Smashbox's Spring Collection: Heartbreaker

This collection has a fun, flirty vibe. And I'm not sure, but I've never seen a fragrance with a Smashbox collection, but there is one here, so that might be worth looking at as well. Let's dive in!

Heartbreaker Baked Fusion Soft Lights is this season's answer to the bronzer. This baked powder gives you a glow-from-within look.

Heartbreaker Eye Shadow Palette. Two different sets of six to choose from: Hot Date (below), which is shades of tan and teal. Kiss 'n Tell (above) ranges from white to pink, to purple to black. 

Heartbreaker Lash DNA Mascara: I'm not really sure what the difference is between this product and the regular Lash DNA mascara that I've already reviewed. I'm going to assume it's just in a pretty box.

Heartbreaker Liquid Liner Pen. I am of the firm opinion that no one should be without a fabulous black pen liner. They are usually much easier to handle than a regular liquid liner, and you can use it to achieve a variety of looks, from precise cat eye to smudgy smoky eye.

Heartbreaker Lip Shine. Glossy lip shine in two colors for this collection, Berry Hot and Melon Drama.

Heartbreaker Rollerball Lip Gloss. There is always one product in any collection that really catches my eye, and this is the one for the Heartbreaker set, and the only reason is because it's a rollerball. It brings back memories of my rollerball glosses back in middle school that tasted of bubble gum. This one comes in one shade only, Pink Sugar, and contains vitamin E.

Hearbreaker Eau de Parfum. Smashbox has finally released their very first fragrance, and it's made up of forget-me-not florals and spices. Notes include gardenia, blue violet, musk, and vanilla. This is a perfect travel size with a rollerball applicator.

See anything you are dying for? Have you tried any of these? Tell me all about it!

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My Visit to the MAC Counter Today

Resulted in purchases that I really didn't need, but I had a few holiday dollars left.

First up, the Warm and Cozy Collection. My overall impression? Not extremely exciting, but awesome for the daily basics and weekend neutrals. The Shadesticks are especially nice:

These are the three that I bought - left to right: Nurture, Warm and Cozy, and Relaxed. I skipped Cuddle because it was just too white for me to ever consider using. Nurture is as light of a color as I want to consider.

I also picked up my first Mineralize Skinfinish in By Candlelight:

It reminds me a lot of the similar Smashbox product called Candlelight that was in their holiday collection.

I also checked out the Love Lace collection. I picked up the Intricate lipstick as well as Hypnotizing shadow. I'm going to swipe a photo from KarlaSugar, because she has the best swatches EVER, and if you're not reading her blog, you are seriously missing out. I went and looked at this collection because of her photos:

I will play with these and perhaps post a picture of what I've come up with.

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YSL's Summer Collection Is Amazing

I am absolutely in love with the bold colors of this summer's YSL collection. Inspired by Africa, the eyeshadow palette called Tresor d'Afrique is my favorite of the bunch. It includes 5 shades: ivory, to be used as a base; turquoise, plum, and navy blue for definition, and toffee to brighten the arch area and bring warmth and contrast to the eyes.

Not to neglect the lashes, there is a limited edition Everlong Waterproof Lengthening Mascara called "Ever Peacock Blue," which, I am quite sure, is just gorgeous. What is unique about this formula, however, is that it contains eyelash conditioner - similar to what you can buy these days to boost the length and overall growth of your lashes.

Also in this collection are two beautiful sheer lipstick shade, a Tresor d'Afrique Sun Powder (also limited edition), which is a bronzer, and the Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in "light peach." Makeup mavens everywhere seem to rave about the Touche Eclat, and after watching the videos on YSL's site, I have to say I'm intrigued. She looks flawless!

What do you think? Are you as anxious to get your hands on this gorgeous collection as I am?

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Holiday Collections: Clarins Chic and Glam Black Palette

The Chic and Glam Black Palette is a lovely way to take everything you need right along with you.

I am so much more likely to carry a palette like this around since it has everything already in it, negating the need for me to carry around several different products. It's also a fab way to get yourself through airport security without any problems.

Each palette comes with three eyeshadows (to build that smokey eye), two lip glosses, one mascara, one compact powder plus accessories such as a sponge, eye brush, lip brush and mirror.

And the accompanying black bag is gorgeous, and still small enough to fit into that clutch that you'll be carrying around for the holiday party circuit.

Chic and Glam Black Palette, $40 at Clarins.com.

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Let's Talk About Cargo's Melt-Proof Makeup Collection

Summer in Virginia Beach isn't subtle. It runs in, slaps everyone in the room, settles in your favorite chair, then proceeds to overstay its welcome by about two months. It's not just hot - it's steamy. Humidity is way up there most days, with condensation on windows being a common occurrence. Or maybe that's just my A/C too high. The point is, it's sticky, hot, uncomfortable, and humidity is almost always above 90%.

When Cargo released it's Melt-Proof collection, I was thrilled. My Cargo Bronzer is a go-to, and I use it every single day. The whole idea of a set of makeup that wouldn't slide right off my oily face on a hot and humid day was extremely appealing - it rarely happens. The set includes Bronzer powder, Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara, and a 3-in-1 Eye-Cheek-Lip Palette.

The mascara is very waterproof, and probably excellent for poolside. However, we all know that I like a lot of volume, and this mascara didn't deliver it for me. That being said, I'm sure most people would find that this mascara does an excellent job - it has great coverage, and it's waterproofing abilities can't be denied. I adore the 3-in-1 Eye-Cheek-Lip Palette. The cheek is a cream blush which goes on smoothly with a finger. The eye part was also creamy, and lasted all day, including a walk to the beach, a BBQ, and a few too many mojitos. The lip was also long-lasting, but it was not a stain. Rather, I would consider it a long lasting creamy lipstick. All the colors blend well together and are easily applied. The colors are sheer and are neutral enough to work well with just about any skin tone.

Which brings us to the Bronzer. Ladies, this is some seriously dark powder! I was so used to my Cargo Bronzer in Light that I just didn't think as I reached for my bronzer brush and started applying it all over my face. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked at the end result of my wanton application: I looked like I had the most mismatched foundation in the history of makeup. After further experimentation, I was able to learn to use a light hand, and figured out how to use it sparingly enough that I didn't look like I was dying to be in Miami Beach. I would caution anyone with fair skin to be careful with this powder - it's dark, and goes on a bit heavy. But again, it does what it claims: it stays on for a long, long time through crazy conditions (see above).

Final word? Purchase only after a good testing.

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Style Spy Looks at Dior's Resort by Galliano

Isn't that top completely amazing? I know it's a bit hard to see in this photo, but the details are just to die for. The Funky Little Fashion Troll's (who doesn't love The Manolo?) latest collection is up, and I am in love with just about every single piece. Go on over and check out The Style Spy's comments with photos, because I swear I agree with every single little thing she says about them. Long live 1974!

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OPI's Sea Ya Later, Sailor

This is a super fun blue - it's light, sparkly, and part of OPI's Retro Fun in the Sun line, which I adore already, and I've only tried one. It's hard to see here, but each of the colors are glittery, but not obnoxiously so. I don't feel like it would be better suited to a 16 year old, just that it's fun without being completely in your face. The color is sheer and light, and I got three compliments on it just today alone. Fun!

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The New Kat Von D Collection at Sephora

I am so excited about the Kat Von D collection that she did for Sephora! Her makeup always looks incredible, and her coloring is similar to mine, so I have high hopes for the color combinations for us girls who aren't blond. Her line currently includes eye shadow palettes, liquid eye liner, lipstick, and a set of brushes. The eyeshadow palettes were apparently created with Kat's love of the smokey eye and each of them have seven shades to help you get that look. One palette, the Ludwig, looks like it might be a little more on the neutral/light side, while the Beethoven looks a bit darker. I haven't seen these in person yet, so it's hard to say by the website, but I am lemming this line pretty badly. I'm a huge fan of liquid liners, so I was very intrigued with her liner line. Looks like the Autograph Eyeliner sports some fun shades, both shimmery/metallic as well as matte.

I'll probably pass on the eye shadow brush set, as most of these I already have in various different forms. The case is lovely, though, and from what I can see on the website, they look to be of good quality. But I will write a more thorough review of them after I return from my Sephora jaunt in a week or two!

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H&M's Tribute to Marimekko

I can't keep up with all the limited editions, collections, capsules, and tributes going on out there. But I have been waiting anxiously for the Marimekko tribute to come to H&M, because the fun, graphical prints that Marimekko is known for are right up my alley this season. I'm all about prints and color. Better wear them now, because you know these crazy colors won't last much longer.

The dress you see here is the one that I bought on Saturday. It's very cute, extremely comfortable, and the price was certainly right: $49.90. There are some really great pieces in this collection, so if you are a bright, graphics person, get thee to H&M to check them out.

Be sure to get a preview and listen to the podcast over at H&M's US site.

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Design Editions White Shirt Interpretation at Gap

I can't help it - I have a soft spot in my heart for Gap. I know most of their sweatshop produced separates are overrated and boring, yet I still go and faithfully go through all their offerings. I said a little thank you prayer to the fashion gods when Patrick Robinson took over as design VP, and continued to hope for the best. I haven't found a single thing I like since he took over.

So I eagerly awaited what I call the "white shirt" collection. The finalists of the 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund each reinterpreted the white shirt exclusively for gap. This year we have 3.1 Phillip Lim, Michael Bastian, Band of Outsiders, Threeasfour, and Philip Crangi. And to our left, we have the white shirts. See any you like?

As for me, if I was in need of a white shirt (I'm not), I would probably go for the one on the far left, second row by Band of Outsiders.

So, are you inspired by this collection? Planning on getting one?

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