Benefit B.Right Skincare Part 2

After trying out the items from the B.Right skincare that Benefit had sent me (cleanser, moisturizer, & eye cream), I decided to try out some more items from this line.  I had my eye on the Triple Performing Facial Emulsion SPF 15 PA ++ (oil free lotion) and the Refined Finish Facial Polish (exfoliator).  I saw where Benefit was offering a limited edition B.Right Intro Kit for $12 on their website,  (http://www.benefitcosmetics.com), including a mini Emulsion, Facial Polish, and Total Moisture cream.  They were offering limited time free shipping, so I jumped on the chance to try these products at such a low price.  It didn't take long for these items to arrive in the mail.  I haven't used an exfolitator since I was a young teenager, and I was excited to try one again.  I've heard good things about facial emulsions, and I was excited to try that as well.  It sounds so fancy. I like the fact that is it oil free and lighter than the Total Moisture cream (highly recommend the Total Moisture for dry or aging skin).  Benefit worked with the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Labs (one of the leading, most advanced cosmetic and skincare research labs in the world), to create the emulsion.  It contains Vitamin E and is supposed to target hydration and main water on the skin's surface.  It includes several vegetable-based sugar and glycol derivatives plus a selected set of hyaluronic acid.  (Hyaluronic acid is said to boost hydration in the skin as much as 73% without two hours after applying the emulsion.)

I tried the Refined Finish Facial after cleansing with the Foamingly Clean facial wash, then applied the Triple Performing Emulsion.  (The instructions that came with the Facial Polish say to exfoliate 1-2 times a week.)  The next morning, my skin seemed a bit softer.  I'm going to try the facial polish again at the end of the week.  Compared to the Total Moisture cream, the Triple Performing Emulsion is a lot lighter in formula.  I would recommend using the Emulsion as a day cream and the Total Moisture as a night cream for dehydrated skin.  As I mentioned in my previous article, I really like how smooth the Total Moisture cream makes my skin look.  My foundation looks so natural over top of it, but I feel it would be a bit too rich for my skin for everyday use.  My skin isn't as dry as it was during the colder Winter months.  The Total Moisture cream would have been perfect then. All in all, I think that the B.Right Skincare line is really good.  I plan to continue to use Foamingly Clean facial cleanser as my new daily cleanser.  It's a bit steep in price ($21) compared to the $3 Clean & Clear cleanser that I had been using.  If it continues to satisfy me, I will definitely purchase this when my complimentary bottle is used up.  With all of these products, a little goes a long way.

Check these items out along with others from the B.Right line at http://www.benefitcosmetics.com, http://www.sephora.com, and look out for them at Sephora stores, Ulta stores, and Benefit counters.

*Disclaimer*: I purchased the limited edition Intro to B.Right set, including the mini Facial Polish, Emulsion, and Total Moisture cream.  I received the full size Total Moisture Cream, Foaming Clean Facial Wash, and It's Potent Eye Cream for free from Benefit Cosmetics to try out.  I am not being paid for this blog article.*

Benefit B.Right Skincare Part 1

I received an email a few weeks ago from the administrator of Benefit Cosmetics' facebook page asking for my contact information.  They said they had selected me (as well as other "Benefit Babes" from the facebook fan page) to become a Benefit Cosmetics advocate.  The advocates are to rate/review the new Benefit products.  I just received my first box of products to review from Benefit on Tuesday afternoon, the same day that I receive my Avon orders.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a box from Benefit.  I tore it open and found three items from the new B.Right skincare line, that I was curious about trying.  (I was actually thinking of ordering them when they were released, the day before.  I'm glad I held off and received the free products.)  I received a full size tube of the Foamingly Clean facial wash (a basic cleanser gentle enough for all skintypes), a full size glass jar of the Total Moisture facial cream (super moisturizing for dry skin), and a small jar of the It's Potent! eye cream (advertised to fade dark circles).  The Foamingly Clean facial wash retails for $21, the Total Moisture facial cream retails for $38, and It's Potent! eye cream retails for $32.  I tried the Foamingly Clean facial wash right away, and I must say that I really like it so far.  I used it for three days in a row and so far so good.  My skin is extremely sensitive.  The more basic of the cleanser that I use, the better. Foamingly Clean feels soothing and calming on the skin, and it is a creamy consistency.  For best results, apply it to your face and then splash your face with water.  That creates a nice lather.  Then, work the cleanser into your face and rinse.  I tried the Total Moisture facial cream the first day that I received it.  I really like how it works under foundation.  I used it under my NARS Sheer Glow, and the Sheer Glow went on so smoothly like a tinted moisturizer.  It looked so natural.  (Usually, when I use the Sheer Glow, I have dry flakes on my forehead.)  I haven't used the moisturizer long enough to know whether or not it suits me, but it seems really nice for dry, thirsty skin.  I've used the eye cream for about three nights so far, and I really like it.  This is my first time using an eye cream!  I don't get nearly as much sleep as I should, and I tend to have tired looking eyes and sometimes dark circles.  This eye cream has made my eyes look really refreshed since I've been using it.  I'm going to keep using it and see how it continues to work.

All in all, I like how Benefit's B.Right skincare line is nice and simple.  Unlike Clinique, who has different cleansers and skincare items for different skin types (which can make things complicated to decide which one is best for you), B.Right skincare is suitable for all skin types.  The cleanser is formulated gentle enough for sensitive skin.  The Total Moisture facial cream is targeted for normal to dry skin.  There is also a Triple Performing Facial Emulsion available as well, which is oil-free with an SPF of 15.  It is said to be lighter weight than the Total Moisture cream.  The Triple Performing Emulsion also had vitamin E to comfort and nourish the skin.  It retails for $28.  Benefit Cosmetics worked wit the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Labs, which is one of the leading and most advanced cosmetics and skincare research centers in the world to create this product.  I'm more interested in trying this as an everyday moisturized because it doesn't seem as rich as the Total Moisture facial cream.  (My skin isn't as dry right now as it was this winter.) It is something that I would put on in the morning before the rest of my makeup because of the SPF and fact that it is oil free. I'm excited to try it out.  There is also an exfolliater, recommended for use 1-2 times a week for a smooth, radiant complexion.  It is called the Refined Finish facial polish.  I'm interested in trying this as well.  (I never exfoliate, but I bet my skin would look a lot better if I did.)  The Refined Finish facial polish retails for $22.  There is also a limited edition B.Right starter kit, available on Benefit's website for $12.  This kit includes a mini Refined Finish facial polish, Total Moisture cream, and Triple Performing Emulsion.  I'd suggest getting that while you can.  It's a nice sized kit to try out the products before committing to buy the full size.  That way, you can see if the like the products, without breaking the bank.

All of the items that I listed today are available now from http://www.benefitcosmetics.com.  The B.Right skincare line originally wasn't due to launch until the beginning of April, but it launched on March 15th on Benefit's website.  The items mentioned above are also now available on Sephora's website. There are other items set to launch later on this year including a facial mist, makeup remover, and toner.  The products seems to be at an average price for skincare.  I've seem more expensive eye creams and moisturizers in the drugstores.  This B.Right skincare collection is well worth checking out.  Get it online now or stop in to your local Sephora later this month!

*Disclaimer: This items were all sent to me for free from Benefit Cosmetics for reviewing purposes.  I am not being paid for writing this blog.*

3/10/2011 Face of the Night

Face of the Night:

Face: NARS Sheer Glow Barcelona

Cheeks: NARS Taj Mahal Blush with NARS Albatross highlighter overtop

Maybelline (Smashing Seas aqua color) & Hard Candy (Ab Fab pink side) eyeshadow

Maybelline Falsies Waterproof Mascara

Sephora Collection Glitter Liner Gold

 I wore this look for a musical, The King and I, at my alma mater high school.  I was in the musicals for all four of my years in high school, and I had a supporting lead in the musical my senior year.  I wanted to make a good impressions.  I received a few compliments, including one from my old musical director. I've been using the NARS Sheer Glow a lot lately each time that I go out somewhere special, and I wore it on two job interviews.  It photographs really well, and it's really lightweight.  I really like it, but I don't think it's worth the $42 price tag. I think the price should at least be cut in half.  I know a lot of gurus who consider this HG status, but it's not quite there yet for me.  I'm interested in either the MAC Face & Body or the MUFE (Make Up Forever) Face & Body.  I just ordered the MAC one from their website ,because I don't have a Pro store near me (& it's only available online or at the MAC Pro stores).  I'm going to go to my nearest Sephora hopefully this weekend or next weekend for sure and try out the MUFE F&B foundation.  I've heard such rave reviews about those.  Maybe one of those two will be HG status for me.  I really have been loving NARS Taj Mahal blush.  I purchased it awhile back, but I haven't really used it until now.  I had a hard time applying it because it's so pigmented, and I tend to have a heavy hand when applying NARS blushes.  This time, I was able to control it and make it work for me, and I've been using it quite a lot lately.  I love that the color is an orangey/peach shade with absolutely no pink in it (which is hard to find).  It has a really pretty shimmer to it, but it's not obnoxiously shimmer.  It's very subtile and looks natural.  I highly recommend this blush for women of color, particularly deep skintones.  I received the NARS Albatross highlighter is a swap on MAKEUPALLEY, and I really love it.  It wasn't even something that I had every even wanted to try.  The white color in the pan never appealed to me.  I'm glad I tried it.  (I swapped it for my Benetint.  I wasn't really feeling that at all. It made me look feverish.)  Albatross is my favorite highlighter.  It's light on the skin and blends like a dream.  It's so silky and leaves such a gorgeous golden sheen on the face.  I love using it over blushes to tone them now and make my skin glow.  I saw a video on youtube of a women with a very deep chocolate skintone doing a tutorial with Albatross, and it looked so beautiful and amazing on her skin.  I think the Albatross would suit all skintones, both cool and warm.  I highly recommend it if you're looking for an easy to apply highlighter.  It's so much lighter on the skin than the liquid highlighters.  The eyeshadows that I used are by Maybelline and Hard Candy, and I highly recommend them.  Hard Candy makes such great eye products that are super affordable.  (Check them out at Walmart!).  I also highly recommend the Sephora collection glitter eyeliner that I used.  The consistency is really nice and easy to work with.  It leaves amazing shine to the eyes and lasts all day.  It's $12, which is a decent price compared to Too Faced Starry Eyed liner ($17.50) and Urban Decay's Heavy Metal glitter eyeliner ($18).  I've used the Too Faced Starry Eyed liner, and it didn't impress me at all.  It also dried up quickly (maybe I got a dud?!).  The Sephora collection has great pigmentation, and I recommend that one over the more expensive Too Faced liner.  Hope you guys enjoyed my Face of the Night. Have a great week everyone! Stay beautiful!

3/7/11 Face of the Day

FOTD:

Face: Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer (medium2)

Cheeks: Nars Angelika Multiple (exclusive to Tainted Love gift set)

Eyes: Inner Crease- Maybelline Expert Eyes Shadow 45D Shocking Seas (aqua shade). Outer crease- Hard Candy Kal-Eye-Descope Baked Eyeshadow Duo (pink side) 059 Ab Fab

Sephora Glitter Eyeliner in Gold (top only)

Lips: MAC Pink Friday

Today's look focused on soft pastel colors, and I focused on my eyed and kept everything else quite simple.  I love the way that the aqua and pink eyeshadow compliment each other.  Using two different eyeshadows together is an easy and fun way to play up your look without spending a lot of time on it.  The glitter liner adds flare to the eyes without being overpowering. I kept the rest of my makeup soft and simple with a bold pink lip.  This look only took about 8-10 minutes.

New Look & Face of the Day 3/4/11

I decided to take the plunge and get a completely different hairstyle.  I went for a lighter color for Spring, and I love it.  I've been wanting to try this cut for a while, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to get the bangs or not.  I decided to just go for it.  This is what my hair looks like flat ironed.  This is all my 100% real hair. (I know it's super long!)  My hair won't be straight like this all the time.  Once I wash it, it will be curly again, but I bought a mini flat iron to straighten my bangs.  (I'm going to have to spend a little more time on my hair now than I usually do because of the bangs.  Longer side bangs were easier to style.)  I purchased the Hot N Silky Mini Flat Iron from Sally Beauty Supply for $19.99, and I love it.  It's a tiny little thing, but it works really well and is easy to use on my bangs.  I have a Hot N Silky curling iron, and it works great as well.  I highly recommend the Hot N Silky brand for thick, curly, or coarse hair.  Let me know what you guys think of my new look!

FOTD:

Face: Nars Sheer Glow foundation in Barcelona

Cheeks: Nars Taj Mahal powder blush

Lips: Meet Mark Glow Baby Glow lipgloss in M.Powerment Peach

     

Before

   After

I also just signed on as an Avon/Mark representative.  Check out my online store! http://smathianas.avonrepresentative.com/
If you live in Fayette County area, you can browse the store online, and if you see anything that you like, you can contact me and set up direct delivery to avoid shipping costs.

Spring 2011 Trend: Orange Lips!

             When I saw the picture above of the girl with the super bold, glossy orange lips, I knew I had to run out and buy an orange lipstick!!  The color is so fun and screams SPRING!!  I saw this picture on Sephora's website, where I frequent daily.  (I even have the Sephora app on my iPhone 4!).  I immediately called Sephora and asked them what the model had on.  She is wearing Make Up Forever's Artist Intense Rouge Lipstick in #40, described as a "satin, bright orange" with Make Up Forever's Lab Shine Diamond Lip Gloss in D20 a "shimmering tangerine".  I wanted the exact products that the model used, because they looked so perfect on her.  However, I could not stomach dishing out $19 for a lipstick and $18 for a lip gloss!  I may spend a little more on my foundations and blushes, but I am pretty thrifty when it comes to lip products.  The most I've spent was $14.50 for a MAC lipstick, and most of mine are Viva Glam lipsticks and lipglasses that go to a good cause.  (I have no problem spending a little extra for charity.)  The beauty consultant that I spoke to at Sephora told me that I could achieve a similar look with the Sephora Collection Cream Rouge Lipstick in It Girl 06 (muted coral tangerine) for $12 and the Tokidoki Prisma Lipgloss in Burger for $15.  I was all ready to order those two products and rock the glossy orange lip, but when I had to stop at Walmart today for popsicles for my daughter, I ventured over to the cosmetics aisle.  I ended up with two orange toned lipsticks that didn't break the bank.  I wasn't sure which one would give me the desired color or finish that I wanted, and those were the only two that I could find.  I was unable to find an orange gloss that caught my eye.  The lipsticks that I picked up were Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren and Covergirl's new Lip Perfection lipstick in Temptation (both $5.94 a pop at Walmart).  (Yep! I scored 2 orange lipsticks for less than the price of one at Sephora!! Go me!!).  I tried out Revlon's Siren first, and I really love the consistency and the finish.  It's very pigmented and creamy, which is perfect for my dry lips.  It has a smooth, matte finish, without being drying.  The formula is nice and moisturizing and did not dry my lips out or flake.  (I have a problem with MAC lipsticks drying my lips out.)  Siren doesn't go on as bold or orange as the Make Up Forever lip colors look on the Sephora model's lips, but it definitely is orange and very wearable.  This is something that I can see anyone (fair and very dark skinned ladies) being able to pull off for everyday use.  Covergirl's Temptation isn't quite as pigmented as Revlon's Siren and the finish is different.  It's a frosty finish with shimmer through it.  (The shimmer is more visible when swatched on my hand than on the lips though.)  This goes on quite sheer when you first apply it, but the color can be built up as much as you want it to be.  It's a different shade of orange than Siren.  I'm glad I bought both of them, because I can create two different looks with these colors.  They are not identical by any means.  CG's Temptation is a really pretty orange that looks quite tropical.  It reminds me of a Summer day at the beach.  It's a nice change from the classic red or pink, and it looks quite natural on the lips.  Both of these lip colors get an A+ in my book.  The price is right, and if you want to try the orange lip trend without breaking the bank, I'd definitely recommend trying these.  Both of these colors can work for day or night, and neither of them are too bold that you can't wear them for everyday use.  Check those colors out at your local Walmart or drugstore! Happy Shopping! Let's get ready for Spring! :)

Orange Lips shown on the Catwalk with a bare, fresh face.

I'd recommend keeping all other makeup very minimal if you're going to rock a bold lip of any color.  The last thing you want to look is clownish.  Keep your face makeup simple by just using foundation or tinted moisturizer to even out skintone. If you must wear blush, choose a very light, soft peach shade or swipe on a light dusting of your favorite bronzer.  Keep your eye makeup nude and simple with nude or a pale pastel shadow and black mascara to make your eyes pop.  

Me Rocking Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Temptation.

  I applied about three swipes of it to get the color above.  The pigmentation is not a bad thing.  This can be used for both a soft or bold look, depending on how much you layer it.

 Me Wearing Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Siren 

  I love how pigmented this color is.  This picture does it no justice.  It is more orange in person but very wearable.

Covergirl Temptation & Revlon Siren

New Nars Illuminators: Laguna, Copacabana, & Super Orgasm (Spring 2011)

Laguna, Copacabana, Super Orgasm

NARS released their new Illuminators for Spring 2011 late on Febauray 15th, 2011.  These are only exclusive to narscosmetics.com right now, but they will be hitting NARS counters early this summer around May.  If you want to get your hands on these before May, I'd strongly suggest heading over to NARS's website and checking these out.  These are $29 a pop, but since NARS orders ship free over $25, they're worth ordering online.  I purchased all the new colors for my birthday.  I couldn't decide which one I wanted; they're all beautiful!  Laguna is a really pretty bronze shade with slight shimmer.  Copacabana is my favorite.  It's a really pretty silver shade with a tiny hint of pink irredescence.  Super Orgasm is more pigmentated and peach toned than the original Orgasm illuminator which is more neutral toned.  All these of these new illuminators are more pigmented than the original orgasm illuminator.  They all have about the same amount of shimmer, just enough to light up your face without being a glitter fest.  These dry nice and give a beautiful sheen.  A+ for the new pretty colors.

Super Orgasm Illuminator Compared to Orgasm Illuminator