My latest beauty haul

In the last few weeks, I have been on beauty buying bonanza!  Here are the things I picked up and what I think about 'em!

Becca Stick Foundation in Brioche.  Many of my fellow beauty bloggers have raved about Becca's products, but, up until now, I'd not gotten a chance to try any.  During my latest Sephora run, I stopped at the Becca display and marveled at how many different shades of foundation they offer.  After swiping a few on my jawline, I wound up with Brioche, which is a great, great match for my skin.  I'm happy with it.  The only deterrent is that this stick foundation isn't as creamy as the one MAC offers, so it's a bit harder to blend.

Then, I delved into CARGO.  I already told you how I feel about the Suedeblush - I think it's great as an added bit of shimmer and for those days when you need just a touch of color, but if you're looking for vibrant color, this isn't for you.  After reading Tia at Shake My Beauty's account about how Sam Fine used CARGO blush in Laguna to give her that glow in her author picture, I had to have it.  I couldn't find it in the store, so I ordered it.  It's a scary shade of orange in the tin, but when applied with a fluffy blush brush, it made my cheeks look radiantly gorgeous.  Score!  While at Sephora, I was able to find the Purse Glosses - I picked up Brussels and Paris.

My Sephora soiree ended with a trip over to my favorite glamazon's products, where I snatched up the Kimora Lee Simmons Fabulosity Glossamer in Chocolate Martini.  It gives my lips a fabulous coppery sheen.  I was also able to pick up her Beauty Bronzer Powder when I ordered the CARGO blush.  It's quickly becoming my favorite bronzer.  Dammit - why do these products have to be so wonderful???

But everything I buy doesn't have to break my bank and it doesn't have to be found in Sephora.  I also hit up the drugstore beauty aisles, where I got my hands on Queen Helene The Original Mint Julep Mask.  As you've probably noticed, I haven't been blogging as faithfully as usual, and it's because my life has been hectic lately, with rehearsals and family and friend obligations, not to mention some whirlwinds at work.  So yesterday, I was looking for a simple way to pamper myself without spending a lot of money.  This mask was perfect!  I sat Sarai in her room with a 40-minute-long Strawberry Shortcake DVD (thank God for Strawberry and the rest of the gang ... they're berry, berry nice), ran myself a hot bath and sank into it.  After soaking for a while, I gave myself a mini facial.  I cleansed my face, then applied the mask using a foundation brush - I don't know that it matters, but when I visit the spa, they always apply the mask with a brush, so it made me feel a little special and frou-frou to do so - then sat back and let it harden.  It smells exactly like spearmint, so it gave me a bit of aromatherapy and, after removing it with a warm, damp cloth, my skin feel wonderfully clean.  Nice!

On Monday, when I went to buy "bellydancer hair" from the local beauty supply store, I found that they had a whole shelf of the cult NYX Color Trio Eyeshadows.  Since the costume I was wearing was blue and silver, I picked up a trio containing three shades of blue.  I was quite pleased with it - for only $4.99, I think it offered a good selection of colors and fairly good color, which was easily blendable and buildable.

It's so fun to shop for beauty, y'all!  Woo-hoo!

Comments

[Antonia]

I've been in love with Becca products for the past two years and have convinced all of my girlfriends to use them. I'm Treacle in her stick foundation and it took my forever to find a match because there are just so many shades. I ended up buying stuff that was too dark like three times before I finally figured out the right one.

I'm a little oily, so using a foundation primer is a must for me and the benefit is that it makes the stick foundation so creamy. Smashbox Photo Finish is a great primer.

[Toya]

Thanks for that tip, Antonia. I applied the Smashbox primer this morning before using the foundation stick and it went on much more smoothly.