Hey everyone! I have a little favor to ask of my fellow Youtube users! Enkore Makeup over at Youtube is having a BIG contest and is giving away several great prizes, but only for subscribers of his channel.
What you can do is nominate me to win by typing in my Youtube name - JennBee930 - into the comment section of the contest video if you're a subscriber. If you aren't a subscriber, you can't vote, but I highly recommend becoming one anyway... especially if you love makeup videos and tutorials! He has some absolutely fantastic videos up, and I've been an avid fan for quite a while.
If I win something, I'll definitely be giving back to the readers in some way or another. ;) Thanks so much, and remember to check out the video by August 15 and nominate JennBee930 after you subscribe to his videos! Enkore is amazing!
Vote for Me!
Tip of the Day #10: Quick Fixes from Sephora
Today's tip comes straight from the pages of my current read, Sephora: The Ultimate Guide to Makeup, Skin, and Hair from the Beauty Authority, which is packed with insider tips, product guides, and looks into the lives of the experts behind popular Sephora brands.
One feature I especially enjoyed is titled Double Agent Quick Fixes, a list of common items that can double as weapons of beauty for quick fixes, which I've compiled here for you! See if there's anything new that you can use in an urgent situation that calls for a quick fix:
- Toilet paper instead of blotting paper (I've already mentioned this here!)
- A knife instead of a mirror to check your lipstick
- Nail polish to prevent a run from spreading in your stockings
- Toothbrush as an eyebrow groomer (Just make sure it's clean!)
- Hair conditioner as shaving cream
Matchbook cover as a nail file (Very creative, I'll have to try this!)
- Brow tint to cover gray hairs or as a root touch-up in between a visit to the colorist
- Pressed or loose powder on roots of hair to absorb grease (Try it - it works! I prefer baby powder, though!)
- Hand lotion to fight hair frizzies
- Cold tea bags to depuff eyes
- Olive oil on patches of ultra-dry skin
Sephora's The Lash Stash
If you haven't already heard, Sephora has recently come out with an amazing set - The Lash Stash - for all of us indecisive girls who can't figure out which best-selling mascara to invest in. It's also an excellent chance for those of us on a budget to try all the mascara products we've been wanting, but could never afford!
Sephora's The Lash Stash includes seven deluxe samples of their best-selling mascaras, one for every day of the week. Normally a $50 value, Sephora is practically giving this kit away at $28! Seven products for that price? I'm all over it!
The set includes:
- Blink Kiss Me Mascara
- LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes Long-Wearing Mascara
- Too Faced Lash Injection
- Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara
- Stila Multi-Effect Mascara
- Smashbox Bionic Mascara
Coastal Scents 40% Off Brush Sale
For a limited time, Coastal Scents is offering 40% off on ten of their selected brushes, in order to make room for new supplies! This includes their baby kabuki brush and 13-piece brush set, and all are being offered at fantastic prices. Take a look!
13-piece Brush Set - $11.97
Baby Kabuki Brush - $2.00
Blush Brush - $2.37
Bager Concealer Brush - $2.27
Pink Blush Brush - $3.89
Pink Facial Brush - $1.19
Retractable Kabuki Brush - $5.37
Synthetic Foundation Brush - $4.49
Synthetic Kabuki Brush - $9.57
Synthetic Ultimate Powder Brush - $9.57
Check out all the great clearance offers here, before supplies run out!
Stila Fabulous for Fall Set Offer
Stila's newest creation for the fall season, the Fabulous for Fall chocolate palette set, has hit cyber shelves! Take a look at the description of this glamorous kit and everything it includes, straight from the Stila website:
The limited-edition color palette warms your look with three rich, autumnal eye shadow shades and a pretty peach cheek color. The Grapefruit Lip Glaze adds the perfect pop of color to your pout, and the Major Lash Mascara leaves lashes curled and defined.
The faux suede palette is adorned with a striking pink agate stone on a faux leather strap. Designed to be worn as a necklace, or around your wrist, the agate color pink is believed to inspire love, friendship and harmony.
This gorgeous palette set is available for $40 (a $90 value!) from Stila. In addition, you'll receive FREE standard shipping when you enter code FABULOUS at checkout! Enjoy!
DIB: MAC Tendertones vs. L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms
Yes, it's true - I've finally finished my post comparing MAC Tendertones an L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms! Sorry to make everyone wait so long... I really wanted to give both products a good run before posting about them, though. :)
Here's my review of these two great lip balms, comparing the different qualities of each.
The High-End Favorite
MAC Tendertones SPF 12
The Budget Contender
L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms
Price: $8.99Packaging & Price: Both lip balms come in a twist-top glass jar. To apply, you have to either use your finger or a lip brush. I tend to dislike sticking my fingers into products, so I prefer a lip brush for easy, fuss-free, sanitary application (and no product stuck under my nails). The price difference is not huge, but significant enough: MAC's version is $14.50, while HiP's is around $8.99 or so. In addition, you can often find L'Oreal HiP products on sale or with buy one, get one free deals, making them even cheaper in the long run.
Texture: These balms feel pretty similar, although the HiP balm may be more on the solid side, while Tendertones are slightly softer to the touch. Both are very smooth on the lips, with a soft and silky texture. Both feel thicker than a normal stick balm, but less so than lip gloss. I'd say that because they're more solid, the Jelly Balms may be a tad bit thicker, but are hardly sticky.Look: Some of the MAC Tendertones shades have pigment and shimmer to them, while none of the HiP balms have shimmer. Instead, they are very shiny and glossy looking, with a touch of pigment, especially in the darker shades. MAC combines pigment, shine, and shimmer into their balms for a very fun, yet elegant look that might appeal to younger tastes more. There are a few color options that do not have shimmer, though.
Feel & Wear: As previously mentioned, the MAC balms are a little softer and silkier, so they glide over the lips a bit more easily. They also feature an SPF of 12, which the HiP balms do not contain - therefore, you'll need to either risk having no SPF, or use a balm underneath that has one.Both feel relatively similar, being satiny and smooth, and the Tendertones are just a little stickier than some other balms, though not to the extent of a gloss. Neither have very long staying power, but fade gradually with a lingering stain of shimmer and pigment. They will not hold up very well to things like eating or kissing, so don't expect that either. These are mostly short-term wear balms that look gorgeous for a while before you have to reapply.
They also share the same long-term conditioning and softening benefits, moisturizing lips with extended wear and keeping them smooth all day!
Both have a great scent and light flavor; MAC's version smells like kiwi strawberry, and HiP's smells lightly sweet, like vanilla or caramel, very delicious. :) The preference is entirely personal, but I love both!
You'll like MAC better if: you love MAC, you aren't on a tight budget, you prefer shimmer in your lip balm, you need an SPF for your lips, you prefer a softer lip balm
You'll like L'Oreal HiP better if: you're on a budget, you want a glossy and pigmented lip balm, you don't need an SPF, you prefer a more solid lip balm
Overall, MAC Tendertones are great for their SPF factor, gorgeous shimmer, and soft and silky texture, while HiP Jelly Balms are best for their beautiful colors and glossiness, plus a fantastic price - especially if you buy them on sale. Both have fabulous conditioning effects and pigment, and look great on all lips because they're so versatile. If you're on a budget, definitely give L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms a try. Or even if you aren't! Some people actually prefer Jelly Balms, especially because they're so naturally flattering and non-sticky.
I hope you enjoyed my little look at these two amazing lip products, and that you'll give either one a try! Let me know if you do, and how much you like them. :)
Recipe of the Week: Honey Egg Facial
Welcome to another Recipe of the Week! This week's great recipe is for a simple, firming facial mask. The best thing about this is that many of the ingredients - honey, egg, and apple cider vinegar - might already be available in your pantry! A few others are easy to find at places like Whole Foods Market and health stores.
And if you haven't checked out my successful review of last week's recipe, be sure to take a look!
Without further ado, here's this week's recipe for the Honey Egg Facial to keep skin firm and looking flawless.
This easy to make recipe will help tighten pores and keep face and neck skin smooth and supple. If you skin is particularly oily, separate the egg and use only the egg white in this recipe. Likewise, if your skin is dry, use only the yolk. The whole egg is suitable for any skin type.
Yield: 1 application
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: None, keep refrigerated
Ingredients:
1/2 small egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 drop lemon essential oil (for oily skin)
1 drop geranium OR lavender essential oil (for normal to dry skin)
Blending Procedure:
- In a small bowl, beat 1/2 whole egg until well broken up. Add the honey and vinegar and stir well to combine. (If you are using 1/2 of the whole egg, discard the other half or scramble it up for a quick bite.)
- Add the essential oil last and mix well. You will need to mix this product especially well if you are using the egg white only because the essential oil will not dissolve into the egg white as readily as it will into the egg yolk.
- To use, wash face and neck thoroughly and pat excess moisture from skin. Apply Honey Egg Facial to skin and rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat skin gently dry. Follow with toner and moisturizer.
- The shelf life of this product is necessarily limited by the fresh ingredients. It should be used immediately after it is made.
Always remember to seal your mixtures tightly and keep them away from moisture to prevent unwanted bacterial growth! Some recipes can last a very long time if you prevent contamination and use clean hands when handling.
See you again next week for a brand new recipe! Have fun in the kitchen and at the bathroom sink, and let me know how you like this mask! :)
Recipe(s) reprinted with the permission of www.MakeYourCosmetics.com. For hundreds more recipes in several categories (like scrubs, powders, baby products, creams, balms and soaps), plus suppliers for the ingredients to make them, visit www.MakeYourCosmetics.com today!
ULTA bareMinerals Offer and Free Shipping
For one week only, starting July 27, you can receive a bareMinerals foundation of your choice and a Kabuki brush for only $35! This offer is value at over $50, so if you've been dying to try BM (the top selling mineral makeup in the country), make sure to take advantage while you can!
In addition, you can receive free shipping on this offer or any bareMinerals purchase of $35 or more by entering FREE35A1 at checkout.
Click the image to get started, and let me know if you decide to try bareMinerals. Enjoy!
Tarte Friends & Family Sale
It's time for the Tarte Friends & Family Sale!
Right now, Tarte is holding their biggest sale in history! Get 40% off your entire purchase by entering code FF08 at checkout!
Right now, Tarte is holding their biggest sale in history! Get 40% off your entire purchase by entering code FF08 at checkout!This is a fantastic deal for those of us who can't usually afford Tarte products, but want to give them a try. An order of $30 will get you $12 off! Fantastic savings here, so go ahead and go nuts while you still can! The offer expires after July 27.
Enjoy, and let me know what you get!
Review: L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipgloss
I recently decided to take a risk and try a lip gloss I'd been pining for in the store displays for a long time, L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipgloss. I'd heard mixed reviews, but was still curious because the glosses looked and sounded so good.
Was I disappointed or pleasantly surprised after trying this product? A little of both... read my review to find out why!
Product Description: Introducing the very first longwearing lipgloss in one step! No touch ups. No top coats. No feathering. No fading. Hydrating formula keeps lips soft, smooth, colorful and glossy for six shining hours. Patented Petit Couer applicator contours lips precisely , giving you a smooth, even, flawless finish every time.
Price: $9.99
Results: L'Oreal Infallible Lip Gloss comes in a sleek tube with a unique, patented wand for precise application. The smell is fresh, but a little strange to me, almost reminding me of Carmex... but it's bearable and can be gotten over fast. There is nothing wrong with the packaging that I can think of, and the price is fairly reasonable, especially if you snag it during a BOGO sale.
On to the glosses themselves. My favorite thing about these is that they are really, really gorgeous, both in and out of the tube. They remind me of the L'Oreal HiP Shinestruck Liquid Lip Colors, but not as pigmented. Shiny, subtly shimmery, and beautiful colors. It was hard to decide on just two. I'd really recommend the classic shade Rebel Red if you enjoy reds. It's a wonderful shade that looks as good as a timeless red lipstick, only glossier and a little more fun.
The other color I picked, Bloom, is a sweet pink that really makes me think of spring and is much more subtle. There are 16 shades total to choose from, all of which look pretty and nicely pigmented and include pinks, reds, corals, plums, and more.
Be warned, this gloss can be sticky. If this will bother you, I wouldn't think about purchasing if I were you - the stickiness really helps it adhere to the lips, so it's a necessary evil. That being said, I don't consider this to be a true six-hour lip gloss. While it holds up decently against eating, drinking, and kissing, I noticed there was a very small amount of transfer each time. It was mostly a hint of shimmer on a cup or something like that, but I was hoping there would be no transfer at all. Over time, the gloss wears down elegantly, but fades nonetheless.
After about 3-4 hours, your color and shine will probably need a little touch-up. It also doesn't feel too good on your skin after a very long time. This isn't to say that the durability of this gloss isn't MUCH, much better than most. It definitely is! Most glosses won't hold up to eating, drinking, and kissing at all. I'd say it goes best up against drinking and kissing, which my boyfriend certainly appreciated, though I could still see a hint of shimmer on his cheek after. ;)
The worst thing about this product is not the way it looks, the way it feels on your lips after a period of time - tacky and waxy, which gets very unpleasant for some. The first time I experienced it, I was a little disgusted, even. You can get used to it, but whether it's worth the trouble is entirely up to you.
So no, this is not a true 6-hour wear gloss, nor is it as comfortable and non-tacky as the makers claim. But it is a beautiful, longer-lasting gloss with some decent staying power - and it looks great, for the first few hours.
Weighing the pros and cons of this gloss, I'd only repurchase on the basis of another BOGO sale. They look pretty, yes, but feel awful after a while. Sticky, waxy lips are not sexy at all, nor do they make you feel such, no matter how nice your lip color appears. It depends on your tolerance for sticky, sticky lip glosses and how badly you want the glossy color to last longer than usual.
You'll like this product if: You don't mind sticky glosses, you want a fairly long-lasting lip gloss
You won't like this product if: You hate sticky glosses, you want a lip color that truly lasts six hours or more without fading or transferring
Rating: 3/5
Total Beauty's Top Makeup Finds for $5 or Less
TotalBeauty.com recently wrote a feature in which they rounded up their 16 top rated beauty products that cost $5 or less! Included are great picks from Wet n Wild, mark, BonneBell, E.L.F., Sally Hansen (see this one for a personal favorite!), and more.
Check out the whole article here - maybe you'll find something new to love on a budget!
Clean & Clear SOFT Delivers in Just One Minute
After reading so many rave reviews of Clean & Clear SOFT products, I knew I had to get my hands on one - particularly the In-Shower Facial. So when I spotted it at my local drugstore with a generous sample of the Day Oil-Free Moisturizer attached, I knew I had to try it!
I'm really in love with this line so far. I've only tried these two products, not the facial scrub or nighttime moisturizer, but it's very simple, effective, no-frills skincare that is great for teens and young women who don't need to combat the signs of aging just yet. If you're a mother, this is a wonderful line to introduce your daughter to get her on the right track for taking care of her skin. If you're young like myself and have no major skin problems yet, this is also a great alternative to expensive products geared towards anti-aging that contain ingredients we pay extra for, but don't really need.
The Clean & Clear SOFT In-Shower Facial is a wonder product that brings you a mini facial in a minute. It works with the steam of your shower to give the pores a deep cleaning and infuse moisture at the same time. Containing white tea (an antioxidant), glycolic acid (an AHA), natural fruit acids, and exfoliating beads to physically remove dead skin cells and impurities, skin is left cleansed, exfoliated, protected, and moisturized after just one minute. (Be warned that this does contain menthol, a possible irritant for very sensitive skin that creates a cooling effect.)
The experience is like a relaxing ritual - slather on the thick gray lotion and let it sit for 60 seconds. I felt a slight tingling sensation from the glycolic acid, but nothing harsh. After the minute passes, the product feels much more like a gel or liquid on your skin, and you gently exfoliate using your fingertips to massage the microbeads, removing the remaining dead skin, dirt, and impurities.
The results so far have been amazing! My pores appear smaller and clearer, my skin is left incredibly soft and hydrated, never tight, and it looks simply radiant. Who knew you could really have a facial in a minute?
Another great product, the Clean & Clear SOFT Day Moisturizer with SPF 15, provides skin with the moisture it needs in a great non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula. It's also oil-free, making it safe for even the worst of problem and oily skin. I found it absorbed very quickly, felt light on my face, and amplified the soft and smooth effects of the In-Shower Facial. My skin felt hydrated all day, without the feeling of a film over my face or oiliness later in the day that comes with some products. Like the In-Shower Facial, it contains natural white tea to help fight free radicals and protect skin.
Look for Clean & Clear SOFT products at your local store in packages with trial sizes attached! These great products aimed at young skin (but good for any age) range in price from $6.99 to $8.99, very affordable for quality, basic skincare. It's never too early to start treating your skin well, and if your skin hasn't started showing its age just yet, this line might be perfect for you!
Images: drugstore.com
Beauty Deals: $5 Off Any Order at Zoya.com
In celebration of Zoya nail polish being named the "Longest Wearing Nail Polish" by Women's Health Magazine, zoya.com and qtica.com have two great special offers going on now through July 25!
Recieve $5 off any order by using code WIN at checkout. You can also use the same code to receive $10 off any order of $100 or more!
I just received my Zoya polish order in the mail a few hours ago, and I have to say I'm really in love with the beautiful colors and quality. :)
Have fun and happy manicuring!
Recipe of the Week: Shea Shine Lip Butter
It's Monday again, and you know what that means... time for a new recipe of the week! This week's recipe is for a simple and effective lip butter, perfect for the dry summer and winter months. For now, I'm picking some of the easiest recipes for my readers to try; later on, I'll start delving into the more complex ones, once we all get the hang of making things. :)
This week I'm featuring the founder of Make Your Cosmetics' recipe for Shea Shine Lip Butter! Soft lips are one of my favorite things, and shea butter and beeswax are wonderful for dry, chapped skin. (Think Burt's Bees!) Like last week, I'll update this post later with my review of the recipe once I gather all my ingredients.
This is a fabulous recipe for lip butter. It will help keep your lips soft and supple in the winter season.
Yield: Approx. 1.25 ounces (enough to fill about 5 1/4 ounce lip balm tubes/jars)Prep Time: about 15 minutes
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: 6 months
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon beeswax
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon castor oil
1 teaspoon shea butter
Blending Procedure:
- Place all ingredients in a heat proof measuring cup with a pour spout. (I like to use Pyrex.) Put the cup in a pan of boiling water and stir gently with a pop sickle stick or clean spoon until the wax is almost melted.
- Remove from pan and stir well until wax is completely melted. Carefully pour into lip balm tubes or pots. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes before using. Enjoy!!
Always remember to seal your mixtures tightly and keep them away from moisture to prevent unwanted bacterial growth! Some recipes can last a very long time if you prevent contamination and use clean hands when handling. Let me know if you make this lip butter and how you like it! I can't wait to try it for myself.
See you back here next Monday with another amazing recipe! :)
Recipe(s) reprinted with the permission of www.MakeYourCosmetics.com. For hundreds more recipes in several categories (like scrubs, powders, baby products, creams, balms and soaps), plus suppliers for the ingredients to make them, visit www.MakeYourCosmetics.com today!
Image: fromnaturewithlove.com
Preview: Everyday Minerals Samples
On Monday, while searching for mineral makeup samples, I ordered from a few different sites - one of those being Everyday Minerals. Well, imagine my surprise today when finding my samples already in my mailbox! I love fast shipping, don't you? ;)
Here's a preview of my order. I was a little confused about the foundation finishes (which I found no explanation of on the website), so I picked two different ones to try, glow and matte.
I payed a mere $3 for shipping on these samples... check out the kit on the Everyday Minerals site!
Samples:
Foundation in Fair (Cool)
Foundation in Soft Butter Peach (Warm)
Foundation in Fairly Light (Beige)
Blush in Pink Ribbon
Concealer in Intensive Fair
Foundation in Fair (Cool)
Foundation in Soft Butter Peach (Warm)
Foundation in Fairly Light (Beige)
Blush in Pink Ribbon
Concealer in Intensive Fair
Do you have any experience with Everyday Minerals? Love them? Hate them? Let me know!
No Buy Period - 7/20-8/20
Well, it's time for this bee to start her no-buy period... for the entire month before her birthday! This no-buy came at the request of my boyfriend, who has my cosmetics wish list hidden away on his computer and insists I don't buy anything before my birthday.
I'll still be continuing writing as much content, reviews, etc. as I can, but since I can't purchase anything new, don't expect to see detailed reviews or information about newly released products until late August.
Don't worry, though, because I'm still as busy as ever with the blog! I'll resume purchasing after August 20, and be sure to let you all know what he picks out for me! :) I'm excited about my birthday for the first time in years!
DIB: MAC Dazzleglass vs. Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss
Did you ever invest in the MAC Dazzleglass collection? I did - I'm not too afraid to say it. I'm a huge lip gloss junkie. But boy did my wallet hurt after I took those puppies home! I feel a little bit of regret, but I'm glad they're sold out now so I won't be tempted anymore.
Have you been looking for a budget alternative? Smart and thrifty girls know there's one for everything - and I've come to share a product I love that might fit the bill.
Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss is the closest thing to MAC Dazzleglass I've seen yet... and you know I've tried a lot of products. It's not only high-shine and glossy, but intensely sparkly as well. The multi-colored glitter is what really makes it comparable to Dazzleglass, which had the most unique, intense multi-faceted shine and shimmer. They also have a very similar thickness and consistency. While these glosses aren't exactly alike, they come darn close! I'm currently wearing Bejeweled, a sheer, light coral color that goes with everything.
Lipnotic Gem Glosses are available in 10 beautiful, wearable, shining shades, from shimmery clear to a deep, dark plum. They are oh-so-lightly pigmented, but the shimmer and sparkle is what you're after, and they deliver just that, along with nourishing and conditioning benefits of botanicals and vitamins.
So while MAC Dazzleglass may be sold out and hard to find, you can count on Sally Hansen to have the next best thing for women on a budget - each gloss is around $6.99! Fabulous, right?
Swatches:
Left: MAC Dazzleglass in Steppin' Out; Right: Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss in Bejeweled
Left: MAC Dazzleglass in Steppin' Out; Right: Sally Hansen Lipnotic Gem Gloss in Bejeweled
Featured in Beauty Girl Musings!
I can't believe I missed this, and I feel like a terrible person for doing so, but... I just now discovered that I was a featured in a blog spotlight over at Beauty Girl Musings in mid-June!!
Take a look at the post here!
I can't thank Monique enough for saying such kind things about my blog at a time when I had never even spoken to her! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Please be sure to visit Beauty Girl Musings, another fabulous blog that I now keep up with regularly for great beauty news and products!
Review: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
I know it's still a little unusual of me to review high-end products, but as I mentioned before, I feel it's important to review things in this category that are both above average and... well, below average, to put things nicely. :) This keeps both you and I more informed on the quality of products from all price ranges, which I believe is important.
I first got the chance to try Philosophy products when my mother and I bought the Jump Starters kit that included several items (some of which will also be reviewed in the future). I wasn't terribly impressed with some of them, but this face wash was very different.
Intrigued yet? Here's what I think of the Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser.
Product Description: "Philosophy's Purity Made Simple is their very best, high-powered, one-step facial cleanser. It rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup, deep cleans the pores of your skin, plus is pH balanced. Contains sage, chamomile, and carrot infusions."
Price: $20/8 oz., $32/16 oz, $40/24 oz.
Results: I was more than skeptical about this product after trying another face wash from Philosophy and being rather unimpressed. I wondered, "What's so great about this one? What makes it worth the price tag?"
While it's nice that it smells fresh, carries nice packaging, and has the creamiest texture of any wash I've tried, none of these things is what makes this product special. What sets this wash apart from every other facial cleanser is its formula and ingredients. Its unique blend of oils, antioxidants and ingredients like chamomile, carrot, and sage extract not only protect your skin, but leave it feeling great. In fact, it's the least drying face wash I've encountered - ever. Why? Because it made my skin feel even more moisturized than before I washed it! I also noticed it felt smooth, soft, clean, and conditioned. I've never experienced a cleanser that has been able to accomplish all these things so well. This is one reason I believe this wash would be fantastic for dry skin types, but poor for very oily skin. There are probably too many moisturizers and conditioners for you oily gals to really benefit from it much.
I have rather sensitive skin, but the ingredients in this wash did not break me out, either. Super- sensitive skin should be cautious, though, and check the full ingredient listing for potentially irritating substances.
While others claim it removes every bit of makeup from their faces easily, I didn't always experience this. With my first few washes, I found traces of my mascara left on my towel, and my eyeliner was never totally removed. This is one of very few negatives, though. When I washed longer and a little more vigorously, though, I found 95-99% of my makeup did come off.
My verdict on this product is that while I, myself, can't exactly justify spending $20 for 8 ounces of product, if you can... then go for it! This would be among my top picks for a facial cleanser, with its great moisturizing and cleansing effects and wide array of great ingredients. It would not be as beneficial to oily skin, especially very oily types, but is a great choice for normal, dry, and combination skin types. Its fresh, clean smell and super-creamy texture make it enjoyable to use... a treat you'll actually look forward to every morning.
Would I repurchase? Yes... if I had that much disposable income. Until I do, I'll request it as a gift!
You'll like this product if: You're searching for your HG cleanser, you have dry to combo skin, you aren't on a tight budget
You won't like this product if: You have oily skin, you wouldn't think of touching a $20 face wash with a ten-foot pole
Rating: 4.5/5
Image: sephora.com
Total Beauty Web Tour - 7/18/08
Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you're all ready for the weekend! I know I sure am. Well, I had so much fun participating in last week's Total Beauty Web Tour, I couln't resist doing it again! I really love sharing what my fellow bloggers have been up to each week. So, without further ado...
Enjoy and be beautiful!
Musings of a Muse shares the a review of Lancome Maharani Jewels Fall Collection featuring the gorgeous Elephant Bronzer.
Monique at Beauty Girl Musings has no visible cellulite...find out how she tested a cellulite-reducing gel and saw results!
Viva Woman finds out if the new Canmake Concealer Founder UV can really provide that natural finish, for skin that looks beautiful, even at point-blank range.
Get Twisted with a free giveaway at Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog and win a FUNKY Twisted Silver bracelet and FUNKY pair of Twisted Silver earrings.
Alison of the Advice Sisters Guide to Life, Success & Happiness Blog reviews Sally Hansen Lip Lab, an entire line of affordable, effective, lip products that do more than beautify.
How to get the makeup look: Keri Hilson-Talking Makeup!
Fabulous Over Forty was never a mineral makeup fan until now! See what mineral foundation has won her over.
Beauty Tyrant shares some of her crazy beauty tips that work! Are you game for them?
Meredith at Daily Dose of Coffee has a Beauty -Filled Weekend with some other Total Beauty Bloggers.
Amber at Beauty Blogging Junkie reports on David Wright, Big Papi, Blake Lively, Lauren Conrad, and Chace Crawford at the vitaminwater Best of New York party's red carpet.
Beauty411 tells you about a portable skincare system that's as on-the-go as you are. Perfect for vacay!
The Beauty Alchemist tries out professional line Nix'ie Cosmetics.
At Fifty-Cent Head, experience the amazing perfume oils of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab (BPAL) with an ongoing review series covering the company's Carnaval Diabolique-themed scents!
Beauty Anonymous introduces you to the smoky black colors of Exceptionnel de Chanel Collection!
The Makeup Divas tells you about a new mineral foundation that will leave your skin looking flawless!
Jenn and Christine over at Beauty in Real Life are having another giveaway, this time over $145 of Skinn Cosmetics!! Click here to enter.
Beauty Junkie in SF shows you how you can look like a superstar singer/songwriter with a few great products from MAC.
Beauty's Spot found a quick, well-designed, effective, at-home tooth whitener!
Love Gossip Girl? Glossypink tells you how to get Blake Lively's gorgeous makeup!
Have a great weekend!!
Weekend Sales: Big Lots and Philosophy
If you didn't catch it in this post, I've become a big fan of Big Lots, an overstock store where you can find a small amount of dirt-cheap cosmetics. This weekend, on Sunday night from 6-9 PM only, you can print a special coupon to receive 20% off your entire purchase for their Friends and Family Night!
Another thank-you to Fabu-Less Beauty for letting us in on this one! I would have never known about it otherwise!
And if you're a fan of Philosophy products, you should love this weekend deal - buy three shower gels from any of the following seven delicious scents for only $33! That's $11 per 16-oz product, which is HUGE! Check out the flavors below:
Vanilla Ice Cream
Strawberries & Cream
Belgian Waffles
Lemon Custard
You Deserve The Lime Light
Be A Peach
The Frango Mint Diet
Add any three to your cart, and make sure to enter promo code summer33 at checkout! But hurry... this deal is only valid through the end of the weekend, 7/19!
Happy weekend shopping!
Featured on TotalBeauty.com's Blogs We Love!
Hi everyone! I'm so very excited to say that I was checking out TotalBeauty.com today, only to discover my recent blog entry is being featured on the front page of the Blogs We Love section!!
Take a look right here! Or, just see below. ;)
I am one lucky, lucky bee today. And incredibly happy! Thanks to my readers and TotalBeauty.com! You and your continued support all mean so much to me. :)
Tip of the Day #9: Mineral Makeup Samples
I've only recently started to venture into mineral makeup again (after the personal disaster that was Bare Minerals). These days, it seems like every company is releasing their own line of mineral makeup - and fake ones are popping up everywhere. How do you know which lines are legitimate and trustworthy? Oftentimes, a good company will offer very cheap or free samples, which you should take advantage of before trying any new company's makeup. Here, I've compiled a list of some companies that give free samples, and which charge a small fee for them.
Free Mineral Makeup Samples
Everyday Minerals will give you five free samples (scroll down to see the kit) of your choice of three foundations, one blush and face color, and one concealer. All you have to pay for is whatever shipping method you choose! My shipping cost a mere $3, very affordable.
Ocean Mist Cosmetics, which I've heard good things about, also offers their "Try Me" Sample Kit - including three foundations, a concealer, a face color, and a finishing powder - for free. Shipping is a little pricer than some other sites at $5.30 for the most basic, but the sample sizes are reasonable and the quality might make up for it.
Signature Minerals is giving away six free color samples, plus the cost of shipping, on their site as well. The nice thing about this company is that you can also sample their eye colors! And if you want to make any purchases, they're offering 15% off everything through July 18.
Other Mineral Makeup Samples
Alice Cosmetics, featured in a Spoiled Pretty giveaway, sells sample sizes of their mineral products for $2.50 each.
Alima Cosmetics gives sample portions of all their products, prices varying from $1-2 each, including their foundations, shadows, blushes, and lip balms! This appears to be another very high-quality, affordable line of mineral makeup that I'll have to try for myself.
Beauty from the Earth offers a five-piece sample set with any five products of your choosing for $5, or $1 per sample. They also offer a ten-piece set for $10, or a 20-piece set for $18. The website claims the amounts given will be enough for a few applications. They also have some great prices on their full-sized products!
Coastal Scents, now famous for their brushes and mineral makeup, provides samples for many of their products ranging from $1-3, as well as sampling kits for their foundations.
KT Naturals offers a six-piece sampling kit for $5 that includes four foundations, one blush, and one finishing powder, as well as free shipping for orders over $50.
LauRess is giving samples of their products for prices that range between $1-3 per sample, including foundations, blushes, eyeshadow, and lip glosses.
Lumiere Cosmetics is offering their own Try Me! Sample Kit for $9, but the price includes free US shipping - so that basically, you're getting the kit for $6. Not a bad price at all! The sample sizes also look fairly large, unlike some other companies. They also offer free shipping on orders over $25 right now with a discount code on the site.
Meow Cosmetics provides small sample versions of all their products, from foundation to eyeshadow, for $1.00 per sample bag. The portions vary with each product type; see the website for full details.
Hopefully this list is enough to keep you busy sampling and swatching for a long time! Enjoy, ladies!
Do you know of any other sites with great samples? What's your favorite brand of mineral makeup?
Sleep Beautifully with Olay Regenerist
Have you ever slathered your face with Vaseline before bed? Have you considered using a night cream? Do you already? If not, you might want to consider it. While I can't say it's a necessity to your routine, it's definitely a good idea - especially if you want to further prevent or treat the signs of aging. Why? It's been proven that cell turnover rates are the highest while we sleep, and our skin absorbs the most of what's on our faces during that time. Would you rather it be absorbing nothing at all, or ingredients and moisture that are good for your skin?
My favorite night cream of the moment comes the Olay Regenerist line. When I picked it up just a few months ago, I fell in love right away. This product is a wonderful, effective night cream that provides some fantastic ingredients to both prevent aging and help treat it, as well as richly moisturize.
The Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment comes packed in a jar with some great skin ingredients, including glycerin to attract moisture, vitamin E, niacinamide, green tea, and lavender - which gives it a wonderfully sweet floral scent that I adore. The niacinamide prevents moisture loss from the skin more effectively than Vaseline! (And have you ever coated your face with Vaseline? It's pretty gross.) It also increases fatty acid levels in the skin, and has been shown to reduce wrinkles, skin discoloration, redness, and sallowness. In clinical tests, it was also shown to improve skin elasticity - all making for a younger-looking you in your sleep. What's more, this cream is a joy to put on (unlike Vaseline) because it's so wonderfully moisturizing... yet it sinks into skin quickly and is non-greasy.
While you won't exactly wake up to the "look of a mini-lift each morning," you will awaken to softer, more hydrated, smooth and glowing skin that, over time, will keep looking younger and fresher.
Put away the Vaseline, girls, and try something a little better for your skin. Night creams are definitely a great way to put aging skin to rest!
This night cream is available for around $18-2o at places where mass skincare products are sold. Remember that right now at ULTA through July 26, buying $12 or more of Olay or CoverGirl products will get you a FREE CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara!
Do you use night cream, and if so, what's your favorite?
Images: drugstore.com, shoplocal.com
Recipe of the Week: Brown Sugar Body Scrub
Welcome to a brand-new feature, Recipe of the Week! In my efforts to incorporate even more budget-friendly articles, I've decided this would be a great idea for those of you who love do-it-yourself beauty products and those who prefer natural ingredients. Most of these recipes can be made with common household cooking items - little to no shopping required!
The credit for these recipes goes to the wonderful people at MakeYourCosmetics.com! A huge thanks to them for allowing me to post a favorite recipe of mine each and every week. This week's feature is one of the simplest to start with - the Brown Sugar Body Scrub. Enjoy, and be beautiful!
A great way to make your body look, smell and feel gorgeous!
Yield: Approx. one full body application
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Price Category: 1
Difficulty Level: 1
Shelf Life: None, keep refrigerated
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup olive oil (canola oil can be substituted)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blending Procedure:
- Pour the brown sugar into a bowl and pack it tightly using the back of a spoon. Add the olive oil and mix together to form a paste.
- Add the vanilla extract last for a hint of scent. To use, scoop some into the palm of your hand and massage gently from limbs to torso, avoiding broken skin and face. Enjoy!
Always remember to seal your mixtures tightly and keep them away from moisture to prevent unwanted bacterial growth! If you make the scrub, let me know how much you like it! Why buy it when you can make something wonderful right at your bathroom sink?
See you back here next Monday with another amazing recipe! :)
Recipe(s) reprinted with the permission of www.MakeYourCosmetics.com. For hundreds more recipes in several categories (like scrubs, powders, baby products, creams, balms and soaps), plus suppliers for the ingredients to make them, visit www.MakeYourCosmetics.com today!
Free Samples: Aveeno and Mario Badescu
Do you love free samples? Of course - everyone loves to try beauty products for free. I'm always on the lookout for great samples and offers from my favorite brands, and I want to share them with you!
Today's free samples come to us from Aveeno and Mario Badescu.
Aveeno is giving away samples of the Positively Ageless Lifting and Firming Night Cream, along with a coupon for $1.50 off Aveeno facial care products.
Next, you can receive an entire line of customized skincare product samples from Mario Badescu by simply filling out this skincare survey. Thanks a bunch to Fabu-Less Beauty for the heads up on this one - it's a fantastic deal! According to her, it may take about a month to receive your samples, so remember to be patient.
More great offers are coming your way soon! Enjoy and let me know if you sign up and receive your samples!
NOTD: Basic French Manicure
Today's Nail of the Day look features the Kiss French Manicure Kit for natural nails! This is my current favorite kit for French manicures at home. I find with this, I can usually do a better job than many salon nail artists I've come across.
Only one nail? Well, I have to say the rest didn't come out quite as nicely as this one, so I decided to just show off this instead! French manicures require a LOT of work and even more patience, which I don't always have. I understand why many women resort to fake nails... it's so much easier!
The entire Kiss French Manicure Kit includes a white tip polish, a colored polish, and a clear top coat, along with tip guides and instructions in a handy storage case that clicks shut. I love it! And it only costs about $5-6 in stores - you're usually lucky to find one polish for that price.
Stay tuned for more NOTD features! ...As soon as I get around to re-painting my nails.
Review: Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother
On my quest to find even more great summer beauty products on a budget a while back, I stumbled on yet another fantastic lip product from Neutrogena. (While their cosmetics and skincare products are sometimes lacking, they seem to have this lip thing down!)
My review explains perfectly why I love Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soothers so much!
Description: "Neutrogena MoistureShine® Lip Soother provides instant, soothing relief on contact with beautiful high gloss shine and SPF 20.Neutrogena MoistureShine® Lip Soother hydrates, soothes and protects dry lips on contact with beautiful high-gloss shine. The unique hydragel formula contains conditioning botanicals and glycerin for intense moisturization. Carry this pocket-portable gloss with you for use whenever you want hydrated, beautiful lips. Available in 6 glistening shades: Glaze, Sheen, Glisten, Shine, Gleam and Shimmer" --Neutrogena.com
Price: $7.00/0.35 oz
Other: SPF 20
Results: These glosses come in a small tube with a twist-off cap and a slanted plastic applicator (breathes sigh of relief yet again for no foam or sponges). Application is a breeze; just squeeze and smooth over your lips, being careful not to use too much... otherwise you might be stuck with a gooey mess.
While the product applies a little thickly - it reminds me of Lancome Juicy Tubes or a similar gloss - it isn't very sticky at all, and feels great on your lips. In fact, it lives up to its name in that it has a soothing, cooling sensation on contact that is wonderful on chapped skin. If you really hate thick glosses, stick to a balm instead, or try the lipstick version of this product.
The colors are sheer and juicy, ranging from a shimmery nude to deeper shades of red and plum. The pinks and reds are all quite similar, so what you choose is a matter of personal taste; chances are, these are wearable for everyone with every level of lip pigmentation. Great for me, with my cherry red lips! I picked Shine, a medium pink-red shade. Each gloss is super shiny and reflective, helping to give lips a fuller and smoother appearance.The best surprise about this gloss is the wonderful smell! I had no idea before applying this luscious gloss to my lips that it smelled just like peaches! While the taste isn't nearly as delicious (it tastes a little like sunscreen), the scent is enough to make me want to wear it all the time!
Did I mention the great SPF 20? It's excellent for everyday sun protection, and strong enough to wear on a sun-heavy day if applied frequently. The gloss contains many conditioning ingredients that keeps them hydrated throughout the day. I never felt it was drying out my lips, unlike some glosses!
While the gloss doesn't have the best staying power, about 2-3 hours at the most, it's fun to apply and wear. It doesn't feel like a chore to reapply, like some products do. Given that it has an SPF of 20, you should be putting it on frequently anyway to make sure your lips are getting the sun protection they need!
Aside from the wear time, the only other thing about this product I would change is the flavor. Why can't it taste like peaches, too? :(
You'll like this product if: You're looking for a great gloss with SPF!
You won't like this product if: You dislike the texture and feel of most glosses
Rating: 4/5
Images: drugstore.com, neutrogena.com
First Look: New Sunblock from Aveeno
Aveeno, famous for their beauty products with natural and good-for-your-skin ingredients, has recently unveiled two new sunscreens to their excellent line of effective sun care products. Here's a quick peek at the new offerings!
Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion with SPF 55 provides you with the sun protection you need - stronger and more efficient with their "patented photobarrier complex" - while giving the added bonus of being rich in natural soy proteins and antioxidants, to further aid in shielding your skin from the environment. Antioxidants and SPF are both vital to preventing anti-aging, so any product that provides both is worth considering!
The Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Spray with SPF 45 provides the same great protection with vitamins A, C and E as its sister lotion, but with a slightly lower SPF in a great spray-on formula! While the spray is also available in SPF 70 for days of heavy sun activity, this product is much more suited for everyday sun protection. The one-touch spray allows you to spray at any angle - meaning hard-to-reach places are made simple. Less mess and hassle means a much more pleasant sunblock experience, don't you think?
Both products run for about $9.99 - pretty decent for high-protection sunscreen. Be sure to check out the other products in Aveeno's sun care line, including sunblock gentle enough for your baby's skincare needs.
Total Beauty Web Tour - 7/11/08
Hi everyone! If you read other blogs that are in the TotalBeauty.com community, you might be familiar with this weekly feature - the Total Beauty Web Tour. If not, let me tell you about it! Each week, a handful of bloggers feature their favorite posts in one list together to be posted by everyone else. This is a great way for you, the reader, to quickly find some fantastic posts published by other bloggers in the community.
Some people choose to do this weekly, but I may stick to bi-weekly. Either way, enjoy and be beautiful!
The Muse brings you more Japanese Cosmetic Summer Collections with her review of Canmake's new eye shadow palettes!!
Viva Woman ask if facial mists will help set or disperse your makeup.
Monique at Beauty Girl Musings tells you what she thinks about Benefit's newest fragrance, b spot.
Elke shows her favorite trick to getting your makeup on fast in the morning, and have fun in the process.
Come read The Makeup Divas review and see swatches of the new Bobbi Brown Mauve Collection.
Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog shows you how to make your eyes look bigger in 4 easy
steps..
Alison of the Advice Sisters Guide to Life, Success and Happiness Blog is a fan of products that multi-task and are travel-friendly. One that's tailor-made for Summer, is the Susan Posnick ColorFlow, It does a lot of good things for your skin and your beauty routine!
Beauty Tyrant helps you to prevent adult acne. Check out some of these simple but effective tips.
Meredith at Daily Dose of Coffee finds another product to encourage her mascara addiction.
Kari at Fabulous Over Forty discovers the Artemis Woman Personal Groomer. Is it love at first swipe?
Beauty's SPOT (previously a mineral SPF kind-of-girl) discovers the one and only lotion SPF 30 she will ever put on her face. Ever.
The Beauty Alchemist tries and loves Dr. Ci:Labo's acne/oily skincare for adults.
Beauty Anonymous loves the summer makeup shades of Shiny Sand Beach!
How To Wear Bangs This Summer by Celebrity Hair Stylist Johnny Wright-Talking Makeup.
Glossypink gets a new look and finds a conditioner that leaves her with glossy hair and dollars to spare!
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having a giveaway with Elizabeth Grant.
Beauty411 is talking about the new Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF20. Recommended reading!
Did you know the average woman eats up to 9 pounds of lipstick in a lifetime? Try this natural lipstick for a healthier alternative to synthetic. A Mom in Red High Heels loves it!
The Beauty of Life positively melts for Sephora's Beach Glow Melted Body Butter. She simply can't stop staring at her legs!
There's a whole weekend's worth of fabulous reading for you right there! See you next time!
Tip of the Day #8: Shower Filters
Are you suffering from dry, flaky skin and hair? The answer may not lie in your moisturizer, body lotion or hair conditioners, but rather in the water that comes from your shower or bath!
In some locations, the amount of chlorine in the local water is enough to irritate and dry out skin, especially sensitive types. In addition, chlorine and other sediments and chemicals in tap water can damage otherwise healthy hair and color-treated strands.
By purchasing a shower water filter, you'll be saving money on all those products you've been trying to restore your skin and hair back to being full of moisture, softness and silkiness. You're sure to see a difference in just a few days! You can usually find these online for about $50 or under. Many even include massage head settings! Beautifully beneficial and relaxing.
If you can't afford a shower filter and dryness is plaguing your body, be sure to cut your shower time as much as possible. This will in turn reduce how much chlorine and chemicals your skin and hair are exposed to. It's also a great way to save your nails from brittleness and breakage!
DIB: Looking Good At the Gym
While some people would never think about makeup when they think about going to the gym for a good workout, makeup is always on my mind. When I first started working out, I panicked frequently and wondered, "Too much? Too little? None at all?" After several months of trial and error and some research, however, I've compiled a list of my best gym-going makeup tips. No matter what you decide to do to pretty yourself up before leaving the house, just remember that here, less is always more!
Face
Skin should be freshly cleansed, as always. Next, I suggest applying a very light daytime moisturizer with SPF. If you absolutely must have makeup coverage, skip your regular moisturizer altogether and use a tinted moisturizer with SPF instead, applying either with your fingers or a makeup sponge. Keep it light so that as little product as possible goes on your face. Try to avoid liquid primers and foundations when going to the gym - the dirt and sweat from exercising can mess up your work and is not a good combination for your skin. If you aren't using tinted moisturizer, dab on a small bit of concealer under the eyes and elsewhere as needed. In both cases, use a light dusting of pressed or matte powder all over the face to set and banish shine.
Eyes
Going to the gym means keeping it simple, but that doesn't mean your makeup has to be boring. To call attention to your eyes, curl your eyelashes using your favorite curler. Then, apply mascara - black-brown or brown for a natural look - that subtly lengthens and volumizes your lashes (like Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara). Next, you can either leave your lids bare or add a wash of neutral color that contains a hint of shimmer. If you choose, add a second, slightly darker shade to your crease or a lighter shade to your brow bone as a highlighter, but remember to keep the look simple and natural-looking. Your goal is to look as if you aren't wearing makeup and that your beauty took zero effort today. (Try Revlon Colorstay Mineral Eyeshadow.)
Lips
Finally, apply a tinted lip balm or lipgloss for some shine and moisture, without too much color to make you stand out. Don't go too dark or light, which will be unflattering to the rest of your look and make it appear you're trying way too hard - not a good impression for the gym. (My favorites are CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in Guava or Raspberry.)
Pick out your cutest gym shorts, throw your hair in a sleek pony or add a cute headband, and you're ready to go - perfectly fabulous for your workout, on a budget!
Stay tuned, more tips to come. :)
Do you wear makeup to the gym? If so, how much and what?
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