Tarte Lock and Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Shadow Duo

Although I tend to get stuck in ruts when it comes to my makeup, sometimes I reach in deep into my overflowing case of color and find something I haven't used in ages. That happened yesterday when, after my usual primer and pale pink shadow, I felt the need to go out of the norm.Thats was when I saw Tarte's Lock and Roll Creaseless Cream & Powder Shadow Duo in this pretty shade of pewter called Gunmetal. First I thickly lined my top lid with the liquid-like brush end, then I rolled on top of that the powder side. The result was a pretty grey-purple eye that was dramatic without looking too heavy or over the top for daytime. Beauteous!

Shine Lovely!

Tarte F&F Sale: Had to share, it's that good!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in1 Natural Mascara

My new favorite everyday mascara was a bit of a shock to be. I'll be the first to admit that packaging is very important to me. I have used other Tarte products in the past, and my biggest complaint was this funny faux patent leather quilted material! This mascara tube is twice as big as it would be without it and kind of ackward. But packaging aside, Lights, Camera, Lashes! 4-in-1 Natural Mascara is a great mascara! It goes on slightly dry (so it doesn't get everywhere and smudge) with a slight texture. It coats my lashes completely and really does all 4: lengthen, curl, volumize, and condition. It doesn't smudge off during the day (BIG for me) and comes off with just a little face wash and water, no crazy amounts of rubbing. Also, they use natural ingredients like carnauba wax, olive esters, and rice bran wax. So despite the fact that the packaging turned me off, I'm glad I finally tried this mascara out. It is definitely going in my regular pile.

Lash Lovely!

Happy Earth Day!

Celebrate this special day with my favorite earth-friendly brands:

Everyday is earth day at The Body Shop. Check out all the things they do year round to better our world and provide great natural products, like their Hemp Hand Protector.

Celebrate with Ojon! Purchase any of there fabulous products for your hair and 10% of all their online sales at http://www.ojon.com/ through May with go to MOPAWI, a non-profit dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the native populations of Honduras' rainforests. Now that is a cause I can feel good about. Their signature product, Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, is a must try!

Tarte Cosmetics is also offering a Earth day special, enter the code EARTH08 at check out, and recieve 20% off your order though May 2. Tarte's products are loaded with natural ingerients and free of mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances. Their natural cheeck stain in Full Blossom is chalked full of super fruits to give you a double dose of color and anixoidants. Cool, huh?!

Earth Lovely!

And Now For Something New

I have been a solid powder blush user for so long, it was hard for me to try something new. Powder blush is just so easy to apply. With the right brush (I used a powder brush actually because I don't like a hard blush line that some smaller blush brushes give you) you just sweep and go.

But Tarte cosmetics tempted me with their popular stick cheekstains. I picked up one in Natural Beauty (a sheer berry rose) the other day and while I can't say I feel 100% confident in my application abilities, I like the results. It gives a me nice bright berry-full glow. I think I want to try Tipsy next, a sheer coral-pink with a hint of white shimmer that is apricot scented. Sounds pretty, right? And I'm in luck, Sephora has a special gift set called Ready, Set, Glow! that contains a mini Tipsy and another product I've wanted to try, the Rest Assured Brightening Wand. Think I might just go for it!

Glow Lovely!

Bargain Alert: Tarte FF Discount!

Had to share this one with any and all of my blog-reading friends:

Now until December 31st, enter the code FF07 at checkout at TarteCosmetics.com to get a whopping 35% off! Wow-ZAH! That is awesome.

It's great time to stock up on Tarte products like their superb Cheekstains, fab Mascara, and these mini Brushes! You better believe I'll be blowing a bit of holiday cash of some Tarte!

Plus: Shipping is free if you buy 3 items or more! Oh dear, I am in trouble!

Shop 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!