My scathed scones, blameless though you are, and seething with the unjustice of it all, forgive me! I may have left you too long in the oven! I was lost, my dears, lost to your piteous bleats! For I was admiring my latest acquisition, as it shone with a potent lustre! Almost as potent as this third cup of coffee.
Revlon Icy Violet!
Lookit!
Checkit!
Get yo' own, homie G dawg shiggity diggity boom boom!
(Coffee--in this town, we blame...ze...coffee).
Giggity (doesn't the stupid headband make me look like someone from Mortal Kombat?)
LUSH Sophisticated cream shadow, Smashbox Icon cream shadow, Dior Extase Pinks, MAC Tilt/Star Violet
Understated 'violet'...it mutes down the lips so they gently complement the cool-toned eyes.
A great formula, better than the regular line I think, because it is that bit more balm-y and hydrating. Frost-frightened little lambs need not refrain... Tis not frosty in the least, the 'icy' in the name refers only to a subtle dusting of splendour. Although the doctor has been nudging me to get my eyesight evaluated...
Background: ze company, zey were kind enough to re-release five previously discontinued lipsticks, voted for by ze peoples.
Mais...un petit probleme.. zey are of ze limited edition variety. Alackaday! (More informative, less annoying post here)
I refuse to get so attached to les ojets zat I indulge in 49 backups. Although...c'est une possibilite, n'est-ce pas?
In any case, Icy Violet...when thou dost finally drop, plippity plop, from the market stands, and when the last little stub bids us adieu, you shall be missed. You are like MAC Fluid refined, less ostentatious, less deadening. You are like a Clinique Plum Perfect, but less greasy, a softened gleam, less out-of-this-nebula metallic.
Violet, plum, withered prune colours, zey are my favourite!
And so I shall share, in this same post, oui, in this very one (it must be your lucky day!), ANOTHER GOOD VIOLET-ISH PLUM-ISH LIPSTICK!
Zut alors! I see you sway...clasp your walking stick for support. My dear! You must not faint with the excitement of it all! Smelling salts, Marie! Bring the smelling salts!
Anyway... I give you...Dior Prune Daisy...
Lise Watier Les Cuivres palette on eyes, over Smashbox Icon cream e/s
No lipliner used, believe it or not. This guy is so tenacious, vibrant, and awesome. I wrote a (coffee-charged) post on him somewhere here, bemoaning the reformulation, condemning it.
I had to get the Miss Dior Cherie Bow palette. The packaging = glorious cuteness, cute gloriousness, whichever way you look at it (on your head or sideways).
In terms of a review, I don't want to be honest.
I want to praise it to the skies.
I love it and have been using it EVERY DAY since acquisition.
But the truth is that it...no I won't say it! OK I will: only the eyeshadows are good.
Of which there are only three, and pretty dull colours. They work better in conjunction with other shadows, useful to have, but so boring on their own.
The gel liner sucks. It smudges, hard to get on lids, etc.
The lipgloss is moisturizing but also, sucky. I have a Dior travel palette in which EVERY ITEM is a keeper, glosses included, it's puzzling why they would release something so mediocre. Recession chic... Sheikh Recession..
Frankly, most people require each item to dazzle / delight, in a palette, in order for them to fork over their life savings. But me different (loco).
This is the 2nd time in a row Dior has disappointed me. I was still reeling from the bitter letdown, that was their travel brush set (brushes shed, don't work as well as my Ecotools ones...could've spent that cash on two sets of Real Techniques)...
But all's well that ends well. Because I get a genuine thrill of little-girl-joy from it, something I haven't gotten since the days of tea parties with teddy bears, Mrs Bunny, and the whole string of her "friends and relations". I find excuses to use it every single day. This is something Minnie Mouse would keep in her purse along with a string of plastic pearls and a slice of cheddar.
Day look
Estee Lauder Mochachino cream shadow as base, followed by all three eyeshadow shades, lightest to darkest. Nothing on lower lash line.
In celebration (annoyance) at the news that the designer (WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS -- rhymes with Faroon, begins with H) who made my wedding dress has somehow got his hands on my pics and is using them in Pakistan to advertise his work (WITHOUT ASKING. not even a crateful of Multani mangoes with a "thank-you-for-being-most-beauteous" note)... Where was I? Oh.. I decided to recreate my wedding makeup. Used mainly Fyrinnae eyeshadows, which are addictively sparkle-some.
Ah Fyrinnae, je t'adore -- not to be confused with feeeeerneeeeee, which is yet another S. Asian dessert that readers of this blog--speaking to my loyal but imaginary friend Jonathan McDougal, here--MUST try
The picture quality has still not improved. Instead of my camera, I used... my 'camera' (a hefty, unwieldy iPad).
Omorovicza SPF 15 Enhancer with Sunkiss as bronzer.
Chanel Poudre Universelle (in Peche) to set (don't much like this, it can look cakey if you're not careful. Diorskin Nude Glow powder is far superior/more finely milled)
Essence gel eyeliner (midnight in paris) -Essence makes the best gel liners and the angled brush they sell isn't bad either! Sturdy, thin, and perfect for precision.
A dab of theBalm Mary Lou-manizer bronzer on cheeks. This has a bit of iridescence, nothing obvious.
Vasanti lipstick in Spain. Vasanti make amazing lipsticks, apart from their matte ones. The range of colours is superior to many other lines. If you're into shimmer and intriguing textures, if you like subtlety that isn't dull, you should swatch their stuff next time you're at Rexall.
This pic caught the look best (if you click to enlarge)
Please pay particular attention to how much my eyebrows have improved since my last FOTD.
The reason being, in lieu of visiting my terrific 'brow' lady (who is about 2 hours from me and who I haven't seen for months), I mustered up the courage to thread them myself. Followed THIS awesome tutorial.
How beautiful is that lady? More than features, it's her "andaaz," the style/bearing that comes across.
She has a very sweet expression in her eyes. Reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in that way.
My mother made us all (boys included) gather round the TV set and watch everything that aired about her--the various news updates, the documentary on her life, and the funeral. Praised her to the skies. etc. Made quite an impression on me.
There's a lot of stuff to admire about the Princess.
Humanitarian work, lovely personality, the way she impacted the world and spoke out about stuff that was supposed to be hush-hush. I love how she endured a hell of a lot in her private and public life, but made the best of it. Always a cheerful smile.
I've been inspired by her of late. There are some many well done documentaries & clips of her on youtube which I've been watching in my free time. I would love to emulate her on many levels.
Today I decided to do a Princess Diana inspired makeup.
Soft champagne gold and peachy tan on eyes, with blue eyeliner, blue mascara.
Orange-y frosty lipstick.
Tinted moisturizer/bronzer.
By the way: liquid bronzer? Apply with a contour brush instead of with fingers.
Makes a WORLD of difference!
Things of note:
That she didn't go overboard with the base.
That she stuck with blue eyeliner/mascara her whole life, and with good reason. It makes you seem ALERT & well-rested. And blue mascara is terrific for bringing out the *Whites* of ones eyes, cancelling out any bloodshot-ness...
She did go more browns/golds as she got older, but the blue made an appearance every once in a while.
On a regular basis, her lipstick seemed a very sheer glimmery barely-there colour, something like Estee Lauder Tiramisu.
This look is perfect for winter, as it makes you look vibrant and fresher than usual!!
Being a terrible blogger--these are all phone pics, not the best quality. It looks much prettier in real life, esp the bronzer. I just love that stuff.
Items used
Omorovicza SPF Complexion Enhancer & Sunkiss bronzer
Diorskin Nude Sculpting Powder
Lise Watier concealer wheel (Portfolio les beiges)
Lise Watier Sublime lipstick in Gala
Annabelle Creme Caramel Trio
Lise Watier waterproof eyeliner in Teal & Cover Girl Liqui'line in Blue Boom
Quo mascara in blue
I know certain aspects of my face are a disgrace, but it's fun to pretend to be a brunette Natalia Vodianova.
If GUERLAIN stand behind her, fuzzy brows and all, surely I, with no contract to speak of, may breathe easy?
Oh by the way, here's a face chart that Princess Diana's first makeup artist created for her when she was younger! Source
I mention these to point those of you in the right direction, who accidentally found this blog searching for a good beauty-esque read. These are all good.
Now.
As most new mothers know, skin takes a beating from all the hormones, late nights, broken sleep, and intense, crippling STRESS!
Actually a cute baby does a lot to diffuse stress, but dark circles? Hormone related breakouts? Dry, flaky, vitamin-depleted skin? Not so, Pablo.
I want skin like hers!
The following stuff has made my skin absolutely pristine over the past few weeks.
Firstly. HUGE RAVE FOR SAAF SKINCARE.
I like the fact that this is a woman-owned business, it's all organic, highly certified. Their customer service is also great-always good to know, for etailers.
I tried their face and body kit (sampler sizes) and had to order the full sized Pure cleanser and Ultimate moisture serum. Regarding packaging: LUXE! Regarding effectiveness: ULTRA FABULICIOUS BABYCAKES!
Pure Face Cleanser:
Smells nice. Beautiful texture. You just smooth it on, gently massage, remove with warm, wet cloth. (Shout out to MICROFIBER--available at Wal Mart for cheap-o!) Probably be best to use cotton wool for eye makeup, but who's to lazy to? JE!
Removes all makeup, my nasty (file into "regrets") Clinique Lash Power tubing 'scara included, leaves skin soft, fresh, cleaaaaan, and not aching for moisture. Sometimes I follow it up with Dermalogica Tri-Cleanse which is a gentle creamy cleanser that has active ingredients to brighten the skin, helping with hyperpigmentation.
Ultimate Moisture Serum:
I did my proper, fanatical review for this on makeupalley.
Recreating that kind of enthusiasm here would render all of you numb to further raves, and a bit scared (tumbleweed and air, in particular). So let me say only that this is one of the best skincare products I have ever purchased.
It soothes skin, absorbs just as well, if not BETTER, than the vastly more expensive Omorovicza Gold Rescue Serum, and Guerlain L'orchidee imperial--both of which seem to have been made only with yacht-owners and Arabian princesses in mind.
Ultimate moisture serum leaves my skin IMMEDIATELY supple, soft, stronger over time (i.e. not as sensitive), and somehow has managed to fade several acne scars! I love this stuff as much as my grandma...'s knitting needles.
When I run out (hard to do, as just a dab'll do ya), I will FRANTICALLY be onthe websiteSCREAMING for more.
Be warned that it doesn't smell too pleasant. There's a nice scent, but a distinct rose hip scent lingering in the back. If you follow up with a moisturizer on top, you should be good, though.
For those with acne-prone or oily skin (Jiminy Cricket, pay attention), you'd much prefer the Complexion Boosting serum. I actually passed mine onto my sister in law.
Other serums:
Estee Lauder Advanced night repair is good to have around to calm down breakouts, but not much else. I've been through four bottles. "Meh" at most.
Boots' Hydraluron. You use this as a serum under moisturizer--supposedly makes the moisturizer more effective. Ok. So this has massive, rave reviews on the internet. You can read them all with a quick google. But wait. You're here for ME. So stick around if you're a bit younger than 49. You see, if you don't NEED need it, you may find it to cause pimples. At least, I have.
Every usage has prompted itchiness and little under-the-skin pimples (dontcha hate those?!?!). So, i keep this to use under my eye cream, and around the "marionette lines" area. Is it effective--very. I wish it would work over the rest of my face.
Over this stuff, my eye cream has been the inexpensive c.Booth liquorice eye cream. Good, nothing miraculous. Is it doing anything? Who knows.
Normal night cream has been Nivea cream, which I have cheated on in the past with fancier, flashier creams, but came back to each time with renewed affections (have used since teenage-hood). Masks vary, but currently it's Dermalogica Sebum Clearing masque, which is VERY brightening and effective for controlling pimples. Esp if used every few days--effect is cumulative.
NOW. The fun stuff. Fun because it's all flashy and expensive, like. Omorovicza. Or, as my husband calls it "Oh-me-gaga" - it was originally a mispronunciation, but is now he's even invented a song "Omorovicza! Omorovicza! Oh me gaga, oh me gaga, oh oh!" to tease me for how (GOD ALMIGHTY!) I have fallen for this brand.
The sexy image, a whole fantasy that only very expensive, prettily packaged items can conjure up for the poor and infirm (moi).
"Nobody went broke underestimating the intelligence of the consumer," n'est-ce pas? Here's their spiffy ad.
Now you too can be privy to desiiire, set on fiiiire...
Ah! WHAT a model! There was a girl in my class, Tasneema, who looked exactly like that, except with even more elegance & beauty, if you can picture it. Pathan, obviously.
Shall I, with a spray of the Queen of Hungary mist, be spraying on such allure, such glamour and grace? Mais oui! Have my money! Have it all--and this coupon for Pita Land too! Good till June!
This facial mist IS very nice. I use it every day, whenever. It feels refreshing and it *does* hydrate.
Not too enamoured with the (simple, herbal) scent.
For THAT price one expects something more resplendent, and perhaps a little jingle to play at every spray--but hey! It makes for a good "setting spray" over powder, a good mist prior to skincare. Quite moisturizing. Good all around, wot! Mac Fix+ is similar and good, but too easily available, well-known, and AFFORDABLE for me to dribble over.
Ooh i JUST had an idea for Canadian companies to follow suit (Marcelle, you listening?)!
Bottle and sell L'EAU DU NIAGARA FALLS with a few other goodies thrown in (rose water, glycerin, chamomile perhaps? A bit of the famous Niagara wine?). Seriously, do it, and I will be the first to say WOWZA and a do a jump in mid hair, kicking my heels together, which Archie will demonstrate below.
.....
.......
My bad. Google doesn't seem to store such images in its bottomless pit/gallery. Well, this is close enough (replace look of intense anxiety with Wink and Charming Grin)
Now. More Omorovicza. They do offer exclusive discounts on occasion, and samples with every purchase. BEWARE. The samples will tempt you to further purchases, not to mention all purchases on their site leads to garnering "loyalty pengo points" which will help justify further splurges. A slippery slope indeed.
To earn anything worthwhile, you'll have to accumulate a HELL of a lot of Pengo points, and will probably take the best part of a year, unless you're Queen Rania of Jordan. Or a very hard worker, Employee of the Month type.
Here are pictures of me wearing only Omorovicza Complexion Enhancer. Am also using their Sunkiss as a bronzer in the second set of pics.
As you can see, it makes the skin look natural + fresh. It is advertised to have a matte effect; forget this, it's satin-y. The finish (and feel) of my baby's cheek, to be honest.
Very sheer, but in a pretty way. When you use good skincare, you want to show off the results, not hide behind thick makeup.
It lends this gleaming translucency to the skin that you usually find in young or very healthy people.
Also--BIG POINTS HERE--this stuff has undoubtedly improved my skin. The first day that I wore it, two major pimples had totally shrunk by mid-day, and every time I take it off, my skin just seems better. Very cool considering most tinted moisturizers and foundations, even the mildest mineral powder, seems to annoy my skin.
The Sunkiss is in a similar vein to the Complexion enhancer, but darker (not by much), with a very finely milled shimmer from gold/ruby/mica particles! Ah me, oh my.... GOLD!!! This will suit darker skin tones as a tinted moisturizer, but I also use it as bronzer.
It is SPLENDID for looking as though you went on a short holiday to --take your pick--the Maldives, Tahiti, Brazil.
Didn't put Morocco or Neelam Valley as options because those are my personal holiday picks. Nobody has gifted me with tickets to either, I'm a bitter hag about it.
Now a quick mention must be made of my other liquid bronzer love, Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate--fabulous and very versatile. You can use it on its own, mix it into foundation, or moisturizer, or SUNSCREEN (to take off the white cast). It also seems to improve my skin (must be the witch hazel). It DOES contain alcohol, so buyer beware. Actually, so does the Garnier Roller ball which is good for everyday, light concealing. (Lise Watier Les Beiges portfolio - concealer wheel - for formal events).
Shoutout to Vasanti Monoi Magic!! A recent release. 98% certified monoi oil (coconut oil with tiare flowers steeped in) with sandalwood oil and a bit of "parfum" as well. This smells gorgeous, it's about $35, and it soaks in lickety-split. Basically it's a great after-shower hair oil, along the lines of argan oil (but better imo), or light body oil. LOVE.
What now?
Confession.. j'ai un VAST array of foundation/base products, but am trying to go more natural, so I'm trying not to use them. I do succumb to Diorskin Nude Sculpting powder quite often, however. It's just TOO good not to.
....
More crickets.
More tumbleweed.
Twiddling of thumbs.
While we're here, let me teach you a mild swear word in Japanese. YABAI!
