Recent Acquisitions Part 1: Eyeshadows

Or not so recent, rather. I’ve been slowly amassing this little pile of treasures over the past few months, so nothing about this post is very current. Truthfully, it’s been so long since I posted on this blog I forgot how to login (!) so I suppose nothing about this blog is either. However, now that I’ve got some more time on my hands I plan to be more present over here. For starters, here’s a look at they eye shadows I’ve acquired in 2013. A closer look at the face and lip products will be coming soon!

Rouge Bunny Rouge When Birds are Singing Long-lasting Eye Shadows in Angelic Cockatiels & Bohemian Waxwing

$25 USD, available at Beautyhabit and Zunetta. (I personally recommend Beautyhabit, they have EXCEPTIONAL customer service!)

I adore RBR shadows for their creamy texture, and gorgeous, multi-dimensional finish which these photos don’t do justice to. If you’re looking to try RBR for the first time, these two beautifully wearable shades would be an excellent way to dip your toes in.

L-R: RBR Angelic Cockatiels, RBR Bohemian Waxwing (natural light)

Zuzu Luxe Eye Shadows in Vixen & Chameleon

$15.25 USD, available at Gabriel Cosmetics and elsewhere.

These eye-enhancing neutrals provide a satin finish, and contain natural, safe ingredients.

L-R: Vixen, Chameleon (natural light)

Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Suede

$38 USD, available at Hourglass, Sephora, and elsewhere.

This Hourglass duo is an item you really have to see in person to fully appreciate. At first glance it may not be the most eye-catching (heh) product, but its strength lies in its superior craftsmanship. Personally, I prefer these shadows to the likes of designer luxury brands such as Burberry or Chanel. If you’re looking for a thoughtfully curated collection of expertly crafted neutrals, Hourglass is an excellent brand to check out.

Hourglass Eye Shadow Duo in Suede (natural light)

Becca Eye Tint in Vicuna

$24 USD, available at Sephora and Dermstore.

If you’re looking for an easy-peasy, crease-resistant cream eye shadow that provides a light peachy champagne wash of color, Vicuna is your lady. It’s perfect for days when you’ve got to rush out the door, or are just aiming for a simple look. It can also function as an eyeshadow base, or be layered with other eye tints for a more complex look.

L-R: Vicuna blobbed, spread heavily, and sheered out (natural light)

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Stay tuned for posts on my recent face, lip, and perfume purchases. You can also listen to me discuss these products in the video linked below! xo Rachel

Summer Loves

Oh hi, much neglected blog readers. Just dropping in to share some of the beauty and fashion items I’ve been wearing nonstop this summer. Beauty-wise I’ve been loving bright oranage-red hues, and soft peaches. I’ve kept my fashion rather sleek and simplistic, focusing on shape rather than pattern. Please share your summer favorites in the comments below!

L-R: Deborah Lippmann Before He Cheats, OPI Cajun Shrimp, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Peach, Dior Addict Extreme in Lipstick in Riviera, Dior Diorshow Exstase Mascara, Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara

Mark Bronze Pro, MAC Immortal Flower Blush, Nars Luster Blush

Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow, MAC Sable Eyeshadow, MAC Kid Eyeshadow

Listen to me yammer on about these products and more:

Products Mentioned:

OPI Cajun Shrimp
Deborah Lippmann Before He Cheats
Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo
Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote in Taupe
Dolce Vita Ida Flat Sandals
Dolce Vita flatforms
American Apparel Interlock Pencil Skirt–obsessed!
Etsy fortune cookie necklace– http://tinyurl.com/bu9xmv2
Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Finland
Mark Pro Bronze
Mac Immortal Flower
Nars Luster
Dior Addict Extreme in Riviera
Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Peach
Dior Diorshow Exstase
Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Waterproof
MAC Kid
MAC Sable
Burberry Pale Barley
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

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And here is a gratuitous photo of my cat, Tabitha:

Hope you’re all having a wonderful summer! xx Rachel

A Makeup Quack Photo Shoot: Bright Summer Lips!

My poor little blog has been woefully neglected recently, but today I’m making up for it with a comeback post that I am ridiculously excited about!

Recently, my photographer friend Elliot and I collaborated on a photo shoot featuring neon bright summer lips. Our beautiful models are Haley, the blonde, who is wearing MAC Impassioned, and Jenny, who is wearing YSL Glossy Stain in Orange de Chine layered over MAC Morange.

(Click to enlarge)

I’m so pleased with how everything turned out! Please let me know what you think in the comments. I’m hoping that this shoot will be the first of many!

A MASSIVE thank you goes out to the immensely talented photographer, Elliot, our stunning models, Jenny Mayen and Haley Faye Huston, and our indispensable assistant, Cody! 

Summer Essentials: The Best Sunscreen Ever (for Body)

Earlier this week I raved about my favorite sunscreen for my face, so I figured that while I was at it I would share my favorite all-over sunscreen as well. Meet Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin.

Blue Lizard is what I slather everywhere but my face. I try and wear SPF all over my body every single day, though sometimes when I’m feeling lazy I don’t meet this goal. However, I ALWAYS apply SPF to my face, neck, chest, and the backs of my hands if I’m going to be in the sun for any amount of time whatsoever (like even 10 minutes.) According to my dermatologist these are the ares that women show the first and most prominent signs of photo-aging, hence the most important to protect. Men have thicker skin, and often show signs of aging at a slower pace. So cover up, ladies!

This is why I love Blue Lizard the best:

*note: some of this is quoted from my previous entry*

1. It contains mineral rather than chemical barriers. Within recent years, studies have show that many ingredients ingredients in sunscreen can actually increase the risk of cancer rather than decrease it. Moreover, some chemical ingredients are not photo stable, meaning that when they are exposed to the sun their efficacy diminishes making them USELESS. Avobenzone is notorious for this problem. Physical or mineral protectants such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the best ingredients to look for because they have a very low risk of toxicity and are completely photo stable.

2. It has an ideal SPF number and is broad spectrum. The sun protection factor scale is a tricky, deceptive beast, but generally speaking for the best protection it is advisable to choose a product that has at least SPF 15, and ideally between SPF 30-50. Anything under SPF 15 doesn’t offer adequate protection, and anything over SPF 50 is essentially a sham. To learn why, go here. It’s also IMPERATIVE to use a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection, meaning that it protects from both UVA (cancer causing) rays, and UVB (wrinkle causing) rays. Tragically, many sunscreens only protect from UVB rays.

3. No “sunscreen” smell. This  stuff is completely unscented. I mean, if you sniff really hard it smells faintly of plastic, but there definitely isn’t a fragrance or that tell-tale sunscreen smell. As I’m very sensitive to strong scents this is a major plus for me.

4. Has a nice texture. Though, like many mineral sunscreens, it is fairly thick and opaque, blue lizard is pretty easy to rub in in and isn’t sticky.

5. It’s fairly affordable. At $16.99/ 5 oz it certainly isn’t the MOST cost effective sunscreen on the market especially if you’ve got a family to cover, BUT drugstore.com is almost always having a sale on this stuff. It’s been on sale for $14.99 since the beginning of the summer and right now they’re having an extra 20% off sun care sale bringing the cost down to a much more reasonable $11.99. PLUS if you use ebates (if you don’t you really should) you get an extra 12% back (!) on drugstore.com purchases, bringing the cost down to $10.55. So if you’re interested, now’s the time to buy!

Summer Essentials: The Best Sunscreen Ever (for Face)

Sunscreen is so important (if you care about not turning into a cancerous wrinkly troll) but it can also be a major pain in the ass, especially when it comes to keeping your face protected. There are so many factors to consider: SPF level, ingredients, photostability, absorption, texture, smell, how it reacts with your skin, and how it wears under makeup. For me, there is only one facial sunscreen that meets my ridiculous and fussy very high standards: Clarins UV Plus HP Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40.

I freaking LOVE this stuff and I’ll tell you exactly why, but first! if you’ve never taken the time to research the complex science of proper sunscreen use, I suggest you take a minute to read THIS stellar blog post. Among other things, it explains why layering SPF products is useless if not detrimental, and why foundations and moisturizers with SPF aren’t enough to protect you. Your 60-year-old self will thank you!

So, why is this Clarins stuff so awesome?

1. It contains mineral rather than chemical barriers. Within recent years, studies have show that many ingredients ingredients in sunscreen can actually increase the risk of cancer rather than decrease it. Moreover, some chemical ingredients are not photo stable, meaning that when they are exposed to the sun their efficacy diminishes making them USELESS. Avobenzone is notorious for this problem. Physical or mineral protectants such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the best ingredients to look for because they have a very low risk of toxicity and are completely photo stable.

2. It has an ideal SPF number and is broad spectrum. The sun protection factor scale is a tricky, deceptive beast, but generally speaking for the best protection it is advisable to choose a product that has at least SPF 15, and ideally between SPF 30-50. Anything under SPF 15 doesn’t offer adequate protection, and anything over SPF 50 is essentially a sham. To learn why, go here. It’s also IMPERATIVE to use a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection, meaning that it protects from both UVA (cancer causing) rays, and UVB (wrinkle causing) rays. Tragically, many sunscreens only protect from UVB rays.

3. It has an incredible texture. The one downfall of mineral sunscreens is that they tend to be very thick, pasty, and never really sink into your skin. So while I’ve found other sunscreens that satisfy all of my previous requirements, I’ve never found another mineral sunscreen that I could stand using on my face. This is where the Clarins sunscreen really shines. The texture is so light it’s almost watery, and it sinks in in under a minute and is almost undetectable on the skin. It wears beautifully under moisturizer and makeup, and has a light scent that isn’t overpowering. Even other sunscreens that supposedly have a “light” and “non greasy” texture, such as the Josie Maran one, feel thick, sticky, and horrid on my skin after using the Clarins for so long.

The one catch, of course, is the price. At $38 for 1.7 this stuff is NOT cheap, but I think it’s worth it. For reference, one bottle lasts me 8-9 months with daily use. I’ll continue to fork out for it because every single time I stray I’m disappointed. So, while I’m sure that there ARE other awesome sunscreens out there somewhere, I’m tired of wasting money trying to find them.

Latest Purchases

So I’ve been a MIA on the blog front recently, but I have some really exciting posts coming up! In the meantime, listen to me gush about all of my recent acquisitions:

Products Mentioned:

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Finland
St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse
Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee Eye and Lip Cream
YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils mascara
Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Rude
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm Original
Dior Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating concealer in Ivory 001
Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection Sunscreen SPF 40
Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in 2
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in No. 22 Pale Barely
Caudalie Beauty Elixir
Jouer Essential Eye Clarifier
By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer in 1 Porcelain
Elizabeth Arden Lip Fix Cream
Big Sexy Hair Powder Play
Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner minis
Prestige My Blackest Lashes mascara
Essie Splash of Grenadine
Kevin Murphy Anti Gravity Spray
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lip Stain + Balm in Rendezvous
Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss in Coral Reef

Lust List #2: Products I’m Craving For Summer

Clockwise from top left: Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Espiegle, Chanel Perfection Lumière Foundation, By Terry Touch Expert, Make Up For Ever Smokey Lash, St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow.

If you’ve tried any of these products I’d love to hear what you think of them!