.:: CybeleSays ::.

The Little Box That Could

I love any product that makes brows look perfect. And my beloved URBAN DECAY line is giving me one that I can really work with. The new Brow Box ($29 @ sephora.com) will help sculpt and beautify your brow area. Inside the 2.25" x 1.75" x 1" plastic box are two powders, mini-tweezers (they are so mini cute!), mini-brush, and setting wax. The setting wax is in a spring-loaded drawer below the powder. Traveling? Take this one on the trip. It will thank you. Available in four different shades.

Go Green Packaging

A few weeks ago, we touted the importance of packaging and how most people might miss a good quality line because the packaging is, well, been used over and over again. STiLA put out this collection last summer and I have to say one of the best parts about it was the sleek metal containers they came in. So much better than the cardboard ones! So if you are going green, they have now made these refillable single eye shadow (shown here in Kitten) and cheek color Aluminum Containers ($2 @ stilacosmetics.com) a permanent part of the line. Love these!

* Ding-Dong* Avon Calling ...

Speaking of minerals, AVON just steered into the mineral makeup lane and put out a line of powder foundations, blushes and eye shadows. I, of course, gravitated to the powder foundation with Smooth Mineral Makeup ($10/.21oz). I couldn’t find any ingredients to the powder so I’m not sure if it is made with from pure minerals and if it has filler ingredients in it. Anyway, out of 137 reviews on avon.com, 82% of them would recommend it, and so do I. And the price is so right. $10? Nice. The Smooth Mineral Eye Shadows ($8/.05oz) rated a little higher than the foundation and the packaging is the best I’ve seen for mineral shadows. There is a hole in the middle of the pan where you can stick the brush in to grab some color or dip your brush in the hole in the cap. Both @ avon.com

Quick Pick Eyes

I never thought I could do double-duty so thoroughly with a slim pencil but FACE ATELiER’s Powder Eye Pencil ($19.50 @ faceatelier.com) does it effortlessly. Then again, since this is a kohl liner, I should have guessed it would. Color pick: Satin Bronze (shimmer).

New MINERAL line ALERT! NEW mineral LINE alert!

Just popping up on the scene is STRiPT Natural Mineral Make-up. The face powders, blushes, eye shadows and eye pencil products use a paraben-free preservative called Natural Broad Spectrum Microbial Growth Inhibitors (sounds like a sunscreen). I did a google search and couldn’t find anything on it so I am guessing it is something they created. Let’s get back to the products. In addition to the above preservative, they also stay away from other additives found in makeup and replace them with other natural botanicals like marine botanicals and mica. My pick of the line right now is the Passionate Kiss Lipstick-Liner Pencil in Star ($17 @ striptmakeup.com). This fat matte pencil lines and fills in your lips and is scented with just a hint of vanilla and almond. The color Star looks more of a pink on their site but in person it is definitely a brown. If you love matte, this is your Lipstick/Liner.

“… And Shimmer Was Her Name …”

The picture does not do justice for this The Makeup Shimmering Lipstick in SL 16 ($22.50) from SHiSEiDO. I tried shooting it myself but it just didn’t look right. It has to be the shiniest lipstick I have ever seen! And if you turn it around in the light, it is almost mirror-like. I really hated to break-the-seal, so to speak! So how does this SL 16 look on the lips? Pretty shiny light pink. It looks glittery in the tube but this color just gave my look a little kick and the glimmering agent just makes lips look glossier and not at all kid-like. Definitely YLBB.

Speaking of shimmery-glimmery, I just got their Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in Languid Lagoon ($23) from the new Spring 2008 Color Collection. This dewy cream doesn’t crease on the eyes and the pastel greeny light blue color is sooooo now. Both @ nordstrom.com

It's All In The Stick

We’re pretty fascinated with packaging and always pay special attention to it when trying out a product as presentation is everything. A few years ago, I remember being quite taken with this kind of self-dispensing brush that SUSAN POSNiCK’s Colorflo Mineral Foundation ($64 @ beauty.com) comes in. I can’t recall the first one I used but it is great for on the go. And this one is also refillable, which I never knew they could be. Or maybe just hers is? At first, I couldn’t quite figure out how to refill it but I found it. The bottom unscrews and it’s easy to get powder inside. Halleluiah! It comes in 15 different shades (even those with a really dark skin tones) and even a shimmer and a bronzer. So at least pick one of these up and you can change the powder out as needed. Now if they just sold refills for the brush part, I could use this for the rest of my makeup wearing life.

Quick Pick Lips

The weather has been hot here so let's make sure I have everything for my excursion to the beach...
Beach bag – check

Sunscreen – check

Big brimmed hat – check

New Armani sunglasses – check
CHANEL Rouge Hydrabase Crème Lipstick in new Rose Flamingo ($26 @ chanel.com) from the Summer 2008 Colour Collection to go with my killed bottled tan – check

Quick Pick Palette

HARD CANDY Peace Palette ($22 @ sephora.com) is probably one of the most pocket book friendly palettes I have ever come across. It’s about the size of the average wallet! Here’s what you get:

• 4 Eye Shadows - bronze, golden beige, pink, dark plum brown
• 3 Lip Glosses - fuchsia, light pink, nude, sheer red
• Bronzer
• Anywhere shimmer shadow
• 2 Applicators
• Large Mirror

All for $22? And all very wearable colors!

Get Yer Summer On

This next one is the biggest, fattest welcome product to get you from spring into summer. ESTEE LAUDER’s new Bronze Goddess Body Oil Spray ($29.50/4oz @ esteelauder.com) is at the top of my list on those days that are extra warm even though it’s only April. My nose detects a mix of bergamot, mandarin, Tahitian Gardenia and sandalwood. And their body oil sprays are some of the lightest I have ever tried. Never greasy and they sink into the skin quickly.

This scent also comes in an Eau Fraiche Skinscent and Body Lotion.

I’m On The Minerals And Can’t Get Off

All foundations seem to pale in comparison since I discovered mineral makeup a few years ago. It’s easy and quick to apply and really looks natural. I’ve only come across one other liquid mineral foundation, Illuminare, and I loved it, so I was really open to this liquid one from YOUNGBLOOD. Their Liquid Mineral Foundation just came out and it is infused with Reduced Salt Deep-Sea Water and also Calendula, Cucumber and Green Tea to name a few. Let’s talk about what you see and feel.

See = nothing

Feel = nothing

Like it’s supposed to, it really does feel like I don’t have anything on my face and it evens out my skin tone beautifully. So I guess you could say I'm going au-natural! $39.95/1oz @ ybskin.com

Gummi, Jelly, Spongy Lips

These JELLY PONG PONG Trifle Spongy Lipsticks ($16 @ jellypongpong.com) are really fun. And the word spongy in the name is quite accurate. The consistency is like a gummi candy but it doesn't wear goopy or super thick, just a sheen. The Lipsticks with color are ok like Brandy, which is a shimmery pink, but I think the best ones are the ones with no color, like the Blackcurrant one, which smells just like the real thing. Think of the non-coloring ones as just a simple lip moisturizer. Picks: Blackcurrent and Jam.

Quick Pick Face

A favorite new face finisher-offer this spring is CLiNiQUE’s Blended Face Powder and Brush ($18.50 @ nordstrom.com) in new Invisible Blend. It helps set makeup and the travel brush is totally totable. And because the brush has a cap on it, they even recommend loading one application into the brush and take it with you in your evening purse for a "out on the town" touch up.

Shine & Sparkle Like The Star You Are

This has to be MAC's most pink, most party and most, well, clubby collection yet. This collection has every color and texture of makeup you would want to don to go out on the town.Think of the hippest club in NYC on a Saturday night, the "in" crowd, Page Six and this is all of that rolled in one. If yer reading this then you’ve heard of the Heatherette duo of Richie Rich and Traver Rains. To put them and MAC together for this Heatherette collection? Genius! Here's our picks:

Eye Shadow Trio in Trio 2 ($32.50) – features limited edition shades of Baby Petals, V.I.P. and Cassette.

Beauty Powder in Alpha Girl ($22) – pink with gold nuances

Lip Glass in Bonus Beat (sheer yellow beige with gold pearl, frost) and Style Minx (clean fuchsia pink, frost) ($14)

Glitter in 3D Silver ($16.50) – multi-reflective silver

Nail Lacquer in Lola Devine ($10) – soft mid-tone coral cream

Lipstick in Hollywood Nights ($14) – clean fuchsia pink, satin

Add a pair of She’s So Bad Lash ($11) and yer ready for the dance floor, baby!

All @ maccosmetics.com

What's Your Philosophy On Philosophy?

We simply loved PHiLOSOPHY’s The Supernatural Mineral Blush Duo back in January and we were able to try out some of the other products in the collection. This line has proven to me that they are not just body and skin care. Their color collection is a force to be reckoned with! All @ sephora.com

• Airbrushed Color Corrector Concealer ($25)
• Lip Gloss in Mauve ($15)
• Airbrushed Canvas SPF 15 ($35)
• Oil Control Blotting Papers ($10)

Calling All Brides

I’ve been back and forth on what to say about CARGO’s new blu_ray Collection. I mean, it’s made for people who are in front of the camera. With everything going high definition, viewers will see every flaw unless you make an adjustment. So how do these products fit into an everyday girl’s routine? I just read fellow Beauty Blogging Network’s Shades of U post about wedding makeup and how these products are also perfect for high definition photography. I didn’t even think of that! I’ve just been wearing the Pressed Powder ($30) and Blush/Highlighter ($27) as everyday products and they are quite good. Each contains phytochromatic pigments that adjust with the light to make your skin look beautiful. Now I’ll be sure to strike a pose when a camera is in my vicinity! All @ sephora.com

Erase Some Face

This is the cutest hot pink container! BENEFiT’s Erase Paste ($26/.15oz @ benefitcosmetics.com) is a concealer that not only hides blemishes and other unsightly markings but also brightens and camouflages the area. Think of those face foundations that have properties inside to blur imperfections. This uses the same technology. Use a dab under the eyes, the shadows around the nose and you can add a tiny bit of water to make it more blendable. It comes in three shades and even has a tiny spatula to spoon some out.

Size Matters

OK, I’ve decided to stop being such a mascara snob. Kiss Me Mascara is one of the first products that started me on my beauty-writing journey back in 2001. And COVER GiRL’s new LashBlast Waterproof Mascara ($7.65 @ drugstore.com) is helping me overcome this problem. I’m usually not a fan of waterproof mascaras because most are so hard to remove at the end of the day. Not this one. Let’s talk about the lengthening this does and with just few coats! Usually I have to build and build the formula on my lashes to get something to happen with the girth or the length. Maybe it’s the cool orange bristles on the fat brush or the combination of the formula and the brush is what did it. Like the Spornette brush, it seems to space the bristles out a little more than usual. Whatever it is to make this mascara great, I am loving it. And if I have a weak moment, I can always apply the Kiss Me on top of this mascara.

Two Nudes To Get Into

PUR MiNERALS Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 in Sandy Quartz ($16.50 @ purminerals.com) from the Spring 2008 color collection. Sheer nude with a slight hint of iridescence.

SHU UEMURA has THE perfect pinky-nude lipstick included in their latest collection. I find most nudes too chalky or matte. Basically too there! This Rouge Unlimited in Serene Pink from the Rebirth Collection balances matte and glossy for the perfect smooth finish. And nude lips are so in right now. $23 @ sephora.com

Gloss On The Rocks

I feel like I’m the only one when it comes to this next problem. I get a really cool looking shade of lip gloss, try it and it looks almost clear on my lips. Ugh, I hate this! I want color and I want it now! Gloss doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the HAUTE FACE line. Their line of Lip Gloss ($18 @ hauteface.com) dispense the same color that you see in the tube and each contains non-PABA sunscreens (SPF 15), and mucho botanicals so it’s good for lips too. This product should be called More Than Gloss. And the On the Rocks (pinky) shade has pretty much been on my lips all weekend.

When UD Speaks, I Listen

I just love URBAN DECAY’s shadow colors. Always have and probably always will. They are just so unusual and fun. And they just put out some new loose mineral ones that have me jumping from color to color trying to decide my favorite. Each container only contains 1 grams of color in their Loose Pigments ($20 @ sephora.com) but know that they are extremely concentrated or pigmented so a little goes a long way. And the short handled brush makes it easy to control the application. Color picks: Goddess (midnight blue with electric blue micro glitter) and Shag (pale bronze).

Quick Pick - YLBB

I am really liking these Retractable Liptones ($18 @ beauty.com)  from DuWOP. In addition to being infused with vitamins C and E but each of the four shades is made to match the natural lip hue. So each is YLBB as in add a dash of gloss and you’re ready to take on the day with a color that stays. 

You Read It Here First ...

I wasn’t too sure about this next one and if I was going to feature them. I don’t need them, thankfully, but since I discovered them at the ISSE show back in January, they have been on my mind. And tonight standing in line at the Victoria’s Secret counter waiting to make my purchase sealed the deal. The sales girl had really dark drawn on brows that not only had no arch but they made her look really mad and she is certainly not the first one I have seen with wacky looking brows. Ugh, don’t people look in the mirror before leaving the house in the morning? And here’s the answer to their woes:

STAMP ME FABULOUS or SMF, as I am calling them, is a quick and easy way to put on your eyebrows. Go to town with the tweezers one night and just have a few lonely hairs screaming for help? Taking medication that has made them fall out? Then this is for you. What sold me on it when it was demonstrated was how realistic it looks. It really does!! This is one you have to see in person to be a believer. And what do you have to lose by trying this one out? It’s not a major money investment and it’s pretty quick to do. They have a video on their site so you can see how it all works. 

Choose from thirteen different Eyebrow Stamps ($25) shapes, five Semi-Permanent Ink Pens colors ($15), Fixative ($5) and they even offer a Color Remover ($12.50). They say the Ink will last up to 12 to 18 hours in normal conditions. If you have oily skin then make sure to pick up the Fixative as this will help them stay in place. All @ stampmefabulous.com

VS has their sale coming up in June so I’ll be sure to discretely slip her a non-descript bag with SMF inside.

To Stain Or Not To Stain

I have had a strange time with lip and cheek stains. Either I don’t like the way it’s dispensed (not convenient) or it is simply not what I think of as a stain. A stain should do just that, stain the skin like red Jello does when it touches your skin, no? One I am giving the stamp of approval is STiLA’s new Cherry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain ($24 exclusively @ sephora.com). The goo smells like cherries (one of my favorite scents) and it contains vitamins A, C and E and the shade is not too dark. It claims to react with the pH levels of you lips and cheeks to give you your own shade of light red color. I just know that what I like about this most is the formula is build-able as in the more I apply the deeper red the stain gets. I like that.

Hallo From Down Undah

I really do love makeup palettes. And what girl doesn’t? I can’t think of one line that doesn’t have one in their line. Sometimes they have a theme or they are just a great family of shades that are totally wearable like with this BECCA Sateen Eye Palette ($49 @ beccacosmetics.com). It’s just five fantastic mineral shades in one slim palette. Four Eye Colour Powders, one Eye Liner and a Mini Dual Ended Eye Powder/Eye Liner Brush. Are shimmers your thing these days? Or maybe, like me, you’re on the matte wagon? See what mood these shades fill.

Eye Colour Powder Shimmers in Tussah (antique gold) and Lame (silver-mauve shimmer), Eye Colour Demi Matt in Chantilly (lavender infused cream) and Tweed (warm burnished brown), Eyeliner in Bambi. These colors will work on anyone!

A Pleasing Palette

I am all over this next palette as it just screams spring! And the color pans are so big and easy for me to get my fingertips into. JULiE HEWETT’s Palette in new Tulle ($48 @ juliehewett.com) came out this past weekend and it’s four shades of ice cream sherbet-shaded colors -- Mimi Lip Lush, Goldie Shimmy, Bellini (peach shadow), and Tutu (lavender shadow). Goodbye cold!

Goth~N~Glam

When I saw the picture of the girl that reps NARS’ new Spring 2008 Shanghai Lily Collection, I pictured shades for someone like Amy Lee from the Evanescence. I was pretty wrong! Think really light (Duo Eyeshadow in Alhambra and Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday) vs dark (Lipstick in Success), both in one collection. NARS is thinking pale eyes with bold lips for the most part and note that some of the colors are new and some are not. And any collection that has the Orgasm blush in it (in a new The Multiple form) has to be a winner. All @ narscosmetics.com

Coming Our Way *Preview*

Can't wait to check out these new products in the spring!

Everything's Coming Up Chanel

Let’s see what CHANEL has on deck with their Spring 2008 Collection. They’re feeling clean crisp colors and soft pastels. Eyes flip from soft and girly with one Eye Shadow Quad to bold and daring with the other Quad. Here’s what we’re feelin’:

Eye Shadow Quad in Bleu Celestes ($55) – mix it up with the darker side of the collection and these navy tones. Navy is so happen’ for spring.
Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour ($30) – this is my first experience with these really fun push-and-click-to-open lipsticks. And the blue pink of Frivole complements most any eye look.
4 Fleurs de Chanel Yeux-Eyes ($65) – pastel eyes would look swimmingly with any of Essie’s new polishes.
Glossimer in limited edition Waterlily ($26) – what’s not to love about these? And this shade is the perfect frosty pink color.
Yes, the Blue Navy Nail Colour is all the rage and can’t be found anywhere but I say, fine, accept it and paint on their Rose Satin ($19) shown here. All @ chanel.com

Next Up MAC

I’m really beginning to hate MAC. They don’t seem to really miss the boat, like ever! Not that I wish them ill but come on. It’s funny, some of my favorite eye shadows and lipsticks are ones I wear once in a great while but I look and admire them all the time. Yes, most of them are from MAC.

Here’s the latest collection – Fafi. What is a Fafi? Click here. I don’t when the last time a graffiti artist was celebrated. It happens but just not much. The new Fafi Collection from MAC is all girly and mostly pink! So if pink is your thing, this is right up your alley. Two instant favorites are the Nail Lacquers ($10) in Girls Will Be Girls (pink with coral pearl) and Boom! (rich eggplant with purple pearl). Not only will I be admiring these but I will for sure be wearing them. Another favorite are the Clearly Fafi ($15, $25, $34) cosmetic bags. I have to be able to see everything I’m carrying around, right? If you’re in the mood to get in touch with your inner girly-girl and play, this is a fun collection for just that.