My beauty Bag

Mika 2008 Holiday Shu Uemura Collection.

We already showed you the Mika Portable Brush Set that we love so much from this collection, but wait ’til you see these palettes:

Designed by Japanese photographer and director Mika Ninagawa, these palette cases are just as gorgeous as the shadows they contain.

midnight winter sakura (top)
Mika Ninagawa’s breathtaking night view of the snow-white Japanese flower decorates this case. This set’s magnificent hues, like smoky blue and pink beige, will create eyes as intense as the name implies.

adorned marguerite (middle)
The marguerite-adorned case features an inner palette that is a playful mixture of Mika Ninagawa’s dreamy colors. Vivid combination of pink and blue shade brush on to add a velvety sensation to the eyes.

secret luscious rose (bottom)
A photograph of roses by Mika Ninagawa beautifully decorates the case that opens to reveal a contrasting range of colors. Lightly frosted white and rich moss green will accent eyes in shades that make the most classical flower new again.

And while you’re here, we might as well show you the lip glosses:

delicious rose and seductive gerbena are little makeup pouches containing shimmery lip gloss trios to make you smile.

Shu Uemura Holiday 2008 Mika Ninagawa is available beginning November 2008 at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom counters nationwide and online at shuuemura-usa.com

From: http://www.makeupbag.net

Stila Holiday 2008. As always, Stila has a great assortment of holiday items this season. Some are Sephora exclusives, but all are worth taking a look at— especially the Surprise & Shine Record a Message Palette. How fun!

Surprise & Shine Record a Message Palette
Personalize your gift in a way that has never been possible before by sending a holiday greeting that literally speaks for itself. Utilizing Stila’s patent pending Talking Palette technology, this palette of must-haves allows you to record a completely customized message.  Just because you can’t always primp with your best friends, they can still hear your words of reassurance anytime, anywhere.  Wrapped with an aubergine ribbon, the palette includes universally flattering Nude, Wheat and Espresso Eye Shadows and Convertible Color in Peony.
Price: $40

Step Out & Shine Color Collection & Handbag
Combining two of a Stila girl’s favorite things – makeup and accessories – this sparkling silver clutch is stocked with essentials for any occasion. The bag of best sellers even includes a sneak preview of Stila’s next big star, NEW Pomegranate Crush Lip and Cheek Stain. Tucked inside, discover deluxe travel sizes of Multi-Effect Mascara, All Over Shimmer a full size limited edition Convertible Color in Orchid and an Eye Shadow Quad in Montmartre.  (Sephora exclusive)
Price: $50

Shine On Gift of Glaze
Gloss on the lips is like tinsel on the tree – without it, something is missing.  This set
of six minis features two NEW Lip Glaze shades, Raisin and Gumdrop, as well as
all-time favorites Vanilla, Apricot, Grapefruit and Brown Sugar.  Perfect for pocket-
sized purses, the assortment guarantees a good glazing is never more than a click
away.   (Sephora exclusive)
Price: $28

Eyes & Shine Smudge Pot Trio
Encourage her to bring out a sultry side in the sexy Stila way with this trio of mini
Smudge Pots.  These clever little gels have an inky intensity that will outlast even the
most packed social schedule. Featuring black, gray and bronze shades and
complete with a mini brush, the tiny treats can make any look just a little naughty,
which sometimes is nice.
Price: $32

Stila is available at a variety of locations including  Sephora, sephora.com and stilacosmetics.com.

From: http://www.makeupbag.net/

Rimmel Light Beam After Hours Lip Gloss Review. Sometime over the summer I was sent three tubes of Rimmel Light Beam lip gloss for review. I’ve been so busy using them and trying to pry them out of my daughter’s hands that I sort of … er, forgot to review them. Heh. Sorry about that! It was a weird summer, y’all.

Anyhoodle, you’ve probably seen this stuff in stores by now, and if so you know that the selling point is the packaging. The tube is squat and rectangular with a mirror along one side — big whoop, we’ve all seen that before. The unique part is the cap — there’s a little push-button operated light in it. Yes, a teeny, tiny flashlight. Open the product, depress the button in the top of the cap/handle, and a tiny spotlight shines down the length of the wand and thus onto your lips as you apply the product. Kind of like in this dramatic photo provided to me for purposes of illustration:

So with the light and the mirror, you can apply this stuff in the dark! Cool, huh? The light also works while the cap is on, so you can dazzle everyone around you with your mysteriously glowing tube o’ gloss, like in this picture I took myself in a dark (bath)room:

Yes, I AM easily amused, thanks for asking!

So let’s talk about the product INSIDE the cool tube, huh? Light Beam is a thin, very sheer gloss that’s only a little bit sticky. I received three shades — In The Mix, a sheer pale pink; Spotlight, a shimmery raspberry pink; and After Hours, a sheer brownish-plum — and they all look the same (read: clear and shiny) on my lips except that Spotlight is shimmery and the others aren’t. They all taste fabulous, though. In The Mix is sort of fruity, Spotlight tastes like bubblegum, and After Hours has some nebulous sweetness (maybe a little vanilla?) going on.

The thin texture combined with the yummy flavor means these glosses don’t really have much in the way of lasting power. If you don’t eat them off your lips, they’re going to wear off pretty quickly anyway. And let’s face it — do you really NEED a light and a mirror to apply what is essentially, on lips, a clear gloss? Maybe it’s because I’m old and have been applying lip gloss to my own lips for 30+ years, but I really don’t. Now if this gloss were actually pigmented, and I were the type to spend a lot of time in dark movie theaters and night clubs and … basements? or something? then the swell packaging would be extremely helpful.

Now, as mentioned in the first paragraph of this review, I HAVE been using and enjoying this gloss all summer. No, it doesn’t really show up at all, but it’s yummy and I certainly don’t hate it. However, my local supermarket is charging nearly $10 per tube for this stuff, and I really don’t think I’d pay that much for this product. I guess if you think of it as a combination flashlight/mirror/gloss — sort of the Swiss Army knife of the lip gloss world — then it might be worth $10 to you. Or, as mentioned above, if the gloss were heavily pigmented then I can see the packaging being worth a couple of extra bucks for the convenience factor.

But for a delicious yet very sheer gloss with an admittedly cute gimmick? Eh. I don’t think so.

From: http://lipstickismycrack.blogspot.com/

Anastasia Brow Gel.

With all the lofty marketing claims attached to new products these days, it’s so refreshing to find something that wows you even though you have rather low expectations of it.

I recently came into possession of a tube of Anastasia Brow Gel in Clear, and my first reaction was “ehhhh. Repackaged clear mascara for several times the price. Pass!”

But when getting ready for a wedding last month, I wanted to make sure my brows — sparse as they are — stayed in place all night, so I decided to take the Anastasia gel out for a spin. I really wasn’t expecting anything more than the results I used to get with a tube of Cover Girl clear mascara.

Wrong! Wrong! I love being wrong in situations like these; it makes something mundane seem like a groundbreaking discovery.

The Brow Gel felt like absolutely nothing going on, but my brows did not even budge all night. Like I said, they’re pretty sparse, but they have a tendency to get out of place pretty easily — especially the right one. Three reasons: (1) the long, sideswept bangs that fall on the right side of my face are a brow disturbance hazard, (2) I end up pushing them out of my face pretty frequently, therefore touching the brow and disturbing it further, and (3) that right brow has an old scar running through it, which tends to act like a brow cowlick (browlick?).

So when I say they didn’t move all night, this is pretty impressive. In addition, they were SHINY. As in, healthy-looking. Healthy-looking brows. Who knew such a thing could be possible!

And finally, the formula didn’t flake, dry out or get sticky over the course of the evening. Winner! I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but yes, it really is worth the $21. It’s really not that high a price to pay for peace-of-brow!

From: http://beautyaddict.blogspot.com/

MAC Halloween face charts

Clarisonic Pink Ribbon Brush to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

One great product that I’ve been dying to try is the Clarisonic Skin Brush. It is supposed to be life-changing and actually be worth the steep price tag. ($195). If Kate Somerville promotes it, I know it must be amazing.

How does it work? Well, Clarisonic’s stimulating sonic micro-massage gently clears pores for better absorption, making other steps of the beauty regimen work better. It is also waterproof for use in the shower or tub and at the sink. It uses the same technology as the Sonicare toothbrush, which I’ve been a fan of for years.

Now you can also put your money to good use: since the Pink Ribbon edition of the brush did so well last year, they extended the promotion. In 2007, Clarisonic donated over $100,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This limited edition pink brush will be available through year end. So pick yours up at Sephora and other fine retailers.

Brush Lovely!

Time in a Bottle: Philosophy The Soda Fountain.

There’s a part of me that’s always wished I grew up in the 50s. Those old-time drugstores with soda fountains just always seem so kitschy and fun. So I was totally stoked to discover the brand-new The Soda Fountain by Philosophy. I totally get the special opportunity of escaping to that soda fountain in the comfort of my own home … or shower, as the case may be!

Just from looking at the box, I’m immediately transported to the time of pedal pushers and black-and-white televisions. But it’s what’s inside the box that really counts. Three 6oz. bottles of the brand’s famed 3-in-1s (which encompass shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath), each with a more enticing smell than the next, come tumbling out. The three scents included are:

Not the Pits Cherry Cola (smells exactly like Cherry Coke)
Barrels of Root Beer (so deliciously sweet, just like root beer barrels)
Fruit Punch (light, zesty, fruity and with a hint of Hi-C flavor)

My fave is definitely Root Beer, which literally does emanate the aroma of its moniker. Even my roommate swooned when I made him draw in a breath over the bottle! And as is the case with all Philosophy 3-in-1s, the bottles each have a recipe displayed across the front. You can actually learn how to make the three drinks! I will definitely be trying out these recipes, especially the root beer — which, of course, the bottle says to pour over ice cream before serving.

These three scents are absolutely perfect to take you through the end of summer and into the light crispness of early fall. So why not head to Philosophy’s website and pick up your own time machine? It’s only $30. Now all that’s missing is my poodle skirt.

From: http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com

Two-For Tuesdays: Tarte Berry Couture Limited-Edition All Natural Stain Set. After literally falling in love with blush a couple of weeks ago (click here to read all about it!), I’m now on a mission to find all the shades and brands that work the best for me. And lo and behold, I came across the Berrylicious Cheek Stain from the new Berry Couture Limited-Edition All Natural Stain Set by Tarte.

I have to admit, this set intrigued me right from the start. The bright pinkish red cheek stain seemed to be way too dark for my pale skin, but I simply had to try it anyway. So I unscrewed the cap, pushed up the chunky round stick from the bottom and went to town, dabbing one circle on each apple and blending, blending, blending. I decided to blend with my fingers, which led to a truly amazing natural flush. I don’t mean to brag, but I simply radiated that perfect summer glow! What I particularly love about this blush is that while it feels semi-waxy inside the tube, it glides onto the skin effortlessly and doesn’t leave behind any gunky residue. And since it’s a stain, it really does make your cheeks gleam naturally.

But as if that’s not all, this duo comes with the most amazing dual-sided lipgloss! One end contains Berrylicious Lip Stain, while the other holds Berrylicious Lip Enhancing Gloss. It’s rare that I find a dual-ended gloss with two such coordinating and complementing shades, but this one does the trick. The stain is the perfect shade of light red that gives off the just-bitten look, so popular at all the Fall 2008 runway shows. The gloss is a beautiful shade of light coral-tinged pink that, on its own, is fairly sheer. But layered over the stain, the two colors mix and become a stunning deep pink. Best of all, neither side is sticky or tacky — they’re extremely moisturizing and leave lips feeling nourished and conditioned. Plus, they taste and smell of vanilla — this beauty chick’s favorite scent!

Best of all, the products in this set are formulated with Tarte’s special t5 super fruit complex. This blend of the five most active superfruits — goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate — is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. And as if that weren’t enough, each purchase of the Berry Couture set ($35 on Tarte’s website) supports Sambazon’s Sustainable Acai Project (SAP), which helps to preserve the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions and educational opportunities for communities in Brazil. So basically, you’re doing a world of good.

From: http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com

Inside Katherine Heigl’s makeup bag.

From: http://www.makeherup.com/

MAC collaborates with Emanuel Ungaro.
Keeping the oriental theme going (a strong theme this year, with Bourjois also bringing out its oriental-inspired China Collection before the end of the year), MAC is taking a departure from its usual shocking range of vibrant colours to adopt Ungaro’s range of sexy, floaty pinks that are sure to suit any complexion. The range covers almost all types of makeup, from lipglosses to mascaras.
From: http://biancasbeautyblog.blogspot.com/