Get Cheeky
It’s that time of year again and last week I was handed the goods.
Ten products that launched between May 2008 and May 2009 to test for the Beauty Awards issue.
I was given products from the lip, cheek, hand and eye categories.
Being a bold personality, I tend to crave color and practically dove into the bag fishing for the cosmetics.
My first catch was a bright cream blush from Sally Hansen. Its packaging revealed it was from the Carmindy Natural Beauty Line. And needless to say…….
I was none too impressed.
Let’s be honest here. Carmindy is so super saccharin on What Not To Wear, particularly in contrast to the tough love that is Stacy London, style guru. Carmindy is so vanilla. So white paper.
And while Carmindy does a fine job on the show’s contributors (their language, not mine), I just fail to see even a glimmer of the artistry that first seduced me and made me fall madly in love with this industry.
Cosmetics, yes, can bring out natural beauty and, yes, a face can be done in “5 minutes” – but where’s the drama, the creativity, the passion, the personal expression, the interpretation. Where’s the freakin fun??
I understand the show is a platform for women in transition who are fearful of color and/or unskilled in technique – and that it sticks to a fail-proof formula - but if I see one more ‘contributor’ with a single-shade eye and stark white highlighter in the inner corner, the boredom alone may cause a full-fledged narcoleptic collapse. So effin dull.
To spell it out in no uncertain terms, no matter how nice she may be, I’m just not president of the Carmindy fan club.
And with that, I tried the blush.
And I really wanted to hate it.
I wanted it to be too creamy, too greasy, too much color, too little staying power and on and on.
I wanted to validate my feelings on Carmindy as a mediocre makeup artist.
And you all can guess what happened next.
Despite myself, I absolutely loved it. With my proverbial tail between my legs, I wore it ALL weekend. To add insult to injury, I got tons of compliments. A friend even tried to steal it. It was that good.
Alert the press: Carmindy is vindicated.
The Sheerest Cream Blush in Beaming is super sheer, it is light, it is soft, it is buildable color that is shockingly vivid in the compact but gorgeously natural on the skin. At under $10, it’s a home run for less than half the price of most of the blushes in my vanity (and I have quite a few… dozen…).
I would buy it myself, I would buy it for a friend, I would recommend it… hell, I’d even publicly blog about it ;)
To quote the noble words of Baby’s father in Dirty Dancing – When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong.
And this blush now ranks among my favorite mistakes.
(Photo: www.sallyhansen.com)
I just can’t see why they don’t mix it up and put someone else in the makeup department. It is the exact same thing, every time. And now, you don’t even get to see other products, it’s all her line from sally hansen which for me? Sadly, sucked. I wanted to like it, I don’t know why because no matter how hard I’ve tried, I can’t see what people like about her. I find her to be very insincere and she’s lacking a real personality, especially now after coming after Ted who couldn’t be more real, honest and truly an absolute adorable guy, THE REAL THING! Just like going on stage to sing after having just watched Whitney Houston perform. It seeems only to aid in really making her seem ….. empty. And since I really don’t want to put anyone down, I won’t say more about her. But honestly, I need something more in that last segment of make up. I’m so bored out of my mind I have to fight to keep my eyes open to see how the MO turned out.
I think a fresh change could save this show, otherwise, I can’t help but think it’s not going to last that much longer. As far as Ted goes, this show I believe will make certain Ted becomes a household word. He really is a fresh change, just utterly delightful, not to mention talented. Good for you Ted! You go boy.
Just because her blush is nice, doesn’t mean she is. Her insincere attempt at being sticky sweet, is beyond fake and is so obvious I often want to just hurl. As I wrote before, I’ve seen more than once her real personality when the camera catches her eyes almost rolling in back of her head when an MO breaks down with emotion when dealing with the thought of having Nick the butcher cut off all of their hair.
Anyone who puts out a book that is writable by almost anyone, and fills it with photos of themselves when they are simly a makeup… artist can’t apply to her, person, well, she’s clearly in love with herself. Self love is one thing. She? Is something completely different. I like everyone, but I just cannot stand her.
I caught a blog by a girl who had been her friend growing up, and I didn’t sense jealousy from her, but didn’t like what I read about Carmindy. It didn’t seem like slander, but a short story of what she is really all about. Considering in the message, the girl was or had gone through a mental horrible illness and Carmindy after I believe what was 20 years or so, she had just stopped talking to her, and I felt really bad for her, I have a cousin with Bipolar and it isn’t something that you should abandon your friends for, it’s when they need you most. My cousin is one of my best friends and is funny and smart, she just gets sick sometimes and has a hard time getting things done. Everyone loves her, I just can’t believe how ruthless she was to the girl who was writing. Of course there are always two stories but I could completely see her(carmindy) treating people that way. I try because I want to be nice to everyone, but I can’t find anything likeable about her. Her blush may be the best in the world, doesn’t mean that she is.
for under $10, why not!
let me know what you think…
the beauty awards will be in an upcoming issue of a national magazine.
maybe i’ll try it! what awards?!