MAC Strobe Cream- Review

Like many people in winter, my skin tends to get dry and uncomfortable.  I find it hard to find the right sort of moisturizer for my face.  I'm like Goldilocks but with lotions and creams.  This one is too thick, that one is too light.  I need to find that Baby Bear of moisturizers.  Now, I'm pretty familiar with the MAC brand.  I own plenty of their make-up products, but none of their skincare.  I had heard of their Strobe Cream before, and then two of my favorite Beauty Gurus on YouTube both said that they had been using Strobe Cream.  I took this as a sign to go an get a sample.  I will basically use any excuse to get a sample.  (Tangent:  I am a big, BIG supporter of samples.  I always recommend that people get a sample of something before they buy, if possible.  You honestly never know how your skin will react to something.  However, I find it incredibly irritating when salespeople don't want to give you samples.  I had to go to two different MAC counters to get enough of a sample to last one week.  You are an enormous company.  Surely you can spare a wee bit of moisturizer for me to try.  Ugh.  Rant and tangent over.)

So, Strobe Cream looks like this:

Kind of like a fairy sneezed on my hand.

The thing is, it's not really a cream.  The consistency is thin and light, much more like a light weight moisturizer.  So the name is a bit of a misnomer.  It looks really pretty on the skin.

So shiny.

And while I can appreciate luminous skin, I didn't really feel like it made a difference as to moisture.  I wanted to put it on at night and wake up with soft pearly skin.  Ok, maybe pearly is unrealistic, but I don't think that soft skin is asking for too much.  It just didn't work.  My skin was still dry, so I'm going to have to give this a no.  Maybe it would be better in the summer, and if I can get some kind-hearted MAC counter person to give me a teeny bit, I'll give it another go.  Of course, this is my personal experience.  Maybe it will work for you.  If you want to give it a try, then go get a sample.  May the moisture odds be ever in your favor.

 

Make-up Crush: Laura Mvula

So,  I'm not always on the cutting edge of some things cause I'm old.  I tend to like my own things and then "discover" something years after everyone is sick of it.  I'm guessing this is the reason why that I have just found out about Laura Mvula.  Her album Sing to the Moon was released in March of last year, and so far I'm digging it.  I am also digging her look.  Her make-up is on point, and I am crushing on her hard.  What's so compelling to me about her look it it's simplicity.  It's fresh and clean but dynamic.  It really enhances her bone structure.

Ugh, her cheekbones could slice cheddar, I tell ya.

Her focus is usually her eyes, and while she doesn't use a whole lot of color, she works that cut crease like nobody's bidnis.

Werk that crease.

Her look in the video for That's Alright is so cool.  Her skin looks flawless, and she just wears a shiny lip at the beginning.

She looks like a perfect ebony statue.  I love it.  Then, she moves on to THIS:

She's singing the praises of pop color here.

Look at it.  Just look.  I mean, that's not an easy look to pull off, and she does it.  The contrast of that bright lavender is so lovely on her skin.  Here's a close-up:

Also, her eyebrows are perfect.  And her Diva nails.

Go "discover" Laura Mvula!  Her voice is wonderful!  She makes great music!  I want to steal her cheekbones for myself!  But not in a creepy way.  Just go listen!

YouTube Lovin'

So, I love make-up tutorials on YouTube.  I mean I LURVE them.  There are so many make-up artist and just talented people that post on YouTube, and they have such a wealth of information about beauty and such.  I realize that it's not everyone's cup of tea.  Objectively speaking, watching someone putting on make-up is kind of weird.  But.  But, I think everyone should give them a try.  Most of the time they post tutorials.  This can range from something celebrity inspired to something that they came up with.  Some gurus (that's what they're called in Tube speak) will also do reviews, and those are some of my favorites.  It's like Consumer Reports but for fun stuff.  These videos also make me want to but things, but that's a problem for another post.

I want to highlight some of my favorite gurus.  I think that these women and men (yup, I said men) don't always get the recognition that they deserve.  I want to spread the love!

Celine knows what I'm talking about.

When I see this lady's video pop up in my feed, I click immediately:

Sharon Farrell:

I love her, and I want her to be my friend.  She's an Irish lass living in Australia, and she is super talented.  Her videos are are fun, and she explains stuff like she's just a friend hanging in your living room teaching you some makeup tips.  There is nothing pretentious about her, and her make-up ideas are very wearable.  I give her thumbs ups all around.  Go watch Sharon and check out her blog!

Coveting this week: Jour d'Hermès - Eau de parfum spray

Ok, confession time:  I have not been coveting this only this week.  I have been coveting it for months.  Months!  It's not make-up, but I put it on myself and it makes me feel pretty so I'll allow it.

Buy me, it whispers.  Buy me!

Just look at it.  It's soooo beautiful.  The bottle is so simple and expensive.  And I haven't even talked about the smell!  Oh, the smell.  It smells like the best sunny day ever.  It's clean but with such a gorgeous floral.  I read some commenter somewhere describe it as radiant.  I feel extra fancy and special when I put some on (from my horde of samples).  Here's a description from perfumemaster.org:

Fragrance Jour D'Hermes perfume for Women by Hermes was introduced in 2013. Hermes Jour D'Hermes is classified as Floral fragrance. Scent notes of Jour D'Hermes Hermes include top notes of Grapefruit, Lemon, middle notes of Gardenia, Sweet Pea and base notes of Musk, Woodsy Notes. Hermes Jour D'Hermes fragrance composition is a creation of Jean Claude Ellena.

You might be wondering, "Why don't you already own this magic elixir made by angles in a bottle?"  Well, I shall tell you.  Because it's hella expensive.  It's $108.00 for 1.6 ounces.  It hurts my heart to even write down that number.  But, someday it will be mine.  Oh yes, it will be mine.  I'll be an elegant lady doing elegant lady things like eating tiny sandwiches made of gold and swatting peasants, and I will smell amazing doing it.  

Yay or Nay: Overdrawing Lips

Um...I'm kind of torn on this.  I'll be honest, when I think of overdrawn lipliner and lipstick, I think of this:

Granted this is a terrible picture, but think my point is the same.  It looks cheap to me.  You're not fooling anyone, Pamela!  I can see the natural outline of your lips!  You're better than this!  Of course, even when it's done in a more subtle way, I still don't really like it.

Mmmm...tasty.  The necklace, not Pamela.

She looks pretty, but I am just not feeling it.  However, I will say that everyone once in a while it works.  Check out, Demi:

Staring at nothing wistfully improves music sales.  True story.

It's done so subtly here, and the look is so editorial that I think it looks nice.  I get why people do it.  We are not all blessed with La Jolie's assests, and I'm not trying to snark on Pamela Anderson (her new hair is so cute BTW).  Maybe I feel that the look is dated?  This is neither a yay or a nay.  It's unresolved.....for now.

Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor: Swatch and Review

I was really jazzed about this lipstick when I heard about a few months back on Refinery29.  I thought, "Oooo, blue lipstick?  Fancy."  The rebellious teen in me wanted to check it out, but as life progressed, I forgot about it.  Last month while perusing through Urban Outfitters, I saw it and convinced someone to buy it for my Christmas present.  When I tried it on though, I was a little let down.  It's not a lipstick.  Lipstick Queen claims its a sheer lipstick.  And by sheer, they mean practically clear.  Let's go from the beginning.

I love packaging design.  I'll admit that I am a sucker for packaging, and this packaging is so cute.  Look at it!

 So cute right?

Then there is the tube itself:

Lipsticks from Lipstick Queen all come in these lovely metal tubes with a satin finish.  For me, the whole thing just screamed unique and funky.  But then I tried it.

Can you see it?  Can you see it?  No?  Weird.  Oh, wait a second.  It's almost clear!  This slightly bluish hue that you see on my skin is with several back and forth swipes.  It makes my lips slightly darker than they naturally are.  I would show you a picture but you can't actually see anything.  I just wanted more for the price ($25.00 F.Y.I.)  I wanted a lipstick and this isn't it.  This is a lip balm.  Sure, it's moisturizing but I could have found a "blackberry" tinted lip balm for much cheaper.  Sadsies.  If you have the 25 buckaroos to spend and want a novelty item, then go ahead and spend the money.  But, if you want more bang for your buck, then skip it.  Adorable? Yes.  Would I repurchase (Or get someone to repurchase as a gift)? No.