There are many things I may never understand, like chocolate-covered bacon kabobs, Spencer Pratt, guys who can’t put down the toilet seat, or why Tabs will only eat canned foods packed in gravy.
Also on the list: insomnia. Your girl hasn’t gotten zilch for sleep in days. 🙁 I can’t figure out why, but I’ve been so tired today that merely lifting my MAC 266 brush up to my brows this morning took Herculean effort, and wieug ahjiosdyox u39q8o… Oh, sorry, I just fell asleep at the keyboard.
It’s times like these I say “thank goodness” for easy makeup like Elizabeth Arden’s new Get Your Bronze On collection for summer (12 pieces ranging from $22-35 each). With some of its 12 face, cheek and lip products in your arsenal, a healthy glow gets that much easier to fake.
I’ll fake it till I make it with Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Blossom, Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar, Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder in Medium and Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer in Deep
Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer, $30
Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer: I’ve been wearing this sheer tinted moisturizer for about a week now. It comes in four colors (Deep, Fair, Light and Medium); I’ve been wearing Deep, which fakes a glowy, yellow-based tan that looks pretty natural to me. All of them are loaded with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, and Deep lasts all day long while also doing a decent job of controlling oil. 🙂 Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Ceramide Cream Blush, $24
Ceramide Cream Blush: These three cream blushes (Nectar, Pink and Plum) are brand spankin’ new to the Elizabeth Arden line. Like the Tinted Moisturizer, I can barely see them on my skin (but in a good way). I think I really do look like I’m blushing when I wear Nectar, the peachy pink. The moisturizing, oil-free formula lasts all day, too, but I wish the pan were larger. It is $24, after all… Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder, $35
Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder: Oprah gave this bronzer her “Best Bronzer Makeup O-Ward” in O Magazine! Available in just a single shade (Medium, a shimmery golden bronze), this oil-free powder melts right into my skin. I get a weird kick out of twisting the shaver to load the pan, ha! Supposedly it helps avoid waste. A little gimmicky? Sure, but it’s still fun nonetheless! 🙂 Oh, and check out the portable kabuki it comes with. Kinda snazzy, right? I like the color and texture, but it’s still a little pricey. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick, $22
Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick: Designed to plump and reduce the appearance of vertical lines in the lips (aka lip wrinkles), these taste- and scent-free lippies feel light and offer full-coverage color with subtle shine. I tested Perfect Blossom, a shimmery rose. It’s not one of the four new shades for summer (those are Perfect Amethyst, Perfect Melon, Perfect Scarlet and Perfect Tulip), but I still wanted to give it a try. I must say — I don’t really notice a plumper pucker, but I like the color and creamy texture. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Swatches
From left: Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick in Perfect Blossom, Ceramide Cream Blush in Nectar, Pure Finish Mineral Bronzing Powder in Medium
Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer in Deep
Sleepy sheepies and ladies who like the “no makeup” makeup look might find a lot to like in this collection. Now it’s time for my nap!
I hope you feel perkier than I have today. Zzzzz…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
April 29th, 2010 at 3:35 pmAll these shades look fab on you–a very fresh and pretty look! I think these colors make yu look younger too. Not that you’re old like me! LOL Oh my gosh, I have to have that cream blush! It’s my latest addiction–love cream blushed for my aging skin! Wish I had EA here.
.-= Cindy (Prime Beauty)’s last blog post… Beauty Junkie or Hoarder? You decide! =-.
Karen says
April 29th, 2010 at 3:48 pmThis one’s really nice because it doesn’t settle into fine lines or pores. 🙂
Bummer you don’t have an EA in your neck of the woods… but how ’bout ordering online?
Molly says
April 29th, 2010 at 3:58 pmThat shave-to-load bronzer is brilliant! I don’t even want to know how much powder I’ve wasted, and this makes perfect sense. I hope some drugstore brand catches on- I love EA, but I can’t spend $35 on bronzer… I.. I just can’t. 😉
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
April 29th, 2010 at 4:01 pmI’m going on a trip soon so I’ll scope out a EA counter! Thanks, Karen!
.-= Cindy (Prime Beauty)’s last blog post… Beauty Junkie or Hoarder? You decide! =-.
amy says
April 29th, 2010 at 4:33 pmI see myself using the creme blush. MMMM the nectar shade sounds divine.
.-= amy’s last blog post… Once and Again NOTD with American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Office =-.
Sonja says
April 29th, 2010 at 5:02 pmI have to say…I’m loving this collection. Every single bit.
Oh, and Karen insomnia is a bitch, especially when you are so tired it hurts to close your eyes and sleep still doesn’t come…
Karen says
April 29th, 2010 at 5:09 pmThat’s what happened to me last night. I wanted to fall asleep at 8, but my body kept refusing. I finally went to bed at 11:30, sigh.
Anywho, back to the makeup. This is a beautiful collection, right? What item is your favorite?
Sonja says
April 30th, 2010 at 5:44 amHonestly, can’t decide between creme blush, tint moisturizer and the lipstick! But I can’t find an EA counter anywhere here, so I’ll have to wait for airpot duty frees…
BTW, Love love love your earrings! They are so beautiful!!
Nina says
April 29th, 2010 at 6:12 pmNumber one on my want list for this one would be the lipstick then the cream blush.
The TM and the bronzer — if I still had funds would also go into my shopping cart. Oh such temptation …. 😀
Meghan says
April 29th, 2010 at 6:41 pmVery pretty! Thanks for all the swatches Karen!
I was wondering if you think this tinted moisturizer is better then LM’s tinted moisturizer. I just bought LM’s and I am in love with it. What do you think?
Karen says
April 29th, 2010 at 7:25 pmHi Meghan,
They’re both great TMs, just very different.
EA’s is much more sheer, and it offers a little bit of glow. It’s great for if your skin is in really good shape, or if you like the look of light coverage.
LM’s offers more coverage and flexibility — I think it builds better than EA’s, for sure.
Do you live near an EA counter? Maybe they can fix you a sample so you can give it a try just for fun. 🙂
Polish Earthgirl says
April 29th, 2010 at 6:44 pmI’m loving that cream blush! So summery!
.-= Polish Earthgirl’s last blog post… Friendly Request 🙂 =-.
Lee says
April 29th, 2010 at 6:44 pmThey all look really pretty, ive been looking 4 a tinted moisturizer like that so hopefully they have a shade 4 me 🙂
And the bronzer is sooo nice ill have 2 get that one 🙂
Catherine says
April 29th, 2010 at 7:26 pmOh mannnnn, I hope you get some sleep soon! That sounds awful!! I’m currently having the opposite problem where I’m falling asleep at the drop of a hat instead of being able to get work done. Rather than sleep 7 hours last night I basically took three 2-hour naps and one 1-hour nap … and let me tell you, they don’t add up. ;_;
You do look absolutely amazing for not sleeping in days though!!! The cream blush looks really cute on you!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… Lunch with TralalaLisa ♥ =-.
gio says
April 30th, 2010 at 3:33 amThanks for the swatches. The cream blush is tempting me and the lipstick looks beautiful too.
.-= gio’s last blog post… Wanted! Senna Eyeliner System, Collistar Gloss Design & Debby Shocking Polishes =-.
Scientific Housewife says
April 30th, 2010 at 5:41 amThe lipstick and blush look great!
AtelierGal says
April 30th, 2010 at 7:01 amThey have just sent me their TM too! <3<3<3
http://ateliergal.pixnet.net/blog/post/26135337
Love their mineral powder to bits…I don't use a bronzer though
.-= AtelierGal's last blog post… AtelierGal’s Definitive Guide to Media Whoring =-.
Vonvon says
April 30th, 2010 at 11:33 amThe design/mechanism of the bronzing powder reminds me of Smashbox Halo Powder. 🙂
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Photos: My Estee Lauder Makeover From The Estee Lauder Model Search 2010 =-.
Reese says
April 30th, 2010 at 11:36 amThe tinted moisturizer looks appealing to me. I’ve been on the hunt for a tinted moisturizer
for a while now,but didn’t see anything appealing….and then I’ve been skeptical as to whether or not it’d work on my skin tone.
Hope you’re able to get some sleep. 🙂
Steph B says
April 30th, 2010 at 7:17 pmOn the bright side, it was mid-bout of insomnia that I finally caved and bought TimeBalm concealer which I love.
Diana says
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 amI love that tinted moisturizer on you. Your skin looks so healthy and it “glows.” I was wondering how it wears throughout the day though. Did you use a primer underneath? Thanks!