Good Beauty is Hard to Find

What's New!

2011-06-21T08:15:00.002-05:00

Hello there!!

I haven't had a "What's New" post in a while, which is odd because I have so much fun doing the research for it! =)

Just an FYI-- posts will be a little sporadic for awhile, but I'll do my best to be present.

First up!

Bare Escentuals High Shine Eyecolor, $16 at Sephora.
What it is:
A vibrantly colored shadow that imparts a mega-watt sheen. The velvety-smooth formula glides on effortlessly for an extra creamy, opaque, foiled effect. A convenient, quick-draw wand allows for easy, on-the-go application.

These babies come in 12 different colors and all are so incredibly pigmented and shiney!! I played with them at Ulta, and that's what I have on in this picture:

Bumble and bumble's Texture Hair (Un)Dressing Creme, $26 at Sephora and salons.
What it is:
This product gives hair a hint of grit, some extra lift, and a tousled, shine-free finish. Its dry moisture finish leaves hair matte but not parched. It's made to mess with perfection and craft one-of-a-kind, freehand looks.

Please just check out this ad:

Hair envy.

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips, $15 at Sephora.
What they are:
Each adhesive strip attracts pore-clogging dirt and oil. Its full-contact delivery system applies charcoal powder, an ingredient that draws out impurities and detoxifies the skin. Silica, a natural mineral, controls excess oil while witch hazel extract, a natural astringent, tightens pores. Effective yet gentle, additional botanical ingredients provide a soothing and cooling sensation upon adhesion. Skin is left exceptionally clarified.

I'm telling you-- whoever does the descriptions for Boscia seriously needs a raise-- every time I read the product description I immediately want to go buy it! I might really have to try these.. hmm..

Mary Kay's new Lash Love Mascara, $15 from an Independent Consultant or MaryKay.com.
What it is:
Four times the volume without looking overdone. Flexible sculpted brush separates and coats even hard-to-reach lashes so volume looks instantly magnified with no clumps in sight. Lashes appear fuller, lifted, and multiplied, while looking naturally flawless, soft and healthy. Exclusive Mary Kay Panthenol-Pro Complex and vitamin E help moisturize, strengthen and condition lashes, defending them against breakage and brittleness.

I take it this is a "tube mascara"-- I ordered it, can't wait to try it!

And! My favorite person Heidi Klum is coming out with a fragrance!!!!!

Shine by Heidi Klum, $17-$35, not released as of 6/21/11.

The oriental scent will include notes of pear, pink peppercorn, and mandarin at the top; mimosa absolute sunflower, and lily of the valley at the middle; and Venezuelan tonka bean, vanilla, and musk cosmone at the drydown.

Beautiful!!!

Anything here catching your eye?? Tried any of these yet? Leave me some feedback!! =)

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Mascara Monday-- Mary Kay's Ultimate Mascara

2011-06-20T07:54:00.005-05:00

Hello Lovelies!!

If you've read my recent posts, you know that I recently re-discovered Mary Kay cosmetics. I've been using them for a few weeks now, and have a lot of thoughts and pictures to share with you!

Since I love mascara so so much, I decided that their Ultimate Mascara was a great place to start. Let's begin!

Mary Kay's Ultimate Mascara in black, $15 from any Independent Consultant or MaryKay.com.

What it Claims:
Turns up the wow with up to fives times the volume. Take your lashes from simple to simply sensational with Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara, the most superthickening, superstar mascara from Mary Kay ever! This exclusive, all-in-one formula delivers the benefits you love most-- long, thick, voluminous-looking lashes that last all day. You get the exact amount of mascara you need for maximum plumping -- without the clumping.

Let's take a look!

Mascara tube~

Wand~

Brush, close-up.

Two coats~

Mascara applied on left, bare lashes on right~

Ooh la la!

Complete look~

I absolutely love this mascara!! It's great for day and night looks -- it layers well, so simply add another coat for evening. My favorite part is how fluttery my lashes look!! Dramatic without being spidery.

The wiper on this tube is fantastic-- pretty much perfect. It leaves the perfect amount of product on the brush so that your lashes don't get overloaded and clumpy. Also, the densely packed brush helps to really separate lashes.

The formula is fantastic-- neither too thin nor too thick, doesn't dry too fast-- and doesn't flake or smudge throughout the day.

In a flash~
-Great mascara! Volumizing, some lengthening, with a great formula. Two thumbs up!

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

Mascara Review-- CoverGirl's NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara

2011-06-07T16:42:00.003-05:00

Hey Lovelies!!

I finally tried-out a new mascara, yaay! My favorite beauty product is- by far- mascara, so I was super excited when I picked-up this new one.

Onward!

CoverGirl's New NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara, $9.99 at drugstores.

What it claims:
- Our innovative mousse formula exchanges select synthetic polymers with natural beeswax to help make stunning volume feel luxuriously light on your lashes.
- Removes easily with soap and water.

Let's take a look!

Molded bristle brush.

Bare lashes

Bare lashes, angle

(Click to enlarge)

With 3 coats, at an angle

3 coats, from further away.

I have to admit--- when I very first put on this mascara, I immediately wanted to return it. I was just so NOT impressed. But after returning to it a few times, I've learned it's little quirks and how to make it look great, haha! (Also, I think that mascara formulas in general need to be introduced to air to really perform properly-- even with my Voluminous, it sucks if I apply it right after opening the package. Just a thought!)

First of all, the formula is AMAZING. Not too wet/dry/cakey, and it layers pretty well. You can really tell that the synthetics have been replaced-- it's not crunchy or heavy AT ALL. Yes! And, even with the moisturizing, it doesn't smudge throughout the day, and definitely no flaking.

The brush is ok... it's a molded brush, so it does a decent job of separating, but honestly it's not anything remarkable. The formula is the major kicker here~

You'll notice that it is a tad clumpy, but only if you get really close. But seriously-- see the difference between the 1 coat and 3 coats?! I'll tell you the trick--

** Let the mascara sit on your lashes for about 10-ish seconds before applying another coat. It allows the formula to dry, but not too much that it gets too clumpy. Ta-da!

I wish this mascara had more length, but as it's marketed as a volumizing mascara, I'll let that slide.

In a flash!~

A great lightweight, natural feeling mascara. Not as much drama as I would prefer, but a nice daytime choice.

What do you think? Have you tried this? Anything from the NatureLuxe line? Lemme know!!

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Apologies...

2011-06-03T00:49:00.001-05:00

Hey lovelies!!

Sorry for the lack of updates... been busy and unfortunately this took the back wheel. =(
I will have some more up soon! I've been testing out the new Cover Girl Naturals Mascara... is it worth it? We shall see!!

Again, sorry for the absence... but keep checking back! =)

Until next time (soon)--
~Beauty Maven

Reconnecting With An Old Love~

2011-05-11T23:11:00.000-05:00

Hey there lovelies!

Let me tell you about what I've been up to the past few days, since I haven't posted.

I visited South Carolina and fell in LOVE:

I have also been busy with planning my future and such. So exciting, I know... bleh, haha.

More importantly, I fell BACK in love after I attended my friend's Mary Kay party.
I know, it sounds hokey, but it reminded me of just how much I love Mary Kay--- it is truly the only brand that I continually come back to. (Though I have NEVER strayed from my Eye Primer!!)
So I decided to sign-up for the Starter Kit to become a consultant. We'll see what happens!

((Oh... and I also played with EVERYTHING in it. Duh.))

So! Up for review today:

Mary Kay's TimeWise Liquid Foundations-- Matte-wear and Luminous-wear, $20 each, marykay.com

Shade Selector

Squeeze bottle, not a pump--

Luminous-wear foundation on left, bare skin on right.

Luminous-wear on left, Matte-wear on right.

I really love this foundation. It comes in a great variety of shades-- mine is Ivory 6. It also has a nice, natural coverage, and is buildable to help cover any problem areas. The wear time is GREAT-- I didn't notice mine really fade until later in the evening. Whoo!

The Matte-wear is more for oily/combination skin, whereas the Luminous-wear is fit for normal/dry skin. For me, the Matte-wear works best.
**I want to note that, even though it is "Matte", you still have a natural "glow", not a powdery/unnatural finish. 'It's impressive to me when companies offer foundations for different skin types, instead of simply relying on the skin care/primers to take care of that. Way to go, Mary Kay!

I also tried out a color card, and a mascara. =)

Color Card:
Mineral Eye Color in Honey Spice, Chocolate Kiss, and Ivy Garden-- $6.50 each, marykay.com
Mineral Cheek Color in Sparkling Cider-- $10, marykay.com
Creme Lipstick in Copper Star-- $13, marykay.com
Ultimate Mascara-- $15, marykay.com

Check out those lashes!

I LOVE these shadows!!!!!

The blush is a nice earthy shade, almost a blush+bronzer in one~

The lip color was a bit too neutral for me, but still pretty!

Left-overs, hahaha

Ok, so we'll do this in list form:

Eyeshadows-- Awesome!!!! Great pigment and texture, and not too heavy, which makes it easy to not over-apply. Excellent wear time. I will be getting all 3 of these.
Cheek Color-- This shade ROCKS. I'm so buying it. Melts into skin and doesn't look powdery or fake. Enough shimmer to "glow" without being glittery.
Lipstick-- I don't really like this shade so much, but it was hydrating and wore for a few hours, even through endless sipping from my water bottle.

I'm saving the mascara review for another day. I know, I'm so mean. ;)

In a flash~
I approve of it all. Dead serious. I'm not trying to gimmick you into anything-- I've had an on-again-off-again relationship with Mary Kay since Junior High, hahaha!!
((And if you want to order, go here and show me some love.))

What do you think? Have you ever tried Mary Kay? Love it? Hate it? Curious? Leave me some thoughts, I'm really curious to know what you're thinking!! =)

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

Fancy Friday!!!! Cargo's Mediterranean Collection

2011-05-06T07:17:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday!!

Ok so for Easter my mother woke me up with a basket of candy and a wrapped gift. I tore open the paper to reveal-- Ta Daaa!!-- Cargo's Mediterranean Collection!!!!!!!!!!

I mentioned this on What's New/Want it! Wednesday here, and I guess she read it, haha!!

Let's check it out =)
(**DISCLAIMER-- Lipgloss was "lost" (in my purse) at time of pictures. Will post pics!!)

Contents: Blush, Eyeshadow duo, Lip gloss, Better-Than-Waterproof Mascara, and Swimmable Eyeliner.

SOOO CUTE!!!!!!

Back of the make-up pouch~

The zipper pull is a dolphin instead of a bird~

Swatches-- eyeliner, eye duo, and blush~

Colors on --- notes the golden shimmer from the blush!

The eye shades are SO beautiful!

I adore this set!! THANKS MOM!!!! =D =D

All of these colors wear very well-- they are easy to apply and blendable, and really work well together. I am in LOVE with the eyeliner!! It's creamy yet really stays in place! The gold eyeshadow is almost a smidge on the allllmost glittery side, but there isn't much fall-out so it's manageable.

The Better-Than-Waterproof mascara is a sort of "Tube" mascara, and is easily removed with warm water and pressure. I actually had a little bit of a weep while wearing this, and I'm glad to say it did not budge! The only thing it, it's really not that volumizing OR lengthening... It's an ok mascara, but not one that I will repurchase.

What do you think? Are you a fan? Did you check out the previous cutesy set from Cargo, the Safari Kit (review here)?

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!
Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

Technique Thursday-- Pin Curls, revisited.

2011-05-05T07:43:00.026-05:00

Hey there!

For some reason I have been so entranced with the whole pin curl technique, haha! I decided to try again the other day,

Here was how I tried them this time:
1. Start with dry, clean hair.
2. Spray with hairspray and curl, pinning them immediately so they cool in the coil.
3. Take them down, spray, and gently brush out.

I know you're probably wonder, "Why don't you just do them the classic way, while they're damp and sleep on them or something?" Well.... I don't know. I'm just being difficult, hahaha.

Pictures!

Beginning~

Curled and pinned~

After taking it down, hahaha!

After taking the pins out-- pre-brushing.

After gently brushing~

After it relaxed a little~

I really like how it ended up! Such a pretty wave.

I guess I really do need to try putting my hair up damp and seeing what happens. =P

Have you tried pin curls before? Any tips out there for me? What do you think of this look?

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

What's New/Want It! Wednesday-- Eyeshadows and Palettes and Nail trends, Oh My!

2011-05-04T07:34:00.054-05:00

Hey dolls!

Happy Wednesday! Maybe? I hope it's going well for you~

Get ready for your weekly dose of beautylicious lusting. Enjoy. =)

First up! Maybelline has a new Expert Wear Eyeshadow Palette for their summer collection:

Those colors just SCREAM summer! I don't know how wearable they are, but I must get my hands on this, especially with Maybelline being 40% off at Walgreens this week!! (You're welcome.)

While we're on the eyeshadow wavelength, let's take a look at MAC's new Packed to Go: 6 Cool Smokey Eye Shadows eye palette. This is only available via their website or in airports at the Duty Free shop.

I am in LOVE with all of these shades~

Ooooooo.......

Ok! Now we have some cheap nail polishes, yaay!! I love basically all of the shades just released by Wet n Wild for their Limited Edition Mermaid's Cove collection--- check out all of the swatches here. I LOVE this shade, however!!

Also! Sally Hansen is releasing new patters for their Salon Effects line!! Which one am I excited about? I'll show you! Pink Leopard. Duh.

Last but not least, let's talk about a new nail trend amongst some celebrities-- the "Daggar Nail."

Essentially they are just really long nails, tapered almost to a point at the end.

Blake Lively, with a new hair color!!, wore these to a recent event.

Personally I think they make her fingers look almost freakishly long!

What do you think of this trend? And of her new hair color??? It's for a movie-- she will be blonde again after, I'm sure~

Leave me some thoughts!! What are you lusting over right now?

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Tried-It Tuesday-- Konad's Stamping Nail Art System!!

2011-05-03T07:21:00.002-05:00

Hey Lovelies!

I've been dying to write this post, just so you know. =) I hope you enjoy!

After seeing this video on YouTube about how to create "Lisa Frank Inspired Nails," (don't laugh, you know you want them!), I decided I couldn't hold back anymore and just HAD to try the Konad Nail Stamp she demonstrates at around 4:12.

Stamper, Polish, Stencil, and Scraper.

By the way, I ordered the Leopard Print stencil and received this one... still waiting for the correct one to come in...

But in the meantime I really wanted to try it out! She explains how to use it really well in the video, but here's a quick step-by-step-- you have to do it pretty quickly:
1. Put paper towel down to wipe blade on after you wipe.
2. Paint nail color on the stencil.
3. Wipe excess off with blade, and wipe blade on towel.
4. Roll stamp onto design, and then onto nail.
5. Seal with a topcoat-- (Seche Vite doesn't smear it.)
6. Admire!

Pictures!

Polishes I used! =)

My striped "base coat"

After using the stamp~

After cleaning up the excess.. kind of..

Both feet!

I think the leopard would have produced the desired effect, but this isn't too bad, either! A bit '80s, but I'm digging the fun color, haha!

I will say that they say you "have to use" the special nail polish--- It DOES work best because it is so thick, and most polishes you have to use 2 coats, you know? But if you have a really thick polish somewhere or want a more subtle look, then have at it! It's fun to just play around with it. =)

I found mine on Amazon, which I could recommend because all of these items cost me around $13! Not bad~

What do you think? Curious about this? How do you feel about the nail art trend? Prefer simple nails? Or would you rather just stick to the Sally Hansen Salon Effects strips, haha!

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

Mascara Monday-- MAC's Haute and Naughty Lash Mascara

2011-05-02T07:54:00.002-05:00

Hey all!

Sorry for the absence-- it was nice to have a break, but I have missed these posts! =)

For today we have MAC's Haute and Naughty mascara, $18 on MAC's website and counters.

What it claims:

A two-in-one mascara that lets you choose if you want lashes to be naturally defined, or instantly combed and loaded for full-on drama. Easy to use dual-wiper system allows the lightweight formula to go on either way. One wiper refines the application for a clean sweep, while the other loads the lashes for greater impact.

Which looks remarkably like this.... hmmmmm.... MAC came first, btw. ;)

Imitation is the highest form of flattery?

It's not exactly new, but I wanted to post a review anyhow!

Essentially what this mascara does it have the wand able to be removed with two different "wipers"-- the diameter of the hole the wand comes out of-- which changes how much product is on the brush. More product generally equals more volume, and less means less volume aka lengthening. Make sense? =) It's the same wand, just pulled through a different wiper depending on where you unscrew the top.
With this mascara, the Pink wand is the lesser product one, and the Purple is more dramatic.

Pictures!

Bare lashes

Bare lashes on left, Pink wand alone on right.

Pink wand alone

Bare lashes on left, Purple wand layered OVER Pink wand on right

Purple wand alone on left, Purple wand layered OVER Pink wand on right

Overall I REALLY like this mascara! The ONLY complaint I have is that the Purple wand can have a bit too much product on it-- I find myself having to wipe some back into the tube, which I hope doesn't dry it out faster. =/

The Pink wand is a good natural look-- I prefer the Purple side, but I like a more dramatic lash. It is nice to have the option, and to only have to pack 1 mascara for day AND night!

I noticed that layering them doesn't really vary from using the Purple alone. In order to be a true lengthening mascara, it would need fibers to build the length onto you lashes~ since both wands use the same formula, it makes sense to not have that type.. you can't exactly pile on a fiber formula and have it look good, haha.

It's more expensive than the typical MAC mascara ($18 vs. $14) but if you think of it as a 2-in-1 than it's really not that bad. And actually, for a department store brand, $18 is nice, haha!

What do you think? Have you tried this? Think you will? What about the Rimmel brand one? I'm so curious!

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

Temporary~

2011-04-19T22:45:00.000-05:00

Hey Lovelies!

I don't want you to think I've forgotten about you. I have had some time consuming things going on and unfortunately this, (my hobby), had to be the first to give. I am still taking pictures and notes of things, just not enough time to make posts! I will be posting still, but it probably won't be in the "Mascara Monday...." format; just random posts, haha.

Keep checking back-- I promise I'm still here!!

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

FOTD Friday-- Pink Eyes, but in a good way!

2011-04-15T07:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!!

Another week down, whoo! ;)

Well, lately I've been wanting to play with the whole pink eyeshadow trend, mentioned in this post, so last night I decided to go all-out before washing my face for the evening. By the way, that is the BEST time to try new things, because there's nothing to lose- you're just going to wash it off!

I used my Heidi Klum Exotic Jewels palette from a few seasons back~ the original review is here~ but here is a reminder picture:

I started out with just the pink shade and built from there:

Just pink alone~

Pink alone~ It oddly brings out the green, haha!

Pink with a little black in the crease and black liner

Pink applied wet, with more black in the crease and black liner- also, pink and black on lower

Close-up

Look at how pretty the pink is! Electric!

Look from far away, just for good measure. ;)

Another close-up~

Ooooo...

I added some purple in the crease, just for fun~

Another far away, to see how it is as a complete look~

So-- what do you all think? Pretty or a little too '80s? I am loving it! I will totally wear this for my next night on the town, haha!

I think the keys to wearing pink are:
1. Wearing it with intention! If it's too soft or subtle, it will just look like your eyes or irritated or infected.
2. Choosing a shade that fits you-- your skin tone and eye color. And to figure this out, go to someplace like Sephora or Ulta where you can get your hands on some shades and just play!
3. You HAVE to have eyeliner, preferably black. The contrast really makes your eyes pop.

Some suggestions for electric pink, if you so desire to try it-- and if you do, please send me a pic to @BeautyMaven8 on Twitter or BeautyMaven8@gmail.com!!

Essence shadow in Big Bang, $1.99 at Ulta:

Urban Decay's Roller Girl set-- eyeshadow palette with 4 shadows, liner, and a gloss~ $32 at Sephora:

Also! Make Up For Ever has a number to choose from, $19 each at Sephora.

Speaking of electric colors, let's have a quick shout-out to Lisa Frank, shall we?

And, of course, Lisa Frank inspired nails:

Check out her how-to video here!! So cool~

You like that Konad nail thing? Yeah... me too... ;)

I think that about covers it! Have a great weekend!!

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Technique Thursday-- Pin Curls!

2011-04-14T07:24:00.002-05:00

Hello dolls!

The other morning I decided to try pin curls. I basically sectioned-off 1-1.5 chunks of hair, spritzed them with so refreshing spray to get them a little damp, and twisted them into a curl and bobby-pinned them.

It's easier to show with pictures. ;)

After I took them out~

Front view-- and a silly "duck face"... can't believe I did that, haha..

After I pinned them, I ate breakfast and did my makeup, and then I hit them with the blow dryer and let them cool before taking the bobby pins out. They didn't quite come out like I had hoped, but I think 1. having them in longer and 2. starting with them damper/using more heat would make them come out like I had hoped.

Basically, I thought it might be a little something like this:

Here are some nice video tutorials of how to achieve the pin-curl look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZTKrjRMf60&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57l_AjspIq8

This is also a fun video for "The Notebook" inspired hair!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00lJookeYoo&feature=relmfu

I'll definitely be trying this again! =)

Have you ever tried pin curls? Have success? Any tips for me? Haha!

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

What's New/Want It! Wednesday-- Another Trip with Cargo!! Pixi helps us for every single day, OPI eye-opener, Emma Stone is pretty, and a deal on e.l.f.!

2011-04-13T16:07:00.002-05:00

Hey there!

So I got hit with the "Spring Cleaning" bug today and organized the bajeezus out of my closet and desk. Yay! Apologies for the late post, but I wanted to oblige my urge to clean while I still had it, haha.

Ok! This is a fun week. =D

First up! Remember the Cargo Safari set from a while back? Well they're coming out with a summer version! Cargo Mediterranean Collection, $34 at Ulta.
Set includes: Better than Waterproof Mascara, Classic Lipgloss, Swimmables Eyeliner, Shadow Duo, Blush, and Postcard Makeup Bag

"So much to do, So much to see, Pack your bags, Come (fly with me?)"

I am just so in love with these postcard makeup bags!! The blue is darling, and I like how they changed the bird zipper from the last one to a dolphin! How fun~

Next up! Pixi's new Week of Wakeup Makeup kit, $34 at Target stores and Pixi.com.
Kit includes: 21 powder eyeshadows, 7 powder blushes, and 8 lip colors.

This set is neat in that it lays out a different look for each day for you! This is perfect for those of you who might feel you're in a "makeup rut" with wearing the same thing everyday. The only thing I notice is that I would probably switch up the days~ Wednesday, for instance, looks more like a Saturday look to me, haha. It's a neat, and portable, little kit! Can't wait to play with it. =)

Also, check out this OPI Designer Series nail color-- I had no clue they were so pretty!! Anyone own any of these??

OPI DS Original

This is a random picture~ But how gorgeous does Emma Stone look here?! I love her hair, makeup-- everything!

These are the curls I WANT.

And to wrap it up~ If you've been curious about e.l.f. products, Target is running a special on their website through May 7th--- Buy 2 select e.l.f. products and get FREE shipping! Details here.

Hope you all are having a nice week!

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

Note!~

2011-04-13T14:29:00.002-05:00

Hey there!

I got hit by the cleaning bug (which doesn't happen often) so I'm running with it, haha!

Post later tonight~ =)

Tried-It Tuesday-- Olay Total Effects Line and Dark Circle Minimizer

2011-04-12T07:42:00.003-05:00

Hey there!

Hope everyone had a nice Monday~ I definitely spent most of my day in bed watching an America's Next Top Model marathon, hehe.

So--lately I've been getting lots of free stuff in the mail (a la contests and first 100-entries things) and I won Olay's new Total Effects Line and Dark Circle Minimizer, which retails around $20 at drugstores.

What it claims: Well, I'll let the box tell you!

Instantly? Whoa! Let's take a look:

The box

You click the bottom to dispense product.

The brush

I got click-happy and the product got on the counter~ look how dark it is!!!!

Product on left, bare on right-- with flash

Product on left, bare on right-- without flash

I laid in on thick on the left side, thinking it would help... but um, no.

Okay. Right off the bat, I hate this tint. I had this same qualm with Garnier's Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, (swatch here), in that the "universal color" is entirely too dark! I'm sorry-- I have on self tanner, and it is still too dark! And kind of orangey... hmm.. Not flattering on most people. And even if it was, it's so thin that it really doesn't make a difference, except for with a flash because it keeps that "wet" and reflective look. Which means in real life? You still have darkness.

Other than the color, which didn't work, I really couldn't tell any difference in the "dark-circle reducing" powers. **However, to be fair, I don't quite have any bags or lines at 23, so I can't review it accurately on the 7-in-1 effects.** I have read some great reviews about the Total Effects line, so it's worth a shot if you're looking for anti-aging products--- just NOT this particular one. The color alone is such a horrible turn-off. Also, I wore it under my normal concealer, and it made my concealer fade quicker than normal. =\

In a flash~

I'd pass on this one. If you need help in the eye area, get a cream, not a tinted product.

What do you think? Do you use an eye cream? If so, what is it? If not, when do you think you should start using one?

Until next time--

~Beauty Maven

Mascara Monday-- L'Oreal Voluminous Naturale

2011-04-11T07:18:00.045-05:00

Hello!

Hope you all had a nice weekend! I was actually ready for this Monday, which is one of the weirdest feelings, right?! I think I felt like that only because, for me, Monday = lazy. I'm totally down with that!

And because it means Msacara Monday, and you know how much I ~~like~~ LOVE MASCARA!!

Up for today we have L'Oreal's Voluminous Naturale, $7.49 at drugstores.
(Many thanks to my L'Oreal insider who gave this to me-- I love trying new things!)

What it claims:
The new lightweight volumizing formula glides onto each lash smoothly and evenly to enhance fullness, without any clumps. The patented volumizing definition brush perfectly builds and defines lashes, for a clump-free, defined lash look.

I decided to compare this one with Voluminous Original~ review here.

Naturale on top, Original on bottom.

Close-up of Naturale's Brush~ a molded bristle brush.

Bare lashes

Naturale on left, Original on right

Hahaha omg I didn't know I had some lingering hairs in between my brows-- oh geez! The things pictures show.. Just more evidence that you should take a picture of yourself BEFORE an event so you can see if anything is showing up odd....

That's a shame...

Anyhow! The review:

To be honest, I didn't find a noticeable difference in the two formulas. The Naturale is maybe a tad thinner? But you have to really pay attention to notice, haha. The main difference is the brush-- the molded brush gives more definition than the original, or course, but that's really the only major difference between the two.

As far as the overall effect-- to me, the Original gives a slightly more volumized look, whereas the Naturale lends toward a lengthening look (on account of it being so well defined).

The Original can clump at times-- almost randomly, haha!-- so it is nice to have the Naturale on hand to get rid of any potential clumps. I think the Naturale is a great "beginner" mascara-- it gives a dramatic enough look to tell that you're wearing mascara without the worries of clumping.

In a flash!~
Not bad, but the Original gives a more volumized look. Great for mascara newbies, though!

What mascara are you using now? Do you ever use two for a combined look? Do you prefer the molded brushes? Leave me some thoughts! =)

**BTW I wanted to put a note in here addressed to my regular readers. It really means a lot to me to get texts/tweets(@BeautyMaven8)/Facebook messages about things you've seen on here! I just want you to know that your kindness is so incredibly appreciated. =) It gives me even more reason to always have my desk in shambles, haha!

The things I do for you... ;) And yes, that is a "Draw Dinosaurs!" book/kit.

Until Next Time--
~Beauty Maven

**Edit**

I decided I should share a dinosaur drawing with you. Behold, the Dapper 'Raptor!

I've been reading too much hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com, haha!

Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Polish Strips

2011-04-09T12:10:00.003-05:00

Ok lovelies!

The moment most of you have asked for--- FULL review of Sally Hansen’s new Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips, available now at drugstores and Ulta, $9.99, (and have been spotted as BOGO-Half Off).

They’re basically Sally Hansen’s reply to the Minx-ing trend, as made popular by Beyonce and Katy Perry, but are significantly less expensive and can be done with ease in the comfort of your own home.

Available colors:

Photo: Sally Hansen

Cut It Out, Blue Ice, Misbehaved, Check It Out, Bling It On, Collide-O-Scope
Girl Flower, It Girl, Kitty Kitty, Electric Shock, Laced Up
Groove, Wild Child, Teal With It, Frock Star, Fly Away With Me, Cry Baby

Not Shown: Skinny Jeans (denim),Booty Camp (pink camo), Glitz Blitz (gold glitter), Raise A Glass (champagne glitter), Wicked Bamboo (tan and cream striped), Violet Night (purple), Red-y For Trouble (red), and Squeezed (orange).

25 choices in all!

I picked up “320 Kitty Kitty,” a gorgeous leopard print which has been very difficult to find!
*Special shout-out to the Ulta saleswoman who, out of the kindness of her heart, dug it out of the new shipment. I am so grateful!*

As stated on the package, this product claims:
- No dry time
- Peel and apply
- Lasts up to 10 days
- Fits all nail shapes
- 16 Nail Polish Strips

Included in the box:

Box, 2 packages of the strips (8 in each), cuticle stick, instructions, and mini file and buffer.

The packaging briefly outlines the procedure:

And here are the detailed instructions enclosed in the box, in their entirety:

PREP - Start with clean, dry nails.
- Push back cuticles with wooden stick. Shape free edge of nail with hot pink side of file. Gently smooth surface of nails with gray side of file.
- Give nails one last swipe of nail color remover to remove any excess dirt and oil. (This step is extremely important as it helps your manicure last longer.) Ensure there is no creamy or oily residue left behind - Use warm hands for maximum flexibility and stretch

1. SELECT - Select best-fitting strip for each nail.

2. PEEL - Remove clear protective plastic cover, then peel nail polish strip from backing paper.

3. BREAK - Choose the side of the strip that best fits the shape of your cuticles. Break silver tab from strip.

4. APPLY - Place strip against cuticle line. Hold strip at the center for maximum control.
- Press strip to nail. Gently stretch strip for a perfect fit. (*If possible, for a uniform look, avoid over-stretching patterns.) Firmly smooth over entire nail. -Run flat side of cuticle stick along edge of strip to firmly bond strip to nail.

5. SHAPE - Smooth excess over nail edge, forming a crease around the edge of the nail. Gently file away excess from nail edge using light pink side of file. (**For metallic designs, this step is particularly important.)

Another thing to keep in mind—I would do these AFTER showering, because I have read on a few blogs of people who showered soon after application, and they had a few that peeled back. Oops! So, even though the instructions don’t mention anything about after application care… Grr, Sally Hansen… I would be gentle with these for a few hours afterward to be on the safe side.

PHEW. Well, if you weren’t ~~super excited~~ nervous about applying these before, you probably will be after reading those instructions! Though, I will give them credit for being thorough.

Here are all of the sizes from one of the packets—essentially, the choices for one hand.

I found it to be a nice variety of sizes!

A tip I have for you--- See how the little tab says “PEEL OFF”? Yeah.. be sure to peel that off. Duh, I know—but I started out merely ripping that top tab off, but as you can see, there is an actual clear protective plastic on the entire strip.. and leaving the strip on makes it not so fun to file the excess off. Just keep that in mind. ;)

Otherwise application is a cinch!

Other than my silly blunder, I found the strips incredibly easy to put on! Simply position on the nail, smooth it over, and then create a crease on the edge, (shown above), and file off the excess with the included mini-file. No heavy lifting involved!

As far as size of the strips—I found that a couple of the ones I selected at first seemed almost too big for the corresponding nail, but they ending up working and covering the entire nail, which looks really nice!

Below is a completed picture (thumb), a strip that ended up being a little too small (pinky), and one that fit juuuust right (index). However, even if the strip isn’t quite wide enough, it still looks great.

Close-up--- Rawr! So shiny and sparkly!!

Keep in mind: The strips are pretty long, (see up above), so if you roughly cut them to fit each nail, you can have enough to also do your toesies! The biggest size was too big for my thumb, but worked for my big toe, haha.

*Though the pieces were too big for my tiny toenails, I will reiterate that the excess is extremely easy to get off—I used the cuticle stick to sort of trace and scrape around my nail, and it worked perfectly AND painlessly. Whoo!

**On that note, if you are having trouble picking a size for your nail, I would err on the larger side and scrape off the excess; though, as said before, if they are a smidge too small it really isn’t very noticeable.

*** And on THAT note, for the love of Tabs don’t try to stretch these. Supposedly if you warm them or, as the instructions say, “use warm hands,” then you can stretch them to fit your nail better. I have read too many complaints about these ripping easily. Don’t do it, unless you have one to spare. I didn’t dare try to stretch them. Like I said, the excess comes off so easily that I would choose that route over stretching.

I put a top coat (Seche Vite) on my toes, for good measure, but on my hands I only put a top coat on my right hand to see which one wears longer—and since my right hand tends to chip the most, I thought I would give it the upper hand. (Get it? Upper hand? Hah. Hah. Hah.)

Quick notes on this product:
- Ease of use: A+ I didn’t even have a “mess-up/practice” nail, and they all look fantastic!
- Variety: A- Though there are 25 choices, I wish there was a nice neutral, natural color. It would open up a larger range of clientele, too, because my mother desperately wants to try these.
- Price: Ehh B- I wish they weren’t nearly $10, but if they last 10 days, I’ll definitely repurchase! I already truly recommend trying them out. They’re so fun!

In a flash~
GO BUY THEM!!

What do you think? Have you tried these? Think you will? Any Minx-ers out there?
I’ll keep you posted on how well they stay on!!

**Another side note—I had 2 strips left AFTER doing my fingers and toes!! I played with the extras on my mother, and we did 4 nails, (no thumb), with the 2 leftover strips. All-in-all, I did 24 nails with these 16 strips. Score!!

Leave me some thoughts. =)

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

--EDIT--

Leopard Nails, part 2!

Let me say, first off, that these nail strips have been the MOST FUN thing I have had on my nails EVER! Cashiers have asked about them in just about any check-out line I have been in, (most fun being Walgreen’s and Sephora, haha, since we got to chat). I’ve also had random people ask me about them, and half of those think that I painstakingly painted Every. Single. Nail. Can you imagine? That my dear, is dedication! My most favorite story is when I was watching a speaker, and immediately after the presentation was done, the girl 2 seats over from me jumped up and said “OMG are those the Sally Hansen thingies??” Hahaha!! LOVE IT!

Ok, so the main question people have had is 1. Ease of application, (which I discussed but recap: They’re easy!) And 2. How long they last. I kept notes for every day they were on to remember the progression of wear and I also took pictures whenever I noticed something new.

**Also! I applied a topcoat on my right hand, and the left is the strips on their own, to see how each held up.

Here we go!

Day:
1. I applied them late afternoon, and they were fantastic! Perfect manicure.
2. Still great—no change.
3. Still looked the same—no peeling or chipping.
4. First little chips appear, but not noticeable unless you are about 4 inches from my nails, and only on the non-top coat side.
5. Some fading on tips (both hands) but again, not noticeable unless you are really staring at your nails. See picture*
6. There were a couple of new chips, and also the non-top coat side had some little mini-cracks where maybe the nail had been bent and slightly cracked the strip? Try as I might, I could not capture a picture of this… sorry.. And my pinkie is slightly peeling up. See picture*
7. No change today except for the regrowth is becoming noticeable. See pictures*
8. The strips have started peeling up on only 3 nails, but it’s enough for me to want to pick at them-- Something which is also not noticeable to anyone who is not staring at your nails.
9. I had my first royal SMACK against a door- oops- and a nail cracks. I file it down, and it looks fine! I thought the strip might peel up, but it looks great. Also, the nail growth at the cuticle is very noticeable.
10. By now I’m ready to change my polish color, haha, and there is also enough regrowth for me to want to take it off. I’m also dying to pick at where it’s peeling up! See pictures*

Day 5

Day 7

Some of my nails looked fine all the way through day 10, especially if I was extra careful to place the strips riiiight at the cuticle.

Day 10

*Side note: when I applied them, I had a nail that was a little broken =( but the strip was just thick enough that it kept the nail from ripping off! How cool.

REMOVAL: Ok so, not the easiest thing.. Be sure you allot some time to take these off. You just use a normal nail polish remover, but it takes a little bit of scrubbing—though not as horrible as a glitter polish, haha! If you’re a “nail picker,” they’re also not too hard to scrape most of them off… Do doo…

Oh, and my toesies still look awesome. If you’re toe polish tends to chip I would definitely use these for a nice, lasting pedicure~

I think having this print really helped camouflage any flaws as the days progressed. I am curious to see how well a single color in these strips would wear. Even though they can last for 10 days, I would probably not expect more than a week. If anything, the regrowth is very noticeable. *Note- I actually had my toes on for about 3 weeks! Hehe. And using a topcoat helps, on fingers and toes!!

Oh, and also! After you open the little package the strips are in, be sure to use them fairly quickly. I kept the extras thinking I could use them, and they dried-out. =(

I hope I covered everything, but if you have any other questions/want to clarify anything, please ask in the comments!! All-in-all, I will definitely use these again, and highly recommend them!

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

What's New/Want It! Wednesday: A powder night treatment, Pink's not just for lips and cheeks!, Fall into the.. V-Gap?, and new products for Bright Eyes!

2011-03-30T00:15:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday!

I actually don't have too many things for today-- kind of a slower week for releases. But I still have some things to share! =)

Bare Escentuals introduced a new skincare line to their collection, and this one caught my eye.
Pure Transformation Night Treatment, $60 at Sephora.

What it claims: The concentrated powder formula replenishes skin while you sleep so you'll wake up to the famous bareMinerals luminous glow. It dramatically reduces the appearance of pores, evens skintone, and improves skin's texture. Available in four tones, it instantly diffuses imperfections for a range of complexions. And rest easy, it won't come off on your pillow.

Interesting idea! If it really does all of those things, it would be fantastic. And the applicator is just fun-- I love buffing brushes, haha. However, it is a bit pricey. =\

Up next! There has been an emergence of not only orange but PINK! Pink shadow has been on the runways and in new palettes. Example, Urban Decay's "The Fun" Palette, $34 at Ulta.

Here are some pictures of pink shadow in action--- I think it really is a fun look, just limited in how many situations it would be appropriate in. You could always channel this with a nice shell pink~

I've also seen a new trend with nails--- known as the "V-Gap" manicure. What do you think? I like it better than the half-moon, but it looks kind of hard to do!

The "V-Gap"

A product I am SUPER excited to test out is MAC's new Prep + Prime Highlighers. There are 3 shades: yellow for a "light boost," peachy coral for a "brightening" effect, and shell pink for a "radiant" look. These are $24 at MAC counters. Not sure of the release date just yet, but I'll tweet it (@BeautyMaven8) when I know!

Okay that's all for today! Hope you all are having a nice week~

Until next time--

~Beauty Maven

Tried-It Tuesday-- Nail edition!

2011-03-29T08:40:00.000-05:00

Hey there!

Lately I've been way into painting my nails-- but between the leopard nails and trying out Shellac (review to come), I didn't have many opportunities to change color very often, since the leopard stayed on for 10 days, and the Shellac lasted about a week.

Here are some colors I've been trying! =D

Hard Candy "Sky"-- which I added some green to~

So pretty! (Original color here.)

Hard Candy "Envy." A black base which reflects emerald.

Edgy!

OPI Austin-tatious Turquoise. Peacock-y!

My own concoction-- OPI Show It & Glow It layered over Revlon Strawberry Electric.

Bling bling! The epitome of girly, haha!

So what do you think? Which one is your favorite? Any you would/would not wear? And what color do you have on your nails right now?

Until Next Time--

~Beauty Maven

Mascara Monday- L'Oreal's Voluminous

2011-03-28T08:07:00.000-05:00

Hello all!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend~ my week is starting off with a bit of a cold, bleh, so please accept my apologies for posts being up later than normal. I will try as best as I can to be coherent, haha!

Up for today's Mascara Monday!: L'Oreal Voluminous, original with curved brush, $7.49 at Walgreens, but I often see it for $5 at Target and Wal-Mart.

What it claims:

Uniquely formulated to resist clumping, soften lashes and build lashes to 5x their natural thickness.
Maximizing formula quickly thickens and builds lashes in a single application for a full and dramatic lash look.
Patented volume maximizing brush thickens lashes evenly and smoothly leaving them soft with virtually no flakes, smudges or clumps.

Let's take a look!

Shown with the "Voluminous Naturale"-- review for that to come. ;)

Naturale on top, Original on bottm. The brush is fluffy without being TOO big.

Close-up of brush~

Bare lashes.

Bare lashes, angle.

With Voluminous.

At an angle--- look how pretty!!!!

So, basically -- I LOVE THIS MASCARA. When someone asks me what my favorite mascara is, hands down I always say Voluminous. (Honestly, I don't know why I keep playing with different mascaras... oh wait, because it's fun!)

Seriously, though-- for the price, it is of amazing quality, and it really stays put with no smudging, flaking, and applies in multiple coats without clumping. It also adds a fair amount of length, too. I am VERY demanding of my mascara-- I want it to be able to do flips and feed my cat-- and this one definitely performs 100%.

Be sure to apply coats before drying, as with most mascaras, to lessen the likelihood of clumps. The brush isn't too technical, but if you hate it upon first application, just give it a few more shots. Also-- and this is interesting-- it seems to volumize better a few days after opening. I suppose the introduction of oxygen thickens it a bit.

In a flash~

Great mascara. If you own one mascara, this should be it.

Have you tried this one before? It's definitely been around a while! Let me know your thoughts on it!! =)

Until next time--

~Beauty Maven

Technique Thursday-- At-Home Keratin Treatment

2011-03-24T07:13:00.000-05:00

Hello there!

This is going to be a long and AMAZING post-- so just be prepared!! ;)

I recently heard about this fabulous new hair treatment -- Keratin -- which straightens hair and reduces frizz without chemicals. Whoa, right?

According to WebMD, Keratin Hair Straightening is described as follow:

Keratin is a protein found naturally in your hair. It can fill in gaps in the hair cuticle that are cracked, dry, or damaged. It is applied to the hair, and then sealed in with the heat of a flat iron.
The results of keratin-based treatments last about two to 2 1/2 months. Keratin treatments take about 90 minutes or longer, based on the length of your hair. The price also rises and falls with your hair's length, but averages around $300.
Color -- whether highlights, low lights, or merely covering up the gray -- can be done on hair that has had keratin-based straightening treatments. In fact, some hair care experts recommend getting the treatment right after your color so that it seals the color in as well.
There is some downtime with these treatments -- meaning not washing your hair for three or four days afterward, because the solution takes time to work.

So-- as you can see, the salon process is pretty pricey and takes a good chunk of time to apply, but you really see results:

Whoa.

Well, the other day I was in Ulta and saw a Keratin at-home treatment by Organix. Since I have naturally straight hair, I asked my curly/Barbie-haired friend if I could try it on her. She obliged. =D

The product:
Organix Brazilian Keratin Therapy 30-Day Smoothing Treatment, $14.99 at Ulta (and Walgreens).

Click image to enlarge.

Selling Points, as per their site:

Why We Love It…It’s an amazing keratin therapy originating from the Amazon rainforest.

Why You Want It…This rich formula of Brazilian cocoa nut oil and keratin proteins to smooth and strengthen your curly or wavy tresses.

   What’s In It For You…
   Transform your hair into silky smooth locks with this exclusive blend of organic cocoa nut oils,
   keratin proteins, avocado oil and cocoa butter.

     What’s it in...
   Organix® bottles are eco-friendly, manufactured from materials containing recycled
   post-consumer resin. All labels are printed utilizing environmental inks and compostable label
   film made from annually renewable resource corn, not from petrochemicals.

Instructions:

Wash hair with clarifying “PRE SHAMPOO” packette (included), then rinse. For extremely curly hair wash twice. (Do not condition). Conditioner will keep the treatment from penetrating the hair cuticle.
Towel dry and comb hair. Hair should be 80% dry.
Shake bottle well. Apply treatment to two inch sections of towel dry hair. Do not over saturate. Do not apply directly to skin or scalp. Wear gloves provided.
Comb treatment through hair to evenly distribute from the roots to the ends.
Let treatment sit on hair for 30 minutes.
Pull hair straight using a brush and blow dry until hair is completely dry.
Flat iron hair in small sections on high heat (450° recommended) to seal keratin treatment onto the hair shaft. Note: There is thermal heat protection in the treatment to protect your hair from overheating. Flat iron each section 7 to 10 times. Treatment should be applied in a well ventilated area. Fans are recommended for air circulation.
Leave treatment in hair for 48 hours. Do not wash or let hair become wet. Do not bend hair, tuck behind ears, or use ponytails, barrettes, etc. If hair becomes bent, wavy, or kinky, blow dry with a brush or touch up with flat iron until hair is straight again.
After 48 hours, wash and condition hair with a sulfate and sodium free shampoo. For best results use in conjunction with Organix® Brazilian Keratin Therapy products. Style as desired.
To preserve treatment, continue to use ONLY sulfate and sodium free shampoos and conditioners. Treatment lasts up to 30 days.

Use any remaining product for touch-ups.

This seemed very promising-- but already there is a hiccup. It says a 450-degree flat iron is preferred... well, most Chi's only go up to 350-degrees, if you're fancy.

Let's see how it worked!

Her hair curly~

KERATIN TIME!

Hair wet- before applying treatment.

Hair after applying treatment + blow dry.

Hair after applying treatment + blow dry + flat iron.

It looks AMAZING, right?? OMG her hair is so gorgeous. Jealous, girl! ;)

She had to keep it straight for 48 hours, and then got to shower and see what the real results were. (By the way-- shout out to her for taking some great pictures for me to use!! Thank you!!)

The sulfate-free shampoo + conditioner she used~

Leave-In Conditioner she uses normally, so she did this time, too.

Hair out of shower-- showing curls~

Hair after blow dry-- not what Keratin promises. =\

Hair after straightening-- shiny and healthy!!

Here's what she had to say:

Frizz gone? No
Cuts down on frizz? Yes

My hair is the easiest to brush and blow dry than it's EVER been. The treatment definitely toned down the frizz, and my hair is super soft. Normally, after blow drying, my hair feels like straw... I feel like I'm starting from square one with styling. With this, I feel like blow drying was at least somewhat productive, and straightening it wasn't as hard as normal. The blow dry time was diminished, and I could actually blow dry AND brush my hair at the same time. I normally have a lot of tangles, so it is groundbreaking for me, a curly haired girl, to be able to blow dry and brush at the same time--- The treatment was worth is just for that!

Overall-- I'd give it 4/5 starts, since it made blow drying so much easier, and it cuts down a ton of frizz-- I'd say about 75%-- and only being $15. My hair looks healthier and is more hydrated, and even after blow drying and straightening, my hair doesn't feel like it's had heat on it.

So there you go!! Any questions? Ask in the comments! =)

To be fair-- this treatment only promised to "transform your hair into silky smooth locks," and not the air-dried straightness that the professional Keratin delivers. If you have the money/it's worth it to you, the salon Keratin treatment really is remarkable. You can even have you hair stick-straight, curled-under, or flipped-out-- depending on how the stylist sets it with the flat iron! I'm curious about making my hair curly, haha! Twisted, I know. ;) I've seen the treatment range from $150-$300, so check with your local salon if you're interested. And it you live close to me, I highly suggest Vogue Aesthetics! They really know what they're doing~ and you can have some feathers put in while you're there! Haha!

Until next time--

~Beauty Maven

EXTREMELY new-- NatureLuxe Mascara!

2011-03-23T16:18:00.001-05:00

Hey dolls!

I JUST NOW saw this on Pat McGrath's twitter--- a picture of a new release for CoverGirl's NatureLuxe line~ NatureLuxe Mascara Mousse:

I don't know exactly what they mean by mousse, but count me in on wanting to get my hands on this one!I'm betting it will still be a bit before it is released, though.

I still haven't tried anything from the Natureluxe line-- though I have played with the foundation, and heard many great things!

Have you tried anything from Natureluxe? I'm so curious!!

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

What's New/Want it! Wednesday: Naked Palette Dupe?, A blush worth ''grinding'' for, And some SHATTERING news!

2011-03-23T07:50:00.004-05:00

Hello!!

Wednesday is definitely my favorite day. =) Especially with getting tax returns, ahh!! It is SO HARD to save money. Not fair, haha.

First up!

This is an old one, but I've been DYING to find it.....
Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in Hidden Treasure, $? because it's not in stores anymore! =(

It's SO BEAUTIFUL-- This polish is a topcoat which adds a sort of holographic look. Here is a picture courtesy of AllLacqueredUp.com of this color over a green---

Luckily, as you can see, there is a pretty nice dupe by Nubar-- the only thing is I hate to pay $6 for shipping for a $5 polish. Ugh. Such a pretty topcoat, though!!!!!!!!!!

Next up--- NYX has a couple of new products that are verrrrry intriguing....

This should be exciting for those Naked Palette lovers out there---
NYX has a new palette, Nude on Nude-- $25 on their site--which other blogs are claiming to be a good Naked Palette wannabe~ I haven't seen one in person so I can't confirm/deny, but as soon as I do I'll share my thoughts! =) Regardless, it is a great deal for a nice neutral palette.

20 shadows and 10 lip glosses~

Dimensions

Another item which caught my eye is NYX's new HD Grinding Blush, $16.50 on their site, hopefully at Ulta soon! I'm excited to play with this one because it reminds me of Smashbox's powders-- hmmm...

And speaking of Smashbox! They have a new lipstain out~ it's neat in that it has the stain+balm, like Revlon's Just Bitten (review here), but the balm is in a matching color.

Limitless Lip Stain and Color Seal Balm, $23 at Sephora.

Another I can't wait to play with!

Ok and THIS IS EXCITING----

OPI is coming out with more Shatter colors!!!!!!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!! They will be out at the beginning of May~

Ok I think that's enough excitement for today, haha! Have you seen anything new recently? Leave me some love!

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven

Tried-It Tuesday-- Hair Feathers!! and Shellac'd nails-- ow ow!

2011-03-22T19:32:00.003-05:00

Ok. So this is cool---

A new trend is wearing feathers in your hair, called "hair feather extensions," a la Hiliary Duff:

They're pretty fun!! A little funky without being something that's permanent. They're easy to have applied-- takes about 2 minutes-- and are non-damaging to the hair. Also! You can use heat on them!! So you can straighten, curl, etc. How neat!!

I had a chunk put in my hair today~

There are 3 feathers-- natural (striped), yellow, and white.

Where it's clamped on~

I LOVE this look! It's fun and funky, and not in the least bit permanent. The lighter colors almost look like chunky highlights, haha!

What do you think? Will you try this??

Also-- I finally experienced Shellac! Here's a picture-- more on that later, though. =)

Until next time--
~Beauty Maven