REVIEW: Mary Kary Microdermabrasion Set

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I sell Mary Kay. No, the company did not pay me or ask me to write this post. My opinion is my own and has been developed from using the product!

With that aside, lets get down to business. For the last few months that I have been involved with Mary Kay, I have to say that this is one of my favorite products.

It is a two step process. First you have the REFINE and then the REPLENISH. The refine stage is the workhorse. It is what is going to smooth out your skin and give you the glowing appearance. It does take off a layer of skin which can be a lot on your face. The replenish step is what adds some nutrients back to the skin to recover from sloughing off all the dead skin cells.

And I am here to tell you that this product packs a punch. Mary Kay promises that the Microderm will "immediately fights fine lines, reduces the appearance of pores, and creates noticeably softer, smoother-feeling skin with a healthy, more radiant-looking glow." BOY! does it! I wish that I had a before and after photo to show you from when I started to use this product until now. It packs a punch in two small bottles. It doesn't take a lot of product at each use. Maybe about a quarter size of each and you can get about 34 treatments per set. Think about how much that will cost in the dermatologist's office?!?! and this bad boy is only $50!

I can't say enough that I love this product. Long before I even knew what Mary Kay was I was always searching for products to scrub my face. There is just something about using a product with crystals in it that makes your face feel clean. Cleanser is great and all, and definitely a must, but there is something about being able to feel the product at work! Your face will literally be squeaky clean!

And here is what you really want to know: does this product deliver its promise?? TOTALLY. Now, I am fairly young so I don't have a lot of fine lines to reduce but it certainly smooths out the skin. I can see a difference every time I use it. My face has a renewed appearance and really does have a glow. and my favorite part of this product: SMALLER PORES!!! I have some ginormous pores on my face and they are the bain of my existence but this products helps to keep them clean and lesson there size. In addition to its already long list of can do's, another reason I love this product is how it makes my makeup look. Because it is smoothing out the skin, it allows the foundation to apply in a more even fashion and helps the make up look more natural. Isnt that what we all want? To wear makeup but look like we arent??

If there is one product you need to add to your skin care routine, it is this one. If you are interested in trying some, please feel free to contact me here.

Wet N Wild Eyeshadows

Looking for some new shadows?? On a budget?  Concerned about quality? Well, I have the answer. WET N WILD! They have some of the BEST eyeshadow's on the market, not just the drugstore. I dont think I have encountered a bad one yet!  They are pigmented, creamy, soft, gorgeous!  and the best part is they wont break the bank!  The 8 pan palettes run about $5, the 3 pans are about $4, and the singles are $2. Here is my collection so far.

Comfort Zone, Blue Had Me at Hello, Petal Pusher, Sparkle til Morning, and Nude Awakening

 

Nude Awakening and Sparkle til Morning are limited editions and are no longer available in stores. The other three are part of the regular collection.

I Got Good Jeans, Cool as a Cucumber, Walking on Eggshells, Silent Treatment, and Brule

Silent Treatment and Walking on Eggshells are in my regular rotation and Brule, the single, is one of the most versatile of products. I have one that is open and well loved! It works as a base for the eyes, a highlight for the browbone, a shade to blend out the edges. Wonderful! And now for a few swatches!

I just chose some of my favorites from various of the palettes. These photo does not does it justice but you can see how pigmented they are. And these are not swatched over primer, just shadow to skin. In my experience they last really well, especially when a primer or based is used.

I highly recommend these shadows to anyone looking for something new. WNW is no longer what we they used to be. They upped there game and are a steal at the drugstore. These shadows are as good if not better than any high end shadow out there. You just cant beat it! Go try it for yourself!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lavendar 9 Powder Blush

Okay, this is probably the most outrageous product that I own! The other week I was sitting in my living room thinking, "I wonder if they make purple blush". Now, I knew they had the darker more berry color blushes but I wanted PURPLE!! So I searched everywhere to find one. I look at pretty much every store I had access to here in town and nothing. So, I turned to the web. I started on Ulta but I didn't find anything. Then, I checked Sephora. I haven't ever ordered anything from there but I knew that they have  lot of different kinds of products. If you have never been to a store or checked out their website, they carry higher end brands of makeup. So as I was searching around, I landed on Make Up For Ever Lavender 9. It is a little scary in the pan so brace yourself.

WOAH! Now, that is a purple blush!!! I did do some research and looked at swatches before I bought it. and while it is crazy looking here, it is really not that bad on the face.

Here it is the first time that I wore it. It definitely leans purple but it does look a little more pink on the face than in the pan.

Because this is such a pigmented blush, you have to have a light hand when applying it. Less is more! I haven't had the chance to try it with a lot of different looks. Here I chose to keep the rest of the face pretty simple. I don't think I even wore anything on my eyes, just some mascara. I think that it could be worn with a slightly more dramatic eye if done with neutral colors. Because of bright color, I wouldn't wear any major colors on the rest of the face. A neutral eye and lip so that the blush pops!

As I have mentioned, it have great pigmentation and the color itself lasts on the face all day. It's not an everyday color but I think it is great for changing up the routine when things get a little boring.

The blush costs $21 and can be purchased here. It is a lot for a blush but I think it is worth it. and for those of you who are not into such a special color, they do come in other shades that would work great for everyday use and will last forever!

First Impression: Covergirl 3 in 1 Foundation

I have been needing to get a new foundation for a while. The foundation I was using just was working but I didnt know what to buy. That is when I got a coupon for a free bottle of Covergirl 3-in-1 Foundation. I had heard some buzz about it but wasnt overly confidant. The last time I used anything Covergirl was probably back in high school. But, IT WAS FREE. WHO DOESNT LOVE FREE??? So, I went to the store last night and picked it up.

I have only worn it once but I think it wore great. I have combo to oily skin so if my face is not shiny by noon, its been a good day. Well, shockingly, when I got in my car at 5:15 today to leave work, My face barely had any shine to it. There was a little but it looked more glowy than oily. It looked natural all day and didnt fade or oxidize on my skin. Two Thumbs UP!

I want to throughly review the foundation after I am able to wear it for a while and give my full impression but so far so good!

If you are interested in trying it, you can get them at any drugstore or somewhere like Walmart or Target and price ranges from about $9-13. Check back later for my full review!

Ipsy April Glam Bag

Subscription service are abundant on the market these days. I have only taken part in Ipsy and Julep so I cant say that I have a full range of experience. BUT I do watch a lot of YouTube videos and reviews of various boxes like Birchbox, beauty box 5, Glossy Box, etc, etc. And I have to say, Ipsy is the best. You often get full size products or deluxe samples. No skimpy foil packets here. And the best part, ITS ONLY TEN DOLLARS!!!!!

This months theme was Pretty In Pink! Here is an overview of the bag.

Overview of Bag



 Did I mention you get a sweet bag every month! On to the close ups!



Big Sexy Hair Powder Play

 I have actually used this product before. It is a powder that you rub between your fingers and rub it in the roots of your hair. It adds a little volume to flat hair. I am not exactly sure how much this costs but I know I bought the other one I have for about $3.50 and it was on sale.

Sation Nail Polish in Love at First Byte

Next up, a full size nail polish! I have a lot of polish but I have never used this brand. The color is not showing up true, it is more of a light baby pink. I have heard good things about the brand so i cant wait to try it! The price I looked up varies but it sells from somewhere around $5-7.

 

Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks 



 I have received a couple of other products from this brand in other Ipsy bags and so far I have been impressed. It is a bright pink with a nice sheen to it. From the swatch Ill put up in a moment, the blush has quite a bit of pigmentation but looks like it can blend out for a more subtle effect. This blush sells for $16 on the company website.

Mica Beauty Cosmestics eyeshadow in Earth

Mica is also another brand that is featured often in Ipsy bags. My gel eyeliner I am currently using is from that company. The color is a light pink with lots of shimmer! It will be great for an extra touch to some special looks! The full size retails for about $15 on the company website. From what I can tell, this is a bit smaller than the full size but it is an ample sample of the product!

Mica eyeshadow on the Left and Be a Bombshell on the Right
 

I am excited to start using this products. Probably most excited about the blush!

If you are interested in trying a subscription service, I highly recommend Ipsy. You get a great deal for the money. And who doesn't love a surprise every month!?! Check out www.Ipsy.com for more information!

March Favorites!

In the past month, I have accured some monthly favorites that have become staples in my beauty rotation. Some of the products I am going to show have been things I never thought I would buy but are well worth the money. I can be a stickler for price but sometimes it is good to splurge! Anyway, lets get on with beauties!

First, I want to start with my face powder and highlighters!


Top: Hard Candy Bronzer in Tiki
Bottom: Mac MSF in Lightscapade and MSF in Light Plus


 

I have used many face powders in my day and I havent found one as good as MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Light Plus. It creates a natural look without being too powdery. It does cost $30 but it seems to last for a while.I highly recommend everyone checking it out.

As for the two highlighters, I have been obsessed with setting my undereye concealer with them. I use the MSF in Lightscapde the most. It helps to lighten up the area without looking like you put glitter or anything in the area. It has a great sheen without being unnatural.

Hard Candy calls Tiki a bronzer but really it is a great golden highlighter. It adds just a bit of glow when you need a pick me up!

Next up, eyes!



Maybelline Expert Eyes in Browntones; MAC Pro longwear Concealer in NW 15; Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer in Radiant

Lets be honest. Dark circles are a girls biggest enemy when it comes to creating a bright complextion. I have been using a combo of the MAC and the Dream Lumi and it works great! I put the Dream Lumi on first to help correct some of the darkness and then apply the MAC on top. It works wonders at waking up a tired face!

My next trick at bringing out the face is my eyebrows. I have extremely light brows and have always fought it. In years past, I just let it ride. I was too afraid to try and dye them and just didnt understand pencils or what not. My first foray into filling in the brows was with a pencil. It often was too dark and never looked right---until recently. I decided I would give powders a try. Browntones is actually a eyeshadow but hey, who cares! It works great at creating a brow without being too harsh!

Urban Decay Naked Basics

I put off for months on getting the Naked Basics palette. I figured I could live without! Boy, I was wrong! It is perfect for creating an everyday eye look. You can go simple or go dramatic! I have been using it almost everyday since I got it!

Mica Beauty Gel Eyeliner

I got this gel liner in an Ipsy bag. It is a really dark, basic black liner. It is great for the winged liner I have been obsessed with!

MAC Pressed Pigment in Blonde Streak

Swatch

Blonde Streak is great for added a little sparkle to an eye look. I like to use it in the corner of the eye for brightness and have even used it to frame the outside of my eye. Make things a little fun!! and who doesnt love a little glitz?!?

NYX Cream Blush in Boho Chic

A new thing I have gotten into is cream blush. Boho Chic is great for a soft natural look. I use it on days where I want an "inner glow". I use a stippling brush to apply right after my foundation and then set my whole face with my MSF. I find that it has good pigmentation and lasts all day.


Welp, those have been my stand out product for the month of March! Look out for more to come!