Holiday Gift Guide 2019 — Books for Gifting

Hi all, I’m back with another gift guide.  This time it’s books!

I have put together a list of fun books that make great gifts.  I love to give and receive books, they are so much fun! Read on to get some ideas!

Just Peachy

Just Peachy by Belinda Smith-Sullivan ($ 14.49 Hardcover, $10.99 Kindle) — Chef Belinda Smith-Sullivan, granddaughter of Mississippi sharecroppers, is the go-to resource for everything peaches. Not only does she provide perfect peach recipes, but she also has information about the variety of peaches, history, growing and growers, as well as festivals. There are approximately 70 recipes for breads, breakfasts, appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, desserts, peach pies, sauces, preserves and condiments, and drinks in this beautifully photographed cookbook.

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A Baker’s Passport: Recipes for Breads, Savory Pies, Vegetarian Dishes, Tarts, Cakes, and Cookie Classics. (Original-Fourth Edition) ($39.99) — Travel the world with A Baker’s Passport, a road trip of baking classics in their homelands. With over 225 sweet and savory recipes and lively photographs, Pastry Chef Susie Norris takes you on a tour of regional baking through the world’s great culinary capitals. This technique-driven baking book for home cooks offers well-tested recipes for classics like Quiche Lorraine, Black Forest Cake, Moon Cakes, and Creme Brûlée. A Baker’s Passport, based on the award-winning culinary travel blog, FoodMarketGypsy.com, brings stories of the world’s great baking traditions home to you.

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The Making of Outlander: The Series: The Official Guide to Seasons Three & Four by Tara Bennett ($31.49 hardback and $) — From its very first episode, the Outlander TV series transported its viewers back in time, taking us inside Diana Gabaldon’s beloved world. From the Scottish Highlands to the courts of Versailles to the shores of America, Jamie and Claire’s epic adventure is captured in gorgeous detail.

Now travel even deeper into the world of Outlander with this must-have insider guide from New York Times bestselling author and television critic Tara Bennett. Picking up where The Making of Outlander: Seasons One & Two left off, this lavishly illustrated collectors’ item covers seasons three and four, bringing readers behind the scenes and straight onto the set of the show. You’ll find exclusive interviews with cast members, including detailed conversations with Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan (on-screen couple and real-life friends), as well as the writers, producers, costume designers, set decorators, technicians, and more whose hard work and cinematic magic bring the world of Outlander to life on the screen.

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Holiday Jubilee: Classic & Kitschy Festivities & Fun Party Recipes by Charles Phoenix ($19.39) — You’re invited to celebrate America’s favorite seasonal traditions like never before. Ambassador of Americana Charles Phoenix mixes and mingles spectacular vintage Kodachrome slides of New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with his eye-popping, original recipes for epic edible centerpieces and party pleasers from his colorful Test Kitchen―including his legendary Cherpumple creation! Be prepared for your imagination to be inspired and your holiday spirit to soar!

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Create: Tools from Seriously Talented People to Unleash Your Creative Life by Marc Silber ($13.38 paperback and $10.49 Kindle) — Creative conversations from some of the world’s top photographers, filmmakers, Grammy award winners, TED presenters, actors, CEOs and more!

Time for a new mindset. Many of us think of creativity as something distant and incompatible with daily life―a skill that artists get to use, but not the rest of us. Maybe you feel like a land-locked surfer, yearning for exhilarating rides. Or maybe you live for the few hours a week when you can take photographs, paint, or write. It’s time for a new mindset. Create shows you how to rediscover the artist within you.

Live a more creative life. People who make a living in the creative arts know that there is a cycle to unlocking the imagination. Visualize, know your tools, work your craft, refine, share. When you tap into this cycle, you’ll find ways to operate at your highest state in all aspects of life.

Find your creative purpose. Overcoming the barriers to innovation is easier than you think. Marc Silber, best selling author, award-wining creative and educator, shows you how to avoid the traps of procrastination, overthinking, and self-doubt. The exercises in Create are specifically designed to help you find certainty and confidence in self-expression.

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It’s Your Weirdness that Makes You Wonderful by Kate Allan ($13.41) — Step into a state of mindfulness: Depression and anxiety are topics that can be uncomfortable to talk about, but that doesn’t mean they should be avoided. If anything, it means we need to be more aware and have more conversations about them. With the help of her adorable illustrations, art blogger Kate Allan (known through her remarkably popular Tumblr blog as “The Latest Kate”) urges us to be mindful of our mentality.

Work through anxiety and depression with the help of enlightening words: Allan, who suffers from anxiety and depression herself, understands what it’s like to deal with feelings that are difficult to fight through. In this book, she provides the personal kind of encouragement that she herself needs to hear. These encouraging words, along with writing prompts, can help readers sort through and express their feelings.

Practice self-love through self-care: Kate Allan’s creative journal meets us where we are―in the midst of the feelings that say we’re not enough, we can’t handle this life, we won’t make it. Her whimsical art and simple words lift trampled spirits and combat thoughts that lead us to believe our weirdness makes us weak. Young and old, we are encouraged to love ourselves exactly as we are.

 

 

Holiday Gift Guides 2019 — Beauty Tools

Hi all!  It’s time for my Holiday Gift Guides, and this is my first one of the year!

Also, check out my Instagram in the next couple of days for pics of some of these gifts. It’s fortyflirtyfab.  If you’d like to follow me, I’d be happy to follow back!

Here are some great beauty tools in a range of prices:

Beauty Junkees Sample Set Makeup Sponges – 6pc ($20) — Say bye-bye to blotchy or rough skin and hello to your new go-to tools. Stock your makeup kit like a pro with this set of six bestselling makeup sponge blenders. Blend your foundation, your concealer, cream contour, your BB cream, or your skin care products flawlessly for a fresh and beautiful look no matter what!

Beauty Junkees Basic Eye Makeup Brush Set ($15 USD) — Your eyes have better things to do than be weighed down by heavy shadow. Let your beautiful eyes shine with a simple and refreshing pop of eye makeup that doesn’t overpower your natural beauty. This eye brush kit includes all the brushes you need for a simple, yet expertly-applied, eye look that is sure to wow.

  • Pack, Blend, Buff & Smudge
  • Perfect Brush Set to Use with Beauty Junkees Eyeshadow Quads
  • Professional Quality Affordable Makeup Tools
  • Valued at $40 if purchased separately

Purchase these sets and more at https://shop.beautyjunkees.com/

IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Must-Haves! 5-Piece Full-Size Brush Set + Luxe Travel Case
IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Must-Haves! 5-Piece Full-Size Brush Set + Luxe Travel Case

IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Must-Haves! 5-Piece Full-Size Brush Set + Luxe Travel Case ($75, $192.50 Value) — Experience how great brushes give you great-looking skin with Heavenly Luxe Must-Haves! 5-Piece Full-Size Brush Set + Luxe Travel Case! This limited-edition set includes 5 essential full-size, ultra-plush makeup brushes for your face and eyes—plus a bonus travel case that carries them in style. Featuring award-winning Heavenly Luxe cruelty-free hair and custom-cut shapes, these skin-loving brushes are designed to do the work for you to deliver your most flawlessly airbrushed results and the experience of your most beautiful you every time!

Set Includes:

  • Effortless Powder Brush
  • Effortless Blush Brush
  • Effortless Foundation Brush
  • Effortless Precision Brush
  • Effortless Dual-Ended Shadow Brush
  • Luxe Travel Case

Available at https://www.itcosmetics.com/

Beautyblender The Jewel Box Mystery Blind Bag
Beautyblender The Jewel Box Mystery Blind Bag

Beautyblender The Jewel Box Mystery Blind Bag ($20 USD) Like a little black box, there’s a surprise waiting for you – discover which Beautyblender® (one of two shades) is hidden inside this mystery ornament. Additionally, you’ll get a limited-edition Blendercleanser® Solid® Gemstone Cleanser to keep your blender in prime condition. This duo is irresistible for any makeup lover and so cute to open on the ‘gram.

Purchase at beautyblender.com


I hope you enjoyed my first  gift guide of the year! There’s many more to come!

BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review — November 2019

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Hey all! I recently received my November BoxyCharm! This month there was a change in the cost and value of the box.

I’ve been subscribed to BoxyCharm for over two years now and really enjoy it. BoxyCharm is now $25 a month plus tax for 5 full-sized beauty items. The value is going to be at least $125 each month.

I’m now only getting this box, BoxyLuxe four times a year and the new BoxyCharm Premium (see my first review here).  I have cancelled my Ipsy Ultimate. I’m not very interested in Ipsy at the moment, but I think BoxyCharm is doing such a great job with their boxes.

My version is 15. This month I received:

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The value of my box this month is $192. That’s a great value for spending $25

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I was pretty happy to see this in the box.  I have been wanting to try the Dominique Cosmetics eye shadow formula.  I have tried a lip gloss from the brand and really love it.  The only thin is these colors are so dramatic.  I’m trying to decide if I should keep it to try the formula or pass it on to someone else.  If I do keep it, I can pair some of the shades with a more neutral palette.

IMG-1962 I have tried self-warming eye masks before, but not this brand.  I will give them a try, or I might gift them.

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I am very excited to try the Farsali mist.  I have been wanting to try this brand, and it’s so exciting that I received it in my BoxyCharm.  It might be my favorite item in the box this month!

The Dose of Colors lipstick is in the shade Date Night.  I already receive a red DOC lipstick from BoxyCharm earlier this year, and I don’t wear red lipstick.  I was really hoping I would get one I could wear because I like the formula.  I will be gifting this.

The Kypris serum is very fancy.  It’s so expensive!  I’ve heard that it has organic ingredients that once you open, you need to use it in 6 months so it won’t go bad.  So I’m going to wait until I’m out of current hydrating serum then I am going to use it.

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This Pretty Vulgar concealer blister pack is for me to test out. Then I’ll take a quiz on BoxyCharm’s website to let them know what my shade is.  That way, they can send foundations and concealers in the future.  That’s very exciting!

I’m really happy with my box this month!  I am most excited about the Farsali mist, the Kypris Serum and the Dominique Cosmetics palette (if I decide to keep it).  I will gift the lipstick and maybe the eye masks.

I am so excited for my December BoxyLuxe and BoxyCharm Premium boxes!

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Do you get any BoxyCharm boxes?  What did you get this month?

IT Cosmetics IT’s Your Season to Give Love! 7pc Grand Collection — QVC TSV

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Hi all! QVC and IT Cosmetics are having another amazing Today’s Special Value! It begins Saturday, November 9, 2019 at midnight (ET).  The price is $69.96. After the sale the price will be $97 and the retail value is $243.33.  That’s an amazing deal.

This 7-piece collection features one complexion favorite, two color essentials and one lip must-have in a brand-new Love shade, plus a game-changing mascara and two Heavenly Luxe brushes! Experience natural-looking full coverage that moves with your skin by applying Bye Bye Foundation with SPF 50+ all over your face with your new Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush. Add a pop of color to the apples of your cheeks with Bye Bye Pores Blush, then instantly add warmth and highlight to areas you’d like to bring forward by sweeping Hello Cheekbones onto your skin using the included Heavenly Luxe Hello Cheekbones Contour Brush. Transform the look of your lashes with Superhero Mascara, and give your lips a naturally pretty flush of color with Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment Serum.

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About Each Product:

Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara — Transform the look of your lashes! Formulated with unique Elastic Stretch Technology to wrap lashes, making them look fuller and longer.

Heavenly Luxe Buffing Foundation Brush — Featuring ultra-plush Heavenly Luxe hair, this innovative foundation brush reaches every corner of your face—and is so easy to use, it does the work for you to help deliver an even application of your color-infused skincare and foundation products, including your Bye Bye Foundation

Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer™ with SPF 50+ — The first-ever full coverage moisturizer from IT Cosmetics gives you the power to say “bye bye” to beauty imperfections and hello to instant complexion perfection! Infused with full-coverage pigments and SPF 50+ sunscreen, Bye Bye Foundation is formulated to give you weightless-feeling, natural-looking coverage that moves with your skin.

NEW SHADE! Je Ne Sais Quoi Hydrating Color Awakening Lip Treatment Serum — now in a new shade, Love! It’s infused with nourishing butters and oils and hyaluronic acid, plus it hydrates to help give you soft, smooth lips.

Bye Bye Pores Blush Poreless Finish Airbrush Brightening Blush —  Featured in a brand-new Love shade, this blush delivers buildable color, and helps give your skin a flawless-looking finish. Suitable for all skin types, it’s time to discover the look of airbrushed skin with a natural-looking soft pink hue!

Hello Cheekbones Matte Bronzer & Highlighter Contouring Duo — Discover your life-changing duo, featuring a matte bronzer and highlighter in a new Love shade! Suitable for all skin types and tones, this two-in-one compact instantly defines and lifts the appearance of your cheekbones for natural-looking results.

Heavenly Luxe Hello Cheekbones Contour Brush — Your revolutionary dual-headed brush does the work for you to apply your highlighter and bronzer exactly where you want it—in one sweep! The custom-cut brush heads and shortened handle help give you the power to contour effortlessly, and it pairs perfectly with your included Hello Cheekbones Matte Bronzer & Highlighter Contouring Duo. While the angled “Highlight” brush head reaches the curves of your face to deliver a flawless, soft-focus effect, the rounded “Contour” brush head helps to evenly and smoothly apply your bronzer for an airbrushed-looking finish.

Here’s close up pics of the products:

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These products are gorgeous for holiday makeup looks, or for gifting to someone special. And the brushes are so soft and amazing quality!

Superhero is one of my favorite mascaras, and the blush formula is gorgeous.  This is almost like a full face of makeup and it would be so nice for any beauty lover!

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Are you picking this up today?  What’s your favorite IT Cosmetics product?

BoxyCharm Premium Subscription Box Review — November 2019

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Hi all! I’ve just received my very first BoxyCharm Premium! This is a new subscription from BoxyCharm.  It’s a little more products than the regular and a little less than the BoxyLuxe.  Here’s the details:

  • It’s $35 a month
  • 6-7 beauty items a box
  • $175+ Value
  • You get to pick one of the items
  • The items will be different from BoxyCharm/BoxyLuxe – you can subscribe to both with no product overlap.

The products I received are:

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Natasha Denona Bloom Blush and Glow Palette – $55
Dragun Beauty Dragunfire Skin Perfecting Potion – $25
Becca Cosmetics Glow Gloss in Champagne Creme – $22
QMS Medicosmetics Intensive Eye Care Cream – $150
Kopari Beauty Coconut Rose Toner – $25
BoxyCharm 5 Piece Brush Set — $65

My total this month is $342!  That’s crazy for spending only $35!

Here’s another photo:

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I do think this feels like a luxury box.  Here’s some close ups of the products:

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I’ve been interested in this palette since it came out.  I love Natasha Denona products and thinks this looks so pretty, especially for the fall with my pale skin tone.  I haven’t swatched it yet, but I will do a separate review of this with swatches.

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These BoxyCharm brushes are really interesting.  They are very soft.  The oval shape of the larger brushes are not something I’ve tried before.  I think I’ll use those for foundation and cream products, like the blush in the palette.

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Here’s the skincare from the box.  These are some of my favorite products this month.

The eye cream is very expensive ($150!). But, I’m looking forward to trying it.  I think I’ll use it after I’m done with my current night eye cream.  It better make me look 10 years younger at least! LOL!

The Kopari toner smells amazing.  It’s supposed to make my pores look smaller, so I hope that’s true.  I’ll use it once my current rose toner spray is used up.

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These last two products are my least favorites in the box.  The Dragun Beauty corrector is so dark!  I’ve seen light skin gals use it, but it’s still a bit scary.  I’m going to give it a go, but I’m going to read up on how to use it.

The Becca gloss is in Champagne Creme.  It’s really pretty, especially for the fall and holidays.  But I have so many glosses that I need to use.  I think I’ll give this away to someone for Christmas.

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I think this was a great first month for BoxyCharm Premium!  I will use almost every product in the box, which is pretty rare.  I’m looking forward to what next month brings!

Did you get BoxyCharm Premium this month?  What did you think?

I’ll be reviewing my regular November BoxyCharm soon, so we’ll see how it compares to Premium.

Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation Review and More!

Hi all!  I have been testing out some new Urban Decay products that were sent for my honest review!

I love Urban Decay (I have also just purchased the Urban Decay Naked Honey palette and will be reviewing it next week).  Their products are innovative and cruelty free, and the ingredients are good for you! Here’s what I received:

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The main product I wanted to review is the Stay Naked Weightless Liquid Foundation ($39 USD) — The claims for this foundation are:

This lineup of 50 shades with 9 shade intensities, 3 mastertones, and 7 undertones to dial in precise color match. The waterproof, longwear foundation feels like wearing nothing, thanks to a breathable, flexible formula that moves with you (all day and all night, up to 24 hours!). It not only feels better, it even looks better with its stay-true color, which minimizes the appearance of pores—so you always look like you.

My shade is 20CP, so it is light with a cool pink undertone.  It might be a little light for me, but I make it work with bronzer and blush.  I LOVE the finish of this foundation on me.  At 51 (yep), it’s important that I achieve a natural finish that doesn’t settle in wrinkles and pores.  This glides on my skin and makes me look flawless, but not like I’m wearing makeup. And it feels so light on (I hate greasy feeling foundation).  It’s so good and I’ve been wearing it everyday.  I need to start reviewing another foundation, but I only want to wear this.  LOL!

I also really love the The Ultimate Brush Off Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($36 USD)  — a finely-milled vegan powder that blends seamlessly to extend the wear of your foundation without adding any weight or texture (forget that old-school cakey feel). It sets makeup while absorbing oil and shine for a totally blurred-out effect, blending seamlessly without causing flashback, so you can take as many selfies as you want. Touch-ups on the go are easy thanks to the portable powder and its built-in, cruelty-free brush.

This powder is so good, it really is smooth and doesn’t cake at all.  I like using a sponge for my under eye area, but I do use this brush on the rest of my face.  It buffs in the powder and makes everything smooth and even.  I sometimes use a fluffier brush for a lighter application.  It’s lovely either way.

The last two items are lippies — Vice Lip Chemistry Lasting Glassy Tint in Pink Slip ($22 USD) and the Lip Plumper in Honey.

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On the left is the Lip Chemistry and on the right is the lip plumper.  Here’s more info about the lippies:

Vice Lip Chemistry is a vegan, high-gloss lip tint that reacts to your pH and creates a custom shade unique to your tone. Its lightweight, balm-like texture gives your lips a hit of hydration, so they feel moisturized. The lasting glassy tint adjusts to you; the color fully develops and reveals itself after just a few minutes and lasts up to 5 hours. Vice Lip Chemistry’s vegan formula goes on smooth and glossy (never sticky!) and does not transfer.

The vegan lip plumper gloss combines high shine with microfine, multidimensional glitter and a tantalizing scent. This formula has an almost-instant, refreshing tingly effect, creating fuller-looking lips minus that sticky feel. Caffeine, jojoba oil, and sunflower oil combine to give you smooth, intense shine with a cooling and plumping sensation.

My favorite of the two formulas is the lip plumper.  It’s a little tingly, but doesn’t hurt. It’s glittery, but will be nice for the holidays. It tastes like honey, too! The Lip Chemistry is cool.  It does change color and it feels really comfortable on.  I don’t think I will wear it everyday, but I’m having fun testing it out.

Purchase these at https://www.urbandecay.com/, Ulta, Sephora and other great beauty stores and websites.

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Have you tried any of these Urban Decay products?  What do you think?

Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Vol 1 Palette Review!

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Hi all!  I’m back with a palette review.  I was excited to pick up the Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Vol 1 ($48 USD) when it launched.

I really enjoy Tati’s YouTube channel and was so happy to see when she launched this.

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So gorgeous!  This is such a pretty, everyday palette!  There are 6 tones and 4 textures.  You can make so many different looks!

Here are swatches by the tones:

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This is Memory and Ritual in the Glitter, Metallic, Sequin and Matte.  They all swatched really nicely.

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Story and Soothe in Glitter, Metallic, Sequin and Matte

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Aura and Poet in glitter, Metallic, Sequin and Matte.

I can see myself using the Ritual, Soothe and Aura shades the most.  But I will play with all of them.  I love the metallic texture and the mattes are beautiful and so easy to blend. I’m not the biggest glitter fan, but these are so pretty!

I really think Tati did an amazing job with this palette, especially for her first makeup launch.  The shades are universal and so nice for all different looks.  I’ve only used it a couple of times, but I really like it so far!

What do you think of the palette?  Did you pick it up?

 

Madam Glam’s Give Glam Collection

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Hi all!  Happy Monday!

Madam Glam has a gorgeous new collection that just launched for the Thanksgiving season.   The shades are a mix of warm, fall tones, and cooler ones, too.  There’s a lot to choose from:

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From Left to Right in the photo are:

Sweather Weather — Grape mauve

Sweet November — Soft pink

Maze — Dark green

Give Me Pie! — Bright orange

Feast Your Nails! — Deep Pink

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Haystack — Soft peachy-pink

Busy Avocado — Gray

Butter Up — Soft yellow

Corny — Brick Red

Harvest Party — Pecan brown

I have been enjoying using gel polish.  It’s a time and money saver to be able to do it myself!  And the Madam Glam polishes last on my nails and don’t chip!


What do you think of these shades?  Do you enjoy gel nails?

 

Skincare Sunday — BeautyStat Brand Review

Hi all!  Happy Sunday.  I’m back with a skincare brand review.

BeautyStat started as a beauty review blog and now are creating skincare.  BeautyStat Cosmetics mission is to scour the planet for new beauty ingredients and technologies. Their goal is to continually develop beauty. innovation with high-performance, and bring it directly to the consumer. Here’s what I received:

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BeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream ($50 USD 1 oz) : An ultra-lightweight moisturizer, the NEW Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream contains skin-boosting Hyaluronic Acid that binds moisture to the skin to maintain its optimum moisture level. Skin is instantly quenched, keeping it smooth, supple, and hydrated all day. A proprietary barrier moisture-repair complex with ceramides and pomegranate sterols protects and repairs to seal and boost your skin’s moisture mantle, minimizing premature lines and wrinkles.

What I think:  I love this cream!  It has a gel-like consistency so it sinks right into the skin, but it is so hydrating!  I love to use this at night over potent treatments and serums because it calms and hydrates the skin. I apply it over the Vitamin C Refiner and it helps calm my skin afterwards.

BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner ($80 USD 1 oz): A powerful, clinically-tested Vitamin C-based skincare product, very different from the others, formulated with 20% pure Vitamin C (L ASCORBIC ACID) and a patented encapsulated delivery system that continues to work its magical full-strength results throughout use with no degrading of color or formula. Immediately and over time improves skin smoothness and radiance and is safe for all skin types including sensitive skins. Skin tone and texture become more even, lines, wrinkles and dark spots are diminished, and skin becomes firmer. Skin glows with the refreshing look of health.

As part of a daily skincare regimen, this crème/gel glides onto skin improving smoothness and radiance from first use to last. In addition to lightly hydrating skin, it brightens, helps even tone, and re-texturizes from day one. The Skin Refiner also results in fine lines, wrinkles, and dark/sun spots appearing diminished. Redness and pore size will be reduced, and skin will appear refreshed and firmer with an overall healthier look and feel.

What I think:  I love Vitamin C products for brightening my skin.  This is very strong Vitamin C, and I have very sensitive skin.  The first time I tried this, I took a few pumps and spread it all over my face in a thick layer.  It instantly irritated my skin and I had to wash it off.  I love my Vitamin C, so I didn’t give up! Now, I pump out about two pumps on my hand then lightly tap the cream on the areas that need it — my cheeks, forehead, chin and any dark spots I might have.  And that works so nicely.  Just a little goes a long way!  I’ve noticed a more even skin tone with using this product.

Both products are allergy and dermatologist-tested. Fragrance-free. You can purchase these products at beautystat.com


I’m really enjoying these products and will continue to use them.  The Vitamin C Refiner is a treatment that I use about twice a week.  I do use the cream every day, because it is so nice!

Have you heard of BeautyStat?  What do you think of these products?

Shop My Stash — November 2019

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Hi all!  It’s  time for my November Shop My Stash! I’m looking forward to the holidays.

I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) color cosmetics that I either haven’t used in a while or haven’t used much at all! My goal is to get more use out of the products I have and to see if they are something I want to keep.

This month I have chosen products that I have barely used, if at all.  I really don’t know if I like them. I’ve decided that I really need to go through my collection.  I’m going to declutter in January, but I need to figure out if I want to keep some products or pass them on.

Here are the palettes open:

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So pretty! I’m excited to really test these products out!

IMG-1849IMG-1850This is the Tarte Clay Play Eye & Cheek Palette Vol. II.  I received this in my September BoxyLuxe.   It looks like there’s a couple of versions of this palette.  Mine has eye shadows and contour, the one on the tarte website has the exact same shade names, but the bottom row is a bronzer, blush and highlight. 

I think this will be perfect for matte eyeshadow looks and I’m looking forward to trying out the contours. It also smells like cocoa.  Yum!

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It Cosmetics Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette– I love IT Cosmetics, but I haven’t really played with their eye shadows a lot.  These are so pretty.  The shades are nice for everyday wear.

I was only going to have one eye shadow palettes in my Shop My Stash this month, because I have purchased a few new palettes, and I know I’m going to want to use those when I get them.  But, since the tarte one is all mattes, I thought I should use one with shimmers and color.

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Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette in Pink Sand — I received it in my July Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I keep forgetting about it.  So, I thought I would really give it some use and see how I like it.

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And finally, I have a couple of lip products.  The top on is the Becca Champagne Cocktail Lipgloss.  I received this in a Becca set I purchased on QVC in February. It’s a really pretty berry shade, which will be perfect for this time of year.

I purchased the Profusion lip liner in a kit with a matte liquid lipstick and shimmery gloss.  I didn’t care for those, but I did keep the lip liner because I love the shade.  It’s called Imagine. It’s a nice pinky nude.

Here are swatches:

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Sorry this is blurry.  I do really like these shades, and I’m looking forward to using them!

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I am going to be using these as much as possible this month.  I’ll let you know how it goes at the end of the month.

Do you do a Shop Your Stash?