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Saturday, June 30, 2012

MAC Heavenly Creature: Look Part 1.

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I am a sucker for MAC’s Mineralize eyeshadows and blushes. It must be the swirls, because when they come out, I automatically want them. So today I did a look with two of the eye colors and I will be doing another one or two the next few days. Are these worth the cost? Are they better than the usual MAC Mineralize shadows? Let’s see…

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For this look I wanted a light, summery look so I took these two shadows: Magnetic Attraction (burgundy swirled with gold) and Invincible Light (lavender swirled with gold and white). Magnetic Attraction was used in the crease, in the outer edge of the lid and underneath the eye. Invincible Light was used on the lid and under the brow. The new Zoom Lash in Plum Reserve was used on the lashes. I also wanted a nice purple liquid liner, but MAC doesn’t have one, so I used Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Liner in 8 (shimmery purple).

For this look the blushes in Heavely Creature didn’t seem appropriate, so I used Launch Away! from Fleet Fast. It is a matte light, delicate peach in the pan but goes on a very vivid peach. Lips are Celestial Kiss Cremesheen Glass (light nude peach with a hint of shimmer).

Okay, down to business. As usual the darker mineralized shadows have more pigment as far as I can tell. I liked that these are swirled instead of having the pigments just willy-nilly. When I put my brush through and then onto my lid, I was able to get a beautiful burgundy gold shimmer onto the eye that I thought looked unusual. When I used the lighter color, Invincible Light, I found that the colors muddied and it came out a whitish tone without much lavender there. That upset me considering the majority of the shadow is lavender. In the end, the colors on my eyes look peachy and creamy white. Not at all what they look like in pan, right?

The cremesheen glass is nice. It has good pigmentation and stickiness, making it last a good while. Like with most lipglosses, what you see IS what you get.

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Tomorrow I will do another look and again focus on pigmentation, payoff and general worthiness. So far, NOT so good. I would love to hear comments from you if you have purchased them or what you think in general on this look.

Friday, June 29, 2012

BOBBI BROWN DESERT TWILIGHT EYE PALETTE: A REVIEW

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What is it about Bobbi Brown eye palettes that everyone loves? For the transition to fall, Bobbi Brown has come out with an adorable collection aptly named Desert Twilight. It speaks of soft, dusky colors that reminisce of the days and nights at the beach just before summer vacation ends. I decided to try two items in the collection, the eye palette and a shimmer lip gloss.

The eyeshadow palette ($60) has eight colors in it: Navajo (cream matte), Twilight (warm metallic pink), Pink Dusk (cool metallic pink brown), Water Color Pink (sparkle pink), Twilight Pink (light metallic pink), Cement (warm matte gray mud tone), Dusk (medium sparkle pink) and Chocolate Mauve (brown with just a hint of purple shimmer). It also comes with a brush. I think the colors will work perfect for my coloring and eye shape. I can use the shimmery tones on my lid to make them pop and use the light matte under the brow to minimize it. The one dark tone will be a nice color to emphasize the green in my eyes. This palette might not work for a lot of people, but for me it will be a nice addition to my palette wardrobe. I adore Bobbi Brown shadows too, they are of high quality with great pigmentation and amazing payoff.

 

 

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From this collection I also decided to try the Pink Sunset Shimmer Lip Gloss ($23.00). I tried to do a number of photos of this but they do not do this color justice. It is a gorgeous pinky-gold shimmer. One of those colors that looks great on warmed toned people. It is perfect with this eyeshadow palette.

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My look today consists of the following eyeshadows from the palette: Cement in the crease, Chocolate Mauve on the outer edge of the lid and underneath the eye, Twilight Pink on the lid, Water Color Pink in the Center of the lid to add some pop and Navajo underneath the brow to minimize the area between my crease and and brow. I used MAC’s Graphic Brown Fluidline to line the upper lid and Maybelline’s Great Lash Lots of Lashes in Black for mascara (I really love this mascara for my small eyes and long, thin lashes).

On my cheeks I used Illamasqua’s cream blush in Naked Rose (nude pink-brown). I used my usual Cover Girl lipliner in Sublime (nude brown) and then used the Bobbi Brown Shimmer lipgloss in Sunset Pink. As you can see, my lips came out a very shimmery nude champagne pink in the photos. They are pretty much like that in real life too!

I like the way my eyes turned out today. The sparkle eyeshadow didn’t really show up well in the photo on my eye, it looks like a nice little pop of shimmer in the middle of my lid. This palette, while being full of pinks, may not be for everyone, is nice for me when I want a nude eye (yes that occurs once in a while). I don’t think it is worth $60 though!

Keranique Hair Regrowth Treatment: Transform Your Thinning Hair!

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Thin is Not Always In

Hi there!

The media often suggests to women that “thin is in” but that’s not always the case. Women make up 40% of American hair loss sufferers, yet the issue continues to be thought of as a strictly male condition. Thinning hair can put a significant dent in a woman’s confidence, and over the years, women have tried a range of strange approaches to make their hair thicker and fuller, from huge curlers, to blow drying their hair upside down, to use of harsh chemicals, to even using raw eggs or beer as shampoo.

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The Keranique Hair Re-Growth Treatment works to raise self-esteem by transforming thinning hair into full-bodied, luscious locks.

Keranique Hair Re-Growth Treatment

Features 2% Minoxidil, the only FDA-approved treatment clinically-proven to help re-grow hair. This treatment is for women with thinning hair looking for serious and long-term solutions. $25

The Keranique Hair Re-Growth Treatment is available via www.keranique.com and www.hsn.com

Monday, June 25, 2012

Miracle Skin Transformer Wants You To Pin It to Win It!

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OLDIE BUT GOODIE: NAKED 2 PALETTE FOR SUMMER

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Today I wanted to return to an oldie but goodie for a summer look: the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. I am a big fan of both the Naked and Naked 2 palettes. There are so many neutral shadows in these that you cannot go wrong if you take advantage of purchasing them.

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For this look I used Tease (matte medium neutral brown) in the crease, then next to it Snakebite (shimmery taupe) was used just underneath the crease and in the outer edge of the lid and underneath the eye. I wanted the make the lid pop because my eyes are hooded, so I took Bootycall (shimmery cream) and used it on the inner portion of my lid. Normally I use something underneath my brow but this time I decided to leave it naked! I used Urban Decay’s 24/7 liquid liner on the upper lid and for mascara I used Maybelline’s Great Lash Lots of Lashes.

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On my cheeks I really wanted to get the contour look. The only thing I have that does this instantly is Benefit’s 10 (shimmery light pink on one side and shimmery medium bronze brown on the other). I have used this so much I have actually hit pan. I love it!. Over my lipliner I used Urban Decay’s Stardust in Space Cowboy, a really shimmery champagne. My lips look like they want to party!

The whole look says summer party girl. It is a different look than I normally do but I thought, hey, why not try something different for a change? Why don’t you try something different too?

Saturday, June 23, 2012

philosophy’s clear days ahead: a review

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I am going to admit something. I am 41 years old and I still suffer bouts of acne. I know the reason why and I know how to get ahold of it so that I rarely suffer breakouts of blackheads, whiteheads and pustules. When I was a teen I never had to deal with this. I guess we all have our skin foes once in a while. Being an esthetician, I am lucky enough to know enough about skin care to take acne by the horns and get rid of it!

One product I am liking these days is philosophy's clear days ahead (60 pads, $39.00). It is a 0.5%salicylic acid based product that helps prevent those evil acne lesions with glycolic acid and mandelic acid. Glycolic acid comes from sugarcane and mandelic acid comes from almonds. These acids help prevent post acne discoloration and the pores from enlarging and scarring. Since there is such a small amount of salicylic acid, there is less potential for dryness.

Use the pad 1-3 times a day, after cleansing. Wait until the skin is thoroughly dry. You may cover the entire face with it, just avoid the eye area. If significant dryness occurs, drop to every other day. Then increase to every day as needed. You have to listen to your skin really. Don’t use with other exfoliates, unless advised by an esthetician or physician.

I really like this product and find myself reaching for it almost every day. It has a pleasant citrus odor. The price can be much but philosophy has sales often. Personally, I think the price is worth it and I think that philosophy products are reasonably priced. clear days ahead is available at www.philosophy.com, www.beauty.com, www.ulta.com, www.sephora.com, as well as their brick and mortar stores.

MIRACLE SKIN TRANSFORMER HEAL EVERYTHING BALM: WAKE UP TRANSFORMED!

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On the heels of the very successful Miracle Skin Transformer line, it has a new addition: Heal Everything Balm. It is a thick, rich cream designed to heal, hydrate and soothe irritated skin. (Let me tell you this: I am loving this cream so much!!!!) The unique formula is designed to:
    • help skin recover from sun burn
    • protect, soothe and moisturize dry skin
    • reduce redness and irritation after waxing or shaving
    • reduce stinging
    • maintain the skin’s own natural defenses against environmental assaults (acting as a barrier)
    • reduce redness caused by weather burns, abrasions and minor irritations
This thick, luscious cream contains Tamanu Oil to soothe the skin. This oil is found in the French Polynesian islands and is used for wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has Organic Palm, Monoi and Moringa butter to hydrate and soothe dry skin, especially after sun exposure. Japanese Licorice Root Extract is a natural hydrocortisone alternative that reduces irritation and soothes the skin. Manuka Honey, an ingredient native to New Zealand, fights infection and speeds the healing process.
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Use the cream to soothe sun burn, wind burn, chafing, irritation due to waxing and shaving. I have also found another use for this amazing cream. I had a cystic pimple on my cheek (yes, ugh, I sometimes get these). I used this cream to help heal the redness and scabbing leftover. It made the skin heal so much faster than normal. Instead of a week the redness and scab were gone in a couple of days. How is that for a miracle? I am in love with this cream and will tout its properties far and wide!!!
Miracle Skin Transformer Heal Everything Balm is available at www.miracleskintransformer.com, www.sephora.com and www.nordstrom.com for $26.00/25 ml (.85 oz).

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.

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I want to write about beauty. The fact is that we are all discussing beauty, how beauty can be obtained and who really is the most beautiful when we are writing these blogs. I know I am not a classical beauty. I have an asymmetrical face: one brow is higher than the other, my eyes are hooded and small, my nose has a large bump and my small lips tend to pucker so that I look like I have duckface. Now that I have gotten my flaws out of the way I can discuss what I like about myself. I am six feet one inch, have fair almost flawless skin, high cheekbones, pretty eyes that contain myriad colors and thick hair. The reason I am doing this is that I had a comment on one of my blog entries the other day that hurt my feelings. Yes, I do need to be able to take criticism if I am going to be able to do this, but I want people to know a few things.
Years ago when I was seventeen I was in an accident that broke my jaw and several front teeth. My jaw became misaligned and because of that my smile is “out of whack”. So I don’t like to smile with my teeth open. Because of this misalignment, when my lips are closed you can see that they tend to pucker out. I am not purposely doing this. Now, about my eyes. If you are born with hooded eyes, the older you get the more likelier they are to become more hooded. Couple that with my high brows and I have a hard time doing my eye makeup. However, I do believe that I have found a decent way to do my eye makeup that so that it suits me well. After all, I have had my face for forty-one years…
So, nobody is perfect. But I like the way I look and think that it is okay. There is no need to go and try to hurt someone’s feelings.

Heyho :)
I was looking for some pictures about a NYX palette, when I stumbled over you pictures. Please excuse my english in case it's really bad, I'm not a native speaker.
So I came here, to your blog and after seeing some blogposts of yours (and since you say you criticsm) I just wanted to point at some things you might think about to enhance the quality of this site.
And the first thing would be: Please stop pushing your lips together. It's what they call duckface. It doesnt make lips look bigger it makes your mouth look kinda weird. Relax the area around your mouth, that's prettier.
Second: Get some help with the camera. You can either stand in front of a mirror and check the display with a look in a mirror or ask someone to take the pics. Cause they're not only blurred but the perspectiv isn't the best one to shoot make ups (and it doesn't make you look good).
Things like Flickr btw make it easier to embed pictures (and make that look prettier aswell).
Third: You might want to take a second look at the shape of your eyes. The outer corner drops and you have hooded eyelids. Both need more attention than I can see on the pictures. You should absolutely avoid to follow your crease when shading, because it brings both out. It's basically one technic that covers both.
When shading, start A LOT higher. And don't raise up your brows that distorbs the result! You should work above the crease, bring the shadows a lot higher. It will open your eyes a lot. I you look straight, take a brush and hold it close to your eyes, horizontally. The innerst, lowest point of your eybrow is the height you want for the highest point of your shadow, to point it out exactly the vertical line should be right between the middle and the outer third of the eye.
I write Anonymous cause I don't have any of those accounts, but here's an emailadress of mine: >>>>> in case you want to talk about it :)
As I said, I'm not a native speaker and I really hope this didn't sound rude, it's not easy to get a feeling for that, cause in my native language we've got quite similar phrases but with different connotation...

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