L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Collection + Facebook Chat.

Earlier this fall, L’Oréal Paris launched their most advanced anti-aging system ever. The collection is a trio of products that make up the Revitalift Triple Power Collection. It's easy to remember. Three products - triple power.

This collection does so much more than just fight wrinkles. The products take on all the visible signs of aging: wrinkles, loss of facial volume and loss of firmness. All three products work to deliver intensive, triple-action results to help skin look younger, smoother and more radiant.

The products:

Revitalift Triple Power Day/Night Cream - $24.99
Revitalift Triple Power Serum - $24.99
Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment - $24.99

The ingredients that work so effectively together include L’Oréal's exclusive, Pro-Xylane™, Fragmented Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin. Pro-Xylane™ is an innovative molecule that was designed to penetrate deep into skin’s surface and is shown to enhance collagen production. All three of these products contain the highest amount of Pro-Xylane™ ever used before. The Fragmented Hyaluronic Acid is a proven wrinkle fighter that delivers skin-plumping moisture and allows the formula to have a better affinity with the skin’s surface. Finally, Glycerin is used for a deeply hydrating experience.

To talk about this great new product and all things anti-aging, join L’Oréal Paris for a Facebook chat with beauty expert Lois Joy Johnson. The chat is called "Aging Gracefully and Feeling Fabulous at any Age" and will take place today October 17th, from 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. EST.

Join in for great beauty advice and anti-aging tips, plus you'll have a chance to get free samples of L’Oreal Paris’ Revitalift Triple Power products. For all who “like” L’Oréal Paris on Facebook, get a chance to win a 5-day supply or full-size samples of the Revitalift Triple Power Deep-Acting Moisturizer.

To join the chat, just become a fan of L’Oreal Paris USA on Facebook by “liking” the L’Oreal Paris USA Facebook page.  If you have any questions you'd like to submit to the chat, reply to the Facebook post about the chat, and then join in later today.

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bareMinerals READY Foundation: My Holy Grail?

I've been on a foundation kick lately. Not that I have been looking for a new foundation, there just seems to have been a lot of foundation launches over the last few months. The new bareMinerals READY Foundation SPF 20 was one of them and I couldn't wait to try it.

I should preface this by saying that I am reactive to the bareMinerals Original Foundation. It makes me red and itchy. I have never figured out exactly why it makes me so reactive to it. I am usually not so overly sensitive to makeup at all. This being a cold pressed powder version, I was hoping it wouldn't have a problem. I've been using the READY Bronzer all summer and never had a reaction, so I was hopeful and didn't hesitate.

I was sent the new foundation in Medium Beige. It looks very dark in the pan, but was actually too light on my skin. What's with me lately? I must be darker than I think! Anyway, I was sent the Precision Face Brush to apply the foundation with, but wasn't sure exactly how. I did a quick search to find a QVC video with bareMinerals expert Jessica Foust.

So I basically followed her method. I tap the brush into the powder four times and then buff it onto my skin with very long strokes as she demonstrated. I only have to do the tap and buff twice as my face is flawlessly covered and glowing. The brush is essential. It applies the powder so effortlessly. The coverage is amazing. My pores were gone. My skin looked more even and more luminous than it had in a very long time. Now, if only the color were right. So I went to Sephora and got color matched with Golden Medium, which looked like it was a match in the store. It wasn't until I got home that I found that shade still too light and too yellow on me. I returned it and headed over to the Bare Escentuals store, which I didn't even know existed in the mall near my home. There, I got help (and for my sister and bff too!) and settled on Medium Tan, which looks crazy dark, but was a great match for me right now. I am guessing that the Medium Beige will look great on my skin come December.

I tested READY Foundation over moisturizer and two different primers, NARS Pro-Prime and Smashbox Hydrating Primer. It looked beautiful and lasted all day with a full makeup look, no matter which way I wore it. It is amazing. My holy grail foundation.

Until... two weeks into it, I woke up with my face more pink and a bit itchy. I thought that maybe my skin was reacting to the cooler temps. Or maybe I tried something new that I was having a reaction to. I immediately couldn't think of anything. But after I applied the foundation a bit later that morning, I immediately got the bad sunburn, itchy red feeling. It was on my face, a bit on my ears and right beneath my jawline. Anywhere the powder or brush touched. I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.  I did not wash it off right away and thought I would get over it.  I didn't. It got worse.  I removed the makeup and didn't wear any makeup for three days until my skin calmed down and returned to normal. A glutton for punishment I guess, I tried it again.  I was determined to wear this amazing foundation. I wanted it to work for me.  Again, within minutes of applying, my skin got very red and started this burning/itching feeling again. I am confident that this is a reaction to the foundation. I don't know why it took about two weeks into wearing it to show up. I am completely disappointed - not in the foundation - in my damn skin.

Everyone that I have turned onto READY Foundation loves it and no one else has had issues with it. My daughter uses it and loves it. My sister and sister-in-law use it and love it.  Two really good freinds have already started using it and have told others about it. That is how much I like it. I told everyone about READY Foundation because everyone was noticing how great my makeup looked.

I don't want to deter anyone from trying this. It's that good. I don't want my reactive skin to be negative, I have to deal with it; you don't. If you have never been reactive to mineral makeup, try it. I promise you will love it. If you are sensitive, proceed with caution and look for irritation signs.

I do want to let you know that bareMinerals READY Foundation has an SPF of 20, and comes in a range of 20 shades. The makeup artist at the Bare Escentuals store said that most customers were going one shade deeper than they would as compared to the the original foundation. It sells for $29.00. The Precision Face Brush sells for $28.00 and is a must have to apply the foundation.

If you've tried the foundation, please let me know how it has worked for you.

View the original article here

17 Fall Lip Colors to Love.

We are definitely in the swing of fall. As much as I try to deny it, the colder temperatures and warmer clothes have me reaching for makeup in darker, richer hues. One thing I change up is my lip look this time of year.  It's easy when there are so many beautiful fall colors to choose from.

Check out my favorite 17 fall lip colors:

1. Saucy Mauve
L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolor in Saucy Mauve is a rich rosey mauve shade leaves lips drenched in a perfect color for fall.
$8.95

2. Dare Devil
bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil is a sparkling blackberry shade that delivers sheer, vivid color that adds a super glossy finish to lips for hours.
$18.00

3. Smitten
COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lip Color in Smitten transforms lips in a beautiful dark mauve shade that also enriches them with moisture as it lasts all through the day.
$6.50

4. Club Mix
NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Club Mix is a deep berry shade that leaves lips silky and softly shining in falls must have beautiful berry shade.
$24.00

5. Glistening Berry
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Le Gloss in Glistening Berry is a super shiny, fully pigmented bright berry shade that lasts all day long.
$9.99

6. Love Story
IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush in Love Story is a super soft and sheer berry rose that imparts a healthy look to the lips as it's worn.
$20.00

7. Fox Trot
Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in Fox Trot is a deep berry wine lip stain that adds fall freshness to the lips and stays all day.
$19.00

8. #15
Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss in #15 is a deep shimmering purple shade that captures one of the best shades of the season.
$5.00

9. Paris Gloss
Cargo Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Paris Gloss is a deep berry red that adds a silky gloss to the lips.
$14.00

10. Deeply Adored
MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Deeply Adored is a matte deep scarlet shade that will leave them wanting more.
$16.50

11. Purple
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge in #13 Purple is a deep purple berry shade that locks lips with a long-lasting color with it's special glossy topcoat.
$24.00

12. Fiore
Stila Stay All Day Lipstick in Fiore is a long-lasting liquid lip gloss in a super hot berry pink that keeps still bright, yet on trend for fall.
$22.00

13. Valparaiso
NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Valparaiso is a rich raspberry shade that drenches lips in a velvety matte finish with an easy to wear fall shade.
$25.00

14. Naked
Urban Decay Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Naked is a glossy lip pencil that lines and fills in lips with a sheer rosey beige natural looking lip color.
$19.00

15. Dulce De Leche
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Color in Dulce De Leche is a beautiful smooth nude brown shade that warms up the lips and skintone for fall.
$26.00

16. Gamay
BITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquer in Gamay is a fully pigmented deep rose shade that leaves lips super soft and glossy in a shade suited for fall.
$24.00

17. No Competition
Benefit Cosmetics Full Finish Lipstick in No Competition is a very rich berried rose shade that lasts and looks beautiful with any fall look.
$18.00

View the original article here

Simple Skincare.

Have you seen the Simple Skincare line up of products? I have seen it more than a few times on an end cap or display at Target and just had to find out what it was all about. Now I have the details and I want to share it with you.

Simple Skincare is a no-fuss no-muss lineup of fresh, skin care products. Made for even the most sensitive of skins, these products believe that simple is best. All the products in the range contain no dyes, artificial perfumes, or harsh irritants that can upset skin. The products contain only the purest possible skin loving ingredients with added vitamins, for naturally healthy-looking skin. They are free of all artificial dyes and fragrances, and are all dermatologist tested, noncomedogenic, and hypoallergenic.  Even the eye care products are safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Skin care doesn't have to be difficult, especially for difficult skin.

The product range contains cleansers, wipes, moisturizers and eye care products.

Cleansers

Smoothing Facial ScrubMoisturizing Facial WashRefreshing Facial Wash GelSoothing Facial Toner

Wipes

Cleansing Facial WipesExfoliating Facial Wipes

Moisturizers

Vital Vitamin Day Cream SPF 15Replenishing Rich MoisturizerHydrating Light MoisturizerVital Vitamin Night Cream

Eye Care

Eye Makeup RemoverRevitalizing Eye Roll-OnSoothing Eye Balm

The products range in price from $4.99 - $9.99.

I'll be the first to admit that I adore luxury skin care. My serums and night creams usually cost upward of $150 each. I am a skincare snob. I thought this line would be great for someone like my daughter just starting out with skin care. After a recent skin freakout where my skin was super itchy and sensitive, I realized I was out of my long time favorite skin soother. I thought this would be the perfect time to finally try a few of these "simple" products. I don't think I can tell you how impressed I am. From the Moisturizing Facial Wash that I used (that removed every trace of makeup and never had my skin feeling stripped) to the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer and Revitalizing Eye Roll-On, my skin was back to normal and feeling better than ever in just a matter of days. The fact that my skin looked and felt so good, at a fraction of the price, made me adore Simple Skincare even more. I could buy every product in the line and still have change to spare when comparing it to just my favorite eye cream.

Next time you are in Target or your other favorite mass merchandiser, take a look at the Simple Skincare line up. For less than $10, pick up a new product and try it. I know you will be impressed! To get all the latest Simple Skincare news and even coupons, be sure to check out their Simple Skincare Facebook page.

View the original article here

Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish & Peel.

If you’ve read enough of my skin care posts, you know I am a huge fan of the Algenist line of skin care. The line is based around a really powerful and effective acid, Alguronic Acid.  Their newest product, this Triple-Action Micropolish & Peel pairs Alguronic Acid and Glycolic Acid for the first time. The result is simply amazing.

Read the rest of this post Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish & Peel on my new blog all about anti-aging, AgingBeautiful.net.

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Bare Escentuals BUXOM Full-Bodied Lip Gloss.

Bare Escentuals added a new lip gloss to it's BUXOM line up earlier this fall. If you've ever tried a BUXOM gloss, you already love it for it's plumping effect, pure color, smooth and glossy shine. Now there is a new gloss, the BUXOM Full-Bodied Lip Gloss, that you will like just the same, or maybe even a bit more.

This new BUXOM Full-Bodied Lip Gloss looks like the little sister to the Big & Healthy Lip Polish on the outside, but it looks like a superstar on the lips. The tube contains the same amount of gloss, it's just a shorter and wider tube. Inside is a lip gloss that is fully pigmented and fortified with not just Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil (staples in a better gloss), but this gloss contains time-released hyaluronic spheres. What does that mean? Well, that means that the subtle plumping effect continues as you wear the gloss.

The lip gloss feels really nice on my lips, not like a standard gloss. It feels richer and creamier, with no stickiness at all. The pigment is pretty full and lasting. I get a nice three or four hours of glossy color when wearing. For a gloss, that's a long time. It has a very subtle caramel-vanilla-ish flavor. I can't pin it down, exactly, but it is not overpowering and fades soon after applying.

l - r: Va Va Voom, Sha-Bang, Mwah, OMG, Hot Mama

BUXOM Full-Bodied Lip Gloss comes in ten shades.

Oh La La - Baby PinkHey Baby - Shimmering FuchsiaYow - Blushing Pink PearlHot Mama - ScarletYoo Hoo - Shimmering NudeMwah - Shimmering LilacSha-Bang - Iridescent Plum PinkOMG - Sparkling BoysenberryVa Va Voom - Sparkling PomegranateBoo-Ya - Iridescent Coral

Shop for BUXOM Full-Bodied Lip Gloss exclusively at Sephora. Each gloss sells for $19.00.

View the original article here

10 New Blushes to Fall For.

It's time to put away the corals, peaches and pink colors that we have become so dependent on for our spring and summer makeup looks. It is fall and time to warm up the face with berry and rose shades on the cheeks.

I've been trying many new fall blush colors and have found ten that I am truly in love with, and have been using to bring my fall look together. Take a look at them below.

1. Radiant Rose
IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain in Radiant Rose is a beautiful flush of color in a vibrant rose shade to warm up the skin for fall. You only need a tiny bit of this long-lasting powder to keep the cheeks radiant all day.
$24.00

2. Santorini
CARGO ColorStick in Santorini is a beautiful natural deep rose that blends over cheeks effortlessly to leave the face looking softly airbrushed and perfectly played up for fall.
$28.00

3. The French Kiss
bareMinerals READY Blush in The French Kiss is a bright berry pink that leaves a beautiful pinked berry glow to the cheeks. Ths blush is super soft and silky, looks airbrushed on the cheeks and nourishes the skin with it's minerals as it lasts all day.
$22.00

4. Benetint
Benefit Cosmetics benetint rose-tinted lip and cheek stain adds the perfect natural looking flush to the cheeks. When opting for the most natural "I've spent the day in the brisk autumn air" look, a dab of this best selling tint works like nothing else.
$29.00

5. Flush
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Flush is a deep berry shade that lives up to the title of 12 hour - and then some. For a deep berry warm glow, use a small amount to warm up cheeks for a long fall day.
$25.00

6. Whole Lotta Love
MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Blush in Whole Lotta Love is a deep yet bright pop of deep pink that has a subtle glow to it. It makes warms up cheeks with the look of a blush and highlighter in one, perfect for a cool fall day and look.
$23.50

7. Lush Berry
COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry imparts a warm berry glow to the cheeks. It softens fine lines and makes the skin glow as the serum infused formula actually helps the skin as you wear it.
$10.40

8. Montenegro
NARS Cosmetics Cream Blush in Montenegro is a deep plum with a very subtle almost golden sheen to it when blended over skin. The look is subtle and beautifully on trend for fall as it warms up the cheeks in such a natural way with a very lightweight feel.
$28.00

9. Soft Sun
L'Oreal Paris True Match Blush in Soft Sun is a burnt deep rose shade that is perfect as you take your makeup look from summer to fall. It has a hint of bronze as it imparts a matte deep rose flush to the skin.
$10.95

10. Camellia
Shiseido Limited Edition Camellia Compact is a beautiful tri-colored face powder that leaves a deep rosey look on the face. The compact contains a shimmering petal pink, a rich rose, and platinum white that when mixed together looks natural and beautiful as it deepens the cheeks in a perfect fall color.
$36.00

View the original article here

CVS/pharmacy Top Ten Beauty Forecast for Fall.

Do you shop drugstore beauties? I do all the time.

I swear I am in CVS once or twice a week - at least. In my small 2 mile square town, we are lucky enough to have two CVS/pharmacy stores. I go there for just about everything; last minutes school project items, prescription, band aids, cough drops and my weekly magazines. The trips are quick until I nonchalantly walk down the beauty aisle like I've seen it all before. But I must spend at least ten minutes looking over my favorite beauties and checking out what's new each time I'm there. Of course I walk out with what I need and what I want: a few new beauties each time I shop. At least I get rewarded. Did you know that when you join CVS/pharmacy Beauty Club, you earn $5 ExtraBucks Rewards for every $50 you spend? Should I be ashamed that I earn new ExtraBucks just about every week? Nah - I'm a beauty blogger. It's par for the course, right?

Enough about me and my beauty shopping habits. Let's talk beauty trends for a few. CVS/pharmacy had their experts beak down the top ten beauty trends for fall. Take a look at the trends and then my product suggestions, to go along with said trend.

All Lacquered Up
Our nails have to look their best and nail sales are booming. Look for the new Nail HQ in stores. These are special kiosks that will display the latest and greatest nail care products and trends.

I like Essie's new Stylenomics collection with six new shades, for just $8.00 each.

Reaching New Lengths
We are obsessed with our lashes. We all want lashes that are longer and fuller, so it's no surprise that lash product sales have increased 48% since last year. Look for new products with the latest in lash technology.

I like L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Power Volume Waterproof Mascara for $7.95.

Salon Solutions At Home
We want to save money and time by doing some of those "only at the salon" services on our own. New DIY products continue to hit store shelves.

I like Completely Bare Salon Quality Wax Kit for $12.99.

All For One
BB Creams are a top seller. It's no wonder I've reviewed about a dozen or so of these innovative products in just the last year.

I like Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector for $12.99.

Makeup With Skincare Benefits
We've always needed our cosmetics to do the job of making us look great. Now we want them to do more by benefiting our skin as we wear them.

I like COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Foundation for $14.99.

Beauty Rest
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Our skin is at it's best when we sleep. Night time products to benefit our skin as we sleep are on the rise. New and better nighttime treatments are constantly being released to broaden this new category.

I like Garnier Dark Spot Overnight Peel for $16.99.

Color Blocking
Not just bright and bold in the summer, the newer bold colors on the eyes as well as on our lips and tips, continue to be a hot trend.

I like L'Oreal Paris Color Caresse Lipstick (which comes in 16 hot shades) for $9.99.

Feeding Your Roots
New hair care launches are having us rethinking our hair care strategy. The new beauties have us strengthening and restoring hair from the scalp to the tip, and hair couldn't be more beautiful.

I like the new Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner for $5.99 each.

Saving Face In Less Time
We want results and we want them now. New products that promise to deliver faster results are all the rage.

I like Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum for $24.99.

Super Star Scents
While the fragrance section may be getting bigger; the prices on these star power products better, because they are smaller in price - up to 20% less than at the department store.

I like Beyonce Pulse for $28.00.

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BITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquers.

Recently while looking over new beauty at Sephora, I discovered BITE Beauty. BITE beauty is a brand from Canada, that solely makes products for the lips. Because they only "do" lips, they know them well.  They know what works on lips, and what works best. The latest addition to their luscious line-up of lipsticks, glosses, balms, scrubs, primers and liners are these new Honey Lip Lacquers.

The BITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquers are 99% natural, formulated with a unique blend of emollient oils and waxes.  Natural moisturizers, including manuka honey, castor oil and jojoba, condition lips while BITE’s signature ingredient, red wine Resveratrol tackles fine lines and wrinkles. Each Lip Lacquer lasts for up to eight hours, while hydrating lips and keeping them looking great because of manuka honey’s unique humectant (water-absorbing) properties. Touch-ups are needed, though few, to keep the lips looking glossy, but the color never really fades throughout the day as lips look sheerly stained.
Honey Lip Lacquers come in eight great shades, each made with hand-milled iron oxides. Working with Iron Oxides in the past as colorants, I can attest that these are almost pure pigments in natural forms that hold color like nothing else.

I've been using two of the new Honey Lip Lacquers. My shades of choice are Dolcetto, a beautiful pink nude shade; and Gamay, a pink rose.

BITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquer DolcettoBITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquer Gamay

Look for the BITE Beauty Honey Lip Lacquers and the rest of their lippie line-up at Sephora now.

View the original article here

A Q&A with Josie Maran and My Chicological Feature!

Josie Maran - yes, the Josie Maran, asked me to share some beauty tips over on the Josie Maran Cosmetics Chicological blog. I shared my favorite DIY Simple & Sweet Sugar Scrub Recipes.

I also got to ask Josie a few questions myself.

How does your skin care routine change from summer to fall and winter?
"Surprisingly it doesn't really change that much! I use my 100% Pure Argan Oil year round to moisturize my face, body, and hair. In the winter, I do like to exfoliate a little more often because my skin is drier and sometimes a little flaky during cold weather months."

Do you have any DIY body care products that you use?
"I love lavender essential oil so I use that to help me fall asleep. I'll put a few drops in my bath or on my pillow to help me relax."

What is the best product from your line for dry skin?
"For face, my 100% Pure Argan Oil is my number one product. It hydrates and nourishes even the driest skin, without leaving a greasy feel. It's loaded with fatty acids and Vitamin E so it actually improves the health of skin. For body, I like my Argan Balm when things get really dry. It creates a protective barrier that seals in moisture and prevents dehydration.It's my go-to in the winter when my family and I go skiing."

What inspired you to make that product?
"About ten years ago, I was on a modeling trip in the South of France. I met this absolutely beautiful older woman who had amazing skin. I asked her what her secret was and she said "Argan Oil!" I thought she was maybe in her 40s, but she told me she was almost 70! After that, I was obsessed with Argan Oil, and I infuse it into all my products. It has totally changed my skin."

Thank you Josie for the opportunity and for answering a few of my skin care questions. I love learning from the pros!

I have to also add, that when I wrote the Chicological article, I had no idea that Josie Maran had her very own Argan Sugar Balm Body Scrub. Being a new fan of her Argan Oil for skin care, I can't wait to try this.

What is it: A body scrub infused with argan oil, other oils, and butters for hydration, as well as sugar for exfoliation.

Who is it for: Anyone with any skin type who wants smoother, brighter, exfoliated, and hydrated skin.

Why is it different: Because Josie infuses argan oil into all of her formulas. This body scrub balm is a way to get the smooth and hydrated skin you deserve!

How do I use it: Dip the wooden scoop into the glass jar and into your hands. Apply the scrub to arms, legs, stomach--anywhere you want smooth, hydrated skin. Rinse off.

Be sure to check out her sugar scrub, which sells for $28.00 on QVC, and head over to read my post for your very own DIY sugar scrub recipe.

View the original article here

Mally In the Buff Eyeshadow Palette.

You know I am a huge fan of neutrals. Neutral does not mean boring at all. I love the neutral brown and ivory shades. From mattes to shimmers, I find myself really liking the different looks I can create that are never over the top. Let's face it. I am 45 years old with four kids and live I the 'burbs. Neutral and smoky neutral is where it's at for me. When I saw this new Mally In the Buff Eyeshadow Palette, I know I needed to check it out further.

This palette does not disappoint. It comes together in a real sturdy faux snake skin bound case. It opens to reveal a full size mirror, brush, an eyeshadow base and 11 neutral eyeshadows.

The shades range from a barely there ivory shade, to a deep, somewhat shimmery brown that is great for smoking up the look or lining the eyes. They are very soft to apply, and very powdery. Definitely make use of the beige creamy eyeshadow base. The base really evens out the eye area and brightens it up which is huge help in the morning. It's a must to make sure the shadows apply properly and stay in place all day.

The shades:

Au NaturalBubbly BuffTiger's-EyeCappuccinoShimmering TaupeBrownstoneOakEgyptian GoldToastChocolate Diamond

The Mally Beauty In the Buff Eyeshadow sells for $45.46 at QVC.

Have you had enough of the neutral eye palettes yet? I say to keep bringing them on. I don't think I'll ever get bored with them.

View the original article here

A Quick and Flawless Face with Votre Vu.

I rarely leave the house without makeup on. Except for when I am in the car dropping off the kids to school or maybe pumping gas, I at least have my face looking as flawless as it can. I'm not even talking a full face of makeup. You know when you put on a few things to make it look like you aren't even wearing makeup, but just look naturally your best. I always brush and fill in my brows, apply a quick coat of mascara d some gloss.  That takes about a minute. Where I take more time is when I concentrate on making my face. Yeah, sometimes that takes longer than a full face of makeup. But with a few of the right product, it doesn't have to.

I get a quick and flawless face with just two products. Well, three really, but if you want this look you only have to buy two. That's because Votre Vu has a new line called French Accents, its' signature color line. A few of the star products include a double duty tinted moisturizer and concealer in one product plus and incredible HD powder that get me what the naturally flawless look and quick.

The Love Me Deux is just lovely. It is a Moisture Tint and Concealer product in one.

The Moisture Tint is a tinted moisturizer. It features a special blend of good for your skin ingredients to pamper and protect it while adding a soft, natural finish to the skin. It is infused with things like sunflower and jojoba oils, French kaolin clay, Vitamins A and C and natural minerals to fight free radicals. It glides on the skin with my fingers and spreads easily as it is water based. It feels like I am wearing nothing on my skin until it dries down into a very soft, almost light powder feel.

The Concealer lovingly fits right in the cap of the tube making it super convenient. It is blended with beeswax, vitamin E, pure minerals and botanicals, to hydrate, nourish and cover under eye circles and blemishes/skin imperfections quickly and easily. It is thick enough to cover, yet thin enough to still look natural while getting the job done.

Love Me Deux comes in six skin loving hues:

Limoges - Light CreamChampagne - Golden CreamParis - Light Medium BeigeProvence - Natural BeigeCannes - Warm MediumSt. Tropez - Deep

It retails for $43.00.

I finish off my face with Belle Poudre, HD Sheer Face Finish. This powder is what seals in the flawless.  It is a super finely milled powder that simply adds that soft focus look of perfection to the skin. I need the smallest amount of powder and my favorite kabuki brush and just blend it so lightly over my face. It is tinted, so it adds a hint of color while still looking soft and natural. I love the dial inside the powder to open and close the sifter, so nothing is ever left a powdery mess when opening.

Belle Poudre comes in four skin perfecting shades:

LightMedium Golden Medium Deep

It retails for $29.00

Shop for these beauties and the rest of the new Votre Vu French Acents Color Collection at votrevu.com.

View the original article here

L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Serum.

The new L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Serum is a new launch from the brand. It features a breakthrough formula to stimulate collagen to give an overall younger looking complexion. Who doesn't want that, right?

The breakthrough formula in this serum comes from active ingredients of 1001 immortelle flowers. You see, Immortelle is a flower with exceptional longevity - it never fades, even after being picked. As a result of some heavy duty L’Occitane scientific research, this new Precious Serum concentrates this anti-aging power of 1001 of these super powerful flowers. The formula acts on the 3 main important stages of collagen: production, protection and repairing. Skin is left soft and looking younger , as in not fading, over time.

The serum has a lightly tectured feel to it as it glides across and sinks into skin. As it is a fairly light feeling serum, I really like it for daytime use.

L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Serum sells for $70.00 and is available at usa.loccitane.com and in over 170 boutiques throughout the United States.

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A Poll: Professional Product Photos vs. Actual Personal Product Photos.

I need your help in deciding something about the blog. Because I do this for the love of beauty and YOU, my loyal readers, I figure you have the right answer.

After over 10 years of having the site and using professional product photograph that is provided to me by the beauty brands, I noticed that almost every other beauty blog I was reading was using their actual product photos in their posts. So, in the last year or so, I have invested a lot of time and money in taking actual product photos. What do you prefer?

I hear from so many of you in the comments and emails daily. I get a steady stream of "thanks for the great photos" in the comments, while it seems I am getting more and more emails asking me "what happened to the blog", and asking why I'm not using better professional photos, and the like. I am here to please YOU and want to know what you prefer. Please take a short second to answer this question in the poll. Your answers will either have me continue on this route of using my own personal product photos or I'll be going back to using the provided professional product shots.

Here are a few examples of actual product shots versus product shots that I took.

brand provided product shot

my actual product shot

brand provided product shot

my actual product shot

Also, please feel free to leave a comment and expand on your thoughts in the comments. Thank you so much! (Please forgive the typo in the poll - I tried to change it but it's not working for me!)

 

Not to weigh your desicison at at all, I want to explain my feelings with a few bullet points.

I have a lot of fun taking the pictures, but it does take a lot of time. I only get a limited number of samples to photograph and very rarely get every piece in a collection or story to photograph. As I cannot simply photograph every piece in a story as I don't have access to it, I feel that I am leaving out a lot of products.I receive much higher quality photographs from the brands that I work with. If I never saw other bloggers posting actual product photos, I would have never started. I like the look of the professional photographs and the overall look and feel of a more professional looking site. Beautiful Makeup Search featured 99% professional product photos for 10 years and has been very successfulI do not want to be a professional photographer and I do not want to pretend to be. I try to take clear accurate photographs that look decent to my untrained eye. If I keep taking actual product photos, I am bound to become a better photographer. :)Brands pay a lot to have professional photographers take high resolution product images.If I only use professional photographs, I will have time to do more actual blog posts.I think blogs that use professional products photos are equally as great as blogs that feature their own actual photos.

You can see, I am all over the place with this, so that is why I am asking for your help. The poll will close Monday night, and I'll be back with the final results.

UPDATE on 10/15:  Thanks to everyone who voted. It looks like the majority of you like the photographs that I take. This helped me make my decision easy. I will continue to include my original makeup photographs in my posts.

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Makeup Wars: My Halloween Manicure.

This week, us ladies from Makeup Wars are taking on the challenge of creating a Halloween Manicure. I have to say that I was super excited about this post because I am a huge fan of nail art. Sadly, I am nail art challenged. Well, honestly, I am nail polish challenged. I haven't been able to give myself a decent manicure for years. Thank goodness for Gina who has been doing my nails for longer than I can remember so I don't have to leave the house without beautiful looking nails. So what's a nail challenged girl to do? She, meaning me, finds some great nail polish strips.

Now these are not just any nail strips; these are pre-designed Halloween nail polish strips that have me sporting the latest Halloween nail designs. These are the How Corny Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. They are definitely my favorite out of this years Halloween designs.

I like the silver glitter polish with yellow, orange and white candy corns.

What is so great about the nail polish strips is that they are so easy to use. They apply in a few simple steps and there is no dry time at all. You get everything you need to apply the nail strips in the little "kit". You get 16 Nail Polish Strips, a cuticle stick and a mini nail file and buffer.

To use the strips you first need a clean dry nail that is lightly buffed with the white side of the file. Then you follow the easy instructions:

Select the best fitting strip for each nail.Remove the clear protective plastic cover. Peel the nail polish strip from the backing paper.Choose the side of the strip that best fits the shape of your cuticles. (I usually select the side opposite of the gray tab)Place the strip against the cuticle line, holding the strip in the center.Press the entire strip to the nail by gently stretching it for a perfect fit.Smooth it out with another finger.Gently file away the excess nail strip that overlaps outside of the nail.

To remove the nail strip, you simply use a normal nail polish remover as you would to remove regular nail polish.

The other designs I have are the Numbskull design, the Batty For You design, and the Patch-O-Lanterns, but I like the look of the candy corn designed How Corny designs the best.

Check out all the Halloween designs at your favorite drugstore or mass retailer. Each box of Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips sells for around $9.99 each.

Be sure to check out all the Halloween Manicure designs from my fellow Makeup Wars friends below.

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