Getting Lippy with the Moody Sisters!

As you may or may not know, I am writing a weekly blog post for Moody Sisters Skincare. Jess and Whitney created the organic line to address their very emotional skin! I ordered a few products to give them a try and so far so good. Since I love lip products,  today I am going to review the Moody Sisters Tinted Lip Balms. I purchased the three pack for $13.95 or you can buy them separately for $4.95 each.

I love cats!

The packaging is so cute. The balms are oval shaped and in sturdy cases. The labels are ADORABLE. I love how the color name of the tinted balm is in nice big letters on each tube. I hate searching for the names of colors. The ingredients are clearly listed and are very similar, though they vary because the colors are different. I can tell you that there are NOT words on the packaging that you CAN’T pronounce. That’s good. The variety pack comes with the three shades, all vanilla flavored. The scent is not strong at all and doesn’t linger.

Bronze Tinted Vanilla Lip Balm:

The bronze tint is the first balm tried out. It goes on very smoothly and leaves a slightly shiny finish. The color is very sheer and I find that I reapply it a bit more frequently but I like the way my lips feel.

Bronze Baby!

Rose Tinted Vanilla Balm:

I find the rose tint to be a bit more pigmented that the bronze and berry. It also is a little shimmery, like the bronze. The color really just makes your lips look just bitten and really enhances the natural lip color.

Everything’s coming up roses!

Berry Tinted Vanilla Balm:

The berry tint is probably the least pigmented but leaves a nice sheen. I keep it in my bag and use it as a regular balm.

Berry, berry good!

The verdict? The Moody Sisters make a great balm. I really enjoy using the product and can’t wait to really use the other skincare items I purchased.

Check out my guest blog for the Moody Sisters every Thursday and as always…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

No Tammy Faye Here!

Tammy Faye and the infamous mascara from http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com

Last night, the hubs and I headed out to see some very excellent friends. Even though I wore sweatpants and a t-shirt, I needed to put something on my face. I don’t feel good unless I have on some mascara. I most recently have been using Maybelline’s The Rocket, and though I love it, I have the waterproof formula and it takes work to remove. Instead of a late night fight, I decided to use Wet n Wild MegaPlump Mascara in Very Black.

Pretty in pink.

The tube isn’t too heavy and is easy to hold. When I opened the tube, I found the brush to be a bit smaller than I expected for a plumping formula. The mascara wasn’t very wet either. I actually found the formula to be a bit dry and thicker than I am used to.

The tube of plumpy goodness and the brush.

If you look at the brush, you can see that it isn’t as big as other volumizing mascaras and the product at the tip doesn’t look particularly moist. Application was typical. I curled my lashes with my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, tilted my chin upwards, and started to paint my lashes. The smaller brush did make the tiny lashes at the corners easier to get to and the mascara did not clump really much at all.

My lashes are just curled in the top picture. The bottom picture is with mascara.

Removal was easy, too. I just used my usual eye make-up remover (Yves Rocher) and it didn’t take any rubbing or scrubbing.

Look to the left.

I did not find MegaPlump Mascara to make my lashes particularly plump but they looked long and a little more full. For about $3.99 US at your local store, it isn’t a bad deal.

I’m watching you.

Keep Calm& Primp On! XOXO

OH! Check out my guest post  on the Moody Sisters’s Blog! You also need to check out their products!

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream… Not for the Greasy!

I’ve said it before and I will say it again- I am a greasy beast. So I was excited when BzzAgent.com sent me a complimentary full size tube of Garnier’s Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream. The BB cream is the third Garnier product I received for free from BzzAgent and the two other products, Olia and Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Peel, were terrific…

The Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream is a new formulation. When I purchased Garnier’s original BB cream formulation last year, it was too thick and a bit too oily for my skin. The shades available also were not friendly. The light/medium was a bit too dark and the medium/dark I hear is too light for some with darker complexions.( In fact, a friend of mine that is of Mediterranean descent wears the medium/dark and for her olive tone it seems to work well- that still does not make room for everyone else!) I tend to err on the medium side during the spring and summer months, making it difficult to use Garnier BB Cream during the cooler months. Anyway, I gave the original tube away a loooong time ago and when given the opportunity to try the new formula, I could not pass it up.

This is the before. No make-up, nada.

The tube is your basic squeeze tube. It contains 2.0 ounces of product. On first squirt, the cream dispensed is a bit watery and is thinner than the original. (I also noticed that the smell is not that noticeable- which is good. Garnier can be a bit heavy on fragrance.) I was actually okay with the product’s consistency, as I figured this would mean the product definitely had little or no oil in it.

The box and all the info you need.

Application was fine. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream doesn’t have the most coverage but that works for me. I am lucky enough to have good skin genes. Once I really blended the BB cream, it simply evened out my skintone. I have big pores and I found that the cream did not cover them well- I noticed the small openings looking in my mirror.

A little dab will do ya.

Now, here is the rub: it made my skin super oily. I mean, when I blotted my face as I normally do, I used at least 3-5 blotting papers. I blotted my face three times over the course of seven hours- and I am talking 3-4 blotting sheets each time. Keep in mind, I did not use a primer under or add powder over my initial application, but I don’t usually with the Missha BB Cream I use most often. I also got a small pimple on my forehead.

The after- my face actually looks pretty matte and even. It was a few hours later that I looked different…

I decided to give Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream another try, even with the pimple. I thought the first try was a fluke. I am sorry to say that this is not the case. I am so nervous about clogged pores and all the excess oil that I used a Dead Sea mask tonight.  Should I give this BB cream another try? I hate to give up on it but I really think it isn’t for me. Thoughts?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

I’m Baaaa-aaaack!

Hi all! Sorry that I have been a bit inattentive. It wasn’t on purpose- unfortunately, my grandfather passed away. He had been ill for quite some time and was 86 (!) but that does not make it any easier. I was very fortunate to know him for 33 years. Pretty amazing.

My grandfather and I dance at my wedding, July 2011.

But onto living! I have a few things lined up for the week but I want to tell you a bit about my new adventure- guest blogging for the Moody Sisters! The Moody Sisters create all natural skin care for EVERYONE. The blog launched today and it is managed by Dorene over at http://www.loveanela.wordpress.com.  I will posting every Thursday about my adventures in  trying to go (somewhat) green! Stop by the Moody Sisters Blog right now!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Two Classy Dames

Estee Lauder, in a vivid print from Yves Saint Laurent, puts today’s face on customer by using darker shade of lipstick / World Journal Tribune photo by Bill Sauro. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hello, fellow PHs! I hope the weekend is treating you well. It is Saturday night here in NYC and I am HOME. After a Friday night of carousing, I took a three hour nap and despite the fact that I will probably be a vampire tonight (be up all night- not biting people), I am not going out again. This week I ordered some goods from Bloomingdale’s, after my trip there about a week ago was uneventful. I ordered a few products because it is Friends and Family week and I found a DKNY dress for $25; however, I was most excited to order some Estee Lauder products. I actually am not too familiar with Estee Lauder cosmetics. A favorite memory of Estee Lauder is because of my great grandmother. She had a box of Youth Dew dusting powder. I remember the box well. It was blue and filled to the brim with a (very) fragrant powder. She had it on her dresser and it just looked so elegant. I don’t think she ever used it but when she passed away, I requested the powder box. I was nine. Yes, the hoochie-ness started then. I always associated Estee Lauder with the older set. Though they use beautiful models and spokeswomen, I just never was very interested-until I heard about the Lilly Pulitzer collaboration. I definitely needed something to get the gift! Besides, if Lilly Pulitzer is good enough for Jackie O, she is good enough for me! (Read more about Lilly Pulitzer here.)

English: Lilly Pulitzer store at the Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I purchased some “safe” products, the first being Pleasures Intense. I first got a whiff of that perfume in a mall. A young girl sprayed it on herself- she had to be about 5- and everyone in the store could smell it. And the smell is gorgeous. I happen to like rollerballs, as I can try a bunch of scents without breaking the bank. Estee Lauder offers a few of their fragrances in rollerball form and they each cost $24 US. It is described on the Estee Lauder website as a “lush floral.” I like richer fragrances and I find that Pleasures Intense, though very bright, has a bit more dimension.

Perfect for spring!

The second product I ordered is Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever ($25 US) from the Bronze Goddess Collection. It provides smooth application and has great pigmentation. For fuchsia this errs on very pretty instead of bright and the slight glossiness softens the shade.

Feverish fuchsia! I just noticed that my apartment has some good light.

Onto Lilly!

First off, I love the bag! It is a really great size and is a bit structured so it doesn’t just flop.

In the beauty of the Lilly!

Inside is quite spacious.

Lots of room!

The gift has a number of products. I find the palette to be the most generous.

The contents include a palette of 4 eye shadows and 1 blush and the packaging is gorgeous.

For skincare, there was a choice from three. Being the self-proclaimed greasy beast, I chose Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator and DayWear Creme SPF 15 to defend my face.

Saving face.

There is also a dual-sided tube, one half Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black and the other Double Wear Stay in Place Flawless Wear Concealer in Light Medium. I think this is fantastic to throw in my bag for touch-ups.

Look into my eyes… not my dark circles.

For the kisser, there is a tube of Pure Color Longlasting Lipstick in 88 Rubellite Shimmer. Another pigmented color, it goes on easily.

Ruby lips.

Finally, there is a Pure Color Intense Kajal Eyeliner in 04 Blackened Sapphire, a bold navy and the Pure Color Palette with four eyeshadows and one blush. It has a great mirror and the packaging is pretty sturdy. I chose neutrals with a bit of a spark!

From top left- Pure Color eye shadow in 07 Waves.
From bottom left: 63 Tempting Mocha Shimmer & 30 Sugar Cube Satin. Blush in Lover’s Blush Shimmer

I am quite happy with my choices and the gift. I think the colors will help me transition to the warmer weather!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

I just learned about the passing of Lilly Pulitzer today, April 7th. It is a sad day in the fashion world.

Why hello, April!

Well, my spring break is coming to an end. I go back to work on Wednesday. This vacation was actually quiet, as I got a cold and then the hubs got my cold, so now I am better and he is sick. Go figure. I am going to keep this post on the short side. I actually got a taste of carpal tunnel last night. No thanks. I am trying to take it a little easier with the typing but I already know how that is going to go.

I got some pretty good products in March and I am trying to get rid of some products. Sooooo… I am starting Sample This! Check out the new page on the PH blog and let me know your beauty needs.

I got some goodies the month of March and instead of doing straight out reviews, I will just give you a snippet for each. Here we go!

The Body Shop Absinthe Purifying Hand Wash and Purifying Hand Gel

Obsessed much?

I only bought hand soap and hand sanitizer when the Body Shop had their 50% off sale. It just smells so fresh and clean. I also do not like hand sanitizers that smell like fruit or alcohol. Absinthe is just a pleasant scent and it won’t make you nauseous.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Pretty Social

Makes me want to socialize.

Pretty Social was picked by Smashbox Facebook fans. I don’t think I voted for this color but I bought it anyway. It really is a great natural pink-nude and looks really classy. Yes, I said classy. Be Legendary Lipstick is smooth, creamy, and pigmented and Pretty Social does not disappoint in these departments.

The Balm’s Balms Away Eye Make-up Break Up

Fire away!

An eye make-up remover that looks like you can stick a wick in it, Balms Away is a soft way to take off eye make-up. I have been using waterproof mascara as of late and I took a dollop on my finger and gently rubbed it around each eye. Then I used cotton rounds to remove the residue. It got all of my mascara AND eye shadow AND eyeliner. I hate oily removers and though this was a bit greasy, it was not as greasy as I feared.

Total Beauty Collection Box

Doesn’t add up.

I did not order another subscription but there was a Living Social deal that my husband bought me. It came with hair oil, Neutrogena Lip Balm, mineral eye shadows, an NYX Shimmery Roller, and a $20 gift card to Sole Society. I wasn’t too crazy about the contents but I think hubs only spent about $10 and he knows how much I love products! Thanks, babes!

Lipstick Queen Butterfly Ball Lipstick in Trance

For some reason I don’t have a picture of the color but Trance is a “subtle, shimmering raspberry.” The thing with Butterfly Ball lipsticks is they are sheer, shimmering, and iridescent. They also have a bit of blue, which is supposed to make your teeth look whiter. In reality, it feels lovely on the lips and is very shiny without being sticky. Trance gives a sheer wash of color.

I wanna fly away… yeah… yeah… yeah…

Honestly, I am happy to see March go. I am ready for some spring and some sun!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO