Talking Back--Updates on Products

1)  Juice Beauty Lip Moisturizers - LOVE.  These are awesome.  They smell great, they provide SPF... and the other day when my lips were so chapped... a few swipes of this and I SWEAR... no more chapped lips. 
2)  CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara - Like.  This mascara was okay.  I still think that the Lash Blast Length works best for me if I just use a few coats.
3)  Glossy Locks Honey Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner - Like.  This shampoo and conditioner smelled like you were baking something delicious in the kitchen, which was a plus.  But, M found that it left her hair slightly oily.  It did leave my hair slightly more greasy if I tried to go an additional day without washing.
4)  Revlon Satin Luxurious Color Eyeshadow - HATE.  The eyeshadow quality, in itself, is okay.  What it purports to be, which was a soft nude eyeshadow, is false.  It was WAY too pink for my skin tone to be a true nude shade.

The Testing Block--Gimme that Nude Shimmy

Awhile back, M introduced me to a product in the Clinique line that neither of us really even like that much.  Despite our less then enthusiastic attitude toward Clinique generally, she could not help but vouch for their Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Beige Shimmer.  Of course, I am completely incapable of forgetting any of M's recommendations, and I ran out and purchased my very own to try.  M's claims to its subtle, yet rich shimmer was true to its words.  The eyeshadow made it look like I was wearing makeup, but in such a natural fashion that it appeared effortless and chic.  I LOVED IT. 
Well, as I scraped up the last of the bits in my teeny Clinique eyeshadow compact this morning, I made a mental note to buy more asap.  But, a different light bulb went off as I dutifully thought of FleurBeaute and its mission to bring information to the masses.  I had just read about a Revlon product in my People StyleWatch mag that actually touted its Satin Luxurious Color Eyeshadow in Nude Slip for the subtle grace and beauty it brings through a dainty gleam on one's eyes.  Therefore, it has found its way on to the Testing Block!!  I'll keep y'all posted... :)

Let's Explore--Burt's Bees

In case you haven't noticed from reading the few posts on FleurBeaute, M and I are pretty huge product whores.  We love trying new products.  It is ridiculous.  We are also the type to try a lot more things in a line within which we have discovered a product we adore.  A good example of this behavior is our indulgence in Burt's Bees.  Burt's Bees is most famous for its fabulously awesome lip balm.  When I started using it, it was not as ubiquitous as it is now.  While you see it in almost every grocery and drug store now, back then, you could only get it at Whole Foods.  It is still my go-to lip balm, and I have at least 5 of them littering various bags and my apartment.

Mmmmmm~ I do love me a trip to my local Whole Foods.  It is both a blessing and a curse that I can walk a few blocks and find myself within reach of delicious yellow Champagne mangoes (which are in season, and you must try)... as well as the fresh, herbal-scented skin and hair care product aisles.  I have spent hours in those aisles, just browsing at all the different organic lines... and trying 18 different hand creams.  Between M and I, we have tried, and fully get behind the products featured below:

The bug spray is a less toxic method of staving off the myriad of buggy creatures that insist on swarming me every time I go outdoors.  The Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub is a divine exfoliant.  My face turns smooth as satin after using it.  The Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream feels refreshing and tingly.  M loves the Radiance Day Lotion with SPF 15.  We both keep the Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey and Grapeseed Oil Hand Creme around to keep our overworked hands as soft as possible.  I have a terrible habit of picking at the skin around my nails/cuticles, so a girl at Salon Mint (my favorite salon) recommended that I use cuticle cream to maintain the area and prevent ragged tears in my skin.  I picked up the Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream one day at my local CVS, and love the results whenever I remember to use it.  I think I love anything with the shade or description of "peony"... and this goes for the Lip Shimmer in Peony.  

As M is well-versed in the art of child care, she has also added these products to her daily baby routine.  She  loves all of them!!  

So, get out to your local CVS or Whole Foods, and pick up a Burt's Bees product to test out today!!  Your face and body will thank you for it.  :)  I know I will be trying to find some of the new products below!!

Quick Fix--Blot the Spot

This morning, true to form, I forgot my BlackBerry and iPod at home as I rushed out of my apartment.  I also keep forgetting to put a new pack of blotting tissues into my bag.  Why?  The temperatures in D.C. have risen to a balmy 80 degrees in the past week and, therefore, every time I step outside... I start to melt.  How to combat the unwanted humidity?  Well, my layering makeup techniques help (see previous post regarding tinted moisturizer + mineral powder foundation)... but what also allows me to successfully battle the sweat drip is a healthy supply of blotting tissues.  The Lavender Chamomile version above from The Body Shop is what I currently carry, but for oily/blemish-prone skin, the Tea Tree option is a good way to go.  I have not tested the Nature's Minerals mineral-infused option, but will do so in the future.  I'm a sucker for anything with "mineral-infused" in its name!!  :)

Mandate--A Hint of Tint

I shall not tell a lie.  I often get compliments on my skin.  My complexion is pretty zit-free, so when I actually get one... I flip out.  Therefore, in my cleansing routine, I take all precautions necessary to avoid getting those painful, cystic, and ginormous pimples that make me feel like someone punched me in the face.  I also love displaying a soft, dewy glow... and I achieve that through a layering technique that will work for just about anyone!  My first step--Laura Mercier's illuminating tinted moisturizer.  It reflects light through its subtle shimmer, even through my second layer of Bare Minerals powder foundation.  The SPF 20 adds that necessary level of sun protection to prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and most importantly, melanoma.  I adore it!!  Try it!!  You'll love it too.  It is definitely a mandate, especially if you live in a locale that becomes sultry, sweaty, and downright disgusting during the summer months like me!!

The Testing Block--A Briefing on Mascaras

I have wimpy, wussy, pathetic eyelashes.  I was cursed with straight, sparse Asian eyelashes, and I jealously pine after M's full set, despite her being Asian as well.  I have spent a small fortune experimenting with different mascaras--starting at the top with DiorShow, and moving all the way down the chain to CoverGirl.
The above mascaras by L'Oreal, the L'Oreal Double Extend with Lash Boosting Serum and the L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion, definitely did not live up to my expectations.  I think the L'Oreal Double Extend's "Lash Boosting Serum" is a crock--all it does is add build-up to clump up your lashes when you put on the mascara coat.  The bristles on both failed to grab lashes in a precise enough manner to really allow the eyes to pop.  I realized, after many attempts, that I need a lash brush with teeny-tiny bristles that grab on to my much-to-be-desired number of lashes.

 That said, with the range of mascaras I have tried, my favorite so far has got to be CoverGirl's Lash Blast Length in its unmistakable yellow tube.  I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.  It has the teeny-tiny bristles for sparse lashes, and I think it would do magnifying feats for those who are already blessed with a good set (damn you M).  ;)  I have also experienced success with CoverGirl's original Lash Blast and CoverGirl's Lash Blast Luxe, even though the advertised "sparkles" were nowhere to be found.  Currently on the Testing Block?  CoverGirl's Lash Blast Fusion advertises a combo of length and volume.  We shall see.  I'll report my experience with it.
**A last minute news flash from a dedicated reader--she adores L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof mascara!!  It was personally recommended to her by the makeup artist at her wedding.  I will say though, this mascara is still not for those with sparse lashes... but it is definitely touted by many as a great product.

Have any feedback about mascaras you have tried??  Please, from the bottom of my heart, share your wealth of knowledge.  :)

Mock Trial--Organics v. The World

Okay--so the question of the decade is... WTF is the deal with "organic" products??  Whether it be in your local supermarket, drugstore, or favorite coffeeshop, the most popular tag line seems to be, "GO GREEN."  However, the more pertinent question should be, how much better... if at all... is it for your skin/hair regimen to use an organic product?  Looking to my prior post, it is clear that I am on a mission to try and figure out the answer.  M has been implementing the organics slowly but steadily into all aspects of her lifestyle--through food, clothing, and skin/hair products--so much of my inspiration is through her.
The first trial we will schedule on the docket covers a battle between four plaintiffs with organic claims behind their case, and the lone defendant(s)... your regular non-organic brand that is brought to you from your good ol' CVS or Target.  M and I are self-professed product whores, so we have a detailed eye for what works and what does not when we try out new things, organic or not.  The beauty of this trial is that I have doled the plaintiffs' samples out to slightly more unwitting participants who are accustomed to using Suave or Pantene from the local convenience store.  Therefore, it will truly be a discovery process that is based on the collection of touch-and-feel evidence.  How does your hair feel with the new product?  Is your hair more agreeable to styling?  Is it less prone to breakage?  Has the oil content in your hair or scalp increased?  Decreased?  Stay tuned folks... it'll be an event for the ages.  ;)

Going Green--The Potential Behind an Organic Choice

As a gal approaching the age of 30 (quite rapidly to my chagrin), I try really hard to take good care of my skin.  BUT--I am guilty of going to sleep with my makeup on at night sometimes.  I poke and squeeze at angry red zits when I should leave well enough alone.  Not to mention the fact that the winter has wreaked its normal seasonal havoc on any potential glow factor of my complexion.  I have maintained the same overall skin care routine using the products I feature above, but I think it's time to change it up.  Don't get me wrong.  The Body Shop has treated me very well in the past, and I will continue to patron some of their products.  Aveeno is a perfectly respectable drugstore choice when you are trying to stay in budget (and squeeze out loads of cleanser in each use like I do).  I adore and will continue to use the Bare Escentuals line of mineral makeup and related cosmetic products.  I enjoyed (and still enjoy) the success of those products, but I'll be real with you.  I get bored.  I like to try new things.

My trusty BFF recommended the Juice Beauty line.  I have always been intrigued by the whole "organic/natural" movement, whether it be in foods, cosmetics, apparel, so this will be a great opportunity to test it out.  I am hoping this line will bring an end to the absolutely GINORMOUS red, cystic zit that appears on my face once every few months, but brings me great misery and pain during its existence.  I am going to try and figure out where to get my hands on this pack without buying online and having to wait.  I like instant gratification, especially when I'm itching to try something right now!!  :)  I'll let everyone know how it goes.

My trusty BFF also was kind enough to send me a pack of Juice Beauty's Lip Moisturizers to try out.  I distributed the "Playful" and "Naturally Clear" to two of my colleagues at work, and I will test the "Joyful."  I love the pale pink shade for spring... and you can never go wrong with some SPF in any product you put on your face or body.  It smells divine, and I am looking forward to the experience!!

Spring Pink--This Season's Hot Shade

I have been wearing this absolutely divine shade of red lipstick through all of fall and winter (aptly named by Revlon "Divine Port Wine" within their Colorstay line) that I have adored for several years.  But, as with everything else in life that gets lighter and brighter for the transition into spring (except, apparently, my waistline... which still screams winter hibernation), I really wanted to find a "pinky" lipstick that would compliment my Asian skin tone.  I saw an ad for this recently in one of my mags, and I covet it!!  I cannot wait to try it out!!

FleurBeaute is Born Today

FleurBeaute will act as a sister site to FleurStyle.  There are always questions regarding facial care, product testing and quality, and makeup lines.  What is a good recommendation for a facial cleanser that is effective against adult acne?  What is a tried-and-true mascara brand?  What is the DEAL with mineral makeup?  Well, stick around--and we will all find out!