The Dynamic Eyeshadow Duo

Oily Skin Products

2011-01-20T11:36:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone!

Check out my new video on the best products for oily skin:

OILY SKINNNNN :D :D :D

-- Josh <3

Find me on youtube!

2011-01-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I started a youtube channel!

http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshCollierMUA

Come check it out and subscribe if you'd like!

-- Josh <3

Dupe Alert -- MAC Lady Danger Lipstick.

2011-01-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I've began freelancing on my own and I have assembled a freelance kit, however, I still pick up things that I feel like are essentials if I find them along my way. I have been meaning to pick up MAC's Lady Danger lipstick for a while, as I love orange-reds. However, while browsing the aisles at CVS, I came across the Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Coral - 80.

What's the main reason I bring this up? The lipstick was 75% off! Yes, CVS is having one of their biannual 50%/75% off sales to redo their cosmetic department. So, this lipstick only came to $1.99. The Colorburst formula is very creamy and they do have a bit of a sheen. On the swatch below, it looks a little more neutral, but it is definitely very orange or warm toned:

So, do yourselves a favor and run, don't walk, to CVS and pick up this deal!

--Josh <3

Review: Smashbox Anti-Shine.

2011-01-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday! I hope you're all lounging around and enjoying a day off -- I know I am.

On to the review, if you know the slightest bit about me, you know that my skin is always a constant problem for me. I'm extremely oily, very prone to acne, I get the occasional dry patch, and I've got a bunch of acne scars. On top of that, I'm quite fair (About an NC10 in MAC), so, I've got my hands full. Getting my makeup to wear for more than a couple of hours is even a hard thing to do, that is until this little gem came into my life.

I picked up Anti-Shine my second week with Smashbox when I was looking to try to wear something for my long days of work (Trend Shows at Nordstrom can keep me in my makeup for anywhere between 9-12 hours and with my skin, that's never good.) Knowing I was sensitive to silicones, I wasn't interested in try the well-known Smashbox Photo Finish primer. I have tried the Original and the Light version, the Light version definitely being better since it's 60% water and contains much less silicone, however, using it for more than a couple of days in a row, my skin gets a little irritated.

Here's how Anti-Shine works. I'd say it's a primer, however, unless you're very oily, like myself, I wouldn't use it all over. Even in the Winter months, I only use this product on my forehead, nose, chin, and cheekbones. With that being said, it's more like a targeted treatment, similar to MAC's Prep and Prime Refined Zone Treatment, except this isn't designed to minimize pore visibility. This product is silicone free, so, it's safe for those even with fairly sensitive skin. The main ingredient that makes this product work is Magnesium Aluminum Silicate -- or in simpler terms, it's a refined version of silicia, which is a mineral that is known for it's oil-absorbing properties.

Back to being less sciencey, this product works. I can use this and not have to worry about touching up for at least 8 hours -- for oily skin, that's definitely saying something. I'd highly recommend this for at least combination skin to use on their nose as a base. Do be aware, less is more with this products. If you do use too much, you can get a very dry, rubbery feeling base.

Smashbox Anti-Shine is available at Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom counters for $27 (1oz).

-- Josh <3

Review: NYX 10 Color Eyeshadow Palettes.

2011-01-14T14:35:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

So, I was fumbling through my stash and I realized I never reviewed my NYX 10 Shadow Palettes. I'm going to give you a bit of a spoiler before I go into details: I love these things!

I've got two of these: Champagne & Caviar and Smokey Eyes. Here are pictures of both of them:

So, obviously both of these palettes come with 10 colors, the Smokey eye palette being a mostly gray/silver based palette and the Champagne & Caviar palette is a very neutral based palette. Both palettes contain mostly satin shades, but there are a few mattes and frosts in both. All of the shadows blend very well and there are many many ways to wear all of these colors. The colors in the Champagne & Caviar palette actually makes for a nice smokey palette as well, with the matte black and dark brown included (The black is what MAC's Carbon should be like, however, carbon is dry and flakey)

If you're not a fan of super dark shades, I'm definitely go with the Champagne & Caviar palette. You can go from very neutral looks to very dramatic all with one palette. I can easily see myself using this palette for everything from bridal to editorial looks. I picked up my palettes at Ulta for a mere $11 -- the price of one MAC Shadow in the pan form. So, if you're looking to go neutral, give these a shot. I even reach for this more than my Coastal Scents Warm Palette (88 shades of neutral colors for the most part).

-- Josh <3

Review and some news!

2011-01-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I've been gone quite a while and I think I'm finally getting back into the swing of things! I'm off a few days a week unlike this Fall/Holiday season, so, I've got some time to get back into blogging and hopefully keep up with it!

So, where have I been and what have I been doing? Well, for starters, in early September, I began freelancing for Smashbox. Yes, it's totally as fun as it sounds. I love every minute of it but it's not easy. The holidays kept me majorly busy and if that's not enough, I also freelanced a bit for Pur Minerals. So, Smashbox had me in and out of Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta pretty much 2-6 times a week throughout October-December, but now that the holidays are over, things have slowed down a bit. I'm starting to freelance on my own a bit now too -- I did a shoot on January 4th which was super fun! Here's a link to the designer's page(Octavia is awesome and her clothes are amazing!), but I'll post some pictures with this as well :]

But yes! I'm keeping quite busy! My website is also going to be up very shortly, which a link for is here :D. Now that I'm back though, expect reviews and postings often! I swear I'm not leaving this time! Now, review time! Here it is:

ELF Studio Cream Eyeshadows - $3

So, I picked up two of these with my last ELF purchase -- I was getting some disposable mascara wands, lip wands, brushes, and other stuff for my kit, so, I figured I could pick these up as neutral bases for powder shadow. The two shades I got are Candlelight (A golden ivory shade - frost) and Dawn (a light taupey brown with a golden sheen - frost). The size of these cream shadows are about twice the size of the ELF Cream Liners, which was a major surprise to me. Now, how do I feel about them????

They're pretty average. I don't find that the wear time alone is very long, but set with a powder, these should last at least 6-8 hours. Personally, I'd never wear them without powder shadow over them. I do find that without a primer beneath them that they do crease, so, it's not something like a Paint Pot -- the texture of these is a little less dense. The color payoff isn't terribly great and with it being a cream product, don't expect to just layer them to get more payoff, since they're definitely crease.

Are they worth it? For the $1.50 I paid for them (50% off studio coupons are always floating around!), they're worth it. They work nicely in a pinch as a base for shoots for me and they also do work nicely on a lazy day. If you're looking for a good base, I'd still suggest a primer, a paint pot, or a MUFE Aqua Cream (I LOVE THOSE).

-- Josh <3

Review: tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer.

2010-08-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

So, I recently tried the tarte Smoother Operator Tinted Moisturizer after hearing all the positive things about it. I haven't had the best luck with tinted moisturizers as I don't have the best skin, so, while I like the idea of a lightweight foundation that diffuses your flaws while feeling like you aren't wearing makeup, I dislike the fact that a majority of my acne-scarring shows through.

Smooth Operator used to be known as one of tarte's foundations, but after a packaging change and an increase in shades, they finally changed the name to tinted moisturizer. I'm not sure if I agree with this. The coverage is light and definitely on the heavy side of light, but it still feels like a tinted moisturizer. Complaints? None here!

This tinted moisturizer is oil-free, so, it's good for combination, oily, or acne-prone skin types, offers SPF 20, and has become a really big favorite of mine. I love using it and setting it with either a light dusting of mineral makeup (Origins Multi-grain review coming soon!) or a pressed foundation like my Make Up For Ever Duo Mat, as they just give me just the amount of coverage without heaving powder makeup or heavy liquid makeup.

$36 isn't cheap for a tinted moisturizer, but be sure to purchase off of tarte's website, as there are always coupon codes floating around online for tarte (at least 30% off normally!) I suggest heading into Sephora, swatching some shades or get a sample, then ordering off of tarte's website. That's your best option!

Josh <3

Review: Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams.

2010-08-10T13:56:00.001-07:00

Hi there!

I told you I'd be sticking around doing some reviews, didn't I? Well I didn't lie!

Make Up For Ever has their newest waterproof innovation taking the world by storm -- Aqua Creams! These products, similar to MAC Creme Color Bases but much more pigmented and creamier/less greasy, are waterproof, long-wearing, and intense! They currently come in 22 different shades (I can see them extending the range soon!).

Make Up For Ever designates these products for either Eye and Cheek or Lip and Cheek, however, I think it's totally up to the user. I have two colors -- 13, Warm Beige (Intended for eyes and cheeks but I could see it being a nudeish lipcolor) and 10, Orange...a very vivid orange intended for Lips and Cheeks, though I've definitely used it as an eyeliner and love it!

The lasting power on these is amazing and I quite love them! I've used them on eyes and cheeks and both places seem to keep the product on very easily and I hear the same holds true for lips. I'll be testing their waterproof ability to the fullest when I go to the beach this weekend as well!

I'd definitely recommend these to anyone -- I plan on picking up more shades soon! Aqua Creams retail for $22 at Sephora.com and Sephora stores -- look for the boxed set in Sephora or online now containing two Aqua Creams, Aqua Eyes Liners, and a tube of Waterproof Smokey Lash as well!

Josh <3

I'm back with some mini-reviews!

2010-08-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! :]

So, I'm finally back after being gone for so long! I just moved, took a new job, and I'm trying to get my life on a new track, so, needless to say, my life was pretty hectic! Now that I'm all moved though, I've got some free time again, so, I wanted to continue making blog posts.

I've tried a lot of new things, so, I haven't the slightest clue to get started, but I'm going to try and make this a summary. Let's go with this: I'm going to post a mini-review of 5 products I've tried recently that I loved. Sound okay? Good! Here we go!

1. Retin-A Micro
Now, I'm aware this isn't a product you can buy in stores, but it's been a lifesaver for me, so, I had to make it my number one. I started Retin-A Micro in late March as a treatment for my cystic acne and acne-scarring. Since then, I've seen nothing but improvement. Rarely ever do I get a cystic blemish anymore and on top of that, I hardly break out to the level I used to. My skin is looking a lot more even, but Retin-A Micro will keep working at any scarring I still have. Yes, I did have dryness the first two weeks I was on it, but I highly recommend you bring this product up with your dermatologist if you're facing problems with cystic acne.

2. Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Foundation
This foundation is a pressed powder foundation and it's something I've literally almost used up the whole thing -- I'm scrapping up the sides of the bottom of the pan now! Right now, I'm using it as a setting powder for when I wear a Tinted Moisturizer, but I have used it as a foundation alone and it works wonderfully for oily skin. The shade doesn't match me completely, but it's close enough where it's not a problem. If you're oily, give this a shot!

3. MAC Mylar Eyeshadow
Mylar is a matte eyeshadow that is a mixture between a fleshtone and a white, it's actually just a tad lighter than my NC15 skin, so, it makes for the perfect highlight under my browbone. I catch myself reaching for this every day and I definitely see myself repurchasing this.

4. Revlon Lash Fantasy Mascara
This mascara is a double-ended mascara, one side primer, the other typical mascara, but I find that this is much more defining than any other two-sided mascara I've tried. My long lashes tend to be easily clump prone, but both sides are plastic bristled brushes, so, I don't get clumps! It adds major length and holds a curl very well. Definitely recommend this.

5. Clarisonic Mia
So, I join the many who are proud owners of a Clarisonic facial brush! This totally removes all my makeup and definitely leave my skin super smooth. I use this every night to remove my makeup and it never irritates my skin (Don't press it into your face, let the brush do the work!) The pores around and on my nose look much smaller and I don't think I want to live without this ever again!

So, there you have it! Look for much more frequent reviews and posts to come!

Josh <3

Great Moisturizer For Oily Skin!

2010-04-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!!!

When you have oily or combination skin, it can be difficult to find an effective moisturizer that's not too heavy. Many can have a heavy feeling on the skin and make your face feel, and even look, greasy. Thankfully, I tried this little gem from Clinique.

Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is a unique moisturizer that comes in the form of a gel, not a cream or lotion. It adds moisture to your skin without looking or feeling greasy. It's oil-free and leaves skin feeling super soft and smooth. I have combination skin and Clinique's gel leaves my skin feeling very balanced. I was unsure of the idea of a gel moisturizer at first, but after giving it a try, I'm hooked on this product :)

<3 Sarah

Preview of my Review -- Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation.

2010-04-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

So, on a prowl for new makeup last week and banking on my 15% off coupon to Sephora, I came across this new toy -- Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Foundation.

So, I was a bit skeptical -- I've swatched a few of Clinique's foundations before, and of course, they're all too pink or too orange for my NC 15 skin. I've also tried a few foundations that claim to "absorb excess oil" or "treat and prevent acne," such as Neutrogena's Skin Clearing Foundation, both the original and the 2008 reformulation, and Almay's Clear Complexion Foundation, both with little luck.

However, I was pleasantly surprised with this. I picked this up in 01 - Fresh Alabaster and it's a perfect match! This foundation applies super smoothly and I love the packaging -- super sanitary! It's a medium coverage foundation, but definitely buildable without caking.

This foundation will accent dryness, so, applying a moisturizer before is a must, for all skin types. It feel it does absorb oil and it actually makes it through an 8-hour work day for me with only powdering once.

Am I in love? We'll see -- that's why this is called a preview! I've only been using this for a few days, but I'll keep everyone posted!

Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation can be found at Sephora.com, Clinique Counters, wherever Clinique is sold, and soon to be Clinique.com for $24.

Save some $$$ - Bye Bye Blemish!

2010-04-12T21:45:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!

So, I know I disappeared for a while, but things got hectic and I really couldn't make it back for a while, then I just lost my concentration with this, but I found a good deal and I'm back!

This is it! Look familiar? I know a lot of beauty or skincare addicts have been raving over the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, a great savior for those of us riddled with whiteheads. Simply dip a cotton swab in the UNSHAKEN mixture and apply some of the pink sediment onto the blemish - and bam! The blemish will have shrunken or be gone in the morning!

Why I'm bringing up Bye Bye Blemish? Other than the fact that the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($18 at Ulta.com) contains talc, an oil-absorbing mineral, Bye Bye Blemish contains all the exact same ingredients - however, the talc is replaced by Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, which I discovered today is the main ingredient in the new Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Gel - another oil-absorbing mineral.

The main purpose of me bring this up? Save yourself $8 and run to Rite-Aid and pick up this bad boy for only $10!

A lot of people also have a bad reaction to talc-based products, so, this is a more gentle option for them (Physician's Formula Mineral Wear lovers, anyone? :D)

I'm back and hopefully will be around for a while!

Josh <3

What I bought in NYC! :D

2010-03-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm back!

NYC was amazing as expected, however, I've learned cities aren't the place for me. I'm more much suburban, however, I don't mind visiting cities.

ANYWAY, I know everyone wants to get to the juicy stuff, so, here's a few things I picked up in NYC...

Illamasqua Katie Blush - $23
Katie is the perfect baby pink blush ever. It's super pigmented, blends amazingly, and looks extremely natural on my skin. If I do apply a lot, it doesn't look unnatural, which is always a plus. Easily a new favorite of mine.

Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation - 135 - $30
This foundation, as stated, is super rich. It takes the smallest amount to get a full coverage. The best way to apply this is definitely diluted with a little moisturizer to keep it from looking cakey, because it's a dryer liquid. 135 isn't far off from my skin (NC15), but it's a little more yellow, however, it doesn't look bad.

Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation - 105 - $30

I'll spare you the picture only for the fact it's the same thing, but in a white with a very slight pink undertone. I got this because I constantly find a foundation I love however, it's too dark! With this, I can not only buff up the coverage level of the foundation, but I can also lighten it up for me or turn down some of the warm undertones -- Perfect!

Illamasqua Satin Primer - $28

I got this primer instead of trying the Matte Primer -- why? I'm not quite sure. I heard this was fine for even oily-skinned folk, but it just gave you the glow within. Sounds amazing, right? Wrong. I think this is more of a glorified moisturizer that leaves your skin a bit dewy. It didn't extend the wear of my foundation and after applying powder, I didn't look radiant. So, it went back to Sephora when I got back to DE.

I know my NYC haul quickly turned into an Illamasqua haul...but I was dying to try their stuff and NYC is the closest place I can actually shop for it in person! I did pick up some other random things like the Desert Essence Blemish stick I've heard about (Which is good!) and random clothes, but I figured I'd show you the important stuff.

Head on over to Illamasqua.com or Sephora.com and shop this line - it's very high quality with very few duds.

Josh <3

RareMinerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer

2010-03-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

My skin has been soooo dry lately because of the cold weather and a few new acne products. It has been getting to the point where I look in the mirror and see unsightly dry patches on my face (eww). Luckily, I've had my RareMinerals moisturizer to help get me through my bad skin days :)

RareMinerals is a line of wonderful skincare products made by Bare Escentuals. Like the rest of the Bare Escentuals brand, RareMinerals products are great for the skin! This moisturizer in particular is absolutely effective. After using it, the dry patches on my skin practically vanish. My skin feels super plump and soft. Best of all, it is not at all greasy or heavy. It soaks into the skin like a dream. The RareMinerals Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer cantains something called ActiveSoil Complex, which promises to reduce pore size, exfoliate skin, and make skin appear brighter and more luminous.

This fab moisturizer can be purchased at Ulta for $32.00

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!!

<3 Sarah

NYC this weekend and a review!

2010-03-03T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

So, I'm very, very excited! I'm going to NYC this weekend fo the first time EVER! Ahhh!

Besides going to see everything amazing and hang out with my friend, I'm so excited for one major thing: Illamasqua. The Sephora's in NYC, most of them at least, actually carry this brand and I've wanted to try their stuff for so long!

Other than that, I had my interview today for Boots Cosmetics. They're branching out into more and more Targets. I'll be staying with Walgreens, since Boot's is only part-time, but definitely expect some reviews of their stuff if all things go well!

That's it! I just wanted to give you guys an update of my life and let you know what I'm up to. However, I will throw in a product I'm really loving right now:

These are Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner. They offer up to 24-hour, and trust me, this holds true. They retail for $5-$6 pending on where you get them and your area. I love these! Right now I only have 03-Eternal, which is the lime green one you see above, however, I'm lemming the blue one as well now.

Milani is a really good brand to turn to if you're looking for quality products at an affordable price, however, be warned - their normal eyeliners are the exact same product as the Jordana Easy-Liners, since these are owned by the same company. The only exception between these is the Milani version cost around $5 while the Jordana option is only $2 at Walgreens. You be the judge!

Alright, I hope everyone has a nice weekend! I'll try to post something while I'm gone!

Josh <3

5 Forgotten Beauty Stash Favorites!

2010-02-28T22:48:00.000-08:00

I decided since I was off today I was going to go through my makeup drawers and find some products I hadn't used in a while and give them a go.

Why don't I do this more often? It was like rediscovering my favorites all over again! Shopping your stash can be fun! Here's what I found I had that I still love:

1. Everyday Mineral Multi-Tasking Concealer
What is there not to love about this product? This is a concealer for fair to light skin tone, but I believe EDM makes a version for each skintone. This is perfect to apply over any discoloration or blemishes that my mineral foundation didn't cover. This product makes me feel like I can actually wear mineral makeup and not feel naked.

2. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Towne Car
I'm someone who loves very dark shadows, as I've been known to reach for my MAC Carbon a few times a week. This provides the perfect dark base for these shadows just to give the color a much more intense look. Though this product is discontinued, I feel like what I have will last me a while.

3. L'Oreal HIP Illuminating Highlighter in Twinkling
If I'm feeling lazy and what a more polished look, I reach for this. The light side provides the perfect highlight with just a few pats of a finger, while the darker side, provides a nice blush, once again, with just a few pats of a finger. This is discontinued, but you can find it on AllCosmeticsWholessale.com for only $3.49!

4. Milani Brow Fix Kit in Light
This kit is perfect for everyone! It comes with a highlight, two different brow shades, since the inner part of your brows should be a light shade than the outer part, an angled brush, a sponge applicator, tweezers, and a mirror. Talk about brows on the go! I believe this is only around $6 too!
5. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent
For as cheap as this is, it works pretty much as effectively as my Urban Decay DeSlick powder, without the cute packaging. This powder is perfect for Summer when I'm oily beyond belief and I need something as dry as the desert to keep me matte. I don't use it in the winter when I do have a dry patch or two, but all other times of the year, I keep it on me daily.

And there you have it! I think I'll be shopping at home more often -- hopefully leaving the credit card behind of course!

Josh <3

Review: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner

2010-02-25T19:24:00.001-08:00

Hey guys!

This is just a quick review for a product I recently tried from Make Up For Ever. It's their Aqua Eyes liner in Mat black (0L). I have to say, I have always been a huge fan of Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner pencils. They were the only liners that I felt I ever needed. But I was wrong :)

Make Up For Ever's liners don't apply quite as smoothly as Urban Decay's because they are not as soft as a pencil. This one does tug just a bit more at the eyelid. But I personally don't care about this little detail. The fact is, I find that the Make Up For Ever lasts SO much longer on my lid than the 24/7. My eyeliner looks so fresh at the end of the night when I wear this. This is very important to me because I am a full time student and I also have a job. So I definitely need a liner that I don't need to touch up during the day. This is the one :)

Also, there are 25 shades to choose from. Definitely something for everyone. So far, I've only tried the black, but I can not wait to try more. This is definitely a new favorite beauty product for me.

<3

Sarah

Review: Cover Girl Lash Blast Luxe - Black Royale.

2010-02-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I just wanted to do a review on a product I've been loving recently: Cover Girl Lash Blast Luxe in Black Royale.

If you're a fan of the original Lash Blast, you've got to try this. If you felt something was missing from the original Lash Blast, give this a go. I love the Black Royale color because I do feel it makes a difference in making my blue eyes much brighter. In brighter light, you can see the flecks of shimmer, however, in a lot of lighting, you can see that your lashes are a rich, dark blue, which is awesome.

I'm not that big of a fan when it comes to colored mascaras because they never do what they promise, however, this definitely does.

Tried the Exact Eyelights mascara? It's kind of similar, however, the Exact Eyelights formula is a bit dryer and not as buildable. So, I definitely like this better.

Go give it a shot! Of course, wait for a bogo!

Josh <3

Review: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base.

2010-02-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I wanted to review a product and feature a sale at the same time, so, I figured what better timing! Recently, I bought L'Oreal's new primer.

It's in their Studio Secrets line, which is kind of an updated version of the L'Oreal HIP line. The thing that drew me in to this primer was consistency. This product is more of a balm or creme versus your standard gel or lotion primer. I was kind of hesitant at first, since I wasn't sure how nice this would be on oily or acne-prone skin, which is what I have. However, I'm glad I bought it.

This product is amazing! I've been using it daily since I first cracked it open and I love it! One thing I have to use this for is my undereye area. I hate when my concealer gets all cracked and fills in lines I have in my undereye, especially since since I'm 20. This wiped under my eye makes my concealer glide right across and work perfectly.

When I used it all over, I didn't notice my face having an increased oil production like I get with a lot of silicone-based primers. It didn't hold back my oil as well as I would've hoped, but it did a decent job. It also does a good job at almost adding a soft-focus finish to any marks or uneven skintone you have.

Overall, I really like this product and it's something I'd buy again. The main reason I wanted to tell you about this is that Walgreens is having a Saturdate with Beauty for L'Oreal this Saturday at your local Walgreens from 10am-5pm. Normally, these events entail testers, free gifts, sales, and coupons. So, what's not to love? It'll also be featuring the L'Oreal color correcting primers, Double Extend Keratin products, and EverStrong/EverPure haircare.

I hope everyone has a good Saturdate! :D

Josh <3

2/15 Haul - MAC and Sephora.

2010-02-16T19:34:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, out of boredom yesterday, I made it to the mall, where I happened to end up in Sephora and MAC, where I just happened to pick up a few things... :]. Here's what I got:

MAC Color Forecast Blush - Azalea Blossom - $25
I wanted a purple-toned pink blush. The SA recommended I try this, I thought it was pretty, so, I picked it up. It's really pretty on, but I have to apply with a very light hand. I'd recommend it for someone just a little darker than me, NC 25 or darker would look better.

MAC Eyeshadow in Plumage - $14.50
I've wanted Plumage for a while, ever since I saw NARS Tropic, but I hated the glitter it includes. It's a nice, dark color for me to wear without necessarily applying Carbon to my whole lid (I love dark shadow!).

MAC Eyeshadow in Tilt - $14.50
I love tilt! It's got a tiny bit more green than my eyecolor, but a very close match. It looks so nice on my eyes, but I just wish the color didn't fade a bit later in the day. I still like it though.

Sephora 55 - Platinum Airbrush - $34
I'm not sure how I feel about this yet, but for $34, I better love it.

Yeah, so, I totally got more than I intended...but hey, I was treating myself for Valentines Day. Haha.

Josh <3

Review: Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF 42.

2010-02-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, thanks for an amazing Youtuber, Lisasz09, I had to pick up the Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation.

So, this foundation is perfect for me. It retails for roughly $34 at your local Macy's, Nordstrom, or other department stores that have a Shiseido counter. It's a lightweight, Matte finish, medium to full coverage, transfer resistant, non acnegenic, non comedogenic, and has SPF 42! Honestly, it's me in a bottle, an adorable bottle at that. The foundation can seperate, so, it does need to be shaken before it's applied.

I originally bought this in the shade SP 20, however, I felt it was a bit too dark for me, roughly an NC 25 (I'm pretty much an NC 15). So, I went and got the SP 10, which is probably closer to an NW 15, but I make it work. It lasts all day on my skin too, which is always a positive since I'm oily beyond belief.

So, since I bought this, I've been straying away from using other foundations really, but I'm a complexion addict. Powder, Foundation, Highlighter, Blush, Bronzer, you name it, I try it. So, I'll continue searching for products that I may enjoy, but this is one I can rely on.

Josh <3

MAC Viva Glam

2010-02-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

Superstars Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper team up to promote MAC's new Viva Glam collection. The collection consists of two lipsticks named appropriately "Gaga" and "Cyndi".

The shade "Cyndi" is described as a light reddish coral color and "Gaga" is a beautiful blue pink color. Both shades are a lustre finish and are very bulidable. You can achieve either a sheer wash of color or build it up for quite a pop of color. Personally, I'm loving the looks of both shades and will probably be indulging in both soon :)

Cyndi

Gaga

Get these on MAC's website or in MAC stores before they sell out.

Sarah

Rite Aid Sale!

2010-02-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Rite Aid is having 25% off all regularly priced cosmetics this Thursday (2/11) through Saturday (2/13). I know I work for Walgreens, so, I'm not going to be indulging in a lot since I get a discount already, but for things like the following, I feel like I'll make my way over...

Prestige Total Intensity Eyeliner
Can you say Urban Decay 24/7 dupe? I've heard a lot about these and I've been dying to try them, so, now's the time.

Ecotools Bronzing Brush
This chubby little guy is supposedly a great brush. I love all the Ecotools brushes I have now so I'm sure he'll be no different.

Enjoy the sale everyone!

Josh <3

Review: Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Products.

2010-01-31T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I just wanted to do a quick review on some of the new Physician's Formula products. On a local haul, I picked up the new Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Tinted Moisturizer and Powder Foundation.

Alrighty, so, the big point with the Healthy Wear products are that they contain SPF 50. That's right, SPF 50. So, as soon as I saw this, this NC15 shopper knew what he needed. Anyway, both products retail for $14-$16 pending on where you get them. I got the Powder Foundation in Translucent Light, the lightest neutral-warm color, and I got the Tinted Moisturizer in Ivory to Fair, the lightest color.

Starting with the powder, it's a very light, buildable, light to medium coverage powder. It's not very dry, which I love, and it's excellent over something like a sheer or light foundation to get the extra bit of coverage while setting your foundation. The compact is adorable and comes with a sponge, which I didn't try to use. Do I like it? Yes. :D

The Tinted Moisturizer is a light to light-medium coverage, which is surprising due to the nature of a tinted moisturizer. It's a little on the thick side and not the easiest to blend, but when it dries, it does dry to a dewy finish. The product itself isn't bad, however, the color was the worst part. As I said before, I had this in Ivory to Fair, however, if I had to place the color, it was probably NC 30 in MAC. I bought the Tinted Moisturizer not the Bronzing Powder, right? Yeah, so, this ended up going back.

Overall, I'd highly recommend the powder foundation and I wouldn't tell someone not to buy the tinted moisturizer, unless their fair-skinned, which is pretty likely of a Physician's Formula shopper, so, they should try and fix this.

I hope this helps everyone! You know Summer is around the corner. :]

Josh <3

Brightening my day...

2010-01-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I just wanted to mention my top 5 favorite eye brightening products at the moment. Of course, I'm sure this list will change as I try products, but here's how it goes for the moment, in no particular order:

1. Almay Bright Eyes Concealer/Eye Shadow Base
What a multitasking product! This creamy concealer not only brightens the undereye, works as an eyeshadow base (Not as good as my ELF Mineral Primer!), and supposedly brightens your eyes with White Tea extract over usage.

2. Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner - 071 - Pure White
So, we all know the trick about white eyeliner on our waterline, and this just happens to be my favorite pencil for doing this! It's creamy, blendable, and doesn't irritate my eyes like some other pencils do.

3. Nars Blush in Albatross
And here come the questions -- What is a blush doing on this list? Well, Albatross is more of a goldy highlighter than a blush, so, it works perfectly to apply right to the inner part of your eyes to brighten up your mornings!

4. ELF Studio Creme Liner - Ivory
So, I picked up this in my last ELF order along with the Midnight liner, which is supposed to be a deep blue liner, but is more like a waste of money. ANYWAY, this liner is pefect to use on your waterline to get that glistening undereye we all want...however, it can clump up if you use too much, so, be careful!

5. Wet 'n' Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow - 130 - Pixie
To be honest, I'm quite amazed! Pixie is the fleshtoned color you see in the front of the picture and it's probably a product I reach for 4-5 times a week. For a mere $2.99, it takes my eyes from dull and drab to bright and glowing. I love using this for an all around liner with my Lash Blast Luxe Mascara in Black Royal for a very natural, yet long lash look. This is also probably my favorite product on this list.

There you have it! Pick up one of these and never spend another morning looking like you didn't sleep a wink - even if you actually didn't!

Josh <3

Tarte 40% Off Sale!

2010-01-25T18:02:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

There is an amazing sale going on right now on Tarte's website. They have sooo many awesome products and they're all forty percent off right now. It's a great time to indulge in some of their famous cheek stains or their awesome shadow palettes. Enter code LUCKYWEEK3 at checkout for the discount. Offer ends February 1st.

Happy Shopping !!!

<3

Sarah

Product Rave: MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study

2010-01-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

On a recent trip to MAC, I picked up their paint pot in Bare Study. It reminded me a bit of Stila's Kitten Smudge Pot that I have been wanting, so I decided to give it a try. The price was pretty good at $16.50. I have to say that I am SO glad that I decided to try this. Since I purchased Bare Study, I have worn it almost every single day as a base for my shadows. It goes on sheer and slightly shimmery. It gives a beautiful look to any eye look that I want to create. Best of all, Bare Study keeps my shadow on all day with no smudging or creasing. It's not the best base for matte shadows because of the slightly shimmery finish. I would say that's best left for Urban Decay's Primer Potion. Either way, Bare Study is my current favorite eye product. I can't wait to try more paint pots from MAC :)

<3

Sarah

What a Steal! Sally Girl Baked Eyeshadows.

2010-01-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! :]

I went to Sally's this last weekend to renew my Club Card and pick up the Palladio Rice Powder. While I was there, I remember seeing a few reviews on MakeupAlley for the Sally Girl Baked Eyeshadows.

If you're not familiar, Sally Girl is Sally Beauty's 99cent makeup line you'll find at checkout (89 cents if you're a club card member!). Anyway, it's all makeup you'd normally buy if you're a big fan of Wet'n'Wild products to say the least...not that I'm knocking Wet'n'Wild because I've liked some of their stuff.

So yeah...to the point, Josh...here's a picture of one of the eyeshadows:

I'm not sure what color that is, but they offer about 8-10 different colors. I picked up two, one in a silver and one is a turquoise-green. They're about the size of a dime and the compact itself isn't much bigger than a quarter, but they're totally worth it. I can't say they're the best quality eyeshadow on the market, but they're pretty good, especially for under $1. Also, I didn't experience any fallout when applying this.

I wore the silver yesterday, and simply with a swipe of my Foiled Again Shadow Stick by Hard Candy underneath, the color lasted 8+ hours (I can't vouch for any longer because I went to bed.).

So, I suggest you run to Sally Beauty and pick up a few of these to try. :D

Josh <3

Review - Rimmel's The Max Volume Flash Mascara.

2010-01-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I've been giving ANOTHER mascara a try. This time around it's Rimmel's The Max Volume Flash.

So, I got this Mascara at Walgreens, or work for me, when they were having Rimmel Eye Cosmetics for 50% off, so, it was less than $4 at the time. So, it's a very cheap mascara when you buy it at the right time, otherwise, it retails for about $6-$8. The first thing everyone notices about the mascara is the bright pink and gold tube, tacky to some, adorable to me. :D

This mascara promises up to 14x the volume. I have mine in Extreme Black and it is a very deep black, which I like. The brush is a very big wire brush, similar to Maybelline's Full and Soft, however, the spacing of the bristles is bigger and therefore there are less bristles. This formula is very shiny and moderately wet, so, it's surprisingly not very thick, like most volumizing formulas.

What kind of results do I get with this? I get thick, long, dark lashes. This mascara surprisingly doesn't clump on the first coat, but with additional coats, it can, and it seems to weigh my lashes down later in the day. So, I doubt I'd buy it again, but I'll gladly use it up for now since it's not a bad mascara. If you have shorter, curly lashes or you curl your lashes, I feel like this mascara would be great for you.

I hope this helps!

Josh <3

Great Product, Amazing Price.

2010-01-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Just spreading the word on one of my favorite new eyeliners - Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner.

So, this is nothing more than your typical liquid pen eyeliner...not. For a mere $1.99, you can take your eyes to the boldest rimmed look with ease. This is currently made in only black and brown, both of which I have and love. It's so easy to use and definitely gives my eyes the perfect intense look. What else makes this pen so special? The eyeliner doesn't budge after it dries in about 10 seconds -- What more is there to ask? I've had both of my pens for about two months now and they're still completely useable unlike some other liquid pens I've heard of (Revlon ColorStay perhaps?)

So, all I can say is rush to your local Walgreens and pick one of these up! You'll find this and other great Jordana products next to the Cosmetic Register. For $1.99, what do you have to lose?

Thanks!

Josh <3

Current Beauty Faves !

2010-01-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!

I wanted to do a post letting you guys know some of the products that I'm loving right now. I've tried soooo many products and these ten are the ones I find myself reaching for the most. Here are my current top ten beauty products:

1) Urban Decay Book Of Shadows Vol II

This palette is awesome. Urban Decay's shadows are the best of the bunch and this palette contains 16 gorgeous shades. There are countless looks you can create with this wonder. This was limited edition for holiday but if you're interested, I would try ebay. I saw several on there earlier this week.

2) Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero

The PERFECT black eyeliner. This is richly pigmented, glides on like a dream, and does not smudge all day. You can buy this at Ulta or Sephora for $17.

3) Christian Dior: Diorshow mascara

I love a mascara that does it all. Diorshow lengthens, thickens, and curls all at once. This gives that wonderful false lash effect that I love. Diorshow is available at Macy's and Sephora for $24.

4) Urban Decay Primer PotionThis is one of the few beauty products that I use every single day. It's an amazing eyeshadow primer that keeps your shadow looking flawless all day. There's no creasing or smudging. I LOVE this product and will keep buying it again and again. Available at Ulta and Sephora for $17.

5) Stila Sun Bronzing Powder SPF 15 in shade 2

This is one of the most natural looking bronzers that I have tried. It adds a nice healthy glow without making you look orange. There is also a slight shimmer to it that I love. If you're not into shimmer, Stila has a matte shade available as well (shade 1). Available at Ulta and on Stila's site for $28. You can also currently snatch this from http://www.allcosmeticswholesale.com/ for just 9.99 !

6) Studio Gear Invisible Pressed Powder

I'm not usually into pressed powders. I dont like the way that they feel on my face or the fact that they can often look super cakey. However, I LOVE this product that I recently discovered from Studio Gear. It's super lightweight and natural looking, yet somehow manages to still even out the skin. Available on Studio Gear's website and at Ulta for $23.

7) Christian Dior Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup SPF 25

I did a review on this not too long ago so I wont go into too much detail. This is a great foundation for anyone who works long hours or just wants a foundation that will last throughout the day. Love it! Available at Sephora for $44.

8) NARS lipgloss in Turkish Delight

NARS has some of the best beauty products out there. Their lipglosses are no exception. I was lucky enough to get this one as a gift from Josh. The shade Turkish Delight is a universally flattering pale pink that should be in everyone's makeup collection. Available at Sephora and on the NARS site for $24.

9) Philosophy Kiss Me emollient lip ointment, Pink

I really like this gloss, which I got as a gift from my sister. It goes on very smoothly and is also quite moisturizing. It's great to wear alone or under a favorite lipstick. Available for $12 at Sephora.

10) Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Best eyelash curler on the market. You'll see a huge difference in your lashes after using this. Available at Ulta and Sephora for $17.

And there you have it. My ten fave beauty products right now. These products are all really fantastic and worth hauling :)

Sarah

Review: Lancome Color Design Eyeshadows.

2010-01-06T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I went to my local CCO recently, and I ended up picking up some MAC of course. Besides that, I wandered over to the Lancome Company outlet as well, where they were having a pretty nice sale. So, I picked up a few of their Color Design Eye Shadow singles, which were on sale 2/$10 (Original Retail - $16.50). I only picked up two, but I already had two eyeshadows.

The colors I have are Statuesque(Intense, Matte Black), The New Black(Metallic, Black with silver glitter), Style Section (Metallic, Bright silver), and Daylight Glow (Shimmer, Goldy-white pearl). Each eyeshadow comes in it's own little container with a slide off lid, which is actually really pretty. They're an inch in diameter and probably close to the same size as a MAC eyeshadow. Here's a picture of one of the eyeshadows:

How do I feel overall about these eyeshadows? I really like them a lot. They're really pigmented, which is always the base of a good eyeshadow. Secondly, they blend really easy with the right tools, a 217 or just a fluffy eyeshadow brush. Other than that, they make good liners and last all day with minimal fading with a good base of course. Would I buy them for $16.50? Not again after this sale (I did buy Style Section for $16.50 -- I had a gift card and I'm a sucker for silver!). However, if there is a color you're in love with they have and you can't find a dupe, go for it.

I hope this helps! Thanks!

Josh <3

Review: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural and Studio Sculpt Concealer.

2010-01-03T12:37:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone!

So, I've been using MUFE's Face & Body foundation recently and I'm falling in love with it. Of course, I'm not a fan of really any of the powders I have to go with it, so, I wanted to pick up a new powder and then a nice concealer, since this is only light to medium at most coverage.

Off to the mall I go, running into Sephora first, I finally ended up at MAC. Here, I was approached and asked what I was looking for, where the MAC lady told me about the Studio Sculpt Concealer. It was my idea to pick up the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder because Face & Body leaves a very skinlike finish, so, I wanted a powder that wasn't totally matte.

I picked these up in both the lightest shades, Light for the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and NC 15 for the Studio Sculpt Concealer. Here are my thoughts:

Studio Sculpt Concealer:

Full Coverage
Great when blended on with a fluffy brush
Looks nice for about 4 hours
Settles in lines
Not for oily skin
Not for spot treatment

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:

Lightweight
Easy to apply with a Kabuki or fluffy powder brush
Natural Finish
Doesn't control oil
No color payoff
Melts away after about 4 hours

So as you can tell, I was not a fan of either of these and they went back to MAC after a few days of trial and several errors. I had really hoped to like them, however, I think I'm just not a fan of MAC face products. I've noticed more and more how sensitive my skin is and I don't think I can get them to work. Studio Fix Powder Foundation and Studio Tech really aren't for me either.

So, I continue my powder hunt, but I did pick up BeneFit's Boi-ing Concealer, so, we'll see how that works for me.

I hope this helps! Thanks!

Josh <3

LORAC is at it again!

2010-01-02T16:14:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone! I know Sarah last updated you with a great deal from LORAC. Here's their next one, definitely worth giving a look. It's their Star Style set, which is a 5 piece set for only $25. This set includes their Aquaprime Oil-Free Foundation Primer($30 alone), an On Screen Duo ($24 alone), one of their baked eyeshadows ($24 alone), a mini Tantalizer Baked Bronzer, and the ever so cute gold bag to hold it all. This is apparently a $108 value, so, if you've been eyeing any of these items, now's the time to grab this deal up!

Josh <3

Where have I been?

2010-01-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! So, I know I disappeared for a while, but I'm back! (With a vengeance! Haha, just kidding!)

So, the holidays are now over...and of course, we all know what that means -- time to enjoy your new gifts! So, what better to share with everyone a few of the things I got for Christmas! :]

1. Make Up For Ever HD Primer No. 5 - Blue

So, I'm really liking this product a lot. It definitely does exactly what it states color correction wise, which is to brighten and even fair skin. Also, I believe this tones down the redness in my skin quite a lot. How does it do HD wise? I couldn't tell you, but I feel like it's going to be repurchased. :D

2. NARS Blush - Albatross

Sarah knew something like this would make me the happiest boy on Christmas, and she was certainly right. This blush, if you can call it that, gives me the perfect highlight of color with a nice gold sheen. Perfection for me since I don't like to add color on my face a lot. (Strange since I have so many blushes and bronzers)

3. Make Up For Ever Face & Body Foundation

Face & Body is probably the lightest weight liquid foundation I've ever used and provides a much lighter coverage than I'm used to, but it growing on me oh so quickly. I'm loving the formula, finding the best way to apply it, and head over heals for the finish. I've been using this for almost two weeks and it's not breaking me out either. Amazing. I definitely pick the best Christmas presents to myself. I'm going to pick up MUFE's Full Cover Concealer to probably pair with this. My three MUFE products should set me for a flawless face. :]

So, I got a few more things but those were the big ones I wanted to mention!

Let me know some of the things you got for Christmas and be sure to tell me your thoughts on them! Thanks and have a great New Year!

Josh <3 :]

Nordstrom Sale !!!

2009-12-29T14:11:00.001-08:00

Just to let everyone know, Nordstrom is having an awesome sale on their website. They have lots of great beauty finds from 20 to 50 percent off. The brands include MAC, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Philosophy, and more!

Happy Shopping!!!!

<3

Sarah

I love Multipurpose products!

2009-12-07T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

So, I'm back, and I'm here to sing praise to another fabulous mark product - mark's Mist Oppurtunity - Multitasking Refresher.

Alrighty, so, this product retails $8.00 in the U.S.. I picked mine up directly from my site, since I'm a mark rep (I'll post the link to my store at the end of the post!). My order arrived pretty quick, within 7 days to be exact. I picked this up to use with my mineral makeup to spritz on after to keep my makeup from looking so powdery. Since then, I've found several uses for it. Here goes:

Light Moisturizer - I use this most days before I apply any products to my face to prep it for makeup application.
Mixing Medium - I use this on my brushes when I want to apply any products wet (eyeshadow, bronzer, etc.)
Mineral Makeup Blender - I love spritzing this on my Everyday Mineral Long Handled Kabuki and swirling any of my mineral makeup on. It takes my skin from looking like I'm wearing makeup to soft, smooth skin. Just a few spritz between each time I dip the brush back for more powder.
Skin Refresher - If I find my makeup to be looking dry later in the day, I simply use this all over. This is EXCELLENT when I touch up with powder to keep the shine at bay, but end up look powdery and too made up. I just spray this on a powder brush and dust it across my face.

So, there you have it! My uses for Mist Oppurtunity. Of course, another reason I bought this was I couldn't justify shelling out $18 for Fix+ (3.4oz), when mark's Mist Oppurtunity is only $8, and almost twice the size at 6.7oz.

I'm leaving it to everyone to be the judge. Give this product a try and I know you'll find just as many if not more uses that I did for it.

Here's the link to my mark store where you can pick this up as well: Josh's store :D <3

Josh <3

Sale Codes !

2009-12-03T14:26:00.000-08:00

Tis the season for spending money!

I have several awesome discount codes to tell everyone about. It seems many companies are being very generous this holiday season. Use these codes to snag some awesome products for yourselves or others.

www.beccacosmetics.com is having 25 percent off with the code:
FF1209
Expires 12/4/09

www.bareescentuals.com is having 20 percent off with the code:
BLOGFRIENDS
Expires 12/6/09

www.narscosmetics.com is 22 percent off with a $60+ purchase with the code:
3312299CP
Expires 12/16/09

www.toofaced.com is still 30 percent off with the code:
Luckybreaks
Expires 1/5/10

There you have it. FAB deals on some of the top makeup brands.

Happy Shopping!!

<3 Sarah

Hard Candy so far...

2009-12-01T15:41:00.001-08:00

Hey guys :D

So, I've picked up a few things from the new Hard Candy, exclusively at Wal-Mart. Overall, the products are really affordable and the packing is too cute for words. But yeah, let me review a few of the things I've picked up so far:

Take Me Out Liners

Notice anything special about this liner? It's a chop stick! I know, adorable! Either way, these come in a variety of colors, I think 8? I'm not sure, but I picked these up in Chop Suey (The aqua blue you see) and Ahi (Lime Green). The thought of having these colorful liners excited me! However, I have to sadly say, I'm a little disappointed. They're a kohl pencil, so, the staying power isn't that great, although the color payoff is. So, it's kind of like you take one to get one I guess? For $5 though, I don't regret them and will continue to use them.

Blush Crush Baked Blush
I really loved this product. It's marbleized like a lot of newer blush and bronzers are, which really draws you in. Now, I've never owned any of the MAC Mineral Skinfinishes, however, I feel this gives me the same type of finish. I have mine in Pin Up, which is the one in the picture, it's more of an apricot-highlighter blush/bronzer. They make these in much more brown and pink shades however. You can use this wet or dry pending on the effect you want, but I love the finish! They are a little on the hard to build side, but it's perfect for what I want. I used this wet as an eyeshadow and I loved it too! $7 well spent :D

Foiled Again Metallic Shadow Stick
I'm a major sucker for anything silver, gold, copper, or bronze, so, when I saw these, I picked up two -- Ecstacy(pictured), a copper color, and glimmer, a bright silver. These make excellent eyeshadow bases, or, if you're in a rush, just a swipe of color. They can be a bit stiff on the eye, but I prefer applying them directly than with a brush. But for $6, I'll probably pick up a few more.

I did get a few more Hard Candy products, but I'll save that for part II tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Josh <3

Coastal Scents Sale!

2009-11-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

Just letting everyone know, Coastal Scents has a 25% off Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale going on! Head on over and give stuff like their amazing 88 eyeshadow palette:

Or, if you're me, snag a few brushes and give their new HD Foundation a try! Happy shopping. :]

Josh <3

Product Rave - Revlon Age Defying Spa.

2009-11-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

Hey guys :]

So, I can't tell you how much I fell in love with this line in a very short time. The Revlon Age Defying Spa products, both foundation and concealer, came out late 2008 along with the Revlon Matte Collection and ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor. I had read several good things about this line, but I never tried them, until this week when they were BOGO Free at Walgreens.

So, I picked them up, I got the foundation 002 - Fair/Light and the Concealer in 001 - Light. Here's what the products look like:

So, let's start with the foundation. This foundation is 1oz, the same size as the Revlon ColorStay, so, don't let the bottle fool you, and retails for about $13.99 It's a light to medium coverage foundation, but what I really love about this product, it actually diffuses my flaws. So, even though it's not full coverage, it covers a lot of my discoloration, which is pretty awesome. It has SPF 18 and wears really well on my oily skin, but I feel like it'd be nice on even someone with dryer tendencies. Don't forget the brush! It comes with a unique flow-through brush applicator, which is nice, but in a hurry, I don't use it.

Next, we've got the concealer. This product retails at Walgreens for $10.49, but I know I got mine on a BOGO Free and I had coupons. I don't know how I feel about this being called just a concealer, since it's probably a highlighter. It comes in a YSL Touche Eclat styled clicky pen. The brush on this is very soft, though, I just apply it and pat it with my ring finger. It's amazing as adding radiance to the undereye, but I've used it over acne-scarring as well and loved it. Definitely a great product.

I've been using both of these products for a few days and I'm in love. They give me a much more radiant-skinned look without all the makeup I'd normally wear to cover my flaws. So, thumbs up for Revlon Age Defying Spa products!

Josh <3

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2009-11-26T10:08:00.000-08:00

We Would like to wish our readers a very happy Thanksgiving. We hope you all can relax and enjoy the long weekend. Don't forget to take advantage of the wonderful Black Friday deals tomorrow!

<3

Sarah & Josh

Check this out!!

2009-11-19T05:36:00.000-08:00

Lorac has the most AMAZING deals ever. Whether I'm shopping their VIP discount section or their seasonal specials, I can not get enough of this fab website. One thing that caught my eye recently is their Everyday Eye Collection.

This is a deal to not pass up. You get nine eyeshadows and a black liquid liner, all for a mere $22.50. That's cheaper than buying nine drugstore shadows!

The colors look gorgeous and perfect for everyday wear. In this collection, you get the shades:

-Beige (a shade of matte beige)

-Joy (shimmery pink)

-Cappuccino (light brown)

-Mesmerize (shimmery peach)

-Cocoa (shimmery soft brown)

-Suede (reddish brown)

-Kiwi (shimmery greenish-grey)

-Lush (shimmery dark green)

-Jade (dark green)

I can't wait to add this to my collection. Will you be buying? If so, act quickly. A deal like this will not be around for long.

Happy shopping!

Sarah

Dior Forever Foundation: Just a quick review

2009-11-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

I have a hard time liking foundations. The formula is always either too cakey, too sheer, too greasy, and so on. Luckily, Dior's Forever liquid foundation entered my life.

For starters, I have combination skin that is very sensitive. So the fact that this foundation does not irritate my skin is automatically a plus. The formula is also fantastic. You can get medium to full coverage with this foundation.

The best part? It never looks cakey!

It's called "Forever" for a reason. It really does last all day. I can put this on in the morning and by the time I come home at night, my makeup still looks fresh. And that's without setting it with powder.

All in all, I LOVE Dior's Forever liquid foundation! It is a tad expensive ($44.00), but I feel that it is worth the money.

Definitely a keeper!

Sarah

Walgreens sales next week!

2009-11-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

When it comes to drug stores, it helps to be in the know. For instance, thanks to me working at Walgreens, I know what's on sale next week, and I'll be sure to tell you guys and recommend a few products with this as well!

Alrighty, so, starting Sunday November 22nd, Revlon Foundation, Powder, Concealer, Blush, Lip and Implements are BOGO Free! If you're looking for anything special to try out of these, here's a few recommendations:
Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder in Suntan Matte

Use this product as an all over finishing powder to add a color to dull or drab Winter skin without all that sparkle a lot of other bronzers contain.

Revlon Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude

If you're looking to play up some nice shadows this season(Urban Decay's Book of Shadows Volume II for instance anybody???), this is definitely a great lip product to pair it up with. Make sure to moisturize first!

Alrighty, next we've got Rimmel Eye and Lip Cosmetics are 50% off! Can I tell you how excited I am about this? Be sure to give these a try!
Rimmel Spark it Up! Eyeliners
--I have a few of these, but I couldn't get a good picture! Sorry!

Basically, this is a good alternative when you want a darker liner but want to spice it up from plain old black. My favorites are definitely Lapis, Black Gold, and Tiger Eye, but all of the are great!

Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara

I love this mascara! It definitely does all it says and it's really waterproof! It's the only thing I wear to the gym and it last through an hour of working out. However, it comes off easily with my Purity Cleanser by Philosophy.

Lastly, L'Oreal Cosmetics are BOGO 50% off. Here's what I'd give a shot out of L'Oreal:
L'Oreal HIP Chrome Eyeliner or Extra Intense Liquid Pencil

If you're a fan of the Urban Decay 24/7 style pencil, give these a shot, especially if you can't justify dropping $17 for an eyeliner. I have 5/6 of the Chrome Eyeliners and I have the Extra Intense Liquid Pencil and I probably use them 6/7 days a week.

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara

Honestly, this is probably my most reached for mascara at the time, even more than my Lash Blast! This mascara provides me with a full fan of thick, dark lashes and that's totally the effect I want. It also helps that on me, it provides amazing length. So, why would I use anything else?

So there you have it! There are plenty of other products I'd love to tell you about, but these are just some of my personal faves. So, get out there and eat up those sales!

Josh :D <3

Most Reached for Powders and a little about Josh!

2009-11-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Alrighty, I'm back again with another top 5 of mine. Keep in mind, these are my top 5 at the moment, I'm always trying new things and this list could change! So, with that said, here's my top 5 Powders:
1. Almay Pure Blends Translucent Matte Loose Powder - So, I picked this up as soon as it hit our shelves. I'm always out to grab any kind of mattifying powder and this was no exception. It comes in the most adorable packaging and it's so conveneint with the flip lid inside the box. It's best to apply this with a puff (one is included) because this maintains the smooth skin your foundation creates (You can thank MichellePhan for that expert advice!). But yeah, needless to say, this smoothes my skin over and really helps even out my skintone, not to mention, keeps me matte for about 6 hours, which is pretty incredible.
2. Physician's Formula Pressed Mineral Powder - Now, I know both Sarah and I like this. This little beauty sets my foundation, provides a light coverage, controls shine, and smooths my skin over. What's not to love about this? This was a staple of mine this last Summer. My only complaint about this is if you apply it and touch up with it, it can be a little heavy and it doesn't photograph the best...but I love it either way.
3. Urban Decay De-Slick Powder - First off, the packaging of this, much like all of Urban Decay's products, is to die for (I love the little skulls!). Secondly, I got this at Ulta's last Friends and Family sale, so, I got it 40%, thanks to Sarah :]. Thirdly, it does just what it's meant for, it provides a translucent powder to keep me matte and blot oil and shine. I love it for this, however, I'm not sure if I'd buy it at full price.
4. Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powder in Brighten - This powder does exactly what it says. It can take my pale skin from dull to lively in a few brushstrokes. Now, a lot of people call these MAC Mineral Skin Finish dupes. I've never tried any of the MAC Mineral Skin Finishes other than a few swatches in the store, so, I can't claim this, however, this does brighten my skin. My only complaint is it almost makes me shiny. I prefer a much more matte look, so, I only use this along my cheeks. Also, this, unlike the other two Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing powders, can't be used a blush or bronzer, since this comes off much more translucent than the Sunkiss or Suntan Matte (I have the Suntan Matte as well!)
5. mark Matte-nificent Powder - Being a mark rep, I had to try this! A lot of people on MakeupAlley were saying they used this versus MAC Blot or Urban Decay De-Slick, so, I took my discount into action and bought this when I picked up the mark Mist Oppurtunity, mark's version of MAC Fix+. It finally arrived, and to be honest, I didn't use it. I finally found this powder a few weeks ago and I've been using it a bit more. This powder, unlike the De-Slick and MAC, comes in 4 shades. I have the lightest, Ivory Nude. I prefer to bring this to touch up in the day because my foundation starts to fade later in the day, and this takes away the shine plus gives me a little coverage boost. So, I expect this to be climbing the charts in my favorites.

There you have it! Those are my most reached for powders (Besides my MAC Hello Kitty in Tahitian Sand just to look at :D). Keep in mind, I classify myself as someone who's very-oily skinned, so, these might be my favorite, but not your's!

Moving right along, I did want to give a little bio of myself, just so you guys know who I am. I'm Josh! I'm 20 years old, I live in Delaware, where I've spent most of my life. I go to the University of Delaware normally as a Statistics major, though I can't afford to right now. So, I work full-time instead! Workwise, I'm a Senior Beauty Advisor with Walgreens and I'm also the District Cosmetic Lead for my district. I have a love-hate relationship with my job, but overall, I enjoy it. I really got into makeup sometime last year, thanks to work, but I've caught on pretty quick and I think it's really my only hobby. When it comes to looks I like, I guess you could describe my style in a few words: Carbon Black, Matte, Porcelain, Silver, Bronze, and Gold. Well...I guess that's me...in makeup terms? Oh well. Oh, and here's a picture of me just for reference:

That'd be me driving to work the other morning(Gotta love intersections!)

Alrighty, well, that's it for me today. Let me know if you have any input and I'll be sure to reply to any questions or comments!

Oh yeah, here's the link to my mark page if anyone wanted to try the powder or any other product.

Josh :D

Current sales and promotions

2009-11-16T10:35:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys!

Not that any of us need an excuse to spend more money, but I wanted to post some of the current sale codes. It seems that a lot of cosmetic lines are giving us some fab deals for the holiday season. So start your Christmas shopping :)

Here are some of the best deals going on right now:

www.toofaced.com is having a 30 percent off sale with the code: Luckybreaks
Expires 12/31/09

www.korresusa.com is 30 percent off with the code: TEMPTALIA
Expires 12/31/09

www.tartecosmetics.com is having 25 percent off with the code: ecoscene25
Expires 12/31/09

www.philosophy.com is having 25 percent off with code: ENJOY (Im SO looking forward to this one).
Expires 11/20/09

www.urbandecay.com is having 30 percent off with code: FNFW1
Expires 11/20/09

www.origins.com is having 25 off with the code: NOVFF
Expires: 11/19/09

There you have it!!! Some amazing deals for the holiday season. Happy Shopping.

<3 Sarah

First Entry - Getting right into business!

2009-11-15T21:24:00.001-08:00

Hey there everyone!

So, I'm Josh. I'm one of the two of people who post on this blog, the other being my good friend Sarah. We're both pretty addicted to makeup. So, why not put all our experience to good use? Enter this blog!

Either way, I'll introduce and talk about me later, but I really wanted to jump into this! I took the liberty of figuring out tonight what my "favorite five" items were when it comes to a few things. Here's one of the lists:

Favorite Five Tinted Moisturizers
1. Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Tint - I picked up this little wonder on my last birthday at Ulta. I got it for $42, which was muchhhhh more than I'd normally pay for something, especially a tinted moisturizer, but I really liked the idea that it had SPF, controlled oil, and had really good coverage. This provides light-medium coverage, leaning towards the medium side, which I love. Blending it can be a bit tricky, since the consistency is almost sticky, but it does control oil like a charm. So, I can deal with apply it in smaller areas. Overall, this is perfect for my uneven and excessively oily skin when I don't want something heavy. Oh yeah, and I got this in Fair Skin, of course.
2. Cover Girl Smothers Tinted Moisturizer - This tinted moisturizer is a favorite of mine because it does what a tinted moisturizer should do -- provide moisture. It's a really creamy consistency, blends well, provides a light coverage but can be built if needed. I love how this allows my skin to look a lot more even and still feel like skin. My only complaint about this is, my oily skin needs something a little more resistant and a few hours later, this might move a bit or transfer a little on me. But for the $7 I got this for, I love it. Great for a good-skin Winter day.
3. Aveeno Postively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer - This was a staple for me this last Summer for a while. Aveeno has always been a brand I trust and I love how none of their products have ever really irritated my skin. So, when this came out, I had to pick it up! It provides me with a light coverage, SPF 30, and actually moisturizes. Paired with my pressed Mineral Powder from Physician's Formula, I had a light Summer makeup routine down packed. However, I didn't like that the Fair to Light Skinned shade was really cool based. Also, I know it's Postively Radiant, which is supposed to be leaving your skin glowing, but this left me too shiny a lot of the time, so, thank god for powder.
4. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer - I remember picking this up at work and not being able to wait to try it. I loved the idea that it literally was what it sounded like -- a skin enhancer. This product contains SPF 20, Retinol, and a light coverage. It does make my skin look a lot more even, though it's not that hydrating. I did however stop using this after I realized I shouldn't be using Retinol in the day, since it's almost counteracts the SPF. So, this went to the back of my drawer unless I want to use it at night.
5. Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer - Sarah actually gave this to me since she had one already and she got another in a set she ordered. This tinted moisturizer is a bit too shiny for my normal taste, but since I'm pretty oily, I set everything with a nice powder, therefore, this left this T.M. looking a lot nicer. It provides a nice coverage and Shade 1 is a nice match for my NC 15-20 skin. I don't reach for this as much as my other T.M.'s, but I still like it.

So, there we have it! Expect another one of these from me next week if not sooner! I'll be posting more on here later and I'm sure Sarah will make her first entry soon as well! Definitely leave comments if you have any feedback as well. Thanks! :]