Good news for those of you who, like me, have been missing Joyce Slaton’s column Tending Violet column over at BabyCenter: she’s back, writing for their Momformation blog. I am trying not to read the posts too fast, because I want to make them last.
I got my Avon order! I got the Slick Tint for Lips, which I thought was a barely-tinted lip balm but it’s more like a very sheer lipstick. Well, maybe that’s what a barely-tinted lip balm IS. Anyway, I love it. I have to look in the mirror when I put it on (if it were a barely-tinted lip balm, I wouldn’t have to look), but then it sort of ABSORBS into my lips and makes them look like they’re just awesome like that. It isn’t wet like a lip gloss, so I use a plain lip balm over the top. I got it in Glossy Wine, and it was only a dollar, so I’m going to order the other two colors too.
I got one each of all the other lip balms they offer, and they all seem good. They go on sale for 69 cents, but I paid 99 cents each and I’m not sorry. The thing is, I LOVE sales–but of course when SOME stuff is on sale, OTHER stuff isn’t. I was going to order Twig-colored lip plumping lipstick, but by the time I stopped dithering it wasn’t on sale anymore, and so I didn’t order it. When it goes on sale again I’ll order it–but then the other things I want won’t be on sale. (If any of you ordered the Twig, tell me: is it BROWN-brown? or red-brown? or what?)
I got the Soft Musk cologne I used to wear in high school. Man, that brings me back. I don’t think I’ll wear it much, because it isn’t in my current Expensive French Perfumes style, and “musk” is kind of a gross word–but it was fun to sniff it again, and I’ll wear it when I’m feeling nostalgic.
I bought the Advance Techniques Smoothing shampoo and conditioner, and they are perfectly nice. They do as good a job as any smoothing products I try–which is to say that they do NOT make my hair into the flowing river of gloss I hope for, but they do make it easier to comb, and less springy and flyaway.
I bought Nailwear nail enamel in Wink and in Sheer French Pink, but I haven’t used them yet. Ditto for the Nail Experts Instant Gel Cuticle Remover and the Nail Experts Healthy Shine. When I ordered them, I don’t think I was fully comprehending how unlikely it was that I was going to do my nails anytime soon. But when I do, I’ll be READY!
I bought the True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Blushing Raisins and in Fresh Cut Greens. I love the name “Fresh Cut Greens.” (“Blushing Raisins” could use some work.) I’ve tried the second-lightest green and the two darkest raisins so far, and I like them all pretty well. The one from the Greens pack was like a pale green with gold shimmer in it. The ones from the Raisins pack were a barely-noticeable purple with highly-noticeable glitter, and a medium shade that matched my undereye circles. So far, the greens are winning–I don’t think the raisins are right for me, but they’re fun to try. I think I’ll get the more purpley purples next time.
I bought the Hydrofirming cream in both Day and Night versions. They’re creamy and yum, and it’s fun to take a dip from a glass jar instead of a squeeze from a plastic bottle–makes me feel all fancy and rich. They’re almost TOO thick: I can still feel it if I touch my skin later. But when winter comes, that’s exactly what I’ll be looking for for my poor parched hide.
So! A successful first order, the kind that leaves me leafing through the thoughtfully-provided catalog, wondering what I’ll order NEXT time. I do want the Twig lipstick, and I want to try the VitaMoist face cream and the Silicone Glove hand cream. I want to try some of the Anew stuff, because I’ve heard good things about it, and I want to try more of the nail polish and lipstick colors as I get a better idea of how the colors in the catalog (online or paper) correspond to the actual colors.
Did you like your stuff? [Edited to add: If you haven’t ordered but want to, don’t feel like you’ve missed the boat: Lee says she gets the same commission on the online orders no matter when they’re placed, so there’s no deadline as I’d previously thought.]
Yay for Joyce’s return! And also for the painfully boring description of makeup and creams, because I actually enjoyed the products vicariously through you! (And I too will not be doing anything more to my nails than biting them for probably another six months, so I feel you there.)
Oh, I love their nail products! And the Silicone Glove hand lotion is GREAT! My hands sometimes get super dry (especially when I had a newborn…from all the washing), and that stuff it wonderful. You’ll like it. I love that it comes in the little purse-sized bottles too. Enjoy “playing” with your new purchases.
Oh, how I heart Joyce. I didn’t know she was back. Thank you, Swistle.
I got the anew night cream and the eye serum. I LOVE them! I won’t know for 5-10 years if they are working at preventing bad wrinkles, but the night cream is plumpalicious and smooth and I look forward to putting it on every night. The eye serum goes on right quick and dries soft.
Your friend also sent me a hand-written thank you card, which I thought was the sweetest thing. I always hand write cards and letters, and find it a lost art, and love when I get a letter in the mail! She seems sweet and I sure hope we helped her out.
I didn’t order anything, in part because I suck at makeup and have only one combination that seems to work for me, and I already own all that stuff, and also because I especially suck at picking and ordering makeup. But I am still really impressed at your incredibly thorough review.
Thank you for sharing about Joyce! I loved Tending Violet, and can’t read her thoughts on having a toddler. Must go get it added right now!
Yeah!!! Joyce! I’m hopping on over there as soon as I’m done commenting here. Can’t wait to see how Violet has changed and what they are all up to now!
Also, thanks for the virtual spa treatment! Are you a sales person of some kind? Because? You ROCK it. I’ll be heading to Avon after I visit my old pal Joyce.
Oooo, new make-up and “products” are the new-Barbie-clothes-and-accessories of womanhood! Fun to read about your purchases.
I’m glad Joyce is back too! So can I tell you I saw Joyce and her hubby and Violet at an event I was selling crafts at in SF and I didn’t say hi even though I totally recognized them. Is it more weird/stalkerish to say “hi, i read your blog” or to just watch them go by and then comment about the sighting on someone else’s blog? :) I have nothing to offer on the avon stuff :)
Wow. 9 comments for listing your Avon purchases…..
I gotta get a coffee and sit down and read your blog, cause if you can get 9 comments for that you must be good! :)
Got a sleepless kid here in Oz and in for a looooong night so looking for some new reads….
I’ve never worn Avon…but after that review I might be willing to give it a try!
I totally missed the Avon train. I might need to go order some lipgloss and other things to help me look more like an “adult” at my “job.”
Melissa H- Oh, that is SO COOL that you saw Joyce! I wouldn’t have known what to do, either! I wouldn’t have wanted to freak her out by saying, “OMG I know who you are YOU ARE JOYCE!!!” And I would have felt all shy.
Black Sheeped- It’s not too late. She says she gets the same commission on the online stuff, whenever we order it. In fact, I think I’ll go edit the post to say so.
Oooh. I think I must buy some of that lip gloss. I have a hard time finding lip stuff that doesn’t make me crack and peel, and am currently reduced to using Burt’s Bees (which has really nice shades, but I can’t stand the medicinal feel). Thanks for sharing.
Well I bought a ton of stuff and I thought the colors were pretty true to their online representations.
The kids bath paint was a big hit at our house (comes in a roll-on container), and also the cold cream cleanser if you have super dry skin.
My mom used to sell AVON.
I’m so happy that they still sell “glossy wine” slick tints. Must pick it up. The one I have is gooey (what, lipstick doesn’t last 15 years? BAH!)
Joyce! Is! BACK!
YAYYYYYYY!
Also, you have made me want to go buy stuff from AVON. Lots of people commented about things for really dry skin, which I am the Grand High Priestess of…
Thanks for the link to Joyce’s blog…I hadn’t read it before this. It’s great!
Now I’m off to CVS to buy beauty products. Your post made me immediately hate every product I own.
I got Twig, and I really love it. I love the texture, and the color is a nice, neutral spicy light brown. I highly recommend it, along with the Natural Spice lip liner.
I also really love my Copper Mink Glazewear lipstick – it’s like a light, sheer lipstick, light enough that I don’t have to look in the mirror to apply it. I will get that one in more colors next time I make an order.
What else did I get…my husband likes the bubble bath – says the bubbles last longer than other stuff I’ve gotten (we have a water softener, which kills bubbles). I like the mascara OK (it has those little fibers in it, but so far they haven’t induced crazed eye rubbing and scratching), I like the Skin So Soft shower gel, and time will tell on the lip-line wrinkle thing I got. I’ll let you konw if it really does replace the restylane (spelling? anyone?) injections I have been considering.
And I put in a second order of about 5 nail polishes, and I can’t wait to get those. It’s fun to order these things because they are so inexpensive that if you make a mistake, oh well. Try something else.
That’s it! Get ya some Twig!
~Laura
Among other things I got the uplitfting mascara and like it, a couple lip radiance glosses and love them, a lot of the speed dry nail polish (which can get clumpy if I’m not being particularly skillful at the moment but is my son’s favorite part of the purchase). My absolute favorite is the big color eye pencil – goes on so flippin’ easy! tis awesome
I ordered some Avon too – not from your friend (Oh Canada!) but from someone in a similar situation. Anyway, I went safe this time and got some foot stuff that was on sale for $2.99 ea and a bunch of High School Musical themed hand cream and lip balm (for stocking stuffers or birthday game prizes).
Mac has a lipstick called “Twig” and it’s a pink/wine/brownish shade. Almost everyone I know wore that lipstick for their weddings!
Twig is a neutrally brown brown and is the single best lip color ever!
Thanks for the comment!
I also use Twig, but with a twist…. I’m not sure which Avon “line” it’s from, but there is a lipstick called “teaberry”
I mix the two of them together with a lip brush. It gives the neutral brown a slightly redder color.
OMG the memories. My auntie sold Avon, I remember a couple of the lines you were talking about. Thanks for the sweet words and the product lust. I am now going to have to buy Twig, it sounds like a hot color.