3 cleansing products i'm loving right now

have you been to the drugstore or your favorite mass retailer recently? if you're like me, i'm quite sure you have {LOL!}; i personally visit my local Walgreens, Target {and the like} multiple times a week, and of course with these visits come the stops to certain {cough, cough} departments that showcase a beauty girl's favorite things.

"i'm-just-going-to-look" is always what i say to myself, but …

hey, i'm only human!

in any case, the following items are very much a necessity in my beauty arsenal; they're all about cleansing {and we all know how important that is!}. 2 were purchased by me {yes, on a store visit that had no items regarding their function on my shopping list}; they are fabulous and keep me {and for one product, my beauty tools} fresh and clean.

take a look…

Rimmel London Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was a purchase made because i'm already a fan of their makeup and had never tried it, and also i was out of my fave Mary Kay eye makeup remover. it was the perfect opportunity for me to find out if Rimmel's remover was a drugstore version that would work just as well. like eye makeup removers from Clinique, Mary Kay and Lancome, i love that this beauty isn't oily, removes all eye makeup {yes, even waterproof!} and there's not a hint of sting when i use it.

keeping makeup brushes clean is important for many reasons and Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser makes it super easy to do {saturate your brush bristles or sponge completely under running water, spray on cleanser, working up a lather ~ rinse under water until water runs clear. repeat as necessary; lay fat to dry}. from the first time i used it to now, i absolutely love it. it works on both synthetic and natural bristles, kills bacteria, breaks up oils and residue with ease {i use long-wearing products, so this was especially impressive}, and the scent, while strong at first, is surprisingly refreshing {i'm not sure of the exact scent, but lavender is definitely involved}.

finally, Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash* creates the luxurious, uber-foamy lather that makes me feel so fancy and pampered. the scent is a long-time favorite {when i comes to sweet scents}: fabulous, warm pistachio. it's blended with magnolia, so it keeps the overall scent on the lighter side {so amazingly refreshing}. it comes in bar form as well, and as is the case with all Dove products, this body wash contains the brand's signature NutriumMoisture® ; my skin is always so soft and pampered after using this!


what special cleansing-type goodies are getting your love these days? do tell!

*product sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

beauty on a budget: Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder

 every beauty-loving girl with an oilier skin type wants to keep oil under control, right? as the day goes on, there are many ways, of course to do this, but let's be honest: blotting every hour isn't always available or practical, and adding powder repeatedly can create a not-so-pretty, cakey makeup look.

as usual, i'm late to the party, but i've recently started using the popular Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder and yes…i love it!

i've been using  Neutrogena Shine Control powder, and while i love it {it's truly a most fabulous shine-control powder}, i had a Rimmel coupon, so i decided to take a chance on the Stay Matte powder. i'm happy to report it's been working so well! that's always such a relief when trying a new product, right?

of course, i couldn't keep my thoughts to myself ~ i just had to share. if you use this, i'd love to hear what you think about it!

i chose to purchase Stay Matte in Creamy Beige {though i almost went with Transparent}, making the assumption it would be a more sheer finish since all of the available 7 shades fall in the light to medium range {i was right}. i love that this sets my foundation to a matte finish and keeps it that way a good 4-5 hours {just as it claims to do}; i find that not only is the color sheer and very complementary to my dark skin, but the texture is soft, leaves it looking beautiful, and even after a few hours it helps my skin maintain a pretty, soft, glowy-not-greasy look. i also appreciate that it's so affordable {this Rimmel powder is about half the price of Neutrogena's}, so i'll definitely be buying this, possibly in another shade, again.

find Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder at your favorite drug and mass retailer {target, walgreens, cvs, etc}; be sure to visit their website for more info, follow the brand on twitter, instagram and facebook to stay up-to date on all the latest {including, giveaways, promos and more…}

no affiliate links; i bought the product featured; pics taking be me :)

my latest drugstore buys from CoverGirl, NYC, Wet 'n' Wild and more!

i've been quite enamored with the current offerings from drugstore brands these days. suffice it to say, i've had to make quite the effort to keep myself from buying everything i see!

you understand, right?

in any case, over the past couple of weeks i've purchased goodies from Cover Girl {nail polishes}, NYC {lip balms, eye liners}, Wet N Wild {a palette and lip liner}...

ok, you get it...

let's take a look at what i've hauled!

Cover Girl glosstini polishes from the limited edition Capital collection in Pyro Pink, Seared Bronze and Scalding Emerald ~ all so incredibly cute in size and so fabulous in color. these will definitely be worn a lot this season!

NYC Applelicious lip balms have stolen my heart; they're so yummy smelling {Caramel Apple, Apple Blueberry Pie and Apple Blossom}, highly moisturizing and just fun to wear {swoon}. i also picked up 2 eye/brow liners, in dark brown and taupe.

along with a lip liner {Chestnut}, i bought a Wet N Wild Color Icon palette {in the very fitting name, Comfort Zone}, an amazingly convenient collection of easy-to-wear, highly pigmented shades; they're already labeled for where-to-apply-in-case-you're-not-sure, which is perfect for young users {like my daughter, 13} or the makeup novice, but still work well enough for the more-than-experienced-beauty-gal who wants to add quality shadows to her collection without breaking the bank.

housed in sleek little compacts are the e.l.f. contouring blush & bronzing powder. i seriously don't know what rock i've been living under, but i just discovered them ~ they're amazing! the three i bought {Turks and Caicaos, Antigua and St. Lucia} are beyond fabulous, not to mention so affordable. for the price, you get two cheek-enhancing shades that will help create gorgeous makeup looks to take you from day to night...

 the brand i held out on simply because of my personal store snobbery is Flower Beauty. i'm a huge Drew Barrymore fan, so learning that she had created a beauty line was fantastic, exciting news to me. but, i confess, it's because it's sold exclusively at Walmart that i stayed away for as long as i did {i'm not going to lie, i'm not a fan}. it was all the positive buzz that finally changed my mind. i had to {had to!!} try the products for out myself. i decided on the Stick Foundation {shade SF7}, Lip Butter {Princess and the Peony} and On Your Mark Liquid Eye Liner {LL1 black}. the consequence for my caving in? i'm now a fan {!!!} and there are still other products in the range i want to try {nail polishes, blushes, eyeshadows, etc}. so now not only will i have to go back when i run out of those things {insert whiny voice here}, i'll have to go back to get the other things i want...oh, beauty girl problems.

you can find all these beauties at your local drug and mass retailers. so, what have you hauled recently? share in the comments!

i purchased all products featured; pics taken by me :)

fall beauty 2013: the easiest eye makeup look

i can't say it enough: i love the fall season!

and for good reason: cool, crisp air; beautiful color-changing leaves...

when it comes to beauty, earthy, vibrant colors inspire the creation of warm, golden beauty looks; grounded in hues that are uber-flattering, these shades work for everyone, not to mention they're simple, pretty and beyond easy to incorporate into your every day makeup routine.

Total Beauty recently created a pinboard on their site and it features the easiest makeup recipe that you need to be wearing now {product suggestions added by me}:

1. sweep a light golden shadow over the base of your lid {mark. I-mark Goldi Luxe wet/dry shadow is a gorgeous option}.

2. tap a deep, rich brown into the crease and down to the corners of your eyes {my current go-to shade is found in the Jasper combination of Prestige cosmetics' Shimmering Trios Mineral shadows}.

3. use a blending brush to smudge the colors evenly.

4. trace a chocolate brown eyeliner pencil over your top lid {try Laura Mercier longwear creme eye pencil in Espresso ~ it applies smoothly, smudges effortlessly and locks in place all day}.

5. finish with a volumizing mascara {Rimmel London ScandalEyes is my current fave}

voila! you're beautiful ~ i told you it was easy... :)

this post contains affiliate links

nail color of the week: Rimmel London Steel Grey

i have become a bit obsessed with Rimmel London's Steel Grey* nail polish (part of their Lasting Finish Pro line, available at drugstores) after seeing it featured in one of my mags (don't ask me which one-- i subscribe to so many!). seriously, i've been wearing it a lot!

this taupe-grey-purple-putty color is the perfect non-boring neutral. as you can see in the pictures, sometimes it can appear to be more grey-purple or more of a putty-grey. in less light it takes on a darker appearance.

i also have to mention that Lasting Finish Pro has something i have come to appreciate-- a wide pro brush. it makes applying the already great formula so easy. love it! :)

xo
*pic on left taken with no flash; pic on right taken with flash. pics taken by me :)

Beauty on a Budget: Rimmel London Max Volume Flash Mascara and Royal Gloss

two products from Rimmel London that i have been enjoying a lot lately are their new The Max Volume Flash Mascara and one of their Royal Gloss shades, Berry Crush.

first The Max Volume Flash...



this is touted as a volume-building mascara, but i found it did give a decent amount of length. the brush is huge (which seems to be the trend with most volumizing mascaras these days), but the handle is a manageable size, so it's not difficult to maneuver through your lashes. the formula is good, not too thin of thick, and, as you can see in the pics (below), gives great volume (i think i was in a hurry, as i seem to missed the inner lashes on my right eye, LOL) with minimal clumping. ps- no flakes to be found as the day wears on! :)






Royal Gloss...





this lipgloss is silky smooth and so moisturizing on lips! enriched with vitamins A, C and E as well as royal jelly, it leaves a shiny finish without being sticky. Royal Gloss comes in 10 fabulous pearly shades, each enhanced with the sweet scents of bubble gum, chocolate and peach (Berry Crush has a bubble gum scent).

you can find Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara and Royal Gloss in drugstores and mass retailers nationwide.

xo
all pics taken by me :)

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara

if there's one thing i must wear everyday (other than lipgloss and heels), it's mascara. if you ever see me without it, i'm probably sick.

Rimmel's Glam'Eyes Mascara is a volumizing mascara with a flexible wand. there are longer bristles (for lengthening) and shorter bristles (for volumizing) on this ultra skinny (and long) wand that helps to distribute the mascara to every lash.

when i saw it i thought, how is this supposed to give me fuller lashes, it's just a baby brush!

well, it did surprise me, but i wouldn't say my lashes looked the fullest ever. one thing i noticed while applying this is that the brush is really flexible, but it worked out ok. after years of using stiff brushes, this took some getting used to.


check out my before and after:



overall, this is a good mascara. i had no clumping or flaking, and it is very easy to remove. it left my lashes longer and slightly fuller, but truthfully, as a volumizing mascara, it doesn't compare to CoverGirl LashBlast or Maybelline Colossal Volume Express. i'm not sure if will repurchase it when i run out, but if you enjoy other Rimmel mascaras, and you haven't tried this one, you just might like it!

find Rimmel Glam'Eyes Mascara at a drugstore near you.

xo

photos: Rimmel and taken by me :)

my favorite drugstore beauty buys 8.15.08

happy friday everyone! i hope you had a great week! my week went by so fast, and i have had some exciting things happen!


ok, on with the show...

Milani Glimmer Stripes in Bronze Glimmer is a great all-over face product. especially for summer, and even when it's long gone, this little palette of color works as an eyeshadow, a cheek highlighter and a bronzer. i love to add a touch of it over my more matte blush to give it a hint of sheen. these are available in other "glimmers" as well.

Noxema Cleansing Cream is one i'm sure many of you have used in the past. i love the smell and the cool tingle it leaves on my face. after a long day in the sun, if you get burned or not, this will help soothe and cool your skin.

Rimmel French Manicure with Lycra in French Rose is an amazing sheer pink that leaves your nails looking natural, but better.. even without doing a traditional french tip with it, when you don't have time to invest in a darker shade, swiping a coat or two of this on will leave you satisfied with the outcome until you do. it dries quickly and lasts a long time!


i hope you have a fabulous weekend!

xo

Victoria Beckham on the Cover of Allure

Victoria Beckham is on the cover of the august issue of Allure magazine, and i have to say, i love it!

not just the fact that it is her (i admit, i was a fan of the Spice Girls when i was in high school), and i love her style, and i think she has an amazing fashion sense, but look at the cover! it's not just her face, it's her arms and her nails, too-- something i haven't seen on an Allure cover in awhile.

inside the mag, Victoria shares that she is an incredibly ordinary girl who runs around the house in jeans and trainers (sneakers), laughs, smiles (!) and is very fun-loving. she has merely created a character, and is nothing like the woman we see out and about in the media.

for her cover look, makeup artist Scott Andrew wanted to create a more unexpected and natural look for the woman who is famous for vamping it up.

he blended a moisturizer with foundation to give her a sheer wash of color, then applied a sheer rosy blush to the apples of her cheeks. by lining her eyes with a black pencil, skimming her eyelids with a metallic beige eyeshadow, and adding black mascara to her lashes, he created soft and pretty eyes. to give Victoria's lips a natural glow, beige lipstick was dotted with a pink lip stain.

want to re-create this look? try Color Rush Eyeshadow in Spun Gold, Exaggerate Full Color Eye Definer in Noir, Mousse Blush in Frozen Cherry, and Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Birthday Suit, all by Rimmel London. Lip Bloomer Lip Stain/Plumping Gloss duo in Killer Kiss by Rimmel Underground.

check out the latest issue of Allure now on newsstands, and see photos now at allure.com



xo

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