Cargo introduces new Matte Top Coat

if you're a fan of the matte lip trend, you can create the look with any of your favorite lippies thanks CARGO’s new Matte Top Coat!

i admit, the matte look wasn't a trend i adopted right away, but recently i've been playing with the look. i've found it to be a fun way to freshen up my look and it works as a nice compliment to a dewey or sparkly eye makeup look.

to get the matte look simply apply your favorite lip color, blot gently and swipe on the top coat to create a fashionable, matte finish.

hello, gorgeous!

the new CARGO Matte Top Coat is currently available at Ulta.com, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Macy’s and CargoCosmetics.com

winter beauty: Obiqo Silky Body Butter + Smoothing Eye Cream

Obiqo skincare combines nutrient-rich sea kelp from new zealand’s pristine waters with the very finest natural marine anti-aging extracts and powerful antioxidant properties of french organic sea lavender. this beauty brand was recently introduced to me, and it was this description that caught my attention.

i've been using Silky Body Butter and Smoothing Eye Cream for a few weeks and i can't stress enough how i think you need these gems in your life. since using them, i've noticed on my skin looks better, feels amazing and they're just a treat to use!

the rich-textured Silky Body Butter really is silky and lush; it absorbs quickly, smells fabulous, and i just love it. it's perfect for using right out of the shower, but of course can be used anytime and anywhere on the body that needs moisture. i especially love applying it right before bed ~ its a guaranteed way to wake up with soft, smooth skin!

Obiqo Smoothing Eye Cream is a luxurious treat for my eyes at the end of the day {and so refreshing when used in the morning}. thanks to its gorgeous rich formula, this fragrance free, non-irritating {in my experience} cream keeps dryness and puffiness at bay. 

 i've had such a fabulous experience with Obiqo; so much so that i'm ready to try out some of their other items {like the Restoring Night Cream and the Radiant Day Cream}. and the best thing about this luxurious brand is their products are so affordable! 

you can get more info about Obiqo products at obiqoskincareusa.com and purchase online at amazon.com

products sent to me for review consideration; all opinions are based on my own experience; pics taken by me :)

winter beauty: new nail polishes from Pure Ice

 bonjour, beauties! 

hope your week is going well ~ can you believe the first week of november is almost over? the holiday season is officially here!

since time continues to move ahead at breakneck speed, whether we like it or not, it's now time to focus on beauty of late fall and the winter soon to come…

regarding your nails, Pure Ice wants to dress your tips {and toes} in style. featuring five new, sparkling shades, the winter collection promises to keep your hands looking their best during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, which will most certainly include the use of your hands {for shopping, baking, crafting, etc.}.

take a look...

Santa Merry Me: iridescent reddish gold polish melody with red hex glitter

Winter Blues: iridescent ice blue and pale gold polish with blue hex glitter

Gold Peppermints: icy rose champagne polish with light pink hex glitter

Pure Icicles: silver polish with white hex glitter

Bling On the Holidays: pale champagne gold polish with 14k gold hex glitter


they all look beautiful. do any of these shades stand out to you? you can find Pure Ice polishes at Walmart {for less than $2!}. 

info and images courtesy of PR for Pure Ice 

beauty on a budget: affordable winter beauty essentials

bonjour, beauties and happy friday!

if you're in desperate need of rejuvenating your face with some color and/or glow during the coldest days of the year, consider pampering yourself with these new beauty goodies for your hair, skin and lips…

Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer
this primer is infused with sunscreen spf 15; corrects dull, gray skin for a luminous glow, while providing coverage and moisture without clogging pores.

Almay Color + care Liquid Lip Balm
pamper that pout! this liquid lip balm more than doubles lip hydration so lips feel twice as moisturized after use, triples lip hydration when worn throughout the day, and nourishes lips with oils like avocado and vitamin E…sounds fabulous, right??

Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day (PHD) 5-in-1 Styling Treatment
one of my absolute favorite haircare lines has a new, fab-sounding product in this styling treatment. it promises to provide a balance of styling and treatment benefits, including static control, smoothness, volume, conditioning, strength and polish. i'm definitely in need of this...

Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator
this lightweight, sheer illuminator boasts the ability to instantly brighten the skin; the photochromatic pigments bend and reflect light allowing for a natural glow under any light; sheer color enhances skin without covering it up. looks beautiful! :)


 Revlon Cheek Boutique Bronzer {not pictured}
from what i'm told, this ultra-soft, silk powder adds a natural flush of color to your cheeks, enhances cheekbones instantly with easy-to-blend, build able color and offers all-day wear!


i just love that even in the middle of winter, during the coldest weather of the year {although it has been an uncharacteristically warm january here in so cal…}, creating a luminous and healthy look is always possible {not to mention super easy and wallet-friendly}!


have you tried any of these products? leave me a comment and tell me what products you always use to keep your skin and hair in its best shape this time of year ~ i'd love to know!!

info and images provided to me by respected brand PR

fall beauty: products to get {and keep} skin hydrated & healthy

this time of year brings a whole new set of skin challenges ~ it's important to give it extra special attention with products that will nourish and moisturize, from head to toe. since there are so many products out there, i thought you'd like to know which of them i'm loving {not because i'm so important but, hopefully, because you think of me as a good friend and you want my suggestions}, then decide which, if any, of them would be worth trying out for yourself. 

take a look…

it's always a great idea to incorporate an exfoliating product in your skincare life, year round. that said, i like to change the type of exfoliation i use from season to season. because my skin is changing {i'm not getting any younger, you know, LOL}, it's important that i get as much hydration and moisture in my skin to keep it looking fresh and smooth. one product i'm loving for this is Zensation Ultra Silky Rose Exfoliating Cream; it boasts key ingredients like sunflower seed oil, lavender, shea butter, and rose flower extract; the texture is like a fine sand, and leaves my skin feeling pampered, smooth and looking radiant and glowy.

made with a high concentration of biotechnological water rich in proteins, acids, vitamins and minerals {extracted from spirulina, a harvested green algae}, Natra Bisse Oxygen gel is an uber-luxurious facial gel that i fell in love with {and am now completely out of}. it came to me by way of a SpaceNK bag of samples {also offered to consumers} that was part of a promo for one of their celebratory beauty events earlier this year. the small sample i received in that bag of goodies lasted many weeks, and my skin is better for it. it will be a splurge, but i definitely plan to purchase it for myself!

RoC Skincare offers many amazing, highly effective treatments, creams, serums and the like. three i'm loving the most over the past several weeks include the Daily Resurfacing Disks {dual-sided and self-foaming for cleansing and light exfoliation}, which have really helped even out my skin tone {thanks to its retinol-infused formula}. they're also for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, but since i'm kind already minimally wrinkled, didn't notice a difference in that area. 

i've also been using RoC Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer and Night Cream, which sounds like a waste of time {minimal wrinkles, remember?}, but the Day Cream has an spf 30 and the Night cream is just rich enough to aid in moisturizing and hydrating my skin as i sleep. plus, they both also contain retinol, which isn't just for wrinkles, but fabulous at treating and combating skin discoloration and uneven tone.

Laura Mercier ultra-whipped scented souffle body cremes provide luxurious all-day moisture protection without being too heavy or greasy. these are so incredibly delish smelling, and my skin always feels beyond divine after i use it. there are five scents that are sold separately, but currently four of these lovely gems are offered as set in the holiday 2013 Sampler Collection featuring Laura's fave scents: Almond Coconut Milk, Ambre Vanillé, Fresh Fig and Crème de Pistache. yum!!!

the Pangea Organics Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary body lotion and Italian White Sage body oil have been pampering my skin for a couple of weeks now and i am in love. not only are all of the ingredients all-natural, but there's nothing in them that don't have a purpose. the scents are invigorating yet relaxing and antioxidant-rich…love, love, love…

Waxelene is a petroleum jelly alternative that has been working overtime for me because it's such an incredible multitasking product. i received some in a purse-friendly tube, but it's also offered in a jar {little goes a long way!!}. from treating dry my lips and cuticles to keeping rough heels and elbows away, this smells-like-fresh-honey balm is a must have!

Bare Love Body Luxury Body Fuel is a non-greasy treatment formulated with the brand's exclusive OlioLove Technology to transform and give skin the essential nutrients it needs, especially if it's dehydrated. the fast-absorbing body fuel can be used it at any point of your day, but is best when used right after a shower for fabulous moisture and added skin protection.


what skincare gems have you been {or always use} to keep your skin feeling its best during this season?

all products featured were sent to me for review consideration; all opinions are my own; pics taken by me :)

beauty girl faves: moisturizing lip products

i confess, when it comes to lips moisturizers, i'm obsessed. the feeling of a dry pout is the worst! and this time of year is brutal on skin and especially lips. every weather condition {dry, wet, cold, windy, sunny} contributes to sucking the moisture out ~ pas bon {not good}!

 i have my go-to balms, moisturizers and glosses {as i'm sure you do, too}, but of course you know...

i love discovering and trying out new goodies to share with you! so, take a look at the following products that will pamper and keep those lips looking and feeling fabulous...

Cu3 Intensive Lip Repair
this amazing formula soothes and nourishes lips with a copper peptide complex [CpC] and aids in repairing damaging effects of wind, cold and sun exposure. i love that after applying for the first time {a little goes a long way}, it made my lips so silky without being greasy. after an hour, my lips still felt fabulous. the purse-friendly size is also a benefit for this innovative lippie.

Rodial Glam Balm Lip
rose wax and shea butter are the not-so-secret ingredients of this fabulous balm. the luxurious, antioxidant-rich formula smooths imperfections, moisturizes and protects for a flawless appearance. while it can be used anytime of day, i love applying this before bed. i have only been using this for a few days, but already the yummy scent and gorgeous texture has been such lovely end-of-the-day treat. in the morning, my lips feel amazing.

NYX Butter Gloss

i j'adore a buttery-textured gloss, and NYX nailed it with their new, dessert-inspired scents. each provides sheer to medium coverage without stickiness. with 12 shades to choose from {Merengue, a pink lilac, and Cherry Cheese Cake, a lovely orange, pictured}, you're sure to find your perfect flush of color. wear them alone or over your favorite lipstick for a deliciously gorgeous look~ love, love, love!

Surya Brasil Lip Balm
available in five delicious flavors {Acai Berry, Cinnamon Cupuacu, Strawberry Buriti, Chocolate Mint and Chocolate}, these balms are like a fabulous getaway for your lips. the organic ingredients are certified vegan, nutrient-rich and i love how silky they leave my lips feeling. complete with fair trade certified cacao butter, packaged in 40% recycled content, and loaded with flavanoids and omega 9 fatty acids, these beauties are simply fabulous.


have you tried any of these lippies? what are your go-to moisturizing products? let me know in the comments!

products featured provided for review consideration

5 fabulous winter skin soothers...

this time of year is my favorite when it comes to weather. in my neck of the southern california woods, the days are sunny, mild {low to mid 60s}, and sometimes warm {low 80s}, but complimented with a cool breeze {or high winds}. nights and early mornings are chilly {20s-30s} and i love it. it makes me so happy to layer up with scarves; i relish the opportunity to wear my coats and gloves, and i never complain over having a numb face after being out for an interval run or brisk walk with my dog in the early morning hours.

unfortunately, my favorite season of year is responsible for my dry skin, something i could complain about. thankfully, this beauty girl keeps an arsenal for parched skin, so i don't have to!

i love and often use olive and coconut oils , two of the best natural ways to bring soft, suppleness to any dry area of the body, but also turn to these fabulous goodies for dry skin relief...


for hands:

Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment ~ suitable for sensitive skin, i was introduced to this product a couple of months ago; it's a fragrance-free formula and not only makes my rough hands feel instantly hydrated, but contains antioxidants to help keep hands looking young.

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy ~ shea butter and restorative sea salts are key ingredients in this lovely gem of a moisturizer. i love the light fragrance, inspired by the sea air.

Ahava Mineral Hand Cream ~ this silky, lightweight skin savior gives my hands the moisture they need thanks to its richly soothing dead sea minerals.


for body:

Julep Body Creme ~ i've become quite smitten with this brand's line of nail polish and was thrilled when i discovered how fabulous their body cream is. scented in pomegranate, this formula {rich with shea butter, avocado and jojoba oils} is decadent and highly moisturizing, but not greasy in the slightest.


Upper Canada Soap Sweet Vanilla Fig Body Butter ~ talk about fabulous, this rich, hydrating blend of shea butter, cocoa, fig and vanilla fruit extracts leaves my skin feeling amazing and really locks in moisture. the natural ingredients make my eco/green girl side quite happy as well. :)


tell me: what products do you use to soothe your winter skin dryness??

Expert Nail Tips from Katie Cazorla

'tis the season for dry hands and nails? no, it doesn't have to be, beauties! take it from me ~ i have some tips to share from Katie Cazorla, owner of the fabulous nail salon and boutique, The Painted Nail and star of TV Guide network's reality show, Nail Files {i admit, my new guilty pleasure}.

along with these tips and tricks, i also asked Katie to share her favorite trends, personal nail-friendly products and the one *shade* she absolutely would wear forever...

enjoy!


first off, thank you for taking the time to give us the top nail tips of the season, Katie! will you share with my readers your advice for keeping hands looking fab through the harsh, cold winter season?
KC: "always have cuticle oil in your purse ~ applying it often will keep your cuticles from drying out, which can be painful, which is totally not fab! moisturize often, and never have chipped polish! i'd rather see bare nails than chipped polish!!"

i couldn't agree more ~ boo to chipped polish! in addition to cuticle oil and a good hand cream, what are your fave, must-have products?
KC: "The Painted Nail polish because i love to layer polishes for a custom nail look! sugar scrubs! they're so amazing {especially in colder weather} to slough off dead skin. plus, they smell delicious and feel great! finally, a top coat... you never know when you're going to need to freshen up your mani!"

what would you say is the must-wear nail trend of this current season?
KC: "DESIGNfx nail appliques by Dashing Diva, with a soak off gel top coat!"

what nail shades are hottest right now?
KC: "anything with GLITTER!"

i love it! adding sparkle makes any day better! now, will you share your personal mani/pedi routine with us?
KC: "i always exfoliate with the ME! Bath ice cream sandwich in the shower, then use The Painted Nail Vanilla Cranberry shimmer creme so my feet are soft and sparkly. i am very particular and i want my pedicure water HOT with a Me! Bath ice cream scoop soak: strawberry flavored."

how often do you change your polish?
KC: "i personally do it everyday or every other day. i am neurotic! but to keep my nails healthy, i use a clean layer of soak off gel so my natural nail isn't destroyed by acetone!

if you could only wear one shade for the rest of you life, what would it be?
KC: "it would be glitter, and YES that is a color in my book, because it makes me happy!"


thank you so much, Katie, for taking the time to share your fun nail tips, recs and personal routine!

if you're ever in the neighborhood, be sure to visit The Painted Nail and tune in to watch Nail Files on TV Guide network {check your local listings}!

Total Beauty: Help for Your Dry, Winter Skin

you may be experiencing what many are also experiencing this time of year: dry skin. blame the cold, blustery weather. it's been seriously cold this season, and even my oily skin isn't too happy.

read on to get some answers on how you can help fix your dry skin issues...

Quick Fixes for Dry, Winter Skin

Fix chapped, dry lips and skin in a jiffy with these cold-weather beauty busters

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care article When the weather turns from sunny and mild to cold and blustery, our skin often turns too -- from supple and hydrated to cracked, flaky and ashy. Learn how to soothe it with these tips. See advice

xo

Winter Beauty: MAC Love Lace

MAC has 4 post-holiday collections out now and this Love Lace collection, available until february, definitely has my attention...

couture's fascination with lace is a long love affair. intensely intimate, our newest collection captures lace's notoriety and allure. if ever there was a moment to do away with the winter doldrums and add some instant intrigue, this is it.




Lipstick

Pretty Please-- pale pink pearl (lustre)
Intricate-- frosted cool icy taupe (frost)




Lipglass

Icescape-- sheer pale pink with pink pearl (frost)
Utterly Discrete-- sheer frosted cool icy mauve (frost)




Eye Shadow
Pincurl-- dusty white (frost)
Hypnotizing-- frosted greyed mauve (frost)
Love Lace-- frosted mid-tone grey-ish blue (veluxe pearl)
Suave Intentions-- light frosted silver blue (veluxe pearl)




Kohl Power
Sense of Style-- blackened deep marine blue
Raven-- intense red with black pearl
Feline-- rich black

Eye Kohl
Fascinating-- intense matte white





Zoom Lash
Zoomblack-- rich black

Brows
Stud-- deep rich blackened brown





Lash

44 Lash-- unique combination of separate bundles at inner corner and dramatic winged outer corner





Nail Lacquer

Light Affair-- creamy pale grey taupe


i love Light Affair-- it's such an amazing, refreshing color! visit maccosmetics.com or your local MAC retailer for more info.

what do you think of the Love Lace collection??


xo
info and images courtesy of MAC; collages created by me :)