** Makeup Tag! **

I love me some Tags, so when I saw that Brooke and Kendyl had posted this Tag on their blogs, I thought I'd get in on the fun! (click on their names to check out their blogs!)

I think Tags are fun, and they help you get to know a little more about the person who answers the questions, so I hope you read on to get a better glimpse into my obsession ;-)

Also, I *tag* all of you!! So, if you choose to complete this Tag and post it on your blog or YouTube, link back here and let me know, because I'd love to read/see it!

And here we go:

1. How old were you when you started wearing makeup?

Technically, the first time I wore makeup was when I was 3 years old and I dug into my mom's purse and put on her bright pink lipstick (hey, it was the 80s!). However, I didn't start to wear makeup on an everyday basis until I was 13 years old, and even then it was only lipstick and mascara.

2. How did you get into makeup?

I didn't fully "get into" makeup until I was in college, but all through my life I used to watch my mom and my grandmother get made up for work or everyday, and I used to be so excited on special occasions when they would allow me to wear a tiny dab of lipstick. As I grew up and started wearing makeup more and more, the excitement stuck with me, and the fun of it all is what keeps me going.

3. What are some of your favorite brands?

I do like a mix of brands and products, but I find that MAC, Too Faced, Tarte, Wet n Wild, CoverGirl and NYX make the products that really blend well with my lifestyle and what I need in a product.

4. What does makeup mean to you?

Makeup is a form of self-expression and creativity. Makeup is something that can be a bonding experience and just the smell of a certain product can bring back great memories. Makeup can change a person's outlook on life, change their attitude, and let them be exactly who they want to be. Just a little dab of lipgloss can make my day, sometimes!

5. If you could only wear 4 products on your face, what would they be?

Moisturizer, MAC MSF, a little bit of cream colored eyeshadow and tinted lipbalm

6. What is your favorite thing about makeup?

Pretty packaging! :-p

Really though, I love finding colors that complement my skintone and feel good when applied. I love it when all the products come together to give me a great look because it makes my day a bit brighter!

7. What do you think about drugstore makeup vs high end makeup?

I think it is all a matter of preference. I definitely think that some drugstore makeup brands have excellent ranges of colors and quality, and most of my collection is made up of drugstore brands. However, there are a few key pieces in high end products that I am willing to shell out for because they just work better for me.

8. What is one tip of advice you can give to a beginner?

Start out small, and don't feel like you need to wear a full face of makeup just to be "beautiful", because you don't. The fun is in the experimentation of finding colors that work for you, so start out with cheaper brands, and wear what makes you comfortable.

9. What do you think about the beauty community on YouTube?

Oh boy, here we go! I think that the beauty community, as a whole, can be a very educational and helpful place. There are some wonderful people on there, who really do want to help when others have a question or just to share their knowledge and experiences. However, most of those people (with the exception of a few "gurus"), are largely overlooked and don't get the credit they deserve because there are other "gurus" who are affiliated with companies, are more popular, and have more subscribers. If someone's video views are low, there is a very slight chance that their video will be seen when a product is searched for, simply because others have paid to have their videos featured. And then, unfortunately, their opinion gets lost in the shuffle.

It's also sad that there are so many people who thrive on leaving nasty comments on videos and trying to break others down. Personally, I'm enjoying the blogosphere a bit more :-) And, that's my rant! :-P

10. What is one makeup trend you never understood?

Dark lipliner and light lipstick. It always looked trashy to me lol

Thanks for reading!!

xoxo

*Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, and I am not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned. Thanks!

*** Wet n Wild Giveaway Winner! ***

Well lovelies, the time has come to announce who the lucky winner is of the Wet n Wild LE "Everything Under The Sun" Bronzer and "The Gilded Age" Eyeshadow Trio from my Birthday Giveaway!
First, though, let me say how honored I am that anyone is reading my blog at all, and that all of the entrants took the time to enter the giveaway! I really appreciate every single one of you and your support! And if you didn't win this time, don't give up because I have plenty of other items lined up for future giveaways! :-)

So, without further ado, I present the Giveaway winner...

***** Pretty J *****

(Janel)

Janel, congratulations, and please send me the following info to: bellaglambrunette@gmail.com by 5pm EST on Thursday, June 30th:

~Name, age and mailing address

If I haven't received an email with the info by 5pm EST on 6/30, then unfortunately I'll have to choose another winner, so don't delay :-)

Once again, thank you all for entering the contest, and for reading my little bloggie! I hope you all are having a wonderful day, and I'll talk to you lovelies soon!!!

xoxo

*Disclaimer: The giveaway was not sponsored by any brands/companies, and the prizes were bought with my own money. I am not affiliated with any of the brands/companies mentioned. Thank you.

MAC Bloggers' Obsession Collection

How cool is it that MAC just released their Bloggers' Obsession collection today???

Several popular beauty bloggers worked with MAC to create some beautiful eyeshadows and Lipglasses, and everything is on sale now. The products are available exclusively online (not in MAC stores or at counters), and unfortunately only available in the US and Canada (I sure hope they change their minds about that!).

The colors look absolutely gorgeous! When payday rolls around, I'm gonna try and snag some Lipglasses, so I hope they don't sell out! If you want more information, you can go here to look at all the yummy products and find out more info! Aaaand, Temptalia has some free shipping codes for MAC (free standard shipping), so jump on over there and grab 'em to save some money! :-)

So tell me, are you going to be purchasing any of these online exclusives? I'd love to know!

Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!
xoxo





*Disclaimer: Photo credit goes to: http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/6311/index.tmpl
I am not affiliated with any companies/brands mentioned, and all opinions are my own. No one feeds my makeup addiction, and it is all paid for by myself. Thanks for reading the fineprint! <3

I'm A Bookworm...

Anyone who knows me can tell you that my nose is constantly buried in a book during my downtime, and that I'm always on the lookout for new books to read. I'm the type of person who absolutely cannot walk out of a bookstore without buying a book, even though I've got a list a mile long of ones that are waiting for me to read (I can hear them calling to me from my overstocked bookshelves as we speak!).

So, I know I can't be the only one out there like this, and if any of you are at all like me (even a teensy bit), then hopefully you'll appreciate the "Currently Reading" photo in my sidebar. I plan to update that regularly with the photo of the book I am currently reading, and by clicking on it, it will take you to Barnes and Noble's website, where you can find a synopsis, reviews, etc.

If you're reading a book that you think others will enjoy (or have read one in the past that you absolutely loooove), then feel free to leave a message below and share with us! :-)

Thanks for reading!
xoxo



*Disclaimer: Photo is not mine, and credit goes to: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/zsita/popular-interesting/
I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned, and opinions are all my own. Money spent on books was completely my own, and unfortunately this is another addiction of mine :-p

How Do YOU Shop?

Last night, while reveling in the fact that I had actually won an auction on Ebay (without someone outbidding me with 2 seconds left...grrrr I hate that!), I started to wonder about other people's shopping habits, specifically for beauty items.

In all honesty, my main goal when shopping is to save money, and get the best price possible. So, before I plunk down any dough on higher end cosmetics like MAC, Nars, etc., I always check to see if there is a sale going on, or any coupon codes for their website. Generally, I prefer to actually go to a store or makeup counter to pick up whatever beauty item of the moment that I absolutely must have. However, more and more, I have found myself ordering online (for the joy of that package arriving at my doorstep, perhaps?). I mean, it's more convenient, and I don't have to fight lines or traffic or a store being out of stock of the item...and more importantly, so I don't give my (wonderful) husband a chance to say "Why do you need more makeup again?" :-p

Now, after I check for those coupon codes or sales online, my next stop is...Ebay. I always check to see if a seller has my item for a better price. More times than not, I'll find the better deal with the item's official website, but occasionally, Ebay wins out for value. I know alot of people are leery about online shopping, especially on Ebay, but *knocks on wood* I've never encountered a problem. All the items I have bought off of Ebay have been authentic, and in great condition (and yes, I am very well versed in how to spot a fake- no 180 "MAC" eyeshadow palettes for me!); anytime I've had a slight problem with an item, the seller is always willing to refund or exchange an item, and even refund the difference if their price has gone down during the auction. Plus, Ebay has a protection policy in place for the buyer, where if the item you bought was in a worse condition than the seller advertised it for, or the item was a fake, you will be refunded (please check Ebay's site for more details on the policy). Luckily, I've never had to go down that avenue with any seller, and I've been buying items off of Ebay for about ten years now.

So, that brings me to my question: How do you shop for items? Do you strictly stick to going to the store, or do you prefer to get it online? Have you ever ordered things off of Ebay, or other discount sites? Was it a good experience, or have you been burned? Like I said, I've had very good luck with buying online, even on sites like Ebay or websites that sell discounted high end cosmetic items, but I realize that some people don't know how to spot the fake items that alot of websites are pushing.

Chalk it up to my sometimes nosy nature, but I would love to know your experiences and preferences when buying items, cosmetics in particular :-) Leave a comment below, or feel free to email me!

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone has a wonderful Father's Day weekend!!!
xoxo





*Disclaimer: Photo is not my own, it was found here: http://www.classy-ebooks.com/images/ebay.jpg
I am not affiliated with any of the companies/brands mentioned, and all opinions are 150% my own. All items mentioned were bought by me, with my own hard earned money that probably should have been used on something more practical, but oh well...

* MAC Haul! Sized To Go & Surf, Baby! *

Hello my lovelies!

Due to several Free Shipping codes from MAC that have been arriving in my inbox lately, I decided to splurge a little and pick up some yummy items from their Surf, Baby! collection. Also, since MAC has released travel sizes of some of their most popular items, I also took the opportunity to try some products that I have been curious about. Will you share in my joy and excitement with me, now that the infamous little black box has arrived at my door? ;-)

First, let's start with the Sheen Supreme Lipstick:



Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Bare Again $14.50

 After looking at as many swatches as I could of all the colors in the collection, I decided to give Bare Again a try. Sorry that the lipstick looks a little wonky; it is so creamy that a little melted off when I tried it for the first time (even though I keep my apartment like an icebox lol).

Next, we have a few items from the Surf, Baby! collection:



(left to right) Strange Potion Lipglass, Mocha Satin Lipstick, and Krazy Kahuna Lipglass, all $15.50 each


Strange Potion is a relaunch from their Venomous Villains collection, so if you missed out on that, grab it now!

And lastly, two items from the Sized To Go collection that was just released:

(left to right) Fix+ Spray and Cleanse Off Oil/ Tranquil, both $10 each

I've heard so many wonderful things about the Fix+ spray that I thought this was the perfect chance to try it for myself. Also, I got the formula recommended for dry skin of their Cleanse Off Oil, since I wanted to find a gentler way of removing my makeup (sometimes wipes irritate my skin!).

I cannot wait to try out my goodies!!! Let me know if you would like me to review anything in particular, and I will try to get swatches of the lip products up soon!

So, now you tell me: Have you picked up any items from MAC's new releases? Any thoughts on the above products? Just want to say hi? Leave a comment below, and make my day!


Thanks for reading! :-)
xoxo






*Disclaimer: All photo credits go to me; all items were bought with my own money...all I got free was the shipping because of coupon codes. I am not affiliated with any of the brands/products mentioned, and all opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for reading the fine print!*

Just A Reminder

I am so pleased that my Birthday Giveaway of Wet n Wild's LE "Go For The Gold" summer collection is sparking interest and I am gaining some wonderful new followers! Thank you :-)

I do want to remind you lovelies that to qualify, you must be a follower of this blog and "like" the Facebook page. Blog posts, Facebook posts, and Tweets about the giveaway give you extra entries as well. All information needs to be put into a comment under the Giveaway post:
http://bellaglambrunette.blogspot.com/2011/06/birthday-giveaway-wet-n-wild-edition.html

If you have any questions, or there is information you would prefer to email me privately, you can do so at:
bellaglambrunette@gmail.com

Thanks everyone, and good luck!!!

xoxo

Birthday Giveaway! Wet n Wild Edition!!!

Well lovelies, my birthday is coming up in a few weeks, and to celebrate, I want to share the makeup joy with you and do a little giveaway!

While on a recent trip, I went into CVS and found Wet n Wild's Limited Edition "Go For The Gold" Summer collection, and I picked up an extra set of the eyeshadow trio and bronzer to give away to one lucky winner!

I know that it's been hard to find these two items, so in celebration of my birthday, all you have to do is read the details below to enter, and this set could be yours!

So, to enter, all you have to do is:

* Follow this blog

* "Like" Bella Glam Brunette's page on Facebook

(You must be both a follower of this blog and "like" the Facebook page for your entry to qualify; thanks!)

For extra entries in the giveaway, you can also:

* Post this giveaway on your blog

* Tweet about this giveaway

*Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page

So, to have your entries count, just leave a comment below with the following information:

* Google Friend Connect (GFC) name
* Facebook name

(and if applicable):

*Link to the giveaway post on your blog
*Link to the giveaway tweet on Twitter
*Link to the giveaway post on your Facebook page

This giveaway will go on until Monday, June 27th, and is open internationally. If you are under 18, you must have a parent/guardian's permission to enter. The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, June 28th and announced later that day in a blog post on this page. The winner will then have until Thursday, June 30th to email me the specified information, or another winner will be chosen...don't let that happen, so stay tuned :-)

So, thanks for reading, everyone, and good luck!!!

xoxo




*Disclaimer: Photo is mine. I am not affiliated or sponsored by any of the brands/companies mentioned. All opinions are my own, and all products mentioned were bought by me, with my own money.

Review: Philosophy Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser

On a recent trip, I found myself unhappy with the face wash I had packed, and needed an alternative (more on that face wash in another post). I didn't want to go to the drugstore and pick something out, so I was super elated when my hubby and I wandered across an Ulta store and I saw that they had a mini size of Philosophy's 'Purity Made Simple' One Step Facial Cleanser.

I had been hearing so many raves about this product, but never wanted to shell out the money to try it, plus my skin is very picky as to what products it will take to. But, I thought this would be the perfect time to just bite the bullet, spend the $10, and commence on the road to great skin, as everyone seems to agree this product will provide for you.

So, later that day (after hours of walking around in the hot weather and sweating up a storm), I went into the hotel bathroom, and washed my face for the first time with this product. As the instructions said, I used lukewarm water to wet my face and rubbed it in for a minute, to make sure I got a complete, deep down clean. Since I had read several stellar reviews on how this face cleanser eliminated the need for prior makeup remover and a moisturizer afterward, I didn't remove any makeup before I washed my face, and I gave my moisturizer the day off afterward, just to give the cleanser a chance completely on its own.

Let me say that the smell of the cleanser is wonderful; it's a clean, fresh lemon scent, which I love. After washing the cleanser off completely, I patted my face dry, and ran a piece of toilet paper across my face to be sure all my makeup was off. Good news, there was no sign of it left; score! But then, my face started to feel really tight, and alas, five minutes later, I looked in the mirror to find my usual dry spots appear, which was very sad. I have a huge problem with super dry skin, mostly in the winter, but in the summer I find that a little bit of moisturizer and the right cleanser will give me a slight reprieve. Well, this is not the right cleanser for that.

I absolutely loved the scent and the clean feeling it gave me, but if I see my dry patches after washing (with lukewarm water), I know that if I keep using it, it will make the dryness worse. How disappointing :-(

I did troop through it for the rest of the week, though, as the alternative was an even worse one. The result was much of the same, and even when I used my moisturizing lotion afterward, my skin felt tight and those patches were creeping beneath the surface. Also, I got a big, honking pimple on my chin...the type that is huge, hurts alot, and doesn't go away for about two weeks. I'm pretty sure I can attribute it to the cleanser, since I broke out along my forehead as well, though those spots went away immediately after I stopped using the cleanser and went back to my normal one at home.

So, lovelies, I'm sorry to say that Philosophy's 'Purity Made Simple' face cleanser did not do the miracle work for me that everyone else seemed to experience. I think it would work better on those of you who have normal skin (possibly oily skin), and who don't worry about dryness or breakouts. However, if you want more information on the product and its ingredients, here is the link to Philosophy's site:
http://www.philosophy.com/skincare-cleansers/purity-made-simple-product

The cleanser comes in five sizes:
3 oz. - $10
8 oz. - $20
16oz. - $32
24 oz. - $40
32 oz. - $47.50

and can be purchased online through Philosophy's site, and in-store and online through Sephora and Ulta (and possibly other beauty stores/sites; the ones above are just the ones I know for sure).

So, lovelies, leave a comment below and let me know if you've used this product and what your experiences were, whether you've found your own miracle face cleanser, or any thoughts in general :-)


Thanks so much for reading, and have a wonderful day!!!

xoxo









*Disclaimer: Photo is my own. All opinions are my own, I am not affiliated with any of the brands/companies mentioned, and all products mentioned were purchased by me, with my own money...no one is funding my makeup habit lol.

Memorial Day

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day! While alot of us are glad for the day off, and consider this to be the beginning of summer, we sometimes forget what this day is really about.

So, in the spirit of remembrance, I want to say THANK YOU to all the men and women in the military, past and present, who have given their lives so we can continue to enjoy our freedoms in our country, and many others. You will never be forgotten. Also, thanks and prayers go out to all those currently serving in the military who have given up their comforts and freedoms so that we can keep ours. We all hope and pray for your safe and speedy return home.

Thanks for reading, and please give your family and friends a big hug today!

xoxo







Disclaimer: Photo is not my own; credit goes to: http://www.collegefootballresource.com/blog/2008/5/26/memorial-day.html

Indian Vanity Case Is Having A Birthday Giveaway!

I absolutely adore Indian Vanity Case's blog, and in celebration of her upcoming birthday, she is doing a spectacular giveaway that includes items from Inglot and Sleek Cosmetics.

http://www.indianvanitycase.com/2011/05/birthday-giveaway-inglot-eyeshadows.html

She is giving away three prize packs, and the giveaway is open internationally, so go to the link above and enter now! You've got until June 12th :-)


Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

xoxo

*Photo credit goes to Indian Vanity Case; I am not affiliated with any of the brands/companies mentioned, and all opinions are my own. Thanks!

The Great "NYX 12-Hour Sale" Debacle of 2011

Oh dear, oh dear.

If you were anything like me, and had heard about NYX's 12-hour sale that was to happen yesterday, you were ready and waiting at your computer with a credit card, a hand written list of SKU numbers, and excitement bursting when that clock hit 12pm PST (or 3pm EST for me). A sale that NYX was doing in appreciation of their loyal customers; where most items were only $1.20 each! Too good to be true?

Well, if you were at your computer yesterday, the answer is yes, too good to be true. Why? Because as of press time (for this girl, at least), NYX's website is still not loading. Sixteen hours later, and very few customers have been able to complete orders for this wonderful sounding sale, much less have the website actually load for them. All I get is the "Internet Explorer could not load this page" message, but some people have been able to get onto the site only to not have product pages load or for the lucky few who get items in their cart, the checkout screen will not load or their items disappear altogether for no reason.

I've been checking NYX's Facebook page (where I originally heard about the sale), and let me tell you that there are some angry cosmetics junkies who feel very violated by the company's handling of this "sale". Honestly, I can't blame most of them. I mean, there is no reason to get as worked up as some have gotten (cursing, and general nastiness all around), but I can completely understand their disappointment. A company advertises a sale that is meant for loyal customers, and after extensive site maintenance, people aren't able to partake in the sale, or even get a page to load? For sixteen plus hours? It's poor business management.

Now, I realize that it is only a cosmetics sale, and there are far more horrible things happening in this world. It's true that it is a generous choice on the companies part to provide the sale (if it actually was up and running), and that is a completely individual choice on whether you want to roll the dice and try and enjoy the savings, or sit by your computer hitting that refresh button thousands of times. However, it is sad that because of this, people lose their faith completely in the company, and the company in turn has lost many of the loyal customers they were trying to celebrate. And while NYX's customer service team has been trying to quell the fury and keep their fans updated, that sentiment only goes so far when you're heading towards twenty-four hours of not fixing the problem.

Personally, there was nothing I had my heart absolutely set on from this sale, but the way this situation is being handled has resulted in my turning to other avenues to buy their cosmetics, if at all, in the future. There are several sellers on EBay that provide better customer service, and better prices for NYX's cosmetics than NYX does, and I think I'll just stick with them and possibly Cherry Culture or some of the other websites that offer NYX.

Unfortunately, I too have been disillusioned by the handling of this "sale", and even with the promise of a 50% off code and free shipping in the coming week, my money will not be spent on their site.

What do you lovelies think? Have you tried ordering from this sale? Did you actually get through, or did you just give up and buy your Tarte 12-hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful like I did ;-) ? I'd love to hear your comments on this!

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day!

xoxo




*All opinions are my own, and I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.
Photo credit goes to: http://phyrra.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/nyx.jpg

Teaser: Cosmetics Haul!

So let's get this out of the way:

Happy Friday the 13th!

Be careful, and stay away from a place called Camp Crystal Lake, alrighty? ;-)

Ok, now that we've covered that, I just wanted to share a few delicious images of future haul posts I will putting up. If you're anything like me, cosmetics hauls (whether I am the one who purchased the items, or I am sharing in someone else's joy) make my heart go a pitter-patter. So, I hope you'll enjoy the teasers, and stay tuned as I review and swatch my haul items :-)

Without further ado:

These are the items I got from Cherry Culture, during their 50% off NYX sale...I went a little nuts on the cream blushes, as you can see. I'm a little obsessed with those at the moment. I also picked up a Milani LiquifEye eyeliner because I've been hearing lots of good things about them, so I thought I'd give one a try.

And:

I also made my first purchase off of All Cosmetics Warehouse, and scored some goodies from Too Faced, Stila, and items from MAC's Limited Edition "Venomous Villains" collection (which I missed out on a few months back).

Like I said, I'll be doing posts for these hauls sometime soon, as I want to give you all thorough swatches and reviews of all the items.

So, thanks for reading, and sharing in my joy with me! If you have any questions or comments, leave 'em below! :-)

xoxo




*Credit for the "Friday the 13th" photo goes to: http://www.fanpop.com/spots/horror-movies/images/7262035/title/friday-13th-part-4-wallpaper

*All other photos are mine, all products mentioned were purchased with my own money, all opinions are my own, and I am not affiliated with any of the products/brands/companies mentioned. Thanks for reading the fine print, you troopers :-)

A Blast From The Past: Returning to Sweet Valley!!!

Ok, so I know this is not beauty related per se, but I know that I can't be the only one who grew up reading about the mischief that went on in Sweet Valley, CA involving those infamous Wakefield twins! I feel like those perfect size six, shoulder length blonde haired, blue-green eyed sisters, driving their Fiat Spider, and wearing their lavalieres, were friends to me. From the time I learned to read up until high school, I'll readily admit that I immersed myself in the world that Francine Pascal so brilliantly dreamed up; whether the incarnation was Sweet Valley High, Sweet Valley Twins, or Sweet Valley University...and maybe even a Sweet Valley Kids book or two.

However, life went on, and I realized that everything wasn't so perfect and couldn't be resolved in the span of 200 pages, so my poor Wakefield twins fell by the wayside. Until, that is, now. Ms. Francine Pascal has been so kind to release the next chapter in our beloved twins' lives, and let me tell you, it is nothing like we're used to!

Without giving any of the story away, this book picks up ten years after the twins graduated from high school and college (they are now twenty-seven years old), and takes place in modern day Sweet Valley, CA and New York City. The twins have had a falling out like no one has ever seen, and the situations are a bit more grown up. I, of course, got the book as soon as I heard it had been released, and I thoroughly enjoyed it...although I have to say that it is so different than the regular series, that it unsettled me a bit. But nonetheless, I do hope this turns into a series (which there have been rumblings of yay!).


For a synopsis of the book, or just so general Sweet Valley fun, you can go here:
http://www.sweetvalleytenyearslater.com/


So tell me, have you read the book? Were you a fan of the Sweet Valley series? Or do you think it was a bunch of malarky, and preferred The Babysitter's Club...or maybe even something more dark like the Fear Street books? Leave a comment and let me know! :)


Thanks for reading :)
xoxo












*All products mentioned were bought with my own money, all opinions are completely my own, and I am not affiliated with any of the brands/companies mentioned. Photo credit for Sweet Valley High books goes to: http://childrenofthenineties.blogspot.com/2010/03/sweet-valley-high.html

Who Wouldn't Want Free Or Discounted Cosmetics???

I know I do!

If you want to get the chance to win some awesome prizes, go check out the lovely Danielle's blog giveaway here:
http://sweetashoney2.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-giveaway.html

I mean, just look at all the wonderful things she's giving away:

Doesn't it all look scrumptious??? ;-)
Follow her blog, enter the giveaway, and spend some time on her site...you won't regret it!


And, don't forget to go over to Cherry Culture and stock up on NYX Cosmetics; they are having their 50% off sale! Sale ends May 8th, so hurry over!

http://cherryculture.com/index.php

Happy Shopping, good luck on entering Danielle's giveaway, and have a wonderful day!!! :-)
xoxo







*By the way, I am no affiliated with any of the brands/companies mentioned, and photos are credited to: www.sweetashoney2.blogspot.com and http://cherryculture.com/index.php

Review: Lush Sweet Lips Lip Scrub

So, even though I see no end in sight for this cold, gloomy weather, I have to say that this Winter has really wreaked havoc on me and I really am looking forward to Spring. For me, Winter brings nothing but too much cold, chapped lips, dry skin, and the obsessive need to wear ten layers of clothing (literally). I get so frustrated because every year I try to find something that will take away some of the horrible dry skin and chapped lips, but nothing proves worthy (story of my life!). While I'm still looking for something that will heal my hands, I am happy to say that I think I've found a product that can cure my unfortunate winter lip situation:

I have been a fan of Lush products for awhile, and I tend to try to convert friends into becoming as fanatic as I am, but up until recently I had only used their Bath Bombs. A couple of months ago, I was in my local Lush store (after having applied some lip balm for the umpteenth time in an hour) when I spotted this little gem. Immediately, I began to hope that this might relieve me from my chronically chapped lips but I wasn't entirely convinced I wanted to spend the $8.95 on it.

After shopping around the store a bit and coming back to the Lip Scrub for the fifth time, the girl working asked me if I wanted to try the scrub...I said yes before she could finish her sentence. She explained how to use it, and that it was actually edible (it tastes sooooo yummy), so I slathered what I thought to be a tiny bit on my lips and waited for a miracle to happen. Well lovelies, a miracle did indeed occur.

After wiping away the scrub, I found that the layers and layers of dry skin that I was using lip balm to try and heal on my lips were completely gone. My lips were so smooth and soft that I thought they transplanted another pair onto my face. It was unbelievable! Needless to say, I snapped this up right then and there.

I've had this now for a few months, and I have barely used any of it up. Literally, a minuscule amount is all you have to rub on your lips, and after washing it off (or eating it, whichever you prefer lol) and applying a little lip balm to keep your new smooth lips that way, there is really no need to use it more than maybe once a month. This, coming from a girl whose lips were flaking every other day (yes, with continual use of moisturizing lip products). Even though I was leery of the $8.95 the scrub was in my store, I'm glad I took the plunge and got it because it will last me forever.

This lip scrub comes in three different flavors, and is all natural (like all of Lush's products). If you want to know more about Lush and their products here's the link:
http://lush.com/

I highly recommend this product, but I would love to hear your thoughts as well. Have you used this product to smooth your dry lips, or do you use something else? Let me know what works for you!

Thanks so much for reading!!!
xoxo




*As always, all products mentioned were bought with my own money, and I am not afficilated with any of the companies/brands mentioned. All opinions are my own*

Happy Easter!

I just want to say hi to the wonderful people who are reading my blog, and giving me a chance...thank you so much!!!

Also, of course, Happy Easter! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day filled with family, friends, lots of love...and candy! :-)

xoxo




*Photo found here: http://kopiaste.org/2009/04/revithokeftedes-me-garides-to-fight-cancer/

Review: Nexxus ProMend Leave-In Treatment Creme

Imagine my delight a few months ago, when I heard that Nexxus was coming out with a new line of hair products that targets sealing and getting rid of your split ends. My hair is very curly, very thick, and pretty darn damaged, and I have always had a problem with split ends. So, I was extremely excited about this ProMend line, and thought (as usual) that this was the product that was going to help me get rid of those pesky things.


I waited until right before I got a trim at my salon and then went in search of this product, only to find that it would set me back about $13. Quite a bit to spend on some hair creme, but I vowed to give it a shot. So, I bought it, got my hair cut, and started using the creme as directed after every hair washing (which is about three times a week).


After the first week, my hair still had that fresh cut look and feeling, and I didn't notice many split ends. Thus, I continued on with the product.


After the second week, I started noticing more split ends, but not a whole lot, so I thought "Hey, this stuff might actually be doing what it is supposed to".


Then, we get to the third week...and all split end heck broke loose. I had not been using styling tools on my hair during the past few weeks (i.e. curling irons, straighteners, or even my hair dryer), so I have nothing to blame the emergence of the split ends on anything except for the fact that my hair is just difficult like that. Hence the reason I tried the stuff. But when the ProMend claims that by using the creme, it will instantly seal split ends, and over time eliminate 92% of them, I do not expect split ends to come back in full force three weeks after a haircut. Alas, they did.


I decided to use it for one more week (making it a full month to give this product a chance), but I still saw no improvement, and even more split ends popped up. The ends seemed to be sealed right after I applied the creme, but when my hair dried, they were in full split glory. Throughout the day, my ends continued to be split and dry, and my heart sank at another product that doesn't do what it claims (for my stubborn hair, at least).


Now, let me just say that, No, I did not use the ProMend Shampoo, Conditioner, and Overnight Creme during this time frame. I stuck with my usual moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and used my deep conditioner once a week like I always had. I wanted to give this one product a try before trying the rest of the expensive line. Also, normally, after I get my haircut, it takes almost six weeks for bad split ends to show up with my usual haircare routine.


So, for my hair, using this product seemed to speed up the appearance of split ends. It is very unfortunate because I was really rooting for this treatment to work! But, no dice :-(


I am not saying that this product might not work on hair that does not have a tendency to show dryness and damage. In fact, if your hair is in fairly good condition, and you are worried about the occasion split end, this creme might actually work. But for you all out there who just can't seem to find a way to get rid of those split ends, and deter them from coming back, this is not the product for you. (Sorry, Nexxus)
Verdict (for my curly, dry, damaged hair): Fail

But, to give Nexxus a fair chance, below is the link to the product's website, so you can find out information for yourself:
http://www.nexxus.com/Product/PRO%e2%80%a2MEND-Leave--In-Treatment-Cr%c3%a8me/Split-End-Binding-Targeted-Leave--In-Treatment-Cr%c3%a8me


I have seen the full line of ProMend products at mass market drugstores, such as Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc., so if you do want to try it for yourself, it should be fairly easy to find. It will probably run between $10 and $14 (I have seen this range of prices in the stores surrounding my area).


If you have tried this product, please leave a comment and let me know how it worked for you! I know that my opinion is not the be-all, end-all, so please feel free to share your thoughts...it might just help out someone else! :-)


Thanks so much for dropping by and reading!
xoxo










*By the way, all products mentioned were bought with my own money, and all opinions are completely my own. Not affiliated with any companies mentioned. Thanks for reading this far down ;-p *

Hello!

...And welcome to my blog! Thanks so much for stopping by <3


For my very first post, I just want to let you all know a little bit about why I started this blog. Let me put it all on the line now: I am a Makeup and Hair Product Junkie. Throughout the years I have tried sooooooo many hair and makeup products simply because the packaging was pretty, or the company claimed it was the new "miracle product", or one magazine or another told me that celebrities who had my skin coloring or hair type use a certain product. And I always buy into it. Every Single Time. It seems that I am always on the hunt for the one -or five- products that could actually work for me like the company says it will.


However, before I buy a product, I will almost always search for a review and swatches of said product, to see if actual people have used it and what they think of it. While I have found some awesome bloggers who do wonderful and thorough reviews of products I am interested in, I never seem to find someone who has my skin coloring or my crazy hair type, and most of the time, I am back to Square One because of it. I'm going to be honest; I feel that my skin coloring is very hard to match because of skin issues/blemishes/uneven skintone/it's-a-Monday-and-my-skin-just-won't-cooperate/etc. My hair has such a mind of its own that it probably should start writing a blog as well. And I have yet to find anyone whose lips are pigmented like mine are, so the usual "this color works on all skintones" never works on mine.


And so, here I am. I thought that maybe by posting swatches and reviews of products that I have tried, someone else out there (who might have the same experience in unlucky cosmetics shopping that I have) might benefit. Plus, discussing hair and beauty stuffs can just be downright fun! So, if you have wandered to this site after searching for a no-holds-barred opinion on a certain product, then I truly hope I can help! :-)


From time to time I'll probably post on other random things as well...like my doggies or books (I am also a Book Junkie yay!). This blog is a work in progress, so please bear with me as I tweak it and (hopefully) improve on it. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to email me or leave a message below :-)


Have a great day, and thanks for reading!
xoxo