the glossarie

sonia kashuk core tools synthetic buffing brush21

POSTED ON Posted on June 5, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

major confession: i don’t clean my makeup brushes.

i know, it’s awful, but hear me out. i don’t clean them because whatever i clean them with, tends to break me out and they are never the same after washing. so, i buy them on the cheap and i toss them every couple of months. it’s definitely not the most cost-effective cycle, but it helps to keep my skin clear and the silver lining is that i get to test out many different options for you.

so…all is forgiven? good.

when my recent favorite started to turn on me, i was in a bit of a shopping pinch to replace it. normally, i would make a visit to ulta where there are wallet-friendly options aplenty, but i was already at target with mr. glossarie in tow. so, long story short, while i distracted him at starbucks (“ooh, major pregnancy craving, gotta have a mocha cookie crumble frappucino. oh, while you’re waiting for my drink, i’ll just pop into the beauty aisle…” works every time.) i hustled through the beauty aisles to view my options. let’s just say that there weren’t many! i quickly settled on sonia kashuk’s synthetic buffing brush for its domed bristles and tossed it into the cart on a wing and a prayer.

when i got it home and got to testing, i was blown away! the softness of the bristles falls somewhere between a traditional foundation brush and a stippling brush. it sweeps product onto my face flawlessly and without irritation. best of all, because the synthetic bristles soak up less product, my foundation is transported directly from my hand to my face without wasting any excess (previously lost to the brush gods). i’m able to use far less than i used to, meaning my foundations will go a lot further now. i also love that this brush actually allows me to build coverage. it adds in an extra layer in the areas that i need it, without undoing what i have just laid down. this has been a major frustration for me with brushes, but not anymore.

i am a big big fan of this brush and it’s definitely urging me to play around with more of sonia’s core tools. also, i’m curious to know how you apply your foundation – and please feel free to scold me for my failure to wash brushes in the comments. (shameful, i know.)

Posted in tools | Tagged sonia kashuk | 21 Comments

perricone md no makeup skincare8

POSTED ON Posted on June 4, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

rejoice! the skincare brand that brought us no concealer concealer and no foundation foundation has found their way into the realm of color cosmetics. i was very intrigued by perricone’s revolutionary approach to color, considering each product is designed with their already impressive anti-aging skincare technology. the aim of these beauties is to address concerns like loss of youth, glow, and health that comes with the wear and tear that we put on our bodies daily. i’ve been playing around with no blush blush and no lipstick lipstick, finding them to be extra impressive and very different from any other products out there.

no blush blush is a liquid blush and cheek serum in one. the color is a stunning warm rose that perricone claims adapts to each user’s individual skin chemistry and the formula is weightless and breathable. you apply it using a doe foot applicator which is new for me, but surprisingly easy. (and remember, i have a fear of liquid blush.) two-three dots on the apple of each cheek, patted and blended upward will leave you with radiant, sculpted cheeks that are perfectly in season, thanks to summer’s tendency to trend dewy. i love the way this looks and feels. it brings so much life to my face and does not fight my foundation. the resulting look is young and healthy – all good things if you ask me.

no lipstick lipstick is a nourishing anti-aging lip treatment that morphs into a rose-colored serum once applied. i love this product because i am starting to get fine lines in my lips and i feel them getting progressively drier as i get older. perricone’s formula has all kinds of ingredients to combat these issues while nourishing and conditioning. i often complain that products combining color and skincare tend to compromise one area or the other, but this one really nails it. the color is universally flattering (more creamy, less sheer than a normal balm) and the moisturizing effects are exactly what you would want in a lip balm. for added punch, i like to layer it over a drop or two of no blush blush – soo pretty.

needles to say, i am a big fan of what perricone is doing with this line (did i mention that all products have broad spectrum spf, too?) and i think that they are really on to something. combining skincare with makeup is a little like sneaking spinach into brownies. i love knowing that i am doing something great for my skin without any added steps to my routine and i can truly feel a difference in these products.

perricone md no makeup skincare, $30 – $55 >

Posted in blush, cheeks, editorial sample, lips | Tagged perricone md | 8 Comments

revlon colorstay moisture stain8

POSTED ON Posted on June 3, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

fear not, i have found your summer lip.

the stain/gloss/balm/stick hybrid is becoming pretty trendy, especially on the drugstore shelves, but revlon has delivered the most unique and best-performing formula yet. their colorstay moisture stain is intensely pigmented (rivaling the color payoff from my previous favorite, hourglass opaque rouge) but it hits your lips with a burst of moisture and hydration that i really can’t describe. whereas other long-lasting liquids tend to adhere to my often dry lips and suck the life right out of them, revlon kind of melts on and feels very comfortable from the first swipe. it’s easy to apply without making a mess and there is absolutely no, zero, not a hint of stickiness – but somehow these give off a glossy finish that doesn’t quit.

revlon, you are a wizard!

as i write this post, i have to keep popping up to peep my lips in a mirror, pinching myself to see if this is real – because they are absolutely glowing with gorgeous color, yet it feels like i am wearing nothing at all. i have fallen hard for rio rush, a beautifully bright pink that’s super wearable. if you ask me, revlon has totally nailed this corner of the lip market and even though i have thought there were winners in this category before, i’m tossing them all aside in favor of this (awesomely packaged, i might add) newness.

revlon colorstay moisture stain, $9.99 >

Posted in lips | Tagged revlon | 8 Comments

pantene smooth argan serum0

POSTED ON Posted on June 2, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

my hair is in a conundrum.

it’s kind of long and unkempt at the moment, but – call me crazy – i’ve found security in having more hair as my belly expands. in the summer, i also like to let the hot tools take a breath and give my hair the chance to air dry into its natural texture (somewhere between curls and waves) – the longer it is, the less poodle-like things get, so the length helps with that, too.

the thing is, that the longer my hair grows, the less healthy it seems. my medium-fine hair really benefits from a good cut and it hasn’t seen the likes of a salon chair since the winter. so, finding it very apparent that i needed to switch up my product choices to keep this wild mane under control, i turned to the experts at pantene to bring some sweet salvation. their smooth argan serum is just what the doctor ordered.

this tiny bottle packs a lot of punch and the product inside provides smooth frizz-free shine whether i am wearing my hair straight or curly. when i work it through damp strands, i can feel my dry, over-worked hair drinking it in and i can really feel the difference when i’m using the blow dryer and flat iron to straighten things out. it takes fewer passes to get through these long tresses and the results are extra glossy. then, the multi-tasking benefits get even better when i’m wearing my hair curly. i recently learned that i can take more control over my hair’s natural (and unruly) shape by adding a glossing cream or serum to my curl routine. after using my favorite salt spray, i emulsify a drop of this between my palms and scrunch away. since argan oil is super light, there’s no danger in weighing my hair down (or of my skin breaking out!) and my curls look so much more polished and pulled together.

for less than $5 i’m thinking this stuff is as close as it gets to liquid gold. it’s also extremely travel-friendly thanks to its small size, so bring on the summer vacations and be sure this little bottle is in your beach tote.

pantene smooth argan serum, $4.97 >

Posted in editorial sample, hair | Tagged pantene | Leave a comment

bareminerals bareskin pure brightening serum foundation12

POSTED ON Posted on May 31, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

the blogosphere has been abuzz with the release of bareminerals’ newest foundation, bareskin – and with good reason, because it’s amazing.

i was a huge skeptic about the promises being thrown around with this product. the concept is truly unique and i really had to get outside of my own head and forget everything i thought i knew about foundation before giving it a solid test.

the formula here can best be described as a lightweight, tinted serum – and you only need 2-4 tiny drops of it to cover your entire face. after shaking the bottle up extra good, i like to start with two drops and work from the center of my face outward, blending away uneven skin tone and imperfections. depending on the day, i can add an extra drop or two if needed – but the coverage that this stuff achieves with 1/16th of the amount of product that i normally use is pretty mind-blowing.

to apply, i have been using the perfecting face brush, but you could really use any brush to get the job done. (i just might not recommend a traditional flat foundation brush, and definitely not your fingers.) this foundation takes to my skin like a dream and it is undetectable both to me (meaning that i can’t even feel it) and, i would imagine, to anyone who sees me throughout the day.

the finish is natural and dewy and it wears impressively well for being so lightweight. the formula is free of oil, fragrance, parabens, and silicone so it’s extremely skin-friendly on top of being pretty. i really think that this is one you’ve got to try to believe – and i realize that it may not be for everyone. (oilier skins may especially not get along well with this concept.) if you’re intrigued, hop along to sephora or a bareminerals boutique and settle in for an application. i think you’ll be very impressed.

bareminerals bareskin pure brightening serum foundation, $29 >

Posted in editorial sample, face, foundation | Tagged bareminerals | 12 Comments

tocca florence eau de parfum6

POSTED ON Posted on May 30, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i was making the rounds at anthropologie yesterday and while i was purchasing this to-die-for summer clutch, i found myself leaning way into the super adorable girl at the register. (seriously, why are they all so super adorable at anthro?) she smelled ah-mazing! maybe it was her tan and the way she wore her white dress with distressed cowboy boots, but the scent was all young and summery and well, i had to get the story. she willingly marched me over to the vintage pedestal table where all of the tocca products were artfully displayed and she pressed florence into my hand.

one spritz and i was sold.

it’s no secret that tocca’s fragrances are lovely – they do the girly garden variety thing very well, but i have never been compelled to purchase one until now. florence is a green citrus floral that is extremely fresh and feminine without being powdery and overbearing. the main note is gardenia, followed closely by tuberose and jasmine, and layered with pear, apple, and grapefruit for the ultimate daytime spring scent. i think i smell the grapefruit and gardenia most intensely when i wear it, but i should note that pregnancy has my senses on a whole new level so who knows!

i’m obsessed with my new tocca bottle, looking oh-so-gorgeous atop my dresser, and i love that the scent inside is easy, yet sophisticated. i will try my best to embody emily, the adorable anthropologie girl, every time that i wear it.

tocca florence eau de parfum, $18 – $68 >

Posted in fragrance | Tagged tocca | 6 Comments

essie spring 2014 hide & go chic collection3

POSTED ON Posted on May 28, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

every season i look to the experts at essie to dictate what colors my nails will be sporting. just like pantone tends to lead the way in color trends for fashion, i consider essie the leader when it comes to color trends for nails. this spring, their ‘hide and go chic’ collection led me to the most gorgeous ocean blue that my eyes have ever seen! not one to normally go for blue nails (but seriously, why the heck not?) these azure tones have me dreaming of the ocean every time that they catch my eye.

the collection rounds out with five other shades – each one more playfully chic than the next. that perfect pistachio is dubbed ‘fashion playground’ and, with a touch of shimmer, it begs to be worn just as soon as your skin starts to bronze in the slightest. ‘romper room’ is the palest pink and as we discussed here, barely blush is the most wearable of all nail shades and seasonless in my opinion. the semi-sheer nude is called ‘spin the bottle’ and while at first i thought it was a bit redundant next to romper room, one quick self-mani was all it took to fall in love with its creamy goodness. (note: nudes can be très tricky to apply, but not the case with essie’s tried and true formula! it goes on smooth and even for a gorgeous mannequin mani.) taking a leap to the bolder side, ‘style hunter’ is a hot crimson, unlike anything you’ve seen before and so spring-right. finally, ‘truth or flare’ is a soft, dusty blue that evokes vintage glam with a very modern twist.

so what do you think of these unexpected shades? my next go-to combination is surely style hunter on hands with truth or flare toes. (i mean, blue toes at the beach? hello summer!)

essie’s hide and go chic collection is available for $8.50 each >

Posted in editorial sample, nails | Tagged essie | 3 Comments

#glossarie5 + giveaway11

POSTED ON Posted on May 27, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

i had the most fun celebrating five years of gloss with family, friends, readers, and bluemercury fans on saturday. the night was a whirlwind, but the sample bar was definitely the main attraction. my favorite ladies scooped up samples and full size products from the most fabulous brands while they sipped champagne and noshed on some seriously delicious mini cupcakes from cupcakes actually.

in-between sample shopping, everyone took full advantage of bluemercury’s amazing team of brand experts and makeup artists. there were smoky eyes accented with flawless under eyes (courtesy of laura mercier high coverage concealer), and freshly defined brows all around (achieved with trish mcevoy precision brow shaper) – not to mention the perfect nude lip (which, if you’re wondering is nars cruising). i was desperate for a fresh pop of color and laura mercier’s creme smooth lip color in pink dusk was just the ticket. it was weightless, bold, and it lasted all night.

i am so grateful to everyone who came to spend a slice of their weekend with me and the glossarie – and i am especially in debt to my gracious bluemercury hostesses who helped to make the event a resounding success. since i know that not nearly all of you live close enough to attend and celebrate with me in person, i have one complete collection of sample bar treats to send out to a lucky reader. my winner can expect to receive most of the goodies pictured above (and a few more!) – please enter below and thank you so much for five beautiful years.

enter to win a #glossarie5 sample bar grab bag!

Posted in lara | Tagged bluemercury | 11 Comments

miracle skin transformer treat + conceal (again)2

POSTED ON Posted on May 23, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

sometimes a beauty product is so good that it’s worth revisiting.

a recent email featuring this little white tube prompted me to dig it out of the glossarie archives and give it a go as both a dark circle disguiser and blemish concealer. so this morning, after applying my go-to foundation, and since my belly now prevents me from leaning over my sink vanity (#pregnancyproblems), i stood in front of my full-length mirror and got to patting it on.

i instantly remembered why i loved it so much as a dark circle concealer, because it hides those beastly blue tones effortlessly. there’s a radiance to this concealer that means it not only neutralizes the skin under your eye, giving the illusion of a few more hours sleep on the spot, but it also imparts a subtle glow that makes me look much livelier and more awake. it’s a keeper.

what i hadn’t dare to do previously with this concealer was to use it on my breakouts. (i should note that pregnancy has done very nice things for my skin, but with the warmer weather comes sweat and ultimately a clogged pore or two, or five.) it fits the bill for everything that i look for in a spot concealer – it’s lightweight, luminous, with a texture falling somewhere between what you find in a stick and what you would find in a liquid. i tested in on a few red pimples and watched them all but vanish as i blended it into place. best of all, once it’s on, it’s undetectable.

do you realize what this means?

this tube has now skyrocketed into the coveted position of complexion perfecter. hiding every possible discoloration on your skin, there is no other product that you need to keep in your arsenal for concealing and correcting. i’m telling you that it makes me want to run out and buy another tube just so that i can keep one at home and one with me at all times – it changed the overall look of my face that much.

if you’re still without this product in your life, i’m thinking you likely won’t be for long.

miracle skin transformer treat & conceal, $36 >

Posted in concealer, face | Tagged miracle skin | 2 Comments

new york color makeover2

POSTED ON Posted on May 22, 2014 by lara ramos BY lara ramos

sometimes i feel like my beauty tastes gravitate more towards prestige and department store brands than towards more budget-friendly options. while my beauty drawer certainly holds a mix of the two, i always welcome the opportunity to get to know a reputable drugstore brand a little bit better. for the last couple of days, i have been playing with a few options from nyc new york color and, well, you can color me very impressed.

for starters, the expert last lipstick on the top left is insane! i think i did a double-take after applying because the shades are so soft and smooth, negating almost everything that i tend to hate about lipstick. the colors are vivid and bright and they last an impressively long time. the pink shade that has stolen my heart is called forever fuchsia – girly and fun!

moving on to that chic little liquid eyeliner in the top right, let me just tell you that i do not make friends with any liquid liner – so if i can successfully (and painlessly!) tightline my own eyes, we are on to something. the brush is extra precise and the smooth formula does not irritate. i will surely be hanging on to this $3 gem.

in the lash department, nyc new york color has won me over with big bold mascara and its ultra-fat plastic brush, making both my lashes and my eyes look bigger than ever. it wears well, it comes off easily (two major pluses in my book!) – and it costs about half what you’ll find for other mascaras at the drugstore. pretty impressive, no?

rounding out the group is city proof twistable intense lip color. i tested this guy in two shades – parsons pink (a frosty baby pink) and ballroom blush (a true strawberry pink-red). they are both weightless, slick, and very easy to wear, giving me more of that balm-y texture that i love from a tinted lip and none of the dryness. they definitely give department store options a run for their money, and in my opinion, they easily have the drugstore market cornered with the best formula under $5.

if the pretty colors, surprisingly high-performing formulas, and can’t-be-beat price points are not enough to send you hustling out the door, you can click here to snag a coupon and enter here to win a complete look from the brand.

if you’re already a fan of nyc, i would love to hear from you. are there more products that i need to try? and if you’re a newbie like me, i’m curious to know if you’ll grab any of these playfully bright and wallet-friendly products on your next drugstore outing!

this post is sponsored by lunchbox. all opinions are my own.