Lotus Bio-Mineral Pressed Foundation SPF 20

$30.00 for 9g or 0.32 oz

I bought this in Fair 1 to see how fair I could actually be considered, and sadly, I am this pale. I have stronger yellow undertones than this foundation does, and in summer I was most definitely too dark for this (can anyone say Fair 2?). However, it could be my powder foundation for the rest of autumn/winter easily!

Packaging: At first this gunmetal and silver compact reminded me of my Burberry foundation and eyeshadow (adore that packaging) but upon handling it more, it's not only lightweight but can feel very plastic-y in places, as though a good accidental ding might crack it. The compact does not come with an applicator and the mirror-lid is too thick to allow you to squeeze your own sponge or teeny-tiny brush in there. Bummer too. The powder can get kicked up when using a brush and if you don't use all that kick-up then the powder gets on the mirror when you close it. I, personally, don't think I'll be carting this around at all for fear that the powder will crack and get everywhere. However, this is far more convenient for me than the loose powder foundation--infinitely better!
(I've subsequently de-potted this and put it into one of my Z-Palettes.)

without makeup on skin (only on eyes)

wearing Aveda Apricot Whisper on cheeks, Aveda Amazonia Bronzer on temples and below blush as contour, Lotus Mineral Foundation, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara, Aveda Shadow Trio in Twilight on eyes, and Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic on lips

Lotus Lip Stick in Rosebud

$15.00 for 4.5g/0.16oz

Alright, as some of you may remember when I got this, I need to explain that this review has been delayed because I lost this lipstick. I found it during my spring cleaning of late, but I have had to retest the product for review. It's a tough job, you know, putting on lipstick and just watching it fade during the day, but someone's got to do it!

Lotus Lipstick is certified organic and comes in several different shades. I tested out the Citizen Kane color Rosebud (hope I didn't just ruin that movie for anyone) and am really excited to where this religiously come fall. The formula is super thick and creamy, so exfoliating the lips the night before wearing is seriously advised otherwise you will have a flaky looking lip when in reality it's just dry. As some of you might find this to be a turn-off, let me remind you of something: women wore lipstick like this for decades before sheer, balmy formulas were around, and it looked just fine if not amazing! You could also wear a balm underneath to thin it out and keep some moisture on you lips for the day.

Lotus Cream to Powder Blush in Plum

$20.00 for 5g/0.18 oz

Recently I've been all over blush like a fat kid on cake with buttercream frosting; no lie, I will push small children out of my path to get at a pretty blush, and whoo-boy, this is some pretty blush by Lotus! I'm generally scared of darker because my skin is basically white, so I need to emphasize that THIS IS A GOOD BLUSH FOR EVERYONE. Plum can go on sheer enough for my liking but could absolutely be applied thicker for a BAM of color. Honestly, I like this one in essence better than Apricot simply because it took me by surprise that I could absolutely use it.

Lotus Lip Gloss in Candy and a crazy color mood!

$13.00 for 0.25 oz (0.05 more than average :P)

I hesitate to officially define this gloss as a mixed bag because the things I like about it definitely out-way the bad. First, I love it's peppy, young, fresh color, and since it's a gloss, it goes oh-so-well with that vibe. Second, it is beautifully moisturizing and makes my lips feel plump and hydrated after the whole of it has worn off.

Lotus Certified Organic Lip Gloss in Candy

So, now the bits that will be turn offs for others.

Is this how you wear blue eyeshadow? Lotus Deluxe Eye Shadow Palette

When I woke up this morning my hair looked like this--

So I went on over to the Aveda Institute for men's cut model day, and now my hair looks like this--

Wearing Lotus Deluxe Palette, e.l.f. Midnight liner, Chanel mascara, Bobbi Brown blush, e.l.f. Blossom Gloss, Dior Brow Styler, and LORAC foundation

--which is a bit of a leap, I'm sure, but it just felt right. Because my cat thinks so, too, obviously...

Sparky, clearly in total approval of my new do...yes?

 So HAPPY PIXI CUT DAY! And on to beauty endeavors!

Part Five for Build*A*Look #1: Backlit Beauty

Lotus Bio-Mineral Pressed Eyeshadow in Deluxe Palette ($20.00 for 0.28 oz/8g)

I've heard over and over again that you shouldn't wear blue eyeshadow, that it's tacky, that it's just a no-go area, but that has always struck me as a bit weird considering how many many shades of blue you can actually get at the drugstore and at high-high end retailers. To me, it's creativity, and you don't put color limits on creativity--that's the clear no-go area.

In any case, there is a very intriguing shade of blue in this palette which I have put on before now and it didn't look right, plain and simple. I thought this proved the adage, but I was on a rebellious streak with my hair today and gave it another go. I'm really impressed with the result (above in the new hair shot). I love the color itself but really wanted that deep color payoff that's just like the pan.

Lotus Deluxe Eye Shadow Palette with flash

In short, you don't get that payoff; you just really don't even when you put a cream base on and stick it in there heavily. A sad sad truth indeed though it's not the end of this palette. The four colors are a golden, shimmery beige great for all over or a brow bone highlight, a bronze-copper shimmering brown that just radiates light, a teal-blue with fantastic shimmer, and a medium matte grey. I am actually most excited about the grey because I love me some mattes!

GIVEAWAY - Your Chance to Win $60+ Worth of Lotus Certified Organic Makeup

GIVEAWAY now Closed!!!

Bio-Mineral Cream-to-Powder Blush in Rose ($20)
Certified Organic Volumizing Mascara in Black ($18)
Certified Organic Moisturizing Lip Stick in Roseberry ($15)
Certified Organic Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Clear ($13)

If you want to see more of the colors for these products, see my haul photos here.

Lotus Certified Organic Bio-Mineral Cream-to-Powder Blush in Apricot

Part Three for Build*A*Look #1: Backlit Beauty

$20.00 for 5g/0.18oz

I've been meaning to review at least one of the Lotus products I received since the second the box arrived on my porch, but alas time to do so has alluded me. Now, I'm proud to say I've tested it pretty thoroughly and this blush is DA-BOMB! I would also never say this lightly because I'm usually pretty picky, however, without prompt to review it, I've been reaching for this Apricot blush (or the Plum) every single day since I first tested it out.

Seen in the pic above is the e.l.f. Foundation Brush I use to apply it with. Since it is a cream-to-powder formula, I prefer using a brush meant for cream products so the blending is easier. If I used a powder blush brush for this, I'm sure it would look fine but be much harder to get the blending just right.

Lotus Bio-Mineral Cream-to-Powder Blush in Apricot

Upon first swirl through, the product comes up a bit more like very pressed powder, i.e. you need to sort of get the product started with a bit of work. Thus, more swirling and finally a flush of color could be seen at the tip of my brush. On the hairs, it looks like powder, and put to my cheek it feels like powder, but this glides in like nothing I've ever seen. It's just not quite cream or powder but yet both--glory, praise Makeup!

First Look - Lotus Certified Organic Makeup Haul

Lotus Certified Organic Makeup: Powder, Cream Blush, Eyeshadow Palette, Lipstick, Lip Gloss, and Mascara

 Finally the UPS truck rolled around and it was worth the wait!!! You'll be hearing more about Lotus the brand and these individual products, but I really wanted some others to drool over these gems with me. I am so ready to stick my brushes in everything, but I can't, especially because SOME OF IT IS FOR A GIVEAWAY!!! Yeah, baby, free stuff.

Giveaway! Roseberry Lipstick, Black Mascara, Clear Lip Gloss, and Rose Cream Blush

Giveaway coming soon! Please look out in the next week or two for my first giveaway, and I'm making it all organic, simple, but all you need to pop color on your lips and cheeks and brighten your eyes. Bam! It's perfect, directly from the earth!