MAC Shadesticks

 $16 at Gloss.com

Shadesticks are one of the greatest products made by MAC. They're portable, easy to use, and come in a ton of gorgeous colors.

Formula: Shadesticks remind me of the oil pastel crayons I used in my ART 101 classes. They glide on and blend well with other colors. However, unlike oil pastels these crayons have a beautiful shimmer-flecked finish and wear all day without creasing.

Application: Shadesticks can be worn as a regular eyeshadow or paired under regular powder shadow as a base. The formula is tacky enough that it intensifies the pigment in powder eyeshadows and helps them last longer without creasing.

Colors: Shadesticks come in a variety of 20 different colors. Sticking with this season's color trends, some fun colors to try include:

• Sea Me: A bright and intensely pigmented blue green
• Lucky Jade: A shimmery medium green the color of celery
• Beige-ing: (One of my favorites) A shimmery sheer champagne
• Pink Couture: A frosty blend of light pink and shell
• Cedarrose: A very shimmery blend of rose with a touch of copper

Technical Difficulties

After a week of complaining, Verizon finally stopped by to fix my DSL. And they were considerate enough to let me know that they'd being swinging by some time between 7am and 5pm. Way to give a window, pal.

Anyway, now that we're back online I can post the blogs I promised last week.

Favorite New Things

My bathroom practically revolves around LUSH. They create some of the best bath and body products on the market. While I adore the bubble bars, ballistics, Dream Cream, and face masks; nothing compares to their soaps.

For Easter holiday, LUSH has revamped their best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids Soap into this sweet little treasure.

Bunny I Washed the Kids.

$7.15 From http://usa.lush.com

Perhaps its my inner child crying out for attention, but I think this darling peter rabbit look-a-like is even better then the orginial.

 

Another new favorite that I wanted to share with you is my latest weapon against those hormonal blemishes I get one a month.

Clearasil Instant Clean

$4.23 From http://www.familymeds.com

I thought I was done with Clearasil when I started high school and discovered life beyond CVS. But this little gem is better then products 10 times its price. (And trust me, I’ve tried those too.) The active ingredients include glycolic acid and tannic acid (yes, that stuff that comes from tea) and may actually be a miracle worker. I dabbed a little on to a pesky hormone induced breakout that was brewing on my chin. The next day, the bump was completely gone. I’m not sure where it went (not that I really care), but I’m still amazed that a simple drugstore product could work so well. I cannot stop raving about this.

NOTE: I just discovered that this product is going to be discontinued, so get it while you can.

Ok… I’ll admit…

I’ve been so tangled up in engagement ring shopping, perusing the spring releases, and general spring cleaning that I’ve neglected you.

I plan to remedy the oversight with daily posts to catch up on all the news I wanted to share with you.

 

And for more proof that I fall in love with everything I see, I’ve adopted a little hedgehog names bunny. Enjoy.

 

Saks Beauty Event

There is no greater time of year to be a fashionista then spring. The designers switch gears from the serious and dark currents of autumn and winter and bring you fresh bursts of color and deliciously light textures.

Since I had such a great time with Barneys’ event, I was looking forward to a similar experience at Saks.

The staff: Painfully overeager. I’m not sure if they were faced with sales quotas or were simply over excited, but their pushiness smacked of desperation. I was also disappointed with the number of SA’s who showed a lack of familiarity with their own brand. You should not represent a house without knowing what’s in it. NARS is a favorite brand of mine, but I was so put out by the SA claiming that everything on display was a brand new release and limited edition when they were standard staples of the line.

Finger Food and Cocktails: The Moet was lovely… but the more tropical libations were difficult to palette. After a horrifying run in with bad mojitos and pinas, we stuck to the champagne. Most of the food bordered on average, but the appetizers from Red Sage were excellent. They layered a slice of roast duck over fried plantain and crowned the morsel with mango salsa.

Make-overs at Armani: Armani played it safe at this event and it disappointed me. The MA who worked on Allie and I was impersonal and uninspired. While the soft smokey eye she created on Allie was gorgeous, her choice of foundation was… unfortunate. When it was my turn, she refused to do my eyes because she felt that she couldn’t improve on what had already been done. Since I am not in a make-up artist’s league, I felt her comment implied a lack of confidence in her own abilities. In fact, my “make-over” consisted of bronzer on my already tan skin and a touch of peach lipgloss.

The Look for Spring: Black and white with unexpected bursts of grass green, turquoise, blush, and nude/camel. Over-all its very retro-euro-chic and absolutely fabulous.

Since this post has already taken on a life of its own, I’ll save the individual reviews for later. The event wasn’t as great at Barneys’ but I would still give it a 9 out of 10. Mostly because Allie can turn even the dullest party into a delight. *mwah*

Stay Tuned!!

So I’m about 4 days late on my review of the Saks event, but I lost a battle with the flu over the weekend and am still recovering.

Later today we’ll have the Saks review as well as my tips for faking a healthy complextion when you’re disgustingly ill.

Until then!!

A Rosey FOTD

My dear friend Allie, who has already agreed to be a bridesmaid in my wedding, invited me to a little function at the Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland. I love Chevy Chase. Many fashion magazines refer the the Wisconsin Avenue strip as the Rodeo Drive of the East Coast. The title is well earned. Our little mecca offers the very best of fashion, jewelry, cuisine, and entertainment.

The Saks event is hosted by the Junior League of Washington. They will showcase what’s hot for spring with a focus on make-up and intimate apparel. I love these events because I can combine so many of my passions with great people, cocktails, delicious catering, and live music.

I based my FOTD on the fun, springy vibe as a nod to the occasion, with a splash of business chic since I’ll be heading over from the office.

FACE:

• MAC Studio Fix
• NARS Lokoum Creme Blush

EYES:

• MAC Gingersnap on the inner 1/3
• MAC Rose Pigment applied wet to the remaining portion of the lid
• MAC Trax applied to the Crease
• MAC Buried Treasure Powerpoint to line only the top lash line
• Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara on top lashes only

LIPS:

• Elizabeth Arden Lip Pencil in Natural
• Lorac Lip Polish in Kiss

I can’t wait to tell you all about the show tomorrow. Have a great night!!