A moisturizer and bronzer in one, the Bronzing Argan Oil incorporates beauty’s latest “miracle” ingredient (argan oil, that is) with a great subtle infusion of golden bronze color. 

So far, I’m loving it for face as a sheer-but-glowing substitute for foundation and I’m also looking forward to giving this a try on legs. (Mine need all the help they can get!)

For those eco-concious gals out there, you’ll also be pleased to know that the Bronzing Argan Oil uses organic ingredients, was not tested on animals and is packaged in recycled and recyclable materials. Look pretty, feel pretty, ladies!

You can shop the Josie Maran collection at Sephora stores or www.josiemarancosmetics.com.

Post from: Makeup Minute

Image: Drugstore.com

So…with all this mascara loving going on in my life, you can bet that when I had the opportunity to try the new Maybelline Lash Stiletto, I just about died and went to heaven. But would this much-hyped new product make my lashes smile…or would it be a flop?

The verdict: I LOVE IT!

This mascara is absolutely fab. It’s even better when you realize you’re only going to have to shell out about $7-$8 for your own tube!

The wand, I think, is one of the better wands I’ve used in a while. It really promotes the lengthening aspect of this stuff and makes your lashes separate without any clumping – no small feat for any mascara, for sure.

It comes in the standard colors (Soft Black, Black/Brown, Very Black, etc) and the tube itself is a total riot – it looks like a stiletto heel!

The formula is silky, not sticky, and I experienced no problems with smudging, flaking or irritation. The little bit I did manage to get on my eyelid during application easily wiped off with a Q-Tip dipped in good old fashioned saliva. Fantastic!

Overall, I rate this mascara a total keeper. It’s definitely worth a try and definitely deserves a spot in your makeup drawer. Check it out!

Post from: Makeup Minute

Image: Prescriptives

I must say, I am a mighty picky chick when it comes to foundations, and I’m willing to bet many of your are too, no? And that once you find a great product, you’ll stick with it forever and ever, right? Well, as a die hard fan of tinted moisturizer paired up with a pressed powder, I am now singing the praises of this Prescriptives makeup and am even willing to go so far as to chuck my old stand-bys in the garbage. Seriously.

First off, the compact is absolutely gorgeous, which I’ll admit, is a huge selling feature to me. When something that makes me look beautiful looks beautiful on its own, that’s a great start.

Second, the makeup itself goes on beautifully, provides fabulous coverage, lasts for ages and does not clog my easily-clogged pores. I was very, very afraid that now that I have my skin under control and looking great, trying a new makeup would make it rebel, but I’m happy to say that after a week of use, I see no signs of breakouts at all. Hallelujah!

Here are a few selling points:

• Suitable for all skin types
• Natural looking in all types of light
• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Minimizes the appearance of pores
• Oil-free, fragrance-free, and non-acnegenic

This is a cream-to-powder makeup with light-reflecting properties. It’s available in 12 different shades, so you’re sure to find the right one for you. It’s a fabulous product any way you look at it.

Interested? You can snatch this up for about $35 by vising Prescriptives.com or by stopping by any Prescriptives counter nationwide.

Post from: Makeup Minute

Here’s what’s on tap:

* Maybelline Stiletto Mascara

* Products by Prescriptives, including a Face Primer, Blush, Eye Cream and more

* DEX loose mineral pigments

* The newest formula of Crest Whitestips

Exciting stuff, huh? I can hardly wait to dig into all this stuff and share my impressions with you.

Have you tried any of these products? Care to give us a sneak peek of what I can expect? If so, let us know. If not, stay tuned for the whole scoop.

Have a great weekend!

Image: Drugstore.com

Post from: Makeup Minute

Concealer. Sometimes we can’t live with it, but we definitely can’t live without it.

There seem to be a zillion formulas of concealer on the market, and for each formula, there are several shades. Choosing the right concealer for your complexion and the flaws you’re looking to hide can be quite a challenge.

In my quest for finding the perfect concealer, I stumbled across Mary Kay’s Color Concealer and I’ve been hooked ever since. Its formula is creamy, but not gloppy. The coverage it provides is thorough, but not paint-like. There are several colors, but not so many that you’re left with your head spinning as to which one is your best choice. And the best part? If you are buying through an Independent Beauty Consultant, you can try before you buy, ensuring that you get the best color for you. And if for some reason the concealer you choose ends up not being right, you are able to return or exchange the product. Fabulous!

I know there are a ton of concealers out there that are fantastic and if you have a fave, please share with us and let us know. But for a mere $10 and delivery right to your door, I have found that the Mary Kay Color Concealer is a great product at a great price. Definitely a personal fave!

Image: MaryKay.com

Post from: Makeup Minute

Let’s face it, ladies. Even in the winter our fabulous selves can end up shiny, leaving a mess of the makeup we so diligently applied that very morning.

So what’s a girl to do? Grab some of these Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, that’s what!

For only $4.76 on Drugstore.com, you can get yourself some of these awesome little sheets to stuff everywhere from your handbag to your car’s glove compartment, to your desk at work to wherever. Any time you glance in the mirror and see a little oil slick forming, grab a sheet and dab it over the shiny areas to restore your beautiful finish.

I use these daily and promise you your makeup will remain in tact, but the grease will be gone. They’re handy and easy and completely economical. Easily one of my favorite face-saving products of all time.

Have you tried these (or another brand)? Let us know what you think in the comments below…

Image: Drugstore.com

Post from: Makeup Minute

Before receiving it, I was encouraged by the fact that the oily skin version contains kaolin clay, well known for its oil absorbing abilities. I’m a huge fan of clay masks for facials, so I knew the powder version for applying under my makeup would work just as well. If you’ve ever used a clay mask, then you know how when you rinse your face, all traces or oil and shine have vanished.

The best part is only having to use it where you tend to shine the most, and being a 10 gram jar for only $18.50 means this will last you a very long time. www.purelycosmetics.com

*Photo Credit: Purely Cosmetics

Post from: Makeup Minute

What they say:

A light-textured lemon-scented anti-shine gel that instantly refreshes and mattifies oily skin on contact. Ideal for acne-prone skin types, this refreshing gel can be used in place of moisturizer when skin is especially oily.

I’ve been applying the anti-shine gel as part of a step by step process in my facial routine, which have made my skincare issues turn around 360 degrees. I have been exclusively been using only Korres skin care products on my face and the results have been amazing (you can see a review of the Wild Rose Mask here and Brightening Serum here).

The anti-shine gel is a product you apply before your moisturizer. I have been using the gel after I apply the Brightening Serum and then applying the Pomegranate Balancing Moisturizer. You have to allow 2 minutes for the gel to dry and absorb into your skin before you can apply your moisturizer.

I hardly notice the lemon scent, in fact I didn’t even notice it at all. Possibly because you need very little product to cover your problem areas. I did notice a mattifying effect on my skin right away and my skin also appeared to be taunt. It controlled the shine for a few hours.

Since the instructions say to only apply it under your moisturizer, I did not attempt to reapply the gel over my makeup once the shine began to return. I love that this is a clear product and coming in a gel means it applies easily. It did work great for several hours, but not much longer than 4 hours.

While I do like this product, I will continue to hunt down that perfect anti-shine product that will last all day without compromising on the quality of mattifying my skin.

If you have used this product, what did you think of it?

Post from: Makeup Minute

I received this little blessing a little over a week ago and have had a hard time not applying it everyday (my other lip products sometimes beg to be used).

My Tinted Lip Spa came in Copacabana, which is a nice peach color. It doesn’t color your lips like gloss or lipstick, it just gives your lips a slight hint of color with a little shine while moisturizing your lips at the same time.

For only $6, looking good with healthy looking lips never felt so good.

Post from: Makeup Minute

I will admit to the world that I have a girl crush on Heather Hanson, owner of Twisted Fayte cosmetics. Not a girl crush in the way all of you mind-in-the-gutter readers are thinking, but a girl crush because she always blows me away with her customer service skills.

Heather recently sent me a very impressive package filled with goodies of some current products, newly released products and some products that haven’t come out yet (but I tell you they are awesome!) Not only did Heather send me products, but the colors are colors I would’ve chosen for myself and she included a note stating that she remembered that I liked more earthly colors, not too much sparkle on the eyes, etc etc. Please tell me what other company sends you a personal note that says they customized a package based on what they know you like??? No one people! No one!

Well…except Heather.

My review today is for the lovely Lip Vinyls I was sent. They are from the new Twisted Fayte Holiday Glam Queen Collection. The above picture is Linen and Lace, and I also received Iced Confetti and Star Crossed.

Oh my heavens. Do I even need to write a whole review because I love them!

The Iced Confetti is a clear balm with blue, lavender and aqua twinkling minerals. You can receive this balm in a tin or a swivel tube. I received mine in a swivel tube, which I really like. The Linen and Lace is a beautiful copper color and Star Crossed appears to be a coppery-pink. More copper than pink if that makes sense, but different than Linen and Lace.

You only need to swivel up a very small amount and can use your fingers to apply, use a lip brush to apply or merely dab a small amount on sections of your lips and rub your lips together. Anyway you do it, your lips will look amazing. It also lasted a good amount of time and was very moisturizing.

I’ll have more reviews on the products I received in the coming days. You can check out her Glam Lip Vinyls at TwistedFayte.com

Post from: Makeup Minute