[AlleyGator]

Welcome Alley Gator! I did the same thing when I found this thread. It is a bit hard on the wallet but everyone shares such great stuff!

Welcome Alley Gator! When I first joined this thread (thankfully it was shorter then!) I ended up with a whole list of things to buy.

Welcome, Alley Gator! I'm sure we will have many cosmetic questions for you. I don't know how far you went back, but some of us have recently gotten very hooked on the Vitalumiere Aqua, thanks to a mention of it by Addielove and a usage review by Neo! I'll save you some time reading back and let you know that your purchase list must include a Clarisonic and a Tassi hair holder, as well as a Stitch & Swatch bag.

Welcome Alley Gator! I was also a late comer that ended up buying too many things!

Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I have only been a member here since March and I have communicated with some very lovely people.

I love seeing all the recommendation of products from the members, however I'm trying to be careful with my spending, since most of our money is earmarked for our travels. That being said, I can honestly say I generally buy what I want, because I'm spoiled rotten.

 

[Jane917]

tried if they all fail), 2 more Hercut curly bob catalysts, bumble & bumble curl mousse, Psssst cmg - you totally need a S & S bag! I'm still completely in love with mine!! (get one !)

Let me know how you like the B&B curl mousse. I used to love B&B products.

 

[Addie]

Cobbie, that's such a bummer! Hopefully, you'll get a call from them again asking for people who spend far more than 1-2 hours a day online. I'm with Victoria; I'm amazed there are still people out there who spend so little time online. No one I know is like that, that's for sure.

Neo, that Laura Mercier Palette looks great! I'm happy to hear it was a good purchase for you!
Hi, Raymond! The Black Pearl nail polish sounds lovely! I bought the new Mimosa (yellow), and I have to say I'm pretty disappointed. I got a ton of bubbles! I've never had that problem with any nail polish, so I don't know what's going on there. I don't shake it violently or anything! It also seemed unusually thick. That may be going back.

Julip, I know! It's terrible. I keep meaning to, but then I keep forgetting when I apply my makeup. I don't wear foundation that often, so that step usually doesn't even cross my mind. I forgot again today. I need to write myself a note!
Oh my! That base jump looks awesome! I definitely want to give that a try, too!
Cute bag! It definitely looks like it was made for the Mally+sponge.

Alley Gator, welcome! We're so happy you could join us! I'll chime in as well about the Tassi: I resisted for quite a while, but I'm so happy I eventually caved!

Victoria, thanks for the reviews! I didn't think the cute bag would be anywhere near that big!

Asphodel, I just saw that review! LOVE the green colour!

Jen, glad to hear your back seems to be getting better! Hope it improves after your visit to the chiropractor!
You bought a lot of great things! If it's not too much trouble, I would love to hear what you think of the Clinique Pore Minimizing Serum after you use it for a while longer.

Along with the Chanel Mimosa nail polish, I also recently bought the glossimer in Pensee. It's a beautiful colour in the tube but slightly disappointing when worn. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I wasn't expecting it to be so sheer. By the way, this is my first ever glossimer, and I have to say I'm very happy with it. It's not sticky at all, wears beautifully, and wears off beautifully. You know how some glosses after being worn a while will create that white film toward the inside of your lip? Not a problem with the glossimer!
Speaking of things I don't need but will probably get anyway, has anyone checked out the new Dior bronzer? I just saw a review, and I thought it looked stunning! Here's the review: http://cafemakeup.com/2011/04/dior-aurora-bronzer-makeup-look/
My only fear is that it won't go with my skin since I don't have a pink undertone. I don't want it to look ridiculous compared to the rest of my body.


Also, I want a Raymond as well.

 

[julip]

I'm still resisting the coco beau brush but I really want it! Allright Neo and julip, tell me why it's so much better

Jen - good luck tomorrow at the chiro! I hope you are much much better soon. And good luck also finding the Mac case - it really is super cute!

As for the CB BFF brush, just take a look at this blog and brush porn, which ultimately led me to hit the button on it, just days after splurging on LY brushes. LOL

Coco Beau BFF Brush Review

And while I'm at it, here is the original page where I first learned of the Louise Young brushes, AND about the wonderful Pixiwoo sisters, who are the ones that made the LY34 so popular!
Synthetic Foundation Brush review

Neo - I want a Raymond too! Can you tell him he has to go on tour? I love it that he has fallen for the LY34 - it really is an amazing brush!! I'm glad you found such a great product that has finally made that brush a must have. I can't wait for your review when you go pick up the bronzer. Thanks for the review on the Chanel powder too - I have an appt with a national Chanel MU artist next week, so I'm definitely going to pick it up, and probably going to cave on the travel brush too, even though I don't need one . And that polish!!! The darkest I've ever gone with polish is a gorgeous LE iridescent chocolate brown from Mac (from several years ago) - I usually go for very light and natural hues, but I was really drawn to that black pearl when I was at the counter for my VLA. They do so well with metallic iridescent polishes - I used the whole bottle up of a white one they had several years ago! I don't even remember now if they sold it in the US - the only place I could find it was on ebay, after it had been discontinued.

 

[Jen]

Shoot! Now I want that brush!!!!!!! WHY did I click on that link!! If it's really that much better, it's probably worth it.....

AddieLove, I'll definitely let you know more after I use the Clinique pore serum for awhile longer. I've now been using the sample for 4 days, I really like it. I put it on under moisturizer, it dries so quickly there is no waiting. It goes on really silky, and I feel like it evens things out. I still use the primer after the foundation, and it all mixes really nicely. It could be coincidence, but my skin is starting to clear up too. I'll let you know how I feel after using it longer!!

Another thing I wanted to report back on is the Bare escentuals night treatment, I've been using it now for a couple of weeks. I really think it's helping my complextion too. It's also a keeper!

Alley Gator - I have that problem too....I pretty much end up buying whatever I want. Which, is why I'll end up buying that Coco Beau brush! HORRIBLE!!!!!!

 

[cmg.sweet]

I keep eyeing that night treatment Jen...glad to see a positive review.

 

[Someone Nameless]

My question about the Coco Beau brush - doesn't it take a lot of makeup?  After I got the Chanel foundation, I stopped using sponges and went to my Estee Lauder foundation brush because I was trying to conserve makeup.  It does an OK job, it's all I've ever had, so I don't know any better.

I'm just afraid that the bigger the brush, the more makeup it will take and the more often I'll have to shell out the $$$ for makeup.

I'm still wearing my Amy Head way more than my Chanel.  It's just easier to apply with the big AH kabuki brush and this Coco Beau may be the solution....IF it doesn't waste a lot of makeup.

 

[cmg.sweet]

Pink Jewelry Box.....



.....for Victoria.

That is too cute...I may have to steal it from Victoria

 

[Neo]

Someone Nameless - I know it will sound weird, but both Julip and I have noticed this: we actually use LESS product with the big brushes!!! So I feel like I'm actually saving money after having invested in the Coco Beau

 

[julip]

Someone Nameless - I know it will sound weird, but both Julip and I have noticed this: we actually use LESS product with the big brushes!!! So I feel like I'm actually saving money after having invested in the Coco Beau

It's true, it's true! What Neo said. I think it was one of the first things we both noticed, about saving product. The LY34 is the same way too. It felt so wasteful that first time using the brush when I ended up with leftover VLA, aka liquid gold lol. I do want to add too that if you prefer or like to swirl buff your foundation on as opposed to the back/forth motion of the paddle brush, you would really love the Louise Young 34 - I do love both brushes, but I tend to use the LY more because for me personally, I find it a little faster. It's swirl buff, swirl buff, swirl buff DONE. In theory anyway - the brush feels soooo good that I tend to use it longer. If you prefer the paddle, you will adore the Coco Beau!

 

[VictoriaP]

Pink Jewelry Box.....



.....for Victoria.

Oooooooohhh! Love it! And I'll be by a Lamps Plus today too, wonder if they have them in the stores? I'd use it for everyday at this point, my jewelry's utterly out of control and I can't figure out why, since I rarely wear any. LOL But there's currently a big pile of it in a little dish on my bathroom counter that used to just hold my two favorite pair of earrings and my wedding ring.

As for travel, I'm at the point where I want to return to the days of traveling with a few trunks. And some hunky porters to haul them about for me, please. I always want to take too much.

Jen--the Clinique pore serum was one I was eyeing last week, so I'm really eager to see what you think!

 

[Jen]

Okay, okay!  I'll probably order the Coco Beau.  Didn't some of you ladies used to or currently use the beauty blender?  I've heard people love that, any feedback there? 

 

[Someone Nameless]

I got beauty blenders and hardly ever use them.

 

[julip]

I have and love Beautyblenders! I used to use it with mist foundation. I still use it daily, but mainly to blend in concealer and also blend out eye makeup or blush goof ups.

 

[skyblue]

Hey Makeup Mavens! Do you apply your primers with brushes, or just foundation? Inquiring beauties need to know!

Beauty Blenders? I use them to blend concealer.

I am on Sephora poking around before I hit the submit button. Today is the last day for the discount!

 

[Jen]

I use my fingers to apply primer, personally.  I might pick up a beauty blender to see how I like it before splurging on the coco beau brush.  We'll see.  Thanks for the feedback!!! 

 

[skyblue]

I don't even wear liquid foundation and I love those brushes! Geez!

Thanks, Jen!

 

[Neo]

I don't even wear liquid foundation and I love those brushes! Geez!

Thanks, Jen!

Maybe it's time to try the Vitalumiere Aqua?

Jen, I bet you will love the Laura Mercier Palette, it's soooo pretty!!!! And love how you can customize the colors by blending the different shades. They also have instruction for each, with practical advice on how and where to apply what (this is directly integrated in the Palette itself), and love how sheer the colors are, so it's kind of hard to overdo it.

I don't have the beauty blenders, even though I have been eying them ever since last fall! But I use my fingers to blend in my concealer (Jen, I can't wait to hear what you think of the Givenchy Mister Light!), and LOVE my Coco Beau for my foundation . As for primer, my fingers seem to do a wonderful job, lol.

 

[julip]

Skyblue - I was perfectly happy with my mineral foundation I've been using for YEARS till the VLA came along!  

I have always used my fingers for primer and it does a great job that way! But after rereading the LY34 review again after I posted it, I decided to try using my LY34 for both my moisturizer and primer as the blogger said she does. And you know what, I liked the way that worked! So I think I'm going to be using my brush for those two things before foundation for awhile now.  

Edited to add: I dot my moisturizer and primer on with my fingers before I blend it in with the brush.

 

[VictoriaP]

Now I need to go look up Beauty Blenders...and applying primer with a brush? Aaarrrgghhhh. Every time I think I'm finally getting a handle on this makeup thing, y'all come along with something else I've missed!

Lamps Plus was a bust. They closed that location at some point last year apparently, and I wasn't paying attention. If I make it down to the other major mall area this weekend, I'll stop and take a look.

But meanwhile, my newest accessory, which is good for a laugh:

I'm not normally a bunny slipper type of person, but I finished reading Linda Wisdom's Hexy Witch series a week or so back, and I loved it so much I had to honor two of her characters, Fluff and Puff, by donning a similar pair. Mine don't have the requisite fangs (yet) though. These were only $13 at Target, and they're pretty comfy.

And the books are absolutely hilarious (reasonably hot too, for those that like that sort of thing). Highly recommended reading!

Tried to find a better makeup pouch while I was at Target; no luck still. I did look, as usual, at the K3 while I was there, and I feel my resolve not to upgrade slipping again. But once more I escaped unscathed. Just think of all the accessorizing I'd have to do again.