Eye Do: NYX Cosmetics Ipsy Eye Shadow Trio

NYX Cosmetics Ipsy Eye Shadow TrioIt’s no secret that I love NYX Cosmetics. So when I discovered that my September Ipsy bag contained a trio of NYX eye shadows created exclusively for Ipsy subscribers, I was psyched. Not surprisingly, NYX delivered a trio of high-quality shadows that are easy to apply, long lasting and versatile – the three shades can be worn together or separately.

The set contains a light beige shadow, a rich medium brown, and a deep black that makes a great liner. The first two shades have the slightest bit of shimmer. I really like the beige, but I cannot get enough of the brown; it’s just right to make my blue eyes pop and I find myself reaching for it each and every day.

This month I also received a Crown Brush AC012 Shadow/Crease Duet brush from Ipsy, and I have to say I’m really impressed. I usually prefer a sponge tip applicator for eyeshadow application, but this brush is firm enough to pick up the right amount of powder while still being soft enough to glide smoothly over the lid. Both of these Ipsy picks have definitely made it into the daily rotation!

Fall-ish Polish

I don’t paint my nails all that often – I’m just too hard on my nails and the maintenance usually feels like too much work. For some reason, though, the beginning of fall always makes me want to play with polish. Maybe it’s the return of rich, highly pigmented shades, or my appreciation for the way a well-manicured hand looks peeking out from the sleeve of a cozy fall sweater. Whatever it is, every year I become obsessed with a fall-ish polish and go a little manicure crazy.
Essie Dress to Kilt
This year, it all started when I spotted the new Olivia Palermo x Ciate London Nail Collection. That blue! That deliciously dark red! Right away I started jonesing for some wine-colored nails of my own, so I scanned my nail polish collection and was happy to find a perfect pick from last year’s fall lineup: Essie Dress to Kilt. It gave me the deep, glossy red I was after, at a much more reasonable price point. I managed to keep this manicure in tact for 5 days, during which time I received a ton of compliments. Apparently, I’m not the only one loving this dark red for fall.
Trust Fund Beauty Elegantly Wasted
I had no sooner removed that manicure when I received my September Ipsy bag in the mail. To my delight, it contained a fun new polish, Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted. This lilac purple shade looks surprisingly great with my skin tone. The polish dried super fast, and I’ve only had it on for a day and a half, but so far it has lasted beautifully through some intense housework and general carelessness (did I mention I’m hard on my nails?). It’s not the traditional plum that you normally see this time of year, but I’m kind of loving that.

What nail colors are you loving for fall?

Let’s Flirt: Doll 10 HydraGel Cream Blush

Doll 10 HydraGel Cream Blush in FlirtI’m a big fan of blush. Done right, it can really finish a look, adding some pretty polish to your beauty routine. Done wrong, though, it can leave you looking a streaky, clownish mess. It doesn’t matter how natural the color looks in the compact, or, for that matter, how crazy and unnatural it may appear. With blush, it all comes down to texture. That’s why Doll 10 HydraGel Cream Blush is my latest obsession. Its name is very fitting – it has the sheer finish of a gel but the smooth, easy-to-apply texture of a cream, making it super easy to apply and blend. Flirt, a neutral peachy pink shade, leaves a healthy, natural glow, so my cheekbones are accentuated but I don’t look made up. It’s perfect for embracing a little end-of-summer color.

Organic Lip Gloss: A Natural Winner

Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Fig

Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Fig

I’d like to live in a world where every all-natural, organic beauty product is a cosmetic homerun; a world where less natural ingredients simply don’t work as well and the very presence of recycled packaging indicates a higher-quality concoction. Unfortunately, this is not usually the case. Don’t get me wrong, if I discover an earth-friendly product that rocks my world I immediately add it to my beauty repertoire. But more often than not, “natural” products leave me longing for something a little, well, prettier.

That’s why I was very pleasantly surprised by the pre-launch tube of Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss that came in my May Ipsy bag. Initially, Juice Beauty’s tagline, “The Organic Solution,” made me a bit weary of the product. I assumed the gloss would have an odd texture or unpleasant aroma. I was sure it would have virtually no staying power and that after one trial I’d probably throw it away or let it sink to the bottom of my makeup bag. Boy was I wrong. Not only did I not throw it away, I’ve become completely enthralled by it. It’s by far my favorite new cosmetic item of the season. I use it every morning, take it with me to work, and swipe some on anytime I head out at night, whether I’m meeting friends for dinner or running to the store for a late-night Sour Patch fix (I have a bit of a problem).

What makes this gloss so great – other than the whole good-for-you, good-for-the-planet thing – is how amazing it feels. It has the smoothest, silkiest texture. I really have never used a gloss that feels this smooth. It doesn’t have even the slightest bit of stickiness to it, meaning your hair won’t get caught it in and gunked up by it, as is the case with so many other glosses. And amazingly, considering the lack of stickiness, it has great staying power! In my experience, the lighter a lip gloss feels, the quicker it usually fades away. Not so with this gloss. One swipe lasts through sipping, talking, even kissing! And it passes the fiance kiss-test: the lack of sticky texture or weird scent means he doesn’t run off in search of a napkin the second I smooch him with this stuff on!

Speaking of scent, this has a very mild, sweet scent, almost like a citrusy cinnamon bun. It certainly isn’t overpowering and I don’t really notice it other than when I first remove the wand from the tube. I received the gloss in Fig, a rosy bronze shade that gives a pretty wash of color with a tiny hint of shimmer. It’s definitely my go-to summer gloss. When the days turn hot and humid I certainly don’t want to worry about some heavy lip product melting down my face. This gloss is so light and pretty, the only thing I’ll be worrying about is where to buy more of it.