Target Beauty Bag - Fall Finale

Hello:
Today I received my Target Beauty Bag, from what I understand it is the last one they will give out.  It also is the first one I ever received so I had no prior expectations - so here it is:

I will say it was smaller than I thought it would be,
I don't know why I thought it would be like the size of a box of granola bars or bigger.

 

Inside was the make-up bag which is like a textured vinyl with leopard print.  It seems like it would be easy to clean.

And inside - Shampoo!  Well that's not all, but it is a lot of shampoo...

Left to right clockwise:
1) Jergens Daily Moisture Lotion sample - it says 24 hour hydration, and I need some new body lotion my skin is already getting crazy dry.  Any suggestions?
2) L'Oreal EverCreme Nourishing Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque - it's supposed to make dry, brittle hair soft and luscious.  Honestly I don't notice that much difference in my hair when I change shampoos or conditioners so I may use this for travel.
3) Fekkai - Shea Butter shampoo & conditioner - supposed to smooth and defrizz ( which is Exactly my two mane problems) so we will see Mr. Fekkai, we will see.
4) Clear - Total Care shampoo and Conditioner - again this will be for travel
5) Little book of target coupons
6) Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer, I'll test it out and let you see the results!

Thank you Target!  I think 3 of these have potential, reviews to come...

Jasmine

NYC Individual Eyes - Union Square

Hello:

Today I want to share another product I got in my Influenster Beauty Blogger Vox Box , It's the NYC Individual Eyes Palette in Union Square.

It comes with 4 colors, eye primer and highlighter.  As you can see above it also has a diagram of where to put the eye colors, I followed it but you need to experiment for your eye shape. I have hooded eyes so I always need to move the crease up a bit. 

I have used a couple of NYC products before (nail polish - liked :) and an eyeshadow duo that was not so good, so I did not have high hopes.  So this palette was a pleasant surprise! 

Here are the swatches of color just on my bare arm - no primer.  you cant even see the lightest color on the far left because it is the exact color of my skin - which is good, I need a skin color.

The highlighter is very white and shimmery, but it looks better in the eyebrow arch area than on my arm!

And here are the colors over the primer (which is very creamy) You still can't really see the 4th color on the far left but I promise you it is there.  The primer definitely boosts the color a bit.  The shadows themselves are nicely pigmented and not powdery.  This is a great travel compact.  The staying power is good as well.  It does fade a bit after about 6 hours over primer, but for $5 for the whole palette... I'll take it.

Have you tried any of the NYC individual eyes palettes?  And what did you think?

Jasmine

Inner Beauty Friday - Book Club!

Hello!

I am linking up once again with Blonde...Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!

Check it out by hitting the button:


The book I read this week was "Russian Winter" by Daphne Kolatry:

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads: ""A mysterious jewel holds the key to a life-changing secret, in this breathtaking tale of love and art, betrayal and redemption."

When she decides to auction her remarkable jewelry collection, Nina Revskaya, once a great star of the Bolshoi Ballet, believes she has finally drawn a curtain on her past. Instead, the former ballerina finds herself overwhelmed by memories of her homeland and of the events, both glorious and heartbreaking, that changed the course of her life half a century ago.
Nina has kept her secrets for half a lifetime. But two people will not let the past rest: Drew Brooks, an inquisitive young associate at a Boston auction house, and Grigori Solodin, a professor of Russian who believes that a unique set of jewels may hold the key to his own ambiguous past. Together these unlikely partners begin to unravel a mystery surrounding a love letter, a poem, and a necklace of unknown provenance, setting in motion a series of revelations that will have life-altering consequences for them all."

My thoughts: This was a very interesting book ( a little drawn out) but the mix of modern day events alongside the corresponding historical events was well done.  I always love a good ballerina story, and the insight into Communist Soviet Russia in the 40's and 50's was really eye-opening.

What have you read lately?

Jasmine

Inglot fall color swatches

Hello:

When I did my big Inglot haul a few weeks back (check it out here). I got three free mini shadows (not quite as big as their circle freedom palette shadows - but actually the perfect size to me as I never hit pan on anything).  The three colors I got are new for fall and are Lovely!

Left to Right : Inglot colors 607, 605, 606

 

And here they are swatched:


From Top to Bottom: 606, 605 & 607

 

I think that not only are they wonderfull fall colors, I think they translate into any season. I know in the summer I'm going to rock a bronze-y smokey eye with the middle color 605. 

So what do you think?

Jasmine

Monday Blog Hops!

Hello!

It's Monday - so I am linking uo with my 2 favorite blog hops!  You should definetly check it out I ALWAYS find someone new to read each week and I love all the beauty and fashion I would never see otherwise - so go and blog out!

Click on either of the "pictures" to see who is hopping!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Jasmine

Influenster...Kinky Moves Hair Cream

Hello:
Tonight I gave my sample of Not Your Mothers "kinky moves" hair cream from the Influenster Beauty Blogger Vox Box a try.

I think it's rather humorous that it's called Not your Mother's Kinky Moves (I sure hope my mother doesn't have any kinky moves!)  Anywhoo, I have naturally curly hair but it's fairly thin so it frizzes rather easily.  The cream claims to "It eliminates frizz and fly aways to show your true locks."  It did not specify how much to use but to " Apply to hair and saturate locks. Distribute evenly form root to top. Scrunch curls and style as desired, then blow-dry upside down or air dry to reveal smooth, long lasting curls, all day long." 

So I used a quarter sized "dollop"

Although they suggest to scrunch your hair, because mine is so thin the more I scrunch the more the curls fall apart and just become frizz.  Although it is infused with grapeseed & Jasmine, it does not have a very strong smell.  I actually like my hair products to leave behind a bit of scent (as long as it's nice) :)

Here are the results - and no make up for me!

My hair is probably 90% dry here - the cream didn't reduce frizz and I don't think it boosted my curls.

Even less impressive from the back.  So no "Kinky Moves" for me. Just frizzy waves :(   I may actually use it when I straighten my hair and see what happens.

Jasmine

Inner Beauty Friday- Book Club

Hello!
It's time for my second favorite  subject - books!














This week I read "Shadow of Night" by Deborah Harkness.  It's the sequel to "A Discovery of Witches"

Here is the synopsis from goodreads.com: "... picking up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana and Matthew into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens.

Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries, delivering one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the season."

 

 My thoughts: A Discovery of Witches was interesting but the main character Diana is one of those whiny lead characters that make enjoying the book rough. And this book is over 500 pages long so you Need to at least care a little.  It was rough reading my friends.  The historical descriptions are amazing, but the relationships and name dropping just get annoying.

Any suggestions for a good book?

Jasmine

Influenster Beauty Blogger Vox Box

Hello!
Today I received my Beauty Blogger Vox Box from Influenster.  You can receive free products for review based on your expertise by creating a profile and completing tasks.  Let me know in the comments if you would like an invite.

So with no further ado - here is what I received:

1) Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin - I have always wanted to try these as I wear my hair up A LOT!
2) Vitabath Fragrance Mist in Lemon Creme - I know I will be spritzing this on daily to re-energize!
3) Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit - it has latex free glue with 24 wear, I'll be interested to see how they wear.

4) Not your Mothers Kinky Moves Curl Defining cream - I have naturally curly hair but it has become less "defined" as I have gotten older - I can't wait to see if this brings back some bounce.
5) Bath &  Body works candle in Black Pepper Bergamont - LUV it's smells like a sexy man!  Light it up and instant boyfriend :)
6) NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact (for brown eyes) - now I have VERY green eyes, but I wear these colors frequently.  I will definitely do a review on wear, pigment and looks that can be created.

7) EBOOST - I will have a review on this tomorrow night because I feel like I'm getting a cold and I work early tomorrow so I need this!

Have you tried any of these products?  Are you an Influenster member?

Jasmine

Inglot Freedom palette!

Hello!
Today I wanted to show off the Inglot Freedom palette and shadows I got in late September.  You can read about all the goodies I got Here.

If you aren't familiar with Inglot here's a link to their website and information about how the company began.  They are probably most well known for their amazing range of colors and affordable prices.  My 10 shadow palette was $16.00 and each shadow was $6 to $8 (rainbow shadow).

And here is my palette full of the colors I chose (to compliment or supplement shadow I already have).



Top - from L to R  110R, Matte 388, Matte 392, Shine 27, 463
Bottom - L to R  104R, Matte 372, 72, Pearl 403, 55
 

My swatch shots did not come out quite as well as I hoped (they were taken in late afternoon light with no flash.)

110 R



L to R  Matte 388, Matte 392, Shine 27, 463

104R

 



L to R - Matte 372, 72 Pearl 403, 55



I barely swiped the eyeshadow across my inner arm so I am really impressed with the pigmintation.

To say their color selection was hard to choose from is putting it lightly.  I could make a new palette every month! 

 

Anyone have Inglot color suggestions for me?

 

Jasmine

Blog hops times Deux

Hello:
It's Monday again and time for the Monday Blues Blog hop!

 

I really enjoy this blog hop because I have found so many great new blogs to read - enjoy!

 

I am also joining the Blog Love Therapy blog hop today:

 



I am also always trying to find beauty bloggers above the age of 30 so that our skin care and beauty regimes are more alike.  And I truly READ all the blogs I follow!

Happy blog hunting!

Jasmine

Sunday Social

Hello:

Today I linked up for the first time with the Sunday Social hosted by:

The questions are about my second favorite topic - Books!
1. Favorite childhood book

I loved this book, the foreign-ness of this book and enthralled me and the illustrations are so cool

2 . Favorite Book lately

This book was just so different from most of what I've read in the past few years and just had a really out there premise, but it was so interesting.

3. Book you wish you could live in
This is a really hard one - but A Discovery of Witches is like our world only amplified and sometimes I wish I had magical powers :)

4. If you could be any character from a book who would it be and why?
Jane Eyre... why -> Mr. Rochester . nuf said.

5. Favorite Book turned Movie?
Mercy by Stephen King.  Kathy Bates performance was amazing.  I usually am let down by books into movies but this was really well done.

6. Favorite Magazines
Martha Stewart Living
Allure
Glamour
Marie Claire
Harper's Bazzar
Lucky
Elle Home
Architectural Digest

Any good books I should know about?

Inner Beauty Friday - Book Club!

Hello:

It's Friday again (which actually means nothing to me as I rarely have weekends off) but I am excited as always for Book Club!



So this week I read The Birth House by Ami McKay:

The Synopsis via Goodreads.com-
 The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of the Rare family. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing and a kitchen filled with herbs and folk remedies. During the turbulent first years of World War I, Dora becomes the midwife's apprentice. Together, they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives.

My thoughts - It was a very interesting book and I hadn't really thought about what "modern" science meant to people that might not wanted to have their baby in a hospital, before obstetrics were really fully understood.  I liked the friendships described in the book, but thought the Boston bit was a bit odd.

I'd give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Any good recommendations for me?  I'm currently reading Shadow of Night.

Jasmine

My first Beauty subscription - Ipsy (formerly Glam Bag)

Hello:

After reading about many different beauty subscription services from various bloggers, I decided to go with Glam Bag (now Ipsy for whatever reason).  It's $10 a month and you always get a new little makeup bag.  This month's "theme" was Bombshell:

I love the cute little chevron bag and inside...

Costal Scents - A sample of four neutral eye shadows, great for my work bag so I can be lovely on the run!  Price ??

The Balm - What's your Type? Mascara, I love sample mascara's cuz I don't feel guilty about switching it up so often.  Sample size about $4.50

Mirenesse - Lip Bomb Glossy Laquer Stain (I am not sure the color but it's a neutral) It's a bit sticky at first but then dries down to a gloss that stays!  $39 according to the Mirenesse site (WHAT!?!)

Pequi Oil Treatment - by Couture Colour.  I haven't tried it yet, but I love my Morrocan Oil so I'll probably like this too.  $12 for the same size on Sephora.

be a ...Bombshell Eyeliner - In Onyx, This has an awesome felt tip pen applicator is a nice dark black, it also dries down and stays PUT. Love!  Full size $14.

Total $69.50 plus the bag - for $10!  I am totally satisfied, I think I chose well!

What's your favorite subscription service?

Jasmine

Fall Scarf and Polish Swap

Hello:

Today I want to show the lovely package I got from J in the:

The swap entailed sending your partner a scarf and polish(es) for $20.  My partner was J from Wyosparkles.  I was so excited to have her as a partner as I have read her blog for several months.  She writes with her friend K and I think that must be wonderful!  I need a blog partner.  Anyhoo...Here is the lovely package I received:

 

 

First and foremost is the lovely scarlet scarf!  It is such a gorgeous color and the ruffles are divine!  And I got 3 awesome polishes- my first ever Butter London polish in Pillar Box Red, the lovely Recessionista by Essie (which is the exact color of fall lipstick I want, and when I find it it will be a match made in heaven).  And finally Wetn'Wild in Can't resist your Magnetism which is a Magnetic polish (so fun!).  So thank you again J for such a great swap!

 

 

Jasmine



Day 7 0f the 10 Day You Challenge

Hello!

Today is seven wants.. oh man only 7??

1) In life I just want peace and happiness.
2) A Custom built house with a huge library and Dressing room
3) A BMW 700 series sedan in black

4) Hair like Blake Lively:

5) A trip around Europe for a year
6) To take classes at Cinema Makeup School in LA
7) ALL the MAKEUP

Jasmine

10 Day You Challenge.. day 8 fears

Hello:

Here is my continuation of the :

I am on Eight so here are some of my fears:
1) That I will never meet the right guy and get married
2) That I will get in car accident that is my fault and hurt someone
3) That I will get blamed for a crime I didn't commit (This one has been with me since I was young...it's just weird)
4) Also along the weird note Cockroaches...specifically that one could crawl into my ear or something....ick al yuck
5) When I am up somewhere high someone will push me over the edge.  I am not scared of heights when I am alone...but if there is another person I want them to stay AWAY from me!
6) I am a Coulrophobic. (fear of clowns!)
7) I don't if I just really don't like the dentist or I fear going, all I know is I hate going and always worry something is going to be wrong and I'll have to go more often!
8) That I'm doing permanent damage by lazy and not eating healthy these last few years.

In essence I think it boils down to me being a passive control freak :)

Jasmine

Orion Shines...EOTD

Hello:

Today I wanted to show you my basic, everyday eye look and one of my favorite little eyeshadow trios.  It's the Orion Glam'Eyes Eyeshadows from Rimmel:

It's all dirty -cuz I USE it!
You can buy it Here

 

At $4.99 it's a pretty good deal, it's not super pigmented but I find for work that's a good thing because I never put too much on when I am in a rush.

Believe it or not before I bought this little trio about 2 years ago - I had like one other brown shadow.  I always thought browns would look horrible on me... but as you can see above the brown tones work wonderfully with my fair but warm undertoned skin. 

To get the "look" I use Lancome's Le Crayon Kohl Eyepencil along the lashline and then smudge the heck out of it - that way I don't have to worry about a straight or even eyeline.  Then I take the medium color all over the lid, a little of the dark brown in the crease and finally the cream color as a higlight.  Super quick!

Obviously I didn't do my brows and I forget they look like a hot mess sometimes :)

So browns + green eyes = Good!

Jasmine