Models Own 50% Off!

Back in 2010, Models Own had a similar sale on their website for reaching so many followers on Facebook. Well they are doing it again after reaching 100,000. Until October 2nd, you can save 50% off the majority of the Models Own website (there are some exclusions such as boxed sets) with code SUMMERSALE. Those that live stateside will still have to pay the slightly ridiculous shipping costs but if you've been eying their polishes, this is a way to get them, and with the discount, shipping becomes less of an issue.

Happy shopping!

Review: Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation #Light 42

I recently purchased the Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation when Sephora was running their VIB bag promotion. The foundation comes in 14 shades and retails for $34. While I'm not a huge fan of full coverage makeup, the color range of this new foundation was a big selling point for me. The shade Light #42 is the lightest shade and is perfect for my skin.

It is super pigmented, long wearing and held up through a hot day at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. My favorite way of wearing it is using it with a damp beauty blender. That way I get the coverage I need in some places and a more sheered out look on the areas of my face that are looking decent. You only need the tiniest amount of this stuff to get good coverage so it should last a long time and I love the hygienic pump! For my dry skin I need to heavily moisturize underneath, but once I do, it goes on like a dream.

Basically, I have nothing but good things to say about this product and if you are curious, I'd go to your local Sephora store and get a sample.

September Birchbox

My September Birchbox finally came in the mail! I was a little worried it was lost as my tracking information never updated but it arrived today safe and sound. This month's box had a nice assortment of products, though no full sized items like previous months.

Inside:
Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel 1.69oz (full size 5oz $26) ~$8.75 worth
Dr Jart Water Fuse BB Cream SPF 25 .1oz (full size 1.7oz $32) ~$1.80 worth
Color Club Put a Pin in it nail lacquer .25oz (full size .5oz $8) $4 worth
La Fresh Instant Body Soother wet wipes 2 wipes (full size 24 wipes $9.99) ~$1 worth
The Brush Guard 3 guards (full size set of 4 $5.50) $4 worth
twistband hair tie 1 tie (12 hair ties $22) $1.80 worth

Definitely worth the $10 and I love the Color Club color so much I swatched it below!

A very nice non-brush-strokey metallic. I'm actually excited for the La Fresh wipes for my pool bag and I've been wanting to try the brush guards but never got around to buying them.

Disclosure: Referral link.

Review: Befine Night Cream

Long time no see! No real excuses. Just busy and tired for the most part. My very last semester of graduate school is starting soon and I'm excited to be done but I am not "into" the idea of school right now. Some semesters I've been excited or at least curious how the class would be. Right now, I'm dreading this final "known to be the hardest of the program" class. Anyway, I've been meaning to use up some of my skincare samples and while this one wasn't perfect for my skin type, those with more normal skins would probably love it so I'm sharing.

It's the Befine Night Cream with Cocoa, Millet and Rice Bran. I received a decent sized .5oz sample with one of my beauty boxes (I think it was Beauty Army). This is a very light moisturizer and for me, wasn't enough for nighttime but it was a nice cream that sunk in quickly and didn't leave behind a thick or sticky residue. That's why I think it would be great for people with more normal to oily skin. It didn't make me break out either. I used this mostly during the day under foundation which worked beautifully, but also used it a couple times as a quick first step before my super mega rich night cream in the evening. I know that seems a bit silly/redundant but it was really nice and light and perfect in the summer when I tend to get overheated straight out of the shower.

The night cream normally comes in a 1.7oz pump bottle for $30 which is a little spendy but it's available on sites that offer decent discounts or like Birchbox where you can spend your points on it. I wouldn't repurchase myself as it's not quite right for me even in the summer (though I did finish my tube), but if your skin is more normal or oily, I'd definitely give this cream a try!

Disclosure: Referral link

Review: nuNAAT NAAT Treatment Repair Care with Açai Berry and Keratin Collection

I was recently given the opportunity to try a line of hair products called nuNAAT. nuNAAT is a Brazilian line that was originally founded to include some powerhouse ingredients typically found in the Brazilian rainforest region. The full line is huge and has a bunch of mini collections. I tried out the NAAT Treatment Repair Care line with Açai Berry and Keratin. Açaí is a palm tree typically found in the eastern Amazon. The fruit is rich in astringent, antioxidant and antibacterial agents, and contains proteins and vitamins A, C, B1 and E. I was pleasantly surprised to find the line is quite affordable (under $10) and is available for purchase at Walgreens, Sally Beauty Supply and drugstore.com though the availability is limited.

There are four products in the Treatment Repair Care line: shampoo, conditioner, an intensive hair mask and a leave-in treatment.

When it comes to picking hair care products, I always have some problems and can rarely pick all the items from a full line to use. While my hair is generally dry and has a natural curl, I need something that doesn't irritate my very picky scalp. If you've been reading with any regularity, I generally need to use a quite harsh shampoo and then follow up with deeply moisturizing conditioners. With the Treatment Repair Care line, I was able to forgo the scalp shampoos for the majority of the weeks likely due to the açaí, though there were times when my scalp was just too angry and I had to revert back to my much hated T-gel.

The line was fragranced with what smelled exactly like grape jolly ranchers. The smell wasn't overpowering and didn't linger in my hair long after showering.

I'm not a big regular shampoo user and the shampoo from the line burned my eyes so it wasn't something I reached for and the conditioner did a decent job of moisturizing my hair but wasn't amazing; however, I absolutely loved the intensive hair mask and the leave-in treatment! The intensive hair mask is unusually slippery and light but unlike some heavier masks which only seem to coat your hair, my hair absolutely drank this up. It left it soft and manageable but not weighed down.

The leave-in treatment seems like a lighter version of the mask and keeps my hair soft but again, not weighed down at all. It's not oily or almost slimey like some of the crazy silicone-loaded products on the market (Moroccan oil, I'm looking at you!).

As you can see, I've made a pretty good dent in the mask and will continue to use it and the leave-in treatment until they are gone and if I ever spot them at my local Walgreens or Sally Beauty Supply, I'd purchase with my own funds. The shampoo and conditioner were ok but I won't be purchasing those in the future.

Find nuNAAT on Facebook, Twitter and their website.


Disclosure: Items provided for review by nuNAAT. All opinions are my own.

Elizabeth Arden Rose Illumination - Quick!

There was a bit of a too-do with this Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter in Rose Illumination. It was part of their Spring/Summer collection and was selling out like hot cakes. I'm not sure if they've made it permanent but they have certainly restocked and it is available on their website. Plus, through tomorrow, you can get 30% off the site and free shipping over $40 (if you go through Mr. Rebates, you'll also get yourself 6% cash back). I haven't found this 30% anywhere other than Mr. Rebates as you'll see it as an option with the link (but no code), though there is a 25% off code RMN25 available.


Disclosure: Referral link.

Review: Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Moisturizing Stick

I recently purchased the Nuxe Reve De Miel Moisturizing Stick and was really excited to try it out. I've heard a lot of great things about the Nuxe line and have also purchased the pot version of the lip moisturizer to try. I'll cut right to the point and say that I was not impressed with the stick version. It's in a lipstick type of tube and is a bit hard but does melt into the lips eventually. I found it moisturized my lips while it was on, but the minute the balm wears off, it's almost as though I had never applied it. After wearing it overnight, my lips didn't have the same level of moisture I usually get from some of my other lip favorites. It smells like chocolate oranges which is light and nice. After purchasing it, I've read quite a few reviews indicating that the pot version is significantly better than the stick so I hope I'll have better luck with that. At $9.50 for .14oz it's a little too pricey to be just OK.

Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Polyethylene, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Oleic/Linoleic/Linolenic Polyglycerides, Oryza Sativa Cera Bran Wax (Rice), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Glyceryl Dibehenate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydroxystearic/Linolenic/Oleic Polyglycerides, Jojoba Esters, Tribehenin, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Sunflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Behenate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Cera/Spent Grain Wax, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Mel/Honey, PEG 8, Aqua (Water), Citric Acid, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol

Review: Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals

When Nuxe recently opened their new US site and had a promotion, I ordered a few items I've had my eyes on from the line. The first being the Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals. I've made it a point of trying multiple micellar waters on the market. I've enjoyed quite a few so far although I haven't yet tried the famous Bioderma, maybe one day. Until then, we have quite a few options that are far easier to get a hold of in the states.

I am by no means a lover of rose, but the scent in this micellar water is pretty light and doesn't give me a migraine, a good thing since this is a great micellar water. It removes face makeup easily though it does require saturating quite a number of cotton rounds. My biggest surprise was it removed eye makeup. Not just any eye makeup either, the super long wearing Lashfood mascara which even my Makeup Forever Sens'Eyes has some trouble with.

I do have a few complaints: 1) I don't know why they felt the need to add fragrance to the product; surely the rose water already listed is sufficient? Is it not fragrant enough? 2) The price, at $23.50 for 6.76floz it's up there though not ridiculous considering you could get away with bringing a decanted bottle of this on vacation and have makeup remover, cleanser, toner and a refresher all in one (more than I can say for some of the others on the market). The added fragrance doesn't irritate my skin but I'd rate this a little more if they removed it.

If you like roses and you have been curious about this cleansing water, I would definitely pick it up as it truly is an all in one product. Me being the product junkie that I am went out and bought the Caudalie one as well. So I'll be testing that out and reviewing after I've finished the Nuxe.

Ingredients
AQUA/WATER, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER WATER, GLYCERIN, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CAPRYLOYL GLYCINE, CITRIC ACID, COCO-GLUCOSIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, ALLANTOIN, CAPRYLYL/CAPRYL GLUCOSIDE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE, LINALOOL [N2305/A].

August Empties

I'm seriously a bit disturbed by how fast the summer has gone. Probably more so because I took the semester off from school and my final class is starting in just a few short weeks and I am not looking forward to it (looking forward to being done but not at all to the work load). Anyway, here is what I used up in August.

 

*Dr. Dennis Gross Extra Strength Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel Pads - As I mentioned in my review, I was not terribly fond of these as I found them a bit too strong for my sensitive skin, but I try to select the regular strength as my free sample with the online sites that offer them as they are great as a once weekly skin pick me up.
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes - I really like these wipes as they are huge and reasonably priced. These were a sample from one of the Target Beauty Bags, but I would definitely buy them with a sale and coupon.
Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Towelettes - This sample pack came in a Birchbox and I like these so much more than the cucumber ones. The scent of these is very light and pleasant and not too overpowering and the wipes did a good job of cleansing my skin and didn't cause irritation. At $7.99 they aren't cheap but not ridiculously priced. I'd buy them on sale.

You can barely see it in this horrible photo, but I used up another of the *Sundari Neem and Coconut Hair Treatment Oil sample packet. I'm really trying to hold out from buying the full size till I whittle away some more of my hair stash.
*Grecian Oil Body Cream - Holy cow I love this stuff. It is perhaps the best summer moisturizer ever. I's more like a gel cream so it sinks in quickly and leaves legs moisturized but not sticky or greasy. The fact that I rarely use up moisturizers but this made it into an empties post should say it all. And similar to the reference of buying the Sundari above, I really shouldn't buy until I've used up some other moisturizers and this is best suited for the summer months which are nearly over.
*Madre Labs Moisturizing Body Wash Rosemary Mint - Unlike the C.O. Bigelow which didn't actually have any mint, this actually had a pretty impressive ingredient list. That is why I was a little naughty and didn't use this as a body wash. I used it as a shampoo. Now hear me out. Pretty much all of my dandruff shampoos have rosemary and mint in it but can be drying. This has some natural oils as well and really did a better job at keeping my scalp happy then a lot of other products that mention the scalp. I'd definitely purchase this in the future!

What did you use up in August?

Disclosure: Items marked with a * are press samples. Birchbox referral link utilized. Obviously, all opinions are my own.

New Limited Edition Maybelline Color Show Fall Fashion Week 2012 Nail Lacquers

I've been a very bad blogger lately. I have a lot of items to review but I don't seem to have the time nor the energy. But, I found these nail Color Show Nail Lacquers at CVS tonight and I just had to show you guys. First of all, these Color Show polishes retail for a pretty nice $4.19 and the whole Maybelline line is often on sale and of course Maybelline always has lots of coupons. Anyway, these are from a new Limited Edition  Fall Fashion Week 2012 collection. I believe there are 6 total and the display that I saw only had a few per color which is pretty annoying. Nonetheless, here they are!

From left to right, we have Avante Green #700, Auburn Ablaze #705, and Metal Icon #710
To be honest, I wasn't even going to buy Avante Green as it looks like nothing in the store, but the minute I got it home, I saw that it had the neatest duochrone! Auburn Ablaze doesn't have the cool duochrome that Avante Green has but it's a pretty fall color nonetheless though I don't find it particularly unique. Metal Icon is awesome. It's kind of a dupe for Chanel Graphite but I can swear that there are blue flecks in it. These were all 3 coats, but Auburn Ablaze and Metal Icon could have been 2 easily. Avante Green was a bit sheerer and definitely needed the third.

The next three are Boho Gold #715, Pink Cosmo #720, and Downtown Brown #725
As you can see, Boho Gold is another Chanel Peridot dupe but it is super super sheer. This was pretty much 4 coats. I'd imagine it would be better over a black or white base. It's pretty though and less prone to brush strokes than some of the other look alikes. Pink Cosmo is also super sheer but very pretty and I bet it would come alive over a black (it has a grey/green/pink shift). Also about 4 coats. If you work in a conservative office but still want to wear some duochrome-y goodness, this would be your shade. Downtown Brown is pretty much Club eyeshadow from MAC in nail polish form. This isn't the best photo of it but you can see the duochrome a bit more in the background bottle picture.

I was so excited to find these in one of the random CVS stores near me as I have not found the range anywhere else.  The Color Show Fall Fashion Week 2012 collection also has lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes and an illuminator but they didn't thrill me like these!

Have you found these yet? What did you think?