GIVEAWAY!! Holidays on Chic featuring Kate Spade!!

Ho, Ho, Heyyyy!!!

I am grateful for the year I've had, even with all of its not so great parts (such is life, right?!). I had some amazing experiences, like getting to appear on the Today Show, and I want to put some positive energy back into the universe. Since it IS the season of giving,  I'm hosting a holiday giveaway!

There will be one winner randomly drawn on December 17th, who will win the following goodies:

A pair of Kate Spade Multi Glitter Stud Earrings
An original piece of artwork (8x10) from Melsys Illustrations featuring four glittery dresses inspired by the Sex In the City characters
Victoria's Secret candle in the fragrance "Bombshell"
(2) Victoria's Secret body lotions in the fragrances "Mango Temptation" and "Pear Glace"
A colorful Victoria's Secret PINK chug mug
An Izak makeup train case
Deluxe sized samples of:
Nude ProGenius Facial Oil
Orly nail polish in Fabulous Flamingo
Buxom lipgloss in Dolly

PLEASE NOTE that this is not a sponsored post and everything in the giveaway was paid for by me. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.


Thank you all for visiting and good luck!!!

Holidays on Chic Giveaway feat. Kate Spade Earrings

The Struggle with Oily Skin is Real: Multi Foundation Review

Yesterday's post on Instagram got me to thinking that I could probably do some kind of beauty review on some of the foundations on my rotation lately. Well, technically, they're not rotating. I've pretty much mashed them together in an effort to create the PERFECT foundation for my skin type.

Here's the goal:

- smooths

- evens tone

- looks natural

- feels natural

- combats my oilies

I know, I know I'm asking for a makeup miracle, but here's the thing...I don't really wear a lot of foundation, which is where the desire for natural feeling coverage comes in. I have some uneven tone due to hyperpigmentation (I'm a serial pimple popper) and I have oily skin equivalent to bacon grease (like for reals). I'm sure I'll appreciate this oil factory later in life, but right now, it's more of a pain.

In addition to the foundations pictured, I also wear the Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC45, but find that coverage works best in cooler months, though I do typically use a dusting of it as a finishing powder over my liquid foundations. 

Here's my issue... I was uber intrigued by the CoverFX Custom Cover Drops. so I had to try them out (but of course). I didn't love them, but was determined to make them work for me if only for their $45 price tag. The problem I had was that even after pouring over the shades for 2 days, my shade G60, was a tad off.  A smidge too yellow, but I don't want to buy another bottle in G70. Then of all the mixing mediums I tried, the only one I truly liked was with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer. But after a couple hours you know I'm looking like the canola factory.

Next, I decided to try Maybelline's Fit Me Matte & Poreless. Love, love, love the formula and it addressed nearly all of my needs/concerns, especially the oil control, however the shade range sucked. There's only 16 to choose from. I chose shade 330 Toffee as the next shade. 355 Coconut. was too deep and too red for me. What I really need is a shade between those two, that still has a golden undertone. I'm going to keep wishing for that one, but in the meantime, I decided to start trying to mix my own.

Using the No7 Beautifully Matte Makeup Base as my mixing medium proved to be just what I needed for my CoverFX drops. And in order to get the oil control I need, I apply this concoction over skin on which I've also applied a thinner primer. I told y'all, this summer oil control business is real.

Grainy iPhone photo, but you get the idea...

 

The Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous isn't a bad formula, it just isn't high on the list and because that shade is too dark for me, I use it to add a deeper warmth to my custom foundation mix, so that it isn't so yellow. The grainy pic above looks relatively good color wise, but it depends on the lighting. It usually looks kind of 'meh' when I leave the house, even a bit too chalky. but by the time it starts to settle onto my skin an hour or so later it looks pretty darn good and I don't have to blot until about 1:30. Sometimes I'll apply Urban Decay's De-Slick to speed up the "settling" process, but I think that seems to cause early oil breakthrough, even though that's the opposite of what it's designed to do.

Ultimately, I'm still working this out for myself, but hope I've given fellow oily girls some recommendations that you may find helpful, especially if you're not AS oily as me. But if you have any tips, tricks or foundation recommendations I'm all ears!

Have a great week!

I Saw the Light - e.l.f. Nail Polish Remover Pads

Last week I discussed my love for perfectly manicured digits. So let's take a minute to talk about the downside, that makes me cringe on my insides: chipped polish.

Now, I am not going to pretend that I have never walked around with chipped polish, but I don't like it one bit. You would think that it wouldn't require much, but sometimes life gets busy and you dash out the house only to glare down at those chippity choppity fingers gripping the steering wheel. Ugh!

I'd passed the e.l.f. Nail Polish Remover Pads in store aisles several times, wondering to myself "why in the world would I need those??" - until I finally figured it out.

The awakening moment happened while sitting at my desk at the office, preparing to head to a meeting, only to glance down at my hands and realize the horror that my manicure that seemed perfectly fine just a day ago was now a mess. I curled my fingers into a fist and kept them placed in my lap safely under the table during the meeting.

After work I headed straight to the beauty aisle to grab a package of the wipes. I actually grabbed two, just in case.

The pads were surprisingly thin, which made me wonder about their durability. And I'm not at all crazy about the "citrus" scent, but it doesn't matter. Their shame saving convenience makes up for the scent.

When I tried the pads, I had to remove two layers of pigmented polish and a top coat (usually I have a base coat as well).  I found that the wipes easily removed the polish, but I needed to use one wipe per hand. 

The final result were clean nails that were completed within minutes. These pads also have some kind of moisturizing element which I found left a lingering oily residue on my hands. But that's easily resolved just by washing your hands. I now have a container in my desk and one in my car, though because of the oil, I don't recommend using them if you can't get to a faucet, or at least a baby wipe.

I haven't had them long enough to know yet, but I'm a little leery about the how well the container will keep the pads moist.

Ultimately, for $2 a pop, I'd say it's a nifty little product worth having for quick fixes!

Overall grade: B+

Does It Work? - Sephora Nail Protector First Impressions

I probably like the pampering of a salon grade manicure better than anyone else I know. However, when it's time to double down on the budget, that treat is the first thing to go. So when it comes to at-home manis, unless you have seriously steady hands or are ambidextrous, painting your own nails can sometimes be a tad shaky.

There are tons of DIYs and other tips and tricks from the at-home nail art gurus out on the web. And though the idea of peeling away a latex-like barrier might sound intriguing, I'm typically more interested in the quickest method possible.

I tend to do my manicures on Sunday evenings, shortly before bedtime, so glue peeling might add too many additional minutes. My right hand is the dominant hand, so my left hand typically looks great. Switch that around and occasionally things can get a little hairy...

During a late night Sephora shopping expedition, I ran into the Sephora Nail Protector and decided to try it out, despite mixed reviews. I've actually had it for a while and never used it until today.

Here's the condensed version of my first trial run...

It took me about 10 minutes to actually complete my fingers. I wasn't using a base coat, though I usually do, and I applied a top coat off camera.

I have to say, given its simplistic look, it actually worked quite well. In my rush 10 minute job, the only polish I managed to get on the skin was when I tried to not knock the polish bottle over and inadvertently painted past the cuticle.

The Nail Protector has a little curved lip, which I think actually helps guide you since your nail bed is then tilted in a slightly upward position. What I actually found most challenging was constantly maneuvering the protector and nail polish bottle around to keep it within reach while trying not to bump into it. I think that would likely get easier the more I used the protector. One other awkward thing was when it came time to paint my thumbs, you may have noticed in the clip that I had to shift to the end of the table in order to do them. I happened to be standing in the clip, but may find it a bit more difficult to do sitting down.

It says that this can also be used for pedicures...but I'm not sure I buy that one. Overall, I wasn't put off. This manicure will unlikely last a week, so I'm going to try again in a few days. For about $7, I didn't consider it to be a waste at all. I think it's a nifty little tool to have with your polish collection.

Overall grade: B-

Argan Oil - Bandwagon or Believer???

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This is not a sponsored post. All products were purchased with my own funds and all opinions are my own.

So for more than a few years argan oil has been all the rage in skincare and beauty. As far as trying it for myself, I was disinterested. As gullible and/or curious as I can sometimes be about product claims, I was, for some reason, less than intrigued by that one.

In the meantime, Josie Maran has gone on to become a beauty business powerhouse thanks to the throng of argan oil followers.

You will absolutely find me somewhere in that throng.

Who me?? Yep, me!

Ok, so here's what really happened... Rewind several months back and the skin around my mouth, from my nose to my chin, decided to morph into something else. Something unrecognizable by my own hands - Sahara desert dry, rough texture, and frequent bouts of patchy whiteness. Not cute. Not cute. at. all.

This was literally the only region of skin on my face or body that changed. So I slathered on extra moisturizer, cocoa butter, Aquaphor, and even extra Vaseline. No good. I was afraid to even break into a smile in public, due to the horror that would break free around my mouth. I was desperate when I wandered into Sephora seeking a balm of a sort, something to hold in moisture. 

I happen upon a $30 box of three Josie Maran argan balms in little tins. 

Um...$30? Y'all don't have anything for $10?? Of course not... Begrudgingly, I purchased them and at my next stop, the dressing room of NY & Co, I whipped them open and rubbed some in.

After about three days of applying the balm to my face 3 - 4 times a day, my skin came back to life! Yaaaayyyy!!! 

After a couple weeks, I only needed to apply morning and night after cleansing and before my moisturizer. But then I began to wonder, if it could do such wonderful things for that small area of skin, what could it do if I dipped my whole body in it!?

Enter the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter! I've been slathering it on for the last few months and my skin is silky, soft with a luminous glow even 24 hours later. Expensive? Yes indeed, but worth the investment because I'm claiming it as my veritable fountain of youth.

So bandwagon or believer? Honey, I'm a believer!

I still haven't purchased the actual oil, but I did add some other Josie Maran products to my arsenal, including the Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil and the Whipped Intensive Hand Cream.

Needless to say, I recommend it. Get into it, ladies!

Battle of the Black Masks: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask vs Kerstin Florian Clarifying Moor Mud Masque

I love a good facial mask, and by good it has to actually feel like there's been some benefit. There's an improvement of some kind - a noticeable glow (even if I'm the only one who notices), improved clarity, or even a lasting soothing effect. What I don't want is for my super oily skin to be left feeling as dry as the Saharan desert and tight as a drum... No bueno.

More recently I've developed an affection for black masks. It started as intrigue really, as I'd mostly been used to using masks that were green or clear. So I decided to try something new, neither of the products are new to store shelves, they were just new to me. And I feel I've been using them long enough to give an honest and critical opinion of both.

Enter my two contenders: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask and Kerstin Florian Mood Mud.


First up, Bosica Luminizing Black Mask! Which I purchased at Sephora.

Price: $34

Looks: It comes in a simple shiny black tube. And when you squeeze out the product it's actually quite lovely - the deepest black, with a super smooth texture and a lacquer like shine.

Use: Apply a thick, opaque, even layer to clean, dry skin. Keeping it away from eyes, eyebrows, hairline, and lips. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes or until completely dry, then gently peel off mask in a downward motion from outer edges and rinse off any residue.

Application: I feel like you have to squeeze out a lot of the product in order to get that "thick, opaque, even layer," which makes the price tag pinch a bit. It isn't very easy to spread and I feel like you have to move quickly, because it begins to dry fairly fast and I try to apply in large sections in order to have better "peelability" (yup, totally just made it up) once it's dry. And I definitely recommend doing this in a mirror in order to stay away from the aforementioned hairy places.

Removal: Um...ouch. Ok, so I pretty much feel like I'm pulling tiny layers of my epidermis off. BUT for some, it may not be nearly as bad...because I have to admit I'm a fuzzy girl. There I said it. And so peeling off this mask from my fuzzy face is practically akin to like 50 Band-Aids. Hence the reason you want to keep it away from your delicate eye area. And if you have sensitive skin, just stay away altogether.

It looks a little like chicken skin, right?

Now, for me removal never comes off in one clean peel. This is where how thick or thin your applied it will come into play. Thin - you'll be there for a while and be tempted to just wash it off. Thick - hello, extra large Band-aid! But I admit it's also kind of cool!

Results: For at least ten minutes after, my face definitely felt tingly and alive! So following up with some type of soothing moisturizer is nice. But I can't say I notice any major difference, but my skin does feel smoother and there's a bit of a cooling sensation left behind. Glowier? Might be. Tighter pores? Maybe. But I just went through a lot of trouble, so I do feel some sort of satisfaction.


Next up, Kerstin Florian Clarifying Moor Mud Masque. I was introduced to this product line during a fabulous facial in a swanky NYC spa a couple years ago.

Price: $38

Looks: Also rather shiny, but slightly lumpy texture, which you feel more as you apply it. But hey, the ingredient list is short: moor mud.

Use: Apply to moist, clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave on 3-5 minutes. It is suggested that the masque is kept moist by spraying face with Neroli Water or applying in the shower. And it can be removed with a warm washcloth.

Application: Also in a squeeze tube, but I don't feel like I have to use a ton. It's messy (as most mud typically is), so I apply in the shower. On days when I plan to use this I was my face first, instead of last, then apply this, move on to washing my body and letting the steam do its job.

Removal: When I'm done I just stick my face in the water and let it rinse off. Outside of the bit of messiness, I just rarely use a washcloth on my face.

Results:  I honestly do feel like my skin is brighter afterward. And as bad as this sounds, this is my go to mask after if I happen to fall asleep in my makeup. *blink blink* Yes, I know, I know that's a cardinal sin! But just the same, I do feel this has saved me.


Winner??
Hands down, the moor mud is my fav. It's faster and easier and I feel that I get immediate results. Yes, I do still use the Boscia Black Mask, but that's when I'm going into all out self pampering, and I prefer to use a facial steamer prior to applying the mask, I think it just works better. Or at least that's what I tell myself!

Life Lately...

Hello, world!

So the hubbub of the holiday festivities is all over and we're back to the hustle and bustle of every day life. There's pros and cons to both, no? On one hand, it's a good thing to have all the hectic chaos behind you and the stress of guests, housecleaning and gift buying over and done. But at the same time, there is something to be missed...the glitter, the warm, fuzzy feelings that comes with the holidays and the joys of being around your family laughing and relaxing.

Today I'm sharing some bits and pieces of my world. If you follow me on Instagram you may have already been privy to some of these. And if you don't, now is a good a time as any!

 

The Christmas gift from my bestie included the Mac X RiRi lipstick that I'd been stalking. It's frosty orange is super intimidating at first swipe, but it can be made into the perfect sexy nude lip. Loves it.

 

 

At Christmastime even penguins and leopards live harmoniously... 

 

These lips will look all the way live in 2014. The entire Maybelline Colorsensational Vivids collection is proof positive that I've become obsessed with lipstick.

 

Another recent obsession: fur. We'll chat more on this subject later. *wink* 

 

"...with a borderline obsession for leopard print, polka dots, bows and pink things!"

See, I totally wasn't lying on my 'About Me' page.

 

 

Super excited with the progress I'm making on my walk in closet! Can't wait until I can share the finished product with all of you. 

 

Planning a future style file post for this entire outfit. It was the total embodiment of girly girlness.

In other goings on, both Toonchie and I will be headed back to school this week. I'm sure there will be a brief adjustment period, specifically for me, but that can also be exciting too. I always have a little anxiety before I start a new course. It's the uncertainty of the coursework, workload and wondering if the class will be a weekly, three hour life drain.

Well, I'm off, lovies! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead of you and we'll chat again soon!

10 for $10 (or Less!) - Gifts for the Unexpected Guest

At holiday time I like to be prepared as possible, and that means having Christmas gifts on hand for those unexpected visitors! It could be your brother's new girlfriend, a friend from work drops by or a cousin you haven't seen in ages shows up to spread some cheer.

Well, even if that person knows that I was not anticipating their arrival, I still feel bad if they leave empty handed. Especially, if they have such great timing that they show up during the family gift opening!

So as I do my holiday shopping, I try to also pick up a couple things that I can wrap and place under the tree as "placeholders." And no worries, these gifts don't have to be major purchases!

 

1.  Mason Jar Shot Glasses $10
2.  Hard Case Security Wallet $10
3.  Studded Bow Convertible Gloves $7
4.  e.l.f. Nail Cube $10
5.  Copco Reusable Travel Mug $8
6.  Pocket Ungame $9
7.  Merona Fleece Scarf $9
8.  Agloves Unisex Texting Gloves $9
9.  Bath & Body Works Scentportables $10 (for holder and pods)
10. Mens Studded Wallet $10


Another great thing about these presents is that they are all things that if you don't gift them away, you can use them yourself (or give one belatedly to a forgotten friend)! So, I'd personally encourage you to grab things that you'd also like, because you just might be able to keep them! *wink*

Don't Break the Bank Holiday Gift Guide

'Tis the season, y'all! Even you hadn't started before, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have kicked off the official holiday shopping season, so get your credit and debit cards ready!

In season's past I've typically been delighted to be known as the family Santa, as I thoroughly enjoyed shopping for family and friends. I was even one of those people who had backup presents under the tree in the case of an unexpected guest. It was a regular occurrence for my shopping list to be all checked off by October.

However...

Not this year. This year I find myself struggling a bit for gift ideas and find my brain a bit too fuzzed out to focus at times. I figured maybe some of you may be in the same boat, so I'm adding my two cents into the world of gift guides taking over the web.

So let's dive in, shall we!



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For your friend who is the walking, talking diva of your group, give her a little glam to take her into the new year, with the gift of fabulous fur (in an animal friendly faux) or sparkly sequins:

 

1. The Limited Fur Keyhole Scarf $25

2. Express Sequin Infinity Scarf $20

 

 

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We all have that girlfriend who is religious about taking out "me time" (which is uber important) and loves to spend that quality time enjoying good soak in the tub. Help make those moments even more special by adding a touch of glimmer or coziness to her ritual:

 

3. Lush Bubble Bar in Sunny Side $8

4. Target Gilligan & O'Malley Knit Robe $22

 





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She's just a lover of makeup, but all of her friends are pretty sure that her artistic skills rank right up there with the best. Give an elegant gilded tray for her to display her fav beauty goods or a shiny dotted train case can keep her organized on the go:

5. Urban Outfitters Gold Vanity Tray $19

6. Ulta Polka Dot Train Case Set $25

 

 



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For the diva that keeps you all updated on the latest and greatest technology, and is never seen without one of her devices (if not more!), deserves gifts that customize or accessorize! Give her stylishly fun keyboard decals for her Mac or an oversized clutch that can do double duty as a device case or outfit accessory:

7. Kidecals Keyboard Decal $16
(as a gift for all my lovely readers, get 15% off your order
at Kidecals.com when you use the code 'fashion' at checkout)
 

8. Forever 21 Oversized Clutch $9

Bounties of baubles can be found adorning the fingers and neck of this fabulous friend, give her a place to store those adoring pieces by her bedside. You can personalize a dish and have it monogrammed with her initials, or even better, if she's a recently engaged friend or newlywed, this is a sweet way to acknowledge her new union:

9. Crate & Barrel Mr. & Mrs. Ring Dish $13

10. Etsy Black & White Catchall $10 

 

 

I really do try to give thoughtful gifts to my loved ones and dear friends during the holidays, but that certainly doesn't mean I have to go broke over it! All of my suggestions are priced under $25, because even divas have to budget.

 

Any suggestions I've provided where prices may or have gone up, keep an eye out for 50% off sales (like at Express and The Limited)  and coupons in your inbox or mailbox (Ulta has a $5 off $10 currently circulating) which will help to keep your price points low.

 

If you ladies have any other key places for finding great holiday gifts, I loved to hear about them in the comments!

This post is also linked to IFB Project #125.

 

 



Clarisonic Deep Pore Set Review

Ok, so it's been about six weeks since I started using the Clarisonic Deep Pore Cleansing system. The combination of all three pieces promises to control oil and noticeably minimize large pores. While the brush head is recommended for all skin types who have pores issues, the cleanser and mask are marketed toward individuals battling to control both. It's recommended that the mask is used a couple times a week in conjunction with the cleanser.

As I previously wrote about, I love my Clarisonic and opted for the acne brush over the deep pore one. However, I couldn't resist the urge when they packaged it up so nicely and talked those sweet words about smooth skin and disappearing pores.

When I used other cleansers that originally came with my brush, I felt they were more like detergent. Very drying and too harsh on even my oily face. Stuff like this tends to make the situation worse, as your skin attempts to overcompensate and therefore produces even more oil.

I found this deep pore cleanser to be less drying, but not by much. But felt that it cleansed in lieu of stripping moisture from the skin. So, I didn't have a problem using it twice a day, as long as I moisturized after (as I have to do anyway). The problem with this cleanser is that it is entirely too fragranced. I am sensitive to smells, but it's not like this is going to trigger a headache, but there's potential for a sneezing attack. It may sound odd to say keep it away from your nostrils and mouth, as you would think you would do that with most cleansers anyway. But seriously, this time, really take heed. It kind of stings or irritates my nasal passage and it tastes positively horrible.

Of course none of them taste pleasant, but none of my other cleansers leave any bitter afterthoughts in my mind. I can't even recall a taste. And that means something. In case you're curious, I rotate Neutrogena stress relief scrub, Murad AHA cleanser, Dr. Perricone vitamin C cleanser and Clean & Clear Soft scrub.

As for the mask, the instructions suggest that when you use it, do so right after cleansing, leave it on for fifteen minutes and then use your Clarisonic to remove it. But listen closely....

DON'T DO IT.

I find that it is entirely too drying to use this method. What I found works best is to use it after a milder cleanser, and remove it by rinsing off as I do any other mask.

As for the brush, I don't hate it. At first, I couldn't really tell the difference between this and my normal brush, but after several days I felt that it was denser and plusher than the acne brush, with shorter bristles. But the brush itself seems to clean well.

So, leaving you with my final thoughts - don't bother.

The kit retails for about $65 at most retailers, but I suggest you save your money and buy just the brush instead if you're truly interested. Although my breakouts have been tame as of late, I will likely return to my acne brush head after I finish with this one. However, I did see that they now offer Luxe High Performance brush heads, and I'm super intrigued (I'm a sucker for words like 'luxe'), so it's pretty likely that I'll have another review for you soon!



*This is not a sponsored posts, all products discussed were purchased with my own money. The opinions expressed are my own.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target GIVEAWAY [CLOSED]

Hello beauties! I'm super amped to be holding my first ever giveaway here on Dazzling Diva! Soooo exciting, right?!

And because it was just that special, I wanted to make it a good one!

And I thought the best way to do that was to gift one lucky reader a "Fall Fabulous Mini Haul!"
The winner's "mini haul" gift will include:

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Mini Satchel in Yellow (currently sold out online)
The Limited Foil Sweater Scarf in Gold
Grab bag of mini goodies from Sephora



Polka dot scarf NOT included

To enter, use the Rafflecopter below. Each entry will give you points. The more points you earn, the closer you are to winning this awesome prize! After completing the mandatory entry, it will unlock more options that can bring you one step closer to winning! The #FFMiniHaul Giveaway will run from 9/26 - 10/3.
The winner will be announced via Rafflecopter and contacted through email.

This giveaway is only open to US and Canada residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on October 3, 2013

Move Over Bare Escentuals! There's A New Beauty In Town

If you're a regular visitor of this blog (or happen to know me personally) then you know of my open love for Bare Escentuals cosmetics - as a user, supporter and outright pusher of the products. Which is why my close knit circle of beauty folks may be a wee bit surprised to hear that I've fallen off the wagon! *gasp*

Ok, well not exactly all the way, but I'll get to that in a moment. However, the core foundation products for my face have changed. It's bye-bye mineral foundation, sayonara mineral veil and scooch on over BE brushes...and hellooooo tinted moisturizer and HD powder!


My new Fabulous Four!

 As a woman with very oily skin and a frequent fighter of clogged pores, I've had my fair share of issues with tinted moisturizers in the past. Even regular moisturizers in general can give me issues. So imagine my elation when I found a tinted one that didn't!

Summer was coming and wanted to shave minutes off my swirling, tapping and buffing to get out of the house sooner and mineral veil wasn't exactly giving my warm weather oily skin the glow that I wanted anymore.

So after much scouring of user reviews, I settled on NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. An even bigger bonus was that it has sunscreen protection of SPF 30. I want sun protection anyway, but especially on my face, given my regular battles with hyperpigmentation.

The NARS tinted moisturizer covers smoothly and evenly and the color match was really good. I had a difficult time choosing my shade at first, unable to choose between Malaga and Seychelles. But thanks to Sephora and their sample giving ways, I eventually settled on the shade Malaga, a medium dark with warm caramel undertones.



I'd purchased the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush a while ago, thinking I could use it dampened with mineral foundation. Not so much. But since I found that the tinted moisturizer didn't really spread as nicely as I'd like with my hands ( and given that I don't really like touching my face with my fingers), I found the Expert Face Brush to be it's match made in heaven.

In order not waste product, I do first apply a squirt of moisturizer to the back of my hand and apply a single dot to the four quadrants of my face, before buffing it on with the brush.



This is probably the best place to explain that I haven't completely given up my love affair with BE. Beyond still loving their brushes and Prime Time Eyeshadows, I've also developed an affection for the Bare Escentuals Correcting Concealer with an SPF of 20 in Dark 2.

To put it simply, I love it.

Didn't think I would, and was reluctant to trade in my Mally Beauty Cancellation Concealer, but I had a gift card to Sephora so I gave it a spin. And never looked back. Although it feels light, the coverage is good for my dark spots and its supposed to contain ingredients that actually decrease the appearance of dark spots and discolorations, which in my opinion actually works.

So, I dot this on and blend it with my e.l.f. Studio Contour brush before applying the NARS moisturizer.

 The final piece of my fab four is the e.l.f. High Definition Powder. I'll admit that I'm a little late to the HD powder party. But sometimes I prefer it that way. My initial purchase was almost for the Make Up Forever brand of powder, but when I heard about this waaaaaayyy cheaper alternative, I figured what's the diff? *Kanye shrug*

Six whole dollars later, though my socks had not been knocked off, I was pleased and preferred the HD powder finish to my mineral veil. And I definitely feel I noticed more of a difference as the day wears on and the glow my skin has. Now, it doesn't keep the oilies at bay, I still have to blot around noonish and maybe again around early evening if I'm out and about, but the finish looks soft and it hasn't given my skin any additional problems.

Ultimately, I did also end up purchasing a travel size MUFE HD powder for my purse (which I use with a BE kabuki brush) and I like it, but don't notice much difference between the higher end and more affordable brand.

I'm still an advocate of BE, and now I push their concealer to unsuspecting beauty cuties, plus it's still a part of my beauty kit for doing makeup on others, I've just found something else that works as a better foundation routine for my skin now.

(And I would like to add that I really did send a suggestion email to the Bare Escentuals company suggesting they get into the tinted moisturizer business before I jumped ship).


You ladies have an awesome weekend!

Clarisonic Acne Brush Head Review

Ok, I'll start this review off by being totally and utterly honest - I'm biased.

I've been on the Clarisonic bandwagon for about six years and feel like it was an investment piece well worth the money. And if mine broke tomorrow, I'd be online buying another one in a blink of an eye.  I never want to be without it...obviously.

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That being said, I will also say that this enthusiasm was primarily based on that fact that I simply believe it cleans my face better than I do with my hands. I know, earth shattering, right? I could go a night or two without using it, but then I felt like my skin was building up with ickiness. So trust me, as simplistic as my reasoning was at the core, I still valued whatever the Clarisonic did, just that much. So much so, that a couple years ago I took a four day summer trip to D.C. and forgot it (the horror!) and because I could not be without the feeling of being "scrubbed" I headed to the Sephora in Georgetown and bought one of those little complexion brushes for about $5.

It semi-quelled my separation anxiety, but it was NOWHERE near the same.

Forgive me if that rains on the parade of those of you who don't want to pay the money and have convinced yourselves that that little brush does the same job as a Clarisonic. It doesn't - but then again, you all probably already have great skin and wouldn't notice much of a difference either way. Lucky girls...


Now, despite my admission that I'm biased, I still have to tell ya that I've fallen in love with my Clarisonic all over again. Even though I've used the Delicate, Sensitive and Normal brush heads in the past, I never felt that any of them were quite the one for my skin type.

About a month ago I decided to pick up a replacement brush, and initally debated between the Deep Pore cleansing one and the new Acne brush.

The design focus of the Acne brush is geared toward concentrated pore cleansing and acne prone skin. Read: big, clogged pores and breakouts.

Hello, that would be me.

So ultimately, I'm sure I was more than a little influenced by the massive, angry, red, pulsating pimple that had taken up residence on my cheek at the time.

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But I'm thrilled that I bought the one I did. I'm so pleased with what this brush does to my skin, that I actually look forward to washing my face every day. Seriously, like I'm excited about it and might even wash my face way before bedtime if I'm not going back out.  My skin just feels really refreshed and clean after using it. I do use it twice a day and the only way I skip a use is if I'm forced to because it needs charging.

Now, I'm not implying that this brush has rid me of breakouts and zits, but because this head has denser, plusher bristles giving a deeper pore cleanse, it brings residue to the surface and makes it super easy to perform extractions. Which in turn, keeps that clogged pore from evolving into some nasty monster. Even when I do begin to get an under the surface blemish, I believe this brush has cleaned my pores so thoroughly that it permits my acne treatments to perform better, thereby ending the blemish sooner and making it much less of a problem.


Needless to say, because I do tend to have some "hoarder tendencies" when it comes to beauty products, I plan to stock up, just in case Clarisonic decides to stop producing this brush. *smile*

tarte Precious Gems Review

When QVC advertised a set of eyeshadows in little shimmery pots of color along with a brush, I was giddy with interest. I had only been using pressed and loose powder shadows up until that point, which worked, but left me wanting a bit more as far as color payoff and longevity. The tarte Precious Gems Waterproof Cream Shadow Collection is infused with Amazonian clay and came in four wearable, neutral toned shades. It cost me about $40 with shipping. The colors are:

shimmering moss, a golden green

plum smoke, a rich plum

pink champagne, a shimmer pink

shimmering golden beige, a shimmer nude

First off, as nonessential information as this might seem, it's crucial - those cute little pots were SUPER difficult to open. It literally took me 10 minutes to get into one. However, after you're finally in, you're good. There is definitely a lot of product in the containers, it has a smooth and creamy feel. I tried applying the shades with and without a primer, and have better results with. Of the four colors my favorites are the pink champagne and golden beige. Next I'd pick the plum smoke. The jury's still out on the shimmering moss. Maybe it's my caramel coloring, but it just doesn't look so hot...

Being a lover of brushes, I first tried to apply the color with the brush on my eyelid, the results were kind of sad. I had to dab the brush into the color repeatedly, but it didn't seem to apply smoothly. It almost seemed like the brush bristles were too waxy for the color to properly adhere, so I tried using one of my e.l.f. Studio brushes instead. The brush pretty much sucked the color right up. I opted instead to use my finger, but the color didn't seem to apply seamlessly, so I used more of a "dab, dot, blend" method which worked fairly well.

Alternately, I will say that the brush worked extremely well when applying the color to as highlight to my brow brown and inner corner of my eye, which I use my two favorites for - but none of that was worth what I paid for it. I personally just don't feel that there's anything spectacular about this collection and I should have just sent it back, but I was determined to make it work. I had never used any of tarte's products before, but given their often rave reviews I am still interested in trying other products in the future.