Sheer Genius: Kimiko Hydrating Tint

This was an accident... a beautiful accident. I was in my local Beauty Supply Store looking for the MUFE Aqua Cream in Matte Black (they didn't have it), found out that restocked the contraband known as MUFE Aqua Cream #19 (not the re-do in #26... they had that too), and got distracted by what may possibly be the last two Cargo Laguna Blushes on Earth (I got both of them)...

Somehow... my eye caught the Kimiko Display.

I don't know anything about this brand. I found out that lots of the products double as skin care. I always love that idea. So I started playing around, and found that I was most attracted to the hydrating tint. Despite its incredibly thin, water based formula, it still seemed to 'perfect' my skin without offering any additional coverage.

The formula reminds me of the La Prairie Tinted Moisturizer (which I have and am  not nearly as impressed by, despite its long complicated list of ingredients and $100 sticker price). It comes in a variety of shades... the colors go but so dark. It turns out I'm the darkest shade that the company offers, in Nutmeg. It also offers an SPF of 20, and I need all the protection I can get.

I really love this formula. It's weightless, and hydrating... without making my oily skin look or feel 'oily.' At more than half the price of La Prairie, I'm even more impressed. Plus, this color actually matches me. The darkest shade in the La Prairie lineup is still just a bit too light for me.

Definitely a keeper. I'm wearing this one until further notice, considering the fact that we're still rocking triple digit temperatures in some parts of Southern California (yes, really). You can find out more about Kimko Hydrating Tint HERE.

UTatz Giveaway: Winner!

The Winner Is:

Maly!

Congratulations! You won the Utatz Temporary Tatoo Kit:

Maly, I've already sent you an email. Please respond with your mailing address and I'll get your prize right out to you! Congrats again!

Lip Service: Guerlain Rouge G L'Extrait (Luxure)

The new Guerlain Laquers follow the likes of Chanel (Rouge Allure Laque), and most recently Shiseido (Lacquers) with  a formula that combines a stain, lipstick, and lipgloss all in one.

I tested them at Sephora, and found two things: 1) The colors don't even remotely reflect their suggested descriptions, and 2) They are surprisingly drying.

I ended up with Luxure, which is supposed to be brown. It's not. It's more of a rusted orange, which is a color that's right up my alley.

See? Not Brown. Not red or orange either... but kind of a combination of the three. I initially wanted Envie, which is supposed to be orange. But it's so not. It's more of a pinky-coral on me, so I passed.  I  might actually go back for Orgueil, which is a delicious rich purple/berry (not plum, as described) color... but later. At $48 a pop, I'm taking my time.

I think this color is absolutely perfect for Autumn, and I love the idea of the formula. I have to tell you, after about 5 minutes of wear, my lips felt dry, so I put a little orange lip gloss over it, and that seemed to make it (and the resulting color) just perfect.

You can find out more about Rouge G L'Extrait lippies HERE.

Kit Essential: Z Palette

I don't believe that I know a Makeup Artist who doesn't have at least one of these babies... even if it's a small one to throw random pro pots into so that they don't bang around any given kit. I personally have about a dozen Z Palettes (including one full of Yaby eyeshadows that I keep promising to send to my little sister, but that I can't seem to part with).

So imagine my delight when I found out that Z Palette continues to evolve, from the classic shapes and sizes, to bigger palettes that hold bigger pots, and smaller sizes specifically designed for cream products.

From the left: Large Dome Palette, Small Palette and Large Classic Palette

I depotted a few shadows, blushes, hightlighters and lipsticks, to illustrate the palette's potential.

Large Dome Palette

Large Classic Palette

Small Palette

I was already a fan of these palettes. Now I'm an even bigger fan. The pots of the Small Palette are magnetic and removable (in case you want to put something else in there). Z Palette also offers little magnets that you  can pop in there (that are adhesive on one side) for pots that are not magnetic. 

Awesome. You can find out more about Z Palette HERE.

*pr sample

Professional Grade: A Cooler Summer

You guys remember the Beauty Breakdown with Polyanna:

http://shahadakarim.blogspot.com/2012/08/beauty-breakdown-white-story.html

Well, the official pictures are up, and they came out beautifully. The team at Studio 838 decided to set it up like a Look Book. I thought that was a lovely choice.

 

Makeup: Shahada Karim

Hair: Bianca Lauren McMillan

Photographer: Kimberly Yatsko

You can see more pictures at AGENDA Magazine.

MAC Style Seeker

Calling all Bohemians, Nomads, Earth Children, and Style Seekers... this collection is for you. I fell head over heels in love with this MAC Collection. Most of it is wonderful... and breaks down this very (clever) promotional picture beautifully. There are a few repromotes, and some absolute passes (seriously... the shoddy pigmentation of most of those eyeshadows... no), but most of it is gorgeous.

From The Left: 

Mattene Lipsticks in Fashion Nomad and Camden Chic

Blushes in Worldly Wealth and Hidden Treasure

Nail Polish in StyleSeeker

Lipglasses in Ready to Roam and Eclectic Edge

Mattene Lipstick in Fashion Nomad

Mattene Lipstick in Camden Chic

Blushes in Worldly Wealth and Hidden Treasure

**A note about Worldly Wealth. It's NOT a straight bronze color. I thought this until I swatched it, and realized that it's more of a rose-bronze. Fair skin tones can wear it as a blush, and it's a highlighter for warmer skin tones. I found it works best with layered with Hidden Treasure, which looks like a browner version of Chanel's Rouge blush.

Lipglasses in Ready to Roam and Eclectic Edge

Lipglass in Ready to Roam

Lipglass in Eclectic Edge

Nail Polish in StyleSeeker

I MIGHT go back for the eyeshadow duo in Mache Aux Puces... because I really like the warmth of that brown, and I'm quite sure that I don't have a shade like that. We'll see. So far, these are my favorites. Without a doubt, Eclectic Edge Lipglass is the crown Jewel, followed by Fashion Nomad Lipstick. Eclectic Edge is definitely worth a backup. It's amazing. And I'm very happy with the 'layering' aspect of this collection. A lot of the formulas and colors look best when layered... including the lipsticks and the lipglasses. I'm having a lot of fun mixing and matching the colors and textures. I love the nail polish as well. The fluidlines were a complete pass for me.

Overall, this collection totally speaks to me.  I love the idea behind it, the colors, the textures, and the feel of it as a whole. Nice job MAC. 

*some items in this post were given as promotional samples, for purposes of review on this blog.