Fifty-cent Head

FCH Review Round-up: Sally Hansen Lip Fix Lip Repair

Review Round-up: Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

Sally Hansen Lip Fix Lip Repair played right into one of my hang-ups: my *gulp* aging, lined lips. Years of being a filthy smoker didn't help me prevent these early signs of aging, and I could kick myself for it! Right on the box I see a big claim: Sally Hansen Lip Fix Lip Repair "Instantly Fills in Liplines as it Smoothes & Hydrates Lips." Odd use of capitalization aside, this sounds like something I want!

Right on the box I am promised "lips that look younger, instantly" which is a vast improvement over my "dry lined lips that make me look older". (Depressing box, this!)This dramatic reversal of fortune is going to be achieved via sodium hyaluronate (which helps pull moisture to the skin and then keep it in) and "marine collagens" (a very non-specific term that doesn't tell us anything at all except it's marine-based and probably meant to support the tissues of the lips, thereby giving a firming appearance).

The Verdict: This product comes in one of those twist-up pens that exudes the product from a perforated sponge tip, not unlike a Play-Doh toy. This type of applicator annoys me and I don't know why. Regardless, that's Strike One. To say I slicked this on would be completely inaccurate, as it dragged across my lips (certainly that's not helping the lines in that area!?); Strike Two. I peered at the mirror after applying it so as to get a better look at the amazing firming and line-fluffing results and saw: nothing. Well, my lips were oddly matte, but that's it. Strike Three and you're Out - as in, thrown out into the trash.

(To be fair, I gave it several tries, but the results were always the same). The matte finish may serve to be a nice base for lipstick, as the package implied, but I prefer MAC's Prep + Prime Lip and FACE Atelier's Lip Putty for that. When I find a product that soothes the savage lines, I'll let ya know. If you know of one, please tell us in the Comments!

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On an very vaguely related note, if you loved Play-Doh as a kid, you may want to check out this post.

 

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss

Review Round-up: Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss

Let's stick with the lips for awhile and take a look at Clinique's Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss. After the matte finish of the Sally Hansen product, I believed my lips to be dehydrated. They weren't, but looking at that matte lip can mess with the mind. Slicking on Clinique's Superbalm feels good and hydrating, so that's a plus. I like a product that provides SPF while giving a punch of color. This one doesn't have any SPF at all and the color impact is... well, let's just say it's not impactful at all. It does have a nice, modest shimmer and the feeling is nice - plus it wears well.

The Verdict: For the record, I tried Passionfruit and Hazelnut. All in all, this product is a good option if you have a dislike for stickiness and overt color but want hydration. I personally don't love this type of container - the tube with the doe-foot applicator is my preferred glossing method - but many people like the squeeze-y tube. This may go in my bag for travel, but I won't rush out to buy more like I did with their Long Last Glosswear SPF 15.

 

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Clinique Even Better Skintone Corrector

Review Round-up: Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Corrector

While we're on Clinique, I have to touch on a product that really disappointed me. Even Better Skintone Corrector offers an economical and safe method of softening the appearance of pigmentation, uneven skintone and the dark remains of acne scarring. Since it's from Clinique, we know it's not going to break us out, and they say its even safe for darker skins- many products of this type are not.

The Verdict: Well, I'm sad to say I saw little improvement after using it twice a day for several weeks. Granted, it says you'll see results in 4-6 weeks, and maybe I didn't wait long enough, but I just couldn't hang in there without seeing ANY results whatsoever. I like how quickly Philosphy's Help Me works, and I also get good results from the Elizabeth Arden/Allergan product Prevage. You? If you have sensitive skin, don't want to use retinoids, are dark-complected, or can't swing the hefty Prevage pricetag, give this a shot. Me? I'll pass.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Bobbi Brown Almost Bare

Review Round-up: Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare

Just a few makeup counters over from Clinique you'll find Bobbi Brown's newest fragrance, Almost Bare. Described as a "fresh floral," this scent is supposed to be reminiscent of summer skin. The notes are Italian bergamot, violet leaves, soft muguet, and jasmine petals with a soft cedar and warm amber base.

The Verdict: Sure, it smells like summer skin, if your summer skin has a "fresh floral" perfume on it. I don't feel like this scent is close to the skin, either - in fact, I feel like it's very present and worry that it bothers people around me. That may be me reacting to the jasmine in it, though. I find jasmine to be very obvious, even when lightly done. The scent itself is like a bouquet on clean, soapy skin. I can see this blending well with Beach if you like to mix fragrances. I go back and forth on my opinion of this one, and so I'm holding on to it. I think I like it, though it's not anything like perfumes I generally gravitate towards. If you like light, fresh floral scents, drop by the Bobbi counter and check this out. If that's not your fragrance thing, skip this one.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Stila ~ the Kitten collection

Review Round-up: Stila ~ Kitten

Completely unrelated to M Lab is this next item: kitten. I like kittens. I really, really like kittens, in fact, and I think that anyone who doesn't care for kittens must be deranged. I have the same philosophy about anyone who doesn't like bacon. But kittens and kitten are not the same thing, and I am really pretty lukewarm on the latter.

Kitten is the name of one of Stila's best-selling eyeshadows. It's a "shimmery nude pink" frost, and the way some people talk about it there's never been another eyeshadow made in the world! As far as that goes, there are a few other Stila shadows I like better, and certainly a few over at the MAC Urban Decay and NARs counters!

Stila based two new products on the popularity of this shadow, kitten, and since much of my issue with kitten is the texture, I thought I'd check these out as other options. The first kitten spin-off is the silk eye shadow wash, a long-wearing, lightweight, liquid-to-powder version of the gold-pink Kitten shade. The second spin-off product in this litter is silk shimmer gloss, a lipgloss with silk proteins and ulta-fine shimmer that gives that lovely warm pink kitten-esque look.

The Verdict: I was quite interested in silk eye shadow wash, since I like cream shadows and because the only thing that keeps me from being a kitten fanatic is the texture of the shadow. When it comes to cream shadows, I tend to dislike them when they're coming out of a tube and applied with a sponge-tipped applicator (that's how I like my lipglosses, not my shadows!). This is no exception! I find that I have to sploosh the applicator (a technical makeup artist term, "sploosh") around the eye then smooth it out with my finger. That sucks. The color is nice, though, if a bit frosty. I'm over the shimmer highlighter under the brow arch, but if you're not this will work well there. It's also a decent base for shadow, since it doesn't crease too much once you spread it out. I find it feels a bit heavy on the eye, though, and that's not cool. This shade would probably pop on medium-toned skin.

As for silk shimmer gloss, this was a complete waste of money (I did pay for this one myself - and then returned it). It's sheer and it's faint and the shimmer is negligible. Why put on a $22 lipgloss if it's going to barely be noticeable and then fade off before you're even out the door? I take my lipglosses very seriously, and this one just pissed me off. All-in-all: a dud.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: M Lab Skincare

Review Round-up: M Lab Skincare

This one is for all of the Brits out there. No, not girls named Brittany! I'm talking about folks from the England! This review is of a new skincare line available exclusively at Harrods: M Lab Skincare.  Though you don't have to be from England to enjoy this line now - it's available online at mlabskincare.com. If you're looking for heavy-hitting skincare, this is the line for you! Its level of active ingredients is beyond that of any other line: somewhere between 45% - 74%. That unreal! Most products hover somewhere around 10% -20% give or take. So this range of antiagers will really make a difference, one assumes. As well it should because it's pricey! Of course, it was designed to be pricey, based as it is on the desire to have be high-end, top-of-the-line, premium-ingredient, effective skincare line.

The Verdict: I say if you have the  £'s for it, have at it! But since there's a well-crafted claim on the line's website that says, in response discontinuing use of the product at some point, "The M LAB™ skincare line does not permanently repair skin or change skin structure, so your skin will return to the state it was in prior to using M LAB™. To ensure continued improvement in your skins’ appearance, use M LAB™ daily as a long-term solution" I will go ahead and skip it. I don't think it's "continued improvement" if it's not going to last! I want products that repair permanently, provided I take precautions not to recreate the damage later. I also don't care for lines that tell me all of their products are "synergistic" and therefore I should buy all of them. On the plus side: I liked the scents of these products, and they felt nice going on. They're also paraben-free and not tested on animals. Oh, and the sleek black-and-white packages look fantastic - great on a modern vanity or on a man's countertop. This is a nice unisex line.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Olay Definity

Review Round-up: Olay ~ Definity

Next on the product review chopping block is Olay. I got a lovely gift from the Olay PR team that included a few items from the Definity line. This collection is meant to add luminousity to the skin while fighting the signs of aging. Glucosamine Complex will help repair while hydrating and minimizing imperfections. Other ingredients minimize brown spots and correct dullness. Enlightening!

The Verdict: I thought the foaming moisturizer was cool - a novel approach to an otherwise humdrum part of the beauty routine. Overall, this was a great line that, unfortunately, broke me out. However, I was quite luminous and my skin felt great (prior to the acne). If you don't have sensitive or acne-prone skin, I heartily encourage you to try the Definity
line! I really wanted this to work for me and gave it two shots, but I can't keep up with a line that breaks me out (and I'm pretty sensitive and break out to a lot). I also give the line props for the sweet packaging: not only are the product containers lightweight, but the store packaging is easy to open, which I appreciate greatly. The scent of the products are nice, too, in that there's hardly a scent at all.

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Release

Review Round-up: Clinique ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Release

Twelve hours of moisturization - that's what they say when they talk about this product from the wonderful labs of Clinique. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief keeps your skin soft and hydrated through anything: extreme temperatures, changes in environment, heaters and air conditioners. It stands up to them all! By pushing skin to retain a stable moisture balance, this product enables skin to defend itself better against environmental aggressions. This is a good thing. You may be familiar with this product already ... or are you? It's been tweaked and now has ingredients that help lock in the intense-but-not-overwhelming hydration. It's got the same color (peachy) and consistency (gel-like cream) it always has, and still won't clog your pores or break you out.

The Verdict: I love this stuff. I love the lightweight feel but heavy-hitting hydration. I don't really notice a scent and the way it makes my skin feel is DIVINE. You can also use this moisturizer as a mask - layer it up on the skin and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping it off. This is a new permanent fixture for me. FCH-Approved!

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

FCH Review Round-up: Whish Shave Crave

Review Round-up: Whish ~ Shave Crave

 

Made by Whish, this product promises to be a luxurious way to shave the legs. It comes in several "flavors"; I tried Blueberry Mint. Whish products are made with essential oils and natural ingredients, and they are supposed to help keep your skin soft and supple while giving you a great shave.

The Verdict: Blueberry Mint Shave Crave is truly unusual. It comes in a pot and you scoop it out with your fingers. Smoothing it onto the skin is quite a different experience - I'm used to foams or gels and this is like slathering yourself with a thick pudding of product. The shave is nice, and I had no nicks or bumps when I was done. I will use this up and probably buy another, maybe in pump form, 'cause why shouldn't shaving be tolerable - or even pleasant!? I look forward to trying more Whish products in the future...

 

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Read the other posts in the Round-up:

• FCH Review Round-up
• Whish Shave Crave

• Olay Difinity line

• Clinque ~ Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief
• M Lab Skincare
• Stila ~ The Kitten collection
• Bobbi Brown ~ Almost Bare
• Clinique ~ Even Better Skintone Correcter
• Clinique ~ Superbalm Moisturizing Lipgloss
• Sally Hansen ~ Lip Fix Lip Repair

Rosy Cheeks, courtesy of Berwick Beauty

Everything's "coming up roses" at Berwick Beauty, or so they say. I was honored to receive a full-size jar of each of the products shown above, so I could test and review them. This was just after Earth Day Week, and of course I was stoked to try a new botanically-based skincare line and I want to tell you all about it.

Above, you see three of the products in the 5-item line. From left: Balancing Day Cream, Eye Contour Gel, and Restoring Night Cream.

I'll tell you a little more about the line and why I thought the night cream could possibly rival the well-known cult classic Crème de la Mer in one aspect... but you have to keep reading!

 

Black Phoenix Trading Post gives me my one true love...

I am completely enamored of Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs and all related companies and products. I'm besotted and will tell anyone and everyone! And I thought I had found my One True Love before: Morocco. And I still love it! Then I thought I found my One True Love again: O. And that is a damn good scent. In fact, I love both of those oils so much I get stressed when they're running low. But now I need to add to the list. I have a new One True Love: TKO.

(image source)

TKO comes in an oil, available at BPAL, in the Pancea Collection. I can't wait to hit up the rest of that collection, man! But since we're focusing on Black Phoenix Trading Company products today, I thought I'd review TKO Pancea Massage Oil.

Sigh...

I don't even really know how to begin, because this is such a lovely blend I doubt I can do it justice (I faced the same problem launching my reviews of Morocco and O.

Basically, I haven't used this as a massage oil, as designed, instead putting it on generously before bed. It is, after all, called "TKO". The implication is that it's good for those headed to Dreamland. In fact, here is the Lab's description of the scent (note that there are no notes annotated):

Many things -- such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly -- are done worst when we try hardest to do them.

And it is true that this helps me sleep. And it helps me stay nice and calm. And I want a vat of it, and another of the perfume oil.

What does it smell like? A gigantic lavender marshmallow, actually. That's the best I can do. It's sweet and it's sugary and it's got a hint of lavender (really, only a hint - I don't love lavender, so I promise it's not much). It's not so foody that it makes me hungry, and not so sweet it makes me sick. It's perfect, actually, and it does exactly what I want it to do, while smelling good at the same time. (sometimes aromatherapy blends or "functional" scents tend to work, but aren't able to pull off a satisfying fragrance while doing it - not so at BPAL)

So, I guess what it boils down to is that I have Three True Loves and a bunch of slightly lesser loves queuing up just behind. Let's just say, I'm eagerly awaiting my next box of preciouses from BPAL, BPTP, or TAL (TAL is my next spree!).

[Editor's Note: I am not affiliated with Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs in any way. They have sent me items to test in the past, but I have also spent a good amount of money there, too. I just talk about them so much because I really do love them that much- not because someone's paying me to. The icons on my blog that lead you to BPAL are also my idea and are not a paid advertisement. I don't even know if anyone at the lab knows they're there, in fact.]"

Mother's Day Idea: Plant Love

What are you getting your mom for Mother's Day? There are so many choices, but sometimes simplest is best! One thing that would touch me, as a mom, would be a thoughtful beauty gift - and what's more thoughtful than this?

Everyone who knows me, knows I'm a beauty fanatic. I fully admit to it - geez, I write a beauty blog and go to work every day as a makeup artist. Does that mean I can't appreciate a well-done product? OF COURSE NOT! Who could appreciate it more than I!? I enjoy my plants (note to husband: I do not have a black thumb - I'm just a forgetful water-er!) and am trying to be more green each day. AND I'm a proud, proud mommy.

I can totally get behind a lipstick that's eco-friendly. Cargo's Plant Love products are a) fantastically smooth and come in a gorgeous array of shades; b) packaged in biodegradable PLA (corn-based plastic) boxes embedded with wildflower seeds; c) contain no mineral oils or petroleum, instead featuring jojoba, shea butter and botannicals; d) charitable, because $2 USD from the purchase of each tube goes to St. Jude's Childrens' Research Hospital; and e) some of the shades were designed by celebrity moms Kim Raver, Denise Richards, Angie Harmon and the colors were named after their kids.

I got to sample Cherry Bliss, a brilliant neutral red. It's so silky and lovely on the lips (that's gotta be the shea and jojoba, both of which I love and are so good for the skin!). It lasts well, and the color (described as "sheer cherry") makes me want to sport red lips. That hasn't happened since MAC's Queen's Sin last holiday season. Definitely makes me want to go try the rest of line.

These lipsticks are $20 USD, and can be found at Sephora.com.

Have I found my muse at MAC?

I have completely lost my muse recently... I have been distracted and tired and not at all inspired. I've been doing a lot of beauty reading - Google Reader is a ready enabler for a bad case of procrastination by way of Writer's Block- and there are so many great writers out there that it's easy to get derailed from one's own agenda and get lost in someone else's.

I've been waiting for my muse, and I'm not sure where she's been. I sniffed for her in my BPAL stash, and I thought she danced by, but she was too quick for me. (She's often found there, but she's being quite quite difficult recently) I momentarily thought she was going to be found in that new Clinique gloss I've been loving, but she wasn't - at least not for long. Flipping though the new Bliss catalog, sadly she was nowhere to be found. I haven't lowered myself to wandering the virtual-aisles of Sephora.com waiting for my muse to poke me, but I thought it was going to come to that.

Then, today, I stopped by the MAC counter, and it's possible I found her. Time will tell, of course, but I just had to come home and tell you about some great finds!

It's very sad, but I'm completely head-over-heels for Dazzleglass. This is the second time I've been at the counter with this collection, and let me tell you it's hard not to just yell "I'll take one of each! Wrap 'em up!!!"

I've been wrasslin' with my muse to come up with description of these, and I think the best I can do is remind you old folk of the Reeses commercial where two people bumped into one another and said "hey, you got chocolate in my peanut butter!" and "hey, you got peanut butter on my chocolate!" It's like that but different. Imagine if 3D Glass ran into Lacquer and then got hit with Lustreglass and a handful of Reflects Glitters. Voila: Dazzleglass!

(If you're new to MAC, that didn't help, did it? Let's just say this is a fairly thick but not sticky, soft-on-the-lips gloss with great multi-tonal reflective shimmer and leave it at that, ok?)

Dazzleglass best-of-the-best:

Above is  Pleasure Principal (Clear white violet, teal and white pearl) which is a must for any cool-toned chica (like moi). I think this is Lustrewhite's fashionable older sister: a clear gloss with shimmers, yes, but these shimmers are bright (but not over the top) and busily glinting away, reflecting amazing shades of purple and blue and green while somehow still not looking too trendy or immature. I consider this a must-try (and will probably need backups for my own stash!). Warm-toned gals, try Sugar Rimmed for a similar result (despite what the description says - "milky pale pink with red, teal and white pearl" - this is a warmer toned gloss).

Below, find Funtabulous (It's purple with violet pearl). It's spectacular. I can't stop swiping this stuff on! (and alas, one must, because it doesn't have tons and tons of staying power - it's good, but it's not "longwear" by any stretch of the imagination) This color just makes me smile. I put it on alone or over a pink, but maybe tomorrow I'm going to put it over one of my purple lipsticks (Full Blown?). That should make the spa ladies scared, no? ;) 

I was starting to feel my muse nearby, but wasn't 100% positive she was there - maybe because I already owned a few of these Dazzleglasses? Maybe because I have a few and have been using them all week? Regardless, at lease I was feeling encourage.

And then I saw Naughty Nauticals. Really a truly stellar collection, it blew me away! Well, please understand my stash is so ginormous that I don't need to add stuff unless it's really spectacularific (hullo, Dazzleglass! I mean, geez, there's a blue one for gosh sake!) so I didn't buy out the counter. But if you're still avidly collecting or especially if you're new to MAC, this collection is worth checking out!

Let me tell you about the standouts:

• Been with MAC for years? Maybe slightly jaded or just getting really picky? Check out:
  
  • Party Mate | MAC often bills lipsticks as "sheer midtone pink" and that's how they've labelled this one, but it's actually a fabulous rose. If you loved Longstem Rose Slimshine, you'll want to check this out. It would be a fabulous addition to the permanent collection which is sadly lacking in rose shades
  • Love Knot | When I saw it I figured, "
    Ah, there it is, the standard pale pink offering of the collection." I'm such a cynic. But as I dutifully swatched it, I realized there's nothing standard about this gloss! In case you weren't really paying attention, read the description again: "sheer pink with blue & white duochrome". SHUT UP! It's a pink lipglass with a blue and white duochrome, man! It's soooo pretty! LOVE.
• Got a decent collection, but still jonesin' for more? Check out:
  • Lark About | This pigment is described by MAC as "sheer frosty white blue" and I guess that's exactly what it is. If you don't have a tone of nearly-white pigments, this one is a great one. In fact, I almost took it to the register with me, but talked myself down because I already have 2 jazillion pigments I don't use now! If you love that oh-so-current frosty/white trend, pick this up. If you have Crystal Avalanche, you may not need this. Yes, Crystal Avalanche is a pressed shadow, but it's still a similar color! I used to work for MAC -don't question me! ;)
    
  • Illegal Cargo | This is a really nice shade of muted purple, described as "midtone frosty grey plum". I really liked it and had it out on the counter for consideration, but then looked over at Shale and realized they were fairly similar. I swatched, and indeed they are - Illegal Cargo is lighter by a hair, but they are of the same ilk. If you have Shale and don't use it much, you may want to pass, but if you're a purpleaholic or just want another dusky plum, rock on with the Illegal Cargo, girl!
  • Port Red | I liked this red, and if you haven't gotten a red lipstick yet, come out from under the rock and walk towards the light of the MAC counter - it's 2008! If you are sad you missed out on Queen's Sin, try this one on for size - it's not exactly the same shade, but it may satisfy that craving 'til they bring back Queen's Sin (they have to, right? It was an amazing color! And I'm still kicking myself that I didn't buy it, despite the fact that I rocked it at the counter several days during the collection!).
  • Mutiny | "Clean sky blue with gold pearl" is what they want us to believe. I'll buy that, I suppose, but only if the sky you're referring to is in a colorized black-and-white movie. It's a pretty intense, bright blue. If you can't get enough of Electric Eel and Clarity, check out Mutiny. It reminds me a bit of one of the pigments I already have - if I can beg a tiny tester of this, I'll do a swatch comparison for you. If you like to wear neutrals, this is probably not your cup of tea.
• If you're new to MAC or have a small stash you want to add to with wild abandon, consider: all of the above mentioned products, plus the following...
  • Ahoy There | This glaze (read: sheer and glossy) formula lipstick is "sheer light dirty pink with multidimensional pearl". A very pretty shade, and a great one to carry you through Spring and Summer. This is the kind of color I'm really drawn to, and it may find its way home with me, but I'm trying to be strong.
    
  • Shore Leave | I was confused - I thought this was Stila Kitten at first, then I realized it's actually Phloof!'s fraternal twin sister. "Pale frosty cream" in Veluxe Pearl formula (my favorite!) - lovely, but not unique if your collection fills the spare bedroom. (Who, me!?)
• Don't bother with (unless you have buckets of expendable income and/or just like to acquire makeup even if it's not truly unique):
  • Pandemonium | Girls, don't we have this in about 4 quads? If you don't, you will soon as MAC seems to release this shade or something damn close to it in every other collection. PASS...
  • Naughty Nautical | Memorial Day is just around the corner, and then after that comes the Fourth of July. There: two times this shade of nail polish will come in handy. Is it worth the $10-per-bottle-for-a-easily-chipped-polish? I say nay... if you must, stick with Shirelle, the other lacquer in the collection, which is also in the permanent collection but is a more wearable shade. (And this is coming from a woman with iridescent green toenails at this very moment!)

I'll try to swatch madly tomorrow, and actually take my camera with me (that was my downfall today I realized, after swatching up my right arm). I'll document it all, including my effort to get my fingers into that quad at Nordies. Meanwhile, keep a lookout for my muse - I think that's her trying on the blue Dazzleglass...

Disclaimer: I'm still blacklisted by MAC PR, so I don't have images - I borrowed the ones on the post from Specktra.net (thank you Specktra!). Go over there and check out the swatch fiesta and discussions about Naughty Nauticals (swatches/discussion) and Dazzleglass (swatches/discussion). Viva la Specktra!

Or maybe my muse is making her debut appearance in the top left of Fifty-Cent Head's pages.... What do you think about our new look!?

Hands Down! Hand lotions that actually work...

I was planning on doing a feature on hand lotions that actually work, and sadly there aren't many contenders. Basically, this story just became a short list of items I'd actually recommend. There's not much point belaboring it, so let's just jump in with both... hands?

1. Ole Henriksen ~ Hands Forward | This product was sent to me by PR folk and for some reason I was just figuring it wouldn't work. It has actually become a staple and I get really twitchy when I can't quickly find it. Go figure! It's got shea butter, so it's really moisturizing but not greasy; mushroom extracts that help fade discolorations and prevent/correct pigmentation issues that make your hands look old; cyclomethicone, a natural silicone that helps your skin stay soft; sugar maple extract, which makes hands smooth. Love this stuff! PS: they are natural and plant-based yet come from a mind schooled in chemistry and they are animal cruelty free. I think I need to try some more Ole Henriksen products, dude. Hands Forward is $28 USD and available at Sephora online or Ole Henriksen online.
2. Curel ~ hand and cuticle cream | Soy milk, monoi oil, and Vitamin E are key ingredients that help keep skin and cuticles soft through a few hand washes. I don't know about that, but it was definitely nice and hydrating. Of course, I'm really tough on my hands, what with the constant hand washing and sanitizing (I'm a mom and a makeup artist, so that's a lot of cleaning!).  Available at grocery stores and discount stores, and at drugstore.com, where it is currently $4.79 USD.
3. LUSH ~ Handy Gurugu | I will always love you, Handy Gurugu but when my hands are truly dry I must use the other products listed. Otherwise, I prefer your silky smooth cushiness. I love that you are animal cruelty free, made of all natural ingredients, and you use fair trade ingredients. And you smell ok, too!  Pumpkin seed butter, organic almond butter, and organic peanut butter mix with shea butter to create this divine hand silk. $16.45 USD online or at Lush boutiques. Honestly, I think I'll always buy you and use you except on the roughest of days, even if I go through you quickly because you're not quite as hydrating - but you're LUSH and you're the one that feels the best when I slip my fingers across you...
4. Le Couvent des Minimes ~ Repairing Hand Cream | I reviewed this once before and still love it. It's great and that smell - that amazing honey smell... it's still a great product. $10 - $22 USD.

That's it, folks. Those that didn't make the cut were other items from LUSH (which may be good for those who aren't so tough on their hands), Keihl's, Vaseline, L'Occitane, Neutrogena,  Eucerin, Creabtree and Evelyn, The Body Shop and  Burt's Bees.

And there you have it: the Hands Down round-up!

Oh-so-sexy bling that smells good, too!

Bond No. 9 certainly does keep itself newsworthy, doesn't it? There's always something new coming out... some argue that the house is so prolific that it's just churning out second-rate product, but from where I sit, it smells great.

Haven't heard of Bond No. 9? Here's a brief lesson on the brand. Ok, ok, it's not brief; brevity isn't my strong suit. Whatever - go read it!

First things first, a long-overdue newsflash:

New from Bond No. 9 is the latest in the series of Andy Warhol scents: Union Square. You may remember my review of the first, Silver Factory, which was a scent I absolutely loved (and still do). (What!?! You weren't a loyal reader of Fifty-Cent Head then? Shame on you- go read it while we wait here for you!)

Union Square is just like Silver Factory... in the way that a hot pink lipstick is the same as a tennis shoe - that is to say: not at all. Oddly, I like it anyway. I don't know when my poor, weak little nose got so sophisticated, but I like scents from all different arenas, now. Sweet... (and sour, and floral, and ... oh you get the idea!).

Andy Warhol made a series of floral silkscreens, and had studios in Union Square. Voila! A fragrance idea is born. The scent goes a little something like this:

• Top notes: lily of the valley and green stem notes
• Heart notes: sweet blue freesia and white birchwood
• Bottom notes: amber and silver cloud musk accord

My review: I like it! This is not the type of scent I usually go for - florals aren't often my friend and green scents don't usually wow me in a good way, but this one really is nice and crisp and clean without being starchy and obnoxious. It's gentle in a first-few-days-of-Spring way: a soft and sweet green that makes you feel hopeful and pretty. It doesn't hurt that the scent is anchored by amber and a musk - that gives it a solid leg to stand on that doesn't make this scent too light for my tastes. Oh, and I kind of like the almost-tacky bottle. (maybe it looks full-on tacky to you, but in person it's not as gaudy - or possibly I just have terrible taste!?)

The bad news: $195 USD for 100ml, $135 USD for 50ml. Available now at Bond No. 9 or Saks.

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Next up, a brief note about Mother's Day offerings from Bond No. 9:

Got a few extra bucks? You need Swarovski Stars! Bond No. 9 top-sellers Nuit de Noho, Bleeker Street and Bryant Park are blinged-out and lovely in Swarovski crystals. I probably can't describe it as well as this can, so I won't try (click for an up-close-and-personal):

These 50ml bottles are completely covered in one shade of crystal - a departure for Bond No. 9, even when they've done the Swarovski thing before (usually they copy the pattern of the non-bejeweled bottle).

There are also the "traditional" Bond No. 9 bon bons (small vials), which also includes Eau de New York (not available in the ginormous glittery version). These are also blinged-out.

The scents are described as follows:

1. Bryant Park- Top Notes are lily of the valley, rhubarb, and pink pepper; Heart Notes are rose and patchouli; Bottom Notes are raspberry and amber.
2. Bleecker Street- Top Notes are violet leaf, cassis and thyme; Heart Notes are jasmine, cedarwood and cinnamon; Bottom Notes are oakmoss, suede, patchouli, amber and vanilla.
3. Nuits de Noho- Top Notes are bergamot, mandarin, and pineapple leaves; Heart Notes are jasmine and rosewood; Bottom Notes are creamy vanilla, sheer patchouli, and grey musk.
4. Eau de New York- Top Notes are bergamot, mandarin, grapefruit, pettigrain leaves, and green watery accord; Heart Notes are neroli, gardenia, cyclamen, white lily, basil verbena, and jasmine petals; Bottom Notes are vetiver, oakmoss, skin musk and white woods.

The 50ml bottles are only $650 USD, while the bon bon set is only $700 USD. These will be available in May at Bond No. 9 or Saks.

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Union Square sign source