Now until June 18th @ 11:59 PST and while supplies last, SMASHBOX is giving out a FREE lipgloss with any $40.00 purchase! The shade is HEAT and it's hot, hot, hot! I own it and love it. Enter the code SBSUMMER at checkout!
Our friends at Q-tips have shared some tips and tricks for surviving the summer with this unbelievably necessary beauty tool. The Purse Pack (30 Q-tips) retails for $1.29 at drugstores nationwide. Let's get to it!
Soothe Sunburn · Get a little too much sun? Soothe the sensitive skin around the eyes with this cool idea: slightly dampen Q-tips and place in the freezer. Once Q-tips are chilled, gently roll under the eyes to cool skin and reduce puffiness.
Get Beach-Inspired Beauty Looks · Q-tips are intended for one-time use, which makes them a hygienic solution for makeup application. This summer, use Q-tips to blend shades of amber, bronze and copper eye shadows for beach-inspired beauty.
Create the Perfect Summer Pout · Need to pump up the volume on lips before a night on the town? First, apply a summery shade of lipstick, such as coral or baby pink. Next, use a Q-tips cotton swab to apply just a dab of iridescent lip gloss to the middle of your pout. This strategically-placed shimmer will give the illusion of fuller lips.
Perfect the Art of At-Home Manis & Pedis · Save up for that luxury beach tote by canceling your standing nail appointment and painting fingers and toes yourself! Slightly dampen Q-tips in nail polish remover to clean up any streaks of coral and fuchsia that go out of the boundaries of nails.
And EyeshadowCult.com adds that Q-tips are a great tool to remove excess make-up when we mess up application like mascara or lip gloss. Every serious make-up artist or enthusiast should always have these on the go because you never know when you might need 'em!
When applying anything in powder form with a brush (bronzers, blush, powder foundation, eyeshadow, etc), tap off the excess so that powder is not bluntly sitting on top of the brush hairs. Why? This allows for easy layering so that you may achieve your desired amount of color and/or coverage without messing up. Having too much product on the brush may go on too bold on the skin. Always remember to build up to the look you want!
Product of the Week: DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew
Sunday, 25 May 2008
I'm very excited about approving of DDF's Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15 for use on acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Most of us experience breakouts from using products that contain SPF. Also, SPF can be too heavy and feels weird on the skin. However, it is an important part of skincare all year round but especially in the summer time when the sun is literally in your face. Because of my skin problems, I was scared to try any SPF protection and because of that I've probably caused even more damage to my skin (hyperpigmentation and aging).
DDF's Ultra-Lite is oil, fragrance and dye-free and for ALL skin types. The box indicates that that includes acne prone (!!!). I decided that it was time to give SPF a try and this was the perfect selection! It really does feel light on the skin while protecting it from both UVA and UVB damage. It hasn't clogged my pores and didn't feel itchy or irritating.
This product is 1.7 oz. and retails for $38.00. Us sensitive-skinned ladies (and gents!) can now enjoy the benefits of using SPF without worrying about any unwanted side effects!
I had the great pleasure of taking part in The Life of a Lady Bug's content by being interviewed by Miss Toya, the webmaster of the site. Toya has decided to make interviews with make-up artists who are women of color a part of her permanent content and I think it's a great idea because it gives us exposure and unity. Go check out my interview with her by clicking here and make sure to read the many others as well!
While walking up and down Broadway on the Upper West Side of New York, I spotted Lush, a store infamous for their hand-made soaps, and decided to check it out for the first time. I am not familiar with any of their products, so I thought this would be a fun experience for me because in addition to soap, they have skincare which I am always excited to try.
When I first walked in, I spotted two ladies behind the counter, none of which looked up from what they were doing - even after the "customer alert" bell went off at the door. While noticing the awful smell of the store, which is unfortunate to say is from the blend of the fragrances of all of their products combined, I walked in further in hopes of catching one of the employee's attention. Finally, one of the ladies came over and welcomed me. She had a very warm personality and asked me if I had ever been in the store. After answering no, she went on to tell me that their products are not tested on animals, are vegan and organic. She also invited me to touch and play with anything I wanted, and I have to admit I was excited... but this part of the adventure turned out the be the biggest turn off.
First of all, most of their hand-made soaps, and by most I mean, like, 90% of them, are unwrapped and piled up together next to a tin container filled with filthy water that other customers used to wash their hands. Personally, I don't like the idea of ANYONE directly touching a product that will be for my personal use. These soaps are out for people to grab, sniff and pick at and then buy. I'd like my soaps pre-packaged, thanks. Anyone heard of testers?
And while I'm at it, I didn't enjoy the store's look or design. It had a very dark feel. Their store signs and product labels were awful, too. Their presentation is straight up ugly and sloppy. Their font on product labels and signs indicating sections of the store is very graffiti-like and practically ilegible. I was having a hard time reading one of their signs that after staring at it for long enough, I discovered said the same thing the sales person related to me when I first walked in.
I was probably in the store for a total of 5 minutes tops and I highly doubt I will be going in again. Cheese and soap are two totally different things, so I just can't understand why I saw a unit with soaps that resembled cheese. Seriously.
Sorry Lush, I give your store 2 out of 5 stars and that's only because the sales person that briefly spoke to me was informative and pleasant!
Our friends at Q-tips have shared some tips and tricks for surviving the summer with this unbelievably necessary beauty tool. The Purse Pack (30 Q-tips) retails for $1.29 at drugstores nationwide. Let's get to it!
When applying anything in powder form with a brush (bronzers, blush, powder foundation, eyeshadow, etc), tap off the excess so that powder is not bluntly sitting on top of the brush hairs. Why? This allows for easy layering so that you may achieve your desired amount of color and/or coverage without messing up. Having too much product on the brush may go on too bold on the skin. Always remember to build up to the look you want!
I'm very excited about approving of DDF's Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15 for use on acne-prone and sensitive skin. 
First of all, most of their hand-made soaps, and by most I mean, like, 90% of them, are unwrapped and piled up together next to a tin container filled with filthy water that other customers used to wash their hands. Personally, I don't like the idea of ANYONE directly touching a product that will be for my personal use. These soaps are out for people to grab, sniff and pick at and then buy. I'd like my soaps pre-packaged, thanks. Anyone heard of testers?
