Everyone is doing a top 10 list this time of year, so I’m bucking the trend and sharing my 5 favorite, can’t live without, must have items from the last year. These are the things I decided I will continue to buy as long as they’re available because I love them so much that they’ve become an instinctive part of my routine. Here they are, in no particular order of preference:

1)Aquolina Pink Sugar fragrance. This stuff makes me feel so happy and cozy that I rarely start a day without it, whether I’m going to work, headed out running errands, or just staying in and cleaning house. My kids are always telling me I smell delicious and my significant other tends to agree. Another perk about this fragrance is that it is available just about anywhere I go, from Sephora to Ulta to Nordstrom. I think the simple fragrances of caramel and cotton candy capture our inner child, while the more complex bergamot, musk, and fig leaves entice our mature palates. Ive always enjoyed oriental fragrances, and I think this is oriental with a dash of fun. (more…)

Writing for MBB totally has its perks. Sure, all the products I get to sample is definitely one of them, but the best benefit is the people. I’ve met so many amazing women through this gig, and I am pleased to call many of them my friends. From Jen here at MBB to Jami over at Bionic Beauty, I can always count on at least one one of them for a late night laugh or well timed tweet. I follow several beauty bloggers on twitter (Name drop: Bionic Beauty, Purely Cosmetics, Older Girl Beauty, Decorative Diva, to name a few) and I eavesdrop from time to time on their twit-versations. When I saw Robyn from Purely Cosmetics dropping hints to Jami about a new product she was working on it immediatly grabbed my attention. In the interest of bringing the latest and greatest straight to you my darlings, I jumped into the fray and demanded the latest info! Okay, I simply asked nicely and Robyn obliged by sending a sample of her new Diamond Perfect Finish powder right to my mailbox, isn’t she grand?

Ever since I found Make Up For Ever’s HD powder last fall I have been obsessed with its seemingly magical powers. It smooths, it sets and it brings a lovely candlelight glow to your skin. Robyn promised me an equally amazing powder with a smaller price tag, and she didn’t disappoint. Since my first introduction to Purely Cosmetics, I have admired Robyn’s initiative and her commitment to an honest, quality product. (more…)

Jen—I’m totally building a shrine in your’s and Erno’s honor. I just got my set and IT ROCKS! I’m kinda scared of lip plumpers because I have extremely sensitive skin and I usually have an allergic reaction to them (think lip hives…ewwww), but I had no problem with this one, it just filled my lips in a bit and smoothed them nicely so I just looked fresh, not duck-like. The powder is my new favorite item. I put it on bare skin and it really brightened my complexion without feeling like I was wearing anything. This is going to be perfect for the summer months when I hate wearing foundation, but I need that little extra something. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!   Krista

Hooray Krista!  Very glad to hear how much you are loving your Erno Laszlo Value Set.  Thank you for your feedback and enjoy (no shrine necessary, lol)! 

Mythbuster Beauty is announcing a new giveaway on Wednesday, April 15th!   We had to do something positive to offset the impeding tax deadline date…  This giveaway will be well worth your effort to enter.  So remember tax day = new, amazing giveaway at Mythbuster Beauty!

We are half way through March and things are looking up!  The promise of spring brings warmer temperatures, the appearance of flowers and leaves starting to bud.  Spring is all about renewal.

One nice way to celebrate spring is to enter for a chance to win a fabulous Erno Laszlo Value Set at Mythbuster Beauty!!!

The EL Complexion Value Set contains:

• Multi-pHase Complexion Highlighter -  Your skin will look more even and more polished, as if softly bathed in a veil of light.  Flatters every skin tone.  Who doesn’t need a more even, glowing, flawless complexion?
• TranspHuse Lip Plumper - Plumper, sexy, kissable lips?   Sounds pretty nice!
• Retractable Powder Brush - this high quality brush and perfect to use with the EL highlighter.

And this set has a total value of over $90.00!

Rules:  To enter this giveaway enter your name, email address, and what you love about Spring in the contest machine box below.  One entry per person and the deadline is at midnight (EST) Tuesday, March 31st, 2009.  One winner will be chosen and will be announced on Mythbuster Beauty, PRIZEY.Fetch, and contacted via email.  MBB will not share your email address with anyone, and only uses your email address to contact you if you are a winner.  This giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada only.  The winner will receive one Erno Laszlo complexion value set (highlighter, lip plumper and brush), this complexion set has the retail value of $90.

DecoDiva created a stunning Green and Silver Eye that you could create this New Years Eve, or any evening where to really want to “knock their socks off!”  This is her step-by-step tutorial to walk you through this look.  And if you are on a budget – no worries, Aromaleigh and Meow Cosmetics offer generous sample baggies of many of their products for just $1.  Now we can all afford to get a wonderful selection of cosmetics and get a chance to try this look  for ourselves!

Start with a clean, moisturized face.

1. Put on Eye Shadow Primer.  (Eyeshadow Primer and Base from Aromaleigh in Light)

2. Put some black shadow on the outer vee area and a little in the crease. I used MAC Paint Pot in Blackground.

3. Apply some silver eye shadow all over the eye area, from lash line to eyebrows. I used Aromaleigh Fume (25% off, now $6). (more…)

I idolize Ginger Rogers.  So this year I am attempting a Starlet look for Halloween.  I think I still need to kick it up a notch and possibly run to the store for some false eyelashes and a feather boa! 

Classic Starlet Features:  Precisely defined eye brows, flawless skin, dark matte lipstick, black mascara with dark top eyeliner, and beautiful cheekbones.  Its all about Glamour!

My Starlet Look:  Laura Mercier’s Bleu Marine Eye liner applied with a flat eyeliner brush, L’Oreal’s Telescopic Mascara in Black, Cargo’s blu-ray Pressed Powder (all over face and on eyelids), ECO Nvey Lipstick in Dark Ruby,  Anastasia’s All About Brows Kit, Sugar’s Blush and Bronzer duo (used extra bronzer in hollows of cheeks to emphasize cheekbones). (more…)

After reading so many nice things about the Lola Cosmetics line from the women at Megsmakeup.com, I just had to try some Lola, and Lola did not disappoint.  If you love red, you will love the elegant and sleek red containers.   They are beautiful and functional. 

The first review is of Lola’s FOUNDATION DUO ($35).  I loved the silky feel of the foundation, but found it was a bit too dry for my combination skin-type.  My 14 year old daughter needed a new foundation and I sent this her way, and she gladly accepted it.

Amanda’s review:

I am giving Lola’s two very big thumbs up!  This foundation was a success on my oily teenage skin.  I love the way this foundation feels on my face.  It is so light and fresh it feels like I am not wearing any makeup at all!  It is not as heavy as the liquid foundations and it won’t make my skin look all oily. It is a nice powder and won’t leave my skin itchy and dry.  I don’t have to worry about finding the right shade because if it is too light, I can go darker, or if it’s too dark I can go lighter.  I like to use them both together and the colors are really beautiful together.  I will definitely use this product all up, and I suggest you try it!

My review of Lola’s Mascara ($19.50):

Very rich, protein packed mascara.  Brushes on nicely, not too thick, not clumpy, this mascara just hugs my lashes and stays all day.  Doesn’t add incredible length, but is a very nice formula of mascara.  I am really loving it as my daytime mascara. 

And finally, the piece de resistance,  Lola’s PEARL LUMINOUS - Brightening and Light Diffusing Powder ($35):

This is a product that everyone needs, a wonderful pearlized translucent powder that is silky soft and can be used as a highlighter around eyes, on top of cheeks and around mouth to add a soft focus look.  I love the glow it gives my skin, and how it diminished the look of my fine lines. 

These are three great reasons that Amanda and I are both loving Lola!

While visiting the Laura Mercier counter, I was able to sample their new mineral makeup powder.  I have tried several different mineral makeup foundations and have been usually unsatisfied with their performance.  These issues include:   mineral powders don’t blend in well, colors that aren’t true to my skin tone, and the mineral powders seem to make my skin appear too matte and accentuate my fine lines.   After using Laura Mercier’s mineral powder spf 15 foundation, I was pleasantly surprised.  This formula blends into your skin beautifully and acheives a very natural, soft glow finish.  To combat my mineral makeup foundation issues, Laura Mercier created a mineral formula that contains:

The exclusive combination of Pure Pearl Powder, minerals and amino acids promote healthy skin and help fight the aging process. Mineral Powder SPF 15 gives you the flexibility to build coverage or add just a touch of luminosity.

Benefits:

• Composed completely of natural elements
• Water-resistant
• Oil-free
• SPF 15  

If you are looking for a fabulous mineral makeup foundation, I would suggest a visit to your local Nordstrom’s or Sephora for a demonstration of their product.  This Laura Mercier mineral foundation is expensive ($35), but really is a beautiful formulation and should last a long time.  As always, for best results, I recommend applying mineral makeup foundations sparingly with a high quality kabuki brush.   And while you are at the Laura Mericer counter, sample their liquid or mineral foundation primer and eye liners.  Simply classic, sophisticated makeup.  I big heart Laura Mercier!

As promised, I tested the five samples received from Everyday Minerals. In the past, I tried several mineral makeup lines and was less than thrilled with my results.

My main complaint were that my skin looked too matte and powdery. The skin under my eyes would end up looking very dry, and the mineral makeup would actually enhance and emphasize the fine lines instead of diminishing or concealing them! As the day would go on, I would notice foundation collecting or caking in those pesky smile and forehead lines.

It is the curse of combination skin. As a result, I have avoided using loose mineral makeup for several years.

My first experience with Everyday Minerals was through their website. It is a beautiful site with an amazing variety of shades and formulas. The samples arrived quickly and were very generous.

The first day, I used the “fairly light” foundation in the “semi-matte” formula. I also primed before applying the foundation with a sample of Bare Escentuals’ highly acclaimed “Prime Time.” I ordered the semi-matte formula to combat the experience with my previous matte issue. I applied small amounts of foundation on my kabuki brush, tapped the excess minerals, and swirled it gently around my face. I used a concealer brush to apply small amounts of the everyday minerals concealer around my nose, under my eyes, and on any spots I wanted to conceal. I finished by putting the smallest amount of “Sunday Brunch” onto the apples of my cheeks with my blush brush.

With much skepticism, I examined myself in the mirror. “Not bad,” I thought. I then leaned a little closer to the mirror and looked again, with some relief. I thought to myself, “Wow, this looks really natural.” Then came the final test. I waited a few hours, went into the bright daylight and looked at my face in the car mirror! I was astonished; this mineral makeup really looked great!

I am excited! I can wear mineral makeup after all! I especially loved the blush color, “Sunday Brunch.” I was immediately drawn to the shade, although I thought it looked a little dark, and then I read it described as:

A delicious raspberry sorbet shade that is ideal for all skin types. Just the right matte finishes that you can dress up or dress down. A versatile, must color for any occasion.

Can a raspberry sorbet shade be universally flattering? I think so. I love how this blush gives my cheeks a pop of color, and no shimmer. I recently tried the big “O” blush from Nars, and didn’t like it because of the shimmer.

 

 

Without hesitation, I highly recommend Everyday Minerals as an exceptional mineral makeup line with “the car mirror doesn’t lie” test to prove it! I also would recommend using their products with Bare Escentuals Prime Time Foundation Primer, or the Primer of your choice. Everyday Minerals offers a lot of information on their website and makes ordering easy.

http://everydayminerals.com/

Loving the Mineral Makeup and might start using it “Everyday!”