Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette Review

I have previously reviewed the Naked, Wallpaper, Foreshadow, and Show Pony palettes here on my blog and today I am reviewing the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Eyeshadow Palette.  Although I love UD at first I didn't have much interest in the 15th palette because I already own enough eyeshadow to last me a lifetime.  Then I went to Ulta to swatch it and fell in love!  These are all new shades that UD came out with just for this palette, and honestly I am a bit of a sucker knowing that once this palette is gone it's possible these shades will never show up again.  So let's get to it!

The packaging:

The palette packaging is a square sturdy plastic box that looks like metal and has UD upraised in fake purple jewels on the cover.  The top is not magnetic so this is not a travel-friendly palette, but it is nice to keep on the counter and since the top lifts of easily it provides quick access to the shadows.  The inside also has a high-quality mirror on the inside top which I don't use often but is nice to have.  The top of the box picks up fingerprints like mad so be prepared to wipe it off to keep it looking pretty.  The pan with the shadows in it lifts up to expose a tiny faux velvet-lined compartment that you could put flat things in, but I don't because you need a pen to lift the corner and I don't want to stab a shadow on accident.  My shadows were glued in a bit haphazardly, with one of them so barely glued in it smudged against the top.  For $55 I guess I expected the shadows to be at least glued in securely, but the shadow quality is amazing so I can forgive this :)

The shades:

Midnight Rodeo - mid tone beige/brown with silver and gold glitter, has fallout but not as bad as with Midnight Cowboy especially if you tap your brush off before applying

Midnight 15 - champagne pearl with fine silver glitter, the fallout is not bad at all and this makes a lovely highlighter shade

Vanilla - pale yellow-gold shimmer, great as a highlighter or all-over lid shade, sheers out easily to a nice pale gold wash

Flow - soft peachy pink shimmer, works well as a base shade or all-over color

Chase - metallic bright gold/bronze, can be a bit intense for daytime looks but is great for fun summery looks

Deeper - darker version of Chase, a shimmering mid-tone brown with gold

M.I.A. - dark brown with gold shimmer but tends to look a bit more matte than the other shimmers in this palette, wonderful for a liner shade or to blend in the crease

Ace - gunmetal shimmer, dark and pigmented with silver highlights

Blackout - true matte black, works great smudged into the upper lash line or to deepen up a colorful look

Half Truth - Gorgeous deep gray-plum with shimmer, makes a sexy smoky eye look and looks particularly pretty with Omen

Tainted - lilac with gold flecks, sits somewhere between a matte and a shimmer, good color payoff if layered but can look chalky

Junkshow - bright pink with fuschia shift, a lot more sheer than I'd anticipated and easy to blend into a look for a pop of color, looks great with Flow

Omen - metallic shimmery purple with blue shift, one of my favorites - it's like Asphyxia but much more pigmented

Evidence - Deep metallic blue, plays well with Deep End as a liner shade or to add depth to the outer eye

Deep End - true teal shimmer, neither blue nor green, great as a liner shade or to use for a pop of color above the crease and easy to sheer out or build up for impact

The shadows:

These shadows stay true to Urban Decay's well known creamy consistency and are extremely easy to blend.  The only one I have trouble blending is Tainted but it just takes a bit longer than normal.  These shadows seem a bit softer than normal UD shadows, so you definitely want to use a brush and not finger-apply.  They also have a little bit more fallout than other UD shadows but it's not too bad once you get used to how much you need on your brush, which isn't much.  With primer these shadows have lasted 12 hours on me - that's one of the main reasons I love UD shadows!  The standouts for me are Omen, Deep End, Half Truth, and Midnight 15 which are like no other colors I own.  Blackout is also great because I'd rather use eyeshadow as a liner so I can control it better and this shade is perfect for that.  I was so happy to see that Omen is like a slightly darker, brighter, more pigmented version of Asphyxia, which although I love is so sheer it takes layering to get the color payoff.  Deep End is a great true teal and I love how easy it is to sheer out or build up.  Junkshow surprised me with applying rather sheer, but it looks so great with Flow and is actually very wearable - for a fuchsia pink!

The (possible) bad:

I actually almost returned this palette after I bought it because there are a few shades similar to ones in the Naked palette.  These are: Chase (Half Baked), Ace (Gunmetal), Blackout (Creep), Midnight Rodeo (Sidecar), M.I.A. (Darkhorse), and Deeper (Smog).  They are not exact dupes, but pretty close with just some color variation.  Once I started to play around with the palette I realized that the more colorful shades I don't have anything similar to so that is enough to make me keep it, and the similar shades have enough variation to still feel different.  Also the shades Vanilla, Flow, and Midnight 15 have already become staples to me as base and highlighter shades and I'd hate to be without them.  My only other complaint with this palette is that Blackout is really the only matte shade.  UD makes amazing matte shadows (Shakedown, Naked, and Buck are 3 of my favorites) and sometimes you want a matte base to tone down a daytime look.  If they had included a few more matte shades then this palette, to me, would have been absolutely perfect.

Bottom line:

I highly suggest this palette if you don't already own Naked or a lot of UD palettes, and if you do own Naked then I'd suggest checking this one out before it's gone to see if you fall in love with the brighter shades like I did.  If this had come out before Naked I probably wouldn't have gotten that one, but overall there is enough variation between the two that I'm very happy having both.  I feel like any look I want, from bright and bold to neutral day-appropriate to vampy and smoked out, can be made between the two palettes and even just with this one.  I love that there are great highlighter shades, bright colors, and deeper shades and there's not one shade that I won't use.  The formula is fantastic and although they might have skimped a bit on the quality of the packaging the shadows themselves are high quality and worth every penny - in fact at $55 for 15 shades these cost less than most drug store brands! I had almost been in a bit of a color rut from using the Naked palette daily but this is a great addition to my collection and has really brought out my inner artist.  UD shadows are like lovely paint for the eyes, and I've been having fun getting out of my neutral rut and really playing with some beautiful wearable colors again.

Get it:
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P292011&categoryId=B70

$55

Lumiere d'hiver Clarifying Shampoo No. 4

A new earth-friendly product that's been taking up space in my shower is No. 4 Lumiere d'hiver Clarifying Shampoo.  It is a weekly deep cleansing therapy that is nourishing to hair and scalp and the unique formula wont strip moisture or color.  The packaging is green, using soy ink and FSC certified paper and it uses plant based ingredients that strengthen, preserve color and purify.  The ingredients inside the fun Number 4 bottle excludes all potentially toxic ingredients to humans, clothing and the environment.  They don’t do animal testing either.

I have been using this product once a week for the past month or so and I really love it.  The directions specify to use a few pumps, wash hair, then make sure your hair is really saturated with water and wash again.  It might sound like that is a waste of product but the second wash really feels like it's stripping all the buildup in the hair.  The first wash seems to prep the hair for deep clarifying and the second wash really foams up but washes out easily.  I follow it with my regular conditioner or a deeply hydrating masque.  The scent is light, fresh-smelling, and pleasant.  When my hair is dry following this product is has a lot more volume and feels silky smooth, not at all dry or brittle.  

If you're looking for a good earth-friendly clarifying shampoo from a company that seems to really care about the environment I'd definitely suggest this one.  Also, the bottle is pretty cute, sits well in the shower/tub, and easily pumps out the product.  

Overall: A+

Pros: Earth-friendly ingredients and packaging, well designed bottle, product really clarifies hair, doesn't strip moisture

Cons: None!

Get it: http://www.thompsonchemists.com/index.php/number-4-lumiere-d-hiver-clarifying-shampoo.html , $32 for 8.5 oz.

Lancome Visionnaire Initial Review

Lancome Visionnaire is a new product recently launched and I was given the opportunity to sample it before it became available on the market.  This is my first experience with a Lancome face product besides their eye makeup remover, which I really like.  It's been 12 years in the making and the science behind it is really quite interesting, plus they have 20 international patents!  This molecule can go 5 layers deep into the epidermis, making it a completely new and different formula from any other company.  From their website, "Much more than a wrinkle-corrector, our 1st skincare capable of fundamentally re-creating more beautiful skin. The first skincare with LR 2412, a molecule designed to propel through skin layers. On its path, it triggers a cascading series of micro-transformations.  The result: on the surface, wrinkles and pores are visibly corrected, imperfections like signs of UV damage and acne marks appear diminished.'
Sounds like a miracle in a bottle!  Even though I'm into natural skin care I was too tempted by this product to not give it a shot.   It comes in a 1 oz sleek pump bottle and retails for $84.


The pump disperses about a pea sized amount and I have been using 2 pumps for my entire face.  They suggest using it morning and evening and you can follow it with a cream if needed.  It's safe for use around the eye area and with products containing SPF, and you can wear it in the sun without diminishing its effectiveness.  It claims that with twice daily use, wrinkles, pores, and sun/acne damage will be diminished in about 6 weeks and continue to get better with prolonged use.  The product has the silky texture of a thick serum and is a pearly white shade.  It does take a few minutes to absorb but once it does it does not leave a sticky or shiny residue and you really can't tell that you have anything on. The first few times I used it it made my face slightly red but not feeling tight or uncomfortable.  I easily layered my face serum and daily lotion over it and the products absorbed well on top of the Visionnaire.  The only thing I don't like about it so far is the scent which is kind of flowery and, for lack of a better description, girly.  It does linger on the skin for a few minutes after applying the product but it's not enough to make me not want to use it.  I've been using it for five days and so far I have not had any breakouts but I have experienced very slight dryness around my nose/chin, but that's normal for me when I start using a new product.  I have seen a difference in my skin tone and texture, which is looking very healthy, smooth, and even-toned.  I had a blemish when I first started and I noticed it went away a lot faster than normal and the redness of it was reduced.  So far I have not noticed a change in wrinkles/pores, but I will do a full update when I've been using it twice a day for the recommended six weeks.  I am only going to stop use if I notice any breakouts as I did with Estee Lauder's Even Skin Tone Illuminator, which is basically touted as the same type of product. Overall so far I'm very impressed with it and if it does what it says it will, I'm looking forward to smoothed out wrinkles, small pores, and a more even skin tone.

Update - I have been using this twice a day for almost two weeks and my results are excellent!  I have experienced no breakouts and my skin is much more clear and even toned than it was before I started.  My pores do appear smaller, but it's too soon to tell on the minor wrinkles I have.  This product absorbs well and once it sets in after about a minute it feels like you have nothing on.  It's very easy to layer other products or makeup on top of it.  It seems to gently exfoliate when you put it on and has been keeping pore blockages at bay.  I use it around my eyes and have experienced no irritation.  When I wake up in the morning my skin looks even, bright, and overall very healthy.  I am excited to keep using it and see how my skin looks after 6 weeks!


**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 **

My Summer Essentials

I am definitely the type of girl who changes up my makeup and products depending on the season.  In the winter I like jewel tones and matte skin, in the summer I prefer shimmery bronzes and and a healthy glow.  Now that summer's here, I want to share with you my favorite summer beauty essentials and the products I've been reaching for lately.


1. Napoleon Perdis Protege Lip Gloss 
This gloss is a limited edition item and was gifted to me through Meg's Makeup.  After getting it, I bought another off eBay because I loved it so much!  It's a beautiful perfect sheer peach that's gorgeous on any complexion.  It has a pleasant minty flavor and a light, non-sticky texture.  This works perfect with a peachy blush or bronzer and shimmery nude eyes and although it's a gloss it does have some staying power.


2. Origins Sunkissed Color Kit
This adorable kit contains Rose Dust Brush-On color (matte bronzey-rose), eyeshadows in Twinkle (shimmering white) and Copper Penny (shimmering sandy copper), and a Mini Lip gloss Duo: Caramel Candy Liquid Lip Color & Mangotini Liquid Lip Shimmer.  Lately I've been reaching for this daily because the shades compliment each other beautifully and I love the look of the brush-on color on my tanner complexion.  The shade doubles as a bronzer/blush in my opinion and is on the sheer side, so it's very versatile. The shadows also go well together and are sheer with a very summery shimmer.  


3. Fekkai Beach Waves and Zero Humidity Frizz Control 
Both of these Fekkai products are absolutely perfect for the sticky months.  Beach Waves is the first product I've used that gives me pretty, imperfect waves without being sticky or heavy.  I just spray it in when my hair is dry or almost dry, scrunch and twist a few sections and away I go.  The Frizz Control is fantastic for particularly humid days and really helps control flyaways and frizz while adding shine.  By far my two favorite summer hair products.


4. Circle of Friends Leilani's Halakahiki Lotion 
This natural lotion is actually made for children as after-sun care and I love it for its soothing ingredients including Grape seed oil, Vitamins A, D, and E, and Aloe Leaf.  It also helps that it has a fantastic smell - think tropical grape kool aid!  This lotion is light, non greasy, soothes skin and absorbs quickly.  It comes in a pump bottle which makes it easy to quickly apply as needed.  I keep it on my nightstand and when I put it on before bed I love falling asleep to the smell. Perfect for little kids and big kids, like me!


5. Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 
This is a great sunscreen for delicate areas like the face, neck, and chest where you need protection but don't want to wear anything heavy and pore-clogging.  The ingredients are activated by shaking the bottle so they are evenly distributed.  The lotion itself is very lightweight, absorbs quickly, leaves no residue, and provides a matte finish.  In addition, it offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection - what could be more perfect than that in the summer!

6. Tarte Park Avenue Princess Mineral Powder Bronzer 
I've had this for over a year and it still looks brand new - I must admit that I love how pigmented Tarte's products are and that they last forever.  This is a perfect matte waterproof bronzer and works great on fair skin without giving  the dreaded Snooki vibe.  I use the '3' method on both sides of my face for the perfect bronzed look, then apply a bit of blush on the apples of my cheeks for a healthy summer glow.  I really love that the coverage is very buildable depending on your bronzing needs. For a cheaper alternative but that has less natural ingredients, check out Mark's Bronze Pro bronzing powder.


What are your favorite summer essentials??

Review - Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator

Through a sampling promotion I received a full-sized bottle of Estee Lauder's new Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator to test out and was so excited - a product that in just 2 weeks can fade acne scars, sunspots, discolorations and redness and leaves skin clear and bright?!  Sounds right up my alley because every time I get a blemish it takes forever to heal on my fair skin and the marks make me self conscious.  I recently switched to Natural Bliss skin care so I was a bit worried to use this non-natural product after the great results I've been getting from a natural line, but for the sake of beauty (and you!) I decided to give it a shot.  


The directions say to use it twice a a day for the first 12 weeks after cleansing and follow with a moisturizer, then once in the morning after that.  The first week I started using it I had just returned from camping and had a few blemishes from not doing my regular skin care routine so it was a perfect time to test this to see if it faded the spots more quickly.  I started using it morning and night followed by an application of passion fruit oil (I use that instead of a regular moisturizer nightly) and during the day I followed it with a facial serum.  It has a thicker texture, less of a serum and more like a light moisturizer, and instantly has a brightening and shimmering effect on the skin - something you may not like if you don't wear foundation, as it's not a natural look at all.  For the first week or so I really liked it.  I was waking up to a more even skin tone, my red spots seemed to be fading more quickly, and my pores appeared smaller.  Then I started to notice that I was breaking out - including an acne cyst on my cheek, which I rarely get - and had more clogged pores than usual.  Thinking it was still just from not following my regular routine the week before, I kept using it.  Suddenly it seemed like every day I had a new blemish, then I would apply the Illuminator to fade the spot, and then I'd get another blemish somewhere else!  The rest of my skin looked great though - very even, and yes, illuminated and bright just as promised.  After giving it another week, about 3 total, I finally stopped using it.  I went back to my usual routine and my skin is finally getting back to normal and I have had no new blemishes since I stopped using it.  The clogged pores have also cleared up.  So sadly although I really wanted this product to work for me, it didn't - so there it sits 1/4 empty in my cabinet with my other chemical-filled castoffs.  I think that on someone who isn't used to natural skin care only and has normal/not sensitive skin this product would work great, but with my recent natural obsession my skin is used to gentler ingredients.  I'm going to stick with my passion fruit oil nightly because it does about the same thing as far as reducing pore size/fading spots/brightening as this but is also organic, doesn't break me out, and costs a lot less.


Overall:B-
Pros: Instantly brightens, makes skin even toned, reduced pore size, helped fade spots more quickly
Cons: Breakouts and clogged pores!  May not be good for those with sensitive skin or who use more natural skin care
Get it: 
http://www.esteelauder.com/product/689/14025/Idealist/index.tmpl , $58/1 oz., $85/1.7 oz.


**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 & Giveaway - Desert Essence Throughly Clean Oil Control Lotion

Recently I was able to sample Desert Essence Throughly Clean Oil Control Lotion which is an all-natural moisturizer containing organic chamomile and lavender oil and tea tree oil, as well as other great natural ingredients .  The description says it:


• Hydrates oily/combination skin without clogging pores
• Helps reduce oil and blemishes
• Leaves skin velvety smooth shine-free

Before trying this lotion I was using Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer at night as needed but no moisturizer during the day.  While I like Kiehls I feel like it is a bit too greasy for daytime use, particularly under makeup.  This Desert Essence lotion was a refreshing product to try during the daytime.  It has a pleasant natural smell that doesn't bother me at all, but if you don't like the smell of tea tree oil then you might not like it.  The lotion itself is a bit thicker than what I'm used to in a facial moisturizer but absorbs/dries very quickly and a dime sized amount is all you need.  After applying it left my skin with an almost 'sticky' matte finish that was very smooth.  The lotion also doubles as a makeup primer - when I use this, I do not feel the need to wear a separate primer as this smooths skin and the slightly sticky texture helps adhere foundation and keep it in place.  Since it's summer my skin does have a tendency to get oilier in the heat and throughout the day this does a good job of keeping shine and oil at bay.  I think this is also a great moisturizer for women who don't wear makeup because it provides a matte finish and also helps even out the skin tone.  Since I've used it I have not had any blemishes or pore blockages that I can attribute to it so it does what it says it will in reducing oil and blemishes.

Overall: A

Pros: All natural, tea tree oil aids in making this a calming and soothing lotion, doubles as a primer, controls oil and shine, does not block pores

Cons: Possibly the smell if tea tree oil bothers you

Get it: http://www.desertessence.com/skin-type/oilycombination/thoroughly-clean-oil-control-lotion , $12.99 for 4 oz.

I am giving away 1 bottle of this to a lucky follower!  
To win you must:
1. Google friend connect me
2. Leave a comment with your favorite skin care product
3. Send an email to: prettylights2 @ hotmail . com with the name you left the comment as as the subject




4. For an extra entry, invite a friend to enter the contest too and leave another comment!
5. For another entry, tweet the following and comment again with your Twitter username: ' prettylights beauty blog is giving away a Desert Essence Oil Control Moisturizer, enter here! http://tinyurl.com/3ky4mal Pls RT! #giveaway #free ' and leave another comment



The winner will be chosen using random.org, then I will reply to your email for your address.  The contest runs until 12:00 am on August 30th.  Thanks for entering and good luck!

Combined Megs Makeup Cashout Haul!

Hello!  So I've realized since it's been summer I've been busier and not posting as much, but to make up for it I'm doing a longer post with quick reviews of products from my last two Meg's Makeup cashout hauls - lots of goodies to be discussed!


Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer in Bodyguard
I was so excited to receive this product but then a little disappointed that the shade was not right for me.  Halo is the lightest and Bodyguard is next in line, which is just too dark for my fair skin.  It's paraben free, has SPF, and can help repair free radical damage, so I still gave it a try to check out the formula and coverage.  Considering this is a tinted moisturizer meant to be worn outside in the summer the product was rather thick and, I thought, not very natural looking.  It also had a bit of an orange cast - much like a 'fake bake' shade.  This could have just been because the shade wasn't right for me though, in all fairness, but they do only offer 4 so mixing shades might be the best option for in-between girls.  Another woman on Meg's said she mixed her too-dark shade with moisturizer to make it lighter - why didn't I think of that?!  Overall I didn't find the coverage to be that good, and it left a shiny cast to my face.  I like a more matte look, so this product didn't become a fave.
Grade: B- 
Get It: http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-defense-tinted-moisturizer-sunblock/298,default,pd.html?start=7&cgid=9999&prefn1=isNewDisplay&prefv1=true $30


Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Pencil in Midnight Cowboy
I don't usually use lip pencils so this was a nice treat to test out!  Midnight Cowboy is a neutral taupe pink shade (not the glittery beige-pink of eyeshadow fame!).  First, I love the color - it's really a perfect MLBB shade and looks great under gloss.  I feel this shade would flatter any skin and lip tone, and it provides just enough definition and coverage without being chalky or obvious.  Considering it's waterproof, I am impressed with how well it goes on and that it stays creamy but doesn't feel thick or chalky.  It's very moisturizing as well - I will definitely be using this a lot under gloss to add definition and still have color when the gloss wears off.
Grade: A+ 
Get It: http://www.urbandecay.com/24-7-glide-on-lip-pencil/179,default,pd.html?start=10&cgid=2 $18


Urban Decay Lip Love Honey-Infused Lip Therapy in Lolita
I am a gloss junkie so this one is right up my alley!  Lip Loves are the newest glosses from Urban Decay that contain Vitamin C and millet, jojoba, and apricot kernel seed oils to keep lips smooth and healthy.  Lolita is a bright reddish-pink in the tube but goes on very sheer.  It has a delicious smell and taste and feels incredibly smooth and velvety.  The applicator is large and coats evenly.  I have two problems with it - it's really not that hydrating and doesn't last very long.  I found myself putting it on 4 times in 1 hour, which means this small (.34 oz) tube won't last long!
Grade: B 
Get It: http://www.urbandecay.com/lip-love-lip-gloss/300,default,pd.html?start=1&cgid=2 $16


Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed
So many women already swear by Urban Decay's primer potion, and for good reason!  It creates a nice smooth base for eyeshadow and helps it last all day.  Besides the original there are other shades - Eden, Greed, and Sin.  Greed is shimmering gold and when I first put it on (too thick) it was GOLD.  However, smoothed out it took on a great sheer shimmer that really brightened and highlighted my eyes.  Now I am in love!  This works just as well as the original primer but can also be used on its own as a highlighter or sheer shadow, and I love the new squeeze-tube design - no more depotting those potion bottles!  I feel like Greed is a really great summer shade - it's complimenting my more tan complexion perfectly, and looks great with shimmery shadows.
Grade: A+
Get It: http://www.urbandecay.com/eyeshadow-primer-potion/296,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=1 $19


Tarte Provocateur Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in Rose
I've been a big fan of all the amazonian clay products I've tried from Tarte so far, and this powder is no exception.  At first I thought the Rose shade might be too dark for my complexion, but it goes on like a very sheer blush mixed with a highlighter.  The shimmer is subtle, pretty, and can be used anywhere from collarbones to browbones.  It might be a bit too shimmery for the outdoors/natural lighting, so I tend to use it when I'm going out at night and just a bit for work.  Despite being a powder it has a creamy and very blendable consistency and is not 'too much' if layered over blush.  I do recommend using a light brush/light hand - I use my Bare Escentuals Featherlight brush for best results.  Just like their Amazonian Clay blushes, this powder is highly pigmented and a little is all you need.... unless you like the clown look :)
Grade: A
Get It: http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-provocateur-Amazonian-clay-shimmering-powder $30


China Glaze nail polish in Bad Landing
This is my first China Glaze polish and I have to say I'm impressed.  The shade is neon-ish coral-red with pink undertones and perfect for a summer pedicure! It has a slight shimmer effect to it which I like.  It dries fast and lasts a while before chipping, especially with a base and top coat.  It feels fresh and sexy without being dark and vampy, so it's a fun way to wear red and would look great on all skin tones! I definitely want to buy more shades of China Glaze polishes after trying it out!
Grade: A+
Get It: http://www.amazon.com/China-Glaze-Polish-Landing-70344/dp/B000VKGFTY $5


Giovanni D:Tox System Purifying Facial Scrub
Miss Stacy B of Megs Makeup has been reviewing the new, all-natural Giovanni D:Tox system line for the face and I was sent the facial scrub to try out.  This scrub contains charcoal, volcanic ash, acai and goji berry to purify the skin naturally.  I used it in the shower immediately - waaaaay too much as it turned out - a dime sized amount is all you need and I used about 6x that on accident (it just worked extra good)!  It has a smooth, non-irritating texture and was really a pleasure to use.  It left my skin incredibly smooth and healthy looking.  Even though I love my Natural Bliss skin care, I will be alternating their kaolin powder scrub with this one weekly!
Grade: A
Get It: http://www.target.com/s?keywords=giovanni+scrub&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0 $10


I also received Tarte's new gifted Amazonian Clay smart mascara (waiting to try this until after I finish my Lights! Camera! Lashes!), a Suki jump start kit of samples, Lorac Multiplex 3D lipgloss (previously reviewed), and a Sheer Cover mineral makeup sample.  I love Meg's Makeup, it's my go-to site whenever researching a product and have gotten to try some really great products because of it (even before they are available to the public sometimes).  Not to mention that the reviews are well-written and often hilarious and the group members are fantastic!  Have you tried any of these products yet/thoughts on them?

TokyoMilk Dark Lip Elixir

Hello lovelies!  It's been a while since I posted because I was gone on a glorious and much needed early summer vacation, camping at a music festival named Wakarusa having a great time dancing on a mountain!  Now I'm back and want to share with you my newest lip obsession - Tokyomilk Dark Lip Elixir.  From the site: Conditioning Lip Balm, Made with Bee Balm and Jasmine

Sweet temptation is beckoning. Remarkably uncommon essences infused in to a smooth, luscious balm. Elicit a kiss with lips tamed by a lush, silky blend of sweet Jasmine & Bee Balm laced with crushed extracts of hydrating Aloe Leaf & Vitamin E. Femme fatale incarnate. A supple seduction.  Not for the faint of heart: An unexpected mixture of fragrance & flavor. A remarkable lip elixir for a remarkably uncommon experience. I love the cute black tin this comes in and it could definitely be reused when the balm runs out, even for keeping change or small items in.  The balms come in a variety of off-the-wall flavors and the one I have is Absinthe.  Absinthe has a light almost fruity flavor and is highly addictive to put on.  The balm itself is light feeling, slightly waxy, and very moisturizing and it also tastes and smells great.  Out of all the balms I've ever tried this one is by far the best scented and flavored - it's almost like a perfume for the lips!  With ingredients like Aloe Vera leaf extract, Vitamin E, Green Tea, and Jasmine this balm also packed with a lot of great natural ingredients so I feel good about using it.  I love that instead of basic flavors they have gone off and made some very interesting sounding flavors, like Smoked Salt.  I'd love to try Cherry Bourbon and Dead Sexy as well, and at only $7 for .70 oz. of product I can afford to buy more! I think these would be really fun to give to friends who like the unusual.  Tokyomilk also sells parfum, hand creme, candles, greeting cards, bubble bath, fine soaps, and other items.  I love their packaging - it's all very strange and dark feeling without being goth.  The only thing I do not like about the balm is that once you peel the seal off, it is not listed anywhere on the balm what flavor it is.  So if you had 2 or more you wouldn't be able to tell what flavor is what.  Other than that though I love this and have been enjoying the exotic and unusual scent and flavor.

Grade: A+

Pros: Unusual flavors, great texture, moisturizing ingredients, something different

Cons: Wish the tins were labelled with what flavor it is

Get it: http://www.tokyo-milk.com/t/tokyomilk-dark/lip-elixir , $7

Review - Therapy Systems Better Than Cover Concealer

Therapy Systems has come out with a concealer that is made with 70% certified organic ingredients so I decided to give it a try.  From the website: With a custom antioxidant infusion of acai, green tea and raspberry leaf, Better Than Cover's 70% organic formulation provides a smooth application and a sheer coverage that does not crease or cake. Your best self is only a dab away - simply you...simply fabulous!

The concealer comes in a small tube like a lip balm and retails for $24 for .18 oz.  They offer shades in light and medium and they are neutral based so I think they would work well on a variety of skin tones.  The Physician's Formula concealer I used prior to this had more of a yellow base and since I have a cool skin tone this works better for me.  I have used it with mineral foundation and also with Tarte's Amazonian clay infused liquid foundation and the concealer works well with both.  The texture is a lot more sheer than other concealers I've tried and when applied it feels almost oily at first but not in a bad way, it just makes it very blendable and then after a minute it seems to 'set'.  Since it is sheer coverage it doesn't cover red spots the best, but for general evening out of the skin tone it applies very smooth and provides natural coverage.  Even though my complexion is very light this blends right in without being obvious that I have something on which is important to me as I like a natural look to my makeup.  I use it around my nose and on other areas that need evening and I love it for that, but for acne spots that are red it doesn't cover the best so if that is an issue for you a heavier coverage would be better.  The natural ingredients don't irritate my skin and it stays put for hours without needing retouching.  It also does not settle into fine lines but rather glides over them, and when applying more than one layer it doesn't look cakey or thick. 

Overall I really like this concealer for general evening out of the skin tone but it didn't cover the best on a red spot from an acne breakout.  I love that the texture is sheer and creamy, it blends flawlessly, and it doesn't cake up when applying more than one layer.  For a concealer made with 70% organic ingredients I am really impressed with it, so if you're into organic/natural makeup I would recommend this!

Grade: A

Pros: Natural ingredients, blends well, provides natural looking sheer coverage, lasts for hours

Cons: Coverage might be too sheer depending on your needs

Get it: http://www.therapysystems.com/product/BetterThanCover/19

Natural Bliss Skin Care

The friendly owners of Natural Bliss were kind enough to send me generous samples of some of their products with a challenge - use only their products on my face for an entire week.  Once I accepted the challenge, I really thought about the amount of products I use daily on my face and body and realized that it's a lot!  Lately I have been thinking about all the chemicals in the products I use and how they may actually be causing some of my skin problems such as clogged pores, dryness, breakouts, ect. rather than nourishing my skin, especially since I use several products and the different chemicals may interact in bad ways.  I was really excited to start my 7 day Natural Bliss trial and see how completely natural handmade products worked on my skin and to see if there were any noticeable changes while using them.  I shut up all my bottles and tubes in my cabinet and let the journey begin.  This will be a long review as I tested 5 different products and want to be fair to each, so bear with me!


I received samples of their unscented and scented olive oil soap, normal/sensitive face serum, kaolin powder scrub, and each of their scented body oils.  First, I must say that I love their packaging.  Each item has a small brown label that lists the ingredients of the product and even specifies organic ingredients.  The Kaolin scrub had a small piece of paper with directions stuck on the bottom which was very helpful.  The packaging is practical, natural looking, and informative.  

The first item I tried was the handmade unscented olive oil soap, which has just a few ingredients - extra virgin olive oil, distilled water, coconut oil, and sodium hydroxide.  This formed a nice lather when mixed with water after I washed my face it felt squeaky clean.  As a true test to see if it was really getting off all of my makeup I used a bit of Kiehls toner on a cotton ball after rinsing.  There was a little bit of residue on the cotton ball but not much compared to other cleansers I have used, and it easily took off all of my makeup (even mascara!) without scrubbing.  I really feel that this soap cleans my skin well and evens out pH balance as my skin did not feel dry or tight when I was done and my pores looked smaller.  It's very gentle and I think it would be great for those with sensitive skin or children.  I also used it in my hair and on my entire body with the same results - it was gentle, lathered well, and made me feel completely clean.  The olive herb soap works just as well and is better for people who suffer from acne or skin inflammation because it contains aloe water to speed up healing and a mix of essential oils to treat skin ailments like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.  The scent is pleasant, earthy and natural without being cloying.  Each day I use the unscented soap in the morning and the scented at night and I plan to continue using both.  They work just as well, if not better, than cleansers that I've tried in the $30-40 range and since they are all natural I feel good about using them.  I love that they can be used all over the body and even in the hair - talk about a multi-tasker!  Natural Bliss offers other natural soap options besides these two, so there's one for everyone.

Following the cleanser I gave the Kaolin Powder Scrub a try.  It contains white kaolin clay, ground olive soap, honey powder, oat flour, lemon peel, apricot seeds, essential oils of: geranium, lemon, eucalyptus and peppermint.  It is good for sensitive, dry, mature, normal, oily and acne prone skin and can be used on the face or body.  The first things that struck me about the scrub were the scent and sensation .  It's very minty feeling/smelling and is extremely refreshing on the skin.  The texture is slightly rough like any scrub and I think the lemon peel, even though it looks a little strange, is a great addition for a more mild texture.  It felt gentle enough to use on even sensitive skin and did not strip my skin of natural oils or give me an irritated feeling at all.  In fact, it moisturized my skin and made it feel hydrated which I have not experienced with many scrubs.  After I rinsed my face it looked and felt healthy, fresh, and soft.  I really love this scrub and how it not only makes my skin feel fresh and alive but makes it look that way too!  The scrub can be used 2-3 times a week for controlling breakouts and clogged pores. 


Finally, I followed the soap and scrub with an application of Natural Bliss's Normal/Sensitive Face Serum.  From the site, "Our Normal/Sensitive Face Serum uses a combination of vegetable oils suited for this skin type. This light and non-greasy oil penetrates easily into the skin. It is moisturizing and improves elasticity and general skin health. Our oil blend is high in vitamins, such as: A,B,C,D and E, minerals, essential fatty acids, anti-oxidants, contains natural chlorophyll and offers UV protection. Our choice of essential oils stimulates circulation, regenerates tissue, assists in healing, balances sebum and corrects sebum production."  This serum is also offered for mature/dry skin and oily/acne skin.  I LOVE the smell of this serum - it's natural, slightly floral, and just a really great smell that I don't mind at all having on my face.  I had been using Natural Bliss Organic Passion Fruit oil (previously reviewed here ) on my face at night before switching to this serum.  The serum is a lot lighter in texture and has a more pleasant and light fragrance than the passion fruit oil.  It comes in a small glass bottle so I just tap it against my index fingers a few times per side of my face and apply.  It sinks in very quickly and doesn't 'sit' on top of the skin which surprised me because I did not expect that from an oil based serum.  My skin loves this serum and it makes me even toned, my pores appear smaller, and it provides a nice healthy glow that is not greasy looking or feeling.  I have been using this during the day before I apply my makeup and in the evening before bed, but I think I will start to use this during the day only since it's lighter in texture and go back to applying the heavier passion fruit oil in the evening before bed.  It doesn't affect my makeup application and in fact provides a nice smooth base for foundation.

They also sent me samples of each of their scented body oils - vanilla spice, sensual sandalwood, cocoa candy, jasmine, and patchouli.  These body oils are made with a mixture of nutrient rich oils that feed the skin and each body oil is good for different skin conditions and can be used as massage oil.  I was excited to see that the jasmine and patchouli body oils aid in healing skin and preventing scarring, as I took some skin off my knee with a new razor a few weeks ago and really don't want a scar!  Applying the patchouli oil daily is healing the wound quickly, keeping it moisturized, and helping the mark fade away.  My favorite scent of them all is the cocoa candy - it smells like the most delicious cocoa brownies so it helps me cure my chocolate cravings just by smelling it!  I also love the jasmine as it's a very light feminine scent that is not overpowering.  These oils absorb quickly into the body, do not feel greasy, and leave skin softly scented and supple.  A lot of lotions, especially scented ones, leave my skin feeling drier, irritated, and even itchy a few hours after I apply it, but these body oils just left me smelling great and feeling moisturized even at the end of the day.  I love that the healthy nutrients in these oils actually feed my skin and make it healthier, rather than masking dry skin with chemicals.



Now I'd like to provide some feedback on the company itself.  The company was founded by two sisters whose mother instilled in them a passion for natural skin care, so they started researching and then making their own products.  The first time I ordered from them I had some questions so I emailed them and they promptly responded by the next morning.  Every time I have contacted them I receive a reply within a day - I love a company that not only provides great products but also fast and friendly customer service.  The owners are extremely knowledgeable about natural and organic skin care and have already taught me a lot about their products and why they work.  My order was shipped quickly with no issues and they provided a tracking number.  They offer sample sizes of most of their products which is great for people looking to try natural skincare but unsure if it will work for them.  Their website is easy to navigate and ingredients as well as usage information is clearly listed for each product, as well as if certain ingredients are organic and unrefined.  They also offer hair care, body butters, pure fruit and nut oils, pure fruit butters, and many other natural products including sample sets.  I think I'll be picking up one of their sample sets for a friend's birthday that's coming up, it would make a cute (and great smelling) gift!

My results?  Fantastic!!  After using these products for only 1 week, I am a convert and will be ordering full sizes of the soap, kaolin scrub, and serum.  At the end of 1 week my skin is incredibly soft and smooth, pores appear smaller, skin tone is a lot more even, clogged pores are becoming a thing of the past, and the few monthly blemishes I had before I started have healed a lot faster than they ever have before.  It has also helped my slightly oily t-zone become more normal and it has left my skin looking radiantly healthy and, I think, younger.  I feel a lot more confident about my skin and am using less foundation now and soon may not even need foundation for the first time since I was 16!  I have not experienced any breakouts and the only adverse side effect I have had is a bit of dry skin around my mouth and chin, but that usually happens to me when the seasons change and spring is blooming here in Wisconsin.  I think that as I continue to use the products this will balance out and my skin is just getting used to the natural products.  The only other products I might continue to use are my nightly eye serum (preventative care, as my family is prone to crow's feet) and a bit of moisturizer here and there, but otherwise I am more impressed with these products than I have been by anything I've used in the past years, and I've tried a lot.  I did not experience results like this even while using $35 cleansers and $85 serums.  Even using the samples every day for a week I still have plenty left for another few weeks, so these products last a while too and you don't need to overdo it to see and feel results.  I am not sure what I'm going to do with all the bottles and tubes in my cabinet, but I do know that I don't want to use other products on my face anymore.  I've always been looking for the perfect skincare regimen at a fair price and I can say I've finally found it!  Thank you Natural Bliss for kindly sending me these samples so I could experience the wonder of natural skincare for myself!

Grade: A+

Pros: Large selection of handmade products with natural ingredients, natural and unrefined oils feed skin, owners are knowledgeable, great customer service, very fair prices
Cons: Experienced slight dryness
Get it:  http://www.mynaturalbliss.com/


**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 **


*Samples were provided for review purposes and I am not affiliated with this company or being paid for this review/to promote this company*

Mizani Supreme Hair Oil

I have heard a lot of rave reviews from women who use hair oils, so I decided to give Mizani Supreme Hair Oil a try.  I have never used a hair oil before so I was not sure what to expect but I was enticed by the fact that this oil is derived from 99% all natural ingredients and contains 8 natural oils - sesame, jojoba, almond, avocado, apricot, olive fruit, sunflower and argan oils.  It can also be used as a body oil, a pre-shampoo treatment,  daily leave-in conditioner, for blow drying and finishing, and as a moisturizing scalp oil.  My hair is long, thick, not dyed, and has a slightly wavy texture.  I don't heat style a lot or use a lot of products on my hair besides the occasional smoothing gloss or wave enhancer.  I wanted a product that would be healthy for my hair, impart a nice shine, and leave it manageable without feeling greasy.  

The oil is very lightweight and clear in color.  It has a pleasant, long lasting slightly floral scent that is very natural and not overpowering.  The first time I used this oil, I used way too much and didn't like the results.  My hair looked limp and greasy so I had to shampoo afterward.  Since then I adjusted the amount I use to 3 drops and rub it between my palms, then apply to my hair avoiding the scalp as a leave-in conditioner/smoothing treatment.  This leaves my hair soft, shiny, manageable, and imparted with a gentle natural scent.  It's great to use whether I keep my hair natural and wavy or decide to blow dry it straight.  It does not weigh down my hair or leave it heavy feeling and I love the way it smooths my hair, making it feel extremely silky.  My hair just looks extremely soft, silky, and healthy after I use this and also has a bit of body.  In the summer when it gets more humid I think this oil will do a great job of controlling frizz and flyaways, and since it doesn't contain any silicons it won't build up in my hair.  Since my hair is thick it's important to me to find products that don't weigh down my hair or leave it greasy and hard to manage.  This product provided exactly what I wanted and I love that I can also use it on my entire body - who doesn't love a product that multitasks! 

Overall I am happy with this product and will continue to use it.  The bottle is 4.1 fl oz. and since I only use a few drops for my entire head, this will last a very long time so it's a steal.  I am looking forward to using it this summer as an alternative to smoothing products that contain silicons and think it will hold up well in the humid summer months.  I love how healthy my hair looks and feels after using this oil!

Grade: A+

Pros: Provides healthy shine and manageabilty, does not weigh down hair, 99% natural, has a variety of uses, pleasant scent
Cons:  Be careful not to use too much!
Get it:  http://www.mizani-usa.com/?m=721&rid=300

Lorac Multiplex 3D Lipgloss

I have always been a lip product junkie since I got my first bonne bell lip balm around 10 years old - I'm the girl that the other girls turn to when they can't find or forgot their lip products.  "Just ask Nicole, she'll have some!"  That's when I whip out my arsenal and say "Well if you want a natural balm, try this, if you want a bit of reddish color, try this one... for a sheer gloss with a hint of pink go with this one..." You get the point.  It's not unusual for me to use 5-6 different lip products in the course of one day, and they constantly change depending on my mood.  I'm still on the hunt to find the best and brightest lip products, and with new ones coming out all the time it's a constant battle!  Recently I tried out two shades from Lorac's Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss line in the shades 3D and Cliche.   From their website: "Get glam, glossy, gorgeous lips with Multiplex 3-D Lip Gloss! This innovative, paraben-free Lip Gloss contains holographic pigments for multidimensional, high-lacquer shine and vibrant, long-lasting color. Its unique formula is infused with antioxidants to help nourish and protect while the creamy, moist texture help lips look silky-smooth and ultra-glossy. The custom, pro brush is designed to easily hug the curves of the lips for a super sexy 3-D pout!"  First, I have to say that I love that its paraben-free.  More and more I am actually noticing what ingredients are in the products I use and thinking about the effect those products might have on my body.  If you're not familiar with parabens and the effect they may have on you, check out this great article here: http://blog.cincovidas.com/hype-or-fact-are-parabens-in-cosmetics-really-that-dangerous-you-bet Second, if you're not an in-your-face lips girl, stop reading now!  This gloss is not for the faint of heart or those who prefer an understated lip!  

Ok, on to the product itself!  It comes in a classy looking round tube and contains .17 fl oz. of product.  The first shade I'll review, 3D, is described as a Rose Bronze with 3D glitter.  The applicator is a small short-bristled brush that provides precise application and makes it easy to put the gloss exactly where you want it.  I just hate messy gloss applicators!  When I first put this on I was actually a bit unimpressed - it just screamed "GLITTER!" "GLOSS!" "GLOSSY GLITTER!!" at me.  I set it aside for a while and went back to it later, and since I've tried it out again it's grown on me.  The gloss is a bit heavier and stickier than what I'm used to but it has a smooth texture despite the microglitter in it.  The actual color itself is gorgeous.  When you really look at in the light it has a base of rosey bronze and then multifaceted bronze/rose glitter over the top of that, all packed into a super shiny lush gloss. It has a bit of sheerness to it so it would easily layer over a lipstick to deepen the color.  It did not dry out my lips as all and lasted quite a while, even through eating and drinking.  It does leave a bit of a stain on the lips after it fades.  It's not a top pick for a demure daytime look, but I tried it with some Tarte Park Ave Princess bronzer, Tarte Clay Illuminating Serum on the cheekbones, and an Origins light brown shimmer eyeshadow and it screamed "gorgeous sunny summer day!" this time.  It makes the lips look full, plumped, and truly 3D.  I am a very visual person so I just love looking at this gloss on the lips - it's just a really gorgeous multifaceted shade unlike anything I've ever seen before.  

Next up is the shade Cliche, which is described as Pink with Blue 3D Pearl. This one is a bit intimidating - in the tube it is bright pink!  It's definitely more pigmented than the 3D shade and does not have glitter in it.  It goes on as a lovely blue based pink, so it's great for my fellow fair skinned blonds out there.  This shade is bright and very attention-grabbing, but I feel like I could still pull it off during the day if the rest of my makeup was very understated, maybe just a touch of blush and mascara.  For night I would love to try it with a 60's pin-up girl look with some white shimmer shadow, thin black winged out liner, and then this bright pink gloss instead of the usual bright red.  Just putting it on makes me feel utterly sexy, and my boyfriend really loved it on me - too bad it's a bit too sticky for comfortable kissing!  It makes lips look plump and defined and the pink to blue 3D pearl shift is so lovely - it adds visual interest to the gloss and really does make lips look 3 dimensional.  I would describe this shade as pink liquid lipstick meets blue based liquid lip laquer and creates a lovely third dimension!

Sorry for the slightly dark photos, it's so hard to find good lighting in my house and it's been a rainy mess lately here in WI!  I wish I could get some good natural sunlight soon!

Overall I like these glosses but I can see myself using them mostly during the evening vs daytime at work.  For the price of $22, I probably would not buy more unless I am sure they would work for daytime looks.  If I use them evenings only for the few times I go out, I may have to toss them (no parabens means they will probably get stale faster) before I use them up.  However, if you love attention grabbing, super shiny multifaceted lips then this is your dream product!  I think this would also work great on women whose lips have some wrinkles or lines, as it really smooths out the lip area and makes it look refreshed and young.

Pros: Plumps lips, gorgeous truly 3D effect, lasts a while before reapplication, smooth texture, actually does what it says it will!
Cons: Heavier/stickier texture, maybe too glam for daytime looks
Get it: http://www.loraccosmetics.com/p-133-multiplex-3-dbrfont-size1lip-glossfont.aspx