NARS Orgasm Illuminator

I may be one of the few women addicted to makeup who doesn't own NARS Orgasm blush.  I did acquire a deluxe sample of Orgasm Illuminator a while back as part of one of Sephora's Favorites collection.  It has languished in makeup purgatory until recently, when I saw a review from The Beauty Look Book comparing the Orgasm Illuminator to Tom Ford's new Beauty Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust.  I enjoy reading about Tom Ford's cosmetic line, but the prices have kept me from indulging in anything, as I don't want to venture down that slippery slope.  So I searched for my NARS Orgasm Illuminator and have been using it this past week - and I like it!

These light-reflecting liquids are supposed to enhance the complexion and create a shimmering incandescence.  The effect is quite subtle, as it doesn't supply color so much as a soft glowing shimmer effect.  I put a dab in my palm and then use a stipling brush to apply to my forehead, my upper cheeks and over my brows in a C pattern, and the bridge of my nose.  It can also be blended with foundation or moisturizer for an all over glow. 

The Orgasm Illuminator is a coppery peach with fine gold shimmer, but there are three other colors available:  the more vibrant Super Orgasm which contains gold glitter, the pearlescent Copacabana, and the golden Laguna.  They are $30 for 1.1 oz.

Do you use illuminating products or have a favorite? I usually forego them as they tend to make my already oily skin look too shiny, but I think this one is working for me.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Tiger Lily Eyes: The All Natural Face Creme Brulee, Tiger Lily, & Chocolate Brown Vegan Eyeshadows

Photo credit: harvardbeet / Foter.com / CC BY-SA

When I was eleven, my parents and I lived in a house on a lake outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  One large, sloping side of the yard had been planted with orange Tiger Lillies, and they were spectacular in bloom.   I have a lot of fun memories from living there, including fishing for Bream using bread balls and riding my bike around the lake.  I was reminded of all this when I pulled out these sample shadow pots from The All Natural Face last week. These were part of the Get Started Green Sample Set, and I've still got oodles to try out from it. 

Orange eye shadows naturally complement blue eyes (orange is opposite blue on the color wheel), and I was pleased to see that Tiger Lily was not as neon as it appeared in the pot.  The texture was a bit interesting, as it took a bit of buffing to get even color, but I did like the final effect.

Sun

Shade

Creme Brulee is a really pretty soft shimmer beige that makes for a great highlighter on my brow bone and inner eye.  Chocolate Brown is a warm medium brown matte that I used to transition the crease. The eyeliner is the dark brown matte Urban Decay 24/7 pencil Demolition, and the mascara is Julep's lengthening Boho Glam in dark brown. 

Disclaimer:  I purchase these.

Julep Tea for Two and Satin Doll Lipsticks

Tea for Two and Satin Doll were two of a trio of mini-lipsticks called New York Jazz that Julep released in May.  I previously reviewed Lady in Red here, and it turned out to be my surprise favorite! 

Tea for Two (top), Satin Doll (bottom)

Tea for Two and Satin Doll are different in formula than Lady in Red, as both are more of a sheer balm compared to Lady in Red's opaque color and creamy texture.  I found Tea for Two and Satin Doll have a more waxy texture, which sometimes translates to patchiness and an emphasis of lip lines. 

Satin Doll is definitely my favorite of these two, and is a sheer poppy red that does look nice on and makes for a natural looking lip.  I do find that I get little skin nubbies (I have no idea was the real name for these would be), even when I've exfoliated my lips prior to applying.  I'm thinking the waxy texture is at least partially at fault. 

Tea for Two is a sheer beige that sadly washes me out.  I've yet to find a beige lipstick that does look good on me, so I'm guessing it's just not meant to be.

There is pink based trio available called Paris Jazz, but it and the New York Jazz are currently showing as sold out on Julep's site.  I'm guessing they will be back in stock at some point, as they were quite the hit in the Maven subscription boxes.  The trio retails for $28, with a discount to $22.40 for those in the Maven program. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion

Color me surprised, but I really like this stuff!  I prefer how my legs look with a bit of color, but as a reformed sun worshipper, that leaves self-tanners as my only option.  I don't like how self-tanners smell, although I put up with them to get a bit of color.

St. Tropez Instant Glow is not a self-tanner, as it is free of typical tanning agents - so no self-tanner smell.  It is transfer resistant, however, and gives me enough natural looking color that I've been wearing my summer skirts and dresses without feeling like I'm blinding people with my winter white legs.  Win/win!

Other pluses with Instant Glow is that it doubles as a moisturizer, which I always apply when I get out of the shower.  I see jojoba oil, panthenol, Vitamin E, glycerin, and some other interesting ingredients in the mix.  So, the fact that this only lasts for a day doesn't bother me.  I've been using the deluxe sample sized tube that I have for about 10 days and it's still half full, so I'd say a nickle to quarter size for each shin and thigh is sufficient.  I just make sure to smooth thoroughly to avoid streaking, and the results have been pretty good!

The color difference it not extreme, but enough that I can tell.  My hands are a dark brown after applying (which washes off with soap and water), so I'm guessing color could be built up in layers if desired.  It's not cheap at $18 for 5 oz, but I'm guessing a tube would last several months, so not too bad.   This may become my go to for the summer! 

Ingredients:  Water, Caramel, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycereth-26, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit E), Glycerin, Parfum, Mica, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Opuntia Streptacantha (Cactus) Stem Extract, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 15985 (Yellow 6), CI 16035 (Red 40), CI 42090 (Blue 1)

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

May Birchbox: Beauty Diaries

May's Birchbox left me a bit underwhelmed.  That's not to say there were any duds in the box, because I've tried each of the samples and thought they were pretty good.  There just wasn't anything in the box that got my pulse racing. 

The most exciting item for me was the Klorane Extra-gentle dry shampoo with oat milk, mainly because I thought I was out and this would come in handy.  Turns out I did have a bottle hiding in my closet, but I've been using the Klorane this week.  It has a powerful spray and you can definitely see where deposits, as it's a stark white.  Fortunately, it brushes out nicely and I don't see any remaining residue, so that's a plus.  It performs very well and my hair looks and feels clean and has some extra volume.  I find the scent a bit off-putting.  It's not exactly unpleasant, but I don't care for it.  The price is a bit much at $18 a bottle, as I can go through a bottle a month.  So, not a replacement to my beloved Pssssst!, which is about $7 in comparison - plus I like how it smells:-)  Sample value is $6.

Coola is a new to me brand, and after wearing this sunscreen twice, I'm liking it!  It contains 70% Certified Organic inactive ingredients, and sports some impressive claims:

Vitamin C rich organic Strawberry Extract soothes, tones and minimizes pores.  Organic Acai Oil - high in Omegas-3/6/9, Vitamins B1/2/3 and Vitamins C and E - delivers powerful anti-aging benefits.  Organic Evening Primrose and Linseed Oils reduce inflammation and balance moisture, as the phyto-protector Plankton Extract rejuvenates skin.  Patented Oleosome Technology, derived from eco-certified organic Safflower and rich in moisturizing Vitamin E, enhances sun protection and helps time-release actives (source drugstore.com)

It's not heavy nor does it leave my face excessively shiny, and it's got a light cucumber scent.  I've worn it on it's own and under makeup and have not experienced any skin breakouts, so things are looking good.  I would consider this, although it's a bit expensive at $32 a tube.  Given my dislike of facial sunscreens and how difficult it's been to find one I really like, Coola is a contender.  Sample value is $4.48.

I would have been excited about the Sumatra Color Contrast eye liner if it had not been in black - a color I rarely wear and have too many of to begin with.  It's a deep black that is nicely pigmented and swatched easily, so I can't fault it in that regard.  There was zero smudging on my arm, but I've yet to try it on my eyes.  The sample looks to be half the size of a regular pencil, so the value would be $5.50.

Mavis Classic Strong Mint is an Italian brand of toothpaste.  On the one hand, I'll use it.  On the other, it's toothpaste - and rather expensive at $10.50 a tube.  I'll save it for my next trip, which will probably be Albuquerque, NM in October.  Excited about that, as I've never been before!  Sample value is $1.40.

The "extra" this month was a Pilot pen, another practical item that will get used.  Just not something that got me excited.  Maybe I'm getting jaded, I don't know.  Sample value is $1.56.  So all total the value of this month's box is $18.94, and I potentially discovered a sunscreen that will work for me.  Not bad, but not exciting:-)

Disclaimer:  I subscribe to Birchbox for $10/month.  If you would like to subscribe as well, consider using my affiliate link which helps me earn points toward purchases in the Birchbox shop, or you can go directly to Birchbox to sign up.

Empties! Products I Used Up in April

I used up some items this month that I've had around for a while, such as the Peter Thomas Roth Laser Free Resurfacer.  I love the color and texture of this, although it was hard to tell any significant difference in my skin.  The stuff sure sounds impressive, however:

Laser-Free Resurfacer™ contains 33.5% Dragon’s Blood Complex™, a concentrate featuring Dragon’s Blood (5%), a red resin drawn from the Amazon’s Croton Lechleri tree, a native secret that helps reduce the appearance of inflammation and helps accelerate repair, Phytomoist Qusome™ (10%), Aquafill™ (5%), DRC Qusome™ (4%), plus a blend of Derm SRC, Chromocare™, Niacinamide PC & Alistin® (at 9.5%).

The price is a bit prohibitive at $75 (unless I see significant impact, which I didn't), so I'm glad I was able to try out the half-sized version first. 

Foils:

• Lancome La Base Pro:  liked
• Shu Umera cleansing oil:  disappointed at mineral oil being one of the main ingredients
• Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel:  liked
• DHC EGT cream:  okay

Deluxe samples:

• Whish shave cream:  okay
• Peter Thomas Roth Laser Free Resurfacer:  see above
• Oscar Blandi Texture Volume spray:  do not like, but still used it.  Leaves hair so stiff!
• Hugo Natural Volumizing shampoo:  liked
• LaLicious Vanilla Whipped Body Soap:  liked

Full sized:

• Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Pore Scrub:  liked, see review here
• Julep Dry Clean shampoo:  too expensive for it's average performance
• Psssst! dry shampoo:  love!

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

NOTD: Zoya Blu

I wasn't expecting to like Zoya Blu as much as I do.  I was envisioning it as chalky looking and perhaps even wash me out, but no.  Some polishes just have to be on the nail to fully appreciate them, and I think Blu is one of those colors for me.

Blu looks slightly darker on the nail than it does in the bottle, and in some lighting even takes on a bit of a glow in the dark quality.  I imagine using a white polish as a base coat would get a more true to bottle color.  This would be such a nice contrast for those with darker complexions or a bit of a tan!

Blu was a one coater for me, except on my thumbs, which needed a second coat around the edges.  The polish is slightly thick but leveled out nicely.  Sadly, the Julep Fast Dry top coat I used bubbled a bit :-(  Blu was not the culprit, however, as it performed nicely. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

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