May 2018 Beauty Favorites

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May has flown by!  It was a busy month, and I am looking forward to lazy summer months!  June is my birthday month, and it’s a big one (drumroll please) … the big 5 0!

That is crazy to think about, but I’m looking forward to a new decade to explore!  My birthday is June 10th, and this weekend I think I’m going to do a birthday beauty wish list.  No one buys me makeup, but it won’t hurt to put it out there!  Maybe I’ll buy mystelf something nice.

On to my May faves! This month, I have loved the following gorgeous makeup:

Flower Beauty Light Illusion Liquid Foundation ($13.99 USD) —  This foundation is medium coverage, which is what I like!  I mix two shades Ivory L2 and Nude L3 for my perfect shade. It feels very weightless on and gives me a natural finish.  I wouldn’t say its dewy or matte, just looks like my skin, but way better!

Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Mascara ($8.99 USD) — I received this in a gift with purchase at Ulta.  I haven’t used it in years, and realized how great it still is! I usually go for lengthening mascara, but this one gives me length as well as the promised volume.  And it doesn’t flake or smear!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette ($42 USD)  — A day to night palette with fourteen shades, including essential mattes and glam shimmers. I just bought this a couple of weeks ago, and it is really growing on me.  I seem to be doing the same look over and over with it, which isn’t like me at all! But, I’m hoping to try more looks and hopefully I will find it more versatile than I think it is!  I will be reviewing this very soon (plus the Too Faced Life’s A Festival Eye Shadow Palette I keep saying I’m going to review!).
ColourPop Ultra Blotted Lip in Love Bite (pinky nude) and Ultra Glossy Lip in Just Surfed 
(warm beige gloss drenched in silver and pink glitter) $6 each.  These are from the ColourPop and Eva Gutowski collaboration. I can’t wear matte lipstick alone because my lips get to dry, but with a gloss over it, I love them!  This looks gorgeous together and lasts for hours!  I need to pick up more Ultra Blotted and Glossy Lips stat!

Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer ($14.99 USD) —  I bought this a couple of months ago after giving into the hype, and I’m so glad I did!  At first, the scent was a little strong for me, but I am used to it now.  The color is gorgeous and applies so smoothly on.  It’s the only bronzer I am currently using.

What are you loving this month?  Anything new and fun, or something that you have rediscovered?

Review of CoverGirl and Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation and CoverGirl and Olay Pressed Powder

I was sent the wonderful CoverGirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation ($13.99) and CoverGirl & Olay Pressed Powder ($11.99 USD) to review from www.bzzagent.com.  This is a community of reviewers who are sent wonderful products FREE to get the word out.  Sign up and you could be a BzzAgent like me!

Here is the lowdown on the products:

Science and beauty Skincare and foundation. Indulgence and affordability. COVERGIRL and Olay. Isn’t it great when your favorite things come together to help you look your best? COVERGIRL and Olay have teamed up again, bringing you COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation and COVERGIRL & Olay Pressed Powder, to provide coverage for ageless, radiant looking skin, just in time for the peak of summer.

Give your skin a second chance COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation is no ordinary make-up. Thanks to COVERGIRL & Olay, it smoothes the appearance of rough surfaces and gives your skin a radiant finish. COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation also contains known skin conditioning ingredients to hydrate your skin and help improve skin tone over time. Neat, huh?

Perfect your look You can’t turn back the clock on aging, but you can reduce the signs. Just one pump of new COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation helps instantly cover discolorations, fine lines and wrinkles. And finishing your look with a soft layer of COVERGIRL & Olay Pressed Powder will help brighten your skin tone.

What I think:  I really enjoy both products!

The foundation is so moisturizing, but covers well, too!  I have read that it may be too heavy for some people, but my trick is to place a couple of pumps of the foundation on the back of my hand, then use a sponge or brush and apply a little bit at a time to my face.  That way I can add more if I need to.  Plus I can blend, blend, blend!  Which is always a trick when applying foundation. I also make sure to blend it down my neck so that I don’t get the “makeup mask”!
I usually use loose translucent powder, so it took me a little bit of practice applying the powder.  I started with a makeup brush, but I find that applying it with the enclosed applicator works best for my skin.  It helps lay the product down and gives great coverage.
After about a week of use, I have found that I really like this duo. My fine lines are less noticeable and the coverage is excellent!  I will probably purchase again.
Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more and you can purchase the items at mass market retailers near you.

CoverGirl and Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation

I love multitasking cosmetics — anything that does double duty in one step is okay in my book!

In the Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation ($15.99 USD), CoverGirl & Olay combine foundation and hydrating serum to cover fine lines and wrinkles and helps hydrate to improve skin tone over time.

The benefits of this creamy foundation are:

  • Instantly covers discolorations and age spots
  • Hydrates to improve skin tone over time
  • Foundation + Serum
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There are 14 shade available.  I use Buff Beige, which is gorgeous.  It is a little darker than I would usually get, but since it blends in so beautifully, it looks natural on my skin.

I highly recommend this foundation/serum!

CoverGirl products are available at a mass market retailer near you.  Enjoy!

Fab New Products From LORAC, Tarte and CoverGirl? Eye, Eye!


Dramatic eyes are my favorite makeup statement this fall.  I love shimmery shadows and intense eyeliner.  I always feel like I can get away with more makeup once the days start getting shorter — and making my eyes stand out is a step that I don’t like to skip.

LORAC Ooh La Lace Baked Shimmer & Matte Eye Shadow Palette  ($36.00 USD — $114 Value )  Seduce with sexy, sultry, smoky eyes created  with Baked Shimmer and Matte Eye Shadows in six smoldering colors. From the red  carpet to between the sheets, this palette will give you big, beautiful bedroom  eyes for all of your intimate moments.

This set contains:
– 6  x Eye Shadows in Lust (cream with shimmer), Smolder (matte gray), Risqué (matte black), Stunner (light bronze with shimmer), Knockout (bronze with shimmer), Racy (matte brown).

What I think:  This versatility of this neutral kit is amazing.  You can do a soft, daytime eye with the Stunner and Knockout, or do a smoky eye with the Smolder and Risque.  I like to use the Lust all over my lid and line my eyes with Risque or Racy, then I can do a darker lip.  Drama!  Visit www.loraccosmetics.com,  Sephora stores, www.sephora.com, Ulta stores, http://www.ulta.com.

CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast Eyeshadow ($7.99 USD) — Our innovative formula of rich eyeshadow with built-in primer gives you intense crease-proof color that last for hours. Intense Shadowblast is rich color that stays! Built-in Primer + Rich Shadow. Water-proof. Precision applicator tip.

What I think:  Beautiful colors, lasts a long time and so affordable. There are 6 Shades available:  Beige Blaze, Platinum Pop, Forever Pink, Extreme Green, Brown Bling and Blue Bomb.  I love the Extreme Green, which is crazy because I go for neutrals or purple shades, but this green has a gold cast to it that is so wearable. You can purchase these at drugstores and mass market stores.  Learn more at www.covergirl.com.

tarte smolderEYES Amazonian clay waterproof eye liner ($25.00 USD) –This waterproof liner creates smoldering, sexy eyes that won’t budge, letting you go from simple to sultry in an instant. Create a crisp liner look by gliding along the upper and lower lash line or use the built-in smudger to soften. For a sultry, smoky eye, use the liner as a shadow by applying a thicker line along upper lashes and blending toward the crease. No matter how you wear this versatile liner, Amazonian clay works to nourish lids, reduce surface oil, and improve overall texture for easy application and better wear. Once you apply, this liner will lock down to a completely waterproof finish for guaranteed longer wear. The rich, pure pigments are boosted by Amazonian clay for truer, bolder color with each application.

What I think: This is one of the most versatile eye pencils I own. The liner is thin enough for a great day look — or smoke it out with the spongy end or use it all over the eyelid for an evening out look.  Colors available are Bronze, Brown, Charcoal, Fig, Golden Black, Navy, Olive and Plum.  Available at Sephora, www.sephora.com, Ulta, www.ulta.com, QVC, and www.tarte.com.

tarte MultiplEYE™ Lash Enhancing Liquid Liner  ($22.00 USD) — This bold liquid liner helps you achieve defined eyes and enhanced lashes with a  precision application tip. Deeply pigmented, this formula glides on smooth to  frame eyes while delivering tarte’s lash-nourishing HydroPlant™ peptide. The results speak for themselves: 80% of subjects agree their eyes appear more  defined instantly after using multiplEYE™ lash enhancing liquid liner. Its flow-through applicator allows for expert control to create a thick or thin line  without dragging, tugging, or skipping.

What I think: This very black liner is glamour in pen! It’s easy to use and to make a great cat’s eye or rim the whole eye. Perfect for ladies who like drama! Available at Sephora, www.sephora.com, Ulta, www.ulta.com, QVC, and www.tarte.com.

Breakthrough Mascaras by It Cosmetics, Hourglass Cosmetics and CoverGirl

I love, love, love mascara!  Here are three amazing new ones:

It Cosmetics Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Volumizing Mascara Duo ($29.00 USD) — What is it: Developed with leading plastic surgeons, Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Treatment Mascara revolutionizes and takes the place of five products–volumizing mascara; conditioning, hydrating lash primer; lash-enhancing serum; lash tint; and a lash comb/curler! Hello Lashes offers the blackest of black color that lasts and doesn’t flake or fade. The triple-brush lengthens, curls, and separates lashes while the innovative Magic Wand lash ball detailer tip is designed to reach every last inner and outer corner lash.

What I think:  An amazing mascara that lengthens, curls and thickens lashes.  The unique feature of this mascara is the ball on the end that reaches inner and outer lashes plus when used straight up, really lengthens upper and lower lashes.  My little lashes look so long that they almost reach my eyebrows!  I also have to wait for my mascara to dry before  I put my glasses on or it smears!  Visit www.qvc.com to purchase.

Hourglass Film Noir Lash Lacquer ($28.00 USD) — An ultra-glossy, inky black top coat for lashes that creates length,
volume, and showstopping shine.  Formulated for application on top of mascara, Film Noir Lash Lacquer transitions your eyes from work day to cocktail hour, or vamps up your look for an extra kick of drama any time you desire. It features a unique brush applicator and latex-like formula that fans lashes out to sensational proportions.

Before applying, make sure there’s just enough product lightly coating the applicator brush, and wipe any excess onto the inside edge of the tube. Using the brush applicator, paint lacquer onto the bottom and top lashes in short, even strokes. Apply lacquer to the tips of the outer corners of top lashes only for a more natural look.

What I think:  At first I thought this product wouldn’t be useful — an extra step to make lashes look better?  I was skeptical. But after I “painted” the lacquer on my lashes, they were longer, shiny and super black! Perfect for a night out!  Visit www.hourglasscosmetics.com or www.sephora.com to learn more.

CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara ($8.49 USD) gives you stunning volume while leaving your lashes light and lifted!

The breakthrough mousse formula exchanges specific synthetic polymers with natural beeswax and tapioca to help make it 20% lighter than the most expensive mascara* Hypoallergenic. Removes easily with soap and water. Ophthalmologically tested.

What I think:  Wow!  It is difficult to find a natural mascara that gives good volume — but this one certainly does. It is also perfect for contact lens wearers.  Plus, very affordable.  Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more and purchase at mass market retailers.  Enjoy!

My Favorite New Summer Lip Products

Soft, smooth and natural lips are the perfect look for summer.  The luscious lip products below will help achieve this.  From a lip exfoliator to a fruity lip balm to a lipstick that makes lips soft after continuous use, your lips will look fabulous while using this products!

Merle Norman Lip Exfoliator ($15.00 USD) — Gentle micro-dermabrasion lip treatment immediately retexturizes skin to reveal incredibly soft and smooth lips.  Allows lip color to glide on smoothly and keeps it from caking.  Easy-to-use stick formula.  Visit www. merlenorman.com to learn more.

Enjoy eos’ all-new limited edition Strawberry Sorbet and Passion Fruit ($5.99 USD) – two refreshingly tasty organic flavors launching just in time for summer. Revolutionary smooth sphere applies directly to lips, making it more hygienic than pot lip balms. It is enclosed in powder pink and lavender soft-touch, recyclable packaging.  Key Ingredients are Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E to soothe and moisturize. This retails for $5.99 at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Target.com and EvolutionofSmooth.com.

Becca Cosmetics Sheer Lip Color ($24.00 USD) — A collection of sheer, hydrating lipsticks with subtle shine in a palette of tones flattering for all skin tones, BECCA’s Sheer Tint Lip Colour contains a cocktail of emollients and antioxidants such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Honey and Vitamin E, to moisturise and protect the lips while providing a smooth, even application of creamy colour.  Shop at The Plaza Beauty,One West 58th Street at The Plaza Hotel’s Concourse Level.

CoverGirl LipPerfection ($7.49 USD) — A new kind of lip transformation; lipstick that transforms your lips  instantly with gorgeous color and transforms dry lips to noticeably  smoother/more gorgeous lips in just 7 days. Contains a silk therapy complex –
beautiful rich lip color infused with silk protein to help sustain moisture  leve ls so the more you wear it, the more gorgeous your lips become. Lip Perfection is CoverGirl’s iconic, prestige-inspired lip bullet.  This is available at drugstores and mass market retailers near you.

Merle Norman Lip Polish ($15.00 USD) — Creamy lip gloss delivers 100-watt shine.  Luscious high-fashion shades provide intense luster with hydrating benefits.  glides on smoothly and evenly with brush applicator.  Long-wearing.  Anti-feathering. Visit www.merlenorman.com to learn more. Enjoy!

CoverGirl’s New NatureLuxe Collection

Taylor Swift is the face of the new CoverGirl NatureLuxe collection.  She is a fresh face for a fresh new idea for drugstore cosmetics. Both products below are light and have natural ingredients in them. They are perfect for women of all ages because they are fresh and light.

The NatureLuxe Silk Foundation ($12.00 USD) is a super light foundation that gives good coverage. It is infused with jojoba and cucumber extract. I like this foundations because it goes on smooth and has a nice slip to it. It also smooths out skin tone. This foundation is available in 14 different shades.  

NatureLuxe Gloss Balm ($6.00 USD) is a luxurious sheer color with a hint of shine and a SPF of 15. This is like a shimmery balm– it is so pretty on. This is perfect for someone just beginning to wear makeup or for someone who wants a very natural, yet polished look. Plus it is available in 16 colors so there is something for everyone!

Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more. These products are available at drugstores and mass market retailers near you. Enjoy!

Boost Your Eyes With CoverGirl Blast Collection

CoverGirl’s Blast line includes a variety of products to make you look bolder. Their eye collection has recently introduced some really great new additions that will really make your eyes pop! They are:

Smoky ShadowBlast ($7.99 USD) — This two-ended creamy shadow stick, can make lots of different looks.  The rounded end is the lighter color and can be used all over the lid, or a highlighter. The two different, specially contoured ends of our ShadowBlast stick make it easy to create a bold, colorful, smoky eye.

Liquiline Blast ($7.99 USD) , combines the intensity and staying power of a liquid with the ease and blendability of a waterproof pencil. It is very soft and easy to play with. You can use the liner as-is for intense definition or smoke-it-out with the built-in smudger end for a subtle, smoky look. I like to first line the eyes with the tapered end of the ShadowBlast and then do a sharper line with the Liquiline.

LashBlast Fusion ($9.99 USD) is CoverGirl’s first ever volume + length mascara! The fiberstretch formula and oversized brush claim to make every little lash bigger, fuller, longer -looking and more dramatic. And I have to agree. It separates my lashes while it lengthens and volumizes. I would love it if they made a waterproof version. That would be perfect.   

Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more and you can purchase at mass market retailers near you. Have fun!

Got Something to Conceal? Try These New Products from the CoverGirl Simply Ageless line!

CoverGirl and Olay Simply Ageless Corrector

Looking for products that will make your eye area look flawless. Look to CoverGirl! The CoverGirl Simply Ageless line has done it again with two new products infused with Olay Regenerist Serum, The Simply Ageless Concealer and the Simply Ageless Corrector ($10.99 USD each). Alone, they cover wonderfully, but together…fabulous, smooth and dewy skin is yours for the buying!   

To make your eyes look perfect no matter what you’re age, start with the Simply Ageless Corrector. This product contains specially blended pigments that can cover even extreme dark circles. It comes in one shade that works for everyone and has a soft, creamy texture that make it easy to blend. I dab it underneath my eyes to cover and on my upper eyelids as an eyeshadow base. I also use it for red areas on my chin and around my nose as it is very effective.   

I use the Simply Ageless Concealer over the Corrector for a flawless finish. This has more of a cream to liquid formula and it covers imperfections, conceals under-eye circles and visibly brightens skin. Available in four colors: Very Light, Light, Light/Medium, Medium/Dark.

 I highly recommend these products. This is probably my favorite concealer now! Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more about these products. They are also available in drugstores around the country.

CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara and Brand New ShineBlast Lip Gloss and Smoky ShadowBlast

CoverGirl’s Blast collection is all about big bold looks. Big and long lashes started it all with LashBlast and more recently LashBlast Length. Now comes Smoky ShadowBlast and ShineBlast Lip Gloss, arriving in drugstores in January.

I love the original LashBlast in the fat orange tube because of the thick lashes it gives. The LashBlast length ($7.79) is also fab, but because of different reasons. This lengthening mascara has a longer, thinner brush — which I prefer. It is easier to maneuver and give lashes that extra length that stubby lashes like mine need!

I also have tried the ShineBlast Lip Gloss ($7.49) that is debuting in January. I’m a gloss girl, and this is a good one! It is non-sticky and very shiny. It smells fruity, but doesn’t have a taste, which is good. If it tastes yummy I lick my lips, which ruins the whole purpose of wearing gloss!  The foam tipped applicator is cleverly designed to be thicker on the end for easier application. When released in January, it will come in 16 shades!   

The Smoky ShadowBlast seems like a very fun way to apply eye shadow. I haven’t tried it yet, but when I do, I will review it. I do know is that it is a cream stick with a different shade on each end. One shade is for the base and one is for the crease. This comes in 6 duos.

Until December 5th,  COVERGIRL has an online preview of the NEW Blast collection featuring Smoky ShadowBlast, ShineBlast Lip Gloss and LashBlast Length Mascara.    Consumers who visit Drugstore.com will save $5 and earn free shipping when they purchase all three products while supplies. Those who visit CVS.com will receive free shipping.

Here are the shades available for advance purchase:
 
Smoky ShadowBlast
-Silver Sky
-Onyx Smoke
-Bronze Fire
-Purple Plum

ShineBlast Lip Gloss
-Dazzle
-Flare
-Ablaze
-Firecracker

LashBlast Length Mascara
-Very Black
 
Visit www.covergirl.com to learn more. Enjoy these fun new products from a classic brand!