Like a lot of women out there, I’ve often toyed with the idea of creating my own cosmetics line. There are a couple problems with this though. First, I have no money. Second, I’d have no idea where to start. And third, there are already a lot of good products out there so creating something exceptional would be hard. I like to take the easy way out and just buy what I like rather than creating it. I admit it, I’m kinda lazy. So when somebody new comes along and they’ve created something good, I’m all the more amazed and impressed. Finding a section of the market can be hard, but here at MBB we love watching our favorite little companies blossom and grow. Our favorite finds like tarte, Lush, and Alison Raffaele have gotten HUGE and companies like Purely Cosmetics, Sally B’s, and Aromaleigh are on their way to the top. It’s always fun to feel like you’re one of the first to discover something fun and fantastic….

Well discover this my friends…Vis-a-Vis Cosmetics.
So what makes them different from everyone else, you ask? There are a few things. First, instead of trying to do a little of everything they’ve really taken the time and focused on specific products. Lipglaze, lipstick, blush, and face powder are their four product selections. Simple, basic, and definitely not confusing. But don’t let the seeming lack of selection fool you, because the other thing they’ve done really well is create versatile, multi-use products. (more…)

Here is a mention of DecoDiva’s experience with two cosmetic brands:  Purely Cosmetics and Vis-a-Vis.

The sweet Jen from MythBuster Beauty sent me some mineral makeup to check out. She sent me the Pearlescent Coral blush that I’m wearing from Purely Cosmetics.  I really like this color!  I feel like it adds warmth and depth to my cheeks without being overpowering.  I don’t think I own any coral blushes, either, so this is a really nice addition to my collection.

The lipstick I’m wearing is from Vis-a-vis Cosmetics and it’s a neutral pink color. I didn’t care for the exact shade, but it did feel very nice and moisturizing on my lips.

To read DecoDiva’s complete review visit her article at:   Green Eyed Jealousy Valentine’s Day FOTD.

 Tarte’s Vitamin Infused Lipstick ($22) was formulated to nourish, moisturize and rejuvenate lips while helping to protect against environment attack.  No longer just for color; tarte’s vitamin infused lipstick is a beauty wonder!  This lipstick contains: (more…)

Hot off the cyber-presses, tarte cosmetics is offering a 40% friends and family discount for the next five days (December 11- 15th).

Enter the code: FF08 at checkout to receive 40% off your entire order at tarte!

Be sure to notice tarte’s Holiday Value Gift Set (listed for $65 which is a $115 value, and with the 40% discount is now only $39!)  There are a limited amount of these sets which includes:

natural cheek stain in tipsy (sheer peach with a touch of shimmer)
mini glistening powder in sugar daddy (bronze shimmer) 
indelible wink in charcoal
picture perfect eyelash curler
lash hugger eco-friendly natural mascara 
vitamin infused lipstick in hatha (shimmery rose)

Please comment on any of your favorite tarte cosmetics here. This is really something to celebrate!

In response to the post on the upcoming Sephora Friends and Family Event (Nov. 6-10th), Tracy wants to make sure we have our facts right.   Enter FF2008 for 20% off your entire purchase!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I went to the Westfield Valley Fair Sephora this morning, and the gals there told me the in-store promo is on the 17th only. They had no idea about the online promo. Anyone have any more info on this??”

Believe me, if someone has the facts correctly, it would be Tasha (a top reviewer at Megsmakeup.com)!  Tasha just sent this ad as well.  Seeing is believing!

“I did leave with only one lipstick, but two pages of stuff written down to order online for friends and family!!  (Which lipstick did you end up with?)  Any info on the following, Jen: (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…)

Raging Rouge recently wrote a post about many beautiful purples being featured in cosmetics as a trend this season.   The six spectacular nail shades shown at her post are worth your time alone, and I have to add my blessing to the purple trend! 

Here’s a fact, I love purple.  My birthstone, amethyst.  My favorite flower, lilac.  Favorite Tootsie Roll Pop flavor, grape.  My passion for things purple could go on and on, and Urban Decay must have sensed this because they created the most decadent purple shades this season.

Urban Decay’s Matte Eyeshadow in Heist ($16):  a dusty purple that adds a subtle gorgeous matte purple to your lids.  And if you wanted a more bold purple color, you could always opt for Purple Haze or Eggplant.

Urban Decay’s Lipstick in Vinyl ($22):  How on earth did I miss hearing about this shade?   An incredibly multi-dimensional dark purply-plum lipstick.  This is on my must get list. (more…)

Is there anything prettier for fall than a shiny copper lipstick accompanied by a deep plum eye shadow? Together they are simply beautiful autumn hues.

Because of my very cool pink skin undertones, I generally wouldn’t wear a copper shade lip color because it would look orangey. So I was somewhat surprised and very pleased when I used the “Pretty Penny” lipstick from LooseLipsNY. It has a bit of burgundy combined with the copper, and really looked great. The formula is very smooth and moisturizing lipstick. To add some shine and dimension to this color, LooseLipsNY Lumi-Shine lip gloss in FATE goes very well on top of the Pretty Penny lipstick, a coppery sheer shine with pink sparkles.

LooseLips Indelible Creme Eye Shadow in Plumkin looks very dark in the container, but goes on smoothly and adds a deep brownish plum shade with a bit of pink sparkle. This is a waterproof and long wearing creme-to-powder eye shadow that is a drop dead gorgeous! I love it.

LooseLipsNY is generously giving away this Copper and Plum Trio to one lucky Mythbuster Beauty reader! The Copper and Plum Trio consists of: a LooseLipsNY Lipstick in Pretty Penny ($12), a LooseLipsNY Lumi-Shine Lip Gloss in FATE ($15), and a LooseLips Indelible Creme Eye Shadow in Plumkin ($16). Combined these items would retail for $43. (more…)

Tuesday I wrote about using a sheer red lip gloss instead of a full color red lipstick called, “This ain’t your Momma’s Lipstick: Going Red.” I go for the sheer red lip look because of feeling intimidated by a true lipstick in red. With many lipstick shades I feel like a kid that sneaked into my mother’s pocketbook and tried on her lipstick.

So my friend Marilyn asked, “Wait a minute! Where’s the photo of YOU in that lipgloss?” My response, “Isn’t the one I posted of Christina Aguilera so much better!? I am a beauty blogger, not a beauty model.” It is always difficult for me to pose and demonstrate a product or shade in a picture. To please Marilyn here is my attempt at taking a picture of myself wearing Becca’s Glossy Lip Tint in Cherrybomb. To intensify the color and keep “in bounds” I first lined my lips with the newly released and fabulous 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil by Urban Decay in a shade called “Wicked.” It’s wicked pretty together with Cherrybomb don’t you think?

My little Becca even joined me during the photo shoot! I think that is another reason why I love the Becca Cosmetic line so much; it has a beautiful name.

Hope this inspires you Marilyn!

Want an instant pop of brilliant red color on those lips, but a little leery of wearing a full colored red lipstick shade?  I highly recommend trying a sheer red lip gloss.  My favorite fun look for summer has been to wear Becca’s Glossy Lip Tint in Cherrybomb.   It adds a bright, pure shade of red to my lips and lots of long lasting shine, and I don’t feel like this gloss is overpowering and screams to everyone, “Hey look, I am wearing my Mom’s red lipstick!”

For you who can boldly wear the bright red lipstick, I envy you!  But for those like myself who are feeling timid about wearing red lipstick, but are still craving the ”little red corvette” color to your lip palette, Becca’s sheer bright red Cherrybomb lip gloss is a great alternative.  I usually think of a red lipstick as a winter shade, but picture this, how nice a red lip compliments a tan (or sunless tan) complexion?  

I gave Becca’s Glossy Lip Tint a “9 out of 10″ stars on the Total Beauty site.  I gave this product a “9″ simply because of its price.  $23 is a little steep for even a fabulous lip gloss.

Stila has a deep red lip and cheek stain called “Cherry Crush” which I have heard wonderful things about.  You can also try Stila’s limited edition “Rock the vote Red” lipstick.  Wearing red lipstick to the polls seems like a very patriotic thing to do.  

Check out my friend Kate’s picks for fabulous fall red lip color at her post, “That time of year again:  Saturdays at Sephora,” at Megsmakeup.com.

Which ever way you choose; have fun with some red!