Current Summery Lemmings

Just a few things I have my eye on as the temperature is on the rise here. How we can go from the 40s last week to the high 80s now is beyond my comprehension.

First there's Lanolips ointment. This has quite the cult following in Australia I believe and for good reason - lanolin, the main ingredient, is extremely hydrating. I really want to try one of the tinted versions but can't find it online let alone in the States (everything should be available in a capitalist world, shouldn't it?). Any suggestions where to find it would be super.

The hat is very, very random. If you know me IRL (love that acronym), you have probably never seen me in a hat. But they look cute on other people so...might give it go this summer.

My hair is at an awkward length right now after cutting it pretty short (just barely shoulder length) a few months ago, so I have been trying to infuse some curls/texture/interest. This Cortex 4 in 1 wand thing looks intriguing. I own the Conair wand but it's tapered at the bottom so I find I end up looking more Shirley Temple than Gisele Bundchen.

"Going Incognito" by Essie has an awesome name and I love green. All I have to say there.

And we have the famed St. Tropez self tan mousse. I never used to be bothered with self tan but seeing as I will have little to no beach access this year, it's nice to pretend you were on vacation somewhere tropical soaking up the rays (with sunscreen of course, come on now).

What do you have your eye on this summer?

A Late Night Skincare Lust List & Ramble

 

Just a few skincare bits I have my eye on lately.

 

Been searching for the Hydraluron serum for what seems like ages now in the States and no luck. Heard a rumor that it is being introduced to Walgreens soonish though? Only time will tell I suppose. It's been getting (finally) sunnier in my area, so SPF is even more important than usual. I think the SPF 15 I usually wear will not cut it in the summer months, so I am contemplating this La Roche Posay offering, which provides not only SPF 50 but a tint as well. Even out my skintone and protect me from the sun's rays? What more could you want?

 

Another LRP product is their SeroZinc spray which apparently incorporates active ingredients of zinc and sulfur to hydrate the skin and prevent breakouts. I suffer from acne-prone dry/combination skin, so I am always on the hunt for products that will treat acne but not dry out my sensitive skin. La Roche Posay is one of my favorite skincare brands (sadly when I lived in Toulouse, France 2008-2009, I wasn't as into skincare as I am these days so I didn't exactly stockpile pharamacie products *curses self*) and although the LRP selection in CVS here is slim, I tend to have decent luck shopping online. It's worth the hassle in my opinion!

Lastly I stuck a Mario Badescu toner in there. As it gets warmer, my skin tends to break out more so I have to exfoliate more frequently, with either a glycolic (AHA) or beta hydroxy (BHA or salicylic acid) product. Chemical exfoliants almost always work better for me than physical ones; grainy scrubs end up irritating my skin more than anything. This toner is of the glycolic variety, and seems like it could work well for me. Something about MB products turn me off though...example a: why does this toner have to be blue? Dyes are so unnecessary in skincare, if not harmful. Will never understand that...

I haven't addressed it much on the blog yet (because I suck at posting basically...) however I grew up with pretty terrible skin due to family history (thank you parents) so I am always trying out new skincare ever since I gave up on traditional dermatology. Needless to say, this obsession interest has been brewing for a long time now. I want to post more comprehensive reviews here - just will take time since skincare takes ~2 months to have a full effect.

 

*off to wash my face and pass out* Night!

Update + Nars Sheer Glow first impressions

Hello there blog, long time no talk!

I am a full-time student, so I tend to get wrapped up in studying and work to blog regularly...I've been neglecting my little corner of the internet! I do feel bad about that, but I am a self proclaimed "lurker"...I've still been reading my favorite blogs to stay in the loop. I hope those on Thanksgiving break like myself are enjoying it! I finally have a chunk of time to devote to blogging :)

With my extra time, aside from reading, eating, and sleeping, I finally got the opportunity to go to Sephora. Then this happened...

 

In my defense, I have a gift card (burning a hole in my pocket). I've long been interested in trying out Nars Sheer Glow (left) and the makeup artist decided I should try the Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + (right) too, despite my explanation that I have dry skin and prefer dewy foundations in winter. I was told that Circe de Soleil performers use it as it is water/sweat proof. My fun fact of the day...she was persistent, I will give her that.

Wearing the Nars. Excuse my wet hair

Face:

Nars Sheer Glow in Mont Blanc

NYC Sunny bronzer

Nars blush in Sin

I purposely didn't use any concealer to really test it out. It has a nice finish, and feels weightless on my skin. I would say it is medium coverage at best, but slightly buildable. I wouldn't build it up to full coverage however; I think it would creep into cakey territory there. All in all, I really love it but will continue to test so long as my sample lasts. A bonus is you don't need much foundation for a full face's worth. It has a very liquidy texture (aka gets messy though!).

So there is my first impression of my first truly high end foundation! I've only ever tried Clinique foundations before and of course drugstore. I am a little wary as the Nars retails for $42USD so it's an investment, but having a great base makes everything else look better in my humble opinion!

If you noticed Sin in the lineup, I will be doing a post soon on it as well as a shadow. Those were birthday treats from October. This post looks like such a Nars binge...which doesn't sound that bad?

xx Lindsay

Dreaming of Neutrals

Topshop Contrast Sleeve Army Jacket, OPI Berlin There Done That,

Zara Basic Velvet Slipper, Deux Lux Herringbone Backpack

Allow me to introduce what I am lusting over for fall 2012. I gave summer a stitch effort...currently even have a semi-bright polish on at the moment. But my roots are clearly neutral and every year I love them even more.

What are you lemming for this A/W season? x

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder Review

Wearing the foundation in question

If someone would have told me a year ago my first foundation review would be on a mineral one, I would have never believed them. I used Bare Minerals all throughout high school, until I discovered liquid foundation and haven't looked back since. That is, until I tried the famous Laura Mercier Mineral powder this past spring.

My hands are pretty tan..weird. Ignore that liner swatch :)

As per Laura Mercier, this mineral powder is described as a "finely milled powder composed of natural elements with 15 active amino acids." I don't know much about the science behind the amino acids (they are supposed to clear the skin of toxins apparently), however I can say that this powder is certainly finely milled and incredibly soft to the touch. It has a silky texture that I think surpasses its mineral competitors like Bare Minerals. It has not broken me out either, and I have acne-prone/sensitive skin. It also boasts SPF 15, which isn't bad but I always wear a sunscreen beneath my base makeup no matter which one I'm wearing.

The thing I love the most about this powder is its neutral undertone. I have it in the shade Real Sand, and I am approximately a NW/NC 25 in the summer. While I could probably do with the next darker shade (I purchased this in March), I find that it is very forgiving and blends beautifully. The neutral undertone means it could work for a myriad of skintones in my opinion; I often struggle to find foundations that aren't too yellow or pink for me. This conceals my redness/blemishes and I can build it up to medium coverage easily. For reference, I use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply this.

Overall, I really love this powder. The biggest drawback is its lasting power on my skin. By itself, I find it only lasts about 6-7 hours before it begins to wear off and look cakey in areas like around my nose. That said, a lighter application is best and while you may be able to build it up to medium-full coverage, I've found it looks way too cakey that way. It looks nice dusted over a liquid foundation too.

Final Verdict

Pros: neutral undertone, buildable to medium coverage, looks natural

Cons: only lasts 6-7 hours, can look cakey if trying to achieve higher coverage

I hope this review was helpful to anyone interested in trying out this mineral powder! It contains 0.34 oz of product and retails for $35 at Sephora and department stores. It isn't cheap so I suggest trying to get a sample if you want to try it out. 

Hope you're all enjoying your summer!

xx

Back with a Small Collective Makeup Haul!

Long time, no post! I'm starting a bad blogger habit, aren't I? Although I may not have any readership to refer to, I am mad at myself for being a procrastinator! I thought I would blog about a few makeup bits I've picked up over the past few weeks.

First up is the smallest MAC haul anyone has probably ever blogged about...I am the type of shopper where I buy things here and there.

L: MAC Warm Soul Mineralize Blush  R: MAC Espresso

My favorite blush by MAC, probably of all time, is Melba. A matte peachy-pink, I love Melba because it doesn't impart any unwanted shimmer or emphasis my pores. Blushes that add that type of dimension to the face are amongst my favorites. However, I have tried out some lovely shimmery blushes this year, and have been wanting Warm Soul mineralize blush for what seems like forever. I have to give it to this blush...it imparts a "glow" that looks especially beautiful when I have a bit of a tan.

I also picked up Espresso, a matte medium brown (so thrilling). Currently am trying to fill the gaps in my neutral palette...this is a must-have that I was missing.

Complimentary awkward swatches

Thanks to G. over at Nouveau Cheap, I was pleased to hear that CVS was having a big clearance makeup sale. Today I popped in to check it out, and came out with three items, all 50% off! Not too shabby indeed.

Top: Maybelline Age Rewind Protector Finishing Powder in Nude
Bottom: L'Oreal HIP Studio Secrets Color Chrome Eyeliners in Black Shock & Violet

Biggest makeup complaint: overly long product names. See above. Do they really need to crame that much marketing onto one thin pencil?

Advertising aside, these eyeliners are creamy and quite pigmented, the black more so than the purple but both still great. They also set quickly on me, which is a must because I mostly use eyeliner to line my upper waterline and/or line my lid.

The powder I picked up because A) It was 50% off...duh B) MakeupbyTiffanyD recently raved about this powder in her Drugstore Favorites video C) Tiffany's advice = the unofficial makeup gospel...I'm a fan. I picked this up in Nude, the second lightest shade available. I am around NW20-25 for reference! It may take me some time to try this out as I have been having a love affair with my Laura Mercier Mineral Powder...maybe I will take us public with a review? Bonne idee je pense.

C'est fini! Short, sweet, yet rambley. I have clearly have blogging skills. Hope everyone is enjoying summer so far!

xx Linds

Welcome to Just Another Muse!

Today was the day. 

I finally have my own little corner of the internet!

I have been reading beauty, lifestyle, & DIY blogs for several years now, and decided to contribute my musings here on Just Another Muse. 

Here you will find beauty/makeup, fashion, and lifestyle posts (with hopefully a few DIYs stuck in, although I am just a novice myself)! I look forward to what blogging has to offer me.

All for now but more content is well on its way. I've already delved into researching the black hole that is HTML ah!

xx

Lindsay