beauty review: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Eyes

as i grow older more fabulous, i've found myself using concealer under my eyes on a more frequent basis. the use of eye creams, anti-aging serums, gels and the like are not new to me, and i'm a huge fan of highlighting/illuminating products. so, as one might expect, when i was introduced to Smashbox BB Camera Ready for Eyes, i was obviously very curious and excited to try the new multitasker. 

 and it is a multitasker!

not just a concealer, this beauty is also a treatment, a primer, an illuminator and offers spf 15 sun protection. 

love it!

and just when you think it can't do any more, it does. BB for Eyes can also be used to highlight your brow bones, giving your face a more lifted appearance, and you can use it when contouring around the cheeks, creating a more defined look.

have you tried Smashbox BB for Eyes yet? visit smashbox.com for more info. 

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

on-the-go beauty: dedra beauty Smudge Pencils

 
when it comes to makeup, multitasking products are an absolute plus. not only do they save money, but also time, and we can all appreciate that, right?

ok beauties, it's time you meet dedra beauty Smudge Pencils…

created by los angeles celebrity makeup artist Dedra Whitt, these pencils are multitaskers, and good ones at that. from precise definition to eye-popping smoky looks, these gems work at home, on-the-go and are perfect for travel {something my family and i will be doing in the coming weeks}! 

 another benefit? the dedra beauty makeup range requires no brushes, so application is a breeze. dedra beauty makeup is made in america {southern california to be exact} is paraben free, talc free and some products are also gluten free! these highly pigmented Smudge Pencils go on smoothly, making application comfortable, and stay in place as the day goes on. from lining my waterline to blending out for a shadow effect, i can't help but be in love!

Smoke {top} and Baroque

Smudge Pencils are available in 3 shades, Smoke, Baroque {the two shades you see here} and Champagne.

Smoke and Baroque ~ {smudged}

me, wearing easy, day-frendly smoky eye using Baroque :)

for more info about this fab range of products, including lippies and face products, visit dedrabeauty.com  

also, if you decide to make a purchase, use code beautygirl20 at checkout to receive 20% off {Dedra's gift to you}! happy shopping, beauties… :)

new uses for old things: mascara wands

one thing i love about Real Simple magazine is its regular feature, new uses for old things. it always features such creative ways to use things we already have, making them into something new, or giving them a new function; this has always been fabulous to me. learning new things is never a bad thing {or, to put it as Martha Stewart would say, "it's a good thing"}, not to mention it's helpful to make the most of what you have. it also proves that with a bit of creativity, you can make life so much more...well…simple.

i've been reading Real Simple since its first issue {that was in 2000, and as a young wife, and soon-to-be new mom, it was the perfect new resource}. through the years i've learned so much from it. i have pages and pages saved in folders and clipped into notebooks. i confess i haven't subscribed in years, but their website is fabulous. in recent months, though, i've found myself drawn to the physical publication and have fallen in love all over again…

alright, enough of my rambling, LOL!

all of this is to say that on my most recent visit to their website, i realized that i should be sharing these tips with you. that's what i love to do here on BGM, after all ~ share the tips and tricks, products and fun stuff i love…

so, without further ado, here are 3 new uses for mascara wands {also known as a spooly} you should know…

1. remove errant makeup  ~ unlike a finger, the mascara wand won’t smudge the color all over the place making your problem worse. simply flick off any misplaced makeup with the mascara-wand bristles.

2. flatten out little fly aways around the hairline. simply spritz the tool with a bit of hairspray, and brush where needed, recommends hairstylist Mark Townsend.

3. use the spooly dipped in polish remover to remove nail polish that ends up around your nail rather than on it. unlike a cotton ball, it won’t leave behind those little fuzzies that inevitably end up ruining your paint job.

what creative ways do you use spoolys? let me know in the comments!

tips featured came from this article on RealSimple.com; all other thoughts are my own. :) 

beauty review: jane iredale Hydrating Spray

let's face it {excuse the bad pun, LOL}, hydration is essential for keeping skin healthy and looking its best. when skin looks good, makeup looks better, and when makeup looks better, we feel better…

do you see where i'm going with this? 

skincare is important! :)

that said, i'm excited. and it's all because of this beauty from Jane Iredale…

 POMMISST Hydration Spray

beauties, me and my skin are quite enamored.

the jane iredale brand boasts being "the skin care makeup", and this is truly the case {stay tuned for more product reviews!}. this one product is a gorgeous, multi-tasker. there are three sprays in the Hydration collection, and it's been about 4 weeks since i was given the opportunity to test out POMMISST; as previously mentioned, i love it!

with pomegranate extract, white tea leaf extract and rosemary leaf extract {all organic}, POMMISST does what it says it will: hydrate. it also conditions and is fabulous for all skin types.

the multi-tasking element comes in because all three Hydration Sprays can be used to set makeup, refresh skin any time of day, be sprayed on to makeup brushes to moisten them for creating different textures and depth of color {instead of water} and is just great overall for keeping skin in balance.

i find the scent of POMMISST to be beautiful {slightly sweet and citrusy}. it's such a treat to spray on my skin each morning, before i apply my moisturizer, after i'm done with my makeup, and each night just before i go to bed {ok, i may or may not mist my face at other points of the day, but these are the most frequent…*wink}.

the other two sprays include:

Balance Antioxidant Hydration Spray 
this one is formulated specifically to help balance oil production and pH. orange essential oil, orange peel extract, grapefruit peel extract and algae extract calm and feed the skin.

 D2O Hydration Spray
sets minerals, helps to hydrate and plump the skin cells. it contains chamomile as a key ingredient to calm and protect the skin. features a ylang ylang fragrance.

so, what more can i say? as a newbie to the jane iredale brand, i am very impressed with POMMISST and can only imagine how fabulous the other two Hydration sprays are.

find out more for yourself at janeiredale.com!

New Multi-Tasking Products from Jillian Dempsey for Avon

to the joy of many multi-tasking-loving beauty mavens, Jillian Dempsey, Avon Global Creative Color Director and hollywood makeup artist, has created an exclusive line of color products for the busy woman on the go. with these products, any look can go from a sleek, professional look for day, to a sultry, smokey eye for night, to fabulous, lush lashes that are gorgeous, thick and voluminous looking (and look great anytime).

the bonus-- you can do it with just three products!

crazy to believe, i know, but i've tried them firsthand, and my product-obsessed self has been convinced that less is more (at least for some occasions, LOL!)

take a closer look at these beauties...



the Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Multi Pencil is my favorite! the double-ended pencil includes a soft eyeshadow on one end (blendable and great when you're in a hurry) and a gorgeous cream lip and cheek color on the other (the texture is perfect and creates a pretty finish). they come in three shade duos:

Raspberry Radiance – berry lip color with a satin finish paired with a shimmery champagne shadow.
Sugar Plum – neutral mauve lip color with a creme finish paired with a shimmery pink shadow (pictured).
Twice the Spice – deep plum lip color with a soft shimmer with a soft shimmer brown eyeshadow.




on one end of the Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Duo Eye Enhancer you'll find a creamy, liquid eyeshadow-- the formula goes on with a wand, and has to be blended, but wears well once applied-- and on the other, a perfectly coordinated luxurious liquid eyeliner. the liner glides on smoothly and wears great throughout the day, but i found it took a bit longer to dry than i had hoped. available in 4 duos: White/Jet Black, Shell Pink/ Warm Brown, Gold/Jet Black and Bronze/Warm Brown (pictured).




Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Lash Booster is designed to be applied between coats of mascara. it's a goof-proof gel that contains custom fibers that cling to lashes, helping to create a dramatic lash look. available in Black and Brown (pictured). this alternative (or in addition) to a lash primer really gives my my mascara a boost. this beauty girl loves to have fab looking lashes! :)

all of these products are available now through your local Avon representative. visit avon.com for more info.

xo
products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Bioelements Gentle Creme Eye Makeup Remover + a Special Offer for You!

as the season of gifting continues, i have a special treat to share with you from Bioelements. as you may know i am a huge fan of this skincare brand, and they have a new product out called Gentle Creme Eye Makeup Remover. they sent it to me to try* and i have to tell you it's unlike any eye makeup remover i use or have used in the past.

this creme-based product removes all of my eye makeup so easily and is non-irritating to my delicate eyes. i was quite pleased to find out that it not only removes eye makeup, but also works as a pre-cleanser, too! multi-tasking products are so fabulous...

so about that special offer!

Bioelements is offering you, my wonderful readers, a FREE full size Gentle Creme Eye Makeup Remover (a $25 value) with any order at bioelements.com until december 31, 2009. all you have to do is enter promo code insider to receive the gift!

not sure what you'd like from the brand? check out my reviews here.

happy shopping!

xo
*a full-size product sample was sent to me for this review

for the guys: AXE Hair Product review and giveaway!

let's face it, men aren't into fussy routines. i know my hubby more than appreciates multi-tasking products that save him time. the last thing he wants to do is spend more time than he has to on something he knows can be done in less than ten minutes. AXE 2 IN 1 Shampoo + Conditioner addresses this as well as makes sure your guy is cleaned up and looking good.

in addition to being a 2-in-1 product, this duo has a masculine scent that leaves his hair smelling great and feeling soft. your guy, like mine, will also appreciate the superior ease of use-- grab the bottle, push the button that flips the top open, pour the product into hand, rub into hair, close cap, set it down, finish washing hair and rinse.

as far as styling goes, AXE has one for whatever type of look he likes. one, called Refined, is a pomade that is to be used on damp hair. it isn't greasy and leaves hair styled the way you want it-- without a heavy or "crunchy" feeling. again, applying the product is easy: scoop out a small portion, rub it between hands and run through hair until it's where it should be.


pomade instructions inside the cap



if only it were that simple for us girls...nah. i like my routine, he can have his. :)



AXE Hair is on a mission to help guys get the kind of hair that girls love, but they can't do it alone. don't you think your guy would like to have some of his own products? then you'll want to enter my AXE giveaway! three lucky winners will be selected for the following:

*grand prize (1): a pair of AXE Hair Products: one full-size shampoo and one styling product

*two (2) runner-ups: one mini pack containing a travel size AXE DUAL: 2 IN 1 Shampoo and AXE PRIMED: Just Clean Shampoo

to enter:

*send me an email at bgmcontests@gmail.com with "AXE Giveaway" in the subject line.

*include your full name and mailing address

*contest is open to U.S. only please

*one entry per person please

*entries must be received by tuesday, july 21 at 11pm pacific time.



be sure to visit AxeHairCrisisRelief.org. thanks to the AXE Hair team for providing product for my review and this great giveaway!


good luck!

xo

**read please: entering this contest means you are giving me permission to forward your name, email and mailing address to representatives of AXE for fulfillment and mailing of contest prize(s). failure to include all information requested will disqualify your entry. three (3) winners, chosen at random, will receive the prize(s) mentioned. duplicate entries will not improve your chances of winning. giveaway sponsored by AXE. some restrictions apply. open only to US residents only. entries will be accepted through 11pm, pacific time. on tuesday, july 21. thank you. :)

Holiday 2008: Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick

sparkle this season with Bobbi's latest Shimmer Brick for Holiday 2008, Copper Diamond, five blendable shades that look gorgeous on everyone. this compact features five universally flattering shades-- Candlelight, Gold, Copper, Beige, and Sand --which can be worn individually or together to give skin a warm golden copper glow. elegantly packaged in copper faux-leather, this compact is perfect for gift-giving.

i have been using this new, limited-edition Shimmer Brick for about a week and a half, and have to say-- this being my first experience with any of Bobbi's Shimmer Bricks-- it is amazing!

i use the individual shades on my eyelids as a shadow, or after i've "dressed" my eye, as the highlight on my brow bones; any of the colors work brilliantly, so i'm not particular to one color, it really just depends on the day. i also like to use it to create a pretty highlight along my cheeks before or after applying my blush, which depends on how much shimmer i want wear that day.

the Copper Diamond Shimmer Brick is quite multi-functional, and would make a great gift for yourself or someone who will appreciate such a fabulous beauty item! it was created to work on all skin tones, so the risk of it not looking good on you, or that someone, is pretty much nil.

find the CopperDiamond Shimmer Brick at a Bobbi Brown beauty counter near you or at bobbibrowncosmetics.com

xo

review: Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask

if you love multi-tasking products as much as i do, then you are going to love what The Body Shop's Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask does!

1. it deep cleans

2. it exfoliates

3. it moisturizes


so, how does it do all of these things? check out the fabulous key ingredients:

bergamot, geranium and ylang ylang essential oils-- these oils are renowned to help balance an oily skin type. they also provides an uplifting and sensual aroma during use.

blue corn powder-- gently exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells, excess oils and dirt.

glycerin-- an effective moisturizer which helps improve softness and maximize hydration.

kaolin clay-- helps control shine. deeply cleanses, drawing out impurities from the skin, and is a mineral that helps to restore the skin's natural balance.


if you have an oilier skin type, obviously, this is perfect as a 1-2 time a week mask, but even if you have a more normal skin type, this is perfect as a 1-2 times a month mask.

it gives a cooling sensation when on the face that is quite soothing (love it after a long, hot day),and it's very important when you rinse to rub gently as the little granules will do the scrubbing for you.

for the past couple of years, my husband has loved to do this mask about once a month to really clean out his pores, and give his skin a "glow" (but don't tell him i told you!), and i love to do it weekly to help control oil and keep my skin clear.


find the Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask at The Body Shop and online at thebodyshop.com


xo

from Total Beauty: Nars the Multiple

i have yet to experience the fabulousness that is Nars the Multiple, but go ahead and read the reviews of those who have! i'll be here when you get back.

See review

Guest Review: Nars The Multiple Rated a 7.5 by TotalBeauty.com Editor Kristen Oldham-Giordani Nars The Multiple is a cream-to-powder formula that can be used anywhere (though it leaves lips feeling a little too powdery). The jumbo stick glides on smoothly and feels moist on skin, making it ideal for dry skin year-round or combination skin in the winter. ...More

xo

hair therapy: Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Conditioner

i told you about the Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cleanser the other day, and today i must share about it's fabulous companion, the Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Conditioner.

just as the old saying goes, two are really better than one! and when used together, softer and healthier skin and hair is just a shower away.

like the Tawaka Cleanser, this conditioner is a multi-tasker, enriched with pure ojon oil and cacao that is rich in antioxidants (about 125lbs. blueberries worth)! it hydrates and leaves hair and skin looking amazing without leaving any oily feeling behind.

the consistency is thicker than the cleanser, and it goes onto the hair smoothly. i leave it on for about 5 minutes while i use the conditioner as a shave cream to shave my legs-- best shave ever!

both products work amazingly on all hair types, but work especially well if you have stressed, dry or over-styled hair.

find Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Conditioner at sephora.com.

xo

photo: sephora.com

hair therapy: Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvinating Cleanser

imagine a cleansing treatment for the hair, face and body. now imagine that it combines such rich, nourishing, moisturizing ingredients that it leaves your skin feeling smooth and your hair soft, shiny and manageable. you can use it to remove makeup, and you never have that "stripped" feeling you get from some traditional cleansers.

can't do it?

well, meet the Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvinating Cleanser from Ojon.

this cleanser does all of the things i just mentioned!

sounds almost too good to be true, right? but it's not! i have had the pleasure of using this for the last couple of weeks and it baffles me how such a fabulous product could be in excistance. well, mabe that's going a little overboard, so to put it in simple terms, i love it! my skin feels soft, my hair is in the best condition and when i need to remove my makeup in one step, this is what i reach for.

and hubby loves it, too, especially because it's a multi-tasking product. men love that. the chocolate smell surprised him, and i explained that it was cacao he was smelling (which by the way, contains the antioxidant equivalent of 125 lbs of blueberries!).

this is a keeper, no imagination required!

find out about all Ojon products and buy at sephora.com

xo

photo: sephora.com

review: Global Goddess Beauty South Pacific Shimmer

like most bronzers, Global Goddess Beauty South Pacific Shimmer works to give skin a glow.

what is different about this product is that it goes beyond being just a bronzer and really works as a multi-tasking porduct. as an eyeshadow, as a blush substitute and as a highlighter, this is a great works-for-everyday type of product!

the first time i used it, it was very shimmery. that is only because of the beautifully swirled silver design on the first layer. after that, the shimmer is subtle and very flatering.

infused with aloe, South Pacific Shimmer carries skin benefits like all of the Global Godess Beauty products. no wonder this product is a favorite in the beauty industry (i hear it is a favorite of SJP as well)!

find South Pacific Shimmer at globalgoddessbeauty.com

xo

photo taken by me :)

fabulous multi-tasker: tarte enbrightenmint

brighten your smile on-the-go with tarte's enbrightenmint!

this dual wand tube holds tarte’s t5 super fruit infused (goji, acai, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate--wow), mint-scented lipgloss in one end, and a minty BriteSmile tooth whitener in the other (sheer genius i say!).

it takes about two weeks to notice a difference, since it is only a once-a-day application of the BriteSmile. but you can be assured because both unique shades, radiant red and pearly pink, have blue undertones, which will help your teeth look extra white in no time!


xo

check out some fabulous spas!

photo: tarte.com