Tarte/NYX Sales and Giveaway Reminder

If you haven't entered the MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish giveaway - and you're interested - there's still time.  You can find all the details here.  And a big thank you to everyone who's already entered - I'm so happy that people are interested.

Two good sales this week -

Tarte is having a Friends & Family sale so you can score 30% off most items on their website - plus free shipping on orders over $40.  Enter the code FFAUG at checkout for the discount.  The sale is good now until August 6th, so get shopping!

I seriously love pretty much everything from Tarte that I've ever tried, but some quick recommendations include the Amazonian Clay Blushes, Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, Amazonian Clay Foundation, and Maracuja Miracle Foundation. Oh, and I just mentioned them last week, so you know I love the Airblush Maracuja Blush (especially in Shimmering Peach!) and the Beauty & the Box Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad in Brewed Awakening (Evoke the Smoke is pretty for a night out too.)

Tarte Beauty & the Box Quad in Brewed Awakening

Tarte Airblush Maracuja Blush in Shimmering Peach

If you're a fan of NYX, they're having a Haute Look event starting at 11am EST today.  I don't know what items will be available, but they'll be nice and discounted so it's a good time to pick up some items that you've been wanting to try.  I picked a couple of palettes up the last time they were on Haute Look and I think I got 50% off each.  Pretty good deal, right?

To shop at Haute Look, you need to be a member - but it's free to sign up so there's no reason not to.  You can do it here.

If you pick anything up from either sale, share below.  I love to know what everyone's getting.

Happy shopping!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

I have wanted to try Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains for a while now.

I've read and heard so many good things about them that my curiosity was definitely piqued, and the name of the product itself is beyond intriguing - the idea of a stain that still feels moisturizing and looks shiny on the lips (well, at least, that's my interpretation of "balm stain") is certainly novel.

So when I stopped in Walgreen's the other day to pick up a few 12 packs of Diet Coke (my most serious addiction this side of makeup) and I saw that Revlon was on sale BOGO half-off, I finally indulged. 

Giveaway Time! MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish *CLOSED*

The illusive MAC MSF in Stereo Rose

The last time that MAC was getting ready to re-release their Mineralize Skinfinish in the cult favorite shade Stereo Rose (about a year and a half ago, I'd say), I told everyone I knew how badly I wanted it.

Seriously.

Everyone.

Tarte Miracle of Maracuja TSV A/D Shipment #2

New Tarte goodies!

So not only did my Tarte Miracle of Maracuja TSV A/D shipment show up on my doorstep todayas promised, the UPS man actually arrived before I'd put my makeup on so I was able to actually use the products so I have a pretty informed opinion about the shades and formulas.

A Few Updates and Tidbits

Brownie and I are both worn out after this weekend.

Just a few updates and little tidbits as I try to get back into the swing of things after a weekend of way too many margaritas and lazing about...

 1. In my last post, I talked about the makeup I was planning on wearing for a family party where I was pretty sure I'd be sweating like nobody's business. Well, as it turned out, it was a lot cooler here on Long Island on Saturday than I was expecting.  But I actually wound up going in the pool so my makeup did get a pretty good workout.  

Summer Makeup

Some of my summer makeup favorites.

The other day, I was procrastinating (as I am I known to do) and poking around on Refinery29's website when I came across a slideshow about switching up your makeup for the summer.

You can check it out here if you're interested.

Now, I do adjust my makeup routine slightly when the weather warms - for one thing, I can get away with wearing powder foundation all on its own, something I usually can't do when my skin is super dry in the winter - and I definitely prefer to use products that have a lighter feel on the skin.

So I think you do need to think about your makeup a little differently in the summer.

But what about days that you're going to be outside for several hours in the blistering heat whether at a beach, pool, park, barbecue, etc.?

The Balm on Haute Look Tomorrow!

Good news!

The Balm, quite possibly my very favorite makeup brand, is going to be back on sale at Haute Look tomorrow.

I'm not sure what products will be available, but they'll all be available at a discount and since I think the Balm's products are totally worth paying full price for, that's a serious steal. 

Personally, I am determined to score Down Boy blush if it's available this go-around.

If you're looking for other recs, I cannot stress enough how fabulous and life-changing the Nude'tude Palette is.  If you don't have it yet, grab it when you can. You'll thank me later, trust me.

I also adore the Shady Lady Palettes, Mary Lou Manizer, Betty Lou Manizer, Frat Boy Blush, Cabana Boy Blush, and Mai Billsbepaid lipstick.

If that seems like the Balm's entire line, it pretty much is.  I really don't think you can go wrong with any of their stuff.

The sale event starts at 11am EST tomorrow, and you must be a Haute Look member to shop.  Membership is free, though, so there's no reason not to sign up.  You can do so here.

And if you do happen to pick anything up, let me know below.

Happy Shopping!

QVC Bare Escentuals Bare Luxury TSV AD Shipment #3

QVC Bare Escentuals' Bare Luxury TSV AD Shipment #3

I love it when I totally forget that I've got another QVC TSV AD shipment coming my way until the e-mail pops up in my inbox. 

It's like a gift I forgot that I bought for myself. 

That's what happened last week when the third shipment of the Bare Escentuals' Bare Luxury arrived my doorstep - and this was one I was dying to get my hands on all because of the Ready Eyeshadow Duo in the kit.

MAC Pink Lemonade Lipglass

MAC Lipglass in Pink Lemonade

The other day when I wrote about my purchases from MAC's Heavenly Creature collection, I forgot to mention that I'd also picked up a lip product from the permanent line.

MAC's Lipglass in Pink Lemonade.

I've been reading good things about this shade for years, and given my fondness for any and all coral or peach lip products, I don't know why I didn't get off my butt and buy it sooner.

Tarte Maracuja Miracle Foundation

Tarte Maracuja Miracle Foundation in Fair

Starting Friday on QVC, you can get the 6 piece "What has your makeup done for your lately?" TSV for $49.96 (+$6.72 s/h), which you can purchase here.

I previewed its contents when my kit arrived a few weeks back, and while there are a few interesting products in the kit, the star is definitely the Maracuja Miracle Foundation.  I've had a few weeks to test it out now, and I've got to say, I'm pretty much head over heels in love with it.

Well, almost.

MAC Heavenly Creature Lipsticks

MAC Heavenly Creature Lipsticks

I apologize for disappearing for a few days - between the holiday and a series of technical difficulties, I haven't got much done during the past week. Hopefully, I'm back on track starting today.

It's been a while since I've bought anything from a MAC limited edition collection.  They just put out so damn many that I kind of get overwhelmed whenever I hear one is coming out ... and I've tried to make a concerted effort in recent years to only buy items that are really unique or that really excite me.

Turns out that there haven't been that many products that fit either bill recently.

Well, until the Heavenly Creature collection.

Buxom Color Choreography Eyeshadow Palette in Tango

Buxom Color Choreography Eyeshadow Palette

When I heard several months back that Buxom was going to be coming out with a line of eyeshadow palettes, I was beyond excited.

I love their True Hue blushes as I mentioned here, and I love what their parent company, Bare Escentuals, has done since entering the realm of pressed makeup.  In fact, Bare Escentuals Ready Shadows have quickly become one of my favorite shadow formulas. 

So I had high hopes for my Buxom Color Choreography Eyeshadow Palette.

The Balm Girls Lipsticks - Ima Goodkisser and Mai Billsbepaid (and quick mention of Stainiac)

The Balm Girls Lipsticks and sample of Stainiac

This will be the final post regarding product from the Balm for a while, I promise. 

(Though I reserve the right to go back on my word if there's another sale on Haute Look anytime soon. I can't resist much from this brand.)

So the final items that I purchased during the last Balm sale on Haute Look were two of the Balm Girls Lipsticks.  I've never tried Balm lip products before, so I was really curious to give these a go.