For a true cosmetic buff, how could I not try Zalan's $1 lippies with interesting colors and such darling paper packaging?

Can you say cute! The packaging makes me happy.

And if you happen to be a Zeta, the top of the lippie package has a crown and a Z. These would make cute, cute big or little sis gifts. Or new recruit gifts.

I threw these into a Cherry Culture order just for fun. Book Girl bought one of the colors too.

Can you say I'm an equal opportunity customer! I bought 3 of the 4 shades. I'll add the other colors as I wear them.

From the ridiculous to the sublime, from the price of Chanel lippies to Zalan. I've got them all.

Purple Haze Quite a fashion forward color
This is a little dark for me for daytime, but I'm wearing a very dark purple shirt, and it's a match. And I'm more of a gloss addict now, than lipstick.

It's hard to get the color to show up. The flash is picking up red. But, in fact, it is a very dark, almost Chanel Vamp color, very deep wine. With sheen, no glitter. It's quite pretty, in a very dark way.

Deeper skin tones could wear this one beautifully. It would be a vampy wine-neutral.

5 hours later, after lunch and snacking
I could distribute the color just by smooshing my lips together. As you can see, it didn't migrate. It still has nice color, and right up until this last snacking it felt like there was still quite a bit of lipstick/moisture. Now it feels more like a stain.

My take:
From the first application, I knew this wasn't a Chanel. It is quite waxy going on, which is a good thing, because I don't think it is going to migrate, and for a color this dark, that is a plus.

Book Girl
That's really interesting and very dark.

It doesn't feel dry at all, but it feels waxy, yet moist.

Karin
5 for price
2 if you compare it to very expensive lippies as to feel
3 moist
5 color excitement

Originally posted 2009-03-24 11:16:40.

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This is a little more of a made up look than I've been wearing lately, but it is really the same amount of product. I could tweak it with a little glitter on my lips, but wanted to show it as-is.

I wanted to try a few E.L.F. products because they are so inexpensive.

Mineral Shadows
The mineral shadows come in the same jar as BE and are about the same size. They compare favorably with BE. They are not as sparkly as AL or Meow, at least the colors I chose. The minerals were the most expensive of any of the products I ordered -- $3 each for full size.

Lip liner pencils
The pencils are called Feather-Proof Moisturizing Lip Liner. It has not migrated. For $1, it is worth trying. They have a pretty good mix of colors, most of them are fairly neutral with nuances of color. Spice is not at all orange, but more of a true neutral. I like it, even though it wasn't what I ordered.

Waterproof pen liner:
This worked well yesterday. The felt tip is sharper (in feel) and dryer than the Mary Kay one that I loved that is discontinued. I forgot to try the black today. I used Midnight yesterday and it did well. Again, $1.

Eyes: All dry except where noted
Base: Trish McEvoy, then my beige sparkly mix
Crease: E.L.F. Caffeinated mineral
Outer corners: E.L.F. Glamorous mineral
Inner Corner: Meow because photo made it look matte, which it doesn't in RL -- don't know why the camera does this -- and of course, in RL you don't go around with one eye closed; it is a flash of color when you blink.

Drylined E.L.F. Royal mineral, top and lower outside pencil line, then wetlined on top, very pretty wetlined
Pencil lined, top and bottom (no MAC, LOL) E.L.F. Plum brightening eye liner
Mascara: top BE Buxom; lower Lancome Definicils
Brows: Victoria Jackson pencil

Face:
Comparing Lancome foundation on one side and Chanel on the other
Revlon Primer
E.L.F. Persimmon Shimmering Facial Whip glimmer up middle of face (this would be good to give your face color in winter or whenever you needed a pick-me-up, placing it differently on your face)
E.L.F. Spice Lined lips and filled in (they sent me this by mistake, not the one I ordered, but I thought I'd try it anyway)
E.L.F. Blossom Hypershine Lip Gloss
E.L.F. Bitter Went over lip line and inside with
E.L.F. Pink Lemonade All Over Color Stick (such a cute little size, almost a sample)

And my glimmer powder mix.

Shimmering Facial Whip: this is a nice product and comes in several shades. The browner ones would be good for getting a tanned look without being in the sun. I might try one of those next. This has an Allure Choice Award.

Multipurpose, on-the-go whipped colorant is vitamin B, C and E packed to instantly brighten and sooth skin with no greasy after-feel.

Squeeze a pearl-sized [more like a dot] amount onto finger and blend into cheeks, eyes, or lips.

Hypershine Gloss
This was not as visible as some glosses I own. It has some taste, but it was not at all objectionable. I punched it up with more lip liner. I intentionally chose a neutral, as well as to the color range I don't usually buy. If you can't do that for $1, when can you?

Hyper, glass-like shine infused with micro-mirror technology to reflect light. Smooths lips on contact with a conditioning shine that lasts for hours. Create that natural lip stain of color that's sheer, subtle and beautiful!

Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara
Book Girl has gorgeous thick lashes that almost brush her sunglasses. Any colored mascara looks mascara-y. I thought this might give her some definition, but still look natural. She tried it yesterday, and it worked well.

Achieve glossy, shiny, healthy-looking lashes and brows with the infused long wearing conditioning agents in our wet gloss lash & brow mascara. Looking pulled together has never been easier!

Today she is using the AL clear mascara. She says this went on with more product on the first application. Both feel equally light.

All over color stick This would be good for airplane travel.
This worked well. It's quite a darling little size. I wouldn't mind an array of colors. I would think this would work better for dry skin than for oily.

Duo Eye Shadow Cream
This is the only product I bought that I haven't tried yet. I thought I might try it as a dark base under minerals.

My opinion, you can't go wrong for the price.

The actual packaging, not of the product, but of the containers is not as rich as NYX. NYX has more of the look of MAC.

These are not as high-glam or as Indie in appearance when on as AL or Meow, but some items, like the lip pencils, are more than favorable for drugstore lines, especially for price.

I think my girls would enjoy having some of this. It would make good stocking stuffers. Or even birthday favors.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-16 14:39:56.

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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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I'm not a minimalist. I learned a long time ago with perfume that I don't have to use up a perfume to get another. In fact it spoils a perfume for me, if I feel I have to use it, when it's not what I'm in the mood for.

I don't know about you, but I have product that I could use up. If I feel overwhelmed with stuff, it's time to clear it out. So I'm starting to.

I am an equal opportunity customer, when it comes to cosmetics. I don't care if it's expensive or inexpensive -- if it works. And I've learned that I don't have to use a product up to the end in order to try another product. Sometimes I just like having the option of variety. I use different forms of creams or lotions or even foundation, depending on the weather or the season.

And why, if I really like something, do I sometimes treat it like family silver? Who am I saving it for, if I don't use it? I should treat myself good and use it every day!

What to do, what to do...
Here's some ideas:
Throw it out!
You know you can do this, even if I can't!
Take a deep breath and toss it.

Give it away. Then it's no longer a burden to you.
Let someone else think about it.
Share it with someone who would appreciate it or needs it.
Gift it to a friend. Let them use it up!

Trade it with a stranger
There are site-specific websites that help you trade perfumes -- or cosmetics -- and other, like Craigslist, that would help you sell or trade the tile off your roof or the bikes in your garage.

Return or exchange it
If it doesn't work, don't feel badly about returning it to the store you bought it from. Do it early, rather than later. Companies don't know you don't like it, if you keep it.

Layer it with other product
I have Chanel No 5 in Douceur Satinee pour le corps...a lovely spray oil. I never used it for a variety of reasons: I rarely wear No 5, and while this is a lovely way to wear it, because there is no alcohol, so it is like wearing parfum (I do recommend this product), it would conflict with the perfume I really wanted to wear, and I prefer lotions.

So about a year ago, I started to mix it with lotion. I picked lotions that would pick up a note in No 5 or be changed by the No 5. As an added plus, I've used up one lotion, a fairly strong vanilla from Bath and Body Works that I never liked the scent of, and I'm working on another: Iris of Tuscany which I found at TJ Maxx a long time ago. It was very inexpensive at TJM, and if I could find it again, and if I didn't have plenty of other lotions, I would buy it again. It's made in Italy and quite lovely.

I take about a quarter size of lotion and spritz about 6-7 small sprays of oil into it in my hand, and I use it on my legs. It cuts the amount of No 5, gives me a lotion feel, and is far enough away from my face and dissipates soon enough, that I use it every day.

But it's like the proverbial pot of oil in the Bible, it never runs out! But at least I'm using it!

Use it on your neck
Facial lotions or creams that are either too rich or not rich enough for your face.
Sunscreen you don't like on your face. I'm almost to the bottom of one.
Mineral foundations that don't quite match your face.

If you don't like it on your neck or face, use it on your body
Elbows, knees, feet can use creams too rich for your face.

Mineral foundations
Use for eyeshadow as a neutral base for other colors.
Combine shades to make a new color that might work better.
If all else fails: use them on your neck or body.
They cover a birthmark nicely and help heal other problems.

Vow to use it up Reach for it first
I have an eye cream that I like; I just didn't reach for it often. The last time I used it up, I didn't think I would replace it, but then I did. So it sat there staring me in the face, making me feel badly.

I put it where I would use it as part of a 5 minute pick-me-up. When I woke and removed eye makeup that had smudged (even if I had removed it the night before), I would put a dab of this eye cream on, until I got around to doing my whole face. For my regular makeup, I'd layer on another eye cream. If I just needed a pick-me-up throughout the day, I'd put on a dab of the one I was trying to use up.

I'm happy to report, I used the last drop, today.

Use up lip or eye pencils
Draw on the tip of your index finger.
For blush: Add a small drop of moisturizer, mix with your other index finger and apply.
For eye shadow: Add a small drop of moisturizer or eye cream, apply as above.

All those little sample baggies of shadows or highlighters
Ones you don't wear as often or as well
Make your own mix by combining.
Turn eye shadows into highlighters. Turn highlighters into shadow.
Turn blush into eye shadow or eye shadow into blush.
Mineral foundation samples or full size a little dark
Combine them or use them alone as bronzers.
Mineral foundation samples or full size a little light
Combine them or use them alone as highlighters.
Ones you love
Replenish them from full size.
Put your faves into your travel bag so you don't have to think when you pack.

Eyeshadows
Turn eye shadows into highlighters.
Use them for blush.
Use them for brow color.

What's the last thing you used up, and how did you accomplish it?

What do you do to use up product?
Send me your ideas, and I'll post them or you can be a guest writer.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-12 10:48:42.

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One thing you can say about me, among many others, is that I'm an equal opportunity buyer. When it comes to cosmetics, it doesn't have to be the most expensive for it to be the right color. I first look for color, then I look for the finish it gives. Or, I look first for the finish, then to see if there is a color that is right for me.

Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of expensive lines' colors, but that is not all I have. I never throw anything away because it is extremely rare for anything to get old. I pass it on or continue to use it.

One place I don't hedge is skin care, but even there the most expensive is not necessarily the one that works the best. If it works, I have likely tried it or am still using it. But realistically, there are so many skin care items and so little time. Laughing here. And I'd venture to say that if I lived elsewhere there'd be a whole realm of other products available to me that are not available in the US. So we do the best we can.

NYX, Aromaleigh, Meow are all lines that are reasonably priced, especially if you start with samples, as you can with the latter two. In the meantime, I bought a couple of NYX things that I've never used yet, and I wanted to give them a go.

The NYX colors I used today are individual square shadows with a clear lid.

Eyes:
Base: Nude frost on lids, not under brows, then BE Queen Phyllis
Lids: NYX October Sky (pale blue, almost matte)
Drylined top and bottom: Ocean (blue-green, more green) then over the whole lid a bit
Mascara: Guerlain Le2
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Inner corners: MAC Fascinating pencil (white)
Concealer: the one in the Revlon foundation palette

Primer: Smashbox
Foundation: Revlon age defying cream
Rouge under my sparkly mix powder: Revlon
Blush over: Maybelline Dream Mousse 25
Lips: Avon, MAC and Clinique, see LOTD for details

What do you think?
Isn't this is pretty color combination! I love it. As you can see, I used a variety of brands and many, but not all, are inexpensive.

How about you?
Do you lean to cosmetics across the board or do you use all price ranges?

My fragrance:
Guerlain Boisé Torrid on my wrists, then later Narciso Rodriquez Women on one arm to compare it; last on the other arm Andy Tauer Reverie au Jardin -- I really smell good. I do. I got a compliment: I smell your perfume, you smell good. What are you wearing?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don't steal my posts -- you know who you are

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I wanted to compare this the day after I reviewed Guerlain's Le 2 so I would have a clear memory.

When I first tried this, it took some getting used to as the brushes are different than Guerlain's, and also the amount of mascara deposited on the first go is different.

I had also had some problems with my eyes the first times, but today I am having no problem. I think it might have been the minerals I was using those days.

The more I use it, the better I like it. It just goes to show, try it more than once.

I realized after I had taken the first pictures today that I had forgotten to put the mascara on my lower lashes. I asked the other day if I should wear it on the bottom or not, so here's a good illustration. So here's a picture without it.

Not on lower lashes

On lower lashes: Then I put it on.

What do you think?

Karin
4 Pro on the idea of the two brushes
3 I tend to smudge on my skin when applying the Avon lower lash brush, which I do not do with the Guerlain
4 lasting without smudging, it feels heavier than the Guerlain, but not by much.
3 intangibles -- I like the wand of Guerlain, it feels rich; I like the Guerlain brushes
$$ This is less expensive than Guerlain, but more expensive than usual Avon mascaras.
5 my eyes look about the same as using the Le 2

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