BZZAGENT PREVIEW: CoverGirl BlastFlipSticks

On to my next *BzzAgent Campaign, and as a lip stick lover, you can imagine my excitement when I received this latest campaign-CoverGirl BlastFlipSticks.  In fact, I had already purchased a couple of these items a few months back. So I was already familiar with the product.

In this campaign, I received the usual BzzGuide, along with the product, 3 CoverGirl Blast FlipSticks (Mink, Stunner, & Vixen), along with several $2.00 coupons to share with family and friends.
The CoverGirl Blast FlipStick Lipstick is one of CoverGirl's recent products that is a dual-ended lipstick. One end being a cream and the other, shimmer. So with each tube you can customize your look and actually get several different looks, including one of the latest trends-Ombre (gradient); you are only limited by your imagination.
 
 
There are currently 13 duo shades and they are available everywhere CoverGirl products are sold. The suggested retail price is $8.49.  To stay current on the latest CoverGirl products:
 
Like CoverGirl on Facebook - facebook.com/covergirl
Follow CoverGirl on Twitter - twitter.com/COVERGIRL
Follow CoverGirl on Pinterest - pinterest.com/covergirlxo/

Have you tried any of the CoverGirl BlastFlipSticks yet? If so, please share some of your looks.

*What is "BzzAgent" -- It is a word-of-mouth program in which you sample products and services and then buzz (face-to-face, Twitter, Facebook, etc) about those products or services you have tried-good or bad. You are under no obligation to participate. Did I forget to mention, it's FREE!!! For more information, click Bzz Agent FAQs.
 
Grace, Peace, & Blessings.






* As a BzzAgent, I received these products to try and review, but with no obligation. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.

 

Holiday Gift Suggestions: SKINDINAVIA Holiday Hero 4-Pack!

Here in the US, we are about to start the maddening shopping season of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  We call the Friday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, because it is due to the amount of shopping done on this day, that retailers normally find their financial books "In the Black" (profitable).  And Cyber Monday is the largest online shopping day, thus the name "Cyber Monday".  I will admit, I enjoy the atmosphere involved with Christmas shopping, but to make some of it less stressful, for some gifts, I order them online.  Many of the make-up brands offer excellent gift sets at reduced prices during the holidays.  Personally, I love to stock-up on certain items during this time, just for the savings.  Today, I want to share with you one of those great holiday gift sets.  Earlier this summer, I was given the opportunity to review the Skindinavia Original Makeup Finishing spray as well as the Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finishing Spray.
 
I have used both these products and would recommend either of them, depending on your skin type. Where I would normally blot several times throughout the day, when I used the Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finishing Spray as directed, I was able to go at least 8 hours.  Even at that point, I wasn't the normal grease slick, just a slight shine.  These products have also received rave reviews from several professional makeup artists.
 
The Original Makeup Finishing Spray "sets and holds makeup in place. Keeps color vibrant and prevents makeup from fading for up to 16 hours. Recommended for normal to combination skin types."
 
Features & Benefits:
  • Fewer touchups throughout the day.
  • Stops makeup meltdown.
  • Holds eye shadow, foundation, blush and concealer perfectly.
  • Award Winning.
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The No More Shine Makeup Finishing Spray "controls oil and holds your makeup in place for 16 hours".
 
Features & Benefits:
  • Extends makeup wear for oily and combination skin types.
  • Fewer required touchups throughout the day.
  • Stops makeup slippage on t-zone and eye area.
  • Holds eye shadow, foundation, blush and concealer in it's place.
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So for the makeup maven on your gift list, here is an excellent gift idea. Skindinavia has a limited-edition gift pack; the Holiday Hero 4-pack of mini finishings sprays for $25USD. These mini finishing sprays defend your makeup for 16+ hours.  They're great for holiday travelsstocking stuffers, and best of all, for sharing with friends. If you're intersted in the Holiday Hero 4-pack, click Here.

And for SKINDINAVIA's Best. Offer. Ever. 20% off NOW thru Cyber Monday + FREE shipping + FREE mini finishing spray. Coupon codes: US orders over $30 (CYBER20); international orders over $50 (INT20).  Offer ends November 27, 2012.  To shop the SKINDINAVIA site, click Here.

So check your gift list and ask yourself, who would appreciate the Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Sprays and check them off your list, as you save money. 

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.
* These products were sent to me for review consideration by the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.


Holiday Gift Suggestions: For that DIY Manicurist...

Black Friday, Super Saturday, Cyber Monday or maybe it's Early Thursday, whatever you want to call it, the 2012 Holiday Shopping Season is fast approaching. It's time to find gifts for your friends and family or even better, for yourself. From personal experience and from what experts tell us, it's best to shop with a list and a budget in mind.  I'm sure that either you or maybe someone you know is a DIY manicurist and/or pedicurists. Even before the beginning of my blog, I have been beating the moisturize, moisturize, moisturize drum, so as you can imagine my excitement when given the opportunity to review some of the 2012 CND Limited Edition Holiday gifts and gift sets. They consisted of several moisturizing products.  I want to take this opportunity to share them with you and maybe give you some ideas for your gift list.  As a nail care/nail polish addict, I would love to receive any of these in my Christmas Stocking.
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The first is a re-release of a much loved product--CND Solar Oil. Solar Oil is an Award-winning cuticle oil infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E.  "Repeated use drives nutrients in deeper, creating stronger, healthier nails and hydrated cuticle area." As I have posted previously, I love both jojoba and vitamin E oils for my home-made cuticle oil, so CND Solar Oil is a great commercial product. This limited edition formula features a new fragrance of heliotrope, vanilla, and golden amber.  I'm loving the soft vanilla scent. It's not over-powering. Suggested retail price is $11.50 USD/$14.40 CAD.
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Next in the 2012 CND Limited Edition Holiday Collection is the Holiday Scentsations trio. "These scented lotions moisturize skin and bring holiday cheer to the senses." The trio includes Celebrate (hint of vanilla, berries and fresh floral), Enchant (hint of sandalwood, amber and floral), and Delight (hint of amber and floral)." Suggested retail price is $12.00 USD/$15.00 CAD.
 
BTW: Delight is my favorite scent; but the each smells great and works well to moisturize my hands.
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Lastly, is a manicure/pedicure set, The Cucumber Hand and Heel Therapy Collection.  "This limited edition gift set comes with the new extreme hydrating hand cream, Cucumber Hand Therapy and the award winning Cucumber Heel Therapy. Both of these intensive moisturizing complexes leae your hands and feet deeply conditioned all seaso long.

I love this Cucumber Heel Therapy. I like to apply it to my feet before I put my socks on, especially during these cooler months. It keeps my feet soft and moisturized.  These two products have a clean cucumber scent that is not over-powering and would make another great gift for that DIY manicurist/pedicurist on your list.  Suggested retail price is $19.90 USD/$24.90 CAD.













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So check your gift list and make note of those that would appreciate these gifts of moisture. Alone or as part of a Nail Polish Addict's gift basket, the 2012 CND Limited Edition Holiday gifts and gift sets will be loved by all who receive them.

The 2012 CND Limited Edition Holiday gifts and gift sets have been available starting in November, 2012 for a limited time, in salons, and professional beauty supply stores. For locations, visit www.cnd.com.

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.
* These products were sent to me for review consideration by the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.

Holiday Gift Suggestions: LovaSilk Silk Bedding

During the initial part of my healthy hair journey, I sought out products and methods that would benefit my hair and its health.  One of the methods I discovered was sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase and/or using a satin or silk head scarf.  During this journey even if I didn't use my satin head scarf, I would always sleep on a satin pillowcase.  I often used the terms "silk" and "satin" interchangeably, although I knew there was a difference.
 
It was during my journey that I discovered that many of the products I had incorporated into my hair regimen were also beneficial to my face, nails, & body.  One in particular was that for the same reason sleeping on satin or silk was good for my hair, it is also good for my facial skin.  Sleeping on cotton-based pillow cases pulls the moisture out of your hair leaving it dry.  The same goes for sleeping on a cotton-based pillow case and it pulling the moisture out of your facial skin.  We've all awakened with those "sleep creases" that take forever to plump up and go away.  And as I get older, I am constantly looking for products to fight the signs of aging.  I was recently given the opportunity to try a LovaSilk 100% Silk pillowcase.  This lead me to research what, if any, are the difference between silk and satin?  I learned that silk is a natural fiber whereas, satin is a method of weaving the man-made fibers. Also, that silk is more durable than satin.  Silk has a shimmering appearance, whereas, satin is glossy.
 
So what are the benefits of sleeping on 100% Silk?
·         It helps to keep your face healthy. Your face has more contact with your pillowcase than any other fabric. So, if you want to keep your face looking refreshed, your choice in pillowcase is very important.
·         Helps your skin retain moisture. With one of the lowest absorption rates of any fabric on the market, sleeping on silk is one of the best options for helping your skin maintain its natural moisture. Save money on expensive moisturizing creams by retaining more moisture in your face to begin with, by sleeping on silk pillowcases. 
·         It’s naturally hypoallergenic. Some of silk’s hypoallergenic properties include a natural resistance to dust mites, fungus and mold, in addition to many other allergens.
·         Silk has amino acids in common with your skin and hair. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will help your skin stay healthy and smooth while reducing facial wrinkles. If you’re only going to invest in one piece of silk bedding to start with, the silk pillowcase provides a lot of benefit for the cost.
·         Reduces bed head and split ends. Are you tired of waking up in the morning and having hair that looks like you just stuck your finger in a socket? Sleeping on luxury silk pillowcases will help keep that bed head under control. And since silk has so many amino acids in common with your hair, it will help reduce damage, like spilt ends, as well. For your hair, it truly does pay to sleep on a silk pillowcase.

If you have followed my blog or followed me on Twitter or Facebook, you know that one of my favorite past-times is taking Sunday afternoon naps. So you can imagine my excitement when this opportunity presented itself. I was able to review a product that will benefit both my hair and skin, all while napping.  Other than testing Chocolate, what could be better? LOL!

So once I woke up, what were my experiences using my LovaSilk 100% Pillowcase?

First Impressions:
 
·         As I mentioned, I have been sleeping on a satin pillowcase for several years, but this 100% silk pillowcase is far softer than any satin product I've slept on previously.  Where the polyester satin products would sometimes snag my hair, this 100% silk did not; and presented no friction whatsoever.
·        I remember the first time I stayed at the Waldorf Astoria New York. At that point, those were the most luxurious sheets I had ever slept on. After sleeping on this LovaSilk 100% Silk Pillowcase, I now had a new standard for Luxury.
·         Living in Florida, the tempature of your home can change  drastically
throughout the night. These LovaSilk 100% Silk pillowcases, helped to regulate my body tempature. I can't wait to see how they react during our hot summers.
·         On those occassions, that I had fallen asleep on a cotton pillow, may hair paid dearly; dry, frizzy, and often tangled. However, with this LovaSilk 100% Silk pillowcase, without my scarf, my hair remained moisturized, and smooth.

·         I am fighting a battle against aging, and sleeping on a 100% silk pillowcase has been beneficial.  I have not experienced any of those nasty face "sleep creases".

So as we are fast approaching the holiday shopping season, we all have those people that are difficult to shop for or we know that person, who every year we ask ourselves, "what do you buy for the person that has everything?"  A great Holiday Gift Suggestion: Buy them a bit of Luxury.  Get either a set of LovaSilk 100% Silk pillowcases or really go all out and get them a full set of LovaSilk 100% Silk Bedding. While it may seem like a splurge, it is really a healthy and beneficial item we should all have.  There is nothing like getting into a luxurious bed after a hectic day. This LovaSilk 100% Silk Bedding is the perfect ending to that less than perfect day. 

LovaSilk has issued a limited time discount code to be used at their online store: www.lovasilk.comThe code is sobeauty2012 and is good for an additional 10% off any order on the LovaSilk site during the holidays, including sale items.  LovaSilk also offers some of the best shipping I've seen. Click Here for shipping policy.
So for that person on your list that loves or just deserves some luxury, or even better, for yourself as a reward for the year you've survived, I would strongly suggest, getting some of the LovaSilk 100% Silk Bedding.  It will be the best night's rest you've had in a long time.

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.
* This product was sent to me for review consideration by the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.

SERIES: Bottle Spam - Pure Ice

I recently did a post on one of the newest collections from Pure Ice, inspired by the release of the The Twilight Sage: Breaking Dawn (click Here to visit). As I mentioned it on one of the Facebook Makeup groups that I am a member of, one of my make-up sisters (M. Green), mentioned that she had never purchased any Pure Ice polishes.  So I took this as an opportunity to continue one of the series I started earlier this year.  The series was bottle spam from several of my collections.  So here are the bottle spam shots of my Pure Ice Collection.
L - R: Celestial, French Kiss, In The Mood, All Night Long, Strapless

L - R: Lightening Strikes*, Beware, Don't You Wish

L - R: Not Now, First Time, Heartbreaker

L - R: Fast Lane, Bite Me, Twinkle, Lilac Mist, Watermelon Ice

L - R: New Lilac, Outrageous, Rio
 
L - R: No Means No, Purple Reign, Busted
 
If you haven't given Pure Ice polishes a try yet, you are really cheating yourself. And at less than $2.00 a bottle, you really don't have anything to lose.
 
Review:
  • Available: Walmart or  Bari Cosmetics
  • Price: Reg Price $1.97
  • Bottle Size: 15 ml, 0.5 fluid ounces
  • Selection: Offers a Large Selection, including neons, and glitters

Grace, Peace, & Blessings.

 
 
 

* FTC: These products were bought with my own monies, unless otherwise noted with an *. These are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by and of these companies. This is not a sponsored post.

Pure Ice: The Twilight Sage: Breaking Dawn pt 2 - Fang or Fur?


Inspired by the released by The Twilight Sage: Breaking Dawn, Pure Ice has released 5 new polishes. 
"The end of the story begins with the bright pale skin (Nude Beach) with blazing red eyes (Glass of Bordeaux). A love story that asks a young girl to risk it all. The diamond ring (Silver Lining) and the garden wedding that changed everything. You can't take your eyes off that unforgettable BLUE dress (Getting Gorgeous) and the warmth and complexity of the wolf's imprint (Alter Ego)."


Getting Gorgeous - Blue with purple and blue Iridescent microglitter.  It should come as no surprise that this blue was my favorite of this collection. To acquire this level of opacity, required 3 coats.

 
 
Alter Ego - Rich coffee brown with copper microglitter and silver small shard flakes. Browns are normally outside of my comfort zone but surprisingly, I really do like this shade. To acquire this level of opacity, required 2 coats.
 

 
Nude Beach - Perfect nude with pearl shine and creme finish. The soft pearlized finish of this shade for some reason, just reminds me of cashmere. To acquire this level of opacity, required 2 coats.
 
 
 
Glass of Bordeaux - Sheer black with blood red microglitter. Can't afford those red bottom shoes, give this polish a try-LOL! A great fall shade. To acquire this level of opacity, required 3 coats.
 
 
 Silver Lining - Clear polish with silver glitter and silver diamond large shard flakes. This will be a great New Years layering polish. I will love seeing this layered over a deep navy blue like Pure Ice All Night Long.  Like most chunky glitters, to get an effective application, it requires patting on the polish instead of the normal painting on of the polish. To acquire this level of opacity, required 2 coats.
 
 


Pure Ice Nail Polish does not contain formaldehyde, toluene and DBP
 Pure Ice Nail Polish is sold at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. Their MSRP is $1.97 a bottle.

*Pure Ice is not affiliated with Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Pt 2.


Grace, Peace, & Blessings.
* These products were sent to me for review consideration by the PR department of the Manufacturer. These however are my honest opinions. I am not employed by nor was I paid by this company.