BSB: Beauty news, makeup swatches and pictures, nail polish articles, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and how-to's from a MAC-trained makeup artist.

Givenchy Spring '10 - Parad'Eyes Liner

 

More Givenchy, because like Depeche Mode I just can't get enough. Here, the Parad'Eyes Liners in two shades: Mauve Impression and Nude Impression. These liquid liners contain mother-of-pearl bits to render them ultra-shimmery. I love the metallic mauve shade (which leans a touch towards a nearly-pink lilac) but the stand-out is the peachy-gold "nude". I love to put it under the lower lash line then smudge it a bit with my finger for a subtle glow that really makes the green, gold, and brown in my eyes sparkle! The wear is good; they last many hours-- though not through rain, sleet, snow or dark of night. But hey, even the Post Office doesn't go by that anymore!

A sample of this productwas provided for consideration by the lovely folks of Givenchy.
See my About page for more info on my review policies.

Two New Clinique products: Dark Spot Corrector & All About Eyes Serum. How do they rate?

Clinique has had a whirlwind of releases lately, and I've tested two of their new offerings. I loved one, and was only moderately impressed with the other.  Let me tell you about them...

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Samples of these products were provided for consideration by the lovely folks of Clinique.
See my About page for more info on my review policies.

Earth Day: Kiehl's is "pro" Rainforest & I'm "pro" these gorgeous toning mists!

Kiehl's Ltd. Edition Açaí Damage-Protecting Toning Mist

Kiehl’s collaborates with actress Julianne Moore, musician Pharrell Williams, artist Jeff Koons and pro-surfer Malia Jones to raise funds and awareness for the Rainforest Alliance, which is dedicated to sustaining biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

100% of proceeds up to $200,000 from the sale of this product will be donated to support the Rainforest Alliance... 100% Organic; With daily use, helps protect cells from destructive effects of oxidation... Improves the look of radiance and rejuvenation to skin... Tightens pores, and clarifies and balances skin’s texture

Bottle labels all feature a design by one of the collaborators. Each bottle is $26.

A clue to the allure of Chanel's Rouge Coco lipsticks?

Twenty-four plus hours (including a shower) after some quick swatches, here's what we saw...

Now that's tenacious!

MAC lipstick: Riveting (LE)

Who on earth would wear taupe lipstick? Why, I would of course!

Chanel: Rouge Coco lipstick - Organdi Rose

The new Chanel lipstick. New formula, new and updated packaging, new hype and uproar! I grabbed Organdi Rose...

Gotta Try It! Three Custom Color Specialists: NOIR

Three Custom Color Specialists is such a great line, and now they've gone and busted out a sheer black lipstick and a black gloss. For Spring. Actually, Noir is a plummy burgundy dark-but-flatteringly sheer shade that translates easily to any skintone by letting just the amount of natural color show through. You know I'm all about it!

Would you try it?

Givenchy + Me = Love

OMG.

Givenchy toys!

Swatches on the way soon. First I have to french kiss these babies...

See a sneak peek of Summer '10 here.

MAC - From Our Lips + the new Viva Glam campaign featuring Cyndi Lauper & Lady Gaga

Effective immediately:

Rush to your nearest MAC location and pick up one of the two new shades of Viva Glam! Look, I grabbed the link for you so you can click your way right in if you want to do it online: VOILA!

As a former MAC artist, I can say I truly do believe in this campaign, and even wear my Viva Glam products on Fridays, just like I used to when I was on-counter. (Sometimes I even wear my VG shirt!)

BPAL The Ferris Wheel (Carnaval Diabolique Extension)

What!?

Carnaval Diabolique!?

The Ferris Wheel!?

You got it! From the box of prototypes I got, it's clear we're on the crux of a Carnaval expansion!

You know I'm terrible at pulling out notes, but here goes...

The Ferris Wheel

There's some sort of citrus that pushes to the front of the crowded ferris wheel line. I'm guessing lemon? Maybe that's just because I'm in that carnival state of mind, and I'm imagining kids and adults with fingers gripping lemons skewered by peppermint sticks. I smell the littlest bit of something mechanical - kind of the over all impression of a mechanic's waiting room that's been cleaned with a lemon-smelling cleanser.

The metallic note isn't clanging. It's simply there, supporting the scent. There's also a slight hint of something aquatic. Only a touch. Possibly the Carnaval has opened near a body of water this time? 

I really like this scent, and I don't usually like mechanical, metal scents or citrus. Go figure!

I've got more sneak peeks coming, for what my limited scent descriptions are worth!

Coming up from Bobbi Brown: New Year, New You & Cabana Corals

New Year, New You
Brighten your face and play up your eyes

New Extra Repair Eye Cream
Peptides, plant oils and humectants in a rich cream are an extra boost for wrinkled, dehydrated, and darkly-circled under eyes.

Tinted Eye Brightener PEN
Twist. Click. Brighten. On the go!

Brow Pencils
Lift eyes with this creamy, blendable pencil that comes with a sharpener. 5 shades.

Brightening Lip Gloss
Two new shades: Popsicle and Nectar

"This spring, there is a beautiful selection of coral-colored
Shades for lips and cheeks. Coral Cabana offers coral tones in all
Variations - from pink on nude to intense bright -
so that every woman can find the shade that is right for them. " Bobbi Brown

Cabana Corals

Metallic Lip Color
Three new shades: Coral Reef, Coral Glaze (LE), Calypso Glaze

Lip Color
Two new shades: Cape Coral (LE) and Guava

Shimmer Lip Gloss
Three new shades: Sunset Beach (LE), Coral Sand, and Golden Nectar

Pot Rouge
One new shade: Cape Coral

Shimmer Brick
Two new shades: Pink Quartz and Nectar

 

Spring '10 | MAC collection: Give Me Liberty of London Colour Collection

I've been completely derailed by news of a MAC collection that's coming out on March 11th here in the states (April, elsewhere). This one had slid by me, somehow, but British Beauty Blogger mentioned that she had product shots on Twitter and I just was breathless. (PS: That's BritBeautyBlog, to you Tweeple) MAC, it's been a long time since I've said that!

A little legwork and here's what I've unearthed, with apologies to the rest of my to-do list:

Give Me Liberty of London

The very latest in a series of famous M∙A∙Collaborations, it was only a matter of time before the demure-to-daring kaleidoscopic prints of Liberty of London coloured our world with Brit wit and bohemian chic. From the unstudied, Sienna Miller style of Spitalfields Market to the grit-and-glamour of Portobello Road, the swinging London girl has always been an unstoppable M·A·C makeup force! Spring 2010 insists on the ultimate flower fusion, with M∙A∙C joining forces with Liberty, creating cool Britannia compacts and Lipsticks, Eye Shadows, Powder, Blush, Nail Lacquers and, of course – blushing, bountiful, quite British accessories.

Packaging consists of glossy white compacts. Compact lids are decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern.

Beauty powder

• Shell pearl | Pale peach with gold pearl
• Summer Rose | Soft violet pink with pearl

Eye shadow

• Give me Liberty of London | Flat creamy pink (matte)
• Free to Be | Creamy true coral (matte)
• Dame’s Desire | Frosty mid-tone reddish purple (frost)
• Birds & Berries | Frosted dark green blue (veluxe pearl)
• Bough grey | Mid-tone blueish grey (satin)

Lipstick

• Ever Hip | Creamy light coral (cremesheen)
• Peachstock | Neutral peach (satin)
• Petals & Peacocks | Creamy bright magenta pink (amplified)
• Blooming lovely | Creamy greyed lilac mauve (amplified)

Lipglass

• Frankly Fresh | Neutral pink beige with soft pearl
• Perennial High Style | Creamy bright pink coral
• English Accents | Creamy midtone blue pink
• A Different Groove | Deep purple brown with pearl

Powder Blush

• Prim & Proper | Neutral nude
• Dirty Plum | Sheer Dark Plum (Pro)

Nail Lacquer

• Vestral white | Creamy white (cream)
• Blue India | Dark green blue with pearl (cream)

Please see below (super-sized for her pleasure)...

 

Accessories

• Liberty of london makeup bag/small | MAC stores & online only 
  A limited-edition laminated makeup bag decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull. Measures 8″ x 2.75″ x 3.5″.
• Liberty of london makeup bag/medium | MAC stores & online only
  A limited-edition laminated makeup bag decorated with an exclusively created flower and bird pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Zip closure boasts a fabulously outsize floral pull. Measures 8″ x 2.75″ x 5″.
• Liberty of london scarf | MAC stores & online only
  A limited-edition scarf designed with an exclusively created floral pattern for the Give Me Liberty of London collection. Rows of coral, orange, yellow and blue flowers form a repeating pattern on a white background. The fabric is a soft wool/viscose blend. Made in Italy. Measures 27″ x 82″.

Thanks for the pics, British Beauty BloggerBritish Beauty Blogger and Specktra!

Whatcha think!?

I told you I was blown away. It's the packaging! And that lacquer...

Spring '10: Clinique - Juiced Up Color

Let me preface this by saying if I could buy ANYTHING to make me look like that model, I would! Sure, I can grow, dye, extend and pout myself up, but nothing compares to the natural redhead and her complexion!

I'm not going to look like her, but that still doesn't sour me on Clinique. Much.

OK, I'm a little bitter.

Juiced Up Color

Clinique's Spring collection is called Juiced Up Color, and please remember that we're discussing Clinique when you imagine "juiced-up color", okay!? 'Cause your version of "juiced-up" and theirs may differ!

At any rate, expect soft and pretty berries and pinks. Think fruit. Once you see the products, you can't help but think of it, actually!

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Limited Edition Fresh Picked Allover Colour

Mixed Berries

This is one of those head-scratchers for me. It's pretty, and from the picture it appears to look like it would be a great blush. Bit "all over color"?? I dunno... though I'm sure it's sheer, the other Clinique Allover Colors were too much color for my fair skin. Maybe darker complexions can handle the sheer wash of pink, but not I!

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Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colours

Pink Me Up, Goodness Grapecious, Nude -tritious, Fig-a-licious, Raisin the Bar, Rhubarbie

Smooth and juicy, moisturizing lushiousness. And choc-full of antioxidants. Yummy shades for under $18. Sweet!

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Fresh Picked Eye Shadows

Fresh Picked Berry, Fresh Picked Pear

Um... yum! I love that pear one, don't you!? I know, sandy beige and mossy green - not that extraordinary, but the palette is so cute!!

Use the light shade as a base, the green as liner and contour.

Or use the green as base, the beige as highlighter.

Or pick up a little of each and blend - see whatcha get!

I like the Clinique shadows. They're great for women who want a smidge of color without risk of looking clownlike, but they're not so boring they fade into the skin. And they're silky smooth, too!

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High Lengths Mascara

I don't know much about it, but I'm a fan of Clinique's mascaras, so I can't wait to hear more!

I know from Beaut.ie that it's:

• got a "willow wand" which grab the tiniest hairs
• bestowed with 3 rows of "tines" to apply the right amount of product every time
• got a flexible and conditioning formula

I've not found a great plasticky-rubberized brush that I really love, but since I am a Clinique-aphile I will gladly try this out. 

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Instant Lift for Brows

Soft Blonde, Soft Brown, Deep Brown

It looks a bit like Estee-sister-brand MAC's Shadestick, doesn't it? But it's a dual-tipped brow wiz, apparently. Fill in brows with one side, highlight the browbone with the other.

Meh. I have highlighters out the wazoo, but I'm always interested in a product that promises to fill in brows softly...

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Whatcha think? Any of these seem like a winner to you?

Spring '10: Bobbi Brown - Color Strips

So, first let's ask why blogs in places like The Netherlands (Lushious Beauty) and Sweden (Bjooti) get the scoop about so many beauty collections before anyone else does. I mean... I guess that was a weird comment to make, but I'd expect early info to fly out of NY or London first, right? But these blogs consistently scoop all of the other blogs out there. Kudos! (but seriously--- what's your secret, girls!?)

At any rate, Lushious Beauty proves that The Netherlands has it's finger on the pulse of the cosmetics world yet again when it breaks news of a new collection coming to us from Bobbi Brown this Spring.

It's called:

Color Strips

And here's the premise...

For those of you not familiar with the line, the Pot Rouges are fabulous multi-taskers, working well on both cheeks and lips. Bobbi's eyeshadows are almost without exception a well-milled, silky product that sleeks onto the skin and wears well.

The gimmick

You get a free palette when you buy one eyeshadow strip (5 shadows) and one Pot Rouge strip (3 products) from the collection. The top of the palette houses said shadows and the bottom (you guessed it!) is where you tuck the Pot Rouge trio.

You can choose one of 4 pre-made shadow strips and get to pick from 2 Pot Rouge strips (also premade). So, essentially you're not really customizing your own palette; you're buying a 5-pan shadow palette and a 3-pan Pot Rouge palette and Bobbi gives you a way to carry them around together.

The colors

I don't have the names of each shade yet, but here are the strip choices:

Eyes

Aquamarine:

Bonfire:

Orchid:

Petal:

Lips

Fresh Coral:

 

Fresh Pink:

Traditionally, Bobbi repromotes a few shadows and gives us a few new shades when she makes palettes. I'm not familiar enough with her line to know by looking at the pics above what's what. As for the Pot Rouges, the Fresh Coral shades are all new I think, or at least they don't resemble anything in the permanent line-up from what I can see.

Price

It seems you can break down a lot of the Bobbi Brown palettes to approximately $10 a pot, so let's figure the Pot Rouge strip for $30 or $35? And let's guess this strip of shadows will be about $40 - $50? That means you'll sink $70 or $80 bucks into this new system. Not bad if you're a Bobbi collector (since you're already immune to the prices already!) but pretty hefty for someone who hasn't used the line before.

Thoughts

I am not going to spend this (assumed price) for a palette, not because these shadows aren't stellar. They are! I'll pass mostly because I have so many shadows in my stash already. The real pisser is that I want those coral Pot Rouges! I'll be interested to see if they come in a stand-alone package that is semi-durable (so I can just buy the strip) or if we'll be obligated to buy one shadow strip and one rouge strip. If it's the former - you can bet you'll see a review coming of those corals. If it's the latter, you can bet I'll link you to some bloggers with better cash flow than I have so you can see their reviews! lol

What do you think about this sneak peek!?
Are you a Bobbi fan? Are you excited to see this?
Are you absolutely not impressed? Share with the class!

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