Cult of Pretty

It’s easy being green … backstage at Karen Walker FW13

Hair: Bumble & Bumble, Makeup: M.A.C.

Image: The Greyest Ghost for Cult of Pretty

Definitely the most fun so far … Calla FW13

At Katie Gallagher FW13

Half grey nails at Rachel Comey FW13 - always a master of subtlety

Hair: Bumble & Bumble; Makeup: Shiseido

Image: The Greyest Ghost for Cult of Pretty

You know the expression “If you love something, set it free?” This really has nothing to do with that. It’s just about things that come in sets - only in sets - and are not free. But are amazing!

I’ve been using a pan mystery product from Benefit for months now that goes on like a dream to create a majorly refreshed eye with no annoying glimmer, and/or acts as an amazing base for eye shadow.  It’s sort of an ultra pale purple-pink that counteracts all evil, and it seems to have been designed by the makeup deities to work perfectly with the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush, which is the dreamiest undereye and upper-eye base coat apply-er ever (also great for concealer).

I just brush it all over the product and then apply over my lids, in the inner corners, and even under my eyes. Copiously. And it looks amazing. The above image is for dramatic purposes only, k?

I finally got around to looking these up to share them with you and lo and behold:

The pan is actually a product called Eye Bright that comes in a stick. But how could I use the brush with the stick?!  Forget it.  Get the pan version that comes in these (you can see it on the far right and far left) - both sets are awesome anyway.  Peek-a-Bright-Eyes is that great all-you-need eye set for travel and the Perk-Up Artist concealer set is cool, assuming the main shade is the right one for your skin (it isn’t for mine, boo).

And the brush?  It only comes in the Real Techniques Starter Kit!  But that’s OK, because the set is so cheap and the brushes are so good.  It’s worth it.

I mean, if you love something …

Does this: Eye brightener and base in the ideal (in my opinion) format + a great brush for application
Is this: Benefit Eye Bright in pan form only available in the Peek-a-Bright-Eyes and Perk-Up Artist and Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush, only available in the Starter Kit 
Get this: Above
Price: $32, $30, $17.99 respectively

Image: via F Yeah Fashion Pics. Product c/o the brands.

Whether you’re stocking up on last minute toilet wrapping paper, cashing in gift cards, or want nothing to do with the holidays and everything to do with good, cheap cult beauty finds … this drugstory’s for you.

1. Sally Hansen Complete Care 4-in-1 Extra Moisturizing Treatment is a base coat, nail moisturizer and vitamin-infuser, nail strengthener and top coat in one very pretty pink glass bottle.  If you hoard nail colors, save space on the other essentials with this guy ($12.49)!

2. Wet n Wild Brandywine Lip Pencil & White Eye Liner.  Since this is a cult beauty products blog, I’d be remiss not to round up these classics that are so nice in price, you can buy them … both. Brandywine is an infamous neutral reddish brown that a large portion of the U.S. population wears as a lipstick (and looks darn good doing it) … while the white reminds us that you need not spend more than 99 cents on a dream highlighter for the inside corners of your thrifty eyes ($0.99 each).

3. EcoTools Bamboo Bristle Bath Brush is ideal for the dry brushing, wet brushing, and repentance brushing I will do to my body after this holiday period of indulgence.  Detox yourself - and the Earth while you’re at it ($5.99).

4. Maybelline SuperStay 10Hr Stain Gloss is a surprisingly good alternative to the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain - what you give up in flavor (this guy is a little cough drop-fruity), you make up in about $23 in your pocket and really pretty staying power ($8.99).

5. L’Oreal Clean Artiste Eye Makeup Remover is the only one I’ve found (and I’ve tried a zill) that removes waterproof makeup but never stings or dries my eyes. I hate using anything else ($4.89).

Today’s virtual basket adds up to $34.34!  Happy holidays to those of you that celebrate … see you guys back here in a few days. XOX

P.S. Click here to see all the Drugstories.