October 2019 Favorites - Beauty And Bath

1.   Nyx Suede Matte Lipliner in Jakarta:  I've had this since around Christmas time.  I bought a set of mini Nyx liquid lipsticks that came with matching lipliners.  I have a vertical labret piercing and it makes it very difficult to wear a traditional style lipstick w/o lipliner.  But, I love the precise look a lipliner gives to traditional lipstick. Jakarta is a very pretty burnt orange shade.

2.   Nyx Lip Lingerie Push-Up Long-Lasting Lipstick in Exotic:  These come in some of the same colors that the original Lip Lingerie liquid lipstick shades come in.  I think the Push-Up version feels a little more comfortable on the lips and also looks better on.  Exotic is a lovely burnt orange shade.

3.   Covergirl Colorlicious Oh Sugar! Tinted Lip Balm in Punch:  Tinted lipbalms are nice on days when one would prefer a more natural makeup look; or, if one's lips need a little relief from drying lipsticks.

4.   e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator:  I've been using e.l.f.'s Lip Exfoliators on and off  for some years, now.  YouTuber emilynoel83 made me buy it (LOL).  These work great.  I don't have to stick my fingers into a goopy jar.  They are nicely priced and come in several flavors.

5.   Milani Amore Metallics Lip Creme in Raving Matte: I love a magenta-purple lipstick!  This shade is flattering on me when I want something a little more dramatic on the lips.

6.   Milani Luminoso Glow Shimmering Face Palette:  YouTuber emilynoel83 made me buy this too. (LOL). I'm really loving glowy blushes lately.  This palette also has highlighters and glowy bronzers (which can be used to darken the blushes). After a certain age, looking too matte is not flattering.  This palette can be used on the eyes, as well.  Although I would caution that hooded eyes need some matte to give them dimension.

7.   Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso:  This blush came in a bundle with the Luminoso Face Palette and a Luminoso Lip Gloss.  Holy cow!  There is a reason this blush is so popular!  I was worried that it wouldn't show up on me; but, it does!  Luminoso gives the cheeks a beautiful glow!  I would say it gives more of a glow than their other baked blushes.

8.   e.l.f. Jelly Pop Flush Blush in Berry Pop:  This is another beautiful glowy/dewy blush option that won't break the bank. My recommendation with this blush is to put a dot of the blush on the back of your hand, then use a stippling brush to blend it into the cheeks.  I've found that a couple of  small dots is enough for both cheeks.  You can always add more. Hard to take away if you put too much on.

9.   Manny MUA X Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Palette:  I've had this palette since around when it first came out.  YouTuber mirrorsandhaze made me buy this one.  What stands out, in my mind, in this palette, is the shade Mars (which is described as a deep cherry red with a matte finish) and the shade Insomnia (which is described as a warm red brown with blue reflects and a foiled finish).  Those two colors make for quite a dramatic look, which I love.  I forget, however, that the palette has a host of soft colors that are perfect for a natural look or a more "office friendly" look.  A very versatile palette.

10.  Kat Von D Pastel Goth Eyeshadow Palette:  I am in love with the shade Clementine -- which is a soft pastel orange that is slightly sheer.  I wish Kat Von D made a single shadow in Clementine.  It is perfect for blending out warm looks.  I have used the other colors in the palette -- mostly for complementing shadows in other palettes.   For me, it works really well for that.

11.  e.l.f. Superclarify Cleanser:  This cleanser works well.  My only wish is that it was in a container that suited the consistency of the cleanser better -- like a pump bottle.

12.  Nquea.d Mediterranean Fig and Rhubarb Candle:  I've had this candle for a while.  I'm reminded of how much I like it, when I'm in the kitchen.  It smells heavenly!  I don't know if this brand exists anymore.  The candle was on sale when I bought it in April at Papyrus.  If it doesn't exist anymore, that's too bad.  It's a really good candle.

13.  Mane 'n Tail Conditioner (Original):  I stopped using this for a little while because I kept forgetting to get a new bottle from our pantry.  When I finally remembered -- several months later -- I used it and was smitten all over again.  It helps with the manageability of my long, easily tangled hair.

14.  DermOrganic Leave-in Argan Oil Treatment:  Although this can be used in dry hair to help detangle and give hair some shine, I find that this leave-in treatment works best when worked into damp hair.  (It will help stop the frizzies before they start; and, help with detangling hair.)

15.  Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette:  This is like fresh roses layered with more complex notes in the background.  (Per Diptyque: Pick up the petals of a rose, add its green leaves, its stem, and don’t forget its buds. Immerse in clear water and wait to reveal its rosy delicateness, fruity accents and acidulated green notes... Eau Rose is composed like an infusion of the finest damascena and centifolia roses.)  One can definitely smell the "acidulated green notes" in the background.  Now that it's fall, I feel more comfortable wearing a fragrance like this.

16.  Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume:  I love Atelier Cologne's fragrances.  Most are perfect for traveling in warmer weather where fragrances with heavier notes may be too cloying.  (Per Atelier Cologne it's notes are: Bergamot from Calabria, Lemon from Sicily, Heart of Bigaradier from Paraguay, Orange Flower Absolue from Tunisia, Violet Leaves, Black Plum, Heart of Vetiver from Haiti, Cedarwood from Texas, Dark Oud Accord.)  The combination is unisex, with a bitter but refreshing note.  If I were to put an image to it -- I'm reminded of a personal library with luxurious wood shelves that go all the way up to the elevated ceiling.  The kind of library where you need one of those rolling ladders.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

"What's that over there, Mama?"

My Quest For The Perfect Travel Makeup Kit

There has not been one pre-made travel palette out there that I have purchased and thought -- this is just PERFECT!!!  I came somewhat close until I realized I hated the formula of the shadows.  Otherwise, I've found travel palettes missing a crucial element, lacking in fun colors or including things I won't use.  It was up to me to undertake the task of putting together the ultimate travel palette for myself.

The most difficult item to find for my palette was a decent shimmery highlighter.  There was no way I was going to depot my Becca highlighters or my TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer.  Some things just belong in their compacts.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I heard about an indie brand called Looxi Beauty from Young Wild and Polished.  She showed them in her Z-Palette; but, I wanted to know what they looked like on.  I saw a video where a gal swatched them; but, said they weren't shimmery enough for her.  I decided to take a chance and order some anyway.

I was pleasantly surprised.  They were quite shimmery.  This was after I ordered one of Anastasia Beverly Hill's Champagne refill pans and felt -- Meh! -- about it.  (I'm still waiting for Makeup Geek to release her highlighters. They promise to be uber shimmery!!!)

Below, I have the name of the palette I bought, as well as the brands and shades of all the pans!  This is by no means a "permanent" collection.  I'm sure to switch things around in the future.  If I do, there will be another post. :)

Another Soul on Etsy:  LUXE Premium Magnetic Makeup Palette - Seven Kingdoms.  A really beautiful sturdy palette!!!

Ta Ta For Now!

(It's Sophie!!!)

You Tube Made Me Buy It -- Blushes/Rouge -- Plus My Favorite Blush Brush Ever!!!

There are a lot of blushes pictured here.  These are not necessarily the only colors I've bought of these blushes.  I have hearts next to the ones that I would buy again, if I needed to.These are also not the only brands of blushes that You Tube  "made me buy".  I am working on using up the items I have that are not cruelty free.  And I have not included them here for that reason.  See below the picture for the list of items and also my favorite blush brush. 

1.  Physician's Formula Nude Wear™ Glowing Nude Blush -- I actually got this in a 2014 Holiday palette which also came with the Glowing Nude Powder and the Glowing Nude Bronzer.  I found the whole palette okay.  I used most of the Powder and Bronzer.  I hardly used the blush.  There wasn't a lot of pigment to the blush and it was a basic blush color.  Would not purchase again.

2.  Physician's Formula Happy Booster™Glow & Mood Boosting Blush -- Heard about this from emilynoel83. This blush actually has decent pigmentation. Plus it smells really good and looks darling.  Of the three blushes by Physician's Formula I have on this page, this is the only one, I feel, is decently pigmented and performs well.

3.  Hard Candy Blush Crush -- I love these!  I've come to really appreciate a blush with some shimmer to it.  I have Living Doll (pictured -- Heard about this from emilynoel83.) and Bombshell.  I love the healthy glow it gives to the skin (as I am one who likes to use face powder). Would repurchase again.

4.  Nyx HIGH DEFINITION BLUSH in Intuition-- I have this in Intuition (Heard about this from emilynoel83.) This particular color has some gold shimmer in it.  Very pretty!

5.  Physician's Formula Sexy Booster™ Sexy Glow Blush --  This looks so pretty in the container & the packaging adorable; but, for me it lacks pigmentation.  Will not purchase again.

6.  Milani ROSE POWDER BLUSH -- I have this in Tea Rose. This is a good blush.  I have so many blushes that for me, this is a novelty item.  But, if I didn't have a slew of blushes, I would definitely repurchase. (Heard about this from emilynoel83.)

7.  Milani BAKED BLUSH -- This blush has been talked about all over You Tube.  I have Dolce Pink.  Like the Hard Candy blushes, most of the baked blushes have some shimmer to them and impart a lovely glow to the skin.  (Could use less packaging with these, though.) Would definitely repurchase!

8.  Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush -- These blushes were talked about all over You Tube, as well.  I think I had Heather Silk or Pearlescent Pink.  It was a long time ago.  They are really decently pigmented blushes.  They've been repackaged, recently to have slightly less packaging.  I wish they'd do away with the useless applicators altogether, though. 

9.  Nyx ROUGE CREAM BLUSH -- I have mine in Orange.  I heard these were good, on You Tube, and I was looking for an orange cream blush.  I've been discovering, however that cream blush is not very practical for a makeup addict like me.  While I really like this blush I will not be purchasing any more cream blushes for a long time.

10. Sleek Makeup Blush -- I heard about, not only, this brand of blush; but, Flamingo from emilynoel83.  Her sister gave this to her as a birthday/Christmas gift.  Beautiful color and nicely pigmented.  Sleek only puts packaging around the blusher itself.  No extraneous packaging or useless applicators.

11. Colour Pop Blush -- These are great blushes with nice pigmentation.  This is a sort of cream/powder formula.  I love these; but, again, for someone who loves trying new makeup all the time.  I'm finding that cream formula's are not that practical and carry with it a certain pressure and guilt.  LOL

12. NARS Blush -- NARS has a reputation for great blushes and they do not disappoint in this area.  Pictured is Angelika.  I've also had the famed Orgasm; and, I also have Exhibit A - a very pigmented red. I believe Goss Makeup Artist is responsible for my purchases of Angelika and Exhibit A.

13. Coastal Scents Forever Blush -- Another emilynoel83 recommendation.  These are VERY pigmented.  So you may have your compact of blush, literally, FOREVER.  Could do without the sliver of a mirror in the compact (Why?  It's useless!) .  But otherwise, great blush!

14. Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 -- Yes, emilynoel83!!!  I got mine in Pink Lemonade, which is the shade she had.  It has a cream blush in the middle.  Very beautiful palette.  But, again, there's the cream blush dilemma.

15. e.l.f. Studio Powder Blush Palette -- This was actually very nicely pigmented.  Which is odd because as you'll see, I find the single blushes to be very hit and miss.  

16. e.l.f. Studio Pressed Mineral Blush -- The texture on these is nice but the pigmentation is very sheer, I find.  Not something I want to repurchase.

17. e.l.f. Studio Blush -- These were abuzz on You Tube.  I have found these to be hit and miss. Some are decently pigmented, some are chalky, some have practically no color.  I pretty much give up with getting any more of these.

18. Makeup Geek Blush Pan -- When these came out, You Tubers were going gaga over these.  After getting a set of them a few months ago, I see why.  They are talc free and have a very natural but nicely pigmented look to them.

19. Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour --  This is a cool palette.  It's about the size of the It Cosmetics Vitality palette.  The Baked Vanilla highlighter has just a touch of shimmer so can ever be used under the eyes.  The bronzer is not very dark and is a good color for me to add some color to my hairline and under my cheek contour.  The Cherry Cobbler blush is a beautiful shimmery pink shade with a hint of warmth.

20. Morphe Brushes 9B Palette --  Young Wild And Polished turned me on to this palette.  It is a gorgeous palette of both brighter and muted blushes.  Very nicely pigmented!  Great for travel!

My Favorite Blush Brush

The e.l.f Small Stipple Brush

I found out about this brush from -- you guessed it, from the number of times I've mentioned her channel above, emilynoel83.  Ever since I got one for myself, I've been hooked.  I not only use it for cream blush, as she prefers; but, I use it for powder blush as well.  I find the size ensures that I don't get a big patch of blush on my face, and the stippled bristles prevent too heavy an application.  I have many backups of this brush and have given this brush as a little "stocking stuffer" gift, many a time.

Ta Ta For Now!