MAC Studio Mist Foundation

I know that I am considerably lucky to have the skin that I do. Although I do have the occassional breakout and/or blemish (usually around that time of the month), I am fortunate enough to have generally very clear skin. Please don't hate me! I feel for those of you who aren't so lucky and seem to have breakouts more frequently now than during puberty. My Sweetie is one of those people.

Anyhoo, imagine my suprise when on January 2nd a zit the size of a dime and as red as a pomegranate popped up right in the middle of my cheek! Being as this is something I do not usually have to deal with, I was a little taken aback and unsure of what exactly to do. My normal concealer (Benefit's Bo-ing) and the foundations that I tend to use (Bare Escentuals) weren't really doing a great job of hiding that sucker. I was hoping that the zit would clear up after 2 or 3 days like mine normally do...boy was I wrong. Let me just tell you, today, January 31st (yes, a month after it first appeared) there is actually still a remnant of the sucker left.

So, after a week of trying to cover this baby, I was getting desperate. I began to search through a storage container of make-up products I had thrown in my linen closet. Mostly products that I had stocked up on or purchased because I just had to have it, but of course had not found time to use it (come on, we've all been there). It's a good thing I did this because I found the answer to my prayers at the bottom of that container. Meet MAC Studio Mist Foundation.

I first read about Studio Mist sometime this summer in some magazine. It was a glowing review about what flawless coverage it provided while still feeling and looking sheer. It sounded like something I wanted to try and so when I was at the Aurora Outlet Mall at the Cosmetic Company Store I found Studio Mist for $10 less than what it costs at the department stores so of course I got it. Being as I like to let my face breathe, I don't wear foundation everyday. Thus, Studio Mist was thrown into the make-up pit in my linen closet one day as I hurried to tidy up the bathroom before company came over. Now that I have tried it, I'm sorry that I waited so long to.

At first, I wasn't sure how to use Studio Mist. As I shook the can, the sound reminded me of the shaking of a can of spray paint. Was I supposed to spray the contents directly on my face? Maybe my finger tips? How about a sponge? Yes, MAC, a little direction on the box or bottle would have been nice. Now that I've looked at MAC.com I find that the directions state to spray it on your hand or palette and then use a brush or sponge. The first time I used Studio Mist I actually sprayed it right on my face and have to say it worked just fine. I did smooth out some areas with my finger tips but it looked fabulous. I have since tried spraying on my hand as well as spraying it on a brush. When I sprayed it on my hand first, the coverage was much sheerer, but still very nice. There was more full coverage by spraying it directly on my face or on the brush.

Let me just tell you, Studio Mist covered my nasty little, no, huge zit perfectly. I can not believe how it covered the redness...especially because this was no ordinary red. It was redder than the Red Planet. Absolutely horrible. So, if you're looking for something with more coverage, without looking like you've got 10 pounds of caked on make-up, try Studio Mist. Hopefuly it will help you out like it did for me. And if you can get it at the Cosmetic Company Store for under $2o then that's even better!

BORBA Products At TJMaxx

Just a quick note to let you all know that I ran to TJ Maxx this weekend and found a ton of BORBA skincare products on clearance for only $10! These are the same products that are currently selling at Sephora from $37-$45. It looks like BORBA is changing the types of bottles they use for their line, so they must be pushing out the overstock of the products packaged in the old bottles through overstock outlets such as TJ Maxx. If you use BORBA products this is definately a chance for you to stock up on them.

I personally have only used the Fiber-Knit Emulsion SPF 15 from BORBA as it was part of a joint Tarte-BORBA Todays's Special Value on QVC sometime last year. I will say that my skin did feel pretty nice afterwards and the fact that it contained SPF is a big plus. If anyone has any thoughts about the BORBA line, feel free to post comments and let us all know what you think.

Bobbi Brown Metallics Eye Shadow Palette

Yesterday I posted about Bobbi Brown's Spring Collection, Pink Raspberry. In that post I hinted at my love for the winter palettes. Now, I wanted to post about them when they first came out, but when I went to Macy's to pick up my palettes, I ended up getting the very last Burnt Sugar, and the other palettes only had 3-4 left. Needless to say I didn't want to do a post where I 'gasm over how great the palettes are only for people to find that they were next to impossible to find. Well, as I was window shopping over at QVC.com the other day, I discovered that they still have 2 of the winter palettes available. Yes, you read correctly! QVC.com still has the Burnt Sugar and Midnight Metallics Eye Shadow Palettes available.

Of the four palettes that were available, Burnt Sugar was by far my fave, followed by Midnight. Burnt Sugar is one of those palettes that you will be able to wear any time because it contains three neutral beige shades. Although they are called "Metallics," they are not overly packed with shimmer. I wear these to school with business attire all of time and it looks very sophisticated. Needless to say, I already ordered two more of the Burnt Sugar palette.

Talking to the girls at the Bobbi Brown cosmetics counter at Macy's, they informed me that Midnight was the slowest moving of the palettes, mainly because a lot of people were scared of the blue. Everyone knows that I am not afraid of color so that didn't turn me off at all. The white and gray shadows are both perfect for base shadows so you can mix those up all of the time. If you're not afraid of color, use the blue for your lids. Trust me, it really isn't that shocking. The nice thing about Bobbi Brown shadows is the fact that they are great for layering. Just dust on a little for a slight hint of color or gradually add on some more layers to achieve your desired amount.

If you are still too scared to use the blue for a full lid color, it also works as a fabulous contour shade or liner shade. I have blue eyes, so when I use the blue shade from the Midnight palette my eyes just pop! I use it as a liner on my the tops and bottoms of my eyes, but only line from about the middle of my eye outward.

QVC.com is the only place I have found that still has these palettes. If you thought you missed out of the Bobbi Brown Metallics Eye Shadow Palette, here's your chance. If you are like me and quickly snagged them up many months ago, quickly fell in love with them, went to buy more only to find that they were no where to be found, then here's your chance. I have no idea how long these will last. I'm assuming not too long because I know that there is a Bobbi Brown show coming up on QVC so I'm sure they will feature these.

Bobbi Brown Pink Raspberry Spring Collection

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is quickly becoming my favorite make-up line. After a rough couple of years there the line has come back bigger and stronger than ever. They had a huge job trying to top their winter palettes and I think they have succeeded. Introducing Bobbi Brown's Pink Raspberry Collection. The name says it all; this collection is packed full of various shades of pinks and berrys. It's out of this world. There is literally not one product that I do not want from this collection.

The first piece that I picked up was the Lip Crayon is Pink Raspberry. Wear it alone, as a lip liner, topped of with lipstick or a gloss...it's great any way. The best part, beside the color, is its staying power. The color lasted on me for at least a half a day without needing any touch up. When I touched up with a little gloss it was like the lip crayon color was re-invigorated. The Lip Crayon is also available in Wild Raspberry.

Next on the list, Glitter Lip Gloss in Pink Raspberry. I've worn this one alone and over the Pink Raspberry Lip Crayon. It is packed full of shimmer and is absolutely amazing. I cannot wait for the snow in Chicago to end so that I can go out in Spring clothes with this great Spring gloss.

Of course I had to pick up the Pink Raspberry Face Palette. Every shade in this palette is only available in the palette. Shades include Navajo and Fog Eye Shadows; Pink Raspberry Blush; and Raspberry and Blue Raspberry Lip Sheers. Trust me when I say that these colors will work on almost every complexion and skin tone out there. I am loving the lip sheers so much so that I wish they were available in the Lip Sheer line. The eye shadows are great too because it allows for a soft smokey eye for the Spring. Paired with the pinks in the blush and the lip sheers, you can make your eyes the focus of your face while the rest of your face color is more subtle. If there's one thing I hate it's when girls have a heavy smokey eye and heavy face color and heavy lip color. Everyone knows that you should highlight one area and let the other areas act as a supporting cast.

The last thing I've gotten (so far) is the Pot Rouge For Lips And Cheeks in Pink Raspberry. It also comes in Raspberry, but I picked the Pink Raspberry because it is more complimenting for girls with lighter hair and/or light to medium skin tones. Being a blonde with a medium skin tone the Pink Raspberry was gorgeous on me, but I will say that the Raspberry wasn't that bad either. I guess it depends on the look you're going for. Lately I've been trying to have a more natural looking face. This shade is perfect for that and when worn as a lip color it gives such a beautiful hint of color. I think this is going to be one piece that I may have to stock up on.

This collection is already available both online and in stores. You better hurry though! Bobbi Brown collections are usually extremely popular and pieces tend to start selling out fast. Some department stores sold out of the winter palettes in less than a week!

Clinique Nude Blush - Spring 2008 Collection

Usually, I'm not one for matte shades, but I'm willing to make an exception for the new Clinique Nude Blush Spring Collection. It is fantabulous! It feature three new Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duos. As usual, each duo features a large all over base shade as well as a smaller contour shade. All of the shades just scream Spring. Gorgeous pastelly shades with darker contours that are absolute perfect matches. I'm definately snagging these up, even if there isn't any shimmer in them.

Another must have from the collection is the Cream Shaper for Eyes in Brown Sugar/Cream Lustre. This limited edition shade offers just a touch of shimmer so it'll make up for the zero shimmer in the eye duos. I love this combination of shades (there are 3 others to choose from) the most because it offers a darker color (without being too dark) with a lighter color so you can achieve a wide range of looks.

Lastly, the Blushing Blush Powder Blush Trios look amazing. I haven't seen these in person, so I'm not sure if they contain any shimmer or not, but the colors are great. I've been getting into blush blending more and more and these trios are perfect for that. Each offers three complementing shades that will allow you to sculpt your cheekbones. One word of advice, make sure you use a real blush brush and not the little dinky thing they give you with the compact. Really, who's face is small enough to use a flat 1 inch brush to get adequate coverage?

The complete Nude Blush collection includes:

• Blended Face Powder and Brush in Invisible Blend (Brand New!)


• Lash Power Mascara in Black Onyx (Brand New!)


• Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo Stay Matte in Splash, Chocolate Kiss, Pink Slate and Butter Pecan (Brand New!)


• Cream Shaper for Eyes in Brown Sugar/Cream Lustre, Chocolate (Limited Edition)


• Lustre/Cocoa Shimmer, Mink/Sable, and Egyptian/Brightening Gold


• Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Nude Blush, Deep Bloom, Spring Rose, and Fresh Rose (Limited Edition)


• Blushing Blush Powder Blush in Bare Nudes and Bare Pinks (Limited Edition)

This line is currently available on some online outlets (but not many) and will be making its complete debut in February.

I'm Baaaa-cccckkkkk!!!

I know, I know, I've been MIA for over a month. Let me just tell you that studying for my final exams were brutal. To top if off, the week of Christmas I got really sick and pretty much slept for an entire week. Then lucky me, I had an accelerated class (3 credits in 10 straight days) that took me to the middle of January. Those were the 10 most brutal days of my life. I literally got up, went to school for 8 hours, came home, did homework, ate really fast, went to bed, and then started all over again. And then after one little weekend off I had to start my FINAL semester of school. All I can say is thank God this is my last semester.

So things are finally getting back to normal, well some what, and I finally have time to blog! It's a good thing too because there is tons of stuff to talk about. For instance, tons of new Spring lines!