Beauty411

Summer makeup bag essential: Aveda Uruku Bronzing Ritual Kit

Beauty411 — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:09:00 PDT

No summer makeup bag would complete without a bronzer; having a sun-kissed glow is what it's all about! One that you might want to consider is the Aveda Uruku Bronzing Ritual Kit. I love that not only do you get a great bronzer, but also the perfect kabuki-style brush for just-right application.

I was sent Aveda's Uruku Bronzing Ritual Kit in Brazilian Sun. The tablet has 2 sides; swirl the brush through both colors and apply. You can build the color and blend for the shade that is right for you. This is one of the most natural looking bronzers I've used. It's formulated with Annatto pigments, has anti-oxidant properties and is completely non-irritating--no talc, mineral oil or parabens.

The Aveda Uruku Bronzing Ritual Kit retails at $55 and is available in Aveda salons, spas and stores.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara: Love it or lose it?

Beauty411 — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:34:00 PDT

It seems that eyelashes-to-there are today's little black dress. Capitalizing on the hot trend, Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara has combined a mascara and lash enhancer in one product. The package states that this "lash enhancing formula complements the natural growth cycle of your lashes and improves their overall appearance and condition with each use".

One of the first things I noticed about Grow Luscious Mascara is the brush. This mascara has a very large brush (the brush is shown in exact size on the package). When I took out the mascara, I was struck by the fact that the brush...and the tube, including the opening...are the exact same size as MAC Opulash Mascara. The formulas are vastly different, both in performance and the fact that MAC Opulash does not claim to be a lash enhancer.

After using Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara for a few weeks, I have mixed feelings. It started out fine; I'm used to using mascaras with the big brushes, so I didn't have issues with that. For the first week of use, I didn't experience any clumping of the formula. But I noticed as time went on, that it did start to clump and the mascara started to build up at the end of the brush, so that getting in and covering the small eyelashes became difficult and messy. By the end of the day, I also noted flaking and this, to me, is unacceptable in a mascara.

In terms of the lash enhancement, it's hard to say. Since I used this product for about 3 weeks, I don't think it's fair to state one way or the other whether there was a significant difference. Would I buy this mascara again? Probably not; there are too many other great mascaras out to tolerate less-than-perfect application.

Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara is available at mass market retailers, including drug and discount stores. I purchased my tube at Target for $7.99.

Beauty411 Weekend Digest for June 12-13, 2010

Beauty411 — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 07:36:32 PDT

Here's what made my beauty radar this week...thanks for stopping by!

Bare Escentuals "Rethink Beauty" is Today's Special Value on QVC. It's a 9-piece mineral makeup collection, including two new primers, in colors that will flatter everybody. And at under $50, it's a great buy!

If you're a fan of the Obagi skincare line, through June 25th you have the opportunity to share how Obagi works for you, why you love it and your commitment to the brand. The best part – enter to become an Obagi Ambassador and receive free products for life! Get more details at Obagi.com.

Father's Day is coming up and Vaseline is hosting a “Train with Michael Strahan Sweepstakes” where you can enter dad to win the gift of a lifetime, a trip for two to LA for a one-on-one workout session with Michael himself. Visit www.StrongerSkin.com to enter.
If your closet and makeup areas are screaming SOS, then you'll want to enter the "Summer Flirt! with YMI" sweepstakes offering three (3) entrants the chance to win $1000 worth of prizes. The sweepstakes, sponsored by YMI Jeans and Flirt! Cosmetics, runs through 12:00am EDT on June 28th. Enter here and invite friends to get 25% off any item available at the YMI online shop at YMIJeans.com.
Here's an opportunity to get a sample of a new product before it launches. Miracle Skin Transformer is currently running a free trial program on their website, www.miracleskintransformer.com. Sign up now to request a free 5ml sample (while supplies last).

Looking for a nude lipgloss? Our friends at College Candy have the 411 on NYX Girls Round Lipgloss in Whipped. I confess, I'm always on the lookout for a good nude shade. Check it out!

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search loves her new mini-facial routine with these 3 products from Pevonia.

If you love gorgeous cosmetic bags like I do, the gals at Product-Girl have info on the Stephanie Johnson Friends & Family Sale this weekend!

OPI Summer Flutter Collection: Catch it while you can!

Beauty411 — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 07:42:00 PDT

Bright, juicy summer nail colors are always in style and OPI's Summer Flutter Collection gives us all that and more! Once you see this in person, I think you'll agree that it you'll be wanting to pick up all four nail polishes for your mani/pedi.

The images below don't do the colors justice and were my nails not in the "growing back" mode, I'd have swatched these shades for you. Except where noted, the desired effect was obtained with two coats of color.

The OPI Summer Flutter Collection includes:

Wing It: A beautiful fuschia shot with orange and with flecks of pink and blue glitter. It's an unbelievable pop of color; very sheer on application. It took 3 coats to really get the effect I wanted.

Flit a Bit: This is the perfect orange-popsicle color! A bright orange creme for the perfect pedi.

Flower-to-Flower: Hot pink with silver shimmer. Your classic summer pink, updated with a kick of shimmer.

Catch Me in your Net: My favorite shade in the collection; this blue-green is really stunning. Packed with shimmer/glitter, it shows off the "mermaid" effect.

Summer Flutter by OPI Nail Lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each features the exclusive OPI ProWide™ Brush, which I love, for the ultimate in application.

The Summer Flutter by OPI Collection retails at $8.50 per color and is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA Beauty .

Sonia Kashuk Self-Tanning Towelettes for Face

Beauty411 — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:52:00 PDT

I'm a huge fan of self-tanning towelettes, so when I came across these Sonia Kashuk Self-Tanning Towelettes at Target, I didn't even think twice about buying them. I use a variety of self-tanners in the summer, but I'm always a little leery of using one on my face. The color needs to be natural and not streaky.

Not to worry with Sonia Kashuk Self-Tanning Towelettes for Face. I purchased the "Golden" shade, which is recommended if you have fair-to-medium skin. The sheets are saturated with self-tanning formula that develops gradually into a gorgeous, golden shade. There was a very slight "self-tanning smell", but it's not distracting. I love the convenience of using a towelette, too.

Sonia Kashuk Self-Tanning Towelettes retail at $9.99 and are available at Target and Target.com.