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.