Make Me Brighter

Round 2 of Weddings: the Maid of Honor

cleegiants — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0700

I showed you the pictures from the wedding I did 2 weeks ago earlier, so here are the pictures from the wedding I did just a week ago. I have a few more pictures for you and I actually have more specific product names and colors. It was interesting to see how the makeup held up since the weather was H-O-T in the Bay Area this weekend. The church where the ceremony was held was air conditioned, but standing outside in the heat for any length of time would certainly cause the makeup to melt off!

First up is the Maid of Honor, the bride's sister Denise.

Before

I start the application process.

Applying false lashes

The eyelashes really made Denise's eyes pop.

Bah. I realize now that I didn't take a direct "after" picture of Denise's makeup. This was taken at the end of the evening though, so you can see that her makeup held up well!

Here's what I used:
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Eyeshadow in Shrrom: For the grays, I used this 4 pan Stila compact's light gray color (I don't have a name for it) and the dark gray is the dark gray in Lancome's 4Romance palette. Liner is Estee Lauder DoubleWear in Graphite
Face: Prepped face with Exuviance Matte Perfection, Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation, Make Up For Ever HD Powder, Nars Blush/Bronzer in Orgasm/Laguna
Lips: Oops...forgot this one. I think it's a Bobbi Brown lipstick I got for free somewhere.

Denise and her makeup artist.

Stila is Saved!

cleegiants — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

We don't need to be worried anymore! Stila Cosmetics has been bought by Patriarch Partners. While I know nothing about this company, it's good news in that Stila will be given the capital (money) to continue operations. Phew! Now go out and buy some Stila cosmetics to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again! The website is still undergoing 'maintenance', but hopefully things will be up and running soon.

The official release:

PATRIARCH PARTNERS LLC ACQUIRES STILA COSMETICS

NEW YORK, NY – April 23, 2009 Stila Corp. (“Stila” or “Stila Cosmetics”) and Patriarch Partners LLC
(“Patriarch” or “Patriarch Partners”) today announced Patriarch’s acquisition of Glendale, CA based Stila
Cosmetics from Wachovia Corp. and CIT Group. Stila was previously owned by Sun Capital Partners, Inc.
Sun Capital purchased Stila from Estée Lauder Cos. in 2006.

Patriarch Partners is a private equity and investment firm based in New York. The Patriarch funds have
investments in an extensive portfolio of companies, including Rand McNally, 180s, Dana Classic Fragrances,Croscill and MD Helicopters. Patriarch specializes in rebuilding companies that span across a broad spectrum of consumer and industrial sectors by providing innovative financial solutions, strategic direction and operational expertise.

“Stila is a sophisticated brand with a strong customer base. What Stila really needs is working capital,” said Lynn Tilton, CEO of Patriarch Partners. “As a Stila Girl, I am thrilled to be a part of this great company and look forward to providing Stila the strategic support and capital needed to build its future.”
Deanna Kangas, CEO of Stila Cosmetics added, “I am very pleased to work with Lynn Tilton and Patriarch Partners in continuing to grow the Stila brand worldwide. Patriarch Partners is an innovative and visionary private equity firm with the resources and expertise to continue to build Stila and propel the brand forward.”

I'm "Stila" Worried

cleegiants — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Remember this post about Stila? It's been a week and the website is still down. Plus, I was at Nordstrom Rack today and they had a ton of Stila products! The eyeshadow pans, normally $18, were between $6-8; eyeshadow quads for $15, lipsticks for $7-8, etc. I don't know if this is part of the problem of Stila, that their products are being diverted to Nordstrom Rack, but I'm a little worried that Stila is in fact trying to liquidate. Sephora still has all of Stila's inventory at full price.

STILA it ain't so

cleegiants — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 10:30:00 -0700

I just read on Fashionista that one of my favorite brands, Stila, may be facing bankruptcy! A peek at their website shows this:
I'm hoping it is just routine and not just a precursor for things to come. There is a note that says orders placed between 3.23 and 3.24 may be cancelled. Has the site been down since then or is that a small enough range that maybe their was a glitch at that time? You can still buy Stila products at Sephora.

While these are touch economic times for everyone, I would truly be sorry to see this brand go under. Their eyeshadows are a cult favorite, especially Kitten (which I own), and the Convertible Color is a Best Beauty Buy. If Sephora starts discounting Stila, then we'd be in trouble. I'll keep you posted on the fate of Stila, but if you have your eye on something, I wouldn't wait too long, just in case.

2009 Best Beauty Buys: Makeup

cleegiants — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Yesterday was a review of last year's Best Beauty Buys from InStyle, so today I'm going to compare it with this year's selections. This year's list has more detail, since they don't have the exact shade recommendations on the website, as they do in the magazine. If anybody has last year's issue and has the shade choices, I'd be glad to get those.

Bolded picks are repeat winners

Foundation
Liquid Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk*
Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer*
Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

Editor's Pick: 2008: Yves St. Laurent Perfect Touch Foundation; 2009: Pixi Illuminating Tint&Conceal
Inexpensive Foundation: L'Oreal True Match Foundation*
Oil Free Foundation: Laura Mercier:
Mineral Foundation: Bare Minerals Foundation*
Inexpensive Powder: 2008: Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder; none selected in 2009

Cover-Ups
Blemish Concealer: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
Inexpensive Concealer: Max Factor Erace Concealer

Powder: 2008: Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder*; 2009: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish

Editors' Pick: 2008: Prescriptives Site Unseen Concealer; 2009: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil
Undereye concealer: Cle de Peau Correcteur Visage
Blotting Papers:Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control (none in 2008)
Green Makeup Line: none selected in 2008; 2009: Cargo Plant Love

Cheeks
Cream Blush: Stila Convertible Color
Bronzer: Guerlain Terracotta

Inexpensive Powder Blush: 2008: L’Oreal True Match; 2009: L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Mineral Doux

Editor's Pick: 2008: Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator; 2009: Nars Multiple Duo* (no photo available)
Powder Blush: Nars Blush*

Luminizer: 2008: Stila Liquid Luminizer ; 2009: Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer

Lips

Long Wearing Lipstick: 2008 MAC Pro Longwear (long wearing lipstick)*; 2009: none selected

Editor's pick: 2008: Go Light On My Lips; 2009: Cover Girl Wetslicks Amaze Mint

Inexpeinsive Lipgloss: 2008: L’Oreal Color Juice (inexpensive gloss)*; 2009: Maybelline Shine Seduction
Inexpensive Lipstick: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick*

Lip Balm: 2008: Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15 (lip balm); 2009: La Mer
Lipstick: 2008: Chanel Rouge Allure; 2009: Nars
Lip Gloss: Chanel Glossimer
Lip Gloss with best color range: MAC Lipglass (2009 only)
Inexpensive Lipstick with best color range: L'Oreal Colour Riche (2009 only)
Inexpensive Shadow: L’Oreal HIP Eyeshadow*
Nars Cream Eyeshadow* (none selected in 2009)
MAC (powder eyeshadow)*
Best Gel Liner: Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Liner* (none in 2009)
Pencil Eyeliner: MAC Eye Kohl*

Mascara: 2008: Chanel Inimitable; Dior Dior Show, Maybelline Lash Discovery Waterproof, Lancome L’Extreme
Inexpensive Mascara: L'oreal Paris Voluminous (none in 2008)
Waterproof Mascara: Lancome Definicils (none in 2008)
Editor's Pick: Tarte Bottoms Up Lower Lash mascara (none in 2008)

Simply Blue

cleegiants — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

A week of very little makeup, I apologize for the lack of pictures. I didn't want to bother with a ton of makeup this week, so I just did this quick look. Stila Kitten eyeshadow and L'Oreal Hip Eyeliner in Midnight Blue. Simple. Done.

Makeup Brushes - Powder and Blush

cleegiants — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:30:00 -0800

Next up in my brush series are the brushes I use for powder and blush. If you want to minimize the number and brushes you have, you can go with 2 - one for blush and one for powder. In a pinch, you can use the same brush, but since the blush pigment may remain on the bristles, you can inadvertently spread the color all over your face.

Top: Eco Tools Powder Brush
Bottom: Sonia Kashuk Powder Brush (with a white handle; mine is several years old)
Despite their low cost, $9.99 and $11.99 respectively, both of these powder brushes are superb. Like I said, I've had the SK brush for several years and it's still working great. Yes I've lost a couple of hairs here and there, but that can be said of ALL my brushes, even the more 'expensive' ones. The full head of natural hair, the website says it's natural but doesn't offer up exactly what type of hair, is soft and spreads my powder perfectly.
While I love the SK brush, I have to admit that the Eco-Tools is running a very close 2nd. I love it, the main reason being its very soft bristles. Eco-Tools uses synthetic fibers and in this case, Taklon. I don't know how they did it, but it's very soft.

Top: Eco Tools Blush Brush
Bottom: MAC 129 Brush
Ahh, my oldest and newest brushes side by side. Technically, the MAC brush is a Powder/Blush brush, but I use it just for blush. It's nice to have a soft, full head for blush so you don't end up with a stripe of color across your cheek. Blend, blend, blend!

The brush on the right is one that came in a Stila Kit at Costco. It came with a face contouring kit, so that's what I use it for. As you can tell, it's about the size of the other blush brushes. The entire kit was less than $15 (go Costco!) so I doubt the brush is the regular Stila brush you'd buy at a makeup counter. The bristles are a little stiffer than MAC's or Eco Tools', but works well enough. All three of these brushes are full-sized, with long handles however, so if you're looking for space-savers for travel, not your best option.

Here's a picture that shows the various brushes - you'll see the different handle lengths and brush head sizes. I have some smaller brushes that are better for travel - the 5 on the right.

Top Left: Sephora Brand Blush Brush (travel sized)
Top Right: Smashbox Blush Brush (travel sized, currently not available)
Bottom: Sonia Kashuk Blush Brush (travel sized)
The smaller sizes of these brushes are good for traveling, or if you're layering color. The two angled brushes are good for contouring, giving you highly defined cheekbones. If you suck in your cheeks like a fish, instead of smiling, applying color just under the apples of your cheeks it's a little more dramatic.

Catch up on other posts on brushes:
Foundation and Concealer Brushes
My Personal Collection
Natural vs. Synthetic

Mascara Trial 5

cleegiants — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Have you heard the mascara "rule" that you're supposed to throw out mascara every three months? It's one that I'm most likely to follow; or so I thought. If I used mascara everyday, I could see one using up a tube, but if kept in a contained area and not exposed, I think it's okay. Unless it's dried up - and you'd definitely be able to see that - go ahead and use it!

I say this because I discovered Stila's Major Lash Mascara in my makeup drawers and upon researching, I've seen that it's been discontinued. I think that means I've had this mascara for a little while, probably longer than three months. That's unfortunate too, ecause I think this mascara works well! Stila has come out with MAJOR Major Lash Mascara, so maybe I'll try that at some point, but one Major is good!

Stila Major Lash is a luxurious cream-based formula that adds instant color to shine and define. Can be layered for a more dramatic look, keeps lashes soft, and curls on command. The best part there is no flaking and lashes remain large and in charge throughout the day.

This mascara does give me major lashes, although clumping may occur with more than 2 coats. My lashes seem to do this crisscross thing that no amount of lash combing will straighten out. Considering you can buy lashes that crisscross, maybe I'm on to something here.
MAC 41 Lashes

It's not quite a perfect crisscross, but you can see the effect. The fact that it does start to clump after 2 coats is a downer, but if you can find it, I'd say it's worth a shot. Now wouldn't be a bad time to buy, as it's only $8.50 right now at Ulta. In comparison, MAJOR Major Lash Mascara is $22.

My rating: 3.5/5

Previous Mascara Trials:
Mascara Trial 1: Cover Girl Lash Blast
Mascara Trial 2: Maybelline Define-A-Lash
Mascara Trial 3: Imju Fiberwig
Mascara Trial 4: Smashbox Bionic

Lipstick combos

cleegiants — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:30:00 -0800

I mentioned in an earlier post that I usually combine lipstick with some sort of lipgloss, so here are a few pictures.

Stil Lip Glaze Stick: Starfruit + Smashbox Gloss: Stunning

The following 2 are pictures are lip glosses from Smashbox. Combined with Maybelline Lipstick in Plum Wine

Lancome Juicy Tubes: Fifth Avenue Frosting + Maybelline Lipstick

Nars Dolce Vita Lipstick

More combos after the break

Stila + Barbie

cleegiants — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:59:16 -0800

Tomorrow, January 14th, if you're in New York City, head to Sephora on 5th Ave to pick up one of four makeup cans. Or, you can just go online to Sephora.com Hooray for online shopping! As a collaboration between Stila and Barbie (er, Mattel?), they are releasing four limited edition sets. Each one is $40 and no more than 10,000 each will be sold. There's also one talking palette, if that's more your thing. Each 'can' celebrates a different milestone in Barbie history.

Ponytail Barbie celebrates the 1st ever Barbie and as a classic, comes with a red lipstick by the same name.. That was 40 years ago, in 1959!
Malibu Barbie was released in 1971 and like all things in Malibu, comes with a bronzer.
Foxy is the African American Barbie, first launched in 1980. For this kit, foxy is a lip glaze (love!)
Jewel is a Barbie that was released in 2000 and also is a lip glaze.

Each kit comes in a collectible can, contains: a palette with two eyeshadows and a cheek color, a mascara (or eyeliner for Ponytail), lip glaze (lipstick for Ponytail), and a look book.

UPDATE: Sold out online. In fact, I can't even find it online. It'll be available in Sephora stores come February.

UPDATE 2: Found it! They're still out of stock, but it is on the website.

See the rest of the collection after the break.