Entries Tagged 'Shiseido' ↓

FOTD Bright lips Blue eye shadow

I was going for the look of the new Shiseido ad or the cover of Allure with Taylor Swift on it. Both feature bright red lips. For the sense of vibrancy, it reminded me of Anja’s look in a Theme Week at Aromaleigh.

Shiseido’s ad is likely photo shopped to get such white skin. What a gorgeous picture! What a gorgeous woman!

You can see the Allure cover, here.

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I used the lightest shade of makeup I have, which is too light for me, then used white liquid highlighter over much of it to get it even lighter.

It’s too red and too bright for day unless it were December, but we are going to a party tonight, and I think the look will translate well.

Sorry for the smudge here on the eye. I took care of it after the pictures.

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Eyes: AL Balsam
in crease
Pencil lined: Maybelline navy blue on top; MAC Light as Air, bright blue on lower with Sephora Flashy Silver white in the waterline
Dry Lined: AL Swank top and lower
Then AL Spaceoddity, then AL disintegration rocks! glam glitter to bring it more turquoise like the Shiseido ad
Brows: La Prairie pencil

Primer: AL
Foundation: Tova cream Lightest of lightest duo
Highlight: Clinique Zero Base A white, very shimmery liquid. I’d prefer it to be half as shimmery.
Powder: my sparkly mix
Lips: Shiseido 104

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-28 14:43:58.

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FOTD Compare Covergirl to Maybelline Foundation

Eyes:
Base: Beauticontrol Pink
Revlon Lilac Shimmer Perle
(has sparks)
This will be my alternate to Queen Phyllis (which is off white.)
Milani #06 Royalty, also wetlined lower (remember the spark on this is only on the top — too bad — so now there is no spark on mine)
Lined top and lower: Shiseido Soft Black liquid
Over lined: Avon blue sparkle gel

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Imagine a line down the center of my face.
I used the same primer, cream blush and my sparkly powder mix on both sides of my face. I used Revlon Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator in Light Pink 020 up the center of my face. The only difference is the foundation.

My Left side Cover Girl 210 Simply Ageless cream foundation — made to camouflage effects of aging.
My Right side Maybelline Matte Mousse #2

Until you compare it when applying it, the Matte really doesn’t look particularly matte. But in comparison the CG is slightly illuminating. CG would be the one that would lift lines by illumination.

The difference is very subtle, but the CG definitely is more illuminating.

The cream feels quite creamy, but not oily. The mousse feels like it glides on, so it likely has some kind of ‘cone in it. I like them both. If I were in the least bit worried about a T-zone in summer, I’d use the mousse. As it is, I can wear either of them year round. The colors I used are pretty nearly identical.

CG has an interesting way to determine what color you use. I bought mine at CVS, which didn’t have it, but at Target they had a chart. You place your hand under it, and when your skin disappears into the sheer chart, that is the color for you. Based on that, I bought 210, which is perfect for me.

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Comparing
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Lips: AL Pout + Karma + Silver Sparkles up the center

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Showing the sparkle of the shadow:

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Have you tried these two foundations?
What do you think? I like them both.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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Serums that work — or not

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

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FOTD Saturday Arbonne Platinum Palette

This is such a pretty palette! Arbonne offered it last Christmas and again this Christmas. It could easily be the only colors I took on a trip.

This is the first time I used it, and I wanted to try it alone, which I did, straight out of the set, (almost) nothing added.

There are many ways the shadows could be applied — for instance, using the Blue-Grey as the main color or as the liner.

Eye Colors: Shimmery almost-white; deep Blue-Gray; Brown [I used this to dryline]; Rosey-Apricot.
Blush: Peachy Apricot (I did use some NARS Riviera too)

Additional Colors
Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost, then BE Queen Phyllis
Tightlined: MAC Blackgraph

Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: Maybelline Pulse Perfection

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Primer: Smashbox
Foundation: Shiseido
cream

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Lips:
The gloss included with this set is a beautiful bright almost orchid pink.
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Do you have this set?
Of the two sets, I ordered only this one, but I think I might order the other too.

If you don’t have a consultant, but would like to get something in Arbonne, just ask and I’ll forward it on to Bookgirl.
Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don’t steal my posts

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FOTD NYX Eyes and Lips

I’ve been waiting to try this trio of shadows until it was fall. This is a beautiful set with orange as the unusual color. The color looks like a vibrant orange, but mixed as I did, it was the right shade of rose for my top.

Eyes:
NXY TS29 White/Tropical (orange)/Silver(light gray)
Base: MAC Luna
, then Meow Nicole S ScandalEyes
Lids: NYX White + Tropical mixed, then more Tropical
Drylined: NYX Silver + Arbonne gray

Lined: Clinique gray (liquid wand) then Shiseido soft black wand — I wanted to stay with the gray accent
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: BE Buxom
Concealer: Dior skinflash

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Lips: NYX Love Angel
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Primer and Foundation: Revlon Vital Radiance
Rouge under my sparkly mix: Chanel
stick
Blush over: Meow Water Lilies Masterpiece

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Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don’t steal my posts — you know who you are!

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FOTD Fyrinnae Embrace (reverse from yesterday)

I knew I would like this color combination better. It’s a bit lighter and brighter than yesterday and a shimmery teal. Not quite so shocking.

My 13 yo spontaneously said, “Oh I like your makeup.” I was outside in the sunshine. I asked her which part, and she mentioned the shadow looked as if it had gold in it. I will take any compliment from my kids and their friends, they are the best kind! The shimmer to me is more teal or silver.

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Again, it went on really easy. I wanted to try to apply it a little more softly, which it is, but I went beyond sheer so I had to follow that lead.

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Eyes: (all dry, applied with AL FO brush)
Base: Nude frost
Lids: F. Embrace, softened out at the edges
Lined lower: F Dragon Magic Arcane Magic, smudged so it is soft, not sharp
Lined upper: NYX Extreme Black pen (not dry)

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Primer: Shiseido
Foundation: Maybelline Matte Mousse
Color under powder: Maybelline Mousse 25
Powder: my sparkly mix, with a tad of BE mineral veil on my nose
Blush: MAC Dollymix
Lips: Fyrinnae Type A

Have a wonderful day~!

Karin

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FOTD Ulta mineral shadows

I was really pleased with how this turned out.

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Eyes:
Base: L’Oreal Sapphire Crystal
cream, then beige sparkly mix
I tried to do it without the mix, but I could tell it was going to go on unevenly.
Crease: Ulta Lagoon
Outer corners: Ulta Marine
– this a gorgeous, bright, sheeny color — Lagoon was not nearly as sheeny.
Lower Liner: MAC graphblack wetlined, then earthline below, then drylined with Maroon.
Upper Liner: earthline tightlined on outer corners.
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: Estee Lauder Magna Scopic Navy — I can wear this EL mascara in all the colors
Concealer: Mary Kay Facial Highlighting Pen Color #2
Lips: Milani Buzz Worthy Lip Gloss Bee Mine
Lined lips: Shiseido Lively Rose

My glimmer powder mix over Mary Kay cream rouge.
Primer: Aromaleigh
Foundation: Chanel

This foundation looks great in the bottle because the container changes the look of the foundation. Once out of the bottle, the foundation is more yellow. So far, I can’t find a match in Chanel to the old color I loved.

Topped with Guerlain Meterorites primer
to change the color from being too yellow. The primer is made to go under foundation, but it works well on the top too.

I loved Maroon in the Ulta colors. By tonight, the colors had moved into the crease. I’ll have to try it again with a better mix of base.

It was a happy look.

What do you think? Have you tried Ulta mineral shadows?

Karin

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Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years

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
If you do not have a Mary Kay consultant, consider buying from mine. Tell her Karin sent you.

If you do not have a Beauticontrol consultant, please contact me for information on mine.

If you do not have an Avon rep, mine is great. You can tell her Karin sent you.

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Review: NYX glitter mascara and pen liner

I wanted to try one of the NYX mascaras just because. I chose their glitter one because it looked interesting enough, without looking like it was only for evening. And if it had shown up, it would have been great.

I have yet to meet a glitter mascara that I really like. (I have a couple from Bare Escentuals that came in kits. Usually the glitter doesn’t show up enough, or it shows up spottily, but the mascara is fine.)

This one by NYX is no exception. I had high hopes, but no. Who knew I had such short eyelashes? They are barely visible. I don’t look as if I have any mascara on.

What is the point of mascara if it doesn’t enhance and you can’t even see it?

I like the color. I bought midnight. And it is brand new, so it is wet enough, but it doesn’t adhere to my lashes, even with multiple coats. It is shot through with soft glitter. I like the skinny little ‘brush’ — I haven’t had one like that in a while.

Perhaps it would be better to use it on top of other mascara, but I doubt it would adhere or show.

Perhaps it will be a great liner. I’ll try that tomorrow. It is really pretty!

Perhaps making my own glitter mascara for the few times I might like to use it would be better — by choosing one of the shades from Aromaleigh and dipping my brush into it. I’ll have to try it and get back to you. (Have any of you tried it?)

Rating 1 It’s just a waste of time, but it’s a pretty color.

Once upon a time Mary Kay had a wonderful pen liner with a felt tip. I loved the formula and used it long after the felt tip should have been put to rest. Unfortunately, they discontinued it, which is why I refused to throw it out. I’d buy it again in a heartbeat.

I hoped that the NYX Pen Liner would do the trick. The wand is thinner than the MK one was. I bought Jet Black, without seeing there was an Extreme Black. The JB reminds me of a refillable one by Shiseido that is a soft black. I would have liked a real dark black. But it went on fine. The tip is a bit different than the MK, but that’s OK. I’ll keep using it for a few days and amend the post.

Rating: 3, might have been a 5, if I’d bought extreme black
5 easy to use, don’t know yet how long it will last

Karin

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How many X hundred dollar creams can a woman use?

What’s a woman to do when the newest high tech face creams are running several hundred dollars each? And how is one to choose one over another, if one is staving off the knife?

Honestly, are they all worth that kind of money? Chanel, La Prairie, Shiseido, Clea de Peau all have their moving-up-to-$500-each creams. Some need to be layered just to have enough moisture — what’s the use of that. And how does one compare an expensive cream by Chanel with a more expensive cream by Chanel sold only in a few select stores? or a Clea de Peau cream with another Clea de Peau cream? Do you think the SAs really know?

Are they old enough to have really given them a run for their money?

Well, the only fair way would be to use one on one side of one’s face and the other on the other. Then you could tell folks why you appear only half-rested.

Surely some of this is hype and some is reality and some is making you feel the more expensive, the better it works. But is it true?

Perhaps there are equally good things from other much less expensive drug store lines, all of which say they use their own labs to come up with new things. And maybe if the truth were known, the differences are in the packaging as the labs may be supplying to several lines owned by a parent company.

Believe it or not, it was Avon that changed some of the creams many years ago when they first brought in alpha-hydroxy. And theirs is still one of the best. They have one of the best facilities for research and development of any company.

So, what’s your favorite face cream? Do you think it works? Would you spend that kind of money on a face cream? or do you reserve that for shoes or handbags or perfumes or airline tickets? How many mega creams do you own and use? (or owned and used up)?

What’s your favorite recommendations?

How much of beauty is from within and how much from taking care of ourselves? (I have a couple of friends who are proud that they do nothing, and it shows. How much of that is laziness or frugality? Or not being able to see without one’s glasses?)

If I didn’t use something on my skin, it would hurt in a couple of days from dryness. That’s not a bad thing, when it has caused me to continue to take care of my face. But I sure don’t want to spend money for the proverbial Emperor’s new clothes. They ought to sell mini-jars so you could test them at home.

Karin

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