blogtastico!

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE - DAY 6

2011-12-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

Favorite season to dress for and why: Spring and Fall. Spring for the fun shoes that show off your pedicure...

and Fall for the jeans, sweaters, cardies, boots, and overall scrumdiddlyumptiousness.

orange by kjoirishlastname featuring flat heel shoes

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE - DAY 5

2011-12-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

Favorite accessory that you own: Earrings and my engagement ring. ♥

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE - DAY 4

2011-12-14T01:00:00.001-05:00

Favorite pair of shoes that you own: My Naughty Monkey Inspector boots! They are fantastico.

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE - DAY 3

2011-12-13T01:00:00.000-05:00

Favorite piece of clothing that you own: JEANS, winter white peacoat, hot pink scarf

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE - DAY 2

2011-12-12T20:27:00.019-05:00

Your color palette/What colors do you like to wear: I love color and wear it every day. My favorites are bright, clear, true colors like coral, turquoise, golden yellow, true red, fuchsia, twilight blue, etc. Basically if it looks like a sunset or the ocean on a sunny day, I'm in! The following palettes and artwork contain many of my favorite colors. :)

Artwork by Carol Sapp

Artwork by JessicaIllustration

artwork by stina persson

artwork by stina persson

from the sweetest occasion.com

from the sweetest occasion.com

from the sweetest occasion.com

From Design-Seeds.com

From Design-Seeds.com

From Design-Seeds.com

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE - DAY 1

2011-12-05T10:27:00.004-05:00

Introduction + post a photo of yourself.

I'm Kristen (I am not Tookie) and I love looking at the outfits people put together on Polyvore and Pinterest.

30 DAY STYLE CHALLENGE

2011-12-05T10:24:00.003-05:00

Introduction + post a photo of yourself
Your color palette/What colors do you like to wear
Favorite piece of clothing that you own
Favorite pair of shoes that you own
Favorite accessory that you own
Favorite season to dress for and why
Photo of your closet
List 10 items that you are currently lusting after
Favorite fashion/personal style site
If you could raid another person’s closet, who would it be, and why?
Who is your current fashion icon and post a photo of your favorite outfit of theirs.
What are you wearing today?
Post a picture of yourself 2 years ago: has your personal style change since then?
How often do you go shopping for new clothes?
Is there something you’d like to change about your shopping habits?
Your favorite fashion capital
Favorite trend
Least favorite trend
Do you DIY? If so post a picture (or pictures!) of your most recent DIY. If not, post something that you’d like to DIY.
Most expensive item of clothing/shoes/accessory that you own
Least expensive item of clothing/shoes/accessory that you own
Who is your favorite designer? Post some photos of your favorite pieces from their line.
Design your perfect handbag/accessory
Design an outfit to go with that accessory
What does your family think of your personal style?
Remix: 1 item of clothing, 4 different ways
What do you do to take care of your body/skin/face? And do you have any tips?
Post a casual outfit
What is one thing you’d like to change about your personal style?
Post your favorite outfit from the last 30 days

Created by http://knitscarves.tumblr.com/ Posted at http://heckyeahtumblrchallenges.tumblr.com/

Note: the word "painting" begins with "pain".

2011-11-06T21:43:00.010-05:00

The next time I tell someone I'm going to paint, I hope that person punches me in the nose. Unless I own a home when I say that again. Or I'm talking about watercolors. Right now we're preparing to move and I painted the sunroom, bedroom and vanity area so, since we live in an apartment, we have to paint those rooms back to the hideous peachy-white they were when we moved in. I painted the sunroom Friday night and the vanity and bedroom today. I am exhausted and want a Coach bag as a reward for my hours and hours of hump busting. We're moving to another apartment and I can assure you - we will NOT be painting ANYTHING!

I'm in the mood for a survey since it's been a month since I've posted, it's been awhile since I've done a survey, and it will take very little brainpower and almost no physical exertion to complete one. Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and enjoyed their "bonus" Daylight Savings hour. Cheers!

Be honest, who texted you last? Jason
Do you sleep with the door open or closed? Closed b/c the HVAC unit is 3 feet from our bedroom door and is ridiculously loud.
Do you drink tea? Not super frequently.
Do you have plans for tomorrow? Take large quantities of Advil.
What’s worse: dry skin or chapped lips? Lips.
Would you rather go to Canada or California on vacation? Cali.
Are you wearing jeans, shorts, sweatpants or pajama pants? Lounge pants.
So, what if you married the last person you texted? That would be glorious as we are engaged!
Last person you told a secret to? ???
What are you listening to at the moment? Red Eye on TV in the background.
Where was the last place you fell asleep other than your bed? The couch.
Name 5 things you touch every day at work. PC keyboard, pen, paper, paper clips, my filing cabinet.
What do you always take with you? Aquaphor, cell phone.
Is your bed comfortable? Ridiculously so! Can't wait to raise up in it.
Would you say you’re an understanding person? Yes.
Are you generally a happy person? Yes.
Who’s in your profile picture with you? Jason's in my twitter profile pic.
Were you single on Valentines Day? No
What is the last movie you watched at home? Halloween 4
Last movie you saw at the theatre? Footloose (I loved it!)
How long does it take you to fall asleep at night? Sometimes no time at all, sometimes waaaaay too long.

Daily watercolor inspiration:

Source: etsy.com via krisabelle on Pinterest

A - Age: thirty one
B - Bed size: king
C - Chore you hate: unloading the dishwasher
D - Dog’s name: We have plenty of names, but don't have the dogs yet!
E - Essential start your day item: cell phone to wake me up
F - Favorite color: yellow, blush, turquoise, electric purple, emerald green, cherry red, pewter, coral...I love color!
G - Gold or Silver: silver
H - Height: 5’7"
I - Instruments you play(ed): violin back in 6th-7th grades
J - Job title: legal liaison. i liaise legally.
K - Kid(s): n/a
L - Living arrangements: apt w/ jase
M - Most fave TV shows: The Closer, Revenge, Project Runway, Memphis Beat
N - Nickname(s): kbelle
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none, thank the lawd.
P - Pet Peeve: Ungrateful people.
Q - Quote from a movie: Pretty much everything from Romy & Michele's High School Reunion.
R - Right or left handed: rightie
S - Super power you wish you had: ability to pause, fast forward, and rewind time. I would snooze every morning!
T - Time you wake up: 7 AM weekdays. boo!
U- Useless info: I like beets.
V - Vegetable you dislike: I think I may actually like them all!
W - Ways you run late: constantly?
X - X-rays you’ve had: teeth, hand, I think that's it.
Y - Yummy food you make: zuppe toscana is my best dish. i love it!
Z - Zoo animal: giraffes, elephants. Not monkeys. Not fond of monkeys at all.

Revenge is best served cold on Wednesday nights!

2011-10-06T23:32:00.002-04:00

Revenge is a new TV show on Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM EST on ABC and it is AMAZING!

Emily Thorne's father was falsely convicted of a crime he didn't commit and spent the rest of his life behind bars. Emily didn't know he was innocent until she lost her father around the time she turned 18. Having discovered the truth, she's taking the people down who framed her father. Each episode features the "takedown" of one of the people involved. It is SO GOOD that I can't wait for the next episode! If you'd like to get caught up before this Wednesday's show, you can watch the first 3 episodes online at ABC.com (click here). WARNING: It's addictive!

Pinterest - Watercolors o' the Day!

2011-10-02T21:36:00.003-04:00

I just joined Pinterest and I L♥VE it! You can create virtual pinboards/inspiration boards and it is SO addictive! I'm so glad my friend Hilary told me about it!

Here are some of my favorite watercolors I found on the site. I have gots to get a set of watercolors; I have been itching to paint for a few months, but now even more so after seeing these beautiful works of art!

Source: augustempress.com via Galina on Pinterest

Source: alwaysswell.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Emily on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: honestlywtf.com via Norah on Pinterest

Source: stephanieestrin.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Source: mooik.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: inspirefirst.com via Hartmut on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Source: None via Annie on Pinterest

Source: siotes.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Marya on Pinterest

Source: society6.com via Marius on Pinterest

Source: mohdbilbeisi.com via Robert on Pinterest

Source: None via Coral on Pinterest

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Krista on Pinterest

September 2011 Challenge - Day 15

2011-09-30T00:00:00.005-04:00

Day 15: Name 20 things (not people) you'd bring if you were going to be shipwrecked on a deserted isle.

1.) A satellite phone
2.) First Aid kit
3.) Kindle loaded with 300 million books
4.) Chargers for sat phone and kindle
5.) A generator
6.) Pictures of my loved ones
7.) Soap
8.) A big honkin' knife-sword
9.) Big, comfy quilt
10.) Pillow
11.) Hammer
12.) Nails
13.) Allen wrench b/c you just know you'd get there and need one. Especially if the deserted isle is anywhere near Sweden.
14.) A big ass prosciutto ham
15.) Water purifier
16.) A jacket
17.) A pen
18.) Aquaphor
19.) Canned goods out the wazzoo
20.) Diet Mountain Dew

September 2011 Challenge - Day 14

2011-09-29T00:00:00.000-04:00

Day 14: Your favorite celebrity couple of all-time? Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling. I loved those two Canadian hosers! When they won for Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards for The Notebook and reenacted it onstage? Awesomeness.

September 2011 Challenge - Day 13

2011-09-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Day 13: Who's your favorite redhead? Conan O'Brien & Hayley Williams

September 2011 Challenge - Day 12

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Day 12: The next book you're going to read.

Always Something There To Remind Me by Beth Harbison

M&BB Monday Poll

2011-09-26T17:20:00.009-04:00

This poll is from my favorite beauty blogger Karen @ Makeup & Beauty Blog

1. Mood: Quite happy - I heard "Ice Ice Baby" on the drive home AND Monday is OVAH! Yips!
2. What are a few of your least favorite things? When you're SO EXCITED about an online purchase, it arrives and doesn't work out for whatever reason and then having to ship it back and wait weeks to get your $ refunded. Also, back pain.
3. Today I’d love…to take a luxurious shower, get into comfy pj's and catch up on all the TV I have recorded from last week.
4. Outfit? Red cardigan, charcoal pants, cork wedges. I'm so ready to wear boots. And socks!!
5. Exactly where are you right now? In my sunroom AKA the best room in this hacienda!
6. Describe your favorite jacket to wear in the fall. I love my white coat Jason gave me; it's dreamy!
7. When was the last time you bounced on a pogo stick? Can't remember ever using one of those, but Pogo Bals? Oh hell yeah! 1992.
8. Your two cents (beauty related)? Paula's Choice is a really great skincare line and my skin seems very happy when I use it. Jason uses the SPF 45 non-greasy sunscreen when he golfs and he loves it.
9. Your two cents (non-beauty related)? My day was brightened so much by co-workers asking J-Larks, "What is twerking?" - I thought he was going to hit the deck laughing! It's always a good day at work when twerking comes up for discussion.
10. Weekly goals: Cut down by at least 2 cigarettes per day, catch up on the PILE of accumulated TV shows from last week, read 100 pages of this silly ass book I'm reading, be early to work every day, go to bed earlier than usual so the 7 AM alarm clock won't feel like hell on Earth, work out twice.

September 2011 Challenge - Day 11

2011-09-26T00:00:00.001-04:00

Day 11: Post a picture of a band you’d love to see live.

Fave TV Shows Survey

2011-09-25T19:23:00.009-04:00

List your favorite TV Shows (in no order) and answer the questions.
1. The Closer
2. Project Runway
3. The Mentalist
4. Modern Family
5. Memphis Beat

Who is your favorite character in 1? Brenda Lee Johnson!

Who is your least favorite character in 2? This season, it's Olivier. Really? Women's boobs "interfere" with your design? Then maybe you should design for men since they don't have those obnoxious breasticles.

What’s your favorite episode of 4? The one where Mitchell and Cameron try to get Lily into an exclusive preschool.

What is your favorite season of 5? Season 2.

What is your favorite 'ship in 3? Patrick & Lisbon.

Who is your anti-'ship in 2? Frankly I don't know what that means!

How long have you watched 1? I have watched almost every season!

How did you become interested in 3? I knew I liked Simon Baker and the show's premise sounded right up my alley!

Who is your favorite actor in 4? Gloria!

What do you prefer out of 1, 2, or 5? The Closer

Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3? The Closer b/c it's been on the air longer.

How would you kill off your favorite character in 2? Since it's a reality show, I wouldn't want anyone killed off for reals, but I would not be upset if Olivier hit the road this week!

If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be? Gloria!

Give a random quote from 1.
Fritz: Is there anything special you want from Santa this year?
Brenda: Maybe an Albanian translator?
Fritz: Oh, you are so hard to shop for.

Would a 3/4 crossover work? Hmm...Modern Family and The Mentalist? It could be entertaining!

Pair two characters in 1 that would make an unlikely, but strangely ok, couple. There's only 2 female characters on the show and I can't see either of them putting up with any of the male characters' romantic hijinks! If I have to choose, Captain Raydor and Lt. Flynn could be crazy!

Overall, which show has a better cast, 3 or 5? I love them both!

Which has better music, 2 or 4? Project Runway because it includes Tim Gunn saying "ATTITUDE!" and that's golden.

This survey borrowed from F YEAH, SURVEYS. Thank you!

September 2011 Challenge - Day 10

2011-09-25T15:10:00.011-04:00

Day 10: Name the last movie you saw at the theatre and the last one you watched at home.

At the theatre: The Help

At home: Something Borrowed

September 2011 Challenge - Day 9

2011-09-24T12:56:00.001-04:00

Day 9: New TV show(s) you're excited about?

New Girl is SO CUTE and FUNNY! We were laughing throughout the entire show.

Though I know it's far from new, it's new to me so I'm including it! I've recently started watching SATC re-runs and I LOVE it! I missed out on the initial craze of the show, but I am in it to win it now. I plan to watch the whole series (and the movies) now that I've found them on Amazon.com and Half.com! Woohoo!

September 2011 Challenge - Day 8

2011-09-23T12:49:00.000-04:00

Day 8: Last magazine you read? Do you subscribe?

The October InStyle! I have a subscription. It's much cheaper that way and who doesn't love getting fun stuff via snail mail?!

September 2011 Challenge - Day 7

2011-09-22T00:01:00.001-04:00

Day 7: What is the next thing you'll cook/bake?

I'm making Martha Stewart's Shepherd's Pie for dinner Sunday - YURM! I've made it once before and it was amazeballs.

MS Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients - For The Filling
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds lean ground turkey
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
3/4 teaspoon chipotle or regular chili powder
2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
6 ounces frozen peas (about 1 1/2 cups)

For The Topping
1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 parsnips (6 ounces), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup plain fat-free yogurt
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Make the topping: Place potatoes and parsnips in a medium saucepan, cover with water by 2 inches, and bring to a simmer. Cook until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid. Pass potatoes and parsnips through a ricer. Stir in yogurt and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Season with pepper.

Make the filling: Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, carrots, and garlic, stirring, until tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Add turkey; cook, breaking up any large pieces, for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the thyme, and chili powder; season with pepper. Whisk together cornstarch and reserved 2 cups cooking liquid; add to turkey. Boil for 1 minute. Stir in peas. Transfer to a 2-quart round or oval baking dish; top with potatoes. Bake until bubbling and top is browned, 35 minutes.

September 2011 Challenge - Day 6

2011-09-21T23:23:00.000-04:00

Day 6: The last thing you bought online?

Grey Naughty Monkey Inspector boots @ Zappo's.com (pictured in my Day 4 post, and again below b/c they're so darn cute). I can't believe I'm saying this since I've been an avid non-supporter of skinny jeans since Day One but...now I need some jeggings!

September 2011 Challenge - Day 5

2011-09-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Day 5: Put your iPod on shuffle and post the first 25 songs:

1) Come Together - The Beatles
2) Heart and Soul - Huey Lewis & The News
3) Hot N' Cold - Katy Perry
4) Jumpin' Jumpin' - Destiny's Child
5) Downtown - Petula Clark
6) All She Wants to Do Is Dance - Don Henley
7) All I Wanted - Paramore (her voice at 2:40? hell yeah! wish I could do that!)
8) Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters - Elton John
9) Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston
10) Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez
11) Circles - Incubus
12) What A Fool Believes - The Doobie Brothers (omg I love belting this out in the car!)
13) Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top
14) At Last - Etta James
15) Murder Ink - Dr. Dre (the piano sample from Halloween...terrifying)
16) Last Christmas - Wham! (ADORE THIS...almost time to start playing it habitually until Jason's ears bleed!)
17) Kicks - Paul Revere & The Raiders (Damn, this song is bitchin'!)
18) Higher Love - Steve Winwood
19) SOS - Rihanna
20) Zero - Smashing Pumpkins
21) She's Not There - The Zombies
22) Monkey - George Michael
23) Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
24) Bernadette - The Four Tops
25) Don't Want to Lose Your Love Tonight - The Outfield

September 2011 Challenge - Day 4

2011-09-19T00:54:00.011-04:00

Day 4 - Favorite season and why?

I love Spring and Fall, but I'm more excited about Fall this year because it's been such a hot summer. Like living in a pot of gruel! I'm so ready for cooler weather! Jackets! Crisp air! Not being hit with the stifling L'air d'Ethiopia the second I open my front door! Fun TV shows return from summer hiatus! Also...

Boots!

Hot cocoa!

Beautiful red, orange and yellow leaves!

Sandra Bullock sweaters!

15 Random Countdown

2011-09-19T00:16:00.008-04:00

» Fifteen Random Favorites «
01. my loved ones
02. dogs
03. trying out new beauty products
04. magazines
05. reading
06. oldies
07. vacations
08. project runway
09. hockey tweeps
10. dolphins, otters & manta rays
11. root beer
12. a great night's sleep
13. america
14. coffee
15. spring & fall

» Fourteen Favorite Foods «
01. zuppe toscana
02. mac n' cheese
03. jason's burgers & meatloaf
04. crusty bread
05. 100 grand candy bars
06. sausage biscuits & gravy
07. twizzlers cherry pull n' peel
08. lemon anything
09. crab
10. grouper sammiches
11. velveeta & sourdough grilled cheese with chicken noodle soup
12. EVERYTHING served at the iberian pig
13. filet mignon
14. mellow mushroom white pizza sans sun dried toms

» Thirteen Most Watched Shows «
01. the closer
02. project runway
03. the mentalist
04. survivor
05. say yes to the dress atlanta
06. dance moms
07. bones
08. modern family
09. parenthood
10. so you think you can dance
11. memphis beat
12. true blood
13. rizzoli and isles

» Twelve Good Bands/Groups/Singers In Your Opinion «
01. diana ross & the supremes
02. the beatles
03. better than ezra
04. elvis
05. adele
06. duran duran
07. paramore
08. outkast
09. rolling stones
10. otis redding
11. katy perry
12. pat benatar

» Eleven Places You'd Love to Visit «
01. france
02. american west
03. pacific northwest
04. cal-i-forn-ia gurls are unforgettable
05. cape cod-ishness (northeastern coast)
06. yap, micronesia (best place on earth for manta ray dives)
07. tahiti/bora bora
08. uk
09. the caribbean
10. australia/nz
11. star's hollow :)

» Ten Fave Days of the Year «
01. christmas
02. christmas eve
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10. ...what else is there? :)

» Nine Things You're Looking Forward To «
01. jason coming back from his conference
02. weds night survivor party w/ mombo!
03. me & j's 3 yr anni
04. FALLLLLLLLLLL!
05. buying a home
06. getting a dog(s)
07. paying off my cc
08. christmastime!
09. gettin' hitched to my bestie! ♥

» Eight Things You Wear Daily «
01. my engagement ring :D
02. lip balm product
03. shoes of some assortment
04. a purse
05. toe nail polish
06. sunglasses
07. pj's
08. earrings

» Seven Things That Annoy You «
01. monday morning
02. drama
03. how quickly time passes when you want to slow it down / how slowly time passes when you want to hurry it up
04. eeyore types
05. people who don't return a smile
06. lack of follow up @ work
07. the simple fact that i'm 31 years old and i've never sampled a turducken.

» Six Things You Touch Every Day «
01. phone
02. soap
03. writing utensil
04. book/kindle
05. computer machine
06. coffee mug

» Five Movies You Could Watch Over And Over «
01. donnie brasco
02. home alone
03. sixteen candles
04. the bourne thrillogy
05. don't tell mom the babysitter's dead

» Four Of Your Favorite Toys When You Were Little «
01. my bunnies
02. roller skates
03. rainbow brite dolls
04. hot wheels

» Three of Your Fave Books «
01. the prizewinner of defiance, ohio
02. the shadow of the wind
03. crazy in alabama

» Two Of Your Favorite Songs At This Moment «
01. Touch Me (All Night Long) - Cathy Dennis
02. Cosmic Love - Florence + The Machine

» One Material Thing You Can't Live Without «
01. lip balm!

September 2011 Challenge - Day 3

2011-09-18T23:54:00.003-04:00

Day 3 - Something you’re addicted to.

September 2011 Challenge - Day 2

2011-09-17T22:58:00.002-04:00

Day 2: The best books you’ve read in the last year.

September 2011 Challenge - Day 1

2011-09-16T22:32:00.010-04:00

Day 1: A photo of you along with 10 facts.

01: I totally enjoy "Roseanne's Nuts".
02: My car's name is Goldie Hawn.
03: I love Dannon DanActive. Muy deliciouso probiotics!
04: I strongly desire these ruby red boots.
05: I'm currently reading "Fatally Frosted" by Jessica Beck but I'm just not that into it.
06: Every time I hear Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus", I think of my friend Blair and our joke about someday choreographing a tap routine to it!
07: I hope this MAC Matte matte-ifying cream works and controls my shine factor.
08: I typically fail to participate in Follow Friday on Twitter, but for good reason: I'm at work all day! I hardly ever remember to do it before or after work. I'm a failure of a tweep for sure.
09: My dream honeymoon destination? Bora Bora, Tahiti, Maldives - any place that boasts mini huts on the water! Bring it with Bacos!
10: This video cracks me up.

9-11-11

2011-09-11T23:27:00.000-04:00

IN REMEMBRANCE
9-11-01

I will never forget that day; the lost loved ones, the heroes, the horror, the grief. My heart is with everyone who lost someone on this day a decade ago.

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

2011-08-14T22:49:00.001-04:00

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read a chapter or two for a few nights in a row and then got sucked into another book. I considered holding off on reading the rest of this book (about 400 pages were left) but I decided to read another chapter and I then finished it in 2 sessions! Once the storyline thickened, I could hardly put it down. It was really good; full of intrigue and backstabbing and plotting and love and hate. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series!

Something Blue (Darcy & Rachel, #2) by Emily Giffin

2011-08-14T22:23:00.001-04:00

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading Something Borrowed, I really, really disliked Darcy Rhone. I found her infinite narcissism and hubris outrageous and wondered why anyone would have spent their entire life being her best friend. I could hardly believe she had any friends at all after how shabbily she treated people. To Darcy, it was as though people only existed to serve her, be her adoring audience, make her look better, or prop her up. Not that I condoned Rachel's treachery, but Darcy was certainly the self-centered boob villainess of book #1. When I came to the end of "Something Borrowed" and began reading the included snippet of "Something Blue", written entirely from Darcy's perspective, I was surprisingly hooked. I thought the last thing I'd be intrigued by would be hearing the story unfold from the discovery of the betrayal by Darcy, but it was highly entertaining and I really enjoyed it! There were several inappropriate-yet-hilarious thoughts Darcy had that I laughingly read aloud to my fiancee. I was so happy with the way everything turned out, but especially with the way Darcy transformed into someone I could honestly cheer for. I wish there was a third book!

Gather Round: Project Runway Season 9 hits the runway tomorrow night!

2011-07-27T18:58:00.003-04:00

Project Runway Season 9 starts tomorrow night! I can't wait!!!

The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke

2011-07-26T20:33:00.001-04:00

The Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this down! I read it in under an hour and immediately went to buy the second book in the series. This book was AMAZINGLY written. I could not wait to find out what was going to happen next. I had chills and said "Wow" aloud when I finished it. I will be reading a LOT more of Burke's books!

{Glambunctious} Inquiring Minds Want to Know - Volume 2

2011-07-01T20:44:00.000-04:00

1) What was the last TV show you watched? So You Think You Can Dance...dance...dance...!
2) What's the last beauty product you put on before hitting the hay? Hand lotion! Got to keep these mits hydrated!
3) Last thing you saw that your heart cried out for? Mini Banana MoonPies... NOM NOM NOM!!!
4) One thing you're looking forward to this weekend? Seeing Jason's parents! We're going up to visit them in NC! Ye-yeah!
5) Corniest song to be caught enjoying loudly whilst behind the wheel? Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic, but damn is it good! While your feet are stompin'! And the jam is pumpin'!

Copy & paste into the comments section and share your answers!

--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--
1) What was the last TV show you watched?
2) What's the last beauty product you put on before hitting the hay?
3) Last thing you saw that your heart cried out for?
4) One thing you're looking forward to this weekend?
5) Corniest song to be caught enjoying loudly whilst behind the wheel?

{Glambunctious} Wish List - June 2011

2011-06-29T21:15:00.000-04:00

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit
Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in Rose Petal
Cake Beauty Milk Made Hand Creme
Chanel Glossimer in Pensée (Limited Edition Summer 2011 Collection)
Chantecaille La Baleine Bleue Eyes (Blue Whale Palette)
Chloe Rosebud Eau de Toilette sample
Clinique All About Lips
Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector (serum)
Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion
CLEAN Fresh Laundry Eau de Parfum
Dior Addict Lipstick in Parisian Chic
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Perfume
Farmhouse Fresh Whoopie! Shea Butter Cream
Laura Mercier Eau de Toilette in Crème de Pistache
Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation
Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Buffing Cream
Korres Blush in Mauve
Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Pomegranate
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush in It-Girl Purple
Maybelline Kissing Potion in Cherry Smash
Marc Jacobs Biscotti Splash
Moschino Hippy Fizz Eau de Toilette Spray
Make Up Forever Powder Blush in Cotton Candy
NARS Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment in Lara
Philosophy Eye Hope
Philosophy Shower Gel in Pink Frosted Cake
Rachel Perry Lip Lover in Grape Juice
Savannah Bee Company Royal Jelly Body Butter
Stella McCartney 1.6 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
Tokyo Milk Lip Elixer in Salted Caramel
Waxelene

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Pics: Caudalie Grape Water / Eau de Raisin

2011-06-29T20:47:00.000-04:00

Product: Caudalie Grape Water AKA Eau de Raisin if you're feeling French!
Category: Toner
Scent: Unscented
Cost: $8.00 for 1.6 fl oz, $13.00 for 3.4 fl oz, or $17.00 for 6.7 fl oz (limited edition size)
Where to Buy: Caudalie, Sephora
Caudalie says:"This 100 percent plant-based water - extracted directly from grapes during the harvests - soothes, refreshes, and hydrates the skin."
Pros: Refreshing, soothing for sensitive skin, highly portable
Cons: None

Review: I LOVE Caudalie Grape Water! Ou, en Français, J'adore Caudalie Eau de Raisin!

According to Caudalie, you are to spray this product on the face at any time of the day to refresh and hydrate the skin, and it can be used as a toner after removing make-up. It is so ridiculously refreshing to spritz it onto your face and neck when you're laying out at the pool or on the beach. It's just as snazzy on a hot day after crossing a 1,000° parking lot to get back to work at high noon! The super fine mist doesn't cause your makeup to run so you're safe to spray away throughout the day! ☺ The secret to an even more amazing spritztravaganza is to pop the can in the fridge (or a cooler if you're heading to a concert, pool, beach, park, outdoor July wedding, etc.) and reap the freshly chilled rewards of feeling unbelievably pleased with yourself for owning such an effervescent product!

As a resident ATLien currently feeling melty in the summer splendor, I cannot recommend this wunderbar spray toner enough to anyone, male or female, who also lives in a hot and/or humid locale!

Would I buy this product again? Yes!
Color Payoff: N/A
Endurance: N/A
Packaging: A
Does What It Claims: Yes
OVERALL: A

Ingredients: Vitis vinifera (grape) fruit water, vitis vinifera (grape) juice, nitrogen.

3.4 fl oz size of Caudalie Grape Water

{Glambunctious} Test Drive & Swatches: CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadow in Kaboom Kelly

2011-06-25T20:48:00.000-04:00

Product: CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadow
Category: Eyeshadow
Color: Kaboom Kelly
Flavor/Scent:Unflavored/Unscented
Cost: $3.19+ (varies by retailer) for one 0.09 oz pan
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Walmart
CoverGirl says:"Simple, single shades with a formula that lasts for hours. Mix and match them the way you want to create your own combos with matte, pearly, or sparkly shades! They blend easily to let the natural beauty of your eyes come through."
Pros: Secure packaging
Cons: Poor color payoff, the shadow migrated like a bat out of hell

Review: The color looked great in the pan, but I knew as soon as I swiped a brush over it that the color payoff was going to be disappointing. Applied dry, you get a light wash of color; applied wet, you get about twice the intensity, but the color is still quite faint. I used it both as a shadow and as a liner on separate days. It was underwhelming as a shadow; it provided only a very light wash of green and it was barely visible at the end of my work day. It performed quite poorly as a liner; the shadow migrated to the crease of my upper eyelid within 1 hour of application.

The packaging was quite secure and I had to really pry the lid open. There's no way it would open on it's own volition in your purse/makeup bag!

The one thing I would advise you to splurge on in your makeup bag would be quality eyeshadows. While the price tag of certain shadows may make your heart race, I swear it is worth it! Higher quality shadows are bustin' loose with pigmentation, so you'll find yourself using a fraction of the amount you typically use of the lower quality stuff. Urban Decay's are my personal fave; what about you?

Would I buy this product again? No
Color Payoff: Poor
Endurance: Poor
Packaging: Super sturdy!
Does What It Claims: No
OVERALL: F

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Mineral Oil, Boron Nitrate, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Calcium Silicate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Dehydroaceate, Quaternium 15, BHT, Sparkling Shades also Contain: , Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, May Also Contain: , Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines, Chromium Oxide Greens, Carmine, Ferric Ammonium, Ferrocyanide, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Ferric Ferrocyanide.

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Close up without flash

CoverGirl Kaboom Kelly swatched dry / wet

{Glambunctious} Vacation Approved! - Discovery Cove Trip

2011-06-24T20:51:00.000-04:00

I knew there would be lots of pictures taken at Discovery Cove and I needed products that could survive heat, humidity, swimming, sweating, possible tears, and encounters with 600 pound sea creatures. The following items outlasted it all!

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette
2. Lancome Definicils Waterproof Mascara
3. Benefit Benetint
4. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

All of these lovely products stayed put, refused to melt, smudge, or fade, and lasted all day long! I could not believe the mascara survived it all with absolutely NO running. It's worth the price if you know you're going to be swimming, sweating, or crying! I will most definitely be sporting it on my wedding day.

The proof is in the proverbial pudding; the picture below was taken after our dolphin swim!

{Glambunctious} Inquiring Minds Want To Know - Volume 1

2011-06-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

If you know me, you know that I LOVE surveys. You know, those silly little Q&A's containing deep questions such as "What's your favorite ice cream flavor?" and "What color was your prom dress?"; they are a fun and relaxed way to get to know someone. I thought it would be nifty to incorporate a little survey-ness into this blog from time to time since it is one of my favorite things and it's a great way for you lovely readers to share a little something about yourselves, too! In the sage words of Barney, "Sharing means caring" after all. ☺

Today's first question was inspired by the charming and adorable Karen over at Makeup and Beauty Blog (if you aren't following her blog already, you definitely should be)!

1) What was your first MAC product? Viva Glam IV thanks to my always fabulous friend Hilary!
2) What is your ultimate go-to beauty product? Aquaphor as a lip balm. It hydrates my lips better than anything else I've tried and I promise you, I've tried hundreds of balms over the years!
3) What was the last movie you saw? I got completely captivated by "I Am Legend" last night when it came on TV. Even though I'd already seen it, I couldn't stop watching. Will Smith is amazeballs.
4) Name one of your favorite mags? Real Simple.
5) Back in the day, which New Kid On The Block made your heart go pitter-pat? Jordan. I know, LOL!

Copy & paste into the comments section and share your answers!

--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--✄--
1) What was your first MAC product?
2) What is your ultimate go-to beauty product?
3) What was the last movie you saw?
4) Name one of your favorite mags?
5) Back in the day, which New Kid On The Block made your heart go pitter-pat?

Dolphins & Diamonds: A Wildly Decent Proposal

2011-06-22T15:19:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, I'd previously posted that my boyfriend Jason and I were heading off to Florida's dolphin dreamland Discovery Cove last week. Aside from getting to live out my lifelong dream of swimming with dolphins, my wonderful blackberry-cobbler-a-la-mode-of-a-man just happened to plan the whole trip around the most amazing and perfect surprise proposal in ze world!

There I was, thinking "This day could simply NOT get any better!"; the Floridian sun was shining, the cabana he booked was an oasis of relaxation, and I'd just smooched a dolphin named Rose. I felt that my life had very little room for improvement at that moment.

Little did I know, Jason had pre-arranged with secret squirrel stealthy-ness to have Rose the dolphin bring me a very special buoy. As soon as the trainer told me Rose was "bringing me something", I thought, "OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! IS THIS IT?! IS HE PROPOSING RIGHT HERE IN THIS DOLPHIN POOL?!?!?!?!?!". Jason took the buoy from Rose and, grinning from ear to ear, asked...

"Kristen, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

❤ YES! ❤

After we left the dolphin pool, the Discovery Cove dolls led us back to our cabana. There we found a photographer and videographer, and my engagement ring set up on a pedestal (literally!) surrounded by lush tropical flowers. Jason got down on one knee and asked me to marry him (again, lol)!

It certainly adds a touch of humor to think that I'd never once envisioned myself not wearing pants when my special proposal day finally came along!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my now fiancée Jason for giving me the most incredibly special and perfect proposal that I could've ever imaged. The ring he picked out is beyond stunning; it makes me feel giddy and loved beyond my wildest dreams every time I look at it.

I love you Jason Bartholomew, and I can't wait to marry you!

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick in Bronzed Peach/Lip Perfection in Kiss

2011-06-16T20:54:00.000-04:00

Product: Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick (soon to be re-named Lip Perfection)
Category: Lipstick
Subcategory: Shimmer/Frost Lipstick
Color: Bronzed Peach (soon to be renamed Kiss)
Flavor/Scent:Unflavored/Unscented
Cost: $4.50 - $8.00 (Varies by retailer) for one .13 oz tube {I got mine at Kroger for $4.55}
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 36M
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Walmart
Cover Girl says:"Lasting color plus moisture in one lipstick! 2 Benefits in 1 - Long Wear; Moisture care. Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick gives 2 benefits in 1. Hours of wear plus moisture care with over 50% emollients, including Vitamin E and Vitamin A."
Pros: Good color payoff
Cons: Slightly drying, did not last

Review: This color was quite frosty, but it applied easily and provided full coverage with minimal application. This lipstick did not last for more than 2 hours before the color had faded and my lips felt dry. I ended up applying a layer of Aquaphor over the lipstick when I touched it up and it then lasted 4 hours and my lips felt happy. I found this odd since the product is heralded as being both long-lasting and bursting with moisturizers.

I thought the packaging looked a tad el cheapo, but I bought the "old school" one and not the newly revamped Lip Perfection variety.

As long as you layer a moisturizing balm over this product, you should be good to go for several hours.

Would I buy this product again? No.
Color Payoff: 9/10
Endurance: 3/10
Packaging: 4/10
Does What It Claims: 1/10
OVERALL: 4/10

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Isostearate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Acetylated Lanolin, Ozokerite, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Paraffin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Lactate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Propylparaben, Mica. May Contain: Red 21 Lake, Red 33 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Red 21, Red 27 Lake, Red 6 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Carmine, Bismuth Oxychloride, Green 5.

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

{Glambunctious} Vacation: Discovery Cove Dolphin Dandies!!!

2011-06-16T20:53:00.000-04:00

Today's review post will be the last one for a bit because my boyfriend Jason and I leave for Orlando's Discovery Cove today! Tomorrow we will be swimming with dolphins, and the word "excited" hardly covers it!! I have been dreaming of this my whole life! I almost can't believe that these paws will be touching actual factual dolphins TOMORROW! We are also going to Sea World, where a 7 year old me had pledged to work as a trainer when I grew up, on this trip and neither of us has been there since the 80's. I am literally undulating with excitement! I hope you all have flippertastic weekends!

Commencing...PORPOISEPALOOZA '11!

Hidey ho!

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer

2011-06-14T20:56:00.000-04:00

Product: Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer
Category: Tinted Moisturizer
Color: Shade 2
Cost: $24.50
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 24M
Where to Buy: Clinique, Sephora
Clinique says:"Smooth on an instant moisture boost with SPF protection and a hint of skin-perfecting colour. Refreshingly lightweight formula provides a no-makeup look and feel, yet covers imperfections with a natural, hydrating touch. Oil-free."
Pros: Medium coverage, moisturizing, SPF 15, long-lasting
Cons: None

Review: I was expecting a lot less coverage from this tinted moisturizer; I was truly surprised! It offered medium coverage and was comparable to CoverGirl Clean Liquid Makeup, one of my favorite liquid foundations. It was moisturizing without my skin getting very oily, but I did need to powder my T-zone at around 2:00 p.m. (I applied the makeup at 8:00 a.m.). After the one powder touch-up, I was good until 7:30 p.m. when I showered.

The squeezable packaging is great. The cap is really secure and the small size of the product (about 2.5 inches tall by 1.5 inches wide) lends itself perfectly for tossing into a purse or beach tote. I think this is an excellent option for anyone looking for moderate coverage, moisture, and sunscreen all in one handy dandy tube.

Would I buy this product again? Yes.
Color Payoff: 7/10
Endurance: 8/10
Packaging: 9/10
Does What It Claims: 10/10
OVERALL: 8/10

Ingredients: Active ingredients : Titanium Dioxide 6.80% Octisalate 5.00 Octinoxate 2.80% Inactive ingredients: Water\Aqua\Eau Methyl Trimethicone Butylene Glycol Glycerin Trimethylsiloxysilicate PEG-10 Dimethicone Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone Betula Alba (Birch) Bark Extract Saccharomyces Lysate Extract Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water Ethylhexylglycerin Dimethicone Trehalose Sorbitol Sodium Hyaluronate Menthol Trihydroxystearin Hydroxyapatite Tocopheryl Acetate Lecithin Triethoxycaprylylsilane Laureth-7 Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Cetrimonium Chloride PVP Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer Stearic Acid Aluminum Hydroxide Silica Sodium Chloride Xanthan Gum Dipropylene Glycol Disodium EDTA Sodium Citrate Sodium Dehydroacetate Chlorphenesin Phenoxyethanol /- Mica Titanium Dioxide (ci 77891) Zinc Oxide (CI 77947) Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Unblended

Blended

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Passion for Papaya

2011-06-12T20:57:00.000-04:00

Product: Maybelline Shine Sensational Chillers Lip Gloss
Category: Lip Gloss
Color: Passion for Papaya (Sheer Peach)
Flavor/Scent: Papaya flavored + scented
Cost: Suggested Retail $5.99
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 36M
Where to Buy: Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Ulta (Right now buy 2 and get 1 free!), Walmart
Maybelline says:"Apply Shine Sensational Lip Gloss alone, or over your favorite lipcolor. For a fun twist, try mixing and matching shades to create your own flavor and fragrance. Available in 18 enticing flavors - each with a different fruity scent."
Pros: Nice price, non-sticky formula
Cons: Colorless

Review: I think these are great glosses for anyone who doesn't like a sticky formulation or color. Though they all appear to be very different colors in the tube, they all basically apply the same (clear with the most subtle hint of pink imaginable) as you can see from the swatches below. The color is basically non-existant; you would wear these for the shine alone or layer them over a lip stain or lipstick. Passion for Papaya lasted about 3 hours before reapplication was necessary.

The packaging is cute and has a slant-tip plastic applicator. I would prefer a doe foot applicator (click here for an example) as I think they allow for a more even, clean application. The plastic silver cap screws on tightly; it would be pretty remarkable if it accidentally came open in your bag.

Would I buy this product again? Yes.
Color Payoff: 1/10
Endurance: 7/10
Packaging: 7/10
Does What It Claims: 9/10
OVERALL: 5/10

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Capture

2011-06-09T20:58:00.000-04:00

Product: Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss
Category: Lip Gloss
Color: Capture (metallic golden copper) {Full Color}
Flavor/Scent: Unflavored/Unscented
Cost: Suggested Retail $18.00
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 12M
Where to Buy: Beauty.com, Nordstrom, Sephora, Smashbox, ULTA
Smashbox says:"Drench your lips in luminous color and shine with LIP ENHANCING GLOSS. This ultra-moisturizing gloss keeps lips soft, smooth, and naturally plumped for hours. Now in 3 advanced color formulas for a range of dazzling looks. Enhance your lips like never before. Winner of Allure Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for Best Lip Gloss."
Pros: Long lasting, truly unique color, non-sticky, moisturizing
Cons: None!

Review: This is a beautiful warm bronzy pinky color (it's actually a little hard to describe!) with silver micro glitter. I bought it at Sephora after swiping the tester across the back of my hand and being amazed by the color payoff. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed it was called "Lip Enhancing Gloss", which made me think it might contain a plumping ingredient. Luckily for me, it doesn't; instead the main enhancing ingredient is Vitamin E which moisturizes your lips. The gloss feels smooth on the lips without being overly slick and it isn't the least bit sticky. The velour doe foot applicator helps the product go on precisely where you want it. It's unscented and unflavored, which I love. This gloss lasted 4 hours for me, and those 4 hours included drinking my morning coffee followed by a 20 oz Diet Mountain Dew (it was a Monday)!

Would I buy this product again? Yes!
Color Payoff: 10/10
Endurance: 9/10
Packaging: 10/10
Does What It Claims: 10/10
OVERALL: 9/10

Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ozokerite Wax, Trihydroxystearin, Quaternium-18 Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Carmine (CI 75470).

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

2011-06-08T09:28:00.000-04:00

The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was AMAZING. I wish I'd read this in high school when we were studying the Civil War because it gives you such an incredible insight into the hearts and minds of the people on the battlefield. I really loved a lot of the characters and I cried when the book concluded. I ordered “Gettysburg”, the movie based on this book, from Amazon and can’t wait to watch it. I will definitely be reading Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure; my interest in the Civil War is higher than ever thanks to this spectacular book.

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks in 521A (Fuchsia with Blue Pearl) & 502A (Dark Pink Frost)

2011-06-07T21:00:00.000-04:00

Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks in 521A, 502A

Product: Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick
Category: Lipstick
Color: 521A (Fuchsia with Blue Pearl), 502A (Dark Pink Frost)
Flavor/Scent: Unflavored/Unscented
Cost: $0.49 - $6 depending on retailer
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 12M
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Grocery Stores
Wet n Wild says:"Enriched with conditioning ingredients of Vitamins A & E and Aloe Vera for moist-looking lips."
Pros: Moisturizing, good color payoff, SWEET price!
Cons: Packaging not super fab

Review: I found these puppies on sale at my local Walgreens for .49¢! For that price, sure, I'll give them a whirl! I was really happy when they turned out to be GREAT lipsticks!

I'm partial to the hot pink 521A color on me. Both lipsticks applied evenly and left my lips feeling smooth and conditioned. The silky texture of these lipsticks rivaled that of the $32 lipsticks I've tried. The color lasted 3.5 hours before I needed to reapply. The packaging is the only thing that isn't a slam dunk but for .49¢ a pop, I'm not complaining!

Would I buy this product again? Yes.
Color Payoff: 7/10
Endurance: 8/10
Packaging: 5/10
Does What It Claims: 10/10
OVERALL: 7/10

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ozokerite, Euphoria Cerifera (Candelilla Cera) Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ceresin, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Beeswax (Cera Alba), PEG-4 Diheptanoate, Petrolatum, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tridecyl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Fragrance (Parfum), Tridecyl Trimellitate, Lanolin Alcohol, Propylparaben, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Benzoate, BHT, Oleyl Alcohol, Mica (Not in Shades 501B, 515C, 517B, 520E, 548C, 551C), Tin Oxide (in Shades 503B, 513B, 526B, 532D). [(May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 21 Lake (CI 45380), Yellow 10 Lake (CI 77742), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Carmine (CI 75470), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 22 Lake (CI 45380)].

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks in 502A, 521A

Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks in 521A, 502A

521A 1 swipe / 5 swipes, 502A 1 swipe / 5 swipes

521A

502A

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Pictures: Fresh Milk Milk Soap

2011-06-06T21:02:00.000-04:00

Product: Fresh Milk Milk Soap
Category: Soap, Body Cleanser
Flavor/Scent: Creamy milk with vanilla and cocoa
Cost: Suggested Retail $13.00 for one 7 oz bar
Where to Buy: Amazon, Beauty.com, Drugstore.com, Fresh, Neiman Marcus, Sephora
Fresh says:"MILK MILK SOAP has a moisturizing base of vegetable glycerin, milk proteins, and shea butter which produces a creamy non-drying lather. Milk Milk combines creamy milk with comforting vanilla and cocoa."
Pros: Hydrating, amazing scent
Cons: None

Review: This is the best smelling soap EVER CREATED! I happened to stumble upon it at Sephora, and being a fan of milk soaps, I couldn't resist picking it up for a little sniff. The sniff turned into a minor huffing episode complete with closed eyes, which is when the Sephora associate approached to ask me if I needed a basket. Yes, sir! I would like 16 baskets filled to the brim with these milk of magnifi-scent beauties!

Though it says it's milk combined with vanilla and cocoa, it doesn't smell food-ish/dessert-y to me. The scent is super clean and soft, like you'd never get tired of smelling it. I wish it came in perfume form!

It has a nice foamy lather but isn't the least bit drying. I found it to be quite hydrating, which is great during the summer when it's 92 degrees and the last thing you feel like doing after a warm shower is applying lotion. The scent is subtle once you're all toweled dry and dressed. I think it's a great soap for both ladies and men as the scent is very clean and not overly feminine. This would make a wonderful gift for a birthday, housewarming, anniversary, new mommy, get well, etcetera!

Would I buy this product again? Oh yes!
Packaging: 10/10
Does What It Claims: 10/10
OVERALL: 10/10

Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Water (Aqua), Fragrance (Parfum), Glycerin, Palm Acid, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii), Whey (Lac) Protein, Sodium Chloride, Palm Kernel Acid, Milk Powder (Lac), Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etironate, BHT

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted

2011-06-05T21:04:00.000-04:00

Product: Revlon Nail Enamel in Minted
Category: Nail polish
Subcategory: Creme nail polish
Color: Minted (mint green)
Cost: $4.50+
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 12M
Where to Buy: Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Walmart
Revlon says:"Revlon Nail Enamel delivers gorgeous smooth, chip-resistant color to nails."
Pros: Fun summery color, 2 coat coverage
Cons: Chipped rather quickly

Review: I didn't end up liking this color on me but I did get several compliments from stylish ladies when I was sporting it, and I love the look of it on other people! The first coat was watery and streaky, but coat number two covered like a champ. I applied a base coat, two coats of Minted, and top coat, but the chipping began on day two. I think the color is really fun and summery, and would look adorable on toes heading to the beach!

Would I buy this product again? No - but only because I'm not wild about the color on me. I have another Revlon polish that I LOVE called Plum Seduction and it wears for 2+ weeks on my toes!
Color Payoff: 8/10
Endurance: 4/10
Packaging: 5/10
Does What It Claims: 5/10
OVERALL: 6/10

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

We'll always have Philips...

2011-06-03T11:33:00.007-04:00

I've been waiting to post my thoughts about the loss of the Thrashers until I could organize them a little better. I honestly never thought the city of Atlanta could lose it's second NHL franchise to Canada. I don't think non-hockey fans realize how heartbreaking the reality is of our hometown team being sold and relocated. It leaves you feeling completely jarred.

My good friend Bill Tiller AKA Rawhide, Thrashers fan blogger for the AJC, posted an excellent final article asking fans to post their favorite memories. I've copied and pasted my comment below because I wanted to share my feelings with anyone who reads my blog. Sidenote: "Smoothie" is Jason's handle on Bill's blog.

Thank you for this wonderful blog, Bill; you’ve always been so much fun and such a dedicated blogger. Getting to know you, and having the opportunity to meet your family, has been one of the best things this team has brought to me. Reading everyone’s favorite memories has been both enjoyable and bittersweet. I have so many favorite memories of this team. Cheating at Black Jack with Marty “The Party” Reasoner at Casino Night. Meeting my favorite player, Bryan Little, and having him turn out to be just so absurdly kind. The sense of camaraderie among us Thrashers fans. The thrill of jumping up to high-five and sing along to Song 2 whenever a goal was scored by one of our boys in blue. Meeting other fans at games, CNN Center, tailgates, and draft parties. A puck Shea Weber flipped out of play landing smack-dab in Smoothie’s lap at the last Nashville game we attended. Yukking it up with The Blueland Chronicle and Wild Bill Tiller in Section 317. Seeing the young talent at Prospect Camp. Christophe Schubert telling a security guard to step aside to let us into the VIP area at Casino Night. Submitting the “What kind of sandwich would you be?” question to Ask A Thrasher and cracking up when it was asked to every player thereafter. Smoothie’s hysterical Thrashers rap. Running into XLB dining with his family at Feast in Decatur on my second date with Smoothie. Commiserating with “tweeps” on Twitter during heart-stopping 3rd period rallies. Bringing people to their first hockey game and watching them experience the fun and excitement. Cheering for the Kiss Cam Couple at every game I attended. Kane’s KO of Cooke (legendary).

Thank you to Smoothie for awakening my love for hockey, and for being a willing partner in such lunacy as “lucky moose socks” and wearing fluorescent yellow stuffed crabs from IKEA around our necks in support of Joey Crabb. I fell for the Thrashers at the same time I fell for you, and this team will always be extraordinarily special to me for that reason.

Thank you ALL for enhancing the Thrashers experience. I will leave you now with a few lines from Smoothie’s *hit* rap song, “Yo, Check the Thrashers” (surely coming soon to iTunes):

“He’s not very tall but he’ll burn ya with speed, good luck trying to catch this dope sly Swede! Even if ya do he’ll make the right read, cuz Toby is a doctor of sick-ass feeds!

Comin’ down the tracks with a train of pain, numba 9’s on a mission so u ‘memba his name

The name’s Evandah just like The Champ, so don’t ya complain when he lights ya’ lamp!

Yo check da’ Thrashers, a playoff real deal, Pevs droppin’ pills like a waiver wire bank steal

Slates racin’ down da ice like a greasy frittata, he’ll work u in da corner like a dirty lambada!

Wee Freddy P likes to rock da wok, but get him on the ice and he’ll make u lose ya jock!

Todd Whitey White don’t need no Garmin, he gets to da crease to deposit the Charmin!”

Atlanta Thrashers
1999 - 2011

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Guerlain Meteorites Pearls in Teint Rose

2011-06-01T21:05:00.000-04:00

Product: Guerlain Meteorites Pearls
Category: Luminizer
Color: Teint Rose 01
Flavor/Scent: Violet-scented
Cost: Suggested Retail $57.00 for 1.05 oz
Where to Buy: Amazon, Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora
Guerlain says:"An illuminating powder that delivers pure radiance. Inspired by light and created by Guerlain, Météorites Pearls employ the technology of white light, which is used in photography and film to erase imperfections and soften features. A constellation of 6 multi-colored pearls blend together for a flawless, radiant complexion. These pearls-with-a-purpose have now been reinvented in 3 color harmonies that are adapted to each skintone."
Pros: Beautiful packaging
Cons: High shimmer quotient, did not erase imperfections, soften features, or give me a flawless complexion

Review: I was seduced by the absolute loveliness of this product. My mom ordered it off the Sephora site for my birthday and I was ecstatic when the package arrived! Unfortunately, once I used the product, I could not have been more disappointed. It is listed on Sephora as a luminzer; Guerlain sells it as an "illuminating powder" that will create a "flawless, radiant finish". Radiant? YES, your face will be sparklin' like Edward Cullen at Sea World on a sunny June afternoon. Flawless? It gives you absolutely zero coverage, just micro-shimmer, so unless your skin is already flawless, you will not be achieving perfection utilizing this ridiculously expensive powder.

The packaging is absolutely gorgeous! The metal container is luxurious and elegant and would look beautiful sitting on anyone's vanity. The pearls are heavy, so they stay put when you run a powder brush over them. I was pleased that they didn't get stuck in the brush like one of the cheaper varieties I tried. They have a pleasant violet scent that fades once the powder is applied, but if you have fragrance sensitivities you may find it overpowering.

Overall, I find this product to be wildly overpriced and overhyped. It simply failed to do what the company claimed it would, and I returned it for a full refund. If you are considering buying this, I urge you to go to Sephora first and try it on. $57.00 is truly a ludicrous sum of money to charge people for a highlighter. The only difference between this product and bareMineral's Clear Radiance is a metal container and a $39.00 price difference.

Would I buy this product again? No.
Color Payoff: 1/10
Endurance: 5/10
Packaging: 10/10
Does What It Claims: 3/10
OVERALL: 3/10

Ingredients: Talc, Nylon-12, Magnesium Myristate, Distarch Phosphate, Magnesium Carbonate, Hydrated Silica, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch, Silica, Parfum (fragrance), Meteorite Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Cellulose Gum, Sorbic Acid, Aplha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Benzoate, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Geranoil, Cinnamyl Alcohol, [+/- Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 73360 (Red 30 Lake), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 15850 (Red 6, Red 7 Lake), CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 77000 (Aluminum Powder), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), CI 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), CI 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide), CI 77742 (Magnesium Violet)].

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Each pearl swatched on my arm.

The Sunset Strip Diaries by Amy Asbury

2011-06-01T16:22:00.001-04:00

The Sunset Strip Diaries by Amy Asbury

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this book was amazing! Even if hair bands aren't your thing, this book is wildly entertaining! At times hilarious, heart-wrenching, and poignant. I devoured it in 2 days and then immediately bought the sequel!

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- A Love Story by Ree Drummond

2011-06-01T16:17:00.004-04:00

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- A Love Story by Ree Drummond

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

**This review contains spoilers!**

This book had potential, but it never really…took flight. I was annoyed with the author for spending an absolutely absurd amount of the book reiterating how in love she was with her cowboy, and zero percent of the book explaining why she and her siblings all turned on their mother after she made it known that she was going to divorce their father. All of the grown children seethed and hated their mother for this, but never once was it explained why. The author herself was living at home and wanted nothing to do with the stress of her parents’ crumbling marriage. It just seemed to be a big inconvenience to her; which I do not understand at all. For the author, 25 years old at the time, to wish that they’d hold off the implosion of their marriage at least until after her own wedding day really angered me. The fact that never once did she mention asking her mother or father if there was anything she could do to help alleviate some of the strife just made her seem selfish and self-involved. The author was also completely mortified by things that I thought were no big deal and her lack of self-confidence was evident throughout the book. At times, I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and remind her that she’s allowed to make mistakes and trip on pebbles and not know the proper protocol of what to do during a prairie fire. She comes across as very hard on herself and it was sometimes difficult to read. I did enjoy the humor of her turning from LA vegetarian into Oklahoma red meat lover, and some of the other fish out of water scenarios that come up.

{Glambunctious) Test Drive + Swatches: Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Cherry Kiss, Sparkling Grape + Glamorous Guava

2011-05-31T21:07:00.000-04:00

Product: Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss
Category: Lip Gloss
Flavor/Scent: Cherry Kiss-cherry flavored + scented, Glamorous Guava-guava flavored + scented, Sparkling Grape-grape flavored + scented
Cost: Suggested Retail $5.99
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 36M
Where to Buy: Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Ulta (Right now buy 2 and get 1 free!), Walmart
Maybelline says:"Apply Shine Sensational Lip Gloss alone, or over your favorite lipcolor. For a fun twist, try mixing and matching shades to create your own flavor and fragrance. Available in 18 enticing flavors - each with a different fruity scent."
Pros: Nice price, non-sticky formula
Cons: No color variation from one gloss to the next

Review: I think these are great glosses for anyone who doesn't like a sticky formulation or color. Though they all appear to be very different colors in the tube, they all basically apply the same (basically clear with the most subtle hint of pink imaginable) as you can see from the lip swatches below. The color is basically non-existant; you would wear these for the shine alone or layer them over a lip stain or lipstick. They all lasted about 3 hours before reapplication was necessary.

The packaging is cute and has a slant-tip plastic applicator. I would prefer a doe foot applicator (click here for an example) as I think they allow for a more even, clean application. The plastic silver cap screws on tightly; it would be pretty remarkable if it accidentally came open in your bag. The scents and flavors were nice on all of these glosses and brought back fond memories of sporting Maybelline Kissing Potion in 7th grade!

I think these glosses are a great summer option for anyone who wants a non-sticky, near-colorless gloss with a fun flavor and scent.

Would I buy this product again? Yes.
Color Payoff: 1/10
Endurance: 7/10
Packaging: 7/10
Does What It Claims: 9/10
OVERALL: 5/10

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Cherry Kiss, Sparkling Grape, Glamorous Guava

From top: Cherry Kiss, Sparkling Grape, Glamorous Guava

Cherry Kiss, Sparkling Grape, Glamorous Guava

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Glamorous Guava

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Sparkling Grape

Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Cherry Kiss

{Glambunctious} A Peek in the Medicine Cabinet of...Miss Kaotic from Perfectly Kaotic!

2011-05-27T21:11:00.000-04:00

1. Name: Miss Kaotic of Perfectly Kaotic
2. Age: 29 (ugh)
3. What is your skin type? Fair and oily (double ugh)
4. What color are your eyes? Blue or green, depends on the day
5. What color is your hair? Dark brown, never dyed.
6. Describe your everyday look in a few words. Business casual - hair usually up in a twisty or pony; long and straight when I have time to dry it.
7. Where do you live? Jacksonville, FL
8. What aspect of where you live effects your hair, skin care and/or make up? Humidity, heat, sun, and oh yeah - humidity.
9. What do you do for a living? Interior designer
10. If you could design your dream job, what would it be? Interior designer - just with a different company.
11. What would you change about your appearance? Shed a few lbs.
12. What do you like most about your appearance? Umm?...I have nice feet.
13. What do you to when you want to indulge? Hands (and feet!) down - a massage and/or mani & pedi is my favorite indulgence of all time.
14. What was the first fragrance you ever wore? I think Sunflowers...and I was shocked to recently discover that this is still currently being sold at Walgreens.
15. What fragrance did you wear in high school and/or college? Do you/would you wear it again? I'm pretty sure it was Polo Sport for chicks, and it ALWAYS makes me think of the Chevron where everyone used to loiter. So random. And no, I don't think I'd wear it again.
16. What is your favorite fragrance that you currently wear? I LOVE Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy. The bf picked it out.
17. Where do you buy most of your make up and skin care products? My Mom - the Mary Kay lady!
18. What do you wash your face with? At night either Target brand Clean and Clear or Ponds (I love the one-stepness of it). In the a.m., Mary Kay's Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser for Normal to Oily skin. I love it! It has little purple scrubby vitamin beads in it.
19. What product do you buy the most of? None really, but if I had to pick, either sunscreen or lip stuff.
20. What is your most recent beauty splurge/bargain? Splurge: I'd have to say Siggers Shampoo and Conditioner, although it was a gift... I have to say though, I will NEVER go back to cheap shampoo and conditioner. The difference is ridiculous. I had no idea. I guess that might be the best bargain too, since it was a gift!
21. Ladies, what was the first make up product that you were allowed to wear? I'm pretty sure it was either cover-up or powder. Problem skin always!
22. Pop quiz, hot shot: You've overslept and now you only have 5 minutes to get ready in the morning - what do you do? Hair in pony, brush teeth, deodorant, powder, mascara, lip stuff in the car on the way.
23. What does your daily skin care/make up routine consist of in the a.m.? Wash face with Mary Kay 3-in-1 Timewise Cleanser for Oily Skin, Mary Kay Oil Control Moisturizer (or MK Tinted Moisturizer with 25 SPF if we are going to the beach), foundation, powder, blush, bronzer (sometimes), light eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Jeez I sound like painted lady. It's not overkill - I promise.
24. What is your p.m. routine? Pond's or Target Brand Clean and Clear - depends on if I want to mess with water or not.
25. When you are getting ready for a special event or night out, how does your skin care/make up routine differ from your daily routine? It doesn't really; maybe a little heavier eye make-up and I might make a special effort to do something with my hair, although it ususally looks the same no matter what. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to hair. Never have.
26. When you hit puberty, what aspect of growing up seemed the most exciting to you? Least exciting? Umm freedom. Although now I realize I may have been more "free" back then... Nothing really seemed unexciting to me - I was pumped about getting older. Not so much now...
27. Who were some of the first females in your life that you looked to for beauty advice? My mom always!
28. What beauty or skin care product can you not live without? Tweezers and lip stuff. It's a tie.
29. What beauty or skin care product do you spend the most kwan on? Face wash and moisturizers.
30. If you went on Survivor, what would your luxury item be and why? I don't watch survivor, so I don't really get this... maybe my phone? Is that allowed?
31. What magazines do you read for style/beauty tips? For some weird reason I have a subscription to Baazar, so I read that (sometimes), but I don't ever really pay attention to it. I did get a nail polish color out of the last one though. That was the only thing I've ever actually done.
32. What book have you recently read that you want everyone you know to read? Why? I seriously can't remember the last book I read... whoa that is so sad.
33. Where do you draw beauty inspiration from? Usually my stylish friends.
34. What is your health/beauty/skin care guilty pleasure? I considered it a splurge when I bought a new razor that had the shave stuff built around it, so I'll go with that.
35. What is your favorite lip balm/gloss/stick of all-time? Why is it your "ol' faithful"? MK's Beach Bronze lip shine - it is just the right amount of color, it's shimmery, tastes good and lasts forever.
36. What perfume are you dying to get a whiff of? Ummm can't think of any at the moment...
37. What new (or new-to-you) beauty or skin care product are you excited to try? That roller ball thing that is supposed to get rid of dark circles. I wish Glambunctious would do a review of it, actually...
38. Give us a good beauty tip you've learned from someone over the years. One of my BFF's used to wet a q-tip and use it to wipe off any wayward mascara really quickly - it works like a charm and you don't have to redo all your eye makeup.
39. Which celebrity(ies) do you think has(have) great style? Why? Courtney Cox is the first one that sprang to mind; she just always looks so polished and put together to me. Nowadays maybe a little too botoxed, but polished nonetheless.
40. What tips/tricks/products (if any) has your significant other picked up from you? Have you picked up anything from them? OMG he would wear a white t-shirt and khaki shorts every day if I would let him, so I don't think I've learned too much in the way of beauty from him. I think he'd say that he's learned not to wear boots with dress pants from me.
41. When you were 16, what beauty trends did you participate in? What about when you were 21? I'm not sure it was a "beauty" trend, but I remember wearing stickers on our faces alot. What the hell was that about? When I was 21... hmmm I can't remember really. I wore soffe shorts a bunch, because that's what you did when you were in college I guess.
42. If you could go back in time and stop yourself from participating in one beauty trend or fad, what would it be and why? The PERM - see #46.
43. If you could snap your fingers and have anyone else's __(ex. lips, hair, biceps, attitude, etc.)__ in the world, whose would it be? Jennifer Aniston's body.
44. What do you find beautiful about the opposite sex? Same sex? For both sexes, my top is attitude - no contest.
45. What beauty invention do you wish you'd thought of OR What beauty/skin care invention would you like to see? I wish I'd thought of laser hair removal. And I wish I could get it from head to toe also.
46. Worst reaction you've ever had to a beauty/skin care/hair product? Maybe the time I was eight and Mom decided I needed a perm. The lady forgot about me and that stinky solution sat on my hair too long and ran down my neck and back, burning my skin. Not cool.
47. What product completely disappointed you? Nair/Veet/any type of cream hair removal type thing. Totally useless, smelly waste of time.
48. What product have you used that ACTUALLY DID WHAT IT CLAIMED? Neutrogena spray self-tanner - this was before I lived in Florida and had a real tan. It was even and easy to use and didn't look orange or fake.
49. Where in the world would you love to travel? Tahiti. Or the Keys. Or a cruise. I SO need a vacation.
50. What store would you most like to receive a $1,000 shopping spree to? Ann Taylor - I need a new business wardrobe!
51. If you have/someday have a daughter, what beauty trend would you least like to see her sporting? Anything slutty.
52. If you could trade wardrobes with anyone in the world, who would it be? One of my best friends who has the best style/fashion sense ever!
53. When you travel, what beauty product do you never leave home without? Entire make-up bag and deodorant!
54. Name a hot beauty trend going on in the city in which you live. Everyone is very relaxed and beachy here. I find myself doing that more and more the longer we live here. Tank tops, shorts, and flops. Easy.
55. What beauty/skin care items are currently in your purse/bag? Burt's Bee's Original lip balm, Sonia something or another oil blotting papers, MK Ivory pressed powder, 55 rubber bands, MK Beach Bronze Lip Shine, MK Intensive Moisture hand cream, Purell. ALWAYS Purell.
56. What person that you know in real life has a style that you admire? The same friend who I would trade wardrobes with. She is not afraid to try new things and mix it up and she knows about all the fancy-schmancy designers and she's always put together. Love that about her!

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Hello Kitty Say Hello Palette - Memoirs of a Kitty

2011-05-27T21:09:00.000-04:00

Product: Hello Kitty Say Hello Palette - Memoirs of a Kitty
Category: Palette
Subcategory: Eyeshadow, blush
Color: Pearlized Pinky Beige 0.07 oz eyeshadow, Pearlized Tan 0.07 oz eyeshadow, Pearlized Honey 0.07 oz eyeshadow, Sparkling Brown 0.07 oz eyeshadow, Peach 0.16 oz powder blush, Rose 0.16 oz powder blush
Flavor/Scent: Unscented
Cost: Suggested Retail $35.00
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 12M
Where to Buy: Sephora
Sephora says:"This Hello Kitty compact contains two tiers of high-quality Hello Kitty products. The four eyeshadows include shades ranging from soft rose to warm brown, colors that harmonize beautifully with the two powder blushes. The tiered compact comes in the shape of Hello Kitty and is adorned with the Memoirs of a Kitty cherry blossom print. "
Pros: Coordinating colors, velvety eyeshadows, plenty of different looks can be created with these shadows and blushes, long-lasting
Cons: Both blushes and all eyeshadows contain sparkle/sheen which may irk matte lovers/those with oily skin

Review: If there was a contest for the most adorable palette packaging, this would win hands-down! The cherry blossom printed double tiered compact is shaped like a Hello Kitty head, contains a mirror, and is all-around just plain darlin'. The eyeshadows had a velvety feel during application; I didn't find them chalky but I did have to build the shadow a bit on the lid to get more of a color pop. I wore all four shadows without eyeshadow primer and they lasted all day (12 hours) without fading and with very minor creasing toward hour 9. With a primer, they would have kept on truckin' even longer!

The blushes are pretty on their own or worn together by swirling a blush brush through both before applying them to your face. The blushes stayed true for 12 hours as well. I did find the shimmer in the blushes created a shine, but it was nothing a little translucent powder couldn't dilute. I know lots of people who love shimmer, so if you do, these blushes are fabulous.

This is definitely the cutest palette on the block and the pearlized neutral eyeshadows will appeal to many.

Would I buy this product again? Yes.
Color Payoff: 8/10
Endurance: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
OVERALL: 8/10

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Eyeshadows watched dry

Eyeshadows swatched wet

Peach blush, Rose blush

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara

2011-05-25T21:19:00.000-04:00

Product: CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara
Category: Mascara
Subcategory: Lengthening Mascara
Color: Very Black
Cost: Varies from $6.94 - $8.99 depending on retailer
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 6M
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Walmart
Awards: Allure Best of Beauty 2010 Winner for Best Lengthening Mascara
CoverGirl says:"Our Elasta-Nylon™ formula flexes without flaking, giving you extreme, notice-me lashes all day long. Our longest brush ever gives you an 80% longer lash look.* (*On average vs. Bare Lashes)"
Pros: Lengthens and defines lashes, no flaking, no smudging, longer dry down time allows for more coats without clumping
Cons: Some may find the extra long brush cumbersome, does not volumize lashes (but doesn't claim to)

Review: I personally have short, fine (as in "thin", not as in "slammin'") eyelashes that often bring down my total eye makeup look with their wussy misbehavior. I decided to give CoverGirl LashBlast Length a whirl and I was very happy I did! It does a fantastic job of lengthening lashes! I don't know about 80% more than my bare lashes, but I'd agree to 60% longer. LashBlast Length gives my meager ration of lashes a nice boost in length and definition. One particular thing I enjoyed was the formula seemed to have a longer than average dry-down time, so I was able to apply 4-5 coats without even the whisperings of clump-ster diving. The brush seems to pick up just the right amount of product to cover my lashes. The formula held on all day with absolutely zero flaking or smudging, and still looked great after a workout at the gym. The brush is a bit longer than other mascara brushes, but I had no trouble using it. I thought the lengthened rubber bristled brush was handy at getting into the inner corners of the eye where the little lashes hide. I love the skinniness of the brush; it allows you to really get down to the roots of your lashes without the bristles bumping into your eyelid and ruining everything, so to speak! If you want length and volume, I'd recommend applying 1-2 coats of LashBlast Length and finishing it off with a coat of your favorite volumizing mascara.

Another thing I really liked about this mascara was how easily it washed right off with soap and water - no scrubbing, make up remover, or baby wipes necessary. I really couldn't believe that; I figured the elasta-nylon formula that builds up your lashes would require some serious scrubbing to remove. I wash my face with CeraVe, which is super gentle and usually doesn't remove my eye make up completely but it removed every smidge of LashBlast Length, much to my surprise! What can I say? I'm a sucker for any mascara that doesn't require a belt sander to remove.

As far as lengthening mascaras go, this one ranks right up there with my #1, All-Time Fave, HG: Maybelline Lash Discovery. For me, the only discernible difference is CoverGirl LashBlast Length has an elongated rubberized brush and Maybelline Lash Discovery has a skinnier synthetic one. They both do an amazing job of giving short lashes a much-needed, and much appreciated, booster seat!

Color Payoff: 10/10
Endurance: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
Does What It Claims: 9/10
OVERALL: 9/10

Ingredients: Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acrylates Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Triethanolamine, Synthetic Wax, Acrylates, Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Polyethylene, Oleic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Nylon-6, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Simethicone, Ethylparaben, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Silica, Iron Oxides. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines, Black 2.

On to the swatches! **Click photo to enlarge!**

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Cobalt Smokes Eyeshadow Quad

2011-05-25T21:12:00.000-04:00

Product: L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Color Smokes Eye Shadow Quad in Cobalt Smokes
Category: Eyeshadow
Color: Ivory, Blue Pewter, Navy, Cobalt
Cost: Varies by retailer, starts at $5.99
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drug Stores, Grocery Stores, Target, ULTA, Walmart
L'Oreal says:"Discover the secret for dramatizing your natural eye color. Designed by makeup artists, these beautifully coordinated shadows let you easily create the perfect smoky effect for your eye color. This velvety smooth rich formula offers crease-proof, fade-resistant, super-blendable color. Professional coordinated shade palettes designed for each eye color to deliver a seductive, smoky effect. Made in USA."
Pros: Beautiful, complimentary colors for an easy smoky eye look, long lasting (8 hours), nice price
Cons: Shadows are a bit powdery and not super pigmented when applied dry

Review: This eyeshadow quad is great for anyone wishing to create a blue smoky eye "on the cheap", to quote my good friend Susan T. The colors definitely have more POW! when applied wet, but also worked well for me applied dry. They are not as buttery and rich as higher-end shadows, therefore you will find yourself using more product to get the desired look. The colors are absolutely beautiful, though, and I was excited to wear them as soon as I swatched them. I wore a slightly less smoky version of the eye look below today to work and it lasted 8 solid hours without any eyeshadow primer. This is pretty outstanding as most eyeshadows end up creasing and fading within 5-6 hours when I don't use a primer. The 2 darker blues, Navy and Cobalt, also both work wonderfully as liners.

I think this is a great quad for the low, low price and the versatility of the palette is a huge bonus!

Color Payoff: 8/10
Endurance: 8/10
Packaging: 9/10
Does What It Claims: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10

On to the swatches! **Click photo to enlarge!**

With flash

Sans flash

L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Cobalt Smokes Eyeshadow Quad Ingredients

Cobalt wet/dry, Navy wet/dry, Blue Pewter wet/dry, Ivory wet/dry

Cobalt wet/dry, Navy wet/dry

Blue Pewter wet/dry, Ivory wet/dry

Added a little more of the Navy and Blue Pewter to pump up the proverbial jam

Additional Navy and Blue Pewter added a bit more drama to the look

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One Washable Mascara

2011-05-22T21:19:00.000-04:00

Product: Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One Washable Mascara
Category: Mascara
Subcategory: Volumizing Mascara
Color: Blackest Black
Cost: $5 - $7 (Varies by retailer) for one 3 FL Oz tube
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 6M
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Grocery Stores, Target, Ulta, Walmart
Maybelline says:"FINALLY, BOLD WITHOUT THE BULK! INSTANT CLUMP-FREE VOLUME! Patented lash catcher brush has 3 bristles per lash to make every lash count. It catches, coats and de-clumps each lash to make them all fatter and flirtier. Instant clump-free volume. Contact lens safe and ophthalmologist tested. "
Pros: Does not flake or smudge, adds some volume, safe for contact lens wearers
Cons: Strong smell, large brush can make it difficult to apply at the lash line

Review: I was drawn to this product by the fun coral and mint packaging, but waited a while before buying it since I don’t typically like volumizing mascaras. The reason being is that volumizing formulas are typically accompanied by a GI-NOR-MOUS brush. In the end, I decided to try it since I had a coupon!

What can I say about the patented “lash catcher brush”? It is football-shaped and is roughly the same girth as an actual pigskin. Ok, not really, but it does get pretty wide, which made it difficult for me to get the product down to the roots without the brush touching my eyelid and transferring mascara all over creation. I generally need a thinner brush that allows for application closer to the root line, seeing as how my short lashes are approximately 1 mm long. I felt that this mascara did a mediocre job of actually volumizing my lashes; I’ve achieved more volume using L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara.

Maybelline Volum' Express One by One Mascara stayed on my lashes with no smudging or flaking for 14 hours, which is excellent. I did not find it to come off easily with soap and water. It left voluminous detritus all around my eyes that required some Up & Up wipes to remove.

Would I buy this product again? No.
Color Payoff: 10/10
Endurance: 10/10
Packaging: 5/10
Scent/Flavor: 6/10
Does What It Claims: 6/10
OVERALL: 6/10

Ingredients: Water (Aqua/Eau), Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Cera Carnauba (Carnauba Wax), Acacia Senegal Gum, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, PEG 17/18 Dimethicone, Steareth 20, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Polymethacrylate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Simethicone, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium 10, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract (Sugar Cane), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Panthenol, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract (Lemon), Pyrus Malus Extract (Apple Fruit), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, May Contain (+/-): Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica, Carmine (CI 75470) (CI 75470), Chromium Oxide Green (CI 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Greens (CI 77289), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510) (CI 77510)

On to the pictures! **Click photo to enlarge!**

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Coffee Bean & Blushed

2011-05-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Coffee Bean & Blushed

Product: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Category: Lipstick
Subcategory: Pearl Lipstick
Color: Blushed (420), Coffee Bean (300)
Cost: Varies from $5.00 - $8.00 depending on retailer for one 0.15 oz tube
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 36M
Where to Buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Grocery Stores
Awards: InStyle Magazine Best Beauty Buys 2009 Winner for Best Inexpensive Lipstick, Allure Magazine 2009 Readers' Choice Award Winner for Best Drugstore/Discount Store Lipstick (Love that Red), Earned a Paula’s Pick Rating at Beautypedia
Revlon says:"Infused with mega-moisturizers to seal in color and softness. Find your lip color amongst a dazzling array of 72 fabulous, fashionable shades! Exclusive LiquiSilk™ formula with mega-moisturizers seals in color and softness. Silky-smooth, creamy texture. Stay true color wears evenly."
Pros: Brilliant range of 72 shades, excellent color payoff, color is long lasting, unscented/unflavored
Cons: Moisture only lasts about 3 hours making frequent reapplication necessary

Review: CVS had a BOGO sale on Revlon products so I picked up Blushed, a medium neutral pinky-brown frosted shade, and, because I adore yore, my old high school standy-by: Coffee Bean (warm copper frost). I had been thinking about how I used to rock Coffee Bean, as well as the now discontinued Jane Megabites Lipstick in Butter Frosting (which I just found on eBay for $1.29 and will TOTALLY be ORDERING). Wearing Coffee Bean again, 15 years later, reminds me of a more carefree time that included gymnastics practice, passing notes, listening to the William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet CD soundtrack on repeat, and eating whatever the hell I wanted with zero concern for any possible weight gain. Sigh…good times. Anyway…back to 2011 and on to the product review!

The range of Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick shades is staggering at 72, so whether you are into pearls, sheens, or cremes, there is a color for you. The packaging is wonderful; the lid snaps shut securely and the top of the lipstick tube is clear so you can see the color.

The lipstick applies very evenly and is unscented and unflavored. The formula includes Vitamins A, C, E, and aloe, and it claims to be a mega-moisturizing lipstick, but the first thing that faded for me was the moisture. After 2.5 hours, my lips felt dry, but the color was still looking great. The color really stays true, but you will have to reapply frequently to keep your lips from feeling dry and uncomfortable. A good tip I discovered is to layer a clear balm such as Aquaphor over the lipstick to really lock in the moisture.

Would I buy this product again? Yes.
Color Payoff: 10/10
Endurance: 5/10
Packaging: 9/10
Does What It Claims: 6/10 (While the color indeed stays true, I do not find them to be moisturizing)
OVERALL: 7/10

Ingredients: Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Ozokerite, Polybutene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, C10 30 Cholesterol/Lanesterol Esters, Bis Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate 2, Cera Microcristallina Wax (Microcrystalline Wax), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffin, Silica, Synthetic Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Serica Poudre de Soie (Silk Powder), Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1, 2 Hexanediol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Carmine (CI 75470)

On to the swatches! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Blushed & Coffee Bean

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Coffee Bean & Blushed

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Coffee Bean (1 swipe, 3 swipes) & Blushed (1 swipe, 3 swipes)

Coffee Bean

Blushed

{Glambunctious} A Peek in the Medicine Cabinet of...B. from STFU, Parents!

2011-05-18T21:25:00.000-04:00

1. Name: B. from STFU, Parents
2. Age: 29
3. What is your skin type? Much like me, it's a little on the sensitive side
4. What color are your eyes? Green
5. What color is your hair? According to my stylist it's blond!
6. Describe your everyday look in a few words. At home: casual & occasionally pantsless. Outside home: slightly put-together.
7. Where do you live? Brooklyn, baby!
8. What aspect of where you live affects your hair, skin care and/or make up? In the summer my hair looks fabulous. In the winter it looks like crap. No humidity just kills it.
9. What do you do for a living? I'm a writer and professional shit-talker AKA blogger.
10. If you could design your dream job, what would it be? Probably what I'm doing now, except with Ina Garten's back garden and patio and a bunch of minions.
11. What would you change about your appearance? My love handles are not so lovely. I have a keyloid on my shoulder that I HATE, but a few generous souls have told me that scars are "cool." Technically I could get it fixed with cortisone shots, but them bitches is 'spensive.
12. What do you like most about your appearance? Big eyes, big boobs, fast metabolism. Maybe not in that order.
13. What do you to when you want to indulge? I drink champagne with St. Germain in it and watch something terrible on TV while reading a home decor magazine like Living Etc. I don't really absorb what's going on in either but the multi-tasking feels very satisfying.
14. What was the first fragrance you ever wore? Exclamation. It ruled.
15. What fragrance did you wear in high school and/or college? Does smelling it take you back or bring to mind a specific memory? Do you/would you wear it again? In high school I relied heavily on lotion and body wash to smell good. I was into Bath & Body Works stuff for a while. Juniper Breeze takes me back! *tear* In college I think I was in a "not caring phase."
16. What is your favorite fragrance that you currently wear? I'm pretty cheesy. If I wear a fragrance, it's signature Juicy Couture. I kind of love it. I hope that doesn't make me a whore.
17. Where do you buy most of your make up and skin care products? Sephora, Ricky's NYC and my cousin's work closet (she works in beauty PR)
18. What do you wash your face with? Just water!! My skin is sensitive and doesn't want a daily face wash. When I shower (not every single day!) I wash it with a gentle soap.
19. What product do you buy the most of? I rarely buy products. Usually I just replace products I ran out of. But I do love me some lip balm. Burt's Bees is the best. There's no disputing that.
20. What is your most recent beauty splurge? Bargain? The bargain is my cousin handing over a bag full of goodies including teeth whitening strips, hair masks and cellulite cream! She knows me so well. The splurge is probably my hair. Every couple months I pay my stylist friend Tom to cut and color it at his salon. He gives me a discount, but let's face it: Good hair costs money.
21. Ladies, what was the first make up product that you were allowed to wear? How old were you? Hmm. I don't know why I got into blue eyeliner, but in 8th grade I started wearing it all the time. I was obsessed with it. It was my "signature thing." I think that was my first foray into wearing make-up regularly. I'm sure my mother probably tried to stop me. Thankfully that phase only lasted about 10 months.
22. Pop quiz, hot shot: You've overslept and now you only have 5 minutes to get ready in the morning - what do you do? Brush hair, brush teeth, eyeliner, mascara
23. What does your daily skin care/make up routine consist of in the a.m.? Did I mention that I'm lazy?! I do nothing. I splash a little water around so I wake up, but that's it unless I shower. If I'm going out to a meeting, I put on eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara. No face make-up (like foundation) for me.
24. What is your p.m. routine? Pretty much the same as above, but more dramatic eyes than daytime + lip gloss.
25. When you are getting ready for a special event or night out, how does your skin care/make up routine differ from your daily routine? I've always wanted to be one of those people who understood how to switch up my routines based on the time and place, but in reality I'll never be that person. I'll always be the girl who wonders how it takes celebrities 2+ hours to get ready.
26. When you hit puberty, what aspect of growing up seemed the most exciting to you? Least exciting? Most exciting was driving. No question! Least exciting was body changes. I didn't know how to deal with them at all.
27. Who were some of the first females in your life that you looked to for beauty advice? Well, first there was Carla, who told me my eyelashes were "too long" and I should cut them with scissors (I didn't!). Then there was Robin, who modeled her looks on Rayanne from My So-Called Life when we were friends. After that I kind of winged it. I also looked to magazines like YM and Seventeen a lot.
28. What beauty or skin care product can you not live without? Mascara, although I'm still searching for the perfect one after all these years...
29. What beauty or skin care product do you spend the most kwan on? Shampoo and conditioner. I always use Bumble & Bumble even though it's $$.
30. If you went on Survivor, what would your luxury item be and why? I don't watch Survivor so I'm going to say "water", followed up by "Wintergreen Tic Tacs."
31. What magazines do you read for style/beauty tips? Right now I'm way more into home style than beauty style so most of the magazines I buy center around interior design. But I do read a few personal style blogs for fashion :)
32. What book have you recently read that you want everyone you know to read? Why? This is random, but I love The Oatmeal's new collection of comics. It's so fun to read through a few at a time.
33. Where do you draw beauty inspiration from? Definitely just being on the street in NYC. That affects my style and idea of beauty on a daily basis. Also magazines and blogs.
34. What is your health/beauty/skin care guilty pleasure? Acupuncture. I LOVE it.
35. What is your favorite lip balm/gloss/stick of all-time? Why is it your "ol' faithful"? As stated above, Burt's Bees original FTW!
36. What perfume are you dying to get a whiff of? No clue :(
37. What new (or new-to-you) beauty or skin care product are you excited to try? I've always wanted to try Bare Escentuals. Gonna do that sometime.
38. Give us a good beauty tip you've learned from someone over the years. To stand up straight. Posture and beauty are intrinsically related. Of course, my posture sucks but it was still a good tip.
39. Which celebrities do you think have great style? Why? I love Heidi Klum's style because she's not afraid to show her legs and she likes metallic things like I do. I also like Diane Kruger's style because she has a point of view and seems to thoughtfully select her outfits.
40. What tips/tricks/products (if any) has your significant other picked up from you? Have you picked up anything from them? Well, truth be told we share deodorant. I just like his better! I think the best trick/product my man has learned from me is a lil thing called a TIDE PEN. He'd carry one with him everywhere if it were up to me.
41. When you were 16, what beauty trends did you participate in? What about when you were 21? When I was 16 I definitely tramped it up a bit and went slightly goth (but not really). Then I somehow transitioned into kind of a bohemian/hippie thing, so the "trends" were mostly dictated from being a dumbass teenager. When I was 21 I totally indulged in that giant flower pin/broach thing Carrie did in Season 3 of Sex and The City.
42. If you could go back in time and stop yourself from participating in one beauty trend or fad, what would it be and why? I think the gloppy glitter gel for your eyes was pretty gross and uncomfortable to wear. Anything with glitter that was sticky or heavy was probably a bad idea.
43. If you could snap your fingers and have anyone else's __(ex. lips, hair, biceps, attitude, etc.)__ in the world, whose would it be? Right now? Bethenny Frankel's biceps! I also think Jennifer Aniston's body is fabulous for her age. Apparently my boyfriend thinks Brooklyn Decker has the best boobs.
44. What do you find beautiful about the opposite sex? Same sex? I think personal style and confidence is sexy in both sexes.
45. What beauty invention do you wish you'd thought of OR What beauty/skin care invention would you like to see? Well it would be great if I could get rid of this damn keyloid on my shoulder myself. Other than that, maybe I wish I'd invented pimple cream. I bet the person who invented that made a fortune.
46. Worst reaction you've ever had to a beauty/skin care/hair product? When I was in 5th grade I bought a facial mud mask at Garden Botanica at the mall and it left my whole face pretty red and raw for about a day. I replaced it with a cool aloe gel mask that I kept in the fridge. It was awesome.
47. What product completely disappointed you? LOTS of mascaras, Nair-type hair removal products
48. What product have you used that ACTUALLY DID WHAT IT CLAIMED? My cousin gave me a tube of Pixi Eye Tone Brightener, which helps your eyes wake up (or "look awake"), and I feel like it totally works! I love it.
49. Where in the world would you love to travel? Brazil, Thailand, South Africa, Greece, Spain
50. What store would you most like to receive a $1,000 shopping spree to? (Does not have to be beauty-related) Probably a vintage furniture store, although $1k might not get me too far. I'm also obsessed with Gilt Groupe and the laziest shopper ever, so a gift card to that site would please me greatly.
51. If you could trade wardrobes with anyone in the world, who would it be? I'm a fan of Blake Lively's wardrobe and Diane Kruger's wardrobe
52. When you travel, what beauty product do you never leave home without? In the summer: SPF 100. In other months: my favorite eye shadow
53. Name a hot beauty trend going on in the city in which you live. Do you plan to participate yourself? There are so many and they're always changing. It's too soon to tell for summer. Rompers were pretty big last year so I think they might take a backseat this year, although I saw a girl wearing a full-body "play suit" yesterday which worried me.
54. What beauty/skin care items are currently in your bag? Of course I somehow have 2 Original Burt's Bees sticks, plus Desert Essence Lip Rescue (which sucks, btw), plus The Body Shop coolant lip balm in peppermint, and finally Napoleon Perdis Lip Gloss in Mykonos. I'm into lip stuff apparently.
55. What person that you know in real life has a style that you admire? This sounds funny, but my friend Tom. He's my hair stylist and a fabulous gay man who just has a great style. He knows how to stand out without looking obnoxious. He's unique. That's what everyone should strive to be! :)

Catch more of B.'s clever wit, creativity and sharp sense of humor on her blog, STFU, Parents!

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again & Can't Get Enough

2011-05-18T21:23:00.000-04:00

Product: MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick
Category: Lipstick
Color: Bare Again (Pinky Neutral Beige), Can't Get Enough (Beige Neutral)
Cost: $14.50
Where to Buy: MAC
MAC says:"Combining the colour impact of a Lipstick with the shine sheen of a Lipglass, Sheen Supreme creates the perfect hybrid - with no compromise. Lightweight, non-sticky, slick to apply and comfortable to wear. This is a must-have for all those who have craved this kind of fusion."
Pros: More moisturizing than regular lipsticks, excellent color payoff, lasts approximately 4 hours, sturdy-yet-sleek packaging
Cons: Thick formula can lead to less-than-stellar application, lipstick is scented

Review: I was so excited about these lipsticks when they launched and I immediately purchased these two. The pigmentation is really good for a sheen type lipstick/lip balm hybrid; I find the color payoff to be much more significant with these than with Chanel's Coco Rouge Shines. For me, I wasn't so fond of the ultra buttery texture and the thick consistency of of the lipstick. You seriously only need a swipe or two for perfect coverage; any more and you'll notice the color begins to pool a bit in the corners of your mouth. They wear well for about 4 hours before you'll want to reapply due to the color fading and your lips feeling a bit dry. Like all MAC lipsticks, they are unflavored and vanilla-scented. I don't mind the scent but it does tend to linger. Those with fragrance sensitivities may not enjoy it.

The packaging is fabulous! The lid slides over a groove and snaps shut to lock n' load. There is no fear whatsoever of the cap coming off and finding the lipstick flapping nimbly-bimbly about in your bag.

I've used other MAC lipsticks in the past and have been quite pleased with their formulation, but the Sheen Supremes felt a little too thick and greasy on my lips.

Color Payoff: 9/10
Endurance: 7/10
Packaging: 10/10
Scent/Flavor: 6/10
OVERALL: 7/10

On to the swatches! **Click photo to enlarge!**

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again, Can't Get Enough

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick Ingredients

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again, Can't Get Enough

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Can't Get Enough

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: OPI Nail Color in Strawberry Margarita

2011-05-17T21:27:00.000-04:00

Product: OPI Nail Color

Category: Nail Polish

Subcategory: Creme Nail Polish

Color(s): Strawberry Margarita (Bright True Pink)

Cost: Varies from $5.00 - $8.00 for one 0.5 FL Oz bottle

PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 24M

Where to Buy: Amazon, Kroger, OPI website (enter your ZIP for local salons that sell OPI nail polish in your area)

Pros: OPI does not test on animals, beautiful bright pink color, 2 coats = full coverage, long lasting (5 days)

Cons: None

Review: If you are looking for a great BRIGHT true pink nail polish, OPI Strawberry Margarita is it! This nice creme polish provided full coverage in 2 coats (I first applied a base clear coat and finished it off with a layer of Seche Vite top coat) and it lasted 5 days without any chips and very minimal edge wear. It's a really happy color! It was part of OPI's Mexico Collection for Spring/Summer 2006, but it's still widely available. I bought mine 2 weeks ago at Kroger for $5 bucks and change!

Color Payoff: 10/10

Endurance: 9/10

Packaging: 10/10

OVERALL: 9/10

Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Propyl Acetate, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Ethyl Tosylamide, Camphor, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Diacetone Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Benzophenone 1, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Mica, Silica, CI 77120, CI 77891, CI 15860, CI 15880

On to the swatches! **Click to ENLARGE!**

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Greed & Sin

2011-05-17T21:26:00.000-04:00

Product: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Category: Eyeshadow primer
Color(s): Greed (gold), Sin (champagne)
Cost: $18.00 for one 0.34 FL Oz genie bottle or $19.00 for one 0.37 FL Oz squeeze tube
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 6M
Where to Buy: Macy's, Sephora, Urban Decay
Urban Decay says: This miracle eyeshadow primer is unmatched by any other in the beauty industry! The genie in this bottle fulfills three wishes: eyeshadow that lasts for 24+ hours, more vibrant color and absolutely NO CREASING. Use the magic wand and flocked applicator to apply Primer Potion to lids before shadow application. It glides on easily and dries down almost instantly, creating smooth lids that are super-powered eyeshadow magnets.
Pros: Crease-proof, intensifies eye shadow, long lasting (12+ hours!), easy to apply, can be worn alone as shadows or highlighters
Cons: None! This stuff is the top of the pops!

Review: If I had a million dollars, or even a couple thou, I would buy this amazing product for every gal I know! It is remarkable, and it WORKS! Everything Urban Decay claims it does? It actually DOES. Both Greed (shimmering gold base) and Sin (shimmering champagne base) can be worn alone as a highlighter/eyeshadow; I have come to love wearing Sin on it's own. These primers prevent your eyeshadow/eyeliner from creasing, fading and generally shooping off your eyelids like angry birds after a few hours! I can't say that I have personally had them last 24+ hours because I wash my face every night, but they are still going strong for me at the end of 12! Your eyeshadow/eyeliner will look precisely as it did when you first applied it in the morning. There is absolutely no need to worry that your liner will end up migrating into your crease, or that your shadow will smudge or fade when you have this wonderful product in your makeup bag!

The two I have are the ones in the genie bottle with a flocked applicator, and recently they have relaunched the product in a squeeze tube format (the genie bottles are still availble for a limited time on the Urban Decay website). Application is as easy as pickled peaches: swipe it on, blend with your fingertip, and A) you're done or B) you're ready to apply your shadow/liner! It dries quickly from a liquid to a powder and it's very easy to blend. It also gives shadows a smooth base to build on and the beautiful shimmer really makes whatever shadow you layer over it pop! I used Greed as my primer to create the look here for the Urban Decay Rollergirl Palette I reviewed in April. If you're not a big shimmer person, Original dries invisibly.

I cannot say enough about how stellar this product is! You need to get one, or all four shades, for yourself - STAT!

Color Payoff: 10/10
Endurance: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
Scent: 10/10 (unscented)
OVERALL: 10/10

Ingredients: Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trihydroxystearin, Triethylhexanoin, Isopropyl Lanolate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Stearate, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Cera Alba (Synthetic Beeswax), Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Methicone, Isobutylparaben.

On to the swatches! **Click to ENLARGE!**

Greed (gold), Sin (champagne)
Sin (champagne), Greed (gold)
Sin (champagne)
Greed (gold)
Greed (gold) unlended / blended, Sin (champagne) unblended / blended
Greed (gold) unblended / blended, Sin (champagne) unblended / blended

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon

2011-05-14T21:29:00.000-04:00

Product: Clinique Chubby Stick
Category: Tinted Lip Balm
Color(s): Woppin' Watermelon (Sheer Pink)
Cost: $15.00 for one 0.1 oz tube
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: Not listed on product or company website; 12M is a safe assumption
Where to Buy: Amazon, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Clinique.com, Dillard's, Lord + Taylor, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora
Clinique says: NEW Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm is a super-nourishing balm loaded with mango and shea butters. Just what dry, delicate lips need to feel comfortably soft and smooth. Eight natural-looking lip tints in all, each with a subtle sheen.
Pros: Excellent moisture balm, lovely sheer color, darling packaging, unscented + unflavored
Cons: Some may want more of a color pop

Review:
These are not the same Chubby Sticks you had in the 90's that required a mondo honkin' sharpener in order to access more product! The new Chubby Stick is now housed in a plastic tube with a twist-up mechanism in the bottom so the balm will never need sharpening again! The formulation is also much improved as it now boasts loads of good-for-your-lips ingredients such as shea and mango seed butters. It feels very comfortable on your lips; smooth and conditioned without being overly slick, and not even a whisper of the much maligned stickiness that seems to go hand in hand with some lip products. The color applies very sheer, but even, and gives the lips a pretty shine. There is an element of buildability as well, so you can keep swiping it on for a slightly more intense color payoff. This is definitely a tinted BALM, not a lipstick, so if it's impactful color and coverage you seek, I wouldn't recommend this product. However, if you prefer a sheer color with the conditioning agents of a balm, this is your new Girl Friday. It can also be layered over your favorite lipstick for more of a glossy punch.

The product lasted about 3-4 hours before I needed to reapply, which is actually quite good for a non-sticky balm. It is completely flavorless and unscented, making it an excellent choice for anyone with fragrance sensitivities. It's a good amount of product for the price; it's about the length of one and a half ChapSticks.

I personally love this tinted balm and plan to try one of the plum shades; either Fuller Fig or Richer Raison. I think these would make great gifts for friends who don't typically wear lip color!

Color Payoff: 7/10 (very sheer, slightly buildable)
Endurance: 8/10
Packaging: 10/10
Scent/Flavor: 10/10 (unscented, unflavored)
OVERALL: 8/10

Ingredients: ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, vegetable oil\olus\huile végétale, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax\candelilla cera\cire de candelilla, beeswax\cera alba\cire d’abeille, ozokerite, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), hydrogenated vegetable oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, tocopherol, mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, hydrogenated olive oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, +/- titanium dioxide (ci 77891), mica, yellow 5 lake (ci 19140), iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499), red 7 lake (ci 15850), red 22 lake (ci 45380), red 30 lake (ci 73360), carmine (ci 75470), red 6 (ci 15850), bismuth oxychloride (ci 77163), red 33 lake (ci 17200), red 28 lake (ci 45410), blue 1 lake (ci 42090), yellow 6 lake (ci 15985)

On to the swatches! **Click to ENLARGE!**

I love Clinique's boxes!

Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon

For scale

Swatched on my arm; 1 swipe, 8 swipes

Swatched on my lips

{Glambunctious} Ingredient Spotlight: Cornstarch in Finishing Powders

2011-05-12T21:31:00.000-04:00

Finishing powders are a great way to set your finished make up and help it last much longer. Unfortunately, the main ingredient in many finishing powders is corn starch. While it works wonders to absorb excess oil and shine, you should avoid using a finishing powder containing corn starch (sometimes listed as Zea Mays Starch) if you have acne or your skin is prone to breakouts. Corn starch acts as food for acne bacteria, and that news certainly came as a shock to me as I have been using one of the powders listed on the "contains corn starch" list below for years and have skin that enjoys a good break out or five.

One thing I have learned is to read labels! So many products marketed to "calm" and "soothe" skin contain harsh botanical oils that do precisely the opposite, but many companies use them because they give the product a delightful scent. Try to keep in mind that a pleasant scent often does not equal a well-formulated product when it comes to skin care! Typically, if a product has no scent, it's better for your skin. Fragrance is an additive - something your skin doesn't need, no matter how much your nose enjoys it! Some cosmetics lines are completely fragrance free across the board, Clinique being one great example. If you are unsure about what an ingredient is or does, a great resource to check out is Beautypedia. They almost always have the ingredients listed for every product they review, and they do a great job of explaining how specific botanicals and chemicals may affect your skin. They also have a very useful Cosmetic Ingredient Directly that breaks down which ones are good for skin and which ones you should avoid.

Finishing Powders Containing Cornstarch:
Bare Escentuals Mineral Viel
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder
MAC Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Organic Wear Matte Finishing Veil
Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Matte Talc-Free Finishing Veil

Finishing Powders That Do Not Contain Cornstarch:
Almay Nearly Naked Loose Powder,
Aromaleigh Illuminator Finishing Powder
Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder
Coty Airspun Face Powder
Everyday Minerals Pure Silk Powder
Fyrinnae Finishing Powder
Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder
Make Up Forever HD Microfinish Powder
Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder

The bottom line: if you have break-outs or acne-prone skin, be sure to read the ingredients before you buy a finishing powder!

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: bareMinerals Face Fashion - Pure Happiness Palette

2011-05-10T21:32:00.000-04:00

Product: Bare Escentuals Face Fashion: Pure Happiness palette
Category: Palette / Kit
Subcategory: Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, Lip Gloss, Powder Blush
Color: Happy Eyecolor in vanilla mint (0.01 oz.), Wowza Eyecolor in grape royale (0.01 oz.), Mini Big & Bright Eyeliner in Indigo (0.006 oz.), Small Chuckle Blush in cheeky peach (0.02 oz.), and Mini 100% Natural Lipgloss in Funnel Cake (0.08).
Cost: $24.00 (Kit is valued at $62.50)
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 12M for eyecolor, blush, lip gloss, 6M for eyeliner
Where to Buy: Amazon, Bare Escentuals, Macy's, Sephora, ULTA
bareMinerals says:“Face Fashion is the absolute must-have collection and makes you an instant insider on the latest in beauty. This fashion-forward palette of creamy, 100% pure bareMinerals eye and cheek shades, plus a luxurious bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss, gives you all the confidence of a fashion icon. Eyes are a lively fusion of vanilla mint and grape royale, embellished with a frame of deep purple ink eyeliner. Softly shaped, blushing cheeks of peach and pink apricot lips finish off this happy-go-lucky look."
Pros: Great color combination suitable for all skin tones, variety of ways to wear the palette, products integrate well with other makeup products you already own, long lasting color, the eyeliner pencil is fabulous, excellent value
Cons: The lip gloss is MEGA STICKY

Review: This is a wonderful spring/summer palette with it’s pretty peach blush, peachy-pink lip gloss, vanilla mint and grape royale eye shadows and deep purple eyeliner. I think the eye shadows/liner would also work great for fall/winter as fashion experts unveil “purples and plums” to be all the rage Every. Single. Fall! I found the shadows, eyeliner, and blush lasted all day (12 hours), and the lip gloss lasted about 4 hours.

The eye shadows, or “eyecolors”, as BE calls them (they must be short on space bars at their Corporate HQ’s as everything is 1 word, including “lipgloss”) include Happy, a very white shade of pale green (think mint chocolate chip ice cream but lighter), and Wowza, a pretty jewel-tone purple. I was afraid Happy would look ridiculous on me but it was very subtle and looked good. Wowza is a nice creamy shadow with plenty of color punch and can also make a GREAT eyeliner. If you’re familiar with BE eyecolors, Wowza is VERRRRY similar to Angel. The Mini Big & Bright Eyeliner in Indigo is a deep blue-purple color and it really kicked up the shadows. Chuckle is a peachy blush that reeks of warm weather and sunshine!

The only issue I had with the kit was the Mini Natural Lipgloss in Funnel Cake. The color is a natural “your-lips-but-better” shade of peachy ballet slipper pink with iridescent microshimmer that lasted 4 hours for me before I needed to reapply. The gloss has a nice cake batter scent and no flavor. The color is beautiful but for me the texture is this product’s downfall; it is so sticky that I don’t like wearing it at all. Every bareMinerals lipgloss I have tried has this same overly sticky texture. I wish they would reformulate it to be less sticky and more moisturizing for the lips because they have some really gorgeous colors!

With regard to the packaging, it would have been better if the two eyecolors and the blush had the twist-close feature on the sifter to prevent the product from traveling into the top part of the container.

The value you get for this kit is excellent; the total estimated value is $62.50 and you can nab it for $24.00 clams. It contains some beautiful colors that can be worn together or separately, and the entire palette gives you a very fresh, warm-weather look.

Color Payoff: 8/10
Endurance: 8/10
Packaging: 7/10
Scent/Flavor: 9/10 (Everything is unscented with the exception of the lip gloss which smells like cake batter)
OVERALL: 8/10

Ingredients: Happy Eyecolor: Mica. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77492, CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Kaolin (CI 77004), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947). Wowza Eyecolor: Mica, Carmine (CI 75470), (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyandie (CI 77510), Manganese Voilet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Kaolin (CI 77004), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947). Mini Big & Bright Eyeliner in Indigo: Heptyl Undecyclenate, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Bis-Diglyceryl, Polyacyladipate-2, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Tocopherol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tourmaline, Oryza sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Sunflower Seed Oil Glycerides, Carmine (CI 75470). (+/-): Mica, Ultramarines (CI 77007), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Aluminum Powder, Chromium Hydroxide Green (CI 77289), Chromium Oxide Greens (CI 77288), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163). Chuckle Blush: Mica, Carmine (CI 75470). (+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Kaolin (CI 77004), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947). Mini 100% Natural Lipgloss in Funnel Cake: Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Brassica Campestris/Aleurites Fordi Oil Copolymer, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Flavor (AROMA), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Silica, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Seed Butter, Tocopherol, Carmine (CI 75470). (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

On to the swatches! **Click photo to enlarge!**

Wowza Eyecolor, Happy Eyecolor
Wowza Eyecolor, Happy Eyecolor
Wowza Eyecolor, Happy Eyecolor
Chuckle Blush
Chuckle Blush
Funnel Cake Lipgloss
Indigo Eyeliner
Chuckle Blush, Happy Eyecolor, Wowza Eyecolor, Indigo Eyeliner, Funnel Cake Lipgloss
Chuckle Blush, Happy Eyecolor, Wowza Eyecolor, Indigo Eyeliner, Funnel Cake Lipgloss

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder

2011-05-10T09:50:00.001-04:00

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My mom read and enjoyed this and recommended it to me and I'm so glad she did! It was so much fun to read! I thought the writing was outstanding. The characters were all well-developed to the point where I had a great mental picture of each of them, and I genuinely enjoyed not only heroine Charlie Edwards, but also her superstar-with-a-heart celebrity boss, girl friends and nutty family. The plot was a lot of fun and I thought the author managed to keep things exciting and un-cliched. I kept thinking the book read like a good movie; the characters were so complete and real, and the drama and humor were so well paced. I happened to read the author's acknowledgements and she thanks her film agent for encouraging her to take time off from writing screenplays to write this novel! I really wish I had read this book when I was single and encountering one assclown after the next, meanwhile all of my friends were getting engaged and married. I felt like I would never find the right person and I'd somehow angered the love gods and they were personally dumping on me for thrills. This book illustrates exactly how it feels to be in that situation; the novel is filled with hilarious tidbits, comforting advice and a good message that it {AKA your love life} will work out when the time is right. I will definitely be reading "Misery Loves Cabernet"!

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Tarte Cheek Stains - Blissful, Blushing Bride

2011-05-06T21:34:00.000-04:00

Product: Tarte Cheek Stains
Category: Blush
Subcategory: Gel Blush, Cheek Stain
Color(s): Blissful (Warm Peachy Pink), Blushing Bride (Sheer Plum)
Cost: $30.00 for one 1 oz tube
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 6M
Where to Buy: Amazon, Beauty.com, Dermstore.com, Sephora, Tartecosmetics.com, Ulta
Pros: Gel consistency allows more time to get product in place before the stain sets, free of alcohol, parabens, petro-chemicals, phthalates, oil, sulfates, or synthetic fragrances, packed with natural antioxidants thanks to the Tarte T5 Super Fruit Complex (proprietary blend of goji, açaí, maracuja, acerola, and pomegranate), long lasting color
Cons: Long dry-down time, unnecessary fragrance, disappointing packaging, short PAO expiration date (6 months)

Review: I was very excited to get my hands on these stains (during a lovely 20% off promotion) as I’ve been curious about them for a couple of years. The color goes on much more sheer than it appears in the package, so you can layer on the applications to achieve the subtle - or slammin’ - flush you desire. The gel consistency can be viewed as both a pro and a con; while it allows you extra time to get the stain in place before it sets, it also takes several minutes before it dries. If you are in a hurry and need to layer a finishing powder over your make up, you may not enjoy the fact that the blush is still tacky. The consistency is a plus if you want to apply it over your base as it does not dilute liquid or powder foundations. For those on-the-go gals who would like to toss it in their bags for an end-of-day refresher, it’s fantastic because it doesn’t water down the makeup you’re already wearing! The stains last approximately 8-9 hours. 1 oz may not seem like a lot, but the tube is pretty boss: the stain stick itself is about an inch in diameter and a little over 2 inches long. I was about to say it’s worth the money because a stain stick this size would last for well over a year until I saw the dubious “6M” PAO (Period After Opening) expiration listed on the package. I cannot see a regular person (versus a professional makeup artist) using the majority of this stain in 6 months! I wish cosmetics companies would include the PAO expiration dates on their websites so you could determine whether or not a product was a good value for the amount which you would personally use it before you made the purchase. I find the scented aspect of these stains unnecessary; the scent is only present during application and the sweet smell may bother people who are sensitive to fragrance. Oh and DO NOT think that it’s a multi-use product and swipe it on your lips unless you enjoy a heart palpitating-ly bitter and unnatural taste! Not that I did that or anything…

The packaging gets a very low rating from me as it’s made exactly like a Push Up popsicle! You have to unscrew the cap, remove the clear plastic disc that covers the top of the stain stick, and push the product up from the bottom of the tube. To close, you must place the clear plastic cap back over the stain stick and manually press the stick back down. It’s not that I’m lazy, I’m just practical! This is messy as bits of the stain stick tend to glom onto your fingers and hands, or ooze out from under the clear cap. All of this could be avoided with a simple twist mechanism. I was really surprised by the Push Up packaging for a product that costs $30 bucks a pop(-sicle)!

Overall, I think the gel blush offers a nice, long-lasting punch of color, but the packaging, price and PAO expiration of only 6 months would deter me from buying this product again.

Color Payoff: 9/10
Endurance: 9/10
Packaging: 3/10
Scent: 3/10
OVERALL: 5/10

Ingredients: Propylene glycol, aqua, nonyl nonoxynol-150, glycerin, sodium stearate, laureth-23, lycium barbarum fruit extract, euterpe oleracea fruit extract, malpighia punicifolia (acerola) fruit extract, punica granatum extract/punica granatum, passiflora incarnata fruit extract, PVP, parfum/fragrance (natural). (+/-): Mica, bismuth oxychloride (CI 77163), titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), carmine (CI 75470), red 33 (CI 17200), red 40 (CI 16035), yellow 5 (CI 19140, blue 1 (CI 42090).

On to the swatches! **Click to ENLARGE!**

Blushing Bride 1 swipe, 5 swipes; Blissful 1 swipe, 5 swipes

Tarte Cheek Stain in Blissful

Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Rimmel Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner Definer in Eastend Snob

2011-05-04T22:27:00.000-04:00

According to the Rimmel website, Exaggerate Full Colour Lip Liner Definer is a soft textured, fine tipped automatic liner that gives full volume colour definition to the lips.

This lip liner was great; the color was pigmented, the texture was soft and buttery, and it stayed on my lips for about 5 hours before a touch-up was needed. This is the first lip liner I've ever used and it did a great job of keeping my lip color from migrating while also making the lips look more defined. I also enjoy that it doesn't need to be sharpened as it's like a mechanical pencil; simply twist the barrel for fresh liner.

Color Payoff: 10/10
Endurance: 9/10
Packaging: 9/10
OVERALL: 9/10

Price: Varies (I paid $6.49 at CVS)
Where to buy: CVS, K-Mart, Rite Aid, Sears, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart

Eastend Snob

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Revlon ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup (Light)

2011-05-04T21:35:00.000-04:00

Product: Revlon ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup
Category: Foundation
Subcategory: Mineral Powder Foundation
Color: Light (Neutral Light Beige)
Cost: Varies depending on retailer from $11.00-$14.00 for one .35 oz (9.9 g) container
PAO (Period After Opening) Expiration: 18M
Where to Buy: Amazon, CVS, Drugstore.com, Kmart, Target, ULTA, Walgreens, Walmart, more (AKA “Everywheres!”)
Revlon says: “NEW Colorstay Aqua™ Mineral Makeup delivers a burst of hydrating coconut water and an instant cooling sensation upon application. The result: your skin looks luminous and its texture smoother. With a shine-free formula that’s made with water, not oil, this lightweight powder gives you a fresh, flawless finish that lasts all day. Fragrance free and non-irritating. Provides medium coverage in 8 beautiful shades, with SPF 13 protection.”
Pros: Cooling/moisturizing sensation upon application, long lasting, solid medium coverage, SPF 13, fragrance-free, great packaging with USABLE brush!
Cons: NONE!

Review: My mom let me borrow this makeup to test and swatch and I ending up having feelings for it! I will definitely be getting one for myself the next time I need to replenish my mineral powder foundation.

The moisturizing/cooling effect from the coconut water when you apply the powder to your skin is truly like nothing else I’ve experienced! I’d call it kooky-remarkable! You get the sensation that you’ve splashed water on your face for about 10 seconds. It’s très nifty!

The packaging gets a huge 10 point rating from me! The brush pops out of the cap and is enclosed in a clear plastic sheath to protect the bristles. You extend the bristles by pressing the 2 points on the side and it clicks into place for use. Retracting the brush is also easy as pie. The best thing about this? The brush is actually usable!! The bristles are nice and dense so you get a really good concentrated application. My mom uses it for under-eye concealer and I can see it being ideal for that. I used it all over my face and it provided medium coverage that lasted the entire day without any powder touch-ups. I found this quite impressive as I usually have to “powder my nose” (and cheeks, and forehead) at least once in the late afternoon. I was afraid this foundation would be too sparkly for my liking when I swatched this on my arm, but I didn’t notice any shimmer once I applied the powder to my face.

This product is a great value! You get 9.9 grams for $11.00, whereas you get 8 grams for $28.00 of Bare Escentuals Matte Foundation, or 8 grams for $25.00 of Bare Escentuals Original Foundation. That extra $14-$17 you save buying Revlon ColorStay Aqua Mineral Makeup can be used to pick up lunch, some new songs on iTunes, or a good book you’ve been dying to read! Score!

Coverage: 7/10 (Medium)
Endurance: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
Scent: 10/10 (Unscented)
OVERALL: 9/10

Ingredients: Active Ingredients-Titanium Dioxide (3.7%), Inactive Ingredients-Water (Aqua, Eau), Mica, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Boron Nitrate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Chloride, TrimethylsiIoxysilicate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera Water (Coconut), Viola Tricolor (Pansy) Extract, Methicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Potassium Sorbate, Diazolindinyl Urea, May Contain (+/-):, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499)

On to the swatches! **Click to ENLARGE!**

With flash
Sans flash

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Product Photos: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Pebbles in Creamy Natural

2011-05-03T22:28:00.000-04:00

Per the Physicians Formula site: "In one simple step, these versatile pebbles color-correct the most common skin imperfections, bring illumination to dull skin and even out skin tone. All colors blend together to create a perfect canvas finish: Pink brightens, Green tones down redness and Yellow adds warmth. Innovative powder in the form of natural mineral pebbles, applies like a loose powder for a luminous veil that can be worn alone or layered with other Mineral Wear face products for a complexion-enhancing glow."

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Pebbles in Creamy Natural is billed as a 3-in-1 product: Illuminator, Corrector, and Powder. Yet what got this product off the shelf and into my basket was the simple fact that they remind me of Lucky Charms marshmallows! Also, I was curious to see if these could be billed as the poor man's Guerlain Meteorites Pearles. However, being the aforementioned poor man, and having never sampled Guerlain's spheres-o-prettiness, it's impossible for me to draw any conclusions without having the high dollar product to compare it to.

The compact comes with a brush and puff but they really weren't usable. You need a real powder brush to get a solid application. PE could save themselves some money by not including these brushes, and pass the savings along to the consumer. Another note to PE: please shorten your product names! 9 words in this product name, and that doesn't even include the color! The product photo on the PE site shows LOADS of pebbles in the compact, but in reality, you get about 45 pebbles because they placed both the brush and the puff inside the compact. All this is to say that if they didn't include these tools, there would be room for more product and it would be a better value for the consumer.

The pebbles were great at not sticking in the brush and I was able to get a reasonable swath of the product on the brush in 1 pass. It applied evenly and gave extremely sheer, luminous (read: semi-sparkly) coverage. I would only recommend using this as your powder foundation if you have perfect, flawless skin, because it does not cover any blemishes or give much coverage at all. I was surprised that it looked as good as it did when I finished applying it, because it just seemed very sheer. So sheer, in fact, that you couldn't see anything on my face in photographs, but it did seem to even out my skin a hint. It lasted about 6 hours in total. I would use this more as an illuminator on my cheekbones than an all-over face powder because the coverage is just not enough for my liking. Overall, this is a good product for people who either don't wear much makeup to begin with, or for those who like a little shimmer on their face/cheeks.

Color Payoff: 4/10
Endurance: 7/10
Packaging: 7/10
OVERALL: 6/10

Price: Varies from $13.95
Where to buy: CVS, drugstore.com, Kroger, Rite Aid, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart

Ingredients: CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, DIMETHICONE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, SYNTHETIC WAX, MICA, NYLON-12, RETINYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TOCOPHEROL, CHLORPHENESIN, POTASSIUM SORBATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN, MANGANESE VIOLET.

Compact, brush and puff with flash

Compact sans flash

Pebbles sans flash

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: MAC Bad Fairy Nail Lacquer (Venomous Villains Collection)

2011-04-30T22:32:00.000-04:00

Bad Fairy is a GORGEOUS duochrome foil nail lacquer from the Fall 2010 MAC Venomous Villains Collection. Sadly, I missed out on this entire collection because Glambunctious was still just a pipe dream and I was, apparently, living under a rock. Had I known about this collection, I would have bought so much of it! I think it's one of MAC's best ever!

Closing the door on regret and getting back to the nail lacquer at hand (ha!), Bad Fairy is one of my top 3 favorite polishes ever. It has a sheer garnet red base color and it's jam packed with tiny foil glitter. The glitter gives off a two-tone effect depending on the lighting; your nails can look crimson or have a pretty copper/gold wash. I also noticed sometimes they could even have a blue-green tinge under the lovely florescent lighting that is in use at my 9-to-5 job.

Due to the sheerness of the base, 3 coats is a must. I actually threw on a 4th and the chrome effect was even more prominent. The only issue I have with this polish is that it chipped within 3 days, which was so disappointing! I used OPI Base Coat and Top Coat, but it did not seem to help lock the polish down. Had Bad Fairy been able to go the distance of 5-6 days, I would have rated it much higher because the color is simply stunning! Even with the lack of endurance, the color and duochrome effect are fantastic enough to earn Bad Fairy a place on my faves shelf.

Color Payoff: 8/10
Endurance: 5/10
Packaging: 10/10
OVERALL: 7/10

Price: Varies
Where to buy: eBay

{Glambunctious} Test Drive + Swatches: Physicians Formula Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Powder Pearls Bronzer

2011-04-30T22:29:00.000-04:00

According to the Physicians Formula site: "Pearls of Perfection Multi-Colored Powder Pearls provides the smooth look of loose powder with the convenience of pressed powder. Just the right combination of colors and of matte and iridescent pigments blend together to naturally enhance skin tone. Brightens up fair or dull complexions for a brighter, healthier looking glow. Hypoallergenic. Fragrance-free. Oil-free. Non-comedogenic. For all skin types. Dermatologist approved."

I decided to give Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Powder Pearls Bronzer another whirl after I remembered that I used to have them years ago. I like that they have a good mix of matte powder "spheres" (calling them "balls" just seems wrong, yet humorous) with only about 30% of them being shimmery. The color on my skin turned out almost invisible for me as it was really difficult to get a good swath of color on your brush. The thing that I found irritating was the ~~balls~~ spheres would stick in the brush and I had to gently squeeze the brush hair to get them to fall back ~~on the floor~~ into the container. I wasn't able to get any great shots of the powder on my face or arm because it was just too subtle to see. I also tried the Physicians Formula Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Pebbles and experienced the same issue there.

Overall I was disappointed in this product due to the sheerness of the color and the sphere's propensity to hitch a ride in the brush to inappropriate locales such as the countertop and carpeting. Physicians Formula does have a great bronzer in their line up called Powder Palette Multi-Colored Face Powder; you can get it in Light Bronzer or Bronzer depending on your skin tone and your desire for a warmer sunny color.

Color Payoff: 3/10
Endurance: 5/10
Packaging: 5/10
Scent: 10/10 (unscented)
OVERALL: 5/10

Price: Varies from $11.95
Where to buy: CVS, drugstore.com, Kroger, Rite Aid, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart

Ingredients: TALC, ZINC STEARATE, KAOLIN, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CALCIUM SULFATE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, LECITHIN, POLYETHYLENE, POLYSORBATE 20, TOCOPHEROL, CITRIC ACID, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, MAY CONTAIN: MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, IRON OXIDES, ULTRAMARINES, MANGANESE VIOLET, FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, CARMINE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN, RED 6 LAKE, RED 7 LAKE, RED 30 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, BLUE 1 LAKE.