The Life of A Ladybug

Bronze and Red

Last night's skincare:

• Cetaphil Daily Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Berwick Beauty Coming Up Roses Night Cream (under eyes)
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Avon Anew Ultimage Age Repair Night Cream

This morning's skincare:

• Cetaphil Daily Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
• i.d. bareEscentuals skin rev-er upper
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Berwick Beauty Coming Up Roses Day Cream (around nose)
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Today's makeup:

• Bobbi Brown Luminous Foundation in Golden (applied with Beautyblender Sponge)
• Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque (MAC 242SE brush)
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Golden (MAC 242 SE brush, MAC 224 SE brush for powder)
• tarte emphasEyes in Black (to line inner lower rim of lashes)
• Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner in Brun Inoxydable (lining upper and lower lashes)
• L'Oreal Voluminous Naturale in Blackest Black (two coats on upper lashes)
• Smashbox Fusion Eye & Cheek Color in Heatwave (as shadow and over blush)
• Sally Hansen (with Carmindy) Natural Beauty Bronzer in Summer (used darker end as contour color, lighter end as highlighter on cheekbones and under brow)
• NARS blush in Exhibit A (on apples of cheeks)
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
• pop beauty lip smoothie in Salmon

Today's fragrance:

Philosophy Falling in Love

Today's outfit:

• red and white printed long-sleeve top from New York & Company
• brown double button pants from New York & Company
• gold printed leather pumps by BCBGirls
• gold hammered hoops from Claire's
• wedding set
• gold and pearl ring I bought on a cruise
• stretch bracelet with cowry shell and seashell dangles (a Mother's Day gift from Sarai)
• camel purse from Baghaus.com

Darac Beauty Sifted Blur Perfecting Powder and TourQuam Brush

Once again, I have been victimized by QVC's Saturday Night Beauty - LOL!  So, I've already told y'all how I get sucked in by the lovelies they show every Saturday night, right?  Well, it happened again.

This dude, Darac, was on there, showing his product, Sifted Blur Perfecting Powder and the accompanying TourQuam Brush.  Well, I want to look perfect!  I want blemishes to be blurred!  Off I went to order these.

I'm wearing the powder today and um ... I'm not so sure.  I mean, it does leave my skin looking pretty smooth, so that's a plus.  But it only comes in one shade and, while it's kind of appeared brown on TV, it's really more of a grayish-beige.  A grayige, if you will.  Not so good for brown-skinned girls.  I don't exactly look ashy or anything, but I don't know.  It's not as "realistic" and natural-looking as I usually go with my foundation powders.  It doesn't look as much like my skin as MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural does, for example.  But, I do look polished and finished, so that's nice. 

Another thing to look out for - any dry areas on your face will be seriously emphasized by this powder.  Be sure to moisturize well - maybe even more than you think you need to.  Get every little crevice, particularly where your nose and upper lip meet.  It tends to cake up right around there.

As for the brush, there's a magnet inside it and you can't use it if you have a pacemaker.  Yikes.  I'm not even sure what the magnet is for - anyone???  To me, it seems no different or better than the skunk brushes that MAC and others sell.

Anyhow, not the worst product ever, but definitely not worth the $60 I shelled out.  Save your money.

Peachy browns and greens

Today's makeup:

• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream
• YSL Touche Eclat in 3 (under eyes and under brows)
• Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder in 2 (under eyes)
• MAC Paint Pot in Indianwood (applied with my finger, all over my eye lid)
• Guerlain Ombré Eclat 4 Shades Eye Palette in Bronze Doré (light peachy nude as highlighter under brows, bronzy shade on lid, light celadon green on inner lid, dark green in crease and on outer v)
• Tarte EmphasEyes in Black (tightline)
• Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner in Brun inoxydable (to line upper and lower lashes)
• L'Oreal HIP Mascara in Ultimate Black (two coats on top lashes only)
• MAC Sculpt and Shape in Warm Light/Definitive
• mark. kiss theraphy lip balm in Shimmering Coral
• MAC lipliner in Cork
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine in BG 941S
• Dior Creme de Gloss in Beige Elixir

Today's fragrance:

Fresh Sugar Lychee

Today's outfit:

• brown s/s tee with bronze sequin placket on the neckline from Old Navy
• brown tweed cropped pants from New York and Company
• brown mock croc pointy-toed high-heeled mary janes from Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• bronze chandelier earrings (I don't remember where I got these)
• wedding set

Dude - I'm wearing more makeup than I am clothes!  HA!

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

After having seen Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder touted all over the place, I decided to try it for myself.  I got it in shade 2, which is supposedly best for medium to dark skintones.  It still looks like an almost white translucent powder to me, which has a bit of luminescence to it.  I applied my normal concealer first, then dusted a tiny bit of Secret Brightening Powder over it.  Well, it works.  It definitely brightens the look of dark undereye circle.  This isn't really a concealer - it's just used to add some luminescence, which makes the skin appear lighter.

I also have applied this over YSL Touche Eclat and it works wonders on a casual day, when I don't want to wear concealer or heavy foundation.  Remember to be very light on your application - if you apply too much, you'll wind up with the reverse-raccoon look!

You can buy Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder on www.sephora.com or in Sephora stores.

Passionate about purple and Paint Pots

Seriously ... have I told y'all how much I love MAC Paint Pots?  Have I???  Because I do.  I love 'em, y'all.  They are the best.  Swipe it on with your finger, add liner and mascara and go.  A polished, slightly shimmery eye in seconds.  Yummylicious!

Today's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
• Paula's Choice Blemish Control Liquid (or whatever it's called)
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream
• Elizabeth Ardene Intervene Moisturizer

Today's makeup:

• YSL Touche Eclat in 3 (under brows and under eyes)
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep (all over with BE Handy Buki brush and used as concealer with BE Max Coverage Concealer brush)
• MAC Paint Pot in Nice Vice (applied over lid and into crease with finger)
• tarte emphasEyes in Black (used to line upper and lower inner eye)
• MAC Dual-Edge Eye Pencil in Fab Orchid (upper lashline)/Dash Lily (lower lashline)
• Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black (two coats on top lashes)
• tarte cheekstain in blushing bride (applied to apples of my cheeks and blended with fingers)
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF15
• NYX Round Lipstick in B52
• MAC Lipgelée in Mega

Today's outfit:

• purple drape cowl neck top from Torrid
• brown tweed pants from New York & Company
• cream lace kitten-heels pumps by Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• silver dramatic crescent/rhinestone earrings from New York & Company
• wedding set
• camel large tote from baghaus.com

Today's fragrance: Fresh Sugar Lychee eau de parfum

Today's hair: sprayed with my homemade leave-in (water, leave-in conditioner, pomegranate seed oil, olive oil) and pulled up in a Tomoka's Twist with silver beads

YSL Touche Eclat

YSL Touche Eclat is one of those products that has achieved cult status.  People rhapsodize over it as if is the best thing since sliced bread.  When I saw on the 2nd Anniversary of QVC Saturday Night Beauty that they were selling Touche Eclat, I decided that I had to go ahead and order one and try it out.  According to the QVC website, the 4 shade should be best for Black women, but it looked too dark to me, so I ordered 3 (light peach).

I expected Touche Eclat to be a holy grail product.  Not exactly.  I don't dislike it - don't get me wrong.  I think Touche Eclat is a good product.  It does do what it says it does - it lightens and brightens dark, recessed areas, including under eye circles.  But I don't think it does so all that much better than similar, cheaper products available on the market.  If you're looking for a brightener (this is not a concealer) and you have the funds, check it out.

How to wear foundation if you have dry skin (for Koz)

My friend Koz asked me how she should deal with foundation when she has dry skin.  The answer is pretty simple, so here we go - for her and for any of you who also have dry skin and have been asking yourself this question.

#1: Exfoliate.  Make sure that you're exfoliating regularly.  That will remove all the dry, dead skin that adds to the look of flakiness.  You can use either a chemical or mechanical exfoliator.  A chemical exfoliator is alpha hydroxy acid.  Mechanical is any kind of gentle scrub - you can be as basic as baking soda and water, or even sugar and water.

#2: Moisturize.  Use a thick, creamy moisturizer if your skin is very dry.  You don't have to go expensive on this - there are good options at the drugstore.  I have oily skin, but dry patches around my nose and, let me tell you, Aquaphor works wonders.

#3: Use a moisturizing foundation.  If you're not looking for that "made up" look or if you have pretty good skin, a tinted moisturizer is probably your best bet.  It will add another layer of moisture to your face while helping your skin to look even and smooth.  If you need a bit of heavier coverage, try a creamy foundation - powders will exacerbate dryness and liquid may not be thick enough (although there are some moisturizing liquid foundations).

Let me know if you have any particular beauty issues that you'd love to discuss and I'll post all about it!

It's not easy being green ... but it sure is pretty!

ETA: I'm adding a couple pics that I managed to get on my cell phone.  Admittedly, they're not the greatest, but I guess they're better than nothing!

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
• Clean & Clear Acne Advantage Treatment
• MAC Moisturelush Cream
• Elizabeth Arden Intervene Cream

Today's make-up:

• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Golden
• Jane Iredale PurePressed Base in Butternut, applied with the BE Handy Buki brush
• MAC Paint Pot in Cash Flow, as eyeshadow base
• MAC Eyeshadow in Bitter, over whole lid and up past the crease
• MAC Eyeshadow in Swimming, on outer half of the lid and blended up into the crease
• MAC Eyeshadow in Mulch, blended into the crease
• MAC Eyeshadow in All That Glitters, above the crease
• Bourjois Duochrome Liner in Noir Emeraude, used to line top and bottom third of lash line
• Tarte EmphasEyes, used on waterline
• Prescriptives False Lashes mascara, two coats on top lashes
• Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Waikiki Strip, used to highlight brow bones and cheekbones
• CARGO blush in Rome, on apples of cheeks
• Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
• NYX Round Lipstick in Galaxy
• Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Gloss in Buff

Today's fragrance: Fresh Hesperides eau de parfum

Today's outfit:

• black, white, gray and yellow-green printed top by Mossimo for Target
• black double-button pants from New York & Company
• black mock croc pointy-toed mary janes by Isaac Mizrahi for Target
• silver cuffs bought from a fellow tribal bellydancer
• silver bamboo earrings from The Icing
• camel "leather" tote from www.baghaus.com

Intervene Makeup SPF 15

Elizabeth Arden graciously allowed me to try their new foundation, Intervene Makeup SPF 15.  I started off happy with this foundation, as it has the minimum acceptable amount of sunscreen, SPF 15.  I am a huge believer in wearing sunscreen every day, rain or shine, so this makes me happy.

According to the Elizabeth Arden materials, this liquid foundation is supposed to "smooth away imperfections for brighter, even-toned skin" and I've found that to be true.  It also supposedly "visibly delays the appearance of fine lines, protects skin with antioxidants, [and] offers medium/full coverage."  To test out these assertions, I took a picture of myself sans make-up (yikes!) and then a picture wearing nothing but Intervene Makeup.  I used it as foundation and did spot treatment to cover dark marks.

Before:

And after (with silly pics of me and Sarai thrown in for good measure):

I don't have any visible lines yet, but I can say that my skin looked much more even and smoother after application.  I picked my shade from looking at pictures on the website and was pleased to find that the shade match was pretty good, though I might have been able to go a shade lighter.  I think this is a great addition to my "foundation wardrobe" and can see myself putting it to good use during the summer.  It offers medium/full coverage, but I didn't find that it felt heavy or mask-like, which I love.  You can buy Intervene Makeup SPF 15 at Elizabeth Arden counters for $36.

I'm a peachy bronze beauty!

Last night's skincare:

• Purity Made Simple
• Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
• Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Treatment
• Avon Anew Ultimate Repair Overnight Cream

This morning's skincare:

• Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin Foaming Cleanser
• Paula's Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Liquid
• MAC Moisturelush Eye Cream

Today's make-up:

• Laura Geller Spackle
• MAC Select Cover-up in NC42 under eyes and NC45 to cover redness
• Monave Mineral Foundation in Beverly
• Benefit That Gal primer, patted under my eyes and used as highlight on my cheekbones and bridge of my nose
• Monave Face Illuminizer in Radiant, used as highlight under my brows and on my tear ducts and on my cheekbones
• Monave Mineral Bronzer
• Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in P Orange 53
• Tarte EmphasEyes used to line my upper and lower inner rims
• MAC Eye Kohl in Orpheus
• MAX Factor 2000 Calories mascara in Rich Black, two coats on my top lashes
• Rosebud Salve
• MAC lip liner in BBQ
• Guerlain Terracotta Lip Gloss in 20 (peachy-bronze)

Today's outfit:

• peach v-neck shell from New York & Company
• peach cardigan from New York & Company
• black and peach glen plaid pants from New York & Company
• black ankle boots by Nine West
• silver thumb rings
• silver filigree ring
• wedding set
• silver bamboo earrings
• white purse with gold hardware from www.baghaus.com

Today's fragrance:

The Body Shop Peach Body Butter, Fresh Fig Apricot eau de parfum