MAC me over - blog sale

I bought a few things from MAC me over collection, but I have dupes in my collection so I thought I would have a blog sale rather than returning them since they are sold over everywhere and it would be a pity to see them being trashed..

Please send me an email with your offer. Shipping is $3 for each item - USA only at this time (sorry..).

All items are still in their boxes, and have been swatched 1-2x.

[1] MAC Stunner Blush
[2] MAC Midnight Blues Fluidline - sold
[3] MAC Avenue Fluidline - sold

Question from reader: Best eye cream

Question: I love your blog. And I am so glad I found it. I love your article on the skincare routine. Please could you have one on eyes. Due to genetics, and just having 2 small kids (less sleep at times) , I have major under eye circles and even wrinkles. Do you have an eyecream you use. I found the ones you said for the face very effective. Please help!!


Answer:
First, thanks so much for the lovely compliments :) Unfortunately, I have not found an eye cream that will reduce eye circles and wrinkles. IMHO, any eye cream that claims to do so is hokey..


I basically use my facial moisturizer as an eye cream. That said, these are some products that I have enjoyed using:


(in no particular order)
1. Nivea cream:
The blue tin, German formula. I especially love this in winter.

2. Dermdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Rescue & Protect Eye Balm
I got a generous sample of this in one of my online sephora.com purchases. My eye area felt really moisturized. 

 

The following two, somewhat helped with brightening my under eye area, but not significantly:

3. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller
More than anything, I love rolling the cool roller ball under my eyes. Seems so soothing in the mornings.

4. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Cream
This cream has a silicony feel, and almost acts like a primer under concealer.

Follow New York Fashion Week live!!

If you love fashion as much as I do, then you will be thrilled to know that you can follow New York Fashion week live at http://www.youtube.com/liverunway

Yippee!!!!!!!!!

Let me know if you loved any of the makeup looks, and want me to recreate them.

Review: Fresh Rose Mask

What it is:
A hydrating and toning gel mask that contains real rose petals.

What it is formulated to do:
Rose Face Mask is a hydrating and toning gel mask that restores suppleness and radiance to the skin. The first-of-its-kindformula contains real rose petals that literally melt into your skin. The formula contains 50% pure rose floral water and is enriched with cucumber extract, rose oil, aloe vera, and porphyridium cruentum (a "smart" algae that seeks out the areas of your skin that needs moisture the most).

What else you need to know:
This innovative mask, formulated with real rose petals, was certainly an industry first. In fact, when Lev Glazman, co-founder and Director of R&D, initially briefed his team of chemists on the project he was told it couldn't done. After months of research and lab experiments, Rose Face Mask formula was approved and launched in 2001.


My review:
Fresh Rose Mask is bloody expensive! 3.4oz retails for $55. The jar is massive and it should last for at least 6 months if I use it weekly.

As soon as you open the jar, you are enveloped in a soft rose fragrance tempered with cucumber. It is truly fresh!! You can see rose petals suspended in the mask. The texture is like a gel, and the mask when applied is translucent. The color is brown.

I cleanse my skin, dry it and then apply a thin layer of the mask. On my tanned skin, I cant even see the mask. My first thought is how cooling, and soothing it feels. The fragrance is truly luxurious, reminds me of a spa. I leave the mask on for 10 mins and wash it off with warm water.

Results: OMG!! This mask is a god sent for folks with dry flakey skin. I had recently tried an at home microdermabrasion product, and it scrapped my skin OUCH, and left black marks. You know the type you get when you scrape your knee... I had to cover it with 5 layers of concealer and foundation..but I digress. This mask hydrated my skin so much that when I gently rubbed the towel over those scabs, they came off immediately. Halleluiah!!

Overall, if you can shell out the money, I would highly recommend this mask. You must at least get a sample from sephora and give it a try. Let me know what you think. I just know you will love it!!

What are your favorite hydrating masks?

Review: Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

From sephora.com
What it is:
A rich, velvety balm that dramatically helps repair damaged hair.

What it does:
This now legendary, cult classic features Ojon oil, nature's golden elixir, in its purest, most powerful form. After just one treatment, this rich, velvety balm dramatically helps repair damaged hair and increases strength against breakage. A must-have for lifeless, dull, brittle, frizzy, flyaway, or unmanageable hair, this product restores vibrant health to even the most deeply damaged hair.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
This balm is scented with the creamy, sweet aroma of Tonka Bean, Vetiver, and Benjoin.

Research results:
In a dry combing study using shampoo and Restorative Hair Treatment, participants saw 64% improvement in the condition of dry, damaged hair after just one treatment.


My review:
This mask is not cheap. 1.5oz costs $19.50, and 3.1oz is $33.

The consistency is like vaseline. But when you rub it between your hands it melts instantly and turns to oil. I apply it generously to my ends and reduce the amount as I move towards the roots.

I leave it overnight as a treatment, and wash my hair the next day. It did not stain my white cotton pillows. The product reminds me of the times when I was young and my mom used to oil my hair. This never worked for me, since the massage caused a LOT of hair fall. So I no longer oil my hair, and use this product instead.

Results are just stunning!! My hair was becoming rather dry (even after religiously applying the One n Only restorative mask weekly). I felt like my hair needed some over night treatment. The next day I wash with One n Only products and my hair is so shiny, and so soft.

The cons, and these are some serious cons with the product: the product really stinks. Not just of tobacco, but like stale tobacco - I smelt like an ashtray all night. The smell goes away when you wash your hair, thank god.

But, the product makes my hair so beautiful, that I endure the smell. Overall, if you can get past the fragrance issue, you will really enjoy this product. I highly recommend it!!

Review: One 'n Only Argan Oil Products

I am not much of a "hair person", but of late as with skincare, I have decided to reduce the sulphate and parabens in my hair products as well. Also, I recently had a brazilian blowout treatment and got highlights which means I also needed a product that would not fade my color.

After trying many many products, I found the best and most affordable sulphate and paraben free shampoo and conditioner; the brand is called One 'n Only Argan Oil and can be purchased from Sally Beauty.


What I like about these products:

•     Free of sulfates, phosphates and parabens


•     Safe for chemically and color-treated hair: 


•     Provides color protection


•     Affordable. All products mentioned below retail for $9.49 ($8.49 with the sally beauty card). Also sally beauty often has 20-25% off sales.

[1] One 'n Only Argan Oil Shampoo
This product does not strip my hair. It adds volume and improves shine and manageability. The argan oil hydrates my hair. I love it so much that I take multiple bottles for my family when I visit India :-)


[2] One 'n Only Argan Oil Conditioner
While I LOVE the shampoo, the conditioner is okay. Not very moisturusing. This I will not repurchase. If you have dry hair skip this and get the mask below.

[3] One 'n Only Argan Oil Restorative Mask:
I use this in the shower once a week as a heavy conditioner. I leave it on for 15 mins while I shave etc. It product claims to: "help improve texture and manageability. Leaves hair looking healthy with incredible shine. Provides color protection and helps reverse damage caused by environmental factors, heat stress, and chemical color treatments" - and it really delivers!!

Smokey gray brown look