Sara Happ Vanilla Bean Lip Scrub

I've tried a few different scrubs, including C.O. Bigelow Gentle Lip Scrub and Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub.  C.O. Bigelow was tolerable, but virtually ineffective, while Lush was just...gross.  It was completely dried out and smelled atrocious. Sara Happ feels nice, smells nice and most importantly, it works really well.

Comes in a cute little tub (30ml/1oz). 

Gives you an idea of the texture and size of the granules.  

Blob of it on my hand.  

You can see that the product adheres to the lips.

I'm assuming a lot of people think that "a scrub is a scrub", and actually, I would have agreed...before.  However, after trial and error, I can confidently say that this is a superior product to the majority out on the market.  The consistency of the base (petrolatum and various oils, including grape seed and jojoba seed oil) and the size and shape of the sugar granules make it so the product glides over the lips without tearing them up.  Some of the drier scrubs like Lush (blech) are just pots of dry, scented sugar.  There's no glidage...no substance to keep the scrub on the lips.  It falls right off and into the sink... or wherever else you're applying it.  On the opposite end, I felt that C.O. Bigelow's Gentle Lip Scrub was too liquid and weak.  No matter how vigorously I worked the product into the lip, nothing really happened.  Not to mention C.O. Bigelow only sells a mint scented/flavored scrub, and I really hate mint anything.  Mint + me = not friends.   

Sara Happ makes amazing scents/flavors for her scrubs, including Almond Creme, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cocoa, Creme Brulee, Cinnamon Sugar and Peppermint.  After I finish up my Vanilla Bean, I'm either going to try the Almond Creme or perhaps the Creme Brulee.  

xxx ~R

Lip Balm: Faves and Fails

After my all-time, favorite lip balm/treatment was discontinued (Prescriptives Lip Specialist), I began this hunt...a sojourn, if you will...to find a replacement for it.  Sadly, there really isn't anything that I've come across that is as similar in efficacy, formula, etc. I've found a couple products that are good enough, but nothing nearly as successful in treatment as I had with Px Lip Specialist.  A lot of hearts were broken when Estee Lauder Co. pulled the plug on that brand, and I'm definitely one of them.  At any rate, I will break down my thoughts and experiences with some drugstore and higher end lip balms/treatments, in hope that I save someone/anyone else some time and money.  And aggravation, frustration, so on.

I've been using Neutrogena's lip balm for several years.  It doesn't have much of a scent and isn't overly waxy.  It makes for a good lipstick base and contains SPF 15, which is always a good thing.  It's definitely a moisturizer, rather than a healer.  It works more as maintenance for lips that are already in decent condition.    Do I love this stuff?  Not really. But I like it enough to keep buying and using it. 

Mode de Vie Shea Butter Vanilla Lip Balm is a pretty recent find of mine.  It doesn't contain anything that would irritate me (beeswax, lanolin, or mint oils), so for that very reason, I like it. Not love, but definite like.  The pleasant vanilla scent is an added bonus.  Again, more of a light moisturizer and less of a healer.  

I was really excited when Aquaphor released this a few months ago.  It's definitely more of a lip balm, in comparison to the original Aquaphor Healing Ointment that many people use for lip care.  This Lip Repair has some shea butter and other oils mixed in, which gives it a lighter feel and glossier consistency.  This is definitely a day balm (for me, at least), as I don't find it to be "healing".  Nonetheless, it works well enough as a daytime moisturizer.  

This is currently my night treatment aka the only thing that actually heals my lips and keeps them in decent shape.  It's mostly petrolatum (Vaseline) with some stuff like mineral oil and glycerin to make it more emollient.  Also, the packaging alone makes it more appealing and more hygienic, in comparison to standard Vaseline in tub form.  

I was actually really surprised when I liked C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve.  I had been reading about people loving to use these types of salves on their lips, but I never found it very appealing or appetizing, as a lot of rose scented lip products make me gag.  This stuff is very soothing, but not terribly moisturizing or healing.  It's a product best used to maintain lip moisture or calm the burning feeling one can get from dry and abused lips.  The rose scent is sweetened, which makes it non-repulsive for my hyper-sensitive olfactory receptors. 

I thought that the über-hyped By Terry Baume de Rose would be my chapped lip salvation...the end of the search.  False.  I made the mistake of not reading the ingredient list before purchasing, only to find out after my tongue started itching that it contained lanolin, of which I'm very much allergic to.  The thing that kind of confuses me about this product is why they would feel the need to throw in an ingredient that many are sensitive or allergic to.  There's so many other lovely and emollient ingredients...why throw in cheap wool's oil?  The logic is missing.  Result?  Le fail.    

After the By Terry debacle, I thought..okay..La Mer it is.  I've read rave reviews from celebrities, makeup artists, and normal consumers, so I thought this would be a done deal.  Incorrect.  This stuff is, for a lack of a better term, overpriced crap.  I genuinely can't understand the following this product commands.  I slathered it on my lips with hope, and that hope quickly died after my lips starting burning like holy fury.  The ingredient that really killed this product for me was the eucalyptus oil.  I know a lot of people love the tingle they get with mint infused lip balms/treatments, but this was insane.  My lips felt as though they were set afire.  It wasn't much fun.  Burning mouth aside, the texture itself is kind of rough and doesn't seem to melt into the skin very well.  It's much too waxy, in my opinion.  Fiery fail.  

So the La Mer didn't work out, whatever.  I was surprised, but thought Chanel would be able to end the quest, as I love so many of their other products.  Faux.  This is a wildly pointless product.  I was shocked by how ineffective and useless it was. I didn't have any allergic reactions or sensitivities to the Hydramax balm, but it did absolutely nothing to moisturize my lips.  In fact, I think they felt more dry the morning after I applied it.  The part that I really couldn't handle was the disgusting, rancid, fake candy scent/flavor they gave this balm.  The taste just lingered in my mouth as I was trying to get to sleep, and no amount of water would lessen the vile flavor.  Again, fail.  

Annoyed and disgruntled by all the previous "high end" efforts, I gave this Clarins Lip & Contour balm a go, feeling as if I had nothing to lose.  Wrong.  This garbage made my mouth itch.  It doesn't contain any beeswax or lanolin, so I don't know what ingredient aggravated my mouth.  What I do know is that after reading the ingredient list, this stuff is formulated with a bunch of really cheap oils and additives.  More failure.    

So after all those dept. store failures, I thought, why not? Let's do this flower child dance.  So, I bought a big 'ole tub of raw, unrefined shea butter  and slathered it all over my mouth.  The result?  GROSS!!  It smelled like a dead hippy and felt like it was infused with sand.  Earth mother fail xs 1000. 

Going from one extreme to the next, I thought it best that I just try some drugstore products that others seem to have a lot of luck with.  My thoughts on Nivea balms?  Not so great.  It feels okay on the lips, but I hate the way these are scented.  I've tried various scents/flavors and formulations within the brand, and I've hated them all.  Drugstore fail. 

Two words: Organic beeswax.  Buzzzz.  Fail.  Next.  

I like that Smith's decided to give consumers the option of sticking their grubby fingers in the tins or allowing them the hygienic luxury of using a tube, but I just don't like this one.  I much prefer the scent and feel of C.O. Bigelow's Rose Salve.  Alas, fail.  

I will love you forever, Px Lip Specialist.  May you rest.  

So in conclusion, Aquaphor and a couple other random brands work for me, but the majority of products out on the market do not.  Whoever said life was fair?  Such words were certainly never muttered from my dry, allergy-prone lips.  

Any lip balm/treatment recommendations?  I could obviously use them.  

xxx ~R

OPI William Tell Me About OPI Nail Polish

I like to rotate from reds, to darks...and then back to bare nails.  Today, it's dark nails.  

OPI William Tell Me About OPI came out a few months ago with the Swiss collection.  It's a really dark eggplant, with a hint of warmth.  This is basically the slightly lighter version of the cult favorite OPI Lincoln Park After Dark.  I can't figure out which one I prefer.  Neither of them really blow my socks off, but that's to be expected, as I prefer bright reds.  Regardless, it's nice to switch it up.  

xxx ~R

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick 14 Rouge Feu and 1 Le Rouge

I have a great affection for red lipstick.  It reminds me of my favorite generation, that of my grandparents. During World War II, women were forced into factory work/hard labor as a means for survival, and thus, a lot of the typical luxuries and indulgences fell to the wayside.  But red lipstick remained, as a symbol of patriotism.  It's a representation of femininity, strength and confidence...three things that never go out of style.   

I would describe 14 Rouge Feu as a deep red, perhaps a shade before brick.  It's a balanced shade, with mixed tones of both blue and brown.  It's a very classic and polished sort of red.  This particular lipstick has a shiny finish with medium coverage.  It can be used as a stain, or built up to the full level, as demonstrated above.  I definitely consider 14 Rouge Feu to be a universally flattering shade of red, as it doesn't lean to any extreme.  I bought this shade specifically to work in conjunction with 13 Le Orange.  When I swatched them on my hand together, I was smitten with the effect.  In contrast to 14 Rouge Feu...

This is a shot of 1 Le Rouge.  I received a deluxe sample of it with one of my Neiman's orders and was so enamored with it, I was forced to buy a full-size tube.  Comparing this to 14 Rouge Feu, you can see that this is definitely a bright, blue-toned red.  YSL managed to make it vibrant and color rich, without turning gauche.  

The top swatch is 13 Le Orange, middle is 14 Rouge Feu, and the bottom is 1 Le Rouge.  The lighting in which I took this shot wasn't *ideal*, but it's a decent example of the contrasts between the three shades. 

xxx ~R

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick 13 Le Orange

I'm still really into these lipsticks, as one could probably tell.  I've tried to think of negative things to say about the Rouge Pur Coutures, but I really can't.  I guess my only complaint is that I have to pay for them.  So like, if any people at YSL want to just like...send them to me, that would be fine.  Perfect world scenario.  Just throwin' it out there. 

I would describe 13 Le Orange as a reddened orange.  It's definitely not a true "orangey" orange lipstick, such as MAC Morange or Neon Orange.  It reminds me a lot of Armani Rouge d'Armani 401, if that rings a bell with anyone. The texture of this particular shade is smooth and creamy, with a subtle shine.  Every Rouge Pur Couture seems to vary slightly in finish, and this one is definitely on the more shiny and not totally opaque side.  

What's great about this lipstick, is that one can use it to "orange up" another red, such as 1 Le Rouge or 14 Rouge Feu, both of which I adore.  The whole concept behind this range is that you can mix different shades together to create your own signature look.  I really love the combo of 1 Le Rouge and 13 Le Orange, because it's just bright, sexy and confident looking.  Reminds me of my lipstick hero, Gwen Stefani.  

xxx ~R

What Were You Doing When You Were 10?

This entry has absolutely nothing to do with makeup, which is something I try to avoid reading on other sites.  I'm the type of person that goes to a beauty blog to look at photos, swatches, product info, etc,  with the hope of reading/seeing as little possible of the person behind the blog.  It's very easy for the author to use their blog as a personal outlet for their thoughts and views on things away from beauty, or as a means of attention/self promotion...all of which they reserve the right to do.  The problem lies with the reader caring/not caring, liking or disliking.  I usually don't find anything very interesting about the stories of what club they went to or what outfit they wore, so on.  When I think about my favorite blogs, I know absolutely nothing about the person behind it, from what they look like, to their marital status.  That's just me...personal preference.  Having said that, I'm going to post something completely off topic.  My apologies.  

Chopin Ballade No.1 Op. 23 G minor is one of my all-time, favorite pieces of music...*ever*.  It's one of the most complex, difficult and demanding compositions a pianist can play, and to do so at a high level requires what every musician hopes they have: natural talent.  This girl is exceptional.  She's doing something that adults 30 years ahead of her mostly can't.  It's truly a remarkable interpretation of something so wildly beyond the ability of  a "typical" 10 year old.  All I can hope for her is that she plays for herself, because she loves it and it makes her happy.  

Incredible, no?

xxx ~R

NARS Dovima Nail Polish

I'm not into NARS as a brand, in the least.  From the packaging to the formulas, etc.  I just can't get into it.  I've tried their blush and found it inferior in formula to various competitors.  I tried their Multiples, and they made my skin burn, so that didn't work out.  When I swatched some eye shadows on my hand at the counter, my skin went red, so I'm assuming that's another allergy.  Several years ago, I bought one of their lip glosses, and it tasted and smelled like rancid plastic.  To my knowledge, the odor and funk of the gloss is status quo.  So uh....yeah.  That's been my personal experience.  Not bashin', just sayin'.  On a brighter note, I really do like this nail polish.

I would describe Dovima as a tomato red, but not obviously orange-toned.  I think this is what Chanel Dragon and Coromandel would look like if mixed.  It's a classic, creamy color, with a slightly retro feel.  Retro as in early '40s WWII, not like late '50s pin-up, if I'm trying to get technical.  

Although the bulky/unnecessary cap makes it a tad more difficult to apply, the quality of the brush compensates.  The nice consistency of the polish paired with the classic shape of the brush creates a very smooth finish.  

xxx ~R

YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick 146 Romantic Pink

I really love this lipstick.  So much so, that I contemplated buying a back-up of it after hearing the Rouge  Purs were being dc'd.  I decided against it, because I don't really believe in buying back-ups.  I'd rather buy something newer and better, with an updated formula.  Thankfully, YSL came through with the Rouge Pur Coutures.  Currently, there's nothing within the new line that is anything close to this type of pink, but I think by spring, they should have some more true pinks rolled out.   

I would describe 146 Romantic Pink as a medium, semi-bright neutral pink, veering slightly toward the cool-toned end of the spectrum.  This is the type of pink that packs a subtle punch, bringing light and life to the face.  If you're wearing a smokey eye type look, this is a great alternative to a nude lip.  It's just a very fresh, beautiful pink.

I'm sure MAC has some sort of dupe of this color, but I'm not personally aware.  The closest match I can think of is Armani Rouge d'Armani 508.  YSL Rouge Volupte 19 Frivolous Pink is also similar, but a tad ligher, brighter and more blue-toned.  

xxx ~R

YSL Rouge Pur Lipstick 148 Tea Rose

Tea Rose became really famous within the internet beauty world during the past year or so, only to be discontinued when YSL rolled in their new signature lipstick, the Rouge Pur Couture.  While I loved the Rouge Pur line for the amazing color selection and quality of the lipstick, I'm definitely happier with the updated formulation of the Rouge Pur Coutures. 

148 Tea Rose is what I consider to be a pinky, slightly peachy nude.  It's a really great color for those who like a nude lip, but not a dead looking nude.  This lipstick manages to still keep the face alive with the pink undertones.  

Since it's only been a couple of months since the Rouge Pur line was discontinued, I'm assuming that one could locate this color and other Rouge Purs from various e-tailers, such as E-bay, etc.  However, I think you if love/loved this color, you might as well move forward and buy the next best dupe, which is YSL Rouge Pur Couture 10 Beige Tribute.  They're incredibly close in color, especially when applied.  As I've mentioned before, I'm completely in love with the Rouge Pur Couture line as a whole and cannot recommend them enough.  I also think that YSL Rouge Volupte 2 Sensual Silk creates a similar effect on the lips.  

xxx ~R

Chanel Soft Touch Eye Shadows 87 Taupe Grisé and 75 Magic Night

These are my two favorite Chanel single eye shadows.  They're very versatile, color-wise and very soft and smooth in texture.  

87 Taupe Grise´

75 Magic Night

Top: 87 Taupe Grise´, Bottom: 75 Magic Night.

75 Magic Night came out late '08, and 87 Taupe Grise´came out recently with Chanel Fall 2010.  There was a lot of buzz and hype surrounding Taupe Grise´, and I feel it lives up to it.  I would describe it as a medium-dark taupe with a purple-brown cast and a shimmery finish.  Magic Night is a deep, rich eggplant with an almost metallic, shimmery finish.  A similar shadow to 87 Taupe Grise´ is MAC Moth Brown (limited edition) and a couple shadows similar to 75 Magic Night are MAC Glamour Check (limited edition) and MAC Twinks (permanent).  Also, the dark, plummy brown shadow in Chanel's 18 Kaska Beige quad is really close to Magic Night, but a little bit lighter and more brown.  

For the "look" above, I put MAC Groundwork Paint Pot (light brown) on the lid with MAC Painterly Paint Pot (flesh color) in the crease and slightly above.  Then, I applied 87 Taupe Grise´ to the lid and slightly in the crease, using a sponge-tip applicator.  I then took a MAC 217 tapered blending brush and worked 75 Magic Night into the crease and smoked it out above.  I used MAC Patina eye shadow (light, pewter-gold) as a transition color into the brow, which I then followed with MAC Brule eye shadow (cream color) as a subtle, matte highlight.  I lined my upper lash line with MAC Feline Kohl Power liner (black, limited edition, but constantly re-promoted) and the lower water line with Chanel black waterproof liner.  I didn't care for the way the upper lash line looked alone, so I patted a bit of MAC Tempting eye shadow (burnished bronze) on top to give it some pizazz.  I also took 75 Magic Night on a small angled brush and applied a small amount under the lower lash line to intensify the look.  The mascara du jour was Diorshow Iconic, which is one of my all-time favorites.  

The "looks" I do are always very similar, and always very simple.  I'm a creature of habit, always drawn to the same colors and same manners of application.  I want to shake it up a bit and experiment, but I'm wildly lazy, so there's that.  

At any rate, I hope this EOTD was in a any way relevant and/or helpful.

xxx ~R

YSL Parisienne Eau de Parfum

I ordered YSL Parisienne off Sephora's site, and here's the official description: "The essence of a women who is incredibly free--she is not from Paris, but Paris adopts her.  She knows how to love, how to live.  Parisienne is the fragrance of ultra-femininity and sensuality, built with notes of blackberry, damask rose and sandalwood.  The grand floral with a woody structure is luminous even in its mystery".  "...she is not from Paris, but Paris adopts her"??  Comment dit-on fromage-y? *giggles*.  Alors...

I'm not going to try to fool anyone reading this into thinking that I'm in any way competent enough to go in depth about a fragrance, as it's just not my thing.  I read other blogs and they sound like poetic scientists in their reviews on different frags, but it's all lost on me.  So having said that, here is my opinion on YSL Parisienne: It smells nice.  Did I just blow your mind? I thought so. 

Basically, this is just a pleasant, day-to-night fragrance for someone who really enjoys a floral rose scent with a twist of fruit.  Right upon spritzing, the first element that you really notice is the blackberry, but it's good blackberry.  I typically *hate* anything berry, but this works somehow.  After about an hour, it settles into more of the rose part, and by 3-4 hours, it warms up with the sandalwood.  It's a very literal fragrance, because what they say is what you get.  

What I appreciate about Parisienne is that it doesn't make my year 'round, 24/7 allergies worse.  I wouldn't call it a "clean" scent, but it's definitely not heavy, nor is it cloying.  I can't handle cloying, like Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb, for example.  That stuff is what I consider to be insanely overwhelming and nightmarish.  Just sayin'.  Anyway, I think Parisienne is a very well-rounded scent that smells quite feminine and slightly youthful.  Nothing too complex, nor overly simplistic.  

Kate Moss is/was the face of Parisienne, and while I've always thought she's beautiful and interesting looking, this ad shot looks crappy/amateur/cutting room floor, in my opinion.  It's too literal and borderline tacky.  I would have rather seen something more dramatic/alluring/sexy like the images that Dior uses with Marion Cotillard.  Random complaint? Yes.  But I feel like someone had to say it.  

Favorite fragrances...what are they?  Do tell. 

xxx ~R

YSL Palette Metallic Colorama Highlighter Action Shot

I just posted the other day about my excitement for the initial hand swatching of the YSL Holiday 2010 Palette Metallic Colorama highlighter, and it's official: Love it.

It's very easy to apply, and as far as I can tell, you don't need to worry about over-applying and looking glitterbomb crazy.  I used Dolce and Gabbana Caramel blush with a MAC 116 (small, tapered blush brush) on the cheekbone and followed with Colorama on the upper portion of the cheek, with a MAC 168 (angled brush).  The pink champagne shade of the highlighter is very flattering in general.  With super gold highlighters, such as NARS Albatross, you run the risk of looking unnatural/less-human.  I'm just not into the C-3P0 look.  Call me old-fashioned.  

xxx ~R

Essie Winter Collection 2010: Masquerade Belle

I am so impressed with this polish.  In my experience with Essie's dark shades, it's very hit or miss, in terms of smooth application and finish.  Just recently, I bought Velvet Voyeur, and it streaked horribly on my nails.  I wasn't pleased.  This is 1000 miles away from that.  

It's a beautiful, dark, reddish brown vamp color...not too dissimilar from Chanel 18 Rouge Noir.  Incidentally, I think I prefer Masquerade Belle to Rouge Noir (bold statement, I know).  The application was mindless, and it was shiny and opaque with two coats.  My hands are very pale and yellow-toned, so with dark colors, it either looks really good or really, really bad.  I feel that this shade compliments my skin tone quite nicely.    

I really like the Essie Winter 2010 as a whole, in terms of color selection.  I also purchased Silken Cord, which is a bright, poppy red shade.  The other color that I think I'm going to need to get is Luxedo, which is on the same vein as Lippman Dark Side of the Moon, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark and the like. 

xxx ~R