Cosmetique: Arabella Stuart- Valentine's Looks, Giveaway, and Review~ 2/10

Momma Told Me: Soft is sexy.

I have a friend, bless her, that is more enamored with cosmetics than me; the girl who totes a professional makeup case on vacation. When we first met I considered her quite attractive, and felt saddened by the apparent fact that she felt she must rely on foundations and primers to be beautiful. When I first saw her without makeup, after years of friendship, I solidified this opinion, and vowed, as a good friend, to help restore her confidence. Now, I don't claim to be a psychologist, or even a matchmaker, but after years of watching her date, I came to realize I was not the only one who took note. Time after time, whenever she'd slip away from the room, the topic would manage to come up. Her new beaus all found it intimidating that a girl would put so much effort into 'glamming it up', when they already had a committed relationship. I was also intrigued to hear that donning so much makeup every day made the look more novel, and less alluring. It was then I resolved to take a better look at my own regimen.

My biggest passion for makeup is color; yet getting dolled up and adding a dash of color doesn't have to mean layers of product. In fact, I find I get MORE comments from admirers when I tone it down and play up natural features (rather than paint a new face on). "You look so nice today, are you using a new foundation?" I'll hear, or "Your eyes really pop today, I love it!" Then, when I look in the mirror, as if to verify the compliment, I'll recall the thing I did different that day was to wear hardly any makeup at all! How's that for a confidence booster? So, when it comes down to romantic evenings, and intimate meet ups, like the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, I often preach a softer look. Sure, for those still on the 'prowl' a nice smokey eye might reel 'em in, but I've already gt my man, and I intend to captivate him. In fact, I want his eyes to be all on me, even in my 'Little Black Dress'- so I'll be playing up my biggest assets; my lips and my eyes!

These days it seems the cosmetics aisle is larger than the junk food aisle (and I'm not sure if that's a good thing); the shelves and pegs roll on into one overwhelming collection of brands and colors. Just when you think you've found the right shade, then you're faced with choosing a format, and a brand. For this reason, I prefer shopping smaller based brands with targeted concepts and signature looks. One such place to browse a myriad of exclusive, and focused, brands, is Cosmetique. What initially made me loyal, to the online based branding, was the founder's commitment to quality. The 'Green Light' premise on new collections and products is that it must be of a high enough standard for those of the company, and their families. After all, if the people who make it, won't use it, would you? Browse from hundreds of products, across in house and out of house brands (Too Faced, Pur Minerals, Zents, and more), at competitive prices. Shopping online at Cosmetique is extremely easy with the product category or brand search specifics; and there's always a great deal under their Sale category!

You've likely seen my previous features on Cosmetique brands Cadette, Madeliene Mono, and Jean-Michelle; for Valentine's Day I chose the softer collection of Arabella Stuart. The brand is known most for it's floral highlights and feminine colors, with the popular Art of Love fragrance collection, including my favorite, Endless Love. This particular fragrance is a very mellow, yet captivating blend of Patchouli, Violet, and Blue Rose. In fact, Arabella Stuart is primarily skin and fragrance products. Their limited color collection is precisely the targeted direction I prefer to see in a brand. It's nice to have a theme to fit an image or mood and Arabella Stuart's Shakespeare In Love Shadow/Blush Collection and Candlelight Finishing Powder certainly evoke thoughts of fair maidens and bashful romance.

I received Arabella Stuart's Shakespeare In Love Shadow/Blush Compact, Petal Soft Lipliner, and Polish Lipcolor for feature during Bubbles of Love. My initial impression was of the distinctly different soft pink colors and slender cartridge designs. I could easily stash all 3 pieces in a purse pocket and touch up on the run. I'll admit, the majority of my personal cosmetics come in bold black compacts, with flamboyant shaped wands and gimmicks. Arabella Stuart reminded me of my childhood, in a good sense, when unicorns might just be extinct and my prince lived two balconies down. As dainty as the collection is, don't be fooled, the product is of a high quality, and quite easy to apply. The blush and shadow compact offers an easy to blend range of muted pinks and purples, with two applicator choices. I was surprised that the product seemed to lift so easily from the pressed pad, yet stayed put so long on my face. There was no streaking or creasing throughout the day, as some cheaper brands tend to yield.

I am also not much for lipcolor, a concern when one is provided with one choice of shade within a brand; but was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the Lipcolor a bolder shade of pink (than the previous products), but the consistency was like silk. The color applied quite light on my lips, yet flawless, and offered a dramatic pop of color when combined with the softer pressed (face) colors. The result? A strikingly different look I find flirty, yet feminine enough to incite (innocent) romance this Valentine's Day!

What Daughter Says: This Valentine's try something dramatic, a softer, more natural look that's sure to turn heads.

One Momma Told Me follower will win an Arabella Stuart prize bundle including Petal Soft Lip Liner, Shakespeare In Love Shadow/Blush Compact, and Polished Lipcolor!


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