Category: Beauty

Enter for a chance to win a TILTH Beauty skin care collection!

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TILTH Beauty is a skin care collection from Anthony Vargas, formerly VP for R&D  for Elizabeth Arden, where he was instrumental in developing the Prevage™ and Ceramide™ skin care lines, so you know that he has serious cred 🙂

TILTH Beauty skin care collection
TILTH Beauty skin care collection

TILTH Beauty has opened an online store on OpenSky.  It is seeking 500 followers on OpenSky, and to give you incentive  to follow TILTH Beauty, it is hosting a giveaway for a TILTH Beauty skin care collection!

TILTH Beauty OpenSky Giveaway
TILTH Beauty OpenSky Giveaway

To enter the giveaway:

  1. Click on https://www.opensky.com/tilth-beauty.
  2. Sign in with Facebook.
  3. Click “Follow” for your chance to win.

That’s it!

Which TILTH Beauty product interests you most?  All of them appeal to me, but I’m particularly curious about the Refresh Peptide Mist.

6 #beauty sites to follow

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Which beauty sites do you follow on a regular basis?   Here are 6 of mine:

1. Sparkled Beauty, http://sparkledbeauty.blogspot.com/

Sparkled Beauty, thumbnail generated 2013-05-23
Sparkled Beauty, thumbnail generated 2013-05-23

“Halifax” is a beauty blogger based in Canada – Nova Scotia, of course!   Highlights of her blog include NOTD, weekly flyer deals, and her effort to create a comprehensive list of Canadian beauty brands (I volunteered a few names).  She adds a light-hearted personal touch with news about Halifax city and her 10-year-old daughter “Squirt.”

2. British Beauty Blogger, http://www.britishbeautyblogger.com/

British Beauty Blogger, thumbnail generated 2013-05-23
British Beauty Blogger, thumbnail generated 2013-05-23

British Beauty Blogger posts several times a day; I subscribe to the daily digest.  She presents sneak peeks of the latest launches.  I follow her for updates on UK beauty brands, including Seventeen, or 17, from Boots and B. from Superdrug.

3. We ♥ Sundays from the Urban Retreat Boutique, http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/learn/We_Love_Sundays.aspx

The Urban Retreat Beautique is a UK-based online beauty retailer that specializes in luxury beauty brands. Every Sunday, I look forward to its We ♥ Sundays feature that presents interviews with movers and shakers in the beauty industry.  Fun questions that  We ♥ Sundays asks include:

  • Favorite brunch spot
  • Favorite day of week
  • Most recent purchases on bankcard
  • Favorite Tipple (drink)
  • Saturday Night – Dancing till dawn or takeaway and a movie? and of course,
  • Favorite products from The Urban Retreat Beautique

I enjoy reading the responses, which provide insight about the interviewee.

What are the 3 other beauty sites that I follow on a regular basis? Go past the jump to find out:

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Inside my UPPTÄCKA toiletries bag from IKEA

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I bought cosmetics bags as impulse purchases.   They’re in the closet, in one of those hanging purse organizers.  I don’t use them.   Some people say that cosmetics bags can double as evening bags, but none of mine qualify for evening wear.  When I travel, I just toss my cosmetics into a Lug train case with clear windows and smoosh it into my suitcase.

I found this UPPTÄCKA Toiletries bag at IKEA:

UPPTÄCKA toiletries bag from IKEA
UPPTÄCKA toiletries bag from IKEA

I’m actually using it.  I use the UPPTÄCKA Toiletries bag to hold everyday essentials.   No more searching around for things when I’m rushing to get out the door in the morning!

Inside my IKEA UPPTÄCKA toiletries bag
Inside my IKEA UPPTÄCKA toiletries bag – what do you find inside?

Specs (more info than you’ll find on the IKEA web site):

  • Metal frame keeps bag open.
  • Roomy 9″ long x 6″ wide x 7″ deep.
  • Exterior pocket with a Velcro fastener
  • Interior zipper pocket
  • Interior pocket with a Velcro fastener.
  • 100% nylon exterior
  • 100% polyester lining
  • 5 available colors:  pink (shown), dark blue, dark grey, off-white, yellow-orange
  • Price: $6.50 ($5 for IKEA FAMILY members)
  • The bag is one of the items in the UPPTÄCKA travel collection

The UPPTÄCKA Toiletries bag is not for sale on the IKEA web site, check to see if it is available in your local store.

Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit

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The Clarisonic is a covetable item, but many might balk at the price (over $100).  Other companies have jumped in to fill the void for less expensive products.

Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit
Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit

One of the these companies is EpiCare Ltd.   Its Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit consists of a unit and 5 heads.  The rundown:

  • 2 face brushes (approximately 1-1/2″ diameter)
  • 1 sponge head (approximately 1-1/2″ diameter)
  • 1 pumice stone head (approximately 1-1/2″ diameter)
  • 1 body brush (approximately 3″ diameter)

I have not tried the sponge head.  The face brush and the body brush have soft bristles and do a fine job of mechanical exfoliation.  I use the body brush on my upper arms, chest, and upper back, but it would also be great with a moisturizing wash to exfoliate the legs before shaving.  The pumice stone is rough: I prefer Microplane or the Revlon® Pedi-EXPERT™ Pedicure Kit, which is among my favorite hand, foot and nail products.  I follow up on the pumice stone with a finishing file and Amlactin lotion on my heels.

While the Clarisonic is rechargeable, the Spa Sonic® uses 4 AA batteries (which come with the kit).  This might be a drawback for those who don’t want battery waste.

The Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit costs $70 on the Spa Sonic® web site; however I found it through (someday we’ll find it) the Costco Connection magazine for $40 (shop costco.com for the Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit – good through May 31 or while supplies last).

Disclosure: The Spa Sonic® Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher Deluxe Kit was provided to me as a PR sample.  Opinions are my own.

Christopher Drummond Beauty Nature’s Pink SS13 LE collection

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Here’s a pretty in pink yet subtle SS13 LE collection from Christopher Drummond Beauty:

Christopher Drummond Beauty SS13 LE Nature's Pink collection
Christopher Drummond Beauty SS13 LE Nature’s Pink collection

The rundown:

  • Matte Summer Titanium Oxide-free Blush: peachy tan with a hint of pink
  • Charisma Lipgloss – milky, opaque nude pink
  • Nature’s Pink Eyeshadow Trio – Pink Beige Matte, Pink Champagne Shimmer, and Plum Brown Matte

I corresponded with Christopher when his only products were his Veludo loose powder foundation and Saúde Pele Radiance Booster, a pale yellow-gold loose shimmer powder.  Today, as you can see, he has a complete line of cosmetics.  He also appears on ShopNBC.  Congratulations, Christoper, on your success!

HIPPxRGB | Nude nail color system | RGB Cosmetics

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Last year, I chose a bright shade (REVLON Colorstay Nail Enamel in Marmalade) for my pedicure; this year, I want to go with a neutral shade.

HIPPxRGB
HIPPxRGB

I’m enticed by the HIPPxRGB Nude nail color system from RGB Cosmetics.  Nail Stylist Jenna Hipp and RGB Cosmetics Founder Gina Carney created a system of nudes for different complexions.  There are three sets of four polishes:

  • Nail sheers: pinks
  • Nail foundation: opaque nudes
  • Nail tint: sheer nudes

Each nail polish costs $16.00 and may be purchased through the RGB web site.

Powerpuff Girl-inspired eye makeup by MUA Dayane Zanni

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I was a fan of the Powerpuff Girls when it aired on Comedy Central in the 1990s.  I especially enjoyed talking about the TV episodes with my nephew in India:

Q. How did the Powerpuff Girls defeat the Rowdyruff Boys?

A. They kissed them.

Then, Neil reviewed the episode scene by scene.

My husband was amazed that Neil and I had the same cultural references, even though Neil was in India and I was in the U.S.

The Powerpuff Girls must have been a global phenomenon.  Brazilian makeup artist Dayane Zanni created these eye makeup looks inspired by Lindinha, Docinho and Florzinha. otherwise known as Bubbles, Buttercup, and Blossom.

Bubbles-inspired eye makeup
Bubbles-inspired eye makeup

Bubbles is the sweet, girlish Powerpuff Girl.  Here Dayane uses a blue and yellow eye makeup design inspired by Bubbles.

Buttercup-inspired eye makeup
Buttercup-inspired eye makeup

Buttercup is the most temperamental and “kick ass” of the three.  Here Dayane uses a green, black, and white eye design inspired by Buttercup.

Blossom-inspired eye makeup
Blossom-inspired eye makeup

Blossom balances out Bubbles and Buttercup.  Here Dayane uses an orange and red eye design inspired by Blossom.

Images are reproduced with the permission of Dayane Zanni.  When I asked her if I could do a blog post on her Powerpuff Girl-inspired eye makeup looks, she wrote Olá! Claro que pode Querida, fique a vontade! Beijão, that is, Hello! Of course you can Honey, you’re welcome! Beijão (meaning XO). Thank goodness for Google Translate!

Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara

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Pop Beauty was founded by Sara Strand, sister of Petra Strand of Pixi.  Whereas Pixi’s vibe is ethereal, Pop Beauty’s is more rock’n’roll.

Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara
Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara

I haven’t seen a product like Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara before.  Instead of a brush wand, it features a flexible tip with a fine-toothed comb.  The Instructions have you twist the bottom of the tube 5 times (5 clicks) to deposit mascara on the comb.  When you first open the mascara, however, you have to twist the tube again and again to “prime” it.  Product dispensing is actually fairly controlled.

The great thing about Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara is that the comb enables you to get really close to the lash line. You can get an effect similar to tightlining.  Be forewarned, this mascara can dry out due to its delivery system and you can get specks under your eyes. For me, this is not a problem: i just remove the specks by flicking a Q-tip.

Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara does not smear and maximizes the appearance of your eyes through coating and separating the lashes.

Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara comes in 3 shades: Brilliant Black, Inky Indigo, and Cocoa Charm.  It costs $20 a tube. Twenty dollars is a lot to pay for mascara, considering that mascara is the one cosmetic you should replace most often.  As much as I like this mascara and delivery system, I’d not sure if I’d shell out $20 for it.

 You may shop Pop Beauty at Ulta stores and ulta.com.

Disclaimer:  The PR rep for Pop Beauty sent me a sample  of Pop Beauty Peak Performance Mascara for review.  Opinions are my own.