Red Lip Gloss' Blog Sale - First Ever!

*********Blog Sale is now finished!***********

I have way too much makeup.

As Allan and I have been cleaning out our bedrooms in preparation of painting and new carpets, I realize just how much I truly have.  Hence the need for a blog sale!!!

Before I show you all the goodies, here are a few instructions I have to get out of the way...
       1) This is open to all Canadian residents only
       2) Shipping costs (if applicable) will be added to your invoice
       3) You must pay your invoice in full by email transfer within 24 hours of receiving the invoice
       4) Email me with the items you'd like to purchase (cmwolthers@gmail.com)
       5) Once I've received your order, I will provide you with your invoice via email
       6) All sales are final once purchased
       7) If you need to see additional photos, send me an email and I will send to you personally

Whew, all the nitty-gritty is now out of the way, so get ready to shop to your heart's content!!

Matrix Total Results Sleek Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum (new) - $16
Dream Waves Conditioner and Lotion (new) - $7
Skin Envy Sugar Wax Strips and Spray Lotion (new) - $7

Christian Dior Velvet Eyes (like new) - $11

Bobbi Brown Denim and Rose Palette (new) - $17 SOLD

Biotherm Blue Therapy Moisturizer and Serum (new) - $12 SOLD

Younique Glorious Face Primer (used twice) - $10

Sleek Makeup i-Divine in Storm (new) - $5

Eos Rachel Roy Lip Trio (new) - $6
Dior Addict Gloss x 3 Colors (like new) - $10
Smashbox Lip Palette (slightly used) - $3

Bobbi Brown Crystal Eye Palette (new) - $11 SOLD

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder (new) -$13 SOLD

Clinique Pretty in Prints Palette (like new) - $9 SOLD

Sephora Color Palette (new) - $11

Clinique Grab-Bag filled with lots of perfect travel items (new) - $8

Pixi Energy Blush in Golden Energy (new) - $4
ELF Studio Stipple Brush (new) - $1 SOLD
Sephora and Pantone Universe Blush (new) - $6
Annabelle Custom Quad Shadows (new) - $3

Marcelle Anti-Aging BB Cream (like new) - $7
Clinique Super City Block (new) - $7 SOLD

Sal and Jo's Mini Gloss Collection (new) - $6 SOLD
Badger Classic Lip Balm Sticks (new) - $3
Avon Eye Shadow Trio (like new) - $1
Mark Custom Eye Shadow Duo (new) - $1

Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color in Pink Gold (new) - $8 SOLD
Smashbox Lipstick in Rasberry Kreme (new) - $6
Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural in N52 (new) - $6
MAC Lipstick in Creme Cup (Kim Kardashianès FAVORITE nude color - like new) - $4 SOLD
Victoria Secret Perfect Lipstick (new) - $3
Avon Lipstick (new) - $1

Happy shopping, ladies, and thanks for your purchases and support!!!

   

What's Your Face Worth?

As I was putting my makeup on this morning, I got to thinking about money. Now, this is a regular occurrence for me (as Allan and I have some big things coming up next year that we’re saving for) but for some reason today seemed like a great idea to find out my face’s worth. (Ha, that sounds funny.) So, here’s what I used to create my look today AND their prices…

                                  Dior DiorSkin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup
                                                           SPF 25 in Ivory - $55

Youngblood Ultimate Concealer in Light - $25

Clinique Superpowder Double Face Makeup in Matte Bisque - $25

Gosh Big Sun Powder Bronzer - $25

NARS Blush in Super Orgasm - $29

Avon 12-in-1 Eye Palette (Beige and Gold applied) - $17.99

SMASHBOX Cream Liner Palette - $24 (At the duty free)

Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara - $9.99

Illamasqua Lipstick in Over - $22 (Bought in the USA)

So, all together, to purchase this look the total is $182.98. To be honest, I actually expected this to be quite a bit more SO I’m back to being a happy girl….Ha

I would love to see other posts like this if you care to partake. Let me know if you do!!

XO

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

YAY for Blog Awards

I was recently nominated for the Top 10 Award by Catharina over at Makeup Look.  If you haven't checked out her blog before I highly recommend you do so.  Her blog is one that I read all the time because I love her youtube video channel.  She gives fabulous tutorials and tips!!!  Thanks again Catharina for the award..

So, the rules are as follows:

Link back to the person who tagged you

Nominate 10 other bloggers

List your 10 favorite beauty products 

Here is a list of my favorite (well, right now anyway) beauty products:

1.  Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo - I have tried many many many different types of dry shampoo but always go back to this one because it smells like coconut/pineapple, it does a fab job removing the excess oil from my very thick hair and it only costs about $8.99 CAN.

2.  Avon Smooth Minerals Blush in Blushing Mauve - If it's good enough for Reese Witherspoon (who supposedly wears it all the time) it's definitely good enough for me.  I love this blush because of it's gorgeous pinky rose tone and the fact that it adds the perfect amount of color without being overbearing.

3.  Smashbox Cream Liner Palette - Amazing colors right?  These liners are cream based so they go on very smooth and have great lasting power.  This palette has a price tag of about $35 CAN but I only paid $17 at the duty-free shop.

4.  LORAC Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Superstar - Sigh, once this brown trio is combined it creates a gorgeous bronze smokey eye which is perfect for daytime.  Plus, LORAC is an amazing brand.  Not only is the quality outstanding but the color will last all day, on your eyelids, without any creasing.

5.  Gosh Cosmetics Giant Sun Powder in 001 - I can NOT stop raving about this product!!!  It has literally become my go-to bronzer because it gives a great sun-kissed glow AND has gorgeous little gold flecks that seem to fall perfectly on your cheekbones.  Ladies, if you're near a Shoppers Drug Mart, go there and buy this palette...

6. MAC Cremesheen Glass in Partial to Pink - I am definitely a gloss girl and pink tones are always what I gravitate towards.  I particularly like this one because the color is perfect, it doesn't have a sticky feeling and it has a sponge applicator.  (I despise any other applicator for gloss.)

7.  Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - I bought this on a whim as I was looking for a mascara that ACTUALLY made my lashes look huge and I am so happy I spent the money.  This one definitely lives up to the hype.  It has a huge mascara wand which separates every lash and adds a ton of volume to each and every lash, making your eyes look huge.  It's worth the money ladies.

8.  Revlon Luxurious Color Satin Eye Shadow Platinum Glimmer - Aside from bronze eye colors, my other faves are either grey or silver.  This one is fab because it combines both the grey and silver in one shadow.  Once on, it maintains its grey tone and adds a punch of glitter.  Not bad for $5.

9.  Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15 in Fair - When it comes to summer, tinted moisturizers are the way to go.  This one is great because it actually provides quite a lot of coverage but still moisturizers your face.  Also, it's one of the only ones that doesn't make me breakout in the sun.

10.  Revlon Lustrous Lipstick Creme in Pink in the Afternoon - I was cleaning out my vanity table this past week and stumbled upon this forgotten pink lipstick.  Ever since I discovered it (Tuesday) I have been wearing this non-stop.  This pink color looks fabulous on my lips because it matches my fair skin tone perfectly.  I will definitely be buying this again.

The bloggers I'm nominating for this award are:

Bronwen at Rubyna

Diane at Kiss & Makeup

Mimi at Aesthetic Lounge

Erica at Meet Makeup

Miss A at Beauty Boudoir

Amber at Lipgloss and Flipflops

Melissa at Write It In Lipstick  

Gaia at The Non-Blonde 

Mandy at MandysSecrets

Kim at Kim's Vanity

Have fun with the posts ladies!!!  I sure did.

XO

My Beautyticket.com Haul

Hello again.....

Yesterday was the best day.  First, my amazing new custom banner was finished which means a huge thanks goes out to Alicia at The Cutest Blog on the Block because she did a fabulous job.  Secondly, I went to gym promptly after work last night, despite wanting to crawl under my covers and sleep, and feel sore.  (Sigh, I love that feeling).  And lastly, I got my amazing Beautyticket.com order.....yay. 

When I was placing this order, I said to myself, "Christina, you can NOT buy any more eye shadow palettes or pink lipsticks and you have to try brands you don't have much knowledge about".  I should give myself a pat on the back for actually sticking to my rules however, after I placed the order I realized that I bought way too much red.....My purchase included: Smashbox Lip Service Lipstick Palette 5, Pixi by Petra Energy Blush In Golden Energy, Senna Lip Sync Lipstick & Lipgloss Duo in Paris Pink and Smashbox Lipstick in Rasberry Kreme.

I fell in love with this cute lip palette as soon as I saw it.  Typically, the quality of the lip gloss/stick in a palette is not very good however, I was pleasantly surprised with this little bad boy.  The colors are very pigmented once on your lips and the colors aren't sticky nor do they over-dry your lips.  Probably the best thing about this palette is the brush.  It's not one of those exceptionally skinny lip brushes but it actually feels like a small paint brush.  Nice, long smooth and it makes application very easy.

I've never tried the Pixi line before though I've seen it countless times in stores.  I am beyond obsessed with pink shimmery blushes and this one is fantastic since it has both the nice pink blush on one side and the shimmery highlighter on the other.  The blush, on, is a gorgeous pale pink but add the white shimmer and you're good to go.  I've been using the highlighter under my eyebrows and on my cheek bones and it actually gives a nice hint of shimmer.  The product itself doesn't flake and it goes on very smooth which is a must for any blush or highlighter.  All in all, I'm really liking this product.

Lipsticks....from these pictures the colors actually look very similar but, trust me, they're not.  The top one is the Senna Duo.  On one side you have a gorgeous burgandy lipstick and on the other a pale pink gloss.  So, since this is my first time using Senna I have nothing to compare it to but I will say that the gloss is not sticky and actually has fantastic lasting power.  (I haven't tried the lipstick yet though.)  The lower picture is of the Smashbox lipstick.  I am in love with this color!!!  It's not too pink yet not too red but is perfectly in the middle of the two.  This means it's a great color for daytime or even the office since it's not too bright or dark.  Smashbox always makes fabulous products and I highly recommend this lipstick.

From left to right: Senna Lipstick, Senna Lipgloss and Smashbox Lipstick.  (Aren't they gorgeous?)

Have you ladies tried any of these products OR any of these brands before?  If so, what are your thoughts?

XO

The Perfect Non-Red Complexion: What Works?

As much as I love being fair-skinned, I sometimes curse it too.  Not only do I have an awful time trying to find powders and foundations that actually MATCH my skin tone but every single facial flaw is always visible. 

See, my issue is that when I break out, I'm always left with a slight red scar, even when there are no bumps or irritation left over.  I know that most people have this issue, in some form or another, but because I am soooooo abnormally pale (ladies, I mean PALE.....even the lightest foundations are too dark for me) every single imperfection shows very vividly.  So, last weekend I decided I was sick of it.  I purchased two products, one expensive and one not-so, to see if these "redness relief" products really work.

Smashbox Photo Finishing Color Correcting Primer VS. e.l.f. Studio Complexion Perfection

I lucked out with the primer; instead of paying the standard $45 CAN, I snatched it up at a Duty-Free shop for only $32.  (A much better price.)  As you can see, the primer is green-toned which is designed to reduce redness.  (If you didn't know this, the color wheel shows that red and green are across from each other.  This means that their colors "cancel each other out".)

The primer is a very nice product.  Like most primers, this one goes on silky-smooth and makeup adheres very nice to it.  Plus, it's oil-free which is a really nice benefit.  However, in terms of redness relief, it does nothing.  I wanted to love this product, I really did, but in terms of red coverage, I haven't noticed any difference whatsoever.  So, on that note, it's a thumbs down from me.

I ordered the e.l.f Studio Complexion Perfection on a whim.  I mean, how can you go wrong when it's only $3????  This product is really cool because it combines four different shades that do four different things: the blue neutralizes orange, the green covers red, pink neutralizes grey and the yellow brightens and covers red.  

This powder is amazing.  I apply mine after foundation/concealer, almost like a setting powder and it gives my skin a fantastic flawless finish.  Not only does it cover any stubborn redness BUT it also absorbs excess oil, making my skin look perfect.  The only down side is that the product itself can be a bit "flakey".  (When you've swirled your brush in the compact, you'll notice that excess product is always sitting on top of the powder.  I always feel like I'm going through it too quickly.)  But, it's only $3....I have just placed another order (3 more coming) just to have backup. 

So, sometimes, the less expensive option will come out on top.  Ladies, if you have the same issue as I do, try out the e.l.f Studio Complexion Perfection, you won't be disappointed.

PS - I know this post is long but wanted to throw this out there.  If you do suffer from redness and scaring, try out Avon's Banishing Cream.  I am in love with this product!  I use it every night before bed and have to say that it's really done wonders with my redness.  I mean, it's not completely gone but it's definitely not as noticeable as it was before.  Plus, on sale, this cream will only set you back about $4.99

FOTD: Office Appropriate

I was really nervous about doing my first FOTD post. I've honestly been humming and hawing about a post like this for such a long time, and then, as I was getting ready for work today, I randomly snapped some pictures (and think they actually look pretty good, if I say so myself.)

Hi everybody!! You finally get to see a pic of me while wearing my leopard-print robe....aren't you all lucky???

My typical office makeup look includes: FACE: Youngblood Natural Mineral Foundation Youngblood Ultimate Concealer Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick (green) CHEEKS: Clinique Precious Posy Blush Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator Powder (Discontinued...sigh) LIPS: Avon Tri-Lip Gloss in Onyx Luster EYES: Mark Custom Pick Eye Shadow in Biscotti Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Nutty (one of the easiest bronze colors to wear) Onyx from Smashbox's Cream Eye Liner Palette

Lancome Definicils HIgh Definition Black Mascara

Because of what I do, I need to look professional and put together at all times and I feel this look does exactly that. Not only do I look polished but this look takes me all of 13 minutes to accomplish. It doesn't get better than that! Have any of you used any of these products before? What are your thoughts? XO

Intuitive Cheek Color: Smashbox vs Mark

I purchased the Smashbox O-Glow Intuitive Cheek Color, on a whim recently, while stumbling around Sephora in my normal hazy, makeup-induced stupor. Now, according to Smashbox, this is the "first intuitive blush that reacts with your skin's chemistry to turn your cheeks the color you blush naturally". I hummed and hawed, in the shop, for about three seconds and gladly paid the $40 to make this little gem mine. I went home, turned on my computer, and was greeted with a nice product email from Mark, announcing it's new Shimmer Cheekblossom Cheek Color Tint, that also "reacts with your skin's chemistry to give cheeks a perfect-for-you pink flush". As I scrolled through the email, I also noticed that it was only being sold for $8.00. I know, only 8 bucks...So, I immediately ordered it. As you can see, both products come in tubes of similar size, however you get 5 mL more with the Smashbox brand. Both have similar applicators and tubes that are very easy to squeeze. Both products are a silicone-based gel which means they are easy to apply and spread nicely. Fresh out of the container, both brands look virtually the same but if you look closely, the one on the top (Smashbox) is slightly thicker in texture than the one on the bottom (Mark). Here's where we start to see the major difference. Both products have been rubbed into my skin the exact same way (light circular motions) and have only been on for 30 seconds. You can definitely see a huge color contrast between the two. (L to R: Mark, Smashbox) The Smashbox product is turning a beautiful shade of pink while the Mark product has barely tinted my oh-so pale arm. After comparing both products, it's definitely clear who the winner is this time around. Smashbox, though much more costly, has proven it deserves the "first intuitive blush" title as well my respect. Though I will always be a thrifty shopper, I guess there are some things that really are worth the extra money. Now how do I explain this to Allan? HA XO