The Hit Parade: the Crab Rates Andrea’s Stash

Monday, May 24th, 2010

the crab rates andrea's stash

Christian La Crab is always happy to come out of his shell for some slap that deviates from the run-of-the-mill, so his little eyes were even more stalk-like when he saw reader Andrea’s top five. Packed full of niche, Asian and high-end spends, this is one bag C La C would be happy to take up residence in.

So, what’s what?

Kanebo Lunasol eye shadow quadra Nature Color in 05 Nature Colorful (Asia exclusive)
“I love Lunasol quads due to their silky texture and pigmented shades. This one can be used everyday, every time, from a subtle understated look to a more sophisticated, smoky look. Although it looks very glittery, it is not really, for the shimmer goes on very delicately, almost creamy. The small appliactors are great quality as well, especially the little fluffy brush. Shades are: buttery creamy pale yellow, soft coral pink, medium lavender and cool dark brown.”
Shu Uemura Nobara Stick foundation in shade 584
“The old Nobara reformulated,” Andrea tells us, adding “it seems now more suited for oilier skins, although mine is normal to dry. I would say it can be used by any skin type, really, though. I love it as a concealer, although I may use it as a foundation too, but always over a primer so it doesn’t flake.”
Shiseido Maquillage Lip Refiner (Asia exclusive)
“Can be used a base for lipsticks, or by itself. Gives a nice pink hint of colour without being shiny. Texture is non-sticky and satiny. Great to use before going to bed, your lips wake up smooth and plump.” Nice one!
Kanebo Coffret d’Or Lasting Power Pact UV in Soft Pink Ochre (also Asia only)
This “can be used wet or dry and has good coverage without looking cakey, and very smooth, silky finish. This one specifically is a limited edition, with colourful holographic gems applied all over.”
Chanel mascara Exceptionel in Noir Obscur
“This makes my lashes appear longer and fuller. Seems to be waterproof, although it is easily removed with my La Roche-Posay Rosaliac gel. My favourite mascara ever, along with DiorShow Blackout in Black Kohl,” Andrea reveals.

Tags: Chanel, Kanebo, reader rated, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, the crab
Posted in What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 7 Comments »

The Hit Parade: The Crab Rates Aoife’s Stash

Monday, May 17th, 2010

the crab

Beaut.ie reader Aoife sent us her top beauty picks for the Crab’s* perusal recently, and here they are in all their splendor. “It was so hard to pick five things, but these are five things I’d be happy to go on holidays with,” she says. And what would they be, then? Read on!

Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes
“Gorgeous neutral shades that work perfectly together,” Aoife declares.
Benefit 10
Obviously a well-loved item, judging by the packaging, why’s this got the x-factor? “Half bronzer-half highlighter, I love this for a night out,” she says. “I am pale so it’s tricky to find a bronzer. This is just enough for me and I love the pinky highlighter. Works well applied with a slanted brush.”
Max Factor Masterpiece Max
What’s so good about this then? “I keep coming back to this mascara after trying lots of different ones including high end brands! It is so black and separates my lashes really well.”
Estée Lauder Double Wear
“I have this in two shades, Linen and Dessert Beige,” says Aoife. “My Holy Grail foundation. It stays put and has a buildable coverage.”
Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick
“The colour here is Pink Topaz,” she says, adding that it’s “really moisturising and I think the colour is perfect for me. I think it may be discontinued soon so bought, ahem, four!”

Any of your personal loves or loathes in the line-up? Leave a comment and let us know.

*the Crab is now officially Christian La Crab, peeps (and 725 of you voted!)

Tags: Benefit, estee lauder, Max Factor, Maybelline, reader rated, the crab
Posted in What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 16 Comments »

The Hit Parade: The Crab Rates Holly’s Top Five

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

holly's crab stash

The crab’s back and the stashes are better than ever: since his return to rating he’s taken a look at two, and now it’s reader Holly’s turn for scrutiny. She’s sent us in her top five, cannot-will-not-live-withouts, and they are:

Mac Blush in Peaches
“This is my favourite blush of all time,” she says. “I have red cheeks and this blush creates a gorgeous glow without emphasizing my redness.”
L’Oreal Paris Super Liner Carbon Gloss
“This liquid eyeliner makes application an absolute cinch,” Holly reveals, adding, “my cat eye flicks are always perfect with this!” Good to know, eh?
Rimmel Lipstick in Nude Pink
What’s ace about this then, Holly? “This colour is so natural and pretty. I’m scared of bold lip colour so this is perfect. Glides on smooth and is really moisturising.” Right so!
Too Faced Natural Eye Kit
“This is the best basics palette ever,” Holly reckons. “Super-pigmented, a neutral look is so easy with this. The shades work fantastically when colour is used too. I have so many neutral palettes but always come back to this one.”
Sigma SS187 Duo-Fibre Brush
“I love this brush. The same as the Mac 187, only a fraction of the cost,” she reveals. “It makes foundation look airbrushed and skin looks flawless. My best friend!”

Whaddya reckon of Holly’s top five? Got any of the above? Love or hate ‘em? Let us know in a comment – and if you want to be crabulised, then we’ve got all the info for you here.

Tags: L'Oreal paris, Mac, reader rated, Rimmel, sigma, the crab, Too Faced
Posted in What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 24 Comments »

The Hit Parade: The Crab Rates Iloverazzle95′s Top Five

Monday, April 26th, 2010

The poll’s still open and the Crab is as yet un-named. Will this prevent him from doing his weekly nosy duty? WILL IT HECK.

Today, he’s having a sneaky inside Iloverazzles95′s beauty bag, who has left the following products out for his sea-bound scrutiny:

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation
“I love using this when I can’t be bothered with the hassle of liquid foundation, she says. “It’s so easy to apply and still gives full coverage.”
MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe
What’s good about this, then? “It’s such a pretty eye shadow that you can wear alone all over the lid or pair it with a darker shade in the crease,” she reveals, adding that Sable is her deeper colour pick. Anything else? “Definitely my favourite neutral eye shadow for every day.”
MAC Studio Finish Concealer
“This is the only concealer I have used so far that actually fully covers my spots without leaving any redness behind,” Iloverazzles95 asserts, saying it’s her Holy Grail concealing product.
Carmex
“If I go a day without this my lips are literally red raw, I will love this until I die!,” she exclaims, not unreasonably.
MAC 187 brush
“Please excuse the dirtiness,” she begins, explaining, “I used it this morning. This brush has changed my foundation routine so much for the better. Gives me the airbrushed look in a few minutes!”

Some Beaut.ie faves there too – especially the Mac 187, oh we do love a birra that. And in case you think it’d be really hard to pick just five can’t-live-withouts, Iloverazzles95 found it pretty tricky too. “It was truly hard for me not to throw in everything else I use on a day-to-day basis but when I sat down and thought about it, these were the ones I actually would die without!”

What do you reckon? Anything you love or loathe there? Want to pass judgement on her quintet, or want to submit your five for scrutiny? If so, all the info you need is on the original, the crab’s-back-from-the-dead post.

Tags: Carmex, Mac, reader rated, the crab
Posted in Can't Live Without!, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 21 Comments »

Burning Beaut.ie Questions: What Should we Call the Crab?

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Who could have anticipated the flurry of interest brought about by the crab’s return from retirement? In truth, there are three things this international crustacean of mystery cares about, and they are sun, sea and seeing into the contents of your makeup bags, so we’re glad to welcome him back to Beaut.ie.

But a bit like Withnail and I (ok, NOTHING like Withnail and I), we’ve never had a name for the crab, as the main protagonist and star of his own Beaut.ie category. And it seems you lot want to give him a moniker, the better to know him and his side-scuttling ways.

Here are your choices, and in democratic fashion, you get to decide what he’s called. Oh, as long as it’s Mick Huckhall, that is. Just sayin’!

Vote here!

Tags: poll, Rate it, the crab
Posted in Polls, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 27 Comments »

The Hit Parade: The Crab Rates Hera82′s Fab Five

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

The crab’s back! Yup, that’s right, and he’s wanting to know what’s in YOUR makeup bag, except this time around, he’s got a new agenda. Well, his attention span’s slipped a little since he’s been on hiatus and he only wants to know your top five, definitely absolutely cannot live without products.

Hera82′s our first victim volunteer, so without further ado, here’re her quintet of must-have beauty bits.

Benefit Moonbeam
“A nice subtle highlighter with warm gold/pinky tones,” says Hera82. “I use it on top of the apples of my cheeks and up to the temple.”
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 5
“My HGF!” she exclaims, explaining that it “stays on for hours and even rescues hungover skin.” Because it’s oil-free so it doesnt get stuck in pores.
Sephora Lip pen in Strawberry
“A really good lip stain, stays put for ages,” she says, adding, “so it’s good as a base for a similar coloured lipstick or under a gloss.”
YSL Touche Eclat
“The old favourite, they say not to use it under your eyes but as a highlighter – I’m so pale I can get away with doing both though!”
Mac Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF15 in Plum
“I have gone through three of these,” Hera82 reveals. “It’s a not as dark as it looks, it’s like a darkish natural lip colour.It has SFP too, a lot of lip balms don’t.”

Like the stylings of the crab? Hate the crab? Love him and hate him in equal measure? Tell us in a comment below, and if you’d like your top five products featured on the site, then you can read the submission requirements and get emailing.

Tags: reader rated, the crab
Posted in What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 34 Comments »

What’s in YOUR Makeup Bag: The Crab Returneth!

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Well, last week’s poll pretty much decided the issue. The Beaut.ie Crab is back with a bang and he’s accepting sneaky peeks into your cosmetic stashes.

He’s asked me to communicate to you – he did this using his weird eyes on stalks – that the times, they are a-changin’ for his return. Instead of seeing the entire contents of your case, he wants you to pick five treasured, can’t-live-without items instead, and tell him what they are and why you likes ‘em.

Want to take part? Instructions are after the cut.

(more…)

Tags: the crab, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag?
Posted in Beauty News & Links, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 22 Comments »

Return of the Crab: Do you Say Yay or Nay?

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Yesterday’s post on my Dior Five Couleurs palettes opened a bit of a can of worms. Or should I say, a shell of a crab? Any mention, it seems, of peeking inside cosmetic stashes brings impassioned howls for the reinstatement of the Beaut.ie crab, a trusty crustacean who, a couple of years ago, was fond of scuttling sideways into and dissecting the contents of your makeup bags for fun and games.

Modeled (er, I’m not quite sure why now) on the kindly Capital One credit card crab, our crab knew his beauty stuff and made short work of the pics and info you lot sent him in for analysis. We sent him off to pasture (sandure?) after a few months, but it seems some of you want him back – and in true Beaut.ie style, I think we need to put it to a vote.

If it goes in his favour, then he’s back ladies! So make yours count – register your interest below!

Tags: poll, the crab, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag?
Posted in Polls, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 28 Comments »

Beaut.ie Wonders: Do You Bin Cosmetics Past Their “Best Before” Date?

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

If you look closely at most skincare or cosmetics purchased in the EU since 2005, you’ll notice a little symbol that looks like an open jar with a number followed by the letter “M” printed in or around it. This is the period after opening, or PAO, symbol, and is intended to denote to consumers the safe useable lifespan of the product in months from the time of initial opening.

According to this labelling system, mascara is usually good for six months from the time it’s opened, liquid foundation for about 12 months, while perfume should be perfect for three years. Now, most of us would probably be eking the last dregs out of our daily go-to versions of those particular products anyway well within their lifespans, but what about things like body moisturisers or shampoos or fake tan? Or eyeshadow or blusher or lipstick?

When it comes to products that you have a number of incarnations of or less frequently used items, do you obey that little POA mark and toss them once their time’s up?

Tags: cosmetics, horrible beauty, poll
Posted in Polls, Rate it, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 30 Comments »

How to: summer makeup changes

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Cocktail Smiles

When the sun comes a shinin it’s only goigous and all that but it does kind of leave us in no mans land when it comes to makeup.

Change the base
You’ll need to be changing the colour of that base if you’re fake tanning your face and/or the rest of your body. After all a white face and a tanned bod is not a good look. But if you don’t want to splash out there are some great products out there to add to your foundation to get the shade just right. Try mixing some of this Clinique Self Sun Face Gel in with your foundation to summer up the shade. I can’t believe how well this is working and I’m a total convert now. Maybelline Bronzing Booster Drops are also ace for this purpose.

Lighten up
Switch to a lighter base – or a tinted mosituriser if you’ve got great skin. If you’re going on holiday somewhere hot you’ll probably find that foundation slides off your face no matter what you do – so why not just go with something like the tinted version of La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 50. Even out your complexion and get maximum protection, this is what I use on holliers. And if you’re not sure in which order you should apply sunscreen and foundation check here.

Waterproof it
Waterproof mascara is the business on holidays as is waterproof eyeliner. Try Max Factor Masterpiece or Rimmel Sexy Curves – both do good waterproof versions.

Crease less
Non crease eyeshadow or eye primers come into their own in hot weather. Try the new Estee Lauder Doublewear eyeshadows and liners to make sure everything stays in place. This is a great time to experiment with colour too.

Bronzer
And now the most fun part – bronzer. Choose one which is not too flat and has a touch of shimmer for summer. Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick is the business for summer and you can pick up lovely mutihued bronzers from most of the makeup ranges. Check out some of the bronzers we’ve reviewed.

Nails
Don’t forget your piggys – bright colours look great in summer sandals. Have a look at some of the great neon shades that are on trend this season.

Now over to you – any tips, dos or don’ts?

Tags: makeup, summer
Posted in Eyes, Lips and Cheeks, How to?, What's in YOUR Makeup Bag? | 2 Comments »