Smashbox bronzer and highlighters

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:02:24 -0700

I hauled in some Smashbox goodies earlier this week on Monday. I can't find a match among their foundations (can't seem to find any that's both medium and yellow enough at the same time), but their bronzer (Fusion Lights Dusk) and highlighters (Soft Lights Lens and Soft Lights Shimmer) are GORGEOUS! I haven't been using bronzer-with-highlighter for very long, and these are idiot-proof; I didn't look like a sunburned orange or a disco ball. Looks very natural, and you only need to use a few light strokes for them to show up. Definitely a good deal, especially since there's a lot of product in the pan. And they're not glittery at all, so you don't have to worry about huge specks of glitter falling down your face. Just a nice, soft sheen.

Smashbox03

Smashbox02

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Aubrey Nicole haul (again)

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:26:17 -0700

I ordered full sizes from Aubrey Nicole during their Mardi Gras free shipping sale last February, and I received my package yesterday. I'm happy just looking at the huge 3oz jar of foundation. My haul:

Aubreynicole03

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Elegant Minerals samples

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:07:02 -0700

Today I tested my samples from Elegant Minerals. I ordered only two foundation shades - Cornsilk and Sandstone. Based on the website descriptions, it was pretty easy to narrow down my choices to just two.

Elegant01

I tried Sandstone first. To my eyes it looked yellow-peach. I think it had some peach undertones; I didn't bother doing a full face. I swatched both shades - applied wet - on the back of my hand. Sandstone looks peachier, while Cornsilk looks more yellow-olive.

Elegant02

When I tried Cornsilk, it was a perfect match! I wore it the rest of the day. I love the powder - it has light to medium buildable coverage, great slip, and a velvety matte finish. The pores on my nose appeared smaller, and it evened out the surface of the skin, making my cheeks look really smooth. I have to get a full size of this!

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Chapped Lips: Remedies!

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:49:31 -0700

I used to have chapped lips. As in really dry and flaking. I've tried a number of balms and creams, and these are the ones I've found most effective in healing, softening, and smoothening my chapped lips - Skinfood's Cocoa Lip Blam, The Face Shop's Lip Care Cream, and Kiehl's Lip Balm #1:

Skinfood02

Thefaceshop02

Kiehls01

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Blusche haul #2

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:51:26 -0700

I still have full sizes of Blusche, but I couldn't resist the cute new packaging! So I went ahead and bought more full sizes of foundation (what will I do with four jars of Creme Brulee?), concealer, and primer.

Blusche04

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Joppa haul

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:48:07 -0800

Joppa held a free shipping sale and so I ordered last February 6 and I received the package March 4. I just estimated the shades and ended up buying 4 full sizes because I wanted to take advantage of the free shipping! Free shipping (or even just reduced shipping) is always a great thing for international MMU addicts like me. ;)

Joppa01

At first glance, the Full Coverage Foundation in Medium #3 looked a little dark in the jar, and I was thankful that I ordered the Medium Light #3 too. But since I've always been a Medium, I opened the Medium #3 first. On application, the depth was just right. I would have liked a bit more yellow, but it's fine as it is. Not a perfect match, but close enough. It had good coverage - smooth, even, and not cakey. On my next order, I want to try the Soft Coverage.

The Bronzer Foundation in Bronzed Sienna looked a bit dark as well, but just like the Medium #3, it was just right when I brushed it on. It glides on smoothly (didn't clump) and has a nice, brownish-bronze sheen, perfect for summer. It's a pretty shade, not orange at all. And I liked the fact that it combined bronzer and foundation in one - how great is that?

The Simple Radiance Foundation in French Toast has a good amount of yellow. I didn't bother doing a full face, because it was already a great match when I swiped the brush in one stroke along my chin. It looks to be a better match than the Medium #3.

I was lucky I picked the right shades. Overall, I'm satisfied and will purchase again.

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Ellana haul #2

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:48:39 -0800

I love Ellana so much that I got myself a second haul: Patience (a soft, light brown blush), Smile (a concealer), Harmony (a golden bronzer), a backup Hazelnut Latte foundation, and a backup Espresso Con Panna finishing powder.

Ellana02

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Skinfood: Rice Concealer

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:06:22 -0800

The first item I decided to try from yesterday's Skinfood haul was the Rice Concealer.

Skinfood01

The SA convinced me to buy it when she said it was good for dark undereye circles, which is a problem I have. The doefoot applicator made it easy to apply, using it to dot tiny amounts under the eye and to cover two small dark spots on my chin.

The spots virtually disappeared. As for the undereye circles, at first I was concerned that it was too light, making me look like a reverse raccoon, but in a while it settled wonderfully and blended into my natural color. And the staying power is remarkable. I applied it in the morning, and when I came home at around 8:30pm, it was still in place. It didn't crease, cake, or melt. But because of that staying power, I had to remove it with an eye makeup remover instead of just simply washing it off.

I would recommend this for times when you'll be out the whole day and won't be back 'til late, because it doesn't budge and lasts so long.

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Fyrinnae: Ametrine

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:47:06 -0800

When I opened my Fyrinnae package yesterday and saw my full pot of Ametrine, my first thought was that it was a bit pale for my medium tone.

Fyrinnae02

But I tested it today, using a light layer of application, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that I didn't look sick or ghostly. And I love the formulation of the powder! It felt feather-light, it spread easily and didn't clump, and it did a great job with my pores. It wasn't a waste of money after all.

However, I have yet to try it with a heavy-handed application or additional layers. But as it is, as long as I keep the application light and thin, I can definitely wear this shade.

I might have to buy Sunstone, though. It's the next darker shade. Just for peace of mind. ;)

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Fyrinnae haul

nobody@vox.com(AprilSmith) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:26:27 -0800

Received my Fyrinnae package today! It arrived exactly 2 months since I ordered. It was a long wait, but I do appreciate Fyrinnae's honesty in informing customers about their order creation/processing time. At least their customers aren't left wondering what happened to their packages.

I ordered a full size of foundation in Ametrine (a yellow shade), two full sizes of glow blush in Hypnotize (a light, dusty peach), and a full size of eyeshadow in Snow White (matte black). A sample jar of eyeshadow in Njordr (a lovely, shimmery dark green) was included as a freebie.

Fyrinnae01

I really like the neatly-printed labels and the fact that the full pots are packed to the brim.

The Ametrine looks a bit light in the jar; maybe I should have gotten the next darker shade. At any rate, I'm testing it tomorrow.

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