Today is the day!

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette!  The speculation is over, here are the colors! (picture from Urban Decay website)

Alice in Wonderland: 16 Eyeshadows: Underland (Flash), Alice (Painkiller), Oraculum (Baked), Queen (Last Call), Chessur (Chopper), White Rabbit (Polyester Bride), Wonderland (Maui Wowie), Curiouser (Grifter), Muchness (X), Mushroom (Mushroom), Midnight Tea Party (Midnight Cowboy Rides Again), Vorpal (S&M), Absolem (Homegrown), Drink Me Eat Me (Sin), Mad Hatter (Twice Baked), Jabberwocky (Oil Slick). PLUS Travel-size 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and Flipside, and Eyeshadow Primer Potion (travel size).


Get it now!

Project Runway Season Premiere!

Don't forget Project Runway starts tonight!  10 pm EST on Lifetime!

So excited!!!

Origins

I know I'm not following my list of upcoming blog posts but this is worth mentioning!!!

So last week Origins was offering a free $20 skincare gift with any purchase.  I can't say that I have ever ordered anything from Origins before.  As I was looking through the website I came across Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil.  It was shipped immediately and I received my order in 4 days.  Plus I liked the way it was hand packaged.  Love that! 

The instructions say to massage the cleansing oil on to dry skin.  And it does feel like an oil.  Then you are to add water and continue massaging into a "milky lotion."  Let me just say, it smells like a soothing spa facial treatment.  It smells of lavender and citrus, sort of lemony.  It is a gorgeous clean scent.  The oil leaves your skin feeling so soft and smooth!  I love it! 

For years I battled oily skin and I truly thought I had oily skin.  Thankfully, I never suffered from breakouts.  But I found out that I was stripping my skin of it's precious oils and it was overcompensating.  Indeed, during my very first facial the woman asked me what cleanser I used.  She said my skin was very dry.  I was thinking, "Okay, what is this lady trying to sell me?"  I knew I had oily skin, I even avoided a moisturizer because I thought I didn't need it.  Well she was trying to sell me her products but she also shared with me a very important piece of information.  The more you strip your skin of it's oils, the more it will produce.  She told me to switch to a cream based cleanser right away and incorporate a moisturizer.  

I've been using the cleansing oil for the past few days and I absolutely love it.  It was $19.50.  Pretty pricey I know for a savvy shopper but it's made with natural oils and it cleans my face beautifully.  It also came with $20 worth of free gifts.  I picked the Age fighting kit.  This kit includes A Perfect World Antioxidant cleanser with White Tea and Modern Friction Nature's gentle dermabrasion.   I haven't tried these two products yet.
They are perfect travelling sizes so I may just put them in my train case for the next roadtrip.  It also came with A Perfect World White tea skin guardian that is to be worn under a moisturizer.  I put it on after cleansing my face one night and it has a very silky feel to it.  The website says this, "Protect your skin against the damaging effects of oxidative stress with the now-famous White Tea wonder. Creates a protective bubble around skin. Helps build skin's resistance to environmental damage and visible signs of aging."  We'll all need a little of that for sure!  http://www.origins.com/templates/products/search_results.tmpl?KEYWORDS=a+perfect+world I have not tried it on under a moisturizer during the day however to see how my makeup holds up with it's presence.  More on that later!

The next sale they have, I will definitely me ordering more of Origins.

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows

I have yet to purchase an Urban Decay Book of Shadows but this might be my first when it is released on January 15th!  Can't hurt that it is pay day either!  Yay!

Click on the link for an email blast of the colors.  http://www.urbandecay.com/promo/contest/Alice/

According to the website, there will be 16 best-selling colors that will be given names from the film.  Very exciting stuff!  2 mini 24/7 eye pencils and eye promer potion are included with the palette.  I hope the purple color on the top left is Fishnet.  Love that color. 

I think Kara DioGuardi (American Idol Judge) had a smokey look with a very similar purple.  It may have been a bluer purple though.  If anyone out there knows what her make-up was last night let me know!  She wore the look on the second audition day in Boston.

The palette will be $52.  Pretty pricey but with the primer potion and 2 mini eyeliners (zero and flipside), it comes with a lot of product!  I did a little research and Pursebuzz has exclusive swatches of the 16 eyeshadows.  http://www.pursebuzz.com/2010/01/exclusive-urban-decay-alice-in-wonderland-palette-shadow-swatches/  Gorgeous colors!

So here are my guesses to the possible colors starting from top left:

  1.  Underland is Fishnet from Deluxe Shadow Box
  2.  Alice is Peace from Deluxe Shadow Box
  3.  Oraculum is Baked from Get Baked Eyeshadow Palette
  4.  Queen is Last Call from Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box
  5.  Chesser is Scratched from Deluxe Shadow Box
  6.  White Rabbit is  Polyester Bride from Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box
  7.  Wonderland is Underground from Deluxe Shadow Box
  8.  Curiouser is Grifter from Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box
  9.  Muchness is Shag from Deluxe Shadow Box
10.  Mushroom is Diamond Dog???  (Stardust Eyeshadow)
11.  Midnight tea party is Midnight cowboy from Wallpaper Shadow Box
12.  Vorpal is Moon Spoon???  (Stardust Eyeshadow)
13.  Absolem is Mildew from Ammo Plus Primer Set
14.  Drink me, eat me is Space Cowboy???  (Stardust Eyeshadow)
15.  Mad hatter is Twice baked from Get Baked Eyeshadow Palette
16.  Jabberwocky is Oil Slick from Eyeshadow Ammo Shadow Box

I guess we'll see on Friday!  Lovely choices Urban Decay!

e.l.f. Treasure Hunt!

Just getting around to checking my email...  I received one from eye lips face and they are launching their new website and having a little treasure hunt.  Hidden throughout the website are items for 75% off!  http://www.eyeslipsface.com/home  (picture below from website)

You really have to dig.  So far I have found Fair Pink nail polish for $0.25 (normally $1) and Girly mineral eyeshadow for $0.75 (normally $3) and a lip liner pencil in natural for $0.25 (normally $1). 

And I have a free ship coupon code to share!  NEWSHIP  You have to spend at least $10 to get the free shipping offer.  So I just saved you 75% and $6.95. 

You are very welcome!

Urban Decay sale on HauteLook!!!

Urban Decay is having a sale at HauteLook for the next 40 hours or so.  Everything is under $10!!!  They just have a few things but at 75% off smoke out pencils are priced lower than drug store brands.  I picked up a couple eyeshadows, mascara and a couple pencils.

http://www.hautelook.com/invite/ESmith406  Then use coupon code HL2010 to receive $10 off of a $25 purchase!  You have to create an account but then you have all access to exclusive designer sales. 

Happy shopping!

Upcoming blog posts...

Some mini hauls from Victoria Secret, Cherry Culture, and The Body Shop. 

Some reviews of :
Orglamix!
Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Revlon Luxurious Color™ Kohl Eyeliner
L'oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Eyeliner, mascara and eyeshadow
L'Oreal HIP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner

A quick post on the top products I am loving in January!

Stay tuned...

January Wish List

Here are some products I'm dying to try or need NOW!  It's not going to happen this month though, I'm capped off.

1.  Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion XL - Sin
2.  Kat Von D Autograph Eyeliner in Black Metal Love, Homie, Peacock
3.  More Orglamix eyeshadows
4.  Sigma Brushes
5.  MAC Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15 
6.  MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC 20
7.  NARS Blush in of course Orgasm

A grand list of wonderful products.

Eyes Lips Face Mini Haul

Being the savvy shopper that I am, I was quite enticed by the $1 products I saw on the website.  http://www.eyeslipsface.com/home  Have a ever bought cosmetics at a dollar store before?  Umm, no.  Did I buy e.l.f. products on a clearance shelf a few weeks ago at Target?  Well, no I didn't.  What was it about the website?  For one, I like to look at the "looks" presented. Then I scrolled through the products. Only costs a dollar right?

All the products came in a padded envelope and then in an e.l.f. bag.  Nice touch.

Well I tried everything out and for the most part, I'm impressed. Again, this is my personal view and personal experience with each product.

1.  Tinted moisturizer SPF 15, color:  Apricot beige.  I like it.  Great coverage, great color.  I will order this again.  It does have a slight smell to it, I barely remember it.  At first it went on dark but it dried lighter.  I set it with some powder and it lasted two hours out in the blistering cold, snow, shoveling the driveway and sledding in the backyard, it's still going strong.   We all need some SPF to ward off those wrinkles!

2.  All over coverstick, color:  Aprocot beige.  I really like it.  I will order this again. Held up great and perfect for the redness around my nose this time of year!

3.  Brightening Eye Color, Silver Lining.  I like it.  These are my go to colors and they work perfectly.  I'm not sure if I will order again.  I love my mineral shadows.  But these are great to keep in your purse for on the go touch ups.

4.  Brightening Eye Color, Nouveau Neutrals.  I like it.  I probably won't order this pallete again, but again, great colors.

5.  Plumping Lip Glaze, color:  Baby doll.  Tastes like soap, literally like a bar of soap.  The plumping glaze stings, not a tingle, but stings slightly.  (maybe a bad batch?)  This color does not show up on my lips.  It looks like clear gloss. It does plump the lips.

6.  Plumping Lip Glaze, color:  Ruby kiss.  This color doesn't taste like soap.  Phew.  The plumping glaze feels very cold to the lips and less of a stinging sensation.  Nice color, faint, but nice.  It does plump the lips.

7.  I'm going to group the brushes together.  I bought a blending eye brush, eye shadow brush, and defining eye brush.  I used them on the palettes. There was a little shedding.  No weird smells.  Very soft.  Great brushes for a dollar comparable to any drug store brush I have tried. 

8.  Nail block.  4 sides; Step 1:  File, Step 2: Remove Ridges, Step 3:  Buff, Step 4: Polish and Shine.  My nails are a little to thick for the first step.  Nothing like etre.  Have you seen them in the mall lately?  Dying to run into one of their kiosks.  Great stuff.

Eyes Lips Face also has a studio line and a minerals line.  The studio line runs a little higher than e.l.f.   There is always a promo code for 10% off, free color collections etc.  Just do a little research to find a deal.  Right now they are doing 10 for 2010.  With a minimum $10 order so 10 products, you will get 10 more for free.  Shipping is $6.95 for U.S. orders.  The 10 free products consist of mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow brush, Brightening eye color, false eyelashes, liquid liner in both black and silver and eye primer, eye lash curler and make-up wedges for application.  Not a bad deal.

All in all, pretty good. I will be re-orderding the Tinted Moisturizer and the All Over Cover Stick. Quite frankly, the color match was right on for my skin tone and that is a rarity. Also I like the creaminess of the coverstick and the coverage was great.   $2 for face coverage is a great deal.

New Year Contest! Win a complete Kérastase minis set!

Yay!  Another contest!  How exciting!  Fingers crossed for this one.  My hair needs some serious help!  To enter, post this link on your myspace, facebook, blog and post your link in the comments section.  Hurry deadline is January 8th!

Good luck!

New Year Contest! Win a complete Kérastase minis set

Etsy

Love perusing craft fairs, bazaars and farmer's markets looking for unique handcrafted items.  My latest obsession that I have returned to is http://www.etsy.com/  It is so much fun looking at all the talented people selling their wonderful goods.  You can find anything from antique watches to wedding dresses.  This past weekend I was searching for all natural makeup and mineral eyeshadows.  I came across this lovely shop called orglamix.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/orglamix  Cheri the owner/creator is just lovely.  Any questions that you have she follows up immediately.

The following picture is from orglamix featuring the Twilight collection.  And yes she has a collections for Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, Bella, Rosalie and Alice!

How gorgeous is this look!!!  The best part is that "All Orglamix products are proudly formulated without:  Nano Particles, Bismuth Oxychloride, Synthetic Dyes, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrances, Petrochemicals, Parabens. Orglamix is a proud member of PETA!"  I read somewhere recently that the skin absorbs 70% of the chemicals that we lather on.  You can't eliminate everything but it's definitely important to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.  Enough of my preaching! 

Just one look at the gorgeous colors  and collections and I was hooked.   The best part is actually seeing the colors on the eye!  It's one thing seeing a beautiful color in a container but to see how it actually looks on the eye is a great selling feature.  I placed an order straight away for ten eye shadows and I cannot wait to try them all out.  I should have a full review in a couple of days.

I definitely recommend becoming a  fan on facebook to keep up to date on product announcements and giveaways!  Love free stuff!  http://www.facebook.com/orglamix

I entered the following two giveaways:

http://coocoocourtney.blogspot.com/2010/01/orglamix-review-and-giveaway.html
http://theforgottenbrush.blogspot.com/2009/12/orglamix-review-giveaway.html

Good luck!

Tired/Puffy Eyes Solution

 Every now and again after a sleepless night or after a day of not watching my salt intake, I will succumb to huge swollen eyes. I've tried cucumbers. They work very well but I am subjected to the feeling of freezing my eyeballs rather than the puffiness around my eyes. If you can stand that for 15 minutes, it will reduce the puffiness significantly. My other go to staple is Mary Kay's Indulge soothing eye gel.   I keep it in the refridge and relief is felt within seconds. It's also my weekend eye moisturizer when I want to skip a couple of steps. More on that later.

However, Santa must have been listening this year, as he always does and I received Lumene Time Freeze Instant Cooling Eye Stick in my stocking. Let me just say, WOW! Instantly it cools, soothes, tightens. With the Mary Kay gel you have to wait for it to dry and after a few minutes you can apply makeup. With the Lumene Eye Stick, it dries in seconds. I even used it on my husband's eyes just moments ago.  He was off to work early this morning and mentioned that his eyes were puffy.

I'll still use my Mary Kay Cooling Eye Gel on the weekends but with nursing school coming up in my near future, I see myself using a lot of the Lumene. I am very impressed with this product. I can't believe I didn't notice this product sooner. There is going to be a lot of late night studying in my future and I am going to need all the miracle products I can find to maintain a well-rested appearance!  You can find out more about this company from Finland at http://www.lumene.com/

You can find the line at CVS, Ulta and apparently Sears.  Next time I'm in CVS I am going to pick up the Lumene Time Freeze Instant Lift Cream as well. They both run about 20 bucks. CVS always has good sales and the Extra Bucks you can earn by using your CVS card can help as well. Love CVS! And always use coupons!!!  You can find them on-line by just googling the product you are looking for.  Just as the saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned.  If you clip out a $2 coupon my friend, you are half way to a latte.

My Current Skin Care Regiment

My current skin care regiment is AVON's Anew Rejuvenate line. Not sure how much it all cost but it was definitely on sale or at a special price. I have tried it all really. Clinique, Lancome, Khiel's, Mary Kay, Arbonne… All great products but on my budget? No dice. I have combination/oily skin, well I did before using this line. The Revitalizimg 2-in-1 gel cleanser is non-drying but you still get that clean feeling. In the morning I follow the cleanser with Flash Facial and the day lotion. Not really sure what the flash facial is supposed to do but I use it anyway. After the Flash Facial I put on a little of the day lotion. Love lotions with a SPF of 25 that are not greasy! I have fair skin and I need the protection from the sun but I also do not like the feeling that I have lotion on my face. It absorbs well and your skin feels soft and refreshed. I also use the 24 hour eye moisturizer as well. I can't say enough about hydrating your skin. I used to skip moisturizing because I thought I had enough oil. I learned that I was stripping my skin of all oils and my skin overcompensated which resulted in greasy face. This may seem like too many products for some but bottom line you need a good face wash, a day lotion with an SPF, a lotion for night as well and of course eye creams are an absolute must if you want to stave away those lines. The skin is going to age and lose elasticity as the years go by. However by keeping hydrated, eating lots of fruits and veggies (antioxidants, antioxidants, antioxidants!!!), reducing or eliminating alcohol from your diet and moisturizing that delicate skin tissue around your eyes, you can buy yourself some time before the inevitable sets in! What I have noticed with this line is that the fine lines around my eyes are less noticeable, my pores are visibly smaller and I had a brown spot above my right eye and I cannot see it anymore. So those are two huge changes that are very important to me when I use a product.

The latest drugstore haul

So I guess you could say I am health conscious.  I'm not fanatical, but I try my best to eat healthy and cook food from scratch for my family.  When we have soup, it's not from a can, etc.  Also, you'll never find boxed cookies or procsessed food in my pantry.  Cooking is therapeutic for me and the knowledge that I am   providing preservative and corn syrup free food to my family is really important to me.  I have been trying to be as organic as possible as well.  Recently I watched an infomercial on Wen Hair Care System by Chaz Dean.  http://www.wenhaircare.com/  I really wanted to shell out the $29.95, really I did.  But it was right before Christmas and I couldn't spend the money on myself.  Christmas is about giving right?  But the infomercial was talking about Wen being sulfate free, all natural.  Apparently, I learned from a conversation with a friend that sulfates can cause scalp irritation and actually thin out your hair.  I haven't done any research on those two facts yet but I did read an article on wikipedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_Lauryl_Sulfate

I'm not a chemist but the article does mention sulfates are added to shampoos and bubble baths for extra bubbles or a nice lather.  It also mentions that they break down or denature proteins which I guess could in fact thin out individual hair strands.  So when I pulled into Walgreens for vitamins (BOGO free) and saw Organix shampoo on sale I thought of it as an excellent opportunity to make the switch to sulfate free.  I bought shampoo and conditioner for the revitalizing pomegranate green tea, smoothing shea butter and nourishing coconut butter.  The deal was 2 for 1, or 2 for $6.99.  They are 13 fl.oz. bottles.  So kind of pricey even with the sale but the results are worth it.  My hair is shinier than ever and the texture feels great.  A little more about my hair...  I have a lot of hair, it's thick but the strands are not coarse, it's about shoulder length right now.  It is also color treated though I am letting the latest color choice grow/fade out.  After washing, I add a pump of Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine before blowing it out straight, well my hair is straight but I blow dry it with a round brush and then before flat ironing if I want it super straight I use Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener.  I have been using those 2 products even before switching to Organix shampoo.  Another benefit to Organix is that my hair isn't greasy the next day so I can actually go two days without washing which is actually healthier for my hair as well.  Very happy right now with Organix!   Wen will have to wait...

My very own beauty blog!

First off, I have taken a couple years off from blogging.  Gasp!  The time flew by.  We had another baby, moved to another state and bought a house!  Recently I decided that I should really get back into it.  So here it is!  Drum roll please...  "Ugh, not another beauty blog!"  I now realize how many there are out there but I too use and buy a lot of products and want to share my experiences.  My perspective will be a mom of two working on a tight budget.  I am currently going back to school working towards getting into an accelerated nursing program.  As of late, I focus on quick and inexpensive ways to look great without a lot of hassle and dough. 

 
 

As you are reading keep in mind that these are the opinions of one mother and they can be quite different from your own.  I am not a trained beautician or makeup artist; you will be able to tell I'm sure.  I'm just a woman who loves makeup and the thrill of trying new products!  If you would like to leave a kind comment, please feel free!  Helpful suggestions are very much appreciated.  Negativity, however, is very much discouraged.  Remember the old adage, "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all."  I live by this people!  

 
 

Thanks for reading and I hope to keep you all thoroughly entertained!