Makeup and Beauty Blog: Makeup Reviews, Beauty Tips and Drugstore Beauty Finds

An oasis of opulence and glam, Las Vegas sits in the middle of the Southwestern American desert, and the dry air here zaps what little moisture exists in my already parched skin, leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. Before braving the casinos this morning (momma’s gotta win big to fund her Sephora run!), I remedied the situation with facial moisturizing TLC, courtesy of Peter Thomas Roth’s Mega Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Masque.

Product: Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Moisture Masque
Use: A moisturizing masque to hydrate normal, dry or sensitive skin
Price: $60
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Unlike clay masks with thick, heavy consistencies, PTR’s moisturizing mask feels light. The consistency upon application reminds me of Lubriderm body lotion but feels even lighter and less sticky than that. A product’s scent helps determine whether or not I would use it regularly, and PTR’s light, slightly medicinal scent smells nice and fades quickly.

I slathered a layer upon my face, neck and decollete and left it on for 10 minutes. The mask dried but didn’t flake off like most clay masks will. The formula actually seemed to soak into my skin. After rinsing it off and looking at myself in the mirror, my skin looked and felt smoother and less irritated.

What’s in this magical, moisturizing brew? Let’s see… in addition to edible-sounding (although the product is not approved for consumption) ingredients like sweet almond oil, aloe vera and pomegranate, PTR contains a laundry list of scientific-ish anti-aging compounds like Firma-Cell-4, Syn-Coll and Argire-Line, which, according to the product packaging, work together to combat fine lines and deep wrinkles. I have to be up front — I find it really hard to quantify how effective anti-aging products are because I’m 32 and don’t have a lot of wrinkles (yet, ha!). Looking in the mirror, I tried to see a difference in my fine lines but couldn’t really detect a change, so I’m not sold on the anti-aging aspect. To be fair, my results could be different after a more extended bout of testing.

But the mask is still incredibly moisturizing, making it a fantastic addition to any dry skinned gal’s (or guy’s) skin routine. I could really feel the difference out here in the dry desert air.

Today, I’ve got a few fun things lined up. First up, breakfast at our hotel, the Golden Nugget.

At some point today, I plan to win a jackpot while playing the slot machines (gotta think positive!). Then, I’ll head to the strip to visit Sephora and the cosmetics section of Barney’s New York department store. I hope to find a bunch of brands I can’t get back in the Bay. I suspect El Hub will drag me out of makeup nirvana and force me to eat lunch at a buffet, sigh. Viva Las Vegas!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Non-morning people of the world, unite! Before my morning coffee, I’m a puffy-eyed, grumpy beast. If you are, too, then I’ve got your new best friend right here: Wei East’s Intensive Herbal Eye Treatment Pads.

Infused with an herbal blend of green tea, chrysanthemum extract and peppermint, these disposable herbal eye pads refresh and de-puff tired, sleepy eyes (like mine). This morning I crawled out of bed, fired up the coffee and tore open a pack. The pads rest gently upon your puffy eyelids. There’s no adhesive, so you have to lie down or tilt your head back to keep them in place. I chillaxed on the couch for 10 minutes while the coffee brewed.

They’re wonderful right after getting up in the morning, when you’re mind is in that shady zone between fast asleep and half-awake. With subtle notes of tea and peppermint, the soft pads cool and refresh the senses. Relaxing on the couch, I let my mind wander, reflecting upon the day ahead. After 10 minutes, my eyes weren’t as puffy as they were before, and I felt invigorated, refreshed and ready to rumble.

One box of 16 packets (each packet holds two pads) runs $36, which breaks down to about $2.76 per pack. Yes, I probably could have simulated a cheaper version of the experience with a candy cane and a wet washcloth, but on extra-rough mornings when I can barely even grunt or gesture, these pads will be worth it. Sometimes, you need all the help you can get in the morning, and Wei East’s pads could be just the thing to make the morning a lil’ bit easier.

Purchase Wei East Intensive Herbal Eye Treatment pads at at Weieast.com.

Well, we *finally* made it to Friday! Are you ready for this jelly? You better be! Reporting live from Las Vegas, Nevada…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Dear Cupid,

Happy Valentine’s Day, yo! I know you’re super busy today spreading love and all, but could I trouble you for a small favor? Would you please stop shooting me with those love arrows?? Each one makes me fall in love with a new pair of pink shoes!

First, I fell for these casual cuties…

Converse - All Star Core HI ($42)

Sugar Origami Batik Floral ($73.95)

Vans - Classic Slip-On ($44.95)

Dr. Martens 1460 W - Series ($113.95)

Then, my heart melted for strappy sandals…

Ralph Lauren - Amelie ($107.06)

Fornarina - Violet ($129.56)

Manolo Blahnik - Snake Print Sandal ($675)

Charles by Charles David - Pandora ($103.95)

But you couldn’t stop there, could you? You had to take it a *step* further, forcing me to fall in love with pink pumps!

Nine West - Luxious ($92.95)

Miss Sixty - Callista ($179.95)

Betsey Johnson - Cayden ($190)

BCBGirls - Sandy ($99.95)

BCBGirls - Iggy ($98.95)

Zinc - Missy ($92.95)

Emilio Pucci - 783997 ($593.95)

Manolo Blahnik - Satin d’Orsay ($655)

Miu Miu Deco Patent Platform ($695)

Betsey Johnson - Clovis ($180)

Christian Louboutin - Covered Platform Peep-Toe ($760)

Dude, seriously. Stop toying with my heart! Point your love arrows someplace else. Might I suggest targeting a VH-1 reality TV dating show mansion like the Flavor of Love or Rock of Love abodes? There are plenty o’ people looking for love, you cherubic little bastard. Go wreak havoc with someone else’s heart!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The beauty gurus at Nordstrom have been telling me to keep an eye on Dior. Big things are being predicted from the line, and Dior counters are popping up at Nordie’s stores across the US.

But with the exception of DiorShow Mascara, I haven’t had much experience with Dior, so I was curious about their other products. A few weeks ago I decided to try a tube of Dior Long-Wearing Moisturizing Concealer in Medium Beige ($27). Shannon Blunden, a fantastic makeup artist and the Cosmetics and Fragrance Manager at Nordstrom in Union Square, sold me on the product after using it to conceal my dark undereye circles. It also worked well on my eyelids as a shadow primer. Check it:

Undereye circles be gone, yo!

Shannon first discovered Dior concealer a few years ago doing wedding makeup on a bride who insisted upon using it for her big day. After seeing how well it worked, Shannon was hooked. It soon became the only concealer she would use on herself or her clients.

Dior concealer has a slightly thicker consistency than my go-to concealer, MAC Select Moisturecover. It’s also more heavily pigmented, which makes it a bit tricky to work with. Forget slap-it-on-and-go here.

Using the smallest little dab, I apply Dior slowly, layer by layer, and blend like crazy. It takes time to blend sufficiently, but rushing through the job will show lines of demarcation on your skin.

Applied correctly, Dior Moisturizing Concealer looks seamless. I can barely tell I’m wearing any concealer at all. It does take a lil’ bit of work, though, and you know me … lazy to the Nth degree. First using a layer of something like Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer to “cushion” the product makes it easier to blend, and I found that a drop of foundation to the undereye area did wonders. When used to cover a base product, Dior Moisturizing Concealer becomes far easier to layer and blend.

Like the name says, the formula has supreme staying power without drying the skin under my eyes. After a few hours, some moisturizing concealers migrate into my fine lines like crazy. Dior does, too, but not as much as MAC Select Moisturecover.

The catch, unfortunately (there’s always a catch), is the limited shade selection. For now, there are only three colors to choose from: Light Beige, Medium Beige and Light Golden. The product is also heavily perfumed and smells strongly of baby powder. My sensitive nose protested at first, but the scent faded quickly.

At $27, it ain’t cheap, but you get a big tube. I found I only needed to use a few drops on my dark circles and guess that one tube would last me at least a year.

Because of how easily it applies, my tube of MAC Select Moisturecover still reigns supreme on super lazy days, but when time is not of the essence and I want to look my best, I’ll reach for Dior’s Moisturizing Concealer, fo’ sho.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen