Under-Rated Products

Here are just a few products that I feel don't get enough attention...

MAC Shy Girl Lipstick (Cremesheen)

The perfect coral-ish color for fair skin, hydrating, natural color

Sephora Nectar Shine Lipgloss

            Gel-like, non-sticky, tastes awesome, sheer, brush on squeeze tube, tons of product for $14.00

Maybelline Lash Stiletto

We’ve all heard of Great Lash (which is awesome as well), and The Falsies, but I never heard much about this and think it’s been over looked.  This is defining as well as lengthening.  No clumps.

OKAY people...I have save the BEST for last...

Charlotte Russe Perfume (FKA Refuge) – Wha??  Sarah...isn't that the cheapo perfume at the mall?  YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!  Won't I smell like a skank?  HELL NO YOU WON'T!!!!!!!!  Everyone who knows me well will tell you that this is my signature scent.  I always, ALWAYS come back to it.  I tend to buy expensive designer fragrances and never wear them.  The description:

"Wear it day or night, versatile Refuge balances the sweetness of fruits and florals with warm amber and sandalwood to create a sensual, enticing fragrance.  1.7 oz.

Top Note: Black Currant, Pear, Asian Lychee

Mid Note: Dewberry, Lotus, Hyacinth, Freesia

Base Note: Amber, Sandalwood, Precious Woods, Musk, Cyclamen"

I read that some people think that it smells a little like sweet tea.  I could see that.  It definitely has some sweetness to it, but not enough that you’ll run around smelling like Kool-Aid or anything.  IT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!  :D

xoxoxoxo ~ Sarah

The perfect green eyeshadow, On finding

The Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Rising Star by LORAC is quite possibly the best green eyeshadow I've ever used. It is both extremely wearable and highly pigmented--a rare and fabulous combination. As someone with very fair skin and rosey undertones, color is hard for me to wear without looking washed out or clownish, of which I felt neither. The one drawback--it's limited edition. Looks like I'll need to stock up while I can....

Re-purposing...pots o' lip balm

First of all, there are about a billion (maybe even a trillion) uses for lip balm.  A few of my favorite uses are: cuticle balm, hand salve (especially in the winter), hair smoother, eyebrow tamer, and I also put it on flaky spots on my face to help them heal faster.  The list goes on and on.  I always carry a few of these tins in my bag.  I'm addicted.


Here are some of my personal faves:




Perfumeria Gal - Red Currant - Lip Balm Tin














Love & Toast - Prickly Pear Lip Balm





Rosebud Perfume Co. - Strawberry Lip Balm











Korres Lip Butter - Guava











When you are finished with the balm...

Pill case

Make your own travel sized body butter

Travel earring case

Mint carrier

Broken lipstick/eyeshadow/blush/pressed powder?  Put the remainder in the tin so none of it goes to waste!  Salve-age it!

xoxoxoxo ~ SS

Winter blah’s? Brighten your ho-hum day with some ultra tropical scents from B&BW!

The other day, while Christmas shopping with my friend Claire, I picked up two of the new Island Escape fragrances from Bath and Body Works.  These mini lotions are only $1 a piece right now.  The exotic inspired fragrances are super sweet and fruity.  I love these types of smells during the winter when I miss the sunshine, fresh fruit, and warmth of summer.  I picked up Bali Mango and Fiji Passionfruit.  The only one I didn’t get was Hawaii Coconut, but I did sniff it and it smells great!  Here are the notes:

- Bali Mango (mango, sugar cane, pink passionflower, & luscious nectarine)

- Fiji Passionfruit (passionfruit, mandarin orange, apricot nectar, & lime zest)

- Hawaii Coconut (fresh coconut water, sunkissed citrus, & ocean musk)

I WANNA EAT ‘EM!!!!!!!!!!!  YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can’t wait for the full-size products!

xoxoxoxo

~Sarah

Random Re-purposing Recommendation: Saving on Shaving

If you are anything like me, you like to try new things.  Maybe this has led you to purchase more than conditioner than one could conceivably ever use.  Maybe you are in search of your holy grail conditioner, maybe you want a new scent, maybe you have dyed your hair past the point of no return and are trying anything to repair the years of damage.  The point is, you have at least 5 bottles of conditioner lying around half used.  Don't despair, get rid of some hair!  Your old, unwanted, neglected conditioner can be reincarnated into a shaving lotion!  I have used this exclusively for years now, and prefer it over regular shaving cream/gel.  It is ultra-hydrating, smoothing, and economic!  It leaves your legs (or any part you choose to shave) in prime "condition"! ;)

Things I like right now

Halo High Gloss Rinse

This stuff has all but eliminated the in-between-coloring-dullness that I've struggled with for years. It's a little on the pricey side for only 4 ounces, but I'll pay up if it means I get to have shiny, glossy hair sans salon.

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect Lip Gloss in Lacy Apricot 147

I cannot tell a lie: I was a mega-fan of the original Dior Ultra Glosses. These new glosses are a tad more sheer, a bit less sticky, and have no trace of taste or smell, all of which I think will make it more popular than its predecessor. But if it were up to me, I would have left the product as it was. That said, the new version is still a fantastic gloss worthy of being applied in public. The neutral color is lovely and the classic design has been updated to look modern and chic and you can bet that I leave it sitting on my desk all day for occasional touch-ups and because it makes a nice addition to the random paperwork and file folders.

Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Pink Panther

I've been a fan of Nars Cream Eyeshadows for some time as well. In fact, it's one of the few products that I stick to time after time. I love to use a light color, sweep on a shimmery pale pink over top and then use a bold eyeliner to accent the look. This particular duo is ideal because the pink(er) shade looks as fabulous on lips as it does on eyes. Dewy. Feminine. Right up my ally.

Imju Fiberwig Mascara

I'd be pretty surprised if you considered yourself even halfway on the beauty pulse and hadn'theard of this product. Yes, it works. Yes, it's easy to use. Go. Now. Flee thee to a Sephora.

In the mood, to be nude

Top five fave nude lipsticks (of the moment):

1. MAC: Myth (cliché, I know)

Many people find this lipstick too pale and it gives them a zombie look.  However, if you are super pasty white like me, this is the lipstick for you!  Note: This formula (Satin) can be drying, I recommend wearing a balm underneath, a gloss over top, or both.

2. MAC: Peachstock - 

I would say this is Myth's darker skinned cousin.  Again, a Satin finish peachy-nude.  However, I feel like it is more "work-appropriate" and less "stripper-pole-appropriate".

3. MAC: Fleshpot – 

Similar to Myth, more pinky than peachy though.  I find for some reason, this tends to give me the stripper/zombie look if I don't wear a gloss to tone it down.

4. Revlon Color Burst Lipstick: Soft Nude - This is a surprisingly awesome lipstick.  It hydrates well, and has decent color payoff.  I would compare the consistency to that of a MAC Lustre formula.  The best part is the price!  I think I got a two pack at Target for around $6.  My one complaint is that it doesn't last as long as I would like it too.

5. MAC: Close To Real - Unfortunately, this was a limited edition shade that I got from CCO.  It is basically the same color as Fleshpot, but since it is a Lustre rather than Satin finish, it is more moisturizing and sheer (thereby avoiding dead face).

Shopping links:

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl

http://www.drugstore.com/qxp247040/revlon_colorburst/lipstick_soft_nude_070.htm