Bobbi Brown Italian Rose Creamy Lip Color; The Search is OVER

Bobbi Brown's Italian Rose Creamy Lip Color
$26

For as long as I can remember, I have purchased a new lipstick nearly every week. Sometimes they're class, sometimes they're mass...but it has all occurred expressively with one goal in mind; to find my HOLY GRAIL lipstick.

It has eluded me until now.  That's more years and more tubes than I care to tally. It required 4 separate shopping trips to find my new love, Bobbi Brown Italian Rose Lip Color.  My usual haunts, Sephora, Saks in Greenwich and Blue Mercury in Rye, were all sold out.  If Bloomingdale's was also going to disappoint me, I swear, the tester might 'accidentally' have ended up in my handbag.

So what is my idea of the "perfect lipstick"???

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Tom Ford Counter...

I attended a Polyvore  evening event on a gorgeous rooftop in Rockefeller Center a few weeks back. With such close proximity to Saks Fifth Avenue (yes, that one), what were the chances that I would skip a cruise thru their illustrious cosmetics department???

Exactly none.

I had the feeling this was going to be my long awaited Tom Ford  counter encounter...The one where I would finally breakdown and spend $50 on a lipstick, though it has always resonated poorly with my usual spendthrift being; seriously...is their wax embedded with precious metals? What am I missing? Better yet, why am I lusting???

Debbi OShea and Jamal Walker of Burberry

I had the good fortune of never quite making it to the TF counter.  Instead, I met acclaimed N.Y. makeup artist Jamal Walker, who resides over the Burberry Cosmetics Counter, a line that is not available in Greenwich, where I usually shop for my cosmetics.

How fortuitous.

Jamal, who is well known for his professional work for photo shoots and private client events, was perfectly versed on all things Burberry. (You can see his work on his Facebook Page  and call him directly at 201-875-0887.)

I told Jamal I was on a mission to find the perfect lipstick and liner; something softer than what I usually wear, but with enough definition that I wouldn't look washed out. I then let him choose what he thought would look best. I also asked him what is the one product I can't leave the counter without.

Burberry's Fresh Flow Luminous Base
Nude Radiance

Dusty Rose Velvet Lip Cover

Sepia Lip Liner

Fringe Benefits and Deterrents

Oy!!! I goofed and I am hearing it from y'all big time. RevitaLash is NOT available at mass retailers for $49.99. What I was seeing out of the corner of my eye, (which frequently neglects glasses, except for night driving), was RapidLash.
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I found RevitaLash readily available on Amazon.com for an average of $69.99. RapidLash can also be found on Amazon for considerably less. I read many of the product reviews which were mostly positive. I checked in with one of my GlamourSquad buddies, Charu Sari of Butterfly Diary, who participated in a group trial of RapidLash with other Bloggers. She had a terrible reaction and had to discontinue use. She did however, whole heartily endorse neuLash, which is availble online and at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I first Blogged about neuLash in August, when I went to visit my Aunt Dee in the city. I squealed when she opened the door, remembering her days in Pucci mini dresses, pale lipstick and Twiggy lashes. Her lashes, after 4 weeks were insane! I was just in the beginning of my Latisse masochist phase, but made a mental note of neuLash, since she achieved great results with zero irritation.

One of my great joys on Holidays, is comparing notes with my equally beauty and youth obsessed cousin Karyn. Karyn is a top executive with a luxury retailer in N.Y. and always has her finger on the pulse of the best and latest offerings in the beauty and fashion world. Like two 6 year olds playing with our new Barbies, we sat in my Aunt Dee's foyer, with our 6 lb. makeup cases, comparing "must haves", (I have a list now stored in my Blackberry and which I will report on after purchasing...scouts honor). Most importantly, circling back, I couldn't take my eyes off her Bambi lashes, courtesy of you guessed it- neuLash!!!

Soooo, where do I stand??? It's a bit of a jumble. Latisse, clearly grew my lashes, but at a cost. RevitaLash is maintaining them nicely, but I can't verify they would have grown as long as my Latisse lashes. RapidLash is a less expensive, readily available alternative, which I have not used. NeuLash is expensive, ($150), but based on my DNA, grows piano shawl fringes with no redness, dryness, discomfort or a prescription.

If I had it all to do over again, I would start with neuLash. One thing to keep in mind, you must maintain your growth with some application a few times a week. Only you can decide if this works within your beauty budget.

Maybe by next Christmas, all these products will go the way of the flat screen T.V. and will be able to pick them up for a song...Here's hoping.

xox,
DD