The Velvet Doll

my new favorite polish: sally hansen complete salon manicure in navy baby

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +0000

I very rarely get excited about nail polish, mainly due to the fact that I am very boring when it comes to color and wear mostly almost-black on my toes and white-ish pink on my fingers. Recently though, I was in CVS and came across this beautiful navy blue polish from Sally Hansen called Navy Baby and had to have it. This looks almost identical to a Dior shade that I almost purchased from Sephora a few months back until I realized that it was 1/4 the cost of my monthly cell phone bill.

The Sally Hansen Complete Manicure line is around $7 at my local CVS, or $5 at drugstore.com. They offer free shipping on all orders over $25, so you could purchase FIVE beautiful polishes for roughly around $26 and they would get to you within a few days and you will be happy and your nails will look amazing, and you won't feel like an idiot for spending the same price on one sad bottle of nail polish...

Or at least that's how I felt. The best part is that this polish is fantastic! I did use a base and top coat even though the whole idea of this line is that you don't need to (sorry Sally, but who the hell doesn't use a top coat?!), but it actually looked very shiny before the top coat. It also dried in under twenty minutes and lasted for a week.

I think that I need Lavender Cloud next, or maybe Midnight in NY?

XOXO

korres lip butter is basically the eighth wonder of the world

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

I have discussed my love of Korres before, and since then it has only become more true and deep. Well, as deep as your love for a lip butter can get (surprisingly, love for lip butters can be intense). I'm apparently not the only one that feels this way because if you type Korres into a Google search, it suggests that you may be looking for Korres Lip Butter. And you should be.

I normally prefer a wand due to the fact that a pot can become messy very quickly, but somehow this formula never dries out or changes color. Korres Lip Butters come in seven shades: I have tried them all and must say that Jasmine and Guava are my absolute favorites, although honestly all of the colors are pretty and could work on anyone. Jasmine is the light pink color we all wish our lips could be while Guava is truly white when it goes on. The color from all shades fades within an hour or so (even the darkest, Wild Rose, pictured) and your lips are left softer than you could ever have imagined and not sticky. This stuff is not sticky at all. It doesn't even leave your finger gross and sticky and you can rub anything leftover into your cuticles. I would smear this stuff all over my face in a pinch if I needed moisture. Seriously.

The two main ingredients that make this product so amazing are Shea Butter and Rice Wax. I have no idea what Rice Wax is, but I have a lot of lip products that contain Shea Butter and they don't make my lips feel like Korres does, so I'm guessing it is important.

Smear this stuff all over your lips before putting makeup on and your Ruby Woo will go on smooth and crack-free. That right there makes the $12 price tag worth every penny. I promise.

XOXO

dermadoctor's newest invention: wrinkle revenge lift & protect serum

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

We had so many requests to expand on the Wrinkle Revenge line at DERMAdoctor in the past year that Dr. Kunin decided to add a hyaluronic acid serum! This makes me very happy do to my strong love of all things hyaluronic. As per usual with DERMAdoctor products though, Wrinkle Revenge Lift & Replenish Serum is not JUST a hyaluronic acid: it is 2 unique forms of hyaluronic and an igredient (new even to me) that rebuilds your body's own ability to produce hyaluronic acid and elastin fibers called Calcium Ketogluconate.

Calcium Keto-what? Who really cares, as long as it works. We had some amazing results in our clinical studies that included a 27% increase in volume, significant decrease in skin fatigue and a significant increase in elasticity when used twice a day for 28 days. Read more about Wrinkle Revenge Lift & Protect Serum here. At $65 an ounce this serum is very affordable when compared to others on the market for $85 and up. I have been using this in place of my moisturizer and primer to prep my skin for foundation and it works beautifully!

CLOSED - Want to win one? I will be giving one away Friday, January 27th. Just make sure you are following me on Twitter (I will DM the winner for their shipping address - open to all countries) and leave a comment below stating that you want to be entered to win. Good luck!

XOXO

the jeffrey campbell archie is very practical

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:59:00 +0000

It would be best (for my bank account) for me to stay away from Karmaloop, but that's not going to happen most likely. My intentions are good; I head over to the site to get ideas for outfits. Unfortunately the ideas normally come from things that I don't have, such as the Archie open-toe platform from Jeffrey Campbell. With a 6" heel and a 2.5" platform, the Archie is perfect for every-day activities such as grocery shopping, walking your dog or hitting up the nearby disco.

Right? And at $152.00 you are practically saving yourself money when you consider how much you will wear these babies. Being that they are very practical.

Keep saying "practical" while you check out - it helps.

XOXO

somme institute 5-step regimen

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:11:00 +0000

I was skeptical when I read about the Somme Institute 5-Step Regimen, mostly because working in skin care I know that sometimes you can't even get people to follow a 3-step regimen. I gave this set to a friend who promised to try using it just as the website recommends (instructions are on the back of products as well) and after 14 days she called me and said that her skin was glowing! She felt that it was extremely helpful to have the dots on the products remind you what something is and how to use it: blue dot cleanse, purple dot exfoliate, orange dot serum, and so on.

The Somme Institute 5-Step Regimen contains a patented technology that they refer to as MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology) that delivers protein and vitamins (A, B3, B5, C and E) to your skin, transforming it by reducing signs of aging such as tone, texture, age spots and fine lines.

The kit retails for $298 and includes:

Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser

Step 2: Transport (gentle exfoliant)

Step 3: Serum (with Vitamin C)

Step 4: A-Bomb (moisturizer with Vitamins A and E)

Step 5: Double Defense (SPF 30+)

This is a great way for someone who is interested in starting an anti-aging regimen that they don't have to think about. The products are affordable, very good quality and and Somme Institute makes it incredibly simple for even those that know very little about skin care to follow a fabulous 5-step routine.

XOXO

new year's eve nails: opi rainbow connection the muppets collection 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:28:00 +0000

I rarely rush out to purchase new nail polish when collections hit, but I love The Muppets like no other, so the OPI Muppets-themed polishes were on my list of shades to check out. I, being a firm believer in all things shiny, immediately fell in love with Rainbow Connection, a multi-colored chunky glitter polish with a clear base.

This is more of a toe color for me, but I decided to try it out on my fingertips for our New Year's Eve party this year and it was a big hit. My only complaint is that it takes several people and a bucket of acetone to remove it; however, I have learned that you can cut the time in half by using a washcloth to remove glitter polish. There is something about the slightly rough surface of a washcloth that helps speed the process considerably. Also, make sure to apply two layers of a good topcoat to protect the pieces of glitter, otherwise you will be catching them on things like lace shirts, pantyhose and hair all evening (very annoying).

XOXO

clinique lid smoothie antioxidant 8-hour colour

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:11:00 +0000

My first full-time job was working as a makeup artist at an Estée Lauder counter at the mall. I was finishing cosmetology school at the time with a focus on skin care, so I often wondered over to the Clinique counter to read the ingredients in their numerous skin care lines. I never have really been sold on their skin care (that yellow moisturizer scares me) but they have recently come out with several new products in their color line that are amazing, Lid Smoothies being one of them.

I literally followed a woman into the restroom when I was out with friends not to long ago to ask her what she had on her eyes. It was the most gorgeous shade of silver/grey with just a hint of shimmer. The color was bold and completely free of any creasing (it was pretty late in the evening), so I assumed that it was possibly a color from Urban Decay or NARS. When she told me it was Clinique Lid Smoothie in Salt and Pepper I thanked her and promptly ordered a tube from my phone. Every time I wear it people ask me what it is, so I'm thinking that I need to order another one (or six).

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting over 11 & 12: butter london polish chancer and british racing green

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:11:00 +0000

Nothing says Christmas like having nails that resemble a sparkling Christmas tree. Butter LONDON polishes are fabulous because they look exactly the same on your nails as they do in the bottle. They are a little pricey at $14, but they stay on well and definitely get noticed. I am loving Chancer (red sparkle above) and British Racing Green (green shimmer below). They are the perfect stocking stuffer!

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting after 8, 9 & 10: nine west is practically giving shoes away

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:21:00 +0000

So Nine West has a ton of boots on their site that are between 30 and 70% off. OMG. I personally have purchased 3 pairs in the last week. Then this morning I browse the site for a moment, as usual (bad idea?), and see that the freaking amazing Runway Relief Boot is on sale for half of the original price. I know it's almost Christmas, but maybe Santa will let me add these to my list. How could I have known they would be $99 today??

If I am not allowed to add additional boots to my list I suppose I will try to just be happy with the boots I did order, which includes the Amrit, gorgeous black mid-calf boots that are on sale for $67. You can't even buy 14 lattes from Starbucks for $67.

I realized while trying not to purchase any more boots that I didn't have a sensible pair, ya know, with a 3 inch heal and lug soles. The Javana Boot seemed to appear before me in a beautiful halo and say "we will be easier to walk in this winter than heals and we're only $59 Rachel". So those should be here on Friday...

I need a boot-er-vention.

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting over part 5, 6 & 7: jewelry storage from red envelope dot com

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:31:00 +0000

I love me some Red Envelope. I have been ordering with them for years and have always been thrilled by the way they ship gifts. For around $5 you can have things shipped in a gorgeous red box with a white bow, and you are actually able to choose the exact day that you want your item to arrive (and it actually arrives on that day!).

The site is not inexpensive but the items are very high-quality. This is the place to go for someone who has everything. I am especially fond of their jewelry and jewelry storage items. Pictured above is the Large Leather Jewelry Box. This has a ton of storage, and who doesn't want a giant leather jewelry box?

If you like to display your jewelry the Sculpted Jewelry Tree is perfect for that. I actually own this and it holds a ton of necklaces. It's hard to see in this picture but the wood base also has an area that you can put bracelets and rings in if you wanted to.

If you know someone that travels a lot the Jewelry Portfolio is perfecting for stashing in an overnight bag or carry-on and it holds quite a bit for its small size. You can also have the nickel pull tab engraved with up to 3 letters!

Red Envelope also has an amazing men's section if you are shopping for dads or husbands and still not sure what to get them. Ryan always gets something from here on Christmas morning and so far he has always seemed to be very pleased with what I've picked out. They even have personalizable beer holsters. Seriously.

XOXO

I did the blue print cleanse, just like oprah, sorta

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:25:00 +0000

Sorry for the shoddy picture but you get it - there was juice, lots and lots of juice..

I love juicing. There is something about consuming nothing but liquid for three to five days that makes me feel as though I have will power, not to mention the fact that it makes me feel skinny, mostly because I'm not eating. I have tried several juice-based programs in the past and the experience has not always been pleasant. The problem for me is that I live in the middle of the FN country, so I have to pay stupid money to have juice pressed the night before and then dropped off at my doorstep. Which I'm totally willing to do, as long as the company is great and not snobby jerks, a trait I don't take kindly to.

I know that it would make more sense to just make my own juice (which I plan to do once I have a million dollars to spend on a juicer) or purchase locally, but if you have ever juiced before you understand the need for convenience. A friend told me about the Blue Print Cleanse and she loved it so much that I decided to give it a try. It didn't hurt that I have heard that many celebs (Oprah included) use this system to detox or drop lbs fast.

There are many different cleanse options to choose from that are pre-marked 1-6 in the order that you are supposed to drink them in throughout the day that run around $250. I went the less expensive route and purchased a case of their very popular Spicy Lemonade and a case of the BluePrintGreen which cost roughly around $150 with shipping. There are 6 bottles to a case, so I had 12 juices to drink over 3 days. I drank a green first thing in the morning, two Spicy Lemonades during the day (yum) and then a green 2 hours before bed. Drinking four juices a day was plenty for me; you would maybe have to take time off of work in order to consume six.

After 3 days I feel fantastic. The first day is always awful, but by the third I am not hungry, my skin looks very "glowy" and I have lost about five pounds. The weight is not what I was going for though - you pretty much gain everything back once you start eating again. I was feeling very bloated and gross after Thanksgiving from the fast amounts of cheese and wine that I consumed so I wanted to cleanse before Christmas parties began. I would highly recommend this company, loved the juice and, bonus, you get a cute blue case to tote your liquids around in!

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting over part 4: the assorted holiday truffle gift box from godiva

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:16:00 +0000

Well, not everyone wants makeup for Christmas (odd, I know), so some people will be getting Godiva truffles. I have no great reason for loving these, other than:

A. They're made by Godiva.

B. They are very, very delicious.

C. They are extremely attractive

So I guess I do have reason to love them! I know that there are many high-end chocolatiers out there, but Godiva is always package beautifully, made of quality ingredients and can normally be found in major department stores. Ryan bought me a box last Christmas and I nibbled at that thing for months...yum.

XOXO

nuface gets a new face with the trinity

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:07:00 +0000

There are so many devices on the market that sometimes it's overwhelming trying to decide what is worth spending the money on (they are usually pretty expensive). In the last 5 years devices have come a long way and in my opinion many of them deliver the same treatments that you would pay thousands of dollars for at a dermatologist's office or spa.

The NuFACE is one of the devices that I have personally seen results from and heard many other women say that they have as well. If uses microcurrent technology, a gentle electrical stimulation, to increase collagen production, improve skin elasticity and help products penetrate the skin. This device leaves skin looking tighter and more radiant after the first use, and over time it is truly the only device that I have ever heard of working for the dreaded "turkey neck".

The NuFACE use to look like this, but has recently come out with the Trinity, which is a little bit more pricey but has an easier to hold design and interchangeable treatment heads (coming out soon). Considering the fact that IPL can cost around $300 a treatment, the $325 price tag on the Trinity is not that bad once you factor in being able to use this at home at your convenience.

P.S. I have heard that this helps to tighten skin after having a baby in all of the places you want your skin to be tight again...push gift?

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting over part 3: dior blue-tie compact

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:56:00 +0000

I love limited edition palettes/compacts because they usually are packed with product and a great way to try more expensive brands for a fraction of what you would normally pay if you purchased the items separately. Dior's Blue-Tie compact is a beautiful metal-embossed (silver colored) case that comes with 4 shadows in shades of blue and silver as well as a peachy-pink lip gloss. This is not inexpensive at $70, but hey, Christmas is not about getting socks and things that you "need". It's for getting shiny objects that make you happy, in turn making others happy that you are so happy.

Right?

XOXO

review: the schick quattro trim style razor and bikini trimmer

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:45:00 +0000

I do not like hair on my body. Luckily, I am not a very hairy individual, but I still have to shave every few days. I am so OCD about hair that I will literally get out of bed and take a bath so that I can shave if I feel like my leg hair is bothering me because it's become longer than I can handle (unable to be seen by the naked eye). Due to my ridiculousness, razors are very important to me. I have never understood how my friends can use those pink plastic (or, the horror, the scary yellow and white ones) razors that come a million to a bag for $5.99. I wish that I could, but I somehow manage to do some serious damage to my shins unless I use something pricier - normally my husband's MACH3. The problem with that is, well, it's made for boys. There is very little bend in the blade, so going around curves can be an issue.

Having now said more about razors and shaving than I ever would have imagined, let me introduce you to my new BSF (best shaving friend) the Schick Quattro For Women Trim Style. You've seen the commercials where the overgrown "bushes" become trim and attractive as seductive-looking women walk by them, right? I am still unsure of how I feel about the ad campaign, but I am very sure of how much I love this razor. It shaves closely without nicking, curves to your body and is around $12. And it doesn't end there. This thing also comes with a waterproof, battery operated trimmer for your you-know-what. I figured I wouldn't use that function but I have, and it really works! I wish that it came with at least one more guard in a different length, but I use it minus the guard and am very pleased with how everything is, um..looking. This is something that I would definitely purchase (I was sent one for review) and I may even give this as a stocking stuffer this year. To close friends.

XOXO

skin care steal: the clark's botanicals peter som limited edition travel kit

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:15:00 +0000

I am a huge fan of all things Clark's Botanicals as I have mentioned in the past. Recently the brand has collaborated with designer Peter Som on the cutest makeup bag to ever grace my purse (so cute it could totally work as an evening clutch) filled with some of Clark's best-sellers. The Limited Edition Peter Som Travel Kit contains 3 lip balms, one made for and named after Julianne Moore - Moore Nude, as well as several delux samples and a travel size of their very popular Marine Cream. The 3 lip products alone would normally cost $57, so for $2 more (the kit is $59) you get the LTD clutch and several amazing samples. A serious steal, if I may say so. This would be a wonderful gift, but seeing as how it is limited in quantities, you may not want to run the risk of not having one for you...

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting over part 2: NARS danmari all about cheeks palette

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving lovelies! I first saw this palette in an email from Sephora and wondered to myself why anyone would spend $65 on blush. I of course had no choice but to immediately head over to Sephora.com and get all of the details on the Danmari Palette; upon doing so I realized that these are FULL SIZED!! Meaning that normally just the two middle blushes (best selling Orgasm and Super Orgasm) would cost a blush-lover $54. For the tiny amount of eleven dollars more, you get two additional blush colors, a highlighter and a gorgeous bronzer. Sephora is calling this an $107 value, but due to the fact that NARS blushes run around $27, that seems a bit low to me. I received this in the mail last week and have been enthralled by it ever since (and I am not even really all that into blush).

So when someone says "you want me to spend $65 on blush for you this Christmas?", first, tell them not to question your desires - it's impolite, then explain to them that you are actually trying to save them money.

$42 to be exact, which is very kind of you.

XOXO

chloe + isabel for the holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Chloe + Isabel if a lovely jewelry site that opened earlier this year that has fabulous pieces such as the ridiculously gorgeous Rocker Chic Chain + Spiked Bob necklace for very reasonable prices (this one is $135). I have several LBDs that I wear to varies holiday parties and I am constantly looking for ways to make them look "new" again. A statement necklace paired with a red lip will usually do it.

If you prefer something more classic, this beautiful bezel-set crystal number is the perfect pearl-but-not necklace. At $50 they are practically given it away and you can pair it will jeans and a white tee come spring! Love.

XOXO

huge skin care giveaway from dermadoctor!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:43:00 +0000

We are having a huge giveaway on our DERMAdoctor SkinInsight blog for the holidays! Simply leave a comment on the blog about your personal favorite beauty buzzword and make sure you're following our Facebook and Twitter page to be entered to win over $200 worth of anti-aging skin care, just in time for the new year!

Contst information can be found here. Good luck!

XOXO

yu-be in need of this moisturizer for winter

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:13:00 +0000

I apologize for the cheesy post title but it was just to easy..

Yu-Be is a brand that you don't hear a lot about in the states but has been extremely popular in Japan for over 50 years. It was created by a pharmacist that wanted to create a single product (although now the line has several products) that could meet every family member's skincare needs.

I was given a tube of this last year, which is the tube I am holding above, and was honestly not sure what the hell to use it for. A little goes a very long way - said tube is not even half empty and I use this daily. After doing a little research I learned that Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream is amazing for dry lips, elbows, heels, cuticles and just about anything on your body that may be dry. It also makes a great mask in the winter; just apply a thick coat and allow to absorb, then wipe off any access product. A high level of glycerin and a special manufacturing process that makes Yu-Be quickly absorbed ensures that it will hydrate even the driest of skin.

My personal favorite use of this product is applying it heavily to my feet and then putting on thick socks to allow it to penetrate. I highly suggest this for winter - apply and then lay back and relax while reading the latest edition of Psychology Today. Or at least that's what I would read...

XOXO

12 gifts i'm lusting over part one: the anya hindmarch large homework tote

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:39:00 +0000

I am a huge fan of the holiday gift guides that begin to appear in magazines around November, so I thought that I would do my own! We are so busy this time of year (and in general) that it's hard to find unique gifts for friends and family; I have certainly given my share of Barnes & Noble gift cards. I think that gifts should be the kinds of things that we would lust over in a magazine but feel guilty purchasing for ourselves.

An example of just that sort of gift is the Large Homework Tote by Anya Hindmarch. When I first saw this gorgeous bag on Bloomingdale's website I started to immediately imaging all of the wonderful things that I could fit into it. Anya is the genius behind the 'I'm not a plastic bag' tote that became very popular among celebs a few years back. Her leather bags run between $500 and $1000, so the Homework Tote, at $150, is the perfect way to have a piece of her collection without braking the bank. This bag is would be an amazing gift for a daughter on her way to college, a mom-to-be that isn't looking forward to carrying a diaper bag or a fashionable sister who already has everything.

Basically, there is no one that could not find a reason to use/love this bag. Want.

XOXO

do you exude lipstick?

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:05:00 +0000

There have been quite a few designer/cosmetic collaborations lately; this one caught my eye immediately due to my love of all things gloss. Stylist (and now designer) extraordinaire Rachel Zoe teamed up with a new brand that makes, basically, a high-end liquid lipstick in 9 shades. Instead of being solid, the product is dispensed from a lipstick-looking container in liquid form. If you prefer gloss they also have 5 colors of gloss that comes in the same unique packaging.

Exude Lipstick, which they refer to as "lip creme", is not your grandmother's drying, waxy lipstick. This is a cross between gloss and a highly pigmented lipstick. Sounds amazing, right? Hopefully it is, because I just spent the $29 on one in Pink #2. That seemed a bit pricey, but I do usually finish my lip gloss - it's the poor, unused lipsticks that cover the bottom of my bags. If I actually were to use all of this lip creme it would be worth the price. We shall see..

Side note: when I went to google "exude" in order to purchase the lipstick, the first thing to pop up was the word's definition which is to discharge (moisture or a smell) slowly and steadily. This actually made me pause for a moment before continuing on to the company's website. Let's hope the actual product is more, umm..appealing.

XOXO

envi nail enamel dryer

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:22:00 +0000

I don't usually use a nail enamel dryer because it seems like they often either a. don't work or b. make polish look dull. I came across this large, retro looking can several months ago (I think at CVS or Walmart?) and have been hooked ever since. This cuts drying time in half, conditions nail cuticle and does not affect the color/shine. An even spray of Envi at about 3 inches from your nail sets polish to perfections in under 10 minutes.

The unfortunate thing is I can't find this product online anywhere. So strange. This is a large can at 9oz, but it won't last forever, so I am on a mission to find this product again. Anyone else ever used this?

XOXO

clark's botanicals intense radiance mask

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:08:00 +0000

I love masks. At a very young age I whipped them up for the entire family out of oatmeal and mashed bananas (very hydrating) or honey and brown sugar (great exfoliator). These days I am far more likely to throw one on that comes out of an attractive jar that I've purchased. I'm picky though, when it comes to masks; if I am going to spend the same amount on a mask as I would a facial it had better work.

I was thrilled when I learned that Clark's Botanicals had created a new product called Intense Radiance Mask a few months back. With a name like "Intense Radiance" and my love of all of the other products in Francesco's line, I figured that this mask would not disappoint. Not only does it not disappoint, it is kind of amaze. Intense Radiance Mask clarifies with white clay while algae extract and collagen nourish and rejuvenate skin. I apply the mask once a week and leave it on for about 25 minutes to receive the full benefits of all of the wonderful ingredients it contains. It clears up breakouts without being drying and plumps skin, leaving it tighter and brighter. This will definitely be a winter staple in my skin care routine in order to avoid the dullness that I often experience this time of year.

XOXO

in my makeup bag now: revlon, mac, maybelline and more

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel S.) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:05:00 +0000

I have a lot of makeup up bags. One in my bathroom, several in the closet in our dressing room, in random, unused purses and then this one that is currently with me at all times. I love to see what other people are carrying in their purse because it is often their favorite stuff. My makeup bag is full (way to full) of products that I use daily; the stuff that I know I can apply in under 10 minutes and feel like I look pulled-together.

1. MAC Mineralize Satin Finish Foundation. I tried 3 different MAC foundations a few weeks ago before I found this one and fell in love. It is not as heavy as some of the others, did not make me breakout and creates a smooth finish without looking cakey or dry.

2. Lippmann polish in Lara's Theme, which I have on here.

3. Revlon Moon Drops lipstick in Orange Flip and Just Bitten in Flame. I have never worn red lipstick but I saw Orange Flip on another blogger and it looked so pretty without being "to much" that I ran to CVS and picked one up the same day. I layer it over the Just Bitten to give it staying power.

4. Shiseido Urban Environment UV Protection Cream SPF 35. I started wearing this over the summer and fell in love.

5. MAC 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush. I purchased another 187 brush when mine finally died after 10 years a few months ago, and something was off about it. It felt different to me and started losing bristles almost immediately. It seems like they aren't making them the way they use to, so I exchanged it for this shorter brush and so far love it. It leaves your makeup looking airbrushed and natural.

6. Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Mascara in Glam Black. Obsessed. So good.

7. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This is one of those products that I don't know how I lived without. It can be used as a mask, primer or to refresh your makeup. I tap it on over foundation to perk it back up when I am heading out after work.

Things that are not pictured but that are always in my bag are: Chanel Glossimer in Giggle, Rhoto Artic Eye Drops, DERMAdoctor Med e Tate Towelettes, and L'Oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Liner in black.

Hmm...I carry a lot of stuff on me..oh well. ♥

XOXO