Thursday, April 29, 2010

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Hello beauties! Hope you all have been having a nice week! I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite things I have been using a lot lately. So without further ado...

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse
This is something that I have been reaching for alot these last two weeks! Right now, Classic Ivory-Light 2, is matching my skin perfectly! I've been pretty good with making sure I'm moisturizing enough, so I've not had the problems with dry patches showing with this foundation that I did when I first began using this. I'm so in love!!
Benefit Erase Paste
I bought this not that long ago and just have been blown away from the results! If you have dark circles or redness to conceal, try this! You seriously need SO little to get a lot of coverage! It's crazy!


AVON True Color Quad in Mocha Latte
This is the perfect "go to" every day look palette! I have been wearing this to work a lot lately and it really does last all day with no fading what-so-ever! LOVE the pigmentation and smoothness of this palette!

Sigma Makeup Brushes
Yes, I know I always say these are my favorites, because they are! I have been especially loving my SS224! It's THE perfect crease brush and I could not live without it now! I really need to get my hands on their travel set!

Revlon Naturally Chic Nails
I <3 a good falsie! ;) Not only do these look pretty natural, the glue that comes with it is sick! But as much as I like these, I gotta say I still prefer Kiss Custom nails!

Milani Brow Fix Kit in Medium
Even though I just got this, I love it already! It just gives my brows that "finishing touch" to make them look perfect and really polish off my face!

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Dreamy
I saw this color on one of my favorite youtube gurus and had to have it! It is such a gorgeous color! When I get my camera back, I'll do a proper review!

What are your favorite things right now?

Don't forget to shop my blog sale!

and...


FTC Discloser: Producs mentioned in this post were purchased by me and I am in no way afflilated with any brands or companies mentioned.


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

RIMMEL LASTING FINISH KISS & STAY LIPGLOSS

Color: Lustrous Nude
*11 colors available*

"Get 10 hour high fidelity colour with enduring shine in 2 quick and easy steps using Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Lip Gloss by Rimmel London.

Description.Step 1: Lightweight non-sticky liquid lip colour bonds to lips.
Step 2: unique liquid pearls gloss top coat seals and magnifies colour with a crystal shine gloss effect for the ultimate glass shine finish that will stay put.
At last, a comfortable lipgloss that stays around. "

I kept seeing this at CVS and wanting it, but cringed at paying $8 for it and not being sure I would like it. Yes, I know I can return it at CVS, blah..blah...blah...but I was still hesitant. I just thought this color was so beautiful...trust me, this stock photo doesn't even show how pretty this really is! It is gorgeous!!!  This picture shows it a little more pink than it is in real life.

The base coat is the color of my natural lips, only a few shades darker. It dried pretty quickly and then your lips are ready for the most beautiful gloss!! In the tube, it looks super glittery--which I normally don't like that much--but the glitter is so fine, it just looks shimmery on your lips! The applicator on the base coat is one of those felt ones and the gloss is a brush, by the way! Each give really even coverage.

Once the base coat is dried, your lips look crazy, so you really have to put on the gloss to get a nice moisturized look! I suppose if you don't like the shimmery gloss, you can use something else. But I don't think the base color itself is worth the $8 this cost me.  The gloss is really what does it for me! The gloss is pretty sticky (despite what the description says), but I think that's what holds it on your lips. You'll def need to keep this handy throughout the day!!

Does it last 10 hours? The gloss? No. The base color? YES! In fact, I had a really hard time taking it off!! I used makeup removing cleansing clothes, didn't even budge. I didn't have anything else to try to take it off, so I just went to sleep with it on! It did wear off overnight though. Phew!

I wish I had my camera!! I would love to show this to you better. I will update these blogs without my own pictures next week when I go pick up my camera!! If you see this out shopping, consider picking it up!

Shop my blog sale!

FTC Discloser:Products mentioned in this post were purchased by me and I am in no way affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned.

Monday, April 26, 2010

MILANI BROW FIX KIT

"A brow grooming and shaping kit that will help you create a perfect set of arches. Compact contains seven essential tools: Straight edged tweezers, slanted brow filler brush, brow bone sponge applicator, 3X magnifying mirror, brow bone highlighter and two tone-on-tone powders (light & dark) to fill and shape brows. Be your own brow guru, shaping your brows is as easy as 1-2-3!"

I have never been one to really mess around with my eyebrows. I pretty much just pluck away stray hairs in the middle. I've got naturally arched brows and a general good shape. I'm not bragging, just letting you guys know! Even as a little girl, I remember my neighbor's mom would always ask me if my my plucked my eyebrows--what a crazy woman! What mom is going to pluck her 7 year old's brows?!?

Anyway, I recently watched a brow grooming video on youtube and thought maybe I should just trim them a bit. As I said before, I generally like my brows, but thought that I could perhaps give them a bit of oommmph if I did! So I brushed them up and trimmed the longer hairs and it actually came out pretty nice! I don't have my camera with me now, otherwise I'd show you photos.

But getting back to the product...my brows at the inner corner have always been just a bit sparse...just a tiny bit! Probably no one else notices, but when I look at pictures of myself, that's what I notice--that and too much blush sometimes!!

So I started using a bit of brown eyeshadow to fill it in. But when I saw this little kit in CVS, I picked it up and thought it was so cute! It is available in three options, light, medium, and dark. I've got dark brown hair, so I picked the medium one. **You always want to fill in your brows with a little lighter color than your hair!***

This kit has mini tweezers that are actually pretty good, an angled brush, and a sponge applicator. These slide right into it's own little holder that flips up to reveal a little mirror. If you ask me, I think they should have made the lid a mirror because this one is just so tiny! I suppose you're just doing your brows with this, but a larger mirror would have been nice.

Now the powders! They are really smooth and not dry and flakey at all! The hi-lite shade has a nice shimmer to it to really call attention to your brow bone and makes your arch really stand out. I use the second one to fill in my inner corners--which is really all I need. The last powder should probably be used if you need to fill in your outer corners.

It even has directions on how to use the kit on the back if you are unsure what to do!

Overall, I think this is a great little kit that fits in your purse and is easy to travel with. It will take me a million years to go through this, but for $6, when I run out, I'd buy this again!

Shop my BLOG SALE!

Enter my Alice in Wonderland Give-a-way! Ends midnight EST on 5/10/2010!

Until next time...Stay NV'ious!

FTC Discloser:Products mentioned in this post were purchased by me and I am in no way affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned.









Thursday, April 22, 2010

Update!

Hello lovelies! Hope you all are doing well. It is very late, but I wanted to pop in and let you guys know that I am enjoying the new job so far! Everyone is really nice and I think I will do very well there. FYI, I am a design consultant with a furniture store. I've been a kitchen and bath designer for the last 4 years, but the market just isn't hot for that right now! So I am off exploring a new avenue and hoping to build a nice career there!

I just saw on Facebook, search Nicole Valadares if you want to be my friend (not makeup related at all, just for friends!), and saw this:

"Sigma Makeup Official Fan Page Sigma Fans! Got a beauty blog from your country that you absolutely LOVE?! Send your nomination to kathryn@sigmamakeup.com so that Kathryn can evaluate it for the International Ambassador Program! Thank you!"

So email Kathryn and tell her all about my lovely blog and any others you adore!

**I left my camera at my mother-in- laws tonight, so I'll have to use some internet pic's until I get it back! I've got some reviews coming, so please come back and check them out!**

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

UPDATE!


Hello my NV'ious beauties! Sorry I have been MIA lately! I've been getting ready to start my new job, which I did today! I'm home very quickly for lunch but wanted to drop in for a minute. I've got all the goodies for my contest winners all packaged up and I just need to get by the post office for stamps to send them out. Sorry it's taking me a while to get them to you. I have been able to read a few of your posts, but will catch up for sure when I get some time off next week!

Until then, Stay NV'ious!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

PERFECTLY PINK CHEEKS? YES PLEASE!

Ok, so you guys know that I adore my Sigma Makeup brushes! I use most of them everytime I put on makeup. One brush that I used all the time when I first got them, the SS190 for foundation, hasn't been on my hit list lately. It's not that I don't like it, it just seems that as of late, I can't get a smooth application. Is my dry skin the culpret? My technique? Not sure. But I had to find a way to incoporate it back in my routine!
My answer? To use with my Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush! I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner! This was the perfect soloution all along.




I've always put on the Dream Mousse with my fingers, but I'm not opposed to using one of my lovely brushes as well! I decided to try my SS190 and see what happens. I dabbed just a bit on one side of the brushes and patted it on the apples of my cheeks and swept it back to blend. Results? I'm very pleased!





It's hard for blush to show up on camera, but trust me, in person it gave me such a natural glow! I love it! Don't forget to clean your brushes with a quick brush cleaner! I recently cleaned my bushes with olive oil. I have never done that before, but heard it was great. I ended up washing them with baby shampoo right after, just in case! It seemed to make my natural brushes super clean and my synthetic brushes greasy! So from now on, I'll just wash my natural brushes. But try it if you haven't yet! 

 
FTC Discloser:Products mentioned in this post were purchased by me and I am in no way affiliated with any brands or companies mentioned.

Friday, April 16, 2010

HEELS...BE HEALED!

I have really negleted by feet lately. They have always been dry, but a few weeks ago, it was down right disgusting!! There's no way I'd show my feet, so you'll have to take my word for it. **Not that you'd want to see anyway!** My heels have become cracked and the skin was even very rough at the surface. Rubbing regular lotion on just wasn't cutting it. They are so bad, I don't even want to go get a pedicure!! I'm too embarrassed!! I'm sure they've seen it all, but still!

I saw this Earth to Skin Heel Tastic product at CVS for $9.99. I think I may have seen some cheesy commericals for this as well, but I can't be sure. Anywho, this products claims you can "watch dry cracked heels disappear." Could this be the answer to my prayers?

Upon opening the package, which is one of those that wraps the product in plastic that you have to cut open and pry it out, I caught a whiff of a strong scent. It sorta smells like lemons and herbs. Some might like it, I hated it. **And so did my husband** So removed the lid and was blown away by the scent even more!! I was already starting to feel buyers remorse. Also, I think the bottom of mine is broken! I'm assuming I broke the bottom piece off while opening it up. The top of it also cracked, so I am not impressed with packaging as well.



But I figured I might as well give it a try. CVS is great about giving you your money back if something doesn't work for you. I rubbed the Heel Tastic on my heels and actually over the entire bottom of my feet! It's not too thick, but has an emoillient property to it. It soaked right in to my dry, cracked heels in a about 15 minutes or so. If you can't wait for it to soak in, slip on some socks otherwise you might fall down and hurt yourself!  I didn't really notice any change for the first week or so. But I kept on using it, hoping something would happen.

The active ingredient in Heel Tastic is 1%  dimethicone. Just to be safe, I wanted to look it up and see what I was dealing with here. I read a lot, but here's on by ehow discussing if dimethicone is safe for humans. Their answer, yes!  They say "Dimethicone forms a protective barrier on the skin to help retain moisture. Dimethicone's oil-like consistency also gives it emollient properties." You can also find dimethicone in products like Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion and Johnson's Baby Cream. So it's gotta be alright!

Each night, I was also using AVON's Foot Works Overnight Renewing Foot Cream, $6.00.  AVON said to "Soften and condition rough, dry skin with this non-greasy overnight cream containing time-released jojoba oil and moisturizing pink beads." It also "provides skin barrier protection." I like the scent of this one leaps and bounds ahead of the Heel Tastic. I applied a thick amount and rubbed it into my feet until the little pink beads disappear. Not sure what's in the pink beads, but would love to find out. Then I'd put on just a little more lotion and slip on socks. In the morning, my feet would feel a little better, but they still had a long way to go.

So I have been doing this almost daily for the last month. And my final verdict...I have had amazing results! My feet are no longer rough, feel fantastic to the touch, and the cracking as significantly been reduced. I feel very confident that with continuing this process, I will see my feel healed!! If you have been struggling to get your feet in tip, top, summer shape to show off all those cute sandals, then I suggest you run to CVS and to your local AVON sales rep and try these out. Actually, pretty much every Foot Works product I have tried as really worked for me. There's such a great line of Foot Works products. I've got several of these on my blog sale for even lower prices that you can buy online!

I will keep you all updated when my feet are even better and who knows, maybe I'll even show you my feet!! Sporting a cute sandal, that is! Until then, Stay NV'ious!



Don't forget to enter my Alice Give-a-way to win your very own UD BOS inspired by Alice herself!

FTC Discloser:  I used my own money to purchase Heel Tastic. I was not paid by Earth to Skin to write this review. I am an AVON Representative. I purchased these products at a discount rate. I am not paid by AVON, or anyone else, to write this review. All opinions are mine.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

LIKE, LOVE & HATE TAG

I saw this on maylovesmakeup and thought it looked fun! So here goes!
The Rules:
The rules are - share 12 things you like, one love and 8 hates then tag 3 blogs to do the tag!



My Likes:
Finding a good match for foundation
Long, thick eye lashes
A fresh mani/pedi
Yummy parfumes
Soap & Glory body products
MAC eyeshadows
CoverGirl Amazemint Lipgloss in Freedom of Peach
88 Warm Palette
Benefit's Erase Paste
Urban Decay Eye Priming Potion
AVON products
Moisturized skin from head to toe

My love:
My Sigma Makeup Brush Set

My hates:
Dry, flaky and uneven skin
Under eye circles & bags
Looking in the mirror 3 hours after I put on makeup and finding it's all gone
Clumpy mascara
Watery eyes!
Chipped nails
Cracked heels
Too skinny eyebrows/drawn on eyebrows

I can't pick three blogs, so I am tagging all of you! Hope you thought this was fun and leave a link in the comments so I can read your Likes, Love, and Hates!

Until Next time, Stay NV'ious!

Don't forgot to SHOP my blog sale! I'm adding new items all the time!
AND
Enter my Alice Give-a-way to win the UD BOS!!!!



Tuesday, April 13, 2010

SHOUT OUT!


Thank you to Katherine & Shauna over at Sigma's marketing department! As you all know they were kind enough to sponsor my "Bring your A game" contest. The prizes where an SS187 and an SS224. I let the winners tell me which brush they wanted and they both picked the SS187. Shauna was so sweet and said she'd be happy to send out SS187's to both winners! Yeah! How fantastic! Enjoy your brushes ladies!

***Update***
I am officially a hot mess! Kim wanted to SS224!! Emailed Sigma and I know they will get that out to you Kim! =)


I look forward to working with Sigma again! Thanks again ladies!

AVON PERFECT WEAR LIQUID LINER

I have always been a fan of pencil eye liner but I've always wanted to try a liquid. So I picked up 4 of AVON's Perfect Wear Liquid Liners!

They have the fairly stiff felt tip. Since buying this, I've also bought and used liquid liners with brush tips, which I prefer. But these are still pretty easy to use. The formula goes on smoothly and lasts for quite a while. It is not waterproof, so if you have the tendancy for runny eyes or will be in humid weather, this is not for you! But just for going to the office or home, this will work for you. The tip is pretty small, so you can get a nice fine line or make it thicker if you like. You won't get an uber fine line though. The swatches below were done thick so you can see the color better.

From left to right: Sparkle Night (Navy blue), Deep Violet, Evening Black, Beaming Bronze



These also dry pretty quick so you don't have to worry about smuding and they also do not flake! So as long as you don't need heavy duty wear, I think these are a pretty good option. My favorite is definately beaming bronze!

Don't forget to check out my blog sale for some good deals on new and lightly used beauty products!


FTC Discloser: I am an AVON Representative. I purchased these products at a discount rate. I am not paid by AVON, or anyone else, to write this review. All opinions are mine.

Monday, April 12, 2010

BLOG SALE!!

◦1st come 1st serve. Paypal only. Comment with  item(s) you want. I will send you a request for payment.

◦Shipping to within U.S. is $5 flat. If you only buy 1-2 things and they are really light, then I can lower the shipping a bit. International shipping varies so please check with me. If you need additional services such as insurance, please also let me know.

◦I will pack as best as I can, but I am not responsible for damaged or lost stuff. No returns or exchange.
 
*If you have questions on any of the items, please email me at nvbeautyblogger@gmail.com.
 

ANEW Clinical Luminosity Pro

Brightening Serum
1 oz
**This is only available to reps right now! Be the first to try!**
In in box and wrapped in plastic!
Retail Price: $52.00
My Price:$40.00


AVON True Force
Eau Toilette Spray
2.5 fl oz
**This is only available to reps right now! Be the first to try!**
New in Box!
Retail Price: $19.50
My Price:$15.00

E.L.F. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15
Used once each.
Retails: $1.00 each
$1.50 for both


CoverGirl WetSlicks
Honey Talks
Used twice
Retails: $5.99
$3.00

 
Right, AVON Satin Deluxe Pink Duo
Shimmer on left side of due, matte shade on right
Used three times
0.20oz
Retails: $5.99
My Price: $3.00
Left, AVON Satin Deluxe Bronzing Duo
Shimmer on left side of due, matte shade on right
Never used, never swatched.
0.20 oz
Retails: $5.99
My Price: $3.00




N.Y.C. Color Lip Slider Tinted Lip Blam in Sugar Angel
Used Twice
0.32 oz
Retails: $2.99
My Price:$1.00


 AVON LE Pink Ribbons Lip Palette
Used a bit, but tons of lip gloss left, only one of the colors is close to hitting pan.
Retails: $12.00
My Price: $7.00


AVON LE Natural Ribbons Lip Palette
Used a bit, but tons of lip gloss left, only one of the colors is close to hitting pan.
Retails: $12.00
$7.00


Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Sunset Strip/Bronzer
Used three times
Retails: $9.95
My Price: $6.00


CoverGirl Eye Enhancers
Left to right: Sapphire Sparkle, Turquious Tempest, Indigo Impact
Each swatched and used once.
Retails: $3.29
$1.75 each or $5 for all three

 
Bare Escentuals Brushes
Top to bottom:
Full Flawless Application Face Brush
Used three times
Retails: $28
My Price: $18
(2) Tappered Blush Brushes
Used three times
Retails: 15.00 each
My Price: $10.00 each


AVON Satin Deluxe Grey Matters Eye Shadow
0.09 oz
Swatched once
My Price:$1.75




AVON Moisture Therapy Intensive Hand Cream
1.5 fl oz
Brand New
Retails: $5.00
$3.00


Revlon ColorStay 110 Ivory
For Combo/Oily Skin
Never opened
Retails: $14
$10.00


AVON Banishing Cream
Skin Discoloration Improver
**Great for acne scars!**
2.5 fl oz
Brand New
Retails $8.50
$5.00


ANEW Reversalist Night Renewal Cream
Sample Size, 0.24 oz
Retails: $10.00
My Price: $5.00



Bare Escentuals Brushes
Full Coverage Kabuki
Used three times
Retails:$28.00
My Price: $20.00
Baby Buki
Used three times
Retails: $15.00
My Price: $10.00

Foot Works Deep Moisture Cream
2.5 Fl oz
Brand New
Retails: $4.00
My Price: $2.00


Foot Works Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream
First Aid Antiseptic/Extermal Analgesic
2.53 fl oz
Retails: $6.00
My Price: $4.00




Foot Works Restorative Milk Foot Soak with Epsom Salt
3.4 fl oz
Retails: $6.00
My Price: $4.00




Bath & Body Works
Purely Silk Body Lustre in Sweet Pea
1/3 used
Retails: $14.99
My price: $4.00





If you don't see anything you like, check back later....I'll be adding more things periodically. =) Happy Shopping!