Whats in my Mail box!

Hello, My Beauties!

Lately I have been receiving quite a few packages from companies and brands. I have to speak the truth, I am having so much fun! I wake up and wait to attack the post man for my packages! haha, I think he is afraid of me now :) Anyhoo, I decided to start filming whats in my mail box videos on my YouTube channel, so you can see in initial reactions and unboxings of the products I receive.  I hope you enjoy and dont forget to subscribe to my channel so you don't miss a what's in my mail box video :)

WHATS IN MY MAIL BOX

This is  a  tutorial on the look I wore in this video.

PR COMPANIES AND PRODUCT REVIEWS

Hello, my beauties!

Today I am a little ticked off. I recently received some products to try out for review and even though the product went well enough I guess. I am ticked off about the size or the amount of product. 

Don't get me wrong I love my samples, But I feel samples are more for clients and customers, not beauty bloggers.  Any beauty blogger will need at least a two weeks worth of product to give a good honest review. 

Beauty Love Affair.

The Beauty Love Affair tag was created by Saffron Lallem of Saffy Style, Ashley Maria of Ashley Maria, Love, Life, Beauty and Shalunya of Shalunya & Boyet. We would love to read your answers so please feel free to tag us on Google + or leave a comment on our blogs.

The Rules:

1 Answer each question with the name of a beauty product and, if you'd like, explain why.

2. Give out more Valentines (tag other bloggers).

3. If you are tagged more than once please feel free to answer the questions again using a different type of product. If you answered the first time with skincare, then answer again with an eye, lip, face, nails, or hair product.  

First Love

Oh.. You remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. Such bliss and excitement! Who was your first love?

Wow, where do I begin! I can't remember, maybe my memory is failing me haha. All I remember was it was a lipstick from a drug store and it wasn't mine! I was like 12 I think.

Puppy Love

Before you knew your real love, there were those childhood crushes that sometimes blossomed into a cute puppy love. Who was yours?

Your killing me with these questions as I have no memories of these things! haha.

Love Triangle

Such a predicament. This one is so sweet and demure, but this one is so bold and sexy. Tell us about being torn between two lovers. Who were the players in your love triangle?

Let the Soap Opera Begin! My sweet and gentle lover is my L'Oreal BB cream. My hot and sexy bad boy is my Make Up For Ever Velvet Matte foundation. 

Current Love

Dating? Engaged? Married? Who is your main squeeze? Tell us about the one you can't live without or can't seem to let go of. Who is your current love?

e.l.f. Essential Cover Everything Concealer! I love this lil guy for high lighting my face. He is my go to guy when I contour and high light.

Secret Crush

Even though you're committed to your current love, looking around and admiring from afar never hurt anyone... Who are you secretly crushing on?

HourGlass Ambient Lighting powders. I WANT THEM ALL!

Blind Date

Which was The One that was introduced by a friend or mailbox company e.g Ipsy that you love?

Falsies! I love me some lashes and i owe all of this to Tillie my sister in law.

Steamy Affair

Which was The One that you left your steadfast regular for; the sexy, handsome one that caught your eye and had you hooked in a Steamy Affair with?

Urban Decay 24/7 liners. Once I used it I never went to anything else!

Sweet Temptation

Which was The One that has snagged your attention but you are only tempted by, you don't know yet whether you want a Steamy Affair or not with?

Narassist by Nars. I am sure it is a wonderful palette, but how many neautrals can a girl have? OMG, I should slap myself for speaking such things.

Love At First Sight

You saw it and immediately you loved it.

My Smashbox pro palette. HELLO HANDSOME!

Double Date

They came in a box set; two great things for the price of one.

Benefits Watts up and They're real mascara.

Friend Zone

You just knew he was amazing; but he's not all that. Who have you relegated to the friend zone? 

Mufe pro finish powder. Too heavy feeling when applied as a foundation. But is good for a light dusting over a bb cream.

Worst Breakup

You wanted to love him forever; but you quickly discovered that he was not 'Mr. Right.' In fact he was awful and broke your heart. Who was your worst breakup?

cover girl smoochies. me no likey.

Total Loser 

You were giddy when he asked you out. You had high hopes for a long relationship. Instead he was a complete dud. Who was your total loser?

The fergie highlighters. Such a dissapoinment :)

Long Lost Love

You were young and he was among your firsts. You grew, you moved on, you two lost touch with each other. Recently you bumped into each other again and you remembered all the reasons you liked him. Who is your long lost love?

My HD powders from Elf and Mufe.

Major Lust

You haven't yet met. You're just loving him from afar because you feel like he's out of your league. Who is your major lust?

Motives cosmetics. I have been dying to try them :)

I want to thank Saffy, Ashley and Shalunya fro creating this amazing tag and for always remembering me :)

Okay! Now for my valentimes :)

Veronica from Verosays.

Jackie from Fivetwocertified.

Tiggy from Mrbearslittleroom.

Hope from Beauty&Bliss.

Betti from Makeup'Asylum.

Leigh-Ann from BlushingBeauty.

Thanks for visiting! Please like & share this post. Leave me a comment and don't forget to leave your blog links :)

What's up with subscription boxes?!

Subscription boxes have become all the rage in the beauty industry.

For a fee as low as $10 a month or a fee as high as $39.99 a month depending on what company you subscribe to, you will receive a box or a bag of beauty or health related products ranging from lip stains to the newest health foods.

With all of them you will go through a style or life style profile questionnaire thingy, Which from what I have read they don't even pay attention to. But you need to fill out regardless.

With most boxes you will receive  deluxe sample sizes of the newest and freshest products to hit the market from new companies or from old favorites.

When Ispy sent out full size Urban decay revolution lipsticks in venom, you could hear women praising the makeup gods from across the land. The lipstick itself paid for the subscription that month the rest of the products were bonuses.

When a company like Urban Decay want to spread joy and mayhem throughout the universe they do things like offer it through a subscription service to get a buzz going. After that box was sent out, that's all you heard and seen in the beautywebuverse. I just made that word up I like it.

After that I noticed a trend that the boxes have gotten so, so and people were questioning whether or not to cancel their subscriptions.

I don't think anyone should cancel their subscriptions. the truth is you get to try new products you may have never heard of, or only seen on the interwebs. So in my book its worth it.

Their are three major players in the Beauty subscription universe and please note these are only my views as who are the players here.

Ipsy at ipsy.com. There were around before Michelle Phan joined the team she helped skyrocket them into god like status.

Birchbox at birchbox.com. From what I have seen BirchBox is more of a skin care are of beauty rather than actual cosmetics. They also have a mens box which is kinda cool.

Then there is PopSugar Must have box from Popsugar.com. This box offers full size products with a little of everything from fashion, beauty and health foodie type stuff.

There are other subscription boxes for other countries but I haven't looked into any of them.

The thing is, keep your subscriptions going, you may not get a wow product every time, but you won't want to miss the next big thing to hit subscription boxes.

what beauty subscription service are you subscribed to?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!!

My Favorite Elf Products of 2013

ELF (Eyes, Lips, Face) Has come along way in the past few years and they are truly picking up their game.

With many dupes of high name brands you really cant go wrong for the price.

Many Elf items are priced between $1 to $6.

Not all of their products will wow you, but any makeup junkie will have some Elf staples in their stashes.

Elf makes just about any beauty product you could imagine From Brushes to shampoos to wash your favorite tools and is readily available and any Walmart or target as well as online at eyeslipsface.com

On a recent trip to Walmart I picked up a few goodies.

Elf Matte Lip Colors

These pencil lipsticks are amazing! Application is always smooth and the creamy formula makes them great for anyone who appreciates a great lip color. These lip colors can compete with higher end lipsticks all day long. The color range is in itself very real from nude through a vibrant cranberry.

These are perfect and well shaped to create a ombre lip or worn on their own.

Nearly Nude

Praline

Rich Red

Natural

Coral

As you can see these lipsticks are perfectly shaped for application.

They are twist up and you get a lot of product.

From left to right Nearly Nude, Praline, Rich Red, Natural & Coral.

The only color I was a bit disappointed in was (rich red) as you can see its more of a deep berry pink then a red, but I don't mind with a good liner it can still be rocked as a red.

These retail for $3.00

e.l.f. Essential Cover Everything Concealer in corrective yellow.

This is a creamy concealer that will help to hide any redness, however it isn't a full coverage.

I use this product as a highlighter under eyes, down my nose and on my cheek bones 

before I set my face with powder.

This Retails for $2.00

As you can see it is quite thick but blends easily leaving a nice highlight behind.

Elf Small Stipple Brush

This brush has received raves reviews from expert to amateur brush lovers.

I have been after this brush for a while now and I understand what all hype is about.

This brush is perfect for concealing, highlighting and contouring.

It is soft and just plain lovely.

This brush retails for $3.00

e.l.f. Studio Brush Shampoo

Eyeslipsface.com says:

An anti-bacterial brush cleanser for thorough cleaning in-between makeup applications. Disinfects brushes to provide a fresh and clean application every time. Washes away traces of dirt, makeup, oil and debris from your brush while conditioning the hair to provide a clean and soft application for every use.

I have been using this to clean my brushes for a while now and I love it!

Its disinfects them, cleans them and conditions them leaving them like new once dried.

I hate washing my brushes, but this makes it easier :)

This retails for $3.00

I do love these elf products and will continue to repurchase again.

Elf has come a long way and I hope they continue to rise and wow us with affordable beauty products.

Whats your favorite Elf product?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

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!

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!

My Contour and Highlighting Technique

Hello! Well This is going to be a bit different, Lately I have been on this mission in finding new ways to use old products or use products in a way that the makers of said products did not intend. Why, do you ask? Because I'm a Squid and this is what I do :) Today I am going to be sharing products that I use in the exact opposite way they were intended to be used.


COVER FX: Total Cover Cream Foundation
Sephora.com says:
What it is:
An antioxidant-rich, two-in-one foundation and concealer offering broad spectrum SPF 30 protection with medium to full, buildable coverage.
What it does:
This foundation provides an all-day radiant finish that nourishes and protects with anti aging benefits. The buildable formula can provide medium to full coverage and offers SPF 30, full UV protection, and all-day wear. This clinically tested product does not contain gluten, mineral oil, or talc.

But that's not what I do with it! I use this guys as a highlighter when I am contouring and highlighting my lovely mug. It goes on nicely and I don't have to use much. It is way lighter then my natural skin tone but blended out it make for a nice concealer/highlighter follow with a face powder of your choice and you are good to go!


BENEFIT COSMETICS: Hello Flawless!' SPF 15

Sephora.com says:
What it is:
A custom powder cover-up with a natural finish that builds from sheer to full coverage.

What it does:
Benefit "Hello Flawless!" SPF 15 is a blendable powder foundation with SPF 15 that goes on beautifully sheer and layers easily for customized coverage. Find your perfect shade and sweep it on with the accompanying brush for a sheer, natural finish; or apply with the sponge for full coverage or spot cover-up.


Now this shade "Nutmeg" is absolutely to dark for me. But! As a contour shade he is perfect. He blends amazingly well. He is a high coverage product so a little goes a long way and he comes is a wide variety to match any skin tones.

I find that using these two products together is just heavenly. I have provided a Video below as a demonstration on how well they work together.

I am using the Airbrush collection brushes from Sephora

I purchased all products myself :)
Please Comment, Like and Subscribe!

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

dr.brandt microdermabrasion skin exfoliant

Hello! My people :) 

Today I have a lil piece of heaven to share with you all. The dr.brandt microdermabrasion skin exfoliant.

I got this sample tube in my october BirchBox And I could not wait to share it with you all, but with the move it got delayed. So lets get into this bad boy.

Key Ingredients:

Chamomile - calms, soothes and reduces irritation.

Aloe vera - healing emollient that soothes irritations and prevents scarring.

Aluminum oxide - pharmaceutical grade crystals that polish and remove dead skin cells.

Jojoba - easily absorbed vegetable oil that soothes and softens the skin.

Lactic acid - alpha hydroxy acid derived from milk gently sweeps away dead skin cells and softens skins texture

Dr. Brandt recommends: Dampen skin with warm water. Slowly and gently massage cream onto skin for 1-2 minutes avoiding the eye area. Rinse well, pat dry. Best if used 1-2 times per week allowing 3 days between applications. 

I do exfoliate often like almost everyday, BUT! its with a gentle exfoliant so its not that bad, I hope.

I have never microdermabrasion-ed myself so this method is new to me.

Anyhoo, I looked at the tube and thought what is this little tube going to do for me?

I applied a small dime sized amount to fingertips and immediately I got hit with this lovely lemon scent.

I began to apply it to my face and noticed a little goes a long way, It spread to nicely and smooth.

It has a gritty feeling to it, like a soft fine milled feeling that allows you to know this product will go deeper than any other product had before. 

Once I had it spread I couldn't just stop there, I brought out my ClariSonic Mia and used it for the recommended minute all over my face . 

Wow! It was so heavenly and felt so good. I can honestly say my face has never felt like that before.

My face felt clean and fresh and it looked brighter too. I just love that I felt like, Okay I know my face is clean now. 

This product claims to get your skin ready for your other products. This is true, I felt like it opened my face and ready to accept the goodness of my other skin care products.

I love this product and so thankful to BirchBox for letting me try a product I would have never looked into on my own.

I do recommend you try this product at least once, so you can understand the love I feel for it.

I did get three uses our of the trial size, so a little goes a long way.

2012 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner - Best Scrub

dr. brandt microdermabrasion is a revolutionary formula designed to mimic the transformative brightening, smoothing effects of the popular in-office microdermabrasion treatment at home.enables better absorption of skincare products an at home alternative to professional, clinical treatments helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne marks, and skin discolorations.

This product retails for $78.00 for a 2oz. tube on drbrandtskincare.com

Products I have mentioned above

BirchBox

ClariSonic

drbrandt

Have you tried an at home microdermabrasion product?

Thanks for reading and have a great day :)