Skin Care : Lush : Lush THE BEAUTY OF LAVENDER

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National Lavender Week is the 3rd - 9th May 2011. One of the most widely used, versatile herbs known today, there are about 25-30 different species of lavender that have long been used to treat an array of health issues such as digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety and restlessness.

There are many advantages to using lavender in skincare also. It is very gentle and recognised for its ability to calm skin as well as the mind. Lavender flowers can act as a gentle natural exfoliant, while lavender infusion, the water content of the product, has a soothing action on the skin.
Creators of fresh handmade cosmetics, here at Lush we work with only the very best natural ingredients and use lavender extensively throughout all of our ranges for its relaxing, antiseptic and healing qualities. We buy our lavender from the South of France and last year used 280kg of dried lavender and 2000kg of lavender oil in our products.
Lush Co-founder and Product Creator, Helen Ambrosen, says, “You can never go wrong with lavender or choose a more beautiful oil or herb. Every aspect of it is lovely … visually from the colour and beautiful flower, to the scent of the ingredient itself and its properties on the skin. It also benefits everyone and can calm any type of skin.”

Soothing

Lush embraces this most versatile of essential oils
and uses it in many of its body products. Dream
Cream (£10.25 for 240g) is Lush’s best selling
body moisturiser, favoured by A-list stars such as
Halle Berry. It contains a mixture of soothing
lavender, rose and camomile … and is excellent for
sensitive skins. Many Lush fans comment of Dream Cream’s ability to soothe eczema and other
skinMany Lush fans comment of Dream Cream’s ability to soothe eczema and other
skin complaints, especially when used with Dreamwash shower soap (£8.95 for 250g).
Lavender is also used in our Angel's on Bare Skin (£5.80 for 100g) and Fresh Farmacy
(£4.35 for 100g) cleansers, and in Love Lettuce and The Sacred Truth fresh facemasks
(£5.25 for 75g) for its antiseptic, antibacterial and soothing qualities.

Relaxing
A French Kiss bubble bar (£3.95) contains lavender oil, lavender absolute and even has a
sprig of lavender on top. There’s also a hint of rosemary and thyme – both of which are widely
used Mediterranean herbs and stimulants and antidepressants. The Twilight bath ballistic
(£2.99) harnesses lavender’s sedating properties for the ultimate in relaxation.
Dreamtime (£2.95 for 100g) and Ceridwen's Cauldron (£3.99 for 80g) luxury bath melts
also both contain lavender oil, used here for its relaxing and deodorising effects, plus its beautiful
aroma.
Healing
Antiseptic, antiviral and decongestant, lavender oil is valuable for most skin conditions - promoting
cell regeneration and restoring the mind and body to a state of balance where healing can occur. It
is for this reason lavender is widely used to help acne, eczema and psoriasis and also to treat
burns and all kinds of injuries, promoting rapid healing and scar prevention.
We use lavender oil in our Vanishing Cream facial moisturiser (£15.95 for 45g) and our
Lemony Flutter cuticle butter (£5.80 for 50g) for its antiseptic and soothing properties.
The NEW DIRTY Shaving Cream (£4.95 for 100g) from
the recently launched range by the Gorilla Perfumers at
Lush also contains lavender, along with ultra-softening oats
and moisturising shea butter, to soothe any irritations or
redness and calm sore skin.

Makeup Sets : Benefit: Benefit Beauty in a Box

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Benefit Beauty In A Box

A limited-edition kit featuring a handpicked collection of Benefit’s favourites from Benefit, plus a how-to guide.

Sephora has teamed up with Benefit to bring you this exclusive "Beauty in a Box" set featuring our latest product fixations, plus a step-by-step tutorial. Available for a limited time only.

This set contains:

- 0.16 oz full size Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in R.S.V.P (sparkling champagne)

- 0.14 oz deluxe travel size A Little Bit Badgal Lash Mascara in Black

- 0.34 oz full size Some Kind-A Gorgeous in Medium (sheer natural beige)

- 0.42 oz full size Dallas (rosy bronze)

- 0.4 oz full size Girl Meets Pearl (pearly golden pink)

Makeup Brushes : Sigma F15 Duo Fibre Powder/ Blush Brush vs. MAC Duo Fibre 131 Brush Comparison

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This is the post that I promised you when I am doing my review on Sigma F15 duo fibre brush

In this post I  will be comparing Sigma F15 Duo Fibre Blush / Powder Brush  and MAC Duo Fibre 131 brush….  Dr. Makeup Temple has 2 patients on the operation table today..

We will be talking pluses and minus of these two patients today…

1-) MAC 131 has shorten handle than Sigma F15

2) Sigma F15 has wider but shorter bristles

3-) MAC 131 has longer but

4-) Sigma F15 has flat bristles

5-)Sigma F15 handle is thicker than MAC 131

6-) Sigma F15 gives us an easy application comparing to MAC 131

7-) MAC 131 is not bad but Sigma F15 is better for foundation

8-)They both do not leave bristles on face

9-)Both MAC 131 Duo Fibre brush and Sigma F15 does not leave any streak marks like MAC 187 and Sigma F50 or other Duo Fibre Brushes..

10-)  I can only say one negative thing about Sigma Brushes, I am talking on the Sigma Brushes I have and generally after a certain use and wash they fall apart from the handle, and i used super glue on one of the brushes, now I seriously do not remember which one for sure but as far as I remember it was Sigma F50

11-) If you ask me Sigma F15 or MAC 131 I will definitely say Sigma F15, If I say Sigma F15 than why did I purchase MAC 131 it is because I do not like to use just one brush in one brand, I would not know which one is better if i did not use both two. MAC 131 is not bad, they are at the same quality but at this time I like Sigma F15, both of the brushes has been purchased by myself.

12-)MAC 131 Duo Fibre Brush Cost 40 USD and was a limited edit brush, Sigma F15 is not a limited edit brush on and it costs

13-) MAC 131 is good at applying highly pigmented products, pigments, glitters, NARS Orgasm Blushes, Dark or Red CC, or dark foundations which is used by pros on contouring and highlighting , cream blend foundations, cream blushes

14-) I generally us MAC 131 with liquid highlighters, like Soap & Glory Hocus Focus.

15-) Try mixing your loose bronzer and Liquid Highlighter than apply with using MAC 131 or Sigma F15 you will be amazed…

16-) It is easier to clean these two brushes, I usually wash them with a baby shampoo, I tried to use brush shampoos in past but those shampoos is not really helpful when cleaning up makeup brushes and it leaves a strange scent on the brushes which gives me a nausea, at the end a regular baby shampoo is inexpensive and it is for sensitive skin so it will not give any harm to your brushes.. I am totally against washing your brushes with detergents,  Detergents are carcinogen and baby shampoos are not.

17-) On  my latest post I gave you the dupe list for MAC 131 but I do not mind mentioning it again

• Sigma F15 Duo Fibre Brush – MAC 131 Duo Fibre Brush
• Coastal Scents C427
• Hakuhodou G545
• Hakuhodou G544
• Coastal Scents Tapered Duo Fiber Brush
  

NAIL POLISH COLLECTIONS : NAIL POLISH: ORLY: ORLY PINUP FOR SUMMER 2011

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The summer season encourages creativity and femininity to run wild, from carefree and casual beach days to flashy summer nights in the city. Bring a sense of sexy summer fun to the everyday with Pinup, the Summer 2011 Collection from ORLY. Inspired by the unapologetic glitz and free-spirited attitude of the most iconic pinup girls, the collection exudes a vivacious, dolled-up femininity that laces any look with sheer confidence.
Pinup offers a shade for every glamour girl, from the sophisticated seductress to the fearless rock ‘n roll goddess. Bright, feminine crèmes mingle with eye catching jewel-tone glitters to offer a range of colours sure to turn heads.

• Va Va Voom Pink neon crème
• Here Comes Trouble Sparkle green
• Coquette Cutie Coral crème
• Bubbly Bombshell Purple glitter

Makeup Collections: MAKE UP FOREVER: MAKE UP FOREVER AQUA LINERS

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Diamond Gold

Idescent Emerald Green

Diamond Lagoon Green

Diamond Turquoise Blue

Iridescent Navy Blue

Diamond Black Purple

Iridescent Electric Purple

Iridescent Fuchsia

Iridescent Red

Diamond Burgundy

Mat Mocha

Mat Black

Diamond Multicolor Black

Iridescent Anthracite

 

 

Staying true to our belief of never having to sacrifice color for performance, MAKE UP FOR EVER introduces another vibrant addition to our award-winning Aqua range – new Aqua Liner. This eye-catching, highly pigmented new collection of waterproof liquid eye liner was developed to outperform even in the most extreme environments. Aqua Liner was created to provide make up artists with the ultimate liquid liner that boasts precision, a 100% waterproof formula and a bold assortment of colors.

As the official make up sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami, MAKE UP FOR EVER put artists to work at the top 2011 swimwear shows testing Aqua Liner on models backstage. Their challenge was to create bold, show-stopping make up looks that wouldn’t melt or fade while on the runway under hot lights, performing in the water, or in the humid Miami climate. The end result? Aqua Liner guaranteed intense weather, tear and sweat-proof color that lasted through the shows.

Aqua Liner is formulated with acrylic copolymer, a hydrophobic macromolecule that forms a flexible film to lock water out. It contains 50% more polymers than traditional eyeliner formulations to ensure a long-lasting, waterproof result, as well as essential amino acids derived from apple juice for high-color intensity and bold pay-off.

Available in 15 vibrant shades with matte, iridescent and diamond finishes, Aqua Liner can be used to match all moods and styles. The long and dense, yet flexible applicator is designed like a make up brush handle to ensure easy application, with a specialized foam tip that delivers the ideal amount of texture for drawing an ultra precise line with a buildable result. Aqua Liner goes on evenly and dries quickly for a look that lasts all day and all night long.

Makeup Brushes : MAC Cosmetics : MAC 131 DUO FIBRE BRUSH Review

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I am loving this brush,
It is such an easy brush to use to blend foundation, shape of this brush is also handy to reach and blend the small areas on  your face,

I easily apply MCC, studio fix concealer, cream blushes, I you can apply powder bronzers without making a mass,

But this kind of brushes are easy to apply creamy products.

it is soft and  the shape of the brush is different than normal duo fibres like MAC 188, 187 and 130
or Sigma  F55,F50 or Coastal Scents Destiny Duo Fibre Stippling Brush, or Gosh Duo Fibre Brush,

Also like other Duo Fibre brushes this does not leave streak marks, finally MAC did a good thing by making a brush like  MAC 131

Actually this brush is good at pigmented products such as Nars Orgasm / Super Orgasm, illamasqua powdered metal blushes

Closest Dupe for this brush is

Sigma F15 Duo Fibre Brush
Coastal Scents C427
Hakuhodou G545
Hakuhodou G544
Coastal Scents Tapered Duo Fiber Brush

Makeup Brushes : Sigma : Sigma F15 Duo Fibre Blush/Powder Brush Review

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This is one Sigma makeup’s new brushes, It is a duo fibre brush, It says it is for powder and blush, but I prefer to use it as a foundation brush..

 

I also use this brush for  applying MCC, Nars Cream Blushes

 

The fibres are soft and it is easy to apply any kind of cream products although it is more easy to use cream products with their Kabuki brushes..

 

Because it is a duo fibre brush it is much more easy to apply foundation if I have to compare it with MAC 190 or Sigma  Foundation brush.

This is not a must have brush for beginners but for the collectors or for the people like me who likes to try new things than go for it,

 

I always take my sigma brushes with me When I am travelling because If I loose or dropped it or forget  it somewhere I will not get very sad, it is affordable I can always replace it, but I do not like to take MAC brushes with me, it is expensive and not everybody can afford it, best to use it at home for my self rather than somebody nicks it or I forget it somewhere.

 

I have good quality brushes but I did not buy them at once, I bought one brush at a time, and It took me long time to buy the brushes I want to so they are very precious for me..

 

I sometimes use it mixing my powder bronzer and liquid highlighter and apply to my face as highlighter bronzer

 

It is actually multi talented brush, it blends loose powders, loose blushes great.

 

This is also an exact dupe of MAC 131 brush

 

I will soon be posting on MAC 131 brush and than it will be followed by a comparisson post between MAC 131 and Sigma F15

Upcoming Collections: Guerlian:Guerlain Terra Inca Collection for Summer 2011

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Guerlain celebrates the arrival of summer with a color-drenched, incredibly chic Terracotta collection! With colors ranging from ocean blue, flamboyant orange and ardent browns, this ultra-trendy collection invites you to experience a stunning technicolor voyage.

Terra Inca Star Powder ($70.00) (Limited Edition)

Terra Inca Star Powder is composed of two subtly pearl shades: a highlighting golden beige and a bronze-tinted pink. Together these shades will embellish your complexion while warming the skin with an iridescent glow. The case mimics the extra-large wooden bangles worn by fashionistas, making Terra Inca Star Powder the “it accessory” of summer 2011!

Combine with Terracotta bronzing powder to illuminate tanned complexions or use on its own for a natural glow.

Apply to curves of the face to add instant radiance to the complexion.

Apply to the décolleté and shoulders for a natural shimmer.

Terre Indigo 4-Shade Eyeshadow ($59.00) (Limited Edition)

The catwalks have set the tone: summer will be flashy! Guerlain reinterprets the trend by creating interlacing, intense colors, sprinkled with golden arabesques. Like colorful Incan qompi fabrics woven from shadows and pigments, the Terre Indigo eyeshadow unites all of their tones into a single palette. A vibrant orange, an intense blue, a deep brown and a lighter brown, speckled with a pale golden tone, can be used together or separately to match your every desire and mood. These soft, light powders caress the eyelids with a velvety touch for a natural or sophisticated result that is always mesmerizing.

“Simply chic”: apply the light brown tone to the eyelid, layer the orange shade on the upper part, then give more intensity to the eyes by applying the darker brown to the outer corner of the eye.

“Trendy”: apply the orange shadow to the eyelid fold, sweep a single blue tone over the eyelid and add a small amount of light brown to the outer corner of the eye.

“Fiesta Vibe”: apply the orange tone to the entire eyelid, add the blue shadow to the eyelid fold, then apply the light brown shade along the lashes and the dark brown shade under the lower lashes. Dressed in a golden glimmer, sea sparkles and sunlight, the eyes are ready to show off a bold look!

Ombre Fusion Cream Eyeshadow

Ombre Fusion Cream Eyeshadow is a unique creation that offers the softness of a powder, the richness of a cream and the lightness of water all in one.These exclusive eyeshadows reveal a spectacular metallic effect by adorning the eyelids with fabulous shimmering reflections. The effect is striking and will last from dawn to dusk. Designed to resist heat and dips in the ocean, the Ombre Fusion eyeshadows are the first Guerlain cream eyeshadows specially created for summer!

Available in 3 shades:

01 Bahia, 02 Havana, 03 Maya.

Apply the eyeshadow to the eyelid with the applicator, then blend in with fingertip to create an illuminated effect.

Use the beveled side of the Ombre Fusion applicator for a metallic liner effect.

Terracotta Gloss 

Just in time for summer and plenty of scorching kisses, Guerlain presents three new Terracotta Gloss creations. Neon fuchsia, sunny coral, flamboyant red make lips look mischievous and ravishing, dangerously delicious. These neon colors are sheer on application and will add shine while giving an instant radiance boost to the face! Their secret? A luminous and translucent formula, free of sparkles but packed with pigments. This non-sticky gloss can be applied at any time of day for an ultra-sensual effect.

Available in 3 shades:

07 Salsa, 08 Mambo , 09 Tango.

Khol Kajal

The cult favorite Khôl Kajal by Guerlain returns to light up the eyes with its ultra-pigmented formula. Its creamy texture glides on perfectly, making it ideal for women who love a deep and hypnotic look. Upon application, the eye is instantly accentuated! Dressed in dark and iridescent brown with two ribbons of brown and orange satin, it is a summer essential.

Available in 1 shade:

01 Black Frida.

Upcoming Collections: MAC COSMETICS: MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder for Summer 2011

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In the height of the summer swelter, who doesn’t crave, to suddenly feel, look and be cooler – shine, oil and heat – all gone! you’ve longed for it. And now it’s captured! Mac Magically Cool Liquid Powder. An alchemical fusion that charms water droplets into a loose powder while remaining over 50 percent H2O. The feather light silky powder goes on with the refreshing impact of an ocean mist.

What’s more, this magical melange contains just enough optical blurring via it’s light diffusing pigments to render the skins surface into line softened. natural luminosity. A cool-to-be-cool way to set, and enhance, the look of foundation. For the bare-faced, there’s the reward of natural radiance. During it’s earlier limited edtion launch, it was hailed by cognoscenti wanting to stay covertly cool and perfectly collected. This time round it’s here to stay. How magical is that?

Magically Cool Liquid Powder

Truth and Light Sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink

Cajun Sheer bronze shimmer that reflects gold

Honey Rose Sheer rosy beige with multi-dimensional shimmer

Upcoming Collections: MAC: MAC COSMETICS SEMI-PRECIOUS COLLECTION FOR SUMMER 2011

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We can all admire a woman with a 30-carat diamond. But the new dazzle is Semi-Precious. Gems that are rare in spirit, rich in substance and worn not as jewels but far more fluidly, on the skin. In MAC Semi-Precious, three mineralize formulas just became richer with the infusion of four finely milled gems each bringing their own earthy and spiritual affluence to the mineralize collection.

Consider the beauty of bronzeite with the regal golden-bronze flashes; mysteriously electric black tourmaline; golden glittering pyrite and lepiodlite, a calming crystalline lilac stone. Imagine the impact, gleam, and depth of color as they work their mystique on Mineralize Eye Shadows, Mineralize Skinfinishes and Mineralize Blush. Setting them off: Lipsticks, Cremesheen Glass, Zoom Fast Black Mascara, Mineralize Satin Finish SPF 15 Foundation, Mineralize Face + Body Lotion and Revitalizing Energy Mineralize Charged Water.

For skillful application, four new limited-life split fiber brushes a concise half and half compilation of natural and synthetic fibres both sides deposit and distribute color for a soft diffused look use the natural side; for an application the blends, buffs and fuses the color to the skin, use the synthetic. Like any limited edition, these elements start off rare, and tend to get rarer… get rich while you can!

 

Lipstick

Gem of Roses Mid-tone strawberry pink (Lustre) (L.E)

Lush Amber Light nude beige (Lustre) (Limited Edition)

One of a Kind Mid-tone rosy neutral (Lustre) (L.E)

Musky Amethyst Deep plum (Frost) (L.E)

Cremesheen Glass (L.E)

Geo Pink Strawberry pink (L.E)

Natural Flare Light caramel nude (L.E)

Pure Magnificence Light grey pink (L.E)

Looks Like Sin Mid-tone reddish plum (L.E)

Richly Revered deep brown plum (L.E)

Mineralize Blush (L.E)

Feeling Flush Melange of pink, deep blue-pink, soft brown (L.E)

Warmth of Coral Melange of peach and coral (L.E)

Pressed Amber Melange of nude, beige, brown (L.E)

Mineralize Skinfinish

Semi-Precious Pearl Beige champagne base with inner circle of white, plum, bronze (L.E)

Semi-Precious Crystal Pink Pink champagne base with inner circle of pink, mid-tone green, bronze (L.E)

Semi-Precious Rose Quartz Rosy pink base with inner circleof silver, lime, white-pink copper (L.E)

Brushes

128 Brush Split fiber cheek brush(L.E)

179 Brush Split fiber angled buffer brush (L.E)

234 Brush Split fiber blending brush (L.E)

235 Brush Split fiber all-over eye brush (L.E)

Mineralize Eyeshadow

Blue Sheen Navy, black, peach melange (L.E)

Dark Indulgence Forest green and black melange (L.E)

Smoky Ruby Burgundy and black melange (L.E)

Golden Glaze Gold and black melange (L.E)

Rare Find Violet, brown, gold melange (L.E)

Jade’s Fortunate Bright yellow, blue, lime, black melange (L.E)

Mint of Sapphire Pink violet, teal, copper, blue melange (L.E)

Faux Gold Coral, gold, lime, bronze melange (L.E)

Quartz Fusion Soft pink, silver, deep pink melange (L.E)

Unsurpassable Green, teal, purple, copper melange (L.E)

Clarity White, copper, grey melange (L.E)

Mineral Mode White, copper, grey melange (L.E)

Zoom Fast Black Lash

Deepest Black Deepest black 

Mineralize Charged Water (L.E)

Revitalizing energy – this refreshing hydrating mist rebalances the complexion and instantly replenishes the skin. infused with minerals that are essential in helping skin stay healthy and young looking.

Mineralize Face & Body Lotion

This gentle non-sensitive rich moisturizing lotion can be used on the face and body and is free of fragrance and color.

Makeup Collections: Nars : NARS Summer 2011 Collection

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                       NARS Trio Eyeshadow

 

 

NARS Trio Eyeshadow were created to allow you to achieve looks always more dazzling.
Whether you prefer a more natural or intense look, the Trio Eyeshadow, is the ultimate accessory to create the look that suits you.
Each of these colors can be used in combination with each other to create an unlimited number of sophisticated looks. All are rich in pigments and apply and blend effortlessly.
Each color can also be worn alone or combined as a base, illuminator or to sculpt the eyes.

 

Okiniwa

Cap Ferrat

 

Duo Eyeshadow

Dogon Metallic taupe with icy green sheen and charcoal black (Limited Edition)

Exotic Dance Metallic white with silver sheen and metallic gold (Limited Edition)

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil

Queen Modern citrus gold glitter (L. E)

Lipgloss

Wonder Shiny, sheer mandarin orange with pink andgold shimmer

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Bolero Pink cantaloupe

Pure Matte Lipstick

Carthage Matte, hot pink

Lipstick

Mayflower Sheer raspberry with shimmer

Blush

New Order Soft pink with gold and silver shimmer

Nail Lacquer

Ecume Opaque white (Limited Edition)

Kismet Metallic sunflower (Limited Edition)