I Left my Heart in SF

During the summer, Francois Nars did a promotion at Nordstrom in San Francisco and put together a limited edition tribute to the city complete with repackaged and re-named vintage shades. I lived in San Francisco for a few years and loved the little city by the bay so much. The thought of combining my love for SF with my cosmetic obsession seemed only appropriate. And the value was amazing. For only $75, you get Golden Gate Bridge Blush, Alamo Nail Polish, Haight Ashbury Eyeshadow Duo, and Angel Island Single Eyeshadow, all enclosed in a sleek NARS black cosmetic pouch.

I had a chance to try a couple of the products already and so far so good. The Angel Island eyeshadow which is great for a sheer wash of color over the lid. The Alamo nail polish is a really pretty shade of coral, goes on so smooth although the lasting power has something to be desired. The Golden Gate Bridge Blush is more of a golden highlighter than a blush but is very pretty as well.

Madly In Love

After I saw the Modern Love palette on the Nars website and dreamed and wished for it for days, I knew I had to get it. In my opinion, it's possibly the most perfect eyeshadow palette ever created. Already, I'm putting it to much more use than the Holiday palette and it's fast becoming the palette I reach out for the most. It basically has everything you would ever want in an eyeshadow palette. It has two highlight colors, Alhambra and Tokyo. A burgandy (Jezebel), a smokey purple (Habanera), a neutral golden brown (India Song), and a black (Pandora).

You could create a day look with either of the highlight colors with either Jezebel, Habanera or India Song. Intensify and smoke out the look with Pandora before going out. Or use Tokyo and Pandora to create a classic smokey eye. For the versatility and usablity (is there such a word?) alone, this palette is well worth the $55. You can purchase now on the Nars website or through nordstrom.com. Go get it now. Trust me. I can't say enough about this palette. I love it.

Too Pretty to Use

Have you ever bought a product just because the packaging is so cute? Then you bring it home and you just don't have the heart to use it? I guess I'm a little strange that way but there's a few items in my collection that I just can't bring myself to use. It does make me happy to look at them so I can justify some of my silliness.

Top Row (left to right)
Marimekko For Avon Eyeshadow Palette in Poppy Bouquet
Marimekko for Avon All Over Face Palette in Poppy Bouquet

Bottom Row (left to right)
Jillien Dempsey for Avon blush in Retro Rouge
Revlon A Floral Affair Blush in Honey Bunch

Fuscia Lips?

Lorac Mocktail in Sex on the Beach

I received this Lorac Mocktail gloss a while ago and just cringed. Fuscia lips just did not appeal to me. But one day, I got it in my head to give it a try and was shocked. Somehow it works... It's a high shine gloss, smooth but sticky, if there is such a thing. The color goes on sheer, a muted fuscia really. Perfect for the summer.

Something about Sunscreens

We all know that using sunscreen on a daily basis is one of the best things you can do for your skin. The biggest issue I have with sunscreen is feeling like there is a thick film over my face all the time and the white mask that some sunscreens leave on your face.

I've used a few through the years and I think I've finally found a couple that is working well for me.

1) Estee Lauder Daywear Lotion SPF 15
My favorite part of this sunscreen is the scent. It has a light melon scent that is just heavenly. But it broke me out and was on the pricey side so I had to discontinue it.

2) DDF Daily Matte in SPF 15
I hated this sunscreen. It was greasy. It smelled like sunscreen. It left a white film on my face.

3) Arcona Reozone SPF 20
Another good smelling one. It smells like watermelon. It's a little thicker than the others which makes application a little more challenging. If you don't apply quickly enough, it will settle into a thick white mask. I found I had to apply to one area of my face a time. Also the packaging is horrible. It comes in a hard plastic bottle which is impossible to squeeze.

4) Boscia Oil Free Daily Hydration SPF 15
I really thought it did not get any better than this. I love this sunscreen. It feels like nothing on the skin, goes on smooth, doesn't smell bad. The only bad thing is the price. You only get 1 fl oz and it cost a whopping $28.

5) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen (various SPF)
This is my HG sunscreen. It is so lightweight. I literally feel like I have nothing on my skin. It's nongreasy, applies dry as the name suggest. You get 3 fluid oz for under $10. There's no white film. It smells pleasant. And you have so much flexibility in terms of SPF. I think it ranges from an SPF of 15 to 100. Love, Love, Love.

Nars Love

I was just looking at the Nars website and found this beauty. I think I'm in love...

Nars Modern Love Eyeshadow Palette

Shades:

• Alhambra (top left) Metallic Rose Mist
• Jezebel (top middle) Shimmering Sable
• India Song (top right) Shimmering Walnut
• Tokyo (bottom left) Soft Silver-White
• Habanera (bottom middle) Sparkling Charcoal-Plum
• Pandora (bottom right) Matte Black

$50, 6 eyeshadows.... $8.33 per shadow??? That's a deal right?

So much for my budget.

Products that won't die

I'm trying to be good and to use up products that I have before going out and buying more but these products just won't die. No matter how much I use and how close I think I am to finishing, it just keeps going on and on and on. Which would be great if I liked them but I hate them. Isn't it ironic that the products that you like runs out so quickly and the one's that you hate live forever.