I bought this Cargo PlantLove Eye Shadow Quad from Sephora.com awhile back, but haven’t posted about it ’till now. Why? Because I’ve been playing around with it to try and make it work, trying to really hard to like it. I just can’t. I mean, look at how chalky the colors are.

See all those little chunks? Oh, and don’t be fooled by the vibrancy of the colors on my fingertips. The pigmentation of all four shades is terrible, and the application? A complete nightmare. Spotty with tons of fallout everywhere. I still couldn’t get a single, even layer of color after packing them on my lids four times. This quad was a $25 value, but was on sale for $5, and I see why. Who would shell out 25 bucks for this mess? I got this online so I didn’t get to play with it before purchasing, but I expected better from Cargo. The quality of my $1 eye shadow quads from e.l.f. are far more superior than this (just as good any high end brand, dare I say it).

This quad is an EcoCert certified natural product, but I checked the ingredients and it’s talc-based just like most other eye shadows. The only difference is it contains organic plant oils to bind the pigments together. Nothing special to me, really. It seems like they got this certified for marketing purposes more than anything.

What a disappointment. I would return this eye shadow quad in a heartbeat if it weren’t too late to do so. Cargo, you’ve really let me down on this one, big time.

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Hey, pretty peeps. I was a downer yesterday and here I am today, a downer again. The gloomy weather isn’t helping my mood either. You have to understand, rain and cold weather in October is a little odd for LA. I wasn’t expecting such sad weather until November. Well, I hope you’re feeling much better on this hump day than I am.

As always, have an awesome day!

The smokey eye is alive and well this spring and summer- it's just softer.

This past winter I read in various blogs and forums that the smokey eye is passé and no longer the sultry eye look of choice.

I was very suspicious of my industry sources nay-saying to the queen of all eye makeup effects. A seasonal trend barring the smokey eye from look books and dim lounges serving beautiful people? Really-?

I began to wonder what in fact had replaced the smokey eye while I was apparently sleeping and didn’t realize the revolution came and destabilized the old order. Eye liners- even liquid ones -can’t compete with the power of powder. And despite the dewy looks and the fresh colour palettes that typically come with spring, I had a hard time seeing an end to the versatility of the big smoke. Besides, L’Oreal Paris had just sent me Wear Infinité Eye Shadow Quad- their new spring eye shadow compact of four powders making together one of their fresh looks for spring: the smokey eye in soft metallic grey hues.

L'Oreal Paris Wear Infinité Eye Shadow Quads, available at local drugstores

Apparently, I wasn’t the one sleeping. Many cosmetics companies such as M.A.C., Prescriptives, Joe, and L’Oreal Paris are offering new colours to modernize the smoky eye for spring and perk it up with a fun colour.

With my fun L’Oreal quad (pictured above) came an applicator brush and a few words vaguely resembling instructions to help achieve the smokey eye look. One evening I decided to give it a try and after four steps of powder, let’s just say that there was a lot of smoke in my powder room. Despite having all the fancy brushes and colours, like many women, the smokey look has often eluded me. I’m never quite sure where everything goes, how much of it to press on or lightly dust, where to be blending or how far along the crease should that highlight colour really go. I know that I’m not the only one roughing it with my little powder pack and my graduating shades of grey, thinking that this time I might just get sexy, not raccoon.

I’ve since decided to look up videos as to how to apply the four steps to smokey success. I learned a few things from watching this video (below) of head makeup artist Collier Strong at L’Oreal Paris do what he does best, although he kinda lost me at step #2:

L’Oreal Paris “Applying Eye Shadow” Video

Memorable quote: Collier Strong: “I’m blending this up and out, and by ‘up and out’, it lifts the eye out.”

I also found an excellent video featuring M.A.C. makeup artist Chantel Miller demonstrating how to create the smokey eye in an easy, step-by-step process. Like Collier Strong, she achieves the look but uses stronger contrating colours and I’m thinking that these steps aren’t the same ones in Collier’s program, which really doesn’t help me stick with the plan. Watch and decide.

Memorable quote: Chantel Miller: “The tools that you choose really make or break your makeup.”

The M.A.C. Fluff Brush, $27

And as I’ve confirmed, much to my non-surprise, the smokey look is charging full steam this spring and summer. The principles of application are the same but the colours are lighter and metallic, which means that the look is perfect for day and not just for evening. Even new cosmetics manufacturer Joe Fresh is promoting a smokey look this season and in soft colours of bronze, pebble and silver, how’s a girl to resist?

Joe Fresh likes it smokey, and at $4 per eye shadow, we like it, too.

I’ve also decided to consult the M.A.C. Cosmetics website to see what I could learn about application and colour combinations for spring. Two of the new looks at M.A.C. rely on the smokey eye to achieve the desired mood that is fun, colourful and decidedly powdery. I thought that it might be useful to see these looks along with some of the colour swatches and instructions that explain the complete colour theory.

Lightly Smoked:

M.A.C. new look: A Virgin Kiss

Heavier Smoke:

M.A.C. new look: Way to Love

By far, my favourite video tutorial for smokey inspiration is this one (below) by cosmetics retailer Sephora. Featuring models of different skin tones and colour palettes in greens, purples, and sand colours, I like the variety in this video and the idea that I can achieve the smokey look with really only 2 shades. I didn’t learn much other than the colour play since this one isn’t really a how-to video; on the other hand, the one below does a great job of showing how to achieve the look in less than 5 minutes. It’s a ‘holiday’ video from a couple of years ago showcasing black as the smoke of choice, but by now if you’ve seen all these videos I’ve posted, you’re probably starting to figure out how to swap colours to achieve a softer look for spring and summer.

I’m thinking of trying the technique in the new smokey colours, like this soft sandy 5-pack by Cargo cosmetics at Sephora (below).

Cargo cosmetics eye shadow palette in Ibiza, $28

I’m glad that my sources were wrong about the death of the smokey eye. But even if this smoke goes up in flames one day, I will forever praise the smokey eye as a go-to look because it’s the little black dress of eye makeup: classic, always safe, and often modernized with fresh attitude.

Images courtesy of featured retailers: L’Oreal Paris, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Joe Fresh, Sephora.

Perfect Timing
I get so many makeup products its hard to remember when I opened each and when they should be chucked in the garbage. Enter Cargo Cosmetics. The Toronto-based brand has come up with a solution for all us packrat beauty junkies. Their lip glosses now have Timestrip technology; there’s a strip in the cap that will turn red when its time to throw it out (about nine months). Brilliant!

A Few of My favorite cosmetics  –and some new additions –to help you look your best and put on a happy face  for 2009….

Coppertone–always reliable just introduced NutraShield with 70+ SPF for faces, 70+ SPF Dual Defense Sun Protection and 30 SPF Broad Spectrum  UVA/UVB.  I haven’t tested them in the sun but I did rub some on my face and  on my body and it goes on smoothly and smells natural and nice.  The company claims they help prevent premature skin aging caused by sun damage. They’re also waterproof, hypoallergenic, lightweight and very moisturizing. The 70 SPF is about as high as it goes to protect skin from sun damage and it’s only about $10.49. I think Coppertone raised their bar on these products.Carrie Underwood at the recent Grammy award got her smokey eyes and luminous glow with DEX New York Cosmetics.  Just sweep  Mineral Loose Pigment shadow iover half of lids extending up to the crease.  Next using a brush, apply the Pressed Pigment Shadow in Wall St. Onyx to from outer corner of eyes.  Using a black eye liner pencil, rim inside entire eye top and bottom, then with the same eye pencil apply on top lash line extending thicker on outer corners.  For  Carrie’s luminous skin use DEX New York’s Mineral Glow on the apples of your cheeks.  Eye shadows are available in over 17 shimmering shades and Mineral Glow is available in 2 shades at www.dexnewyork.com

 eos–this luxious shaving cream works wonders my legs, underarms and bikini area. It slides on like silk and leaves my skin soft and supple. Try it you’ll agree.

RoC to the Rescue–my favorite cosmetic company keeps my skin looking great  with RoC Multi Correxion products. I’ve been using it for a few months and it really works.  Let’s face it, there are many cosmetics companies vying for your bucks in the billion dollar beauty industry, so it’s not easy to find the ones that work for everybody. Roc has sure worked magic on my skin.  Backed by  years of Retinol research of RoC scientistsm the skincare remedies were created to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, renew, improve, tone and shrink pores down to size. Can’t image it getting any better than the ones I’ve been using, but bet they will. Starting with the ExfoliatingCleanser, an oil-free, light foaming wash that improves skin tone. Next is the Multi-Correxion ight Treatment with pure RoC Retinol, antioxidants, vitamins C and E and moisturizing emoliients that work while your snooze. Perfect for everyone and all ages, RoC Multi-Correxion Eye Treatment contains the same ingrendients and promises to smooth fine lines, reduce wrinkles and firm that delicate skin around the eyes while diminishing circles and puffiness–perfect after a night clubbing it up. The products are amazingly affordable from $9.99 to $24.99. Check out www.rocskincare.com

A less expensive alternative is Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream, promising similar claim and backed by intensive research and testing. Also affordable at less than $20. Stop throwing your money away and stock your beauty bin with stuff that works.

I’ve also been using  AB 10% Glycolic Treatment Pads morning and night after cleansing. They help exfoliate dead skin, dry oily spots  and  moisturize. I love the product. www.abskincare.com.

Another essential for your 2009 beauty basket is  M2 SkinRecovery Moisturizer, I knew I’d like this the first time I applied the rich, repairing cream. I use it morning and night  after apply M2HP Skin Refinish (which you actually use every other day) just a few dabs will do you, too. The combination works magic.  www.M2Skintech.com.

Also fresh out of labs–CTRL Acne Treatment System For Him and For Her.  I haven’t tried them yet but looking forward to seeing if it works when I get those hormonal outbreaks.  CTRLL is created by Videsante Pharmaceuticals, LLC,  with lots of research and back up to their efficaciousness.  Benefits include: oil reducting, paraben-free ingredients, skin replensihing ceramides, reduction of redness, acne attacker.
Check it out at www.ctrlacne.com.

Hair Hair–just finished testing three nifty products from profoundbeauty Hair and the jury’s in–they work great.  I tried Arctic Chill apres my workout at Crunch and strolled from the club with a salon-look hair style. The stuff is so cool, actually it feels cool, where it got the name. Anyhow it makes your hair shine, full and manageable.  $26; profoundbeauty Atmosphere Tropical Dew Gelee provides a different function by reducing bulk and volume and creating a high, smooth shine ($26).  Desert Sand makes blow drying a breeze, creates texturized fullness and a semi-matte finish ($32) www.profoundbeauty.com.

It’s simply de rigeurer to stock up on make up from www.Mirabellabeauty.com this year. The company’s Bohemian Belle Collection-multi-toned eye shadows and creamy lipsticks are simply luscious. I just used the eye shadow and it goes on like a dream and looks ravishing.
“Our Bohemian Belle Colours reflect the free and light mood of Spring with ocean blues, paisley greens and richly accented earth tones that bring the focus to the eyes, while pouty lips glisten with sensuous, reflective hints of colour,” explains Darlene Zembrod, national trainer for Mirabella. “Bohemian Belle offers options, so women of any age can wear these colours as dramatic or as natural as they choose.”

I was going to start off by telling you all about our green life, but thinking better of how boring that might be, I’ll just jump in with this week’s amazing find. For today and future reference: I am in no way receiving compensation for any products I recommend, these are things I love, use, and want to share.

I was wandering through Sephora looking for my spring cosmetic additions and remembered that Cargo had a lipstick with some part of the packaging infused with seeds for planting. Sure enough Cargo has a whole line called Plant Love.  http://www.cargocosmetics.com/plantlove.html  I think it’s sort of hippy dippy packaging in general and don’t like the egg shaped powder compacts. But I LOVE this lipstick. I got Faith and it is the most perfect shade I have found in a long time, also I don’t feel like I’m wearing anything. The lipstick is made of 100% organic material. The tube is made from corn so it’s biodegradable. The cardboard box it came in has seeds that grow into wildflowers. Supposedly you wet the box and plant it, then voila! I  have yet to plant mine, but will be sure to follow up should any flowers sprout.

I have been wearing this for about a week all the time and am now reaching for it over my Burt’s Bees chap stick even just around the house. It wears well, but is by no means a long wearing lipstick and you will find traces on your glass. I don’t find it to be drying it’s just a good normal lipstick. I wish there were more shades, although I am happy to have found this one. I had my eye on a lip gloss and now I have no doubt about buying it. 

Highly recommended if you want to try a new shade with little eco guilt.                        

Cost: about $20

Update March 9:  Still love the lipstick and got the lipgloss. While it is not 100% organic it is all natural origin, cardboard tube, just a shrink wrap seal so very little packaging. And I love it, not sticky, it’s smooth and feels good on, I find myself using a lot of it maybe because I like the way it feels. It doesn’t wear very long, not many glosses do. I  don’t get that yucky cotton mouth thing like I do with so many other brands. I wish there were more shades, but like the one I got very much.

It’s great, you should try it. I haven’t tried it over the lipstick yet, maybe I will tomorrow.

From light bulbs and water bottles to cars and houses, it seems like nearly everyone is looking for ways to go green. Here are 10 great Eco-products that everyone can enjoy… plus most items are under $30.00.

1.) You could save energy with something as simple as a clock! How many clocks are in your home? How many of those clocks run on electricity or batteries? Why waste all that energy! Take a look at the Eco-Friendly Water-Powered Clock form Bedol. Yes, I said water powered. This funky little clock comes in blue, green, orange and charcoal so you are sure to find one that will fit into your decorating style (I love the green one but I am hoping they will introduce red to the line soon!). All you do is fill the vessel with tap water and put the cover back on and you are good to go. (Depending on the mineral content in your municipal water system you may need to add some salt or lemon juice for the best performance.) Just refill as needed and you are set! The clock even has built in memory to save the time when you need to change the water. At only $16.00, it’s a value you really don’t want to miss out on.

2.) New from Cargo Cosmetics is the innovative, all natural make-up line PlantLove ™. PlantLove starts with 20 amazing new lip sticks! At only $20.00 each (available exclusively at Sephora stores nationwide and online at sephora.com), they are an affordable way for ladies to include green living in their daily routine and look fantastic doing it. My personal favorite is Sagamaratha, a sheer rosy cream color. Aside from the lipstick itself being beautiful creamy and all natural the lipstick tube is made from 100% compost corn!!!!! Even the packaging is eco-friendly! There are wildflower seeds pressed into the all natural box, just moisten the box and plant and you can grow your own wildflowers. And as if all that wasn’t enough, $2.00 from every lipstick purchased is donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

3.) We all drink a ton of water right? (At least we all should.) But why waste money on bottled water that could be laden with any number of dangerous toxins? Your tap water is probably far safer then any water you are going to get out of a 20oz plastic bottle that can cost as much as a whole gallon of gas! Why not save the money you are wasting on that little bottle and go buy one of the products on this list! So what is the alternative to the bottle of water you drink everyday? Check out Eco Canteen! You cook in stainless steel, why not drink from it as well? These fun, stylish bottles will hold 26 oz of cool & refreshing water or anything else you choose to put in them (my morning strawberry smoothie stays cold for hours in this hip little canteen). The canteens even have kids sizes, which is important because the toxins in plastic affect our children even more than they affect adults. These canteens are sturdy and easy to clean and you can even put ice in them! The carabiner clip make the bottles incredibly portable, you can clip the bottle anywhere! There is nothing not to love about the Eco Canteen. And be sure to check out their stylish totes that you can get for free! I bought my eco canteen online.

4.) The Nokia 3110 Evolve is the world’s first Eco-Friendly cell phone! This sleek, stylish phone has everything you could want in a cell phone. It’s Multimedia capabilities include an MP3 player, a web browser, video streaming, a 1.3 megapixel digital camera with 8x digital zoom, a media player compatible with several video and music formats, downloadable games, flight mode, and so much more! The phone itself is made from Eco-Friendly resources, 80% of which can be recycled back into raw materials. The phone’s packaging is smaller than most; 60% of the packaging is made from recycled materials. Unlike its predecessors, the Evolve’s eco-friendly “smart charger” won’t waste precious energy if you forget to unplug it! The charger will reduce itself to minimal energy consumption mode when not in use.

5.) Everywhere you go nowadays you can’t avoid seeing reusable shopping bags. It seems as though every store out there is carrying them. The problem… 99% of the ones sold by stores are UGLY. And who wants to carry around and ugly reusable shopping bag day after day? The solution b. happybags. These attractive, reusable shopping totes are made in the USA and come in many different styles like the Wendy, Cassie, Zoe, Holly, and the Candy. The b. happybags print bags are 100% upholstery weight cotton and cost $24.00 each. The solid color bags are $26.00 and are made from recycled water bottles (from the mere 20% of bottles that actually get recycled). The b. happybags can even be custom printed for corporate events. And aside from just shopping, think of all the other uses for your bag! (Gym bags anyone?)

6.) When you drive down the highway, do you see those scraps of rubber from blown out tractor tires? Once a tire blows, the inner tube usually gets replaced and then scrapped. Passchal has come up with a way to solve the problem by reusing the scrapped inner tubes to make handbags and messenger bags that are not only eco-friendly (hooray for not burning tires) but they are also strikingly beautiful. They are little pricier than your average purse or laptop case, but isn’t saving the planet worth it? Plus the bags are each unique because no two inner tubes are the same. They even have diaper-bags for Dads!

7.) For the animal lovers out there your pets can do their part now too. Bella Creature Comforts are super comfy pet beds that cat and dogs alike will love. These Veterinarian endorsed pet beds have exteriors made from Eco2 recycled cotton fiber and the interiors are fiberfill made form recycled PET (again the 20% of water bottles that do get recycled). Its unique shape not only looks great, but is very comfortable for your furry best friends. They are even hypoallergenic and washable! They even come in great colors to match and décor!

8.) Everyone knows the benefits to solar power (like the fact that it is free energy), and more and more people are choosing to take advantage of that energy source. One company has gone a step further. Now you can charge everyday items with sunlight like your iPod, iPhone, cell phone, MP3 players, PDAs, handheld GPS devices, digital cameras, even handheld gaming systems! They come in many different styles and colors and are available at several online retailers and in stores like Target throughout the country!

9.) For families trying to teach their children to be more eco-conscious, there is the new Indoor Gardening kit from Green Toys Inc. Teach your children the joys of gardening with this fun eco friendly toy. All plastics in these toys are recycled milk jugs! The packaging is 100% recycled corrugated cardboard with no cellophane, plastics or twist ties making them easy to recycle again and minimizes waste. Comes with everything you need (except the water) to grow your own Teddy Bear Sunflowers, Zinnias, and Basil right at home.

10.) Show of your eco-friendly attitude with a T-shirt form Green Label Organics! They step away from the big box mentality. All their products are made in the USA! They offer colorful shirts made from 100% certified organic ring spun cotton. The shirts are super-soft, low impact garment dyed organic and are artfully designed to deliver fun and positive messages. Every month a portion of their profits go to a different charity supporting the folk at home here in the US! Their motto? “Respect Labor* Respect the Planet* Respect Yourself” and they stand by it with this great line for clothing!

About the Author

Deborah Prescott is a mother of four who is always searching for safe, affordable products for her children. Using eco-friendly products reduces the amount of dangerous chemicals your kids come in contact with. Since learning about eco canteen, she has bought one for each member of her family.

Cargo Cosmetics is cool. Aside from producing quality products, the Canadian company has won all kinds of awards for innovative packaging. You’ve likely heard or read lots about one of their most recent achievements, PlantLove lipstick ($20), a botanical formula lip colour in a biodegradeable tube. Made out of corn polymer, the lipstick case will break down under compost conditions (not in your purse).

Other nifty notables include ColorCards ($28 CAN/$24 US), biz-card sized cards embossed with a layer of eye shadow, and Daily Gloss ($12), a blister-pack set-up with bitsy doses of gloss to tear off and put in your teensy purse, snug jeans pocket, or already-jammed makeup case. And when the season hits, look out for Cargo’s holiday gift and greeting cards — they all include a bubble of gloss as part of the jaunty card front. Clever with a girlish twist, all.

One of my standard Cargo loves (I have more than I can mention in this post) is their Medium Matte Bronzer, which appears this year as part of a handy, special-edition Bronzing Collection ($45). For a girl whose t-zone could help keep the cost of gas down if we could figure out how to process that kind of oil, a matte bronzer is genius. But this year I have a new love: Multi-Mix Bronzer ($30 CAN/$28 US), a liquid bronzer that blends to a beautiful, sheer, born-lucky glow. Mix a couple of drops with foundation or moisturizer if you like, but I like the finish when I use it on its own.

If poolside is your territory, check out the Melt-Proof Makeup Collection ($39). I’m engaged in a little flirt session with the Melt-Proof Bronzer as well as the 3-in-1 Eye-Cheek-Lip Palette for easy, natural, summer-kissed prettiness. I’m not keen on how the texture looks or feels on my lips, but the finger-painty collection is a winner on skin.

And guess what? My fave works-like-waterproof Clinique Lash Power Mascara has company. Cargo Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara ($20) holds up the same way, unaffected by rain, tears, humidity or oil-slick eyelids, yet comes off easily with warm water or makeup remover. Haven’t worn it for a workout yet because I’ve slothed out for three weeks, but I will soon and report back.

I’ll confess, however, to having worn Better-than-Waterproof mascara to sleep to see whether I’d have a smudgy mess around my eyes come wake-up time. I didn’t — and Clive-O didn’t have an inkling in the least.

Cargo Cosmetics is available at select department stores and at Sephora.