December 29, 2012

Winners of my Valentine Kisses Mega Holiday Giveaway!

Hello, Beautiful!

Thank you to everyone who entered my Mega Holiday Giveaway! I can't wait to announce the winners, so without further ado, here are the winners....

The Grand Prize Winner:
Laurie S. 


And The Three Runner-Up Winners...


Winner of the Boscia Be Brilliant Mini Kit:
Nikki A.

Winner of the Buxom In The Spotlight Kit:
Dana

Winner of the Lot of 25 Perfume Samples:
Amy S.


Congratulations to all the winners!
I've emailed each one and they all have until January 2, 2012 to respond or alternate winners will be selected.

Thank you again to everyone who entered!
Stay tuned for the next giveaway! I have a lot planned!

December 22, 2012

Lancome Hypnose Star Show Stopping Volume Mascara - pics, before & after, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Lancome's new Hypnose Star Show Stopping Mascara gives lashes that va-va-voom look with volume, length, and curl. It has a unique dual-sided brush to get lots of volume! I liked this mascara, as it gave me a faux lash look.

Check out my pics, swatches, before & after, info, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Lancome Hypnose Star
Show Stopping Mascara
Shade: 01 Noir Midnight

 













Lancome Hypnose Star Show Stopping Mascara Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $28.00 (1 fl oz full size). Available on the Lancome website, at Sephora, and everywhere else Lancome cosmetics are sold.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Get lashes that have intense volume and pretty curl with Lancome's new Hypnose Star Show Stopping Mascara. This mascara dresses lashes in intense volume, unfolding a new vision of glamour inspired by Betty Boop and top model Daria Werbowy. The formula's "black-diamond effect" imparts a glossy gel-like finish. The dual-action brush has a flat side for optimizing product deposit at the lash line while the rounded side separates, defines and lengthens.

This mascara has a new dual-sided brush, which was easy to adjust to but may need a little practice for some people. If you need any help at all Lancome has a how-to video on their website.

I thought this mascara went on great for the first coat but after that it did get a little clumpy on my lashes. The photos shown are with three coats, although two is really all you need. At 2 coats I needed to use a lash comb to get rid of some clumps, but it wasn't an overly clumpy mess. It has fairly smooth and even application, with just a little clean up using a lash comb - which took care of the clumps (I just didn't fully de-clump for the photos so you could see some of the clumpy-ness).

The second time I applied this mascara I only used 2 coats and I had much better results than shown in the before and after photos. Then I used it a few more times and I've since become a fan of this mascara. I like to layer my mascaras a lot, meaning I will use one brand of mascara for a first coat then another mascara for a 2nd coat, and sometimes I use up to 4 different mascaras for my lashes. I've come to like using Mally's Volumizing Mascara for a first coat, then Lancome's Hypnose Star for a 2nd coat and my lashes come out flirty and gorgeously beautiful!

I love the deep, rich black shade and loved the final look to my lashes. It gives me a faux lash look with length, volume, and pretty curl.

I'm a fan of this mascara and would recommend you give it a try and see if it's right for you!

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this mascara? Have you tried this or is this on your wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

December 18, 2012

Anastasia Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder - 5 Shades - pics, swatches in hair, rainbow brows, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Get an intense flash of color without drying, bleaching, or spending hours in the salon with Anastasia's new Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder! Available in five vibrant shades -- Ultra-Violet, In The Pink, Teal Tornado, Electric Blue, and Mega Watt Green -- which work on all hair colors. It's never been easier to get ombre/dip-dye hair or neon bright brows at home. The best part is this vibrant color washes out easily! I'll admit, it can be a bit messy to use but there are ways to keep the mess to a minimum and the color pay-off is well worth it!

This new product launches in Ulta stores on December 26, 2012 and will be exclusive to Ulta for a few months before they are available at all Anastasia retailers.

Check out my pics, swatches, info, and review... click on pics to view them larger.

Anastasia
Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder
Shades: Ultra-Violet, In The Pink, Teal Tornado, Electric Blue, Mega Watt Green.
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.























My Rainbow Brows:







Anastasia
Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder
Shade: Ultra-Violet








Anastasia
Hypercolor Hair Powder
Shade: In The Pink
*NOTE that this shade is not recommend for use on brows. See my review below for reason why*








Anastasia
Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder
Shade: Teal Tornado









Anastasia
Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder
Shade: Electric Blue








Anastasia
Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder
Shade: Mega Watt Green





Anastasia Hypercolor Brow & Hair Powder Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $12.50 each (0.05 oz full size). Will be available exclusively at Ulta for a few months, then check Anastasia's website.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Anastasia's Hypercolor Brow and Hair Powder is meant to be fun and temporary. They are extremely pigmented for great color payoff -- even on darker hair colors, like my brunette hair -- and very easy to apply (application tips below). No bleaching required! After you set your color with hairspray (or clear brow gel, if using on your brows) your color should last all day!

Anastasia developed Hypercolor Brow and Hair Powder as an easier alternative to chalk. Chalk dries out your hair, plus it is really hard to get deep pigmentation with chalk. Hypercolor will not damage hair, it washes out easily, and provides stunning salon-worthy color without any of the commitment.

A special blend of pigment-rich oxides give intense color and silicone allows powder to glide onto the hair. Kaolin clay provides excellent coverage, gives an ultra-fine texture, and absorbs excess oils. Paraben-free.

Because they are so pigmented there can be some color transfer while applying (and before you set your color). I recommend applying these before you get dressed, or wear something over your clothes - like a robe or drape a towel - to minimize any transfer or color fall out. Also, don't wear white when you use these just out of precaution. However, if you do get any color transfer on your clothes, don't panic; it easily washes out.

I do think they are a little messy; I was having so much fun trying these out that I looked down and realized my hands were multi-colored -- but it washed right off with a little soap. The powder can fall out as you're applying it, depending on how hard you're pressing, so be careful about it getting on clothes, carpet, etc.

It's recommended to wash the color out at the end of the day so that no color is transferred to sheets or pillows at night as you sleep. Washes out in 1 to 2 shampoos.

In the past I've gone through long hours in the salon, damaging my hair with bleaching it out to get electric blue highlights. I loved the highlights at the time, but the upkeep was annoying (color faded over time; needed to re-dye it every 3 to 5 weeks), and there was never an option to not have blue in my hair -- not to mention the damage the bleaching did, especially the damage of getting the blue out and getting my hair back to brunette. Click here for my blog post on my electric blue highlights.

I've also tried other washable hair colors, like Splat Washables - which I liked a lot, but the color payoff on my brunette hair isn't all that intense, and the shade choices aren't as fun as the Anastasia Hypercolor shade choices. Plus, a lot of people have mixed feelings on Splat Washables; you either love it or hate it. If Splat Washables wasn't for you then you'll probably love Anastasia's Hypercolor!

I really loved the Anastasia Hypercolor! I was skepitcal at first, thinking there was going to be no way these colors would show up vibrant in my brunette hair but I was wowed at how easy it was to get vibrant, neon color to my hair in seconds!. They are a fun and easy to use - plus you can use them on your brows if you want to try something different and fun. Yes, admittedly they are a bit messy but after you get the hang of them you'll find there is very little mess. I'd recommend checking these out and picking up a shade or two when they come out and give yourself an at-home ombre hair style for a day - then go crazy with experimenting!


NOTE: All Hypercolor is formulated for both your hair and your brows EXCEPT the shade In The Pink. The ingredients that give the pink it's pretty pink color have been known to irritate eyes in a small amount of people. So you technically could use it on your brows, but they caution against it. I used it on my brows, just on the outer tail, in my rainbow brow photos. I didn't have any irritation, but you could have irritation so it's best to avoid using it on brows (or use with caution, knowing irritation could occur).


APPLICATION TIPS:

If applying to your hair, follow these easy steps:
  1. Prep hair by applying a light application of a glossing cream/serum, leave-in conditioner, or styling wax.
  2. Section off hair so it's easier to work with (and to keep all hair you want non-colored away from the colored hair while you're working your magic).
  3. Apply color by sandwiching your hair in between the Hypercolor and your fingers, gliding the color onto your hair. NOTE: This will get all over your fingers so use a barrier in between. You could use gloves, a cosmetic sponge, or do like I did and use a paper towel.
  4. Set your color with a hairspray, spraying 10 to 12 inches away from your color and not spraying too heavily.



If applying to your brows, follow these easy steps:
  1. Prep brows by using a light application of Brow Fix or styling wax. If you don't have either of those items don't worry, it will still work well. You could even use a hair glossing cream/serum on them (very lightly), which is actually what I did since it was next to me at the time.
  2. Use an angled brush to apply the color (run brush over color and apply to brows). You can build the color up for more intensity as you desire. NOTE: All Hypercolor is formulated for both your hair and your brows EXCEPT the shade In The Pink (the hot pink shade).
  3. Set your brows with a clear brow gel or Anastasia's Lash Genius Clear Waterproof Topcoat for all day hold.


Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this product? Is this something you would use or like to try? If so, what color do you want the most? Discuss in the comments below.