must have mascaras 2016

I am a mascara fiend.  As soon as I buy a new mascara I can't wait to use it up so I can try a new and different one.  That said, I do have my true loves and these are them.  There are a bazillion mascaras out there and no decent way to  try them before buying (using the disposable wands at Sephora does not give accurate results), so let me help guide you in the right direction.  My number one and number two criteria for a great mascara are that it doesn't flake or smudge, so you can be reassured that none of the mascaras listed below do that.  Mascara is a subject near and dear to my heart (as you may have gathered), so I hope you have as much fun reading this as I had writing it.   And btw if you ever buy a mascara you don't end up liking, don't hesitate to RETURN IT!

VERSATILE:  Tarte Lights Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara is my favorite mascara.  One or two coats produce a really attractive natural look and four coats make you look all out glamorous.  It is a drier formula mascara, which is not to everyones taste, but I've gotten over that.   It's an average bristle brush, and of all the mascaras I've tried I think this gives me the most flattering look.  And a few more pluses:  it is conditioning,* and vegan, and comes in a waterproof formula called Lights Camera Splashes.  There is only the one color, black.

DRAMATIC:  Urban Decay Perversion Mascara is has a luscious, thick, wet, super dark formula.  It is irresistibly sexy!   Perversion is all about the volume, but gives some curl too.  It has a regular bristle brush which doesn't look like much but works magic despite that.  I hate saying the phrase "cult favorite" because it is so over-used, but that term does aptly describe this mascara.  It is probably the most popular mascara on this list.  It does not come in a waterproof formula, or any other color than black.

LOW BUDGET:  Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara is my second favorite mascara.  It truly lives up to its name "sensational".  I love it because it volumizes, lengthens, and curls in a very obvious way.  In a perfect way.  It comes in four colors:  brownish black, very black, deepest black, and black pearl, so it is versatile.  The brush is a rubber one, in a curious shape with one side like a brush, the other side like a comb.  You are supposed to roll and twist it on. There is a waterproof version too!  

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL:  Dior Show Iconic Mascara is pricey but worth every penny.  It gives great curl and a bit of volume for a gorgeous, more natural look.  I adore the brush and how it really does the trick on my lashes:  it is rubber with many tightly-packed bristles.  Iconic is one of the longest-lasting/least crunchy mascaras, and in my opinion the best of all the Diorshow mascaras.  It comes in black, dark brown, and (my personal favorite) deep blue.  There is a  waterproof version too.

LENGTHENING:  L'Oreal Telescopic Blackest Mascara creates a wonderful zero volume, fluttery look.  It separates and lengthens like no other!  The wand and rubber bristles are unique in that they are skinny and very flexible (bendy).  If you are normally a fan of volumizing I say gives this a try anyway, just for something different but super pretty.  It does not come in waterproof or there are three colors:  black, blackest black, and brown black.  I love this stuff!!!

Tell me what mascara you think is best - I am always wanting to try something new!

* I imagine that is with consistent use which I cannot vouch for because I usually have 3 or 4 mascaras going at once.

If you are as much of a mascara fiend as I am check out my magnificent mascaras: which one is right for you?  It's an old post but still stands true today.

pics stolen from Sephora and Ulta websites

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

top 10 drugstore gems

I am not at all snobby about drugstore products.  I think of them as widening the possibilities of exciting new beauty products to try.  As you may have gathered from my midnight online shopping binge, I am not adverse to plunking down lots of money on pretty things, but it also feels really good to get a bargain.  Not only are the products listed below (in no particular order) a bargain, but they excel.  It is my opinion that they are at least as good as, and often even better, than their high-end counterparts.  I am really truly thrilled about them, and excited to share them with you!


1) Yes To Coconut Hydrating Cream Facial Cleanser gets my skin super clean without stripping it or drying it out.  It smells delish and ultimately feels like I am doing something good for my skin.  Plus it's mostly natural and contains wonderful cleansing oils.

2) Bio-Oil Skincare Oil has helped (along with exfoliation) to get rid of my Keratosis Pilaris ie. "Chicken Skin".  Bio-Oil is a healing oil for anywhere on the face and body, but I buy the largest size because I use it on my entire body just after showering while I'm still damp.  It's a tad bit on the heavy side but I find this to be one of the more hydrating body oils of the many that I have tried.  It is not greasy in any way.

3)  Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips may sound gimmicky but believe me, they work.  I use them after a shower when my pores are steamed open.  They work best if used regularly - the more you use them the better results you will get.  My nose loves them!

4) Biore Baking Soda Powder Scrub Cleanser is good to alternate with your regular cleanser for a squeaky clean, shiny, exfoliation.  I only use it once, maybe twice a week otherwise it is too drying for my dry skin, but oily skin could handle it more often.  No matter how often you end up needing it, it will definitely yield excellent results.

5)  L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation is brand new on the market and is causing a sensation among beauty bloggers everywhere.  Thin in consistency, it provides medium buildable coverage with really only a touch of glow.  There are much more glowy foundations on the market but this one is perfect for me because too much "glow" only emphasizes my pores.

6)  Old Spice Wild Collection Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant keeps me dryer than anything else I have ever tried.  It is supposedly for men but who cares, it's what works, and I do like the smell.  I use the Hawkridge scent because it is the most mild smelling in the collection, but actually Wolfthorn is the most popular one with men and women alike.  These also come in a strictly deodorant formula.

7)  Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water All-In-1Cleanser + Makeup Remover is my most coveted drugstore find.  Everyone has their own favorite micellar water and this is definitely mine.  I feel like it does the best and most gentle job at cleaning and removing makeup.  Micellar waters are all the rage right now- I say give this one a try!

8)  L'Oreal Hair Expertise EverCreme Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner is sulfate-free and great for dry, color-treated hair.  I don't know why it got mixed reviews on drugstore.com because I love this stuff.  I love the smell, the consistency, and how it hydrates my hair just the perfect amount without any weighing down.

9)  Dr. Teals Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Relax & Relief, Eucalyptus, Spearmint smells divine and lives up to it's name "Relax & Relief".  I don't usually like minty or mentholy smelling stuff in my bath but this is easy - not annoying at all.  Many people like the lavender version, but this one is my jam. And did you know epsom salt is detoxifying?

10)  L'Oreal True Match Foundation is frequently recommended for oily or combination skin, but when I use a more illuminating primer underneath it my dry skin ends up looking flawless.  It gives exquisite medium buildable coverage, and as far as foundations go it was my first true love.

If you like drugstore posts check out my fabulous drugstore finds and review: Milani Moisture Lock Oil Infused Lip Treatment (this is my most favorite lip treatment ever!)

pics stolen from walgreens.com and drugstore.com

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

review: Milani Moisture Lock Oil Infused Lip Treatment

The mistake many people make about Milani Moisture Lock Oil Infused Lip Treatment is that they think it is a tinted lipgloss.  It is not.  Yes, it is shiny but no, the color does not show up - it goes on clear.  And most of all it is meant to be a lip treatment more than a cosmetic.  The cool things about it are 1) its big fat doe-foot applicator  2) its combination of oils contains the very awesome Tsubaki Oil and 3) it is vegan.  I love it!

I am one of those people who constantly has dry chapped lips, and who is forever searching for a lip balm/treatment that actually works.  Since discovering Milani Moisture Lock Oil Infused Lip Treatment I need look no further.  Of course I probably will because I am a beauty junkie and always love to try new things.  But really, this stuff works.  It takes a few days for it to kick in, then I absolutely notice my lips are smoother and more hydrated.  I mostly use it as a night treatment with occasional swipes during they day.

The consistency of this lip treatment is a bit unusual.  It isn't a thin oil like you'd expect if you are used to products such as YSL Volupte Tint-In-Oil.  The Moisture Lock oil is more thick and viscous, and I don't mean this in a bad way, but it is also more goopy than a straight on oil.  Probably because even though it is mostly oil, there are couple other ingredients in it that have complicated names.  It tends to smell synthetic but that doesn't bother me, I have become wildly addicted to both the smell and consistency.  And the fruity scents vary according to what "flavor" or ingredients are in each treatment.

For example, there are eight different treatments, that come in eight different colors/flavors (as I said before they all go on clear), and address eight different types of lip issues.  There are:  Moisturizing Almond Coco (clear), Healing Lemon Honey (yellow),  Rejuvenating Peach Mango (gold-orange),  Conditioning Grapeseed (purple), Repairing Primrose (light pink), Revitalizing Grapefruit (orange-red), protecting Pomegranate (red), and Nourishing Raspberry (dark pink).

I haven't tried every single one yet but I have tried a lot and my consensus is that they are all hydrating and conditioning, the only thing being that some worked better for me than others.  The oil which produced the best results for me was the Healing Lemon Honey, with Repairing Primrose coming in second.  I am dying to try the Moisturizing Almond Coco!

I highly recommend you go to your local drug store, read about the healing properties of each one on their label, and plunk down about $8.50 for your favorite.



all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

midnight online shopping binge

I have a touch of insomnia.  I can be completely exhausted at bedtime but the second my head hits the pillow "bing!" I am wide awake.  And stuff that I browsed online earlier in the day but passed on, suddenly becomes a necessity to buy (and unfortunately stuff I passed on eating earlier in the day, ie. ice cream, also becomes a necessity.  But that's another story for another blog.)

I have to say though, the other night's haul was a lot of fun and I got some cool stuff, all from Nordstrom.  I bought four things: 1) Diptyque candle in Vanille  2) Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Disco Dust  3) a tiny jar of La Mer  Creme De La Mer Moisturizing Cream   4) Charlotte Tilbury 'Filmstar Bronze & Glow' Face Sculpt & Highlight.   And yesterday they arrived so let me tell you all about them.

I had been wanting the Diptyque Vanille candle for ages.  Not because I'm a huge fan of vanilla, but because this particular candle has deep, rich woody notes.  It is almost smoky with winter spice hints.  It smells like something that belongs in the library of an old English manor house.  Of course it is very vanilla but quite a grown up vanilla.  I put it on my bedside table and let the cozy waft of scent lull me to sleep.  Diptyque candles are always a treat!

Tom Ford Eyeshadow quads are ridiculously expensive, but also ridiculously gorgeous.  Definitely worthy of the occasional splurge.  They are known for their sparkly eyeshadows which you get one or two pans of in most of the quads.  Disco Dust is their most popular quad, and even though I hate to be too trendy, I just had to have it because the glitter it contains is sublime.  Disco Dust has one glitter, one metallic, one satin, and one matte color that go with virtually any skin tone or outfit.  They are neutral-ish but with oomph.  I can't stop staring at my palette, swatching them on my arm every chance I get, and can't wait to do an eye look for my dinner date tomorrow!

can't stop swatching!

sublime glitter

I have also always wanted to try La Mer La Creme Moisturizing Cream.  My skin is super dry, super sensitive, and mature - exactly their target audience.  Plus the special patented Miracle Broth ingredient is supposed to be very "healing".  So how could I not try it?  I was lucky to discover a small .5 oz size that wasn't horrendously expensive.  So far this has made my skin nice and soft and hydrated.  I don't think I would, or could, purchase it on a regular basis, but for now my curiosity is sated.

And finally, on a total whim, I purchased the Charlotte Tilbury 'Filmstar Bronze & Glow' Face Sculpt & Highlight.  I don't know what prompted me to put this in my basket but I am so happy I did.  On my face I prefer a more subtle bronzer and subtle highlighter, and this turned out to fit the bill perfectly.  Without a doubt it gives me the most angelic glow of all my highlighters.  I can't seem to get a decent picture of it - it always looks so dull in them - but in reality it is anything but.  This duo with its gold packaging is class all the way!

Overall, I am very pleased with my haul.  Yes, late night online shopping is a dangerous thing, but I can't be the only one out there doing it.  Can I?

pics stolen from nordstrom.com

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews

sensational summer perfumes 2016

I AM BACK!!!!  And I'm going to start off by doing my favorite type of post - a perfume post.
It's not too late to celebrate Summer with a scent that enhances the experience!

I've been MIA for 7 months due to a wicked depression in the Winter (Seasonal Affect Disorder, yes even in California) and then got bad pneumonia that had me feeling sick for months.  That's not to say I left the beauty world - Hell No! I did plenty of online shopping - I just haven't blogged is all.     Looking back on some of my old posts it seems like I was sick a lot last year but now I am taking massive doses of vitamin C and refuse to let it happen again.  Certainly I refuse to continue complaining about it on my blog lol.  So here I am now and I hope you enjoy this one.....


Etat Libre D'Orange Don't Get Me Wrong Baby is so pretty and happy it is perfect.  Yes, there is a touch of cocoa, patchouli, and amber solaire so it isn't innocent-pretty.  In fact the entire name of this perfume is "Don't Get Me Wrong Baby I Don't Swallow".  How very naughty of them!  But I do think of it as a girly floral.  A seductive girly floral with lily of the valley, jasmine, and orange blossom.  Add it to your perfume wardrobe to be unique.

A mainstream favorite is Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream.  It's somewhat sophisticated for a fruity and sweet floral, but the coconut water in it lends a fresh, almost aquatic vibe.   I keep a rollerball of this in my purse because no matter what mood I'm in while on the go this is never offensive; it easily fits the bill.  Blackberry, pear, blue wisteria, and jasmine are the popular notes.  I initially bought it for the packaging alone - it was irresistible!   

My favorite indie perfume house is Charenton Macerations and they make perhaps the most beautiful unisex fragrance I own:  Asphalt Rainbow.  I know, I know, asphalt doesn't sound beautiful, but in this incarnation it is.  Asphalt Rainbow was created to pay tribute to the street art of NYC's West Village. Here is color, and energy, and a very sexy rose.  This is not your grandma's rose - it is a street-savvy rose.  There are also some lily of the valley, magnolia, ylang-ylang, and leather and woodsy notes.  If you want something really special try Asphalt Rainbow.

As far as celebrity perfumes go, Lady Gaga Eau De Gaga 001 is a refreshing tea-like scent, just right for Summer.  It's not quite as light as say the Bvlgari tea fragrances because there are significant leather and woods present in this background.  Still, it is a vibrant unisex with a hint of floral (white violet).  And to let you in on a little secret of mine, I like to wear Eau De Gaga on one wrist and another celeb scent, Jennifer Lopez Glow (powdery/soapy), on the other wrist.  This celebrity combo gives me quite a lift!

At first I didn't like Derek Lam 10 Crosby Rain Day eau de parfum but I have ended up reaching for it all the time this Summer.  I think it is the vetiver that initially put me off - I'm not a huge fan of it - but this vetiver is lighter; a more brighter citrus.  Once this dries down the underneath turns into almost an Oriental-floral, though nothing nearly as weighty as Opium.  I'd say that Rain Day is a real crowd-pleaser and is easily available at Sephora.

House Of Cherry Bomb Pink Haze is a little different for a Summer fragrance, it is often considered more of a Spring perfume due to the prominent lilac, but I have been wearing it a bunch lately anyway.   With metallic notes and cedar it is considered a unisex scent, however be aware that it is very floral (gardenia).  There is something about this that reminds me of my childhood growing up often outdoors back east, and has nothing to do with the smells of California where I live now.  Perhaps that is why I cherish it so much.  Again, LOVE the packaging!

What perfumes are you enjoying this Summer?

Images stolen from Sephora, Luckyscent, Amazon, Etsy, and Charenton Maceration websites

all products reviewed were either bought, researched, or sampled by me. And product pictures were stolen from the link's websites. I am not financially compensated for my reviews