Blog Sale Update & IG Giveaway Winner Announcement!

Hello, Beautiful!

Thank you to everyone who placed a blog sale order over the past week. Everyone's orders thus far have been shipped out and are on their way to you! Enjoy!!

For anyone wanting to place an order, the blog sale pages are all up to date as far as what products are sold and any pending items (pending = meaning someone is currently ordering them, just waiting on their payment). Just click on the link below or click on the Blog Sale tab above!

http://xoxovalentinekissesxoxo.blogspot.com/p/blog-sale.html 

Please: If you email me to order be ready to make your payment. I've had three people, two of which had very large orders, stop communication completely and just fall through -- and those items were ones other wanted and I had to turn others down because I had items being held for people who didn't follow through. Don't get me wrong, I understand changing your mind but I don't understand just not replying at all. It's situations like these that make me have to have stricter rules and time lines for making payment. Sigh. Oh well - thank you again to everyone who did keep communication and followed through. I greatly appreciate it!


Now onto my most recent giveaway - which was held exclusively on my Instagram! The winner was announced yesterday evening on my Instagram and I've already DM'd the winner and received her contact information so I can ship out her prize. The winner is:

@makeup_looks_and_reviews

Congratulations!!!!

If you didn't win, don't worry - I have more giveaways in the works so stay tuned!! :)

For now though, back to working on some awesome blog posts coming up this week! Have a good Tuesday everyone!

tarte Clean Slate Timeless Smoothing Primer - pics, before & after, swatch, review

Hello, Beautiful!

It's been a long while since I fell in love with a primer, but I recently fell head-over-heels for the new tarte Clean Slate Timeless Smoothing Primer. This is one of the only primers I've ever used where I could actually see a noticeable difference after application. If you want to see a good pic of it, CLICK HERE to see a pic on my Instagram (I also have some pics below, but you can see it better there, since studio lights -- which is what I use for my blog photos -- tend to wash things out a bit).

Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

tarte Clean Slate Timeless Smoothing Primer

tarte Clean Slate Timeless Smoothing Primer Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $39.00 (0.5 fl oz full size). Available on the tarte Cosmetics website, at Sephora, at Ulta, and everywhere else tarte Cosmetics are sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Product Info...

A melt-in smoothing primer with innovative blurring and filling technology for a youthful appearance perfectly primed for makeup application.

Turn back the hands of time with tarte's new primer formulated to fade out your biggest beauty boundaries such as large pores, fine lines and wrinkles. The antioxidant-rich formula infused with vitamins C & E and green bean extract gently melts into the skin delivering a surge of moisture, peptides and other naturally-derived elixirs for a firmer, smoothing appearance. You'll love the lightweight texture and fresh powder scent as it provides the perfect blank canvas to enhance the look and wear time of makeup. It can also be worn alone as part of your skincare regimen, blurring out skin imperfections and signs of aging for a flawless, soft-focus finish.

Vitamin E is a natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and antioxidant. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and premature signs of aging while brightening skin. Green Bean Extract is known for anti-wrinkle and pore minimizing properties. Mineral pigments soothe and soften skin.


My Review...

Upon initial first looks I thought this appeared to look very similar to the Mally Perfect Prep Poreless Primer or the L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. But the textures are different - especially between the tarte and Mally; the Mally primer is a thinner and more of a smoothing whipped texture where as the tarte is more of a thicker soft silicone cream. It actually feels very similar to the L'Oreal primer, almost identical in feel actually. And I remember really loving the L'Oreal primer back in the day when I first tried that primer (which was in 2010). I think this tarte primer is similar to how it works and feels, but the tarte version is like a better version of the L'Oreal. Basically, if you liked the L'Oreal then you'll LOVE the tarte!

This primer does an amazing job at blurring your skin. It doesn't necessarily fill in my pores completely on my nose and the sides of my nose, but it blurs them and helps makeup apply perfectly on top - making it look smoother, just not completely poreless. It does an amazing job at making my forehead look practically perfectly smooth.

This primer really does melt into the skin, and I find less is more. You don't need a lot to get the job done. My makeup also stays put for longer when I wear this and I've tested the same makeup routine with and without this foundation and I got at least 2 to 4 hours of additional wear without needing a touch-up.

The price of this primer is a bit steep at $39, but I think this can be a miracle product to most and I am in LOVE with this primer. I hope tarte brings this primer to QVC in a kit, because that would be the most affordable way to purchase this product - along with other great tarte products.

Do I recommend this primer? HELL YES I DO! Like I said at the beginning of this post, I haven't fallen in love with a primer in a long time and I am so in love with this primer!

Now let me know what you think...

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

#tarte #tartecosmetics #primer #base #tarteprimer #beforeandafter #instamakeup #instabeauty #makeuplife #makeupporn #makeupplay #makeupaddict #makeupobsession #makeupobsessed #girlythings

Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick in Rose Dressing: pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I picked up the Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick as a 100-point perk sample from Sephora, and I love this lipstick! The shade is Rose Dressing, and wow is it a pretty pink! Definitely worth my 100 points! This is the first Givenchy lipstick that I've tried, and I'm really impressed with the formula. I know the full sized lipsticks are pricey at $36 a piece -- since they come in a real leather tube -- but after trying this one I'm tempted to try some other shades. Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick
Shade: Rose Dressing (202)

Givenchy Le Rouge Lipstick Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $36.00 (0.12 oz full size). Available on the Sephora website and everywhere else Givenchy beauty is sold.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses!

Product Info...

A semi-matte lipstick encased in genuine leather. Enjoy perfectly defined lips that last as long as you do -- and a genuine leather goods item. This lipstick-as-accessory delivers intense colors and a semi-matte finish all in one stroke, and as the first lipstick to come in real leather, it imparts a soft, supple touch and sensual feeling.


My Review...

The little mini of course didn't come in any leather; this is just your typical plastic lipstick tube, but I honestly don't care about the leather -- and think these would be way more affordable, had Givenchy decided to skip the leather packaging.

What I love is the formula. These are a semi-matte finish but go on so smooth and creamy. The color pigmentation is unreal with these - one swipe color! Really comfortable wear too. This lipstick also sticks around longer than other lipsticks - but of course wear will depend on what you're doing.

The shade I have is Rose Dressing, which is described as a bright coral pink. That's a very accurate description. Really love this shade - flattering on my light-medium skintone.

Looking at the other shades online, I'd also like to try Rose Perfecto, Hibiscus Exclusif, Corail Decollete, and Rose Boudoir.

Overall, really impressed with the formula. Could care less about the leather packaging. I'd recommend these based on formula!

Now let me know what you think...

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

Updated Blog Sale!! September 2014!

Hello, Beautiful!

I have been doing a huge organization/clean-up of my house, which has gotten me in a major purging mode, so I went through my collection again and was able to purge even more stuff! I've just added the new items and also reduced prices on some other items - including reducing prices on almost all the nail polish because I want it gone! No further discounts will be given so please do not ask to do a bundle price as these prices are extremely reasonable.

Read all the rules/how to order before you email me with questions or your order (they're on each blog sale page). Basics: USA Only. PayPal for payment. No holds. Must reply quickly/Pay quickly (within 24 hours). No further discounts.

Click on the links below, and the Blog Sale tab up top will also link these pages as well! Happy shopping!

MAIN blog sale page: makeup, skincare, hair care, body care, & a few nail items
and
NAIL POLISH blog sale page (started with over 1,000 nail polishes for sale)

Also: because of how low I've priced these items I also had to change the shipping discounts I was previously giving because. Previously, I was giving free shipping when you spend $75 -- I know spending $75 is still a lot, but believe it or not a lot of people did. However, I was spending $15 to $20 on shipping each time out of my own pocket, which really adds up over several orders. So now I will only do free shipping if you spend $100 or more. I hope it's understandable. I know some people don't even do free shipping at all, but I wanted to have a little perk for those buying a lot. Also keep in mind I don't charge any fees for PayPal (I pay all those myself), and I pay for all the shipping supplies (bubble wrap, tissue paper, tape, etc. - which also adds up quickly).

Global Goddess Beauty - Exotic Eyes Blackest Black Nourishing Mascara: before & after, pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

Global Goddess Beauty - Exotic Eyes
Blackest Black Nourishing Mascara

Global Goddess Beauty Exotic Eyes Blackest Black Nourishing Mascara Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $17.99 (6.5 g full size). Available on the Efficient Living website (official retailer for Global Goddess Beauty). Check out the product on the Global Goddess Beauty website.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

Transform your eyes and make them speak volumes with a mascara that nourishes, creates lavishly long lashes, and builds intense depth and drama. An Asian treasure, Japanese Camellia Seed Oil nourishes, moisturizes and strengthens lashes. Aloe Vera adds luster, strengthens, conditions, moisturizes and promotes healthy lash growth. Panthenol, lecithin, Wheat Protein and Beeswax heal, condition and moisturize. Paraben, sulfate and fragrance free, finally, here's a mascara that truly cares about health and beauty.

Thickens, lengthens, and creates all day definition. Conditions and hydrates. Smoothes, strengthens, moisturizes. Run proof, smudge proof, tear proof, sweat proof.



My Review...

This mascara is pretty nice; it gave me good length, some volume, and just good looking lashes in general. It's not the most dramatic look on my lashes, but it still is enough to make a difference.

Has a nice black shade to it, hence the name Blackest Black. I find I like to use this in combination with other mascaras, but I tend to layer my mascaras a lot. I wear this on its own for a more natural look.

What I think I love most is the formula, as this is designed to condition lashes and also strengthen them. Something that just about everyone could use. I'll often use this as a first coat and then if I want a little more va-va-voom I'll go in with another mascara on top.

I do find that if you apply too much it can get a bit clumpy, so I'd recommend wiping off the brush or using a lash comb to get any clumps out (I didn't do either of those for the before & after pics).

Would recommend if you are looking for a mascara that has a more natural formula that is designed to help your lashes as well. If you want drag queen lashes this isn't going to give you that, but it's going to make them look better. Is there is a such thing as your-lashes-but-better - sort of like the "your-lips-but-better" way to describe lip colors?

Now let me know what you think...

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