Your Thursday Face: CG Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisture (review)

Okay…duh.

Don't I write a fair amount of stuff having to do with travel-worthy items and things that work well for trips? (Answer: Yes I do.) Wouldn't that make you think I’ve gotten pretty good at packing up my beauty products? (Answer: Yes it would.) But this weekend, I was about an hour into my trip when I suddenly realized I'd packed everything except my foundation. I used it in the morning, and forgot to pack it. So…no foundation.

Duh.

Luckily, I realized this before spotting a nice big sign for Target. So I was able to fix the situation pretty easily. And I had a perfect excuse to try out a fine item from COVERGIRL.

CG Smoothers Tinted Moisture (SPF 15)

Blurb: Designed with AquaCurrent Science, this lightweight moisturizer with SPF 15 has a sheer tint of color to help even-out skin tone and hydrate skin. Its sunscreen provides UVA/UVB protection from everyday sun exposure, while the Gel Complex formula glides on for a barely-there coverage that's fresh and smooth.

I’d heard great things about this product, so I decided to give it a try. I was absolutely thrilled. It went on easily and smoothly, felt weightless and made my skin feel refreshed and hydrated. The coverage was sheer, evened out my skin tone, and looked very natural. It did an excellent job of neutralizing redness too. The finish is fresh and dewy without being shiny. It’s also oil free, and has a bit of SPF. Oh – and it was about $7!!!

I’m a big fan of beauty websites, and COVERGIRL’s is mighty good. (I recommend you get colormatched, or find out how to audition for The Casting Call.) Cover Girl is sold in drugstores, grocery stores, and at Target, Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, duane reade, and drugstore.com.

(ftc disclosure: purchased myself)

News: Taylor Swift Named New Spokeswoman for COVERGIRL

Check it out…

COVERGIRL just announced their latest spokeswoman!

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift can now add COVERGIRL to her list of accomplishments. The 20-year old, award-winning star has just finished shooting her first advertisements and will be representing a new line of luxury products for the brand.

The ads are scheduled to debut in January 2011 along with the new line. Taylor joins the ranks of Ellen DeGeneres, Rihanna, Queen Latifah, Drew Barrymore and Dania Ramirez as the newest face of the brand.
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Mascara Monday: COVERGIRL lashblastfusion Mascara (Sneak Peek Review)

Howdy beauty friends! I hope your Monday is going well. Mine is full of household chores, errands and some nice chats. After all the traveling and catching up, it’s great to have a day off to get things done in a leisurely manner.

I didn't get to write much last week, but I really had a great time on my trip. Fun singing, amazing weather, a host family with an fabulous dog (Iris), and a spectacular day hanging out with friends who live in the Baltimore/DC area. I’m a big fan of singing, but my friends also showed me an awesome time (thanks J & A)!

I also got to try out a couple of new beauty items which I’m planning to feature. The first is the newest LashBlast Mascara from COVERGIRL.

LashBlast Fusion

Blurb: COVERGIRL introduces its newest LashBlast mascara – LashBlast Fusion. The first ever volume and length mascara, so now lashes that want it all, can have it all! Global Creative Design Director, Pat McGrath previewed LashBlast Fusion exclusively during Fall/Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week. LashBlast Fusion will be available in-stores nationwide this April. Full volume. Full length. No compromise.

(Okay, my “peek” isn’t all that sneaky, because this mascara will be here in April – which is fairly soon.)

Three words: big fat lashes. I also got very good lengthening and a nice lift and curl as well! And while I appreciate a good lengthener; I usually look for volume, and this mascara really brings it! I suggest you be there at the drugstore with your wallet out when this arrives!

If you can’t wait for it to hit the shelves, you can get busy ahead of time during the exclusive online pre-sale. Pre-sale customers also get to take advantage of free shipping from March 12th – April 5th. Visit COVERGIRL’s Facebook page to find an e-retailer.

Happy Monday!

P.S.: here’s a bonus photo of Iris, the fabulous dog from Baltimore:


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Beauty in My Week: COVERGIRL LashBlast Fusion Launch & Stand Up for Beauty Contest!

Check out what's happening over at COVERGIRL. A new mascara launch and an awesome contest!

LashBlast mascara – LashBlast Fusion

Today COVERGIRL introduced its newest LashBlast mascara – LashBlast Fusion. It’s COVERGIRL’s first ever volume and length mascara, so now lashes that want it all, can have it all! COVERGIRL Global Creative Design Director, Pat McGrath previewed LashBlast Fusion exclusively during Fall/Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week. Check out behind-the-scenes videos of Pat backstage at the Anna Sui show using her new favorite mascara.



LashBlast Fusion will be available in-stores nationwide this April, but you can get it before anyone else staring March 12th during the exclusive online pre-sale. LashBlast Fusion has a suggested retail price of $8.99 and pre-sale customers can take advantage of free shipping from March 12th – April 5th, limited quantity while supplies last. Visit www.Facebook.com/COVERGIRL beginning March 12th to find an e-retailer.

COVERGIRL that encourages women to Stand Up for Beauty!

COVERGIRL is giving away $50,000 to a special beauty fan that’s ready to share how she stands up for beauty. You can enter the contest by creating a short video – one minute or less – that shows how you stand up for the positive power of beauty.

If you believe that false eyelashes don’t make you feel fake. That makeup doesn’t mean “makeover.” And that what makeup does for you on the outside can be positive on the inside too, then we encourage you to stand up for beauty with COVERGIRL!

To learn more and enter the contest, visit www.covergirl.com/standup. And check out how other Beauty and Fashion Gurus are standing up too:


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Cover Up? Gasp! COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer and Corrector (review)

For the last few days, I've been having a very enthusiastic email conversation about truth and honesty. I like to think I'm a pretty open person. I like to think that; but I'm not always sure if I actually manage to live up to my ideals. I deeply value honesty and open communication; but sometimes I fall short of the mark by taking the easy way out with a white lie, or something less than full disclosure.

Now I certainly don't think it's always appropriate to be 100% honest and open. There are plenty of things that should be kept to myself only...but there are also times when I place someone else's opinion above being truthful and authentic. Lately, when I've been catching myself at this, I try to remedy the situation by coming clean. Guess what…it's way more embarrassing to "fess up" than it is to tell the truth in the first place.

In the case of beauty, however, I think artifice is 100% perfectly absolutely fine. Actually, it's one of the coolest things about it! Bringing out my best features and downplaying (okay, hiding) the ones I'm not so fond of is a-ok in my book. That said; let's mosey on over to our two products from Cover Girl & Olay designed to help with the "refashioning of perception."


Simply Agless Concealer

Blurb: This creamy formula covers imperfections, conceals under-eye circles and visibly brightens skin. Like all Simply Ageless makeup, it's made with advanced Olay Regenerist Serum, and it stays suspended over fine lines and wrinkles, for younger, firmer-looking skin.

Simply Agless Corrector

Blurb: Dark circles can make you appear older. Simply Ageless Corrector with advanced Olay Regenerist Serum contains specially blended pigments that can cover even extreme dark circles. Use it together with Simply Ageless Concealer to make under-eye circles virtually disappear, for a younger look.

Last August, I posted a glowing (heh heh) review of a blush from this collection; so I was pretty excited to check out these two items. Happily, I was also impressed by how well both products worked. I used the Concealer under my foundation and got great coverage. Right now I have a little scratch in the corner of my eyelid. It's healing, but it still shows. The Concealer completely hid the scratch and sat well under my foundation. The Corrector was also excellent. It did a fabulous job of hiding the "I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about a bunch of stupid stuff" dark circles. Both items had a nice smooth formula, and both also contain Olay Regenerist Serum for an extra skincare boost.

Check out the whole Simply Ageless Collection on the CG website. You might also want to visit Facebook and enter the Lashes + Fashion Photo Contest. Cover Girl is found at places like Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, duane reade, etc. and on sites like drugstore.com.
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New from COVERGIRL: Simply Ageless Concealer and Corrector and new online Tool!

Check out the new additions to COVERGIRL's Olay Simply Ageless collection. Then check out the cool online tool (helps you match your favorite department store product to a COVERGIRL product)!

Two new additions to the COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless collection: Simply Ageless Concealer and Simply Ageless Corrector. The Concealer and Corrector work together to visibly brighten the skin under the eyes and hide the look of dark circles.

- COVERGIRL’s first creamy Concealer with Olay Regenerist serum glides over lines and imperfections, providing even coverage that blends well, leaving skin looking and feeling smooth.

- COVERGIRL’s Simply Ageless Corrector with special yellow intensive pigments and Olay Regenerist serum counteracts and neutralizes dark circles around the eye.

Online Tool: COVERGIRL launched an online Tool that allows consumers to enter the name, brand and shade of their favorite department store beauty products and then recommends a COVERGIRL match. Women no longer need to compromise their beauty choices with this new tool, they’ll get the looks and quality they love without the department store price!

View the tool at http://www.covergirl.com/standup, which features application tips directly from COVERGIRL makeup artist, Molly R. Stern.
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COVERGIRL'S Clean Makeup for Clean Water Campaign (and contest)

It looks like COVERGIRL is having a huge year! Lots of product launches and amazing events. Check out this one. Queen Latifa and Dania Ramirez are working with COVERGIRL in a campaign to provide children in need with clean, safe drinking water. Read about how you can participate…

COVERGIRL’s Queen Latifah and Dania Ramirez are part of the global effort to supply clean, safe drinking water to children in need through COVERGIRL’s Clean Makeup for Clean Water Campaign. Each year, more than 1.8 million children die due to unsafe drinking water and this program aims to help the Children’s Safe Drinking Water foundation.

An online contest at www.COVERGIRL.com urges consumers to submit a short video about how they give back, making the world a better place. For each entry received, COVERGIRL will provide one week’s worth of clean drinking water to a child in need.

Entrants also have the chance to win a humanitarian trip to Africa as part of the next Clean Makeup for Clean Water mission. Visit the Entry Page for more information.



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Shiny And New: COVERGIRL ShineBlast Glosses (review)

Hello and Happy Saturday (evening)! I know I usually post bright and early (okay, before noon) on Saturdays; but this seems to be yet another weekend where Life refuses to follow my careful instructions. Life can be really obstinate sometimes. Could it be that just maybe I have a tendency to over plan? (Answer: Absolutely not. It is Life that is behaving incorrectly.)

Anyway, this lovely evening I am thrilled to feature my shiny new toys from the folks at COVERGIRL. I hope you all got a chance to take advantage of the presale of their new Blast Collection (if not, you can still preview until December 5).

ShineBlast Lip Gloss

Blurb: Sculpt your lips with curve-accentuating high shine and a fun flash of iridescent color. Lipwear has never been such a blast! The patented ShineSculpt™ applicator hugs the contours of lips and boasts a tapered tip for precise shaping and sculpting, while 16 shimmering shades deliver a brilliant, glossy finish and perfectly polished pout.

The patented ShineSculpt™ is a uniquely shaped applicator that delivers more shine in a single swipe than the leading gloss. Flexible scoop applicator with built in product wells designed to hug the contours of lips to help deliver a fuller, more sculpted look. Lip hugging applicator for 4X more noticeable shine vs bare lips. Tapered tip enables precise shaping and control. Polymer- and oil-rich formula delivers high shine with a lightweight feel. Luminescent droplets of pearlized pigment form a perfect amount of shimmer behind the shine. Embedded pools of shine add brilliant depth. Non-tacky formula removes “high-shine vs. sticky” trade-off, typical of traditional lip glosses.

The two colors I tried are absolutely lovely. The applicator is excellent (a curved tip holds lots of gloss, and makes it so much easier to apply – no double/triple dipping). And the formula is wonderful. It feels moisturizing, smooth and very lightweight, but still delivers tons of shine. It also lasts without being sticky. “Ignite” is a sheer tangerine, and “Sparkler” is a pretty, flattering sheer pink. Both of these colors looked great by themselves as well as layered over something darker. I layered “Ignite” over a red lip stain and looooved the result. (This just might be my go-to holiday combo.)

The other shades (which I haven’t tried yet) are: Gleam, Flare, Smolder, Firecracker, Radiate, Fire, Ember, Heat, Dazzle, Glow, Beam, Glimmer, Aglow and Ablaze. These glosses will be available nationwide beginning in January 2010.
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Have A Blast (Collection)! CoverGirl Exclusive Online Preview

Beginning November 2nd, COVERGIRL will begin an exclusive online preview of their Blast collection. The collection features new Smoky ShadowBlast, new ShineBlast Lip Gloss and LashBlast Length Mascara. The mascara is out now and the shadows and glosses will be available nationwide in January; but you can preview them as soon as Monday! To be the first to try out the new products, log-on to covergirl.com/blastpresale.

Other cool details:
Visit Drugstore.com and save $5 and earn free shipping when you purchase all three products (while supplies last).
Visit CVS.com and receive free shipping
Shades available for advance purchase are:
- Smoky ShadowBlast (Silver Sky, Onyx Smoke, Bronze Fire, Purple Plum)
- ShineBlast Lip Gloss (Dazzle, Flare, Ablaze, Firecracker)
- LashBlast Length Mascara (Very Black)

Below is more info on the shadows and glosses. (For info about the mascara, check out my earlier review.)


COVERGIRL ShineBlast Lip Gloss

Sculpt your lips with curve-accentuating high shine and a fun flash of iridescent color.
Lipwear has never been such a blast! The patented ShineSculpt™ applicator hugs the contours of lips and boasts a tapered tip for precise shaping and sculpting, while 16 shimmering shades deliver a brilliant, glossy finish and perfectly polished pout.

The Applicator - It’s like shapewear for your lips:
• The patented ShineSculpt™ is a uniquely shaped applicator that delivers more shine in a single swipe than the leading gloss
• Flexible scoop applicator with built in product wells designed to hug the contours of lips to help deliver a fuller, more sculpted look
• Lip hugging applicator for 4X more noticeable shine vs bare lips
• Tapered tip enables precise shaping and control

The Formula - Say hello to diamond-like shine
• Polymer- and oil-rich formula delivers high shine with a lightweight feel
• Luminescent droplets of pearlized pigment form a perfect amount of shimmer behind the shine
• Embedded pools of shine add brilliant depth
• Non-tacky formula removes “high-shine vs. sticky” trade-off, typical of traditional lip glosses

16 High-Shine Shades (Pat McGrath-designed palette): Gleam, Sparkler, Flare, Smolder, Firecracker, Radiate, Fire, Ignite, Ember, Heat, Dazzle, Glow, Beam, Glimmer, Aglow, Ablaze

COVERGIRL ShineBlast Lip Gloss will be available nationwide beginning in January 2010

COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast Eye Color

COVERGIRL introduces a smoke of genius – the colorful smoky eye made easy with new Smoky ShadowBlast: A clever, two-step system for creating big, bold smoky eyes with amazing results! It’s a smoky eye tool plus makeup artist all in one shadow stick. Available in six expertly coordinated shade duos with uniquely desgined ends, Smoky ShadowBlast lets you create a traditional or colorful smoky eye in two easy steps. The new, double-ended stick features expertly coordinated shades and two precision applicator tips – one for base, one for liner/crease – so you can easily apply, smudge and blend shadow to a smoky perfection.

“COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast takes the fear out of creating a smoky eye; it’s a professional look that’s easy for anyone to create. Easily achieve smoky eye perfection – it’s almost like having a makeup artist at your fingertips! 1) Sweep the rounded end of the shadow stick over entire lid, and; 2) Use the angled end along lash line and crease for bold definition.


The Shade Duos (Pat McGrath-designed shade palette): Onyx Smoke, Silver Sky, Purple Plume, Bronze Fire, Citrus Flair, Tempest Blue

COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast will be available nationwide beginning in January 2010.
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Totally Tubular, Dudettes: New COVERGIRL LashBlast Length Mascara (review)

Ya know, back in the day, we actually used those words. Frequently. Good times…

Aneeeway…a while back I delivered the news that LashBlast Length Mascara (brand new from COVERGIRL) will be hitting the stores in September, and that you can get in on the Early Purchase Preview starting August 17 (aka: Monday).

Blurb: Be one of the first to preview what the longest lashes will be wearing this fall! The mascara contains nylon for lashes that are 80 percent longer and they won’t flake or break all day.

I got a chance to try out a tube of this and I have to say it is definitely worth typing your way over to the site and snagging one. To begin with, the wand is extra long and made it easy to get every single lash. The formula looks great – my lashes were long, shiny and absolutely clump free. And…it wore well all day without flaking or smudging. Rad! (Another underused word from the “olden days.”)

To get yourself a tube, visit COVERGIRL.COM/lashblastlength early purchase. (Web site will not be live until the 17th.)
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Something Else Good: Cover Girl Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush (review)

I've pretty much decided that anything recommended by Ellen (or Oprah) is probably good. So it follows that if Ellen is the spokesperson for Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush (by Cover Girl & Olay), it's…probably good.

So I tried it.

Yup, it's good.


Blurb: Creamy color defines cheekbones and stays suspended over fine lines and wrinkles for flatteringly flawless coverage. The Olay Regenerist Serum inside is infused with vitamins, skin conditioners and anti-oxidants that actually help improve skin texture to give you an instantly healthy-looking, youthful glow.

I tried "Plush Peach" and "Rich Cinnamon." Both colors looked fresh and natural. Even though cream blushes don't have the same staying power as other formulas, the payoff is a really pretty, sheer look. I love the glow that I got with both colors – and who couldn't use a few extra vitamins, conditioners and anti-oxidants?

I also have to mention the excellent packaging. The top unscrews (no accidental opening in your bag) and the bottom compartment contains a nice application sponge.

Cover Girl is found at places like Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, duane reade, etc. and on sites like drugstore.com. Check out the whole Simply Ageless Collection on their website.
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Preview Something Pretty: COVERGIRL LashBlast Length Mascara

Info from COVERGIRL! Take a look at what's coming and get in on the pre-launch early purchase…

New product presale launching soon! Preview the latest in lash fashion with LashBlast Length Mascara – NEW from COVERGIRL.

Be one of the first to preview what the longest lashes will be wearing this fall! The mascara contains nylon for lashes that are 80 percent longer and they won’t flake or break all day.

LashBlast Mascara doesn't hit stores until September, but a limited quantity will be available for early purchase online starting August 17. Starting August 17, visit COVERGIRL.COM/lashblastlength early purchase. (Web site will not be live until the 17th.)
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Go Get This: Cover Girl Exact Eye Lights Shadows (review)

Really. These palettes from Cover Girl thoroughly rock. If you have brown eyes, you should just go get one. (I suspect the same is true for those of you with non-brown eyes).

Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eye Shadow
(The large photo shows the palette for hazel eyes and the small photo is the one I used for my brown eyes.)

Blurb: Each color-coordinated eye shadow collection is expertly designed to bring out your blues, greens, browns and hazels, and define your eyes.

Cover Girl, I am smitten! Flattering, flattering, flattering. I never would have thought of this combination for me (a pale peach, gold, silver and dark shimmering charcoal); but they work together so well! I followed the package directions and applied the lightest color on the lid and up to the brow bone. Then I added the gold in the corners, silver in the crease and lined my eyes with the charcoal. Then I used a bit more of the gold on my lid. I used the big brush (also love this) to apply everything except for the dark liner (used a wet liner brush). The results are fool proof and fabulous, and the overall effect is romantic and elegant. (And did I happen to mention flattering?) For more drama, just layer on more color. I also tried the charcoal as a liner with other shadows (spectacular!) and I also layered the gold over different shadows for extra depth and shimmer. Since the colors in this palette are all neutrals, they go with everything. I really love this combo with red lips (and/or possibly a red outfit).

I also checked out three of the liners. Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Eyeliner
Blurb: Define your eyes beautifully. Whatever your eye color, we've got an eyeliner that's expertly designed to highlight your blues, greens, browns and hazels.

I tried "Radiant Sapphire" (for blue eyes), "Vivid Ruby" (green eyes) and "Majestic Jade" (Hazel). Although they weren't specifically for my eye color, I still liked them a lot. The Jade looked great smudged on my lower lids, the Ruby was very striking and the Sapphire was a pretty, deep blue.

Cover Girl is found at places like Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, duane reade, etc. and on sites like drugstore.com. Check out the whole Exact Collection on their website.
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Travel Buddy: Cover Girl Outlast Lipstains (review)

Over the last few days I was on a whole bunch of airplanes. Okay, maybe there were only 4 airplanes, but it seemed like a whole bunch. I know that things had to change; but I really miss the days when I could easily find non-stop cross country flights. I also miss the days when I didn't have to try to fit all of my beauty products into one little bag. One whole quart – oh big deal.

And don't get me started on the whole bottled water thing.

Anyway, I didn't want to check baggage, so I started shopping around for airline-approved containers. And I kept running across bags that came with 3 bottles. Three? Are you kidding? Luckily, I finally found an awesome Carry-On Bottle Kit at Bed Bath and Beyond. It has zillions of little bottles and jars (well – maybe only 15, but it seemed like zillions).

I wedged everything I needed into this thing and then I realized (steady yourself)...I had forgotten the lip products! How had I done that? What would I do? Would I spend my trip with colorless lips? No, of course not. Covergirl Outlast Lipstain to the rescue!

Blurb: The water-based colorants of Outlast Lipstain give lips a beautiful, lightweight flush of color that won't come off, lasting for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick. Its pen-like precision applicator makes it easy to define your lips-just draw on color without any hassle!

I'm sure you have already read the fabulous reviews of these lip stains. As soon as they were available, I bought a couple and have loved them ever since. They're long wearing, easy to apply, non-drying and look great. What I really appreciate is their versatility. I can smudge a little bit on with my finger for a natural look, or use the pen applicator to get really intense color. Recently I've been pairing them with a gloss or sheer lipstick. Even when the gloss/lipstick wears off, the lipstain stays put underneath.

I ended up squeezing one (in "Cinnamon Smile") into my already stuffed beauty bag along with a tiny bit of Stila's High Shine Lip Color in "Amber," and my lips were good to go for the whole trip.

Even when you're not traveling, these are great for every day – especially when you don't have the inclination to keep re-applying. If you haven't tried these yet (or you just want to check out some new colors), now is a great time to stock up. Drugstore.com is having a BOGO sale.

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