These are a few of my favorite things...!

Are you going to be singing the Sound of Music too now? lol It's stuck in my head!

 

 

So for today, I decided to take a break from a post on manis and show you some of my favorite things for beauty!! :-)  I am sure I have more than these items that I love, but these are just what I grabbed for a quick post - enjoy!

 

First up, CHI Silk Infusion.  I don't use a straightener, but I hear this is great for if you do.  I have extremely fine hair and it loves to knot when it's wet.  I use a couple drops of this baby, and I am brushing through with ease!  And it leaves my ends looking healthier without being too greasy.  A little goes a long way and these bottles last me forever!  I buy from Ulta or Amazon.com sells it too.  I think it's somewhere around $25, depending where you can find it! http://www.wenhaircare.com/

 

 

 

Oh WEN...you make my hair a dream.  I use the cleansing conditioner too, but my hair is too fine to use it every day.  This styling creme is fantastic though!  I use just a dab, maybe a dime size, and it gives me a bit more body as well as keeps my static to a minimum.  In winter, I can seriously look like I put my finger in an outlet my hair stands up with so much static :-D hahaha  This is sold online at http://www.wenhaircare.com/ or you can find it at QVC.  It looks like they have a 6oz for $24 now!

 

 

Avojuice...oh how I love this.  Jasmine smells so delicious to me!!  I buy this from my Ulta for around $7-8.  I love how soft it makes my hands feel!!
 

 

 

If you like almond, you will LOVE this Solar Oil as much as I do!  I bought this when I went to the beauty shop Head2ToeBeauty.com (they are a few hours away).  I believe Ulta carries it or you can find it online.  This oil is nice because it's not too greasy either.  I want to eat my fingers when I put it on!

 

 

My wonder mini brush!  This cleans up any messes I make and helps me keep the manis looking great for pictures :-)  I actually have come a long way and don't use it as much as I had to before!!  I use a little cup with Acetone and dip this in there.  I found this at Michael's craft store.
 

 

 

My FAVE nail file.  My hubby even steals this!  I love glass files and this one does not disappoint!  I am quite picky and I am so glad I tried this.  You can find it for $12 at Cult Nails. 

 

Another Cult Nails favorite is their base and top coat duo!! Get It On is great! It dries fast and is quite glossy on it's own.  If I must go Nekkid...I at least throw that on so I'm not completely exposed ;-) haha  Wicked Fast has easily become my go to top coat.  I'm sure it's been noticed that I say, "I topped with Wicked Fast top coat", right? haha I do use Seche Vite too, but Wicked Fast is just my Holy Grail top coat.  It dries fast and I don't get tipwear with it on!  You can find it at Cult Nails.

 

 

Smashbox High Definition Concealer is amazing.  It really covers my blemishes and actually even helps clear them up!  I have such picky skin, so for this to work for me - I am ecstatic!  I bought this at my Ulta for $20, but a little goes a long way and one tube lasts me a long time!

 

 

Too Faced Shadow Insurance is my lifesaver!! I found this a few years ago and haven't stopped using it since!  It is a silky primer for your lids that prevents creasing and helps your color to stay where you put it!  I used to also crease and look quite awful by the end of the day.  Now my eye makeup stays put for the entire day with no problem!  I only use a small dot, as again, a little goes a long way.  One tube lasts absolutely forever, and I buy either from Ulta, Sephora, or at http://www.toofaced.com/ for $18.  I actually use a lot of loose eye shadow, so I really love this for blending and applying!

 

 

Another Too Faced product I swear by is Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder in Chocolate.  They have a lighter version of Milk Chocolate too, but I find this one is ok for me.  It smells like chocolate.  How can you not love that!?  And it does give me the perfect glow to my fave!  Plus it's gentle enough that I don't break out.  It is sold at Ulta, Sephora, or http://www.toofaced.com/ for $29.
 

 

 

My brushes!!! I have a huge colletion of brushes, but only grabbed my eye shadow brush and my bronzer brush.  These are sold by Everyday Minerals and are SO SOFT!! They clean very well with a light shampoo.  I use lots of brushes for blending of the eyes and different ones for foundation, bronzer, or blushes!  They have a great line of them that you can find at http://www.everydayminerals.com/store/brushes.html.  Prices vary depending on the brush, but I feel they are very reasonable for the value.

Oh and even my cat loves these brushes.  I used to have to hide them in my containers, but he would actually dig them out on my dresser!!  I could always tell when he had one...because of how guilty he looked.  One brush he left teeth marks in the wood!  He's a brat :-D

 

 

Nurtura by Avon!  I don't even know how I got onto this!  I just love the smell of it - not even sure how to describe it, but now it just reminds me of bed time.  I slather this on, especially in the winter months, and it refreshes my skin!  I wake up with a nice glow to start the day!  You can find this Here for $8.50, but I actually buy in bulk from Ebay! I recommend checking feedback before ordering there though! 

 

 

Vaseline.  I hear some people that love it.  Others that hate it.  I am one who loves it.  SO much.  I apply a bit to my lips - viola! My lips have a bit of gloss without being sticky, and it gives me a soft pink color.  It absorbs into my lips too, moisturizing them, which is perfect for those hard winter winds that chap!  My Mom uses it to remove eye makeup.  I don't like to, but I know it works well and hydrates the eyes.  I just find it bothers my eyes when I wake up.  And here is an awesome trick I learned, have you ever hit your arm or leg on something?  If no, then you must be perfect, hahaha! Because I bump into things all the time.  Plus I bruise like an 80-year-old woman.  SOOOO...immediately after bumping yourself, apply Vaseline to the area and it will prevent the bruise from coming to the surface.  It still will hurt, but I actually had a wedding a few weeks ago and fell on my stairs.  I still have pain my knee from how hard I fell!!  But guess what, it didn't show!!!  I wore my dress without anyone having the slightest idea that my elbows and knees were horribly bruised!  So for it, I keep it in my purse, by my bed, in my bathroom, and at my desk.  It's my little wonder cure.  Walgreens and probably any drug store will carry this for a few bucks!

 

 

So that's just a few things I wanted to share.  I hope you enjoyed this look at some of my favorites!!  Maybe some other bloggers want to post their favorites?  Being a beauty fanatic, I'm always looking for things to add to my regimen.  Feel free to comment with your items too!  I would absolutely enjoy hearing what you love!!

 

Hope you have a great day!

 

Much Love,

Crystal

Make it a Too Faced kind of day!

 

Hi Everyone!! I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I feel really accomplished in getting a lot done that I needed to! :-)  I'm going to mix it up again today with a beauty post on some amazing Too Faced products!  Above is an after picture wearing all the products I am going to show you today.

 

First up, I removed all the face makeup I had been wearing in order to show you a step by step.  It's a bit embarrassing to show, since you can easily see all my blemishes, but I trust you all not to make too much fun of me ;-) hehe  I kept my eye makeup on, because well, that will be a different post coming soon!!  I washed and then removed the makeup with my toner to make sure my skin was clear.

 

Next, I applied a small amount of Primed and Poreless Pure by Too Faced.  This is perfect for sensitive skin, so I love it!  It is oil free and feels very lightweight on the skin.

 

 

Here is a picture after I applied the Primed and Poreless Pure.  Even if you can't really noticed the difference through these pictures, it's actually a lot of how it makes the skin feel instead.  I notice my skin has more of a smooth feel after applying.  I also notice it makes my concealor/bronzer easier to apply, and keeps my makeup looking better throughout the day. 

 

I have been using Too Faced Chocolate Soleil for quite a while now.  As you can see in the picture, I've hit the bottom! lol  I just LOVE the way it smells.  I have had other bronzers in the past that have a baby powder or just any other kind of scent, but this is made to smell like chocolate!  It does have a cocoa scent, but it's also just a sweet scent that I've easily grown accustomed to.  I have a different bronzer at work for touch ups that I can barely stand to use in place of this!  This has been my favorite bronzer yet.  I may have to retire my current one to my desk and just buy a new one for putting on my morning makeup! :-)  With my Primed & Poreless though, I haven't had to touch up as much!!!

 

I've heard there is a lighter version of this bronzer, called Milk Chocolate.  I'm pretty fair and actually love the original.  Maybe I will check out the Milk Chocolate for winter.  I think a big part of bronzers is how they are applied.  Make sure you have a good brush and only lightly sweep it on your T zone (forehead, nose, cheeks) just like you would be hit by the sun naturally.  You can check these bronzers ($29) out at online at Too Faced.  Ulta and Sephora also carry the line, so you can even probably check these out in person too!

 

 

 

As I said, a good brush can go a long way!  I've had this brush for a few years now and it still hold up great.  I wash it lightly with shampoo and let it air dry.  You can buy this online at Everyday Minerals for $12.99.  I have mine fanned out more than what they show.  I absolutely love how soft this brush is too!

 

 

I also used the Lip Primer and Too Faced Perfect Lips in Perfect Nude Lip Liner.  This is universal, so anyone can use it!  Here is what the Too Faced website has to say:

 

What It Is:

Perfect Lips is the only liner you will ever need! Created to replicate the “perfect” natural lip color, this singular liner sensation blends seamlessly into your lip line to create shape and definition for all lip products and colors. The anti-feathering, waterproof formula won't fade, budge or smudge.

 

More To Love:

• Your One & Only: The only lip liner you need, regardless of lip color.
• Anti-aging: Natural antioxidants and Vitamin E protect and moisturize, preventing lips from aging.
• Protects & Hydrates: Jojoba Oil nourishes, smoothes and soothes for a perfectly in-place pout.
• Effortless Application: This creamy, natural liner glides on smoothly while the sleek, fine tip allows for precise application.

 

Here is my look so far, using the products above and concealor.  That's it!  I think my skin looks so much healthier here!

 

 

Next I decided to try the Primed and Poreless SPF 20 Bronze Tint.  You can use this alone or under bronzers and foundations.  Since I had already put my bronzer on, I added this and then went back to lightly blend my Chocolate Soleil with it.

 

 

A little goes a long way!  I do love that this has the SPF 20 in it though!  Who doesn't love some extra sun protection!

 

Scary pic below - sorry! haha  I had to show how I applied this Bronze Tint to mimic the sun.  I just blended it with my fingers for a natural look.

 

And we are finished!  I threw on a little Vaseline for my lips.  Some people hate that, but I like it because it gives my lips a nice smooth feeling, no taste, and absorbs nicely into my lips.  I really liked the soft color of my lips that is given by the Perfect Lips liner!  Also, the very first picture of this post shows the finished look in outdoor, natural lighting.

Here is the lighting in my makeup area.
 

 

 And here is a close up of my cheek.  I don't know how "poreless" I look, but I do know how SOFT my skin is!  I did trials of wear this a few days and days going without it.  Let me tell you, I can tell my skin looks more even while wearing this amazing product!  I think you can get away with one or the other for as far as tinted or not, but sometimes it might be nice to have the little tint for an extra pick me up.

What's nice about ordering direct Too Faced, is that they will send samples with your order! Their samples are usually a good size too. I received a Candlelight Eye Shadow Primer that has lasted me quite a while! I can do a review on that soon too ;-) I'm not sure if they ever do samples on the Primed & Poreless, but I would keep an eye! If not, I would try your local Ulta to purchase. They will take back products that you've tried but found they don't work. It's a great way to test to see if you like a product or how it works for you!

Overall, I like this brand a lot! They have some great products that will help keep makeup where you put it in the morning! Who wants to have to reapply all day long?

I hope you enjoyed today's beauty post!  Have a great day!!
Much Love,
Crystal



*These products by Too Faced (except Chocolate Soleil) have been sent to me for review. All thoughts and opinions are that of my own.*

Too Faced - Lip Insurance

Hello Everyone!  Happy Friday!  So I hope you don't mind, but today is a completely different type of post.  Nail Polish is my thing, and always will be, but I have always loved the whole beauty industry!!!  Today am excited to share with you my first time trying Too Faced Lip Insurance!!

Here are my lips with nothing on them.

 

Next I applied Lip Insurance, using the wand applicator.  It applies extremely well.    It looks white in color, but applies clear. It has sort of a satin finish to it, smoothing the lips. You can purchase Lip Insurance on http://www.toofaced.com/ for $19.  Sephora and Ulta also carry this line in store and on their websites.

On Too Faced, there is a description for Lip Insurance:

What It Is:

Unique, creamy formulation was created for application all over lips to promote suppleness and lock in lip color so it will not feather, fade or transfer. Our paraben-free, Vitamin-E enriched formula pampers lips while powerful pigment binders protect colors in the most challenging lip conditions/from pout imperfections.

More To Love:

• Ease On: The built-in applicator delivers the ideal amount of product for even coverage.
• Quick Drying: Formula locks in quickly, guaranteeing that deep, rich pigments perform at their maximum possible depth.
• Good For You: Free of parabens, sulfates, dyes, and other damaging ingredients.

 

 

Next I did lightly fill my lips in with Too Faced Perfect Nude Lip Liner, but I will review that at a later time!  I think this is a great base for lipsticks or gloss!

 

I then applied one of my favorite glosses, Just Pure Minerals Plum.  I love this color because you can wear it light and it gives a slight tint, or you can apply more for a deeper color.

 

The shimmer in it is so beautiful!

 

Plum

 I applied this lightly and the Nude Lip Liner also gave it more of a pink color than the purple.  Overall, I really loved this combination and especially loved how smooth my lips looked with the Lip Insurance!

 

 

A little Lip Insurance goes a long way!  I can't wait to test this with lipsticks as well as see how it holds up throughout a whole day.  Since I drink a lot of water throughout a day, I can only assume I would still need to reapply, but as I wore this last night, it stayed on my lips very well!

Hope you all have a great weekend!  And I also hope you enjoyed this little venture to trying something new to share with you all!

Much Love,

Crystal

**Too Faced products were sent to me for review.  All thoughts and opinions are that of my own.**