makeup

The Top THREE–Cosmetics Companies

I’m known for extending my “Top Five” lists to include six items, but today I’m taking a look at the rare “Top Five” list that only has three items, because while I have a lot of brands in my vanity table, there are just three cosmetics companies that I absolutely love!

  • Bésame Cosmetics–This vintage-inspired brand offers products that are designed based on actual cosmetics products/colors from the 1920s through the early 1970s. They have also created collections inspired by influential women from that time period including Lucille Ball, and most recently, Ella Fitzgerald. I especially love their refillable powder compacts, and the different formulas of powders they offer, including setting, finishing, and illuminating varieties.
  • Colourpop Cosmetics–If I want fandom-based cosmetics, from Animal Crossing to Disney to Sailor Moon, this is where I turn. Aside from the cool theming, I love how pigmented and shimmery their eyeshadows are (especially the Super Shock Shadows), and I really love their lip lacquers…I just wish they’d make more of them!
  • Holo Taco–These are the prettiest nail polishes I’ve ever seen! The colors are vibrant, and there is so much shimmer in the holographic formula that it absolutely sparkles in the light. It also wears exceedingly well…I can go for much longer without chipping a nail with Holo Taco than I can with any other brand, and after over a full year of “Mani Mondays,” I’ve had a lot of experience!

Where are your favorite places to buy cosmetics?

Makeup for Mary Blair March

Mary Blair March is drawing to a close, but before it’s over, let’s take a look at the perfect makeup to celebrate one of Mary Blair’s most famous designs…”It’s a Small World!”

I was so excited when Colourpop Cosmetics unveiled a collection named after the ride at Disney that has the catchiest tune of all. It includes blushes, highlighters, lip stains (which I also have), and this gorgeous eye shadow palette. I waited to use it for the first time so it could be part of a Mary Blair March look…the colors are so beautiful, and I quite unintentionally ended up with a very Mermaid-y look:

I can’t wait to see the next Colourpop Disney collaboration!

Sartorial Saturday–The Perfect Shade of Red

Would you believe that I’ve never found a shade of red lipstick that I actually like on myself? Until recently, that is! Bésame Cosmetics began offering a “Holiday Red” lipstick and nail polish set prior to Christmas, and I figured if ever there was going to be a red that suited me, it would be a holiday shade!

I wasn’t wrong. This gorgeous bright red lipstick with gold shimmer was inspired by Lite Brite Christmas ornaments from the 50s, and is just perfect for me!

This is also the first time I’ve tried a Bésame nail polish, and I really like it. It wore well, even though I was really busy in the kitchen getting ready for Christmas. And I love the vintage shape of the bottle!

Red lipstick is such an iconic part of a retro look, and I always felt kind of left out…I’m really excited to have finally found a formula of the classic bold shade that makes me feel confident!

Sartorial Saturday–The Top Five Favorite Fashion Purchases of 2021

Time for one last “Top Five” list for 2021!

2021 was a year where I explored new options for my wardrobe, found some new favorite retailers, and really discovered what I like and I want I don’t in my clothing and accessories. I added some special pieces to my collection, starting with this Erstwilder brooch inspired by Animal Crossing:

Speaking of Animal Crossing, I have never been as excited about a makeup collection as I was about the ColourPopxAnimal Crossing collaboration!

Miss Candyfloss quickly became my favorite vintage-inspired clothing brand in 2021, and I think the Myrtle-Sun dress was my favorite out of the ones I purchased (although, everything I have in my closet from their brand is simply amazing!):

I explored my heritage in a sartorial way this year by adding two dirndls from Rare Dirndl to my wardrobe. They’re both beautiful, but I’m sharing “Die Heimat” because the other was a gift, so not technically something I purchased myself.

And finally, a look at a few pieces from Splendette’s Christmas line…this is my favorite Christmas collection they’ve offered to date!

I’m looking forward to discovering what new things all of my favorite brands offer in 2022!

Sartorial Saturday–ColourPopxAnimalCrossing

When Colourpop announced they were doing an Animal Crossing collaboration, I could hardly contain my excitement:

It felt like an eternity passed before I could place my order (actually, Ryan was the first one to get through to the checkout…yes, we were both at a computer in an attempt to make sure one of us could purchase the collection, because I was not going to miss out!), and another eternity went by before it arrived…but it finally did. It’s one of the cutest packages I’ve ever received:

And the individual packing is also adorable:

The collaboration includes a beautiful gold glitter, six lip tints, a super shock shadow, two blushes, and four mini eyeshadow palettes:

It’s my favorite makeup ever!

I’ve especially had fun playing with the eyeshadow palettes. I’m not particularly good at doing eye makeup (I’m still trying to figure out how to do winged eyeliner correctly, and don’t even get me started on my eyelashes!), but I created a look for each one of them.

I love to sparkle!

It’s been almost a year since I was first introduced to Colourpop, and it’s become my go-to makeup in that time (when I wear makeup, anyway…masking makes that a little challenging), but I never dreamed that they’d create a collaboration that is so perfect for me!

Sartorial Saturday–Love, Lucy

Back in early March, I had my first cosmetics-themed Sartorial Saturday. The world sure has changed a lot since then, hasn’t it? But my interest in fashion and beauty hasn’t changed, so I’m back with another cosmetics review, this time of the Bésame Cosmetics “Love, Lucy” collection!

My love of I Love Lucy is well-documented. I thought things couldn’t get better than the Unique Vintage I Love Lucy collaboration, and then Bésame announced that the first star of their new “Iconic Women Series” was going to be none other than Lucille Ball herself! I didn’t order the whole collection, but I did pick three things that I thought that I would get the most use out of, and also screamed I Love Lucy to me!

This is only the second time I’ve ordered cosmetics from Bésame…I was very impressed with how lovely the packaging is! The artwork on the eyeshadow palette is particularly stunning, and is based on Havana tourism art from the 1950s.

There were two lipsticks available. I know, you’re probably thinking, “why didn’t she go with Lucy’s classic red?” But after trying many, many, MANY shades, I still hate the way all red lipsticks look on me, so I picked the “What a Peach” shade that represents Lucille Ball’s style in the 60s. It’s a beautiful shade, and I look forward to a day when I no longer need to wear a mask and can show it off!

Showing off eye makeup is no problem, though! The shades in the Club Babalu palette are pretty classic, with a few surprises. You can go for a vintage 1950s look, or a more mod 1960s style, or really anything else you want! I really like large mirror inside, too…it’s helpful in checking the details of your makeup!

And finally, my favorite item, a powder compact with a beautiful silhouette of Lucy studded with crystals on the front. I will say that I wish that the compact had been made out of metal to give it more weight, but it’s still a beautiful piece, and something I will keep even once the powder (which is great for setting your makeup!) is gone.

This is a fully licensed line, and Lucie Arnaz worked with Bésame to make sure the details were right. This makeup collection is a dream come true for those who love Lucy or just loving having a new, vintage look!

Sartorial Saturday–A Pop of Colour

Taking a break from my usual clothing and accessories Sartorial Saturdays to look at something equally fun…makeup!

My two oldest daughters and I recently discovered Colourpop Cosmetics (I blame Disney and Sailor Moon). I was actually the first one to try the brand, when I saw that they had a Frozen II Elsa collection that I knew would go perfectly with my skin tone on sale. I was impressed with the quality of the items right off the bat, (both the cosmetics and the packaging, which makes everything feel extra luxe), and then we found out that Colourpop was launching a special Sailor Moon collection, too. Ladybug had to get in on that, and while I was placing her order, Bunny decided to add some Disney villains items, and I purchased another Disney set, this time, Belle-themed.

Like I said, I’m really impressed with the quality. The pigments in the eyeshadows are perfectly saturated, and the lipsticks last really well. But I also love the quirky themes and fun colors. Lest you think they only make collections related to TV or movies, they also have a full line of other colorful products, including a “Build Your Own Palette” option for eyeshadow, which I think is really fun, and also really practical, because you can purchase only colors you know you’ll use, instead of having a few you know you’ll never touch.

Now that we’ve found Colourpop, we can’t wait to see what other collections and colors they’re going to come up with next!