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    New at… Sephora

    Stila has yet another palette out for just $10! This one, while gorgeous, is unfortunately only available online.

    Remember that Smashbox lash booster we mentioned a while back? It’s finally out! No, I won’t be trying it (L’Oreal’s Lash Boosting is all the lash product I’ll ever need… if I ever stop being afraid of it…) but I’d love to hear your thoughts, if you’ve tested it out!

    Sephora now carries my favourite lash glue, by DUO. I adore the clear version — not only is it perfect for applying false lashes, it’s great for adhering anything else to your face and/or body, too!


    (Like little stars and appliques. Not like, small puppies and rainbows.)

    Urban Decay’s 2-for-$19 duos are out on the Sephora site now, too! Crash/Maui Wowie is oh-so-tempting.

    The new Benefit fragrances (The Garden of Good and Eva, So Hooked on Carmella, and Lookin’ To Rock Rita) are out, too. Interested? 

    (I was superexcited for the first Crescent Row launch, but after not really liking any of those… I’m less excited for the second. Carmella’s bottle is really cute, though!)

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    Milky lips with Ellis Faas

    Check out an introduction to Ellis Faas here

    What it is: Ellis Faas Milky Lips in L201 and L207 (the “L” notes that it’s a lip product, and the “2” that it’s part of the Milky range.)

    L201 /  L207 



    The applicator: I’ve never been a huge fan of the click-pen. And, as with any pen, this just doesn’t do it for me! While it makes the actual application a total dream (the bristles used for these tips are just so soft,) I never seem to be able to click up the right amount of product.

    L201 / L207

    The wear: The Milky Lips formula lasts for a good two or three hours without needing re-application, is never sticky nor drying, and the darker shades (obviously, I have L201 in mind,) leave behind a nice stain. Though the site describes the formula as being sheer, I’d say that (while being more sheer than the Creamy Lips formula,) these certainly don’t fit my idea of being truly sheer — in fact, they tout medium coverage, and a very natural finish.

    The ingredients:

    Note that they’re both fragrance-free and paraben-free!


    L201 (also known as Ellis Red) : I had such hopes for this! However, for some strange reason, this lovely red seeps right into my dry lines and is there to stay. It just kills me, because the colour is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a true blood-red, just as the site says, and though much warmer than what I’d regularly reach for, it’s quite versatile. I’ve read many positive reviews (and no negative ones, so far,) for this product, so I’m not knocking it… yet. I’ll give it a few more tries and update you if I can get it to work!

    Re-review of Ellis Red here! Hint: I found a way to make it really, really work.

    L207: A shade or two darker than my natural lip colour, 207 would make a great MLBB shade if I wasn’t quite so cool-toned. It certainly isn’t so orange that I couldn’t wear it (and I do reach for it, a lot!) but I wish it was more pink-peach and less orange-peach. The finish is absolutely divine, and the colour stays just where it’s put.

    Note: the tone is closer in the second photo, but the level (darkness) is closer to the actual product in the first.

    Buy it if…

    • You’re a lip product junkie, a packaging junkie, or even if you’re just a hardcore makeup junkie ;)
    • You can justify the $35 price tag. Perhaps as a planned “reward buy,” after a round of tests or a work project is completed?
    • You normally buy expensive lipsticks. The gorgeous Ellis packaging would definitely be even more of a “statement piece” in your makeup bag than a Rouge Coco!


    Skip it if…

    • You’re on a low-buy, or even just on a budget. You could buy three or for drustore lipsticks for this price!
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    Filling in those cheques…. what would you write?

    I think I’m just too tired to think straight, but here’s a YOU question anyhow: if Paypal had an “other” section to fill in, what would you be tempted to write? (Or, for those of us who are still using good ‘ol paper, what would you write in the “reason” for your cheques?)

     image courtesy getty images. clearly.

    Here are a few the-mae-nymph and I have come up with… 
    (on a sidenote, she has the CUTEST KITTEN EVER.)

    “for taking over the world”
    “sorry about that accident with your pet porpoise”
    “please don’t tell my wife”
    “to fund your trip to exotic dancer training.”

    Time to go to sleep.

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    Bright coral cheeks

    I know I promised an Ellis review today… but I got distracted partway through! And who can blame me, really? Coral is ohsotempting

    Anyhow, I’m completely lacking a lovely coral blusher, and with my no-buy… I’m not seeing one in my near future. (Maybe. We hope.) So I got to blending some pigments, and came up with this lovely confection! It’s not a true coral, obviously, but I am quite enamored with it.


    (Should we call it Inspired To Be Coral, perhaps?)

    Here’s a skin swatch:

    And of course, a shot of it on my cheeks:

    (Air-dried hair and nothing but blush and concealer. I know: I’m a terrible beauty blogger!)



    Before you say anything about my skin, may I remind you that I’m all for liberally Photoshopping my photographs? Honestly: good lighting, an awesome concealer, and patch brush can make anyone flawless. Even if they’re breaking out, as I am!)

    Below is photo without the airbrushing out my blemishes. Feel free to enlarge!

    Edited to add: the “recipe!” The top swatch is the blusher, and the bottom ones what was mixed to blend this lovely shade.

    But here’s the thing — I’m keeping mum on the product names.

    I know it’s a little cruel, but of the two companies whose products I’ve used, I wouldn’t rebuy from either if I could help it! Both sell great products at a great price, but the customer service is something to be avoided at all costs.

    But, because I do so love you, I’ll post a few links to other sellers for the same products ;) Luckily, the first is just a plain ‘ol mineral foundation, and the last three are generic colorants. Note that I have not bought from any of them and thus cannot recommend them myself, but at least I can’t recommend against them! For what it’s worth, though, I have heard good things about TKB Trading in the past.

    1. Powder or mineral foundation to serve as your “blush base” — this will tone down the pigment, making the blush more workable and layerable. Try whatever light- to medium-toned foundation or powder you have around the house!
    2. Very Coral or True Coral mica to serve as the main pigment. I find this to be a bit too red for what I was looking for, hence the addition of other colours! Try TKB Trading or SoapDreams on Etsy.
    3. Paradise Sand mica to add a gorgeous gold lustre and a bit more peach. Try Suds and Scents, Sensory Perfection, or SaharasSupplies on Etsy.
    4. Ultramarine Violet pigment to cool down the overall shade. This likely will not blend well into the formula (leaving tiiiiiiny violet clumps,) but will easily blend into the rest of the powder when applied. Try Suds and Scents or TKB Trading.

    One last photo, taken slightly out of focus and in full sun so you can see this gorgeous shimmer…

    xo :)

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    Two on Tuesday: a bit of Marcelle

    Marcelle Vita-Lip gloss in Angelica

    Okay, so this line is kind of… awesome. It took me ages to get the review up, however, because Angelica is so darn hard to photograph! (She’s a lovely light pink, but what makes her interesting is that she has red reflects as well as silver ones.) This is the third time I’ve tried to take shots, and the only time that it’s worked. I mean, the photos always look “fine,” but they haven’t captured how special the shade is — until now!

    (No, but seriously. I’ve had this for at least six to ten months with every intention of reviewing it.)

    slightly different angles

    Anyhow. Here’s everything you need to know:

    • The Vita-Lip line runs at about $11 for 14ml, which is entirely in line with the mid-range niche that Marcelle lies in — and entirely worth it, if you ask me.
    • The glosses are quite sheer, but they don’t try to trick you into expecting anything else: they’re described as having a sheer, non-sticky formula.” I know I’m ridiculous, but I just love it when product descriptions actually describe the product!
    • And on that point? No stickiness here!
    • They don’t plump, but I do find them to be on the moisturizing side, for a gloss. I of course still need lip balm at night, but I can go through an entire nine-hour day just using a Vita-Lip without lip balm underneath and be just fine. Win!
    • One last, very important thing: they’re totally scent-free. Marcelle, have I ever mentioned how much I adore you?

    The verdict? If you can’t tell, I definitely love these, and would certainly recommend them! I didn’t notice any plumping over the long term, but as long as you’re not expecting (a) high pigment, or (b) major plumping, I can’t see how on earth these would disappoint!

    Marcelle Minerals eyeshadow in Halo and Terra

    Just some photos and descriptions ;) Check out a review of the shadows here!

    Halo is a “halo-ish” gold-yellow, and Terra, an earthy red-brown. Both are very aptly named, if I may say so myself!

    Halo / Terra
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    The Body Shop expands… on my favourite line!

    Remember the good old days, before I had to leave my beloved ‘cones?

    (Yah, I don’t either.)

    Anyhow, one of my favourite products back then was the Body Shop’s Vitamin C Skin Boost. I couldn’t shut up about the stuff! It’s essentially fresh-smelling, smooth-to-the-touch silicone goodness, all wrapped up in good ethics and community trade. There wasn’t a darn thing I could say about the product that was bad, aside from the price and heavy packaging!

    But I’m getting distracted, here. My point is, The Body Shop is revamping, repackaging, and relaunching the entire line! I couldn’t be more excited.


    Here’s what’s in the line right now:

    Things that stay: Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15, Eye Reviver, and Skin Boost
    Things that rinse off: Micro Refiner and  Re-Texturising Peel
    Things that treat: Intensive Night Treatment and Time Release Capsules


    Once the light, sleek new packaging comes in, the line will feature three categories — and a couple of new products:

    Awaken Radiance: Facial Cleansing Polish, Microdermabrasion, Energising Face Spritz
    Boost Radiance: Skin Radiance Powder Mix, Eye Reviver Duo, Skin Radiance Capsules, Skin Boost
    Protect Radiance: Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

    What say you? I’m testing out a few of the products now, so you’ll definitely be hearing more about the line over the next few weeks… plus, I happen to have a few silicone-y products kicking around that I won’t be able to use. It kills me that I’ll have to give my children them away, but you know what that means… ;)

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    FOTD: …MAC Strange Hybrid?!

    Remember when MAC used to come out with really cool, dedicated promos for each and every collection? And we’d ooh and ahh, and everyone would try to dupe them, because they were actually worth duping?  

    …anyone? Anyone?

    Anyhow: I bring you a Strange Hybrid-inspired eye! The Cultured face chart was my inspiration, though (obviously,) I didn’t do it to a T. 



    Run behind the cut for a product listing and more photos!

    A few eye shots:


    And, a few face shots:
    Okay, so this last one is awkward… but it showed off the colours wonderfully, so it had to stay!

    Used:

    Senna Fantasy (luminous light blue-violet)
    Senna Snow (shimmering white)
    MUFE 92 (pigmented true violet)
    Annabelle Blue Hue trio
    Annabelle Nymphet
    Annabelle Violet Volt (light-medium violet)
    Korres Plum

    Iman Rubor (bright pink cream blusher)
    Etude House Peach Cheek Blusher (light, matte pink powder blusher)
    MAC Blacktrack
    Aura Science Grey eyeliner
    MAC Magenta lip pencil
    Violet lipcolour (self-blended)

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    TMI Time: an introduction to cups that go "down there"

    Menstrual cups. That’s right. I said it. Intrigued, aren’t you?

    Well, everything else is hiding behind a cut so that we don’t scare the ability to reproduce out of passerbys. So click on through if you think you can take it!


    The basic facts 

    Menstrual cups are soft, malleable pieces of silicone or rubber (no, not like the “dimethicone” kind of silicones, and no, not the “elastic band” kind of rubber) made to hold, rather than absorb, the sloughing off of unfertilized endometrial tissue your period. They’re shaped like closed funnels (don’t scoff; you totally know it’s true) or small bowls (in the case of the disposable cups.)


    (Or should that be disposa-bowl?)


    [rimshot] 


    The first cup was patented in 1932 (!!!) and was made from rubber. Most menstrual cups are not associated with high frequencies of TSS, unlike tampons. There are a few questions, and by this we mean like, “one question by one study one time,” being raised about the relationship between cups and endometriosis, but there are questions being raised about everything… I mean, your sunscreen can give you cancer, gluten will kill you, and your dog secretly wants to eat your brains.


    (Sorry if I’m offending anyone. I just don’t buy into irrational worries until someone else* does.)
    *Someone else, like maybe… the federal health authority. Which for the record, still supports cups being on the market. So there! 

    [gets off soapbox]

    Why they’re gaining popularity

    Greenliness! (I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.) But no, seriously — reusable menstrual cups mean that you buy one cup and it lasts you anywhere from one to ten years. So sure, they’re synthetic, but so are many tampon applicators and pads. Plus, the durability of cups means a greatly reduced amount of wastes associated with pads and tampons: plastic wrappers, rayon-cotton absorbencies, bleach used to make them white, transport fuel, packaging…

    The point is, overall, reusable menstrual cups reduce waste. Also awesome? The fact that many of them can be worn in anticipation of your period (no more washing your undergarments in the sink!) and they can (but don’t always) hold much more than the average tampon — while a regular absorbency tampon will hold 6-9ml, and an extra super absorbency will hold 12-15ml, cups start at 10ml and go right up to 30ml. 30ml!!!


    The disposable

    “Well, okay,” you say, “but what about the disposable? They don’t reduce waste!”


    They sure don’t. And you know what I have to say to that? Pthooey!


    …I’m just kidding. (Seriously, what is wrong with me today?!) Disposable cups come with their advantages as well! For instance, they’re much more portable (you have to wash and sanitize a re-usable menstrual cup completely before re-inserting it,) they can be worn during intercourse (yes, that kind of intercourse… stop your snickering!) and they’re much easier for some (no, not all) women to insert and wear comfortably.

    Plus, they look like very short, overweight condoms, which makes for a great conversation starter.

    What peaked my interest

    All of the above! But more specifically, here are some stats about my own period that might help put future reviews and babble into perspective:

    • I feel incredibly guilty each and every period because of the amount of waste I produce. It’s obscene!
    • I always carry my bag into the washroom with me (must… have… lip balm!) so the whole “sneak in a tampon” thing isn’t an issue — but I always worry about when I do need to go change it. Always.
    • My flow is incredibly heavy, especially for someone my size. During a good cycle, I can use about three extra supers on my heaviest day (that’s about 45ml,) but on most of my cycles, I go through seven. Think about that for a second — SEVEN extra super tampons, plus a few pads. That’s A LOT OF FLUID.
    • Seriously. Think about that for a second. I bleed like a medium-sized animal being drained for– I should stop talking.
    • The point is, if I can use something that doesn’t mean having to change a tampon every hour and a half, I’m so in.

    Still interested?
    That’s good, because I’ll be posting more about them shortly, with a few reviews and thoughts. This post isn’t going up real-time, don’t come crying to me about why I’ve been oh-so-bitchy recently (that’s just my winning personality,) but as I write this, I’ve just finished using cups for my (entire!) period. And you know what?


    …I loved it!

    A great resource for information on menstrual cups that I’ve recently stumbled accross is the livejournal page of the not so creatively named “Menstrual Cups” community. So maybe the name is a snoozefest, but I kid you not: this page is likely the most helpful page you’ll ever come across, relating to cups!

    Would you ever think about trying a menstrual cup? Have you already? Let us know in the comments!

    all images credit the sites they link back to. honestly, these three were chosen at random, and there are many many others! they just happened to have the types of images I was looking for. 
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    An array of interesting design and fashion links

    One room, photographed with two very different touches: {this is glamorous}.
    An adorable, dollhouse-esque house tour: What Delilah Did
    Lara Stone and Meghan Collison in a gorgeous photoshoot from back in 2008: dustjacket attic
    Gorgeously aged blue photographs: {this is glamorous}.
    An amazingly balanced clean, neutral home: delight by design.

    Finally, one perfectly violet photograph via desire to inspire… 

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