Savvy Thinker » Dior

FOTD NYX +MAC +Too Faced+

Karin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:11:03 +0000

This is the 3rd NYX trio palette in my amazingly cheap NYX haul.

Eyes:
TS 30 Baby Pink, White Pearl, Baby Blue
These are more my colors than yesterday's!
Base: Lancome pink cream
Pink on my lids; Blue in the crease and lined under lower lashes; White on brow bone.
Brows: Prescriptive pencil -- has a super thin lead, easy to use
Lined top: Lancome Blueberry wand
Tightlined Lined lower: Tidal Wave gel liner
Lined top and lower: Prestige Denim pencil
Mascara: Lancome Hypnose on upper; Tarte Bottom up on lower

Primer: Smashbox purple
Foundation: L'oreal N1
Rouge: Chanel stick
Powder: my sparkly mix + BE Mineral Veil as bronzer
Over powder: Benefit Georgia Peach
Blush: MAC Moon River
Concealer: Dior Skinflash

Lips: I liked this really well!
Too Faced Pink Diamond Gloss from their super Vintage sale
Rimmed with: MAC Baby Sparks Dazzler gloss

I was happy with the way this turned out. The color was nice with my denim top. And much more to my taste than yesterday.

What do you think?
Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-23 20:48:30.

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Serums that work — or not

Karin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:19:35 +0000

Here are some thoughts on various types of serums and the links to posts where I have written more specifically. Some of the serums are pricing their way out of my price point. There are actually some that are over $1000 being marketed in Japan. I suspect some are worth it; others are not.

Whenever possible, let a beauty advisor put some on your skin. See if it is possible to get a small amount to try at home before you commit to a big purchase.

This is only a partial list, as I have thought of them. I will continue to update, as I think of it.

Body Serum
Arbonne has a wonderful body serum and body lotion. You can find my review at the above link.

Facial Serums
There are also serums targeted for eyes.
Anti-Wrinkle
La Prairie CELLULAR Retexturizing Booster
This just might be a miracle product. Whenever I apply it, I see immediate results. I generally use it for several days at a time, then I give it a rest and use it again when I see the need. It is expensive, but it really works. I think it works better than Renova. Price: $185.00 | 30 ml / 1.0 oz. (Unfortunately, it's possible this is no longer available. I have not tried any of the comparible LP serums to see if a newer one is as good.)

Serums with Vitamin C
Many companies have C-serums because they work. I have used C products for years. Mary Kay is one of the companies that has just added a C formula. If you can't beat them, join them. The important thing is to find a C serum that works for you, then use it.

Here's a partial list of companies that have C-serums: Awake, MK, Aromaleigh (generic), Lancome, Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Avon, Lumene. Choose the link above to see my thoughts on each.

Arbonne has a number of excellent serums, including lifting, RE9 (with C), and Revelage (whitening) I won't be without the lifting or the whitening.

Avon has been a leader in skin care, very innovative. They were the first line to come out with an alpha-hydroxy -- and it made a big difference in my skin. Their anew products are excellent. I do not care for either of their pump serums that they had a couple of years ago, because they smelled so bad. I recommend smelling them before buying to see if they still smell. I didn't notice a huge difference like I did with their alpha-hydroxy products. Some of their products are targeted by age.

Beauticontrol
Beauticontrol makes several serums that I like. Some are targeted for 30's, 40's, and 50's skin. I've liked Regeneration Gold for years. It's a two step process that mixes when you pump it. It used to be that one was red, the other white. Now one is green, the other white. I do not know if it is the same product. Regeneration Platinum Plus is supposed to be the next step up, but it rolls on my skin, so I use it only on my neck and chest and bought more of the Regeneration Gold. They make C products, but I've not tried them as I have others that I am using at the moment.

Chanel Serums
Chanel makes a number of serums, and they are all excellent. It depends on your price point and your skin concerns. Sublimage products kept me moist even in the dryness of Las Vegas, using no other moisturizers layered in. The Radiance line has an excellent hydrating serum. As an aside, I did not care for Sublimage eye cream.

Clarins
I have used Super Restorative Serum. I likely might buy it again. I like what it says it does; I'm not sure I saw it doing it. I tended to use it more for hydrating than anything else. When I opened the container, when it seemed empty, there were still several days worth of product left. I put it in a small jar and used it to the last drop.

On the whole I like Clarins products, so I suspect their other serums would be good too. Their beauty advisers are generally knowledgeable and happy to help you. They are good about giving small samples to try.

Cle de Peau serums
Cle de Peau is the high end Shiseido line. CdP makes a number of serums, and they all feel good. I'm not sure how to choose one over the other. I have one. I'm not convinced it does anything particularly, but that might be because I tend to use others that I have.

Dior Serums
Dior makes some excellent serums. Capture Totale and HydrAction are two that I have tried. Capture Totale came highly recommended by a woman in NYC who swears by it.

Guerlain serums
Orchidee Imperiale is their highest, newest line. It is excellent. Super Aqua-Serum came highly recommended on the strength of one older woman who works for Guerlain whose skin is exceptionally beautiful. It's a toss up which is better. Take your pick. They also have Success Future and Substantific serums. I get my Guerlain from Claire at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. Call 702) 732-7008 or email GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com

Hydrating serums
La Prairie CELLULAR HYDRATING SERUM is an excellent hydrator, one of the very best. It is lightweight. It works by binding moisture to the skin and restoring the skin's natural moisture barrier. A little goes a long ways and it stays fresh in the bottle. I use it generally on very cold days or whenever my face feels like it needs more moisture from the inside out. Price: $185.00

La Prairie Serums
Like Chanel, these are excellent, and it depends on your price point. I have not tried the latest lines.

Shiseido serums
Shiseido has a number of serums that are all excellent. Again, it depends on your price point and what you are hoping to accomplish.

Signature Club A
Super Strength High Potent-C Anti-Wrinkle Capsules $29.50
I like this a lot. It's in my rotation of C products.

Retinol Wrinkle Penetrating Capsules 12 Hour Release $32.50
This is in my rotation. I like it a lot.

Viviane Woodard
I've used these products since I was 18. They have a number of serums, including specialized ones to use at night. Their day time serums are very good and moderately priced. The evening ones really give your skin a boost. They are used only periodically. Unlike ones by La Prairie that are also used only occasionally, these will not break the bank. Likely they perform different functions, but they help the skin.

Whitening serums
Many companies offer whitening serums. They started first in Asian countries. It's not surprising that Shiseido has one. If you want to break up an age spot the fastest possible way, then your best bet is laser. Be sure to use SPF every day along with these.
Arbonne Revelage is an excellent whitener, which works by breaking up dark spots from below and keeping them from forming from the top.

Mary Kay TimeWise® Even Complexion Essence
I consider this more of a preventative, than a curative. I want to see faster results. I have no patience.

What serums do you know, use and love?
As I think of more, I will update.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-28 20:49:42.

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FOTD Thursday Chanel eyes +

Karin — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:30:28 +0000

Chanel Les Quatre eye shadow Sublimes: Marine, Beige Rose, Granite, Clear Blue
I rarely use this set, but I should use it more often. I originally bought it because I didn't have anything in this color family. All my blues were more of a normal blue.

This set leans toward teal. If you make an X, the upper right and lower left are both light shades, though I've never worn them alone, say, for day. Thinking about it, I wonder why, and want to do it sometime soon.

The opposite line, are two darks, very dark and extremely dark. One looks black-blue; the other looks black-black-blue. They would be very dramatic if used for evening -- or even to achieve a goth look.

You can see where I laid the lines. I used the lighter of the two dark blues to dryline the bottom. The darkest to dryline the top.

Arbonne mascara, 2 step. La Prairie brow pencil. Dior skinflash concealer with a touch of Arbonne in the outer corners.

Chanel foundation; my sparkly powder mix, followed by BE mineral veil sort of like a bronzer.

Highlight: Benefit Georgia
Blush: YSL # 19, also used as a bronzer

Lips: NYX Aphrodite + rimmed with Beauté Paramour (and a touch in the center.)

What do you think?

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.
Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-19 13:51:54.

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FOTD AL Red Gothic Lolita Shadows + Fyrinnae Lips

Karin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:09:19 +0000

Change of pace today! Back to reds, but new ones I've never used before. We'll see if I get any drift/slide today. Sometimes red bothers my lids, esp when it slides.

Sometimes I wonder whether it would be easier to have no choices. It takes me longer to think about what I'd like to do than actually doing it. But last night I thought: Gothic Lolita shadows! Fyrinnae lips! so that made it easier today.

Eyes: All AL, except where noted
Base: Nude Frost, no sparkly mix after
Crease: Strawberry Despair, GL -- wow! this is really pretty -- I think I originally bought it because it looked so great on Tanya in a theme week at AL, but I'm not sure I ever wore it before -- AL describes it

Strawberry Despair: Muted strawberry red pearl with copper sparks. Despair was never so yummy!

Outer Corners and lower drylined: Burnt Roses , GL -- one of my all time fave colors, just a super color

Burnt Roses : Rich chocolatey cherry frost with tiny deep green sparks. Just plain luscious.

Inner Corners:Persephone, Luster -- first time I wore this too, very gorgeous color!

Persephone: Lush bordeaux with a cocoa lowlight and rose highlight.

Brows: Chanel pencil
Mascara: Guerlain, top; Tarte, lower
Concealer: Dior skinflash and around inner corners of eyes

I couldn't figure out what to use for liner or if I should stop where I was, then I remembered I had Black Cherry gel liner. It helps to have the right brush. Since I tried it last, I bought a small slanted eyeliner brush at Ulta. There's no identifier on it to tell you which one. I intentionally tried to smudge it out the way a pencil looks vs. having a hard edged line. Smudging just looks better on me at this stage of life. Anyway, it was perfect, and I loved it, and I might try to use my gel liners more now that I actually like the look of one of them. I did it very lightly along the waterline and tight lined both the top and lower, smudging it.

Sunscreen: Neutragena, not the La Prairie to see if my makeup is less sheer
Primer: Revlon Vital Radiance, cool, discontinued
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued, trying to use this one up
Rouge: Chanel, stick, discontinued
Powder, my sparkly mix, then Signature Club A Hyaluronic
Blush: Lancome Petticoat Pink, along my cheekbones
Lips: Fyrinnae Visual Kei Lip Luster -- my labels are getting all funky -- are your? -- such a pretty color!

Isn't this pretty!

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-06 09:24:57.

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FOTD Sunday AL Eyes +

Karin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:53:12 +0000

I thought I would go for very simple because it is Sunday. You can see how good my skin looks in one day with Arbonne. I'm not sure I look this pale in RL, compared to my pictures today, but you can see how white around my face reflects up making me paler. I do love this shirt, however. It is bright white. I generally never wear white around my face. But then most whites have a bit of color in them.

Eyes:
This is as near to a perfect neutral look as I could ever get. I need a pop of color. I could envision wearing this on a trip for two weeks, though I know me well enough to know I'd wish I had something else along too!
Crease: AL Burnt Roses -- love this color
Lids and dry lined lower: AL Ocean Rain
Tight lined top and wet lined lower: MAC graphblack, also earthline under on lower eye
Mascara: top, Guerlain; lower, Guerlain Le2
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Concealer: Dior skinflash

Primer: Sheer Cover
Foundation: Lancome minerals + Lancome mineral powder + my sparkly mix
Blush: Meow Masterpiece Water Lilies, then Lancome Petticoat Pink as it wasn't strong enough

Lips: BE Lip Guard, Bare Beach
Very pretty color, feels great on the lips, very moisturizing.

Here's what my skin looked like on Friday: Big Difference!

What do you think?

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-18 11:04:27.

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FOTD Sunday

Karin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:51:39 +0000

I was matching my top, which is a serendipitous match to a wonderful wrap skirt/dress from Las Vegas. They sell these wraps in several places, including inside and outside the mall and by the Venetian food court, but I hadn't bought one until this past trip. It looks best on me as a skirt. My girls wear theirs as dresses too. All you are limited by is your imagination and the colors of the patterns they have. Included in the price is a DVD with styles and a sheet detailing how to wrap.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost
Shadows: Sheer Cover Eye collection, the warm colors
Drylined top and lower: AL Lagoon
Brows: Clinique pencil
Concealer: Dior Skinflash
Nose: MAC Concealer, blended with triangle sponge

Primer and Foundation: Arbonne
Rouge: MK stick
Powder: My sparkly powder
Highlight up the center of my face: Benefit Georgia Peach
Blush: Chanel Rose Petal

Lips: Arbonne Gleam a perfect match!

Take 2
Later during Book Girl's Arbonne party I layered up the Audrey Eye Look over the top of this one. I never thought to take a picture of me. I was too busy taking every one else's picture!

What do you think?
I was really pleased with how this turned out. Days like this I think I should keep a color log of really, really good combos. I feel the same way when I get a good comment here. I go back and take a second look to remember what I did.

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, just ask.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-27 13:36:01.

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FOTD Friday Dior eyes +

Karin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:48:05 +0000

I wanted to use the Dior 902 quint again. This time alone.

The colors are:
Top: Brownish purple, light-medium beige; lower: deep peacock green, medium brown (they say gilded brown); middle: violet magenta.

You can pretty well tell where I put the colors. I drylined the top with the green. I drylined the lower with magenta. Arbonne concealer and mascara. La Prairie brow pencil.

I'm sorry that I don't remember today what the other colors were for lips or cheeks.

I liked this when I was done and wondered why I hadn't used it in so long!

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-13 09:13:05.

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FOTD Monday

Karin — Thu, 19 May 2011 07:53:02 +0000

To quickly recap:

Eyes:
More turquoise from Aromaleigh:
Crease: Adrenochrome
Outer corners: Isadora
Inner corners: Dew
Drylined top: londondungeon
Drylined lower: Oceanrain
Tight lined top and lower: Prestige Denim pencil
Mascara: Guerlain, top; Tarte, lower
Drylined both: Girlactik multi jewels
Concealer: right eye, MK; left eye, Dior skinflash

Lips: Too Faced Make Nice, rimmed with NYX Pink Nude jumbo pencil; highlighted in center with Too Faced Pink Bling

Later I added more color to it with lipsticks, because I felt it was really neutral, just didn't get to take any photos.

I hope your day was a good one!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-05 00:02:34.

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FOTD NYX glitter pallet eyes

Karin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:26:08 +0000

NYX Glitter Pallet is available in a number of colors online from Cherry Culture or in store at Ulta. This is from the Paradise pallet.

I got my hair cut today, and it surely needed it! Everywhere I went, someone mentioned how well they liked my eye makeup. The pink glitter is very becoming.

Eyes:
Base: Dior pink toned cream shadow
Crease: NYX Glitter Pallet Pink -- bright bubble gum color with multi light pastel glitter
Outer Corner: NYX GP Dark Black with Multi Glitter
Lined top in waterline: Mary Kay black eye pencil
Lined bottom in waterline with MAC graphblack, just outside with earthline
Drylined bottom outside MAC: Ulta Jade mineral powder looks green, pulls gold from the glitter
Mascara:
Top: Lancome Cils primer, Oscillation over it;
Bottom: Definicils
Blush: MAC Dollymix
Brows: Merle Norman powder

Highlight: my own shimmer powder mix, no time for anything else, topped with a bit on BE on my nose

Lips:
Revlon Wine with everything cream gloss
This is a very pretty color. I thought I might want to add silver glitter, but it has a gleam all its own. This is the formula I liked so well.

Again, I used DuWop Reverse Liner just to make sure it wouldn't migrate, but I don't know that I needed to. It's still going strong a couple of hours later.

Verdict:
I raced through trying this product for the first time in order to be on time for my hair cut. You can see how it went on uneven. The pallet has great colors and I will definitely try it again. It comes with 1 applicator with sponges on each end and 1 applicator that has a sponge on one end and a brush on the other. I don't see how you could use the brush. The product is suspended in a heavy gel. It's not particularly waxy, but it means the glitter stays put.

I used my finger to apply it because nothing else worked.

One reviewer talked about using this as liner and having to go over it several times to get it even, but that it lasted all night. I have other glitter liners that are a lot easier to use. I don't know that I would try this as liner. Maybe! She talked about using it on her face, arms, decolletage, etc.

I need to play with it some more, but meantime I look good enough to race around town anyway!

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-11 14:11:02.

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FOTD Dior eyes + Lancome mineral fdn +

Karin — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:13:47 +0000

Still having fun using some of my Dior quint sets. It's been a long time since I've used them.

This one has peach, gray, medium blue, light blue, and pink/orchid/magenta in the center. There are lots of ways to use it -- perhaps using the top two colors -- peach and gray. Or the bottom two: light and medium blue, using some gray in the crease. Or gray and magenta.

Today, I used the whole quint to get a feel for the colors again. It's surprising how purple the blues pull. The peach is very pretty.

Lid: peach
Crease: gray, then medium blue
Outer Corners: a bit of medium blue, then light blue
Drylined top and lower: magenta
Mascara: Stiletto, top; Tarte, lower
Brows: whatever was left from yesterday
Concealer: Arbonne

I'm still not sure if I'm crazy about mineral foundation or not. It's supposed to be easier so I'm earmarking it for weekends. It's also possible I don't know how to apply it sheer enough (I like a sheer coverage.) It isn't necessarily faster for me, nor do I particularly like the look better. I do like the color.

Primer: AL
Foundation: Lancome minerals (love their brush!!)
Powder: Lancome minerals
Highlight: L'Oreal Pinkglow
Blush: Lancome Pink Pool (has some sparkle)

Lips: whatever was left on the lip brush from the last time I used it (remember I dedicated one brush to the rims and one brush to the lips), then rimmed and up the center with Stila silkshimmer (kind of a peachy sparkle) (love the gloss, btw!)

Have a great weekend!

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-13 08:36:13.

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