High praise for Tightline from a makeup junkie

July 26, 2011 by

Laura Mercier's cake liner comes in six stunning colors.

I figure that a cosmetic, or really any product, that has the word cake in its name is worth a try. And Laura Mercier’s Tightline Cake Eye Liner is suitably decadent, the makeup equivalent of a coconut-lemon layered confection.

You add a drop or two of Tightline Activator to the cake and mix with a flat brush to form a lightweight paste. It takes a few extra minutes to apply (compared with liquid liners) and you may need a few practice rounds, trying different brushes, to get the precise line you want. But to a makeup junkie like me, that’s a plus.

And the color is gorgeous, vibrant but not over the top. In fact, the best thing about Mercier’s cake is the choice of colors: black (duh!), mahogany brown, plum, forest green, charcoal grey and, my favorite, bleu marine.

The activator contains a polymer to make the liner last longer, so once it’s on, it sticks. That said, it doesn’t blend very easily so be careful until you really have the hang of it. As much fun as it is to play with, this product is pricey. The cake is $22, the activator is $20 and the Mercier flat brush is $25, so almost $70. (I used other brushes.)

Still, it’s a chance to have dessert first thing in the morning without an actual sugar fix. How can that be bad?

Product source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from Laura Mercier. (This post is part five in my quest for the perfect eyeliner.)

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Lip color for sizzling days of summer

July 20, 2011 by

Maybelline's ColorSensational lipstick offers excellent value.

Friends and family in the Midwest tell me is is hot and sticky there, too hot for makeup, they say. Hello, have we met? True, items like coverup or bronzer have a way of melting off my face but, for me, it’s never too hot for lipstick.

I’ve been experimenting with ColorSensational lip color by Maybelline. Ruby Star, though it looks a bit autumnal in the tube, turns out to be a great neutral. Not quite as bright as a classic red or fuchsia, it’s a nice pop of pure color that looks fresh and natural.

ColorSensational hydrates (it contains honey nectar), feels light on my lips and smells good. The line features 54 shades so if your AC suddenly stops, you can always browse the makeup aisles of your local drug store while waiting for the repair. At $7 a tube, you might try several shades. Pictured here, from left, is: Red Revolution, Fuchsia Fever, Fifth Ave. Fuchsia and Ruby Star.

Other ColorSensational lip products include High Shine, Lipstain and Pearls.

Product source: I received samples from Maybelline; I did not receive compensation.

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Putting on the spritz: Fendi, Prada, Gucci

July 16, 2011 by

There’s something both refreshing and exotic about a splash of a clean floral fragrance like Fan di Fendi on a hot summer day. Something “elegantissima but oh so rock ’n’ roll” – well, ok, that was in the press notes but I am really looking forward to dropping elegantissima into a conversation.

Fan di Fendi is ideal for sultry summer nights.

Fan di Fendi is playful but complex and very fun to wear. Notes include: Damascena rose, yellow jasmine, Indian tuberose, pear, blackcurrant, tangerine, pink peppercorns, leather and patchouli.

As of this weekend, Saks Fifth Avenue is the exclusive retailer of Fan di Fendi eau de parfum fragrance. Fabien Baron designed the architectural bottle. The 1.7 ounce eau de parfum is $76 and the 2.5 ounce size is $92; the 5 ounce shower gel sells for $39 and the 5 ounce body lotion is $44.

Meanwhile, I am curious about Prada’s new fragrance, Candy, which reportedly will be released in August and in U.S. stores by September. Prada picked French actress Léa Seydoux to advertise the new scent, which features retro pink packaging.

And so far my fave men’s fragrance this summer: Gucci Guilty.

Image source: Fendi; I did not receive product or compensation for this post.

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Free stuff: Win ‘Diabolique,’ a classic French film noir

July 6, 2011 by

The winner of the June reader giveaway has been selected. For July, I am giving away a copy of French filmmaker Henri-Georges Clouzot’s genre-defining noir classic “Diabolique,” recently rereleased by Criterion.

To enter the July giveaway, just leave a comment on any FNB post from July 1-31. The winner will be randomly selected at the end of the month and announced in early August. Include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you if you win. Your email will not be shared. Good luck!

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Goodbye, powder blush … crème color hits the spot

June 29, 2011 by

Laura Mercier's creamy cheek colour is a must-have for your makeup bag.

For a sheer summer glow, I’m loving Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander, $22, by Laura Mercier.

This is a great product because it’s a breeze to apply, blends easily and it’s hard to put on too much – it’s just too lightweight. I don’t wear foundation so instead I daub this on the apples of my cheeks, forehead and neck to enhance whatever color I get from the sun. (I also use Mercier’s Secret Concealer, $22.)

Small and compact, this blush doesn’t require a brush. It won’t take up much space in a makeup bag, making it ideal for travel and handy to pop in a little evening bag. And it comes with a mirror so touch-ups are a snap.

I would definitely recommend trying the colors in person at a department store because, at least for me, Oleander shows up on the Mercier web site as a bright pink when in fact it’s much rosier.

Product Source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from Mercier.

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Four

June 26, 2011 by

Stiletto by Maybelline is a high-performance product.

Paris was a great chance to test a few products and Maybelline Stiletto Ultimate Precision liquid eyeliner, $7.50, was a fab find.

After lounging too long over coffee and pain au chocolat, I’d often be in a hurry to get ready and Stiletto was quick to apply. The thin felt tip is easy to control so you can create a soft feathery line or a thick dramatic band. The color is sheer, soft and stays put, without flakes or smears, even after a busy day of exploring the city.

Alas, the stilettos shown in this picture didn’t fare as well. Flats were my shoe of choice and the heels stayed parked outside my suitcase.

Product Source: I received a review sample from Maybelline. I did not receive compensation.

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My quest for the perfect eyeliner: Part Three

June 6, 2011 by

I realize I’ve been remiss in my eyeliner updates. There have been so many noir movie events in April and May, I have, alas, fallen behind. But I have squirreling away tubes and sampling them when I can.

L’Oréal’s Voluminous Eyeliner has a slanted applicator.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with Voluminous Eyeliner Mistake-Proof Marker by L’Oréal, $7. The felt tip is slanted so you can choose a thin line (use the pointed tip) or a thick line (use the slanted side).

Once you get it on, it does stay put and wears well; it also removes easily. But mistake proof? Not so much. Though the company says the flow of liquid is controlled and continuous, the tip itself doesn’t give you much juice so, in terms of ease of use, I was a little disappointed.

The key, I found, is a light touch. Because it’s a marker I was tending to hold the tube with the same strong grip that I would hold a Sharpie. That is not the way to apply – instead, easy does it! Voluminous is pretty good for a soft line, especially along lower lashes. Only $7, it’s worth a try, especially if you want to go a bit lighter for summer.

Product Source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from L’Oréal.

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This month’s reader giveaway: Experience the elegance of Bulgari’s Jasmin Noir body cream

June 3, 2011 by

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” said Leonardo da Vinci. Somehow I don’t think he had beauty routines or vanity tables in mind when he said this but you never know. He was a Renaissance man, after all.

Bulgari's new body cream absorbs easily, leaving an intoxicating scent.

I recently found a new product that’s really rather captivating in its simplicity, Bulgari’s Jasmin Noir body cream. The plain black jar, minimally adorned with a single gold band, catches the eye. The rich, yet light, cream is a joy to use, keeps skin summer-soft and eliminates the need for any other fragrance.

Earlier this week, I slathered some on after a shower and then dashed out the door for a blowout. “You smell fantastic. What is that?” Nava, the stylist, asked me as she washed my hair. Leaning back, with my feet up, it was the perfect way to relish the feeling of well being and pampering.

Bulgari says it was drawn to jasmine for its “intriguing ambivalence and complexity,” noting that the flower’s scent changes hour by hour. “At dawn, the translucent white flower has a fresh and delicate scent, then at midday it releases a citrusy fragrance that recalls orange blossoms, which then transforms in the evening into the characteristically warmer, more seductive notes.”

Perfect for a femme fatale, no? Also available: soap, bath & shower gel, body lotion and perfume. Bulgari’s Jasmin Noir Body Cream is $90 for 6.9 ounces. To buy it, visit Neiman Marcus.

Best of all, I have an extra jar for this month’s reader giveaway! To enter, just leave a comment on any FNB post, June 1-30. The winner will be randomly selected at the end of the month and announced in early July. Include your email address in your comment so that I can notify you if you win. Your email will not be shared. (The winner of the April giveaway has been selected and contacted.)

Product Source: Bulgari has provided a product for review and a product to give away to a reader. I did not receive compensation.

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Make your Monday more exotic: Maja liquid soap

May 23, 2011 by

Add a bit of spice to your routine this week with a retro fragrance that has been around since the 1920s. The spicy Oriental scent was reportedly a popular choice among American GIs of World War II looking to bring a bit of Euro-glam back to their stateside sweethearts.

Maja dates to the 1920s.

According to Fragantica, Maja is a mix of nutmeg, carnation, patchouli, cloves, vetiver, rose and geranium. The liquid soap also has olive oil extracts to moisturize.

But what caught my eye was packaging, a mysterious Spanish dancer against a black background. What man could resist her? 😉 And at $9.95 for 8.5 fluid oz., it’s easy on the wallet; available at beauty-supply stores and Maja Soaps.

While I’m a fan of the liquid soap, I can’t vouch for other fragrance products. Alas, according to several sites, Myrurgia (part of Barcelona-based  Puig) decided to reformulate “the scent of seduction, Spanish passion.” This decision did not sit well with loyal fans, some of whom likened the reformulation to cheap aftershave.

Here’s hoping that the vintage scent will make a comeback. Well, stranger things have happened.

Product source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from Maja.

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For a little luxury, look no further than Mor Cosmetics

May 7, 2011 by

Few things in life are more important than serendipity when shopping. It’s sort of like when you stay in the moment and become open to happy coincidences and new connections.

From left: Mor lip gloss, soapette and hand cream.

While recently browsing around my local boutiques, I stumbled upon products from Mor Cosmetics, the 10-year-old brainchild of Melbourne-based designers Dianna Burmas and Deon St. Mor.

Finding inspiration in traditional apothecary practices, they blend “age-old and contemporary ingredients” to create their pretty, pampering products (they have about 150). The packaging draws on the classicism of Art Deco and it’s so pretty, there’s really no need to wrap if you’re buying gifts.

I picked three items from the Little Luxuries/Cassis Noir collection. The lip nectar gloss ($14*) looks great alone or with lipstick and it has just the right amount of peppermint oil to give a pleasant sensation without actually tingling. Mor’s triple-milled, softly scented soapette ($9*) cleanses and moisturizes. The tins are, of course, reusable. The hand cream ($12*) contains shea and cocoa butter as well as vitamins to leave your hands feeling silky and well cared for.

If you don’t already, these hip products with a nod to the past will have you yearning for a vanity table, a half-moon manicure, silk stockings, a lacy brassiere and a girdle. OK, maybe not a girdle, but you get the idea. 😉

Product Source: From my own collection; I did not receive product or compensation from Mor.

*These are base prices – if you buy online, there are shipping charges (starting at $8.50); if you buy at a store, you may pay more than the base price. For example, I paid $20 for the lip gloss at a boutique in Brentwood. Visit Mor’s web site for details and for a store locator (on the Contact page).

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