happy blogiversary to BGM!! {plus some beauty goodies i want to try in 2014}

happy friday, dolls! hope your week has ended well ~ are you ready for the weekend?

my kids are out of school on break, so weekdays and weekends these days don't differ too much from each other. it's a nice change, not to have to go anywhere, though i do keep my morning routine the same {waking, exercising, eating breakfast at the same time, etc.}. 

 unfortunately, my son came down with a little bug over the last couple of days and is currently sick. such a bummer! on the positive side {i guess}, it's better that he's not missing any school {which happened last school year and he was out for a week}.

so, this is {part of} my life right now, LOL! never a dull moment…

other than that, everything is good. i'm {mostly} healthy and my daughter is well. i'm enjoying the gifts i received at christmas and am looking forward to my 34th birthday {this monday, the 30th!}.

and….

today is the 6th blogiversary of Beauty Girl Musings!

i can hardly believe it! it's been quite a fun experience, and i still love discovering and sharing all the fabulous, beauty-ful goodies here with you in my small space on the web!

with that said, there are some products on my radar that i hope to try firsthand in the coming months. you most likely feel the same and/or already own them yourself! take a look…

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

it's no secret this palette is the it palette right now thanks to its gorgeous rose-hued neutrals. i've been watching and reading many tutorials and it's easy to understand why this unique, versatile mix of matte and shimmer shadows is fast becoming the must-have for beauty fans.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
since i finally joined the Revlon ColorStay fan band wagon {better late than never, haha}, i'm on a mission to not let years go by before i give in and try this highly-rated foundation. i j'adore my Estee Lauder Double Wear {HG!!}, and while ColorStay has been a seriously close second {i've been using it daily, i confess, for well over a month}, i can't help but be curious to find out if i'll be among those who will replace the Revlon with this CG formulation. i just have to find the correct shade. stay tuned...



Stila Masterpiece Series Eye and Cheek Palettes
create a gorgeous look with this "book", featuring 4 beauty volumes {three are shadows and blushes while the fourth volume includes get-the-look tutorials, tips, and tricks from Stila Pro Artist, Sarah Lucero}. inspired by vintage artistry, each book features a look ~ The Minimalist, The Impressionist and The Modernist ~ that promises to help achieve specific looks. only available online

Benefit POREfessional Agent Zero Shine Powder
i've heard so many rave reviews about this powder, and since i'm currently enjoying The POREfessional balm, i'm trying to contain my excitement over trying it myself. the beauty community says  Agent Zero Shine is just fabulous for finishing your look as well as keeping shine at bay throughout the day.

CC Creams
 like a punched-up BB cream {which include ingredients to hydrate, color correct and protect skin from the sun}, the CC creams have more skincare benefits and lighter texture. coverage varies, i've learned, but brands like Cover FX, IT Cosmetics, Pur Minerals, Clinique and Smashbox have had good reviews. i'm excited to experience this this new wave of skincare makeup ~ just as i finally found the BBs i like and match my skin well, LOL!



what products are on your 2014 beauty list?
 here's to another fabulous year, dolls! enjoy your weekend...

last-minute holiday gift ideas...

as you may know, i love gift sets. they can be given as a way to introduce your recipient to a line of products they might not be familiar with, or feature their fave products. they can also be divided up among several different people, making them more cost-effective {always a good thing for the wallet, right?}

the fabulous LORAC Bejeweled Gloss set is a fabulous gift idea for your gloss-loving pal. it would also be splendid to gift one lippie paired with something you know she'll also love {movie tickets, itunes card, that book she has been dying to read}, then wrap it up with gorgeous ribbon or box {be creative!} and watch her face light up with delight over the gift and your thoughtfulness...so fun!



Stila Holiday Dream in Full Color Palette offers endless awe-inspiring color combinations. with 29 shadows, 7 cheek colors, the best-selling Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray, this palette perfect for the gal who has much to do and places to be seen. a step-by-step 16-page artistry lookbook is included to show you how to apply each eye shadow shade to create numerous looks for everything from a day of running errands or grabbing lunch with friends, to a night out on the town or special occasion soiree.



Fresh Brown Sugar Affair combines luxury and nourishing products to pamper for a gorgeous at-home spa experience. the original Brown Sugar Body Polish and Brown Sugar Body Cream are included and will guarantee an end result of radiant, soft, hydrated skin; to give lips a pampering experience anytime, you'll also find Sugar Passion Tinted Lip Treatment spf 15 {love!}, a universal, buildable-shade of red looks stunning on all lips.



for the nail polish fanatic, any of the shades from Dr's Remedy Jolly & Joy nail polish collection would be fabulous. this unique collection of shades includes Revive ruby red, Serene silver glitter, Resolution red glitter, Essential emerald and Passion purple; all are gorgeous, perfect for this season and seasons to come.

Spring Beauty 2010: Stila Cosmetics

while i'm thrilled that the fall runway shows are giving me a glimpse into the fabulous season that will be fall 2010, i'm looking forward to spring (no, not the heat, just all of the style and beauty treats that go with it, ha!).

Stila's Spring 2010 Collection features some fabulous little goodies that are already creating buzz-- can you feel the sunshine yet? take a look...




One Step Makeup

this product could quite possibly be a dream come true! it's a primer, foundation, concealer and powder all in one easy step! using 100% mineral pigments to deliver a high performance, high definition and long-wearing makeup, this formula offers medium coverage but is buildable and blendable. for some reviews, check out my blogger gal pals over at Beauty Junkies Unite and Beauty 411 who each recently featured One Step Makeup!





Jewel Luxe Lip Gloss Trio

Stila's glosses are amazing, and this set is something to take notice of. while the formula in these glosses contain mango seed, goa seed, and shea butters to offer moisturizing benefits, they also contain the brand's exclusive Gem Complex, composed of diamond, emerald, jade, ruby, moonstone, rose quartz, sapphire, topaz, amethyst, amber, garnet, mother of pearl, and opal-- talk about luxurious!





Jewel Eye Shadow Palette

i'm looking forward to trying this one out! each shadow shimmers and glistens with a perfect blend of pigment and pearl. these buildable shadows glide evenly onto the lids. transparent talc delivers excellent color release and all day wear.




Black Diamond Mascara

diamonds are now a lashes best friend! swirled with genuine diamond powder, this innovative mascara promises to lengthens and adhere perfectly to every lash, leaving them not only feeling soft and plush all day long, but glistening, bringing out the color of your eyes. paraben free. shades include: Black Shimmer, black with silver shimmer and Blue Shimmer, black with blue shimmer.





Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

this marker-like liner was created to give even novice makeup artists the ability to apply a precise line of color like a pro. the formula is waterproof and goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, lasting all day.




Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain

the newest member to the crush family, Yumberry Crush is a light midtone pink containing a new superfruit called yumberry. these little fruits boast the highest amount of the most potent antioxidants, is 50 times stronger than vitamin E and 20 times stronger than vitamin C (can you say wow!). use this multitasker to give yourself the most natural-looking flush.


tell me: are you excited about this new collection? discover more for yourself at stilacosmetics.com.

xo
info and images courtesy of Stila

Create a Fab Date Night Look with Stila

Stila has made it so easy to create a gorgeous look for valentine's day (and beyond) with their exclusive Valentine's Day Set. with the products included you can create a beautiful and uber-feminine look-- eyes will sparkle, skin will look radiant and cheeks and lips will be perfectly flushed.

included in this kit:

Stila Black Diamond Mascara

Eye Shadow in Kitten

Cherry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain

All Over Shimmer *1


check out this video featuring Stila pro artist Sarah Lucero sharing her secrets for creating the date night look that's really perfect for any night out.




this set retails for less than half of what you would pay for each product separately-- an amazing deal, if you ask me! since these are all best-sellers, it's definitely worth it. visit stilacosmetics.com for more info.

xo

Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder

when it comes to makeup, i have fallen in love with Stila. i am especially loving their Hydrating Finishing Powder, a lightweight, translucent powder (olive, tan and brown skin beauties, don't let the light color fool you, this is invisible) that sets my foundation and leaves my skin looking amazing thanks to it's micro-encapsulated ectoin that gives time-released hydration to the skin.

Hydrating Finishing Powder works for all skin types; it absorbs oil and protects with meadow seed extract for antioxidant protection. my only gripe is the packaging. it has a mirror, but i can't use it since powder gets on it every time i close the lid to shake out more powder. also, there's nowhere to tap off the excess powder, so i have to be careful not to load up my fluffy brush with too much product for fear of wasting it. since i love the results so much, i'll continue to use it and will definitely be buying this when it runs out!

many thanks to Stila for giving me the opportunity to try Hydrating Finishing Powder! visit your local Stila beauty counter or stilacosmetics.com for more info.

xo

Shop with Stila on HSN!

attention Stila girls! tomorrow, tuesday, september 2nd and wednesday, september 3rd Stila will be on HSN! Stila Pro Jeanne Tamayo will be taking over the HSN airwaves, featuring exclusive Stila sets for HSN as well as insider beauty secrets!

you don’t want to miss it! here are the showtimes and scheduled products to be featured:

wednesday
september 2, 2009
5am - 6am

Universal Colors
Foundation Enhancers
Kitten Collection
Convertible Classics

wednesday
september 2, 2009
11am - 12pm

All in One Eye Pot with Brush
Kitten Collection
Plumping Lip Glaze Trio
Convertible Classics



wednesday
september 2, 2009
11pm - 12am

Foundation Enhancers
Bold Beauty
Kitten Collection
Plumping Lip Glaze Trio


thursday
september 3, 2009
8pm - 9pm

All in One Eye Pot with Brush
Universal Colors
Lip Glaze
Convertible Eye Color


click here for all the details-- enjoy and happy shopping!

xo

My Review of Stila's Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain is on A Girl's Gotta Spa!

i have been using Stila's Mango Crush Lip & Cheek Stain, and as you can see from the pics below, it creates a natural-looking flush to cheeks and a fabulous stain on the lips.





what i'm most excited about is the fact that my "official" review is on the fabulous beauty blog, A Girl's Gotta Spa! written by the amazing Shannon Nelson.

click here to read my thoughts on this new multi-tasker!

xo
pics taken by me :)

Stila Weekend Special: Free Standard Shipping!

hey all you Stila girls! today and tomorrow the fabulous brand is offering free standard shipping on any order. head over to the website and stock up on your faves. use code SURPRISE01 at checkout (one time use only*).

enjoy and happy shopping! :)

xo
*offer details:
how does it work? in order to qualify must buy something. simply enter the
coupon code SURPRISE01 during checkout. free shipping applies toward the $7.95 ground shipping only (express shipping is not included). offers cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts; no more than one coupon can apply per order. sorry, there are no rain checks on out-of-stock items, and this offer is not applicable to previously placed orders. offers are not combinable with the purchase of gift certificates. to prevent abuse, Stila reserves the right to cancel any order at any time. this offer expires at 11:59pm pacific on sunday, august 23, 2009

review: Stila Smoky Eye Talking Palette

Stila has some fabulous palettes that talk. no really, there's a button and a voice speaks to you regarding how to use it. amazing idea, and so fun! thanks to Stila, i have one in The Bronzes: pink champagne shimmer (base), bronze brown shimmer (lid), aubergine brown (crease/contour), deep matte brown (liner). i've been using it everyday for the past week and had to show you the results.



i love that all of the colors coordinate, yet can also be worn alone. when worn together the look is more of a dramatic look, but still works during the day.





i am so happy to have been given the opportunity to try this-- it's versatile, travel friendly and uber-adorable-- the holographic eye on the front is fab!




cute, huh?

find Stila's Smoky Eye Palettes on stilacosmetics.com and your local Stila beauty counter!

xo
pics taken by me :)

mother's day gift idea: Stila My Mother, My Hero Set

mother's day isn't until next month, and while rumors swirl around the future of Stila Cosmetics, this new set for her special day caught my eye. the My Mother, My Hero Set contains four beauty must-haves that will give her a luminous look. the items are tucked into a brushed gold clutch: lip color in Natalie (a sheer plum lipstick), Lash Visor Waterproof mascara in Black (a thickening mascara), Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Gold (a shimmering bronze eyeshadow trio), and Illuminating Finishing Powder in Bronze (an illuminating, bronze shimmer).

with all of these goodies for under $40, i think this would make the perfect gift for your glam momma on mother's day (hmm..i may have to let hubby know about this one...)!

find it exclusively at Sephora

xo

Stila Warehouse Sale!

if you live in, or will be in, the los angeles area this weekend, why not plan a stop to do some serious shopping at the Stila Winter Warehouse Sale? this is your opportunity to get some amazing Stila products for 50%-80% off!

when: saturday december 13th, 2008, 8am-2pm.
where: 1161 Vine Street Hollywood, CA 90038, between Lexington & Santa Monica.

happy shopping!

xo

Free Lip Glaze From Stila!

Stila Cosmetics is offering a fabulous Spiced Rum Lip Glaze for FREE when you spend $30 or more on their site! in the spirit of giving thanks, it's Stila's way of saying thank you, so take advantage, and maybe pick up some beauty gifts for those you love!

some of my suggestions:


Stila Front Row Look Palette will give the perfect modern dreamy eye with greys and pink shades of eyeshadows perfect for creating the season's most flattering look. the Kajal Eyeliner will help define the eye and amp up the drama!


Eyes and Shine Smudge Pot Trio includes three of Stila's best-selling, smudge-proof liner-and-shadow-in-one formulas and a mini liner brush. the smudge pots are fabulous alternatives to traditional powder and liquid liner-- the recipient will love this one!


Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder is a loose powder ideal for all skin types. formulated to absorb oil and protect the skin while providing supreme translucency, this lightweight powder works fabulously to set your makeup. it gives sheer coverage and one universal shade and great for all skin tones!

don't miss out on getting your free treat! happy shopping!

xo

Get Vanessa Hudgen's Glowing Look

summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to give up your bronzed look. chances are you still have a tan (real or fake), so your makeup should compliment it accordingly.

makeup artist Brett Freeman created a fabulous look for Vanessa Hudgens for her appearance at Teen Vogue's Young Hollywood Party last month, and the makeup was flawless. as you can see, he kept the High School Musical star's look fabulously radiant.

"Vanessa was still bronzed from touring in mexico, so we wanted to play up her glow with make-up and hair that would suit her luminous skin,” said Freedman.

foundation: Neutrogena Visibly Even liquid makeup in True Beige blended to even her skin tone

bronzer: Stila Sun in shade 2 used to set the foundation

blush: to warm up her cheeks, Freedman lightly blended Rosie Jane Cheek Gloss in Peony and swept Benefit 10 all over as a highlighter.

eyeshadow: M.A.C. Spiced Chocolate Eye Shadow X4 was swept all over her lid to create a pale, matte eye.

eye liner: Freedman lined her lashes with Kat Von D Autograph Eyeliner in Love Metal after applying eye shadow.

brows: “i cleaned up her brows with Vanitymark Ultra-Brow Dual Sided Tweezer, then added a bit of drama and definition with Vanitymark Ultra-Brow Powder in Milk Choco,” said Freedman.
mascara: the makeup artist coated her lashes four times with Vanitymark the LASH Mascara

lips: Benefit Her Glossiness in Who Are You Wearing

highlights/countour: after applying all the make-up, Freedman misted Vanitymark SHIMMERSKIN Body Glisten “on her arms, chest and back to really amp up her natural glow.”

you can easily mimic this look with most of these products, regardless of your skintone. for the other products, like blush and foundation, be sure to choose what suits you.

xo
photo: Jason Merritt/FilmMagic via instyle.com

find a mascara you will love with The Lash Stash

searching for a new mascara can be a difficult task if you blindly purchase without any sort of plan. packaging can be so misleading, so how are you to know if this ginormous lash mascara is (or isn't) better than this mega-ultra big lash mascara?

Sephora (who else?) has taken it upon themselves to help you out!

The Lash Stash is a collection of 7 black mascaras, and are in a travel size. all are best-sellers, so you can rest assured you'll find at least one you absolutely adore.

this limited-edition kit includes a 0.14 oz Benefit A Little Bit BADgal Lash in Black, a 0.02 oz Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in Black, a 0.15 oz LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes in Black, a 0.12 oz Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Black (stay tuned for my review of this one), a 0.24 oz Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black, a 1.0 oz Sephora Brand Lash Plumper in Black, and a 0.17 oz Too Faced Lash Injection in Black.

this is so ingenious! why didn't i think of this? no worries. at least now if you don't like a mascara, you don't have to feel guilty about throwing it away! find The Lash Stash exclusively at Sephora.



xo

i'm so close to a spa experience, but there
are still many days until i know for sure. please
continue to click on the icon! thanks!

photo: sephora.com

review: Stila All Over Shimmer

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer is a fabulous product to use when you want to give yourself a pretty touch of luminosity.

with just the right amount of glimmer, this little wonder helps you to glow without trying too hard. i think it adds the perfect hint of sheen, and highlights the places you want to bring attention to.

by applying it to the corners of my eyes, i look instantly refreshed, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (not sure about the bushy-tailed part, but i just have go with it...). on my cheeck bones, it adds a nice look of lit-from-within softness. i sometimes apply it over my foundation to give my face a natural, but a little more enhanced, radiance.

this fabulous little wonder can do so many things! i love the applicator brush; it makes applying so easy, but using fingertips works just as well.

available in two colors, #1 (a silvery off-white) and #3 (a luminous gold), you will find yourself falling in love with this oh-so-fabulous highlighter.

xo

plan a spa getaway, and help me win a spa experience and professionally edited review!!

photo: sephora

create a lit-from-within glow

each month ELLE magazine publishes their "Top 5" must haves. i love highlighters for summer as they help to create such a beautiful appearance on the skin without having to use alot of makeup. check out the "Top 5" highlighters:




Origins Halo Effect-- this lightweight pearly potion, gentle enough even for sensitive skin, casts a subtle shine over skin to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative.










Benefit High Beam-- the celeb makeup artist's secret weapon creates beautiful illumination with just a hint of shimmer.








Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact-- sweep on cheeks just on top of the cheekbones, after blush, to give yourself the most flattering, natural look.









Yves Saint Laurent Touche Elcat-- like a touch of magic, this take-anywhere pen adds a touch of light, banishes shadows and eliminates signs of fatigue.










Stila All Over Shimmer-- allows for added application control and will last longer than traditional powder or cream shimmers. use alone or mixed into your favorite foundation for an all-over glow.











choose any of these or find your own highlighter to create a sensational glow any time of year!




xo



source: ELLE