CB I Hate Perfume

CB I Hate Perfume

I've mentioned before that I really do love beachy scents, especially if they smell something like suntan lotion. I also love drinks that smell like suntan lotion, too, but that's a different post that I might write up later!

My current summer scents are Bobbi Brown's Beach, Bond No. 9's Fire Island, and Monyette Paris. Love them all, and rotate them out every few days or so.

As a quick sidenote, Fire Island seems to mix really well if you have to do a quick and/or unexpected self-tanner session. I don't know why, I just know it does.

Okay, back to CB I Hate Perfume At the Beach 1966. The notes are listed as Coppertone (this makes me unreasonably happy), wet sand, seashell, driftwood and something called "boardwalk." These are blended with a new accord created just for this scent called "North Atlantic."

This might be the very first scent I have ever purchased without actually smelling it.


Do You Wear Contact Lenses?

Then you need some fabulous contact lens cases. These are especially helpful if you travel at all, even as an overnight. Super cute and useful to boot!

Total Beauty Web Tour


It's that time again to check in with our other Total Beauty Bloggers and see what the buzz is.

Musings of a Muse shares the a review of Lancome Maharani Jewels Fall Collection featuring the gorgeous Elephant Bronzer.

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings has no visible cellulite...find out how she tested a cellulite-reducing gel and saw results!

Viva Woman finds out if the new Canmake Concealer Founder UV can really provide that natural finish, for skin that looks beautiful, even at point-blank range.

Get Twisted with a free giveaway at Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog and win a FUNKY Twisted Silver bracelet and FUNKY pair of Twisted Silver earrings.

Alison of the Advice Sisters Guide to Life, Success & Happiness Blog
reviews Sally Hansen Lip Lab, an entire line of affordable, effective, lip products that do more than beautify.

How to get the makeup look: Keri Hilson-Talking Makeup!

Fabulous Over Forty was never a mineral makeup fan until now! See what mineral foundation has won her over.

Bare Budget Beauty tells you why she loves Olay Regenerist Night Cream so much! It's her budget secret to great beauty sleep.

Beauty Tyrant shares some of her crazy beauty tips that work! Are you game for them?

Meredith at Daily Dose of Coffee has a Beauty -Filled Weekend with some other Total Beauty Bloggers.

Amber at Beauty Blogging Junkie reports on David Wright, Big Papi, Blake Lively, Lauren Conrad, and Chace Crawford at the vitaminwater Best of New York party's red carpet.

Beauty411 tells you about a portable skincare system that's as on-the-go as you are. Perfect for vacay!

The Beauty Alchemist tries out professional line Nix'ie Cosmetics

At Fifty-Cent Head, experience the amazing perfume oils of
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (BPAL) with an ongoing review series covering the company's Carnaval Diabolique-themed scents!

Beauty Anonymous introduces you to the smoky black colors of Exceptionnel de Chanel Collection!

The Makeup Divas tells you about a new mineral foundation that will leave your skin looking flawless!

Jenn and Christine over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway, this time over $145 of Skinn Cosmetics!! Click here to enter.

Beauty Junkie in SF shows you how you can look like a superstar singer/songwriter with a few great products from MAC.

Beauty's Spot found a quick, well-designed, effective, at-home tooth whitener!

Love Gossip Girl? Glossypink tells you how to get Blake Lively's gorgeous makeup!

Wordle

It's my Wordle. Created using the words from the blog. Cute, isn't it?

Infallable, Indeed

I read somewhere that Christina Aguilera reapplied her lip gloss 30 times during dinner recently. Girlfriend obviously wasn't wearing my newest find, L'Oreal's Infallible Never Fail LipGloss. I picked up this little gem recently after hearing about Clinique's Long Last Gloss Wear, wondering how well the whole idea really worked. Now, I haven't tried out Clinique's product yet, but I have been testing L'Oreal's gloss.

First of all, the gloss itself does stay on quite a long time. I'm not getting the promised six hours out of it, but I'm certainly getting four. It lasts through light snacks, coffee, and a small amount of kissing (pull those minds up out of the gutter - children need a kiss or two while you're sending them off to summer camp, don't they?). It will come off, though, so I wouldn't call it a stain, but it's lasting power far surpasses that of any gloss I've ever used before.

The downside of the product is that it's a bit dry, in comparason to other glosses. This is to be expected, however, given the fact that it's supposed to be a long wearing product. It just takes a bit of getting used to. And the wand kind of freaks me out - it's a heart-shaped sponge wand, but it's kind of...I don't know. Floppy? It moves around a lot. I think the heart shape is great for getting the contours of your lips, but a little firmness in the sponge never hurt anyone. It just looks kind of weird and takes some time to learn to manage well.

You can find this gloss at just about every major retailer. I got mine at Target. I'm sure Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and Drugstore.com has it too. Amazon does not currently have it in stock.

Naked Eye and Liquid Liner: FOTD


Kind of simple, but dramatic, too. I love, love, love liquid eyeliner. I find it incredibly easy to work with and the results are fantastic. If you happen to be wearing false lashes, you should definitely give liquid liner a try.

On the lids, I'm wearing Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow. I love their matte shadow (I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before), it's just as pigmented as their shimmer and glitter formulations and easy to work with. I'm wearing only one shade, Naked, over a coat of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Next, I lined only the top of my eyes with Rimmel Liquid Eye Liner in Noir. I then added a coat of Make Up For Ever Lash Fibers, and two coats of Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara in Very Black.

And yes, my hair is a hot mess. It's humid and I was lazy.

Are You Kidding Me?

Here is my horoscope for today:


Friday, July 18
Don't be surprised if you find a number of new opportunities to improve your circumstances crossing your path at this time. And remember that there could be an awful lot for you to gain right now. If you can, just be careful about going overboard and eating or drinking a little too much today.


I'm supposed to be careful about eating and drinking too much today? That's a bit much to ask, considering it's Friday and I have friends coming over for wine this evening.

The Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up

Another one of those "it's stuck in your head and you can't get it out songs." I know they look like trannies, but they certainly can dance. Too bad Nicole Whats-Her-Name didn't have much of a solo career. Grab it at The Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up - Single - When I Grow Up and put it on your new iPhone.

Gavin Rossdale - Love Remains The Same

There is entirely too much hotness in this video. Grab it on Gavin Rossdale - Wanderlust - Love Remains the Same, because it's worth having.

Ouidad Botanical Boost

Ouidad Botanical Boost

Ouidad Botanical Boost is an amazing spray conditioner that can be used two ways. I used it both as a leave in conditioner after washing my hair and then again as a refresher spray. I love the concept of a refresher spray, and this fits the bill very nicely, as it doesn't dry out your hair and adds vitamins and aloe vera to calm frizzies.

Ouidad has an entire system to care for and style curls, and if you have curly hair, it's worth checking out their site. Basically, the recommend getting a cut that suits your curly hair and then washing and conditioning them with products for curly hair. Using duck clips, you can style your hair to maximize curls - but they don't really recommend blow drying your curls unless you use a diffuser sparingly.

I have extremely curly hair but I don't style it curly these days. I'm forever flat ironing and blowing it out. However, I like the idea of having the option to style it curly should I wish to do so. I may have to stop in to the salon the next time I'm in NYC!

And here is a sampling of even more Ouidad products:


Yesterday's FOTD, Because I'm Behind

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I don't really remember what I had going on here. But how about those lashes? That is Too Faced Lash Injection, which I am still loving. I've also got Benefit Cosmetics Miss Popularity on the browbone and in the corner of the eyes, which I'll be writing more about later.

I'm also still completely in love with my Urban Decay Brow Box, and think that everyone should own this product, or something like it. Ideally, though, you should have this one, because it comes with a decent amount of wax, more than other products that I've seen. And it's the wax that helps keep everything in line.

I'm using Too Faced Magic Wand Illuminating Foundation on my face with Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder on top. I skipped the bronzer, and used Make Up For Ever Fascinating Lip Gloss in Pearly Coral Red.

Giveaway: Holly Golightly Sleep Mask from Fred Flare and Fashion Fling

Seriously. Is this not the cutest thing you have ever seen? Fashion Fling is giving away this sleep mask, and all you have to do is pop over to Fred Flare, pick out your favorite product, then hop back over to Fashion Fling and tell her about it in the comments.

You would look fab in this sleep mask, for sure. What are you waiting for?

Song That Won't Leave My Head: Danity Kane - Damaged

Jesus. I hear this song about three times a day, and while I do think it's catchy, is there a way to get it out of my head? Any and all suggestions are much appreciated. KTHXBAI.

And if you're feeling the need to have it in your head, grab it from Danity Kane - Welcome to the Dollhouse - Damaged

Too Faced Lash Injection

Sephora: Too Faced Lash Injection: Mascara

With my love of thick, curly lashes, I should have known that Lash Injection would be a product that I would like. The formula contains elastic polymers that build on your natural lashes, creating thickness. The wand is thick and large, making application a breeze. You might find that you get some clumps when you first start using it, although you'll find that a lighter hand will help that problem immensely. When you remove it, it comes off in little "tubes," instead of just wiping off on your cotton ball - don't be alarmed.

Helpful hint: do not mix this product with Make Up For Ever's Lash Fibers. You will have a clumptastic mess that is hard to get off.


Sonia Kashuk Eliminate Shine Mattifying Spray Powder

Sonia Kashuk Eliminate Shine Mattifying Spray Powder

I don't know about you, but I am always working to find something to eliminate the shine on my face, especially in the summer. From what I understand, this is a reasonably priced product that delivers excellent mattifying results. I've long been a fan of Sonia Kashuk's line, and this will find a welcome spot in my makeup bag, I'm sure. (via palacinka)

My Beauty-Filled Weekend

I had so much fun this weekend! Friday night was a night out to celebrate a friend's birthday, and girls nights are always such fun. But my beauty weekend was only beginning, because then I drove up to Washington DC to meet some of my gorgeous beauty bloggers for drinks at the Ritz-Carlton. I was fortunate enough to meet Lianne of The Makeup Girl, Julia of All About the Pretty, and the Jenn/Christine combo from Beauty in Real Life. If you aren't reading these blogs, you are missing out. Not only are these ladies beautiful, but they are incredibly smart. I'm pretty certain that they know just about all there is to know about all things beauty related, and if they don't know, they know someone who does. I felt like I was hanging out at the cool kids' table. Three martinis and a cheese plate later, we were heading over to the MAC Pro store inside the mall and I learned about Paint Pots. All in all, a fantastic time was had by all, and I can't wait to do it again!

The following day, I had a leisurely morning having coffee and lounging in bed. Then I decided to head over to the major Sephora store in the other mall. I am SO glad I did! Now, my faithful readers will know that I am devoted to my drugstore skin care - I have preached it for so long that I can't imagine talking about anything else. But the lovely Bliss associate (and I could just kick myself because I cannot remember her name, and she was so fabulous) talked me into getting a quick oxygen facial. Not only did I get an amazing facial, but I learned so much about the Bliss line and the benefits for people with difficult skin like mine.

I've put together a fancy little show for you, explaining each thing I got and why I love it so. I've only been using this regimen for two days and I am already noticing a big change in my complextion. It's more even, smoother, and I'm not having any problems with breakouts. While I think the prices are on the high side, I truly feel as if the price is worth it for such excellent quality.

Must Have Beauty Items

Must Have Beauty Items

I had an email from a fantastic reader (I love email! Send me more!) asking me what were my must-have beauty items. It was really hard to choose, but I think I got all the basics down here. You can tell from my list that I am a huge fan of Urban Decay and Make Up For Ever. I have so much more, but I narrowed my absolutes down to these. Be sure to click on them to see why I like them so much or what they actually bring to the table.

See more of my Must Have Beauty Items list at ThisNext.


Journey-Don't Stop Believin'

I went out on Friday night to celebrate a girlfriend's birthday. Suffice it to say, it wasn't a 21st birthday - we are all far older than that. We went to two different clubs, and I heard this song TWICE. Twice! As much as I love Journey (and I grew up in the 80s - I had every Journey cassette that ever existed plus a few bootlegs), it kind of freaks me out to see the Millennial Generation get so freaking excited and belt out the lyrics to an old Gen X tune. Can someone explain this phenomenon? And does it really fit in the set inbetween Lil Jon (Get Low) and PCD (Don't Cha)?

If you want to get on board this bandwagon or just need a bit of nostalgia in your life, grab this classic (and a must-own, really) at Journey - Journey: Greatest Hits - Don't Stop Believin'

NARS Cosmetics Spring 2010

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About Me

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Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is the founder of online lifestyle websites RetrodivasBeauty.com and RetrodivasCloset.com. She is also known as @retrodiva on Twitter. She specializes in drinking large amounts of espresso, shopping, and enjoying social media. In all of her free time she writes for StyleBakeryMom.com twice a week, and does various other freelance gigs involving writing, designing, and generally being awesome. While she believes that success is indeed a job in New York, she currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, two children, and two cats and has hung on to her day job.

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