Target Beauty Box, my FOTD Before & After, & other....

Hello, Beautiful!

Just wanted to quickly mention Target put out a new Beauty Box that is $5 (shipping & tax included) and it includes 5 premium beauty samples. I couldn't find much info about it, but it is limited to 20,000 boxes so for $5 I figured I would try one out. I just placed my order a few mins ago. Click here or copy/paste the Target Style Facebook link below to get your box before they're sold out:

https://www.facebook.com/TargetStyle?sk=app_363229193782196&app_data=main

I'm not 100% sure of what is included, so don't quote me, but from what I could find these MAY be the premium samples included....

• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
• Fekkai Glossing Cream
• Gilette Venus and Olay Razor Pack
• L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream
• Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

I figured for $5 it was worth a try to see how big these "premium samples" are. They said there may be more Target Beauty Boxes in the future if this one gets a good response.

Onto the next topic...

Yesterday on the Valentine Kisses Facebook page I posted a before & after FOTD because my acne has taken a turn for the worse again - thanks to me trying out a few new skincare items that did not react well with my skin. If you don't already, click here to follow me on Facebook.

Here is that before & after pic along with a list of what I used to get the after look...

FACE:

- Make Up For Ever HD Primer (original)

- Lancome Teint Idol Ultra 24hr in shade 320, applied with the It Cosmetics Dual Airbrush Foundation/Concealer brush (foundation end of brush)

- BareMinerals Concealer in Summer Bisque, applied with the It Cosmetics Dual Airbrush Foundation/Concealer brush (concealer end of brush)

- It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (for under my eyes) applied with the It Cosmetics Dual Airbrush Foundation/Concealer brush (concealer end of brush)

- e.l.f. Studio HD Finishing Powder (which I am LOVING like crazy), applied with an e.l.f. Studio fluffy face brush (I forget the exact brush name; just a fluffy brush)

BROWS:

- Billion Dollar Brows Brow Powder in Taupe, applied with an angled liner brush (I used one I have from Iman Cosmetics -- from when it was sold at Sephora, about 10 or 11 years ago).

EYES:

- Milani Eyeshadow Primer

- Urban Decay shadows from the Theodra Palette (Broken, Bewitch, West), and one from the Glinda Palette (South), plus I used Blackout from the Naked 2 palette.

- Mally Evercolor Automatic Waterproof Eyeliner in Onyx

- Benefit They're Real! Mascara

LIPS:

- Beauty For Real Get Gorgeous Light-Up Lipgloss in the shade Kiss Me

And some other randomness...

I will be selecting winners for my Birthday Giveaway and for the Hairdo By HairUWear Giveaway this week! Look for an email from me, and also an announcement here on my blog and on my Facebook page (I may also Tweet about it too).

There is still time to enter my Streekers Giveaway, which ends May 8, 2013.

More giveaways coming soon!

I'm also going to add even more to my blog sale soon! I just have WAY too much and I keep going through my collection and I just am in a mood to get rid of more so I guess I should do it while I'm not in a makeup hoarding mood, haha!

The makeup dupes post is coming; I've just been extremely busy lately and haven't had time to photograph everything - which is what I really want to do so you can SEE the dupes, not just a list of them. So I do apologize for that taking so long.

Yes, I will be making and adding more videos to my YouTube channel. Again, I've just been really busy and there is a lot going on in my life right now so I do apologize for a delay in so much I've been saying I will do. I'll get my sh*t together soon!

That's all for now... stay tuned for more goodies on my blog soon!

FOTD: Makeup for when you're tired & sick - pics, before & after, product list & steps

Hello, Beautiful!

Ever have those days where you're getting over a sickness, you're tired, and you need to go run errands? I've been having those days pretty often lately, as I've had back-to-back sicknesses over several weeks. I decided to show you all a FOTD inspired by that.

In the "before" photo -- which I'll warn you ahead of time, it's scary lol - you can see how sick and tired I look, including my messy, no shower hair. But the "after" photo shows a much more presentable option for running errands (and how powerful makeup can be). Believe me, I don't always put in that much effort when I feel sick and tired, but sometimes it makes me feel better to make myself look better. Does that make sense? I don't know, but it does for me.

A list of all products used is listed under the photos. If you have any questions just leave a comment or send an email. Enjoy!

FOTD: Simple & Sweet
For When You're Sick & Tired




PRODUCT LIST & STEPS:
If I've reviewed/showed a product on my blog from the list below, I'll link it so you can check out pics, swatches and a review.

FACE & CHEEKS

• Erno Laszlo - Phormula 3-9 Repair Cream, all over my face as my moisturizer.
• Mally - Perfect Prep Poreless Primer in Glow to areas where I don't use the next primer, smoothed onto my face with my fingers.
• Benefit - The POREfessional Primer, only to areas where my pores are noticeable - I tap this into those areas.
• MAC - Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC30, applied with the e.l.f. Studio Powder brush.
• Tarte - Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Medium, applied with the Jemma Kidd #10 brush.
• YSL - Touche Eclat Highlighter in #2, applied after concealer in a triangle under the eyes and on bridge of the nose. I just use my finger to pat it in.
• Benefit - Hoola, applied as my contour shade with the Sephora 133 Face Contour Brush.
• Tarte - Amazonian Clay 12hr Blush in Fearless, applied with the Tarina Tarantino #12 Powder Brush.
• The Balm - Mary-Lou Manizer, applied with a Too Faced brush (not sure what its called), as my highlighter on my cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
• Tarte - Smooth Operator setting powder, applied with a fluffy Iman powder brush.
• MAC - Fix+, sprayed all over face after all my face products are on, and after my brows are on.
• MAC - Studio Fix Powder in NC30, applied with a fluffy Iman powder brush - applied lightly at the very, very end of everything (after all makeup and hair) just to add a finishing touch before I go out of the house and to bring with me in case I need touch-ups. 

BROWS

• Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, tapped into sparse areas of the brows with my finger.
• Billion Dollar Brows - Brow Powder in Taupe, applied with an Iman angled brush.

EYES

• Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, tapped all over lid with my finger.
• Urban Decay - Booty Call (from Naked 2 palette), applied all over lid with a Mirabella Flat Eyeshadow Brush.
• Urban Decay - Tease (from Naked 2 palette), applied with the crease end of the included brush from the Naked 2 palette into the crease and outer v.
• Urban Decay - Snakebite (from Naked 2 palette), applied with the same crease brush to the outer corner.
• Urban Decay - Half Baked (from Naked 2 palette), applied with the flat end of the same brush to the center of the lid, and use the crease brush end to blend.
• Tarina Tarantino - Sparkilicity Pure in Gold, applied from the inner corner and to the center of the lid, tapped on gently with a Tarina Tarantino #43 Pigment Brush. Spray MAC Fix+ on the brush first, then dip it into the  product and tap on to apply. Blend with the Mirabella Flat Eyeshadow Brush.
• Milani - Powder Eyeshadow in 02 Pitch Black, applied with an Iman flat shadow brush, pushed into my upper lash line from outer corner inward, not going all the way into the center. Lightly blend it upward to soften that line.
• Illuminare Cosmetics - Beyond Black Everlasting Eye Liner, applied to top lash line and lower waterline using the Sephora Pro #22 Angle Liner brush.
• Mally - Volumizing Mascara and Mally - Instant Impact Mascara, one layer of each, applied to top and bottom lashes.

LIPS

• Smashbox - Lip Enhancing Gloss in Adore Me from the Love Me collection.

HAIR

• Spray Chi 44 Iron Guard onto hair to protect it from the heat, and brush through.
• Separate hair with clips or claws, whatever you have on hand.
• Curl your hair however you like. I used the Jilbere de Paris Nano Ceramic Silver turning curling iron. I believe it's 1" or 3/4" barrel, I'm really not sure. I don't really like to use clamp curling irons, but for this look I decided to use this one.
• After you're done curling all your hair don't touch it. Let it fully cool, then spray it with hairspray. I used Blow Pro Blow Out Spray.
• Then take a paddle brush and lightly comb out your curls, which will blend them all together and give you a softer look.

Tarte Journey to Natural Beauty 6-pc Collection - before & after, pics, swatches, review, FOTD

Hello, Beautiful!

I love me some QVC! Especially when they bring me brands like Tarte and pack together a bunch of great makeup at an even greater price. I recently purchased the Tarte TSV (Today's Special Value), and even though I get the Q Insider Magazine, meaning I could order it early, I decided to wait until I saw the on-air presentation. I shouldn't have waited; I love this kit and I knew I would. Next time I'll order right away!

Although no longer at the TSV price (which was $59.94), you can still get this kit for just over $65 on QVC's website (plus shipping and handling). When I checked the website last they were sold out of the Fair and Light shades, but I'm sure if you keep checking back they will come back in stock. I ordered this in Medium, if that helps anyone. This 6-pc collection even comes with a bonus mini sample of the Maracuja Self Tanner, not mentioned on the website; I've been wanting to try this self tanner so I'm excited to give it a try.

Check out my pics, swatches, info, review, and complete makeup look (FOTD) ... click on pics to view them larger.

Tarte Journey To Natural Beauty
6-pc Collection
This kit includes: Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation (I have the Medium), Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Plummy Rose, Lights, Camera, Flashes! Statement Mascara in Black, Brow Architect Brow Shaper (shade matches your foundation choice), 12-Hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Fearless, Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush, Makeup Bag, Mini Sample of Maracuja Self Tanner.

 

 

 

Tarte Journey To Natural Beauty 6-pc Collection
Before & After
I only used the products in this kit!

Tarte Journey To Natural Beauty

6-pc Collection Complete Makeup Look
FOTD (Face Of The Day)

Tarte Journey To Natural Beauty 6-pc Collection Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $72.50 - although currently $65.94 (for the entire kit). Available on QVC's website.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

I love Tarte products, and their kits on QVC always impress me. This kit was another winner in my book. I'll break it down product by product on what I thought.

First up, the foundation...

The Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation is a nice whipped mousse type liquid foundation. I have it in Medium, which works well for my skintone. I don't think it's a true full coverage, but it certainly does offer great medium coverage. It lasts long on me, even if I don't set it and even if I don't use a primer.

The Airbrush Finish Bamboo Foundation Brush is one of my favorite brushes; I have one from their first kit back in March 2011 in their 8th World Wonder Best of The Amazon 7-pc Collection. That's also when I first tried the foundation. The brush applies foundation beautifully and is very well made. For sure a brush I'd buy on its own. What makes this brush different from the first tone is the handle; it has a special fabric handle that matches the makeup bag. I love it! Super cute!

The Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Fearless is beautiful. A nice warm pinky rose color. There is shimmer in this blush, maybe more than I would like, but once on it looks natural. Very pigmented too, so be careful of how much you apply. It gives my cheeks a nice warm pink glow. Tarte blushes are some of my favorite and I'm always happy to have another in my makeup collection. They apply beautifully and really do last like their name says.

The Amazonian Butter Lipstick is a new product. The color is pretty and the formula is divine. It felt smooth and comfortable on my lips - going on like butter. It even had a shine to it, sort of like a glossy lip balm. The shade Plummy Rose looks darker in the tube than when applied, so I was happy with the color on my lips; a flattering shade for sure! The packaging is in a cardboard tube, which I get is part of the natural concept, but I don't really care for it (it wears a lot faster/gets dirtier easier), but I love the formula of this lipstick so I'd be interested in more shades!

The Brow Architect is another new product. I have sparse brows so I was really curious to try this out, as I already love Tarte's  emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse, and the Tarte EmphasEYES Amazonian Clay Brow Pencil. It does a nice job at filling in my brows, and the color is universal so you just press harder for darker color/lighter touch for a lighter color. The highlighter that comes with it worked well with my skintone and made my brow area nice and clean looking. I already have products similar to it, but really liked this one.

The Lights, Camera, Flashes! Statement Mascara in Black is their newest mascara. If you love their Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara then this is supposed to be twice as amazing. I wasn't really having high hopes for this, because I really don't like their Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara; I mean, it's ok but it never did too much for my lashes. However, the Lights, Camera, Flashes! Statement Mascara is amazing. Gave me va-va-voom length and some volume with an intense black color. Loved my lashes after using this.

The makeup bag is super cute, but it's just one big dump bag. No compartments, which is okay, but not sure I want to just toss my makeup into this large bag. I will likely use the bag for hair products when I travel. It's large enough and will fit them nicely. Although you can't tell by the photos, the tan/beige part of the bag actually has gold metallic running throughout, which I didn't notice during the on-air presentation but was a nice surprise because it gives the bag something extra rather than a boring plain side.

The sample of the Maracuja Self Tanner is great because I really, really, really wanted to try this. Can't wait to give it a go in the near future.

Overall, this kit was a winner for me, and one I'd recommend getting. Even without a concealer, eyeshadow, eye liner, primer/setting powder - this kit still gave me a completed natural look. My before and after pics speak for themselves to show you what just these few items can do to improve your overall look. And, my hair was bed head - so that extra shows how much it makes up for everything else going on. I personally would still need to use concealer with this, as well as primer and setting powder. Of course eyeshadow and eyeliner to really finish off the look but this kit gives you a lot of great products for one low price.

This is one kit I recommend picking up for yourself and even one as a gift!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this Tarte collection? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.