beauty review: e.l.f. Mineral Booster Powder + Kabuki Face Brush

it's always a good day when my e.l.f. beauty bundle arrives in the mail, and for good reason: new beauty goodies!

this current bundle was themed "Birthday Best Sellers" to celebrate the brand's tenth anniversary. after going through the products, the Mineral Booster Powder {the large size, in Sheer} and Kabuki Face Brush were the two items i decided to try first…

 being a huge fan of e.l.f. brushes and the Translucent Mattifying Powder, i was beyond thrilled when i used and felt the uber-soft, fluffy brush and saw the beautiful finish the loose powder gave my skin.

the Sheer Mineral Booster can be used alone or as a setting powder to keep oil under control and leave your skin looking flawless. infused with key vitamins A, B and E, it's also free of paragons, preservatives and chemical dyes. the kabuki brush is a synthetic haired Taklon brush that can be used to apply all your favorite powders, bronzers and highlighters. use it with wet or dry products, for sheer to full coverage. :)

if you have $15 {plus tax} i highly recommend you purchase these beauties for your personal makeup collection.  

and by the way, if you're unfamiliar with the e.l.f. Beauty Bundle, i suggest you take a look {it's fabulous!} and discover it for yourself. :)

i bought this; 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 :)

brand new beauty: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders

ready to cast your complexion in a flattering new light?

it should go without saying, but i'm beyond excited about the new collection from Hourglass. new for spring 2013, please allow me to introduce you to {drumroll, please}... Ambient Lighting Powders.

this range of finishing powders promises to capture, diffuse and soften the way light is reflected on your skin. six universally flattering shades offer just as many ways to make your skin look gorgeous, no matter what the lighting...

"i learned early on how different types of light can truly flatter the complexion,” says Carisa Janes, Hourglass CEO and founder. "growing up, my mother had pink light bulbs in all of the lamps throughout the house. she loved pink light because it was the softest and most flattering, and she always wanted to look good.”

Janes was inspired to create a new generation of powders that can be customized depending upon the desired lighting effect. according to brand description, these are unlike traditional finishing powders because of the way they alter the perceived appearance of the complexion by manipulating and filtering out harsh light. this is a gorgeous plus considering that as we age, skin loses its natural luminosity.

Ambient Lighting Powder is, you'll be happy to know, free of parabens, talc, fragrance, nano-particles and gluten {yay!}; each transparent blend contains micron-size, color-correcting particles to emulate the appearance of young, healthy-looking skin.

choose your powder according to your most flattering light:

DIFFUSED LIGHT  
soft, warm, pale yellow powder. reduces redness; gives skin clarity  like a soft ray of morning light.

ETHEREAL LIGHT 
opalescent sheer, cool white powder; mimics a moonlit glow – even in broad daylight.

RADIANT LIGHT 
sun-kissed golden beige powder. extend your summer glow, or enhance the overall complexion with believable, subtle, warmth.

MOOD LIGHT
soft, sheer lavender pink powder; mimic the softest

most forgiving light and reveal your brightest complexion.

DIM LIGHT
neutral peach beige powder. blur imperfections and highlight a radiant complexion with the perfect balance of warm and cool tones.

LUMINOUS LIGHT
champagne pearl powder; creates a soft,

incandescent candlelit glow ~ day or night.

don't they sound just splendid, beauties?

fyi ~ there's also an Ambient Powder Brush, a densely packed, extra-soft brush perfect for evenly dispersing the powder onto every contour of the complexion and packaged with a protective travel pouch.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder are available now at Sephora.com and will become available in-store soon {february 2013} at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman and Space NK.

info and image courtesy of Houglass

flawless beauty: HD Complexion Travel Kit

when it comes to makeup, HD is where its at. my favorite brand for these formulations? Make Up For Ever, of course. i love this line! my last purchase: the HD Complexion Travel Kit.

in this kit you'll find three MUFE travel-size, best-selling HD products: HD Elixir (a gel serum that boosts skin's moisture and keeps it hydrated all day), HD Microperfecting Primer #0 Neutral (this oil-free, silicone-free base helps support foundation for a long-lasting, smooth effect) and HD Microfinish Powder (made of 100% mineral silica powder, gives skin the best soft-focus effect).

all of these products work well on their own, but together are a winning beauty team! the sizes are small, but worth the price. so, if you've been curious about trying any of these gems, this kit is the way to go.

fing the MUFE HD Complexion Travel Kit is at Sephora and sephora.com.

xo
pic taken by me :)

beauty steal: LORAC Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in 'Spotlight'

who loves a fabulous deal? i know i do, so i had to share this-- it's too good to miss!

today through august 10, 2010, LORAC Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in Spotlight will be offered for only $9 (originally priced at $32!) exclusively at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

if you love an illuminated look, this powder offers users a radiant glow, making it look like you are glowing from within. it also optimizes the effect of the light to diminish imperfections, even your skin tone and brighten your complexion.

happy shopping!

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

review: Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

i picked up a sample of Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder a few weeks ago thanks in part to my desire to experience for myself the latest in makeup technology. this stark white powder looks invisible when applied (seriously, it disappears), feels incredibly smooth, and sets my foundation beautifully. on top of this-- yes there's more-- it manages to mattify my skin without leaving it looking flat--let's just say, i'm ready for my close-up!

made from 100% mineral silica powder, Microfinsh Powder was created to give skin a softer look-- HD cameras see everything-- and helps to "blur" (for lack of a better word) imperfections.

you can find Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder at all Sephora locations as well as online

xo

beauty on a budget: Iman Cosmetics

Iman Cosmetics, for some odd reason, is not sold at any drugstore in my area-- and if it is, i guess i just haven't seen it (i've looked!). it doesn't matter anymore because i'm here now to tell you that i have been given the opportunity to try some of the latest goodies, and i am loving them!

created for women of color (and i'm talking about the range of brown skin as well as the range of latina, asian, and multi-ethnic skin tones), Iman cosmetics features a vast array of colors that you may not always find in other drugstore brands. the formulations are great, too-- check out some of the newest products:



Second To None Semi-Loose Powder is a fabulous mineral-infused powder that helps to reduce oil and creates a flawless finish. i like to dust this over my makeup after i have applied my foundation and sometimes during the day to freshen myself up-- love! the pressed powder is "shaved" to be loose just before usage, so it is also travel friendly.



Second To None Cover Cream is enriched with minerals, and antioxidants like goji berry, vitamin E and green tea. the creamy texture blends easily, and stays in place. i apply it with my fingers or with a brush over my liquid foundation or under powder, and it does an amazing job of hiding my flaws.




Luxury Eye Defining Powder is a unique product that can be used to create everything from a pretty day look (with the lighter colors), to a very sultry, smokey eye with a little something extra pop. the application is for adding definition, like an eye liner, it goes on with the ease of an eyeshadow, and the shimmery finish really make it special.




Luxury Lip Stain looks like a lipstick, but has a creamy texture that glides on smooth and feels fabulous to wear. i am not usually a fan of lipstick, but this is a bit different in that, in addition to the texture, it adds a sheer hint of color to lips without feeling heavy.




Luxury Lip Shines are infused with aloe and vitamin E to nourish lips and keep them feeling smooth and soft. the colors are glossy and shimmery-- perfect for amping up the glam factor!

find Iman Cosmetics at your local drugstore, and online at drugstore.com

xo
pics taken by me :)

review: Raw Minerals Active Veil

Active Veil by Raw Minerals combines active botanicals and broad-spectrum SPF protection in a sheer, soft powder that works well over any mineral foundation.

not only is this powder perfect for creating a luminescent glow, i have also found it to be an amazing way to set my liquid foundation! i like to dust it on as a last step, right before i apply my mascara, to ensure my makeup stays fresher-looking longer (it also helps tone down any blush overload!).

Active Veil was designed to diffuse light and give your skin a smooth, soft glow as though it had been airbrushed- it does that quite beautifully!- and while it is comparable to bareMinerals Mineral Veil as far as what it does, i actually prefer Active Veil over bareMinerals Mineral Veil because it contains spf 18. Mineral Veil contains no sunscreen.

Raw Minerals Active Veil can be found at rawnaturalbeauty.com

xo