Spring Trends Make Me Green With Envy

While not only for us gingers, I am currently loving the idea of green shadow (and I love how it looks with red hair!). It's amazing with a peach or coral blush and a shiny lip, so it's my new obsession. Want the look? Here are a few of my favorites right now.







Laura Geller's Enchanted Forest is a richly pigmented shadow that can work in myriad ways.


 

Use it as a crease color for a dark, not-so-obvious green or use it as a wet liner and make eyes seriously sparkle. If you are new to Laura's Eye Rimz, these liners last until you take them off, with the same intensity they had when first applied. All of the colors are like rock stars in their ability to shine on!



 

If you use it dry and in the crease, most of the lighter tones will fall away, leaving you with a rich dark forest green. If you use it wet, the lighter, reflective pigments will show through, giving you a complex dark-yet-shiny line.



Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide on Shadow Pencil in Narc is a lighter, mossy green that blends beautifully and stays put. The beauty of these pencils is that you can layer them and blend them out.




Add a shadow on top of Narc and get a totally different look. I love the look of Narc mixed with Mildew. (Mildew on lids, Narc blended out above the crease.)


 
 (Narc by itself.)


Even better, add Narc over the lid and blend out above the crease. Line your eyes using a serious purple shadow like Purple Haze.

What is your favorite way to wear greens? Tell me - I need to know!



(Loxy photobombs me. He is getting to be as photobomb-y as Beanpie the Cat!)


 I bought the UD. Laura Geller was sent for review. Neither company tests on animals.

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Weekend Beauty Too Good To Miss from Mally and Laura Geller

While I'm away this weekend, celebrating my birthday with Loxy and the pooches, I'll be sneaking away to my laptop (I'm not sure the beach house has a television with cable) to check out these sales and deals!






Laura Geller is giving 30% off of almost everything in her NYC Boutique and online at www.laurageller.com. Even some of her favorite accessories will be deeply discounted. It's today only, March 5th, so be sure to check out the not-so-secret sale today! You don't need a code, you only need to shop!





Mally Roncal, the beautiful mama behind Mally Beauty is offering a gorgeous TSV on the Q today. I really want to see the presentation, as I am very tempted to pick this one up! Brown collections aren't always my favorite, but this one has personality and so many pieces, it will be hard to pass up!

Hauling anything? Let me know in the comments!

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FOTD - Radiant Skin

I'm exhausted, overwhelmed and lackluster, thanks to the rush of the holidays and well, life. I decided for my last day at work (for the year!), I wanted to look holiday ready and radiant, even if I didn't feel it. I was really pleased with the results. So pleased, it actually lifted my spirits!


(indoor light)


(outdoor light)


FACE:
Maybelline Fit Foundation - The lightest Ivory shade made
Benefit -High Beam above my cheek bones
LORAC - Perfectly Lit in Luminous
Laura Geller- Banish and Brighten Concealer (my favorite!)

EYES:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
BE Gold Medal High Shine Shadow
MAC Shroom Eye Shadow
Benefit Magic Ink Eye liner
Anastastia Brow Powder in Strawburn
Urban Decay Lash Primer
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

LIPS:
BE Natural Lip Gloss in Sprinkles

I bought everything listed with the exception of the Laura Geller Concealer, which was sent for review. I've been using it every day since!

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Black Friday / Cyber Monday Deals!

It's that time. Let the Black Friday Deals Begin!

If you are actually braving the stores, don't leave home without these apps to make your shopping experience easier (Yup, I'm a tech geek, too)?

The TGI Black Friday App will help you navigate the sales, steals and deals so you can plan your shopping day with military precision. This is confirmed for the iPhone and Droid, but I'm not sure if it's available for the Blackberry. This app is free.

If you need more planning, download the Fast Mall app and get a map of almost any mall on your phone, making it easy to locate stores, restrooms and places to eat. According to their site, it gives turn by turn directions to find what you are seeking.

Shooger allows you to find coupons and codes in your specific area, so all you have to do is flash the bar code and save. This app mainly works for local stores. For coupons for larger department stores, try Coupon Sherpa or Yowza! (iPhone only). Feeling like a red-headed stepchild holding that Blackberry or Droid? Download WHERE and choose offers or coupons and you'll get the same goods. There is no reason to be left out!

But if you are shopping for makeup goodies, check this out!


Laura Geller is giving away a special kit with any $75 or more purchase that includes a Banish and Brighten baked blush, 2 baked shadows in Fresco Nude and Baroque and a kabuki brush. Separately, they retail for $98. Shop in her boutique in NYC (located in the Upper East Side at 1044 Lexington) or online between now and Monday and save!

Bare Escentuals has several ways to save coming up! With this gift finding tool, you can't go wrong! On Black Friday Weekend spend $50 at BareEscentuals.com and get $20 off your next purchase of $40 or more (redeemable 12/13 - 12/31). Personally, I think I will be picking up the Kaleidoscope Collection.



Sephora has several ways to save this year. Here are some of the offers I compiled for you:

Free Shipping on Philosophy's Limited Edition Hope in a Jar chosen as one of Oprah's Favorite Things 2010. (Ends 12/14, use coupon code: HOLIDAYSHIP at checkout)

Free Haul-iday Tote with $25 order at Sephora.com (Valid 11/26). While supplies last.

Free Shipping on all orders over $25 at Sephora.com (Valid 11/27 - 11/29). Use code SHIPNOW at checkout.


Now is the perfect time to pick up some of the famous Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencils and save 20%!


Cyber Monday Steals!

On Cyber Monday, snag this amazing value from LORAC. For $25, you'll get
the Cyber Monday Collection:


The Cyber Monday Collection
Black makeup Bag
Baked Matte satin eye shadow in Social
Baked Matte satin eye shadow in Posh
On Screen Duo Powder Highlighter/Cream Liner in Fame and Fortune
Lotsa Lip Gloss in Hottie
Lotsa Lipstick in Stylin

The Lierac Paris Friends & Family sale starts on Cyber Monday, 11/29 and runs through Friday 12/3. Save 30% off ALL products at www.lierac-usa.com. Just use check out code FF2010 at checkout. I'm not 100% sure why, but I keep going back to their makeup remover. I love this stuff!



Order anything from BE on Cyber Monday and they will ship your order for free!

After you've shopped for everyone else, treat yourself to something special! Between December 9th and the 12th save 20% during their friends and family sale at Bare Escentuals stores and at BareEscentuals.com.

What are you picking up and hoping someone picks up for you? Happy shopping!

Sephora links are courtesy of an advertising affiliate. The rumor is that if you shop through those links, I'd make a penny (or two.) I say rumor, because it's never happened.

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Four Fun Finds You Need To Know About Now

1. Lierac Diopti D'emaq. This gentle eye makeup remover is my new favorite.


It's gel-like consistency makes removing my mascara very easy. It's gentle on the lashes and even helps nurture and condition these often abused and overlooked beauties. It's alcohol-free, safe for those with sensitive eyes (and contact lens wearers), and is free of fragrance and parabens. It includes Keratin and B-5, to help strengthen lashes with every use. It is even strong enough for waterproof mascara. Diopti D'emaq is available in select CVS and Duane Reade locations as well as online, and retails for $24.


2. Laura Geller's Blush-n-Brighten Baked To Go Baked Cheek Color in Pink Grapefruit. The perfect pink blush from Laura Geller is now available in the right size to throw in your purse.


This mini blush comes with a baked blush on the inside of the tube, a sponge applicator that picks up the right amount of color with ease and a large mirror to make sure you look amazing. Your travel makeup bag just got a little lighter (and smaller.) Just remember to blend slightly with your fingers after using the sponge. This is also available in Golden Apricot, one of my preferred peach shades. These baked shades are among my all time favorites. I love that I can take them with me!



3. Prestige Lash Matrix claims to wrap lashes with flexible polymer spirals that provide length and volume. The description almost had me thinking it was going to give me lash tubes (like the amazing Blinc mascara), but it doesn't.


(No mascara.)



What it does do is build amazing length and some decent volume.


(With Prestige Lash Matrix.)


It's also waterproof, but still feels decently soft on the lashes. I am on a quest to get the most length out of my sad lashes and out of all of the brands I purchased, this one is staying at Chez Gouldylox and is not being returned to their brethren at the store.


4. Revlon Multiuse Palette (from the Suede Rhapsody Collection) is the cutest, most creatively thought out palette (from a design perspective) and actually gives good results.



I know, I am a harsh judge of Revlon's previous attempts at cream shadow palettes. In fact, I hated them. Allure loved them, which makes me think they tested the wrong thing. This palette however, is great. It's most likely found on an end cap with new colors from Halle Berry at your drugstore.


(From Top to Bottom: Lip color, Highlighter, Cheek, Brown Eye, Gray Eye)


The lip color isn't really for me. It's a bright, typical cherry that is too bright and too sheer to work. The shadows creased a little, even with a serious primer, but worked better than their predecessors. (I am not really selling this, am I?)

What I mainly loved about it was the cheek color and highlighter.


This made my skin tone sing. And despite minor creasing, my eyes looked pretty fab too. For $7, it's worth checking out!

I bought the Revlon palette and the Prestige Mascara. Other items were sent for the purpose of review. Laura Geller, Lierac and Prestige do not test on animals. Revlon maintains they are cruelty-free.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Sneak Peek! Laura Geller Waterproof Eye Spackle

Lately, it seems like eye shadow has no staying power without a primer. I don't know if I now come to expect long wear of every shadow because I always wear a primer or if shadows have stopped being so long-wearing, because companies assume everyone uses a primer. Either way, my shadow wear time isn't acceptable to me if it isn't ten hours or more.

True, I am not talking about sweating up a storm and expecting to remain flawless, but regular readers and those who know me know I prefer to sweat as little as possible.

I have tried a ton of different primers (some not so great and some are amazing) and one of my new favorites has to be Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle.



It comes in a pen form and is a light colored primer that totally brightens up the eye area of fair- to medium-skinned ladies. It makes my eye area look incredibly bright, awake, tightened and slightly less crepe-y. I haven't tried this while swimming or sweating intensely (with my shark issues and my aforementioned dislike of sweating, how could I?), but I can tell you that when I wash my face, I need makeup remover to remove my shadow. Water alone won't do the trick.

This primer contains Isododecane, which provides the waterproof action I adore. It also has Boron Nitraide, which gives your shadow a silky look and Ronasphere LDP, which helps create a light-diffusing effect, making your eyes bright. Even better, with one click of the pen, the perfect amount is dispensed, cutting down on waste.

I am very fair and as you can see below, this Eye Spackle does a great job of making my skin look perfectly bright and prepped for shadow. It matches my skin so well, it's almost hard to tell where my skin stops and the prepped area begins.


(Look to the left of that freckle, below the forefinger. That area is spackled!)


I've tried this primer with Laura's shadows, mineral makeup, other pressed powders and cream shadow and I have been thrilled with the results. In fact, it's the only eye shadow primer I have found myself reaching for over the last two weeks.

Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle is available later this month on the Q for $22.

Product was provided to me for the purpose of review. Laura Geller does not test on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Laura Geller Banish-n-Brighten Concealing Luminizer

I have a new favorite concealer. I don't have uber-dark shadows, but my under eye area, definitely needs a little prep. I have some discoloration and sun damage that I want gone. Depending on the morning, I have a little puffiness as well.

So what has earned its new permanent place on my vanity? Laura Geller's Banish-n Brighten Concealing Luminizer. This concealer is special for several reasons. But before we dive into the ingredients, let's talk about the applicator.

The metal applicator is made of a smooth special metal, called Palladium. What makes this medal so special is that is always feels cold to the touch. It doesn't just feel a little below room temperature, it feels chilly to the touch. It feels fantastic in the morning in a refreshing sort of way.


(Me with no concealer.)


So back to the ingredients. This concealing and luminizing formula contains Hesperidin Peptide Complex, which helps to strengthen delicate skin and defend against pesky free radicals. Chrysin Peptide Complex helps to brighten skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles. Licorice Extract also a skin brightener that actually helps to prevent puffiness. Finally, Phyto Squalane boosts cell regeneration while helping to retain the skin's moisture, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.


(Me wearing Banish-n-Brighten.)


The concealer itself feels as light as air, as if you are wearing nothing, If you have major circles or really bright/dark imperfections, this may not cover them perfectly on its own. However, if you are like me and only need a medium amount of help, this may be perfect! While I am not sure if this is just happening in my mind or not, I would swear that my under eye area looks better about 20-30 minutes after I apply it then when I first put it on. I didn't see any mention of this happening from Laura Geller, but even Loxy agrees that my eyes look better shortly after applying this luminizer than they do when first applied.


(Another picture of me, taken 20 minutes later, wearing Banish and Brighten. This is admittedly awesome lighting but the Banish-n-Brighten definitely makes a difference!)


Banish-n-Brighten Concealing Luminizer is available for $22 from QVC and LauraGeller.com. Thoughts? I am loving this one!


This was sent to me for the purpose of review. Laura Geller does not test on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Get A Natural Glow (Without the Sun Damage)

by guest blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose


It’s already August — where has the time gone? In the thick of these hazy, lazy days, why not capture the essence of nature’s sizzle by getting your own glow on? Just whip up a spicy recipe filled with sex, sun (-less bronzing) and shoes. Follow these three easy steps, and don’t be surprised when you earn your new nickname — caliente!

Get Your Glow On (1 Serving)

1. Get Some Nookie.

Nothing gets your heart pumping like a good old fashioned roll in the hay. But you can make your experience even more enjoyable by adding a dollop of new K-Y YOURS+MINE Kissable Sensations™ (SRP $19.99) into the mix.



Paired as a set of tubes flavored in decadent chocolate (for her) and sweet strawberry (for him), these hypoallergenic liquids are designed to heighten foreplay by encouraging kissing and licking in all the right places. And they really do taste great without a nasty chemical aftertaste. The best part? They’re not sticky AT ALL, so you don’t feel like a gloppy mess during the action.

Take it from us — after spicing up the bedroom with these liquid pleasure boosters, your cheeks will be flushed and everyone will want to know your saucy little secret.

2. Fake your Flush.

Okay, so we’re all using sun protection at the beach, right? That doesn’t mean you have to look like a vampire sucked your neck the night before (hopefully a sexy one, though, if it does happen). Add an instant warm flush to your face with a dusting of Laura Geller Balance-n-Bronze.



This handy 2-in-1 compact ($35) has one side filled with Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten, a baked color-correcting foundation, and the other with Bronze-n-Brighten, a baked color-correcting bronzer. Just buff in the Balance-n-Brighten side to even out any imperfections and then sweep on the Bronze-n-Brighten to create contour and depth for that perfect glowing look.

Bonus: Maximize coverage and gain a hint of shimmer by prepping skin with Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer in Champagne, which goes on smooth and light — not oily.

3. Hunt Down a Sexy Pair of Sandals.

You know that rush you get when you buy the perfect pair of designer sandals on a deep discount sale? Exhilarating! Double that (gold) rush by snagging a gorgeous metallic pair, like these KORS by Michael Kors “Twinkle” embellished sandals, on sale now at Bloomingdale’s for only $58.50.



With a comfy fit, a solid, leather construction and a look that can go from the pool to the pub, you will literally glow from head to toe!

Photos: K-Y; Laura Geller; KORS
Disclaimer: K-Y and Laura Geller products furnished complimentary for review. Anne purchased the KORS sandals herself and is still glowing from her decision.




Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

e.l.f. 2-1 Conditioning Gloss

I recently couldn't resist the allure of a gift card and picked up a few items from e.l.f. One of the items I picked up is their 2-in-1 Conditioning Gloss. This gloss has a clear outer tube, that hydrates, provides super shiny, lasting gloss and an inner tube that provides the color.

I picked up this shade in Golden in the hopes it would be the perfect choice for summer.


(A golden, beautiful blob of lip gloss.)


This gloss is very shiny and lasts for a respectable amount of time. Especially since it's only $3! However, the color payoff isn't the strongest - at least not in the color I selected.


(Squeezing the sides, hard. Normally, you squeeze your tubes so they flatten out.)


You also have to squeeze the tube really hard, opposite from the way you normally squeeze, to get color to come out and not just the clear gloss. Normally, you squeeze a lip gloss so it's flat. With this, you squeeze the sides. Granted the tube itself is designed to be squeezed that way, but it's backwards from normal tube glosses and it just feels weird in my hand. (You have to do this with other similar glosses, like the one by Laura Geller. The same issue bugged me with her product as well.)

The gloss isn't sticky on your lips. But if your hair gets into it, I can see it being a seriously sticky situation. I think this gloss is so ultra sticky, it almost comes full circle and isn't sticky. Does that make sense to anyone besides myself?


(Where is the gold? It looked so promising in it's golden blob above.)


Overall, for the price, it is exactly what you would expect. It's ok, provided you aren't cheesed about the no-show color. I can say that it feels hydrating, that it hugs the lips and that it stays on for a good amount of time.

Have you tried this? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

I bought this with a gift certificate provided by the company. Elf does not test on animals.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement. Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2009-2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Easy Eyes in 5 Minutes or Less: Laura Geller Moonshadow

Some mornings I just can't get up. And as Loxy can tell you, on those days, I usually skip packing a lunch instead of skipping my makeup routine. And while I have previously admitted to using more than 20 products in one morning, there is a really easy way to make your eyes pop and get out the door with minutes to spare. Even on days when you are running late.


Laura Geller's Moonshadow is an adorable, highly pigmented easy-to-use baked shadow that can take you from glum to glam in less than five minutes. I have Midnight Magic, a pink and dark aubergine shimmer color. While pink isn't my go to color, this is just pink enough to add some twinkle to my eyes without looking like I am trying to emulate Barbie.


The baked aubergine color is flecked with sparkle and makes a great crease and liner color. I like to line my eyes using a small brush, wetting it with Visine for Dry Eyes (the Dry Eyes part is clutch). Here's what I do in five minutes or less:

1. Curl Lashes (mine are so short if I do it after I line my eyes, my line gets wonky.)

2. Cover entire eye area, lash to brow with Eye Spackle. This primer brightens the eye area on someone with my skin tone (fair, bordering on Vampire) and doesn't leave my eye looking crepe-y or "scale-y".

3. Add lighter toned shadow to lid.

4. Add darker toned shadow in the outer V of the eye.

5. Line top lid with wet brush, using the darker color.

6. Lightly line lower lid with dry darker color.

7. Add Mascara and go!



Moon Shadows are available in two colors, Midnight Magic, pink and aubergine as seen above and Fire Water, which is the Eye Rimz Green shimmer and champagne. Check them out online at LauraGeller.com, QVC.com, Laura's Studio in NYC and Beauty 360's.

Product was sent to me for the purposes of review.

Subscribe and never miss a thing! Disclosure/Disclaimer Statement.
Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.