Gotta love MAC: Mineralize vs Studio Fix

MAC Cosmetics: Mineralize vs Studio Fix Foundation

I've been using MAC's studio fix foundation for the longest time now. It is the all time classic from their foundation collection. It provides a medium coverage with a matte finish. It also has SPF of 15 for sun protection. It is great for fall, spring, and winter usage. A little heavy for summer. But is no problem because you can thin it by either mixing with other MAC foundation or even with the Fix+ spray.

I went to the MAC store to buy more foundation even though I wasn't competely out yet. I couldn't decide between the mineralized foundation or the studio fix (again)... so I stuck with what I was use to and got the Studio Fix.

With the Mineralize foundation you get more of a satin finish than matte. It provides some coverage but not as much as the studio fix. And I need coverage because my cheeks tend to get very pink. That is pretty much all I need coverage for... my cheeks. I could use a concealer for my cheeks and then use the mineralize foundation. And with the Mineralize I liked the finished look. It did look more luminous and silky. The minerals are suppose to give you that luminous and radiant look. Not only that but it contains vitamins to help nurture and condition your skin.

Ah... decision decision... I should of just gotten the Mineralize because I already know I'm going to go back and get it sooner or later. And plus I want to try it for summer time. There is a slight price difference but not much... Mineralize is 26.50 and Studio Fix 25.00.

I love Sephora!

Sephora

Every beauty girl's dream come true. They have over 200 brands of beauty products... makeup, hair, face, skin, fragrance... the list goes on... I can never just go in and come out. I have to spend at least 30 minutes in there.. even if I don't buy anything. I love standing there and sniffing all the different designer fragances. My fave scent is JaDore by Dior. I also love to wear Vera Wang's Princess. My next scent purchase will have to be Fendi's Palazzo or Juicy Couture.

Well, just wanted to blog about Sephora because I love that store. They also have their own brand that is less expensive than the higher end items but works the same. Their items are priced similar to retail market prices. So you're really not saving anything by shopping there but they have a variety of brands and products. Its almost a one stop beauty shop.

LipoTherapy: What's is it?

LipoTherapy

I first heard of this on the radio. They were advertising it on the radio as something you can do during your lunch break. So many questions and concerns I have about this. With a little research, this is what I found out about it.

What is Lipotherapy?

The term is also called Mesotherapy. It comes from greek words meaning, middle and to treat medically. It is a means of delivering pharmaceutical agents into the middle layer (the mesoderm) of the skin. It is a non-invasive method of injecting vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, enzymes, and medicines into specifically targeted areas of the body. Lipotherapy is a non-surgical method for spot-fat reduction. You are able to target specific areas. The ingredients injected have been found to actually cause necrosis of the fat cells. The fat dissolves, is metabolized, and is then safely excreted by the kidneys. The treatment can be applied to areas such as saddle bags, eye pads, love handles, inner thighs, outer thighs, chin, and arms. Lipotherapy is known to be a good way of conturing your body.

What are the benefits?

From what I've been reading, here are some benefits of mesotherapy....

No surgery

No downtime

Injected by a needle

Improves blood flow

Improves drainage

Rejuvenates skin

Inches loss

It is only recommended for healthy people with a BMI of 30 or less. And it is not a solution for weight loss. From what I read, the process includes many sessions of painful shots to the same area. So far, it seems to work with the inches loss but not so much with the reduction of cellulite. I wasn't able to find out how much the therapy is but the radio ad did mention a special of $250 per area. Kind of expensive for me. I think I would rather go the traditonal route of eating healthly and exercising. Lipotherapy hasn't been around long enough to know the long term effects.

Gotta Love MAC: 239 Brush

MAC Brushes : 239 Eye Shading Brush

I love eye makeup! And I love love this brush. Some people use more than one brush for the eyes. But I only need one.. and that is the 239 Eye Shading Brush. MAC professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled. And it really shows that they use the highest quality of materials. The bristles are so soft to the touch. Once you buy a MAC brush, you'll never want to use the cheap ones again! (Just ask my sister Dianna. I think I got her addicted to MAC brushes.)

I use this brush to shade and blend eye shadow. It has a tapered and rounded edge. The round edge works well at shading and blending. And the tapered edge I use to define the corners, the "v"... I really don't know how I was able to use the sponge tip applicators for so long. They were so harsh on my eyes.

Yes, good brushes are expensive. But if you really think about it, its a good investment. If you take good care of them, they will last you a long time. I don't have all the brushes I want yet but I'm buying them one at a time. The 239 brush is 24.50. I got it for myself for Valentines Day. How romantic of me, huh?

Gotta Love MAC: Shade Sticks

MAC Cosmetics: Shade Sticks

Shadow on a stick.... what wonders it could do. From the very beginning, I knew I was going to love it. And I do. It is very rich and creamy and glides on smoothly. It can work as a shadow or a liner but I use it as a shadow and a primer. It does a very good job at staying on. It is smudge-able when you first put in on but once its on... it stays on. I use it as a primer/base too because it helps to keep eyeshadows in place longer.

It is great to have because it works so well and its compact. I always keep one in my handbag in case I ever need a touch up or something. As for colors, not as many as the shadows but there is a good variety. I love the the taupographic color on my neutral days and pink couture goes very well with my purple eye days. I have yet to purchase the shimmersand shade. It must be a good one because they're always out on that color.

16.50 a piece. A little pricey. But if you plan to use it often, its worth it.

Excited about NYX Cosmetics

As of lately, I've been going crazy buying high end makeup brands. Good thing about that is... good makeup and good quality. But not so good on the budget. I was talking to my friend, Leslie in Florida, and she introduced me to a line of cosmetics called...

NYX Cosmetics

Ever heard of that? Well, its suppose to be professional makeup with quality at affordable prices. Sounds nice, huh? Surprising, the makeup does not come from New York but Los Angeles. It was named after a greek goddess. Who doesn't want to look like a goddess?

Well, I looked over their website. Very exciting. They seem to have everything a girl who loves makeup would love! Eyes, Face, Eyebrows, Eyelashes, Nails, Tools, Gitterly stuff, Concealers, Blushes, Body, Lips and even Bags! I'm big on anything eyes... I love the collection of colors. Oh, and can't forget to mention, the prices are very affordable. Its even cheaper than buying from Walgreens!

Thank you Leslie for the introduction. I'm pretty sure when my first shipment arrives I'll be quite satifised.

Orlane Paris Skin Care

Their philosophy is "pure skincare pure beauty"

I agree. I love Orlane products. I was introduced to this line from my Mom. My dad spoils my mom with beauty products and clothes... she gets whatever she wants. Yes, she's a Queen... hehe.. My mom has very sensitive skin (especially to heat and sun). Before the internet came along, she had it special ordered and delivered from my Grandpa in France. The only location you can buy this from is in New York, and of course... the internet. But sometimes I'm a little unsure about buying expensive products online because of the high volume of counterfeit items sold.

Orlane is a French company with 60 plus years of expertise. They offer a few different lines or programs of products. Each program is for different needs. I haven't used them all yet. The only one I've used is the B21 products designed to moisturize and provide nutrients. They are known to specialize in products to slow the aging process. I'm not that old yet (25) but its never to late to start using anti aging products. They say our skin is very sensitive to our emotions. "The skin reflects the ups and downs of our inner life." I agree. The skin is very good at responding to the everyday stresses and emotions (depression, overwork, stress...) by appearing dull, creating wrinkles and fine lines, skin breakouts... acne... NEways, Orlane's anti aging care helps to fight against aging from the effects of our emotions.

The Orlane product I use the most is.. the Orlane B21 Soin Super-Hydrant Super Moisturizing Concentrate. Its nice to have a product that you can use day and night. My makeup bag is full as it is... I don't want to have to carry two seperate moisturizers. It's suppose to:

• Restores a proper moisture balance
  Regulates hydration at an optimum level
  Reduces the wrinkles & fine lines


• Soften skin and appear younger looking

I love this moisturizer! The only bad thing is that it's expensive. Retails at about $150 per 1.70z. (Good thing my mom orders it for me!) I love how it smooths and softens my skin. And most of all, I love the scent. I also like their cleansers and serums. All wonderful products.

I highly recommend Orlane Paris products. It's a little on the expensive side but I think its worth it. As we get older (and wiser) we need the more high quality items even if they're expensive. Good investment for our beauty, huh? Yes, girls are expensive but don't complain cause we're worth every penny!