And they also won "Best Kiss" (as well as a few other categories)!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
NEW MOON MOVIE TRAILER!
Be prepared to scream ladies! This is the New Moon trailer that was revealed at tonight's MTV movie awards (for any of you who missed it or just want to watch Edward again and again). It looks A LOT better than Twilight already! None of that weird bluish tint...and um after seeing this trailer, I have to say I have about a foot on the "Team Jacob" side LOL!
And they also won "Best Kiss" (as well as a few other categories)!
And they also won "Best Kiss" (as well as a few other categories)!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Smashbox Lid Primer vs. UDPP
So a few posts ago, I reviewed and raved about the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer and compared it to UDPP and TFSI respectively, now based on my last challenge, UDPP fared a lot better than TFSI for me, so at the end of the day the lid with UDPP looked practically flawless, while the lid with TFSI was creased and almost gone. So how does UDPP fare up against the Smashbox Lid Primer?
The test: I applied the Smashbox Lid Primer on my RIGHT EYE and UDPP on my LEFT EYE, then applied my eyeshadow as usual at 6:30 am (one day last week), went to work, walked in the sweltering heat for a bit, and 12 hours later, took a pic of both eyes...
Here are the results!
SMASHBOX LID PRIMER- 12 HOURS LATER...
The Result: The Smashbox Lid Primer held up pretty well, slight creasing near the inner corner of my eye, but to me it's where I normally will crease because when I blink the crease just folds in, and my eyes get watery which could have contributed to it. But overall the eyeshadow still looks just as vibrant, no signs of creasing or absorption of oil on the lid; the outer-V shading and contour still in tact and not much color fading, eyeliner also still as good as when I left in the morning.
UDPP- 12 HOURS LATER...
The Result: With UDPP, the eyeshadows still help up pretty well, still vibrant but NOT AS vibrant as the eye with the Smashbox Lid Primer; there is noticeable creasing or fade in color in the outer-V and contour area of the lid (compare to photo above). The eyeliner also seems more "dull" in color than the other eye.
Overall: Even though UDPP won the challenge against TFSI (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), it definitely didn't win the challenge against the Smashbox Lid Primer for me. It's still a good primer, but in comparison to the Smashbox one, I prefer the latter. The lid with the Smashbox primer was more vibrant and looked just as good as when I left the house that morning 12 hours later, whereas the UDPP one had some noticeable fade in color in random spots. Again, this is just MY personal experience with both products, I am sure UDPP works better for some of you above other lid primers, but the Smashbox one is definitely my holy grail of lid primers at the moment! :)
The test: I applied the Smashbox Lid Primer on my RIGHT EYE and UDPP on my LEFT EYE, then applied my eyeshadow as usual at 6:30 am (one day last week), went to work, walked in the sweltering heat for a bit, and 12 hours later, took a pic of both eyes...
Here are the results!
SMASHBOX LID PRIMER- 12 HOURS LATER...
The Result: The Smashbox Lid Primer held up pretty well, slight creasing near the inner corner of my eye, but to me it's where I normally will crease because when I blink the crease just folds in, and my eyes get watery which could have contributed to it. But overall the eyeshadow still looks just as vibrant, no signs of creasing or absorption of oil on the lid; the outer-V shading and contour still in tact and not much color fading, eyeliner also still as good as when I left in the morning.
UDPP- 12 HOURS LATER...
The Result: With UDPP, the eyeshadows still help up pretty well, still vibrant but NOT AS vibrant as the eye with the Smashbox Lid Primer; there is noticeable creasing or fade in color in the outer-V and contour area of the lid (compare to photo above). The eyeliner also seems more "dull" in color than the other eye.
Overall: Even though UDPP won the challenge against TFSI (Too Faced Shadow Insurance), it definitely didn't win the challenge against the Smashbox Lid Primer for me. It's still a good primer, but in comparison to the Smashbox one, I prefer the latter. The lid with the Smashbox primer was more vibrant and looked just as good as when I left the house that morning 12 hours later, whereas the UDPP one had some noticeable fade in color in random spots. Again, this is just MY personal experience with both products, I am sure UDPP works better for some of you above other lid primers, but the Smashbox one is definitely my holy grail of lid primers at the moment! :)
Ramblings...and New Moon love!
Hi my loves! Once again I've been MIA...lately I am finding that there aren't too many hours in the day for me to do everything I need and want to do, and actually stay awake for it! LOL. This year has been- and is going to continue to be such a busy year for me given that this is probably the first year that I am attending numerous conventions and makeup shows, and on top of that I decided I wanted to get back into dancing, more for fitness purposes over recreational, but haven't decided on what style of dance I wanted to explore...my sisters were both in ballet, and as much as I love how gracious it is, it's too slow for me. But belly dancing or tango sounds fun.
June-August is gonna be nuts. Monday is my birthday (as well as Cam's!), I probably won't be celebrating it this year because I feel rather old, LOL. Maybe dinner with some friends but that's about it. Then that Friday, my company is hosting a "Casino Cruise" in which we all go on a boat, have dinner, and gamble (which I am sure will be a good time since we have so many new people at my job). Then it's the Vegas show, and IMATS (yes I WILL be there y'all so say hello! I would love to meet you lovely ladies!); in July I am attending my first Comic Con show in San Diego (because the Twilight panel is gonna be there!) So that should be insane fun, then it's my 4 year anniversary with the BF, then it's HIS 28th bday August 8th, then finally Hawaii at the end of August. Whew! So many things to do!
I didn't post this last weekend because I was finishing up my traffic school online which I finally completed thank goodness because that was so boring! And I had a baptism to go to (I was the photog), so as you can tell, it's been busy busy busy! But it's definitely a good thing!
Anyway, my co-worker Kyle knows I love anything Edward Cullen related so he got me the dolls for my birthday! It was hilarious. So I might just start a "Where is Edward Cullen Series" and take a pic of him wherever I go, LOL. That would be funny. He is so helpful already, holding my eyeliner brush, HAHA. Also for you Twilight fans like me, there is great coverage on the making of "New Moon" on Twicrackaddict.blogspot.com in which they have the best behind the scenes and eye candy photos of Rpattz!
***The dots you see on him are for the CGI special effects in which he "sparkles" and the abs are airbrushed but nonetheless he looks yummy!
Um hello there gorgeous!
And KStew is doing her own stunts!
Here are the Valera peep toe pumps I bought from Target (as someone asked if I could take a pic with it on to see how it looks like), I love 'em, they are super cute and actually pretty comfortable:
I went to Ross (love that place) and found a pair of cute sandals for only $12.99! It's always nice when you find such great deals!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Product Review: Kiss My Face Products
Here is a review of a few Kiss My Face Products that my bestie Erica tested out.
Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 3 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Price: $63.00 (includes: cleansing bar, Toner, face crème with sunscreen and deep cleansing mask. Items can be purchased separately)
Where to buy: www.kissmyface.com
Would I buy again: YES
What is it: Purely Organic Face cleansing products.
What they Say:
The use of natural and organic personal care products is increasing dramatically... not just in the United States but throughout the world. People are becoming more knowledgeable and concerned about the environment and the effect of toxic chemicals on us and the earth. Properly formulated natural and organic personal care products are not only good for you but are actually more effective than their commercially mass-produced chemical laden counterparts.
Safer and Healthier
Why are people consuming more natural and organic foods? Clearly, the absence of unnecessary chemicals and pesticides in the food and drinks we ingest make them safer and healthier for us. The use of natural and organic personal care products is just as, if not more important than, consuming natural and organic foods. While the body's digestive system is actually designed to filter out impurities, the skin, as the body's largest organ, absorbs 60% of what is put on it, directly into the bloodstream. (SOURCE: GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE)
Essential oils, for example, primary ingredients in any natural or organic personal care product, are the concentrated, odoriferous derivatives of therapeutic plants produced for their own survival and protection from disease. These precious oils influence the plant's growth and reproduction insuring a long and healthy life. The molecular structure of essential oils is very close to that of the fluids and oils of our skin, accounting for our skin's natural affinity to them. They are readily absorbed and penetrate to the deepest skin layers. Regular use of essential oils in skin care has been proven effective in helping correct problems such as wrinkles, excessive oiliness, dryness, blemishes, and tone. Essential oils have the capacity to promote the elimination of dead cells, regenerate new ones and to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Better for the Environment
Organic farming is safer for the environment. It helps to give back to nature by maintaining and replenishing the soil rather than depleting it. Organic farming is better for all of us in the long run. The use of natural ingredients over cheaper synthetic ingredients eliminates the release of hazardous bi-products released into the environment during the production of synthetic chemicals in laboratories and factories around the globe.
In a nutshell:
Kissmyface is a company that features all organic beauty products. Some of these products have been featured in such magazines as seventeen and Elle magazine. The all natural ingredients provide better moisture, texture and overall appearance for your skin as well as being Eco- friendly.
Pros: Environmentally friendly, all natural products with no hidden additives that may irritate your skin. Smell is decent leaves your skin feeling very clean and refreshed. Perfect for all skin types.
Cons: If you are allergic to things such as soy or mica or any other fruits you may have to check the products ingredients as a lot of there products contain this. If you have extremely dry skin I do not recommend the soap bar, although it does leave your skin feeling clean if you have extremely dry skin it may not be the best.
Overall: I loved the products! It made my face feel and look healthier and did not irritate or make my skin oily. I was a bit worried at first because some soy based products irritate me, but this was completely fine. The Soap bar made my face squeaky clean and combined with the toner and the face crème that contained sun block , it hydrated and gave me a great glow as well as protect my face from UV Rays. The fact the product is eco-friendly is a big plus , most of us want to do our part to help the environment and it’s great when you can do that and look great at the same time.
Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 3 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Price: $63.00 (includes: cleansing bar, Toner, face crème with sunscreen and deep cleansing mask. Items can be purchased separately)
Where to buy: www.kissmyface.com
Would I buy again: YES
What is it: Purely Organic Face cleansing products.
What they Say:
The use of natural and organic personal care products is increasing dramatically... not just in the United States but throughout the world. People are becoming more knowledgeable and concerned about the environment and the effect of toxic chemicals on us and the earth. Properly formulated natural and organic personal care products are not only good for you but are actually more effective than their commercially mass-produced chemical laden counterparts.
Safer and Healthier
Why are people consuming more natural and organic foods? Clearly, the absence of unnecessary chemicals and pesticides in the food and drinks we ingest make them safer and healthier for us. The use of natural and organic personal care products is just as, if not more important than, consuming natural and organic foods. While the body's digestive system is actually designed to filter out impurities, the skin, as the body's largest organ, absorbs 60% of what is put on it, directly into the bloodstream. (SOURCE: GOOD HOUSEKEEPING INSTITUTE)
Essential oils, for example, primary ingredients in any natural or organic personal care product, are the concentrated, odoriferous derivatives of therapeutic plants produced for their own survival and protection from disease. These precious oils influence the plant's growth and reproduction insuring a long and healthy life. The molecular structure of essential oils is very close to that of the fluids and oils of our skin, accounting for our skin's natural affinity to them. They are readily absorbed and penetrate to the deepest skin layers. Regular use of essential oils in skin care has been proven effective in helping correct problems such as wrinkles, excessive oiliness, dryness, blemishes, and tone. Essential oils have the capacity to promote the elimination of dead cells, regenerate new ones and to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
Better for the Environment
Organic farming is safer for the environment. It helps to give back to nature by maintaining and replenishing the soil rather than depleting it. Organic farming is better for all of us in the long run. The use of natural ingredients over cheaper synthetic ingredients eliminates the release of hazardous bi-products released into the environment during the production of synthetic chemicals in laboratories and factories around the globe.
In a nutshell:
Kissmyface is a company that features all organic beauty products. Some of these products have been featured in such magazines as seventeen and Elle magazine. The all natural ingredients provide better moisture, texture and overall appearance for your skin as well as being Eco- friendly.
Pros: Environmentally friendly, all natural products with no hidden additives that may irritate your skin. Smell is decent leaves your skin feeling very clean and refreshed. Perfect for all skin types.
Cons: If you are allergic to things such as soy or mica or any other fruits you may have to check the products ingredients as a lot of there products contain this. If you have extremely dry skin I do not recommend the soap bar, although it does leave your skin feeling clean if you have extremely dry skin it may not be the best.
Overall: I loved the products! It made my face feel and look healthier and did not irritate or make my skin oily. I was a bit worried at first because some soy based products irritate me, but this was completely fine. The Soap bar made my face squeaky clean and combined with the toner and the face crème that contained sun block , it hydrated and gave me a great glow as well as protect my face from UV Rays. The fact the product is eco-friendly is a big plus , most of us want to do our part to help the environment and it’s great when you can do that and look great at the same time.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Style Warriors Collection & Pictures
So did any of you ladies grab anything from this collection? Of course the one thing I loved about this collection was the animal print packaging. My favorite animal is the Zebra, so this collection was right up my alley!
Luckily the eyeshadows didn't appeal to me at all (other than "Night Maneuvers" which is a pretty color for a smokey eye look), I already have "Femme Fi" from the Solar Fields collection and reminds me of "Soft Force", and "Magnetic Fields" is somewhat close to "Night Maneuvers" (to me anyway), and I already have "tempting" and "vibrant grape" has crappy color payoff for me, and how often would I wear yellow eyeshadow?!?? So that crossed off "Bright Future" (it IS a pretty color I just know I would never reach for it).
The lipglosses "Gold Rebel" and "Style Warrior" were must haves for me, I love the gold peachy sheen "Gold Rebel" gives and warms up my skintone with a pop of warmth and color, and I love the deep earthy tone of "Style Warrior" and it's very wearable and not super dark. "Liberated" is a nice cool yellow lipgloss which is great by itself or over a lipstick, and "Fierce & Fabulous" reminded me of a few lipglasses I already have like "Magnetique", so I was trying not to get colors similar to what I already have.
The lipsticks are adorable in their tribal safari-esque packaging and I truly love "Brave New Bronze" lipstick! It's a gorgeous neutral lipstick with a subtle hint of pink. I definitely need to buy a back up of it! "Purple Rite" is a frost lipstick- if "Violetta" lipstick and "Bubbles" has a baby this would probably be their child, LOL. It's a nice subtle hint of purple on my lips, not bright, but completely wearable. "Sunsational" was way too sheer for me and didn't go nicely with my skintone, and I didn't want to buy it just to overlay it over another lipstick, "Tribalist" is a nice deep chocolate purple color, which I could never pull of but wished I could!
I also got the bronzing powder in "Refined Golden" (it's also permanent so no need to rush ladies but hurry if you want it in the special packaging!), it's a nice warm brown with a hint of shimmer for a nice bronze glow or to highlight your tan. "Solar Riche" seemed a bit too orangey for my skintone.
Beauty Powder Blush "Eversun" of course is a re-promote and is a nice medium peachy color that would look great on anyone, and "On a mission" is a nice soft plum or mauve color.
The Lustre drops are great as a highlighter, or you can mix them into your foundation or lotion for a subtle hint of shimmer and glow.
I didn't swatch the lustre drops or the leg sprays, but here are some pics!
Stila Sale!
40% off Stila Cosmetics + Free Shipping at StilaCosmetics.com
Stila Cosmetics is having 40% off PLUS Free Shipping on StilaCosmetics.com until 6/17.
Promo Code: STILAPRO
Stila Cosmetics is having 40% off PLUS Free Shipping on StilaCosmetics.com until 6/17.
Promo Code: STILAPRO
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Milani Pretty Pair Lipstick & Lipgloss
Many of you have asked the nailpolish colors I had on in some of my recent posts so here they are; I hope to do a post soon with a bunch of nailpolish swatches:
- In the YSL Primer Post, I wore Nina's Ultra Pro Nailpolish (available at Sally's Beauty Supply Store) in "Sweet Nothings" (like a lilac purple).
- For my toes and nails (in the post where I had the strappy shoes from Target), it's Essie nailpolish in "No Boundaries".
- My sister's blue nailpolish (which was actually mine! LOL), is China Glaze nailpolish in "Frostbite".
Anyhoo, I recently went to Target the other day to get some body wash and was walking around the cosmetic aisle (because it's somehow euphoric and therapeutic to walk through familiar territory!) and I saw these new Milani lipstick and ligloss duos called "Pretty Pairs" ($6.99 at Target). Each shade name starts with a "Two", for example the one I bought is "Two Perfect", and examples of other shades are like "Two hot to handle" and "Two Cute".CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COLORS.
Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Shade I bought: Two Perfect
Additional shades available? Yes
Price: $6.99 at Target
Where to buy: Walgreens, Target, any retailer that sells Milani products
Would I buy again? Yes
They aren't anything like the stay on lipsticks such as L'oreal's Infallible lipstick, these are simply just a lipstick with a matching lipgloss in one with a pull out mirror on the back. They are pretty light-weight and tiny to carry around so it doesn't occupy a lot of space, the lipstick can be worn alone or with the lipgloss if you wish. It has NO SPF protection, but this is just a really basic lipstick and lipgloss set on the go, and at a nice price! The lipstick is creamy and easy to apply, the lipgloss is too and they both don't have a weird taste or smell (at least to me), the only thing I don't like is the lipgloss brush wand, it's stiff and super tiny; if they just tweak the brush wand it's perfect for me.
It contains:
- Shea butter
- Vitamin E & A
- Avocado and Jojoba Seed Oil
I LOVE the color I got, "Two Perfect, it's a nice nude-peach color in person, not super coral or orange, but a nice tinge of peach so it's pretty wearable and I think it complements a good majority of skintones nicely without being washed out or overpowering. I definitely want to check out the other shades they have soon!
PROS:
- Affordable, moderately easy to find in most stores here in Cali
- No weird taste or smell
- Love the shade I got!
- Has a pull out mirror
- Easy to tote around in your purse, not overly bulky or heavy
CONS:
- Lipgloss brush wand is a bit stiff and tiny
- Even though they currently have more shades, it's not a big selection, I think if they add more shades, that would be awesome!
Overall: Definitely like the one I got, and for you lippie lovers like me, definitely check it out the next time you are out and about!
Just the lipstick:
With the gloss:
- In the YSL Primer Post, I wore Nina's Ultra Pro Nailpolish (available at Sally's Beauty Supply Store) in "Sweet Nothings" (like a lilac purple).
- For my toes and nails (in the post where I had the strappy shoes from Target), it's Essie nailpolish in "No Boundaries".
- My sister's blue nailpolish (which was actually mine! LOL), is China Glaze nailpolish in "Frostbite".
Anyhoo, I recently went to Target the other day to get some body wash and was walking around the cosmetic aisle (because it's somehow euphoric and therapeutic to walk through familiar territory!) and I saw these new Milani lipstick and ligloss duos called "Pretty Pairs" ($6.99 at Target). Each shade name starts with a "Two", for example the one I bought is "Two Perfect", and examples of other shades are like "Two hot to handle" and "Two Cute".CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE COLORS.
Product: 4 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Shade I bought: Two Perfect
Additional shades available? Yes
Price: $6.99 at Target
Where to buy: Walgreens, Target, any retailer that sells Milani products
Would I buy again? Yes
They aren't anything like the stay on lipsticks such as L'oreal's Infallible lipstick, these are simply just a lipstick with a matching lipgloss in one with a pull out mirror on the back. They are pretty light-weight and tiny to carry around so it doesn't occupy a lot of space, the lipstick can be worn alone or with the lipgloss if you wish. It has NO SPF protection, but this is just a really basic lipstick and lipgloss set on the go, and at a nice price! The lipstick is creamy and easy to apply, the lipgloss is too and they both don't have a weird taste or smell (at least to me), the only thing I don't like is the lipgloss brush wand, it's stiff and super tiny; if they just tweak the brush wand it's perfect for me.
It contains:
- Shea butter
- Vitamin E & A
- Avocado and Jojoba Seed Oil
I LOVE the color I got, "Two Perfect, it's a nice nude-peach color in person, not super coral or orange, but a nice tinge of peach so it's pretty wearable and I think it complements a good majority of skintones nicely without being washed out or overpowering. I definitely want to check out the other shades they have soon!
PROS:
- Affordable, moderately easy to find in most stores here in Cali
- No weird taste or smell
- Love the shade I got!
- Has a pull out mirror
- Easy to tote around in your purse, not overly bulky or heavy
CONS:
- Lipgloss brush wand is a bit stiff and tiny
- Even though they currently have more shades, it's not a big selection, I think if they add more shades, that would be awesome!
Overall: Definitely like the one I got, and for you lippie lovers like me, definitely check it out the next time you are out and about!
Just the lipstick:
With the gloss:
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Official "New Moon" Poster!
I love it! I love Jacob's stance and his protective, yet fierce reaction- and Edward just looking over his shoulder at both of them, although I think Bella should have been more prominent in the poster rather than sorta in the backround, in the sense that "New Moon" represents the darkest part of her life and focuses mainly on the friendship she develops with Jacob; but nonetheless I am digging the poster!
So are you ladies excited for the movie to come out? What do you think of the poster?
So are you ladies excited for the movie to come out? What do you think of the poster?
Shoe Haul & Other Random Things...
My sister arrived last Thursday from Washington to attend her BF's prom here in Cali (since hers was cancelled due to some stupid food fighting incident); so we've been busy hanging out (hence the missing posts haha). Her BF really wanted her to be his date so he bought her plane ticket here, crazy! She was only here for the weekend (thank goodness because she was driving me nuts!), I didn't do her prom makeup since she told me LAST MINUTE that it was on Friday and I had to work that day...so she ended up doing it herself. (Didn't take pics of her makeup since she was in a rush to get out the door...)
Anyway, did any of you ladies see Gossip Girl's Season Finale Episode! OMG it was good! I LOVED the end with Chuck and Blair, and he FINALLY tells her that he loves her! I was like awww! Chuck Bass can be romantic and sweet! I can't wait till the show comes back in August! I am excited to see how Georgina develops in the show, and was that Lily and Rufus' son?!??!! Craziness if it is!
Oh! And the "New Moon" (Twilight saga) poster will be unveiled today at 7 am! I had a sneak peak before it was taken down by numerous sites citing copyright violations as the Washington Post "leaked" it accidentally, so if it turns out to be the real deal, it looks sooooo good! I will post it tomorrow! I am a huge Twilight fan as y'all know, I love the series and read ALL the books in like a week because I was so excited to get to the end, (don't kill me please Twilight haters!) my BF hates it too so don't join him haha. At work, ALL the ladies are into the series too and we cannot wait for the new movie, I just hope and pray it's WAAAAYYY better than Twilight!
Anyway, I know many of you had questions and emails and I am trying to get to them as soon as I can, sorry for any delay I am not ignoring you, it's just hard since there's only ONE me and so many hours of the day!
Reader vinyliskillingme had a few good and useful questions recently then somehow the last one turned sour, so in response to your comment/opinion, where you said I was "stupid" for buying expensive products- that's your opinion and I respect that. Everyone spends their money however they see fit, doesn't make them "stupid" just because they buy something you yourself wouldn't spend money on. And to be honest I agree with you partly because there ARE certain things I think are really expensive for what it is (which is why the CON for the YSL primer was that it IS expensive), but if it's the only thing that does the job for me then it's worth it to me personally. (Such as the Korres Yogurt Moisturizer!) I DO think there are many products out there that are just as good of a dupe as the expensive brand, but there are some that are just not the same and I don't think it's fair to isolate one part of the population by only reviewing affordable or "cheap" products or just "expensive" products. As a beauty blogger I try to review a variety of products if applicable, many are at my own expense mainly out of curiosity to try a particular product (and because many cosmetic companies have a great store policy in case it doesn't work out) and others are sent to me complimentary of that particular company who contacted me to review their products. Not every post is Dior, YSL, or Givenchy products, as not every post is Revlon, or NYX. If I didn't take the time to review all types of products- both affordable and expensive, how would you know what to weed out and what you might wanna try? Perhaps there is a product that previously piqued your interest and after I have reviewed it you can now make the conscious choice to either cross it off, or add it to your list of things to try!
Anyway, here were some random paparazzi photos I took of my sis during her stay:
Her boy toy...she did her hair herself...
When she was leaving...
I came home to tons of packages!
And here is my recent shoe haul:
Valera Peep Toe Pumps from Target:
Strappy dress shoes, also from Target (excuse the redness in my feet I had my gym shoes before trying these on! LOL)
Rocketdog Wedges from DSW:
And my water shoes for Hawaii! Which have the water drain holes so that they dry faster!
Anyway, did any of you ladies see Gossip Girl's Season Finale Episode! OMG it was good! I LOVED the end with Chuck and Blair, and he FINALLY tells her that he loves her! I was like awww! Chuck Bass can be romantic and sweet! I can't wait till the show comes back in August! I am excited to see how Georgina develops in the show, and was that Lily and Rufus' son?!??!! Craziness if it is!
Oh! And the "New Moon" (Twilight saga) poster will be unveiled today at 7 am! I had a sneak peak before it was taken down by numerous sites citing copyright violations as the Washington Post "leaked" it accidentally, so if it turns out to be the real deal, it looks sooooo good! I will post it tomorrow! I am a huge Twilight fan as y'all know, I love the series and read ALL the books in like a week because I was so excited to get to the end, (don't kill me please Twilight haters!) my BF hates it too so don't join him haha. At work, ALL the ladies are into the series too and we cannot wait for the new movie, I just hope and pray it's WAAAAYYY better than Twilight!
Anyway, I know many of you had questions and emails and I am trying to get to them as soon as I can, sorry for any delay I am not ignoring you, it's just hard since there's only ONE me and so many hours of the day!
Reader vinyliskillingme had a few good and useful questions recently then somehow the last one turned sour, so in response to your comment/opinion, where you said I was "stupid" for buying expensive products- that's your opinion and I respect that. Everyone spends their money however they see fit, doesn't make them "stupid" just because they buy something you yourself wouldn't spend money on. And to be honest I agree with you partly because there ARE certain things I think are really expensive for what it is (which is why the CON for the YSL primer was that it IS expensive), but if it's the only thing that does the job for me then it's worth it to me personally. (Such as the Korres Yogurt Moisturizer!) I DO think there are many products out there that are just as good of a dupe as the expensive brand, but there are some that are just not the same and I don't think it's fair to isolate one part of the population by only reviewing affordable or "cheap" products or just "expensive" products. As a beauty blogger I try to review a variety of products if applicable, many are at my own expense mainly out of curiosity to try a particular product (and because many cosmetic companies have a great store policy in case it doesn't work out) and others are sent to me complimentary of that particular company who contacted me to review their products. Not every post is Dior, YSL, or Givenchy products, as not every post is Revlon, or NYX. If I didn't take the time to review all types of products- both affordable and expensive, how would you know what to weed out and what you might wanna try? Perhaps there is a product that previously piqued your interest and after I have reviewed it you can now make the conscious choice to either cross it off, or add it to your list of things to try!
Anyway, here were some random paparazzi photos I took of my sis during her stay:
Her boy toy...she did her hair herself...
When she was leaving...
I came home to tons of packages!
And here is my recent shoe haul:
Valera Peep Toe Pumps from Target:
Strappy dress shoes, also from Target (excuse the redness in my feet I had my gym shoes before trying these on! LOL)
Rocketdog Wedges from DSW:
And my water shoes for Hawaii! Which have the water drain holes so that they dry faster!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Prod. Review: YSL Flash Radiance Brush
Product: 4 out of 5Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 5 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Where to buy: Sephora, Bloomingdales, Nordstroms, or any YSL retailer.
Price: $52
Would I buy again? Yes
What it is: A skin revitalizing complexion enhancer and makeup primer.
What they say: Top Secrets Flash Radiance Skincare Brush is Yves Saint Laurent's latest breakthrough product and the first of its kind. Inspired by the immediate and high-stress beauty needs backstage at fashion shows, this unique hybrid skincare and makeup product provides instant smoothness and radiance in addition to long-lasting evenness of skin's tone, texture, and hydration. It delivers a multitude of benefits. It revitalizes and softens the skin, erases signs of fatigue, and regulates the skin's pigmentation. This revolutionary formula creates a protective, moisturizing veil that sets the stage for a perfect, long-lasting makeup application.
In a nutshell: It's a primer in a built in brush which makes it easy to apply without having to use your fingers or hands to apply, you can also gently clean the brush with soap and water as it's synthetic. You twist the base of the brush (so it's on its side) to turn it "ON" and turn it back to turn it "OFF" so that it doesn't accidentally leak out. Just squeeze and the primer comes out from the middle of the brush, and apply on your face.
PROS:
- A really great primer, it totally made my face feel soft and smooth, thus creating a perfect, even canvas for makeup application (both mineral and liquid).
- Helps makeup last longer, and it didn't make me look oily like Smashbox's primer did.
- Built in brush comes in handy and makes it easy to travel with. I like how I can just apply it using the brush which probably helps prevent pimples since it eliminates the need to use your hands that have oils.
- Has a lot of product.
CONS:
- Super expensive! $52 for a primer is a bit ridiculous to me! But then again, it's YSL and we all know at times your just paying for the name...
- The smell! It's not a bad smell, it's just a bit too fragrant for me, like an overpowering perfume. I really wish they made one, or at least in the future make one without any scent or at least a much lighter scent. Because it annoying after awhile and I just couldn't get used to it.
Overall: It's a good primer, I haven't tried too many primers that made my skin feel so soft and smooth, and with the YSL primer my makeup went on smooth and flawless. Application is easy and you don't need to squeeze hard for the product to come out, and the brush makes it easy to apply the primer on your face. It seems like there's enough to last awhile since you don't need a whole lot.
