Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder

Forever on the quest to find the perfect foundation powder, I finally got to try Smashbox's Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder. At $59 it is not a cheap option, but it is now my current favorite! And actually compared to the popular BE Bare Minerals which is $29 for .3oz, Halo is a better deal at $59 for .75oz.

The Halo container is awesome. You spin the sifter and powder slowly shaves off into the top, so there is no mess and no wasted product! I used a BE Kabuki brush to apply (the one that comes with Halo is rather small) and it goes on like a dream. It is very light weight and the Light shade matches my skin tone perfectly, not too peachy or orange at all. The powder is supposed to be both hydrating and fight the signs of aging with amino acids, minerals and real gold. Not to mention Halo is Oil-free, Talc-free, and Paraben-free. All I know so far is it evens out my skin tone and makes my face look fresh and clean.

I am happy I finally got to try Halo and I think you should too. Only thing that might hold you back is the limited shades available. Hopefully Smashbox will work on having darker shades in the future, so everyone can try this awesome foundation.

Powder Lovely!

Pur Minerals Makeup and Skincare

In the summertime, my skin needs constant care. One minute it is oily and shiny, the next minute it is dry and flaky. It is so frustrating, especially when I am traveling! This is why I appreciate products that can serve more than one purpose. Both products I tried from the Pur Minerals line do just that! And they are both great for my combination-nightmare skin.

Pur Minerals Pur Polish is an exfoliating wash that can be used from head to toe! It is gentle enough to use daily in the shower on my face, or smother all over my body. It is made of natural ingredients like aloe vera, naturally exfoliating citrus oils and the soothing vitamins A and E. My finicky face always feels amazing and refreshed after a quick scrub down with Pur Polish. And priced at $21.50 for 8 fl oz, it is a good deal. My only complaint is that the pump on mine doesn't seem to work. I just unscrewed it and used the tube inside as a spatula of sorts which works ok, especially in the shower.

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation with SPF 15 boasts that it is a foundation, concealer, powder and SPF all in one product. This is perfect for girls who want minimal fuss when it comes to makeup and sunscreen. I like that it is a mineral powder compact, instead of loose, making it much more portable. The color they sent me was a bit too dark, so I used it when I got a bit of sun the other week. It went on pretty smooth with a brush and coverage was between light and heavy. I stayed fairly shine free all day and it covered up most of my imperfections. It would be a great item to throw in your overnight bag for that weekend at the beach/shore. It is available for $24.50 on their website.

Mineral Lovely!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder Foundation

I have found my perfect foundation powder! After endless trial and error of many brands and formulas, this is the one that has proven to be the best...so far. Being a beauty junkie, I of course will continue to try others, since that is what I do. But for now this is my go-to foundation powder everyday of the week. I initially tried it in their limited edition duos, paired with a shimmery highlighter but I found I was mostly just using the matte side. So I was thrilled to discover that MAC sells them on their own!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish/Natural has very light coverage and yet it is build-able for those days when you need some extra help. I apply it with my kabuki brush, after I have put on concealer (YSL's Touche Eclat mostly...still obsessed with that as well!). It blends in so nicely and the shade light/medium matches my skin quite well. I don't feel like I get shiny later in the day and yet it doesn't make me look like I have a thick layer of powder on my face. I love that it is in a small compact (and not loose... don't think I can go back to loose mineral powders now) but I do wish the compact included a mirror and a sponge for quicker mid-day touch ups. I guess you really can't have everything.

Powder Lovely!

Get Mineralized with MAC

I went a little gaga over MAC's mineralized eyeshadows and skinfinishes last fall, but the range of colors was limited and only available for a short time. Well, I have good news for all you ladies who fet the same: they are back this summer and better than before!!! All are avaiable now online and in MAC stores in the USA.

Check out the collections for yourself at maccosmetics.com:

Electroflash: Nine new mineralized eyeshadow duos!....AND 4 new lipglasses and lipsticks! I can't get enough of these shadows. They apply so smoothly and give just the right amount of pigment. Yet because of the veining, you get somethign different everytime.







New View: Five new mineralized skinfinishes, baked to be delicious. I love these to create a glowing summer look... even in the winter! Whenever I wear the one I got last fall, I always get tons of compliments about my glowing skin. Time for another one to add to the collection!






Sonic Chic: Nine mineralized blushes, beatifully sheer yet chic. I love MAC blushes already, so I am egar to try these mineral ones. They sound light and yet very buildable for varying looks.








Mineralize Lovely!

CARGO Powder Foundation

After my less than successful attempt at picking out a new powder foundation from MUFE, I went back to Sephora last week and tried again. This time I spent a bit more time and tested out a few powders on my face before I purchased anything.

I ended up picking out a pressed powder compact foundation by CARGO. I've gotten used to using loose mineral powders but it is nice to have a compact that you can throw in your purse without getting everything messy. This particular one can be used wet or dry, but I've just tried it dry so far. I use a brush first and lightly cover my whole face to cut shine and even out the tone. Then I've been using the sponge that comes with it to cover any blemishes or other areas where I want a bit more coverage. So far I like it. The color I picked is good, 20, but I still need to use bronzer since my face is so much whiter than the rest of me. All in all, I'd recommend this as a good basic powder foundation and it comes in quite a few tones so you'll probably be able to find a good match. At $28 its not cheap, but not super expensive either.

Powder Lovely!

Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder

The other day I literally had 5 minutes to run into Sephora and get a foundation powder to replace my Laura Mercier Mineral powder that had run out. Unfortunately the Sephora store in downtown San Francisco doesn't carry Laura Mercier so I was forced to look elsewhere. I've been meaning to try out some more of Make Up For Ever's products so after running around the store, I headed straight to their display and saw their Super Matte Loose Powder. Quick as a flash, I grabbed up what I thought would be a good match for my skin and hurried to the checkout.

Well, I've been using the powder for a week now and I have mixed feelings. It is very matte, which I like, but the coverage is minimal and isn't nearly as buildable as the Laura Mercier. Reading the description on Sephora.com, I now know it is ment more as a setting powder than a foundation by itself. Guess its not always a good idea to grab and go when it comes to makeup. I also think I went a little too light with #14, especially for summer. I've been wearing SPF 30 everyday like a good girl but my skin seems a little tanner than it did a few months ago. Oh well, better luck next time. I think I'll have to head over to the other SF Sephora and pick up the LM powder I love so much. I can use the MUFE as a setting powder, or as a lighter foundation once my skin clears up some more.

Powder Lovely.

Jumped On The Mineral Bandwagon

I know I just wrote about how much I love my Foundation Powder by Laura Mercier, but as the compact emptied, I let my eyes wonder to other possibilities. I wouldn't be a junkie if I stuck to the same products! I now have a new favorite foundation! I will keep what is left of my compact for on the go touch-ups, but now I use Laura Mercier's Mineral Powder SPF 15. It is a loose powder that provides minimal coverage, but can be layered on for greater concealing. It feels light as air on my face and adds a bit of pearl essence to my complexion.

The lovely people at Sephora Union Street color matched me to Tender Rose, a pink ivory for very fair skin tones (I'm so pale after this winter!). It is easy to apply with a blending powder brush or a kabuki brush for more coverage, but it can get a tad messy if you aren't careful. I like the way it makes my skin look much more than other mineral powders I've tried (cough cough, BE). The coolest feature is the sliding lid, which blocks the holes so when you are travelling, all the product won't end up in the lid. So clever! But since it is a loose powder, I know better than to carry it around with me in my purse, least it get all over everything. So that's wear my almost empty compact comes in. Waste not, want not!

Powder Lovely!

Hi-Def Your Makeup

Seems like everyone is jumping on the High Definition bandwagon. That's right, even makeup companies are using the advancement of this new technology to sell cosmetics! Cargo just came out with a new line of makeup called The blu_ray™ Collection. Here is what they have to say about it:

"The revolutionary new collection from CARGO cosmetics, blu_ray™, was created especially for filming in high-definition. The professional-quality makeup covers imperfections while looking completely natural—since any heavy coverage is amplified in hi-def—and the result is radiant skin. CARGO's The blu_ray™ Collection is ideal for weddings, special events, or for flawless everyday beauty."

The pressed powder looks intriguing and so does the HD mattifier but right now the powder only comes in one color, a "neutral beige." (I think the mattifier is clear.) I am all for makeup that is good for your skin and still looks good on camera, but its sounds a bit like a marketing ploy to me. What do you think, ladies?

HD Lovely!

Product Review: The Body Shop's All in One Face Base

Well, I promised a review when I bought this powder in my $26 shopping spree at The Body Shop, so here it is: Not impressed. The All in One Face Base doesn't do any of the things I want my foundation or powder to do. I may have bought it in a too light shade but to me that's better than too dark (My biggest fear: looking like a pumpkin face!). As a powder this products gives little to no coverage and feels sort of chalky on. It doesn't last either, I was shiny by 11am! I guess its called all in one because you can apply it with water, for a more coverage, so I tried that. Still not impressed. It provided a bit more coverage, but I still had to breakout my concealer and dot everywhere to get somewhat of an even tone. Besides the texture was not improved by applying it with a damp sponge. Verdict: I'll use this powder in a pinch, with all my others have run out, but I won't purchase again. Body Shop, how I love thee, I haven't given up on you yet! The search for the perfect powder foundation continues...

The Body Shop Does it Again

I know I can be a broken record sometimes, but I just can't stop telling the world how much I love The Body Shop and its rewards program! Yesterday I went to the store that is 3 blocks from my office (at California and Drumm for those of you in SF). It has been closed for a few weeks being remodeled and so now they are doing a promotion. I was up for my $25 dollar gift as well, so I got all this great stuff and I only ended up spending $26! It was amazing!!!

I got: Pink Grapefruit Body Butter, my favorite fruity scent to remind me of the warm weather that is no more in this gloomy grey city; All In One Face Base in Shade 03, to further my quest for the perfect powder foundation; Glow Enhancer in Shade 01 Tinted, a shimmery light liquid highlighter for around the eyes or anywhere you want to glow; and a replacement bottle of Aztique Eau de Toilette, which I love to mix with Zestini for a fun fruity zesty scent!

Plus, I got a free gift for spending $20 as part of there new store promotion: a cute suede black and silver makeup bag with a sample sized Super Volume Mascara, a full sized Vitamin E Nurishing Night Cream, a sample sized High-Shine Lip Treatment in Red Gleam, and a full sized White Musk Eau de Toilette. What a freakin' good deal! I am stocked for awhile now... until the next time I feel like a little browsing on my lunch break! Now are you convinced that the Love Your Body rewards club is worth it?! To think of it, they are giving out the rewards cards for free at that location (a $10 value), so if you are in SF, you should run over there before the promotion ends!

Shop Lovely!

Mad for Minerals

I'm always on the lookout for a new foundation. I'm never 100% satisfied with anything, and its always fun to try out new products (hence the name "Beauty Junkie"). My Tarte Pressed Powder that I reviewed the other month is already running out (don't think I'm getting that again!). To keep with the mineral foundation idea, I was browsing The Mineral Makeup Blog for new pressed powder brands and I found her post on Mineral Fusion's deal going on this month at Whole Foods Market. For $20 you get two shades of pressed powder in sample sizes, a full size bronzer compact, a small kabuki brush, and hydration mist. I was disappointed to find that it didn't come in Cool, since that was the color I think would most match my skin tone, but I picked up the Neutral anyways since it was such a good deal. I also grabbed a lip gloss in Serene while in the check out line for around $15.

While I don't think I wasted $20 completely, I was disappointed with the kit. The Neutral 2 actually matched my skin tone pretty well, but I had to put it on with my Bare Escentuals Kabuki Brush since the brush in the kit was awful. Really low quality, it wouldn't stop shedding little black bristles all over my face! Regularly, the pressed powder foundation is $36 though, far too much in my opinion. The bronzer compact has two colors, one gold-shimmery side and one orange-tan side. The tan is far too dark and pigmented for my fair skin, but I can use the gold side to highlight my cheeks or brow bones. The hydration mist seems ok, but I'm not sure I'll actually use it. And the lip gloss was a big mistake, color wise. Way too cotton-candy, eighties pink for me! I'm going to try and return or exchange it for something else,which I will test in the store this time! At least the taste wasn't too bad.

At the very least, I can feel good knowing that proceeds of the sale went to Pink United, a non profit organization which helps battle against breast cancer. I'll just have to keep looking for that perfect powder foundation.

Powder Lovely!

Think Pink with Dior

I am in LOVE with this limited edition Dior Couture Palette! I have found it on sooo many blogs, but nowhere is it for sale online! I'll have to check Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus, or Saks because I know Sephora isn't carrying it (went there today on my lunch... and I DIDN'T buy anything, weird huh?). I can't wait to see this lovely thing in person.

For $50 you get a lip gloss and a powder bronzer in a pink Dior logo printed case and two little brushes for easy application on the go. The brushes are strapped on so you can take it out at night and be the most stylish girl in the powder room.

The best part is Dior will donate $10 of each sale to The American Cancer Society. The blog Spoiled Pretty did a nice job of vouching for the organization and listing more ideas on how we can help out the cause this month. Check her out!

Dior Lovely!

Pink Ribbon Beauty

I have another classy pink ribbon item for you to considering purchasing in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month:



Estée Lauder's Pink Ribbon Compact Set is very classy and the translucent powder that comes in it is perfect for blotting away shine throughout the day. I especially adore the travel brush that comes with it. Its price is steep ($45 at nordstrom.com) but proceeds of the sale go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which Estée Lauder has capped at $500,000, so you can spend knowing that you really are giving back. Check out all the items in Estée Lauder's Pink Ribbon Collection 2007 here.



Powder lovely!

pressed perfection

I was in the market for a new powder foundation so my logical move was to head to Sephora. I have been a loyal fan of MAC's Studio Fix in C2, but after getting a lecture from my aesthetician regarding the evils of their ingredients (not sure exactly what, but she was serious enough to scare me into trying something new), I was willing to venture into unknown brands to get the coverage and comfort I desired.

I like this trend toward mineral makeup but I used Bare Escentuals bareMinerals in Fairly Light a few years ago and it ruined all my birthday pictures as a result. I looked like a ghost, it was awful! Their colors just don't seem to match my skin tone; they are either two dark, too yellow or too white. Also, I wanted my powder in pressed form, since it is the only thing I carry with me, well, that and lip gloss of course! I needed something that would compliment my fair yet reddish skin and be able to cover up just enough of my imperfections without looking like heavy foundation.

I found my answer in Tarte Cosmetics Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder SPF 8 pressed mineral powder and compact in Light - $28. It matches my skin tone pretty damn well, and has the buildable quality I loved about Studio Fix. I apply it with a brush in the a.m. and do touch-ups during the day with the included sponge. If I have a nasty zit, I dab it over my concealer and it blends right in. It feels great, no chalky feel at all, and doesn't look like heavy powder makeup. My only complaint is the packaging, which right now is a "layered leatherette compact," pictured on the Tarte website. It gets messy really easy and the shiny purple leather is already scratched after a few weeks. Hopefully, they will return to the plastic-like compact pictured on the Sephora website after the fall collection is sold out. Its pretty, I'll give them that, but impractical especially if you are toting in around in your purse! If they change the packaging, I'll definitely buy this again, even if it is on the pricey side.

Shop Lovely!