Wednesday Blog Hop - Find some awesome new reads!

 

Hello!
 

I'm doing the blog hop over at "This Girls Life", I have found some fun blogs to follow this way so check it out HERE


Jasmine

Garnier Dark Spot Corrector & Peel - Week 4 Final Impression

Hello:

Today was the final day of my four week trial of Garnier's Dark Spot Corrector & Peel (initial review of products Here).  Overall I did not get the results I was hoping for (Freckle removal and Acne scar fading).  But I also realize that an over the counter product may not be strong enough to achieve the results I am looking for.  So let's see the pictures :



Day Before I started
 using the products

After 4 weeks of use

I can definitely see some improvement, I think I got more results from the corrector cream than the nightly peel.  I just feel like the cream absorbed better, and I don't like using the peel every night - I miss my serums and lotions! 

 

I think these products work best for those with a darker complexion than mine - it breaks up the melanin and what little melanin I have is not easily budged!

 

Any recommendations for another "whitening and brightening cream" to try?

 

Jasmine

NYX Haul... including the "Lucky" Kit

Hello:

Recently I got an email from Lucky magazine (because I am a subscriber) about a collaboration with NYX.  They had a special for $15 you could get the Lucky Kit with a lip brush, eyeshadow brush, lip palette and smokey eye palette.  How could I say no to that :) 

I also had some other items I had been wanting to order, and it all came in this cute little lace bag.

The Lucky Kit

The Smokey Eyes Palette from the kit - Love the colors!

 

I will be doing an in depth review of these products through out the upcoming week. 
 

Lip pencils in Plush Red, Fuchsia and Purple Rain

Lipgloss in Gold Pink, Sweet Heart, and Matte Lipstick in Sweet Pink

I also buckled and bought the Dark Shadows palette, which I kept telling myself I didn't "need" but it just has so many fun colors in one (perfect travel palette)

 

So excited to play with these products!  I also have an order in thru Hautelook for the NYX "butt" naked palette (it's really called that)!!!

Jasmine

L'Oreal's Color Riche Balm in Rose Elixir

Hello:

Today I tried The Balm from L'Oreal's Color Riche line.  I picked color #218 Rose Elixir.

The tube cover is highly indicitive of the color housed within.  This formula is very sheer.

It does have a very balm like texture and feels much like Burt's Bee's Tinted Lip Balms, or the Revlon pencil balms.  But he color is much more sheer. 


Bare Lips

With Rose Elixir on

It is a very nice product but there are a lot like it on the market - but it's also a fun way to try a sheer version of a color you wonder if you might like.  The "balm" doesn't last thru a meal but if you don't touch your lips it gives about 2 to 3 hours of wear.

 

Do you have a favorite of all the new sheer, moisturizing lip products that popped up this summer?

 

Jasmine

 

 

Wednesday Weekly Bog Hop!

Hello:

I joined up with This Girl's Life Wednesday Weekly Blog hop - check it out and find some more fun reads!

Jasmine

FOTD #4 - Easy Everyday Glamour

Hello:
I thought I'd put together a "face of the day" in my go to look using a few products I have recently reviewed. 

This look is quick, easy and you probably have the same items (or similar) on hand.
Face:
Sunblock (Nutrogena Ultra Dry SPF 70)
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream (Review Here)
Translucent Powder Physcians Formula Healthy Wear
Miliani Baked Blush in Corallina ( Review Here)

Eyes:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Rimmel Eyeshadow Trio Orion (Medium brown used all over lid)
Maybelline Master Drama Cream Eye Pencil (Review Here)
Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara (Review Here)

Lips:
L'Oreal Color Riche Carrese in Sunset Angora (Review Here)

When I write it all out it seems like a lot of products but it literally takes about 7 minutes to do and it lasts all day (with lip touch ups). 

Do you have a go-to day look?

Jasmine

Garnier Dark Spot Corrector and Peel - Week 3 results

Hello:
Today I took pictures after using Garnier Dark Spot Corrector and Peel for the last 3 weeks.  Here is my initial review of the products.

So onto the pictures to see the difference.

Before Garnier Products

After 3 weeks

Sorry the color temperature of the picture being a bit off - it was sunny when I took the original pic and today it was REALLY sunny.  Arggg I think I've seen the extent of the freckle reduction that I'm going get.  But I'll give it one last week and see if there are sudden miracles!

Jasmine

L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse...is a lovely hug of color

Hello:

Today I tried L'oreal's New Colour Riche Caresse which they describe as:
Ready to shine bright? Our #1 best-selling lipstick is now available in 16 gorgeously glossy shades. Colour Caresse by Colour Riche® is formulated with our revolutionary Lightfeel System to deliver a feather-light finish without being sticky or heavy.

I got color #176 Sunset Angora

It looks much "pinker" in this photo it has a touch of coral that is not quite showing through here.  It has a very nice texture and feels hydrating. However it did "settle" into some of my drier lip lines.  It wasn't terribly noticeable unless you were you up close.

Bare Lips

With L'oreal Colour Riche Caresse in Sunset Angora

  Overall it's a good lipstick, but I have many others like it so it's not a must buy again for me.

Jasmine

Maybelline Master Drama Cream Eye Pencil - is a bit soft but stays strong

Hello:

I've been looking for a Holy Grail eye pencil for just doing the basics.  Everything I have either fades too quickly or "drags" across my eyelid and I feel like you work too much for an eyeliner. Anyhoo...

 Maybelline describes the product as:
Experience the new generation of liner~          
• Oil-free cream formula holds the highest concentration of pigments for more intense eye drama.
• Smudgeproof and waterproof for 16 hours.
• Most intense line for lasting drama.
• Safe for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist-tested.
• Contact lens safe.

It's funny they say "smudgeproof and waterproof for 16 hours" and then on the packaging it says 24 hour wear.  I wore it for about 14 hours and it looked the same from beginning to end.

It is a really creamy formula so it glides on but it also may smudge right away, (which it happened) so I nudged into place with a brush.  For some real lasting power I would put a black eyeshadow over it to set it.  And that nice sharp point you see above that is the only time you'll see it, because you can't sharpen it.

 You can get two different widths of line by using it straight on or wide by angling it sideways, and after it drew these lines on my hand for the picture it was about 5 miuntes before I washed it off and it lives up to its waterprrof claim, it took a bit of scrubbing to get it off.

But you do get a nice black line that can be smoothed with a brush.  It's not the Holy Grail I was looking for but, it works well enough for it's $6.49 price tag.  You can check it out at Target Here.

If you have any suggestions for an awesome pencil liner let me know!

Jasmine

Question Wednesday...Products!

Hello:

Today's Question Wednesday deals with some of my favorite make-up looks and products:

1. 
   What is your go-to eye makeup look? What products do you use to achieve this look?  Usually winged eyeliner on what "appears" to be a naked eyelid, with defining mascara.  I use either a Too Faced light champange color for shadow or a Rimmel one.  The Lancome Le Crayon Kohl  in Ebony and whatever mascara I'm into at that moment.
2. What are your top 3 favorite lip products for summer?  Definetly the new Revlon Just Bitten Balms, lovely colors and hydrating.  Pixi's Balm and Lip Tint, or just a little colored liner and chapstick with SPF.
3. What is your favorite liquid face product?  Lancome Teint Idole 24H in 100.  Matches my skin like no ther and makes it look flawless. 
4. What is your favorite eyebrow product?
   Chanel Eyebrow pencil in Brun with clear mascara over the top.
   
5.  Lastly, what are some of your holy grail makeup items?  I actually, don't have many.  I find so many things that work really well, for different looks.  I have things that are "Known Commodities" that I can trust for a good basic face:  Lancome Teint Idole 24H Foundation, Lancome Occillation Intensity Mascara, Sonya Kashuk Eye Primer, Rimmel eye Trio in Orion, Bobbi Brown Blush in Pale Pink, Physcian's Formula Healthy Glow Bronzer in Light.  Lancome Color Design lipstick in Pale Lip.  My actual only HG item is a prescription for Renova ( a Retin-A product) expensive, but I don't break out, my skin is smooooooth, tighter and less freckly. 

I would love to know some of your Holy Grail items!

Jasmine

Milani Corallina Baked Blush...Is a Lovely Flush of Color

Hello:

Today I tried Milani Baked Blush in Corallina.  It has swirls of coral,white shimmer, gold and a hint of bronze and pink. 

Milani describes the product as : "A luxurious powder blush that features a mélange infusion of colors baked on Italian terracotta tiles. Easy to use, sensorial in texture, the nuances of color become extraordinarily luminous. Silky smooth application leaves your face looking healthy and radiant all day."  You can purchase it for $7.99 Here. It also comes with a small brush a mirror underneath the product.

I don't know that it is the most luxurious powder, but it is soft and the colors blend nicely to create a soft coral.

You can see a bit of glitter in the swatch, but it is from the overlay and goes away once you initially swipe the top. 

With Corallista Blush

No blush just Maybelline BB Cream
 & translucent powder



Overall I think it's a good amount of product and a great color and a reasonable price.  I also think it will work for cool and warm tones because of the mixtures of warm (bronze, gold) and cool (pink, white) colors in the pan.

Have you tried a Milani Baked Blush?

Jasmine







Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Remover - Week 2

Hello:

Today marks my second week of using Garnier Skin Renew Dark Spot Remover to help fade my freckles and old acne scars. My initial review of the products I am using can be found Here.

I have read reviews of good results after 2 weeks so let's see if I am one of them!



Before

After 2 weeks

Again, I think I am actually seeing improvement.  Definetly less spots along the cheek bone area, under eye looks about the same.  Two more weeks of use, and then we'll see if it's worth giving up my retinol products at night!

Jasmine

Blog Love Therapy - weekly blog hop!

Hello:

I linked up with the Blog Love Therapy Blog Hop again this week, as I always find great new bloggers to read each week! 

You can check out the fun and join the blog hop Here!

Jasmine

Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip Pencil - Sheer version

Hello:

I back with the longest titled lip pencil ever, but in their sheer formula.  It's Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip pencil in Glamazon. 

I got it at Wal-Mart for $6, but it's not currently on their website.

I am having a hard time describing the color - when it's on it's almost the exact same color on my lips.  But if you look at it, you would guess it to be a orange/red.  So it seems the color in the pencil, is not terribly indicative of what you will get.  It also goes on very sheer so your just getting a hint of color.

Bare Lips

1 swipe of lip pencil

3 swipes of lip pencil

 So, I like the color but it doesn't last and isn't terribly moisturizing.  I like the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm better and it doesn't cost much more. 

Jasmine

Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip Pencil...is way too long of a title

Hello:

Today I tried Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shonckingly Glossy Lip Pencil (are they serious with that title?  Could it be any longer?)  And much like the title less is more with this product! 

It's $6.00 at Walmart - check it out Here

The color I got was Jezebel a deep fuscia that looks just like the packaging it comes in so be ready for pigmented lips!

It goes on just like lipstick (very creamy) and is opaque in one swipe.  This is not for those looking for a little bit of color, but it pays off in wear time.  It lasted 5 hours on me and I had blotted my lips a little.

Bare Lips

Visibly Wet and Shockingly Glossy, also way more metallic than I expected!

I got compliments from several strangers so that's a good sign.  I liked it, and the only complaint I have is that as it wears off it leaves glitter grains behind.  Other than that if you like a bold lip and have $6.00 to spend, it's a good choice!

Jasmine

Question Wednesday...a bit late

Hello!

I went up to visit family over the last 36 hours and I didn't have access to a computer... so I'm a bit behind.  But it's nice to see relatives that you haven't seen in a bit and catch up.  Anywhoo...

I wanted to join a weekly question/blogging thing and 2 of the blogs I already read were doing it, so I joined in.  It's hosted by Aly @ Wonderland Beauty so check, check, check it out Here.

1} How long have you been blogging?

Since January, so 8 months.  Not that long, but long enough to have collected and reviewed 6 different BB creams :)

2} Why did you start blogging?

I read Temptalia.com, Prettymaking and Bows and Curtsey's everyday and while their blogs and skills are WAAAAAYYYY more advanced than mine, I just wanted to share my bit of knowledge too.  Plus I felt like there wasn't enough info about foundations and sunscreens for pale beauties. 

3} What is the best thing about blogging?

Finding more amazing blogs and products from around the world.  I also love when someone leaves a comment and I can feel like I helped in a small way.  It also gives you a great sense of community and it's great to know there are other people that are just as excited by a new blush or finding the right fake eyelashes as I am.

4} If you didn't have a beauty blog, what type of blog would you have?

A blog about books and reading.  I sometimes want to write about it, but it doesn't seem to mesh yet.  I have kept a book diary for the last 8 years of every book I've read, a rating of the book and a short synopsis. To say I read a lot is an understatement, I have my library card # memorized.  And no, I do not have a Kindle I still love a "real" book. :)

5} Lastly, what's the toughest thing about blogging?

Finding new products to buy every week without breaking the bank and then taking pictures of it!  I think I'm one of the few bloggers that shows my face frequently without makeup (and I know I look half dead sometimes) but I really want to show the coverage items give, or if it "works".  I still can't get a good picture of eyeshadow - it always looks washed out.

Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Jasmine







Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara has me confused

Hello:

Today I tried Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara which is described by Clinique as " Magnifies lashes to twice their size. Thickens them to maximum volume. In minimum time. Unique tapered brush finds every lash. For bigger, better lashes.

Here's an up close of the brush which is quite long.

I like this mascara quite a bit, however it is touted as a thickening mascara that pumps up volume. I saw no evidence of that.  I would define it as a lengthening and defining mascara and a very good one at that.

This is me with Lash Doubling on one side and nothing on the other my lashes are long and defined

And here I am with Lancome Hypnose Drama a mascara I feel is actually thickening

Now I realize it's hard to see the difference in these pictures but I like the Clinique mascara, I just like it for different reasons than what the descriptions says it does.  You can purchase it Here.

Jasmine