Fall 2010 Trend Report: Lip Stains...with a balm

In many major magazines- I have recently found lots of articles, ads, etc. about lip stains- and especially lip stains with built-in-balms. Mainly- the Tarte LipSurgence's and the Revlon Just Bitten- which there are ads for left and right! Lip stains are common, but stains with a balm are less common to find. *All ideas are my own- although influenced by writers at magazines*

Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain

$24 0.1oz
Just like the original (featured below)- but the matte stain. This is available in six colors ranging from mauve berry to hot pink. LipSurgence Clinical Results prove that there is a 6000% increase in lips' moisture content after 28 days. This formulation is free of;

-Parabens

-Sulfates

-Synthetic Fragrance

-Synthetic Dyes

-Petrochemicals

-Phthalates

Tarte Natural Lip Stain with Natural LipSurgence Technology

$24 0.08oz

Similar to a jumbo lip crayon, but this one rolls up and is available in 6 shades. This is clinically proven to increase moisture content in your lips by 6000% after 28 days. This formulation is free of;

-Parabens

-Sulfates

-Synthetic Fragrance

-Synthetic Dyes

-Petrochemicals

-Phthalates

-GMOs

-Triclosan

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain & Balm by Colorstay

$8.99 0.09oz

Available in 10 shades, this has the look of a traditional lip stain marker. This uses ColorStay technology in a dual ended applicator. One end is a translucent, light weight balm, the other- the marker stain. This contains vitamin C for anti-oxidant protection. First apply your marker- then for added moisture and shine, apply the balm.

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15

$20 0.23oz

A spinoff of Benefit's Classic Benetint lip and cheek stain. This time, they have taken all the goodness of Benetint, and combined the tint with an ultra hydrating balm all in a cute lacquer pot. This even has SPF 15, and Vitamin E with light rose fragrance.

Fall 2010 Trend Report: Gray Nails

This fall, a trend that will be 'in' is gray nail polishes. As seen on the L’Wren Scott Fall 2010 runway was was a custom blended slate- blue nail polish by Lancôme. The exclusive shade is rumored to hit beauty counters by the end of this year & works perfectly with a smoky eye.

Chanel $23
In Chanel's fall collection (available now!) one new Le Vernis Nail Colour is being launched, and that is Paradoxal- a plum gray retailing at $23. Chanel cosmetics are popular with their trend setting especially in their nail polishes (if you haven't heard/read/seen the hype over Jade polish, it's a beautiful Jade green polish which I must get my hands in soon!) *Featured on the Chanel Fall 2010 runways*

OPI $8.50
This fall OPI is also launching a new gray toned line of polishes in their Swiss Fall 2010 Collection. This line will feature 12 new gray toned polishes, but Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous is certainly the way to go with the gray polish trend! It is available in full size for $8.50, but also in the Irre-Swiss-Ables Mini set. This is all set to launch August 1.

Sally Hansen $6.99
If you're looking for a more inexpensive polish, you've found one in Sally Hansen Gray by Gray. This polish is a slate with some blue-infused sheen. This is as far as I know- available year round at a drugstore nearest you! This is also a dupe for the custom Lancôme shade pictured above.

What do you think? A hit or miss trend?

Review: Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit For Face, Brows & Bikini

Now that it's summer, the last thing you want is embarrassing unwanted hair anywhere! Whether you have a bit of a moustache, a partial unibrow, or your bikini line isn't bikini ready, waxing is a fast way to remove hair. I picked the Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit For Face, Brows & Bikini kit up at CVS for around $6. You can order it on amazon.com for $6.59. This kit contains; 34 Wax Strips Total (17 Double-Sided Strips), Azulene Finishing Oil and Complete Instructions in English and Spanish.

Simply choose a size, rub in between your hands to heat it up- no microwave or heater needed! Then place the strip on the desired area, press down, then quickly rip it off in the direction of hair growth. Finish off with some of the azulene finishing oil on a cotton ball to remove any sticky residue, and soothe the skin.

Overall, I do like this, just sometimes if it's not heated enough in your hands- it doesn't remove all the hair in the area. It's less expensive than one good wax in a single area which is a plus, and if you use each strip (including the double sided 17) you can get a total of 51 waxes!

Review: Jergens Natural Glow

About two weeks ago, I bought a Jergens Natural Glow because I felt so out of the loop that so many youtubers and bloggers had it! I got the Jergens Natural Glow Firming Medium to Tan Skin tones. I should have bought the Firming Fair skintones lotion, but they were sold out! This smells really nice! Kind of like a mix between coconut and sun tan lotion. This was about $6.49 at Acme Food Store for 7.5fl oz.

I have been using this almost every day for the past 2 weeks. After showering and shaving on the first night, I applied a layer all over my entire body. Please note- I know this is not intended to be used as a face moisturizer, but I have been using it for 2 weeks without adverse effects. Right away, I could see a slight golden shimmer on my skin that was so pretty, but not much of a difference in skintone. The next morning, I could see a huge difference! When I shaved my legs (day 3) you could see the color come off where I had shaved, but places like my arms and face, retained color. At this point, I have an even coat all over, but it doesn't look fake at all!

Gift Guide: Mother's Day 2010

If you aren't aware, Mother's Day is this Sunday May 9! I really like doing these 'gift ideas' post, because not only will it introduce you to new products for different budgets, but I get gift ideas for my family/friends as well! I am not being sponsored in any way by any of these companies, this is my 100% honest opinion.

If she likes candles...
I know that my mom loves candles! In our house alone we have about 100-150 random candles! They do come in handy during a power outage, like on my birthday this past year. :) I got my mom a candle assortment this year, and this is a really cute gift set, if they had this in my local store, I would've got this for her, because she loves beach and vanilla scents! This Ocean Water Nautical Striped Tote Gift Set is only $12.99 and includes a striped tote, a small jar candle, one votive candle and an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, all in Ocean Water.

If she is a bathing beauty...
My mom doesn't really like LUSH, she thinks I have way too much! But, if your mom has the luxury of taking baths and showers, LUSH has a great selection of Mother's Day products. The first one is the MUM Gift this is $44.95, and if you have more money to spend, they have the MUM Hatbox which goes for $59.95. If you're on a smaller budget, check out the Buttercup giftset at only $9.95

If she likes things that sparkle...
Bloomingdales Mother's Day jewelry boutique has a huge selection of things ranging from $20 Aqua Golden Flower Earrings to a $225 MICHAEL Michael Kors Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch. There are tons of other bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more on bloomingdales.com or your nearest store.

If she likes makeup...
Stila, a brand I have tried a few things from in the past via their giftsets and boxes, has recently come out with a $38 Mother's Day Set which includes a Tinted Moisturizer, One Step PrimeColor, Lip Glaze in Mayberry, and Eye Shadow Trio. For the glam mom on the go, MAC has recently come out with their Trip collection, featuring several palettes. The Trip 4: Neutral Eyes & Cheek palette comes with a beauty powder blush, and three shadows for $32.

Sweet Sale: LUSH Forum Chat Party

On thursday lushusa.com is having a spring fling chat party! April 15, 2010 from 2-9pm PST.
Here is what's available:

We've got Limited Edition shower gels:
Aura Suavis
Avoshower
Honey Hugs
The Comforter

Check out our 7 lovely new products:
Happy Blooming melt
Space Girl bath bomb
Turkish Delight shower smoothie
Crème Anglias body cream
Mint Julip lip scrub
Sweet lips lip scrub
Bubble Gum lip scrub

Wait...there's still more!
Color Supplements: Light Pink, Dark Pink & Light Yellow, Dark Yellow
Full of Grace Serum
Saving Face Serum

And we mustn't forget the flat rate shipping: In Canada :
$7 ground for
packages under 3kg
$10 ground for packages over 3kg In US :
$6 ground on
packages under 6lbs
$10 ground on packages over 6lbs
$8 for 2 day
service on packages under 6lbs
$12 for 2 day service on packages under 6lbs

Phew that's a lot of stuff. Now we are super excited...we hope you are too.
Our 7 lovely new products, limited edition shower gels, Facial Serums and Color
Supplements will only be available for purchase online during the Chat Party!

Visit lushusa.com for more information!

Gift Guide: Easter 2010

Even though I don't celebrate Easter I still think it's a fun holiday! Here are a few suggestions for the kids, men, women, and others in your life! All gifts are in the $30 or less range.

If they like baths...
Price range $3.95-$24.95
Of course a Lush giftset! And what a better way to take a bath then with lush?!? Lush released 5 products for Easter, 3 single items, and 2 giftsets. Take your pick!

If they have a sweet tooth...
Price range $4-$25
I know I have a sweet tooth, and if you know somebody who has one, Godiva has a ton of great goodies this Easter, from a 1oz milk chocolate chick, to the 9oz Bertie milk chocolate bunny! You are bound to find something at Godiva, or any other chocolate specialty store.

If they are a kid...
Price range $5-$15
What better thing to bring them than toys? In fact, at Toys R Us they are having an Easter sale, but it's only March 26-27.

If the are a fashionista...
Price range $2.80-$30
Clothing stores auh as Charlotte Russe and Forever 21 are really good with having adorable clothes and accesories for super afforable prices!

If you need something for a man...
Price range $15-$30
Mavis is currently having a great sale, 25-50% off of spring essentials. Maybe a new leather belt or a nice tie or pair of chinos.