winter beauty: MAC introduces Studio Conceal and Correct

available online december 23, 2014 and in stores december 26, 2014, the new Studio Conceal and Correct range, features Studio Finish Concealer Duos, highly-pigmeted, complementary pairs that are highly concentrated, yet lightweight, and promise to conceal everything from dark circles, blemishes, moles, birthmarks and even tattoos. also included in the line are Studio Chromagraphic Pencils that can also be used as eyeliner or aid in sculpting the face and body.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duo:

NW10/NC20
NW20/NC25
NW25/NC30
NW30/NC35
NW40/NC45
NW45/NC50

MAC Studio Finish Conceal & Correct Duo
Mid Peach/Mid Yellow
Pale Yellow/Pale Pink
Rich Yellow/Burnt Coral
Pure Orange/Ochre

MAC Studio Chromgraphic Pencil
NC15/NW20
NW25/NC30
NC42/NW35

visit maccosmetics.com for more info


tell me: are you as excited for this new collection as i am?!!

info and images courtesy of MAC Cosmetics PR

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

Lupita Nyong’o for Lancome L’Absolu Rouge

 to announce the addition of six new vibrant shades to the franchise, Lancome ambassadress Lupita Nyong’o shines in her latest campaign as the face of L’Absolu Rouge, Lancôme’s most classic lipstick to date.

this gorgeous campaign features Lupita exuding femininity and elegance, wearing a bold dress to complement her vibrant red lips. a cool fact about this collection {if you didn't already know} is that each of the six lippies were created to match beautiful bright pinks and deep reds of actual roses. in the ad, Lupita is wearing L’Absolu Rouge #160 in Rouge Amour, an intense scarlet red inspired by the Grand Amour rose.

other products used to achieve her full look include Teint Idole Ultra 24H foundation {in 560 Suede}, Color Design 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palette {in Chocolate Amande} and Grandiose Mascara {in Noir Mirifique}.

 the ad will be debuting in december print magazine issues like Glamour, that just so happens to have Lupita on its cover!

:)

i say you should treat yourself and pick up one of these lipsticks this weekend, beauties! why not? any of them would be fabulous. visit your local Lancome counter {at major department sores} or lancome.com. 

have a gorgeous weekend!

info courtesy of Lancome PR rep and Glamour magazine

CVS introduces MUA Makeup Academy collection

developed by makeup pros and beauty experts, the Makeup Academy line from CVS aims to bring premium quality cosmetics and beauty accessories to makeup lovers everywhere. i have used a few of these products {sent to me to try} and i think they are certainly worth checking out for yourself.

there are more than 145 products within 3 categories ~ lippies in fab textures and fashion-forward colors, beautifully-crafted brushes, and a great range of false eyelashes  ~ all now available in-store and online at cvs.com/muapro

for lips:
 over 100 lip products including lipsticks, glosses, crayons, stains, liquid lipsticks, and balms, my favorite is the unique Color Infused Balm {pic is featured below}, a 2-in-1 formula of lipstick on the inside, balm on the outside!

professional brushes:
 the premium, expertly crafted brush collection makes it easier than ever to create flawless makeup looks, conveniently and affordably. brushes include a Pro BB/CC Cream Brush, Foundation Brush and even a Point Liner Brush for gel eyeliners. i was sent the Pro Smudger/Detailer Brush and love how it really aids in creating a smoky liner and/or eyeshadow look with its soft dense bristles.   

false lashes:
with fine lashes that are perfect for day wear to fuller, volume-boosting lashes, the extensive range of false lashes also includes an Individual Lash Starter Kit that allows you to create an individual look by combining short and long lashes.

Pro Smudger/Detailer Brush

Color Infused Balm

wearing the lippies; soft liner look created using the Pro Smudger/Detailer Brush

you can find MUA products at select CVS locations and of course, online at cvs.com!

beauty review: Shiseido Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation spf 20

happy wednesday, loves…are you having a beautiful week? 

if you're anything like me, any day can be made better by treating yourself to a new beauty goodie. i love discovering something new and adding it to my beauty buy or get-more-info-about list {please tell me you do this, too!}.

all of this is to tell you that Shiseido has a new product {actually 2 more, but i'll get to that in a minute} and it should bring a smile to your face ~ you should be excited about it...

i certainly am!

the luxury brand has added color products to their fabulous Future Solution LX Collection. what i'm gushing about specifically is the fabulous full coverage Future Solution LX Total Radiance Foundation SPF20. 

available in 11 shades {i use B60}, this gem utilizes new light technology to create radiant skin; with its creamy, lightweight formula, it creates a gorgeous tone to my skin and keeps it looking great all day.

in addition to the coverage, the new Radiance Foundation has skincare benefits. ingredients in the formula aid in reducing visible signs of aging like loss of firmness, wrinkles, visible pores and uneven skin tone.

i'm loving this fusion of skincare and makeup ~ you should definitely consider checking out for yourself. the luxe Future LX collection also includes a loose powder that can be worn alone or used to set the foundation. it's also a multi-tasker. :)

Shiseido Future Solution LX Radiance Foundation is avaluable now and you can get more info on their website, shiseido.com

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

Smashbox Full Exposure Palette {review + swatches}

the hottest palette you need now? Smashbox Full Exposure!

like {most} everything you'll read about here on BGM, this is a fabulous gem worth gushing about to you ~ it's fabulous, beauties! if you've already seen the latest palette from Smashbox, you either a.} already own it or b.} are completely in love with it, but still on the fence and unsure to buy.

so, this is where i come in and say, if you're on the fence, jump off on the side of buying! you will not regret it. this palette offers everything from versatility to gorgeous neutral shades with amazing pigmentation, not to mention it comes with a bonus Full Exposure mascara {more on that in a bit}. this is truly a must-have for your beauty arsenal!

another thing i really love about this palette is the fact that this has 14 shades that are equally split into matte and shimmer finishes {best of both worlds!}. so you can apply them beautifully, it also comes with a dual-ended brush {labeled for which end to use with each finish}, and everything is housed in a sleek, black case.

as i mentioned before, the palette includes a travel-friendly size Full Exposure mascara; with its big brush and build able formula, it gives lashes a big, lush look ~ the perfect finish for any makeup look! and to help create that look, you'll find a very helpful eye shape chart to help achieve {or at least inspire} your most gorgeous look. 

what do you think? is Full Exposure a palette you plan to make part of your beauty product collection? you can find it now at sephora and online at smashbox.com.

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

new product alert: Murad Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish

bonjour beauties! there's a new skincare gem on the market, just released today in fact! it's new from Murad, part of the Pore Reform range, and it's fabulous...

meet Skin Smoothing Polish!

meant to be used 1-2 times per week, this deep cleansing exfoliator works to give skin the clean slate needed to boost your skincare routine. i was so excited to see how gorgeously rejuvenated my skin looked after using it just once.

if you're a regular reader, you know i'm a huge proponent for exfoliation. it keeps skin clear, helps reduce the look of fine lines, smooths rough skin texture and creates an even-toned look in the skin. it also boosts circulation, so skin is left with a pretty, rosy glow ~ love that!

so, here's how Smoothing Polish works: fine jojoba beads deeply scrub away impurities, unclogging pores; i love how it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth and looking beautifully polished. witch hazel and cinnamon work to tighten pores, improve the look of imperfections and helps to both remove excess oil and keep skin balanced ~ all without over drying! pomegranate seed extract provides powerful antioxidants to prevent free-radical damage and starflower and sunflower seed oils help increase the ability of the skin to resist moisture loss, leaving skin soft and supple {that's thanks to their high omega-6 essential fatty acid content}.

i've only used Murad Pore Reform Skin Smoothing Polish a couple of times {i just received it this past friday}, but i am already a fan! i'll only be using it a couple of time a week, so it's a product that will easily fit into my skincare routine.

what do you think? will you be trying Skin Smoothing Polish?

visit murad.com for more info!

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

makeup prep: Skindinavia introduces The Makeup Primer Spray!

 lightweight, breathable, silicone-free and paraben-free…beauties, say hello to the newest innovation from Skindinavia ~ The Makeup Primer Spray!

available in two formulas {regular for normal to dry skin and oil control for oily/acne prone skin}, these Makeup Primer Sprays are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and a proprietary temperature-control technology. after some studies, they've been clinically-proven to soothe redness, prevent breakouts, control the appearance of oil, even out skin tone and reduce large pores over time...

 since summer brings the heat, it's essential to lock makeup in place. i use both drugstore and high-end makeup, and from my experience, they work with all brands!

so if you hadn't already realized it, i've really been enjoying using both formulas of The Makeup Primer Sprays; it's so refreshing to spritz on before applying my makeup and it really has been beneficial for keeping my "face" on all day.

if you're a fan of Skindinavia Finishing Spray, definitely check out the Primer Spray! visit their website, skindinavia.com for more info.

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

hair therapy: AG smoothing balm review + video

set for launch july 1, 2014, the AG Hair smoothing balm is a product i think you'll appreciate... 

this styling aid instantly coats hair with 90% naturally-derived ingredients {including, but not limited to, three african oils: argan, marula and mongongo oils} to eliminate frizz and flyways, polish your tresses and add gorgeous shine. 

i love the fact that this lightweight balm smells great and is so silky {despite the oils, this is not greasy in the slightest}; also, it only takes a small amount to make my hair look fabulous ~ love that!

if you'd like to see this styling gem in action, watch my video! i just posted it to my youtube channel…
a couple of days ago.



visit aghair.com for more info

product featured sent to me by the brand for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

summer beauty: MAC Moody Blooms

as if summer weren't hot enough, MAC will make it even more so {in a beautiful way, of course} thanks to the release of their newest collection, Moody Blooms.

hello, gorgeous!

this range of exotic-inspired flora exudes a hint of danger and sensuality, boasting a colorful array of beautiful eye shadows, liners, blushes and lippies that look to make the summer simply gorgeous. 

take a look...

Sheen Supreme Lipstick 

{limited edition} 

Moody Bloom ~ bronze plum
Phosphorescent ~ electric pink coral
Pheromonal ~ dark blue pink
Lust Extract ~ electric violet
Quite the Thing! ~ deep blue plum {repromote}
Venomous Violet ~ deep berry {online exclusive}



Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint 
{limited edition, repromote}

Bubble Gum ~ soft warm pink
Gwi-yo-mi ~ mid-tone raspberry
Blushing Berry ~ mid-tone cool red
Glorious Intent ~ warm plum
Simply Wow ~ mid-tone cool mauve




Eyeshadow 
{limited edition}

Artistic License ~ pinky gold {veluxe pearl}{repromote}
Deep Fixation ~ metallic brown {deluxe pearl} {repromote}
Blooming Mad ~ mid-tone ultra violet {frost}
Hidden Motive ~ deep aubergine {deluxe pearl}
Lucky Green ~ dark yellow green {deluxe pearl} {permanent}
Green Room ~ mid-tone teal {satin}



Fluidline 
{limited edition}

Copperthorn ~ glittery bronze
Nightshade ~ blackened plum
Black Ivy ~ blackened green





Powder Blush
{limited edition}

Bred for Beauty ~ mid-tone blue pink
Worldly Wealth ~ shimmering peachy bronze {repromote}

i think this is a fabulous collection! what do you think? you can find Moody Blooms in store june 26, 2014 through august 21, 2014.

info and images courtesy of MAC