Tag Archive | skincare

October 2016 Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Oct14

I haven’t written an Ipsy review for months.  The bags I’ve been getting lately have been nothing special.  I was actually thinking of cancelling my subscription, but it’s only $10 a month and I’ve been getting it for years.

This month’s bag certainly made up for those recent stinkers.  Each bag has five items. The cosmetic bag is super cute with a Halloween theme. The bag was designed Valfre https://valfre.com/.

Let’s start with my favorite item this month. It’s a full size roller eau de parfum of Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker.  Its .34 ounces and retails for $20.  When I first opened it, I didn’t like it.  Then I put it on, holy cow, it smells wonderful. A wonderful crisp floral for fall.

Next up, an eyeshadow in Satin Taupe by BeauteBasics.  It’s a pretty shimmery taupe that really makes my blue eyes pop. It stays on all day.  I couldn’t find a retail price for the single shade, but it appears to be full size.

I got a full size Essence Superfine Eyeliner pen in black, which is waterproof.  It retails for $2.99.  Essence is a great drug store brand that is super affordable.  I’ve been using the nail polish for a few months and at $1.99 each, it’s a bargain.

Cosmoholic Liquid lipstick in Mysterious Mocha retails for $24.99, a pretty brownish color which would be flattering on any skin tone. The case has a built in mirror, which is always a plus.

Last but not least a deluxe sample of Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil .5 ounces.  It retails for $48 for 5.1 ounces, I valued the sample at $5.50.  I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s rated well.

ipsy-october-2016-glam-bag-10-14-16A great value at over $53 for only $10.  Way to go Ipsy for October 2016. Ipsy

Julep Beauty Box

Aug20

Ladies, if you love nail polish like I do, you have to check this out. It’s Julep’s monthly subscription box. I signed up for three months, at $20 a month. I got 12 full size bottles of polish just for signing up.  A $168 value! Wow! Who doesn’t like free??? Plus you get to customize your monthly box.  They had a ton of products to chose from. I’m going for skin care this month. My $20 box is valued at over $60 for August. This line of cosmetics is available at Ulta.  Julep at Ulta

I’m excited to try the skin care items I’ll be getting for August. Plus the line is vegan, cruelty free, no nasty stuff in their products, etc.. Woo Hoo! Plus you can cancel at any time. You can sign up for just one month if you want. The longer you sign up, the cheaper it is.  You also earn points too.  I got a free add on in my first box. Also the items are full size. Did I mention the skin care is Korean?  I can’t wait to try my August skin care items.

I’ll do a review when I get my first box.  The polish is awesome, stays on really well, and I love the colors I got in my free box.  They even selected a color based on my birthday month, how cool is that!

Check out this link to join  Julep

Free gift for signing up!
Sunny Summer color in Saaya.

No Lift Nails Cuticle Oil Review

Jul10

I’m always glad when something good comes out of doing something regrettable.  I did my own acrylic nails about two months ago.  While I loved the look, I didn’t realize how hard the fake nails would be on my natural nails. While doing some research for acrylic nail after care, I came across this awesome product.

Fast forward six weeks later, let me introduce you to No Lift Nails Cuticle Oil. Holy flipping cow!  I kept the fake ones on until my own grew out. I picked some up at Sally Beauty for $6.99 No Lift Nails Cuticle Oil  The ingredients are simple: Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Vitamin E and fragrance.  It smells amazing. I put a drop on each nail before bed and massage it over my entire nail and cuticle.  The bottle is one ounce.

Cuticle Oil 7-10-16

In just six short weeks, my nails are all long and strong as heck.  My nail polish has been lasting longer, hardly chipping at all.

Cuticle Oil Nails 7-10-16

Here is a photo of my July 4th manicure.  I didn’t feel like redoing my nails, so I painted a silver line where the new growth is.  My nails grew an 1/8 inch in two weeks!  I started out with a wild blue color and just kept adding on.  I do my nails at night, and put this on over my polish, no smudges at all!  I actually filed my nails a bit here, as I wanted them to be squared off. My nails were really brittle before and would always break.  I feel like I have a gel manicure because they are so strong.

I have only used a small amount after daily use for six weeks. I sometimes will put some on my hands. I literally want to gnaw on my fingers because it smells so good.

Cuticle Oil 7-10-16 after two months of daily use

You can buy it on Amazon, but it’s $10. I actually paid less than $6.99 at Sally Beauty because I have a rewards card. It’s funny because I have been taking 5000 mg of Biotin for months and it wasn’t doing anything for my nails.  This stuff is awesome!

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Review

Jul5

Happy day after the July 4th!  I’m off work today just hanging out.  I visited my friend Marv earlier, now I’m just chillaxing on the couch.  Having had the past five days off I visited Ulta twice. (Obsessed much? Yes).

Gravity is not being kind to my eyelids, as I watch them disappear before my eyes, literally.  I’ve been looking into some possible procedures, but after doing extensive research, I’ve decided against it.  I did a Botox eyelift four years ago, I liked the results, but it only lasted three months and cost $600.

I’ve never been big on liquid eyeliner on my lids, as I wear glasses and I could never get the darn line straight. I was looking through my vast eye make up collection, and came across a freebie Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense.  I tried it and really liked it.  I went to my local Ulta and got Intense Clove.  I must say it really enhances my eye color, and makes my lids not quite so hooded looking. The color lasts all day, and doesn’t smudge. I just did a quickie eye make up job today, as I was only going to do volunteer work.

I got a post card in the mail from Ulta saying I could get a full size Clinique  Clarifying toner with any purchase.  A $14 value. Dang, winner winner, chicken dinner!  I was looking for a clarifying cleanser and the salesperson said to use this instead. The salesperson was super helpful with my color selection.

Here are a few photos.  Please keep in mind I’m 57, and know I will never have the eyelids of my youth without medical intervention. And I’m okay with that.

The Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense at Ulta is $16.50.  I got Intense Clove.  I used points since I’m a Ulta rewards member and only paid $7.50.  Clinique Quickliner at Ulta

 

 

 

 

 

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Tarte Review

Jun25

Hello!  I had a fun day off yesterday,  visiting my local Ulta for a haircut and style.  My awesome stylist Taleah asked me if I wanted a Tarte make over after my hair appointment.  I’m like heck yeah!  We were going out with friends later, and I had not done my make up yet.

I’ve used a few products from the Tarte line, but never any make up.  The Tarte make up artist Shannon, did an awesome job, and I ended up buying two items.

Tarte Make over Freebies 6-24-16

Freebies!

Tarte Make over Lip Sculptor VIP 6-24-16

VIP Lip Sculptor

Tarte Make over Swatch Lip color 6-24-16

Lip Color swatches

Tarte Make over Tarteist Contour Palette 6-24-16

Contour Palette

Tarte Make over Tarteist Contour Palette 6-24-16.jpg-1

Haircut 6-24-16

Great coverage make up!

Shannon used all of the colors from the contour palette, taking me through each step.  I’ve been a make up artist in the past, and she really knew her products.  My eyelids have practically vanished due to gravity, so I was glad to be able to see my eyes better. It’s $45 at Tarte Contour Palette

The Lip Sculptor in VIP is awesome!  Super creamy lipstick with a matching gloss that wasn’t sticky at all.   It’s $24 at VIP Lip Sculptor

Not only did I get these two great products, but I got two freebies as well.  A deluxe sample of the Maracuja Oil and Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment. I’ve used both products before and they are great.

The best part, not only did I get some amazing products, but as a Ulta rewards member I got 20% off my purchase.  It’s a once a year promotion where you can get 20% off your entire purchase including premium brands.

Ulta knocks it out of the park again!

 

 

 

Wet n Wild Megaglo Illuminating Palette Review

Jan19

Can I just say it’s freezing ass cold here in Wisconsin.  This past Sunday, after my visit with Marv (the elderly gentleman I visit every Sunday), I stopped at my local Walgreens.  Coupons in hand from the Sunday paper, and the Walgreens store ad, I headed for the Wet n Wild section.  I’ve used Wet N Wild products many times over the years, but lately they have really upped their game.

I bought the new Megaglo Illuminating Palette in Catwalk Pink. It has four colors, two shades of gold, a rosy peach, and a pinky ivory color.  All shimmery, all wonderful.  I couldn’t wait until I got home to try it, so I slapped some on in the car.  Wow! I love it!  This was my third stop of the day, and the temperature was a whopping -4 below with a  wicked wind chill.  I needed something to make me think that it might be warm someday.  I never put blush on with my fingers, but thought, what the hell???

This lovely palette was $4.99, but I had $2 in coupons. What a deal!  Once I put it on with a brush for work yesterday, it looked even better.

You will have to excuse this photo, as I barely have any makeup on.  But I like photos in natural light.  Being in the car outside Walgreens is about as natural as you can get.

If you are feeling the bite of winter, this palette by Wet N Wild will warm you right up!

P.S. Sorry the photos are sideways, I don’t know what happened.

P.P.S. My lip color is my own tinted lip balm I made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evolution of Make Up-At least for me!

Jan7

Blue Eyeshadow 1970'sWow! I can’t believe I’ve been wearing make up for over 40 years. Man, that’s a long time.  I’ve seen so many trends come and go.  I sold make up and was a make-up artist for a number of years part time. I had a flash back this morning when I was applying some olive green eyeshadow.  When I was a sophomore in high back in 1974, my then boyfriends’ older sister rocked a pale green eyeshadow with bright blue mascara that I loved. I adopted that look for the next few years.  My senior photo had that same look. I have blue eyes and thought for some strange reason that this would enhance the color. Not really, at least according to my friend Susie Lin.  I met Susie in my senior year; I really admired her fashion sense.  She was kind of enough to tell me that my green/blue eyeshadow just wasn’t cutting it.  She had a plethora of Clinique products she turned me on to.  She said I really should be wearing brown eye shadow to enhance my eyes.  I looked at her like she had two heads! But she did a makeover on me, and OMG! What a difference!

While I would like to think I’m up on the latest trends, I don’t necessarily follow them. Except for maybe in the 1980’s.  Everyone wore a ton of make-up, me included.  I see pictures of myself back then and cringe at the amount of eyeshadow I was wearing. Yikes! I was certainly in style.  When I sold make up, I could always tell how old a woman was by the color of her eyeshadow. I’ve read studies where when a woman finds a make-up look she feels that she looks her best; she will stay with the look forever.  I still laugh when I see someone wearing sky blue eyeshadow. Hello the 1970’s called and they want their look back!

I have several beauty magazine subscriptions, so I’m always up on the latest looks. As I’ve gotten older, I may not be wearing the latest style with my make-up, but I look pretty darn good for my age.  One trend that I wish would go away is the need for young women to have to feel that they have to wear a ton a make up to look good.  My eighteen year old niece was visiting and I couldn’t believe the make-up ritual she went through to go out.  The contouring was out of control.  If you need contouring, great.  My niece didn’t need contouring; it did nothing for her other than make her look a lot older.  I’m all about looking your best, please don’t get me wrong. If you have great skin, you don’t need to wear a crap load of make-up.

Good skin care is critical.  Applying a SPF of at least 30 is crucial to long term skin care. I’ve been using a daily SPF for the last thirty years. I stopped tanning years ago.  I know some ladies are getting Botox in their 20’s.  To me, that is beyond messed up. Again, I’m all about looking your best, so please don’t take offense.  The point I’m making is good skin care is the key to long term beauty.  My mother always took really care of her skin, and she looked great up until her death at 84.

As we get older, and skin care becomes more advanced, we have an arsenal of tools to keep us looking our best.  I would rather spend my money on traveling than having a cosmetic procedure done.  Be kind to your skin, don’t smoke, eat right and don’t forget the sunblock! Every single day.

2015-My Favorites Make up Round Up

Dec28

Hello! And welcome to my highlights for 2015.  I’m an admitted make up junkie.  I love trying new products and sharing my results with the world.  A little about me, I’m a middle aged accountant who loves all things make up.  I’ve been wearing make up for over 40 years.  My mom was the neighborhood Avon lady, so I learned about skin care at a young age. I believe in aging well.  I’m not trying to look like I’m twenty, but I do want to look good for my age. So without further ado, here are my top make up and skin care finds for 2015.  They are not in any particular order, and I have reviewed some on previous blog posts.

Women’s Rogaine 5% foam-If you are losing your hair, this is the product for you.  I’ve been using Rogaine for fifteen years and it really works. It does make your hair dry, so extra moisturizing is a must.  $30 for a two month supply. http://www.rogaine.com/product/women%E2%80%99s+rogaine-+foam+2-month+supply+auto+delivery+.do?sortby=ourPicks#.VoGuQPkrLrc

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E Skin Therapy oil $10 at https://www.palmers.com/en/cocoa-butter-formula/55-skin-therapy-oil-face.html  Has all the great ingredients you look for, but not the price.  I use four drops on my face every night.  I’ve been using it for months and have seen a great improvement in my skin.  Lines softened, smoother texture, more money in my pocket, what’s not to love?

Estee Lauder Advanced Time Zone Age Reversing Line/Wrinkle eye cream-$9 for a deluxe sample on EBay.  I am so digging this eye cream.  I’ve been using it for two months, and have seen a definite decrease in the lines under my eyes. I’ll be buying a full size soon.

OMG! Where have Frownies been all my life???  https://www.frownies.com/  These babies have been around for over a hundred years! They are about as low tech for wrinkle reduction as one could ever imagine.  They are basically brown kraft tape with a special adhesive that you get wet and put on your wrinkles. I found them at Bed Bath and Beyond for $16.  A package will last you 6-8 weeks. They totally work, and I love them.  No Botox for me!

Wet N Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection Rose Champagne Glow highlighter- $10 http://www.amazon.com/Wet-Wild-Centerstage-Collection-A045/dp/B00AXYFKZI/ref=sr_1_3?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1451340660&sr=1-3&keywords=wet+n+wild+centerstage+collection  You can’t find this in stores anymore, but it’s flipping awesome! I bought mine at Walgreens earlier this year.  It’s baked and has a pale rose glow, great for my 56 year old face! Not too shimmery, just right and very natural looking.

YBBB Brow Power Skinny Pencil in Universal Transforming Taupe by IT Cosmetics. $24 at Ulta.  I discovered IT cosmetics late in the year, and I really like all of the products I’ve tried.  This ultra-thin eye pencil is no exception.  My brows are blonde and this pencil really makes them pop.  It also has a spooly brush to finish off your look. The color stays on until you take it off. No crazy brows for me, I’m over 50, and just want a natural look.   http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5770243

IT Your Skin but Better CC + Airbrush Perfecting Powder SPF 50- $35 at Ulta.  This is a game changer for me. I just throw on some 30 SPF moisturizer and buff this stuff on, and I’m out the door.  It has buildable coverage, but does look airbrushed.  I love the fact that it has an SPF of 50. Always a plus. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12251077

Maybelline Master Prime By Face Studio Primer SPF 30 in Blur & Illuminate $8 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  My local BBB recently started carrying cosmetics.  I have to say, they have quite the selection, and awesome prices. BBB always has 20% off coupons. This is a great rose colored primer.  I mix it with any liquid foundation I might be using and it really blurs imperfections out, and adds a nice glow.

elf High Definition Under eye Setting Powder- $3 at Target. This is by far the best discovery for me for 2015. http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-high-definition-undereye-setting-powder/-/A-14795896#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=ELF+high+definition+undereye  Where can you find any kick ass product for $3??? The brush that comes with it is junk, but the powder is flipping wonderful.  It’s a white powder that you brush on after you put your concealer on.  Lines are decreased, and it lasts all day.

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector-$29 at Ulta http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11881009  Another under eye cover up game changer.  I got a BECCA gift set at Ulta to try out.  This was by far my favorite item.  It covers well, and a little goes a long way.

I hope you enjoyed my year in review.  Thanks for stopping by, and Happy New Year!

 

Ipsy December 2015 Glam Bag Review

Dec21

Season’s greetings! I haven’t written in a while.  I’ve been super busy with work and a new business I started making handmade cosmetics. So far so good, I’ll share more later when I get my website up to speed.

I got my five products this month and a special bonus.  I’ve been an Ipsy subscriber for four years.  Michelle Phan (the founder of Ipsy) sent me a nice note and an EM by Michelle Phan eye color palette.  The color is neutral, and I love it! It’s valued at $28.  It has six colors and they will all look lovely on my blue eyes. Thanks Michelle!

Here is a rundown of what I received this month:

Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask, my skin is a bit dry now, so this will be a treat.

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian clay finishing powder, a great travel size.

Peter Lamas Spa Sensuals Intensive Repair Hand Cream-a lovely citrus scented hand cream.

Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer by Elizabeth Mott-an easy to apply creamy primer.

Power of Love Natural Lipstick by Pacifica in Nudie Red-full size. The color is just okay.  It tastes and smells awful.  I’m making my own lip stick and balm, with a minimal amount of ingredients. The label says 100% vegan, but most of the ingredients I can’t pronounce. Maybe my teenage niece will like this.

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

 

@ipsy

#ipsy

#decemberglambag

Physicians Formula’s Argan Wear Glow Oil is 100% Pure Argan Oil-Review

Mar7

Physicians Formula 100 % Pure Argan oil 2-8-15Let me start off by saying this product is amazing!  I had tried Josie Maran’s argan oil and loved it.  I got a sample of Josie’s in an IPSY bag I got a while ago.  While I loved Josie’s brand, it’s a bit pricey.  The Physicians Formula Argan Wear Glow oil is only $14.99 for one ounce.  I bought it at Ulta, and only paid $8.69.  They had a buy one get one for 50% off, and I had an Ulta store coupon.

Here is the Ulta description:

Physicians Formula’s Argan Wear Glow Oil is 100% Pure Argan Oil, known as “liquid gold” for this its rich conditioning benefits, can improve skin’s brightness, tone, texture and elasticity. Weightless multi-tasking miracle combines the benefits of a moisturizer, primer, brightener, protector & treatment in one! Use on face, body, hair, & nails. This magical ingredient from Morocco transforms skin, smoothing the appearance of fine lines, brightening dull skin and renewing suppleness, helping to enhance skin’s youthful looking glow without ever leaving a greasy feel or finish.

I’ve been using it for about a month. It is so great for my mature skin.  I was trying the Mario Badescu skin care line and wasn’t really impressed. My chin had broken out, which my skin never does, so I took the Mario stuff back to Ulta.  The argan oil cleared my skin up immediately. Argan oil gives you a nice glow, and seems to smooth out my skin. It softens my wrinkles and just makes my skin look better.  For the price you can’t beat it.

I use it as a night time treatment. I use 4 drops for my face.  I’m trying a Perricone MD Cold Plasma Sub D on my neck and will hopefully see some good results with that.

Argan oil has so many uses.  I’ve been using Moroccan oil on my hair for several years, and it works great.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11861055