2013 Beauty Favourites

Trumpets! Unfurl the flags! Confetti! Parading horses! It's time...

Following are some beauty favourites from the past year. Not necessarily the most used items, just ones that make my heart flutter.

Hopefully, it is useful. In any case I had fun compiling it.

 L-R: Elizabeth Arden Poppy Cream Color Intrigue lipstick, Anna Sui 701, Elizabeth Arden Cassis Ceramide lipstick, Anna Sui 303, Elizabeth Arden Neoclassical Coral - Center: Cargo 'South Beach' lipgloss quad/wheel/thingamajigger

Poppy Cream: The red to surpass all reds. The formula was creamy, superb.
It has been replaced with "Power Red" in the Beautiful Colour line. Out of sheer obstinacy, I will not be purchasing that one, although I have swatched it to compare, it has NOTHING on Poppy Cream.

Anna Sui 701: My perfect nude lips. More on the honey side of nudes, than pinky/beige. Formula: feels sheer, but opaque. I use Lizzy Arden's Sugared Kiss lipliner beneath it, if I can be arsed.

Cassis: I love berries, I love plums, and this is the best one of my collection. The ceramide lipsticks have an amazing formula, smooth, not too creamy, it actually imparts a lot of moisture and colour to dry lips. Fine shimmer, nothing frosty. Understated compared to other berries/plums that I have, but not in a boring way. Luxurious, slightly weighty, golden packaging.

Anna Sui 303: A fun pink, the closest to "bubblegum pink" I can pull off on my skintone.

Cargo South beach lipgloss quad: I can't stand gloopy gloss, this is an extremely soft, like, softer than butter, formula. It is also quite moisturizing, like a soft, creamy balm. Doesn't feel heavy/sticky/gloopy andn gloppy.
Pigmented enough to be stand-alone lip colours.

Lypsyl, Dior Rose balm

Lypsyl: Cherry flavour reeks, plan to get the basic, unscented one, once this is fini. Dunno what's so special about it. The ingredients seem straightforward enough. Still, it's a little miracle. Weightless feeling on the lips, sinks in well, just need to apply a couple of times a day. It isn't one of those "addictive" balms which do more harm than good, and dry out lips over time so that you have to constantly reapply.

Dior balm: Feels very thick and "protective." Imparts the slightest bit of pale pink colour. Need very little, but still, as you can see, I've hit pan.

TOP L-R: Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy, MAC Typographic, Annabelle Smudgepot gel liner, LUSH Sophisticated cream shadow, Pupa Luminys Silk 701
MIDDLE: Revlon Naturally Glamourous palette, Fyrinnae Snow Leopard, Electric Stardust (discontinued), Immortality, Estee Lauder Cream Shadow Mochachino, Benefit Strut cream shadow.
LAST: Lise Watier Eye Shine in Fauve, Anna Sui pen eyeliner in 500, Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes Powder pencil, Artist of Makeup 9-pan eyeshadow palette, Benefit Big Beautiful eyes palette.

Fyrinnae Stuffffs: Pixie Epoxy-great little base to help glittery eyeshadows stay on instead of scattering onto your cheek (the cheek!). I use it as an eyeshadow primer, too. It works well with loose e/s. Snow leopard eyeshadow is a gleaming taupe. Electric Stardust is a colour-changing mint-green. Immortality is a basic black with multi-coloured glitter.

Eyeliners:
Annabelle smudgepot gel liner: I find it better than Bobbi Brown, etc. Also better than the more inexpensive Maybelline/Essence/WetnWild gel liners. It is very creamy, but a tiny bit spreads out across the whole eye, so it's not as cakey as some others can be, esp if they are built up. Easy to manouvre or build up, dries perfectly opaque, crisp blackest of blacks, and doesn't hurt when used in the waterline.
Lise Watier Fauve: Lavender taupe. Smooth, no tugging necessary. Je use it for the lower lashline, it gives the perfect amount of defining shadow, but the subtle shine/shimmer also makes the eyes look a bit bigger and shinier than if it were an opaque colour. Stays on all day, but you have a little window to smudge it out across the lid if you please.
Anna Sui pen eyeliner in 500: This is amazingggggg. It's a rich brown with a golden sheen running through it, soooo pretty. It is a great liquid eyeliner formula, in a felt tip pen form. The felt tip is fine, precise, but flexible, and can be turned on its side, so you can get a thinner line inwards, and thicken it outwards in ONE FELL SWOOP! You turn the end once, and you get enough 'liquid' for both eyes (unlike other twisty-pen liners where you have to turn again and again).
Elizabeth Arden Smoky Eyes powder pencil in black: You get a hazy line, so it looks instantly smokey. It is a sophisticated, smudged-out sort of look, and it lasts all day for me. It is pigmented, but not overly so (not like those overly-creamy, newfangled 'gel liners' which I don't like).

Eyeshadows:
MAC Typographic: Tis the divine Matte2 formula, smooth, rich pigment, blends well. A basic almost-black. You can build it up to black. Very versatile. It gives that powder kohl look, without hassle of fallout. I love it for outer V or to soften the edge of eyeliner... Everyone should have this.
LUSH Sophisticated: Gleaming lavender taupe, exact match for Lise Watier's Fauve. Cream shadow that you apply with a sponge applicator, great formula. it works well as a base for any taupe looks, or alone blended at the crease.
Pupa Luminys Silk 401: MY VERY FIRST TAUPE. Baked eyeshadow, it is actually more massive than in the pic (I have used it so much that the round dome shape has flattened, and I've hit pan). Shimmery pale brownish taupe. Lasts allllll day without primer.
Estee Lauder Mochachino: A cream shadow which never creases, yet not too thick and annoyingly paint-like. My fave cream shadow formula, better than Shiseido, etc, imo. Colour is a taupe with a bluish shimmer, builds up to a darkish cool brown.
Benefit Strut: Stands alone (although I have used it with other colours) as an all-over lid colour, with black liner (in waterline too).. A bluish-greyish, shimmery, Young Hollywood, smokey eye look for the masses! ( Caveat: needs some sort of eye primer.

Palettes:
Revlon Naturally Glamourous: Inexpensive, assortment of brown eyeshadows with a taupe thrown in for good measure. Good quality, except for the white-ish shadow (comes out as a dirty muddy pale...something. Not pigmented).
Artist of Makeup palette: Good formula! Addictively beautiful colours! The 9-palette is very useful! Magnetized! Have used it nonstop since acquisition! A closer look:

L-R: St Tropez, Hush, Espresso, Hollywood, Marrakech, Bare Canvas, Cocoa, Brazen, Nutmeg

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes: A no-brainer, basic neutral look, the concealer isn't bad (I use it to clean up edges or define the eyebrow half the time). Comes with useful little brushes.

Skincare:
Neostrata Toning Solution Level 2: Keeps my skin smooth, clear (not this week though as I've been too lazy to use it), and seems to brighten it a bit. AHA, BHA? Am covered.
Saeed Ghani Rosewater mist: I use it every day, under moisturizer, over makeup, last thing at night... Was misting it in Little Love's face yesterday, to his delight... Here is his testimonial: "gah goo ba ba da mmm mmm." I like it very much, it's a hoot and a half!
Bioderma Hydrabio Riche moisturizer: Perfect for sensitive, dry skin. Superbly moisturizing, yet light texture, sinks in. Gives a nice boing to the skin, or maybe I imagine it. Has niacinamide not too far down the ingredients list, so here's hoping it's contributing some brightening effect.
Burt's Bees Radiance Night Cream: Just a good night cream, that, of the many ones I've tried, doesn't irritate or break out my skin. Rich and moisturizing, absorbs well on top of freshly misted skin, so long as I am cognizant of using only the teensiest amount. Downside: scent isn't the best,, but JE NE GIVE A DAMN PAS!

Didn't photograph: my fave body skincare, perfume, bronzer, blush, foundation. You need something to anticipate, don't you?

Mena Suvari's Makeup

This is a "requested" post, which seems all high-fi, proper-blogger-y, hurrah....but it's just Sassiest of Sisters who wanted it. So, I shall restrain the celebratory binge-drinking and road-racing urges, for now. Seriously, thanks, Sisterly. Je needed un kick, to return to ze writing. (How do you say 'return' in French?)

"J'ai the, 'ow you say, down-turned eyes!" she wept. " 'ow to do my maquiallage, so eet weel bear une petite resemblance to this Mena's? C'est impossible!" She punctuated her plea by throwing a china plate across the room.

Just in time, I dove and caught it, in one elegant swoop. Dusting off my robe of russet velvet, placing the decorative plate on its stand, I returned to her side, as she blew into a hanky.

"Never fear, Prettily Precocious," I murmured, patting her shoulder. "I shall see to it that your frustration is replaced with jubilation. And a candy."

"Un bon-bon?" Immediately, she looked up, with hopeful eyes, though they glistened, still, with tears.

"Oui, cherie. Un bon-bon." I reached into my pocket for it, and handed her the treat.

"Ah!" She cried. "Merci!" It was eaten. "Le bon-bon, c'est bon!" she exclaimed. "Do you have more? Not to be greedy, or anything."

I tossed her another which was finished with just as much speed and glee.

A third. 

A fourth. After which my pockets were empty.

And now we come to the makeup.

These are mere suggestions, in an undulating sea of possibilities, etc.

-An eyeshadow pencil/crayon. The one used here looks coppery-bronze. You can dab a gold/copper pigment over the top to add vibrancy.  Suggestions: GOSH Love That Copper, Essence Cute Copper, Milani Golden Bronze, Rimmel Bad Girl Bronze, NYX French Fries. For pigment, Milani Lux Eye Dust.

-Soft lavender-grey eyeshadow. Very lightly defining the lashline and softly blended in the lower outer-third of the eye. Suggestions:  I know my sister has the Guerlain Rue de Passy palette, and it would be perfect for this. NYX Dark Grey for a cheapie.

-Cake or soft pencil eyeliner. Suggestions: I love Elizabeth Arden Smokey Eyes pencil, because it is pigmented but not dark or too melt-y. There is a soft haze to it, rather than a hard edge. It smokes out effortlessly. It's so easy to keep it subtle. Plus it has a sponge on the other side to smudge with!

 For cake eyeliner, which, I think, is more fun to use than normal liner (the process is more tedious, in a luxuriously old-fashioned way), Kryolan cake liner, Chanel cake liner or Laura Mercier Tightline are good.

-Mascara. Go for whichever you want. I love L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black.

-Had to ask others for help on the lips, and was told Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Nude-in-Private is a good match.

-As for blush/bronzer/concealer/foundation, go with what suits you, Squeakiest of Sisters.
It depends on your colouring and preferences, and, as you know, your colouring is very different from La Suvari's. Go for light textures, only because it seems fresher, like Mena's look here.

Better than anything on TV...

For those fond of classic films, but with no TCM channel...unwilling to rent, but even more unwilling to watch gritty things like Sons of Anarchy....this is a fun watch for a winter's night: easy, breezy, light comedy. Here is a great review of it.

 

Canadian Problems

It's not like I buy nothing in between, but ordering from the internet is always a hassle because:
1. Customs take their time, processing and checking and making sure there's no anthrax embedded in the eyeshadows.
2. Canada Post delivery people have the endearing habit of  "attempting delivery" (but never ringing on the doorbell, knocking, or even risking a trip to this charming ghetto). They then leave a notice in the mailbox, dropping the item off at local post office, at their convenience.

I am so excited because my second Artist of Makeup parcel has arrived. Albeit, the whole "attempted delivery" shenanigans were pulled. Yet again.
 Trudging in the 15 cm of snow, I tried to unlock the mailbox. Uh uh. It was frozen and jammed shut due to the cold.

So now I'll have to go out tomorrow, with a portable hairdryer (don't own one, note to self: buy one first) and try to defrost it a bit. Or perhaps the sun will kindly pay us a visit.

THEN I'll have the notice card, THEN trudge to the post office in my boots (no boots, note to self: purchase those too), and THEN...FINALLY...the banality of the situation will dissolve as I unpack NEW SHINY EYESHADOWS!  Hurrah for glamour! Hurrah for global warming!

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss

When it comes to makeup recommendations, I usually like to write a chunky big block of a post, encompassing several of my favourites. You get more for your (much appreciated) time that way. However, this item is superb enough to have its very own rave right here.

Lipglosses seem an easy-breezy enough purchase. But, I think, Ye Old Reliable, one to pull out and use with any and every look, is anything but.

A saleslady with a keen eye, remarkably well-versed in gloss, led me to this. Her name was Sakurina. I am forever indebted.

The genius of this, is in what it LACKS: stickiness, a slobby feeling of grease (which inevitably dries the lips out over time), fragrance, flavor, too much colour (can go blotchy after a bit, y'know), ostentatious packaging, sunscreen.

(Sunscreen?? I hear you cry. But! Surely! Come now, dear girl! etc. Look, sunscreen is nice, but with control. I don't want to be eating that stuff, 24/7, am also slightly allergic. I like to apply lip balm with 'screen when, and only when, I am exposed to the sun. Le soleil. Sooraj.)

'Tis simplicity itself. I can't rave ENOUGH! Look, neither Clinique nor this particular item, have much buzz about them. This isn't new, trendy, and the asking price is not obnoxiously "aspirational" either... but this season, it is the savior of my lips (<guess how often you'll be seeing that word)!

Of course am using a dedicated lip balm as part of my skincare routine at least once a day, but this lipgloss is keeping that hydration going strong, for every cold winter's day. It almost seems to morph, from gloss sitting on top of your lips, to a kind of mild treatment, which keeps working throughout the day.

Aesthetics, now! The tube is simplicity itself, and the slanted applicator is not annoying as wand/sponge ones can be, it's practical. The colour? It comes in a variety of sheers. I own "apricot" but it reads as clear. That SLIGHT tint, makes it blend easily into the natural lip colour, so it is more natural looking than clear gloss, which can look too glassy.

It makes every lipstick sit better and appear juicy (not OTT, mind), even if, deep down, in its cold, brutal heart, that lipstick sucks.
Previously impractical ones, become fine, even for a chilly Canuck winter.

I used it under the superbly long-lasting, and therefore, drying, Cover Girl Lip Perfection (Hot Passion) the other day. Result, excellent.
I've used it with NYC lipsticks, Elizabeth Arden, Dior, Chanel, everything in between. It's only been a few weeks, but I think it'll make the rounds with every other lipstick in my stash. The colours don't bleed out, and they seem to "hold" better.

So! Lip primer, conditioner, and gloss in one? Can it be? Ah, but it is.

Basically, you could use many lipsticks in your stash, that you nearly discarded for being dehydrating. You could pick out drugstore lippies based on colour alone, knowing your handy dandy Clinique Superbalm Gloss will make any cheap formula work. Therefore, this little staple WILL save you money!

(Obvious point is obvious: matte lovers need not apply).

On the Baby and Book Front

There are quite a few books I am getting through these days. Books previously abandoned, in order to attend to Perfection Personified or catch up on sleep.
King Lear, Little Dorrit, and an uncompromisingly dull study of basic physics concepts. Fun, fun.
Life is settling down.

Spunky Sweetheart was the main impediment to my reading habit, and, thankfully, he's finally drifted into a routine of some sort. The transition from normal feeding to formula/bottle, is complete, and from the deferential offering of solids he was used to, to a regimented, gung-ho approach. THESE PEAS AIN'T GON' EAT THEMSELVES, BOY.

A major blessing: early intervention. There is a waiting list, and our doctor didn't feel the need to refer us to them for ages (which they found astonishing and negligent on his part), either. Thanks, doc. There were so many things we were doing wrong, without considering his specific needs.

They diagnosed acid reflux (which his FOUR other pediatricians hadn't picked up on, nor Sick Kids walay) just by looking at him. Back arching and gulping noises.

Also, they took us off the PediaSure which our supposed "registered nutritionist," experienced and highly rated pediatrician had told us to give him since 6 months onwards.
This was despite the warning printed on the label. I would often protest and ask him whether it was really safe, but he would reassure us every time: it was not only safe, it was A SUPERIOR REPLACEMENT TO FORMULA. Early intervention folk were appalled by this recommendation. Apparently it was worsening his acid reflux, and was unnecessary besides. Also, it tasted so sweet and dessert-like compared to formula, so he rejected the latter, in every brand incarnation.

They gave us guidelines to help him take to the formula. Some of their tips, we knew, some we didn't, all of it incorporated together was very effective indeed. I'll share them here in case it will help anyone else. I apologize in advance if it reads as a bit haphazard, but I really am just writing with minimal revision, as always :P
Guidelines included:
lay him on his LEFT side always, hug him or use a blanket to wrap him tightly, making him feel snug.
 Keep bottle tilted sideways, slightly upwards. Open/close bottle cap every now and again to prevent a vacuum from forming, which frustrates his attempts to efficiently suck.

His muscle tone was dubbed, generally lacking. Even in his mouth (no chunky purees, that would have to be chewed).
His temperament was deemed stubborn (he was used to milk, so he wanted to stick with it, making exceptions only for yummy fruit puree). And his appetite was quite small. It had to be increased little by little, and the best way to do this, they said, was not by giving many small meals throughout the day, in the hope that he would take in enough calories, but by deliberately making him hungry. Three times daily, and only two ounces of milk in between. (16 oz total but only 2 immediately before or after-NOT more, really difficult for me when he would cry wanting more formula, but, as they said, we needed a tough love approach.) This would also allow him to take in a greater volume of solids.

One thing that was putting him off, was that he was uncomfortable in his seat. Being weaker than most babies, he couldn't prop himself upright. This unstable base, slouching to one side always, was annoying him. So we were told to put a small, rolled up towel, on either side of him. Also, a rolled up towel under his feet, so they had a stable base, and weren't waving in the air. (We no longer need these towels, as he has grown stronger. Is also tall enough that his feet sit flat and comfortably on the foot rest).

The pureed solids had to include 1 starch, 1 protein, 1 green, with a teaspoon or so of butter/olive oil/flaxseed oil/coconut oil. Fruit could be given as a dessert snack, or given whole (e.g. bananas) as practice. They didn't count as the main meal. Make sure the solids were thick enough that you could hold the spoon upside down in his mouth.

Finally, to eat while he was eating. I LOVE this tip. Truth be told, this made the biggest difference in terms of solid intake. I was already doing several of the other things they mentioned, but THIS, this was the game-changer.

It made mealtimes fun for him, rather than an excruciating exercise in patience. I can imagine, the severity of my expression, a spoon constantly hovering by his mouth, when it wasn't forcefully jammed in, would make any meal indigestible.

To have me eat alongside him, makes Tiny Tot so very happy. He reaches out for the very food/drink I'm going for. He sees me have a mouthful after mouthful of food, going mmmm... and, hey, is that a challenge? I can do that too, ya know.
It creates a jovial atmosphere of camaraderie for him, awesome, I'm doing what the Giants are doing! No longer do I seem like Captain Hook (Cook?).

He is digesting better (apparently, like the rest of us, babies can get stomachaches if they are force-fed or stressed.)
I sing to him, he plays with the food, lets it slosh around between his fingers, feels the texture, throws stuff around once in a while. More to clean up for me, but who cares? Solid meals have become something to look forward to!

Along with all the other help, Glorious Gumption is finally, finally, thank GOD, prospering.

They saw him yesterday. Not only has he grown in height, he is slowly but surely catching up in weight (was off the CHART before). Coordination, balance, muscle tone, have all improved. They were very pleased indeed. As am I.
And life, now that baby is thriving, is very, very good.

Salute to a Great Lipstick

Perfection in a red lipstick--this is how it shall be remembered.

I sent an email a couple of days ago.

Hello,

I can no longer find the Color Intrigue lipsticks at my local EA stockist, the sales assistants don't know about what happened, and I adore that line. Particularly Poppy Cream, the best red lipstick, which, thankfully, is still showing up on the website.

My question is, is this line getting discontinued? Will Poppy Cream and the two other colours that are still showing on the website, still be around?

Sincerely,

Wonderful Perfection

Today, my friends, was the day I received their reply. Indeed, they informed me, my beloved Poppy Cream was no more.... Among the fallen... Discontinued, forevermore.

Poppy Cream and I, we had our times. It was well-balanced in hue, and intensely glowing (a fire within!), yet elegant, all at once.

 It never emphasized the evil written all over my face, as so many other red lipsticks do, with my dark brows and grim eyes riddled with the horrors of crimes I have comm--blah...excuse me.

It was a glorious formula: mightily pigmented, creamy (but not in a way that feels heavy/smears), moisturizing, making the lips look juicy but not glossy.

Never needed a lip balm. Never required a lipliner.
If it wore off, it did so with discretion, generously leaving behind a pretty, healthy rose tint. No uneven fading.

 It was a lavish, luscious red that no other line, high end or low end, has even come close to replicating. A woman once told me that, although she doesn't normally like red lipstick, "this one I love, it looks like flower petals."

In honour of dearest Poppy, I decided to try and replicate the following look.

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you...Poppy Alexander McQueen....

 

...Cream. I meant Cream.

This was taken after a light breakfast, without requiring touchups. Impressed? I hope so.
The rest of the face is coated in the following:
Eyes: Fyrinnae Pixie epoxy. Artist of Makeup Bare Canvas, Nutmeg, Espresso, St Tropez and Hush eyeshadows.
I used Bare Canvas in my waterline as well, instead of a nude eyeliner. Anna Sui liquid eyeliner pen in 500. My magic mascara combo .
Skin:
GOSH CC cream in Sand (good but greasy-looking)
Chanel Poudre Universelle in Peche
Benefit Boing concealer (bleh) used around lips as well
Guerlain Spicy Coral Terracotta cream blush mixed with dabs of NYC Retro Red lipstick (as blusher) to get the red tinge the inspiration pic has around hairline and cheeks
Fyrinnae Enrapture blusher



Goodbye, Poppy Cream. Goodbye.

Resist the Change! aka Reformulations SUCK

If you'll allow me to moan for a minute....I really must complain about Rouge Dior lipsticks.

I don't know whether this is justified, perhaps they spoilt me with the incredible, luxe "Haute Couleur" (sp?) version of the Rouge Diors. Now THOSE...those were the business. The best lipstick formula, for my taste. The lipstick by which I judged all other lipsticks.

(Volumizing because it hydrated the lips SO so well, almost a treatment rather than a cosmetic. Long-lasting, rich satin-y colour in one swipe. I sound like an ad, I don't know how else to explain it though.)

I love them all but had a Holy Grail in that line, 976, "Prune Daisy," although I slipped and call it "Plum Daisy" whenever anyone asked me what that AMAZING lipstick I had on was. Glorious, luscious, plummy-rosy-amazement, is how I would describe it.
A seemingly cool colour, but with miniscule flecks of gold that meant it could swing either way.
This microshimmer, twas very discernible from Granny Frost.
It looked more like plush satin. The most distinguished, rich, invigorating colour against the backdrop of bleak winter.

People often wear red in winter, but this was less predictable and somehow more wearable. Literally swipe and go, despite the depth of colour.
It made me feel like an evil Narnian witch, alerting bunny rabbits and beavers everywhere: "Don't dare tempt this woman to transform you into an ice statue, with which to festoon her marble halls" etc.

I remember any time I felt really down, Vit D deficient probably, I would "pull myself together" and put it on.
 Literally, that number, 976, was embedded in my memory, in case the day would ever come when I would have to replace it. As it has.

The packaging has changed, cheapened to be clear. This makes me sad. Some would say not to judge by its packaging, but alas, in this case, it is an indicator of worse to come...

The formula has been messed with.

Is nothing sacred? It does not glide on smoothly as before. Therefore, does not apply AS evenly, it is a bit patchy in coverage, you have to go over it more than once.

 It does not moisturize as before. Not as rich/nourishing in texture.
Lips feel parched and crinkly after a while, it dries them out considerably, something the old version wouldn't dream of doing.

It is not even long-wearing, it fades perceptibly from the center right away, a fatal flaw, considering the depth of colour.

To be fair, it is quite a good lipstick in its own right. The colour is still beautiful, although I will point out that the microshimmer does not sit as well in this formula. There is no sort of moisturizing, richness, to soften the shimmer. I still wear it. I just need to be very careful, whereas before I could pop it on, and be assured it would look good for ages without a do-over. To be fair, Revlon Pink Truffle layered underneath, makes it close in wear time and feel to the old formula, so I guess I'll stick with that.

Sigh.

Moving on. The pathetic Rouge Dior "lip blushes." C'mon, the name itself is so..."we're trying to make the most of something that sucks, and hope you fall for it." A conman's dream.

 I own two, Trench and Grege 1947 (Pak sar zameen shad baad... watan ki mitti gawah rehnaaaaa..etc. I kid, I realize Dior doesn't care about Pakistan's independence day and the number is a coincidence...)

Trench is a cute peachy-beige shade, the closest match I could find to my beloved Anna Sui 701. It applies sheerly, so my pigmented lip colour shows through. Thus, tis darker on the lips than the Anna Sui, which is fine, variety being the cinnamon bun of life.

However! It lasts about as long as it takes to tell a bad joke, and flees at the punchline! 'ello? Ou est vous?

As for Grege...I despise this so much. I REALLY REALLY wanted to like it. But bare lips are preferable to this.

Not too moisturizing; adequate but not even close to, say, my Clinique Superbalm Gloss (which seems to truly heal lips within an hour). I feel my lips drying out beneath the layer of matte-looking grease that this imparts.

 If you apply once it looks exactly the same as any cheap tinted lip balm in a similar shade may. (I swear, the Essence lipsticks, which cost 2.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart, are the same formula, and just a pinch less pigmented. In fact, the shade All About Cupcake makes a great dupe for Rouge Dior in Swan.)

If you build it up, say one or two more swipes-it gets this slippy slidey thing going on where the lips have this gross imprint of when you press them together.
Even inexpensive lip products seldom have this problem. The Revlon lip butters certainly don't.

The colour is the EPITOME of blergh. I honestly cannot imagine recommending this shade to anybody. It is...ugly. Try-too-hard neutral that just sucks the life out of my natural lip colour showing through. Perhaps in a different formula it would've fared better, less sheer, perhaps. This just looks like I am trying to hard to be work appropriate. It is ugly. Looks CHEAP.

  Luckily, then, wear time is 1.5 hours if you do not engage in any sort of activity, conversational even, but just sit in a little cubicle typing out Mr Howard's bills all day. It was made for the loneliest office worker alive. As long as they don't exceed their permitted quota of four smiles. (Five on Valentine's).
 

Hair's to Revlon Colorsilk!

Cheesy title. But I heard you like cheese. Eye roll. But aren't spring rolls tastier? ETC.
Let's get to it.

Revlon Colorsilk in Dark Brown.

I realize the futility of writing about hair dye when the only bit of my hair you can see consists of eyebrows. And mouse stash. And (Robert) Side Burns. And nose h....okay, okay, enough.

First off, nobody can convince me to get it done professionally. I can't stand hair salons.
I can't stand how they misinterpret the simplest request (AN INCH OFF AND NO BANGS PLEASE...ah, mi scusi, what's with the fringe? Slip of the scissors?).

...How they mutilate well-looked after hair (DON'T STRAIGHTEN IT! no heat! please!...what are you doing?? Oh I see.. Bangs don't look good curly? Right..silly me).

...Or bypassing all foreseeable offenses, commit a crime so heinous, so supremely DEVASTATING, you are left with your mouth opening/closing silently, guppy style, as you gaze at a reflection you must dismally accept.
And then pay for the favour. Bangs still sizzling from the iron, lopsided bob, and all.

I have had a simple request for a trim, misconstrued so frequently, at so many salons, that I cannot endure the thought of allowing someone to DYE my hair.

So I tried my hand at it. Bought plenty of dyes. Predictably, mucked it every time.
 Botch, botch, whisky, Scotch. And then, having gotten it where I wanted it, after months of mistakes, there was the roots problem. My hair, twas a write-off. I would've done well at the circus, squeezing out of a tiny car, straight into a lion's jaws.

I mourned. I grieved. But get a professional to fix it, I would NOT. So, this Revlon Colorsilk dye I tried, in DARK brown. I hoped to tint the clown-wig-like mess to an acceptable shade of blah. When it was washed out, and semi-dry...magic.

 Meek despondency replaced with soft rapture. Dark, yes, almost black (it fades in the next wash to a beautiful dark dark brown, where it stays. All former highlights/lowlights, gleam through, just darker. Soft, not straggly. No brassiness, good coverage.

 Just one pump of SAAF Hair oil taken through it, to impart shine (less greasy than Moroccan oil, and absorbs better), and a boost of nutrients. The hair oil does have a slight scent that fades in a few minutes.

To reiterate: it will appear a cool-toned black after the first wash. Second, third washes, it will fade to a luscious, rich blackish-brown. Not flat. Catherine Zeta-Jones-ish/Kim Kardashian-ish.

This is exactly what my hair looks like now

Leave it longer on the roots (15 minutes) and then add to the ends for the remaining five to ten minutes. Basic but worth bearing in mind.

So yeah buy it. Or not. It cost me 7.99 at Rexall Pharmacy, far less than the myriad other dyes I've tried.

Even hubby has been raving about how beautiful the colour is. It's pretty highly recommended on MakeupAlley too!