Makeup, Beauty and More

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipsticks

2012-03-01T15:21:00.000-06:00

The Be Legendary Lipsticks($19) are a new launch for spring from Smashbox. They come in 22 shades in cream and matte finishes.


L-R: Chai, Posy Pink, Black Plum, Truffle

These lipsticks have a rich luxurious feel and go on so well even without a lip balm. I find them to be very moisturizing and pigmented. They have a slight vanilla scent just like the MAC lipsticks. The packaging although a little heavy, looks very chic. The intensity is buildable and since they are very moisturizing you could even wear them as a stain if the color seems a little too loud.

Posy Pink is a light, peachy pink I like to pair with a killer smokey eye. This was the problem child out of the bunch and went on a little patchy. Worn alone, it does tend to wash me out a little so I like to go over with a pink gloss.
Chai is a brownish nude with very slight orange tones. I love this shade. It's a nice brown that will look great on medium/dark skin tones.
Black Plum is a deep, dark vampy berry. It has a nice sheen that keeps it from looking too flat. I like to wear it as a stain since the color, straight out of the tube, isn't very flattering on me.
Truffle is a warm brown with just a hint of pink. It's a great everyday shade that works perfectly well when you want to keep it low-key.

L-R: Chai, Truffle, Posy Pink, Black Plum

I got about 3 hours of wear time from these lipsticks and they did not dry out my lips even a little bit. I just wish the price was a teeny bit cheaper. Overall, the formulation is amazing and the array of shades is just fabulous.

What are your thoughts on the Smashbox Be Legendary Lipsticks?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Staying Updated With My Blog

2012-02-29T21:37:00.000-06:00

So with Google removing Google Friend Connect for all non-blogger sites, my blog's updates may not be reflected for those of you whose blogs run on wordpress and use GFC to follow my blog. Here are some other ways you can still follow my blog & stay updated.

If you are on Blogger and follow my blog, I think new posts and updates will still pop up on your dashboard. Otherwise you could...

Follow Me on Twitter

Subsribe to E-mail updates or subscribe to RSS feeds.

Like My Blog's Facebook Page

Follow Me on Bloglovin and Hellocotton

I'm yet to create a Google+ page for the blog. But once I do, I will be sure to update everyone!

Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Starter Kit

2012-02-29T09:30:00.002-06:00

The HD Complexion Starter Kit($79) features four of Make Up For Ever's best selling products to create a smooth, flawless finish with a soft-focus effect to your face. The kit comes with a full size HD Invisible Cover Foundation of your choice that can be added to the kit, HD Microperfecting primer, HD Microfinish powder and a Kabuki brush to complete the look.

HD Micro-perfecting Primer - An oil-free silicone-based primer, this helps shrink pores and fill in fine lines. It comes in a gel-cream form and does not feel too slick which I like. I only use it on my cheeks and anywhere else I need to even out skin tone. It does have a scent that is quite strong though. I quite like the way it feels on my skin without being too heavy. It's a great pick for people with oily skin since it is oil-free.

HD Invisible Cover Foundation - I chose mine in the shade #128. It's a great match for skin tones NC37-40 in MAC. The texture of this foundation is a little runny and very creamy. I use a flat foundation brush and apply a very thin layer of this. My skin is no where near perfect but, I'm not very fond of heavy coverage foundations. So, a thin layer of the HD foundation actually works really well covering blemishes and perfecting pores. Since it dries to a semi-matte finish, I like to mix in a drop of highlighter for a little bit of glow. Coverage is buildable but, be sure to moisturize really well since it has a tendency to enhance dry spots and settle into fine lines without prep work. It works really well when layered over the HD primer. The primer made the foundation stay on for more than 8 hours without rubbing off.

HD MicrofinishPowder & Kabuki - The HD Micro-perfecting Powder is a translucent finishing powder that works really well when used with the super soft Kabuki brush to create an air brushed look. Since I have dry skin, I only use it very sparingly over the HD foundation since the foundation already dries to a semi-matte finish. But, I love to use this powder over any tinted moisturizer to set the look and perfect pores for a flawless finish. The kabuki is a nice little addition to the kit that works great with any kind of pressed powders too.

The kit is a great value when compared to buying the products individually and a nice way to start trying a few MUFE products. The flexibility of choosing the foundation shade is a great option and the kabuki brush is a great choice for loose and pressed powders.

Wearing Make Up For Ever HD Microperfecting primer, HD Invisible Cover Foundation in #128 and HD Microfinish powder

What are your thoughts on the Make Up For Ever HD Complexion Starter Kit?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

MAC Sweetie Lipstick - Review, Photos & Swatches

2012-02-28T11:32:00.000-06:00

Sweetie($14.50), described by MAC as an ulta-sweet pink is a girly, slightly mauvy pink with silver shimmer. The lustre finish adds a little more sheen to this already shimmery pink. Sweetie looks great on medium skin tones and does not wash me out either. It has the right amount of pink and a very slight mauve undertone, making it a very wearable shade. I like how it is shimmery without being too frosty.

Like most MAC lipsticks, I get about 3 hours of wear time from this one. The formula is alright, not very moisturizing. The color is quite sheer on the first swipe, which I like. Since it is quite pink and shimmery, I like to pair it with a neutral eye look. If you are looking for a wearable, medium pink without being too bright or something that does not lean towards the hot pink territory, Sweetie is worth looking into.

MAC Sweetie Swatch, single swipe

Have you tried MAC Lustre Lipstick in Sweetie?

Essence Stay All Day Long-Lasting Eye Shadow

2012-02-26T18:57:00.002-06:00

Essence has finally jumped into the cream eye shadow bandwagon too. It's a good thing since they make some fabulous inexpensive products. The Essence Stay All Day Long-Lasting Eye Shadows($2.99) are long-wearing, cream eye shadows with a silky texture that can be worn alone or under any eye shadow to extend its wear.

There are three shades currently launched as part of the spring collection of which I have two here. "Glammy Goes To", a shimmery antique bronze and "Stars & Stories", a frosty silver. The texture is very creamy and the shadows are nicely pigmented. They come packaged in a small plastic jar. The shadows seemed a little too dry to be picked up from the jar on the first use but, after a couple of swipes, they went on smooth. I find that they go on much better when I use my fingers as opposed to a brush. They stay on pretty well even without a primer on my lids and start fading after about 5 hours. With a primer, they stay crease-free for about 8 hours which is great. They also layer really well under powder eye shadows in co-coordinating shades. "Glammy Goes To" is an amazing shade that I like to wear under MAC's Woodwinked, which is one eye shadow I reach out to so often. For the price, I can't complain too much about the plastic packaging but, I think glass jars would keep the product from drying out too soon.

L-R : Stars & Stories, Glammy Goes To

Overall, these cream shadows are a great bargain and do what they are supposed to do without breaking the bank. The current shade selection seems too small. I wish there were more neutrals and darker, less frosty shades available too.

Have you tried the Essence Stay All Day Long-Lasting Eye Shadow?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Illamasqua Pure Pigment In Beguile

2012-02-24T19:06:00.000-06:00

Illamasqua Pure Pigment In Beguile($24) was released as part of the Theatre Of The Nameless Collection. Beguile is a sparkly, silver with multi-colored glitter packed in a while base. Depending on the lighting, it reflects green, blue, purple and pink shimmer. It has a beautiful pearlescent sheen that is absolutely stunning.

Like most pigments, this one too can get a little messy to work with but, serves a lot of purpose. Also because it has a white base, it is quite convenient to be mixed with eye shadows, nail polishes without changing the color of the product or even when it needs to be layered on over a dark base for some eye catching shimmer.The texture is super finely milled and looks stunning when used on it's own too. The packaging looks really sleek and nice with just a small opening to prevent too much product spillage. But if you are clumsy like me, you may end up with shimmer just about everywhere. The small opening that lets you pick up pigment comes sealed with a tiny tape. Be sure not to discard it once you open it to prevent product wastage. If you want to jazz up any look or simply want to add a lot of sparkle and glam, Beguile is a nice little multi-tasker to have.

Have you tried Illamasqua's Pure Pigment In Beguile?

Disclosure: The product in this article was provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

My Top 5 Pink Nail Polish Picks

2012-02-23T10:34:00.000-06:00

I have quite a few pink nail polishes in my stash but these are a few light pinks I wear quite often, apart from the berries and darker pinks. All these are wearable, soft pinks that will look great against most skin tones.

Zoya Mia($8) - A pretty, low-key nude pink with a creme finish. Perfect for work or whenever you want to keep it subtle.
China Glaze Thistle($6) - Shimmery, metallic light pink. The formula is great for a shimmery polish and is not overly foiled which I like
Zoya Flora($8) - Bright, but not very bubblegummy. Love this color for spring. The formula is a little difficult to work with though.

Zoya Meadow($8) - A pink gold duo-chrome. The gold comes out only under sunlight or when using camera flash. A versatile shade that looks flattering against most skin tones and one of my absolute favourite pinks.
Revlon Starry Pink($4.59) - A milky, pale pink with silver glitter. The hexagonal glitter in it looks gorgeous when applied and is also a pain to remove but, totally worth it.

L-R : Zoya Mia, China Glaze Thistle, Zoya Flora, Zoya Meadow, Revlon Starry Pink

What are some of your favourite pink nail polishes?

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in Beach

2012-02-22T11:25:00.002-06:00

I've had good experiences with Liz Earle's skin care in the past and was very excited to try the Sheer skin Tint(£21.00) which was also the brand's first step into color. I prefer tinted moisturizers and medium coverage foundations over heavy, full coverage foundations any day so, this was right up my alley. The sheer skin tint comes in three shades and I chose the darkest shade '03 Beach' which seemed like a good pick for medium to dark skin tones. If you are anything between an NC35 and 42 in mac, Beach is a good match.

What I like about Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint:

Lightweight, creamy texture that goes on super smooth even without having any moisturizer on.
There's quite a bit of product in there, although the tube looks to be small in size.
The dewy, silky finish makes it a great choice for dry skin.
Coverage is medium but, so natural looking, I even skip applying powder on top.
Comes with SPF15.

The not so good things about Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint:

Only three shades are currently available. Darker skin tones can still get away with beach but, it may not be the perfect match.
The product has a very weird smell. It does fade once applied onto skin but the smell is quite strong initially.
If you have oily skin, be sure to keep some blotting sheets in hand or top if off with powder since it is very dewy looking and might make t-zone oily.
I don't see the product being listed on the Liz Earle US website, only on the UK site.

If you have dry skin, the Liz Earle Sheer skin tint is a nice choice when you just need a little bit of coverage with a natural finish. Since it is sheer, most people can get away with one of the three shades the range has. But, I wish they'd add more colors in the future.

Have you tried the Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy

L’Oréal Paris EverCréme Sulfate-Free Cleansing Conditioner

2012-02-21T18:32:00.000-06:00

"Cleansing Conditioner, a low lathering formula that acts as a shampoo and deep conditioner in one, so consumers can experience the latest prestige trend in achieving healthy and hydrated hair the natural way." I've been wanting to try Wen's version of the cleansing conditioner for a while now but, since I have oily roots with dry ends, I wasn't too sure if I wanted to splurge on something that may or may not work for me . So, when L'Oreal's affordable version came along, I had to try it.

L’Oréal Paris EverCréme Sulfate-Free cleansing conditioner($5.99) is a thick, rich cream product that acts as a shampoo and conditioner sans the foamy lather you get from traditional shampoos. The product has a strong, creamy vanilla scent that I absolutely love. The smell lingers on until the next wash! Although I love products packaged hygienically in a pump bottle, this one makes it so difficult to get product out of. One pump dispenses very little product so, it takes a while to get a sizable amount which is annoying while in the shower.

How I use the L’Oréal Paris EverCréme Sulfate-Free Cleansing Conditioner:

I take quite a few pumps of product and apply it to hair, massaging it on my scalp. I apply a little more to the ends, leave the product on for a while and wash it off. Don't expect rich foamy lather from this product. There's just a little bit of soft, (almost no) lather. The creamy texture made my hair feel smooth and tangle-free while washing it off. I was a little worried if the creaminess of the product and the blend of oils may leave my scalp looking like an oil slick. Turns out, this cleansing conditioner works even better than how a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner duo would work. I skipped applying hair serum and let my hair air-dry. My hair felt a lot healthier, smoother, shinier, bouncy and most of all, clean. After a day, I noticed that it did not make my scalp any oilier than a normal shampoo would. The ends looked more nourished, just like it does when you have a trim!

That said, I would not recommend using this everyday. It does contain quite a few oils and has a tendency to weigh hair down with regular use. As someone with an oily scalp and dry ends, I use this about 2 times a week, when my hair needs a gentle cleanse, without stripping the natural oils and a moisture boost. I also use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of any residue from this or other shampoos there may be. L’Oréal Paris EverCréme Sulfate-Free Cleansing Conditioner is a great drugstore find and an amazing budget buy when you want to treat your hair to some extra dose of moisture and keep it looking healthy in one step. A perfect pick for someone lazy like me.

Have you tried the L’Oréal Paris EverCréme Sulfate-Free Cleansing Conditioner?

Barielle Gem Stone Earth Collection - Review, Photos & Swatches

2012-02-20T21:38:00.000-06:00

Barielle Gem Stone Earth Collection features five nail polishes, a mix of three shimmery metallics and two cremes. The cremes are quite easy to work with and have a nice consistency. The shimmery shades are quite thick and left a few brush strokes, still easy to work with. All shades were quite opaque in two coats.

Back To Nature - A perfect nude! Very creamy, no shimmer, goes on without being streaky.
Granite Glitter - A shimmery gunmetal. Looks great on toes. I had some application issues with this shade though.
Pink Quartz - A nice and soft girly pink, perfect for spring and summer.
Green Opal - Shimmery, olive green with a foil-like finish. The formula on this one was a little thick and left a few brush strokes.
Amber Sparkler - A beautiful shimmery bronzy-brown. I love this one too, it looks very flattering against my skin tone.


Top to Bottom : Back To Nature, Granite Glitter, Pink Quartz, Green Opal, Amber Sparkler

I painted my nails with Back To Nature last week and it started chipping after about 4 days. The brush size is perfect for my short nails and very convenient to work with. Overall, I really like the formula of these polishes and how fast they dry!

Barielle is free of DBP, toluene & formaldehyde.

Price : $8 individually, $25 for the Gem Stone Earth Collection 5-piece Kit.

What are your thoughts on the Barielle Gem Stone Earth Collection?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

AVON Shine Attract Lipstick - Rose Bouquet & Nude Love

2012-02-19T18:37:00.000-06:00

A brand new launch from Avon, the Shine Attract Lipsticks($9) are a very new concept where the lipstick pigment is surrounded by a transparent glossy layer of moisture. These lipsticks come in 15 shades that range from nude browns to glossy pinks. "Avon redefines lipstick with this one-of-a-kind fusion of luscious color and hydrating shine. A center core of color gel delivers vivid, vibrant pigment as an outer layer provides the perfect radiant sheen for smooth, glistening lips."

The colors when worn directly from the tube, go on a little sheer. I won't say they come with loads of shine but, they keep lips looking very moist and soft. For a more pigmented look, I like to dip a lip brush directly to the core where the color is concentrated. If you have extremely dry lips, applying some lip balm and blotting it off makes the color go on without enhancing dryness. Once on the lips, they are very moisturizing and feel very comfortable. "Nude Love" is a pinkish brown nude with subtle shimmer that adds a nice dimension to lips. It has a little hint of pink which keeps it from washing me out. "Rose Bouquet" is a pinky coral with a ton of silver shimmer. These lipsticks last for about 2 hours after which they completely fade. Rose Bouquet leaves quite a bit of shimmer behind which is something I don't like. It takes a while to get rid of the shimmer too.

L-R : Rose Bouquet, Nude Love

L-R : Rose Bouquet, Nude Love; Please ignore the lighting difference. I had to tweak the left photo a bit to bring the color of Rose Bouquet out

Overall, if you like sheer lipsticks with quite a bit of shine and a nice moisturizing feel, these lipsticks are worth a try. They have a slight scent that is mild and not cloying. The packaging is alright but, the cap seems a little flimsy to tote around. Nude Love is a great everyday, safe shade that I recommend when you want to keep it simple and add some color at the same time. These lipsticks feel almost like a tinted lip balm, without being very heavy or waxy.

What do you think of the Avon Shine Attract Lipsticks?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy

NOTD - Zoya Willow

2012-02-18T22:23:00.002-06:00

Willow($8), best described as a creamy coral with a hint of fine silver shimmer, is one of Zoya's best coral polishes and a very pretty color for spring.

The formula of this polish is very smooth and quite opaque. I needed 2 coats for opacity and it is quite glossy by itself but, I topped it off with Zoya's Armor Top coat. There was quite a bit of tip wear after about 2 days and the polish started chipping after 4 days.

If you are looking for a coral polish that isn't very bright and is subtle enough to be considered work-safe, Willow is a great choice. It is one of those polishes that looks equally amazing on fingers and toes.

All Zoya Nail Polishes are free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP and Camphor.

What are your thoughts on Willow?

BUXOM Pen and Ink Long-Last Eyeliner - Review, Photos & Swatches

2012-02-17T10:00:00.006-06:00

BUXOM Pen & Ink Long-Last Eyeliner($20) is a long lasting, waterproof, liquid eyeliner and a new launch from the brand for spring. The liner has a unique tip that helps achieve a thick or a thin line depending upon the way its held and applied. The intensity also varies depending upon which side of the tip you choose to apply it with.

The liner comes in two shades, brown(Ciao) and black(P.S). What I have here is P.S, a jet black color with a slight sheen. I've always liked liquid liners with a sheen and this one has just the right amount of it.The size is just perfect without being too thick or thin, giving me a good grip over the product. The first couple of times, the tip felt a little scratchy on my eye lids but, it was fine after the third use. Be sure to run it a couple of times at the back of your hand before using it on your eyes. I also love how it gives me great control when I want to wing my liner out. Like most liquid lines, I use it on my upper and lower lash line and fill in my waterline with a pencil liner. The color is very rich and deep so, I like to keep everything else minimal. As for it being waterproof, it doesn't rub off easily with water or when I rub my eyes. But, it does have a tendency to smear a little with soap. It smears in a good way though, without giving me raccoon eyes. The lasting power was about 6 hours after which it starts to flake just a little at the corners. I needed a good oil based remover to get everything off.

Getting used to the tip and using it both ways can take some time to get used to, initially. But once you get the hang of it, this is a nice little multi-use product. The color is very dark and intense and will look great on just about anyone.

Available at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com

What do you think of the BUXOM Pen and Ink Long-Last Eyeliner?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy

AHAVA Extreme Day Cream & Night Treatment

2012-02-17T09:50:00.002-06:00

"A perfectly-balanced concentrate of Dead Sea minerals that effectively replenishes, rehydrates and recharges the skin. It's a sensation that says "my skin reborn". I recently had the opportunity to try out AHAVA's extreme line(day & night treatment). Extreme is AHAVA's fairly new launch that came out last fall. The extreme line claims to firm skin, minimizing the appearance of fine lines, plumping skin and restoring moisture. I don't have so many fine lines yet but my skin leans towards the dry sensitive side especially this time of the year. It does fluctuate to combination/dry when the weather is hot but in winter, it is extremely dry.

Aqua(Mineral Spring Water), Sodium Hyaluronate & Water, Ceteth- 20 & Glyceryl Stearate & Steareth-25 & Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone & Dimeethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Squalene (Phytosqualene), Vitis Viniferz (Grape) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate & Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Erythirol & Homarine HCl, Caprylic?Capric Triglyceride & Tepreone, Cetyl Palmitate & Sorbitan Palmitate, Ceratonia Siliqua Gym, Butylene Glycol & Palmitoyl, Oligopeptide & Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 & Polysorbate-20 & Carbomer, Tocopherol(Vitamin E) & Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract & Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cetraria Islandica Extract, Ceryl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Disodium Lauriminodiproponate Tocopheryl Phospates, Phenoxyethanol & Pichia\Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris Sal (Dead Sea Water), Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Rubus Ellipiticus Root Extract, Boron Nitride, Allantoin, Parfum (Fragrance), Dunaliella Salina Extract, Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Fruit Extract & Propylene Glycol, Pentaearythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydrozyhycinnamate, Folic Acid, Geranoil, Citronellol, Coumarin, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Eugnol, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Isoeugenol.
The Extreme Day($68) cream is a thick, emollient cream with a rich texture that comes packaged in a glass jar. The cream absorbs really well and a little goes a long way. If you have dry skin, your skin would love something so rich. But, if your skin leans a little towards the oily side, it may be a little too rich. I like to use this in the night too, sometimes. Within a few hours skin feels very soft, plump and hydrated. With regular use, it also took care of the dry bits I have around my nose and cheeks. I don't have that many fine lines and wrinkles yet, but if you have dry skin that needs some extra pampering, AHAVA's Extreme Day cream is a nice little treat. I do feel it's a little overpriced for the job it does and it is a little bit of a splurge.

Crosspoylmer, Glycerin & Ruscus Aculeatus Root (Butcherbroom) Extract & Aqua(Water), Cycopentasiolxane & Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Acer Saccharinum (Sugar Maple) Extract & Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract & Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract & Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol & Glycerin & Equisetum Arvense Extract, Palmitoyl Oilgopeptide & Palitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 & Polysorbate-20 & Carbomer, Caffeine & Lecithin & Palmitoyl Carnitine & Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Hydrpethylcellulose & Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Seed Extract & Rutin, Dipeptide- 2 & Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone & Steareth-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride & Teprenone, Siegesbeckia Orientials Extract & Rabdosia Rubescens Extract, Bis- Hydroxyethoxypropyl Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Bisabolol & Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil & Chamomila Recutita (Matricaria)Flower Water & Glucose & Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Squalene (Phytosqualene), Cetraria Islandica Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Chrysin & N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Isohexasecane, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)& Hypericum Perforatum Flower/Leaf/ Stem Extract & Olea Europaea (Olive)Fruit Oil, Phenoxyethanol & Pichia\Resveratrol Ferment Extract, Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris Sal (Dead Sea Water), Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Rubus Ellipiticus Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ammonium Lactate Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), Allantoin, Dunaliella Salina Extract, BHA & Citric Acid & Propyl Gallate, Phoenix Dactylifera (Date) Fruit Extract, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phospates, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Butylphenyl Methylpropinal, Linalool, Citronella, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol.
The Extreme Night treatment($72) is has a gel like texture and comes packaged in a glass bottle with a pump. It feels more like a makeup primer than a night treatment. The texture is silky smooth and takes quite sometime to full absorb. It does contain silicones which explains the smooth texture. I would recommend using this not more than 3-4 times a week. But, I've tried using this under makeup a few times and it did a fab job of holding makeup in place. Even the creamiest of blushes stay put! When used as a night treatment, my skin was visibly very bright the next day. Sadly, it also broke me out in small white bumps near my chin which is why I recommend not using it more than 4 times a week and following up with regular exfoliation once or twice a week. I much prefer using the day cream in the night too, instead of the night treatment mainly because of the texture. Like the day cream, I feel this one too is overpriced for the job it does. But if you have extreme fine lines and your skin is in need of a little something extra and you don't mind the price, I would recommend the day cream, which also doubles up as a night cream. While this is not my HG day cream or night treatment, I do reach out to it quite often, especially the Extreme Day Cream since my skin's been very dry, almost peeling, this time of the year.

Available at Ulta stores and online at Ulta.com.

What are your thoughts on AHAVA's Extreme Line?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy

Pacifica Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint in Blood Orange

2012-02-16T12:35:00.002-06:00

Never have I been disappointed by any product from Pacifica so far and the color quench lip tint is no exception! It claims to deliver big moisture with sheer color and it definitely does. This 100% vegan lip tint is loaded with essential fatty acids from rich and amazing avocado and coconut oils that quench lips with moisture.

Ingredients : Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, glycine soja (soy) wax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, natural flavor, tocopherol (vitamin E), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract. May contain: mica, red 6 and/or 7, blue 1, yellow 5, titanium dioxide, iron oxides. 100% vegan.

The packaging is super cute and comes in a 100% recyclable tube. The balm comes in a classic twist up form. Blood Orange is one of my favourite scents from Pacifica and this lip tint is a great addition to my collection. The smell is so fresh, juicy and most of all so real. As for the color, it is a slight pinkish coral with very less shimmer. The texture feels a little slick and slightly glossy. I love how well it goes on even on dry lips and keeps them looking and feeling moist for about 4 hours. Even after the color fades, my lips don't feel dry. If it had more color and a less slick texture, I would even use it on my cheeks! My only gripe with this product is that the size of the tube is a little too big for my lips. Every time I apply, I end up smearing a little around my lips.

Overall, I highly recommend Pacifica's Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint in Blood Orange when you like quite a bit of color and lots of moisture in a scent that will perk you up. My lips love this lip tint especially during this dry weather. A fantastic pick if you are cursed with dry lips like I am.

Price : $9 for 0.25oz

Available at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

Have you tried Pacifica Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint in Blood Orange?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy

Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Face Primer

2012-02-14T15:31:00.007-06:00

Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer($33) is a water-based, mattifying, skin-perfecting primer that helps minimize the size of pores and prevents makeup meltdown. This primer is silicone-free which is something I love about it. It is a slightly tinted gel cream that has a very slight, pleasant herbal smell.

The packaging is great to travel with and hygienic. However, I had to struggle the first few times to get product out of the hard to squeeze tube.The texture is smooth, goes on like any other cream. It does not have the slip most primers have, because of the absence of 'cones. I love the way it feels on skin. It feels even more lighter than the Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro Primer that is silicone-based and a great drugstore pick that I like and have been using quite a lot. Unlike gel based primers that leave skin feeling like there's a veil of silk, this gets absorbed leaving no residue behind. It also claims to mattify skin. I don't see too much of a mattifying effect here but I don't mind that since my skin is pretty dry especially this time of the year. But, if you are looking for something that leaves a complete matte finish, you may be disappointed. I have fairly large pores and this helps with diminishing the size of those leaving skin feeling soft & smooth without being too heavy. If you have combination/oily skin, this is something your skin will love. As far as the lasting power of this primer goes, I find that it holds my foundation and blush for a good 5 hours which, I think is great for a silicone-free primer. I sometimes use this alone, after my moisturizer to even out skin tone and shrink pores.

Overall, Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer is a great find if you are on the look out for a silicone-free, lightweight primer . It does not mattify my skin too much, rather gives it a semi-matte sheen which I don't have a problem with. If you have large pores and uneven skin tone, this helps create a great canvas for most foundations that struggle to go on evenly.

Have you tried the Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer?

Available at Ulta, Sephora and online at sephora.com

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment

2012-02-13T14:08:00.000-06:00

Amika Oil Treatment with Obliphica Oil($34) is a leave-in treatment oil that helps nourish hair and protect from heat damage. It also contains Argan Oil that helps seal in moisture and strengthen weak hair.

Packaged in a glass bottle, the oil has a thick texture, so a tiny amount goes a long way. It also has a wonderful smell that lingers on for a very long time. If you have very frizzy hair, Amika is a great product to tame your hair and control frizz even without a blow drier. When used with a blow drier or a flat iron, the results are fabulous. Hair looks a lot more smoother with loads of shine. For fine hair, I would recommend only a very tiny amount. I use it like any other hair serum, on wet hair. As much as I like the sleek results I get from Amika, my biggest gripe is that it leaves my scalp super oily and greasy, making my hair fall flat the next day. The thick texture has a tendency to weigh down hair quite a lot so, a good clarifying shampoo is a must. Also, it lists dimethicone as the first ingredient only after which Obliphica and Argan Oil are listed which I'm not very fond of.

Overall, if you have frizzy hair and expect super smooth results without too much effort, Amika's Obliphica Oil Treatment fits the bill. Keep in mind that the blend of oils will leave scalp oily especially if you, like me do not wash your hair everyday. It works quite well on dry hair too, keeping flyways tamed and is free of parabens and artificial colors.

Available at Sephora, sephora.com and loveamika.com.

What are your thoughts on Amika Obliphica Oil Treatment?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Beauty Bar And Allure Magazine Partner To Launch Sample Society

2012-02-13T14:07:00.000-06:00

The premier beauty retailer, Beauty Bar, is collaborating with The Beauty Expert, Allure magazine, to introduce Sample Society—a breakthrough in beauty sampling. A members-only subscription service, Sample Society delivers the most exclusive samples of hair-care, makeup, skin-care and fragrance products
plus expert information each month.

A Sample Society membership introduces consumers to the latest trends and innovations in beauty through sampling. As members, customers receive the following every month:

•Five deluxe-size samples from premium brands such as By Terry, Dermalogica, Fekkai Advanced, and Bond No. 9. Samples are deluxe-size, meaning they are intended for more than one use, allowing customers to truly experience and test products’ efficacy.

•Original content written by Allure editors with each month’s samples, giving the customer relevant expert information that can optimize her experience and ultimately help her make purchase decisions.

•A $15 gift code that can be used toward the purchase of any product from the featured brands received that month (not just the specific product sampled), meaning that each box pays for itself .

Visit beautybar.com/samplesociety for more information.

$15 per box for premium brands sounds good. What are your thoughts?

Link Love 11/02/11

2012-02-11T09:46:00.002-06:00

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed checks out a new lipstick line - Lancôme Rouge in Love. Check out her swatches and see if it could be love for you, too!

Did polish insomniac find a new HG nail product? Find out in her Sally Hansen Cuticle Eraser + Balm Review.

FabDiva20 attended the MAC Shop/Cook Collection preview event last Tuesday. Check out the goodies she picked up!

Ever been a victim of internet trolling? Bun Bun Makeup Tips shares why people leave negative comments on beauty blogs!

Love is in the air! Musicalhouses shows you her Valentine's Day nails (that aren't pink!), her Valentine's Day eye look inspired by candy hearts, and for those that don't like V-Day, her ANTI-Valentine's Day nail look!

Do you want healthy, radiant skin? Amy Antoinette reviews Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation which gives just that!

If the color works for you, then Gouldylox thinks this might be the B.B. Cream you are looking for.

Anime Lady Gaga eye - the easy way to try the trend from Addicted to Beauty.

At Eyelining Obsessions, Claire tries out a skin clearing primer from Witch.

Makeup Morsels falls hard for the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Sahara Treasure. If taupe-y, golden champagnes sound like your thing, head over to her blog to see it for yourself!

With an army of blemishes to battle Hellcandy reveal's some of her hero products that help reduce, heal and disguise them. Click here to find out more.

It’s almost Valentine’s Day and a gift is in order. Beauty Info Zone shows you a terrific Baby Love set from Votre Vu that your valentine will flip over. Of course, you’ll flip over it, too!

Makeup, Beauty and More shares a great pick from Stila's Spring 2012 collection that helps create a super quick smokey eye effortlessly!

Got brown eyes? Want to make them look their best? Check out Midnight Violets' latest look!

Are you suffering with the winter blues? Check out Anita's haul from the Dior Spring collection for gorgeous blooms and pretty spring colours to cheer you up and remind you that spring is coming!

Its time for monthly favorites! Pammy Blogs Beauty reveals her star products for the month of January.

Kajal Couture shares her cheap and quick drugstore brow solution.

---
Confessions of a Glitterholic celebrates its one year anniversary with a huge giveaway! Five lucky followers will win fabulous prize packs including products by Physician's Formula, Mineral Maven and more!!

Preview : Barielle Gem Stone Earth Collection

2012-02-10T16:16:00.002-06:00

Barielle's Gem Stone Earth Collection is the newest launch from the line, featuring a combination of light neutral cremes and shimmery metallics, that will be part of Barielle's core collection. I love the assortment of colors here rather than being just plain neutrals or pastels.

L-R : Back To Nature, Green Opal

L-R : Pink Quartz, Amber Sparkler, Granite Glitter

Review/ Swatches coming soon! Which shades do you like the most?

Barielle is free of DBP, toluene & formaldehyde.

Price : $8 individually, $25 for the Gem Stone Collection 5-piece Kit.

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Mildew

2012-02-09T16:01:00.000-06:00

When I'm in the mood for green eye liner, Mildew & Stash(both by Urban Decay) are the two liners I reach out to the most. Mildew is a metallic, medium green and one of the few liners that actually looks green on me. It has enough color to add a nice pop without being too bright.

The texture, like most UD's glide on pencils, is buttery smooth. But, Mildew does not stay on for more than a couple of hours on my waterline. So, I like to use on my upper lash line and on the lower lash line, usually with a jet black liner on my waterline. On the lash line, the formula adheres well and stays put for a few hours without transferring much.

If you haven't ventured much into the green liner territory, Mildew is a great one to start with. Even otherwise, it is a beautiful color to have in your stash.

What is your favorite green liner?

China Glaze Spring 2012 - Electropop Collection

2012-02-08T11:55:00.000-06:00

The Electropop Collection features pastels and cremes, very appropriate for spring. I have a couple of shades swatched here. Gothic Lolita, a deep purple with teeny tiny blue shimmer. The shimmer is very subtle and comes out only under flash or direct sunlight. Dance Baby, a bright bubblegum pink with a creme finish. Both polishes have a glossy finish but I would still recommend a good top coat.

Dance Baby looks better on toes and does not look very flattering against my skin tone. It would look very pretty against lighter skin tones. The formula of this polish was a little on the thicker side and took quite a bit of time to dry. I needed 2 coats for complete opacity.

Gothic Lolita looks really unique and amazing on fingers and toes. It's a shade that all skin tones can carry off very well . Something I would love to wear any time of the year! This shade had the perfect consistency but it did leave a couple of brush strokes. Other than that, the color was easy to work with. The lighting looks different in both pictures because I had to tweak the photos just a little to bring out the right colors.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. Available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide.

Have you tried any shades from the Electropop Collection by China Glaze?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Stila Spring 2012 - Jewel Eyeshadow in Black Diamond

2012-02-06T20:40:00.001-06:00

Stila Jewel Eye Shadow in Black Diamond($20) is a super shimmery, blackened charcoal, part of Stila's Spring 2012 collection. Black Diamond is absolutely perfect for dark & dramatic smokey eyes. The Jewel Eye Shadows can be use wet or dry, depending on how intense you like them.

The shimmer in this shadow looks stunning and there's quite a bit of it too. For a quick and easy smokey eye, just pat a good layer of the shadow with a flat stiff brush, blending out the edges. Finish off with a jet black liner on the waterline, smudged onto the lash line, with loads of mascara. For a sheer wash, I like to use a brush like the MAC 217 that picks up the right amount of product and blends it beautifully. The texture of the eye shadow is very soft, nicely pigmented and super blendable. There's quite a bit of glitter fall out especially when blending out the color which makes the job quite messy. Without a primer, the eye shadow tends to crease leaving the glitter behind so, I'd recommend a good primer that also helps keep the shimmer in place.

Stila Black Diamond Jewel Eyeshadow used dry with MAC Kohl Power in Feline on the lower lash line and Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

Overall, Black Diamond makes for a great lid color that quickly creates a bold smokey eye with ease. The glitter fall out needs quite a bit of clean up which is something I'm not very fond of. When used with a good primer, the color looks very intense, perfect for a night out. Keep everything else simple by pairing it with a nude pink lipstick and a matte peachy blush!

What are your thoughts on the Stila Jewel Eyeshadow in Black Diamond?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment

2012-02-05T20:50:00.002-06:00

"Our Healing Oil Treatment is a therapeutic hair oil perfect for all hair types and is especially beneficial to dry, damaged hair."

Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment($6.50 for .34oz, $13.50 for 1oz, $39.95 for 4.2oz) is a nourishing, leave-in, oil-based treatment that helps repair dry, damaged hair and control frizz. The oil also comes with UV protection and a blend of ingredients that promote a healthy shine to hair that suffers a lot of heat damage.

The texture is quite thick so you only need a tiny amount. One pump might be a little too much unless you have very thick, long hair. I have a couple of ways in which I use this product. One, as a leave-in treatment on damp hair. I then let it air-dry or blow dry as usual. When used this way, the product helps cut my drying time by almost 60% and adds a beautiful, glossy shine. It also controls flyaways and keeps hair looking healthy. Another great way to use this product is by mixing it with any conditioner, leave it on for a few minutes and wash off. When I use it this way, I skip any kinda hair serum afterwards since it weighs down hair quite a bit. Also keep in mind that too much can leave scalp very oily so, using a clarifying shampoo once a week helps clear out any residue.

The product is alcohol-free but, contains quite a few 'cones. The smell is not something I have a problem with but, it is quite strong, in a good way. If you have dry/damaged hair, use a lot of heat to style your hair or need a good styling treatment that controls frizz and provides nourishment, this is a great product to try. Like me, if you have a very oily scalp, be sure to use it in moderation. If you have extremely fine hair, I would recommend trying a sample size(.34oz, 1oz, available at ulta.com) before committing to the full-size.

What are some hair treatments you recommend?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Balm in Plush Plum

2012-02-03T08:55:00.002-06:00

L'Oreal Color Riche Balm($7.95) is a tinted, glossy lip balm that comes in eight shades, packed with Shea butter, Argan Oil, Vitamin E and some sun protection(SPF15). The colors are rather sheer and go on much lighter than how they look in the tube.

"Plush Plum" is a plummy pink with fine gold shimmer. The color goes on like a light shade of pink with a subtle hint of plum. On my lips, it looks like a sheer layer of glossy shine and a light wash of color. The texture is very smooth, without being sticky or waxy. I've seen a lot of reviews comparing these to the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. In my opinion, this balm feels a little more slick and obviously less pigmented than the Revlon Lip Butter. They also do a pretty good job moisturizing lips, keeping them soft and hydrated. I get about 2-3 hours of wear time and there's absolutely no dryness even after the balm wears off completely. Plush Plum is one of the more pigmented shades from the range so, if you are looking for something with a little bit of color, this is a great shade to consider.

Overall, I think the L'Oreal Color Riche Balm is a good, moisturizing lip balm that I like to wear when I'm keeping everything else low-key. I wish it was just a little more pigmented since I like quite a bit of color in my lip products to help cover up the pigmentation. The SPF15 is a great addition that is nice to have in any lip product. I'm also very happy that these don't have the strong scent most L'Oreal lip products have. The scent is in fact very pleasant, something I quite like.

What are your thoughts on the L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Balm in Plush Plum?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.