Benefits of the Elf Brush Shampoo

We all love our brushes, they are the most important tools any makeup junkie can have.

They help me create my looks as well as make the ritual of putting on my face so much easier.

I don't know where I would be without my coveted brush collection. Cheap or expensive I love them all.

To keep my brushes in like new condition I wash them weekly.

As I have been doing this for years now, I have begun to dread brush washing day.

It hurts my back sitting at the sink for 45+ minuets.

I did the olive oil and antibacterial soap mixture, but sometimes it would leave my brushes feeling oily and I would have to rewash them the next day. And the drying time with this mixture I didn't care for either.

I was looking for something new, something to make my weekly ritual easier.

On a resent trip to Walmart I picked up a bottle of the Elf Brush Shampoo.

I used this shampoo on all of my brushes that were dirty at the time cheap and expensive. I found that the formula is watery and I was a bit worried, but I continued anyway.

When I really noticed what this shampoo can do was with my MAC 219 brush, the small white brush.

I had some electric blue shadow on it, I thought okay this $3.00 shampoo ain't gonna do crap on this brush.

I was gladly mistaken. It became white as snow once again. The product claims to be antibacterial, removing all traces of makeup from your brushes. And it does!!

After washing I laid them out to dry using my Brush Guards for the larger brushes and laying flat the smaller ones, such as the 219 brush.

About 4 hours later I needed the space I put my brushes on to dry, so I picked them up to move them and noticed they were completely dry! I got a little nervous thinking, okay I messed up all my brushes, it's over!
upon checking them I realized they were all dry and in better condition then then before the washing!

I truly love this brush shampoo and will continue to use it.

Benefits of the Elf  Brush Shampoo.

1. It is watery so you won't need to add that much water.
2. It works quickly no need to over work your brushes.
3. quick drying time, washed and rinsed well in the morning, ready for a evening out.
4. Packaging is easy for travel and dispensing is very controllable.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!
If you enjoyed this post, please like and share or leave me a comment
I would love to hear your views on this amazing product!

Meaningful Beauty Crem de Serum

I received the product from influenster about a month ago.

Meaningfulbeauty.com says:

This crème de la crème treatment takes a triple approach to combating the signs of aging with three powerful anti-aging ingredients: superantioxidant melon complex, anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid. Combining the power of a serum with the rich, moisturizing effects of a crème, this super-boost is designed to help protect, increase hydration and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

This product has a wonderful light melon scent that awakens the senses.

It is a thick for serum more like a gel, the application goes on smooth leaving your skin soft and silky without feeling greasy. 

I apply a thin layer and allow my skin to drink it up. They recommend applying it at night to work its magic.

I have not seen this product do anything to my current lines, but its does not claim to remove lines or wrinkles. 

This is a prevention product not a solution to an ongoing problem.

Prevention is better in my book and something I wish I would have done earlier in life.

This product is apart of a larger kit that claims to help with ongoing skin problems.

This kit retails for $39.95 on Meaningfulbeauty.com

I can say that I have not seen any new arrivals of fine lines since using the product and for me that is just as good and having them disappear. 

Thanks to influenster for the wonderful product.

So my question for you today is,

have you tried meaningfulbeauty?

Thanks for reading and have great day!

4 reasons to use a High Definition Powder

HD powders come in a universal shade that works with any skin tone.

Not only do they make the skin look radiant on film it also sets your foundation  and matifies

your skin without changing its natural contours.

This powder can be worn over and foundation or alone.

It is a silicone based formula the blurs pores for a flawless look.

This powder is finely milled therefore is is naked to the naked eye and film.

This product is meant to be used lightly in a simple dusting motion.

If not you will have a filmy residue and it will show up in photos especially with a flash.

As you can see in the photo above applied heavily with flash photography

it shows up giving off a white film on the skin.

Applied lightly and blended well it gives the skin a lovely radiance as promised.

I have been using HD powders for a few years now and I honestly don't think I can go back.

HD Powder Points

1. It's universal for all skin tones

2. Very light feeling formula not caking at all.

3. Blurs and softens the look of pores

4. A little goes a long way

The only down side to this product is that the packaging does not contain

the power very well. It can and will go everywhere if opened carefully.

There are two HD powders that I use often.

Elf HD Powder

$6.00

Make Up For Ever HD Powder

$36.00

The price range on these two powders is extremely different

But I will tel you the MUFE powder is more finely milled.

I use the Elf HD Powder for daily use and the MUFE HD Powder for more special occasions.

Have you tried a HD Powder?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

Did you ever wish there was a product that could boost the benefits of your favorite foundation?

Or maybe, just maybe make your skin look so good you didn't need foundation?

Well say hello to your new best friend the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm.

This Formula is light weight liquid formula applies easily to the skin.

Has that familiar scent all Urban Decay fans know.

Finishes with a sheer coverage, leaving your skin feel natural.

Diffuses the appearance of pores and blemishes.

Brightens the look of skin for a more awake look.

This product can be worn as a primer before foundation to help give you that truly flawless look.

Or it can be worn alone over moisturizer to give you that nice finished look on the daily.

It does have a sheer finish, but you can layer it without feeling that caked on feeling.

Not only is this product good at hiding flaws it helps heal them over time!

• Perfects: Optical blurring pigment instantly evens out skin tone and minimizes pores, 

lines, wrinkles and redness.

• Protects: SPF 20 shields skin from sun damage and Pepha®-Protect helps inhibit DNA damage.

• Treats: Vitasource™ and dGlyage® firm skin, improve elasticity and provide measurable anti-aging benefits.

• Primes: Extremely blend-able formula creates a smooth finish so makeup goes on beautifully and stays put.

• Hydrates: Moisturizing but never greasy, Naked Skin Beauty Balm hydrates skin instantly and improves hydration over time.

This Product Deserves a Golden Squid!

Wearing

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm alone no foundation.

Have you tired this product yet and what are your thoughts?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Why do I need a skin Care Routine?

I wake up in my sisters Manhattan apartment after a last minute decision to spend the night at her place. Coffee is cooking. She is feeding the baby, which is great because neither my husband or I have had a break in over 4 months. I go into the bathroom and look at myself and see this mess of a woman staring back at me.

How do I fix this? How will I feel like me again without all my normal products? Fear sets in. Do I tell my husband we need to go home asap? Do I make a quick run to the drugstore for sample sizes?

No, I will ask my sister if she has anything I could use. Wrong!! She tells me shes doesnt have anything and that she uses her bath oil to take her makeup off!! Is this woman adopted? Did we exit the same womb?

I tell her she needs to start or she will cry for the rest of her life is she doesn't start using the proper products for her face. Why? she asks. Do  you not watch T.V or read magazines?

Woman start to crack and get all wrinkly around our age so its time to start!

So once again I am inspired by my beautiful but strange sister. I am going to break down what products women should use and why. Hopefully she will read this post and get on the ball.

Cleansing Device: There are hundreds of thousands of devices out there that help cleanse your face.
GET ONE! There are cheaper alternatives, but I have been in love with my Clarisonic Mia for about 3 years now and I ain't never going back.

Facial cleanser: This is something that should be gentle, but tough enough to take the day off your face.
I love Purity by Philosophy. It takes my makeup off and leaves my skin feeling soft and cleansed. I also use this to clean my makeup brushes. It is on the pricey side at $10 a bottle.

Daily Exfoliant: Now, I am not saying to scrap your face everyday. But I do like a good daily scrubbing. I have adult acne and I feel this scrubbing has helped keep it at bay. I use the Clean and Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub.

Antibacterial Soap: This is Optional, but with my cystic acne I did have, I feel this helped my out a lot! This gets deep down in there and clears up and bacteria they may be making a home on my face! I use the Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser. it is a bit drying, but I need this in my life as I do have oily spots.

Facial Toner: Toners help cleanse the skin as well as shrink the appearance of pores. I use the Dickinsons Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner. Applied with a cotton pad, ball or even a bounty not rubbed but patted on, I honestly will never go without a toner of some sort. It just aint right!

Serum: Now you can apply a moisturizer after your toner, but I promise you. You will never feel the same after you used a serum. They are magical liquids that make your face feel like pure love. All tight and firm, like you are sealing in all that goodness from your washing and scrubbing. Serums help with fine lines, age spots, skin pigmentation. Serums act more quickly than a cream or moisturizer ever could. I am now rotating between 3 at the moment. Two of which I will review soon.

Moisturizer: Moisture. Thats what it does. As we get older we lose our moisture in our bodies and these moisturizers replace what we lose everyday, thats where the lines and wrinkles come in. Babies have a lot of moisture that why their skin is so soft so smooth and ours isn't. I am jealous of babies. Currently I am using Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. It has acne fighting stuff in it and I like the cool sensation on my face.

Eye Cream: These creams are made for your gentle eye area to hydrate and moisturize them. There are a bagillion out there, so find one that suits your needs. I am currently rotating through 3 of them.

Liz a friend and fellow blogger did a review on one of the eye creams I am using you can find her review here Merlot Grape Seed Eye Cream. The other I did a review on here Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream. The third you will just have to come back and check it out soon!


Okay, So that's all I have to say about that. Until My sister says something crazy again!

Do you have a family member like this also?
Did I leave anything out?


Thanks for reading and have a great day!

SmashBox Pro The Master Class Palette II

The phone rings. I answer knowing its my youngest sister who lives in Manhattan. She tells me she wanted some new makeup and stops by Sephora, which is right around the corner from her. Did I tell you I hate my sister? 

She is also the most anti makeup person I know, her beauty stash consists of a bronzer, concealer, eye liner, mascara and a Sephora brush set that came out like 6 years ago. Her lipstick is that Nivea shimmer lip balm thingy and thats it, Period. She keeps all these items in a MAC makeup bag I gave her like 4 years ago, so you get the picture. 

"I didn't know what to get in there, so I got this SmashBox kit thing, is that any good"?

First I asked God why he gives people things they themselves will never understand or appreciate LOL!

Then I ask "What does it say"? She tell me its The SmashBox Pro Master Class Palette and I quote "It comes with all these things and I don't know what to do with them". 

I tell her not to return it that she holds pure gold in her hands and that I will be there in a few day to show her how to use all those things that seem to be confusing her. 

She calls me the next day and tells me that she went back to Sephora and picked up a extra palette for me!!

Did I tell you I love my sister?

So here we are, I present to you 

The SmashBox Pro Master Class Palette II

The Casing is a sturdy dull silver patent leather type finish. 

Finger prints are a problem and don't really go away even if wiped down.

The Palette Boasts a whopping 28 colors of eye shadows.

4 cream liners, 3 blushes, 3 bronzers and 2 highlights and a get the look card (not Pictured)

The color payoff is amazing, there are wonderful transition colors both dark and light.

There are beautiful sparkly colors perfect for a evening out, with the holidays right around the corner I know this will be my go to palette. Some of the and I mean just about 4 of the 28 don't show up on my skin tone, but these colors are perfect for blending out. I love that the shimmers are not overdone and the mattes are deep and rich. You can literally use this palette a million times and never have the same look twice.

The Blushes are very smooth and go on sheer for a nice wash of color, they compliment your skin rather then over it with a dusty powder, which is something I love in a good blush. The two highlighters are amazing they are truly everything a highlighter should be and will work great with any skin tone.

Blushes

Highlighters

                  

The 4 cream liners are great for bases and liners as well. The colors are Black, Navy, Purple and Gold. The black isn't as dark as I would like but as a base it's perfect. These are very pigmented however they will come off quickly if not set, So I only use them as a base and not a liner. 

A little goes a long way with them and I liked that they applied smooth and easy.

These are some of the looks I have created using this amazing palette.

Special Thanks to my sister for purchasing this wonderful Palette for me :)

This Palette Retails for $59.00 ($275 value) at SEPHORA.COM

Have you tried this Palette yet?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Double Duty Product for Eyes and Lips!

I love me some double duty products, I mean who doesn't love a product that can benefit you in two ways?
I know I do. If you are like me and love to save on money with these types of products check out the post that started it all here.

Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream

Drugstore.com says:

Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream with Pro-Retinol from nature works to firm wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes, while being gentle on skin.  Instantly:  Gently smoothes and softens the delicate eye area.  In 2 weeks:  The eye area is noticeably firmer and crow's feet, fine lines and wrinkles are visibly lifted.  With continued use:  The eye area is noticeably lifted, more resilient, and healthy looking.  Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream is ophthalmologist tested for safety, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), gentle to skin, allergy tested, and non-greasy.

I love this eye cream it goes on so smooth and silky and really hydrates my dry eye area. I have noticed that my crows feet are no longer a big issue as they used to be. I am not saying its a miracle product the feet are still there, they just aren't at noticeable as they used to be, by my standards at least.

I also use this product on my lips, yes you heard me right. I apply the tiniest amount to my lips after I have applied this to my eyes.

The Company recommends that this product is not to be eaten or swallowed. So I just a apply a very thin coat. 

I have to say that I have seen great results with the product on my lips, They are more soft and the fine lines in my lips have all but disappeared, they have a nice smooth feel to them.

This product has made me happy in two ways!! So I will add him to the list of other double duty products I love :)

I don't know if this works with any other eye creams, but I will be trying this out with other eye creams.

Have you heard or tried this method on your lips before? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!