Week of 11/14/2011
DAY TO NIGHT SHADOW OPTIONS REVIEW & SWATCHES
COUTURE COLOUR LUXEBLEND CREME HAIR COLOUR UPDATE
BIRCHBOX ($10/month) is a beauty sampling program that delivers 4-5 deluxe hand-picked samples to your door. For beauty addicts like me, its a great way to try new products without committing to full sizes. I got to try Orofluido Elixer ($29.99) as one of the products in my 1st BirchBox and I love how my hair not only looks and feels softer – but smells like vanilla and amber. That alone was worth the $10 monthly fee. Almost better than Netflix!
NOTE: Be sure to check out the Cosmetic Monster Facebook and Twitter (CosmeticMonstr8) for Birchbox updates!
←NEW! Kirkland 10 Piece Deluxe Brush Collection ($25.99). I’m a little bit of a brush snob – I worked for Shu Uemura after all! But I recently purchased this amazing and surprisingly good brush set at (wait for it)…Costco. The entire set costs less than one professional brush and the plum faux croc brush bag it comes with is actually really pretty and useful. This is a great set for beginners – although I’m sure several of these brushes will become my favorites. Available at select Costco stores.
→Nutra Nail Gel Perfect 5 Minute Gel-Color Manicure ($11.99). This DIY Gel Perfect kit is the first non-UV light manicure that gives nails a rock-hard finish with patent leather shine that lasts. Perfect for the holidays when most of your free time is taken up by shopping, cooking and gift wrapping! The application is a bit more complicated than a regular manicure and the product will yield about 4-6 manicures or pedicures. I purchased this in Peony – a slightly shimmery holiday red (remember Chanel Ruby Slippers?) but there are 12 shades ranging from Sheer Natural to Moonstone – a funky shimmery blue. Stay tuned for a review! 
NARS Blush in Madly ($27). Now that I’m 39, there are significant changes that I’ve had to make in my makeup application. A brighter lip, a touch more concealer and a bit more blush. Since I have high cheekbones AND full cheeks, wearing a lot of blush has not been my thing. Normally a generous application of bronzer is enough. However, I recently added a dose of this “warm soft-focus seashell pink” as a pop of color on my apples and temples – and POOF! It gives my skin a healthy glow without looking like I have blush on. I think my blush-phobia has been cured.
Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Anti-Aging Serum ($60). Lucky Magazine Beauty Director Jean Godfrey-June says of the facial oil: “I apply this all day long, whenever I think of it. Indigenous women all over the world have used oil for centuries, and this one is about as organic and nutrient-packed as it gets.”
Its unique blend includes argan, acai, ylang ylang, chamomile, geranium and other essential oils – and is meant to be applied immediately after their Anti-Aging Mist ($35) which facilitates the absorption and dispersion of the Anti-Aging Serum.
