Guest Post! - BB Cream Review! Skin79 Super Plus Triple Functions BB Vital Cream AND Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

It's my first Guest Blogger Post!  The oh-so-lovely Cari Williams from Just Some Cool Solutions For Everyday People (learnfrommyfail.blogspot.com) has tested and reviewed some BB Creams for us! Cari is reviewing Skin79 Super Plus Triple Functions BB Vital Cream and Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream!

Hey There Ms. Sugarpot Beauty!

The BB Cream samples lasted a really long time. I'm actually still using the last little bit.

Here's how it went.

I began with the BB Cream in the orange packet (Skin79 Super Plus Triple Functions BB Vital Cream) and started with the pink packet (Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream) a few days ago. I used it to replace my usual OLAY Difinity but I still used OLAY Regenerist, which is just a nice moisturizer (no scent, colorless).

I applied it to a clean face with my finger tips; a dab down the bridge of the nose, a bit more under each eye, and whatever was left on my fingers from that on my forehead, chin and cheeks.

After blending, I noticed it was quite light in color, but I expected that and in several minutes it was much closer to my skin tone. I liked how it didn't feel as heavy as other foundations that cover that well.

Then I would do a couple of brush swipes over my face of Clinique blended face powder (Transparency 03). A bit of blush, eyeshadow (as I do nearly everyday now since your blog), liquid eyeliner and I'm done. No mascara in any pics. I don't like the extra sixty seconds in cleanup every night.

Well, I just repeated this every day for 10 days and took pictures. Did I notice any changes over this period? A little. On the positive side, either it was helping my under eye circles minimally or I was getting better at covering it, but never good enough to hide it completely. To that point it wasn't a huge improvement over my usual routine.

On the not-so-positive side, I did notice after about 7 days my nose had several (maybe five or more) tiny red bumps. Nothing that noticeable, but I also had two, very small blemishes, on a cheek and below one eyebrow. I can't say if it was attributed to the BB Cream, but it's very rare I get any blemishes, let alone more than one at a time. However, with the change in weather, I wouldn't die of shock if it was just my skin acting up due to humidity changes and school stress.

One advantage I noticed was the seamless edge of where BB Cream meets uncovered skin. I never added anything to my neck or under my chin. My OLAY can have a bit of a watercolor effect, where some places are darker than others after it dries. The BB Cream gives consistent results. It was also closer to my skin tone than OLAY, much closer.

If I go the Korea any time soon, I'll probably buy some. I'll just go off the highest recommended BB Cream from the locals. Fun fact you probably already knew: BB Cream was popularized in South Korea after a soap star said she used it in place of foundation. It was originally used for speedy healing of scars. In South Korea, cosmetic surgery is pretty standard stuff. They take great measures in covering and healing scars.

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

Day 8:

Day 9:

Day 10

Review! - Rimmel Scandaleyes Flex Mascara

I picked up another tube of Rimmel mascara, hoping to find one that I like as much as their Rimmel Volume Accelerator Mascara.

The Rimmel website says:
Get buildable, big volume!
Finally, a big volume mascara that won't leave your lashes stiff or brittle, so you can build drama from day to night!
SCANDALEYES LYCRA FLEX mascara featuring an exclusive flexible formula with Lycra Technology makes lashes look full and voluptuous while remaining soft, never stiff or brittle. The MaxDensity brush covers the whole lash line with one effortless coat to reveal and plump every lash. Because lashes never become stiff, you can create natural volume in the morning and build full-on scandalous false lash volume at night – without needing to remove your mascara.
Don't settle for brittle volume, get lashes that are full and flexible! Layer it on as thick as you dare!

The Good:
Yeah.  See "The Bad", below.

The Bad:
It clumped like crazy on the first application, first day opened.  Maybe I got a bad batch?  I added a tiny bit of boiling water to it on the second day, to see if that would break up the clumps, and no luck.  It was so clumpy that it was unusable.

The Verdict:
I threw it away.  It is possible that I got a hold of a tube that had gone bad, but I'm not going to bother buying any more Rimmel mascaras, except for the Volume Accelerator Mascara.  None of the ones I have tried have performed as well as that one, and I feel like I'm wasting my money.

Lip Swatch! - Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick - Just Garnet - 552A

I have a post with 9 of the Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks swatched out here.   This post is part of my expansion of that post, in which I swatch each color on my lips!

Just Garnet is one of my favorite dark, bold lipcolors.  It is unique in that rather than diminishing the lip, as most dark colors do, it enhances and augments the perceived size.  Just Garnet is a beautiful pomegranate red.  It does lean blue in the tube, but my coloring pulls it back to neutral on my lip.  In the tube, it shows as a dark purple-red, with copper, silver, and pinkish shimmer, with a slight blue pearl sheen.  On my lip, that shimmer and blue pearl disappears. 

Ok, on to the lipstick!

First, bare lips.  I prepped them with a thin application of Lansinoh:

Now, few swipes, applied straight from the tube.  I left half of my lips bare for comparison.

Next is full lip.  I applied directly from the tube to the bare side.  This color goes on somewhat sheer, and builds with a few swipes.  I don't find any need for a lipbrush.  I had forgotten how much I like this color, and got a little excited when I was applying it, and lost a bit of control, which you can see on the upper lip, left side.  So, do keep in mind that this is a bold color, and don't repeat my mistake.  Apply carefully for a neat appearance.

I don't find any need for a lipgloss to top the Silk Finish lipsticks.  After applying my Lansinoh Lanolin, my lips are soft and moisturized, and then adding the Silk Finish on top just makes them even glossier.  The formula is soft and slippery, and there is zero stickiness. 

Latisse! 16 Week Review, Full Results!

Well holy smokes, I made it!  16 weeks are up, and I should now have "Full Results" from my Latisse.

First, let's do pictures!
Before, No Mascara:

Before, With Mascara:

After, No Mascara

After, With Mascara:

Before, No Mascara:

Before, With Mascara:

After, No Mascara

After, With Mascara:

Before, No Mascara:

Before, With Mascara:

After, No Mascara

After, With Mascara:

I am very happy with Latisse.  I plan to continue using it indefinitely.

The Good:

• It works!  I no longer use false lashes.
• Using a modified application method, a one-month supply lasted 14 weeks!

The Bad:

• I have experienced some skin sensitivity at the lash line where I apply it.  It feels like a very mild itch, and is not constant.

The Neutral:

• Some people don't like that the results stop if you quit using it.  I don't understand the logic in this complaint, because nearly every cosmetic you use stops working if you stop using it.
• It is a bit pricy.  However, I put this as neutral because it lasts a lot longer with a modified application method.
• I had to re-learn how to put on mascara.  I was used to putting mascara on very short lashes, and it was easy to do because they were stiff.  Now that my lashes are long, I have had to learn how to apply mascara to lashes that are soft and move around easily.
• It feels really weird to have the wind blow your lashes around.  W.E.I.R.D.

How do you do it?

MODIFIED APPLICATION METHOD  (disclaimer - keep in mind that I am going off-label with my instructions.  This is not the recommended way to apply the product.  Applying the product in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer's instructions is done at your own risk.)

After a few days, I stopped using the applicators that came with it, and started using my own brush.  The applicators soak up a lot of product, touch too much of the eyelid, and don't seem to deposit very much product.  In the two days that I used the applicators, it took three drops to do both eyes, contrasted to using my own brush, which used one drop for both eyes.  I'm using an Utrecht fine sable brush (it's an artist's paint brush), and I wash it after each use.

After I clean off my eye makeup and mascara, I drop one drop of Latisse into the bottle's lid.  I dip my brush into the liquid, then run the brush over my upper lashline.  I dip the brush again and do the other eye's lashline.  I do not apply it to the lower lashes, and even so, the lower lashes have grown quite long as well.  I think the Latisse migrates from your upper lashline to your lower lashline all on its own, so you don't need to put more down there.  I continue dipping the brush in the Latisse and applying to each lashline until the drop of liquid is gone.  Sometimes my lashline is completely saturated before the drop is gone, so I just stop applying it and wash the brush and the cap, using soap and hot water, and then rinsing them thoroughly.

The reason Latisse has those little brushes packaged with the product is so that you are using a sterile brush for each eye at each application.  Re-using a brush can put germs and bacteria in your eye, and going back and forth between the eyes while applying can spread germs and bacteria from one eye to the other.  So, if you choose to use your own brush, make sure you wash it extremely well every time you use it.  If you have an infection in one eye, do not use the brush on that eye.  Perhaps keep those sterile brushes and use them until your eye clears up.  You only get one set of eyes, so if you aren't going to do a good job of cleaning your brush every day, then stick to the brushes that come with your Latisse. 

That's it!  There is nothing more to do, except wait for your lashes to grow!  I highly recommend researching Latisse for yourself, and if you are still interested, giving it a try.  I am so glad that I did!

Lip Swatch! - Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick - Fuchsia with Blue Pearl - 521A

I have a post with 9 of the Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks swatched out here.   This post is part of my expansion of that post, in which I swatch each color on my lips!

Fuchsia with Blue Pearl is a beautiful color that looks exactly like its name.  I love it when things are named what they are.  Sure, the clever names cosmetics often have are cute and fun, but I like to be able to pick something up and know exactly what color and tones I'm going to get.  So many things look different once they are applied, because we aren't wearing that many layers of the product on our skin.  In the tube, Fuchsia with Blue Pearl looks very dark, and very purple.  On the lip, it sheers out to a stunning truly vivid fuchsia, and the blue pearl shimmers and plays over the lip curvature to really emphasize and magnify the lip. 

Ok, on to the lipstick!

First, bare lips.  I prepped them with a thin application of Lansinoh:

Now, few swipes, applied straight from the tube.  I left half of my lips bare for comparison.

Next is full lip.  I applied directly from the tube to the bare side.  This color goes on somewhat sheer, and builds with a few swipes.  I don't find any need for a lipbrush. 

I don't find any need for a lipgloss to top the Silk Finish lipsticks.  After applying my Lansinoh Lanolin, my lips are soft and moisturized, and then adding the Silk Finish on top just makes them even glossier.  The formula is soft and slippery, and there is zero stickiness. 

Lip Swatch! - Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick - Hot Paris Pink - 520E

I have a post with 9 of the Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks swatched out here.   This post is part of my expansion of that post, in which I swatch each color on my lips!

Hot Paris Pink is a bright pink with subtle orange tones.  It has a smattering of gold shimmer in it, but you really have to look hard to see it.  This is a very bold color that works equally well for day or night. 

Ok, on to the lipstick!

First, bare lips.  I prepped them with a thin application of Lansinoh:

Now, few swipes, applied straight from the tube.  I left half of my lips bare for comparison.

Next is full lip.  I applied directly from the tube to the bare side.  This color goes on somewhat sheer, and builds with a few swipes.  I don't find any need for a lipbrush. 

I don't find any need for a lipgloss to top the Silk Finish lipsticks.  After applying my Lansinoh Lanolin, my lips are soft and moisturized, and then adding the Silk Finish on top just makes them even glossier.  The formula is soft and slippery, and there is zero stickiness. 

Lip Swatch! - Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipstick - Sunset Peach - 516C

I have a post with 9 of the Wet n Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks swatched out here.   This post is part of my expansion of that post, in which I swatch each color on my lips!

Sunset Peach is exactly what you would expect.  It is a beautiful peach shade, that tones in tangerine, orange, and pink.  It looks more peachy-pink in the tube, but sheers to a stunning liptone nude.  It does have a slight white pearl finish, and it also has subtle white and copper shimmer.  This color is perfect for any season, and pairs well with most eye makeup.  I think it leans warm, but it is still in neutral territory.

Ok, on to the lipstick!

First, bare lips.  I prepped them with a thin application of Lansinoh:

Now, few swipes, applied straight from the tube.  I left half of my lips bare for comparison.

Next is full lip.  I applied directly from the tube to the bare side.  This color goes on somewhat sheer, and builds with a few swipes.  I don't find any need for a lipbrush. 

I don't find any need for a lipgloss to top the Silk Finish lipsticks.  After applying my Lansinoh Lanolin, my lips are soft and moisturized, and then adding the Silk Finish on top just makes them even glossier.  The formula is soft and slippery, and there is zero stickiness. 

Giveaway Sponsor Spotlight – Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Higlighting Concealer

One of my awesome sponsors for my first giveaway is Maybelline New York!  In the Grand Prize, there is a full size DreamLumi touch highlighting concealer in Ivory!
 

Have you entered the giveaway yet?  If not, it’s easy!  Go here and enter today!  You have until November 30, 2012 to enter.

Why I love it:
I tend to have issues with concealers.  Either they are too light, and I end up looking like a reverse racoon, or they are too dark, and that doesn't help anything.  I don't like it when they get really dry, because then they clump and flake on me.  I don't like really thick ones, because then I end up tugging at my skin trying to get it to blend.  I tried DreamLumi touch highlighting concealer because one of my favorite beauty bloggers loves it and was using it in all of her looks and make-overs.  Even though I tend to buy a concealer, use it once or twice, and then toss it, I thought I'd give this one a try, and I am so glad I did!

It goes on with the consistency of a thicker liquid foundation, but not quite a cream.  That makes it easy for me to blend, and it gives me plenty of time to work with it.  Because it is also to be used as a highlighter, even if you buy a shade too light, you can use it to accent your brow bones, cheekbones, and cupid's bow.  It does have light-reflecting properties, but it is not glittery.  In fact, I don't notice any glitter, just a soft glow.  It photographs really well, so you don't have to worry about looking like a ghost, or it standing out in photos.

One thing that some might consider a downside is that it might crease in the undereye area while it is drying.  To me, that isn't a big deal, because I just gently wipe from inner to outer lower lid when I am done with my eye makeup anyway, to make sure I caught any eyeshadow fallout, and it smooths it over perfectly.  After that, no more creasing.

I'm surprised how well it stays in place on me.  After it sets, I apply a light dusting of translucent powder, and I am good to go all day long.  It's great!

How do you do it?

First, a bare face picture:

Now, a bit of BB Cream all over:

Now for DreamLumi under the eyes and down the center of my nose:

All I did was put the DreamLumi under my eyes, and blend it downwards in an upside-down triangle shape towards the apple of my cheeks.  I also applied it to the inner corners of my eyes and that hollow curve where the inner eye meets the nose.  Then I dotted some more DreamLumi down the center of my nose, and carefully patted it to blend.  You don't want to move too far away from the very center of your nose, because what you put the highlighter on is the size your nose will appear to be after darkening the sides with bronzer.

Next I contoured a little bit with a light application of bronzing powder to the hollows of my cheeks, my temples, the sides of my nose, and all around the outside edge of my face.  I have to use a super-light hand, because I am so pale, but you want it dark enough to create a bit of a shadow.  Just try to be subtle!

Finally, I set it all with a light dusting of translucent powder, and a light blending of cream blush:

Done!

Here is the very package of DreamLumi you could win!

And here is the Grand Prize!  What are you waiting for? Go enter!

Giveaway Sponsor Spotlight – Sormeh by Mosha Katani

One of my awesome sponsors for my first giveaway is Mosha Katani!  Mosha is an amazing makeup artist who has started her own line of eye khols, called Sormeh.  In the Grand Prize, there are TWO full size bottles of Sormeh, in Black and in Charcoal Brown!  

Have you entered the giveaway yet?  If not, it’s easy!  Go here and enter today!  You have until November 30, 2012 to enter.

It takes a lot for me to throw out every other item within a makeup family and stick to just one product, so I want to tell you why it is my Holy Grail eyeliner product.

The problem:

My eyes tend to shed eyeliner as if it was nothing.  Waterproof, stay-put, whatever they claimed, my eyes just giggled and made it magically disappear.  It was to the point that I no longer even wore eyeliner unless it was a very special occasion.  It just wasn't worth it.  It wouldn't stay on my lids, lashline, or waterline.

Failed products:

Everything.  Every eye liner and eye powder I had used before this did not last on my eyes.  I know that is brief, but nothing stayed put all day or all night, let alone both.

The deciding moment:

I was in an online forum, and the ladies were discussing eye kohl.  I had never tried a real kohl, but we hesitant to order one without being able to try it first.  I was following the thread with interest, but nothing made me want to try one until someone mentioned Sormeh by Mosha Katani.  I went to her Etsy store and read up on the product.  I googled, I researched, and I dove in.  I hadn't found any negative reviews, so I figured I'd give it a shot!  After all, I had tried so many other products!

The skeptic:

I didn't expect it to work, plain and simple.  I was hopeful, but I knew I could just be ending up with a black eyeshadow.  When it arrived I tried it on, and took pictures for every hour afterwards, including after my shower, and then in the morning when I woke up.  The results were surprising, and I tried my best to not get excited as each hour passed, but this stuff was staying in place!

The result:
I was stunned that I still had a light amount of shadow still smudged in my upper and lower lashlines the next morning.  I can usually make it through half the day without touching up my waterline application, but even as it fades, the fading tends to happen very evenly.  The only area that fades is my waterline.  My upper and lower lashline and lids remain intact the entire day... and through the night if I don't wash it off very thoroughly.

I think that even fading is a very important quality for any makeup to have.  We don't live on a stage, our makeup is not retouched every 30 minutes.  So as the day wears on and my makeup is slowly wearing off, I need it to do so in a manner that doesn't leave me looking disheveled.

You can find Sormeh at Mosha's Etsy Store, here.  She is also rapidly expanding into other marketplaces, and you can find her at:
Luscious Lashes (all orange county locations)
Mission Ranch Market in Mission Viejo, CA.
Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, CA.
Razi Pharmacy in Mission Viejo, CA. and,
www.Sadaf.com under Health and Beauty

How do you do it?

This stuff is simple to use.  I do all my other makeup before I put on my Sormeh.  I'm not wearing any eyeshadow or eyeliners here:

The first few times you use it, you may want to try it out on a weekend at home so you can get used to applying it.  It comes out of the package as a clumpy powder, which I like.  I separate a little clump away from the others, mash it with my brush (it pulverizes to an ultra-soft powder easily), and gently start pushing it into my lashlines.  Then I line my lower and upper waterlines.  Next, I smudge some more around my lashline until I'm fairly happy with the amount I've put on.  Go slowly.  This is a true black powder.  It takes a lot less than I thought it would when I first started playing with it.

Finally, I blend-blend-blend all over my upper and lower lid.  Pop on some mascara and you are done!

Here is the very package of Sormeh you could win!

And here is the Grand Prize!  What are you waiting for? Go enter!