Eye of the Day: Mulled Cranberry Cider

It's been a long time since I've done an EOTD...honestly, it's been a long time since I've done anything fancy makeup-wise at all (on myself anyway!) Having a VERY active almost-four-year-old takes makeup down a few notches on the priority list, and the fact that my camera is crap and I can pretty much never get pictures that decently portray my work doesn't help. Really, my blood pressure is high as it is, so spending the time to create a look and then not being able to get a photo that shows accurate color, depth and texture (sometimes I'd even settle for 2 out of 3) is sometime more trouble than I can bare. But enough whining!

The other day I was talking to the lovely Mika of aijuswhanakno, about a particular brand that I have no great love for, Urban Decay. Mika mentioned that she was a little jealous that I had the first Book of Shadows and didn't even like it. This got me to thinking, maybe I need to get it out and give it another try. That's where this look came from.

I wanted to do something seasonal, but not totally expected, and I also wanted to work strictly within the palette. I decided if I was going to give Urban Decay some love, I was going to go in full force: the first shade I dipped into was glitter-bomb extraordinaire, Midnight Cowboy.

After applying NYX White Eyeshadow Base (not my favorite, but it was the closest at hand) I used my MAC 239 to dab Midnight Cowboy on the inner corner of my eye, not quite 1/3 of the way toward the center.

Again with my 239, I took Baked and put it on the rest of my lid, blending it lightly into the Midnight Cowboy by tapping gently with my finger. I took the Baked out to the outer corner of my eye, and blended it just up to the crease.

With a MAC 219 I added Roach, concentrating the color toward the outer corner and crease and lightly pulling it in toward the midpoint of my lid.

Above my crease, I used a MAC 217 brush to blend Last Call into and slightly above where I'd placed the roach, stopping just on top of my orbital bone.

When it came to blending and hi-lighting my brow bone, I ran out of luck with my Book of Shadows. Of the 16 shades in the book, not one was light enough or matte enough to use as a blending shade, so I grabbed my Sleek Au Naturel palette and used my MAC 217 with Honeycomb to soften the top edge of the Last Call. I added a bit of Nougat under the high point of my brow and blended it outer end of my brow. As a last though, I took a little bit of baked in the inner 1/3 of my crease to add some interest and soften the transition from the berry-plum Last call and the fair champagne of the Midnight Cowboy (you can see this touch better in the picture below, it's not as apparent in the pic above).

I applied UD 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar on the top lash line from the outer corner inward to just about the pupil, and just about to the outer 1/4 of my bottom lash line. Using a smudger brush I softened the top line and pulled the bottom line in to about the mid-point of my eye. Then I used the same brush to apply a bit of Last Call on top of the liner. I cleaned my brush, applied 24/7 pencil in Eldorado to my lower waterline and the very inner corner of my eyes, and used my smudger to add a bit of baked to the inner corners and inner, lower lash line, blending the gold shade into Last Call.

I added some Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash in black, and called it a day!

You'll have to forgive me for the pictures- the lighting is awful, and the cropping and wonky angles are even worse, but these were the shots that I felt best captured the colors and placement. Hauling my Book of Shadows out of the depths one more time was a nice challenge- though that Midnight Cowboy almost made me regret my decision from the get go. One thing you can see in the pictures are some of the tiny white flecks that show the migration path Cowboy's silver glitter moseys along on. Keep in mind, this was after constant dusting and sponging to remove the glitter from beneath my eyes. Finally, I grabbed my makeup wipes and wiped away the glitter- 3 or 4 times! I re-did my foundation, but still, by the time I was ready to take pictures, the only place this glitter wasn't was on the part of my lid where I'd actually put it. Grrr....

As I mentioned, there also isn't a great hi-lighting option in this set for fair skin. There's also a lack of contouring shades, being that even the deeper shades like Roach are satiny and reflect light- making it really hard to get good depth out of them. The one good, dark contour in this palette is Perversion, but to my eye this "jet black" leans a little blue, so I skipped it this time lest I muddy up my look.

Product List:

• NYX White Eyeshadow Base (I prefer Urban Decay Primer Potion)
• UD Midnight Cowboy (pale champagne with chunky silver glitter)
• UD Baked (an almost-bronze gold)
• UD Roach (satiny deep copper brown)
• UD Last Call (mid-tone satin plum-berry)
• Sleek MakeUP Honeycomb (matte light wheat)
• Sleek MakeUP Nougat (matte off-white) 
• UD's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar (charred eggplant)
• UD's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Eldorado (gold)
• Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash mascara in Black.

Brushes:

• MAC 239 (small dense, short-bristled paddle brush)
• MAC 219 (pencil brush)
• MAC 217 brush (full, fluffy, round-tipped brush)
• Lancome #10 Smudger Brush

The Sleek product featured in this review was submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. 

Sleek MakeUP Nude Collection:Review & Swatches

Staying on top of the trends, and just in time for fall, Sleek MakeUP recently released it's Nude collection. Included in the collection is the Au Naturel i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette, Suede Blush and Bare Minimum Pout Polish.

I'm generally not a fan of neutrals (too boring!) but they are classics for a reason, and nothing beats neutrals for autumnal elegance. The Au Naturel Eye Shadow Palette contains 12 shades with a nice range of finishes- everything from matte to satin to shimmer.

Sleek Au Naturel i-Divine Palette

Au Naturel Pallete, Left Side

Au Naturel Pallete, Right Side

Upon swatching, I was initially disappointed in the pigmentation of the lighter shades. Though the texture is wonderful, especially for the matte finish shadows (smooth, soft and not at all chalky) they simply just didn't have much to show for it. 

Au Naturel Pallete, Top Row

Having said this, I can still see their worth in "blending" shades, to soften edges on more intense shades, and the shimmery champagne shade Taupe is a wonderful highlighting shade for light and light-medium skin.

Swatching the deeper shades on the bottom row was a different story altogether. Every shade was packed with pigment, applied smoothly, and blended like a dream. 

Au Naturel Palette, Bottom Row

While the palette is filled with neutrals, the shades are just different enough to make them different. Moss, for instance, isn't your typical muted green, but rather a slightly green-tinged dirty ochre-bronze. Regal is a great eggplant that's the perfect balance of not too drab, not too bright. Bark is a gorgeously rich cool toned brown with a creamy texture and a semi-matte finish; if I'd had this palette last month after breaking a shadow at a bridal trial-run, this shade would have saved me a last-minute Sephora trip that cost me $19 for a single shadow! Compare that with the i-Divine's $10.50 price tag and it's a steal- even with a few lackluster shades.

Since the richer, smokey shades are obviously the star of the eye shadow palette, it's no surprise that the cheek and lip offerings are more subtle.

Suede blush is a nicely pigmented spiced peach shade. My Suede looks VERY different than the one on the Sleek website. In real life, it's brighter, warmer, and frankly, much prettier than the drab Sleek swatch! The warm shade and matte finish work nicely in the fall, but I also think this is just bright enough to work in the warmer months as well.

Sleek Suede Blush

The Pout Polish in this collection is very aptly named Bare Minimum; a barely-there creamy nude.

In the pot, Bare Minimum looks like it leans on the peachy side, but it's so sheer this doesn't really read on the lips. 

Sleek Pout Polish in Bare Minimum

It's perfect for days when you really do want the bare minimum- a plush, moisturizing balm with sun protection and a hint of shine. If your lip color is naturally more pigmented, this shade may mute down the color ever so slightly, but if you're looking for more color on your lips, you may want to pass on Bare Minimum. As with all Pout Polishes, this balm has a vanilla scent and slight chemical aftertaste.

All in all, I think this collection is great for anyone who wants to get in on the "Nude" trend or just stock up some neutral basics. The blush is pigmented and blends well, and while the Pout Polish doesn't pack much of a pigment punch, it is a great formula for nourishing and protecting the lips. Like most eye shadow palettes, you may find one or two shades that remain untouched when your palette is tapped, but the quality for the price, as usual, is hard to beat!

The products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Product Review/Drugstore Dupe:Sleek Pout Paint vs. OCC Lip Tar

Sleek Pout Paints, from Top to Bottom:
Pin Up, Peek-A-Bloo, Cloud 9, Peachy Keen

A new addition to the Sleek line, this ultra concentrated lip pigment promises endless color options and outstanding color payoff with just a tiny speck of product. The 11 shades in the line are meant to be mixed, though of course they can be worn solo as well. This create-your-own shade idea isn't new: MAC has made Lipmix for around a decade, but the most well known member of this category is Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Lip Tar. OCC's cult following is well deserved, but how does Sleek's version compare?

First, the similarities. Both products perform almost identically, with a few caveats. The products are very pigmented and make true on promises to provide opaque color and long wear with just the tiniest amount of product. They both mix easily with other shades to create an infinite number of color combinations. Both products dry down to a similar satin finish that feels light and comfortable on the lips.

Now for those caveats I spoke of. First and most obvious is the price difference. Both Sleek Pout Paint and OCC Lip Tar come in 8ml tubes, but Sleek's run $8.00 as compared to OCC's $13. If you're in the UK, this will definitely be a plus, but for those ordering online, shipping charges may make that savings moot. In the US, for instance, the price of both Pout Paint and Lip Tar are $18/ea with shipping.

As for the formula, though they perform similarly, there are some notable differences. While Sleek's base formula is a blend of polymers and oils, OCC's is almost exclusively oil. This means that OCC Lip Tars are much runnier in consistency than Sleek Pout Paints. Pout Paints stay in the tube until you squeeze them out, whereas Lip Tars will drip out without any force. I actually have to store my Lip Tars nozzle-up to keep them from leaking out of the tube. Sleek's thicker consistency paired with a finer pinpoint nozzle results in greater control: more accurate mixing with less mess and waste.

OCC's Lip Tars also exhibit much more bleeding on my lips than the Sleek Paints (you can even see this effect in the following swatches). I also felt that my OCC Lip Tars spoiled relatively quickly; some went rancid in less than a year. Of course, I haven't had my Sleek Pout Paints long enough to gauge their shelf-life, but judging by the lower level of oils and the inclusion of preservatives (OCC Lip Tar includes only Vitamin E as a preservative), I'd imagine Pout Paint would stand the test of time much better.

One more note on formulation: keep in mind that while OCC Liptars are completely vegan, Sleek Pout Paints do contain beeswax, so if that's a concern for you, be(e?) aware. Oh, and if scent is an issue for you, know that Sleek Pout Paints have a light orange fragrance, while OCC Lip Tars are peppermint scented.

Now, finally, the colors. As I mentioned before, Sleek's current range of Pout Paints includes 11 shades, while OCC's spectrum has 36 shade choices to offer. In my opinion, since the pigments are meant to blend, shades outside of the primary colors and shades are just bonuses. I mean, if these products are designed for blending, then do we really need more than black, white, red, yellow and blue? But it's here that Sleek has missed the boat- excluding both black and yellow hues from their range limits the true potential of the product.

FYI, I've seen a lot of people asking other reviewers if the two brands are interchangeable. I've made several blends mixing the Lip Tar and the Pout Paint and had no problem. Depending on your ratio, you may experience some separating, since the Lip Tar has a tendency to do that on its own, but a simple stir will remedy that, so no worries.

Of the 4 Sleek Pout Paints that I was sent, I own "dupes" for 3 in OCC Lip Tars. Here are the comparisons:

OCC Lip Tar in RX (top)
Sleek Pout Paint in Peek-A-Bloo (bottom)

OCC Lip Tar in Feathered (top)
Sleek Pout Paint in Cloud 9 (bottom)

OCC Lip Tar in NSFW (top)
Sleek Pout Paint in Pin Up (bottom)

As you can see, the blue and white shades are pretty dead-on. Though OCC's Feathered seems sheerer in the swatch than Sleek's Cloud 9, I didn't notice a big difference on my lips. There is a slight difference in the reds- OCC's NSFW is a bit brighter and has less blue than Sleek's Pin Up. Both lines have other reds that may be better matches.

To sum up, both products are great at what they do. OCC definitely wins points for a wider color range, whereas Sleek's lower price point may sway some. Boiling it down to product performance alone, Sleek wins out for me simply because their Pout Paints don't separate in the container or feather on the lips, making the product easier and more enjoyable to use.

Some products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Happy Blogiversary to Meeeee.....CONTEST IS OVERThanks for Entering!

Well, it's here folks. Today OutInAPout.com turns two years old! Without being too gushy, I just want to say I've enjoyed every minute of it. Immersing myself in the beauty blogger culture has educated me in ways I never thought possible. It's reignited a passion for writing I'd almost let go to ash. Above all, it's connected me to hundreds of people, many of which I now call friends. To each and every one of you, from those who have been with me since day one to youse newbies who are still trying to figure me out, THANK YOU!!!

To show my love, thanks, and gratitude I'm hosting a month long Blogiversary Giveaway!!! Throughout the past year, I've collected goodies worth OVER $130 for just such an occasion. These are the products we lusted over, the new lines that rocked our world, the shades everyone had to have, and a few favorites thrown in for good measure.

So, what are you looking at? One lucky follower will win everything pictured above!

Orly Cosmic FX polishes in Galaxy Girl and Space Cadet: The buzz of the fall polish season, these shimmery, duo-chrome lacquers were almost impossible to find. They also happen to be dead-on dupes for MAC's super popular Venomous Villains shades Formidable! and Mean & Green.

Barry M Nail Paint in Dusky Mauve: This Brit drug-store brand isn't available in US stores, but that's not gonna stop you from rocking a fist full of iridescent grey-purple (grurple?) awesomeness. Oh, and if you loved Chanel's Paradoxal but couldn't get your mitts on it (or just think spending $23 on one nail polish is a little silly) you're in luck: total dupeosity. Don't believe me? Check out Charlotte's comparison on Lipglossiping. While you're there, thank her for this prize- I actually won it in her contest about a week after I had a friend send me one from the UK! So, good for me, good for you!

Sleek MakeUP iDivine Palette in Bad Girl: If you follow me or a myriad of other beauty enthusiasts, you may have wondered what all of the Sleek hubbub has been about for the past few weeks. The beauty SNAFU of the season, this hot high-street brand offered a 12-hour 50% off sale, which got all kinds of wonky. Without reiterating the whole story, I'll just tell you that I had my friend Ana (yes, that Ana. As in Anastasia, from Lipsticks & Lightsabers. Yeah, we're friends. Jealous?) call me from the UK at 6:50 AM to make sure I was up and online when the sale started. I don't get up that early. Ever. But I did, to get this palette, for this giveaway. Which I actually didn't (yet...long story). I did, however, have one of my own that I hadn't yet touched. I love y'all so much, so here it is.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Stereo Rose: if you don't know about this, I'm not sure why you're reading a beauty blog (of course, I'm glad you are!) but for your education, just do a quick search on eBay.

e.l.f Studio Powder Brush: This is easily my bestest cheapest buy this year- I use this brush to apply my foundation daily. It applies, blends, buffs...it's not the most luxe feeling or fanciest looking brush I own, but it does the job better than any other.

e.l.f Studio Lip Lock Pencil: Another great bargain find. This colorless "unliner" goes around the outside of the lip line and, as the name implies, locks in color to prevent bleeding. I like it a lot. Check out my review if you wanna see why!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance: Ever see the acronym TFSI and wondered what the heck it was? Despite what Google may tell you, it doesn't stand for "Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection". It's this, and your favorite eyeshadow is 100 times more awesome with it underneath.

Sleek MakeUP Pout Polish: It's a gloss, a balm, a sunscreen and even kind of a stain. It's my go-to lip product. I own every color. You should too, and I'm gonna start you off with my first shade (Perfect Plum) and the newest one (Powder Pink).

Sugarpill Pressed Eyeshadow: The launch the world awaited! When Sugarpill launched in February, I was lucky enough to be sent an incredible press kit from founder Amy (aka Shrinkle). These are quite possibly the best shadows in my arsenal, and when Sugarpill had a sale on some scratch-and-dent "monster palettes" I took the opportunity to fill out my collection. This meant I ended up with some duplicates, so I pulled them out of their original homes and made a Franken-palette just for you guys! Not available ANYWHERE else, this palette includes 4 full-size, super pigmented shades: Buttercupcake, Poison Plum, Midori and Afterparty. Since they're from the monster sale palettes, a couple have some minor dings, but I promise, you won't care!

Seche Vite: I'm not really sure what took me so long to try this, but I'm oh so glad I did- it really is the best! Dries fast and rock hard in minutes- I can (and do) go to bed 10 minutes after a polish change with this stuff.

So now that you know what it is, I bet you want to know how you can win it. I'm gonna make it pretty easy on you. Here are my rules:

• You must be a follower of this blog. Sorry if that seems unfair, but this giveaway is specifically to thank those that have supported me these last few years. Besides, it's super easy to follow- just click the button. I promise I won't call you or show up at your house or anything.
• Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite OutInAPout post has been. Comments MUST include an email address that I can contact you at if you're chosen as winner. This earns you one entry.
• Earn an additional ONE entry by tweeting about this contest. You can use your own words, but please include a link to this post and @outinapout in your tweet, so I know you tweeted.
• Earn an additional 2 entries for blogging or posting about this on Facebook. Again, say what ever you want, just make sure you include a link to this post! Of course, I'll have to know what you did, so make sure you leave an additional comment on this post with a link to your blog post or Facebook update.
• Contest is open internationally, as long as it's legal for you to enter (your local rules & restrictions apply, yada, yada, yada.)
• Contest ends December 15, 2010 at Midnight EST.

Good Luck, and again, thanks!!!

Sleek Makeup 50% Off Sale!

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, this probably isn't big news, because I've been talking about it since I first heard it was going to happen a few weeks ago. If you're not familiar, Sleek Makeup is a UK based brand probably best known for their i-Divine Palettes; 12 super pigmented eyeshadow shades for less than the price of one pan of MAC! If you missed it, their Acid iDivine Palette was one of my "Best of Beauty" mentions this year, and I absolutely adore their Pout Polishes (I own them all except the very newest and I promise an in-depth review soonish!)

The big news is that, as a thank you to their fan base, the brand will be hosting a 12 hour long 50% off sale on their website tomorrow, Thursday, November 11th. The sale will begin at 12:00 GMT (which, if my calculations are correct, means I'll be setting my alarm for 7am EST!) For US users, the code USD50SLK must be entered at check out. In the UK, the code is GBP50SLK, and EUR50SLK is the code for all users in the rest of Mainland Europe (those where the € sign is automatically selected as the default on the website).

If you've never tried Sleek, now is the time. Everything I've tried from the brand is well worth the full retail price (and more!) so half off is a deal you definitely shouldn't miss. Oh, and make sure you're following me here for a chance to WIN some awesome Sleek goodies!

Allure Magazine's 2010 Best of Beauty:A Pro's Commentary

It's the list heard 'round the world; Allure’s annual Best of Beauty issue (October 2010) is the issue to beat all issues. Now considered a major industry accolade, this list of over 200 skincare, cosmetic and hair care products is meant to represent the best of the best; “handpicked and field-tested" by the magazine's editors.

Even after more than a decade in the beauty industry, I still run to this issue to see what other beauty pros choose. I picture magazine beauty editors with towering skyscraper stacks of product on their desks; they have access to the best, newest, most exclusive products out there. Every year this single issue contributes vastly to my ongoing list of “must try” pretties and potions, yet I also find myself shaking my head over some of the so-called “best”. This year, I thought I’d share some of my most noteworthy commentary with you, and maybe throw in a few suggestions myself!

Allure’s Best Eye Shadow (Color): Nars Daphne.

I know Nars has a great reputation, and some of their colors are to die for, but when it comes down to it, I’m not a believer. I have several shades (to be fair, I don’t own Daphne) and find that regardless of which base I use or how I apply, the vibrant out-of-the-pan shade fades (even sometimes becomes muddy) on my eye before I’ve even finished applying my mascara.

If you’re looking for a great vibrant purple, I suggest Sugarpill’s Poison Plum. It’s not a dead-on dupe; Daphne appears to be slightly more of a blue-based violet. Sugarpill's Poison Plum has a tad more red and also has a tiny bit of microglitter in it, but reads on the eyes as a matte. Oh, and it's half the price!

Poison Plum shown in the crease, shown

w/ Sugarpill Buttercupcake and Decora

Another great option is the purple shade in Sleek’s Acid iDivine Palette. While it does have some of the same fading issues as the Nars shadows, you can pick up an entire 12 shade Sleek palette for less than half what a single Nars shadow costs, so it's hard to go wrong there. In fact, if we’re giving awards out for shadow color, I’d give a nod to the entire Acid palette- how many of you have run into an honest-to-blog neon eyeshadow before? Sleek’s Acid palette has 4 shades so bright I had problems photographing them without a glare!

The purple I'm talking about is bottom left, but do

you see the 4 in the middle? Bicycle reflector bright!

Allure’s Best Lengthening Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Length

I’m so glad Allure doesn’t split the mascara into prestige and mass categories- I want to know which mascara is the best, and I couldn’t care less if I have to go to a drugstore or Saks to pick it up.

While I wasn’t as fond of the original LashBlast as everyone else seemed to be, the lengthening formula is one of my favorites. It gives great length and definition, doesn't flake or smudge, and I literally can not get this stuff to clump- even when I try!

Allure’s Best Brow Groomer: Clarins Eyebrow Kit Pro Palette

I’ve never tried Allure’s top choice, and I wouldn’t mention anything if I hadn’t found a holy-grail brow product this year: MAC’s Penultimate Brow Marker. This fine-line liquid pen comes in one universal shade that works for most hair colors. It fills and creates a great shape, without looking overly done or drawn on. Best of all, it stays on all day. The one caveat: last I knew, it was limited edition, so perhaps after my back-ups run dry I’ll try Allure’s recommendation.

Allure’s Best Lipstain: Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain Pencil

I have this product in the shade Joy, a pretty peach that goes a bit more coral on my naturally pink lips. One of my go-to lip products, it applies smoothly and feels like butter on my lips. However, I don’t think stain is an accurate description- while it may leave a bit of color behind after the balm wears off, it certainly doesn’t linger with the color intensity it’s first applied with.

Allure’s Best Dry Shampoo: Tresemmé FreshStart Waterless Foam Shampoo

As if I psychically knew this would be included in Allure’s list, I actually just picked this up last week on a whim. I grabbed it because I noticed it was designed for dry to normal and curly hair, and that’s me.

It felt odd applying a wet mousse to my my hair while it was dry, and it was a bit awkward trying to work it into my roots without getting the rest of my hair wet. It did dry faster than I expected and my hair was a tiny bit cleaner than before use, but this stuff wasn’t nearly as effective as my current favorite: Batiste Dry Shampoo.

Allure’s Best Powder (Loose): Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Microfinish Powder

Who hasn’t tried this stuff? Oh...you haven’t? I say skip it. Not that it’s a bad product, but it’s way overpriced considering it’s pure silica. MUFE charges $30 for .35 oz of a product that can be bought from online wholesalers for less than $5.00 for an entire ounce! There is some controversy that claims that the two products are not the same and that wholesale silica microspheres aren't safe, but personally I just think this is marketing rhetoric. The type of silica used in cosmetics is silica microspheres. The type of silica that causes lung disease is crystalline silica. Not the same stuff.

Aside from the price, I feel like the MUFE powder can look chalky if not blended well, and doesn't seem special in terms of finish or coverage.

Allure's Best for Sensitive Skin: Kinerase Cream

I've written about Kinerase in the past, and while it wasn't a review per sé, it gives you some insight on my opinions of the product. I actually have used Kinerase Cream, and wasn't a big fan (as a matter of fact, about 1/3 of the tube sits, unused, in my medicine cabinet). I didn't notice a thing in terms of fine line or spot reduction, and despised the chalky white film the product left on my skin. When I get down to brass tacks about it, the cream didn't even moisturize enough for my dry skin, so I was forced to move on to another product.

My current favorites for my own sensitive skin? CeraVe Cream is what I turn to when my skin is so irritated that everything else hurts. The bulky 16oz container doesn't pretend to be luxurious, but the cream itself soothes and moisturizes my skin into submission. This cream uses a patented time release technology that delivers moisturizers throughout the day. It not only hydrates, but helps skin attract and retain moisture, and helps to rebuild the skin's protective barrier. (BTW, I'm currently testing CeraVe's newest moisturizer, an AM version with SPF and anti-aging superstar niacinamide- review to follow, you can be sure!)

I'm also a big fan of Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum (though, Olay, could you have picked a more redundant name?) and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. Both work as nice moisture boosters and provide great anti-oxidant protection. Lauder's ANR has a ton of the moisture magnet hyaluronic acid, while Olay's Regenerist boasts wrinkle fighting peptides and niacinamide.

Allure's Best Tweezers: Tweezerman Slant Tweezers

The platinum standard. Enough said. If you don't have a pair, go get some, NOW. Yes, they're $20, but they'll be the last pair of tweezers you'll ever have to buy (Literally. Tweezerman offers free lifetime sharpening.) Fair warning: do not be tempted to get the point tweezers, they're deadly!

So, that's it...there's my red-carpet blah-blah about what I think the best and brightest are (and aren't). There's a good chance you'll disagree with me on some points, or have your own opinions on some of the other 224 products featured in the issue. So...go grab the October Allure and come back to weigh in!

Some recommended products featured in this post were initially submitted for review consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I may not have paid for it. My commitment is to you, my readers, and myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). I can assure you that the opinions expressed on OutInAPout are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post in any way influenced by the featured company.

Halloween Looks: Lucent Rainbows & Pink Calamari!

As I promised on Twitter earlier this week, here's a peek of a couple Halloween looks I created this year, one on myself and one for Stacey Vest, wig guru and the talent behind Sweet Hayseed's Wearable Wonders.

This was the first year we took my daughter Trick-or-Treating (she was Abby Cadabby, if anyone is curious!) so I had a busy day on the 31st- this culminated in me having to slap on my own makeup as fast as I could, as my fiance, mother and daughter waited anxiously. I wouldn't say this is a great representation of my work- I spend a ton more time on my clients. Still, it was fun, so here it is! You'll also have to excuse me if my photo quality isn't great- I think you'll still get the gist!

This first one is a close up of me wearing the Shu Uemura Lucent Rainbow Eyelashes that inspired the entire look. Honestly, I wanted these from the moment I saw them. When Nordstrom opened here last month and I realized they had a Shu Lash Bar, I had to get them; Halloween was really a convenient justification!

Though the picture is not in the sharpest focus, hopefully you can also see my Geo circle lenses- cute and freaky at the same time! I got them relatively last minute from CandyOps for only $10! They're just cosmetic- no script, but for that price, they could have been disposable for all I care!

Unfortunately, this was the best picture we were able to get of the actual eye makeup, but who are we kidding, the lashes were the star anyway! Still, it was a pretty rainbow look, and something I might like to re-create some day.

I created the entire look with my Sleek I-Divine Acid Palette, which is (as it promises) acid bright! It's so bright, in fact, that when I tried to photograph the palette itself in sunlight several of the neon shades (which are matte) actually glared back at the camera like a bicycle reflector!

To get this look, I started with yellow on the inner corner (I know you can't really see it, but trust me, it's there!) I packed the palette's neon orange shade onto the outer 2/3 of the lid, then added the hot pink in the outer corner and crease. To add a bit more dimension, I worked just a bit of a slightly deeper magenta into the outer V and blended it into the crease. On the bottom lash line, which is more visible in the other photos, I rimmed with purple, blue and neon green from the outer to the inner corner.

In case you're wondering, right now Sleek Makeup is only available overseas, something the company promises it's working hard to remedy. The Acid palette itself was actually a limited edition; I had to hunt down mine down on the UK EBay, but it was totally worth it. Aside from great, original colors, Sleek Makeup is ridiculously inexpensive- the palette itself retails for £4.99, which is a little over $8.00. Combine my purchase price with overseas shipping and it was about the same price you'd pay for a single MAC shadow!

This one is the lovely Miss Stacey, wearing the look she coined Calamari. Up until the day before Halloween, I was working under the assumption that Stacey was going to dress as Little Red Riding Hood. In all fairness, she had told me that something snake-like was also a possibility- knowing how kooky Stacey is, I should have known the look would morph into this!

After prepping Stacey's skin with primer, foundation and concealer, I created a mottled pattern with Kryolan's UV Purple Aquacolor. Using a piece of netting from a pair of crocheted stockings as a stencil, I sponged the pattern onto Stacey's forehead and under her cheekbones. I also used the UV Purple to fill in her brows and cut her crease. Though the picture cuts it off, the cut crease wings out and up to meet her extended brow line, which reminded me of tentacles. Keep in mind, the UV Aquacolors all glow under black-light, an effect that I hope Stacey was able to make use of!

After blending the crease upward with the purple and white shades from my Sleek Acid palette, I used the neon pink shade from the palette on Stacey's lid, forehead and cheeks. I topped of her lids with a coat of Mehron Paradise Glitter in Electric Magenta. Truth be told, I wasn't thrilled with this product- it was a plastic-like material with almost no reflective quality; it looked more like pink sanding sugar (the kind you decorate cookies with) than glitter. It's times like these I most wish we had a MAC Pro store nearby, but alas...

To finish things off, I lined Stacey's lips with NYX lip liner in Prune, filling in all but the center of her lips. I topped this off with an bright coat of true blue-based fuchsia lipstick.

As a finishing touch, I wanted to add a bit of sheen to mimic the opalescent glow that you can see on the skin of many underwater creatures. I used TKB's Hilight Violet on the center of the upper portion of Stacey's forehead. I also mixed a bit of the pigment into Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Clear Lip Tar, which made an incredible iridescent gloss. A pair o' big pink lashes and a quick snap with my iPhone camera later and Stacey was out the door.

Though I wasn't able to see Stacey's full calamari getup in person, she did have some images taken for promotional use. Hopefully, I'll be able to get more shots, but I couldn't resist giving you guys a peek of the look complete with one of Sweet Hayseed's custom wigs!

So, that was my Halloween. In addition to my makeup and blue wig, I wore a HUGE rainbow tutu, made by the multi-talented Ms. Vest. Though the extent of my festivities was Trick-or-Treating with Rorschach and a 21 month old fairy-in-training, it was one of the best Halloweens in memory (and not just because we got 3 full sized Reese's Cups from one house!) So, any ideas for next year?