Power Week: Lancôme Color Design Lipstick in “Sugared Maple” (review)

Well the snow day (ice day, whatever) did not materialize. What did materialize, though, was an incredibly hectic morning. Today I went to work with…I hope you’re sitting down…NO MAKEUP. That’s right. And I didn’t feel all that pretty either.

Luckily, I keep a stash at my desk; so I remedied the situation as soon as I could. And once I got the pretty back, I decided to blogfully appreciate one of my favorite go-to lipsticks. From Lancôme.

Color Design Sensational Effects Lip Color (in "Sugared Maple")

Blurb: If your lips long for full, fade-free color in tempting textures, and a shade selection that would inspire any makeup artist; the search is over. This luxurious lipstick is infused with soothing ingredients, so lips feel soft and comforted all day. Choose from four fabulous finishes: cream, sheen, shimmer, metallic and matte.

This is one of those fabulous all-purpose, quick fix beauty items that rides to my rescue every time. The formula is excellent. It feels great, keeps my lips soft, and is incredibly long-wearing. When the shine wears off, it leaves a stain behind - so I don’t get the “ghost lip” thing.

And this shade is one of the best go-with-everything-without-being-boring colors I’ve ever owned. It’s a reddish-brown (or maybe it’s a brownish-red) with a hint of sheen. It tends to seem more brown or red depending on what I’m wearing. Some outfits even bring out a few pink tones. It really does match everything. That’s why I keep it at my desk.

Check out the website to browse the other 38 shades. Visit the What's New section, and be sure to peek at the Special Offers section. Lancôme is also available in fine department stores and at Sephora.

Since I left the house sans maquillage (without makeup) today, I’m bringing you a grunge-era 90’s power ballad. So unbutton your flannel shirt, sit back, and think about how incredibly intense everything is.



(ftc disclosure: purchased myself)

Lashtastic Tuesday: Lancôme Cils Booster XL Mascara Base (review)

It’s been a hectic day followed by an evening on the phone. Whew. I need a nice beauty break before bed time. I’m thinking…Lancôme.

Cils Booster XL Mascara Base

Blurb: Give your lashes an XL boost. With just one sweep, this innovative mascara base glides on and evenly coats and smoothes your lashes to maximize the results of your favorite Lancôme mascara. The magic behind this mascara base is the conditioning formula—featuring micro-fibers and Vitamin E - to add extra length and thickness to your lashes for added visible performance to your mascara.

If you’re wondering about whether the extra step of using a mascara base or primer is worth it, it absolutely is - but only if it’s a really good product. I’ve tried a whole bunch of mascara bases and primers over the last couple of years and this is only the second one I’ve loved enough to feature here. It’s mighty awesome!

Cils Booster acts as an excellent primer, and even adds some of length and volume on its own (yay!). It also conditions and protects my lashes from the drying effects of mascara. And…it's a wonderfully smooth base – which makes any mascara I use go on more easily, look better and stay put!

Check out the website. You can take advantage of free shipping right now (no code needed) and take a look at the Limited Edition Beauty Sensation and the Holiday Gift sets. You can also find Lancôme at nice department stores and Sephora.

(ftc disclosure: purchased myself)

Monday Magnificence: Lancôme Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner (another rave review)

It’s mighty close to midnight (and therefore almost Tuesday), so I’m going to get right to the review part. Today’s (tonight’s) super fabulous eye-tem is from Lancôme.

Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner

Blurb: Emphasize your eyes with this easy-to-handle, liquid pen featuring a uniquely shaped foam tip that lets you line, shape and define eyes to create any look you like. Rich, deep, luminous pigments offer the most intense, dramatic color. Glides on smoothly without scratching, tugging or skipping and lasts all day.

The short version: I love love love love this liner! Why didn’t I try it earlier?

Long version: Well I didn’t try it earlier because I have waaaay too many liners already. But I was scouring the mall for a specific shade (a deep burgundy/magenta) and the saleslady at the Lancôme counter suggested I try their Artliner in “Plum Glimmer.” I was worried it would be too purple, but I gave it a try. I was right – it was too purple for what I was looking for. But the brush and formula were amazing!

So I bought one. And I love it. And now I want them all.

It’s a liquid liner with a “pen” applicator. However, this pen is incredibly soft and flexible – which means you get pen precision with the smooth velvety lines of a brush. A cat’s eye is a piece of cake, and so is a tiny thin line right up against the lash line. The pigment is highly saturated and lasts all day. Another A++ (that's two in a row)!

Check out all the colors on the website. Be sure to browse the What's New section, and maybe even take advantage of their special offer (4-piece deluxe sample collection and free shipping with any $45 purchase with code: ANOV). You can also find Lancôme at nice department stores and Sephora.

(ftc disclosure: purchased myself)

Eye Feel Much Better: Lancôme Paris Color Design Shadows (review)

I wanted to talk about these shadows yesterday, but my brain refused to cooperate. Well, today is a lot more sane – thank goodness! So let's get to it…today's beauty fun is from Lancôme Paris.

Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow

Blurb: Build a wardrobe of sensational eye color! The possibilities are endless with this truly versatile range of hues designed by Lancôme Global makeup artists. Formulated with exclusive Micro-Air technology for ultimate smoothness and blendability. Long-lasting color glides on effortlessly. Available in a chic palette of multiple shades in five finishes: dazzling Metallics, twinkling Shimmers, soft, illuminating Sheens, pigment-packed Intense shades and color-rich Mattes.

A while back, Lancôme was offering an awesome GWP that included two shadow quads. Needless to day, I snapped it up.

For some reason, I've only reviewed Lancome once - that will be remedied (I came home with a lot more than eye shadow). But I should have written about their shadows long ago. Lancôme shadows have been some of my all time favorites since I started wearing makeup. (My mom bought Lancôme, and I used to sneak into her beauty stash play with her stuff.) My friends and I also did the "teen beauty counter thing" at the mall (stopping at all the beauty counters to "pretty up"). Wait…I kind of still do that.

Anyway, as far back as I can remember, these shadows have always found their way to my eyelids. Mainly because they're excellent. Long before any of the flashy newfangled brands (which I also love) came along; Lancôme was making high-quality, velvety shadows in fabulous colors. And they're still doing it. The shadows glide on like silk, blend easily and have unmatched staying power.

Warm Tones:

Cool Tones:

I tried my best to show you how the quads complemented each other. There wasn't a single one of these shades that I didn't love. The standout from the Warm Tones was the shimmery "Bikini Golden" (a pale, shimmery gold). I love it because it's both glamorous and neutral. My absolute favorite, though, came from the Cool Tones quad. "Luring" is one of the coolest colors I've stumbled across in a while. The computer screen won't give you the full effect, but it's a pale, shimmery grey-blue with flecks of lilac. It's fantastic – it looks amazing by itself as well as layered over blues, purples, browns, pinks and golds. Both of the darker colors in each of the quads made excellent contouring shades and liners (I love to use the same shade to contour and line).

Happily, all 8 colors in the quads are carried in their regular lineup. And there are over 50 Color Design shades to choose from. There's a swatch display on the website, and you can also check out the best sellers or visit the beauty school page. Much as I like the website, though, I suggest you mosey on over to a makeup counter at a nice department store (or Sephora) for a little "pretty up" time.
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(ftc disclosure: received as a gift with purchase)

Slightly Less Tardy on Tuesday: Lancôme Genéfique

So I'm a teeny bit less behind schedule today. But still not all the way back on track. I'm also a little bit late reviewing this serum. It seems like everyone has already raved about it; but I'm adding my own thumbs up to the folks at Lancôme.

Genéfique Youth Activating Concentrate

Blurb: An antiaging complex that harnesses the power of genes to take skin back in time. Discover the skin you were born to have with Lancôme GÉNIFIQUE Youth Activating Concentrate, the ultimate age-defying solution. With ten years of research and seven international patents to its name, this revolutionary solution boosts production of 'youth proteins' to reverse the signs of aging. Drop by drop, skin is infused with life, taking on a more refined texture, velvety softness, and a breathtaking, lit-from-within look.

I had previously been using a vitamin C serum and decided to switch after I ran out. I'm glad I did, because I really like the results I got. I've been using it in the morning and I love the way my skin looks right after I put it on. Glowy, fresh and soft. It absorbs quickly and I can use all of my other products right away. Over the past six weeks, it seems like my skin is smoother and a bit more "plumped." And it doesn't seem to bother my breakout-prone skin at all. Thoroughly awesome.

I checked out the website and also noticed that there's a new eye concentrate. Hmmmm. Lancôme can also be found at Sephora and fine department stores.
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Notes from Nancy

Hey all, I know I've mentioned my friend Nancy more than a few times here. She's the one that got me started down the road to beauty junkie-dom. She's been an expert on makeup and skincare a lot longer than I have so I pay attention when she likes something. I'm sharing a note she sent me the other day with some "musings." (I added images and links for extra pizzazz.) Nancy, this is exactly why you need to start a blog!

I just bought my Estee Lauder lash primer yesterday at Boscovs (that's all I bought). I also pulled out of my stash my Vincent Longo Water canvas. Gosh both of these products are so wonderful.

I had been using a dried up lash primer and this new one with my Lancome mascara makes my lashes look really fabulous.

The water canvas is such a great Summer makeup. I love his dew finish foundation, but my skin is too oily to use it except when it is cold out.

I told you that I found the scrub at TJ Maxx for $19.99. I really like it. Also, I found this Borghese mask which is a peel off rubbery clay mask and comes in little tubes for really cheap. It's probably like $50 bucks at Bloomies. It is amazing, clarifying, cleaning - yet leaves the skin moist and glowing with the Italian Living Water.

Well enough musing. I hope that your holiday was great.





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