PolkaDotGems

Lady GaGa Eyes?

2010-04-05T20:37:00.005-05:00

It's been awhile since I last updated my blog. To say my life has changed would be an understatement, but I am still highly engaged in the world of new beauty products...I just don't have as much time as I use to to write about my awesome findings. However a new product really amazed me that I had to share with the world. The product is called Lash Stiletto mascara and it's a product made by Maybelline. It's fairly inexpensive (it runs around $6.00) and it works better than some of the fancier, expensive brands.

The other day when I asked a co-worker what kind of mascara she used, she said "stiletto," this only rang a bell in my head because I had heard the advertising of this product on TV a few days prior. Coincidence? I think not. I think it was fate. Her beautiful eyelashes gave me hope that I had come across an inexpensive mascara I actually would like because frankly, shelling out almost $25 every time I have to replace my imju is not a cheap habit...but I still had doubts, afterall, maybe "she's born with it." And her perfect, long plush eye lashes are miracles caused by really great (and lucky) genes.

So I made a trip to my local Wal-Mart to purchase my new experiment. My science project? To replace a $25 mascara with a $6 (but just as damn good one) in my makeup bag. I have to admit, I was tempted to pop open the case before I arrived home, but I wanted to give this mascara a fair chance...and that meant going home, turning on my trusty light magnifying mirror and using my new mascara brush as a fine instrument, to tune my lashes into Lady GaGa twins. Was it possible? I'll be honest, I didn't turn out looking like Lady GaGa, but I was amazed by this trusty little black and red tube of glory. I saved nearly twenty bucks, and somehow ended up with the same (if not better!) results from the Stiletto mascara as I do with the expensive imju brand. The curling effect of this mascara is awesome, personally I skip using my eyelash curler all together when I use this brand- since it gets the job done nicely without prepping them. It also gave my some serious volume, almost that of fake lashes...which I L.O.V.E. My only complaint is of course the clumping. This seems to be a huge problem with a large percentage of cheaper mascaras, but if applied correctly (and patiently) it's not a big deal. Just make sure to shake your brush back and forth when applying the mascara, almost in a wave motion. Overall, I'll probably keep my imju handy, what? It's my baby! But I will say that Maybelline impressed me with this product. It's definitely a keeper and won it's place in my makeup bag. Plus, the Lash Stiletto bottle is actually shaped like a little stiletto! How can you go wrong?

Tend Skin, for all of your hairy needs!

2009-02-10T17:24:00.008-06:00

I recently received the January Sample goodie bag from Sephora, and one of the products included was the fabulous Tend Skin Solution. This stuff is amazing, for men and women, if you have problems with razor burn or razor bumps, you NEED this product. It can be used just about anywhere, including your underarms and bikini area.

A 4oz bottle will run you about $20.00 at a Sephora location or online...but you can check online at Amazon, who usually has this stuff on sale ($8.99 right now!!)

Makeup doesn't have to break the bank...really!

2009-01-25T14:35:00.006-06:00

It can be difficult to find good makeup that doesn't come with a heavy price tag, but today I'm going to tell you how to fill your cosmetics bag without breaking the bank. All of the products featured in this post are under $10.00 and can be found at your local drugstore or Wal-Mart.

1...FOUNDATION: Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse, an oldie but goodie. Use this stuff over some primer and you'll be set. $8.79

2...MASCARA: CoverGirl Lash Exact, alot of bang for your buck (make that about six bucks) It comes in different shades and doesn't clump. $5.99

3...BLUSH: CoverGirl Cheekers, they've been around forever and there's a reason why. They work! $3.59

4...EYESHADOW: Revlon ColorStay 12 hour eyeshadow, no need for eyeshadow primer (save your money!) this stuff is super-long lasting and blends easy. It also comes in a huge range of different eye popping colors, my favorite is Coffee Bean. $6.29

So there you have it, all your daily essentials for a little over $20.00.

MayBelline Colossal...yay or nay?

2009-01-15T14:30:00.003-06:00

I can never help but to stop in the makeup isles at my local Wal-Mart...it's like all of the little powder palettes and eyeshadows are calling my name. On my last trip, I came across Maybelline New York: The Colossal Volum' Express mascara. With it's big, bold purple letters and daring yellow casing, it was hard to say no- so I didn't. Although I'd usually rather be caught dead in dirty undies than I would a drugstore mascara in my bag, you never know when you might come across a swan in a pond full of ugly ducklings.

I didn't try it immediately, I'll admit that I was hesitant. I've been very faithful to the mascaras that have treated me right, so I had to be careful about bringing another member into the family.

Applying the mascara was tricky, but for $5.99, what do you expect? They claim the mascara is "clump free," and all I have to say to that is B.S.! But with a little combing and girly-magic, I felt confident enough to leave the house.

As soon as I was on my way, I regretted my decision. If you've ever woken up with pink eye, you'll understand the feeling I suddenly had when my eyes felt glued together. My eyelashes felt sticky, and if my life was an episode of punk'd, I would have been certain someone switched my masacara with a bottle of super glue.

...But beauty is pain, so I didn't let such a small inconvience get in the way of what could be an amazing mascara.

Now, you may not know this- but as a good person I feel it's necassary to share my secrets.

A good mascara looks great when you put it on, and even for a few hours afterward, but quickly dulls and you lose length, thickness, and color.

A great mascara looks amazing when you put it on, and stays that way until you wash it off. Imju, I'm looking at you...

A bad mascara, comes off on your face.
Leaving you with mascara lines and clumps right under your bottom eyelid...even if you haven't cried.

NO ONE wants to find that
when they look in the mirror, but that's what I got with Maybelline's "colossal."

So another day, another disappointing mascara...I'd cry, but I'm not wearing the waterproof kind.

Verdict: Stay far, far away from it...unless it's Halloween.

Bare Minerals, MAKEUP BAG ESSENTIAL.

2009-01-12T00:36:00.003-06:00

A new year calls for new products, so when Sephora was offering trial sized Bare Minerals with any order, I snatched that deal up like I was pms'ing and it was a free chocolate bar.

I'm embarrassed and saddened to admit that I've never actually tried anything by Bare Essentials before- I saw the TV ads, my friends recommended it to me all the time, but the whole "swirl, tap and blend" thing didn't sit well with me. How could this powder stuff give good coverage, be good for your skin, AND not look cakey?

I don't know how they did it, but what you see on TV is true. It took me a few tries to get the coverage and blending just right to fit my skin type, but it is now my new favorite foundation. I've even gotten compliments from my friends who say that my skin is glowing!

Pros:
Looks natural (no foundation lines and no thick cakey look- it looks like your skin, only healthier)
No oil buildup (ever notice some foundations tend to puddle up on your face, especially around the t-zone area?)
Feels light (You forget you're even wearing makeup)
No rub-off (You can wipe your face with your sleeve or rest your head on your shoulder and it won't rub off)
Easy to apply (like the commercial says, just swirl it on the brush, tap off excess and blend)

Cons:
Expensive, around $25 for the foundation alone...plus the cost of their brushes is outrageous.
Messy. They tell you to put a little of the foundation powder in the cap, which can get quite messy if you're not careful or in a rush. I wish they would have come up with better packaging to go with such an awesome product.

Next up: Stay tuned for great makeup ideas without the heavy price tag.

New Products For A New Year

2009-01-07T17:03:00.004-06:00

On a personal note, I want to apologize for not keeping this blog updated, unfortunately due to the holidays and a severely sick grandmother, my time was scarce. Now that it is a new year, I hope to update more frequently and keep you girls in tune with what's new, hot, and worth buying.

Over the holidays, I got to thinking about new products for the new year, YES! I thought about you girls while I was away! I wanted to start off the new year with a truly amazing product, so....

Fredric Fekkai Au Naturel Gentle Shampoo

Shampoo? Who wants to start off 2009 with some boring shampoo?

I apologize if you wanted glitter, vibrating eyeshadow, or...well, anything more exciting than shampoo, but I have to tell you, this stuff is amazing and worth all of the attention it's getting.

Here's why:

"Your natural beauty comes more naturally with Fekkai Au Naturel. Luxurious and purely gorgeous, this shampoo is infused with beneficial essential oils and organic ingredients, and is absent of synthetic fragrance, dyes, and additives like sulfates and parabens. Packaged in a bottle made with 40% recycled materials, Fekkai's formula embodies the essence of eco-conscious, positively-crafted haircare."

Yes, it's "GREEN," and I know a huge majority of you guys out there have resolutions to be more green this year. It also lacks all those nasty ingredients like sulfates (ew) so there's less gunk in your hair, and more healthy locks.
After one shampoo, you'll notice a huge difference. Remember when you were a kid and you had soft, manageable hair? This shampoo will shave off all the years and give you back the hair you once had- you know, before you started putting tons of gunk in it? After using this, I even noticed my natural highlights were more noticeable...and I wasn't the only one who noticed!

An 8oz bottle of this stuff will run you about $23 at Sephora, but it pays for itself in compliments!

How clean are your brushes?!

2008-08-10T13:19:00.007-05:00

It's important to keep your makeup brushes clean and sanitized. Brushes that are not regulary cleaned hold millions of swarming germs.
Not only is that completely disgusting, but your brushes also hold onto oil and dirt, so every time you apply makeup you're putting that stuff right back onto your clean face. If you're suffering from breakouts, dirty brushes may just be the culprit.

What you can do: Buy some sanitizing beauty wipes to keep in your makeup bag and give each brush a swipe after every use. I personally like Sephora's brand, they're only $9 and sweep up all the yucky residue.

Doing this will keep germs, oil and dirt residue to a minimum, but you still need to give your brushes a "deep" cleaning. You can purchase brush shampoo, which is basically gentle anti-bacterial soap. If you don't want to spend the extra $10, you can simply use anti-bacterial hand soap instead.

The Steps: Always use tepid (or luke warm) water. Never use hot water! Hot water will destroy your brushes. Run anti-bacterial soap/shampoo through your brushes, kind of like you would while shampooing your hair. Rinse well and reshape while still damp. Let air dry.

You'll see the difference: And here's why, clean brushes cling to makeup better, they also apply it better. Your colors will look fresh again, plus the overall quality of your brushes will last much, much longer.

What you should avoid: Borrowing other people's makeup, even your best friends. Everyone's makeup carries some germs and oils, so every time you use a little bit of their blush or their eyeshadow, their germs are being transferred to your face. Gross, right? So as much fun as it can be, don't share makeup. Ever cruise the makeup counters at the mall and spot a sample product you've been dying to try? Don't. That stuff has been "sampled" by probably a hundred people by the time you get around to it. Do you really want strange germy oils on your lips, face, or eyes? Doing so can lead to nasty infections like pink eye, and that's just gross!

If you really want to try a product before buying it, flip through your magazines for special offers by companies. They often put little cards in there that you can fill out and bring to their makeup counters for a free personal sample of their product. Also, try asking the sale rep if they have any take home samples, they'll understand.

RIP BERNIE MAC

2008-08-09T14:17:00.002-05:00

Bernie Mac passed away this morning, at the young age of 50. Mac died Saturday morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital, his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles. She said no other details were available.

RIP Bernie <3

Tonight in honor of Mr. Mac, we will be gathering to watch Badder Santa :(

Neutogena Visibly Even

2008-08-02T10:24:00.004-05:00

I get bored quickly, so I switch face washes more often than I change my sheets. Ew- just kidding, but I recently added a new product to my regimen, and I think I'm seriously in love.
Neutrogena Healthy Skin, Visibly Even with vitamin C and essential soy, is meant to deliver more even-toned, radiant skin. It has tiny, gentle exfoliating beads which gives you an amazing deep clean feeling. It didn't overdry my skin, which is important because I tend to get dry patches from some harsh medicated cleansers and scrubs. It only cost me about $6 at my local Wal-mart and I am excited to try the other products in the Neutrogena Visibly Even line (they sell SPF moisturizer, concentrated night moisturizer, and even body wash!)
It smells lovely too, which is hard to find in a face cleanser.

Dior DiorShow Iconic Mascara

2008-08-01T17:41:00.005-05:00

Fall must be the season for new mascaras, not only did Lancome introduce their new vibrating mascara, but Dior is also introducing a new one. It's called "Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara" and expect to be pleasantly surprised because Dior's new mascara was created backstage for fashion shows and celebrity red carpet events. It claims to be the secret weapon behind alluring eyes, and includes a special Oblique Brush designed to give you thicker, sexier lashes.

Also, if you'd like to be notified when either mascaras become available again, just click here or here and Sephora will e-mail you.

Sold Out! Lancome Oscillation Mascara.

2008-07-31T23:57:00.006-05:00

Looks like Lancome's Oscillation Mascara was a hit! Beauty And The Blog is reporting that Sephora sold out as early as 6am. Seriously girls? What were you doing up so early? No mascara in the world is going to help you if you've got big bags under your eyes. Fortunately enough for us girls who actually sleep, the mall didn't open until 9, so we had time to pick ours up too!

What's the verdict? It's definitely different, and in a good way. Here's why,
Guéret said he got the idea for an oscillating mascara brush while looking at makeup artists. When applying mascara, makeup artists move the brush in an upward, zig-zag pattern and it really does make a difference! Guéret wanted to recreate the same vibrating effect with a simple brush so that every girl could get professional results.
So is it a must have? Yes, it's worth having in your makeup box. Now go add it to your wish list and hope that Santa stops by Sephora before filling your stocking this year.

Top 7 Cellulite Treatments

2008-07-30T14:37:00.004-05:00

If you struggle with cellulite, then you've probably never been to Bliss World, or maybe you have, but you were reluctant to buy anything due to their heavy price tags. Completely understandable, who has money for yet another $30 cream that promises the world and then doesn't deliver? If you somehow stumbled upon this blog looking for a treatment that actually works on cellulite, this is seriously your lucky day because I'm going to post the top treatments so you can quit throwing your money away on stuff that doesn't work.

Top 7 (priced high to low)

-Sampar Go Figure Slimming Gel $80.00 (find it at blissworld.com)

-Murad Firm and Tone Serum $75 (find it on Amazon or Sephora.com)

-Clarins Total Body Lift $60 (find it on Amazon.com or Sephora.com)

-Oligo DX Cellulite Reducing Gel $38 (find it on Amazon.com)

-Bliss fatgirlslim $30 (find it at blissworld.com)

-Neutrogena Anti- Cellulite Treatment $15 (Find it at your local drugstore or online)

- Nivea Body Good-Bye Cellulite Gel-Cream $10 (Check Wal-mart, or Amazon.com)

Vibrating Mascara, Seriously??

2008-07-29T14:21:00.005-05:00

Vibrating mascara- yes, that's right, Lancome is launching a "power" mascara that vibrates. It's scheduled to hit stores in December, but Sephora is offering it up for ONE DAY ONLY on July 31st (Yes, this Thursday!)
So get it while it is hot, and please, please don't poke your eyes out using the thing.
Oh, and by the way, this little guy is going to retail for $45.00, so start saving.

Britney makeover

2008-07-26T15:09:00.013-05:00

I wanted to mimic Britney Spear's makeup from her Glamour magazine photo shoot, so I did some digging and found the perfect products.
Lips: Dior Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Sensation Coral (color pictured is not Sensation Coral, if you want to check out the correct color, visit here.)

Eyes: CARGO Eye Shadow Palette in Ibiza, Dior Crayon Eyeliner in black, Benefit BADgal mascara

Skin: Philosphophy The Present Clear Makeup, Dior Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine (spf 20)
Finish off the look with a chunky brown necklace such as this one here.

Nivea, A Kiss of Moisture

2008-07-24T03:49:00.005-05:00

When Nivea introduced their lip care line, I was pretty darn excited. Afterall, Nivea's skin cremes are some of my faves. I purchased some as soon as I could get my hands on a tube, and used it right away. The size of this stuff threw me off, the tube is larger than most, and kind of reminds me of glue sticks- you know, the kind you use in first grade? Yeah, it got me daydreaming about my elementary crush Jacob Campbell- oh la la la, wonder what he's up to now?

Anyway, applying this stuff is fairly nice. It glides well, and isn't too sticky or greasy. I did find that if I pressed too firmly the stuff went right back into it's big ol' tube, so I had to keep twisting it up. It's available in a bunch of different shimmery shades, but unfortunately no flavors (yet!) It's a simple clean smell and taste, just what you can expect from Nivea. It does have a hint of the same smell as their body cremes, which is lovely. It absorbs quickly, but moisturizes well. It only contains an SPF 4, which is not nearly enough protection, but use it at work and it will probably keep you through your lunch break.
Overall 4/10, not a miracle product, but the tube is super cutie and I absolutely can't say no to a Nivea product.

And the winner is...

2008-07-21T22:50:00.005-05:00

I asked women of all ages what their favorite facial scrub was, and it became obvious that St. Ives is by far one of the most beloved.An extremely popular brand, and often cheaper than it's competitors such as Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, and Biore. This product is easy to find and simple to use. Simply wet face, gently apply with fingertips and rinse. It also smells amazing.

The most interesting answer (although not very popular) was Buf-Puf Facial Sponges by 3M. Yes, the same people who make post it's (no it wasn't actually Romy and Michele) now make products for your face. 3M claims to gently massage away dead skin cells, and give you smooth, clean, and healthy looking skin. You can use it daily, and the facial sponges come in three textures: Regular (for normal to oily skin,) Gentle (combination and normal skin,) and Extra Gentle (for dry, delicate or sensitive skin.) They're simple to use, just add soap and water. They even come in disposable singles, cool!

Do It Yourself Facial

If you've ever been to a sauna, and liked it, you'll love a facial. Steam is used to open pores, so that dead skin, oil, whiteheads/blackheads can
easily be removed. Facials at a spa can cost you hundreds of dollars, but you can easily get similar great results by giving yourself one at home for a lot less.

What to do:

Wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove any makeup, dirt, or oil buildup on your skins surface.

Boil a large pot of water, you can add eucalyptus or lavender to make it more relaxing.

Once the water is to a boil, let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Using a towel, cover your head and hold you face over the pot. (Make sure the pot it not so close that it will burn your skin- to make it easier, pour the boiling water into your bathroom sink *plugged of course!* Stay there with a towel covering your head for about 5-10 minutes. If you have bad blackheads or large pores, stay the maximum amount of time.

Using a blackhead extractor (also known as a complexion extractor) remove blackheads. Do not attempt to remove blackheads that are not easily released.

Rinse face with warm water. Apply a facial mask for your skin type (I highly recommend Kinerase Clear Skin Regulating Mask.) Let dry, and rinse well with warm water.

Splash your face with cold water, paying close attention oily areas. Pat dry, and moisturize with your favorite facial lotion.

Affordable & Amazing

2008-07-18T13:27:00.015-05:00

Nivea Lip Care
Nivea has a new lip care line and of course they make lips super soft for summer.
$2.49Olay Mascara & Makeup Remover

Incredibly easy to use, a no rinse formula washes away heavy foundation and even waterproof mascara, but is still gentle enough for daily use.
$8CoverGirl Lastblast Mascara
It's been all the rave lately, and it has every right to be. It's a tube of wonderful, and you can find it at your local Wal-mart or drugstore. It's high quality
and gives you awesome results for a fraction of the cost.
$7Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
Evens skin tone and even clarity, and gives you a nice sheer to medium coverage (that's up to you and how much you apply) without looking cakey like other powder foundations sometimes do. Includes handy mirror built right in and it's own brush, so it's easy to apply on the go.
$12Ardell Brown & Lash Accelerator
Whether you just went tweezer happy or you want to have healthier lashes, this is pretty much your
miracle gel. It's a concentrated serum of proteins
and conditioners that help strengthen and lengthen
weak eyelashes. It also helps restore thickness of
over tweezed or thinning eyebrows.
$4Suave Naturals Moisturizing Body Wash: Rejuvenating Cucumber Melon
There's not much that feels better than a shower after a long, stressful day.
Suave has some how done it again, and created an awesome body wash that smells
pretty amazing and does exactly what it promises. You'll forget all about your nasty
co-worker as soon as this stuff hits your loofah.
$3

Makeup for Summer Days

2008-07-17T12:23:00.004-05:00

When I went outside this morning I was shocked to find how hot it got suddenly. 91 degrees, that's hot enough to melt the makeup right off your face- isn't it? So it got me thinking, what are some really great products to use on a hot summer day?

1. Philosophy: The Supernatural Poreless Flawless Tinted SPF *15*
You'll look amazing and be protected from the
sun.

2.NARS mascara, which is available in both water resistant and water proof. (If you're going swimming, stick with water proof, which is designed to stay on even if you're going to be in the water.)

3. Clinique: Quick Eyes Cream Shadow. This stuff lasts up to 10 hours and is incredibly light. Plus, it comes in a bunch of adorable colors.

Benefits of Lemon Water

2008-07-16T15:04:00.004-05:00

Why you should drink lemon water:

#1, It's amazing for the skin. It helps eliminate toxins and gives your skin an amazing glow.

#2, Aids in digestion (ew, yeah) but, listen up, because although it may sound gross- last weeks hamburger may be rotting in your stomach RIGHT NOW...so drink up the lemon water, and get rid of it asap. It also helps get rid of heartburn and bloating- so put on those skinny jeans!

#3, The high levels of Vitamin C found in lemons will keep you from catching that cold going around.

#4, It has been shown to improve acne.

#5, Vitamin C is essential for healthy teeth and gums- so keep smiling, and keep drinking!

#6, Helps with nail and hair growth, and what girl doesn't want that?

What to do: It's best to drink lemon water warm, so boil distalled water, squeeze about 1/2 lemon in, and enjoy twice daily. It's pretty yummy too- that's always a plus!

Monday Miracle Product

2008-07-14T15:19:00.015-05:00

**Monday Miracle Product**

Coup de Theatre False Lash Illusion - Duo Mascara

Why it's my Monday Miracle Product, this stuff is enriched with B-5 vitamins and make lashes look flawless. The white end uses wax to not only thicken and lengthen your lashes, but actually helps your mascara last longer too. The other end contains highly pigmented color that gives you amazing color and the best part, it doesn't clump! One application of this stuff will last you all day too, so no need to reapply.

$18 ***On sale now at Sephora for $12.60!!***

What products would you like to see featured as a Miracle Monday product? Comment below and tell me all about it!

Makeup Reviews for Acne/Troubled Skin

2008-07-14T01:18:00.013-05:00

Acne is a tough thing to beat, and trying to find makeup that agrees with it is even harder. A lot of acne sufferers just try to lay on the foundation in hopes to cover their breakouts, but as we all know, it simply just makes it look worse- and more obvious in my opinion. If you have extremely dry skin, peeling or flaky skin you know that foundations and powders often make your problem areas more noticeable. So what can you do? I'll tell you exactly what products you need, which ones to avoid, and how to use each one to your advantage so you can finally have a radiant, healthy looking complexion and feel confident.

What you'll need:

-Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

-Clinique Acne Solutions Concealing Stick

-Smashbox Under Eye Brightener

-Benefit Cosmetics Georgia

(Details, prices, and where you can buy these items coming up later...)

How to apply:

Start off with a freshly cleansed face. Try using a mild soap (such as Cliniques) instead of a harsh acne scrub. Scrubs leave your face and your acne red and irritated. Gently apply Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer with your fingertips or with a foundation brush, blend well. Next, use your Clinique Acne Solutions Concealing Stick and apply where needed. Blend in with your fingertips or preferably a concealer brush. Make sure concealer is blended completely. Apply Smashbox Under Eye Brighter under your eyes for an easy lift that will give your face a nice healthy glow. Evenly apply the Benefit Georgia powder (not too much!) A quick sweep across the forehead and cheeks is enough.

About the products:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is a great way to fill in pores, give your skin an even tone, and an overall flawless finish. It's works well with acne because it has skin soothing antioxidants and vitamins that work with your skin, not against it. It will also make blending your concealer easier. I recommend purchasing this product in "color adjust" which will help aid in minimizing redness.
$38

Clinique Acne Solutions Concealing Stick is meant to not only cover blemishes, but clear them too. It's oil free, but still blends easily and is of course fragrance free.
$13

Smashbox Under Eye Brightener is one of my faves. I have horrible (genetic) bags under my eyes, and absolutely nothing covered them completely. That was until I met this wonderful product! It works wonders because it contains tons of skin boosting ingredients like vitamin C, red wine extract, peptides and marine collagen. It has a bit of a shimmer to it too, so expect to be glowing!
$18

Benefit Cosmetics/Georgia Powder is lovely because it gives your skin a sunkissed glow that doesn't look fake. It leaves your face smooth and radiant, and adds light pleasant fragrance.
$28

Where to buy:

You can purchase all of these items at Sephora or Sephora.com. All orders over $50.00 come with free shipping and 3 samples!
* I just want to add for new readers, I do not get paid for writing these reviews or making product recommendations! So everything here is written from true, personal experience.*

Foundations, recommendations and reviews

2008-07-13T23:12:00.017-05:00

One of my readers, Brenda, asked for a recommendation for an affordable foundation that wouldn't leave her skin looking cakey. I completely understand her need to find the perfect one because I've tested quite a few, ranging from drugstore brands to the higher end stuff. It can be difficult and time consuming (let's not forget to mention highly expensive)to find one that is everything you need. Onto the reviews...

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation
$8

As soon as you open this little guy up, you'll be a happy camper. The silky feel of this stuff is amazing. It's easy to apply due to its creamy consistency and blends well. If you're looking for a foundation to cover discoloration or just give your skin a little lift, this little jar of magic is well worth the eight bucks...and yeah, it goes on so naturally that people will be asking, was she born with it? **Not recommended for acne suffers. You'll need fairly good skin for this foundation girls- or you'll be left with a cakey mess around your breakouts***

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Mineral Powder Foundation
$10

If you're looking for an alternative to the expensive Bare Minerals foundation, you should try Neutrogena's version. Good coverage, especially for those of us who want to cover up those ugly bags under our eyes. It gives you a wonderful fresh look to your skin, and doesn't appear cakey at all. The only thing I'd recommend changing would be the packaging. The brush is poor quality, and the powder distributes itself in a very uneven way, forcing you to spend more time and effort on your makeup. Your best bet is to pop off the brush and use your own to apply the powder, which will allow you not only a quicker makeup routine, but give you better coverage. Again, not recommended for people looking for tons of coverage or with acne.

Cover Girl Smoothers SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer
$8

No, it's not a foundation- but once on your face, you'll be amazed. Avoid that cakey melt right off your-face mess this summer by using a tinted moisturizer instead of a heavy foundation. It won't cover up blemishes, but it will even out your tone, cover tiny imperfections, and give you a nice healthy glow. It also doubles as sunscreen, what more could you ask for?

Clinique Almost Makeup SPF 15
$19

A very sheer coverage that is not only waterproof for summer time, but it's also oil free so it won't clog your pores. Healthier pores=beautiful skin. It covers very well, goes on smoothly, and of course, doubles as a sunscreen. Perfect for summer!

Sephora Brand Balancing Liquid Foundation SPF 15
$6

I love Sephora products, my neighbors are use to seeing my UPS man drive up and deliver my beloved Sephora boxes. Here's the thing with liquid foundations, if you have oily skin, it's going to not only clog your pores further, but it will melt right off your face. If you have normal or dry skin, liquid foundations are great to use, and Sephora's brand is no different. It feels light and will even out your skin tone, give you good coverage, and protect you from the sun with it's SPF 15.

Loreal True Match- Super Blendable Liquid Makeup
$10

Extremely pure, contains no pore clogging oils or harsh fragrances. It's packed with vitamins B and E that help nourish your skin. Blends very well and offers medium coverage. Recommended for all skin types.

***Note to my readers who suffer from acne, I will be posting a blog dedicated to makeup for your skin type specifically.***

Nars new fall collection, 2008!

2008-07-13T19:19:00.006-05:00

Save up your money kiddies, Nars new fall 2008 collection is gorgeous. It is super sophiscated, and I don't know about you, but I think I'm in l.o.v.e! Check out the new stuff at Nars' Online!

Product Reviews

2008-07-13T16:45:00.001-05:00

I've been trying out some new products lately, here are some that I love and some that I don't!

Chanel Nail Colour in Precious (#163)
Price: $17

I actually ordered this color by mistake, but it turned out to be a good one! If you're always looking for that perfect polish to go over your freshly manicured nails, this is the one! It's a glossy clear with a tiny hint of pink finish. It's gives your nails a healthy glow, and most importantly, doesn't chip! The bottle is fairly small, 0.4oz, but one coat gets the job done. ++ Love it!

The Body Shop- Body Butter
$20
Best thing invented since sliced bread?! It may just be. This body butter from The Body Shop comes in all different scents, including Cocoa Butter, Brazil Nut, Passion Fruit, Mango, and more. Each one is specialized for different skin types. Got super dry skin? Try their Coconut Butter! It works wonders on feet and other extremely dry places like elbows. Oh, and the scents? Heavenly. This stuff is also made into lip balms, yummy!

Sephora- Nail Whitening Pencil
$4
I'm always looking for ways to make my nails look lovely without spending a small fortune at nail salons. So when I came across this nail whitening pencil for 4 bucks, I had to try it. I was pretty excited to try it, after all it claims to whiten and brighten the tips of your nails by simply gliding the pencil under your nail tip. What a disappointment. Not only does this stuff not work one bit, it makes a huge mess. The crayon like tip, when applied, whitens every part of you except where it's suppose to. I had white flakes on my fingers and my clothes. Save your $4 bucks and go treat yourself to a frappuchino instead. I will never purchase this product again. **This pencil includes a cuticle pusher on the cap, which is the only reason it's still in my makeup box.**

Laura Mercier Brow Definer
$20
I was pretty excited to write a review on this stuff. To put it simply, it's just amazing. I have fairly nice eyebrows, not too thick or crazy. With a little tweezing, I'm pretty much ready to go...but I could never achieve beautiful eyebrows. I was scared of eyebrow pencils and "fillers" because I thought they would look fake. I figured it would take a professional makeup artist to give me the eyebrows I dreamed of. Turns out, Laura Mercier is my professional makeup artist. She does all the hard work for you. All you have to do is dab a little bit of this stuff onto a hard angled eyebrow definer brush, and ta-da, you have gorgeous eyebrows.
This stuff comes in three different shades, fair, soft and warm. I would try to stick as closey as possible to your natural color, but if need be go darker rather than lighter. Also, don't be put off by the size of this stuff, which I was at first, but like me you will quickly learn that a little bit goes a very long way. Use this brow definer to add fullness or just for a quick fix when you go tweezer happy. **I highly recommend Benefit's eyebrow definer brush to help apply**

Bourjois Baume de Nuit Night Lip Balm
$10
What I like about this lip balm: it's cute little container, the thick creamy feel of it, and the tingling sensation you get right after putting it on. That means it's working, right? Wrong. For ten bucks and a lip balm that claims to "restore, moisturize, and repair" I was let down. This stuff didn't do anything that your $2 chapstick couldn't do...and it doesn't even smell good! Don't waste your money.

Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm
$7
A lip balm that actually works and does what it says. It's lightly tinted and strawberry scented. It comes in a generous size, and is in a tin like jar which gives it an awesome vintage feel. I always have one with me, and my friends make fun of me because I often keep one in my purse, one in my makeup box, and one on my desk. Hey, a girl needs her lip balm right?

Clinique 3 Step System

2008-07-13T15:41:00.001-05:00

The first time I went to buy Clinique from my local was mall I was humiliated by their skin expert. I went up to the counter looking for a foundation I had tried a sample of and really enjoyed called Superfit. It's suppose to be long lasting, oil free, and very lightweight, which it was. The woman came up, asked if I needed help, and so I explained my l.o.v.e for the new makeup. She simply said the foundation wasn't for me, and went on to ask me a series of questions (none of which I signed up for, thank you very much...must of been a slow day I guess.) Was my skin dry and tight? Sometimes, especially in my cheeks. Oily? Mostly in my t-zone. Do I break out? Often. Especially with stress or poor diet. She evaluated my skin, pointed out that my nose is an oil land fill (OUCH!) and that I most likely have skin type II. I had an oily T-zone and dryness around the eyes and cheeks. She suggested the 3 step program, which was about $50.00, take or give a few bucks. I shyed away from it at first, was she just trying to sell some product or would this stuff really help? I didn't purchase the step system from the store that day, instead I came home and did some research online.

What I found was this. Clinique works great for some people, they swear it gives off beautiful radiant and clear skin. Others hate the stuff and claim it makes them break out, gives them dry patches, or worse. It was a tough decision to make, after all I had been let down before and I didn't want my money going to waste- AGAIN. I ordered the 3 step system online and it promptly arrived at my doorstep a couple of days later (with some awesome freebies I might add!) I was excited, everything was packaged well and I couldn't wait to try it. It's been 8 months since I've been using the Clinique system, the best part is that I am still using the initial moisturizer I purchased. This stuff lasts forever (I've been through only two bars of the soap-step 1- and 2 bottles of the Clarifying Lotion -step 2-)

I found that Step 1 isn't too harsh on my skin, but helps keep my skin stay clean without leaving me with dry patches under my eyes and on my cheeks. I don't often use Step 2, I find it unnecessary, and even though they highly recommend using all 3 steps for beautiful skin, I find that I just don't need it. Step 3 is amazing and I'll continue to use it, it is light, but does it job. It doesn't break me out, although some people do have that reaction to it...so start off slow, you only need one squirt to cover your entire face. They recommend using the system twice a day, which I do. Morning and night I'm at the sink, and it's nice to have a routine that pampers my skin.

Overall, I recommend Clinique. It's not too harsh, but it gets the job done. It's a little bit more expensive than you would spend on drugstore brands, but I think it's worth the extra cash. If you're shy about your skin problems, you can go to Clinique's Online store and take the skin evaluation quiz there. They will evaluate your skin type, and recommend products specialized to your needs. They also offer free shipping to those who buy two or more products from their 3 step system skin line. However, I personally recommend you go to a Clinique counter (usually at your local mall, but use Clinique.com and find one near you!) The skin experts that work there will be more helpful since they can actually see and touch your skin- they'll also show you examples on how Clinique products work.

**I just want to add that if you're having problems with your skin, a cleanser, moisturizer, whatever, may not help. In my own personal experience, I've found that good skin must be made from the inside out. Don't get upset or discouraged if you do not see results right away. These things take time and everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
Also, I am in no way paid to write these reviews. Again, I'm just sharing my opinions on different topics and products and hope they are of some help to you guys!***

Goody Dandruff Reduction Copper Brush

2008-07-13T02:58:00.000-05:00

I've suffered from dandruff since I can remember. I don't have a horrible case of it, and most of the time it went unnoticed, however I was always
embarrassed when I went to get my hair cut or styled. I've used Head & Shoulders and other dandruff shampoos, but I didn't know until a few weeks ago that each time I used it, it took a layer off my scalp. Do I really want to be doing that? No! It was a temporary solution to a problem that needs to be maintained in a healthy manner. After learning that, I was browsing the different options I had for treating my dandruff- which wasn't a large selection. It mostly consisted of shampoos, which I knew I didn't want to use anymore. Then I found this brush by Goody, a styling therapy brush that helps in reducing dandruff. Yep, a brush! Sounds much safer than some harsh shampoo, right? So I purchased it, and fell in love. It claims to reduce dandruff by eliminating the bacteria and fungi that causes dandruff, it's also made with copper and ball tipped bristles that massage your scalp (which also helps in the reduction of dandruff.) It stops the itching, flaking, and even static from your locks- sound unbelievable? Believe it! After trying this little guy out for a month, I'm convinced! Not only was my dandruff reduced, the itching and dry scalp caused by it is completely gone. I'll definitely continue to use it, and will never go back to harsh medicated shampoo. Highly recommended brush and well worth the extra money.

Makeup Reviews

2008-05-30T01:47:00.000-05:00

Makeup Reviews:

Urban Decay- Midnight Cowgirl eye shadow
Price: $16
A very sheer shadow with tons of glitter, but unlike cheaper glitter shadows, this will
not spread all over your face after a few hours of being worn. It also lasts longer, even
without any base. The container is VERY small, about the size of a quarter-but it's very much worth it. One sweep of this stuff across your eyelid will last
all night without having to reapply.
No gross smells either! That's always a plus.

Diorskin Icone: Photo perfect creme to powder foundation with SPF 10
Price: $42
It doesn't exactly leave you with photo shopped perfect skin you see in the magazines,
but it does help cover up any blemishes, discolored skin, and hides dark circles WITHOUT using any concealer.
My recommendation, do not apply this product right after washing your skin or if you have dry skin. If you choose to, always apply a primer before using this product
or you will get a very cakey effect from this foundation. A little bit goes a long way, and that's good because the bottle is pretty small considering it's price- but remember, it's high quality- and made in France, oh la la la!
Oh, by the way, no funky smell- actually pretty pleasant smelling for a foundation!

Burt's Bees Lip shimmer- champagne shade
Price: $4.50
Let me start off by saying that this product does what it promises, it's a great lip balm and will help fight against chapped dried lips-
But the color? What were they thinking? Maybe it's my skin tone, but honestly, I expected a much more subtle approach from Burt's Bees.
I only wear this product to bed or when I am at home because the shade is much too embarrassing on me. Also, the sparkle effect is ridiculous, definitely save this product for the girls in jr. high. Smell? Very mentholy. Not appealing at all.
I'll never purchase this again.

Fiberwig mascara by ImJu
Price: $22.00
Best mascara I have used....EVER. Nothing beats out this mascara, you can brush, curl, coat, whatever your makeup routine is for your lashes- QUIT. It doesn't take that much work to make beautiful lashes! Fiberwig literally gives you the fake eyelashes without the trouble of applying them. Don't be fooled though, this mascara, if used properly, can work in subtle ways so it's not only for night use! I highly recommend adding this into your makeup box, you won't be disappointed.
Be warned though, when washing this stuff off it can sometimes come off in long "string" like form. Smells like mascara, perhaps a little stronger- but nothing overwhelming.

Highbrow by Benefit
Price: $20
Ever have one of those days where you just don't feel like tweezing?
You look in the mirror and suddenly your eyebrows have gone array, what's a girl to do? Purchase this product for one! Gently sweep your eyebrow line with this pencil, blend, and you've suddenly got yourself nicely tweezed
eyebrows. Miracle worker? Maybe!
Smell might take you back to your coloring days!

Smashbox Concealer
Price: $18
Eh, what can I say. It's an okay product... as far as
discoloration goes, the product has your back. However, if
you're trying to cover up that ugly breakout, I recommend finding a different product.
This concealer used on acne seems to have a horrible effect, leaving your zits more noticeable because it gives you a very cakey effect. I recommend using this product for discoloration and around the eyes only.
I will probably not purchase this brand again.
Very subtle smell is always a plus though!

****Please keep in mind that I am not being paid to write these reviews, I just thought
I would share my opinions with others.
If there is any product you would like me to review, please just drop
me a comment and I will try my best to get you answers!
By the way, if you would like to purchase any of these products you can do so
at www.sephora.com!****