Shiseido Makeover by Celeb Makeup Artist Renato Almeida

A bit ago, before my house was gutted and re-built, I wrote about the new Shiseido summer collection. I recently had the opportunity to have my makeup done by their celebrity makeup artist, Renato Almeida. The best part about getting your makeup done by someone who doesn't know you is that you get a fresh interpretation of yourself.

(Me before the makeover.)

So what did Renato do for me? He emphasized my eyes, lining the inner rim with the cult favorite liner, Black Sand. Amazingly, his application lasted all day and into the evening - despite the fact I spent the rest of the day painting my living room, dining room, foyer and kitchen.

(Me after the makeover.)

I really loved how my eyes looked. Renato used a green and peach combo that made my eyes really look pretty, but natural. Specifically, he used Serpent (green) and Bouillon (peach), which are part of the Luminizing Satin Eye Color collection.

I also really liked how their Mascara Base made my lashes look. It conditions lashes to help them grow and adds thickness and a little length. You've seen my lashes, I will take what I can get!

On my lips, he used Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer in the Tender color. Renato also used the Hazel liner, which was a perfect match for my pale pink natural lip.



The sales associates at the Shiseido counter kept telling me that their White Lucent system would get rid of my melasma really, really fast (specifically, a difference would be noticeable in two weeks). I told them that not much has made a difference on my skin but they could not be deterred. It sounds like a Prove It! Challenge to me! Have you tried this? Please let me know if you have!

Where do you look for inspiration to reinvent your look? Have you tried their White Lucent skincare line? Either way, tell me in the comments!

I purchased the lipstick and lip liner from this event. Shiseido does test on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Urban Decay Fall 2010 Partial Preview

If you haven't already seen the goods - here are the details on some of the items UD is releasing this fall. They'll be available at Sephora, Macy's, Ulta and of course, UrbanDecay.com on August 1.

First is the Naked Palette.

(Virgin-1st, Buck-5th, Darkhorse-8th, Creep-11th, & Hustle-10th are the exclusive shades)

It contains 7 best selling shades, 5 Naked exclusives, a double-ended version of their 24/7 Glide on Eyeliner in Zero (black) and Whiskey (a rich brown) and a travel size of their UD Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

I am also excited to check out the lip glosses, which promises lasting color with no stickiness. It's available in 14 colors for $19 each and according to their research, this mint-flavored formula can potentially plump your lips after repeated use.

(Runaway)

While I could make the case for any of these colors, the ones I am particularly interested in are Runway, Perversion and Naked.

(Perversion)

(Naked)

Lastly (for this post), is the Vegan Palette.

This looks adorable - I love the Chihuahua on the front! I couldn't agree more - how can anyone test on animals? This palette comes with 6 shadows, a travel Eden Primer Potion and a travel 24/7 Zero liner. It will retail for $34 and be available from the usual suspects.

What are you hoping to get your hands on this Fall?

Images courtesy of Urban Decay.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Sneak Peek: Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow

For the last week or so, I have been seeing glimpses of a new CREAM eyeshadow collection from Buxom. First, Leslie posted snapshots of the characters (pooches!) on her Facebook page. Then an Allure Magazine blog gave a little more detail. I searched all over, hankering for more info on the shadows. Was it possible that Buxom was naming a line of shadows after the other love of my life, dogs?

Coming to a Sephora near you in August, Buxom is launching TEN cream eyeshadows that are waterproof, infused with Vitamin E and Aloe and stay put. Each shade is named after a pooch and promises to obey your stay command.

(click to enlarge)

(Top, L-R: Shih Tzu, Black Lab, Golden Retriever, Bulldog, Schnauzer, Chihuahua, St. Bernard, Pug, Mutt and Poodle)

These will launch in August at Sephora and will retail for $17. There is also a brush to go with these, and is the same price. These were not tested on animals and are paraben free. I can't wait to get my hands on these pooches! Thoughts?

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Bare Escentuals New Brightening Primer

Bare Escentuals recently launched two new Brightening Primers for the face and the eyes. As of now, it is only available on QVC in the Rethink Beauty Collection, but I would imagine you will soon be able to buy both primers as stand alone products.

The Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer is a buttercup yellow primer that has a slight brightening effect when applied. According to the presentation on the Q, it works on all skin tones. It is very smooth feeling (thanks to the silicone), but doesn't quite have the same slip the original primer has. The Brightening Primer reflects light slightly differently than the original primer as well and is a thinner product overall. The original Prime Time was like a gel. The new Brightening Primer is more like a thin lotion.

(Brightening Primer is shown on top. Original Prime Time is shown below.)

If you don't need any coverage, you can wear this alone as a great way to smooth out your face and brighten your complexion slightly. I was initially a little worried about the buttercup yellow tint of the product. I have enough yellow in my skin as it is - I don't really need any more. However, this blends in nicely and isn't pigmented enough to cause any color issues. The Brightening Effect is very, very natural, minimal without a fake radiant shine like others. To my knowledge, this product does not contain ingredients like Bearberry that actually brighten your skin. The slight brightening effect is only cosmetic.

(Brightening Primer on top, Original Prime Time below. My skin in two different types of light.)

The Brightening Primer still allows for your foundation to go on perfectly, evenly and smoothly.

(Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Primer on top and Prime Time Foundation Primer on bottom)

Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Primer is a totally different kind of primer from their original Prime Time Eyelid Primer. This primer is more like a cream eyeshadow base in a neutral golden shimmer. It definitely keeps your eyeshadow in place for a full day, just like the original. It can also be worn as an eyeshadow on its own. I am a tough judge of cream-based shadows, and very few pass muster with me. I can tell you that when I wore this alone, I didn't get any creasing or fading. Based on my experience with the new Brightening Eyelid Primer, when Bare Escentuals moves into the cream eyeshadow category, it will be something to get excited about! Check back later today for a sneak peek at the new cream shadow colors just announced for August!

One fun benefit of this particular shadow primer is that it enhances the shadow color, making it more vibrant, while keeping the same basic color finish, just slightly more satin. Some primers turn shadows matte, and some primers auto-foil. This primer just makes the colors more vibrant.


Shown above are Lucky, Midnight Sky and Wildflower. On the top, it is just the shadow. On the bottom, they are applied over the primer. The colors over this primer definitely come alive.

Which is your favorite primer? Have you picked this up yet? Tell me in the comments!

I bought this on the Q. BE is not tested on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Prove It! Tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer

I love proving cosmetic companies' claims true or false. So many companies get away with rampant crazy advertising that I enjoy putting them to the test. While today's claim is by no means crazy, it does boggle the mind. Today I am testing the claim that Tarte's Park Avenue Princess Matte Bronzer is waterproof. How can a powder be waterproof?

Last year, I tested the waterproof claims of their amazing mascara Lights, Camera, Splashes, by rolling downhill in a hamster ball, partially filled with water. My shorts fell down (It's like being inside a washing machine. It happens.) and you can hear me make this yodeling-like noise down the whole hill, but my mascara was still fab at the end.

So I get how mascaras are easily waterproof. They are made of polymers and things that don't come off easily. But I am always curious about waterproof products that are powders. How do they stay put? So when Tarte offered, I jumped at the chance. Sadly, I won't be going Zorbing again until later in the summer and don't currently have access to a pool. So I did the next best thing. I took a shower wearing the bronzer. I even shampooed and conditioned my hair like normal. Clearly, I didn't wash my face in the shower but I didn't shield it from getting wet.

I am a huge fan of Tarte's products. They are cruelty-free and are made without parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals. According to Tarte, this matte bronzer, aside from being waterproof, also contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like pure water to deliver and retain moisture, vitamins A and E, which act as antioxidants to fight free radical damage, vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and prevents oxidative stress and premature signs of aging while brightening skin, and mineral pigments that are known for their soothing and softening properties.

Here is what the Park Ave. Princess Matte Bronzer looked like before I hopped in the shower.

This bronzer gives a pretty, natural matte bronze look. I am normally very pale and I think this looks as if I have just come back from a quick vacation. You can build up the color, depending on how bronze you want to be.

So I took a shower, which lasted about 10 minutes. I didn't try not to get my face wet, but I did try to avoid rubbing my face (which is slightly harder than you might think). When I got out of the shower, I looked like this:

Park Ave. Princess didn't budge. I am not sure how this powder clings to wet skin, but it clearly does!

Then I blotted my face gently with a towel, assuming the color would transfer and fade. I didn't rub my face, but I did blot it several times.

I'm still bronze!! I honestly thought this test would fail, but instead it's a huge win! If you are looking for a natural looking bronzer to chill poolside, I found it. If you pick it up between now and June 30th and use checkout code GLAM, you'll score an adorable Glam On The Go Kabuki Brush for free!

What is your favorite waterproof bronzer? Tell me in the comments!

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Korres Natural Coral Collection: Easy, Natural, Gorgeous!

Leave it to Korres to make beautiful, beneficial products that go together perfectly. One of their newest collections, the Natural Coral Antioxidant Eye Collection, is truly universal. Before we delve into the colors, here are the benefits:

The shadows contain Sunflower Oil, a line smoothing antioxidant and hydrating Evening Primrose Oil. The eyeliner contains Vitamin E and Jojoba to ensure a smooth application. The mascara contains Pro-Vitamin B5, the same thing that strengthens the hair on your head and Rice Bran, which makes lashes amazingly thick and long.

The Natural Coral Collection comes with two eye shadows, in Ivory 14 and Pink 66; an eyeliner in Brown 02 and also their Rice Bran Mascara in Black 01.

(From the Top: Ivory 14, Pink 66 and Eyeliner Brown 02)

This is the one look that has gotten me stopped on the street. It's not the flashy purple expertly-applied liner or the glimmertastic eyeshadows that I have been wearing all Spring. It's just a beautiful basic look.



Here is a close-up of how pretty the shadows look on the eye. Not too matte, not too shimmery - just a perfect satin finish. I got compliments from my in-laws, strangers, the waitress and the people who sat next to me in the movies.


The best part? The entire Korres kit, all four pieces, is only $29.99! And for a limited time, if you use checkout code GOULDYLOX, you'll save 25% off your total and you can receive a deluxe sample of their Night Cream. I can't believe how much I love this natural look from Korres. And for $29 (minus the 25% off Gouldylox discount) this four-piece kit is cheaper than what you can buy in a drugstore, it's totally eco-friendly, animal-friendly and does more than make you pretty!

This product was sent to me for the purposes of review.


Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Primer Wars: Clinique, Jan Marini, Avon, LORAC, Sephora & Korres

I have been testing face primers for what seems like forever, in an attempt to find the primer that forces your makeup to stay in place all day. I am not looking for the primer that feels the nicest, gets ride of pores or does other magical things to your skin. I am only looking for the primer that makes your face stay in place throughout an eight hour day.

Here are the a few of the primers in Round One:

LORAC AquaPrime vs. Sephora Collection Primer

Korres Anti-Aging Primer vs. Jan Marini Age Intervention Primer

Avon Magix vs. Clinique Pore Perfector

I wore each of these primers on one side of my face and got multiple opinions on which one worked better. But, because everyone has their own opinion, I am giving you the chance to vote (based on your experience). If a primer gets the majority of the votes and isn't the primer that won my test, I will grant it a stay and it will remain in the competition. This means it will live another day to compete against a different primer.

Here are the results of my testing. Be sure to vote to save your favorite, if it wasn't the winner in my test.

LORAC AquaPrime beat Sephora Collection Primer hands down. AquaPrime is different because is is a thin, clear primer, with a watery feel. It definitely doesn't have the usual primer consistency, no matter what primer you use.

Korres Quercetin & Oak Age Reversing Primer beat out Jan Marini. Personally, I like the feeling of a silicone-based primer, but the Korres clearly performed better by the end of the day. Both of these primers have the ability to perform double duty and help reverse the daily damage that shows, but in the end, Korres was my winner.

This one wasn't hard for me to pick, but I have a feeling either way this could have turned out, the primer knocked out in the first round will get a save by the fans. Both Clinique's Pore Perfector and Avon's MagiX have an army of fans that stand behind them.

When I tested them side by side, the Avon MagiX was victorious. Avon MagiX is a primer that can be worn on its own for a smoothed out look, sans coverage or under makeup for serious hold. It smooths out lines and fills in pores. It's definitely one of my favorites.

Please vote and RT to make sure your favorite brand doesn't get voted out! Voting will be tabulated in seven days. Check back for more Primer Wars soon!

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Cheat Time: TouchBack Hair Color

My hair is growing faster than fast. Which is wonderful.


What isn't so wonderful is that my fresh color only lasts for about a week or two before roots are obviously popping up to say hello. Since that doesn't work for me, I have been looking around for ways to prolong coloring my hair, let alone preventing damage caused by constant coloring.


TouchBack is a pretty basic concept. It's a thick pen with a felt applicator. You literally use it like a marker to color in your roots. I used the medium brown to color my hair, butt 8 shades are available. It takes less than a minute to fill in my three-week growth and it blends very naturally. Since it isn't a wax or powder, it applies really easily and you are in total control of where it goes.

(This stuff dries fast! The left side is totally dry by the time the right side is applied, all in less than a minute!)

I didn't sweat in an unusual way or get caught in an unexpected downpour while wearing this, but I also didn't have any issues with color transfer. I didn't notice any flaking. I did notice that by the end of the day, the color began to wear off. If I was going out at night, I would consider touching up my roots, but honestly, I usually didn't bother. The color looked so realistic, I wasn't worried people would catch on to my hair color cheating.


You do need to be careful not to apply the color directly to your scalp, or you will look a little fake. TouchBack comes with a comb that you use like a shield between your hair and your scalp when using the pen at your temple.

It takes a second to get the hang of it, but once you do, your application is perfect. It's available online or in Ulta.

I am totally digging this for its ease and natural look. My only question is, does the red really look believable? I just colored my hair and am definitely curious! Let me know what you think of it if when you check it out.

How do you extend the time between salon visits? Please tell me!

Product was provided for the purposes of review.


Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Are You Bold Enough To Get Away? New Three Custom Color Lipsticks

(A sneak peek at the new colors. )

Three Custom Color recently launched a new lipstick formula that packs a crazy amount of color, Vitamin E, Grape Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter into one formula that leaves your pucker perfect.

(The colors swatched: Top: St. Tropez, Santorini, Copacabana, Bora Bora, Majorca)

These colors aren't for the meek. If you want to throw caution to the wind and wear a color you didn't think you could pull off, these are the colors for you. Even if you just need to get away from your usual lip gloss routine, these are the colors you need!

Bora Bora is a cool fuchsia

Santorini is a rich raspberry

Copacabana is a bold gold-coral

Majorca is a warm bronze shimmer

St. Tropez is a peachy beige with a champagne shimmer

These colors are vivid and fresh as the places that inspired them. Pre-order them now (before they're gone!) and they'll ship in July. Just in time for the perfect vacation...even if you are just staying at home.

These were sent to me for the purposes of review.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Need Summer Inspiration? Think Citrus to Make a Splash

by guest blogger, Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose'

This season, make your wardrobe sizzle with a taste of zesty orange. From an eye-popping carrot to a subdued pumpkin hue, orange can transform your look from drab to fab. So go ahead: Add a splash of citrus to your closet with these tangerine treasures.

1. La Mer Collections Washed Orange Leather Watch - Bloomingdale’s: $100

2. Rafaella Sleeveless Beaded Top - Lord & Taylor: $39

3. Orange Petal Rock Candy necklace - Etsy: $125

4. Woodblock Print Skirt - Anthropologie: $78

5. Jessica Simpson Midtown Satchel - DSW: $69.95

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Secret Code

Add your code to the link up below to have it appear tomorrow, 6/17 on Gouldylox.com
The post can be anything that inspires you relating to hair! Have fun!

Find Kelly on Google+, Twitter or Facebook. Official disclosure/disclaimer statement can be found here. Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009-2013, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.