tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71221877043056395652024-02-19T02:44:37.022-05:00But Pretty Is As Pretty Doesmakeup, artistry, and everything in between.MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-78935900179245376222010-07-30T21:05:00.005-05:002010-07-30T21:34:44.213-05:00So, There Is Heart in the Beauty Industry....Most of us who are regular followers of the beauty industry and their non-stop cycle of collections are well aware of the outrage surrounding MAC's Rodarte collection. When Temptalia first released the names and information about the Fall 2010 collection, I was immediately surprised and upset to see that both MAC and Rodarte (as they were collaborating) showed so little concern for the women of Juarez in the distasteful naming of their collection. Many other beauty bloggers and followers felt the same way and these two blogs do a great job exploring the issues at hand: <a href="http://lindsaybrohan.blogspot.com/2010/07/mac-cosmetics-rodarte.html">Married to the Mirror</a> and <a href="http://www.pinksith.com/2010/07/commentary-on-mac-rodarte-cosmetic.html">Pink Sith</a>.<br /><br />However, I come here to post in happiness that MAC and Rodarte have decided to donate 100% of their profit from this collection to a new Women and Girls of Juarez Initiative. Originally, the company announced that they'd donate $100,000 from sales and rename the products. I'm equally impressed by the heartfelt and seemingly sincere apologies by both companies. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAebV4PO_FLoTyGRn_nnta0mj3FVRvr7p_g4GcSkqo3QE-AAuhmhydzNzvx2kRyQG63DZ6gSDOl8djfSO4_VgeKbg58aPrtWvZcarYCdboVoFl7NMOglbI81IhPusQJcA4mcjG3ZR7DK0/s1600/MAC-fall-2010-Rodarte-lipstick.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAebV4PO_FLoTyGRn_nnta0mj3FVRvr7p_g4GcSkqo3QE-AAuhmhydzNzvx2kRyQG63DZ6gSDOl8djfSO4_VgeKbg58aPrtWvZcarYCdboVoFl7NMOglbI81IhPusQJcA4mcjG3ZR7DK0/s320/MAC-fall-2010-Rodarte-lipstick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499891626735298354" /></a><br /><br />Although I clearly love beauty, fashion and that whole sphere, I do feel it's always important to be a concerned global citizen. Say what you will but I would never feel right by from a collection that capitalized on the suffering of others (especially other women) and I'm glad that MAC and Rodarte saw the error of their ways. What do you think? Will you purchase from this collection since it benefits charity? Do you think consumers overreacted or were you in the same boat as me?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96uq5r-Xb2Tt_JNq_BaFS_kR2b5WuvZYAh8QoXkIJDk1RxjIOxMK5eZYp9C0bYiNQebjgKdntK7b3P49WH_TjAKdDZDakANZv8o4nN8JCu5tcFDdCkySVyxLT_8psBVBddOcXjgmE3yY/s1600/MAC-fall-2010-Rodarte-powder-blush.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96uq5r-Xb2Tt_JNq_BaFS_kR2b5WuvZYAh8QoXkIJDk1RxjIOxMK5eZYp9C0bYiNQebjgKdntK7b3P49WH_TjAKdDZDakANZv8o4nN8JCu5tcFDdCkySVyxLT_8psBVBddOcXjgmE3yY/s320/MAC-fall-2010-Rodarte-powder-blush.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499892230522973186" /></a><br /><br /><br />To read more about the decision and the upcoming collection, check out <a href="http://www.temptalia.com/mac-to-donate-its-global-profits-from-the-m%C2%B7a%C2%B7c-rodarte-makeup-collection-to-benefit-newly-created-women-and-girls-of-juarez-initiative#comments">Temptalia's post</a>.MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-77466603203758921672010-06-02T15:00:00.008-05:002010-06-02T22:23:10.857-05:00Orly Needs Better WritersWhen it comes to upcoming beauty collections, companies need either great pictures to share and promote or an out of this world description to really grab the consumer's attention. So, Orly, I'm looking at you. What on earth were you talking about when you released this description of your Fall 2010 Plastix collection?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"ORLY, the company that continually pioneers the Nail Lacquer arena <span style="font-style:italic;">with the most cutting edge colors, technology and textures</span>, introduces the Plastix Collection. Complementing the Fall 2010 runway looks that featured bright neon colors amid shiny black plastic, latex, and rubber reinventions of vintage must-haves, <span style="font-style:italic;">Plastix evokes the vintage classic trend</span> with four new lacquers and a unique new formula that coats the nails with a smooth glossy matte “plastic” finish. The exclusive finish and texture is a first in the nail category, delivering a monochromatic, shiny and rubbery look that takes experimentation to an entirely new level, <span style="font-style:italic;">with the focus being on both the distinctive nail surface, as well as the latest in color trend</span>s. The unique look can not be achieved with color alone as the finish is a must for recreating the true “plastic” statement."</span><br /><br />Let's take a peak in the Webster dictionary shall we? <br /><br />Matte: : lacking or deprived of luster or gloss: as a: having a usually smooth even surface free from shine or highlights (matte metals) (a matte finish) b : having a rough or granular surface<br /><br />Glossy: 1 : having a surface luster or brightness (rich glossy leather) <br /><br />Through these definitions, we can determine that matte, while capable of being either rough or smooth, is the opposite of glossy. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Matte:</span> without shine. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Glossy:</span> with shine/brightness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDT_H7pxehjqVR4eY92CzlBJ35LHf3O3BhUkcGkq8N8b8HaaZYQwV6ley6siotVzWu7g4TmxPRwNdFqL_bmRX93_WcWwDIPJLDLvDxcpVsF4D0JG0VLkaLucXQP2NDZXkr21vJsrC73E/s1600/fall2010_orly_plastix001.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDT_H7pxehjqVR4eY92CzlBJ35LHf3O3BhUkcGkq8N8b8HaaZYQwV6ley6siotVzWu7g4TmxPRwNdFqL_bmRX93_WcWwDIPJLDLvDxcpVsF4D0JG0VLkaLucXQP2NDZXkr21vJsrC73E/s320/fall2010_orly_plastix001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478278067765965794" /></a><br />Orly's contradictory description of their Plastix collection is intriguing but leaves me utterly bewildered. How will this polish be both glossy and matte? What "vintage class trend" does Plastix evoke? I'm not sure anyone ever seriously donned plastic on their nails. The idea of plastic or rubber being a fall fashion trend sounds a bit terrifying but I guess only time will tell. Finally, since when is Orly the pioneer of "cutting edge colors, technology, and textures?" Don't get me wrong, I do think Orly makes quality polishes but this bit of self flattery is hilarious. Note the description of the two of the colors: Retro Red is a "traditional red" and Old School Orange is "classic orange."* This whole write up is a complete mess and isn't helping the company's reputation as a sort of runner up in salon nail brands. Come on, Orly, get it together!<br /><br />Perhaps, the "Plastix" finish will be similar to frosted glass. Now, that's something I could go for. Hopefully Orly will send out a follow up description or swatches soon to clear up the confusion. Never a dull day in the nail world!<br /><br /><br />*The other two colors are a little more unique with Viridian Vinyl, a "glossy blue green," and Purple Pleather, the "shiny purple" of the bunch.<br /><br />Thank you to Temptalia.com for the write up, descriptions, and photograph. See the link for yourself: <a href="http://www.temptalia.com/orly-plastix-collection-for-fall-2010">http://www.temptalia.com/orly-plastix-collection-for-fall-2010</a>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-36170297606057290072010-06-01T15:17:00.006-05:002010-06-02T22:24:46.332-05:00Bad Benefit Mascara: BADgal Plum MascaraBenefit is most easily recognized by their fun, retro inspired packaging and quirky product names. Though the line might seem a bit gimmicky at times, I have a few favorites including the Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows/Liners, Coralista blush, and Silky Finish lipsticks. Since I've had good luck with Benefit so far, I figured I'd like their Bad Gal mascara as well. I decided to be adventurous and test the "Plum" shade.<br /><br />The Bad Gal Plum Mascara features a big, thick brush coated in a deep plum shade. Benefit's website describes the mascara on their website, saying, "Our rich, luxurious plum mascara intensifies your natural eye color while lushifying your lashes." Lushifying?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOmfYXwyAFAgnsobvXPCgPLfMZn6hRbmFxiakjzgBCwSMAhHjoqKkYBNvAvxrcjWzLZlY2ypDUVJE4Cjn1TyOCkieN7y6VVqOJ3r0Q9KbW7UgVqZrMjD0AZOxEuzR7v4-spi_6gQh8wc/s1600/benefit-cosmetics-badgal-plum.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOmfYXwyAFAgnsobvXPCgPLfMZn6hRbmFxiakjzgBCwSMAhHjoqKkYBNvAvxrcjWzLZlY2ypDUVJE4Cjn1TyOCkieN7y6VVqOJ3r0Q9KbW7UgVqZrMjD0AZOxEuzR7v4-spi_6gQh8wc/s320/benefit-cosmetics-badgal-plum.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477906902078159906" /></a><br />The color may look a little scary to some but I thought it would be flattering for my hazel eyes. Typically colored mascaras do not look as intense when applied as they do in the tube and Bad Gal Plum is no exception. In fact, it doesn't look plum or purple at all. It just looks like a cheap black mascara! Very disappointing. I didn't find that the mascara brought out the colors of my eyes or had any flattering effects. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZnAkwb7GKm38utkL1cyhyphenhyphenLXEocwgCyqIcPRs_ZIO4C7_gsvY9MDsqXNqmN6w9wREEOc92xgHSKSlT-W9TOI4uK0ukVDbGsOi-Xbeep40k-D7NRQf1h_5_YlrJzLYyYyAIH-tV0GNgXA/s1600/badgalplum.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZnAkwb7GKm38utkL1cyhyphenhyphenLXEocwgCyqIcPRs_ZIO4C7_gsvY9MDsqXNqmN6w9wREEOc92xgHSKSlT-W9TOI4uK0ukVDbGsOi-Xbeep40k-D7NRQf1h_5_YlrJzLYyYyAIH-tV0GNgXA/s320/badgalplum.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477907038057794978" /></a><br /><br />I also have a bone to pick with the wand and formula of Bad Gal Plum Mascara. The wand is big, which is usually better for creating volume than length. I prefer small wands as length is my issue but that's a personal preference. However, it's just too big to really coat your lashes. Little volume is added and I found the formula way too drying. Not "lushifying" at all! Overall, I was disappointed in this mascara. It's a decent price for a higher end mascara ($19) and seems like a fun addition to any makeup collection. Yet the product doesn't do what Benefit promises and hardly measures up to even cheap drugstore mascaras. My hunt for the perfect mascara continues! This one's going in the trash.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Overall Rating</span>: 1 out of 5 stars<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pros</span>: Nice packaging, Doesn't flake<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cons</span>: Drying, Doesn't create much volume, Doesn't live up to claims<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Price</span>: $19<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Size</span>: 8.5 g, Net wt-.30 oz<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">ETA:</span> After wearing this mascara all day, I found that it left little violet smudges and rings all around my eyes. I looked like a raccoon on its way to a rave and that's just what I'm going for these days.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B001E4SC92/sr=1-3/qid=1275424486/ref=sr_1_3/190-3625000-4756932?ie=UTF8&n=1289302011&bcBrand=core"></a>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-84795781492550155372010-05-27T18:59:00.005-05:002010-05-27T19:21:02.722-05:00Marine Life: A Glorified Glitzy SeahorseIt seems like at least once (if not twice) a year, MAC comes out with a collection or particular item that sends makeup lovers into a frenzy. This collection (see the 2009 Hello Kitty) or item has an unexplainable ability to create numerous "lemmings," (or intense desire for a product beyond rational), break banks, and inspire eBay scalpers. Ladies and gentleman, I present to you this season's MAC "must have" at $26.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHQvpJxcHdKG7axszH0QCoWYy3Ct72LY3oh41EzGqk-xh9muglQvSOB-xgU-jpzM1bH4_N0ox04hmuVF4GD2WkDiQD0khYAfLqLtOwxTQL7lYzhRd82fXHrakfzHkuk7u_DhxnLl5P_A/s1600/ToTheBeach-HighLightPowder-MarineLife-72.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHQvpJxcHdKG7axszH0QCoWYy3Ct72LY3oh41EzGqk-xh9muglQvSOB-xgU-jpzM1bH4_N0ox04hmuVF4GD2WkDiQD0khYAfLqLtOwxTQL7lYzhRd82fXHrakfzHkuk7u_DhxnLl5P_A/s320/ToTheBeach-HighLightPowder-MarineLife-72.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476108804556033714" /></a><br /><br />I'll guess if you're reading my blog, you already know about <span style="font-weight:bold;">Marine Life</span> from the <span style="font-weight:bold;">To the Beach</span> collection and hype surrounding it. Marine Life was featured in <span style="font-style:italic;">Elle</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Allure</span>, selling out online within hours. I was initially interested in this beauty powder (to be used as a highlighter and/or blush) for the following reasons:<br />-Beauty Powders work well for me and my skin tone/type.<br />-I'm still on the search for a decent coral blush.<br />-It's, um, a seahorse.<br />-It's pretty.<br />These reasons, though superficial (it's makeup), seemed enough to warrant a purchase so I asked about the product at my local MAC counter a few days before the collection's release date. They hadn't received any <span style="font-weight:bold;">Marine Life</span> at the time and still haven't to this date. The other two MAC counters had sold out within two hours. I was told I could continue to check back at my usual MAC counter but I think I'll pass. <br /><br />Sure, it's a really pretty product and unusual in its packaging. However, in my mind (and this is coming from a certified makeup addict), no product is worth this much effort. In fact when I actually saw the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Marine Life</span> tester in person, I was a little disappointed. Once the gold overspray fades, you're left with a raised seahorse in clown orange and baby pink powder. I know my opinion is not a popular one (Makeupalley.com is blowing up with positive reviews and messages) but I think I'll save my money for the <span style="font-style:italic;">Venomous Villains collection</span>. There's always another collection, another must have, and more hype waiting for MAC addicts.MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-5022274899193415422010-03-18T18:51:00.010-05:002010-03-18T20:12:14.194-05:00London, Liberty, and LovelinessTarget released their Liberty of London collection on March 14, generating a ton of buzz about Liberty of London's trademark gorgeous prints and florals. This is the first Target designer collection I've been really excited about. The prints are available in women's clothing, accessories (scarves, wallets, totes), bedding, housewares, swimwear, sleepwear, dining, decor, children's clothes, and even bikes! I was expecting for there to be so much Liberty of London wear to choose from and I love the variety!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCH9umnNx-6HE8bOXDiHtc8qM8inZGJQ3iULxP9oamilisyOsrKwIPJVfn9qaElp6bmB53cp8BnLw7M9clu8PxWSJPgPRu8MHSyVZX04O1GGD61PDBa1aTgf5S8qnWRzJra_HqRpTaDw/s1600-h/liberty-london-target-1_rect540.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCH9umnNx-6HE8bOXDiHtc8qM8inZGJQ3iULxP9oamilisyOsrKwIPJVfn9qaElp6bmB53cp8BnLw7M9clu8PxWSJPgPRu8MHSyVZX04O1GGD61PDBa1aTgf5S8qnWRzJra_HqRpTaDw/s320/liberty-london-target-1_rect540.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450141675704093362" /></a><br /><br />I tried on several of the clothes even thought the selection was slightly picked through by the time I went to my local Target. The stand out pieces of Liberty London are the dresses! There are several to choose from and I selected this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQnwKlkHJXEAII_-rkiffQKfTX7x6-O1ieoTBEwcs9LpfRo13-gBWYfpj2or9WsaUqr5jA16L0D8Ox3udxwCc6zmvcn5CxbLO9sJueD4E3fwOZ2otpK3cmrapjJqP3dKjOPIcyRp1Xvw/s1600-h/dress2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQnwKlkHJXEAII_-rkiffQKfTX7x6-O1ieoTBEwcs9LpfRo13-gBWYfpj2or9WsaUqr5jA16L0D8Ox3udxwCc6zmvcn5CxbLO9sJueD4E3fwOZ2otpK3cmrapjJqP3dKjOPIcyRp1Xvw/s320/dress2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450141882894148786" /></a><br /><br />I was not expecting to love this one shoulder dress as much as I do! It's a stunning fabric with solid construction (completely lined) and a flattering shape. I most like that the one shoulder style looks unusual but is quite wearable and highlights the face and shoulders (often one of the leaner parts of a woman's body). Also the tied waist perfectly defines your middle without cinching too much. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JvxX5Y0G0HN7E5DvfX1yWfRQ6U1WhetfTG0RRwepRE4Ne3-HTUckBA8JMitJa33AmPTEsCBpJhEL2RpqmbgJliyVxmxXhJqx0STFF1BYBC7ICg9d3OaXrc_UAdJnXnxEc-2HiEPnz6k/s1600-h/dress3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JvxX5Y0G0HN7E5DvfX1yWfRQ6U1WhetfTG0RRwepRE4Ne3-HTUckBA8JMitJa33AmPTEsCBpJhEL2RpqmbgJliyVxmxXhJqx0STFF1BYBC7ICg9d3OaXrc_UAdJnXnxEc-2HiEPnz6k/s320/dress3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450142183311796370" /></a><br /><br />The dress retails for $34.99, a great price for this beautiful dress, and is made of 100% polyester. Usually, I hate polyester but I will say it works for this dress. The polyester looks more expensive than a cotton fabric would and will wear better (often Target's cotton dresses fall apart or pill quickly). I'm so happy I found a maxi dress that flatters me and that it just happens to be part of the Liberty of London collection.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKXYIh8yi8CmUL0tFrPq9-n_s9m0P4IKKDHAjsWBVCAIPVYBPgjB8X6DtMPNjdJl9CYFJMSP_pTH33S8a5Uj8wa8PweCMRUhEZUfwbFPezHvirkiljPDMGV8JocIKIkGnpMpy6oNyLLI/s1600-h/dress1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKXYIh8yi8CmUL0tFrPq9-n_s9m0P4IKKDHAjsWBVCAIPVYBPgjB8X6DtMPNjdJl9CYFJMSP_pTH33S8a5Uj8wa8PweCMRUhEZUfwbFPezHvirkiljPDMGV8JocIKIkGnpMpy6oNyLLI/s320/dress1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450142481081028130" /></a><br /><br />I'll most likely style this dress with a tousled, casual updo, thin, gold hoops, and perhaps gold sandals. Any suggestions are welcome!<br /><br /><br />There are so many cute dresses with this line and I've provided some links to my other favorite pieces. I wish I could buy almost all from this line!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.target.com/Liberty-London-Target-Smocked-Dress/dp/B002X8CSTS/ref=br_1_8?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=2241591011&node=2241591011&sr=1-8&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=2&searchSize=30&id=Liberty%20London%20Target%20Smocked%20Dress&qid=">Smocked Top Maxi Dress in Pink Mark Large Scale Print</a><br /><a href="http://www.target.com/Liberty-London-Target-Smocked-Tiered/dp/B002WTJ508/ref=br_1_20?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=2241591011&node=2241591011&sr=1-20&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=2&searchSize=30&id=Liberty%20London%20Target%20Smocked%20Tiered&qid=">Smocked Top Tiered Ruffle Dress- Black Isis Print<a href="http://www.target.com/Liberty-London-Target-Waist-Ruffle/dp/B002WTO3LE/ref=br_1_3?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=2241591011&node=2241591011&sr=1-3&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=4&searchSize=30&id=Liberty%20London%20Target%20Waist%20Ruffle&qid=">Boho Drop Waist Drop Ruffle Top- Black Isis Print</a></a><br /><br />I'm definitely going back to purchase one of the Liberty of London mugs and a few gifts for friends. I'm a big tea and coffee drinker and I know I'll look forward to using one of these pretty mugs!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWySFSkttkF64GckHhWMFnOTk2WNDninAlzvAiLOdUfjP57VetG6DkLZg8jZxrHwS_13uzsoPHgCfStRhoRvIYvh40iUhRTOoiA1DkIFTCqzDRViDzJOIaQke3mAy7RpjIg4Qo4Tl0DeE/s1600-h/mug.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWySFSkttkF64GckHhWMFnOTk2WNDninAlzvAiLOdUfjP57VetG6DkLZg8jZxrHwS_13uzsoPHgCfStRhoRvIYvh40iUhRTOoiA1DkIFTCqzDRViDzJOIaQke3mAy7RpjIg4Qo4Tl0DeE/s320/mug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450144618453969122" /></a><br /><br />The stationary and storage pieces would be great for day to day use or even a home office. <br /><br />I hope you enjoyed my little review. Overall, I'd give the line a B+. These cheery prints should attract many customers although I know some will shy away from the brightness and prefer simplicity. The variety of choices is great, especially for a big box store like Target, the clothes fit generally true to size (perhaps even running a bit large), and are made well. <br /><br />Check out this link from Liberty of London: <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/patternality/"></a> to find the pattern that matches you best. My match was the peacock!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-12987147952183070932010-03-17T19:40:00.003-05:002010-03-17T20:01:45.941-05:00TRESemme Conditioner: Oh La La!Back to review a product that is definitely in my "holy grail" status!<br /><br />I've used several different conditioners in the past few years, including conditioners by Herbal Essences, Redken, and Garnier. However, I haven't found any that I like better than TRESemme's B12 & Gelatin Anti-breakage conditioner for the results and price. <br /><br />I have used TRESemme's B12 & Gelatin Anti-breakage conditioner as well as their Vitamin E Moisture Rich conditioner. I would highly recommend either but for my breakage prone hair, I prefer the B12 & gelatin conditioner. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I55cXkFeA7Yf_6fmViV9ruSafftMUGXTrr8LDLCHWryEnpNDQGWmYu4Madt7TWDUGKP6H8afVTSXXSdVquzQglhyphenhyphenoSMFmYNkPZZUqBuhvEyuD54KNerUUtN79gzVF8_qUEWq1awyA5c/s1600-h/tresemme.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4I55cXkFeA7Yf_6fmViV9ruSafftMUGXTrr8LDLCHWryEnpNDQGWmYu4Madt7TWDUGKP6H8afVTSXXSdVquzQglhyphenhyphenoSMFmYNkPZZUqBuhvEyuD54KNerUUtN79gzVF8_qUEWq1awyA5c/s320/tresemme.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449772177040079490" /></a><br /><br /><br />The conditioner runs for about $5 at Target for a huge size (32 oz). I love the price which can't be beat and it definitely is "salon quality." I don't think you have to pay a pretty penny for hair products (or make up for that matter) that work well. <br /><br />As a conditioner, B12 & Gelatin is thick and creamy and non-sticky. It doesn't weigh the hair down at all and my hair is quite fine. I recommend those with fine or thinning hair use a small amount of conditioner with enough to coat the ends. <br /><br />Now onto the results...my hair has grown at least three inches in the past three months since using this conditioner regularly. My hair does not grow quickly. I'm lucky if it grows half an inch per month and frequently have to cut off length due to split ends. My hair stylist was raving over how much my hair had grown when I went to see her this week and only took off a little in a trim. My hair has benefited so much for this conditioner!<br /><br />I later found out that Dr. Gott recommends TRESemme conditioners for thinning hair/hair growth. You can read his article <a href="http://weatherforddemocrat.com/health/x1155985914/Ask-Dr-Gott">here</a> (Be sure to scroll down to the middle of the page). <br /><br /><br />Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars<br />Pros: Inexpensive, Effective, Creamy, Strengthening<br />Cons: None<br />Price: roughly $5<br />Size: 32 fl oz.MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-72590761561193060512010-01-14T19:01:00.007-05:002010-01-14T20:22:42.194-05:00Benefit Coralista, Peachy Please!<strong>Benefit Cosmetics </strong>features fun, retro packaging and great products. The story behind the line is as cute and whimiscal as their image. Benefit Cosmetics was started by the Ford twins of San Francisco, California, with the simple idea, "Who says makeup has to be serious to be good?" And with that the playful, sassy and sweet cosmetics line was born.<br /><br />Today I'm going to review one of my favorite Benefit products: <strong>CORALista blush</strong>. Coralista is one of Benefit's top sellers and with good reason. I have been looking for a peachy blush but since I'm fair skinned and cool toned, the search hasn't been easy. I happened upon this product at the Benefit counter in Memphis and then received it for my birthday a few months ago. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3KfbYSlrOPeMc9a7PhwsqlQ5zzNrnM_FRBmZAS3h5HDyNbCJeTFF6quQmY1PS2NYC2COPvYuUFLpd1QQpe789UynRas4Fdk9aHxRyDbV9LExAnTBKe2tgqTf-0ylwIxh6eGT9r2UK_0/s1600-h/coralista.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3KfbYSlrOPeMc9a7PhwsqlQ5zzNrnM_FRBmZAS3h5HDyNbCJeTFF6quQmY1PS2NYC2COPvYuUFLpd1QQpe789UynRas4Fdk9aHxRyDbV9LExAnTBKe2tgqTf-0ylwIxh6eGT9r2UK_0/s320/coralista.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426767240948765186" /></a><br /><br />The wild, tropical themed packaging is the first thing to catch your eye. Coralista comes in a square shaped box, with a pink leopard print design. Even if the packaging is too loud for your taste (personally, I think it's fun!), keep in mind the blush is worth your money and it will be easier to spot in your makeup bag.<br /><br />Now onto the color- Benefit describes Coralista as "a warm coral-pink cheek powder." The color is one the warm side but the pink tones in Coralista make it wearable for just about any skin tone. Coralista will most definitely flatter warm tones and will offer a believable peachy flush for cool tones. <em>(Check out the color below)</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyzLj-Pqh8ik-ro_aZGvJA43dNUn58zOCPfR_B5bdRKD3cm-Lj8GXBXSzsxd5BVO28g7bpE2lPaoZPJ-XuBUP5lMhULFjoO3_jDZlroKwSQ2j4L32xGHR3H-Gb7hb1LgVH_GsOjRFx3k/s1600-h/coralista2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyzLj-Pqh8ik-ro_aZGvJA43dNUn58zOCPfR_B5bdRKD3cm-Lj8GXBXSzsxd5BVO28g7bpE2lPaoZPJ-XuBUP5lMhULFjoO3_jDZlroKwSQ2j4L32xGHR3H-Gb7hb1LgVH_GsOjRFx3k/s320/coralista2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426766895602690818" /></a><br /><br />One of my favorite things about this blush is the brush! Usually brushes included with makeup aren't keepers and typically don't perform as well as brushes bought seperately. I tried the blush with my usual makeup brush first but I found the application looked a bit heavy. So, I reached for the Coralista blush brush and what a world of difference. The brush comes with a wooden handel and squared off bristles which are great for emphasizing cheekbones. The blush also lasts a long time, needing no reapplications throughout the day, and offers very subtle shimmer.<br /><br />I recommend this blush to anyone!<br /><br /><strong>Overal Rating:</strong> 5 out of 5 stars<br /><strong>Pros:</strong> Universally Flattering, Cute Packaging, Easy to Apply & Wear<br /><strong>Cons:</strong> Expensive <br /><strong>Price:</strong> $28.00<br /><strong>Size:</strong> 12.0 g<br /><br /><br />I'll be reviewing some more Benefit products soon but be sure to check out their <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B000O7RJHG/sr=1-5/qid=1263516450/ref=sr_1_5/175-0744070-5244602?ie=UTF8&n=164991011&bcBrand=core">Creaseless Cream Eye Shadows/Liners</a> and <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/product/B002JLVVII/ref=sr_11_1/175-0744070-5244602?ie=UTF8&bcBrand=core&nodeID=">the One Hot Minute face powder</a>.<br /><br />*Disclaimer: I have not been paid for any of my reviews. I chose products on my own, through my own interests, and provide honest reports to my readers!*<em></em>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-62766203157075911882010-01-13T22:33:00.008-05:002010-06-03T00:55:05.108-05:00Base Coat Bonanza!Blog time!<br /><br />Today I'm reviewing two base coats, one's a definite win and the other is a huge fail. Read on to learn more.<br /><br />First, I'm going to let you in on my new favorite base coat: <strong>The Nail Life Revitalizer Treatment</strong> in the Original Formula. Yes, treatment. The great thing about this product is that it can be used in several different ways. First, it serves as an excellent base coat, to be used before applying your polish. It make your nails smooth like glass and shiny. Your polish will apply easily, adhering to the base coat without being so "sticky," that the polish loses its smoothness. Next, it can be used as a weekly or daily treatment for weak, sensitive, or damaged nails. You can apply it alone to protect your nails or as a pre-treatment and then use your favorite base coat. Finally, I have read that it can used as a top coat. I can tell that Nail Life would add shine but personally, I'd stick with my favorite quick dry top coat.<br /><br />Keep in mind, the Nail Life Revitalizer Treatment is on the thicker side since it protects your nails from damage. You can find this product at Sally Beauty Supply for $7.99. It comes in a large bottle (1.19 oz) and can be found on sale from time to time. Nail Life also offers a Formaldehyde-Free version of this product as well as a Gripper Base Coat, Ridge Filler, Cuticle Treatment, and more.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV87KOT_sQtljDs7Wa70Gh4R2NrO9U8LP96n5kcemr1d2SqJjd5jd2Sv-vfzMlYsgX08MI17h5KxgnZKBlItmgupM2WhNYquXwDJzY5jviXQ0FOjFsBzCOLpCZisnxyRj6wXvY7-qDU2g/s1600-h/naillife.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 102px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV87KOT_sQtljDs7Wa70Gh4R2NrO9U8LP96n5kcemr1d2SqJjd5jd2Sv-vfzMlYsgX08MI17h5KxgnZKBlItmgupM2WhNYquXwDJzY5jviXQ0FOjFsBzCOLpCZisnxyRj6wXvY7-qDU2g/s320/naillife.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426441271249225298" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 4 out of 5 stars<br /><strong><br />Pros:</strong> Versatile, Performs Well, Quantity & Quality!<br /><strong>Cons:</strong> Slightly Expensive<br /><strong>Size:</strong> 1.19 oz<br /><br />And here's my not-so-favorite base coat of late: <strong>Sally Hansen Insta-Grip Fast Dry Base Coat</strong>. I bought this product at Walgreens when I was looking for a new base coat. I've had good luck with most of Sally Hansen's nail products this one was a disappointment. It may be a bit unfair to pit this product against Nail Life since it is not a treatment. Therefore, it's not as versatile or protective. However, as a plain ol' base coat, it's no good either. It took a long time to dry and was incredibly sticky. My polish did not go on smoothly at all. In fact, it was bumpy and streaky with bubbles. I waited plenty of time for it dry. Maybe others will have a better experience with Insta-Grip but I was disappointed. The only good thing I can say is that the product is inexpensive and shiny. The Sally Hansen Insta-Grip Fast Dry Base Coat is priced at $5 to $6 and can be found at drugstores.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHSwQqye3gcrN_EtFKSvl9INoJ0q8Ys7cZP9jDkIzikpkahOon7z_dUJ0KokOv9gH9wAhiJhAYcZlTNJypc6-PtWUpgYlB-XaTQ93r9ntlJJb6YczTB4SozdELrXba37Ajs4WfYCvgAg/s1600-h/instagrip.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHSwQqye3gcrN_EtFKSvl9INoJ0q8Ys7cZP9jDkIzikpkahOon7z_dUJ0KokOv9gH9wAhiJhAYcZlTNJypc6-PtWUpgYlB-XaTQ93r9ntlJJb6YczTB4SozdELrXba37Ajs4WfYCvgAg/s320/instagrip.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426440875438208386" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Overall Rating:</strong> 1.5 out of 5 stars<br /><strong>Pros</strong>: Inexpensive, Readily Available, Shiny, Inexpensive<br /><strong>Cons</strong>: Performs Poorly, Dries Slowly (for a Quick Dry!), Ineffective.<br /><strong>Size:</strong> .45 fl oz<br /><br />There you have it! Do you have a favorite base coat? Do you use a base coat regularly? Let me know!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-48860350106420488712009-10-19T22:30:00.002-05:002009-10-19T22:39:08.803-05:00Back!<strong>After a hiatus, I'll be blogging again by this weekend! I went abroad, got ill at the end of my trip, and my laptop bit the dust. But look for new posts on Saturday! I'll have reviews, holiday gift ideas, and promo pics.<br /><br />A little tidbit until my next post: check out Essie's new Winter 2009 collection: Sweet Time of Year. It's candy themed and contains a new mint green color, somewhat similar to Chanel's Jade nail polish. It's $8 instead of $25 (and most likely not out of stock!). According to several bloggers, the collection will be available in November.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTpSNUSjBThwsa0Gfm_I3KuIPLrDuAZrRO63prWmvSbdLlIIE8Zz_IitWmFMoEONc9U_3T44upZli3x-GOkI2AYbccyBeoNz2TZVisHTllkf9azCOnqq4yJr6BiY_h9mcE70Ho4ihpqEz/s1600/EssieWinter2009SweetTimeoftheYearCollection.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 433px; height: 440px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTpSNUSjBThwsa0Gfm_I3KuIPLrDuAZrRO63prWmvSbdLlIIE8Zz_IitWmFMoEONc9U_3T44upZli3x-GOkI2AYbccyBeoNz2TZVisHTllkf9azCOnqq4yJr6BiY_h9mcE70Ho4ihpqEz/s1600/EssieWinter2009SweetTimeoftheYearCollection.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /> </strong>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-23158203734046180782009-07-19T08:42:00.002-05:002009-07-19T08:43:37.727-05:00I am in France, hence the lack of updates! As soon as I get done traveling from Lyon to Paris, I'll do some more reviews and write ups about French cosmetics, skin care, perfume, etc! Au revoir!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-4465776893514222392009-07-11T15:21:00.006-05:002009-07-11T16:22:54.950-05:00Review: Batiste Dry ShampooNeed a quick fix for limp, oily hair in the morning with no time to shampoo? Just want to freshen up between washings? Then a <span style="font-weight: bold;">dry shampoo</span> is your best choice. I think we all know it's best to give our hair a break from shampooings but greasy hair is never very appealing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpAD9It9hlYDgklasBsvB2b6k7ufTJw932x_n5vzcFVIfxvM2Y8Qt5yCmgCEmofkhefHTwVzDlKNcZf8vi0CddL8KhlC1SmQmNrXUjtOK0OXFi4z0oVZUHRjs2jqIRA3JtCjUJxU5PlA/s1600-h/batiste.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpAD9It9hlYDgklasBsvB2b6k7ufTJw932x_n5vzcFVIfxvM2Y8Qt5yCmgCEmofkhefHTwVzDlKNcZf8vi0CddL8KhlC1SmQmNrXUjtOK0OXFi4z0oVZUHRjs2jqIRA3JtCjUJxU5PlA/s320/batiste.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357315135830846898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-LWWXovc-FkQJsSnPX8UyFWfAVoAiYCb3cy6oRKWbJ2jadCo9kJSPBIJOa9rdqJp2BUo1JI73bPgJDnbCga9NSMw9kVMT1OOmLFzlXhZ7evcrnGIi8hweUwoFY3iyr_tjvE04jxHKJE/s1600-h/nozzleb.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-LWWXovc-FkQJsSnPX8UyFWfAVoAiYCb3cy6oRKWbJ2jadCo9kJSPBIJOa9rdqJp2BUo1JI73bPgJDnbCga9NSMw9kVMT1OOmLFzlXhZ7evcrnGIi8hweUwoFY3iyr_tjvE04jxHKJE/s320/nozzleb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357315425800375442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've done the baby powder trick, which takes care of any oiliness, but does little to add volume. I prefer spray dry shampoos because you can work it through your hair to clean up and add lift. My favorite dry shampoo is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Batiste</span>! It's a good price, at approx $9.95, and lasts for a long time. There are three different scents: <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">original</span> (citrus-y), <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">blush</span> (floral), and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 204, 51);">tropical</span> (as it sounds-my favorite). These are incredibly convenient for travel or anytime you've overslept.<br /><br />To use a spray dry shampoo, shake the can and angle the spray nozzle at your roots from about a foot away. Work through the roots and back of your hair after letting the product settle. Be sure to brush thoroughly especially if you have dark hair. I also use a hair dryer after brushing for extra volume because my hair gets very flat on the second day.<br /><br />It's that simple. I highly recommend this product to everyone especially those with fine, oily hair!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Rating:</span> 4 out of 5 stars<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros:</span> Convenient, Easy to Use, Smells Great<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons:</span> Not sure how Eco-friendly this spray is!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> approx $9.95 (thought it can be found on the <a href="http://d-and-d-distributing.amazonwebstore.com/Batiste-Dry-Shampoo-5-Oz./M/B000N5S0KE.htm">web</a> for as little as $5.88)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size:</span> 5.05 ozMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-2713822287541641062009-07-05T20:12:00.012-05:002009-07-05T23:44:27.396-05:00How To: Save Money on Makeup! (And Still Have Fun)Don't let a tighter budget rain on your beauty parade! Here are some easy ways to save dollars and get the most out of your purchases while shopping for beauty products:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Think Multipurpose</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7FckYgZJNI_EtS8OjOzZu07H8Aj54nbH490sb-Pw7sKCVzy7671SXvLtxZnwC-tfk3Zm2kzkquZAhasvRVIRg8QeY3o9lfXF-5_zIbxp7SlNoQJq0dq2To71q0j628G6CbH6mlnf/s320/limited+edition+mauve+face+palette+bobbi+brown.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7FckYgZJNI_EtS8OjOzZu07H8Aj54nbH490sb-Pw7sKCVzy7671SXvLtxZnwC-tfk3Zm2kzkquZAhasvRVIRg8QeY3o9lfXF-5_zIbxp7SlNoQJq0dq2To71q0j628G6CbH6mlnf/s320/limited+edition+mauve+face+palette+bobbi+brown.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blushstick.com/images/NARS_The_Multiple_Blush_Stick.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="http://www.blushstick.com/images/NARS_The_Multiple_Blush_Stick.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The best products are ones you can use for a <span style="font-style: italic;">variety</span> of applications and looks. This rule goes for a lot of things in life-- you'll get more use out of a blender than a Margarita Machine (thanks, Mom). Look for <span style="font-weight: bold;">cream blushes</span> or <span style="font-weight: bold;">blush sticks</span> you can use as lip colors too. Or pick a highlight shade/<span style="font-weight: bold;">shimmer brick</span> that can double as eyeshadow. Speaking of eye shadows, try applying your favorite shade wet with a thin brush as eyeliner! Or put that foundation that was a too light to use by applying it like a concealer under the eyes. Find a face mask that can serve as an acne spot treatment. Utilize <span style="font-weight: bold;">palettes of complementary colors </span>instead of purchasing several products separately. The list goes on! Multipurpose products save you money and effort. They are also perfect for travel!<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Staples First</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8T-8sgcDXv4m2iguXv0SOgcr6pamXSHuwRbnk1bSMF4EPUrc0XTKql3MqnE7iHBB3UVLN3fMck23FH7Qe93F9TIA0z1ALvdTCSobDPBcR1YpMXbcvnXutR70Fq8INo7XwnGwhTFO-T8/s1600-h/staples.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8T-8sgcDXv4m2iguXv0SOgcr6pamXSHuwRbnk1bSMF4EPUrc0XTKql3MqnE7iHBB3UVLN3fMck23FH7Qe93F9TIA0z1ALvdTCSobDPBcR1YpMXbcvnXutR70Fq8INo7XwnGwhTFO-T8/s320/staples.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355195113154269874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Invest in good <span style="font-weight: bold;">everyday products</span> like foundation, concealer, mascara, and brushes. By invest, I don't mean that you have to spend a lot of money but make these items your <span style="font-weight: bold;">priority</span> when shopping. If you have to choose between buying a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly or a beautiful smokey eyeshadow, go for the foundation. You'll use it everyday and it will serve its purpose of creating a beautiful canvas for the rest of your products. Skip the trendy vibrating mascara and pick up the formula that makes you lashes look long, full, and natural.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Know the Return Policy</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDWCjgEghhFhkfp17n6Bk2MvJKLCw_V6NmFXLhZ9QTsbvlDiv5SP43jTtC7kgetN6NtFBda4gJE5fd-LdKhkAdLM6jwtqbNZPAHLviJ7sJfNGvIU6mzeuE8VOIazyO6xSPX9RmeONvoU/s1600-h/receipt.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDWCjgEghhFhkfp17n6Bk2MvJKLCw_V6NmFXLhZ9QTsbvlDiv5SP43jTtC7kgetN6NtFBda4gJE5fd-LdKhkAdLM6jwtqbNZPAHLviJ7sJfNGvIU6mzeuE8VOIazyO6xSPX9RmeONvoU/s200/receipt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355170123401477314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you don't like a product, you should by all means return it! But first, <span style="font-weight: bold;">know the policy</span>. Most department stores will accept a used product within a certain amount of days after purchase. So don't let that blush (or what have you) you're unhappy with sit there. Take it back before time wastes. And always save your boxes and receipts! Know that many drugstores have tighter return policies (see number 4 on my list), so you'll have to be a bit more sure of your choices.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Review, Research & Ask Questions</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX00xTzRkfJgjsijWtnmCeZANvhh2ZpTbb83cCJ9Lmv5NT2Eo0aq1jEutbtk5yp9xB46W7vfd9lyflUwbdmpHF_Sz3JvAsBokJoWsE3DrxBLoHnrE5XJ4TMUKbk_q-Aqkc4NbZYVT-VKM/s1600-h/REVIEWS.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX00xTzRkfJgjsijWtnmCeZANvhh2ZpTbb83cCJ9Lmv5NT2Eo0aq1jEutbtk5yp9xB46W7vfd9lyflUwbdmpHF_Sz3JvAsBokJoWsE3DrxBLoHnrE5XJ4TMUKbk_q-Aqkc4NbZYVT-VKM/s320/REVIEWS.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355167830949952194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />When you can, <span style="font-weight: bold;">check out reviews</span> of items you're looking at on<a href="http://www.makeupalley.com/"> makeupalley.com</a>. You'll see the comments and opinions of others who have tried the product already. You can filter these reviews by age, skin tone, and skin type. Furthermore, each product is individually reviewed for its price and packaging as well as its overall performance. Write reviews yourself to help others! Look for "top reviewers" (denoted on their MUA profiles or by individual reviews) to find people who review often and accurately.<br /><br />Check out the web for a comparison of prices for your desired product. You may be available to find a cheaper price or alternative on <a href="http://www.beautycrunch.com/">beautycrunch.com</a>, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/">ebay.com</a>, or <a href="http://www.cherryculture.com/">cherryculture.com</a>. Just be careful to purchase products that are hygienic and legitimate (fake MAC products are all over ebay!). Look at<span style="font-weight: bold;"> TJ Maxx</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Marshall's</span> for discount beauty products. I've found Lancome, Hard Candy, Sugar, Stila, and the Balm at these stores for cheap!<br /><br />Don't be afraid to ask a makeup artist at the beauty counter for advice. Sometimes sales people can be pushy but their job is to help you. Don't feel like you must buy a certain product if you're not happy for the look he or she is suggesting. Makeup artists often know the products very well and making friends with one is always a good thing! Building up a relationship with the artists working at MAC has introduced to beautiful products I would have never chosen myself. Likewise, ask family and friends what they think. You're not tied down to their opinions but an <span style="font-weight: bold;">outside perspective</span> is always helpful.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be Cautious with Collections</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGq6fxlUybr2i_Wp116lYDNxsOnu59avzJZwXqeUxUGYAskJ9tqY-199C4rN8E3zwFDB7W7oqfGvS2pIh3AO0LCDvCreGVBG_ewxRTddbblmwTrG977OKrIcN6agOs1zTnF0RDt48zm4/s1600-h/hello-kitty-mac.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGq6fxlUybr2i_Wp116lYDNxsOnu59avzJZwXqeUxUGYAskJ9tqY-199C4rN8E3zwFDB7W7oqfGvS2pIh3AO0LCDvCreGVBG_ewxRTddbblmwTrG977OKrIcN6agOs1zTnF0RDt48zm4/s320/hello-kitty-mac.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166341311994034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's a rule I need to follow better myself! Beauty collections are tons of fun and limited edition products are so tempting! But collections often mean <span style="font-weight: bold;">lots of show and expense</span>. I definitely recommend checking out limited editions collections every now and then but don't get too wrapped up and feeling like you HAVE to buy from every one. Trust me, there will be another similar product and colors do get released again (cough MAC cough)! Sometimes, it's worth buying a few backups of a product you just LOVE and won't be re-released (Estee Lauder's Azuree Soleil..I'm looking at you!) but most of the time, I'd skip and save your money for something else.<br /><br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Get Inspired</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41s3B2nMJML._SL500_.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 500px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41s3B2nMJML._SL500_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you're in a beauty rut, a new bright lipstick can help but more often than not, you just need a little inspiration! Flip through fashion and beauty magazines from the 40s, 60s, 80s, watch an old Hollywood film, browse tutorials on YouTube, or photograph beautiful things around you! Fresh <span style="font-weight: bold;">c</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">olors and textures</span> could be the catalyst for a whole new look. Check out <span style="font-weight: bold;">the artist's color wheel</span> for different but complementary colors. Read beauty books by Bobbi Brown or Kevyn Aucoin for step by step instructions of makeup application. You'll find new ways to use old favorites in your collection!<br /><br />I hope that helps everyone. Do you have any money saving tips? What your favorite inexpensive product? Mine has to be Ecotools brushes...they are wonderful for the price and good for the environment!<br /><br />Thanks for reading!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-17750714409343163022009-07-04T16:56:00.005-05:002009-07-04T17:14:41.263-05:00What I'm Loving Right NowMy Favorite Purchases of Recent:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Baby Pink Tunic from Gap</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X8uEz-kxmzXErMENW8xtQoI_PHyWYL-mBIzMvwZ-sa4jIYiXwNo5d3-EcFZKD8uSnM71nkXlQi73JutxkrReCqdCiSFTs2chn4sw2MrMClgqZxJfnX6xysXsosjLEI7XArweKbRlpUc/s1600-h/top.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X8uEz-kxmzXErMENW8xtQoI_PHyWYL-mBIzMvwZ-sa4jIYiXwNo5d3-EcFZKD8uSnM71nkXlQi73JutxkrReCqdCiSFTs2chn4sw2MrMClgqZxJfnX6xysXsosjLEI7XArweKbRlpUc/s320/top.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354730741558694418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I must admit this top probably looks quite drab in the photograph but in person and off the hanger, I absolutely love it! I'm 5'11 so tops are frequently way too short on me and I prefer long shirts that skim the hips. This top is billowy and slimming without being shapeless. It ties at the sides and makes me feel ballerina-ish! I've paired it with black skinny jeans from Old Navy and sequined flats by Penny Loves Kenny.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC Eye shadows in All That Glitters and Haux</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLOAsZ_QXD-g-LV8hh-I8OxxzWrcE4Lso21-aNmpMZ12jr0C3hZ1QHWKp6jlcWCIeCGPPyquDKIJa5bNxPKyASubX91HX-I2eXfVSMrwVZoS1Lt6JRXlUa5BczLzbw1TEh7LIZAHHpos/s1600-h/eyeshadows.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLOAsZ_QXD-g-LV8hh-I8OxxzWrcE4Lso21-aNmpMZ12jr0C3hZ1QHWKp6jlcWCIeCGPPyquDKIJa5bNxPKyASubX91HX-I2eXfVSMrwVZoS1Lt6JRXlUa5BczLzbw1TEh7LIZAHHpos/s320/eyeshadows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354730353575189378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(L: All That Glitters; R: Haux)<br /><br />I asked the makeup artist at MAC to help me find a pair of eye shadows for day time looks. I have to admit I was skeptical of Haux when she first pulled it out. It's not a color I would have picked out but clearly, she knew better! All That Glitters is a gorgeous bronze peach with shimmer that I sweep on the lid with Haux, a matte light brown, in the crease for defintion. These are new everyday staples for me! You can add more Haux in the crease and line with an eggplant color for a more dramatic evening look.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sally Hansen Extreme Wear Nail Polish in Rockstar Pink</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkMW8aNFyzZURYicdoJz3LgGnlaXxdF3FnLGfWatC5THh4dSLWtnmVvapwVgwiEa9GPIu-3XGgBPOK4dbdAvxDgviasMd8iq-cuzetytgWMYOGdF48xRW0S8m0mijICM3cA-drnIP7_o/s1600-h/rockstarpink.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkMW8aNFyzZURYicdoJz3LgGnlaXxdF3FnLGfWatC5THh4dSLWtnmVvapwVgwiEa9GPIu-3XGgBPOK4dbdAvxDgviasMd8iq-cuzetytgWMYOGdF48xRW0S8m0mijICM3cA-drnIP7_o/s320/rockstarpink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354730139241958626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This polish has pink, purple, and blue glitter in a clear base. It's definitely a polish I wear over another color, such as a pink or deep purple. It's really fun and I could see myself wearing this on New Year's! Glitter polishes are awful to remove so use a strong polish remover and felt.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are your favorite purchases of late? Have you tried any of the above items? Let me know! Thanks for reading!</span>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-34587935304287309942009-07-04T15:38:00.009-05:002009-07-04T16:13:19.460-05:00July Beauty Wants!I've been getting ready for my month long trip to France (yes!) that I haven't been able to update this blog much in the past week. I thought I'd post some things I've been "lemming" lately for fun. Of course, I'm saving most of my money for France....who knows what I will find!<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC Lipstick in Creme d'Nude</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3wIjz70QMNmhMevkH8nRTagrdo7_ao9lOiGDzJj8sTc_nxlPJ07ob6qx2z1XLPL4u-fRAA21yhoeQi5MkfC1YfayFoOUCJPjiCRJhyphenhyphenwr5pWYafxJrIe8dg_9chNzZNtmjTSL24G6_3U/s1600-h/creme.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3wIjz70QMNmhMevkH8nRTagrdo7_ao9lOiGDzJj8sTc_nxlPJ07ob6qx2z1XLPL4u-fRAA21yhoeQi5MkfC1YfayFoOUCJPjiCRJhyphenhyphenwr5pWYafxJrIe8dg_9chNzZNtmjTSL24G6_3U/s320/creme.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354715802692380882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gotta love MAC Lipsticks. They are gorgeous and affordable! I have a hard time finding nude lipsticks that aren't too pale or orange-y. Creme de Nude looks perfect!<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">OPI Mod About You</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N3u745y8voH4O4ClrgaGctes3jsRNbXrAstRxyU7yUPmkB-OPBhclz1ZOaWrsANGDggWdyUSqylXBueAlDOkOR_y9BuWO2PH3fcDi0vuhwf6RTL3DvprWwTx-ltUwsToOy3Tvu06i3k/s1600-h/MOD.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4N3u745y8voH4O4ClrgaGctes3jsRNbXrAstRxyU7yUPmkB-OPBhclz1ZOaWrsANGDggWdyUSqylXBueAlDOkOR_y9BuWO2PH3fcDi0vuhwf6RTL3DvprWwTx-ltUwsToOy3Tvu06i3k/s320/MOD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354715027570602642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes my obsession with colorful nails makes me go all the way to the opposite end of the spectrum. Pale nails can be gorgeous with an opaque finish and Mod About You looks like no expection. It's not a new OPI color but a beauty supply store near me carries it. Such a pretty baby pink color!<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Benefit Blush in Coralista</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFPgENKJuLqBPI1loN-AfaAw8SFZImbMKbHAV3fI7a35SSBRnhqGyhiSXKP0ayLfk86mhidP3Rfi6YX-b-wasBEMtjFzlCRkt0zyc3_GsGfSWhdYIVefmY-jT4yOb93pFjPku-MHmHFY/s1600-h/Coralista.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFPgENKJuLqBPI1loN-AfaAw8SFZImbMKbHAV3fI7a35SSBRnhqGyhiSXKP0ayLfk86mhidP3Rfi6YX-b-wasBEMtjFzlCRkt0zyc3_GsGfSWhdYIVefmY-jT4yOb93pFjPku-MHmHFY/s320/Coralista.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354714932094162082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think even cool skin tones look good in a beautiful warm apricot blush! There's something so summery about a peachy pink blush. Benefit makes lovely blushes and Coralista comes with pretty packaging and a nice size brush. What more could you want?<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in R.S.V.P.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6VwYrZCXfuWzwSbk-28DBdqtziUj1thwz2QbCyd1JYKihwH2XjECOCDNI9NcHIOf5H7kztx20oAqkjTUeZQKx5DhKY661PJkc4_813KC-8GmxaLIE1M57EB2gaT43YH2FkbuuZ5o5Wg/s1600-h/r.s.v.p..jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6VwYrZCXfuWzwSbk-28DBdqtziUj1thwz2QbCyd1JYKihwH2XjECOCDNI9NcHIOf5H7kztx20oAqkjTUeZQKx5DhKY661PJkc4_813KC-8GmxaLIE1M57EB2gaT43YH2FkbuuZ5o5Wg/s320/r.s.v.p..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354714773781724194" border="0" /></a><br />I have a Creaseless Cream Shadow in Marry Up (a bronzey copper) and it's perfect alone or used as a base/liner. R.S.V.P. is a champagne color that I think would be perfect for a bright eyed look.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROhWXUzAtTybb8rxw000y3eqa6NRrKaAoNKQLnuiqBmhwdFI64OnfqIPjd6hmnMa6OkZL6ognfZdPhzAfQPo9sm0m_G49_Qxzio-ymP4Hd4KOpYr9jj-5W4oXP4W9oinhLHuSXX36l8c/s1600-h/Satintaupe.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROhWXUzAtTybb8rxw000y3eqa6NRrKaAoNKQLnuiqBmhwdFI64OnfqIPjd6hmnMa6OkZL6ognfZdPhzAfQPo9sm0m_G49_Qxzio-ymP4Hd4KOpYr9jj-5W4oXP4W9oinhLHuSXX36l8c/s320/Satintaupe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354714197942236402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh, MAC, what you do to my wallet! Taupe is a very hard color to describe but I typically think of it as a grayish brown. However, often times you'll see purple-y gray shadows called taupes too! It's very confusing. No matter, Satin Taupe looks perfect for a daytime crease color or for a unique evening smokey eye.<br /><br />So, that's my list for now! I'm planning on doing some serious shopping at the Monoprixs and department stores in France but if there happens to be some good duty free beauty shopping at the airports...well, no one's stopping me! :)MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-72353638275308397462009-06-23T13:01:00.006-05:002009-06-23T13:48:20.908-05:00How To: Brush Holder!Many of you have probably seen the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sephora inspired makeup brush holders</span> on websites and beauty blogs. They are so simple to make and great for storing brushes in an attractive and practical way! I used to store my makeup in a brush roll, which is great for travel by the way, but found the roll got dirty quickly. So, check out my take on the Sephora inspired makeup brush holder.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5hKI8lDIOASlVqOwAaANJrUm600Rmc1roWbp9WY0bEwj6nCW09CB29pHxZxO1hggWm9Gs07WyvqXAVsPzAM6MzHUM5TUPL5Lioxg0dXdF3QvCJILuPS0wk_yUxoT6FbW9_VlJdzqRc0/s1600-h/brush+holder1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5hKI8lDIOASlVqOwAaANJrUm600Rmc1roWbp9WY0bEwj6nCW09CB29pHxZxO1hggWm9Gs07WyvqXAVsPzAM6MzHUM5TUPL5Lioxg0dXdF3QvCJILuPS0wk_yUxoT6FbW9_VlJdzqRc0/s320/brush+holder1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350594385094108002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1IBjDjZYWZGZMttdemd3JWdeu1NQzgH01By0u5uIYmX1_kQzFIJv72FpHrIo9E9maxzdyNJ0M1KwGds4sNL9fdsmlGa2zHMfWRpGm0CKR80bFTrk72ap_mNtkBHGNEONiBRbpYtvwr4/s1600-h/side+brush+holder1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1IBjDjZYWZGZMttdemd3JWdeu1NQzgH01By0u5uIYmX1_kQzFIJv72FpHrIo9E9maxzdyNJ0M1KwGds4sNL9fdsmlGa2zHMfWRpGm0CKR80bFTrk72ap_mNtkBHGNEONiBRbpYtvwr4/s320/side+brush+holder1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350595179521794802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Isn't it cute if I do say so myself? It was easy and quick to make and very cheap!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What I Used:</span><br /><br />-Glass Vase from Michael's Craft Store (approx. $5.00)<br />-Flat Marbles (often found in floral/candle section of craft stores) in peachy pink colors (approx. $4.50)<br />-A thin Pink Ribbon & tape (approx. $1.00)<br />-Scrapbooking 3-D Butterfly Stickers (approx. $2.50)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost:</span> around $13.00<br /><br />The best thing about this craft is how <span style="font-style: italic;">customizable</span> it is! Alternatively, you can change up the ribbon, beads, and stickers to create a completely different look. Or try painting the glass with appropriate paint. Others have used plastic containers and paint pens for an easy way to add a personal touch and design.<br /><br />Some websites (including <a style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.glitzy-glam.com/store/">glitzy-glam.com</a>) sell premade brush holders but I recommend making your own. You'll save money on the overall cost and of course, shipping and be able to personalize the holder to your own style.<br /><br />Let me know what you think! I've been reaching for brushes that I'd previously forgotten about now that they're on display. What is your brush storage system?MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-61424890362279524522009-06-17T19:54:00.004-05:002009-06-17T20:21:39.290-05:00Review: Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Foundation<span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">I'll be doing several reviews over the next few days. I've got some new favorite staples and a few fun things to talk about so be sure to return to my blog frequently to keep up!</span><br /><br />I thought I'd review my favorite foundation, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra</span>. Teint Idole Ultra is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">liquid oil-free foundation </span>that comes in a glass pump tube. I have been using this foundation for the past five years. It's a staple in my everyday makeup look. I have oily acne-prone skin. My skin can be very sensitive to products. I use Retin-A so I have to be careful what sort of products I put on my face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFk6YTK8gUqad3b3dIjQlioaP1Tn4sZS3Kn39GIa6cg43n2z0PUT_4BGOUqtoST8_KPY5Z3i_vyGTjkqegxvvO3i8X2bWiTJcq9pE2EdPD3GMpHEg-yowLDx5fsCtn24Jsov9tevxIfg/s1600-h/teintidole.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFk6YTK8gUqad3b3dIjQlioaP1Tn4sZS3Kn39GIa6cg43n2z0PUT_4BGOUqtoST8_KPY5Z3i_vyGTjkqegxvvO3i8X2bWiTJcq9pE2EdPD3GMpHEg-yowLDx5fsCtn24Jsov9tevxIfg/s320/teintidole.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348471500053930754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With Teint Idole Ultra, I do not use a primer. Instead I use <span style="font-weight: bold;">Coppertone Oil Free Faces Lotion in SPF 30</span>. I don't think you need a primer with this foundation unless your skin is dry and/or you want to fill in lines and wrinkles first. It is a personal preference. After using sunscreen, I either apply the foundation with clean fingers or the Sonia Kashuk skunk brush. The best thing about this foundation is it's ability to blend and the amount of coverage. I would describe the coverage as medium; you can build up to a full coverage look with more layers. Personally, I prefer <span style="font-weight: bold;">medium coverage</span> because you can hide imperfections but forego the "pancake" look. You can easily cover blemishes, marks, and lights scars with this foundation. I can even skip concealer under my eyes if I'm in a hurry. It does not cover acne scars fully. You will need a concealer for that and I recommend <span style="font-weight: bold;">Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage</span>.<br /><br />The foundation is easy to apply and a little goes a long way! The finish is some what matte. Teinte Idole is not a foundation that will give you a "dewy" or "glowy" look. Instead, it deemphasizes pores with a <span style="font-weight: bold;">shine free finish</span>. I find that using this foundation plus a good concealer you can achieve an airbrushed look! If you want a more glowy look, try pairing this foundation with a shimmery blush or highlight shade.<br /><br />And yes, this foundation does wear well! I do not know if it lasts 14 hours since I've never worn it that long but it does last <span style="font-weight: bold;">at least 8 hours</span> without touch up. It doesn't even sweat off when I'm at the gym. I have never experienced any break outs from the foundation. That's why I've been coming back to it for five years!<br /><br />This foundation is expensive, priced at approximately <span style="font-weight: bold;">$40.00</span>. I know this is a lot to spend on a foundation but the good news is Teint Idole performs amazing well and lasts quite a while. A bottle usually gets me through four months and I wear makeup almost every day. Since you don't need to touch up, you won't be using as much makeup. <span style="font-weight: bold;">If you are worried about cost, try mixing this foundation with your favorite drug store foundation to save money</span> (learned this trick from the lovely <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/panacea81?blend=1&ob=4">Panacea81)</a>!<br /><br />Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra comes in eighteen shades. I wear Ivoire 2C and it's the perfect match for my skin tone. For reference, I am a MAC NW20.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall Rating: </span>4.5 out of 5 stars<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros</span>: Long wearing, build able coverage, wide color range, easy to blend, oil-free<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons</span>: Expensive, may be too matte for some wearers<br /><br />I highly recommend this foundation to anyone who struggles with acne and blemishes. I have been through the ringer with skin issues and this foundation has never failed me!<br /><br />Of course, I can not promise it will work for you but I put my confidence behind this product. If you've tried Teint Idole Ultra, let me know what you think! Do you prefer another liquid foundation?MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-53862412165243555062009-06-11T22:11:00.016-05:002009-06-12T15:01:36.377-05:00Top 10 Beauty Winners of 2009In a recent issue of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Glamour</span> magazine, the readers and an expert panel chose their top 50 most glamorous women. I agreed with many of their picks but I thought I'd list my own <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Top Ten Beauty Winners of 2009</span>. Continue reading to find out who I chose!<br /><br /><br />10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Katy Perry</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybV1E0hBeiU76Sz0ZYdAZxwbBagJ4k6EJKhn8HmPu1nYim0cmPjKlxy-wZ24QUBDULosiLaWYIreTOXCuabc_UF-1BiSqc5peVXG-i-0TB9sZ7xM5bK-x9-R6vAYZi_kW0XUP1h5Oe5M/s1600-h/katy_perry_blog2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybV1E0hBeiU76Sz0ZYdAZxwbBagJ4k6EJKhn8HmPu1nYim0cmPjKlxy-wZ24QUBDULosiLaWYIreTOXCuabc_UF-1BiSqc5peVXG-i-0TB9sZ7xM5bK-x9-R6vAYZi_kW0XUP1h5Oe5M/s320/katy_perry_blog2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346292316389510530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Katy Perry's fashion sense is pretty bold and risky and so is her makeup! This is a girl who loves to have fun with makeup and doesn't take it too seriously. She's cheeky and a bit irreverent. Any girl who wears a hot pink lip gets an A in my book.<br /><br />9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kim Kardashian</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwtoiuwyxPc6S2YSgirMK1Kb6O5N0HKpZRrrW3JMY8rp4xPmgablm9aOPCcigNYmei-3sgZ9K_zPH_B1h-kEcS08Jv8W_h2srzx-OMsOQb3BHXwtVy7rdtGDUZz0UayZFu4kFHtSnw6I/s1600-h/0611-kim-kardashian_bd.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwtoiuwyxPc6S2YSgirMK1Kb6O5N0HKpZRrrW3JMY8rp4xPmgablm9aOPCcigNYmei-3sgZ9K_zPH_B1h-kEcS08Jv8W_h2srzx-OMsOQb3BHXwtVy7rdtGDUZz0UayZFu4kFHtSnw6I/s320/0611-kim-kardashian_bd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346292169277677026" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She may come as a strange choice but I have to admit, I love Kim Kardashian's make up and overall look. She has come off too strong in the past but she's toned it down and looks gorgeous! I love her shiny long waves and doe like eyes. She (or perhaps her makeup artist?) does a great job balancing her eyes and lips for the perfect look.<br /><br />8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pat McGrath</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fcng4zrQs8heX1sRHqgws5K5b0_G39a7f5KmF2FEd__E97_GMP9myNv7bisnHqdHSDnM2cWPeFiy9lthQO7-qPqc97KE3F2Pnmvuf-fluPJZ72AZlz7mK6XHw8TIa7APsbxUd-jRzAo/s1600-h/Pat+McGrath.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fcng4zrQs8heX1sRHqgws5K5b0_G39a7f5KmF2FEd__E97_GMP9myNv7bisnHqdHSDnM2cWPeFiy9lthQO7-qPqc97KE3F2Pnmvuf-fluPJZ72AZlz7mK6XHw8TIa7APsbxUd-jRzAo/s320/Pat+McGrath.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346291953739010450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pat McGrath is my favorite make up artist, hands down. She is someone without any formal training but instead takes an artistic approach to beauty. She often forgos brushes and works strictly with her hands. McGrath has done a huge range of looks and thought I'm disappointed that her associated cosmetics line Max Factor is being discontinued, I look forward to the day when I can buy Pat McGrath make up....and I hope that's very soon!<br /><br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Diane Lane</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2a8Ebexl8_Ck2wtrz2QyxYStAYn09aja0HhNVxx5I4OSEFUsmfT1QGFEg8mf8HJ5AIBIJkyGDH_ptHrH9LKc-kniF-lnY_8hdUe6GMVoGnPBJCy45ESDGopfp43RBd2pWk3SrMO35OU/s1600-h/Beautiful+Pictures+Of+Diane+Lane.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2a8Ebexl8_Ck2wtrz2QyxYStAYn09aja0HhNVxx5I4OSEFUsmfT1QGFEg8mf8HJ5AIBIJkyGDH_ptHrH9LKc-kniF-lnY_8hdUe6GMVoGnPBJCy45ESDGopfp43RBd2pWk3SrMO35OU/s320/Beautiful+Pictures+Of+Diane+Lane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346291824907495266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Could she be any more beautiful? This woman seems to get more gorgeous every year! I love her wholesome, natural look. Her skin is phenomenal! Talk about the fountain of youth.<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Queen Latifah<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxqDdrdihAomwhZLlWsIONxsqy8xut8RGUpH9RP_TcvquuM0V9OZ3bMXUkclvB5jyoQqhcaJL_5d58GcmJA_gC-WLtZceTijlYG0vlRphB2yVIY4s4t6qwAQaRDO8OQeyc-H0gWyH7Gk/s1600-h/Queen-latifah.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxqDdrdihAomwhZLlWsIONxsqy8xut8RGUpH9RP_TcvquuM0V9OZ3bMXUkclvB5jyoQqhcaJL_5d58GcmJA_gC-WLtZceTijlYG0vlRphB2yVIY4s4t6qwAQaRDO8OQeyc-H0gWyH7Gk/s320/Queen-latifah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346291658698465186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I LOVE Queen Latifah and I always have. Did anyone else watch her talk show in the past? Maybe that was just me but you have to admit, she is an amazing model of self-confidence and poise. She just seems like an awesome person who has remained to true to herself and her values in Hollywood.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kate Winslet<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11ACn93BuBt_mjgBA2EBB-s3CRnTTxpko-xL5alH_vDZCglSNeD5I3HwfPX2naNwr4oItWtR_d4FRaF9FXacaRbnER8LtW7IzSG-HCH1W7pb0RZkj7qceURE6NhiIkW6yzploNmSSC2U/s1600-h/kate-winslet-hair-bp3-blogger.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11ACn93BuBt_mjgBA2EBB-s3CRnTTxpko-xL5alH_vDZCglSNeD5I3HwfPX2naNwr4oItWtR_d4FRaF9FXacaRbnER8LtW7IzSG-HCH1W7pb0RZkj7qceURE6NhiIkW6yzploNmSSC2U/s320/kate-winslet-hair-bp3-blogger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346291500029205106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think Kate Winselt is finally getting the credit she deserves. She is an amazing actress- someone with a true talent and not just a "celebrity." The media has been too caught up in her weight in the past, which is ridiculous because she has an amazing figure. I hate to be cliche but this woman glows from within and it really shows!<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Michelle Obama<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdJhdE4hKwKKGA_ZtsoVKo1luMOzC3C_-3LNb4d8moaCNeG8h0eC9mNii0njW1bs6g9KDA2CX5rrrpZZCrzFSB7znRwvP5CopVuxk6ywRhP60gF4IfzHrXT3PW-2-V0jnxF-sNe1-0BI/s1600-h/michelle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdJhdE4hKwKKGA_ZtsoVKo1luMOzC3C_-3LNb4d8moaCNeG8h0eC9mNii0njW1bs6g9KDA2CX5rrrpZZCrzFSB7znRwvP5CopVuxk6ywRhP60gF4IfzHrXT3PW-2-V0jnxF-sNe1-0BI/s320/michelle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346291248773292050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Michelle Obama gets my vote as a beautiful woman because she has brought the role of First Lady up to its 21 century level. She doesn't come across as a prop or sidekick to the President but instead is a real person, a loving wife and mother, with her own interests and values. Her style is chic and effortless, tailored to fit her athletic figure while mindful of the country' economic situation.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cate Blanchett<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURKAC4A8RTpsjrluChDG19zglAiu8JQhsER2a68quBLdRwL6LO3azytgT6eB-_RjMmkHBhn4aRG5SHoE_gnRVqjAggDQ4W5Hw4Lt_BxlVqLwOkpGG39vnJc1bwJE7j_2hFHouToWKXf8/s1600-h/cate_blanchett.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURKAC4A8RTpsjrluChDG19zglAiu8JQhsER2a68quBLdRwL6LO3azytgT6eB-_RjMmkHBhn4aRG5SHoE_gnRVqjAggDQ4W5Hw4Lt_BxlVqLwOkpGG39vnJc1bwJE7j_2hFHouToWKXf8/s320/cate_blanchett.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346290839065880914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love Cate Blanchett because she is beautiful and unique at the same time. She doesn't fit the cookie cutter mold of beauty- she embraces her beautiful fair skin and rejects nips and tucks. I find myself looking up to her the most as a beauty icon out of all the women I listed. And like Winslet, she is a phenomenonal talent!<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Reese Witherspoon</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgMPdiimQDDjmf25vLhJlA3aR4Pc23ptXWxsUhddj2noqFWKB5azdgcairUz2qRfK8pQyiFojsS2rZTWA7KXe3f_oXSH7Uvzbe_SEfVywv7z_nq9d71HUUBhk0k5QkNJyJBEeALtd30/s1600-h/reese_witherspoon_3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XgMPdiimQDDjmf25vLhJlA3aR4Pc23ptXWxsUhddj2noqFWKB5azdgcairUz2qRfK8pQyiFojsS2rZTWA7KXe3f_oXSH7Uvzbe_SEfVywv7z_nq9d71HUUBhk0k5QkNJyJBEeALtd30/s320/reese_witherspoon_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346290628334312498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I might be a bit biased as I'm a Tennessee girl too but who can resist Reese Witherspoon? I love her whole attitude and ethos. She comes across a polite put together woman with a strong sense of self. And her sense of style is spot on! Witherspoon had one of the best break up come backs Hollywood has every seen and I love her for it!<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Freida Pinto</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0aVNNiFUxU39eosfB35YuE0K7xeZS2UZ1cfNJ8YKI51F6Euq8goLB1ElEAkXOL2auiuCKErta_KhV52uZNXud_6Rq67KE_UOf7oqR0XqL0aWTIwyojd4qjdctzpZKJ-VFdOABRXQOL4/s1600-h/freida+pinto+oscars+2009+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP0aVNNiFUxU39eosfB35YuE0K7xeZS2UZ1cfNJ8YKI51F6Euq8goLB1ElEAkXOL2auiuCKErta_KhV52uZNXud_6Rq67KE_UOf7oqR0XqL0aWTIwyojd4qjdctzpZKJ-VFdOABRXQOL4/s400/freida+pinto+oscars+2009+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346290419466521698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pinto is my pick as the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. Or maybe the world! She is absolutely gorgeous and seems completely unaware of her beauty. Just like her recent runaway hit, <span style="font-style: italic;">Slumdog Millionaire</span>, Pinto is a sleeper in this category- someone slightly under the radar destined to become a huge success. I love her combination of neutral smokey eyes and natural lips at the Oscar's.<br /><br />There you have my <span style="font-weight: bold;">Top Ten list for 2009</span>! Let me know what you think. Who would you have chosen? Check back soon and I'll have some <span style="font-weight: bold;">celebrity beauty </span>misses to talk about!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-84462869286568687622009-06-07T20:45:00.005-05:002009-06-07T21:24:18.970-05:00All Natural Product Review: Sensual SoapsI had the pleasure of coming across Nancy Lee's <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Sensual Soaps</span> booth at the Memphis Agricenter this past Saturday. If you live in Memphis or plan to visit the Memphis area soon, definitely check out the Agricenter's Farmer's Market (located on 7777 Walnut Grove Rd.) on Saturdays in the summer for delicious local produce and beautiful home made products!<br /><br />Nancy Lee's soaps are made entirely from <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">natural ingredients</span>- goats milk, olive oil, coconut oil, and other natural oils. For those of us concerned with going green and living simply, this fact is a huge plus! The soaps come in a <span style="font-weight: bold;">wide variety of scents</span> including: Lavender, Citrus, Tropical, Sweet Pea, Natural Goat Milk, Gardenia, Oatmeal, Rose, Rosemary-Peppermint, Blue Raspberry, Coconut-free Oatmeal, and Lilac! There is definitely a scent that will please everyone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQc1ytCwIJ3aiMPcuKu_aiVAml7PUr5TWIJGG4xp_ukde2uuKT9Ca5bUAIKOjpRiahCpNfX_JvjoVEUwUfH8wn-7wSsZar0YcUj29AC-CSQOgBeVFHLY0vFNguyCt1DKmIbQ8YV4-6Ic/s1600-h/sensual+soap.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQc1ytCwIJ3aiMPcuKu_aiVAml7PUr5TWIJGG4xp_ukde2uuKT9Ca5bUAIKOjpRiahCpNfX_JvjoVEUwUfH8wn-7wSsZar0YcUj29AC-CSQOgBeVFHLY0vFNguyCt1DKmIbQ8YV4-6Ic/s400/sensual+soap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344776620840790002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I opted to try the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Lavender</span> soap. I was very impressed by the light but distinct scent of this soap! It is not heavily perfumed like many products on the market nowadays- instead the lavender scent is<span style="font-weight: bold;"> fresh and natural</span> (meaning you can layer this soap with your other scents and lotions with no worry!). I have sensitive skin and I prefer naturally scented products since they are less likely to irritate my skin. I also like that the soap is soft to the touch and doesn't strip away at your skin like many soaps. The soap <span style="font-weight: bold;">lathers up nicely</span> and left my skin smelling clean and feeling soft. I've experienced no break outs or reactions.<br /><br />My mom chose the Gardenia soap (pictured above), which also smells heavenly. Nancy Lee sells <span style="font-style: italic;">Sherpa Pink Himalayan</span> bath salts as well. The soaps are <span style="font-style: italic;">$4</span> for <span style="font-style: italic;">3.75-4.5</span> ounce bar.<br /><br />I recommend these soaps to anyone looking for a naturally scented soap at a nice price! I will definitely repurchase from <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Sensual Soaps</span>.<br /><br />Please check out <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nancy Lee's </span>products yourself at: <a href="http://nancylee77.etsy.com/">http://nancylee77.etsy.com</a><br />Or <span>Email</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Sensual Soaps</span></span> at nml501@yahoo.com<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overal Rating</span>: 5 out of 5 stars.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros:</span> Variety of Scents, Soft Soap, Natural, Home-made, and Lathering<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons:</span> None<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price:</span> $4 per bar<br />Enjoy!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-43448322118131963062009-06-03T16:12:00.002-05:002009-06-03T16:22:09.668-05:00Top Ten Lip Products: Swatches<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here are rough swatches of the products I've mentioned. I used the short names only to save space. They are in order of appearance on this list. Please note that color can depend on skin tone, flash, and monitor settings so these colors may look somewhat different in person!<br />Products 6-10:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UlduU9LBldP7k4Icj_BgPNqnxTkNDONIVRY8yCkU3LWDdnejpyv1SxSUgMGvWAqHFCJpc0UdN229k49Kz5yQz4SpOb8Aj91AkaF_dSmNIgINHMSP613_odHeSe129dqPHAuFxcoRtvo/s1600-h/swatch2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UlduU9LBldP7k4Icj_BgPNqnxTkNDONIVRY8yCkU3LWDdnejpyv1SxSUgMGvWAqHFCJpc0UdN229k49Kz5yQz4SpOb8Aj91AkaF_dSmNIgINHMSP613_odHeSe129dqPHAuFxcoRtvo/s320/swatch2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343213966663802802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Products 1-5:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafLKYXY9cTUmiIGkjAH7ruLkljbSsVDo2Yz15-iEukDH6OGiQOtkOe-oOTLK7ceNZqeb_hWxV3BMyzIMM-FMcUH6Jyf55RwUNyxhN-_EKu3Vj0NyzAB0Sgm7gbqakaRIBtm8ULer8ffs/s1600-h/swatch1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafLKYXY9cTUmiIGkjAH7ruLkljbSsVDo2Yz15-iEukDH6OGiQOtkOe-oOTLK7ceNZqeb_hWxV3BMyzIMM-FMcUH6Jyf55RwUNyxhN-_EKu3Vj0NyzAB0Sgm7gbqakaRIBtm8ULer8ffs/s320/swatch1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343213638340104242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Let me know if you want to see any other swatches of products I've mentioned in the past or just in general. Thanks for reading!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-11257162946224673632009-06-03T13:49:00.019-05:002009-06-03T16:21:56.580-05:00Top Ten Lip Products<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Top Ten Lip Products:</span></div><br />So, this list has been circulating around blogs for quite a while and I thought I'd join in. "Lip products" includes lip sticks, balms, glosses, stains, and treatments--the whole nine yards. I've chosen by top ten based on both their formula/wear and the actual color.<br /><br />*Please note- these photos were taken by me. While in no means professional, they belong to myself and this site. So, if you choose to share them in any way, please link back to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/butprettyisasprettydoes.blogspot.com">butprettyisasprettydoes.blogspot.com</a> and do not remove the text. Thanks!*<br /><br />10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Formula</span>- approx. $1.39<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB-So7qcgz5dU2o5OU3zFLSCE2C_lXXmOXpo8lkfgkePD3qY1drrvHw4iz8KtvNqswQktgbQYSco5AFl4-Iwx4IGs_O8pR9M2vNFbbcVc7775K97XgobNmDTzNfIryX0OSRazvhQhCko/s1600-h/vaseline.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB-So7qcgz5dU2o5OU3zFLSCE2C_lXXmOXpo8lkfgkePD3qY1drrvHw4iz8KtvNqswQktgbQYSco5AFl4-Iwx4IGs_O8pR9M2vNFbbcVc7775K97XgobNmDTzNfIryX0OSRazvhQhCko/s320/vaseline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343209108202024690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is my absolute favorite lip <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">treatment</span> and I've tried everything from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chapstick</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kiehl's</span> #1. This balm stands out because it's <span style="font-weight: bold;">soothing </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">moisturizing</span> without being too thick and can be found at any drugstore. I also like that the product has an almost blue-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span> clear tint which makes my lips look natural but better.<br /><br />9. <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">L'Oreal</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">HiP</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Jelly Balm in Delectable</span>- approx. $9.00<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdB4o7J0A6blDahMDw2YwNaNiHxziCoSbd3_ujUKYeU0UGKLogRHZJcvZshaIVYshBFHmlIqI1o8EH6Q5ny9owE7q8wm0kuGCEvUzbsbIvPkHPL159eoL9PQPw5sdCUWf5QWMQvfnzoM/s1600-h/delectablea.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdB4o7J0A6blDahMDw2YwNaNiHxziCoSbd3_ujUKYeU0UGKLogRHZJcvZshaIVYshBFHmlIqI1o8EH6Q5ny9owE7q8wm0kuGCEvUzbsbIvPkHPL159eoL9PQPw5sdCUWf5QWMQvfnzoM/s320/delectablea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343208938882785698" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><br />HiP</span> Jelly Balms are a dupe for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MAC's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tendertones</span> but actually like their texture better. They are definitely "jellies" in the sense that their texture is sticky and smooth. I love the <span style="font-weight: bold;">berry red</span> color and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">cotton candy smell</span>!<br /><br />8. <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lancome</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Energizing Melon</span>- approx. $18.00<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hbz_IqieVID_zmnZ0VLH4mQfVX7lw31vSiDypNapfaIuYASs9MBSByavP-nsUC8yJzRt-c4J3G-8RpvjQwIYaXnerYwPhHNJ9GY4doMNJjRSdEiwA4tONQYF8aVWeyp8Xyrlw_mOJ8w/s1600-h/melona.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Hbz_IqieVID_zmnZ0VLH4mQfVX7lw31vSiDypNapfaIuYASs9MBSByavP-nsUC8yJzRt-c4J3G-8RpvjQwIYaXnerYwPhHNJ9GY4doMNJjRSdEiwA4tONQYF8aVWeyp8Xyrlw_mOJ8w/s320/melona.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343208650018889714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Juicy Tubes are some of my favorite lip glosses. They are <span style="font-weight: bold;">quite sticky</span> which can be troublesome if you have long hair but they also last longer than most glosses because of said stickiness. I can put up with the stick factor because I adore the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Energizing Melon"</span> shade. It's a bright coral shade with pink undertones and golden shimmer. The color is not as scary as it appears in the tube but it is bright and<span style="font-weight: bold;"> perfect for summer</span>! Because of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">fuchsia</span> and coral blend, I think this lip gloss would flatter <span style="font-style: italic;">both</span> warm and cool skin tones. Wonderful staying power!<br /><br />(*I'm sorry the picture quality isn't better on this one. The flash took on a green-ish cast for some reason*)<br /><br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC Hello Kitty Lip Stick in Fashion Mews</span> (Glaze)- approx. $23.99 (LE so it's typically found on ebay now)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOTcw87rlbL0BiWqQ3FYKh4fGhQWfaWlrP8UcU_3OsLoZN4VsRQtPuUKINc2nIkrhrFxNEaIYZrL09H0PIrEDrGyhtOUO1bpxtts1wvo0A3l3N70Lh1nf_lrIHtqfyGvjrGY3ViMcU0w/s1600-h/fashionmewsa.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOTcw87rlbL0BiWqQ3FYKh4fGhQWfaWlrP8UcU_3OsLoZN4VsRQtPuUKINc2nIkrhrFxNEaIYZrL09H0PIrEDrGyhtOUO1bpxtts1wvo0A3l3N70Lh1nf_lrIHtqfyGvjrGY3ViMcU0w/s320/fashionmewsa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343208282199911954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This <span style="font-weight: bold;">limited edition</span> lipstick is not for the color shy. Fashion mews is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">pinky</span> pale lavender hue that is very cool toned. I love Fashion Mews when I want to put the focus on my lips and I find the shade quite flattering. It's such a <span style="font-weight: bold;">unique</span> shade and the most wearable lavender lipstick I've found.<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Dazzleglass</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> in Love Alert</span>- approx. $16.50<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a_jXuOaNAO1ekA4ssgCpUAVXPzsWFVJFgVp1CqyoAGDDXcP6Nc3Q8vvWh6d3R90rCF-Y-YqG9ocDOly23iPDPduauQPN746rlcTMhoVB6P5RSNhXsPN5Or_8mX_o_poZJsFn32i9GXA/s1600-h/lovealerta.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7a_jXuOaNAO1ekA4ssgCpUAVXPzsWFVJFgVp1CqyoAGDDXcP6Nc3Q8vvWh6d3R90rCF-Y-YqG9ocDOly23iPDPduauQPN746rlcTMhoVB6P5RSNhXsPN5Or_8mX_o_poZJsFn32i9GXA/s320/lovealerta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343207467859035970" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I guess I'm a bit of a MAC addict when it comes to lip products. Dazzle glasses are amazing and rival my love for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Lancome</span> Juicy Tubes. The formula is less sticky and even more <span style="font-weight: bold;">shimmery</span>. Love Alert is my favorite because it's an easy way to wear <span style="font-weight: bold;">red lips</span> during the day time that isn't too over the top.<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Estee</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Lauder Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tiramisu</span> -approx. $22.00</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM3dPsDV6bPbabRLEBenVCJGfG5617WEZrb98a9Cl84U870pNYiOu5bcYfKjWjHT-GR1Y-ZTaZn1kv0VB74-bRdVkcYwtcgDPPYYA3HAxOvkCvV_26csNI3Zh2FBE7YYbudWQJNcE1ZQ/s1600-h/tiramisua.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyM3dPsDV6bPbabRLEBenVCJGfG5617WEZrb98a9Cl84U870pNYiOu5bcYfKjWjHT-GR1Y-ZTaZn1kv0VB74-bRdVkcYwtcgDPPYYA3HAxOvkCvV_26csNI3Zh2FBE7YYbudWQJNcE1ZQ/s320/tiramisua.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343206928859065266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I think EL gets a bad rap as an "old lady" brand. They actually have great foundation, blushes, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">bronzers</span>, and lip colors! Great color pay off and staying powder. (I'm just not crazy about their eye shadows). <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Tiramisu</span> is no exception. I recently discovered this lip stick and it is beautiful! I know I'm a beauty addict but this color leaves me gushing. It's a <span style="font-weight: bold;">sheer peachy nude</span> with bronze flecks. It applies with a glossy finish and it is a great color for day time. Even though, it's a <span style="font-weight: bold;">warm color </span>I find it quite flattering and feel like this shade would flatter everyone. (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Tiramisu</span> has received amazing reviews on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">MUA</span>).<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Estee</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Maraschino</span>- approx. $22.50<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCZ0kUsz28k0TZ-v9yIyBTUuT69Ez6HBHCc-r2XDE5pp19EYr_TIC8mip-yycWzbzkQTn3K7usldWjby4CjhO8dJpOKIfVGxldkhXXOBDQ_96py8ghI6j3DiqDny96jRFvXo-EbUZ06g/s1600-h/maraschinoa.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCZ0kUsz28k0TZ-v9yIyBTUuT69Ez6HBHCc-r2XDE5pp19EYr_TIC8mip-yycWzbzkQTn3K7usldWjby4CjhO8dJpOKIfVGxldkhXXOBDQ_96py8ghI6j3DiqDny96jRFvXo-EbUZ06g/s320/maraschinoa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343206380409096642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another EL? See, I told you they have good colors! This is my favorite red lip stick right now. It's a <span style="font-weight: bold;">cherry red </span>shade. Great red for fair skins as it brings out your natural color without being too over bearing. Perfect <span style="font-weight: bold;">long lasting </span>formula.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Rimmel</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy</span>- approx $4.99<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuUEUy1BtswByoGKMrHFc9cOCrS5jJPb95NK3DTZZ7kut7WNQVgWE776vEEN4vnU4UERuy3uy1Iad5KmQ7kLFa0llarT71hV7GANHldjSN2BdCFJ_0NVadFFtE7r4QI6Q_Hyj3slp4UI/s1600-h/airya.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuUEUy1BtswByoGKMrHFc9cOCrS5jJPb95NK3DTZZ7kut7WNQVgWE776vEEN4vnU4UERuy3uy1Iad5KmQ7kLFa0llarT71hV7GANHldjSN2BdCFJ_0NVadFFtE7r4QI6Q_Hyj3slp4UI/s320/airya.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343205499183402834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My <span style="font-weight: bold;">perfect nude</span> lipstick! I love this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">pinky</span>-nude for day time or night. It's a good price and wears just as well as higher end lip sticks.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Too Faced Lip of Luxury in Marcia, Marcia, Marcia</span>- approx $18.00<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06hTNaJzxsbMkr5ZsgF75HHuuGZqwTP3-M6-DYRerGAJ5L1CHSyFq0sPFFAaklTYNADUSUGWlWr-27W5pTwYsbTco7soCP_tW1W0esjN92YYHwcjeYJNwrd9D7E8ivTr2olkkQUAoY60/s1600-h/marciaa.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06hTNaJzxsbMkr5ZsgF75HHuuGZqwTP3-M6-DYRerGAJ5L1CHSyFq0sPFFAaklTYNADUSUGWlWr-27W5pTwYsbTco7soCP_tW1W0esjN92YYHwcjeYJNwrd9D7E8ivTr2olkkQUAoY60/s320/marciaa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343204621939430050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Where to begin? The packaging is adorable in a metallic pink case and crystal "gem" on top. It smells like <span style="font-weight: bold;">champagne</span>! The color is one of my favorites and perfect for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">blondes</span> with its<span style="font-weight: bold;"> frosty pink</span> finish and <span style="font-weight: bold;">bronze shimmer </span>(seeing a trend in my favorite colors?). I generally dislike frosts but this one is lovely. I receive the most compliments when I wear this lipstick and that's good enough for me!<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC Lipstick in Snob (Satin)</span>- approx $14.00<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4cDG0UwvJQGkqeacy6wbwRZZZT4KQB5j2R7ZPMzoTt8ufvjVeDOMtimUwDn2CWaZJAItD75y4TY7dLACboeDGk19v8V2tqjKKi-J5DpBm8vZaETzJSQa_bKq07XsZtkonnnIZxnkkv0/s1600-h/snoba.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4cDG0UwvJQGkqeacy6wbwRZZZT4KQB5j2R7ZPMzoTt8ufvjVeDOMtimUwDn2CWaZJAItD75y4TY7dLACboeDGk19v8V2tqjKKi-J5DpBm8vZaETzJSQa_bKq07XsZtkonnnIZxnkkv0/s320/snoba.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343204160076456242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Snob just recently beat out Marcia, Marcia, Marcia as my favorite lip product. A <span style="font-weight: bold;">baby pink</span> with<span style="font-weight: bold;"> lavender </span>undertones, this lipstick just stands out with its color and application. The lip stick applies evenly and can build up to more color. Great way to brighten up your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">complexion</span>!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Honorable Mentions:</span><br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Lypsyl</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Beeswax Lip Moisturizer</span>- Cute bee inspired packaging, readily <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">available</span>, and softening!<br />Approx. $2.99<br /><br />* <span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">NYX</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Goddess of the Night Lip Gloss in Perfect</span>- Inexpensive, great shine, and perfect nude lip gloss! Approx. $3.50<br /><br />Do any of your favorite (or least favorite) lip products match up with mine? Any suggestions? Feel free to ask me to review any item you're curious about!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-20016665288395870672009-05-30T16:24:00.004-05:002009-05-30T17:25:48.232-05:00Review: Organix Hydrating Teatree Mint ShampooTea tree oil based shampoos are excellent for <span style="font-weight: bold;">balancing the scalp</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">removing any build up</span> from other shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. My sister loves tea tree oil based shampoos since her scalp is very tender and her hair is quite dry. I decided to test out a new shampoo she purchased, the <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Hydrating Teatree Mint Shampoo by Organix</span>.<br /><br />You'd have to be living under a rock to miss the popularity of green and organic based products on the market. This trend is even moving on to hair care, with many popular lines offering sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Organix claims that their Treatree Mint Shampoo is <span style="font-weight: bold;">"sulfate free"</span> and derived from <span style="font-weight: bold;">"organic Australian tea tree oils."</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmQnT_q3fOaE7acpK-3Is_l31WI7iq_QsvLaQ2_rTcaigJ0GKD4vzOW5pZybe_wCEj2A6kg3gbCItLI9nRzLV2I0eequ3jeSr5UpQNE1jCUVoPBuBG2mICw2QxXm2mCFFmMsj8lIEiQc/s1600-h/mintshampoo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmQnT_q3fOaE7acpK-3Is_l31WI7iq_QsvLaQ2_rTcaigJ0GKD4vzOW5pZybe_wCEj2A6kg3gbCItLI9nRzLV2I0eequ3jeSr5UpQNE1jCUVoPBuBG2mICw2QxXm2mCFFmMsj8lIEiQc/s320/mintshampoo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341745476991441026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />Why should you care about sulfates?</span><br /><br />Sulfates are the active ingredient in creating the lather of bubbles when you shampoo. They give a squeaky clean feeling but unfortunately, they can <span>also</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> strip your hair of oils</span>, making it quite dry, and <span style="font-style: italic;">causing the color to fade faster</span>. Even if you aren't concerned with color protection or going "green," I would add least make sure to use a smaller amount of shampoo in the shower to cut back on dryness.<br /><br />Back to Organix. I have naturally light blonde wavy hair, with a oily roots and dry ends. My hair is fine but has some volume and quite prone to slipt ends. I do not color my hair. I usually alternate between a volumizing shampoo and daily/clarifying shampoo and follow up with an anti-breakage conditioner.<br /><br />The Teatree Mint shampoo has a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">fresh, minty scent </span>and comes in a mint green flip cap bottle of 13 fl oz. I absolutely love the scent and found it lingered long after my initial shampooing. This shampoo <span style="font-style: italic;">tingles your scalp</span> a bit and doesn't lather much (lack of sulfate, this is a good thing). My hair felt quite clean after use and I could definitely tell that product build up had been removed. However, I was disappointed to find how "sticky" this shampoo is. By that I mean it took extra rinsing to remove any residue from my hair. I recommend following up with a deep conditioner (unless your hair is very oily) because the shampoo can by drying.<br /><br />After drying, I found that my hair looked <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">cleaner, brighter, and bouncier</span>. Since my hair is fine, anything that creates volume ("bounce") gets an extra star in my book. <span style="font-weight: bold;">However, the label "hydrating" is misleading</span>. I did not get any extra moisture with this product--hence my use of a heavy conditioner to follow up!<br /><br />I'll keep using <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Organix Teatree Mint Shampoo </span>once or twice a week to remove build up. It definitely keeps my hair from being weighted down and just smells amazing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price: </span>approx. $6.99<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating: </span>3.5 out of 5 stars<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pros:</span> Amazing minty scent, sulfate free, good price, volumizing, and removes build up<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cons:</span> Drying, doesn't leave up to "hydrating" claimMChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-2213973037115749602009-05-27T22:24:00.010-05:002009-05-29T18:01:37.385-05:00OPI Banana Bandana Review & PicturesSo, I told you yellow is a big color for this summer, especially in regards in to nail polish...well, check out what I bought yesterday: <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-weight: bold;">OPI's Banana Bandana</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>from their <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255); font-weight: bold;">2009 SUNBelievable Collection</span>.<br /><br />I did a few quick swatches to show you the color. I think it looks a bit more washed out in these pictures than in real life. It's not a color for everyone but I <span style="font-weight: bold;">LOVE</span> it! Banana Bandana is a lot more subtle in hue than many other yellow polishes.<br /><br />I'm not a hand model so please excuse any silliness :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EI8P_kQdRL7aegnyt_kXQPyFZ1gxpx1eRPiHtAoXZp_DKstIeeWzKdDYh5y9S2rudusxsROS_GmLDwYVHun5pyf_gAB-QEyIZUyKjZNSoePryRNT9JDlHMbX97h6Tw2pyO66vT05SZY/s1600-h/wnecklace2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EI8P_kQdRL7aegnyt_kXQPyFZ1gxpx1eRPiHtAoXZp_DKstIeeWzKdDYh5y9S2rudusxsROS_GmLDwYVHun5pyf_gAB-QEyIZUyKjZNSoePryRNT9JDlHMbX97h6Tw2pyO66vT05SZY/s320/wnecklace2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340716402589283138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6101qvCgT0DDCDXXmtmXr9lRYVZ_fIoDA9jUMc82fsqpsmUIGEyGvfMxBu_UUNDEbO7V2PhsJ2gfAEc901UdWVPO9j40ZB71sc4oZn53aIHXFis9uyGh407VZ9MB-u4ogTGMfb7xdEc/s1600-h/banana.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6101qvCgT0DDCDXXmtmXr9lRYVZ_fIoDA9jUMc82fsqpsmUIGEyGvfMxBu_UUNDEbO7V2PhsJ2gfAEc901UdWVPO9j40ZB71sc4oZn53aIHXFis9uyGh407VZ9MB-u4ogTGMfb7xdEc/s320/banana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340716208941727122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54eS6SBWr0WA6KQEbn8mxxrgKxe-W0hn2wGYg_Tf9Bjsy_6ec6q9wldrQsbmgDK9iamxusuAIhH7-jJopFNrC8cYaGfG2GrJhroIyq68EYFBQ4O0D5SzsXFd1tb881ZiRY_t_FZswi74/s1600-h/yellowwbottle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54eS6SBWr0WA6KQEbn8mxxrgKxe-W0hn2wGYg_Tf9Bjsy_6ec6q9wldrQsbmgDK9iamxusuAIhH7-jJopFNrC8cYaGfG2GrJhroIyq68EYFBQ4O0D5SzsXFd1tb881ZiRY_t_FZswi74/s320/yellowwbottle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340716677584467602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I wrote a review of Banana Bandana on <a href="http://makeupalley.com/">Makeupalley.com</a>, which is duplicated below.<br /><br /><span name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"><p class="reviewText">OPI's <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Banana Bandana</span> is part of their 2009 <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">S</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">UNbelievable Collection</span>. The collection features four shades, a foil sea blue (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sea? I Told You</span>), a hot coral shade (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm His Coral-friend</span>), a flashy fuchsia with shimmer (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If the Fuchsia Fits</span>) and of course, our <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Banana Bandana.</span></p><p class="reviewText"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />Banana Bandana is a <span style="font-style: italic;">pale lemon yellow</span> hue with the faintest shimmer. It dries with a shiny finish.</p><p class="reviewText">The color applies like a lot of yellow polishes: streaky, thin, and goopy. It took me either three thin coats (seems to work best this way) or two thick coats to achieve opacity. I will say it applied better than other yellow polishes I've tried but it's no walk in the park.<br /></p><p class="reviewText">This is one yellow I can agree with. Most other yellow I've tried have been too garish for my pale, cool toned skin. I love the softer hue of this color. I just wish I could get an even finish. So far chipping and tip wear has been minimal.<br /></p><p class="reviewText">I'd repurchase because this is only yellow that really flatters me and its application is better than others. I do wish yellows were easier to apply--I guess it's the nature of the pigment. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Give Banana Bandana a go, just have patience.</span></p><p class="reviewText">Price: approx $8.50. Overall rating: 3.5 stars out of 5.<br /></p></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-weight: bold;">Love it? Hate it? Let me know what you think!</span>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-90055738536191048272009-05-26T16:26:00.009-05:002009-05-26T17:16:52.960-05:00A Wax On Candles (I'm So Cheesy)<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lately, I've been on a candle kick. I don't know what prompted this obsession but I have a feeling it has to do with the fact I'm free to burn away at home--unlike at school. My mom loves candles too--they're just a great way to treat yourself and others! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> a bit picky about my scents though. I don't care for Yankee candles, which are readily available where I live, and I think Bath and Body Works candles are overpriced for the product. My favorite candle makers would have to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">Trapp</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler</span> Candles. However, I'm really just getting into them so if anyone knows some good brands let me know!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today I bought a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler Candle Votive</span> in <span style="font-style: italic;">"Hippie Chick"</span> at a local beauty store. They didn't have any larger sizes in this scent and I like it so mu</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ch I'll probably order a full size online when it runs out. Votives are a great to "test drive" a certain scent and see how much you like over tim</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">e without wasting a lot of money. I paid $1.90 for my Hippie Chick votive! Trapp votives run around $3.50. This little candles are a great way to add scent, warmth, and light at a party. Or grab a few different scents for a perfect gift!</span> </span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Back to Tyler's "Hippie Chick"--Tyler's website describes the scent as a <span style="font-style: italic;">"</span></span><span id="textcontainer1" align="left" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">hint of vanilla bean melds with rich exotic patchouli</span></span><span id="textcontainer1" align="left" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">."</span> Honestly, that does not sound like a scent I'd like! I'm a big citrus-y person and I love floral scents. But seriously, this candle smells <span style="font-weight: bold;">DIVINE</span>! The mix of the scents is lush, green, and exotic without being over bearing.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kvQNiCsbtjuFxXc475Q0pc5qctCfWEC-vIWnvZcWzFi0gFQLWPPRP_l5CT2hZQaCvNPTLnDTjNdDSZFvKm-_MWr9PRGlD8MsfYYG9t7ROWcAQvwfm8ymG8ff_hP7L0IWreGvnam0Wy4/s1600-h/tylercandle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kvQNiCsbtjuFxXc475Q0pc5qctCfWEC-vIWnvZcWzFi0gFQLWPPRP_l5CT2hZQaCvNPTLnDTjNdDSZFvKm-_MWr9PRGlD8MsfYYG9t7ROWcAQvwfm8ymG8ff_hP7L0IWreGvnam0Wy4/s320/tylercandle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340258776731947458" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span id="textcontainer1" align="left" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >I also recommend <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tyler's High Maintenance</span> (a very popular scent) whic</span><span id="textcontainer1" align="left" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >h is described as </span><span id="textcontainer1" align="left" style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >a "floral, woody blend combined with patchouli & vanilla with a heavy musk undertone!" And <span style="font-weight: bold;">Limelight</span> for citrus lovers like me-- an</span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" > "invitingly clean, fresh fusion of pure mandarin oranges with a shocking touch of lime as a top note, a slight undertone of rich vanilla bean oil gives this a unique twist."<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >You can find Tyler candles at many beauty stores and boutiques or online at <a href="http://www.tylercandlestore.com/">Tyler Candle Store</a>. Sizes range from votive to a 70 oz. jar! A 3.4 oz jar is currently $6.25 on their main website and set of 4 votives is only $8! I found slightly less expensive prices for Tyler candles at <a href="http://www.englishrose.com/tycaco.html">The English Rose Gifts and Decor Website </a>and <a href="http://www.millstreetmarketplace.com/tyler-candle-co-glamtastic-jar-candle.html">All In Good Taste's website</a> as well.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >If you're looking for a wide variety of scents, check out <a href="http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com/cbv/main.html">Candles By Victoria</a>. Her hand poured candles have been reviewed excellently by several bloggers. Her line is incredibly cute and clever! I love the idea of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Surprise Candle" </span>which is filled with a layer of different scents for $7.00 plus shipping and handling. Candles By Victoria currently has <span style="font-weight: bold;">over 527 scents</span>--definetly something for everyone. You can even special request a scent! Her most popular size, Country Jar Candles, run $8.25 plus S&H for 9 oz and $12.25 plus S&H for 16 oz.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmRr-qrOuhDY-O6Nac2q-U7_Qqk7XSjC1tsJcuCn5vobucmdHySXcNn8mQko0C9ue8k2aPhj88Yz0yXSPdOVkQPuG9IfQNJDKyY6mX40vu-kJ08_1iQkrSBj71QyPfRMuqoG2R418eJs/s1600-h/surprisecandles.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmRr-qrOuhDY-O6Nac2q-U7_Qqk7XSjC1tsJcuCn5vobucmdHySXcNn8mQko0C9ue8k2aPhj88Yz0yXSPdOVkQPuG9IfQNJDKyY6mX40vu-kJ08_1iQkrSBj71QyPfRMuqoG2R418eJs/s320/surprisecandles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340258517768743634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Finally, my mom and I both agree on<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Trapp</span> candles, even though I love floral scents and she is a green, spicey fan. Trapp Candles' tag line is <span style="font-weight: bold;">"A Bottle of Perfume in Every Candle"</span> and they were not joking. These candles are scented heavily without being overwhelming. The scents are rich with a lot of depth. I love <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pink Grapefruit</span> (and it smells exactly like a pink grapefruit), Jasmine Gardenia (ditto, smells exactly what it sounds like), and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bob's Flower Shoppe</span> (it's that just a cute name? it smells like the mixture of greens and floral scents you'd encounter in a garden nursery). Trapp Candles does not sell their products online from their main site but you can view their products and scent descriptions <a href="http://www.trappcandles.com/index.html">here. </a>Check out <a href="http://www.thebestcandle.com/index.php?type=trapp">Thebestcandle.com</a> for a range of Trapp products. A votive runs at $3.25, a small 2.1 oz candle at $6.50, a medium 5.oz at $16, and a large 7 oz. comes in at $21 (plus S&H, of course).</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOLJNXMvhSEHNuzq-JWWQ-yz8DttEyPKU39DYHIF-jsLKgVJ5Tg0Y7PATP23FJes3l5gKc_9fLNbyEXL7b0_kDEjpE4fCXSh22DmB9T_zGeMBPKHD4GmA4WvF7NCXU_G-Gg078d7htQs/s1600-h/trapp_votives_wide_home.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOLJNXMvhSEHNuzq-JWWQ-yz8DttEyPKU39DYHIF-jsLKgVJ5Tg0Y7PATP23FJes3l5gKc_9fLNbyEXL7b0_kDEjpE4fCXSh22DmB9T_zGeMBPKHD4GmA4WvF7NCXU_G-Gg078d7htQs/s320/trapp_votives_wide_home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340258361296311618" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Let me know your thoughts on these candles--your favorite and least favorite scents. Do you have another brand to recommend? Share in comments down below.<br /></span>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-38215321373420075422009-05-23T23:06:00.014-05:002009-05-26T17:16:16.466-05:00Mellow Yellow<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">Yellow</span> is a big color for the summer so I thought I'd highlight some recent yellow makeup items. Yellow is a color that adds brightness and fun to any out fit or style but it can be difficult to find the most flattering shade.<br /><br />For me, I'm fair skinned and mostly cool toned so a<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">lemon yellow</span> is the most flattering. Olive and warmer skin tones may find a more<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">golden toned yellow</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>to be the best choice. And those with deep, dark skin tones can pull of a bright, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">traffic light yellow</span> with no problem. The fairest of fair or the color shy will favor an <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">icy light pastel yellow</span> hue.<br /><br />Yellow nail polish is popping up everywhere, from high to low end lines. Check out these options to get on the trend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3Ywfzy3uVVMnGRslAVPZVBpBCHajmyu5XjZtzGbnQW4DzSw-nlvK8pFMG_hRwHGq1lmzINtcr2zTugkZK_plynTnD8904-JK8XaD2nzbGsJmAFhbaqcoH9ndj6GUw2uDzoc5v2ho36k/s1600-h/lightening.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3Ywfzy3uVVMnGRslAVPZVBpBCHajmyu5XjZtzGbnQW4DzSw-nlvK8pFMG_hRwHGq1lmzINtcr2zTugkZK_plynTnD8904-JK8XaD2nzbGsJmAFhbaqcoH9ndj6GUw2uDzoc5v2ho36k/s320/lightening.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339257093993508354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You've probably seen Sally Hansen's newest Insta-Dri nail polish at various drugstores. The shade <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">"Lightening" </span>(yes, that's how they spell it) is a super bright yellow creme. I definetly reccommend this color is you want to test drive the shade at a lower price or if you're looking for stop-and-stare color pay off. Retails for about $5.29.<br /><br /><br />OPI's <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 204, 102);">Need Sunglasses?</span> is a bright, mustardy yellow shade. This hue is definetly one that will favor warm toned girls. Try applying the color over a white nail polish base to intensify color-pay off. Most OPI nail polishes retail for around $8.50.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxFeoYZK3F2gODhyphenhyphenKicjiaw9H_1f3jHWGHV3sdIjw7gh12paVjfjBHpl5DiSi_DUMzOpvf3DASFc5tvLZ7IACwk-eMYpvFeb8KSGQ85KAhFNqAGwYv8mYSpYj-NAM-nCOSHJ2KaElJ6Y/s1600-h/needsunglasses.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxFeoYZK3F2gODhyphenhyphenKicjiaw9H_1f3jHWGHV3sdIjw7gh12paVjfjBHpl5DiSi_DUMzOpvf3DASFc5tvLZ7IACwk-eMYpvFeb8KSGQ85KAhFNqAGwYv8mYSpYj-NAM-nCOSHJ2KaElJ6Y/s320/needsunglasses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339256881827537090" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a color for light skinned lovelies and those shy of the yellow polish trend. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Nubar's Lemon Sorbet</span> is aptly named for its icy pale lemon shade. This color is subtle and very wearable. Retails for around $7.50.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqIc8K2EialR0pTeYlWdpC1CQkyKF00L2LjqiybaDruEVi8H-Nho33oDCA9WpFkN4o9A55v-EU3c9Ln3IVOO_i7nM7h1yRWqADd1dQ60cRXUz434PH7Z3Dx3eZuiUvCW8BSNxrRhEy_0/s1600-h/sorbet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqIc8K2EialR0pTeYlWdpC1CQkyKF00L2LjqiybaDruEVi8H-Nho33oDCA9WpFkN4o9A55v-EU3c9Ln3IVOO_i7nM7h1yRWqADd1dQ60cRXUz434PH7Z3Dx3eZuiUvCW8BSNxrRhEy_0/s320/sorbet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339256722563787762" border="0" /></a><br />Now here's a polish I can't wait to get my hands on. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Butter London</span> is an incredibly popular nail line at the moment with its salons finding great success in the 3-Free Market. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">Cheeky Chops</span> is a fun, banana creme perfect for cool tones. It's worth a splurge and retails for $14.00.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXscR5VDcJN3bZeTujtqCvTJZb73pSF004EyJT6ilhe4qDmMYlVxG4tav-R24PUeact8RuLbF4CSK1diX_Mt4OS9GMb3eWQUmFSiigI5LacdMiYmbEsuh8StqUs_WKGVvJl4ayF6joDGQ/s1600-h/cheeky.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXscR5VDcJN3bZeTujtqCvTJZb73pSF004EyJT6ilhe4qDmMYlVxG4tav-R24PUeact8RuLbF4CSK1diX_Mt4OS9GMb3eWQUmFSiigI5LacdMiYmbEsuh8StqUs_WKGVvJl4ayF6joDGQ/s320/cheeky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339256553693601970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yellow polish can be hard to work with and quite often streaky. Your best bet is use a strong base coat with a ridge filler, such as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seche Vite Ridgefilling</span>, and apply the polish with patience. Most likely, you'll need at least two coats. A speedy top coat is a most and I favor <span style="font-weight: bold;">Out The Door</span>.<br /><br />The yellow craze doesn't stop with nail polish. MAC just launched it's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Style Warriors</span> collection featuring the eyeshadow shade, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 255);">Bright Future</span>. The eyeshadow seems to be a standout from the collection and retails for $14.50.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMeikxPTFPR45j5Ujvms7Ud1XSx7gp-Igx4w44HIygQflF3LkPQ2D_56wjIiJhIBWh_MDjF7YcX6wKCEIpTqgJR0JIWURQkbgFSCZVsp9JnIF1ad9Qw5icQgjjKCXDq6YEAgW7BGmVH8/s1600-h/brightfuture.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMeikxPTFPR45j5Ujvms7Ud1XSx7gp-Igx4w44HIygQflF3LkPQ2D_56wjIiJhIBWh_MDjF7YcX6wKCEIpTqgJR0JIWURQkbgFSCZVsp9JnIF1ad9Qw5icQgjjKCXDq6YEAgW7BGmVH8/s320/brightfuture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339256207253373314" border="0" /></a><br />(Thanks to <a href="http://www.temptalia.com/">Temptalia</a> for the photo of MAC's Bright Future).<br /><br />For a less expensive option, try L'Oreal's eyeshadow duo in <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Flamboyant</span> from their HiP line. I swear by HiP duos. I think they're the best drugstore shadows I've tried in terms of selection, pigmentation, and wear. This duo comes with a yellow and purple shade which can be worn seperately or together as a complement (purple & yellow are opposites on the color wheel so they work great together). The duo retails for about $8 but places such as CVS and Walgreens often have L'Oreal products BOGOF or BOGO 1/2 off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZrmlvQbLRRWs-vqqPzmb2tEKGEzqLpc1A9xWIt0dNMly0EKgAFJ3-cuYUilzGhEwavUM_IOlVQS7U-sF247vZyluJeJ8nr8l1MGcz8PPY08B5R6Htf6p6feQP0kTYlYrP1bIV4ZVSHA/s1600-h/flamboyant.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZrmlvQbLRRWs-vqqPzmb2tEKGEzqLpc1A9xWIt0dNMly0EKgAFJ3-cuYUilzGhEwavUM_IOlVQS7U-sF247vZyluJeJ8nr8l1MGcz8PPY08B5R6Htf6p6feQP0kTYlYrP1bIV4ZVSHA/s320/flamboyant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339255926036961138" border="0" /></a><br />Hard to believe, but yellow is even turning as a popular<span style="font-style: italic;"> lip color</span>! Yellow toned lip glosses add shimmer and dimension to lips alone but have great color changing properties when paired with a lipstick. If you're looking for a subtle yellow lip gloss you can wear along or along with other lip colors, I highly recommend <span style="font-weight: bold;">MAC's Goldyrocks Dazzleglass</span> ($18.00) and Victoria Secret's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Beauty Rush </span>Lip gloss in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Appletini</span> ($7).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlky-txPWPapP5zhEvVeibszJkPq1kMARlDWkuPHyxo4zpHEmN6X5mUpSpxJ3kKGmPbk2oRUBNG_F7uib2Dsmn1by4WHUoOeLn3nQX3aEmlObIVO0AKoc8y7B6xWaOjeDBE0WR5cYJTJA/s1600-h/mac-double-dazzle-01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlky-txPWPapP5zhEvVeibszJkPq1kMARlDWkuPHyxo4zpHEmN6X5mUpSpxJ3kKGmPbk2oRUBNG_F7uib2Dsmn1by4WHUoOeLn3nQX3aEmlObIVO0AKoc8y7B6xWaOjeDBE0WR5cYJTJA/s320/mac-double-dazzle-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339255767383039506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Have fun embracing this trend whether you go subtle or full on!MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7122187704305639565.post-69999916166954839872009-05-21T00:00:00.007-05:002009-05-21T00:24:27.159-05:00Back, Back! And MAC- Attack!There are probably cobwebs all over this blog! I have not updated in months. Not that many people read this blog but I do have a stat counter (*dun dun dun*) so I know that when I was posting often, I received at least a few hits.<br /><br />But honestly, I'd probably keep this thing up or try to if only one person read it because writing about beauty and reading beauty blog is just a big hobby of mine.<br /><br />Unfortunately, when I'm at school I generally don't have as much time to post. But it's summer now! I'm looking forward to re-vamping this blog.<br /><br />I've already made a few summer beauty buys worth posting. They are....a Mineralized Blush from the Grand Duo Collection in <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 255);">'Love Rock</span>' ($22.50) and a LE Dazzle glass in <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">'Love Alert' </span>($18.00). Truly gorgeous. Check out some pictures of my purchases below to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HCSfELfbLgar63s4lnCpu0fQN7ydWjG3AXRaI7lNGIfTwo740suktql9vLwRKaAuyT_jFqzdsPkxa-JWMMTGOy6Qc0d0kEudis-uPc1VV3KOfpVdvy-9tzBY3z2GC3CJ5N2yms6Jp7A/s1600-h/machaul1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HCSfELfbLgar63s4lnCpu0fQN7ydWjG3AXRaI7lNGIfTwo740suktql9vLwRKaAuyT_jFqzdsPkxa-JWMMTGOy6Qc0d0kEudis-uPc1VV3KOfpVdvy-9tzBY3z2GC3CJ5N2yms6Jp7A/s400/machaul1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338142001159712850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Max8KkmQz15BfyX__fR_SCB0m-cKf5TwjzXa3ZrwnYlUq1paMLcTs04HJ4XVnXAOP71qpcMZ6QptxmV2_UdoR136gBCvtvgMPydY2zuwxuTFdDbFFRI10XkdcUz0QmZG9dJuLzexTnQ/s1600-h/machaulupclose.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Max8KkmQz15BfyX__fR_SCB0m-cKf5TwjzXa3ZrwnYlUq1paMLcTs04HJ4XVnXAOP71qpcMZ6QptxmV2_UdoR136gBCvtvgMPydY2zuwxuTFdDbFFRI10XkdcUz0QmZG9dJuLzexTnQ/s400/machaulupclose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338142102062036514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I've already received a lot of compliments on my Love Alert lip gloss. This is my first dazzle glass and I'm very impressed! Honestly, I was not expecting much and figured the color would be too sheer to wear on it's own. Not too at all! It's a beautiful, sparkling raspberry red that is perfect for any time of year. Great color when you want some red in the summer without a full on red lip.<br /><br />Here's a stock photo of the Double Dazzle collection. I might go back and get Steppin' Out or Funtablulous (purple-y toned gloss that is getting a lot of love from beauty gurus). But for now I'm enjoying <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Love Alert</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://girlgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dg.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 510px; height: 161px;" src="http://girlgloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This photo seriously does not do the line justice. I'm going to refer you over to Temptalia's photos and descriptions---> <a href="http://www.temptalia.com/mac-double-dazzle-official-collection-information-product-photos">Check out Double Dazzle photos!</a><br /><br />Also, don't forget <a href="http://www.temptalia.com/mac-style-warrior-collection-official-details-photos">MAC's Style Warriors</a> is released May 20 in stores and went live online on May 16. Very interesting collection! It's too deep and warm toned for me so I'll pass to save $$ but definetly check it out if you want some bronze-y goodness!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beautyarchives.pursebuzz.com/pics/mac09/stylewarrior/stylewarrior01%20.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 516px; height: 673px;" src="http://www.beautyarchives.pursebuzz.com/pics/mac09/stylewarrior/stylewarrior01%20.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>MChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11983136902765757362noreply@blogger.com0