Dolce and Gabbana Shimmer Illuminator Review, Photos and Swatches!

Dolce and Gabbana The Illuminator Powder in Shimmer

I picked up this powder recently through a blog sale as it was a great deal, and I was curious to step into the world of Dolce and Gabbana cosmetics. It's not a D&G product you hear much about, nevertheless I still wanted to write a review for it, because there isn't much info online about the product, and I figure it may help someone sooner or later.

Dolce and Gabbana Illuminator is described as a "lightweight powder highlighter offering effortless radiance. An enviable natural glow is created as every area of the face is brightened by the exquisite blend of pearlescent tones."

The Illuminator is available in two shades: Eva and Shimmer.

For a product that is labeled as a highlighter, Shimmer is not one to follow the crowd. In fact, Shimmer, isn't very shimmery at all. I'd say that Eva (light, golden-beige) is more of a traditional highlighter.

Shimmer is a soft, mauved-taupe with a sprinkle of ultra-fine shimmer. So sparse that it's barely there.

It actually doesn't work as a highlighter for me, and I can't really see this working as a highlighter for anyone - rather, a shade to add warmth and depth to the skin. For myself, it works great as a natural contour through the hollows of my cheekbones, or as a nude blush (ya know, the kind of blushes that are a cross between a bronzer).

In some ways, it reminds me a bit of MAC Taupe Blush (Pro shade) but more sheer with an added hint of rosy mauve, whereas Taupe is purely a pale, neutral brown that pulls slightly plummy on my cheeks.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters Review, Photos and Swatches!

Revlon Lip Butters

I'm so excited to finally review these lip butters for you all. After seeing them featured on just about every blog known to man, I figured you all would be bored of seeing them, and neglected purchasing any. But, after finally trying them, I'm totally head-first on the lip butter bandwagon. I want more - heck, I want them all.

Revlon Lip Butters are a hybrid of a creamy lip balm and a lipstick. They are super "buttery" smooth, pigmented, hydrating and pack lots of shine. Whats more to want? And you wonder why they have everyone going nuts. Plus, the packaging is pretty cute and they're affordable at around $6.

These Lip Butters are available in twenty (20) shades: Pink Truffle, Sugar Frosting, Raspberry Pie, Tutti Frutti, Brown Sugar, Peach Parfait, Candy Apple, Red Velvet, Cotton Candy, Berry Smoothie, Cupcake, Gumdrop, Creamsicle, Cherry Tart, Lollipop, Strawberry Shortcake, Sugar Plum, Sweet Tart, Creme Brulee and Fig Jam.

I own three - Strawberry Shortcake, a natural pink, Sweet Tart, a vibrant, watermelon pink and Red Velvet, a deep, vampy red.

Revlon Lip Butters from left to right: Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Tart and Red Velvet.

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer Lip Balm Review, Photos and Swatches!

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer Lip Balm

I was recently chosen to be a Ladies Home Journal Beauty Ambassador for their first-ever reader beauty awards! I'm so honored and excited to be apart of their program, and in the meantime, I have a bunch of lip products to share with you (courtesy of Ladies Home Journal) that I'll be posting about throughout the week. The first lip product I'll be talking about is Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer.

Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer Lip Balms is a product I've always noticed, but never purchased. I always figured they are a little expensive for a lip balm, and would end up going to the dollar rack and picking up a tube of strawberry Carmex. It's funny how certain products that get no hype in the beauty blogosphere get neglected on the racks, because had I known sooner, I would have picked up a couple a while back. Formulated with moisturizing ingredients such as: Coconut and sunflower oil, Vitamin E, Beeswax and Shea Butter, these lip shimmers are 100% natural. 

These lip balms are flavored with Peppermint, so they give your lips a nice, cooling sensation and slight tingle that sticks around for a bit. That may or may not be your cup-of-tea, but I love lip products that provide a small burst of refreshment to my lips.

Lip Shimmers are available in twelve (12) shades: Cherry, Plum, Strawberry, Caramel, Champagne, Fig, Guava, Peony, Radiance, Raisin, Rhubarb and Watermelon.

I own five, three of them being newly released shades - Cherry, Plum, Strawberry, and two shades that have been around - Caramel and Rhubarb.

Strawberry is a soft, natural pink, Caramel is a sheer, bronzed tan, Plum is a deep raisin, Cherry is a sheer, warm red and rhubarb is a cool-rosy red. For those of you freaked out by shimmer, don't fear because these little tubes are incredibly subtle. Caramel is the only shade that's noticeably frosty, but it's not overwhelming. (See swatches at the end of this post)

My favorite color from the bunch is of course Strawberry, as I'm a lover of easily wearable light pinks.

From left to right: Strawberry, Caramel, Plum, Cherry and Rhubarb.

From left to right: Strawberry, Caramel, Plum, Cherry and Rhubarb.

Forget the Twix, I'll take those lace Meundies briefs in slot B3.

For those of you that haven't been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you'll know that fashion & beauty monthly subscription sites have been booming. You can get a monthly subscription for everything imaginable now-a-days, including (I'm sure you already guessed) your underwear.

Yep. Meundies.com is just that. You first take a short questionnaire or "style quiz/profile", so the website can generate a selection of items that will fit your personal style. Once your selection pops up, if you see something you like, you can make a one-time purchase. If you don't see anything you like, there's no obligation to purchase anything. You also have the option to "auto-ship" on your favorite pair to receive them each month for 20% less. 

After choosing auto-ship, just like other sites, you can choose to "skip" the month and you won't be charged. Just make sure it's within the first five days of the month.

The price is $20 a pair. Sound pricey? Meundies.com claims to have "the world's most comfortable underwear". All undies are handcrafted with high quality fabric and lace for ultimate quality and comfort. Not happy with them? There's a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

You have a choice of a thong, boyshorts or briefs. I chose the black briefs, which is my absolute favorite style of underwear to wear for every day.

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