Total Beauty Has recently announced their 2012 Beauty Award Winners. The winner for editor’s choice “Best Makeup Remover” was none other than NIP + FAB Clean Fix Wipes ($5.95 USD, for 25)!
Use these cleaning wipes from Nip + Fab daily to remove dirt and other damaging substances from your face. The gentle wipes work well on all skin types, and they come in a convenient pack that seals up after you are done. Infused with ginseng, aloe + marshmallow for your soft skin cleaning fix on the go! Perfect for the car, gym, travel, or makeup bag.
What I think: These are probably the softest makeup remover wipes I have tried. They feel like real cloth. They are effective in removing all makeup and leave skin clean and soft. Awesome and affordable!
Available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online atwww.target.com. More information about NIP + FAB and the other skin and bodycare products they carry visit http://www.nipandfab.com.
TIGI Bead Head has recently released their Candy Fixations collection. This is a group of styling products that have been inspired by sweets.
There are five products in this line. In the photo above from left to right are Sugar Dust, an invisible micro-texture root powder; Glaze Haze, semi-sweet smoothing hair serum, Totally Baked, a volumizing and prepping hair meringue; Sugar Shock hair bodifying sugar spray; Mega Whip, whipped marshmallow hair texture.
I tried the following two products from the collection:
TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Glaze Haze ($15.95, 2oz) – Semi-Sweet Smoothing Hair Serum. This sweet treat candy coats each strand to fight humidity, add shine, and help speed up drying time. Delicious Crème Brule scent.
What I think: I have been using this every day — on wet and dry hair. It instantly smooths flyaways and adds shine. Just one or two drops is all I need for my long hair. I live in Kansas City and in the summer I am hoping that this will help with the frizzies that come with humid heat. It smells nice but the scent is not too strong.
TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Totally Baked ($15.95 USD) – Volumizing and Prepping Hair Meringue. Apply to wet hair for long-lasting weightless movement and enhanced performance of other styling products. Delicious Lemon Meringue Pie scent.
What I think: I have used this on wet hair. It is has a creamy texture and is not too sticky. It does add a bit of volume and helps with the hold of my style. I really like the lemony scent, as well. A good primer product.
I love trying brand new cosmetic brands! This Spring was the exciting launch of ck one color cosmetics, a full line-up of over 130 products that all capture the core ck one brand DNA – authentic, confident, and cool.
This line of affordable designer cosmetics continues the recent expansion of ck one into a lifestyle brand, with jeans and underwear introduced under the name in 2011.
I have got to try a few of these products and generally LOVE them. The packaging is unique and fun and the products themselves are really cool!
Here is the description about the packaging. I think it is interesting:
ck one color packaging design furthers the code-breaking legacy of the ck one brand with an understated pill shape that’s iconic and edgy. the modern, minimalist packaging offers simplicity in a black and white silhouette, enhanced by a playful contrast of soft touch matte and high gloss finishes for a heightened sensory experience. designed for intuitive use, product applicators feature two-sided textures and multi-functionality to encourage individual creativity.
Some of my favorite products are:
ck one 3in1 foundation
3-IN-1 FACE MAKEUP SPF 8 ($30 USD) — this distinctive liquid synthesizes serum, primer and face makeup into one simple, lightweight formula. treated pigment technology with triple-layer amino acid that mimics skin for an effortlessly natural, radiant finish. no compromise on skin perfecting coverage. antioxidants protect skin, lasting up to 11 hours.
What I think: A very lightweight but full-coverage makeup, which is very cool. There are 8 shades available from very light to very dark, so something for everyone. I wear the light which is a perfect match for my skin. It applies very smoothly and melts into the skin. So nice!
ck one concealer
MOUSSE CONCEALER ($20 USD) — absolute flawlessness. air-whipped concealer delivers a natural, seamless finish that fully hides blemishes and imperfections, lasting up to 9 hours.
What I think — This blends extremely well. It only takes a few minutes to cover my under eye circles and blemishes. To apply, I dip a concealer brush into the pot and dot on my skin, then blend. Really great consistency, not too thick but provides full coverage.
ck one Mascara
MASCARA ($18 USD) — customize lash looks with a unique twist brush applicator. Select definition or volume with a twist of the cap in this all-in-one mascara.
What I think — Super-cool idea for mascara application. You can twist the top of the cap to make the wand shorter or longer. I make it short first, to thicken lashes, then I make it longer to separate and lengthen. It only takes 2 coats on each eye to make my lashes look extremely long and thick. The only thing that I don’t love is that it flakes towards the end of the day.
ck one eye shadow quad
POWDER EYESHADOW QUAD ($28 USD) — accentuate. illuminate. define. fun and youthful hues that can easily be applied wet or dry to create looks for day or night.
What I think — This is a gorgeous eye quad. This comes in 6 color combinations, but I have Disco, the purple palette that you see above. It is prettier in person, though. It has a glitter purple, a shimmer fuchsia, a matte burgundy and a pearly off-white. You can make lovely combos with this set.
Available exclusively at Ulta and Ulta.com. Enjoy!
Who doesn’t want hair care and bath products that smells good and are natural, too? Awaken your senses with Burt’s Bees new line that focuses on fragrances while continuing to use all natural ingredients (without parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, and animal testing).
The products in the range are Nourishing Shampoo, Softening Conditioner, Body Wash, Body Butter, Body Lotion, Body Mist, Foaming Hand Wash and Hand Cream. The lovely scents are Floral Cherrynova, Orange Petalooza, Vanilla Flame and Pearanormal Activity.
Natural Nourishing Shampoo ($6.99, 12oz) This gentle shampoo cleanses hair naturally, for hair that says “touch me.”
Natural Softening Conditioner – ($6.99, 12oz) When you want your hair to behave, reach for this luscious conditioner to whip unruly strands into shape.
I tried these in the Floral Cherrynova. It’s a very bright scent, and very strong. The combo of shampoo and conditioner left my hair soft and manageable. I love that they are natural and affordable. I would try them in different fragrances.
Available at mass market retailers and learn more at www.burtsbees.com.
St. Ives Scrub-free Exfoliating Pads and Naturally Smooth Hand Cream
I love finding affordable skincare that is readily available at mass market retailers. I have always enjoyed St. Ives Apricot Scrub, so was excited to try two new products — the Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads and the Naturally Smooth Hand Cream.
NEW St. Ives Scrub-Free Exfoliating Pads
· First mass-market brand exfoliating pads with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
· Exfoliates to reveal smoother, younger-looking skin in just 7 days
· Formulated with 100 percent natural lactic acid
· Available at select mass retailers, drugstores and supermarkets nationwide for $4.99 (suggested retail price)
This is a gentle way to scrub your face. I think it is perfect for women who are a little older and need exfoliation, but cannot not use a harsher scrub. My skin is smooth after use. It smells great, too! Fresh and citrusy. I suggest to use it a few time a week until your skin gets use to it.
NEW St. Ives Naturally Smooth Hand Cream
· Exfoliates and improves the appearance of rough, uneven skin in just 7 days
· 100 percent natural moisturizers help it absorb quickly into skin
· Formulated with natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
· Available at Target stores nationwide for $2.99 (suggested retail price)
I am really loving this hand cream. It smells fantastically fruity and smooths hands instantly, making them look much younger! And for $2.99 — what a deal! I would suggest purchasing a bunch of these to keep in your purse, at your desk, on your nightstand. Great price and product.
Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist and president of Mally Beauty, has one nemesis— translucent powder! It does everything it’s not supposed to—highlights lines and wrinkles, dulls your complexion and leaves you looking lackluster. That’s why she has declared a war against translucent powder and developed a life-changing alternative: Face Defender. A high-performance, completely clear antidote to old-fashioned powder, the revolutionary formula has inspired legions of women to throw away their old compacts and change the way they apply makeup forever.
As the leader of the war on powder, Mally is issuing a battle cry, encouraging women to take a pledge to “Fight the Powder.” Beginning early May, you can take the “Fight The Powder” pledge on Mally Beauty’s Facebook page.
And, if you are going to be in the New York City-area on Tuesday, May 8th, Mally and her “Fight the Powder” squad are encouraging women to take a stand against translucent powder by trading in their old compact for Face Defender. The event is taking place outside of Grand Central Terminal, where Mally and her beauty team will encourage commuters to participate in a makeup trade-up. The first 50 women to take the pledge will receive Mally’s Face Defender ($40 USD).
Here are the details:
What: Fight the Powder with the Mally Beauty Team
When: Tuesday, May 8, 2012: Rush Hour
§ 6:30 am – 9:30 am
§ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
*Rain Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Where: Outside of Grand Central Terminal
I do not live in New York City, so will unable to attend the event. But I have recently received a sample of the product and love it!
The Face Defender is a clear solid product that almost looks like wax. But when patted on the skin with the enclosed sponge (in a compartment under the compact with a mirror), pores and fine lines melt away! Well, not really, but it appears as so. Even the wrinkles under my eyes that are from seasonal allergies smooth out instantly with this product. So nice!
This limited edition offering arrives complete with more than a dozen deluxe and full-size samples from some of the leading brands at the Beauty.com® web store* including:
1. Smashbox® Camera Ready BB Cream, SPF 35
2. Arcona® White Tea Purifying Cleanser
3. NUXE™ Fondant Body Scrub
4. Stila® Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer, Taffy
11. bareMinerals® Purely Nourishing Moisturizer for Combination Skin
12. IT Cosmetics® Bye Bye Under Eye – Full Coverage Waterproof Concealer
13. Murad® Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles
14. Card for $5 off any future Beauty.com purchase
About Beauty.com – The World of Beauty Online®
Beauty.com, Inc. is a leading online destination for prestige beauty products. The web store provides a highly personalized shopping experience and offers more than 350 brands from widely recognized to niche, hard-to-find products.
The bag is a Lela Rose creation. Lela Rose’s aesthetic of adding whimsy to elegance through brilliant color and hand crafted details has brought a fresh view to modern American fashion. Lela was raised in Texas and went to school in Colorado where nature, its surrounding landscapes, and the sublime colors it offers have long been an inspiration. Today, Lela continues to draw from these early influences as she designs clothes for the modern sophisticated woman who embodies a spirit of effortless elegance.
I think that this is a great collection of samples (and a really cool makeup bag). I have been dying to try Smashbox’s BB Cream. I may review this once I receive the sample. Also, the Stila eye primer looks promising — I haven’t tried an eye primer in a pot before. And a full-sized tarte lip stain — awesome!
Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Moisture Milk Cleanser
My skin is becoming more of a problem as I age. I can get dry, so I hydrate it. But if I use a cream that it too heavy, I will breakout and my pores will look huge. A catch 22, huh.
So I have found that if I use a creamy cleanser (with my Clarisonic), and a lighter moisturizer, my face becomes clear and smooth!
I have been trying Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Moisture Milk Cleanser ($58 USD) –This rich, creamy blend of antioxidants and fruit extracts is designed to clean, hydrate, and brighten the look of the complexion. KateCeuticals™ Moisture Milk Cleanser delivers comfort to skin with a soothing blend of powerful Vitamins, Orange Blossom, and Orange Peel Extracts that leave skin feeling moisturized and fresh. This sulfate-free cleanser is so gentle that it can be rinsed or simply tissued off.
It’s main ingredients are:
Soybean Extracts help to enhance the skin’s natural barrier function in order to improve the look of firmness.
Kukui, Macadamia, and Coconut Oils are combined with a cutting-edge Lipid Blend in an effort to moisturize instantly and continue to hydrate throughout the day.
Orange Blossom and Orange Peel Extracts are combined with a special Brightening Complex in an effort to create instant illumination and radiance.
Kate Somerville’s products are so wonderful for the skin. I really love how mild this cleanser is. It doesn’t irritate at all. It is also a fab eye makeup remover. Dab it on a tissue or cotton pad and wipe off. It doesn’t irritate.
Gentle for everyday use, this cleanser has become a staple of my skincare routine.
Available exclusively at www.katesomerville.com, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Enjoy!
I have long, straight hair, but I have recently got a trim and added layers. Even though I usually don’t use hairspray, I have been using MATRIX Total Results Amplify Proforma Hairspray ($15 USD) and I am seeing a difference in hold and volume.
The claim is that the spray will, “Attack fine hair with thinner diameter and lack of inner structure and give it totally voluminous results that last 24 hours. Performa Hairspray with 24HR Full Boost Technology boasts thermal protectants and gives a firm hold finish, with lasting lift and volume.”
What I think: This spray does as it claims by giving volume. I spray at the roots and flip my hair over and spray again and my hair is full and swingy. It also last for hours.
I also love how my hair is shiny after using this product. It doesn’t dull my hair.
For a salon locator please log onto www.MATRIX.com. Enjoy!
I love keeping my skin moisturized, so I try lots of different lotions and creams. There are so many great ones out now that are formulized to help skin by smoothing skin tone or even minimizing cellulite. Give one a try!
St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion
A great drugstore find is St. Ives Naturally Smooth Body Lotion ($4.97 USD). This lotion will help to nourish skin that is damaged by harsh outdoor conditions. With active alpha-hydroxy acids, this ultra-moisturizing lotion works to exfoliate and soften the skin, leaving it noticeably and smoother and more radiant in just 7 days. It also has a fresh citrus-y scent and if refreshing. Available at mass market retailers.
Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter
Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter ($18 USD). Award winning body butter with softening shea butter and aloe vera. Smooth on a handful after your shower and you might swear you’re wearing velvet. Scented with their Original Pink™ fragrance that is fresh and light. The body butter itself is creamy without being greasy. Available at www.soapandglory.com/us.
Yes To Blueberries Rejuvenating Body Lotion
Yes to Blueberries Rejuvenating Body Lotion ($9.99 USD) is formulated to help firm and improve skin elasticity, this lotion will be perfect for those who are looking for an added dose of moisture and firmness for their skin. Blueberries and Grapeseed Oil help improve and restore skin firmness. Tamanu Seed Oil is a fast-absorbing oil that is known to help repair and improve skin’s smoothness. Purchase at drugstores and www.yestocarrots.com.
L'Occitane Almond Shaping Delight
Looking to smooth out bumpy thighs and rear? Try L’Occitane’s Almond Beautiful Shape ($44 USD). The ultra-fresh Almond Beautiful Shape helps to visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite and slim the thighs and buttocks, while smoothing and firming the skin. This formula is concentrated in powerful, natural ingredients to help effectively fight cellulite. Peruvian liana, quinoa extract and carrot essential oil slow the appearance of new fat cells, while Almond tree buds, rich in draining flavanoids, and natural caffeine release existing fat cells. Our new formula also includes Almond proteins which reduce dimples and a lemon micro-exfoliating extract for delightfully smooth and firm skin. Purchase at www.usa.loccitane.com.
Forty, Flirty & Fabulous 