Not just one, but *two* pouches to hold my goodies.

As you can see, I have two bags – one for my larger products and one for my pencils & brushes, as I got tired of digging to the bottom of the bag to find them all the time.

In my bag, you will find several of my staple items, and after cataloging it, I realize I *might* have a plum/purple theme going on:

My cute Milly bag holds a bunch of goodies!

Laura Geller Baked Marble Eyeshadow in “Amethyst/Lagoon”
Three Custom Color 3C Eyeshadow in “Cool Peony” (*makes such a great base color)
Clinique travel-size Blushwear Cream Stick in “Rosy Blush”
Elizabeth Arden sample bottle of “Pretty” Parfum Spray (*sometimes you just need a touch-up spray)
MAC “Hocus Focus Clourful Face Kit” from the “Magic, Mirth and Mischief Holiday Collection”. From 2009. (*What? Shut up. “Pretty Baby” is the prettiest beauty powder for me I have found yet. That’s why.)
Sonia Kashuk 01 Powder Brush, with Blue Handle (*One of the first brushes I ever bought many years ago, and it’s still going strong!)
Josie Maran Argan Eye Shadow in “Parfait” (*This makes a great base for those warmer colors.)
MAC Fluidline in “Dark Diversion”, from the “Stylishly Yours” collex. (*Another candidate in my eternal quest for the perfect Plum liner.)
MAC Shadestick in “Street Cool”, from the “MAC Me Over – Icelandic Cool” collex (*Makes a great smudge for a lazy smokey eye, or just a base lid color.)
Mally Beauty Eye Brightening Eye Shadow Duo in “Lavender Glow” and “Plum Glow” (*From the no longer available “Rise and Shine” collex on QVC.)
Three Custom Color Crème to Powder Blush in “Kiss My Apricot” (*I love me some cream blush!)
Sampar Prodigal Pen (*For that last minute, unexpected pimples, without irritation.)
tarte Rise & Shine Lipstain and Lipgloss in “Nude”. (*A warm nude for when you are kind of washed out, but don’t want anything obvious. And it tastes good, too.)
MAC Lipglass in “Lap of Luxury”, from the “Fabulous Felines – Palace Pedigreed” collex (*Looks scary dark in the tube, but is a nicer dark, yet sheer, color for when you go out at night.)
Flirt! Cosmetics Glamourazzi! Extreme Lip Lacquer in “Paparazzi” (*Closest thing to a real Red that you’ll see me wear.)
Three Custom Color Lip Gloss in “Just Bitten” (*This brown sheers out to a nice warm nude.)
Maybelline “Dark Circle Eraser” (*I just love the little sponge tip applicator.)
Maybelline One by One Volum’ Express Mascara (*for when I want the most natural looking lashes)
Mally Beauty Voluminzing Mascara (*for when I want big, spidery, drag queen lashes as Mally would say!)
Maybelline “The Falsies – Flared” Volum’ Express Mascara (*my go-to daily mascara for to big fluttery corner lashes)
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender (*Duh! What *more* do I have to say??)
Maybelline EyeStudio Color Plush eyeshadow palette in “Spirited Seas” (*I love lining with that copper on the end.)
Maybelline Eyestudio Color Pearls in “Silver Starlet” (*I love the marbelized side so much, I have hit pan and *still* try to get some off of the side of the silver. No joke.)
Boscia BB Cream, SPF 27 PA++ (*This 5-way multi-tasker is heaven for a lazy gal like me to look somewhat pulled together on the quick.)
MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm SPF 35 (*I’m a big fan of MAC’s Prep + Prime line.)
CoverFX ConcealFX Camouflage Concealer (*color adjusts so it blends right in)
Mally Beauty Cancellation Conditioning Concealer (*This one is kinda light on me, so it’s good for those slight pinkish spots that need a quick cover, but nothing layered on.)
Ulta Brow Gel (*still one of my best ways to tame unruly brows on the quick, without needing to draw anything in.)
shu uemura Eyelash Curler (*It’s a classic.)

As you can probably tell, I might have a *smidge* of an eyeliner issue. But, if you pay attention, you might notice one thing some would say is glaringly missing:

I kind of have a thing for colored eyeliners.

Skinfood Banana Concealer Stick, from Asia (*the creamiest concealer that I have.)
Mally Beauty Brow Beauty brow fix (*I’ve never learned to use a powder, as this does the trick for me.)
Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils in “Ava” and “Gold Reef” (*Would you believe me if I told you I wore one or the other of these colors at least 5 days a week? True story!)
MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liners in “Marked for Glamour” and “Signature Blue” (*My favorite felt tip liquid eyeliner!)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in “11 – Diamond Burgundy” (*part of my neverending HG Plum eyeliner search – the color is good enough for me to ignore the stiff felt tip pen.)
Avon Glimmersticks Diamonds Eye Liner in “Emerald Glow” (*just enough sparkle, without drifting into Glittertown.)
Daniel Sandler Velvet Waterproof Eyeliner in “Velvet Grey” (*The perfect grey – almost matte, but not flat)
GOSH Cosmetics Velvet Touch Waterproof Eyeliners in “Alligator”, “Purple Stain” and “Blue Moon”. (*If I could marry these eyeliners I would, because they will be true and not leave me for anything. Seriously, these bitches don’t go ANYWHERE after you put them on. My fav bright color eyeliners!)
Bourjois Paris Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eyeliner in “grid tecktonic” (Much more amped up silver grey)
Three Custom Color Light Clarifier Pencil (*Everyone needs one of these. That is all.)
Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in “3L – Iridescent Navy Blue” (*Who says a blue-eyed girl can’t wear blue?)
Mally Beauty 24/7 Professional Eye Lining System in “Smoldering Topaz” (*Yes, I know it’s part of a system, but I like it just fine on it’s own.)
Mally Beauty Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in “Gunmetal”. (*Hands down my favorite eyeliner for that dark-but-not-black liner & it. doesn’t. move! Ironic for something to be called “Gunmetal” to be bulletproof?)
elf Studio Eyeshadow “C” Brush (*My most used brush. Of all.)
Bare Escentuals Flat Edge Liner (unavailable now) (*I use this for tiny concealer touch-ups.)
Sonia Kashuk Spoolie
Crown Brush Double-ended Brush (*I don’t use this one, but I keep it in my pencil case, since I can’t store it in my rock filled brush-holder.)
MAC 275SE Medium Angled Shading Brush (*A shorter version of the full-size brush that is great for that windshield-wiper blending action.)
Avon Double-Ended Liner and Shadow Brush (*I think this might be discontinued now.)
Mally Beauty Double-Ended Blending Brush (*I am certain this came with one of my sets, but I’ll be damned if I can remember which one!)
Benefit Cosmetics Get Bent Eyeliner Brush (*My lining world was turned upside DOWN when I discovered this brush. Life changing. And now it looks like it’s discontinued. My preciousssss….)
Avon (*I think!) Eyeliner Brush (*This unmarked brush is really firm and works really good on my drier liners.)
Sonia Kushuk Lash Comb (*The foldable design has saved me many a finger puncture from the metal tines!)

Did you figure it out? (spoiler alert: There is not a black eyeliner in the bunch!)

So, that’s a gander at my goodies (*As the boys like to say) (*In the 1860′s). Tell me – do I have anything you carry in your stash? Let me know what are your daily must have’s, so we can compare.

*Disclaimer: I received some of these products from their PR for editorial consideration, and some of them I spent my hard earned money on.

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Love to the Fullest by Reese Witherspoon Eau de Toilette Spray: As soon as I read “Black Cherry” in the description of this scent I was sold. Then, when I actually wore it, I swooned – this scent has darker essences like amber and wood, that makes this light enough for day time wear, but can easily carry you thru the night. It is warm and comforting to me & have gotten compliments every time I spritz it on.

FLIRT! Luv-a-Licious Perfume Spray: I don’t like scents that are too floral or too powdery and this scent hits all the right notes (*see what I did there? ). This light scent is great for daytime or just running around. It’s feminine, but not in a too girly way, if that makes any sense. I like that it’s a nice everyday scent, without getting boring on me. It’s a blend of pink rose and sparkling lychee, but not in a grandmother-type rose perfume scent at all.

True Delight Perfume Spray: This is kind of a cheat for me, as I wore it during the winter to fight off the winter doldrums. It was a quick burst of fruity goodness in the middle of the nasty frigid weather. But now that the weather has warmed up, its even nicer to enjoy in the sunshine, while sipping on that Fuzzy Navel on the patio.

What are you guys wearing wearing right now? Do you guys change your scents with the seasons?

*Disclaimer: I received these products from their PR for editorial consideration.

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You guys know how much I like Avon and that I am impressed with their R&D, leading to some really great breakthrough products, right? Well, I am happy to let you guys know that I was one of 4 lucky people to get to sneak peek their brand new release, “ANEW REJUVENATE Glycolic Facial Treatment”.

I have heard lots of things about the benefits of Glycolic Acid for the skin, so I wanted to see what this was about. This treatment is in the form of a serum that dispenses from the bottle in a dropper that gives you just the right amount to use – you really do NOT need to overdo with this stuff. (*I can’t tell you the exact percentage that is in this, but it is the second ingredient, after only water, fyi.) They say:

• Overnight: 78% of women saw retexturized, more flawless skin.*
• In 1 week: See fine lines and wrinkles visibly fade. 94% of women showed improvement in texture & clarity.**
• Over time: 97% of women showed improvement in dullness and tone.**

(*In a consumer-perception study. **In a dermatologist-supervised clinical study.)

I can tell you that, knowing that I can have sensitive skin, I didn’t use this every night because I wasn’t sure how harsh this would be on my skin. I found that using it every other to every third night worked really well for me in the fact that I didn’t have any adverse reactions on my skin – no burning or lingering redness, which is a plus. I have seen a brightness in my skin, improving the dullness that can happen, too. This is also supposed to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, I don’t have a real problem with this, so I can’t really speak to the effectiveness of this for that, but that is more an issue with my skin versus any issue with the treatment.

I think if you have considered getting a glycolic peel, or considered adding a glycolic element to your skincare routine, you should take a look at Avon’s latest REJUVENATE product, because for less than the cost of just one peel (*on average), you can treat yourself at home & many more times, too.

You can pick this up online for $30, or from your local Avon rep. Let me know if you try this, as I’d love to hear your results, too.

The primary component of this range is the “Activinol Technology”. I know, you’re like I was – what’s that? So, I asked. Anthony told me that “it is based around the protein “Activin”, which helps promote healing & that this is important because aging is really accumulated damage under the skin (*says wrinkles are micro-injuries to the skin). The good thing about this Activin is that it can be “stimulated” to reactivate the healing/repairing by the “Activinol Technology”. Avon is the first to use this patent-pending complex of two highly purified fractions of specific plant components: 1) Amorphophallus: Stimulates Activin production to help trigger skin’s repair process & 2) Sesbania: Boosts skin’s support structure.”

There is actually a complete “holistic” system to the Reversalist line, from cleanser to moisturizer, but we were talking about the two lastest additions, the “ANEW REVERSALIST Day Renewal Cream SPF 25″ and the ANEW REVERSALIST Illuminating Eye System. The Day Renewal Cream seems to have some pretty dramatic results:

• Instantly, helps reduce the look of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes*
• In 2 weeks, fine lines and wrinkles visibly improved up to 25% **
• Over time, clinically shown to improve the look of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles **

(*In a consumer-perception study. **In a clinical study.)

In addition, it contains SPF 25 UVA/UVB, which we all know we should be applying every morning anyway, right?

As for the Iluminating Eye System, it has two parts to it. 1) The first part is the eye cream itself, which can be used all over the eye area, including the eyelid. Now, I did ask Anthony about this, as most eye creams don’t want you to get it too close to the eye, let alone on the eyelid. He said that “thru the screening process, it was determined that it was mild enough for the eyelid, without stinging, so that it could be used there”. I like that because usually I wonder if it am getting enough around my eye, since I stay so far back with cream to not get it IN the eye. Anyway, this cream “visibly reduces dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles over time”. 2) The second part is the “Sheer Veil”, which contain “potent skin brighteners”. It has a very soft feel about it and when I asked Anthony about what it was made up of, he told me that it used pigments and MagiX, which made me very happy to hear because you guys know that I really like me some MagiX. Again, this one has some pretty dramatic results, too:

• Instantly, helps reduce the look of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes*
• In 2 weeks, fine lines and wrinkles visibly improved up to 25% **
• Over time, clinically shown to improve the look of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles **

(*In a consumer-perception study. **In a clinical study.)

Now, I haven’t been using this for too long, so I haven’t seen dramatic results, but I can say that they feel really good on. I really like the feel of the Sheer Veil in the eye system, but I may be biased since I already like the MagiX. Have any of you guys tried this? If you have, I’d like to know your experinces with it so far, too. And, if you would like to, as always with Avon, you can shop online or from your local Avon rep. (*if you don’t have one, you can find one of those on their site, too.)(*Thanks to Anthony for his time to speak to me and to the teams for putting this together. I really appreciate it.)

Emanual Ungaro, born in 1933, took to sewing, as his father had done. So much that by the time he was 22 he moved to Paris, & 3 years later he was designing for the House of Cristobal Balenciaga. He stayed there for 3 years before moving on to design for André Courrèges. Only 4 years later, in 1965, he opened his own fashion house – having his first Prêt-à-Porter collection and opening his first stores in 1968.

For the next 30 years, he expanded stores and licensing agreements. Along the way, he created perfumes – Diva (1983), Senso (1987), Ungaro (1991) and Emanuel Ungaro For Men (1991). In 1997, Emanuel Ungaro partnered with Salvatore Ferragamo and Bulgari to create a new company: Emanuel Ungaro Parfums. This company produced the fragrances Fleur de Diva (1997), Desnuda (2001) and Apparition (2004).

Keeping with the history of creating scents, in 2008, Ungaro teamed with Avon to create two new frangrances: Avon U by Ungaro for Her and Avon U by Ungaro for Him. The sucess of these fragrances led Avon and Ungaro to collaborate again – this time with color cosmetics – “U by Ungaro Color Collection”.

This Limited Edition collection contains 8 pieces, ranging from $10 to $20. It includes 3 lipsticks (*including one in the iconic Fuscia color “Ungaro Pink”), 3 eyeshadows and 2 face shimmer powders.

I’ve had a chance to try some of these, and I gotta say that I like the pink packaging – looks very luxe. The only thing I didn’t care for, was the lipstick case. It looks nice and sleek, but the top to pull out the lipstick is small and the tube itself is slick, making it difficult to open. It has a sheer ribbon on top, and while it may just be there for decoration, it became my go to way to open it. But, once it was open, I liked the texture.

So, when I tell you this is Limited Edition, I mean it – it’s only going to be around until December 31st. Then *poof*, it’s gone. So, hit up Avon.com or your local Avon representative and take a look at this collection with a pedigree for yourself.

Now, we all know I am not one to get out in the sun, but I still get dry arms and legs that I need some moisturizer on them – even coming in from the heat. When I read about Avon’s Skin So Soft Summer Soft Cooling Gel Moisturizer (*gawd, that’s a hell of a long name), I knew I had to try it.

I can’t stand a heavy moisturizer during the heat of the summer – it just makes me feel like I am smothering in it. That is what makes this so good – it is a gel and goes on so light. Since I keep it in the fridge, it goes on so cool that it can make my body temp feel like it goes down at least 5 degrees or so. Now, I don’t know if that is the case (*i’m betting it’s not), but it still feels so good.

It contains Aloe and Cucumber and had a light scent which goes away pretty quickly, after it’s absorbed. Now, we know I love me some Cucumber smell, but this isn’t really as detectable as that, just mostly a light, fresh scent.

I picked mine up earlier this summer on sale, but I see that they are running a 50% off “While Supplies Last” special for $3.99/6.7oz tube. If you are live anywhere like I do, even tho the calendar says summer is almost over, we still have some heated days ahead of us, so I would try to pick this up while you can, just to cool off and get rid of the heat dryness for now.

The things I have in there currently range from toner, to masks, to masque, lotions, sprit and scent:

• Ramuan Spa Relaxing Face Mask
• Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Masque
• Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera SkinCare Lotion
• Talika Eye Therapy Patch
• Avon Skin So Soft Summer Soft Cooling Gel Moisturizer
• Mario Badescu Special Cumber Lotion
• Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater
• Bath and Body Works Black Amethyst Fragrance Mist
• Tammy Fender Firming Eye Gel

• bliss under army anti-perspirant
• KINeSYS SPF 30 Alcohol Free Sunscreen Spray

First up is the L’Oréal HiP Color Presso. This dual-chamber gloss allows for you to dispense a single color or both colors mixed in whatever ratio you want. However, you have to press down on each side simultaneously to get both colors out at the same time. AFTER you have figured out how to open the darn thing. Seriously. It took me several minutes messing with it to figure out how to pop the lid open, and then it broke off. Ugh. So, yeah, downside to that one. Now, it must be said that the glosses themselves are not bad, it’s just the delivery system that fails. Oh, and it retails for $13, which is a bit much for a drugstore gloss, to me, esp one that’s such a pain to use.

Anyway, this year I was so happy to see Kate Winslet as a leading contender in *2* categories this year, for Supporting Actress in a Drama and Lead Actress in a Drama. I just love her, esp in “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. And I have to say that she looked every bit the Hollywood Glamour Gal last night – even if she *did* futz with her bodice of her dress just a little too much. Since she is so gorg anyway, it was nice to see such a simple, yet glamourous look on her last night. It also shows just what I have said before – you can mix high-end AND lower-end cosmetics and look fab.

Make-up artist, Jillian Dempsey (who is also the Global Creative Color Director for Avon) was the talent that made Kate glow for the ceremony. She used the following products on her:

All of these worked great to put together a very beautiful look with the pop of red on her lips. Very nicely done!