Author: Lindsay

Hard Candy CC Crème

Looking for one of the hottest beauty products at a steal of a price? Look no further than your local WalMart. Hard Candy has just launched a CC Cream and it is priced at $8! So, what’s a CC Cream? Think of a BB Cream with more coverage and ingredients to color correct your skin.

I’ve been really impressed with the way Hard Candy CC Crème wears, especially given the price point. The thick (unscented) cream blends well into my skin to give full coverage. The oil-free formula contains light optic pearls that correct skin undertones. The blurring effect (and heavy coverage) hides blemishes and dark spots. I’d call the finish satin – not matte, but still glowing.

The generously sized tubes come in four colors: fair, light, medium and dark. (FYI I am a dead on match for light). Available exclusively at WalMart. Note: I can’t seem to find this online yet, but it hit shelves in mid-February so check your local store.

Latest and Greatest from Xen-Tan

Here’s another little idea for your Neiman Marcus Beauty Event shopping bag. In anticipation of spring, I’ve been test driving the newest Xen-Tan products. I was frankly already hooked (see here and here), but these guys made me fall even harder. What’s best, is you can really get a formula that best suits you with these two very different approaches to self-tanner.

First up, the Moroccan Weekly Medium Self-Tan is most like a traditional self-tanner in that the formula is pigmented. I mean really really pigmented. It comes out of the tube in a deep, rich chocolate. The consistency is thin and silky. While it takes some time to evenly apply the pigment, the immediate result is a beautiful bronze. The upside to the coloring is you can tell where you’ve applied the tanner.

After eight hours, I get a brown-based, rich but still medium color on my light skin. While it did dry quickly, I’d be very hesitant to wear light clothing until you shower just due to the coloring. As with all Xen-Tan products, the smell is completely pleasant with a tropical touch. Bonus points for the collagen building peptides to improve the look of skin.

Secondly (and probably my favorite) is Luminous Gold Gel Sparkle Weekly Medium Self-Tan. This totally clear, thin gel is a breeze to apply. While you don’t have the advantage of seeing where you’ve already applied product, I feel a little more carefree using the gel. It seems to work its way onto the skin a little easier. And you can absolutely put on any white or light clothing worry-free.

While you don’t get that immediate bronze glow, there is an iridescent gold shimmer that gives a dewy, glam look. This might be ideal for maintaining a tan – the gold accents existing bronze and you don’t need that immediate golden effect. Or you can add this to Moroccan Weekly Medium Self-Tan for a both shimmer and bronze look. Like Moroccan Weekly Medium Self-Tan, the final result was a brown-based, rich but still medium color.

Disclaimer: weird leg photo ahead (I do this for you, dear readers). On the left, Moroccan Weekly Medium Self-Tan and the right Luminous Gold Gel Sparkle Weekly Medium Self-Tan immediately after applying. After eight hours, they look exactly the same (same pigment as left). Second disclaimer, I am so so so so pale.

Pale Legs on Xen-Tan // Belle Belle Beauty

La Prairie Cellular Mineral Body Exfoliator

I’ve got the perfect thing to pick up during Neiman Marcus Beauty Event… I just tried out the new La Prairie Cellular Mineral Body Exfoliator. Not only is it precisely what the doctor ordered to pre-game before summer, but it is just enough to score the gift with purchase tote full of samples!

Off the bat, this gel is truly incandescent – a little surreal beauty for your shower. The exfoliating beads are accompanied by Pure Diamond Powder, Amethyst Powder and Smithsonite Mineral Extract. Because it is so densely packed, the exfoliating action is even. Beyond exfoliating, the formula also is enriched with Olivine Oil, Rose Hips Oil and Camelia Oil to cleanse and soften while the The La Prairie Cellular Complex works against aging.

While the granuals don’t initially melt away, the exfoliation action is very gentle. The scent is very subtle. But the effect is not. My skin was unusually soft, hydrated but not greasy. It was the perfect canvas for a little self tanner. The formula is gentle enough to use a couple times a week, but I’d shy away from every day.

Also, don’t forget to snap some Instagrams of your Neiman Marcus Beauty Event haul. Tag your shot with #NMBeauty for your chance to with a NM Beauty Bundle valued at $2,500.

La Prairie Cellular Mineral Body Exfoliator is also available at shoplaprairie.com.

VenEffect Anti-Aging Lip Treatment GIVEAWAY

I hadn’t had a chance to dive into the world of VENeffect skincare, but it certainly has been on my radar since it appeared on counters at Neiman Marcus not too long ago. Now, I’ve been trying their Anti-Aging Lip Treatment for a couple weeks and can totally see getting hooked on the whole line.

VENeffect focuses on the influence of estrogen loss affecting collagen, causing fine lines and wrinkles. The product line uses 100% natural phytoestrogens to enhance collagen and, in turn, improving the appearance of skin. Makes sense that hormones would play a big part in our youthful glow!

The Anti-Aging Lip Treatment targets this approach especially for the lips, softening and plumping. Don’t expect a greasy balm – this is more of a thin cream with a weightless feel. I usually prefer balms, but since this is less of a hydrator and more of an anti-aging treatment, I look at is as a lighter serum for the lips.

I’ve been using the treatment twice a day (and sometimes more often). I do think my lips are softer. The anti-aging ingredients promise to minimize vertical lines and plump and enhance to a “rosy glow”. VENeffect products are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and paraben free.

I’ve teamed up with VENeffects to get three lucky readers a chance to try the Anti-Aging Lip Treatment valued at $85. Enter using the widget below. Sorry, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

mark. Just Blushing Powder Blush

I’ve been on a blush bender lately. With my fair skin at the height of its winter paleness, a little shock of pink can transform me from sallow to glowing. It has been especially frosty here lately, so I’ve been channeling that doll-like sweet pink cheeks rather than my old trusty nude. The effect is kind of windblown chic (just trust me on this one).

While I have my old blush standby, a girl always wants options, right? My dear friend, Lara, was raving about these powder blushes from mark (naturally, I had to see what the fuss was about). And a bonus: with this price point ($9), you can pick up and experiment with a new look, guilt free.

But here’s what’s so special – Just Blushing Powder Blush wears and acts like the most luxe of products. I’m so impressed by their feather-light feel. And at the same time, the powder applies so creamy. The best is the glowing finish and full day of wear the formula gives.

There are eight shades and I’ve swatched four below. From top to bottom: Dollhouse, Lovespell, Cameo and Charmed.

I thought I would fall hard for the nude-y peach Cameo but it is the sweet, cool pink Lovespell that has really captured my heart. I love Dollhouse for a more dramatic look or for darker skin tones. Charmed is a balanced pinky nude with ultimate wearability.

Stephanie Johnson Spring Collection

I’m like a kid in a candy store. Give me stylish, cute, well-made cosmetic bags in the most cheerful and fresh spring colors and textures and I am a happy girl. Stephanie Johnson did it again with a fabulous collection conjuring neon, organic textures, tropical paradises, and summer glamour. I basically want the entire collection, but here are some favorites that I think should be on your shopping list.

First up, the Charleston Jenny Train Case:

Ibiza Lavender Alex:

Napa Grace Brush Case:

Everglades Coral Katie:

St. Lucia Medium Zip:

The spring collection is now available at www.stephaniejohnson.com.