Valentine’s Day Love from Merle Norman Cosmetics

Merle Norman understands that Valentine's Day is about kisses, hugs, and happiness. So we are all celebrating this special upcoming Valentine's Day with some wonderful products and hope you feel the love radiating from your computer, phone and/or tablet! 

I certainly fell for the three products I sampled and have been wearing them daily ever since receiving them. The PLUSH LIPSTICK ($25) I have been wearing in POWER PLAY has a satin matte finish with great staying power, the CHEEK CRAYON ($28.50) in PINK LOTUS is a creamy crayon that blends easily and is also buildable and THE KISS & HUG LIPGLOSS ($22) in MULBERRY is a lightweight formula that delivers rich, opaque color in a single swipe! 

There are many more color options for all three product categories- so please visit their site to find the right color(s) to suit your Valentine's Day and/or every day's needs!

Products are available HERE and at Merle Norman Cosmetics Studios nationwide.

Arbonne: Spring Beauty Trends

Yes, it is Spring and no, you wouldn't know it in chilly NYC right now! With that being said, below are some of the top wearable spring 2016 beauty trends along with the product essentials you need to quickly and easily create the look at home.

Poppy Lipstick. Red lipstick is classic of course, but never have makeup artists been as united on the shade front as they were this season. Indulge in a dose of moisture that's been married with color in Arbonne Smoothed Over Lipstick in Poppy ($28).This luxurious formula is ultra-soft and delivers an efficacious blend of skin-conditioning watermelon and apple extracts to help lock in moisture, and peptides to help lips look instantly plumper.

Naturally Tan Sheen. For the bronzed city girl, the desert wanderer or the coastline beach babe - It all starts with a good foundation. Arbonne's Got You Covered Mineral Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen ($42) silky-smooth, feather-light mineral powder transforms any complexion to perfection.

Sunset Streak Lids. Pinks and peaches are usually reserved for lips, but this spring we are seeing them on the lids as well. Try Arbonne's Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Petal ($19) – Its richly pigmented, mineral-infused eye shadow adds warmth and creates eye-opening looks.  

Pastel Glazed Lips. Lock it all in with Arbonne Glossed Over Lip Gloss in Linden ($24). Like all of Arbonne's products, the lip gloss is free of parabens and synthetic dyes, so you can feel good about what you're wearing. Polymers deliver your lip's fix of hydration as the hydro-lipid layer of the fluid gloss evenly disperses pigments that are sure to make your smile pop.

Whitening Lightening Color Your Smile Lighted Lip Gloss

My how I love a lighted lip gloss.....and with a mirror, too?! Yes, I do and so will you. Twenty-five colors are available and all lip glosses contain collagen peptides to increase lip volume and reduce lip wrinkles.

Available at Whitening Lightening and Gerard Cosmetics, these beauties range from $22-$24 each and come in fashion forward shades of peach, coral, bronze and pink that do not feather nor bleed.

The colors have an flattering undertone that make your teeth look brighter as well!

Shimmer of Hope

Wild Orchid

Butter Cream

 

Maybe the three beauties above would rock these lippy's in these shades? I bet they would, indeed! Don't forget, there are many more to love...

Pür Minerals: New Lipsticks and Lip Glosses created with Resveratrol

Lip plumping lip glosses and anti-aging lipsticks! Chateau Kisses Plumping Lip Gloss ($ 18) and Chateau de Vine Mineral Lipstick ($ 18) were created to perfect your pout with richly pigmented color and the rarest, vine fresh Resveratrol. Harvested from Bordeaux's renowned wine chateaux is now being brought straight to your lips! Cheers!

Chateau Kisses Plumping Lip Gloss are available in 8 colors and Lovestruck and Glitzy were sampled.

These one-of-a-kind glosses feature Pür's beloved lip-plumping lip-plumping lip gloss, now with age-defying Resveratrox®, freshly harvested from Bordeaux's finest wine-producing grapes! This exclusive Farm to Jar™ ingredient hydrates dry lips and helps reverse visible signs of early aging, including lip lines and wrinkles. Never sticky or tacky, this luscious formula provides hours of dewy colour along with visibly softer, smoother lips—even after the gloss comes off! Paraben-free. Gluten-free Net Wt: .11oz/3g

Features & Benefits:

• Protects, nourishes and intensely hydrates lips
• Increases renewal for a smoother, younger-looking pout
• Features Volulip for visibly plumper lips
• Targets signs of free radical damage with powerful antioxidants

Chateau de Vine Mineral Lipstick's are available in 10 different colors and Starlet and Show Off are pictured below.

Perfect your pout with gorgeous, anti-aging lipstick colour in a delicious array of intoxicating mineral shades! Pür's Château de Vine lipsticks glide on effortlessly for a full range of flawless looks—from bold, full lips to a barely there stain. Using exclusive Farm to Jar™ ingredients- including age defying Resveratrox® and Vitisin, freshly harvested from Bordeaux's finest wine-producing grapes—this one-of-a-kind formula reverses visible signs of early aging, like lip lines and wrinkles, so you can toast to younger-looking lips with every kiss. Paraben-free. Gluten-free.Net Wt: .14oz/4g

Features & Benefits:

• Increases renewal for a smoother, younger-looking pout
• Targets signs of free radical damage with powerful antioxidants
• Conditions the skin for dewy, kissably soft lips

Pür Minerals does NOT test its products on animals. Available at ULTA stores and Pur Minerals.

National Lipstick Day: July 29th, 2014

Yes, one of my favorite occasions to Pucker Up is coming next week and Vincent Longo (available at Vincent Longo) is offering us many options for a variety of textures and hues to help perfect our pouts....

July 29th is National Lipstick Day! Vincent Longo has a formula for any lipstick lover. From sheer and glossy to matte and bold, these lipsticks will work for any occasion to celebrate this “beautiful” holiday.

Rejuvenating Velvet Riche Lipstick ($23)

Our version of the classic 1950’s cream lipstick, our luxurious lotion-like formula caresses and contours lips with a full-color, soft luster finish.

· Contains collagen and hyaluronic acid filling spheres to firm lips and keep them youthful looking.
· Essential oils, Vitamin E, and Aloe Vera protect and moisturize lip tissue.
· A beeswax base keeps color vibrant and ensures a long lasting wear.
· The lotion-like texture clings to the lips and prevents color from bleeding over the lip line. 

Lipstain SPF 15 Lipstick ($23)

Our award winning Lipstain SPF 15 Lipstick delicately tints lips with a glossy coat of sheer color.

· Contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to soften and nourish lip  tissue.
· Light weight, emollient texture clings to lips and won't bleed over the lip line.
· SPF 15 protects lips from UV sun exposure.
· Creates a soft, clean natural finish.
· Hint of Vanilla scent.
· Perfect for women of all ages. 

Thinstick Lipstick ($27)

The incredibly smooth and creamy texture is combined with a moisture rich waterproof formula and excellent  pigmentation to ensure fresh, vivid, longwearing color with a semi matte finish.

· Soft creamy texture
· Excellent coverage
· Waterproof and extremely long lasting
· Color stays vibrant and will not feather
· Semi matte finish
· Vitamin E to nourish and protect 

Silk Velour Lipstick ($23)

This luxurious formula glides on ultra smooth, layering full body, even coverage in a single sweep. With a subtle tone-on-tone pearl, each richly pigmented shade reflects light for a full-bodied lipstick with mouth-watering dimension and finish. Creamy hydrating formula

· Richly pigmented
· Full body texture
· Formulated with Vitamins A, C and E 

Baby Balm Lipstick ($23)

An ideal lipstick and unique gloss meets a protective balm lipstick formula. Moisturizers combine with pigments provide a sheer veil of sheen and color rendering the lips naturally sexy

· Vitamins C and E paired with soothing Apricot Nut Oils  protect and repair lips from free radical damage.
· High shine polymers provide a long lasting delicately  glossy finish and a sheer veil of color.
· A balanced mix of waxes and lightweight oils create a thin protective lip barrier for a very comfortable feel.

What color and texture will you be sporting on

 National Lipstick Day?

Eddie Funkhouser: Summer 2014

I love receiving packages from Eddie Funkhouser as they are always creatively marked with his handwritten signature and lips. It is my pleasure to review the Summer Look 2014 as it is full of color and sass.

Bright pink cheeks and vivid magenta-rose lips are softened with a shimmering coral and pastel pink eye shadow. 

The Belle De Jour look includes Hyperreal Eye Color Palette in Bedroom Eyes ($ 14.99), Graffiti Liquid Liner in Haze ($ 9.99), Hyperreal Hydrating Lip Gloss in Publicity Stunt ($ 10.99), Chromographic Lip Color in Modern Marvel ($11.99), Ultra Intensity Cheek Color in Peep Show ($ 8.99), Hyperreal Eye Color in Lavender Sky ($ 8.99) and Quattro Variable Lash Mascara in Absolute Black ($ 12.99).

Recreate the look using the face chart below and go to EDDIE FUNKHOUSER and select Rite Aid Pharmacy's for product.....have fun shopping!

"SASSY" Summer Look 2014

All photos courtesy of Eddie Funkhouser.

What's New: SMASHBOX

I remember sitting in the room with Davis Factor, Smashbox Founder and Celebrity Photographer and Lori Taylor (now Lori Taylor Davis), Smashbox Global Pro Lead and thinking how innovative and creative they were. At the time, Terry Richardson was shooting their advertising campaign and I loved the vibe in all areas of production. I kept in touch with Lori over the last few years and I am so pleased to review some of their latest launches.

Smashbox Be Legendary Long Wear Lip Lacquer ($24) available in 20 shades has vitamin E in it's formula and has a lacquer like stain to lasts the whole day! It was created with a proprietary triplex of vibrant staining pigments and the two I reviewed did not budge nor lose their high gloss color (Knockout and Mo Money Honey). With so many color options, there is certainly 1...or 2...or 3 with your names on them?! Available at both Sephora/Sephora.com and Smashbox.com.

Also new is their best selling mascara available now in waterproof, Full Exposure Water Proof Mascara ($ 20 in Jet Black). My, my did my lashes take well to this mascara. Just with one swipe they were longer and more voluminous looking. You can see by the pictures, this mascara opened up my eyes beautifully. It's also sweat and humidity resistant which is a value added plus on these super warm days. No dots below my lower lash line and no clumping nor smudging occurred.  

I also got to sample the Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing ($39) and the Photo Finish 24 Hour Shadow Primer ($ 20) and they both applied gently and kept my skin looking oil free and my pores were blurred to the eye. I used all products in the photo below plus their wonderful Always Sharp Lip Liner in Ruby ($20) as well as their Admire Me Eye Shadow Palette (from when Smashbox collaborated with artist Curtis Kulig), Nude Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner ($20) in the inner rim of my eye and along the browbone and the Navy Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner ( $20) to line my upper lid. 

Please go to SMASHBOX to see how to videos as well as getting expert tips on how to use their newest products! 
Thank you again, Lori! 

Votre Vu French Accents: More Launches to Love (and WEAR)

Yes, I wrote of Votre Vu's French Accents launches on 5/21 and yesterday I came home to more treats from this delightful brand. I must share with you these colors as they are wearable, long lasting and rich in mineral pigments....

Le Joli Crayon Smudge & Set Soft Eye Liner With Sharpener ( $23) is now available in Violectra and applies with a single stroke. No tugging, skips and it does NOT budge after application. 

Vu-On Rouge Sheer Moisture Color Accent For Lips And Face ( $29) is a sheer moisture tint that dds a pop of color where applied. It's available in four shades and can be worn alone or over Love Me Deux tinted moisturizer. In the picture seen below, I used it  on my cheeks. It can be used on lips, lids and facial contours as well.

New shades of Lip Lustre Vitamin E Lip Gloss ($ 22) are truly flirty and fun to wear. Tart and Sweet are pictured above and I chose to wear Tart as I love a deep coral color and this gloss was nourishing to my lips and ever so shiny! Later on, I mixed them both for another look and you can feel free to wear these alone, mix them or put them over Champagne Kisses, Framboise Lip Balm and/or Vu-On Rouge to add more depth, intensity and shine to the shade.

Also pictured is Palette Play Eye Shadow in Endless Summer ( $19) which is a perfect shade as it's taupe-like yet has a certain multi-dimensional look to it with shimmer and depth.

Here are swatches for you to decide which colors would best suit you! Available exclusively at Votre Vu , I find them all to be wearable! 

Votre Vu French Accents: New Launches

So many wonderful new products from www.votrevu.com that I felt the need to dive in immediately upon receipt of my samples for review! 

Brigitte Bardot certainty showed the world the allure of eyeliner and now Le Joli Crayon ( $ 23 each) is here to show you! Available in Chocolat and Violetric, it's smart sponge blending tip wouldn't dare tug at your delicate eyelid and it's mistake proof gel pencil glides on ever so easily. Rich in pigments, anti-aging fruit extracts and Vitamin E- this proprietary formula nourishes and hydrates the eye area while treating it with healing free radicals. 

Palette Play Eye Shadow Palettes (Nude ( $ 42) pictured above with Le Joli Crayon in Chocolat) and Endless Summer ( $ 19) are next. The Nude Palette Play includes colors New Canvas, Pale Earth, Pretty Penny and Rich Bronze. The colors work alone or can be blended together as pictured above. Each shade is free of talc, fragrance, low cost minerals and other common irritants for a calm, colored canvas.

French Kiss Moisture Riche Lipstick ( $ 23) in Lisette and Colette are just divine. Inspired by the French woman's exquisite sense of style, Votre Vu's full range of French Kiss shades dress any lip in both chic color and haute hydration. Natural plant waxes are used in handcrafting them and they also contain SPF 8. I love the way they do not feather and they also have a touch of natural vanilla mint in them making them smell delightful.

Lastly, the Lip Lustre Vitamin E Lip Gloss ( $ 22 each) simply drench your lips in luminous color. Four shades are available: Sultry ( swatched), Tender ( swatched), Sweet and Tart and they feel nourishing to the lips right after the first application. You can wear them alone or over other French Kiss lipsticks for more depth, intensity and shine. 

Overall, I find Votre Vu's line to be long wearing, smudge proof, crease proof and on trend. Their powerful ingredients are meant to protect our skin and their pigments are refined. 

Available exclusively at www.votrevu.com. 

Mally Beauty: Evercolor Shadow Stick, Evercolor Poreless Face Defender and More!

There aren't enough kind words I can say about the pre-med turned celebrity makeup artist as I find Mally to be a kind, courteous, caring, thoughtful and generous person. Plus she makes GREAT products that are as wonderful as her personality! Birchbox recently hosted an event with Mally and although I could not be present, I still got the "Mally love"...

I have been a "fan/follwer" of hers for quite sometime and find her among the most interactive social media MUA's I know! She responds to fans/followers tweets and IG posts, gives great and personal advice and also incorporates her family and love of God into her daily posts. I find her absolutely delightful so I felt more than blessed to be able to review some of the newer products in her line.

The Evercolor Shadow Stick ( $ 25) applied effortlessly without any creasing throughout the day. There are 16 shades available and I reviewed Rosy Taupe which suited me perfectly. All shades are considered what Mally calls "bulletproof" meaning- they do not budge! They are also said to bring out the white in your eyes making your eyes appear more radiant. Colors available are: Dusk, Rosy Taupe (worn in picture with mascara), Deep Plum, Champagne, Saddle Shimmer, Angel Shimmer, Bronze, Brown, Topaz, Nautical, Copper Rose, Green, Gunmetal, Platinum, Plum and Twilight.

These are available at Mally Beauty , Birchbox , Ulta Stores and at Ulta.com .

Next was the incredible Volumizing Mascara ( $ 20) in Black that added volume and an instant boost as it made my lashes really curl up and out and their length nearly doubled! I did apply two coats and found it to be non clumping nor flaky.

 

 

Mally's High Shine Liquid Lipstick ($ 20) was so pretty in Apricot. I am known for my signature red lips so it took a lot for me to try the neutral tone. I know that may sound silly but I feel most comfortable in blue reds yet everyone is rocking nudes now. With that being said, people loved the way it looked on me as it gave me a softer and younger overall look. My lips appeared more full, too. You simply click up the pen until the color appears through the brush and fill in your *gorgois lips. *Mally uses the word gorgois, so it is not a typo! This is your liner, lipstick and gloss all in one product.

Available at Mally Beauty , Birchbox , Ulta Stores and at Ulta.com .

Lastly I tried the Evercolor Poreless Face Defender ($ 40) and it is amazois! You simply swirl the applicator in the product and softly pat it all over your face. The formula yields a water-clear, featherweight product that diffuses the look of pores, fine lines and helps your makeup stay put. The applicator can get those hard to reach places such as the inner corners of your eyes or the indentations of your nose. The sponge is awesome!

Available at Mally Beauty , Birchbox , Ulta Stores and at Ulta.com .

 

 

What Mally products do you love? Do tell so we can possibly try them, too! #loveyouMally