August 2013 Ipsy Bag

I got my Ipsy bag a couple of days ago and I'm so happy with it!

The first thing I got is this Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub. I had heard so much about this brand from Youtube gurus and was always afraid to try it, but I'm glad they included it in this month's Ipsy bag. I have already used it once and it feels so nice.

Claims:

The Jojoba Charcoal Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub is formulated using the powers of Jojoba Wax Beads and Activated Charcoal. This mask effectively removes dead skin, impurities and toxins, but is gentle enough for sensitive and acne prone skin types. Jojoba Wax Beads provide gentle exfoliation without leaving microlacerations on delicate skin. Highly absorbent Activated Charcoal penetrates deeply into pores to draw out impurities and toxins. Also refines texture and encourages skin renewal, leaving skin smooth and refreshed. 

 

Ingredients:

aloe barbadensis (organic aloe) juice, cocos nucifera (coconut rbd) oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) wax beads, cocamidopropyl betaine, emulsifying wax, palm stearic acid, phenoxyethanol, aleurites moluccana (kukui nut) oil, spinacia oleracea (spinach) extract, activated charcoal, xanthan gum (polysaccharide gum), citrus limonum (lemon) essential oil, lavandula spp. (lavender 40/42) essential oil, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) essential oil, pelargonium graveolens (geranium) essential oil. 

 

The second item I received is this Noya Natural Vanilla Lipbalm. It's made from natural ingredients and is kosher, which is good for Jewish people. It's so moisturizing and softens my lips.

Claims:

The noya Lip Balm is a lightweight, all-natural formula that moisturizes, smooths, softens your lips and packs a full punch of flavor. And because it’s natural, you can lick your lips as much as you want – and trust us, you’ll want to often. 

Ingredients:

coconut oil, beeswax, organic extra virgin olive oil, natural flavor, organic stevia [alternatively, the ingredients with the binomial names: cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, cera alba (beeswax), organic extra virgin olea europaea (olive) oil, natural flavor, organic stevia rebaudiana] 

 The third item I received is this Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream. This has some shimmer in it and I don't like that because I don't want to look like a vampire from Twilight. The formula is thicker than some BB creams I've tried.

Claims:

The Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream hydrates, primes, illuminates, and perfects leaving a sheer bare skin finish. Specialized mineral pigments instantly adjusts to your skin shade allows one color to work for many and can be built up for just the right amount of coverage. Your skin will look natural, dewy, youthful and radiant without looking like you are wearing heavy make-up. 

Ingredients:

water, gylcerin, caprylic/ capric triglyceride, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, dimethicone, sorbitan sesquioleate, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) esters, iris pallida (sweet iris) leaf cell extract, rosa damascena (damascus rose) leaf cell extract, cocos nucifera (coconut) water, laminaria hyperborea (kelp extract blend), hyaluronic acid, oat beta glucan, potassium cetyl phosphate, hydroxyethylcellulose, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, iron oxide black, mica, potassium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium benzoate, citric acid, punica granatum (pomegranate) extract, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, white tea extract, aloe barbgadensis leaf juice, fragrance (all natural) 

The fourth item I received is this City Color Cheek Stain. I've never used a cheek stain before and I'm actually scared to use it.

Claims:

City Color Cosmetics Cheek Stain gives your cheeks the perfect flush for a natural glow. Available in 6 different hues. 

Ingredients:

ethylhexyl palmitate, trimethylsiloxyphenyl, dimethicone, aluminum starch, octenylsuccinate, ceresin, beeswax (cera alba), caprylic/capric triglyceride, isohexadecane, paraffin, glycol montanate, synthetic wax, methylparaben, propylparaben, flavor (aroma),titanium dioxide (cl 77891). may contain(+/-): iron oxides (cl 77499, cl 77492, cl 77499)), mica (cl 77019), red 6 lake (cl15850), red 7 lake (cl15850), red 40 lake (cl 16035), yellow 5, lake (cl 19140). 

The fifth and final item I received is this Pixi Beauty Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black. Pixi can be found in America in Target, but they are like a higher end brand.

Claims:

This unique mascara truly boosts your lashes, giving them a "push-up" effect that lasts all day. The dense, rich formula coats lashes with maximum pigment, for long-lasting full color and the cone-shaped brush coats each lash evenly. Long lasting, smudge-free and waterproof. 

Ingredients:

hydrogenated polyisobutene, dextrin palmitate/ethylhexanoate, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, microcrystalline wax, disteardimonium hectorite, aluminum distearate, peg-8 dioleate, sorbitan isostearate, propylparaben, simethicone, tocopherol. [+/- talc, mica, iron oxides (ci 77499), titanium dioxide (ci 77891), ferric ferrocyanide (ci 77510)]. 

That's all I got in my Ipsy Bag. It is a good one this month. I'm happy with it.

Thanks for reading!

Have a beautiful day and don't forget to smile!

xoxo,

Dana.

June Ipsy Bag

 

I got the June Ipsy Bag today!

 

The first thing I saw was this Mosaic Powder by NYX. I guess it's supposed to be a blush, but we'll see. I do believe that it's too dark for me.

What Ipsy says:

Adding a healthy glow to cheeks is effortless with the variety of blush styles and shades available from NYX Cosmetics!

The NYX Powder Blush delivers sheer, silky color that glides on and blends beautifully creating a natural glow.

The NYX Mosaic Blush contains five matte and shimmery shades in one compact blend to create a flush of color and dazzling glow!

The NYX Cream Blush offers radiant color for a dewy, sultry, long lasting finish! 

 

Ingredients:

powder blush: mica, talc, magnesium stearate, dimethicone,isononyl isononanoate, nylon-12, zea mays (corn) starch, zinc oxide,silica, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin. may contain: titanium dioxide (ci77891), d&c red 6 (ci15850), d&cred 7 (ci15850), d&c red 27 (ci45410), d&c red 30 (ci73360),fd&c yellow 5 (ci19140), fd&c yellow 6 (ci15985), iron oxideyellow (ci77492), iron oxide red (ci77491), iron oxide black (ci77499),manganese violet (ci77742), ultramarines (ci77288)
mosaic blush: mica, talc, zinc stearate, kaolin,2-ethylhexyl palmitate, mineral oil, b.h.t., methylparaben, and propylparaben. may contain: ultramarine pink (ci 77007), ultramarine blue (ci 77007), red iron oxide (ci 77491), yellow iron oxide (ci77492), black iron oxide (ci 77499), brown iron oxide (ci 77491/2/9),mica (ci 77019), titanium dioxide (ci 77891), d&c red no.7 (ci15850:1), d&c red no.6 (ci 15850), fd&c yellow no.5 (ci19140:1), or manganese violet (ci 77742)
cream blush: mineral oil (and) ethylene / propylene /styrene copolymer (and) butylene / ethylene / styrene copolymer, myristyl lactate, zea mays (corn) starch, polyethylene, mica,hydrogenated castor oil, polyisobutene, beeswax, silica dimethyl silylate, ethylhexyglycerin, phenoxyethanol. may contain: titanium dioxide (ci77891), d&c red 6 (ci15850), d&c red 7 (ci15850),d&c red 27 (ci45410), iron oxide yellow (ci77492), iron oxide red(ci77491), iron oxide black (ci77499)

 

 

I also got this lip pencil by Starlooks in Bare.

What Ipsy Has To Say:

Starlooks' long-lasting, full-coverage Lip Pencil enhances the shape of your lips and gives them perfect definition. This creamy, moisturizing formula glides on softly to smooth lips and ensure lipstick stays in place, while extending its wear. Can also be used as an all-over, highly-pigmented lip color. Comes in several shades and various finishes to pair with any Starlooks Lipstick, Lip Gloss, or Tendergloss!

Starlooks Makeup Line is entirely Lead Free, and Cruelty Free. 

 

Ingredients:

rincinus communis (castor) seed oil, rhus succedanea fruit wax, ozokerite, theobroma cacao, bees wax (cera alba), ethylhexyl palmitate, squalane, copernica (carnauba) wax, isopropyl myristate, candelilla cera, jojoba oil, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), [+/- may contain: mica, titanium dioxide (C177891), iron oxide (C177489, C177491, C177492, C177499), carbon black, ferric ammonium, ferrocyanide, manganese violet (C177742), red 7 lake (C115850), ultramarine (C177007), red 22 lake (C145380), red 34 lake (C15880), red 40 lake (C1 16035), green 6 (C1 61565) 

 

 

I also got this Chella Highlighting pencil.

What Ipsy Has To Say:

 Chella's Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil is a fresh and pretty neutral pencil that will brighten and visibly lift your eyes when lightly applied on the brow bone, dark circles, blemishes and red spots. Draw a line under the brow with this creamy pencil and then pat gently into place using your ring finger. May be used above the brow for additional highlighting, as well as anywhere you would use a concealer. 

Ingredients:

titanium dioxide, iron oxides, rincus communis (castor) seed oil, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, ethylhexyl palmitate, octyldodecanol, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate -2, talc, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, caprylic/capric triglyceride, immondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, cetyl acohol, calcium sulfate, montmorillonite, beeswax, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, wheat germ glycerides

The next thing I got is this J.Cat Sparkling Cream Palette.

What Ipsy Has To Say:

Everyone loves a little sparkle! Add a healthy dosage of sparkle in your life with the cream palette that comes in a variety of complementing colors. The creamy texture allows the sparkle to be applied easily with an applicator onto your skin.

This product should be used on the body and not on the eye area.  

Ingredients:

ceresine wax, microcrystalline wax, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, mineral oil, silica dimethyl silylate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 1-butene, homopolymer, phenoxyethanol, polyethylene terephthalate

The last thing I got are some false eyelashes and eyelash glue from J.Cat Beauty. The eyelashes look so unnatural.

What Ipsy Has To Say:

Create some drama with these voluminous faux eyelashes! Available in 30 different styles that you won’t be able to resist. Each includes an individual eyelash adhesive to last you all day long!  

Ingredients:

acrylate/ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer, iron oxide (ci 77499)

I am in love with this bag save for the two J.Cat Beauty items. The Cream Palette is for teenagers. The false eyelashes don't look well-made. Two out of five ain't bad. At least I still have three items I can use.

Let me know what you think of the items you got.

Thanks for reading!

Have a beautiful day and don't forget to smile!

xoxo,

Dana

November 2012 Favorites: Makeup

Here are my makeup favorites for November 2012. I have so many because I've been trying out new products and have been loving them. Let's get started!

Brushes:

Ecotools Blush, eyeshadow, and kabuki brushes.

Sonia Kashuk Fluffy Eyeshadow Brush.

Lips:

Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm and Bubblegum Lip Scrub.

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Daredevil.

Alba Botanical Pineapple Quench Lip Balm.

Eyes:

Benefit They're Real! Mascara.

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer.

Starlet Cosmetics Eyeliner in Chocolate.

Maybelline New York Eyeshadow in Earthly Taupe.

Face:

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation, Primer, Powder, and Concealer.

Maybelline New York BB Cream.

E.L.F. Blush.

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Miami.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo, Dana.

Have a beautiful day and don't forget to smile!

Product Review: Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips

Today, I am going to review Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips. You can buy these from any drugstore or Target. I purchased two of these from K-Mart for $12.49 each and I purchased one of these from CVS Pharmacy for $12.99, so the price varies from store to store. The packaging is very simple: a clear plastic square with a hinged lid. There's a pan with five colors ranging from light to dark in each one. Physicians Formula says you can use them as eyeshadow, blush, and bronzer. I agree with the eyeshadow and bronzer, but you would have to be dark to use it as blush. I use the lighter colors as a highlight under my browbone and in the inner corners and the rest how I want.

The three colors I am reviewing today are Waikiki Strip, Vegas Strip, and Miami Strip. Each one has different variations of colors ranging from light to dark. The back of the package features a sticker with a little information, but nothing big. Each Shimmer Strip has 0.3 Oz of product. This was made in Italy and the company is from California. There's no ingredient list nor is there a company website.

This what each of the Shimmer Strips looks like. They each have different colors. The texture of the Shimmer Strips is very smooth and easily to apply and blend. I use the middle one, which is Vegas Strip, when I want a very clean, natural look.

Here's all of them swatched on my arm. They do take a couple of swipes to get a good color, but the darker ones seem to be the most pigmented out of all of them. Vegas Strip, in the middle, is the lightest one out of them all while Waikiki Strip, on the left, is the darkest one. They do apply easily and are not too powdery, which means less of a mess. I do enjoy mixing the colors and making my eyes pop.

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Dimethicone, Water, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Cetyl Dimethicone, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben. May Contain: titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Carmine, Yellow 5 Lake.

Thanks for reading!
xoxo