World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day. The fight against AIDS is a cause that I advocate and feel extremely passionate about. I wanted to take the time and share some facts and statistics with you about HIV / AIDS.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is what causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The virus cannot replicate on its own. Instead, it invades the CD4 cells of the immune system. Your immune system works to fend off viruses and infections. HIV replicates itself inside of the CD4 cells and once it completes the task, those cells die -- leaving the immune system defenseless. When the number of CD4 cells drops to a certain level, a person then has AIDS.

Although researchers have made great strides in recent years with drugs like antiretroviral medications (which suppresses the virus), there is still no cure. There is no vaccine. There is still a lot that we don't know about the disease. Your best defense against HIV is to educate yourself with knowledge and means of prevention.

In 2009, 2.6 million people have been diagnosed with HIV and there are roughly 33.3 million people who have the virus. Among those 33.3 million, many already have full blown AIDS. Since AIDS was identified in 1981, more than 25 million people have died.

Global HIV / AIDS statistics from the end of 2009:

http://www.avert.org/worldstats.htm

How the beauty community can help:

The MAC AIDS Fund had raised over $190 million for the cause. The Viva Glam campaign is the backbone of their fund. Every cent of profit from the lipsticks and lipglasses ($14 USD) are donated to those who are affected by HIV / AIDS. Here's a breakdown of what ONE lipstick provides:

• 23 female condoms or 233 male condoms
• 18 personalized birthday cakes to be hand delivered to a person living with HIV / AIDS on their birthday
• 14 blood glucose monitoring strips
• 8 individually tailored, nutritious home-cooked meals
• 2 emergency boxes filled with non-perishable food
• 2 hours of childcare for a woman's children during her doctor appointments
• 1 personal nutrition counselling session with a registered dietitian
• 1 week's supply of groceries for 2 clients
• 1 Maxi-Pharmadose medication organizer
• 1 therapeutic recreation session
• 1 rapid oral HIV test
• 1 pair of school shoes for a child orphaned by AIDS
• 1 party pack for a child's Christmas, Easter, or Birthday
• 1 month of public transportation for a woman to travel to and from doctor's appointments 
• 1 school stationary starter pack for a child orphaned by AIDS
• 1 vegetable seed starter pack for a community garden

So, when you purchase a Viva Glam lipstick or lipglass, perhaps a Sir Teddy or Viva Glam bag, remember the the cause behind it and remember how your purchase helps to further those affected by the disease.

Sites of Interest:

AIDS.gov
Avert.org

MAC AIDS Fund

worldaidsday.org

worldaidscampaign.org/

Sources: MAC AIDS Fund, Avert, Temptalia, AIDS.gov

Revlon Soft Nude 070

Rarely do I find a drugstore brand that I like. I know, that sounds kind of snobby, but it's true. I find that I'm often more disappointed than impressed. However, I do come across some gems from time to time. I heard a lot of buzz surrounding Revlon's lipsticks. Specifically, Soft Nude 070. So, I bought it! By the way, I originally talked about this color in my favorites post, but I wanted to save the details for this one.

I purchased mine for about $8 USD. I heard a lot of mixed reviews about the packaging. Some say it's cute, some say it's just a rip off of NARS and Dior. Frankly, I don't really care. When it comes to packaging, I expect the product to be durable. The cute factor is just an added bonus. What I did find interesting though, is the price tag. $8? Really? Drugstore cosmetics aren't as cheap as they used to be. So for my $8, I expect to get a bang for my buck. 

The color is a warm-peachy nude. If I had to compare, I'd say the finish is similar to MAC Lustres or Cremesheens. The finish is glossy but it has a nice color payoff that is quite opaque and buildable. The downside? It's not long wearing. I felt the need to frequently reapply. This lipstick clearly cannot last through a meal. However, most of my lipsticks can't so I'm used to this. 

The other problem, well, not really a problem but... I can't wear this on its own. I have to apply MAC Lip Erase before using this. As I've said before on this blog, I have very red, pigmented lips. On its own, this color doesn't look so hot. The lip erase is just an extra step but it's worth it for me. 

The thing I like a lot about this lipstick is how versatile it is. I'm a cool, NW20 and this, at first glance, would look better on someone with warm or perhaps even darker skin. This nude actually suits me very well. Truthfully, I didn't think I'd like this when I first opened it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Thumbs up!!

The only thing I dislike about buying drugstore lipsticks is that there's no testers. Have you ever bought a lipstick based off of the color on the sticker at the bottom? Then you go home, open it up, and say "What the hell?". It's happened to the best of us. On the top of these lipsticks, there's a hunk of plastic with the coordinating color. I must say, it was pretty true to color. I've seen their line of mattes, and you can see through the top of the lipstick which is pretty ingenious. 

Would I buy this again?

Sure! It's a great nude and though the prices have gone up, it's still pretty affordable. I'd like to try other colors from the line as well. The longevity of the lipstick is really the most I can complain about but again, most of my lipsticks wear off after an hour or two. **I forgot to add that it is kind of drying so be sure to exfoliate before applying!

Have you tried Revlon's lipsticks? What do you think? I'm going to try the mattes next....

Lusting for...

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! I had a great holiday. It was nice to sit back with the family and stuff my face, haha. I'm feeling quite tired today so I'm glad I did all of my housework yesterday! Anyway, I compiled a list of things I'm lusting for right now. More likely than not, I probably won't get any of these things any time soon. Still, I can dream, right?! Don't forget to tell me what's on your list too!

Viktor & Rolf: Flowerbomb

I've never had the pleasure of smelling this but I heard only good things about it.

NARS Etrusque

So, remember how I said I probably won't get any of these things? Well, maybe I'd invest in this eyeshadow. It's my dream gold.

NARS Bougainville


In a nutshell, it's a pretty berry gloss. I'm not a huge gloss lover but this is an exception. I've heard bad things about NARS glosses. The smell, in particular. I have a NARS gloss and yes, it does have that plastic smell but it doesn't bother me!

Guerlain Rouge G: Gardenia


Hello, Rouge G! I've wanted one of these lipsticks for the longest time. I just can't justify the price. They're about $46 USD. That's a lot of cash to drop on just a lipstick. The only makeup item that I invest extra money into is my foundation. Maybe someday I'll take the plunge and treat myself to it.

YSL Rouge Volupte #2, Sensual Silk


This one boasts a $34 USD price tag, but I'd be less hesitant to buy this than the Rouge G. Isn't she pretty? Yes, I said "she".

Clarisonic Mia


Last, but never least, the Clarisonic Mia. I need one of these -- with the sensitive brush heads, of course! I have dry skin. Very, very dry skin with blemishes. These are suppose to clean the skin really well and rid dead skin cells. Sounds like a miracle worker! Does anyone own one of these? What do you think of it?

Marcel Wanders collection is UP!

Good morning! I just wanted to give you a friendly reminder that the MAC Marcel Wanders collection is now for sale on the US website. Click here to shop! Free shipping code: "WANDERS".

Are you buying anything? I *might* get that 'Martha' lipstick, but I don't know. I really wanted the 187 brush until I saw the ridiculous price. In the end, for me, it's all about the performance of my brushes versus the aesthetics. It would've been nice to have, but I'm definitely passing.

Top 5 MAC Blushes for Fall / Winter

Hello, lovelies! I'm in a surprisingly good mood considering it's Monday. Maybe it's because the weather is gorgeous and it's about 64 degrees, oh yes!

I wanted to share with you my top five favorite MAC blushes for fall / winter. Not all of these are your basic blushes. There's an MSF and two beauty powders as well. For this time of year, I tend to fancy colors that add warmth to my face because I'm very pale. However, when I'm doing a smoky eye look, I love cool colors that almost lean purple. Either way, I think all of these colors set the tone for the season.

1. Summer Rose Beauty Powder

2. Petticoat MSF

3. Peachykeen Sheertone Shimmer

4. Buddy Up (Too Fabulous)

5. Pinch Me Sheertone

What's your favorite blushes for fall / winter? Do tell! I'm sorry to say, but I have a blush fetish!!

MAC Warm Thrillseekers Pigment Swatches

As promised, though a little late, I took pictures of the Warm Thrillseekers pigments. Supposedly, these are geared toward warmer skin tones but I think these can work for a whole array of people. Each set is $32.50 USD.

L-R: Gold Mode, Gilded Green, Most Darling, Gift O' Glamour, Reflects Bronze

L-R: Most Darling, Gilded Green, Gift O' Glamour, Gold Mode, Reflects Bronze
All pigments were swatched when wet.

Descriptions:

Most Darling - medium brown shimmer

Gilded Green - mint ice cream

Gift O' Glamour - pale metallic pink (though it's more of a champagne pink)

Gold Mode - peachy gold shimmer

Reflects Bronze - peachy orange glitter sparkle

By the way, I'm sorry my arm has goosebumps. It's FREEZING in here! I hope it doesn't distract you...

Favorites... and not so favorites!

Here's my most up to date favorites and not so favorites for the fall season!

Favorites

1. Rain, you say? No problem! I've been loving my Barbie rain boots! I bought them from Target online for about $25 USD. I bought them this past March. Sadly, they aren't available anymore...

2. I've also been loving warm blushes. I don't know if there's some rule that states cools go with cools and warm goes with warm. Hopefully, I won't be damned for my love of rule breaking and warm blushes. I think that colors like Pinch Me (MAC) and Peachykeen (MAC) add necessary warmth to my skin -- especially during these winter months.

Pinch Me (MAC) (Permanent)

3. Revlon Soft Nude 070 was something I bought as an impulse buy. I did NOT like this at first, but I'll talk about that in another post because I'd like to review it. Plus, I may have found the best lip combo ever for this lipstick.

4. My favorite perfume of all time is Dior's Hypnotic Poison. Sadly, I ran out of this a while ago so I have to buy a new one, but I always associate this perfume with the fall & winter. 

Picture found via Google image search

5. My absolute biggest favorite of all is my UD Naked palette. I believe this product lives up to the massive hype surrounding it. I love neutrals. I love smoky eyes. I love shimmer. I love the Naked palette, forever and always. I received this as a birthday gift and let me tell you, I've used it almost every single day since. My MAC shadows barely see daylight since this bad boy came into my life.

Favorites that aren't beauty related...

• Warm apple cider and cinnamon sticks -- I love this on a cold night!
• Hoodies and yoga pants
• My iPod. This will forever be my most prized inanimate possession. My life would never be right without it!
• Morning coffee. My life would never be right without this either...
• House! I LOVE to watch House!!!
• Supernatural -- just can't get enough of those Winchester brothers!
• Macaroons. I only buy them from Wegmans (a grocery store located in New Jersey and the tri-state area). They make the best macaroons ever. I have a recipe to make them and it's a simple recipe too, but I'm afraid they won't be as amazing!

Not so Favorites.... if that makes sense!

I go through a lot of phases with my makeup and other stuff and here's the routines I'm currently over:

• Pink lips. It's not that I hate them... I love them but outgrew them. It was a big phase I went through over the summer. Don't worry VG Gaga, I'll always have love for you!
• Liquid eyeliner. I've been into deep smoky eyes with smudged eyeliner. Preferably, MAC's pearl glide liners.
• Lip gloss. I've been loving nude lips sans gloss.
• Bright pink blushes. As stated before, I've been into warmer colors.

So, what's your current in and out's?

By the way!! I got that Warm Thrillseekers set of pigments in the mail yesterday. I'm going to swatch them later so you can see what they look like up against a cool skin tone. Frankly, I think almost anybody can rock these.