Need An Instant Eye Lift? No Surgery Required!

I have some awful genetic eye bags.

They aren't from being tired.

They are "fat pads" that bulge out when your skin loses it's elasticity and strength as you age.

Aging sucks.

A plastic surgeon told me that there is only one way to cure bags like mine...

go under the knife for Blepheroplasty.

 

Farmacy Natural Anti-Aging Serum Review & Giveaway

Can a NATURAL serum give real results?

Absolutely Yes!

Six weeks ago I received a bottle of Farmacy Invincible Anti-Aging Serum for experimental review purposes.

Farmacy also sent me 10 of their deluxe sample sizes of Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm to give away after I finished my self-experimentation. Nine of you will win one of those now, and one I'm saving to send to the winner of my Spring 2016 Big Beauty Product Giveaway (coming within about 2-3 weeks).

The Perfect Gift for Moms or Moms to Be

Recently, I was introduced to a new subscription service for moms like me...moms who care about being healthy, about the health of their children, about the health and wellbeing of our earth.

That subbie box is Ecocentric Mom.

 

What is Ecocentric?

Subscription Box Without Letdown? Yes, Please!

From my posts and videos on YouTube, you've probably assessed that I am a fan of Subscription Boxes.

I get several and even my sweet little girls get a couple.

Some call it Subscription Addiction!

Guilty as charged.

 

But what if you don't like getting duplicates, odd colors that are all wrong for you, skin care items that don't work for your skin type?

There's a Box for THAT.

100% Pure All Natural Blueberry Mascara Smells Divine, But Does It Perform?

In my July Goodebox I received a full size all natural mascara from the brand 100% Pure.

I've never tried out an all natural mascara, so I was skeptical, but very hopeful, still.

Going Natural For Cheap?! Radha Skincare's WorkHorse Duo of Organic Oils to the Rescue!

As previously mentioned, I'm trying to slowly convert more of my life to natural, organic and sustainable products.

I can't do it all at once, because that would be costly and a bit emotionally painful (goodbye to most of my current makeup!)...but I can do little bits here and there.

 

I recently found a few GREAT products that fit into my plan BEAUTIFULLY.

Comparing Eye Primers: 4 Different Primers Go Head to Head!

I had not been a user of eye primers up until about six months ago. I simply didn't know much about them. Then, I began seeing and hearing about how they make such a difference in how your eyeshadow performs. Supposedly, they help your shadows not only last, but cut back on creasing caused by oily lids (of which I am Queen!), as well as make colors truly POP. So, I armed myself with some of the much touted "best" and proceeded to experiment.

I compared Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer, Smashbox 24 Hr Photo Finish Primer, LASplash Splashproof Sealer/Eyeshadow Base, and Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

Lancer Eye Cream $95 - Did It Work?

I think we may all have at least one thing about ourselves that we wish we could improve.

For me, that would be my under eyes. I would even consider surgery (lower blepharoplasty) to fix my ever-present baggage...if it didn't cost $3K.

(OK, truth...also if it didn't look like such a painful & gross surgery.)

But, if there was some way to fix what genetics has given me that didn't require all that? Sign me up!

 

So, for now, I try the latest, (supposedly) greatest, most touted eye creams to see if they help.

The latest I tried?

Lancer Eye Contour Lifting Cream with MDCP Complex.

Urban Decay's NEW Perversion Mascara vs. Better Than Sex Mascara

In my August Ipsy Glambag

I got several cool items...

  I was very excited that we got to sample Urban Decay's NEW Perversion mascara so SOON after it just came out. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Ipsy!

 

Anyways, I did my unboxing video:

 

You can see all the things I got, plus, watch as I apply UD's Perversion on one eye while I follow up with Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara on the other eye.

What were the results?

Makeup By One Direction..."Up All Night" Collection Review & Tutorial

I've been stuck in a makeup rut.

Brown, gold, beige, taupe, bronze.

I don't often venture into bold, bright colors when it comes to makeup. Sometimes my lips get a little wild and colorful...but not my eyes. At least not often.

I had the opportunity to get out of that rut with the fun, playful new Makeup By One Direction. I had a blast creating some club-worthy looks with the "Up All Night" collection.

Watch the video to see the peacock-inspired eye look I created with these gorgeous, quality shadows:

In the video, I also give all the details on the performance of each item in the collection: eye shadow palette, liner/crayon, lipgloss, lipstick, mascara, nail polish and vinyl stencil set.

Here's my swatching of the colors of this collection:

Check out these shots of a more tame, everyday look I also created with this same palette.

And here's one look that's a bit between the two, using the neutrals above with that gorgeous, deep blue.

If you're interested in finding out more about these collections, check out the Makeup By One Direction Facebook page.

US RELEASE DATES: Macy's - August 11th Stage Stores – August 25th Dillards – August 25th Beauty Brands – August 25th Lord and Taylor - August 25th

I really like all the stuff in this collection, though the pink shade of the lipstick isn't really right for my complexion.

HELLLLOOOOO LIPS!!!

 I did find that when I put the lipgloss over the lipstick, it suited me a little bit better.

I'm more comfortable in neutrals/browns, though I will sometimes go bolder for fun. How about you?
Do you like to wear bold colors or neutrals best?

Disclosure: I received this product for review purposes from BrandBacker. I received no other compensation for this review, and my opinion is, as always, my own.

e.l.f. Ariel Beauty Book Review, Demo & Giveaway!

I am a fan of e.l.f. cosmetics...and I also have 2 little girls, so I'm a Disney Princess fan, too.

Of course I was attracted to these awesome new e.l.f. Disney collaboration products!

 

I picked up 2 of the Ariel palettes (aka Beauty Books), and one of the Snow White palettes.

Amazing Concealer Reviewed on Eyes & Flaws

When I was in South Florida a little under 2 years ago, I developed a deep, dark tan & found myself needing a much darker shade of concealer. I found the nearest Ulta and went to find a shade that would match my new hue.

Having no clue what to buy, because I'd never been that tan in my life, I had to go with a prestige brand, because those you get to try out in the store.

CoverGirl Bombshell Line Review & $100 Walmart GC Giveaway

Have you tried the new COVERGIRL Bombshell line?

They offer:

• COVERGIRL Bombshell Volume by LashBlast™ Mascara
• COVERGIRL Bombshell Shine Shadow by LashBlast
• COVERGIRL Bombshell Intensity Liner

Eyebrow Tool Duel! Pencil vs. Marker

Long story short:

I don't hardly have any eyebrows.

No, I did not pluck them.

It's genetic.

I wish I had thicker ones that I could actually shape into beautiful, stylish arches. But I don't, so I try to darken them a bit, which makes them appear a bit thicker and more "there".

 

I do NOT do the heavily drawn-on  (or powdered on...or whatever) eyebrows that some ladies do.

It looks really fake, made-up, and ridiculous on me. It's like, "Hey, HERE'S my eyebrows...lookie, lookie!"

So, when I enhance my brows, I'm going for a subtle upgrade, not an overhaul.

 

Here are the tools I use:

Does Hemorrhoid Cream Really Depuff Eyes?

Most of us have that One Thing we wish we could change about our appearance.

We spend big money to try and fix it...might even be willing to have surgery to change that One Thing.

For me, the One Thing is my eye baggage.

 

They appeared in my late 30's.

They are not caused by late nights, too much salt, or inadequate sleep.

 They're genetic.

The derm told me that they are "fat pads" under the eyes, and you can camouflage them SOMEWHAT with makeup/concealer, but the only way to get rid of them is to have surgery. (No, losing weight won't work either). Basically, they make an incision in the inside of the under eye and remove the fat.

Sounds scary, costs about $2500, and it's not in my foreseeable future.

So, even though I know the best I can really do is camouflage with concealer, I still occasionally try remedies I've heard rumors about (yes, I'm a sucker).

One of those widely circulated remedy rumors (supposedly endorsed by models everywhere) is using hemorrhoid cream to shrink puffy eyes.

Sounds plausible, right? I mean, it functions similarly for hemorrhoids.

I figured, what the heck...I'll give it a go.

Strivectin-SD for eyes...is it worth $65?

Many of us are on a quest.

A quest for the ultimate eye cream.

You know the one...it will make dark circles disappear, crows feet a memory, "chicken skin" under eyes smooth like a child's, and perhaps, even, make puffbags go poof!

Strivectin has been around for some time, and seems to get good press, and hey, it costs a small fortune, so it must work, right?

Spring Breakin' With Bad Brows?

If you recently took a Spring Break vacation and tried to save space in your train case by not bringing along your usual eyebrow grooming products, assuming that if you plucked right before you went, you'd be okay for a week, I'll bet you found out you were wrong!

Hot Mama! the Balm's Shadow/Blush Review

Are you a Hot Mama?

I am!

 

Okay, maybe not really, but I wear Hot Mama!, the Balm's lovely shade of "eye shadow/blush" (yes, that's how they put it...shadow/blush, complete with front slash).

My December 2013 Birchbox

I'm glad to say that through my subscription to Birchbox, I've been introduced to several of the Balm's great products. Two I received within the last little bit, are Hot Mama! and Mary-Lou Manizer (MLM). MLM is touted as a "highlighter, shimmer, eye shadow".

I like MLM, too, and could go into the details of its merit, but let's save that for another review. Back to Hot Mama!...

Metal pronged lash combs...do you really need one?

I don't remember where, but I read that all of us mascara junkies NEED the metal type lash comb. I have a lash comb/brow brush and honestly, I never use the lash comb because it just doesn't actually do any good. It simply folds my lashes back and doesn't actually go through them, separating them. I use it for brushing my brows only.

Well, I decided when I went to Sephora recently to pick up my Beauty Insider Birthday Perk, which by the way was a fabulous little mini-duo of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment...1 clear, 1 in Rose...review coming soon...I would see if they had any metal lash combs available at an affordable price.

Dark Circles? Can Vita-K Professional Help?

I tried yet ANOTHER eye cream for dark circles.

After a steady stream of failures, you'd think I would give up, right?

Well, I found another one & succumbed to the siren song...promises of lightened dark circles and less wrinkles and lines to boot.

I started applying Vita-K right after I ended my testing of Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream back at the end of February.