'll love to know if there are some gems out there that I should add to my shopping list.

This week, I'm focusing on Maybelline.

What I'm Wearing Today Vol. 2

I apologize for the lack of a formal post, but I'm a little under the weather today and have fallen behind on work so it's probably going to be a long night.

I also thought today would be a good day to share the makeup I'm wearing because I even thought I feel like crap, I actually look pretty good - and I used a new palette that I just got and am super excited about (review coming once I've tried all the colors).  I'm particularly loving my eyeshadow combo today, so without further ado, today's makeup:

Too Faced Lip of Luxury Lipsticks in Pink Flamingo, Centerfold and Sex Kitten

Too Faced Lip of Luxury Lipsticks

When Too Faced had their Vintage Sale a couple of weeks back, I couldn't resist picking up a few more of their Lip of Luxury Lipsticks.

First of all, I already have one, Free Love, and I'm a big fan of the formula.

Secondly, they were on sale for $8 and that was just too good a deal to pass up.

Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow 4.0 in The Voyage

Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow Quad in The Voyage

A couple of weeks back, I mentioned that I'd ordered Bare Minerals new Ready pressed foundation. 

(While I've had it for almost two weeks, I'm still not ready to review it just yet. My skin has been pretty cranky lately - read: a dry, flaky mess - so even foundation and powders that I usually swear by have looked kind of awful so I don't think it's fair to judge the Ready Foundation just yet.)

Well, because I have zero will power, I also ordered the Ready Eyeshadow 4.0 Quad in The Voyage.  I ordered both from QVC.com, and I don't see The Voyage on Sephora or Bare Escentuals' websites so I guess it's exclusive to QVC right now.

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Deal - Too Faced Romantic Eye Collection for $20!

Too Faced Romantic Eye Collection

As part of Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty event, you can score the Too Faced Romantic Eye Collection for $20 today. 

It's normally $36, so that's almost half price. A pretty sweet deal.

I know I just posted the LORAC Femme Fatale Palette deal, but I had to share this sale too because I have the Romantic Eye Collection and adore it.  The entire palette might be worth it for Cut the Cake, a gorgeous shimmery lilac shade, and Honeymoon,  lovely greenish gold shade, alone.

Happy shopping!

Haute Look Deal of the Day - LORAC Limited Edition Femme Fatale Eye Shadow Palette for $14!

LORAC Femme Fatale Eye Shadow Palette

Today, Haute Look's Deal of the Day is a real steal.

You can get the new LORAC Limited Edition Femme Fatale Eye Shadow Palette for just $14 (plus shipping)!

It's listed as usually being $37, but I believe that at least right now it's exclusive to Haute Look.

The palette contains 10 neutral shadows, ranging from light to dark.  And the really good news is that there's 4 matte shades, so you can create some nice balanced looks.

As always with Haute Look, you need to be a member, but membership is free so there's really no reason not to sign up.  You can do it here.

I actually bought two palettes - one for myself and one for a giveaway, so keep an eye out for that.

Happy shopping!

Tarte Fashion's Night Out Flash Sale

Today Tarte is having a flash sale in honor of Fashion's Night Out. 

It runs from 6pm until midnight EST, and it's only for a few limited sets.

Still, there are a couple of cool items - I'm eyeing the Lip Surgence trio and I would definitely recommend the set with the liners and Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara.  Love both products from Tarte. 

Happy shopping!

Maybelline Expert Wear Luminous Lights Eyeshadow Quad in Rose Lights

Maybelline Expert Wear Luminous Lights Quad in Rose Lights

This weekend, I went to CVS on the hunt for the limited edition Color Tattoo shades.

They were almost completely sold out, though I was fortunate enough to score the only one that I was sure I wanted just from looking at photos and swatches on line, Mossy Green, so I was pretty happy.

(I haven't had a chance to try the Mossy Green yet, but I can't wait.  I love green eye shadow in the fall.)

But then I noticed that CVS had a deal going on Maybelline products - if you spent $10, you got $3 in Extra Bucks.  I am such a sucker for things like that, so I went hunting through the Maybelline section for something that would bring me to the $10 mark.

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick and High-Shine Liquid Lipstick

Mally Beauty Goodies

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you probably know that I'm a full-blown QVC addict.

Well, at least when it comes to their beauty product offerings.

I am a sucker for pretty much any beauty-related TSV.  I just can't help myself - they're always such an amazing deal.

But despite my weakness for QVC beauty items, I had never tried any products from Mally Beauty, the cosmetics line founded by celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal.

August Favorites

So it's that time again ... monthly favorites.

This month, I don't have quite as many as usual mainly because I played with my eye makeup so much in August that I didn't really wear any particular shadows regularly. Still, I have some goodies to share - a few I've mentioned before and some I haven't.