Return of The Skinny!

Those of you who are fans of my Weekly Sales posts (which has been on hiatus, I apologize!) no doubt noticed several months ago when beauty-only site The Skinny disappeared from my list. The good news is, now they're back. The even better news is that they've extended a special 10% off offer to Out In A Pout readers! Simply use the code OutInAPout10 at checkout. The code is valid now through September 10th, (sorry, it can't be combined with The Skinny credits). If you haven't signed up yet, and feel like giving me credit for referring you, just click here to sign up for your free membership. Today's featured brands are pūr~lisse (ends Monday, August 27th) and Olivella (ends Thursday). Have fun shopping!

Flash Swatch: L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream

I'm a big fan of BB Creams, and as they begin to penetrate the US market, I'm naturally curious about what the western brands have to offer. I've tested one or two brands in store, and the results have been less than encouraging. Most on-line reviews I've run across have reinforced my first impressions: US BB creams seem to be nothing more than a marketing gimmick; re-branded tinted moisturizers that lack the coverage, finish and benefits of their Asian counterparts.

Today, I flipped open my newly arrived issue of Allure to find a partially exploded blister pack sample of one of the new state-side offerings: L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream. Though there wasn't enough left in the pack to get a full face application, there was enough to do a little quicky hand swatch, so I thought I'd share my impression.

L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream in Medium
Unblended Swatch with blended portion underneath

The shade pictured here is medium, so it's no surprise to me that it's too dark for my sub-MAC paleness, but the real issue is the tone. The cream is a bright peachy-orange, and I have a hard time believing it would look natural on any skin tone, though it could perhaps bring a little balance to olive skin tones that lean blue or medium tones that have issues with ashiness.

Another disappointment is the utter lack of coverage. To me the magic of a true BB cream (like my favorite, Missha Perfect Cover) is that they can provide flawless coverage while looking and feeling totally natural. This covered nothing and I wouldn't even say it evened out my skin tone, it really just added a bit of tint.

The final mark of distinction of a true BB cream is it's infusion of skin care benefits. Now, I should say, I don't rely on any BB cream or foundation for my moisture or repair- and in the case of Youth Code, that would be a good thing. Though I spied a couple of antioxidants and one of my favorite multifaceted wonder ingredients, niacinamide, on the label, they appeared very low on the
ingredient list, appearing after preservatives and irritating by-products. To me, this is a red flag that the product is simply "dusted" with beneficial ingredients but that it likely doesn't contain them in concentrations high enough to be effective. Even the sun protection in this cream is wanting- though advertised as a broad spectrum SPF 15, the combination of octinoxate and titanium dioxide is lacking in strong UVA (aging) protection.

What do you think? Have you tried BB Creams, and if so, do you prefer the newer domestic versions, or their original Asian predecessors?

Beauty Goes Wild!Japonesque Safari Chic Brush Collection

Safari is big this fall; animal prints are springing up everywhere, and the beauty world is taking its cue!

China Glaze takes your mani On Safari

Tarte gives a shout out with their Call Of The Wild eyeshadow palette

Even Dior is headed to the jungle, with Savannah inspired shades and leopard spotted shadows

But perhaps the most unique (and adorable!) offering I've seen so far is the Safari Chic collection from Japonesque.

Launched exclusively at Ulta, the Safari Chic collection consists of 4 super-soft, completely synthetic brushes with bristles that are actually arranged in a leopard spot pattern! How has nobody thought of this before?! 

The brushes themselves- a kabuki ($22) and a trio set including a plush powder brush, and two shadow brushes ($29.95) are travel sized with shorter handles, but are the perfect working size. The bristles are firm enough to stand up to cream makeup, but fluffy enough to make blending and buffing a breeze. The ferrules are tight, and I've seen not one bristle shed since I started using these almost a month ago. 

My only complaint about the collection is that I did find the two shadow brushes very similar in function; while one brush is larger and slightly more dense, the shape is virtually identical. While both brushes worked well for lid and all-over application, and as blenders, even the smaller crease brush was simply too long and fluffy to provide much precision on a smaller lid like mine. Though I liked each brush individually, I'd simply would have liked to see more variation in the set (perhaps a pencil brush or more compact, shorter bristled lid brush). 

All things considered, I think the Safari Chic collection is a worthy temptation for any animal (or makeup brush) lover! I'm not a mineral makeup fan, but love the kabuki for buffing in my BB and cream foundation, and I've taken to using the larger shadow brush with concealer for an airbrushed finish. Maybe best of all? These babies sure do stand out on a vanity! 

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 them. 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.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!Win a Complete Skin Care System from Jurlique!

Congrats to Clista Canton, Olivia Frescura & Kristina Linn, who have all won the complete Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus collection though your entry here! Winners should email Jessica@Outinpout.com with their complete shipping address to claim their prizes!

For those of you that love a giveaway (and who doesn't) here's another fabulous one for you, this time courtesy of Jurlique! Follow the links in the side bar and you could the win the entire Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Collection (my review coming shortly!) The coolest part? Since this is a co-branded contest, running across several blogs, there will be 20 winners chosen!!!

Each prize will include 3 full size products with a retail value of almost $90!

• Rose Moisture Plus With Antioxidant Complex Moisturising Cleanser (100ml)
• Rose Moisture Plus With Antioxidant Complex Moisturising Cream (40ml) 
• Rosewater Balancing Mist (50ml)

To enter, make sure you're following this blog by clicking the little button to your right, then follow the links in the graphic! The contest runs now through July 27th, 2012, and is open to legal residents of the United States of America aged 18 or older.

::EDIT::
I am aware that a few people have had issues entering the contest through the widget. The folks at Jurlique tell me that readers might not be able to "like" through the widget if they have already liked Jurlique previously. Easy fix- in order to enter, simply "unlike" Jurlique from Facebook, and like it again through the widget.

Keep in mind, this widget works through a facebook application, so before you hit "LIKE" you MUST sign into Facebook and authorize the app by hitting the button after the number one on the entry form. At this point, you'll notice that the "LIKE" button on the entry form will go from fuzzy to in-focus. Click it and you're done!

Good Luck!!!


The giveaway is administrated and sponsored by Jurlique Skin Care. Prize winner will be selected in a random drawing to be conducted by sponsor from among all eligible entries received from all participating bloggers. Odds of being selected depend upon the number of entries. I am not paid in any way to co-host this contest, though samples of the featured line were submitted for review consideration. 

Would You Ever...Wear Pedicure Polish Strips?

I spied these at the store the other day and I just had to grab them. While I'm dead set against press-on toenails and french pedis (toe nails should not have a free edge!) I think the idea of wildly patterned toenails is right down my alley! If it's super easy to apply with no dry time, even better.

What do you think? Would you try polish strips on your toe nails? I'll be popping these babies on this weekend- I'll be sure to let you know how they work!

P.S.
Where do we stand on the issue of pedi pics? Yay or Nay? Would you rather see my tootsies, or just take my word for it?

Happy Summer Giveaway! Winner Announced!!!

Finally, summer is here (though I'm not sure 103° in the first week was exactly what I was envisioning!) But, what better way to celebrate than with a summer must-have giveaway? I gave my Facebook followers a chance to chime in on what kind of prize they wanted, and makeup was the clear winner, so here are a few things you simply can't live without this summer:

• Bronzer. This NYX Bronzer & Blusher Combo in Marbella is a great choice: use the shades separately to add a sunny glow or contour, or swirl both colors together for a luminous burst of color for your cheeks.
• Shimmering Dry Oil by Nuxe Paris is a powerhouse product that's great for face, body and even hair! Skin-friendly oils and vitamin E nourish skin after-sun while the gold tint gives you a beachy gleam! You can even smooth a drop or two through the ends of your salt-water and chlorine ravaged hair to smooth, soften and boost shine (we won't tell!) 
• Great summer colors like coral and marine blue are stand-bys for me. I adore pigments like these from Dark Heart Designs for their versatility- dust Coral Fang on cheeks or mix it into clear gloss for a goes-with-everything summer shade. Use a wet brush to line eyes in Starstruck, or add to clear nail polish for a perfect pool-side pedicure. Of course, they're both great on the lids too!
• SPF SPF SPF. Need I say more? I couldn't do a summer must-haves giveaway without sunscreen. This one by Origins uses antioxidant super-star White Tea to protect skin from environmental damage while broad-spectrum sunscreens protects against the aging, burning, cancer-causing rays of our nearest star. 

I've made entering as simple as possible, just use the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the directions carefully. You must be a follower of this site to win, so make sure you click the little button to your right! Also, if you didn't already know, Outinapout is now on Facebook with exclusive content, swatches, contests & more, so you can earn quite a few bonus entries by "Liking" us there! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest is open internationally, pursuant to your local rules and regulations.

Fab Fourth Sales!

I know how much ya'll love a good deal, and so does Luna of Toxid Lotus! She's putting together a list of fab 4th of July sales, and I thought I'd share. Luna lists reliable, tried-and-true indie businesses, if you haven't tried them, now's a great time! If you know of any other sales, or have a business yourself that you'd like Luna to consider adding to her list, let us know!