Category: cosmetics

Fab Beauty Stocking Stuffers Under $10.00

Hey all! I’ve got some great ideas for stocking stuffers for women and teens! I love finding beauty items in my stocking (I usually don’t get them though, I’m the one who gives beauty). I know that I’m not alone. Try one of these affordable and really good products, and the recipient will thank you! 

LUSH Maple Taffy Lip Balm ($4.95 USD) — This delicious balm is made with 20% maple syrup for that authentic, sweet flavor. It is also packed with  moisturizing butters like shea and illipe to make lips soft and smooth throughout the winter. Visit www.lushusa.com to purchase this balm and other affordable stocking stuffers such as bath bombs and soap, all handmade.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara ($8.95 USD) — L’Oréal Paris’ newest addition to the cult-favorite Voluminous line claims to “deliver instant impact without any clumps, amplifying your lashes to millionaire lengths. Its innovative brush precisely combines long and short bristles to capture and evenly coat every lash from root to tip. Additionally, the new Clean-Sweep Wiper System uses stretch technology to adjust to every bristle, remove excess mascara and wipe the brush free of clumps, leaving just the right amount of mascara needed for an ultra-volumizing look.” Available at www.lorealparis.com and chain drug, food and mass market retailers nationwide.

Those purveyors of eco-freindly cosmetic brushes, ecoTOOLS, has recently released their Recycled Retractable Foundation Brush ($5.99).  The heavily tapered hairs of the foundation brush mimic upscale designer cosmetic brushes, pioneering maximum luxurious functionality at minimum cost and harm to the earth. This is a very soft brush that smooths primer and foundation on beautifully. And you can’t beat the price!

Palladio Shadow & Liner Herbal Crayons ($6.00 USD) — Is a natural, shimmery, three-in-one cosmetic must-have. They “chill” when applied and offer an all-day cooling sensation. Featuring ingredients such as aloe and glycerin (a natural humectant), the soft gel formula glides on effortlessly and eliminates the need to “pull” or “tug” at sensitive eye areas. Use as an eyeshadow, eye liner or color-enhancing shadow base. Visit www.palladiobeauty.com to learn more!

So pick 1 (0r 2 or 3) of these great stocking stuffer and make someone’s Christmas special!

Cyber Monday Deals From LORAC and Clarisonic

Here are a couple of great Cyber Monday deals for you:

LORAC has a fun cosmetics kit for you today. It is the Cyber Monday Collection and it contains 5 products including 2 shades of Baked Matte Satin Eye Shadow, On Screen Duo Highlighter/Cream Liner, a Lotsa Lip Gloss and Lotsa Lipstick all in a chic black makeup bag.  The products were hand-picked by Celebrity Makeup Artist and LORAC Founder, Carol Shaw.  It’s a steal for only $25 with a $100 value!  Available on Monday 11/29 at www.loraccosmetics.com.

Clarisonic has a deal that all “Skincare Pairs” that are purchased this Cyber Monday will be 20% off. Products such as the Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Opal Sonic Infusion, brush heads and cleansers bought in pairs will be included in this special. There is free shipping on all orders as well as a free gift with purchase: a Limited Edition Pink Brush Head (Normal), 6 oz. Gentle Hydro Cleanser and travel bag ($65 value). Availability: www.clarisonic.com

Happy shopping!

Glow This Holiday Season With Shimmery Makeup Finds

Sparkle is such a fun way to glam up your look for the holidays. It’s always fun to buy a little glamour for yourself or others this time of year. The following products and sets are a perfect way to update your makeup this season: 

Vincent Longo Diamond Body Spray ($44.00 USD) adds glamour to your beauty in a new experiential body spray with sensual and shimmering pleasure. Place this nostalgic perfume bottle on your vanity table and prepare for attracting attention of all eyes. Illuminate your skin with instant highlighted shoulders, décolleté, arms and hair with a gentle atomized ‘poof’ of radiant loose diamond-like powder. Choose either Gold or Silver depending on your preferred radiance. Enjoy the spotlight and sparkle into the night.

This is so much fun to use. You squeeze the atomizer and a puff of glitter is magically applied where ever you wish. Visit www.vincentlongo.com to learn more and to purchase this fun product! 

Love Nest Josie’s Argan Favorites ($25.00 USD, $55 Value) — A four-piece, travel-size gift set that includes Josie Maran’s favorite argan oil must-haves for the face, eyes, cheeks, lips, and hair. This is a limited-edition gift set is ideal for all ages and skintones. Known for its natural, skin-healing properties, argan oil is your answer to healthy, youthful, radiant, clear skin and hair.

This set contains:
-0.21 oz Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink
– 0.11 oz Gogo Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara
– 0.5 oz Argan Illuminizer
– 0.5 oz 100% Argan Oil

What else you need to know:
Argan Oil is produced from the argan tree in the semi-deserts of Morocco, and is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which have antiaging properties. Argan oil is an organic ingredient is known to help and prevent dehydration, inflammation, hyper pigmentation, and sebum production.

All four of these products are so fantastic because not only are they lovely beauty products, but the argan oil is so good for the skin! The mascara gives me long, thick lashes,  the color stick has a bit of shimmer and is a really pretty pink, the illuminizer is a very pearly, soft pink and the argan oil is great for nails, skin or hair. The price is exceptional for what you get! Visit www.sephora.com to purchase.   

Hard Candy Glow All The Way ($8.00 USD) – This pearly, luminizing highlighter illuminates all skin tones.  Apply to face or body for a luminous, sun-kissed bronze or pearlescent glow.  Infused with 24 Karat gold – and much more than a drop – this product will make you feel like a million bucks!  Available in bronze and pink. 

I’ve tried the bronze highlighter and it is so pretty! I like to use it on my arms and shoulders. In the summer it will look great on bare legs. You can purchase this at Walmart.

Enjoy!

Makeup Gift Set Guide For Holiday Giving 2010 Part 1

Makeup sets are such fun gifts to give and receive for the holidays! There are so many at different price points to choose from. The following three sets range in price from $29.99 to $52.00.  Each of the three brands I’m featuring — Tarte,  LORAC and Flirt! — have other sets in their lines that are just as fabulous and are different prices. You are sure to find what you are looking to give!

Tarte The Jewelry Box ($52.00) This is an exclusive, limited-edition palette packed with 32 new eyeshadows, eight lip glosses, a mineral bronzer, a new shimmering powder, five deluxe long-wearing eyeliners, and a gorgeous gold-tone and black detachable necklace. You can find this at www.sephora.com.

LORAC Box Office Hit ($35 with a $210 value) – ULTA Exclusive Limited Edition Full Face Palette with everything you need to create natural looks for day and sexy, smoky party looks for night.  The palette contains 12 eye shadows, 2 eye liners, a blush, bronzer and 8 lip colors. Visit www.ulta.com to purchase.

FLIRT! Limited Edition Eyeshadow Set ($29.99) — The looks are limitless with these 40 limited edition eyeshadow shades. Mix and match, wear one or wear ’em all! A must-have set that is out of this world. This is available at www.kohls.com.

Target Beauty Brings Great Holiday Makeup Kits

I think it is fabulous that Target brings quality makeup from touted makeup artists at such an affordable price. You can purchase beautiful gifts for as low as $9.99.

Here are the latest holiday offerings by Pixi, NP Set and JK Jemma Kidd:

INSTANTLY BRIGHTEN YOUR LOOK WITH PIXI:    
Get glowing in an instant with skin nourishing, shimmering shades from the guru of the flawless, dewy glow – Petra Strand.  Winter Wakeup Eyes sets deliver an eye-catching variety of shadow shades, while Pixi Essentials delivers all of the Pixi favorites in a party-ready clutch.  Winter Wakeup Eyes available in No 1 Bright and Light and No 2 Shade and Shape ($9.99 each) Pixi Essentials ($28).

ACHIEVE ON THE GO GLAM WITH JK JEMMA KIDD: Makeup maven Jemma Kidd knows how to look runway-ready without breaking the bank.  Kick off the party season in true JK style with pocket-sized versions of her makeup must-haves that are ideal for stuffing fashionable stockings. Kits include Air Kiss Duo ($9.99), Signature Shadows Palette ($9.99) and Signature Kit ($26).

DAZZLE AND SPARKLE WITH NP SET:
No matter the holiday look, Australian makeup maestro Napoleon Perdis has eyes covered, with two palettes packed with gorgeous shades to deliver looks from subtly sweet to dramatic and sultry. Palettes include Smoke Signal Palette ($9.99) and New Neutrals Palette ($9.99).

Visit Target stores and www.target.com to purchase. Enjoy!

FACE Stockholm Mineral Powder Foundation with SPF 15

FACE Stockholm Mineral Powder Foundation with SPF 15

Need a new mineral foundation? Although I am not a fan of the loose mineral makeup that is so popular these days, I love the smooth finish that the new FACE Stockholm Mineral Powder Foundation with SPF 15 ($38.00 USD) gives me. 

FACE Stockholm’s website states, “Our innovative, Mineral Foundation Powder with SPF 15 provides a natural, non-irritating alternative that is hypoallergenic, paraben and fragrance free and includes the added benefits of antioxidant and ultraviolet protection with Dermat Complex to significantly reduce shine. 

This silky, soft mineral-based foundation glides on effortlessly, to create a healthy, glowing, flawless complexion without any mess. Formulated to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines while creating a natural matte finish, it does double duty as a translucent powder – or a buildable coverage foundation.

The lightweight, breathable powder easily adjusts from polished sheer to rich, more opaque coverage with the use of a brush or sponge. Enhanced with Vitamins A, C & E to condition and Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide for natural, chemical-free sun protection, it is appropriate for all skin types.”

I love this mineral makeup. It doesn’t cake in the pores like other mineral foundation can and it actually seems to hydrated my skin instead of making it seem dryer.  It stays fresh on my face for hours, too. Available in 7 shades from very light to very dark, this foundation would work on many different skin tones and types.

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

Get A Flawless Complexion With Pixi, Sante America and Yves Rocher

When the weather gets colder, and skin gets dryer, a smooth flawless face becomes more difficult to obtain. So why not try a new a creamy new foundation or primer to make your skin look flawless and to lay a foundation for the rich-colored fall and winter cosmetics.   Try:

Pixi Flawless Beauty Stick ($26.00 USD) — This is a beautiful silky stick that works well as a concealer and a foundation. The benefits of the product are:

  • It provides a cream-to powder-finish, from sheer to full coverage in a few, fuss-free seconds
  • This SPF 28 product quickly evens out skin tone, makes skin look rested and flawless and perfects the complexion by counterbalancing redness
  • Prismatic pigments create a radiant, luminous look, while nourishing ingredients protect and comfort skin
  • Used For: Concealing
  • For Use On: Face
  • Cosmetic Palette: Light Tones
  • Features: Waterproof, Long Lasting
  • Health Facts: Contains Vitamin C, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-Free

    • Purchase this fab foundation at Target and www.target.com

    Sante America is a new brand that I just discovered. The Soft Cream Foundation ($17.00 USD) is very easy to apply, plus it feels and looks extremely natural.  This foundation is light and hydrating to keep skin soft and supple. Cupuaçu butter, Pomegranate extract, and Organic Jojoba oils are richly emollient, without being heavy, which makes for even application. The 3 natural colors come courtesy of pure mineral pigments and our multi-ethnic line makes it easy to find your perfect shade.

    I love the silky feel of this foundation and the natural, but flawless coverage I get from the foundation. Also, it does not feel heavy on.

    Visit www.santeamerica.com  to learn more and to purchase these.

    Yves Rocher Perfect Primer ($12.50 USD) is perfect under either of these foundations. This primer, infused with rose, preps skin for makeup and helps it last longer, to ensure a flawless complexion all day long.

    Enriched with musk rose oil, Damask rose extract and Damask rosewater, it instantly fades fine lines and imperfections, such as enlarged pores and signs of fatigue. Skin texture is visibly smoother. I have found that my complexion looks radiant even without foundation and when I apply foundation, it seems to last longer.

    Check out www.yvesrocherusa.com to see these and other beautiful products from Yves Rocher. Enjoy!

    Support Breast Cancer Awareness With The Sephora BCA Collection

    Celebrate a fab Breast Cancer Awareness month by treating yourself or a loved one to one of the following products from the Sephora BCA collection. Plus, Sephora will donate $1 from the sale of this product to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime. For more information, visit http://www.bcrfcure.org.

    BCA Pink Eyelash Curler ($16.00 USD) — Get a pretty wink from a curler that’s pink. This eyelash curler is engineered and tailor-made exclusively for Sephora. Its 29 parts fit together meticulously to deliver a professional feel and the ultimate curl. The high quality, stainless steel frame comes to a head at the mushroom-shaped curling mechanism. This shape, and the non-slip silicone lash pads that cover it, grip without pinching, delivering an accurate, beautiful, and long-lasting curl.

    Makeup Palette To Go – BCA Edition ($15.00 USD, $50 Value) — Show off your commitment to a cure for breast cancer with this limited edition variety of colors from the Sephora Collection. This pink-hued compact is small enough to go anywhere and big enough to hold a range of beautiful shades. Gorgeous colors like shimmery pink, rich violet, and cool gray fill this versatile palette. Hot colors can be played down during the day or pumped up for an eye-catching evening look. Four glosses and one blush slide neatly into separate compartments on opposite sides of the compact.

    This set contains:
    – Eight eye shadows
    – Four lip glosses
    – Blush

    BCA Pop-Up Brush ($8.00 USD) — It’s a hairbrush for your purse—and a good cause. Sephora’s well-known popup travel brush is available for a limited time in a pretty pink color with a ribbon signifying support for breast cancer awareness. It folds shut into a compact size, perfect for your purse or travel. Open to reveal the brush and mirror.

    To purchase these products visit www.sephora.com. Enjoy!

    3 Custom Color Helps Create A Smokin’ Smokey Eye

    A smokey eye is a sure sign that Fall has arrived. This year there is a new take on the smokey eye — it is a modern and sleek take on the smokey eye – eye shadow washed all the way to the brow bone complimented by contoured cheeks, and flawless skin.

    3 Custom Color Specialists has released gorgeous products and fantastic tips to make a very sexy, yet wearable, smoky eye.

    Here are the steps and products as created by Chad Hayduk, makeup artist and co-founder of 3 Custom Color Specialists:

    Step 1:
    Apply our Crème Concealer/Foundation with our Concealer brush below the eyes to eliminate any darkness and onto the eyelids to create a smooth base. Pro Tip: This step helps shadow wear longer.

    Step 2:
    This modern smokey eye features a gradation of color that’s deepest at the lash lines and blended out. First, use our All Over Eye Shadow Brush to apply Cool Black Eye Shadow along the upper and lower lash lines. Next, apply Cool Smoke Eye Shadow and blend the shade up towards the brow bone. Apply a small amount of Champagne Eye Shadow near the tear duct and under the brow bone and blend. Pro Tip: For the daring, two-toned look featured on some runways, layer on a brighter shade. Try Peacock Eye Shadow or Warm Lilac Eye Shadow.

    Step 3:
    Using our Eyeliner Brush, line the inner rims of the eyes, and the upper and lower lash lines with our smooth, water-resistant Opaline Crème Eye Definer in Aurora. Blend the crème eye liner into the lashes with a small eye shadow brush with densely packed bristles, such as our Contour Brush. Pro tip: For that intense, rock star glam look, line the eyes again!

    Step 4:
    Finish the eyes with a coat of mascara and groom the brows with Tinted Brow Gel. Pro tip: A groomed eyebrow is essential for a smokey eye to look polished.

    Step 5:
    Apply Kiss My Apricot Crème to Powder Blush to the high points of the cheeks. Use Shane Sheer Lipstick for an enhanced, but sheer lip tint.
    Pro tip: The eyes should be the main focus here, so keep everything else minimal.

     Visit www.threecustom.com to learn more and to purchase these products. Enjoy!