Read My Lipgloss 2.0

I told many people that I'd start blogging again when I got pregnant. Well, hold the diaper cake and non-alcoholic punch because we're not there yet. When I started this blog three years ago, my motivations were relatively selfish. As an overworked and under stimulated government employee, I was in desperate need of a creative outlet. I had just recently married Nick, my main squeeze of 7+ years, and with the monotony of my job and my post-wedding depression I NEEDED a project.  I love make-up and I love writing, so to put the two together in the creation of the blog seemed like a natural choice.

Fast forward to February 2010, when my career path, and subsequently my quality of life, changed for the better.  I was hired as a Marketing Manager and my dream of landing a position where I could write and be creative had come true.  With the advent of my new job, my need for a creative outlet lessened significantly, as I was given the ability to write and think outside the box almost every day at work.  And...so was the demise of Read My Lipgloss in it's original format.

But then 2012 came around and the proverbial "ish" hit the fan.  My Ma-Ma died.  I turned 30.  We got pregnant.  And I subsequently miscarried.  All in the course of 4 months.  My need for an outlet had returned, although this time it was personal.  And blogging is cheaper than therapy.  So here were are.

It was 5:15 AM on Tuesday, March 20th, otherwise known as the first day I could take one of the pregnancy tests that allegedly produce results "5 days before your missed period."  Having little to no patience, I waisted no time and sprung out of bed, grabbed the pregnancy test and did my thing.  The digital pregnancy stick very quickly discerned "not pregnant."  Well damn.  I moped back into bed, woke up Nick and said, "Babe.  We're not pregnant."  Nick rolled over and with the conviction of a coach in the locker room at half-time and said, "Don't worry Sa.  God has a plan."

Well God apparently has a sense of humor as well because three days later I came home from an afternoon with CPG, go to pee quickly prior to dinner out with Nick, and for some unknown reason decided to take another test.  PREGNANT.  Wait, what?!  I had no words.  Some crazy combination of excitement, anxiety, disbelief, and jubilation came over me.  I walked downstairs, pee stick in hand and put it in front of Nick's face.  And then this happened:

Nick (completely taken aback): IS THAT YOURS?!
Sara (laughing): No Nick, I stole someone else's pregnancy test. YES IT'S MINE!
Nick: But you weren't pregnant on Tuesday.
Sara: Obviously I was Nick. It was just too soon to take the test.
Nick: (insistent): Well you gotta take another one.
Sara: (completely panicked): I don't haaaave another one!
Nick: Well then we gotta go to CVS.

In 2.5 second flat, we're in the car - both sitting, saying nothing, with terrified looks of anticipation and glee.  "You know Sa, you gotta get multiple kinds...we're gonna need to do cross brand testing," Nick pipes up, while I'm thinking "he has no idea these bad boys are like $18 a pack."

We get three tests and head back home.  "Okay go pee" Nick demands.  "Nick I JUST went.  I don't have to go again yet."  Frantically he fills up my water jug and starts yelling, "Chug. Chug. Chug. Chug."  I guzzle until I have to go again.  Nick follows be to the restroom, I close the door, do my thing and within 2 seconds I hear the Rocky Theme Song from the other side of the door, which quickly transitions into Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."  I love my husband and I couldn't help but think, "I can't wait to tell our kid this story." 

3 positive pregnancy tests later...we were pretty convinced "we're having a baby!!!!!!!"

And that's the story of our pregnancy discovery.  It was the most insanely hilarious wonderful exhilarating Friday night of my life.  Sunday of that weekend, we told our family who, as you might imagine were absolutely over the moon.  It's one of the things I love most about my family.  We get excited.  We're gushers.  We make big deals over little things and insanely big deals over big things.  We jump up and down and hug and clap and squeal.  So you can only imagine the thrillingly joyous scene when Nick and I shared our good news.  To understand the full on celebration mode, you have to first understand that the question of when Nick and I would finally get on the baby bandwagon and get pregnant was the big hush, hush convo in the fam.  Of course we weren't supposed to know that everyone was talking about it behind our backs, but my family is about as subtle as a tack...so all of this is to say that this news was big and it was long awaited.

One of the people I was most excited to tell was my cousin, Katy.  Katy and I grew up together - like sisters - only one year apart in age, living next door to one another, and both being raised by our Ma-Ma.  Katy and her husband had done the baby thing well before Nick and I, as they already had a most precious little princess in their 2 year old daughter, Reagan.  I told Katy.  She freaked.  And she told me she was pregnant too.  WHAT?!??!!  We're having TWO babies?!!  She asked me when I was due and I looked at her like "I'm 5 minutes pregnant here, I've never done this before and I have absolutely no idea when my due date is...like December-ish?"  Without hesitation she whipped out her iphone, pulled up the pregnancy center app, entered in the 1st date of my last period and told me my due date was December 2nd...and hers was two days later!!!!  People, words cannot begin to sufficiently express the tremendous anticipation, love, and thankfulness we felt in my aunt's backyard that night.  The emotion was overwhelming and the joy was tangible.  

That night my dad invited the whole family to our local watering hole, El Paso in Springfield, where he volunteered to treat everyone.  Say whaaat?!  Now you know the PARTY IS ON because my dad hadn't paid for a family dinner since Nick and I got married four years prior.  The margaritas and laughter were a flowing.  Katy and I stuck to our waters and I asked her about 10 million questions - what I could/couldn't eat.  What I should expect to feel like.  "Can I take baths?  Yes, oh good.  Can I still work out?  Yes, oh darn."  Our husbands were busy kibitzing about how our two sons would grow up to dominate as the dynamic cousin duo on the lacrosse field.  Of course in their minds we were both pregnant with boys and naturally they would be stellar athletes.  Katy and her husband were both voted "Most Athletic" for their high school superlatives, so their kid's athletic prowess was in the bag.  Me and Nick?  Well, I was voted "Most Sprited" and Nick was voted "Most Friendly," so while we may not have an Olympic athlete on our hands, this kid was going to be as outgoing as they come.  Bottom line...besties were having babies...together.

Fast forward to Tuesday, April 24th, Nick and I found out at our first doctor's appointment that the fetus had no heartbeat.  The OB said he/she had stopped progressing somewhere around week 6.  And the shock, pain, and devastation slowly began to sink in.  I distinctly recall feeling like I was watching somebody else live my life.  Like some sort of weird out of body experience where I was watching this family fall apart from the outside in.  And then the sharp knife of reality would twist inside me and I would realize...this was real.  This was our life.  Our baby.  My mind was racing:

"How could we have miscarried?  I didn't bleed.  Everything I had read about miscarriages said I would bleed.  Did I even feel it?  What about Christmas?  Baby Bracco was supposed to be here by Christmas time.  I already had the family photo and "Baby's First Christmas" outfit in my head.  And what about July 4th?  According to my calculations July 4th was going to be when we found out whether it was a boy or girl.  And what about Katy's baby?  Her baby was going to be best friends with our baby and dominate the lacrosse field together, remember?  And my Pinterest boards.  I had nurseries for both sexes done and ready to go.  And...what will we tell people?  We had already told so many of our friends and family because as the eternally optimistic people that we both are, we had no reason to believe we shouldn't tell our closest friends and fam.  Everyone is going to be so upset."

I felt so naive.  So played.  So hurt for Nick.  So hurt for my family.  So hurt for the little living thing in my belly I had read about constantly and grown to love immeasurably in four short weeks.  Growing up, I was never one to say "I want to be a mom."  I always knew in my heart that I wanted kids, or at least one, but I had other things I wanted to tackle first.  So Nick and I were very intentional about when I would stop taking birth control as the women in my family were known to be some fertile myrtles.  I didn't want to stop taking the pill until I was ready to get pregnant.  I came to realize through the joy of our pregnancy discovery and the subsequent massive change in perspective that occurred over the next four weeks, just how much I wanted a baby.  Nick too.  We were on board with this having a baby thing - way more than I think either of us thought possible.  I was so ready to hold that sweet baby in my arms.  To smell their sweet smell and nudge their soft little face with my nose and give them sweet kisses.  I was ready to experience that ultimate fulfillment that only mothers know and find out what it means to love someone more than yourself.

I learned that I would have a DNC that Friday.  The story for the four days that followed are for another blog post at another time.  I've already written more than I intended.  Apparently I needed the release.

So here's the deal...I want my readers to understand my intentions.  I don't write this for sympathy, so please don't feel compelled to give it.  Having a miscarriage was one of the most horrific, unbearable experiences of my life.  It ranks right up there with losing my Ma-Ma, just 3 months prior.  But Nick and I remain 100% confident that this was part of God's master plan.  I don't like it.  I don't understand it.  And I wish it had happened differently, but it didn't. 

I share this story for two main reasons; 1) to encourage other women who've suffered this loss, so they may know they are not alone and that better days are ahead and 2) as my own coping mechanism.  Selfishly, helping others also helps me feel better, stronger, and more confident in the fact that the pee stick will once again read "PREGNANT" and more importantly, when it's God's timing, Nick and I will be blessed with a little one.  So when you see me at the grocery store or the next time we catch up on Facebook, please, really do not feel like you have to address my miscarriage.  This blog is about moving forward and keeping the faith because just like Journey said...


Don't Stop Believing.    

"My colors are blush and bashful..."

I couldn’t resist the cheeky Steel Magnolias reference to start off today’s posting. Just as M' Lynne (Sally Fields) underestimated the difference between Shelby’s (Julia Roberts) wedding colors “blush and bashful,” which she sarcastically described as “pink and pink,” I think we often underestimate the power of blush. We pass blush off as the obligatory “add a little color to your cheeks.” Yet when used effectively, blush can add dimension to your cheekbones and provide that oh-so-necessary compliment of color between the eyes and the lips to finish your look.

Let’s start with application. Use your cheekbones as your guide. If you are looking for a slight sweep of color (see pic # 1), start at the apple of your cheek and brush upwards to your temple, following the natural line of your cheekbone back and forth. Repeat this motion until desired fabulousness is fulfilled. For this application, an every day blush brush will suit your needs. Remember, the less concentrated the brush, the less dramatic your application will be. Meaning if you use a bigger brush, the color will be more spread out and not in a precisely defined line.

Soft and Subtle...
Image from Sephora

Which brings me to the next blushing option - if blushing is what you are all about and you are going for the “checkout these cheekbones” look (see pic # 2), use a contouring brush (smaller, slightly angled, and more concentrated that your average run-of-the-mill blush brush) and start application at the top of your cheekbone (generally in between your temple and ear) sweeping down, stopping just short of the apple of your cheek. Repeat this motion until diva-ness is attained.

Uber Cheek-ness

Image from Clinique

In terms of blush product variety, I’m a classic blush girl. I find that pressed powder blushes are way more user-friendly and manageable than the cream blushes, which have certain element of war paint in terms of application and malleability. Also, don’t be afraid to blend a few blush shades together, perhaps adding a bit of shimmer and sparkle onto your favorite matte shade. Or maybe you are hot for this cranberry shade, which is only too perfect for date night, but a bit glamazon for the office, so tone it down with a neutral shade. Lastly, break out the bronzer every now and then to assist you in attaining cheek perfection. Bronzer can be used as a fantastic compliment to many shades of blush or can stand alone as a natural nude – y shade if you’re looking for a laid-back, fun-in-the-sun, look (see pic # 3).

Low-Key Sun Goddess
Image from Clinique

So next time you’re at your vanity, play around a little. Try some new shades you’ve been avoiding, mix up your application methods and find what works best for you – you blushing beauty.

The Power of Pigments

Ready to be bold?! Get ready to advance your glam game because this is not your average day at the office eyeshadow. Allow me to introduce MAC’s Pigment: a loose powder product with a high concentration of color that produces brilliant results (it’s color like woa). Pigments have been on the cosmetic circuit for quite some time now as a favorite of make-up artists, but have remained relatively low on the mainstream make-up market radar. In fact, you’ve probably already seen the pigments at your fav MAC location, but you may have passed it by, thinking it’s a "super advanced, not for me" type product. Well ladies after reading this, there will be no more doubting yourself, or your ability to find the power of pigments.

For a super dramatic blast of color, start by applying one of MAC’s Paint Pots to your eyelid. Think of the paint as the glue that will hold your powder in place, so apply it to wherever you want the pigment to stick. Additionally, paint pots can be used to intensify the pigment color. For example, if you were going for a gorgeous gold goddess look (hint: glowy gold is all the rage for Fall 09), you could start with MAC’s Indianwood paint pot (apply with a flat eyeshadow brush or a concealor brush) and then top it off with MAC’s Old Gold pigment. However, you could also use a flatter base color like Groundwork if you just want to highlight the color of the pigment. Both are equally fabulous.

Pour a pinch of the loose pigment powder onto a tissue - the powder is a bit more manageable this way, as opposed to working directly out of the pigment pot. Using an eyeshadow brush, dip the brush into your pinch of pigment and then hit the brush against your wrist or flick it with your fingers to shake off the excess powder. Place the pigment over the paint, dipping for more pigment when necessary (remember – a little of this stuff goes a long way) and blend as you go, applying just as you would your typical eyeshadow. For a less intense look, you may forgo the paint pots and use a brush that covers a larger surface area like a contouring brush (just think: the less concentrated the bristles of the brush, the more sheer the look). The pigments may also be used as a blush or a stunning highlight over your blush – just add a light layer with your blush brush directly on your cheekbones. BTW, Melon is OUT OF CONTROL beautiful when used as a highlight, plus it’s the perfect way to epitomize the “weekend at the beach” sunkissed look – and who doesn’t love that?!

In addition to the multiple ways in which pigments may be applied, MAC also offers an incredibly diverse collection of colors from which to choose. Deep Blue Green and Golden Olive will give you a BURST of intense color, perfect for a trendy summer date night or evening out with the ladies when you feel like making a statement. Then on the flip side, Tan, Copper Sparkle, and/or Naked are just what the summer shorts and halter top ordered to complete your effortless yet sensational summer look.

So next time you’re at the mall, pop into MAC confidently, with the knowledge of this blog in your back pocket. No longer will you need to pass this product by or put it in the “too hard to do” make-up box. Seriously, this stuff is easy to use and addictively fabulous. Set aside a little pigment playtime – and bring the AmEx – because like so many fine things in life, you certainly can’t have just one.

Pigment
Available at MAC retailers and www.maccosmetics.com
$19.50 USD


Images from www.maccosmetics.com

Book Your Bliss!

For those of you spa-goers fortunate enough to set foot in New York’s Bliss 49 Spa, I know you’ll agree when I say that it’s complete and total Heaven on Earth (or technically Lexington Ave., but you get my point)! The soothing and sleek décor, the eternally calming cerulean blue, teal, and white color scheme, the wonderfully witty product names (Hello – Slim City Set?!?!), and we haven’t even gotten to the incredible effectiveness of the Bliss products and services yet!

Well ladies, you can cancel your train ticket to the Big Apple, because Bliss has come to DC! The W Hotel has found a new home in the nation’s capital and settled in the old Hotel Washington building just off 15th Street, NW and the Bliss Spa (all three floors of it) has come with!

The spa offers those bliss-seekers looking to be trimmed, toned, waxed, or relaxed a lavish laundry list of services to include a nail lounge, massage and facial treatments, and please let’s not forget some of the signature Bliss services like the Best of Skintentions facial or perhaps the Hangover Herbie. Now tell me you haven’t thought about the need for such after a Thursday night in Adams Morgan. Furthermore, while being pampered, you’ll also be wined and dined as you choose from your selection of Bliss spa snacks – they have brownies. As if you weren’t already sold....

In addition to the saunas, steam rooms, and a Bliss product sampling sink, the spa gurus at Bliss have incorporated little touches of DC throughout, as service rooms are decked out with texturized cherry blossom wall coverings or you can head to the W’s all-the-rage rooftop bar pre or post Bliss to scope out the DC skyline. And make a note to stop by the retail salon where you can pick up your favorite Bliss must haves.

May I highly recommend the Fabulous Foaming Face Wash?! It’s hands down the best and most versatile face wash I’ve ever used. The ever-so-soft exfoliating beads do just the trick in scruffing off the dead skin cells without the harshness of many exfoliants and the chamomile, rose hips, and passion flower leave your skin feeling uber-invigorated. Scared of commitment? Try their Bliss Tried + Blue Travel Kit. $10 says you go back for the big bottle before the end of the month. I’ve recommended this face wash (appropriately named “Fabulous”) to two of my good friends, both of which have vastly different skin needs than me, and we’re all still raving.

So if you’re looking for a spa day with the girls or perhaps a stay-cation in DC, check out the Bliss Spa at the W Hotel. Because really, who’s not looking for Bliss?

Bliss Spa
515 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Book your Bliss: 877 - to - Bliss

For more fabulousness on the new W Hotel, check out Kate's review at Culture Me, DC.

Inspired to Share the Love! Now it's your turn!

OMGosh. Last night I was fortunate to have, what may very well have been, the best massage of my life. Somewhere around noon, I was knee deep in excel spreadsheets and my iphone dinged. It was a message from Circe, my hair salon of choice, promoting their last minute massage specials. PERFECT. This was exactly what I needed to relax the mind and commence the holiday weekend.

Now I’ve been around the massage block a time or two. As a spa diva since the ripe old age of 16, I would scrounge up tip money I made waiting tables the night before to cover the cost of massages, pedis, and hair treatments. And now that I have my grown up gig, I still make the “beauty/relaxation” column a priority in our family budget! Throughout my massage tenure, I have frequented a number of spas, salons, and even chiropractic care establishments – testing out various massage experiences (I know, rough life, right?!).

I’ve left massages energized, I’ve left massages essentially asleep (perhaps you’re familiar with the massage-induced coma), and I’ve left massages beyond sore, like Billy Blanks and I had just gone 10 rounds in Tae Bo. But last night, after my experience at Circe, I felt perfect. I was in that fabulously wondrous state of calm, yet ready to take on the world and the bliss has lasted well into this morning!

The ambiance of the massage room was similar to that of the many massage rooms that came before it – dimly lit lights, the sound of ocean waves crashing in the background which was complimented by this great almost tribal sounding CD (I should have asked the name!). There were two massage tables, one with layers of crisp white sheets and a light throw blanket and the other was decorated with this great crocheted blanket and whimsical toss pillows, which left you feeling like you were having a massage in your trendy SOHO loft, as opposed to a salon. It was home-y and warm. The aroma of Aveda’s chakra products filled the room in a slightly understated aromatherapy kind of way. I was given the option to choose from the following oil scents; floral, vanilla, citrus…and I don’t know what else, because after I hear “citrus,” I need not hear anything further. Chakra 5’s grapefruit-y and rosemary scent invigorates the communication and creativity vibes and leaves your skin with this incredibly light, but oh-so-indulgent scent.

The pressure was perfect. I’m a “mild to firm” girl when it comes to massage pressure preferences and Melissa, the masseuse (or as she is now noted in my contacts list -“The Magician”) did not disappoint. It was relaxing, yet intense at times, as she worked out the knots in my neck (story of my life – I carry ALL my stress in my neck and shoulders) and it was just so perfectly therapeutic.

Circe won over my massage heart with Melissa the Magician last night. My awesome experience inspired me to share this with you all, so the next time you feel the need to decompress or just center yourself, I would highly recommend giving Circe a shout.

So now it’s your turn! Who do you love? What salon services are you crazy about!? Do you have a brow guy or a nail girl that rocks your beauty world? Perhaps you have a stylist who does the blow out of all blow outs. There’s so much talent in the DC area and so many untapped beauty hotspots. So let’s take this opportunity to share those stylists, services, and beauty professionals that are nearest and dearest to our hearts!

Circe Day Spa
123 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.519.8528
www.circedayspa.com

Dynamic Duo

Today I have got to spread a little love to Lancome, because I am CRAAAZY for their eyeshadow duos from the Ombre Absolue duo line. Each duo pairs a bold matte color with a lighter complimentary color that adds a little highlight to your shadow. The true beauty of this product is two fold; 1) It’s all the eye shadow color you need for a day or night look and 2) It’s SUPER easy to apply (like seriously…it doesn’t get any easier than this). So put down your pencils - no need to take notes, you’ll get this one on the fly.

The use of two or three differently hued shadows leaves you with a more polished result, than using just one. However, to do this effectively, you must pair hues and textures that work with one another – not against. Lancome has done the work for you (merci beaucoup!) and paired shades and textures that perfectly suit one another. Therefore, you’re not left spending three hours of your day off at the cosmetic counter trying to create the perfect pair. Color selections range from brown neutrals to funky metallics and for those of you that like to pack a little color punch – there is an array of pinks, purples, greens, and blues. And may I suggest my personal fav – Jade Elegance, for anyone looking to add a little green to their shadow box (cause really, in this day and age, who doesn’t want to go green)!?!?

The darker matte color may be applied to the entire lid. The shadow is decently concentrated, but you'll still want to use the right tool for application. NARS Wide Countour Brush is the perfect tool for the job. It retails for $33.00 at Sephora locations. I know you’re probably thinking, “ay yay yay, that’s two cocktails and an appetizer at Friday happy hour.” But as with most things, having the right tools will make your job so very much easier and produce a better end-result. Make-up is no exception.

The lighter highlight color may be applied directly above the darker color. Extend this color vertically half-way between your crease (where the darker color stopped) and your eyebrow. You’ll want to blend this color in with the very top of the darker color so you don’t have, what appears to be, a visible line of two different colors. (Cue: Bare Escentuals Blending Brush). This brush is also available at Sephora locations and retails for $18.

The duo shadows are super lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about creasing or caking. And it’s long-lasting power is most definitely worthy of snaps. Add your liner, mascara, and you’re off!

Lancome’s dynamic duo takes the guess work out of pairing shadows, the brushes will do the heavy lifting and you…all you have to do is look fabulous.

Lancome Ombre Absolue Duo
$35.00 USD
More colors available at Lancome retailers and online

Image from www.lancome-usa.com

The Buffed and the Beautiful

So I’m a total pedicure princess. Even in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, I somehow manage to justify to myself, my husband, and my checking account that a pedi every two weeks is nothing short of essential. When the stock market tanked last fall and fiscal restraint became the new black, I cut my pedi dates back to once a month. That didn’t last long.

I think it’s the foot massage (7 minutes per leg) that does me in. It’s the only time in a two week span that I make myself relax. That’s right, I set down my iphone, Us Weekly, and hot tea and I do absolutely nothing for 14 fabulous minutes. And I would be remiss if I posted on pedicures and did not give a shout out to, in my opinion, THE best in the business – City Nails in Alexandria, Virginia. I’ve frequented City Nails since I was sixteen and have yet to find a salon that comes close to the pedicure pedestal on which I place City Nails. But as pedicure pressed as I am, I for whatever reason, can’t get down with the manicure.

I get why people like manicures and I have mad respect for those who maintain silk and acrylic nails because they are gorgeous and definitely add a certain something to your look. Furthermore, manicures are seemingly a better investment, as they’re less expensive than pedicures, but always available for the showing. We show our pedis maybe 5 months out of the year and that’s only if you’re a huge fan of flip-flops and peep toes.

I think if I got real psychological about this, I would find that my indifference towards manicures stems from my dismay of chipped nail polish. You know the scene – you’re on your way out for a total night on the town. You’re sporting some hotness and feeling very pleased at how fabulously your new dress fit with your Tori Burch old fav flats. And then, you look down and in a fit of horror you see that your sass-tastic red nail polish has chipped right off your right middle finger. Immediately you feel that your look is shot to hell and you begin planning on how to do left handed gestures all night. Chipped nail polish just unravels me so. Additionally, I think I must have high-chip probability nails because it never fails with my fingers. So I stick with nothing or clear.

But I do love the shape and shine your nails get from a manicure. That’s where this week’s RML product spotlight comes in. Ladies, allow me to introduce Sephora’s 4-Step Buffer. In five miraculous minutes, this little tool leaves your nails looking like you just spent an hour at the salon. Each side of the cube has an express purpose 1) File 2) Buff 3) Polish 4) Shine. No tricks or technique tips needed. You simply move the buffer back in forth, covering the entire surface of your nail, in 1 - 4 order (which is denoted on the cube – thank you Sephora!). And if it can’t get any buffer better, this tool retails for $5 dollars at Sephora. Or you can splurge and the get Colorful Buffers 3 - Pack for $8. So skip the pricey buffing tools they sell at the mall kiosks ($40 – are you kidding me?) and save your manicure money. This buffer is all you need. Polish is purely optional, as the buffer leaves your nails so shiny, it totally looks like you have a coat of clear polish on anyhow. So go ahead, make your way to Sephora – it’s hands down – or in this case “nails” down the best $5 bucks you’ll spend.

Sephora's 4-Step Buffer
$5.00 USD
Available at Sephora stores and online

Sephora's Colorful Buffers 3-Pack
$8.00 USD
Available at Sephora stores and online
Images from www.Sephora.com

As if you needed more convincing...Buffer Reviews