Beauty – Page 28 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

New Summer Releases From Pixi Beauty

I was so lucky to receive some new Pixi by Petra Products for my honest review. I got a fun mix of skincare and makeup.

The first three products are some amazing Skintreats. The first one I want to talk about is the Retinol Tonic (now on the website, in the middle of the photo above).

This is not on the website yet, but I did get some PR materials about it. It will retail for $15 and is 3.4 fl. oz. It features a unique time-release Retinol to help rejuvenate the skin for a natural glow. Powerful antioxidants and botanicals replenish the skin for a smoother, softer appearance.

I have only been using this and the other two Skintreats for about a week, but I am enjoying it. It doesn’t have much of a scent, so if you are sensitive to scent, this is a good choice. I apply it every night before serum and moisturizer and I like how smooth my skin looks in the morning! I will keep using and report what results I see.

There are also two new products in the Rose Skintreats line — Rose Ceramide Cream and Rose Glow Mist:

Rose Ceramide Cream ($24 USD) — This ultra-rich cream is infused with Ceramides and Rose Oil to deeply hydrate the skin for a healthier, more supple appearance and feel. Antioxidant-rich botanicals help to improve skin’s elasticity while protecting against environmental aggressors.

This is a very hydrating cream. A little goes a long way. I over did it the first time I used it and it felt a little heavy. For me, this is a night cream. In the morning, my skin is well hydrated. It has a soft floral scent and smells really nice.

Rose Glow Mist ($15 USD) — Infused with 7 types of Rose Flower extracts and antioxidants, this lightweight mist helps soothe and strengthen the skin. Helping to moisturize, improve elasticity and provide free radical protection, skin’s complexion is left with a naturally enhanced glow.

I’m in love with this mist! I use this after cleansing and before serums and moisturizer. I also use it over makeup for a little hydration and glow. It smells like fresh roses and gives my skin a healthy glow. LOVE!

These are the stunning PixiGlow Cakes ($28 each) –This light-diffusing palette helps to achieve a naturally healthy, radiant complexion with flushed apples of the cheeks, subtle contouring and glowing highlights. The shades in the gradient make it easy to create a sheer wash of luminous colour that enhances your PixiGlow!

This comes in two shades, GildedBare Glow on the left in the photo above and the PinkChampagne Glow on the right.

Here is a swatch of the GildedBare Glow. It’s kind of hard to see, but I swatched the lightest end, in the middle and the darker end.

This is very shimmery/glittery, but when applied it gives a glow and the glitter doesn’t show on my face. I tried it two ways: swirling a big fluffy brush in it and applying it all over my cheek, and applying the lightest end as highlighter, the middle as blush and the darkest end as bronzer. Both ways are so pretty, but I think I like applying it all together. It gives a gorgeous flush! The more bronze end doesn’t work well bronzing the rest of my face, though. It’s way too shimmery!

I have to say, though, I really recommend this. It can be built up easily and gives my face the perfect summer glow!

This is the LashLift 188 Mascara in Beyond Black ($15 USD) — This unique 2-in-1 dual chamber contains a larger wand for volume and a finer precision wand to coat every one of your +188 lashes. Together, the brushes create volume, length and curl for an eye-opening effect and the ultimate false-lash look!

Here is how it looks with both of the wands. I use it this way first and it gives great volume.

Here is what the smaller wand looks like when removed from the larger one. I have never seen anything like this before!

I use the skinny wand to define my lashes and on my lower lashes. It works really well! All in all, this is a great mascara. It doesn’t smudge or flake. I really like this and will continue to use it.

I am really liking all of these products. I will continue testing out the skincare, but so far are enjoying using them — especially the mist. The GlowCakes are perfect for the summer and I will be using both of them. The mascara is really fun to use and gives a dramatic look.

What do you think of these products? Will you be picking any of them up?

Beat The Heat With Fun Summer Products!

Yes, it’s still summer and it’s still HOT! And I have more amazing summer products to share!

I received the following products for my honest review:

NaturaBrasil A cai Body Scrub ($25 USD) — this is a gentle way to slough off dry skin after being at the pool or beach. Or, before self tanning. And, it smells amazing! This scrub has natural açaí seeds and sugar, as well as moisturizing shea butter and olive oil.

Love Sun Body SPF 30 Lightly Scented ($32 USD) — This is a 100% natural mineral sun screens. It is very lightly scented with tiare & vanilla. It’s kind of hard to detect the scent. It claims to absorb with a matte finish that doesn’t feel sticky. It is VERY thick. And white. I have to really rub it in to get the matte finish.

Certified by EcoCert Cosmos Natural and is recipient of EWG’s highest ranking. Love Sun Body is available in two sizes and scents at Credo, Amazon and lovesunbody.com.

Cricket’s wide tooth Ultra Smooth Coconut Conditioning Comb ($6.99 USD) helps gently detangle wet hair and is great for pulling a hair mask through to the ends. Coconut oil and keratin protein are baked into the plastic of the comb which also helps to smooth and de-frizz from the summer humidity. Available at Target and Ulta.

My favorite products of this bunch are these bright Morgan Taylor Lacquer:

This is a celebrity nail tech favorite and has 130+ phenomenal colors that are available at Ulta. These are perfect for pedis or manis this summer!

These shades are Girls Love Buoys (on my nails and in my hand), Tokyo a Go Go, Orange Crush, Go For The Glow and Gotta Have Hue. These are so bright and gorgeous, but they don’t last long, so make sure to use a bottom and top coat!

What are your current favorite summer beauty finds?

Julep Maven July (& June) 2018 Subscription Box Review

I am excited to share what I received from one of my favorite (and my oldest) subscription box, Julep Maven.

This is the JuIy box, but I realized that I never photographed and reviewed the June box! So I found the products and I will include the photo at the end of this review.

I have been a Julep Maven subscriber for 5 years now. And I love it! You don’t have to take a box each month, you can skip if you want to. Which is so nice if I’m short a month or if I’m not feeling any of the items. The cost is $24.99 a month ($19.99 a month with a 3-month subscription).

I also love that you can customize your box. When I first started subscribing, I could choose from curated boxes, but now, I get to curate my own! Here are the products I chose:

Saundra Polish ($14) — Color description: Azure Seas Holographic Shimmer. There were a bunch of fun shimmers this month, but I have a TON of nail polish, so I just chose one this month. Their formula is 5-free and vegan-friendly.

Rethink Your Shower Hydrating Body Cleansing Oil ($38) — An ultra-hydrating, lightweight body cleansing oil that reaches deep to dissolve impurities and prep skin for exfoliation, then rinses away to reveal silky, nourished skin. This smells amazing! Kind of citrusy. But, I haven’t tried it yet. It’s in my beauty room/office and I keep forgetting to take it into my bathroom. I am excited to try it, though.

Don’t Leave Your Brows At Home – Cool Brown — Two-in-one tool with brow powder and an angled brush to fill in and define your brows. I can’t find this on the website right now. It wasn’t a new product this month, but one I wanted to try. I have been playing with it and am liking it okay. I’m more used to an eyebrow pencil.

And this is what I chose last month:

Roberta polish ($14 USD) — Color description: Breezy Turquoise Shimmer

Two It’s Whipped Matte Lip Mousse ($20 each) in ULTAmate Nude and Blush. Blush is shimmery, which I didn’t know until I purchased it.

Here are swatches:

I really like ULTAmate Nude. It’s so pretty on! These are so nice, they don’t dry down all of the way and aren’t transfer proof. But I don’t like drying lippies, so these are right up my alley!

I love this box and will continue subscribing! I love that I can choose from new or older products depending on what I want and need.

What did you choose for your June and July boxes if you are a maven?

Summer Lip Colors and Treatments For a Gorgeous Pout!

Hi All! Show your lips some love this summer with products that exfoliate, hydrate and give amazing color to your lips.

I was sent the following products for my honest review and I have been testing all of them:

Fizz & Bubble Lip Scrubs ($8 USD) — The Fizz & Bubble Lip Scrubs offer exfoliating benefits, a touch of color and a sweet tingly taste. These hydrate as well as exfoliate. Each scrub contains Vitamin E, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter. I have it in Watermelon and really love it, but there are lots of other flavors, too. And they are affordable for a lip scrub!

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Supreme 2X Lip Balm – No. 503 ($8 USD) — a double strength formula for extra intense freshness and a super moisture-packed punch. It claims to have twice the moisturizers and twice the breath freshener. It is very hydrating but also tastes so minty!

NEW! Burt’s Bees Liquid Lipstick ($10 USD) — This is a creamy liquid lip, not matte. They are available in 18 high impact and glossy shades. The nourishing formula blends mineral rich pigment, Shea Butter, Apricot and Babassu Oil leaving lips soft and smooth. The claim is that your lips will experience all day moisture without compromising full-coverage and lasting wear for up to 4 hours.

Here are swatches:

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The shades are from left to right 805 Pouring Nude, 811 Blush Brook and 831 Lavender Lake.

These are full coverage and do last a long time, especially over a lip pencil. They are so creamy! These colors are gorgeous and I need to pick up some more!

Which lip products are your favorites during the summer?.

Keep Your Makeup Fresh in The Heat With Urban Decay and Wunder2!

Hi all! It is HOT in Kansas City. Every. Day. It has been since mid-May. And it is a challenge keeping my makeup looking fresh and staying in place.

I was sent these amazing products from Urban Decay and Wunder2 to test out for my honest review. And they were tested in the heat and humidity!

Urban Decay Chill Cooling and Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray ($32 USD) — I love anything that will cool me down in the summer time! This spray features cooling time-release Temperature Control Technology that actually chills the surface of your makeup – to keep it looking gorgeously just-applied for up to 12 hours. Developed in an exclusive partnership with Skindinavia, UD’s groundbreaking, tested formula holds foundation, eyeshadow, blush and concealer in place.

I use this for days that I know I’m going to be out in the heat and I want my makeup to stay in place. It feels cool going on, but not cold. It’s a very pleasant feeling. The sprayers on the UD mists are all so good, and aren’t harsh at all! This has become a summer essential for me.

Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray ($32 USD) — This spray mists on weightlessly to control oil, deflect surface shine and keep skin looking beautifully matte. High-tech ingredients help keep foundation, shadow and blush from smudging, sliding or fading – so you hardly ever need to touch up.

This is great for days that I know I’ll be out in the heat for a prolonged period of time and that the oil is coming. I don’t reach for it as much as I do the Chill spray, but it does work and helps keep my makeup on my face.

Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder ($34 USD) — I love a good setting powder and I was excited to try a water proof one! This weightless powder claims to instantly makes any foundation totally waterproof for a mattified complexion that lasts all day, no matter what. This high-tech formula blurs pores and imperfections and blocks shine, without dulling your inner glow. Your luminosity shows through while the powder keeps moisture out.

I agree with the claims that it mattifies but doesn’t look dry on my skin. That’s important to me as I age, and the fact is my face isn’t oily. But it does get greasy in the summer when it’s so hot and humid. The combo of this and the Chill or De-slick setting spray really keeps my makeup in place all day!

Wunder2 Super-Stay Liner ($14.95 USD) — Wunder2 24-hour wear Super-Stay Liner’s ensure that after just one application, your look will stay set and picture perfect from morning to evening! Waterproof and smudge-proof, the highly pigmented and easy-glide pencil eyeliners are a must-have beauty staple that create a perfect, full lash line or a playful, colored look that glide on with ease. Super-Stay Liner’s are available in the three collections of ‘Essential’, ‘Metallic’ and ‘Glitter’ finishes to complete any makeup look depending on your mood.

These shades from left to right are Glitter Aubergine, Glitter Pink and Metallic Rose Gold. I swatched these, waited about a minute, then rubbed the swatches vigorously. Then I took the photo. As you can see, they didn’t budge!

All three of these shades are perfect for summer looks, but I really love the Aubergine on my top lid and the Rose Gold on the bottom. They look amazing together. And they really glide on smoothly. Honestly, I probably will give the Pink one to my daughter, because I won’t reach for it. But it is pretty.

What products are you using this summer to beat the heat?

Brand Review — Studio Selection line at Dollar General

Hi all! I am reviewing a new line of beauty products at Dollar General called Studio Selection. It is a range of products that includes skincare, body care and hair care. The products are dupes of other brand name products, and let you know on the package what products they claim to be like.

I received a gift card to purchase a few products for my honest review. I got all of the Studio Selection products that were in stock at my local store at the time, but there are a lot more to choose from online. Here is what I picked up:

Studio Selection Makeup Remover And Cleanser Micellar Cleansing Water ($4 USD for 13.5 Oz) — this claims to gently refresh and hydrate skin while removing makeup. Won’t clog pores and is dermatologically & clinically tested. Formula is free from: Alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Compare to Garnier SKINACTIVE Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser.

I really like this. I haven’t used the original Garnier, but I have used the Garnier waterproof makeup micellar cleanser with the blue cap and hated it. It was so greasy. This one cleans without leaving a greasy residue. I think for the price point, it’s a good buy.

Studio Selection Age Daring Body Wash ($2.80 for 18 oz) — Studio Selection Age Daring Body Wash cleans and moisturizes aging skin. This formula contains Vitamin E and with daily use, helps to revitalize and soften skin over time. Use this rich body wash to fight dryness due to aging skin. This compares to an Olay body wash.

I like the value of this. You get a lot of product for $2.50. It does cleanse well, but I didn’t notice any extra moisturization. Plus, the scent was very soapy, and I wasn’t a fan of the fragrance.

Studio Selection Daily Moisturizing Lotion ($2.95 12 Oz) — helps moisturize your skin for up to 24 hours. This formula also helps to prevent and protect dry skin, providing temporary relief of scaling and chapping that can accompany dry skin. *Compare to Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion.

I gave this to my daughter who has eczema. It does help her dry skin and she has been enjoying it. It does not have a fragrance. Like the other products, the value is great!

Studio Selection Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Makeup Removing Facial Towelettes ($3.50 USD 25 Ct) — With skin conditioning agents to help moisturize and soothe, suitable for blemish-prone skin, leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed. They compare to the Neutrogena grapefruit towelettes.

These are my favorite items from this haul. They smell really nice and are so refreshing. They remove my makeup and clean my skin. I think they are definitely worth the $3.50 and I will purchase them again.

So, I think the prices on all of these are great. When I go back to purchase more wipes (and the micellar water), I will check out some of the other wipes and products they have.

Visit www.dollargeneral.com to learn more about the products available and to purchase them.

Do you shop at Dollar General? Have you purchased anything from this line?

Project Pan April-June 2018 Final Results

Hi Everyone! I’m at the end of my 2018 second quarter Project Pan. This ran from April-June. This is the second one I’ve ever done, and I plan to do two more this year.

I’m pretty much enjoying these. I think I was more in to it in the first one. I used up products right away and even added in more. And I used all of them up! You can see the wrap up for my first Project Pan here.

So in this Project Pan, I used almost all of the products up. Here is the link to my first post of this quarter’s pan so that you can view the info on the products.

But, here are the products I didn’t use up:

The two products I didn’t use up were my ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Reversible and Maybelline Fit Me! Loose Finishing Powder in 10 Fair Light.

The shadow is almost gone, but it’s really crumbly now, so I am going to toss it. It is very pretty, though. The Fit Me! powder has been going strong for months! I have been using it almost exclusively, too. I think it’s almost out now. I would repurchase the powder. I think the shadow is discontinued, but I’ll buy more Super Shocks!

And of the products I panned, I would repurchase everything if I run out of my current skincare and makeup. I have so much right now, so we’ll see.

So I call this a successful Project Pan! I got through some skincare, hair care and a little bit of makeup, too! I’ll be announcing my next quarter pan in about a week.

Have you done a Project Pan? How did it go?

June 2018 Beauty Favorites

I can’t believe tomorrow is July! June (and the first half of the year) has just flown by! That means it’s time for my June favorites!

Since this was my birthday month, I got a lot of new products. Most of them I haven’t used enough to include in my favorites, but a few I instantly loved!

I loved two hydrating sprays this month, the Smashbox So Chill Coconut primer water and the Pacifica Crystal Power Hydro Mist. They both smell so nice and I like using them before makeup and for refreshing during the day. The Pacifica one is a bit lower in price, but the Smashbox one is my fave. It smells so amazing!

I bought the Fenty Beauty lip gloss in a set with a highlighter. The highlighter is pretty, but not really a shade I wear, it’s kind of peachy. But the gloss is amazing! It gives such a pretty shine and it’s sticky or goopy. I wear it almost every day either over lipstick or alone.

The NARS Orgasm mini blush was my birthday gift from Ulta. I’ve never really tried this and I love the shade. It’s shimmery and a coral-pink shade, which is perfect for summer.

The TATCHA The Silk Canvas Protective Primer was the item I’ve been wanting the most. It glides on and blurs my pores and fine lines. Plus it looks amazing under makeup and helps my foundation last. I don’t use it every day, because I want to make it last, but I love how I look when I do.

PIXI Beauty Jasmine Oil Blend smells amazing! It smells just like fresh jasmine flowers. I love this at night. It contains a jasmine flower extract, evening primrose and grape seed oil. It is so hydrating and it calms my red skin. In the morning my skin is bright and smooth.

My last favorite is Jergen’s Natural Glow Wet Skin Moisturizer. I’ve been using this in the lighter shade (which is in my shower), but I’m ready to go darker and use the medium to tan one shown. This is SO easy to use. You put it on when your skin is wet and pat it dry with your towel.

What are your faves for June?

Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette Review

Hi all! I’m excited to be reviewing the Urban Decay Born to Run Eyeshadow Palette! When I saw it was about to be released, I had to have it! I drove to my nearest Sephora last Sunday to pick it up as soon as it came out.

The first picture is the front of the box and this si the back. I like how it shows all of the gorgeous shades! Here is the front and back of the palette:

I love all of the travel photos! They are really fun. I haven’t seen a palette designed like this before. Plus, its made of a sturdy plastic and has a really nice mirror.

Lets look inside:

The top photo shows the amazing mirror, but in the bottom photo the light was better. In the bottom photo, the shades look truer to life.

I love the shade selection! I think a lot of palettes being released right now look very summery — lots of bronzes, blues and oranges. And they are really pretty. But this palette has those shades and so much more, plus I think the shades will work so well in the fall and winter, too!

On to the swatches (I’ll be going by rows):

From left to right — Breakaway (warm ivory shimmer), Stranded (pale rose gold with tonal micro-shimmer), Blaze (light metallic peach with pink shift), Weekender (light neutral beige matte), Still Shot (bright peach), Riff (brown-nude matte with floating micro-sparkle), Good As Gone (deep brown with iridescent micro-shimmer)

Hell Ride (deep fuchsia matte), Baja (burnt orange matte), Accelerate (reddish copper metallic), Guilt Trip (smoky purple shimmer), Ignite (rose gold metallic), Smog (deep coppery bronze shimmer), Wanderlust (forest green with gold micro-shimmer)

Wildheart (bright fuchsia), Punk (red-brown matte), Double Life (metallic rust), Jet (black with deep shimmering purple shift), Drift (charcoal satin with tonal micro-sparkle), Radio (deep emerald satin), Big Sky (frosted green shimmer with iridescent micro-sparkle)

So pretty! I was excited to play with the different colors, but of course I have been reaching for the bronze and purple shades because they are so easy to use. I have just tried out the blues and greens on, and they are amazing, too! I can get SO MANY looks with this palette!

And for the quality, they are very pigmented and blend well. The quality reminds me of my Anastasia palettes. I don’t have a lot of Urban Decay, but if this is what their shadows are like, I need to get me some more. Any suggestions?

Have you picked up this palette or are you planning on it?

Birthday Beauty Gifts!

Hi all! Now I’m calling this Birthday Gifts, but most of them are gifts I bought myself! I spoiled myself for my 50th and am really enjoying most of the products!

On the left is my birthday gift from Sephora. I chose the Sephora Beauty Insider Bite Beauty Birthday gift — There was also a GlamGlow one and an online Bumble and Bumble gift. This included a Mini Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Chai, Mini Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Glacé, and Agave Lip Treatment Sample Duo. I have tried the lip crayon, and it’s really pretty on. The lipstick is a little dark for me, but I am looking forward to try the lip treatment duo.

Fenty Beauty Bomb Baby Mini Lip and Face Set — This is one of the products on my birthday wish list. I LOVE the lip gloss and wish I just got a full size of that. It so gorgeous on and isn’t sticky at all. I use it on it’s own or over lipstick.The highlighter is nice, but it’s a little dark for my skin tone. It’s the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Hu$tla Baby, a peachy-champagne shimmer. It looks amazing on my eyes, though.

TATCHA The Silk Canvas Protective Primer — This was the item I wanted the most, so I bought it as a gift to myself! It is a “velvety priming balm of pressed silk that smooths and makes makeup last longer while keeping it out of skin, helping to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.”

I’ve used this a few times now and really like it. It smooths out my skin so well and my makeup looks amazing over it. I don’t use it everyday, because it is SO spendy, I want to make it last! The only thing is I can’t wear my new Coola sunscreen under it or it will ball up and come off. It’s gross. So I need to find another spf moisturizer to wear under it.

The one product I purchased and don’t really care for is the Milk Makeup KUSH High Volume Mascara — It supposedly has heart-shaped fibers that lock onto lashes for long-lasting volume, length, and curl. “Conditioning cannabis oil fuses to lashes for thickness without fallout, while also working to fill the hollow, heart-shaped fibers with formula for a double dose of volume. Hemp-derived cannabis oil continues to hydrate for healthier-looking lashes, even after you’ve removed your mascara.”

That’s fine. I really don’t care about the cannabis oil part of it, I guess if it’s good for my lashes, that’s nice. What I don’t like is that it smears under my eyes every time I wear it. It’s so bad! My Cover Girl Last Blast looks and wears better than this mascara! It gives good volume, but I also need length. I am going to try this one more time with a primer under it for more length and a waterproof mascara on top so maybe it won’t smear. We will see.

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer — I’m sure everybody knows what this is! I have been wanting to try it for a while now. When the foundation came out and didn’t have a very inclusive shade range, I kind of lost interest, but I thought I would try it now. And it’s as good as everyone says.

Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette — I got a Sephora gift card from my daughter and decided to purchase this, because the shades are so gorgeous! I will be reviewing this in a day or two, but spoiler alert, I LOVE it!

On the right are a few deluxe samples. The Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream and the Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara were each 100 Insider points and the Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Foundation was a gift with purchase with $35 spent. And I got a Clinique foil pouch that looks fun to try.

Let me know if you would like a more in-depth review of any of the other products (besides the palette ’cause it’s coming!). I also have purchased a couple of BH Cosmetics palettes and the new ColourPop foundation, reviews to come along with some new pr products! So I have lots to do in the coming weeks!