Thursday, January 7, 2010

Things I'm Loving: Beauty Edition

Hello, my beautiful friends!! I've decided to start a fun new series on Hang On Little Tomato entitled "Things I'm Loving." As the title would suggest, these posts will focus on items, products, etc. that I'm particularly enjoying, and there will be different "editions," including but not limited to, beauty, food, books, home, music, etc. As I've been uber into beauty & makeup lately, it only made sense that it'd be the first edition! Hope you enjoy. :)

1. Bobbi Brown Corrector & Concealer


Odd that I'd start with a not-so-glamorous product, but I figure many of you gals wear concealer (or maybe not... honestly I JUST started myself), and finding the perfect concealer is tantamount to finding the perfect hairdresser. It involves beaucoup de trial and error. I never used to wear concealer, but have noticed these lovely blue-grey half moons appearing under my eyes as of late. These beauties are only accentuated when I wear my glasses, which btw is at least 5 days out of the week. So I've been on the hunt for the perfect concealer.

I'd heard good things about Bobbi Brown's creamy concealer so during my stay in Dallas, I visited the Northpark Nordstrom to try it out. The concealer alone wasn't doing it for me, but layering the "concealer" over the "corrector" achieves maximum results and a tres noticeably brighter undereye. It's also not thick or cakey, which most concealers can be. I highly recommend! (I know the two products together cost a lot, but I think it's worth it. Then again if your circles aren't bad, I bet you could get away with just one or the other. AND if you purchase at Nordstrom, you can return it if it doesn't work for you.)

PROS: creamy not cakey, works miracles on moi

CONS: pricey

Bobbi Brown Corrector - $22
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer - $22

2. Tarte Cheek Stain




I have a big face. No need to deny it, I know it to be FACT. But I've come to peace with it and have discovered that wearing blush really helps distract the vast surface area that is my face. The problem is, my blush always comes off after, like, an hour. (My Sephora guru says it's because my skin is so smooth, it literally just falls off. Yay for smoothness?) He told me that I needed something creamy that would stick and also help the powder blush stick. Voila Tarte's cheek stain! I ADORE this stuff. First off, it contains tons of product so will last forever. Second, I can put it on in the morning before work and still have a lovely natural flush by the time I go to bed. Amazing!! Layering powder blush on top only helps.


PROS: Lasts FOREVER, natural

CONS: Tricky to blend at first, pricey

Tarte Cheek Stain - $30



3. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil




At $3.50 each, this product is a steal! If you are familiar with MAC shadesticks, these jumbo eye pencils essentially do the same thing... except better and for a lot cheaper. (MAC shadesticks retail for $16.50!) Luckily, I got a handful for FREE b/c my Mom carries some NYX products at her beauty supplystore, BUT I've heard you can find them at ULTA or a variety of online retailers. I like to use them as eyeshadow, eyeshadow base, highlighter, and in the corners of my eyes. They are uber creamy and highly pigmented. And tres frugalista! Love!

PROS: cheap, highly pigmented, multi-purpose
CONS: harder to find








Along with my dry skin, I have uber dry lips. If I don't regularly moisturize and exfoliate, wearing lipstick can be a nightmare (and I love me some lipstick!). I've tried just about every lip balm on the planet, and the only one I've stuck with is Rosebud Perfume Co.'s Rosebud Salve (the original). You can pick this baby up at Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and a host of other boutiques/beauty stores. I. Love. It. I live for it. I have about 5 scattered about my apartment, my office, and my purses.

PROS: cheap, amazing, perfect, love it

CONS: more $$ than chapstick (but worth it)


5. Sugar



Sugar? Yep you read that correctly! Sugar is the cheapest and best lip exfoliant out there. Combine with honey, jojoba oil, or olive oil, and you've got yourself a natural, do-it-at-home, dirt cheap product that works way better than using a washcloth or toothbrush (trust me). Bonus - it tastes good if you use honey!! I mix mine in a small travel size container and keep it by my bathroom sink. I try to exfoliate my lips before bed (few times a week) and then slather on my rosebud salve. Result: smooth, baby soft, and delicious supple lips.

PROS: cheap, natural, IN YOUR PANTRY
CONS: requires a bit more effort on your part




15 comments:

Analiese said...

Thanks for the fabulous recommendations! I'm going to try the sugar thing.

michele said...

I never thought to make my own sugar scrub for a lip exfoliant! I paid too much for an exfoliant at Sephora that doesn't even work that good!

And I also swear by the Rosebud Salve! (also use it on my dry, chapped hands here in cold upstate NY!) :)

ga said...

LOVE Rosebud Salve, plus the tin is so so pretty!

regarding lips, I usually put on a thick layer of vaseline on my lips before a hot shower, then at the end of the shower, scrub with a toothbrush, THEN put on the salve...works like a charm!

PS, did you know Hard Candy has a line at Wal-Mart? I used to love their polishes in high school...they have a bunch of glitter polishes that are awesome...

Suburban Princess said...

Using your toothbrush on your lips while brushing your teeth keeps them soft too!

Silky Hart said...

What a great list! I've been wanting to try Bobbi Brown. Let me know next time you are in Big D! There is a wonderful store in McKinney called Sharla's (www.sharlas.com) and she has some lines you can't find, even at Neiman's, like T.LeClerc from Paris. xoxo

Kirsten said...

Thanks for the concealer recommendation! I have never worn concealer before...but I am starting to notice some unflattering shadows under my eyes (darn, being in my late 20s...haha).

I'm going to check Bobbi Brown's out this weekend!

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

I'll have to check out those concealers

I am still trying to find a perfect concealer..!

Instead of sugar, using baking soda is also a good one. I find sugar too harsh on my skin, and baking soda is gentler.

Lexington said...

Love this post! Rosebud salve is like basically one of my favourite things ever. I use it every day. And I also love to use sugar as an exfoliant.

I am going to try out the Bobbi Brown concealer next time I see it. I have been on the hunt for a good concealer for some time now.

KK said...

I love using sugar as an exfoliator too! One of my favorites is brown sugar + fresh lime juice + olive oil - smells rather like a mojito, and works like a charm.

Have you tried Benetint lip and cheek stain? I'd love to read a review of that versus the Tarte stain!

Chelsea said...

The Bobbi Brown Corrector & Concelear are my fav! The Tinted Eye-Brightner, a less heavy formula that also work really well, is the Tinted Eye-Brightner. They just came out with new packaging for it last week, so next time you're at Nordies you should check it out.

I don't know what I'd do without rosebud salve. Perfect moisutrizing item, in such fun and beautiful packaging. Love it!

Sarah said...

Thanks for the tips. I will have to check out NYX at Ulta. Never used Bobbie Brown, but I've heard it is a good brand. I love MAC's concealer.

shannon said...

i love your things i'm loving idea! must try the rosebud salve! can't wait to see more!

Globetrotting Cacti said...

I am such a Bobbi Brown fan (and had a make-over with them before returning to work). Their products are pricey but the quality is great and they seem to last a long time too (a little goes a long way). I am also a fan if rosebud salve!

Looking forward to reading the rest of your series.

Sallie Ann said...

I am so excited! My lips have gotten to be a real issue. I've been noticing lately, in presentations, I pick at them and bite them as they are so chapped and feel so dry. So, I'm going to do this little sugar-treatment tonight, and then slather them in A & D ointment. Tomorrow I'll put on my snow shoes, and make the 4 block hike to Anthropology for the rosebud salve. Thank you my sweet friend.

an old fashioned girl said...

I tried the tarte cheek stain, it felt too sticky on my face!! I saw your con was tricky to blend at first. If you want to try an alternative, I love Smashbox O-Glow. It's a gel and it blends to your skin color, so no false attempts at matching.