Life Saving Face Primer for Oily Complexions

Hi loves,

I hope you’re having an amazing Monday!

I am just going to jump right in and tell you all about a life saving face product for oily complexions that I discovered over the weekend. If you have oily skin, you need this product in your life!

My face is usually normal to oily, but with the humidity lately, my makeup has seriously been sliding off my face the second I put it on! 😦 I tried everything from changing my face moisturizer and face primer to changing my foundation and setting my liquid foundation with lots of powder (which I hate doing) and then using a makeup setting spray, but nothing was working, until… a Ulta employee recommended a face primer I would NEVER have tried on my own. It is called ‘Correcting Primer Hydrate and Balance’ and it is made by Pur Minerals.

This is what the face primer looks like:

I have tried a few different products from the Pur Minerals line, but nothing really wowed me where I thought their products were great so when the Ulta employee recommended the ‘Correcting Primer Hydrate and Balance’ made by Pur Minerals I really didn’t have high hopes. I didn’t like the texture when I tried it on my hand in the store and I didn’t think it would help my oily complexion or help my makeup stay in place as this face primer didn’t feel like all of the other primers I have tried, but I am so glad I ended up purchasing this face primer as it is honestly a face saver.

This face primer has a gel texture to it and is oil-free and silicone-free. I am used to face primers having silicone in them which gives a lot of ‘slip’ which is why I was originally turned off by the Pur Minerals primer (it just didn’t feel like all the other primers). The Ulta employee explained that oily skin is actually dehydrated skin which needs balanced hydration and that the Pur Minerals primer would provide everything my oily face needed to mattify my makeup while giving my skin the hydration it needs, so I bought it.

When I tried this primer the next day, I was shocked by how amazing this product worked on my oily skin. The gel texture was really cooling and just glided over my freshly moisturized face, preparing my skin for my liquid foundation. When applying foundation, the primer seemed to grab it and help lock it into place instead of sliding off my face which was happening before. I didn’t even have to use setting powder or spray; I just finished my makeup adding bronzer and blush over the foundation and my face looked flawless ALL day. What I really loved most about this face primer is that even though it is mattifying, it didn’t make my face look or feel too dry and matte, it just took the access oil away and my skin looked normal and fresh.

If you have normal to oily skin or really oily skin, I highly recommend Pur Minerals ‘Correcting Primer Hydrate and Balance’. I do not think it is suited for dry skin, but again, my skin is oily so I cannot make a fair recommendation for dry skinned babes out there. I also only recommend this face primer as a makeup primer as I saw the amazing results as I was applying my makeup so I do not think it is intended to mattify bare skin on its own without adding some sort of makeup over it. This primer is definitely a life saver to me and I highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling with an oily complexion that wants their makeup to stay in place all day. I haven’t been this impressed with a face product in a very long time.

Pur Minerals Correcting Primer Hydrate and Balance Details:

Finally, there’s a primer for irritable, breakout-prone skin! The first oil-free, silicone-free primer of its kind, Pür Mineral’s mattifying makeup primer features an intensely clarifying blend of salicylic acid, calming lavender extract and Pür Mineral’s proprietary Ceretin Complex in a soft, hue that offsets the look of blemishes. It also includes Pentavitin, which provides instant moisture with up to 72 hours of deep hydration.
(1.0 oz.)

How to Use:

Smooth on clean moisturized skin. Allow to dry, and then follow with Makeup.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Glycerin, SD Alcohol 40, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Saccharide Isomerate, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-7, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Agave Rigida (Sisal) Extract, Scleroglucan, Retinol, Ceramide AP, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Lactic Acid, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Bentonite, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Isohexadecane, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 33 (CI 17200).

Price: $31

Purchase at Ulta

Your beauty blogger,

Trisha

XO

How To: Color Your Hair At Home Like A Professional

Hello Gorgeous!

Every girl loves a day at the salon for pampering, but due to time, your budget or maybe you haven’t found a salon professional you trust just yet, sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands. Just because you’re coloring your hair at home, doesn’t mean you have to settle for box hair dye and dull fading color. You don’t even have to spend a small fortune to get salon results at home, either. All you need is a Sally Beauty Supply store and if you don’t have a store near you, you can order everything you need from their website.

The best hair color I have ever used, including salon professional hair color from the salon, is Wella Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor which you can purchase from your local Sally Beauty Supply store for $5.99 ($4.99 if you are a Sally Beauty Club Card holder). I recommend this hair color to everyone except those trying to cover more than 50% of gray hair (this demi hair color only blends and covers up to 50% gray hair). I would, however, recommend Wella Color Charm Gel Permanent Haircolor for those who need over 50% gray coverage as Wella’s permanent hair line is just as great as their demi hair color.

You might be wondering why you should use demi hair color instead of semi-permanent or permanent hair color. It is because demi color is excellent for damaged hair and it will not damage your hair any further when using this dye. It is longer lasting than semi-permanent and less damaging than permanent hair color. Demi-permanent hair color is a growing hair color category that combines some of the best advantages of both. It is ammonia-free, so it cannot lighten hair, but it is a versatile hair color solution that meets real-world needs and expectations—it is easy to use, long lasting, non-damaging and delivers beautiful results! You can use demi-permanent hair color to enhance your color, blend and cover up to 50% gray hair, refresh permanent color, and it can also add amazing shine to your hair with or without color.

Wella’s Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor lasts four-five weeks without fading on my fine, long hair. And because my hair is the color I want it, I now only color my roots. If this is your first time using this hair dye, I would recommend coloring all of your hair, after you decide what color is best for you (doing a strand test first), and then only coloring your roots going forward. Wella’s Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor should be applied to clean dry hair.

CAUTION: This hair color tends to deposit color two shades darker so I would use a color that is two-three shades lighter than your goal and always do a strand test on your hair if this is your first time using this hair dye. For reference, I use 4N Medium Natural Brown and my hair always looks like I used 3N Dark Natural brown to almost black (my hair definitely isn’t black, but it is the darkest brown color which can look almost black in pictures and videos).

REMEMBER: Color does not lift color. If you have previously colored your hair and wish to go lighter, you will need to remove or pre-lighten the existing color using a lightener or color remover (I highly recommend a salon professional for this).

Now that all of the details are out of the way, this is what you will need to color your hair at home (everything can be purchased from Sally Beauty Supply):

– One tube of Wella Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor (buy two tubes if you have really thick or long hair becuase you want to make sure you have enough, so more is better than less in this case and you can always use the extra tube next time if you do not need it this time around):

– One bottle of Wella Color Charm Activating Lotion (you will get a couple of uses out of this bottle for the next time you color your hair):

– Any kind of Latex Gloves:

– One applicator bottle (you can reuse this bottle each time you color your hair):

– Hair clips which will be used for sectioning off your hair and holding your hair up together while you wait to shampoo the color out. Sectioning your hair allows you to apply color to each strand with more precision, as well as get the best coverage at your roots:

– Wipe off color remover – these little wipes come in handy if you get any color on your skin:

– Salon cape or you can just wear an old tee-shirt:

– Deep conditioning mask of your choice (don’t skip this step) and if you don’t have a hair mask at home already and want to pick a conditioning mask up from Sally’s while you’re there, I like the Feria Color Moisturizing Treatment by L’Oreal:

Let’s get started! 🙂

Step one: Make sure you’re wearing an old shirt that you do not mind getting hair coloring on or put on a Salon cape over your clothes to protect them.

Step two: Put on your Latex Gloves and add 1:2 mixing ratio – Add part 1 Wella Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor and 2 parts Wella Color Charm Activating Lotion into your applicator bottle and shake it up until it is mixed well in the bottle.

Step three: Use a comb to separate your hair into four different sections. Use your Hair clips to hold the sections apart which will ensure that you don’t miss a patch of hair when coloring.

Step-by-step hair sectioning:

– Take a medium triangular section on top of your head and clip this section. This section should be at an angle and set back slightly from the hairline.

– Take a large triangular section at the back of your head around the occipital bone and clip this section.

– Take a small triangular section above each ear and clip both sections.

Step four: Apply the hair color to your hair in sections. Break each section up into smaller subsections as you work to make sure your color is more thorough throughout this process. Always begin at your roots to get the most uniform color. Work the hair color well into your hair strands, working from your roots to your ends. Use the Wipe off color remover if you get any unwanted hair color on your skin.

Step Five: Set a timer for the amount of time is says on the tube. Wella Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor directions say to leave the coloring in your hair for 20 minutes. If you want a really rich looking color, it is OK to leave the color on longer, up to 30-40 minutes.

Step six: Rinse your hair until the water runs clear using shampoo and conditioner. After you rinse your hair with shampoo and conditioner, apply your deep conditioner and leave it in your hair 5-minutes longer than the directions recommend before rinsing it out, giving your hair a really good conditioning treatment after you color it.

Step seven: You’re done! Style your hair as you normally would. I always recommend adding a little hair oil or other heat protectant products before styling your hair, when adding heat, to protect it.

The finished product: beautiful shiny hair with long-lasting hair color you will love!

If you have any questions about coloring your hair with Wella’s Color Charm Demi Permanent Haircolor, please leave me a comment.

Thank you so much for reading, loves!

Your beauty blogger,

Trisha

XOXO

The Perfect Blush For Every Skin Tone: MAC Melba Blush

Hello Gorgeous!

If you’re new to makeup, don’t wear a lot of makeup or if you’re a makeup junkie like me, you have to try MAC Cosmetics Melba blush. It is very blendable and so easy to apply; you just can’t go wrong with this blush. Melba is a matte blush and MAC describes it as a soft coral-peach color. I would describe it on my cheeks as more of a dusty peach-pink color. It is the perfect shade that will look amazing on every skin tone: fair, light, medium and even darker skin tones. The color is buildable, the texture is smooth, it is very pigmented and it lasts all day without irritating even the most sensitive skin. This blush also looks great in pictures with or without the flash. It is a great shade year-round and neutral enough to wear with all different makeup looks and it will even look great on bare skin to give the perfect natural flush look to your cheeks. If you’re going to try just one blush or you’re looking to add another blush into your collection, I highly recommend this blush to everyone and I personally wear it almost every day. It looks boring in the pan, but I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Here are a couple of pictures for you of the MAC Melba Blush:

Thank you so much for reading, loves!

Your Beauty Blogger,

Trisha

XOXO

A Little Spring Fashion Post Just For You! XO

Hello Gorgeous!

Last week I was shopping online to start my 2015 spring and summer wardrobe. To my surprise, pink is going to be the color of the spring season this year. Pink is my signature color and I am so happy it is the front-runner this year in colors. Not to worry, if you don’t like pink, almost all pastel colors are in for spring and summer this year and of course, black and white are always in style.

My favorite store for clothing is White House Black Market as I just love all their blazers and blouses that will take you from the office day into the night without having to change your outfit. And this spring WHBM (White House Black Market) have a lot of their clothing in the color pink! Not only do they have the color pink in their line, but their new arrivals are just so gorgeous (WHBM 2015 New Arrivals)! So of course, I had to go buy everything (shh… Don’t tell my husband). 🙂

Now my only dilemma is figuring out which cute pink blazer to wear out on Valentine’s Day tomorrow.

Here is a sneak peek into the start of my new 2015 spring and summer wardrobe:

The Pink Moto Jacket is so adorable! It has just enough detail to pull off any look day or night and can be paired with just about anything; jeans, leggings, dress pants, and skirts! The color is perfect as it is not too light and not too dark… Perfect! The fit of this jacket is very figure flattering and you can wear it zipped or open depending on your personal style preference. You can purchase this jacket in regular and petite. LOVE it!

The Modern Long Sleeve Crepe Blazer in Rococo (light pink) is gorgeous. It is perfect for the office, but so versatile it can also be worn with anything. It is not as edgy as the jacket above, but it is so girly and structured it is a wardrobe stable for me. WHBM also offers the matching pants, blouse, belt, shoes, and other accessories! I LOVE this blazer.

This next jacket isn’t pink, I promise, it is gray and just as fabulous! This is the 3/4 sleeve gray suiting jacket. Isn’t this jacket adorable?! I love the 3/4 length sleeves, clean gray hue, and the stand up collar lapel which gives an exceptionally chic look for work or for play.

Lastly (even though I plan on purchasing a lot more WHBM new arrivals soon), I bought this adorable 3/4 sleeve shirred shrug in the color rococo (light pink). WHBM offers this shrug in an array of colors so if you don’t like pink, they still have you covered. What I love most about shrugs is that they go with everything and are the perfect item to cover your shoulders and arms without overpowering your outfit. This shrug is so light and feminine; I can’t wait to wear it.

I think White House Black Market is spot on presenting this season’s most important working assets as their new spring collection is just gorgeous!

What do you think… Do you love White House Black Market’s new arrivals as much as I do? Which jacket should I wear for Valentine’s Day tomorrow?

Thank you so much for reading, loves!

Until next time, have an AMAZING Valentine’s Day! XOXOXO

Your beauty blogger,

Trisha

Xo

My New Beauty Room

Hello Gorgeous!

It has been ages since I last blogged and I really started to miss writing to you.

I have had so many amazing things happen in 2014 and exciting things happening now in 2015! One of those things being my husband and I bought our first house and we’re beyond excited. New homeowners… Woo-hoo!

The first room in our new home that I started putting together was my new beauty room and I want to share a few pictures with you.

My beauty room isn’t fully done yet, but it is close and I just love getting ready each morning in this room.

My absolute favorite piece of furniture that I recommend to ‘every-beauty’ is my professional vanity mirror from Vanity Girl Hollywood. My husband bought this white vanity mirror for me two Christmas’ ago and it is my absolute favorite gift anyone has ever bought for me and I use it every day! Vanity Girl Hollywood makes the most beautiful and functional vanity mirrors that are used backstage at runway shows and high-fashion photo shoots. A lot of celebrities and YouTube beauty bloggers use them daily, as well. I HIGHLY recommend their vanity mirrors if you want to bring a little piece of Hollywood Glamour into your life!

Here is a sneak peek into my new beauty room…

This is my Vanity Girl Hollywood mirror on my vanity desk (Vanity desk I bought from Target years ago):

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture shows a further away view — I now have vinyl wall decor above my vanity mirror that reads ‘Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful’:

To the right of my vanity is my chest of drawers full of beauty products (this can be purchased at IKEA in all different sizes):

This picture shows the other side of my beauty room with my dresser and mirror — I will be adding a crystal chandelier, replacing the ceiling fan soon:

The last picture shows another angle — I will be adding sheer white curtains and a white leather futon by the window:

And for some reason, my vanity chair was not in my beauty room the time I took these pictures. 😦 My vanity chair is also special because it was my mother-in-laws before being passed down to me and my husband updated the fabric, giving it my own personal touch (he is so handy). I will add another picture soon when my beauty room is completely finished and I will make sure my vanity chair is in that picture for you to see.

I hope you enjoyed taking a sneak peek into my new beauty room. I am sure you noticed by now that I love white! 🙂

Your beauty blogger,

Trisha

XOXO

Get Pedi Ready for Spring

Hi Loves,

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to say goodbye boots and hello sandals! But before you show off your toes, you probably need to get them ready for their debut. We all know the cost of professional pedicures can add up quickly which is why I am going to give you a few essential pedicure tips so you can give yourself a salon-perfect pedi at home.

Here is my 1 through 9 step-by-step guide that will get your feet ready for all the open-toe shoes spring and summer has to offer:

Step 1: Soak

Fill your bathtub with warm water and add a bath salt that will help you relax while you soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes or until your feet have softened for easy removal of dry skin. I recommend Heel to Toe Peppermint Pedicure Salt which can be purchased at Sally Beauty for $3.99 which helps to soothe and relax tired feet and it’s infused with peppermint for aromatherapy which will help you relax.

Step 2: Clip

After soaking your feet, you can start clipping your toenails. When clipping your toenails make sure you cut them evenly and equally, angling your clippers in the same direction. For clipping your toenails, I recommend Heel to Toe Sure Grip Toenail Clipper which can be purchased from Sally Beauty as well for $3.29.

Step 3: File and Buff

Before you start to file, dry off your toenails. Position the file under your nail and file gently with even strokes, never going back and worth as this can damage your nails. I recommend Les Mirages Antibacterial Nail File which helps provide protection against germs.

Don’t forget to buff! Lightly buff nails in a back and forth motion with a finishing block. This will help prep your nails for nail polish. I recommend the All Season Fine Grit Finishing Block because it has a light abrasive for natural nails.

Step 4: Exfoliate

Wear exfoliating gloves and apply a polishing foot scrub to your feet and massage in a circular motion to get rid of any flaky or dry skin. Any exfoliating gloves and polishing scrub will work just fine. I recommend Bath Secrets Exfoliating Gloves and Heel to Toe Exfoliating Polishing Foot Scrub.

Step 5: Apply Callus Remover

Even if you don’t have callused feet, you want to apply a callus remover to the areas of your feet that are still a little rough before using a pumice tool. I like to apply the remover just before I start nipping my cuticles so the remover stays on my feet a minute. I highly recommend Be Natural Callus Eliminator by American International. This product is amazing and will make your feet baby smooth with little work involved. The directions say to leave it on for 3-5 minutes, but I leave it on for no more than one minute because my feet are not callused, just a little dry in some areas. If you have callused feet, then I would follow the 3-5 minute rule on the directions depending on the severity of your callus.

Step 6: Cuticles

Massage cuticle remover into your nail beds to loosen your cuticles. I recommend Be Natural Cuticle Eliminator.

After letting the cuticle remover sit for a few seconds, it is now time to push them back before nipping. I recommend the Cricket Cuticle Pusher. Make sure to hold the pusher at a slight angle and gently push toward the nail base.

Now it is time to start nipping away! I recommend All Season Cuticle Nipper to safely trim away your cuticles.

Lastly with your cuticles, apply cuticle oil. I recommend Orly Argan Oil Cuticle Drops which helps nourish and hydrate cuticles and nails.

Step 7: Pumice Away

Wipe off the callus remover and start massaging your feet with a pumice stone to make them silky-smooth. I highly recommend the Tweezerman Pedro Callus Stone or the Mr. Pumice Extra-Coarse Purple Pumi Bar. Both products are amazing and give you the outcome of a professional pedicure. LOVE them!

Step 8: Moisturize

Apply a generous amount of moisturizer in a circular motion. I recommend Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme.

Step 9: Color

Before you add color to your freshly pedicured toenails, be sure to remove the oil and moisturizer on your nails really well with nail polish remover.

Position a toe separator on each foot to make it easier to paint your toenails.

Now you’re ready to apply your favorite nail polish. Apply a clear base coat, two even coats of colored polish (make sure the first is completely dry before applying the second coat), and lastly apply a quick dry top coat. For a clear base coat I recommend Orly Bonder and for a quick dry top coat I highly recommend Orly Sec ‘N Dry.

And that is how you give yourself a salon-perfect pedicure at home.

All the products mentioned in the blog post can be purchased at Sally Beauty and will last you at least a year, if not longer.

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XO

ULTA Instant Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse

Hi Loves, Happy Friday!

Yesterday I made a quick stop into my local Ulta and stumbled across their new self tanning line. Of course I had to try it out so I purchased Ulta’s Instant Bronze Sunless Tanning Mousse which only cost $12.99  for 8 fluid ounces of product (such a deal). If you like St. Tropez’s Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, you need to get Ulta’s self tanning mousse ASAP! The results are the same, if not better than St. Tropez’s self tanning mousse. And while you’re at Ulta picking up your amazing self tanning mousse, don’t forget the Ulta Sunless Mitt which is a must have to apply the self tanner. Ulta really did a great job making this product and the price tag just can’t be beat. You apply this self tanner just like the St. Tropez tanning mousse and if you’re unsure on how to apply the mousse for flawless results, click here for my review.

I am sure this product will be selling out quickly as it is truly amazing!

Have a fabulous weekend.

XOXO

Your Beauty Addict,

Trisha

Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask Review

Hello Gorgeous!

The new beauty product that is the latest ‘must have’ to hit the beauty market is sleeping facial masks. I love face masks so of course I had to try a sleeping mask and I chose Boscia’s Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask to try out first. Tsubaki is from Boscia’s new line and it currently has three products which include the Tsubaki Beauty Oil, Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask, and Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel. I have not tried the Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel, but I have tried the Tsubaki Beauty Oil which I really like.

 Now, if you don’t live in Asia, you’re probably thinking, “what is Tsubaki oil?” Tsubaki oil is the oil from the camellia flower called Tsubaki in Japanese. Traditionally, tsubaki oil has been used in Asia (particularly in Japan) for hair care. It contains several very good emollients and antioxidant-rich non-fragrant plant oils, an excellent source of fatty and omega 3 acids for your skin, which help dry skin look and feel softer and smoother and it provides serious protection against free radical damage, thus preventing premature signs of aging.

Okay, now that the mini history lesson is over, back to my review on the Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask from Boscia. 🙂

Even though Boscia claims this has no artificial fragrance added, it still has quite a strong smell of lavender (after all, it does contain camellia oil). The scent does mostly fade away after time and it didn’t irritate my skin/face at all (keep in mind I do not have sensitive skin and my skin is normal to oily). I don’t like or dislike the scent of lavender in this mask, but if you’re really sensitive to smells, you may not like this product. The texture of this mask is almost like a thick, but runny cream (if that makes any sense) and it soaks right into my skin. Once applied, it has a little bit of a sticky feeling, but it is not bad at all (just make sure you do not apply too much product so that it will all soak into your skin and extra product isn’t sitting on top of the skin, wasting away, and feeling sticky). And that is it; you just go to bed and let the magic happen while you’re sleeping!

In the morning, I was really surprised by this product. My face felt really clean and moisturized. Usually I sleep with beauty oil on my skin and when I wake up, my face is still a bit greasy and I can’t wait to wash it, but this sleeping mask had the opposite effect. My face felt so smooth and hydrated without feeling greasy or tight (some facial masks make your face feel really tight). My complexion was clear and glowing; I couldn’t stop looking at it in the mirror… AMAZING! This mask delivers such an intense amount of hydration, and the effects are immediate and rescued my dull winter skin. Overall, I am extremely happy with this sleeping mask and I highly recommend it. Love it!

Boscia’s Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask comes in a 2.8 oz tube:

This is how the product looks directly out of the tube, lightly blended, and then fully blended/absorbed into the skin:

Where to Buy: Sephora

Price: $34

What it is: A deeply-hydrating overnight sleeping mask that intensely moisturizes and protects to deliver long-term anti-aging benefits and smoother, baby-soft skin.

What it is formulated to do:
This signature, lightweight botanical blend of tsubaki oil (camellia oil), wakame (Japanese sea kelp), and rice bran oil hydrates, smooths, and protects for the appearance of firm, youthful skin. Serine, an amino acid, locks in moisture, ensuring maximum hydration as you sleep. It acts as an anti-aging moisturizer and preps skin for better absorption of products.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Phthalates

Suggested Usage:
– Massage onto cleansed, dry face and throat with gentle circular motions.
– Leave on overnight and rinse with water in the morning.
– For best results, cleanse with Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel and follow with Tsubaki Beauty Oil.

Happy Friday my loves. Have a lovely weekend!

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XO

Nails of the Day: Essie Need a Vacation

Hello Gorgeous!

This weekend while my husband and I were out shopping, we stopped into my local Ulta so I could pick up a few things. I asked my hubs to pick out a nail polish color he liked for my nails and he picked out the color Need a Vacation by Essie. Normally I wouldn’t wear this color as I usually go for really pale pinks, but after painting my nails, the color grew on me and I really like it. Essie describes the color as a bubble gum pink. And I love the Essie description: “ticket. passport. polish. pack up this bubble gum pink nail color and make a dash for the airport – this gorgeous lacquer is all the wardrobe you need”. All you need is two thick coats and the color is flawless.

With this polish, I picked up a new nail product that I am super excited to tell you about and that is Orly Bonder which is a rubberized basecoat. This basecoat prevents nail polish from rubbing off and chipping. Orly claims it will prevent chipping for up to two weeks. I am not sure about that claim, but I am on day 4 of my manicure and my nails are still in perfect condition (usually I have small chips by day 2 of my manicure). This basecoat seemed to give my nails the same effect as a gel manicure and I highly recommend picking up this product and using it each time you paint your nails to prolong your manicures and pedicures. You can purchase Orly Bonder at Sally Beauty or Ulta (I noticed this was much cheaper at Sally Beauty).

On top of my nails, I used my favorite top coat which is Orly Sec ‘N Dry which dries all layers of polish quickly. This is by far my favorite top coat and I will not paint my nails without it. Usually I find top coats to be thick and sticky, but this one goes on like silk and dries my nails within minutes! It is simply the best top coat and I highly recommend it.

Happy Monday my Loves… Have a great week!

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XO

January 2014 Beauty Favorites!

Hello Gorgeous!

I discovered so many amazing beauty products over the last month. I know January isn’t over yet, but I couldn’t wait to share all my new favorites with you… They’re all amazing, I promise!

HAIRCARE:

– Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo

This is a sulfate-free shampoo that is for color treated hair and it is pretty new to the Redken haircare line. It is really gentle and does not weigh hair down or build up after time. Plus, it smells amazing! I highly recommend it to anyone with color treated hair.

Redken’s Description: Our sulfate-free hair color protecting shampoo is a lightweight, gentle, conditioning & cleansing shampoo that uses Redken’s IPN technology and amino-ions to leave your color treated hair 3x more fortified.

Product Benefits:

• Sulfate-Free
• Preserves hair-color, lightweight, gentle, conditioning cleanser
• Rich lather
• Amino-ions help seal in color
• Contains Redken’s signature IPN technology

Price: $19

Where to Buy: Ulta or hair salon

– Redken Diamond Oil Conditioner

LOVE LOVE LOVE this conditioner! My hair is always soft, supple, and shiny after using this product. The conditioner detangles my hair beautifully and allows me to brush my hair smoothly on the first pass without adding additional products to my routine.

Redken’s Description: Hair oil Conditioner for dry & damaged hair by Redken contains essential oils like: coriander oil, camelina oil and apricot oils that moisturize, protect & detangle hair while reducing hair breakage.

Product Benefits:

• Replenishing hair oils infuse hair with moisture
• Instantly detangles and improves manageability
• Protects hair from breakage
• Restores sparkling, multi-faceted shine

Price: $19

Where to Buy: Ulta or hair salon

– Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

If you have read any of my previous blog posts, you know I love hair masks! This hair mask is my new favorite and hands down the best I have tried. To be honest, I am not a fan of Macadamia Natural Oil’s haircare line, but this Deep Repair Masque is just amazing. My hair is shiny, smooth, and silky after using this product. I just adore it. You can test out this mask for only $4 at Ulta when you buy the travel/sample size.

Macadamia Natural Oil Description: Macadamia Deep Repair Masque is a revitalizing hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair. A combination of macadamia oil and argon oil along with tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts rejuvenate and rebuild the hair, leaving the hair deeply nourished for improved elasticity and shine with long-lasting conditioning benefits.

• Combines Macadamia & Argan oils with Tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extract
• Deep nourishment & long-lasting conditioning
• Ultra-conditioning hair reconstruction

Price: $33

Where to Buy: Ulta

– Batiste Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo takes away any hair oil and adds amazing volume to your hair. A little bit goes a long way so use it sparingly when spraying it on your roots. This will freshen up your hair in less than a minute and really is a lifesaver when you’re running low on time.

Batiste Description: Batiste Dry Shampoo is the quick and convenient way to get soft, clean and fresh smelling hair, without water. Batiste offers an instant fix by revitalizing greasy, dull and lifeless hair. Batiste thickens thin fly-away hair and adds texture and body for that easy style solution. Simply spray it on and comb it out.

Price: $7.99

Where to Buy: Ulta

– One ‘N Only Argan Oil Spray Treatment

Having fine/thin hair, I always have to be careful not to use too much product in my hair especially hair oils. Because this is a spray oil, it is much lighter than oils in a jar. This always adds amazing shine to my locks without looking greasy or weighed down. I am on my 3rd bottle of this stuff because I love it so much and the price is perfect!

One ‘n Only Description: Enhanced by the benefits of pure Moroccan Argan Oil, One ‘n Only Oil Spray Treatment is a lightweight, alcohol-free, non-greasy formula delivering instant shine without leaving any residue – sealing in moisture, conditioning and eliminating frizz. Repairs dry, damaged hair and delivers thermal protection while reducing drying time. Protects hair color.

Price: $11.99

Where to Buy: Ulta or Sally Beauty

BEAUTY OILS:

– Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

This winter in Michigan has been so horrible and cold (20 degrees below zero temperatures), my skin has been suffering like never before. I wanted to add a face oil into my routine before I add my makeup (not just at night), but I was reluctant to try face oils because I have normal to oily skin to begin with. I read online that adding oil to your skin can actually fight oil with oil. Who knew? So I tried the beauty oils below and I am obsessed! I only add two drops of oil on my clean face and then I add my normal face cream on top before doing my makeup and the results are flawless.

Tarte Description:

What it is:
A 100 percent pure organic maracuja oil.

What it does:
This undiluted organic and moisturizing maracuja oil quickly absorbs for firmer, brighter, smoother skin. Pure maracuja oil is rich in vitamin C, so skin appears instantly brighter and more radiant. The oil is also a source of essential fatty acids (EFAs), a requirement for healthy skin cells that the body cannot produce on its own. EFA deficiency can result in the breakdown of essential skin cells which causes skin to appear dry and aged. By supplementing skin with pure maracuja oil, you are infusing life back into dull skin and replenishing EFAs to rapidly rebuild and repair. This potent anti-aging elixir that has anti-inflammatory benefits promotes active skin recovery and delivers maximum hydration without any greasy or filmy feel.

Price: $17 – $75

Where to Buy: Sephora

– Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil

Boscia Description:

What it is:
An anti-aging botanical blend that works to provide serious hydration and protection against free radical damage for all skin types.

What it does:
Tsubaki Beauty Oil hydrates and replenishes, leaving skin smoother, softer, and more supple. An excellent source of fatty and omega 3 acids, this soothing oil prevents premature signs of aging by defending the skin against free radical damage. Wakame (Japanese sea kelp) repairs past damage by replenishing protein and helps support natural collagen production. Rice bran oil restores the look of skin for a glowing, gorgeous complexion with its lightweight, non-greasy texture.

– Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil

Just like the beauty oils, I was reluctant to try this product because of my normal to oily skin tone. I usually gently exfoliate my face everyday, but I received this in a gift set from Sephora as a Christmas gift so I decided to try it out. WOW! I was pleasantly surprised. This takes off ALL my makeup in a flash and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean without feeling stripped. This product does exactly what it claims to do and effectively breaks up all makeup, dissolves impurities, and washes away all residue. My skin tone has even started to look better since using this product. Follow the directions and you cannot go wrong (you do not add water when using this product).

Boscia Description:

What it is:
A deep-cleansing blend of botanical oils that dissolves makeup and impurities while refreshing congested skin.

What it is formulated to do:
Discover this decidedly different and extremely gentle way to thoroughly purify your complexion. This preservative-free solution effectively breaks up all makeup, dissolves impurities, and washes away all residue.

FACE PRIMERS:

– Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional

I bought the mini POREfessional for $8 from Benefit’s website as I wasn’t sure if I really needed this product since I do not have large pores. All of my favorite beauty bloggers were raving about it so I had to at least try it and I adore it! This product really filled in my pores and fine lines giving me a flawless look after applying my makeup like no other primers have. Unfortunately, I still have to use another face primer with this because it doesn’t help keep my face matte throughout the day. I add this product to my cheeks and any problem areas and my other primer (below) lightly to all other areas of my face and the results are stunning.

Benefit Description:

What it is:
A professional balm that minimizes the appearance of pores.

What it does:
Quickly minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines and help makeup stay put with this priming phenomenon. The silky and lightweight formula can be worn under makeup to create a smoother-than-smooth canvas or used throughout the day to mattify shine and touch up problem areas. It’s so translucent, no one will know you’re wearing anything!

Price: $30

Where to Buy: Sephora and Ulta

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Radiance Bronze

I love the sheer warmth this primer adds to my face. It really gives a healthy glow (never oily) and keeps my makeup in place all day. You can even wear this without makeup for a hint of color. I also love that this is enriched with jojoba oil and vitamins A, C, and E!

Laura Mercier Description:

What it is:
A new Foundation Primer with a touch of sheer, sunlit warmth.

What it does:
This hydrating, water-based gel preps skin with for healthy glow and creates the perfect canvas for makeup. Enriched with jojoba oil and vitamins A, C, and E, it kisses skin with a golden pearlescent tint, creating a soft focus and a fresh-from-the-sun finish.

Price: $33

Where to Buy: Sephora and Ulta

BLUSH:

– NARS Blush in Madly (seashell pink)

This blush looks so natural yet gives the perfect hint of color on your cheeks. It is flawless and I think it will compliment any skin tone.

NARS Description:

What it is:
A soft, sheer pressed powder blush.

What it does:
NARS Blush offers a range of translucent, natural shades, each with a subtle pink for natural blush undertone, created to highlight the complexion.

Price: $29

Where to Buy: Sephora

FACE BRUSH:

– e.l.f. Kabuki Brush

This kabuki brush is the perfect bronzer brush. It doesn’t shed and is so soft and affordable.

e.l.f. Description:

This anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this brush! Our handy and easy to use Kabuki Brushes provide a light to full coverage on your face or body to ensure a flawless finish. The compact brush is perfectly sized to allow for precise and controlled application of bronzer, powder, or a highlighter on your skin.
*Vegan Friendly

Price: $6

Where to Buy: Target or e.l.f. online

BROWS:

– Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Brunette

I use this brow biz everyday to outline my brows and then I use the brow powder duo (below) to fill in my brows for a natural look.

Anastasia Description:

What it is:
An ultra-slim mechanical pencil to shape, define, and fill in your brows for a natural, polished look.

What it does:
Sometimes brows need a little magic. This must-have pencil features an ultra-fine, retractable tip to easily fill in gaps and mimic brow hair. Perfect for spot checking areas that may be sparse or over-tweezed, the smear-proof formula wears all day for a natural, fresh look.

Price: $21

Where to buy: Sephora and Ulta

– Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo – Brunette/Dark Brown – dark warm brown

Anastasia Description:

What it is:
A two-shade compact that creates a natural brow.

What it does:
Create beautiful and natural brow effects with Anastasia’s bestselling Brow Powder Duo. This lightweight, sheer to medium coverage formula was designed to be smudge-proof and comes with two shades per compact to ensure the perfect brow color.

Price: $23

Where to Buy: Sephora and Ulta

SELF TANNER

– Million Dollar Tan Cabana Tan EXTREME Face & Body Lotion

I am a self tanning addict! I love self tanners and I like to try them all. Usually I like liquids and mousses, but I wanted to try something less messy and colorless so I came across Million Dollar Tan Cabana Tan EXTREME lotion and it quickly became my new favorite. I use the face lotion everyday and it never irritates my skin. This self tanner gives the most natural color without ever looking orange and it is a clear/white color so it will not ruin your sheets or clothing. I love the results I get from this tanner and recommend it to everyone — even beginners.

Million Dollar Tan Description:

Cabana Tan Extreme is the same great color combination as our original Cabana Tan but in Extreme form. It still goes on clear for ease of use, but packs a punch when it comes to color. Your color will develop over the next few hours and will last at least a week. Make sure you wait 6-8 hours before you shower and keep your skin well moisturized.

Recommended for those with a naturally darker skin tone or those that like to be ultra tan. Our regular Cabana Tan formulation can also be used as a gradual sunless tanner but Cabana Tan Extreme is too dark to be used this way.

Cabana Tan Extreme Face is your newest essential beauty product. It’s Million Dollar Tan‘s famous bronzed tan color with an extra boost in a lotion that’s made just for the face. It provides a natural glow that evens out skin tone and makes your skin radiate. This incredibly versatile lotion works on all skin types and colors. Cabana Tan Extreme Face is just like our original formula, but with a higher percentage of DHA for an even deeper bronzed color. We’ve also incorporated the latest in anti-aging technology to keep your skin firmer and younger looking.

Price: $66

Where to Buy: Million Dollar Tan Online

Your beauty addict,

Trisha

XOXO