Return To Radiance Collection

Last year bareMinerals had the Return to Radiance collection on QVC as a TSV, which I had regretted not ordering ever since. While $85 is defiantly a lot to spend, this kit itself truly is a great value, especially considering it has almost a $150 value.

~The Breakdown~
*Prime Time Neutralizing Foundation Primer=$23
Unlike the original face primer, this one helps to reduces redness.

*Original SPF 15 Foundation (my shade is Golden Fair)=$27
The best foundation I have ever used and covers absolutely everything...not to mention has dramatically helped to improve my complexion.

*SPF 20 Concealer=$18
This gives the foundation an extra boost offering even more coverage.

*Prime Time Primer Shadow in Cameo Pink=$12
Eye shadow primer in a pinky coral shade...I have not tried this out just yet.

*Ready Blush in The French Kiss=$22
Another great blush from the brand in a watermelon-pink shade....warning to all the faired-skinned ones out there-use a light hand.

*Marvelous Moxie Gloss in Hot Shot=$18
This is a flamingo-pink shade...you can read more about my love for these glosses here.

*Full Coverage Kabuki Brush=$28
This is a full-tapered brush that I like to keep in my purse to use with my Ready Mineral Veil.

*Blush Brush=$15
This is a soft, round brush...since I prefer a retractable brush for on-the-go applications, this has not gotten much use.

Overall, this would make a great gift for someone who is looking into trying out bareMinerals, or even just makeup in general for that matter. The reason I ordered this was because it contains many of my H.G. items, which are now "waiting in the wings". Not only did it save me $60, but I was able to pay for it in monthly installments making my wallet sweat a little less :)

If you're interested, there are currently two different kits offered on QVC. The one that I have can be found here, and the original, which contains different shades for the blush, eyelid primer, and gloss (along with brushes) can be found here.

As always, I thank you for visiting my blog :)


Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchange for a positive review. For more information, please check out my Disclaimer.

FOTD Featuring LG's Toast of The Town Collection

With Spring right around the corner and the weather as nice as it's been, I decided to go with some bright colors from Laura Geller's Toast of The Town Collection.

On My Face:

Be Prime Time primer

Be Foundation in Golden Fair

Be Bisque

Be Warmth (for contouring)

Be Faux Tan

Laura Geller Blush and Brighten in Mimosa

Be Pure Radiance

Be Veil

On My Eyes:

ELF primer

Laura Geller Eye Dreams in Belini

Laura Geller Brightening Eyeliner in Bone

Laura Geller liner in Purple Passion

Smashbox liner in Onyx

Laura Geller Brow Marker in Taupe

Tarte Lights Camera Splashes Mascara

On My Lips:

Laura Geller Tropics Lipstick

Laura Geller City Lights gloss

I lack self control. (New Be Ready Blush Review)

I wasn't going to go to the store. I swore to myself that I would not go in the store. I went in the store.

For the record, even when you say you're "just looking", about 99% of the time you'll end up walking out with a bag and lighter wallet. I digress....

Last weekend bare Escentuals had a preview for their new Ready blushes and bronzers. I ended up picking up two blushes in The Aphrodisiac and The Tease. There are several other shades but those were the first that caught my eye.

The Aphrodisiac is a peachy-pink color (a little shimmery), very natural for my fair skin tone, while The Tease (matte) is a bubblegum pink. I originally saw myself using Aphrodisiac more and was a little intimidated by Tease but it's just so pretty that I couldn't resist. To my happy surprise I can pull off both shades, the pink just adds a little more color but nothing over the top. They both apply easily, feel like silk, and are nicely pigmented.

I really like these blushes and have been using them quite a bit since I bought them. Unfortunately, I can't compare them to the loose powders as I haven't tried them yet. The sales associate told me these are supposed to officially be out (along with the Ready bronzers) either the of this month or in the beginning of March.

The blushes retail for $22 and the bronzers are $24. Come check them out!

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Review: BE Ready Veil (Translucent)

Originally, I used Mally's Poreless Face Defender to combat any shine on my face. While I did like the product, I also wondered (since it seemed like it had a silicone base) if it played any role in my break-outs.. Considering I was in the middle of my "BE Challenge" I decided to pick it up and give this a shot.

This works just like the loose powder with an added SPF 15. What I love is how portable it is as opposed to the powder and is perfect for those little touch ups. I can throw this in my bag and not worry about having a mess.

You can find more information on this product HERE

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

FOTD & Review

I centered this look on my new Bare Escentuals Ready shadow set-The Scenic Route. While it was love at first sight, I admit I was a little intimidated at first. I think I did a nice job with it, though :)

~Face~ (after moisturizer & primer)

I mainly wanted the attention to go on my eyes, so I kept my face natural and glowy.

What I used:

*bareMinerals foundation in Golden Fair

*bareMinerals Warmth used as a contour

*bareMinerals Faux Tan All Over Face Color

*Laura Geller Baked Blush in Mimosa

*bareMinerals Pure Radiance as a highlight

*bareMinerals Veil

Eyes

*bareMinerals Ready shadow in Breathtaking (shimmery white with a bit of gold from The Scenic Route)

I applied this lighter color in the inner part of my eyelid and around the tear ducts to look more awake.

*bareMinerals Ready Shadow in Spectacular (shimmery green with a gold undertone from The Scenic Route)

This was applied on the outer corners of my lid (a little goes a long way)

*Tarte Light green eyeliner from The Jewelry Box palette (from Dec. 2010)

I lined the outer corners of my top lid to make the green shadow pop. I've found that by only lining about half of my upper lid, it makes my eyes more defined and open.

*Tarte shimmery deep gold shadow from The Jewelry Box palette (from Dec. 2010)

To me, this looks like it's just a bit deeper than Spectacular-I used this to smoke out the outer portion of my crease.

*Smashbox Limitless Liner in Onyx

As always, I used this to line my waterline.

*Tarte Shadows from The Jewelry Box palette (from Dec. 2010)

To balance out all the shimmer from the shadows, I used a light cream shade (matte) as my highlighter on my brow bones. In order to make my eyeliner pop a little more, I used a deep green shimmery shadow over the green liner and a shimmery purple on the outer corner (near my waterline) for an unexpected pop of color.

*Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes waterproof mascara

*Laura Geller Brow Marker in Taupe

~Lips~

*Laura Geller The Tropics Lipstick

~The Scenic Route: Review~

The shadows feel like silk and are incredibly pigmented-you only need a slight touch to pick up the product. The colors are absolutely beautiful...they're bright, yet are quite wearable. Just like all Bare Escentuals products they enhance your features as opposed to hiding them. I have a big feeling that I will be picking up more in the (very) near future.

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Review: Too Faced In Your Dreams

I bought this palette a few weeks ago and wanted to play around a bit before I did my actual review.
As a whole I think it offers a nice amount of product for the price, not to mention it's so pretty!

~Packaging~

The packaging is adorable and what I really like is the fact that it's flat so I can just stick it in one of my makeup drawers. I was surprised by how sturdy the "door" is but it looks like it would be nice for travel as it's magnetised so I don't think there's a risk of any product being lost or broken in transit.

~Looks~

Inside you get options for three different looks consisting of three different shadows, a blush, and lip gloss. Note: everything has shimmer in it.

*Natural Beauty:

Silk Stockings: Ivory Beige shadow

La Cage: Bronze shadow

Rapture: Deep brown shadow

Wanna Play? Peachy pink blush

Give It Up: Pale pink gloss

*Feminine Flirty:

Pink Peacock: Light pink shadow

Swing: Silvery taupe shadow

Fishnet: Charcoal grey shadow

Girly Show: Petal pink blush

Pink Ice: Dusty rose gloss

*Seductively Flirty:

Full Moon: Silvery light blue shadow

Dream On: Royal purple shadow

Seduce: Deep blue shadow

You Hold The Key: Pink beige shadow

Heart On: Rose gloss

~Swatches~

I apologize for the quality of this picture...I tried sever different lighting options but just did not give these colors justice.From top to bottom:

-Natural Beauty

-Femenine flirty

-Seductively Flirty

~Overall Opinion~

I think this kit is so much fun and the colors are all so gorgeous. The quality of the blush and shadows are so silky and easy to apply and blend. I was a little nervous to use some of the darker colors but they all work so well together. The only complaint I had was the glosses and that's only because you can't take it out of the package.

I don't know if this is still available but if you can find it I highly suggest picking it up! This collection is perfect for the ultimate girly girl!

Note: I purchased these products with my own money. The opinions expressed in this post are those of my own. I have never accepted any kind of compensation in exchage for a review. For mor information, please check out my Disclaimer.

Review: Bare Minerals Starter Kit

After work on Friday I took a trip to Sephora and picked up the 7 piece bareMinerals kit. The sales associate not only matched my shade but she even demonstrated how to apply it. When I looked in the mirrow I literally screamed "Holy S**t!!!". My fiance who wasn't even in the store said he could hear me. I was just so amazed because I have never seen my skin so clear.

~The Kit~

*Full size Original or Matte (your choice) foundation (your shade)

*Mineral Veil

*Warmth All Over Face Color

*Full Flawless Face Brush
*Flawless Application Face Brush
*Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush

*Instructional Booklet

*How-To DVD

*Sample size Prime Time

~SPF 15 Foundation (Original)~

You have a choice between the Original which gives a dewy glow or Matte which they say is good for oily skin. My shade is Golden Fair and surprisingly matches perfectly. What really impressed me was that not only does it work as a foundation but it can also be used as a concealor. I have horrible breakouts and acne marks on my face and this is the first product that's ever covered them completely.

~Original Mineral Veil~

The Mineral Veil is translucent and works as a finishing powder.It really helps to blend and give your face an airbrushed look.

~Warmth All Over Face Color~

I was actually afraid to use this and wasn't even going to just because I have a light complection and this almost has a chocolate tone to it. I did give it a shot and really like it. I use a very small amount in the spots where the sun would naturally hit my face (cheeks, forehead, etc).

~Full Flawless Face Brush~

This offers Medium to full coverage and is what I use to put on my foundation.(shown in pic-bottom)

~Flawless Application Brush~

This offers light to medium coverage and is what I use for the Warmth and Veil. (shown in pic-middle)

~Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush~

This makes it easier for small areas and does give great coverage for under my eyes and any red spots. (shown in pic-top)

~Prime Time~

I haven't used this face primer yet because I'm halfway through the Laura Geller Tinted Spackle but it was put on me during the initial demonstration and it did fell very nice on my skin.

~Booklet & DVD~

Both are great for a first timer such as myself. In fact, with all the excitement, I came home forgetting some of what the sales associate had told me so I was really happy to have these.

~Overal Opinion On The Kit~

I wasn't planning on buying the kit but for $60 you get a lot...I think this is a terrific value. Not to mention, for the amount that's needed, this will last a very long time.

~Overall Opinion On The Product~

Honestly, my only complaint is having waited so long to try this out. This is surprisingly very long lasting, in fact, by this time I've usually had to "powder" my nose but my face still looks great (even in the bathroom where the lighting is terrible). This has really given me so much confidence, I've never felt so good before! I am absolutely considering this a H.G. product and will continue to repurchase as long as it makes my skin look this good. Having used this for a few days, I think it might actually be helping my break outs because they don't look so red and angry. Even my father noticed a difference and he doesn't notice much when it comes to cosmetics.

I absolutely recommend this product and truly hope that you end up with a "Holy S**t" moment just like I did!

By the way, If you happen to go to Sephora in the Willowbrook Mall (Wayne, NJ) ask for Shannon-she was so helpful and sweet!