Cargo – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

My Beauty Favorites — Week of December 28 – January 3, 2015

I hope your new year is going well! I’m excited about 2016. I’m looking forward to trying and reviewing fab new beauty products. Hopefully I will discover new brands and fun makeup, hair care, body care and skincare!

This week, I’m focusing on cosmetics I have been loving from Cargo, POP Beauty and Milani:

Cargo Cosmetics’ Venice Enchantment Eye Shadow Palette ($34 on sale for $27 on the Cargo website) — Inspired by the richness and romance of Venice, these 12 shimmer tapestry shades, from deep wines to burnished golds, are versatile and wearable “new neutrals” that flatter all skin tones.

Shade Descriptions:

Canal: Pale Yellow Gold

Magic: Light Brown/Pink

Carnival: Deep Burgundy

Murano: Medium Brown/Red

Gondola: Medium Red/Brown

Mask: Peach

Gilded: Medium Yellow Gold

Rialto: Deep Brown

Lido: Medium Gold/Brown

Lagoon: Olive Green

Bridge: Pale Beige/Gold

Palazzo: Dark Brown

Includes a dual ended brush and a black eye liner pencil. Paraben free formulas.

What I think: These colors are gorgeous and different from any eye shadow palettes I have seen lately. I really love the green/red brown/gold combinations. The shadows have great pigment and staying power.

Available through the holidays at CargoCosmetics.com, Ulta.com & Kohl’s Beauty.

POP Beauty Matte Velvet Lipstix

POP Beauty Insta-Brow Sealer

POP Beauty Matte Velvet Lipstix ($16 USD) — An innovative lipstick texture coats lips in bold colour with just one swipe. Colour-true and pigment-rich, this stay-put lipstick is enriched with Vitamin E to protect & nourish.

POP Beauty Insta-Brow Sealer ($14 USD) — This stay-put grooming gel helps smooth and tame brows to instantly put unruly hairs in place. This treatment formula defines & conditions brows while holding the most POP-perfect brow arch.

What I think: I love the nude, matte lipstick. It isn’t too drying for a matte and it gives great color. Plus, it lasts fairly long. The brow sealer works well with or without brow color. It is nice to use when I am in a hurry and I just want to give my brows a bit of shape.

Purchase at www.popbeauty.com

Milani Rose Powder Blush

Milani Baked Blush

Milani Rose Powder Blush ($7.99 USD) — Inspired by the rose gardens of Milan and made with real rose metals, this is a blush that deserves to be seen! Gorgeous in the compact, even prettier on cheeks, this petal soft, matte-finish powder shapes, contours and highlights. This unique and luxurious matte powder contains real rose petals that are crushed and micro-milled into the powder to naturally enhance every skin tone for streak-free shaping and contouring.

Milani Baked Blush ($8.49 USD) — This silky blush with benefits can be used so many ways. It shapes, it contours, it highlights. Sunbaked on Italian terracotta tiles, it’s buildable from sheer to vibrant. Yes, it adds a cheeky pop of color to your complexion. Radiance and warmth, too.

What I think: Both of these blushes are gorgeous and it’s surprising how affordable they are! The rose blush is in the shade Tea Rose, it is great for a soft hint of blush. The baked is in Bella Rose, a bright, pretty color. A little goes a long way!

Available at CVS stores nationwide and MilaniCosmetics.com

What makeup are you loving this year (so far)?

My Beauty Favorites Week of July 6-July 12, 2015

It is hot, hot, hot in Kansas City! As I stay inside in the air-conditioning, I am loving trying new products that make my skin — face and body — look great!

This week my faves include an unscented body lotion, hand scrub, a luxe serum and a CC cream that adjusts to my skin tone.

Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Fragrance Free ($3.49 USD) –It all started with a wonder jelly that Vaseline has been perfecting for 140 years. Today, micro-droplets of Vaseline jelly help power their Fragrance Free Body & Face Lotion. It absorbs deeply into skin, moisturizing to heal it from within (within stratumcorneum).Clinically proven to keep skin healed for 3 weeks (based on 4 week treatment clinical study).Moisturizes to relieve itchy dry skin.Appropriate for sensitive skin. Fast absorbing + non-greasy.

This lotion was nominated for a 2015 CEW Insiders’ Choice Beauty Award!

What I think: I love how velvety this lotion is. It absorbs right into the skin and is not greasy at all! And, it is perfect for those who do not like or are allergic to fragrances. It is an affordable way to keep your skin hydrated this summer.

Available at mass market retailers.

Rituals Silence 3 in 1 Miracle Hand Scrub ($19 USD) — A luxury hand scrub for daily use, which deeply cleanses, refreshes and softens your hands. Enriched with nourishing oils that are easily absorbed by the skin to restore suppleness and moisture balance. Combines the relaxing fragrance of White Lotus with the nourishing properties of Yi Yi Ren, an ingredient traditionally used in Chinese medicine.

What I think: First of all, I love the White Lotus scent. It’s a soft, calming scent. The scrub is very gentle, but softens hands nicely. I love to use this once or twice a week. In the summer, it is also great for after I self tan.

Available at us.rituals.com

Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Sculpting Finishing Dual Infusion ($360 USD) — Rare discovery. Rare luxury. This groundbreaking infusion helps energize the 100 million skin cells on your face for a firmer, more sculpted, refined and luminous look.

Black Diamond Truffle, one of nature’s rarest treasures, is transformed through a secret process into a pure, precious extract. 10,000 hours in the making, it is a potent energy infusion for your skin.

In the golden vial, Black Diamond Truffle Extract and our most advanced youth-sustaining and lifting technologies. In the platinum vial, a blend of high-potency skin refinishers and radiance enhancers. In a moment of pure power, both elixirs come together to transform every facet of your appearance.

This serum is so highly esteemed was nominated for a 2015 CEW Insiders’ Choice Beauty Award!

What I think: Such a luxurious serum. You can use this twice a day, but at least use it at night, you wake up with refreshed, radiant skin! I love how the serum sinks into the skin and leaves a lovely glow! I have noticed that my skin looks smoother and firmer.

Available at fine department stores and http://www.esteelauder.com.

Cargo Cosmetics Picture Perfect CC Cream ($39 USD) — With broad spectrum SPF 20, it not only hydrates, but protects the skin from the harsh sun for up to 72 hours of skin hydration! The CC Cream goes on white and adjusts to your specific skin tone as you rub it in! This all-in-one cream features innovative color adapting pigments and color correction technology that delivers soft, even, and undetectable coverage. Available in three shades: Light, Medium and Medium/Dark.

What I think: I love foundations that adjust to your skin tone. It makes it so easy to match the shade exactly to my skin. It looks very natural on and gives good coverage. Plus, I love that there is SPF 20.

Purchase at http://www.cargocosmetics.com

Give The Colorful Gift of Makeup Sets This Holiday

Makeup Sets are my very favorite beauty gift to give (and receive). Giving the gift of color and variety can really brighten up a friend or family member’s holiday!

em michelle phan holiday life new year’s countdown edition ($29 USD) — Paint the town beautiful at every holiday soiree with this mini life palette filled with rich, luxurious colors. Inspired by the reminiscence of the past year and the celebration of the new year to come, new year¹s countdown boasts sophisticated and sensual rich berries and golden and smoky browns with touches of holiday reds and raisins.

Products and accompanying video tutorial will be available on emcosmetics.com.

e.l.f. Studio 96-Piece Geometric Eyeshadow Palette ($10 USD) — This 96-Piece eyeshadow palette features a fun geometric pattern for a totally unique design. Become your own makeup artist wherever, whenever! The beautiful soft textures melt into your skin for vibrant color that lasts. Convenient and easy to apply, just layer the colors to achieve your desired look. Apply wet or dry for a fabulous look that never creases or fades.

Available at www.eyeslipsface.com

tarte stop and stare smolderEYES™ 6-piece liner and lash set ($39 USD) –The limited-edition set includes:

• 3 full size skinny smolderEYES™ Amazonian clay waterproof liners: best-selling onyx, new purple garnet & azurite green.

• 2 full size smolderEYES™ Amazonian clay waterproof liners in new taupe & rose gold

• Deluxe lights, camera, flashes™ statement mascara

Product Performance: Put a twinkle on your eyes this holiday season with this Amazonian clay-infused collection of smolderEYES™ & skinny smolderEYES™ waterproof liners in limited-edition and best-selling shades. These versatile liners deliver rich color for a crisp or smokey look that won’t fade, run or budge. To take your look to the extreme, finish with lights, camera, flashes™ statement mascara, which features a dual-molded brush for a 752% increase in lash volume instantly!

Available at http://www.tartecosmetics.com.

CARGO Let’s Meet in Paris Holiday Kit ($36 USD) — Inspired by a luxurious trip to the French city, this kit evokes a sophisticated, fashion-forward feel with rich red and black tones with hints of sparkle. The look is 100% luxe – a bold red lip, soft eye with shimmery black liner and seductive full and defined lashes. Housed in a baroque patterned clutch-shaped carton, it makes for a festive gift or splurge for yourself. Kit contains: NEW Red Essential Lip Color, NEW Travel Size HD Lip Primer, NEW Swimmables Eye Pencil in Black Sea Travel Size Reverse Lip liner, and TexasLash Mascara.

Available exclusively at Ulta/Ulta.com (while supplies last)

Hard Candy Smokey Eye Kit ($4.88 at Walmart) It’s like having a makeup artist at your fingertips. Mascara, pigmented eye shadow and eye liner are expertly matched to give you a glamorous smokey eye look.

1 eye shadow palette (0.14 oz)
1 volumizing mascara (0.04 oz)
1 liquid eyeliner (0.14 fl oz)
2 eyeliner pencils (0.02 oz each)

Available at www.walmart.com or Walmart stores.

Laura Geller Holiday Baked Stackable Macaroons Collection ($59.50 USD) –A delightful assortment of Baked confections awaits. Three shades each of blush, highlighter, and eye shadow begin as swirls of liquid pigment that are baked on terra-cotta tiles for 24 hours and finished by hand in Italy. The result is a silky wash of long-wearing color that illuminates the skin. Inspired by luxurious, light-as-air sweets, these gorgeous goodies are perfect for creating unlimited looks for the face and eyes.

Includes:

0.06-oz Baked Brulee Blush in Gingerbread
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Blush in Lychee Rose
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Blush in Cassis Violet
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Highlighter in Honey Lavender
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Highlighter in Toasted Coconut
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Highlighter in Dulce de Leche
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Eyeshadow in Orange Blossom
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Eyeshadow in Mocha Latte
0.06-oz Baked Brulee Eyeshadow in Chestnut
Made in Italy

Purchase at www.qvc.com

Urban Decay Vice 2

Urban Decay Vice 2 (59 USD) — Now here’s a vice we’ll gladly take a spot on the naughty list for. Introducing Vice 2, the limited-edition sequel to last year’s holiday hit. Each palette features 20 gorgeous brand-new, exclusive, never-before-seen shades. As if that wasn’t enough, each is also one-of-a-kind – the luxe ethereal design is applied by water transfer to make each palette unique, and each comes with a double-ended Good Karma Shadow and Crease Brush. With a mix of brights and neutrals in every texture imaginable, it’s got a little bit of something for everyone on your list.

Available at Sephora, Ulta, select Macy’s and online at Sephora.com, Ulta.com, Macys.com, Beauty.com and UrbanDecay.com

Don’t forget the gift of flawless application! Limited Edition Heavenly Luxe™ Vanity Brush Set ($39 USD) — Feather your way to happiness with this 6-pc Limited Edition Heavenly Luxe Vanity Brush Set made from 100 percent Ultra Plush, Cruelty Free Bristles. The chic and innovative set is sure to give you that airbrushed finish, while keeping you organized, even on the go! Includes the following:

Heavenly Luxe Travel Multi-Powder Brush
Heavenly Luxe Travel Flat Foundation Brush
Heavenly Luxe Travel Flat Concealer Brus
No-Tug Travel Crease Brush
No-Tug Travel Allover Eye Shadow Brush
No-Tug Eyeliner and Brow Brush with Spooly
Sleek Snap Shut Case

Available at QVC.com

Are you giving any makeup sets this holiday season.

More Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2013 Deals

Ready to shop yet? I am! I’m really looking forward to Black Friday/Cyber Monday this year.

Here are some more great deals! And don’t forget to check out my first Black Friday/Cyber Monday post here.

Launching Black Friday, butter LONDON’s Fashion Size Duo combines the perfect lacquer pair of Slapper and Knackered, to give your holiday look the sparkle and pop it needs. Retailing for only $10, this mini must-have takes the guesswork out of sensible gifting and is the perfect stocking-stuffer.

In addition, starting Black Friday through Cyber Monday butterlondon.com will be gifting customers with 20% off site wide (excluding product marked at “last-call”) and 50% off “last-call” items. Unlock these deals using the code CYBER13.

CARGO — On Black Friday, receive 50% off the Let’s Meet in Paris Mini Lip Gloss Kits. Purchase for $8 (a $16 value). Available exclusively on Friday 11/29. ULTA stores/Ulta.com

Urban Decay — On Black Friday, get a 6-piece bundle of Revolution Lipstick for only $50 (a $132 value). Set includes the following shades: Jilted, F-Bomb, Catfight, Naked, Native and Protest. There’s also a killer travel bundle for the girl who can never be without her UD fix. Get travel sizes of All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, Supercurl Mascara and Eyeshadow Primer Potion, as well as the Black Market 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set, for $35 (a $72 value.) Available exclusively on Friday 11/29. UrbanDecay.com

On Cyber Monday, get the Smoked Palette and an Eyeshadow Primer Potion Travel Duo for $40 (a $58 value). Urban Decay is also throwing back to 2011 with a revival of the Book of Shadows Vol. IV, complete with a deluxe Revolution Lipstick sample. If you missed out then, now’s your chance to score one, and for only $25 (a $64 value). Available at UrbanDecay.com

Miss Jessie’s is also offering customers an incredible deal this holiday season – not just for Black Friday and Cyber Monday – as they give 40% off ALL items on MissJessies.com.

The coming of Thanksgiving means three things to the team at Birchbox: lots of turkey, spending time with family, and gearing up for the biggest online shopping bonanza of the year – Cyber Monday. This year, Birchbox is offering a few exclusive offers to their customers:

Birchbox Mobile – The Birchbox Shop has launched in our mobile app! Use code MOBILE20 to get 20% off all first-time mobile app purchases ONLY.
Birchbox + Rebecca Taylor – Birchbox + fashion favorite Rebecca Taylor have partnered to bring Birchbox customers an exclusive makeup pouch, available as a GWP beginning on 12/2. Customers can receive this case when they spend $55+ on all full-size products in the shop by using code REBECCAGIFT. *See attached for more information.
Points Offer

Available at www.birchbox.com

LORAC — A Limited edition PRO Palette shade Pewter set that includes 3-in-1 Waterproof EyeLiner in Ultra Black and retails for $10 (a $39 value) available exclusivily at Sephora.com and (should be) Sephora Inside JC Penny. Available only on black friday. Additionally: HauteLook, Nordstrom Rack and Ulta.com will offer The Stylist Palette on Black Friday (in Platinum and Gold). This will retail for $15.

To make the most of your holiday shopping, visit shop.nordstrom.com or stop by your local Nordstrom department store next Friday – Black Friday – November 29th.

The 200 brand empire (for a limited time only) is offering OVER 80 GIFTS WITH PURCHASE. Choose from dozens of free gifts with purchase featuring fantastic values, including Estee Lauder, Smashbox, Jo Malone London, Clarisonic, Bobbi Brown and more! But hurry – these won’t last long!

PLUS, Nordstrom Beauty’s annual SnowGlobe gift with purchase is free with ANY women’s fragrance purchase of $150 or more. Nordstrom Beauty also has a men’s gift with purchase: free whiskey glasses with ANY men’s fragrance or grooming purchase of $100 or more.

Also included are several AMAZING doorbuster items. These are sure to fly out the door Friday morning as they are limited quantity and great values (i.e. Clarisonic under $100).

***Both doorbuster items and gift with purchases will continue throughout the weekend provided there are still quantities available.

Do you shop on Black Friday? Leave me a comment letting me know your plan. I am always looking for tips!

Have you Fallen for Fall Makeup Shades Yet?

It is almost officially fall, have you been enjoying a change of makeup to compliment the change of seasons?

I have been trying many different makeup trends for the season. Here are some of the new ones I enjoy:

L’Oreal Visible Lift^® CC Cream ($12.99 USD) — Introducing Visible Lift Color & Correct Cream, the next generation of multi-tasking beauty: color and tone correction in one multi-action makeup. This weightless, nourishing formula intensely hydrates skin without feeling heavy or greasy. It contains sheer color capsules to correct and even skin tone for a brighter complexion, plus it’s infused with Vitamin C & Calcium for visibly age-correction actions:
1. Reduces the look of dark spots
2. Evens and corrects skin tone
3. Brightens complexion
4. Nourishes skin
5. Protects with SPF 20

Available at mass market retailers near you.

Yves Rocher Single Eyeshadow Intense Color Matte Flash Orange ($14, on sale for $8 USD) This is a creamy powder texture that reveals a rich color! It lasts perfectly for 8 hours and the color remains intact for a flawless makeup effect. Inspired by Botanical Color Chart, its trendy shades, from bright to ultra-pigmented offer three different effects : satiny, sparkly and matte to suit all needs and intensify the look of the eyes.

Available at www.yvesrocherusa.com

tarte Strike A Pose Limited-Edition Statement Lash Set ($19 USD) An exclusive set featuring the limited-edition gold Picture Perfect™ eyelash curler and deluxe Lights, Camera, Flashes™ statement mascara.

Give your lashes the star treatment with this duo of flashy statement essentials. The limited-edition gold Picture Perfect eyelash curler easily and painlessly delivers an instant increase in lash curl, while the amped up, ultrablack mascara lengthens, curls, and magnifies lashes for an intensified look.

Lights, Camera, Flashes statement mascara has been shown to increase lash volume by 752 percent and is ophthalmologist tested. Picture Perfect eyelash curler increases lash curl up to nine times.

Available exclusively at sephora/sephora.com

CARGO Lip Gloss ($14 USD) — A unique gloss formulation that provides staying power while moisturizing and providing a brilliant finish. The innovative ingredients work in synergy to deliver a long-lasting effect and contains a high content of shining agents to give the ultimate in brilliance, illumination and a wet, glossy look. Special film-formers prevent water loss from the lips for healthy, moisturized and soft lips.

The application wand is a specialized flat velour coated application wand for a precise and perfectly even application of color. The convenient purse-friendly packaging is the perfect size at the perfect price (making it easy to collect more than just one shade!)

You can find these at http://www.cargocosmetics.com

Enjoy!

New Bronzing Kit From Cargo

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!

Announcing CARGO Giveaway Winners!!!

Congrats to Kat, Michelle K., Ruchee and Michele B who all won a CARGO Eyelighter pen in gold. This cool little product has one end of matte gold powder and the other a shimmery gold to wake up your tired eyes..

So enjoy ladies, and let me know how you like it!

Makeup Innovations from CARGO

CARGO cosmetics creates extremely innovative products. They are always coming out with high-tech but beautiful makeup. I was intrigued by their blu ray collection, PlantLove and the very cool The Reverse Lip Liner and was lucky enough to try these fun products!

blu ray, is “a revolutionary collection developed for make-up artists filming in high-definition, as well as all women who want to achieve a flawless face. Ideal for filming, photography, weddings, special events and for everyday beauty because life happens in high-definition.” This collection includes a pressed powder, blush/highlighter, mascara, lip gloss palette, and a high definition mattifier. I have the blu ray Blush/Highlighter ($28.00 USD). This peachy blush has a little sparkle and brings a warmth to my face. I brush it on my cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin and gives a healthy glow. It contains, “photochromatic pigments that adjust with ambient lighting to provide a natural finish day or night. For perfectly glowing skin, the irregular particle size diffuses light and creates an optical blurring that gives the look of a softer, more refined complexion. This ultra-soft formula is oil-free and suitable for all skin types and complexions.”

The Reverse Lip Liner ($14.00 USD) is my favorite product of the three. This is a natural colored pencil that comes in two shades; light and medium dark. You line the outer edges of your lips, and blend. Then apply your favorite lip gloss or lipstick and the color stays in place! Really! Lipstick has always moved to underneath my lower lip as my day progressed, and this liner has helped tremendously. This can also be used in the inner lower eyelid to brighten the eye. Just line the inside of your lower lids and you don’t look as sleepy. Very nice!

The PlantLove Botanical Lipstick ($20.00 USD) is infused with Orchid Complex™ and meadowfoam seed oil as well as jojoba and shea butter. Not only that, but it’s environmentally friendly, containing no mineral oils or petroleums. It comes in wide variety of shades. I have Sagamaratha a sheer rosy-beige cream. The lipstick tube is “made entirely out of corn – a renewable and abundant resource. This environmentally-friendly innovation also emits less greenhouse gases, which many scientists believe to be the major cause of global warming. The outer carton is made of flower paper embedded with real flower seeds. Simply moisten, plant, and wait for a bouquet of wild flowers to grow!” That is very cool, but what also is cool is that the lipstick is moisturizing and fairly long-lasting, especially with the Reverse Lip Liner underneath.

Another great thing about the PlantLove Botanical Lipstick is that CARGO is donating two dollars from the sale of every shade to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Visit their website at www.cargocosmetics.com to find out more and to locate a retailer.

Ready For Your New Year’s Kiss? — Try a New Red Lipstick

The perfect red lipstick is extremely difficult to find. The reason being is there are so many shades of the color. Warm reds, cherry reds, blue reds, fire engine reds. The mind boggles.

I’ve decided to begin my search for the perfect red lipstick, which is a wonderful item to have for a New Year Eve Party. I started my search at Sephora and have found a few good ones. Brands like Urban Decay, Stila, Dior, Nars, and Cargo all have various shades of red to choose from.

Surprisingly to me, the one that looked the best was by Urban Decay ($22.00 USD). The shade is Revolution, a warm classic red. My coloring is light olive skin with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. I alway thought that cooler colors looked better on me ( I like purples and maroon’s), but Revolution looked very pretty on.

PlantLove Botanical Lipstick - Cherry Bliss - The shade in the center

I also realized what doesn’t look nice on me. That is a cherry red. I tried on Cargo’s PlantLove Botanical Lipstick ($20.00) in Cherry Bliss. This is a very pretty color, but is too bright for my face. I also tried on other cherry and blue red’s but they made me look like a little girl trying on my mother’s lipstick!

I recommend both Urban Decay and Cargo’s lipsticks if you are looking for quality. They both feel great and are good for you. The Urban Decay Lipstick has vitamins A, C, and E and is infused with a crème-caramel scent and flavor. Hyaluronic spheres (found naturally in the body) are added to stimulate cellular function, prevent dehydration, and fill in lines and wrinkles.
PlantLoves’s packaging is biodegradable and the lipstick is Paraben and Sulfate free. What’s even better is that CARGO is donating two dollars from the sale of every shade to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

If you are looking for a red lipstick you are a bold lady! I recommend that you take your time and search for the perfect shade for you. I am not done looking yet. Maybe I will continue my search around Valentine’s Day…