Sorry that I'm late getting this posted! Yesterday was a busy day!

Eyes: Fyrinnae Fujiro in crease; Optimism on lid Gorgeous colors!
I wanted to try Fyrinnae again before I forgot how to apply it (pat, not swipe.) (Make sure brush has no black left in it, which I remembered to check.) (I have brushes dedicated to light or dark colors, so I don't have to worry about getting a dark shade mixed in with a light one.) You can see they are not exact matches. It drives me nuts trying to get them even. I finally gave up. I figured, no one looks at my eyes that closely, as I am blinking vs. letting someone really look at them. LOL!

Lined top and lower: Jordana waterproof Luna Lavender
Mascara: EL MagnaScopic Blue on top; Tarte on lower lashes (black)
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Concealer: Dior Skinflash

Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge, under powder: NARS Riviera stick
Powder: my sparkly mix, topped with BE Mineral Veil as bronzer
Blush: MAC Dollymix
Lips: MAC Funtabulous, rimmed with Milani Crystal gloss

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-29 11:23:36.

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Here are several Vitamin C products that I like a lot:
My faves
Awake

I like the fact that you use only as much as you wish, and it liquifies in your hand as the warm of your fingers touches it.

Lancome
Sensation Totale, which has been discontinued. I love the feel of this. It makes your skin silky. I don't know anything about the product they say is replacing it -- and it makes no mention of vitamin C.

Estee Lauder
Perfectionist Cp+ is a great product and feels terrific on the skin. It is supposed to build collagen within two hours. I don't know that it contains vitamin C but the "C" is in the name. Every time you walk through a store, put some from their tester on the back of your hands. If it works that fast on your hands, it must work on your face.

Beauticontrol has three C products. I have not tried these because I have the others, but I have several beauticontrol products that I love, and I would think these would be excellent.

Aromaleigh
I have tried 25% Vitamin C Serum- I like it a lot. I will likely begin to try the other products too.

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.

My second choice category

Olay
Olay Regenerist and Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging UV Moisturizer plus Touch of Foundation both have Vitamin C. In general, I like Olay products. I'm not sure they are as heavy duty as the Awake one.

Mary Kay TimeWise® Replenishing Serum+C
Mary Kay has come out with a C serum product in 2009. They were late to the party.

Give collagen a boost.* Help skin bounce back.

With TimeWise® Replenishing Serum+C, skin will appear lifted and firmed. This antioxidant-rich serum is formulated with ingredients that enhance the production of new collagen and help keep existing collagen from breaking down. It also contains ingredients known to support elastin. The formula is enriched with a potent blend of multiple botanical sources, known for their high levels of vitamin C.

The four weekly vials help maximize product freshness and provide an effective weekly application measurement to help you get the best results for your money. MaryKay.com

I don't see or feel as much difference when I use this as I do with the Estee Lauder. However, you can see how dramatic the above picture makes it look. This is a customer's unretouched photo, not the company's. I continue to use the product on my neck -- truthfully, I had not used a serum C on my neck before. I see a difference. I wish it were as dramatic, but then again, my before look is more youthful.

Avon
I did not care for the Avon one I tried a number of years ago. It was gold colored and sort of sticky. I don't know if they still make it. It's possible they have reformulated it. You can't go wrong with their product guarantee.

I have not tried these
Lumene, which is available from CVS, also has a C line, day and night creams, eye cream and serum. I've not tried that line either.

Prescriptives also has a line of C products, but I have not tried them.

Do you use a C serum?
What is your favorite?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-29 07:41:39.

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This has been a good year for me for fragrances and especially good this past week. Knowing I was going to be where (Las Vegas) I could smell all the Guerlain and Chanel fragrances that can only be seen in limited places, it was number one on my list of sniffas and to-do's for my trip. I went specifically with the idea that I would buy at least one of the Guerlains for Christmas if I liked them, since I generally can wear Guerlain and like the house.

I wanted to smell the Guerlains first, but that was not to be. I ended up heading to the Chanel boutique where I could find their fragrances in the Les Exclusif line. I have to say the SAs were not attentive. I must not have looked like I was a serious buyer, but truly I would have bought at least one with a little encouragement. There I was smelling Cormandel and all the others, and barely anyone noticed me. If I had thought I was truly unnoticed, I would have spritzed some to go! I had some containers with me.

I was familiar with Bois des Iles and Cuir de Russie (I wear both of them) and also # 22 (which is a little too floral for me), so I went to the others.

Coromandel was my favorite. It's call a "dry ambery oriental" with some chocolate and vanilla thrown in (which I didn't really pick up.) Oriental and I usually agree with each other.

31 Rue Cambon was another favorite of mine. Chypre with oak moss and bergamot -- what's not to like! I wonder what they are using for oak moss right now.

28 La Pausa with iris and woody notes isn't memorable to me right now a few days after the fact. I'm quite leery of Irises after buying Guerlain Iris Ganache unsniffed, so perhaps I just put it aside quickly because I'm not over that yet.

Bel Respiro -- a fresh green scent -- was a little too fresh and green for me (though I love greens), but it might be perfect for spring vs. the seriously cold weather we were experiencing. (My youngest two daughters saw snow for the first time and even packed a few snow balls.)

No 18 was mostly rose and musk with a bit of ambrette thrown in. I'm not really into rose, so I set it aside.

With a little encouragement, I would have gone home with Coromandel or 31 Rue Cambon, but I felt I'd be safer to try a decant first or at least spritz my skin, which I was reluctant to do, knowing I full well intended to go to Guerlain the same day, even if my family felt I could do it the next day. (If you have decants you are willing to part with, let me know!)

On to Guerlain where they were super attentive and fun. What a contrast! The SAs were involved and friendly, but not obsequious. The manager (Jorganne) was there and also very pleasant, which isn't always the case with managers. It was the SA (Claire) (a man) who suggested I should have my purchase mailed (at no cost) and save the sales tax, whoo hooo! I don't know why I wouldn't have thought of that. And it was another SA (Kyler) who suggested I have a makeover with Claire because he was the resident makeup artist and very good. So I was glad I went the first day so I had an opportunity to do that the second day. He reminded me of what it must have been like to have Kevyn Aucoin do your makeup, may he rest in peace. And don't forget Terri, who was also there.

Cologne du 68 was lovely. Cardamom and coriander blended with citrus fruits, warmed with pepper and ginger. This did not smell masculine or even unisex on me, though it could be worn by both men or women. I overheard someone say that they expected the notes to be masculine.

L’Ame d’un Héros cologne for men features notes of lemon tree leaves, bergamot, juniper, coriander, nutmeg, ginger, oak moss, wood and everlasting flower. I liked this very much on me, though my husband didn't like it as much as Chypre Fatal.

Chypre Fatal with notes of rose, patchouli, vanilla, and white peach was a favorite of mine. I already have a decant of Oriental Brûlant with notes of vanilla, tonka bean, styrax, white almond, and I thought perhaps Gourmand Coquin with notes of black pepper, chocolate, rum, cacao, spice, rose, vanilla would be too similar to the dreaded Iris Ganache (on me) which I had bought unsniffed. The manager confirmed that Gourmand smelled entirely different on her than on me, much more chocolate (I preferred the chocolate in this to the chocolate in IG.)

We had a lot of fun layering up IG with various other Guerlain scents trying to kill the heaviness of IG. It is the scent that refuses to die. Thirty seconds after layering, when IG seems hidden, it comes out full force again and deadens whatever we sprayed with it. But I'm still gonna try until I find something -- or share more decants until it is gone.

The SAs sent me on my way with generous samples of the various scents and a lot of good feeling. (They spritz ribbons for the scents.) I went back the next day for a delightful makeover.

The only thing I wished I had done was smelled Homme, which I forgot to do. There was too much going on.

My advice is to skip buying Guerlain from anyone but the Guerlain boutique in Las Vegas. I was not happy with my service from Bergdorf Goodman. The Guerlain boutique in The Breakers, West Palm Beach, has no sample containers so it would be difficult to smell the scents if you weren't present.

I hope you enjoy 2009 and have many wonderful scent memories to entice you! I felt 2008 went out with a bang for me. I was so pleased to get a chance to smell these fragrances.

What do you think I bought?

Karin

See others in this series here:

Ars Aromatica
A Rose Beyond the Thames
Bittergrace Notes
Grain de Musc
I smell therefore I am (Brian)
The Non Blonde
Tuilleries
the Perfume Shrine
Legerdenez
Notes from the Ledge
Olfactarama
Octavian

Originally posted 2008-12-29 00:36:08.

No related posts.

I was happy with the way this turned out.

I spread out my Meow samples and thought what did I want to try:

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost (there is some question as to whether this irritates me, but so far, so good today -- I gave it a rest, then tried again today) then my sparkly eye mix
Lid and Crease: Meow VandalEyes Misdemeanor (lime)
Crease and drylined top and lower: Meow VandalEyes Shoplifting (deep vibrant purple)

The lime is a little lighter and brighter than it photographed. You can see the glitter liner on the eye to your right.

Lined: Estee Lauder Plum Grey pencil (which turned out to be more grey than I remembered, so I went over the line and past the line with Meow)
Glitter lined over the top of liners: GirlActik Lavender -- gorgeous color, this line was my first foray into glitters, before AL Rocks! glitter
Mascara: (top, to your left) Mark Scandalash Indigo (purple)
Mascara : (top, to your right and lower lashes) Estee Lauder MagnaScopic purple
The EL is a tad darker.
Brows: La Prairie pencil

Finished look:

Primer: Smashbox Purple Primer
I like the color lift that this gives.

Foundation: Revlon Age Defying Liquid Color 04
I like this foundation and use it often.
Rouge: Mary Kay stick from a limited line
Powder: Lustre Aromaleigh Twilight supernatural powder
Nice gleam. Used my normal powder brush, not a FO.
Blush: Meow Masterpiece Water Lilies Love this color!
Lips: NYX Round Gloss Apricot 19
This is gorgeous and vibrant when applied heavily. Later it softens to a delicious stain-y look, but it is still moist with product on the lip. You can see how it looks here.

I quite like Meow mineral shadows. I am sampling several types, but they all seem to be equally pigmented and equally easy to use.

VandalEyes are our newest, most highly pigmented collection of multi-purpose eye shadows. Silky smooth and designed to be extra long wearing, they're intense and powerful but they are *not* for the faint of heart...Can be applied dry for a bold look, or foiled (applied wet) for the most intense color and sheen.

I'd love to try more of their Masterpiece blush line.

Masterpiece Blush Gallery: Our newest blush collection, uniquely formulated and unlike any other blush you've ever tried. They're sumptuously sheer, and sweep on your cheeks invisibly, leaving only a pure wash of gorgeous colors behind!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-23 13:32:53.

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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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There are a number of brushes you need in your arsenal in order to apply your colors in the best possible and easiest way. In general, I like real hair brushes, except for ones that are meant to be synthetic (foundation and concealer.)

Keep them clean
Clean them whenever you see residue in the brush. If you are oily or prone to acne, this will be more often (even daily) to keep the brushes clean. And you won't contaminate any of your product.

Some people use a conditioning shampoo.

I use a cleanser made for brushes by Merle Norman. I do not use a whole capful. I use 1/4 of the cap, filled with 3/4 water (that is the percentage). Put it in the sink. Swirl my brush(es). Add more water to it. Swirl some more. Empty basin. Squeeze excess out of brush. Fill basin with water and swirl brushes. Empty and repeat until brush is clean and water is clear.

Why do you need so many brushes?
Because using the right brush makes application easier.

Much less blending is required. In general, I believe if you lay it down right, you don't need to do much blending.

And you won't look like a clown with too much blush, for example, unless that is the look you are going for.

And if you have sensitive skin, where blending can actually feel hurtful, the better the brush, the softer or less pull on the skin.

Do I have to have them all?
No, but these work. Use what you have, but begin to collect others as you need them. If you buy good brushes (consider buying them when there is a gwp offered), they will last nearly forever.

Several of these brushes have hit the market only in more recent years, so it is possible that a brush we can't live without will be offered in the foreseeable future that meets a need we didn't know we had.

BE gives their brushes as part of many of their sets for face or eye. They are really good, and many are only offered in their sets, they cannot be bought separately. That's an added perk for buying their sets.

You can also look in places that sell brushes for arts and painting. These may work just as well and cost less than something you find at a cosmetic counter. For the most part, I have shown shapes so you know what you are looking for.

Brands I like
Bare Escentuals -- every brush I've used has been top notch -- often included in sets

Clinique -- the two I have are great; one type I've only seen at Clinique, a large fluffy eye brush (will add the name later, if it is on the brush) (works great for laying down strong color without being too much)(which is how the SA used it on me and therefore sold me on it -- I don't have anything like it)
CVS -- nice quality; not so easy to use as they are dual ended (they won't stand upright in a container -- they have to be flat)
Estee Lauder -- I'm still using a 20 year old set.
Lancome -- nice quality, I especially like the L'angle brush for eyes and use it daily.
Update: Lancome's mineral foundation brush is superb! It feels like velvet -- you are transported to a spa. If you use mineral foundation, do yourself a favor, go to a Lancome counter and try this brush. Let me know if you do! Do you know if there is anything out there that is identical to this brush in a different price range?
Mary Kay -- nice quality for the price.
Sephora -- every one I've tried has been top notch; they have great travel sets.
Trish McAvoy I have a couple of hers. They are good. Hers was the first brush similar to the Lancome L'Angle that I bought, but it is bigger and fuller than the Lancome.
Ulta -- I just bought a very small angle eye liner brush (I wanted something similar to a drugstore one that I can no longer find -- this is smaller, but it works for what I want to use it for. I used it to line my FOTD today)

Brands that are said to be good, but I have not tried
Aromaleigh edit: I love their fiber optic brushes.
MAC -- edit: I use a fiber optic brush of theirs for blush.

Types of brushes that you should have at a minimum
Anything else you have is just a plus. These should be in your staples.

Eyes
Angle eye brush to lay down the crease
Medium fluffy eye brush to lay down a base color
Short almost semi-circular eye brush to lay down the outer corner color
Sephora makes one called a Smudge Brush. It's perfect.

Denser round eye brush to use with Chanel type colors, if possible.

Fiber Optic eye brush as much for fun as anything. I have a BE one. Aromaleigh's are supposed to be very good. I really like their fiber optic eye shadow brushes.

Brush you could use for blending, if necessary
Angled or flat eyeliner brush for laying down shadow as eyeliners, usually dry, but works with gel also.

Regular shaped eyeliner brush for doing a wet or gel liner or
Regular shaped eyeliner brush with bent handle This is surprisingly easy to use.

Brow Brush if you use a powder form. Often these brushes come with a comb on one side. I rarely use the comb.

Face
Use any soft good sized fluffy brush for blending away any mistakes, if necessary.
Concealer brush(es), synthetic (or use your clean fingers)
Some concealers feed through a brush, in which case you might not need one.
Small thin one, for spot concealing.

Medium one for under eyes.

Fluffy dense brush to apply mineral makeup with, if you use it. BEs is very good.
Take your pick:

Fluffy brush, not so dense angled or not, to apply powder or BE Mineral Veil. Just like the above only a bit smaller in diameter.

Medium sized fluffy angled brush, to apply blush

Dense, flat round brush to apply blush, for certain colors

Fiber Optic Brush to apply blush or bronzer, when the color is strong and you only want a bit. It looks similar to this. I have one by BE and by Prescriptives. I have a smaller one by MAC. Aromaleigh's are supposed to be very good. I really like their fiber optic eye shadow brushes.

Specialty
This is a nice brush. The one end applies dry liner nicely.

Optional
Lips, only if you use one
Or, use the brush on the end of a lip pencil, if you have one, rather than buying an extra brush.
Lip brush, only if you use one.
Lip brush with a cover for your purse.

Makeup foundation brush
Synthetic brush to apply liquid or cream makeup, if you desire. Using your fingers is just as good and there is no product waste. You could also use a sponge.

Eyes
Dense round eye brush Sephora makes one, for laying down intense colors, such as Chanels. See above. (You can use the half round flat brush above just as easily, maybe more so)
Brush suitable for applying shadows wet -- I sometimes use an older brush that gives it new life.

Travel Set if you travel a lot or if you should need one for your purse.
Sephora has some good sets. Check for the one that has the type of brushes you like the most. Chanel often has one, but expensive.
Aromaleigh carries a set too, see link above.

This is a quick run down, and I might have forgotten one or two.

Which brand of brushes do you know and love?
It looks as though ELF and NYX have brushes reasonably priced, but I have not tried them. I have used several from CVS that are good.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-06 16:54:13.

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Today I was busy sorting and organizing. I only did my makeup about 5 mins ago. The theme makeup this week at AL is to use Snapdragon (beautiful blue pink)(I'm not sure I've ever used this before) with Aqua Nightmare (one of my favorite colors.)

If you can't have fun with makeup, when can you?! I got the idea to reverse my eyes, sort of like combining all my posts from last week. It looked strange at first, but I figured my liner would tie it all together. I am really happy with it now.

Eyes: all Aromaleigh unless noted, in order of application
Base: Nude Frost
Crease: Lagoon matte
Outer corner of one eye and inner corner of the other (and reverse drylined on bottom): Snapdragon, then vice versa for Aqua Nightmare
Tight lined top and wet lined lower: Peacock gel liner -- using back end of brush only.
Inner corners: Snapdragon
Drylined top only: Moonagedaydream
Brows: Merle Norman powder
Mascara, top: Guerlain; lower: Tarte
Concealer: Mary Kay

Sunscreen: La Prairie
Primer: Avon Magix
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge under powder: Revlon , cream
Powder: My sparkly mix, then SCA Hyaluronic with stiff Guerlain brush
Blush over powder: EL Pinkshimmer, then NARS Riviera as it didn't have enough color

Lips: AL Karma on one lip; Gala on the other; smooshed; rimmed with Beauté Allure

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-12 15:40:13.

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I was wandering through the cosmetic area and stopped to talk to the SA at Estee Lauder. She had sprayed several things in the air for a customer, and I was curious what they were.

I told her about the layering that I used to wear, and every time I wore it, someone would compliment me:

White Linen and Cinnabar

So, I sprayed White Linen on my arm and let her see how pungent it is, then I topped it with Cinnabar. She liked it.

From across the aisle another SA said, what did you spray, I love it!

I had to laugh. That was possibly the fastest compliment for me on record. Somehow these two together are better than they are alone. One softens the other. I still smell good! (As all Estee Lauder's, this mix is long lasting.)

I think I need to start wearing it again!

What perfume(s) do you wear that you receive compliments on?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-16 20:37:52.

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Sometimes for me, thinking about what colors I want to go toward takes more time than the execution. I knew I wanted to coordinate with the new pendants my artist daughter made for me for Mother's Day, so I knew I was aiming toward purples and gray.

But I started out thinking Aromaleigh -- then I thought, wait a minute, I've got Meow that I haven't worn for a while. So I started with Meow. I bought a lot of samples from Meow, but I don't think I bought a gray. It's hard to tell sometimes in the ziplock what color it will pull on the eye, so I need to mark the darker shades so I know, but I haven't done that yet.

I don't know the differences in the formula of Meow shadows (which is more frosty/glittery) so if someone knows, pls comment. I am going to put them in larger ziplocks by colors, as I have done with the AL, rather than keeping them by formula. I think I can just mix and match.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost
Lids: Meow Lazy Purrl IdealEyes (this pulled bluer than I expected)
Crease: Meow Prowl ModernEyes
Dry lined top and lower: Jessica R ScandalEyes
Crease: AL Avalon Rocks! Sonic Eyes (soft, medium gray) to pop the crease more
Lids: Debbie L ScandalEyes -- to bring it more into the purples again
Tight lined top and wet lined lower: Venomous gel liner -- using back end of brush only -- BookGirl exclaimed that she just loved this color on me, that it really popped my eyes. It may look black in the photo (as it looked in the bathroom mirror) but in RL it is a sort of Periwinkle color.
Inner corners: Tanzanite gel liner -- this looks like a lighter version of Black Cherry.

Brows: Merle Norman powder
Mascara, top: Guerlain; lower: Tarte.
Concealer: Dior Skinflash

Sunscreen: La Prairie
Primer: Avon Magix
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge under and over powder: EL Pink Shimmer, cream
Powder: My sparkly mix, then SCA Hyaluronic with stiff Guerlain brush

Lips: NYX Lips Iced Lavender
As soon as I had it on one lip, I could tell Iced Lavender would be too dark for the rest of my face, if I had put it on alone, but I wanted to keep to the same color family. So...
+ Lancome Prodige (one on each lip, then smooshed)
rimmed with NYX Purple Rain Lipgloss with mega shine -- in RL this is more subtle than the photo would make it.

What do you think? I was happy with it.
I always like it when I get a spontaneous expression that something looks great, as BookGirl did today.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-11 16:42:51.

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Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years. Or sooner!

I will be posting individual reviews in each category, but they are not ready to go up. This is a short synopsis.

Avon has a comparison of before and after pictures, in recent catalogs of models at different ages, with and without their products, using corrective products for their age as well as skin types. What a difference!

I showed the picture to a friend who didn't believe that makeup was all it took. But any of us who know how we look with and without makeup, know it can be the truth.

She saw a TV show not too long ago where they debunked a particular product. I believe it was for the eyes. I told her that some eye creams do what they say, see below.

Meantime I saw a beautiful black woman the other day. She was wearing blush and lipstick, for sure. Her skin was luminous. I complimented her, then said, I bet she hears that a lot.

"Yes," she said. "And I never do anything to it. I have to thank my mother and father. I am a combination of my mother and my father's skin."

As we talked further, she repeated, "I never do anything to it."

Then, the kicker: "All I've ever done is use Clinique's 3 step for twenty-five years."

It works for her! And she didn't think she was doing anything?

My adage:

It is easier to prevent than to correct.

It was explained to me once that the only part of our body that we rarely cover is our face. Everything else can be hidden. Don't crimp on your face.

Do skin products really work?
Yes, some of them really do.

Nearly all lines show before and after pictures of women who used their products over time.

Do they have to be expensive?
No, but some of them are.

Avon makes some great skin care, age appropriate. They are also leaders in research and development.

Some drug store brands work; some department store brands. Guerlain makes many great products. Clarins. Clinique. Estee Lauder. Lancome. La Prairie. Olay. Shiseido. Cle de Peau. Avon. Mary Kay. I wear them all, and I always use Viviane Woodard moisturizer (since I was 18.) I am truly an equal opportunity customer.

Do you have to wear all products from one line?
No, but often SAs want to make you think so. OTOH, some products are meant to go together.

I wear different brands for different products. I don't wear one brand-specific. I do use some products together that are meant to be used together.

I go by how my face looks or feels any given day.

What about the weather?
Yes, change moisture products when the weather changes. In general, heavier formulations of products (creams) when it is very cold or you will be exposed to wind. During hot weather, lotions or oil control products. Use this same idea for your foundation. Use a lighter one in summer.

Exfoliate your skin
Moisturizers penetrate better if you exfoliate regularly.

There are many ways to do this: masks that peel or not; Retin-A or other similar products; scrubs (gentle, please, don't use a foot scrub on your face); cleansers that contain beads (Mary Kay Timewise is great, needs no toner, and comes in different formulas); diamond exfoliators (Mary Kay's Microdermabrasion Set is great.)

Sunscreen? Limit hours in the sun.
Faithfully! I never go without it.

Don't forget your neck. I probably did for far too long. I am currently using on my neck a sunscreen I don't like on my face. Hurray, gonna finish a jar.

My favorite sunscreen is:

I am currently using one with spf of 85.

How can you tell if it is only hype?
How can I tell if I need it, or if it works for me?
If you wonder if you need it, you probably do. Start preventative early, so you don't have to correct later.

Compare your skin with and without it. See my next post, that more fully explains how to make comparisons.

If you see no discernible difference or you don't like how it smells or feels, consider returning the product. Companies don't know, if we don't return products.

Serums used before moisturizers? C-products? Copper products?
These have their place.

Fine lines around the mouth?
Chanel has a good product.

Be faithful to use exfoliation. I've written earlier about both Beauticontrol and Mary Kay having good lip exfoliation-balm sets.

How about eye creams?
Do I really need a separate eye cream?
Yes, after a certain age for sure. And hopefully sooner as preventative. Eye creams work differently than face creams.
Eye creams are made for specific problems.
If you have fine lines; if you need lifting; if your eyes are puffy, there are products specific for each.
Lifting Products
In general, lifting products can be drying (tightening), so you might need to moisturize. You might notice your lines becoming more prominent. Use a lifting product during the day; moisturize at night. Or, layer them during the day.
Puffy eyes
If your eyes are puffy from water retention -- maybe you cried or you are traveling (like happens to me, even though I use my own pillow usually -- eye creams can help this. A magic product is Chanel's Precision Eye Cream. It takes care of puffiness. I haven't found anything better. And it works better than their mega uber expensive Sublimage line.

But if your eyes are puffy from genetics because of fatty deposits, no eye cream is going to affect that. Unfortunately, to take care of that means having surgical removal. This can be done at the time of an eye lift or separately, but it is considered cosmetic as far as insurance is concerned, whereas the eye lift portion would be covered if you are having trouble seeing because of the skin sagging around your eyes. Eye cream will keep your eyes hydrated.

Don't forget your hands!
See my separate post here.

That's all for now. Anything else you want me to share?

Book Girl says I should tell you that I'm 70, that way you'd think I look great. Fortunately or unfortunately, I am not 70. On good days, in good light, with great makeup, I do not look my age. We won't speak of other times.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-03-14 14:21:57.

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