I was really happy with the way this turned out and how easy it was to do. This is the first time I've used these Meow colors. I love being able to try so many colors by ordering samples.

Eyes: all Meow unless noted
Base Nude Frost
Lids: ScandalEyes Nicole S (beigy pink, very shimmery)
Crease: ScandalEyes Prissy (deep green)
Outer corners and lined under eye: IdealEyes Mischievous Purrl (light green)
Lined top and lower: Sephora bright teal, flashy blue
Mascara: Stiletto
Concealer: Dior skinflash

Primer: Sheer Cover
Foundation: Lancome mineral,Ivory 10, topped with Lancome mineral powder, then my sparkly mix
Blush: Meow Masterpiece The Kiss, pink
Lips: Popster tinted lip conditioner, rimmed with Beauté Paramour

Anyway, I loved it! How about you?

I hope you had a great day!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-19 23:01:07.

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I had never heard of Hourglass Cosmetics until they came across my computer from another blog. Now I see it's being written up in a lot of magazines, including Allure.

A luxury line with a modern edge. Carisa Janes

I like the fact that while it is considered a luxury line, it is moderately priced, instead of off the scale.

Carisa Janes has created this cutting-edge line which is formulated with the latest in cosmetic technology. Since I had never heard of her, I did a bit of sleuthing.

Carisa Janes has been a creative force behind many different brands during her extensive career in the beauty industry, dating back to 1996. She began her career as an assistant product developer at Urban Decay. After that, she developed and brought to market Body & Soul, an upscale niche cosmetics line that received a lot of press attention when it first launched due to its unique packaging. Next, as head of her own consulting firm, Isa Design, Janes oversaw the creative direction for multiple skin care and cosmetic lines, including teen brand Sugar Cosmetics. Marie Redding

Something else that is nice: you can sample a friend with up to 3 free samples, which is how I got to try it. And I sampled a friend this morning. It takes about 7-10 business days to receive your samples.

The products are available from Sephora online. I do not know if they are carried in some Sephora stores. You can do a search at the Hourglass site to see a store locator.

Here's what I tried
Veil Mineral Primer oil free spf 15 $52

I loved this product. It has a slight radiance to it which makes my skin look perfect. This is something I likely will be buying. 132 people reviewed it at Sephora, giving it an average of more than 4.5 stars.

It is water-resistant and 100% fragrance free, oil free, and paraben free. It does not have an odd smell because of ingredients. I smell nothing.

It neutralizes the skin, creating a smooth, uniform slate for makeup application. Don't forget the slight radiance which evenly distributes light to soften and camouflage skin imperfections and fine lines. It also protects from oil breakthrough, so your makeup stays looking fresh longer.

It has no
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates

The SPF is formulated with naturally-derived titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical sun-blocking agents.

Liquid foundation $60 SPF 15

I was sent 1.5 Nude. It is a little deep and yellow for me. I would prefer another color, less yellow, but it looks fine once it is on. When I choose a color for me, I choose a true neutral, neither pink nor yellow.

There are two other colors that are lighter: Ivory and Porcelain. Additionally there are 5 colors that are deeper.

A medium coverage treatment liquid foundation.

What it is formulated to do:
Veil Fluid Makeup provides luminous, long lasting coverage for a flawless complexion while fighting the signs of aging. Sephora

Tinted Moisturizer $55
I was sent Ivory, the lightest shade. It is lighter than 1.5 in the liquid foundation, but it is still deep and a bit yellow for me.

Hourglass Illusion Luminizing Tinted Moisturizer is an ultra-rich formula that offers moderate coverage for an even, natural, flawless finish. Added Instalift® firms and tightens the skin, producing visible results within an hour of application. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres™ help minimize the appearance of wrinkles while increasing skin's hydration levels, delivering a healthy, dewy radiance. Sephora

I did not notice any particular firming or tightening. It did look nice going on.

It covers nicely, as it is quite pigmented, so for an easy every day look, this is very workable. There is enough coverage that my skin doesn't look bare, unlike some tinted moisturizers that just melt away. I used this after my normal moisturizing as a foundation.

Sephora users rate both of these more than 4 star but not as strongly as the primer.

Have you tried Hourglass cosmetics?

There is also a full color line for eyes, face, and lips.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-09 08:40:44.

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This mascara came in one of BE's kits, and it offered me the chance to try this type of mascara again. I always think I will like the sparkly mascaras, but I have yet to figure out how to wear them so they show up.

Black first, then Diamond over it
The mascara comes with Black at one end and Diamond (white with glitter) at the other. The Black is very nice. This is applied first, then Diamond over it. I never can get Diamond to show.

This is really, really, really hard to see, which is the point:

.

Using Diamond Alone:
I have tried it alone, and it doesn't do enough on my eyes.

It might be interesting on Book Girl's lashes as they are long, thick and lush. Her lashes don't really need color, just definition.

I have used it sparklingly (good typo, I meant sparingly) on my brows. It shows up there, only just barely.

White lashes
If you want white lashes, as in some of the interesting winter ads, Diamond doesn't show up white, but clear.

White lashes are easy to achieve using Lancome Cils primer.

If you want sparkly lashes
You might have to mix some Aromaleigh glitter on your mascara brush. I haven't tried that yet, but it might work. Review to follow, if I try it.

Have you tried this type of mascara? or this one? have you tried to make a glitter mascara by adding glitter to mascara? What did you think? Did it work? Did you like the effect?

Karin
5 for black mascara
0 for Diamond Help me out if you know how to use it so it shows up.

Originally posted 2009-03-24 13:20:17.

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Still using some Chanel colors.
Primer: Chanel blue liquid
Dual: Sea Gray/Petal -- soft blue/gray; petal is a soft almost pink peach
Blue in the crease; the pink above the crease, not to the brow
Drylined top and lower: the blue from Chanel Sea Mist (trio)
Pencil lined: Chanel light and dark blue pencil, discontinued but my favorite blue
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: Arbonne 2 step
Concealer: Arbonne

Makeup the same as yesterday. Except Primer is Arbonne. YSL Blush, used also for bronzer, is # 19. It comes in a pot with a sponge on the top, very easy to apply by dabbing wherever you wish.

Lips: NYX Rhea + MAC Popster lipconditioner, rimmed and a touch on the bottom lip of Beauté Allure.

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

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-17 11:42:53.

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Happy Easter to everyone! What did you fix for your meal? We had Shrimp de Jonghe.

I thought this turned out so pretty today.

This was a very simple look. My only difficulty was getting both eyes to match in depth. One eye went on stronger, then I had to match it. It takes a little practice with Fyrinnae because the technique is different: dabbing, not sweeping.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost, then Meow Nicole S
Crease, lightly on lids, drylined on lower: Fyrinnae Daijodan
Lined upper: Lancome pen in Blueberry -- these pens are very, very nice, in all the colors -- have you used them? what is your favorite color?
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: CoverGirl Lights Sapphire

Primer: Laura Mercier
Foundation: L'Oreal N1, liquid
Rouge: Beauté Harlot liqui-gel stain
Power: my sparkly mix, with BE Mineral veil as bronzer
Blush: Meow Masterpiece Water Lilies
Lips: Mary Kay Metallic lip liner, a true brown liner, MAC Sweetie, topped with Pinkaratgloss, rimmed with a lighter gloss and used up the center too. Still hoping for a different shade.

I like Daijodan really well. It is such a pretty blue!

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-12 18:21:02.

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Some of my Arbonne colors arrived that I ordered, so I thought I'd try them out today.

Eyes: nearly all Arbonne, except where noted
Base: Chanel liquid shadow #20 (pink)
Lids: Arbonne Ballet (pale pink)(cool)
Crease: Arbonne Moody -- light medium grayed purple (cool)
Drylined top and bottom: Bewitched (deeper purple) (neutral)
Mascara: Arbonne Lash color (different formula than I've been using) It is a two in one product primer and mascara combined (one brush). Water resistant, it is holding up well through the day.
Concealer: Dior skinflash, some Arbonne too
Brows: Merle Norman powder

Primer: Arbonne will do a review of ingredients in another post
Foundation: Arbonne 1 C Line Defiance -- when I looked at this in the bottle, it looked way too pink, but it is the lightest color -- and on, it wasn't too pink at all, but perfect -- even magical. It has a nice inner glow to it -- not gold -- as if they combined foundation and some kind of highlight to camouflage (enlighten) lines.

Choose from 15 shades of moisture-rich, water-based, liquid makeup that smoothes the look of fine lines and wrinkles, protecting against the invisible enemy, time, with SPF 15. Key ingredients: Camellia, oleifera leaf extract, ginseng root extract, vitamin E

Blush: Promise (cool)
Highlight: Bashful (cool, neutral) -- very, very light pink -- too light for me for blush, but perfect as a highlight (I bought it to highlight).

Lips: Arbonne On Point Prep and Plump -- very pretty color! lots of pizazz!

My take:
I'm impressed by the Arbonne colors and formulas. I really like the way the foundation looks. Several of the products I've been told act like natural botox (that sounds like an oxymoron!) because they have Peptides in them or GABA. Hey! if it works...

When I looked at it in the bottle last night, I thought, oh dear.
It looked too pink.

I figured: I often use a pink radiance as a highlight or illuminator -- and even have a pink Chanel powder -- all of which are youth-enhancing (counteract any sallowness, etc.) so I'd give it a try in spite of my fears.

Usually foundations that aren't a true neutral turn orangey on me. But this stayed true.

This color is very sheer and is like liquid illumination. Unlike a highlighter which is too sheer for coverage (or would be too highlighty if you applied enough to give a lot of coverage), this is a foundation so it covers nicely.

Do you use Arbonne foundation, concealer, or primer?
All of these are supposed to enhance your skin as well as make it look better. It's nice to know the products are accomplishing something at the same time they are making you look your best.

I can speak for the lighter colors. They are lovely. I also tried 3N foundation when I did a quick makeover using testers -- and it wasn't overly too dark, just a touch. 3N is the lightest neutral shade they have, whereas 1C is the lightest cool. In between them there is 2W (which looks on paper as if it is darker than 3N).

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

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-19 15:07:32.

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I've been out of town and remiss about posting fotds -- and even remiss in wearing makeup. When the day begins at 4:30 and I'm on a different time zone, all bets are off. I did get some makeovers, though, you notice!

Yesterday was my first day more or less back on schedule.

I had in mind I was going to try the new eye shape -- and before you know it, my brush went and did just what it always does! I couldn't believe it. But I did it today and have pictures to post later.

Base: MAC Luna -- I like this because it has some shimmer
Eye colors came from a Lancome GWP, really pretty colors: off white, light shimmery pink (not sparkly), medium brown, charcoal-black with sparkles. Daylight (matte)Volcano (shimmer) Makeover (metallic)The New Black (metallic)
Dry Lined with the charcoal shade, followed by Guerlain Kohl powder in turquoise (you can see this really well in both full sized photos)
Mascara: Arbonne, 2 step
Brows: Anastasia Caramel (like mascara wand) + thin lined wet brow liner -- I like both these products a lot.

Primer: Avon Magix
Foundation: Chanel on one side;Arbonne on the other
Rouge under powder: Revlon, discontinued
Powder: my sparkly mix + Chanel Rosee pressed powder as highlight all over, has slight sparkly
Blush: Chanel Rose Petal
Concealer: Dior skinflash under eye; MAC on nose, buffed out

Lips: This was a case of just layering up.
I broke my cardinal rule of no more lip pencils and also ended up with a Guerlain color that is more pink than I'd prefer, so I did a bit of doctoring to see how badly I'd messed up.
Guerlain 65 on top; Arbonne Whisper on bottom; smooshed; lined with Guerlain Rose Indien; topped with Revlon Play up Pink.

The Guerlain formula is lovely (and I bought a second color later that is more to my liking.)

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

Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-15 16:12:17.

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Life in the fast lane with end of year school projects (for the mom!) and etc. are putting me behind in posting my FOTDs. It helps to have lovely makeup to make you feel and look your best!

Eyes: I really loved these colors together. They made me happy!
They are both beautiful on their own.
Base: Nude Frost
Crease: Fyrinnae Kitten in Heels
Lids: Fyrinnae Faerie Glamour
Tight lined top and wet lined lower: Venomous gel liner -- a pretty purple - using back end of brush
Mascara: top Lancome Oscillation; lower: Guerlain LE2 (lower lash side only)
Brows: Merle Norman powder
Concealer: Mary Kay #2

Primer: MUFE
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge under powder: Maybelline Rose Petal mousse blush
Powder: my sparkly mix, then Guerlain meteorites as bronzer
Blush over powder: Lancome Petticoat Pink cream

Lips: Fyrinnae Glitter Kittiez rimmed with Beauté Allure

Do you have any of these colors?
They are some of my favorites.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-18 09:47:00.

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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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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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