Manic Monday - Tony Moly!!

8.12.13.

Hello again! I know I've been MIA >.<

But while I've been away I have discovered some new inspiration for some blog posts--yay!

I have recently stumbled across THE cutest brand of cosmetics that I can easily get my hands on...

TONY MOLY!!

My bestie recently gave me a bunch of products from TM & I am totally in LOVE!!

Petite Bunny Gloss Bars (~$7)

This product is ADORABLE!! Easy to tote around in any bag & the product itself isn't so bad. Not as moisturizing as I would prefer, but the color pigmentation of the darker shades is good--lasts for most of the day! These are also (fruit?) scented & taste pretty good too :) In my opinion, packaging cuteness factor plays a major role in my decision to repurchase--I mean, how can you resist?!

Mini Bunny Hand Cream (~$12)

On the TonyMoly Hawaii site these two travel sized hand creams come as a set! I found that I personally like the pink, "Sweet Pink" hand cream was my favorite out of the two--smells deliciously floral & kind of reminds me of Philosophy's Love Sweet Love scented products. The "Warm Beige" has more of a gardenia flower-like scent, which I still like; I did find that the consistency of this hand cream seemed more viscous/liquid-y than the "Sweet Pink" hand cream...weird? I don't think this is as moisturizing as other hand creams I've tried (i.e., Soap & Glory's Hand Food) but what I did like about this was that it didn't leave my hands sticky and of course the scent was amazing to me! I would def repurchase this!

Pocket Bunny Mist (~$10)

Another amazingly CUTE product!! ...not quite "pocket-sized" but def worth throwing in a small purse! I am also not sure if this really works. It is refreshing to spray on midday but I don't think there is much other benefit. While I would like to repurchase (mainly for cuteness factor again), I don't think I would unless I was willing to treat myself to spend :)

**Just FYI, prices are approximate based on what I could find via Amazon/online; typically Amazon prices are more reasonable, but be prepared to pay a hefty shipping fee!**

If you haven't heard of TM, check them out! They have lots of other cute animal themed products!

Have you come across any other brands that you would recommend? I'd love to heard about them!

xoxo

~carlykins

Flame It Out!

6.17.13.

Recently Covergirl launched a new collection of items with vamped up packaging to appeal to the fun & sexier side of women...

A lot of talk has been focused on the Flamed Out mascara that was debuted. Covergirl's newest addition to it's fabulous mascaras is meant to help you achieve a bold look that makes a statement! "The unique wire brush coats your lashes for an instant volume boost...with winged lashes that curve up and out."

Flamed Out Mascara, Covergirl

Some things to note about this product:

• Gives a natural look; if you're looking for bold, I would suggest trying another in Covergirl's range of mascaras. (My personal fav is the LashBlast Volume Mascara). Application of additional coats is also an alternative for a bolder look.
• The unique brush applies the mascara fabulously--very little clumping if any!
• Longlasting & very appropriate for the 9-5 working ladies!
• Great packaging! ...& I love that P!NK is the Covergirl for this new collection!

I'm still trying to decide whether I would repurchase this product...I do like that it is a little more natural...but I do also love the boldness of the LashBlast :) I will try to update this post with a side by side comparison later!

xoxo

~carlykins

Birthday Week - Summer Neons

6.11.13.

This weeks How-to Tuesday will also be birthday themed!

Summer is the perfect time to play around with bold, bright & NEON colors!!

Last summer...I was dyyyyying to try out a neon make-up look and of course I also wanted to try the hair chalking craze that took the fashion world by storm...

Unfortunately, I had no clue where to start on either of these beauty ambitions so I turned to some fab Youtube beauty gurus to complete my sassy birthday look!

Elessa's "Naughty Neon" tutorial

Kandee Johnson's Hair Chalking (for dark hair!!) tutorial

....and drumroll please...

TA-DA!!

Honestly, I was a little disappointed that the hair chalking didn't work out so well--I think this works better on lighter hair and/or I needed to invest in better chalk--but Kandee's results are amazing! You can kind of see the yellow/orange/red ombre I was attempting to go for in the bottom photo; if anything my girls look so GLAMOROUS! I was VERY pleased with my neon makeup look though, which is all thanks to Elessa's tutorial--I followed most of her steps but had to substitute some of her products with my own or ones that I could find--mostly drug store finds too! Loved the way they popped without being too out there--went very with the boring black ensemble that I chose to wear haha.

See below for a list of main products used for these looks! Happy experimenting :)

xoxo

~carlykins

"Naughty Neon" Products

• Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay Cosmetics
• Jumbo Eye Pencil, Milk, NYX
• Paint Eyeshadow Palette 01, Milani Cosmetics
• Fluidline eyeliner pot, Blacktrack, MAC
• "Cool Kitty" lashes, Katy Perry for eylure

Hair Chalking

• Soft pastels (check the label), Daler-Rowney (from Walmart); I would suggest looking for a better brand!!
• Spray bottle + water
• Flat iron or curling iron (to "seal" in color)
• Hair spray
• Heat protectant hair product
• Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty! ...or use a towel to cover your outfit.
• Just a note: for darker hair, warmer colors tend to come out better!

Birthday Week - Get Ready with Me!

6.10.13.

It's Birthday Week!

...but I thought about this too late to do any "special" posts. As such, the cleverest thing I could come up with is a "Get Ready with Me!" post for the day...sorry ladies, I'm a little too self conscious to do a vlog...yet? Haha. Still trying to convince a girlfriend of mine who is a beauty genius & local guru amongst our friends to start vlogging!!

1. (night before) Exfoliate: Ocean Salt, LUSH

2. Tone & Moisturize: Eau Rosa? & Vanishing Cream, LUSH

3. Primer: PhotoReady Perfecting Primer 001, Revlon

4. Foundation: (a) NAKED Skin, Urban Decay (b) CC Cream, Smashbox; (blend together)

5. Powder (fav ATM): Multitasker Face Powder, Milani Cosmetics

6. Eye Primer: Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay

7. Eye Shadow (for everyday wear ATM*): Matte Eye, Too Faced

8. Eye Liner (ATM): Three Wishes Eyeliner Set, Disney & Sephora collaboration**

9. Mascara: LashBlast Volume, Very Black, Covergirl

10. Brow Liner: Fluidline, Dip Down, MAC

11. Brow Fill: Palette, "London Girl", Stila

12. Blush: Orgasm, NARS

13. Highlighter: Pearlmatte Face Powder, Veronica's Blush, Archie's Girls Collection, MAC

14. Lips (fav ATM): Lip Glow, Dior

*ATM = "at the moment"

**I usually use the MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack.

At the moment I am also pooped...and this is the best I can do...I will have to finish this tomorrow :(

xoxo

~carlykins

Wishlist Wednesday - Splash into Summer!

6.5.13.

I'm not usually a water person...but lately, that's all I've been thinking about: beach, sun, ocean.

Thank goodness I live in a beautiful place that can offer all of these things :)

Sadly, some fun in the sun is limited by funds & availability...and so these beach worthy items will probably forever remain as lustful thinking...

1. H&M - Bikini Top w/ metal palm trees ($19.95, H&M)

ADORABLE! Unfortunately, since there is no H&M in the 808 and no online store...forever a LUST. I just can't get enough of these palm trees!! And seriously, at under $20 you can't go wrong!

2. Souled Out Surf - 10.5' Orange Koi & Dragon ($1300, Souled Out Surf)

A dear friend (shoutout to AnaBeezy!) just purchased a GORG paddle board from this company! I had stumbled across these two tattoo-ish designs and realized that hers was also purchased from SOS. She has gotten me addicted to this popular pastime; if only I could afford this price tag...a girl can dream.

3. Aqualillies for Tarte - Amazonian Clay Waterproof Eye & Cheek Palette ($38, Sephora)

The iconic Aqualillies (sychronized swimming) + Sephora = genius summer palette & waterproof to boot! Amazing packaging...I just cannot resist this beautiful collab!

4. Fighting Eel - Ava Sky "Fish" print(s) (prices vary, Fighting Eel - in store)

I have been lusting over this Fish print FOREVER!! Finally FE has brought in more of these fab Ava Sky pieces and I think I'm going to cave! ...now if only I could decide which style...thoughts??

5. Sephora Collection - 8 hour Mattifying Moisturizer Sunscreen ($22, Sephora)

Use protection lovely readers!! I have been on the hunt for the right product that would provide me with protection & comfort for daily use. This "in-house" Sephora product has racked up quite a few rave reviews; I'd def want to give this a try! (I also purchased Smashbox's CC Cream, SPF 30, which I will be trying out soon; coverage, protection, dark spot correcting...already loving the concept)!

...& that's all folks for this weeks' Wishlist Wednesday :) happy lusting!!...

xoxo
~carlykins

UPDATE:

Sephora's next Disney collaboration will be debuting this month! One of a number of items is already available for V.I.B.s online! Dare to dream ladies...

See Beautzine's blog for more info; she posts great reviews on products before they show up in stores!

Hello June! - Out with the empties!!

Hello June!

Honestly, I don't understand how people can have "empties" every month...maybe I'll get it one day haha. Instead, since my empties rate is so low, I'm lumping them all into one post that covers January to May products that I've used up!

Milani's face powder has become my ultimate fav!! I've tried a number of mattifying powders from the drugstore and Sephora and this has come out as the all out winner. Light weight but still provides coverage, doesn't break the bank, has no smell and is pretty long wearing. The range of shades is also decent in my opinion. You can find this online on Milani's website but if you're looking for it right away check your local Walmart--hopefully they'll have it in stock!

Milani - Multitasker Face Powder ($6.99)

I was really skeptical about this purchase but I just HAD to have it. I mean Lady Gaga is a GENIUS for creating a black perfume (that doesn't stain), pure genius. The scent was much stronger than I had anticipated but really just takes getting used to. Sephora describes this beauty as:

"...(the first) of its kind in fluid technology, it is black like the soul of Fame but invisible once airborne. This black fluid exudes a lustful, floral, fruity essence for fabulous little monsters. Enriched with tears of belladonna, a black veil of incense, and pulverized apricot, this fragrance may cause illicit fits of extravagance, unrivalled rushes of adoration, and prolonged moments of ecstasy and rapture."

Enticed? You will be.

Lady Gaga - Fame, 1 oz. Eau de Parfum Spray ($42.00)

FINALLY. FINISHED. THIS. I think I may have purchased this a year ago...by far my FAV foundation. Granted that I haven't tried that many, please take my opinion with a grain of salt. I would say I am a def UD fan though...this product is also genius! Light weight and gives adequate coverage. I also feel like it brightens and gives my skin some kind of glow because I always get compliments on how great my complexion looks! There's also a wide range of shades available! This can be purchased on both the UD website or Sephora website; I would suggest seeing which one has any promos going on ;) FYI my shade is 3.5!

Urban Decay -  Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup ($39.00)

Good mascaras always seem to be the hardest things to find...or maybe make a decision about haha. I went through a waterproof mascara kick, very wearable and durable especially since I used to be an active person/athlete. However, I realized that it's so hard to take off at the end of the day! Leading up to the 2012 Summer Olympics, the Covergirl commercials got me--the endorsements for this particular mascara made me get up, get out and go buy this specific one--note the "Olympic" packaging. I so would do that...either way, I've found my go to mascara! While this one is not waterproof, it lasts even through an intense volleyball workout/session. It also makes my lashes look fabulous in one coat! This can be purchased from various retailers; I would suggest checking your local drugstore!

 Covergirl - LashBlast Volume Mascara ($6-$8)

In late 2012, my love affair with LUSH began...& it's still going strong!! I purchased this in December 2012 and only recently finished the pot. I have to admit that I freaked out when I saw the price of this, but the employee who helped me assuaged me that it would last forever--and it did!! Great natural product that works well is lightweight and can easily be used under or over makeup; it's good for combination skin and has soothing properties. This does have a slight odor that may be sensitive for some but I'm fine with it. I apply this after using LUSH's Ocean Salt (coconut cream and sea salt scrub) & Eau Roma Water (toner), which is also very refreshing and soothing (e.g., lavender); I am on my 2nd pots of these as well!

LUSH - Vanishing Cream ($42.95)

So gal pals, that's all that I could come up with for now...I'm sure I have other empties around...perhaps I can do a monthly type of thing. We'll see :)

xoxo

~carlykins

5/20/13 Makeup-Mani(c) Monday - Dior Lip Glow

Hello Blogger-verse!

I know it's been a while :)

I've decided to take on a new direction for this blog & cover a whole range of things that I LOVE (in typical Gemini fashion). As I am setting an ambitious goal for myself with daily themes, I am hoping I can upkeep with these lofty aspirations!

So here's to new beginnings & say hello to Day 1 of the week, Makeup-Mani(c) Mondays!!

Today's fav will be a makeup product that I have fallen in love with thanks to a dear friend, AnaB...

Dior's Lip Glow is fabulous, not only in packaging but also in product. If you are looking for a hydrating balm that leaves just a hint of pink on your lips, this is your IT balm. Sheer, lightweight, non-sticky, moisturizing and supposedly "engineered" to enhance your natural lip color; I believe this is flattering for all skin types, totally wearable for all occasions and also gives a hint of flirtatiousness ;) The perfect lip product for the summer!

Dior Lip Glow

At $31 a pop, this baby isn't cheap but the benefits far outweigh this economic dilemma! Plus, it lasts for quite a while; I've had mine for a few months and am only hitting the middle, and I use it daily. I purchased my gal at Sephora (and took advantage of a V.I.B. discount early this year) but I believe this is also carried at Nordstrom as well!

If you are looking for a relatively cheaper alternative that offers similar benefits check out the following dupes:

1. Loreal's Universal Lip Glow (<$8); online, I believe it's only available in the UK?
2. Sephora's Color Reveal Lip Balm ($12); Sephora
3. Tarte's LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint ($24); Sephora

Better snag this little beauty ASAP so you can pucker up for that summer lovin' ;)

xoxo

~carlykins