Beauty – Page 35 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Mini Ulta Haul

So, I wanted to go on a makeup spree, but instead I made a small online order on Ulta. Makeup Revolution is currently on sale at Ulta, buy 2 get one free. Which is an amazing deal! Plus I saw this sparkly Real Techniques powder brush and had to have it!

I am going probably going to review all of these with swatches at some time, but here are the products I just bought:

This is the Makeup Revolution Reloaded Palette in Newtrals 2. It is only $7 USD and is STUNNING! It is so pigmented and the colors are gorgeous, especially the shimmers. I will be swatching this in a review in a week or two, after I play with it. I do want to say that I like this so much I am tempted to go to Ulta and get the other 3 palettes in the Reloaded collection while the buy 2 get one free deal is still going on!

Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Conceal & Contour — $7 USD. I got the shade C4. I like it so far, but I think I should have got it lighter. I’m going to play with it a bit before I review it. I hear it’s a dupe for tarte’s Shape Tape, but I haven’t tried that concealer.

Makeup Revolution Luxury Baking Powder in Lace — $8 USD — This originally just came in the banana powder shade. I don’t do well with anything yellow or orange, so I was happy to find the cream color Lace powder. I am liking it for setting makeup and baking.

Real Techniques Brush Crush 300 Powder Brush — $12.99 USD — I wasn’t happy with my powder brush, so I was looking for a fluffy one. And this is gorgeous! So fun, it makes me me smile each time I use it.

Do you like shopping at Ulta? What did you get at your last visit?

Nip + Fab Glycolic Pad Collection Review

I think exfoliating skin is so important at any age. I try to do it as much as my sensitive skin will allow.

I was recently sent some Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix products for my honest review. Here’s what I think:

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Foaming Pads ($14.99 USD) — This is a very cool product! It’s a wet, foaming pad that you cleanse the skin with, Then rinse off for smooth, cleans skin. Enriched in 2% glycolic acid and moisture-rich ingredients, switch between the textured side to exfoliate and the smooth side to polish skin and lift away dirt, oil and impurities.

These are thicker than the normal Glycolic Fix pads and the textured side is a bit rougher. I find that they cleanse and exfoliate in one step. Use a day or night cleansing pad afterwards for double exfoliation.

: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads (12.99 USD) — 60 radiance-boosting pads, soaked in exfoliating glycolic acid (2.8%) retexture + resurface skin whilst witch hazel helps to tone. Also includes hyaluronic acid + soothing blue daisy helps to reveal brighter + smoother looking skin.

First of all, all of these products smell very nice. Mild and fresh. These are easy to use after cleansing, swipe them on skin, moisturize. Gorgeous! Skin is ready for makeup. These really help the texture of my skin by making it smoother and pores less noticeable.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme ($14.95 USD) — A more potent version of the bestselling glycolic fix pads, these extreme night pads contain the ighest level of glycolic acid at 5% and have been further enhanced with the addition of salicylic acid, making these your ultimate night treatment to refine pores, brighten the complexion and de-congest the skin through the improvement of the skin’s natural exfoliation process.

This is not a daily product, I use maybe once or twice a week. I can really feel it re-texturizing my skin, but it doesn’t irritate it at all, and I have sensitive skin!

If you want an easy to use and not messy exfoliation at a great price, I highly recommend these.

February 2018 Beauty Favorites

Happy Sunday! I hope you had a great week and are getting ready for March. I am so excited that spring is coming!

This year, I have decided to do something different with my favorites posts. Instead of posting a weekly favorites of new products I love, I have begun to post monthly about the products I have been using most.

In February, my faves were —

Flawless by Gabrielle Union Heat Protection Spray ($19 USD) — I have to use a heat protection spray when I straighten my hair or it gets so dry. This shields hair with a liquid barrier of thermal protection up to 450 degrees. Contains a blend of Argan, Avocado and Marula Oils, alongside naturally-derived Pea Protein, to increase elasticity and to prevent breakage. Once I spray it on, my flat iron glides through my hair and it looks hydrated and smooth.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Breathable Foundation ($7.99 USD) — I love this foundation! I have been wearing it every day. It’s so light and looks like I don’t have makeup on, yet it covers redness and other imperfections well.

Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer ($6.49 USD) — This oil-free formula conceals redness, flaws, and blemishes. I love using it on my red patches, under the eyes (if my eye area isn’t too dry) and on my lid as a primer. It covers well and looks natural.

Becca Champagne Cocktail Lipgloss. — This was in a kit that is sold on QVC. You can read my review of the kit here. I don’t think this gloss is for sale separately. Which is too bad, because it’s amazing. The shade I have is Sparkling Rose. It’s sheer, but does leave a bit of color. I love that it’s hydrating and not too sticky. I’m a big fan of lip glosses as I hate lip color that dries out my lips!

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector ($32 USD) — This was in the same kit as the lip gloss, but it can be purchased separately. This isn’t a full coverage concealer, but it instantly brightens under my eye and it does conceal a bit. It gives my eye area a glow and makes it look younger.

Winky Luxe Kitten Palette – ($25 USD) — I received this in my November 2017 BoxyCharm. You can see a review of this palette with swatches here. I love most of these shades and can make lots of looks with it! Gorgeous!

What have you been loving this month?

New Lippies from essence makeup!

I’m a fan of essence makeup! Their products are affordable and generally pretty amazing! They has recently released some fun new lip products. I was sent a few to test for my honest review.

essence ultra last instant colour lipstick ($4.99): This is a long-lasting lipstick with a creamy texture. It does last for a while, and leaves a stained lip after eating or drinking. I like that it doesn’t dry out my lips. Available in 20 shades.

Here are swatches of the lipsticks:

From left to right: 16 Fancy Blush, 5 Un-Grey-Tful and 17 Bur-Berry. Fancy Blush is my favorite and one I can see myself wearing a lot. I usually wear lighter colors, but this will be nice for goring out.

essence butter sticks ($3.99): These are very pigmented and hydrating, even the matte ones! The modern retractable stick is super convenient and easy to apply. Available in 5 glossy love & 5 matte love shades.

The first two are matte and the third is glossy. It’s hard to tell from my swatch, but the glossy one is shinier. The shades are matte 2 Hot Cocoa, matte 5 Betty Gold and glossy 4 Dark Syrup. Dark Syrup is really the only wearable color for me, but I would wear the matte one in a different shade. These are all really hydrating and easy to apply. I find they cover well, too! Probably my favorite of all three products!

essence vibrant/metal shock lip paint ($4.49): Bright and metallic lips are so popular right now! These claim that one swipe gives an instant high color impact with a semi-matte finish. Available in 6 vibrant and 6 metallic shocking shades.

Left to right are vibrant in 3 Red Viper, metallic in 5 Arsenic and 3 Lilly of the Valley.

These are probably my least favorite of the products. They are sheer and need a few coats to build up. I’m also not the biggest fan of drying liquid lipsticks.

Have you tried any of the essence lippies? Which ones are your faves?

ColourPop Golden State Of Mind Pressed Powder Shadow Palette

I have another Colourpop Palette from my early January haul to review. I have reviewed almost all of the palettes I received.

This is the Golden State of Mind palette . This is usually $26, but is on sale now for $20. I think most of the site that isn’t on sale is 20% off if you spend over $50 right now. That code is GET20. I don’t think this is included since it’s already on sale.

This beauty is made up of metallic and shimmer shades. It’s super sparkly and gorgeous! I was very lucky because I picked it up at a time where if I spent $50, I got this palette for free. Here are the shades from top to bottom:

Golden Egg: pinky beige with turquoise glitter
Pay the Piper: icy blue
GRLFRND: pink with violet glitter
Zero Clue: vibrant warm yellow
Watch Out: golden ivory with pink glitter
Drizzle: icy baby pink
Uptight: rose gold
Can’t Stop: icy champagne ivory
Sparkler: silvery bronze
Unsupervised: pink champagne
Lust in Time: medium cool rose
Mind Tricks: icy blackened purple
Wing Woman: red brown with green and gold glitter
Heads or Tales: icy cranberry
Tinker Time: blackened antique gold with blue glitter

I thought the first row of pastels was going to be my favorite, but I love this last row. The colors are so gorgeous and dramatic. These swatch so nicely. I thought they needed to be applied with a finger because a brush wouldn’t pick up the pigment, but if I dig in with a harder brush, I can apply them pretty well. Fingers do work, though!

What surprised be about this palette is that I thought I would use it as an accent to other shadows, especially mattes. But, I have been able to create complete, if shimmery, looks. They are nice used with mattes, though!

I do like this palette. It is not one I reach for daily, but it’s nice for weekends and speciall occasions.

I’d have to say pressed powder palettes are my favorite ColourPop products. What’s yours?

Hydrating Products For Winter Skin and Hair — Part 2

We had an ice storm in Kansas City today, it was crazy! And what else is crazy is my skin and hair in this cold weather!

I have been sent some great products for my honest review, and these are some of my favorite to help hydrate skin and style my hair in this harsh winter:

TLW Let’s Get Tacos Treatment Oil ($20.00 USD) — This light hair oil from Three Little Words has such a fun name, plus it smells amazing, like tropical fruit! It claims to repair hair from the inside out and helps seal split-ends for smooth, healthy-looking results. It is formulated with grape seed oil, the treatment moisturizes, strengthens, repairs and adds shine while, Kakadu plum oil provides UV protection and heat resistance. I like that it is liquid, not a heavy oil and absorbs quickly into my hair. I apply it to damp and dry hair and my hair is soft and manageable!

Purchase at http://www.freepeople.com

Dr Teal’s Pink Himalayan Body Lotion ($4.97 USD) Delivers deep moisture to the skin plus all the benefits of aromatherapy for the mind. A rich blend of cocoa butter, Shea Butter and Vitamin E is infused with Essential Oils like lavender and eucaplytus to nourish and renew. This has a soothing scent and is so hydrating! It’s such a great winter moisturizer, it’s not greasy and hydrates for hours.

Purchase at Walmart.com

Revlon Salon Straight Copper Smooth Flat Iron

Revlon Essentials Paddle Brush

Revlon Salon Straight Copper Smooth Flat Iron ($39.99 at Ulta): features long plates. The XL advanced copper plates provide superior heat transfer and durability, for smooth styles and long-lasting results. Infused with 3x advanced ceramic plate technology, hair will not only be straight, but also silky, shiny, and with less-frizz. This straightens my hair quickly and leaves it smooth and shiny!

Revlon Essentials Paddle Brush (Ulta, $6.29): Bristles have the perfect separation for working out tangles and knots for every hair type. Detangle, blow dry, or finish your look with this all-purpose brush. I have been using this every day. It works well on wet or dry hair and leaves my hair smooth!

What products have you been loving this winter? Leave a comment and let me know!

BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review – February 2018

I just received my BoxyCharm February 2018 box a couple of days ago, and I wanted to share it with you. I really like this subscription. You get a lot of makeup for a great price!

Boxycharm is just $21 a month for 5-6 beauty items, most of them full-sized.

Here’s what I got this month:

Ofra Cosmetics Pop-Up Palette with Blush — $19 for the Palette and $12 for the blush
CoverFX Shimmer Veil Amethyst – $28 USD
Crown Pro Trio Brush Set – $29.99 USD
PUR Lips Plumping Lip Exfoliator – Retail Value $17
Vintage Cosmetics Smokey Eye Pencil – Retail Value $21

This was a variant item. Subscribers either receive this palette with the blush or Naked Cosmetics Highlighter Palette.

I wanted the highlighter palette. I’m not the biggest fan of variations because I always seem to get the item I don’t want, LOL!

The blush included with this is Winter Rose Glow, a warm brown with subtle shimmer. It’s not really a shade I would wear.

The palette itself is fine, I guess. It’s a little flimsy, and I don’t have anything to put in it. But I might use it some day.

Besides the highlight palette I didn’t receive, this is the item I was most excited about. It’s a really pretty lavender color. It is buildable too. With two layers I got a really shimmery look and ot stays all day.

The brushes are very soft and have a nice indent in them to make them easier to handle.

They are meant to be used for contouring — the smaller one can be used for concealer, the middle one contouring and the larger one for powder. I’m looking forward to using them and seeing how they work.

This exfoliator is a surprise win to me! It not only exfoliates my lips, it hydrates them too. It has a nice fruity taste, too.

I don’t usually wear black eyeliner, but this is really pigmented and glides on smoothly.

All in all, this is a pretty good box. I can see myself using the Cover FX Shimmer Veil, the brushes and the exfoliator. I will probably keep the eye pencil in case I want to wear black eyeliner. I don’t know what I will do with the Ofra palette. I might purchase some shadows to put in it.

Do you get BoxyCharm? Which products did you get in yours this month.

Hydrating Products For Winter Skin and Hair — Part 1

My skin and hair are so dry right now! The weather in Kansas City has really been fluctuating. One day it’s 30 degrees F, and the next day its 60. It’s messing me up!

I received the following products for my honest review:

JUARA Coconut Illipe Hand & Nail Balm ($20 USD) — This amazing smelling hand balm is really saving my chapped hands and cuticles! It contains Illipe Butter plus Coconut, Candlenut and Buriti Oils. These really hydrate and heal rough skin. I also love that this absorbs quickly..

Available now at juaraskincare.com

Jason Calming Lavender Hand & Body Lotion ($5.60 on Amazon) — This is a rich, non-greasy lotion. I like to use it on my hands as well as my body because it instantly sinks in and I can work on my computer or phone right away! It contains a blend of Vitamin C & E and Kukui Nut Oil. It has a very light lavender scent which is very nice!

Purchase at Amazon.com and learn more at http://www.jason-personalcare.com

Flawless by Gabrielle Union Heat Protection Spray ($19 USD) — I air dry my hair, but use a straightening iron to style. My hair has been so dry this winter and hot styling doesn’t help! This product really reduces the damaging effects of this. This shields hair with a liquid barrier of thermal protection up to 450 degrees. Contains a blend of Argan, Avocado and Marula Oils, alongside naturally-derived Pea Protein, to increase elasticity and to prevent breakage. Once I spray it on, my flat iron glides through my hair and it looks hydrated and smooth. Yay!

Purchase at https://flawlesshair.com. Right now use code XOXO for 40% off sitewide!

I have been loving these products. Since I am getting tired (what a week!), I am going to feature more of my fave hydrating products in Part 2 on Sunday February 18th…stay tuned!

Pamper Your Hair and Skin With Derma E

I recently received a wonderful box of pampering products from Derma E for my honest review.

I received Derma E Organic Argan Oil Blend and 3-in-1 Hair Protection Serum.

The Derma E Organic Argan Oil Blend ($15.50 USD) is 98 percent argan Oil, 1.5. percent Kukui seed oil and .5 percent Jojoba oil.

It is fragrance free. It is very hydrating and works well on my skin and hair. I like applying it to the ends of my hair. My hair is really dry right now and it makes it more manageable. I also like using it on my elbows and legs, and any other dry skin I have.

Derma E 3-in-1 Hair Protection Serum ($10.99 USD) works so well on my damaged hair. I apply it when my hair is damp, and also when is dry. It can be used before drying or as a finishing serum. For perfect hair I do it both ways. I think this an affordable way to get really shiny and manageable hair. I’ll be great on my frizzy hair in the summertime too.

Purchase these product and more at http://www.dermae.com

Have you tried Derma E?

ColourPop You Had Me At Hello Palette Review

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, can you believe it? I like to do a makeup look with pinks and reds, or similar colors on Valentine’s Day. So I thought this would be the perfect time to review this palette!

This is the ColourPop You Had Me At Hello eye shadow palette. It’s only $18 and comes with a mirror! I purchased this at the end of December in a ColourPop haul.

You can tell by the messy palette that I have been using this palette a lot! The shades are:

The Knot: metallic cool-toned ivory
Moon Struck: metallic soft gold
Two Peas: matte peachy beige
Candygram: metallic pinky red with gold duochrome
Winning Ticket: matte dusty mauve pink
FBO: metallic pink violet
Look-See: matte cool-toned plum
Fool’s Rush: metallic golden bronze
Pulling Strings: matte warm saddle brown
Want U Back: matte dusty mauve brown
DTR: metallic silvery taupe
Sparks Fly: matte deep plummy brown

Here are the swatches:

These shades are all so gorgeous and versatile. The mattes are really creamy in the palette and all of the shadows are well pigmented. I think it would be perfect if it had a light, matte shade. But, this will make a gorgeous Valentine’s look!

Have you tried this palette, or any others from ColourPop?