The Life of A Ladybug

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.

ECO Tools Makeup Brushes

I finally got around to trying ECO Tools' Makeup Brushes.  I am so pleased that I did! 

The brushes feature bamboo handles (since bamboo has a low impact on the earth’s resources), animal-free taklon bristles and metallic ferrule made from recycled aluminum cans. They come in reusable pouches and printed with plant-based ink.

My favorite is the Blush Brush.  I'm telling you right now - I have never felt a more luxurious brush.  (Shhh!  Don't tell MAC!)  It feels whisper soft on the skin.

If you're a beauty maven who cares about the environment, you have to try these brushes!  You can find them at some Walgreen's, Kmart and Ulta stores or you can buy them online at www.eco-tools.com.

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler

It's widely known in the beauty world that the Holy Grail of eyelash curlers is the Shu Uemura curler.  Still, I've managed pretty well using my cheap-o Revlon eyelash curler.  But since I received Shu Uemura's new Mini Eyelash Curler, I figured ... come on!  I have to try this!  Well, yay me for being smart enough to try it!!!

Honestly, my lashes are pretty curly already - I've never had stick straight lashes.  But what I love about this curler is that it's miniscule size allows you to get those tiny little barely visible lashes on the inside corner of your eyes, as well as add some extra lift to the outside corner lashes, which gives a sexy little upsweep to those lashes, adding a certain flirty something.  I am convinced.  This beats the heck out of my Revlon curler. 

You can buy the new Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash curler for $17 at www.shuuemura-usa.com or wherever Shu Uemura products are sold.

Starlet Pink Folder Brush Set

Starlet Cosmetics has put together a fabulous brush set!  It includes: blush brush, eye primer brush, shadow brush, crease brush, liner brush, lip brush and lash/brow brush.  All the brushes have pink handles and they're housed in this cute little pink case!  And look at the powder brush - pink bristles!  Love it! 

You can get this for $38 at www.starletcosmetics.com.

"You Glow Girl" palette by Powder Puff Beauty

I've just been introduced to a new line, PowderPuff Beauty.  This new line was founded in 2006 by L.A. based makeup artist, Nidia Alire.  Nidia continues to look for ways to streamline her makeup kit and became inspired to create her own line.  PowderPuff Squad offers professional tools for makeup artists and PowderPuff Beauty offers fun products for makeup lovers.

I got a chance to try PowderPuff Beauty's "You Glow Girl" palette.  I love this!  It includes the Duo Creme Lip/Cheek Pigment in Tootsie and Mabel and the Lip Gloss in Bam and Boom.  The Lip/Cheek Pigment is a wonderful product - just a bit goes a long way.  It glides on smoothly and blends to a beautiful rosy finish.  It can be used on lips to add a bit of creamy color.  The Lip Gloss is sheer and moisturizing and looks great layered over the Lip/Cheek Pigment or on its own.

The palette can be purchased for $45 at www.powderpuffsquad.com.