Retail therapy

I was in San Francisco last week to write my California state board exam which I somehow managed to PASS!!! After all the stress of studying was over, of course I had to pay a little visit to the makeup stores with my cousin! Here's what came home with me this time...

1. Bare Escentuals (bare minerals) Hydrating Mineral Veil - $29 USD

This was highly recommended by my cousin and I decided to buy it after she applied some on my face. It's a really fine finishing powder with a slight shimmer to it. I put this on after my foundation and loved the way it glowed. It's not cakey at all, something that's really important to me as my skin tends to be dry. Although it looks like it's quite a peachy pink coloured powder, it actually goes on transparent. This particular set that I bought comes with a brush that you use to dip into the minerals and then swirl onto your face. The brush is super soft and I was told it costs $30 to buy separately. I got this set for $29 at the Bare Escentuals store!!

2. Diorskin Nude foundation (Shade 030) - $46 USD

My cousin and I both picked this up at Sephora. I had been wanting to get this for a while now after hearing great things about it. The packaging is beautiful and has a pump dispenser. It contains 30ml (1 fl.oz) of product. According to Dior, this foundation 'contains a unique blend of 100% mineral pigments and energizing mineralized water' which is supposed to give you a natural glow and improve skin over time. I've been using this for over a week now (I apply it with my MAC190 - a synthetic foundation brush) and here are my thoughts on the foundation:

- medium coverage but buildable to full coverage

- easily blended

- satin finish

- definitely hydrating

- gets slightly oily towards the end of a long day...and I have dry skin!! - so I would not recommend this for someone with oily skin

- slight scent (sissy claims it smells like sunblock but smells more like light soap to me)

Overall, I am LOVING this foundation. It gives me the coverage I need while still looking very natural AND keeps my skin moisturized. What more can I ask for?!?!

3. NARS blush (Orgasm) - $26 USD

One of the most popular blushes EVER but I have always been hesitant about getting it just because it seemed so shimmery in the packaging. Again, I ended up buying this on recommendation by cousin. She raved and raved about it at the store and I finally decided to get it. My cheeks felt very pretty with this on! I can see why it's a cult favourite now. It gives you a nice rosy flush and highlights your cheeks at the same time. Oh, and the shimmers are actually quite subtle!

4. Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes eyeliner (0L) - $17 USD

I had purchased one of these pencils a while ago after hearing about how long lasting and black this liner was. However, I was quite disappointed because the one I had was not dark at all!! To make a long story short, what happened was I had actually picked up the 1L instead of the 0L. The packaging of the two looks pretty much identical but the 1L is actually black sheen - which is a softer black. Anyways, I thought I would give this a try again since my Urban Decay 24/7 pencil is running low. I have to say though, even with the correct shade of black now, I still prefer my UD pencil better. Both are about the same in terms of long lasting but to me, the UD liner is still darker than the MUFE pencil.

5. Tarina Tarantino Lipgloss (Nouveau)

Got suckered into buying this mainly because of the pretty packaging. It has a sponge tip applicator that's unlike the typical lipgloss wand in that it's flat on both sides. The colour I picked up (Nouveau) is a pretty candy-pink colour. The formula is quite sheer (best used over a lipstick) and non-sticky but doesn't last too long on the lips. Scent-wise, it smells kinda like those cheap candies you buy that looks like pills and is really powdery when you bite it...like the ones in candy necklaces!

6. L'oreal Lipstick (Fairest Nude)

Got this from CVS pharmacy while trying to look for EOS lip balm for sissy (which was a big fail as they didn't carry it there). I've heard great things about this lipstick but unfortunately, this shade is unavailable in Canada. I'm really glad I bought this because it's the perfect 'nude' colour for me. It's definitely not a corpse-y colour like so many nudes are. This one is a pinky nude that doesn't make me look like a zombie. It's perfect for everyday wear and can go with many different looks. Pigmentation and hydration is excellent. The only things I hate about it are the packaging (I've always thought the L'oreal lipstick packaging is hideous) and the scent...I mean, it's not really a gross scent, just not something I'd prefer.

So...that's my little bit of retail therapy in San Francisco!

~CC