Product Review: Sephora Perfecting Lash Primer

Here is another case of the make-up boards generating "a need" for a product that in all actuality I didn't need. LOL!  Recently I had been looking at mascara primers. Thinking I needed one to increase my lash volume and length. But in all honesty, I was very satisfied with the mascara I had been using-Maybelline Falsies. It already gives me the length and volume I was seeking. But as fate would have it I recently found myself in Sephora and I came across the Sephora Collection "Tricks of the Trade" Perfecting Lash Primer. It was only $12 so I figured I would give it a try. The wand was similar to all the other primers I had looked at. I could see the fibers that are suppose to help in the volume & length increase. And overall I have been happy with the other Sephora Collection products I have used.

So to do the comparison, I decided to compare my lashes with the primer and without.  Several weeks ago I did a drugstore verses department store mascara comparison. I used Maybelline Falsies Mascara and Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. So I figured that for this test, if would be easy, since I already had the Maybelline shots.  So below you will see the results.  I don't really know what I was expecting. With the right mascara, my lashes are already more than acceptable. Maybe I was hoping for lashes up above my brows, LOL!  On the left are my lashes with just the Maybelline Falsies Mascara (2 coats) and on the right are my lashes with the Sephora Lash Primer and Maybelline Falsies Mascara.  I honestly do not see a difference.  Do you? So as the old adage goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  I will continue to stock up on my Maybelline Falsies Mascara.

So this little experiment has shown me that for now, my lashes do not need primer. Whose to say what the future holds. I know that many people complain about their lashes falling out as they age, but currently that is not an issue for me.  Nonetheless, for those who for whatever reason are looking for a mascara primer, the Sephora Collection "Tricks of the Trade" Perfecting Lash Primer is one to consider.  


Grace, Peace, and Blessings. 


*Note: All products mentioned were purchased with my own monies. This review was not sponsored, and these are all my own personal opinions.

NOTD: 3rd Holiday Manicure-Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

Here is my next Holiday manicure. This one uses a color I love but don't wear that often-green, the color of a beautiful Christmas Pine Tree. 

I used the following polishes:Orly Meet Me Under The Mistletoe, Orly Luxe, and China Glaze Medallion for the accent nails.  As always, I love the application of Orly nail polishes.


So to all my followers: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

Holiday Tag...

I saw a Holiday video tag getting a lot of airtime on YouTube so I thought I would respond to via a blog post.  I am not tagging anyone in particular. I am tagging everyone. Feel free to respond.  

1. Which holiday do you celebrate?
As a Christian, I celebrate Christmas.


2. What are you doing for the holidays this year?

After attending Christmas service at my church, I will be spending Christmas with Family and Friends.


3. What's your favorite holiday drink?
I don’t drink alcohol at all, so I would say, Peppermint Mocha, but that is my year round drink. 


4. Candy cane or Gingerbread men?
Candy Cane. Funny, I don’t like gingerbread men or cookies, but love ginger bread.


5. What's your favorite holiday/Christmas song?
Secular: Donny Hathaway (most of you are too young to know anything about this, LOL!!!)

Spiritual: Handel's Messiah Hallelujah Chorus

6. What's the weirdest gift you've ever received?

I really can't think of anything I would classify as weird.  So I guess I would say that I think it funny that people give Fruit Cake, as I don't know anyone that actually likes Fruit Cake.

7. Have you ever made a snowman?
Having grown up in New York, definitely. I have built snowmen, had snowball fights, gone sledding, ice skating, and made snow angels.  These are things that I believe everyone should experience at least once.

8. What is your favorite winter fragrance?

The scent of a real pine tree, but I can’t stand the artificial scents.

9. What is at the top of your list this Christmas? (or whichever holiday you celebrate!)

One of the items at the top of my Christmas list is a set of Sedona Lace Vortex Make-Up brushes.

10. What is most important to you about the holidays?

What is most important to me about the Christmas holiday is that we remember the reason for the Christmas holiday. It's not about the presents, trees, ornaments, or anything commercial.  It is about the most precious gift given to mankind. Christ Jesus. And then we must remember those less fortunate than ourselves.

To each of you I pray you have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

Happy 1st Blogiversary!!!

WOW! I never thought one year ago that anyone would even be interested in me or my blog. I never imagined that there were others who loved nails and nail products as much as I do and some even more.  I remember, when I got my first follower, Jen of The Polishaholic, I almost fell out of my chair.  LOL!


I have loved nail care ever since I stopped biting my nails many, many years ago, but never thought there was a world of nail bloggers; and that we have our own language; muggles, melmer, dusty hunting, etc.  My blog and its followers have become such an important part of my life. I can't go into a department store, beauty counter, or beauty supply store without thinking about what I will show to my followers.  Whenever I have a question, I automatically think, ask my blog and twitter friends.  With several of my followers, we have become more than mere nail polish friends, several of us have realized our spiritual connection and pray for each other.  God has a way of putting people in our paths when we need them most.  I laugh when I find myself conversing with friends that are across the pond.  I have friends in the UK, Germany, Singapore, and Australia. I am a global blogger, now that's funny!


Over this past year, I have been introduced to some products that I love and some, not so much.  Some of my nail favs: Seche Vite' Fast Top Coat, Orly Nail Rescue, the foil method for glitter removal, crystal files, Polar White buffing block and my own cuticle oil mixture.  Some of my beauty favs: Argan Oil, Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy lotion with Shea Butter, Philosophy Purity, and Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Rejuvenating Facial Serum.


Another change that I have experienced with the help of some of my friends like, RMCANDLELIGHT of Nails Beautiqued and Penelope of All Things Nails is my stepping out of my comfort zone and falling in love with colors I never thought possible. ***Using a bullhorn*** I Love Dark Blues, Purples, and even some Greens!!!  I am also comfortable sporting Glitters, Holos, and Flakies!!!  I'm even starting to like some nail art thanks to ABOP of Another Bottle of Polish.  Next, I hope to expand my collection to include some international brands.


I don't know what the future holds for my blog but I am excited. I hope to do my first milestone giveaway.  I hope to have more beauty related posts as well as nail related posts.  I have uploaded a couple YouTube videos, (formeitworks) so far and hope to eventually do more.  There is also a related Twitter account (@ForMeItWorks).  I am active on MakeupAlley.com (formeitworks) and on Hairlista.com (For Me, It Works).  I am going through a name change and will be sure to give notice if links should change.  When I first started, I didn't know what I was doing so the original name didn't really tell the story, but For Me, It Works, is now Shades of Beauty, Inc.  


So raise your polish bottles for a toast to my first year, and to whatever the future holds.


Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

2nd Holiday Manicure, Happy Chanukah...

Here is my next Holiday manicure. This one is for my Jewish friends to commemorate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. 

I used the following polishes:

• Orly Sweet Peacock from the 2011 Birds of Paradise Collection
• China Glaze Lorelei's Tiara for the accent nails

So to all my followers: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings.



1st Holiday Manicure...Midnight Sky...

I know that many bloggers do 12 Days of Christmas manicures or 25 Day of Christmas manicures. I'm not even going to try that. I will just post any Christmas/Holiday related manicures as I do them. Here is my first. It's more of a New Years manicure.

I first saw a similar manicure earlier this year and really liked it. It was on Beautylish's website at Midnight Metallic Nail Tutorial.  This is my version.  I used the following polishes:

• Orly Star of Bombay as the base
• OPI Your Royal Shine-Ness for the Silver Dots
• Milani 3D for the Gold Dots
• Milani Jewel FX Gold and Silver Glitters for 3D effect

So to all my followers: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

November Favorites!!!

Continuing with my monthly favorites, here is my November favorites.  I am including items from Hair Care, Skin Care, Bath & Body, Make-Up and of course Nail Care. I hope that some of these products will benefit you also.

Category: Hair Care – One 'n Only Argan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner Key Ingredients have the tendency to cycle. The ingredient of the moment is Argan Oil. You can find it in all types of make-up, skin care and hair products. Most of the major brands have introduced new products containing Argan Oil. Argan Oil touts benefits for skin, hair and nails. This product is sulfate, phosphate, and paraben free. I have used it as a deep conditioner on dry hair and as a post-shampoo conditioner. Both methods leave my hair soft, detangled and moisturized. As with most Argan Oil products, I love the scent. One 'n Only Argan Oil Moisture Repair Conditioner is available at Sally Beauty Supply. This line also has a shampoo, oil treatment, restorative mask, hair spray, mousse, styling cream, curl cream, spray treatment, and a hydrating mask.

Stats: African-American, with 4B relaxed hair, stretches my retouches to about 10-12 weeks. Avoids products with mineral oil, and petroleum.

Category: Nail Care – Essie Crystal File
I grew up in the age of emery boards and then metal files. We now know that these are both detrimental to nail care. Both leave nail edges damaged.  Crystal (glass) files have been the most recent file of choice. Crystal files are great for shaping natural nails. They are gentle on natural nails and help seal the nail free edge. They are also good for preventing nails from splitting and peeling. Overall they leave a smooth finish.

They come in full size and a mini. I found my Essie Crystal files at Trade Secret during their Warehouse sale earlier this year. But I have since seen them in Ulta; but can also be found on eBay and Amazon.

Category: Make-Up – Fashion Fair Oil-Free Perfect Finish® Cream-To-Powder  I have searched high and low for the perfect foundation. I have tried several of the other well known brands, but over the years, there has only been one brand that gives me a perfect match. That is Fashion Fair. I have been a dedicated Fashion Fair user for several decades. Yes, I am that old. LOL!  Over the years, Fashion Fair Oil-Control Pressed Powder has been my choice for a foundation. I recently wanted to add a true foundation to my regimen. So of course I looked to my Fashion Fair. As someone with combination to oily skin, I chose the Fashion Fair Oil-Free Perfect Finish ® Cream-to-Powder. My perfect match is “Tender”.  It applies easily either with the included sponge or with a brush. It controls oil and doesn’t require touch-ups throughout the day. So my sisters looking for a good product line, check out Fashion Fair. It’s not just your mother’s make-up anymore.

Category: Skin Care – Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Line Smoothing Eye Cream  This past summer I won a tote filled with Palmer’s products and one of the products that I have grown to really like is the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Line Smoothing Eye Cream.  As the Palmer’s website states, this product “is a soothing blend of anti-aging and moisturizing ingredients specifically for the sensitive eye area.  This smooth formula glides on, diminishing the appearance of fine lines, and softens the eye area”.  I have been using this product for about 5-6 months so I believe that has given me ample time to determine its effectiveness.  At 46, I had my fair share of fine lines in the eye area. After using this  product, I have seen a definite improvement in the appearance of these lines around my eyes. This is a product I will continue to use.

Stats: Combination to Oily skin with minor monthly acne.

Category: Body Care – Nubian Heritage Soaps The past few years I have seen a turn toward natural and/or organic products. One line I came across is Nubian Heritage. They carry bar soaps, body washes, lotions, and body butters.  They are affiliated with the Shea Moisture line, which carries hair, baby, and men’s lines. I have used several of their bar soaps including the African Black Soap, Mango Shea & Cocoa Butter, Carrot & Pomegranate and Olive butter. There are twelve different bar soaps. They each have excellent benefits, ranging from anti-aging, moisturizing, acne fighting, restorative, nurturing, uplifting, brightening & anti-inflammatory to name just a few. They are each certified organic.  I really like the African Black soap for fight acne problems. These soaps, can be found at many beauty supply stores, as well as online; Vitacost.com is the cheapest I have found so far.

 
I blog for the fun of it and hope that along the way, some of my experiences can help someone. What are some of your favorite beauty products?

Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

*Note: With the exception of the Palmer’s Eye Cream, all of these products were purchased with my own monies. None of these reviews were sponsored, and these are all my own personal opinions.

BURRRR!!! Time to Winterize your Mani/Pedi!!!

The leaves are changing. The Temperatures are dropping. We’re starting to pull out the sweaters, jackets, coats, gloves, and boots. You’re probably starting to see a change in your skin. While we are much more attentive to our hair and facial skin, we often overlook our hands and feet. 

It’s time to “Winterize” our mani/pedi regimen.  Our hands and feet tend to get extra dry during the colder months. Some of the culprits are forced heat and fireplaces that dry out the air and skin, the increased hand washing and use of alcohol-laden hand sanitizers during the cold and flu season.  Moisture is key to preventing dry, flaky skin.

Here are a few suggestions to help “Winterize” you hands and feet.

• Use warm water instead of hot. Hot water strips the body of its natural oils. The more oil removed, the drier the skin.
• Use a mild, moisturizing cleanser. Many of the soaps and cleansers contain alcohol and are also striping the body of its natural oils.  One line of cleansing products that I like are the Bed & Body Works, Anti-Bacterial, Moisturizing Hand Soaps.
• Exfoliate your hands and feet. Dry skin, flaky skin acts as a barrier and prevents the moisturizing products from doing their job. So exfoliating your hands and feet helps to remove the layers of dry, dead skin leaving behind soft, supple, radiant skin. And allows the moisturizing products the ability to get the job done. There are several drug store brand scrubs and exfoliants, as well as several recipes for Do-It-Yourself scrubs and exfoliants. Two of my favorites prepared scrubs are Philosophy Hot Salt Scrubs, and Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrubs.  One of my favorite websites for Natural DIY recipes can be found at Natural Nail Care Recipes
• Moisturize nails and cuticles throughout the day. I have been beating the moisturize drum since the beginning of my blog and long before then. I moisturize my nails and cuticles every morning before I shower. My reasoning is that I believe that nails are like sponges; they can only absorb but so much liquid. I prefer they absorb the benefits of cuticle oil over water.  I also moisturize throughout the day, especially after washing my hands.  Also pushing back my cuticles during this process. Lastly, I moisturize before bed. I use a cuticle oil and a hand cream: Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Skin Therapy Lotion with Shea Butter with Shea Butter or my own Whipped Shea Butter mix.
• We must not forget our footsies.  During the colder months, our feet are probably the most overlooked part of our body.  Just like our hands, our feet are quick to show signs of dryness and the need for extra care. Every night, before I go to bed, I apply Vaseline Cocoa Butter Petroleum Jelly or Palmer’s Foot Magic.
• There are times when I may feel the need for an extreme moisturizing treatment. It is then that I may go that extra step and do an extreme overnight treatment.
• For Hands: I apply a cuticle balm to my cuticles and slather on my cuticle oil mix, and a hand cream or body butter. And sleep in moisturizing gloves (found at most Beauty Supply Stores).
• For Feet: Before showering, I use my Ped-Egg to remove the dry, flaky skin. Once out of the shower, I apply my cuticle oil mix and a Vaseline Cocoa Butter Petroleum Jelly or Palmer’s Foot Magic.  I then sleep in moisturizing socks.
• Some people also suggest using a humidifier to restore moisture to the air. While I don’t do this, whatever works for you.

So my Moisture Mavens, don't forget to keep you hands and feet moisturized, especially during these colder months. Your fingers and toes will show their appreciation.

Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

NOTD: Orly Galaxy Girl

I know I am really late with this polish but better late than never.  Who would have ever thought that the colors of a bruise would make a gorgeous nail polish? LOL!  Orly Galaxy Girl is a very pretty violet, purple, brown duochrome with green blue flecks.  It's part of the Orly Cosmic FX collection that was introduced during the fall of 2010.  Since there is not much I could say that has not already been said, so I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.

TAG: 15 Facts About..Me!

 

I found this post on Nouveau Cheap's blog and decided to use it as an opportunity to get to know me a little better, if you care.

  1.  What's a nickname only your family calls you?

•        My father had a nickname for me and we will leave it just between the two of us. LOL!
•        My mother also has a nickname for me and now only uses it when she is trying to be funny. We shall leave it between the two of us also.

  2.  What's a weird habit of yours?

         Except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I don’t mix my food when eating. When I eat a meal, I eat all of each food, one at a time.

  3.  Do you have any weird phobias?

       I don’t think it’s weird, I have a fear of dying in a fire.

  4.  What's a song you secretly love to blast and belt out when you're alone?

        Janet Jackson’s Black Cat. This is my roll-down the windows, pump up the volume song.

  5.   What's one of your biggest pet peeves?

          You paint a house! You polish your nails!

  6.   What's one of your nervous habits?

        I think I really don't have one but when I get stressd my eye twiches. 

  7.    What side of the bed do you sleep on?

          The right side, unless one of my fur babies beat me to it.

  8.    What was your first stuffed animal and its name?

          It wasn’t a stuffed animal but a small white doll. BTW, I am African American. LOL! I didn’t get my first AA doll until I was about 5 years old.

  9.   What's the drink you always order at Starbucks?

          Peppermint Mocha

  10. What's the beauty rule you preach, but never actually practice?

          I don’t always remove my makeup before I go to bed. I know. Shame, Shame, Shame!

  11. Which way do you face in the shower?

        I face the water, unless I'm rinse out shampoo/conditioner or letting the shower head pulsate against my back.

  12. Do you have any weird body skills?

          I can crack my ankles just by twisting them. Comes with age. LOL!!!

  13. What's your favorite comfort food that’s 'bad', but you love to eat it anyways?   Doritos and Ice Cold Coke.

  14. What's a phrase or exclamation you always say? Grace, Peace, and Blessings.

  15. Time to sleep - what are you actually wearing? Winnie the Poo t-shirt (comfort); satin gown (styling, wink) 

I tag all of you! Please post your answers in the comments! Of course, if you have a blog and/or YouTube channel, you're welcome to reply there too. I'd love to hear your answers!

 

Questions: 

1. What's a nickname only your family calls you?
2. What's a weird habit of yours?
3. Do you have any weird phobias?
4. What's a song you secretly love to blast and belt out when you're alone?
5. What's one of your biggest pet peeves?
6. What's one of your nervous habits?
7. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
8. What was your first stuffed animal and its name?
9. What's the drink you always order at Starbucks?
10. What's the beauty rule you preach, but never actually practice?
11. Which way do you face in the shower?
12. Do you have any weird body skills?
13. What's your favorite comfort food thats 'bad', but you love to eat it anyways?
14. What's a phrase or exclamation you always say?
15. Time to sleep - what are you actually wearing?

REVIEW: Dept Store vs Drug Store Mascara

Where I will spend upwards of $15-20 for a nail polish, I had always said that I would not spend an exorbitant amount for mascara. I had always found that I get a great results from the drug store brands of mascara so I saw no reason to spend $20, $30, $40 for a department store mascara.  

But back in September, Ulta had their 21 days of Beauty in which they had Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara, Buy One, Get One Free; not 50% off, but FREE.  So that put them at $8.50 each. That was a price I could tolerate. And this gave me the opportunity to actually do a comparison between drug store and department store mascaras.
So I decided to compare it to Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express; which I had been using for several months.  Maybelline is a drug store brand that can be found everywhere, Walmart, Walgreens, grocery stores, Target, and CVS.  It averages $7.49 and can often be found on sale, Buy One, Get One at 50% off.  Maybelline had been one of two brands that I had used for decades. Whenever I found a duo pack, I would stock up. But I was adamant that I would not spend a lot for mascara.

Both are water-proof and did not flake. Both gave me the volume I was seeking. Both are washable and easily removed with "soap and water". I use Philosophy Purity Made Simple as my facial cleasner and have no trouble removing the product. Comparing the brushes, I preferred the Maybelline Falsie "Spoon" brush over the Tarte brush. It is suited to prevent clumping, but separating. And makes getting to the shorter lashes easy.  On their own merits, I had no issues with either.  But is one better than the other, or is the more expensive mascara "better than" the drug store brand?  I'm going to let the results speak for themselves. 

To the left is the Tarte, Lights, Camera, Lashes before and after. To the right is the Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express before and after.

What do you think? And which do you prefer department store or drug store mascaras? What is your favorite mascara? I am happy with both. But I prefer the results of the Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Mascara, therefore, there is no need to spend unnecessarily.  I am excited to compare the Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express to the Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Flared. Will I get my Angel Wings? LOL! 

Grace, Peace, and Blessings. 

--- 

*FTC Disclaimer:

• These products were purchased with my own monies.
• I am not being compensated in any manner for this review.
• I am not affiliated with either company.
• These are my honest opinions of these products. 

11/11/11 Haul (Sephora, MAC, Fashion Fair, Icing, & a little extra)

I am venturing out a little from my normal type of posting but if you have been following my blog from the beginning, you will remember that I mentioned that from time-to-time I may post about other beauty items. And as fate would have it, I did some hauling today that in addition to some polishes, include some beauty products. So I thought I would share my recent purchases with you.

I have seen several postings about Icing polishes. I had never tried this line but just so happens there is an Icing store in one of my local malls. So I decided to get a few. Icing seems to be similiar to Claire's in that most of their inventory is Buy 1 Get 1 50% off. So I picked out 4 polishes. I stuck with the glitters. I picked up the much talked about Epic Winning; I also got Birds of Paradise, Starlight and Glamourous.

The main reason for going to the mall was to get a new foundation. Fashion Fair has been the only line that had a powder that perfectly matched my skin tone. My Oil Control Pressed powder in Pecan has long since been a Holy Grail product. So I got the Fashion Fair Oil Free Perfect Finish Cream-to-Powder Foundation in Tender and the Oil Control Loose Powder in Pecan. The sales associate was very helpful and knowledegable. She also gave me a free sample lipstick in the shade Naked. Which is a good thing because I have been looking for a good naked shade of lipstick.

Across from the Fashion Fair counter in my local Belks, is a MAC counter. I wanted to get a new Eyebrow Pencil. So I picked up the MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud (Dark Brown).

After leaving Belk, I headed to JC Penney to go to the Sephora counter. I was looking to pick up another eyeliner, either my normal Smashbox Jetset or try something new. The last time I was in Ulta they were out of Tarte Emphaseyes in Black but today Sephora had it. So I picked that up. Bonus is that Tarte Emphaseyes comes with a dual-ended brush. While at Sephora, I also got samples of Murad Oil Control Mattifer and Juicy Couture Original Fragrance.

Lastly, something I had been thinking about for sometime was getting my eyebrows threaded. Just so happens there is a Brow Art 23 franchise in the same mall. So I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time. My experience was not bad. If you have ever had your brows waxed you should not have a problem with threading. Granted they itched for a while after, but that only lasted about an hour.

So today ended up being a pretty good day. It's Veteran's Day and I thank each and every person that has ever served this great country. We, as a country are ever in your debt.  Grace, Peace, and Blessings.