My friend, who happens to be a Mary Kay Director, invited me to be a model for a demonstration of the new Spring colors and several other MK newbies.  As always, I enjoy her company and, of course, I love to try out new trends and breakthrough skin care.  I took along a good friend that evening and made it a “girl’s night out” for the two of us.

Among the tantalizing Spring products are two new cheek glazes, tangerine and pomegranate ($16.00), several new lip nectars, Mango, Coconut, and passion fruit ($13.00), and my favorite, the limited edition Creme Highlighter ($14.00).  I was supplied with not only the opportunity to try these products at the demo meeting but was given several complimentary samples to use at home.

I’m really enjoying the Cheek Glaze, as it goes on smoothly and lasts for most of the day (as long as I don’t touch my face too much).  The natural “blush” it gives is just the thing for the upcoming softer, feminine trends in fashion and makeup.  As with the Cheek Glaze, the Lip Nectar offers a soft addition to your warmer weather makeup palette.  The Coconut especially is one that varies in tone depending on your own lip color.  It was interesting to see how different it looked on everyone who tried it that night.  Being able to try-before-you-buy has always been a benefit to buying cosmetics through Mary Kay’s independent beauty consultants.

The product that impressed me the most was the Creme Highlighter. I’m always looking for an eyeshadow, blush, or luminous bronzer type product to highlight various areas on my face and shoulders.  Well, I think I found it in this Mary Kay limited edition!  That night I used it in my brow bone area and the inner corners of my eyes and found it to create just the right amount of shimmer and light reflection without looking cheap or “teenager-ish”.

A Couple More Impressive Items

I also wanted to let you know that the eye shadows go on smooth as silk but even more so with the addition of their Eye Primer ($12.00).  I have never been a primer user, but after experiencing the difference in application and wearability, I think I’ve been converted.

I was also given a nice sized sample of the Time Wise® Replenishing Serum+C. I’ve added to my regular skin care regimen for a couple of weeks now and have felt a distinctive toning of the lax areas of my face (you know those small crepey lines that drive you crazy).  Now, keep in mind, I am a serum user, so this is a necessary beauty item that you won’t find me without.  I’ve used some really goods, too.  So far the MK has not let me down.  We’ll see how it does as I continue to use up my free sample. Cheers to all you chic ladies out there!

If you would like more information about the new Spring colors or any other Mary Kay product, please visit Paula Kirkpatrick online at her wonderful Mary Kay site. if you don’t have your own consultant.

Neither Chic Critique nor any of its associates accepted any monetary revenue to review the above mentioned products.  It is an honest opinion portrayed as a resource of information for readers.

Photo by dibrova

When it comes to make-up, I’m a Lancome kinda girl. I’ve tried so many lines and I just decided that overall, I can rely on their entire line.

One day, as I was wasting time doing research at my computer, I got a call from Alicia, my Lancome Lady from our little Boscov’s. When she asked me if I wanted to make an appointment for the National Make-up Artist Event, I couldn’t scream “YES!!” fast enough. For $25, I’d get a gift card in the same amount, a bag of Lancome goodies (and they were good!)  and a chance to win a huge prize. (Which I didn’t win, btw.)

I’ve had make-overs before.   Several, in fact. I was placed at the counter, on an uncomfortable stool while the sales person would try to figure out my East Asian features and skin tone. I’ve only been satisfied once, when a hip, young Filippino woman did an amazing job. I always left the other times feeling like they didn’t understand my skin tone or my features. Which,  is basically everything. I remember one time looking cross-eyed, and another time with my eyes looking puffy. Hmph!  Maybe I’m an eternal optimist (or I know I can always wash my face,) but I put my faith once again, in the hands of what I assumed (rightly) would be a group of Caucasians people that did not look anything like me.

I live in a little town. We have a little mall. With a Sears and Boscov’s. Suffice it to say we do not have a Nordstrom. When I showed up at our little Boscov’s, was I surprised to find this:

I know!!  Can you believe it?  While waiting, I even got a little hand scrub with their products. They were serving big, red heart-shaped cookies, which I didn’t eat.   I swear.  (You know if nobody sees you the calories don’t count.  Right?  Right?)  Then, along with 7 other women, we sat at the above “Wall of Wonder.” Each of us had our own make-up artist who applied the skincare, foundation, blush and lipstick. Then the National Arteest came down the row to do our eyes.

When I first got there, even from a distance, I could tell that he was The Man. He had an air of aloofness and, well, basically not belonging in this here Little Town. Very NEW YORK.  (Or, New Jork, as he says.)  He was impeccably groomed and dressed and stood ramrod straight. As I observed all the other artists cackling about, frenetically looking for this brush, product or base, there he stood – calm and in control -  someone who has become used to being served. But he was the picture of gentleness and professionalism the whole hour-and-a-half that I was there. When he got close to do my eyes, I could see that his face was a caricature of perfection: symmetrical, prominent cheekbones, strong brow line, square jaws, delicate trefoil bulbs of his nose, perky brazilian butt.  (Could they all be natural?)

Did you ever scoff at the notion of MAKE-UP artist? A make-up ARTIST. ARTEEEST. I know artists. Real artists. Granted putting mascara on eye after eye after eye is not Art, but he was really like an artist, wielding all kinds of Extremely Awesome brushes, mixing and blending, dabbing here and there. And you know what? He totally “got” me. My coloring. My features.  I think I’ll hire him.

Lately? I’ve really felt the need to tweak my look that would be more suited to my – um – new proportions. Let’s face it.  (”Face it,”  ha ha – get it??)  We’re all getting older and as we age, our features, as well as tastes change.  I don’t know what I expected from the make-over – maybe just one trick or one new color to try?  I went in with only foundation on (left.) But I came out…..GLAM!  SHAZZAM!  My Honda didn’t recognize me!

Overall, they used a neutral palette on me but then really accentuated my eyes. I’ve tried to get that look but could never get my eyes to be intense and dramatic enough, like these “Memoirs of a Geisha” stars Michelle Yeoh or Gong Li.

Here’s the skinny:

SKIN CARE:
I really thought I knew everything there was to know about skin care. After all, I’ve had 30 years of practice.  But I learned 2 important things:
1. Use a washcloth to wash off your cleanser. I have not had success with a  whole slue of products.  I’d use make up remover, then wash my face diligently only to have my cotton pad of toner come up brown. When washing off the cleanser, I was advised to use a soft wash cloth or sponge that has enough texture to actually remove all the impurities.  After years of frustration I am saved!
2. Warm up your moisturizer before applying. Put a small dollop of cream onto the palm of your hand.  Put your hands together to warm it up, then apply.  What a difference! I can use just a fraction of the amount I’ve been using.  That is a recession buster!

BROWS:
This is where The Arteest worked really hard.  I’ve always thought my brows were drawn darkly enough.  I didn’t want them to look painted on like  crazy Aunt Gertrude who has 4. But the Arteest gave me dark, dramatic brows using Le Crayon Poudre in Taupe (I know! go figure.) Then he took the white from the shadow quad and highlighted right under my eye brows, and at the inside corner of my eyes (Just like Carmindy.)  This set the framework for the overall potent look I’ve always wanted.

EYES:
In the ‘before’ picture above, I think my eyes look droopy. I’ve always used the contour color in a fan shape across my lid.  It used to work when my skin and eyes were perkier.  Here is where I really needed some help. In my new look, he made a triangular shape with the contour color.  He started at the outer corner of my eye and went diagonally up toward my nose, as you can see at right:

BEFORE                                                                             AFTER

With some pain, The Arteest scraped a pencil, mascara and liquid liner on my lids, in that order. He used a glittery metallic pencil very close to my lash line, followed by plenty of Definicil mascara. Then he took Artliner in Noir and dragged it right AT my lash line. By filling in the spaces between my eyelashes with black, my lashes looked fuller and darker. (Sorry for the fuzzy ‘after’ picture. It was heck not having a personal photographer, who was at Blissdom.)  You see the sparkle of gold at the inner half of my eyelids?  He used gold, then dusted it with the darkest color in the quad and it ended up looking like a burnished gold.  It was amazing.

LIPS:
I’ve tried to do a neutral lip, but because of my skin tone, it’s easy to look washed out.  So, I’ve been going in the opposite by using fresh pinks and corals. When I was younger, I used to wear all kinds of bright colors. But as my cheeks and chinline – um – take on a different shape, I’ve wanted to use lighter colors to draw the eye away. They used this amazing mauve that had just the right hint of gold specks that was fresh, new, modern. And on me, looks neutral. Dontcha think?

CHEEKS: This is easy with Lancome. More than any other line I’ve tried, their colors are  complex and rich, with just the right touch of shimmer.  Each color flatters an amazing array of skin tones without ever looking clumped on or harsh. I bought the Mauve Coquette that they used on me and though it looks very brown, it goes on subtle, shimmery, natural.

Now the important question: Can I do this at home?  You make your own judgment, but this is what I think: I want to buy a better brow shaper than what I currently use, which is a drugstore brow pencil and my mom’s brow brush from the 60’s.  It’s been a little way to keep a part of my mom, who passed away 23 years ago.  But I think I can let go now.  She’d want me to have perfect brows, I’m sure.  And, I think I need to get that lip color which is a tad lighter but eversomuch richer than what I’m wearing here.  It’s the subtle differences that are going to give me the GLAM look that the Arteest gave me.

Have you gone through a GLAM SHAZZAM make over?  Maybe you can catch a Lancome event near you!

Hi everyone!! I’m Cheryl, aka TidyMom.  I’m a 40-something {stay at home} mom to two beautiful daughters, 22 and 13.   We closed a family retail business in July ‘08, since then I became a SAHM and my make-up routine has become much more simplistic/minimal.  On my blog TidyMom, I share my passions of baking, photography and being a mom….along with my tidiness obsession.  I’ve been blogging for Chic Critique every otherTuesday for about nine months now.

(I actually cleaned out my box just for you!) I like to keep all of my make-up in this great Caboodles train case.  I’ve had this one for years and it has held up great to daily use.  I like to be able to SEE everything, without dumping it all out on the bathroom counter.

I’m just going to touch on the items I use the most and really love!

About a year ago I discovered Everyday Minerals make up.  It was my first experience with mineral make up.  Everyday Minerals is great……..they offer (limited) free samples or you can purchase samples for $2.50 each.  Their shipping is very inexpensive and fast!!  I can’t say enough good things about this line!!…..Their samples are nice size too, they last me several weeks to a few months.

FACE:

Everyday Minerals that I use most every day:

Fair Medium Matte Foundation

Weekend Getaway Matte Blush

Natural Reflections Fair loose powder

I have to say…..making the switch to mineral foundation gives me the coverage I want/need with out that “heavy make-up” feel

I also use Barminerals Mineral Vale as a translucent “finishing touch”.  I have used it for years, for a loose powder (I don’t like pressed powder)…..I only switch between it and the everyday minerals basically because EM is cheaper.

I have Clinque’s Rich Plum blush that I use quite often (it’s more pink than the EM blush)- but it has been discontinued, so I’m going to need to find a new pink blush

EYES

I LOVE Urban Decay eyeshadow primer! I don’t use this everyday, just when I’m going out – but it sure does make my eye make up go on better and stay put! You can see where I talked about my love for this product on my blog in this post.

I line my eyes everyday and have found Rimmel’s Jet Black Kohl pencil works best for me – I do line my eyes every day.

Mascara is another must for me – I flip back and forth from my always faithful pink & green Maybelline Great Lash in Very Black…..and my new found love, CoverGirl’s Exact Eyelights in black sapphire (you can ready my CC review on it here)

I always curl my lashes before adding mascara!

Eyeshadow…..is my nemisis.  I have a hard time finding eyeshadow that looks great on me, so I have a lot of eyeshadows……..nothing I’m TOTALLY crazy about, but currently I’m happy enough with Clinique’s 101 Teddy Bear shadow (which is apparently now discontinued also! ARGH!)

I don’t like frosty eyeshadow.  I think, at 44, frosty just doesn’t look good any more – so I like a nice flat shadow, which apparently is hard to find (half my problem), the other problem is I can’t find a way to apply shadow on my… ahem… aging eyes that looks good.  If anyone has any tips, I’d love to hear them!  I’m also on the look out for a gray matte shadow……I’m growing tired of the browns.

Lips!

My favorite “I wear it every day no matter what because I hate naked lips”……is

Maybelline Superstay Lip Color in either Mauve(785) or Plum(755).  This lip color goes on like a paint and comes with a moisturizing stick and it really does stay on most of the day!

If I leave the house, I ALWAYS put lip gloss on over it, just because I like the glossy look – I have SEVERAL, but mostly all clear, like Cotton Candy Liplicious from Bath & Body Works or  with a plumper, one of my favorites being Very Voluptuous™ Lip Plumper from Victoria Secret.

Ok, now I have to tell you about 2 more products that I LOVE but I don’t wear every day, but do wear if I want to make an impression!

The Present Clear Powder Makeup by Philosophy- this stuff is a DREAM! It gives you that “perfect, airburshed skin” look and doesn’t look cakey at ALL.  I rub just a little all over when I’m finished with all of my make up…no more undesirable shine.

Sephora’s Perfessional Perfection Makeup Base – this evens and smooths the skin prepping for a flawless application of foundation. It adds a bit of a glow under foundation and makes my foundation go on smooth.

WOW…….so I had a lot more to talk about than I thought I would! LOL

Don’t forget to link your own post up and be entered into our giveaway.  Go back to Monday’s post with Jo-Lynne and all week for all the other great makeup bag posts!

Hello, I’m Janel!   I’m a stay at home mom to 2 fun-loving and active kids and have one on the way – due on my 4oth birthday!  My biggest hope right now is to keep up with this growing family of mine!  I blog at Dandelion Dayz on mostly regular basis.  I’ve been blogging for Chic Critique every other Friday for about a year now.

Okay on to the reason why you are here!  What’s in my make-up bag?

Well, I do have a small make-up bag that goes with me to the gym and on trips.   I actually keep all of my makeup in a basket that fits into a cubby in my bathroom.  That way it’s easy for me to keep organized and handy.

The contents of the basket change often, although at any given time you will find about 6 different lipsticks and/or glosses and 10 different eyeshadow colors.

So, I thought I’d just go over the important stuff.   You know, the stuff that must go in the make-up  bag when I leave my home.  The cosmetics I use every single day.

I just have a simple faux croc black bag – it was a gift for Christmas one year…I think.     I love it because it is deep, compact and sturdy.

The contents…

Mary Kay Medium Foundation in Beige 304 – Inexpensive and easy to get from my friend – as in she leaves it on my porch.  Great medium coverage for my face.  I’ve used it for about 3 years and like it a lot.  I recently tried another brand and came back to this.

Mary Kay Concealer in Yellow – I think this is one of the best concealers around.  It has good coverage.  I blogged about concealers awhile back.  I’m happy with this one.

Clinique Loose Powder in Transparency 3 – I like to set my foundation and concealer.  I’ve used this product for about 5 years now.  It lasts FOREVER – I think I’ve had this particular canister for  a year.

Clinique Blush in Mocha Pink. Sometimes I use a bronzer instead.  Right now, it’s Cover Girl Bronzer – it’s very inexpensive and works nicely.  I like these two products but I’m not in love.

Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color Quad: This was a gift with a purchase from my MK consultant.  The colors are:  Honey Spice, Sienna,Blue Metal, Vintage Gold.   I love the Honey Spice and Vintage Gold – the ones on each end.  They are not too bright but have amazing staying power.   Like the Blue Metal – it’s not too blue on the eye.

Mascara - always Black.   Right now it’s Maybelline’s Lash Stilleto that I’m finishing up.   I just reviewed Stilleto here.   Lash Blast is my very favorite, though.  I keep going back to it.

Eyeliners – too many to mention but my favorites right now are Clinique Black Amethyst ( it has a sharpener on the cap – LOVE that!) and a dark gray one by Wet n Wild for the low low price of 99 cents.

Define-A-Brown brow pencil in Dark Brown – I’m new with this.  Liking it so far.  Thanks Moriah for the review!

Ulta Clear brow gel to keep my brows in place.  I’ve used a clear mascara or brow gel for years on my brows to keep these unruly things in place.

Tweezerman tweezers.  Hands down these are the best tweezers around.  Pricey but lifetime guaranteed and worth it.

Estee Lauder Lip Pencil in Spice Writer (color discontinued).   This was a gift with purchase and I’ve loved it!  I always line my lips after I put lipstick on so the line is not visible.  I use a color that matches the natural color of my lips not my lipstick.  Except when I wear red.  Then I line with red.

Lipstick – I have three standbys: L’Oreal Divine Wine and Clinique Chianti (They are my everyday, brighten up my face lipsticks)  and Bobbi Brown Sand Pink Shimmer (this is an awesome color with a tan or if you go out for on night on the town with deep smoky eye make-up but sadly, this particular color is discontinued    and I have not tried to replace it, yet.)

Mary Kay Lipgloss in Starry.  Or some lipgloss.  I change often.

Brushes - mixture of EcoTools which I reviewed here, Bobbi Brown and Mary Kay.   I’m kinda freaky about keeping them clean.  I reviewed that here a few months ago – Cleaning your Make-Up Brushes.

So, that’s it!   That is alotta lotta links, y’all.

Don’t forget to link your own post up and be entered into our giveaway.  Go back to Monday’s post with Jo-Lynne and thanks for tuning in all week!

Hi Everyone! I’m Emily a 30-something new mom to an adorable five month old girl. I grew up in Canada (where I currently live) but I spent most of my twenties in London, England which massively influenced my sense of style and beauty.

Before we get to my bag I have a confession to make. I’m pretty damn lazy when it comes to a beauty routine – its not that I don’t want to look good (I definitely do) but I don’t see the point in spending as much time getting pretty as being pretty. When I was looking for a bag, I wanted something that would hold everything I would need to give me some options. I often had to go from the office to an evening event with my job, and although now going from playgroup to naptime isn’t quite as challenging, some habits die hard!

So here we go!

First off the bag… I bought this bag over three years ago from beloved London icon Liberty. It has lasted incredibly well and doesn’t show its age at all (sadly the same can’t be said for me – LOL!).  The triangular shape means it holds WAY more than a normal bag whilst taking up less space in my purse. It wasn’t cheap but it was definitely worth it!

Vintage compact mirror – this was a birthday gift from my BFF a few years ago. Its an old powder compact (and sadly most powders today are made in a different shape) but its so pretty and fits perfectly in the bag.

Make Up:

MAC Satin powder Blush in Barbie Don’t Be Shy (a blushing pink) – this is routinely swapped out with Margin (a shimmery peach)

ELF Cosmetics concealer pencil & brush. This ROCKS! I tend to just wear tinted moisturizer so far too often concealer is overly obvious on me but this one goes on light and the attached brush blends perfectly leaving a flawless face.

MAC Eye Kohl eyeliners in: Blooz (an inky blue), Phone Number (smoky grey) & Teddy (bronze), MAC PowderPoint eyeliner in Bordeauxline (plum) as well as Laura Mercier eye liner in Brown Copper (I use it for my eyebrows!)

MAC Pro Palette 4 x Eyeshadow case – THIS is my “must have” for any woman’s make up bag. It holds any four mac eye shadows (and those eye shadow refills are cheaper so you have more options for less cash) but the ultra-cool part is that it magnetized so the refill pans stay put but are easily changed. Mine currently holds Retrospeck, Shroom, Jest & All That Glitters.

Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara. BEST. MASCARA. EVER. Seriously – if you need a new mascara this is the one to try. It makes my lashes look so full and natural. I’ve even gone out in just the mascara (which is something I never do – I need the eyeliner) but this mascara makes my lashes look full and makes me look awake – even if I’ve been up 5 times in the night with Little Miss. Love, love, love this mascara.

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler. This isn’t always in my bag but is on long days or big nights out. I’ve tried a lot og eye lash curlers (including heated ones) and it always comes back to this one.

MAC Lip sticks: Frost stick in Fresh Moroccan (a slightly gold shimmer tinged dark red), Lustre stick in Capricious (my everyday pink), MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar (ultrasoft apricot with shimmery gold) & LipGelee in JellyBabe (a very natural clear color gloss),

Stila Lip Glaze in Plum

MAC Lip pencil in Spice. This color is amazing and goes with ALL of my lipsticks.

Freeze 24*7 Lip Plumper – This is such an awesome product (but sadly as its a tad pricey I’m almost out!) Luscious lips without collagen AND its so moisturizing. Honestly it gives your lips such a S-E-X-Y pump I couldn’t believe how well it worked.

Right now I’ve also got in my bag:

Clarins Instant Light complexion perfector sample. I tried this once before and loved it so am hauling my second sample around until I need it again.

A blush brush – no idea where I got this but its lasted years!

Boiron Camilia teething capsules (obviously not for me!)

Two strong hair elastics

One sparkly bobby pin.

So that’s me – what’s in your bag?

Hi! I’m Kristin. I’m a shopping obsessed mom of three and part-time Realtor in North Carolina. I enjoy blogging here at Chic Critique every other Thursday, and you can also find me here.

I love beauty products, but I don’t love spending a lot of money on them. Since I love trying new things, the cosmetics in my bag are constantly changing. Even my actual bag is constantly changing.

Here’s the bag I recently switched to. Nice and roomy, and I only paid a few dollars for it at Ross. (Dontcha just LOVE Ross??)

Here’s the one I was using before that. It was a freebie from Clinique. They give away the cutest bags!

Before that, it was a cute little red Vera Bradley bag.

I’ll admit, when I told my husband that I was about to snap pictures of my make -up, he asked, “Are you SURE you want to take pictures of that?” He was right. So I will tell you that yes, I did clean my stuff up before showing you!

And now for the cast of characters:

Noah’s Naturals Milk Cleanser face wash.

Clinique’s Dramatically Different moisturizer. I wait until Clinique has their free gifts to buy other products, and I seem to never run out of the moisturizer from the free giveaways!

Burt’s Bees Royal Jelly Eye Creme

Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum

Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream and Hand Salve. I like to rub these in while I’m doing make-up. My hands and nails always seem so dry after a shower.

Almay PureBlends liquid makeup in neutral. I love this stuff.

Neutrogena loose powder.

Clinique’s Quick Eyes in Sparkling Nude and Lucky Penny. LOVE this stuff. I wasn’t going to buy it again until this summer, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s become a permanent fixture in my bag!

Clinique eyeshadows, #101, Teddy Bear. I really only use the two darker colors.

L’oreal Pencil Perfect eyeliners. Right now I’ve got Jade and Cocoa. They are my favorite brand.

Maybelline Expert Wear brow pencil in Blonde. The very best brow pencil for us fair gals with blonde brows!

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in #03, Rosy Blush.

MAC powder blush in Mocha Matte. This stuff lasts FOREVER!

L’oreal Voluminous mascara, which has always been my go-to mascara. I still love it, but a a month ago I tried…

Another L’oreal mascara in a big, fat black tube. And I have no idea what it’s called, but I love it bestest of all, and I’ll be buying it for a long, long time. Dying to know what it’s called? Stay on the edge of your seats. I’ll post again about it real soon!

Clinique lipsticks in Spiced Cider and Tenderheart

L’oreal lipstick in #250, Make Me Blush.

It feels wonderful to look beautiful, but no routine would be complete without smelling beautiful. This is the perfume I will heart forever.  I wear it every day……. Kenneth Cole Reaction.

And there you have it – I’ve revealed all. What’s in YOUR bag?

If you’ve been a blog reader for any length of time, you’ve probably stumbled across the ol’ “What’s in Your Purse?” meme.  I always find things like that interesting — probably because I’m nosy like that — but I think it gives you an interesting glimpse into someone else’s life and daily routine.

So, along those same lines, I present to you a meme of sorts that I just made up called “What’s in Your Makeup Bag?”

I thought it might be fun to gather the beauty products I use everyday and give you a quick rundown.

As you’ll see, my daily makeup routine is not extensive.  I pretty much hit the basics and no more.  Some of these products I’ve written about before — they’re tried and true.  Others I’m mentioning for the first time.  So, without further ado, I present the contents of my makeup bag:

1.  Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals Foundation ($46):   This is the most expensive item in my collection — my one beauty splurge.  Liquid mineral foundations are very hard to come by (the ones at the drugstore are not true mineral formulas, and they also contain many synthetic ingredients).  I was initially hesitant to switch over to mineral makeup because I loved the coverage that conventional liquid foundations offered.

When I discovered Liquid Minerals, however, I fell in love.  The coverage is fantastic and it feels like I have nothing on my skin.  This was confirmed a few weeks ago after I had run out of the Liquid Minerals and was waiting for my new order to arrive.  I switched back to my old liquid foundation (a well-known, higher-end brand) and couldn’t stand the feel on my face.  If felt like paste.  I couldn’t imagine life without this one.

2.  Physician’s Formula Summer Eclipse Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder ($12):  In the last five years, I’ve sought to limit the amount of sun damage to my face.  So, even in the midst of summer, my face can look very pale.  This bronzer does a good job of adding color.  I like Physician’s Forumla overall, but I would caution you NOT to look at it as an all-natural, mineral product.  While the bronzer does include mica, the ingredient list begins with talc — and includes a variety of synthetic ingredients.

3.  Rimmel Blush in Santa Rose:  This blush is a fantastic bargain buy.  Again, not all-natural, but the color is really flattering and it costs a mere $3.

4.  EcoTools Blush Brush:  I love this big, fluffy brush.  The bristles are synthetic fiber, but you would never know it.  It feels so soft on the skin.  This brush (and the next one) are part of an EcoTools Brush Set that is another super deal.  Five brushes for $11.  If you’re looking for a reasonably-priced Christmas present, this tool set would be ideal.

5.  EcoTools Eyeliner Brush and L’Oreal HIP Bright Duos:  I used to have a problem with my eyeliner smearing all over my face.  I would always apply it carefully in the morning and then, by noon, I would look like a racoon.  It drove me crazy.  That’s when I began to use eyeshadow to line my eyes.  But the trick to using eyeshadow is to have the proper tools.  This angled eyeliner brush provides great control — it allows me to draw the cleanest, most natural-looking line.

A lot of eyeshadow forumlas out there are not concentrated enough to provide a nice dark line.  That’s why I use a L’Oreal HIP eye color in black or brown.  The pigments are a little more intense, allowing the final look to be more similar to an eyeliner, as opposed to a soft shadow.

6.  Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Highlighter ($21) :  When I first got this product as part of a beauty box I had bought, I had no idea what to do with it.

But, after a little research and experimentation I discovered it to be ideal for highlighting the browbone.  I also use a little bit on the inside corners of my eyes for a more “alert” look.  The product description says you can even use it on your lips to extend the wear of your lip color and prevent feathering — although I’ve never tried that.

7.  LashBlast Mascara:  I recently reviewed the new lashblastlength (the yellow tube pictured above).  I wasn’t completely sold on it, because while it provides length, it doesn’t add volume.  However, I’ve continued to use the lashblastlength and found it to be a good choice on days when I’m not putting on a lot of makeup.  It defines my lashes, without making them look really made up.  It’s a very natural look.

But, typically, I resort back to my orange tube of LashBlast.  If I’m doing my standard routine, that’s still my favorite.

8.  Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer ($5):  I’ve ditched all my lipsticks and glosses in favor of this one.  It’s all natural, I’m not ingesting a bunch of chemicals, and it makes my lips feel great.  It does take a little trial and error to find the right color for you.  Don’t give up!  It took me one or two shades before I finally settled on Nutmeg.  The good news is that Burt’s Lip Shimmer is reasonably priced enough for you to try a few.

And that’s it.  My makeup routine in a nutshell.

What’s in your makeup bag?  Let us know in the comments or, if you need blog fodder, feel free to play along.  Just leave a comment so we can be sure to visit you!

If you read my post last week you might remember that I have been considering replacing my beloved Nars Orgasm blush.

While I still love the color, I had been debating if the Nars blush was worth the $25 price tag.

So, in the name of comparison shopping, I decided to comparethe only way I knew how: side by side.

On first look, I like the Nars packaging better.  It’sgot a lovely, slick-yet-sturdy little compact.  Mine is obviously dirty because it’s been hanging out in my makeup bag for a few months, so pardon my dirtyness.

TheBalm blush is in a papery compact.  While it’s nice now, I can imagine that in a few months it might start to fall apart and not hold up as well as the Nars packaging.

Looking at the blush itself – the two are very similar.

The differences:  the Nars blush is pinker.  TheBalm blush is peachy.

TheBalm blush is also a bit more powdery – I believe it will not hold up as well as the Nars.  It seems very crumbly and I even broke out a chunk of it with my fingernail by accident.

And now, the true test: how does it look.  (I apologize for the picture quality.  It was late at night… and it’s blurry – but it gets the point across).

The Nars blush is much pinker, much more of a natural flush.

TheBalm blush is very pretty on the skin.  It feels very smooth and wears nicely. If you have large pores, I might steer clear – the shimmer in Hot Mama is much more instanse than Orgasm.

If you are very fair-skinned, you may prefer TheBalm Hot Mama over the Nars Orgasm.

I’m definitely going to use Hot Mama – it’s pretty and I think it’s nice.

However… in my battle of the blushes – there’s a clear winner.

Nars Orgasm, 1.  TheBalm Hot Mama, 0.

I love looking at best sellers lists on websites. With so many people buying they fall into one of two categories: either the product is the latest fad spotted on a celebrity or they really are the best.  After seeing Nars Orgasm blush on Sephora’s best sellers list and be named the best blush on the market my curiosity was piqued.  Yet I kept wondering just how good could it be if the marketing department had to stoop to such a racy name for this color.  Plus, just what color is an orgasm?  (Personally, a wild colored assortment of fireworks comes to my mind.  Not exactly what I’m looking for in a blush.)  Well, the Nars blush version is a pinky-peach and with peach being one of the hot colors for this season I finally had to try it.

I wasn’t too impressed when I first put it on but when I looked in the rear-view mirror to pull out of my parking space when my shopping trip was over I was surprised. It gave my cheeks a natural, healthy, slightly flushed glow (hmmmm, must be how they came up with the color name). Throughout the afternoon I continued to have people comment on how I looked somehow different. They all thought it was the glow of pregnancy shining through but I knew the real secret. I bought that blush the very next time I was at the mall.

I could end my post there but a few days after owning my own compact of Orgasm I realized the true secret of the color of this blush. People that meet my 4 year old daughter for the first time almost always notice her cheeks. She had the most adorable chubby, rosy cheeks which she got from her daddy. Well, one morning she wandered into the bathroom while I was putting on my makeup and it hit me. Nars Orgasm blush is the exact same shade as her cheeks.

I’m not exaggerating, am I?  That is an exact match to my baby’s natural healthy coloring.

The only down-side is that Nars blush doesn’t seem to be as rich and long lasting as my usual blush. The pigments aren’t as strong as my bareMinerals blush so I have to use a little more but… it means that I haven’t had to worry about getting too much on my brush and overdoing it.

Think of all the times you’ve complimented a baby, toddler, little kid’s healthy rosy cheeks thinking “I wish my cheeks still looked like that.” Well, I no longer have to wish for it. I just brush it on every morning and give the apples of my cheeks a little touch-up if I’m going out again at night.

The time had come for me to finally break down and buy some new make-up brushes.    I  was holding out until I could purchase some rather pricey ones, but I could wait no longer.   My old ones were shedding all over my face.

Aside from not wanting my friends picking little hairs off my face all the time, having good make-up brushes is important to me.  I purchased some eye make-up brushes 12 years ago that are still in excellent condition.  With the right care, they can last for a very long time.

So, I headed to our local Ulta cosmetics store to check some out.  I needed a blush brush and a powder brush, which just happen to be two of the more expensive ones.

Imagine my excitement when I picked out these brushes from EcoTools and the woman helping me told me they were some of the best brushes they sell despite the low cost at roughly $10 each!  She said they cannot keep them in stock.   Sold!  Not one to let a good deal go and often one to join the crowd, I left there with both a powder and blush brush for under $20.  Most quality brushes cost more than that for EACH brush.

Okay, so what do I love other than the fantastic price?

They are Eco-Friendly.  I might as well be able to apply my make-up and be green, right?

The handle is made of Bamboo which is incredibly durable and a highly sustainable plant – meaning it grows quickly so it is easily replaced and uses less of our natural resources.   Plants like Bamboo are good for the environment.

As if helping to save the planet with my make-up brush is not good enough,  I like the look of the wood much better than plastic and it just feels better in my hand.

The bristles are not real hair.  Now, I know that some of you may not like this in a make-up brush.   The only difference that I can tell is that these are softer than my real hair brushes and I actually like them better.  The EcoTools are incredibly soft.  I love putting them on my face because they feel really nice.

The bristles are made from synthetic Taklon and are 100% cruelty free.  As a matter of fact, brushes made with Taklon are said to be better than those made with real hair and many higher-end make up companies like Urban Decay and Studio Direct are using it in their brushes.

And to top it all off…  The sleek ferrule (the thingy that holds the bristles to the handle) is made from recycled aluminum, and the cases that hold them are made from natural cotton and hemp.  Both highly sustainable plants, which we just covered.  It’s good for our planet.

You can purchase these brushes at Ulta Cosmetic Stores, Target, and Walgreens.

Oh and be sure to become an EcoTools  Insider to get product news, tips and promotions.

So how do you take care of your new brushes?   Another post, another time!