Products of Interest: August 6, 2012

I've got my eye on three products at the moment: Urban Decay's naked foundation, Ciate Nails velvet manicure & Lancome's hypnose star mascara. Urban Decay's naked foundation is said to be weightless and give a luminous finish. The velvet manicure from Ciate Nails (popular for their caviar manicure) promises luxury and innovation. I'm curious about the texture. Lancome's hypnose star mascara is inspired by Betty Boop. The formula gives a glossy gel-like finish and unique brush helps leaves lashes separated, defined and lengthened.

What have you got your eyes on lately?

Smashbox Spring Collection 2012 Review + Swatches

It's been an exciting time for Spring beauty trends. We're seeing bold lips, naked skin, fierce brows and hot cheeks. The color of the year is tangerine tango according to pantone. I always get excited when I hear new products are launching from Smashbox. They tend to be the innovators of the industry with new camera ready products perfect for that flawless look.

All You Need Is The BeautyBlender For A Flawless Complexion

I had a dream once that I had perfect skin. When I say perfect, I mean flawless. Not a hint of makeup was showing. Not a section not blended. My skin was gorgeous. Then I woke up. My skin isn't what one would consider bad, but it's not the greatest. I have some redness (who doesn't?). I got a little discoloration happening (understandable). I like the rest of the world want flawless skin. Anyone knows you need great skincare to do that. But what if you want your makeup to help you out a little? Applying foundation is usually the first thing that many do wrong. It can happen for a variety of reasons. You're not using your brush properly or most likely you're using too much product. I searched for years to find the key tool in achieving that flawless look and I've found it. My beautyblender is my new best friend. She shall never leave my side. We'll go on trips together. We'll go on dates. We'll brave the hot summers. Oh yes, she's a lifer.

MAC SPF 15 Matchmaker Foundation Review & Swatches

Last September Mac Cosmetics added a brand new foundation to their line -- MAC SPF 15 Matchmaker ($32) Foundation. The foundation uses technology using translucent pigments to enable a personalized finish. It works with your skin's undertone. It's a medium build-able liquid coverage foundation.

*Approximate Shade Matches from MAC* (courtesy of Temptalia)

1.0 | NC15

1.5 | NW15

2.0 | NC20, NC25, NW20

3.0 | NC30

4.0 | NC 35, NC37, NW30

5.0 | NC40, NC41, NC42

6.0 | NW33, NW35, NC44

7.0 | NW40, NW43, NC45

7.5 | NC50, NC55

8.0 | NW44, NW45

8.5 | NW46, NW47

9.0 | NW48

9.5 | NW50, NW55

10.0 | NW58, NW60

Get All Laced Up With Lorac's New Fall Collection: Review & Swatches

Anyone who knows me knows that I've recently fallen in love with the cosmetic brand, Lorac. Everything about the brand screams red-carpet ready. I love the sexy packaging and the price point is never too high. The pigments are gorgeous and the products themselves are beautiful. I've never tried a product from the line I didn't like. Their new Fall 2011 was no exception. I received the entire line and I squealed with delight when I opened the box.

(Products seen above were sent for consideration)

I received the new fall line, which included:

*Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Natural to Dramatic Face Tutorial ($39)

*Ooh La Lace Palette ($36)

*POREfection in Fair ($32)

Lorac's Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Natural to Dramatic Face Tutorial is amazing. The price point is a low $39 smackeroos and comes with some of their best selling products. It's $120 value and here's what you get: Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in LORACstar, Front Of The Line PRO Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Multiplex 3D Lashes in Black, Blush in Soul, Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Trend Setter and a Face Tutorial Booklet with removable instructions that cling to your mirror. Isn't that bananas? I know! It's a definite MUST-HAVE.

This mascara is one of  my new favorites. It's add length and curl!

I love that this eyeliner doesn't bleed like most pens do

The item from this line that I was most excited about was the Ooh La Lace Baked Shimmer & Matte Eye Shadow Palette. It includes: 6  Eye Shadows in Lust (cream with shimmer), Smolder (matte gray), Risqué (matte black), Stunner (light bronze with shimmer), Knockout (bronze with shimmer), Racy (matte brown.) 

I've become annoyingly obsessed with anything and everything lace. It's just so sexy and feminine. It reminds me of some really hot tights or lingerie! This palette was even better than I expected. I can't wait to whip this out my purse. Grrrr. 

Without flash

With flash

Lastly, I received Lorac's new POREfection: Baked Perfecting Powder in Fair 01. I tried it on and I loved the finish, but fair was just way too light for me. I'm pretty positive I'd be Medium 04. I might just have to pick this up in my shade. This product is infused with Salicylic Acid and antioxidants to help skin appear youthful, healthy and clear. It gives a gorgeous smooth matte finish.

All and all, a definite hit again for Lorac. I just can't wait to see what's in store for holiday.

Have you ever tried LORAC before?

Vincent Longo Products Review & Swatches

(Disclosure: All products seen above were sent for consideration by Vincent Longo)

I've become a bit obsessed with all of Vincent Longo's line. Every product I try is absolutely stunning, super pigmented and long-lasting. Woot Hoot. Onto the products.

First thing I tried was the Water Canvas Base/Primer. It's a non-greasy gel formula that helps maintain skin's moisture, form a barrier that won't crease of flake foundation, allow skin to breathe, fills-in enlarged pores, fine lines, & creases, smooths over acne spots/rosacea, extends the wear of all makeup and it suitable for everyone. I actually really liked the consistency of this product and felt that it delivered what it promised.

Retail: $44

The foundation sent was probably the BEST product I tried. They sent their best selling foundation: Water Canvas Creme-To-Powder Foundation Oil Free in Natural Tan. The coverage is natural and flawless. I've always wanted to try a creme to powder foundation but hadn't found any worth trying. The best thing about this foundation? It contains Vitamin E that helps protect the skin from free radical damage, it has 100% natural botanical seaweed polymer and silica that help maintain skin's moisture balance and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Sign me up!

Retail: $57

I'm always on the prowl for some new amazing blush. I was super excited when I saw the set up of this next beauty. This is Day Play Duo Compact Blush in Innocence. I love that it comes with two shades: a bright pink for day & a fun orange/peach for night. The color pay-off is beautiful and a definite must try. Don't worry if these colors are two bright for you because it comes in six other duos that vary from bold to natural!

Retail: $36

You already know how much I love bronzer, right? Vincent Longo's bronzer is the same fun packaging as the blush, which had me excited to try it out. I was sent Sole Mio Duo Bronzer in Cooper Kiss. The sides read: Sun & Fun. Sun was a tad lighter than fun for this duo. Both shades had a hint of shimmer, so I was able to skip the highlighter.

Retail: $38.50

Once my primer, foundation, blush & bronzer were on -- I decided to try the new lip products they sent me. I received Velvet Rich Lipstick in Pure Demure & Perfect Shine Lipgloss in Dolce. Talk about the PERFECT nude lips. I totally fell in love when I opened the package--I actually squealed in delight when I saw the color (my girlfriend laughed and said I was crazy haha) because it's exactly the kind of color I flock to in stores. It reminded me a lot of MAC Myth once on my lips but when swatched, it was very different. The gloss is easily duped BUT definitely longer wearing than most. I also was glad that the sparkle in the gloss wasn't too much but just the right amount.

Lipstick + Lipgloss:

Retail: $23 (Lipstick) & $22 (Lipgloss)

Lastly, I received a Duo Eye Pencil in Rich Topaz/Aura Chic. The colors here are perfect for natural or smokey eyes. Aura Chic was more of a golden shimmer and Rich Topaz was a deeper brown shimmer.

Retail: $26

All products used in this post can be purchased at Vincent Longo

Have you ever tried Vincent Longo? Would you be interested in a giveaway?