Reviews and Favorites

And now for installment #2 of my reviews. In this post, I'll focus on beauty products.

I was hoping to cover beauty and services in one post, but it got too long. Actually, it got so long that I'm going to have to split my beauty reviews into two separate posts, and then I will have a final post covering service reviews.

An important note: I have moderately sensitive skin, but I always have such a hard time figuring out what product caused which rash, that it makes it hard to know which product to stop using. None of the products in this review have been connected with rashes (for me personally), and I will try my best to properly warn you if I have experienced any reactions to any products I ever review. (Ex. One time I made this linen spray with a perfum oil I had, and ohmigod, I thought I had the measles, but it was just the worst rash ever.)


My favorite products of the moment:

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in "Ravish Me Red" ($4.99 to $7.99)
Personally, I think I look awful in "purple" or cool reds, and most classic red lip colors are just that. They look heavy and awkward; I end up looking pasty and puffy. I need warmer colors and I've finally found a red that leans more towards orange-red, but isn't quite as bright as the MAC lipstick I have. I nearly bought a very similar version at the Estee Lauder counter, but everyone else had had the same idea and so all the Washington Nordstroms were sold out. I'm happy it worked out that way, because I ended up finding this Revlon color and saving $15! Another good option is MAC Lustre Lipstick in Lady Bug, which costs around $14.


Clinique Redness Solution Powder ($33)
What do you get when you combine Dutch, German, Scottish, and Scandinavian genes? One very red-faced offspring. I've had random people ask me "Were you just running? Your cheeks are so rosy!" "No, ma'am, just cursed." On top of that, I have very spacious cheeks (They are like the Great Plains), so downplaying at least one of these things is always a goal. Reducing redness is easier and cheaper than reducing size, especially thanks to this loose powder from Clinique. It's one of the few products that is marketed as having instant effects AND actually delivers said effects. Another plus: it didn't make me break out in a rash.




All-Time Favorites and Standbys:

Essie Nail Polish ($8)
Essie always has the best colors. For those of you who are very particular about your french manicure, they have about a zillion different pale pink and beige shades made just for french manicures. I find that Essie lasts longer than OPI, as well (But only about 10 seconds longer. I chip my nail polish almost instantly). The color shown here is the newest shade in my collection. It's a lovely rusty, brick red by the name of Alligator Purse.


L'Oreal Studio Secrets Face Primer ($10-$12)

I can't tell you how much I love this stuff. It's a great primer, but also works wonders when worn alone. It's mattifying, but not so much that your skin looks like a piece of copy paper (I've experienced this with other products). It also magically perfects you skin! It evens the tone, minimizes pores, and can even erase fine lines. At around $12, this product can't be beat. Like with the Clinique product above, I was super thrilled when I didn't break out in a horrible rash.

If you ask me...

Time for some good ol' fashioned product reviews! All based on personal experience; all from companies and stores I patronize regularly.

First off, Pajama Jeans! The hottest new thing in fashion!

JOKING. But really, when I'm watching The Today Show and that commercial comes on, my morning is a little bit sunnier.



I'm going to post this in two parts. We'll start with clothing and fashion, since I have more reviews in that category. Later, I will review Services and Beauty Products.

Apparel:

-H&M-
Pro: Great value (as I'm sure you've figured out)! The sizing makes sense and is pretty consistent from garment to garment. Most things are really well made, considering how much they cost.

Con: I have had the hem come out of 3 different items. I love their tank tops, but 2 out of 3 have come undone at the hem :(

-J. Crew-
Pro: They have gorgeous designers and great stylists. Somehow they know exactly what I'm into the week they send me a catalog. They usually have colors you can't find anywhere else. Their clothes last forever!

Con: The "vanity sizing" is BEYOND ridiculous. Example: I'm an 8 or so at H&M, but I am a SIZE 2 (!) at J.Crew. I have trouble finding things that fit, in the sales especially. I would not recommend buying pants there. They stretch out really badly. I've bought three different types; skinny denim and Minnie City Fit in a lighter twill and one pair in a heavier cotton fabric. The denim and the lighter twill stretched out to the point where I looked like I've lost 15 pounds. In my crotch. Seriously. The heavier ones have held up much better, but I still have to wash them often so they will shrink back into shape.

-Forever21-
Pro: Surprising value and amazing selection (this is also sort of a con). Stuff is actually made pretty well. I've had some things for years now. Even a button-up blouse that I've never had to replace buttons on!

Con: The return policy is dumb. You only have 21 days to exchange something, and you can only get store credit. They have soooo much stuff, it can be kind of overwhelming. I used to have panic attacks in Forever21. My friend had a seizure there once (but that may have been her fault). The sizing runs pretty small, so when I was a stylish heavy-set high schooler I couldn't shop there.




-GAP-
Pro: Good for basics. Sometimes they have some really good designs. The sales are great! Their jeans age perfectly. They don't stretch out like some jeans I know.

Con: Another place where the vanity sizing is getting out of control. I am not an XS. If I were, then there would be 5 million other woman who would not be able to find any clothes to wear, except for in the Toddler's section.

-Sam Edelman-
Pro: Sometimes the designs are pretty cute.

Con: I have only bought one pair of Sam Edelman shoes, but I have had 3 different pairs of the same style. The first pair was the wrong size (not Sam's fault), the second pair dyed my feet green, and the third pair came unglued after a month. Based on this experience, I've decided that I will never pay full price for a pair of Edelman's ever again. (Thank goodness I bought them at Nordstrom; they have an excellent return/repair policy, which I will get to later.)


-Urban Outfitters-
Pro: Fun stuff! They usually have a lot of trendy pieces. Great selection of store brands and name brands. I really like their selection of shoes and haven't had many problems when it comes to quality. I have two pairs of Cooperative wedges that I live in.

Con: I like to call this place "The Fifty-Eight Dollar and Up Store". Things are kiiinda overpriced.


-American Apparel-
Pro: Amazing choice and variety. You want something basic and sensible? They have it! You want something crazy and different? They have that, too, and everything in between! Great selection of colors, sizes, and styles. Have never had any hems or seams come out and the colors stay vibrant for a long time. Everything keeps its shape, despite the fact that most is cotton!

Con: Another dumb return policy! Store credit only :( Sometimes I have a hard time paying $18 for a t-shirt.


Coming Soon!
Make-Up:
L'Oreal
MAC
Ulta

Services/Returns:
Nordstrom
J.Crew

Spring Giveaway!

It's here! My first giveaway! It features some lovely heart-shaped items.



One lucky reader will receive all of the lovely things in the picture above.
A compact mirror from Forever21, Estee Lauder Sumptuous Volumizing Mascara (travel sized), and a pair of earrings made by me! The earrings feature new glass beads and vintage acrylic beads, with hypoallergenic posts. (How adorable are those heart pins? I may need to go buy more of those!)

So here's how to enter:

1. Please leave a comment and follow my blog!
2. For an extra entry, post about the giveaway on your blog, and send me a link to the post.
3. For another extra entry, mention my giveaway in a post on Chictopia (if you have an account). Make sure to send me a link to the post!



I will choose a winner randomly on February 14th, 2011. Good luck!

Focus

These next couple of posts focus on what I think are classics, but mainly they are just the things I wear pretty much non-stop at the moment.

First off STRIPES!
It's a common misconception that stripes will make you look "wide" and shorter people are always told to stay away from horizontal stripes. I think this is all a lark. Stripes are timeless and also very "IN". You see them everywhere, even entire dresses (I nearly bought one at Forever21 but I thought it might be overdoing it. Now I regret it). There is only one fact to keep in mind when buying stripes: Smaller stripes are always more flattering than large stripes, but this is not set in stone. Take for instance my top. I usually don't look fabulous in broad stripes, but this tank top with its minimal fabric is perfect in this bright aqua print. This brings to mind another thing to try: if you prefer broad stripes try them in light or bright colors. This minimizes the overwhelming boldness.

Next, nail polish.
This is kind of a "Well, duhh" thing, but never underestimate the power of nail polish. It can really bring together and outfit, or at least in your own mind it can. As classic as blood red nails are, I think pink is just as! It flatters all skin tones and isn't as noticeable when it starts chipping off (well, on light skin anyway). Essie is my favorite, they have an amazing selection of shades (innumerable pinks) and it seems to be more chip-resistant than OPI. If you don't feel like spending $8 on a nail polish, Revlon and L'Oreal make great polishes as well.

At least one more post to come, but I am starving so I'm gonna go make dinner.

Work with what you got

I'm gonna totally nerd-out here and say: Did J.Crew go inside my brain and choose all their colors from what was stored up there??? All of the color schemes and combinations they feature are all my favorite colors, schemes, combos, etc. They are the correct shades too, seriously to the tee. Anyway, I am a huge dork. I like to collect paint color chips.


I tore this page directly from the catalog because I loved the make-up and accessories so much. The model wears A. R. Trapp Quadra Sunglasses that cost more than my Chloes, so I will have to be satisfied with my American Apparel frames. They're a great color, but I really wish I could magic them into tortoise shell.

Now for an unintended magazine-style product plug. When it comes to lip products and nail polishes, I buy Revlon pretty regularly. Why? Because they are affordable and come in great shades. Also, the lip products don't contain that noxious perfume that most L'Oreal lipsticks do. Revlon's Just Bitten Lip Stains have a Raspberry fragrance/taste, but it doesn't assualt your nose the entire time you are wearing the product. Be careful with the color you choose though. The first one I bought was suppose to be a scarlet color(it's called 'Flame')but turned out to be a bright fuchsia. I've replaced it with 'Forbidden' that looks like it might be a nude stain judging by the outside, but is actually a ruddy Merlot. Since I have very generous lips, I wear it as a stain on the inner portions of my lips rather then as a solid color. The nail polish is one of my favorites; I've had it forever. It's a bright coral color, appropriately named 'Craving Coral' #902.

Prices:
-A.R. Trapp sunglasses: $450

-American Apparel sunglasses range from $25 to $55 and there are two vintage pairs that go for $350 but they are stupid looking.

-Revlon Nail Enamel about $4

-Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain $8.99

Lips

All of a sudden I'm very into lipstick, glosses, especially stains. I never wear them on a regular basis, but when I'm buying them I like to pretend that I will. I recently bought this lipstick from MAC. My plan is to do a just-bitten look applied with a lip brush, but I think I need a good matte nude lipstick first to wear as a base.

Just this last Sunday I bought a Just Bitten lip stain by Revlon. I was disappointed that the color was nothing like what it showed on the tube. It goes by the name "Flame" and it is NOT a coral-red it is simply bright pink. My boyfriend liked it, but I am not a fan. I might exchange it for a different color. Lip stains are lovely because they don't make me talk funny. I get so worried that I will mess up my lipstick that I sometimes feel like I have paralyzed lips.

In this pic:
Lipstick by MAC in Viva La Glam
Top is vintage, found at a garage sale