December Empties

I am proud :), to present another empties post. Proud , yes, as I find it hard to finish product. I'm not sure if I am not putting enough on , as I am sure the SA says "should last you 3 months" - 10 months later I am still smothering myself.

Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser - a gel cleanser that gives a gentle cleanse to my oily skin. It does not foam up, but gives a fresh, non-stripped feeling to my skin. I will repurchase.

Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner - a refreshing toner with Glycolic, that gives my skin a tight revitalised feeling. Keeps my pores clear and gently sloughs of dead skin. I will repurchase.

This Works Clean Skin 5 - in - 1 water - I use this primarily to clean off my eyes and give my face a quick once over before I cleanse. This is almost an exact dupe for Bioderma. It is effective on all my eye makeup ( I do not wear much waterproof products) and is extremely gentle on my sensitive eyes. Many eye makeup removers make my eyes weep. Biorderma is easier to get so I have not repurchased.

Natura Bisse Oxygen Mousse - I was disappointed with this cleanser. It comes out the dispenser in a glorious foam . That's where the magic ends. A foaming cleanser like this should make your skin feel fresh and clean. I felt I need to wash after I used this. it did not leave a residue, but did not feel it thorougly cleansed my skin.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF - This anti- oxidant treatment is a must have for sunny climates. Its lightweight and absorbs well. I will repurchase

Perricone MD Acyl Glutathione - This serum/cream is to treat deep creases. My mom swears by it. I am using it as a preventative treatment and feel it is keeping creases at bay. I have repurchased in the past, but now have a bottle of their Acyl- Glutathione Deep Crease serum to replace it with.

Bobbi Brown Instant Long-wear Makeup Remover - a good makeup remover. I do feel my Bioderma which is more economical works better even for Bobbi Brown's Long-wear eyeliner gel. I would repurchase if (horror) Bioderma became available.

I think I have made some good headway in finishing some products. My next wish would to hit some Pan, to make me feel I am really working my products. Have you managed to use up any products - you can join me in a victory dance!

Bobbi Brown Holiday 2012 - Powder Pearl Eye Trio

The Bobbi Brown Holiday 2012 Collection came out in two sections. First Caviar and Oysters collection and soon after Choose Your Black. Since I have a few Bobbi Brown palettes I did not purchase one as they seemed too close in shades. The Caviar and Oyster palette has a beautiful highlighter, which I wish came on its own. The Choose Your Black had a interesting cake liner, but it was not as pigmented as my Addiction by Ayako one, and my Laura Mercier one is very similar. However, the loose shadow trio had me weak at the knee's. Bobbi Brown only brings these unusual (for Bobbi Brown) in limited collections, so I purchased these quickly.

Loose shadows are not my first choice as they are harder to apply and do not wear as well. Use short patting motions with a short compact brush like a Mac 239 to reduce fallout. Keep packing on for a more intense look or swap to a Mac 217 for a wash of colour. This trio has a lovely shade collection.
Moolight - Chocolate taupe- chunky, so watch for fallout
Pink Pearl - Peach shimmer
Black Pearl - Warm intense grey with gold reflects (the star of the show)

Pink Pearl, Moonlight, Black Pearl without flash

Pink Pearl, Moonlight, Black Pearl with flash, blurred to show shimmer

All 3 shades can be mixed and matched depending on the look you are going for.
The applicator is spring-loaded and does not sit in the product once the lid is screwed into place. I am still a bit hesitant to apply straight to my eye, just for long term hygiene reasons, but have done so and it placed product well on the lid. The wand is quite large so precision application might be difficult, so you might want to use the brushes suggested above. For a LOTD - I used MAC painterly over the whole lid, added a darker shade in the crease for contour. I then patted Pink Pearl over the centre of the lid and Moonlight on the outer corner. Blend. I then used an eyeliner pen for a winged line. Loads of mascara on the upper lashes!
This trio can all be kept for yourself (shouts "YES") or given separately to 3 of your lucky friend as gifts!

 

I found these shadows had staying powder and were extremely versatile. I will do a comparison to my Rouge Bunny Rouge loose shadows soon.

Are you a fan of loose shadows?

Bobbi Brown Desert Twilight Collection- My Picks

The Bobbi Brown Desert Collection was launched recently and was available at our local stores last week.

For all Bobbi Brown fans it is a great collection which is made up of the following
Desert Twilight Eye Palette - This palette offers a mix of matte, shimmer and sparkle. If you do not already own a few of her palettes this would be a must. I however, have enough other Bobbi Brown palette and shadows, that I feel there is too much duplication. The only standout colour is the Twilight metallic eyeshadow. Colour payoff on Bobbi Brown shadows are a bit subtle for me and have never been my go to choice. It is tho, a great travel option as it also has a liner colour and handy two-sided brush.
Bronzer/Blush duo - this duo is also great when travelling. The bronzer has a "lived-in "tan colour. The blush was a pretty peach/pink. I love Bobbi Brown blushers on the whole but I struggled to swatch the tester.
Long Wear Eyeliner Gel in Twilight Night Shimmer Ink - This was the first item in my shopping bag. Bobbi's gel liners wins awards for good reason. This a a beautiful aubergine with gold and purple reflects. This is nice as as a strong line or smudged out to see the shimmer. The gels are easy to work with and stay put.
Lip Gloss in 4 limited shades- The most unique shades were Desert Rose and Twilight (a sparkling champagne). The Desert Rose was my pick. It deepens the lip for that tawny look Bobbi was going for. It is described as a heather brown.
Long Wear Cream shadow in Blue Moon- Bobbi Brown's cream shadows are really good. This one is no different. I would have scooped it up, but for the fact that I did not want to duplicate other products that I have in my own collection. BB rarely does bright cream shadow, so this is a must, in my opinion. This is a blue that could accentuate tired looking eye so beware from that point of you.
Desert Twilight mini brush set- This is a well-edited brush set in a elegant case for travel. I would have considered it (I love BB brushes and have quite a few), but unfortunately our counter's did not receive it.
Nail polish in Twilight shimmer and Turquoise- I have not heard much buzz about BB nail polishes. These two are very pretty but not enough for a purchase.

Lip gloss in Desert Rose, Long wear gel in Twilight Night Shimmer Ink

Lip Gloss in Desert Rose inside

Lip gloss in Desert Rose in sunlight

This collection gives the idea of long summer days. The colours gives one a tawny, sexy look, as one would look, when the day is entering dusk and the shadows are long. I think there are a few great products that would suit most people which lines up with Bobbi's philosophy which embraces everyone.

Which are your top picks from Desert Twilight?