DO Believe the Hype!

Confession time: I have purchased yet another lip gloss. Smashbox Lip-enhancing Gloss in Hype! It looks very peachy-nude in the tube, but is actually slightly pink and 'me-only-better' on the lip. I tried this shade on one day at Sephora. I was having a rough day and decided to perk myself up with a lunch time trip to my little oasis in the mall. I'm not sure what drew me to it, it's not a color I would normally gravitate towards, but I tried it. I loved it. But I didn't buy it because, frankly, I just have too many glosses. Upon nearly every subsequent visit to Sephora I tried it. I kept loving it, but kept telling myself that I should NOT buy an $18.00 lip gloss until I have used up at least ONE of my current lippies. But the color is so pretty and the formula is very smooth and super long lasting for a non-sticky gloss. I resisted about one month. I caved this past Friday afternoon. And I don't regret it!

Here is what Smashbox has to say about it:

"TRUE COLOR– Vitamin E and sunflower seed oil nourish with a touch of creamy color. Velour wand perfectly contours lips. 8 stay-true shades."

I've Got Good News & Bad News, part 2... sweet tartes!

Now for the good news...

Report # 2 on my recent trip to Sephora:

I picked up something fabulous. Tarte Rise & Shine lip stain & lip-enhancing gloss. I am a huge fan of the Tarte gel cheek stains, which I have been known to wear on my lips even though they don't taste great. So, with the lip product, one end is a nice berry stain. You apply this with a wand and wait for 15 seconds. Then proceed to the other end where you will find a light pink gloss that seems to cause some sort of chemical reaction when applied. As soon as you touch it to your lips it begins to tingle. As it tingles it begins to darken the lip, creating a crushed berry hue with nice shine and oomph. Oh yeah, and it tastes good.

I may have to get another tube so I can keep one in my train case and one in my handbag.

After perusing the Sephora website I came across a cute little set- Lovin' the Fast Stain- which is a mini cheek stain and a mini lip stain. I don't recall seeing this at my new Sephora so, darn, guess I'll have to keep checking back in with them until it arrives...

Bombshell-In-Training

I spent a fabulous Saturday afternoon visiting Sephora and Bath & Body Works with my BSS (Bomb Squad Sidekick), S. and her super-fun little girl, J.

We spent over an hour sampling glittery stuff and perfumes. Little J and I have very similar taste in fragrance. We both are drawn to the sweet, food-y scents. J. couldn't get enough of the Britney Spears In Control Curious in the classic black atomizer with pink sprintzer thingy. I have to admit- it smelled awesomely chocolately, sweet, and was not over-powering. It would look perfectly at home on any mirrored vanity.

I smelled something new, Lawrence Dumont Vanilla Orientale. Oh it was so light and yummy with spicy undertones. I was going to purchase, but after wandering the store for an hour I re-smelled my wrist to find that the dry down was pure vanilla. Not even a hint of the "orientale" left. So disapointing. It still smelled good, but I have a Bath & Body Works vanilla perfume that smells just as good...

J. decided on a Sephora Girls coin purse/compact. It's pink with a cute little kitty cat and unzips to reveal a small collection of perfect eyeshadows and lip glosses for Bombshell-ettes.

S. finally chose a Tarte Blushing Bride blush gel stick. The color is so pretty and I can't wait to see her rosey cheeks next time we get together.

I made a small purchase that I'll report on later...

Pilgrimage to Mecca

After months of waiting, the boarded up store-front taunting me, SEPHORA has opened in my local plaza. Today was the grand opening and I promptly received a text message from my beauty-addicted friend, R.

So, after my Friday night dinner date with D., we headed over so I could spend the gift certificate that has been burning a hole in my handbag since my birthday back in May (May 18 to be exact, hint, hint). I could easily have put it to good use online, but I made a vow to myself that I would keep it until the store opened...

D. dutifully wandered about with me, smelling things I offered him, acknowledging my outbursts of 'cute!', 'pretty!', 'I've always wanted to try this and it smells fabulous/repulsive...', etc. But when it came time to check out, the line snaked around the store, D. ditched me and waited outside. No problem, I made new friends in line, gave some advice ("oh- get the travel tube of Smashbox Photofinish Primer, not the glass bottle", "Wet n Wild has a lip plumper that works way better than Lip Fusion for about $48 cheaper", "oooh, have you tried Smith's Rosebud Salve? It's fab!"), and managed to check out with a balance left on my gift card!

True to form, I bought MASCARA and PINK LIP STAIN/GLOSS. I also got samples of eye make up remover and teeth whitener. Reviews will follow... stay tuned.