A short vacation...

9:00 AM


I am going to be out of commission until Monday, so I apologize for any delay in response to emails or comments.  Once I get my fill of beach and sun, I will be back to my usual programming...

I hope you all have a great rest of the week and weekend!

Simple

Spotted: Another new brand at Walgreens - Simple skincare

10:36 AM


I apologize for the delay - I've been experiencing some technical difficulties with Blogger and my computer, but it appears everything is back up and running again. 

Anyway, a few weeks back I posted some new lip balms I spotted at Walgreens, by a brand called Simply.  Evidently, Walgreens is getting into the more natural skin care lines, as there is another brand called Simple and I saw this end cap at another Walgreens closer to my house. 

Simple is a collection of products for sensitive skin (that would be me!).  Products ranged in price from $6.49 for the facial wipes, to $12.99 for the more specific items (i.e. the Soothing Eye Balm and moisturizers).  These are touted as the #1 selling skincare products in the UK, so I am very curious to try this line out.  I didn't get anything this time around, but I am considering taking a gander at the eye balm.

Below are some closeups of the products:  Click the names to get directed to their website for product details.


(Moisturizing Facial Wash and Smoothing Facial Scrub)

(Cleansing Facial Wipes)

(Soothing eye Balm)

(Replenishing Rich Moisturizer and Hydrating Light Moisturizer)

Have you seen or tried any of these?  I'd love to hear from you, as I am very curious about this brand!

Lip Balms

Swatches: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

9:36 AM

I posted a review of the Revlon Color Burst Lip Butters in Cherry Tart and Sugar Plum a few weeks ago.  I really like this new collection from Revlon, so I decided to go pick up a more neutral color to keep in my purse - Peach Parfait.


Peach Parfait is a warm peach-pink with a slight golden shimmer.   Honestly, this appears more pink to me, especially when on the lips.  Not that I don't like it because of that, but maybe a strawberry parfait is more appropriate? 


Swatches on - this is a nice and easy "go to" in my bag when I need to refresh throughout the day.  The quality and consistency is just as the other two I reviewed earlier. 


Happy Friday to everyone!  I don't know about you, but I am ready for the weekend!

EOTD Purple

EOTD: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Eye Shadow in Cyber Lilac

10:43 AM


After posting the swatches of the Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Eyeshadow in Cyber Lilac, it's about time I showed you how beautiful this color is on.  A very versatile color as far as purple goes, I couldn't be happier that I can call this one my own. 

For the look below, I used the following:

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxie - base
Laura Geller Baked Eye Elements Amethyst Skies pallet - light lavender shade - inner corner
Estee Lauder Gelee in Cyber Lilac - outer corner, crease
Laura Geller Baked Eye Elements Amethyst Skies pallet - champagne highlight shade as highlighter
Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeliner - Black
Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Volumizing Mascara


Below I blurred the picture so the shimmer and sparkle of the look could really be seen.  All of that gorgeous sparkle from the Estee Lauder shadow really comes through in the picture.



Thanks for stopping by!


Meijer

Spotted at Meijer: New Display with MORE colors for NutraNail Gel Perfect UV Free Gel Colors

11:26 AM

Back in December I posted a small display and review of the NutraNail Gel Perfect UV Free Gel Nail Set.   Well, while walking the cosmetics aisle at Meijer, I saw they had a full display with several more colors than the original one I saw at Walgreens.


Lots of pinks and reds, a few more neutrals, but one color that really struck me as unique: Moonstone. 


Moonstone is a dusty blue base with iridescent and silver microglitter.  I am now regretting not picking this one up to try out.  I've noticed that a majority of these gel polishes are cremes, not shimmers. 

Pretty, huh?  What do you think?



First Aid Beauty

Get yours now! New Beauty Test Tube on QVC

12:43 PM


I don't know about you, but I love to try out now products.  Skin care, hair care, and of course cosmetics.  Right now I'm in beauty-heaven because of all the new items that have come onto the market with the new year.  Well, QVC also has an opportunity for you to try out several new or up and coming items before any one else - the New Beauty Test Tube.  I have talked to several people who are currently receiving this on auto delivery, and absolutely love it, so I decided to take the plunge.  I figure for $30, this is my new year's treat to myself.  I also chose to make this a year-long treat by signing up for the auto delivery plan, so I will receive a new beauty tube in April, August and October.   There is also a one-time plan available as well.

What is it?
From NewBeauty.
1st shipment includes 0.39-fl oz full-sized Mally Volumizing Mascara; 0.003-oz full-sized tarte emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner; 0.5-oz Kate Somerville ExfoliKate; 0.5-oz Ole Henriksen Truth Serum; 2.0-oz Nick Chavez Yucca Root Shampooing Cream; 1.0-oz philosophy field of flowers perfumed shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath; 1.0-oz philosophy field of flowers perfumed body lotion; 2.0-oz Calista Tools Achieve 10 Styling Cream; 2.0-oz First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream; and January edition of NewBeauty magazine

Subsequent shipments: contents vary

Made in Italy/USA
Now if I ordered the Mally Volumizing mascara ($28 for two on QVC.com) and tarte emphasEYES eyeliner alone ($18 on Sephora.com), I'm looking at $32 already, so I figure this is a good deal!

I am very excited!  What about you?  Will you or have you purchased this?

Konad

NOTD: LA Color's Color Craze Metallic Nail Polish in Purple

8:39 AM


Every once in a while I come across the L.A. Colors nail polish at CVS.  It's hit or miss on when and where they will carry them, but a couple of years ago I stumbled across a set of four Color Craze Metallic polishes.  This is one of them.  None of the colors have a name, so I have dubbed this one "purple".  Creative, I know.


This purple is a deep blue/purple jelly base with purple iridescent glitter.  When I look hard at the polish, especially in the bottle, I get bits of pink, so there may be a pink or magenta glitter in there as well.  Here is a closeup of the bottle so you can see the color - this is about as true-to-life as I could get. 


Three coats below and I got a really nice coverage.  At first I thought it was going to be difficult to get the full opacity, but once I started the second application, it was smooth sailing.  In the sun the sparkle really comes through, otherwise it is a just a really pretty deep purple.  I would exactly call this metallic.  I consider metallic to me more of a foil effect, but this is pretty none the less. 


Also, my very week and last minute attempt at a stamping on my ringer finger.  Not too bad, but I really need to sit down and figure this whole Konad thing out.  I bought one for my sister and myself for Christmas.  She has used it so much that she is an expert now, so I need to go get a tutorial from her!


Happy Monday to everyone.  Here's to this week being a great week!


Estee Lauder

Review and Swatches: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow in Cyber Lilac

9:00 AM


It's obvious that I've been busy if I am just getting around to posting this beauty: Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow in Cyber Lilac.  I received this for Christmas from my mom and I absolutely love it.  I actually had sent her some swatches from Temptalia's site because I thought these were so beautiful.  Evidently no one around us had them so she had it shipped in from Nordstrom's a few states over - guess these are quite popular, and once I saw it in real life, I could see why!


This comes in a beautiful gold compact that opens up with a mirror the size of the compact, a sponge applicator and the actual product, which looks like ripples and waves. 

"Color so metallic, it's futuristic. A first-ever techno tri-blend formula that's gel, powder and liquid in one. Create several looks from one shade. Apply it dry for a smooth, molten metal finish. Use it wet for a hyper-cyber effect to intensify the color and metallic shine. Unique formula allows you to build the fantasy to the highest chromatic shine. Sophisticated metallic finish looks beautiful on all skin tones." 


A closeup of the color and you can really see the metallic finish.  This is sort of a blend between a powder and a liquid.  It initial look reminds me of a pressed version of the MAC Crushed Metal pigments, but less grainy. 

No matter what I did, my camera would not pick up the complexity of this shadow.  Not only is it purple and metallic, it has just the slightest red undertone with different shimmer - maybe some taupe and some deeper purple, but its very small and hard to detect without looking at it up close.  This was the best I could get. 


The swatch below is one pass with the sponge applicator.  It is very creamy, smooth, and very easy to blend.  I am extremely impressed with how much pigmentation this has with dry application: no primer, nothing on the brush, just the applicator.  I have worn this with and without primer - either way I have had no problems with fading, creasing, etc and ended up getting the whole day's wear out of the color.  I did find that I had less fallout when I used a primer (I used Fyrinnae's Pixie Epoxy), but the fallout I did have was minimal at best to begin with.


I will post an EOTD so you can see this on, with other shades, and how well it blends. 

Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Eyeshadows are $24 for (0.03 oz) pan and can purchased online at Nordstroms.   There are several other colors to choose from including, Cyber Green, Cyber Copper, Cyber Teal,  and Cyber Silver.

Do you have any of these Gelee Eyeshadows?  What do you think of them?


Lip Balms

Spotted at Walgreens: Simply Shine Lip Shimmers 2/$4

2:43 PM


A brand I haven't seen before, spotted at Walgreens - Simply Shine Lip Shimmers.  These little beauties are 2/$4 and come in three colors.   Simply Lip Shimmers are affordable, organic products made in the good ol' USA. 

From their website:

Simply believes that good products should be within reach, and the cost of a natural lifestyle shouldn’t be prohibitive. In fact, we believe this should be every consumer’s right. Our products encourage a healthful, natural lifestyle. And we want every like-minded individual to be able to enjoy the benefits of our high standards:   

All Natural – Yes, our products are always free from any chemical or synthetic alteration. We believe you have a right to know what’s in the goods you purchase. And we keep it just that simple: All of our products are 100% All Natural, 100% of the time.

Premium Organic Ingredients – We make products with Premium Organic Ingredients affordable. For example, we sought out the best organic extra virgin olive oil for our Lip Shimmer — and we offer it to you without over-the-top markups. We’re scrupulous about every ingredient we select, and you benefit.

Responsibility – It’s not lip service or a trendy attitude, we are proud of our ever-evolving eco-conscious mindset, and we feel every company should follow suit. Before that can happen, we have to set a good example with our own Environmental & Social Responsibility. Our progressive strategy includes: Animal Cruelty Free Products, Eco-friendly Packaging & Recycled Materials – at realistic price points.

Made in the USA – That’s right, not only are we eco-conscious, but we’re also econo-conscious. We think it’s obvious that environmental, social, and economic stability are interdependent. So our far-sighted approach to commerce considers the big picture: Strength and stability start at home. That’s why all Simply products are Made in the USA. And we’re proud of it, too.

We’re working to level-set what people can expect from companies...so the consumer remembers they have the power to insist on the highest standards. Simply choose premium organic products without absurd markups.

What do you guys think?  Have you seen these yet? 

Nailene

Spotted at Walmart: New Nailene SensatioNAIL Invincible Gel Polish Kits and Refills

10:00 AM


It appears the at-home gel nail craze is in full effect.  I posted Nutra-Nails Gel Perfect UV Free Gel Color review and swatches a few weeks ago, and since then I have started to see those particular kits pop up in more than just Walgreens, so I would say they will be soon available in a number of outlets.  Anyway, at Walmart the other day, not only did I see the new SkinnyGirl Face & Body collection, I turned around to look at the Essie polishes and found this: Nailene's SensatioNAIL Invincible Gel Polish Kits and refills. 

The kit itself (pictured above on the display, and then a few closeups below), actually contains whatever color you pick for the polish, The Gel Primer, The Gel Base and Top Coat, the Cleanser, and the LED Light to set the polish.  You can also pick up other colors, which come in a smaller box with a swatch on the front.


All in all there are 12 colors to choose from:



I took some pictures of the actual main kit below - it's a simple four step process on the box - primer, color, set and top coat. 


This is what is actually included in the starter kit :  Cleanser, color, primer, base and top coat, and the LED light.


If you are really interested in the "how-to's", I downloaded the PDF for the actual instructions, found inside the box.  Click the image to see a larger view.


The starter kit retails for $49.98 and the refills/new colors are $9.98 a piece.  Seems about right compared to some of the other kits I've seen that sport a light - the light themselves tend to sell for around $50 a piece, and then you have to purchase the colors and cleansers separately. 

What do you think?  Something you might pick up? 

Costco

Costco.com has eos Organic Smooth Sphere Lip Balm 6pk for $14.99 - Online only!

10:32 AM


If you like the eos Organic Smooth Sphere Lip Balms, then you might want to head on over to Costco.com and see the deal they have running - a 6pk for $14.99!  Not a bad deal at all! 

The set comes with 2 of each of the following flavors: Strawberry Sorbet, Summer Fruit and Sweet Mint.  Item details below:

eos™ Lip Balm That Makes You Smile.
Can a lip balm make you smile? We think so. That's why we invented this one. eos™ lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, soothing Shea butter and Jojoba oil, eos™ keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.
Directions:
Twist off top. Pucker up. Smooth on. Smile.
Features:

  • Jojoba oil - Provides long-lasting moisture
  • Shea butter - Softens and nourishes
  • Vitamin E - Provides antioxidant protection; soothes and heals
  • Smoothes on clear
  • New smooth sphere precisely glides on to lips
  • Twist-off top
  • Gluten-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Petrolatum-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Appropriate for all skin types
Ingredients
Strawberry Sorbet:Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Limonene^, Linalool^.
*Organic
^Component of Natural Flavor
Summer Fruit:Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Natural Flavor, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract*, Linalool^.
*Organic
^Component of Natural Flavor
Sweet Mint:Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Beeswax/Cera Alba*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract*, Tocopherol, Limonene^^, Linalool^^.
*Organic
^^Component of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*
Not Tested On Animals

Skinny Girl

Spotted @ Walmart: SkinnyGirl Face & Body Solutions by Bethenny Frankel

9:11 AM

A few months back I posted about a new line extension from Bethenny Frankel, the SkinnyGirl Face & Body line that is to be carried exclusively at Walmart.  Well, I finally saw it when I went to grab a few things this weekend, so I snapped a couple of pictures of the display and what is on it.  You can also see all the items online here.
This was on an end cap facing the wall of nail supplies, including Nicole by OPI, Essie, and Sally Hansen.  The display is kind of a mixed bag of things, from cosmetics to skin and body care.  The top has two rows of different types of lip balms and glosses, as well as a lip scrub


Next up, about halfway down the display are two rows of skin and body care.  There are tinted moisturizers, cleansers, scrubs, body lotions and cleansers as well as a tinted body shimmer. 


At the bottom is a set of SkinnyGirl Mommy collection, including foot scrubs and a cooling foot lotion and mist.  There were also some gift sets of certain things in various citrus scents. 


The price starts at around $4.97 for the lip glosses and balms and runs up to around $15-16.97 for the more intensive items and sets.  The packaging is cute, and there definitely are quite a few things to choose from.  Interesting enough, although I don't know if I will pick anything up from the collection. 

Have you seen these?  Are you going to get anything? 

CVS

Spotted at CVS: New Physician's Formula Happy Booster Collection for 2012

8:53 AM


Last year about this time we spotted the Physician's Formula Happy Booster collection, just in time for Valentines Day.  I picked up two of the blushes, which to this day are some of my favorite blushes to use, especially when in doubt about what color to use for the day.  Well, this year they have come out with two new bronzers and two new blushes in the set, as well as two lipsticks.  The lipsticks, like the blushes and bronzers, have a cute little heart embedded in the lipstick as well.  I am such a sucker for cute packaging, and again these little hearts hit the spot!

Physician's Formula is quickly becoming one of my favorite brands from the drugstore.  Like I've mentioned before, I love their gel eyeliners, highlighters and the blushes (especially those in this Happy Booster collection) are great as well. 

Have you seen these new colors?  As much as I love the blushes, I will most likely pick one of the new shades up.  I need to take a closer look and see how they compare to the two I got from last year's collection.  I really like the bright pink one, though.  The lipsticks, too, are on my "want" list.  What about you?  Are you getting any of them?

CVS

Spotted @ CVS: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips LE Collection for Valentines Day

10:03 AM


It's hard for me to think we have started a new year already, let alone the upcoming holidays of the late winter and spring, but it is time!  Sally Hansen has released their newest limited edition collection for the Salon Effects Nail Strips for Valentines Day.  This is a set of five different strips to choose from.  They are all adorable, although I would love to see some with conversation hearts on them!  I mean, what is more iconic about valentines day than those!? 

Anyway, here are some closeups - they are all very cute!

Are You Single and Speed Dating

Cross My Heart and How Romantic

Love Always

Have you seen these yet?  I think I am going to pick up Are You Single and Speed Dating.

Bare Escentuals

FOTD: Bare Escentuals "True Gold", Ulta Mineral Eyeshadow "Atlantis" and Fyrinnae "Otherwordly"

10:58 AM


Happy New Year!  Bring on the sparkles for 2012!

A few days ago I saw my Ulta Mineral Eyeshadow/Liner in Atlantis, which I hadn't used it in a while.  Using it I built a turquoise and gold look around Atlantis with Fyrinnae Otherwordly and Bare Escentuals True Gold. 


For the look, here is what I did.

Face:
Laura Geller Champagne Spackle - primer
Laura Geller The Real Deal Concealer in Light - concealer
Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten in Porcelain - foundation
Milani Baked Blush in Corralina

Eyes:
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Bare Escentuals True Gold - inner corner
Fyrinnae Otherwordly - middle of lid
Ulta Mineral Eyeshadow in Atlantis - outer corner into crease
Milani Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Lily White - highlight
Physicians Formula Gel Eyeliner - black from the Hazel Eyes collection
NYX Glitter Cream Sweet Chocolate Browns pallet - gold over black eyeliner
Lashblast Mascara in Black

Lips:
Laura Geller lipstick in Vista


It's hard to capture the sparkles in this look, so above I blurred it a bit so you get a good idea.  The NYX really stands out in the picture above. 

Below is a clear closeup of the look. 


I don't usually wear blues, but that Ulta shade is really pretty.  I actually love wearing it is a liner - it has enough green and teal in it to make it very wearable. 

That's all for now! 

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