Victoria's Secret Makeup Haul

Occasionally, a chain store surprises me.

Take last week for instance; I went to the States with a gal pal, popped into Victoria's Secret on a whim and was BLOWN away by their new spring/summer makeup collection.  I was so blown away that I bought the entire line....honestly, I did.

From left to right: VS Makeup Limited-Edition Deluxe Eye Palette in Fearless (blues), Face Prime Makeup Primer & Setting Spray, VS Makeup Limited-Edition Illuminating Face Powder in All or Nothing and VS Makeup Limited-Edition Lip Gloss in Passion.  (By the way, all of these items came to $60 USD...such a great deal.)

First, check out this eye palette.  Not only are the colors PERFECT for spring/summer, but they are soooo shimmery and gorgeous.  Can't wait to experiment with these colors to find out what look is best!

I think I screamed a little when I first saw this powder.  It's extremely shimmery, very smooth and silky feeling and has so many iridescent particles that the shimmer switches from being nude to violet.  This is going to be such a summer staple for me.

Check out this pink shade.  I like VS lip glosses because they aren't sticky, make my lips nice and smooth and don't cost an arm and a leg.  This one though has a bit of shimmer and is very long lasting.  Plus, the color adds so much to my skin tone that I can rock this color in Bali with limited face makeup and still feel polished.

I purchased this on a whim and am very happy I did.  I've yet to use it as a primer BUT have used it to set my look and it actually does a pretty good job.  My makeup stills smudges slightly during the day but carrying this around does decrease my touch-up sessions.

Whew, I love new makeup and I feel like it's been forever since I last bought any.  So glad that drought's over!!  Have you tried these products before?  What are your thoughts?

FOTD: The Work Appropriate Black Smoky Eye

NOTE TO SELF:  Never attempt to apply a black eyeshadow before going to work.  Or, ensure you double check the eyeshadow you've grabbed before you apply it.

Yes, I'm sure you can figure out exactly what happened here.  I was applying my makeup, like I always do, and as I was applying my eyeshadow, I realized I had selected a color that could literally pass for black.  As you all know, once a color like that is ON your eye lid, it's very very very difficult to remove.  So, after rubbing my lids with a kleenex for a very long time (alright, slight exaggeration...more like 5 minutes) AND applying a shimmery shadow on top, I think I found the perfect smoky eye mix:

Face:

Smashbox Photofinish Color Correcting Primer (Green)

Dior Diorskin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup 010

Youngblood Fair Ultimate Concealer 

Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup in 102

Youngblood Brow Artiste in Dark (Eyebrows)

Cheeks:

Gosh Cosmetics Giant Sun Powder

E.L.F. Natural Radiance Blusher in Shy

Eyes:

E.L.F. Elements Essential Custom Eye Shadow in Dusk

Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Diamond Dog (bronze sparkle)

Youngblood Eye Liner Pencil in Blackest Black

Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara in Black

Lips:

Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Kiwiberry

I have to say, once applied I really do enjoy the look.  All in all I am pleasantly surprised.

XO

Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy Tanners

Hey Ladies!!  I have to apologize for the lack of posts because I'm actually on holidays at the moment.  I am, unfortunately, not vacationing anywhere glamorous, as Allan and I decided to have a stay-at-home holiday (tons of home repairs to do) but we're having such a fantastic time anyway.  Hence the sporadic posts.....Anyway, on to more important things....

My friend (and co-worker) recommended the Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy Bronzers and Self-Tanners to me during one of our in-depth convos regarding our oh-so pastey skin color.  (Yes, she is a pale girl like me).  We were ranting and raving about how gross smelling the majority of the self-tanners are on the market these days and wondering why companies couldn't design better smelling products.  After we got the negative comments out of the way, I recommended the Sephora Spray Tanner and she suggested I try out the Victoria's Secret line.  I immediately placed an online-order....

I trust Rheanna's recommendations quite a bit so when I placed the order, I got two of the items I knew I'd like.  From left to right: 2 of the Tan Enhance Shimmer Lotion With Tint, Keep Glowing Tan Extend Body Moisturizer, and 2 Custom Tan Adjustable Self-Tan Lotion With Shimmer. 

The Tan Extend Moisturizer is perhaps the easiest one to decipher.  Use after your tan has appeared to prevent peeling and prolong the life of your golden glow.  The Custom Adjustable Self-Tan is not something I've used yet (since I just received the items two days ago) but can not WAIT to try it out.  Rheanna says this one is neat since it doesn't smell like a self-tan (BONUS) and you can actually customize the color you want (lighter or deeper) depending on what setting you've placed the dial at.

I saved the best for last because this is my absolute favorite: the Tan Enhance Shimmer Lotion.  I LOVE products like this because you can give yourself a great looking tan and then wash it off in the shower the next day.  Plus, since the lotion is colored, you never have to worry about streaks and it always looks natural.  (This last comment is a bonus for anyone who's quite fair.  The last thing you want is a orange glow....) 

And here it is, all rubbed in on my arm.  Pretty good color hey?  I will also say that VS has been selling out of the Tan Enhancer so if you can get your hands on a bottle, I highly recommend spending the $12 (yes, that's all it costs) and nabbing it.

What are your thoughts?  Have you tried these products out before? 

XO

It's My Blogiversary...Which Means It's Giveaway Time!!!

***********************Closing July 25th at 8:00 PM (PST Time)**************************

I was in my blog dashboard the other week and was dumbfounded to learn that on July 7th Red Lip Gloss will be one year old!!!!  YAY.

As shocked as I was to learn this since the time has gone by so fast, it made me realize how thankful I am to all of you, the ever-so important readers.  Without you, I wouldn't have been around this long!!!

So, on this note, as a special thank-you to all of you, it's time for my Summer Essentials Giveaway.

This awesome summer-inspired giveaway includes:

A gorgeous beach bag made, and donated, by the fabulous Bronwen

A soft, and very large, matching beach towel

A matching cosmetic bag

A pocket mirror

Sally Hansen Forever Stay Moisture Gloss in Creamsicle

Rimmel London Sun Shimmer Shimmering Maxi Bronzer in Sun Kiss (My Fave)

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch SPF 30 Sunscreen (Smells like the beach)

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer in Lime Coolada

Victoria's Secret Ultra-Softening Body Butter in Endless Love 

A matching pair of oh-so glamorous sunglasses 

Last, but not least, a chic-lit summer read: Lunch In Paris

So the rules: This contest is open internationally (so, everyone).  To make it a bit simpler, there are only 4 ways of entering which will give you a total of 4 entries.  In your ONE comment, please provide which ways you're entering AND tell me what you'd like to see more of on my blog!!!!!

1.  Follow publicly through GFC (tell me the name you follow me under) +1

2.  Follow me through twitter and post about my giveaway (provide twitter name) +1

3.  Follow me on Bloglovin +1

4.  'Like' my page on facebook (tell me the name you follow me under) +1

This contest closes on July 25th at 8:00 PM (PST).  After this date, a winner will be drawn via random.org.  Good luck everyone and, again, thanks for your comments and support!!!

XO

My Shopping Spree Weekend (Part 1)

Target n' Macy's n' Sephora n' Victoria's Secret, oh my!

I adore shopping (yes, I know...a redundant statement.)  However, I adore cross-border shopping so much more than shopping in Vancouver because of the fabulous deals.  (There are so many!!!) As I'm sure you know, I went shopping this weekend and, let me tell you, I bought quite a few things.  (So many, in fact, that I had to split this blog post into two.)  I spent all day on Sunday shopping with my two girlfriends in the States, Saturday with a girlfriend shopping here in Vancouver AND Friday shopping with Allan at Metrotown (the biggest mall in BC).

I've split these posts into cosmetics (part 1) and clothes/shoes/accessories (part 2).  So, without further adieu:

Friday shop with Allan involved Sephora.  I purchased Benefit's BAD Gal Lash Mascara (which has been on my wishlist forever), Benefit's Feelin' Cheeky Minis and Bite's Luminous Creme Lipstick Trio. 

Adorable right?  The $18 package contained a mini PosieTint, a mini HighBeam and a mini BeneTint.  The sizes are perfect for travel AND trial.  (it's nice to know that Benefit creates smaller containers for people to try out prior to committing to the bigger bottle.)

Beyond obsessed with this new eco-friendly Canadian brand, Bite.  Get this...the product line is free of all petrochemicals AND packed with reservatrol (meaning that each product has the equivalent of five glasses of red wine's worth of antioxidents.)  Phenomenal.  My trio included Pepper, Bouquet and Rhone.

Left to right: Pepper Lipstick, Bouquet Lipstick and Rhone Lipstick.  Sigh, they are so gorgeous and moisturizing.

Sunday shopping spree to Victoria's Secret included Vixen Eau de Parfum and Noir Love Me Eau de Parfum.  So, typically I don't choose fragrances from VS but they were having a 75% off all beauty products sale and I just couldn't turn them down.  These fragrances were under $9 each.  Of the two, Vixen is my fave.  It reminds me Britney Spears' Fantasy but if you're not familiar with that one, it smells like candy and apples.  Love it.

Also from VS, and only $4 a piece, I picked up two new shower gels, one body spray and a new body lotion.  The pink bottles are the scent Wild One Midnight Raspberry & Sexy Lily while the blue bottle is Love Bitten Forbidden Apple & Sultry Woods.  Since I can't wear fragrances to work, I always use a scented lotion and/or body spray so these two will be going in my work bag.

Target purchases included these amazing lip glosses.  Ummm, am I the only one that had NO idea the Vitamin Water franchise had branched into lip glosses?  Either way, I snatched up the XXX flavor balm (my favorite Vitamin Water flavor) and was super stoked to see it packed an SPF of 20.  The two other balms are from the brand Say Yes to Carrots.  I grabbed two and bought Ready Red (left) and Sunset Pink (right).

I had wanted the Maybelline palette (right) for some time and can not wait to put on that bright blue color.  The palette on the left was bought on a whim, cost $1.50 and is probably the worst eye shadow but I really liked the eggplant color (middle).

Target is awesome for cosmetic deals like this one here from E.L.F.  The custom palette and eye shadows were only $1 each. I selected Sage (shimmer golden green), Dusk (shimmer charcoal), Moondust (shimmery bronze) and Periwinkle (shimmer purpley grey).

Last makeup purchase of the weekend came from Macy's.  As you know, this palette was also on my wish list.  Because we've been sold out of this item at most locations in Vancouver, I figured it was doomed to stay on my wishlist indefinitely.  I was wrong.  They had only ONE left at the Estee Lauder counter in Macy's and I snatched it up immediately.  Look at these colors....

I am so thrilled with my cosmetic purchases from the weekend and can not wait to show you all the colors with some up-and-coming EOTD's, etc.  Stay tuned!!  How was your weekend?  Did you buy anything noteworthy?  XO

Victoria's Secret (Limited Edition) Makeup Haul

Usually I don't get drawn in to liking makeup lines that emerge, almost as an afterthought, in some of my favorite stores.  However, about a month ago, I saw the cutest gold zebra-printed tubes of lipstick and, despite being launched by Victoria's Secret, knew I had to have them.

Since Vancouver doesn't have a Victoria's Secret AND Allan was taking me away this long weekend for a mini-vacation to Seattle, I made it my priority to search high and low for the products I wanted.  (Oh, there was another thing that was a priority this weekend, but that will come in tomorrow's post.)

On my list were three of the five Love Me Wild Limited Edition lipsticks in Instinct, Heartbeat, Heated, the Love Me Wild Limited Edition Radiant Face Trio in Mate and the Sexy To Go Makeup Kit.  Here's what I actually got:

(Left to right) Girl's Night Sheer Fragrance Mist, Girl's Night Nourishing Body Cream, Island Escape Sheer Fragrance Mist, VS Love Me Wild Lipstick in Heartbeat, Beauty Rush Lip Gloss SPF 15 in Kiwiberry and VS Love Me Wild Lipstick in Instinct.  (As it turns out, everyone decided to buy this line at the exact same time as I did so they were sold out of Heated and Mate.....boooooo)

Because I can't wear fragrance to work, due to our no-scent policy, I ALWAYS use a body spray instead.  I've really come to love the Island Escape because it ties together coconut and pineapple which is the perfect thing to wear when it's raining outside.  I smelled the Girl's Night and really liked it too.  This one is not beachy at all but more floral-y and very feminine.  It combines pink peony and waterlily and it just smells really fresh.  The best part about these scents are their price: 3 for $15.....amazing.

This picture does not do these two lipsticks justice whatsoever.  Heartbeat (left) is a gorgeous coral color that goes on very smooth.  The color last for quite a while and doesn't overdry your lips which is an absolute must for me.  The other color, Instinct (right), is a beautiful cool nude tone.  It's not too pink and not too matte which makes it a good color for me.  The lipsticks are being sold for $14 a piece.

I also found the Sexy To Go Makeup Kit and it was an absolute steal at only $22.  This palette comes with 12 eye shadows, 6 lip glosses, 2 blushes, one eye liner, one lip balm, a bronzer, a highlighter and three brushes.

I'll be honest, I've yet to try this palette out but will let you know as soon as I do.  For $22 I'm not expecting it to be amazing but I could always be pleasantly surprised....

Have any of you guys tried this VS Makeup Line?  What are your thoughts?

XO