Julie Hewett Jacqueline lipstick

Forget the Civil War, or the Crusades, or Jennifer Aniston vs. Angelina Jolie — the truly eternal conflict on this planet is lipstick versus lipgloss. Lipstick gives you a true, rich color, generally has a consistent texture across brands, and usually lasts longer (if applied the right way). Lipgloss, on the other hand, is shiny, can possibly taste good, and, on occasion, can plump your lips up, collagen-style.

The gloss-or-stick war is a stalemate of World War proportions. The split in my makeup collection is actually about even. I often layer gloss on top of stick. The two different types of products often require different uses– lipstick for a conservative office, lipgloss for a night on the town. Lipstick is the old-school classic. So much so that they were wearing it in ancient Egypt. Queen Cleopatra wore coloring from crushed beetles and ants to make her pout rouge! Lipgloss is the new kid on the block – Max Factor invented the original, called X-Rated in 1932 and the original formula was sold up until 2003 (and was my introduction into lipgloss addiction, thank you very much ~Stef)

But, in the case of we heart this favorite Julie Hewett Bijou Lipsticks–specifically the bright posy-pink Jacqueline – lipstick has KO’d gloss this round. This lipstick is creamy and light. It’s not sticky and it doesn’t taste like vinyl or something equally undesirable–it must be the Essence of Orange Blossom which Hollywood pro Julie Hewett adds to her concoction. Worn alone it’s a pretty sheer pink tint. I layer a clear lip balm before smoothing on a couple layers of Jacqueline for a gorgeous “lip-stain” looking pink pout.

Here at we heart this, the general agreement is that Miss Hewett creates the Best Lipsticks Ever…just check out Christy’s take on The Perfect Red Lipstick from the wht archives. Every JHLA lipstick the review team encounters receives similar raves, “sleek functional packaging,” “a smooth and long lasting formula,” “a gorgeous and flattering shade”, and Jacqueline deserves the same praise.

Venus Embrace

It was only a matter of time, I suppose, until Venus came out with this: their newest razer, called Embrace, has 5 blades. The head seems to be slightly smaller than the usual ones, but overall that seems to help the maneuverability.

This has been at drugstores for quite some time, and is pretty much the best you can get.

New! Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

The Estee Lauder Double Wear line is makeup that’s meant to last a long time, and there are some real winners. The regular Double Wear foundation is Estee Lauder’s best-selling, and I love their new mascara.

And now there’s a new great product that I absolutely love, and wear all the time: Double Wear Light Foundation.
It’s got the coverage of a tinted moisturizer (meaning sheer to light) but it goes one step further: it stays on all day! Even if you have oily skin, you’ll see that this does not break down or turn orange on the skin. It just wears and wears. Also, you don’t need to apply powder on top of it because it sets to a matte finish, and you can almost look like you’re not wearing foundation at all.

If you have normal to dry skin, I would definitely recommend moisturizing beforehand so that it doesn’t stick to any dry spots. This foundation is going to be especially useful in the hot and humid summer months.

If you want it, head to your Estee Lauder counter soon, because it’s been selling quick!

You may also be interested in the whole review of a gamut of tinted moisturizers that I’ve tried, and the review of the Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder Foundationand Estee Lauder Double Wear Eyeshadow Base.

Green Monday Suggestion: Pea & Pepper Risotto

It’s another Green Monday here at we heart this and I have a very spring dinner suggestion for my Meatless Monday chicks. I’ve been daydreaming of attempting this vegetarian friendly, Pea and Black Pepper Risotto since the moment I saw the recipe on my favorite home site, shelterrific.

Since I’ve been on vacation and visiting family these last two weeks, I haven’t been on the computer (a self imposed sabbatical can be good sometimes), nonetheless have the time to try this seasonally perfect and (seemingly) straightforward risotto. I’ve always been a bit leery of attempting a risotto; if there is one thing Top Chef has taught me over the years it is Beware of the Risotto – That Way Lies Danger.But the savvy folks at shelterrific have never steered me wrong, so I have faith this recipe can be a success for this risotto novice.

So a big thanks to Stef for working doubly hard while I was lazing about a spa with my Mom and sisters. She rocks! Now, it’s off to the market to pick up supplies,including vegetarian stock for the Pea and Black Pepper Risotto.