Thursday, December 13, 2012

Smashbox Studio Pop Eye Palette

Smashbox has come out with another great eye shadow palette called Studio Pop. It consists of 16 vibrant colors and 4 creamy eyeliners. This palette comes with 4 cards to help you create 4 different looks, which is great if you're not that creative with mixing colors. If you are, great, you have plenty of colors to work with.

Here is the list of colors in this set:
- 16 x 0.04 oz Photo Op Eye Shadows in: Nocturnal (deep navy with cobalt blue flecks), Lunar (warm shimmering silver), Emerald (shimmering green), Nude (matte soft caramel), Vanilla (matte warm ivory), Obsidian (shimmery slate), Champagne (shimmery gold beige), Bark (dark chocolate brown shimmer), Cinder (shimmering violet), Pastel (soft ballet pink), Orchid (dark matte purple), Flamingo (shimmery coral pink), Smoke (matte dark gray), Amethyst (shimmery violet with copper flecks), 24k (gold), Nutmeg (golden bronze)
- 4 x 0.05 oz Cream Eye Liners in: Bronze (bronze), Royal (deep purple), Picasso (navy blue), Nightlife (black with multicolor pearl)

I really love the more neutral colors in this palette, very beautiful. But all of the colors are beautiful as well. The eyeliners are great too. I especially love the bronze and black one that has different colors of glitter in it. All in all, its a great palette and great quality.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Raw Essentials Skin Care Products by Carol Alt

I recently came across this skin care line on one of my trips to Ulta.  It is called Raw Essentials by Carol Alt.  I was looking at some products on a shelf and this brand got my attention because of the word 'raw.'  I am always interested in skin care products that claim to be healthy, natural or organic.  I am not sure how long her products have been around but I haven't seen them before.  So, since I am almost always in the need for some overnight cream, I picked one up.

So, just as the name indicates, Raw Essentials contains 100 % raw, active ingredients that are never heated above 115°.  I have never heard of any other line of skin care products that are made this way.  They also never use petroleum, sulfates, detergents, synthetic preservatives, parabens, artificial colors, fragrances or genetically modified organisms.  This is all very important because our skin absorbs everything that we put on it.  The more natural the products we use on our skin, the better.  Raw Essentials contain:  antioxidates, omega 6 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals - all the great stuff that we need for beautiful, healthy skin.

So I picked up the Night Time Firming and Nourishing Face cream which is made with 40% raw aloe.  I like how it doesn't have a strong fragrance.  It smells clean and light, not artificial or anything.  It also contains coconut oil which I LOVE.  I haven't come across any products that contain coconut oil, which is great for skin.  There are so many health and skin benefits from coconut oil.  I have been trying to eat it some how because of how great it is, I'm just not crazy about the taste - it's too sweet.

The cream is light and not greasy and goes on really nice.  It doesn't feel like you have a ton of product on your face, it feels breathable.  I just love the feel of this cream and I like it even more because I feel like I am putting something so healthy on my face.  My face looks great in the morning.  No irritation or redness or anything.  I am really excited to see the long term results.  It's also affordable at $25 and is worth it with all of the great ingredients inside.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Too Faced The Return Of Sexy Eye Shadow Palette

  Too Faced - The Return Of Sexy Eye Shadow Palette        Too Faced - The Return Of Sexy Eye Shadow Palette
 
 
 There is a beautiful new eye shadow palette from Too Faced called The Return Of Sexy Eye Shadow Palette.  This palette has a great combination of colors from the classic nudes, rich purples and smoky grays.  All of the colors are perfect for Fall.  Of course, nudes are great for anytime.  The colors are organized into 3 palettes and comes with cards that show you how to apply each collection.
 
I just love the colors.  The shimmery colors are not too shimmery so you can wear them day or night.  All of the colors in the palette blend well and look great together.  You also get a great eyeliner that looks perfect with the eyeshadow, plus it also comes with primer.  The colors stay put and don't crease, which is a must.  You can't beat the variety in this palette, it's not just a blend of one color family.  This makes it perfect for travel or if you don't like buying several palettes.  Its Too Faced, so the quality is great.  This palette is a must have and is a great value for everything that you get!

Friday, July 13, 2012

BUXOM Stick Around™ Eye Primer

There is a great new eyeshadow primer from Buxom that is the perfect way to apply eye primer. It is a pencil that is infused with Vitamin E and provides sheer, translucent coverage that glides on easily and dries quick.



This eye primer is made without:


- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan


I tried eye primers in the past but didn't really find one that I thought was worth using because they took too long to dry, were sticky or creased pretty bad throughout the day. This one is great! It is super easy to apply and lasts all day. It really makes your eyeshadow pop because the color looks the way it is supposed to. This is really great when wearing neutrals because sometimes you don't really see the true color since they can be light.


This eye primer is convenient (no need for fingers or brushes), works well all day, brings out the beautiful colors of your eyeshadows and works great on all skin types.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Natural Care Revitalizing Mud Mask

I don't regularly use any masks because I haven't really found any to be that great. They usually take long to dry, burn your face and your skin gets so tight while it's drying that you can't really do much while you let it work. Plus, the end result is nothing that noticeable or impressive.



I have been using this amazing mud mask from Natural Care called Revitalizing Mud Mask and it is not your typical mud mask. This mud mask is made from Dead Sea Minerals and also have Geranium and Neroli essential oils in it. It also contains Argan Oil which is amazing for your skin. It is supposed to absorb excess oils, remove impurities, balance moisture levels, firm skin, get rid of dead skin cells and enhance natural skin regeneration. It is also supposed to refresh aging skin, nurish dry skin and clear acne ridden skin.


After using this mud mask a couple of times, I have to say I am very impressed. First of all, it goes on easy, it's not hard to spread over your face. You shouldn't rub it on too much because the salt makes it a little abrasive, which is great for exfoliation. The smell isn't anything great but that's because it doesn't contain any fragrance, which isn't needed anyway since natural products are better for your skin. Your supposed to leave it on for 25 minutes but it drys quicker than that and in that time, you feel a slight tingling sensation which is much more gentle than the usual burn you get with other mud masks.


When I washed it off, I really liked the results. I instantly noticed smaller pores and more even toned skin. My acne scars seemed a little lighter and my face was moisturized and smooth instead of being painfully tight and dry like it usually is after a mud mask. This mud mask is a must have for your skin care regimen. I included the link below: http://www.naturalcare.net/Revitalizing-Mud-Mask-300g-p/rmm001.htm

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy




Ojon has some really great hair products so I decided to try this new hair oil when I saw it at Sephora. It's a great multi use hair oil that nourishes and protects your hair as well as make it softer and shinier. The ingredients seem pretty exotic. The oils are gathered from sources with great healing powers from Tahiti, Central America and the Kalahari Desert.


The hair oil is pretty versatile, you can use it on damp or dry hair. I prefer to use it on damp hair before I put any other products in and blow dry. It works great on my wavy hair but it's fine for all hair types. You want to make sure you don't use too much or else you end up with oily hair. Using so little also helps since it's a bit pricey, $35. But, I've tried quite a few hair oils out there and this is the only one that actually lives up to the claims. It really leaves your hair shiny, smooth and free of frizz. I have noticed that my hair also seems to have less breakage, since I am always blow drying and I love the smell too, which is a bonus.



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Natural Care Mineral Eye Balm

I have been using this eye balm that I got for free from Naturalcare.net. You get this awesome set of samples for free, even shipping is free. All of their products are made with minerals from the Dea Sea. This eye balm (it's not really a cream, it's a clear balm) is great. It goes on so smooth, so you're not rubbing your eye area (which is bad since it causes wrinkles). It soaks in quick and doesn't feel sticky at all.



I have been using this for a little while, you get this little jar as a sample. I don't think I'll have enough in the sample to see long term effects. They claim that is will keep your under eye skin tight and firm and diminsh the appearance of fine lines around the eyes. It also looks like my under eye circles are a little lighter, which is a bonus.


Either way, it won't cost you anything to try some new products.

http://www.naturalcare.net/Free-Sample-p/0312.htm

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Giovanni D:tox System Purifying Facial Care Review

I think this line of products from Giovanni skin care has been out for a little while but I just recently came across it.  This line of organic products contains an interesting combination of activated charcoal, volcanic ash and antioxidants that you don't see often in beauty products. 

The line consists of:

Step 1: Purifying Facial Cleanser



This gentle foaming cleanser removes makeup, including eye makeup, and leaves skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. pH balanced.

Step 2: Purifying Facial Scrub


This gentle exfoliating scrub leaves your face feeling smooth, soft and sexy while removing any makeup and oils on your face without drying it out. pH balanced.


Step 3: Replenishing Facial Moisturizer


This lush cream deeply penetrates to moisturize your skin and fight the damaging effects of free radicals. This may be one of the most potent moisturizers available to keep your face looking and feeling youthful.


Purifying Facial Mask – use as needed, 2-3 times a week


This deep, intense detoxifying mask is concentrated with volcanic ash and charcoal. The volcanic ash extracts pollutants while activated charcoal works to pull the deepest impurities to the surface to detoxify.

I love how unique this blen of ingredients is and each ingredient serves an important purpose.  The charcoal gets rid of skin impurities, the volcanic ash exfoliates and the superfoods have great anti-aging properties.  I really love these products and what they do for my skin.  I know there are many great products that have more than one function, but these products are really different.  I also love how it's organic which is so good for your skin and your health.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Sibu Sea Buckthorn Repair & Protect Moisturizer

Repair & Protect
I have been using this amazing moisutrizer that was given to me to review from Sibu Beauty.  This is their Sea Buckthorn Repair & Protect facial cream. 

Here is the info from their site:

Our sea buckthorn facial cream, with omega 7 fatty acids, helps boost collagen production and creates the perfect barrier to moisturize, rejuvenate, repair and protect. This light, non-greasy cream is ideal for daily use and offers a pleasing, light citrus scent. It is paraben-free and cruelty-free, and contains NO dairy, yeast, wheat, gluten, sodium or preservatives.



  • Promotes tissue recovery and healing
  • Rejuvenates sun damaged skin
  • Protects against environmental stress
  • Preserves health skin tone and texture
  • Boosts collagen production
  • For all skin types
  • 1 fl. oz.
  • 100% natural
This is one of the better facial creams that I have tried and I've tried tons (cheap and expensive). It's not greasy and absorbs really fast. It dries quickly and I find that it really does help prevent breakouts. My skin has not felt dry at all when I use this. I love it. It smells a little different - like citrusy.  Maybe it's how the sea buckthorn smells.  This is a great product.  It feels like an expensive skin care product but it's not.  It's very reasonably priced.   


Visit their site and try it out, you'll be glad you did! 
http://www.sibubeauty.com/



Monday, March 12, 2012

Top 10 Drugstore Beauty Products Under $10

This great list was submitted by Amy from http://onlinebeautyschool.org


1. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara - $7


This mascara is a cult classic that is voted as a customer favorite year after year. It has everything a girl could want in mascara: jet black color, volume and length, no clumps, and a fabulous green and pink tube.

2. Essie Nail Polish - $4

Here is a quality nail polish that won’t chip, goes on evenly, and comes in a wide variety of colors with cute names like Mademoiselle and Scarlett O’Hara.

3. Cetaphil Facial Cleanser – $9

This cleanser continues to be recommended by dermatologists because it works. Its simple formula works well on all types and ages of skin.

4. Pantene Pro-V Flat to Volume Shampoo and Conditioner - $4 each

If you want volume, forget about expensive hair products. Pantene’s shampoo and conditioner provide salon-worthy quality with a fresh fragrance.

5. L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray - $7

Don’t let the retro packaging fool you – this hairspray is a favorite among professional hairstylists. It provides long-lasting hold without making your hair sticky or stiff.

6. Neutogene 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes -$9

Watch your dark circles disappear with this moisturizing concealer. It’s even SPF 20 so that you can protect your skin in the sun.

7. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick - $5

This lipstick provides the rich color and smooth feel that you’d expect to find in expensive lipstick – without the high price tag.

8. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer - $9

For a gradual self-tanner, this product is hard to beat. It moisturizes your skin with a natural tint, just like the name implies.

9. Cover Girl Pressed Powder - $6

This trusty product remains the best for those touch-ups throughout the day that we all make. It provides a natural look that isn’t cakey and comes in a slim compact that you can take anywhere.

10. Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Makeup Remover Pads - $10

These work amazingly well for taking off eye makeup at the end of the day. Since they’re organic, they also won’t put any harsh chemicals on your skin.

Amy is a salon owner who loves to write about all things related to beauty. She also manages a website called Online Beauty School for students interested in cosmetology http://onlinebeautyschool.org

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Naked2 Eyeshadow Palette from Urban Decay Cosmetics

I already have a ton of eyeshadow but I can't help it when I come across a beautiful compact. When I saw this new eyeshadow palette from Urban Decay, I had to get it. It is a beautiful sequal to the original Naked eyeshadow palette. This gorgeous set consists of a dozen pigment-rich taupe and gray-beige neutrals, plus, they added five exclusive, new shades.


You can't go wrong with any of these colors. Since they're neutral, they work for women who look good in cool or warm tones. Love, love, love this palette! The brushes that are provided are ok, but not great for precise application. I always use my own brushes because I just like how my eyeshadow goes on with them, plus I'm use to my them.

With 12 colors in the palette, you can create so many different looks.  All of the colors go well together and blend very well too.  I love Urban Decay and this palette is incredible!  The quality is great and so is the price.  This compact is in high demand though, so get one before they're all gone! 



Thursday, January 26, 2012

Laura Mercier Lingerie Eye and Cheek Palette

On my last trip to Sephora, I picked up this BEAUTIFUL Laura Mericer Eye & Cheek Makeup palette.  The first thing I love about this palette is that all the colors are great, not just a couple of them.  I hate when I love a couple of colors in a compact but don't like the rest of them, it feels like such a waste of money.  In this palette, everything is wearable.  The other thing that I like is that the compact only has eyeshadow and blush.  I already have so many compact wear I love the eyeshadow but am not too crazy about the lip gloss that they include. 

This set contains:

- 6 x 0.05 oz Eye Colour in Buff Pearl, Tawny Apricot, Rich Cocoa, Pale Pink, African Violet, Black Plum
- 2 x 0.11 oz Second Skin Cheek Colour in Rose Desire, Fresh Peach

The eyeshadow is a mix of matte and shimmery colors.  This eye & cheek compact is limited edition so pick one up soon!

Monday, January 23, 2012

no! no! 8800 Face and Bikini Professional Hair Removal Kit

So, I finally bought no! no! after debating it for quite some time now.  I have dark, course hair.  So, hair removal is a constant issue for me.  I've tried pretty much everything over the years, but it was mostly short term hair removal and nothing that was more long term.  I've been seeing infomercials on this hair removal product forever but wasn't so sure about it, especially since it's not really cheap.

So, I used no!no! hair remover on my face first.  You have to hold it in a certain position so it's not like you just place it on your face and move it around, it takes a little work.  Your hair starts to burn (which you have to keep in mind when considering using this - dealing with the smell of burning hair).  You just keep going over the entire area until you pretty much get all of the hair. 

Of course you can use this everywhere on your body, not just your face.  What this product promises is no regrowth after continued use.  I haven't used it long enough (just tried it a couple of weeks ago) to let you know what I think about long term results.  But, I am quite happy with it so far.  It is much easier than other types of hair removal and isn't painful like other types.  After you use the device to burn the hair off, you have to use the smoothing pads to get a smooth surface.

The kit, which seems like the best deal, includes the no! no! professional hair removal, 2 different tips for different parts of the body and after treatment cream which smoothes and moisturizes the skin.  If your looking for a long term product for hair removal, you should give this a try.