Thursday, September 6, 2012

China Glaze Bohemian Collection

China Glaze has released the Bohemian Collection which consists of six luster chrome shades (14 ml/.5 fl oz; $6.99 each):

L- R: Deviantly Daring, No Plain Jane, Rare & Radiant, Swanky Silk, Unpredictable, Want My Bawdy
Deviantly Daring
No Plain Jane
Rare & Radiant
Swanky Silk
Unpredictable
Want My Bawdy

I purchased mine at Sally Beauty at the member price of $5.99 each.

Here are close-ups of each shade:

Deviantly Daring
No Plain Jane
Rare & Radiant
 
Swanky Silk
 
Unpredictable

Want My Bawdy

Here are swatches on clear artificial nails (2 coats with no base or top coat):

L- R: Deviantly Daring, No Plain Jane, Rare & Radiant, Swanky Silk, Unpredictable, Want My Bawdy

Deviantly Daring

No Plain Jane

Rare & Radiant

Swanky Silk

Unpredictable

Want My Bawdy

Overall rating:  Booyah!  These shades have excellent opacity and durability.  They were swatched with two coats but I wore mine with a base and top coat and was happy with the durability of the polish.  I am a sucker for duo-chrome polishes and I just love these.

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Beautylish Order - Sugarpill Purchase

If you haven't yet heard about Beautylish.com, here's a quick summary.  The site offers information and insights into the beauty world for all of us makeup junkies.  Every month, their shop offers specials from a given brand name in their Beauty Boutique.  For August, the offerings were from Sugarpill, which currently are still available for purchase on the Beautylish website.  The items arrived wonderfully packaged and individually wrapped.




I ordered the Zillionaire ChromaLust Trio, the Heart Breaker Quad which included a bonus limited edition pressed shadow in @#$%!, a shimmery red shade.



I had never tried any of Sugarpill's Loose Shadows and I must say that I am in love.  The color payoff on these babies is incredible.  The Zillionaire Trio features three shades, described by Sugarpill as follows:  Goldilux (5 g) - Brilliant, highly-reflective metallic gold with breathtaking shine; JuneBug (6.5 g) - Luxurious forest green with a burst of diamonds; and Hysteric (5 g) - Metallic purple with turquoise sparkles and luminous flashes of green.  Each of these retails individually for $12, but through Beautylish, some shades  are available in trios for $30.



Here are close-ups of each shade:





Here are swatches:



The Heart Breaker Quad features 4 colors: Mochi, Acidberry, 2AM, and Velocity.  The quad, from the Addicted to Pretty collection contains 4 vibrant shades in a mirrored compact (Retail: $34, 4g/.14 oz x 4): Acidberry (lime green; matte with slightly pearl sheen; vegan), Velocity (royal blue; matte; vegan), 2am (purple; matte with slightly pearl sheen), and Mochi (mint seafoam; matte with slightly pearl sheen; vegan).  Typically, an individual potted shade costs $12 so you're saving $14 by purchasing the palette, not to mention the free limited edition shade @#$%!, that's included with the purchase.

Here is a close-up of each shade:




Flash washed out the color, sorry!
Here are light swatches, no base:


The Limited Edition Eyeshadow in @#$%! is very similar to Love+, but it has a shimmer to it.  This shade is not currently available on sugarpillshop.com, so it was an exclusive shade to Beautylish.com.




Overall rating:  Booyah! both for Beautylish's site, tutorials and product selection and for Sugarpill's ultra-pigmented, quality products.

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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Beauty Army - August 2012 Shipment and Purchase

It's been a while since I've ordered a Beauty Army shipment (www.beautyarmy.com; $12).  It's not that I don't like their service, it's just that I receive a lot of beauty product sampling subscriptions and the variety of samples offered to me by Beauty Army based on my profile, just haven't been items on my wishlist.  This month, the offering featured some items that weren't presented to me for selection in the past.  Additionally, I made a full-size product purchase that I'd like to share with you.  Unfortunately, one of the shower gels opened during shipping so my box was badly damaged.  Too bad as I just love the pink box.  As a side note, I did contact Customer Service regarding my damaged shipment and they offered to include some extra samples in my next kit.

 

In my August shipment, I received 6 deluxe samples as follows:

Emani - Foundation Primer & Hydrating Serum - Sample; Full size 0.84 oz./$28 - Velvety in texture, it absorbs excess oils and minimizes the appearance of pores. Hydrating Primer Serum contains 10 different organic extracts to aid and prep your skin for an ultimate foundation application. It deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a soft, luminous effect.

Skin Type: All skin types

For Best Results: Apply Primer Serum before powder based foundation. Use with moisturizer or in replacement of.

Includes:
• Ginkgo Biloba Extract, promotes microcirculation
• Chamomile & Witch Hazel extracts for calming of the skin
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice for added moisture and hydration




Bath & Body Works - Japanese Cherry Blossom Shower Gel - Travel size 3 fl. oz/$5; Full size 10 oz./$11 - Bath & Body Works' exclusive formula is now enriched with Shea Butter for softer, cleaner skin in their bubbliest lather ever! Moisturizing Aloe Vera and skin-loving Vitamin E combine with our exclusive, award-winning Japanese Cherry Blossom for lather that bursts with fragrance!


• Japanese Cherry Blossom is a seductive and mysterious floral scent
• Top Notes: Asian Pear, Fuji Apple and Ume Plum
• Mid Notes: Japanese Cherry Blossom, Butterfly Lily, Kyoto Rose, Mimosa Petals

For Best Results: Pour a button-sized drop on a mesh sponge, for the bubbliest lather. Rinse clean.


 

Bath & Body Works - Sweet Pea Shower Gel - 
Travel size 3 fl. oz/$5; Full size 10 oz./$11 - Bath & Body Works' exclusive formula is now enriched with Shea Butter for softer, cleaner skin in their bubbliest lather ever! Moisturizing Aloe Vera and skin-loving Vitamin E join our original, award-winning Sweet Pea fragrance for lather that bursts with fragrance!

• Sweet Pea is a fruity floral scent that evokes the intoxicating, floral-infused breezes of the Mediterranean
• Top Notes: Sweet Pea, Watery Pear, Logan Berry, Rhubarb
• Mid Notes: Cyclamen, Freesia, Raspberry

For Best Results: Pour a button-sized drop on a mesh sponge, for the bubbliest lather. Rinse clean.



Bath & Body Works - Paris Amour Shower Gel - 
Travel size 3 fl. oz/$5; Full size 10 oz./$11 - Bath & Body Works' exclusive formula is now enriched with Shea Butter for softer, cleaner skin in their bubbliest lather ever! Moisturizing Aloe Vera and skin-loving Vitamin E combine with the romantic scents of Paris to sweeten up lather that bursts with fragrance.

• Paris Amour is a romantic fragrance inspired by French tulips, apple blossoms and sparkling pink champagne
• Top Notes: Sparkling Mandarin, Petite Strawberry, Cassis, Pink Champagne, Apple Blossom, Dewy Freesia
• Middle Notes: Luscious Peach, Jasmine Petals, French Tulip, Water Lily, Frangipani

For Best Results: Pour a button-sized drop on a mesh sponge, for the bubbliest lather. Rinse clean.

Bath & Body Works - Twilight Woods Shower Gel - 
Travel size 3 fl. oz/$5; Full size 10 oz./$11 - Bath & Body Works' exclusive formula is now enriched with Shea Butter for softer, cleaner skin in their bubbliest lather ever! Moisturizing Aloe Vera and skin-loving Vitamin E combine with the seductive scent of Twilight Woods to provide a lather that bursts with fragrance.

• Twilight Woods is a hypnotic fragrance inspired by a romantic walk in enchanted woods
• Top Notes: Juicy Berry, Sparkling Mandarin, hint of Coconut
• Mid Notes: Creamy Frangipani, Soft Mimosa, Wet Honeysuckle, Wild Freesia, Apricot Nectar

For Best Results: Pour a button-sized drop on a mesh sponge, for the bubbliest lather. Rinse clean.



Fiafini - Divine Hydration Moisturizer - Sample: .17 oz/5g; Full size 1.7 fl. oz./$38.50 - Finally, complete complexion perfection with the moisture and anti-aging actives your skin craves.


Get the divine skin of your dreams with Fiafini! A hydrating and healing moisturizer that firms, minimizes wrinkles and restores elasticity, Divine Hydration Moisturizer is the triple-targeted solution to the most common signs of aging. Formulated to be ultra-hydrating yet never heavy, this moisturizer helps soothe and calm redness with Prickly Pear, Avocado and Evening Primrose extracts, while also reducing environmental stress on the skin. Powerful antioxidants Marula oil and vitamin E fight fine lines and wrinkles, and help visibly firm and lift the skin for complete perfection. And as with all Fiafini products, our moisturizer will always be free of fragrance, alcohol, mineral oil, and all parabens. No animal testing and Vegan.

For Best Results: Apply Divine Hydration Moisturizer to the face and neck morning and night, after cleansing until absorbed. Avoid eye area.


 

Overall rating: Booyah!  I'll be honest and admit I've used Bath & Body Works Shower gels in the past.  I love their consistency and how smooth and fragrant my skin is after showering with them.  I couldn't resist getting two classic scents (Japanese Cherry Blossom and Sweet Pea) and also trying two scents that are new to me (Paris Amour and Twilight Woods).  The size is perfect for my gym bag and I often carry one in my purse as my skin doesn't agree with some of the soap options offered in public restrooms.

For my full size purchase, I ordered the following two items:

Every Beauty - Every Drop Beauty Spatula - $4.99 - Gain extra weeks of use out of each beauty product. Use with any size bottle or container, the Every Drop Spatula is compatible with all liquids, lotions and creams. It will not stain or retain odors.




Eyecandy Coolers - Classic Chillin' Cucumber - $12 per pair - Eyecandy coolers are reusable, chill-able, candy-colored soft gel rounds that work quickly to reduce puffiness, minimize dark circles and fine lines, relieve allergy symptoms, and instantly soothe pesky tension or stress headaches. Eyecandy coolers may be safely used over and over again.

For Best Results: Simply chill in the fridge, freezer (briefly), or glass of ice water and you are ready to be eyecandy for the world in just minutes.




Overall rating:  Booyah!  Being the frugal person that I am, I just love the spatula.  I am certain to use every bit of my beauty samples and full size products.  I also use it to scoop out product from jars so as to not contaminate the contents with my fingers.  The cooler pads are great and easy to use.  I generally have fresh cucumber in my fridge but for those times I have run out, these come in handy.


Have you tried any of these products?  What are your thoughts?


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Monday, September 3, 2012

Terracotta Warriors Exhibit - Discovery Times Square

In 1974, while digging a well in northwest China, a group of peasants happened upon the unexcavated tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the self-proclaimed first emperor of China who lived in 221 BC.  Who would have thought that few clay fragments would have led to an archaeological dig that would span several decades and reveal 600 pits and an estimated 8,000 warriors?

Armoured General
The Terracotta Warriors Exhibit brings us information about the life and afterlife of China's First Emperor and showcases ~250 objects, many of which have never been displayed either in or outside of China.  A number of cities have already featured the exhibit.  I believe the Warriors travel next to Minneapolis Institute of Arts opening in October 2012 and closing in January 2013.

Being a lover of art and history, I wanted to post some pictures from the NYC exhibit.

Cavalry Horse
Infantry Soldier 
Kneeling Archer 
Crossbow 
Han Dynasty Tomb Gate
The most amazing thing, apart from the age of these artifacts, is that each warrior has its own unique face; no two are alike!

I, of course, had to take a little piece of the exhibit home with me so I purchased a replica of one of the warriors as well as the Exhibition book.



For more information on the Minneapolis Exhibit, click here.

For information on the Terracotta Warriors, click here.


POPSUGAR Must Have Bag - August 2012

I know it's Labor Day weekend and I was not expecting to post a blog this weekend but I received my POPSUGAR Must Have August Bag and several of the items were perfect to put to use tomorrow so I figured I'd share the contents with you post haste.  POPSUGAR'S Must Have Bag costs $35 plus tax (free shipping) and it includes a variety of must have products from the worlds of beauty, fashion, fitness, food, and home.


My August Bag contained the following items:

Beauty - Tatcha Blotting Papers - www.tatcha.com; $12 - These all-natural Japanese blotting papers come in such lovely packaging!  Each sheet is flecked with gold so they are really beautiful!


Fashion - Baggu Bag - www.baggubag.com; $9 - This really cool reusable tote comes with its own pouch so it's perfect to keep in my purse for impromptu shopping trips.  The bag is machine washable and can hold up to 50 lbs. of stash.  I just love this ecofriendly, durable bag especially since it folds up into a tiny square for easy storage.


Fitness - POP Physique DVD - www.popphysique.com; $14.99 - This DVD offers a total body workout that combines pilates, yoga and micropulsing to sculpt the body.  Haven't tried it yet but I plan to add it to my home workout routine so I can focus on some trouble spots. 


Home - Govino Wine Glasses - www.govinowine.com; $12.95 - Set of of 4 shatterproof, stemless wine glasses that look like crystal and have a neat "thumbprint" dimple for easy holding and they are dishwasher safe.


Home - Alora Diffuser; 8 oz. - www.aloraambiance.com; $90/16 oz. - Looks perfect in my bathroom and I love its sleek, clean, look.  This diffuser is said to last for months.

Special Extras:


Beauty - Sprout Cleanser & Exfoliator; 1 oz. ea - www.sproutskincare.com; $24/$28 respectively for 4 oz. - Brooklyn is in the house with this all-natural duo that I couldn't wait to try.  The cleanser contains tea tree oil and rosewater extract and the exfoliant is made with oats, almonds and Maine Sea Salt.


Food - Pretzel Crisps - www.pretzelcrisps.com; $3.49/7.2 oz. - Perfect for dipping and a neat, guilt-free snack!


Food - Bear Naked Granola; 1.35 oz. - www.bearnaked.com; $4.99/12 oz.  - Fruit and Nut - I just love adding this perfect sweet/salty snack to my frozen yogurt for a yummy topping!  I have also been known to have some as "breakfast on the go" and before a morning run or workout. 


Food - Benziger Family Winery Coupon and 2 Coasters - www.benziger.com - 15% coupon off a future purchase to keep my Govino Glass full.  Don't you just love these adorable coasters? 


Fun - Postagram Prints App - www.postagramapp.com; $10 value - 10 free prints so I can send friends and family my Instagram pics right from my iPhone.  How cool!!!


August Bag Info Booklet on top; Postagram Voucher on bottom

Overall rating: Booyah!!!  This is my first POPSUGAR Must Have Bag and I must say I am over the moon with what I received. I am looking forward to future shipments.

If you're interested in trying POPSUGAR, please click here.