.:: CybeleSays ::.

Shine Like A Diamond With Darac Beauty

I hate to say this, but we sometimes burn out on beauty. Like nothing is exciting at the moment and as you know, discovering a great one can make your day. And this next one did just that. Not only because of the Founder’s unorthodox approach to the products and beauty overall but that they can work on any shade skin tone. DARAC BEAUTY is not based on trends but rather science and the textures to enhance the skin’s tone. Let’s take a looksee at two in the line.

Sifted Blur Perfecting Powder – Your Complexion Perfector ($32) – does just that. Think of that blurring technology most liquid foundations use that soften facial flaws. Darac states that while most powders settle into your lines and wrinkles, his have sodium hyualuronate in the formula so his glide over creases instead of settling in them. Sifted Blur can be used as your main foundation or as a final setting powder, the later of which I use it for.

TourQuam Luxe – 3-D Face Sculpting Brush ($75) – has a magnet inside so the brush picks up just the right amount of powder. Huh? How does it do that? Since all powders have a magnetic base, iron oxide, the magnet inside helps attract it to the bristles. I’ll just take their word for it on that. And the kid in me quite likes the sound the metal ball makes rattling around inside as I’m applying it. This brush also has a little sister, the TourQuam - 3-D Face Sculpting Brush ($40)

One thing I couldn’t quite figure out was this - if the bristles pick up the right amount of powder on the brush, how do I know when I should stop swiping the brush? Things that make you go hmmm.

And here’s something I noticed, or rather, didn’t notice with this brush. Most of the time when I break out a new makeup brush, it STINKS as in smells bad, as in, the glue or paint makes using the brush the first, I don’t know, 50 times, not the most aroma-therapeutically enjoyable. Ok makeup companies – here’s an idea - Come out with a set of brushes that actually smell good when you swipe swoosh them around your face applying powders. Maybe aromatherapy based?

I’m about to try the Expedition Mascara so I’ll let you know how it is. If you care to just jump in, you can get it plus the above @ daracbeauty.com

Size Matters According To Cover Girl

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.

New Greeks On the Block

Homeopathic Greek line, KORRES, just added a full line of makeup to their lineup! I was very surprised that they did this as I never thought is would be up their alley. Overall the colors all seem wearable most a lot of skin tones – no Urban Decay colors here. The skin benefiting ingredients are worked into these products too. For example, the Eyeshadows are made with natural botanicals and passion fruit oil. And the pigment intensity varies depending on the shade.

Product picks right now are the Eyeshadows ($16) in #35M Brown and 24S Gold, Blush ($22) in #16 Pink and Deep Colour Mascara ($18) in #04 Blue Black. Look for more reviews on this line in future posts. All exclusively @ sephora.com

Get Blue With Kitten

Ok, this is the last blue mascara I will post on these pages, at least for a few months. You’ve had three recommendations now so get out there and try one!

The color of KiTTEN ViXEN’s ‘Eye Put A Spell On You’ Eye Kit in Naughty Girl Navy ($24@ kittenvixen.com) shouldn’t scare you too much upon first glance. The blue is really dark but it still makes the whites of eyes appear brighter and whiter. Isn’t that enough to make this month the month to try something new in your beauty routine? And this one has a liner on the other side of the mascara, a sharpener and eye shadow applicator. Makes the $24 sting less.

Keepin' It Real

Everyone is onto the N Collection from MAC since it just came out a last week, but I am still caught up in the Originals. The colors and shades have stood the test of time and this has to be one of the most diverse collections they've ever put together.
New to MAC and don’t know where to start? Or maybe you just need to stock up on some good basics? Here’s our picks:

• Lipstick - Russian Red, Supersequin, Twig-Twig
• Tinted Lipglass ($14) – Full On Lust, Avarice
• Eye Shadow ($14) – Ochre Style, Parrot, Memorabilia, Charred
• Pigment ($19.50) – Melon, Kitschmas
• Glitter ($16.50) – Reflects Antique Gold
• Eye Pencil ($12.50) – Coffee, Ebony
• Mascara X ($12.50) – Black, of course!

All @ maccosmetics.com

Now how about a contest that keeps it real? Click here to read all about our MAC Cosmetics contest.

Blue Suede ... Lashes

Since the kickoff of 2008, I’ve been obsessed with blue mascaras as this is the second one this week I am featuring. The formulas I have tried do not look blue unless you look at them up close AND in the light. TOO FACED’s Lash Injection in Vivid Blue ($19.50 @ sephora.com) looks really bright blue on the wand. Yikes! Swipe, swipe, swipe your way to thick lashes, added length, and whiter looking eyes, so yes, I guess you could say that lashes are “injected.” Hours later? No flaking!

Try A Smidge Of Color

I really like the idea of using dark blue mascara on lashes. It’s different than traditional black and the finished look is beautiful. MAX FACTOR’s new Vivid Impact Dual Color Highlighting Mascara in Banishing Blue ($11.24 @ drugstore.com) is a Defining Basecoat on one side and a Highlighting Topcoat on the other. At this point in my life, I am quite used to running a mascara wand over my lashes about 50 times to get the desired length and thickness and the Defining Basecoat falls into that category. Each tube uses their FX Brush Technology, which allows you to cover ever lash, and it works. The Highlighting Topcoat is for adding an “iridescent wink of color.” I liked the Basecoat but didn’t really notice any wink of color from the pink highlighter on my lashes no matter how much I applied. But that’s ok, I really liked the length, the definition and that the blue really makes the whites of my eyes appear whiter. Love that!

Dancing Eyes

One of the main reason I love Kiss Me Mascara is its staying power so most others don’t pass my test. New on the scene is Volume Clubbing Mascara ($17) from BOURJOiS and this one stays! The formula is made with vinyl? Huh? Yup, the base is made with vinyl, which helps it stay put. And I’m so glad that mascara is becoming more than just the formula these days, as in the application brush is also a key factor. This brush is a little bigger than most but not unmanageable. Available in three fun shades – Absolute Black, Disco Blue, and Brun Remix. 

Also give a swipe with their Liner Clubbing ($16) is six cool colors. Both @ sephora.com

Holiday Pick - Kit of Perfection

We introduced you to LAURA GELLER’s Baked Marble Eyeshadows back in September and now we have a cool collection based all around it - Baked to Perfection ($60 @ sephora.com). What I like about these baked products are that they start as a liquid, are poured into terracotta pans, infused with swirls of vibrant colors and then baked for 24-hours so no two are alike.

Included in the kit is the Spackle Under Make-up Primer (1oz), a .32 oz Balance-n-Brighten, Ethereal Rose Baked Powder, Blush-n-Brighten in Roseberry, Baked Marble Eyeshadow Duo in Water Lily/Wood Forest and their Creamy Black Mascara. So if you ever wanted to try some of this line, this kit is a great way to do it since it’s valued at $126 if you bought them individually.

Holiday Pick - Palette Perfect

Holiday shopping is now in full swing and to get you wheels turning, we'll bring you some great gift picks for the next few day so let's pik a kit ...

The Shadow Siren
SEPHORA Colorful Story Palette ($48 @ sephora.com) – a slim book of their 16 best selling eye shadows.

The Liner Lover
BOURJOiS French Art of Flirting ($36 @ sephora.com) – magnetic case containing their Ultra Black Mascara (a Cybelesays rec) and three of their Metallic Liners. Mmm bop!

The “I Need It All” Girl
TOO FACED Good Girl, Bad Girl Palette ($29.50 @ sephora.com) – two different side so each day you can decide your fate. The Good Girl side says candle light dinner for lips and eyes and Bad Girl says siren in dance club for lips and eyes.