Emmy 2010 Best Hair and Makeup

1) Dianna Agron

2) Christina Hendricks

3) Claire Danes

4) Lea Michele

5) Heidi Klum

6) Kim Kardashian

7) Emily Blunt

8) Eva Longoria Parker

9) Jayma Mays

10) Maria Menounos

11) Jewel

12) Keri Russell

Emmy Top 10 Best Dressed

1) Dianna Agron in Carolina Herrera

2) Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

3) Claire Danes in Armani Prive

4) Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez

5) Kim Kardashian in Marchesa tied with Rose Byrne in Gucci

6) January Jones in Versace

7) Kelly Osbourne in Tony Ward

8) Emily Blunt in Dior

9) Kyra Sedgwick in Monique Lhullier

10) Jane Krakowski in Escada

Honourable Mention: Kelly Osbourne at Emmy After-Party

Update

Hello My Lovelies!

Just a quick note to say that I will be MIA for a week as I am going away to the Mayan Riviera on a last ditch effort to preserve the remnants of summer. Look for a multitude of new posts next week or catch up on some older posts here.

Love, Hugs, and Kisses,

Lydia

Review: Revlon "Just Bitten" Lip Stains

And so the lip stain search continues with a stop at Revlon. I have to say that the name is what drew me in; there is this sultry connotation that accompanies the idea of "just bitten" lips. The colour that comes to mind is the perfect combination of a dusty rose with a hint of red.

I am happy with these lip stains but not completely smitten. The felt tip applicator makes them easy to apply and the colour does not bleed. On the other end of the applicator there is a clear balm that is meant to add extra nourishment and moisture to the product. The balm is fairly high quality and can be used on its own as a chap stick. The one qualm I have about the packaging is that the balm end is easily broken if you are not careful when replacing the cap.

from left to right: Twilight, Crave, Frenzy

These lip stains are fast drying, but they do leave the lips feeling slightly sticky for the first few moments. If left on their own, the finish is matte, but with the balm over top they have a definite sheen. These stains last longer without the balm-approximately 3-4 hours before they start to fade vs 3 solid hours with the balm on top (that is including social time of eating and drinking). The colour pay-off is impressive and smoother than competing brands such as MAC and Cover Girl (but I still prefer Lise Watier).

To sum up, for the price these are very good lip stains and will do the job nicely. The colour range is not massive and most of the colours fall under the dusty pink category.

Review: Lise Watier Hydra Shine Lip Stains

Usually when you have a stain you are desperate for it to come off, but in my quest to find the perfect lip stain I want the opposite effect. I am leaving soon for a trip to the Mayan Riviera and the last thing I want is to have lipstick lacquered to my lips in heat and humidity-never mind having to worry about how it will bleed in the water. My alternative is to find a lip stain that will give me the perfect amount of colour without looking all dolled up and diva-fied by the poolside.

While flipping through a recent issue of Elle Canada, my eyes were riveted to a colour wheel made entirely of lip stains. One fuchsia colour in particular caught me eye and I discovered that it was from Lise Watier's Spring Collection.

The Lise Watier Hydra Shine Lip Stains are long wearing, paraben free, water-based dyes. The felt tip applicator makes it easy to line your lips for the perfect pout and use the side to fill in for a shiny and luscious look. Unlike other lipstains on the market that are very drying and flaky, these lip stains do not negatively impact your lips ability to retain moisture.

from left to right: Fuchsia, Rose Orchidee, Baie, Cerise, Naturel

Skin Care Routine-Face Mapping at Ulta, Dermalogica Haul & Review

In Order of Use:

-Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
-Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash with my Clarisonic
-Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
-Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster
-Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel (night only-if used under makeup, makeup will granulate)
-Cetaphial Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15
-Dermalogica Clearing Mattifier (morning only)

FOTD: Neutral Metals inspired by new dress

During a recent trip to Seattle, I found a gorgeous Michael Kors dress at 60% off. It has lovely metallic embellishments around the collar and is reminiscent of a '60s silhouette. I was my inspiration for this "face of the day," drawing out the gold and bronze tones and adding a headband.
FACE

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (review to come!)
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
MAC Ambering Rose
Chanel Soleil Tan

EYES

MAC Eyeshadows
      -Ricepaper (lid)
      -Patina (crease)
      -Dazzlelight (inner corner)
Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
Gosh Velvert Touch Waterproof Eyeline
      -Golden Globe (lower lashline)
      -Copper Girl (waterline)
Maybelline Falsies Mascara

LIPS
Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Pencil in Bombay

Review-Tarte Natural Lip Stain with Lipsurgence Technology

Cover Girl did it and MAC soon followed. Revlon went along for the ride and was a little more successful. But Tarte wins the prize.

What am I talking about? Lip Stains. Every cosmetic company seems to coming out with their own version of a lip stain, especially with the hot humid summer months upon us. Lipsticks and lip glosses can sometimes feel uncomfortable in the smouldering summer heat and be more prone to running under extreme environmental conditions, but not lip stains. Lip stains are formulated to leave residual colour on your lips to give a "just bitten appearance."

In my opinion, the Tarte Natural Lip Stains with Lipsurgence Technology are the best on the market. Not only do they have a lovely glossy finish, but the colours (which give a surprisingly good colour pay-off) are transfer and smudge proof. This product leaves your lips moisturized and nourished with its all natural and cruelty free products.

The Scent of a Woman Part 2: Favourite Summer Scents

This is a much requested blog post since I initially put up my favourite fall/winter fragrances here. I definitely have certain fragrances that I only wear seasonally or I will substitute the eau de toilette version of a heavier eau de parfum scent when it is summer. This allows me to still wear my favourite perfumes but without the heavier long wear that I prefer for fall/winter.

Top Row

1) Dolce Gabbana- Light Blue
Sicilian Citron, Bluebell, Granny Smith Apple, Jasmine Sambac, Bamboo, White Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Musk

2) Burberry- Brit (Eau de Toilette)
Italian Lime, Icy Pear, Green Almond, White Peony, Sugared Almonds, Amber, Mahogany, Vanilla, Tonka Bean

3) SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker)- NYC
Wild Strawberries, Italian Mandarin, White Osmanthus, Gardenia, Honeysuckle, Mimosa, Rum, Sandalwood, Creamy Musk

4)Michael Kors- Very Hollywood
Mandarin, Bergamot, Jasmine, Raspberry, Ylang Ylang, Gardenia, Iris Root, Creamy Amber, White Moss, Vetiver

Bottom Row

1) Pink Sugar- Sensual
Black Currant, Tangerine, Bergamot, Orange Flower, Jasmine, Tiare Flower, Vanilla, Black Sugar, Sandalwood.

2) YSL- La Parisienne
blackberry, damask rose, and sandalwood

3) La Senza- Sweet Embrace
White Orchid, Vanilla, Italian Mandarin

4) Juicy Couture- Viva La Juicy
Wild Berries, Mandarins, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Jasmine, Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Praline.

5) Chanel- Chance Eau Tendre (sample)
Grapefruit, Quince, Jasmine, White Musk

6) Vera Wang Princess
Water Lily, Lady Apple, Mandarin Meringue, Golden Apricot Skin, Ripe Pink Guava, Tahitian Flower, Wild Tuberose, Dark Chocolate, Pink Frosting Accord, Precious Amber, Forbidden Woods, Royal Musk Captive, Chiffon Vanilla

7) Coach Poppy (not pictured)
Cucumber Flower, Mandarin, Freesia, Jasmine, Water Lily, Gardenia, Crème Brûlée, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Whipped Marshmallow

My Blog Was Feautured!

Hello my lovelies! Some exciting news-this morning I received an email from Briana of Be In Style, an online fashion and beauty magazine, that said my blog has been featured in their weekly Best of The Web feature! Here is the link so you can check out this great site:

http://pocketchange.become.com/2010/08/best-of-the-web-style-blogs-of-the-week-no-8.html

  Thanks to the team over at Be In Style and congratulations to the other bloggers featured. You are all amazing :)

August In and Out

Lollipop26 is one of my favourite beauty bloggers, and she has me hooked on her In/Out series. I thought I would join in on the trend!

IN

1) Dermalogica
This warrants a blog post/video all of its own, but here is a quick preview. Recently I spent the weekend in the US (Seattle to be exact) and I had my "face mapped" at Ulta. This means you have to brave the outdoors sans makeup so that an esthetician can examine your face under lights and recommend products specifically for you. I was recommended a basket full of products from Dermalogica and my skin has not looked this good in years.

2) Revlon Lipsticks, my cheaper dupe for Chanel Rouge Coco
In case the influx of Revlon lip posts has not been evidence enough, these lipsticks are my new vice. I still love my Chanel, but I am in lust with the Revlon price tag. But I think I have waxed these golden enough in previous posts so I will tip my hat and move on.

3) Surf Spray
Who knew that beachy waves would be so easy to achieve? Bumble and Bumble has a great product but FX Special Effects Surf Mist is a great drugstore brand that is more affordable. I have been using this product every other day in preparation for my Mexican getaway in a few weeks. I wanted to see if my naturally curly hair could relax with Surf Mist and it can!

4) SJP NYC
Usually celebrity fragrances disappoint me-they always have too much of something, may it be sweetness or musk; but, this new fragrance by Sarah Jessica Parker is the perfect summer fragrance. Not only is the multi-patterned canister gorgeous, but  it is designed to be reusable and durable enough for travel. The notes are predominantly fruity (strawberry and mandarin) with light floral and creamy musk undertones.

5) Vintage looking Jane Austen books
I am relocating to the West Coast and that calls for a decorating overhaul. The look I am going for is shabby chic/vintage Parisian. Aside from makeup, my other obsession is books. Every time I see a vintage looking (because I could never afford an early edition) Jane Austen book I am compelled to buy it. I now own several in a plethora of textures and colours (mostly pastels) that will be going on display.

OUT

1) Vancouver's Public Transportation
Gone are the days that I could simply hop on the metro and be downtown Montreal in 10 minutes. Vancouver's notoriously slow and thin public transit has me essentially house bound until I get my driving permit.

2) Buying books on EBay
On the bright side, I found a rare/out-of-print book series that I have been hunting for for years at a ridiculously low price. On the low side, the books arrived so saturated in cigarette smoke that it almost sent me into a bronchial attack.

Review: Revlon Colorburst and Super Lustrous Lipsticks

1) Revlon Colourburst Lipstick

Oh, how to describe the new Revlon Colorbust lipsticks? Glamorous packaging, silken textures, lovely luminosity, long wearing, amazing colour range, and ADDICTIVE. This is one of those products that it would be easy to ramble on and on about, but to truly appreciate how great it is, you have to play with it in person. Oh WAIT! Did I mention that several of them are cheaper dupes for Chanel Rouge Coco? Bet I got your attention now!

(from top to bottom)

• 001 Lilac
• 035 Blush (dupe for Chanel's Perle)
• 005 Mauve
• 075 Peach (dupe for Egerie)
• 045 Raspberry (dupe for Orchidee)
• 085 Ruby (dupe for Taffestas Rose or Byzantim)

2) Super Lustrous Creme Lipsticks

Of course after the Colourburst line hit my expectations out of the ball park, I had to try more from Revlon. The Super Lustrous Creme Lipsticks are more opaque and apply thicker than the Colourbursts which makes them even MORE long wearing. I can eat and drink and this lipstick does not budge, bleed, or smear. This is perfect for date nights, evening functions, or if you just don't want to touch up your lipstick all day. The colour range is quite large-everything from nudes to reds.

(from top to bottom)

• 622 Daring Pink
• 440 Cherries in the Snow (a US exclusive that I finally got a hold of!)
• 745 Raspberry Bite

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Liquid Eyeliner Pen

I like the look of a pristine and fine black eyeliner that is lightly winged out, however, I have a hard time achieving it with liquid eyeliner. Either there is too much product on the bristles, the applicator does not remain rigid enough to keep a consistent thickness, or my hand won't stay steady enough.

I had high hopes for the L'Oreal Voluminous Liquid Eyeliner after spotting the applicator. It is a felt tip applicator with a fine point and a narrow edge. Unfortunately, anything good I have to say about this product begins and ends with the applicator.

It is easy to achieve a precise line and to keep the applicator steady but the liquid product itself does not always apply evenly and requires touch ups to obtain an opaque line. Also, when the product is wet, it is definitely black but quickly fades to a blackish grey as it dries. The wear time is very unimpressive (approximately 3 hours).

Would I repurchase this item? Never. The only purpose I can think that this product would be useful for is to mark out your line so that you can go over it more precisely with a gel, pencil or shadow.

Here is what the product looks like 15 minutes after applying:

NEW WEBSITE!!

I am so excited to announce that I have completed my new website! I have consolidated all three of my blogs under one site called My Perfectly Imperfect Life. What this means is that you will be able to find the links to all of my blogs and my contact information in one convenient place. When you click on "Beauty" it will redirect new visitors here. I would love for you all to check it out and new feedback would be much appreciated. Love you all!