Ulta – Page 5 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

LORAC 3D Multidimensional Beauty Collection

The 3D Multidimensional Beauty Collection from LORAC is a great way to infuse your Spring makeup look with some shimmer. The products below are very unique in that many of them include holographic pigments. The products are:

MULTIPLEX 3D LASHES MASCARA ($22) – This volumizing and thickening mascara takes your lashes to the next level by instantly delivering 3 times the volume. MULTIPLEX 3D LASHES has a buildable, smudge-resistant and multidimensional formula that creates a dramatic lash look. Featuring beneficial ingredients like silk and keratin to nourish and condition. The professional curved brush easily grabs, lifts and curls for maximum coverage and length.

3D LIQUID LUSTRE ($16) – A shimmering top coat that lets you amp up your look. This paraben-free, long-lasting, shimmering coat can be applied over eye shadow or worn alone on eyes and cheeks for a luminous, prismatic 3-Dimensional sparkle and shine.

3-in-1 WATERPROOF EYELINER PENCIL ($18) – Get sexy, smoldering, defined eyes with this no-smudge, no-budge waterproof eyeliner pencil. This new eyeliner features a creamy, velvety-smooth texture and intense rich color that easily glides on for a clean, precise line. This transfer-resistant retractable pencil is equipped with its own sharpener and “smudger” for effortless, versatile application. Available in Ultra Black, Chocolate and Eggplant.

MULTIPLEX 3D EYE SHADOW PALETTE ($38) – This Sephora Exclusive Limited Edition Palette contains high-wattage 3-Dimensional color with 6 velvety-smooth shadows infused with luminous, prismatic, holographic lustre, long-lasting pigments and versatile color. The shadows can be worn dry for a soft, natural finish or wet for a more intense color pigment. It can even be worn wet or dry as an eyeliner. The faux animal print palette fits perfectly in your purse or clutch and is very on-trend for the season!

MULTIPEX 3D LIP GLOSS DUO ($28) – Get two glam and gorgeous shades of our popular Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss for the sexiest lips ever! This innovative, paraben-free lip gloss contains holographic pigments, long-lasting color and high-lacquer shine. The duo features 2 shades – 3D (Rose Bronze with glitter) and 4D (Bubble Gum Pink with glitter).

MULTIDIMENSIONAL BEAUTY COLLECTION ($35) – This ULTA Exclusive Collection contains everything you need for MULTIDIMENSIONAL eyes and lips. Featuring 3 prismatic light-reflecting shadows for dramatic shimmering color and MULTIPLEX 3D Lip Gloss in ULTA GLAM for super glossy 3D lips. All enclosed in a metallic mesh makeup case that can double as your evening clutch.

I tested the 3D Eye Shadow Palette and the 3-in-1 Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. I love the shadows because not only do they give a great variety for many looks — the multi-dimensional shimmer is really gorgeous. The color included are Opalescent Gold with Pink Pearl, Amber Bronze with Gold Pearl, Red/Brown with Green Pearl, Silver with White Pearl, Royal Blue with Electric Blue Pearl, and Midnight Black with Holographic 3D Glitter. The ones I have been loving are the gold with the pink pearl because it is soft and pretty and the red-brown with green because it is so amazing. I dust it over my lid and when I turn my head the color changes. So cool! The shadows are also very long-lasting.

The eyeliner is very good, too. It has a fairly soft consistency and can give a light or heavy line. It is also very pigmented and stays on all day!

Visit www.sephora.com, www.ulta.com, and www.loraccosmetics.com to learn more and purchase. Enjoy!

Kym Johnson From Dancing With the Stars’ California Ulta Appearances

Dancing with the Stars’ Kym Johnson presents
THE DANCING WITH THE STARS HAIR EXTENSION COLLECTION
AT ULTA, Burbank and West Hollywood

The Dancing with the Stars Hair Extension collection and Kym Johnson of Dancing with the
Stars put beautiful hair in the spotlight with a new line of hair extensions inspired by the cult-
favorite show. Kym will be visiting two Ulta stores in one day along with a team of hairstylists
to offer beauty tips, behind-the-scenes hair styling secrets and do-it-yourself tricks for re-
creating the hottest Dancing with the Stars looks – just in time for creating a date-ready look for
Valentine’s Day!

Join Kym at Ulta on Saturday, February 12, 2011 as she demonstrates how the Dancing with the
Stars Hair Extension collection offers quick and easy hair transformations for every occasion.
Guests purchasing $20 or more in Dancing with the Stars Hair Extension collection product will
have a chance to meet Kym in person.

HairUWear® offers instant access to must-have hairstyles inspired by Dancing with the Stars,
bringing the thrill and excitement of the cult favorite show to fans everywhere. With the Dancing
with the Stars Hair Extension collection, you can recreate all the statement-making looks featured
on the show at home, transforming everyday hair into star-studded style. Select styles are
developed with heat-friendly Tru2Life® technology and can withstand up to 350º heat, so you
can style your extensions as you would your own hair. Each piece in the Dancing with the Stars
Hair Extension collection is available in multiple matchable shades.

WHAT:
Ulta in-store appearance with Dancing with the Stars’ Kym Johnson at Ulta, Burbank and Ulta,
West Hollywood

WHEN:
Saturday, February 12, 2011
11:00AM-1:00PM in Burbank, CA
3:00PM-5:00PM in West Hollywood, CA

WHERE:
ULTA, Burbank
Burbank Empire Center
1351 N. Victory Place
Burbank, CA 91502
Phone: 818-565-5646

WHERE:
ULTA, West Hollywood
West Hollywood Gateway
7100 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 210
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: 323-878-2524

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.

LORAC Visual Effection Collection

LORAC has released another one of their fab collections at a great value!The Visual Effection Collection ($20.00 USD, a $47.00 value) is a limited edition and is available at Ulta and includes 2 full size Visual Effects Mascaras, one in Jet Black and one in Midnight Blue, plus a travel size Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer. You’ll have everything you need to curl, separate, and lengthen your lashes.

What I think: These mascaras take a little practice to perfect, with the comb/brush applicator. But once I got it down, my lashes were extremely long and separated. The Midnight Blue is especially nice because it makes the whites of the eyes look brighter. The primer is very nice as well and helps eye shadows stay on longer.

Foundation Flummoxed? Stila Gives Great Choices!

Looking for a good quality foundation? Take a stroll through your local Sephora or Ulta (or go online at http://www.stilacosmetics.com), and check out Stila foundations. The three that I have are all flawless, but vary in coverage and finish.

Illuminating tinted moisturizer SPF 15 — $32.00 USD — This lovely foundation is perfect when you need a little coverage and a lot of glow! This delivers a very youthful shimmer to the face that is not glittery at all. It comes in two shades a light (01) and a medium (02). For day, a bit of powder over it tones the shimmer down, but at night, glow on ladies!

Illuminating Liquid Foundation — $38.00 USD — This one is my favorite right now. It covers my skin imperfections but doesn’t look heavy. It has a bit of glow to it as well, but is not as shimmery as the Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer. In 8 different shades there is sure to be a color that matches most skin tones.

Sheer Color tinted moisturizer spf 15 — $32.00 SPF 15 — This tinted moisturizer gives the face a dewy look with just a hint of coverage. I think it will be great in the summer when I get a little tan. I have the shade “Medium”, which is a nice neutral beige. As this product is available in 10 shades, there is one for almost everyone!

The coverage and clarity of all of these foundations can be intensified by Stila’s Hydrating Primer SPF 15 ($34.00 USD). Wearing this moisturizing primer will even out the skin tone and even hide your pores! This is not for someone for very oily skin, but will work for almost everyone else.

So check out the stores or Stila’s website if you are looking for new ways to make your skin look youthful and smooth!

My Christmas Wish List Part 2 — Cosmetic Kits

For my second beauty wish, I would love a make-up kit. ANY make-up kit. I love the variety that a case with many colors and products bring. And of course, I love trying new things (hence this blog).

Sephora and Ulta top my list for great places to find fun holiday kits. Companies such as Too Faced, Smashbox, Nars, Urban Decay plus the Ulta and Sephora brands all have kits-a-plenty. Another great place is Target, which now has the Pixi, JK Jemma Kidd and NP Set lines as well as Sonia Kashuk and Boots No. 7.

The fabulous Too Faced World Domination All Access Backstage Beauty Collection’s price has just dropped from $42.00 to 34.00. This is a cute jewelery box that plays The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy while a very stylish little doll twirls around. It contains eight eye shadows, Duo Bronzer, Face Illuminator, six lip glosses, brow powder, eyeliner cake, and blush.

For lovely lips, Stila’s Shine On Gift of Glaze includes six glosses. The colors are; Vanilla (pearly nude), Brown Sugar (shimmering golden nude), Raisin (shimmering golden plum), Grapefruit (frosted pink), Apricot (melon nectarine), and Gumdrop (vibrant pink). These glosses are very conditioning and not too sticky, which is very nice!

Finally, as I really love Petra Strand’s Pixi line, I love the Pixi Must Have Kit. This comes in a deluxe wallet and carries a compact of 2 lustrous eye shadows, 2 creamy lip colors, a brightening blush and 4 mini brushes. The colors I saw were cool pinks.

So keep your eyes peeled at the stores you like to shop for cosmetics; I’m sure you will find a fun kit that you would love to give and receive!

Want a Fun New Look? Try Purple Mascara!

This summer I tried purple mascara for the first time. I had a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for Almay Cosmetics at Walgreens. I decided to try some new eye products, so I chose a new mascara and eye palette. I have brown eyes, and Almay’s Intense Eye Color line claimed that purples are the color for me.

The mascara I tried is called Almay Intense I-Color Play Up Thickening Mascara in Purple Amethyst ($7.49 USD). The brush has hard plastic bristles that separate and the formula is very thickening. The color is hard to discern on my black lashes, and the effect it gives is a soft black color. I really like this mascara, but it is more of a day look than an evening look. The best feature? It does not smudge at all!

This weekend I decided to see if Sephora and Ulta had any other purple mascaras that were a little more noticeable for going out. The first one I tried was Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Colored Mascara in Purple Haze ($17.00 USD). This is a brighter purple than the Almay shade. This was more noticeable on my lashes, but my lashes themselves did not appear much thicker or longer. I would not buy this mascara.

The second new mascara I tried was Benefit’s BADgal Plum ($19.00 USD). The color on this is a lot different than the other two, since it is a true plum and not a purple. I really like the formula. It made my lashes look huge. The color is fun, too, but it might be better on someone with fairer lashes.

I LOVE mascara, so it is always fun to try new colors and formulations. Go out and test drive some new lashes today!

Sleepless Nights? Benefit’s Concealers Help the Next Morning

It’s a fact: I do not get a lot of sleep. I am forty, have 3 daughters, work full time and have a husband who also works full time and is in nursing school. No. sleep. at. all.

But I still like to look good. And so I am drawn to all new concealers that promise I will look like I have had a great night’s sleep and if it makes me look younger, yes!

Benefit always seems to have a new trick up it’s sleeve. Their newest concealer is called Powderflage ($28.00 USD). It is a pink-tinted powder that comes with a mini fantail brush for application.

This product claims to camouflage fine lines, dark circles and spots. I found on it’s own, it didn’t cover my deep, dark circles, but over another concealer it brightened the under eye area and made my skin look smoother.

The brush is cute, but it is very small and a bit hard to handle. I would recommend using an eyeshadow brush, or your finger, for blending.

My favorite Benefit concealer is one that came out a few months ago, Erase Paste ($26.00 USD).

Erase Paste is a cream concealer that comes in a little jar and has a plastic wand applicator. This can be used for blemishes and dark under eye circles, and comes in Fair, Medium and Deep shades.

The reason I love this product is that it instantly erases my dark circles and leaves a nice highlighted glow under my eyes. It also works well as a shadow base. Erase Paste is also very creamy and blends nicely.

For a polished look, you can use Erase Paste under your eyes and sweep Powderflage over it. This would be nice for an evening out.

Pure Beauty? Pur Minerals Now at Ulta

Intrigued by my foray into mineral makeup (bareMinerals) a couple of weeks ago, I decided to explore the Pur Minerals brand that is now being sold at Ulta.

The first item I tried was the 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup SPF 15 ($24.50 US). This is a very nice product. It is a pressed powder that glides on smoothly. It is made of, “pure mineral pigment ground to the smoothest texture and bound with soothing Shea Butter and Vitamin E”. This formula is good for my combination skin. It doesn’t cause breakouts or leave dry patches.

I also really liked the Mineral Eye Defining Pencil with Smudger ($16.50 US). I tried the Smoky Graphite pencil, a nice dark gray. This is a “state of the art, waterproof, smudge resistant eye color. Glides on easily and resists bleeding even when wet.” And it did stay on all day.

The third item I’m reviewing is the Mineral Lip Tint SPF 15 ($16.50 US) in Sandy Quartz, a pinky-peach color. The color is natural and pretty, but the feel of the product was a little dry. Some of the ingredients are Olive Oil, Mango Seed Extract, and Cocoa Seed Butter, so it should be a little more hydrating.

Another thing I really enjoy about mineral makeup is that after wearing for a while, my skin seems to improve. It becomes clearer and glows, even when I’m not wearing it.

I think the next time I try a mineral makeup it will be a drugstore brand. It would be nice to find a product that has the same benefits, at a more affordable price.

Fun Fragrances From Gwen Stefani — Harajuku Lovers

In the 90’s, I was a huge fan of No Doubt, mostly because of the irrepressible Gwen Stefani. She was tough and cool — a completely strong, sexy woman.

She still is. Her music is pop now, not the cool alternative songs she used to sing, and so not much to my taste. But her style is original. And so are her fragrances.

I think her first fragrance L.A.M.B. is nice, but a bit understated for Gwen. her new fragrance line, Harajuku lovers, is inspired by the trendy Harajuku shopping district in Tokyo. The perfume decanters are in the shape of cute dolls and are named G, Love, Lil’, Angel, Music and Baby.

I have tried them all, except for Lil’ Angel, which wasn’t at the Ulta I visited. I really liked G, which is floral and fruity and Baby which is soft and musky. Love is very floral and Music is sweet. They are all really distinctive, and I would recommend trying them out– maybe there’s a Harajuku Lover for you!

Here’s a short description of each:

G — Notes: Mandarin, Coconut, Apple Skin, Jasmine Sambac, Freesia, Magnolia, Coconut Cream, White Sandalwood, and Cottonwoods

Love — Notes: Bergamot, Pink Pomelo, Peach, Bamboo Leaf, Watery Peony, Living Hydroponic Lace Rose, Jasmine Sambac, Nectarine Blossom, Creamy Paperwhites, Egyptian Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Vanilla, Musk, and Blond Wood.

Lil’ Angel — Notes: Raspberry, Cranberry, Blackberry, Pineapple, Pear Blossom, Violet, Rose, Lollipop Accord, Hinoki Wood, and Crystal Amber.

Music — Notes: Clementine, Pear, Jasmine Sambac, Sweet Pea, Honeysuckle, Vanilla, Skin Musk, and Sleek Woods.

Baby — Notes: Freesia, Bergamot, White Rose, Orange Flower, Tiare, Jasmine, White Musk, Soft Woods, Heliotrope, Vanilla, and Violet.