LOVE NOTE #188: Bright or Nude for the New Year?

Both!  Gotta hand it to the Brits... they sure know how to give a girl a brilliant lipstick on the cheap!  And I got it even cheaper at Walgreens during their BOGO 50% off.  At 5 bucks and some change a  piece, you can't go wrong!  Drugstore lipsticks sure have changed over the years and so much so, that they rival department store brands for a fraction of the cost.  With the help of online reviews, going in and buying lipsticks at the a drugstore has become less overwhelming.  From dupe suggestions to formulations to swatches at your fingertips... the most difficult part perhaps is finding one that hasn't been tampered with or swatched!!!!

Unfortunately, Rimmel doesn't come sealed.  I made sure to open and double check the bullet to make sure that it hadn't been contaminated with HSV-1 (and who knows, possible type 2!)  When I got home I swiped the tip with rubbing alcohol (Omg I'm OCD!) to be doubly sure. Hopefully Rimmel will seal their lipsticks in the future and provide testers.  I think they would save money instead of having so many lipsticks swatched of the same shade... thereby getting junked if no one ends up buying them, right?

Anyways, onto the actual lipstick shades!       I am adoring Nude Delight (peachy warm nude) and Back to Fuchsia (wearable bright that is fun without being as serious as a red!)  These are so moisturizing and comfortable on the lips.  With one nude and one bright, I feel I can build a ton of looks for whatever my mood.  I love the smokey eye look with a pale lip as much as I like a clean fresh face with a bright lip.   But with these drugstore prices, why stop at just two? 

XO,

Marikym

LOVE NOTE #187: My Not So Doctor Doctor Bag

All I knew was I wanted a Kate Spade for Christmas.  I had no idea what it was I actually wanted though.  Le fiancé took me to pick out my bag.  I requested to get to pick instead of being surprised.  And then having to not like what he picked.  Instead of going through the rigamarole in my head of keeping a bag I didn't like versus acting like an utterly  ungrateful witch (if subbing a B for the W... I couldn't fault you at all) by secretly selling it on eBay and getting funds to get the bag I really wanted, I asked if he would take me shopping instead.  And you know what surprised me?  That he knew me better than myself.  

So there we were.  Arrived at the Promiseland.  Filled with all things shiny and colorful.  I found myself walking around bewildered.  I had no clue where to start.  I kept touching everything and thinking 'Maybe this one?'  Then B. pointed to a bag on the top shelf.  I gasped with delight.  He reached up and pulled it down and it to me.

The Catherine Street Joanie in Moody Plum.  I smiled.  A combination of hot pink and deep purple in a very classic satchel style.  I knew Jackie O. was smiling at me from up above as well.  I loved it.  And to make it even better?  It came with a removable shoulder/crossbody adjustable strap.  I opened the flap to find a darling bow-tie print with two slip pockets plus a zipper pocket.  And there was an additional pocket outside the main compartment as well!  It was just perfect...

Until I remembered I had a paranoia with handbags that didn't have a full-zippered top.  Ever since I was pick pocketed in Barcelona eons ago, I have only liked to carry ones that have had a full closure on the top.  Or If I ever road the train and my bag went flying from the seat, would all my contents go flying out of it as well?  My active mind was racing with all sorts of hypotheticals.  As to snap me out of my trance, "It's very nice.  Very cute.  It's very you." B. said.  

I guess he was very right this time.  And we walked out of the store and I was so happy with the purchase.  I have carried het and the top flap holds everything securely inside the bag.  I even turned it upside down, tossed it around a bit  to see if anything would spill out.  And it appears really secure.  It's nice to have a handbag where my Maxwell's has its own designated spot.  And nicer still that it matches my Lipmann steth as well.  Function and and fashion truly can coexist after all...

XoX, 

Marikym

LOVE NOTE #186: Perfect Nude Lipstick?

I've never heard of this brand, but I was at Sally Beauty looking for a new pink nail polish, and saw the Femme Couture makeup display.  I know what you're thinking.  I get it.  Sally Beauty isn't the most glamorous or trendy place to shop.  In fact, sometimes the SA's really have no idea what customer service actually means (sigh).  But who cares?  Because  I always leave with a bag full of goodies that makes me feel giddy to rush home and try all my new finds:)

Today was no exception.  There were several lipstick formulas in the Femme Couture line and this one is appropriately named Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in Nude Kiss.  The display was confusing as these lippies were intermixed with the Ultra Hydrating Matte Lip Colors as well... and the cases were all identical.  You had to read the microscopic sticker at the bottom to figure out the name of the color and formula.  And no testers.  But what did I really expect for less than seven bucks?  If I wanted a perfectly coifed SA who was saccharin sweet...and to be able to wear the color before purchasing, I should be heading over to Bloomie's and paying the premium.  I was not complaining, just mentioning;). Well, the good thing is the cases had a clear window on top so you could actually see the color inside.  Also, all the lipsticks were sealed so no chance of purchasing one that had been swatched by gawd knows who and gawd knows where... see... I'm being positive.

Nude Kiss is creamy, smooth, opaque, and I don't need a lip balm underneath!  And only $6.79 with my Beauty Card?!?!  Huh?!?!  Am I in Beauty Heaven?  I'm glad I gave it a try!  Before I purchased it,  I asked the SA if I could return it if I didn't like the color.  She said I could as long as I had my receipt. Now I just want to return.  I will unleash my inner hoarder and stock up on  whatever is left of these... before they discontinue this color and send it to the graveyard.  Which always happens when I find a favorite lipstick shade.

I would describe this shade as a peachy nude with a hint of pink...leaning neutral-warm.  Rimmel has a crazy popular nude called Nude Delight.  I own it and can't lie, obsessed with that shade too.  However, it's more of a natural peachy nude and runs very warm.  It comes across a tad dark on my complexion, so it actually looks more like a neutral lippie on me.

I love nude colors because they always make my lips look a lot fuller.  Too bad I have so many lines on my lips (wah) and that my upper lip is so crooked (double wah!) This is what happens when you take a photo at I dunno... uber magnification selfie range.   Gak!  

Well, consider this as taking one for the team.  I couldn't find any reviews on this color and hardly any mention of this line when i did a Google search.  I always read reviews before purchasing a new lipstick and look at swatches from other beauty product junkies as I'm standing there in the makeup aisle for what seems like the proper amount of time for a sales associate to come by and "pretend" to arrange something on a nearby shelf.  I didn't mean to make myself appear like a shop lifter (at this point the SA is giving me the eyeball.. . and with the stare that she even thinks my Nike's are hot...as she now is blatantly looking me up and down... OMG!)  I just needed to find one review!!!!  And nothing!!!!  So hear is my long overdue contribution to the WWW... a review to save you from too long a contemplation period where you appear to be participating in criminal activity. Here is the first review to a well underrated nude lipstick.  You're welcome.

In conclusion,  I found a new favorite lipstick when I wasn't even looking!  Like so many things in life, the perfect nude lipstick appeared in a place I least expected!

Xo

P.S.  Who knew I could have so much to say about a single lipstick?  I'm a bit embarrassed.

LOVE NOTE #185: Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday season!  Just discovered an app to blog from my iPhone!  I know, I'm so slow with modern technology!  I love this little elf cake, don't you?  Not gonna lie, picked it up the day after Christmas and it was only $2!!!!  Pretty tasty too!  But then I just love cake and frosting so I'm pretty easy to please!!!!

I can't wait to post my Christmas!  I love my new Speedy 25 from the Empreinte Collection by Louis Vuitton!  And I just can't get enough of Kate Spade - classic designs with the prettiest colors!  Can a girl ever have too many handbags?!?!

Xo

Love Note #184: Flower Beauty!

Hello Lovelies!

Just picked up some lipsticks and lip butters from Walmart...yes, Walmart!  The Flower Beauty cosmetic line by Drew  Barrymore is sold exclusively at Wally World!  I've never minded shopping here, but I know a lot of my friends can't stand it because of the crowds,screaming children, etc.  I am pretty good at tuning that stuff out, luckily:)

The four shades I picked out: 

Haute Honeysuckle - (square case with colored cap) a lip butter in a MLBB color.  Formula is so hydrating with good color payoff.  I don't need a lip balm when wearing it either.  I love the unusual case as well.  My fav among the bunch!

Tempting Tulip - another lip butter and it's a youthful light pink without being too young.  Super pretty!

Flamingo Flower - (white case) a matte velvet formula in a bright hot pink color.  The color is so gorgeous but so drying on my lips.

Morning Glory -  (black case) a high shine lipstick that applies as a very thick, pinky-nude shade.  Great with a dramatic eye or to tone down a bright lippie. 

I've only tried lipsticks in this line and the lip butters are very nice.  I like the velvet matte formula the LEAST as it is way too drying.  I hope they reformulate the matte lipstick line because the colors are so pretty and the packaging and I love the white and rose gold packaging.  Not tested on animals and made in the USA too:)