Eyes

Meg here with quite a conundrum. I have Shisheido marked as a "Fab Friday" item. I thought from the packaging and quality and overall reputation of the company that everything was going to be very pricey. Well, while it certainly is not a DD, I'm looking through the press releases on the items Jenia so graciously sent us to try out and I can't find anything over $100. In fact everything seems to run around $20-$60 except for the NutriPerfect Day Cream Spf 15 and Night Cream at $92. I guess I always just assumed Shisheido was created for really deep pockets and you know what they say about assuming.

Shisheido sent us ladies out 6 different items to test. I'm funny at our mailings, you would think I'd say "I'm grabbing this! And go pick first. I never do. It's so strange. It's one of the things I'm going to be working on. I'm a strong, vocal person but I have a deep fear of seeming rude or greedy. I also apologize to furniture when I bump into it and leave atleast a dollar tip at Starbucks for my $1.75 coffee. On the flip side, if I have one cigg left in my pack or there's only enough champagne for one last glass-go for it. I can promise that will be the last thing you ever go for though. Addiction is stronger then affliction.

Anywhoo, all the products were laid out and all the ladies made a play for them until there was one lone lipstick left. It was tre's uber Barbie pink. A frightening pink that screamed "Baby Jane". Back to the don't judge a book by its cover, I said I'd test it and opened it right there. It's a great spring color. The color is Rouge Iris from their shimmering lipstick line. It went on suble like a gloss with golden, metallic shimmers. It also is packed with oils that feel so smooth on your lips. The girls should have read the press release before they chose because this lipstick is "A new shimmering lipstick innovation, combining the glossy brilliance of lip gloss with the staying power of lipstick".

I can hear Desertdoll kicking herself from here (about a 2 1/2 car ride away.)

If everything the other ladies chose performed as well as my new shimmering lipstick then I think Shiseido is a beautiful brand with an upscale, yet realistic price tag. My shimmering lipstick retails for $22.00

Thank-you for reminding me that the "If you have to ask then you can't afford it". mantra is not always true.

Ladies please post what Shisheido item you tested and how it fared? Other Shisheido fans let us now what else we need!!

Shiseido-Buy it Here!

Kate2004rock is our resident Sephora expert! It's Meg here to bring a true Megsmakeup cult item back to your attention now that the sun is out and you can shed your ghostly hues! All of the girls lost their minds back when Sugar sent us their Tropic Tan Duos and Bronzers! Read the reviews! I can say hands down it is the BEST powder bronzer compact I have ever used. Anyhow, Kate2004rock ran into the Sugar rep doing her Sephora duties and reminded her of her friends here at Megsmakeup.com. Got to love that Katie! She's always plugging us!

Low and behold about a week later, I received a big box of various Sugar goodies for us to try out. Now, I don't know, they have set the bar so high with us already (their Kabuki brush is also to die for!) how they could compete with their own bronzer. Are they really that multi-talented?

I picked their new Colorstick cream eyeshadow in Apple Cider (a golden tan shimmer) it's a "Beautiful, creamy eye shadow sticks.What it does:It's okay to color outside of the lines! These creamy shadows glide on effortlessly and dry to a shimmering finish. With a fool-proof application and a creaseless formula, Sugar Sticks can be worn alone or layered with powder shadows."

The color is very light and subtle, I have it in my purse cosmetic case for quick eye touch ups during the day. I don't have to worry about it going to crumble and no applicator is needed so it's perfect in the car at a red light. For ladies that are fans of the no-make-up naturally pretty look this is a great eye brightening tool. It doesn't make my nightime routine though as I go for more walaah! Drama when the sunsets. If you're one of those corporate types where vampy eyes are frowned upon then I'd give this a ringing 9-5 endorsement.

It's a great product and I like it, but again, if anyone ever tried to get between me and my Sugar Tropic Tan Bronzer, well, now that would not be pretty!

Ladies, pour some Sugar on me! What did you test and how did you like it? Let us know!

="http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml;jsessionid=BSP45IL1TDDVGCV0KQJRXCQ?brandId=4401&categoryId=C105">SUGAR! BUY IT HERE!

Meg here with a little confidential info on Megsmakeup.com. When you have a blog or a website there is a tool called "Google Analytics" that you can log into. What does it do? Well, its very helpful, it shows how many readers you get, where they live (CA and NY are our largest audience.) What the top keywords are typed in to reach our site. You may think the top words would be "lipgloss" or "eyeliner" or "green products" (I thought so anyway.) They're not! You how over 400 new members find megsmakeup a day? Well about everyday 400 women enter the term "Revitalash" and are sent to our reviews on this product. If you go to Revitalash? Should I Buy This? You'll have some insight on how this all came about. I knew nothing of Revitalash, this was back almost a year ago. Our readers knew all about Revitalash and left 19 extremely detailed, passionate reviews on how this was a "must buy". The comments were outrageous "never wear mascara again" to the truly unbelievable "I have to trim my eyelashes they're so long now!"

It took me about a year (I know, I'm speedy) to reach out to Revitalash and see if they wanted to do a promotion with Megsmakeup.com. Since their review was over a year ago, if they would advertise and support us over here our readers could trust that we were not just pushing the item to make a buck. It really is more to spotlight them since so many women have been searching for reviews and trying to learn about this miracle-albeit pricey product.

After a few calls, I finally got in touch with the creator, Dr. Brinkenhoff. Speaking with him was a real pleasure. I wanted to make sure that before I got behind this amazing product it was all safe. I mean people loved Fen-Phen too and look where that got us. Skinny with a side of heart attack, anyone? After an in-depth conversation, with the good Doctor ( A very respected ophthalmologist) I had no reservations about standing behind this product. In fact, as I stare at my new, Bette Davis eyes I am assured they are as good for me as they look! How do they look? SO LONG! THICK! FULL AND LUSH!

The RevitaLash Story

It all began because a husband wanted to give his wife a very special gift...

RevitaLash™ was developed by Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff as a special gift for his wife, Gayle, while she was recovering from breast cancer. Intensive chemotherapy treatments had damaged Gayle’s once-beautiful eyelashes, leaving them sparse, breakable and fragile.

After extensive research with a team of talented cosmetic chemists, Dr. Brinkenhoff formulated an eyelash conditioner that, after just a few weeks, gave a renewed look of vitality to Gayle’s eyelashes.

Soon friends and family wanted to know Gayle’s secret to beautiful looking eyelashes. Gayle knew immediately the perfect name for the amazing eyelash conditioner that had given her eyelashes a renewed look of vitality: RevitaLash™.

Thus, a new product was born; and a formula created originally for just one special woman has become a product available to women everywhere who want to have beautiful looking eyelashes.

Gayle and Michael are committed to donating a portion of the proceeds from RevitaLash™ sales to benefit non-profit breast cancer research and education initiatives. In fact, they give them away to women that have completed their chemo!
"Often we feel helpless when someone we love is suffering. I am very fortunate, in my own small way, to have been able to help Gayle through her recovery. Watching her be excited about her beautiful looking eyelashes has been a real joy."

Don't you love when there is a miracle product that is 100% made with love and care? espescially when that translates into bringing your inner beauty out? Any more Revitalash addicts?

REVITALASH! BUY IT HERE

Every week Chichi brings you the latest and greatest eco-friendly beauty products on Green Chi Tuesday! Today, we can thank the ever lovely Nancy of Korres Natural products for sending us two all natural make-up items for the megsmakeup gang to test! You may remember my post when I discovered the Mint Tea Shower Gel during a visit to desertdoll and her well-stocked guest bathroom. Later, we were so happy to receive the Party Survival Kit for a crash course in the best that Korres has to offer in bath and body. Now, we’re checking out Korres Color - their line of soft and beautiful make-up for face, eyes and lips. Our lucky testers will be reviewing the Quince Lip Butter and the Deep Color Mascara in grey-green.

When I pulled out these two products for testing, the first thing that came to mind is that I am so happy spring is on its way! The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising and here in Los Angeles, the grass is getting green and the trees are in bloom. I know, my friends in some parts of the country have a few more weeks of cold in store for them, so let some fresh, spring make-up add a little joy to your day! As much as I love strong and dramatic make-up, especially for evenings, my favorite look is the “no make up” makeup style. I couldn’t wait to sweep the grey-green mascara over my lashes, dab a bit of the softly tinted Quince Lip Butter on my lips and sail out the door looking as fresh and glowing as a starlet on a CW show!

All right, so no one is going to mistake me for Alexis Bledel or Kerri Russell, but these two products sure help when you are looking for an easy and pretty daytime look. For you people that actually watch television shows about adults, Alexis and Kerri starred in the teen dramas “Gilmore Girls” and “Felicity.” If there is one thing I know about, it’s teen dramas and these two are the epitome of that fresh faced, hint of color, all-natural beauty that I pine for when watching my shows. I know, those shows are a bit dated, but the 25 year olds playing high school students on TV today, could use a lesson in the natural look - less is more, sweeties!

That couldn’t be any truer than with the Lip Butter in Quince - this subtly pink tinted balm melts on your lips and leaves a shiny, rosy hue behind. The balm is sweetly scented and tastes of berries and like all Korres products is full of all natural, fresh ingredients. This lip balm relies on shea butter and rice wax to nourish and moisturize lips and is free of mineral oils, silicone, propylene Glycol and ethanolamine. I adore the sheer color and long lasting consistency.

I was also very pleased with the Deep Color Mascara in grey-green. This mascara added such glossy definition to my lashes and eyes and the softer than black color seems less harsh during daytime. This mascara is ”rich in provitamin B5 and Rice bran “ to strengthen and condition lashes while still being free of synthetic fillers like mineral oil and propylene. As a contact lens wearer, I normally need to wear waterproof mascaras, but had no issues with Korres. It stayed in place and was relatively smudge-free and I had no problem with stinging or itchy eyes. The best part about this mascara is its consistency. No clumps at all! In fact, the consistency is so smooth, you can layer as much as you like without worrying about globs of product sticking in your lashes.

Truthfully, I need a few more products to complete my “no make-up face”, but the Lip Butter and Deep Color Mascara are two must-have, anchor products. I usually dab some cover-up over any blemishes and my under eye circles. If I’m feeling shiny, maybe a sweep of translucent powder. Add just a hint of bright blush to the apples of my checks and voila - a quick, polished daytime look! This 30 something lady may not pass for a student at Sunnydale high, but on a good day, possibly a coed at California University?

Ladies, let us know if Korres Deep Color Mascara and Quince Lip Butter perked up your spring face with all natural beauty. Or share your tips for creating a fresh “no make up” made up face!

Korres Natural Products - Buy Them Here!

Every Saturday Kate2004rock brings you the best of Sephora as only an insider can!

When I turned 13, my mother took me to the Clinique counter. I guess she figured she couldn't deny the inevitable, so it was better that someone show me how to wear makeup properly since I was clearly going to do it anyways! Little did she know what kind of monster she was unleashing... I was so excited though with all my makeup. I OF COURSE had to carry it to school in one of the cool GWP bags that all the other girls had. That didn't last very long. A couple of broken powder compacts all over your homework. I pretty much officially gave up. I never carry makeup in my bag. Lip products excluded, I just don't see the point. And occasionally concealer if I'm having a self-conscious acne day. Besides all that, shouldn't your makeup last all day anyhow? I mean especially if you spend lots of money on it!? Well I know I may be in the minority, but I've done some research and I've come up with some good tools to have, if, in fact I HAD to carry up a pick-me-up palette with me on a daily basis. A sampling:

Tarte Infinite Glow - has some Park Ave. Princess Bronzer, the famous cheek-stain in Tipsy and a 24.7 lip sheer in in May Flowers. Ok and now that I really look at it, I REALLY want this little palette compact combo anyways. Its pretty cool! And I think $30 is a great price for it! From my experience, Tarte's magnetic closure compacts are sturdy and tough.

Ok, now the Urban Decay Urban Arsenal ($42) might be a little bit onerous for day-to-day wear but It's perfect for maybe a weekend travel packing list. Lip plumper, Primer Potion (ESSENTIAL!), gloss, mini mascara, a blush and four wearable but pretty eye shadows all packed in a cute little compartmentalized box! It's sheer genius.

I also have to say that despite the ridiculously large box and the individual bubble wrapping of all the pieces, the Smashbox Master Class Vol. 2 Set is very packable. The three compacts (bronzer/blush, shadow trio, gloss trio). Are slim and sturdy. A mini primper potion, necessary brushes and Eyeliner are slim and manageable. All you need to add is mascara! $59 for a complete wardrobe isn't to shabby either.

You can also minimize greatly in the skincare realm. Something like Cosmedicine's Starter Sets ($48) have everything you need. Cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream, exfoliater and treatment. Comes in oily and dry varieties. And the tubes are a good size while still being petite. A lot of bang for the buck.

Obviously I can't go an entire post without mentioning Caudalie. This recommendation, well, not so practical but still really cool! They have a special trio of travel Beauty Elixirs now for $41 (saving $4!). And the bottles are specially designed and really pretty. Limited edition - don't wait!

What kits have you ladies going crazy for? Also check Celebrities Anonymous in Meg's Cocktail Hour -It's great!