Showing posts with label St. Tropez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Tropez. Show all posts

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Birthday Haul Pt. 2 & May Favorites

Hi guys, thanks for coming back to my blog.

I want to continue my birthday haul post now and my May favorites, they kinda go along with the haul because there are so many products I got for my birthday that have become quick favorites.  So instead of making separate posts I decided to just combine them somehow, I’m just winging it as I go along so bare with me. 

Birthday Haul Pt. 2

Sephora Continued

TARTE Brazilliance™ Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Face And Body Self Tanner

Tarte Self Tanner

So I have tried a couple of different self tanners since spring begun, St. Tropez, Lorac and this is my definite favorite.  I posted about the Xen-Tan for the face and I really do like that one but I hadn’t found anything for the body that I liked until I used the Tarte self-tanner.  If you are someone who really requires a guide color you will not like this because there really isn’t one.  It comes out of the tube a gel like consistency and it is a very dark tan color, however once you rub it in the color disappears completely and you just have to go on faith that you have hit all the right spots.  It comes with the mit and it works very well to distribute the product evenly.  I have been wearing  it for 2 weeks and I haven’t experienced any streaking or uneven color.  I use a thick balm on my heels and elbows before I use the tanner so it doesn't absorb heavily around those dry areas.  I have sort of fell into a schedule for application.  I shave and exfoliate my legs with a body sugar scrub every other day prior to application.  I know most people like to apply self-tanners at night before bed but I have found I like to apply it in the morning after my shower and prior to applying my makeup.  The only complaint I really have is it stays sticky longer than I would like it to and in the bend of your elbows  it can rub off as you bend your arms if you do not spend enough time with your arms straight until it dry's.  I’m not sure how long it lasts because I reapply it every other day.  The one bottle has lasted me for 2 weeks and I still have approximately 1/2 of a bottle and I apply it to arms, legs, shoulders and decollete.  I’m really not sensitive as some people can be to the smell of self-tanners but I don’t believe this one is strong at all.  *This is a May favorite*

 

CIATÉ Very Colourfoil Manicure™

Ciate Foil Kit

(Kiss Chase #101)

So I have been seeing this nail art kit on the Sephora’s sale page.  I had never tried the CIATÉ brand nail polish so I thought with the kit being on sale and all, well why not.  I am so glad I did.  Apparently this brand is the leader in transforming top coats and all kinds of weird effects in the world of nail art.  I really like this polish.  It doesn't drag or streak and it goes on very opaque after just one coat.  I will be the first person to tell you I am not artistic at all, so most any nail art that requires that ability is out for me.  The foils that came with this kit are beautiful and they come in a wide range of colors.  You only need one square to do all 10 finger nails although I did mix 2 colors for my first go.  This kit also comes with the glue needed to apply the foil.  It’s so simple, paint, dry, glue, foil, top coat and go.  I liked this brand of polish so much I went back to Sephora and grabbed the 3 for $18 deal.  I couldn’t find this option on the web page but I did purchase it in store.

Ciate Mini

(PPM188 Pucker Up, PPM007 Members Only, PPM185 Mineral Love)

Of course the bottles are only .17 fl. Oz compared to the large bottle that came inside this kit which was 0.46 fl.Oz.  Apparently you can’t order directly from the company here in the states because they do not ship to North America but there are plenty of places you can find this brand including Sephora, Nordstrom and Amazon just to name a few.  You can usually find one of the nail art kits like this one on Sephora’s sale page as well.

Bite Beauty Vivid Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo

Bite open tube

(Violet / Palomino)

So if you are taking air into your lungs you have heard of or experienced Bite Beauty lip products.  Bite Beauty is an exclusive brand just for lips.  I know a lot of women have a special place in their heart for lipstick and lip products in general but this takes it to a whole new level.  The lip products that Bite Beauty makes are an exception to every rule, they smell good, taste good, feel good and wear on the lip so very long it’s not natural.  I just didn’t understand all the hype attached to these lip products so I grabbed one of the lipstick duos that Sephora has at the register.  The duo’s come in two different color options, a bright option, pictured above in Violet and Palomino and a nude option in Lychee and Musk.  So the first duo I bought was the nude option and I would love to include a picture and swatch but, what can I say, I used it up.  It is a small amount in each end only .05 Oz per side and the product is so soft and creamy that it just melts onto your lips.  I will defiantly be getting one of the Deconstructed Rose colors or the Deconstructed Rose Lip Gloss Library, you have to check it out in person.  It is a limited edition part of the line and a must have.  The Agave Lip Mask is apparently a wonderful item as well and permanent to the line so grab it when you can, you have time on this one but don’t pass out when you see the price, it has huge sticker shock with the $26.00 price tag for a lip balm.

Amazon

Makeup Geek Brushes: Foundation Stippling Brush, Cheek Highlighter Brush, Small Crease Brush

makeupgeek brushes2

makeupgeek brushes

 

 

 

 

 

So if you have been a regular reader of my blog then you already know just how much I love Makeup Geek brushes.  These are the new and improved Makeup Geek brushes and holy cow, my new, never leave home without them, always in my bag, use every time I put makeup on my face, holy grail brushes.  I only ordered 3 and it wasn’t because I wasn’t sure about them it was simply a money issue.  Lets just say I ran out of birthday funds a couple of items back and my husband rocks.   He was ordering a hard drive for his computer off of Amazon and I said well let me see what they carry in the beauty department.  I was able to grab these brushes for a dollar less per brush than you can get them for on the Makeup Geek site.  I have used all 3 brushes since I got them and they are wonderful.  As you know I have owed the original brushes from Makeup Geek for a couple of years and they are still my go to brushes.  As with the original brushes I haven’t experienced any shedding and they have been washed a couple of times as well as keeping their shape.  I plan to order the rest of the new brushes within the next 2 weeks with the exception of the ones that have already sold out.  The link above for the stippling brush goes to the Makeup Geek site because I can no longer find this one on Amazon, my advice is to hurry they are going quick and I think I seen September listed as the month they would be back.

Sigma Pencil Brush E-30

So I didn’t have this Sigma brush until 5 days after I received my other brushes so I don’t have a picture of this one but I know everyone reading this post probably knows what it looks like, if not you can follow the link above.  That will take you to the Amazon page for this brush and this one will take you to Sigmabeauty.com.  This is my first Sigma brush and I think I love it.  It is so soft and my whole look for my bottom lash line as well as inside corner is drastically different and so much better.  I believe I will order the essential kit next, it is recommended as a great place to start.  Although I was able to order the Sigma brush from Amazon unlike Makeup Geek I didn’t get as big a saving, it was only a penny.  All of the Sigma products are exactly the same price pretty mush, as they are on Sigma’s web page.  I’m unsure of the difference in shipping because I have never ordered from Sigma and I’m not a Amazon Prime customer.  This brush is out of stock on Sigma’s page.

May Favorites

So with all of these new items it has been a hard list to make.  So lets go back to the Haul Pt. 1.  My Clarisonic Pro is definitely on my favorites list.  I have wanted one for so long and it works like everyone said it would.  Love it for so many reasons but the first reason is it will help save my face from looking any older than it is.  My next favorite from the 1st post would have to be my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette.  Like I said in the haul I just can’t put my finger on why it just makes everything glow.  The Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum is the same way.  My skin stays hydrated and I have cut way back on the amount of coverage I’m wearing.  I have cut out my foundation completely.  I simply use my Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum and then the 3rd May favorite my It Cosmetics Anti-Aging Full Coverage Physical SPF50 CC Cream.  I have been applying this with the Makeup Geek stippling brush and it gives me all the coverage I need.  I really need to go back and give credit where credit is due and that is my skin care.  I have continued with my Theraderm system, I’m on the 3rd travel size because it is so cheap $10 compared to shelling out the $140 for the full size.  Of course lets go ahead and add the OLE HENRIKSEN3 Little Wonders to the favorites list for May.  I really believe this is what it took to give the my skin the little push I was looking for.  It really seems to glow without any makeup, not that I would go without anything in public, but I have took it way down as I said before.

So I have covered everything I believe.  I have included skin care, Clarisonic and Ole Henriksen.  I have talked about makeup with the  It Cosmetics, Hourglass products, Bite Beauty and the tools to put it on with, the amazing Makeup Geek brushes as well as the Sigma pencil brush.  I have included a couple of nail products, even a self-tanner.  The one thing I am missing, something for the inside….

Plus White 5 Minute Premier Whitening System

Pluswhite

This $7.00 teeth whitening system really works, I am blown away.  I have been using it for about 2 weeks and I believe my teeth are probably at least 5 shades whiter than they were.  You can pick this up at Wal-Mart and it contains everything you need plus a coupon. 

 

Julep Maven Box Free

lf you get any subscription boxes you know how awesome they can be.  I have gotten Starbox, Ipsy Bag and a Zamplebox for vapors, they kindly sent me a free box after my husband lost his job, but I haven’t gotten any of the first boxes free.  With a coupon code, I’ve seen several versions, you can get your first Julep Maven box free.  It usually costs $19.99 plus $3.99 shipping and handling.  So I used the code FREEBOX and it worked.  I paid the $3.99 shipping and handling and I had my box within 3 days.  I got to choose from a few different boxes so I chose the one with 2 polishes and a blush, a very nice blush that I will have pictures of very soon.

So I think that is all guys.  Once again thank you so very much for stopping by and catching up with me.  I am so sorry it is so long but I guess that’s what happens when you get as far behind as I did.

Much Love and God Bless,

KelleJo

Twitter @kelleyjo3334

Instagram @kelleyjojo333

Facebook @Kelley.lively

Pintrest @Kelleyjo333

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Belated Birthday Haul Pt. 1 and Life Update

Hi guys, thanks for coming back.

So a quick update to what happened with our move.  I had told you all about the wonderful house we found and had been approved for but I never came back and posted anything here about what came about with that house.  I had updated my Facebook page but to let everyone else know we did not get the house we so wanted to rent.  The people who owned that property wanted us to do some weird things in regards to us supplying the refrigerator instead of paying the pet deposit.  After careful consideration we just felt that we were losing out on the deal and they just didn’t want to work with us on that and a few other concerns we had.  Chris and I just felt it was best to look at something else and not get into something we might regret later on.  So we are still staying with my grandmother which is fine except for the lack of space.  We have so much still boxed up of course and it is just so hard to get my little photo studio out for pictures and everything is just a lot more difficult when I try to do things with products and swatches.  I don’t think that is an excuse for my lack of posts here, I have just had so many things going on with house hunting and helping my Nanny out with a back injury.  I decided Sunday that I was going to do what ever it took to get this post put together and up for you guys, you deserve better.  So thanks for sticking in and here we go.

 

These are a few things that I have gotten for my birthday and picked up during the beauty clearance sales at CVS and Walgreens.  A few of these items I did have to wait on because I ordered them online.  Ebates has had some really great cash back deals this month so I took advantage of as many as I could.  I believe this month was like their anniversary for I believe 10 years but a lot of the cash back was 15% so I might be wrong on the 10 years thing but I believe it’s over nevertheless. 

QVC

 

Clarisonic Pro

Clarisonic

I know I have wrote a ton about the Theraderm system I use to cleanse my face and the Dermabrush I have that I use along with it.  I finally broke down and got the Clarisonic Pro from QVC.  I went ahead and ordered the Pro version that comes with the charging cradle, sensitive brush head, body brush head, choice of color, Bliss body and Bliss face wash.  QVC has this on flexpay as well.

 

It Cosmetics Anti-Aging Full Coverage Physical SPF50 CC Cream

It Cosmetics CCI have loved all of the products I have gotten from It Cosmetics.  I had gotten a sample of the CC cream with my It Cosmetics New Year Your Most Beautiful You 5pc. Collection, this collection isn’t available from QVC at this time.  I have seen mixed reviews on YouTube but one review and tutorial just sold me on it.  It was from MakeupByTiffanyD on her summer foundation routine.   Her skin is beautiful to start with but it glowed after she used the CC cream as a light base.  I’ve been using it for about a week now and I do love it.  I have been eyeing the first palette by It called IT Cosmetics Luxe High Performance Eye Shadow Palette, this link is from QVC who also carries it along with Ulta.  I believe it came out 2 years ago and I would love to hear from anyone who may have that palette.

 

Sephora

 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

Hourglass palette

One of the items at the top of my wish list.  This is just icing on the cake.  This palette makes everything just glow.  It’s nothing you can put your finger on, I really can’t say exactly what it does but it does it so well.  I use my Makeup Geek cheek highlight brush to sweep the lightest color under my eyes and set my concealer with it.  I then use the same brush and the darkest color and sweep it over my bronzer.  I then take my large powder brush and run it over the entire palette and swirl it all over my face using it as my setting powder.  It is a must have in my humble opinion.  You can also see this palette used in the above mentioned video by TiffanyD as part of her foundation routine.

 

Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum

Hourglass primer 2This is Hourglass’ primer serum which not only prepares your skin for foundation but locks in the moisture, it’s also an oil which protects your skin from outside pollutants.  This is touted as a 2 in 1 primer that treats and protects.  It has a silky soft texture that goes a long way so you don’t have to use much product at all.  It feels wonderful and makes foundation application effortless.  This primer is sold in 2 sizes.  I was very happy to have a choice that is not usually offered with high end products.  I was able to not only try the product but I will be able to get a good idea as to how well it works without spending the  $65.00 on a product that may not work for my skin type, which is what the 1 oz. size costs.  The smaller size is 0.33 oz. and is $22.00 at Sephora.com.

 

Sephora Favorites Sun Safety Kit

 Sunsafety KitI’m not sure where I first seen this on YouTube but it was such a cute collection with a great price.  Sephora has several different “Sephora Favorites” and considering the temperature outside I thought this might be the best one to get for my first favorites collection.  This one has a great diversity of products yet they all revolve around keeping your skin safe from the sun or making it look like you were in the sun.  I have seen other women that I went to high school with and you can pick out the girls who spent everyday in the tanning bed or laying out in the sun.  I have several family members who work in the medical field including my mother.  She always warned me about the sun and that’s probably the one thing I did listen to her about.  I do have one dark spot on my cheek and I haven’t been able to get it to fade.  I will more than likely have to have this removed by a doctor using a laser or chemical peel.  I vow to prevent any further damage and I work hard to take very good care of my aging skin.  This collection includes several high SPF products, a mini Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer and a mini Bare Minerals Touch Up Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Translucent.  There are a total of 16 products all from brands we know and trust.

So I’m going to make this a 2 part  haul so I won’t bore you so much at one time.  I am still working on my nonprofit and expect that once we get moved things will pick up for that as well as my blog.   I do have plans to do video as soon as I can buy a camera.  Not sure if I have the guts to record myself and put it out there but I’m going to give it a try.  IF you need any more information about these products that I haven’t included in this post just leave me a comment and I will get back to you very soon.  Thanks you all so much and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Much Love and God Bless,

KelleyJo

Twitter @kelleyjo3334

Instagram @kelleyjojo333

Facebook @Kelley.lively

Pintrest @Kelleyjo333

LinkedIn Kelley Lively

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Saturday, April 5, 2014

Time 2 Tan

Hi guys, well I had some inspiration come from good ole Facebook today and a lot from a personal experience last night.

Today I want to talk about Self-Tanners and everything that goes along with it.

So yesterday I received a long overdue Hautelook order. As much as I love it, it does take forever sometimes to get the orders and this one was actually cancelled and my money refunded. From things I have read since the statement by customer service saying “we over sold that event” this apparently happens pretty often. Regardless this was my first order with them and they were very nice when I called and spoke to customer service. They refunded my money, gave me a store credit and still sent everything in the Lorac order but one item, the little mint palette, can’t remember the exact name but it’s not relevant to this post. Anyway… one of the items I did receive was the Lorac Face Self Tantalizer Face Bronzing Gradual Self Tanner.



I have been using the Xen-Tan face Self tanner in lite, I had picked this up a  few weeks ago on clearance from Ulta for like $5.99. It goes on like lotion, it’s white with no guide color and did give me a gradual lite tan that I was pretty happy with. So upon getting the Lorac tanner I decided it would probably work to make me a little darker than the lite color I chosen in the Xen-Tan….


OMG, apparently the dark gold color that is there when you put it on is a guide color and thank goodness it was, but I did not know this at the time or even until 6 hours later. My husband took one look and said “now you have taken this too far”. I thought the color just had to soak in. I had went online to read up on tips and tricks for self tanning. I found this awesome site with all kinds of information and it had exactly what I was looking for www.selftanningqueen.com. Tons of great recommendations and advice for the home self tanner. My first question was do I moisturize prior to application? I found out that it was recommended but only with a water based product. I read through some of the other tips and it said to use a tight fitting latex glove or something of the like and I happen to have a few. The morale of the story, I spent about 6 hours the color of a bronze statue. Using the glove kept me from rubbing in the lotion, I guess, not real sure about this. After 6 hours I took a dry cloth just to see what it would do and the dark bronze color came right off. I was so glad I didn’t do this prior to leaving the house and I had 12 plus hours to either work with my new color or try my best to fix it. I guess I say all of this because I read a Facebook post by my 1st cousin saying she was heading into the tanning salon to get toasty. This is so dangerous and with all the great products we have now it’s just not worth the risk. She has beautiful skin and she is only in her early 30’s. I see women I went to school with that went to the tanning bed every day back in high school. Most all of them look at least 5 to 10 years older than I do. Now I have damaged my body in many other ways during my time shooting up drugs. My arms and hands are permanently discolored and I have varicose veins that cover my hands and arms, it’s not pretty. All the long track marks are gone after a couple of years but this will never fade. I’ve never seen this happen to other people that have used IV drugs. I guess God wanted to make sure I never forget and I use it to forge ahead and make sure I don’t do any more damage to my body. Ladies stay out of those dangerous tanning beds and stay out of the sun, if it doesn't kill you it will make your later years much harder on you and your skin care routine. Plastic surgery won’t fix leathery skin or basil cell carcinoma or any other form of cancer.

I am including a few links to tanning products that I have read really great reviews about. The one above with the tips and tricks does promote a product so you may want to check it out as well.

St. Tropez (one of the most popular and highest rated)

Estee Lauder (they have an entire bronze goddess line.)

L'Oreal Paris Sublime ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist (more along the lines I can afford, still very highly rated by all I could find about it.)

Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizers (I loved this product for my legs and arms)

Tan Towel (you can find this a ton of places, Ulta, Sephora, Hautelook, Amazon and HSN. Very reasonable.)

This should help you guys with your hunt for your perfect self tanner. Would love to hear what you use and what has worked for you..

Much Love and God Bless

Kelley Jo