Mood Exposure Ambient Lighting Blush by Hourglass

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I think the Ambient Lighting blushes ($35) are something you either get, or you don't.  Or more likely, it's a matter of personal preference/skin chemistry/complexion color/yada yada yada.  Personally, I love them, which is way I picked up my third one in the form of Mood Exposure.  Approximately 2 weeks or so before Hourglass released their Ambient Lighting Blush palette, which also contains Mood Exposure plus two other colors.  Palms face.

Yeah, I ended up getting the blush palette too, I like them that much.  But that's okay, as each blush is slightly different depending on the ratio of the soft plum blush to the Mood Light powder combined with it.  The full sized compact I received has more of the plum blush, whereas the smaller Mood Exposure in the blush palette has more of the Mood Light powder.  It did make a slight difference in the color intensity between the two.

Mood Exposure is described as a soft plum, but it leans distinctly warmer in tone to me.  Perhaps if you combined the orange pulp of a plum with the skin, that would capture the color better :-)  Regardless, I've been reaching for this blush a lot, as the skin enhancing soft glow and excellent wear on my oily skin continues to impress me.

In fact, the Ambient Lighting Blushes have joined Estee Lauder Pure Color blushes as my favorites.  I hope they release more colors!

Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro in Medium Brown 04

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I picked up two of the Giorgio Armani Eye & Brow Maestro gels ($34) in Gold 09 (review here) and Medium Brown 04 a few months back.  I wanted to use the Medium Brown one for a while before reviewing, as I was initially unsure of my feelings for it.  Well, I've formed some firm impressions now, and here they are!

A bit of background on this new offering from Giorgio Armani Beauty:  these gel creams are billed as a multi-tasker that can work as a brow shaper, eyeliner, eyeshadow, hair root touch-up and contour all in one.  That's appealing, but also where some of my ambivalence for Medium Brown started.  This was the color that had the most potential to serve as both a eyeliner/eyeshadow/brow tint for me.  One of those three gives me the warm fuzzies, but the other two?  Not so much.

As a brow gel, I really like Medium Brown.  I apply with a dense, short haired eye liner/smudger brush, and then comb it out with a spool brush.  I like the subtle shimmer in it, which mimics the gleam that your hair naturally has.  These gels are waterproof and are supposed to wear for 20 hours.  While I can't speak to that length of wear, I've not had any issues with them smudging or fading for a full day of wear.

Medium Brown 04 as eyebrow tint, Gold 09 as eyeshadow

As an eyeshadow I found Medium Brown to be problematic, in that I could not get smooth coverage for the life of me.  It was hard to blend out and seemed to go patchy no matter what I did.  The Gold one I loved as an eyeshadow, however, so there ya go.

I checked my Maybelline Color Tattoo 24/7 cream shadows to see if I had any dupes, but I don't.  You'll notice that Armani Medium Brown is quite pigmented, which may be way I'm having difficulty using it as an eyeshadow.  As a brow tint, I use the tiniest amount on the brush for my entire brow, so I think this will last me until like, death.  Or until it dries up. 

NOTD: Naked without Polish by Rescue Beauty Lounge

I'm not normally a pink polish person, but something about Naked without Polish from the Fan Collection 2.0 drew me in during the recent Rescue Beauty Lounge (RBL) buy 2 get 1 free sale.  RBL polishes are on the pricey side at $20 each, so you can bet I spent a lot of time pondering and perusing swatches before I hit the purchase button.

Fortunately, I have no regrets with this one!  My pictures don't really convey the glow from within quality from the seafoam green shimmer in the soft pink base.  The gold flecks within the base also keep this from being only a springtime color, as they reflect the same shade as the brown, crackling leaves currently falling from the trees here in Mobile.

The formula was easy to work with and this is two coats with Zoya's base and top coat.  I can see this as a great neutral color for me, as it really complements my skin tone.  Quite lovely!  Linking up with The Nail Files hosted by Jennie Shaw:

Sephora VIB Holiday Sales Event: What I Got

The Sephora VIB Holiday Sale (code GIFTVIB) started today and runs through November 10th.  I did some early morning shopping after waking up at 3 am.  Rather than toss and turn trying to go back to sleep, I decided I might as well be the early bird and all....also, Ebates is offering an 8% (today only) rebate at Sephora.

Source:  Sephora.com

However, I must be getting jaded, as little was really appealing to me.  There are lots of great holiday sets available, but I may have met my makeup threshold for the time being.  I ended up going with the Sephora Favorites Skin Wonderland set, along with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar & Nail Lacquer set in Grandma to hit the free shipping threshold.

Source:  Sephora.com

I also noticed that several other beauty retailers had their own sales going on at the same time, giving Sephora a bit of competition.  Beauty.com has a Friends & Family 20% sale through Friday, November 7th.  Ulta enticed me with same extra Ulta dollars, and I was able to do some Christmas shopping for my mother and snag a Urban Decay 5 piece GWP set for myself.

Ulta 4-hr only sale yesterday

While my Sephora purchase did extend my VIB status through next year, I've been gravitating more towards Ulta this year due to all of their great sales, GWP offers, and loyalty program. 

Christmas present for mother

What about you?  Did you take advantage of any of the sales for Christmas gifts or treats for yourself?

Revolution Lipstick in Catfight by Urban Decay

Described as a fuschia pink with red undertones, Catfight is one bold color.  It's quite gorgeous, although I feel self-conscious walking into work with this one on.

Strangely, however, mattifying it with my MAKE Matte pencil makes me feel like it's more wearable (for me) out and about. 

I've got the deluxe sample sized version of Catfight, which is the same size as the Full Frontal  Revolution lipstick set that Urban Decay is offering this holiday season.  As long as you don't roll the lipstick too high when applying, it feels fairly secure.  I've yet to make it through a full-sized lipstick, so these deluxe sample sizes are okay by me.

I haven't decided if I'll get the holiday lip set or not, but I do like the Revolution lipstick formula!

Empties! Products I Used Up or Threw Out in October

I used up quite a few items in October, and threw out quite a few that just weren't up to par for a variety of reasons.  Let's start with the ones I finished:

• Shea Terra's Eau de Rose du Maroc Balancing Facial Spray:  this rose based facial spray was true delight, I'd totally repurchase.  I got it as part of a set available via Birchbox, all of which were winners:

• Julep Blank Canvas Mattifying Face Primer:  probably my favorite of Julep's beauty products, and fortunately I have another that I received as part of a Julep mystery box.  You can see a full review here.
• Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleanser:  this must be going on 3 years old, I'm sad to see it go.  I mainly used it to clean my mixing palette, although it did work well as a brush cleanser.
• Lancome Dual Finish Powder:  technically, I didn't use this one up, but I think it's past it's prime.  I just do not have the desire to scrap off the hardened shell.  It did work well as a setting powder for my oily skin, but I've moved on to Hourglass's Ambient Lighting powders, among others, so have no plans to repurchase.

•  Radical Skincare Youth Infusion and Peptide Infused Antioxidant Serums, deluxe samples:  I received both of these in Barney Beauty bags, and I'm impressed.  They are pricey, however, so I have no immediate plans to purchase.  Maybe once I work through the current glut of skincare products...cause they are really nice.

•  Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum deluxe sample:  I've got several of these samples and decided it was high time I gave it a go.  Very nice, and I'm now working my way through a second one.
• Smashbox  Photofinish Undereye Primer deluxe sample:  Quite nice, and I did purchase a full sized version of this.  
• Estee Lauder Volumizing Mascara deluxe sample:  one of my favorite mascaras!
• Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base deluxe sample:  this one grew on me.  At first I wasn't completely sold, but it turned out to be a solid performer.
• Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Enhancing Mascara deluxe sample:  I thought this was great, would totally get another one.
• Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Smokestack perfume oil sample:  I gravitate towards BPAL's perfume oils in the fall, but this one got used in my oil burner as it was a bit too masculine for me.  Eagerly awaiting my BPAL Halloweenies to arrive!

Among the foils samples, the Cirocell Geothermal Clay Cleanser and Racine Ultimate Aqua Blanc Brightening Mask samples stood out the most:

I threw out a few duds as well, including a mascara sample from Nvey Eco.  It smudged quite a bit on me, giving the dreaded raccoon eyes.  Nvey Eco does have some great products, particular their blushes and lip glosses, but the mascara was a fail for me. 

Also hitting the garbage were a dried up Hourglass mascara and this discontinued face powder by Urban Decay.  I don't know if it was the design, but I never warmed up to it.  Time to declutter and get rid of things unloved and taking up space!

Le Métier de Beauté Nudite and Rouge Dualistic Lip Pencils

Le Métier de Beauté's VIP subscription box continues to knock it out of the park this year!  I'm behind in posting what I've received, but here is November's box, which arrived in late October:-)

The two lip pencils and samples of the Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Day and Night cream were encased in this sweet black patent bag.

I already own the peachy brown Nudite, but the rosy Rouge is a welcome addition and my favorite of the two colors.  It seemed to apply a bit smoother than Nudite as well.  Both can be built up to an opaque matte finish that is easy to wear on their own or layered under a lipstick. They feel slightly dry on but I did not notice them drying out my lips.

Rouge

Nudite

Nudite, Rouge

Nudite

Rouge

The Dualistic lip pencils are $38 dollars each.  I know, crazy expensive.  I like these but I've found equally good lip pencils at a fraction of that price from NYX and Essence.  Regardless, I'm quite happy to have them and continue to love the Le Métier de Beauté VIP subscription program! 

Rouge Dualistic lip pencil