Covergirl Eye Enhancers single shadows

Every now and again in the struggle to find the absolute best makeup, you find a dud....something that just doesn't deliver, or is useless. This is what I found in Covergirl eye shadow in the color "gold sizzle" I was looking for a really yellow gold shadow for a while, and thought I had found it, but boy was I wrong! The thing does not blend well, it is very chalky, the consistency is not smooth, and this is all while used dry. The color was barely there, I kept on trying to apply more but it just wasn't "sticking" I even tried it with a primer, and no dice....So I tried it wet (when you put on eye shadow with a wet brush it usually makes it so much more intense) it got even worse, it compacted the powder even more and has now become unusable. I then proceeded to toss that crap in the trash and never looked back... Save yourselves some money and walk away very quickly when you see it in the makeup isle, once again, LOOK AWAY!!!

This is how it looks, I'm showing you so that you can spot the beast!

 http://cn1.kaboodle.com/img/c/0/0/195/7/AAAADNln1iIAAAAAAZVzrw/covergirl-eye-enhancers-gold-sizzle-420.jpg?v=1320426382000

Sonia Kashuk Eyeliner Palette

Hey Everyone!

  This week I found another little jewel, and this time at Target....I can never pass up the makeup isles there... Its an eyeliner palette from Sonia Kashuk that has 5 colors and a really cool collapsible brush. The eyeliner colors are really pretty, very wearable shades that are really the only colors you will ever need. The consistency is sort of a mix between a gel and a powder, it really goes on well and you would think that the brush is a little too thick but it isn't, its really quite good. I LOVE this set, I have tried the plum and blue colors and they have lasted all day, its really easy to do a winged look and smokey eyes are easy to create with this. Its very much worth the money, and it seems like this would last a long time, for about $13.00 you cant go wrong!

 http://soniakashuk.com/img/products/liner-eyePalatte-m.jpg

Estee Lauder Vérité Calming Fluid

Hi All,
  I don't normally buy products from Estee Lauder because they are so bloody expensive, but I was at a skin issue low at the time and the Macy's lady was very convincing this time around... I should have known I was doomed from the moment I accepted a "free mini makeover", conniving thieves! Anyhow, she kept on pointing out how red and blotchy my skin was (digging the hole of self esteem deeper) and the lotion felt so refreshing going on that I decided I would get the damn thing.

http://www.esteelauder.com/products/images/311x311/0951_311x311.jpg

I bring it home and use it morning and evening as directed for 2 weeks, and (drum roll) .........................................NOTHING!!!! $65 dollars down the drain and not one thing was achieved, my skin still looked like rass (multi-use Belizean term for terrible) and I could have bought something so much better like perfume which is my crack. So I decided to go back to Macys and return it, the sales woman then looked at me with venom and took it back, spitting out "well it is supposed to take away redness TEMPORARILY"... I told her by temporary they mean 5 minutes and left.... wont have to go to that Macy's again tho so whatever!

Anyway, tomorrow is Friday so I will say have a good weekend in advance! Take care!

Kar
xoxo

Origins Vitazing Tinted Moisturizer

Continuing on my trend with "eco-friendly" products which are pretty good for sensitive skin, this tinted moisturizer packs a good wallop. It is from Origins which, in my experience, are a pretty good brand because they make products which are "formulated with natural certified organic ingredients, and natural oils." They are formulated without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and a bunch of other crap I cant pronounce that is apparently bad for you... What I like too is that they make the stuff using renewable energy resources, and have packaging which contains recycled content or in some cases is biodegradable.. good stuff haw? 

Anyhow, I like that it has SPF 15 because I would prefer to NOT have skin cancer, and it advertises that because of the mangosteen and ginseng ingredients, among others, it wakes your skin up so that you don't look so frickin tired all the time. This was the selling point for me because I NEVER slept when I was doing my masters, a condition which unfortunately affects us all, remember my trick with the toner and the fridge ;)

I liked this a lot, because of the SPF, natural ingredients, and because it did a pretty good job on my skin, I think I had less blotchyness overall but I was hoping for a tad more coverage from the tint. I also felt that my skin was a bit oily with this (looked like I could fry an egg with all that grease).... ahem! It worked fine if I used a powder on top, so I am almost out of it. I would buy it again because I like the product, especially how it adjusts the color based on your skin tone, its actually kinda fun to rub it in and see the color change, and in the end I do feel like my face looks a bit more "awake" and youthful. Its just the damn greasyness I don't like, so I might dig around for something else when this finally runs out. 

Cost wise its good even though its about $35 because it lasts a good while, I got mine like 6 months ago and its still going. You get what you pay for sometimes, and with skincare I don't really mess with the stuff that is dirt cheap, i try to stay on the safe side with a brand I trust.  However, there are things out there that really are cheap and great but that is for another post..... 

http://www.origins.com/images/products/300x338/or_0HJX01_300.jpg

Aveda Foot Relief

This product is the best thing since sliced bread! I absolutely adore it and don't think i will ever be without it again. I love Aveda products because they are natural, and use plant derived active ingredients, they usually have a very relaxing, herbal smell. They can run a little pricey but for the most part are absolutely worth it! This foot relief cream is the best I have tried...and I have tried MANY, I've always had problems with dry, cracked heels and this makes it non-existent. According to their website the cream is "blended with active herbs, exfoliating fruit acids and plant-derived oils like jojoba and castor". It costs $21.00 for a 4.2 oz tube so like I said this is on the pricey side, you know how i love to save a buck but I do it gladly for this one. Your feet will thank you and so will your significant other (if there is one) when they touch them, you wont be given any snarky comments on your rough heels is all I'm sayin! 

http://www.aveda.com/images/products/254x320/av_A04N_254.png

Butter of London Nail Polish (All Hail the Queen)

I had originally seen this on another site, Fragrantica.com,  where I live and die at because Im a fragrance freak and that is where all the fragrance geeks go to. They have a section in the "club" area that talks about other beauty products and one member talked about it on a thread about nail polish. When i saw this color I fell deeply in love and vowed that I would search far and wide until I got a bottle for myself because it seemed to be the perfect balance between glitz and sophisticated beige. I had been looking for that balance for what felt like forever, something that I didn't feel was boring or too "blingified".

I finally got it from Ulta because I had a coupon from them it is a bit pricier than my usual polishes but I didn't mind paying a little more for something I thought would be perfection, its regularly $15. I love the bottle, dont worry about the rectangular top because it pops off so that you can use a round handle, which is easier to maneuver.  First impression is that this nail polish is of good quality and it dries fast, it lasts pretty long without chipping and application is great. Now for the cons.... I honestly thought there was gonna be a bit more sparkle to it, you dont see the holographic sparkles unless you really look at the nail closely ( wanted more). Secondly it is a bit transparent so you have to do about 3-4 coats to have an opaque finish, but they dry fast so you dont really get much bubbling. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oSWdFHteXAnRzdy5fUAsyaruswI-4ZggUydiYlLYUYonDv3eVENKU2no0Ln3nAFhu7VjmnUaass0ysI08rbP4jrFurliJcc8NfADraxKXMSkdJsD_WXyynI5CD5ETtsfOr22Ua5rwHA/s1600/AHQ.jpg
I took pictures for this myself but have no idea why its not letting me post them so this is from another blog (sorry). 

In all I really like this nail polish and I can see myself using the whole bottle, but im not certain I would buy this color again, I was just expecting more sparkle... so now im on the hunt for a holographic nail polish because im obsessed and cant help it.... 

LONG overdue post

Hello,

 I will be surprised if anyone is still even following my blog as I have been absent for so long. Doing what you may ask..or not...getting my Master of Interior Design degree and  moving across Florida among other things. So since I am more or less back to normal I just wanted to start this blog up again cause I missed it, and although I have been awol on this, I have NOT been absent in any way from the beauty world.... that would never happen, I cant seem to cure my addiction! Anyway, for those who may still be out there reading this (cue in sound of crickets) welcome back, and I promise to keep on reviewing products, giving you my unbiased opinion so that you can enjoy something new or keep away from the shitty stuff that I discover too ;)

Kar
xoxo

Organix Nourishing coconut Milk Mousse

                                       
Hey everyone,
  Sorry for not putting anything up recently, I've been a bit busy! The latest thing that I have fallen in love with is Organix Nourishing coconut milk mousse. It is supposed to have egg white proteins in it to make hair stronger and add elasticity, while coconut oils add the hydration and balance. I really like it because lately my hair has been sort of oily or it goes to the extreme of being dry if I don't put in any product. I used Biosilk for a long time and loved it but it has been way too oily for my hair lately, might be the hot weather here in MIA lately, been hot as a biotch! I also tried a Neutrogena leave in conditioner which worked great but I was hoping for more volume, so when I stumbled across this baby in the drug store I had to get it. Volume AND moisture? I didn't think it was possible but it is, you must go out and buy this product because it is wonderful, I just put it in after I wash my hair and brush it, then leave it to air dry. I am really happy with this one, totally worth the $6.99 I paid for it. If you want a little more shine to your hair try use a TINY bit of Biosilk or some other shine serum on the ends and you should be good to go!

Image courtesy of :   www.ulta.com

Tresemme Fresh start dry shampoo

http://cdn-sm.tresemme.com/Tresemme/US/files/products/FSDryShampoo/product-large.png

I have been looking for a dry shampoo for a while now and this really is the first that I have tried, I decided I needed a dry shampoo because my hair gets oily around the roots really fast now. I believe my hair type has changed this year actually because I have always had really dry hair and now its somewhat oily (it may be from taking biotin). I also find this helpful to put in the hair after the gym (not when hair is still wet from the sweat, but a little after). Anyway, I went to Walgreen's and decided to check this one out since it was cheaper and looked just as good as the other stuff in the isle, it cost about $5.00. I tried it out this morning and I really like how it smells, the directions say to hold it like 8 inches away from your hair and spray the roots and then wait like 1-2 mins so that it can absorb the extra oil and crap in the hair.  I have to say that it does leave the hair feeling a little heavier, but I think that I may have held the can a little too close or put too much in my hair because the can says you are supposed to spray it LIGHTLY and well...I didn't spray it so light when I think back on it. Determined to make this work I went on their site and found a video on how you are meant to apply this thing. Basically I did it all wrong as you are meant to separate your hair into sections so that you can get into the roots better (I just sprayed that shit all over) and then you really need to wait the minute that it says on the can (which I didn't really do) THEN proceed to brush out the excess and style (this one I did). 

All in all the product is great if you read the bloody instructions! Their site also pointed out that it is good for people with color treated hair so that the dye lasts longer due to fewer washes. I would try it out if you have oily hair syndrome like me and see if you like it, for $5.00 you can't really go wrong. 

Estee Lauder Sensuous Noir Perfume

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AnFXMENKH8EMzVRAMfsht1komQ5zsPirNH1DrKQ0ClT2gFpwI0ZVMicxaUKlzJ2a3Vvt6A3agQVkAop1RKWEayzit5jOInVf6NDOAy_Jg6OTyRXuzONecWYw9XXwkpbZ91uqPYJMVwsH/s1600/SensuousNoir.jpg

This is the BEST perfume I have ever had, I love it as I have never loved another fragrance in my life!!!!It is like sex in a bottle  and I feel so elegant and classy wearing this. When i wear this I feel like i can take over the world, I would imagine that Cleopatra seduced Marc Anthony wearing something like this. It is not for the feint of heart, if u like sexy woody orientals with vanilla or amber then this is the one for you! This is what they say on their site in regards to the notes that comprise this little gem.

 

Key Notes:

      Exotic Purple Rose Blended with the subtle sweetness of Rose Essence, Jasmine Queen of the Night          lends its velvety petals and narcotic aroma to the opening notes.

• A rush of Black Pepper brings a spicy vibrancy to this tempting bouquet.

• An enticing heart centered around a core of Melted Woods Nature Print, yields a sleek, feminine woody signature that is unmistakably unique.
• Luscious and captivating Creme Noir Accord enhances the enticing presence and smooth sensation.
• Evocatively mysterious, Patchouli Prisma is richly faceted, yet earthy and elusive.
• Perhaps the most sensual of flowers, the Spiced Lily offers its nectar to butterflies and bees, and envelopes the heart in a hypnotic midnight garden effect.

• Wrapping your senses in luxurious sensuality, precious Benzoin and creamy Vanilla add texture and warmth.
• A drizzle of rich Honey and glowing Amber reveal a luminous opulence that lingers throughout this dark and mystifying blend.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Powder

http://www.physiciansformula.com/bigimage.aspx?width=300&path=Upload/en-US/ProductFeature/07060.jpg

http://www.physiciansformula.com/bigimage.aspx?width=300&path=Upload/en-US/ProductFeature/07038.jpg

THIS IS AWESOME!!!! I love it, It hides most blemishes and evens out the skin. On their site, they describe it as "3-In-1 Corrector + Primer + Powder - All colors blend together to create a perfect canvas finish: Pink brightens, Green tones down redness and Yellow adds warmth." I actually got this in a set which included the concealer (one pink and one flesh colored) and the mineral foundation. I really like the concealer too because it covers very well and dries to a powder finish. I am now going to throw away all the rest of my crap that doesn't work in my makeup drawer. This is a GREAT find and I am super impressed! The kit cost me $20.00 for all the 4 items at walmart, but you can find them separately as well, if I recall the mineral correcting powder was like $12.00. Try it out you will not be disappointed!

Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder

http://a248.g.akamai.net/7/248/8278/20100813030140/www.sephora.com/assets/dyn/product/P181001/P181001_hero.jpg

Not only do I love the packaging (it was the first thing that caught my eye) but I love the way I look when I put this baby on. A lot of the time when I try a bronzer or face illuminator I always look either too orange, brown, or pink, but not with this one! Golden bronzes, pinks, and neutral fawns make up this sexy powder and I swear after putting it on by cheek bones and a little on the forehead, nose, and chin, I look like I came back from Cancun! I just put it on my face in the places that the sun would normally hit so that it looks natural, people always make the mistake of putting it all over the face and then they look really fake and weird. If you put this on in conjunction with a tiny bit of blush, you can also look like you were just at the beach AND stopped off to have really great sex on the way back! You can enjoy this pretty bronzer for about $28.00, its a little more expensive than a drugstore brand and its ok because this one is of WAY better quality!

Sephora Baked Moonshadow Trio

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I am somewhat of a freak when it comes to eyeshadows, especially when they come in like a trio or whatever, and I have the option to use them all separately or mix them at once. This one is especially nice because it is very shimmery, and the colors have very good pigment, they work well dry or wet. I normally use it dry, but have used it wet for more intense color. The one I purchased is "dusk till dawn" it has two lovely purple shades and a light pink one (shown above). This one was $16 and well worth it!I also like buying stuff at Sephora because they give you samples every time, last time I got a mini mascara which I now keep in my purse, I love miniature things!!!...well sometimes....

Avon Clearskin® Blackhead Eliminating Daily Cleanser

http://shop.avon.com/shop/assets/images/prod/PROD_1086094_XL.jpg

This SUCKED!!!! The first time I used it, it seemed fine, then 2 days later I had this horrible reaction where my face got red and puffy and itchy and burned like a mofo! For about a week after that i had these little blisters on my face and it was all sensitive and red, looked awful! I went to my dermatologist and couldn't figure out what the hell it was because I had used it like 2 days before and thought that if something was to happen with using that cleanser that it would have happened sooner as with most allergic reactions. About a month later I run out of my normal Burts Bees Orange essence cleanser so I bust out the Clearskin cleanser again, nothing happens at first and all is well until like clockwork the next day I start having the symptoms from the last time I tried it, I quickly down two Benadryl and hope that shit goes down before I look all horrid again! The Benadryl worked and I didn't get it as bad as the last time, but it is confirmed that The Clearskin cleanser is the culprit and I will never use it again! I hope I save some people from the misfortune of trying that product as it has given me the most violent reaction I have had in a long time. I wonder if anyone else has tried this and liked it or had a bad experience like myself?

BATH AND BODYWORKS SUNLESS TANNER

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To all my fellow pasty people out there, this is for you! I have mostly come to terms with the fact that I am a whity and that I need to own everything under the sun that has SPF in it, my moisturizer is spf 30, i have a tinted moisturizer that is spf 50 from physicians formula (i dont like it, its very oily), and my everyday moisturizer has spf 15. I run from the sun because I know that shit causes wrinkles and sun spots really early ...not to mention skin cancer, so i am a big believer in bronzer and now, sunless tanners. I tried a Neutrogena sunless tanner before which was ok, it was a cream so it was easy to apply, but somehow i felt orangy. I then decided to try one from bath and bodyworks's true blue spa line, this one is much much better! It is a bronzer combined with a self tanner, it smells a lot better, and the color is more "natural" looking, i also feel that it is easier to apply because it is a tinted cream/gel and you can see where you are putting it. I never noticed in the lighting inside, but when i went outside and the sun shone on my skin, i could definitely see the sparkle of the bronzer part of it. The instructions say to apply it after you have exfoliated and are fully dry, and that it takes about 4 hours for the tan to fully develop. I apply a lotion to my knees and elbows so that those areas don't get that much color, and I make sure that I wear gloves when I apply because even if i wash my hands every 5 mins the palms still get a lot of color (which you dont want). If you want to put it on your face because that is really white too, then mix it with a little of your moisturizer that way you get subtle color and don't look like an extra from the jersey shore...I have not encountered any allergic reactions to this tanner but just to be safe (especially for face) try it in a small area first. Enjoy your new sunless tan my fellow whiteys!!!!

Tapping into my Inner Makeup Artist!

So i recently was involved in a fashion show where my team and I had to make dresses out of flooring materials, ours being vinyl flooring materials. I took it upon myself to do the makeup and decided to go wild! I really surprised myself and will defiantly try to do this more often because I was really really fun! Here are some pics that I took of the models, hope you like!

Products That I used include:

Model on the Left

Lancome Orange loose powder eye shadow

Loreal HID loose powder eye shadow in purple

Milani eyeliner in Purple

Elf highligher

Rimmel Lip gloss

Icy opalescent glitter

false eyelasher

purple rhinestones

Model on Right

Milani BLACK MAGIC Blackened Eye Liner and Eye Glimmer in green

Elf Highlighter

False Eyelashes

MAC matte red lipstick with black liner on top to darken it

Icy opalescent glitter 

rhinestones

Smith's Rosebud Salve

This is one of the best things since sliced bread! I love it, it has been around for donkeys ages, and can be used as a lip balm, great for dry cuticles, rough skin (elbows, knees, etc.) it even says on the tin that its good for diaper rash! I use it mostly for my lips and rough cuticles, after i put it on as a lip balm i use the residue for my cuticles, it also smells lovely . Its small so I keep it in my purse, its great for travel too because it takes care of so many things so you don't have to pack extra crap.I love how the tin is so vintage too, very cool! It cost about $5.00 at Sephora but I know it is available at a bunch of places, i think bath and bodyworks has it too.

Avon chocolate kiss lip glosses

I LOVE this lip gloss, it is not sheer by any means, it is like a liquid lipstick really, and it is available in a chocolate cream color (which i did not get) Cherry Truffles, and Chocolate Covered Strawberry, almost hot pink. They smell exactly like chocolate and taste pretty good too, i also like the fact that they stay on for a really long time, the only issue i have, and this is if i get picky, is that they glosses are a bit sticky, but then again thats why they last right? I checked today if they still have it available and I don't see it on the website but they have it again every now and then, it was like $1.00 when i got it on sale too. Keep in mind that in the image above, i had just woken up and was still drinking my coffee, also, that is just gloss with no other product (that is how much pigment this product has!) Great find!

Avon Far Away perfume

 i know i have not been doing this regularly, it shows how much time i have i guess.... but i am back for a little while again! I recently got some more stuff from Avon because it was just so damn cheap and I am a sucker for a good deal! in this set of products i got Far Away EDP, powder, cream, and shower gel I am taken aback at how wonderful this stuff is, I love it like i love ice cream, i have never been a one perfume type of gal but this shit makes me want to convert to the Far Away religion. I wear it everyday and what i love the most is how the fragrance develops throughout the day, I can smell the subtle coconut note, and i am enveloped by the vanilla and amber base notes which I catch a whiff of every now and then. I have never had such positive feed back either, i was walking around school and this guy walking behind me yelled "you smell SOOOOO GOOD!" I was taken aback but loved the complement! Either way this perfume smells much more expensive than it really is so its i got it on sale for i think 20$ for the set. I will be buying it again in the future for sure!

ELF Shimmering Facial Whip

So I bought this Shimmering Facial Whip from ELF (Eyes Lips Face), I did not really like it too much as a highlighter for my face, HOWEVER, it is the BEST eyeshadow. I got it in a golden peach color, and I just squeeze out a tiny bit and rub it onto my eyelids, it has stayed on for a good long while, and it does not crease (i have a big problem with everything creasing on my lids) it actually smells nice too. I also have put it in my body lotion and it gives a very subtle glow, really cool! On the site it says to use it on lips, but I'm not sure i would do that... just seems like it wouldn't be the best idea...so try it out and let me know what you think!