JK Jemma Kidd I-Conic Liners

It's always kind of fun when I get to see a product in a store when I've read about it in my email.  JK Jemma Kidd I-Conic Liners ($14) in Prima Donna (dark purple) and Idol (smoky green) launched at Target this month.

The I-Conic Eyes Pencil Liners have an innovative built-in sharpener and are enriched with jojoba oil for added hydration. They glide on smoothly and effortlessly to create a rich look for day or night.

I really love the dark purple so I may have to grab that one next time I'm in Target.  You can also order from Target.com

Cult Nails Time Traveler

Last of my blue polishes for now, I promise.  I'm going glitter soon.  This time I bring you Cult Nails Time Traveler, a SUPER Navy blue creme that is ridiculously pigmented and opaque.  This is from the Super Powers 2011 Collection in case you're keeping score.

I used a base of Cult Nails Get It On, one coat of polish and a top of Cult Nails Wicked Fast.

Now yes, I said one coat of polish.  This stuff is crazy ridiculous.  I also got it everywhere.  This is pre-top coat/pre-clean up

I use an e.l.f. Professional Concealer Brush and Zoya Remove+ to clean up my edges.

So yeah, look how pigmented and opaque and smooth this is in the sun?!  It's a great color when you need a pow-in-your-face navy blue creme.  POW right in the kisser.

Even in some indirect light, there's no stopping this color.  I love that the script for the bottles is in silver - makes a huge difference!

Super crazy with the flash too.  If you're looking for a one coater - ta da.  I did not have any staining either so ... yes.  Go #JoinTheCult already.  ^_^

Cult Nails [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram: CultNails] is available in their shop for $12 a bottle.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Creative Bioscience 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge

I am not a doctor.  The following post is written with my opinions and the information provided from the Creative Bioscience website.  You should discuss any weight loss treatment with your doctor before you start it.  

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you have seen the hashtag #thebeautyloser which is actually the detailed account of Beauty Judy's weight loss journey.  I told her that I really wanted to join her on her mission and try and lose my own excess weight for my health and well being.

I received a large portion of my Dad's genes... he's a former football player and stands at 6'6" and my whole family has a huge love of food (well, especially me).  When I started high school (14 years ago), I hit my last major growth spurt and gained 20 pounds in my 4 years.  Then in college, I gained not just a freshman 15 but rather a freshman 35 (in 4 years).  I got pregnant in 2006 and my weight went all over the place.  First I lost 20 pounds, then I gained 45 pounds, then I lost 25 pounds and then slowly over the next three years I gained 45 pounds.  I was at my heaviest... even heavier than being 9 months pregnant.  After an icky breakup where I was told I was too fat, I decided to really work on getting rid of the weight.  For 10 months, I watched my diet very strictly (but healthy) and went to the gym at least three times a week.  By mid 2011, I was feeling great but still had about 30 pounds to lose before my doctor would be happy with me.  However, I stopped watching my diet and the gym became less of a priority and now, 14 months later I have gotten back up to my heaviest weight again.  I feel sluggish, my hips hurt from sitting too long, nothing fits, and I know that this is not how I want to look or feel about myself.

SO.  All that being said, I am accepting the 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge from Creative Bioscience who will sponsor my product trial of African Mango 1200TM for 90 days in my effort to lose weight.  After carefully looking over the Creative Bioscience website, I chose African Mango 1200TM because I am looking to lose 20+ pounds (uh, closer to 70 but hey, baby steps), it helps reduce LDL cholesterol (at last checking, mine was HIGH - too much bacon), and there aren't any side effects because the product is all natural.  You take one capsule 30 minutes before meals twice per day... for me, breakfast and lunch are going to be the easiest.

Am I nervous?  Of course.  This is not a miracle drug, and Creative Bioscience clearly states: 

As with any diet supplement of this nature, you do not need to change your eating habits or exercise. We do not discourage exercise or changing your diet, but they are not required for the weight loss. This will not give you a free pass to eat whatever you want, and expect to have no side effects, as this should be used in coordination with a healthy lifestyle in general.

What better way to help me aid my #thebeautyloser journey?  I will be keeping updates, weekly is my goal, to let you know how it's going - food, work outs, and the African Mango 1200TM.

Hey Bloggers!  Want to kick start your own weight loss challenge with Creative Bioscience to help you?  You may apply to their 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge here.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Cult Nails Princess

Yes, I'm still feeling like blue is my color and so today I have Cult Nails Princess, a pretty light blue with a subtle pink shimmer.  When I say subtle, sadly I mean subtle.  I used a base of Cult Nails Get It On, 2 coats of polish and a top of Cult Nails Wicked Fast.  The polish formula behaved very nicely - didn't pool or go on streaky.

Try as you might but it's going to be hard to see that pink in this picture here in the sun.  What you can see is smooth, pigmented blue polish though!

Try really hard here in the shade - you can kind of see the shimmer in the bottle.  It's really faint but it's this lovely sugar molecule type shimmer in a baby pink.  I promise.

Can you see it in indirect light?  I feel like I'm playing a game of Green Eggs and Ham except I really want to see the pink shimmer.  (Okay, I just realized that Maria calls is copper shimmer, but it sure looks pink to me)

Ah, finally some of that shimmer (see middle finger).  Very delicate - like a princess.  Princess is a part of the Cult Fairy Tale collection 2012.

Cult Nails [Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Instagram: CultNails] is available in their shop for $12 a bottle.

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

Marc Anthony HairCare Fall 2012 Trends

Fashion Week has come and gone and it's been all about the hair, the makeup and (most importantly) the nails!  However, I felt inspired to get my hair curled this past weekend and while it only lasted a few hours, I was happy with the results.

So what does an actual expert have to say about the Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Hair Trends?  Well, keep reading to find out what Marc Anthony is predicting.

One ‘Faithfull’ Muse and Two Looks for

Fall/Winter 2012/2013 Hair

We live for this season with a massive love for the new fall/winter feeling. Fall’s fashion is a well travelled look, tailored and at times very traditional yet fresh. It feels sort of posh from the inside; by that we mean it’s about the cut and the fabric more than instant impact that blinds you. Hair follows suit with natural ease and simplicity, a bit more refinement and a versatility that lends itself to any outfit and any occasion. 

There is a bit of color in this season’s collection (a few designers did bold and bright) but for the most part the colors are muted. It is nice to not have it be all about black.  We see trousers vs. pants and a very feminine masculine. Sizzi, the designer for Giulietta, said it best, “I want it to feel traditional but happy and playful.”

With this in mind we went to work creating our trends for the season. Our muse: MARIANNE FAITHFULL. That sort of sexy, ‘just woke up’ look that somehow works with wide length trousers, tweeds and evening wear. Two looks, one woman and Marc Anthony products. 

SOFT AUTUMN WAVES

A dash of the mysterious; so perfect with this year’s well travelled look. We adore how long the layers are with this cut. They are softer than we have seen from a technical point of view. We cut into the ends of the layers to ensure they sort of dissipate vs. just ending crisply. These waves are a bit more polished than we have seen in the last while and we love that they are well groomed. 

GET THE LOOK:

1. Get some movement going: Start with freshly washed hair and a bit of Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray to get some volume and wave started. If your hair is fine flip your head over and scrunch as you dry to help achieve a bit of extra volume as well as movement.  Once hair is dried you will need a large barrel curling iron, Pro Finish Hairspray and some clips.

2. Curling iron: Starting at the bottom, part hair into 2-inch sections across using clips to keep rest of the hair out of the way. You want the sections large because this wave is very loose. Spray with Pro Finish and very loosely wrap hair around the barrel (start wrapping hair from about two inches down), holding for a few seconds. As you move up the head begin dropping the sections lower each time. Repeat this until you are finished.

3. Finish: Take a bit of Oil of Morocco Argan Oil, rub it into your fingertips and then use your fingertips as a comb to work out the waves into a natural finish.  A natural bristle brush will give this look a bit of extra polish.

FULL FALL VOLUME

This is such a polished, natural look. Again shorter hair with longer layers is an important message for this season. We love the definition of the perimeter and the softness of the interior. A big round brush, some bye.bye.Frizz Blow Dry Cream and Dry Shampoo is all you need. 2^nd Day Clear Dry Shampoo is more than just that. Though it is amazing at removing dirt, grime and oil it is also a volumizer, which is as ‘pro tip’ as you can get...read on! Let’s walk through the way to achieve this look.

GET THE LOOK:

1. Blow out: A large round natural bristle brush will give you just the right amount of volume and bend at the ends. You want this look to have a natural finish so the larger the brush the better. Apply the Blow Dry Cream and blow dry hair section by section. If your hair is fine roll up and pin each section after you dry it to help ‘set’ the hair.

2. Add shine: Once hair is dry add Oil of Morocco Argan Oil to your fingertips and run it through your hair before using the natural bristle brush to give your hair a good brushing. The Oil helps to lock in shine.

3. Volumize: Now, take your Dry Shampoo and apply it to the scalp; you want to spray about six inches from the root area. Leave it be for a couple of minutes then with your fingertips shake it out. Seriously, that’s a wrap.