1000 Subscriber Thank You Contest Video Uploaded

Hi Everyone,

1000 subscribers!!!  Thank you so much for watching, rating and subscribing to my channel.  Check out my contest video and enter to win a Mac To The Beach Marine Life Powder.

Good luck to all who enter.

Thanks again,

xxooDeb

Click here

Mark Eyeshadows & Palette

Hi Everyone,

Where has July gone? I can't believe it is the first week of August already. I hope everyone is having a great summer.

I remember the years of Avon ladies selling their products at home visits.  Then, other than everyone loving the Avon Skin So Soft for keeping the mosquitos away, I really lost track of their line.  Recently I've heard a buzz (no the mosquitos aren't back) about Avon's Mark Line and had to check it out.  Am I glad I did, I've fallen in love with their eyeshadows.

The color assortment is fabulous. The price can't be beat at $5.00 per shadow and BEST of all is the

Mark Snap To It Mega Custom Color Palette. It can hold a combination of their eyeshadows or blushes and comes with two brushes. At $8.00 it is a must have! If you haven't checked out MARK yet, what are you waiting for? They are just a click away at

http://www.avon.com/1/1/913-mark-snap-it-mega-custom-color-palette.html

Veld's Eye Magic

Abracadabra, Alakazaam, what ever magical expression you like, this product is pure magic.  I picked it up on a recent visit to Italy and have been using and loving it everyday! It is a product out of France with two main ingredients. First, it has Rooibos (pronounced roybus) a red bush plant from South Africa which contains loads of antioxidants. The second ingredient is Haloxyl which is said to reduce the blood pigments which causes dark under eye circles and is an anti-inflammatory. Veld's is named after the grasslands area in South Africa called "The Veld". Rooibus, or red bush, is also available in tea form and is said to be better liked, and tolerated, than green tea. It is a one size fits all, only available in one color, goes on like a dream and makes all the my under eye problems "disappear" POOF!  Now if I could only snap my fingers say the magic words and lose 10 pounds :D

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock SPF 70

Hi Everyone,

I'm off to beautiful Italy tomorrow where I will be traveling on the Amalifi coast.  It will be very hot there and of course I am taking plenty of sunscreen with me.  I've just found this Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock and am loving it. Best of all it is a dupe for some of my more expensive brands and is only $11.00 for 1.4 ounces.  It is very similar to my Prescriptives All Weather Friend which retails for $26.60 and comes in a one ounce size and my Laura Mercier Daily Face Shield which is also a one ounce size and retails for $45.00.  WOW, talk about hitting the jackpot. Great protection and a great price! This has a very light application, dries to a matte finish and works beautifully under makeup as a primer. Just remember that the SPF 70 doesn't mean you are getting double the protection of a SPF 35, the potency increases only slightly as the number goes up.  What is most important is to remember to re-apply often when you will be out in the sun all day.
Bye for now, or as they say in Italy, ARRIVEDERCI! 

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Cream Eyeshadow ~ Languid Lagoon

I wish I didn't like this so much. It's creamy, glides on my eyes, the color is dreamy and it is so expensive. $25.00 for a single eyeshadow? I know, it's Shiseido and it's fabulous, but that is 15 eyeshadows for me from my beloved NYX trios. Or, 5 shadows from my new favorite Mark (Avon) eyeshadows. (Check out the Mark shadow in Pool, it's a pretty close dupe to this color. 

Having said my peace about the price I have to admit I'd buy another color in this line. The colors are so lush, so Vincent Van Gogh like ( my favorite artist).  Shiseido hooked me in the minute they put this display up at my local department store and I walked by. 

If you are going to splurge on one makeup item, this is it. 

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow

Hi Everyone,

This is an eyeshadow you simply have to try. I bought it in Mocha Motion and really love the consistency and wear of these shadows. I was determined to find an drugstore eyeshadow to review and recommend on my youtube channel. Yes, I still love all my other shadows but this really is amazing for under $5.00. If you are new to eyeshadow, this quad is a must. They've imprinted where to put each shadow (Lid/Crease/Brow Bone/Outer Corner) right into the shadow itself. Genius!

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear spf 50 Tinted Moisturizer

Hooray!

I found my summer foundation, Physicians Formula Healthy Wear spf50 Tinted Moisturizer. Phew! Trying saying that three times fast :)
I love that is has spf 50 and still manages not to smell like sunscreen. The finish is a bit dewey, which I personally don't mind in the summer, and can be finished off with your favorite powder if you like a more matte look. The only downside I've heard is the color selection. Truthfully though, this is a problem with tinted moisturizers in general. The Korres tinted moisturizer, which I didn't like at all, is also limited in colors and sells for more than twice the price.

I bought this in the lightest shade, Light to Fair, and have  read that some people are saying that this is a pretty good dupe for the Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer spf 20 oil free in nude. Works for me, the Laura Mercier is $42.00 for 1.7 ounces and the Physicians Formula is around $13.00 for 1 ounce, depending on where you buy it. Oh, and did I mention this is a drugstore item so I bet you can find it at an even better price, check your weekly flyers.

I've been wearing this the past few days with my Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder, another tongue twister, and love the look. Did I say summer foundation? I think this may become my year round, HG, foundation.

Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer

Hi Everyone,

I was shopping in Sephora and checking out the Korres Tinted Moisturizer when the sales associate recommended I buy their Bronze and Protect Trio, a $66.00 value on special for $29.50. The package consisted of a 1.01 ounce Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer, a .34 ounce Mini Face Primer and .39 ounce Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder. I bought it in Sunglow Light. I'm trying out the tinted moisturizer (spf 30) and I want to wear it for awhile before I share my feelings. The Bronzer, however, I can't wait to tell you about. I love it! I love the consistency, I love the packaging, I love the feel of it on my skin and I love the color. No parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, Gmo's, petrochemicals, phthalates & triclosan.

The bronzing powder contains Monoi Oil, a non-comedogenic Tahitian oil that hydrates and nourishes the skin. I love the look of it on my skin. As advertised, my skin looks "sun kissed" with a natural bronzed look that lasts the whole day. I think I found my HG bronzer for the summer!

Dry Skin Saver- Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly

Hi Everyone,

I absolutely love this product. Never a fan of Vaseline, I was so happy to find this alternative. Did you know that the raw material for petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 in Pennsylvania on one of the country's first oil rigs? Yech!  I always wondered why the product couldn't be made without the oil and "Voila" I found Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly. This does everything Vaseline does, and in my opinion, does it better. It is made from only pure oils and natural waxes. Best of all it's CHEAP! It does everything too. It moisturizes your skin, prevents chafing and windburn, will remove eye make-up and, of course, is great for dry skin. (Okay, it's good for babies bottoms too, but this is a beauty blog). Oh, and throw it over your favorite lipstick instead of lipgloss for a beautiful look and soft conditioned lips.Have I convinced you yet to give it a try? I hope so. :D

Clarisonic Mia

Hi Everyone,

After I posted my "Never Have I Ever" video, which included never trying a Clarisonic, I got several "Why Not?" responses. Why not indeed? I had heard so many raving reviews and clearly needed to check it out for myself. I spent some time reading about the different choices, looked up other reviews and settled on the Clarisonic Mia. The Mia is the baby sister of the popular Clarisonic Face brush. It comes with only one cleaning head and is designed for sensitive skin. While advertised to be used with their own cleansing products, I decided that one new product on my face at a time was enough and opted to use my own daily wash. Okay, I'm hooked. I love how it leaves my face feeling so smooth and soft. I also love how my other skin care products seem to be absorbed into my skin faster and more evenly. I did read several negative reviews and have concluded that those reviewers may have been making the following mistakes. First, don't initially use their cleanser, you are introducing two new products to your skin at once and your skin needs time to adapt to the machine first. Second, don't press the Clarisonic into your face, it is designed to do the work for you and you just have to hold it to your face and let it do it's magic. Next, don't use it longer than recommended. The Mia is set to run for one minute and that is definately enough time. Lastly, don't use it every day or twice a day to start. Always give your skin a chance to adapt to any new products, electric or liquid. I'm glad I put it on my "Never Have I Ever" video and I'm glad everyone asked "Why?" Now on to check out what else should come off of that list!

MAC "To The Beach" Collection

Hi Everyone, Just posted my review on Youtube on the new MAC collection "To The Beach" This is a great sumer collection that already has items sold out company wide. Not fair! So many people who do not have a MAC counter near their homes or the ability to pre-order online will not be able to try all of the products in this line. In fact, the high-lighter called "Marine Life" was sold out in a few hours. Listen up MAC (okay I know you don't need my marketing advice) can't you make Limited Editions mean that the items are only available for a short period of time instead of a limited amount. Oh well, the colors are dreamy for summer and while the entire collection won't "blow you out of the water" (sorry) there are a few key pieces to try. I love the eyeliner "Float on by" and the Lustre Drops in "Sun Rush" If you are interested in seeing this collection, get going, it won't be available for long.

Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15

Hi Everyone,

Wow, our temperature was over 90 degrees today. I hope our summer will be as warm, we could use it after all the rain last year!

I've heard a lot of rumble about the Hourglass line and decided to try their Illusion Tinted Moisturizer to see how it would be for the summer.

Tinted Moisturizer? I think they mislabeled this product. I barely used a single pump and have to say it gave me full coverage, full heavy coverage. Not at all what you would expect from a tinted moisturizer.

Advertised as "ultra-rich and deeply moisturizing", also seems to miss the mark. My skin was super dry. They also claim Illusion will, "lift and visibly tighten the skin within one hour of application" Odd, you have to wait an hour to look good?  Don't we put on makeup for the instant gratification of looking good? Anyways, it does tighten you skin, too tight! I couldn't wait to take it off and I can't wait to bring it back.
Trying their concealer tomorrow. Stay tuned.....

Revlon Color Stay Glacis Mineral Lipgloss

Hi ,

I owe everyone a huge apology. I did a review on Saturday and mentioned the Revlon Color Stay Glacis Mineral Lipgloss. I said the colors are beautiful, they are, and the product was nice, it isn't.  I had only applied it moments before the review and loved the colors and I thought the texture. It went on well and seemed to be a great drugstore brand to recommend.  After I stopped filming my lips started to feel dry and had a tight feeling. I looked in the mirror and found the lipgloss had separated on my lips and worse yet the color had faded.  I always try new products for several days and should have done so with this product. If you want a great drugstore lipgloss that comes in fabulous colors and is SO worth the money, try the Boots No7 High Shine Brillance gloss. It is available in beautiful shades, is inexpensive and is truly a great drugstore brand to recommend.

Got To Love TJ Maxx!

Hi Everyone,

I headed down to the shore to spend the weekend at the beach and couldn't resist stopping at my favorite TJ Maxx store.  I don't know how they decide which items they send to different stores, but this one always has the best selection. Do I need another pair of shoes? ALWAYS!!!  I found these great Kate Spade's, the only one in the shoe department, in my size! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. They are a great bronze color and the bling is my thing.

Going to be kicking around in these all summer. 

XXXOOO

Hi Everyone,

You know how much I love my sunscreens and I've found a new one that I have to share. Cetaphil® UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50
It is being marketed as a facial moisturizer with broad spectrum UV protection. The moisturizing formula is said to hydrate the skin for 8 hours and I have to agree. I've been using it for the past couple of days and find that it works well as a primer too. Best of all, it's available with a pump top that makes the application a breeze.

Lansinoh Cream

Hi Everyone,

Okay, I know you are probably thinking, "Lansinoh Cream, for Breastfeeding Mothers, on a makeup blog??  Since I'm writing about anything beauty related and dry skin is definately not beautiful, mentioning this cream is a must!  I've searched forever, tried too many products to mention and FINALLY stumbled onto this cream through a makeupalley review. It may have been manufactured for sore you know whats  (can I say nipples on a blog?)  but it is the best for dry skin.

One word of caution, DON'T leave it on your night table unless you tell your husband first. Boy, did I get a funny text from mine when he came home and found this! :D

Paint Brushes vs. Makeup Brushes

  So there I was standing in my kitchen holding one of my water color paint brushes (a 1" flat wash brush to be precise) when I absentmindedly started stroking it on my face. Now, before you picture me with a face full of paint, although that would be funny, the brush was clean. I was amazed at how soft it was and couldn't help thinking it would be a great makeup brush. Actually, I used it for my foundation application the next morning and it was fabulous.  I'm sure you can guess where I went the next day, Michael's Craft store (bonus point, it was right next door to an Ulta store) and picked out 5 brushes.  FIVE brushes totaling $47.95. The brushes are made by Loew-Cornell & Robert Simmons and are amazingly a great dupe for the Sigma and MAC brushes at a fraction of the cost.
For example, the Robert Simmons S57 angle brush, which I bought for $6.99, is a great dupe for the MAC 266 which retails for $19.50.

Robert Simmons S57

I've started to use the brushes and truthfully can't find anything negative to say. Appearance, yes, the brushes I chose have white tips. Performance, no, they performed as well.  I'm sold. I'm saving my money for more makeup and heading back to Michaels to check out more brushes.

(The LC Maxine 1/4" is a dupe for the MAC 228. The LC XXL round is a dupe for the MAC 150 . The LC Maxine Mop 3/8" is a dupe for the MAC 239. Hmm, maybe the MAC's are dupes for the LC's?)

Stila Convertible Eye Color

Hi Everyone,

I have been trying to find this eye liner for the longest time! My Sephora never had stock UNTIL a few days ago. This is a fabulous eye liner and so worth the wait. It glides on, smudges perfectly and has a bonus eye shadow color to boot!  I purchased Indigo, a navy/purple color, which make the green in my eyes really pop. Love it!

400 Youtube Subscriber Contest Winner Announced!

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited to be announcing the winner of my 400 subscriber contest. Congratulations goes out to Scarlettmonet on winning a MAC Liberty of London Lipstick in Everhip.

This is a beautiful pinky peach shade that is great for all the great summer looks we have been longing for. Thumbs up for sunny days!  I love doing contests and I am already planning my next :)

Cole Haan Sandals.....Love them!!!

Hi Everyone,

I've been on the hunt for a pair of comfortable gladiator sandals and I've found them! They are the Cole Haan Air Whitney Gladiators available at Zappos.com. I bought them in black but they are also available in white and a carmel color. They are heavenly. The leather is buttery soft and the heels have that fabulous air technology that makes walking a dream. Love the black but honestly think I might need another color. :D

Sunscreen

Hi Everyone,

You know how passionate I am about protecting your face with sunscreen. The winter winds are almost gone (although they did try to stay around longer this week) and the sun will be getting stronger each day.

I've been testing out the Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion (phew, that's a mouthful) with SPF 110 and helioplex (that's the magic ingredient all the derm docs are raving about) and I have to say I'm loving it. It is lighter than you would expect for such a high SPF and it dries without a white cast.
Best of all it's available in your local drugstore and retails for under $11.00 for a 3 ounce tube.