elf Products: Not Being A Creeper, Just Pretty Shadows And A Multi-Purpose Stick

Posted on January 3, 2013 by kimberlyp

Do you learn a lot about deals and new products from beauty blogs? That’s what the point of reading beauty blogs is all about! So, when I read that Kmart had many of their elf products at half off (as if they are not so darn affordable already), I wanted to see if there was anything I just might be interested in. This is what I came away with…

Do you know I love multi-tasking beauty products? Elf’s All Over Color Stick looked really pretty, so it went into the basket. There were only three different shade colors left for the eye shadow singles: Dusk, Sage and Golden Glow. Those were perfect colors to try out.

50 Cents? I spent $2 on this entire haul. I can find that much money digging around in my car console or under the seat!

They are not tiny in size and have just the right amount of sparkle to be both bold and chic.

Here’s Dusk…

Purple? Blue? Smokey Grey? Yes!! I think I have only gone twice in the past week without wearing this one. The pigment is really good, as are all of the shadows I bought.

Sage is a swell green to use to make an unique smokey eye…

I didn’t do a close-up of Golden Glow; silly me. But I did get swatches of them all…

All Over Color Stick in Pink Lemonade is just too perfect of a color for me…

Since I usually wear mineral foundation, I don’t use cream blush but rarely. Now, I have been experimenting with using just a cream blush and setting powder; no foundation. Pink Lemonade looks so natural on me that I have been wearing that look often. I haven’t tried it as a shadow yet but it is lovely as a lip tint. The stick isn’t super creamy but it does slide on without a hitch.

Pink Lemonade works so well with my skin tone…

The shadows are on the flaky side but the pigment is super rich and I don’t find the fallout to be so terrible that a fan brush can’t whisk the crumbs away. The All Over Color Stick did much better as a lip tint than blush as far as staying power. However, I will note that I used the blush very sparingly.

Later, I found a four-shadow pan at Target to put these shadows in. It all looks very smart.

Fair deal for just $2, don’t ya think?

BFTE: Beauty From The Earth, Get A Gift With Purchase

Posted on January 3, 2013 by kimberlyp

Did you make any make-up resolutions? I did and it’s to buy more BFTE makeup. They have a TON of different colors! I love the ones I have and look forward to purchase a ton more. You’ll thank me for turning you on to this awesome indie makeup company.

Photo: Calling all beauty bloggers. We need your help!</p>
<p>Post this on your blog, fanpage, tweet it, and instagram it. Then email me the links. Each one that you do will enter you to win a $100 BFTE shopping spree and a BFTE Tshirt. </p>
<p>This ends on Jan 10th at 9pm.

And this IS exciting!!! They are going to have a booth at IMATS!!!!! Congrats BFTE!!

Laziest Post Ever: Studio M Glitters

Posted on January 2, 2013 by kimberlyp

Studio M polishes are not found in my area. Lucky me, I have a swell friend that lives in Michigan who does, however. I can’t say anything about these polishes that you won’t discover yourself after you pick your jaw up off the floor…

I couldn’t find any names on these. Now, that’s a shame! If you love glitter, and you have to love bar glitter too, then you’ll want to keep looking…

Next yummies…

Everyone got 3 coats. All of them all together…

It’s a cruel world that these polishes aren’t available to everyone. It’s a wonderful world to have friends that share my passion for polishes.

Beauty Blurbs In The News

Posted on January 1, 2013 by kimberlyp

I found a couple of beauty blurbs in the November 2012 addition of ‘Womens Health Magazine. I thought I would share them with you.

The first spot talked about the names that cosmetic companies come up with for their products. From a study by University of Oregon, it was noted that women favored names that referred to something sexual or romantic. The study said the reason is because we find it exciting and leads us to imagine a hot scenario or a pleasant memory. I think NARS was listening when they named their blush Orgasm!

The other blurb was about wearing fake nails. The American Contact Dermatitis Society revealed that the main ingredient in the acrylic powder used to make acrylic nails, called acrylates, can cause itchy and painful cuticles and nails that are sore, dry, discolored and make them split. This article recommended that you take them off and head to your dermatologist to see if you are allergic to the acrylic.

And last, it is stated that 63% of black adults do not wear sunscreen. Folks, even dark skin can get cancer! And, studies show that when people of color discover they have skin cancer, it is usually more advanced than when light-skinned adults get it checked. Let’s put it this way: if you have skin, use sunscreen!!

Icing: Flower Child

Posted on December 28, 2012 by kimberlyp

Do you throw confetti at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve? Naw, me either. But, those ‘rockin’ parties seem to. I’ll settle for confetti on my nails. That hangs around longer…

I found ‘Flower Child’ at an Icing store. I don’t know why I keep looking for more, new polish. I have more to-be-swatched than days of the week. Probably everyone can agree that there isn’t enough time during the Holiday season to get everything done. So, my nail-painting has slacked!

‘Flower Child’ is the perfect polish for those that like lots and lots of glitter…

There’s round glitter, hexagon-shaped, and lots and lots of shards. I see teal, orange, silver, fuchsia, green and gold colors.

This glitter polish is the kind I love painted over a dark, creme polish. And, ‘Nevermore’ from Cult Nails is my all-time, only-one-I-need, one-coat black creme polish. But, I was fascinated to see it on a dark blue creme (I don’t remember which brand I used), as well…

I did have to do a bit of placement as the glitter wanted to all collect at the tip. You can see how this made the topcoat not as smooth. Of course, with ‘Nevermore’, I only needed one coat but, the blue polish got two. Then I put on two coats of ‘Flower Child’.

Since I didn’t wear this on my own nails, I can’t judge how it would wear for real. However, for a one-night event, such as New Year’s Eve, being a ‘Flower Child’ might be the new bling.

Do you think you’ll ever NOT like glitter polish?

elf: 32 Piece Warm Eyeshadow Palette

Posted on December 25, 2012 by kimberlyp

Lately, my passion has been for palettes. Lots and lots of palettes! Even though I have several elf palettes, this one is a newer one. It has all these soft and bright shades, I had to get it…

And, shoot! For $5 I’ll skip a Starbucks Chai for one day.

This palette ranges from powder pinks to yellow golds and to bright purples…

Rows and rows of bright shadows in a white palette make for some fun shots that I can use on my MOO business cards…

Are you ever surprised at how well a photo turns out for you? These amazed me because they look really good! I always feel the need to let the person who is getting my business card that I took the photos.

Maybe you would be more interested in some swatches. I did just a few to test the pigmentation and the texture…

I didn’t use any primer with these swathces. In fact, I just used the applicator that came with the palette. I didn’t find the product to be powdery however, the pigment seems to be on the weak side. Probably a shadow primer would brighten the intensity. When I used my makeup brushes to apply it on my eyelids, I was able to build it up reasonably. These are not as vivid as some of the other elf shadows I have, yet I am in no way disappointed with this palette.

Is there anyone else who obsesses like I do over makeup palettes?

Finger Paints: Midnight Sleigh Ride

Posted on December 24, 2012 by kimberlyp

I hope you don’t have a blue Christmas. But, you might enjoy blue Christmas polish! I like this one very much…

Finger Paints ‘Midnight Sleigh Ride’ is a beauty. It’s a medium shade of blue with blue and silver micro-glitter…

The shimmer isn’t too obvious from a natural distance, however. But, that shade of blue is pretty. I remember my Grandparents’ Christmas tree that was one of those spindly silver ones. All the ornaments were thread-covered blue Christmas balls. It was pretty back then. Now, I guess it would be very ‘retro’.

Two coats of ‘Midnight Sleigh Ride’ turned out just right…

The shine on this polish is incredible! I don’t have a top coat on it at all. The polish itself is so smooth and applied evenly. Pretty Christmas polishes like Finger Paints don’t give me a blue Christmas.

Do you like blue Christmas polish?

Victoria’s Secret: Pout FX Lip Primer and Definer

Posted on December 23, 2012 by kimberlyp

I don’t see a lot of blog reviews on Victoria Secret’s makeup. However, I got a 20% off coupon and thought I’d try something new. After careful consideration, I chose this lip primer…

notd poop lots of swatches haul 060 I couldn’t resist trying out Pout FX before I photographed it. It had to be tested right away…

This is twist-up crayon that’s easy to hold. It’s a bit chubby so it makes for quick service to apply. I found Pout FX to be very smooth and soft. It is like a flavor and fragrance-free lip balm, just a bit on the heavier side. Some of the lip primers I use are moist and I have to let them set before applying my gloss or lipstick. With Pout FX, I was ready to go as soon as I capped the crayon. There was not any color change in the lipstick that I used this with.

The application is easy and I found that this product was not drying at all on my lips. It fact, I feel I could wear it without any gloss or lipstick over it. But, that wouldn’t be near as fun, now, would it?

Here’s what Victoria’s Secret Pout FX has to say about itself…

Basically, it says that it will keep your lipstick from bleeding and will help it stay put longer. Just what I want my lip primer to do. And, that is what I got! Pout FX worked perfectly with lipstick, gloss and both together. The Vanity can wholeheartedly recommend this lip primer.

I got this at Victoria’s Secret store for $9.60 with my 20% off coupon.

My New Favorite Red Shimmer: Finger Paints Hollydazzle

Posted on December 21, 2012 by kimberlyp

Finger Paints made a Christmas/Holiday red that is off the charts! My camera just could not deal with it. But, I tried…

‘Hollydazzle’ is right! What looks like just a bright red polish is just the beginning. Look at the different colors of shimmer…

The above photo is in the sunny kitchen. It gives the best look at the true red shade and still shows the shimmers. And those shimmers look gold, magenta and red to me. I mean CHOCK full of shimmer!!!

This is only 2 coats with a top coat of Color Club’s Eco Top Coat. I found this polish super easy to apply. I still have this polish on, it’s been 3 full days and I don’t even show tip wear. I could possibly wear this all the way to Christmas.

‘Hollydazzle’ has just become my new, favorite red shimmer polish. Do you have a favorite red?

Why In The World Would You Put Chicken Poop On Your Lips?!

Posted on December 20, 2012 by kimberlyp

This is me with Chicken Poop on my lips…

Wait! Before you click out, I can explain!!!

I found ‘Chicken Poop: Lip Junk’. Wouldn’t that make you curious?…

And before I could mentally hear my Mom say ‘Put that down!’ I read this part…

So, why do you ask that it is called ‘Chicken Poop’?…

I can’t remember who told me this, but I remember some family elder telling me this because I always had chapped lips. Demented, I know. (Starting to get the picture, eh?)

So, before you run away in disgust, check out these fine ingredients…

See? It’s all good!…

You might think that this would have a strong fragrance, however, it is very light. And it is soft on the lips. My lips stayed smooth for some time after applying this.

So, yes…I would recommend ‘Chicken Poop’ to you!!

I found this at The Christmas Tree Shops for $2.59. I even got my friend one for Christmas. She said she liked it too.

Two, last reasons to like ‘Chicken Poop’: Their 800# has POOP in it and, they make this stuff in Wichita, Kansas. That’s were I went to college! Check out the other fun stuff they have here.

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