H&M Beauty; They knocked it out of the park

H&M Cosmetics
Luxurious packaging; budget friendly

H&M Beauty  Powder Blush $9.99
High Definition Eye Shadow $6,99

I took a field trip on Monday to H&M.  I wanted to see with my own eyes, what so many beauty editors can't stop meowing about...the lovely packaging, the enormous depth of product, the beautiful brushes and the amazing prices. Oh, and they loved the body products too.

There is much to take in. I was most drawn to the eye shadows and blushes. So many beautiful shades to choose from!  I went for a blush that is a dupe of one of my all time faves, Charlotte Tilbury's Cheek to Chic Blush and Chantecaille's Peony Eye Shadow.

I know myself pretty well, If they were duds, I'd have to chalk up my $17 loss to a beauty lark, curiosity satisfied...In fact, I don't even know what their return policy is for cosmetics.

A Perfect Flush; Milani Tea Rose Powder Blush

Milani's Rose Powder Blush
$7.99

Milani  is a drugstore brand that is inspired by the women of "Milan". Honestly, I always thought it was created for women of color. Other than occasional nail polish, intended to fill in inevitable post manicure chips, I never have really tried any of their products.

Milani is often a name that comes up in blogs and reviews for having near perfect "dupes" of prestige brands bestsellers, like Nars iconic Orgasm Blush. Still, nothing triggered my "must have" reflex until I spotted this beautiful  Rose Powder Blush, whilst on a mundane CVS run today.

The Flush of Youth: Trish McEvoy Liquid Face Color

Trish McEvoy Liquid Face Color
$32

I popped into Blue Mercury in Rye the other day...I was hoping to see their masseuse Kami Ritt, to congratulate her on winning, "Best Deep Tissue Massage" by Westchester Magazine.  She is a wonder and nicely had emailed me to thank me, attributing my glowing blog about her skills to a slew of loyal clients.

Well done Kami! (914-921-1600)

I like Blue Mercury. It is an oasis of calm next to Sephora and I do like their well curated makeup and skincare selection.  I was  immediately drawn to Trish McEvoy's Liquid Face Color Pen.  Available in only one shade of gorgeous, peachy rose, I was hoping it would look just as pretty on my cheeks.

How to Mend a Broken Heart: Alcohol

Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic
Love is the Drug Blush

When I was in London recently, I made a special trip to Selfridges to see Charlotte Tilbury's newly launched makeup collection.  It was gorgeous. All of it.

I fell head of heels in love with her beautiful collection of 'Cheek to Chic' blushes and in particular, Love is the Drug.  Since it is only available in the UK, I knew I had to pounce.  Affirmation came, when I read in Temptalia's blog, that the one she ordered from Charlotte Tilbury's website arrived in a million little pieces.

Recently, I misplaced my Love is the Drug blush. I was in a blind panic. Now, you can imagine that I do have a back up or 10 in my makeup arsenal, yet nothing pleased me quite the same way.

I nearly wept today, when I discovered it had been misplaced in the back of my desk drawer.  Sadly, I grabbed it a bit too enthusiastically and dropped it.  Now mine was in a million little pieces.

Quelle horreur!

As I surveyed the damage, I remembered reading about a way to fix broken blushes and eye shadows.  

Cheek to Chic with Charlotte Tilbury

Makeup Artist Charlotte Tilbury and her BFF and Muse Kate Moss

British superstar model Kate Moss, has made a superstar out of her British BFF and Makeup Artist Charlotte Tilbury.  I don't think anyone could really muck things up on Kate, but Charlotte Tilbury really wants us to have the best shot at being our prettiest self.

Though not yet available in the U.S., my friend Linda Levy brought her handiwork to my attention via a video on Net-a-Porter before I left for London.  We were both mesmerized.  Interestingly, her product is not available on their website.   Linda beseeched me to check it out at Selfridges and bring her back a goodie. How could I not comply?

 Masterclass with Charlotte Tilbury: Click above