February 2011 Favorite Products :)

Disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with any of the companies or brands mentioned.  All products were purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

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John Frieda's "Sheer Blonde Go Blonder" 

Please read my previous blog for a more detailed review of this product.  In summary:  I love it and highly recommend it.  Has saved me some $$.

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MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural (my shade - medium plus) 

It seems that I've been quite rushed in the mornings and haven't had time to use liquid foundations (for me it takes longer to apply and buff out)  It gives me medium to full coverage and I don't really find the need to use a concealer when I use this product.  I apply the product with a flat top buffer brush  from coastalscents.com. 

I get a natural looking coverage and it doesn't settle in the fine lines..(ok, we'll call them wrinkles).  Lasts for about 1/2 my day and then I reapply.

I use over a face primer (Smashbox Photofinish) and moisturizer.

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 MAC's Viva Glam Gaga Lip Glass  

Love this color.  It's kinda scary pink when you look at it but when applied it's a beautiful pinky pink with bluish undertones.

I've seen this worn on a variety of skin tones and my personal opinion is that the color looks amazing on everyone.

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Roux 233 Repairing Conditioner 

I've only been using this product for 2 weeks but had to include in my February favorites because I just can't contain my love for it any longer.

My hair (up until a couple of days ago) needed to be cut so badly.  I hadn't had a hair cut in 5 months and my hair was F R I E D.  It looked like straw, was coarse to touch and was breaking every time I put a comb or brush to it.

One of my Facebook friends had posted she purchased this from Sally Beauty Supply and she loved it.  I ran down the next day and purchased Roux 233 and jumped in the shower and used it.  I left it in over the recommended 3 minutes and then rinsed.  I applied some leave in conditioner (a Nexus product I'm not in love with) and then blow dried and straight ironed.  WOW WOW WOW, immediate results!  My hair was considerably softer to the touch and LOOKED softer as well.  My boyfriend even said that my hair looked softer!!  For him to say ANYTHING about my hair is in itself a miracle so I KNOW the product made a difference. 

I've been using everyday since the day of purchase and I love love love it!!  Definite must have for me.

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MAC Holiday 2008 Smokey Eye Palette  

YES, this was a limited edition product and NO it's not available through MAC any longer.  You may be able to find it on Amazon, E-bay, Makeup Alley, etc... however, PAAALEASE be careful when purchasing makeup products over the Internet, you can NOT be assured of their authenticity and it is always a risk.

I have pretty much used this palette every single day for the last month.  It has perfect "neutrals" in it and one silver shimmery color which I tend to shy away from (you're not supposed to use shimmery eye shadow when you're 40 something I guess.  It accentuates the tiny lines..but whatever)  The palette holds the following colors:  Scant (Upper left),  Gorgeous (Upper Right), Satin Taupe (Middle Left), Ambiance (Middle Right), Dark Devotion (Lower Left), Carbon (Lower Right). 

Here's how I generally use the colors: (over painterly paintpot) Scant on the lid, Gorgeous on the inner corner, Satin Taupe on the outer 1/3, Dark Devotion on the "outer v" area and Carbon in the outer corner and under lower lashes. 

This palette allows me the freedom to do, dark smokey eyes, neutral eyes, shimmery going out looks, etc... and it's sooo easy to use because ALL the colors I love are in one convenient palette and it saves me the time going through my MAC palettes looking for that certain color.  (even though my MAC palettes are somewhat organized)  It's also great for traveling and fits in to any hand bag, purse or clutch nicely.  (The little applicator brush it came with hit the garbage can immediately though) 

I actually found this palette in my local Cosmetic Company Outlet about 4 months ago and picked one up as a spare.  Hopefully you can do the same!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

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Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer for concealers and eye shadows.

  

Does anyone remember Benefit's F.Y. Eye Primer?  I loved that stuff.  I actually still have some because I bought up what I could find when I got the horrible news that they were discontinuing this product.

I waited for their replacement and they came out with Stay Don't Stray.  I bought it right away and at first was not impressed at all BUT I have since learned how to use it and OH MAN can I tell ya' I'm LOVING this as a primer (for eye shadow only...I have not used it under my eyes as a primer for concealer.  I'm afraid of it seeping into and accentuating those "fine lines" under my over 40 eyes).

This product is going to last me forever and a day and will unfortunately probably go bad before I can actually use it all.

This is where my problem lied with this product when I first purchased it.  It has a pump action applicator and the amount that is released with a full pump is ridiculously too much product for what I use it for.  It takes the teeniest, tiniest little pump of product... literally like the size of a medium point pen head to accomplish the task.

I dab the little teeny amount on the middle of my eye lid and dab it all over the lid and up to my brow bone.

The product not only keeps my shadows in place for the majority of my day but it cancels out any redness and conceals the little purplish veins I have on my lids.

Highly recommended!

 

That's it for my February 2011 favorites.  I'm sure I could add more but I need to get this blog posted before it's time for my March favorites!

If there are any products you would like for me to use and review, please let me know and I will make it happen.

See you in the next post!

Jeanine