Archive for January, 2010

Prescriptives Custom Blend products are now available for purchase online.

Hey Glossies,

I finally tried NARS foundation and I purchased MAC’s Love Lace e/s.  More on the foundation later.

I do not own any color that is similar to Love Lace…the color reminds me of denim (a combination of navy blue and grey). I totally love the color and the texture.  Veluxe Pearl is my favorite MAC texture and can do no wrong. Initially, I applied Love Lace with no primer and I was pleased with color payoff.  (As long as I have used MAC, I have never sampled the e/s without a primer.)

On to the foundation. I went into a popular chain store to get matched to NARS.  The MA was pleasant.  She did not  the unthinkable, she did not remove the foundation to match my skin to the appropriate shading. I gasped and took the samples and left the store.  I thought, “Who the heck matches foundation without removing foundation? What if the customer/client is wearing the wrong shade to begin with?” Sidear: I am always telling my friends that they have to be active participants in the matching process because some MAs will not do the right thing.  I went to another chain store and tested and received samples of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and I tried Macao, New Orleans and Benares.  The latter shades are too dark for most of my face, but New Orleans [Who Dat! ] and Benares work well on the lower part of my face. Macao works well on the rest of my face.

I like the fact that NARS really understands the intricate shading of WOC, even in the descriptions. Macao is listed as Medium-dark 4-Medium-dark with deep yellow undertone, New Orleans is Medium-dark 5-Medium-dark with yellow undertone and Benares is Dark 2 – Dark with golden undertone.

I am very pleased with NARS Sheer Glow foundation, which is neither sheer nor glowy.  The coverage is good, medium buildable. Definitely feels light against skin.  When I looked at my face, I forget that I was wearing foundation…it does look quite natural.  I love it!!

Face

• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• NARS Macao Sheer Glow Foundation
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation (Base #5)
• Clinique Blended Face powder Transparency #5
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder (Base #5)

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20
• Stila Smudge Pot – Gray
• Purely Cosmetics CTP – Slate Blue
• MAC Love Lace e/s
• L’Oreal HiP Duo – Platinum (Side:Black with flecks of silver glitter)
• Smashbox Eyelights – (Peach side)
• Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Black
• Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes mascara
• Barry M Kohl Pencil – Black

Lips

• MAC Tender Tone – Sweet Tooth
• Revlon Matte – Cocoa Craving

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

There has been a lot of discussion lately on P&G about foundation.  Finding the right foundation can be elusive at times, but there are some brands that have shades for the medium dark to deep dark WOC, so don’t be afraid to try brands that are not too popular..does not mean they are not good.

I am always trolling Sephora’s sale page and I have been noticing a bit of foundation for the deep dark beauties at discounted prices.

Napolean Perdis Foundation Stick Look 8 – This foundation is great.  I use Look 7 foundation stick very lightly on my roseacea areas as a cover-up and the coverage is AWESOME! The coverage is full, but the foundation feels light on the skin, which I love.

Napolean Perdis Foundation Look 8

Napolean Perdis China Doll Foundation Look 7 - The foundation is sheer. I have tried Look 6  and it works well on the non-rosecea part of my skin, which is from the apple of the cheeks to the forehead. It is light and not too matte, but not dewy at all…just right.

Napolean Perdis China Doll Foundation Look 7

Cargo Foundation Oil-Free Foundation – F 100 – I have not used this product, but fellow beauty homies like this product.  They said the coverage is sheer.  One of them raved about that she looked natural, but had a glow without looking dewy or greasy.

Cargo Oil-Free Foundation F 100

Some Sephora stores still have some CARGO items, so get there ASAP!  So go forth and test.

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

The saga continues….

I finally wore my updated Prescriptives Custom Blend (CB) foundation.  I have learned that Custom Blend is as good as the blender.  The second MA did a much better job than the initial MA.  The color shade is not suitable for my entire face, so I have decided to only use the CB Foundation on my Roseacea spots (parts of the cheek and jaw areas) and only using the powder there as well, unless I use MAC 162 brush for the apple area and above. I am resigned to the fact that one foundation shade can and will not satisfy my needs, which I already knew, but a lady can always dream, right?

Face

• MAC  Select Cover-up – NC50
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• Indianwood Paint Pot
• Urban Decay Secret Service e/s
• Wild and Crazy You Rock e/s
• TheBalm Shady Lady – Caught in the Act Courtney e/s
• Urban Decay Blaze e/s
• LA Girl Mark My Eyes liquid e/l
• Urban Decay Zero e/l
• Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes mascara

Lips

• NYX pinky l/l
• Revlon Icy Violet (very pretty) (75% off @ CVS)
• MAC Hello Kitty Mimmy l/g

The Eye Shadow –

I am really like the Arissa Baked Eye Shadows.  They are similar to the MAC’s mineralized eye shadows. The pigmentation is pretty good and as I stated in the Baked Holiday Goodies post, that the shadows work best with a sponge-tip applicator.  The baked shadows really pop when used with MAC Paint Pots, L’Oreal HiP Color Cream Crayons and/or Stila Smudge Pots.

Here are swatches of the Arissa Baked Eye Shadows:

Arissa Baked Eye Shadows: L-R - Black Hole, Twilight, Constellation, Galaxy (no base)

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

I love my share of body washes and shower gels and I want to add Caress Evenly Gorgeous body wash with Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter to that list.  Sidebar: Who remembers the commercials for the 1980s, “before you dress, caress!”

The wash is a mid-tone gold/copper with bits of sugar granules. The scent is similar to cocoa butter.  The texture is smooth and creamy even though the body wash exfoliates, the granules do not feel scratchy on the skin. I am not a huge fan of the scent, but the scent is not oppressive like other body washes with similar scents.  The lather is sudsy and a little goes a long way. My skin always feel soft and supple after use…definitely good stuff!!

The only thing that product is missing is a bit of leftover shimmer on the skin. Other than that, I like the body wash a lot. Definitely worth the price.

Overall Rating: 4
Results: 4
Price [Value]: 4
Packaging Quality: 4

Would you buy this product again? O0h, yes!!

Mix Maven

I am huge fan of Conan O’Brien and had been watching his Late Night show for years.  Mr. Maven and I would huddle around the TV and watch his show on Comedy Central, where they would re-air the show from the previous night, this was prior to us getting our first DVR. After we bought our first DVR, Replay, I set Late Night with Conan O’Brien to record every night.  Even adding extra time for late night interruptions like Wimbledon Tennis, late hockey games and so forth.

We, the Mavens, were excited about Conan’s move to the Tonight Show. As a young lass, my brother and I would watch Johnny Carson during summer vacation and we thought he was too funny. I was not a huge fan of Jay Leno (maybe because I missed Johnny after his retirement), but I do think Jay is funny.  I tell you, if it weren’t for the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, I would have been in Conan rehab for those 3 months lol.  I was glad when Conan O’Brien took over the reigns at the Tonight Show, even though the Masturbating Bear was no longer in the line up.  LOL Once again, I set-up the DVR to record Conan’s show.

Yes, Conan is silly and I think that is what makes him special. I love how he can make any celebrity interesting by using his special flare for self-deprecating jokes. I love how Conan’s ginger pompadour jiggles and shakes when he laughs…. it is its’ own person. LOL And I could not forget the  “String Dance”! This Harvard graduate could have easily found himself working in the government in a high-level position or maybe even in industry as an executive, but he followed his dream/passion and went into comedy as a writer and performer.

So during this debacle, Conan’s ratings has increased 42% and I hope this trend continues because I love me some CoCo.  I think if his people could book General Larry “Pants on the Ground” Platt on the Tonight Show, his competition would be biting the dust.  You’re welcome, Coneezy!  ;-D

I wish him all the best and I hope he comes out on top. I have my remote ready to set the DVR.

Check out  Conan O’Brien’s  funny, yet inspiration keynote speech at Stuyvesant High School class of 2006 graduation. Part 1 and Part 2.

Mix Maven

The Makeup Show is celebrating 5 years of “Artistry, Education, Inspiration and Community.” I have been to the LA Makeup Show and I agree with the education, inspiration and community that the shows provide.  I have learned so much and have met fellow beauty aficionados/artists that I would not, otherwise, meet. The education and inspiration sessions are top notch.  The shows not only teach the artistry side, but also teach the business side of the beauty industry.

At the Makeup Show LA, I discovered Face Atelier foundation, Kissable Couture lip products and reacquainting myself with Beauty Blender Sponge, Makeup For Ever, Cinema Secrets, Cover FX and many other top of the line beauty brands.

Click on the images to go the websites

Well, the Powder Group has scheduled the 2010 Makeup Shows in Los Angeles and New York City.  The Makeup Show LA will be held February 28 – March 1, 2010 at the California Market Center and the Makeup Show NYC will be held May 16 – 17, 2010 at the Metropolitan Pavilion from 9 AM – 6 PM.

The Makeup Show brings together the top pro-focused brands and businesses including Diamond Sponsor Make Up For Ever, Platinum sponsors Inglot and Temptu Pro, and sponsors Alcone, Crown Brush and Smashbox. The official media sponsor of the event is On Makeup Magazine.

These must-attend shows will  have more than 80 other pro makeup industry businesses will also participate in the events including: M.A.C Cosmetics, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Three Custom Color, Senna, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Korres Natural Products, Becca, Embryolisse, Stila Cosmetics and Kissable Couture. Past presenters include Billy B, Ve Neill, Dean and Davis Factor, Eve Pearl, Dany Sanz, Marvin Westmore, Joe Blasco, Maurice Stein, Linda Mason, Ronnie Specter, Sharon Gault, Sam Fine, Joanne Gair and Joanna Schlip.

There will also be top industry speakers/presenters at each show and those are not to be missed.

I am looking forward to meeting some more great people at the shows this year and discovering new beauty products.

See you there,

Mix Maven