Happy New Year...Please Be Safe.

Praying that you have a Safe, Happy, but most importantly, a Blessed New Year.  2012 has been a year filled with laughter and tears, but through each and every trial, God has kept us.  I look forward to 2013 with great anticipation and am already praising God for his many Blessings, His Grace, His Mercy and His Love.  Remember, the same God that wrote Genesis, also wrote Revelations.  So always Trust, Believe, and Hope in God.  Again, Happy 2013.

New Years Eve Manicure. Time to Shimmer & Sparkle!!!

WOW! Can you believe that 2013 is just hours away. This year has gone by so fast. I pray each of you have a Very Safe and Happy New Year!

On to my New Year Eve manicure. I had been thinking about my NYE manicure for at least a few weeks.  Just in time, I received my very first Lancôme Nail Polish to review.  Lancôme's 2012 Holiday Collection consists of products for Eyes, Lips, Face, and Nails. 

I was anxious to try the nail polish and the shade I received was just what I was needing for my New Years Eve manicure. I received Lancôme Ginger Swing, which is a gorgeous cool, champange gold shimmer. 

As I mentioned this was my first experience with a Lancôme Nail Polish. So I had no preconceived notion on its application. The brush, is a wider, rounded brush-head, which normally I don't like, but in this instance, the application was impeccable. The flaring of the brush-head allowed me to get close to the cuticles without flooding them.  

Also, the formulation of this polish was close to the beloved "one coater".  In these pictures, I am wearing 2 coats of Lancôme Ginger Swing.

Just to add a little extra bling for the holiday, I added another newly acquired polish for an accent nail-Orly Halo; from the Orly 2012 Holiday Collection.

This collection is available everywhere Lancôme products are sold including, lancome-usa.com. 

What have been your experiences with Lancôme products? I think I need to give some of their other products a try.

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

 

* At least one of these products was sent to me for review consideration by the PR department of the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.

REVIEW: Sinful Colors...Another Lip Shine Collection

Last Summer, I did a blog post on a collection of lip glosses from the nail polish company, Sinful Colors. I really liked that collection. The collection was pigmented and contained a few MAC dupes.  If you would like to see that earlier post, click HERE. 

I recently came across another collection of lip glosses from Sinful Colors, and based on my first experience with the brand and their lippies, I wasn't hesitant to buty this latest collection.  At first sight, the colors looked to be perfect for Spring & Summer. The collection of this Summer was all creams, but this latest collections were mostly shimmers, with 1 cream.

 

 

The first is Flirt Alert, which is a pink shimmer.  This would work good alone for a soft look or layered over maybe MAC Sweetie or Up The Amp.



 Next is Always (not Really) Red. It is the only cream in the collection. If you have the red gloss from the original collection, Love Potion, you don't need this one.  I don't know if this is a re-release, but they look the same to me.

Then there is Strawberry Kisses, a warm pink shimmer. Of this collection, this is probably my favorite.

 

Fruit Cocktail, is a coral-salmon pink with micro shimmer. I guess this could add a shine to pretty much any pink, or nude lipstick. 

 

Lastly is Peach Me. This is the one I was most excited about as well as most disappointed.  As the name denotes, Peach Me is a pretty soft peach with a golden shimmer-in the tube.  On the lips, it is extremely sheer. I will be layering this over my nudes, bronzes, & corals.

What disappointed me the most about Peach Me was the applicator. My first time removing the wand from the tube, the wand was without the doe-foot sponge.  I will need to purchase some disposible wands during my next trip to Sally Beauty.  This is not my first issue with the Sinful Colors Lip Shines.  The first collection had packaging issues also. The squeggie thing that meters the amount of product that stays on the wand, came off 3 of the 5 lip glosses I purchased. I hope Sinful Colors makes an improvement to their packaging.

Fail-Where is the Doe-Foot?

 While these glosses all look very pigmented in their tubes, they each have a different level of pigmentation.  The early collection is definitely more pigmented. Also, I don't know if there is been a change to the formula, but this collection is more stickly than the first. So Lesson learned: I should not base future purchases on past experiences.  I'm kind of disappointed with this collection.

I mentioned in my original post that the Sinful Colors Website was under construction.  Since then their site is up but there is no mention of their lip shines. 

Have you tried any of these latest Sinful Colors Lip Shines, and if so what was your opinion? Do you prefer the shimmers or the creams?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* FTC: These products were bought with my own monies. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by and of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

NOTD: Color Club Ho-Ho-Holly...

With the Holiday Season and Pantone announcing Emerald as the Color of the Year for 2013, this polish is perfect. I was recently in Sally Beauty looking to pick up some new polishes and to my surprise, I spotted a small Color Club display.  This was my normal Sally Beauty and they had never carried the Color Club brand so you can imagine my delight.  I picked up two, the first that I will share with you is Color Club Ho-Ho-Holly from their 2012 Holiday Collection. It is a gorgeous Emerald Foil Green.

Prior to this purchase, I only owned one other Color Club polish. I had been wanting to get more but just hadn't yet.  At first sight, I picked this polish up and was taken by the beautiful emerald green with a golden highlight.  It is a foil finish that is not too "in your face".  But this is one of those polishes that caused me to continually admire my manicure throughout the day.

I really do need to get some more Color Club polishes, but just need to remember to make sure the room is well ventilated when I'm polishing my nails.  What are some of your favorite Color Club polishes? I need to start my shopping list, LOL!

 

Review:

• Opacity: As pictured, 2 coats for full opacity
• Price: At Sally Beauty, $3.99 for 15ml,  0.5 oz
• Availabiltiy: Some Ross Department Stores, some Sally Beauty Stores, and Online retailers
• Application: Smooth with no flooding of the cuticles.
• Con: There is a definite strong scent. Even after 2 days, the chemical scent was noticable.

 Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

 

* FTC: This product wase bought with my own monies. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company. 

Holiday Prep Tips w/ Celebrity Makeup Artist

We are in the midst of Holiday Season which for most includes tons of picture taking. Celebrity Makeup Artist, Amy Oresman, has provided us with 5 Easy Steps for achieving that Picture Perfect Holiday Look.

During the holidays when you're running from one event to the next, your makeup can take a beating. To help you look picture perfect, it's important to start with a good base.  The Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 instantly smoothes skin imperfections so makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer.

Between parties, shopping and cooking, the holidays can leave many women feeling and looking rundown, often showing up as bags and dark circles under the eyes.  Healthy Skin Brightening  Eye Protector is a do-it-all product that not only brightens and conceals but is clinically proven to de-puff and treat dark under eye circles, formulated with optical eye brighteners, this silky formula instantly boosts radiance and lightens shadows around the eye area, leaving skin looking refreshed and more even-toned, so you're close-up ready!

Often times, the photo flash can make our look washed out. To really make our eyes pop, eyeliners is a girl's best friend. Nourishing Eyeliner contains a specialized blend of light-reflecting pearls that help make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while the rich color instantly brightens and defines eyes.  What's more, the formula is enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients including olive oil, rainforest shea butter and Vitamin E to help nourish the delicate skin at the base of the lashes.

My must-have accessory for any holiday look is mascara! My personal preference is Healthy Volume® Mascara because it builds lash volume by 400% with the triple benefits of olive extract, Meadowfoam seed and sweet almond for fuller, more conditioned lashes.  The exclusive super sized visible volume brush quickly coats and builds every single lash, without clumping, smudging for flaking, resulting in beautifully defined lashes that are conditioned from the inside out.


Personal Experience: I have used several of the Neutrogena skin care products, but never their make-up. My first impression of the Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara is that I need to visit other Neutrogena make-up products. This is a a great product; with just 2 coats, I achieved the full volume look I strive for. There was an evident increase in volume with just the first coat. The formulation is more dry than wet, but still good, and created no clumps. The one thing I would change would be to make the brush a bit smaller. However, Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara is a product you should give a try; I know that it is one I will be revisiting.

No holiday look is complete without the perfect pout to round off the picture perfect look!  Every woman wants soft, luxurious lips, but achieving them isn't always so easy since many products can leave lips feeling dry, especially during the winter months.  Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is formulated with ion2complex ™ Technology that offers a surge of moisture and improves lips' overall appearance.  In just one week, this sheer tinted balm is clinically proven to improve the texture of lips while restoring lips' rosiness.

What are some of the products you use for that Picture Perfect Look?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

 

 

* These sample products were sent to me for review consideration by the PR department of the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

*NEW*: OPI Celebrates Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful

OPI Celebrates Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful with Limited Edition Nail Lacquers, Including NEW Liquid Sand™ Hue

OPI announces the launch of six limited edition nail lacquers and a new Liquid Sand™ shade, inspired by Disney’s Oz The Great and Powerful. With an all-star cast that includes James Franco and Michelle Williams, this highly-anticipated film opens in theaters on March 8, 2013.

What Wizardry is This?

With a mix of soft crème and warm glitter shades, the line is ideal for layering to create rich, complex looks. In addition to the Liquid Sand nail lacquer in What Wizardry is This?, the promotion includes:

Lights of Emerald City

White confetti adds city girl flair and style to nails.

Don’t Burst My Bubble

Don’t wake me...I’m dreaming about puffy clouds of white.

When Monkeys Fly!

I’m simply bananas for this gold confetti.

 

Glints of Glinda

Only a good witch could turn beige from meek to chic.

 

Which is Witch?

Is this silver glitter with iridescent sparkle or the other way around?

 

I Theodora You

This adorable, sheer pink is bewitching on you.

As with all OPI nail lacquers, the shades inspired by Oz The Great and Powerful contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.
This limited edition promotion will be available beginning March 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.

###

ABOUT OPI

As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names, OPI’s heavilypigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

 

REVIEW: b-Glowing: Site & Product

I was recently invited to review the services of a site going through its re-launch. I tend to be very sceptical, but after asking some of my fellow bloggers, and doing some personal research, I decided to give it a try.  The site is b-glowing.com.  They describe themselves as, "a leading online specialty beauty retailer featuring an extraordinary collection of hard-to-find niche beauty products alongside some of the worlds most coveted beauty brands."

I was completely unfamiliar with b-glowing.com, so I took my time to really review what they had to offer. They carry several higher end lines that I was familiar with but they also had brands with which I was not familiar.  I saw products for skin care, nail care, bath & body, hair care, fragrance, men, and makeup.  The site itself is clearly categorized and easy to understand.  The pictures are clear and easily discernable.

 

b-glowing.com also offers free shipping, hassle free returns (you don't like the product just send it back); to see their shipping policy click HERE and to see their returns policy, click HERE.  I also like that they accept PayPal, which is really important to me.

 

As I mentioned, they carry brands that I am familiar with and as well as those that I am not, so I decided to select products from brands with which I was familiar, but products that I have never used; and I also selected brands that I was totally unfamiliar with. 

One of the first products I selected was the Peppermint Lip Scrub, by Sara Happ.  I have made no secret of the fact that I love peppermint and I love scrubs and exfoliants. So this product fell into both categories.  This product comes in an adorable little box with a bow. How cute is that?!  But what I like most is that I can pronouce all of the ingredients in the product.  Nowadays, so many of us are trying to avoid harmful products, it's good to find a product that we are not "afraid" to use. 

I took some out and massaged it in circular motions on to my lips.  It left my lips soft, supple, slightly tingly, and minty.  I am glad that I made this selection and will purchase. There are also other flavors I really want to try, like Red Velvet and Blood Orange.

The next product I selected was from a brand I was familiar with but had never tried this particular product.  Peter Thomas Roth, is a brand that a fellow YouTuber, Pink2Paris, has often raved about. I chose the Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Foaming Cleanser.  Now I already have a holy grail one step facial cleanser that I have loved for years, but this product also touts that it is a cleanser and makeup remover in-one, that is also soap-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and good for all skin types. 

My first attempt to use it, I was not overly impressed.  While it did cleanse my face, it did not remove all of my eye makeup.  I tried it several other times, but after using an eye makeup remover. I must admit, I do like the results of using this product, especially when I used it with my Clarisonic. The jury is still out on if I will purchase this product, but I am glad that I gave it a try.  I will be giving other products from the Peter Thomas Roth brand a try. I will not give in my aging without a hard fought anti-aging battle, LOL!

The next product I selected was from a brand I was totally unfamiliar with, LaLicious. But as I have mentioned on more than one occassion, I love Coconut Oil for my hair and skin, so when I saw this LaLicious Cream Sugar Souffle Scrub, I saw this as another score.  I have but a few requirements when selecting a body scrub; they can't be oil-based. I hate having to worry about slipping in the shower when using a scrub.  The granuales cannot be so harsh that they scratch my skin. Exfoliating, should be enjoyable, not painful. And lastly, the scent has to add to the overall experience.  Again, this product is a score!  When I first opened this 16oz jar, if I had had a spoon, OMG! This stuff smells good enough to eat.  It reminds me of a coconut cream coffee I tried years ago at the Southern Women's Show and have been searching for ever since.  And as an added bonus, the ingredients:

"Cane Sugar, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Essential and Fragrance Oils, Vitamin E Oil, Soybean Oil, Honey", All Natural--HELLO!?!?!

My normal routine with exfoliants is to apply them to dry skin, massage, then shower, but as this is a cream base, I showered first, and applied the LaLicious Coconut Cream Sugar Souffle after then rinsed.  This left my skin so soft, and so moisturized that I really didn't need a body lotion afterward.  LaLicious is definitely a brand that I will be revisiting. 

Lastly, I selected a product from a brand that I have used for some time, Bliss. Wish the Bliss gods would bring back their Shock Therapy-Super Minty Body Wash. That was my absolute favorite hot summer days body wash. But I digress, I had never tried their Body Butter.  I selected the Bliss Naked Body Butter. I chose this for those days, that I was wearing a fragrance for which I did not have the matching moisturizer. The Bliss Naked Body Butter is fragrance free and paraben free.  As we are fast approaching Winter, this has been an excellent moisturizer for these colder days.  I apply it to my damp skin and it keeps my skin hydrated and moisturized throughout the day.  There are other scents of their body butter that I need to try. In addition, the next time I go home to NY or visit family in Atlanta, I really need to make a spa appointment at one of the Bliss Spas.

A final note about my order with b-glowing.com, it also included a little "Thank you for your order card" as well as three samples. I love samples. Note to self: I still need to do that "What's in my samples stash" post and video, LOL! Anyway, I got a sample of Skyn Iceland Angelica Line Smoother, a Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Resurfacer, and a Neil George Indian Gooseberry Treatment Oil for my hair.  Each of which I will definiately use.

So this has been my experience with b-glowing.com.  I can say that I have enjoyed the service and the products and now have another resource when seeking out products.  What, if any, has been your experience with b-glowing.com since its relauch?

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

* These sample products were sent to me for review consideration by the PR department of the online retailer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by any of the companies.



PRESS RELEASE: China Glaze Introduces Tranzitions Color Changing Collection

 

COLOR + TOP COAT = ENDLESS CREATIVITY

 China Glaze® Introduces TranzitionsColor Changing Collection

 

Los Angeles, CA – (December 2012): There’s nail art and then there’s China Glaze® nail couture.  Reverse French manicure, half moons, ombre, basket weave, dots or racing stripes: nail designs are intricate and multi-colored. China Glaze® introduces a new way to get multi-color, unique nail art with fewer bottles of polish with the new color-changing Tranzitions collection!

China Glaze® Tranzitions’ revolutionary new nail lacquer reacts when a clear top coat is applied, changing the color from one shade to another for a stunning effect.  Wear any of the six beautiful, color-shifting shades alone, or allow your creativity to run wild and create intricate nail designs by applying a top coat in specific places.  Try different looks using nail art brushes, free-hand designs or nail guides.  Because each shade changes color, you get two lacquers in one, creating an entirely new look with just one swipe.

The China Glaze® Tranzitions collection features six shades, though with the color transition, you get 12 unique shades including:

 

 ·         Split Perso-NAIL-ity – Dusty pink shifts to fuchsia

·         Duplicityy – Mint green shifts to vibrant teal

·         Modify Me – Periwinkle blue shifts to indigo blue

~~~~~

 ·         Altered Reality – Teal blue shifts to turquoise

·         Metallic Metamorphosis – Silvery grey shifts to bluish-charcoal grey

·         Shape Shifter – Smokey violet shifts to dark purple

How It Works:

Step 1: Apply a base coat.

Step 2: Apply two coats of China Glaze® Tranzitions shade of choice.  Allow to completely dry.
Step 3: Lastly, apply one coat of clear top coat such as China Glaze® Fast Forward and watch the color change right before your eyes.

For more nail design ideas, click here to view the China Glaze® Tranzitions video.

The China Glaze® Tranzitions collection will be available in January 2013 at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde, and is never tested on animals.

Visit the CG website: www.chinaglaze.com

Like CG on Facebook: www.facebook.com/chinaglazeofficial

Follow CG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChinaGlaze

Follow CG on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ChinaGlaze

Follow CG on Instagram: ChinaGlazeOfficial 

 

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries.

 

About American International Industries

For 42 years, AII has been the leading manufacturer and worldwide distributor of innovative, quality beauty and skin care products for men and women. Our product lines include Andrea, Ardell, Body Drench, Bye Bye Blemish, Checi, China Glaze, Clean + Easy, Clubman/Pinaud, Duo, European Secrets, EzFlow, Fright Night, Gena, GiGi, Gypsy Lash, IBD, It’s So Easy, Jeris-Lustray, LASH BeLONG, Nail Tek, No Tweeze/Micro Tweeze, 'N Rage, Poshe, Prolinc, RAW, Seche, SuperNail, Surgi-Care, Waterworks, Winning Nails, Woltra, Woody’s, and Youthair. For more information, visit our website: www.aiibeauty.com.