Last year for the holidays I got my mom a starter kit from Bare Essentials. Everyone was talking about mineral makeup, and I knew she'd love it, and I was right. She loved it, and wanted to share her newfound love for all mineral makeup with me by getting me this Venus Kit from Fresh Minerals.
I've been working with it for about a week now, and I just have to say that there isn't a single thing wrong with this product. The kit includes a regular foundation, a radiant foundation that has a bit of shimmer, a bronzer, and a finishing powder. The three included brushes are of very good quality, although I can't help but wonder why they didn't include a kabuki brush, which seems to apply mineral foundation so much better. But the three brushes they do have are nice.
So what's my beef? Well, it's not with this line specifically, it's more with the whole powdered mineral foundation trend as a whole. I think I just prefer a bit more coverage than a powder can give me. I know that these powder foundations are supposed to be "buildable," but the amount of time it would take me to buff a good coverage would be excessive, when I can just reach for my liquid foundations in about a quarter of the time.
While I'm sure mineral makeups are great for skin, and gives a nice, natural coverage, I just require more out of my makeup. I'll be keeping this and using it for my no-makeup days, though. It just won't be an everyday player in my stash.
Product Review: Fresh Minerals
Crazy Clearance at Cosmetic America
Wow. I'm browsing the clearance section of Cosmetic America, and you won't believe what I'm finding! These prices are crazy!
Estee Lauder Defining Beauty Set, regularly $30, now $13.95.
Dr. Brandt Lineless Essentials 4 Piece Set, regularly $100, now $65.You know you still need sunscreen. Clarins Advanced Protection Sun Care Sun Wrinkle Control Cream Ultra Protection SFP 50, regularly $26.50, now $15.95.
There is plenty more. I'm off to do some bargain shopping!
Betsey Johnson to Remake Vintage
Just saw the most exciting thing over at BetseyJohnson.com! Betsey is reviving some of her vintage pieces! Can you get over it? Just look for this label that you see here, and know that it is a revival of some of the great stuff Betsey is known for.I was surfing around on the site, and believe me, there is so much fun stuff on there that I don't even know where to start, but I'm super excited for the vintage pieces, and you know I have something picked out already.
Graffiti Tunic, $295. I completely can't afford it, but a girl can dream, right?
Daily Dose of Coffee's Best of 2008
I have to say, I'm happy to see 2008 off, aren't you? It was a good year, but not the best, and I'm excited to see what 2009 has to offer.
However, we've discovered some great new products this year, and this is my annual roundup of all things cool in 2008 here at Daily Dose of Coffee, in no particular order.
Best New Hair Treatment
MoroccanOil Masque. It's not cheap, but worth every penny!
Best Palette
Urban Decay's Deluxe Palette - all their deluxe shadows all in one place! Perfect!
Best New Skin Care
L'Oreal's Skin Genesis serum, but really the entire line. I have been using the serum and moisturizer ever since I wrote about it.
Best Fragrance
Bond No. 9 Lexington Avenue. This was everything I wanted it to be. I'm rarely disappointed in Bond.
Best Lash Product
Make Up For Ever's Lash Fibers. It's a staple that I discovered this year and I won't be without it again.
Best Body Scrub
Soap and Glory's Flake Away Spa Body Polish. What do you expect from the founder of Bliss?
Best TV Show
HBO's True Blood. Thankfully they have ordered a second season so I can follow the goodness of the southern vampires. Which isn't really necessary since I read all the books
Best Travel Destination
I didn't do as much traveling this year as I did last year. We will be changing that in 2009, so the winner for this is still New York City, for my visit in February, 2008.
Best Music
This one is so hard! So much good music this year! The best album I purchased was Adele's 19. My favorite song of the year is probably Shake It by Metro Station.
New Years Eve Look: Tinte Cosmetics
Did you all have a great New Year's Eve? I did, although it was pretty low key. I made dinner for some friends, and went to two parties. By the end of the night I was singing Gimme Shelter on Rockband, so I think I ushered in 2009 quite well.
I meant to post these photos earlier, but I wasn't feeling the greatest yesterday, so they didn't get up. But they are here now with a little mini review for you.
I used my Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation
On the eyes, I did a base of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Then I covered the whole eyelid with the best shadow for New Years Eve EVER, Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy Eyeshadow
Then I applied my MAC 35 Lash eyelashes and used an angle brush with mixing medium and pigment to line the upper lids again, blending out the lash line.
These pictures don't really do the Tinte Golden Lava pigment justice. It's a very dark color, but has a gorgeous almost olive-green gold tint to it. I found it very easy to work with, and comparable to that standard that everyone uses, MAC. Tinte's was about four dollars cheaper, although they don't have the color selection MAC has, it's still an excellent value. I'd definitely repurchase.
I hope everyone has a fantastic new year, and I'm looking forward to bringing you more Daily Dose of Coffee in the coming months!
Tuesday Book Review and Giveaway!
If you ever needed a "go to" book about makeup, I think Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro
I actually learned quite a bit from this book, especially when it comes to color correction. Bobbi takes you through each makeup product, and explains what it is, how you use it, and gives you step by step directions and photos so you don't mess it all up. Neato!
Along with that, she discusses skincare, special makeup applications, bridal makeup, and her own 10 step guide to a basic look.
And for those of you interested in breaking into the makeup artist biz, there is a complete chapter for you too, full of helpful information as well as a who's who in the beauty industry.
Sounds great, doesn't it? Yes it does. So I have five copies to give away! Enter now through January 6 for your chance to snag a copy. US residents only, sorry about that! Good luck!
Poppy Headband
Oh my. I do love my poppies, plus I love Etsy. Two loves combined for less than $15! Who doesn't need a huge red poppy in their hair?
Post Holiday Shopping: Bliss
There is a lot more, so head on over there and check it out!
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