I'm baaaack!

I'm back and it feels good!  I'm excited to start blogging again!

I apologize for my absence but I promise I had a valid excuse!  My home computer crashed and my only internet connection was my iphone for the past two months!  Finally the computer gods looked favorably on me and blessed my husband with the ability to fix our computer...all without a trip to the computer doctor!  Good news is that I am back.  Bad news is I am going to annoy you with a lot of posts, lol!

Since I've been gone for over two months, I wanted to catch everyone up on some items I have been loving lately.  I plan to do a "Best of 2011" post soon but here are some products that I've enjoyed since I posted last. 

First and foremost, where would have I been without my iPhone?  Without my home computer working, my iPhone was my ONLY connection to the internet and if you know me, I LOVE spending time online.   

I also have to mention my love affair with Bath and Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom scent.  It is one of those scents that I don't tire of.  It's soft, sexy and it makes me happy!  Lately I've been addicted to BBW and their 3 wick candles too.  I think I currently have about 10 in my house so my collection was not complete without a Japanese Cherry Blossom one!  I have really enjoyed the Japanese Cherry Blossom candle and fragrance mist.  You can find the candle at BBW for $19.50 and the fragrance mist for $12.00

Another favorite of mine that I recently discovered is Clarisonic thanks to QVC and I think I'm in love.  If you are not familiar with Clarisonic, it is a facial cleansing brush that utilizes a rotating brush head.  I usually use mine in the shower since they are waterproof.  I wet my face, apply my favorite facial cleanser (Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser) and use the Clarisonic all over.  I even use the Clarisonic on my hands, décolleté and elbows.  I notice that the Clarisonic has given me smoother skin in just a few weeks.  I can't wait to see how my skin will look over time.  I plan to do a full review soon.  I found my Clarisonic Mia 2 on QVC however they are currently sold out.  You can purchase a Mia 2 (or another model) at www.sephora.com for $149.00.  To learn more about the Clarisonic or to purchase, go to www.clarisonic.com

Of course a list of my current favorites would not be complete without listing some makeup and hair items.  I am loving my Laura Geller Bronze n Brighten like always.  It gives me a great glow that goes a long way during these dull winter months.  A foundation that I really want to share is Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation.  I chose the shade Soft Beige.  It really covers nicely, lasts a LONG time and goes on flawlessly.  I find that this foundation rivals many department store brands.  The good news is that it costs around $7.50! 

In addition to my bronzer and foundation, I have enjoyed a blush combination that really warms up my face but helps contour my cheekbones.  I have been using NARS' Lovejoy blush in the hollows of my cheeks then topping the apples of my cheeks with NYX's Terra Cotta blush.  Lovejoy is a gorgeous, bronzed rose which flatters many skin tones.  Terra Cotta is a warm, bronzed peachy shade that offers a nice shimmer.  Both colors together create a great look that warms up the face but looks natural.

Lastly I've enjoyed Korres lip butter in Guava, Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Baked and One n Only's Argan Oil.  Urban Decay's Baked liner compliments my brown eyes and helps them to "pop".  I love pairing this liner with MAC's Woodwinked eyeshadow.  Korres lip butter helps my lips stay moisturized and One n Only's Argan oil is a cheaper but wonderful alternative to Morrocan Oil.  I usually apply argan oil in the cooler months to my hair when it is still wet after I shampoo.  Since I have somewhat oily roots, I focus the oil toward the ends of my hair.  I then comb my hair and blow dry.  The argan oil moisturizes my hair, leaves it smooth and helps keep it straight.  You can find Urban Decay's 24/7 liners at Ulta for $18, Korres Lip butters at Ulta for $12 and One n Only's Argan Oil at Sally's for $9.49.

~~~~~~~~~~~Elf Blush~~~~~~~~~~~

Top L-R-Tickled Pink, Pink Passion, Mellow Mauve

Bottom L-R-Gotta Glow, Blushing Rose, Fuchsia Fusion

Right after Thanksgiving I decided that I needed more blush shades to play with.  I have a crap ton of blush already but I wanted to experiment with other colors.  The best way to play with color is to try shades that won't break the bank.  Elf (eyeslipsface) is a great brand to try out if you haven't already.  I really enjoy their blushes, brushes, eye shadows and lip gloss.  Many of their products are only a $1 and for just two more dollars you can try their Studio Line which is a great deal.  I ordered 6 blushes from their studio line and since they only cost $3 a pop, I don't feel very guilty!  So far I have enjoyed Mellow Mauve, Blushing Rose and Pink Passion.  Gotta Glow is a golden highlighter and it seems to work very nicely.  Tickled Pink is a little too light for my skin tone and Fuchsia Fusion is a bit glittery for my taste.  Overall I am very pleased with my choices.  You can purchase Elf lip gloss and eyeshadow at Target and Kmart.  You can purchase the whole product line at www.eyeslipsface.com

~~~~~~~~~~~Boscia Eye Treatment~~~~~~~~~~~

The last product I want to mention is one I just purchased.  A while back I received a bag of samples from Ulta and there was a sample of Boscia's Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment to try.  I really enjoyed the sample so I decided to purchase a full size.  The box states that the silky gel-cream will help moisturize the eye area and reduce puffiness and dark circles.  I hope this eye treatment works and I'll keep you posted with any results I may have.  You can find Boscia's eye treatment at Ulta for $38.00 for 0.5 fl. oz.

 

Target Beauty Bag, Lorac goodies and Macadamia Natural Oil masque!

Look at what came in the mail the other day!  A few times a year Target will offer via their website a make-up bag filled with coupons and samples to try.  Once you request a bag it takes about a month to arrive.  I had actually forgotten that I signed up for one until it arrived earlier this week.  Inside I found samples and plenty of coupons to keep me busy.  Remember to check Target's website frequently in the "Daily Deals" section to see if you can catch when the next beauty bag is offered.  I signed up for mine in late August and the one before was offered in March. 

Here are the samples that came inside-

Ponds Evening Soothe wet cleansing towelettes

Loreal Youth Code Day/Night Cream

Garnier Fructis Fortfying Shampoo/Conditioner

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Shampoo/Conditioner

John Freida's Full Body Repair Shampoo Conditioner

Burts Bees Radiance Daily Lotion

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Coupon book featuring 17 coupons!

I have used each sample this past week and I can definitely say that the Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner was my favorite.  It left my hair clean, moisturized and it smelled great!  My least favorite item was the Burts Bees Radiance Daily lotion.  I applied it this morning and I didn't feel that it was moisturizing my skin at all.  The scent was also a little heavy and it seemed to absorb TOO quickly into my skin without providing much moisture.

Overall this bag of goodies is a great way to discover new items.  I give Target two thumbs for offering this kit for free!

~~~~~~Lorac's Closeup Face Kit~~~~~

Lorac's Close Up Face Kit-purchased at Ulta for $39

I have tried lots of makeup brands but I haven't experimented much with Lorac.  I viewed an online review about this set and I was struck by how much of a deal it was.  This kit includes an eyeshadow trio, blush, liner, mascara and lipgloss.  It also includes a handy makeup tutorial book which shows how to use the products for day or evening looks.  A cool feature about the book is that the pages peel off and stick to your mirror to help guide you! 

Usually the baked eyeshadow trio retails for $26.00 alone.  Keep in mind that when you add the eyeshadow trio to the retail price of the other items, this kit would cost around $115! 

 Multiplex 3D Lashes in Black,  Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Trend Setter, Front Of The Line PRO Liquid Eyeliner in Black, Blush in Soul and Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in LORACstar.  Also pictured is the tutorial booklet.

All 3 shades from the LORACstar trio pictured. 

(L-R highlighter, lid and crease colors)

LORACstar trio featuring highlighter, lid and crease shades.

Lorac blush in Soul

Front Of The Line PRO Liquid Eyeliner and Multiplex 3D mascara both in black.

(Note the super-thin brush featured on the eyeliner.)

Swatch of Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick in Trend Setter.

~~~~Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque~~~~~~

I purchased my sample at Ulta for $4.99

I have been on a search lately for a great hair masque.  I really like my Phytodefrisant balm for daily use (click here to see review on Phytodefrisant balm) but I want a deep conditioning treatment to attack dryness during the colder months.  I've heard positive things about Macadamia Natural Oil products and I thought I would give them a try.  The 8.5 oz jar at Ulta retails for $30.  Before I spent $30 on a product I was unsure about, I decided to try it by purchasing the trial size first.  I am happy to report that I will be going back for the full size version soon. 

I noticed a difference about this masque the minute I put it on my hair.  This masque is thick and the quality of the product is obvious as you comb it through.  After you wash your hair, apply the masque all over then comb it through and leave it on for 7 minutes and rinse.  I found my hair to be less frizzy and smoother than before.  The most noticeable difference was that my hair was softer.  I also like the smell it leaves behind and the great detangling job it offers when having to comb the product through.  The sample I purchased was 1fl. oz and I only used half of it (and I have A LOT of hair).

Close-up of my hair after using the masque.  This was after rinsing my hair in cool water and blow drying it straight.  I did not use a flat iron.

Another view of my hair after the masque.  I have long, coarse, thick hair that is dry.  The Macadamia Natural Oil masque makes my hair softer and smoother.

New items from Phyto, Isa Knox, Lancome and Bobbi Brown

Now that cooler temperatures are on their way, I want my skin and hair to be protected.  I'll admit that I am guilty of not getting my hair trimmed as often as I should.  It's been 6 months since I have visited my stylist for a trim.  A few years ago I cut a lot of my hair off and opted for a sleek bob.  After wearing my hair like that for a while, I decided to let it grow out again.  I've always had long hair but transitioning back from a super-short style has been liberating.  I think I look better with long hair.  Since I am pathetic about keeping up with scheduling trips to my salon, my hair has more split ends than it would normally.  I have extremely thick, coarse hair that is dry.  Keeping my hair moisturized is a daunting task.  I usually wash my hair every other day, alternating between cleansing and moisturizing shampoos.  I then condition my hair after each wash with a deep conditioning mask.  After washing and conditioning, I use a detangler, leave-in conditioner and argan oil.  I only use the argan oil on my ends since I have an oiler scalp and the oil is too heavy to use all over.  The problem I have is that after taking these steps I still find my hair to be frizzy, dry and wavy (despite using a flat iron).  My hair can look sleek and straight after I wash it and blow dry it but after I go to sleep and wake up, it's very wavy and frizzy.

Phyto's Phytode'frisant

After watching some tutorials and reading some reviews lately, I've noticed a lot of people enjoy Phyto De'frisant.  The front of the tube describes it as a botanical hair relaxing balm.  It's a natural, plant-based product that doesn't have

- Sulfates

-Parabens
- Synthetic Fragrances

- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates

It promises to smooth, tame and hydrate unruly hair.  If your hair is curly, it promises frizz-free curls.  Admittingly I was skeptical when I first read about the product but I must say that I've used this product for about two weeks and I am thrilled.  After the first use I didn't see a difference but after the third use I could really see that the product was working.  I can now blow dry my hair straight, go to bed and get up without using my straightening iron.  Occassionally I will have to smooth a small area but the difference is noticable.  My hair is smoother, calmer and straighter.  I still feel that this product could hydrate my hair more but overall I really like this product and the time it saves me.  Even though it's described as a balm, it comes out of the tube like a serum.  First you apply it to wet hair, comb it through and then blow dry.  I found my tube at Ulta for $26.00.

Notice the product is clear and thinner than a balm.

My hair after using Phytode'frisant and blow drying it.  I did not use a flat iron.

BB Cream and Korean Skincare

BB Sun cream by Isa Knox

Over the past 6 months I have heard a lot about BB Creams.  BB Creams, also known as Blemish Balm, is a popular skincare item in Asia.  BB Cream was originally used by dermatologists to help soothe their patients skin after laser procedures/facial surgery.  There are many different types and formulations of BB Creams sold by many different companies, however most options offer skin brighteners (to help dimish scars), anti-wrinkle ingredients with moisturizers and SPF.  Some BB Creams also act as primers and pore minimalizers.  I have been wanting to try a BB Cream for a few months since a lot of people claim they really cut down on the time it takes to apply their makeup and how they love the impressive results they get when using the cream.  BB Cream is used under foundation and it provides coverage to imperfections while blending in to match many different skin tones. 

Isa Knox Smart BB Sun cream-a little goes a LONG way!

BB Cream has become so popluar that many American companies are now offering their own versions of it.  Despite familiar companies like MAC offering BB Cream, I really wanted to try a cream from Korea since they seem to be the most popular.  There are many brands that offer BB Cream (Misscha, Skin Food, Dr. Jart, etc) but they can be hard to find if you don't have a Korean cosmetic store nearby.  I did decide to visit a Super H mart that just happens to have a Korean cosmetic store inside (Missy Cosmetics- www.missyga.com ).  I made quick friends with a friendly saleswoman who helped me nagivate my way through the many choices of BB Creams they had to offer.  I decided on the Isa Knox Smart BB Sun cream for $40.00.  Isa Knox is a popular Korean cosmetic company.  When sampling the BB Sun I noticed it was smoother, absorbed more quickly and was pleasant smelling compared to the other creams.  Another plus about the Smart BB Sun cream was that it has SPF 46  I feel I made a good choice and I hope this cream is a success.  I will be doing a review once I get to use it for a few weeks. 

Isa Knox Smart BB Sun cream applied to the right side of my hand-it blends in well!

While at the Missy store, I was given 3 samples to try...I will be using these along with the BB Cream so I can give reviews on these as well.

Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra Foundation and Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit 

Lancome's Teint Idole foundation-I wear Buff 4C when I don't have a tan.

I absolutely adore Lancome's Teint Idole Ultra foundation.  I've used it in the past and I finally got another bottle this past weekend.  It goes on flawlessly, provides medium coverage and is very lightweight.  It melts into my skin and I don't have to spend all day blending.  It makes my skin feel very soft and it's oil free.  Despite my combination skin, it doesn't make me look "greasy" nor does it dry me out.  I really enjoy using it but the only drawback is the price.  It costs $42.00 which is a bit steep.  Since I really enjoy using it, I try to make a bottle last by switching it out with other foundations I have.  I got lucky this past weekend and I was able to pick up a bottle for a little over $30 at a cosmetic outlet I visited.

Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit in Ivory

Bobbi Brown is a cosmetic company that I own very little from.  It's not that I don't like the products, it's just that no one around here sells Bobbi Brown so I am stuck ordering online or buying when I go shopping in a larger city.  Bobbi Brown is known for her concealers and boy do I love trying new concealers.  I like concealers just about as much as I do mascara and blush!  I have major dark circles and I am always willing to try something new.  Bobbi Brown's creamy concealer kit is pretty simple to explain.  Just open the top of the container to expose the concealer and open the bottom to reach the finishing powder.  I found my concealer kit at a cosmetic outlet for $21.00.  I purchased the shade Ivory since I like to use shades lighter than my skintone on my undereye circles.  Bobbi Brown has since redesigned the packaging and it looks different than what I have pictured here on my blog.  Some reviews I've read state that the concealer cracks and creases when used but after using it today, I found it works great without any creasing at all.  So far, so good!  You can purchase the creamy concealer kit from www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com for $36.00.

A look from above at the concealer.  It does have a creamy but non-greasy feel.

The finishing powder goes on smooth and helps to "set" the concealer.

Simple yet fun tutorial!

This tutorial features the Earth Looks Small from Down Here palette which was part of the Wet n Wild Dream Weavers collection that I posted about previously (click here to see post)

Earth Looks Small from Down Here palette

So far I have found the Dream Weavers collection to be colorful, spirited and fun.  Each palette in the collection has unique colors to offer.  I chose to do a tutorial using my favorite palette from the collection.  Earth Looks Small from Down Here has three eye-catching colors that compliment just about anyone.  The deep golden color is a greenish-gold shimmer.  The blue shade is a rich blue that leans more towards indigo.  The green color is a shimmery teal.  All colors combined work well together and create a look that favors a peacock feather.  Obviously this look is not office friendly but it would look great worn during a girls only night on the town! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~ How to get this look! ~~~~~~~~~~~~

I began the look by applying foundation and concealer.  I wanted this tutorial to use as many drugstore products as possible so I chose Rimmel's Lasting Finish foundation in Soft Beige and Milani's HD Advanced Concealer in 01.  Next, I applied the dark blue shade from the palette using a shader brush (MAC 239) while keeping the color only on the eyelid.  I then took a fluffy brush (MAC 222 or 217) and blended the dark blue upward towards the crease; you must be careful not to extend the color too high.  I repeated this process 3-4 times to achieve the concentrated deep blue color.  Next I took a clean fluffy brush and lightly blended the green shade into my crease and above it; moving the color towards the browbone.  My eye sockets are quite small so in order for crease shades to show up properly, I have to blend them higher than most people.  If your eye sockets are larger, don't blend the green color too far above your crease. 

After blending the green shade and blue shades together in the crease, I took my Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner in Binge and applied a thick line in the upper lashes.  I ensured that the liner blended into the shadow that was already on my lid, while taking care to make sure the lash line was well defined.  After lining the upper lashes, I then lined the lower lashes using a pencil brush (MAC 219) using the blue shade from the palette.  I finished the look by choosing Ardell 301 false lashes and Prestige's My Blackest Lashes mascara.

If you don't have this palette remember any navy, purple, blue-green or teal shades can be used.  If you don't have a shimmery gold color, a champagne like Stila's "Kitten" or a shimmery white could work as well. 

Wet n Wild Dream Weavers Collection!

Wet n Wild recently came out with a new, limited edition eyeshadow collection called Dream Weavers.  The problem with the Dream Weavers collection is that it is hard to find.  VERY hard to find.  So hard that in fact a popular beauty blog (click here to see map) has posted a tracking map where you can update it if you have a Dream Weavers "sighting".  Since I absolutely LOVE Wet n Wild eye shadows, I had to find the palettes with or without a nearby sighting!  You can imagine my dismay when I looked at the tracking map and saw that the closest sighting was at least 2 hours away!

The good news is that I did find the collection at my local Rite Aid.  Each palette costs $2.99.  If you have never tried Wet n Wild's Coloricon eye shadows before, you are missing out.  I own many different brands of eye shadows ranging from NARS to Shiseido but I can proudly say that my Wet n Wild shadows are just as good if not better!  Coloricon shadows are very pigmented, smooth and come in a huge variety of shades.  You also can't beat the price...singles are $1.99, trios (3 shades) are $2.99 and larger palettes (8 shades) are $4.99!

 

Wet n Wild's Dream Weavers Eyeshadow Palettes (6)

L-R- Earth Looks Small From Down Here, We're Blasting Off, Bright Idea, Enter a New Realm, Dancing in the Clouds and Fly Me to the Moon.

Fly Me to the Moon

Top browbone shade is a very glittery white which is somewhat powdery.  Crease shade is a black with shimmer and the bottom shade is a gorgeous ocean blue with some slight shimmer.

Swatches of Fly Me to the Moon

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Dancing in the Clouds

Dancing in the Clouds is one of

my favorites out of the whole collection.  The browbone shade is a unique, shimmery khaki color.  The crease shade is an unusual iridescent purple and the eyelid color is a shimmery copper that reminds me of rose gold.  Perfect! 

Swatches of Dancing in the Clouds

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Enter A New Realm

Enter a New Realm is a great palette for evenings out with friends or for date night.  Using the silver and matte black together can give anyone a great smokey eye but adding in a punch of color like red makes it unique.  The silver is shimmery and pigmented.  The crease shade is your basic matte black and the eyelid shade is a slightly shimmery red which is the least pigmented of the three.

Swatches of Enter A New Realm

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Earth Looks Small From Down Here

This palette is gorgeous!  The green/gold browbone color is hard to find and highly pigmented.  The blue crease shade is somewhat iridescent and smooth and the green is the most beautiful color in the whole collection.

Swatches of Earth Looks Small From Down Here

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We're Blasting Off

This palette is perfect for the fall and for day wear.  The browbone color is a pigmented, matte pink which is hard to find outside of department store brands.  The crease shade is a black with berry colored shimmer all throughout which gives off a deep cranberry color in certain lighting.  The eyelid shade is a shimmery soft taupe which is perfect to wear anywhere.

Swatches of We're Blasting Off

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Bright Idea

The last palette is the most unusual and daring.  The browbone color is a bright, shimmery yellow that is almost golden.  The crease is a green shade that gives off a golden sparkle.  The eyelid shade is a stunning, shimmery pink that would make anyone's eyes stand out!

Swatches of Bright Idea

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My top palette choices would be Dancing in the Clouds and Earth Looks Small From Down Here.  Both palettes are unique but have at least 2 wearable colors which are office friendly.  My least favorite color is the white browbone shade in the Fly Me to the Moon palette.  It's a nice highlighting color but it's too shimmery and powdery for me.  Overall the collection is gorgeous and is a nice addition to my growing Wet n Wild collection.

 

Stereo Rose and Rose D'Oro Comparison

If you enjoy makeup you might have heard a little about a very coveted and hard to find MAC product called Stereo Rose.  Stereo Rose is a Mineralize Skin Finish or better known as an "MSF".  It's as if a blush and a highlighter got together and had a baby!    Some MSF's are glittery and others have slight shimmer or frost.  MSF's are baked on top of a clay base which stays at the bottom of the compact.  The good thing about MSF's are that they are versatile and easy to apply.  They not only can act like a blush and a highlighter but they can be bronzers or eyeshadows.

I may be late with this review considering that MAC's Stereo Rose came out last summer but since I recently picked up Milani's Rose D'Oro which was rumored to be a dupe, I thought I would go ahead and compare the two.

I was able to purchase my Stereo Rose MSF new last summer.  I wanted one so bad that I made my husband pick one up for me right when the MAC counter opened the day that the In the Groove collection was released.  Stereo Rose had been originally released back in 2005 in the Goldplay collection.  What makes Stereo Rose stand out is its ability to look good on all skin tones. When I recently heard that Milani (a drugstore brand) came out with a baked blush that rivaled Stereo Rose, I knew I had to try it. 

I enjoy MSF's however I also love Milani blushes and I was excited to try the baked blushes too.  Rose D'Oro is a gorgeous color but it is not an exact dupe for Stereo Rose.  Rose D'Oro is more of a coral shade when applied despite it appearing very close to Stereo Rose when in the packaging.  Also Milani's blush has fine gold glitter flecks throughout whereas MAC's MSF has no gold at all.  Rose D'Oro has more shimmer and Stereo Rose has more frost.  I also noticed that the MSF is much more pigmented and smoother when applied to the skin.  Milani's Rose D'Oro is also smooth but it doesn't apply quite as smooth as Stereo Rose does. 

If you are looking for a Stereo Rose dupe, keep in mind that Rose D'Oro isn't an exact one but does offer a beautiful blush that gives a lot of bang for very little bucks. I find that both products can find a place in anyone's collection and both make excellent blush choices.  You can find Milani's baked blushes at Kmart, Target and CVS for around $7.00.  MAC' s Mineralize Skin Finishes can be found at www.maccosmetics.com or at your local MAC counter for $28.00.

MAC's Stereo Rose Mineralize Skin Finish

Milani's Rose D'Oro-notice the difference in the veining.  Rose D'Oro has gold veining whereas Stereo Rose has deeper, copper veining. 

Milani's Rose D'Oro on the left and MAC's Stereo Rose on the right.  Rose D'Oro is much more coral and Stereo Rose is much more pink.

Notice the difference in the sheen of both products.  Rose D'Oro (left) has more of a glitter effect whereas Stereo Rose has an all over sheen.

Close up of the swatches.