The Balm Nude'Tude Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone entered the Balm Nude'Tude giveaway.

I am happy to announce that the winner is Wynee!

If you didn't win or didn't get a chance to enter - don't worry.  I already have the next giveaway planned for sometime in September and the prize is another terrific Balm product.  (Yes, I may have taken advantage when they had a certain deal recently...)

As always, thank you to everyone who reads the blog, leaves comments and sends emails. I love sharing my makeup obsession with the world, but you all make it even more fun. 

This & That: Giveaway Reminder, Too Faced Sale & What I'm Wearing Today

This is going to be one of those posts that is kind of all over the place. 

First of all, in case anyone missed it, I have a giveaway going on for the Balm's Nude'Tude Palette, one of my absolute favorites - and you still have a couple of days to enter. You can find all of the details here. 

Secondly, Too Faced is having a vintage sale where you can score up to 70% off on some of their classic products, including the Smoky Eye Shadow Collection and their Glamour to Go Kits. I couldn't resist picking up a couple of their Lip of Luxury Lipsticks because they're only $8 each. You don't need a code - just follow the link above.

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup

Just a little reminder that I have a giveaway going on right now for the Balm's Nude'Tude Palette - if you're interested in entering, all of the details are here.

When it comes to foundation, I have a serious weakness for any product that promises luminous, glowy or dewy skin.

My skin isn't really that dull on its own, but I'll take any help I can get and I just love the healthy look of a glowing complexion.

So I was really excited when I read about L'Oreal latest foundation offering, True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup. Not only does it claim to have skin brightening ingredients like antioxidants and Vitamins C&E, but the foundation supposedly contains 'Liquid Light Technology' that provides an instant luminous glow.

Laura Geller Fresh Brewed Beauty Baked Collection TSV from QVC

Laura Geller Fresh Brewed Beauty TSV

Another week, another beauty TSV from QVC arrives on my doorstep.

I have a serious addiction, I swear.

This time, it's the Laura Geller Fresh Brewed Beauty Collection, which will be available on September 24th on QVC.  I've purchased a couple of previous TSVs from Laura Geller and I find her products to be largely hit or miss.  I love her Balance-n-Brighten Powder Foundation and most of her shadows and blushes.  I'm iffy on her eyeliners and lip products and flat out hate her mascaras. 

Giveaway Time! The Balm Nude'Tude Palette (CLOSED)

My very favorite palette in the whole wide world...

If you've read this blog for a while now, there's one thing that I'm pretty sure you know about me.

I am head over heels, obsessively, crazy in love with the Balm Nude'Tude Palette.

Seriously.

The Balm Shady Lady Palette Vol. 3

We've reached the final installment of the Balm Shady Lady Palette swatch-aganza.

Today, we're covering Vol. 3, a really interesting collection of colors.

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup in Ivory (110)

I need another foundation like I need a hole in the head (I suppose I could say that about most categories of beauty products, though, if I'm being honest...), but it's nearly impossible for me to resist the lure of new products. 

I mean, I have a foundation that I love and always performs reliably for me (Makeup Forever HD Foundation in 110), but that doesn't stop me from wondering if there might be possibly be an even better foundation out there, one that has the coverage, finish, lasting power and perfect shade for my super fair skin. 

It's unlikely I'll find a better one, but I can't help looking.

That brings me to Revlon's new Colorstay Whipped Creme Makeup.

QVC Bare Escentuals Return to Radiance TSV AD Shipment #2

BE Return to Radiance AD #2

Back in March, I ordered QVC's BE Return to Radiance TSV, and because I'm a glutton when it comes to makeup, I signed up for auto-delivery. 

The second shipment arrived last Friday, and I am absolutely in love with it.

As far as which shipment I like better, the first or second, I'd have to say it's a draw - but that's really saying something because the first collection included a peachy-pink blush and peachy coral lip gloss and you know how nuts I am about any and all things peach.

This collection is just so pretty though.

The Balm Shady Lady Palette Vol. 2

The Balm Shady Lady Vol. 2

Last week, I mentioned that I'd be doing swatches of all the Balm's Shady Lady Palettes as per a reader's request.  You can find the details for Vol. 1 here.

This week, we're moving on to Vol. 2.

Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipsticks in Edition and Fresco

I've mentioned before how much I love Hourglass Cosmetics' Femme Rouge Lipsticks.

I listed Grace, a pretty peachy shade, as one of my favorite everyday lipsticks, and Whisper, a gorgeous golden pink, would definitely make that list if I redid it now.

The Femme Rouge formula is wonderfully smooth, creamy and moisturizing, so the lipsticks are a treat to wear.  They also last pretty well on the lips, which is always nice.

The Balm Triple Play Friday - 3 Lipsticks for the Price of 1!

The Balm strikes again with another awesome deal!

Today, you can 3 of their Read My Lips Lipsticks for the price of 1 - $17 plus shipping.

You don't actually get to choose the specific shades, though - they have two options to choose from (both of which look beautiful to me!).

Now, I haven't tried this formulation of their lipsticks, so I can't vouch for it specifically but I do own a couple of their Balm Girls lipsticks and I really like those - I would expect the Read My Lips Lipsticks to be just as good. 

I'm debating whether I should take advantage of this deal or not - I need more lipstick like I need a hole in the head (I actually have a couple of new ones to share next week) but it's just such a good deal.

And Option 2 with the red, bronze plum and nude shades is totally calling my name...

If you take advantage of this great deal, leave a note below and let me know which shades you got.

Happy Shopping!

Urban Decay on Haute Look Tomorrow

Urban Decay goodies on Haute Look!

Starting Friday, August 10th at 11 a.m. EST, Urban Decay will be back on Haute Look.

If you're not familiar with Haute Look, you can read about it here. And if you aren't a member yet and want to sign up, you can do that here. (You have to be a member to shop the site.)

Now, I don't know what items will be available tomorrow but in the past, I've seen UD's tinted moisturizer (which I scored for $3!), the Book of Shadow IV (which is actually my favorite of all the Books), a set of 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils and other goodies.

I shouldn't be buying anything else this month (I kind of went crazy when e.l.f. had its 50% off sale so my beauty budget is already blown for August... sorry I didn't get a post up about that; I totally found out last minute) but I'm definitely going to check out the event to see if there are any deals that I just can't pass up. 

If you pick anything up, leave a note below. 

Happy shopping!

The Balm Shady Lady Palette Volume 1

The Balm Shady Lady Volume 1

Last week, I received an email asking if I would mind posting swatches of the Balm's Shady Lady Palettes.

It is a very reasonable request since I'm constantly going on about how much I love the Balm's shadows and urging everyone and their mother to pick them when there's a Haute Look event or an amazing sale like last week's Triple Play Friday.  Swatches and color descriptions would probably help you decide if the palettes are for you, if you're at all on the fence. 

The Balm Schwing Liquid Liner

The Balm knocks another one out of the park with its packaging.

I've mentioned before that I am seriously eyeliner challenged.

For as many years as I've been putting on makeup and as many times as I've lined my eyes, I am still hopelessly spastic... and sloppy.  Recently, I discovered that putting my liner on after my mascara helps quite a bit, but on the whole, it's definitely not my strong suit. 

And liquid liner is definitely the worst.

The Balm Shadow/Blush in Down Boy

It's taking all my self-control not to carry on and on about the adorable packaging...

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I am obsessed with the Balm and their many fabulous products.

You may also know that I've been dying to get my hands on their Down Boy blush ever since I tried the other blushes in the line, Frat Boy and Cabana Boy (and Hot Mama).  When the Balm was on Haute Look a couple of weeks back, I jumped at the chance to pick it up at a significant discount.  (I think I paid $11 or $12 for it when it normally retails for $21).

So now that I've had it in my possession for about a week, I can safely say it was worth the wait.

Sale Alert! The Balm Triple Play Friday

By now, I'm sure you're well aware that I love the Balm.

Their packaging is second to none in terms of the cuteness factor, and their products (almost universally) are fantastic. In particular, I love their eye shadow formula - smooth, creamy and super easy to blend.

But the brand makes me love them just a little bit more when they do super cool sales like this. (And this is the second time that I know they've offered this deal, so they get serious props for a track record of generous deals.)

For today only, you can get all three Shady Lady Palettes for $39.95 (plus shipping.) Now, since these palettes usually retail for $39.50 each, you're essentially getting two free.

That is a crazy good deal!

I have all three palettes and adore them, so I can't recommend them highly enough.  And now, with a sale like this, I almost feel like purchasing them is compulsory.

You can take advantage of the deal on the Balm's website.

If you do purchase the palettes, let me know below.  I'll share some of my favorite combos.

Happy shopping!

MAC Stereo Rose MSF Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for the MAC Stereo Rose MSF . 

I am happy to announce that the winner is Liv!

If you didn't win or didn't get a chance to enter this giveaway, don't worry - I've already got the next one planned for later this month.  Here's a hint - it's for an item that I rave about on a regular basis (I think once I even said I would marry it...) and it may or may not be for the eyes (it is.). 

And a big thank you to everyone who reads the blog, leaves comments and sends emails.  I'd probably write about makeup even if no one was reading, but interacting with you guys makes this so much more fun. 

Oldie but Goodie - NYX Round Lipstick in Thalia

NYX Round Lipstick in Thalia

Several years back, I went on a crazy spree and bought about 20 of the NYX Round Lipsticks over a two or three month period.

I don't blame myself at all - the formula is nice - lightweight and slightly moisturizing - and they come in a wide array of colors and they're relatively inexpensive (even more so when I bought them - I swear I got them for like $2 a pop back then) so they're a good way to build your lipstick wardrobe without breaking the bank.

July Favorites

July goodies

Since tomorrow is August 1st (it really is terrifying how fast time starts to go as you get older...), it's time to share my July Favorites.

But I should preface this post by confessing that I've already written about every item on my list before - some of them pretty recently, actually.  I just don't have it in me to fake a favorites list of new items, though.  These were my honest to goodness favorites this month, so I'll share them but just keep the blabbering to a minmum.

Or try to anyway.

I do tend to ramble.