2011 Must-Have Products

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Oct 082011
 

It’s almost the end of yet another year!  I can’t believe how fast 2011 has gone by us!  Insane, isn’t it?  Anywho!  I thought it was time to go ahead and share my annual must-have products with you all ~ I ask now for forgiveness of the length of this post :)

M.A.C. Pro Longwear SPF 10 Foundation – $29.50 (30 ml / 1.0 US fl oz) – My best foundation matches have been M.A.C., but I never wore them until I purchase Pro Longwear. So far this is the best foundation I’ve ever used! It doesn’t transfer, and it doesn’t “slide off” my face, as well as it doesn’t even feel like I have anything on.


M.A.C. Prep+Prime Translucent Finishing Powder (Loose) – $23.00 (8 g / 0.28 US oz) – Helps keep my face shine-free and flawless looking! It’s a perfect complement to my PLW Foundation. I just realized this also now comes in a pressed version, which would be great for touch-ups (should I ever need one!); It’s also $23, but only 6g / 0.22 US oz.


Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush in Natural – $11.95 (7 g / 0.24 US oz) – While I can’t say it boosts my mood, I can say it does give me a nice, “lit from within” glow. Very gorgeous without being overly pink or shimmery.


M.A.C. Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again – $14.50 (3.6 g / 0.12 US oz) – Normally M.A.C. lipsticks are too drying for my lips, but I don’t have that problem at all with their Sheen Supremes. Not to mention, Bare Again is a perfect “my lips but better” (MLBB) shade for me! I also own Ultra Darling and Impressive.


Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine – $12.00 (0.24 US oz) – I first heard about this product in a YouTube video from Tiffany D. I didn’t realize how much I loved it at first, but it’s absolutely a product I consider a definite must-have! I only wish it was easier to get my hands on without having to drive to Sephora or order online.


Tarte 100% Pure Cold-Pressed Maracuja Oil – $46.00 (1.7 fl. oz) – I read on the Skin Care Board of Makeup Alley about using oils, but never tried it. I received the Tarte Maracuja Oil as part of the Glow Your Way to Gorgeous kit from QVC, and I’ve been extremely impressed! Not only is my skin soft as silk, but I think it helped lighten some of my dark spots. I’m almost positive it helped my skin stop producing excess oil. Definitely a new staple in my skin care routine (along with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45)!


Gold Bond Ultimate Softening Shea Butter Lotion – $8.79 (14 US oz) – I fell in love with this when I used a good friend’s smaller tube at work. I noticed the scent more than anything at first, but then I realized how moisturizing it was. It’s now a staple in my routine after showering!


Chanel N°5 Eau Premiere EdP – $64.00 (1.35 fl. oz) – Now, I hate the original N°5! I can’t find a single pleasurable note from it, so I steer clear. However! Eau Premiere is absolutely divine and smells nothing like the original to me! The best way I can think of to describe it is as champagne and soap. The notes are: aldehydes, rose absolute, jasmine, neroli, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver and ylang-ylang. Given the cost of this juice, I generally try to only use it as a pick-me-up after a bad day and a long hot shower.


Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb EdP – $75.00 (1 fl. oz) – Yet another scent I originally hated! I’ve found in 2011 I discovered I liked or even loved scents I had found vile the year before. I can’t believe I didn’t adore Flowerbomb the first few times I smelled it! It’s a definite HG scent for me, and if you use a light hand, you can even wear it in the summer. Definitely more of a fall/winter scent, but fantastic either way! (I’m still working on samples and will one day own a full-size bottle!)


Essie Demure Vixen Nail Polish – $8.00 (0.5 fl. oz) – $8.00 (0.5 fl. oz) – Absolutely perfect shade to wear any day and for any occasion. It has hidden shimmer to it too! Sadly it takes about three coats to make it opaque enough, but it still shows visible nail line (VNL). Either way, it’s fab! I also adore Essie Lady Like, which is a cream version with even more of a hidden shimmer.

Recurring faves from 2010: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black, Barielle Growth Activator for Natural Nails, Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine Quick Dry Top Coat and Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown.

What products have you discovered in 2011 and what are your must-haves?

Weekly Roundup: 9/25 – 10/1

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Oct 042011
 

Red Hair and Black Nail Polish shows us Nails like Barbie with Catrice-Just Married

Midnight Manicures – The China Glaze Glitters from the Metro Collection

Nailfiled – Back (again) with The Face Shop GR502

Polarbelle – Reviews of the Madre Labs and Enter to Win Huge Giveaway from Iherb.com

Makeup Counter Confessions – Sanitation Please

Polish Pauper wants you to Forget the Rainbows, Bring on the Unicorn Puke!

Polish Insomniac shows us a Halloween Inspired Mani #1

Beauty.Mark Style & Fashion – New Updates

From Mascara To Meatloaf – Apples & Brown Sugar in Phyllo Shells

Nails and Noms – Essie Winter 2011 Cocktail Bling Collection (swatches & review)

Glitter Gloss Garbage reviews Bath and Body Works Paris Amour

Addicted To All Things Pretty – Women Of Color Interactive Product Map

Cosmetically Challenged – Ruby Kisses Ultra Control Eyeliner and why it’s a Keeper

A Time of Change

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Oct 032011
 

You ever feel like you need to “reinvent” yourself?  And not so much you or your personality as a whole, but you as far as your look and style.  Lately I’ve been feeling this way, and I think part of it has to do with the change in weather.  I’ve just gotten so bored with my same old look.  I’ve been trying new hair styles, new makeup choices and colors, and I’ve even found myself liking some perfumes I NEVER would’ve liked years or even months ago!  It’s almost amazing what we initially dislike only to later enjoy.

In addition to my cosmetic choices, I’ve been back to trying to figure out my whole weight loss battle.  I was diagnosed as insulin resistant and having PCOS about three months ago.  Basically, I was a step away from becoming diabetic.  My cholesterol levels were high too, and I’m not really one for greasy, fatty foods.  I was put on medication to regulate my insulin resistance with the  hope that it would also affect my cholesterol positively.

A few weeks ago I started South Beach Diet, and so far it’s been great for me!  I’ve already lost 6 lbs. in three weeks ~ Mind you, I only lost 8 lbs. total in the two months I was on Weight Watchers!  I’m trying to look at this as more of a lifestyle change than a diet, and it hasn’t been too hard to make it.  The first week was a task, but I’m surprised at how quickly you can catch on to what you can and can’t have, and even more surprising has been my willpower and ability to turn away yummy treats!  I mean, we had a bake sale at work and I somehow was able to keep my strength and bypass apple cider, cider donuts, lemon bars and chocolate covered strawberries!  Are you serious right now?!

I’m too embarrassed to say how much I weigh or how much more I need to weigh, but I’m sure over time the numbers will add up and you’ll be able to figure it out.  And when I finally lose to where I’m happy with how I look and feel, then maybe I’ll share numbers.  For now, I’m just taking it day by day and week by week!  Wish me luck!

Review: Reviva Labs Firming Eye Serum with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester & DMAE

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Oct 022011
 

Product: 4 of 5
Packaging: 5 of 5
Quality: 4 of 5
Price: 5 of 5
Overall: 4 of 5
Would I repurchase? Probably so

::: The Product :::
Reviva Labs Firming Eye Serum with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester & DMAE is an eye cream meant to “reduce the appearance of eye-area wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles as you protect against future signs of aging”.  It comes in a glass pump bottle containing 1 fl. oz. of product.  The cream itself is fragrance-free (to me at least) and is milky white with a thin, almost silky consistency without being watery.  The pump bottle isn’t too finicky in that you can get just what you need without dispensing too much product.

Reviva Labs claims the following about their eye cream:

  • DMAE, Alpha Lipoic Acid & Wheat Protein help firm & fight bags, puffiness
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid & Vitamin C Ester antioxidants help protect against future damage
  • Mulberry & Lime help lighten dark circles
  • Hyaluronic Acid & Allantoin, in a unique blending moisturize & texturize area

Reviva Labs Firming Eye Serum with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester & DMAE can be used morning or night, and is supposed to be applied by using gentle tapping motions using an oval pattern with repeated movements approximately five (5) times.

::: The Ingredients :::
Demineralized Spring Water, Olive Oil, Cyclomethicone, Whole Wheat Protein, DMAE Bitartrate, Mulberry Extract, Lime Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid

::: My Experience :::
I have hereditary dark circles, but don’t experience a lot of puffiness.  Even still, anything that claims to help lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness is worth trying.  So far I don’t have any eye wrinkles trying to sprout, so I’ll hope this will help keep them at bay!

I have been using this product for a little over a month, and though I can’t say I’ve noticed it lighten my dark circles, I have noticed my eye area isn’t as dry feeling as it tends to get at times, and feels very soft.  I use this eye cream both morning and night, and a little really goes a long way.  I think using too much might have caused my eye shadow to crease a time or two, even though I used my beloved Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

Reviva Labs Firming Eye Serum with Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester & DMAE might be a cheaper solution to Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream, which is an eye cream I’ve been loving.  The biggest plus for me is that Reviva Labs Firming Eye Serum comes in a pump bottle, which I truly prefer over a potted eye cream.  Also, even though Vitamin C Ester (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate) is the most stable, it’s not the most effective on skin. It might be a better benefit if Reviva Labs used L-ascorbic acid, though more effective on skin it’s more unstable and needs to be kept in a dark, cool place ~ not to mention it goes “bad” faster.

::: Overall :::
I would definitely purchase this, though I’m not sure if I couldn’t get just as good of an eye cream at the drugstore.  For only $19, it’s not a bad price, and Reviva Labs doesn’t test on animals.

Disclosure: This product was sent to me for review by Reviva Labs.  However, all opinions expressed are my own and I was not compensated for this review. For more information, please view my Disclosure Policy.

Apples & Brown Sugar in Phyllo Shells

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Oct 012011
 

Hello my loves!  Did you miss me?  I sure missed you, but life has been nutty and I have been a busy bee!  While I wish I could say I was busy with all sorts of glorious things, I haven’t been (sadly).  However, I am back once again, and I brought a yummy recipe with me!  I have a few recipes I plan on sharing, and I’m going to try to get some new reviews in too!  YAY!

Hands-On Time: 20 mins.
Cooking Time: 5 mins.

Servings: Approx. 16-18 mini shells

Ingredients:
3 apples
3 TBSP butter
4-5 TBSP brown sugar
1-2 packages mini phyllo shells
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Peel and diced apples into small chunks.
  3. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Cook apples until soft, then add in brown sugar.
  5. Stir until syrup forms, then remove from heat.
  6. Place phyllo shells on lightly greased baking sheet.
  7. Fill shells with apple mixture.
  8. Bake for 5-8 mins.
  9. Serve and enjoy!  You can top with whipped cream if you like :)
The apple mixture was originally found here, and I used it for the first time as an add-in to my steel-cut oatmeal.  I’m pretty sure it’ll be an awesome mixture to use over vanilla ice cream or as the filling for apple pie (using larger pieces of apple).  You could even use it to make homemade turnovers too I bet :D