NOTD: Fast Track and Tangerine Tango Glitter Gradient

Fast Track, from the China Glaze Capital Colours, was not a polish I would have bought on it's own.  It was part of the Hunger Games inspired mini-collection exclusive to Ulta which I purchased recently.  But you know what?  I really, really like this polish.  It's a nude with a gold fleck that gives it this glowing effect that I loved.  Total surprise hit for me.  That makes three for three for me out of the Capital Colours collection, as I've also loved Riveting and Mahogany Magic.

I wore this for three days before adding Tangerine Tango Glitter to the tips.  This was my first attempt at a glitter gradient and I think it turned out pretty good.  I first swiped my nail tips with Tangerine Tango Shimmer, and then dabbed on Tangerine Tango Glitter.  This gave me the more solid effect on the tips without having to layer the glitter, which can be a bit gritty.

Fast Track with Tangerine Tango Glitter

N.Y.C. City Sweets LE Extended Wear Lip Gloss in Tangerine Crush

N.Y.C. is really hitting it out of the park with me as far as their lip glosses go!  I saw the City Sweets Limited Edition display at my Rite Aid and everything in it was 50% off, so I picked up the Extended Wear Lip Gloss in Tangerine Crush. 

Here is a shot of the display from N.Y.C's Facebook page.  I'm a sucker for coral, and the ingredients in this drug store brand lip gloss actually looked pretty good - Kokum butter, jojoba oil, grapefruit, vitamins A and E.

These claim to wear up to 8 hours, condition your lips, have high color and shine, and not be sticky.  Nothing wears for 8 hours on me, but Tangerine Crush did last a good 3-4 hours.  I'm constantly sipping on a drink or eating every 3-4 hours, so that's about the duration of anything on my lips.  

Also a plus, my lips did feel hydrated and comfortable without an overly sticky texture.  These do have some tackiness, but nothing excessive.  As far as color payoff, Tangerine Crush is more of a sheer coral gloss with no sparkles, just a wash of color.  

I believe the regular retail was $3.49 at Rite Aid, so I paid $1.75.  Steal!  I'm going to have to look more closely at the two other LE shades, Nude at Night (light bronze) and Always Sweet (pink), if any are still available. 

NYC Extended Wear Lip Gloss in Tangerine Crush

April Birchbox: Natural Wonders

April Birchbox

Birchbox's theme this month was "Natural Wonders", no doubt influenced by April's Earth Day on the 22nd.  I'm a fan of products that are green or contain natural ingredients and will opt for them when the performance is good, so bring it on!

I was pleasantly surprised to see a full sized Tarte Lipsurgence as one of the 5 items in my box!  I've got 5 or 6 of them and am a fan, so adding the peachy nude Peaceful to my collection makes me happy.  These lip pencils retail for $24, so this one item more than paid April's $10 monthly subscription.

Peaceful swatch

Also included was a .17 oz. sample of Juice Beauty's Oil-Free Moisturizer, which is perfect for my oily skin.  I've only tried one other Juice Beauty moisturizer, which I thought took forever for my skin to absorb, so it will be interesting to see how this one compares.  I love that Juice Beauty is made with certified organic ingredients, so keeping fingers crossed for good performance this time.

Sow + Reap Luxe Lemon Leaf Salt Scrub

A new to me brand in the box is dirt, whose product philosophy is " products should be more than skin deep, but also inspire health and wholeness within. It all begins at the core, sometime you have to dig, and for us it begins with -- DIRT."  I got a sample of the sow & reap luxe salt scrub Lemon Leaf, which contains salt, shea butter, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, raspberry seeds, vitamin E, and lemon oil.  I love scrubs and this one really leaves your skin soft and hydrated without an oily residue.  It's a soft scrub with the raspberry seeds providing most of the exfoliating action.  The lemony scent lingered for hours and fortunately I found it very pleasant.

Got a perfume sample this month, which I don't usually care for.  However, this one is really nice!  It is Orange Sanguine by French perfumer Atelier Cologne and is a blend of blood orange, jasmine and sandalwood.  I've worn it several times already and have to say it's a scent I would wear - it smells good on me from initial application on through it's dry down phases.  It's a light, citrusy scent yet has depth, with the sandalwood coming out at the end.  The included postcard captures the feel of the cologne.  Tres bien!

The lifestyle extra this month was two single-use, eco-friendly detergent packs by dropps.  They are scent and dye free and are made of biodegradeable plant based surfactants.  A pack of 20 only costs $6, so if these work, I'll be checking them out.

Birchbox has been a winner for me so far!  If you subscribe to Birchbox, what did you get this month?

NOTD: a-england's Galahad

a-England's Galahad

I was fortunate enough to get my first two a-england polishes during their recent anniversary sale.  Several of the shades I wanted were sold out, but I was able to get Galahad and Princess Sabra (Tristam Eyes).  I will have to capture the elusive Dragon another day.

Galahad is described as a mystic vibrant blue green, and it's almost a perfect match to a dark turquoise bracelet that I own. Most turquoise that you see is lighter, like this ring.  This is two coats with Seche Vite base and topcoat.  A steadier hand may have been able to get away with one coat, but my polish skills are still a bit lacking.

a-england polishes are available direct for about $14.45 (prices are listed in British pound sterling) or through Llarowe for $12.  a-england shipped for free in the past from their site, not sure if that's still the case.

Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash

I'm sure everybody is already aware of these, but since they are on sale at Urban Decay for $9 - for the entire set - I felt the need to show these pencils some love.  Because I do love them.  I've bought this set 3 times now, one as a gift, and two for me.

Delinquint, Rehab

The 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash was released in the fall of 2011 and features five travel sized 24/7 shadow pencils in Clash (bright turquoise w/silver sparkle), Delinquent (dark purple w/bright purple sparkle), Juju (frosted taupe), Rehab (taupe),  and Sin (shimmering champagne).  Travel sized means 2.5 g. versus the regular sized 2.8 g.  Juju is available only in this set, but the rest are regular catalog.  

Juju, Sin, Clash

Just like the 24/7 eyeliners, these are soft, easy to use, and last all day.  I use mine mainly for lining my eyes, and Sin has become my default inner eye highlighter. Nine dollars for the set is a steal.  I'm tempted to get a backup for my backup, but will restrain myself.  Maybe.

MD Formulatons Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque

Apparently, MD Formulations was the first company to license glycolic patents worldwide.  They developed a proprietary glycolic compound that is safe for all skin types and conditions because of a patented technology that raises the pH of the glycolic compound to match skin's pH levels, thus making it less irritating.  Originally operating as Bioceutix, MD Formulations offered its products primarily through spas and salons but also through physicians across the United States and in 17 countries.  Enter Bare Escentuals, who  acquired MD Formulations in November 2001, introducing it's product lines to the mass market.

I've been using Bare Escentuals products for about 5 years now, and somehow I was unaware of this.  When I bought the Vit-A-Plus Clearing Complex Masque from Beauty.com, I was surprised to see the Bare Escentuals info on the container.  Sometime the obvious escapes me, I guess. Regardless, I'm glad I bought this masque for problem prone skin, as I really like it!  Using dual action Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids for exfoliation, it purports to improve skin texture and clarity.  Retinol-pure Vitamin A helps to eliminates oily shine, fight blemishes, and diminish the appearance of enlarged pores while Rosemary adds antibacterial benefits.  The base is french white clay, giving it a pale yellow green color.  

After smoothing a thin layer on my face, I can feel a slight tingling sensation.  The masque contains a 5% lactic compound and 1% salicylic acid, so I'm guessing these are what I'm feeling.  I leave it on for about 15 minutes and then rinse off.  This is not a masque that leaves my skin feeling particularly soft, but it does feel invigorated, clean and deslicked.  Recommended usage is 1-2 per week, and I've been using it once a week since I use several other exfoliating products as well.  I can tell that my pores are getting smaller and that my skin texture and clarity has improved, but I have to attribute that to more than one product since i have a rotation going.

This masque has earned a place in that rotation, however.  It retails for $30 for 2.5 oz, which should last quite a while since about a quarter's amount covers my face.  You can purchase MD Formulation products from a variety of online retailers, including Bare Escentuals, Skinstore, and Amazon.  The best prices seem to be on Amazon.

Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer with Firmitol

This natural ingredient primer from Tarte is supposed to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by  51% in just 10 minutes.  That's an impressive claim - but I have no idea what the data is to back it up.  Furthermore, it looks like this may have been discontinued as I don't see it on Tarte's site and Sephora and a few other online sellers have it listed as out of stock.  I do see it on Amazon from an independent seller who is asking $32.75 - a whopping price hike from the normal $20 it's listed for.  Hmmm.  I'm guessing Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Shadow Primer is taking Lifted's place. 

However, it is part of the Intro to Tarte Value set, which is currently on sale for $21 at Tarte.com.  So, if you're a fan of Lifted or just wanted to try out an eye primer that contains the following ingredients, this may be your last shot at it:

-Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA): Aids in wrinkle reduction and removal by relaxing those muscles of the face that remain tense.
-Purslane Extract: Contains unique muscle relaxant properties that can reduce wrinkles reduces fine lines and wrinkles and assists in evening out skintone.
-Firmitol™: Clinically tested and patented ingredient that combines all of the above for an instant wrinkle reducing effect.

So how did it work as an eye shadow primer for me?  I'd say decent to good but not spectacular, which is about the same performance I saw with the other natural eye primer I've reviewed - Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging Primer.  They even have the same consistency/feel.  The next shot shows how my eye makeup looked at the end of the day, after about 10 hours of wear.  I've got extremely oily skin and Lifted started breaking down on me after about 6-7 hours of wear. 

 

So, not the best but definitely not the worst eye primer I've used.  I do like that it has good for you ingredients in it and that the container is biodegradable.  This won't get daily use from me but will go into the rotation.