Quick tutorial and Bioderma update!

 I love it when I find an eyeshadow palette that works...when each shade is useful and delivers results.  Maybelline recently has come out with a small palette called Eyestudio Color Explosion.  There are 5 different palettes offered; there are purple, blue, green, pink and neutral ones.  Each palette has 5 shades; there is a highlighter, lid color, crease color, liner and luminizer.  What makes this palette worth your money (they are pricey for a drugstore option-around $10) is that the color payoff is quality.

I chose the neutral palette which is called Caffeine Rush.  Below in the pictures I've posted you can see the browns and golds working together while the luminizer gives the whole eyelid a shine.  I really find the luminizer to be a great addition to the palette.  Browns can be dull however if you want to wear this palette during the day you can but if you are going out and you want a little more "sparkle" then top the look with the luminizer.

You begin this look (please ignore my out of control eyebrows, lol!) by applying the lightest shade to your whole eyelid.  Then take the lid shade (on the left side of the palette) and sweep it over the whole lid, stopping short of the crease.  Next take the crease shade (on the right) and run it back and forth throughout the crease, avoiding getting too close to the inner corner of the eye.  Next take the lightest shade again and sweep over the browbone area and put just a dab on the inner corner.  Next step is to line the upper lash line and lower lash line using the liner shade (darkest brown in the palette).  Smudge out the color and blend well.  Lastly take the luminizer (sparkly gold shade) and sweep over the eyelid while going lightly over the browbone.

Finished eye look using Maybelline's Eyestudio Color Explosion palette in Caffeine Rush

Finished look-on cheeks I used Smashbox's Soft Lights Duo in Undercover and on the lips I used Smashbox's lipgloss in Couture.  Mascara is Clinique's High Impact in black.

**Bioderma Update**

As promised I would give you an update on my Bioderma makeup remover.  I was reluctant at first to purchase it since it was priced over $25 (for 250ml) and I had to get it online only.  Let me assure you that my worries were in vain. 

I absolutely love this makeup remover.  Bioderma is based in France and is known throughout the beauty community for it's line of makeup removers.  How many times have you went to remove stubborn eye makeup and you used an oil-based remover only to find it irritated your eyes or made them cloudy?  How about the times you've tried to take off that foundation only to find the makeup remover irritated your skin and caused breakouts?  Since I am the reigning queen of sensitive skin I can assure you that this remover feels just like water but it is powerful.  Usually I just use one cotton pad, pour some of the remover on it and wipe away.  I have even retired my trusty Equate brand makeup remover cloths in favor of Bioderma.  No more oil, irritation or red eyes. 

 I purchased my Bioderma from http://www.amazon.com/  The seller I chose was "Omorfia Shop".  The 250ml is being sold for $25.50 and the 500ml is being sold for $37.50.  Next time I am purchasing the 500ml since I believe it is a better deal.  Either way you can't go wrong, so try Bioderma and you might be suprised like I was by how well it works!

Razor envy and a few more goodies!

After years of searching for the perfect razor, I thought I found my soul mate when I purchased Gillette's Venus razor for women.  It was cute, affordable and actually did an okay job.  Over the years though I found myself going through cartridges way too fast.  Was it me?  Was my leg hair THAT out of control?  Just when I thought I needed laser hair removal, I noticed my husband didn't seem to suffer from the same problems.  After talking to him I decided to purchase Gillette's Proglide razor for men.  Yes, it's for men.  I don't need pretty colors or a contoured handle to do the job well...I just want a razor that works!  I find that since women shave a larger area than men, getting the closest shave possible is a must in order to avoid irritation and shaving everyday.  The good thing about the Proglide is that it's affordable and it weighs heavier than my Venus.  Since it's heavier it actually shaves closer to the skin and leaves a better result than my Venus ever did.  I think I've converted and you might too if you give it a try.  Gillette's Proglide can be found at any drugstore for around $8.

Now...on to the goodies!

Aside from my new razor purchase, I also picked up a few goodies over the weekend that I wanted to share.  

L-R- Shiseido's eyelash curler and NARS' Lovejoy blush

No trip to a mall is complete without a small beauty splurge.  I had been wanting to give Shiseido's eyelash curler a chance for over the past year and I finally broke down and got one.  I tried it for the first time this morning and it performed well.  My small, almost non-existent eyelashes were actually visible which is a miracle in itself.  You can find Shiseido's curler for $19 at Sephora. 

Shiseido's eyelash curler from above.

I also thought it was time for another NARS piece.  I decided to go with NARS' Lovejoy blush.  It's a gorgeous, everyday color which reminds me of a shimmery, bronzed rose shade.  It looks great with just about anything.  I wore it today and it still looks fresh.  You can find Lovejoy at Sephora for $27.

Upclose view of NARS' Lovejoy blush.

After indulging somewhat at Sephora, I decided a trip to Charming Charlie was in my future.  If you don't have a Charming Charlie near you, then you are missing out.  Charming Charlie is a HUGE accessories store...it's like a Claire's store on steroids!  Jewelry, shoes and clothing are arranged by color in the store.  All of the choices can seriously overwhelm you unless you know what you want in advance.  If you have an outfit that has been hard to accessorize in the past, Charming Charlie is the answer to your prayers.  Not only is the jewelry affordable but it's unique.

I needed a new silver necklace to wear to work and I found this one for what I thought was $14.  I was too happy to hear that it rang up for only $1!!

These amazing silver/crystal earrings caught my eye.  They are perfect for a date or just to stand out in the crowd.  I got mine for only $7.97!

One of the hardest to find pieces that I have been wanting has been matte, gold earrings.  All gold earrings tend to be shiny but I found these hoops for only $5.95!  They are too cute!

 

Collective Haul...it's been awhile!

Wow...it's been awhile since I posted last.  I've been trying to stay busy with my son and work has kept me at bay.  I wanted to post about some recent purchases I've made over the past few weeks.  I plan to do some reviews, swatches and looks with some of the items listed below.  Some of the items I haven't had a chance to use yet, so this post really isn't a review but just a look at some neat products!


Enjoy!


A few weeks ago Sally's Beauty Supply had a major sale.  I was able to pick up this Hot n Silky boar hair brush for $6 that came with a free brush cleaner (which really works)!

Hot n Silky paddle brush and brush cleaning tool.

Orly nail polish was on sale for buy 2 get 1 free.  Originally each bottle costs around $5.  I picked up 3 great summer colors. 

L-R- Passion Fruit, Frisky and Purple Crush

I also picked up a bottle of China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy and a new bottle of my favorite top coat, Seche Vite.  China Glaze is around $5 and Seche Vite is $6.99.

Flip Flop Fantasy is a perfect color for tanned toes!

While I was in Sally's I also picked up a bottle of Miracle 7 Leave-In mist.  This is an exact copy of It's a 10 leave-in mist but in true form, Sally's version only cost $12.99 versus It's A 10 costing around $18.00. 

Ulta recently had a good sale where I picked up this Smashbox blush/highlighter combo in the shade Undercover for only $5!!!  It usually costs around $30!

I've heard a lot of buzz about a great makeup remover called Bioderma.  Bioderma is a French brand that claims to remove all makeup (including eye makeup) and is as gentle as water.  I have used it a few times so far and I must say that I love it!  No breakouts!  I found my bottle online for $25.50 (250ml) from http://www.amazon.com/

If you know me then you might know about my love for St. Ives Apricot Scrub.  I remember getting my first tub of this exfoliator in middle school...I've been hooked since!  I use this in the shower before I shave and before using self tanner.  You can't get a better body exfoliator for this price.  I picked up mine at Walgreens for around $2.  I also picked up a 4oz bottle of Bumble and Bumble's Styling Lotion.  You can use this before blow drying and before heat styling.  I haven't used it yet but it was originally $12.50 and I picked up mine on clearance at Walgreens for $6.99.  I've heard good things about B&B, so I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Since it's summer, everyone needs a good self tanner.  If you hate the way self tanner smells and you really don't want to look like an orange, then Sun Laboratories lotion is for you!  I picked up my bottle for $16.99 at TJ Maxx...it's usually $36 for an 8oz bottle!  This self tanner is amazing and I am in love (review coming soon)!  I also picked up a special edition Wet n Wild trio called The Gilded Age and a Wet n Wild bronzer called Everything Under the Sun.  The trio applies smoothly and is a great choice to achieve that golden/bronze look which is perfect for the summer!   

Since I am a HUGE Wet n Wild eyeshadow fan, I couldn't resist picking up a few of their 8-pan palettes.  The first one I purchased is called Blue Had Me At Hello.  I love this palette.  Most of the colors are well pigmented and soft.  I also couldn't resist L'Oreal's new leGloss.  The last thing I need is another lipgloss but I thought Golden Splash was a great color that is unique and will carry me into the fall. 

Another 8-pan palette from Wet n Wild I picked up is called Comfort Zone.  Each color is a warm earth tone that compliments everyone's skin color.  Pictured with the Wet n Wild palette is Maybelline's new Eyestudio Color Explosion palette in Caffeine Rush.  For under $10 this palette delivers and has a unique, shimmery gold shade that is unlike any other in my collection. 

 

A drugstore lipstick line that never disappoints me is L'Oreal's Colour Riche.  I picked up a tube in the shade Gilded Pink which is similar to my own lip color but better!  I also wanted to try some more Jordana liners, so I picked up Jordana's Fabuliner (felt tip) in Black, Easyliner for Eyes retractable liner in Black and Easyliner for Lips retractable liner in Honey.  In addition to picking up goodies for my lips, I also picked up a bottle of Essie's Smooth Sailing polish.  This polish reminds me of Butter's No More Waity, Katie which is a gorgeous blue with silver shimmer.  I can't wait to wear it on my toes!!

Pictured below is a closeup of the liners.

L-R- Fabuliner, Easyliner for the Lips and Easyliner for the Eyes

Last but not least...I keep seeing this super-cute tin of lotion each time I'm at the pharmacy, so I gave in.  For .99 you can pick up some Nivea Creme.  I already used it on my elbows and I really think my skin is softer.  It's a perfect size for your makeup bag or for travel.  It has a soft scent and is thick in texture but absorbs easily into the skin. 

I hope you got some shopping ideas from the items listed above.  If you have any favorites of your own you want to recommend, leave a comment below.  Soon I will be posting reviews on Sun Labs self tanner and Bioderma makeup remover.