Le Métier de Beauté November VIP Box: Liquid Gold

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Le Métier de Beauté's November VIP offering is a liquid luminizer named Gilded and their angled foundation brush.  I'm enamoured with both.  I've been on a acquiring new brushes kick this month and liquid luminizers continue to be my favorite way to use highlighters, so, win/win :-)

Gilded is a true yellow gold with small flecks of mica that are visible on the skin if you are close enough to say, lick someone.  At a socially appropriate distance however you get subtle illumination.  The texture of Gilded reminds me of a dry oil in that it applies like a liquid but then dries down (evaporates?) quickly, leaving behind a golden sheen.

Lightly blended

Completely Blended

I like mixing liquid luminizers with my liquid foundation, and the two I've tried it with thus far have worked well. It does not add any weight or oiliness to the foundations or seem to interfere with them at all, which is nice.

The formula is similar to Giorgio Armani's Fluid Sheers in consistency, although Gilded has more visible shimmer flecks than the two I own, Fluid Sheer #2 and #5.

While Gilded is a limited edition item made exclusively for the VIP subscription program (as far as I know), the angled foundation brush ($50) is part of Le Métier de Beauté's regular catalog.  I don't have another brush like this one, and the flat synthetic brushes look like they will be useful for initially blending foundation, especially in harder to reach crevices and crannies.  I imagine I'll still want to buff my foundation out with something like Tarte's the Buffer foundation brush, but for spreading?  This one.

Here is Gilded blended with Becca's Matte Shine-Proof foundation in Sand.  I'm getting to where I no longer care for matte foundations (in spite of my oily skin) due to how flat they can look, but that does make them prime candidates for pairing with a liquid luminizer.  It still looks flat to me, however.

On my lips I'm wearing Buxom's Bambi (top of picture, doesn't seem to be available in the regular lineup anymore) over LMdB's Nudite lip pencil ($36).  I find $36 to be ridiculous for a lip liner, but I do like it.  It's not any better than Essence's $1.50 lip liners, IMO though.

Buxom Bambi, Buxom Sashi, LMdB Nudite

Bambi + Nudite

In this one I'm wearing Gilded mixed with BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel in Natural 05.  I think my skin looks more alive here, although lighting/time of day does seem to factor in with my photos.

On my lips I'm wearing Nudite again, this time topped with Buxom's sheer shimmer gloss Sasha, which I can't find in the general catalog anymore either. I'd forgotten how much I love Buxom's glosses, but I do.

Sashi + Nudite

Perfume of the Day:  Pumpkin I by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (full review here), with it's notes of pumpkin cream, cardamon, black tea, allspice, and ginger milk.  Because it's that time of the year.  I've been using this one in my fragrance burner for all around ambiance.

Song of the Day:  Something More Besides You by Cowboy Junkies.  I can't seem to get enough of them right now.

Something More Besides You (partial lyrics)
This morning I awoke,
the bed warm where it once was cold
Small blessings laid upon us
Small mysteries slowly unfold
Yet I still wonder is there a point
to what we do?
'Cause I kind of doubt
there there is something more besides you

Head Over Heels Blush by Makeup Geek

 Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Makeup Geek was running a sale at the end of October where you could get 9 of their blush pans for $45, making them $5 as opposed to their usual $9.99.  Having read such nice things across the board about these blushes, I made my first Makeup Geek purchase.  I've been having fun playing with these blushes ever since, and today I'll be showing you Head Over Heels.

Everything arrived packed uber securely, with each individual blush in a cardboard container with an inner sleeve.  You can also purchase the blushes in a compact for $12.99.  I'm keeping mine in a Z Palette, although only 8 will fit in the regular sized version.

Head Over Heels is a light bubblegum pink with a soft shimmer.  The pigmentation is quite good with all of these blushes, and I find just tapping my brush on the pan is the best way to pick up the powder and apply, building up color as I go.  Head Over Heels applies smoothly and is easy to build up without going chalky or cakey - it's a really nice formula that is both talc and paraben free.

I decided to go with a similar toned lip for this FOTD, pairing Laqa & Company's Honeypot Sheer Lip Lube (full review here) with Bite Beauty's lilac hued shimmer gloss 2001 from the limited edition 15 Shades of Sephora set (3rd from the left, full review here).

Makeup Geek appears to be having another sale of the pan blushes right now, with a set of 9 for $54.  Still a steal and worth checking out.

Perfume of the Day:  Nirvana Black by Elizabeth & James, no doubt influenced by reading The Non-Blonde's review while in bed that morning.

Song of the Day:  Lay it Down by the Cowboy Junkies, whose lyrics alternately amuse me or break my heart:

Lay It Down
He told his children those little white lies
the truth would only paralyze them
He told himself those little white lies
the truth would only paralyze him

Lay it down, lay it down

He sold most of what he cherished,
the rest he let them steal
Shot his dog out in the open field,
the rest he let them steal

COSRX Memebox Review

Way back in August I finally broke down and bought my first Memebox.  It's a rabbit hole I've been avoiding, because you know, I tend to overdo stuff.  Plus, there is so many friggin' Asian brands and Asian beauty seems to have a never ending sequence of steps and who has that kind of time?  But I digress....

The COSRX box is the one that tipped the iceberg for me.  I've been using the products to varying degrees for 3 months now, so let's take a look at the items in the box and see if this was a worthwhile foray.

First of all, I do like the minimalistic packaging of COSRX.  The mission/aesthetic of this South Korean company is to make effective products with safe and natural ingredients, all while keeping prices lower by minimizing advertising and design costs.  The brand is also known for it's AHA/BHA products, two of which are included in this Memebox.  My oily skin should, in theory, benefit greatly from AHA/BHA's, so that was one of the draws for me in purchasing.

The AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner ($13) is supposed to be a gentle pH balancing toner, and the AHA/BHA properties come in the form of the Willow Bark Water, Apple Fruit Water, and Glycolic Acid.  This is one of my favorite items from the box, and the one I've been the most faithful in using.  I tended to spray it all over my face as opposed to using cotton pads, especially in the mornings.  I've got about 1/4 of a bottle left and have purchased another, so I'd say I'm a fan.

Tied with the toner in my affection is the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($19).  This is my first snail product, and it's composed of a whopping 96% of the clear gel-like substance that is secreted when snails crawl across rough surfaces.  Why spread snail slime on your face, you ask?  Well, apparently it has some powerful skin healing properties.  Plus, it works well on my oily skin as a light moisturizer and does not interfere with my foundation.  My skin absorbs it quickly and I then apply my moisturizer of choice.  I dunno,  gels and I are compatico.

The product that has seen the least amount of use from me is the BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum ($15).  Notice the demarcation in the ingredients?  There is a powdery essence in the mix that is supposed to help absorb oil, although my skin seems to defeat everything.  I admit to getting a bit lost with how to layer Asian products, and I'm just not really sure how to incorporate this in my routine. Plus, it lives in my refrigerator and I tend to forget about it as a result.  Once I get over these hurdles it could well turn out to be a star.

Shake, shake, shake to mix!

Last up is the Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser ($7.50).  I'm educated about Asian beauty enough now to know that many consider low pH cleansers to be de riguer, and this one has a high pH level of 9 or so.  Personally, I haven't had a problem with it, but the issue is that high pH cleanser may disrupt the skin's protective lipid barrier, making it more prone to irritation, bacteria, and other less than optimal things.  High pH cleansers also mean you need to use a pH adjusting toner to get your skin back to the levels that will work with AHA/BHA's, so there's that as well.  COSRX has now come out with a lower pH level cleanser, but I'll continue to use this one at night as part of my double cleansing routine.  It smells of tea tree oil, which I happen to enjoy, and lathers up nicely if that is important to you.

Ingredients:  Glycerin, Water, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Peg-32, Cocamidopropyl Betaine Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyquaternium-7, Lauramide Dea, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Polysorbate 60, Peg-100 Stearate, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cellulose Gum, Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Extract, Disodium Edta

Overall, I feel like my skin is looking pretty good!  My pores look smaller/more refined and breakouts are minimal.  I've actually got a COSRX sleeping pack on the way in addition to the AHA/BHA toner, so I'm branching out.  I'm also reading the No/Low Buy Asian Beauty thread on reddit.com just in case.  It's a rabbit hole, I'm telling you.

The COSRX Memebox is still available for $46 ($67 value), and there are usually some discount codes floating around (I always Google for those) that can help lower the cost.  Here is my referral Memebox link if you'd like to use that, which I believe nets me some Memebox dollars?  I really can't remember.

Yogi Surprise Jewelry Box: The Gift of Gratitude

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I recently subscribed to a new subscription box, the Yogi Surprise Jewelry Box ($24.99/mo).  Each month I'll be receiving 2 yoga inspired jewelry pieces as well a one chocolate treat. November's theme is "The Gift of Gratitude":

Inside the box were a lovely moonstone and rosewood bracelet and mala.  I'll be honest and say I had no idea was a mala was, but now that I do (thank goodness for the Internet), I like it even more.

So what are mala beads?

Buddhist mala beads are a centuries old tool, designed to keep the mind focused on the practice of prayer and meditation. The symbol of the never ending cycle, each bead in the Mala counts a Sanskrit prayer, or mantra in sets of 108 repetitions. 

Combining tactile and conscious awareness, the beads are moved sequentially in rhythm with breathing. Each mantra centers and stills the mind, allowing the focus to be on the meaning of the mantra, rather than counting the repetitions. Each time the mantra is repeated, the fingers move to the next bead. When using a Mala repeatedly, it is believed to take on the energy of the mantra that is being recited. (chopa.com) 

I'll also be honest and say I wasn't a fan of the tassel, so I cut it off.  I hope I haven't already damaged my karma, but so be it.  I did see pictures of malas online that do not have a tassel, so I think I'm okay:-)  Both the necklace and bracelet appear very well made/sturdy, and all pieces are

• Fairtrade
• Sustainably Harvested
• Nickle-free, Lead-free and Cadmium-free
• Made in Bali, Indonesia

Furthermore, 10% of all proceeds are given to further education for the Balinese families who hand make the jewelry pieces.  Cool.

I really like the contrast of the warm red rosewood with the milky moonstone. Rosewood is said to be a protective wood that can shield you from negative energy, and is also known for healing, improving circulation, and manifesting what you desire, dream, and need to heal.  Moonstone is associated with the sacra chakra, which has the primary purpose of emotional control, relationship development, financial success, and creative expression.  Moonstones are also known as they psychic's gemstone, as they are supposed to help with intuition.  

The chocolate treat in November's box is Coco-Nut Crunch from Nicobella Organics. I have an aversion to coconut so these will be a welcome addition in someone's Christmas stocking.

I've been wearing the bracelet and mala this week and I'm really liking them!  I do find myself fingering the beads frequently, and I'm hoping I can get back in the habit of saying mantras, as I do find them helpful for focusing my mind.  My yoga practice is somewhat of a necessity due to my not quite straight spine and the issues that engenders, but I'm still quite a novice.

I'm looking forward to December's Yogi Surprise, which will include a Green Tree Agate and Rose Quartz Om necklace:

Mally Evercolor 5 Pc Shadow Stick Set

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I received one of Mally's Evercolor Shadow Sticks in the color Fireworks (full review here) a while back as a GWP, and I like it.  So, when I saw this 5 piece set on Ulta I decided to expand my Evercolor collection.  I was also hoping it would curb my desire for the more expensive Laura Mercier Caviar Stick holiday set.  Let's see how that worked out.

The colors are described as ombre, and I can kind of see that.  This is a neutral eye color lover's dream, with the array of soft beiges/browns/taupes.

Bliss is a soft taupe shimmer:

Brownstone is a medium warm brown shimmer:

Mahogany is a brown with burgundy shimmer and the darkest of the colors:

Moonlight is a pale yellow gold shimmer and works well as an inner eye, brow, and cupid's bow highlighter:

Timeless Taupe is a matte taupe and works well in the crease to give depth.  This could also work to shade other parts of the face, and it did a good job on the sides of my nose.  It's really similar in packaging/concept to Burberry's Effortless Contour Face & Eye Pen, but perhaps more cool toned than Medium 01, which is currently out of stock at Sephora.  This one is the most unique to me.

I did see a review from someone who commented on the lack of pigment in these.  I'm not so sure that they lack pigment, but more that they are are softer, more muted shades.  They make for easy work looks or no makeup/makeup looks.  Are they unique?  Not really, but I have a feeling they will be workhorses for me.

The shadow sticks apply easily and are smudgeable with a brush, although some of their complexity/shimmer is lost when you do that.  I smudge them out and then apply another layer to get more color impact.  One they set, I get 8-9 hour crease proof wear on my oily lids.  That's good.

Brownstone

Mahogany

Mahogany (outside in full sun)

Timeless Taupe in crease

Looks like this set is temporarily out of stock at Ulta right now, which was fast as I don't think it's been out very long. I'm assuming it will be restocked.

Brownstone