Tag: beauty products

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper
2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

 

Max Factor has recently released the 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper ($9.99 USD). This product has been touted as being more than a mascara . It consists of  a, “A patented fat-inject formula and extreme Double-D brush plump every single lash so perfectly, so voluptuously, they may ask, “are they real?”

My, that is quite an enticing claim!  So does it plump up the lashes? Yes, but since my lashes are short as well as sparse, it took me some playing around to get the full long and thick look I enjoy. One way to get great lashes is by trying a trick given on the Max Factor site (www.maxfactor.com). You blink onto the brush while sweeping up with it, and I swear it lengthens the lashes. Also by applying a lash base like the ones in two step mascara gives very long as well as thick lashes.

You can find Max Factor products at stores such as Ulta and Walmart. I recommend this fun mascara with the instructions to play with it to get the look that you like! 

Pur Minerals Pur Perfection Starter Kit

Pur Perfection Starter Kit
Pur Perfection Starter Kit

Looking for to try quality mineral make-up for a reasonable price? Pick up the Pur Minerals Pur Perfection Starter Kit (35.00 USD).

This kit includes all you need for a flawless face:

Application of the 4-in-1 makeup is easy; you take the chisel brush, swirl it in the makeup then draw circles in the makeup lid. This ensures that there isn’t loose powder on the tip of the brush and that the application yields smooth skin. I brush it all over my face, and use a little extra under my eyes for concealer. Don’t forget to blend, because if not, mineral makeup can look a little powdery on and set into the pores.

After I apply the 4-in-1, I take a powder brush and dust the Mineral Glow bronzer on my temples, forehead, nose and chin. I then brush the Universal Marble Powder on the apples of my cheeks and my face looks glowing and pretty.

So if you’re looking for a new foundation, give this kit a try. You can find it at Ulta or visit the website at www.purminerals.com.

Big Bang Illusion Gloss by Lipstick Queen

Lipstick Queen Big Bang Illusion Gloss
Lipstick Queen Big Bang Illusion Gloss

 

I love discovering new lip products. There is nothing better than a new lipstick or gloss. That’s why the company Lipstick Queen was such an irresistible find. A company solely invested in creating quality and innovative lip products? I am so in!
 
The creator of Lipstick Queen, Poppy, is a chemist who loves inventing new formulas of lip products. And she is the responsible one for making my new favorite lip gloss, Big Bang – Illusion Gloss ($20.00 USD). This is a gloss created to give the illusion of fuller lips. Unlike sometimes painful plumpers, irritants aren’t responsible for the fullness of your lips after you apply this wonderful gloss, the perfect ratio of shine to shimmer is.
 
This gloss is extremely moisturizing and not sticky at all; it feels almost like wearing a balm . I have a beautiful light pink called Infinate and it is perfect for day or evening. But since there are eight lovely colors, I’m sure you can find something you like, too!
 
You can purchase these glosses plus fabulous lipsticks and more at www.lipstickqueen.com. I really recommend these quality products.  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Try a New Scent With Nuts Cream Perfume

I love discovering new products that are a little bit different. The Cream Perfume Company is the creator of Nuts,  cream perfume that concentrates the fragrance oils in a combination of beeswax and sweet almond oil instead of in alcohol. This is much better for the skin and lasts a long time.

The cream perfumes ($19.95 USD for .35 oz) are very environmentally friendly. They use 100% natural ingredients and some of the perfumes are 100% organic. They also come in a cute little container (that resembles an acorn, hence the name Nuts) made out of residual wood from small mills.  

My two favorite scents (so far) are:

Mango Poudre:  “Truly seductive scents of mango and cassis balanced with timeless jasmin and candy sugar accord. A tropical favorite with sandalwood, musk and vanilla.” This scent starts out sweet, but when you breath it in you get the depth of the sandalwood and musk. I love this now, but think it will be even nicer when it gets hot this summer.

Ylang Ylang d’amore” “Enjoy exhilarating scents of ylang ylang, mandarin and jasmine in this classic perfume. Trailed by notes of apricot, cedarwood, orange flower, patchouli and musk.” I love this powdery, spicy fragrance. It is very exotic, but soft enough to wear day or night time.

You can purchase these fun, purse-sized fragrances at www.kaponga.com, or look for them at Sephora. Go ahead, try something new!

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation
CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation
 
I love the new influx of anti-aging foundations that have recently been introduced. It’s like an added insurance from those pesky wrinkles that are starting to appear.
 
CoverGirl has partnered with Olay, by infusing their Simply Ageless Foundation  ($15.99 USD), with Olay Regenerist Serum for a double skin treat. This cream foundation comes in 15 shades to choose from, for all skin tones. 
 
The CoverGirl website claims, “This breakthrough formula with Olay Regenerist Serum and SPF 22 stays suspended over fine lines and wrinkles, unlike the leading anti-aging department store foundation that can gather in wrinkles and make skin look older. Clinically shown to provide significant improvement in skin condition in just four weeks.”
 
This foundation is very creamy and gives great coverage. It is definitely not a sheer foundation. It also drys fairly quickly, giving an flawless matte finish. I also love the SPF 22 because you can never have enough sun protection!
 
www.covergirl.com is a great place to purchase products or find the location of a retailer near you. It also has a really cool tool called the CG Makeup Mirror where you can upload a photo of yourself and try on CoverGirl products. Have Fun!
Hey All! Enter my 100th Blog Post Giveaways! I will be giving away products from It Cosmetics, Yes to Carrots and EcoTools! To enter, just leave a comment on ANY of my posts between 4/26 – 5/2. I will draw 3 names on Sunday 5/3/09 and notify the winners! To see exactly what I am giving away, check out my post http://tinyurl.com/dgnxda. Good Luck!  
 
 
 
 
 

Need a Little Luxury? Try La Mer The Body Refiner

La Mer The Body Refiner
La Mer The Body Refiner

 

When I first opened my sample of La Mer The Body Refiner (200 ml, $110.00 USD ), I was in my car waiting for my daughter’s bus. I wasn’t sure what it was, so I took it, and rubbed it on my hand. When I looked at my hand, it was sparkling — a lot! So I read the ingredients…diamond dust? How cool is that.

And what an effective body buffer. I rub it on my skin until the particles smooth away and then rinse it off. I have been using this a couple times a week for three weeks. My skin is now so soft!

The Body Refiner incorporates fermented acidic sea muds harvested from a natural marine source. They have low pH levels, and thus work well on sensitive skin.  Pure diamond powder and polished sea quartz are the exfoliants and they are infused in a cream base, so it is very gentle on the skin.

This luxury treatment releases in April. Visit the website at www.cremedelamer.com to purchase it or other wonderful skincare products. Enjoy!

Want Flawless Skin? Try Belle De Jour from Kenzo

Kenzo Belle De Jour
Kenzo Belle De Jour

Belle De Jour (1.7 oz $105.00 USD) is a luxurious cream from Kenzo. “White lotus water is the heart of its secret formula. This natural and potent ingredient has proven relaxing and anti-free radical effects and helps restore skin to its natural balance.” The interesting thing about this cream is that the lotus flower counteracts the stress hormone cortisol’s levels in your skin and relaxes it. This make the skin clearer and smoother.

And it really works. After using it for just a week my skin looked good, and now a few weeks later, my skin is very smooth and glowing. Ladies, I look younger!

My 13 year old daughter has eczema and it gets pretty severe on her face during cold weather. She had red patches under her eyes that were so bad she didn’t want to go to school.  So I offered my Belle De Jour, and her face cleared up in a couple of days, and it is now very soft and smooth.

I put the cream on before bed and in the morning after cleansing. It isn’t greasy, but it is creamy so it needs a few minutes to soak in before makeup application.  It smells fantastic, too. Two thumbs way up from me.

You can purchase this cream, as well as other fabulous Kenzo skincare and fragrance items at www.kenzousa.com.

Kerastase Hair Products Helps Hair Look Younger

Kerastase is a luxury hair care company that is known to create products to target specific hair needs.  I have tried two items from different lines; the Bain Age Recharge from the Resistance Age Recharge Collection, a lipo-replenishing Shampoo for dry, tight scalps and hair losing vitality and the Lotion Densitive GL from the Specifique Thinning Hair Collection, a texturizing and thickening after-shampoo spray.

Bain Age Recharge (250 ml $32.00 USD) – This is a oil-based shampoo that you message into your scalp and hair.  The active ingredients include, Vita-Refil Complex, morphofill and glycerol.  It leaves my hair soft and shiny and doesn’t strip down the color. It is supposed to bring back the youth to your hair, and my hair does look a lot bouncier and more vital since I have been using it.

Lotion Densitive GL (125 ml $45.00 USD) – I apply this spray to damp hair by starting at my roots and working my way down to the ends. It contains Complexe Gluco Impulsion, which includes vitamin PP, mineral molecules and a cooling agent.The website claims that it, “helps soothe and calm the scalp. Texturizes the fiber. Creates a volume effect.” It does give my hair more body, but my hair gets a little greasy so I only use a few sprays.

These products are a nice treat for my hair! You can check out Kerastase’s other lines such as Nutritive and Reflection at their website www.kerastase-usa.com. The products will give your hair a boost!     

Unruly Brows? Try Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Fabulous Products

Anastasia The Essential 6 Piece Brow Kit
Anastasia The Essential 6 Piece Brow Kit

For years, brow expert Anastasia Soare has shaped the brows of Hollywood’s biggest stars.  She has created many specialized products that are geared to acheive perfect brows to frame the face. The Anastasia Essential 6 Piece Brow Kit ($75.00 USD) includes:
– Tweezers
– Brow Powder Duo
– Four Brow Stencils
– Duo Angle/Spooley Brush
– Brow Gel
– Eye Lights highlighting pencil

Here are Anastasia’s tips on how to use the kit (also if you purchase a kit, follow the short video — VERY helpful):

  • First, position the stencil over your brow after choosing the one that fits your brow shape the best.
  • Fill in the arch with the angled brush dipped in brow powder on your brows inside the stencil.  Remove the stencil and blend the powder with spool end of the brush.
  • Using the tweezers, remove hair outside the stenciled area.
  • Apply the brow gel using the using the brush on the applicator, brush upward to condition and hold the shape of the brow all day.
  • The highlighter is applied underneath the eyebrow, along the brow bone and blended in to lighten the skin. 

These steps only took a few minutes and really transformed my eyebrows. The tweezers are exceptional. They are very sharp and precise. The kit comes in three palettes of brow powder; Ash Blonde, Medium Ash and Brunette. I have the Medium Ash which works on me even though my brows are very dark. I use the darker color in the palette.  Also wonderful is the highlighting pencil which gives a nice glow to my brow bone.

Visit Anastasia’s website at www.anastasia.net to purchase the products or find a retailer who carries them.

Jane Iredale Lip Plumpers — No Pain, Lots of Gain!

Jane Iredale is a line known for mineral makeup. I have been able to try some of their great lip products that have natural ingredients used to moisturize and plump lips.

Just Kissed Lip Plumper ($24.00 USD) – Is a cool mint and ginger lip plumper that also contains shea butter, sunflower oil and aloe vera to soften and hydrate the skin. It also includes time-released peptides that, “have been shown to increase hydration and stimulate collagen synthesis”. It comes in 5 colors, with my favorite being Tokyo, a peachy-pink color which will be very pretty for spring. I really love this products because it is like using a balm with color added. When I apply it, it tingles a bit, but is not painful and is very shimmery on. It keeps the lips soft all day, which is great for any lip product, let alone a plumper! 

PureGloss for Lips ($19.00 USD) – This product is also a plumper with mint and ginger, but this is a shiny, full color gloss. It hydrates the lips like the Just Kissed with a glossy finish. It is made of a base of organic vegetable oils with added botanicals including extracts of green tea, grape seed and pomegranate. This gloss comes in 19 colors! I really like Apricot. It is a pretty neutral that makes my lips look full and sexy!  

 Sugar & Butter Lip Exfoliator/Plumper ($24.00 USD) – This is my favorite of the three. One side has a brown sugar exfoliator that you rub gently on your lips, then can lick the sugar right off! Then, apply the tinted lip plumper with shea butter and peptides that moisten and plump. The color of the plumper is a sheer pink. It is a lot like the Just Kissed plumpers, but gives your lips a soft glow without a lot of color.  

I really like the idea that you can plump and moisturize your lips at the same time. I think these products are great for women of all ages, but the 40+ ladies will really love the way they smooth the lines out and leave lips soft. Visit the website at www.janeiredale.com to learn more.