L'oreal Colour Riche Balm

    Ok, so my opinion on the Revlon Lip Butters hasn't changed.  It still isn't my favorite lip item.  I will use it if it happens to be the closest thing when I need something for my lips. But I won't be running out to purchase it again.   Recently I was wandering through the local Fred Meyer store and saw that L'oreal had come out with their version of a sheer, moisturizing lip color.  Colour Riche Balm.

    Of course I HAD to try it.  That is what us make-up junkies do!  And I am glad I did!  To me it feels much more moisturizing than the Lip Butters.  It has a very pretty sheer color and plenty of shine.  I love the fact that it is slick, not sticky.  There is nothing I dislike more than sticky lip products.

     I purchased the Balm in Heavenly Berry.  The swatches on the L'oreal site show the product as being pretty intense color wise.  It isn't!  It's quite sheer.  I can put it on when I'm not wearing make-up and it doesn't look strange.  Just a light flush of color and shine.  Plus it has SPF 15.

Will definitely purchase this item again!

How I Spent NYE....Fun!

      2011 found me learning to skate and play hockey.  Hockey.  I NEVER thought this was a game that I would play.  Growing up, hockey was a game played by big, hulking goons from Canada.  At least that was what my child mind thought.

    Fast forward a few years, or more, and I met a gal through my work in Malamute rescue.  She had grown up in Canada and played hockey.  She frequently talked of the joy of playing.  Still, in my mind, hockey was not a game played by many girls/women.

    When Taylor decided he wanted to learn to skate and play hockey, back in February of 2011, I somewhat hesitantly decided to join in on the "fun".  We took weekly lessons for a few months and skated on the weekends when we could.  Soon we were ready for our first hockey game.

    The co-ed group that we play with each week is a blast.  There are people of both sexes, and a wide range of ages.  Many are like me, learning the game at a later age.  Everyone has been so welcoming and encouraging, giving me the courage to return week after week.  The first few games were the cause of significant stress, worrying that the others wouldn't want me there since I was new to skating and the game.  After a few games, I realized that they were GLAD I was there.  The more experienced players enjoy teaching newer players.  And there are more women playing hockey than I thought there would be!

    Our area actually has 4 women's teams that make up the Spokane Womens Hockey group.  Several of these ladies also play in the co-ed games.  A few also play in the Rec league that is comprised of mostly men.  Hockey is now one of the fastest growing sports for women in the world.

     New Years Eve found my son, Taylor, and me playing in a hockey round robin.  What a fabulous time we had!  Taylor played in goal, since he had received his pads as a Christmas gift and was dying to use them.  I usually play defense in the women's league games, but this night I was moved to right wing.  It was a fun change.  Many of the people that we played with and against were people that we had gone to hockey camp with, so they were super encouraging....even when they were on the opposing team.

    Alas, our team lost both games.  But these NYE games were about fun and friendship, not winning or losing.  I made more new friends and reinforced the friendships that I had already made.  The hockey community in Spokane may be small, but it is a group of extreme nice, fun, welcoming people.

    I look forward to playing more hockey in 2012.  I'm hoping that my skating and puck handling skills will continue to improve.  I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to play such a fun sport with my son.  We have had the time of our lives out on the ice together.

Revlon Lip Butters

The latest craze on YouTube is the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. After seeing a few videos, and reading some blogs, I decided I wanted to try them.  I hunted high and low, and had a really hard time finding them.  Finally I found a few colors at one of the local Target stores.  Target's display didn't offer all 20 shades, and most of the shades they did offer were gone.  Alas, I chose the color "Sugar Plum".  Some of the other colors seem like they would be too pale for me, since these do offer a bit of color.  Very pale colors often make me look like I have dead lips.  If that makes any sense.

"Sugar Plum" offers just the right amount of color for the times when a full on lipstick or lip gloss is too much.  I know I can apply it when I am at the hockey rink and not look like I had makeup on.  When I do have makeup on, it adds a subtle touch of color and shine.  I like that it fills the middle area between high color glosses and lipsticks and the plain, clear balms and glosses.  The shades are available provide sheer to medium coverage, depending on the color chosen.

Revlon's website says it is a "buttery balm + shiny color".  It IS a balm with a shiny color.  Does it feel like butter....in my opinion, no.   It isn't sticky like many glosses, but it also sits on my lip a bit differently than the clear balms that I normally keep in my  bags, CO Bigelow's My Favorite Lip Balm.  The website also claims that hydrating mango, coconut, and shea butter can boost lip moisture by up to 156%.  Did I notice THAT much of a difference?  No.  Is it hydrating?  Yes.

The Colorstay Lip Butters come in a package similar to the Colorstay Lipsticks.  The difference is that the lipstick cases are a relatively elegant solid black.  The Lip Bitters case is a translucent color that reflects the shade of the product.  This allows you to see the color through the top of the tube as well, but the overall effect is "drug store bland" to me.

Would I repurchase this item in the future?  Maybe.  I'd really like to see more of the colors.  Would I be hunting all over the area to find these again?  No.  At about $7.50 each, they are a decent buy.

Make Up For Ever Foundations

    Anyone that follows any of the beauty blogs or guru's on YouTube will probably have seen something on the Make Up For Ever foundations.  They make 3 different liquid foundation formulas.  The much talked about HD Invisible Coverage, Mat Velvet +, and Face and Body Liquid.  After much consideration, I decided to try the HD Invisible Coverage foundation and the Mat Velvet + foundation.

     I've watched lots of videos where these foundations have been used, so had a fair idea of what to expect from each formula.  I also did plenty of reading on them.  As I have fairly oily skin, I wanted to see if they would be suitable for my skin type at all.  After plenty of research, I decided that I could have a go at purchasing them both.  My main concern was that the HD foundation might not be at all compatible with oily skin.

    I purchased the HD Invisible Coverage foundation at my local Sephora store.  I happened to stop in looking for a powder brush and discovered that they had finally started stocking Make Up For Ever products in this store.  I checked through the colors and settled on #120, Soft Sand.  It is a perfect match for my winter skin tone.  I am guessing that I would have to go to #127, Dark Sand, during the summer when I get some color on my face from spending lots of time on our boat.

     After using the HD foundation for a few days, I am pleased with the product so far.  It gives a good, buildable coverage without looking heavy or cakey.  I apply all of my foundations using a Sigma F-80, Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki brush.  This brush allows me to buff the foundation into my skin, so it's not just laying on top of the skin in an obvious layer.  Since I have fairly oily skin, I do have to prep with an oil-control primer, such as Smashbox's Anti-Shine.  With the Anti-Shine underneath and a light dusting of powder over the top, the HD foundation lasts all day without getting greasy and oily looking.  I really enjoy the texture and appearance of my skin with this foundation.  I haven't yet worn it for photos, so don't have any idea yet how it will show on camera.  As there is no sunscreen in it, there should be no flashback.  I know that the HD Invisible Powder DOES show in photos when a flash is used.  But that is due to the silica that is used.

    All in all, I am pleased with the HD Invisible Coverage foundation.  At $40 it falls in the middle of the price spectrum.  I will need to continue using it in order to judge whether it is something I would really want to spend the money on.  Again, I need to see how it photographs.  If it is truly invisible coverage in front of a camera, I would be inclined to keep it in my kit for shoots.

    The other foundation that I purchased, via the Sephora website, was the Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet +.  I was very confident in this purchase as it is a formula designed to combat shine.  I ordered this in #40, Natural Beige.  I was lucky enough to get a near perfect color match on the first order.  Again, this is a great match for my winter coloring, but I will have to go darker for the summer months.

     The Mat Velvet + is fantastic!  I can apply it directly over my Murad Oil Control Lotion and it will stay put all day.  This is a full coverage formula, but it doesn't feel heavy at all.  It doesn't get dry looking or cakey.  It stays smooth and flexible all day.  I can tell already that this is a foundation that I will keep at home and in my kit. Definitely love, love, love this formula.

   

    My one complaint about the Mat Velvet + isn't even about the foundation itself.  It's the bottle.  The current packaging has a pointed applicator tip, instead of a pump.  The problem with the current tip/top is that you have to shake the foundation to mix it.  When you then open the bottle, the foundation bubbles up out of the tip.  Very messy and a bit wasteful.   I would be over the moon if Make Up For Ever would package it in a pump bottle.  *hint, hint*

      Sephora carries this formula in 16 shades.  At $34 for a 1 oz bottle, it is in the middle of the price spectrum.  I will definitely purchase this product again.

Halloween!

    I LOVE Halloween!  I love all the things that come with Halloween.  I love the fun of picking, and then carving, pumpkins with my son.  I love to decorate the house and yard so that it resembles a ghostly graveyard.  I love the sounds of the neighborhood children as they run from house to house trick-or-treating.  I also love to get in the spirit of the day and dress up.  Who says only little kids get to have fun?!?!
     Ok, so this year I didn't get the house and yard all decorated.  I was too busy with my son, playing hockey.  Being gone 4 to 5 evenings out of the week doesn't leave much time to break out the decorations.  We DID manage to carve pumpkins, which were put on display on our porch.  Mine had another gourd cut in half and inserted in the top, so it looked like an exposed brain.  Taylor did a great Spokane Chief's logo on one of his.  So, while the house and yard was not decorated to it's normal level, we did manage some Halloween flair.
    This year Taylor went as a hockey player.  Hmmmm....that was a stretch.  I offered to apply a section of puck to his face and then apply make-up to look like a bruise, but he refused.  Darn!  I thought it would have looked pretty cool.
   I went as a ghostly apparition of a woman who had been be-headed and then had her head set back on her neck.  Amazing what a little creativity with eye shadow can do!

     The most difficult part was the gel blood that I used on my eyes and neck.  It's the best to use since it solidifies and doesn't run all over.  It IS harder than heck to get out of the bottle and apply.  It took a while, and some help from my mom, to get it done.  But I think it was worth the effort.  All the kids that came to the door commented on it being a cool look.  When teenagers ask where you got your costume and who did the make-up, you know you've done something right.  LOL!  My son's dad kept commenting that it was really, really good.
    It did take a bit of cleansing to get all the make-up off.  Several aspects of the look used a water-resistant eye shadow base or water-resistant eye liner as a major component.  I used several shades of MAC's paint pots to get the look.  That stuff doesn't come off easily!  I've even played hockey with it on, and it survives the sweat that comes with an hour long game.
    I used MAC's Satin Taupe eye shadow for the cheek contouring and the shadowing on the eyes.  Some was also placed along the area where the neck appears to be cut.  I also used Carbon, Cranberry, and Humid (all from MAC) to create the bruising along the neck.  The mouth was done by lining and filling with MAC's Chromaline in Black Black, and applying MAC's Reflects Blackened Red pigment over the top.  So, the make-up was fairly simple to do, taking just about 15 minutes for me to complete.  I kept my hair pulled back in a low pony-tail since it was hidden by the cape.
   
Thanks for visiting!

Sephora's MoonShadow Baked Palette

    When I placed my last Sephora order, I just had to try out their MoonShadow Baked palette in In The Nude.  I have not regretted this purchase!  The colors are gorgeous.  There are 10 beautiful shades of eye shadow that come in a pretty gold compact.  They are: Cream, Light Bronze, Soft Gold, Peach, Taupe, Silver, Deep Brown, Honey Brown, Deep Sienna, and Plum

     

     I have had so much fun mixing and matching these colors.  Today I used the Plum on my lid, the Sienna Brown through the crease, and the Cream as a highlight on the brow bone.  I ran a line of  Urban Decay's 24/7 Eye Liner in Asphyxia, a bright violet purple, along the lower lash line and then ran a light bit of the Deep Brown shadow over it with a pencil brush.  The Deep Brown toned down the brightness of the purple, allowed the purple to still be seen, and tied the liner in with the shadows that were above the eye.
    I also have the Urban Decay Naked palette.  While there are some differences in the palette colors, UD's has a black shade and a charcoal grey shade, there are enough similarities that I would advise anyone who is looking to save some money, to buy the Sephora MoonShadow In The Nude palette.  The Sephora palette is $28, compared to the Urban Decay Naked, which is $48.  Don't get me wrong....I adore my Naked palette! The Sephora palette is a great alternative if you don't want to spend the extra money, or have problems finding the Naked palette (it used to be out of stock all the time).   And at $28, this is a fantastic gift for anyone who loves make-up.

Thanks for visiting!

Alaska Fishing Fun!

So, I've been home from Alaska for just about a week now.  I have to tell you, as usual, it was amazingly fun!  No matter what the weather is like, we have a great time.  My brother recorded some video that I will share with you.

We go to Yakutat, Alaska, in mid-August, for salmon fishing.  Our targeted species is the Coho, aka Silver Salmon.  For those who don't know the difference between varieties of salmon, Coho are frequently referred to as Silvers because of their chrome-bright silver color.  They are a beautiful, and quite acrobatic, type of fish.  This year, we caught our limits of Silvers, a few Pink salmon, some Black Rockfish, and 4 Halibut.

On our first day of fishing, we caught 2 Halibut....in 32 feet of water!  Mine weighed in at 72 lbs and was 53 inches from tip to tail.  It was a lot of fun reeling that big thing in!  About 15 minutes after we landed my fish, Jeremy caught one.  It took quite a while to subdue the fish, and when it was weighed  at the dock, it was 155 lbs!!  Some years we catch the halibut, others we get skunked.

We experienced both good and bad weather while there.  It was raining a bit when we arrived and continued to drizzle for most of the evening.  The first day of fishing was WET!  It rained pretty much all day, with breaks in the afternoon.  Rain gear, and good rain gear at that, is an absolute must-have for Alaska.

The 2nd and 3rd days of fishing we absolutely gorgeous.  Hardly a cloud to be had.  At times it was so warm that we were stripping off all the layers and just fishing in shirt-sleeves.  Even if the fish aren't biting, sitting in a boat on Yakutat Bay, in the sunshine, with the beautiful Wrangell - St. Elias Mountain Range to view, is a good way to spend a relaxing day.

On our 3rd day of fishing, we caught 2 more Halibut.  One weighed 65 lbs, the other was 100 lbs.  Needless to say, we had a LOT of fish to bring home at the end of this trip!  The photo and video below show part of what we caught and how we handle the Halibut since we are fishing out of 16 foot aluminum boats.  You have to make sure the Halibut are fairly well subdued before even attempting to bring them in the boat.  Even a small one can do a lot of damage to a boat the size of ours.  As soon as we get them in the boat, they are tied up so they cannot thrash around.

We had an amazing time, in a beautiful area, and can't wait to go back.
Thanks for stopping by and listening to my fish stories :)

Kasey