The Ordinary skin care is now at sephora.com!

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Exciting news!  The insanely inexpensive skin care line The Ordinary is now available at sephora.com.  I hate using the term “disruptor,” as it has become an hackneyed term, but here it applies, as The Ordinary has proven that you buy cheap skin care that works.  It’s already been picked up by luxury brand e-retailer Beautylish.

I shopped The Ordinary for its foundation, but it wasn’t blendable.  On the other hand, I liked the skin care products that I bought:

Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion (formerly Advanced Retinoid 2%)
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is among the products that you can buy on sephora.com:

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

It’s a gentle, non-irritating exfoliating liquid. I apply it at nighttime. I love AHA products because the results are evident when I wake up in the morning. They also provide me a smooth surface for applying makeup.

#MusicMonday #France Johnny Hallyday et Sylvie Vartan – À plein cœur

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French singer Johnny Hallyday died last month, December 5, 2017, at age 74. He was the closest thing that France had for a rock’n’roll star.

Here is Johnny Hallyday with his soon-to-be wife Sylvie Vartan singing À plein cœur from the film D’où viens-tu Johnny? (1963).

Johnny Hallyday and Sylvie Vartan were married in 1965 and divorced in 1980. He subsequently married 4 times (including twice to the same woman). Sylvie Vartan remarried once.

In subsequent #MusicMonday posts, I’ll feature other singers whom we lost recently: Keely Smith (d. December 16, 2017) and France Gall (d. January 7, 2018).

#MusicMonday A #Christmas Pop #Music Playlist That Won’t Drive You Insane With Schmaltz

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Over at The Federalist, James B. LaGrand writes:

If your tastes run more to popular, folk, or jazz music, there are still plenty of beautiful, creative, and moving interpretations of classic Christmas songs in a Christian vein to listen to. Here are some favorites that can serve as an antidote for unsatisfying Christmas music concerts (as well as various other sad and troubling things in our world).

Source: Here’s A Christmas Pop Music Playlist That Won’t Drive You Insane With Schmaltz

Merry Christmas from Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Merry Christmas from Cold Cream ‘n’ Roses

The article includes videos for James LaGrand’s eight chosen songs, but I put those songs into a Spotify playlist:

Artdeco launches Claudia Schiffer #makeup 

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German cosmetics brand Artdeco has launched a new makeup collection inspired by 1990s supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

Claudia Schiffer Makeup
Claudia Schiffer Makeup

Claudia Schiffer had previously served as brand ambassador for Revlon and L’Oréal.

If it were me, I’d spring for the eye shadow palette (below) and the blush in Hot Sand.

Claudia Schiffer eye shadow quad
Claudia Schiffer eye shadow quad

But the prices are crazy expensive, as each item costs $40.00. Artdeco is offering 20% off Claudia Schiffer Makeup (Code CLAUDIA) until Friday, December 22, 2017 11:59 PM PST

Source: http://claudiaschiffer.artdecobeauty.com/

Best of #beauty – Hourglass, Cover FX and more

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Best of beauty

Clockwise from top left:

Hourglass Vanish™ Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

A creamy stick foundation that serves as both a full-coverage foundation and concealer.  I like blending it with my Sigma 3DHD™ Kabuki Brush.

Cover FX Clear Cover Invisible Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Don’t like the whitish cast of many sunscreens? Then try Cover FX Clear Cover Invisible Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30.  This sunscreen goes on clear and has a serum-y consistency.

Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer – press sample

An unbelievably silky face primer with a serum-y consistency from K-Beauty brand Touch in Soul

L.A. Colors 5-Color Matte Eyeshadow Palette

OK, so the eye shadows aren’t silky, but they have good pigmentation.  A bargain at USD $1.50.  Yep, you read that right: one dollar and fifty cents.  Like neutrals as much as I do? Then try Tan Khaki, Brown Tweed, or Natural Linen (shown).

Jane Iredale Daytime eyeshadow palette

The perfect neutral eyeshadow palette

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Jane

One swipe, and you’re done.  Jane (Fonda? Birken?) is described as “terracotta rose.”  The terracotta makes the rose less precious. For other terracotta faves, visit Meet the Lipstick Shade That’ll Replace Your Nudes This Fall.

Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick

Burt’s Bees Satin Lipstick is every bit as good as luxury lipsticks (including NARS).  It’s a great value at USD 9.00. My lipstick wardrobe includes Burt Bee’s Satin Lipsticks in Ruby Ripple and Russet River.  Buy wherever Burt’s Bees are sold (and that’s practically everywhere).

IsaDora Eye Shadow Quartet in Muddy Nudes

Yes, I sprang for the IsaDora eye shadow palettes as soon as they became available on walgreens.com.  I am delighted with the smoothness and pigmentation of the eye shadow quartet and the subtle gradation of shades.

#MusicMonday Nat King Cole “The #Christmas Song”

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In tribute to the holidays, here is Nat “King” Cole singing “The Christmas Song”, better known by its opening lines:

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

via https://www.facebook.com/natkingcole/posts/10155089032158807

The Christmas Song was written by Mel Tormé, a crooner in his own right, and Bob Wells.  It is among the Top 10 Christmas songs written by Jews, from ‘Silver Bells’ to ‘Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.”

 

Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year is …

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(drum roll, please) Ultra Violet!

Pantone used to be for industry insiders only; now it announces its Color of the Year to great fanfare.  Here is a color story for Ultra Violet:

Actually, Pantone created 8 palettes (Sigh.  I miss the color stories in InStyle).

Source: Pantone Color of the Year 2018 Tools for Designers I Ultra Violet 18-3838

Indian Media Pans Ivanka Trump’s Dress

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Ivanka in India

Respect would have meant wearing dresses by Indian designers: I have to agree with VOGUE India on this one.  Moreover, it’s fashion diplomacy. Lady Gaga wore a Naeem Khan gown when she was India – and a wig dyed white, orange, and green: the colors of the India flag.

I’m sensitive about cultural appropriation when it comes to India.  It’s shameful that people feel free to trash India and Hinduism while they appropriate yoga and ayurveda for themselves, with little to no credit to the Indian roots.

Ivanka could make wearing a burlap sack look good, but apparently, that’s not good enough.

Source: Indian Media Pans Ivanka Trump’s Dress: ‘Cultural Appropriation’ by ‘Botoxed Barbie’

Oh, Thank Heaven

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… 7-Eleven is launching its private label cosmetics line called Simply Me Beauty.

 

Simply Me Beauty

 

Source: 7-Eleven Hopes Women Want Cosmetics With Their Coffee

7-Eleven is the latest to throw its hat into the booming cosmetics category as the giant convenience store company seeks to capitalize on its huge foot traffic.

Actually, 7-Eleven entered into the beauty business before. It used to sell a cosmetics line that was geared to tweens. And I remember when 7-Eleven had a private label hosiery brand!