New York Biology: UltraLASH Eyelash Growth Serum #Review #NewYorkBiology #LashesForDays

I have tried many lash serums in the past and it was mostly for enhancement purposes, since thankfully my lashes are still kicking! Before I was a coconut oil user but a few times coconut oil ended up in my eye and especially at night when you are trying to wind down to go to bed, a burning eye is not exactly pleasant. I was then seeing a TV screen or computer one blurry until the next day, so I have opted for serums that condition and nourish my lashes. The great part about these serums, is their dual job duties. You can also use it on your eyebrows in case you over plucked or just have thinning eyebrows. I found myself using them to fix my boo-boos, when I left myself a spot or shortened them a little too much on the edge. These serums came to the rescue but I quickly found out they are not all made equally.

 

 

Retail Price Point: On Amazon, the serum retails for $21.50 and shipping is free for Prime members.

 

 

Ingredients (as listed on website): 
Aqua (Water), Glycerine, Hydrolyed Starch Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Pentapeptide-17, Pterocarpus Marsupium Bark Extract, Malus Domestica (Apple) Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Mannitol, Panthenol (D), Glutamic Acid (L), Xanthan Gum, Lecithin 1, 2- Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride Disodium Succinate, Tropolone, Phenoxyethanol, Phytic Acid.

 

 

Verdict:

New York Biology was kind enough to send me a bottle of their UltraLASH growth serum to try. The serum has a nice brush applicator that is easy to control and holds just enough of the solution to apply as needed. A couple strokes is all that I needed to get full coverage. It’s easy to get in areas from the corners to where the eyebrows may be thicker, like the center area of where my brow arches. I tested the product for about two weeks and while the serum conditioned my eye brows nicely, I did find it darkened them a little so I think this came from the hairs getting a little more conditioning. My brows did not over grow but they definitely improved in condition, sort of like when you use a new conditioner on your hair and your hair appears healthier and improving both in texture and looks. That is pretty much the effect I accomplished here. I was happy with the results and because application is a once a day requirement, I just applied the product at night and it never interfered with my make-up, or did it irritate my skin. I know this serum is geared first towards lashes, but I am satisfied so far how my lashes are doing on their own, so I opted to just focus on my eyebrows. That is what is great about the New York Biology UltraLash serum, you can use is both on your upper lashes and/or brows!

 

Connect with New York Biology at:

• Online (Amazon Link) 
• Facebook
• Instagram (@NEWYORKBIOLOGY)
• #NewYorkBiology, #LashSERUM, #UltraLash, #Lashes, #LashesForDays

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from New York Biology. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. I received no other compensation in exchange for my review. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Influenster: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid™ VoxBox #Review #VividMatte

I have been a member of Influenster for several years and love the VoxBoxes they share. I was beginning to think I was stuck with Virtual Vox Boxes for life when my dashboard had 4 going and no real products. I then received that Influenster e-mail, which makes you smile. I was getting a Maybelline VoxBox featuring the Vivid Matte collection. Hooray! I have come back to the VoxBox arena.

Maybelline’s Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid has been spreading like wild fire and especially when some people shared it was a great copy cat to the Kylie Cosmetics’ line. Am I curious about the line? Yes. The price? No. Hey, I have other things I have my eye on and one thing I have plenty of is lip glosses, lip crayons, lip palettes, oh and the old fashion lip sticks (remember those 🙂 ). So, I keep buying because colors change, seasons change and it really is the one item that I don’t mind splurging a $10 here and there to see what the buzz is about. Copy cats can be colors and not always formulations and so far the two colors I received, #10 Nude Flush and #35 Rebel Red are vivid indeed. The collection features 10 colors in total and retails for $7.99 a piece. A pretty fair bargain!

 

Verdict:

First, I was a bit puzzled by the formula. I blamed the plastic tube for the semi-gloss like finish the colors seemed to cast. I then open the first tube, the Rebel Red and the pigments are vibrant and just saturated with color, but not like any matte finish I have ever seen. I’m into paints from artistic to just plain old house paints and deciding on finishes is where I get stuck sometimes, because some rooms shed a different amount of light from our windows. The Vivid Matte collection would cancel all that, it would not matter what light or amount of it, from real to just coming from a bulb…..these beauties are not Matte. I don’t stop there because so what it’s not a real matte? I did feel they were still pretty. I open the tube and you do get a fragrance from the formula. It’s not faint and noticeable where the Nude hue is more like a sweet floral scent and the Red hue closer to a perfume/cosmetic scent. So far, okay. I apply the Rebel Red. Everything I have been rebelling against just went out the door. The consistency of the product is thick and opaque with a gloss finish. Not a translucent gloss by any stretch and a little goes a long way with at least this color. It’s a night color for me or at the very least a color I can mix with another if I feel daring in the AM hours. The product has a nice moist finish and not goopy like I was afraid it would feel like.

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Next, comes the Nude that has more of a purple note to it versus a pink or pale beige. There are no yellows or oranges in this nude color, it seriously owns purple! The less I apply, the more I feel it appears light enough to be called a nude like product but I mean this is me getting the wand out and using the tip to apply 2 dots at the top portion of my lip, and two on the bottom. There is no wand application going on here. Again, moist and the scent is more welcoming off this product than the former color. I prefer the Nude Flush over Rebel Red because maybe my full head on rebel days are over or I just need a slighter tan to not look so pale in this red. It’s starting to look more like Corvette Red on me. I do like the formulas though and found that application via a lip brush allows the product to flow better against the lip and you get an even finish. Again, these are opaque and not matte in finish, with the red having a more semi-gloss to it but the colors are vivid all the way!

Connect with Maybelline and view their Collections at:

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• #Maybelline #VividMatte #Influenster

 

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Influenster and Maybelline. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

BDB: The Billion Dollar Brow, Universal Brow Pencil is NOW Available at Kohl’s! #bdbrows #billiondollarbrows #BDBatKohls

 

 

I have reviewed before for BDB, Billion Dollar Brows and can proudly share I still use their brow products on a daily basis. Having access to products is a must for me. Yes, I will hunt and order online products that are worthy of a shipping cost, but there is nothing like finding your favorite in store, so you can easily pick it up and go. Finally, the BDB product line has arrived at Kohl’s!

• You can order on-line here
• Or just visit your nearest store, which also offers “in-store” pick-ups if the items are not currently in-stock.  Just order on-line and wait for the e-mail when the item is ready for pick-up.
• My previous reviews are here and here if you need to become familiar with the BDB line

 

 

So, this is a win-win for us brow obsessing girls. I have not found a product yet that allows me to accentuate my brows by having them look tame and still natural. The brow obsession is a good thing because it’s amazing how much eyes can change by just making your brows pop BUT it can be taken too far. There is such a thing of too much of a good thing. Many products pile on the brow liner and/or powder. It’s like you can’t apply softly even if you wanted to and you end up with my Husband calls “scary brows”. With Billion Dollar Brows, I can’t error. That is a big thing when you are beginner to a pro applying make-up in a hurry because you hit the snooze button one time too many! I don’t want to work at making a product look right, it has to work from application and beyond. This means with BDB products you can easily blend, there is no fighting or having to worry about dark and thick strokes. The Universal Brow brow pencil allows you to apply in two ways. You can mimic hairs by following your own pattern to making your arch stand-out, by applying a line that then you can blend or leave as applied. This is where other products fall short. I have had eyebrow pencils play the “on or off” game, meaning it goes on and if I touch it, it just vanishes. There is no middle ground. I have had the “brow crumbles”, sort of like when bad mascara fails you, well eye brow products can do the same kind of shedding. With Billion Dollar Brows, I can get to the last part of the pencil and the product performs just as well as when I first popped it open. No drying out, no playing just nice when you have a fresh pencil, their products just do not fail and this why I use BDB products exclusively. I can’t say that about other brands! I change mascaras so often that I dread being asked what brand I use. It’s like asking me a trick question because I use one for length, one to build but that builds too heavy so I use another brand to separate and set. I also use one with a mini short brush for the end of my lashes that was really made for bottom lashed (told you not ask!).  No tricks with BDB and when I have 15 minutes to be out the door because I binged on NetFlix on Sunday night…..I need my brows to not show it 🙂

 

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Connect with BDB products at and don’t forget to order at Kohl’s:

• On-line
• Product Link
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• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• YouTube
• #bdbrows #billiondollarbrows #bdb #BDBatKohls

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from BDB.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Belloccio®: Airbrush Makeup Beauty kit in Fair Shade #Review #Belloccio

I have been in a mad hunt when it comes to trying beauty related devices, from those that make your skin smoother, clear your skin, help you achieve younger looking skin to those that help my eyebrows from becoming one. Not all devices are equal and if you are like me and suffer an insomniac night every now and then, the infomercial bug bites you and opens a whole new door to new systems, beauty regimens and more. Airbrushing is something I was curious about. Fashion and beauty magazines rave about brides achieving perfect and flawless looking skin by using a true airbrush finish. Beauty blenders, sponges, and applicators all claim to emulate a perfect “airbrush finish”. So, I started wondering if a true air brush application could make me leave doing my make-up the old fashion way with beauty brushes, blenders and even just my hands. Depending only on what I imagine feels like a breeze of air that leaves behind color and a flawless finish without me ever touching my face…….one wonders.

 

Well wonder no more! I finally got my hands on a Belloccio Beauty Airbrush System. I had to relearn everything! As a kid, I pretended I could apply fake cosmetics with my Mom’s make-up brushes, to then having to do it “for reals” in my early teens to now. That is a lot of years of learning and perfecting my application methods and letting go is hard but I always believe in broadening my horizons.

The Belloccio Air Brush System comes with everything you need to get started. When I say everything, I mean it:

• You start with a quick reference guide and DVD you can view to get an idea what to expect and how to use and clean the system.  Do not wing it if you are unfamiliar with compressors and systems of this kind.  If you do crafts and are familiar with an airbrush system, you could do great with just the guide to get an idea of how many drops (minimum and maximums), but take the time and watch the video.  Start right!
• An airbrush system, which includes the compressor, gun, rubber hose, and even an airbrush holder (for the gun to rest when not in use or in between applications).
• An Anti-Aging primer is included and this serves as a moisturizer and helps aid with achieving a more perfect finish, plus has ingredients that help keep your skin looking as young as possible.
• Belloccio offers several skin tones to achieve the perfect color match. You have Fair, Medium, Tan Complexion, and Dark Complexion to choose from. There is a total of 16 colors in the line to choose from and each kit comes with 4 shades that are used to match your complexion. I chose the color Fair kit, which comes with the colors Blanc, Vanilla, Alabaster, and Buff.
• Included is also a Sunless Tanning Solution if you wish to start working on your tan in Spring and be ready early for Summer.
• Belloccio also includes Bronzers, Blushes, and Highlighters. You get the color Radiant Brronzer and Sultry Cinnamon, which works both as a blush and bronzer. Charming Lilly Blush and Champagne Shimmer Highlighter.
• Plus, a cleaning solution is included to keep your system clean and bacteria free.
• You also get a Belloccio branded beauty bag to keep your system safe, clean, and ready to use when needed.  Everything fits in it, so it is not one of those bags that are a freebie but useless.  I safely was able to store the entire system, including make-up with inside the bag.  the bow is removable if it gets in the way but I will be using mine probably as a hair tie for when I use the system.
• All the cosmetics from Belloccio is FDA approved and made in the USA.  None of the bad stuff like parabens or oils are part of the ingredients.  Safe for sensitive skin and all skin types, plus Dermatologist approved (Hypoallergenic).  Belloccio offers a satisfaction guarantee and also a 1-year warranty on the system.  If in 30-days you are not happy, return the entire system and they will refund your purchase price (minus any shipping )

 

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Retail Price Point: The entire system is being offered at an introductory price of $99.96 no matter the complexion kit you choose. You get everything above, plus free shipping with one-day shipping with Amazon Prime.  You can also purchase the kits and all the other items on Belloccio’s site.

Compressor

Airbrush Gun

Verdict:

I read my guide and watched the DVD included. It was simple to understand and easy to get an idea how the system works. You first clean the unit and without make-up or residue, this was completed with about 7 minutes time. Easy! I then added the drops of color, which you will hear a ball inside as you do with some nail polishes. Don’t forget to give each bottle of foundation a good shake to get them properly mixed before dispensing into the cup of your air gun. The cup holds up to 7 drops of liquid. I was able to do 3 drops each of the darker tones, followed by 1 drop of each of the lighter ones to get the perfect match on the first time. Then you simply put your finger over the tip of the gun and press the the lever back (just a little) to allow air flow to enter and the solution to bubble and properly mix. You then begin applying. I used a paper towel to test flows and how the gun dispersed the solution. This gave me an idea what I should expect and how slow or fast I needed to move. You control the gun and that means you control the pace the solution flows, plus you have 3 settings to choose from in addition to how wide or narrow you want the “foundation mist” to come out. Being in control allowed me to………well, learn. I applied and it’s a learning curve. I could tell on the first application that staying the inches (6 to 8) they recommend is there for a reason because I would forget and I would end up with spots that were more rich in color than the soft, light, and even application I desired. Remember, we are relearning a new way to apply make-up from top to bottom here. Other than doing my own eye make-up, eyebrows and lips, the Belloccio system takes over by doing the rest. Other than my errors and I have used the system twice, the finish is as they say, flawless and so natural looking. The amount you need to apply is so little but the cover-up the foundation gives is amazing. I covered everything from acne scars to a new little pimple and poof it was gone! You control the foundation and it’s build-able, so you can address imperfections easily. Like my small scar had dry skin since it was new. With a brush I would have gotten a that dry skin ring you get when you apply concealer, no matter how much you moisturized before or blended. There are no bristles here, so the mist touches and makes everything you don’t like about your skin go away.

I was worried about the foundations and make-up themselves. The Belloccio make-up is better than the ones I currently use. From reading the labels the chemicals and bad stuff is just not there and it’s a short list of ingredients, unlike my other foundations. I am unsure if it’s the Belloccio foundations, the application or just the complete system of both coming together, but I was more than satisfied on my first try on how the make-up felt and it’s staying power.  It’s also easy to wash off once it came to removal with simple water and a face wash. I did not miss my foundation as I thought I would or my finishing powder.

I have only used the system twice and have had it about a little over a week’s time, so the only thing stopping me, is the cleaning. I clean my brushes and put my make-up away after every use. I dislike clutter and I don’t want to leave a bathroom looking like a make-up bag exploded all over the counter. I am used to washing my brushes after every use, getting dressed and then storing everything away (in a vented mesh bag) because by then my brushes are dry enough. This keeps anything from ever growing bacteria or worse, storing dirty brushes with clean ones just makes them all be dirty in my book. I then do deep cleans on everything once a month. Cleaning the Belloccio system is easy. You just do the same as with the foundation but in it’s place is the cleaning solution and you bubble it up. You then use a soft cloth or a cotton ball to clean up the residue and then you take the gun apart to expose the long needle that needs cleaning and so forth. I gave that job to my Husband and he is as meticulous as I am at cleaning and once he was finished (25 minutes later), it looked brand-new. Not a drop of anything but shiny steel. I again use the airbrush system and it never clogged. Ever! Not even a hiccup. Again, I go to clean it but I have to get ready and I am not leaving everything there to dry up and then gunk up the air gun. I start and he again takes over……again giving me a flawless clean system in 25 minutes time. <—-this was my only con of the entire system. You know how they say there is a price to pay, well the Belloccio system gives me the best finish so far I have ever had even better than when a make-up artist did my make-up for a commercial and she did a fine job! Just not as good as the Belloccio Airbrush system. The pain comes from cleaning it correctly. It’s not hard, not messy, or complicated but the foundation gunks up as it dries when you remove it and my Husband said, “I’m not leaving any residue as it tends to create little balls of foundation or whatever you use and that not only can create a clog but affect how the make-up comes out.” This is from a man that knows nothing of make-up but tools he knows. This is a tool and a mighty fine one but like everything, take care of your tools and they will take care of you 🙂 I will not be stopped from using the Belloccio system and my Husband has offered to clean it up after every use. So, you bet I’m a happy user! I am now off to play some more because I figure by the 5th time, I shall be an expert!

 

Let the Belloccio Airbrush System impress you and look them up at:

• On-line
• Product links
• Amazon
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• #Belloccio

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Belloccio. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

bdb: Billion Dollar Brows Best Sellers Kit and 60 Seconds Beautiful Brows Kit #Review #bdbrows

I give my brows attention when it comes to grooming and thankfully I never over groomed them, so my beauty routine was a little pencil here and there and some clear eyebrow gel to allow them to set neatly. With eyebrows being the “it thing” this year when it comes to magnifying how they look, well you know how people over plucked in the 90″s? Well, in 2015 some girls are guilty of over doing it when it comes to filling in and defining. Too much of a good thing…….well, it tends to ruin it. I have lately heard over and over from my Husband on what is up with the caterpillar eyebrow look and he is perplexed by what some people have done to their brows. When I was accepted to the bdb campaign, I admit I did not want to be one of those people that look like they have pets for brows.

I have always shunned anything that says 5 minute face-lift or 60 seconds to this and that. It always made me think of gimmicks and I’ll be honest that when the kit arrived, my first thought was a pencil is so much easier and faster. Then I tried the kits. See, now I insert footy in mouth for sharing my thoughts!

60 Seconds to Beautiful Brows Kit-
Let me remove foot, so I can continue to chat. I tried the kit right before showering at 1 AM in the morning. I figured I was showering and if this goes wrong, I have no appointment to get to or foundation to wash off. My face was bare. I grab the little pod and the color is close to the pencil I already use that is now the size of a nub, but it’s been loyal for 2 years now at doing it’s job. I grab the brush that resembles the brush I use to apply liner in wet/powder form, so I am relatively familiar with an angle ended one. The spoolie brush end, is nice and full, but the bristles are soft enough to separate but not scratchy against the skin. I’m thinking the dual ended brush I already love but let’s see how this pod thingy works. The eyebrow powder is almost velvet like when the brush hits the surface but not powdery that it ends up on you cheeks or falls off the brush. No need to wet the powder so I begin to swipe along the brows and I notice that the powder settles in delicately and sets to a very natural but fuller look. Like the powder imitates my own brow hairs sort of like a chameleon! Okay, it’s one in the morning and I am wondering if I am happy with the results or just wired from staying up, as I did one brow only and ask my Husband for the verdict. He first asks what I am looking at and then notices my one nicely done brow. He comments, “What did you do”, and followed by I like it. I ask him does it look like I have caterpillar brows that are ready to attack you? Nope, it looks nice and neat…..not crazy! Okay, it’s Hubby approved. I get into the shower and the bdb stuff washes off without any raccoon eyes residue leftover. I must also add that I watched zero of the videos on the site at this hour and that is how easy a successful application was.

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The next day, I give it a true try, like with make-up and all. I go out to the mall and I notice that the bdb cosmetics feel nice and light on my brows, plus it lasts looking as fresh as it did in the morning when I applied it. I’m talking about going into stores that have the heater blasting this Winter creating a suffocating environment while you, the customer, are trying to move around and shop while trying to not break a sweat. Maybe girl at the register is cold from just standing in one place but definitely are not!  Let us say my eyebrows looked awesome all day and the same can’t be said about my mascara! I ended up with mascara on my bottom lashes when I applied none in the first place. I may have shunned away from products with what I claimed had gimmicky names but when the product works and makes me divorce my 2-year nubby eyebrow pencil (and the brand-new I had in storage for when nubby was no more)……well, that is something. I threw out anything eyebrow related and now just have this bdb kit as my everyday go-to and I won’t apply anything else on my eyebrows!

 

Retail Price Point: $24.00 for the entire kit and I used so little to get a nice natural look and applied just a little more for a dramatic finish when we go out in the evening. This kit will last you!

 

The Billion Dollar Brows Best Sellers Kit-

This kit resembles more my former beauty routine, and it comes with the following…….

• Universal Brow Pencil: Formulated to work beautifully with most skin tones and hair colors, this eyebrow pencil goes on smooth and natural. Plus, the Universal Brow Pencil is automatic. The pencil never needs sharpening and it comes complete with a spoolie brush on the opposite end for effortless blending and a perfect finish.
• Brow Duo Pencil: Highlights your brow bone to add gorgeous definition and warmth while providing instant visual “lift.” The highlighter works with every skin tone. Plus, for on-the-go touch-ups, they added a handy universal concealer on the opposite end of the pencil.
• Brow Gel: The clear brow gel locks in your look, giving your eyebrows a long-lasting, radiant glow while keeping them perfectly in place all day.
• Smudge Brush: This flat, synthetic brush is the ideal mate for applying creamy cosmetics like our Brow Duo Pencil.

Verdict:
It’s like the uber treatment for eyebrows! I use a powder highlighter and at times have one that comes in “lipstick form”, but the bdb has a more appealing glow coming from the highlighter pencil. You get that glimmer but not glitter that I dislike from some of the highlighters out there. The Concealer, is not chalky and blended perfectly with my pale skin, and also lasted well through out the day. No flaking from wear and the best part, it covers my boo boos, like when I went hunting for an eyebrow hair with a tweezer and ended up bleeding but the short hair remains. Well, there is no evidence of that left when I can now just softly swipe the concealer end on those red marks that I later realize stand out more that the thin little hair that could only be seen an inch away from the mirror! The gel I love because it does not leave me crispy and crunchy hairs that make me look like a cat that got scared. The gel from bdb keeps the hairs in place but remain soft looking, so it’s a pleasant change. The smudge brush in this kit is flat and not angled, like the other kit because this one is used more for blending in the pencil and softening any edges you maybe swiped too heavy over. It’s the fixer and even though it is synthetic, it is one of the better ones of this class and washes/dries up nicely after use. I always wash my brushes after every use and it’s my way to keep bacteria off them and to guarantee a flawless application every time I go to apply my make-up.

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Retail Price Point: The four units above are just $42.00 for the kit and that is not counting dual ended ones that do more than just one job!

 

Final Verdict:
If there is a kit to buy like right now and not because it’s holiday time but because it changes your appearance and ease of application, it is the first kit. Think of it as the intro to the bdb family and it’s the one that bought me. I love the second kit but I realize many of us have bought stuff for the holidays and you may not want to spend more but if you can, get both! I do not usually drop my go-to products unless they get bumped off by a better replacement and I can say that bdb bumped everything I used on my eyebrows off and into the trash can. This is the way to go and the bdb company obviously knows brows and how to make them look spectacular!

**Giveaway Alert**

You could also enter to win the kit above, the Best Sellers kit from bdb!  Just enter here and 3 winners will be chosen by bdb.

 

Connect with bdb and start 2016 with gorgeous brows at:

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• #bdbrows #billiondollarbrows #bdbrows #holiday #sweepstakes

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from BDB.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

 

New York Color’s (NYC): Smooth Skin Bronzer #Review #NycSmoothSkin

Beauty does not always need to cost so much and New York Color is proof of that. You can pick-up a lip stick to a bronzing powder for a fair price that will still yield positive results, so in the act to save a buck……really just saves you a buck and you still look fabulous!

Retail Price Point- $2.99 for one compact and you find the product at mass retailers like Target and Walmart.

Ingredients (as listed on the website):

Talc, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Kaolin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)].

Verdict:
I don’t use blush often because it tends to make me look over colored due to my fair skin. I have tried all colors and ways of application but because I tend to sometimes get a flush over my face, what may have looked good 2 hours ago, looks kind of clownish later. I then found bronzers and at first I thought they were going to look as bad as a fake tan would but when you find one with the right highlights and tones, I found that I could get that tint of color that played nice with me no matter how pink or pale I get. My favorite one I was using before this one is by NYC and to give you an idea, the NYC performed better than a $40 one I had purchased and later returned. The colors just seem to play nicer with my skin’s tone and when it came to lasting, the formulas behaved identical and actually I give the NYC an edge because the highlights did not glitter-fy like the $40 formula. Hard to really argue when you see the results and walk out the door spending under $3!

Find affordable beauty products at NYC:

• On-line
• Product Link
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• #NycSmoothSkin #Influenster #FiestaVoxBox

I received the above product(s) free of charge from NYC via Influenster. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Ohuhu Clear Acrylic 3-Drawer Organizer

No one hates clutter and mess more than me. It bothers me so much it makes my skin crawl and itch. When I got a chance to try out Ohuhu’s clear acrylic organizer, I was over the moon. Finally, no more little crippy crap on my counters, rolling everywhere, rolling behind the dresser, or falling on the floor. I think this little guy is a keeper!

Ohuhu thought it through with their design, as well. Clear acrylic means you can easily see what’s where. They even included little pads for the drawers that not only keep your stuff safe, and keeps the drawers from getting scratched, but filter away dust, dirt and makeup schmutz to the bottom of the drawer, safely away from the stuff in it. It says it’s a cosmetics organizer, but I’ve found it useful for my crafting supplies, as well as office supplies. It comes in two separate sections, so you can split them up or stack them as your needs warrant. The drawers slide easy, and there’s more space than you’d expect in there. As a cosmetics organizer, it beats a bathroom drawer by a country mile and keeps everything withing easy reach, all the while keeping it safe from the occasional splash of water of spritz of hairspray. And it just looks too cute.

I would recommend this for anyone tired of a drawer or countertop full of mess and clutter, or for a dresser to organizer for your keys, phone, watch, rings, or even for your desk that has pens, paperclips, post-it pads and markers rolling all over. There’s really no limit to what this awesome Ohuhu Clear Acrylic Organizer can do!

Connect with Ohuhu:

• Online
• On Facebook
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Ohuhu.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Salon Supply Store: Flawless PINK Latex-Free Blender Gourd shaped Sponge #Review #BBloggers

I was fortunate to be picked in testing out a blender, from the Salon Supply Store and then I got an e-mail, which stated I was upgraded to their newer gourd shaped one. Joy! I was so happy and after going through their inventory of products and supplies, I had to come back from my little day dreaming state. The Salon Supply Store carries everything you can think of and some items you did not know even existed (ahhh!). All beauty related and at economical prices. I can use that extra bedroom and save money just converting it into a salon but I don’t play well with scissors, so I stick to cosmetics and nails.

Cosmetic brushes is how I was first taught when it came to make-up application. My Mom gave me a set she did not desire and I played with them until I got the hang of what worked with what. Thankfully, each brush was labeled so I did not have to guess but I learned techniques and what powders worked with what brush, to what brushes performed best for wet applications. Fast forward to today and we have synthetic brushes to blended bristle ones that outperform some of the older versions I used back then. Sponges other than those wedges that you buy by the value pack, is all I knew in Junior High. I called them foundation foams and even though they were cheap, I always would use one until the tip would start to crumble before changing. How I did not get break-outs was a miracle. I then upgraded to a very expensive foundation brush that I treat super well and has lasted me years. So, going back to a sponge was sort of odd but familiar at the same.

I have used the Sephora tear-drop shaped one and liked it and disliked the price, so I was one and done. The Salon Supply Store seems to use a latex-free material that really feels just the same as the one I previously had purchased, but it’s just shaped different.

Retail Price Point: $4.35 for one unit via Amazon

Application: I was unsure about application until I sort of just started playing with it. My motto is to just jump in and hope for the best when trying new items out. 75% of the time I come out on top and I did with the Salon Supply Store’s Gourd shaped applicator. The sponge is smooth and has a nice texture when applying foundation. I use a liquid foundation and found that tip on the sponge was heavenly for the side of my nose to even dabbing little problem areas (i.e. old blemishes) until they could not be seen. I used the blunt bottom for what I call a finishing powder and this was my first time ever using a sponge for powder. The translucent powder quickly adhered to the sponge’s surface and I could apply an even layer without issues and faster than with a brush. I will say the brush I felt gave a better finish than the sponge when it came to dry applications but for wet, this little pink gourd does a beautiful job!

 

Cleaning: I never store brushes dirty and I wash them every time right after using. Just the idea of making a dirty brush touch a clean brush when stored, is not my kind of thing. I will wake-up 20 minutes early to make sure I have sufficient time to clean and store my brushes (plus make-up) as it should be because it’s not something I want to do when I get home after being out. The Salon Supply Store’s blender was easy to wash. I just used an antibacterial soap, the same I use for my brushes and washed it by hand. The foundation and powder came off quickly and it was left just like the day I received it. I left it on the counter to air dry on a clean soap dish. By the time I returned home, the blending sponge was dry and I just stored it away until next time.

Verdict: I like the price and performance matters most to me. I don’t want to waste expensive product on a so-so applicator, so the blender has to work well. The Salon Supply Store’s Gourd Blender did and I was actually happy with how well it applied my foundation. I did not have to use more product and I got a nice flawless affect after I was finished applying my base. It cleans up well and doesn’t break the bank, so it’s definitely a product worth adding to the beauty chest, whether you are new to sponge blenders and/or an everyday user.

Connect with The Salon Supply Store on:

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• On-line
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I received the above product(s) free of charge from The Salon Supply Store.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Chrislie Formulations: Luv2kiss™ Invisible Lip Liner #Review #Luv2Kiss

Being a make-up junkie (yes, I finally admit it but I’m not seeking help 🙂 ) means that I will try mostly every product line out there to see what they have to offer. Brand names are just like with clothing, quality does not mean it will match the price tag! I have had $15 nail polish chip within 24 hours all because I looked at it funny, while the $0.99 drug store polish, puts up with me baking, gardening, and cleaning and just loses a little shine. I try to remain practical because I just don’t have the time or the energy to start faux sculpting my face with the contouring trend being so hot right now, even though all my friends say they have never gone “all the way” with it! The newest trends also never equate they will stay or even provide you with a positive change. Change is good and welcoming but I don’t want to confuse a new look from what looks best.  With that in mind, I am open to trying what a brand has to offer, as long as the ingredients are not overly harsh.

Chrislie Formulations is based in my state of California and they are about bringing the hottest trends and colors at an affordable price. They also have classical colors and cosmetics, so they really fit the bill for anyone while not emptying your wallet of them. Chrislie Formulations focuses on quality products that are easy to use and effective, just like the Invisible Lip Liner they sent from their “Luv2Kiss” line.

I have oodles of liners and lip glosses but like in the kitchen, I keep using the same pot on most days! I would love to tell you I change it around but some liners I own I love the color but dislike how they apply, so I keep them for “just in case” purposes while using the same pinkish-peach color that wears well with the nude tones I use in both lipsticks and glosses. If I want a more intense look, I just add more liner and this may be because my lips is the last thing I address and that means at this point I am close to needing to head out the door soon. I need my last step regarding my lips to work and not be problematic like the lashes on my left-eye because they never play as nice as the lashes on my right eye.

The Luv2Kiss liner I was already curious by what it calls itself, an Invisible liner. I wasn’t sure if it meant clear, close to one’s skin tone, or it just absorbed whatever color was going to be added. I had questions! I thankfully do not have lip lines/wrinkles where I have problems with bleeding but I am very picky when I use a red or darker color. I don’t even want the slightest smudge because on my fair skin, it will show up quickly and I don’t want to look in a mirror 2 hours later to find out I have been walking around looking sloppy!

Luv2Kiss also describes the Invisible liner as a primer pencil, which will keep the color isolated (in place) with no feathering or bleeding, plus will not accent any unwanted fine lines. Keeps your lipstick just like you left it and if I use an eye-shadow primer, why not add a lip one to my routine. I have to line anyways! The description of the product goes further into detail where your lip product will not budge past the liner even if you drink, eat or like the name says….kiss. Me likey!

Directions of Application: Just line the outside of your lips and the long-lasting, plus water-proof formula takes care of the rest. If you want to extend the wear of any lip product, you can apply a thin layer (using small strokes) to the entire lip area for effective staying power.

Ingredients (as listed on the website):
Cera Alba, Candelilla Cera, Ceresine, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, CI 77891.  Free of mineral oil, paraffin, preservatives, and animal-derived ingredients.

Verdict:
I approach any product claims with common reasoning. I don’t expect to eat a juicy burger and still have lip stick on and not just that, I tend to remove any lip product before eating to avoid……..well, eating my lip product! Lipstick no matter the price tag is not something I think should be ingested more than we already do from wear. I have lip skin that tends to lean more towards the dry side and I know that can also alter how long any lip product remains vibrant, because my lips are just sucking the heck out them! With that logic in mind, I proceeded to first apply the product by lining the outside of my lips and I then applied on the lips themselves but only to places that have more contact (i.e. where color wears off quicker) like the outside edges and where my lips come in contact more. I give the lip liner a 5 out 5 for ease of application and more importantly, how beautifully the liner glided and applied to my lips.  I exfoliated my lips prior but had 2 spots that were not as smooth as the rest but no problem. The Luv2Kiss liner sort of worked like a concealer for lips and masked any imperfections by smoothing them out. That part I did not expect! Next, came the nude lipstick and this is a drug-store brand to see how well the product wears. I usually get 3 hours before needing a touch-up or just plain re-application prior to using the Luv2Kiss liner. This invisible liner left my lips looking the same as they did 15 minutes from when I did my lips. Not only did I get 3 hours but I could still go on without doing zilch! My lips also felt moist and the liner did not over dry the edges of my lips or the delicate skin that was just exfoliated. I fear waterproof products because mascaras of this kind dehydrate my lashes but this liner did not have the same reaction on my lips. I love that! The liner worked as a barrier and extender in my book, plus that means I only need ONE liner to do the job of all others, and it will always match and play nice with any color of lip stain, lipstick, balm, lip gloss, or whatever I decide to wear that day. I can also play and create lip colors (enhancers) like before by using a little shimmer from my eye-shadows and still get a good amount of wear. Sort of makes investing time on how my lips look so worth it!

Retail Price Point: An affordable $9.99 via Chrislie Formulations website for a pencil with a Net Weight of 0.32 oz (0.9 g); Item No. 2011

Connect with Chrislie Formulations and all their Beauty product lines at:

• On-line
• Sign-up to their Newsletter to get 20% off (watch for this pop-up when browsing the site)
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I received the above product(s) free of charge from Chrislie Formulations/Luv2kiss™.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

Body Merry: Retinol Surge Moisturizer #Review #BodyMerry

Body Merry has been a guest over here in the past and always welcomed! Like you don’t need to call before you arrive type of guest 🙂 and it’s because I really enjoy using their products. They work and who doesn’t like using stuff that shows results because my beauty regimen is not just for fun……I’m sort of on the run from the tick-tock clock of time. I enjoy the memories with people and experiences, just don’t wrinkle me!

I was sent Body Merry’s Retinol Surge Moisturizer. It’s an all-in-one product that can be used by itself as a last layer application or you can amp your routine by using a serum and then a thin layer of Body Merry’s Surge Moisturizer. The product offers:

• 2.5% Retinol in a cream form
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B5
• Green Tea

Ingredients (as listed on website): Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Sunflower Oil, Palm Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E), Plant Derived Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Jojoba Oil, Wildcrafted Green Tea, Wildcrafted Propolis, Shea Butter, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid.

The moisturizer really covers everything from giving you an instant boost from the green tea, uses Aloe Vera versus water as it’s base and you have nourishing agents like Shea Butter, Jojoba oil and Vitamin E. Body Merry goes one step further by making sure their Hyaluronic acid is derived from plants and let us not forget the major player here, the 2.5% percentage of retinol. The product is all packed in a pump action bottle, so no air, light or even bacteria can easily come in contact. That to me is insurance on your purchase!

Application:
A one pump serving was enough for me to cover the areas I wanted to treat on my face because I have combination skin and that means some areas get more moisturizer than others. I then had enough to treat my neck and chest area because people tend to over focus on the face when the rest of your body can also show aging. I applied the product under make-up and never had issues of my foundation not looking right hours later or even problems with blending. The acids in the moisturizer keep everything in check. Make sure to use SPF (even though you should already be) because retinol products may make skin sensitive to the sun, plus why damage the skin you are trying to take care of.

Retail Price Point: $23.49 via Amazon or $24.99 via their website for a generous 3.4 fluid ounce bottle.

Verdict:
Like with all of Body Merry’s products so far, I am happy with the results and the price point. I got tired of OTC products not declaring the percentage of retinol in their products and just taking their word that there was even a significant amount to make a difference. I might as well squeeze a bottle down the sink if it’s not going to work! With Body Merry products, everything is forthcoming and no proprietary blends to hide behind. Body Merry tells you what you are getting, how it’s going to work and what to expect, plus goes beyond and adds a satisfaction guarantee. No hassles and I like exchanges like that because the beauty world should not be complicated. We all want to look our best, we all can’t afford and/or don’t want to undergo surgery, so we just want stuff that works. Body Merry’s stuff works and that is something I (and my skin) truly appreciates.

Connect with Body Merry at:

• On-line
• Amazon
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• #BodyMerry

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Body Merry.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.