Friday, February 28, 2014

Rainbow Research French Green Clay Powder








Family reunion vacations are always stressful. That’s why I snuck away back to my room to unwind a bit. I couldn’t think of a better way to unwind then applying a clay mask, reading some magazines and drinking my favorite beverage [Shirley Temples!]. I came across this mask when buying some beauty products for my trip. I tend to buy new things so I have something to look forward to incase my vacation becomes everything but a vacation. I like this mask was powder form [it only had one ingredient - french green clay] that you can mix it with water [or if you have a certain skin type - for example - if you have dry skin you can use a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil or if you have oily skin add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice -- they include a bunch of suggestions]. You can also make it as watery or thick as you liked but they recommend using 1 oz of spring water [or chamomile tea or aloe vera juice].  The French Green Clay is known for absorbing dirt, oil and bacteria while cleansing your pores. I was very lazy to try the other substitutes, so I just used the water [ a bit more than 1 oz -- who has time to measure?!] and worked the mixture for about 4 minutes to make a nice creamy mask. I made it a bit too watery because I was too lazy to measure and it was a bit sloppy to apply.  I would recommend using a brush instead of a spatula to ensure an even application. I did realize there was more than enough to use the mask on face, so I used some on my neck and decolletage. After the 20 minutes I removed the mask, I did notice my face feeling tighter while I was waiting to wash it off.  My face was smooth, soft and radiant. I also like how this “cheap” [around $1 an ounce] left my skin feeling so great and amazing. I can’t wait to go home and buy the full size when I get home. Especially, since everyone thought I used got a facial and mask done at the hotel’s spa. I don’t blame them, it is hard to believe to get such amazing results with my dilapidated skills.  Just a side note to ensure you get nice results, stay away from the hairline and follow up with a moisturizer or facial oil to enhance your glow.

Seventeen June/July 2013



Styles to try this summer -
“Milkmaid Braids - A little Katniss, a little boho - 100% cute!
How to - A sporty side braid keeps hair off your face on a hot day! Give clean hair some texture by spritzing on dry shampoo, then French-braid a section along your front hairline from one ear toward the other. Braid to the tips, and add to drop shine serum to the ends to keep them smooth.

Side Tuck - Give a flirty peek of shoulder by tossing and pinning your hair to one side.
How to - A fun night out calls for a glam (but relaxed!) style to match. After curling your hair with an iron, choose your best side and make a clean part with a comb.  Sweep strands to the opposite shoulder and pin in place with a few bobby pins at the nape of your neck. Blast with strong hold hairspray.

High and Mighty - Rising temps call for higher topknots - they keep you cool and chic!
How to - Give your everyday topknot a rock-and-roll makeover! Add grip with a spray gel and tease with a paddle brush. Use your fingers to rake hair back into a loose, messy pouf. Pin in place and finish with a dab of texturizing cream on the pieces around your face and topknot.

Pretty Pins - Bobbies this fun and bright are too adorbs to hide!
How to - To keep a down do from being snoozy, curl just the ends and use a cream to smooth. Do a sexy swoop over your forehead, and hold it in place with a cluster of pins at eye level.”

Beauty Secrets-
“Make your makeup stay- When it’s hot and humid, you regular makeup won’t cut it - all that sweat makes it look streaky and heavy! What you really need are lighter formulas that have
staying power. Look for an oil free mattifying foundation for a shine-free face, and a long-wear eyeshadow to keep your eyes pretty all day and night.

Get Clear Skin - In the summer, the excess oils you produce cause more breakouts, and the dark spots they leave behind linger because of sun exposure! Prevent pimples by using a spot treatment morning and night on your problem areas. Then use a mask with Vitamin C once a week to fade dark spot faster.

Score a Glowy Body! - The perfect accessory to your peekaboo dresses and tops? Bump free, sun kissed skin! Get it  by using a gentle exfoliant with aloe to soften. Then before heading out, smooth on glimmery lotion to really play up your bronzy glow.

Rock Pretty Lips -The skin on your lips is ultra thin, so when you’re out in the hot sun, they dry out fast, causing cracks and splits! Keep them soft and flake free with a super moisturizing tinted balm. Pick a fun color like tangerine.”

De-Frizz Fast - Just the slightest humidity makes hair expand. Keep strands sleek with a creamy product that contains oil to seal out the moisture. The rich consistency tamps down frizz and flyaways while adding major shine.

Make Your Hair Crazy Soft! - The beach is fun for you, but not so much for your hair - salt and sun dries and dulls it! Soften brittle strands by using a shampoo and deep treatment conditioner with tons of natural oils like olive, almond and avocado.”

7 Makeup Styles to Try -
“Neon liner -  Electrify your eyes without risking bright green streaks running down your face! Using an angled liner brush to apply a long-wear cream shadow around your eyes, extending the line at the outer corners to create a colorful cat’s eye. Then coat just your upper lashes with waterproof mascara. Regular mascara can run in the heat.
Dramatic wings  - On a hot date, you want to look smokin’ not smudgy, so use waterproof shadow crayons to create a fierce look. Start by coloring in your entire lid with navy, winging out at the outer corners. Then take the white crayon and highlight your eyes’ inner corners and water lines for a dewy effect.
Rosy Cheeks - Score a flirty flush for a day at the park with a poppy pink cream blush. It sinks into your skin so it won’t disappear midday, and it’s so sheer, it won’t get cakey.
Flawless  Skin - Sweaty skin can make you foundation streak. The trick is to pick a light matte formula. It will absorb shine throughout the day, and your makeup won’t wear off in some places but stick in others. Then cover pimples with a concealer crayon.
Tropical Face - Line your bottom water lines with a long wear turquoise pencil, and slick on matte coral lipstick -- unlike the glossy kind, it won’t budge.”

Tips for best mani ever-
“How to avoid -
A. Bubbles - Nothing ruins a killer shade more than lumpy bubbles! That’s what happens when you shake your polish before opening it. Roll the bottle between your palms instead to mix the formula.
B. Streaks - Stripe-y polish is so easy to prevent: First make sure nails are clean before applying a base coat. It helps paint go on smoothly. Then in even strokes, coat nails in three overlapping swipes: one on each side of the nail and another sweep down the middle!
c. Smudges - Avoid a sloppy look by making sure that you don’t have color on the skin around your nails. Paint slightly above your cuticle and use a pointed Q-tip dipped in polish remover to clean any stray color that gets on your skin.

Don’t clip too short - the area underneath your nails is super-sensitive  and if you trim them too short, you risk cutting your skin. To prevent, use nail scissors instead of clippers - they give you more control.

Do file one way - filing nails back and forth weakens them, causing them to break. Go in one direction with your file and do it gently!

Don’t cut cuticles - trimming gives you hangnails. Soak nails in water, apply cuticle oil, and push them back with a file.

Do buff them - ridged nails lead to an uneven  paint job.  Buff them with a gentle side to side motion. Once the ridge is smoothed, stop too much buffing will thin your nails. “

February 2014 Empties




Hello There,

Ah, February, the month that felt like  it was never ending. Day after day of snow and cold weather, the warm embrace of Spring is much welcomed.  Another added bonus? Creamy pastel nails and flowing tea length dresses that will crop up everywhere is a nice respite from the drab and dull dark colors. Oh, did I mention...it will finally still be light outside when I finish work -- no more scary nighttime for me!

Well on to the empties -

White Rain Body Wash All Day Moisturizing
LA Colors Colourful Eyeshadow - Silver Rose
Too Faced Metal Eyed Eye Liner - Blue
Kelo-Cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel
Garnier Fructis Marvelous Oil Deep Nourish 5 Action Hair Elixir
Seche Vite Top Coat
YSL Nail Lacquer Brush Pen 6
Yes to Cucumber Soothing On-the-Go Facial Towelettes
Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Olive Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Butter
L'Oreal Ever Sleek Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
Caldrea Aromatherapeutic Body Aloe Water Apricot Body Lotion
Gold Bond Ultimate Daily Moisturizing Body Cream
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Men Body and Face
L'Oreal Youth Code Day/Night Cream
Lancome Paris Energie De Vie
Luna Twilight Mascara - Lapiz
Talika Lipocils Experts
Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer
Elta MD Skincare Lotion Body Lotion
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
Masqueology 7D Moisture Day and Night Cream
AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion
Givenchy for Her
 Active Age Defense Hydrating Day Cream
Algenist with Alguronic Acid Multi Perfecting Pore Corrector Concentrate
Stila Convertible Lash + Line
The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream
Julep The Best Pedi Creme Ever
Dior Hydra Life Skin Perfect
Juice Beauty Nutrient Moisturizer
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Sumbody Coconut and Cream Fizzer
L'Oreal Age Perfect
Sedu Anti Frizz Polishing Treatment with Pure Argan Oil
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Algenist with Alguronic Acid Targeted Deep Wrinkle Moisturizer
Blinc Mascara
Tartes Light, Camera, Lashes!  Mascara
Clinique High Impact Mascara - Black
Desir de Nature ea de toilette
Pino Facial Mask Milk & Honey

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Red Flower - Italian Blood Orange Candle

Photo Credit - Barney's



I love this sweet scented candle. It reminds me of the ones from Pacifica.  I got this mini one to take with me when traveling. I also love how it comes with its own set of matches. The only downside, it took almost 4 matches to actually get one to light up. I also love how cute the candle container is. I was thinking of keeping it after the candle is finished but I am not sure what to use it for, since it is a bit too tiny to be useful. The candle is made with 100% vegetable based wax and can burn for 15 hours. The candle has a sweet, tangy, citrus and with zesty rind scent. The candle is generously scented and lasts hours. I  can’t wait to try the other scents, especially if they all smell this great.
















Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Skylark Snowkissed Cashmere Eye Shadow Palette
































The palette comes with 6 eyeshadows and 1 highlighter along with 3 how to cards and 1 full size dual sided brush. The colors are gorgeous for smokey eyes but seem a bit random, well to me at least. At first, I thought Pinecone and Nutmeg was the same eyeshadow  but one is just more "warmer" than the other. And Lace was very chalky and not very pigmented and it was the only one that wasn't shimmery. It was not very flattering on my dark skin. The eyeshadows went on smooth, velvety, and highly pigmented. The eyeshadow last a decent amount of time before creasing and fading. It is a decent palette but not worth the $40  as I am not super excited about the colors. I tend to wear bold colors but these work well for work or those who like the "natural look".