Eyeshadow of Stars
Bao just bought this amazing eyeshadow and loved it! It’s called Stardust Eyeshadow from Urban Decay, one of our top favorites when it comes to the most captivating colors and textures. The glitter doesn’t fall into your eyes and stays put. Good job, UD. You can wear it dry or with a little eyeshadow base for the wet look. Bao picked the color Bobby Dazzle and wears it with white eyeliner. Bao claims this shade of shadow makes your eyes POP and appear bigger. Space Cowboy was also one of her favs.
Here’s the information taken directly from Sephora:
Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow $20
What it is: An eyeshadow that has a prismatic sparkle set against a wash of captivating colors with 40% more glitter than the most sparkly shadows from Urban Decay!
What it does: Stardust delivers a silky texture and an incredible amount of sophisticated, twinkling sparkle. In one swipe, you get a sheer wash of color that’s topped with teeny bits of iridescent sparkle that glisten like wet snow. Reflecks & Mirage Glamour Silver Pigments deliver superior visual effects with a very high level of color purity that will stay on your lids. There will be no fallout, no chunky glitter just stunning, sparkling eyes. From uptown neutrals like black, grey, and brown to bright pops of turquoise, green, and purple, this galaxy of shades creates tons of looks and blends well with other Urban Decay Eyeshadows and 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. The futuristic, squeeze-open case holds over two times the amount of product than other Urban Decay eyeshadows.
Oooh, I’m so getting Diamond Dog. Bao, stop making me shop so much!
JADE Nail Polish – Fall 09 Trends
Jade nail polish is in…says Bao. That was one of the gifts Bao gave to Alisa for her birthday dinner we just had only a few hours ago. I don’t know why, but this stood out to me. So I immediately did my usual searches, and sure enough, JADE (green) nail polish is a Fall 2009 must have color.
Chanel started the trend by including it in their Fall lineup, and Fashion Allure quotes, “As for Fall 2009, classical reds, avant-garde blacks, deep violets and navies will still be en vogue. However, the trendiest nail colour for this fall is…green!” It appears that jade, pine, mint and olive are the dominating laquer shades this season. CollegeFashion.net advises that if you don’t want to pay the Chanel pricetag, you can always find a much cheaper alternative at Sephora or drugstores.
Wow, Bao’s trend awareness never ceases to amaze me. GO GREEN!
Hot!
Rihanna wears green too.
As seen in Elle.
Top Five Must Have Cosmetics for the Summer!
Summer is upon us. It’s time to give your makeup pouch a checklist of summer must-haves. Bao has compiled a special list of summer necessities. Check out her TOP FIVE FAVS that she won’t ever leave the house without!
1. Very Voluptuous™ Lip Plumper by Victoria’s Secret
Problem: Thin Lips
Solution: Very Voluptuous™ Lip Plumper
VS’ exclusive way to get deliciously full, supermodel-sexy lips, without a plastic surgeon. Innovative Marine Collagen Microspheres take lip plumping to the next level, instantly plumping and smoothing, while self-adjusting pigment creates a personalized rosy tint. Visibly reduces lines and wrinkles giving lips enhanced natural contour and tone
(search for lip plumper if link doesn’t take you directly)
Orig. $18. Sale $12.
2. Benefit Cute Concealer and Enhancer Set
It doesn’t take a makeover, just the Realness of Concealness, when a little perking up is all you need. This crafty little kit is a mini collection of Benefits’ most coveted concealers and enhancers. Why dig around your bag when you’ve got everything you need all boxed up.
Set includes: 0.04 oz Boi-ing, 0.03 oz Lemon-Aid, 0.09 oz Ooh la Lift, 0.09 oz Lip Plump, and 0.09 oz High Beam in minis.
Super cute!
3. DiorShow Mascara in Black
What it is: A cult-followed mascara that leaves lashes ultra thick, long, and curled.
What it is formulated to do: DiorShow Mascara is Dior’s original, must-have mascara that delivers ultra-glam, catwalk-length lashes. Makeup artists all over the world use this product to create the longest, thickest, curviest lashes ever.
4. Shu Umemura Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura is gone but his legend is forever.
The one and only shu uemura Eyelash Curler is now even better! This iconic tool, adored by professional makeup artists and celebrities world-wide, has been redesigned to deliver the perfect curl with ultimate precision.
What it does: Perfectly measured and finely balanced, the new shu uemura Eyelash Curler is designed to ensure superior functionality and performance. The upgraded silicone pad in a new “mushroom” shape provides a protective, stay-put edge for improved safety and optimum curl. The new, patented hinge is specifically engineered to apply the perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes. The calculated shape, size of frame length and ergonomic handles ensure stability and control, while the curved angle suits all eye shapes.
5. Sephora Brand Eyeliner in Pure White
Sephora Brand Nano Eyeliner glides on smoothly and comfortably, creating a lovely line of color. Shea butter and rosemary extracts make this formula soft and easy to work with.
What else you need to know: Make impact with your eye look—this must-have comes in an amazing range of colors, for va-va-variety!
Bao’s Tip: White makes your eye color pop and eyeshadows appear more vibrant. Use on lids or lower lids (but not both at once).
Sephora Rewards Program
What?! You’re NOT a Sephora beauty insider? A cute girl like yourself should be ashamed! This program serves only to benefit you. The Beauty Insider is pretty much a rewards program where you earn points based on the dollar amount you spend at Sephora in stores and online. These points will get you FREE makeup, perfume, skin care and more!!! It is the world’s greatest program and it’s entirely free to join.
Here are just a few of the freebies I’ve received just by being a member.
Benefit Mini Mascara
Boscia Eye Treatment Cream (super silky!)
Sephora Brand Lip Gloss Trio (as my Birthday Gift)
Benefit Cream Shadow (love it!)
Girly Cute Bubble Bath by Sephora
Sure you’ll get a few Sephora e-promos, and sure you have to spend some $$$ in order to receive the items regularly. But even if you don’t buy anything, you can still snag that free birthday gift. So join today!
Click Here to Join!
Urban Decay Baked Eye Shadow – Perfect for Summer
I have a crazy and slightly unhealthy addiction for cute eyeshadow palettes. The good part of my addiction is that people know this and tend to buy me really cool shadow palettes from Sephora. The bad part is that I typically don’t end up using all the colors. My palettes always end up with the browns and golds nearly empty and the pinks and powder blues never being touched.
Today I came across a palette that had me completely mesmerized. With a range of golds, bronzes and eye-popping teal, Urban Decay’s Get Baked Eye Kit is a one-stop-shop for your summer peepers. Use “Baked” and “Flipside” together for a cute subtle daytime look and add “Twice Baked” for more dramatic nighttime eyes.
This cute palette comes with a travel-size Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon. It truly glides on ever so smoothly and acts as a great lower lid liner. The set also comes wit a travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin. The greatest eyeshadow primer that will prevent creasing all day long.
Comes in a cute Pucci-inspired exterior, handy mirror on the lid and magnetic closure. Limited time only!
Get Baked for summer!
Click Here to Buy
Coupon, Promo Codes, Online Discounts for June 09
Check out all the cool deals for this month! We try and keep this updated throughout the month so check back often. If you know of any more, please add to the list in the comments section below~
Who: Urban Outfitters (just added!)
What: Extra 15% off what’s already on sale!
Discount code: Discount will automatically appear in cart at checkout
Where: http://f.email.urbanoutfitters.com/i/24/809500612/062909_SOS.html
When: June 29, 2009 (ends June 30th at midnight EST! Hurry!!!)
Who: Fredflare.com (just added!)
What: Free Shipping
Discount code: FUN
Where: http://www1.fredflare.com/customer/home_funn.php?siteID=&source=funn
When: One week only starting June 29, 2009
Who: Steve Madden
What: Free Shipping
Discount code: SMFREESHIP (in the continental US only)
Where: www.stevemadden.com
When: June 12, 2009 – June 17, 2009
Who: Steve Madden
What: 20% off
Discount code: SMPREF20 (in the continental US only)
Where: www.stevemadden.com
When: Through June 19, 2009
Who: Urban Outfitters
What: 10% off entire purchase excluding furnishings and electronics
Discount code: SUMMER10
Where: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp
When: Through June 21, 2009
Who: Sephora
What: Best beauty rewards program out there
Discount code: N/A
Where: http://www.sephora.com/beautyinsider/index.jhtml
When: Ongoing
Who: Boscia (just added!)
What: $20 off orders of $100 or more
Discount code: twentyfive
Where: http://www.bosciaskincare.com/newsite/
When: through Sunday, June 21st
Who: Victoria’s Secret
What: Free Shipping
Discount code: SHIPBRA
Where: http://www.victoriassecret.com
When: through June 17
Who: Bored Inc.
What: Free Panties (pictured below)
Discount code: N/A
Where: http://www.boredinc.net/news.asp
When: All of June 2009
How to Properly Use Oil Cleansers
Oil Cleansers are the best thing since sunscreen. It’s so easy to use, and cleanses the thickest, most unwavering mascara right off. I was introduced to oil cleansers on one of my many trips back to Japan. I explained to the lady at the cosmetic counter that I have oily, combination skin and need a good, gentle makeup remover that also cleanses. She introduced me to the Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil. It was awesome because it took off all my make-up, cleansed and even moisturized. I loved it and used it for about 6 years.
On a more recent trip to Japan, I was really hit hard by the all-natural products and was brainwashed into only buying lotions, makeup remover, and sunscreens that was as close to all-natural as possible.
So I found Boscia. I really like Boscia and I use a lot of their products now. Boscia’s Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil (far right in photo) does pretty much the same thing as the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils, but it has no parabens or harsh synthetic chemicals. It’s extremely gentle and even has a hint of mint so your skin feels nice and tingly afterwards.
So here’s how to use the product:
- Make sure your hands are clean.
- Pump a dime size of Boscia’s Makeup Break up oil into your palm.
- Rub both hands together.
- Gently massage across face and especially the eye area. You’ll actually feel the mascara crumbling off your eye lashes. Sounds and feels gross at first but that’s how you know it’s working. You’ll get used to it.
- Once you feel your face is covered pretty evenly throughout with the oil, run you hands through warm water. Don’t completely wash your hands; just run water over the palms.
- Rub your watered down hands together and gently massage across face (again, especially focus on the eye area if you wear heavy eye makeup)
- The oils will slightly foam. Very slightly.
- Rinse and repeat steps 5-7 until all the oils turn to foam and wash easily off face. If you are rinsing and repeating these steps more than six times, you’ve probably used waaaay to much oil.
- When you feel the oils are pretty much gone, wash face with warm water as you normally do.
- Pat dry with towel.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how smooth your face feels and how all the make up came right off without using copious amounts of eye makeup remover and cotton balls. And your skin won’t feel oily at all. The oils actually help make you less oily. Conventional cleansers often remove dirt and grime, but they also strip away all the good oils that keep your face naturally moisturized. To compensate for this loss, your face will produce an abundance of oil, which gives you that dreaded super shiny face leading to multiple trips to powder your nose, and even worse, breakout extravaganza.
Seriously, go to your nearest Sephora and ask for a sample of Boscia’s Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil. Sephora’s customer service is excellent and they’ll pretty much let you sample any of their products. So try it today!
Perfect Beach Hair
It’s almost swimsuit season and it’s time to bust out the wave spray for some bomb, beachy hair.
I like Frederic Fekkai’s Wave Creating Spray. I saw it at Sephora and decided to give it a try since you can pretty much return anything at that store.
So I tried it and I love it! It totally gives you that bouncy, beachy look all day long. It adds a nice gloss without weighing it down and making it all greasy.
I just took a look at all the reviews at Sephora.com, and some people hate this product. I think a lot of people aren’t using it right.
Here are my tips:
- I noticed it’s always better to fully shampoo and condition your hair first.
- The first key point is to let your hair sit in a towel for a bit so your it’s not drenched; it doesn’t work too well when your hair is dripping wet.
- Next, spray about 5-6 sprits (I have long hair) and lightly massage throughout hair.
- Now just take small sections of your hair and twist it around your index finger to form multiple ringlets throughout your hair for better wave definition.
- Here’s the second key point. You MUST have a blow dryer with a diffuser. If you don’t use a diffuser, the waves really don’t come out at all for me.
- Diffuse hair thoroughly while holding the diffuser longer on the dampest parts of your hair.
That’s it! Light, wavy, super cute BEACH hair. You’re ready for summer!
Urban Decay’s Deluxe Eyeshadow Compacts
I love the extra care cosmetics’ companies put into presentation and longevity. Of course presentation is not everything — if your product sucks, I’m not going to buy it. But a great product with gorgeous packaging goes a long way.
Take a look at Urban Decay’s Deluxe Eyeshadows for example. They have mastered product quality and presentation. Each eyeshadow comes in an adorable hinged, mirrored compact with a unique piece of graffiti-inspired art that sits on top. I’ve purchased quite a few of these cute eyeshadows, and I’m using the sturdy compact as medicine and jewelry boxes (great for stud earings) when I finally finish off the shadows (these will last quite a looooong time, by the way).
They are also great for when you want to carry a mirror with you, but you don’t have room in your purse for a normal sized compact. This will allow you to go much more GREEN instead of using eyeshadow compacts from the drugstore, which are often cheaper and will be thrown away after a year or so.
And I know I don’t have to mention the extreme vivid color that comes along with the Urban Decay brand. But just as an FYI, if you want your peepers to make an impression, definitely go with Urban Decay. Each vibrant color has a nice velvety texture which lasts all day (no creasing!) while making your natural eye color POP. The shimmering colors can be used alone or mixed together for added dazzle.
