Sonia Kashuk Complexion Perfector Brush

 When I saw images of Sonia Kashuk's spring 2012 collection, this double ended brush caught my eye.  All my looks start off with flawless skin and being that I love brushes, I thought this might do the trick.  Being that I'm in Target about once a week & I always peruse the cosmetics section first (only because its by the door *wink wink*), I sought after this brush for weeks.  When I finally spotted it, I hesitantly snatched it up. After walking around the store with it in my cart, I LEFT it. Yup. I couldn't make due with the price tag on it.  $18.99 + tax seemed kinda steep to me.  A week after, I gave in & bought it, thinking that it was worth it because I'd have gorgeous face.  The brush its self is nice.  Nothing extraordinary.  The sponge part was disappointing.  Obviously, Its a Beauty Blender dupe, but falls way short of it.  Too rubbery, not a lot of give. To actually use the brush was kind of awkward. The sponge part was not glued to the brush so it would fall off. I love all the other Sonia Kashuk brushes I have so this was kind of a bummer. All in all, I returned it because it was decent but the price through me for a loop.

Has anyone tried this brush???

xOxO

BEVERLY

Smoked Plum Paprika & Ballerina Lashes

Lately I've been wearing lashes everyday that i wear make-up.  A look isn't complete to me any more if I don't have them on.  For the past couple of weeks I've been using the same brand of lashes in different styles which I keep getting questions about.

& Lately I've been obsessed with orange eyeshadow tho you may not be able to tell because i haven't been able to post like I would like.

EYES: MAC Naked pigment, MUFE #58, MAC Hepcat & Sketch, MAC Hot Paprika, L'Oreal Voluminous mascara & Ballerina Lashes

 CHEEKS: Milani Bellissimo Bronze & MAC Perfect Topping MSF

LIPS: Revlon Soft Nude & MAC Purr

Now onto my new favorite Lashes...

I can not express how much I love these lashes.  Both are perfect for everyday wear.  The CM401's give lashes a bit more of volume, while CM405's add a bit of drama but nothing over the top. They are synthetic but are not shiny like some synthetic lashes tend to be.  & they are so lightweight.  You do not feel these lashes when they are on at all. The bands are thin & so are the fibers. Both boxes contain 10 pairs and is priced at $13.20 which is a steal because nowadays its hard to find lashes for less that $2.

Ballerina CM401

These lashes look very natural on me when i wear them.  They are about the same length as mine and blend right in when applied.  I like that the lashes are criss-crossed at the band. It adds to how natural they end up looking.

Ballerina CM405

 

 These are my go to lashes when I want a bit of drama but with out looking a like a drag queen during the day.  They tend to open up my eyes to look like doll eyes.  The quality is great. I've worn one pair like 5 times and they still look great.

 

The lash fibers are so thin that you can't see them in any of the closed eye pictures i took.  Only in the open-eyed pictures could tell that one lash is more dramatic than the other.

The lashes can be found here.

xOxO

BEVERLY

DISCLAIMER: KKcenterHK provided lashes for review purposes.

Conair You Curl

Hair curling wands are all the rave right now because they give you that relaxed curl look that all the celebs are rocking.  For a while now, I have been eying the Conair Infiniti You Curl wand that EVERYONE and their mom raves about.  It retails around $35 but being the bargainista that I am I knew it would eventually go on sale somewhere.  Low & behold when I'm looking thru my Sunday paper, I saw that Target had it on sale for $29.99 and you got a $10 target giftcard with it.  That's like getting it for $19.99, can't beat that. 

I read loads of reviews most of which were great and some which were ehh. Several beauties on twitter told me they hated it but still I head to target. Excited with my purchase, I drove home happy as a clam to have in my possession this extraordinary wand, or so I had heard.  I got home and immediately gave it a whirl.  

 

The wand its self is lightweight & consists of the tourmaline technology that protects the hair & eliminates frizz.  Once turned on, it heated up very quickly, which I liked.  The cord swivels around, which comes in handy when wrapping the hair around the wand.  On the box it says you can wrap big sections & small sections.  And most people claim they did their hair in 5 or 10 minutes.

On the handle is a power button, & 2 setting buttons, a minus & plus to control the 4 heat settings.  The only issue I had with the way its set up is that, once you start wrapping hair around the wand, you forget the buttons are there and can easily turn off the wand.  It happened to me several times, while using it on my hair & while I was testing it out on others.

On myself, I hated the looks that came out.  My hair is neither thick nor thin but I have a lot of hair and its quite long at the moment.   If I'm going with a messy wavy look it will take me around 20 minutes with a 1/2 inch curling iron.  I use it the same way as you would a wand.  Just wrap sections around the barrel, & voila! instant curling wand without buying a different tool.

The first time I tired it out on my hair, I wrapped my hair around the wand using the same sized sections I use around my curling iron. (results from using that method can be seen in my previous posts HERE & HERE.) When I used the wand, I wrapped the entire length of hair was wrapped around like I do using the curling iron, even tho the box suggests to leave out a couple inches of the ends for "today's look" whatever that means.  To my surprise the bottom 6 inches or so of my hair didn't even have so much as a wave! I was left with curly hair at the root & straight hair at the ends. Not a good look.  I soon came to discover that I should take smaller sections to get the entire length to wave, which defeats the purpose of using the wand.  More sections = more time.

Then I figured maybe my hair was too long, so I tried it on my niece who's hair is significantly shorter than mine.  She has a mixture of thicknesses through out her head & she has a lot of hair.  Again I took the same sized sections, I normally wrap her hair and again I faced the same problem.  Her ends were pin straight!  Maybe to some people they don't mind that look, but the hairstylist in me HATED it!  Even my brother who doesn't really pay attention to details asked why her hair was pin straight at the ends. 

These pictures are the results of the 2nd time I using the wand on her hair taking smaller sections of hair & the result was still the same.  She even mentioned to me that the ends annoyed her & she's 7!  Her whole head took me about 30 minutes to do, which isn't bad but I am usually quicker.

CLOSE UP of the ends
This was the best attempt I got from the wand & I still wasn't satisfied. 

I have since returned this because its not for me.  Maybe it will work for someone who has thinner or shorter hair.  Maybe even patience to take smaller sections.  My hair is wavy & frizzy.  When I use a curling iron as a wand I don't have to blow out/straighten my hair first.  I let it air dry, and then take the section and run it thru the clamp of the curling iron first.  With the wand I'd have to add the extra step of blowing out my hair first, which is more stress on my color treated hair. 


Do you own this wand??? If so thoughts on it???


xOxO
BEVERLY

Beauty Angel -- Special Edition Make-Up Kit

I recently came across an ELF beauty book dupe the Beauty Angel Cosmetics palette. I know those palettes are popular with a lot of people but not always available.

Beauty Angel Cosmetics Special Edition Make-up Kit -- Purple

Forgot to take a picture of the front

On the left there are some pictures & instructions on how to use the colors.  You know basic shadow placement. On the right is 12 shadows & 2 blushes!

SWATCHES

The blushes were the best part of the palette!  A matte peach & matte pink that are pigmented & smooth.  The darker shadows are a metallic & pigmented perfect for smokey eyes in the fall. The top 3 shadows all swatched to almost the same color which can be either a plus of a negative depending on who you ask.  The palette is $14.50 & there are 3 other variations, Gold, Green, & Blue, which all have different color eye shadows & blushes. Find them all here!

Look coming in a future post =]

xOxO
BEVERLY

DISCLAIMER: Product provided by for review consideration.  I am not being paid for this review & the opinions are my own .

 

ES A88 Lashes -- Short & Luxuriant

Have you ever wanted to give your lashes a boost without going overboard??? I found the perfect lashes for the occasion from kkcenterhk

kkcenterhk is a website that is based out of Hong Kong thats sells Lashes, Wigs, Cosmetics, & Nail supplies of various brands.  Thought they are located overseas do not be fooled, I received my package quickly considering it came from Hong Kong.  & it was very well packed with bubble wrap to ensure that the product got to me the way the sent it.

Short & Luxuriant Lashes ES A88 $5.68

 

In the box they look dramatic BUT once I put them on they were about the same length as my own lashes.  So they just added volume to my lashes which is always great!  Even tho they were not "human hair" lashes they are very well made & aren't shiny like some synthetic lashes tend to be.  Also they are lightweight & conformed to the shape of my eye. 

The box came with 10 pairs of lashes.  and the box is $5.68 so every pair of lashes comes out to $.56.  You can't beat that for a pair of quality lashes.  Even the ELF ones that are $1 are not great quality, & they are a tad more expensive in comparason. 

They lashes themselves are short& wispy, but dense.

The only issue is you have to trim the excess strip that holds them in the packaging. 

Overall I like the lash a lot for day time.  Or for those people who have short lashes this lash is the perfect amount of drama without looking like you have spider lashes. Or if you have a decent length in lashes, like myself, Its a great lashes to give your lashes a volume boost.

Lashes In Action

 

 

xO xO

BEVERLY

DISCLAIMER:  kkcenterhk sent products for consideration for product review.  I am not being payed for this review & the opinions are my own .

Eye's Chic Lashes

A couple weeks ago PR for kkcenterhk contacted me with the opportunity to review some lashes.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm a lash addicted among other make-up & beauty related products, so I accepted.  & I was not dissapointed!

kkcenterhk is a website that is based out of Hong Kong thats sells Lashes, Wigs, Cosmetics, & Nail supplies of various brands.  Thought they are located overseas do not be fooled, I received my package with in a week!  Yes, 7 days from the day they confirmed that they sent it out.  & it was very well packed with bubble wrap to ensure that the product got to me the way the sent it.
The price of the box is very reasonable compared to what one pair of lashes will run you.  A pair of lashes can run from $2-6 depending on the brand & where you get them from. A box of EYE's CHIC lashes will cost $13.45 for 10 pairs, which means every pair of lashes comes out to $1.35.  Which is extremely in expensive.

I got sent a box of 10 pairs of Eye's Chic lashes that included 2 different syles, 5 pairs of each. Both lashes sold separately but still 10 pairs in a box.

EYE'S CHIC 805 $13.45 [BUY HERE] 
These lashes were actually my favorites (if i had to choose).  The band was sturdy BUT NOT stiff like some other lashes.  & Tho there are synthetic they do not have the shiny, plasticy feel that some synthetic lashes tend to have. They are very well made & one pair will last a couple uses, if cared for properly.  I like the design, a lot actually.  They look natural enough that those who feel some type of way about wearing lashes during the day can get away with it but have an bit of added drama on the outer corner.  The criss-cross style is very flattering.
 

FOTDs WEARING 805's

EYE'S CHIC 819 $13.45 [BUY HERE]
This lash is very dramatic but in style as a lot of star like Nicki Minaj & Kim Kardashian tend to wear styles like this.  I got a lot of compliments online & off about this lash.  It opens your eye right up.  This lash was a bit stiffer than the previous but nothing that a little working of the lash band couldn't help.  It could be because the band on this lash is a CM thicker than the other.  This lash is also synthetic BUT again not shiney & plasticy looking.  The lash is very durable but definitely not for the faint of heart, as it will give your eyes major drama.

FOTDs WEARING 819's

OVERALL, I recommend these lashes.  I had nothing but a good things said to me about them from total strangers & I had a great experience with kkcenterhk.

xOxO
B E V E R L Y


DISCLAIMER:  KK CenterHK sent products for consideration for product review.  I am not being payed for this review & the opinions are my own .

Fox in a Box

For months I've been seeing a couple posts on some new Hard Candy Blushes.  When I saw the pictures, I knew I had to have them.  Only problem was my Walmart get things in uber late.  They still don't have them either; I had to stop at a random one I saw while in North Jersey.  If its something I hate, is when companies don't get it together & release products at the same time everywhere rather than when the stores feel like it. 

Anyways there are 5 Fox in a Box:  2 Bronzing Duos & 3 Blushing Quads. I only picked up 2 for now, one of each.

What They Say ...

A highly pigmented multi-color powder compact that will surely bring out your inner foxy lady. Each box contains coordinated shades that blend together perfectly and a custom Hard Candy applicator brush. Sweep across chin, cheeks, and forehead and unleash the foxiness in you!

P R O S
-- Price
-- Quality
-- Pigmentation
-- Color Selection
-- Texture

C O N S

-- Avalibility

-- Packaging

-- Brush is useless

What I Say... 

I was fairly surprised by these blushes!  The pigmentation is AMAZING for drugstore blushes.  I understand that Hard Candy used to be a higher end brand BUT they no longer are.  I'm happy that tho their price point has changed the quality of the actual product hasn't.  I NEVER have a problem with blushes fading tho I do tend to use better quality products, not necessarily high ends brands tho. Also my skin is normal to dry.  The blushes went on and blended like a dream & the colors I got I like!  Initially I was draw in by the packaging.  It reminds me of how Benefit packages their blushes.  Upon using it tho I have realized that the packaging is cheaper. Sturdy but not great quality.  This may bother some but I'm not one for packaging anyways.  
The brush that comes with it is cute but useless as its flimsy & scratchy.

Skinny Dipping Bronzing Duo -- A rosey tinged bronzer & orange coral color, swirled together ends up being a more muted warm orange

Smooth Talker Blushing Quad -- A light pinkish beige, A light orange tinged peach color, a warm light pink, A peach, swirled together turns into a nudey peach color

S W AT C H E S

Skinny Dipping

Smooth Talker

M O R E  P I C T U R E S [no flash]

x O x O
B E V E R L Y

Milani Baked Blushes

Who's been hoarding any and every blush in sight as of late ??? That would be ME! When I first got into make-up I was all about shadow but as of late I'm more interested in Blush and lipsticks.  Some days I don't have time to fuss with shadow but along with foundation, blush is an everyday must for me.  When fellow blogger Rai (she also raved about these blushes)  tweeted about Milani Baked Blushes I knew I had to have them.  My local Walgreens was the ONLY place I could find them & some shades were sold out.

Barcelona Envelope Clutch

Recently I was given the opportunity by CSNstores to review something off of their site.  If you've never heard of CSNstores ... 

‘CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need whether it be office desks, fitness equipment, or even cute cookware!’

Lately I've been on a purse/ clutch binge because the season is changing. I carry a humungo bag daily as it holds my life, whether it be school books or an extra change of clothes. What can I say? I'm a female on the go. =]  BUT when i go out at night I keep as simple a I can.  I love clutches that will fit nothing more than my I.D., a credit card, some cash & a lipgloss. As soon as I saw this clutch purse I knew I had made my choice.