January Sephora Haul

For my Graduation gift, my SIL's gave me a Sephora Gift Card since they know I love makeup and I can be picky as well.  I originally already spent tons when Sephora had their F&F sale, so I didn't know what else to get.  I got a few things that were on sale and what I've been lemming for.

Here's a quick look:

 Tokidoki Palette, Benefit One Prime Day Set, SephoraOPI Metro Chic, Tarte Blush

 

 All opened up for you to SEE!

I'm on the fence with a few of the products. I swatched some of the eyeshadows from the Tokidoki Palette and I'm not sure I'm loving it. I may end up giving it to my sister or returning it for something else at Sephora.  I used some of the Benefit primers, but haven't used it enough or maybe long enough.  I still have to use Metro Chic, but from what I heard its a nice taupe color, hopefully it suits my skin color well.  As for the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy, I think I ordered the wrong color. It looks too orangey for me, as I thought from swatches it would be more of a coral color.  I'll probably return it for a different color as I've been wanting to try the Tarte blushes.

Let me know if you guys want to see swatches or review on these before I change my mind.  I hope to at least like them to keep.

 Are these Keepers?

 simplybeautiful

Sold Out! MAC......

MAC Surf Baby Cheek Powder "My Paradise" is totally 

Sold Out where I'm at.

So I stopped into my local MAC store today and low and behold this particular product is Sold Out.  I think this was one of the only ones that I had wanted from this collection.  Yes, it was my bad that I didn't reserve any or didn't go earlier to grab one.  Its sold out online as well! Yikes!  I swatched it at MAC, and it was a nice blush color (although the gold overlay doesn't stay on too long).  Well see if I go traveling a bit and be able to find it somewhere else.

Other than that, I had a awesome day! Ate alot today and did some shopping as well.  Enjoy!

Some of the food I had today!

Pecan Crusted Chicken

Yummy Appetizers!

Curry Chicken with Snap Peas

Enjoy the Rest of your Holiday Weekend!!!

simplybeautiful

Rock and Republic????

I know I've been out of the loop for some LONG Time now.  Life has stalled me way behind and blogging is the last thing on my mind.  I love to write and think, so I do miss blogging. I'll eventually find the time to do so.

So what's the Deal with all this commotion of the Rock & Republic Blushers?

It seems that every blog and every facebook post I see is about these blushers?  I know there was a sale on Hautelook awhile back where they on sale for a great price.  So far from what I've seen its much about the hype of everyone trying them and how good they are.  Yikes for retail price of $40? not sure if I want to spend it all on one blusher, but I'm glad lots of people got them for cheap in the sales.  

Now for me it comes down to a few questions:  Do I really need more blushers? (I have way too many) Are they worth the $40 or even the $24 it was on sale for?  (IDK)  Are they really that much better than ones out in the cosmetics world?  

I do honestly want to try one blush out to see for myself.  Not sure when, but hopefully if one of those sales come along, I'll definitely check it out.  But for now, my $40 is gonna have to stay in my pocket. 

Do you like R&R Blushers?  Are they worth it?

simplybeautiful

Aura Radiant Blush Review & GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

So a few weeks ago, I mentioned on this post about a new organic makeup brand that has been out.  I had a few items to review on that post, so I was not able to go in depth with the reviews.  So I decided to do a separate post with a better review of the one product I loved and include an Awesome Giveaway for you!

Vapour Organic Beauty

~ Aura Radiant Blush in Whisper ~

"Aura's versatility just got amplified with the glamour and gleam of metallics. Add a little sparkle to your evening face and some personality to your day-time look. Highlight your cheeks, lips, and eyes with an extra shot of sparkling colour. The shades are designed to work with every skin tone. They can be paired and layered for extra fun. These shimmers look great on the shoulders and décolletage too!"

heavy application

 Look I did using it as a blush

Pros:

~Stick applicator (very easy to use and apply)
~Multi-use (Cheeks, Eyes, Lips)
~Build able color (Can be used lightly as a highlighter to heavier application as a blush)
~Creamy and great to set powder blushes with
~Organic and natural
~5 colors that matches all skin tones
~Gives a healthy Glow  (which I love)

Cons:

~Price ($28)
~Smell (has a different kind of citrus smell, some may like some may not)
~Limited Availability


Rating: 4/5

Overall I definitely like this product. I have been using this Aura Blush in Whisper for the past few weeks and love to use it especially for my cheeks as a blush or a highlight.  I like that there is a hint of shimmer, but not too much and that that shimmer gives my face a nice glow.  The stick applicator form is the best. Its super easy to use, no need for a blush, as I can easily just swipe it on my cheeks and blend with my fingers.  I also love that I can use it to set my powder blushes with gives me a more radiant glow and build different layers with the blush.  I definitely need to try out the other blushes to see how the colors are, but I do think that they will be awesome as well.  Its exciting to see a new makeup brand that uses organic and natural products which I'm sure will appeal to many.  If you compare the price to brands like Nars, Dior, Smashbox, the prices aren't too bad.  You definitely get what you pay for, which is Awesome cause the product is amazing.

Aura Radiant Blush can be bought online at Vapour Organic Beauty or ShopNBC.com.

Now for the Giveaway!

Rules:

1.  Comment below of one product you'll like to try from the website.

2.  Must be a Follower of my blog.
3. Include valid email address.

3.  Must be 18 or older to enter giveaway, or have parent's permission.

4.  Giveaway ends  May 27th, 2010

Prize:

WINNER receives  2  "Aura Radiant Blush"  in their choices!

 (valued at $28 a piece)

Can't wait for the winner to chosen and receive their prizes! 

simplybeautiful

(All item mentioned have been provided by PR for review.  I was not paid nor is affiliated with company.  Reviews are honest opinions and based on my experience.)

Vapour Organic Beauty

"Vapour is a new prestige beauty company set to revoluntionize the luxury beauty market with its innovative delivery system, unparalleled skin affinity and sophisticated color artistry."

 Vapour Organic Beauty - Product Review

Aura Radiant Blush - Mulit-Use Blush for Lips, Cheeks, and Eyes ($28)

I liked this product the best! Because of its multi-use, I know I can take it anywhere with me and use it for the eyes, lips, or cheeks.  For me personally I liked using it as a blush, just a hint of pink shimmer for the cheeks.  The color in Whisper is a peachy/pink color which I think suits me well.  This is almost like cream blush, but in a stick form, which is super easy to use!

 Elixir Lip Gloss - Sultry ($20) 

This lip gloss is in a squeeze tube which is easy to apply and no need for a wand. The only thing I would say is that its a little small for the price and the color I had was not as pigmented on my lips.  Overall it has hints of shimmer to it but not to over whelming and has a good consistency, not sticky like other glosses.


Halo Body Spotlight - Moonlight ($34)

no flash

flash

"A Kiss of moonlight for the whole body"  This is an awesome product! What I liked about this product was that it is in a stick form, which is super easy to apply to the body.  Just rub it in the area you need and blend with your hand, no messy cream or spray.  It gives a soft shimmer glow to the body and highlights the best of the body!  This is definitely something great for those summer days out and about!

Product Rating:  4/5 

Overall:
Vapour Organic Beauty products prides itself in using the most natural and organic ingredients and materials for its products.  Most items are consider at least 70% natural which is great for the body and the environment.  All items except for the glosses come in a stick form, which I think is great, since its easy to use and versatile.  Yes prices are a bit high, but I say you get what you pay for. You get the most organic and natural products out there plus its good for you! The smell of the items I got were much different from what I'm used to in traditional products, as it has a sort of citrus or fruity smell, but I got over and ended up liking it as well.  Overall, aside from those two things, these are great products to try and learn about.  Anything that is overall organic and natural is always good in my book.


Vapour Organic Beauty can be bought exclusively on www.ShopNBC.com and www.VapourBeauty.com

simplybeautiful

(These products were sent from PR for consideration.  This review is based on my own experience and personal view of the products. I am not affliated with the brand)

MAC Pret-a-Papier Haul

In my earlier post, I had mentioned wanting to get just a few items from the MAC Pret-a-Papier
Collection. Well I stuck with what I said and only got 2 items.  There were nice products with good colors, but I didn't need everything and knew I probably wouldn't wear most of the colors. 

Here's what I got:

Instant Chic Blush and Coral Crepe Paintpot

Instant Chic Blush

 swatch!

Coral Crepe Paint Pot

 swatch!

MAC Pret-a-Papier Collection

Overall:

These two products are basically sisters because they colors are very similar in pinks and complement each other well.

Instant Chic is a sheertone blush, so it does not have much shimmer to it and may be too sheer for some people. It's a subtle pink so its not too baby pinkish nor too red, so its something that I like.

Coral Crepe is an awesome color for a paint pot. Finally MAC released a new paint pot color but too bad its limited edition. For anyone who loves to wear pink eye shadows, Coral Crepe will be a a great base for vibrancy and payoff.  It is also good just by itself as a cream eyeshadow.  The color is very pigmented with some shimmer to it. To me, this color reminds me of Perky paint pot that was from the Fafi collection, but maybe a bit darker than Perky.

I may go back and get backups of the paint pot, as those usually sell out fast, but other than that I'm saving up for the next collection!!!

What did you get from this Collection? share!

simplybeautiful