Belle Belle Beauty

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20

My love runs oh so deep for Urban Decay NAKED Foundation. When they came out with their inevitable Beauty Balm I had to try it, with high hopes it would be as fabulous as the NAKED Foundation. Is it? Yes… and no. I have absolutely zero bad things to say about the Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm – it is just that I am using it differently than I expected.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20 is true to its name with lots of antiaging ingredients. And the SPF is a good effort. I’m okay with SPF 20 in the winter months as long as you are largely indoors. Where this stuff shines is the lightweight, oil-free texture that has a luminescent, dreamy finish. The universal shade works well on my light-medium complexion and I think it will fit a fairly large portion of the shade range just because it is so darn sheer. The tint in the formula isn’t for coverage – it actually diffuses light with high-tech pigments to even and minimize pores, lines and redness.

The balm has a slight minty scent which I adore and packs a hydration punch. Again, I get very very sheer coverage with this. Because, right now, I prefer a little more help in the coverage department, I have used this under other BB Creams and foundations. As a primer, Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm gives a perfect, silky canvas for foundation. This will also remain in the rotation because it contains Pepha®-Protect to help inhibit DNA damage while Vitasource™ and Glyage® firm skin and improve elasticity. Down the road, I can envision wearing this on vacation, coverage be damned. I also highly recommend this for anyone who prefers very light, sheer coverage. Those with oily skin will love the oil-free properties.

I’ve been applying with Good Karma Optical Blurring Brush. I’m falling all of myself with praise for this brush. It has transformed the way I apply foundation, primers and BB Creams. You press the product into your skin for even, natural coverage.

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.

I’m a Simple Skincare Ambassador: Let’s Celebrate With a GIVEAWAY!

I know many of you are fellow drugstore beauty aficionados. So, I am thrilled to be partnering up this year with one of my favorite drugstore skincare brands!!! Simple Skincare is all about caring for sensitive skin while using the purest possible ingredients. Even those who don’t suffer from sensitive skin will find the straightforward formulas quenching, soothing and effective.

Simple was born in the UK in 1960, launched with a perfume and dye free cleanser. Today, their focus is on cleansers, wipes, moisturizers and eye care loaded with “skin loving ingredients” and vitamins. Their wipes are a huge staple for me – I love the different variations, all of which are so gentle. And the Vital Vitamin Night Cream is clutch during these dry winter days – hydrates AND calms. Stay tuned as I will be chatting about Simple products throughout the year, bringing you tips on caring for sensitive skin and reviewing products from the line.

And of course we must celebrate, right? I’m thrilled to be giving away TEN gift baskets stocked full of Simple’s new 2013 products, which include:

Foaming Cleanser
Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes
Radiance Cleansing Wipes
Eye Make Up Remover Pads
Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15

Enter using the widget below (US Only):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find Simple Skincare at CVS, Walgreens, Wal-mart, and other drugstores.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Me & The Girls Lavandula Revive Food Scrub and Softening Creme

Yikes, my feet are looking rough. I know it is only January but pool time will be here before you know it. And I have some work to do on these tootsies. I was recently introduced to a natural skincare brand, Me & The Girls. Sharon Hackney, Me & The Girls Founder and CEO, has crafted a line up of organic, vegan products housed in a beautiful AND eco-friendly packaging. With an eye towards trying to stay non-toxic and chemical free, I had to give some of the bath products a whirl.

I’m a sucker for anything lavender so I immediate dove into the Lavandula Revive Foot Scrub during my latest bath time. It is an intense scrub that still manages to revitalize. The organic sugar cane exfoliates while the spearmint butter crème base gives a minty tingle. I’m not pool ready yet, but this is certainly helping.

Post bath, I slathered on Lavandula Revive Foot Softening Creme, loaded with Cupuacu Seed Butter and Avacado Oil. The calming lavender scent is balanced out with just a hint of mint. Slip on some comfy socks and let that stuff go to work. Not only did my feet feel better, but the moisturized skin was easier to care for and looked better.

Also, as a side note, I am also hooked on Limonum Sugar Body Scrub – these guys know how to do a good scrub! You can find Me & The Girls goodies at shop.meandthegirls.com.

Nutrisystem Week 8

Back on track this week! I lost 2.6 points for a total weight loss of 16.6 pounds. Let me tell you… fashion just got a lot more fun. And I expect to enjoy it even more. But this week, enough about me. If you have been following my journey, you know my father is also using Nutrisystem. After so many questions about how tasty the food actually is, I thought I would give you his testimony. And those who are thinking about encouraging a dad, boyfriend or husband to join, I thought a man’s perspective would be helpful.

Like myself, my father views Nutrisystem as a “lifestyle program.” He reports that there is no hunger or “sacrifice”, but more incentive and encouragement to exercise. We both have made working out part of our daily life. As a note, we also feel the same way about drinking water. The structure really helps with portion control, he says. I assure you, he consistently tells me how good the food is. While some meals are better than others, none are actually bad. The portability of the meals also comes in especially handy for him between home and the office. I’ve been so impressed with his innovation and enthusiasm about loading up on veggies. His favorites are vine-ripened tomatoes and Newman’s Own Lite Balsamic Dressing. And, of course, the results: my father is down 19.2 pounds since November – way to go, Dad!

Check out last week’s Nutrisystem post here.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog.

Disclosure: As part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program, Nutrisystem has provided me with complementary meals in exchange for my honest thoughts on the Nutrisystem plan. The opinions expressed in my posts are strictly my own. No other compensation is being given.

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Beauty Myths Busted

Today, I am back on Fox 23’s Great Day Green Country to talk about beauty myths. Now, I am one to say there are no “rules” in beauty – what works for you is always the right answer. But I believe busting these five fallacies will really shake up your routine in the best of ways.

1. MYTH: Use mascara to the last drop. TRUTH: Mascara should be tossed every three months. Germ issues aside, mascara formula can dry out, resulting in suffering performance. To get the lushest, silkiest lashes, keep that tube fresh. Drugstore mascaras are outstanding for those who don’t want to splurge on something used for a short time. Try Maybelline’s new The Rocket Mascara and Volum’ Express Mega Plush Mascara.

2. MYTH: Rub in your perfume after you spray pulse points. TRUTH: The rubbing action crushes and corrupts the fragrance. Instead, spray on your neck and wrists and let dry for 30 seconds. I also love to spray perfume in unexpected places like my hair (don’t go too wild – it can dry hair out) and the back of my knees (for a more subtle scent).

Foundation

3. MYTH: Foundation should be matched to your jawline, forehead, cheek or anywhere on your face. TRUTH: Foundation should actually be matched to your neck as it is representative of your true coloring. Not only will this prohibit a line where your foundation ends and your neck begins, but the shade will look more natural.

Shampoo

4. MYTH: You should wash your hair every day. TRUTH: Washing hair strips natural oils, making hair more brittle and dry. Shoot for 3-4 times a week, workouts permitting. I found that my hair became less greasy the less I shampooed as time went on. In the mean time, dry shampoo can really save the day. Spray on dry shampoo and wait five minutes for it to “activate”. Then work through your hair with fingers or a blow dryer.

all images from Pinterest

Attention Scandal Fans: Behind the Scenes Video with Quinn and mark. Cosmetics

Hooray for Thursday! It means it is time for one of my most favorite shows of the week. Scandal! Do you tune in? If you follow me on twitter, you know it is an event for me. The show is smart, quick and political. Not to mention Kerry Washington has one of the most enviable TV wardrobes.

One of the more intriguing characters is Quinn, played by Katie Lowes. She is haunted by her past and doesn’t have the full story of why she is in D.C.. The video below is a little sneak peak of mark. Cosmetics artist, Jamie Greenberg, getting Katie ready for a “no makeup makeup” look. So good it makes me want to copy it every single day. Enjoy!

All products are available at www.meetmark.com. And PS – I absolutely adore my Touch & Glow Shimmer Cream Cubes All Over Face Palette!