TheMakeupGirl

Fall 2008: Estēe Lauder Chocolate Decadance...

New for fall 2008 comes Estēe Lauder's latest creation Chocolate Decadence, a swirly sweet confection of warm chocolate colors swirled with caramel gold and sparkling berry.  I can DEFINITELY get on board with these for fall not too dark but just dark enough...

The Rundown:

Face

• New, Limited Edition Creme Caramel Shimmer Powder ($32.00)
• Projectionist Mascara in Black ($19.50)

Berry Chocolate Look

• New, Limited Edition Pure Color Lipstick in Berry Cordial & Berry Swirl ($22.00)
• New, Limited Edition Pure Color Swirl Gloss in Berry Swirl ($18.00)
• New, Limited Edition Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Berry Truffle ($35.00)
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in Plum Writer ($18.50)
• New, Limited Edition Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Berry Cordial ($18.00)

Caramel Chocolate Look

• New, Limited Edition Pure Color Lipstick in Creme Caramel & Caramel Chocolate Swirl ($22.00)
• New, Limited Edition Pure Color Swirl Gloss in Caramel Swirl ($18.00)
• New, Limited Edition Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Caramel Truffle ($35.00)
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in Brown Writer ($18.50)
• New, Limited Edition Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Creme Caramel ($18.00)

   
The biggest thing that I noticed is that the lip glosses and lipsticks smell like chocolate Raspberry!!  That alone is enough to send me OVER the edge as that is one of my FAVORITE combos.  The compact looks like milk and white chocolate swirled together and will give your face a lovely shimmer.  I will definitely be picking up the compact, and a few lippies for sure.

Chocolate Decadence is available online esteelauder.com and at Estēe Lauder counters nationwide.

Shop Pretty!!

Estee Lauder Sensuous Giveaway: And The Winner Is...

First of all 289 entries???!!??  Y'all must really want some perfume!!!  LOL.  Thank you so much to everyone that entered and as most of you figured out (I told you I wasn't going to make it hard...LOL)   The correct answer was Jessica Alba.  This pic was pre-baby BTW...some of y'all were killing me thinking she was back to that already!!  She just had that baby like 3 weeks ago!!  LMAO.

The winner of the contest is:

Samantha Pruitt of Whittier, California

Congrats to you Samatha!!

Stay tuned for a big contest I am planning to celebrate TheMakeupGirl's 350,000 unique user milestone.  Thank you so much for reading...

Stay Pretty!!

June Contest: Win Estee Lauder's Latest Fragrance Sensuous...

Hey chicas...how would you like a chance to win the latest summer fragrance Sensuous from Estee Lauder??  Well here is your chance...as usual I am not going to make it all that difficult for you so here goes...Can you identify the actress in this photo??  Criteria is  listed below...

Criteria:

take a look at the picture  - who is she?  Hint:  She is a an actress who is a notorious tomboy and loves to hang at the beach in the summer.  Leave your answer in the comments section of this post.

Official Rules:

If you are in my family or you are in my phone book you cannot enter (sorry...but I have to be fair), also make certain you include your e-mail address with your entry so I will know how to contact you!  The contest will end at 11:59pm EST on Monday June 30th. I will draw a winner from the correct answers at random and the winners will be notified by email.  The winners have 48 hours to respond to my email notification that they have won and if they do not respond an alternate will be drawn.  The winner will be announced July 1st.

Guess Pretty!!

Steal This: Gwyneth Paltrow's Look in Iron Man...

The Classic Look is timeless, sophisticated and polished, playing on Pepper’s daytime fashion and on-the-go lifestyle as Tony’s trusty assistant. For makeup that lasts no matter what kind of drama may unfold during the day, begin by applying the long-wearing Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup for face and top with Tender Blush in Fresh Plum for softly glowing cheeks. Eyes are beautifully defined with Estée Lauder’s Artist’s Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Black, Signature Eyeshadow Duo in Pink Dusk, and Double Wear Mascara in Black. Complete the impression with equally emphasized lips in rich shades with Estēe Lauder’s Automatic Lip Pencil Duo in Fig and Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Plum Frost. For high shine and a lustrous finish top with High Gloss in Rose.

The Romantic Look is soft, feminine and luminous and the perfect complement to Pepper’s evening style of a striking jewel-toned cocktail dress and long, flowing hair. Whether headed to a gala event or a soiree that calls for a softer focus, the look begins with Estée Lauder’s Individualist Natural Finish Makeup for face and Tender Blush in Peach Nuance for cheeks. To add a touch of soft sheen, apply Spotlight under foundation on cheek bones, at the center of face and just above the upper lip. For luminous eyes, apply Pure Color Eye Shadows in Honey Drop and Ivory Box and top with Artist’s Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Brown and Projectionist Mascara in Black. For lips that shimmer all night long, finish with long-wearing Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Duo in Constant Coral.

For the Classic Look:

• Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup $32.50
• Tender Blush in Fresh Plum $25.00
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Black $18.50
• Signature Eyeshadow Duo in Pink Dusk $25.00
• Double Wear Mascara in Black $19.50
• Automatic Lip Pencil Duo in Fig $23.50
• Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Plum Frost $19.50
• High Gloss in Rose $ 16.00

For the Romantic Look:

• Individualist Natural Finish Makeup $32.50
• Tender Blush in Peach Nuance $25.00
• Pure Color Eye Shadow in Honey Drop and Ivory Box $17.50
• Artist’s Eye Pencil in Soft Smudge Brown $18.50
• Projectionist Mascara in Black $19.50
• Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Duo in Constant Coral $20.00

Visit the Estee Lauder site for a detailed product breakdown used to get these looks.

Stay Pretty!!

Summer 2008: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess...

New for summer from Estee Lauder is the Bronze Goddess Collection, with plenty of options from deep bronze to rosey pink.  This collection is an annual event for Estee Lauder fans, every year the shades are a bit different.  This year we have some clear stand outs for me...namely  the Bronzing Pearls,  and the new resurrected limited edition Bronze Goddess fragrance which is a dreamy blend of bergamot, mandarin, Tahitian gardenia, coconut,  amber, sandalwood and vetiver. GAWD!!!

All of these shades will all fantastic with a tan...I am self tanning as we speak because I am excited about the warmer weather that is on the way and I need some base color!!

The Rundown:

Face

• Bronze Goddess Bronzing Pearls
• Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer
• Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer in Amber Bronze Medium and Amber Bronze Rich
• Bronze Goddess Soft Shimmer Bronzer
• Bronze Goddess Tortoise Compact (filled with Soft Matte Bronzer)
• Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer
• Face and Body Brush

Eyes

• Pure Color Eyeshadow in Blushing Goddess (new, limited edition) and Cinnamon

Nails

• Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Bronze Goddess (limited edition) and Fuchsia

Fragrance

• Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche 100ml
• Bronze Goddess Body Oil 100ml
• Bronze Goddess Luminous Body Lotion 200ml

The entire collection is available on Estee Lauder's website and department stores nationwide.

Stay Pretty!!

Pricey Creams: Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Creme...

This is not your Grandmama's cream...well actually it is.  My Nana used this when I was a girl...I slathered it on in the hopes that I would have skin like hers because honey...Nana looked like she was 20 years younger than she did always.  She was a huge Estee Lauder fan...Youth Dew was on her dresser, ReNutriv was in the bathroom and if she was a fan I wanted to wear it too.

Fast forward 30 years and here it is again, re-launched and reformed into one of the most wonderful creams.  Now if you are not dry, or don't need anti-aging then let me stop you right now because this is the mother of all that.  This cream is extremely rich and has key ingredients like Resveratrate (Estée Lauder’s patent pending Youth Molecule that has shown to provide 6 times more protection from environmental damage causing skin to look and behave younger), South Sea Pearls and calming Red & Brown Algae (I love anything that has ingredients from the sea...).  This “youth prolonging” moisturizer, Is to be used both morning and night, and it is certain to provide you with the extra oomph your skin needs.  I have used the cream for 2 weeks or so and I have noticed elevated moisture levels with extra tightness in my skin...and with this weather, honey...it can't hurt.

Now, like I said, if you are under 30, I wouldn't even consider this because the hefty price tag ($250) is alone not worth it if you don't need an anti aging cream.  But if you are in the market, just think of my Nana and how she looked like she was 60 when she was 80 and that should give you some inspiration.

Stay Young and Pretty!!

Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick...

Any way you slice it, Estee Lauder spells elegance.  I still remember Nana's perfume stash and Youth Dew was in there ... timeless.  The bottele always reminded me of a lady in a dress with a little bow for a belt.  She also used the lipsticks.  The bold and heavy gold tube always looked stunning coming out of her makeup bag.  Wouldn't she be happy to see her lipstick re-invented and updated for the modern woman?  Estee Lauder's Timeless Signature Lipstick has gotten a makeover.

I usually don't care for people changing things as far as packaging and formulas - but this update was subtle, the gold case remains but it is slimmer.  The formula is updated as well bringing more moisture without sacrificing color and wear.  A synthetic wax base offers improved emolliency, a brighter color and greater control in terms of handling. Next it combines gelants  for cushion and comfort, esters for slip and luster, and an all-new emollient paste, an industry-first sumptuous blend of oils previously reserved only for lip glosses that literally melts onto the lips, delivering incredible shine.

The new signature lipstick is available in 24 show stopping shades, my faves are:

Rich Currant
Mocha
Burnished Bronze
Rich Berry

This gorgeous lipstick retails for $19.50 and is on Estee Lauder counters now.

Stay Pretty!!

Skin Care Regime: Serums...

In keeping with my French theme today, I though I might talk about the virtues of using a serum in your skin-care regimen.  In the life of your skin, there are many things you can do in order to enhance the texture and appearance of it.  One of those things is to use a serum.  Now, many people would disagree with me on this point but hear me out.  I have been using SOME kind of serum since I was 18 years old.  I am now staring at 40 and most folks think I am about 27 (I do think that is pushing it...but hey I will take it...lol)  So as far as I am concerned, there HAS to be some truth to it.  That and most of the leading European skincare companies like Sisley and Clarins offer serums in their lines.  For years, European skincare has been the leader in research when it comes to how the elements and different variables affect your skin.  And we all know that European women are still fabulous as they get older, look at Sophia Loren and Catherine Deneuve.  That being said, in recent years, American skincare companies have been doing their own research with some fantastic results.

Here are some of my favorites that have proven track records for incredible results...

Clarins Total Double Serum I know I know...Clarins isn't American!  But they have a US division don't they?  HA HA.  This is the first serum I ever used, so I am a bit biased.  Although it has been re-packaged in a new fancy container, this is the same good old double serum from the old days. Formulated with 42 natural ingredients to boost the skin's radiance and vitality while enhancing a firmer more toned appearance.

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough I am currently using this one.  It contains Vitamin C and E peptides (which are links of amino acids which are structural building units of proteins) and soy.  This serum is great for firming and brightening the skin.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate This was created back in 1982 as Night Repair, It was re-formulated in 1990 as Advanced Night Repair.  This new formula is a super intensive serum that helps with dehydration, excessive sun exposure, or pre- and post micro-dermabrasion and chemical peels.  Use this one if you have spent a lot of time in the sun or if your skin needs a little TLC.

Origins Plantidote  I have only used this in sample form for about a week, but I was extremely impressed with the results.  I was actually an Origins fanatic before I started using Philosophy 2 years ago.This serums is great for hyper-pigmentation, extreme dryness, lines wrinkles and puffiness.  Use this if your skin seems stressed or extra dry.

Treat your skin to some extra help in the cooler months, you should treat is well all year long really.  But especially if you spend a lot of time in the sun.  Even if you only spend what you consider to be a little time in the sun without protection, you are still at risk for sun damage. 

Every woman in this day and age should be using some kind of SPF of at least 25 on a daily basis.  Sun damage can cause a myriad of other problems including dehydration, hyper-pigmentation and extreme dryness, not to mention skin cancer.

Stay Pretty and protect that skin!!