I recently started testing the Tarte Cosmetics line and found one item in particular that I really fancy. multiplEYE natural lash enhancer does exactly what it says – enhances your lashes. Now you all know how I preach about eyelashes and taking care of them and most enhancers I’ve used actually pull your lashes out when you remove the globs of residue at the end of the day but Tarte’s multiplEYE natural lash enhancer is different.

From Tarte:
Our proprietary HydroPlant Peptide™ is clinically proven to give the appearance of longer, thicker lashes naturally: soy and amino acid proteins combine to form an essential super-protein base that fortifies and nourishes lashes. This protein emulsion is infused with cellulose, a plant-derived thickening agent, and vitamin C, an antioxidant booster.

Clinical Results:
152% change in the appearance of lash length after 6 weeks
100% of subjects reported an increase in the appearance of lash length
100% of subjects reported an increase in overall lash health
90% of subjects reported an increase in lash thickness

Tarte multiplEYE effects

They claim a 152% increase in the appearance of lash length with multiplEYE, a natural lash enhancer. I’m not sure of the percentage but you can certainly see a difference after a few applications. It’s basically a natural thickening agent that gets applied either on the lash line or over your lashes. I love the packaging, eco-friendly, and the only thing I don’t like about the product is the drying time. They say 2-3 hours not to rinse after application. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but you never know when you have to rinse.

Plans are underway for the “local neighborhood” mighty pharmacy chain CVS to get into the high-end cosmetics business. I’ve strolled through the cosmetics aisle in many a CVS and have picked up everything from the latest Revlon offering to nail files to Chapstick but never did I think they’d get into the real cosmo space. CVS confirms they are going to open stores on the West and East coasts adjacent to existing CVS’s that carry 32+/- lines of high-end cosmetics & some fragrances. The stores (at least 2 confirmed) will be called “Beauty 360″. Of course they decline at this time to say which brands. So what do you think? Are they in the market to take some market share from ULTA & Sephora? It’s no wonder our friends at our most trusted brands are limiting distribution and opening their own boutiques and charging list prices. Soon you’ll be able to get Hard Candy, Benefit and MAC at the corner deli!

I’m exaggerating of course but there may be a silver lining here. More availability of product, better prices and store-exclusive freebies. This may not be a bad idea after all. CVS does have some serious buying power. I’m dying to know who the 32 are! Any inside info you want to share? Post a comment & tell us!

I was walking down the aisle the other day (not THAT aisle! Did that 13 wonderful years ago) and noticed a lot more brands and lines going “green”. Organic, natural ingredients are great but packaging and retail displays are a bit too “green” for me lately. I know it isn’t the neon 80′s or Goth/grunge 90′s but since the mainstream blowout of cosmetics and Sephoras popping up in every major mall in America we’ve been accustomed to girly pinks and psycho purples with an always-edgy design. I just see a bunch of brands getting on the latest bandwagon and going in a much more conservative design direction. Part of the appeal that attracts us to brands and colors is in the packaging.

Natural ingredients, Earth friendly packaging and environmentally aware cosmetics have existed for years. I love that and support those companies and their initiatives even though their Execs don’t all drive hybrids. But do we have to have recycled cardboard, leafy green and tree bark brown displays and packaging? Sure MAC, Hard Candy, Too Faced and others won’t completely conform because it goes against what made them stand out in the first place but there are so many popular brands whose Marketing Departments may be losing some loyal buyers because they are putting eco-friendly Marketing tactics in front of what their product’s core purpose is. At the risk of making their products look too drab.

Admittedly I’m not the poster child for environmentally conscious cosmetologists but I do look out for safe, non-animal tested, biodegradable, natural and Earth-friendly products. Also I’m not against any of these products at all. All I’m saying is I don’t like the new “green” marketing push and package design. If there’s a color or product I choose to use and the manufacturer doesn’t go “green” design I’m still buying it. How about you?

The new Rose Belle by pop beauty is a high pigment silky powder that has many uses. I tried it once and knew it was a keeper. It is an 8-color palette containing every hue you could possibly want or need to create any flattering and glowing look. You can either use each color solo or using a large brush to blend them together for an overall bronzed look. When I was sampling the product I used the left side separately as eye shadows and mixed the right side for bronzing and highlighting. I then used the darkest pink for a blush and mixed the lightest pink on my finger with a clear gloss on my lips. This product is exclusive to Sephora and is priced at $28. It has many uses that it is worth every penny. The shades are universally flattering and are made of Mica, a lustrous high shine pigment that has skin soothing properties. All eight colors in one package add liner and mascara and go! I love this one and will be ordering another for backup.

Pop Beauty Rose Belle

Instant Results! Instant Effects! Up to 7x Plumping Effect!
These are the things that attracted me to the new Physicians Formula mascara. I had to have it, who wouldn’t with all of these promises on the box? Many times when I make these purchases I find myself asking how I could be sucked in by great advertising yet again? Not this time. What an awesome product. It gave me everything it claimed to and I was pleasantly surprised. My lashes have been plumped and lengthened as well as looking more voluminous. It is also a buildable formula that allows for multiple coats to reach the desired effect. Inspired by makeup artists, the innovative angled brush coasts every lash from root to tip for the longest and sexiest lashes. I do have one warning though. When putting the wand back in the opening of the tube some of the product still left on the brush gets squeezed off. You will need to wipe it down after each use. That’s actually a good thing though since it shows that the tube does not let in any extra air which could contaminate the product.

I had to search around after finding out about this newbie. I finally got a few tubes at Wal*Mart of all places. I’m sure it will be available all over soon enough.

Once in a while you come across a line that just does right by us. Smashbox continues to put out quality products and then gives some back. They are offering some of their past best sellers on sale 25% – 50% off during their curtain call sale. Get it while the getting is good! Stock up now girls because you never know when you’ll see another curtain call like this one!

Recommendation: Toki Doki Lip Gloss. Limited edition graphics on the tube and I love the wand brush applicator. Brush this shiny gloss on bare lips or over lip color for a positively enchanting pink pout!

Perfect for the daring person who is willing to try something new. Urban Decay, always on the racey side of cosmetics, has released an outrageous line of loose pigment powders. What you should know about these powders is that they are actually mineral makeup, made from pearlized powders derived from minerals. I know that may all seem a little earthy… this product is anything but! Urban Decay offers a great variety of electric loose eyeshadow shades that deliver more intense colors than pressed or cream shadows. The colors have fun names such as goddess, gunmetal, asphyxia, and smog. Another plus to this product is that the tube is spill proof. There is a funnel inside that holds the product in until you are ready to use it. You can either use the included brush or tap some out onto the back of your hand. Love it, no waste!

Urban Decay Loose Pigments Goddess

Benefits 24k sexy gold lip gloss is my new favorite. Every application glides on a warm sensual glow, very feminine and sexy! This gloss adds tiny flex of gold to natural lips or can be layered over lipsticks and liners. The packaging is beautiful and the applicator is very soft making the sheer gold glistening gloss apply perfectly. This Benefit 24k sexy gold lip gloss brings the expression “All that glitters is gold” to life.

24k sexy gold lip gloss