MillieBea's Jasmin Matcha Vegan Lip Balm

                                 http://milliebeasvintage.com/natural-body-products


I have this friend, Stephanie. The kind of girl you wish you could be more like. She's always cool but not in a Hollywood kinda way. She doesn't try, it's just her. Nothing pretentious or unnatural, just an organic goodness that radiates around her. But don't get it wrong, she's the real deal and will get the job done and all while having a great time. Much like her creation.
Jasmin Matcha Vegan Lip Balm is her product, she makes it from scratch with all natural Vegan ingredients, along with other indulgent scents and flavors. I have been using it for about 3 weeks. My initial reaction was amazement over the buttery texture but I was leery over the squeaky clean ingredients. We are often lead to believe we need some sort of pharmaceutical miracle to heal, I too am a victim of this. Ok a little dramatic...would it serve my purpose, soothe my dry ..wintery lips?  I decided to wait a while, use it everyday and find out. At this point, my 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old are using it, asking for it in fact.
At $4 a tube, it's a great value. My lips (and my babies lips) are once again smooth. I like to use it at night if I plan on wearing a longer lasting lipstick the next day because it is extra emollient. Under gloss and everyday lipsticks it's actually a great primer. Nothing looks flawless unless you have a flawless canvas.
As I discovered her lip balm, I also discovered that her style is actually even deeper than I thought. Her website, which you can get to from the link at the top and bottom of the page, is absolutely refreshing. All those ideas you have in your mind about finding some wondrous vintage piece to add to your wardrobe or your home, it's all on her site. From feather hair clips and earrings, to authentic vintage dresses, nobody else but you will be wearing. And she alters some of them to bring them up to tempo. You can also find some of her things at Hybrid Moments in Ferndale.  Worth taking a look, but I bet you will be hooked just as I am.

                                             http://milliebeasvintage.com


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Roc Eye and Lash Anti-Aging Primer

I have been actively looking for a new eye primer since the day Paula Dorf was pulled out of Nordstrom. I was known to tell my clients they could party for 24 hours and their eyeshadow would still look the same even if they napped in between. I still find Paula Dorf eye primer in small boutiques but I wanted something that was easier to get a hold of.
If you have never used an eye primer, which I know many people haven't. It will change your whole outlook on eyeshadow. Color is truer, pigments seem more evident, and blending is a breeze. Not to mention staying power that can tackle any of you oily eyelid peeps out there. A few good ones (no match for Paula Dorf eye primer, but good) Urban Decay Eye Primer, Laura Mercier Eyebasic in Wheat or Cotton if you are super pale, and Trish McEvoy Eye Base in Bare.
Just when I thought there was no hope to be had, I found a really cool multi-functional product by Roc. I didn't care if my eye primer smoothed out my lines around my eyes, but this does. I didn't have the expectation that any eye primer could ever make my eyelashes seem darker, longer, fuller, but this does. What I wanted was eyeshadow that stayed on and blended well, and it gave that to me too. What a lovely surprise. Here is a tip however, do not use too much, a very thin layer will do it, otherwise, your eyeshadow will crease. I have used it on clients and they raved about how long their look held up.
So thankful I tried this. A bit pricey for a drugstore product at 22 dollars, but if it were sold in a department store it would easily sell for that or more. It's a do for sure!

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Deanna Nellenbach, Makeup Artist: Guest Blogger

It has been years and years since I have tried drugstore lipstick.  I was spoiled

for so long working at Nordstrom with my fab employee discount... (sigh.....)

Still, I do like to wander through the aisles, checking out the new stuff and how

it mimics the "real deal" found at department stores. Usually I leave empty handed

knowing that I have something far superior in my at-home assortment of all things

Chanel, MAC, or Bobbi.
 
Well, my view was changed...  at RiteAid.....  by (gasp!!) Covergirl!!!
 
Their new Lip Perfection lipstick has gotten a lot of press in the beauty blogs

and I have been mighty intrigued. Funny how in the department store world, a $20

lipstick seems very reasonable in price, yet a $7 lipstick seems a bit pricy in

the drugstore. Well, there is a $1 off coupon on the covergirl website to make

it even better.

They have 44 shades in this collection, browns, mauve to burgundy, nude to red,

and pinks.The Covergirl website says that these lipsticks contain Silk Therapy 

Complex to give you "smoother lips in just 7 days". I was more concerned with 

pigment and staying power.
 

I bought a bright shade for Spring called Fairytale. OK, so this particular shade

will look much better on me after I bask in some Florida sun at the end of the

month......  but still, the feel is great, rich pigment, and its almost like a

long wear!  Its pretty great!  
 

I am headed back to RiteAid today to pick up some more.  Do I need 5 new tubes

of lipstick? Ummm, definitely not!!  But at $6 and some change I can get four 

more and still feel good about it. 

The $1 off coupon is at www.covergirl.com , so print it out, and go out and try it 

for yourselves!
 
 
 
   

Shayla Gabbara Haboosh, Make Up Artist: Guest Blogger

I welcome other experts and friends to tell us what they experience with other products. I don't have time to try everything and my skin would just fall off (such a drama queen). Shayla is a dear friend and a super make up artist. Not to mention one of the youngest looking (almost) 40 year old women I know.  She can be reached at the Nordstrom Partridge Creek MAC counter at 586-203-4360. She also gave me a little inside information about gifts with purchase throughout her department (and other goodies) March 15-20 and a new MAC collection coming April 7-10. I say, we are going to buy it anyway , we might as well wait until they have something special to offer, right? And here she is..........   My favorite product 8% Alpha Beta Serum..aka Salicylic Acid it can be found at www.makeupartistschoice.com  The FDA only allows 2% to be sold in department and drug stores but this web site has some as high as 15%. I recommend caution when using these products they are Pharmaceutical grade but they work! I have always had oily skin but turning 40 this year I didn't think I would be dealing with Acne too! This product helps control the sebum, minimizes oil and blackheads and helps with hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone (common with ethnic or darker skin tones). This Serum can help clear up a stubborn blemish in about 24 hours...Amazing! It's highly recommended to use an SPF of at least 30 when using this product. Going to a Dermatologist or Spa would have cost me thousands of dollars.The 8% Alpha Beta Serum costs about $25.00 and a bottle can last up to 3 months. If you want to just try it, you can buy a sample (half an ounce) for $12.00. It Comes with step by step directions and the website has a 1-800 number to call for more information. I love the way my skin looks and feels!   Thanks Shayla!!  XX

Porcelain Veneers

 

Ok, Channing Peirce (Miss Michigan 2011), we all wish we looked as pretty as you even before the smile was perfected by Dr. Ali Saad. What a difference a smile makes in a person. This post is totally personal to me because I have Porcelain Veneers and my confidence level is much improved since getting them. I don't think I realized just how much just being confident in my smile improved my mood . I have always had smaller teeth and a few spaces that my dentist filled with bonding. I had braces when I was young but it didn't correct all the spaces and of coarse it's not going to affect the size of the teeth. Before I got married in 2002, I decided to get Veneers because I covered my mouth every time I laughed. I wanted to be able to smile in my pictures. I was probably being a little dramatic by hiding my teeth but when my smile was corrected, I felt so good, I now smile all the time.

It was a little scary, I'm not gonna lie. My teeth were filed down and temporary Veneers were applied until my permanent ones came in. I was then able to choose a color and wanting them to be as natural looking as possible, I did not choose the whitest. If I have one regret that may be it. As time goes on they stain a little (emphasis on little). I drink a ton of coffee and wine and they still look pretty white.  People ask me "Your teeth were filed down and you were ok with that?". Well, yes. My natural teeth weren't wonderful and the 10 to 30 years that these Veneers are going to last are probably longer than my natural teeth would in the condition they were in from bonding and over brushing. 

This process is like an art, that is why they call it cosmetic dentistry. I found a Dentist who was able to see the same vision I had for my smile and he crafted them exclusively for me. It's a bit pricey and I am pretty sure that insurance doesn't cover it. I financed it and skipped out on a few pairs of shoes and a few dinners out to pay for them. The best person to consult with is the dentist who did Channing's teeth. His name is Ali Saad, he has an office in Birmingham, and his number is 248-646-3515.  I am also sure that there are other treatments and procedures that we don't know about that he could offer us to improve our smile. This goes for the guys too.   

If you smile you can change yourself, others, and your future.- Japanese Proverb

A bit cheesy but I believe it!

Raquel Welch Human Hair Clip-In Extensions

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We all love long hair and until Kim Kardashian cuts her gorgeous hair off, we are stuck with the trend. It's not always our easiest option however. The care it takes to maintain everyday is almost like a full time job. So for myself, I like to have the option to add some volume and length to my just below the shoulder length hair. I've tried many brands, I've made my own a few times, but I have never found better quality than these.The hair is thicker than cheaper brands, and the texture of the hair is perfect. It's so easy to clip them in, small sections at the nape of the neck and work your way up. No one has ever asked if I'm wearing extensions, and to an untrained eye, it's really hard to tell with these unless the color is way off. The color chart is usually pretty accurate (always read the description, it's helpful). Or you can order a color ring to look at for free and then send it back. Also, I always get the longest ones(they are not that long and you can always have your stylist cut them), and if you have coarse or curly hair get the curly ones because you can always straighten them when you straighten your hair. The best place to get them is at www.hairextensions.com.
The best part about these extensions are the clips. They clip in secure, and they are really soft and comfortable. Sometimes I forget I have them in. And I definitely slept in them after a night out. Woke up feeling terrible but not from hair angst!
You can curl them, flat iron them, wash them, color and bleach them. They are just like your hair. I am the worst at taking care of them because I am usually wearing them when I go out and whip them out and fall into bed. They still last a few years for me, so imagine if you really took care of them.
If you want them, and you want help you can inbox me on facebook there is a link on the right of this page.
They are 250 dollars(the shorter ones are cheaper), alot of money, but way less than salon extensions, way less damage to you hair, and if you want to have a shorter style, a girl has options. A friend said to me the other day, "I love being a girl". I could not agree more.
That being said, I promise to chat about some men's products soon! ;)

Are Jolt "pick me up" Jeggings a beauty product? I think so.

So you want to look, younger, smoother, happier, more awake? I'm not talkin' skin here. I stumbled upon these mistakenly one afternoon while I was looking other jeans. It was a frenzy, as usual, I had 15 minutes to find what I wanted. Both kids were screaming about something in the stroller, cheerios flyin', balloons being used as weapons. I grabbed a pair of jeans I thought I already had and gave em' to the girl, who's trying to tell me why she loves these jeggings " they lift your butt, it's crazy". I'm half listening, just hoping she would hurry up so the screaming will stop, and I can stop pretending to smile. I'm glad I wasn't listening because I wouldn't have bought them, we all need a little lift, but these things never look good, or natural. Well, I was wrong. got home tried em' on and HELLO! My belly looked flatter, my legs slimmer, and my booty, never looked better. But, I didn't look like I was trying to hard, I wasn't sausaged into these things. I wish I would have bought a smaller size because the do stretch. So until all of our creams and potions that promise a firmer appearance start working their magic, just buy these jeggings! They are truly a product that makes you beautiful! Oh and they are 32 dollars!!! No way!

Airbrush Tanning

If tanning weren't one of the worst things you could do to your skin, I would totally own my own bed. Especially in Michigan. The heat and light on your face feels amazing in the middle of a gloomy winter. Not to mention escaping for 20 minutes, no cell phone, no babies, no people, just you, those glowing bulbs, and Stevie B. pumping in the background. Ahhhhh, sounds wonderful, huh? Psst. Wake up! Tanning is dangerous.

The best alternative for a quick natural looking tan is an airbrush tan. Not Mystic, that's totally different. Mystic is something that you cannot control, it sprays and you better pray you are in the right position or you are blotchy for at least a week. And the color is not the greatest. Not to mention it comes off in patches. YUCK!

An airbrush tan, if you get the right sprayer is perfect. The color is custom and can be adjusted lighter or darker. The right sprayer can make you look like you have been working out for weeks, even if you haven't. The formulas just keep improving and it's the wave of the future. So, here is my secret, email your date and time request to info@preenbeautystudio.com and she will come to you. She is a busy girl so make it soon if you have a big event or just need a break from pale.

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Donna Sanborn, Make Up Artist : Guest Blogger

Making the transition from the cosmetic industry to corporate America has left me a little out of touch with my inner diva. But honestly, I totally get it. I used to get to work around 9:30 am which left me plenty of time to get some sleep, apply smoky eyes, contour my cheeks, and dodge the morning rush hour. Now, I find myself trading eye shadow for an extra 15 minutes of sleep. Lately I’ve been trying to get in the habit of wearing more makeup because, quite frankly, it makes me feel better.

That being said, I love eyeliner. But like a lot of women, my eyelids are a bit greasy. Normally, if I don’t apply eye shadow base and eye shadow before liner, I have a big black frown on my eyelid by mid morning.

I was able to wander around Ulta for a while the other day and loaded up on all kinds of new eyeliners. There are so many cool mass market brands popping up, I can’t help but want to test everything out. The good news is I found a fabulous solution to my problem!

For 3 days now, I have been using my normal eye cream (Garnier Anti-Sun Damage SPF 15 eye cream), wearing my favorite mascara (Clinique High Lengths) some bronzer, and Prestige TOTAL Intensity Eyeliner Pencil in Deepest Black. Every single day my eyeliner has lasted into the evening with no smudging!

I line my top lashes and then dot in between my bottom lashes and smudge. Here’s the key, this eyeliner sets after about 30 seconds or so.  Once it sets it won’t move. Apply it to one eye, and smudge it with a q-tip or brush right away. This particular color is the blackest black eyeliner I’ve ever found in a pencil. (Yes, Heather, it’s blacker than smolder!) There were a ton of other colors and for $3 a pencil I am totally hooked.

I also wanted to mention another mass market brand that I’m really impressed with called NYX. Over the weekend I tried their Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Black, a set of fake lashes, and an eyebrow pencil. With a price point of about $5, I really liked everything I tried. The liquid liner has the thinnest, most precise brush I have ever used and it’s just stiff enough to give you a lot of control, but still soft enough to glide along your lash line.  

Based on the 3 things I tried from NYX, I'm excited to get back and try the eyeshadows. I noticed they had a huge selection of colors. I'll make sure to test them out and let you know how it goes!

Loreal Sublime Glow Everday Moisturizer

This product is part of my everyday routine. Clients tell me they have tried an everyday lotion self tanner and they don't like it. If I do a bit more digging I find out it's the Jergens everyday lotion self tanner that they don't like.The Jergens version, stinks, and it had a slightly more orange color. An unfortunate situation, because if they would have tried this first, they could have been very happy!
It does not smell. It does not show up in orange rings on your knuckles, elbows, in between your fingers, or any other dry spot on your body. In fact, I have forgotten to wash my hands after using it and it didn't turn into an embarrassing mess. And somehow it still makes the rest of my skin look more even and a few shades darker than my natural skin color. It will however leave a little bit of sparkle on your clothes but nothing that won't wash off, even a white shirt.
Nothing makes uneven skin tone, cellulite (yeah, I said it), or just sallow looking skin, look better than a self tanner. I find that this gives me all those benefits without being too intense, and without all the upkeep. It doesn't flake off or come off in patches, it simply fades until you do it again.
I've seen it sold anywhere from 10 dollars to 3 dollars. So run out and cure your spring fever! It's a do!

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Sally Hansen 14 Day Nail Shield Update

I've gotten a lot of questions about how my nails turned out with this product. It didn't last fourteen days, however it did last seven. That's more than any manicure I have ever had. Also when I removed it my nails were in better shape. The thing I did not like, the color. It almost looked dirty. So I did some searching and it comes in other colors. I am going to try shell next, more of a pink. And for eight dollars and some change, it's also less expensive than any other manicure I have ever had. Word to the manicurists out there, I would pay more if I could get the relaxing experience of the salon or spa. Just sayin'.                                  
So next time you are grocery shopping, pick it up.I love this and totally recommend it!

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The Triple Oxygen Trio

Early to rise. Get the kids breakfast. Dressed. Pick up the house.Oh, yeah, get yourself ready, and the dog, feed the dog. Not to mention the "Where is my (fill in the blank)?" questions you get from the whole family like you have a zip file in your head to reference where THEY put it. And if you don't have kids, insert boyfriend, sister, mother, friends or any other person we tend to put first in our lives.
So, what's my point? And what does this have to do with beauty products? Well, it's Valentine's day. Date night. We are expected to do all these things and then pull it together and look gorgeous in whatever ridiculous amount of time we have left to do so. Our skin is affected by the stress we have in our lives and sometimes we need some extra help.
 The first time I tried these products, I got hooked. An eye mask is not something I would normally buy, but the difference it makes in puffiness and fine lines is incredible. I also saw a difference on my clients,whether they were 20 year old students or 65 year old grandmothers. And the Triple oxygen Mask is like a drink of much needed water for the skin. After I use it, I am no longer dull and uneven. My skin looks and feels radiant. And not just temporarily, it lasts a few days, until I need extra hydration again. Finish with the triple oxygen energizing cream and you will be a new girl! It boosts collagen, so your skin plumps up and the lines look less noticeable. Sounds like a lot huh? Just throw on the masks while you're making dinner or picking up the house and you'll be glowing in no time. Definitely, a much needed do!

Happy Valentines Day!      XX

Mascara Love Triangle

Mascara. The only product, I think, every girl who wears it, is still looking for something better. The grass is starting to get greener, ladies. I have used L'oreal Voluminous original mascara since the 90's. It's thickening, a bit lengthening and you have plenty of time before it dries to make sure you don't have clumps. In between there has been Lancome Definicils, Dior Show, YSL Volume Effect, goodness me, I could go on for hours. All of these mascaras have good qualities it's just not the total package.
Now, with the trend in Mascara going toward growing and conditioning them and not just making you look good, I have finally found a few good ones that hold a candle to my Voluminous. Laura Mercier, Full Blown mascara, wonderful! The cool thing about it is that it has a hair care technology in it, sort of like a hair gel, that sets your lashes into place so they don't flop midday. It also curls and is super dark.
My absolute favorite right now, Rimmel Lash Accelerator. I've tried so many inexpensive mascaras,Great Lash, Lash Blast, Volume Express, and with the exception of Voluminous, I have never been impressed. Well, there's a first time for everything. I love this mascara! It lenghtens, it thickens, it curls, and the icing is that it has a lash growing complex. Oh, and it's 5 dollars.
So, I am very much looking forward to what future holds for mascara. It's been a very long time since I've cheated on my favorite and it kept my interest. Now that I have an interest in others, I may bat my perfectly primped eyelashes at many more.

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NeuLash (Active Eyelash Technology)

I have lash envy and I have it bad. My sons, husband, and most of the people I am around have naturally dark and super long lashes. And as a makeup artist I started noticing that every one's lashes are looking longer and fuller now, even without mascara. So, of coarse, I had to indulge and spend 150 dollars on this product, NeuLash. Well, it works! I have longer, fuller, and darker lashes and when I apply mascara, I don't have to work as hard to get them to look good.
I'm one of those people who is diligent at first and the excitement wears off and I forget to do it. After the initial excitement period, I had already started seeing results. Now, I remember to do it maybe 3 days a week and I still feel like they are getting more dramatic.
Even though it totally works, I am considering not buying another tube because if you get this stuff in your eyes, it burns, even though they say it won't. And on top of that, the skin around my lash line is slightly darker than it was before I started using it. I love my new lashes but I'm still trying to decide if it's worth the cost and the minor side effect. I say minor because no one else noticed the darkness. So, for now, it's a do.

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Garnier Fructis Style Blow Dry Perfector

I bought this product and it sat in my bathroom for months. My hair is very curly, very bleached, and very dry. And of coarse I want it to be down to my waist and healthy looking. A girl wants what a girl wants. It sat there because it says on the box, do not use if your hair is damaged from bleach. I usually get 300 dollar Keratin treatments on my hair to smooth it out, and those treatments are fabulous! But I thought a college education for my boys could possibly be more important than my smooth hair. So I decided, just do it, how much worse could it be.
Boy am I glad I tried this product. My hair is smooth but still has a ton of volume and it's way shinier than it was even when I air dry it. Your hair by no means will be straight, just more relaxed and easier to manage. The best part, it's around 10 dollars. It is a total do!!
Just make sure everyone is out of the house when you do it because it stinks! The one and only downfall in my opinion. I probably wouldn't bother using it if you have straight hair but wavy to curly girls, the wait is finally over for the perfect treatment. WhoHooo!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                XX

Nars Laguna Bronzer

I am the bronzer queen! I have to have it, everyday. If nothing else, my bronzer is on and poppin'. Unfortunately, it's not Laguna. I want to love it. It's shimmery and perfectly brown in the package, a great presentation. When I pick up that brush and tap even just a little on my face, it's a Jwoww situation for sure. Translation, it's muddy and blotchy and way to shimmery for everyday. There is a client or two out there that look great wearing it. They have perfect olive and flawless skin, not a pimple or dark mark in sight. So unless you look like Jasmine from Aladdin, I would not recommend it. It's a don't.
Sorry Nars! I still love you.

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Shiseido Base Makeup Lifting Foundation

I am on the biggest hunt for the perfect foundation! This is the one I am happiest with as of right now. It promises a smooth and dewy finish. It also has an anti-wrinkle complex in it. I did like the dewiness but didn't see that much of a difference in the lines around my eyes. Which I wasn't expecting to anyway because it's not technically a skincare product.
Foundation is tricky that way. You want even skin and you may have to cover some issues but not in exchange for looking chalky and wrinkled. If you don't get a dewy enough formula this can happen and it is not cute. You might as well walk around wearing nothing.
Most of the time I put a foundation on and it looks good for a while and after a while it settles in lines and this one didn't. So it's a Do!
Shiseido also has crazy good cleansers! Just FYI! You use the size of a dime add some water and you could wash your whole body if you wanted to. It foams up like mad and I never feel dry after I use it. Even with the oily skin formula.
You can get Shiseido at Nordstrom,  my favorite store!! Maybe I'll see you there!
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Sally Hansen 14 Day Nail Shield

Ironically, my first post is about a nail product. I generally ignore my nails because of time and to be honest with a one year old, I just got used to taking a shower in a regular fashion at this point. Plus, if I'm only going to focus on one thing, it's hair in a bun and perfect the skin. Anyway, don't want to get off on a tangent.
This product sounds perfect, nourishes the nails, stays perfect for 14 days and no smudges and chips. Well, the no smudges part is true. It's basically a sticker in different sizes that fit onto your nail, that is pretreated with nail color. The color is supposed to be nude and shiny. Shiny yes, the nude color, eeh. Not in love with the color but it's likable if it stays on and shiny for 14 days and I don't have to touch it. There is no dry time but it did take about 20 minutes to get them on straight and file the excess off. Not a difficult application but a tad time consuming.
All and all it's a do, at this point anyway. I'll let you know in 14 days if the staying power promise is a solid one.

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