Archive for category Lemmings
It’s Only May 6th and Already I’ve Bought Half of This Month’s Wishlist
How’s that for a title, huh? Yea dudes, I know…let me just say: I have about 3 seconds unaccounted for this month and absolutely no extra brain power for much else other than what’s already on my agenda, so please grant me a pass for the month of May OK? I’ll still be posting – I’ve bought far too many awesome things not to share ‘em with you! – but its going to be sporadic and my writing will likely be shoddy…you’ve been warned.
Apparently with the little free time I have I’m making sure I’m maximizing it as much as I can, as I’ve already purchased two of the five items I wanted to get this month, ha. I’m still going to show you the list so you can also see what’s in store upcoming on the blog! Here we go:
1. NARS for Pierre Hardy High Voltage Blush in Boy’s Don’t Cry ($48CAD) – this ‘pink grapefruit’ shade taunted me from the moment I saw the promo ads. I almost had a moment on the weekend where I was just gonna throw reason into the wind and buy it off the NARS website, shipping and all, as I believed it was the only place that was selling it. I resisted and decided that I could do without it – then, lo and behold, when I was at Sephora yesterday just to buy a damn sharpener, there it was. OBVIOUSLY I bought it in about 7 seconds and ran away from the store with glee. Since then I’ve shown it to pretty much everyone I know. I’m too eager to wait till I have a moment to take adequate pictures of it, so I snapped a couple crap ones and I’m wearing it tomorrow, so sorry. I CANNOT WAIT PEOPLE.
2. Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 06 Rosewood Shimmer ($20CAD) – I’ve had a lemming for the creamy, smooth, lovely lip perfectors for about a year now, and recently they came out with a few new shades. This one looks like it might just be the best MLBB I could ask for (also, see evidence of that fact here!). I also absolutely ADORE the smell. This will be mine, and soon!
3. Chanel Le Vernis in Azure ($27CAD) – When I initially heard about Chanel’s colorful summer collection, I was quite excited as it’s normally more austere aesthetic doesn’t always jazz me and my more deeper pigmented skin. However, once I saw what was released, I was a bit ‘meh’ and only happened to check it out in person on a whim when I was at Mills late last week. None of it hooked me – I found the pencils to look terrible on my skintone, and paying through the nose for a colored mascara I’ll rarely wear doesn’t sound like a good use of my money AT ALL – but I really wanted to go home with something, so I picked up Azure. I don’t own many metallic polishes, let alone a metallic teal, and I was nervous this would come back to kick me in the ass, but turns out, Azure is AWESOME. Somehow this eye-catching shade is really sophisticated and elegant despite being an ‘unusual’ color. Also, it wore exceptionally well – due to my crazy-busy schedule, I’ve actually worn it for 5 days straight (this is unheard of for the gal that changes her polish every 3 days), and it’s only got minor chipping and mainly on my dominant hand. LOVE IT.
4. NARS Larger Than Life Eye Liner in Barrow Street ($28CAD) – While being swayed by the siren call of Boy’s Don’t Cry, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the summer collection had come out in full at NARS finally. I have had the gorgeous mint green liner on my radar for a while, and was tempted to get it as well – but resisted because, well…I was already spending $48 on a blush, whaddya want from me!? However, it appears not to be limited edition (hopefully) so I may go back at a later date and pick this up. So fun for the waterline!
Last on the list is not a specific product, but a color that I WANT and am not sure where to find. Check out Hannah Simone in a fabulous cool pink lipstick that needs to be in my life:
This kind of shade can be challenging for me as it can’t run too greyish or else it looks horrendous on my skintone. I even would be OK if it went slightly more violet to make it a bit bolder – I thought I found it in MAC’s Show Orchid but now I’m not so sure. Anyone have any suggestions!?!
So, as you can see, I’m making great progress with my wishlist already, which is promising because what generally happens is I make a list and then buy things that aren’t on it LOL. I’m trying to stick to only making purchases that are on the damn list, because why else am I making them then? Certainly not because I’m bored with nothing to do! *tries to hide under the bed from everyone *
What’s on your wishlist this month?
April’s (Partial) Wish List
I feel like I’ve been waiting on Sephora’s semi-annual VIB sale for months…it’s been a good way to keep my spending in check, because I keep telling myself to hold out until the sale, but DAMN – can it get here already!? I’ve got a little cash socked away in a drawer (literally…well, maybe not in a sock, but definitely tucked away in a drawer!) and I’ve written and re-written my shopping list for the event. I’ve been hovering at about 4 items for awhile, but I’m getting antsy and the list is slowly creeping up to 6-7 this week, as I’m thinking I should just stock up on all the items I know I’m going to buy there in the next couple months…urk! We’ll see how it all pans out. In any case, the items below I am definitely (I think…maybe…probably) picking up whenever the heck the sale starts:
1. Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s Vanille Coco mini atomizer $24CAD – The last time I was by the store I spritzed a bit of this on, and god knows I’m a sucker for vanilla and coconut-type scents! I’m trying to break into the more ‘adult’ fragrances (especially since I’ve been reading Denyse Beaulieu’s The Perfume Lover and becoming terribly entranced by the whole history of fragrance), but this will be my guilty pleasure in the meantime. At $24 for a small spray, I don’t feel too bad!
2. NARS Light-Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder $39CAD – For ages I thought I was going to go for one of the new Hourglass Ambient powders, but I realized I need a real setting powder that will control shine more than I need extra radiance. The last powder I bought was in 2010 (I KNOW…IT’S CRAZY), and it was also NARS – the loose powder, which is why I am going for the pressed because JEEZ GUYS I just want something new already! Loose powder is terribly economical but oh so friggin’ boring for someone who likes change!
3. BITE Beauty High Pigment Matte Lip Pencil in Quince $28CAD – I mentioned that this was a contender for my upcoming fuchsia lip purchase, and I’m fairly certain this is what I’m going with. It is a beautifully saturated color and exactly the shade I have been looking for. The only way I might get swayed from buying it is if one of the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine’s catch my eye…which could happen. We shall see!
4. Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil $55CAD – I just added this to my list tonight while browsing through the online site for facial oils. The Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil I have is still going strong (a whopping four+ months later! Color me impressed), but I know my fickle self will want to try something new when the time comes. This is the same price, has wonderful ingredients with nothing to aggravate my skin, and it’s something new so hey – it fits the bill quite nicely.
5. Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-hr Primer SPF30 $41CAD – I’m on the fence about this one; it’s been getting great reviews and I took a sample home a few weeks ago to try, but it’s really too dark for my skintone to wear it right now so I don’t have an idea of how it works for me yet. I think I’m going to grab a sample of the next lightest shade and play around with them a bit to see how it fares.
So that’s what I’ve got on the brain and the items that *should* come home with me sometime this month. However, I am tempted to also grab the burgundy YSL mascara and the Hourglass lippie I noted last month and still haven’t picked up….yikes. I’m going to try my best to keep it together and keep it under control. Wish me luck!
Do you have a wish list ready for the VIB sale?
March Lemmings
Even though in the past month I managed to score an ABUNDANCE of products, I am, afterall, a beauty-focused gal, and thus I am never entirely satisfied. Here I bring you a mere sampling of other products I have a serious hankering for:
1. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer $30CAD – my ears always perk up when I hear about a new concealer, particularly when they are supposed to be fabulous for dark circles. I have four concealers in rotation right now, all about half-gone, so I am dedicated myself to finishing two before I allow myself to pick up one of these (I’m thinking in either shades Biscuit or Caramel) – the push is ON!
2. MAC #217 / Hakuhodo G5523BkSL Brushes $27.50CAD and $26US, respectively - Even though I’ve been drooling over the Hakuhodo brushes for ages now, I realized the other day that it’s might be silly and non-economical of me to order brushes online when I could get similarly priced options here at home. I think what makes the most sense is to try the MAC version first while funds are tight – then when I can splurge a bit more, order a few Hakuhodo ones – and I’ll likely appreciate them more because I’ll have something to compare them to. Right!?
3. Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Raven $35CAD - After noticing that I did not own an orange-red lipstick, I went browsing through Sephora at all the possible contenders. Of course, once I saw that Hourglass had a stunning, creamy orange-red, it was the clear winner! Also loving the option of the refill cartridge, which also means I could technically fill it with another shade if I actually finished Raven. Note: while looking up swatches online, I came across this post on Makeup 4 All – seems they used a mix of Raven and Icon at the La Perla Fall 2013 shows! And they used the Exhibition Duo as well. I’m already ahead of the curve 
4. YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils in 5 Burgundy $36CAD – First I saw this tutorial on Lisa Eldridge and got it in my head that a fabulous bright plum mascara is something I NEED to own. Then while I was browsing around Sephora last week, I noticed this mascara by YSL, and after dabbing it on my hand, I was totally convinced. I’m hoping it shows up on my darker lashes.
5. Marcelle Essentials Clay Mask $14.50CAD – I was looking up masques on Makeup Alley and this one came up, although the picture is different (though ingredients listed are the same). It got super-high marks so I’m going to check it out, as my Queen Helene clay masque is finally finished (and should be turfed anyway – it’ s 5 years old!).
I originally had Alterna’s Bamboo Smooth Kendi Dry Oil on the list as well, but I ran out of my current hair oil sample so I picked this up this week (at which time I also got the very last sample of the NUDE skincare oil!!! Wooooooooooooooooo!!!). Of course I have a huge huge huge ongoing wishlist, but these are just a few of the items at the top of my list this month (or, err…week).
What are you lemming lately!?
Spring Lemmings!
Though it is very much still winter here in Atlantic Canada – 15-20cms of snow was dumped on Saturday night/Sunday morning – I’m starting to think about all the pretty spring collections coming out, and what shades and products I’d like to pick up for the oncoming season. I’m pretty much ‘meh’ with respect to most of the collections that have come out, but as far as the color palette goes – girly pinks, black liner worn a multitude of ways, emerald green everything – it’ll be easy enough to adapt using either products I already own, or picking up a couple extras that are already existing within different brands. As my wishlist continues to grow to epic proportions, I’m slowly conquering my lemmings by choosing five products per season that fit the bill (as well as fit my goal of filling any gaps). Here’s what’s on the list this month!:
1. Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Sand Dune $33CAD – Lately I’ve been leaning toward wearing bold lips or cheeks and keeping my eyes quite neutral. I’m looking for a natural-looking shadow that will melt into my skin but brighten the eye area (sans shimmer) and even it out. From looking at swatches of this shade, this one fits the bill perfectly!
2. butter London Jasper $17CAD – I really want to own a pretty yellow polish for spring, but the color can be a tricky one and tends to be streaky. I’ve heard alternate views on this shade, but there’s no denying it’s absolutely spring in a bottle!
3. Giorgio Armani Waterproof Eye Pencil in 1 Granite Black $28 (via Neiman Marcus) – I’ve already mentioned that I’m picking this up soon, as my black liners are at the very nubs – and I want to replace them with what’s supposed to be a fabulous product!
4. YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick in #25 Soft Beige $39CAD – Lacking from my personal stash is a natural nude pink lippie. I tried on another shade of the Rouge Volupte a couple weeks back and was totally hooked by the creamy, gorgeous texture. Not so much a fan of the price, but it’ll be a shade I’ll wear often.
5. Becca Mineral Blush in Sweet Pea $38CAD / MAC Sheertone Shimmer in Blushbaby $24CAD – After going through my blush collection last month, I realized I also lack a basic neutral blush shade (seems I don’t like neutrals, huh). I wont’ be able to try on the Becca color in person, so I’m tempted to play it safe with MAC – but I’ve been meaning to try Becca as a brand for a while. We’ll see which one takes the honours!
What’s on your wishlist these days?
View from my deck…I actually kinda like it
My Lemmings for July (They’re Actually Quite Reasonable!)
It’s that time again! My lemmings of the month. I seem to be moving away from listing a ton of makeup products, which is probably a tad boring, though I’m sure that’ll change once the Fall collections have all come out (and I actually want to think *Fall* – right now I’m kinda loving Summer, thankyouverymuch!). I do have a number of makeup items on my wishlist, but many of them are part of my ’12 New Beauty Brands’ list for the year, and I want to keep those a bit of a secret to surprise you with as I pick them up 
And I mean, who am I kidding? My ~actual~ wishlist is ENORMOUS, but we would be here all day with that, so I’m just giving you the pared down and more relevant version of products I’m actually going to buy in the near future.
And now – go forth and enjoy! (Oh yea, and see how I’m coming up in the world with my pic below? So snazzy LOL)
1) John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Body Lotion $19CAD
This 100 percent fragrance-free body lotion is loaded with natural oils and glycerin to majorly hydrate, and contains an awesome fusion of coconut oil (heals and repairs, retains moisture, protects), sea kelp (hydrates, softens, and smoothes), milk thistle (antioxidant), vanilla (heals and soothes), comfrey (anti-inflammatory and promotes cell regrowth) and white tea extract (anti-bacterial). The whole ingredient list is majorly impressive with no funky biz (aka lanolin, mineral oil, parabens, etc).
2) L’Occitane Aromachologie Repairing Shampoo $22CAD
A blend of 5 essential oils plus wheat proteins help repair, strengthen, regenerate, and soften dry/damaged hair. The online reviews are overall very favorable, and I’m in the market for a new shampoo, so I’m all for it!
3) MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel $47.60CAD
This Beautypedia-approved moisturizer is a light, oil-free, pH-balanced gel that’s ideal for hydrating oily skin, and contains antioxidants as a bonus. I checked the ingredient list and it’s quite small and free of scary-to-me stuff (though it does contain methylparaben) and notes sodium hyaluronate as the second ingredient after water. Nice!
4) Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner in Indigo $37CAD
I was going to buy Urban Decay Waterproof Liquid Liner in Sabbath, also navy, but the issues I’m having with my Perversion liner are irritating the heck outta me (the ‘filter’ or whatever keeps coming out) – plus, this has more product: 0.08oz as opposed to 0.058, though it is more expensive. It’s Hourglass, c’mon – it’s gotta be fabulous.
5) Essie Topless and Barefoot / OPI Samoan Sand / Chanel Inattendu
I’m really looking to beef up my nude collection, as all these brights and neons are terribly hard to pair together! I can’t get a good idea from swatches online to know if T&B is very similar to Jazz (which I already own), and I can’t find it in stores. I’m also nervous that SS is too yellowed, like Zoya’s Cho, which we all know how I felt about. And I have no clue if I can even purchase Inattendu anymore – will have to investigate. Anyone have any suggestions on their fave nude shade that would work with my skintone?
Such reasonable things to purchase, huh? I’m near the very end of my current antioxidant serum (Clinique’s Repairwear Laser Focus), and since I rarely if ever actually spend my own money on Clinique (and also since I rarely buy the same product twice), I figured it was time to try something new. As for the body lotion, yes, I could stick with my $6 a tube knockoff Aveeno lotion, but goshDARN if it isn’t so freakin’ boring!!! I would love to have a more luxurious option that also doesn’t make my skin crazy, so here’s hoping! The Hourglass liquid liner I threw in there for a bit of fun, though I have been lusting after it for a while. I don’t *need* a navy blue liner, but I’m so frustrated with my black UD one, and the only other options I have in liquid are either burgundy (Illamasqua’s Havoc, which is SPECTACULAR but not always dark enough), bright aqua, or sparkly gunmetal. Time for another ‘classic’ methinks.
So! What’s on your wishlist lately? Any particular product you’ve tried recently that knocks your socks off?
How to Avoid a Lemming (Successfully!) – And a FOTD
Today is my day off, and I’m very fortunate as the weather is LOVELY – the week/weekend was rainy for the most part, so I’m quite pleased that I get to spend my day frolicking in the sunshine.
Our cat Vegas sunbathing. I’m normally not one for pet pictures, but this pretty much sums the day up
Sometimes on these days, I make a point to get over to the mall (aka Sephora) as it’s often the only opportunity I have. I originally planned to head over and check out the new wares at the store as well as take a gander at MAC’s Casual Color collection. I had my eye on ‘Keep It Casual’ which is a deep berry tone and not something I gravitate toward often (hence, I may have a place (justification) for it in my ever-growing stash!). However, the sun is shining and calling me to come out and play, rather than spend any time indoors – and my budget is pleading with me to hold off until we move in case I need that cash for other, more *ahem* important things (like places to sit). So, I stomped into the bathroom and started weeding through my blushes to see if I had anything like ‘Keep It Casual.’ Of course, I have nothing to compare it to, but I remembered my much looked-over Turkish Red Cream Blush from NARS just kickin’ around and going generally unloved. After swatching it, it seemed close enough in tone that I figured I could leave ‘Keep It Casual’ where it belongs – back in the store for some other beauty junkie – and decided it was time to get creative.
(Whoa, sorry for that long opening paragraph!)
Anyway, I slapped on a few things and actually came away with a look I ADORE – it’s a touch Fall-ish, but actually looks warm and inviting in the sunshine, so I thought I’d share it with you. I actually managed to use two products that don’t get a lot of use in my stash (which I’m still trying to make a point of doing) – the other is MAC’s Mattene lipstick in Bing, a deep, dark, blackened cherry shade from the Cult of Cherry collection from 2008, when goth lips first came into fashion. I love the dark lip look but it doesn’t quite suit my coloring for the most part; for the first time, I think I found a way to wear it that’s quite pretty, so I’m pretty stoked!
Enough rambling (must get back outside!) – here we go:
Urban Decay Perversion, Burberry Trench, MAC Amber Lights, NARS Turkish Red, NARS South Beach, MAC Bing
Since the blush was the main point of the exercise, I stippled Turkish Red on my cheeks (focusing closer to cheekbones) and blended out. As it’s quite pigmented, I applied my base second, MUFE’s Face & Body foundation in #18 (review to come), to my entire face and just lightly over the blush to diffuse it out. I added a touch of NARS’ South Beach Multiple to the tops of my cheekbones for some extra gleam.
I patted on MAC’s Amber Lights eyeshadow, a rich, shimmery orangey-gold, to lids and just above the crease. I blended out the edges and highlighted the brow with Burberry’s Trench shadow, which is a pale bone shade with a slight satin finish rather than chalky matte (looks so natural! Review to come). I defined my eye with UD’s Perversion liquid liner, and then topped it off with mascara.
I don’t wear darker shades of lips very often at all, and as you know and just venturing out into wearing lipstick and more opaque colors as a whole, so I was pleasantly surprized that I actually REALLY liked this look. I started with a base of Turkish Red on my lips, which actually looked quite nice on it’s own. Then I applied Bing on top, and lightened up it’s super-dark tones with a touch of Sephora’s She Sparkles gloss, a fine glittery gold.
And voila! Easiest look ever, and I kinda want to wear it all the time now. It definitely makes me want to give berry lips a chance now, though since Bing is probably the only berry shade I own, that might mean buying other lippies – uh oh. I’ll hold off till the cooler weather returns before going down THAT road.
What do you think of this look? Can I get away with it in the Summer, or should I hold off till Fall? What tactics do you use to avoid a lemming?
June Lemmings, or: When Being an Adult is Kind Of a Bummer
Posted by Latoya in Deborah Lippmann, Lemmings, MAC, NARS on June 5, 2012
~sigh~ Even though most of my focus is on the condo and any upcoming home-related purchases, a girl’s still got to be frivolous once in a while, and I’ve got my eye on a few sweet products this month. I may not be able to score them all right away, but rest assured – these babies WILL be mine one day soon!
1) Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco Masque
A couple years ago I was desperate to try this masque with it’s mega-Summery scent, but either the timing was off (I only really want to smell coconutty in the warmer months, and/or if I already had a treatment on the go, I didn’t really need a new one), or I didn’t have justifiable funds to spend the $33CAD on what is a relatively small tube (5oz) of product. I happened to be browsing through Mills last week while I was working the Clinique GWP, and realized that the stars were all aligning, as I’m just running out of my current deep conditioner, and lo and behold, it’s (almost) Summer! Funds aren’t any better than they were before, but hey, two outta three ain’t bad 
2) NARS Casino Bronzer
Also while passing the time while working a shift at Mills, I tried on Casino, a somewhat shimmery bronzer that gives my skin an insanely fabulous glow. I had set up a swap for this back in March, but after waiting months to receive my end, it fell through *long, long, LONG, story there* so I never got my chance. At that time I hadn’t even done more than swatch this product, but now after trying it on my face, I really gotta have this now!
3) Deborah Lippmann Rich Girl Hand and Cuticle Cream SPF25
With the sunshine out and about, I’m all too aware that my skin is being exposed to aging rays, and hands in particular are one of the biggest places on the body that show signs of aging. Deb Lippmann’s hand cream is chock-full of shea butter, avocado and jojoba oil (and it’s clear from the ingredient list!), smells yummy, and has a fairly high SPF to boot. Sign me up, please!
4) Shiseido Perfect Rouge Lipstick, or Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in GD804
Haha, yea, one or the other, right!? I keep reading great reviews about the Shiseido lipstick formula, so I’d love to check them out, but I also love the feel of their eyeshadows, and this particular trio has such an interesting shade combination – like a periwinkle blue, yellow gold, and shimmering khaki. Yowza!!
5) MAC Lip & Cheek Colors from the Casual Colors Collection ~sigh~
Often I am able to resist MAC’s charms, but every so often – usually with blush – I get reeled in. These Casual Color pots for lips and cheeks just look so relaxed and easy to use, how can I resist? Thankfully, many of the shades are too fair for my skin, so only two caught my eye – Out for Fun, a ‘cool coral,’ and Keep It Casual, a ‘warm wine.’ 
I actually only own two cream-based blushes, and since these moonlight as a lippie you get more bang for your buck. I’m planning on checking them out in store on Monday when I’m off, so we’ll see…I had high hopes for the Tres Cheek collection and ended up passing on the whole lot, so it could very well happen again!
I find that my lemmings list is so extensive now that it’s almost hard to come up with just five to write about each month. On top of that, I find that looking back, I’ve only picked up a handful out of all the items I’ve noted, and I really want to make sure I’m showcasing products that I actually hope/plan to purchase. I think the list above is pretty realistic
What are you lemming this month? Any opinions on my lemmings? Any good/bad experiences?
Sweet! It’s My Birthday Month! Check Out What Lemmings I’m TOTALLY Justified in Buying
Posted by Latoya in Lemmings, Make-up, Nail Polish on May 9, 2012
Ah May. The ultimate Spring month here in Canada, full of…er, well, rain, and…well, OK, only sunshine some of the time here in Halifax, but it’s enough to get the buds on the trees come out and the flowers blooming! May ALSO happens to be the month of my birth (and that of two of my aunts, my mother, my boyfriend’s mother…adding to that Mother’s Day, and it’s a busy month), so I can’t help but be in good cheer.
This year, I turn the big 3-0! I’m pretty stoked, and as such I have a few treats I hope to indulge myself in, particular as it’s such a special year. I’m sorely tempted to really splash out, especially considering I’ve been so good this past month, but I think I’m going to try and hold off a bit longer. We shall see! In the meantime, here is my *reasonable* list of what I hope to spoil myself with this month:
1) NARS Trouville Nail Lacquer
This shade is just TOO pretty, and I could seriously use a bit of pumping up in my ~pretty / feminine~ stock of nail polish colors, particularlyl pink. I don’t own any NARS shades yet, so that’s always an extra incentive!
2) Clarins Kohl Kajal in Violet (from the Enchanted Summer collection)
After seeing the similar Guerlain kohl kajal liner, falling in love, and then seeing it compared to Clarins’ much more pigmented version at Beauty Black Book, I decided I MUST have this! The deep violet shade will be wearable in pretty much every season, and I’d love to try it out on my waterline.
The violet shade appears to not be sold here, or at least not in two of the Shoppers Drug Mart’s I’ve seen the collection in. I haven’t checked out Sears/The Bay yet, but WTF?! I want this even more now.
3) Dior Summer Mix Collection
I just can’t help but adore the fun mix of brights in this collection! Particularly I’m loving the polishes Acapulco (bright yellow) and Lagoon (bold ocean blue), and the repromote of the Orange Pareo lip gloss from the current Croisette collection, which I’m passing on right now but might be persuaded to change my mind in a few weeks 
4) Chanel Delight Vernis (middle)
See a theme here? I’m back on a nail polish kick, I guess! The first promo shots I saw of this polish, I wanted it BAD. Then I talked myself out of it. Then I saw Eugenia’s shots (at Ommorphia Beauty Bar) and it reminded me just how amazing that polish is. I am buying this TOMORROW (Summertime de Chanel FINALLY arrived in store today!).
5) Burberry Beauty SOMETHING
I feel that as it’s my birthday month, and my 30th year at that, that an extra special something is in order. That typically means big $$ or ordering something from online / another province / country. I’ve been debating on what that should be exactly, but I think it’s time to splurge on some Burberry. The packaging itself just looks so damn luxurious! I want to resist buying another blush or eyeshadow, as I feel I have quite enough already thankyouverymuch, but I mean – what else is there? That I can buy sight-unseen. Because I don’t feel comfortable buying a lippie without trying it on. And I really want to buy one or two super-fantastical items for myself. So I’ve deemed Burberry is it. Probably Gold Trench eyeshadow and Rose blush. And I CANNOT FREAKIN’ WAIT.
So that’s my list for the month. All things I’d LOVE to own. However, this has been a strange past month. I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on buying much of anything. There are too many other things I’m trying to save for (a camera, a new phone, New Zealand…) that are weighing on my mind most of the time, and I just can’t seem to bring myself to spend money on items I don’t really *need*. Which isn’t much fun, is it!? However, my mother gave me birthday money to buy an Ikea Alex drawer unit (the black 6-drawer one on casters) and I have a feeling that once I have all that storage space for my makeup, I’m going to want to fill it up a bit 
What are you lemming lately? Any great products I should know about!? Please, share!
April Lemmings Bring May…Er, Bills??
Posted by Latoya in Blush, Foundation, Lemmings, Lips, Make-up, Nail Polish on April 7, 2012
Oh dear. It’s been quite, busy shall we say, behind the scenes at Beauty Obsessed (lol). I don’t know if it’s the Spring air or what, but I feel like I’ve gone completely mental and bought everything that’s landed in my path these days! I cringe at the thought of this month’s upcoming low-buy update…I’m preparing you now, so please don’t lambaste me when the time comes!
Despite the fact that I’ve been shopping like crazy, there are still a few things on my lemmings list that my grabby fingers have yet to get a hold of – but only a few. Originally, the Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stains were #1 on my Desperate-Need list, but as noted yesterday I swiped the shade #7 Corail Aquatique even though there were no testers yet available (obviously I could not wait!). I also had Kate Somerville’s Quench Oil-Free Hydrating Serum on the list, but picked that up on the last day of the 15% off deal (it’s regularly $78CAD so that saved me a fair bit!). So, what’s left? Well, take a look below:
1) Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF20 $44/NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 $49/Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF15 $50
I’m tossed up between the three of these – each have their merits and drawbacks – but I really am trying to get better at testing things out first, so I got samples of Stila’s and NARS’ so we’ll see how each reacts to my skin. I’ve been using Stila’s all week and so far so good – it feels like and light and hasn’t irritated my skin – and the sample of NARS’ is darker to suit me (hopefully) for down South. I’ll pick up a sample of Bobbi’s when I get back if I can as well. I desperately need a foundation for my tanned skin so hopefully one of these will be a winner!
2) Zoya Beach & Surf Collection
Oh MAN this collection looks amazing! Kimber (coral pink with gold shimmer), Arizona (medium yellow-orange), Zuza (aqua with shimmer), and Wednesday (medium aqua cream) are all calling my name. I usually have trouble finding bright Summer shades I like, but this season seems to be full of them!
3) Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush $32
I haven’t tried any particular shades on, but when I saw these at Mills a couple weeks ago, every single shade looked absolutely amazing! I’m trying very hard to hold off on buying any blush for a few months at least, so this may need to wait and be a birthday gift to myself at the end of May
4) Sephora Professionnel Natural Smudge Brush #11 $23
I’m not entirely sure I need this…but I want it! LOL And that’s reason enough, right? Sometimes I wonder if I should be investing in a few more brushes which would help me utilize my makeup better. I usually just smudge with my finger, which works fine, but I bet this would work great and be less messy!
5) NARS Lipstick in Heat Wave $30
I was at the counter this week and had read that this was a great orange-red shade, perfect for the season. I swatched it an instantly fell for the creamy feel, semi-matte finish, and uber-flattering shade on my skintone. I can already tell I’m going to give in to this one – I’ve been bitten by the lipstick bug lately and this one will be a great addition to my budding collection!
Much to my chagrin, I was also eagerly awaiting the new MAC Tres Cheek and Extra Dimension collections (while berating myself for being more than mildly interested in yet ANOTHER MAC release) – I mean, c’mon – a collection just about blush?! – but I went to the store bright and early yesterday and found that the Tres Cheek blush were almost all pretty basic, and the Extra Dimension dupe for Lauder’s Modern Mercury Gelee, Superb, was just meh. I mean, they were all nice, but nothing stand-out, you know? I’d rather buy a blush that’s like nothing I own (from another brand!), and when I do buy a highlighter, I want it to be totally gorgeous and covet-worthy. I have to admit I was pleased that I managed to resist
I’m fairly certain each and every one of these babies will be coming home with me in the near future, but for now at least I know that starting today, for a whole week I’ll be unable to spend money on cosmetics – hooray for my wallet!! Instead, I’ll be soaking up the rays, where makeup and beauty will be far from my mind (well…maybe ). I have a few scheduled posts to keep you guys busy until I return, but until then – have a lovely weekend and week and I’ll be back soon!!
What’s on your lemmings list these days? Have you tried any of the products above and can vouch for their awesomeness? Do you have any tinted moisturizer recommendations for an oilier skin type?
The Quest to Satisfy a Lemming: Estee Lauder Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sands (Review)
Posted by Latoya in Blush, Bronzer, Estee Lauder, Highlighters, Lemmings, Make-up, Summer 2012 on March 8, 2012
Last Fall, after being slow on the uptake when Modern Mercury – the first offering in the Estee Lauder Gelee phenomenon – came out, I cursed myself for missing out. Then, several other gorgeous LE luminizers came on the market (~cough~ LM’s Rose Rendezvous ~cough~) and I swore that the next time something like that was released, I was getting on that train ASAP. When I saw Estee’s Spring PR release pop up online, which included Topaz Chameleon (another gelee), I was determined to get my hands on it. However, two things prevented me from satisfying my lemming – first, Topaz Chameleon was majorly metallic, and almost copper-toned, so I wasn’t quite sure how I would make it work. Second, it never appeared here in stores – I even called a few Lauder counters and no one had even heard of it before (which is RIDICULOUS if you ask me – don’t you do your homework???). I considered buying it online, but as it looked a bit scary I wasn’t confident enough to buy it sight unseen.
Above (promo shots): Modern Mercury, top; Topaz Chameleon, bottom.
A few short weeks later, I stumbled upon pictures of Estee’s Bronze Goddess Capri Summer 2012 collection (weird timing between the two, don’t you think?) and noticed that there was a third powder gelee, Shimmering Sands – a pale rosy-bronze shade that looked MUCH more wearable. In a flash, I looked up a few swatches online (The Beauty Look Book and Best Things in Beauty have great info/photos) and decided I could DO this. As this hadn’t popped up in stores yet either (surprize), I ordered online from the Lauder website. I paid about $50CAD total for the gelee (shipping is free with any $50 order in Canada); ironically, I was in Mills two days after I received it to find that they had it on counter (WTF?). Thankfully, it’s being priced at $50 here too, so I didn’t end up paying more – and I got a 10-day sample of the Advanced Night Repair, so I’m not complaining!
The gelees are housed in beautifully elegant golden packaging, always with a gorgeous imprinted design on the actual product (I assume Shimmering Sands wavy texture is supposed to mimic sand in the desert?). It comes with a large sponge applicator, which I have yet to try. The texture of the gelee is ridiculously light – it almost doesn’t feel like I’m picking anything up on my fingers at all, until I turn it to see it’s full of product. The description given for the gelees describes them as a ‘tri-blend liquid, powder, and gel formula’ – how in the world they do that, I do not know. All I can say is – this baby is feather-light and soft.
In the pan, it looks as I previously described – pale rosy-bronze – but on the skin, it was surprizingly burnished; more like a luminous reddish-bronze. On the website, they recommend smoothing it on as an all-over soft sheen; however, from reading previous reviews on both this and the Topaz Chameleon version, I knew this probably isn’t the way to go, as they’re very pigmented. While they’re not glittery, the shimmer can easily be overdone, and careful placement and a light hand is critical. Regardless of knowing this, I can see how it would be easy to overdo. Picking product up on my brush feels the same as with my finger – like I’m not actually getting anything – but then BAM! there it is. So, remember to not let it’s light as air texture fool you – just go slow and build intensity if needed!
Photos taken in direct sunlight
I like the way it looks on my skin – it’s not as reddish as I feared, and just makes me look sun-burnt in a pretty way. As well, the illuminating effect is well-executed; I feel glowing without being self-conscious that I look shiny or glittery (light hand though, remember!). However, it’s more of a bronze/blush rather than a luminizer (though I knew that going into it, really) – perhaps when I get a nice golden tan in about a month’s time, it’ll be just what I’m looking for. I’ve also read online that it works great as an eyeshadow, so I’ll have to try that next.
Photos were taken in direct sunlight
Overall, I love the technology of the gelee, and how light it feel and how little you need to apply to get an effect. I do like the way it looks worn, though it’s not *truly* what I’m searching for. A downside is that the Illuminating Gelees are 0.15oz, which is below average for this kind of product (LM’s Rose Rendezvous is 0.20oz for around the same price, and Guerlain’s Cruel Gardenia is 0.31oz – but a whole lot more, about $74CAD, though its over double the product). Of course, this wouldn’t really be an issue if I LOVED it….but alas I don’t! Unfortunately, this was one of those purchases that I made in haste that usually ends up being a regret. I can use it, thankfully, but I don’t feel excitement about it, which is against my new “policy” on only buying things I love. I admit that I let myself get carried away with the hype, and now I’m paying the consequences. Somewhat of an expensive lesson to learn, but hopefully it will serve as a reminder in the future!
Do you fall prey to the hype on products? Please share so I can feel better about myself >:\ Also, do you own any of the Illuminating Gelee’s? Which is your favorite?
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the Lemmings category.
Top Posts
-
SERIES
I WANT!!
