PnkSugr Beauty Scoop

Teal-ishous Eyes

2012-03-26T16:35:00.000-04:00

This teal eye look I did was inspired by a makeup tutorial from YouTube guru QueenofBlendingMUA. She's does such amazing stuff. I didn't do my makeup exactly like hers but I did use the same color scheme she did. This also gave me the chance to use my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal. Since the eyes are so bright & bold I kept the rest of my face soft & neutral.

Face:

Garnier Dark Circle Eye Roller

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Makeup

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Earser Dark Circles

Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer

MAC Beauty Powder in Sweet Harmony

MAC Blush in Peachtwist

E.L.F Bronzer

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray

Lips:

MAC Hello Kitty L/S in Cute-ster

MAC Hello Kitty L/G in Mimmy

Eyes:

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tenacious Teal all over lids up to the crease

NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk on the brow bone down to the crease

MAC Hello Kitty E/S in Too Dolly on inner 1/3 of lids

Urban Decay E/S in Peace on middle 1/3 of lids & lower lash line

MAC Hello Kitty E/S in Stately Black on outer 1/3 of lids & outer half of lower lash line

MAC Hello Kitty E/S in Creme Royale on brow bone & tear duct area

Milani Liqif-Eye Eyeliner in Black on upper & lower lash line & waterline

BareMinerals Flawless Definition Volumizing Mascara in Black

Love You Like A Love Song Inspired Look

2012-01-17T11:15:00.000-05:00

This look was inspired by Selena Gomez's music video for Love You Like A Love Song. The song came out last summer but I recently saw it again recently & thought I'd try it out. It's the makeup look she wears singing at the karaoke bar. It's a purple smokey eye with a touch of silver in the tear duct area with a bright red/pink lip. I thought it was a fun look for going out and this is my interpretation of that look.

Face:

MUFE HD Primer

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller

Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear in Bisque 4W

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer in Beige Medium

MAC Beauty Powder in Summer Rose

NARS Bronzer in Love Joy

LORAC Perfectly Lit in Spotslight

MUFE HD Powder

Lips:

MAC Lip Primer

MAC/Hello Kitty L/S in So Popular

MAC/Hello Kitty L/G in Sweet Strawberry

Eyes:

UDPP

Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner in Eggplant on the lid up to the crease

and on the lower lash line

Urban Decay E/S in Ransom all over lid & pass the crease

MAC E/S in Shady Lady on the lids up to the crease

and on the outer 2/3 of lower lash line

MAC E/S in Vanilla on the brow bone

Urban Decay E/L in Zero on upper lash line, waterline, & tightline

L.A. Splash E/L in Silver on the tear duct

and inner 1/3 of lower lash line

NYX Silver Eyeshadow

Fairdrops Scandal Queen Mascara

Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear Foundation

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

Product: Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear Foundation is a makeup that is suppose to provide 18 hours of shine free coverage. It's a sheer to medium coverage foundation that come in 10 shades for light to medium skin tones. It has a natural, almost satin, finish that keep the skin from looking too flat. According to Lancome this foundation is non-acnegenic, non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested, and safe on all skin types with no oils or fragrances.

Claim: According to Lancome from the Sephora website, it claims to be a breakthrough makeup formula that provides 18-hours of shine-free wear. This fresh formula in a convenient tube delivers weightless-yet-moderate coverage that instantly minimizes the look of pores and imperfections. The complexion remains flawless and shine-free from morning until night—for a full 18 hours—even under humidity and perspiration. The weightless, ultra-resistant formulation contains the breakthrough ColorKeeper™ Refining Complex, which has highly resistant pigments that visibly erase pores and imperfections for flawless, fade-resistant perfection. The exclusive shine-control technology keeps skin looking fresh and matte all day so there's no need for retouching. The formula is non-irritating and protects skin from UV damage with SPF 15 sunscreen.

Price: $ $ $ $
I bought this foundation at Sephora.com for $32. Though it's a bit pricey, it's actually on the lowered end for Lancome foundations and around average for high end/ department store foundations.

Packaging: ♦ ♦
The packaging for this foundation could have been better. Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear Foundation comes in a 0.8 fl oz. white squeeze tube with a black screw-on cap. Upright, it stands on it's cap. I wish they had done the packaging differently for this product. The actually foundation is liquidy and if I store this foundation standing, the foundation tends to run out of the tube once I open it. I have to store this foundation upside down so I don't end up wasting product when I open it to use.

Pros: + + +
Light Weight
Nautral Finish
Easy to Blend
Long Lasting

Cons: - - -
Does Not Provide 18-hrs of Shine Free Wear
Packaging Could Be Better
Limited Shade Range

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥
I actually bought this product in the beginning of the summer. I needed a foundation that was light weight, shine free foundation that would last through out a summers day. When I came across Lancome's Teint Idole, base on the discription, I thought I had found my foundation.
After using this foundation a few times ( and through out the summer), I thought this foundation was very "middle of the road". There were things I liked about it but with an equal number of dislikes as well. I liked that it was light weight with a natural finish. It contains SPF 15, which was perfect for the summer. The foundation doesn't dry very quickly, allowing me time to blend it out with ease. I also felt that it lasted well. It still looked good 6-8 hrs. later without looking like it was melting off me face.
With all that being said, there were things that I thought could have been better. Even though it lasted well, it wasn't 18 hrs of flawless, shine-free coverage. After, two hours I already started to get shiny. That was the main reason why I bought this foundation, because it was suppose to have shine-control. The packaging could have been better. Though I don't mind a squeeze tube container, because this foundation is so runny, I think it would have been better to package it in a regular foundation bottle.
Now that it's winter time, I still wear this found often. My skin doesn't get as oily in the winter so it's not something I have to worry about this time. It has worked better for me this fall/ winter since my skin is drier. I really wanted to love this foundation but once I finish with it, I wouldn't spend another $32 to buy it again. If this foundation wasn't Lancome and so expensive, it might have been forgivable that it didn't fully live up to it's claim. I wouldn't recommend this for those with oily skin, but this might work better on those with a dry skin type. If you do have oily skin this might work better during the colder months when our skin isn't as oily as it is during the summer.

19 Best Face Moisturizers

2011-12-01T11:53:00.000-05:00

19 BEST FACE MOISTURIZER

Find the perfect facial skin care product for you, whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive or somewhere in between

Depending on your skin type, moisturizer is either a take-it-or-leave-it product or a can't-live-without-it item. But in reality, nearly all skin types can benefit from some sort of moisturizer.
Dry skin types can certainly attest to this. Without their daily dose of hydration their skin would be flaky, itchy and tight. Luckily, this list of the best face moisturizers includes products that deliver intense hydration that lasts all day without causing breakouts or greasiness.
Oily skin types might use moisturizer less often, but they actually need it just as much. Because people with oily or acne prone skin often put drying products on, their skin may start to produce more oil to balance it out (yikes!). But using a light moisturizer (even one with oil-control properties) can help keep skin in balance and actually cause it to produce less oil over time. Thankfully, this list also has light moisturizers that are perfect for oily skin -- they don't cause breakouts or extra shine but do offer some hydration.
And if you have sensitive skin, you know that a good moisturizer can calm redness or flare ups of skin issues like eczema. Most sensitive skin will benefit from a basic moisturizer without a lot of added chemicals or preservatives, and there are plenty of products that fit that bill perfectly on this list.
So check it out and we're sure you'll find the right product for your skin.

By Sarah Carrillo

I found this article at TotalBeauty.com

Bronze Autumn Eyes

2011-11-30T23:15:00.001-05:00

Even though winter is already around the corner, I wanted to put this FOTD look inspired by fall colors. I have been slacking with this blog :( I've had to work so much more these past months that I've totally neglected my blog. Hopefully, I'll do better in the future... Anyways for the eyes, I used my Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Policy palette. I haven't really touched this palette in a long time and found it again in my makeup collection.

Face:

Urban Decay De Slick

Dr. Brandt Pores No More

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC35

MAC Beauty Powder in Summer Rose

Lips:

Carmex

MAC L/S in Velvet Teddy

NYX L/G in Smokey Look

Eyes:

TFSI

Too Faced E/S in Socialite All Over the Lids to my Crease

Too Faced E/S in Full Frontal Outer Corner/ Outer Crease

Too Faced E/S in Glamazon on Browbone

NYX Slide On E/L in Jet Black at the Upper Lash Line & Water Line

Sephora E/L in Copper Electro on the Lower Lash Line & Tearduct Corner

L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black

Cheap Swaps for High-End Makeup

2011-09-07T23:08:00.000-04:00

Think you need to pay $30 or more for a decent blush or mascara? Not with these cheap makeup picks that work just as well as high-end beauty products

For the record, we're in no position to judge a good makeup splurge. Our makeup bags are loaded with MAC lip glosses, Nars shadows, and tubes of Lancome mascaras. We'd be giant hypocrites if we told you to always bargain shop for your beauty products. But …

It turns out you totally can (and maybe should) hit up the drugstore for your beauty products -- even if you once swore you'd never use anything but your favorite $59 foundation and $24 lipstick. But before you blindly fill up your cart at Target with an aisle's worth of shadows, check out these makeup pros' tips on the drugstore products that are exact -- or nearly exact -- duplicates of high-end makeup.

Trust us, if anyone would know which cheap makeup products can sit next to your splurge-worthy ones, it's these experts. They literally try thousands of beauty products and definitely know a good match when they see one. With these picks you can do your entire face -- from foundation to lip gloss -- without breaking your budget. And the best part? These drugstore picks are all high quality, so no one will know you went the bargain route. Well, unless you decide to spill your secrets, but we'll leave that up to you …

Click here to see cheap makeup swaps for high-end products.

By Sarah Carrillo

Article Found at TotalBeauty.com

Sparkling Purple Eyes

2011-09-05T20:35:00.000-04:00

A fun purple look that you can wear anytime, anywhere. I wanted to make my eyes the focus so I kept the rest of my make up soft & neutral.

Face:

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller

Smashbox PhotoFinish Oil Free Primer

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup in Tan

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Lips:

MAC/Hello Kitty L/S in Cute-ster

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Lavender from Lash Line to Brows

& Tear Duct Area

UD Stardust E/S in Retrograde all over Lids & Lower Lash Line

MAC E/S in Shady Lady on Crease & Outer V

MAC E/S in Vanilla Brow Bone

L'Oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Eye Liner

UD 24/7 E/P in Zero on Water Line

Benefit Bad Gal Mascara

Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty

2011-09-04T22:54:00.000-04:00

Ulta is doing their 21 Days of Beauty, starting Sunday, September 4th thru the 24th of September. It's a great time to find deals and steal on your favorite beauty products. For a list of deals for each day click HERE.

Naked Golden Eyes

2011-09-03T20:12:00.000-04:00

This is a simple great everyday look that you can wear to school, work, or wherever. For my eyeshadow I used only Urban Decay's Naked Palette. Because this is such a neutal look I added a pop of color with my lipstick.

Face:

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller

Lamcome Teint Idole Fresh Wear in Bisque

Nars Blush in Orgasm

MUFE HD Microfinish Powder

Lips:

EOS Lip Balm

Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

MAC/ Hello Kitty L/S in Most Popular

MAC/ Hello Kitty L/G in Nice Kitty

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

UD Half Bake all over the Lids

UD Smog in the Crease

UD Darkhorse at the Outer V & Lower Lash Line

UD Virgin on the Browbone

UD 24/7 Liner in Zero

White E/L on the Water Line

Benefit's Bad Gal Mascara

Touched By Turquoise

2011-04-18T18:02:00.001-04:00

With spring being here I love being able to use bright bold colors but still make it wearable. Here's a look using Urban Decay's Naked Palette and Covergirl's Eye Enhancing 4-Kit Shadows in Tropical Fusion.

Face:

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC35

MAC Hello Kitty Beauty Powder in Tahitian Sand

NARS Blush in Orgasm

NYC Bronzing Powder in Bronze Gold

Lips:

MAC Prep+Prime Lip

Cargo Reverse Lip Liner

MAC l/s in Hug Me

Eyes:

UDPP

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Covergirl Turquoise all Over the Lid

UD Darkhorse Outer V, Lower Lash Line & Crease

Covergirl Light Orange to Blend Above Crease

UD Virgin on the Browbone to Highlight

UD Half Baked on Around the Tear duct area

L'Oreal Linuer Intense in Carbon Black Upper Lash Line

Remmel Automatic Eyeliner in Black on Waterline

Maybelline One by One Volum' Mascara

Hair Removal Products: 15 Best Shaving Goods

2011-04-17T11:14:00.004-04:00

Hair Removal Products: 15 Best Shaving Goods

Bumps, ingrown hairs, and cuts -- oh my. Check out these amazing shaving products to avoid a sc-hairy situation

Until we laser our entire bodies from the neck down or decide to deem body hair on women socially acceptable, we, like it or not, are pretty much forced to deal with the annoying and sometimes unpleasant process of removing our body hair.

And with this demand comes supply of hair removal products -- and lots of them. From gels and creams to razors galore, drugstores are a shaving product haven … but not all products are created equally.

That's why we've sifted through hundreds of reader reviews of hair removal products in order to present you with a list of the best. Readers say these amazing products make the hair removal process much smoother (pun intended).

Readers claim the products have saved them from the ingrown hairs, bumps, redness and irritation that can often result from shaving incorrectly. So before we share the list, check out these tips from Venus Scientist, Claire Girdler on how to get your closest, smoothest, least irritated shave ever:

Tip 1: "It is essential to prepare the skin and hair prior to hair removal," Girdler says. If your skin gets irritated easily, try applying pre-shave oil to the area before your shaving cream for more protection.
Tip 2: "It is advisable to shower or bathe beforehand to ensure that the hair is hydrated with warm water for two to three minutes," says Girdler. "Hydration of the hairs makes them significantly softer and easier to cut, which reduces the feel of tug and pull of the hair during shaving."
Tip 3: Make sure you change your blades frequently (after every five shaves) since blunt blades only require more strokes, which can result in irritated skin.
Tip 4: Pulling the skin taut will "minimize any damage to the skin and will also help the blades cut closer to the skin, resulting in a closer shave," says Girdler.
Tip 5: Apply a post-shave treatment like a fragrance-free, soothing moisturizer with aloe or chamomile. Girdler says, "regular exfoliation and skin moisturization will help reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs."

By Sharon J. Yi

See the 15 best shaving products now.

Article found on TotalBeauty

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller

2011-04-16T23:06:00.000-04:00

Product: Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller is an eye cream and concealer in one. If you suffer from dark circles and are looking for a product to easily and instantly correct your problem this might be the product for you.

Price: $ $
You can find it at your local drugstore for around $11- $13. I bought mine at Walmart for $11.97. It's fairly inexpensive for a skincare product so you don't have to worry about breaking the bank.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Garnier's Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller is packaged the same way as their Anti-Puff Eye Roller, with the difference in color. It's comes in a long skinny plastic tube with a metal roller ball applicator on top. Each tube comes with .5 fl oz of product.

Claim: Instantly roll away dark circles. Caffeine Gel + Rollerball energizes and stimulates microcirculation. Lemon Essence brightens. Tinted mineral pigments instantly corrects dark circles. Over time, lack of sleep and daily fatigue make eyes look tired. Microcirculation slows and the delicate skin around the eyes becomes thinner and more translucent. Dark circles and shadows appear. Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller is right for you if you want to instantly correct the appearance of dark circles and brighten the skin around your eyes.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Squalane, Bis-Peg/Ppf-14/14 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Talc, Nylon-12, Maltitol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Caffeine, Citrus Medica Limonum Extract/Lemon Fruit Extract. [+/- May Contain: Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499/Iron Oxides].

Pros: + + + +
Conceals Dark Circles
Brightens Eye Area
Easy to Use
Lightweight
Affordable

Cons: −
Doesn't Prevent Dark Circles
Good For Only Light to Medium Skin Tones

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ever since Garnier came out with their Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, I've been meaning to try it. I only hesitated because I was doubting how well it would work. I had tired their Anti-Puff Roller was disappointed and I apprehensive to try another roller. Finally, curiosity got the best of me and I finally bought it.
Since I bought my Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller, I've used every morning over my moisturizer & primer and underneath my foundation. I simply roll the product under my eyes once and then pat it with my fingers to blend. Before trying it on I thought the coverage would be sheer because it said "Sheer Tint" on the box, but once I had applied it, it had great coverage (medium-full). This Anti-Dark Circle Roller also works to brighten the area under your eye. Before I tried the Anti-Dark Circle Roller I used an eye cream, Smashbox Photo Op, and an under eye concealer. Now I only have to use one product.

Garnier claims that not only will this product cover your dark circles but that it will also help create better circulation under the eyes helping to improve the appearance of dark circles. I've used this for almost a month now and my dark circles are just the same. It really doesn't help in that sense, it really just covers up the problem. It bothers me that they had to mention that because now I feel like it didn't work to it's full potential. They should have just said that it conceals and brightens. Maybe it does help others with their dark circles but it didn't work for me.
Another tiny issue I have with this roller is that only those with light to medium skin tone could use this. I'm doubt the tint would work for those with darker skin. Its always disappointing when a good product is limited to only certain people. Everyone should at least get a chance to use this.
I definitely recommend giving Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller a try.

Swatch on NC35 Skin

Not Using Any Other Products

FOTD: Soft Everyday Smokey Eye

2011-03-24T20:21:00.002-04:00

Face:

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer

L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation

Nars Blush in Deep Throat

Nars Blush in Love Joy

Lorac Perfectly Lit

MUFE HD Microfinish

Lips:

EOS Lipbalm

NYX L/L in Neutral

Nars L/G in Dolce Vita

Eyes:

MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre

UD E/S in Shag, ShotGun, Zero

MAC E/S in Satin Taupe, Vanilla

UD E/L in Zero

Maybelline One by One Volume Mascara

LORAC Perfectly Lit

2011-03-23T23:33:00.000-04:00

Product: LORAC Perfectly Lit is an oil-free powder luminizer. It comes in three shades Golden Cream, Radient, & Spotlight. Golden Cream would look best on someone with a light skin tone & cool undertones. Radient would look best on someone with a deeper skin tone & warm undertones. While Spotlight would look best with medium skin tone & either cool or warm undertones. I have Spotlight

Price: $ $ $ $
At Sephora LORAC Pefectly Lit cost $32. It's might be a bit high for some but others might find it worth it.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦
Pefectly Lit comes in a round, silver, plastic, compact. The dome shape top clicks on and off to reveal the product inside. Each compact is 0.34 oz.

Claim: Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder instantly puts your face in its best light, giving your skin a luminous Red Carpet glow. This oil-free, velvety powder brightens and evens, helping skin appear naturally radiant. This unique luminizing powder helps diminish the appearance of imperfections by optimizing the effect of light, for a youthful, luminous, glowing complexion. *

Ingredients: Mica, Nylon-12, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxyxcinnamate, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Octyldodecanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tocopherol. May contain Bismuth Oxychloride, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Ci 77499.

Pros:

Soft Shimmer
Smooth & Silky
A Little Goes A Long Way
Multi-Functional

Cons:

Price

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ever since I've gotten LORAC Perfectly Lit I've been using almost everyday. I love how natural it looks without being too shimmery. It diffuses light enough to give you a nice glow. Though it's an all over face luminizer, I've used it mostly to highlight my cheeks, as well as my browbone and the bridge of my nose.
When you apply it, the powder is very smooth. You don't need to apply a lot in order to achieve a nice glow. Since it's an oil-free powder, you don't have to worry about looking greasy through out the day. This is good for those with oily or combination skin.
LORAC's Perfectly Lit is not overly dramatic or understated. It's just right to give you a natural glow. You can use this product in different way and it will last a long time. I would recommend giving it a try.

MUFE High Definition Elixir

2011-02-26T22:04:00.000-05:00

Product: MUFE HD Elixir is a serum to help hydrate dry skin before moisturizer and makeup.

Price: $ $ $ $
You can find MUFE HD Elixir v exclusively in stores or online at Sephora or Make Up For Ever for $38.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦
MUFE HD Elixir comes in a 0.40 oz thick glass vile with a black screw on top. The applicator is a dropper. You simply squeeze the top to either take in or release the serum from the dropper. The elixir is a clear, slightly thick liquid that feels watery to the touch.

Claim: HD complexion collection uses innovative formulas to create a new generation of makeup that is invisible on high-definition cameras and to the naked eye. This unique, lightweight elixir absorbs quickly into the skin, instantly hydrating and brightening the complexion. The breakthrough formula contains D-Panthenol and Glycerin to ensure an immediate boost of hydration (+520% after 15 minutes) that lasts throughout the day (+175% after 6 hours). Argatensyl is added to provide an immediate smoothing effect. Each ingredient was specifically added to prepare skin for high- definition makeup—so you can count on the camera picking up the perks of this perfecting formula. *
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglycerin-10 Esters, Pentylene Glycol, Xanathan Gum, Mannitol, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Argania Spinosa Extract (Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract), Ethylhexylglycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Biosaccharide, Gum-1, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum (Fragrance), Carbomer, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9.

Pros:

Moisturizing
Non Greasy
Absorbs Quickly
Lightweight
A Little Goes A Long Way

Cons:

It's On The Expensive Side
Don't Like The Dropper Applicator

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
This winter has been harsh on my skin. Normally I have combination skin but I was getting dry patches in area that normally would be oily. I tried using a thicker moisturizer but it didn't help at all. It was hard to wear foundation because it emphasized the dry patches on my face and looked flaky. I had heard about MUFE HD Elixir before but never felt the need to get it because my face never was that dry. Not until now. I order my elixir from Sephora.com. I was very excited to try it because I was desperate to find a solution for my dry, flaky, patchy skin. Every morning after I cleaned my face and before I applied my moisturizer, I added a dot of the HD Elixir to dry areas of my face. I would pat it onto my skin until it was fully absorbed. Then I continued with the rest of my skincare and makeup routine. After a week of use I no longer had dry patches on my skin. I was so happy.
My skin didn't get better over night.. MUFE claims that 15 minutes after applying your skin will be hydrated 520%. Claims like that are hard to tell. I couldn't tell the difference the first day. Three days later, a week later I could definitely tell the improvement to my skin. Now that I don't have dry skin anymore I still continue to use my HD Elixir, just not as much as I first started. With this elixir you don't need to apply a lot. A little really does go a long way. The elixir has a watery gel like consistency that feels very light and is absorbed quickly into your skin. It doesn't feel or make your skin look greasy.
I fell in love with this product. If it had any down falls it would be in the packaging and price. I personally don't like the dropper as an applicator. I would have preferred a brush applicator of some kind. Also the price is a bit high ($38 for 0.40 oz). It's a good thing you only need to use a little at a time. But it works so well, it at almost justifies the price. Other then those two drawbacks, I would buy this product again and recommend it for anyone with trouble dry skin.

* As stated on Sephora.com

The 19 Best Concealers

2011-02-22T09:26:00.001-05:00

The 19 Best Concealers

If there's anything worth investing in for flawless skin, it's one of these secret face makeup weapons

To con•ceal/ Verb

1. Keep from sight; hide.
2. Keep (something) secret; prevent from being known or noticed

Why did we momentarily blast you back to a pre-college past with some SAT definition prep? Well, because life was an oyster then, wasn't it? No, no, we kid. It was to argue that "to conceal," in its plain context and without the negative connation that it's usually associated with (read: weapons and lies), is a great ability. Bags, blemishes, redness and under-eye circles aren't your friends. But, face makeup like concealer that allows you to cover them, is not only your friend, but also perhaps your closest confidant.
To help you find your new best kept face makeup secret "friend," we rounded up the highest rated concealers as reviewed by Total Beauty readers. These consumer-favorite makeup products go above and beyond to keep your skin looking flawless. But before we "out" the makeup concealers that came out on top, check out these quick tips for natural-looking concealer application:

• Makeup artist Patty Bunch says instead of globbing on a ton of concealer for under-eye circles, combine a light, moisturizing concealer with your face lotion so that it doesn't look so dry and caked on.

• For the most natural makeup finish, apply your concealer before your foundation. After you hide your pimples and skin discolorations, make sure to blend a bit of cream around the sides of your nose, where even if you don't have broken capillaries, you often get unflattering shadows.
Now, see the 19 best concealers. You won't want to apply face makeup without them.

By Anna Jemenez

Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara

2011-02-19T21:22:00.001-05:00

Product: Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara is sexy, sultry, pure unadulterated black mascara for full, voluminous lashes. It's as BAD as you want to be!* It can also come in Plum & Blue.

Price: $ $
Benefit's BADgal Lash come in two size. The smaller (.14 oz) is $9, while the larger (.3 oz) is $19.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
BADgal Lash comes in a fat black tube with a silver top. Like all mascara it comes with a wand applicator. The wand itself has a large dense brush. As for the formula, it's nice and creamy and does not glob on to the brush.

Claim: The BADgal line of mascaras from Benefit are full of "BAD-itude!" The rich, sexy formula and oversized brush build thick, beautiful and bodacious lashes.**

Pros:

Not Clumpy
Good Seperation
Gives Volume
Holds a Curl
No Flaking

Cons:

The Brush Is Too Big For Those With Small Eyes

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I heard a lot of good things about this mascara and decided to finally give it a try. I bought the smaller size to test if I would like it. And I do. I thought the mascara worked really well. I had no problems with clumping or flaking. The formula was creamy and didn't glop on to the brush. The brush itself was big with dense bristles. It works great to sepeate your lashes giving them more volume. However, since I have small eyes I sometimes found it awkard to use because it's so big. Also, it held a curl to my lash well. Usually I buy a waterproof formula because they hold a curl but Badgal Lash did the job eventhough it wasn't waterproof. I like Benefit in general as a brand. I like the names they give their products and how they package. They've hit another home run for me with BADgal Lash. I definately would recommended giving it a try.

* Statement made by Benefit Cosmetics
** Statement claim found on Sephora.com

Tarte Lock & Roll

2011-01-14T22:42:00.001-05:00

Product: Tarte Lock & Roll 12-hour Eyeshadow is a dual-ended, color-coordinated, water-resistant cream and loose eyeshadow wand. It comes in 7 different shade combination. I have the wand in the shade bronze.

Price: $ $
Each wand cost $17 at Sephora.com or Tarte.com.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Each wand is made of reusable plastic. Each end of the wand is labeled with the type of product. The ends twist off revealing the product. The cream shadow is 0.14 oz while the loose shadow is 0.05 oz. The end containing the cream shadow comes with a brush applicator, while the end containing the loose shadow comes with a roller ball applicator. The cream shadow has a consistency of a thicker liquid but not sticky. It takes a few seconds to dry. While it's still wet it is easy to apply & blend. The loose shadow is fine milled and applies smoothly.

Claim: Unlike traditional cream shadows that crease and smudge, Tarte Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow is waterproof and crease proof. A new twist on the makeup artist trick, the matching loose shadow in a roller ball applicator glides easily over cream shadow to lock color in and add luminosity so color lasts all day.

Ingredients: Aqua, butylene glycol, dimethicone, polysorbate 20, propylene glycol, acrylates copolymer, sorbitan oleate, nylon-12, xanthan gum, glyceryl stearate, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, isopropylparaben, isobutylparaben, butylparaben. (+/-): Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), carmine (CI 75470). Lock & Roll Loose Shadow FULL 1.5 g/0.05 Oz. MINI 1.3 g Ingredients: Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891). (+/-): Iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (CI 77510), manganese violet (CI 77742), carmine (CI 75470).

Pros:

Long Lasting (12+ hrs)
Easy to Use
Crease Resistant
Portable

Cons:

None

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Anytime a product claims to last long, I'm always a little skeptical. I'm happy to say that Tarte's Lock & Roll lived up to expectations. Lock & Roll is an eyeshadow in a wand packaging. On each end of the wand there is either a loose eyeshadow or cream eyeshadow. The loose eyeshadow has a roller ball applicator, while the cream shadow has a brush applicator. The loose eyeshadow is very find and easily applys to your eyes. To apply the loose eyeshadow you need to give a quick shake to the roller ball applicator and simply roll the applicator on your eyelids. You can then pat and or blend it out as needed. The cream shadow is more of a thick liquid then a cream. It's not sticky and takes a few seconds to dry. The cream shadow comes with a brush applicator so you just brush the shadow to your lids and blend as needed. You don't need to apply a lot in order to get a good color payoff. And once the cream drys it does not bundge. It literally locks into place. The shadows can be worn seperately but to get the full, long lasting effect, it's best to wear the eyeshadows together. First, by applying the cream shadow and then applying the loose shadow before the cream shadow totally dries.
When I used this, the shadow does not budge. It claims to last all day and it does. For me it lasted over 12+ hours. I don't really need my makeup to last that long but at least you know you don't need to reapply. Which is good because you don't really get a lot of product (0.14 oz cream, 0.05 oz loose). However, the eyeshadows are pigmented that you don't need to use a lot in the first place. The size also makes it very portable. If you're the type of person that's always in a hurry and need to be able to put on your makeup quick, Tarte's Lock & Roll is great to have. My only wish about this product is that I hope Tarte adds more shades. It currently has only 7 shades. Tarte's Lock & Roll exceeded my expectations and I think everyone should give it a try.

11 New Best Mascaras

2010-12-28T07:23:00.001-05:00

Eye Makeup Road Test: 11 Best Mascaras

See which eye makeup products gave TotalBeauty editors lust worthy lashes.

Mascara, for most, is one of those "desert island"-type of eye makeup products -- meaning many women tout it as the one thing they absolutely can't go without. Whether or not you would pack it for your Gilligan adventure, we're sure you'd agree that it's a makeup bag staple. Why? Because it almost effortlessly makes you look more awake and feminine, of course.

We here at Total Beauty like to think of mascara as a magical invention, capable of creating the illusory effect of a full eight hours of sleep, a low-stress day, or even fabulous genetics. Basically, we take mascara seriously. That's why we think it's important to test a vast array of eye makeup brands from the drugstore to the beauty counter and beyond in order to share which are true winners -- the mascaras capable of great lengths, volume and curling capabilities to boot.

Before checking which mascaras we love in this eye makeup roundup, see these quick application tips courtesy of Chuck Hezekiah, national makeup artist for Maybelline New York. He claims there are some common eye makeup application errors most women make that can easily be avoided with these simple tricks and techniques:

• If you have a traditional brush wand, improve lash separation while applying mascara by moving the wand in a swift, zig-zag fashion from lash root to tip as opposed to one sweeping motion.
• We know you're usually in a rush, but take the time to dab the tip of your mascara on a tissue to get rid of the glob that tends to form there. This will keep you from getting uneven, goopy product distribution -- especially on those shorter lashes.
• If you use a lash primer, particularly a white one, wait 10-30 seconds for the primer to dry, then apply your mascara. This keeps the black color of your mascara from turning gray.

By Anna Jimenez

See the Best Mascaras Now.

Sephora Extra 20% Off

2010-12-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

Get 20% off sales online items using the code EXTRA at checkout.

This offer is valid till January 1, 2011, 11:59 PST and while supplies last.

Sephora Smoothing Primer

2010-12-23T19:39:00.000-05:00

Product: Sephora Smoothing Primer is a mattifying and smoothing primer to even out the skin while reducing shine.

Price: $ $
I recieved a sample of this product free with an order I placed but normally this primer cost $15 at Sephora.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Sephora's Smoothing Primer comes in a 0.05 glass bottle with a black pump. The primer itself is clear with a gel like consistency (like Smashbox Photo Finish)

Claim: Improves foundation application while minimizing skin imperfections. Makeup lasts longer and skin is left velvety smooth with a matte finish. What else you need to know: Glide this wonder gel over skin before applying foundation to matify, smooth, perfect, and prep your skin for the a perfect foundation application. It can be mixed with a liquid foundation for a lighter coverage and to create an even skintone. Ideal for combination-oily skin types.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben.

Pros:

Light Weight
Smoothing
A Little Goes A Long Way
Has a Pump

Cons:

Not As Mattifying

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
This is the first time I've tried Sephora's Smoothing Primer. When I first tried this I immediately thought of Smashbox PhotoFinish. It has a similar consistency, as it is a clear gel-like product. It applied easily and left my face feeling very smooth and a little bit more even in texture. I didn't have to use too much in order to do my whole face. Of all it's claims I didn't think it was as mattifying as I had hoped. It is more mattifying compred to Photo Finish but not as much as other mattifying primers I've used (L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base, Dr. Brandt Pores No More). The packaging is also nice as it comes with a pump so you can control how much you use. I think this primer would work for any skin type and the price is reasonable. It's definitely worth a try for anyone looking for a good face primer.

Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleansing Cloths

2010-12-22T22:14:00.000-05:00

Product: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleansing Cloths is an oversized cleansing cloths that take simplicity to a new level.

Price: $ $ $
You can buy this product at Sephora for $20. At $0.44 per cloth, it's on the more expensive end for cleansing cloths. I got a couple of samples free with an order I placed with Sephora.

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦
45 soft cleansing clothes that come in a white plastic pack that comes with an opening on top to pull out the cloths. Each cloth is 8x5 inches long.

Claim: These convenient, disposable cloths deliver everything you love about the original Purity Made Simple cleanser in a mess-free, travel-friendly format. Quickly swipe away dirt, makeup, and oil for perfectly clean skin—no need to rinse! Now you can take purity with you on the go, in your purse, gym bag, or travel bag.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Betaine, Sorbitan Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate, Dilauryl Citrate, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed Extract, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Guaiacum (Guaiacum Officinale) Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Methylisothiazolinone.

Pros:

Removes Makeup Easily
No Need to Rinse After Use

Cons:

Don't Like the Scent
Leaves a Burning Sensation After Use
High Price

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥
This was my first try at a Philosophy product and unfortunately, I was disappointed. In a pack you get 45 cleansing cloths. You get more cloths then most other brand of cleansing cloths (drugstore or otherwise). The price is still high even for the amount you're getting. There's also a mild scent to the cloths. It's a mixture of roses and citrus, which I didn't think was a good combination. It wasn't bothersome but it could have been better. The cloths themselves work will as far as removing dirt, oil, and makeup. It took my makeup off easily without any hard rubbing, including my mascara. The problem is that after using these cloths you start to feel a burning sensation. Even on the packaging it gives the caution: mild tingling may occur upon initial application. It wasn't the case at all. Initial, it felt fine and I was happy with how well it cleaned but then it started to burn. It was a slow burn. It was especially bad around my eyes. Philosophy claims that it's gentle enough for even the eye area but it sure didn't feel that way. I will say that I do have slightly sensitive skin on my face. Maybe for someone else it might only be a slight tingling, but I don't think it should have any side effects what so ever. It meant well but I don't recommend this product.

Hello Kitty at Sephora

2010-12-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

This weekend Sephora is having a private sale for Beauty Insiders for a Hello Kitty Collection. The collection consist of both beauty products and tools. If you are a lover of Hello Kitty, it's worth checking out. The collection will be back in Mid -January for sale for everyone. If your not a Beauty Insider, it's easy to sign up and it's free. Just visit a Sephora store or Online

The 18 Best Facial Cleansers

2010-12-17T13:16:00.000-05:00

The 18 Best Facial Cleansers

When it comes to the art of face washing, us ladies take it pretty seriously. We carefully select our skin care products and practically give ourselves a facial in the a.m. and p.m.. We do this ritual in the morning to look and feel refreshed and awake (even when we likely got less than six hours of sleep). And then we wash the day off of our faces in the evening, removing all traces of makeup, as well as any dirt and excess oil. But a cleanser is a cleanser, right? Don't they all do the same job? Hardly. Our readers gave us their two cents about which cleansers made their faces squeaky clean -- without leaving their skin feeling like the Sahara. What product was ranked No. 1 by TotalBeauty.com readers?

See the 18 Best Facial Cleansers now to find out.

FOTD: Berry Merry Christmas

2010-12-14T08:54:00.001-05:00

A Holiday Look using Shades of Gold/Cranberry/Plum using Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette

Face:

Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Op

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer #2

Revlon ColorStay Foundation

Revlon ColorStay Press Powder

ELF Studio Blush in Mellow Mauve

NYC Bronzing Powder in Bronze Gold

Lips:

MAC Prep + Prime Lip

MAC Viva Glam V

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Inner 1/3 of Lid: G1/F2

Lid Color: H9/G8

Crease: G8/H8

Outer V: H11

Highlight: A10

Maybelline Waterproof Liquid E/L in Black

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara