Makeup :The Fashionable Gal

Urban Decay Holiday 2010

August 12th, 2010 by Laney

I just saw a sneak peak of Urban Decay’s Holiday 2010 collection on Facebook. I think my heart leapt out of my chest and my wallet out of my purse simultaneously. I JUST got home from a trip to NYC and and am missing it already! This is an adorable representation of the city, and the combination of Urban Decay favorites. Both the box’s cover and the interior pop-up are very appealing to me… I’m a sucker for great packaging.

Here’s a closeup of the makeup included:

What do you think of this set? I’m not sure when it will be available or what the cost will be – yet – but I’ll be sure to have the info when I have it!

If this is priced in your budget range (or perhaps a bit over, oops!) will you be picking it up? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted in Makeup Related Topics: Urban Decay, urban decay 2010, urban decay holiday 2010, urban decay holiday nyc, urban decay new york city palette, urban decay nyc palette

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New Favorite Neutral: HIP Crystal Shadow in Romantic

July 8th, 2010 by Laney

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HIP High Intensity Pigments Shadow Duos are now HIP Studio Secrets Professional Shadow Duos. These shadows feature a micro-pulverized formula that allows for even, intense color deposit for contouring and defining.

I received one of these new HIP Crystal Duos in “Romantic.” The shade on the left is more green in person, with a slight aqua tint. The photo of the neutral side is very true to life. I haven’t tried any of the other four, but I’ve read reviews and it seems others have had the same experience – the new formula is a hot mess. It flakes EVERYWHERE, and essentially no pigment stays on the lid. Basically just a small amount of the glitter remains.

EXCEPT for the neutral side. It has become a new staple in my makeup collection, and I’ve been using it just about every day. For some reason, the formula of the neutral side seems to be completely different – it adheres well, provides rich pigmentation, and lasts a long time. I LOVE it! It’s worth buying this duo just for the neutral shade, and I highly recommend doing so. Buy it from Drugstore.com!

Posted in Makeup Related Topics: best neutral eyeshadows, HIP by L'Oreal, HIP eyeshadow, HIP shadow duos, HIP studio secrets professional shadow duos, neutral shadow

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Sex and the City 2 Glam from gloProfessional

June 24th, 2010 by Laney

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gloProfessional is beyond excited about Sex and the City 2 so they combed the internet watching trailers and pining for the glamorous looks seen in photos from the movie. They’ve taken it one step further by dreaming up what makeup and skincare products they think Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha would bring on their exotic adventure.

I think this is so much fun! Personally, I love Charlotte’s style the most, and enjoy seeing what she wears in all the Sex & the City episodes and movies. Taking it one step further and imaging what makeup she might wear is just as enjoyable. I think the ladies at gloProfessional did a fab job selecting dream products for the four ladies. Follow the jump to see the rest of their picks! (All products are available online.)

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Posted in Celebrity Fashion, Makeup Related Topics: carrie bradshaw makeup, gloprofessional, gloprofessional cosmetics, gloprofessional sex and the city, sex & the city 2, sex & the city 2 makeup, sex & the city 2 makeup themes

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Summer’s Perfect Pink Lipstick from Napoleon Perdis

June 22nd, 2010 by Laney

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From subtle to sassy, DéVine Goddess empowers you with sophisticated and chic colors.

This signature series is enriched with herbal extracts and antioxidants to pamper your pout - leaving lips color saturated for seduction. Transcend to timeless beauty with DéVine Goddess.

Summer is an exciting season – there’s so much to do, see, and enjoy. The daylight lasts longer, the weather is inviting, and I don’t want to spend all day on my makeup. I currently have two go to looks for the season, both of which I can pull together in about fifteen minutes. The first focuses on peachy shades, and the second involves pink lips and cheeks.

In order to ensure that these looks go on fast and stay all day, I’ve had to search out the perfect products to incorporate. Recently, I received some Napoleon Perdis products to review. To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled with all of them – perhaps because they weren’t really seasonally appropriate. However, a few did stand out from the pack. My hands down favorite – and my go to pink lipstick for summer – is Devine Goddess in SMP.

The photo above doesn’t do SMP justice; in person, it’s about the same shade as my beloved Rose pigment from MAC. The formula is creamy and contains a hint of gold shimmer that will be flattering on many skin tones. It’s a “my lips but better” product that isn’t too over the top for summer and will last for hours. It’s available through the link above, from Beauty.com, for $22.

Posted in Makeup Related Topics: best pink lipstick, napoleon perdis, napoleon perdis cosmetics, napoleon perdis devine goddess, napoleon perdis lipstick, pink for summer 2010, pink lipstick for summer

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Laura Mercier on Gilt Group TODAY!

June 10th, 2010 by Laney

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World-renowned painter turned talented makeup artist, Laura Mercier combines her Parisian beginnings and New York expertise to create a beauty and skincare line that is praised by fashion and beauty insiders the world over. Known for her signature flawless face, Mercier brings effortless chic to makeup with expertly crafted shades and palettes designed to help every women achieve her ultimate beauty potential.

This Thursday, Gilt Groupe will help bring Laura Mercier’s intrinsic touch to your daily beauty routine by offering a variety of products from the coveted line. From lip and eye collections, to delicate bath and body combos, we have your beauty regimen covered!

I love Laura Mercier products and am drooling over the selection below. The sale will include more, of course, at the same great prices – about 50% off retail value. I see great colors for all year round… Stocking up on Fall colors and palettes now will have you covered for back to school and save you from dropping big bucks on whatever expensive season product is being touted as a MUST HAVE in September. I’ve also been keeping my eye on sales like these to score birthday presents for the four ladies in my life with summer celebrations.

The sale will open today at 12 PM EST. If you’re not already a member of Gilt, this is your head’s up – join now!

Luxe Lip & Eye Collection 5 Piece Kit & Case
Original Retail: $75, Gilt: $37.50

Eye Color Pot& Brush Bronze Gold
Original Retail: $66, Gilt: $34

Spring Blooms Collection 6 Piece Set and Tote
Original Retail: $114, Gilt:$48

Body & Bath Duo Crème Brulee
Original Retail: $40, Gilt: $24

Posted in Deals & Steals, Makeup Related Topics: gilt groupe, gilt groupe invitation, Laura Mercier, laura mercier on gilt groupe, laura mercier sale, laura mercier sample sale, laura mercier sets

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Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner Review

May 21st, 2010 by Laney

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Obsessed for Smudge Pots? You’ll go crazy for Smudge Sticks! This highly pigmented, waterproof eye liner glides on to deliver intense, vibrant color with staying power. These easy to apply, eye liners have it all: long lasting, waterproof, easy to apply, make eyes stand out, vibrant colors, self-sharpening propel pencil. Available in eight show stopping shades; $20 apiece.

Stila sent me one of their new Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liners in the color “Moray,” which is an olive color with hints of shimmer. I only have a few Stila products in my makeup case, but I highly enjoy each of them. The Smudge Stick is no exception and has become my new favorite green. I know Summer’s a great opportunity to wear neon colors, but olive is sophisticated without being stuffy, and is a great color to try for a smoky eye.

The formula is really creamy, but unlike many creamy products, it stays in place really well. It’s a reliable liner that will stay on for the day or night, and the waterproof factor helps it stay on even if you’re sweating or in less than optimal weather. My top picks for Summer 2010 are Koi (metallic gold) and Peacock (cobalt blue) as day to night colors that will pair well with the season’s trends.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner are available at Sephora.com

Posted in Makeup Related Topics: metallic gold eye liner, smudge proof eye liner, stila 2010, stila eye liner, stila smudge stick, stila smudge stick waterproof eye liner, summer 2010 makeup trends, waterproof eye liner

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CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast Giveaway CLOSED

May 20th, 2010 by Laney

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This spring, all the stars rocked the smoky eye look on the red carpet during award season. Thanks to the help of their professional makeup artists, their perfectly blended and smoked out, smoky eye appeared flawless.

YouTube sensation and DIY beauty expert, Hanh Bui, has created a COVERGIRL video, demonstrating how fun and easy it can be to get the most popular beauty look of the season, the smoky eye, with COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast. The video demonstrates how consumers can channel their own makeup artist and get this coveted look all on their own using Smoky ShadowBlast.

I adore CoverGirl’s Smoky ShadowBlasts. I love to use them as a base under eyeshadow to make colors really pop. In a rush, they work great by themselves – and for those of you who like more subtle looks, their light wash of color will be perfect alone. The pairings all work really well together, even the orange/green combo that seems like a bad idea in the tube. They’re also super easy to travel with, and are easy to toss into your purse for a quick touch up while you’re out or a fast redo in the morning.

Currently, I have the green/orange combo and my mom has the brown/pink. However, CoverGirl is sending me one of the kits pictures above so I can check out the rest of the colors! I’m really looking forward to creating some fun summer looks with the blue combo.

CoverGirl has very generously offered SEVEN kits (approximately a $50 value) for you lucky gals! So, of course, it’s contest time! Five winners will be selected through a traditional contest, and two winner will be selected on Facebook. Read on for the details.

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Posted in Contests & Giveaways, Makeup Related Topics: covergirl, covergirl and hanh bui, covergirl giveaway, covergirl shadowblast, covergirl smoky eye kits, covergirl smoky shadowblast, covergirl smoky shadowblast kits, hanh bui, hanh bui on youtube

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Tarte Summer Prep Kit Giveaway ($100 Value!)

May 17th, 2010 by Laney

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tarte

Recently, tarte asked me to part of a fun new blogger initiative they’ve created. Several times throughout the year, they’ll send me a set of hand-picked products for me to check out and share with you. Yeah, I know – great for me… But how does it concern you (aside from the fact that I’ll be keeping you in the know about the best of tarte)? Well, they won’t just be sending me once set of products… They’ll be sending me two! And that second set, dear readers, will be given away to one of YOU!

Today, I’m here to dish on the first set of products – and yes, host a great giveaway. So read on to find out what fab swag is up for grabs!

First up is the ReCreate Silicone-Free Primer with Wrinkle-Rewind Technology ($32). This primer is perfect for those with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Like ReCreate Foundation, this anti-aging primer is powered by Wrinkle Rewind technology for clinically proven results. 67% decrease in wrinkles, 47% increase in firmness, 53% increase in skin’s moisture content in just 15 minutes post-application.

I love the feel of this primer when I put it on after moisturizing. It’s very soothing on my irritated skin, which definitely fits the criteria of “sensitive, oily, and acne-prone.” It doesn’t emphasize any of these products, and instead, helps the foundation that covers them up to stay in place! Considering how hard it is to keep makeup on my skin during the hot summer months, I’m excited to have a great primer to rely on so I can keep my makeup looking great!

The second product in the batch is Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer ($29).

Sweep on this lightweight mineral powder and reap all the benefits: the fragrance free, talc free formula allows skin to breathe and it won’t clog your pores even on the hottest days (and steamiest nights!). This formula is darker and packaged slightly differently than the original Park Avenue Princess Bronzer (pictured at top) and is now matte AND waterproof! I’m far too pale to wear bronzer, but I gave this to my mom, as she’s a real bronzer fiend. She’s used tarte bronzer before and told me that it was great – plus, we both think the packaging is adorable! This is a great item for a summer at the beach or a tropical vacation, especially considering that it’s waterproof.

The third, and my personal favorite, in the pack is MultiplEYE™ Natural Lash Enhancing Mascara ($24). Fortify lashes by naturally increasing lash volume by 638% while increasing the appearance of lash length and growth. Using a unique blend of high-performance natural™ botanical nutrients we’ve engineered a nourishing onyx-black mascara base infused with our proprietary HydroPlant™ peptide, a soy-amino super protein, to help stimulate lashes for a 638% increase in lash volume and increased appearance of length, growth and strength.

This is hands down the best mascara I’ve used in months. It separates, thickens, and elongates my lashes without even the tiniest amount of clumping. And it reminded me of the miracle that is two coats of mascara – since there’s no clumping, two coats are a snap and make me look like I’m wearing false eye lashes. And the results are even better when paired with the last product…

The last product up for grabs is the Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler ($15). The picture perfect curler ensures an easy and painless eyelash curl with every use! before this, I was under the impression that all eyelash curlers were created equal. Not so, my friends! With my old curler, I got an almost ninety degree bend in my lashes, and almost always pulled them when they stuck to the cheap material it was made with. The Picture Perfect caller from tarte creates a soft bend and doesn’t pull my lashes. When I use it with the multiplEYE mascara, the results are absolutely amazing!

CONTEST INFO: One lucky gal will win all the items mentioned above, which have a combined retail value of $100! You must complete the Mandatory Entry for all Extra Entries to count; please leave a separate comment for each. US Residents only, please. This contest will run until May 21, 2010, 11:59 PM EST.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Which product are you most interested in trying, and why? Also, do you have any favorite tarte products?

EXTRA ENTRIES:

Fan tarte on Facebook – 1 Entry

Fan The Fashionable Gal on Facebook – 1 Entry

Follow tarte on Twitter – 1 Entry

Follow @fashionablegal on Twitter – 1 Entry

Blog this Giveaway (leave a link) – 5 Entries

Add me to your Blog Roll – 3 Entries

Share in any other way you’d like (Facebook, Stumble, Digg, etc) – 1 Entry per Location

Tweet the Giveaway using the following text – 1 Entry per Tweet, Max 2 per Day

#Win $100 worth of products from @tartecosmetics & @fashionablegal – including 4 summer favorites! http://wp.me/pbj1u-1Oq

Posted in Beauty Products, Contests & Giveaways, Makeup Related Topics: best eyelash curler, tarte, tarte cosmetics, tarte cosmetics giveaway, tarte multipleye mascara, tarte multipleye natural lash enhancing mascara, tarte park avenue princess bronzer, tarte park avenue princess matte bronzer, tarte picture perfect eyelash curler, tarte recreate silicone free primer

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Philosophy Color of Grace Makeup Collection

May 10th, 2010 by Laney

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philosophy: where there is grace, there is beauty

grace is the color of beauty; the color of dreams. grace is seeing the beauty in everything and the beauty within. grace is thinking of others first, blushing at the thought and counting your blessings. grace is pretty on the inside and the outside. grace is uplifting. where there is grace, there is beauty.

inspired by philosophy’s best-selling fragrance, amazing grace, the color of grace is makeup that embraces your inner girl with all things pink and beautiful. philosophy created skin-loving formulas in perfect pink shades that deliver sheer color and heavenly luminosity for a look that is soft, graceful and inspired.

everyone looks prettier in pink lighting. the color of grace is universally flattering and created for all women who want to feel sweet, kind, pretty and feminine.

Two new additions to this gorgeous, alluring collection include The Color of Grace™ Eyelighting Shadow Duo in Heaven / Earth and The Color of Grace™ Angel Kiss Lip Gloss in Pretty Please. Philosophy was kind enough to send me both for review so I could share my thoughts with you gals.

sheer washes of color that light up the eyes with delicately shimmering minerals ($22)

This delicate duo pairs two flattering, summer friendly shades in one adorable compact that features a handy mirror built into the lid. Both shades will pair well with a tan and are great for taking on vacations where you’ll want to do your makeup in a snap but still achieve a great end result. I gave this compact to a friend who’s just getting into makeup, as the shades are great ones to play with if you’re a makeup newbie – inviting, rather than frightening!

lip-loving gloss that blends high-shine, sheer color with lip-caring goodness. the formula contains lip plumpers, acai berries, pomegranate and shea butter to enhance the fullness, softness and natural rosiness of lips, while a hint of vanilla-mint flavor refreshes the breath.

This is my new favorite and my go to gloss. Like the shadow, it features a mirror in the lid, which makes touch ups super simple. The gloss itself is a creamy gel that isn’t sticky or unpleasant – just soothing and shiny. The tint is light and very natural so it’s great for daytime looks or casual evenings out, and there’s no heavy, made-up look to it. The smell is very pleasing and not at all artificial like many of the lip glosses in my stock.

I’m incredibly impressed with the quality of these cosmetics, although I’d expect nothing less from Philosophy. After all, you ladies know that I can’t speak highly enough of their fabulous body washes. I recommend checking out the items I mentioned above, as well as the rest of the collection. Happy shopping!

Posted in Makeup Related Topics: Philosophy, philosophy angel kiss, philosophy angel kiss lip gloss, philosophy color of grace, philosophy cosmetics, philosophy eye shadow, philosophy eyelighting shadow duo, philosophy heaven/earth, philosophy lip gloss, philosophy makeup, philosophy mineral eye shadow, philosophy pretty please

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Urban Decay Summer of Love 2010

May 7th, 2010 by Laney

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It’s all about making love this summer! From our sexy Summer of Love Face Bronzer to the cheeky guys on our NEW Pocket Rocket Lip Glosses, you just might be inspired to host a love-in!

This summer, we gave free reign to our rebellious side. (Actually, when don’t we?) We were inspired to create a psychedelic offering of colors that made us feel…well, just plain BEAUTIFUL, man.

And while we can’t give you the summer off to dance barefoot and experiment with happy pills…we can give you that lovin’ feelin’ all season with a little help from your friends.

Summer of Love Shadow Palette $29

Say goodbye covered shoulders, hello sexy, when you wear these three golden neutrals together for a summery bronzed look. Our mix of textures gives you layers of silky-soft shimmer and flashy bits of gold. Play with how you blend them; from an au naturel glow, to a smoky eye with a bright pop. Bold against a tan. Feel the love in this palette, which includes a travel-sized Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion (to keep your look going strong on those long summer nights) and 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil …an addicting treat for any free spirit. Complete with mirror and magnetic cover (and some groovy vintage photos inside), you’ll want to host your own love-in.

Summer of Love Polish Kit (7 Shades) $28

Hard to choose which shade of polish you want? Celebrate free love with all of them! More arousing than full-size single bottles, this kit of IT girl polishes delivers punchy, offbeat shades of teal, orange, pink and orchid that will drive you absolutely mad. Your healthy inner hippie will appreciate that all of our colors are formulated without toluene, formaldehyde, or DBP and your analytical left brain will love the 220-strand brush for a highly detailed application of color. Fit them all into a purple faux suede zipper case and you’ll be ready to swing.

Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss in Max $19

Laid back and ready to get tubed, Max loves being salty and wet, and puts his all into making you feel swell. Undress him with a flick of your wrist and watch the tide rise. Also meet new shade Colin.

Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 $32

Hate fussing with heavy foundation, but need something that really performs? Seek protection with our Urban Defense. This formula is free of parabens and fragrance, is loaded with our multi-mineral complex, battles free radical damage, AND has SPF 20… watch out! Even better, its light-diffusing pigments diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, providing a youthful finish. Since it’s buildable, Urban Defense always has just the right amount of tint… wear it alone for light coverage (great for warm outdoor weather) or under powder for an extra polished look. Apply Urban Defense after your cleansing/toning ritual and you’re ready to face the day with moisture, sheer coverage and SPF 20 at your service.

Skindinavia Makeup Setting Sprays $26 – $29

Each spray addresses a different skin concern, but all are formulated to keep your makeup right where you want it! I’m most intrigued by De Slick and am hoping to pick up a tube before I head out West for vacation later this month. De Slick is also available in a new gel formula; great for touch ups on the go.

I’m really digging this whole new collection and it’s relaxed summer vibes. What are you loving about it? Have you picked up any of these products yet, or added them to your wish list? Let me know in the comments below.