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Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearl Blush

I got very excited when I saw these guys online. I could not wait to review them for you! Check out the gorgeousness:

As my mom so eloquently put it “that looks neat. it has bumps!” hahaha… <3 you mom.

Online it seemed to have a big white pearl in the middle. Unfortunately, the pearl is actually on the packaging, not the blush itself. Observe:
There is also a compartment under the blush pan that comes with a little brush and has a nice good sized mirror. The little brush actually isn’t completely scratchy and useless, but I would still much rather use my own.
If you have a keen eye and want to know what is on my nails, it’s Zoya Ivanka.
For those of you who like MAC’s mineralized blushes or mineralized skin finishes, you should definitely check these out! The finish is very similar. This color, which is called Natural Pearl, is a warm rosy pink with a gold sheen. Similar actually in color to MAC Stereo Rose. If you like Stereo Rose you will probably like this. I’m not saying it’s a dupe, because I haven’t swatched them side by side, but it’s “of that ilk”. 
Heavily swatched on skin that is lighter than NW15 (I wear MUFE 110).

Slightly better view of the golden sheen.

If you like rosy colors and don’t mind a bit of shimmer, check out Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearl Blush (is that name long enough for you?) in Natural Pearl. It’s available at drugstores where PF is sold, and I believe they are approximately $10 each.
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October Favorites

It’s seriously November already? Insane. I feel like the month of October flew by so fast!

Favorite Things for October


Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
This isn’t new to me, in fact I’m just about finished with the bottle and my second bottle arrives tomorrow. I hadn’t been wearing foundation much lately but then started reaching for this more and more often. I love how it wears, and shade 110 is the perfect match on me.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner
Oh. Em. Gee. Probably the priciest shampoo & conditioner I’ve ever used but this stuff is amazing. My hair is left so soft and smooth and hydrated. Over the last few months I’ve really noticed my hair being more dry. Not sure why that is as nothing changed for me, but this shampoo & conditioner are really helping me get my hair to look great. It’s definitely not cheap though and I’m going to reluctantly have to shell out the money for full sizes when my little minis run out.

Rock & Republic blush in Spank
Spank is the perfect shade of pale pink! However, this blush is very pigmented. Some pale blushes can be chalky and sheer. Not this one! The quality of these blushes is soooo nice. They’re so soft and finely milled. They look great on the skin, too.

OPI Sparkle-licious nail polish
If you love glitter, you need this polish. It’s gold glitter with some pink and blue glitter mixed in. It looks ADORABLE as a blinged-out pedicure, which is how I’ve been wearing it for a couple weeks, and will look really cute as a holiday manicure too. This is one color that I would consider matching my toes and tips in the same polish, which I hardly ever do.

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August Favorites

It’s been a while since I’ve done a ‘favorites’ post, but it seems you all like them so here we go. Here’s what I was reaching for the most during the month of August. :)

MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15
This product from MAC doesn’t get a whole lot of attention that I’ve noticed, but I absolutely love it. It’s sheer and light enough that it works on my pale as heck complexion and just gives me a little even-ness to my skintone.  I wear it in Light, as if that weren’t obvious haha. MAC describes it as “soft pale beige” and I agree with that. It’s not particularly pinkish or yellowish. I think it would work on just about anyone with fair skin. Since August has been hot, I haven’t wanted to wear a lot of heavy foundation. When I’m just running around doing errands I grab for this. There’s no chemical sunscreen, hooray!
$29.50 – available at MAC, and wherever MAC is sold

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Whereas the Studio Moisture Tint doesn’t get much attention, this is a MAC cult classic. Studio Fix powder gives matte full coverage. I know it doesn’t agree with a lot of people’s skin, but mine thinks it’s just dandy. I wear shade N3, which is a great match during summer. When I get a little lighter during winter months I’ll tap a little Studio Fix Shivering White over it. Shivering White is a pro product. It’s a Studio Fix powder color corrector. It’s solid white, but it is not a white foundation in the sense that if you use it alone it will not give you solid white geisha-like skin. It just helps lighten N3 when I’m a tiny bit lighter. I’ve been wearing this whenever I actually need coverage because it doesn’t budge and it covers everything. Everything. 
$26 – available at MAC, and wherever MAC is sold

Purely Cosmetics Oil Absorb Powder
Just try and get me to shut up about this miracle powder. Apply it in the morning, done. No touch-ups. All day. Oily t-zone? What’s that? Seriously. That’s all I really need to say. It’s just amazing. Try it yourself on the 18th when Purely Cosmetics is having their Anniversary Promo!
$16 – available only at Purely Cosmetics

MAC Lipglass in Perennial High Style
I don’t have a link to this one because it was a limited edition color and is gone “forever” until MAC decides to re-release it or recycle it (release it with a different name pretending it’s new). This one came out with the Liberty of London collection and…why wasn’t anyone talking about it? It was the gloss accompaniment to Ever Hip lipstick, which everyone went cuckoo for. Perennial High Style has a bit more pink than Ever Hip to my eye, but I absolutely love this color. It instantly brightens my whole face when I apply it, and goes with a variety of looks. I purchased it as kind of an afterthought, but boy am I glad. If you can get your paws on this one, grab it.

Wearing Perennial High Style lipglass

MAC Lipglass in Rayothon
Another discontinued item. Sorry guys! I have been shopping around in my stash lately and grabbed this beauty to rediscover. I’ve been wearing it a lot ever since. It was originally released in 2005 with the Belle Azure collection. If you’re not familiar with the color, it’s a pink with some peachy undertones and gold shimmer. Very fun for summer, and very flattering. Again, if you can get your paws on this– get it! If you’re looking for something similar, try MAC Lipglass in Nymphette.

Hard Candy Blush in Living Doll
I had to force myself to put this down and use some of my other blushes, I was using it that much. It’s a baked blush, very similar to MAC’s mineralized blushes. The color is a luminous dolly pink with some gold veining that adds such a beautiful highlight and warmth to the overall effect. I got this in a swap and it was sooooo worth it! But you can get it in stores still, so check that out if you’re looking for a very pretty and wearable pink blush.
$7 – available only at Walmart

Revlon Superlustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Petal
I could not find a link to buy this online, but it’s not limited edition so check your drugstores. The formula of Revlon’s Superlustrous glosses is really nice– smooth, moisturizing, not sticky at all, but up until recently I wasn’t too impressed with the color range. Then came Spring and the Daydreamer collection. Peach Petal is a very pale, very milky pinky peach shade. It’s in the same family as MAC’s Underage and C-Thru. This is another gloss I have been reaching for over and over and over this summer. Check out Pinkiecharm’s review on Youtube.
$6ish – most drugstores

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Pear
This is a new scent from Bath & Body Works. For this collection they stripped things down to the simplest, one note fragrances. Pear is fresh and juicy, and very refreshing in the shower! I am considering going back for the scent mist. The lather these shower gels give is outstanding. They recently reformulated (again) and I am thrilled to report that the results are fabulous.
$10.50 – Bath & Body Works

What have you been loving on lately? Tell me in the comments!

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Stila Road to Radiance Palette

Ever since Stila announced their series of $10 travel palettes, I’ve been very excited about them. Then when I saw that the first travel palette would be in shades of pinks and purples, I was ecstatic. Stila + inexpensive palette + pink and purple. Um, could something be more made for me? Don’t think so. I got the very last Road to Radiance palette at my local Ulta! They had to check in the back for me, haha. I was like “GIMME!” I knew I had to have it. So lets take a closer look!

I’m so glad Stila has gone back to packaging similar to the vintage Stila we know and love with the Stila Girl illustrations. They’re so cute! This palette is pretty small, but at $10 it’s still an amazing value. Here it is pictured next to a MAC lipglass for size reference:
Am I going straight to hell for mixing my brands here? :)

Each travel palette contains 4 shadows and one convertible color, which can be used on both cheeks and lips. The shades in this palette are all new shades! And just so you don’t forget which is which, they include labels on the back of the palette:
I color-adjusted these photos to get the colors to be as true to life as possible.

Stila shadows in Snow Bunny, Valley Girl, Southern Belle, and City Chick. (R to L, T to B)
Stila Convertible Color in Hibiscus
I think the new shadows are really pretty, but the CC in Hibiscus is what really steals the show for me. It’s (I think) their prettiest CC to date. And it’s not available anywhere else but in this palette! I’m already arranging a swap for a back-up, lol. All of the products in the Road to Radiance palette are soft, sheer, but buildable depending on what kind of look you are going for. These colors look stunning on cool-toned complexions and the purples make green eyes pop! I probably couldn’t have asked for a better palette if I’d been able to tailor one myself. 
What do you think? Does the Road to Radiance palette tickle your fancy? 
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Favorites

I don’t think I really did a November favorites post. Oops. But I’ll just talk about some stuff that is my favorite right now. Because does the month part really matter? Nah.

LIPS

My favorite lipstuff definitely changes a lot, but I can tell you for sure one thing I am loving for lips right now is Philosophy’s Kiss Me balm in pink. I got it in Sephora’s deal that they had online for like, a minute that had the balm with 2 mini bath items for $5. But if you want it, you’ll have to go to Philosophy’s website because I don’t see it on Sephora, and it will cost you $12. Philosophy says they created this with someone in mind who is looking for the ultimate lip balm. I think they did a bang-up job. It’s very VERY moisturizing, refreshingly minty (without being tingly-burny), not at all sticky, and long-lasting. The pink shade imparts a tiny hint of color for a perfectly natural look. Kiss Me is also available in clear and red. I’d love to try the red!

I’m also loving and adoring all of my Stila lip glazes! Admittedly I have a ton of these, but they’re kind of addicting. They have pretty colors, fun scents (foody scents! yum!) and I may get flack for this but I love the click pen packaging! Click pens get a lot of hate because apparently some people have problems using them, like that too much (or not enough) product comes out, they leak, whatever. I have never had those problems (knock on wood) with my dozens of click pens I’ve played with over the years. Maybe I am magical. Maybe I am a sort of Click Pen Whisperer or something and they just obey me. I don’t know.

EYES

I am currently having a torrid love affair. With an eyeshadow palette. The NARS Pleasures of Paris palette, actually. This little beauty is 6 shadows of pure love. They’re very easy to wear neutrals. I am literally wearing this palette every other day, it seems. It’s available on the NARS website. It’s limited edition, so hurry if you want it. The shades in the top row of the palette (L to R) are Nepal, Violetta, and Demon Lover. On the bottom row there are Fez, Abyssinia, and Cordura. I’m not a diehard NARS fan (I only have this palette and one other, the Best of NARS palette), but I recognize awesome eyeshadow when I see it and this is a great versatile palette.

FACE

Run, don’t walk (or just open another tab) over to Meow Cosmetics. I am obsessing over the LUSH Blushes! Specifically Warm & Fuzzy, the soft peachy shade. It’s simply gorgeous and natural on, and goes with pretty much anything. Meow offers baggie samples for just $1, so you should go give it a whirl. Try the other lush blushes too! There isn’t one I don’t like.

Well, that’s what I’m really loving right now. Have you tried any of these? Do you love ’em?

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Review – E.L.F. Studio Blush

ELF Candid Coral
So…recently there was a code for 75% off all studio makeup from ELF and I went kinda cuckoo. But I am thrilled with my purchases, so the $20 or so I spent reallllly makes me happy. (For those of you who are not math wizzes, $20ish on 75% off ELF studio is about $80 in product)
I am going to tell you all about the gorgeous studio blushes I got. I have a lot of blush (shocking I know) so I wanted to get colors that would be unique to my collection. I got Candid Coral and Peachy Keen. I have blushes in all sorts of pinks/berries etc. but not too many corals or peaches at all.
Before my order arrived, I read some comments about these being sheer and chalky, which made me freak out a little and have a pang or two of buyer’s remorse. However, when these arrived and I swatched them, I was pleasantly surprised. They are sheer, but as a pale girl I kind of appreciate that. They’re also buildable. The formula itself is soft and smooth. There is extremely finely milled shimmer/sheen, but no glitter. Peachy Keen especially has a beautiful gold sheen to it that is even more visible if you spray MAC Fix+ on your cheeks to set it. (Think of how “foiling” eyeshadows makes them go on so much more vibrantly…it’s the same effect.) The only gripe I have about these, and it’s a small one, is that they’re almost a little too soft. Whenever I swirl my skunk brush around in these, I make a little bit of a mess in the pan because a bunch of powder gets kicked up everywhere, if that makes sense? But that’s not a huge deal. These lovely blushes are great for a natural bit of color. I didn’t find them chalky at all, and they almost seem to meld into my skin for a pretty glow.
As far as how they wear…they actually last pretty well. I have an issue where my blush seems to fade sometimes because my skin tends to get oily throughout the day. However, these wear really darn well. Virtually everything fades on me to some degree, but these stick around most of the day just as vibrant as when I applied them.
These normally retail for $3 each on ELF’s website, but there are frequent coupons. If you sign up on their site you will get lots of emails about the coupons, lol. And I mean LOTS. :) Oh and the swatches on their website (the photos featured here) are pretty accurate except that they don’t capture the sheen/shimmer/glow that the colors have.
Ingredients:
Talc, Mica, Nylon-12, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Paraffinium Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Polybutene, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491 , CI 77492 , CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow No.5 Lake (CI 19140), Red No.40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarine Violet (CI 77077), Blue No.1 Lake (CI 42090).

ELF Peachy Keen
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Laura Geller Baby Cakes Palette

Laura Geller isn’t a brand I have much previous experience with. I tried her Spackle primer once (what a name, right? Love it…) and wasn’t too thrilled with it– I just felt lukewarm. But the Laura Geller line consists of a lot of slow-baked products, which I love. I have a ton of the baked MAC items (their ‘Mineralized’ line) Baked cosmetics are made starting with a liquid, which is then poured onto a terracotta pan and slow baked.

The Baby Cakes palette is kind of like an intro to Laura Geller baked products. It’s a really cute idea! It includes her Balance ‘n Brighten, Ethereal Rose Baked Powder, and Bronze ‘n Brighten in tiny little try me sized cakes. There is also a retractable brush w/ a pink tube. There are two colors available for the palette– the regular version, and the one with a lighter Balance ‘n Brighten for those with fair skintones. It retails for $36 on QVC but is at a reduced “Try Me” price right now.

Now, how do I like the palette? I must say I like it more than I thought I would. First I’ll start with the (small) negatives. The brush included is teensy. It works just fine, but powdering your whole face with Balance ‘n Brighten takes forever since the brush head is so small. It’s about the size of a mini mascara tube when the cap is on the brush. I used a travel powder brush from MAC and the brush head was perfectly sized for these small cakes. The only other negative I have is a nit-picky thing: the case inside is black as you can see in the picture. That means powdery dust will show up every time you use it. Not a big deal, just be aware if you’re a neatness freak you’ll be wiping it down constantly. :P

The positives, however, completely outweigh those negatives. The products themselves are great! Balance ‘n Brighten is designed to correct ruddiness as well as brighten sallowness, and I must say it really does work. It feels weightless on, too, even if you layer on a ton of it. It doesn’t look like I’m wearing powder. It just looks like my skin got better. I swear my pores are a bit diminished too! The Ethereal Rose powder is meant to be kind of an all-over powder (like a MAC Beauty Powder), but since I’m pretty fair it works as a nice blush. It has shimmer but it’s not disco ball-ish at all. The color on me looks kind of like a pinker version of MAC Stereo Rose Mineralized Skin Finish! The third cake, Bronze ‘n Brighten, I had skeptical feelings about. I have never really found a bronzer that didn’t look ridiculous on me, except for just using a gold blush as a bronzer. Well, I’ve finally found a bronzer I like! Bronze ‘n Brighten features swirls of pale pink, brighter pink, tan, and brown. The effect on the skin is the most beautiful rosy bronze glow.

The overall effect when all three cakes are used is just one of a soft, pretty face without looking too ‘done’. If I’m in a rush in the morning I can use it and then slap on some mascara, fill in my brows, and be out the door. I keep a lipstick in my purse at all times so I could apply that later. ;)

I like the fact that these little cakes are small, because I will possibly actually finish them, haha. Balance ‘n Brighten is definitely a product I would want to re-purchase when I finish this, as is Bronze ‘n Brighten. Ethereal Rose is really pretty, but I think if I had to I could live without it as the color is similar to those I have in my MAC MSF collection. It is really pretty though and nice to have– and it goes really well with the other 2 products in the palette.

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Stuff I Love

My current list of most-loved/used products in no particular order…

Makeup

  • Urban Decay Primer Potion
  • Makeup Forever High Definition Foundation in shade 110
  • MaxFactor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper in Extreme Black
  • Ulta Professional Lash Primer
  • MAC Warm Soul mineralized blush
  • MAC New Vegas mineralized skin finish
  • Chapstick Lip Butter
  • Avon Dew Kiss
  • Prestige pencil eyeliners in general (all of them are fantastic!)
  • Maybelline XXL Extensions mascara in whatever their blackity black black shade is
  • Shu Uemura hard brow pencil in Seal Brown
  • Anastasia of Beverly Hills brow gel (no, I did not go fork out full price for a fancy clear gel…and I wouldn’t, but I do admit this is pretty nice.)
  • PureLuxe Silica Powder (this stuff is a godsend to oily skin and/or large pores!)

Beauty Tools

  • Sonia Kashuk blending sponge (it’s magical, very similar to the BeautyBlender but blue!)
  • Sonia Kashuk highlighting brush (very comparable to the MAC 187, but it’s $12.99!)
  • EcoTools retractable kabuki brush
  • Stila #7 eye brush (short-handled)
  • Stila #9 eye brush (short-handled)
  • My super cheap cute brush set from Hong Kong via ebay (seller is henlisy) – quality is surprisingly nice. I love these so much.

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