Category: cosmetics

Perfect your Manicure With CND and Jason Wu

CND has the perfect product to get your hands and feet looking sexy this spring. Fashion designer Jason Wu is collaborating with runway manicure leader CND to introduce a limited edition Jason Wu Collection ($47.00 USD) that honors iconic women through wearable, timeless shades. The set will come with 4 Colours and 1 Effect that can be layered to achieve the designer’s effortless yet elegant nail styles.

“Every season I play with different ways of using color in my collection, so it was a natural choice to collaborate with CND on a capsule of nail colors that reflects my aesthetics. Included in the set is my signature gray color,” says Jason Wu.

The Shades Are:

Miss Wu – Jason’s signature limestone, warm gray that dries matte with subtle chrome sheen, in perfect harmony of masculinity and femininity

Brigitte – voluptuous warm pink that perfectly channels 50’s screen siren

Sophia – gorgeous mushroom taupe

Veronica – highlights the evolution of decadence with a blue-based, oxblood red

Anna Effect – layered over any of the four Colours provides a tweed finish via microscopic fibrous pieces that create cool, subtle texture

These colors are extremely classy and perfect for any outfit. The effect is interesting, but I like the polishes with out the effect. They are creamy and very opaque — you only need two coats.

SpaPedicure™ Marine Salt Scrub ($43.50 US 18 oz) — Physically exfoliates dead skin cells with minerals and sea salts and deeply conditions and softens skin with sunflower oil and vitamin E. The scrub leaves skin with a soft, luminous glow and does not leave a greasy residue. It contains mineral and Dead Sea Salt – provides effective yet gentle exfoliation and helps relieve inflammation when dissolved in water.

I used the scrub on my feet, legs and other rough spots like my elbows. It is extremely gentle but smooths skin and imparts great glow! It’s a perfect prep for the Jason Wu kit.

Visit www.cnd.com to learn more and purchase.

Becca Cosmetics Can Give You The Perfect Look For Spring and Summer

We have had a few hot days in Kansas City, which has made me long for the summer and tan skin and easy makeup. So I used an at home spray tanning system (will review soon) and broke out the bronzer and shimmery makeup! Oh, I love the fun easy look of summer makeup!

BECCA Cosmetics’ philosophy is about creating a natural, flawless look starting with amazing skin. This is the perfect philosophy when it comes to spring and summer makeup. The following products will provide an easy and pretty face.

Resurfacing Primer Line & Pore Minimizing Formula ($40.00 USD) — Prepare and seal your skin with this invisible Resurfacing Primer which instantly reduces the appearance of dilated pores and smoothes fine lines for a flawless finish. Applied on its own or under foundation, the velvety matte formulation helps to control unwanted shine with its special oil absorbing polymers which act as ‘fillers’ to create a refined base for makeup that will last all day.

What I think: mattifying primer is perfect for hot and oily skin. It also keeps your makeup from melting off of your face.  This primer gives skin a velvety finish and helps makeup stay on all day.

Pressed Shimmer Powder ($38.00 USD) — A delicately fine shimmer powder that lights up the complexion, illuminating darkened areas and lackluster skin and creating a magical glow that seems to emanate from within. Contains ultrafine particles of shimmer (mica) to deflect light and illuminate the skin, creating a natural, radiant look. Does not have a glittery finish and thus can be worn day or night.

What I think: Pretty shimmer, and not too young for women who are a bit more mature and not looking for a glittery face.  Available in 8 shades from a beigey-peach to a rose-pink, which is the most I’ve seen in an illuminating powder. The deeper shades make a really pretty blush. Brush it over bronzer for a lovely summer look.

Jewel Dust ($24.00 USD) — These exquisitely embellished powders add playful colour to the eyes when worn alone, and create rich, exotic tones when layered over neutral eye shadows. Available in a range of enchanting colours from ethereal pastels to dazzling metallics. Created from pure pigments which provide the highest luster and intensity.  Unlike other shimmer powders, this exclusive formulation does not contain talc, fillers, or inferior silver pearl pigments. Can be worn alone or layered over creme and powder eye colour to create unique tones and range of effects. Micro fine shimmer pigments adds illuminating colour to the eyes. Available in 16 shimmery shades.

What I think: This is super pretty for summer. The lighter shades are gorgeous brushed all over the eye and the deeper and brighter shades can be used for an accent or a smoky eye.

Professional Brush Soap ($15.00 USD) — Designed with your prized makeup brushes in mind, this unique Professional Brush Soap is formulated to clean, condition and sanitize, lengthening the lifespan of your brushes and making them work better for you. In a unique vintage-style shaving tin, this soap is designed for all brush shapes and sizes and works on both natural and synthetic fibers.

Unlike shampoo, which is designed for human hair types and can leave brushes limp or brittle, this special soap is universal in its cleansing properties. Its solid formula is made from nourishing plant oils ensuring that it is gentle on brush fibers while tough on product build-up.  Unwashed, brushes can be a common breeding ground for bacteria, which can in turn cause skin irritation and blemishes, along with reduced application performance. Dip the brush in lukewarm water, then with a stroking action, move across the soap until it produces a white lather, working well into the bristles. Rinse under the tap until the water runs clear, squeeze out excess water, reshape, then leave to dry on a clean towel.

What I think: This is a fabulous and affordable cleanser for your brushes. It is so important to keep makeup brushes clean and this is easy and quick. Love it!

Visit www.beccacosmetics.com to learn more and to purchase. Enjoy!

Visit Target For Spring Products From Pixi and JK Jemma Kidd

Just in time for Spring, Target has released new products in some of the prestige cosmetic collections that they carry. These products are bright and shimmery, which makes it so much to change up your look! Enjoy these products:   
JK Jemma Kidd Glitterati Eye Shadow Dust Duo ($18.00 USD) —  Jemma Kidd’s super on-trend answer to this seasons shimmering seventies eye. A mega hold liquid shadow with powder glitter dust.

Features Include:

  • Water based, hydrating liquid shadow with a fast drying, crease proof formula
  • Added silk proteins for a lightweight and flawless application
  • Complementary roll on glitter dust for added “day to night” glamour

This shimmery shadow is available in 3 shades — Paparazzi (gold), Debut (silver) and Shadow (taupy bronze).

JK Jemma Kidd In Vogue Perfect Blush ($18.00 USD) Tailor make your cheekbones with Jemma Kidd’s brand new versatile and ultra flattering powder blush.

Features Include:

  • Powder blushers with complementary shades from one colour family
  • Mix colours together to create your own unique shade or use individual shades alone

available in 3 color combinations — Rodeo Drive (pinks), South Beach (bronze) and 5th avenue (corals).

Pixi Flawless Beauty Powder ($30.00 USD) — This powder looks like real skin, just better. It evens out skin tone and keeps skin shine-free for hours. Containing an innovative mix of translucent, coated air-light pigments, Vitamin E and strong UV-protection, it enhances and helps to protect the skin. Leaves an invisible, smooth, shine-free and youthful finish. Suitable for all skin types & ages due to its unique light-diffusing pigments and re-hydrating formula.

Beneficial ingredients and what they do:

  1. Vitamin E nourishes and protects
  2. Silica conditions and softens skin

You can purchase this in Fair, Natural and Warm. It is easy to use — it comes with a little sponge — or your can apply with a brush.

Pixi Succulent Lip Twin ($18.00 USD) — Give yourself a lip-loving treat with this duo lip nourisher. The natural oils and extracts condition and protect your lips – all while adding a quick tint of face-awakening colour with our unique lip & cheek tint (conveniently located in cap).

In the tube: Multi-purpose lip balm to soothe & heal dry lips. In the cap: Solid lip & cheek tint for when you need a quick pick-me-up.

Beneficial ingredients and what they do:

  1. Aloe Vera soothes and heals stressed skin
  2. Jojoba Oil is an effective natural moisturizer and environmental barrier for the skin
  3. Lavender extract heals and calms skin
  4. Vitamin E nourishes and protect
  5. Shea Butter nourishes the skin

Available in 4 shades — Nude Lilly, Coral Camellia, Pink Peon, Poppy Red. The balm gives lips a pretty tint, and the gloss gives more color and shine.  

Visit www.target.com to learn more and purchase!

Create A Beautiful Complexion With New Products From Physicians Formula

Happy Booster™ Glow & Mood Boosting Powder ($13.95 USD) — Ultra-smooth, perfecting powder in a complementary palette of color blends together to even out skin tone with a flawless radiance.  Vibrant pink heart gives cheeks a healthy pop of color.  Infused with our Happy Boost Blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress.  The sweet scent of Violet provides a feeling of joy each time you apply.

What I think: First of all, I enjoy the soft violet scent. Violet is one of my favorite floral fragrances and this one is not strong — which is perfect for the powder. The powder also gives a nice soft glow and is pretty alone or over foundation or tinted moisturizer.

Mineral Wear™ Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Primer ($10.95 USD) — In one simple step, this versatile primer color-corrects imperfections, smoothes skin texture, fills in fine lines and boosts makeup’s staying power. Ultra-convenient twist-pen with attached brush applicator allows for easy blending and effortless application. Available in Nude, Pink Highlighter and Green.

What I think: I really love the green primer, because it color corrects the red from my complexion. It goes on incredibly smooth and is great under makeup. My skin does not turn green when I use it, so don’t worry about that. The nude  is fantastic for evening out skintone and the pink is a pretty highlighter for cheekbones and under the eyebrow.

Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Sun Stones ($14.95 USD) — Luminous bronzing Sun Stones provide an instant and lasting tan-boost that blends and builds easily to your desired level of bronze. Indescent bronze and gold blend together for a gorgeous and glowing bronze effect.  Unique Sun Stones provide the soft, smooth look of a loose powder without the mess. It comes in two shades, Light to Medium and Medium to Dark.

What I think: This includes a nice little brush that works well to apply this bronzer all over for a faux tan, or where the sun naturally hits the face — forehead, nose, chin and cheekbones. The stones impart a pretty soft glow.

Visit www.physiciansformula.com to learn more and you can purchase at a drugstore or mass market relaiter near you.

Spring Eye Shadow Choices From Boots No7, Napoleon Perdis and Josie Maran

I don’t think you need to buy all new makeup each season, but it is fun to pop in a few new products, like a bright or shimmery eye shadow for spring, to update your look. Here are some of my favorites that I have recently tried.

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse ($7.99 USD) —  These small tubes of light-as-air color combine a wonderful whipped texture with a flattering iridescent finish. The unique formulation means the color lasts on and on and it’s just so easy to apply, use your finger to dot and blend to your heart’s content. The eye color is waterproof so great for sports enthusiasts.

Apply using fingertips and blend to create the desired effect. A brush can be used for more precise definition. The Vanilla shade can be used as a highlighter. It is also available in Fudge, Khaki and Lilac.

Visit www.target.com or www.us.boots.com to learn more and purchase.

Napoleon Perdis Loose Eye Dusts ($25.00 USD) — A highly pigmented loose powder in a canister that dispenses just the right amount of product each time. Start in the closed position, shake lightly and open to release. The sifter mechanism measures out enough shadow for one application. Dust or pat onto the eyes, cheeks or even body for brilliant shimmering highlights. The vivid results last from dust till dawn.  Available in 20 shimmering shades.

Visit http://www.napoleonperdis.com/US/ to learn more and purchase.

Josie Maran Argan Eye Love You Too Palette ($42.00 USD) — A limited-edition palette that contains eight Argan-infused eyeshadows for endless eye looks.Enriched with pure Argan Oil, these soft, velvety shadows blend effortlessly and stay put for intense, saturated, all-day color. The perfectly portable palette comes with an easy-to-follow, how-to card from Josie herself, featuring step-by-step instructions on how to create the ideal day and night looks. Campfire is a matte chestnut brown. Rejuvenate is a golden mossy green. Dragonfly is a color shifting, brownish-teal. Chirp is a maple brownish-gold. Bunny is a buttery white. Cinnamon is a fleshy pink. Meadow is a subtle lemon-lime green. Branch is a dark brown with gold flecks.

You can purchase at www.josiemarancosmetics.com or www.sephora.com.

Enjoy!

Glam Up With Jemma Kidd Makeup School

Jemma Kidd is a makeup artist who has founded a makeup academy and lines of makeup including Jemma Kidd Makeup School, Jemma Kidd Pro and JK Jemma Kidd (you can find this line at Target). I have recently tried some products from hr lines. Here are a couple that i really like:
 
Jemma Kidd Makeup School Lash Xtension Volume Mascara — Carbon super-black mascara with Bio-boost complex to help enhance lash-growth and next generation ‘V’ groove brush for creating maximum volume.

Give lashes extreme volume and length with Jemma Kidd’s Lash Xtension Volume Mascara. The unique formula enriched with Bio-boost complex helps to encourage natural lash growth while Silk Proteins and Vitamins A and E condition and strengthen.The carbon formula leaves lashes looking blacker than black and the reflective pigments create a subtle gloss finish for added drama. The innovative design of the double ‘V’ groove brush encourages maximum mascara application, resulting in thicker, longer looking lashes.

  • Bio-boost complex helps stimulate natural lash growth.
  • Carbon black shade for blacker than black lashes.
  • Added Silk Proteins and Vitamins A and E condition and strengthen.
  • Next generation double ‘V’ groove brush provides instant volume, length and depth

What I think: I love the super black tint of this mascara and that fact that it lengthens and thickens my lashes. The thick brush is really easy to apply and it stays on all day without smudging! I have only been using this for a couple of weeks, so I haven’t noticed lash growth, but I will let you all know if I do!

Jemma Kidd Pro Skin Perfection Kit — A revolutionary, professional standard skin perfecting palette with four shades to help conceal, enhance, sculpt and shade your way to a flawless base.

  • Citrus Colour Corrector
    Unique citrus shade with green undertone. Yellow corrects blue & purple undertones around the eye area while green will neutralise any unwanted red tones in the complexion. This revolutionary citrus shade is the perfect combination of both ‘essential’ colour correctors in one
  • Apricot Colour Corrector
    Brightening apricot shade to neutralise & even skin tone around the eye area with added collagen for firming effect
  • All Over Radiance Crème
    Mini version of the award winning JKMS Dewy Glow Radiance Crème – (Iced Gold)
  • Lip & Cheek Flush
    Berry blush concentrate to create subtle definition & a healthy flush; added antioxidants vitamins A & E

What I think: This is a great little do-it-all compact that is perfect to use at home or put in your purse for quick touch-up! I use the Citrus and Apricot correctors under my eyes. I put the citrus first and the apricot over. It lessens my dark circles and brightens, too. The radiance cream is gorgeous as a highlighter and the flush is a pretty lip and cheek color!

You can learn more about these products and more at  www.jemmakidd.com.

Announcing The Winner Of My EcoTools Giveaway!

EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone - 5 Piece Brush and Case Set

Congrats to Erin from Canada, who won the  EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone – 5 Piece Brush and Case Set! I know she will love this great eco-conscious set!

For my other readers — stay tuned because I’m sure I will be having another giveaway soon! Thanks for reading!

Hot New Product — Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain

Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain

I have been excited to try Hourglass’s new Aura Sheer Cheek Stain ($45.00 USD).  I have seen ads for it for the last few weeks, and it is even a featured new product on the Sephora website.

So does it live up to the hype, you ask? I think so.

The Aura Cheek Stain is a water-based stain that give cheeks a subtle lit-from-within glow and to last all day. Spring makeup is about looking effortlessly beautiful, and this product embodies this by being so easy to apply. Aura’s unique click mechanism dispenses the perfect amount of product for convenient on-the-go application, and has a sponge applicator which makes it easy to blend.

This product is enriched with Vitamin E to help improve skin’s moisture retention and is free of oil, fragrance, and phthalates. Available in three shades: Rouge (sheer rose); Flush (sheer red); Petal (sheer pink/coral shimmer).  I have tested Petal and love the color. It is a soft pinky coral with a subtle shimmer. Anti-aging tip: pinks and corals are perfect for us women who want to look younger. A soft flush is extremely youthful. Pinks and corals are also perfect as a lip gloss for a younger-looking pout!

This blush is currently available at www.sephora.com and www.hourglasscosmetics.com.

New Bronzing Kit From Cargo

Voyages Bronzing Collection

A few warm spring days has got me looking towards warmer weather and sun-kissed skin! My skin is pasty and could really use some sun (fake of course, I make sure to use SPF everyday).

A good substitute for sun or sunless tanner is CARGO’s Voyages Bronzing Collection ($25.00 USD).  This includes CARGO’s Bronzer in Medium packaged in a signature tin, a Kabuki Brush, and a cute travel bag.

This is a really pretty bronzer and the brush is perfect for application, plus the whole kit fits in your purse. Very nice for traveling. CARGO is known for their fab bronzers and the look is so natural, but has a little shimmer to it.

This kit is sold exclusively at Sephora inside JC Penney. Enjoy!

Don’t Forget to Enter my EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone Giveaway!

EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone – 5 Piece Brush and Case Set

Hi All — Don’t forget to enter my fab giveaway! I am giving away this awesome brush and makeup case set by EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone ($15.99 USD). These brushes are earth friendly, so soft and apply makeup like a dream. I have used many EcoTools brushes and love them all. Environmentally minded Alicia Silverstone designed the set. The details are:

CASE

BRUSHES

  • Highly sustainable bamboo handles.
  • 100% cruelty-free, soft taklon bristles.
  • Recycled aluminum ferrules.

PACKAGING

  • Box is made from 30% post-consumer recycled content and printed with non-toxic inks.

This limited edition EcoTools by Alicia Silverstone Brush Set and Case includes a Finishing Brush, Blush Brush, Angled Eye Shadow Brush, Lash & Brow Groomer and Brush Case.  All the tools you need to create Alicia’s natural look!

Contest is open to United States and Canadian residents. To win, leave a comment on my blog. For extra entries follow me on Twitter @fortyflirtyfab and/or subscribe to my blog at the right side of my site’s home page. I will draw the winner on Friday, March 18, 2011. Good luck!