May LUV BBW Club Haul

I was slightly sad to pick up my last ever LUV BBW Club gift! Free stuff is awesome and it is so nice "hauling" every month without spending much of your own cash.

This month's deal was awesome, they definitely ended the program with a bang!

The gift this month was:
1 mini candle (I chose Fresh Picked Cherries)
1 pocket bac
and I of the new Signature Coconut lotions (I bought the other 2 with my own cash since they were only $1 and smell delicious)

Blueberry Pancake Pocket Bac for 4th of the July, very awesome!

Cherry Culture 50% Sale!

Select NYX items on Cherry Culture's website are an additional 50% off with code NMS50! Items will be marked with a little sale tag so you know which will be included in the coupon promotion. The sale consists of the grand majority of the NYX line, so if you've been wanting anything, now is the time to shop.

April Empties

Yes To Cucumber Facial Towelettes - As I mentioned, I wasn't a huge fan of this and won't be repurchasing. Plus, I've found wipes 1/5 less expensive that work better (hooray for Epielle)!
MAC Microfine Refinisher - Now discontinued but an awesome scrub with super fine exfoliating bits suspended in a non-drying cream. If you can get a hold of this, definitely try it!
Avene Thermal Spring Water - A staple especially when the weather gets warmer. I've gone through so many of these!

Cargo Lash Activator Mascara - I had meant to do a review of this but to be frank, I wasn't the biggest fan. I've heard this is best used as a lash base, however I didn't find it do anything more than weigh down my lashes. It definitely didn't hold a curl, it ran and smudged and it's not the cheapest thing to boot though I bought it on sale. The rubber brush was only ok. The "bristles" are pretty far apart so clumping occurred. All in all, I wouldn't buy this again.
Prada Shielding Lip Balm - This is a discontinued product but I few years ago these Prada lip balms were all the rage and even more the rage when they started popping up at TJmaxx and Marshall stores. Individually packaged and sealed, these tiny balms can easily fit in pockets and the smallest of wallets or clutches. I was happy to find this one hiding in my collection and it hadn't turned! It's very moisturizing, no offensive smell or taste and an SPF of 15. The range had 7 or so other colors, this one was just clear. I hope one of the tinted ones pops up!

I'm a bit frustrated since I am so so so close to finishing 2 separate powder foundations but no dice so far. Let's hope May is slightly more successful! Anything you have finished recently?

Review: Sens'Eyes - Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser

I recently finished a mascara and opened up a fresh one and specifically one that was waterproof. Whether it is tearing from allergies or sweating from the air conditioner not being turned on yet at work, my eye makeup has been all over the place and my (non waterproof) mascara has been smudging under my eyes throughout the work days, something that is definitely the opposite of professional!

I've been testing out the Make Up Forever Aqua Smokey Lash which so far I love everything about but the price. Holds a curl, doesn't flake or smudge, doesn't run and is near impossible to remove.

My Vichy Cleansing Water barely got any of it off so I pulled out the big guns. Make Up Forever Sens'Eyes - Waterproof Sensitive Eye Cleanser. A sample bottle had come with the set I bought that had the mascara so I tested it out.

It is awesome!

Doesn't burn my super sensitive eyes, removes most if not all of the mascara. And it basically disintegrates.

Witness the most unflattering picture ever:

Bye bye mascara (and any eye makeup that had the misfortune of meeting this cleanser)! I apply with a Q-tip and kind of massage it in and then take a damp cotton wool and wipe it all away.

Kaput! Bam! Pow! Gone!

Review: Boots 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Belle

Of the many awesome goodies, Kelly of Jellyminx Thinks sent over for our massive swap, I was super excited about receiving one of the Mirror Shine lipsticks from #17. English ladies from all over the blogosphere had been raving about the formula and the finish. She sent me the shade Belle which has been one of the most popular shades.

After trying the lipstick for the first time, I thought it was similar to the texture of the Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipsticks without the cucumber-melon taste or smell. They have a similar balmy and slightly glossy texture as the Maybelline ones and though these aren't discontinued unlike the Maybelline's, they are no easier to find for those of us here in America. One swipe is more of a 'my lips but better' though the color can be built up a bit. Due to the texture it doesn't exactly wear long but I'd rather have a moisturizing formula that might not hold up and need to be reapplied than a dry one that lasts forever.

From what I've remembered of the various blog posts, these are available at Boots stores in the UK and retail for... around £5. Speaking of which, I am continuously amazed at how expensive UK Drugstore (aka highstreet) items are though this is one of the less expensive ones.

NOTD: Milani Bare To Wear

It's been a long time since I've done a nail of the day but I figured I'd paint my nails as I've finally got them around the same length.

This is Milani Bare to Wear that came out quite awhile ago. It's a lovely gray beige color and is the perfect office appropriate subdued color. I decided to be the tiniest bit daring and add a subtle glitter just on my ring fingers. I used a coat of the Revlon Glimmer Gloss in Pina Colada Pop. It adds a very subtle non chunky glitter to the nails.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. My husband treated me to a yummy sushi lunch and I came home and watched the 5th Harry Potter Movie. I am so psyched for the last one coming out this summer.

Flash Reviews

I want to first apologize for my recent absence. I started a new job about a month ago but only recently started having a decent amount of work to do there and being busy during the day. By the time I get home I want to sleep, not blog. Either way, I've been trying some new things (and not so new) out lately and I wanted to share my thoughts without a long lengthy review that requires multiple pictures and swatches.

SIRCUIT®SKIN Cosmeceuticals Fixzit™ / Blemish Drying Serum ($30)
I bought this in a Bloom Circle order since my skin has been freaking out lately. I went from the odd pimple/bump to my chin covered in them and even a few popped up on my usually very dry forehead. The issue is that I can't use something super strong and many are very pricey. This seemed to be a reasonable price and so far has been working very well. I tweeted that the majority of the spots are gone after about a week of nightly use. I did take a before shot and in a week or so I'll do a proper review of this product.

Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick (~$7.49)
I picked one of these up recently in the CVS sale. I don't remember the color but it was a light slightly coral tinged pink. I'm not a fan of these so far. The one I got was super pigmented, yes - but not moisturizing and made my thought to be well moisturized/exfoliated lips peel. It's definitely one of those lipsticks that you can't really apply from the tube, at least not for me!

Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Mineral Foundation ($25)
Since the recent skin freak out, I'm back to layering Bare Minerals Foundation in Fair over tinted moisturizer. Gives a good finish and coverage and doesn't make my skin freak out. I'm nearly done with my pot of this stuff and it has lasted forever.

Epielle Wipes
Oh my gosh guys, I am not sure how I lived without these wipes. The lovely Nouveau Cheap recommended them after my lukewarm review of the Yes To Cucumbers ones. These rock and they are super cheap. My Big Lots had them for $1 a pack and I hear you can sometimes find them other places too. I bought a couple of the different scents and I'm using the cucumber ones now and it smells like straight cucumbers, not floral-cumbers. I'm in love and the next time I'm at Big Lots I'll stock up if they still have them.

True Blue Spa Shea Cashmere Hand Cream ($6-$10)
I am absolutely loving this slightly pricey hand cream. It sinks in quickly, it smells like subtle cake (?) to me and it leaves your hands silky soft, not greasy at all. I've been keeping it on my nightstand and applying it close to bedtime. I find the scent pretty soothing.

I'm sure there's more but more reviews coming soon!

Disclosure: Post includes a referral link to Bloom Circle

Bath & Body Works Into The Wild

I had a soon to be expiring Groupon that needed to be used so I made a Bath & Body Works order. On the site, I noticed that they were showing a new fragrance called Into The Wild and as a promotion, it was only $1 so I added it to my order.

Bath & Body Works describes it as:
Our exclusive Into the Wild is a seductive blend of exotic mandarin, lush petals, and white woods inspired by a sensuous escape into the jungle

For me, my first reaction was, Escada! And then when it melted in a bit it smelled exactly like Jennifer Lopez's Live fragrance. A quite sweet, citrus blend with hints of pineapple, quite tropical without being beachy. There is no sun-tan lotion note. If you like Escada scents and JLo's Live, you will love this. It is one of those not quite memorable but not very offensive (unless you bathe in it) scents. I personally like it. It's definitely worth picking up in the sample size if you want to give it a try. I personally hope the EDT and body mist in the same name are the same scent, unlike the Country Chic fragrance where the mist and EDT were too strong for me but the lotion was perfect.

Disclosure: This post includes a Groupon referral link.

Beauty Blog Link Love - 4/23/11 - #32

See some before and after photos in My Lips But Better's review of the new Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation.

Queen of Turquoise reviews lipstick with polka dot packaging!

Sarah from Iheartcosmetics finds the best bikini wax in London town, at Strip.

Have you encountered the awesomeness that is Sugarpill Cosmetics yet? If not, then you're in luck, because Krasey Beauty has the scoop on the line!

Were the Cucumber Wipes a 'yes'? Find out over at Jeweled Thumb.

Find out why Urban Decay Good Karma Brushes remind Makeup Morsels of Martin Luther and his 95 Theses.

Daily Polish shows off a gorgeous blackened blue nail polish you can buy for a steal by drugstore brand Sleek.

Retrodiva knows it's spring when she suffers from her first sunburn of the season. Find out her tricks for treating it and preventing peeling.

Phyrra debuts Geek Chic Cosmetics new collection, N7 and gives you a sneak peek of an upcoming collection, Mana Screwed!

AOYV suggests five must have coral blushes to try this season.

Creamy pink lippies go head to head in The Lip Print's Pink Month featuring Lime Crime, MAC, Maybelline and more!

Remember those really expensive Rock and Republic blushes? Musicalhouses has found a cheap dupe of Rock and Republic's Kinky blush!

Whether you're a beauty blogger or just a product lover, you *need* to check out theNotice's first tips for beauty bloggers photography post!

K at Beautifully Addicted To feels the Pinch with Topshop blushers.
***
Audrey Dao is giving away $400 worth of NuMe hair styling products, including a hair straightener valued at $300!

What would you choose with a $50 Gift Card from Apothica? Enter to win at Prime Beauty!

Zoya Nail Polish Exchange!

Out with the old - in with the new! In honor of Earth Day from April 20, 2011- April 27, 2011(11:59PM EST) Zoya Nail Polish will exchange your old, out-of-style, unwanted nail color and replenish your nail polish supply with fresh Zoya fashion colors. All you pay is $4.00 per bottle for shipping and processing. Choose from over 300 formaldehyde, toluene, camphor and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) free, long-lasting, award winning, healthy colors to replace your old color! Zoya will properly dispose of your old polish.

Here’s all you need to do!

1.    Go to Zoya.com and pick out the polishes you would like and add them to your cart. You must select at least 6 bottles  and no more than 24 bottles of polish (Salons accounts minimum 12 maximum 48 bottles.)
2.    Apply the code. EARTHZOYA
3.    Your order value will be adjusted to reflect the promotion
4.    SUBMIT your order!


More info on Zoya's website. Will you be participating?