Benefit Air Patrol Now Available At HSN

August 9, 2015, 5:15 am

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Last week, I posted about the new Benefit Air Patrol BB Eyelid Primer that I saw on Benefit's Instagram page. The caption said that it would be in stores on September 1, but it's already launched on HSN.com this week! Also, I have a coupon code for $20 off any $40 order when you open a new account on HSN...it's 151635. So if you've been wanting Air Patrol, this is a great way to get it for less, because you know it's going to be $29 when it launches at Sephora and Ulta! 
To use the code, you have to have a new HSN account and then to qualify, you'll need to add an $11 item to your cart in addition to Air Patrol to get the total up to $40 (Benefit has a They're Real mascara mini for $12 on the site if you need a suggestion!)
So for example, if you add in the They're Real mini, your total will be $41...then after the coupon, it'll be $21! So you're saving $8 on the Air Patrol and getting the mascara for free...pretty good deal, right?

Here's all the details on Air Patrol from the HSN website:

Lightweight, silky-smooth proprietary cream

• Primes eyelid for eyeshadow application to help improve wear
• Works alone or under eye makeup 
• Helps moisturize skin 
• Crease-resistant 

Luminescent BB formula 

• Instantly and temporarily conceals the appearance of color imperfections 
• Helps provide the natural look of even skin tone 
• Works with most skin tones

Contains shea extract, silk tree extract, licorice root, glycerin and antioxidants 

• Helps fight against free radical aggressors

Broad spectrum SPF 20 

• Helps prevent sunburn
• If used as directed with other sun protection measures, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early aging caused by the sun

CushionCalm™ tip made from foam gel technology

• Integrates formula and applicator 
• Finger-free, easy to use and softer than your pinkie 
• Helps blend primer on easily and evenly 
• Helps put less pressure on eyelid area

Retractable, 2-way click pen 

• "1 click per eye" for just the right amount

Made in France

I love that this isn't just an eyelid primer, but it also moisturizes, conceals imperfections, and protects your skin with SPF 20! I definitely want to pick this up ASAP. What about you?

You can find Benefit Air Patrol at HSN.com

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The Balm Mr. Write (Now) Review- Brian, Jac, and Vince

August 9, 2015, 7:22 pm

≫ Next: Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer Review

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The Balm Mr. Write (Now) ($17 at Kohls) is a long-wearing eyeliner with a satiny-smooth texture that comes in 8 shades.

When I was on vacation in June, I stopped into a Kohls store to buy my son a new beach hat since the one we brought was too big and kept flopping into his eyes. On the way in, I spotted the Mr. Write (Now) eyeliners by The Balm and since I hadn't seen them before, I stopped to swatch a couple on my hand. My son was getting a little antsy so we ended up just getting his hat and leaving, and when we got back to the shore house I washed my hands like I usually do after being out shopping. That's when I realized that I needed to go back and get a few of these liners! They didn't budge or even smudge the tiniest bit through two hand washings with hand soap and one with a stronger dish soap that involved a lot of scrubbing. They finally started to break down when I pulled out my eye makeup remover, and by then I was impressed. I don't have oily eyelids but I have the worst time getting eyeliners to stay on my eyelids...even so-called long-wearing ones. The worst is at the corners...even the littlest cat eye wing tends to somehow smudge out toward my temple area at some point during the day, or just fade out all together. 

Mr. Write (Now) comes in 8 shades, appropriately dubbed with guy names like Brian B. Beige, Jac B. Bronze and Vince B. Charcoal (which are the three I ended up getting). Every single shade is super wearable....there aren't any crazy colors here, which made the decision really difficult...I wanted them all!

I love the twist-up packaging with the caps in the color of the liner itself (makes it so much easier to grab the one I want in a drawer full of liners). They also come with a little sharpener built right into the base which is super convenient...every liner needs one IMO.

Brian B. Beige is a perfect nude color for your waterline. Forget all that advice you've heard about using white eyeliner to make your eyes look bigger...it also looks really harsh! The best shade is one exactly like Brian B. Beige! It brightens in a much softer and more subtle way.

Jac B. Bronze is my everyday go-to shade...it's more interesting than plain ol' brown and it's way softer than using black or gray, especially if you're fair like me.

Vince B. Charcoal has become a smoky eye staple for me! I normally go for gray over black because it's a little softer with my lighter complexion.

As I said above, the staying power of these is outstanding...they last all day with no problem. The downside to this is that they're not super creamy and they do tug on my eyelids just a little bit during application. They're not dry by any means, but I think they need to be a little bit drier so that they adhere to your skin better. Too much slip = smudging! 

Also, I do notice that the tip can break off with these if you press too hard. Thankfully, they have that built-in sharpener so it's no big deal, but they're not cheap so I always hate when product gets wasted. 

Left to Right: Brian B. Beige, Jac B. Bronze, Vince B. Charcoal

Overall, if you're looking for an eyeliner that won't ever let you down, it's time to go out and find your Mr. Write (Now). You can find them at Kohls stores, Kohls.com and Thebalm.com.

Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer Review

August 10, 2015, 6:41 am

≫ Next: bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Cream Eyeshadow Review & Swatches

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Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer ($9.99 at Ulta) draws dirt and oil out of the skin with natural charcoal to help your pores look smaller.

Charcoal seems to be the latest buzzword in skincare, but it's been around for a long time due to it's ability to draw dirt and oil out of the skin like a magnet. I've been using the Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask for a few years now (see my review here) and it's one of my favorites.  Charcoal an insanely porous material that works by the process of adsorbtion (nope, that's not a typo!). Adsorbtion is different from absorption in that it doesn't suck things in like a sponge, it attracts things like molecules, atoms, and ions to it by electrical attraction so they stick to the surface. You can take it internally to help an upset stomach or gas pains (I used to give it to my son when he was a baby- it's called Colic Calm and is a lifesaver for all you new moms out there!), and it's also used in medicine help to remove poisonous substances from your body like alcohol or venom by attracting them to it and whisking them out of your body so they don't absorb into your bloodstream. In skincare, it attracts dirt, oil and sebum as well as any other environmental impurities sitting on your skin or in your pores and draws them out, making your skin look clearer and brighter. This whole process helps to minimize pores because when pores are clean, they look smaller (nothing can actually shrink your pores despite some product claims). So charcoal is a great ingredient for all skin types, but especially oily or acne-prone. 

Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer

Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer is a combination face wash/scrub that contains charcoal to deep cleanser and micro-crystals to remove dead skin on the surface that can clog pores and make skin look dull.

Ingredients:
Water, Alumina, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Laureth-4 Carboxylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xantham Gum, Methylparaben, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyquaternium-39, Ehtylparaben, Disodium Edta, Charcoal Powder, Benzophenone-4, Methylisothiazolinone

It comes in a tube with a slide-top dispenser that gives you just the right amount of product for your face with one press of the button. It's really easy to use and I prefer this type of packaging to a tube with a flip-top cap (like the Freeman one) especially in the shower because it's not always easy to get flip caps open in the shower when your hands are wet. This one is really easy to open, but the downside is that some of the product stays inside the dispenser tube after use and if you don't use it at least a few times a week, it can dry out and harden inside there. 

Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer

When you first pump it out, it looks like a grayish black gel with tiny aluminum oxide micro-crystals in it. I actually prefer micro-crystals to beads or crushed seeds because are really effective in scrubs (it's what they use in micro-dermabrasion). Crushed seeds and shells can cause tiny tears in your skin and micro-beads are gentle but they don't break down and are bad for the environment so I don't like to use products with either one of those in it. Anyway, there aren't a ton of crystals in this formula so it's effective but not harsh like a micro-dermabrasion would be.
When you add water to the Charcoal Pore Minimizer, it turns from a gray-black gel to a milky grayish white foam. It smells amazing...fresh and clean, sort of like green apples to my nose but it's a mild scent and not overpowering at all.
It has a satisfying amount of grit so you really feel like you're getting a deep-down clean. I have dry skin so I have to limit my use of this to 2-3 times a week or else I start feeling tight. Still, I'm in love with the way my skin looks and feels after using it...it's smooth and silky soft and I noticed less pores on my nose after the first couple of uses, probably because the blackheads are disappearing. Plus, my skin just looks brighter overall after using this and I haven't experienced any irritation.

Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer Clockwise from left- First dispensed, Spread on the Skin, With Water Added.

Overall, if you're looking for an effective face wash/scrub combo, this is a great budget-friendly option! Plus, the addition of charcoal makes this super effective at getting the gunk out of your pores naturally. You can find this at Ulta and drugstores where Biore products are carried (I found mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond). 

bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Cream Eyeshadow Review & Swatches

August 11, 2015, 7:06 am

≫ Next: New Rimmel Good To Glow Highlighters Spotted at Walmart

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bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Eyeshadow ($18) is a creamy full coverage color, primer, sunscreen, brightener and smoother in one for the eyes. 

I was first introduced to bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Cream Eyeshadows in my Ipsy bag a while back. They sent a cute little sample tube in the shade Divine Wine, a gorgeous raisin brown. I loved it so much, I went to Sephora and bought a full size in Sweet Spice, which is a lighter brown shade. Then I got another sample size in Soft Linen (a light tan shade)...I think it was in a sample bag from Sephora or Ulta but I can't quite remember. Then, Ipsy was offering (as a points reward) a full size in Delicate Moss, a light green shade, so I used my Ipsy points for that one. Then just recently during a Sephora haul, I purchased another full size in Blushing Pink. So I have five shades to share with you today!

It's hard to believe I haven't reviewed these yet because they're my favorite cream eyeshadow ever- they're so versatile and offer a lot of different benefits, plus they come in really pretty, wearable shades...I would wear every single one. So let's take a look! 

bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadows

These come in frosted tubes with a silver cap and a flat lip gloss-type applicator. I tend to just swipe the applicator across my lid and then blend with my fingers, but you can also use a brush. It sets pretty quickly so you have a short time to play with it and move it around before it's locked into place.
The formula is unlike any other cream eyeshadow I've tried! Here's what I love about them:

1. These are super long-wearing. Put them on in the morning and they stay all day without creasing or fading!

2. They prime your eyelids, so you can use these as a colored base for other eyeshadows. Having these on as a primer makes my powder eyeshadows last much longer and prevents them from creasing, plus it intensifies the color of your shadows as well.

3. These have a brightening effect! They're completely full coverage, so if you have discolorations on your eyelids such as veins or redness, one swipe of these will cover them and even out your skin. Sometimes, I just use the Soft Linen shade all over my lid for a no-eyeshadow look and just add mascara. It makes my eye area look bright and perfect and it doesn't look like I'm wearing makeup.

4. They make your eyelids look super smooth. Sometimes creams can settle into little lines and wrinkles making your eyelids look crepey. I'm only 37 so I don't have crepey eyelids yet, but when I'm wearing cream eyeshadows (Maybelline Color Tattoos sometimes do this to me) they accentuate any texture that's on my eyelids and almost create a crepey effect that's not visible otherwise. With these, my eyelids look perfectly smooth and tight- I have no idea how they do it but it's awesome.

5. They contain SPF 15. Your eyelids are an area that most people probably don't think of protecting (I know I never did) but it's nice to know that it's in your eyeshadow and you don't have to worry about it.

bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadows

There are ten shades all together, but different stores have different shades, which makes finding the ones you want a little tricky. The bareMinerals website has all ten shades, while Sephora has five including Sweet Spice, Blushing Pink, and Soft Linen that I swatched below. Ulta carries six shades, including Divine Wine, Blushing Pink and Soft Linen. The only shade I've swatched here that you can't get at Sephora or Ulta is Delicate Moss, which is available on the bareMinerals site.

If you're thinking of ordering more than one shade, QVC actually has a trio of these available for $32. That's only $10.66 each! You'll get Soft Linen, Blushing Pink and Divine Wine...it's an amazing deal since just two of these would normally set you back $36. I'll link a video of the QVC presentation below, which shows these being applied to the eyes and you can see what they look like on different skintones as well.

When you apply these, they have a matte finish but if you look really close, you can see teeny tiny bits of shimmer in it. But the overall effect is matte, which you can see in my swatches below. My favorite combo is using Soft Linen all over to create a light base, then I use Sweet Spice on my lid and Divine Wine in the crease/outer corner (which I apply with a brush). But most days, I just use one shade all over, with liner and mascara...done.

bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Swatches

Overall, this was a product that totally surprised me when I got a small sample and now I'm so happy to have it in five shades (and I still want Elegant Taupe, Radiant Sand, and Barely Nude). I wear these all the time, whether it's by themselves or layered under other eyeshadows as a colored primer. They just make my entire eye area look better...smoother, brighter and more even-toned, not to mention they're so long wearing! I highly, highly recommend trying one of these to see how you like it, or swatch them on your hand next time you're at Sephora or Ulta. 

To see the QVC set of three demo here's the video (you can watch it right here without leaving the blog): 

New Rimmel Good To Glow Highlighters Spotted at Walmart

August 11, 2015, 12:03 pm

≫ Next: Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation Debuts Tonight on QVC

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Today at Walmart I spotted the new Rimmel London Good To Glow Highlighters ($4.28 at Walmart.com). These have been out for a while in Europe, but this is the first time I'm seeing them here in the US! 

There are three shades but my Walmart only had two of them stocked, 01 Notting Hill Glow, a white-ish pink and 03 Soho Glow, a bronze-gold (it's in the wrong spot in the display). The third shade, 02 Piccadilly Glow looks like a peachy champagne and is the one I really wanted out of the three. 

It's a liquid highlighter that can be used on top of makeup on areas you want to highlight or mixed in with foundation for an all-over glow. I swatched these on my hand today and they have a subtle vanilla-like scent that (at least to my nose) smells exactly like Christian Dior's Hypnotic Poison! Just a more toned-down version. I'll be posting a review and swatches of these soon, so stay tuned. I'm hoping to get the third shade before I do!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation Debuts Tonight on QVC

August 11, 2015, 7:27 pm

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Tarte is debuting a brand new foundation on QVC tonight called Rainforest of the Sea Water Foundation ($32.25) which also includes a brush. It's a really good deal considering Tarte foundations usually costs at least that much so they're essentially giving you the brush for free (and I doubt it will come with a brush when it launches in stores). 

This is exclusive to QVC until the end of the year, so if you want to get your hands on it, you'll have to order it from them. Also, this is a pre-order, so it won't ship until 9/24...over a month from now, which kinda stinks, but this is likely to sell out with all the hype I've been hearing about it, so if you have your eye on this, a pre-order might be a good idea! 

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation

Description: 

Tarte's newest complexion perfection innovation is a lightweight, skin-perfecting fluid that floats over skin to deliver full, hydrating coverage and skin-care benefits with every application. The antioxidant-rich ingredients from the Rainforest of the Sea complex help to diffuse the appearance of imperfections, leaving skin looking flawless. The included double-ended brush is the perfect tool to let you build your custom level of seamless coverage.

In case you missed tonight's presentation, you can view this new foundation in action on QVC.com (just scroll down to the bottom of the page for the video). 

Are you excited for this new launch? I watched it live at 9pm tonight and it looks fantastic...great coverage that looks really natural!

Lorac Mega Pro 2 For Holiday 2015

August 11, 2015, 9:22 pm

≫ Next: City Color Shimmer Shadow Review and Swatches

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Today I saw a sneak peek on Ulta's Instagram page of the new 32 shade Lorac Mega Pro 2 Palette that's set to launch this fall for Holiday 2015! They haven't announced the launch date yet, but I'll let you guys know as soon as I find out. I do know that this will be an Ulta exclusive, so you won't find it anywhere else! What do you think of the shades? Is this something you think you'll be buying when it comes out? 

City Color Shimmer Shadow Review and Swatches

August 12, 2015, 11:59 am

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It's no secret that City Color Cosmetics is one of my favorite budget beauty brands because they consistently wow me with their high-quality formulas that seem like they should cost a whole lot more than they do. So when they released their newShimmer Shadows ($6.99 each) last week, I knew I wanted to get some to try...what I didn't know is that they were going to blow every other eyeshadow out of the water, even the most expensive ones! If you like shimmery shadows like Kat Von D Metal Crush or NYX Prismatic, you're definitely going to want to read this! They actually look a lot like the Kat Von D Metal Crush shadows, don't they? Let's take a look...

City Color Shimmer Shadows come in sleek black packaging with a see-through lid. I was surprised by how large the compact looked next to some other shadows I own, so I wanted to share a comparison photo so you can get an idea of the size. It holds .129 oz., or more than twice the amount of the NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow, which only has .043 oz.  The L'oreal Infallible looks smaller but it actually holds a similar amount of product at .12 oz. because the pot is deeper.

Shimmer Shadows come in 16 shades, all of which are shimmer except for Black Widow (which I'm not reviewing here). Two of the shades I'll be reviewing today, Marsala and Spring Fling are more satiny-shimmers and aren't quite as shimmer-packed as the other shades. Still, none of these shades are chunky or glittery...they just leave a beautiful metallic sheen with very little fallout.

When you touch these shadows with your finger, they feel like you're touching velvet...they're so soft, they actually feel "fuzzy" and they're so creamy, they could almost be mistaken for cream shadows. All of the swatches you'll see below are one swipe of my finger after swirling it once or twice around the pan. My mind was completely blown as I was swatching these because they went on so smooth and buttery with completely full coverage in one pass. They also have great staying power on their own, so I can only imagine how well they'll wear over primer!

Here are some close-ups and swatches (on bare skin, without primer):

New Year, New Me!

New Year, New Me! swatch

Bubble Bath

Bubble Bath swatch

Pharaoh

Pharaoh swatch

Cheers to Life

Cheers to Life swatch

Homecoming Queen

Homecoming Queen swatch

Ladylike

Ladylike swatch

Marsala

Marsala swatch

Spring Fling

Spring Fling swatch

All Eyes On Me

All Eyes On Me swatch

City Color Shimmer Shadow swatches

Overall, these are a must have! I would pay a lot more for these shadows, but thankfully I don't have to since they're only $6.99. I say run, don't walk, over to Citycolorcosmetics.com and pick yourself up 1 or 2 (or 16)!

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Holiday 2015 Makeup Preview

August 13, 2015, 5:59 am

≫ Next: New! Becca Backlight Priming Filter

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Spoiler Alert! The Holiday 2015 makeup sets have been debuting all over the internet the past couple of days, but believe me, I'm not trying to rush the Holiday season or anything...I want summer to last as long as possible. Still, it's fun to drool over all the pretty sets and plan out which ones I want to get. Time to start saving my pennies! 

I've gathered it all together on a Pinterest board, because that way I can add to it as I hear about new products. Have fun checking everything out! Let me know which ones you're drooling over. :) 

Tarte Bling It On Amazonian Clay Blush Palette $44

New! Becca Backlight Priming Filter

August 14, 2015, 6:46 am

≫ Next: Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-to-Oil Cleanser Review

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Becca Backlight Priming Filter ($38) is a brand new primer that acts as an instant filter while extending the wear time of your makeup. The lightweight, whipped fluid contains crushed pearls to give your skin that lit-from-within healthy glow, as well as vitamin E to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Becca claims that it's suitable for all skin types including oily and combination. 

I personally love this type of primer because it adds radiance to my dry skin which often looks dull and flat. 

Becca Backlight Priming Filter is available now at Sephora and Ulta! 

Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-to-Oil Cleanser Review

August 14, 2015, 3:04 pm

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Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-to-Oil Cleanser ($28 at Kohls) is a new hybrid cleanser that combines the performance of a gel and the makeup removing power of an oil. I was in Kohls a few weeks ago and I had a $5 Yes2You reward to use, so I decided to try this since I needed a new night time cleanser (I use Philosophy's Purity Made Simple in the morning with my Foreo). I like using oil cleansers at night because they're great at removing makeup. The problem is, I normally feel like I have to do a double-cleanse when I use oil because even though it removes makeup, my skin doesn't feel clean because it has a layer of oil left behind (silly I know, because it really is clean). 

But this one changes the game for me, because even though I do feel a hint of oil left behind after using it, it's not nearly as much as a regular oil cleanser leaves and since this starts as a gel, I feel like it cleans more deeply...maybe it's all in my head, who knows? But all I know is that since getting the Fabulous Makeup Melt, I haven't felt the need to double cleanse. So let's take a look!

Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt has a faint, spa-like scent due to a blend of oils including orange peel, lavender, sage, and peppermint. It's very subtle and not overwhelming at all, although the scent may not be for everyone.

This cleanser is meant for all skin types, even oily skin, as it removes oil from the surface of the skin during cleansing, leaving it feeling soft and clean. 

Other ingredients include:

-Tamanu Oil: Contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 
-Mirabelle Plum Seed Oil: Helps to leave skin feeling conditioned and soft. 
-Abyssinica Seed Oil: Helps protect skin from dryness and dehydration during the cleansing process.
-Olive Oil: Softens skin and contains antioxidant properties. 

When you first dispense it, this cleanser has a hair-gel like texture...it's very thick and doesn't move around well on the face. The first night I tried it, I was disappointed after trying to spread it all over my face and rinsed it off quickly because I didn't feel like it was really doing anything. It literally felt like I was trying to spread hair gel on my face, and since you're supposed to use it on a dry face using dry hands, the thick texture wasn't spreading out the way I wanted it to. 

Well I decided to give it another shot the following night and started massaging it into my skin, concentrating on my cheeks first instead of all over my face. After about 10-15 seconds of working it into the same area, it warms up from the heat of your skin and liquifies into an oil with tons of slip...a-ha! So then I went over the rest of my face and sure enough, you just have to give it a little time. At that point, the makeup was literally melting off of my face, particularly my eye area. My mascara, liner and long-wearing cream eyeshadow were no match for this and within seconds, the oil had turned from clear into a grayish-black sludge. The best part? In the morning, I had no eye makeup residue under my eyes...that never happens to me, even when I use a cleanser and then a wipe or eye makeup remover.

It definitely feels thicker than other cleansing oils I've used in the past, I assume because it starts out as a thick gel, but the weird part is, it rinses away cleaner than other oils, which was a surprise since it's so thick. As I said above, I still feel a very light layer of oil on my skin after rinsing, but I don't mind since I have dry skin anyway. Rather than feeling oily, it just feels super soft, like I just applied moisturizer. So far, I haven't had any breakout issues but my skin isn't all that sensitive either.

Top Left: Straight Out of the Tube Top Right: First spread onto the skin Bottom: In oil form after 10-15 seconds

To show you exactly how well  this removes makeup, I decided to swatch a long-wearing lipstick on my arm (it's BH Cosmetics Color Lock Lipstick in Faithful).  Even those of you who aren't bloggers have probably swatched makeup on your skin at Sephora or Ulta at one time or another, so you probably know how difficult it can be to remove, even with makeup remover. Especially when it comes to long-wearing products, I'm usually left with a faded version of my swatch for a day or so even after using makeup remover.

After rubbing the Fabulous Makeup Melt into the swatch for about 15-20 seconds, it completely broke up and all of the pigment went into the oil to be rinsed away.

Afterward, there's no sign of the lipstick swatch whatsoever...only a little bit of pink in my skin from rubbing the cleanser into it.

So overall, this one's definitely a keeper! It removes makeup like nobody's business and leaves my skin feeling clean without a ton of oily residue. It's completely simplified my nightly routine because I don't feel the need to double cleanse every day...a huge plus when you have a 2 year old that wakes you up at 5:30 am and every second counts when you're trying to get to bed! It's definitely on the more expensive side for a cleanser, but it's totally worth it because I don't need to use an additional cleanser or makeup wipe afterwards. Plus, if you buy it at Kohls, you can use Kohls cash or Yes2You rewards to bring the price down. 

You can also find Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt at Sephora and Ulta. 

Hard Candy Blush Crush Living Doll Review & Swatches

August 15, 2015, 6:21 am

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Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in Living Doll($7 at Walmart) is a product that has a bit of a cult following and I've been wanting to try it for sooo long because I'm a total blush fanatic, but my Walmart is always sold out of it. A few weeks ago, I happened to get lucky and spotted one lonely blush sitting on the shelf and it was Living Doll, so I grabbed it right away. This is my second blush purchase from Hard Candy...you might remember that I reviewed their newly released Glow All The Way Baked Ombre Blush back in March (see that post here). The Blush Crush Baked Blushes, on the other hand, have actually been around for a few years, so I can't believe I'm just getting a chance to review this now! 

Blush Crush comes in four shades, one that looks more like a bronzer (Bombshell) and two lighter shades that look more like highlighters (Pin Up and Honeymoon). Living Doll is the only one that really looks like a true blush to me, but I still might buy the others to try as highlighters (because you know I can't resist those!).

The one that I purchased doesn't look like any of the other Living Doll photos I've seen online...most of them look bright pink with little bit of gold marbled through it. Mine seems to also have a darker, maroon shade running through it so I'm not sure if they changed the way it looks recently? Still, when I compare my swatches to others online, the color itself still looks the same. So as long as the overall blush shade hasn't changed, it's all good!

This formula is baked in an oven for over 8 hours and the end result is a soft powder that's easy to blend on the skin. I get the best results using a dense brush, such as a small kabuki because a larger, fluffier brush doesn't pick this up as easily. I've found that to be true of a lot of baked blushes, because they aren't as powdery and don't have as much fallout as pressed powder blushes. This is a good thing, but it means that you need a bit of a stiffer brush to get it out of the pan, but once you pick it up, the formula is super soft and silky!

The shade Living Doll is just so, so gorgeous! It's a cool-toned bright pink with a touch of gold. It's not quite as frosty as the Glow All The Way Ombre blushes but it definitely has some shimmer to it, so if you're more of a matte blush fan, it may not be for you. It adds a beautiful glow to your face, so you can skip the highlighter and just wear this by itself.  I find that in the summer, I'm not really looking to highlight/contour and get that sculpted look...I'm just trying to use the minimum amount of products I can get away with! A glowy blush like this is perfect for summer because I can just wear this on it's own and look like I used a highlighter with it. 

Living Doll Swatch

While this isn't as long-lasting as say, Tarte's Amazonian Clay blushes, it stayed on a lot longer than I thought it would, which was the majority of the day. So I think this definitely has more staying power than a lot of other drugstore blushes.

Living Doll Blended

Overall, I can definitely see why this shade is so popular! It warms up my face and gives my skin a beautiful glow without being glittery. Plus, I just can't get over how beautiful this color is...I tend to go for cool-toned shades since my skin has pink and blue undertones and this is like my perfect cool-toned pink- if I could create my own shade, it would be this! 

You can find Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blushes at Walmart stores and Walmart.com

Vacation

August 17, 2015, 6:34 pm

≫ Next: Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Review & Swatches

≪ Previous: Hard Candy Blush Crush Living Doll Review & Swatches

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Hey everybody! I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm on vacation today, tomorrow and Wednesday. We headed into Amish Country in PA over the weekend and have been having a great time so far!

I'll be posting a few vacation pics to my Instagram page in the meantime, and I'll see ya back here on Thursday! 

XO Jen

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Review & Swatches

August 20, 2015, 8:50 pm

≫ Next: The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Holiday 2015 Palette is Almost Here!

≪ Previous: Vacation

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I've been wanting to try the Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminators ($26 at Ulta) for a while now, especially after seeing countless other bloggers going gaga over the Gilded Honey shade. A few weeks ago, I caught a Laura Geller presentation on QVC and when they got to the Baked Gelato Illuminators, I saw that they had a second shade called Ballerina, which is a beautiful rose gold shade. Laura mentioned that it was really pretty on lighter skin tones while Gilded Honey flattered darker skin tones best (although they're both meant to flatter any skin tone). She applied it to a model with similar coloring to mine and it looked so beautiful, I decided to be a rebel and try Ballerina (even though everyone keeps telling me that Gilded Honey is where it's at!). I purchased it at an Ulta store during a recent haul, but I noticed later that it's only $2 more on the QVC site and includes the brush Laura used during the show (so that's a better deal if you're interested in the brush). Let's take a closer look!

I have an ever-growing illuminator collection that's getting bigger by the day, but this one might be the prettiest one of the bunch! It has a 3-D design that makes it look like a little tub of delicious Italian Gelato and unlike a lot of powders that have a design on the top only, this one goes all the way down to the pan, so you don't have to worry about "ruining" the pretty design when you go to use it (yes, I am guilty of not using a product for a while because it was too pretty).

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Ballerina

Baked Gelato starts it's life as a liquid that's baked and then hand-finished by artisans in Italy. So even though it looks like a powder, it's super silky like a cream, which means it doesn't create a cloud of dust and fallout when you dip your brush into it. The creamy texture also means that it has better staying power than a regular powder.

Ballerina is a beautiful rose-gold shade that gives a candlelit glow to the face. It's not overly shimmery, so you can use it all over (although I prefer to use it on just the high points of my face). I started out using my ELF small stippling brush to apply this but it was super sheer and wasn't as pigmented as it was when I swiped it straight out of the pan with my finger, so after trying a few different brushes and having the same issue, I ended up using my finger to apply it to my cheeks. It was the perfect amount of sheen for my cheekbones, so I've just been doing it that way ever since. However, I do like the fact that it's sheer when using a brush because it allows you to apply it all over your face without going overboard, kind of like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders.

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Ballerina

Since this shade has some pink in it, you can even use it as an illuminating blush if your skin is light enough...it gives a really pretty glow to your cheeks.

Overall, I'm loving Laura Geller's Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Ballerina and I can definitely see what all the hype is about. At $26, it's definitely a splurge item, but it's longer lasting than most of the illuminators I own and this shade is gorgeous! I also love that I can use it just on my cheeks or all over since it's not overly glittery...not to mention it just looks pretty on my vanity table. 

If you're an illuminator junkie like me, this is a must-have for your collection. And if you're new to illuminators, this is a great option because it can go from sheer to pigmented depending on how you decide to apply it.

You can pick up Laura Geller's Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator at Ulta stores, Ulta.com, or with a brush at QVC.com. 

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Holiday 2015 Palette is Almost Here!

August 21, 2015, 12:06 pm

≫ Next: Revlon Fall 2015 The Fiery Temptress Collection Now at Bed, Bath & Beyond

≪ Previous: Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator Review & Swatches

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Last month, I posted a sneak peek of a new Hourglass Ambient palette that's set to arrive for Holiday 2015 but I didn't have much information about it to share with you. Now I have all the details includingthis link to get on the waiting list...and if you're wanting this I highly recommend signing up because there is major interest in this palette and I don't see it lasting more than a day! 

It's called the Ambient Lighting Edit and will cost $80, according to the Hourglass website. It's a limited edition and features one brand new shade called Iridescent Strobe Light (top middle).

From the Hourglass Website: 

• Designed to give you everything you need to finish, brighten, contour and highlight your skin in a single compact.
• Features the new Ambient® Strobe Lighting Powder in Iridescent Strobe Light, an illuminating strobing powder designed to emulate the way in which strobe lights capture and reflect light on the face. Can be used wet for a more intense highlight. 
• All products in the palette are universally flattering and deliver a multidimensional luminescence to every skintone, making it appear softer and lit-from-within.
• Unlike traditional powder, blush and bronzer, which tend to be flat, all Ambient® Lighting products use Photoluminescent Technology to filter out harsh light and refine the appearance of the complexion.
• Enhances skin in any type of light, including flash photography.
• Compact design and large mirror ideal for travel.

Palette includes 6 shades:

• DIM LIGHT: A neutral peach beige powder that blurs imperfections and highlights the complexion.
• IRIDESCENT STROBE LIGHT (NEW): A rose pearl powder that gives a refined glow to the complexion.
• DIFFUSED LIGHT: A soft, warm, pale yellow powder that conceals redness and gives skin clarity
• MOOD EXPOSURE: A soft plum blush fused with Mood Light to brighten the complexion.
• LUMINOUS FLUSH: A champagne rose blush fused with Luminous Light to evoke a candlelit glimmer.
• LUMINOUS BRONZE LIGHT - a medium tan shade fused with Luminous Light for a softer, candlelit warmth.

Will you be grabbing this when it comes out? I know I definitely will be! I've been dying to try their blushes and bronzers but they're just so expensive. Plus, I like the idea of having this much variety in a face palette! 

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Revlon Fall 2015 The Fiery Temptress Collection Now at Bed, Bath & Beyond

August 21, 2015, 9:29 pm

≫ Next: Missha Skincare Spotted at Bed, Bath & Beyond!

≪ Previous: The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Holiday 2015 Palette is Almost Here!

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I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond earlier today and spotted the new Revlon Fall 2015 Collection so I wanted to share it with you guys. It's called The Fiery Temptress and features some new shades of existing products (no new products, sadly but it's still pretty exciting). I'm not sure if any of these are limited edition or will be added to the permanent collection, but if you find out, definitely let me know. Let's take a look!

First up (and definitely the most exciting part of this new collection) are four new shades of their Matte Balm...Fiery, Fierce, Passionate and Enchanting. I really want to try Fierce...it looks like a beautiful earthy brown pink that's perfect for fall.

Next, they're re-promoting the Highlighting Palette in Peach Glow as a part of this collection, so this is not a new product. Still, I've never tried these and am wondering how this compares to some of the other highlighters I've been collecting lately.  I might pick this up and give it a try!

Next up are two new nail colors, Untamed (a glittery bronze) and Uninhibited (shimmery coral).

Finally, there's a new PhotoReady Eyeshadow Palette shade called Rustic, which is very earthy and neutral and features tan, olive, bronze, and warm beige tones. They've also released a new PhotoReady Kajal shade called Matte Espresso, which is a deep brown shade.

So what do you think, is anything from this new Revlon collection calling your name? Drop me a comment and let me know what you're thinking! 

Missha Skincare Spotted at Bed, Bath & Beyond!

August 22, 2015, 5:29 am

≫ Next: Becca Radiant Glow Collection Now at Ulta!

≪ Previous: Revlon Fall 2015 The Fiery Temptress Collection Now at Bed, Bath & Beyond

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There's been a lot of buzz in the blogosphere recently about Missha (an extremely popular Korean skincare line) arriving at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Harmon stores this summer and I'm happy to report that it's finally here! I couldn't have been more excited since I've been using a few products from Missha's Time Revolution line for about a year and a half now, including the First Treatment Essence and the Night Repair Ampoule, and have always wanted to try more. Unfortunately, their Time Revolution products are no where to be found here, which is strange since that seems to be their most popular line. 

For now, Bed Bath and Beyond appears to be stocking only their Misa Geum Sul line, which is an anti-aging line for age 30+. I have no idea if this will change or if they'll expand their offering, but I'll definitely keep you guys updated if I see anything else come in. For now, let's take a closer look....

Missha is considered an affordable skincare line in Korea and based on the high quality ingredients, I would say it falls under that category here as well. It's not as affordable as drugstore skincare, (although Olay is pretty close) but considering that these can be compared to high-end luxury skincare products, the prices are very reasonable, especially since there's nothing over $40 here in the Misa Geum Sul line. Also, the prices at Bed, Bath and Beyond are less than what's listed on the Missha website.
As an example, many people compare Missha's First Treatment Essence, $49 (which I use every day, twice a day) to SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence which is $205, due to the very similar ingredient list. So even though $49 is a bit steep for a toner, it's a lot more accessible for most people than $200+.

The Misa Geum Sul line is based on the centuries-old Korean medical encyclopedia called the Dongeuibogam which lists over 6,000 herbal prescriptions. The main ingredients in the line are 100% Ginseng Water, Deer Antlers(?!), Reishi Mushrooms, and Gold for skin purification and balancing. It's suitable for women in their 30's and above and aims for both wrinkle care and brightening.

The Misa First Essence Booster ($39.99) is the first step after cleansing. It helps control oil-moisture balance, soothes to improve skin texture, nourishes, vitalizes, and purifies. Also provides wrinkle repairing and whitening benefits.
The Misa Geum Sul Toner ($29.99) is the second step in the routine, and is a jelly-type toner that will boost the effectiveness of your skincare and remove toxins from the skin.
 The Misa Geum Sul Rejuvenating Essence ($34.99) is the third step after toning, and revitalizes the skin and adds a light layer of moisture.

The Vitalizing Day Cream with SPF 15 ($39.99)moisturizes and protect your skin throughout the day from harmful environmental factors, including UV rays and air pollution. This Day Cream provides shine and nutrients for brighter, healthier skin. It also provides wrinkle repairing, whitening, and UV blocking benefits.
The Rejuvenating Cream ($34.99) is a premium oriental cream for renewing and firming your skin with the dual function of wrinkle repairing and brightening.

MISA Revitalizing Eye Cream ($39.99) helps treat signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and shadows around eyes.

The Misa BB Cream ($29.99) is a multi-functional BB Cream made with oriental herbal ingredients for firm, radiant, and healthy skin. Anti-aging formula brightens the skin and blocks harmful UV rays. It contains precious oriental ingredients, such as Korean Wild Ginseng, Cordyceps Sinensis, Velvet, and Pure Gold, to nourish and create glowing skin. Developed to keep skin healthy without causing irritation during wear. Its long wearing effect provides coverage all day long.

The Misa Cho Bo Yang Eye Cream ($29.99) brightens and vitalizes eye areas.
Highly concentrated eye cream fully delivers energy of Korean Wild Ginseng, Cordyceps Militaris extract and Deer Antlers to your fatigued skin. Pure Gold extract revitalizes for radiant skin.

Finally, the Misa Cho Bo Yang Massage Cream ($24.99) is pure and gentle.
The rich nourishing cream contains Wild Ginseng and Deer Antlers to revitalize and moisturize skin.
Pure Gold ingredient brightens for better skin balance.Recommended for sensitive skin.
Use 1-2 times a week.

Overall, I'm excited to try some of these next. It seems to fit my skin type pretty well...mid 30's, dry, and starting to have aging concerns. I have tried the Misa Geum Sul Vitalizing Eye Cream (I got a few samples with an order a while back) and I really liked it, so I'll probably get that to try first. 

What do you think of Bed, Bath and Beyond starting to carry Korean skincare? Are you excited to try it? 

Becca Radiant Glow Collection Now at Ulta!

August 24, 2015, 1:47 pm

≫ Next: New! City Color Cosmetics Lip Crayons

≪ Previous: Missha Skincare Spotted at Bed, Bath & Beyond!

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Attention highlighter junkies! If you haven't tried Becca's famous Shimmering Skin Perfector ($38), now's your chance to try one, plus three other Becca products for only $32! 

The Becca Radiant Glow Collection ($32) is brand new at Ulta and features deluxe samples of four best-selling products, so it's a perfect intro to the brand if you've never tried any of their products.

Here's what's included:

• Under Eye Brightening Corrector (0.1 oz.)
• Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone (0.085 oz.)
• Shimmering Skin Perfector Spotlight in Opal (0.17 oz.)
• Beach Tint Lip Shimmer Soufflé in Raspberry/Opal (0.08 oz.)

This brand new kit is only available at Ulta and Ulta.com.

New! City Color Cosmetics Lip Crayons

August 24, 2015, 9:10 pm

≫ Next: The Balm The Manizer Sisters is Now Available at Kohls!

≪ Previous: Becca Radiant Glow Collection Now at Ulta!

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City Color Cosmetics has just released some new Lip Crayons ($6.99 each) that claim to be moisturizing with a satin finish. I'm a total lip crayon hoarder so it makes sense that I'm lusting after these...especially the third shade from the left, Bridesmaid (they all have wedding-themed names...cute right?). 

But honestly, all of these shades are pretty wearable, nothing too crazy here at all. 

Flower Girl, Save the Date, Bridesmaid, Blushing Bride, I Do, Kiss The Bride

Fellow blogger Lien Jae posted some swatches on her Instagram page that I wanted to share with you guys! I need Bridesmaid...it's the perfect mauve pink! Blushing Bride and I Do are calling my name too! What do you guys think? What are your favorites? Grab 'em now at CityColorCosmetics.com.

Photo Credit: @lienjae on Instagram

The Balm The Manizer Sisters is Now Available at Kohls!

August 25, 2015, 5:41 am

≫ Next: Irresistible Me Hair Extensions Review

≪ Previous: New! City Color Cosmetics Lip Crayons

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The Balm has just released a brand new palette called The Manizer Sisters ($28) featuring all three of their cult classic luminizers- Mary-Lou Manizer, Cindy-Lou Manizer, and Betty-Lou Manizer! I shared a sneak peek of this palette on my Instagram page last week but had no idea it would be available for sale so soon! 

Mary-Lou Manizer is arguably my favorite powder highlighter ever, so I'm freaking out right now over this palette. Not only are these highlighters, but they can also be used as shadows or dusted lightly all over the face for a gorgeous glow. I own the full sized Mary-Lou and Cindy-Lou but to have them in a travel-friendly palette would be amazing, plus I'll get to try Betty-Lou, which I haven't gotten the chance to buy yet.

Will you be picking up The Manizer Sisters? Right now it seems to be available only at Kohls.com (I did a store pickup search and didn't come up with any that have this in stock right now). I will definitely be purchasing today before these completely sell out! Look for a review very soon...