mark holiday 2011 beauty collection

hello beauties and happy december! as if you didn't already know, it's time to start shopping for holiday gifts! while most of my shopping is almost done {i have my fabulous, non-procrastinating hubby to thank for that}, i still have gorgeous finds to share.

these beautiful, wallet-friendly goodies from mark will definitely bring delight to your favorite beauty-loving recipient. the holiday collection is glitzy, glam and feature products that are perfect for gifting alone, stuffing stockings or for yourself, to take along while traveling.

take a look...

Showcase Color & Clutch To Go is not only a great grouping of shadows, all-over face powder, blushes and glosses, but the inserts can be removed, transforming it into a clutch.


Earn Your Metal Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Silverado or Liquid Gold {pictured} is oh-so-fab! the long-lasting wear formula is an easy way to dress up eyes, even for day!


Glitz & Gloss Mini Purse & Go features a shimmering change purse with attached key chain that connects to any one of four best-selling glow baby glow and glow baby glow luxe lip gloss shades (lotus luxe, girly girl, sweet talk and sun luxe).


Bling On The Brushes Mini Brush Kit is purse-friendly and perfect for the gal on the go...


On The Dot Neutral Eye Color Compact features gorgeous must-have shadows in metallic, shimmering neutrals and Main Squeeze Lip Gloss{Cherry Squeeze, Papaya Squeeze {pictured} and Honey Squeeze} will keep lips feeling nourished and looking gorgeously glossed.


Nailed It Trend Mini Lacquers set includes a shimmery berry, called Sure Fire, and Meltdown, a metallic taupe, that are perfect for giving your tips a bold mani for all your holiday events.

the collection also includes sensational smelling products: Instant Vacation Fragrance Trio Collection {Original, Costa Rica, Ibiza Sol}, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Get Misty Body Mist, Body Luxe Pear Blossom Three’s A Charm 3-in-1 Cleanser and Body Luxe Pear Blossom Whipped Up Body Butter


for more info, to see the rest of the collection {which includes handbags, accessories, fragrance, bath & body and more makeup!} or to order products, visit meetmark.com

products featured sent to me by PR of the brand; pics taken by me :)

lippie du jour: Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss

who doesn't love a fabulous lip gloss?? Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss has been applied to my pout a lot these days, and i love it! this one, though named Light Purple, is a gorgeous mid-tone mauve with just the perfect amount of shimmer. i applied it just before my morning's spin class to give my lips glamified hydration before getting my sweat on-- yes the non-sticky formula lasted through the hour-long session.



you'll also be happy to know that Korres is all-natural and packed full of vitamins and antioxidants to love and nourish those gorgeous lips! the cherry oil gives it light scent and a hint of flavor.



visit korres.com for more info.

hello monday...and a new lipgloss

do you find that your week just flies by? i do-- here it is monday again! after a busy weekend (and a time change, boo), i am now looking back on last week and thinking, "where did it go?"

well, in a nutshell...

i put some more miles on my running shoes, went on two 4+ mile hikes, began reading some new books, caught up with an old friend, treated myself to a very overdue pedicure (ahhh...), cooked some new recipes and bought myself a new lipgloss.

all of that in addition to the everyday tasks that come along with being a mom and wife.

sigh.

so, back to the lipgloss...


it's Revlon's new ColorBurst gloss that i bought from my local Walgreens while waiting for a prescription to be filled (waiting is so dangerous, i must say-- i always linger in the beauty department, and the longer i'm there, the more money i end up spending!). it just so happened that the beauty advisor had a coupon and the lippie was on sale, so i couldn't resist.

i chose Sunset Peach, a slightly sheer, but oh-so pretty shade (yes, i realize it's a "safe" shade, but in my defense, the color i wanted to initially get was sold out). the soft texture feels fabulous on my lips and it's not sticky in the slightest. i love the tube as well. it reminds me of a Chanel gloss-- wouldn't you agree?? in any case, i will definitely be buying a few more of these.

hope your week was a great one-- here's to another one. ;)

first image via weheartit.com; lipgloss pic taken by me :)

MAC 'Going Bananas' Eyeshadow from the Dare to Wear Collection

a little over a month ago, i took the plunge and bought an eyeshadow color i never thought i'd wear. i had heard some good things about it, and, being the makeup junkie i am, was content with the idea of just collecting another LE eyeshadow from MAC if i didn't like the way it looked on me. the great thing is, it actually does look good and i love wearing it!

the color i'm talking about is called Going Bananas and it was one of many funky, bright shades in the Dare to Wear collection. this bright yellow isn't as bold on the eye as i thought it would be. it's finish is a frost, but not glittery and definitely not matte. on my eyes, it adds a nice pop of color and looks good with any other shade i choose to pair it with (who knew?)



the whole collection:

Dare to Wear Lipglass shades:

Dare to Dare-- light blue pink with multi-pearl
Bold & Brash-- bright red with multi-pearl
Ban This!-- deep purple with multi-pearl
Gimme That!-- bright fuchsia pink with pink pearl
So Bad-- mid-tone coral orange with pink and gold pearl
Wind Me Up-- dirty bronze with pink and gold pearl

Eyeshadows:

Louder, Please-- bright fuchsia (matte)
Free to Be-- creamy true coral (matte)
Going Bananas-- soft lemon yellow (frost)
Lime-- lime green (matte)
Sassy Grass-- bright grass green (matte)
Atlantic Blue-- bright violet blue (matte)
Crazy Cool-- pale frosty lavender (veluxe pearl)
Shock-a-holic-- deep purple (matte)
Aqua-- subdued, pale greyed aqua (matte)
Sky Blue-- robin's egg blue (frost)
Winkle-- mid-tone cornflower blue (satin)
Zingy-- bright sky blue (matte)

Dare to Wear is still available online (maccosmetics.com), but not much longer. if you're like me and sometimes procrastinate, you'll be happy to know that there still just maight be products left in stock at your local MAC even if there isn't a display out (trust me, i've done this many times in the past). :)

xo
pics taken by me :)

My New Beauty Obsessions from Benefit Cosmetics

like you, any new beauty product is so exciting to have and use, but every once and awhile you get your hands on a product and you can't get enough of it. i just happen to have two new products that i am loving from Benefit: Creaseless Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit, and their newest gloss, Ultra Shines Lip Shine in Wild Child.

i can't tell you how happy i am to have these in my beauty life!

i was introduced to these, and other goodies (see the pic above of her train case), by an old friend who just happens to be a makeup artist for Benefit! i was thrilled when i found this out because, while i have some experience with the brand, i always like to learn about products from someone who uses them all the time. so, needless to say, i was able to play with the products, ask lots of questions, and buy what i really liked (there were some other gems i picked too, so you'll be hearing about those soon).



these shadows are fab for the summer season-- the cream formula is super blendable, quickly transforms into a powder finish after being applied, and doesn't budge as the day goes on. they'll also definitely work to take me into the fall/winter season. i'm thinking Birthday Suit will keep my smokey eye looks looking fresh and radiant. :)




the Ultra Shines lippies are so lush and yummy on my lips. they aren't sticky and moisturize fabulously. the Wild Child shade is described as a glimmering amethyst and definitely not a color i would have chosen for myself. in its tube it looks so pretty-- not pink, not purple-- and quite bold, but on my lips is a great sheer-but-bright color. love!


me, wearing Wild Child-- excuse the up-the-nose shot, LOL!

of course, you don't have take my word for it-- discover these for yourself. visit your local Benefit beauty counter and have some fun! you can also find the Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner (available in 12 shades) and Ultra Shines Lip Shines (available in 5 gorgeous colors) online at benefitcosmetics.com and sephora.com.

xo
pics taken by me :)

Sephora Exclusive: NARS Limited-Edition Lip Gloss Collection

available now and exclusively at Sephora, NARS Cosmetics is offering five new glossy lippies named after some of their most-loved signature blushes. these shades are distinctively playful and come in a variety of finishes. each can be worn alone or over any of your own favorite lip products.

shades:

Albatross-- luminous glow
Angelika-- cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle
Oasis-- sparkling pink champagne
Super Orgasm-- peachy pink with gold glitter
Luster-- sheer golden apricot


lip gloss, in the makeup world, is like the perfect accessory. with these you can mix and match, or if you're a true die-hard NARS fan, keep one in every handbag along with its corresponding blush!


xo
info and image courtesy of Nars

Introducing New Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss

as usual, i'm excited to share with you a new product collection! Pure Color Gloss from Estee Lauder is a collection of 34 seductive shades in 3 brilliant finishes and includes a custom collection by world-renowned makeup artist and Estee Lauder creative makeup director Tom Pecheux.



the collection features the brand's exclusive True Vision™ Technology, which wraps pigments in a crystal-like coating to provide intense, brilliant color and shine to lips.

sounds so luxe, right?



the new Pure Color Gloss collection will be available at all Estee Lauder counters nationwide and esteelauder.com beginning mid-june 2010.

Pure Color Gloss Custom Collection by Tom Pecheux features 6 high-performing shades-- his secret weapon for creating runway looks from avant-guard to natural femininity.



the limited-edition Pure Color Gloss Custom Collection by Tom Pecheux will be available exclusively at Nordstrom stores nationwide and nordstrom.com also beginning mid-june 2010.

i'm intrigued and can't wait to try these lippies! what about you?

xo
info and images courtesy of Estee Lauder

Beauty on a Budget: Rimmel London Max Volume Flash Mascara and Royal Gloss

two products from Rimmel London that i have been enjoying a lot lately are their new The Max Volume Flash Mascara and one of their Royal Gloss shades, Berry Crush.

first The Max Volume Flash...



this is touted as a volume-building mascara, but i found it did give a decent amount of length. the brush is huge (which seems to be the trend with most volumizing mascaras these days), but the handle is a manageable size, so it's not difficult to maneuver through your lashes. the formula is good, not too thin of thick, and, as you can see in the pics (below), gives great volume (i think i was in a hurry, as i seem to missed the inner lashes on my right eye, LOL) with minimal clumping. ps- no flakes to be found as the day wears on! :)






Royal Gloss...





this lipgloss is silky smooth and so moisturizing on lips! enriched with vitamins A, C and E as well as royal jelly, it leaves a shiny finish without being sticky. Royal Gloss comes in 10 fabulous pearly shades, each enhanced with the sweet scents of bubble gum, chocolate and peach (Berry Crush has a bubble gum scent).

you can find Rimmel The Max Volume Flash Mascara and Royal Gloss in drugstores and mass retailers nationwide.

xo
all pics taken by me :)

My New Favorite Gloss: Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss

i have been introduced to my new favorite lipgloss...

and it comes from a brand i haven't used in years.

i admit, i didn't expect too much from it, but as it turns out, it's america's #1 best-selling lipgloss-- and for good reason!

since it's in the title (and, well, there's a picture), you already know i'm talking about Avon Glazewear Lip Glosses.

when i applied this to my lips, they became oh-so happy (as in a Carrie Bradshaw, "hello, lovah" kind of way). the formula is silky smooth, glossy and not sticky in the slightest. they come in Intense, Sparkle and Shine shades as well as Clear. the sparkly, nude shade of Mirage (a Sparkle shade) looks fab alone and over any lipstick, and Intense Plum (part of the Intense range of shades) is the perfect color for giving my lips the perfect berry tint.

fyi, until the end of this month (may 2010) you can snag your own Glazewear Lipglosses for less than $2 each! trust me, you will not be disappointed. to find your very own Avon rep, visit avon.com.

xo
products featured were provided by representatives of the brand for review.

Bath & Body Works Summer Vanillas

as the weather heats up, it's time to start thinking about how you want to smell. i like to go the citrus or floral route, but Bath & Body Works caught my attention with their new Summer Vanillas collection.

i'm not usually a vanilla girl, but the idea of creamier versions of smells i already like was very appealing. Coconut, Berry, Lemon and Apricot (which is only online, otherwise i would have bought it in store, too) compliment vanilla to create fabulously cool and refreshing summer scents.



while the collection features, body sprays, candles, etc., i couldn't resist getting a lotion-- the amazing new formula makes my skin so soft-- and Liplicious gloss-- they smell delicious, are glossy without being sticky and have a hint of shimmer-- in each scent (it was buy 2 get 1 and i had a $10 off coupon, too-- yay me!). my daughter went absolutely gaga for the all of them, too, so i will share. :)



for more info, visit bathandbodyworks.com or head to your local Bath & Body Works to smell these new goodies for yourself!

xo
all pics taken by me :)

Brand Worth Knowing: Illamasqua

when Illamasqua was launched in the UK back in 2008 it became an instant hit. when it (finally) become available here in the states, there was an excitement beyond measure.



the makeup was created to be worn at night and is all about a bold look. of course, that doesn't mean you have to only wear their products at night. i was sent a few products to try out and i have to say, i am loving what i've tried.





their Powder Blusher, pictured above in Kiss, a dusty plum shade (deeper in person than in the pics), is so versatile-- a swipe of my brush over the powder then dusted onto my cheeks gives my them a just-pinched look or i can pump up the volume and really make them stand out by adding more.




the Sheer Gloss (pictured in Soul, an icy champagne) is fabulous. it's surprisingly long lasting for a gloss and not at all sticky. the finish is very pretty and leaves my lips feeling very moisturized.




the Nail Varnish formula is amazing. i was sent a shade called Snap, and as you can see, it's a shimmery grey-- so chic! application was smooth, it dried relatively fast, and i have a feeling i'll be wearing this shade a lot this season. i may even add a few more shades to my collection.

visit Illamasqua.com for more info about the brand-- they have a blog too-- and in the u.s., visit your local Sephora or sephora.com to purchase.

xo
products sent to me for the purpose of review; all pics, except the first, taken by me :)

Organic Glam Lipstick & Glossy Lip Plump

i love products that make me look good and are good for my skin. case in point, The Organic Pharmacy's lipstick from their makeup line, Organic Glam Lipstick and their Glossy Lip Plump lipgloss.

infused with shea butter, vitamin E, green tea, grape extract and orange, the Lipstick (pictured in Red) is incredibly creamy, and the Glossy Lip Plump (pictured in Passion Sparkle) is super shiny, goes on sheer and is not too sticky or thick. the formula uses light-reflecting particles, hyaluronic acid spheres and ginger to give lips a more full look (no painful stinging!).

definitely more luxe than less, Organic Glam is exactly what the name implies: a fabulous organic line of makeup that is far from bland or boring. each product is designed to add glamour to whatever look you want to achieve. so if you prefer using natural makeup lines, visit organicglam.com to discover this great new line of makeup.

xo
pic taken by me :)
products sent to me by representative of Organic Glam for the purpose of this review

Leighton Meester's L'Oreal Liploss of Choice

L'Oreal's Infallible Plumping Lipgloss, like the original, leaves lips glossy and actually lasts on lips longer than most lipglosses. Plumped Tawny and Plumped Rose are the colors i like to wear the most, but i don't find that it adds any fullness to my lips. i can, however, feel the cool tingling when i wear it.

Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester also likes this gloss, finding it gives her that little something extra.:

"L'Oréal Paris' Infallible Plumping Lipgloss
in Plumped Red gives me that extra little color
and boost when i really want my lips to pop."

visit lorealparis.com for more info. find it at a drugstore and mass retailer near you.

have you tried Infallible Plumping Lipgloss yet?

xo
info courtesy of L'Oreal. product featured sent to me for review.