Hi there, my darlings! So sorry for the radio silence! Life has been...um...yeah, well, let's just not get into that. I promise I haven't disappeared nor do I plan to. I do intend to get things back on track--I just needed a minute to breathe...and well, sulk. But that's all done! And to celebrate, how about a little giveaway?! Today I've joined up with 16 other beauty bloggers to do a fun blog hop GIVEAWAY! If you are unfamiliar what a blog hop is, it's pretty simple. Each lady in the hop is giving away something (beauty-related) on their own blog and you can click through from one blog to another, entering the giveaways as you go, until you end up back where you started -- right here at my blog. Once you do that, you've completed the loop!

The best part is -- besides having a chance to win 17 different beauty products -- after the giveaway has ended and we've all selected winners....ONE very lucky person among the winners will get the GRAND PRIZE of a $300 gift card to either Sephora or Ulta (winner's choice!).


GRAND PRIZE!!!!!


Just in time for limited edition holiday releases! *wink wink*

So if you want to up your chance of winning that sweet shopping spree, be sure to jump to each blog in the loop and enter the giveaways. Make sure you follow ALL the rules of each giveaway so you won't be disqualified! This giveaway loop will run for 2 weeks, ending on September 14th at 11:59pm EST and is only open to those within the USA and Canada.

Ready to start hopping? Well, first things first -- you've gotta enter my giveaway! Enter through the Rafflecopter below to win a $25 e-gift card to Ulta!


MY PRIZE!!!!




You're all set, the next blog to hop to is...


* * * PERILOUSLY PALE * * *






Hi there, my darlings! Late night post today, huh? What can I say? This day kinda ran right away from me and I can't even tell you why. One minute, it's the afternoon and the next, almost time for bed. But, I didn't want to wait another minute to share this post because it's got A LOT going on. Tonight, I'll be sharing my thoughts on a bunch of goodies from Mineral Fusion, which I picked especially for you. Plus sharing more info about a local event that you might want to check out. And to put that last little cherry on top, I'll be having a giveaway on my Instagram for every single thing you see here! Like I said, LOTS going on!


But first, let's talk a little about the brand:

Based in Denver, CO., Mineral Fusion™ launched in 2006, and has since then become the leading natural cosmetics and personal care brand. Its innovative collection of antioxidant-enhanced, mineral-rich cosmetics, hair care, body care, skincare, and most recently, nail-care products are infused with active ingredients that deliver wide-ranging benefits of minerals to revitalize, nourish and protect. All of the products within the Mineral Fusionportfolio are safe for all skin types, eco-friendly and free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances, 100% Vegetarian, and most are 100% Vegan.

If you want to check out the brand yourself in person, the brand is currently hosting a Beauty Tour at select locations all across the US. If you're in NYC, like yours truly, you can stop by the event. Here's all the info you need:

WHAT: Whole Foods Market in Winter Park will be hosting a Mineral Fusion Beauty Tour while offering customers 40% off of all Mineral Fusion products including skin, hair, body, nail care and cosmetics. Enjoy complimentary makeup applications from passionate and experienced makeup artists in the natural cosmetics industry while exploring all that Mineral Fusion has to offer.

WHEN: Friday, August 26th – Sunday, September 4th

WHERE: 

Whole Foods Market
214 3rd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215



Alrighty, let's talk about my picks for you all then! Now, let me start off by saying that I had an incredibly hard time choosing what products I wanted to review and then give away, frankly because the brand has a whole host of products that sound absolutely amazing! That, too in shades that I find incredibly wearable and would pick for myself. So, that's what I went with! I narrowed down my choices to products that I myself would love to try out and shades that I loved. Let's take a look!


PERFECTING BEAUTY BALM ($24.99)

Ultra sheer with a matte finish.

  • Skin-Perfecting: Instantly evens and perfects skin tone while minimizing pores and fine lines. 
  • Hydrating: Skin-soothing Aloe and nourishing botanicals moisturize skin for long-lasting hydration.
  • Age-defying: Our unique mineral-peptide blend and natural antioxidants promote cellular renewal for younger looking skin.
  • Protecting: Mineral sun protection shields your face from the sun’s harmful rays while potent antioxidants ward off free radicals.
  • Formula Purity: Gluten Free :: 100% Vegan :: Cruelty Free :: Paraben Free :: Artificial Color Free :: Fragrance Free :: Talc Free :: Hypo-allergenic :: Phthalate Free


I LOVE BB creams! All year round! I'm usually too lazy and too busy to put on a full face of makeup so a good BB cream, with a little concealer and some pressed powder, seems like the perfect compromise. This one, although it seems quite light for my skin tone, is actually quite sheer and very blendable. Totally something I would wear every day!




BLUSH ($21.99)

Youthful Glow: Luxuriously silky, triple-milled minerals offer a natural flush of color to brighten the complexion and create a healthy, youthful glow.

Age-Defying: A powerful blend of Pomegranate, White Tea, Red Tea and Sea Kelp, plus Vitamins C and E, defend skin against free radical damage for a healthy radiance.

Formula Purity: Gluten Free :: Cruelty Free :: Paraben Free :: Artificial Color Free :: Fragrance Free :: Talc Free :: Hypo-allergenic :: Phthalate Free

Available in 6 shades:
  • Airy - mauve shimmer
  • Creation - matte rose
  • Flashy - matte coral-pink
  • Harmony - coral-orange shimmer
  • Pale - shimmering peach
  • Smashing - bright-pink matte



I had the hardest time narrowing down my choices with the blushes because, c'mon, don't they all sound amazing?! I finally went with Flashy (right in the pic below) and Smashing. Powder blushes can be gritty and have lots of fallout sometimes, right? Well, not these! These blushes are just lovely--velvety soft and easy to blend. Just that perfect flush of color!




MINERAL LIPSTICK ($14.99)

  • Long-Lasting Color: Luxurious formula smoothes on lips, delivering rich color with staying power. Resists smudging and feathering for a perfectly enhanced pout.
  • Antioxidants: Pomegranate, Red Tea, and White Tea, plus Vitamins C and E, protect delicate lips against free radical damage. Shea Butter and Jojoba Seed Oil hydrate and condition, keeping lips soft and supple.
  • Formula Purity; Gluten Free :: 100% Vegan :: Cruelty Free :: Paraben Free :: Artificial Color Free :: Fragrance Free :: Talc Free :: Hypo-allergenic :: Phthalate Free

Available in 15 shades:
  • Alluring - plum
  • Burst - shimmering copper
  • Charming - bright pink
  • Crush - rosy pink
  • Exotic - coral
  • Flashy - orange-red
  • Gem - golden berry
  • Inspire - mauve
  • Intensity - peachy pink
  • Melon - peachy orange
  • Molten - nude-beige
  • Nude - nude-mauve
  • Peony - rusty plum
  • Ruby - ruby red
  • Tempting - deep red


LIPSTICK BUTTER ($12.99)
  • Richly Pigmented, Buttery Lipstick: Creamy formula smoothes onto lips with a gloss finish.
  • Nourishing: Cocoa Seed Butter, Avocado Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, and Shea Butter hydrate and condition, keeping lips soft and supple.
  • Formula Purity:Gluten Free :: 100% Vegan :: Cruelty Free :: Paraben Free :: Artificial Color Free :: Fragrance Free :: Talc Free :: Hypo-allergenic :: Phthalate Free

Available in 7 shades:

  • Blackberry - deep berry
  • Delicious - mauve berry
  • Honeysuckle - pink
  • Juicy - coral shimmer
  • Luscious - true nude
  • Pomegranate - red
  • Ripe - rusty red
  • Vine - red grape


Another category where I was at a loss trying to choose. So many gorgeous shades to pick from! Finally I wen with Delicious, Ripe and Vine (from left to right) in the Lipstick Butters and Gem and Flashy (far right).

Can I just say I love them all?! The lipstick butters are sheer, super moisturizing and just perfect for those days when you just want to swipe on a hint of color on your way out the door. The lipsticks are rich and pigmented and feel SO good! I love both shades but the metallic sheen of Gen has definitely won my heart. Be prepared to see me rocking it on some of those full looks in the Fall!



So there you have it, my darlings! You can pick up any of these fabulous products on Mineral Fusion's site HERE.


Don't forget to follow Mineral Fusion through the social media outlets below for all the latest about their products :

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest


But wait! Want to win ALL these gorgeous shades for yourself?! Find out how on my Instagram HERE. Tell me what your favorite shade and product is in the comments section below!













****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****



Hi there, my darlings! You know, I don't know if you've noticed but your girl seems to be moving away from nail polish. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE nail polish! And I will continue to feature polish, both indies and mainstream, whenever I can. But, you know what? I LOVE makeup too! Maybe even more than polish! So, I've decided to be more varied, more inclusive with my posts. I want to be able to share a little of everything, rather than just swatches all week long. With that thought in mind, I'd like to share a new brand that caught my eye, so much so that I have decided to become a Brand Ambassador, AND post one of my rare full makeup looks (which I hope won't be so rare in the future!). Today, I'd like to introduce you to Beauty For Real!


Here's a little about the brand:

REAL BEAUTY

BEAUTY FOR REAL is created with the firm belief that there are infinite definitions of beauty, every one as unique as each individual woman. It has been designed and formulated with the aim of providing women the most exceptional and efficacious tools and products used to reveal all of these diverse beauties.

BFR represents a radical but commonsense shift from the ‘counter culture’ as we know it; a place that espouses ‘universal’ formulas for every woman, one-size-fits-all solutions, and prepackaged trends that ‘everyone’ will be wearing. Instead, BFR offers a thoughtfully edited palette and the most luxurious product formulations, side-by-side with essential advice and real education.

It’s an idea whose time has come. For real.


REAL FASHION

BEAUTY FOR REAL celebrates individualized notions of personal style and is created with the aim of realizing the one-of-kind point of view of each woman who wears it. BFR is artfully composed and stylishly considered down to the tiniest detail and ingredient. BFR provides tools for creating your own personal style and putting your best face forward.

REAL INNOVATION

BEAUTY FOR REAL believes that makeup should be innovative, flexible and intelligently designed. Ignoring the barriers that have often existed between skin care and makeup, BFR is marked by cutting edge formulations that care for, enhance and protect the skin, while never lacking in artistry and fun.

BFR products are each contained in chic and smartly executed components, lovely to hold and a pleasure to use. We’ve designed a light and mirror in the handle of each tube of our lip creams and glosses for application in the darkest restaurant, car or club.

REAL VALUE

BEAUTY FOR REAL believes that every woman should have the very best tools in her beauty arsenal and that price need not ever be a barrier to quality. Leveraging years of experience in product development, BFR is able to offer products consistent in quality with the most prestigious brands in the world, but at prices that are accessible to every woman.


In keeping with their philosophy, the packaging is simple, stark even, purely functional on the outside. In contrasting shades of black and white, the boxes are sleek and lightweight, probably keeping in mind that most of us don't keep boxes. It's as real as you can get!




The products themselves are found in tubes and cases with the same, classic black-and-white-theme. For this particular post, I'll be sharing 5 of their popular products : Universal Lip Liner, Hydrating Light-Up Lip Cream in Always There, High Shine Light-Up Lip Gloss in Starlust, Blush + Go duo stick in Coral Crush/High Beam and High-Def Volumizing Mascara.




HI-DEF VOLUMIZING MASCARA ($19.00)
“This is my MVP product! I was always searching for the ultimate mascara - I wanted volume, length and definition without smudging or smearing. This water resistant, long wear, yet easily removable black mascara really delivers. I formulated it without fragrance, talc, parabens, or D5 – because why would you put those things near your eyes?” - Leslie Munsell (Founder)

What it is: Defining, volumizing, water resistant mascara

Color: Just Black

Why You’ll Love It: The perfect combination of a volumizing and lengthening formula with a micro brush which has a hollow inner chamber, providing a large reservoir of product which coats every single lash. Amplify your lashes with a smooth, flexible and defined finish that stays perfect all day, even in extreme humidity and heat – inspired by our Miami weather!


That wand. I gotta say I didn't think I would like working with that wand but surprisingly, it's very easy to work with. It's like a little mini comb for your lashes and it's great for adding definition to your lashes--no spidery lashes with this one! I do, however, think I would prefer more volume and length with my mascara. This is great if you prefer a more natural look for the daytime or at work. It certainly is very comfortable!




BLUSH + GLO (BLUSH + LUMINIZER)
($24.00)

“Women are most beautiful when our skin looks natural, dewy and glowy. I developed this to apply like a cream, melting into the skin rather than sitting on the surface. It then blends out to a powder leaving a silky smooth feeling and beautifully, youthful, radiant skin. I wear it alone when in a hurry or with foundation for a more finished look.” - Leslie Munsell (Founder)

What it is: 2-in-1 cream-to-powder blush and luminizer

★ Coral Crush | Hi Beam - this is a BFR best selling item with a warm blush in a summery coral glow paired with a highlighting beam of light to light up your eyes, above the cheek bones and even your collar bone - ideal for all skin types and tones with anti-aging ingredients to keep all ages of skin looking radiant and youthful.

Why You’ll Love It: Featuring our patented ingredient, Luminera with a diamond core complex. As the transparent particles come into contact with the skin, the diamond core complex transforms invisible UV light and works to dramatically diminish the expression of wrinkles, discolorations, and imperfections. Vitamin E and grape seed extracts provide anti-aging benefits and antioxidant protection. Pomegranate extracts along with organic minerals contribute to this standout formula to maintain its consistency in all climates and provides exceptionally long wear.


Oh gosh! This was love at first sight for me! I LOVE multi-taskers and dual-ended products because hey, it's so much more convenient and great for travel. Both go on smooth as silk and blend super easily, to leave just the right amount of color and glow.




The shades of both blush and hughlighter are perfect for me--richly pigmented without being garish or tacky. I can tell you right now, you'll see me in this A LOT!




D-FINE "THE ONLY" LIP PENCIL ($14.00)

“Lip pencils go in and out of fashion but as a makeup artist, I've always used them to define lip lines and keep lip products in place. I created this lip pencil because although I carried dozens, I always used the same one on everyone- it matched all lips. This is the tried and true color with improved formula and packaging. It's like a secret agent-does its job undetected.

You are sure to love this lip pencil, it's tried, tested and approved by my clients, customers and me! It's simply an essential for your makeup bag! Get two so you always have one in your makeup bag & one by the mirror." - 
Leslie Munsell (Founder)

What it is: True lip tone pencil that works with all lip product shades and all skin tones.

Why You’ll Love it: The soft, creamy texture delivers beautifully defined lips without the telltale lip liner look. You can either line or shade in the entire lip and pair with your favorite gloss or cream. The lip pencil can also be worn alone for matte, natural color finish. No sharpener required.



I have small lips. And by small, I mean tiny! So I like to over-line my lips. I've been doing it since way before the Kylie Jenner trend but never quite so pronounced. I usually line my lips just around the outer edges for a fuller, plumper look. So, lipliner is pretty much essential for me. But who has the space or money to buy a matching lip liner for every lipstick you buy? Especially when you may be a little bit obsessed with lippies? I know I don't! So, I totally appreciated a so-called Universal lip liner. The liner itself is very soft and easy to use, which is good for the sensitive skin of your lips.




Is it truly Universal? Well, I can see myself using it with a majority of my lipsticks since I prefer berries, wines and red. I like that I'm able to line my lips without the over-lining looking too obvious and it provides a great base for lipstick to adhere too. Now if you have very pale lips or tend to wear light lipsticks, I doubt this would work quite as well. For me though, it's a great addition to my stash!




HYDRATING + LIGHT-UP LIP CREAM ($18.00)

“These 5 shades are the classics I know every woman wants in her lipstick wardrobe. I want my lip color to match my mood and occasion, sometimes nude, sometimes red or a bright color. I developed this lip cream to be the perfect balance between the highly pigmented long wear and the moisturizing, buttery feel we all love. With long wear colors and this great bottle with light and mirror, you'll go all day and all night!” - 
Leslie Munsell (Founder)

What it is: Super hydrating liquid lipstick provides high impact, saturated color and long lasting wear.

Why You’ll Love it: This Lip Cream provides bright, vibrant color while nourishing and moisturizing. Your will be soft, smooth conditioned lips thanks to natural cupuacu butter, the most hydrating nut butter from the rainforests of Brazil. Great ingredients deliver high performance Mother Nature would be proud of.


Available in 5 pigmented shades, these lip creams were the ones I was most excited about. And the one I tried totally lived up to my expectations! Rich and creamy, the lip cream goes on so smoothly and leaves your lips feeling hydrating, without feeling too sticky. Plus the little tubes light up!



HIGH SHINE LIGHT-UP LIP GLOSS
($18.00)

“These signature lip glosses are like my favorite jeans- I live in them, they feel great and I can't wait to put them on. They are NOT sticky, are full of beneficial ingredients and have a touch of peppermint, which feels cool and refreshing. I designed it with the light and the mirror so I can apply it anywhere, anytime!” -Leslie Munsell (Founder)

What it is: Lightweight, moisturizing and plumping light up lip-gloss.

Why You’ll Love it: Keep your lips feeling silky smooth with hydrating aloe vera and avocado oil. Grapeseed oil and green tea extract provide essential vitamins that work as antioxidants to protect your lips. Marine collagen and peppermint oil will plump your lips while feeling minty cool. The high-tech packaging has a convenient mirror on the bottle and an LED light in the lid that illuminates lips for easy application.


Available in 8 shades, it's true! The gloss I tried was not sticky but rather very hydrating. I love the touch of peppermint and these little tubes light up too! I usually stay away from lip glosses because I'm more of a matte or creme girl myself, but this one will be great for layering on those particularly drying mattes.




The shades I was sent are Starlust Lip Gloss (left in the photo below), described a Champagne Beige, and Always There Lip Cream, described as a Natural Rose. I absolutely love the rose shade! It turned out to be very flattering on my skin tone and the lip gloss can be layered over your favorite lippie for added shine!




As promised, here's my full looks using ALL these products! The first pic below I'm using just the Lip Cream:



In this pic, I used just a little bit of the Lip Gloss over the Lip Cream for a little bit more shine!




So there you have it, my darlings! You can pick up any of these fabulous products on Beauty For Real's site HERE. As a BFR Ambassador, I'm really excited to be able to offer you a coupon! Use code COLORSUTRAA20 for 20% off your entire order!


Don't forget to follow Beauty For Real through the social media outlets below for all the latest about their products :

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Youtube


Which of these products catches your eye the most? Tell me in the comments section below!










****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****


Hi there, my darlings! I'm really, really, REALLY excited about tonight's post! As I've complained about about, oh I don't know, at least a million times, it's really hard for me to find a suitable foundation match for my skin tone. BB creams? Pressed powders? Loose pigments? Yeah, I can usually find a relatively good match but foundations are a whole different ball game. To top that off, I'm incredibly heat-sensitive with acne-prone skin. All that makes me steer clear of foundations altogether, ESPECIALLY in the humid, uncomfortable heat that NYC has seen lately. But, recently I was sent a couple of new foundations from Make Up For Ever to try and let me tell you, this is a game changer! I've tried and loved the MUFE's Ultra HD foundation but the shade was just a little off on me--you can check out my review HERE. This time though, I do believe I have found my Holy Grail!


Take a little peek at what the Water Blend foundation is all about:

Give skin a fresh, dewy glow with this unrivaled formula that feels so lightweight, sheer and comfortable. The quick and easy application makes it ideal for face & body, as the water-based waterproof foundation evens out the complexion to leave a natural-looking, satin finish. Created with 80% water, this long-lasting unique water-gel texture naturally hydrates and blends in evenly for a smooth, flawless look.



Make Up For Ever helped me choose the shades that I thought would best work with my skin tone, once again proving their devotion to color matching. I chose Y405 (Golden Honey) and Y415 (Almond), both of which when you look at the swatches below are pretty amazingly close to my skin tone. I thought that Y415 was the closest to my undertone and went with that.




Now, prepare yourself for me to gush and fan-girl a little. It really is a challenge to find a foundation that not only matches my skin tone but also feels good enough for me to wear consistently. This one is both! The water-based formula is lightweight and blends incredibly easily, absorbing into the skin and smoothing out in mere minutes. It really doesn't feel like you're wearing a full face of foundation but more like the easiest, lightest BB cream or tinted moisturizer.

Keep in mind that the photo below is in front of a very bright light so although it's not immediately evident, this was a near-perfect match for my skin tone! YAY! It IS a sheerer coverage than most foundations so I would definitely wear concealer and maybe some loose powder with it. If you're looking for dewy, airy, no-fuss coverage, this is the one!

In case you're wondering, I did indeed take it for a test drive. I used this foundation when I went to lunch with a couple of girlfriends last weekend and I was incredibly impressed with how this foundation felt! It was a very hot day in the city and we walked around quite a bit after lunch but through it all, my face didn't feel like it was melting off. On the contrary, I barely remembered having foundation on. Now, this foundation may have been formulated for the hotter months but I know it will be a staple for me all year long!




So there you have it, my darlings! You can pick up your very own Water Blend Foundation on Make Up For Ever's site HERE for the price of $43.00--worth every single penny and more! You can also find them at Sephora, both in-store and online.


Don't forget to follow Make Up For Ever through the social media outlets below for all the latest about their products :

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
Youtube


Do you have a Holy Grail foundation? Tell me in the comments section below!










****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****


Hi there, my darlings! Can you believe it's already the middle of August?! Summer is finally almost over and it's almost time for my favorite season...FALL! With that thought in mind, I'd like to share the next installment of The Holo Hookup, which has four gorgeous shades that are going to be perfect for the Fall! The theme for September 2016's all-holo The Holo Hookup collaboration box featuring Jill of Glisten & Glow, Missi of Different Dimension, Sara of Cupcake Polish and special guest, Vapid Lacquer is "Art-Inspired". Here's a look at their inspiration pics below! As you'll see shortly, the ladies totally nailed their inspiration pics this month!




Bad Hare Day from Cupcake Polish is an "ivory linear holo with copper speckles throughout". Smooth, easy formula and application--the swatches below show 2 easy coats topped with 1 thin coat of Glisten & Glow's HK Girl topcoat. I love the contrast of the copper against the elegant ivory backdrop!










With flash!




Monroe from Different Dimension is a "ligtnened tiffany blue linear holo with added shimmers and neon pink microglitters, based on Andy Warhol's Monroe". Despite all the shimmer and microglitters in this beauty, I had absolutely no trouble with formula or application--the swatches below show just 2 coats topped with 2 generous coats of Glisten & Glow's HK Girl topcoat to bring it all together. Lovely shade of blue made even lovelier by those pops of neon pink!










With flash!




The Abstract Expressionist from Glisten & Glow is a "berry linear holographic with gold and purple shimmers". Fantastic application and formula--the swatches below show 2 generous coats topped with 1 thin coat of Glisten & Glow's HK Girl topcoat. I have been waiting for Jill to make a berry that would win my heart and this one is perfect! Rich and luscious and oh-so-holo!










With flash!




Dali's Elephants from Vapid Lacquer  is a "classic, very warm red-orange linear holo". Perfect, easy formula and application--the swatches below show just 2 easy coats, topped with 1 thin coat of Glisten & Glow's HK Girl topcoat. I love the vibrancy of this shade!










With flash!




So there you have it my darlings! Pre-orders for September 2016's box will begin Sunday 8/21/2015 at 9 pm EST at the Holo Hookup's website HERE, and continue through Sunday 8/28/2015 at 9 pm EST. This collection of 4 exclusive, all holographic polishes will be priced at $40 plus shipping and is only available during this special one week pre-order. Both domestic and international shipping will be available!


For more swatches, sneak peeks and all the latest info, don't forget to follow The Holo Hookup through the social media outlets below :

Facebook
Instagram
Website


What are your faves in this box? Will you be grabbing one of these exclusive boxes this month? I'd love to hear from you in the comments section below!









****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****
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