Kat hearts Dior (for Fall) by guest blogger Kathleen McGuirk

Diorskin Dior Poudre Shimmer in Shimmer Rose is a must for all cool-toned women this Fall.The palette of pinks includes four different shades. An almost cream light pink, a nice delicate baby pink, a blend of rose and mauve (very subtle on the mauve) and finally a beautiful easy-on-the-eyes bright rose. The shimmer in the shadow is soft and not overwhelming to fair skin, but it brings out the sparkle in blue eyes and make the whole eye pop! I noticed with this shadow you could wear the bright rose color as both contour and highlight and then also switch up the cream and the softer pinks. Taking the palette from a soft romantic to an edgier, new wave look. I experimented with different variations of looks with this palette and even on another stylist at work just to see what would happen with hazel eyes. I noticed with this shadow you could wear the bright rose color as both contour and highlight and then also switch up the cream and the softer pinks. Taking the palette from a soft romantic to an edgier, new wave look." Results with hazel victim were simply wonderful. The pink in the 'rose/mauve' brought out the cool tones in eyes, making them more noticeable and brighter. Both victims "Blue" and "Hazel" were so happy with their new looks and were pretty sure it made them look younger. I have worked with many lines over the years and one complaint I always had with shadows is pigment - it's either too much or not enough. The Dior was true to color in the palette - what you see is what you get. A pink that had the perfect amount of pigment so you don't have to keep layering it to get it exactly where you want it. This doesn't happen in the world of make up often. I have tossed hundreds of pink shadows for being liars. So yes, my fellow baby blues, invest and be delight. I have worn it every day. Eyeliner... Yes, I recommend pairing Dior Poudre Shimmer (as eyeshadow) with a thin line of liquid black, very thin, otherwise you overpower the sparkling eye effect. And, of course, also mascara. I am one of those people that think leaving the house without mascara is a mortal sin. (It surely IS a mortal sin, CincyGlam agrees!) Sure, natural beauty is great, but you should definitely wear mascara and make it better. Benefit's "They're Real" puts other mascaras to shame. I have been disappointed by Benefit when it comes to mascara so I was real if-y with trying this. It is advertised to make it look as if you are wearing fake lashes, accentuating length, volume and curl. I know, yeah right.. but wait! I put it on alone, yes, length. I did not see a volume change and just a bit of curl. Day 2, I followed my typical routine for summer, tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara (one coat). I looked down saw They're Real looking up at me and it it said 'Layer me on that', so I did. Holy Lash Length, Batman, I have never seen my eyes look that amazing since I stopped getting my lash extensions. Length, Volume and Curl." It really worked. (CincyGlam vouches to the greatness of said lashes.) It lasted all day, no flakes under the eye, no typical Benefit blue smudge. I even work tested this, thinking surely the steam from shampooing, heat from dryers, and eye drops will break this. I really wanted to hate it. Nope, it lasted and still looked perfect enough to go out (and bat at some sucker to but me a cocktail.) Pair it with Dior's new Shimmer Rose, and you have mesmerizing eyes that stay amazing. CincyGlam is still waiting to reap benefits of Kat's "mesmerizing eyes" during her next visit to Louisville. :)

Review: Dior! Poudre Shimmer

DiorSkin Poudre Shimmer "ultra shimmering all over face powder"


I was sent the Rose Diamond color to test, but much to my chagrin I just could not make the pink palate work for me! Instead, I outsourced my testing to good friend and makeup artiste extraordinaire, Kathleen McGuirk. Kat has worked for beauty retail and as an independent stylist for over ten years so she knows her stuff. And as a very fair-skinned white girl with sunning baby blue eyes, she looks AMAZING in sparkling diamond pinks!



Her first comment upon cracking open the shimmery treat (and dipping her finger in it) was that Dior has really improved the concentration of pigment in this powder. Consequently, this all-over powder has the versatility to do double or triple duty as eyeshadow, blush and powder. At $44 a pop, that's kind of deal (especially considering that you won't waste valuble purse space on 3 separate products!)

I hope she is sending me photos of the Poudre Shimmer used as eyeshadow, as well as the lowdown on a new mascara she's in love with, but in the meantime if you'd like to try Dior! Poudre Shimmer for yourself, go to: dior.com and enter code: GLAM3 at checkout for complimentary shipping.
Need a second opinion? check out a fellow glambassador's review (complete with finished look photos and video) at GlitterBuzzStyle.com!

the closet economist comes out (in a second-hand evening gown)

OK, its been a while since I blogged about financial matters, but I am increasingly convinced that things are going to get worse before they get better. I'm talking about the Dreaded Double Dip recession. Here's why:
*Major worldwide unrest and financial uncertainty is causing spenders to become savers and lock up their liquid assets. This is especially true for the top earners, because they have more of a choice to spend now or not. If you're looking for the ultra-financially-conservative to break us out of this frozen economic state, its not going to happen. The only way to get these tightwads to part with their hard-returned income is to tax it (sorry rich guys)!
*Political bickering is impeding the process of getting things done. We have the political equivalent of an old married couple with opposing financial views. while they fight about whether to spend their money on wars or social security they're getting deeper and deeper into debt that will be impossible to pay off.
*Pretending there is not a problem does not make the problem go away. You keep telling yourselves for the past two years that things can only get "better" from here. well, have they? Average folks have had to tighten their belts and make due with salary cuts so why shouldn't you (government) make some sacrifices, too?
*None of the economists have a clue what's going on with the markets. Does this inspire confidence? Want to give them your hard-earned money to invest? Nope, me neither.
*The housing market still sucks. I mean this literally. We have such a disastrously huge inventory of homes that people can't afford (foreclosures, short sales, pre-foreclosures, people who want/need to refinance) that the housing market is not going to be normal for a long, long time. For those of you who can still afford your homes and taxes, expect your home's value to drop (if it hasn't already, consider yourself lucky. go play the lottery. now.) Rent it out, lease-option it, use it as a chicken coop but whatever you do, I strongly advise you against trying to sell now.
*I do not by any means want to be alarmist. On the contrary, if you own a home you can still afford and have any kind of job (or two) you'll be just fine. You probably won't be taking any exotic vacations this year (unless they're to third world countries, which are totally a blast by the way) but if you are lucky enough to have a dual-income household and can afford to live on just one of those incomes you'll be in great shape when this economy eventually starts shaping up. And if it doesn't, you'll have a great nest egg saved in order to dip Dodge and move to one of those awesome third world countries you've always dreamed about.