More Bang For My Buck!

I've noticed this year whenever I shop at Sephora, I try to leave with what I feel is a bargain.

Recently for the mere price of $36, I purchased "LORAC's Close Up: Real Life to Red Carpet Eye Tutorial".
This collection contains four full sized  products, a double-ended brush and an eye tutorial booklet.

Although I am a makeup artist, I certainly wasn't about to let the word "tutorial" stop me from adding this to my shopping basket. :)

Take a gander at what was in the box.


 Remember, these are FULL SIZE products.


* Behind The Scenes Eye Primer

* Starry-Eyed Baked Eyeshadow Trio in Movie Star

* Front of The Line Pro Eyeliner in Black

* Special Effects Mascara in Black

* Double-Ended Eyeshadow Brush (for blending  and smudging).

* An eye tutorial booklet (for those wanting to learn how to go from Real Life (day) to Red Carpet (night)).

P.S. The eye tutorial booklet's instructions are removable and will cling to your mirror.

                       

Another great find was Sephora's "Set for Summer" collection which I picked up a few weeks ago. The "Set for Summer" collection comes in a clear, orange trimmed Sephora cosmetic bag and contains nine full and travel sized products.

Below is a list of what's inside the collection.

* Sephora Eyeshadow in Choco Express #19
* Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop
* Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk
* Too Faced Mini Peach Leopard Brightening & Perfecting Bronzer
* Sephora by OPI Nail Color in I'm Wired
* Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment (sheer berry rose in pink case)
* Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-Up Base
* Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Mascara in Black
* Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Make-Up Setting Spray

The eyeshadow by Sephora and the Smashbox lip gloss are full sizes, the remaining items are mini / travel sized products.

Although summer is almost over, I must say this is my favorite collection from Sephora. The price tag of $39 made it even better!

The beauty consultant at the register informed me that I was entitled to a beauty perk based on the number of beauty insider points I'd accumulated. So, as I had over 500 points, I chose the

"Josie Maran Beauty Insider 500 Point Kit".  
 
Josie Maran Cosmetics is an earth-friendly beauty line This kit is great for argan oil lovers or for those like myself, whom are curious of its benefits and versatility.



  Here's what's inside:

* Argan Cleansing Oil
*Argan Hair Oil Serum
* GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara (GOGO: Get One, Give One)
* Argan Natural Volume Lip Gloss in Precious
* 100% Pure Argan Oil Organic Moisturizer 

N.B.: Regarding Natural Volume, to plump the lips, there is a naturally occurring tripeptide. 


Until the blog, continue to enjoy the summer and...


Stay beautiful!

Lip Jao Lip Balm

Keeping lips moisturized during the summer (and winter) months can be quite challenging. What has surely become a favorite in my beauty bag this summer is Lip Jao Lip Balm!



Pleasantly scented, Lip Jao contains 34% shea butter and has a SPF of 15. It goes on smoothly and lasts considerably longer than most other lip balms I've tried. Lip Jao does contain parabens, but it's also petro-chemical free. So, if you're a bit of a lip balm junkie or just want silky smooth lips, then try Lip Jao Lip Balm.

To purchase this product, here's the link to Jao Ltd.

Stay beautiful!

Working Vacation

On a recent day off, I did the makeup for a photoshoot. I met and worked with a phenomenal photographer by the name of Al Rodriguez (www.alrodriguezphotography.com); Leilani C. Namour, an outstanding jewelry designer (devauebodyjewelry.com); Dee Desalu, an exceptional hair stylist (www.deedesalu.com) and a very talented model named Amanda David.

Once I receive the images (and permission) from the photographer, I will post them.

Stay beautiful! 

Weekend Haul

I did a bit of shopping this weekend. My first stop was the East Village Thrift Shop (186 2nd Avenue, NY NY 10003). I purchased two lovely vintage inspired necklaces and a Liz Claiborne handbag. Then, I headed up toward 34th Street and went into Daffy's. Nothing really piqued my interest (which is unusual since I love shopping at Daffy's). So I left.

Once outside, I decided to head over to Sephora. I wanted to see if the full size of Urban Decay's newest member to the Primer Potion family, "Greed" had arrived. It did.

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed

The reason I'm so excited about this particular version is its versatility. It can be used as an eyeshadow base, worn alone as a lid color (or use a bit in the corners of your eyes to make them pop) or as a brow highlight. UDPP's "Greed" is a gold metallic shimmer and its texture is quite smooth. Depending upon how much you use will determine how quickly it dries.

I look forward using UDPP's "Greed" in future projects. Something tells me it's going to become a staple in my kit. 

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore

Another product I picked up was Illamasqua's pure pigment entitled "Ore". It's sooo beautiful! "Ore" is from the "Art of Darkness" collection. Sort of reminds me of MAC's "Vintage Gold" (from the "Overrich" collection). While I love the design of Illamasqua's containers, I do have trouble opening them. Honestly though, that's not going to stop me from buying more. Hmmm maybe some more nail lacquer.  :)

Clinique's Perfectly Real Foundation

Being the new year and all, I was in the mood to add another foundation to my personal makeup kit. Something that I could wear everyday and look as if I wasn't wearing foundation at all. I stopped by the Clinique display to check out their "Perfectly Real" foundation.

The first thing I liked about this foundation was, not every shade for darker skin tones was red-based. I swatched a few strips across my jawline and found my color match to be Shade 46 (N). Second, it's oil-free (and fragrance free). Since I have combination skin, this is a HUGE plus. Finally, you don't a lot to apply to your  face and neck. Yes sir...this looks like a keeper!


Not all of my faves are high end. Before calling it a night, I stopped by Duane Reade and picked up two lipsticks from CoverGirl's Queen Collection in "Nude Attitude" and "Javalicious"; a lipgloss entitled "Captivating Red" by Latina and two Dream Mousse Bronzers (#10 and #20) from Maybelline.

I also picked up two nail polishes from Revlon. From their new Top Speed series, I chose the color "#430 Chili"; and from their new Scented Parfume series, I chose "#300 Cotton Candy". The Scented Parfume series is interesting. When you first open the bottle (to apply the color), it smells like regular nail polish. However once it dries, it does have a nice scent. What I'm going to do is see if the scent remains after a top coat is applied.

Beauty products from Sephora and Duane Reade

Well that's my weekend haul. I have a photo test shoot coming up soon. So in one of my upcoming blogs, I will show you how I prepare for photo shoots.

Until next time....stay beautiful!