Natural Mask

As much as I love all the conventional products out there I'm really starting to want natural and homeopathic choices for beauty. While I know I can't whip up foundation or mascara I can certainly make a hair/face mask or a body scrub. They use ingredients that you already have in your house that may go to waste if you don't find a quick way to use them. Enter homemade beauty treatments.

I will say I have not tried this one yet but I've seen many products you can make at home that include these ingredients. Eggs, milk and sugar. Sounds the beginnings of some cookies. For my waistline I'm going to go in a different direction with the help of InStyle Beauty. Here's the exact recipe, feel free to adapt it to your needs though.

Whisk 1 skin firming egg white until frothy. Add 4 TBSP of moisturizing milk and 2 TBSP sloughing sugar and mix into a smooth paste. Apply mask to face in gentle circular motion and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and behold the radiant results.

Sounds good to me. I'll let you know when I try it.

Tocca Graciella

You're probably like me and have more perfume than you know what to do with. Sometimes I wish I was one of those girls who had a signature scent but then I realize how boring that would be. I can't even wear the same mascara day after day, I couldn't do it with scent either. Plus, when you wear one perfume for a long time you can't even smell it anymore. Frankly, I don't care if other people smell my fragrance, I'm the one I want to impress. And this one impresses.

I got two free samples at Sephora after a snafu at the register that had me paying for the same product twice. Once I returned it the lovely salesgirl gave me another perfume sample and a men's sample for my hubby who wielded the credit card.

Like all Tocca fragrances that I've tried this one is light but not weak. It's a very clean scent, a definite watery note that I love. When you sniff it in the bottle it's okay but nothing I would put on my skin, all I smell is flowers and I'm more of a fruity girl even though Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb is perhaps my favorite scent right now. (I'm complex, okay?!?) On my skin I definitely smell some of the pear (usually a headache inducing scent on me but not this time) and apricot. The dry down is musky but a clean musk not nasty white musks of the past (another headache from that one).

My only complaint (and how can I complain it was free) is that the rollerball sticks. I have to rub it on my arm for a minute before any perfume comes out. Of course, the actual product doesn't come in a rollerball formula. I may try to decant it into a spray atomizer. That would be perfect. As it is, these will be ideal for my outdoorsy vacation that starts later today. No worries about spilling a bottle of perfume or the scent overpowering me as I take in the cool, late-summer air.

Mascara Monday: Tarte- Lights, Camera, Lashes

Finally, another Mascara Monday. This little delay was brought to you (among other reasons) due to the fact that I dropped this mini mascara under the couch, not to be found until I was inclined to run a vacuum under there. I had no idea where it had gone. Now I know.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes is a freakin' adorable name. I'll give it that.  This is one of the mascaras from my mini set, one I'd wanted to try for a while. Now I shall, right?

I can't exactly say that I was disappointed by this product but I wasn't floored by it either. It's a decent mascara but with all the other wonderful ones on the market I probably won't be purchasing it.

The first thing I noticed is that it clumps, nothing crazy just those little tiny clumps that show up at the end of lashes. I would need a lash comb to separate and I don't have the time or patience for that. The color is dark black but it's matte, and in general I like my lashes to be shiny, especially in a high impact mascara such as this. The website says that it curls but honeys, I promise that it does not. Before I knew that it promised to curl I was thinking how straight my lashes looked. I wasn't going to mention it until I saw that it claimed to curl, lengthen, volumize and condition. Also, it feels heavy on my lashes and I can't stand that feeling, it's hurting as I type this but I added a lot today.

The good thing though, in case you were wondering, is that it lengthens wonderfully. My lashes are almost to my brows. And, as I mentioned, the color is black-black, no gray areas here. I had no issues with the brush either.

I wouldn't purchase this, nor would I use my free mascara voucher on it sad to say. I had high hopes.

Sephora Countour 12 Hour Eye Pencil

So I had an interview with Sephora (which, for the moment hasn't gone anywhere, still hoping though) and I shared my love of Urban Decay 24/7 liners with my interviewer and told her I was excited to try the new Sephora liners. She stunned me when she said they were better! Yeah, you heard that right, she said Sephora's are better. And I have to agree!

The main problem I have with UD is that the colors slide around a little bit when I sweat or rub my eyes. This only happens during the summer when my skin is a little oily or when I use eye cream or moisturizer near the eyes. Still, it's not something I want to deal with. Who does?

With the Sephora brand pencil I got more of a pencil finish and less of a gel texture. This helps it stay put and makes it perfect for summer use. I have number 23 Summer Cruise (the Sephora site has it listed as Turquoise)  and I have to say it's awesome. My only complaint is that it's a little less shimmery on the eye and slightly less-bright. That can be remedied by adding another coat.

I'll still use my Urban Decays in the Fall/Winter months but for half the price you can't beat these gems. There were so many colors I wanted that it was hard to narrow it down.

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder

So I've had a bunch of reviews ready to go for weeks now and haven't gotten around to posting them. I decided to share them with you when I saw Christine's excellent review at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic. As always her review is fantastic so if you're thinking about picking this up check hers out as well.

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder is one of those products I wanted to try all summer but never got around to it. It seemed like the perfect summer foundation but I've been working really hard to use up some of the foundation I already have. Besides mascara this is the only product I actively want to use up before it expires. For eyes and lips I'm not as concerned as long as the texture is right.

Liquid Powder seems like an oxymoron but that's exactly what it is. When you pour it out you get a liquid but it (pretty quickly, so watch out for that) sets into a powder finish. I could have sworn that I used powder foundation when I was done. The texture is matte but not dead, I'm trying to be a vampire matte.

The coverage is medium, as is the wear time. I wouldn't use this in fall or winter because my skin is too dry, I feel it would just look cakey over my dry patches. Even as I speak my foundation (Maybelline Dream Liquid) looks horrible due to lack of exfoliation even though it's been leaving me a little shiny this summer. It would be perfect for someone with an oily texture.

You don't need more powder but you could use it if you wanted to de-shine. I didn't test to see how well products go on after this foundation so that would be something to check into.

Mascara Monday: Korres Volcanic Minerals Volumizing Mascara

I have to admit that my tastes are all over the place when it comes to mascaras. I like everything from intense volumizing to lengthening, some that are dark, other's that are colored. It truly depends on the occassion, a girl can never be too prepared. For that reason I particularly love this mascara.

In general I like more of a wet look on my lashes but to cover all my bases it's nice to have a high quality yet low intensity mascara in my arsenal.  My lashes are defined and volumized without looking unnatural or like I tried too hard, it's perfect when you want to pretend you're not wearing any makeup. Go with 1-2 coats for that.

I love that the color is a rich black that really works on my fair lashes. I have zero patience for non-black formulas. Even if I am going for something subtle you won't find me in a dark brown or gray tinted mascara. This one's virtually weightless so it doesn't weigh down my lashes and hurt my sensitive eyes. That is a huge plus in my book. As you'll see in my next Mascara Monday, not the same can be said for all mascaras.

For a day at the beach or similarly laid-back activity I highly recommend Korres Volcanic Minerals Volumizing Mascara. It has a natural look that ups the intensity of my eyes without screaming "Hello! I'm wearing mascara." It's great for those relaxing days. It doesn't smear or run like some other closer to nature brands. I haven't had issues with it running even in high heat and humidity or during my workouts.

My only complaint on this one is the organic scent. Yeah, it shouldn't bother me but I do smell it for a few seconds. Still, I'd prefer that to a synthetic fragrance that could irritate my eyes.

Mascara Monday: Sephora Favorites Lash Stash to Go

You didn't think I'd forget about our long standing tradition, did you? Mascara Mondays are back and this week we're checking out Sephora Favorites Lash Stash to go.

 Now that my state has joined the rank of coolness and actually has Sephora (2) and Ulta (3), I can tell you all about the goodies I've tried, not just the ones I'm looking at.  This little baby caught my eye as soon as I walked in the store and I carried it around with me the whole 45 minutes or so that I was there. Ok, so I thought it was the last one and I wasn't going to let anyone else get their grimy little paws on it. Turns out there were tons left at the register (PS- how fun are those cute little displays that you just have to look at before you check out?)

Mascara minis are a weakness of mine and I had to get in on the action and get this one. I'd been dreaming about them, mentally putting them on my holiday wish-list just days before I found the summer version in stores. I never knew they did these at other times of the year. My eyes are peeled for them now.

So for the next few weeks you'll be able to read all about the mascaras in this set, that includes:

-Benefit BADgal Lash in Black
- BUXOM Lash in Blackest Black (my favorite mascara even before I bought this set)
- Korres Volcanic Minerals Voluminizing Mascara
- Lancome Définicils in Black
- Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! in Rich Black

Plus, I got a mini Benefit They're Real! from Sephora for my birthday so you'll get a review on that one too.

The best thing? The voucher for a FREE full-size mascara! Choose from the five mascaras included which range from $19-$27. This cutie pays for itself! Just hold on to that voucher and don't let it go.

In case you don't remember I've reviewed Lancome Definicils before here and Buxom here but I'll be reviewing them again for you in the coming weeks in case they've snuck in any formula changes when we weren't looking.

Urban Decay 24/7 Liners

I know it's been a long time since I've shared anything with you and I have no legit excuse so let's not dwell on that shall we? :)

I'll jump right into it. I'm in love. AGAIN. With Urban Decay. AS USUAL. Just when I thought they couldn't outdo themselves they did. I've always been a huge fan of 24/7 liners (with the exception of zero [black] which always seems to smudge like crazy on me) but the new shades are out of this world. Seriously, the must have come from another galaxy.

I wanted every shade but I settled for two: Freak, a bright mint green with a slight lime leaning, and Deep End, a pool at midnight bright metallic blue-leaning teal. I have a ton of green and blue eyeliners but none in these particular shades, I needed them, I've actually never seen anything close to Freak on the shelves.

Chaos, a matte cobalt blue, would have been another choice had it been metallic, I'm not much of a matte girl, on any part of my face. Junkie is a beautiful emerald green shimmer and another fave. LSD would have been another choice had I been made of money. It's shimmery dark blue color is gorgeous and makes my eyes look more green than blue. There are color choices for those with less shall we say, adventurous tastes. Browns and coppers, dark blues and grays, everything you can imagine, even bright metallic hot pink Woodstock, which I happen to own and love (try it you'll like it, I promise).

These are still the only liners that I own that go on smooth, without drag, in one swipe and last all day. Seriously, even swatches on my hand can last through several handwashings and it's not like you're doing that to your eyeballs, am I right? These liners are particularly great for hot summer days when eyeshadow just seems out of place. Wear them on your waterline, on the upper or lower lashlines or everywhere all at once. They're totally smudgeproof once they've set. Just make sure to give them a few seconds to dry before opening wide or you'll get that dreaded lashline transfer on the middle lid. Traced on in a thin line you can even get away with wearing them with a bright lippie. That's how I'd rock them with my new favorite bright pink or coral lipsticks.

What are your favorite eyeliners? What would you recommend to a girl like me who loves her bright, cool-toned liners?