One Direction Cosmetic Line?!

You may (or may not) hear it first here, peeps, but One Direction is joining the world of make-up. The line consists of three keepsake tins. Each tin is inspired by the One Direction albums. I won’t lie- “Story of My Life” is so catchy but I am disappointed there is no tin for that song. Anyway…

Housed in their collectible tins, each set contains an eye shadow palette, lipstick, lip gloss, eye/body crayon + stencils for your eyes or body (maybe not for me), mascara, and nail polish.

First up is the “Midnight Memories” Kit. This kit seems to be the more glamorous of the three, featuring gray and pink eye shadow, red lipstick , a blackest black eye/ body crayon, and a poppy lip gloss that glows under UV light. To top off the look is a metallic steel nail polish.

The “Take Me Home” kit is is more of a neutral palette, including peach and taupe eye shadow, nude lipstick, a warm chocolate brown eye/body crayon, and yes, UV glow in the dark lip gloss, with a gold glitter nail polish.

The “Taken” kit is the most playful of the bunch, with a shimmery blue and taupe eye shadow palette, bubblegum pink lipstick, a dark denim eye/body crayon, and a glitter pink UV lip gloss, along with a teal metallic nail polish.

All kits contain Little Black Dress Volumizing Mascara in in Perfectly Black.

Make some “Midnight Memories”

 

“Take Me Home”

“Up All Night”

The release dates are as follows:

I received a complimentary kit to try out the products, so stay tuned!

Powered by BrandBacker. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Blogger of the Month Award (and Some Nominees)

Melissa of Pink Lady Beauty nominated me for a Beauty Blogger of the Month Award. Cecilia of Cecilia’s Corner created this award and it’s great that she wants to spread some love among the blogging community. Being that I am trying to get back in the Beauty Blogging Saddle, this is a fun way to reconnect. All entries have a chance to win a prize- very kind of Cecilia! She even has a prize for anyone that comments on her original post.

A blogger can win Benefit’s They’re Real Push-Up Liner.

 

 

Readers that comment can win a Love Alpha Mascara set.

I also get to answer some fun beauty related questions. Beauty related questions are my favorite.

1. Where does your makeup inspiration come from?

. I think I just like the way I can use my face as an art project- a little paint here, some glitter and glue there. I’ve always been fascinated by beauty items in stores. I love color but I also like the feel of certain products. I love looking at packaging and testing out products. I think I approach make-up the way I approach my life- trying and learning about new things.

2. What are 3 of your makeup Holy Grail products you cannot live without?

Oh. You’re making me choose! One for sure is Sephora’s 12 Hour Contour Eye Pencil. For about $12 USD, you can buy two just for about the same price as an Urban Decay eye pencil. I swear the Sephora pencil stays on better, too. The second would be NYX HD Eye Primer. I’ve converted a number of folks that were buying expensive primers but the white in this primer makes for vibrant and long lasting eye shadow. The third would have to be a tinted lip balm. I personally love lip products- they are my favorite in the cosmetics department but I keep tinted lip balm in my bag for a quick and easy shot of color.

3. What is your makeup signature look which you have on most of the time?

My “signature” look recently changed. Usually, I would use some tinted moisturizer to even out my skin and then line my eyes with a colorful pencil. I curl and mascara my lashes and add a little lip. Now, I still use tinted moisturizer but I’ll just play with some neutral eye shadow and put on a bit of a bolder lip. Really depends on the day and the time!

4. Let us know your favorite makeup brands?

I love Urban Decay eye shadow. For lipstick, I enjoy BITE or NYC lip products from the drugstore. Too Faced is fun and Smashbox is a guilty pleasure.

5. Your ultimate makeup pet peeve?

Ugh. Chipped nails, dark liner and light lipstick, and harsh eye liner make me shudder.

6. You’ve heard about all the hype on this makeup item, bought it, tried it and don’t understand what all the fuss is about…Name that product!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder- I don’t get it. Even the smallest amount makes me look like a light bulb. I also do not like the texture.

7. Concealer OR foundation ONLY for the rest of your life. Choose one and tell us the reason! Concealer all the way- I can dab it where I need it. I don’t like the feel of foundation.

Now for the seven nominees!

 Sarah-Jane Vella

Love Anela

Fashion, Food and Flirts

The Luxe List

Fashion for Lunch

Simply.My. Thing

Blushing Beauty

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Ringing in the Season with Studio Gear Holiday Smokey Eye Palette

That’s a mouthful, no? Studio Gear’s Holiday Smokey Eye Palette is a “sultry, shimmery palette of dramatic shades perfect for creating a classic smokey eye look.” The palette contains four eye shadows and a blush to create a multitude of looks. 

The palette is made of sturdy cardboard. When you open it up, there is a printed tutorial, along with the color layout of the palette. Personally, I think the names of the eye shadows and blush should have been printed below each pigment rich color but I don’t rule the world.

Top colors are Frost & Coal, Middle is Snowy Glow Blush, and the bottom colors are Platinum and Glimmer

I tried using the tutorial but  having little patience and plans for the evening, I did what I wanted. I started by using an eye primer (NYX HD Eye Shadow Base) and brushed Platinum all over the lid. I then took my brush and added Coal into the crease. I brought the color around onto the outer part of my lid. I highlighted the brow bone with Frost. The colors were a little icy so I dipped my blender brush in Glimmer and dusted it lightly over everything, while softening the look. Using a fluffy blush brush, I applied a very small amount of Snowy Glow to my cheeks.

I didn’t do this.

I did do this.

I think that Studio Gear’s Holiday Smokey Eye Palette is a quality product. The eye shadows and blush are very pigmented. Using minimal amounts had big color pay-off. I had to be careful with the blush, since I am rosy. I really used very little of each color and I think they worked well. I am not sure if the palette is worth $25 on their website but if you want a no-brain smokey eye look, this palette could be for you. Studio Gear is also offering 10% for Product Hoochie readers at StudioGearCosmetics.com. Just enter SGHOLIDAY at checkout. FYI: the code doesn’t expire and is good for your entire order.

Excellent holiday look!

Oh! And if you were wondering why I made myself up on a Wednesday night…

Yes, that is Joe Manganiello in the flesh! He was signing his new book Evolution at my local bookstore. He was very gracious, especially when I mentioned I saw him perform in A Streetcar Named Desire. Clearly, my new eye look had something to do with this stare…

This is a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker. The complimentary sample had no influence on my review.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Lashing Out with Benefit

I know, I know. I’m late to posting party pictures but better late than never! These are some snaps from my LashBash party back in September. Take a gander!

It started with a batch of goodies.

Tube upon tube of lash boosting goodness.

I emptied out my entire train case…

Have a close up.

I let everyone try the products but I sanitized the eye kit and I love it!

Goodie Bags- my sister, Shazzer, helped!

One of these things is not like the other…

I finally evened them out.

Trying out the goods.

Blushing you off.

Where’d you get those peepers?

Gorgeous!

And the night would not be complete without some of us being naughty…

There is always some kind of retaliation…

And there are always a few giggles…

And then there is me…

Throwing parties always make me nervous but my girls had a fabulous time!

Thanks to Benefit and Ipsy for selecting me to throw a LashBash!

Keep It Realsies & Primp ON! XOXO

BA Star Gives Some Lip

I have tried a few products from BA Star in the recent months so when I noticed another BA Star goodie available on BrandBacker for review, I signed up. This time it was for their Holiday Red Lip Pencil. First of all, I love a red lip. Secondly, since I have been impressed by BA Star’s quality, I couldn’t wait to try a more pigmented lippy from their line, especially one that I will use pretty frequently.

The pencil. My lips.

The BA Star Holiday Red Lip Pencil is a chubby stick but not super thick. Since it is a bit thinner, this makes using such a pigmented color much easier. The slightly smaller size gives more control, important when applying such a bright color. I used a light hand in the picture above. The texture is not super soft but not drying. If you notice, the color has a semi-matte finish, which is great! Some super shiny reds end up all over the face and matte reds can look dry. The semi-matte finish gives a satiny look without being glaring and in your face. It also gives the color good staying power.

The left is without flash.

I wanted to add a little glitz to the Holiday Red Lip Pencil so I grabbed my BA Start Zebra Glitter Gloss and added a layer of sparkle.

Another great product, this glittery gloss isn’t too gritty, making it easy to wear.

Quick Tip: Wipe the applicator after using it over any lip color to avoid the gloss from getting cloudy. You may have to remember to wipe several times.

The glitter shows up quite nicely over the Holiday Red Lip Pencil.

BA Star’s Holiday Red Lip Pencil will make an excellent addition to my fall and winter lip colors.  I love the versatility of the product, too, as I can create a light stain or really layer the color to make my lips pop!

Interested in trying BA Star’s Holiday Red Lip Pencil? Visit www.bastar.com and enter BBLIPS at checkout to receive 50% off!  Keep in mind that the discount is off the full retail price ONLY and cannot be combined with any other offers.

This is a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker. The complimentary sample had no influence on my review.

Keep Calm  & Primp On! XOXO

Get a Life (Palette)!

A few weeks ago, I made a purchase from em Cosmetics by Michelle Phan. If you have never heard of Michelle Phan, you may have heard of ipsy, a beauty subscription curated by Michelle Phan. Anyway, Michelle is a serious make-up artist. She can pretty much become anyone or anything she wants with the flick of a mascara wand. Her talent did not go unnoticed and she was able to create her own cosmetics line. Through my ipsy subscription I was able to get a deal and since her products are expensive, I figured it seemed like a good way to try out her cosmetics. I was also automatically entered to win a Life Palette. A Life Palette is the signature em Cosmetics product. There are four “lives” to choose from, each containing four palettes that include eye, cheek, and lip colors.

Imagine my surprise when with my measly $27 purchase, I won. I chose the “Love Life” palette, which I thought to be most versatile.

Love Life Palette

Just a quick description- the center of each mini-palette is a blush. If you move clockwise from the top, you hit two lip colors and six eye shadow colors.

The packaging is sturdy and I love that I can also easily depot each palette as needed. Do you see the little indentation on the right side of each pan? Included in the set is a nifty tool that slides right into that indentation, making it easy to depot and put in a special compact included with the palette. It makes every single pan travel friendly. The four lives of the Love Life Palette are:

Warm Fuzzies (neutrals with a pops of color and shimmer)

Warm Fuzzies

The Real Me (natural neutrals)

The Real Me

Girl Time (more color- purples, blues, pink!),

Girl Time

 All Yours (smokey shades)

All Yours

Each look has instructions. I found the step-by-step directions easy to follow and I loved my final look.

I have used Warm Fuzzies and The Real Me and found the eye shadows and blushes to be of good quality. (I honestly did not try the lip colors in the palette yet.)

I am hoping to play around with my Love Life Palette and try more faces.

Would you purchase a palette like this?

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Princess Tag!

The gorgeous Melissa over at Pink Lady Beauty tagged me in the Princess Tag! I love, love, love high-end products so this tag is totally for me!

FOUNDATION: I’m not crazy for foundation but I do use Bare Minerals Original SPF Foundation. I think it tends to control the oil on my face the best.

CONCEALER: Honestly, I don’t use much concealer either. I currently have been giving Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil a go around my eyes. I find that it really lightens up the area nicely.

Lighten up.

POWDER: Back to Bare Minerals. Their READY Touch Up Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 15 helps sop up the grease that accumulates on my face. (I sound just like a princess, don’t I?)

BRONZER: Too Faced’s Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer is my favorite hands down. It smells all cocoa-y AND is matte so my sun-kissed glow doesn’t also channel a disco ball.

The top right picture is with flash and bottom without.

BLUSH: Currently it is Benefit’s Hervana. There is something about that pink and purple swirl that makes me happy!

It’s a pinwheel!

HIGHLIGHTER: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer is seriously pigmented but when used correctly leaves skin with a beautiful shimmery sheen.

Get detained for being cute. Bottom picture is no flash.

EYESHADOW: I love eye shadow. I love my Urban Decay Naked II palette– their eye shadows are smooth like buttah! Bobbi Brown eye shadows come in a close second. They blend beautifully.

In the nude.

EYELINER: Tarina Tarantino’s Eye Dream Hyperline goes on smooth and is super pigmented. Even on the most humid day, it does not slide off. And the colors are gorgeous! For a cheaper ($9!!!) yet high end version, Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof stays put all day with color vibrancy that puts any other HD eye product to shame.

Draw the line.

Mascara: Benefit They’re Real Mascara pumps lashes up to 40s starlet status.

Lash out!

Lip Pencil: I rarely use a lip pencil so I keep Too Faced’s Borderline Anti-feathering Lip Pencil on hand. It is a clear wax pencil that keeps borders clean and it won’t alter your lip color.

LIPSTICK I have way too many to list BUT my one high-end favorite brand is Lipstick Queen. Sinners are 90% pigment and they are loaded with shea butter making for super moisturizing, super saturated color.

Love the bag, the tube, the box!

LIP GLOSS: Ummm…. I have been on a lipstick kick but Clinique Chubby Sticks offer up good glossy color.

BROW PRODUCT: Benefit’s Gimme Brow is a gel base formula that goes on with a short mascara brush. I received testers when I had the Lash Bash a few weeks ago and kept the lighter color for myself. It is a little light but if I work it right, it’s great!

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCT: This is not high end but I will pretend (just like a good princess) and sing the praises of NYX HD Eye Shadow Base. No one needs to know it is budget!

NAIL POLISH: Sorry, guys, but I refuse to buy any more nail polish over $10 a bottle. I find the quality to be worse than the cheaper drugstore brands. I have to save my money somewhere.

The Pretty (Pretty) Princesses I Tag Are:

Girl in the Glasses

Short and Sweet In Texas

And please do the tag! We share the crown. It is only good manners!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Keeping It #Realsies! Prepping for the Benefit #LashBash!

Hey all! This past Saturday, I was one of 1,000 throwing a Benefit #LashBash, sponsered by Benefit and ipsy. I just want to share a few photos of my prep for a girls’ night in! Bat those lashes and take a peek!

Our “real” reason for the #LashBash!

I received small tubes for each of my guests!

I started by setting up my apartment. Though it is pretty spacious by NYC standards, I was having seven guests plus the hubs- he hid in his office but treated for pizza. He is the best!  Anyhoo- my coffee table was a beauty extravaganza. I set up sample and perfume tester stations for my guests to play with and take home to try before they buy!

Here is a shot of the whole table.

My “Try at Your Own Risk” sample bar!

My #realsies frame- you’ll see more of this in the next post- and my Fine. Brush Me Off. Station

There were sweet treats, too, along with a little bling!

I’m a teacher- we need books, even at a party.

I think the perfume sample bar was my favorite. I even had paper strips for testing scents!

You’re Getting Testy Perfume Sample Station

Carmella joined us, too!

In case someone forgot their mirror, I had that covered!

I see you.

I even made special gifts for each guest from my Product Hoochie stash plus a raffle for a skin brush or skincare set.

I set up the gift bags from Benefit and ipsy…

But this even isn’t half of it! My friends and I had a blast! Stay tuned this week for a post about the party and more goodies from Benefit & ipsy!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

I was selected by Benefit and ipsy to host a Benefit LashBash. I received the Benefit products complimentary and this will have no influence on my review. All other items were purchased by me.

Scrub-a-Dub with Perlier

There are rocks in there.

I recently received a jar of Perlier Volcanic Thermal Spa Thermal Scrub from ifabbo, a great site that provides complimentary products up for review. I love a good body scrub but have really not been using the one currently in my shower. It just seems like an extra step. I decided that I would have to start exfoliating those pesky dry spots again since I have noticed that with the weather change, certain areas need a little more attention.  This scrub seems to be right up my alley. First, it is Perlier. Perlier always uses fine ingredients and second, it has thermal stones. I just see the word “thermal” and hope this will warm right up and help get all those impurities out!

Blue Lagoon-like!

The scrub is housed in a sturdy plastic jar and holds quite a generous amount of product at 6.7 fluid ounces. Perlier Volcanic Stones is a skin treatment- micronutrients extracted from volcanic rocks deliver rejuvenating and smoothing action. Throw in some Thermal water and regeneration gets going in the epidermis while the the scrub sloughs away dead skin cells.

Italian QAPF diagram for volcanic rocks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just looking at the beautiful blue color of the scrub, I can already tell this will make my shower experience definitely more luxurious. I find the marine fragrance to be a bit strong but It is better once you use it in the shower.  Application was easy enough. Take a dollop with your fingers and rub between your palms. Scrub in circular motion, concentrating on knees and elbows. The scrub rinses off very well.

The verdict? The consistency is terrific. It is more like a gel than an oil based scrub, making it less greasy and easier to work with. I do find that there was some bigger rock pieces that I could really feel sloughing away those dead skin cells. After use,  my skin is soft and glowing. It made shaving much easier to deal with- my legs felt really smooth. I also followed up with a nice moisturizer.

Click here to be directly taken to #PerlierOnHSN to order a jar of Perlier’s  Volcanic Thermal Spa Thermal Scrub. Enter iFabbo5 at checkout for $5.00 off your #PerlierOnHSN purchase!

I received this product complimentary from iFabbo. It had no influence on my review. If you are interested in joining iFabbo, click my affiliate link located in the sidebar.

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

Stuff I Tried This Week: BA Star Zebra Lip Gloss

As a member of BrandBacker.com, I sometimes receive free products to try. A few months back, I reviewed an eye shadow palette from BA Star Make-Up (check it out here). BA Star caters mostly to dance teams and cheerleaders. I take this as a good sign since that usually means kids and teenagers use the products, so their quality is great and not harmful. The products are also inexpensive so you can try a lot of things without breaking the bank.

I was supposed to receive BA Star’s Stardust, a loose pigment that can be used on the eyes and I am sure more creatively. Instead, I got a Zebra Gloss from the Zebra Lip Gloss Duo. The gloss I received is clear with iridescent glitter suspended throughout. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed but as you know I will try anything in the cosmetics department.

They have tutorials on their website.

The glitter is very small and there is not a lot of it when you take out the doe foot applicator. I was a bit concerned it might be too “young” for me but I was pleasantly surprised.

Left is with flash.

When applied it is light and not terribly goopy. It actually feels quite soft on the lips but is a little gritty from the sparkles. Since it is clear, the glitter doesn’t make your lips look like a disco ball. Instead, the glitter catches the light here and there without making it obvious there is glitter on your lips.  It’s actually not really noticeable.

Glitter Lips

I decided to put on a lip stain and then put the Zebra Lip Gloss on top. It is more noticeable over color and would be great  for a night on the town.

Though not incredibly long lasting, the Zebra Lip Gloss is a fun addition to your cosmetics bag. I also have a coupon code for 50% off all Stardusts. Just enter BBDUST at checkout. The discount is available until September 30th so get to it!  I also  hope that BA Star gets back to me so I can actually review a Stardust!

Keep Calm & Primp On! XOXO

This is a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker. The complimentary sample had no influence on my review.