August 2016 Favorites -- Beauty & Bath

1. Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten Foundation: (Shopped my stash.)  I used this about a year ago.  I stopped using it because the shade I have -- Medium became way too dark for me.  This worked really well for me this summer.  If it got too dark, I mixed it with my It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination in Light.  I find that I like the finish of the Laura Geller foundation better than It Cosmetics.  The finish looks more natural.
2. e.l.f. Sunkissed Glow Bronzer in Sunkissed:  I got this free, along with a few other items with one of my e.l.f. orders.  I was blown away by how much I liked this bronzer!  It looks natural, and is light enough for fairer skin.
3. Hard Candy Baked "Bronzer" in Tiki: (Shopped my stash.) I've had this for about two years.  I started using it again.  It's finely milled, and great for those days when I want a highlighter that's not uber shimmery but I still want shimmer.
4. Sedona Lace Wanderlust Brush Set: These look like Real Techniques' higher end brushes.  I don't own any so I cannot say whether they are exact dupes or not.  The handles are not metal.  I really like these brushes.  The large brush pats powder on fabulously.  The triangle brush blends concealer like a dream.  The smaller tapered brush is great for setting undereye concealer with powder.  The rectangular brush applies foundation well.  I've used the eye brushes interchangeably with my other eye brushes.
5. TheBalm Meet Matt (e) Nude: (Shopped my stash.)  Who knew a nude palette could be so fun!  I started using this again when I couldn't find my Paula's Choice palette that I usually use with my Electric Palette.  The pans are big, the colors are nicely pigmented
6. Zoya Amy + Butter London Saucy Jack + Revlon Parfumerie Autumn Spice = My own custom color that I like to call Sparkling Blood Orange.  (Shopped my stash.) I was looking for a rusty orangey red.  Then I realized I probably had enough polish that I didn't use to make the color that I wanted.  Yay!
7. e.l.f. Selfie Ready Foundation Brush: (Shopped my stash.) I didn't quite love it for foundation; but, it really works well for concealer!
8. e.l.f. Flawless Face Brush:  (Shopped my stash.) This is an excellent multi-tasting brush!  I've used this for contour, bronzing and patting powder on my face.
9. Paula's Choice Resist BHA 9: (Shopped my stash!)  This is actually my third purchase of the BHA I stopped using this for a bit; and, took it up again when I started getting some hormonal acne.  Works really well for me!  I mix it with moisturizer.
10. Paula's Choice Resist Vitamin C Spot Treatment: (Shopped my stash!)  I stopped using this in lieu of more liquidy Vit C serums.  I'm finding I really like adding this to the BHA 9 and moisturizer under makeup.
11. PrettyLilMzGrace Eyeshadow Palette: (Shopped my stash.) I had this for a while before I used it.  It's really nicely pigmented.  I love that there are a few neutral colors to use with the brights!  The brush that comes with it is really nice quality as well!

9 our of 11 items were Shop My Stash items!!!  

Ta Ta For Now!

Homage To Dovima

I'm not one to go ga-ga over supermodels --with sole exception of Dovima.  While she was on the screen, I though she stole the show in Funny Face.  I wanted to see more of her!  Not only was she quirky on-screen, with her over-the-top New York accent and comic book.  She was quirky in real life.  She loved comic books and would bring a trunk full of them when on location!  I couldn't help but love someone like that.  Here, is my Homage to the lovely Dovima.  Think of it as a modern day way of playing with paper-dolls.  I imagine what Dovima would wear and like then and now.

1. Dovima in photo shoot for Vogue -- Check out that fierce winged liner and those uber arched brows!
2. Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Sanguis -- Per their website -- This is the perfect blue-based red.  It's a vintage va-va-voom red perfect for the era Dovima embodied.  
3. NYX Micro-Brow -- A very fine point for those flawlessly drawn, perfectly arched brows!
4. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner + Serum in Ultra Black -- for that fierce winged eyeliner.
5. Christian Louboutin Eloise Small Two Handle Bag -- Dovima was known for being Richard Avedon's muse.  As such, she was dressed in some unique fashion.  I think this handbag is glorious and fits that perfectly -- elegant with a touch of edge.
6. Ultra-Lounge Mambo Fever -- If you love fun, classic movies that embody Dovima's era, you'll love this CD!
7. Zoya Pinta -- Zoya describes this color as a dark purple creme with very strong blue undertones.  For a more edgy look; or, for black and white photo shoots.
8. Black Phoenix Alchemy Liz perfume oil from their Hellboy collection -- A light, feminine vanilla floral perfume and a swirl of smoke and leather. As I said at the top, Dovima loved reading comic books.  So I thought it only fitting that she have a perfume named after a comic book franchise and character.
9. NARS Dovima Nail Polish -- Yes!  There is a nail polish named after her!  This is a beautiful tomato red.
10. Noir Jewelry Gotham City DC Comics Stackable Ring Set -- She loves comics and she's from New York.  Perfect!
11. Noir Jewelry Gotham City DC Comics Bracelet -- An edgy beautiful bracelet detailing Gotham City.
12. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Black Truffle -- A beautiful blackish violet lipstick for an edgier look or for black and white photo shoots.
13. DC Comics Guardians of The Galaxy -- I thought she'd enjoy this humorous offbeat comic.
14. Robert Piguet Fracas -- With it's white floral and tuberose notes, Fracas is ultra feminine, modern and sexy, like the model herself.
15. Suva Beauty Hydracream Base in Pantyhose -- Dovima was often made up in intensely colored blue or green lids.  Pantyhose is the perfect cruelty-free dupe for MAC's Painterly -- to prime those lids for long lasting and more intensely colored shadow application.
16. Noir Jewelry Pow/Bang DC Comics Statement Necklace -- A fun, humorous necklace to proclaim Dovima's love of comic books.
17. Christian Louboutin Dorispiky Pumps -- Edge and elegance combined into one drool-worthy red-bottomed pump.
18. Makeup Geek Poolside Eyeshadow Pan -- Dovima's eyelids were often done sharply in bright ocean blues or greens.  In keeping with that, I chose this slightly shimmery shadow.
19. Suva Beauty Hydracream Base in Satire -- this is a matte cream base for the eyelids.  Perfect as a base for Makeup Geeks poolside or any sky to medium blue.
20. Dovima in Funny Face -- Kay Thompson: "What are you reading, Marion?"  Dovima: "Minute Men From Mars!"

Ta Ta For Now!