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jen

It's time for the #sweetup! 3 Custom Color & Mario Badescu reviews (plus action shots!) - MAKEUP

Hi, Pretties!

Here's my second* #sweetup post. Tonight at 6pm EST ('til 8pm) you can join Three Custom Color Specialists (@threecustom), Mario Badescu (@MarioBadescu), artist Will Cotton, and designer Miles Ehan  (@MilesEhan), and me on Twitter for a celebration of Spring! Sweet giveaways have been promised, so please join us!

#sweetup

See ya on Twitter for #sweetup!

xoxo,

*jen
@Jen_Meade

_{*The first is here.}

 

Intro
Er, usually makeup needs little-to-no introduction, but when we're talking about collections a little intro is sometimes needed. Here's some background on Three Custom Color's newest palette (which I review below). It's called The Sweetest Thing.

With a name like that, you may be expecting candy colors, and rightly so! The case is a trio, housing a pale pink eyeshadow, a rosy-pink lip stain, and sheer pink gloss.

As is often the case with makeup collections, this set has a distinct inspiration. In this case, the candy theme was pulled from a collaboration with artist Will Cotton (pictured below) and designer Miles Ehan.

Cotton paints dreamy canvases full of scenes that look like they're right out of Candyland! He has collaborated in the past with Ehan, who designs his clothes with unconventional materials like candy wrappers. A match made in cotton candy heaven!

One of 3 Custom's founders, Scott Catto, is a longtime friend of Cotton's. The brand included a new twist in this palette to really tie it in with the other art: the lipgloss is cotton candy-flavored!

 

Let's talk makeup


As I mentioned, the palette is a three-fer. It's also refillable, so you can swap out or replace items in it as you like. The Sweetest Thing is available now for $50 (really a good price for three well-done, high quality items in a great, sturdy palette).

There's a mirror in the palette, which I love, and it comes with a two-sided brush, too. Believe it or not, the brush is useful! The fluffy side works well with this type of all-over shadow and the other side applies the lip products perfectly. Color me shocked and impressed!

Swatches:
from l -Icing on the Cupcake eyeshadow , Candy Cloud 9 lip gloss, Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain
On NW15 skin

In the palette
Icing on the Cupcake eyeshadow
$22.50 solo
Soft pink. Use wet or dry.

It's impossible to tell from the pictures, but this soft shadow has eensey reflects glitters in it. The press release said "kaleidoscope" and I tend to agree but hasten to add that a) the glitters are very fine and not at all scratchy and b) they are subtle. The effect is enough to add a twinkle to your eyes, as it were, but not enough to look discoball-y. Completely age-appropriate and situation-appropriate no matter who or where you are.

Verdict: I adore this shade. For my skintone (read: ghostly) it's the perfect brightener, base, and highlight and has just the right amount of shimmer. I love that it can multitask on the cheeks, too. The only downside is that I'm not sure how well it will do on dark skin - it could be ashy or chalky but I really don't know.




Candy Cloud 9 lip gloss
$22.50 solo
Sheer. Pink. Smells and tastes like cotton candy.

Allrighty, let's get this cotton candy business out of the way first, shall we? It's subtle. Really subtle. I had no issue with it (but thought I might; I dislike fruity and sweet flavorings and scents). As always, your mileage may vary.

As for the color, it's a sheer and soft pink with the slightest shimmer. The consistency is lovely- not sticky or tacky.

Verdict: LOVE IT. Perfect for anyone.



Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain
$22.50 solo
Hot rosy pink. Multi-tasking.

I took one look at this in the palette and thought "Aw, crap!" I knew the color would be all wrong. Bright pink. Ahem.

The consistency surprised me: it's more cream than liquid, unlike other stains I've used. It blends easily and doesn't set instantly (so you have time to work).

Verdict: Surprise! This has just enough blue in it to justify the "rosy" descriptor, and thus looks amazing. On lips, it provides a nice, buildable color that looks natural in lighter doses and oh-so chic at top volume. On cheeks I get my favorite look: rosy, just in from the cold.
 


Action shots

Icing on the Cupckake only:



Icing on the Cupcake with taupe shadows:


Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain only:


Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain topped with Candy Cloud 9 gloss:




Cheeks are Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain; lips are the stain topped with Candy Cloud 9 gloss.

In the palette;
Icing on the Cupcake eyeshadow
$22.50 solo
Soft pink. Use wet or dry.
It's impossible to tell from the pictures, but this soft shadow has eensey reflects glitters in it. The press release said "kaleidoscope" and I tend to agree but hasten to add that a) the glitters are very fine and not at all scrstchy and b) they are subtle. The effect is enough to add a twinkle to your eyes, as it were, but not enough to look discoball-y. Completely age-appropriate and situation-appropriate no matter who or where you are.
Verdict: I adore this shade. For my skintone (read: ghostly) it's the perfect brightener, base, and highlight and has just the right amount of shimmer. I love that it can multitask on the cheeks, too. The only downside is that I'm not sure how well it will do on dark skin - it could be ashy or chalky but I really don't know.

Candy Cloud 9 lip gloss
$22.50 solo
Sheer. Pink. Smells and tastes like cotton candy.
Allrighty, let's get this cotton candy business out of the way first, shall we? It's subtle. Really subtle. I had no issue with it (but thought I might; I dislike fruity and sweet flavorings and scents). As always, your mileage may vary.

As for the color, it's a sheer and soft pink with the slightest shimmer. The consistency is lovely- not sticky or tacky.
Verdict: LOVE IT. Perfect for anyone.

Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain
$22.50 solo
Hot rosy pink. Multi-tasking.
I took one look at this in the palette and thought "Aw, crap!" I knew the color would be all wrong. Bright pink. Ahem.
Surprise! This has just enough blue in it to justify the "rosy" descriptor, and thus looks amazing.
On lips, it provides a nice, buildable color that looks natural in lighter doses and oh-so chic at top volume. On cheeks I get my favorite look: rosy, just in from the cold.
The consistency surprised me: it's more cream than liquid, unlike other stains I've used. It blends easily and doesn't set instantly (so you have time to work).

Action shots:

Icing on the Cupckake only:
Icing on the Cupcake with taupe shadows:
Icing on the Cupcake with Party All the Time shadow (rainbow-shimmer sparkle in chocolate) and Aurora Opaline Creme Eye Definer (a blue-black cream eyeliner that can also be smudged)  (both also by Three Custom).


Cheeks are Lollipop Lip & Cheek Stain; lips are the stain topped with Candy Cloud 9 gloss.

So what do ya say?
Are you sweet on The Sweetest Thing?

 

Like this post? Sharing this article helps support BSB and helps us grow (which helps YOU by getting us more access to other brands and events - to share with you!). Can you spare a moment to share?

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_{Some products in this post were furnished for consideration by the manufacturer or a representative thereof. Please read our review policy on our About tab for more information.}

 

It's time for the #sweetup! 3 Custom Color & Mario Badescu reviews (plus action shots!) - SKINCARE

Hi, Pretties!

Yesterday, I told you about today's collaborative promotional effort, #sweetup. Well, it's time to party (sweetly!).

Let's join Three Custom Color Specialists (@threecustom), Mario Badescu (@MarioBadescu), artist Will Cotton, and designer Miles Ehan  (@MilesEhan)  in celebrating Spring!*

See ya on Twitter for #sweetup from 6pm 'til 8pm EST.

xoxo,

*jen
@Jen_Meade

PS: Happy Thursday! One more day to go. :)

_{*What? Oh, well I know it's not Spring, but we always talk about stuff early in the fashion and beauty world. I'm in no rush to see Winter end, but looking at Spring stuff is always fun. And hey, poor old Punxatawney Phil gets hauled out of slumber in a few days, so Spring is just around the corner... kinda.}

 

Let's start with skincare

I mentioned that there's a skincare post coming soon. Here's the gist of it:
Skincare is the most important thing you can do to get Simply Pretty.

Really.

Consider your goals: to look your best, to feel and look radiant, to recapture (or keep) that youthful glow, to have your makeup -should you choose to wear it - look smooth, even, and flawless.

By keeping skin hydrated (moisturized), even (exfoliated) and safe (SPF and antioxidants) you are on your way to your goals, even without makeup!

Even oily skin needs moisture (what it doesn't need is more oil!). Even young skin needs protection. Even makeup-free skin needs to be cleansed.

Especially in Winter, we need to make sure we're evaluating our skin and stepping up any products we're using. Exfoliation keeps skin supple and bright while actually helping your moisturizers to work more effectively! It's also a good idea to up your moisture to ward off dryness from the elements and indoor heating.

Hello, Mario!

Have you used Mario Badescu's line before? I have, years ago, and I'm not sure why I stopped..? They're kind of A Big Deal in skincare, and especially great for "problem skin" (don't we all have that?) like acne and rosacea. But they have products for all skin types and concerns. I kept Silver Powder and Drying Lotion handy through my twenties.

I need to look into this line further to help my nearly-40 (!) skin do its thing. A good start? The following three products:

1. Orange Cleansing Soap
   $12
   Mild. Non-foaming. Removes makeup. Dissolves dead skin cells.
   
   I count 12 cleansers on the Badescu site! And that's not counting the makeup removers. Wow.
   
   This one - which, by the way, does not smell like a citrus bomb, thankfully! - is great for all skin types.  It's creamy and smooth, and seems to remove my makeup nicely. It exfoliates a bit, thanks to natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
   
   Verdict: I like that it doesn't have a strong scent, works quickly and effectively, doesn't strip my skin and does seem compatible with my Clarisonic.
   
   
   
2. Honey Moisturizer
   $25
   Antioxidants. Protects against moisture loss. Non-greasy. Gently exfoliating.
   *Contains peanut oil* <-- do you have a peanut allergy?
   
   This product keeps the exfoliation going while it allows your skin to get that drink it really needs.  It absorbs quickly (yay!) and is good for dry, combinatation and sensitive skin. Naturally, the line has other options for moisturizing.
   
   Verdict: a nice basic moisturizer that leaves my skin soft. I am a bit concerned about the peanut oil a) because some people are so severely allergic to peanuts and b) I'm not too familiar with this as a skincare ingredient and am not sure how it will work with oilier bits of skin. After 1 week of testing, though, my combo-dry (in the Winter) skin looks and feels great.
   
   
   
3. Almond and Honey Facial Scrub
   $15
   Ground almond & cornmeal exfoliate. Mineral rich algae. Zinc (healing). Detoxifying (kaolin clay).
   
   This smells AMAZING. Well, unless you dislike the smell of almond oil... It's silky and nearly runny, so don't leave the top off if you're clumsy (like me!). It does have somewhat large chunks in it (the almonds, I assume). I've only had these items for a week, and have only used this three times, but my initial impressions are good.
   
   Verdict: Smells great and seems to work; gentle except... the almond chunks feel sharp and I worry that they are too rough. Skip if your skin is irritated, acneic or otherwise irritable - at least that's my advice.

 

 
Overall impressions:
I like the price point on these products, the packaging, and the basic premise. I am sure with some more exploration I'll find the right combination for my skin, and I'm just as sure you can, too. These products are a great basic starting point, and are pretty much working as-advertised to the best of my knowledge. I'm impressed.

Part of Mario Badescu's branding:
"The brand's enduring success and loyal following are the result of the late Mario Badescu's timeless philosophy that skincare should be simple, gentle, and effective."
Sounds like a great fit with our BSB Simply Pretty outlook, doesn't it?

 

Do you, have you, would you use Mario Badescu skincare? 

 

Like this post? Sharing this article helps support BSB and helps us grow (which helps YOU by getting us more access to other brands and events - to share with you!). Can you spare a moment to share?

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_{Some products in this post were furnished for consideration by the manufacturer or a representative thereof. Please read our review policy on our About tab for more information.}

_{Some products in this post were furnished for consideration by the manufacturer or a representative thereof. Please read our review policy on our About tab for more information.}

Art + Makeup + Skincare + Fashion + Pop music = Right up my alley! (Or: What do Three Custom Color Specialists, Katy Perry, Will Cotton, Miles Ehan, and Mario Badescu have to do with each other?) #sweetup

 
Hi all!

First: let's all applaud my longest post title  EVER! *clapping*

Second: I'm baaaaack!

How have you all been? I've had such a slow start to 2011. But as I mentioned before, while I've been uncharacteristically quiet, I've not been totally lazy! I've swatched, sample, tested and reviewed and it's now time to write! I'm starting up again "fer serious" with a super-fun collaboration from one of my favorite brands, so keep on reading... I hope you enjoy it.  :)

xoxo,
*jen

 

What do Three Custom Color Specialists, Katy Perry, Will Cotton, Miles Ehan, and Mario Badescu have to do with each other?

I have a post in the works about skincare. I know, I know... You're stifling a yawn, right? Well, I hope you'll still read it: it's got an angle that I think might interest you, and it fits in well with my new Simply Pretty (easy, pretty makeup) focus. And here's a great lead-in! I've got some products to show you from skincare great Mario Badescu and one of my favorite makeup brands, Three Custom Color Specialists. I'm also gonna throw a few art, fashion and music references at you, too, to keep it fun.

The Tale:
A major meeting of the minds spawning several genres of creativity.

The Players:

• Three Custom Color Specialists - with a scrumptious candy-colored palette trio housing a pretty, pale pink eyeshadow, a fresh fuschia stain, and a silky pink gloss with a Cotton Candy taste.
• Mario Badescu - with three yummy-smelling skin perfectors that will Sweeten Up Your Skin for Spring.
• Will Cotton - hip artist who has been focusing on candy-coiffured cuties and lovely ladies in repose on cotton candy clouds.
• Miles Ehan - up-and-coming designer and friend of the artist, who helped design dresses featured in some of Cotton's Cupcake Couture pieces...and who has a new collection launching.
• Katy Perry - muse.

The Gist:
Painter Will Cotton is exhibiting his work at LA's Michael Kohn Gallery. His friends, Chad Hayduk and Scott Catto, co-founders of 3 Custom Color, were there to celebrate. This inspired the cotton candy-colored palette from the brand, who then paired with Mario Badescu to feature their makeup with Badescu's Skincare in a sweet little promotion. Miles Ehan is launching a new collection, as well.

The Sweet Spot:
Join 3 Custom, Badescu, and fashion designer Miles Ehan for The Sweetest Thing Tweet Up (#sweetup), tomorrow. It will coincide with the launch of Ehan's new collection in NYC, and is a great way to be involved when you don't live in New York.

I'll be reviewing The Sweetest Thing (the palette) and some Badescu skincare. So will other bloggers. There will be GIVEAWAYS, too, and lots of opportunities for fun and chatter!

I'll see you on Twitter
tomorrow, January 27th!
#sweetup

I'm @Jen_Meade.

And be sure to come here to BSB
for pics, reviews, and makeup looks
with these products*.
*Sadly, I don't have a nice snazzy dress to model. ;)

See ya then!

 

ps: some of Cotton's work is artistically NSFW, fyi.

 

_{image credits: Candy Curls by Will Cotton, Katy Perry's albbm cover, Cotton's studio}

Simple makeup doesn't have to equal boring or unflattering makeup.

Hi! Happy Thursday, everyone. :)

What's  in your world? Are you snowed in? Wishing you were? Or glad you're not? Or are you on the other side of the world and having a great Summer?

Simple is still the word here. I've been spending time thinking about where I want to go with that! I am in the process of streamlining the site a bit further and stripping out the excess. Simplifying is a lot of hard work! ;)

Thank you to everyone who made comments on the changes I have made (seems like the white background is a hit!). And for those who expressed concern: don't worry, I'm not simplifying to the point of deleting the blog! I am here and not going anywhere. I just want the site to be what my readers want it to be - and also what feels right to me!

If you are interested in getting in touch but don't want to leave a comment on a post, please email me at [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you!

Anyway, let's take a look at today's Look, shall we?

xoxo,
*jen

 

 _{This is what I look like when a cat appears out of nowhere and saunters by...}

 

Simple isn't as easy as it looks, which makes no sense... but just as simplifying a project (blog!), routine or system takes a little thought, so does simplifying your makeup looks and routine.

For example, you need to give some thought to a few things like:

• What steps are "musts" for you?
• Which steps are you just not gonna do?
• Do you have the products and tools you need?
• Do you have the techniques you'll need?

We'll be tackling issues like that in the upcoming months, but I thought today we'd talk a little bit about what a Simply Pretty Makeup Look looks like in the most basic sense.

1. A Simply Pretty Look doesn't have to be neutral shades (but it can be).
2. A Simply Pretty Look doesn't have to encompass every "step" in makeup, from concealer all the way to false lashes (but it can).
3. A Simply Pretty Look can be fast (or not, if you're in that mood!).
4. A Simply Pretty Look is, above all else, flattering for that particular woman!

What other guidelines do you think a Simply Pretty Look should follow?

*****

Colors
When it comes to being Simply Pretty, and a flattering look that's suited to YOU, colors play a big part, don't they? It's what I get the most emails about and the most questions from my clients: "BUT WHAT COLORS ARE RIGHT FOR ME?" We'll be talking about that a lot, but keep in mind that we can all wear neutrals. Why? Well, because they're neutral, of course! They look good on everyone!

But... (you knew there was a "but" coming, didn't you?) ...But ya just can't grab any old neutral and pop it on your face and be done with it. Bummer, right?

A little experimentation helps you figure out what looks most flattering. I encourage you to play a bit and take some pictures in different lights so you can see what's working - and what's not.

Let's go with a little example to show you what I mean.
Below are a series of pictures. On the left, I'm wearing a light, slightly shimmery champagne color on my eyes with one coat of black mascara. On my lips, I am wearing a soft plummy shade with shimmer; it's close to my natural lip shade, but a bit darker and brighter. On paper, this should work well.  In reality, it's passable. It's a bit bland, though, and doesn't really make me look great ... Just kinda ok.

"Passable" and "kinda ok" aren't going to cut it for me, though.   I put on makeup to make myself look my best and to feel good. Bland isn't the goal, and just because I'm striving for "simple" doesn't mean I want to waste my time doing something for no real payoff!

On the right, the foundation and concealer and cheeks are the same as on the left, because I wanted to show how tweaking just one or two things can make a big difference!

Take a look...

 

What I tweaked (on the right):

• I've put a medium brown on my lid
• Added 2 more coats of mascara (3 total)
• Lined the top lashes with black and smudged brown under the lower lashline
• Went a few shades darker on the lips

It sounds like a lot more work, but think about it, it's really not. It's only going to add a few more moments to put on more mascara and some liner. But the payoff is worth it.

The change is subtle but apparent. The liner and darker shadow bring attention to my eyes, making them the focal point. That's always nice, right, a place for people to focus? And what makes it better is that just about everyone has great eyes, so what a nice feature to play-up!

By deepening the lip color by just a few levels (the shade is basically the same: plummy), there's just a bit more liveliness and color. This is still a simple, pretty look but now it's more flattering - and with little added product and time! Simply pretty!

So what tweaks might be on your to-do list?

 

Is "simple" a bad word?

Are you feeling it? That frazzled, overwhelmed and undermotivated post-holiday crash? There's a degree of stress, going back to our routines after the happy chaos of the holidays. The more hectic things get, the more I like to simplify when I can.

When did "simple" become a bad word? There's nothing wrong with simple or easy or basic. My wine doesn't have to be the oakiest, my car the snazziest, my shoes the totteriest, my nails the blingiest. And my makeup looks don't have to be fancy, done with 32 products, and difficult to execute.

Simple is OK.

Simple is comfortable, like a favorite pair of jeans with an oft-washed tee. Simple is homey, like a roast chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Simple is traditional, like dinner and a flick at the mall theater. Simple is a break from stress, like a walk in the park with your dog or a friend. Simple is familiar, like a playlist of all your favorite songs. Simple is a reward of sorts, like  being curled up on the couch with a book, some tea, and a throw.

Simple is OK.

Easy, familiar things are calming and soothing any time, really, and are things I lean on more and more the older I get - anytime, not just when I'm stressed.

I think I'm going to focus on Simple this year on BSB.
It's not that I do particularly complex looks anyway, but I put a lot of pressure on myself thinking I should. But most -like 95%- of my makeup clients want simple looks and tricks. Maybe there are some blog readers who are looking for the same thing...? Maybe they don't want rainbow eyes or 5 shades of shadow and 3 lip products! They want easy and dependable over fancy and complicated. They want something they can do everyday, quickly, but have it look good. They want products that work, and when they find them they'll buy them over and over and over.

So, I'm going to focus on Simple. Ease. Comfort. Dependability.

Here's my first Simple Look.
It fits the bill by using basic and flattering colors that enhance my features but isn't hard to do. Take a look...

How to get this look, simply.

• I counteracted my undereye circles with Bobbi Brown Corrector, then used concealer to cover spots. (My shade: Porcelain Bisque)
• A little foundation mixed with moisturizer and/or primer gives a believable look to skin while still evening-out my skintone and adding a bit of radiance (so I don't look as haggard as I feel!). (Primer: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish; Foundation: MAC Face & Body)
  
• I filled in my brows because they help frame my eyes. What does that really mean? It brings attention to my eyes (where most of us like the focus to be) and makes me look "done" (but not overdone, if I keep it light!). (Chanel brow trio)
• I lightly brushed a glowy peachy shade onto my cheeks, which makes me look more lively (catching onto the theme?!).
• A dab of primer on the eyes (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion today) helps shadow adhere and not crease. An extra step, yes, but worth every second and penny!
• A light, shimmery-but-not-glittery shadow went from lash to above the crease. This brightens andlifts and opens up the eye area so I look awake-ish. (MAC Grand Entrance ~ champagne shimmer)
• My eyes are full in the area above the crease, so I like to dab a slightly darker shade there to "contour" (read: pretend that area isn't so puffy). Totally a skipable step if your eyelids aren't fat! (MAC Style Snob ~ grey/taupe shimmer)
• I took a creamy brown and pressed it onto my lashline. In this case, I used a Paint Pot but any cream, gel, pencil or powder would work. (MAC Quite Natural ~ creamy midtone brown)
• Simple: brown mascara. Three coats. (Covergirl Lash Blast)
• My favorite neutral lipstick is MAC Gleam (shimmering, frosty taupe-mauve). What's yours?

And that's it, my friends. Simple. Pretty. Simply pretty!