Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched - Review

Hello!

Today I wanted share a bronzer I found that might actually be very suitable for fair skinned beauties!  I very rarely see bronzers that I even want to try because they look waaaaaay too bronze, or I know they will pull orange as I don't really have much of a warm undertone.  But I saw this Pixi Brozer at Target in Subtly Suntouched and I was like "ooooohhhh".



The package comes with a little kabuki brush and it retails at Target or Target.com for $21.  It looks much more shimmery in the pictures than I feel like it appears in" real life".  The reason it caught my eye is because it runs less orange bronze, and more soft taupe bronze with a hint of pink (if that makes any sense).

The kabuki brush to me is really too small for practical use - I ended up using a regular blush brush


As you can see it looks "believable" in the swatch - I feel like this would be the color I would tan (if I could!).  There is shimmer to it but it is not overwhelming, and I think that's the point of faux bronzing it needs a bit of shimmer.


Here I am with just tinted moisturizer on, no powder.


And with the Bronzer - yeah so soft and pretty!  I really like it, and am so glad I finally found a natural bronzer with a bit of shimmer!

Do you have a favorite bronzer and why??

Jasmine


Monday, April 29, 2013

Sonia Kashuk LE Moroccan

Hello:

Today I wanted to share a pretty summer eye palette I found the other day - it's the Limited Edition Moroccan Sands eye palette by Sonia Kashuk.  It's available at Target for $16.99.



  It has four colors - here's the official description from the Target website: "Gild your lids with luminous color using this quad of shimmer chrome-inspired eye shadows. This universally flattering palette includes precious metal hues of burnished brown, metallic mauve, prismatic pink, and rose gold to illuminate the eyes with sophisticated color and subtle sheen. The revolutionary hybrid formula combines the best features of baked, powder, cream, and liquid eye shadow textures to deliver long-lasting, buildable color that applies evenly and blends flawlessly."


The only "unblemished" picture I got was of it in package - I got swatch happy before official pictures :)


The palette itself is rather large and it's about 3/4" thick.  I love the snake skin embossed effect!  The colors are really pretty on multiple skin tones - My friend who is about the shade of Halle Berry swatched as well and it looked amazing on her as well.


The shadows are really pigmented and smooooth. They are pretty "common" colors so it's not a must have palette, but if you need some summer neutral metallics it's a pretty good deal for some really nice shadows.

Have you found any fun summer palettes? 

Jasmine


Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday Social

Hello!

It's Sunday and time for Sunday Social!


Sunday Social


This weeks questions are:

Did you sleepwalk as a child?
No...not as a child.  But I actually have a rare sleeping disorder called REM sleep behavior disorder which started when I was about 19 which means I am a crazy, crazy sleepwalker NOW if not medicated.  I have tried to leave the house, I have punched people in the face (while both they and I was sleeping), I have woken up in the kitchen naked surrounded by cereal boxes.  Yea, it's not cool - I make D@#^ sure I take my medicine every night and I also don't drink because of the medicine - which most people assume is because I have a "problem".  Ahhh genetics...
Source



 Did you ever try to run away or sneak out of your house?
Run away - never! I knew my parents would be furious and just might not let me come back, they would take that seriously "You think its so bad here, then try and make it on your own." I actually never snuck out either.  My parents were STRICT, and they didn't mess around with discipline. I only played 2 games of basketball my 5th grade season and sat the bench the rest of the year for talking back to my dad. I was grounded for 8 weeks between my junior and senior year of high school for letting my checking account balance go below $50.  So I was very, very well behaved and I actually think that it helped make me a better person.
   
Did you have any imaginary friends?
No - I just read a lot which is kind of like having imaginary friends. :)

Did you ever go toilet papering?
Yes, once for Homecoming in high school. But I was scared S#!tl#$$ my parents would find out and so I threw one role and then went home with the other girls who were raised right :) The "bad" girls stole all sorts of lawn ornaments and realtor signs and such and I just thought that was mean! I mean some nice senior couple probably was really distraught their lawn deer were gone!
Source

 Did you ever sneak tv shows you weren’t allowed to watch?
Once again - no.  Seriously I was an anxiety ridden child - I did not want to piss my parents off.  I'm a Libra and I swear I'm true to my sign, I just like balance, I don't like conflict.  So no 90210 for me, or MTV.  And again I read a lot, played sports, did student council and NHS and cheerleading so there wasn't a lot of free time.

Was I boring or what - were you a good girl too?

Jasmine

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Seriously Skin Saturday

Hello!

So I wanted to start a new series on skincare as I have found a lot of people don't know a lot about their "Skin" like...

It is the largest organ!  (So we should take care of it just like we would our heart - you wouldn't "burn" you heart would you?)   So don't burn your skin!

Via

Your skin is thinnest on your eyelid and thickest on your palms and bottom of the feet - I have mentioned before that is why you should NOT put creams on your eyelid - see correct eye care Here! 


And be careful with those "pedi egg" things so you don't take too much skin off :)



When the skin forms "scar" tissue it's not like normal skin tissue it wont have hair follicles or oil glands - again why we need to protect the skin so we don't have scarred tissue. 

And finally the skin has 3 layers:
Via

The Epidermis, the Dermis and the Subcutaneous.  The picture on the left is healthy skin and on the right, sun damaged aging skin.  Next week I will go over what makes skin "healthy" and what you can and cant do once it is damaged.
Please leave any questions you might want answered during this series and I'll try and work them in :)
Jasmine

Friday, April 26, 2013

Inner Beauty Friday - Book Club

Hello!
It is Friday and Once again I am linking up with Heather from Blonde...Undercover Blonde for Book Club!




This week I read 2 totally different books - one total waste of brain space and one a bit of brain food.

First I read "Here I go Again" by Jen Lancaster -

Here is the synopsis from Goodreads.com:
"Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high school, Lissy Ryder doesn't understand why her glory days ended. Back then, she was worshipped...beloved...feared. Present day, not so much. She's been pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband, and kicked out of her condo. Now, at thirty-seven, she's struggling to start a business out of her parents' garage and sleeping under the hair-band posters in her old bedroom.

Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her present is miserable because of her past. But it's not like she can go back in time and change who she was...or can she?" 

My thoughts: I usually love Jen Lancaster's work - because usually it is autobiographical.  This is her 2nd attempt at fiction and it's just like all the worst chick lit and 80's movie drivel smushed together (I like these things separately). The main character was so mean but in the end she becomes a whole new person via some new age magic.  I don't usually have such a bad "reaction" to light reading but this was just trite.

Now on to the next book -

"Life After Life" by Kate Atkinson

Here's the Goodreads synopsis: "On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born, the third child of a wealthy English banker and his wife. Sadly, she dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in any number of ways. Clearly history (and Kate Atkinson) have plans for her: In Ursula rests nothing less than the fate of civilization.

Wildly inventive, darkly comic, startlingly poignant — this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best, playing with time and history, telling a story that is breathtaking for both its audacity and its endless satisfactions."

 
My thoughts: This was a really interesting premise - Ursula will live her life and die again and again and be reborn until she gets it "right".  You get to "see" the "butterfly effect" on life and how many ways it could go - I really am not sure which life was "right".  But it's a really interesting read and a bit of insight into War time England and what the "Blitzes" were like...

And as always if you want to "friend" me on Goodreads.com I'm Southern Flower :)

Jasmine

Thursday, April 25, 2013

MOTW - China Glaze "Don't be a Luna-tic"

Hello!

This week I picked up 2 of China Glaze's Holographic Colors at Sally Beauty Supply ($6.59) this week - their colors were really picked over but I was able to get "Don't be a Luna-tic" a light teal color.



As you can tell from the bottle shot it doesn't look very "holographic".




You can see a little bit in the swatch above - but for the most part you cant see a strong "holo" unless your under bright Halogen or "real" daylight.



In the picture above on the right is "indoor" lighting and the left my light box with "daylight lamps".



So it's a so-so holo nail polish, but it is much more easily available than most holo polishes. 

Have you tried any of the China Glaze Holographics yet?

Jasmine

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Cuticle Removal - Formula 10 VaRoom Review

Hello!

Today I wanted to share a product I found at Sally Beauty Supply - "Formula 10 VaRoom Lemon Brite Cuticle Remover & Nail Britener" (that's a lot of title!).  I am so guilty of going after my cuticles with the nippers  - and that may make them look good for a day or two, but it's not good on the regular.  So enter Varoom!


Not only does it help remove cuticle but it's also supposed to help whiten the nail.  Here's the official description: "Gently squeeze bottle and apply carefully loosen cuticle with applicator tip and cuticle pusher. Rub into nails and wait 3-5 minutes. Cream will brighten yellow nails and remove cuticle particles."  It's $5.99 (or $5.29 for Beauty Club Members).


It's easy to use - the tip makes it easy to get it where you need as does the accordion squeeze bottle.  My cuticles were in much better shape after use, but I don't know how much it whitened my nails.



So here are my 2 middle fingers - On the left I have used VaRoom! So you can see my cuticle looks much nicer (Can I also note it's wicked hard to take a picture of both your hands - I used the timer but STILL!) I don't see much of a brightening effect but I will say when I did my right hand I rubbed it into the nail bed a bit more and I think that might be the key. 

Overall I really like it!

What's your cuticle routine?

Jasmine

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Revlon Pacific Coast Collection - LE White Mist Gel Eyeliner

Hello!

Today I wanted to share the One item I picked up from the new Revlon Pacific Coast Collection by Gucci Westman.

Picture from LisaLovesMakeup87.blogspot.com

 
The 4 nail polishes were colors I feel like I have, the 2 eye shadow palettes were colors I have (and I really didn't like how they looked in the ad pictures...) I had heard the mini blush sticks were a bit waxy, and the lip butters are part of the permanent collection from what I can tell.  SOOOO I just got the white gel eyeliner.

 
 
I got it at Walgreens for $9.99.
 
 


The brush hooks into the lid - it's not the best mechanism I have ever tried but just using the short part of the brush works ok.  I was really hoping the eyeliner would be an opaque white - but it's a shimmery sheer white.


I swatched it both "wide" and "thin" on the left and then on the right I smudged in some matte pink eye shadow to see if I could also use it as a base for making it what ever color I want - and it will work with some finessing :)

Overall - it's ok.  I fully admit to being a gel eyeliner snob, I primarily only use Bobbi Brown, Inglot, and MAC fluidline so this is one of those things I really need to be wowed by and I am willing to pay a bit more for and Inglot is only $12 sooo $9.99 for Revlon is pushing it.

Have you tried anything from this collection?

Jasmine


Sunday, April 21, 2013

Sunday Social

Hello!
It's Sunday and time for Sunday Social!


Sunday Social


What is your shopping weakness?
Really?!? Make-up it's definitely make-up, nail polish & and beauty supplies!  I rarely buy clothes, I used to buy a lot of shoes, but I finally feel like I have more than enough.  I still like to buy a new purse once a year.

What is your food weakness?
Carbs - and the worst kind available - Croissants & Candy.

What is your go to movie to watch when nothing is on?
I really don't like watching movies repeatedly, so I most often just turn on Netflix and watch a documentary or catch up on a series I wanted to watch.

What is your go to breakfast food?
Cereal - Raisin Nut Bran, Cracklin Oat Bran & Fruit Loops with Marshmallows (It Exists - but hard to find!)

Do you drink coffee? If so how do you take it?
No - I mean once and a while I will have some International Foods French Vanilla Café - but that's like coffee flavored cocoa.  I drink Diet Coke like people drink coffee - I need one in the morning on ice to get going - weird I know.

Until next Sunday!
Jasmine



Friday, April 19, 2013

Inner Beauty Friday - Book Club!

Hello!

Once again it is Friday and time for book club - so I am linking up with Heather at Blonde...Undercover Blonde



This week I read two depressing books... they were interesting but totally not beach reads.

The Healing
 
First up "The Healing" by Jonathan Odell - here's the synopsis from Goodreads.com: "In Antebellum Mississippi, Granada Satterfield has the mixed fortune to be born on the same day that her plantation mistress's daughter, Becky, dies of cholera. Believing that the newborn possesses some of her daughter's spirit, the Mistress Amanda adopts Granada, dolling her up in Becky's dresses and giving her a special place in the family despite her husband's protests. But when The Master brings a woman named Polly Shine to help quell the debilitating plague that is sweeping through the slave quarters, Granada's life changes. For Polly sees something in the young girl, a spark of "The Healing," and a domestic battle of wills begins, one that will bring the two closer but that will ultimately lead to a great tragedy. And seventy-five years later, Granada, still living on the abandoned plantation long after slavery ended, must revive the buried memories before history repeats itself."

My thoughts: I saw a few reviews that compared this to "The Help", yes it's about race relations in the south but that's about it.  It gives a really "real" look into slave life and the divisions among slaves themselves and the notion of Freedom to those who have been captive for generations.  I thought it would be more about generations of natural healers (and it was in a way).  It was a good book, and interesting.

The Plum Tree

I also read "The Plum Tree" by Ellen Marie WisemanHere is the synopsis from Goodreads.com: "Bloom where you’re planted,” is the advice Christine Bolz receives from her beloved Oma. But seventeen-year-old domestic Christine knows there is a whole world waiting beyond her small German village. It’s a world she’s begun to glimpse through music, books—and through Isaac Bauerman, the cultured son of the wealthy Jewish family she works for.
Yet the future she and Isaac dream of sharing faces greater challenges than their difference in stations. In the fall of 1938, Germany is changing rapidly under Hitler’s regime. Anti-Jewish posters are everywhere, dissenting talk is silenced, and a new law forbids Christine from returning to her job—and from having any relationship with Isaac. In the months and years that follow, Christine will confront the Gestapo’s wrath and the horrors of Dachau, desperate to be with the man she loves, to survive—and finally, to speak out.
Set against the backdrop of the German home front, this is an unforgettable novel of courage and resolve, of the inhumanity of war, and the heartbreak and hope left in its wake."

My thoughts: It was very interesting to read about the Holocaust from the standpoint of the Germans that were living in small towns and being watched and terrorized by the military.  In an age when we have so much technology and are able to rapidly share information it makes you realize how hard a war like this would be on families with little way to know what was going on and if their loved ones were ok.  Again it was good, and kept my interest.

Until next week!

Jasmine

 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Healthy Sexy Hair "Soy Renewal"

Hello!

Today I wanted to share my thoughts on the Healthy Sexy Hair "Soy Renewal" sample that I got in my April Ipsy bag reviewed Here.  It's a "nourishing styling treatment".

The "Sexy Hair" website describes it as "SOY RENEWAL is a nourishing styling treatment made with Moroccan Argan Oil that addresses moisture, frizz, smoothness, elasticity and shine concerns. Also protects from environmental stresses and reduces drying time."


It feels a lot like most "Argan oil" treatments and I need about 3 to 4 drops for my thin but past my shoulders hair. 


First I should describe my hair, it's very fine and prone to frizz, it's not straight and it's more wavy than curly.  I wear it up in a bun almost everyday as I have yet to find a way to style it "down" without spending 45 minutes + on it.  So I used this product on wet hair as directed twice and I will say I do believe my hair dried faster and it was very soft.  But it was still a frizzy mess.  I also used it on my dry hair to tame frizz on 2 separate occasions and it worked for about 30 minutes and then I went back to looking like a tumble weed. 

So this product doesn't work well for me - but if you have thicker hair it probably would.  I also think straight haired gals would enjoy it as well.  But for those of us with frizzy, thin hair...not so much.

Jasmine



Wednesday, April 17, 2013

MOTW - Golden Strawberry Fields

Hello!

Today I wanted to share my manicure of the week.  It's nothing exciting - I just wanted something pink and a bit of sparkle.


I used China Glaze "Strawberry Fields" and love & beauty "gold", as well as my favorite top coat Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Top Coat.  Strawberry Fields is a hot pink with gold shimmer, so I used "gold" as an accent nail for more bling :)

daylight on the left & indoor on the right

It doesn't look very nice in the picture - but I think it looks better in real life.  I have so many polishes - I promise something better soon!

Jasmine

Kiss New York Plump & Juicy lipgloss

Hello!

Today I want to share a lip gloss with you that's crazy affordable and has fun colors.  It's Kiss New York's Plump and Juicy and you can get them HERE, or at a lot of beauty supply places.  A friend got this for me (Hi Boo!) because she knows I love me some plumping gloss! 


It looks like a black cherry color in the tube but comes out more of a raspberry.


It smells just like fruit snacks - the grape ones I think :)


It gives almost full coverage, a little bit of tingle and plump, and lots of shine.


Not too bad for $2.99!  I'm sure it doesn't have the best ingredients, but I don't know many lip glosses that do.  I hope to try a few more!

What's your favorite inexpensive cosmetic?

Jasmine




Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I love Spring Tag!

Hello!

Today I am going to do the "I love Spring" Tag that Nikki @ Heaven Has Cupcakes tagged me for!  Thanks again Nikki!


1. What's your favorite spring nail polish?

Channel Fracas - so pretty!
Chanel Spring 2013 Frivole02
Source



2. What is your must-have lip-color this Spring?
Anything coral and glossy! 



Wet n' Wild in Purty Persimmon

 
3. Show us your favorite Spring dress!
I have had my eye on this Kate Young for Target dress since I saw the lookbook -> It's just as cute in real life!



4. What's your favorite flower?
The Jasmine flower - love the smell, love the shape, love, love, love :)
jasmine flower
Source

 
5. What is your favorite Spring scarf /accessory?

Again with the coral - I love this simple elegant bag!
source - instyle.com

 

6. What Spring trend(s) are you most excited about this year? ( makeup, fashion, or both)?
Pastel looks with a Mod twist!

Source


 
7. Favorite Spring candle?

I love fresh flower smelling candles!  Available at Target!
Source



 

8. Favorite body spray/perfume?
I have posted before about how I have too much perfume but the Body Shop just reopened their renovated boutique downtown and I NEED this!  Soft, floral and lovely :)
#

9. What is Spring like where you live?
A mess!  It's been 30 degrees, 70 degrees, rainy it can possibly snow etc... It so true here that April showers bring May flowers!

10. What is your favorite thing about Spring?
Opening the windows, letting the fresh spring air in.  Then airing out all my linens (just got new pillows for both bedrooms), and doing a good spring clean!  I also love seeing the flowers come up and enjoy the spring rains.

11. Are you a Spring cleaner?
Oh yes!  I am becoming more and more minimal as I get older and so that means there is less to clean!

12. Any plans for Spring break or an upcoming vacation?
There is no spring break for me - but I am planning to go camping in Yellowstone in June! 

And I tag anyone who loves spring to do this tag as well!

Jasmine