Elizabeth Arden's Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation

I love trying out new foundations. Why? I'm not sure. I'll find one I like, buy it a few times, then I get allured by new things out there. I guess that's why I have this blog!

So, when I heard about the new foundation from Elizabeth Arden I was excited to try it out. I've had some good and some bad experiences with mineral makeup. But, I've always had great success with Elizabeth Arden. I was hoping to have results like my previous L'Oreal success, but maybe with easier application.

Overall, I found this new Elizabeth Arden to be a great foundation. It comes in a really great compact. The foundation itself is a pressed powder, but if you look carefully there is a metal plate over it. You can get the makeup by running a brush over the metal plate for a small amount of foundation, or you can twist the plate and it will scrape up some foundation for you! This gives you a lot of control over how much foundation you get and where it goes. While the foundation comes with a powder puff, I also used a brush for more coverage.

The foundation itself is fantastic. The coverage is very buildable, blends very easily and the finish is very natural. With the enclosed puff the coverage is very light. I got medium coverage using a small brush, I'm sure you could use it for fuller coverage as well if you want. I found that the foundation lasted easily all day, without the typical mid-afternoon issues that many foundations have.

This is a foundation I can definitely recommend! Check it out next time you're on the market for foundation.

Elizabeth Arden's Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation

Want some Gucci?

I got this great e-mail and I had to share before the sale is over!

Ideeli is have a huge, massive Gucci sale this morning! There are totes of all sizes, makeup bags, wallets, etc. Some of the items are available only to the "1st Row" members, but the deals are really great and certainly worth upgrading your account if there's something you want.

ideeli
To join, use the code "beautyfanatic"

Update

I'm back from the wedding!

All went well, even my sister's makeup. I made her wear a bit more foundation than normal (and even a bit of concealer, which she admits to hating), but with so much blending that she made fun of my love of blending, it looked great! I used about 6 eye shadows on her, eye liner, and of course the Max Factor Volume Couture Waterproof. A bit of Bobbi Brown blush, some MAC shimmer powder, a Chanel lipstick (given to me by Erika over at Makeup Bag while we were in Paris, it was amazing on my sister) and finally a Max Factor lip gloss that I found on clearance at ULTA when I bought the much talked about mascara.

Overall, I thought she looked like herself but with a bit more eye makeup and lipstick than usual. She seemed pretty happy about the look, and there was no smudging of mascara!

I am terribly behind in posting. Watch for reviews of Aveda, Murad and M2 products coming soon! Right now I'm trying out the new Clinique spring collection and I'm in love! The new anti-redness powder from Clinique is also amazing. My new favorite foundation is in a compact from Elizabeth Arden and I have a new Estée Lauder one sitting here waiting to be tried out as well.

Check back soon for more!

What's Your Favorite Waterproof Mascara? Here's Mine!

This morning my cell phone rang. My cell phone never rings. Very few people have the number and those that do know I can't answer it when I'm in the hospital. It turned out to be my sister (who knows I'm not at the hospital today). She was calling with a beauty emergency.

What was the emergency? Well, she's 3 days before her wedding and she was in the middle of Sephora. And dumbfounded by all of the mascara. What to buy? She called me since I'm doing her makeup that day. (I'm very nervous about this by the way. I've never done any one else's makeup. I'm a doctor, not a makeup artist. I'm bringing absurd amounts of product with me.) I wanted her to have waterproof mascara. I couldn't think of a good one at Sephora (my favorite Tarte ones are no longer sold at my Sephora, and they aren't waterproof anyways). I told her she needed to go to CVS.

Leave Sephora and go to CVS??

Yes.

She doesn't have time to go, so I'll be buying it for her here in California. I'll be getting her my favorite waterproof mascara, Max Factor's Volume Couture Mascara. Many waterproof formulas are not quite waterproof, are not easy to apply or are impossible to remove. Not so this one! It's every bit as good as the regular one.

I will admit that since she wanted some expensive mascara I sent her to the closest Chanel counter for the Exceptionnel, which I've been trying out recently and love. But I told her that for the wedding itself we were going to use the Max Factor waterproof mascara and it would be fantastic.

So, spill the beans! I want to know what everyone's favorite waterproof mascara is right now!

Poshe Topcoats and Basecoats: Can They Fit into Your Manicure Routine?

I'm sure a lot of you know by now that I love nail polish and nail products. I admit that I'm frequently on the nail board over at Makeup Alley (though I comment a lot less now than I once did), and I have a huge nail polish collection.

I am pretty picky about what products I use. I expect to do a manicure quickly (I can get from polish removal to the end in under 10 minutes), I want my manicure to dry in under 10-15 minutes (at least to the point that I can do basic things, I don't expect to put on gloves), I want nice shine and I want 5-6 days of wear despite the rough things I do with my hands.

I have posted my manicure routine before, though that was a few years ago and I'm always up for revisiting products or tweaking my routine. So, while I had tried Poshe before, problems with shrinkage persisted and it wasn't a regular product of mine. They recently asked me to give it another try, this time paired with their base coat.

So, I set out on a massive trial process. I've been using the two products exclusively in combination with other brands. I've used them with OPI, Essie, China Glaze and Zoya nail polishes. I've added or deleted my Barielle treatment products. How did it go?

It went pretty well actually. I'm not sure if it was because I was using the top coat previously with other base coats, but when used with the Poshe Base Coat, I have no shrinkage issues. I have great shine from the Poshe (equal to Seche Vite, which is fantastic). I can type on my computer or do other basic things about 10 minutes after completing application. Application itself goes well and I think the Poshe is a bit less viscous than SV, which I know a lot of people will appreciate.

Wear seemed to be a little bit of an issue. I can't add in a Barielle product, it cuts wear to 2 days. But with the Poshe top coat and base coat all manicures pretty much last 5-6 days without a chip in sight. (One exception is Zoya, which seems to only last 2 days or so, but I seem to have Zoya issues. I'm taking the advice of my friend Michelle over at All Lacquered Up who thinks Zoya does best with its own top and base coats. I'm trialling that now.)

Overall, I was pretty happy with the Poshe products. Great wear, nice shine, no more issues with shrinkage. All that and it's pretty fast drying. What more could a girl ask for?

Poshe Fast Drying Basecoat
Poshe Super-Fast Drying Topcoat

NARS Spring 2009

Have you seen the latest collection for NARS yet? This time François Nars was inspired by the iconic images of the late supermodel Gia Carangi. He described them as "aggressive, but very sensual and fragile at the same time.”

For me this collection has an interesting play between light and dark colors. There is as matte brick-red eyeshadow, which they recommend pairing with black eyeliner or pearly white shadow. The lip stick, Shrinagar, is a metallic raspberry shade. Other shades in this collection are very spring appropriate. They range from a smokey lilac to a baby pink all with shimmer. I venture to say that everyone will find something to buy in the pastels offered here.

NARS Spring 2009

A Cool Tool: Best Foot File

What is that little thing? Actually, that's a foot file. Really. And it is one great little tool!

I've used all sorts of items on my feet. Some require batteries, some are demonstrated on TV against balloons. While I'm still using that PedEgg for hard care foot maintenance, sometimes I want just less abrasion. Or I want to clean up after the PedEgg. Whatever. I like to have a foot file in the shower. I like the ones from Best Foot File because the stainless steel won't rust, they're pretty indestructible and when I rinse it off really do feel as though it gets clean. Unlike pumice stones, which make me wonder what is stuck in them.

They're 20% off until the end of January!
Best Foot File

Spend Your Super Bowl Sunday at Bliss!

Admit it. As much as you might like to think your significant other loves you and couldn't do without you, during the Super Bowl there are quite a few girls who might as well not be there. So, why waste your Sunday watching the game? The commercials aren't even that great anymore.

So, Bliss Spa is having a special deal! Check out the details above.

As well, they are offering 20% off on their website to celebrate the presidential transition. Might be a great time to stock up!

Bliss

Product I'm Dramatically Overusing: Poshe Cuticle Care

Did you ever become so obsessed with a product that you want to using it, about 10x more each day than you probably should? But you really just do not care that you're overdoing it? Because you're addicted to the product?

Well, that's me right now with this cuticle cream from Poshe. It contains alpha hydroxy acids which help exfoliate your cuticles over time, keeping them in shape. Not a replacement for a cuticle remover, more of a maintenance product. And yes, you can overdo it with the AHAs, as evidenced by the slight stinging I had yesterday after my 10th application (I washed my hands and was fine, probably more like 2-3 applications a day max is reasonable.) I told you I was addicted to this stuff!

Well, with reasonable use of this product, I have flawless, hydrated cuticles. No more ragged edges, no painful hang nails.

And if you're thinking, didn't Christine write about a similar product before? Yes, I did. I admit that I fell off of the Cuticle Eraser band wagon after a year or so. Why? Suddenly all of my tubes separated into white clumps and oil. It was gross. The Poshe is more hydrating, creamier and I've had no separation issues. I prefer the Poshe over Cuticle Eraser.

Poshe AHA Cuticle Care

MAC's Brunette, Blonde Redhead: My Favorite Items

Yesterday I showed you MAC's new Brunette, Blonde Redhead collection, and I promised that today I'd show you my favorite items from the collection.

I'm not quite as blonde as I once was, especially after this weekend's visit to my stylist Shannon. My hair is naturally a brownish nothing, with my blonde highlights, I come out in the end still kinda between blonde and brunette. In addition I have very fair skin, so that influences my picks. I picked items from both the blonde and brunette selections.


Mineralize Skinfinish Blush in Blonde
With my pale complexion, a light, subtle blush looks much more natural on me than darker shades. This Blonde shade is beautiful! The compact is actually very large (the same size as other Mineralize products, but larger than a regular MAC blush).

There is shimmer in this blush, which if you are not careful with can come across as an oily face. I get around this problem by applying a light layer of translucent powder over the blush. It blends well and sticks around all day! Love, Love, Love!


MAC Henna Eyeshadow
This is my brunette pick, and you can see that this shade (described as a "dark gold" by MAC) is a gold with some green and bronze leanings. It's very highly pigmented and I have been using it as a base color on my lid, layered under more neutral colors. Absolutely beautiful! I'll be trying it out in a more smokey eye as well, I have high expectations for this shade.


MAC Pincurl Eyeshadow
I couldn't get this shade to show up in any swatch pictures, and I know in this picture it looks incredibly blah and bland. Almost like concrete. But, trust me, this Blonde Shade (a "dusty white") is amazing.

I've had great results using this shade completely alone. I apply over my entire lid, shading it up over the crease just a bit. I've been pairing it with black eye liner, usually a very thin line that I've really smudged into the lash line. The shadow just has a very ethereal look almost. I can't describe it any more than that. But, this is my new "go to" color for a fast easy eye!


With so many new MAC collections, there's a lot of new stuff in my house! Tomorrow I'll show you my new lippies from the collections.
MAC's Brunette, Blonde Redhead

Esteé Lauder Spring 2009: Fuschia Now

Have you seen the images of Estée Lauder's new Spring 2009 collection, Fuschia Now yet? I honestly think that this collection may be too pretty to actually use. The embossing on the shadows, the Fleur de Lys Shimmer Powder??!! Wow. That's really all I can say. I just want to carry that compact around with me to look at it when I want.

This collection has 2 different looks, a cool pink or warm neutral. Each look comes with a different eye shadow duo, lip stick, eye liner and even nail polish. I do think that these "looks" are pretty universally flattering and appear to me that they'd work with almost anyone's skin tone. Combine that with the shimmer powder's promise of "beautiful radiance and sheer hint of color for skin that appears fresh and glowing" and I think this collection is one to check out!

Estée Lauder

MAC's Brunette, Blonde Redhead

As hard as it is to say so, things have been pretty quiet for me on the beauty front lately. I have a few new items, but I feel a bit... blah? Not much has gotten me excited to rush to my laptop and post. Hence, way fewer posts than usual. But, along comes a "quiet", little hyped collection from MAC, and I'm all agog!

The idea behind this collection is obvious. These are colors meant to especially flatter those with each hair color (and the corresponding skin tones). The collection is available now, and I have a feeling that these are colors we'll all be searching for again if we run out... they are destined to become classics!

Tomorrow I'll share pics and swatches of my favorites.
You can check out the collection below or on MACCosmetics.com

Win Freeze 24-7 from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic and Ideeli!

I love sites like ideeli, which allow you to find great deals on designer items! Even better, they are branching out, offering more beauty items. While I've posted codes in the past to let you join (usually these are invite-only sites), this is something completely different!

To help celebrate their upcoming Freeze 24-7 offerings, ideeli is co-sponsoring a contest with me! 5 lucky readers will win a deluxe sample set of Freeze 24-7 face care products, and everyone that enters will automatically be allowed to join ideeli! The contest ends January 15th.

Freeze 24-7 Contest

While ideeli has different sales everyday, I think my sale to watch for might be the Marc Jacobs Watch Sale on Tuesday, Jan 13th. I've already been eyeing some of these at my local mall, but knowing that in this sale the watches start at $49 makes me wonder if I should buy more than one....

There's also a Hype handbag sale on Monday Jan 12th, I can't wait to see what is offered! Those prices will be about 67% off, starting at $42.

Elizabeth Arden's Prevage Line, How Are The Other Products?

I have a secret.

I have been holding out on you, my dear readers.

For months now I have been quietly enjoying more Prevage formulations, meaning to write about them, but of course, I've been distracted. Well, no more! I'll share them with you!

Prevage is one of the most popular anti-aging lines in the US. And for good reason! I've explained the active ingredients in the past (check out my night cream review here). Basically, incredibly powerful anti-oxidants.

While I've had great luck with the night cream, I really wanted to try out the other formulations in the line, so I've been using the new body lotion and the eye cream. Both products are also full of the same anti-oxidant technology. The whole line has the same light perfumed scent.

Do they work? I'm sure they do (check out those clinical results over in the night cream post, similar results for these products). I don't have wrinkles, so I can't comment on that. But, I feel that anti-oxidants are definitely indicated for prevention of aging, so I've been happy to include these in my daily routine.

The eye cream is very creamy (sorry, don't really have another word here), and it feels great as it absorbs into the skin. I do think it takes a minute or two to fully absorb, but when it does the eye area is perfectly prepared for makeup. I really do think it makes my concealer apply more easily and look better. Honestly, not every eye cream I try does this. I even love the tube this product comes in, it's air-tight, keeping the product as active as possible.

The body lotion is very hydrating, and while most of it does absorb right away there is a slight residue left behind. I actually really do like this, I'm not sure why. It makes me feel very soft and well hydrated. Is that weird? Anyways, this lotion is a bit expensive, but there are only a few anti-aging body lotions on the market. I'm trying to reserve this for the areas on my body that will age the fastest, so primarily my chest, shoulders and arms.

If your New Year's Resolution is to amp up your anti-aging routine you might want to check these products out.
Prevage Eye Anti-Aging Moisturizing Treatment
Prevage Body Total Transforming Anti-Aging Moisturizer

Essie Spring 2009 Sneak Peak

Essie has now officially released info on their Spring Collection, pictured above. The colors included:
• Eternal Optimist – Spiced Tea Rose
• Flawless – Cherry Blossom Pink
• Status Symbol – Feisty Hot Pink
• One of a Kind – Poppy Red Kiss
• Lacquered Up – Red Hot Crimson
• Mesmerize – Royal va-va Blue

The three pinks look especially great to me. After wearing mostly reds and vamps for years, recently I've been going for a "softer" look and breaking out my old Essie pinks and neutrals! No one can do lights like Essie. All three pinks are colors I'm definitely going to check out, I'm especially excited to try and layer them under other sheer colors.

The spring collection will be available starting in February!


Essie has also announced a great new contest! Together with the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau, they are going to send the winner to Beverly Hills, in what can only be described as a "Pretty Woman" style trip!

One lucky winner and guest will receive round-trip tickets to Los Angeles, CA where they will enjoy two luxurious nights at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, a signature Love, Beverly Hills xx manicure at The Lea Journo Salon and dinner for two at The Blvd at the Beverly Wilshire.

All of this is in honor of their new limited edition polish, Love, Beverly Hills xx.

Enter to Win by February 28, 2009. Good luck!

New Releases I Can't Wait to Try Out: Chanel Spring and Bobbi Brown Brights

I know, I know. We're all still digging out from our new Holiday items. I haven't even tried out anything from my YSL Holiday Set, which my mother-in-law had hunted down for me.

But, I have to admit that I'm really looking forward to checking out these new releases. What do you think? Have you tried them yet?


Bobbi Brown Brights Eye Palette
Bobbi is the queen of neutral, which I love. I have a more natural look (even if I use 4 eye shadows to get there). I will on occasion experiment, but bright eye shadows are not really in my day to day routine. If anyone can create bright colors that will work for girls like me, it's Bobbi!

This palette is based on her "fun" colors which she uses for fashion shows, shoots, etc. There are 35 soft matte shades, and I have a feeling that incorporating one or two into an otherwise neutral look will work even for me!



Chanel Spring 2009
I'm not usually a Chanel girl. Sure, I covet their eye shadow palettes and Glossimers. I have some of their nail polishes (the colors are amazing). But I am honestly usually looking at other lines, and the Chanel price tag is still a bit out of reach for me. I think this Spring Collection is going to be my first real adventure into Chanel. But, I don't think I'll be able to resist this new collection!

The eye quad really looks right up my alley, the Glossimers in Wild Rose and Beige Guitare will both work for me, and especially that nail polish in Vendetta..... wow!


Chanel Satin Lip Cream
This Chanel lip palette has 5 different shades, comes with a brush and looks amazing! Can you imagine pulling this compact out of your bag to touch up your lipstick?


Both Bobbi Brown Brights and Chanel Spring 2009 are available now on-line (links above) and in stores! I'm hoping to check them out on my next trip to the mall. What are you looking forward to trying out?