NAILS FIVE: BUTTER LONDON HOLIDAY CUTICLE OIL

If you read a previous nail post of mine you've seen my pros and cons for the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.  This product has no such problems.  In fact, the only con is the packaging (glass) doesn't necessarily make this little wonder handbag/travel friendly.

This purchase can be 100% blamed on Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup.  She mentioned that it smelled like a tropical vacation and I was instantly needing this.  I purchased it, but didn't use it for a while and boy do I regret that now.  This little wonder smells like pineapples and coconuts and is the perfect cuticle oil. 

The little brush keeps you from getting too much and it sinks in and moisturizes without leaving your hands greasy.  There's really nothing else I could ask from Butter London except a little mini purse version.  

SKINCARE NINE: MURAD ESSENTIAL-C TONER

Murad is a brand that I thought I would like.  Seems well researched and the product lines seem easy enough.  Their acne fighting line also seems to be quite well received in the beauty community and, in my opinion, getting skincare for acne prone skin seems to be a lot tougher than skincare for dry or normal skin.  

So, imagine my surprise when I bought this simple little toner from Murad and hated it.  I mean, loathed.  I tried to use it.  I didn't notice that it hurt my skin at all but the smell was obnoxious.  Just an extremely strong chemical smell.  I am overly sensitive to smells so something that bothers me may not bother anyone else so I determined to persevere.  

My boyfriend came off tour to visit for two nights and when I had done my evening skin regimen he kissed my cheek and exclaimed, "I hate the way your face smells!"  I knew right then it was over between the Murad Essential-C Toner and I and the next day I promptly exchanged it at Sephora for another toner that I am much more pleased with.  More on that at a later date.

In short, my advice to you, dear reader, would be that if you aren't seriously in love with chemical scents or simply unable to smell at all to stay far way from this one.  

MAKEUP EIGHT: TARTE OFF THE CUFF PALETTE

Yeah, yeah, I know.  Why am I even posting this?  This was a limited edition palette from Tarte that I got at Sephora at Christmas.  Yes, Christmas.  Three months age.  Yes, limited edition, but I decided to post this for a very specific reason.  You can buy three of these shades as single blushes/bronzers.  The other two aren't available outside of this palette but Tarte has many similar shades in their blush line.

So, first the shades in the collection from left to right:

CRAVE: Warm pink-coral shade

DAZZLED: Warm berry-rose

DARLING: Matte-peach

DOLLFACE: Cool babydoll pink

PARK AVE PRINCESS: Warm golden-brown

Now, Dazzled, Dollface, and Park Ave Princess can all be purchased out of this palette.  All of these colors are gorgeous and if you've never had any experience with Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes let me just say, if you need/want your blush to hang out for the entire day then you gotta get on board with these bad boys.  They are wonderful! 

The only problem is now I want more.  I've got my eye on Tipsy and Achiote.  Oh man, come to Mama!