Three Beauty Products I'd Like To Try: Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

For the "Now" category, I picked items that matched the category of items I wanted 11 years ago:  Face, Lips and Skincare. None of the brands from 11 years ago are Cruelty Free (not sure if they ever were).  The items for 2020 are all cruelty free.

I picked IT Cosmetics Oil-Free Matte CC+ Cream for traveling.  I hate the feel of putting sunscreen on my face, under my foundation.  This is an all-in-one solution.  Plus it's matte which works well for me in warmer and humid climates.  

I saw Emily Noel (YouTube) demonstrating e.l.f.'s Sheer Slick Lipstick in Black Cherry.  As she said -- it's pretty much a dupe for Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.  Not only is the e.l.f. version much more inexpensive; but, e.l.f.'s version is cruelty-free.  Clinique's isn't cruelty free.  

For Edible Beauty's cleansing milk -- not only do I love the packaging, but the description sounds scrumptious: 

This soothing, milky emulsion feels like a breath of fresh air on the skin. Coconut oil gently washes away makeup, surface impurities, and acne-causing bacteria, while balancing moisture levels. Salicylic acid unclogs pores and addresses acne-prone skin. Apple and strawberry extracts reduce the look of discoloration for a more radiant, even-toned complexion. Australian Wattle Seed supports skin elasticity and firmness. Melon and the essential oils of orange and lime infuse the cleanser with an uplifting and refreshing aroma.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

This is my friend's cat, Billy.  He's Luna's brother!

Three Favorite Single Shadows: Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

Looking at my favorite single shadows from 2009, I'm quite surprised at how boring they are.  LOL

The picture that I used for NARS Bombshell is actually a shadow called Euphrate.  It was the closest approximation to Bombshell that I could find.

As you can see, 11 years later, I love more color, particularly red tones.  

I was really into red and orange tones 30 years ago, when I worked in a department store.  You couldn't really find shades like that at the time.  A friend and I loved the orangey eyeshadow looks that were seen on the runway (remember Style with Elsa Klensch on CNN back then?)   We each found a carrot orange blush that a French company named Orlane made and bought one.  I loved it until I would start getting a stye every time I wore it.  Then, I saw Demi Moore with red eyeshadow on the Arsenio Hall show (remember that?) and I had to have some red shadow.  There was a cosmetic company at the time that was part of the Estee Lauder umbrella of brands -- I can't remember to save my life -- but they made custom makeup.  When I visited Boston in '91 or '92, I had them make me a trio of shadows -- one of which was reddish. The point of this story is that I'm glad the colors I love are readily available now!!!

Ta-Ta-For-Now!                 

I think I got these guys in Atlantic City.

Three Perfumes I still want: Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

Have I said, lately, that I'm a perfume addict as well as a makeup addict?

Eleven years later, the types of perfumes that I like are quite different.  I found about Atelier Cologne from watching an Emily Noel video at least five years ago.  Her husband, reviewed Orange Sanguine.  I got myself two different Mini Wardrobe collections that came in tins.  I discovered that the fragrances in the wardrobes were well suited to the hotter and often humid climates that I often traveled to with my husband. 

I'm not very familiar with the Juliette Has a Gun perfume house.  I've been very curious to try them.  Getting the Mini Discovery set would be the perfect way to do that. 

 Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Luna taking advantage of the little step ladder by the sliding-glass-door.

Favorite Foundation, Concealer, Finishing Powder (& Primer): Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

What a long way foundation and concealer etc. has come since 2009!  It used to be that finding a nice, non-cakey full coverage concealer was only a high end cosmetic option.  Nowadays you can get great drugstore options.  Back in 2009, not a whole lot of people were using face primer.  The face primers that were available were usually silicone primers.  (Remember when Monistat Anti-Chaffing Gel was all the rage as an inexpensive option for a face primer?)

In 2009, I was using Clinique because I thought I was having allergies to my makeup and my makeup sponges.  It turns out I was allergic to shrimp & crustaceans in general.  I do not use Clinique anymore because they test on animals.

The KVD Lock-It Foundation has a learning curve as do most high coverage foundations.  Less is more with a foundation like this.  When people complain about cakiness with this and other high coverage foundations, it's usually because they are using WAY too much.  At the very most -- you only need ONE pump.  Use a non-silicone primer and some face mist to help the foundation spread better. You can even mix some of the primer with half a pump of foundation if you would like sheerer coverage (no need to get a separate foundation for that).  I use a nice dense brush with all of my foundations.

The same principle goes for high coverage concealer.  Slathering on high coverage concealer leads to cakiness and creasing.  Less is more.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Baby Luna!

3 Favorite Blushes: Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

The older I get, the more I love blushes.  I think as one ages, blushes help put some glow back into the face.  I particularly love glowy blushes like Milani Baked Blushes or even Beauty Bakerie's Cotton Candy Champagne palette.  Today, I have a LOT of blushes and blush palettes.  I chose a favorite single blush from each color grouping - nude, warm and cool.  

I still think the blushes by MAC & NARS I chose 11 years ago are beautiful.  But as I said in my last post, I stopped using MAC when they decided to start testing on animals so they could sell their cosmetics in China.  Same with NARS.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

I named this stuffed animal after one of my friend's kitties (Goblin) before my hubby and I got Luna.  I call him Gobbie-Doll.

3 Favorite Lipsticks: Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

 There was a time when I rarely diverged from red lipstick.  If I did, it was MAC Lipglass.

When MAC decided to start testing on animals in order to sell to China, I stopped buying their cosmetics.  Same with Revlon. I also realized that I did not like the feel of lipglosses and my hair sticking to them when the wind blew.

I have Emily Noel and Jessica Haze to thank for getting me to branch out from my red lipstick addiction.  I have lots of different rusty shades whether they be more on the brown or orange side.  I also have a bunch of nude type shades.  I still love my reds too -- even metallic versions.  The nice thing about the passage of time is the widespread popularity of liquid matte lipsticks.  I don't have a big problem with dry lips etc. -- so I love them!  

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

 The closest thing I have to a sphynx cat doll!

Favorite Brow Products: Then & Now-- Plus, Microbrow pencils vs. Pomade & Powder

I was adjusting my settings and cleaning up my Facebook account.  In doing so, I ran into a survey/list that I did in 2009!  Neat to see how preferences change.  These are my favorite brow products -- Then and Now.

I'm actually kind of sad that KVD discontinued the #75 brow brush.  It was an excellent brow brush.  I love the brow powder and that it has just a tad bit of shimmer to it.  As someone with sparse brows, I did not think it lasted all day without a wax.  Maybe they're planning on reformulating it.

I used to use microbrow pencils for their ease and their ability to draw a very thin line (a must for sparse brows). My issue with them is, they run out so quickly.  Plus think about it, at the rate they run out, that's a lot of money for a year's worth of brows (and a lot of plastic to throw away every year):

• Lowest price: $2.99
• Average Drugstore Price: $6 
• Average High-end Price: $20
• Highest High-end Price: $45   

With everyday use - you could easily be going through one pencil a month -- depending on the brand sometimes it's less than a month.  Let's just assume that the pencil lasts, on average, a month with everyday use:

• $2.99 x 12 =  $35.88
• $6.00 x 12 = $72.00
• $20.00 x 12 = $240.00
• $45.00 x 12 = $540.00

You can see why just about all cosmetic companies got into the act with the microbrow pencil. (That's right!  Ch-ching!)

The cost of my brow routines

     KVD Pomade = $20.00

     #70 brush = $18.00

     Duraline = $16.00

     Total $54.00  

     KVD Brow Powder = $20.00 

     #75 brush = $18.00  

     e.l.f wax pencil = $2.00

     Total = $40.00

I will have the brushes forever -- they don't really need to be replaced unless they break.  My pomade has lasted me over 2 years with the Duraline. I've had the powder for a few years, also, and it has not even hit pan. 

Between all of the products, we're talking, conservatively, at least 4 years of everyday use.

     __________________

     Total for both = $94.00 + add $2 for another wax pencil = $96.00

Over 4 years:

• Mine = $96.00 = 5 containers to dispose of 
• $2.99 x 48  = $143.52  = 48 containers to dispose of
• $6.00 x 48 = $288.00 = 48 containers to dispose of
• $20.00 x 48 = $960.00 = 48 containers to dispose of
• $45.00 x 48 = $2160.00 = 48 containers to dispose of

When I replace them for another 4 years (assuming my brow powder in the future is also $20):

     $96.00 - $36.00 (don't need to buy brushes again)

     Total $60.00

Over 8 years:

• Mine = $156.00 = 10 containers to dispose of
• 2.99 x 96  = $287.04  = 96 containers to dispose of
• $6.00 x 96 = $576.00 = 96 containers to dispose of
• $20.00 x 96 = $1920.00 = 96 containers to dispose of
• $45.00 x 96 = $4320.00 = 96 containers to dispose of

So, as you can see, not only is Pomade/Powder more economical, it also creates less waste.  Yay!!!

There is a learning curve to using both -- but, that is not unlike learning how to use a brow pencil properly or shaping your brows.  It all has a learning curve.

Ta-Ta-For-Now

Luna grooming Sophie.

3 Favorite Perfumes: Then & Now (11 Years Later!)

I was adjusting my settings and cleaning up my Facebook account.  In doing so, I ran into a survey/list that I did in 2009!  Neat to see how preferences change.  These are three of my favorite perfumes -- Then and Now.

Ta-Ta-For-Now

My buddy, Coco, about 5 years ago.