Shimmer Kisser

ELF Haul Pics & Mini Reviews

2011-06-16T07:34:00.001-07:00

Lip Sticks

The flash made these all just a tiny bit more vivid than they are, except Nostalgic which is just a little washed out. I don't like Captivating or Charming, but someone with a darker skin tone might. They smell like berries, yum!

Studio Blush - Giddy Gold

This is a gorgeous shimmery gold blush. Its very pigmented and excellent quality. It would look amazing on olive skin tones. I wear it with a matte pink over just to tone down the gold.

Mineral SPF 8 Moisturizing Lip Tint - Blush

Shea butter, Jojoba oil, Coconut Oil and Vitamin E impart serious moisture while SPF 8 protects lips from harmful UVA/UVB rays. This just-bitten tint of color provides immediate soothing relief to irritated chapped lips while also diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the lip area.

Blush is a pretty pigmented pink with a bit of shimmer (its not frosty though). I can't say if this is super moisturizing but it does smell and taste really good.

Favorite Moisturizer!

2011-05-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

St Ives Naturally Indulgent Advanced Body Moisturizer

Product Description
Indulge your skin and your senses with St. Ives Naturally Indulgent Body Lotion. Made with coconut milk and 100% natural moisturizers, this non-greasy, luxurious lotion delivers long-lasting moisture to keep your skin touchably soft and hydrated. With all-natural Orchid extracts, this formula leaves a light fragrance while gently absorbing into your skin, leaving you feeling fresh and looking beautiful.

This isn't going to be a proper review, sorry! I just wanted to mention that I LOVE this lotion. I'm not big on lotions, but this is one I actually try to remember to use because it smells so good (like coconut & vanilla), and it feels really great too. I don't feel any lotion residue after its sunk in and my skin feels very smooth.

If you're looking for a new moisturizer try this one. It costs just $4 at Target.

I'll go ahead and mention that I had their Renewing Collagen Elastin Lotion before and I didn't like it as much. I didn't love the smell and it felt more "sticky" to me, like it never totally sank into my skin all the way. I sill used the whole bottle but it took me a long time cause I didn't use it often.

Review: ELF's Everyday Brights 32 Color Collection

2011-03-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Quality: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out 5
Price: $5.00
Where To Buy: Target, eyeslipsface.com
Would I Buy Again: Not Sure

This looks so cute and colorful I couldn't resist buying it when I saw it at Target. There are definitely some pros and cons. About 4 of the colors have large pieces of glitter in them that just don't work. These kinds of shadows always end up on the face and not on the eyes. Some of the colors are a little sheer, which was very disappointing. They could work over a colored or more tack base though, such as the NYX jumbo pencils. In the box I couldn't see that the bottom row is all greys. I don't think I can pull off a grey smoky eye so that is kind of a waste for me. Plus, how many shades of grey do you need for a smoky eye? Not eight.

Other than that I think its a nice palette with a good variety of colors. Is it worth 5 dollars? Yes, I think so. There is a lot to play with and lots of fun summer colors, plus 8 neutrals/browns that can be worn any time and plenty of options for a night time smoky eye.

Hope & Glitter, My Jewelry Store

2011-03-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

I finally got my online jewelry shop Hope and Glitter up and running. If you like glitter and blinging jewelry, you will love this. Remember that 60% of proceeds will go towards Japan this month. Also as a grand opening celebration get 15% off with the code MARCH2011. If you want a custom color click on “request custom item” and I’ll see what I can do for you. I will have more items up by the middle of next week if not sooner.

Hope And Glitter

Revlon Lipstick Haul & Swatches

2011-03-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Revlon's been releasing some gorgeous lip colors lately. I finally gave in and bought some. They cost $8 at the drug store and $6 ish at Target.

Primrose: Beautiful nude pink. The onlip swatch is a bit too light, sorry. Its more like the swatch above, not quite so pale. If you like pink-nudes this one is a must have.

Stormy Pink (might be LE): Part of the matte line, its a sort of sheer bright pink. I've never had a matte lipstick before, I'm not sure I love the formula. I'm going to have to try this out with lipbalm underneath.

Berry Haute: Looks dark purple in the tube, but when you put it on its more of a bright pink. I love this color. Its also very creamy, love the formula. Even though it has a lot of purple, I think its very wearable if you like bright colors.

My Favorite Spring Eyeshadows

2011-03-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

Happy First Day Of Spring 2011 everyone! Here are my top 5 favorite eyeshadows that remind me of spring.

Fyrinnae - Digital Faerie (not crazy about their hella long wait time or the fact that their website is down 99% of the time I go there)

Fryinnae - Rapunzel Had Extentions

NYX Chrome - Sunny Day

tkbtrading.com - Mermaids Gold (I don't have a proper photo of this, sorry! Gotta start working on that...)

NYX - Wildfire

My 10 favorite lipstick colors

2011-03-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

I have... a lot of lipstick and lipgloss, to say the least. These are my top 10 favorites, in the order you see in the photos. I have only half the on lip swatches done, when I do the rest I'll post those photos. I'll try to get them done during spring break.

Rimmel Airy Fairy. This is one of my most used lipsticks. Shimmery light mauve fleshy pink.

MAC Angel. Soft neutral/cool baby pink. Another color I've worn a lot, this is a staple.

Maybelline Born With It. This is a great pink nude mauve thing that is gorgeous. It has a bit of shimmer but not too much. Its a very wearable color. It smells like strawberry starburst, yum.

ELF Runway Pink. Part of their mineral line, this color is a cream nude pink. Very wearable for lighter skin tones, I'm not sure about darker ones.

MAC Blow Dry. I think this is LE but it comes out every so often with new collections. Its a great shear coral.

ELF Classy. Cooler light pink, this is $1 and has a great formula. It smells really good too, like a berry smoothie.

NYX Paris (round lipstick). Bright pink. This is almost dupe for MAC's Lovelorn.

Wet N Wild 525 Retro Pink. This is a great bright cool pink with a little bit of shimmer.

Revlon Berry Haute. This color looks really purple but when you put it on it looks more pink. I love it. Its looks good with my fair skin.

MAC Show Orchid. Hot pink, this is so bright. I think its a PRO color but it was with the regular line for a while & thats when I got it.

Review: ELF Lipsticks, Mineral & Essential

2010-12-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Mineral Lipsticks
Quality: 5 out of 5
Packing: 5 out of 5
Price: $5.00
Where To Buy: Eyeslipsface.com
Would I Buy Again: Yes

I really love these lipsticks. They are creamy, pigmented, cheap, etc.

Runway Pink: Cream nude pink, pigmented and so so gorgeous. I don't have to look for a nude pink every again.

Nicely Nude: Light pinky-peach with suble gold shimmer.

Pouty Petal: Midtone pink with a tiny bit of shimmer, another gorgeous color. This shimmer is very subtle.

Cool Coral: The name kind of says it all, its a neutral coral with a noticable shimmer that isn't frosty.

Essential Lipsticks
Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Price: $1
Would I Buy Again: Yes

These are the newer lipsticks from ELF's $1.00 line. These lipsticks smell like berries. The two I have are creams and long lasting. I really love Classy for an everyday color. The packaging is fine but I think the mineral lipstick looks more sleek.

Classy: Cool-neutral pink with blue tones. Creamy, lasts a good 5-6 hours or more.

Gyspy: Cool dark pink cream.

These swatches are pretty accurate, but Gypsy (the last color) is a little more red toned than blue toned and all the colors are just a tiny bit more warm than these photos turned out.

Mini Review: ELF $1 Quad Brownstone

2010-12-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Price: $1.00
Where To Buy: Target, Eyeslipsface.com
Would I Buy Again: Yes

This is a really great product from ELF. Its a small quad that has 4 great neutral colors that would suit anyone I think, except maybe those with dark skin (it could be too light). All the colors are satiny and quite pigmented (with a primer). You can do a very natural look or a smokey look. I would use it for school, work, night, weddings, traveling, pretty much any occasion.

The packaging is fine, its cute but it could be better. For the price who the heck cares? Its cheap plastic but it doesn't feel flimsy by any means.

In this photo I have the 1st color as a highlight, 2nd on the lid, 3rd in the crease, and 4th under the lower lashes.

Mini Group Review: ELF eye blending & crease brushes

2010-12-03T08:55:00.000-08:00

ELF Mineral Blending Eye Brush

Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $5.00
Would I Buy Again: Yes, I think I bought a back up that should be here today.

The ELF mineral line has a new line of brushes. These differ from the others because they have bamboo handles, recycled material, and they all run for $5.00. I bought the Blending Eye Brush and I absolutely love it.

The bristles are very soft, I think maybe one hair shedded before I washed it the first time (and it dried very quickly). I wouldn't use it strictly as a blending brush, I don't think its dense enough for that. I use it as a crease brush. It is firm enough for precise color placement and not so dense that it leaves obvious lines, it kind of blends as you go.

ELF Crease Brush (regular line)

Rating: 4 out of 5
Price: $1.00
Would I Buy Again: Maybe

This crease brush reminds me of an overweight pencil brush. Its short and comes to an obvious point. I think its too short for a crease brush for most eyes, people with smaller eyes might like it better. Or if want a little bit of a color in a small area it would work for that. I use it for the outer corner and under the lower lashes if I want a smudgy line (I wouldn't use dark colors with this brush there). Its not a bad brush, its just isn't one that everyone needs to have and doesn't function as an all over crease brush. It is very soft with no shedding.

ELF Eye Blending Brush (regular line)

Rating: 5 out of 5
Price: $1.00
Would I Buy Again: Yes, I'm on my second one.

I love this brush. Back when ELF first came around it was an ugly scratchy sparse unless piece of crap but they totally re-did it and now I love it.

It is very soft and dense, really good a blending out those harsh lines on the brow bone. Its also great at applying color to the crease. If you are looking for a great crease/blending brush this is for you. Of all my crease brushes this and the mineral one are my favorites that I use almost daily.

On thing I want to mention is that with my first (reformulated) brush the handle broke off and after maybe 6 months chunks of bristles started coming out. I don't know if this was a fluke or if I got water inside the brush and it ruined or what. I've never had that with another ELF brush so I an not really upset about it (it was a dollar for 6 months of use, not a bad deal). If it happens again I'll bring the rating down, otherwise I'm passing it off as a fluke and will continue to recommend this brush, it really is amazing.

Review: ELF Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 (regular line)

2010-11-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Size: maybe 0.3 oz?
Price: $1.00
Where To Buy: eyeslipsface.com, Target
Would I Buy Again: Yes

Anti-aging formula combats premature aging and protects against sun damage while leaving skin radiant and moisturized. The tinted color evens skin tone for a natural look.

I had this for a long time before trying it out because I always like full coverage makeup everyday but I've been wearing this while I've been sick and I really like it. I wear ELF's Studio Translucent Matifying Powder on top of it and it gives me just enough coverage to keep me from looking like a troll, without me having to try very hard.

half way rubbed in
all the way rubbed in

Coverage & Color: Its what you would expect for a TM, sheer but just enough to slightly even out the complexion. The two shades I have look almost too dark in the tube but lighten up so much when you start rubbing them in. I use Ivory and while it looks quite yellow at first it turns into an actual ivory color once I apply it to my face. Light Beige still looks a bit orange/yellow after being rubbed in, but I think that would be fine for darker skin tones.

Texture & Scent: The texture of this TM is light and smooth. It feels lighter than the other TM I tried, and lighter than other moisturizers and sunscreens. It does have a noticeable sorbet smell when you squeeze it out of the tube but it goes away quickly.

Packaging & Size: For $1.00 who cares what the packaging looks like. Its fully functional and the size is great for the price. I only use a bit more than a pea sized amount for my entire face. I don't have a good complexion at all so for that little bit to be enough is impressive for me.

Longevity: My skin is super oily, I start looking gross within a few hours of putting on foundation unless I use MAC Prep + Prime SPF50 and a good powder. This TM plus the ELF Translucent Powder gives me at least half a day of oil free skin. After that I need to blot and re-powder. That's not bad for a whee little tinted moisturizer.

Ingredients: Benzophenone-3, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Aqua(Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Mica, Octyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, DEA-Cetyl, Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Aluminum, Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance(Aroma), Disodium EDTA, Iron Oxides(CI 77491 , CI 7492 , CI 77499)

Review: Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment

2010-10-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Size: 8.5 oz (250 ml)
Price: $3 at Target, more at most drugstores
Would I Buy Again: Yes! Yes! Yes!

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo: Dryness Reversal Treatment includes the 3 nutritive fruit oils plus apricot seeds that massage and stimulate hair from the root for the ultimate nourishing experience. In just 3 minutes, it helps reverse the signs of dryness for silky hair that's full of life.

Dry, over-dried or damaged hair feels unhealthy to the touch. It needs nourishment without being weighed down. To transform dry and damaged hair, fruit oils have the power to make hair more beautiful than ever. Olive, avocado and shea oils deeply nourish each layer of hair - weightlessly. Olive oil nourishes the hair's inner core. Avocado oil nourishes and softens the middle layer. Shea oil nourishes and smooths the surface of the hair. Hair is fortified and infused with nutrients for silky hair, full of life.

I've been using this for almost a month, if you click on the photo you can see that I've used up the top 3rd of the bottle. I use it every time I shampoo in place of regular conditioner. During the summer I bleached my hair twice and used a few hair dyes, plus I haven't had a trim for 10 months, so my hair is not in the greatest condition right now.

This deep conditioner has SAVED my hair! It was feeling so dry and gross (I wanted to chop about half of it off) so I just grabbed this on a whim at Target in the hope that it would help a little. My hair still felt dry when it was still wet but in the morning I could feel that my hair was so much softer and not so dry at the ends. It looks like its in much better condition than before.

Consistency & Application: The conditioner is a thick cream with little beads in it that dissolve. I probably use a little over a tablespoon, kind of all over by hair but mostly on the ends. While the cream is really thick its not hard to spread throughout my almost-to-my-elbows-hair. I bought L'Oreal Natures Therapy Mega Moisture Nurturing Creme a few months ago but I had to use so much because it would just disappear instead of coating my hair. I ended up taking that back to Sally's. You are suppose to leave it on for 3 minutes so I just shave or wash my face while it sits for 3 minutes or longer. It does have a slight Shea butter scent but its not strong or super artificial smelling.

Ingredients: I'm not about to type up the whole list but it has Olive oil, Shea oil, Avocado oil, and Lemon peels.

All in all I highly recommend this product. Its really made my hair feel great again and I will for sure be rebuying it when I use up this bottle. Like I said it was around $3 at Target and you get a good amount in the bottle. Considering the results its a great deal.

It also makes a great shaving cream, I always use hair conditioner for shaving. Some are better than others (cheap ones like sauve aren't so great). This one is great and doesn't cause any irritation.

Review: Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo

2010-10-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Quality: 3 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Size: 5.05 oz
Price: $7.29 or $6.29 with Beauty Club Card
Where To Buy: Sally Beauty Supply
Would I Buy Again: No

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo with a beautifully delicate fragrance, revitalizes greasy, dull, and lifeless hair between washes. Instantly leaves your hair feeling clean, full of body, and smelling amazing!

-Beautiful delicate fragrance
-Instantly leaves hair feeling clean
-Quick & convenient to use

I have really oily hair that has to be washed everyday. I bought this in hopes that using it would let me go at least two days without washing my hair. I've used it a couple times now and I think its an ok product, but I don't love it. It does reduce the oil a little bit, but you have to use a lot. My hair just doesn't feel great after using it (not that it does before) and I expected a bit more I guess. Its good if you don't have access to a shower, but I'd prefer to just wash my hair over using this.

Directions: Shake Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo can vigorously before use and in-between sprays. Hold can approximately 12" from hair and spray lightly giving even coverage. Use fingertips to massage dry shampoo through hair and leave for a few moments

Ingredients: Butane, Isobutane, Oryza Sativa (rice) Starch, Propane, Alcohol Denat., Parfum (fragrance), Coumarin Eugenol, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride.

Urban Decay FINALLY has Primer Potion in a squeeze tube! (LE)

2010-08-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

It only took them like 5 freakin' years but Urban Decay finally has their infamous Primer Potion in a jumbo squeeze tube! The sad thing is that its Limited Edition. I don't get why they wouldn't make it permanent since everyone hates the bottle version (you have to cut it open to get all the product out). Oh well. Get it while you can. Its $29 at Sephora for a 0.85 oz tube vs $18 for the original 0.34 oz bottle.

If you have no idea what this is, UDPP is an eyeshadow primer that is great for those with oily eyelids or those needing their eye makeup to last all day. Its also great for making your eyeshadow more vibrant.

If I didn't have an almost full bottle of UDPP plus 2 ELF primers (comparable to UDPP for way cheaper) I would be all over this. It would be sitting around for a really long time though and I don't have the money to waste. *sigh*

Review: ELF's High Definition Powder

2010-03-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Size: 3.5 oz
Price: $6
Where To Buy: eyeslipsface.com
Would I Buy Again: Yes

The high definition loose powder creates a "soft focus" effect to the skin. Masks fine lines and imperfections for a radiant complexion. The incredibly soft and invisible powder is great for on-screen and everyday wear.

I love this product! I almost didn't get it but I'm so so glad I did. Basically its a very fine finishing powder that is suppose to 'blur' flaws or whatever. I didn't get it for that though, I just wanted something that would help with oil control and I think it does.

I put this on after my foundation, powder, and blush. To apply, I leave the puff over the sifter, put 3 fingers under the strap and my thumb under the bottom of the container, then I just flip it upside down and give it a shake, put it right side up and blot the puff on a small area of my face, using short stroking motions to blend it in. I do this a few times to cover my whole face. I think using the puff applicator to apply it makes it way less messy then using a brush. You don't waste product and you can control exactly where it goes. Remember to wash the powder puff every once in a while as it will get dirty, warm soap and water works just fine.

I find that this does help with oil control, but of course not 100% (nothing does that for me). What I really like though is that in the middle of the day when I'm getting oily I can blot with a piece of tissue and then put the HD powder on and look like I just put my make up on without looking cakey at all, as you might if you put on a regular face powder.

That for me is what makes this so amazing. I'm going to get some level of oil on my face in the middle of the day no matter what, and being able to suddenly look fresh and clean really means a lot to me. I'm sure there are other powders that do something similar but for the price of ELF's I think this is an amazing product. It is a really really fine powder too, if I run my fingers over my skin after putting it on I don't feel any grittiness which I've had with other silica powders.

PROS:
-very fine texture
-helps a bit with oil control
-mattifies
-easy to apply and blend in
-can reapply in the middle of the day & look like you just put on your make up

CONS:
-not available to many (if any) stores
-packaging is a little bulky if you want to travel with it, but you can transfer a bit to another jar if you like

Ingredients: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica

Review: Cover Girl Fresh Complexion Powder Foundation

2010-02-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

Quality: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 4 out of 5
Size: .37 oz
Price: $5.00 - $7.00
Where To Buy: any drugstore
Would I Buy Again: Yes

Get a fresh, natural look - to go! Extra-fine oil absorbing powders help even out skin, covering like a liquid, cheeks to chin. The slim, blue compact goes anywhere to help control shine and keep you beautiful for hours.

Controls oil and shine
Oil-free
Hypoallergenic
Won't clog pores

I bought this after going through several pressed powders from different brands and not being happy with them. I can honestly say that this is one I will buy again and continue to love. Its different from other pressed powders in the fact that its a foundation, so its more pigmented and a bit heavier in coverage. It can be worn alone but I like to wear it over my normal liquid foundation.

The key to not looking like I'm wearing tons of foundation is to apply only a thin layer of liquid foundation, about half of what I'd normally use, then using my ELF Studio Powder Brush to apply the Cover Girl powder in a light layer, and then using the sponge it comes with on places where my pores are large or where I have red spots. This gives me the most natural flawless look I've ever acheived with the least work (though its still not perfect, but I'll take what I can get) and the least about of make up on my skin.

This does help control oil for me. I always use MAC's Prep+Prime spf 50 under everything, and that plus this powder gives me at least 7-8 hours before I really need to blot. Usually I only get 5-6 before my face looks pretty gross.

The biggest problem with this product is that the lightest shade 605 Ivory would be too dark for very pale/fair skin tones. I just barely match it and I'm pretty light. There are 11 shades total.

This really helps make 50% of my pores disappear. They are huge and abundant so that is a big deal to me.

I have had no adverse reations to this products, no breakouts or anything.

PROS:
-good coverage
-hides pores
-doesn't feel heavy
-can wear alone or over liquid foundation

CONS:
-may be too dark for very fair skin

Help Haiti

2010-01-14T08:35:00.000-08:00

I know most if not all of you reading this must love make up and nail polish. Like me, I imagine many of you spend some amount of money on new things monthly if not more often. I'd like to ask that this week instead of spending that money on cosmetics that you find a way to help the people in Haiti, who were victims to a terrible earthquake on Tuesday that has destroyed their cities and left many dead, injured, and missing. There are so many charities that are rushing to aid Haiti and I know many of them could use either volunteers or donations. Even if you can only give $5 it will make a difference to someone in Haiti who is now without a home or food. If you live outside of the US go to the websites of local news stations, I know a lot of them have information on local charities.

If you find an organization you want to donate to, but aren't sure about how responsibly they'll spend your money go to http://www.charitynavigator.org/.

You can text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. It will charge the money to your cell bill. Or redcross.org has a donation link as well.

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/emergency-earthquake-relief-fund-for-haiti/

http://www.savethechildren.org/get-involved/fundraising-challenges/alt-ways-to-give-earthquake-haiti-0110.html

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/

Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420
Agape Flights, 941-584-8078
American Red Cross, 800-733-2767
American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900
AmeriCares, 800-486-4357
Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403
CARE, 800-521-2273
CarmaFoundation
Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467
Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328
Concern Worldwide, 212-557-8000
Cross International, 800-391-8545
Direct Relief International, 805-964-4767
Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392
Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919
Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104
Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694
Haiti Children, 877-424-8454
Haiti Foundation Against Poverty
Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770
Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357
Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183
International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462
International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433
International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979
Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972
Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325
Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634
Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676
Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900
Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537
Operation USA, 800-678-7255
Oxfam, 800-776-9326
Partners in Health, 617-432-5298
Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552
The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769
Samaritan's Purse, 828-262-1980
Save the Children, 800-728-3843
UN Central Emergency Response Fund
UNICEF, 800-367-5437
World Concern, 800-755-5022
World Hope International, 888-466-4673
World Relief, 800-535-5433
World Vision, 888-511-6548
Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552
Wyclef Jean's grassroots org
Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 via your cellphone

New Years Eve Face & Nails of the Day

2009-12-31T10:26:00.000-08:00

Face: Jane Blushing Earth Sheer

Lips: Chapstick

Eyes: old LE About Face pigments + Great Lash mascara

Sally Girl Surfs Up & Art Deco white & silver glitters for the stripes

Using Sea Salt to fight Acne, my 6 month update.

2009-12-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

In July I wrote about how I had started using Sea Salt to fight my daily acne problem, and I just wanted to do an update and share this information with anyone who didn't read it back then.

I've had moderate acne since I was about 10-11 (I'm now almost 21). I've used Pro Active and a lot of drugstore products but nothing reduced my acne more than 20% if I was lucky. In June I read about using sea salt on your skin to fight acne. I didn't really think it would work but since I already had loads of it at home I thought why not try it.

Within a week I could already see that I wasn't getting as many breakouts a day as I usually did. Old breakouts were healing more quickly and my foundation looked better because I was exfoliating my skin every day.

After about 6 weeks 95% of my acne was gone. I wasn't getting more than 1-2 pimples a week and they were usually half gone before I noticed them. After two months I generally only broke out the week before or of my period.

My skin still isn't perfect but it hasn't been this nice since before puberty. I'm not ashamed to go around my house at night after I've washed my makeup off and have my family see my skin. I still wear foundation every day but I don't have to wear as much of it. I get a pimple every once in a while (mostly just when I forget to use the salt) but they don't get as big as they use to and they heal more quickly.

How I use it:

Its so simple, at night in the shower after I've used my regular face wash to remove my make up I put 1/2 a teaspoon of salt in my wet palms. I then gently scrub my face for 10-15 seconds and wash it off. Sometimes I'll do this in the morning too. I'm actually saving money because I don't use face wash in the morning anymore like I use to.

If my skin is acting up I'll put the salt on and leave it for 5 minutes. You can mix it with honey or your face wash and use it as a mask if you want a more intense treatment.

Also I've gotten one of those small travel size spray bottles from Target and mixed a tablespoon of salt with water and I'll spray that on my face at night every so often. This is good if you have body acne and can't reach some areas like your back or shoulders. Sometimes I'll add 1/2 a cup of salt to my bath just because I breakout on my legs.

Generally its better to use Sea Salt rather then refined salt because it has more 'nutrients,' for lack of a better word, but refined salt will work in a pinch. Try it out, its cheap and doesn't take much effort. I hope it works for any of you who have the same problem I did.

Review: Almay Truly Lasting Color Foundation

2009-12-14T14:59:00.000-08:00

tlc truly lasting color™ makeup with SPF 15 delivers up to 16 hours of flawless coverage that won't rub off—even in heat and humidity. Plus, it nourishes your skin with antioxidant green tea to protect, vitamin E to help smooth, and lemon extract to brighten...for all day, natural radiance.

Quality: 3 out of 5
Packaging: 4 ouf of 5
Price: $12-$14
Where to buy: any drugstore
Would I Buy Again: No

I was expecting a lot from this foundation because I've heard lots of good things about it, but I was really quite disappointed with it. I've tried it out off and on for a few months and I keep going back to my other foundation.

The thing that bothers me the most about this foundation is the texture. Its very thick, and that makes it hard to blend. I usually have a few spots that don't get very much coverage, and others that have too much (so it looks cakey). For being so thick it has light-medium coverage and you can't layer it for more because it starts looking too noticable.

I like the pump but the plastic cover that goes over it comes off too easily, I wouldn't feel totally secure traveling with it.

It does have decent oil control when I use it with MAC's Prep+Prime SPF 50, but I still have to blot around 3-4 pm. Also it dosn't rub off when I blot so I guess thats a pro.

This did well enough with my acne prone skin, I didn't have any bad reactions to it.

I bought the lightest shade in Ivory, which is a shade darker then Revlon CS's Ivory.

Overall I think its an ok foundation if you don't know any better. I wouldn't recommend it though.

Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake

2009-11-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

This is another wonderful cheesecake recipe that is so easy to make. I made it for the first time yesterday. I was going to make apple pie for Thanksgiving but I think I'll make this instead.

for crust:
pre-made graham cracker crust

for filling:
12 oz cream cheese
1 cup heavy whipping cream (whipped)
1/2 cup frozen concentrated apple juice, thawed
1/4 cup sugar

2 thinnly sliced apples

for apple glaze topping:
1/2 cup frozen concentrated apple juice
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp butter

directions:
1. mix cream cheese, sugar, and apple juice
2. add whipped whipping cream
3. pour into crust and refrigerate for 2 hours
4. cook sliced apples & butter in skillet until tender
5. for glaze mix cornstarch, cinnamon, butter, and apple juice in pan over stove until thick
6. place apples around cheesecake, pour on glaze and refrigerate another 2-3 hours or more (I would suggest making this the day before)

The easiest Cheesecake you'll ever make.

2009-11-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

I know this is totally off topic but I've been doing a lot of baking lately and I'm getting excited about making fun things for the holidays. Cheesecake has been my #1 favorite dessert for my entire life so I looked on allrecipes.com (which has become my favorite source of food inspiration) and this was the first one that popped up. It looked so easy so I had to try it, and it turned out really good. Here is the original recipe, I did make 2 small changes.

Here's what you'll need...

Grahamcracker Crust (I used a reduced fat store bought one but there is instructions on how to make it in the link)

Filling:
12 oz cream cheese (recipe said 8 oz but I think this gives it a better texture)
1/3 cup sugar (recipe said 1 cup but its already very sweet with 1/3)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipped cream

1. Before starting set the cream cheese out for 30 minutes to warm up so its soft enough to mix. Or you can put it in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until its soft. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and mix together (you can do this by hand or with a mixer).

2. Pour the whipped cream in another bowl and whip until it forms stiff peaks (you'll need a mixer of some sort for this). Add it to the cream cheese and blend it together.

3. Pour the cream cheese mixture into your crust and refrigerate at least 3 or more hours. Add fruit or eat as is.

If anyone is interested in more recipes like this I'll post my cherry/raspberry/strawberry pie recipe next time.

Blog Sale

2009-10-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is just some stuff that I haven't used more then a few times or not at all. Everything is clean and in good condition. All payment must be made through paypal, check, or cash. US residents only please. Shipping is based on weight, but I'll half the shipping of each additional item if you buy more than one thing. I really want to get this stuff off my hands so I am open to haggling on prices.

Email me at shimmerkisser@gmail.com or comment here.

Avon True Color E/S - Midnight Plum, used 1x, $2.00 ($1 shipping)

~~Charlotte Russe Minerals e/s trio - Earth, used 3x, $3.50 ($1.50 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Charlotte Russe Minerals e/s trio - Flirt, used 1x, $4.00 ($1.50 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Charlotte Russe Minerals e/s trio - Smoky, used 4x, $3.00 ($1.50 shipping)~~ PIC

CQ E/S Trio - Night Moods, used 3x, $1.00 ($1 shipping) PIC

ELF:
Blush - Flushed, used 1x, $0.75 (free shipping with any other purchase) PIC
~~All Over Color Stick - Persimmon, $0.50 (free shipping with any other purchase)~~ PIC
Hypershine Gloss - Frenzied Fuchsia, NIB, $1.00 ($1 shipping)
Hypershine Gloss - Gourmet Peach, NIB, $1.00 ($1 shipping)
E/S quad - Silver Lining, used 4x, $0.50 (free shipping with any other purchase) PIC (on left)
E/S Brush - NIB, $1.00 (free shipping with any other purchase)
Nail Polish - Burgundy, NIB $1.00 ($1.25 shipping)
Nail Polish - Pearl, NIB $1.00 ($1.25 shipping)

Jane Blush - Blussing Blossom, new still in plastic wrap, $3.50 ($1.25 shipping) PIC

Jesse's Girl Eye Dust - Pink, half full, $2.00 ($1 shipping) PIC
Jesse's Girl Eye Dust - Blue, 95% full, $3.50 ($1 shipping) PIC
Jesse's Girl Eye Dust - Green, 95% full, $3.50 ($1 shipping) PIC

L'Oreal HIP e/s duo - LE Boisterous, used 2x, $4.00 ($1.25 shipping)

NYX:
~~Round Lipstick - Twist, used 4x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Ceto, used 3x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Taupe, used 1x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Ulysses, used 1x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Saturn, used 4x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Milan, used 2x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Jupiter, used 5x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Honey, used 3x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Round Lipstick - Circe, used 3x, $0.75 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
Eye Shadow - Pure Skin, swatched 1x, $3.50 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
Eye Shadow - Luxor, used 5x, $3.00 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
Eye Shadow - Wild Fire, used 5x, $3.00 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
Eye Shadow - Cool Blue, used 5x, $3.00 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
Eye Shadow - Spring Leaf, used 4x, $3.00 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
Eye Shadow - Seafoam Green, used 1x, $2.50 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
Eye Shadow - October Sky, swatched 1x, $3.00 ($1.25 shipping) PIC
~~Eye Trio - Opal/Platinum/Luster, used 3x, $4.00 ($1.50 shipping)~~ PIC
Eye Trio - Baby Pink/Cotton Candy/Spring Flower, used 3x, $4.00 ($1.50 shipping) PIC
Eye Trio - Cherry/Cool Blue/Hot Pink, used 3x, $4.00 ($1.50 shipping) PIC
~~Ultra Pearl Mania - Fanta, used 2x, $1.00 (free shipping with any other purchase)~~ PIC
~~Ultra Pearl Mania - Penny, never used, $1.00 (free shipping with any other purchase)~~ PIC
~~Ultra Pearl Mania - Black, used 1x, $1.00 (free shipping with any other purchase)~~ PIC

~~Wet N Wild Mega Eyes Trio - Amazon Greens, used 1x, $2.00~~ ($1.50 shipping)
Wet N Wild Mega Eyes Single - Fine Wink, used 2x, $1.00 ($1.00 shipping)
Wet N Wild Mega Glow - Spotlight Peach, used 2x, $3.00 ($1.50 shipping) PIC, middle
Wet N Wild Pout Protector - Cranberry, used 1x, $1.00 (free shipping with any other purchase) PIC
Wet N Wild Lipstick - 547B Breeze, used 5x, $0.75 (free shipping with any other purchase)

~~Fyrinnae E/S Sample - Japan, swatched 2x, $1.00 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Fyrinnae E/S Sample - Njordr, swatched 2x, $1.00 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Fyrinnae E/S Sample - Gorgeous Devil, swatched 2x, $1.00 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Fyrinnae E/S Sample - Chlorophyll, swatched 2x, $1.00 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Fyrinnae E/S Sample - Kabuki, swatched 2x, $1.00 ($0.75 shipping)~~ PIC
~~Fyrinnae E/S Full Size - Dragon Tears, swatched 2x, $4.00 ($1.00 shipping)~~ PIC

~~Victoria’s Secret Glitter Eyeliner – Black, swatched on hand 1x, $3.00~~ ($1.00 shipping)
Victoria’s Secret Glitter Eyeliner – Silver, swatched on hand 1x, $3.00 ($1.00 shipping)

My Favorite Hair Care Products

2009-09-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

I've gotten so many request for what I use on my hair, so here it is. I'd like to mention that I have oily hair that is thick and usually straight.

Shampoo Conditioner: Pantene Pro V Nature Fusion Moisture Balance. This duo leaves my hair soft without any chemical build up. Typically I have to wash my hair everyday because after 24 hours it get very greasy, but the Pantene Nature Fusion shampoo lets me get away with washing my hair every other day. The conditioner keeps my scalp from feeling dry and makes my hair really soft. They both smell really good, in a nature-y, clean and comforting way.

Heat Protectant: TreSemme's Heat Tamer. This product has been great at protecting my hair from semi-regular use of flat irons and curling irons. I just spray this on, comb my hair, and I'm good to go. I've never had a problem with this making my hair look greasy, I've heard that some other heat protectors do that.

Hair Spray: I use TreSemme's Ultra Fine Mist Hairspray. This gives my hair good hold without making it stiff or crunchy (and I tend to use a lot). It doesn't have much of a smell. I've gone through almost 2 bottles of this and still love it.

For split ends: Sunsilk 24/7 TLC. This won't reverse or heal split ends but it seals the split ends together and keeps them from getting worse. I usually only use this if I've been flat ironing a lot.

Favorite Heat Tool: Cortex Clipless Curling Iron, 1 inch. Out of all the hot tools I've used I love this one best. It curls my hair without pulling on it (like a flat iron will) and the curls stay in ALL DAY & the next day my hair is still semi-curled but its a more natural look that you don't have to do anything with. Its so fast and easy to use.

BeautyChoice sale on Cortex & LeLeAngelique Curling Irons

2009-09-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

I talked about my new Cortex Curling Iron a few weeks ago, and BeautyChoice is now having 30% off on it. You can still get this on Ebay for $30 but if you are paranoid about fakes now would be a good time to get one from a more reliable source.

Cortex and LeAngelique curling and flat irons have become extremely popular these days and we want to sell a lot more! With that said, here is a code to give you 30% off your next purchase.

Offer Code: CRLEANG17
Savings: 30% Off all LeAngelique and Cortex curling & flat irons.
Valid: Now through September 17, 2009. only one offer code perpurchase.

Go to: http://www.beautychoice.com/