LUSH A Million Kisses Lip Tint $8.95

“Still searching for the perfect lip color? Treat your smoocher to A Million Kisses, our ruby hued lip tint. Paint your pout a deep, just-bitten red- perfect for that unforgettable Valentine’s kiss. We blend an undertone of blue into this one to make your smile appear even whiter, and your lips will taste of zesty lemons, sweet icing sugar and fragrant roses. There now, we think you’re finally ready for that Hollywood kiss!”

Wow. I have to admit, I was not expecting gorgeous pigment like this from a LUSH lip tint. The ones that I do have from LUSH are fairly sheer. Everyone wants a gorgeous red pout for Valentine’s Day. I think I found mine for 2012.

*LUSH A Million Kisses Lip Tint is Vegan!*

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35  – $39

A 5-in-1 complexion miracle -worker proven to moisturize, prime, perfect, protect and control oil in a single step. This revolutionary tinted formula instantly evens out complexion to create smooth, radiant skin without settling into fine lines and pores while banishing shine without the chalky matte finish. Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles after only 4 weeks. Wear alone for a sheer look or under your favorite foundation for more coverage.

I have tested this out a few times now. I like that this evens out my skin without being full coverage. During the week I really don’t care to have a full face of makeup. If you have scars or marks this will probably not be enough coverage on it’s own. It has a nice, natural finish, not too glowy and not too matte. It feels a lot like a tinted moisturizer, rather than the thicker texture of BB creams I have tried from Asia. I haven’t used it long enough to see the BB cream benefits, so I can’t comment on that quite yet. The biggest difference between this and the Asian BB creams is the color selection and the texture. I think this will be a big seller in the spring and summer because of the SPF 35 and the quick, even coverage. I will be wearing this out to the pool for sure.

Light and Medium shown on NC25 skin

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is available in four colors: Fair, Light, Medium, and Dark.

*For a limited time you can get a FREE Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream spf 35 mini with any $25 Beauty Insider purchase from Sephora.com*

*Use code SMASHBB*

What is YOUR experience with BB creams?

February 15, 2012

“The fearless Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj introduce Nicki’s lipstick in a scene-stealing pink and Ricky’s colourless Lip Conditioner in a Tube that goes from day to dance floor! With every cent of the selling price supporting the MAC AIDS Fund, it doesn’t get any hotter. They’ve teamed up to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among young people around the globe. Nicki and Ricky dare you to be bold. Be beautiful. Be safe.”

• Viva Glam Nicki – Bright yellow pink (Satin) $14.50
• Viva Glam Ricky – Lip Conditioner Tube (Clear) $15

Benefit Sugarbomb $28

These four unique shades of rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach blend together perfectly for a delicious “sugar rush flush.”

Benefit Sugarbomb is my most recent addition to my Benefit boxed powders collection. I already own and love Hoola, Dandelion, and Coralista. Now Sugarbomb is not by any means NEW. I believe it came out last year, but I was wary of purchasing it because the name alone made me think “glitterbomb”, a negative connotation used for product glitter fallout all over your fayce. However, the more I kept seeing it on other beauty bloggers, and then selling out at Sephora made me want to give it a try. I’m glad I did, it’s a beautiful peachy blush/highlighter, which is right up my alley.

It decided to be cloudy today, so I apologize for the less than perfect swatch photos. Definitely give Sugarbomb a try next time you are in Sephora or ULTA, if you haven’t already. Shame on me for taking so long to.

My top picks of the collection…

Hot ‘N’ Saucy Tendertone $15

Tendertones are one of my favorite products that MAC Cosmetics makes. They are moisturizing jelly balms with sheer, buildable colour, and they smell delish!

Hot ‘N’ Saucy Tendertone ( Soft Cherry Red) on NC25 skin

Purring Tendertone $15

Purring Tendertone (Sheer Tangerine with Pearl) on NC25 skin

Wholesome Fluidline (Blackened Brown) $15

The deepest, darkest brown, for days when Blacktrack is just too harsh.

Watch Me Simmer Lipstick (Amplified Creme) $14.50

Watch Me Simmer (Bright-Pink Orange) on NC25 skin

Watch Me Simmer is an Amplified Creme, these are my favorite of MAC lipstick formulas. They are creamy and pigmented, often full coverage, and are not drying.

MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC will be available on February 9, 2012

Pixi All-Over Magic Radiance Powder in Bare Radiance

Five shades are blended together to create the perfect radiance boost for dull skin. This silky multi-purpose powder applies effortlessly while  brightening cheeks, eyes and body with a hint of natural colour & light. Coated pigments reflect light for a youthful radiance & make you look like you’re glowing from within.

Use a large fluffy brush and buff into skin – swirl onto cheeks, face, body or wherever you want to add some glow, highlight and attract the light. Or wear shades individually on your eyes for added gleam.

The pigments in this powder are designed to reflect the light away from imperfections on the skin, like wearing your own soft focus lens. It looks very subtle, but is buildable. I like to use a large powder brush and sweep it across the forehead and cheekbones. It adds a nice, natural glow, comparable to MAC Mineralize Skinfinish powders, without being at all shimmery. I noticed I didn’t need blush or bronzer after applying this. I think it will be a great all-in-one powder for spring and summer to add a nice all-over glow on those days when you really don’t want to wear a full face of makeup.

I think this may be my first time trying a product from this brand. Pixi is available at Target stores. Have any of you tried any products from Pixi?

Nothing working to clear up that sudden breakout? After trying practically every treatment and cream in the book, I’ve found that less is more. Sometimes harsh acne treatments only aggravate your skin more, stripping skin’s natural moisture, causing more oil production. Try taking a more gentle, natural approach. Here’s what has been working for me…

The first thing you need is a pack of premium cotton pads. They won’t leave cotton lint on your skin. I spray the lined side of the cotton pad several times with rose water. Then I put two or three drops of tea tree oil onto the saturated cotton pad. (That’s two or three drops, NOT dropper-fuls) Tea tree oil is very strong and should never be used full strength on the face.  You may be able to find a tea tree oil that comes with a dropper, otherwise you should purchase a dropper bottle separately. If you don’t have rose water, you can spray the cotton pad with plain water. Next, wipe the cotton pad over clean skin. (You would remove any makeup beforehand.) The rose water and tea tree oil work as a gentle toner, and both have natural astringent properties.  This will help unclog pores and treat any breakouts you might have. You can feel the gentle tingling sensation. If your skin seems like it’s getting dry, lessen the amount of tea tree oil you are using. If nothing seems to be working for your skin, give this a try and let me know what you think!

Products I use:

• Home Health Rose Water available at Sprouts
• Premium Cotton Oval Pads available at Walmart
• Desert Essence 100% Australian Tea Tree Oil available at Sprouts

Kiss My Face Peace Soap - 100% Natural All Purpose Castile Soap

If you have some spring cleaning to do, why go out and buy a ton of products for the various jobs. Clean head to toe, ceiling to floor, and snout to tail with this all purpose castile soap by Kiss My Face. Here are just a few of the over 100 ways you can use this 100% natural concentrated liquid:

• Shampoo
• Body wash
• Dog bath
• Veggies
• Counter tops
• Dishes
• Laundry
• Walls
• Floors

Kiss My Face Peace Soap is available in four different scents, and three sizes. The scents are Lavender Mandarin, Grassy Mint, Lemongrass Clary Sage, and Pomegranate Acai. The sizes are a travel size 3.4oz for $2.99, a 17oz bottle for $9.99, or the best value 34oz for $15.99.

I love the fact that these are 100% natural, and you can use them on just about anything. I hate getting ripped off by buying a floor cleaner, a kitchen cleaner, and a bathroom cleaner. Like really?? What’s the difference? Then you are inhaling all those bad chemicals. No bueno. Have YOU ever used an all purpose castille soap?

A portion of each Peace Soap sale goes to the organization Seeds of Peace: Founded in 1993 by journalist John Wallach, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. Find out more HERE

Pink Friday, Did it on Em, Fly, Metallic 4 Life, Save Me (glitter), Super Bass (shatter)

Pink Friday

Pink Friday with Save Me

Pink Friday with Super Bass

Did it on Em

Did it on Em with Save Me

Did it on Em with Super Bass

Fly

Fly with Save Me

Fly with Super Bass

Metallic 4 Life

Save Me

I will be giving away a complete full-size set of the OPI x Nicki Minaj Collection. To enter simply leave a comment telling me your favorite Nicki Minaj song and tweet the following for an extra chance to win:

RT for a chance to WIN the complete Nicki Minaj for OPI Collection from @thefreshfiends http://www.thefreshfiends.com/

I had to post this amazing makeup look that my friend and makeup artist Oscar Xtravaganza did on Lady La. It reminds me of a look I’ve seen on Kim Kardashian, and the makeup is incredible! Read on for product recs…

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