Spiked Bracelet from Danity Luxuries

I have been eying this Spiked Bracelet since my last Danity Luxuries order.  

After I bought my fossil watch, I figured this bracelet would be a perfect accessory to pair with it.

I love it because it edgy, fashionable and unique.

I debated between the gold and silver but I think I made the right choice.

My Danity Luxuries code for 15% off is still active:

SPICED15

Would you wear this bracelet?

What type of concealer do you use?

Liquid Cover Up Oil-Free Foundation and Concealer in V13

There are so many concealer finishes on the market now! Foam, cream or liquid- its so hard to choose.

I personally prefer liquid because it provides the most natural coverage for me.

Now in my 20's I'm blessed to not have extremely dark under eye circles but who know what will happen later on.

Currently, one of my favorite concealers is Vasanti's Liquid Cover Up Oil-Free Foundation and Concealer.

I'm always on the hunt for another holy grail concealer! 

What is your favorite concealer type and brand?

Sally Hansen: Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips Review

One of  my favorite nail inventions is definitely nail polish strips. They come in various colors, styles and finishes. I have tried various brands and hands down Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips has been the best so far.

The styles above are from the Sally Hansen's Collaboration with Canadian Singer-Songwriter Avril  Lavigne.

803 Purr-fect Harmony

Avril Lavigne has partnered with the brand and created 12 new limited edition designs of the revolutionary Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. These distinct rocker-chic patterns representative of Avril’s personality. 

If you aren't very creative with free-hand nail art, this is the quickest option to get the style you want.

 Each pack comes with two packs of nail polish strips, mini nail buffer, cuticle stick and instructions.

Check out these styles up-close:

Nail Polish Strips Breakdown:

Claims

• Lasts up to 10 days
• Removes easily with nail polish remover
• Fashion-forward styles

Formula
The formula is dry but made of real nail polish.
It's evident once you peel off the plastic backing.

Application
Size each strip to your fingers before you peel off the backing.
Once you peel off the backing use the strips quickly because they will dry up.

Removal
Use nail polish remover to remove the strips.

Price
Suggested price is $9.95 CDN.

Overall
Since I'm obsessed with studs, Stud-io Time was my favorite print. The fine details made it look 3D. It looked like I put little silver studs all over my nails. It was definitely a conversation starter. 

The number one thing I would suggest is to have patience with these strips. Apply them as close as you can to your cuticle without getting it on your skin.

This picture was taken on day 4. As you can see there is no lifting or discoloration of the strips. Each strip is carefully crafted and I think the long lasting factor due to each strip being thin.

I've tried another brand that was thicker and by day 2 it either lifted or fell off. In other words it was a waste of money.

Overall I am excited I'm very pleased with these strips and excited to try other styles.

 Have you tried Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips?

New Mary Kay® Mineral Eye and Cheek Colors for Summer 2012

Mary Kay is one of my favorite brands for eye shadows. Their range of textures and shades is the number #1 reason why I keep them in my kit. It's always interesting to see the reactions of people who I try them on the first time.

The mineral-based formula is famous for its oil-absorbing properties, ease of application and excellent coverage. Plus, these long-lasting, crease resistant, fade-resistant shades look fabulous on every skin tone.

Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color lets you do just that. It gives you options that look gorgeous no matter what your skin tone. Customize the fade-resistant colour with a light sweep for a natural blush and then build it as you like.

This Summer, Mary Kay has come out with seven Mineral Eye and Cheek Colors. The earth is the inspiration for each of the colors. Think waterfalls, flowers, dirt & the rain forest. (six shades are shown)

Here are close-ups of each of the colors:

Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color

Hands down Gold Coast is my favorite color out of the bunch!

I love the range from matte to shimmery textures.

Which one is your favorite?

New L'Oreal Foundations for Women of Color

As a women of color blogger, I think it's my duty to share products that are universal. Both foundation have shades ranging from fair to dark. In this post I am going to focus on the deeper tones.

I feel like a kid in a candy store talking about these foundations. Mostly because I know that they will work for some of my readers. If it won't work for you, I know its a brand that you can suggest to your friends or client if your an MUA.

The product on the left is the L'oreal Paris Magic Beautifier BB cream in Deep. Try saying that five times fast, it's a mouth full. If you're like me and you don't wear foundation daily, this is perfect for you. This formula is much different than your traditional BB cream because it comes out white and then adjusts to your skin tone. There are a lot of products which  say they do this but they are usually not suitable for dark/deeper tones.

Another factor which makes this product unique is the "luminating" particles in this BB cream.

I currently don't have a product like this in my make up stash.

L'oreal Paris Magic Beautifier BB cream comes in Fair - Light - Medium - Deep

L'oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Foundation 

The words healthy & foundation are usually not words that see you on foundations bottles.

Apparently this foundation has 3 powerful ingredients (40% water, antioxidants, vitamin C & E ) that improve your skin the more you wear it. I will tell you that I have not been wearing this foundation enough to see "changes" but I can give you information on coverage.

The foundation is light and buildable.  For reference this shade is Nut Brown/ Cocoa.

I just came back from a week in the Dominican Republic and I am probably a shade darker.

 Currently this foundation is exactly what I need during the summer.

This foundation comes in 15 shades ranging from light to deep.

Beauty/Fashion News: Payless, So...? Fragrance & Win a Lifetime of Shellac

New from Payless

 Have you had the time to visit Payless lately? 
A lot of super cute styles have arrived! Perfect for any look that you are going for.
My current favorites are all pretty high but that thankfully they all have a platform!

*****
 
So...? Fragrance

I'll admit I'm a few years too old for this line: Ages 14 - 25. 

Since I'm all about fruity & fun scents, I decided to try the line.

I work in a scent-free zone. In basic terms we are not allowed to wear any fragrances which may cause headaches, migraines and etc. I can wear these in the office because they are light. Which is pro for me at work but it may be a con for anyone who loves strong bold scents.

****

Win a Lifetime of Shellac from NailpolishCanada

This sounds like an amazing opportunity!

Chipped nails are an important issue that affect lives in many ways. “We’ve invented substantial research and the reason women slap or bite in a catfight is fear of chipping their nails. Hopefully, together, we can build a world where a woman can throw a punch at the bitch who kissed her boyfriend without worrying about chips” said Ms. Smith

The prize will go to whomever can show that their life will be most impacted by winning Shellac for life. Be it better, or worse.

If you or a loved one is still stuck in a world of chips, smudges and wasting countless hours re-doing nails we urge you to take a stand. Enter at http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/categories/cnd-shellac.html

Grand prize will go to the best description of how winning a lifetime supply of Shellac will change their life.

Winner selected August 7, 2012.

Prize Details & Entry
Grand Prize (Value $1266): 33 Bottles of CND Shellac + 36 Watt UV Lamp + 5 Topcoat + 5 Basecoat + Scrub Fresh.

How much Shellac do I need to last 25 years?
1300 (weeks in 25 years) / 2 (weeks application lasts) / 20 (applications per bottle) = 33 bottles of Shellac color

Open to Canadian and United States residents only.

Full rules and entry at: http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/categories/cnd-shellac.html

Anastasia Beverly Hills See or Be Seen Kit + Swatches

Lately, I have been seeing reviews/swatches of this Anastasia Beverly Hills See or Be Seen Kit popping up all over the bloggersphere.

It's amazing to see how the colors show up on different skin tones.

I will admit.. I've never tried anything from Anastasia Beverly Hills before. I thought the whole line was dedicated to brow products.



This kit was the perfect way to try out some products from line that I would not be exposed to.

This kit consists of:
Illumin8 Eyeshadow Duo in On Set

This eyeshadow duo felt like velvety smooth butter. 

I can't get over how well the colors blended together. 

The color is also very flattering on every skin tone.

*****

Hydrafull Gloss in (Top) Plastic & Heiress (Bottom)

It's hard to get pink glosses to show up on my lips sometimes but these showed up perfectly.  

I'd recommend them because they're pigmented and hydrating.
Perfect shades for the summer!

The applicator was a little tricky to use at first.
TIP: Dab on the color, don't swipe it.

*****

 Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel

I wish that the kit came with a clear gel. This color was not suitable for me.

I'll be putting it into my kit because it may work for one of my clients.

*****
Seen and Be Seen Makeup Kit: The limited edition See and Be Seen makeup kit is available exclusively at Sephora and Anastasia.net and retails for $44 (with an $80 value)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream waterproof colors #24 & #26 swatches

One of the most popular Make Up For Ever products is their Aqua Cream colors. 

A must have because they are pigmented, creamy and long lasting. 

Just in time for summer, Make Up For Ever is launching four new colors- 

lime green, purple, baby blue and bright yellow.

Aqua Cream is a completely smudge-proof, tear-proof, waterproof cream color that won’t crease, run or transfer. It gives intense payoff with a highly pigmented formula that ensures the colorful, pearly hues show up on skin while the soft, silky texture allows it to glide effortlessly onto eyelids, cheeks and lips. The formula includes evaporating oils to help fix the pigments on skin for impeccable hold, and a special filmogen polymer that encapsulates the pigments to keep moisture out and render them waterproof.

#24 Matte Vibrant Yellow

#26 Violet Sheen

These are gorgeous! 

The colors are buildable and can be worn alone.

Work quickly when using them because when they set they don't budge.

I also want to add that these aqua creams are used by the Canadian Olympic Synchro team.

If these are good enough for strenuous physical exercise underwater, they will definitely work for you!

Canadian Face of the Day featuring Annabelle & Marcelle

Happy Canada Day!

To Celebrate it's only right to share a look I did featuring Canadian brand Annabelle & Marcelle.

I shared this look in a previous post but now I will share details on what I used!

I have reviewed a lot of Annabelle & Marcelle products on my blog in the past. If someone asks me which products are definate must haves, I would recommend: Annabelle Smoothies & Marcelle Waterproof eyeliners.

The smoothies can be used as over the eye as a highlighter, shadow or liner. Once they set, they don't budge. To top it off they are crease free & waterproof.

 
The color I used is called melonade. I use it in my inner corners daily. I also blend it out as a highlighter.

 The waterproof eyeliners comes in 16 colors!
I chose Electric Blue because it compliments my skin tone.

Up-close

Happy Canada Day!

CoverFX Canada Day Giveaway!

To celebrate Canada day on July 1, I am giving away a CoverFX 

prize pack away to a lucky Spiced Beauty reader.

Cover FX creates healthy, natural-looking foundations for flawless full coverage. Available in a global palette with more than 30 shades, our unique formulas provide a precise match for skin of all ethnicities. We take ingredient choices seriously which is why each product is free of parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil and talc. To ensure each product is safe for even the most sensitive of skin, all Cover FX formulas are developed under the supervision of dermatologists and clinically tested, for a truly healthy foundation.

During this heatwave it's important to have an effortless beauty routine. Get a perfect fresh, transparent look for Spring/Summer in three quick steps:

Step 1: BritePrep FX Brightening Foundation Primer ($45)

• Provides instant skin brightening effects and blurs the appearance of fine lines and pores
• Facilitates foundation blending and extends wear 
• Bearberry Extract: Anti-UV, lightens brown spots to even and brighten skin ton SPF 50

Step 2: SkinTint FX Treatment and Tinted Moisturizer ($39)

• Oil free, paraben free and water-resistant formula
• Contains skin repairing ingredients, anti-aging, skin firming and anti-wrinkle technology
• Bisabolol; the main active ingredient of the chamomile plant, anti-inflammatory, to protect and reduce skin irritation and sensitivity
•  SPF 30

Step 3: Bronzed FX Mineral Bronzing Powder ($28) available in 5 shades.

• Creates an instant sun-kissed appearance on the face and body
• Highlighting or all-over bronzer to achieve a sun-kissed glow without damaging UV exposure
• Ideal for all skin types

For your lips: MintTint FX Tinted Anti-aging Lip Glaze ($22) available in 6 shades.

• Moisturizing lip treatment and primer. Protective, fortifying and refreshing
• Lip Fill Technology, a blend of peptides and hyaluronic acid improves collagen synthesis and provides time released hydration

Enter to win here!

USA & CANADA ONLY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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