Happy Birthday, Product Hoochie!

Happy Birthday (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Well, well, well… looks like we made it! Product Hoochie is ONE! This is a time for celebration. I want to thank all of you out there that read my words. Sometimes I have no filter and I appreciate that you still come back and enjoy my spouting. Here is a year in review of Product Hoochie:

On June 16, I introduced myself to you- in Dolce & Gabbana (lipstick.)

Some D&G Lipstick

July had me reeling and I wanted some advice. Only two people emailed me.

I wonder what happened to this lipstick…

In September, I refused to give you a beauty tutorial…

My face is asymmetrical…

And in October, I tried to make you giggle with a face mask chronicle.

Channeling Swamp Man

By December, I was a bit more comfortable!

January was cool…

I always make this face when applying products.

By February, I explained the feelings I have for laser hair removal (love it!)

Portrait of Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside (Photo credit: Wikipedia) We have come a long way!

By the time March rolled around, I shared my roots with you.

There are my roots. As you can see, those shimmery things are the gray hairs that need to be annihilated.

And by April, I was invited to guest blog for the Moody Sisters- a pretty sweet accomplishment.

Everything’s coming up roses!

May came rushing in…

I got a new tattoo. See it?

June, you could not come too soon!

Things are super peachy!

From eye shadow to wrinkle erasers, we have been through a lot together. Thank you for reading about my antics this year. I hope that I can always make beauty products more accessible to you!

You still have a few more hours to enter my giveaway! Do it here! Winners will be announced tomorrow and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

To another year!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Simply the Best… Blogger Award

Julie over at Short & Sweet in Texas nominated me for a Best Blogger Award. I haven’t filled out one of these in a bit and am very happy that she thought of me!

1. Answer the questions asked by the blog who followed you.
2. Nominate up to 20 other bloggers with less than 200 followers.
3. Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

And these are my nominees:

Not Quite Carrie

Material Detox

Make-up by Sarah -Jane

MaSucree’s Make-Up Musings

A thing of beauty is a joy forever…

LoveAnela

Barely Organized Chaos

Girl in the Glasses

Lipgloss and a Backpack

LoveCraft, The Beauty Blog

LoveYourLipGloss.com

These are my answers!

1. If you had to choose between never buying any new make-up or never buying another bottle of nail polish, which would you pick?

Make-up, make-up, make-up! I love nail polish and probably have enough make-up AND nail polish to last me a looooong time but I need a new lipstick uh… every few days.

2. Where do you usually buy your nail polish?

I usually buy my polish at Walgreens, though I am not partial. I like Rite-Aid, too. They are within a block from each other in my neighborhood.

3. What is your all time absolute favorite nail polish?

My absolute favorite has to be the Brucci brand. It is not 3 free but I find it gives the best coverage and it isn’t streaky. It also dries fairly quickly and for $2.99 US, a true NYC bargain.

4. Why did you get into blogging?

Good question. I have had a make-up obsession since I was a kid. I also loved reading articles about cosmetics and other beauty products. I enjoy writing so blogging seemed like a natural thing to do.

The Write Stuff!

5. Where do you turn to for inspiration when you just can’t seem to find the motivation to write a new post?

It’s funny- there can be days when I can’t think of anything and just manage to get inspired. I never know when the mood will strike.

Sometimes even pancakes inspire me,

6. What kind of camera do you use to take pics for your blog?

I recently purchased a Canon Powershot and I do like using it but my iPhone is so much easier. I can just email the pictures to myself and upload them to the site in one or two swipes.

7. What’s your favorite television show?

I love the show Revenge but am eagerly awaiting True Blood- the campier, the better.8. What other hobbies/interests besides nails and or make-up do you pursue?

NYC has so much to offer and I am fortunate to live here my whole life. I like to roam the city and visit museums. I love music and theater. I also enjoy shopping!

9. What’s your favorite book?’

My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I might have to read it again- for the 4th or 5th time. I lost count.

10. Do you have any pets?

No- but I visit my sister’s turtle, Hemsworth.

11. If you could be any kind of animal what would you be?

I always said I would be a cat but I’m thinking a lion. Lions have great hair.

And my questions for the nominees…

1. Where in the world are you?

2. How do your surroundings affect your beauty habits?

3. What is your favorite thing to blog about?

4. What is your favorite song of the moment?

5. What do you prefer, lipstick or lip gloss?

6. What is one lesson you learned while blogging?

7. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

8. What super power do you wish you had?

9. What do you do to relax?

10. Do you enjoy watching television?

11. Name one thing you can live without!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

ipsy-licious!

Hi Lovlies! I am home today with a nasty cold. I can’t hear out of my ears and my head is pounding. Great fun for a Friday. To ease my feeling yucky, I figured I would write about my ipsy delivery. I read about the June bag over at Pink Lady Beauty. Melissa got a slightly different bag but I am happy with the contents.

The theme of this month’s bag is “On the Wild Side.” I think the products I received actually fit into this idea quite nicely!

For the birds!

J. Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette ($4.49 US) : These glitter creams are neutral and that is better for me. If they were colorful I might have more trouble using them than I already will. I am not big on glitter and though these are really pretty, I probably won’t have much use for them. On the description of ipsy’s website, it says to NOT use them on the eyes, which makes it more problematic.

Lots of lights in this bag.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil($18 US) :  This pencil will get some serious use. I usually use the beige NANO pencil from Sephora and this one is a chubby pencil that I can use in the corners of my eyes or under my brow bones. This pencil can also help conceal redness and blemishes. This type of pencil is great for people that wear glasses. I do and I swear by some highlighting to help enhance the area that is hidden by my specs.

Starlooks Lips Pencil in Tickle Me Pink ($12 US): I have read a few reviews on Starlooks boxes and am intrigued. If I didn’t already get ipsy, GlossyBox, and Birchbox, I might have taken the plunge. The Starlooks line claims to have quality make-up at pro-prices (I guess they mean a discount.) The color seems to be very vibrant and I will probably use it this summer with a nice gloss over it.

Putting the pieces together.

NYX Mosaic Powder in Dare ($7 US): I love my NYX cosmetics! This powder has shimmer and matte colors. This is more of a rosy gold and I think will make it easy to use, as it can almost double as a light bronzer.

And I hope this next one gives you a giggle. I have now received my fourth bottle of… DRY SHAMPOO. I. CAN’T. EVEN.

My best secret?

Psssst! The TRUE Original Dry Shampoo (Travel Size $2.99 US): Great for sopping up oily roots and adding volume, Psssst! is the matriarch of dry shampoos. Basically, you spray in and brush out- which I why I probably can’t use it. If I put a brush to this head, you’d be looking at Frankenstein’s Bride.

Wild Things!

I am pretty pleased with the month’s bag. It far exceeded the $12 monthly charge.

You still have a few days to enter my giveaway. Click  here for a chance to win!

Until next time…

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Go Take a Shower!

Reblogged from Moody Sisters Skincare:

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Hello beauties! I hope the week has treated you well. My week was pretty good. I managed to a trip to NYC to see "Macbeth" with Alan Cumming. It was nothing short of brilliant. Of course, a trip to the city always has to occur during torrential downpours. It rained all day and was miserable. Ducks were in their glory. I was not.

Read more… 638 more words

My weekly post for the Moody Sister!

Would You Rather…

(Photo credit: Enokson)

Hey Pretties! It has been a long while since I have done a tag post but I caught this one over at Deb’s blog and I wanted to share!

Tag–Would You Rather: Beauty Edition

1. Would you rather lose all of your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks, and lip glosses or lose all of your palettes and eye shadows?

This is a killer. If I had to choose, I would say I’d lose the eye stuff. I can’t live without lipstick or gloss (they can double as eye shadow or highlighter) and if I had some Vaseline, I could gloss up my lashes!

2. Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?

The beauty of hair- it grows back. I have always said I wanted to shave my head. I really want to see my scalp! (I am so serious.) Since my hair is curly, it is difficult to keep it too short but a chopping might be good.

3. Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?

I think pink is more flattering on me. I have natural rosiness anyway.

4. If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

Make-up. Hands down. I have too much of both but Brooklyn apartments don’t have enough closet space.

Sephora Store, Briarwood Mall, Ann Arbor Michigan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick?

Eyeliner as lipstick. Doesn’t anyone remember when dark liner went along with a pale lip? No? You’re lucky.

6. Would you rather only shop at MAC or Sephora?

Sephora- there are way more options.

Lipstick (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

7. Would you rather only use one eye shadow color or one lip color for the rest of your life?

I would say eye color. The lip really can change a face- the rest of the face doesn’t necessarily need a lot of color.

8. Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?

Summer clothes in winter. Just layer it up!

9. Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

Bright! I veer towards bright red as opposed to dark.

10. Would you rather give up your favorite lip product or your favorite eye product?

I don’t have a favorite but I find lip products to be more interchangeable and easier to buy. Lippies it is!

11. Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?

Messy bun- it still looks better.

12. Would your rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lipgloss?

Paint my nails. They chip anyway.

13. Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?

I would rather Sharpie on a mustache.

Sharpie (marker) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

14. Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

Nail polish- too much work.

I tag you- yes, you! Have fun! Don’t forget to enter my giveaway! You still have a few days. Click right here to enter!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

A Better Birchbox

Do good things really come in small packages?

Well, it is about time. After month upon month of disappointment, I finally got a decent Birchbox. I know that last month was better than most other boxes because I received two boxes but this month’s box is way more PH friendly than last month’s.

More on the “New Look” later.

This month’s theme is “wanderlust”- “When wanderlust strikes, it sticks.” The box contains some travel-friendly products, as well as something full sized.

The adorable postcards set the tone for quite a journey…

I’m partial to this set- my home and my favorite city.

Not that England and Spain are too shabby!

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Deluxe Sample: I have heard plenty about this dry shampoo. I don’t really use dry shampoo BUT I do suffer from second day oily roots sometimes. I might even say third day oily roots. TMI? This is probably the third dry shampoo sample I received from Birchbox and I guess I might take the hint. (Full Size $18 US)

Nails, Hair, and Anchors AWAY!

Birchbox + Color Club Professional Nail Lacquer  Mini Polish in Reign in Spain from the Wanderlust Collection: A Birchbox exclusive, this polish is a collaboration with Color Club to encourage the traveler in all of us. Reign in Spain is a cool peach that is a bit more coral. I actually love the color. (Full Size $8 US)

Twistband Birchbox Nautical Hair Tie Collection: I only got one in my box. These don’t tear the hair out of my head but I find they do stretch quickly and a pack of five or six is $14 US. That’s a lot of money for a ponytail.

Oscar de la Renta Something Blue (perfume vial): It is the latest scent from Oscar de la Renta and is a blend of mandarin and linden blossoms. Sounds like a pretty summer scent. (Full Size $85-$115 US)

You can’t borrow mine.

Mirenesse Glossy Kiss Lipstick: Yay! A full size product in my Birchbox! This pen can be used as a gloss when layered or a stain when blotted. There were also instructions on how to use it as a cheek tint. ($26.55 US)

Double Trouble!

This box made me a happy wanderluster.

If you are not a Birchbox subscriber and are thinking of getting a subscription, they recently revamped the site. They want to reach a more diverse audience and are pushing Birchbox Man. I also think that the site maybe more user friendly. The old site was a little annoying to shop. One thing they did not change was the point system. Every dollar spent is one point, with 100 points equaling $10. You can really clean up there if you are a savvy shopper! I also have a referral code so if you are indeed interested, send an email to producthoochie@gmail.com.

There is also time to enter my giveaway! Click here for the Rafflecopter link. You can enter daily so get to it!

Keep calm & Primp On! XOXO

What I Like About June

Hey all! It has been a week since I have posted and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. For one, I have a lot of stuff to give a try, photograph, and take notes on. I also have a bunch of events coming up so I know I will fall behind again. Apologies for my absence! I have a few products and accessories I have to share with you.  I won’t be giving you elaborate reviews.. yet, but I have already formed some serious opinions. (Big surprise.)

NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches & Cream and Maple Blondie

Peaches & Cream and Maple Blondie

These glosses are seriously shiny but are not sticky or goopy. They are so smooth and the colors are soft and pretty. The only downside is that you need to apply pretty frequently.

Everything is peaches and cream.

Performance Colors Semi-Matte Cream Lipstick in Neon Flamingo

Glow in the dark.

I first read about this brand on Portrait of Mai and was very excited to try it. I went to the Etsy shop and started to shop. I spent $25.25 US and got a three lipsticks, an eyeshadow, an eye primer, and a number of samples to try. I wore this color Friday night and went into Sephora in Times Square. The cashier complimented my lipstick and when I told her the price I paid and the fact that it didn’t disappear during the torrential rain, she was impressed. This color is slightly shiny but the staying power is amazing!

Flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp.

Prada Candy L’Eau

I have worn the original Prada Candy since its release. It is one of my favorites, especially during cooler months. I was very happy to see that Prada finally created a lighter version. Prada Candy L’Eau is very light and though reminiscent of its older sister, the fragrance stands out on its own. The base is musky with caramel like the original but the top notes are more citrus and light floral. Unfortunately, L’Eau does not have the staying like the original. I still plan on wearing it all summer.

I want candy. Especially if it is from Prada and calorie free.

Necklaces from ForeverXXI

I picked up these adorable necklaces in the Times Square store. The heart reads “My Darling.” Each was $1.80 US. They are light-weight and won’t make me want to rip them off during the warm weather.

More neck candy.

Thank you for popping by! Be sure to enter my giveaway here. Remember- you have to be in it  to win it!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Product Hoochie Goes Environmental

Reblogged from Moody Sisters Skincare:

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Hi All! I hope the week has been treating you nicely- we are so close to the weekend and we can almost touch it! I, for one, have been a little loony this week. With work dwindling down ever so slowly, I am finding that I have less and less drive to do anything work related. Bad, huh? I do get through the days, trying to keep my students working on something valuable while not driving either one of us nuts.

Read more… 670 more words

My weekly post for the Moody Sisters!

Party With Product Hoochie!

Okay, not really party with me but CELEBRATE! Product Hoochie celebrates its first birthday in two weeks and I want YOU to participate in the festivities. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have people read my musings about beauty products. It has been a lifelong obsession and it is fabulous knowing that my readers keep coming back.

I have two giveaways that I put together that will help you stay gorgeous. I purchased the items myself. They include brands that I L-O-V-E!

The first is Flawlessly Fierce.  It includes:

Flawlessly Fierce!

Mirabella Prime for Face & Eyes makes it easy to get on the go.

Coastal Scents Camouflage Palette with 10 Shades of Concealer. Great for blending your perfect shade.

E.L.F. Lip Stain in Nude Necter for all day color.

E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black  to create sleek eye looks.

NYX  Ultra Pearl Mania Eyeshadow in 02 Pearl  to make your peepers glisten.

E.L.F. Dramatic (False) Lashes (not shown)

Pop Beauty Mascara (Deluxe Sample) in 01 Smokey Black so you can bat your lashes

The second giveaway is Flawlessly Fun. It includes:

Flawlessly Fun!

E.L.F. 100 Piece Eyeshadow Palette because you need options.

E.L.F. Conditioning Lip Balm in Nice & Natural to pucker, pout, and protect with SPF 15.

Go Smile On the Go Pen to shine up those whites.

Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer to prep your canvas.

Da Vinci Cosmetics Shimmer Powder to illuminate your face.

an “I <3 New York” mirror.

This giveaway is open internationally BUT if there is a mailing “issue” with liquids, I may have to substitute a product or two. This won’t be a problem for US residents.

Enter via the Giveaway Tab on my Facebook Page for your chance to win!

Keep Calm & Primp On!

E.L.F. Studio Store in NYC!

Last week, I googled E.L.F. cosmetics for no good reason. I soon discovered they opened a store in Greenwich Village. Greenwich Village is in the lower part of Manhattan, not exactly downtown and near SoHo. I have a love/hate relationship with that area now, as it has become very commercialized. It used to be the place to go for vintage clothes at Canal Jeans or one of the other boutiques that offered unique items. I don’t mean to go back in time- we will never get the 90s back (not that everything about the 90s was good.) Anyway, when I heard about the E.L.F. Studio Store, I decided that I could make an exception and go shopping on my old stomping grounds.

My sister and I visited on the Monday of Memorial Day weekend. The store has a cool white facade with black lettering.

Looks very sleek and cool.

Upon entering, we were greeted by a make-up artist that was very helpful. I asked if I could take a few pictures and met with the store manager. She was very accomodating. I explained that this was the “little blog that could” and she laughed and told me to photograph what I needed. I just want to point out that some photos were taken by my sister, Shazzer.

All about eyes!

I think the store pretty much carried the entire line. Products start at $1 US and I found a few items that ran over $6 US. Most of the E.L.F. Studio range runs between $3 US-$6 US. I picked up some tinted moisturizer and an SPF powder for $6 each and some Long-Lasting Luminous Eye Shadows for $3 each.

Saving Face.

E.L.F. powders are excellent- especially for the price!

Brushing me off.

I find the E.L.F. Studio Brushes to be good quality for roughly $3 US a piece.

Eye got to have it.

I have been using their Cream Eyeliner for a long time and am very impressed with it and its price tag.

Nailed.

E.L.F. nail polish is 3-Free! Not bad for $2 US.

An array of DIY.

There are great pre-made kits you can switch up out of a compact or you can buy eye shadow singles to customize your own palette. Refill pans are $1 US each.

To the moon!

With great palettes with colors that blend together easily,  E.L.F. also carries trendy cosmetics, like moon-baked eye shadow, blush, bronzer, and powder.

Started to get lippy.

Clearly taken by Shazzer, I check out the wide range of lipstick and lip gloss that cost about $3 US each.

I am clearly concentrating.

I was very happy with the great selection and friendly staff at the E.L.F. Studio Store. Be on the look out for one near you!

If you were wondering if I got any compensation for the post, that is a no. I spent $52! There will be an additional post on the haul.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO