Giveaways!

Here is a very cool giveaway from Terrific.Moua for some Too Faced products:
http://maichouterrimoua.blogspot.com/p/terri-fic-giveaway.html


Here is a great giveaway from lifeandlensofbeauty with a super cute Hello Kitty product:
http://lifeandlensofbeauty.blogspot.com/2011/02/lifeandlensofbeauty-giveaway-hello.html

Here's a fantastic nail polish/product giveaway from GildedNails: 
http://www.gildednails.co/2011/02/mega-500-follower-giveaway.html


And another great one from Syry-Online:
http://syry-online.blogspot.com/2011/02/2nd-giveaway-now-open.html




And one from She Speaks of Beauty for a Sigma brush set: 
http://hunnylovins.blogspot.com/2011/03/sigma-brush-set-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sheSpeaksOfBeauty+%28...she+speaks+of+beauty%29


Beneath the Sun has a great one too for lots of stuff:
http://beneaththesunn.blogspot.com/2011/03/400-giveaway.html?commentPage=2


PixieBeauty has a nice one for a Sigma Brush:
http://pixibeauty.blogspot.com/2011/03/sigma-brush-giveaway.html

Review - Tarte Maracuja (Passion Fruit) Oil vs Natural Bliss Oil

Although I've been using cleansers, toners, serums, treatments, moisturizers, and anything else under the sun on my face for many years I'm new to the idea of using oils as a skin-care product.  I have read the rave reviews of Argan oil before and know that some people use it on their face, hair and skin.  Coconut oil is the first one that I've tried and I like to use it on my body and occasionally in my hair as a leave-in conditioner, but when I put it on my face it broke me out a little and just felt too greasy - it did not absorb well into my facial skin.  Recently I ordered the Tarte 8th Wonder of the World kit on QVC  and it came with a small sample of their new Maracuja (Passion Fruit) Oil.  Reading the reviews on QVC makes it sound like one of the best products to be introduced since Egyptians started lining their eyes with kohl.  It currently has 65 glowing reviews with a 4.9/5 rating, which is pretty great.  Here's the description on QVC: 'Pure passion. Derived from the Amazonian passion flower, this pure maracuja oil is a powerful and intuitive elixir that instantly absorbs into the skin, delivering a high dose of essential fatty acids and vitamin C to hydrate.'   


The oil also offers more benefits: 

• Dry Skin types will experience ultra hydration while EFAs rebuild and repair the skin.
• Oily skin will experience instant absorption and the oil actually contracts skin’s natural oils so you aren’t left feeling greasy or oily.
• Dull skin will appear brighter and more radiant thanks to the rich vitamin C formula while EFAs, a requirement for healthy skin cells that the body can’t reproduce, help to infuse life back into the skin.
• Sensitive/Acne-Prone-Redness/Rosacea will benefit from the antioxidants which will help sooth and heal skin without causing breakouts.

Sounds like a miracle product....so what's the downside?  The $46 (plus $6.22 S&H) price tag for 1.7 oz. of product!  The oil has one ingredient: Passiflora edulis seed oil, which got me wondering... if this is organic, cold-pressed unrefined passion fruit seed oil then why would tarte's be any different from another brand offering the same product?  I did some research and found a website called Natural Bliss that sells 1 oz. of cold-pressed, unrefined, organic Maracuja Oil from Brazil for $7, or 4 oz for $20.  Their customer service is friendly, they promptly responded to my questions via email, they offer sizes from sample to bulk, and it shipped the next morning after I ordered it.  So let's see what the differences are between the two!


For a background on what I normally use on my skin, my nightly routine includes using the Murad Environmental Shield line which is a cleanser, serum, pigment lightening gel for old acne scars, eye cream, and a moisturizer.  When I started using the oil I have only been cleansing and then using the oil. My skin is fair, has some red spots from acne breakouts, medium pores, and combination skin with a mildly oily t-zone and dry tendencies on my chin/around my nose.  


Tarte's Maracuja Oil is mostly clear with a yellow tinge and has a very faint nutty smell.  It spreads easily and absorbs quickly into the skin - I would consider it a very light oil and almost more like a serum in consistency.  The full size comes in a cute purple bottle with a dropper.  After using Tarte's generous sample for over a week here are my results:
- Skin is hydrated
- Few monthly blemishes I had cleared up more quickly than normal, no new blemishes have occurred
- Skin is very soft
- More even skin tone and overall brighter looking skin 
- Few wrinkles around my eyes / on forehead and pores seem to be less noticable
- Seems to help control my combination skin - no spots are overly oily or overly dry anymore


To apply, I use a few drops and massage it on my face with my fingers, focusing a bit more on any red spots or dry spots. I also put it around my eyes.  It takes a minute or two to absorb but doesn't leave skin looking or feeling overly greasy - just glowing with a slight sheen.  I can't stop touching my face after I put this on, it's just so so soft!  I use what's left on my hands and massage it into my cuticles.

The Natural Bliss oil 1 oz. and 4 oz. sizes come in a glass bottle with a pump.  The oil itself is slightly thicker than Tarte's and more yellow/orange in tone.  It has a more distinct smell - kind of a nutty scent with light citrus undertones.  This oil does not absorb quite as quickly as Tarte's since it's thicker, but since I put it on before bed that doesn't bother me.  It leaves a light sheen on my skin but doesn't make me feel oily.  It really does give me that healthy glow that everyone covets.  The results are exactly the same as I've gotten with Tarte's oil, so I am going to continue using Natural Bliss.  Since it's 4 oz. for $20 vs 1.7 oz. for $52, I consider Natural Bliss's oil a steal!  I also used this in my hair the other night - it made my hair oily, obviously, but it washed out clean the next day and now my hair is super soft and manageable.  I didn't need a whole lot for my whole head, so I'll probably do this once a week to keep my hair healthy.  This also works great as a general body oil or for dry feet or hands.  


In a nutshell - I have replaced 4 products I was using before with just this one!  I plan to continue using this oil on my face and might try a different company when this runs out to further research and see if there are more differences between different companies.  I am very happy with this oil and really feel more confident about my skin since I've been using it.  It can also be used on the hair and scalp to condition and stop itchiness/flakiness, as a massage oil, and the scent is supposed to be good for relaxation and promotes restful sleep.


*I have recently reviewed more of Natural Bliss's wonderful natural and handmade products for those of you interested in all natural skin care, which can be found here *


Where to get it:


Tarte's Maracuja Oil: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A215554.desc.tarte-100-Pure-Cold-Pressed-Maracuja-Oil-from-the-Amazon#BVQAWidgetID


Natural Bliss(various sizes):  http://www.mynaturalbliss.com/passionfruit_oil.html


Oca Brazil (1 oz. size): http://oca-brazil.com/cosmepassionfruit.htm


Grass Hut Treasures (bulk): http://www.grasshuttreasures.com/amazonoilsbutters.html


From Nature with Love (various sizes, higher shipping, small order fee): http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/product.asp?product_id=oilpassion

Products That Make The Cut - Always In My Purse!

Just for fun, I'm going share what I always carry with me in my purse.  Admittedly, I'm a bit of a makeup hoarder and have a large selection of products and always have some with me.  Back in high school my friends used to have fun guessing how many lip products I had on me at any one time and then pulling them all out and counting them - I think the highest I had at one time was around 15!  Now I've slimmed down a bit and don't carry quite that many anymore, but there are still some staple products that are always on me for quick touch-ups.

1.  Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow in Shakedown, which is a true taupe.  I love this shade because it's a nice neutral taupe but easy to deepen up to a darker brown with layering, so it's versatile for daytime touchups or easy to use if I'm going out and need to turn my daytime eyes into nighttime eyes.   I feel like it makes my blue eyes really stand out, and it's also vegan! 
http://www.urbandecay.com/matte-eyeshadow/159,default,pd.html?cgid= , $17

2. id. Bare Escentuals Full Tapered Shadow Brush.  This brush has a great shape, picks up just enough pigment, and works on any shadows from mineral to pressed.  It can be used easily for all over color or crease work, and the small size makes it perfect for travel.  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P202658 , $16 

3. Physician's Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Concealer Stick in Light. This concealer is creamy, blends very well, and even has SPF 15 in it.  It's great for on-the-go touchups and provides a natural and long-lasting finish.  It can be used over or under foundation.  I love that it's hypoallergenic and good for sensitive skin.
http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/productdetail/face/concealers/02168.html , $6.95

4. Sue Devitt Microquatic Gel-to-Powder Blush in Malay Reef.  What I like about this blush is that the compact is so small, which makes it super portable.  The formula is pretty good, at least good enough for a quick touch of color, but I don't use it every day.  This is an item that stays just in my makeup bag in my purse so if I need to retouch my makeup after work I have an easily accessible blush.  Malay Reef is a lovely sheer coral shade that works well for my complexion.    http://shop.suedevittbeauty.com/products/Gel%252dto%252dPowder-Blush.html , $20

5. Mayron's Goods Chapstuff for Cheeks and Lips.  Natural and organic, this balm was made for babies to protect their skin.  I use this as lip balm and also on dry skin (everywhere from cuticles to heels) when needed.  I love the size and shape of the tube and it's incredibly moisturizing - I've tried a lot of lip balms and this beats them all!  I also love the natural ingredients.
http://www.mayronsgoods.com/products/chappedcheek.html , $14




6. Silk Naturals Kisser Slickers.  These flavored mineral glosses are super slim so they are easy to carry.  They are all natural and come from one of my favorite companies - Silk Naturals!  I have a few shades but Peace is a real 'MLBB' shade and works with any eye makeup I might be wearing. Foreplay and Gold Blush are also lovely pink/peach shades.  They are super moisturizing and have a great texture too.  http://host.silknaturals.com/creb/kisser-slickerlipgloss-sticks-c-163_31.html , $4.50








What products do you always have in your purse?  Any suggestions for products I should have in mine?

A Journey Through Foundation - Silk Naturals Mineral Foundation Review

Foundation - it's one of those beauty products that so many women use but it can be the hardest to find that Holy Grail item.  My journey through foundations has been long and encompassed many brands... from various Cover Girl liquid makeup when I was in high school, through Maybelline Whipped Mousse, onto Revlon and others.  A few years ago I was convinced to try mineral foundation. A woman I worked with sold Arbonne and suggested I try their mineral foundation and my fate as a mineral makeup junkie was sealed!  Arbonne didn't work out the best for me as their shades weren't a match for my rather pale cool complexion but I loved how my skin looked using natural products instead of caking on foundation full of chemicals.  Next I tried Maybelline Mineral Makeup and that was just so-so for me.  Then I tried out Everyday Minerals and liked it at first, but then I realized that even though it looked great for photos, up close it was making my pores more obvious!  Finally the lovely ladies on Megsmakeup.com suggested I try out Silk Naturals.


Silk Naturals is a great company that sells an entire range of mineral makeup, skin care, hair products, beauty tools, and even has vegan products.  Their foundations and finishing powders are enhanced with real silk powder so it conditions, balances moisture, and has a creamy texture.  Now here comes the scary part - you mix this foundation YOURSELF!  "But me!?  I can't mix foundation!  It'll be terrible and I'll have to throw it all out!"  But no - mixing this foundation is one of the easiest things in the world and if you are having trouble they have a wonderful forum on their website full of helpful women who will tell you exactly how to match your skin tone.  I first bought the trial kit that contains a sample of the white foundation plus the various bases,a scoop, and a jar to mix in.  To create your perfect shade, you start with X amount of scoops of foundation and add X scoops of base, then mix.  I had no idea what my ratio was but they include a handy 'recipe' card with the trial kit to get you started. I also posted my photo on the forum and within a day someone responded and helped me figure out my ratio.  In SN I am 8 scoops of foundation to 1 scoop of ebony base and I add just a bit of warm gold to liven it up.  Their base shades are ebony, warm gold, olive, and buttery gold and between these you can create a foundation shade for almost any skin tone!  They also offer different foundation formulas - original (light coverage), vegan (more coverage), medium, heavy, glow (has a bit of shimmer), and all-purpose (no oil control).


So lets get to the important stuff - how does this foundation look and feel and is it going to break the bank?  I always use a primer when using mineral makeup to make it glide on smoothly and last longer - my top picks are Monistat anti-chafing gel or tarte primer.  After priming I use the large flat top brush from EDM, tap some foundation out into the container cover, and swirl it around.  Upon the first application, I immediately loved it!  It has a smooth creamy consistency and you can really tell that the ingredients are pure and contain silk. It does not sink into the pores but rather fills them in and blurs them out and it evens out the texture and tone of the skin.  I generally use medium coverage but sometimes switch to original if my skin is behaving.  I also add a few scoops of glow to my recipe - glow is slightly shimmery and I feel like it perks the foundation up a bit.  Original is a rather light formula and gives a dewey air-brushed look. Medium is a bit heavier, is good for layering, and still gives that smooth glowing look. I have used heavy coverage before as a concealer and that works well but can get a little caky looking if used too heavily.  When I order I generally get 2 bags of medium, 2 original, 1 glow and 1 bag of ebony base and that lasts me about 5 months and only costs around $33 with shipping.  I usually try to spend over $30 when I order, because then you get a full sized eyeshadow or lip balm of your choice for free!  They also have a rewards program where you earn points towards future purchases.  As if that's not enough love from a company for ya, if you spend over $10 you get a 3-gram jar of a limited edition color that is a surprise - generally whatever the owner feels like mixing up.  Their eyeshadows are simply lovely and they have a lot of dupes for famous brand colors, and even a set of dupes for the UD Naked palette!  I will be reviewing their eyeshadows and lipglosses another day, so watch for that!  


Overall: A+
Pros: Natural ingredients, great texture, lasts all day with primer, nice range of coverage, good price, inexpensive shipping, great customer service
Cons: Can be messy when mixing, might take a few tries to get your exact color down
Buy it: http://host.silknaturals.com/creb/

Review - Urban Decay Palettes - Naked, Wallpaper, Show Pony, Foreshadow

This is a review of the following Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes: Foreshadow, Show Pony, Wallpaper, and Naked.  

Urban Decay has quickly become one of my favorite brands.  Their products are high quality and unique, and the formulation is fantastic.  They are a cruelty-free company and list all ingredients on their website so there are no surprises as to what's inside the makeup.  I especially love their eyeshadows - they are creamy, super blendable, highly pigmented, and overall gorgeous!   Website: www.urbandecay.com


All photos are hi-res, click on them for a larger image!

Foreshadow is the smallest of the palettes I have and has 4 colors - Oil Slick (black with fine silver glitter), Stray Dog (dark brown shimmer), Midnight Cowboy (gold/beige with large silver glitter), and Flipside (green/teal shimmer).  The outside is purple suede with silver mesh and it comes with a slim purple eyeshadow brush.  It closes magnetically and has a nice small shape, perfect for travel.  The brush is really nice, it is small and picks up the shadow well.  It has a nice tapered shape, soft bristles, and is a good travel brush because it can be used for an entire wash of color or more precise crease/liner work. Oil Slick is a great liner color and can be used to create a lovely smoky eye.  Stray Dog is a nice crease or liner color and works well with Midnight Cowboy - but that is the shade I use the least because of the large chunks of glitter.  The color itself is lovely but no matter what I do I wind up with glitter on my cheeks!  Flipside is a great pop of color in this palette and I like to blend it along my lash line with some Oil Slick on the outer corners for a fun night-out eye look.

Overall: B+

Pros: Small, nice mix of colors, brush is great for travel

Cons: the glitter in Midnight Cowboy

Show Pony (also called Preen) has 6 colors and features artwork by Kime Buzzelli which is really fun and cute.  I love that this palette is more artistic looking and the artwork even overlaps the mirror.  It comes with an adorable mini primer potion and a travel eyeliner in Zero. The shades are Snatch (peachy pink with glitter), Mildew (mossy green shimmer), Flash (purple shimmer), Painkiller (bright blue shimmer), Smog (bronzey brown shimmer), and Toasted (brown/maroon shimmer). Snatch and Painkiller are exclusive to this set.  This palette is great because it has 3 neutral colors and 3 fun bright colors.  Snatch is the only shade with glitter and all the others are shimmers, which is good because although I love UD shadows the glitter shades always have fallout for me. You can get rid of the glitter a bit by tapping your brush onto a tissue before applying to the eyes, but even with primer I still wind up with it on my cheeks!  The glitter in Snatch is less than in Midnight Cowboy so the fallout isn't quite as bad. The other night I used Flash on my lid, Painkiller on the outer corners and a bit of Oil Slick from the Foreshadow palette along my lash line and it made a really fun look.  I was at a concert dancing and sweating for 5 hours and when I got home, my eyeshadow was still perfect and in place!  With primer the purple and blue shades are very bright and show up well.  Snatch, Smog and Toasted are nice shades for a smoky brown or a neutral eye.  All the shades blend well and have a nice creamy consistency.

Overall: A

Pros: Nice mix of shades, handy Zero eyeliner, great for neutral or bright looks, creative but functional packaging

Cons: None! 

Wallpaper is a slim Shadow Box palette from Holiday 2004 and has 9 shades.  It comes with two sponge-tip applicators.  They eyeshadow pans are smaller than the other palettes.  It comes with Grind (pale pink with large silver glitter), Shotgun (brownish maroon with small silver glitter), Last Call (deep maroon shimmer), Asphyxia (purple with blue shift shimmer), Uzi (silver with large silver glitter), Shattered (muted teal shimmer), Smog (bronzey brown shimmer), Chopper (bronze with small silver glitter), and Midnight Cowboy (peachy beige with large silver glitter).  Asphyxia, Shattered, and Last Call are my favorite shades in this palette.  Asphyxia is a gorgeous pale purple with blue shift and looks great on the lid with Shattered on the outer corners.  Shotgun is a nice allover lid shade and is pretty with Last Call as a crease shade.  Overall this is my least favorite palette because of the high amount of glitter shades.  Grind, Uzi, and Midnight Cowboy all have large silver glitter and it always winds up with fallout, so I don't use those too often although the shades themselves are pretty.  I would not pay full price for it, but if you find it on sale it's worth it for Asphyxia, Shattered, and Last Call.

Overall: B

Pros: Shades are complimentary, palette is slim and easy to store, has neutral and colorful shadows

Cons: Glitter fallout!! 

Naked is their newest permanent palette and has 12 shades, including 5 new shades.  All the shades are neutral and it contains no bright colors.  The outside is brown suede and is stamped with NAKED in gold.  Mine came with the eyeshadow brush but the earlier version has a dual ended liner with Zero and Whiskey.  It also comes with a mini primer potion.  The brush is really nice and great for an allover wash of color, but the tapered end makes it easy for crease shading and even lining.  The shades are: Virgin (pale pink shimmer), Sin (light pinkish brown shimmer), Naked (taupe matte), Sidecar (silver brown shimmer, tiny glitter), Buck (brown matte), Half Baked (gold/bronze shimmer), Smog (brown/bronze shimmer), Darkhorse (deep chocolate shimmer), Toasted (brownish plum shimmer), Hustle (deep chocolate brown/maroon shimmer), Creep (dark gray with silver microglitter shimmer) and Gunmetal (dark silver with silver microglitter shimmer).  I am really happy I bought this palette because it is great for looks ranging from barely-there to smokey nighttime and I feel they really compliment my blue eyes.  The shades are all creamy and very blendable.  Naked and Buck are great matte shades for daytime looks and are my favorites in the palette along with Virgin and Toasted.  If I'm going natural I like a sweep of Naked, some Buck in the crease, and a bit of Virgin on my inner corners.  For a more intense look I use Sin on the lid with Toasted in the crease, Virgin on the browbones, and Creep as a liner.  I think Half Baked and Smog are going to be great this summer with a tan for a bronzey beach look.  I love that this palette has no shades with big chunks of glitter.  This palette makes it easy to create office daytime looks, bronzey summer looks, or sexy nighttime looks.  Every shade compliments the others and all can be used together - there is not one shade in this palette that I would never use.  Creep and Gunmetal are nice additions to the rest of the brown shades because Creep is a great liner and shading color and Gunmetal would be perfect for a silver smoky eye.  For $48 with the brush this really is a steal, and since these are full size shadows this will last a long time.  I think the shades would look great on any skin tone and with any eye color so this palette is very versatile for anyone, and after experiencing the fantastic formulation of the shadows I must say that it's become my new favorite palette.

Overall: A+

Pros: Creamy formula, all shades compliment each other, easy to create a wide range of looks, brush is high quality, excellent value since shadows are full size

Cons: None at all!

Do you have any of these palettes and what are your thoughts on them?  Please share your favorite Urban Decay products, or if you've never tried it then what would you like to take home?



**Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Desert Essence Throughly Clean Oil Control Lotion!! : http://prettylightsbeauty.blogspot.com/2011/07/desert-essence-throughly-clean-oil.html **

Review- Simply Sensual - Body Care Collection Kit with Pheremones

I was lucky enough to win a Simply Sensual Body Care Collection Kit of bath and beauty products from BeautyUndercover.com, all of which contain pheromones  and smell extra delicious.  It contains:  Refreshe Bath & Shower Cleansing Creme & Body Pouf, Smoothing Body Buff Sugar Scrub, Rejuvenating Body Oil, Riche Toning Body Butter, Refreshe Body Mist and a Body Massage Candle.  

First, what are the pheromones and why does it matter?  Pheromones are small molecules that when released act as chemical signals to induce a certain behavior. Pheromones send scent signals to the members of the opposite sex.  So basically just by smelling great you can attract members of the opposite sex and boost your confidence.  What woman doesn't want that? 

The first item I tried was the Body Mist and it smells absolutely fantastic.  The scent is light and sexy with hints of grapefruit and it contains white tea leaf extract to restore smooth skin. It can be used any time but works particularly well sprayed on clean skin after cleansing and moisturizing.  Next I tried the the Cleansing Creme and Body Pouf which work wonderful together.  The cleansing cream is rich, lathers very well, and leaves my skin soft, smooth, and lightly scented.  Once every few days I follow the cleansing cream with the Body Buff Sugar Scrub, which 'stimulates, smoothes & rejuvenates skin with natural sugar crystals, drenched with vitamins c & e, shea butter, natural oils & botanical extracts. Provides a more refreshed, youthful appearance to skin by removing dead skin cells. Vitamin c tightens tired skin to promote a more toned appearance. Helps fight signs of aging & renews overall skin appearance.' (from the Simply Sensual website).  The scrub has a nice not-too-rough texture and feels extremely moisturizing.  I love that it comes with a little scoop so you don't have to use your fingers or keep a spoon with it. It leaves my skin feeling extra smooth and extra clean, and very moisturized.  After both of these steps, I followed with the Rejuvenating Body Oil and Toning Body Butter.  The body oil has the same scent as all the other products but a bit stronger.  It sinks in quickly and doesn't feel greasy, and it imparts the skin with a nice glowing sheen.  The bottle is multi-directional so it can even be sprayed upside down.  My only gripe with any of the products in the set is this one, because even though the bottle is multi-directional it is hard to spray because you have to press down on it a bit and the bottle becomes slick, making it easy to slip out of the hand.  The oil itself is great though!  If I want even more moisture I follow this with the toning body butter.  It has a rich creamy consistency and also comes with a little scoop.  After applying the oil plus the body butter skin is left soft, silky, and lightly scented with the wonderful pheromone scent.  It does make my skin feel a bit firmer and healthier.  The products really sink into the skin and don't make me feel like they are sitting on top of my skin as it can with other lotions.  The only item I have yet to use is the Body Massage Candle, and I am interested to give it a try.  The candle melts down and it can be use as a body massage lotion.   It is made from natural soy, hemp seed, apricot, jojoba & avocado oils & adorned with hemp wicks, so I also love the fact that all of these products are natural and contain such great moisturizing ingredients.  The other cute thing about this set is that the cleanser, body scrub and body butter are pink, so they feel extra girly and pampering and they come in a clear zip-top pouch. 

So What's the Story?
This set would be so great to splurge on for yourself, a family member or friend, a girlfriend, or just about any woman you know who loves to pamper themselves and smell great while doing it!  I do feel like the products give me more confidence because the smell just makes me feel sexy wearing it, and I honestly noticed that the last two times I used these products before I went out that I got hit on more.  Maybe there's something to the science of pheromones!  Either way the products are great for some at-home pampering and you can't beat the wonderful natural ingredients.  I am only using this set for special occasions and not every day because I want to make it last!

Overall: A+

Pros: Natural moisturizing ingredients, fantastic smell, products sink into the skin quickly, scent lasts a long time, packaging is convenient

Cons: Body oil is hard to spray, whole set is a bit expensive but well worth it for the quality

Get it: http://www.simplysensualcosmetics.com/Simply-Sensual/ , about $100 for the set

MegsMakeup Cashout Haul - Hello tarte!

I am a regular on MegsMakeup.com - it's my go-to site whenever I want information on a product, and I love the reviews/reviewers and the lovely people on the site.  It's also a great place to hear about new products that are coming out or old favorites.  The founder Meg has a point system for members, so for rating products, commenting on reviews, or inviting friends you can earn free makeup and beauty products.  Shipping in the US for cashing out 250 points is only $12 and she sends amazing new products, so it's a wonderful program if you love reading reviews, commenting, and being part of a forum - and trying new products of course!  Meg sends the gifts herself and really seems to tailor it to your personal beauty profile, for example if you are 20 she won't send you a wrinkle cream. Link here: http://megsmakeup.com/ 

I cashed out my 250 points at the end of January, and today I received a wonderful package of 4 tarte products! 

1. tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Blissful, a warm peach that is exclusive to Sephora.  Last time I cashed out I received Dollface (light pink) before it was even on the market, and I have used it almost every day even though I have other blush options. I can't say enough good things about this blush - it lasts all day, has great color payoff that blends well, contains wonderful natural ingredients, and the shades are lovely.  I have a cool fair complexion, and applied lightly Blissful really brightens up my face.  Dollface is great for me in the winter right now because it adds just a hint of innocent pink to my cheeks.  These are highly pigmented, so I use a BE featherlight brush for application vs my denser EDM blush brush. These also seem to last forever - due to the clay formula there is no powder fallout whatsover, and even with everyday use I've only made a tiny dent in the Dollface shade I received mid-December.  I highly recommend this blush! http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P278610 , $25

2. tarte empasEYES inner rim brightener.  This contains Amazonian Clay and is a peachy shade for the inner rims.  It can also be used on the brow bones for extra wide-awake eyes.  It's creamy, flows on smoothly, and has good staying power.  It definitely perked up my tired eyes today!  I have a feeling this will look great with the Urban Decay Naked palette as well since those shades are such pretty neutrals. http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-emphasEYES-inner-rim-brightener  $18

3. tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Luster in Pouty, a gorgeous berry.  I like this because it adds definition and color to my lips and also acts as a lip stain.  It has a bit of gold glimmer to it but it's not over the top, and it feels smooth going on and leaves a bit of shine but not as much as regular lipgloss - it really is a luster.  The only downside is that it did tend to fade after not too long because I was drinking water after I put it on, but it's so easy to glide back on that I can deal with that. It has a minty taste, and I love the natural moisturizing ingredients!  I think this will be a great spring shade paired with a neutral or brown eye.  I will definitely be buying more of these, my top two picks are Adored and Glisten.  Are any catching your eye? This is a link to the tarte website, but Sephora has the Pouty color available and tarte does not.  http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-lipsurgence-natural-lip-luster-tint , $24

4. tarte Smooth Opertator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum. 'No matter your skin concern Amazonian clay completely neutralizes so you are left with a radiant complexion.' This is a neutral beige shade with a bit of glimmer.  It's supposed to even  out the skin tone and add a brightening glow.  It can be used under makeup, over makeup as a highlighter, mixed with foundation, or as a foundation!  I dabbed some along my cheekbones and on the bridge of my nose and although at first I was worried that the beige shade would be too dark on my pale complexion, it blended right in and brightened up my cheeks.  I have also used it on my brow bones for a lovely glow that really brightened up my eyes.  The formula is very light and blendable and seems to almost match your complexion.  A little bit goes a long way with the product as well. http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-Amazonian-clay-illuminating-serum , $32

Do you have any of these products and if so what are your thoughts on them?  Are there any that you'd like to try, and what shades?  I adore tarte and these new Amazonian clay products are fantastic! 


Overall: A+

Sharing - Beauty Secrets - Updated

It's been a while since I posted, so I am going to share some of my favorite beauty secrets!

1. Exra Virgin Coconut Oil is a miracle oil with tons of uses.  Here are a few:

-Use in place of body lotion for extra hydration, or on the face to help battle acne and moisturize.  May also help repair stretch marks and cellulite.  I melt some in my hands and then work it into my skin after showering.

-Cook with it in place of butter or oils

-Add to hair overnight or a few hours before showering, rinse out and shampoo as usual for super soft hair.  Rub into cuticles to keep them soft and nails healthy and white.

- Can be given to pets for their general health and keeps their coats soft and shiny.  My cat loves it and I give him about 1/2 teaspoon per day.

-Add it to your daily diet for a healthy dose of saturated fats.  Can also improve energy and help maintain hydration levels.
-It is a natural anti-fungal, so use it on your feet if you wear socks often or are prone to or worried about athlete's foot.  Also leaves feet wonderfully soft if left on overnight and covered with cotton socks.

2. Monistat Ant-Chafing Gel is a dupe for expensive makeup primers.

-The little tube costs a fraction of the price but works just as well as a pricey primer, especially for mineral makeup.  The ingredients are almost exactly the same as in Smashbox PhotoFinish primer.  And no - it's not made for yeast infections!  It's actually to prevent chafing all over the body from things like bra straps.  It can even be used around the eyes!  I usually spread a bit over my entire face including eyelids, wait a few minutes, and then apply my foundation.  It has a super silky texture and helps minimize pores and keep makeup on all day.  I get mine at Wal-Mart and it's only $6 for 1.5 oz., whereas a 1 oz. tube of Smashbox primer is $32!

3. Toothpaste or Polident can be used to clean jewelry.  Just use toothpaste and a toothbrush, or drop jewelry into a bowl with Polident and wait 5-10 minutes.  Your stones will sparkle and you won't have to hassle with bringing them to a jewelry store for cleaning.

4. Baking soda can be used for a variety of beauty uses, for example:
-Keep it near the sink and sprinkle some on top of your toothpaste before you brush.  Helps fight plaque, staining, buildup, and can whiten teeth.   Also leaves your mouth feeling wonderfully clean.  Since I started using this my dentist has commented twice now on how I have no buildup at my checkups.
-Mix shampoo with it in the shower to clarify the hair.  It strips chemicals from products and styling out of the hair and leaves it soft, shiny, and managable.
-Use it as a body scrub - mix it with shower gel to gently buff away dry skin on the body.
-Sprinkle it in the tub after the shower and rub it around with your feet - both exfoliates the feet and helps clean the tub :)

What are some of your beauty secrets or home remedies?