I wonder what the BARE ESCENTUALS stats are like when it comes to their signature foundation. Like 1 in 10 women wear bareMinerals Foundation. I’m sure they have done studies but now they’ve upped the anti with their new READY SPF 20 Foundation. It’s their first foray into a solid mineral foundation and I’m liking it so far. And obviously this one is sooo much easier to tote around in your purse!

The powder contains a SeaNutritive Mineral Complex, which is made up of major antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E as well as rose hip see oil. It also has a unique time-released hydration system so it won’t settle into lines and creases like some foundations can, and extra moisture is good for the skin, right?

Available in 20 shades for $29/14grams.

And I love, love, love (as they say on QVC) their Precision Face Brush ($28). It’s a dense brush head and comprised of synthetic bristles. I’m not sure if it’s the flat head or the width of it but it’s just perfect with this foundation. And it also comes in a travel-friendly version called the Retractable Precision Face Brush ($22).So get your travel on!

All @ dermstore.com, nordstrom.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

How loyal to a brand’s perfume are you? Like when they come out with a new one, you know you will like it. For example, Viktor & Rolf – Love their Flowerbomb but their Spicebomb did nothing for me. So when I received the CHANEL's new Noir, I was excited yet cautious as the scents are not always a hit with me (I sweat Chanel No. 19 smells like dish soap on me!). I’m happy to report that this rich oriental with spikes of floral really got me and I know I will be wearing it many fall eves.

This eau de parfum has top notes of Grapefruit and Bergamot, middle of Rose and Jasmine, on a base of Indonesian Patchouli and Sandalwood. So sexy and it lasts nicely into the night. $98/1.7oz, $130/3.4oz @ sephora.com.

And now that my birthday has officially passed, I’m ready to talk about fall makeup so look for reviews+swatches on some standouts coming our way shortly.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to ergonomic beauty tools as they more times than not do not work. So yes, I didn’t dive into NYX COSMETICS’ The Curve with the most open mind so did using it change my mind?

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I really liked PUREOLOGY’s Precious Oil recently but little did I know they would base a whole collection around it called, easy enough, the Precious Oil System.

It’s comprised of a Precious Oil Shamp’Oil ($29/8.5oz), Precious Oil Conditioner ($29/8.5oz), Precious Oil Softening Hair Masque ($50/5.2oz) and the aforementioned Precious Oil Versatile Caring Oil ($40/4.2oz, $12/1oz).

The standout product from this line up is the unique Shamp’Oil. First, it’s infused with oil, it contains zero sulfates, like the rest of the line, and this one has a unique delivery system. It’s able to deeply penetrate each strand 4x’s more than the average shampoo to nourish from the inside out. It reminds me of some skin care lines that use nano-peptides to deliver the ingredients deeply into the skin. So I guess it was only a matter of time before the hair care companies started using the technology.

And did I mention the pleasant scent lasted in my strands well into the next day? Now that's rare. Love these products!

And on a side note, when did the brand change out their packaging to these stubby bottles? I like them but they are just so different from the graceful giraffe-like bottles they used since the beginning of the brand. All @ walgreens.com. 

When a lipstick lists one of the benefits as “moisturizing” I take it with a grain of salt. Of course it will be somewhat moisturizing, for at least 1 minute, but I guess I didn’t expect what I got from TOO FACED’s new La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream ($22 @ ulta.com). Super smooth, very moisturizing and great wearable colors.

They include white lotus flower and what they call power peptides for moisture and wow, this could be a lip balm but just in a thinner form. So while it doesn't score big points in the longevity department, it does in the on-going moisture department.

As far as pigment, these gave off a nice color with a few coats but not so much that you have to be precise with your application.

Click the below link to see more pictures and swatches.

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I always thought the Eternity fragrances from CALVIN KLEIN were just for men but this Eternity Aqua is just for us women and literally screams summertime! If you like your scents on the light side like a crisp ocean summer breeze, then this is one you may want to check out.

• Top: white peony, pink lady apple, cucumber water, apricot pulp
• Middle: Tiare, magnolia, gardenia, jasmine
• Base: Sundrenched woods, cedarwood, transparent musk

The only downside, and it’s a major one, it just didn’t seem to last long enough on my skin and it’s an eau de parfum so it has some concentration to it. Is it me? Have you tried this one yet? I really liked the way this one smells so I will continue to have hope with every spritz. $38/1oz, $57/1.7oz, $74/ 3.4oz @ kohls.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

I’ve always loved TARTE’s Cheek Stains and did you know this was the first product they came out with back in 1999? Since then, the brand has really made a name for itself and often competes side-by-side the major brands in the magazines.

The latest shade in the stain is in Loving, described as a soft rose, looks a little too shimmery in the push-up-pop container, but doesn’t look that way on the skin. It just imparts a nice sheen of subtle color. And like all their stains, there is no alcohol in them and they contain their own t5 Super Fruit Complex of antioxidants. $30 @ ulta.com, tartecosmetics.com.

Click below for more pictures and swatches!

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Gotta love the way mineral powders blend so well into the skin. If you’re afraid of blush but love color on your cheeks, I highly recommend a mineral one since they really do become one with the skin.

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Look at this HUGE palette from IT COSMETICS. It’s their Vitality Face Disc and looks like a discus used in the Olympics, doesn’t it?! This brand is really coming about and is playing with the big boys when it comes to competition. Let’s investigate, shall we?

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When it comes to lippies, gloss or lipstick, I need me some color! I hate when I see a nice lip gloss and then I apply and can barely see it. What the…? What’s the point really? If I just wanted moisture, I would apply some Chapstik. So I am praising BARE ESCENTUALS new Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Gloss. (ed - this line is now known just as Buxom)

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