A Blooming Beauty

I can get pretty excited about little things like a song I love playing on the radio or when I get a free cookie with my "My Panera" card (don't act like you haven't been there), but new make-up brands get me really excited!  I love seeing the shiny new packaging, how they present their brand, and what new and innovative products they lure me in with. 

The new line I am delving into is Flower sold strictly at Walmart (wallets sing a chorus of "Amen").  It was created by actress Drew Barrymore and if anyone knows quality make-up, it would a child-star turned successful actress who has been the face of Covergirl for years!  She has created a high quality line of make-up products that are affordable and available to the masses. She does this by not paying for advertising like traditional companies do (pretty interesting, huh?).  But who needs advertising with a mouthpiece and a face like Drew?  Let me take you through what I know so far.

Flower Facts

• the products are all made in the USA 
• the products are not tested on animals 
• the most expensive product in the line only cost $13.98!!!

Picking the Flowers - Go on & try these B tested products

Zoom-in Ultimate Mascara [retails for $7.98 at walmart.com]

This mascara is pretty high tech!  The brush has three settings that you adjust by turning the top of the cap to the right or left.  This will adjust your length, curl, and volume.  That part is kind of amazing!  The mascara comes in 4 colors right now; intense black, black, black brown, and brown.  Pretty standard repertoire.  I just purchased my second tube and I am still digging it.  It doesn't flake or smudge and I like that I can adjust the wand to fit what kind of eyelash day I am having (yes it differs, just like your hair).  I will definitely continue picking this flower!

[Pictured Below: Zoom-in Ultimate Mascara]

Kiss Stick Velvet Lip Color [Retails for $6.98 at walmart.com]
I love this stuff!!!!  I fell in love with the color Tender Tuberose when using the Petit Fleur triplet (discussed below) and I had to have it.  I will say the velvet lip color is a different feeling.  It is a dryer texture so if you don't like that, I would pick another rose, perhaps the Kiss Stick High-shine Lip Color.  The Tender Tuberose color is still natural but does a great job of accentuating the lips.  I would describe it as a soft mauve.  I can't wait to try the other eight colors ranging from a soft pink to plum.  For this price, you can afford to buy the whole bouquet! 

 [Pictured Below: Kiss Stick Velvet Lip Color in Tender Tuberose]

Almost in Full Bloom

Petite Fleurs for Lips [retails for $6.98 at walmart.com]

Do you remember those pencils we had in grade school that were so much fun?  That is the concept Flower so smartly used to give the user options.  The Fleur comes with three different colors so you can swap them out by taking the top color and using it to push the next color up.  The issue is that the packaging does not feel the need to behave.  I was so excited to carry this "pocket triplet" around but the cap will not stay on.  While I enjoy the collaborative desire, I don't want my lipstick mingling with my other make-up or my make-up bag.  This same design is also sold in eye shadow and concealer.  Brilliant in theory but this flower needs some more time to bloom.  Maybe next Spring?

[Pictured Below: Petit Fleurs Lip Pocket Triplets]

I am looking forward to trying more of these products, especially the concealer/foundation/powder portion which Drew emphasizes when she speaks of the quality.  Flower has products to cover you from head to toe, offering a line of nail polish as well.  With its soft and natural colors, pretty packaging, and famously fabulous face I can't wait for this brand to be in full bloom!

You can find out more about the brand at www.flowerbeauty.com 

Lipstick Obsessed

I am lipstick obsessed.  This is a new development. 

I have tiny eyes.  You may see pictures of me & think, "gee, Brandy sure sleeps a lot".  But alas I am fully conscious in these pictures (except for a few proud college moments that I may have forgotten to remove from Facebook).  Being constantly jealous of those with gorgeous doe eyes, I have been so focused on the ocular that I forgot about the lips!  But recently I have seen the light (pink, matte red, nude, plum...the list goes on & on).

I was a little deterred when my husband Danny said my lipstick reminded me of his grandma...ouch.  But he also supports my ideas and appreciates my own style.  And if you know me, that wouldn't have stopped me anyway.  I have been doing a lot of exploring to find a certified "non-granny wearing" lip color.  Below are some rules I follow.

Rule #1: Rich color doesn't mean rich price tag.  When I zero in on a new color I want to try I stick to inexpensive brands.  The glossy and gorgeous delivery of a higher end brand may be enticing but until you know it will work, don't invest. 

Go on & try: Rimmel London's Bordeaux (pictured below) and Wet n Wild's Bare It All

Rule #2:  That is your color!  And that one and that one...  At first I was narrow-minded about what colors I could wear.  I wouldn't go near anything drastic or dramatic.  But once I got up the guts and thought "I can pull this off!" I realized I had options.

Go on & try: Maybelline's Electric Orange or NYX's Jumbo Lip Pencil in Chaos (Hot Pink)

Rule #3:  That's going to leave a stain.  Another deterrent of mine was the mess.  It may be sexy when a girl leaves a lip print on the mirror or gets a little smudged from a make-out session but it is not cute when you get bright red lipstick on your favorite cream sweater or your teeth.  The best option I found was Lip Stain.  This stuff is the best!  I still get a vibrant bright color but it stays put.  

Go on & try: Maybelline's Cool Coral or Fresh Fuschia Stain Gloss

Rule #4:  Color inside the lines!  When I wear a bright color there is a fine line between looking hot and looking a hot mess.  Don't be that lady.  Lip liner is the not so evil step-sister of lipstick.  It's like a tiny dam holding that gorgeous color in place.  You can purchase a few liners if you have committed to a color like a classic bright red (rule #1 applies here too) but I have a found a clear lip liner that I use and love!

Go on & try: E.L.F.'s Lip Lock Clear Lip Liner or Revlon's Color Stay Lip Liner in Red.

Rule # 5: If at first you don't succeed re-apply.  Any given day I have about 10 different shades of lip color in my purse.  I warned you, I am obsessed!  But not everyone needs to be the crazy lipstick lady.  There are products I use that do double and even triple duty!  I love a good 3-in-1 lip tube or an all over color stick.

Go on & try: Flower's Petit Fleur Pocket Triple Lip (pictured below) or E.L.F.'s All Over Color Stick

***All of the brands listed above are available at Walmart, Target, or Walgreens.  Flower is exclusive to Walmart)

Rimmel London's Bordeaux

Flower's Petit Fleur Pocket Triple Lip(Middle color)