Saturday, January 29, 2011

Free Subscription to CBS Watch Magazine

Photo Credit: cbswatchmagazine.com
This magazine is mostly dedicated to TV shows airing on network television. It has behind the scenes and interviews from shows such: Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girls, Two and Half Men and many others.  It also has couple of  special feature columns dedicated to the luxe lifestyle such as travel, beauty, and lifestyle.

The subscription is free for three years. The offer is valid until March 1st, 2011.

Click Here for Free Subscription!  

Suave Body Wash – Mango Mandarin

Photo Credit: Drugstore.com

Awaken your senses, with this sweet citrus body wash. Packed with mango and mandarin extracts, laced with Vitamin E, it leaves your skin feeling softer. The body wash lathers up well and surrounds your skin with moisturizing suds.The scent softly lingers for awhile but diminishes within 1 hour or so afterwards. The body wash is not very moisturizing and it is recommended to apply lotion after showering.  This body wash is average compared to other body washes available on the market. If you are looking for a cheap body wash that gets the job done okay, then this shower gel is for you. If you are looking for a more moisturizing body wash, I recommend trying Korres Shower Gel

-Andrea

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Illamasqua Throb Collection


Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
Illamasqua releases a new collection just in time for Valentines Day. The collection reminds me of the Queen from Alice in Wonderland.
Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
 The collection includes Intense ligloss in succubus, lipstick in Sangers and three nail polish in Scorn, Load and Throb. I like how the collection contains but bright reds and dark colors, because after all not everyone is a fan of Valentines Day. I think the description of the collection puts it very nicely, "Throb is a passionate red Nail Varnish, the colour of blood spilled by desperate, rejected lovers. Load is a rich, cream coating for the nails and Scorn’s midnight black matt finish is filled with contempt for the love of convention."

 
Intense Lipgloss in Succubus - Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
Nail Polish in Throb - Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
Nail Polish in Load - Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
Nail Polish in Scorn - Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
Lipstick in Sangers - Photo Credit: illamasqua.com
 I can't wait to try out this collection, but I checked online and Sephora doesn't carry it yet. =[


View collection at: Illamasqua Throb Collection

-Andrea





Sunday, January 16, 2011

Smashbox In Bloom 2011 Collection


Smashbox just released their new spring line. It is called 'In Bloom'. It is inspired by the fresh blooms of spring. There are three looks: Blossom, Grey Glam and Petal.

Blossom Photo Credit: Smashbox.com
 "A bright pink cheek and lip make for a look as strikingly pretty as blossoming florals."

Grey Glam Photo Credit: Smashbox.com
" The perfect sexy, yet soft smolder for spring? A grayish, lavender-blue eye with an alluring drop shadow. "

Petal Photo Credit: Smashbox.com
"Dreamy spring beauty is in full bloom with this veil of muted violet and whispery pink around the eyes."

These three looks are perfect for every day wear. I love the Petal look for a nice outing with friends, grey glam for a sizzling night out in the city and blossom for the office.

Andrea

Monday, January 10, 2011

Jonathan Create Smooth Anti-Frizz Volumizing Serum


Photo Credit: JonathanProduct.com

My hair does not know what the hell it wants to be. Some days, I will have really straight, wavy, curly or frizzy hair. Sometimes one side would be curly, the other straight, or wavy. I have been told on numerous occasions, that I have ‘memorable’ hair, not because it is really nice but because people cannot describe it. Well, to help ease one of the many ‘symptoms’ of my hair, I decided to try coveted Jonathan Anti-Frizz serum, so maybe then my hair will at least be less frizzy. The product should be applied to damp hair and then style as usual. I usually apply the product after towel drying my hair. The serum is very thick and leaves your hands sticky. Make sure to fully distribute the product throughout your hair; otherwise you well end up with patches of gunk in hair [trust me it’s not something you want to have]. I noticed when the product dries that it leaves little white flakes on some parts on my hair. The serum did combat some frizz but not that much to make a noticeable difference or to justify the hefty price tag [around $30]. I don’t believe this serum was worth the sticky feeling and white flakes just to smooth a bit frizz. I have learn that combing with a boar bristle brush before washing your hair and running it through one more time when its partially dry leaves your hair less frizzy and shiny. 

Andrea

Lancome Bi-Facil - Double Action Eye Makeup Remover


Photo Credit: Sephora.com

One of the best makeup removers I have tried. It gets rid of the stubborn black smudge from mascara without much of an effort. I am used to scrubbing half of my face off while trying to remove my makeup; sometimes the only thing that ever comes off is pieces of tissue. This remover leaves your skin feeling softer; it doesn’t have leave your skin feeling dehydrated. 

Andrea

Coola Face 30 spf Sunscreen - Unscented

Photo  Credit: Dermstore.com
 
I love that this sunscreen is thick, absorbent and moisturizing. I am so used to apply moisturizer before putting sunscreen. To my amazement, this sunscreen keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day. I also adore how this sunscreen does not leave a white film all over your face. I think this one of the best sunscreens I have tried. It doesn’t have a chemical scent, [I do believe it comes also in a cucumber scent], doesn’t leave a white film and it moisturizes like a moisturizer. What more can you ask for in a sunscreen? An added benefit, this sunscreen is 70% organic including all 12 botanical extracts.

Andrea

Ahava Pure Melt Body Sorbet Caress: Syringa - Green Apple


Photo Credit: BeautyEncounter.com

The world – renowned Ahava is well known for their products rich in Dead Sea minerals. They are in almost every beauty store and spas world wide. Some how or the other this product did not seem to live up to their brand image of good quality; heck it might have even tarnished it. Even though this cream gel melt is packed with Dead Sea Minerals, vitamins E and B5, Aloe Vera leaf juice, and chamomile extract it still left my skin feeling dry. The little moisture it does provide is gone within 1 hour of applying. The texture of the melt itself is very watery.  The scent of Syringa and Green Apple is very light. When I first bought the cream melt, the fragrance was sweet but after couple of uses, the scent became very disgusting. I am not sure if it is because the jar itself or the formula; that causes the cream to have that pungent stench.

Andrea

Monday, January 3, 2011

Lancome DÉFINICILS - High Definition Mascara

Photo Credit: Sephora.com

This mascara is well worth the money and then some. It has become my new favorite go-to mascara [sorry, YSL your still my second favorite]. The mascara makes your lashes appear longer, darker and more voluminous then many other mascaras. Compared to other mascaras, it doesn’t smudge or leaves me with raccoon eyes. The brush is decent size and very easy to use. Even though, this was still quite pricey compared to my usual mascara, I do not regret buying it at all. 

P.S. I applied my makeup in a rush, so the mascara looks a bit clumpy.

Bare lashes without mascara
Lashes with mascara

Bare lashes without mascara
Makeup with mascara


Displayed at angle to show the length of my lash

Andrea

Korres Fig Showergel

Photo Credit: Sephora.com


This all natural Greek treasure is one of the most moisturizing shower gel, I have ever tried. Upon opening the bottle, the sweet smell of freshly cut figs envelop you.  The fragrance is not overpowering and leaves a sweet lingering scent on  your skin The gel lathers up quite generously and leaves your skin feeling soft to the touch. After showering, usually I have to immediately put on lotion to lock in the moisture, but I noticed that after using this gel, I can usually wait till the later in the day before I need to apply lotion. The shower gel is packed with Vitamin C, E and zinc, that leaves thirsty skin quenched. Pamper the Greek goddess in you, with amazing skin.

Andrea

Canyon Ranch 'Balance' Light-Weight Moisture

Photo Credit: Nordstorm.com


Canyon Ranch is a wellness spa that spawned their own skincare line, so their clients can bring a bit of the spa home. The lightweight moisture cream does not live up to the spa quality skincare one expects to get from a spa. The cream itself is lacking. The texture feels very watery and does not moisturize very well. One of the company's claim is that it evens out skin tone, but I did not notice any change in my skin tone.  It is recommended to be used twice daily, but even when applied twice daily, it still left my skin feeling very dry. If you are looking for a no frills moisturizer, bypass this $75+ dud and check out Aveeno’s skincare line.

Andrea 

Kinerase Intensive Eye Cream

When I was a little girl, I worried about three things about the future [not necessarily in this order]: finding a perfect mate, getting older (oh the wrinkles!), and gaining weight. For my 21st birthday, I decided to visit Sephora get a skin consultation, and much to my horror I was told I should work on the fine lines around my eyes [What a great way to celebrate one’s birthday]. When I laugh, I tend to squint my eyes; which makes the fine lines more visible. Thankfully, Kinerase Intensive eye cream helped alleviate some of the fine lines surrounding my eyes. I noticed after couple of months of usage that the fine lines around delicate eye areas were smoother and less pronounced. I am usually prone to get dark under eye circles, I noticed that they were less noticeable and at times I saw no sign of them.  It is directed to use the cream twice daily, but I usually use it once nightly. Kinerase intensive eye cream have highest allowed anti-aging Kinetin available.

Andrea

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bioelements Sleepwear

Photo Credit: Bioelements.com
I absolutely love this creme. I applied this creamy lotion every night and wake up to softer and firmer skin every morning. I love the velvety texture and how it delivers noticeable results immediately upon use. An added bonus of vitamin - packed creme, it smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while revitalizing the look and feel of the skin. The creme is packed with topical calcium PCA, protein peptides, retinol and cranberry seed oil.

Updates:


I received my Sephora and Beauty order Yay! What a great way to spend the new year.
Andrea