The winner of the Conair Infiniti Pro giveaway is…

Felicity, from Connellys Springs, North Carolina!!

I hope you enjoy your new hair dryer! 

Thank you to everyone who entered to win this giveaway…and if you didn’t win this time, don’t fret!  I have a new giveaway coming soon!!

xo

Recently I decided that I need to get out of my powder foundation rut, and try a new hand at liquid foundation.  It’s been about 10 years since I’ve used the liquid stuff, and I thought it was about time to set my old mindsets aside and give it another whirl.  What spawned my new open mind?  Well, I keep reading about some of my favorite celebs using liquid foundation…and I love the way their skin looks, so I’m hoping for similar results…dewy, natural, glowing skin (fingers crossed).

Of course, I didn’t jump in head first, I had to test some formulas out.  I first started out by reading a few reviews on Sephora and MakeupAlley, two amazing resources.  After pinpointing what I was looking for; oil-free, skin enhancing, anti-aging, natural ingredients, I decided on a few brands and headed out to Sephora to try them out.  At Sephora, I ended up trying out Korres (sadly couldn’t find a good match), Stila, and Lorac. 

I setteled on two formulas: Lorac Breakthrough Performance Foundation and Stila Natural Finish Oil Free Foundation.  After finding a shade that matched, I went home with a sample to try both products out, but I was secretly hoping I would fall in love with the Lorac because it had a ton of skin boosting ingredients.

I started out using the Stila for a few days, and while it was okay, I wasn’t in love with it.  I felt that the coverage was a little too sheer for me, and I had some issues with it settling into my pores, a major reason why I stopped using liquid foundation ten years ago.  I was almost convinced that I should stick to what I know, but decided to give the Lorac formula a chance.  It was a good decision.  I instantly fell in love with the Lorac Breakthrough Performance formula.  It covered well, but didn’t make me look cakey, it blended effortlessly, and I had zero problems with it settling into pores.  It also matched my skin tone brilliantly (SMS 2 Light), and I was left with dewy, glowing skin…just like I wanted.

I also loved the Lorac because it had a ton of good for your skin ingredients…it’s basically a foundation and a anti-aging serum in one.  The formula contains an SMS Complex and SPF 14 which combines pre-aging, anti-aging, hydrating, and smoothing ingredients along with antioxidants to help skin appear youthful, rejuvenated, and radiant.  It’s also free of sulfates, synthetic ingredients, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals, and phthalates…yuck. 

Sounds too good to be true, right…well…

…the thing I wasn’t loving was the $38 price tag, not to mention, it is a little more time consuming to apply liquid foundation and get that ‘I’m not wearing any makeup’ look.  But, then here’s what happened.  I decided to check out Lorac’s website (first time I actually ever visited the site, which is kind of weird because I am a fan of Lorac) and I saw this section called ‘VIP Discount’.  VIP?  Who me?  I started to peruse the products and I started noticing there was a ton of great stuff for like super cheap.  Now, here is where you’ll get confused.  I spotted an oil-free foundation for $7.50, originally $30…and they had my shade (or what I assumed would be similar, S2).  Then I spotted, this great undereye concealor…then I spotted this great lip gloss…and then there was this super cheap lip stick.  All of a sudden I had all these products in my shopping bag for $10 LESS than what the Breakthrough Performance foundation would have cost me alone.  It didn’t take long for me to make a decision.  By the time I checked out my grand total was $39, with shipping, and I walked away with five different products. 

Even though I really loved the Breakthrough Performance foundation, I figured, I should first make sure I really love foundation before investing that much into a 1 oz bottle.  Plus, I figured I really couldn’t go wrong with the same brand…and if I do hate the foundation, at least I have a million other products to swoon after.  So, there is my semi-review of Lorac Breakthrough Foundation and Stila Natural Finish Foundation.  I’ll let you in on how I’m liking the Lorac Oil Free $7.50 special foundation…and maybe I’ll brave another video review with a demo of how I’m applying my foundation.  If you get anything out of the review, I want you to make like a VIP and head over to Lorac to stock up on some super beauty steals…trust me, it’s worth it.

I’ve been super lucky lately to have some amazing giveaways for my lovely readers, so I’m happy to announce that today starts my newest giveaway…

…the brand new Conair Infiniti Pro hair dryer! 

The Conair Infiniti Pro 1875 watt dryer, is a salon-performance dryer, without the hefty price tag (retails around $39.99).  The Infiniti Pro is ergonomically designed for comfort and has a powerful, yet quiet AC motor, for fast drying time (good for you and your hair!).  The dryer also includes ionic technology to help reduce frizz and enhance shine, and ceramic technology to safely dry and promote healthy hair growth.  It also include a removable filter to prevent lint buildup, which extends the life of your dryer.  The Conair Infiniti Pro is comparable to the T3 Featherweight, Chi Pro GF1505, and FHI Pro 1800…without the price.

The people over at Conair were generous enough to let me try out the dryer firsthand, before I started my giveaway, and I have to say this is one of the best dryers I have used in a long time.  The dryer is lightweight, dries my hair fast, and has various speed/heat settings to control my style, as well as a cold shot button, which is an essential for me, as it locks in my style and cools my hair.  I also love the punchy orange color; it’s actually a fun pick me up to my morning routine.

One lucky reader will win one Conair Infiniti Pro dryer, as well as two attachment features.  Contest is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on September 3rd, at midnight EST.  To find out more about this lovely dryer, please visit the Conair website.  Good luck to everyone who enters!!

(If you have trouble seeing the form, click here to enter!)

Eye shadow is one of those things that can either enhance your beauty or make you look like a 5 year old who got a hold of their mom’s makeup bag.  But, achieving a soft, natural look is easier said then done a lot of the time.  That’s why I’m in love with the new Two Faced eye shadow collection.

Naked Eye, by Two Faced, gives you a naturally soft, yet stunning eyes.  The collection includes nine matte and shimmery shadows as well as three Get-The-Look cards and an applicator tool, to help you achieve the perfect natural look.  I love collections like this because they are fool proof.  Not to mention, the shadows in this collection are stunning.  A lot of times people hear the word ‘natural’ and think plain, but these colors look so rich and pretty…and you can’t go wrong with that.

It’s been a while since I’ve purchased an actual eye shadow palette, but this one might have to come home with me.  I really see myself using this all the time.  The collection itself is valued at $73, but can be all yours for $35…I called that, sold.

One of my favorite things to buy in the vast world of makeup is blush.  I rarely step out without it because I feel that it really adds a glow and warmth to the face…it’s like the final brush stroke to your facial canvas.

When it comes to blush, I’m not scared of color.  I have several shades that look shocking in the package, but beautiful on.  But, when I saw a picture of Stila’s latest blush, Custom Color, the word shocking was the first thing to come to mind.  How could a color so electric be marketed as one color for all skin tones?  I had to do some investigating.

I needed to run a few errands today, so I decided to stop by my local Sephora to try the blush on for myself.  In person, the color looks exactly the same in the picture: bright and bold.  I couldn’t wait to try it on.  The associate at Sephora was kind enough to apply the blush for me…when she didn’t shake off the excess, I felt that I might be in a pickle; the last thing I wanted was to look like I had on stage makeup all day.  But, when I looked in the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised.

The color seemed to melt perfectly into my skin.  It gave me a perfect flush, without looking too garish; I had a lovely pinched cheek look.  I loved it.  It turns out that the blush actually reacts to your pH levels to create the perfect shade every time you wear it.  Pretty awesome.  The person who helped me, had a dark olive skin tone and she said the color looked great on her as well.  I think Stila might have actually done it…they managed to create a universally flattering blush.  It’s bright enough to show up on darker skin, but not so heavily pigmented that it would turn fairer tones into Raggedy Ann’s. 

Here’s how the blush looked on me:

When it comes to makeup, things aren’t  usually one size fits all…but, Stila Custom Color blush might have just broke the rules.

I see a new nail trend on the brink, thanks to Vanessa Hudgens.

The actress stepped out at this year’s Comic Con in San Diego, California to promote her upcoming film Sucker Punch…but she also promoted a new nail polish trend, a manicure with one non-matching color on her ring finger.  Vanessa chose to wear 2010′s hottest color, turquoise along with gold for her ring finger.  I think the combo and look is fun and playful, and you can totally make this look your own.

To get Vanessa’s look try painting your nails a turquoise color, I like Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos and then paint each ring finger a gold color like, Orly Luxe Metallic (I loooove this color and collection), which has a foiled finish.  Of course you can totally play around and make this look your own.  You can decide which finger you’d like to single out; maybe paint your pinky finger a different color…and make sure to have fun with the colors!  You can do contrasting colors, complementary colors…I even like the idea of using colors from the same color family (say a dark pink manicure with one bright pink finger from each hand).  This is definitely a trend that you can personalize to your style.

So now that you’re in the know, what is your take on this new nail trend…share your feelings in the poll below!

n

The last thing I get squealy for is makeup brushes, but these ridiculously cute brushes from Tokidoki are sending me into a frenzy!

The Pittura Brush Set by Tokidoki is a trio of eye brushes and each brush character has a specific job (I’m in love Donutella-who wouldn’t want donut ears?!).  Now how cute is that?  Here’s what they do:

- Mozzarella is an eyeshadow brush
- Adios Amigos is a crease brush
- Donutella is a angled eyeliner brush

While each brush achieves a different look, all of them contain synthetic brush hair that works well with liquid and cream formulas, as well as powder liners…and you can use the brushes wet or dry.  The brushes are baby-soft, antibacterial, and contain color-matching tips. 

To find out more about these brushes (including how to use them), visit Sephora, where they are exclusively available.  These brushes will set you back $35 dollars, but the cuteness factor is oh-so worth it!

One of my favorite books of all time is Eat, Pray, Love by, Elizabeth Gilbert…and when I heard they were making the book into a movie a year ago, I couldn’t be happier…until now.

Fresh has taken my love for Eat Pray Love one step further by creating a Eat Pray Love fragrance collection!  The collection includes three different fragrances: Eat, Pray, and Love as well as an Eat, Pray, Love candle trio.  Yes, my head might just explode.

Each perfume is inspired by all the places Elizabeth Gilbert traveled to in her memoir (Italy, India, and Indonesia)…here’s what you have to fall in love with:

Eat:  Inspired by the the author’s trip through Italy, this fragrance is sweet and effervescent. Notes of  bright Italian lemon and basil are balanced with creamy textures reminiscent of cannoli and tiramisu topped off with sparkling Prosecco and Limoncello for the ultimate gourmand experience.

Top Notes: Italian lemon, basil, bergamot
Middle Notes: plum, red currant, rose
Bottom Notes: caramel, meringue, vanilla

Pray:  Is a woodsy fragrance with undertones of exotic spices that are reminiscent of Gilbert’s time spent in India.  Inspired by India’s serene sunsets, fresh soil, and traces of incense and spices that permeate warm winds, this scent has great impact and ultimately puts you at peace with a comforting blend of jasmine, pink pepper, patchouli, amber, juniper berry, cardamom, and incense.

Top Notes: elemi, pink pepper, juniper berry
Middle Notes: incense, peony, rose
Base Notes: patchouli, amber, musk

Love:  This sunny floral, with tropical undertones is embodies the spirit of Bali.  The fragrance bottles the bright, colorful, anything-is-possible feelings of falling in love. Scents of passion, like percolating pheromones, sun-caressed skin, and salty kisses, are combined with the lush aromas of Bali’s exotic landscape.

Top Notes: bergamot, red currant, mango blossom
Middle Notes: lisylang, Tiare, dewy jasmine
Base Notes: sandalwood, vetyver, velvet amber

I cannot wait to sniff these fragrances in person, because they all sound so different and amazing.  Going off the descriptions and notes, I think Eat sounds crisp and light, perfect for day wear…Pray seems to be more deep and spicy and would be great for evening wear and cooler months…Love seems very girlie and sweet, perfect for someone who is in, well, love.  Each bottle is 30 ml, or 1 oz…which is on the smaller side, but with a $32 price tag, it’s not too shabby considering Fresh isn’t the cheapest brand around. 

This limited-edition collection has been so popular that Fresh is sold out online (tear), but you can phone a Fresh store near you to check for availability.  So, good luck on your journey to finding this coveted fragrance…and make sure to see Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts, it opens today!!

Pssssssst…make sure you read the book too, I have no doubt that it will be better than the movie.

Hold on tight ladies, because young Hollywood is going short…pixie short.

Stars such as Hayden Panettiere, Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland, The Kids Are Alright), Carey Mulligan, and the latest to take the plunge, Emma Watson have all traded their long locks for cropped dos.  The thing I love about this lineup is how completely different each girl’s style is…it just shows anyone can sport this look, you just have to have the balls to do it.

Before you go running to book your hair appointment so you can channel your inner Mia Farrow, make sure this cut is for you.  One good tip is to decide if you like the way you look with your hair pulled off your face.  If you don’t, don’t cut your hair!  Another word of advice is to be honest about your features and face shape.  Personally, I have always thought my ears stick out a bit, so this is a look I would never go for.  You have to make sure that you can live with this style, because it won’t be going anywhere fast once you cut it.  If you can’t wait one more day, and you need to cut your hair, start off slow.  If your hair is really long, try a bob first.  If you already have shorter hair, maybe start with longer front pieces like Ginnifer Goodwin did in the photo below.  Just know, this style is a commitment!

Now, I want to know what you think of the pixie trend.  Please vote in the poll below, and feel free to state your opinion in the comment section below!

n

I’ve been on a drugstore mascara kick lately, but I currently have my eye on Josie Maran GOGO Natural Volume Mascara.

You might be wondering why I would nix my thrifty ways and purchase  a mascara that costs $22.  Well, ladies, this isn’t an ordinary mascara…it comes with a cause.  For every tube of JM GOGO (Get One, Give One) mascara sold, another is donated to a cancer patient or survivor at City of Hope, a leading cancer research, treatment and education institution.  How awesome is that? 

Not only will you be helping out a great cause, you’ll also be benefiting from the argan oil-infused formula that helps to plump, curl, and supports lash growth, giving you a dramatic, full effect!  The formula is long-wearing, water-resistant, and clump-free…the results will be rich, full of fringe, with a dewy shine.  And if you thought this mascara couldn’t get any better, you’d be wrong because this natural mascara is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances/dyes, and the list goes on.

Now go out and purchase your tube today…this one is worth stretching those purse strings!