It's Looking Promising: Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess

(Swatches - Bottom: EL Bronze Goddess, Middle: MUA Bronzer, Top: NARS Laguna)

I find that because I tend to carry a bronzer around with me, the packaging always ends up breaking. That is what happened to my TBS Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder and to my MUA bronzer. I have changed my ways a bit and I'm being really fussy about what makeup I keep and what should be thrown out. I don't want a million lip products anymore, any broken products or just anything that has been sitting in a drawer for too long. So I decided I wanted a good quality bronzer and that I would throw out all the ones with broken packaging because to be honest, when something has broken I just don't find it convenient to use anymore so I won't. 

Long story short: I went for the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess in 01 Light ($36 from Sephora). I chose this because it is quite different from NARS Laguna, which I do own but it's in a palette and I wanted to try something a bit more golden for the Summer. This powder does have a slight shimmer but it translates on the skin as more of a subtle sheen, which I like because I tend to go for a more glowy look anyway. I like the colour because it definitely is more warm toned than NARS Laguna for example but it isn't too orange so it still works on my pale skin. I love how big this bronzer is, the fact that it comes with a decent brush + mirror and just look at that tortoise shell packaging *heart shaped eyes*.

So far, I am really enjoying everything about this product from the formula to the color to the packaging. I know it comes in several shades as well which I think is good to note.

I have also recently acquired the Perricone MD No Bronzer Bronzer which merits a review of its own so keep your eyes peeled for that if you're interested.

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My New Hair

I have been wanting super blonde hair for the longest time now but my hair colorist kept telling me I couldn't go any blonder. So I changed salon.

I went to Headdress Salon in Manhattan (on 9th b/w 1st and 2nd if anyone is interested) and saw Erika who Double Processed my hair and gave me a chop. First of all I just want to say that it's a super cute, friendly salon so I definitely recommend. Erika listened to everything I said and she saught her peers' advice which I really appreciated. I also liked the fact that she dyed and cut my hair rather than two different people. It was just a really enjoyable three hours! I also want to note that what she used on my hair did not cause any breakage + it did not burn my scalp which is what I had been slightly concerned about!

This is the first time I have had my whole head of hair dyed one color, I usually get highlights but I really wanted a change. I know this means I am going to get some serious rootage but I don't really care, in fact I'm looking forward to the two/three week point when it starts to show through a bit. It is slightly yellow at the moment (which I don't mind too much) but a few washes with some purple toning shampoo should help sort that out a bit.

Anyway, I am really happy to finally have crazy superficial looking blonde hair and I love the cut too! This also means my makeup will be changing a little bit - I can't go as heavy on the brows or eyeshadow + suddenly pink blush really suits me!

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Review: Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner

This liner is being buzzed about on a lot of beauty blogs at the moment and I thought because I managed to get my hands on it I would share my two cents. First of all this liner is supposed to make applying gel liner a breeze, it is supposed to last longer and it is supposed to make the whole process quick and foolproof.

Does it live up to the hype? Well, I'm going to be annoying and say 'yes but also no' because I think if it didn't have so many claims I think it would be a lot more impressive. My problem with this liner is the idea that it is supposed to be really quick and easy to apply which I kind of disagree with. I apply liner with the Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner as quickly as I would with any other but I can't say that applying gel liner is something I find overly difficult. I started wearing liquid liner around ten years ago so I do think I have the hang of it (if I do say so myself). The only thing that this might help with in terms of ease of application is with the flick because the gel comes out of an angled rubber applicator. I just think it could be a bit messy if you didn't twist out the right amount of product and you still have to be precise with this.What I'm trying to say is that if you suck at applying liner, I'm not sure if you'd have an easier time with this one, especially as it's a bit of a novelty at this point.

However, this being said - I actually love this liner. Why? Because it is incredibly long lasting (it has lasted through tears and sweat) and it is also very black and opaque. The claims that it is easier to get to the root of the lashes is also true, perhaps because of the bizarre rubbery applicator. So despite the fact that I don't think this liner is that much easier to apply, I love the effect it gives so I wholeheartedly recommend this. 

(I got managed to get early access through www.thelinetofine.com but the official release in the US is 6/27)

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New Blog Design + Life Update

I had to say au revoir to my old blog name (Raspberphobia) so I thought with a new name, my little blog deserved a new lewk as well. Thank you to Abby from Baggle Design for being patient with all my requests and just making it all happen really.

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Disappointing Product # 5: Tarte The Sculptor

Unfortunately I had high hopes for this product because the concept is pretty good, it's just a shame the product really isn't...

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Recent Purchases # 10

I don't know if I've mentioned my skin issues recently but it's pretty bad. My skin is not on its best behavior so 75% of my makeup application at the moment is being spent on trying to make my skin look half decent. Actually I'm kind of disliking everything about my appearance at the moment but that's a bit self indulgent so let's not go into the fact that I hate my hair and my eye shape and crappy eyebrows... oops too late.

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Bumble and bumble Cityswept Finish vs Thickening Dryspun Finish

I get my hair done at the Bumble and bumble downtown salon in New York City so I do use quite a lot of their products. I have been a fan of the Thickening Dryspun Finish for a while so when the Cityswept Finish came out I thought it would be right up my street. They both cost $29 so I thought I would compare the two...

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Family Edition # 3: What's In Your Makeup Bag?

(I'm the one with bangs // Charlotte is the bébé)

My younger sister Charlotte is definitely more of a drugstore makeup kind of girl and as she is in town for one more night I thought I would share with you the contents of her makeup bag.

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