Pure Color by Estee Lauder, Clarisonic, Sinful Colors and more!

I was a bad girl the other day.  I went into my local Belk store to get some clothes and I walked out with a new blush (including a nice gift with purchase) and no new clothes!  I'm a sucker for a beautiful blush and my new Pure Color blush by Estee Lauder in the shade Wild Sunset is stunning.  I love just about any shade of blush but this one caught my eye.  It's perfect for the summer and looks great on.

Closeup of Wild Sunset

Recently Estee Lauder updated their blush line and Wild Sunset pulled me in the fastest.  It's a bold, coral shade with gold shimmer.  Don't be scared of the shimmer though, it's very fine and adds a perfect "glow". 

Pictured above- Wild Sunset blush and Estee Lauder eye pencil in SoftSmudge Brown

While at the Estee Lauder counter I also picked up an Artist's Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Brown.  I have been looking for a good eye pencil in a brown shade that is not too dark.  This pencil has worked great and is perfect for small eyes like mine since black eyeliner can overwhelm and make them appear smaller. 

Wild Sunset and Softsmudge Brown are available at your local Estee Lauder counter or at www.esteelauder.com  Swatches of both the blush and eye pencil are pictured at the bottom of this blog entry. 

Because I purchased over $35.00 in products at Estee Lauder, I received this nice gift with purchase.  It included a cute blue and white bag, .24oz of Advanced Night Repair, a Pure Color lipstick in the shade Candy, .5oz of Time Zone Line & Wrinkle creme, .17oz of Time Zone eye creme, double ended Sumptuous mascara and Lash Primer Plus and 1.7 fl. oz of Soft Clean Creme Cleanser. 

I've been using the primer and mascara which I have enjoyed.  The primer is nice and helps my itty bitty lashes look longer.  The mascara has not caused "raccoon eyes" and has held up well.  I do wish the mascara was more thickening but it does lengthen well.  The lipstick shade is a bright, shimmery pink but I wish it lasted longer on my lips-it seems to disappear too quickly.  A swatch of this lipstick is pictured at the bottom of this entry.

Closeup of the Sumptuous mascara wand

Recently I also visited my local Ulta store and picked up a few goodies I've been eyeing for a while.  I purchased a bottle of Pantene's Aqua Light shampoo, a new Clarisonic brush head (for normal skin), a bottle of Essie's Millionails (on clearance!) and Laura Geller's Baked Body Frosting.

Pictured above- Clarisonic brush head for normal skin, Pantene Aqua Light shampoo & Essie's Millionails strengthener.

Laura Geller's Baked Body Frosting in Honey Glow

I've been using the Pantene Aqua Light shampoo this past week and it's okay.  It does cleanse well and is lightweight like it claims BUT it leaves my hair very dry.  I know most cleansing shampoos can be drying and I guess my hair is just too thirsty to care.  The shampoo states it provides weightless nourishment without silicone that can weigh down hair.  I think this would be a great shampoo for someone with fine hair.

I was so excited to see Essie's Millionails on clearance.  Essie is redesigning their packaging therefore some products are on clearance.  I have used this nail strengthener in the past with success.  Usually it costs $15.00 which is very steep but I found my bottle on clearance for $4.99! 

This past week I decided to replace my Clarisonic brush head.  I've been using the sensitive skin one but I bought a normal skin brush this week, so hopefully all will go well.  All single Clarisonic brush heads are available at Ulta for $25.00 each.

 The last item I was excited to pick up was Laura Geller's Baked Body Frosting.  I can't tell you how many times I've swatched this, picked it up then placed it back without buying.  It's designed to be a body bronzer.  It's a HUGE compact (.85 oz) that comes with a body puff.  The bronzer can be applied dry or wet.  I used it today on my neck and chest and I was happy with the results.  You can find it at Ulta for $45.00.  You can see a swatch at the bottom of this blog entry.

Neutrogena's Micro-Mist sunless tan and Sinful Colors polish in Hazard

Of course no haul would be complete without a trip to the local drugstore.  I chose Rite Aide and picked up some self tanner, nail polish and some more bronzer (because clearly I don't have enough)!

I have been using Neutrogena's Micro-Mist airbrush sunless tan this past week and I have mixed thoughts about this product.  It sprays a very fine mist which is super-easy to apply.  The result is a product that doesn't have to be rubbed in and the product doesn't smell after it's applied.  The negatives about this product is that it only makes your skin about 1 shade darker and that if not used in a WELL-VENTILATED area, you might lose your ability to breathe freely.  I'm not kidding.  This stuff is so strong that it gave me a coughing fit when I used it.  I know it can't be healthy to inhale it too often but I used it in my bathroom which is fairly large and still I was overpowered by the smell.  If you can get past the fumes it gives off when applied, you may decide to use it often.  Neutrogena's micro-mist sunless tanning spray is usually priced around $10.00

I haven't tried my bottle of Sinful Colors polish yet but I've heard good things about this brand and the $1.99 price tag doesn't hurt either!  I have been using my City Color bronzer though.  It's a nice, large compact that has a raised palm tree and a gold overspray.  The nice thing is that this bronzer has gold shimmer throughout the product, not just in the overspray.  I've used this on my chest and I liked the results.  I usually don't go for a shimmery bronzer but this one is pretty decent for the $3.99 price.

City Color bronzer in Sunset.  On the left you can see where I have used the product past the gold overspray (which is seen to the right).  See swatch below. 

Swatches of products mentioned above (L-R)- City Color bronzer in Sunset, Laura Geller's Baked Body Frosting in Honey Glow, Estee Lauder's Wild Sunset Pure Color blush, Estee Lauder's Artist's Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Brown and Estee Lauder's Pure Color lipstick in Candy.

Asian Skin Care-including Ossion & Salux!

I've been lucky in the past to have visited the Missy cosmetics counter to try different Asian skin care products before.  Asian skin care products have been exploding onto the American beauty market scene for the past few years.  Products like BB Creams have taken off thanks to this and Korean skin care lines are beginning to find mainstream enthusiasts here in the states.

I am always willing to try something new, so when I visit the Super H Mart in Atlanta (Asian supermarket), I always take time to stop at the Missy cosmetics counter for some more goodies.

Ossion's Mild Touch Cleansing Foam Set- $29.00

A while back I made a post about Isa Knox BB Cream click here to see review.  I found the BB Cream to be a great product but I also enjoyed one of the samples I received when I bought the cream.  I found that I really liked Ossion's Mild Touch Cleansing Foam and that I couldn't wait to get the full size.  Ossion is a line under the Hankook umbrella of Korean skin care brands. 

Ossion's Mild Touch Cleansing Milk and Cleansing Foam

I find that this facial cleanser is a great addition to my skincare routine.  I usually use Neutrogena's Fresh Foaming Cleanser with my Clarisonic each night.  I decided to use the Ossion foam instead this week and I have really enjoyed it.  It removes makeup, has a great scent (not too heavy or fragrant) and leaves my skin feeling very soft.  It comes out of the tube thick and is white in color.  Once massaged into the skin (or applied using a Clarisonic), it begins to foam and washes away completely. 

I notice my skin feels very clean after using the product and that I haven't had any breakouts since using it.  When I purchased it, it came with a smaller tube of Ossion's Cleansing Milk which can be applied to a dry face and rubbed into the skin to cleanse and remove makeup.  I have tried the cleansing milk as well this week and I find it is very similar to Ahava's Cleansing Milk.  Both Ossion products came together in a set and were $29.00.  You can purchase the set by calling 770-418-0202 or by visiting a Missy cosmetics counter.

L-R- Facial masks by Sooryehan and The Qure (with cucumber and collagen).

After I picked up the Ossion cleanser, I also picked up two face masks to try.  Both masks are applied by laying them on your face for 15 -20 minutes.  The mask is made of paper and has the product applied on one side, so it literally sits on top of your face and soaks in.  Once you are done with the mask, you peel away the paper then rub the excess product into the skin. 

I have already tried the Sooryehan mask this week which unfortunately didn't seem to make a difference with my skin.  I did notice a few blackheads come up around my chin area but I am not sure if this was because of the mask or not.  I'm excited to try the Qure mask next.  The Sooryehan mask was $2.99 and the Qure cucumber collagen mask was $1.99. 

Top (L-R)- A3F[on] Turn Again Peeling Gel & Ossion's Mild Touch Detox Bubble Mask

Bottom (L-R)- Ossion's Intensive Slim Body Peeling & Ossion's Collagen V3 Cream

Another thing I love about shopping at the Missy cosmetics counter is the free samples I get.  Each time I get to try new products and the sweet saleswoman offered some new samples for me to try.  Since I expressed my love for the Ossion cleansing foam, she offered a sample of Ossion's Mild Touch Detox Bubble Mask. 

This mask is very popular and the reviews I've read reminds me of Bliss' Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Facial Mask.  The Bliss mask is $54.00 at Ulta.  The Ossion mask is $40.00.  I'm excited to try it out to see if it worth the hype.  You first apply the mask by rubbing it onto your skin and letting it sit there.  As it sits, a foam begins to develop.  When I try this mask out, I will be sure to take pictures and post them here.  I'm also excited to try the peeling gels and the collagen cream. 

Salux's Beauty Skin Cloth-$2.99

The last item I picked up from Super H Mart wasn't located at the Missy counter.  I have been hunting down a Salux cloth for a few months now and I was so happy to have found one.  I have read great reviews about this Japanese cloth which prompted me to search for one in the first place (click here to read reviews). 

The purpose of the this cloth is to exfoliate.  As you know, summer is just around the corner and exfoliation is important (especially if you use a self tanner).  This cloth is not soft but has a rough texture which whisks away dead skin cells with each use.  I have used this cloth for about a week now and I really like it.  I find that it is too rough to use on my face but that it's great for my feet, knees, elbows and shoulders.  The picture on the front of the package shows a girl using it on her back and I think it would work great there too.  It's long and wide and comes in many different colors.  Because of the popularity of this product, there are a lot of "fake" cloths out there, so make sure you purchase a real Salux cloth.  You can find Salux cloths in Asian markets, at www.amazon.com and at www.saluxshop.com

 

Close-up of the cloth's texture.

Another shot of the cloth.

One More Thing...

As a side note, sometimes I like to share other things I am into that are not beauty related.  Over the past few weeks, the night sky has been great for checking out the moon, stars and some planets.  I couldn't resist pulling out my camera and taking a few photos of the moon lately.  There is something so peaceful about gazing up at the moon.