Forgive me, Readers.

For I have committed the faux pas for not writing in a year and a half. It has been a long time and for that I apologize. I am sure many of you have forgotten me and I deserve it. Though I decided I’d pop back in as we bid adieu to 2015 after a friend of my sister’s told me she missed reading my ramblings.

It has been quite the year point 5. My hubs and I moved moved twice, I got pregnant, had a son, and now am just juggling wife/mom/teacher/obsessive beauty product hoarder. It hasn’t been easy but it has been a lot of fun. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my identity but let’s get to the nitty gritty here- I want to talk about beauty.

After the Carrie Fischer debacle (good for her), I took a long look in the mirror today. My grandmother, age 88, always says she looks in the mirror every morning and says, “I’m an old bag.” Since I am 53 years her junior, I took a hard look myself. Stuff is sagging. I spy some crinkles around my eyes but hell, I look pretty good. I’ve managed to keep my skin looking youthful (good genes, good product hoochie-ness), my hair healthy (with a good dose of gray coverage), but I do still worry. Have I hit the time in my life of thinking that I am styling myself age appropriately? And what does that even mean?

At 35, beauty is still a mystery to me. The definition is not exact, yet we are bombarded of what it should be as opposed to what it could be.  It’s something I think about often as I am raising a son that will struggle with his own image as he grows. The ideals of beauty defy what we are taught and the idea that we are enough is easy to think but maybe not carry out.

As the new year progresses, maybe I will be back to discuss trends. Like the liquid lipstick trend that I love (but why does that stuff get so crackly and crusty?) Maybe I won’t but know I’m still here in this web of beautiful curiosity.

Until then, have a fabulous 2016!

Keep Calm & Primp On!

Striking Oil with Josie Maran

Josie Maran, Queen of Argan Oil, recently released Argan Black Oil Mascara. Normally, I pick up mascara at the drugstore but have somehow amassed a rather large collection of sample tubes and this was no exception.

From Sephora’s website:
A mascara that never sleeps: a highly-effective and natural, argan oil treatment mascara that nourishes, lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and curls lashes for 24 hours. 

Treat your lashes to the nourishing lash-softening effect of 100 percent pure argan oil mixed with blackest-black iron mineral pigments, and infused with the lash strengthening properties of bamboo. Creamy and 91 percent natural, Argan Black Oil Mascara conditions as it coats, lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and curls, for eyes that sparkle and invite the world in. The unique formula is delivered by an innovative five-ball brush that reaches every lash. 

This brush has curves.

The tube is pretty, turquoise with a black and orange chevron type design. The brush is really cool, too. They aren’t lying about the five-ball brush either. It looks kind of twisty  and it really picks up the right amount of product. The formula itself is not super thick but it has a good consistency that coats lashes nicely. I find it to really lengthen and volumize each lash, making my peepers pop. Drying time is good. You have time to build up application but don’t have to worry about it ending up all over your eyes (I’m talking to you, Rimmel!) or giving you clumps. It lasts a long time, though I don’t think it could make 24 hours. After a decent day of running around, it does smudge a bit. I can say that I don’t channel a raccoon. I also have sensitive eyes and it didn’t irritate them at all.

 

Top- scary eye, no mascara.
Bottom- scary eye, one coat of mascara

I always curl my lashes and then apply one coat to top and bottom lashes. It really works, no? My only gripe- the price. Though I love some of Josie’s cosmetics, at $22 USD you’re talking a lot of dough for three months use, if you’re lucky.

One Direction Up All Night 4+1 Eye Shadow Palette

Product provided by BrandBacker. All opinions are my own.

In my last post, I wrote about the new One Direction cosmetic line. Due out in Macy’s stores across the USA on August 11th, the line consists of three kits. (You can check out my post here.) I received a complimentary  “Up All Night” kit to try out. I was away with some friends this week on an overnight trip, and decided to try out the 4+1 Eye Shadow palette.

Clockwise from bottm left: Another World, Gotta Be You, Save You Tonight, More Than This Center: Up All Night

 

The palette includes four eye shadows and a glitter creme shadow for a playful look. The “Up All Night” eye shadows are a taupe with light shimmer, a very shimmery navy, another very shimmery light blue, a light pink with a bit of shimmer, and a deep glittery blue. To be honest, I was a little afraid. With the exception of the taupe, these are not colors I normally use (I wore teal eye shadow once. My husband, who could really not care about my eye make-up, said to me that he wasn’t a fan.) I brought the palette with me on the girlfriend getaway and gave it a try.

Swatches! From left: Another World, More Than This, Gotta Be You, Save You Tonight Center (top): Up All Night

I put on some Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden- the matte nude. (I usually use the NYX HD Primer. I prefer it and it’s a lot cheaper.) I started by applying “More Than This” (the taupe shade and a wonderful song by Roxy Music) all over from lashes to my brow bone. I found it took a few dips of my brush to really get color payout. I then added “Another World” (that sparkly navy) to the corner of my eye into the crease. “Another World” was more pigmented, so I really blended and then fluffed the light pink “Gotta Be You” over everything. Then I blended. (Blend, baby, blend!)

Pardon the lack of picture quality- I didn’t have my real camera.

In all honesty, I was not overly thrilled with the look. The taupe wasn’t very pigmented and the blue was super blue so I had to soften it. After I blended, I just felt that everything really faded out and turned just to a shimmery white. Since I was feeling pale, I then added blue liner to the bottom lashes and about a quarter of the top lash line to give more definition.

 

Though there wasn’t a lot of fallout, I did not find the eye shadows to be anything spectacular. I also am not comfortable with this color palette- maybe if they were colors I felt were more user friendly, I would be a bit happier. One good thing is I did not have any eye irritation using the eye shadow, deeming it pretty safe for the tween and teen set.

I’m trying out the lipstick from the kit today. I’ll keep you posted.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

#makeupby1D

#thelookscollection

#markwins

 

One Direction Cosmetic Line?!

You may (or may not) hear it first here, peeps, but One Direction is joining the world of make-up. The line consists of three keepsake tins. Each tin is inspired by the One Direction albums. I won’t lie- “Story of My Life” is so catchy but I am disappointed there is no tin for that song. Anyway…

Housed in their collectible tins, each set contains an eye shadow palette, lipstick, lip gloss, eye/body crayon + stencils for your eyes or body (maybe not for me), mascara, and nail polish.

First up is the “Midnight Memories” Kit. This kit seems to be the more glamorous of the three, featuring gray and pink eye shadow, red lipstick , a blackest black eye/ body crayon, and a poppy lip gloss that glows under UV light. To top off the look is a metallic steel nail polish.

The “Take Me Home” kit is is more of a neutral palette, including peach and taupe eye shadow, nude lipstick, a warm chocolate brown eye/body crayon, and yes, UV glow in the dark lip gloss, with a gold glitter nail polish.

The “Taken” kit is the most playful of the bunch, with a shimmery blue and taupe eye shadow palette, bubblegum pink lipstick, a dark denim eye/body crayon, and a glitter pink UV lip gloss, along with a teal metallic nail polish.

All kits contain Little Black Dress Volumizing Mascara in in Perfectly Black.

Make some “Midnight Memories”

 

“Take Me Home”

“Up All Night”

The release dates are as follows:

I received a complimentary kit to try out the products, so stay tuned!

Powered by BrandBacker. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 Special Box Delivery

I recently received a free box from Beauty Box 5 and was pleasantly surprised. I decided to buy a three month subscription to try them out a bit. I guess when I ordered, I ordered in time to receive another July box (my mom got most of the contents, except the lip balm. I love that shiznit) and an offer for a  a special mystery box with “high-end” cosmetics. I know high-end cosmetics, I mean, c’mon. I was excited to see what Beauty Box 5 meant by high-end. At $39.00 USD, I didn’t know what to expect.

When I got the box, there was no postcard with product listings, so I decided to do a little research…

CATTIVA Retractable Waterproof Eye Liner in Black ($20 USD)

From the website: Intense eyes have never been so defined. Creamy and easy to apply, this very black, paraben-free, waterproof formula is the secret to a perfectly lined eye. Fortified with hyaluronic acid and vitamins to fight the effects of aging and last all day. Retractable dispenser.

Here’s the thing: I rarely wear black eye liner. It really looks too harsh on me. I may try this one out because the website intrigues me.

OFRA Lip gloss Plumper in Sultry ($12.95 USD)

From the website: A unique color lip gloss formulated by OFRA Cosmetic Laboratories with a touch of lip plumper for a beautiful fuller lips.

I am pretty sure I received an OFRA gloss in an ipsy bag. I don’t remember trying it. The color is pretty enough, kind of plummy, so I will give it a whirl.

GlamNatural Mascara in Black ($28 USD)

From the website:  Our eco-mascara in classic black- Mascara is the key to every woman’s makeup regimen. This ever-important tool meets the strict BodySafe standard. It is vegan, paraben free, and will give you gorgeous wide-eyed look you crave.

Don’t get excited. I received a mini tube of this $28 mascara. I know that an eco-mascara is good for me but I also would probably never spend $28 for mascara. (Not to say that I never did- that Armani Eyes to Kill was NOT good and I learned my lesson.)

For info about the polish, keep reading.

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder in Celebration ($14.99 USD)

There is no description on the website, except that this is mineral make-up. In fact, the package doesn’t even tell me that this is shimmer powder or that this product can be used on the eyes. Granted it is pretty, but I am not big on loose pigments. I’m so over them. Someone will end up with this pretty gold eye shadow. It won’t be me.

Nicka K Nail Polish  ($4.99 USD): I’ll spare you website details. I recently saw a pack of these on Groupon for like $10.Nicka K is a discount brand and they also make ABSOLUTE cosmetics, which GlossyBox loved putting in their subscriptions (hence, I stopped subscribing to GlossyBox.) I am not saying this product is bad- I have yet to try it- but this is not high-end. Oh- and I also got this in the regular subscription box. My mom got the double.

This box was not a terrible deal but I also needed to double check the value of the box. Though I was happy with the regular subscription, I will not order one of the special boxes again.  Granted the products surpassed the $39 price tag, some of the items are obscure to me. I do hope I find something that I love.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

 

 

Beauty Blogger of the Month Award (and Some Nominees)

Melissa of Pink Lady Beauty nominated me for a Beauty Blogger of the Month Award. Cecilia of Cecilia’s Corner created this award and it’s great that she wants to spread some love among the blogging community. Being that I am trying to get back in the Beauty Blogging Saddle, this is a fun way to reconnect. All entries have a chance to win a prize- very kind of Cecilia! She even has a prize for anyone that comments on her original post.

A blogger can win Benefit’s They’re Real Push-Up Liner.

 

 

Readers that comment can win a Love Alpha Mascara set.

I also get to answer some fun beauty related questions. Beauty related questions are my favorite.

1. Where does your makeup inspiration come from?

. I think I just like the way I can use my face as an art project- a little paint here, some glitter and glue there. I’ve always been fascinated by beauty items in stores. I love color but I also like the feel of certain products. I love looking at packaging and testing out products. I think I approach make-up the way I approach my life- trying and learning about new things.

2. What are 3 of your makeup Holy Grail products you cannot live without?

Oh. You’re making me choose! One for sure is Sephora’s 12 Hour Contour Eye Pencil. For about $12 USD, you can buy two just for about the same price as an Urban Decay eye pencil. I swear the Sephora pencil stays on better, too. The second would be NYX HD Eye Primer. I’ve converted a number of folks that were buying expensive primers but the white in this primer makes for vibrant and long lasting eye shadow. The third would have to be a tinted lip balm. I personally love lip products- they are my favorite in the cosmetics department but I keep tinted lip balm in my bag for a quick and easy shot of color.

3. What is your makeup signature look which you have on most of the time?

My “signature” look recently changed. Usually, I would use some tinted moisturizer to even out my skin and then line my eyes with a colorful pencil. I curl and mascara my lashes and add a little lip. Now, I still use tinted moisturizer but I’ll just play with some neutral eye shadow and put on a bit of a bolder lip. Really depends on the day and the time!

4. Let us know your favorite makeup brands?

I love Urban Decay eye shadow. For lipstick, I enjoy BITE or NYC lip products from the drugstore. Too Faced is fun and Smashbox is a guilty pleasure.

5. Your ultimate makeup pet peeve?

Ugh. Chipped nails, dark liner and light lipstick, and harsh eye liner make me shudder.

6. You’ve heard about all the hype on this makeup item, bought it, tried it and don’t understand what all the fuss is about…Name that product!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder- I don’t get it. Even the smallest amount makes me look like a light bulb. I also do not like the texture.

7. Concealer OR foundation ONLY for the rest of your life. Choose one and tell us the reason! Concealer all the way- I can dab it where I need it. I don’t like the feel of foundation.

Now for the seven nominees!

 Sarah-Jane Vella

Love Anela

Fashion, Food and Flirts

The Luxe List

Fashion for Lunch

Simply.My. Thing

Blushing Beauty

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Getting #RadiantWithAVEENO

Does anyone out there own a magnifying light up mirror? I do. It is probably one of my favorites in my beauty arsenal. It can be dangerous- no stray hair or blackhead should show their face, as the mirror will locate, target, and I will remove with whatever force necessary. If you are having a bad day, the mirror is hard to deal with. There are times I love it and times I want to break it because it forces you to take a good hard look at your skin.

My mirror- best friend or sworn enemy?

At 34, I’ve been pretty lucky. I don’t really have wrinkles and my skin is pretty clear. I do have ginormous caverns aka pores on my face but with glycolic peels or a purifying mask and some pore strips, they clean up nicely. When I was offered the chance to try Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector, I figured what the heck? Influenster sent me my tube and I looked at my face. Closely. I was not as happy as I thought I would be.

Under my eyes and at the top of my cheeks were little spots. Some I figure are freckles but others aren’t as cute. I see splotches. And more spots. And I don’t like it one bit.

WTH is THAT?!

That little tube could not have come soon enough.

 

Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector should help fade the look of dark spots and uneven tone. It promises to be non-irritating and to reveal softer, smoother, and more radiant skin. It is oil free and won’t clog pores. The consistency is thinner than a lotion and the scent is strong. If you are sensitive to fragrance, try to sniff this first. Scented products don’t normally bother me and this came off a bit strong and floral. I squirt about a dime size for each side of my face and target my cheek area. I started using the Targeted Tone Corrector maybe 10 days ago. What did I find?

I see a little improvement but it is really hard to tell. Why? It’s the summer. Even with SPF (that I wear everyday), I still freckle a little. I can tell that a few spots faded slightly but I think this maybe a product to try in cooler months when the beach and pool aren’t so tempting. In fact, I really feel I can’t judge the product as honestly as I would like.

 

I do trust the Aveeno brand.  Aveeno Positively Radiant Targeted Tone Corrector is about $14 USD. A lot of tone correcting treatments can run $30+  and don’t work, so it is safe to say this is more of a “bargain,” especially if you would like to try a tone corrector.

Until then…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Aveeno on Facebook

#RadiantWithAveeno

 

*Product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Box 5 Believer

A few weeks ago, Doreen of Love Anela, blogged about receiving a complimentary beauty box from Beauty Box 5. I have written about my disappointment with beauty boxes in the past, and though I recently tried GlossyBox again, we soon parted ways. (I still subscribe to ipsy and FabFitFun.) I understand that I won’t like everything that comes in a beauty box delivery BUT I also  hope that if I fill out a profile, someone would  care to refer to it.  I received my first Beauty Box 5 on Monday. After the day my husband and I had, it was a sweet surprise. I was even happier when I opened it.

The box was a nice bright sea-foam green. The items were tucked safely right in the box with shredded paper. Nothing came messy or broken. There were a few inserts included. The July box is themed “Defining Moments,” encouraging subscribers to “treasure accomplishments.” In all honesty, I’m not big on themes but I think it is nice that the company wants you to carry out a purpose.

Let’s get to the good stuff!

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara ($7.99 USD): This mascara is a newbie on the market. It should add volume and definition, with lift- no eyelash curler?  I can almost feel a panic attack. I have a bunch of mascaras to try but since Revlon wants us to #flashyourlash this will be the next on my list.

HASK Argan Oil Intense Deep Conditioning Hair Treatment ($2.49 USD): I can find HASK products in the local beauty supply. I even have used their hair placenta spray (sounds gross and works wonders). This packet has a generous amount of product. It is a nourishing cream that should make my hair soft and shiny for up to two weeks. BB5 also mentions that the packet has two uses. I love argan oil and have high hopes for this one!

 

Body Drench Candy Licious Lips ($3.99 USD): Skinny little tube promises to pack a candy flavored punch. They aren’t lying. I got Red Licorice and I swear I’m wearing a Twizzler. It also helps that the beeswax, coconut oil, and vitamin make for a smooth and soothing application.

Anna Naturals Glowing Mama Walnut Face & Body Scrub ($10.99 USD 4 fl oz): A vegan scrub that is not formulated with parabens, chemicals, or harsh fragrances will be welcome in my cleansing routine. This sample should be good for about three uses.  We do end up putting about 500 chemicals on our bodies daily, something to lower that number is a help.

Starlooks Lip Liner in Tickle Me Pink ($12.00 USD): Starlooks is another brand that offers a beauty box but seem to also be making their way into other beauty subscriptions. I have a few items from them and do enjoy using their products. Tickle Me Pink is a nice neutral pink that seems versatile.

My first Beauty Box 5 was a success and gave me a chance to try their subscription without costing me a dime. At $12 USD a month, I think I may have to try them out for a bit!

Is that a Twizzler on your lips, or are you just happy to see me?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Getting LA Hair with Kim Kimble Beauty

Kim Kimble, celebrity hair guru, has developed a line of hair care products to help keep hair looking fabulous. I decided to try  her Brazilian Nut & Acai Berry Conditioning Masque. My hair has been super parched lately, so this seemed to be an excellent choice. A very durable shower cap was included with the conditioning masque.

The Brazilian Nut & Acai Berry Conditioning Masque comes in an eight ounce squeeze tube. I think it can be used as a daily conditioner but I chose to try it out as a full on conditioning treatment.  The Kisses Shower Cap is very generous in size. It can even be used over rollers. The material is very thick and no water will get in, as the band keeps the cap snug without being tight.

The product is easy to use. Get in the shower and wash your hair as usual. Squeeze a bit onto your palms and work from the ends of the hair to the scalp. The product instructions say to massage from the bottom of the hair up to the scalp- the treatment is supposed to help with scalp health.

I found the product to have a slightly thicker consistency than the regular conditioner  I use for my color treated hair. The product’s fragrance is sweet but not overwhelming. I would say the scent is fruity with a dash of bubble gum.I started with a small amount- maybe about the size of a quarter, rubbed the masque between my palms  and worked it from the ends up. I then tucked the hair into the shower cap. You can use a clip to gather your hair before putting on the cap. Since the tube suggests to apply heat and I don’t own a hair dryer, I figured the steam from the shower would help the conditioner work its magic.  After about 10 minutes, I removed the shower cap and rinsed. I noticed my hair did not feel heavy or greasy. Sometimes when using a treatment, I feel like rinsing forever but not with this masque. It left my hair soft without making it weigh a ton.

Love the cap!

I styled as usual (the true test). What did I find? My hair is way better today since my last color treatment (I dyed it myself using a semi-permanent drugstore brand. Never again.) My hair feels soft to the touch and the curls are back to their original form.

Interested in trying Kim Kimble products? Click here for a link to her products. Use code hair10 for 10% off your purchase. I do not yet see the conditioner available on the website provided by BrandBacker but you can search for the product online.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Sponsored by BrandBacker. Product provided free for review. All opinions are my own.

Onward and Upward

Hello, hello!

It has been over two months since my last post.

2014 has been riddled with challenges. Not long after the May 1st post, my husband and I learned he would need a second surgery on his eye. Needless to say, we prepared ourselves for another procedure and 10 days of recovery. The surgery went well and recovery was unpleasant but we hoped this would be the last of surgeries for a retinal detachment. Fast forward to July 10th…

The doctor could not get a clear view of my husband’s retina, as common complications like cataracts and an opaque capsule, blocked the view. After an eye ultrasound (yes, they do those), we learned that the retina had started to detach again. We were all devastated by this news. Though we try to to really keep what is good in our lives in perspective, the idea of surgery is still scary and frustrating.

We see my husband’s new doctor on Monday. I do have some blogging obligations that I have to fill within the next week but my posts will still be sporadic.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO