CHANEL Ultra Correction Lift Night Creme

$165.00 USD for 1.7 oz.

Well, back with a bang--a really big, expensive bang. When I first received a small sample size tube of this night cream a few weeks ago, I was expecting the same ultra-thick, super hydration that leaves me oily as I get from almost all other "night creams;" I was, however, totally mistaken.

On CHANEL's site, the description of this cream is "velvety," an apt word for the satin-smooth feel as it quickly absorbs into skin and leave no trace of heavy residue or oily moisture. I find this luxurious cream absolutely addictive, and frankly, couldn't resist purchase of it despite the ludicrous price point. I have owned expensive in the past, but this cream is outlandishly expensive.

That said, I purchased it last Monday...
And I love the cream as much as ever; the formula consistently leaves my skin smooth as silk, not clogging over time or diminishing after prolonged use. Sometimes I even layer this under my makeup during dry days, and I am not oily/slick by end of day. Miraculous! So why do I need to actually review this?

Simple. Packaging. Problems.

Look CHANEL, I get that luxurious means over-done for you more often than not, but please, think about the functionality of your packaging before saying "print" to the producers. I cannot stand the super-heavy square shaped rock that my cream comes in! My god, the gunmetal is a breeding ground for fingerprints and dust, slippery plastic that feels weightier than glass, and the lid is hard to align to close properly. The whole thing is just MASSIVE, cumbersome, and frustrating, so if I didn't love this product so much, I would return it and never think twice.

For something so expensive, I should not want to depot it into a cheap plastic container just so that it is less of a pain-in-my-butt. Final thoughts, WHY, CHANEL, WHY?! I'm going to have to put this in a different container...

Beauty Newb Rating: ★★★★☆

A MUFE Orange Lip - The Red Lip Alternative

Today at work was a bright-lip type of day, so in order to pull off the perfect punch of an orange lip I needed my trusty trio of Make Up For Ever: Aqua Cream, Aqua Lip 17C, and Rouge Artist Lipstick 40. I bought this group of products a long time ago and have since worn this look many a time, but today was finally the day to put it in writing!

World, ORANGE IS THE BEST RED!

Makeup For Ever Aqua Cream Waterproof for Lips and Cheeks

First, after foundation, I mixed in a touch of this bright orange/golden shimmer Aqua Cream with what product remained on my hand and blended with my fingers onto the apples of my cheeks; the touch of similar color makes the lip a little less "Holy Smokes," I think.

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

$21.00 USD for approx. 0.4oz/11g

Totally fabulous. Simply, elegantly, totally fabulous. The formula of Sumptuous Bold is particularly awesome because it is smooth without being runny or too thin to give you definition. The thickness is just enough to gently coat and re-coat lashes sans clumping together, so it's about as good to me as a "tubing" mascara. Sumptuous bold can be layered throughout the day, but one application lasts me through a 12 hour day...layering would easily get you through the rest of the night. For me, one of the best parts about this mascara is how naturally it looks (and holds on) and how easily it comes off with remover; no raccoon eyes the next morning!

No under-eye black in the morning, Sparky, none!

Beauty Newb Rating:✪✪✪✪✪
Available online and at Estée Lauder counters in retail stores such as Saks, Macy's, and Nordstrom.

Blitz Blogging: October Birchbox 2012

theBalm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer-- a fabulously smooth powder highlighter/shadow that's richly pigmented and has some serious staying power

Sumita Brow Bright-- an under-brow highlighter pencil in a sheeny white that is a bit awkward to blend in considering its pencil design; still super portable and finger-makeup friendly

Luna Fiber Bar in Chocolate Raspberry-- made the best little snack at work, delicious, natural, and kept me full and satisfied until a light lunch; a total treat

Lucy B Cosmetics Rollerball Fragrance Duo-- sure wish I liked both scents because then it may be worth a purchase to finally have a perfume I like in a roller size; one is heavier, one is more floral and light

jane. Camisole LipKick Lipstick

$5.99 for 0.12oz

Well, it's...ok. Since Camisole is such a light and sheer color, it's very difficult to really judge how well it works as a full-blown beauty product. Allow me to clarify that: Camisole is a golden, sheer, relatively moisturizing lipstick that doesn't hold on but doesn't slip off the lips. It fades pretty quickly because it's original impact of color is so subtle, so I can't tell that it works better than a sub-par shimmery balm.

jane. Camisole LipKick indoors

All that said, the price is not that high, and for those ladies that have a very strict comfort-zone policy with their lip colors, jane Camisole LipKick will not be a stretch or a disappointment. You will definitely get a glow, but not much more.

jane. Camisole LipKick indoors

Beauty Newb Rating: 3 stars (so-so, nothing special--bad or good)
Available at janecosmetics.com, but be aware the company has overhauled a lot of its products and packaging.

Dior Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic

 $30.00 for 0.12oz

While the photo above that tries to capture the beauty of this packaging may be sub-par, the product inside is anything but! Dior Dior Addict Lipstick is about as smooth and buttery as lipsticks can get, and since it is Dior and they do promise shine, you get incredible, flawless, luminous shine from this little (albeit very expensive tube).

Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic 253; daylight

 I lost my tube of Basic for about a month after a haphazard purse change, missing it almost daily, and can't really think of a more comfortable thing to wear on my lips. I think I like this even more than balm! ::shouts of For Shame in the air:: However, I won't be starting a collection of hundreds of colors in this formula because the price-point is steep, even for my junkie standards.

Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic 253; daylight

Sephora Outrageous Volume Dramatic Volume Mascara

$15.00 for 0.5 fl. oz/15ml in 02 Ultra Black

Aside from feeling wet for a few minutes, this is one of the best mascaras I've used in while. You definitely get the awesome amount of volume promised, but I like that this feels comfortable and lightweight, even when worn as the second layer over an already dried mascara. It's extremely hard to get off though, so don't be waking up somewhere you have to look polished with it still on: RACOON!

I have to use both a removing oil and liquid eye makeup remover together before washing my face, then go over the lashes again with the liquid remover to get every smidgen off. What can I say? They promised Ultra Black, so you get ultra black. Note: it doesn't come off anywhere you don't want it to until after at least 12 hours or serious sweating or oil (the formula is not waterproof).

Little notes: I only need one layer of this, I don't need to curl my lashes, and I think it looks natural enough to be a day or night look (i.e. sans liner looks fine too).

What else? Available at Sephora and Sephora.com

Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment

$22.50 for 0.15oz/4.3g

Love Love Love, oh yeah, Love Love Love!

I am flying high after last weeks bout with flaky, dry, cracking lips all because of this smooth, long lasting balm with a flush of rosy color that makes spring feel close enough to kiss. It has a fresh lemony scent and no waxy heaviness. This balm melts into skin quickly but clings on through meals even, lasting about 6-7 hours.

Basically, I'm hardcore in love with Fresh Sugar Rose and so is my friend who went to Sephora with me. To be honest, I'm having trouble not overusing this because I love the smell and feel of application. So worth it!

Lately, a lot more variations of this lip treatment have come up, including a Coral version that has me drooling for a swipe on my pucker!

Beauty Newb Rating: ✪✪✪✪✪ (you get about as much as a generous lipstick)
Available at Sephora stores and online; I've also noticed it on Birchbox.

Mask of the Month: Aveda Enbrightenment Massage Masque

A creamy, moisturizing mask that is activated by massaging into the skin. The idea is that with the increased circulation you bring to the surface, your skin gets a healing boost from the mask's formula encouraging faster desquamation (cell shedding). This is a great-smelling, smooth mask that gives you a little something to do while it sits--and since there is no strange color and it blends into skin, you won't scare anyone around the house while using it! Enbrightenment is meant to reduce and treat hyperpigmentation due to sun-damage of post-inflammatory trauma (blemishes), so I am a prime candidate for seeing results with this masque.

Coupled with regular exfoliation, using Aveda Enbrightenment Massage Masque twice a week at night before moisturizer gives my skin a glow and a great boost in hydration. I use a spot treatment on any places that might be vulnerable to breakouts with the added weight of moisture--no issues so far,--and I personally only use enough so that I don't need to remove any. If you feel as though there is still a layer on top of your skin after massaging it in for a few minutes, you can wipe off the excess (do not wash off the rest).

Hyperpigmentation is notoriously hard to get rid of or even see results with beyond natural healing, but my skin is less prone to becoming so sharply red in post-blemish areas with regular use of this masque. My skin also feels generally healthier and is healing faster anyway since I started Enbrightenment; I'd like to think that every little bit of natural goodness this is providing is a step towards clearer, beautiful skin!

Blitz Blogging: Birchbox June 2012

tili Zippered Storage Bags are wonderfully colorful, travel-friendly plastic bags, perfect for vacation! Just in time for mine, I've also been starting to keep my sample-sizes safe for misplacement in my hectic house. I'm glad to have this one, but I don't/can't travel enough to justify six or a dozen specialty bags. If I had that many, I would probably make little packets of cosmetics that go together for particular looks, which sounds like a great idea for my regular ziplocks anyway...

Stila One-Step Bronze Illuminating Serum is yet another product from Stila that has intrigued me, gotten my hopes up, and then disappointed me in the end. Somewhat like the Dr. Jart BB cream from the previous box,  this product is not good for long-term use on my skin. In few days in to incorporating this serum in my morning routine, my cheeks were breaking out like crazy and I got several superficial pimples around my mouth and nose (very painful to extract). When I put this on after toner, it doesn't spread very well at first, so please be vigorous in working the bronzer into skin. One pump at a time, mind you, or the streaking will catch the light!

Masqueology Pore-Minimizing Mask is fun for a once-off try, but I don't think this mask can reduce your pore size if it (or you) can't get out those stubborn blackhead that are "widening" that bit of facial territory. Alas, I felt de-stressed and the treatment mask smells wonderful, but no effects were felt or seen. :( Definitely kept it in the tili bag until there was no product left for my skin to absorb--I got several uses out of each mask.

the Balm Stainiac in Beauty Queen is fabulous. That was pretty much my whole thought process for this product, only I wish I had a sample of the light color Prom Queen instead because I'd most likely use that everyday. Totally non-sticky formula; great, even pigment; fast drying: perfect!

Comodynes Intensive Self-Tanning Towelettes are not for pale people--SUPER SCARY STREAKY is what the result of me following the directions and the how-to-use video that was on birchbox.com. I put on a smoothing lotion after exfoliating my legs and still couldn't use this towel easily for more than the bottom half of just one leg. The orange-striped creamsicle leg look better be in right now. Maybe if you are tan these wipes will maintain it better, but I ain't buying it.

You can find these products at Birchbox.com.

Blitz Blogging: May 2012 Birchbox

By sheer way of not having a tele, I don't have any prior knowledge of Gossip Girl and the themes of the show; the jist I've found to be high-fashion, rich, and gossip, so I probably wouldn't really watch it anyway. However, the themes of the show did provide some gem products in the month's Birchbox.

Dr. Jart Waterfuse Beauty Balm SPF 25++ is a silky, creamy moisturizer, primer, tint, and serum all in one. To be honest, long-term use of this product is out of the question for me, but I love the idea and the coverage. From what I hear it is one of the original Korean brands to come out with a BB cream, so I'm not surprised that it's the best I've seen (and felt) so far. With daily use my oily/combo skin starts to get a little moody with breakouts--partly because summer is so humid and hot, all the product and my natural oil is getting stuck on the surface of my skin all day. I will probably try this again in winter when I need a little heavier protection and moisture during the day.

Twistband Skinny Headband is a super stretchy band that I can use as a doubled over ponytail holder as well. I'm not super fond of the bright pink color I got, but I use this all the time and it doesn't leave a huge crease when you remove it. Generally I like them, but I have a ton of headbands already. I'm going to test mine out in the pool, and if it can stay on so I'm not blinded during swimming, I will probably change over to nothing but these!

Color Club Foil Collection is the second Color Club polish I've received in my Birchbox since starting in March. It's a very metallic gold that goes on a little thick but lasts well through hard work. This polish really needs a good time to dry, but once it sets, it's on for the long haul. Metallic gold is not my color or style but I'm not complaining about someone putting me on trend. Did you see the Essie metallics that came out? Cute!

Beauty Blender blendercleanser reminds me every time I see it to wash my brushes that I've been hiding in a drawer, so cleanliness is the virtue that this liquids been pushing on me since its arrival at my door. I don't own a Beauty Blender sponge but do need reminding to keep all my home stuff nice and sanitary to use on my sensitive face.Thanks for the reminder!

Blitz Blogging: Birchbox April 2012

After most of the estheticians I work with started raving about being able to sample products every month with no effort of searching around stores or the web, I caved and forked over a $10.00 USD per month subscription to Birchbox. I am not disappointed! I get 5-6 samples of really great products, most of which I adore and usually one of which I could skip...but those are for gifting, yeh!

First off, my pass-product, Wonderstruck Perfum by Taylor Swift. What can I say I am not a fan of hers or her perfum; I hate the smell, so lets just leave it at that. (Find this product here.)

Moving on to the good stuff-- three amazing products from one ecocentric company. Pangea Organics  Egyptian Fennel with Grapefruit and Sweet Orange Lip Balm has blown my mind. I received a full-sized tube in my Birchbox, and full-size to Pangea is over-size, i.e. about twice as much as any other balm/lipstick/gloss will ever be! Now I want to try the other scents/flavors but will probably never finish the tube... dilemma... (Find this product here.)

Pangea Organics Turkish Rose and White Tea Eye Cream for all skin types is very smooth, hydrating, and very little goes a very long way. My tiny little sample pack actually lasted me over a week using it twice daily. Wonder how far a full-size tube will get me...and if you couldn't tell from the name, it smells fantastic! It also never caused even the slightest bit of irritation on my sensitive skin and eyes. (Find this product here.)

Pangea Organics Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean and Cranberry Facial Scrub for all skin types is a thick but workable scrub that is lovely and smells very good, but I am not convinced it does more/better than any other scrub I own. That said, for any of you looking for a natural or organic way to polish your visage to a healthy glow, look no further because this is a treat to use. (Find this product here.)

Weleda Pomegranate Firming Day Cream was really the biggest surprise in my Birchbox this month. Since I have problems with oil and blemishes, I had to force myself to start using this even though I thought it might really mess with the tentative balance of my skin this spring. I was wrong--it works great even for my oily skin! After using it all week, my skin feels firmer and more evenly hydrated than before, and I don't seem to be creating as much oil throughout my long work days.  Tip of the hat to Weleda for this diamond in the rough. (Find this product here.)

Benta Berry G-1 Exfoliating Cleanser is again your more natural version of the average scrub, but I do find it a bit more drying than the Pangea formula I tested out. I also like the scent a little less; however, this is a less-expensive option for the natural scrub market and an excellent option for travel as it comes in a 1 oz/30 ml tube. (Find this product here.)

You can sign up to receive your very own Birchbox sent to your door at Birchbox.com!

My Skincare Archive: February 2012

February 29th, 2012:
Morning--
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Purifying Cleanser
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Revitalizing Face Serum
Aveda Outer Peace Acne Relief Lotion
Evening--
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Purifying Cleanser
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Revitalizing Face Serum
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion

February 28th, 2012:
Morning--
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Purifying Cleanser
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Revitalizing Face Serum
Aveda Outer Peace Acne Relief Lotion
Evening--
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Purifying Cleanser
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist
Kirkland Signature by Borghese Revitalizing Face Serum
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion

e.l.f. Studio Flawless Finish Foundation SPF 15 in Porcelain

$6.00 USD for 0.8 oz

I'm skeptical about reviewing any of the e.l.f. face products and including my opinion on the color-matching of the product, but when you get the lightest color that the brand has in everything and only one product is as light as (and lighter than) your skin, it's a clue: a clue that I am a hard match to find. The good news is that all of the face products that are name Porcelain go very well together...if they don't match each other exactly. Still Flawless Finish Foundation is a thick, almost cream, liquid foundation in a quality trigger-pump bottle of sturdy, frosted glass.

e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain swatch

NO, this is not the worst foundation I've ever used, but nor is it the best low-cost foundation. So far, I've noticed no direct link between this and any skin problems/acne I've been having--I just don't like how it sits on my skin. It seems that I am unable to find the right balance with this; one pump, the coverage is too sheer and my skin feels like I have nothing, another pump and the coverage is still sheer but it looks and feels as though I've caked on a darker, yellower mask of skin that can't be set or blended out with powder. I just feel like I'm missing something.

e.l.f. Essentials Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Ivory

$1.00 USD for 0.42 oz

Since we've just discovered how yellow and fair/light Studio's Porcelain is, I suppose we should visit the other end of the spectrum with Essentials Tinted Moisturizer in Ivory. Usually, when naming two skin colors, Ivory and Porcelain are nearly identical if not synonymous, but I find Ivory to be pretty white. So it is for e.l.f.'s Tint.

Ivory is so pale that I do look a little like I'm wearing ghost makeup even when blended out at the edge of my neck and hairline. If you're a follower you'll know that is pretty freaking hard to accomplish, seeing as I am #1 or even #0.5 on most foundation scales. Aside from not matching my complexion, Ivory is a very neutral-based (not yellow or pink), thicker moisturizer that delivers sheer/light coverage. It is a bit buildable, but be careful that the match is good enough with your skin that it doesn't look weird to have more on!

e.l.f. Essentials Tinted Moisturizer in Ivory, overcast daylight

e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Porcelain

$3.00 USD for 0.88 oz

Now, this is probably the most practical of all the face products I will be reviewing for e.l.f. Week; Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 is a silky, water-based formula with sheer coverage but a pretty strong tint--if it isn't an exact match shade, you'll need to warm it up and really blend it into your skin. Watch also that you leave no edges at your ears and throat!

With all the advertising on the package about the good ingredients, like Aloe, Cucumber, and Vitamins A and E, I can only notice that the smell of this is less synthetic than most tints, but the good news is that it had no detrimental/clogging effect on my skin. Studio Tint in Porcelain (the lightest one) also has a very strong yellow cast which I tried to show in photos, but the camera couldn't quite capture how defined it is when blended evenly.

e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain swatched on back of hand

To be blunt, I do love this product and will absolutely buy more of this when I run out, but that won't be until the summer because this yellower and slightly darker color will match my "tan" skin well. (See, I don't tan, I crisp, like a lobster. However, the SPF 20 will save me that and the yellow will de-ghost me.)

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer

$6.00 USD for 0.49oz

This is a straight-forward, average primer. It feels pretty run-of-the-mill in my fingers, very silicone and slippery--you wont need a lot to cover your face, and it is easy to overuse. I'm a little disappointed in only getting half an ounce in this. Perhaps I am accustomed to getting a full-sized product for the "e.l.f." price, but to be fair, if a little goes so far, I won't be able to get through a whole ounce that quickly anyway.

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer

As this is one of e.l.f.'s many Mineral products now, I can see why the price is a bit of a jump for the usual $1-3. I haven't noticed a real difference in the quality of the mineral products, but you are getting the texture of powders and a very smooth primer. However, much like I felt with that first Pixi Primer I tried way back in the day, this one doesn't let my skin breathe during the day, making it hard to tell whether it's the foundation on top or this prep-layer that makes any acne flair up.

E.L.F. WEEK Lineup

Tuesday, February 21st:

Mineral Face Primer

Essentials Tinted Moisturizer

Studio Tinted Moisturizer

Flawless Finish Foundation

Wednesday, February 22nd:

Personal Blend Foundation

Essentials Clarifying Powder

Studio Pressed Powder

Studio Translucent Mattifying Powder

Thursday, February 23rd:

Essentials Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder

Studio Brow Kit

Moisturizing Lip Liner in:

Mauve and Natural Blush

Friday, February 24th:

Essentials Eye Quads in:

Drama, Luxe, Matte Mauve, and Blue Moon

Saturday, February 25th:

Super Glossy Lip Shines in:

Candlelight, Pink Kiss, and Goddess

Hypershine Gloss Trio

Sunday, February 26th:

Studio 11-piece Brush Set

Mineral Blemish Kit

Zit Zapper

Cuticle Pen

CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara in Very Black

$7.98 for .44 fl oz

I've been using some form of Covergirl LashBlast Mascara since a few months after the bright orange original (LashBlast Volume) came on the market...so that was about four years ago, yes? I loved that old mascara like I loved Whip It! the movie (<3 Ellen Page and Drew Barrymore, i.e. why I bring it up) but I really don't see a difference between these two formulas.

Covergirl LashBlast Fusion with Sparky...for perspective, you know...

My lashes look natural but extended and a bit bolder, black as night for sure, and totally clump free; however, between the purple and orange packaging change, my view of both LashBlast Fusion (length+volume) and LashBlast Volume (original) is spot-on-identical. Perhaps if my lashes were naturally shorter or more sparse one formula would triumph over the other.

jane. Tangerine Liquid Lip Color

$5.99 for 0.17 oz

So jane. Cosmetics are turning out to be a rather big miss-brand to me in general; their tints are way off the mark, the foundation is a disaster, and I haven't the heart to discuss the eye pencil yet. However, the jane. Liquid Lip Color is proving to be a diamond in the rough.

jane. is an inexpensive brand that was even further discounted on Hautelook a while back, so I bit the bullet and got a handful of things (probably totaling around $20-25). I was so damn excited that I immediately opened a bunch of it and smeared it on my face, thinking "what could go wrong." Um, something tells me I really should not have done that...

Tangerine Liquid Lip Color is a very bright orange-red gloss with high pigmentation. In the tube, it looks far more red than orange, but on the lips this could be an absolute "safe" color for those who love the idea of bright orange lips but can't/don't feel ready to pull it off.