2.01.2012

The Lip Slip by Sara Happ One Luxe Gloss Is My Favorite New Lip Product.

I struggle with chapped lips constantly. Plus, when I get nervous or fidgety, I sometimes bite my lower lip a bit, which isn't helping anything. Most lip balms disappear on me within moments. Other ones are so oily they make the flakes fall off of my lips in a weird way that makes my lips more chapped/dry/sore than before I had used anything. And don't get me started on Chapstick. I'm certain that Chapstick only works as long as you never stop using it.


I couldn't resist trying the Lip Slip by Sara Happ One Luxe Gloss. It's such a beautiful colorless gloss. How can that be? You look at it and tell me it isn't beautiful. Teeny, tiny bits of micro shimmer add a bit of a twist on this clear lip treatment. It reflects the light in a magical way that always looks like your lips are always lit by candlelight. It's made of magic, I tell you!


But that isn't why I like it. I like it because it is the best lip treatment I have tried in eons. It is infused with Sweet Almond, Jojoba and Macadamia nut oils. And it has an amazing way of hugging your lips and not letting go. According to their website, the polymers took two years to get just right, and I totally believe it.


This glossy treatment wears for more than an hour. And even after the gloss fades, the smooth, soft feel of perfectly nourished lips remains. Even better, wear it to bed and wake up with amazing lips you won't believe belong to you.


This isn't the cheapest lip treatment at $18, but it is the best. Priorities, people. Pick it up in Baltimore at La Papillon or check out their website to find a location near you.


Sent for review.

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1.31.2012

Rimmel Launches Their Richest Pigments Yet!

Rimmel's 2012 Spring Collection contains pigments you haven't seen before. Try lipsticks with Black Diamond Pigment Complex. Discover blushes that self-adjust, thanks to blue sapphire pigments. Explore eyeshadows with crazy color that work wet or dry.


I was able to check out one of the new signature lippies, created by Kate Moss for Rimmel. These long lasting shades contain vitamins C and E, and their antioxidants and moisturizers keep lips perfectly hydrated and smooth. The creamy colors are based on Kate's personal favorite shades. 

 


Here is what 08 -- a dusty rose -- looks like. I got about three hours out of one application. This shade goes slightly more mauve on me than I expected, but I kind of really like it. It's definitely creamy and not drying.


After the creamy appearance wears off, I was left with a bit of a stain that faded nicely. This lipstick is also available in four other colors:

  • 01 – a deep brick red
  • 04 – a royal purple
  • 12 – a candy coral
  • 14 – a blushed nude

Rimmel is also launching some new Glam'EYES HD Eyeshadows. These shadows work equally well wet or dry, and contain serious pigment that doesn't stop. I was able to check out the number 002 and 003 palettes.



(003 Royal Blue, which is odd, since it's mostly green.)



(002 English Oak)

These shadows are packed with color and wear nicely, especially with a primer. I love that they have such high sheen, without the glitter. Add a little mixing medium, like water or lubricating eye drops, and these shadows take the sheen and wear to new heights.



(Royal Blue)

My biggest complaint? The cute Union Jack pattern makes it hard to get enough color on the brush, especially if you are trying to use anything other than a tiny, dense brush.



(English Oak)



(Wearing English Oak and Kate's Lippie 08)
The price is right and the pigments are nice, so check them out the 2012 Spring Collection anywhere Rimmel is sold!


Sent for review. 

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1.30.2012

Liquid Palisade Peel-Off Nail Polish Barrier Works, But Is Wonky.

I am terrible at painting my nails. I always have been. I practice a lot and I never get better. Now that my nails are really short again (I'm trying to practice the mandolin faithfully), it's harder than ever to paint my nails my beloved dark colors.


I saw this Liquid Palisade Peel-Off Nail Polish Barrier on the interwebs a few weeks ago and was totally intrigued. Here is how it works. You apply it to your cuticles and anywhere you don't want the polish to go. You then paint your nails. Once your nails are dry, you peel off the polish barrier and you have perfect nails. According to the instructions, you can use this to also create all kinds of great designs on your nails. Think of it as painters tape, but for your nails.


Want clean moons? Perfect tips? Crazy stripes or art? Apply the Palisade where you don't want polish to go and it won't.


In theory, at least. Here is what it's really like. Imagine applying liquefied silly string to your nails. It's sticky, difficult and unwieldy. You apply it with a tiny brush that constantly needs to be cleaned. My brush went wonky out of the gate and I could never get it to be a normal shape again, no matter how much I cleaned, trimmed or begged. But the product worked really well when I used it as a barrier for my cuticles. The cool thing with this stuff (besides the fact it's really satisfying to peel off when you are finished), is that you can use a cuticle pusher to move this stuff around after it's applied. So if you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world.


I had great success when I just used it as a cuticle barrier. I did not have luck trying to do a matte black nail with shiny tips. It seemed like an easy experiment. I painted my nails black. I then added a barrier across my nails at the tips, where I wanted it to remain like patent leather. Then I painted the entire nail with a Matte Essie topcoat. The Liquid Palisade Peel Off Nail Barrier came off easily enough, but it left little white edges that did not make for a great look. I blame my application on the poor brush. Perhaps if I used a better brush, I would have gotten better results.


All in all, this stuff works, but you have to have patience. And you are going to need a better brush. It's kind of a lot of work for $22. But it does work as a cuticle barrier. And if you love your Liquid Leather and Russian Navy they way I do, you'll take all of the help you can get.


 I bought this.

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1.28.2012

Lipstick League:1-23-12 - My Most Beloved Items



Question of the Week: – What is your most beloved makeup item in your collection, and if someone offered you $100 for it would you sell it to them?

Answer: Hmmm... I have two items. My first is my Sultra Hair Dryer. It cuts drying time down dramatically. My second favorite item is the space I use to get ready. I recently got a dreamy "makeup nook re-design", courtesy of a friend, who volunteered her husband. My space went from being a cramped cockpit to being somewhere that is a joy to be. I'll post pictures when it's finished, but I love it so much I actually did my nails in my nook. Something I usually only do when watching television. Both of these are worth their weight in gold to me!


Pink Sith – combines Six Sigma and Eyeshadow? See how she works in the business management strategy when she tells you all about Rouge Bunny Rouge Solstice Halcyon Eyeshadow.

Prime Beauty – revisits her high school crush and discovers Buxom’s new True Hue Blush simultaneously.

Phyrra – shows you a lovely purple look with L’Oreal Perpetual Purple and Fyrinnae Cuddlefish.

Vampy Varnish – Checks out the bright fun new spring collection from China Glaze called Electropop!

we heart this – Brush hoarders, we’ve discovered a high quality yet inexpensive line for your collection – bdellium tools.

Beauty Junkies Unite – I never would have thought to put OPI’s Suzi in the same room with Nicki Minaj, but it really happened! Check out Nicki’s new collection of polishes for OPI.

Clumps of Mascara – I’m so obsessed with blogging that I love inspiring others to start a blog. Think you’re ready? Check out 10 Tips for Aspiring Beauty Bloggers.

Gouldylox Reviews – Too Faced is all about a natural look this season. I’m in love with all three of these palettes. What about you?

Lipglossiping – simply asks “So you wanna be a beauty blogger…?”

Nouveau Cheap – There’s been lots of buzz about the new Maybelline Eye Tattoo shadows. So did the shade Tough as Taupe work for me? Come find out!


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Beauty Blog Link Love: Sock Buns, Your Best Blush & Perfect Polish

Is it spring yet? No? Check out the stellar La Roseraie blush from Lancome's Spring 2012 collection at Adorable On Your Vanity - maybe it'll help the flowers bloom.

Not sure how to apply blush? She Said Beauty has thee details you need to get it right once and for all.

Beautywoome.com shows you step-by-step how to do the best ballerina bun (aka sock bun) in under two minutes.

Will polish insomniac find a dupe for China Glaze Aquadelic, from the new Electropop collection?

Looking for a great foundation? Jennifer over at Spiced beauty shares her holy grail product!

Fleurissante has tested Chanel Perfection Lumiere foundation. Check her impressions.

Save $10 on the nail system that Gouldylox Reviews named the biggest game changer for your digits in 2011.

Jellyminx re-launches her blog with a new look and a bunch of posts including a nail of the day post with approval from OPI's official Twitter!

Finger Paints Special Effects nail polishes changes the polish game. See the newest craze in polish effects on Beauty Info Zone.

Elena from Endless Summer writes a guest post to show readers her Simple Everyday Makeup Tutorial.

This week Madame B Fatale shares her 6 favourite bargain beauty buys!

Fed up of looking for the perfect red lip? Midnight Violets has some great advice, with lip swatches too!

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Hellcandy is 3 yrs old! Tell her what's made you blush recently and you could win one of three Benefit tints! Click here to enter.



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1.27.2012

Pantene's New Nature Fusion Bottles Are Sweet!

You know I am a huge fan of Reyclebank (you do know that, don't you?) and of good deeds in general, right? So when Recyclebank told me what Pantene was up to, I knew good things were bound to happen. Pantene's new Nature Fusion bottles are made out of sugarcane and do so much more than just look pretty. It's actually really cool. Check out the video below to learn more and earn Recyclebank points! You could even be entered to win a fabulous Day of Beauty.





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Philosophy Miracle Worker Really Makes A Difference

Winter skin got you down? My skin is currently driving me bonkers. It's breaking out, it's dry, it's flaky, it's oily. It's basically being a hot mess, no doubt thanks to the constantly changing weather.

One thing I find that helps my skin is a serious overnight retinol treatment. It's like a mini-facial that works while you sleep. Retinol is one of the hardest working products to reduce sun damage, fine lines and improve skin clarity. Philosophy has created their Miracle Worker line to, well, perform miracles. And while that is a strong word to use, I have no doubt that if you use the Miracle Worker Retinoid Pads, you will see a difference in your skin.


What makes Philosophy's Miracle Worker Retinoid Treatment Pads different is the way they interact with your skin. Some retinol products can can make your skin red and  irritable while you are using them. Philosophy has found a way to make it a comfortable and beneficial treatment for all skin types to use every day, or every other day. with minimal redness or peeling. I experienced neither, but I am what you might call "experienced" when it comes to retinols and using strong ingredients. If you start slow by using the product every other night, you shouldn't have any issues.

What impresses me most is simple. It's no secret that product efficacy goes down the second air touches the precious ingredients. These pads arrive untreated. You actually pour the retinoid treatment serum into the container with the pads when you are ready to begin using the product. This means the product is fresh and untouched, ready for use when you are.

I've been using it for about two months and have seen a dramatic difference in the clarity of my skin. We all know my melasma defies reason, so I don't expect anything short of super lasers to really make a difference there. If you are looking for radiant skin and a reduction in fine lines, this is worth considering!

If you live in Baltimore, pick these up for yourself at About Faces - it's now available at all locations! If not in Baltimore, check them out at Philosophy.com.



Sent for review.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews and more! Copyright 2009-2011, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.