Really readers, Rimmel has become my favorite soft kohl black eyeliner!
Pencil eyeliners often don't stay in place all day (on me at least), or they somehow end up smearing under my eyes...not the case here. I've been using the Rimmel Jet Black Kajal Eye Liner Pencil (Soft Kohl) for a few weeks now and it is working perfectly. At $3.19 this is a GREAT deal! An even better deal is how I ended up with it at Ulta a few weeks ago for free.....I stumbled upon this little product when I was browsing Ulta (as I often do). I was about to get my usual level one rewards product- a 200 count bag of cotton squares...I always use them on myself or clients when removing eye makeup, so why not get them for free right? Well, I noticed a Rimmel eye pencil was one of my options (some of the options change each quarter). I figured why not check it out, I always need eye pencils. I will definitely be purchasing another black pencil and a few other colors for my kit...who knows I may even get a few more colors for myself too!
Just in case anyone is wondering, my giveaway offer from a few posts ago still stands! I am going to do a giveaway of a gift card in the amount of $15 to the winner's choice of Ulta or Sephora. Here are the two components that will make the drawing happen....1. Spread the word about my blog to your friends. I will not do the drawing until I have 50 followers...I'm now at 35 followers, so this is totally achieveable :) 2. Comment on a blog post from today forward...only people who comment will be entered for the drawing (if you have commented on or since August 2 you are already in the drawing). Once I reach 50 followers I will enter the names of people who commented into random.org (in the order they comment in) and I will let random.org select a winner. Then the winner will just have to let me know where they would like to shop within 48 hours of me announcing the winner, which means you will need to check my blog. Help me make this giveaway happen!
As in Skinnygirl Cosmetics by Bethenny Frankel! You may know Bethenny from The Real Houswives of New York City, Bethenny Getting Married? or Bethenny Ever After. Or you may know her better because of her Skinnygirl Margarita. Bethenny is an accomplished business woman who has decided to venture into the world of cosmetics and I'm loving her being in it!
Skinnygirl Cosmetics are sold exclusively at Walmart, which means they are definitely affordable. I was drawn into the line by the cute packaging and of course her name (what can I say, I'm a huge Real Housewives fan). While the packaging is great I was more concerned about the actual product...and after trying a few different items I'm hooked and debating which product I will try next. The good news is that since they are priced so low it will be easy to try new products. Here are a few of my favs (so far...)
Plumping Lip Gloss (in peach)- We've all tried plumping lip glosses...some work, some don't....some make your lips so numb you can't feel them. Not the case here, the gloss makes your lips tingle a little, but nothing major. The gloss has a sheen to it, so the sheen mixed with the plumping action gives your lips a great pouty look...you'll be ready to walk the runway in a fashion show or in your everyday life!
Cleansing Facial Cloths- these face wipes are a-maz-ing...perfect for travel, keeping in your gym bag, or using instead of face wash on those nights when you are oh so tired and don't feel like going through the exhausting steps of actually washing your face. They have a faint cucumber scent which makes me feel like I'm stepping into a spa!
Face Solutions Kit- This fun kit includes a Detox Face Mask, Vitamin C Face Scrub and an Energizing Lip Gloss. I appreciated that both the mask and scrub left my face feeling refreshed and moisturized. So often with masks or scrubs you feel like your face has been robbed of all moisture. The lip gloss was a fun touch, I don't know how "energized" I felt, but it was a good clear gloss that wasn't too sticky and you can always use more than one of those, right?!
Tinted Moisturizer- This moisturizer really impressed me because it has a brush on the end, which helps with blending. For some reason I HATE using my fingers when applying foundation on myself, it weirds me out, so having the brush there was great. The moisturizer had enough coverage in it that it blended/evened out my skin tone...this is the perfect product if you want a little something on your face when you go for a run or to the gym, or if you don't wear a lot of makeup it will serve as a good base. It comes in different shades and has SPF, which you know is a must.
You can order these products online or get them at Walmart, from what I saw online prices range from about $5-$15 which means they are absolutely worth a try!
Images from walmart.com
While I'm enjoying the performances and fashion of the Grammys what I'm loving the most is the makeup! Here are a few of my favorites....Taylor Swift's subtle look- usually she rocks a dramatic cat eye, and tonight she has softer eyes with pretty pink blush. I'm loving this look and it is something that makes her eyes stand out more than her eye makeup...try this look at home with light brown shadows and black pencil eyeliner. Don't forget your powder blush...check out one of my favorite color lines Nars for the perfect color.Rihanna's almost black lips and blonde waves- the last time I posted about Rihanna was after her MTV Video Music Award performance and she had red hair with red lips. Tonight she is making an equally bold statement, and it looks just as great! For beachy waves like her's use Fekkai Beach Waves. Spritz this on wet hair, let it air dry or use a diffuser. You may want to add a few curls to your top layer with a straightener or curling iron...spray and go! And for plum, almost black lips visit MAC...I love thier lipsticks, and remember, being extra dramatic is a good thing sometimes!Adele's smokey eyes- What's not to love, she has big almond shaped eyes that are perfectly made up in gray smokey shades...the key to a fabulous look is being sure to highlight the inner corners of your eyes and using a gel or liquid liner and lots of mascara. Create a cattier look by thickining your liner on the ends and bringing it to a point. With smokey eyes a soft pink or nude lip looks perfect.Lady Antebellum's Hillary looking fabulous in plum. Brunettes always look amazing in plums, she had a perfect plum smokey eye going on with plum nails. Her super straight hair added to the look. For straight hair you'll love use a Chi, or my current favorite straightener HAI.
I've always been a huge fan of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and will continue using it with my Make Up For Ever foundation when I do makeup for events. On myself I've always used Armani foundation...well, not always, just since I worked there in 2006. If you've read my blog for more than a minute you know one of my favorite brands is Giorgio Armani. The reason I don't use their foundation when I do event makeup is because it can shift and isn't waterproof. Make Up For Ever is hard to beat when it comes to longwear.
Well, on my last trip to Dallas I stopped by Neiman Marcus to purchase Luminous Silk Foundation in #4 (my winter color which is the time of the year I embrace my Snow White complex). They were having a special where I could get my foundation, a new blender brush and the foundation primer (Fluid Master Primer) along with a couple of samples for $125 (it was a $190 value). I know that is a lot of money for makeup, but it was a steal for Armani since their foundation alone runs around $60. I indulged knowing that sets and good deals like that are hard to come by at the Armani counter.
Can I just say I am SO pleased with my purchase! The way to wear Luminous Silk Foundation is with Fluid Master Primer! My makeup is sitting better on my face and lasting longer. So, I realize not all of you wear Armani makeup, but for those of you who do start using their primer if you don't already. If you click on the Neiman Marcus link you can go to the exact set I purchased. And for the rest of you, find a primer that works for you...Smashbox, Laura Mercier, MAC and many other lines offer them. They can do everything from change your skin coloring to balance your skin from oily to normal or simply make your makeup last longer....all of those sound good to me!
Good news--I am officially back to blogging. To my loyal readers, I've missed you and writing about all things makeup. I have had a few busy months, and have decided to fill you in on seven major things that happened while I've been away from my blog:1. I got engaged in early October to T- an amazing man, and have been busy planning our wedding that will be next summer 2. I was maid of honor in October for my friend T, a childhood friend, here is a picture of me and the beautiful bride (I did her makeup)
3. I went to Dallas twice, both times eating at fun places, a couple of them I'd go to again are: Mi Cocina and The Porch4. Indulged in Sprinkles (the best cupcakes EVER, which makes it a major event!)5. I was maid of honor for another childhood friend, S, in November, here is a picture of me and the glamourous bride (I did her makeup too)
6. I purchased some awesome makeup- more to come in the next couple of weeks on what I found7. I did makeup for many fabulous return clients- Homecoming, weddings, and photo shoots....I have SUCH a fun job!Don't forget, I'm giving away a $15 Sephora giftcard once I have 50 followers, you must comment to be entered in the drawing!
I love trips to Ulta because it is such a one stop shop! On Saturday (thanks to a giftcard from a friend) I spent some time in Ulta finding great new products, and purchasing some old favorites to replace what has been used up. I stocked up on my favorite eye makeup remover (one for my kit and one for me), Neutrogena. I bought one of the fabulous Essie fall shades I recently blogged about...the color is a great rust called Very Structured. Of course the amount of nail polishing I do requires Nail polish remover. Then I was off to moisturizers since my Kiel's is about to run dry and I wanted a quick fix. I found myself in front of Aveeno, partially because I have another friend who I did makeup with in California who swears by it and because it was buy one get the second half off. So, for around 20 some dollars I got their positively radiant daily moisturizer (with SPF 15- a must!), and also smart essentials nighttime moisturizer. The daytime moisturizer is user friendly with a pump, goes on smooth and feels lightweight...it also has the faintest smell of sunscreen, which reminds me of the beach so I'm loving it. The nighttime moisturizer feels rich on my skin and I woke up still feeling moisturized, it has a light almost floral smell (I'm not a floral scent person and it doesn't bug me).I couldn't be happier with my new products and the fact that I found great deals, had a $3.50 off coupon and got a free pack of 200 cotton squares since I'm in their rewards program....thanks Ulta!!
