The Life of A Ladybug

Ladybug Loves!: Three Custom Color Specialists Mom on the Go Lip/Cheek Stain

2008-08-27T10:39:15-04:00

My latest favorite beauty brand is Three Custom Color Specialists (also known as 3 CC)! This brand made its name from being able to perfectly replicate any shade of product, so your favorite lipstick that was discontinued ... they can match it and you'll never have to run out! Though that's a valuable and great service, 3 CC doesn't only do color matching - they also have a wide range of products suited for every woman.

Of all their products I've tried, the Lip and Cheek Stain is my favorite. I got started with their Stain in Ski Bunny - you can read my review here. I've been loving Ski Bunny for months and decided to try another shade, to see if I'd love it just as much. Well, the answer is an enthusiastic "Yes!" 3 CC has introduced "Mom on the Go" Lip and Cheek Stain in shades suitable for both cool and warm skintones. I bought the warm toned "Mom on the Go" Stain and I am loving it to no end! It leaves a lovely coral flush to the skin, much like tarte's Cheek Stain in tickled, however, unlike the tarte stain, it works for both lips and cheeks. And it is small enough to throw into your purse for "on the go" touchups, though, with its staying power, you won't need to many touchups throughout the day.

I encourage you to head over to the 3 CC website and look around. Identify whether you're cool or warm in skintone and then go to town - you'll find all sorts of great stuff to stock up on! And, now that I'm loving this brand, look to hear much more about them, particularly this week (I have a couple more products I've tried and I want to tell you about their upcoming releases, too). BTW - I'm starting a new feature here. It's called "Ladybug Loves!" and it's about my new favorite products. I'll be identifying a new product each week.

Proud member of Total Beauty, Glam, and the Beauty Blog Network!

Laura Mercier Cherries Noir Collection

2008-08-27T10:21:08-04:00

So ... what's the fascination with cherries this season? Two major beauty brands, MAC and Laura Mercier, have based their fall beauty collections around the luscious fruit. I have to say, good job, y'all! I love cherries - they're juicy, decadent and leave the most beautiful stain on your lips (and fingertips).

Laura Mercier introduces her new fall collection ... Cherries Noir! This collection is meant to evoke images of the glamour of the 40s.

From the website:

"Featuring Lip Velvet, a new rich and voluptuous liquid lip color. Eyes are warmed with tones of cashmere, cocoa and wine using six shades of Matte, Lustre and Sateen Eye Colours. Add a hint of luminosity to the cheeks with the Illuminating Powder in Mocha Spice Quad and you are transported to the sophisticated glamour of classic Hollywood."

Yum!

Today's beauty poll!

2008-08-26T16:51:00-04:00

For today's face, I'm really starting to get excited about the fall, so I wanted to go with more muted, fall-like colors and rock the Bobbi Brown Mauve lip look.

I used:

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX13. I used it to cover dark undereye circles, redness around the nose, and a honkin' big zit on my cheek left behind by my "monthly friend."
Dalton Brow Gel in Brunette.
MAC Blot Powder in Dark. I'm sticking with the no foundation thing until the fall, I think. I've just been wearing it to church. I brushed the Blot Powder down the bridge of my nose, across my cheeks and my forehead.
Stila eyeshadow in Kitten. Used as a browbone and tear duct highlight.
MAC Paint Pot in Moss Scape. Applied with my finger on my lid and a bit into the crease.
MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder. Swiped on in a line and then smudged with a Sephora smudge brush. I also used it on my waterline.
Josie Maran mascara in Black. I'm liking this a lot. Look for my review coming soon. I applied two coats to my top lashes and one coat to my bottom lashes.
L'Oreal Glam Bronze powder in Dazzling Sunlight. Applied to my cheekbones, hairline, down the bridge of my nose and on the tip of my chin.
Bobbi Brown Blush in Sand Pink. Applied to the apples of my cheeks and blended into the hairline.
I did two lip looks today: 1) Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Berry Mauve, topped with Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Mauve. This produced a deep, creamy mauve lip. 2) Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Berry Mauve, topped with Bobbi Brown Glitter Lip Gloss in Pink Raspberry. This lippie is much softer and more subtle, with a bit of sparkle. I think this one is good for transitioning from summer to fall, or for those who are nervous about rocking a deeper mauve lip. It's an easy way to try the trend without all the commitment.

So ... tell me all about what's making you look your beautiful best today! Post in the comments!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleanser

2008-08-26T15:27:10-04:00

I am not in the majority on this by any means, but I'm not all that impressed with the new Philosophy Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleanser. I am a fan of the original Purity Made Simple, but this new foaming cleanser has been getting all kinds of rave reviews, so I thought I owed it to myself to try it. Frankly, I could have done without. I'm glad I got this as a sample at Sephora.

I mean, it's a nice cleanser and all, but it's not that great. I didn't see the skies open and angels descending or anything. It didn't make my skin magically perfect. It's just a basic, nice cleanser. Just like one you could get at a drugstore. Buy it if you're a fan of the line, but honestly, it's no big whoop.

You can get the Philosophy Purity Made Simple Foaming Cleanser at your local Sephora or at www.sephora.com.

Proud member of Total Beauty, Glam, and the Beauty Blog Network!

Bobbi Brown Cocoa Mauve Collection

2008-08-26T15:21:30-04:00

Now out, just in time for fall, is Bobbi Brown's newest collection, Cocoa Mauve! Featuring a Metallic Eyeshadow in Iced Mauve, Long Wear Gel Liner in Cocoa Mauve Ink, Creamy Lip Color in Berry Mauve and Blush in Sand Pink, this collection will have you ready for fall!

I was wary about the colors when I first bought the collection, but let me tell you, I've worn all the colors and they definitely do work on women of color. They are just the perfect neutral shades to play off a deeper, more colorful eye for fall.

You can order the collection online at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

NARS The Multiple Review (Total Beauty)

2008-08-26T00:00:00-04:00

See review

Guest Review: Nars The Multiple

Rated a 7.5 by TotalBeauty.com Editor Kristen Oldham-Giordani

Nars The Multiple is a cream-to-powder formula that can be used anywhere (though it leaves lips feeling a little too powdery). The jumbo stick glides on smoothly and feels moist on skin, making it ideal for dry skin year-round or combination skin in the winter. ...More

Do It Yourself Pedicures! (Total Beauty)

2008-08-25T00:00:00-04:00

Pedicure how-to

Top Do-It-Yourself Pedicure Tips

Pros share tips on getting salon results at home

With gorgeous sandals hitting the shelves, it's no time to be shy about baring your toes. Sure, you could splurge on a luxurious pedicure but who has the time and money to keep that up? Fortunately, celeb-trusted nail pros Roxanne Valinoti, Nicole Dihn and Jenna Hipp are sharing their top tips for pampering your feet. Read their advice to find out how to do a pedicure at home -- and look like you went to a salon. ...More

Chanel Precision Hydra Max Review (Total Beauty)

2008-08-24T00:00:00-04:00

See review

Guest Review: Chanel Precision Hydramax + Active Serum Active Moisture Boost

Rated a 9.5 by TotalBeauty.com Editor Charli Schuler

Dry skin types who usually reach for a rich, heavy cream will love this lightweight blue serum. It not only instantly hydrates, but also makes skin a perfectly smooth, youthful canvas for sunscreen, primer or foundation. ...More

Celebrity's Super Short Hairstyles (Total Beauty)

2008-08-23T08:00:00-04:00

See cuts

Celebrities' Super Short Hairstyles

Stars like Rihanna and Paris Hilton take it all off -- their hair that is

It's no surprise that so many stars opt for super short bobs and pixie cuts. Aside from being low-maintenance, a short style puts more focus on the face and adds more attitude to their overall look. Check out which celebrities make cropped hair look gorgeous ... and tempting. (If you feel the urge to reach for the scissors after viewing their photos, we highly recommend you get a professional to do the cutting.) ...More

Warren Tricomi Organic Hair Shield

2008-08-22T13:29:33-04:00

Another of the products I took with me on my recent vacation is the Warren Tricomi Organic Hair Shield. Supposedly, this product coats your hair strands with an invisible shield (sounds like some kind of force field to me) in order to protect it from damage due to sun damage and other envionmental effects. I thought that my vacation would be a great time to test it, as I would be out in the heat and humidity all day and be getting in and out of the pool, all of which can do some serious damage to your hair.

I have no idea whether this stuff does what it claims to do, but I'll tell you this - I don't like it and I won't use it again. It doesn't come out of the bottle evenly; you can't tell if you've coated all your hair in it; and it leaves behind this wretched residue that made my hair feel very sticky and clumped together. No es bueno. I'm really glad I receieved this as a sample because if I'd bought it, I'd want my money back.

Proud member of Total Beauty, Glam, and the Beauty Blog Network.