#Blogmas Day 2: Holiday Wish List - Benefit

I thought it would be fun to share a few little brand-specific Holiday Wish Lists here on the blog this month. The holiday season is a fantastic time to try new products you've been eyeing, or maybe wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself but you can always add them to a little wish list so family/friends/loved-ones can get you something that's a treat, and that you'll love this season! I have a few brands I stick to again and again... (ahem, Clinique and lately Urban Decay) but there are several brands out there that I really want to take a deeper dive into this season and into 2016. So, kicking off this series, below are several products I've had my eye on from Benefit Cosmetics. Full-disclosure, I'm a total packaging design junkie and Benefit always kills it in that department! Plus, the Benefit Brow Bar at the 34th Street Macy's is my go-to brow waxing hotspot...so without further ado below are things I'm definitely adding to my wish list from Benefit Cosmetics!

1  Air Patrol
This BB cream eyelid primer is the latest product release from Benefit, and the tip is advertised as being even softer than your pinky for that delicate skin on your lids. In swatches and reviews, it seems to really help eyeshadow appear fiercely pigmented and last all day! While I love my current eye primer from Too Faced, I'm always up for trying something new so this makes the wish list for sure.

2  Puff Off!
I am obsessed with this metal applicator tip (it's shaped like an iron!!) that helps this under-eye gel go on cool and it even claims to smooth creases. It's literally like an iron for your eyes! I do love my under-eye rollerball from Clinique, but this is too cute not to try!

3  Majorette
This is a cream-to-powder blush in a natural peachy color that I've swatched time and time again. I need to just get this already! And the packaging is just so cute, I can't even handle it. I love the classic majorette-looking packaging, and it kind of reminds me of my high school marching band days, because our school colors were very similar! So so so cute.

4  Eye Bright
I have wanted to try this product (and Lemonade) since I was in high school, when I was obsessed with the retro-inspired bright eye makeup looks from the movie Down With Love starring Renee Zellweger. Full disclosure: this is a terrible movie but I still love it to this day. Don't judge me! Anyway, I have no idea why I've never just purchased this product in the last 10 years...but I don't really have eyelid discoloration, and (until fairly recently) I fancied myself fairly bright-eyed naturally. But honey, 30 knocked yesterday and I answered, so let's give this product a whirl!

5  High Brow Glow
The girls at the Benefit Brow Bar always top me off with a little bit of this under my arches, and I love the subtle shimmer and lift that it gives. It really shows off that perfect "groomed" brow shape, and it's totally something I should incorporate into my current brow routine.

6  The POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine
I love the idea of an in-purse powder to carry with me wherever I go. And this unique packaging (it's tube-like, quite a different territory for powders) makes it look so easy. It even includes a brush! My combination skin rarely gets shiny shiny, but no matter how much I prime, I can't really keep my foundation from disappearing throughout the day. So this product would be a life-saver in terms of adding a bit of polish when I'm on the go.

And there you have it, my all-things Benefit wish list! If any of these ended up in my stocking on Christmas morning, that would be quite alright with me! Have you tried any of these items? Leave a review in the comments. I'd love to hear your take on these products!

Gratuitous Clinique Moment

So I gave myself away when I clued you all on what I keep in my makeup bag, and I am pretty loud and proud about the fact that I love me some Clinique... It's not just the fact that every product seems to work miracles (though that certainly does keep me coming back for more), but moreso the fact that everything is beautiful, from the cosmetic color palette right dow to the packaging. Everything smells clean and fresh, and feels youthful and affordable but luxe at the same time. Clinique, for me, is an experience. I am continually surprised by each new product I try. Case in point: the Chubby Stick. (Cue to the choirs of angels shining beams of light down onto the Chubby Stick.) What is this strangely titled product, you may ask? Essentially, it's a sheer lipstick and a moisturizing lip balm all wrapped up in what looks like a big, fat crayon. And it's really the new frontier of lip color.

These days, unless you're wearing statement lips, like red, dark wine, or neutral, lipstick feels a little bit...old. And it just sits ontop of your lips feeling gummy...when it's not accidentally on your teeth! But the Chubby Stick glides on, enhances your natural lip color, and makes you look pretty but doesn't make a big deal about itself. I loved how they felt and looked so much that I bought two! (Fuller Fig and Mega Melon, to be specific)

1  Richer Raisin
2  Fuller Fig
3  Graped Up
4  Mega Melon
5  Super Strawberry
6  Woppin Watermelon
7  Chunky Cherry

L'Amour List: Eric

Hey lovelies! It's time for another L'Amour List! This week's featured lister is Eric, creative director of The Ohio Union, here in Columbus, my boss, and also the Capitol City's resident (real) ginger. Mine is fake, I'm sad to say... So without further ado, enjoy Eric's pop-culture explosion L'Amour List!

1  Eric is a very 3-dimensional thinker, and the possibilities with packaging design are virtually endless!
2  Andrew Yang's Kouklitas Couture fashion rag dolls are a huge inspiration for his interest in art toy design. The detail is exquisite!
3  Disney! It sparked Eric's ambition to become an illustrator and designer from a very young age.
4  Eric loves himself some Spice Girls music. Has since junior high.
5  Tom Ford...a true inspiration.
6  He's obsessed with all-things British.
7  Mashed Potatoes are his favorite comfort food.
8  Vintage wallpaper inspires him to create wonderful patterns and explore color within his own work.
9  Jem and the Holograms, He-Man, Ringer Tees, Cassette Tapes...What's not to love about the 80s?
10  Halloween is never complete without these delicious treats; Franken Berry, Count Chocula, and Boo Berry cereals!

And there you have it folks, Eric's amazing L'Amour List! Would you like to share some of the things you love? Leave a comment below and you could be next Week's featured L'Amour Lister! (After you, Rose!)

A Green Cleaning Machine

I spent today sick in bed, for the most part...but I have a type of strange, nervous energy that always has to be doing some sort of work, so I also took the opportunity to deep-clean my apartment while watching Regis and Kelly  and Dr. Phil , and play stay-at-home-not-mom.

This seemed the perfect chance to test out some of the new Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products I stocked up on last time I took a trip to World Market. I've been a Meyer's-fan for quite some time, mostly because of the packaging (I mean, hello? The basil scent matches my blog rather perfectly...) but today I realized that not only do they look and smell terrific, but they get the job done! A personal favorite would have to be the Surface Scrub. As my Comet -obsessed best friend knows, I have been looking for a product that works just as well, but isn't full of chlorine bleach and a whole other cocktail of strange, scary chemicals. Mrs. Meyers, you've made a lifetime customer out of me!

Next up on my list of products to try? 
Countertop Spray
Surface Wipes
and Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Inside the JSQ Makeup Bag

I am definitely a girly girl when I have time to be. I love makeup and products and I especially love the design and the packaging! However, my hang-up is that I am busy. Like busy, busy busy. But I still like to look and feel great, even if it means I'm putting on mascara in my car, or brushing on foundation at my desk using Photo Booth as my mirror. That's why I've assembled a compilation of all of my must-have products that I keep in my purse at all times. You don't need a million tubes, brushes and bottles to feel fresh and pretty. So I've managed to pare my makeup must-haves into 12 essential products Inside the JSQ Makeup Bag. Do any of you have essential products you can't live without?? I'm always looking to branch out (you'll notice I'm kind of a Clinique girl for the most part...)

1  A Pretty Makeup Bag like this one by Kate Spade. You have to keep everything organized, and not just flying around your purse! Plus, organization is a huge time-saver.

2  Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector works miracles. I, like a lot of people, have visible pores on my cheeks and nose and this smooths out every imperfection! It's kind of like Drywall Spackling for your face. It fills in pores, without leaving them feeling clogged and oily, and leaves your skin soft and pretty.

3  Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray is a new addition to my bag. You just spritz it on your face, either over or under makeup, and it's an instant moisturizer that feels like a 5-second trip to the spa. I use it if my skin feels dry, or just if I need to de-stress.

4  Roll-On Fragrance is a must for your bag. Perfume barely lasts until lunch on my skin, but I love smelling pretty. I keep this in my bag to freshen up my perfume here and there, or to quickly apply fragrance in between the office and a night out.

5  Aveda Control Paste is amazing for taming fly-aways, and perfect for styling bangs. You only need the tiniest bit of product on your fingertips, and then if you pull it into the ends of your hair, you will be frizz free!

6  Too Faced Shadow Insurance is an eyelid primer that seriously changed my life. With this under your eyeshadow, it is guaranteed to not crease, smudge, or fade all day long. If you're going from day to night in a hurry, just add some smoky shadow and freshen up your liner, and you can be ready in 3 minutes!

7  BeneFit Eye Bright is a miracle. If you have redness around your eyes after those late nights at work,  dab it in the inner and outer corners of your eyes, or around the rim on those red spots And poof! You look like you got at least 8 hours in.

8  NARS Duo Eyeshadow in "Silk Road" is really the only daytime eyeshadow you need. I love changing it up for different outfits or from evening looks, but when I'm in a hurry, I want a quick neutral palette that goes on like butter and lasts all day long. NARS can be pricy, but it's great quality, and if it's your go-to color, it's worth spending a little extra cash.

9  Rene Futerer Naturia is the absolute best dry shampoo money can buy. If you color your hair, especially red hair, you know it fades quickly, and several hot showers a week do not help! Use this for that one extra day between washes, and it works miracles. Plus you're saving your color!

10  BeneFit Bad Gal Lash is a perfect on-the-go mascara. It's thick, full brush coats your lashes perfectly for maximum thickness and lengthening all in one. Not only does it give you long, thick, sexy lashes, but the brush's thickness makes it easy to apply even in a moving vehicle (as long as you aren't the driver...)

11  Clinique Even Better foundation is a recent switch for me. I used to use Superbalanced Makeup by the same brand, but I have freckles galore, and in the fall and winter I prefer a base makeup with just a bit more coverage. This is smooth, oil-free and with an SPF 15, which I think is crucial! These reasons and many more are why I made the switch to Even Better.

12  Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows is last but certainly not least. In fact, if I could only leave my house with 1 type of makeup, it would be this. My 2-minute makeup routine involves this liner for my brows, and then I just dab on a little mascara and some chapstick and I'm out the door. This tiny little pencil gives you the ability to fill in your brows with thin, natural looking strokes. And the best part for me is that there is no sharpener needed in my entire makeup bag!

So there you have it, ladies. A peek inside my makeup bag for my 12 absolute Must-Have Items. Am I missing anything? Do you have a product you can't live without? Leave a comment below, because I'd love to hear your Must-Haves too!

Packaging Design: Nordstrom Hosiery

I am loving the packaging redesign for Nordstrom Hosiery. They have really done some cool things with their typography, and I love the clean, classic, and vintage-glamour-inspired photography as well. They were designed by Turnstyle and featured on Lovely Package.

Images via Lovely Package

I Scream, You Scream...

But seriously, I am actually about to break out into a scream for this packaging design for Honey & Mackie's Ice Cream Shop! It was designed by Wink and was featured on The Dieline. It is deliciously retro, which if you've been paying attention to this blog, seems to be why I like most, if not all, things...

{Images via The Dieline}

Special Delivery

Sending a family member your famous (insert-your-special-type-here) cookies will be a snap and also a surprise when they come in a mailing tube this Christmas instead of the usual tin or care package. Check out this creative tip on sending an unforgettably sweet holiday delivery here at Martha Stewart Living!

{Images via Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia}

Don't Get Salty...

These business cards featured on The Dieline today are from the Gitam, Israel office of BBDO. They are definitely rad, but I'm not sure I would want to commit to just one condiment packet associated with my work. And I wouldn't want to have Sugar...too obvious for a lady. I think the salt packet would most accurately describe me because I am just soooo salty all the time. Ask Cate! But really, I just like the colors the best.

{Photos via The Dieline}

Are You The Best?

I know I am the WORST at blogging lately, but I am very excited to go out tonight to celebrate the best the Columbus design community has to offer at the CSCA, or Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, Creative Best awards tonight. It's a bit like the Oscars for the Columbus Graphic Designer, only you don't have to get too dressed up, and listen to the host make awkward jokes at the expense of the audience...hopefully.

{Images via the CSCA website}

Did I mention Jessica Hische was one of the judges? How much did the little design groupie inside me die when I knew that she actually viewed two of my projects? The answer would be...a lot.

Brilliant Branding: Twirl

I am seriously smitten with the packaging for the newest Kate Spade fragrance, Twirl. I think the bottle is beautiful, and the creams, gels, travel fragrance, etc. are also beautifully designed. The best part, in my opinion, is that Kate Spade also released a handbag and heels with the same name to accompany the fragrance. The closure on the bag even matches the top of the perfume bottle. These little nuances do not go unnoticed by the fashionable consumer, now do they?

{Photos via Kate Spade}

She's a Brick House

I am loving the packaging for Red Brick beer, designer by 22 squared, that was featured a few days ago on Lovely Package. The typography and color palette are adorably kitschy. I think designing to highlight the fact that a product is local or homespun is a big challenge, but this packaging design makes it very clear that it's a locally brewed Southern product marketed as such. Check out Lovely Package for more photos! 

{Images from here}

Lovely Wine Label

Today, The Dieline featured the packaging of Amelia Park Mishmash, Margaret River White wine. I am loving the label, but what do you think?

{Images from The Dieline}

Schwinn for the Win!

How fabulous is the new packaging for Schwinn bike products? It is so delightfully retro that words can not even begin to describe how much I love it. It was featured on The Dieline, my favorite packaging blog, this morning. Love at first sight, I tell you...see for yourself! 

{Photos from The Dieline}

+359 Wine

How rad is this Bulgarian wine bottle design? I am obsessed with the colors, and the subtle texture on the label. It was featured today on The Dieline, and was designed by Jordan Jelev of Factor R Studio. I haven't reached the point where I really care about wine, but since wine bottle design is some of the best in the world, it makes me wish I wanted to buy more of it!

{images from The Dieline}

Q.bel

When I saw these packaging designs at Whole Foods a few weeks ago, I knew they came from either Louise Fili or Jessica Hische. By the looks of it, I was right about both. Cate didn't like them because they were a little too bubbly/flourishy, which is the exact reason why I DID like them. What do you think, design lovers?

{images from Louise Fili web portfolio}

Do you believe in Magic?

Isn't the packaging for Apples Magic Mouse just so beautiful? I would love to have some conversations with their designers, and just siphon information out of them!

Sea Monsters!

My friends know that I am a bit annoyed by the author who wrote/defaced the books "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" and "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" but with Halloween coming up, I fell in love with this packaging design I saw today on The Dieline. 

The Kraken played a large role in the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and I love that this is a Caribbean rum. It just all adds up beautifully for me! 

Gradient Batteries

These Romanian batteries featured today on The Dieline are just way cooler than anything we could ever buy in the States. I am kind of in love with them.

Vivels Bakery

In lieu of a post for the past 4 days, I wanted to get started bright and early today with a piece of packaging design I saw last week on The Dieline for Vivels Bakery. The packaging is so fantastically clean and crisp, while emphasizing the fact that they are providing artisan goods. I am always impressed by people who can combine several different typefaces and make it work, or even look good. I think this looks fantastic. 

I can just imagine some chic woman in a black dress suit and pumps walking into work carrying coffee and a Vivels bag...and a Birkin, but that's another fantasy...