Until November...

This blogger is Bahamas bound as of tomorrow at the crack of dawn.  I’ll be back in a week.  Until then… I leave you with this… be jealous… unless that bitch, Rina, makes it rain all week.  Then just be sad (for me & the bride). 

Peace out!!

Crazy in Love

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eye Shadow – Khaki Pulse #6

I’m seriously crazy in love with these Armani shadows… I have blogged about them before (see my 5/11/11 post) but I’m posting again because I bought my second shade recently and it equates to lid perfection!!  & it is so super easy.  I went with “khaki pulse” aka #6 because I’ve been wanting to recreate that reddish bronze/ copper smoky eye that I saw on the runways this Fall.  A couple sweeps of this shadow (I use a little under my lower lashes too), a little highlighter under the brow bone & mascara and you’re done!  These shadows have the most beautiful shimmer, they can be applied wet or dry, and they do not crease.  Listen, when Armani says it doesn’t crease, he means it!! (I swear they don’t – not even during hot yoga) Here is a link to the product at Neiman Marcus but, I recommend trying a couple in store because the number/name match-up and online pictures can be a little tricky.  They can be layered as well for a more dramatic effect.  I bought both of mine at Woo on Bandywood in Nashville.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod131060052&parentId=cat19220744&masterId=cat19220742&index=5&cmCat=cat000000cat000285cat4830738cat000294cat19180738cat19220742cat19220744&isEditorial=false

By Terry Foundation

By Terry Teint Delectation Foundation

I splurged on some ultra fine/high end foundation from the French brand, By Terry, before one of my BFF’s weddings in the Bahamas later this week.  I’m red and a little splotchy so I need moderate to full coverage foundation but don’t like to look too powdery or made-up.  This is tough.  This foundation is AMAZING.  1 & 1/2 little pumps from the gorgeous bottle (smaller than the size of a dime) flawlessly and seamlessly cover your entire face.  My shade is “vanilla peach” – these formulas are especially good for people with pinky skin – it’s moisturizing (great for winter months) and full of healthy anti-oxidants.  I have been applying it with an equally as AMAZING Shiseido foundation brush which I’ll review in another post.  My skin has never looked better and though at $108 this is a bit steep – I don’t think I’ll ever use anything else.  Sigh…

For a complete By Terry makeover and to visit a counter in Nashville – stop by Private Edition and ask for Carmen.

Way to go Nashville for stocking this uber exclusive brand!

http://www.beautybar.com/p/By-Terry-Teint-Delectation-Plumping-Fluid-Foundation-104877

What a Shocker??!!

YSL Shocking Mascara in Sea Black

I was hoping to get this in traditional black but it was sold out or backordered everywhere when I was looking online so I went with “sea black” which is a black/light blue to try something different.  I posted my desire to try this out on 10/3/11 after Rachel Zoe advocated for the product on her blog.  I like it a lot (I think) but cannot say after a couple tries that I love it.  I feel like the black/blue shade is throwing me off because it’s not as dark as I would like – I do think it’s more natural and will be pretty for daytime events and my office.  The mascara is meant to add length and curl.  It didn’t clump at all and I liked the twisted shape of the wand but, I did not find the formula to be super lengthening or curling on me. The formula is nice and creamy though and it does give lashes a “wet” look which is fun.  I’m wondering if maybe I didn’t take enough time to coat and twist the wand on my lashes?  In any event, I do like it and would recommend it – it definitely wears well and didn’t migrate or feather even after 9+ hours.  Here is a link to the product at Sephora, where - go figure, all shades seem to be in stock:

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P299013&om_mmc=esv103264-GG&om_kwpur=341544085&ppc_crid=7161412937&sbanner=us_search&esvcid=S1319210887_ADOGOE_AGI3733465_CRE7161412937_TID341544085_RFDd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20%3d

The Devil wears Prada (but not candy)

Prada Candy Parfum

This is Prada’s newest fragrance that launched in Aug. of  2011.  Ok, so honestly, this just didn’t do it for me – I’m still trying to figure out why it’s called “candy” as IMO there is nothing even remotely candy-ish about it.  To me it smells like spiced baby powder??  It supposedly has a caramel base with hints of vanilla and balsamic.  As one of my BFFs recently said “I’m not into scents/lotions that smell like food” – I guess I’m not either.  I’m almost at a loss for words over this one mostly because it is so far from the description that Prada offers about the scent. Allure named this the best “sweet” scent in their Oct. 2011 issue… I’m just not feeling it.  Here is a link to the product at Neiman Marcus but I’m not going to recommend it.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod138850007&parentId=cat40180741&masterId=cat6450732&index=0&cmCat=cat000000cat000285cat4830738cat350735cat6450732cat40180741&isEditorial=false

What I will recommend is splurging and buying yourself some Prada shoes (surprisingly easy to walk in)… like these that I scored on sale at the end of the season.  As Carrie Bradshaw would say “Hello Lover” – because you know I cannot give anything with the Prada name an entirely negative review.  Happy Friday!!

Chanel Lash Curler

Chanel Precision Lash Curler

I’ve had a Shu Uemura lash curler since I was 18 (I’ll be 32 next month) – and I’ve recently gotten to wondering if a lash curler has an expiration date??  For the record, I think they do.  I love my Shu but my lashes do NOT stay curled.  So, thanks to Rachel Zoe’s 10/18/11 blog post I now have $34 less b/c I just had to have Chanel’s new lash curler.  The perfect arc shape of the curler gives lashes a gentle but maximum curl and doesn’t hurt or pull any of your precious lashes.  Supposedly this little fella delivers major curl and lift in a flash but the question is… will it hold?  So far so good… I could definitely tell a difference between the staying power and especially the lift of the Chanel as compared to the Shu Uemura.  But, you better move fast ladies because word is only a limited amount were made and they’re sure to sell out soon.  Happy hunting!! I scored mine w/ the help of Pat at the Macy’s Chanel counter in Green Hills.  I got 1 of 3 left on Tuesday afternoon.  

As far as size and dimensions go – I can tell you that side by side the 2 curlers/brands are almost identical – though the matte black finish and white channel logo is more modern and appealing but, I also haven’t been looking at it in my makeup bag for 14 years!!

Surely with my lash Trish treatment, YSL Shocking mascara, and new Chanel curler we’ll see a dramatic impact in my eye lashes soon!! I’ll post a pic on a day or night when I’ve used all products in the near future.

http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Mascara-RECOURBE-CILS-DE-CHANEL-122598

Absolution

Absolution Store Review

Absolution is the newest store in the recently re-vamped Green Hills Mall.  It is not necessarily a beauty store… more like beauty for the home but, since it is such a gem, I thought I’d review it.  Absolution is owned by the same driving force that has brought us Private Edition, Cosmetic Market, & Therapy Systems here in Nashville.

It is gorgeous… think slightly mid-evil…but still with polished Southern charm.  It is packed with maybe the most diverse and beautiful selection of candles (of course the whole place smells incredible) I’ve ever seen.  Mercury glass and old school apothecary-like bottles sit twinkling & reflecting light on every surface.  Books like “Chanel” are stacked in every corner.  The chandeliers dangling from the ceiling are AMAZING and there is quite possibly the best assortment of unique gifts in Nashville… not to mention to-die-for seriously cool jewelry.

This shop is not to be missed.  I didn’t have my camera with me when I popped in but I found a couple images online to give you a little taste.  If you stop by, ask for the lovely Mary Kathryn & tell her I sent you.  Here is a link to the store’s “coming soon” website:

http://www.seekabsolution.com/

Happy hump day!

*Images from www.styleblueprint.com