Favorite Things 2012: Blush

This was a hard category to nail down, so I thought that I’d separate the blushes by finish to really narrow the focus on what I think stands head and shoulders above the rest.

POWDER MATTE:

For an amazing matte finish blush, you really can’t beat MAC. For years, MAC blushes have been my go to for strong matte color payoff and staying power. I’m a fan of all of the matte formulas, though I might be partial to sheertone blushes. I like them best because I can layer the color to the intensity I like without worrying that I’ve done too much.

POWDER SHIMMER:

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a  better shimmer formula than Chanel Joues Contraste. Their mattes can be hit and miss, but they knock the shimmer formulas out of the park every time. With the exception of maybe ONE color, most Chanel shimmer formulas are more shimmer and less glitterbomb. I find them subtle and elegant, and a lovely way to wear shimmer without going over the top. The color payoff is above average, and the staying power is excellent.

CREAM:

NARS makes the best cream formulas, hands down. What makes them particularly wonderful, is their lack of ‘slip.’ These formulas warm only to the touch… but once you apply them to the skin, they set right away. They work on bare skin (even oily skin), over makeup… and even over powder (if you need to intensify a bit after powdering the skin). I am absolutely in love with these blushes.

LIQUID MATTE:

I’m just going to file this under ‘liquid’  because it’s thin enough to come out of a pump. It’s got a gel-like creamy consistency… but still. These formulas simply defy expectations. A very little bit goes a long way, and there is a shade for every skin tone. Like the cream blush, you can use this blush on any skin type. It sets nearly instantly and imitates a natural ‘flush’… like you were born blushing that way. Love.

LIQUID SHIMMER:

By Terry Rose de Rose is the best shimmer liquid blush I’ve ever used… period. The teeniest amount adds a natural flush, and ‘light’ to the skin. It sets right away and wears beautifully. Plus, it smells divine. Every single time I use this on a client (for some reason, typically their eyes are closed) they catch a whiff and immediately want to know what I’m using. This stuff is amazing. I love it.

That’s it! Those are my Favorite Blushes… Ciao for now!

Limited Edition Holiday Fragrance!

The new HABIBI Limited Edition Holiday Fragrance is now available! We decided (after a quick vote) that something with Ginger and Vanilla. So we did some mixing, and some smelling and some more mixing and a little testing…

And we came up with Organic (Sweet) Ginger Tea!

One of the things that we love about ginger (despite it’s spicy scent) is all of its fantastic properties. Internally, it does a bunch of wonderful things (like settle upset stomachs, and help with digestion). And externally, it helps with circulation and helps to stimulate the senses. We fell head over heels in love after mixing it with a little honey, and topping the whole thing off with Organic Tahitian Vanilla Bean.

Ginger Tea is available in Body Balm, Body Scrub and Body Bar. It will be available from December 1st until December 31st.

http://www.habibibody.com

Happy Holiday Shopping!

By Terry Holiday Goodness!

I got a close look at the new By Terry Holiday 2012 Collection…

I would say that the must haves of this collection are the oil and the lip gloss. The Blush Prestige is an expensive blend of the Rose Amber and Coral colors (which are permanent). I much prefer the Rose Amber to the Blush Prestige.

This oil ROCKS. The good news is, all that gold (yes, that’s 24 karat Rose Gold) doesn’t translate into glitter on the skin. It melts right in. And oily girls, this absorbs so quickly… no oil slick! You can use it alone as a moisturizer, or blend it into your regular moisturizer or foundation. And it smells like HEAVEN.

I had this version in the pot some moons ago. This is the same formula, but in a convenient wand. And it’s a little cheaper… not much… but a little. Every time I’ve worn this gloss I’ve gotten compliments. It flatters just about every skin tone.

The whole collection is available at Space NK and Barneys.

(CLOSED) HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY: LORAC Eye Candy Collection

I saw this and just HAD to do it for a giveaway. LORAC has released the coolest collection of eye and face colors, all packaged up to look like chocolate holiday candy.

I used the Sephora pictures for this because my pictures don’t even REMOTELY do justice to this collection. It is AMAZING. There are six ‘candy bars’ with four colors each. Each bar represents a different color scheme. I fell head over heels in love with this idea, and there was no way I was going to pass up an opportunity to pay it forward.

YOU MUST BE A PUBLIC SUBSCRIBER TO QUALIFY. YOU CAN AMP YOUR CHANCES BY FOLLOWING ‘ADVENTURES IN MAKEUP’ ON FACEBOOK, FOLLOWING VIA NETWORKED BLOGS, AND FOLLOWING @shahadakarim ON TWITTER. IT HELPS A LOT TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS WHEN YOU LIST YOUR ENTRIES (makes it a lot easier to contact you if you win). 

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 31ST. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Tom Ford Holiday 2012: Diabolique

For Holiday 2012, Tom Ford released a complimentary lipstick collection to accompany the Jasmin Rouge Fragrance. The four lipsticks are all shades of red, meant to flatter every skin tone. There are two shimmer, and two matte colors. The darkest matte color, Diabolique, is the one that caught my eye.

Why are the color labels always crooked on these lipsticks? SMH. You’d think that for $55 a pop, they’d at least get the packaging labels straight. They’re ALWAYS crooked. Doesn’t matter what color. It’s just something I’ve noticed…

I do love the new lipstick packaging so much better than the old white version though.

The formula is creamy, but a little dry. I’d suggest a healthy dose of lip balm before putting it on. But the color is rich and highly saturated. I think that this is meant to be a ‘blue’ based red… but I notice that it wears warm and dark on me… like maybe there’s a little bit of brown in there as well.

You can find out more about Tom Ford Lipstick in Diabolique HERE.

Shiseido Holiday 2012: Camellia Compact

Shiseido has released the most gorgeous multi-use compact, with a price tag that won’t shut down your wallet. Normally, limited edition compacts come with a hefty price tag that can reach and even exceed $100 (Ahem CHANEL, Guerlain, and Sisley… I’m looking at you). But for $36, the Camellia Compact can come home with you.

Don’t panic. All that shimmer you see is just overspray. It comes right off with the tiniest swipe.

As I understand it, You can use this compact as for any part of the face… either as eyeshadow or blush. And you can swirl the colors together to get a deep rose flush…

I love this little palette. It’s functional and really easy to use, and it’ll flatter a wide range of skin tones. You can adjust that blush to go as light or as deep as you like. It’s perfect for the holiday season.

Apparently, this is a Macy’s exclusive. You can find out more about the Shiseido Camellia Compact HERE.

By Terry: Holiday 2012

The  By Terry Holiday 2012 Collection celebrates all things  ‘rose gold’ — with a small but exquisite lineup of luxury items.

The Or de Rose Blush Prestige is a universal shimmering elixir, infused with rose gold to highlight or enhance just about every skin tone.

By Terry Crayon Kohl Terrybly in Opaline. I can’t wait to take a look at this one up close and personal. It’s a light shimmering pink… that promises to add ‘light’ where every you apply it.

By Terry Or de Rose Lip Balm. I have this fantastic stuff in the original pot. Now By Terry is releasing the formula in a tube with a wand (MUCH more sanitary). This stuff is gold (no really… there are actual gold flecks in it). I’ve used it for everything from ‘brightening’ up a lipstick color, to using it alone. I always get compliments when I wear it. You can toss this balm on with some mascara and a little tinted moisturizer, and be done.

And this might be the crown jewel of the collection. The Or de Rose Huille Absolute is a combination of rose extracts, designed to be ‘pressed’ directly into the skin. This is a shimmering version of the original elixir (which is clear). This version is meant to be used more like makeup, although it doubles as skin care.

I’m currently waiting (with bated breath) to get an up close and personal look at these new items. When that happens, I’ll run them through the paces for performance and practical application!

More to come… Ciao for now!